DAC or NO DAC?

[zac92]

Hi Guys,

So....I'm hoping to buy my first proper hi-fi separates gear. I'm thinking Q Acoustics 2050is and a Marantz PM6004.

My source will be 320kpbs/lossless files from my MacBook Air.

My question is:

Do I need an external DAC, or is the MacBook Air's conversion likely to be good enough that I won't really be able to tell the difference?

On the one hand I don't want to have to spend the money if my Mac will do a good enough job so that the difference will only be minimal, but on the other I don't want to spend all that money on a nice hi-fi system and waste it because of bad source.....

What do you think? DAC or no DAC?

Thank youuuu!

Zac

 

[Overdose]

Did the answers in the other similar thread you posted not give you what you wanted?

Have a look at the AVI DM5 speakers when they are released (very soon I believe, but the AVI website should have more details). Connect to these an Airport Express and you're good to go.

 

[altruistic.lemon]

And so the marketing starts.

To answer your question zac92, yes, an external DAC will improve the sound, but there's no need to go overboard. A FiiO dac into the amp and speakers you suggest will give better quality than the mac straight out, at least judging by mine, and you'll have a little ripper of a system.

 

[zac92]

Thank you very much!

I've just seen the option to upgrade to the PM6005, which has a built-in DAC! Does this mean it'll override/bypass my crappy MacBook Air Dac as I'm hoping it will?

Also, can a MacBook Air connect via coaxial and/or optical to the amp?

If yes to all of these, I don't need a separate DAC

Thank you!

Zac

 

[zac92]

Thank you very much!

I've just seen the option to upgrade to the PM6005, which has a built-in DAC! Does this mean it'll override/bypass my crappy MacBook Air Dac as I'm hoping it will?

Also, can a MacBook Air connect via coaxial and/or optical to the amp?

If yes to all of these, I don't need a separate DAC

Thank you!

Zac

 

[altruistic.lemon]

Don't know, but it isn't a problem, as the Air has USB so you can use a USB to spdif converter.