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Macbook Pro Up-sampling via software through optical out same as USB Up-Sampling DAC

post #1 of 8
1/26/10 at 10:19pm
Thread Starter 
I have a Macbook Pro set at (96000hz 2ch -24Bit) connected to an iBasso D4 via optical cable. I'm considering getting a Macbook Air to use instead for my transportable rig but noticed it doesn't have an optical out and therefore cannot be set to (96000hz 2ch -24Bit) when connecting my D4 via USB. Would an USB up-sampling DAC, such as the Pico, do the same thing via USB as my current Macbook Pro set up?

Thanks.
Do!
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post #2 of 8
1/27/10 at 1:25am
Skip the Air and get a Tablet....

while it won't solve your problem it is a cooler setup.
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post #3 of 8
1/27/10 at 1:52am
Thread Starter 
I can't wait to see the new Apple Tablet that is rumored to be released tomorrow. This might be the ultimate transportable source.
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post #4 of 8
1/27/10 at 2:18am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr Do View Post
I have a Macbook Pro set at (96000hz 2ch -24Bit) connected to an iBasso D4 via optical cable. I'm considering getting a Macbook Air to use instead for my transportable rig but noticed it doesn't have an optical out and therefore cannot be set to (96000hz 2ch -24Bit) when connecting my D4 via USB. Would an USB up-sampling DAC, such as the Pico, do the same thing via USB as my current Macbook Pro set up?

Thanks.
Do!
Yes, a DAC such as the DACMAGIC or Little Dot DAC_I would upscale inside the DAC, and give similar or even optimal results.
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post #5 of 8
1/27/10 at 2:22am
I was wondering something along similar lines, when I was choosing a DAC for my Macbook Pro. I was able to compare the 48khz USB in/96kHz Optical in on my Super Pro USB DAC 707, and actually found that the two were very similar, with maybe the slightest edge given to the USB! I suspect thats because 96kHz optical in was doing two rounds of upsampling - first OSX to 96kHz then the 707 upsampling to 192kHz.

In the end I now use the optical in set to 48kHz 24bit, as I found that despite the USB being a little better, there was a little noise on the line. I don't think you should worry too much about the lack of optical.

I'm very excited about the tablet too though!
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post #6 of 8
1/27/10 at 3:23am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the input!

Do!
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post #7 of 8
1/27/10 at 9:06am
What is the bitrate of your files? I'm running a similar setup (Macbook Pro -> D10 -> Jade) via optical using FLAC files which are at 44.1. I found the best sound was setting the output to 44.1/24-bit and using a player that didn't resample (VLC or iTunes). You need to make sure that the player digital volume control is set to 100% and the digital EQ is off. In theory the player is taking the flac input, adding 8 bits of 0's and sending the signal through to the DAC for decoding.
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post #8 of 8
1/27/10 at 2:27pm
Thread Starter 
All my music is aiff except for the Lastfm and Pandora streaming. And Yes my volume is set to max.

Do!
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