| Computer Audio Discussion of computers as source components, sound cards, USB DACs, media servers, etc. |
01-18-2008, 02:47 PM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: 91042
Posts: 3,538
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MAC users, do you use optical out or just usb for dac
simple question:
do you use optical digital out or just usb out ?
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01-18-2008, 03:09 PM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Southern York County, PA
Posts: 8,170
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Optical, firewire and usb, depending on the dac. Oh, and airport express.
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denon 2900ta/apogee duet/behringer src2496/sony ps-x500->rotel RC1090->hf1/hf2/hafler p1000 bridged monoblocks->JBL L65 Jubals
iphone 3gs->JH Audio JH13
post count is irrelevant and the emporer wears no clothes
HF2s for sale: http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f10/ic...9/#post6398191
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01-18-2008, 03:12 PM
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Headphoneus Supremus 10*2kaiHead-Fi's Most Prolific Poster |
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Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 32,097
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Optical out for me.
Mostly through an AirPort Express, but occasionally straight from the MBP.
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:: Feedback ::
MacBook Pro → Isabellina → Signature 30.2 / β22 → K1000
MacBook Pro → Isabellina → Signature 30.2 / β22 → SRD-7 Pro → SR-007BL
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01-18-2008, 03:17 PM
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Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Indiana
Posts: 36
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Optical out. All the way everyday. 
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"Of all the things I've lost I miss my mind the most"
-Ozzy Osbourne-
Phones: HD650, AKG K252, Shure E2, Shure E530,
Cable Mods: None To Speak Of
Amps: AT-HA25
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01-18-2008, 03:18 PM
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500+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Austin
Posts: 562
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I've used USB and digital optical out with my Mac Mini. Currently using Airport Express optical out. No difference in sound that I could perceive out of my 0404 USB.
USB is likely cheaper as you probably have the necessary cable already. But you will need to change your output settings (I did with 0404 via Utilities > Audio MIDI Setup).
For optical out, I had to buy a mini toslink cable (could only find one cheap-o one at Fry's and it was still $20). No need to switch anything settings wise to use.
I think with USB (at least with my 0404 USB), I could set the system sounds to output from audio out while music output to USB.
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DESKTOP: Mac Mini > Airport Express > Oritek Modded Zhaolu v4.1 DAC > HeadAmp Gilmore Lite+DPS > markl-modded Denon AH-D5000 (aka. MD-5000)
PORTABLE: iPhone 8GB > flashbak-made LOD > HeadAmp Pico
PORTABLE HEADPHONES: Yuin PK1 -OR- SuperFreqs with iPhone cable
OTHER: Sennheiser RS-120
Feedback: http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f12/mchang-199822/
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01-18-2008, 05:23 PM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Barbaria
Posts: 2,892
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I used to use the USB in on the AQVOX when I was still after using its headphone out every now and then. As I only use the 005 with it now, I switched to optical. I never noticed the slightest difference, but I like to eliminate possibilities for hum to creep in = no electrical connection where not necessary.
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I like my AQVOX + STAXEN GLORY
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01-19-2008, 12:29 AM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 288
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USB for now on my DAC1 USB
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Chris C.
Founder
Computer Audiophile
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01-19-2008, 12:32 AM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: 91042
Posts: 3,538
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cconnaker
USB for now on my DAC1 USB
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shouldnt it be better optical?
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01-19-2008, 03:16 AM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: DC/VA
Posts: 1,678
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Depends on the DAC or amp I'm using, but it doesn't really matter either way.
One benefit of the optical out, however, is that it keeps your USB ports free for other things.
I highly recommend the free utlity SoundSource by Rogue Amoeba for use with USB audio devices. It allows you to use a simple menubar utility to direct where your audio goes without having to open up AudioMIDI Setup.
--Chris
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Home: iMac 20" 2.4/4/320 -> Meier Corda Headfive -> AKG K701 (Apple Lossless)
Portable: 12" PowerBook 1.5/1.25/80 -> Ety fh2
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01-19-2008, 03:26 AM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Kansas City North/Gladstone - home of the Low Rez Fez
Posts: 2,947
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I suppose I'm a bit backward. When I set up my iMac, I simply plugged a stereo mini-connector into the proper soundcard port, and thought it all sounded good out of my powered Protons. I have USB and/or firewire available. Would an outboard DAC make a really big difference?
Laz
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Why, oh why, didn't I take the BLUE fez?!
I'm the Fezmeister - Happy Camper sez so
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01-19-2008, 07:13 AM
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Headphoneus Supremus 10*2kaiHead-Fi's Most Prolific Poster |
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Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 32,097
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lazarus Short
Would an outboard DAC make a really big difference?
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Depending on the rest of the gear of course.
But an external DAC can make a really big difference. Especially in a system with high quality components all the way.
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:: Feedback ::
MacBook Pro → Isabellina → Signature 30.2 / β22 → K1000
MacBook Pro → Isabellina → Signature 30.2 / β22 → SRD-7 Pro → SR-007BL
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01-19-2008, 04:30 PM
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1000+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: anatomy lab
Posts: 1,125
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i use the optical out on my airport express.
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01-19-2008, 06:59 PM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hanalei, Kauai
Posts: 427
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optical for dac 1
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-Tis better to remain silent and be thought the fool, then to speak and remove all doubt-
Home: Musical Fidelity Tri Vista 21 DAC, McIntosh MC-2500, Cary Slp-98, Vandersteen 3a's, Musical Fidelity x-can V3, Analysis Plus Cabling, D2000, dt880, Macbook Pro
Portable: iphone, d2000
Yardwork: Shure e2c/shuffle
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01-20-2008, 04:45 AM
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1000+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 1,041
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Powerbook G4 user here, and I'm using USB for iBasso D1.
(Because I just realize there is no optical out from this mac)
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"Visually everything here is imperfect, but sonically they're mesmerizing"
Head-Fi Feedbacks
Portable rig iMod Photo → Xin SMIII V6 (2x BUF634 + 2x OPA627) → Yuin PK-1
Home rig X-FI Xtrememusic (as transport) → BJC Coax → OMZ v4.1 → VanDeHul "The Name" IC → Lisa III XP → AKG K701 (w SAA Equinox) / Denon D2000
Current sources: iMod Photo, iRiver IFP-180TC, Sony D-EJ925, & OMZ v4.1 DAC
Current cans: DENON D2000, AKG K701, Yuin PK-1, Etymotic ER6i, Alessandro MS-1, Sennheiser MX500, Koss UR-30 & KSC-55
Current amps: Yamaha Natural Sound Stereo Amp A-420, Xin Supermacro III V6, & LISA III XP
Current speakers: Klipsch Promedia satellite speakers + Megaworks Subwoofer
Wish list: Stax rigs, Darth beyer, Xin Reference, Tube Amp, Ultrasone Edition 9 & Balanced rigs
Gone but not forgotten: Heed Canamp, iBasso D1
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01-20-2008, 05:43 AM
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500+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: CA
Posts: 970
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USB almost exclusively, through various solutions (except for skype or other 'unpredictable' sound which I hesitate to play through speakers or nice headphones but opt for built-in tinny speakers of the computer, just in case some freaky staticky noise should fry my ears for good...)
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- faves: DT880/250 recabled, DT880/600, ER4P-S
- DAPs: 20GB iMod4, 80GB iPod6, 30GB iPod5.5
- portable amps: Tomahawk, Pico
- tube amps: WA 3+ (Sylvania 7236, Philips 6922 JAN),
EC LB Pro (NOS Phillips Miniwatt 6FC7, GE 5670)
- DACs: dual CIA VDA2 with VAC1/RAL; Pico
- transports: dual SB3/Oppo setups, XBox360, MacMini
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- big amps: Bel Canto S300iu, Outlaw RR2150
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