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Advice on Mac based vs. CDP based systems

post #1 of 2
6/18/07 at 7:32pm
Thread Starter 
Hi all,

Haven't posted in a while, and its nice to be back in headphone land!

I've been comtemplating moving from my NAD C542 based system to a Mac based (apple lossless) mainly for convenience. Here are some questions for you guys, please excuse the newbiness:

1. The Intel Mac minis have a mini optical out, but can I use a USB port to connect to a USB only DAC, like a Scott Nixon?

2. If given the choice, what sounds better, USB, or mini-optical out?

3. Hope not to lose much sound quality when switching over to the Mac as I'm pretty happy with the NAD. Can I expect a drop in sound quality if I use my Mac coupled with a Headroom Micro DAC or Scott Nixon?

Thanks!
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post #2 of 2
6/19/07 at 1:44am
1. USB dac just shows up as a sound card in system preferences.

2. Both sides have their champions but many say that USB has
the possibility of less jitter.

3. Better? How about different the nixon DAC is a NOS DAC and
a NOS DAC has a different kind of sound that a regular DAC.
Some people like the sound of a NOS DAC but it may not
appeal to all listeners. Warm with a slightly rolled off top end,
with a natural sound appeals to some people, others could find
it dull and not "high fi" enough.
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