| Computer Audio Discussion of computers as source components, sound cards, USB DACs, media servers, etc. |
10-08-2008, 12:00 AM
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500+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Avon, CT
Posts: 900
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My MacBook Air Headphone Out Sucks... options?
Okay, so my new MBA is lovely but it sounds like garbage through the headphone jack. It's especially disappointing because my old PowerBook G4 had one of the cleanest hp-out's that I've heard from a stock computer. Anyways, what are good options for me to improve my computer's sound?
I've been considering the D2, D3, or Lyrix DAC/amps. Are there any other options out there that I should be considering?
My budget is ~$200, although the cheaper, the better. I will be using Shure E500's.
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10-08-2008, 12:52 AM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Dunedin, New Zealand
Posts: 3,499
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Meier Corda 2Move? Nuforce Icon?
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10-08-2008, 02:35 AM
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500+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 570
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You don't really have that many options seeing how you only have one usb port. I wonder how a usb dac would be with a hub..
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10-08-2008, 03:18 AM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: TX
Posts: 205
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Using mine with a Predator and it sounds really great but it is not my primary rig.
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10-08-2008, 03:52 AM
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500+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Jun 2004
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Quote:
Originally Posted by John E Woven
You don't really have that many options seeing how you only have one usb port. I wonder how a usb dac would be with a hub..
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Jeez, someone's a little sour about the MBA? I'm not looking for people to evaluate my computer, just my music options 
I barely use even the one usb port. Everything is wireless, except the occasional iPod sync.
As for the Predator... way out of my price range!
Last edited by The_X; 10-08-2008 at 03:56 AM.
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10-08-2008, 04:21 AM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 5,692
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You already have a Mini3, might as well get a nice BantamDAC to go along with it.
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10-08-2008, 07:16 AM
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500+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Vancouver
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I'm not sour on the MBA. I'm just suggesting that you might have already used the usb port for something else and thus usb is not an option, and that using a usb hub might not yield good results. I really don't know about that one.
But, mini3 is good.
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10-08-2008, 11:04 AM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Singapore
Posts: 3,114
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The_X
Jeez, someone's a little sour about the MBA? I'm not looking for people to evaluate my computer, just my music options
I barely use even the one usb port. Everything is wireless, except the occasional iPod sync.
As for the Predator... way out of my price range! |
well then D2 Boa is perfect for u.
its $165.
i am using it for my laptop> FooBar>ASIO4ALL
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tfarney
If anything is true of the Audiophile Mentality, not just here, not just headphones, it is that it is often driven by the desire to purchase something and then the desire to justify that purchase.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Patrick82
My budget is not limited.
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Headphones (current) : Sennheiser HD600 (HD650 cable) | Sennheiser IE-7 | Sennheiser HD205 | MX400|
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Amps & DAC's : Crossroads Edge Amp | iBasso D2 Boa Silver | FiiO E3 (Donated)
Team:Sennheiser
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10-08-2008, 05:18 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: san francisco / mountain view
Posts: 12,685
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I assume the MBA headphone out is a dual analog/optical so I'd say you keep on eye on Audiogon and eBay for vintage DACs. You can find some amazing deals for $200. This is if portability is not a concern.
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10-08-2008, 05:27 PM
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500+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: London
Posts: 926
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Does the HP out have optical built in? If so you could grab a D1 and do some opamp rolling?
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