Thanks very much to both of your for your replies. I ordered some cables through monoprice and am looking at some USB to SPDIF converters as well to compare all my options. Currently trying to decide between the Musical Fidelity V-LINK II USB to S/PDIF Converter and the Consonance 24/96 USB to...

I ordered a cable and im going to do an a/b test, will post my findings. I spoke to a couple people and it seems it would be better to just run an optical cable straight from the mac and forget about any kind of converter.

Hello, I did a search on the forums and am having trouble finding much info. I have the Grant Fidelity tubeDAC-11, and I am wondering what is the best way to hook it up to a 2011 Mac Mini Server or 2008 Macbook Pro laptop?   I see a lot of people who have PC's on the forums are using a USB...

Just got the DAC-11 and I am curious if anybody has tested the optical vs usb connection. I am switching between 2 mac computers as my source, so I have the option of either plugging in a toslink to mini-toslink directly into the headphone port on the mac (it has a secret optical out in there)...

So... now I have an ACURUS A100, Grant Fidelity TubeDAC-11, and the Swan M1S's... it looks amazing and sounds great! Thanks for your suggestion on the Swans Eclipes. I actually purchased the ACURUS from the same person I got the Swans from so it worked out great! I will post more after the tube...

  Some pointers if you are planning on buying, or have just purchased the Grant Fidelity TubeDAC-11.   1.) The manual states "When you plug in a pair of headphones to the front headphone jack, sound will be automatically cut off from the speakers."  - Just a heads up that this is true for...

Hello, Would really appreciate some direction. I am pulling my hair out trying to decide on the right amplification for my Swans M1S speakers (specs here: http://www.abiaudio.com/M1_M1S_1.pdf).   My ideal set up (for now) would be the Grant Fidelity TubeDac-11 which I plan to purchase...

I really like the idea of the TubeDAC-11, what would you recommend for a power amp or integrated amp to pair with that and the Swans? Thanks Eclipes :)

Hello. Looking for an integrated amp/dac combo or a separate amp + dac to power my Swans M1S speakers and for use with several pairs of headphones.   Sound qualities I appreciate: Fast speed (for detail/separation/clarity/and especially punch), good imaging/staging, and richness, with a...

So, I went with the deal I found on CL and got the Swans M1S's, they are AMAZING to say the least, so glad I found them used. Now I need to save up another $400 to buy a proper amp! I am going to keep a sharp eye out for that PM 5004/5003 or higher. Thanks so much to everyone who posted!   I...

Quote: That looks pretty sweet! How do the Swans M1S and Triangle Titus ES differ? I know thats a pretty specific question and you have to be pretty lucky to have heard both, but any knowledge in that area is helpful considering they are both around the same price range. 

    Quote:   Well, if thats the case about the Swans, I might be in luck. I found a pair of Swans M1S on craigslist a few hours from where I live for $400/pair. What do you think about that? :) Quote: Yeah, little out of the range I am hoping for, hehe. Thanks though...

(oops, double post)

  I like the idea of a powered speaker to save space and also then I would not have to worry about finding a decent amp. On the other hand, I hate the idea that the amp is built into the speakers and that I will never be able to change it if I decide to upgrade unless I ditch the whole setup...

Looking for a pair of speakers for listening in a medium sized room that are not too dry/bright/analytical. I had a Denon D700 for a while with the stock speakers and I really liked the sound signature, but it was just to slow so there was a lot of blurring. I am looking for a 2 channel set-up...

  Hello all, and thanks again for your input.   Right off the bat, the P162's are absolutely amazing for the price, but paired with the dta-100a it makes them sound a little dry/boring. It is just not very musical... at least not yet. It has enough tightness, speed, and imaging at normal...

Main source = mac mini directly, or mac mini via airport express. budget: preferably not much more that $200   My primary listening is with 32ohm ATH-AD900 (and very very rarely, the DT770's 80ohm) I want something that will really shine with the ATH-AD900's but I also want something...

  Hello and happy holidays. I am trying to decide which amp to pair with a 2011 mac mini, or to hook up to apple AirTunes via airport express. My main listening is with the InfinityPrimus P162 speakers (details here) and with the AudioTechnica ATH-AD900Air (details here).   Parts express...

Hello and happy holidays. I am trying to decide which amp to pair with a 2011 mac mini, or to hook up to apple AirTunes via airport express. My main listening is with the InfinityPrimus P162 speakers (details here) and with the AudioTechnica ATH-AD900Air (details here).   Parts express is...

The only difference between the p162 and p163 speakers is the color of the front panel when you remove the grill. Same drivers, same crossover, same cabinet, etc. It is only cosmetic.

Thank you to everyone for your input. Trog I really feel good about your suggestion of the DTA-100a and infinity primus speakers.  Right in my budget, super small, and great reviews. Thanks so much! Any suggestions for speaker wire?

I currently own a denon D700 component system and even though it is comparatively small, it is just too big for my little studio, so I am looking for a small mini/micro component system to take its place and still sound darn good. I was considering the tivoli audio model two but my girlfriend...

Quote: Originally Posted by tufnelto11 Death Cab for Cutie - people just try way, way to hard I couldn't agree more, i think this one takes the cake for worst band name ever. At least some of them are funny, this one is just total ****, period.

I accidentally forgot to skip the media track on sarah mclachlan's "the freedom sessions" album which just produces a lot of static. I had the volume turned up to probably about 80% and my headphones were plugged in. I am trying to figure out if I destroyed anything. I think my speakers are fine...

Quote: Originally Posted by DLeeWebb "A Sign On The Road" - The Black Heart Procession "The Gravel Road" - James Newton Howard