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advice setting up an imac

post #1 of 3
2/8/11 at 5:03pm
Thread Starter 

 

repost--no responses at computer audio. i know these are simplistic questions, but due to a recent handicap, on an off and on basis i sometimes get a bit confused etc.

 

 

Will be getting an iMac in a week or two, and need the basic info to help decide on equipment configurations and set up.

 

Audio Goals:

To create a computer source that will be more than adequate for an upper-mid level system. My current system includes a Yamamoto HA-02 amp, with the main headphone being the Senn HD600. It will be upgraded later this year to something along the caliber of the Eddie Current Zana Deux or a wa5, and I can see experimenting with the Senn HD800 etc. 

 

 

Equipment:

- I plan to stick with iTunes and Apple Lossless files

- Experience has led me to place a little more weight on the source, over the amp and headphones respectively.

 

- Should I go with a DAC, or are there other options I should look at?

- What is the recommended connection for the DAC?

- Is the "voicing" of the DAC an important factor, as it is with CD players?

- Recommended DAC budget? 

- Any other accessories or equipment I should be looking at?

- Which 21.5" iMac?

 

 

 

tia

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post #2 of 3
2/8/11 at 6:13pm

iTunes: Keep the volume at 100%, go into Preferences and turn off all the extra Playback options. This will give you bit perfect output to your DAC. Also, the Audio MIDI Setup application on your Mac is useful for setting up certain options for your audio output.

 

DAC: Yep, you pretty much need one to get quality audio from a computer. Some USB DACs only work with Windows (Musiland Monitor), while others are plug and play with no need to install any software. Some firewire DACs only work with the Mac (Apogee Duet). If you do get a USB/firewire DAC, you can easily switch between that and the built-in iMac speakers by holding down the option key and clicking on the volume icon in the menu bar.

 

DAC connection: USB, firewire, and optical all work well with Macs. The optical output is from the mini headphone jack. You can also get an additional USB-to-coaxial converter if you have a DAC with only that input. Beware: prolonged discussion on this topic always ends in a holy war on the audibility of jitter and/or the usefulness of expensive digital cables.

 

Others: If you get an Airport Express, you can use that to stream your iTunes music to a remote location in your house over wi-fi. It has a mini optical output that you can hook up to another DAC. On the iPhone/iPod touch, you can use the Remote app to control iTunes remotely.

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post #3 of 3
2/9/11 at 6:49pm
Thread Starter 

THANKS, MUCH APPRECIATED.

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