Is this any good?

[pekers678]

Hi All,

I'm thinking of upgrading my TEAC CD player, but am hoping to do so as cost-effectively as possible. I have read much about the possibility of hard-drive based playback devices, and so am therefore currently considering the following set-up:

Laptop with iTunes and external hard drive (containing music, lossless), streaming wirelessly to an Apple Airport Express, which is connected via optical 3.5mm jack to Beresford TC-7510 DAC, with probably £30 interconnects linking it to my NAD 3020e amp.

I would be very grateful if you could tell me what you think of this set-up, and would really like to know what sort of quality I could expect to get from it - e.g. how much would I have to spend for a CD player of the same quality?!

Thanks in advance.

 

[Gusboll]

Check out the thread "CD player v computer-based music" - Warning though; it's a long one!

The Accent - Red Sky at Night

 

[John Duncan]

It's spot on, and the cheapest way into top quality streaming music. Alternatively, you may consider a USB DAC if the laptop and stereo are permanently close enough together. Plenty to choose from - Beresford 7520, Fubar, DACMagic...

Or - no disrespect - you may even find that your NAD is too much of a limiting factor and that a DAC is superfluous and an Airport Express on its own would be sufficient.

 

[pekers678]

Thanks John, I'm glad that I'm on the right track! But I thought that the NAD 3020e was an improved version of the original 3020 - rated by many as one of the best budget amps around?! I have read reviews saying that the amp could rival ones costing £800 today?? Surely the music streaming system couldn't better a £800 amp?

 

[method man]

hi pekers. you need all the rest. u could be in the great position of getting it all up and running. and leaving out the dac. then if ur tempted, go doen to richers and get the Ca dacmagic, and give it a go. if not a good improvment you can take it back and or think about the amp change.