What would you buy >300€ as Signal Source

[nebula]

Hello everyone!

First, I'm new in HiFi World. I dont have much information about it, except what I've read on the internet in last couple of months. As far as I know most important thing is signal source. Maybe this topic smells like "Build in CD player DAC vs external DAC", but I have 2 questions.

1. What would you buy for >300€ if you had Macbook Pro 15'' mid 2011 edition, Marantz PM 6003 amp and Denon SC-M39 speakers? CD-Player or DAC or something else?

2. What kind of noticeable difference between Macbook Pro's build in DAC and mid range external DAC > 200€ and why(or how)?

Yes, I know, maybe last question is common, but I couldnt find on this website. And your opinion is more important for me.

Thanks!

 

[BigH]

I would disagree, in terms of sound speakers make the most difference. Difference between cd players and amps is quite small. I would swop the speakers, something second hand although E300 is not much to work with. If you want a DAC then Bereford DAC is probably the best bet about £200 not sure what difference it will make.

 

[MajorFubar]

Both of my Macs (2011 Mini and 2011 iMac i7) have better DACs than any off-the-shelf Windows laptop/PC I've ever owned, but my HRT II+ USB DAC still betters the pair of them. I don't exactly know why, but it's probably to do with the fact it's made from higher-quality components optimised for the task. Plus separating the DAC from the electrically noisy interior of a computer is often beneficial to start with.

And anyone who says the difference is SQ between amps is small his obviously just been lucky enough to have never owned a naff amp. Because trust me, it's not small.

 

[john dolan]

SBT

 

[Overdose]

For the amount of money that you are talking about, you might be better off to get an Apple Airport Express.

You will gain greater flexibility and not need to tether your Mac to the system.

If you are sure you want a DAC, have a look at THIS.

 

[nebula]

Everything makes difference, but when you play poor quality mp3 on Hight End System, it doesn't matter. I saw some people who has 10 000€ equipment and plays only mp3's and sounds terrible. You get out what you put in. We can't mesure the SQ with strong bass or with volume or etc. Right? (some people think like this)

I was planing to buy DAC – one of this: M2Tech HiFace DAC (220€) or HRT microStreamer (175€). Then I though, maybe I should buy a CD-Player and just burn FLAC files like Audio-CD? Moreover, I'm wondering how large is the dinamic range of Macbook Pro's sound card and how we can compare with so called inexpensive DAC?

 

[gasolin]

http://www.whathifi.com/review/pioneer-p1dab theres

Just bought this one (i listen to the new models but only the the small ones not the hs8 ) http://usa.yamaha.com/products/music-production/speakers/hs_series/hs80m/?mode=model mabye 500€ the smaler ones costs mabye 400€ or less

 

[BigH]

MP3s can sound fine, it depends on the resolution and whether they have been muck up. I doubt you can tell the difference between high res MP3s and cds. MP3 has a bad rep because the low res quality. Also in systems like itunes its important to get the sound settings right.

I have found the difference in DACs to be small, I have compared my computer with my Marantz 63SE cdp and the Wolfstone DACs in my AVI speakers and there is not a lot of difference. When I get my Behinger 202 I will compare that and also digital out into the AVIs. The AVI DAC is the best more clarity but the Marantz is not far behind, unless you know which one is playing you would not know. For a cheap sound card my computer is pretty close not quite so refined, cymbals sometimes not so sharp etc but unless you listen closely doubt you would notice.

I don't know about the Mac DACs and sound card but I would look into your sound card settings as that can make a big difference.

 

[Andrew Everard]

1. What would you buy for >300€ if you had Macbook Pro 15'' mid 2011 edition, Marantz PM 6003 amp and Denon SC-M39 speakers? CD-Player or DAC or something else?

Clickety

 

[abacus]

No professional musician or engineer ever use the on-board sound cards of laptops or PCs, as even the best leave a lot to be desired.

Go for a high quality external sound card (Those with tower systems can also get high quality internal cards) and use that to get best results.

Ignore Hi Fi Magazines and shops and go to your local professional music store who will be able to supply you with a suitable sound card (That will be way better than what HI Fi magazines and dealers recommend) at a realistic price.

Remember all the music you listen too is done by professional studios, so if you want the best, get what they use.

Hope this helps

Bill

 

[SteveR750]

There's a big improvement in using an external DAC, if for no other reason that the one on your PC shares the same power supply with all the other interfering hardware. They hiss, pop, fizz and crackle all the time, and they're operated by a clock that has as much time keeping accuracy as my kids mickey mouse watch (ever noticed how accurate the time is on your PC?). Even a cheap USB DAC is a vast improvement in many ways, though once you start looking at the differences between separate DACs it starts to get very expensive very quickly to gain noticeable improvements.