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Macbook Pro a good source?

post #1 of 25
12/27/07 at 4:27pm
Thread Starter 


I just purchased some Beyer DT 770's and I'm planning to purchase a Cmoy soon, probably from JDS Labs. I was wondering how clean my Macbook Pro would serve as a source though.

Thanks!
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post #2 of 25
12/27/07 at 4:52pm
The optical output is terrific. The regular amplification section is OK; I use it in a pinch. Instead of a Cmoy, have you considered one of the amps with a built-in DAC? Headroom and Meier Corda offer some nice ones at a reasonable cost. Those will plug into a USB port and are a cut above jacking an amp into the line out.
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post #3 of 25
12/27/07 at 5:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Uncle Erik View Post
Instead of a Cmoy, have you considered one of the amps with a built-in DAC? Headroom and Meier Corda offer some nice ones at a reasonable cost. Those will plug into a USB port and are a cut above jacking an amp into the line out.
x2 The headphone out is ok, but I would definitely recommend the USB/DAC route
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post #4 of 25
12/27/07 at 5:28pm
Thread Starter 
Thank you for the responses.

What would be the biggest difference between the headroom vs. the Meier?

There is quite a cost difference in terms of the exchange rate.
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post #5 of 25
12/27/07 at 5:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by SoundGoon View Post
x2 The headphone out is ok, but I would definitely recommend the USB/DAC route
x3, and for best results I like to use lossless files, and turn off the EQ and sound enhancer in itunes, but the optical out is great.
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post #6 of 25
12/27/07 at 6:25pm
HeadAmp Pico (amp/DAC) was my choice as a mate with my Macbook Pro.
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post #7 of 25
12/27/07 at 7:43pm
please note that most USB is limited to 16bit 44k cuz of its low bandwidth. id utilize that optical out. good luck!
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post #8 of 25
12/27/07 at 10:01pm
I got a MBP too and want a better dac/amp. Here's a list that i'm lookin at:

Ibasso D1
Headphonia Lyrix
Zero
Leckerton UHA-3
Meier Arietta (no dac, but crossfeed sounds cool)
Pico

Tryin to upgrade my 24/96 Presonus Firebox!
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post #9 of 25
12/28/07 at 2:05am
I use the optical out into a DAC when I am home with my MacBook Pro and intend to use a Predator fed by USB when on the road. The Predator is in burn-in phase right now.
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post #10 of 25
12/28/07 at 2:36am
I think the Macbook pro is a very good source. I would recommend reading the article about iTunes and using iTunes with a DAC that appears on Benchmark's website. It will help you configure the MIDI setup for Mac with iTunes 7 and higher.

I have a Headroom portable desktop that I use with my Macbook Pro all the time. I typically use the Optical out instead of the USB but both work fine. I think the optical has a bit higher resolution and transparency with the Headroom though. I would recommend any of the Headroom DACs although I'm not that familiar with other portables with DAC features other than the comments that have appeared on Head-Fi. The Headroom amps work seamlessly with the Macbook and drive any headphone that you might want to use with them. Hope that helps a bit.
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post #11 of 25
12/28/07 at 2:40am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mr. nice View Post
please note that most USB is limited to 16bit 44k cuz of its low bandwidth. id utilize that optical out. good luck!
What's your source?

USB 1.1 has enough bandwidth for 24/96, 2-channel audio. USB 2.0 supports this on even a greater number of channels.

The limitation is much more likely going to be the audio device rather than the USB bandwidth (of which all MacBook Pros have USB 2.0).

--Chris
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post #12 of 25
12/28/07 at 3:33am
The MacBook Pro makes a really good source, imo.
I use mine as part of my main source (feeding an external Electrocompaniet DAC), and I think its awesome.
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post #13 of 25
12/28/07 at 11:20am
i am speaking of the sound card. a better option is Firewire. USB in general (not USB 2) has limitations not to mention he may want to actually use the USB ports on his CPU to connect other things to it such as a printer, ext hard drive, etc. while the optical out will be doing nothing at all. your best options IMHO is the optical out. second would be firewire.

Quote:
Originally Posted by hempcamp View Post
What's your source?

USB 1.1 has enough bandwidth for 24/96, 2-channel audio. USB 2.0 supports this on even a greater number of channels.

The limitation is much more likely going to be the audio device rather than the USB bandwidth (of which all MacBook Pros have USB 2.0).

--Chris
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post #14 of 25
12/30/07 at 12:53am
I hope this isn't considered hijacking this thread but I'm sort of in the same situation. I just got a MacBook Pro. This is my first Mac. I still have a couple of Windows XP machines.

I have a RSA Hornet and a set of Senn. 580's that sound pretty good with my Creative Vision M, playing mp3's at 256 vbr. What I'd like to do is see what the optical out on the MacBook Pro sounds like playing flac files. I've read that VLC does well playing flac on a Mac.

Would a Headroom Micro DAC work well with my Hornet and 580's on the Mac? Would there be much benefit from getting the Micro amp and dac together?


Thanks,

Buddy
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post #15 of 25
12/30/07 at 1:50am
Get the Micro Ultra DAC and see where you stand. Its got all three input types and could be added to later, with some other micro products.
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