[MartinB]

I'm thinking of getting an external soundcard for my iMac G5. I've looked at the EMU 0404 and it seems nice, but I'm prepared to pay a little bit more if I get better performance. As I said I want it to be easy to use and high quality. If it can be used without software like the Headroom Micro DAC it's nice. I also want to be able to hook up a dvd-player if possible.
Please help me, because I know zero in this department.

 

[Sir Nobax]

E-MU 0404USB = within 5 minutes (inc. reboot) bit-perfect playback

 

[MartinB]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sir Nobax /img/forum/go_quote.gif E-MU 0404USB = within 5 minutes (inc. reboot) bit-perfect playback

Thanks for the reply, but really didn't understand what you mean?

 

[Sir Nobax]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MartinB Thanks for the reply, but really didn't understand what you mean?

Oh, sorry

.

I mean that the E-MU 0202/0404USB is REALLY easy to set-up, and that creating a 'bit-perfect' audio stream is a piece of cake. It really is:
Insert disk -> insert USB plug -> install the drivers -> Reboot -> select 'E-MU0404USB ASIO' as output device in your music player -> Et Voila! Bit-Perfect output.

Since you said:
Quote:

Originally Posted by MartinB As I said I want it to be easy to use and high quality.

I thought you'd appreciate the simplicity of the E-MU, after the installation the only knob you'll ever touch is the volume pot.

And the quality is GREAT, AKM's top-line DAC chip isn't used for nothing you know. The Class-A amp is pretty good too.



Btw, i see you already want to trade your current DAC/AMP for a "Apogee Mini DAC" ??

 

[Pangaea]

Get a beresford and an optical toslink to mini cable and you can connect to either a home amp or HP amp. It sounds amazing.

 

[MartinB]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sir Nobax /img/forum/go_quote.gif Oh, sorry . I mean that the E-MU 0202/0404USB is REALLY easy to set-up, and that creating a 'bit-perfect' audio stream is a piece of cake. It really is: Insert disk -> insert USB plug -> install the drivers -> Reboot -> select 'E-MU0404USB ASIO' as output device in your music player -> Et Voila! Bit-Perfect output. Since you said: I thought you'd appreciate the simplicity of the E-MU, after the installation the only knob you'll ever touch is the volume pot. And the quality is GREAT, AKM's top-line DAC chip isn't used for nothing you know. The Class-A amp is pretty good too. Btw, i see you already want to trade your current DAC/AMP for a "Apogee Mini DAC" ??

Thanks Sir Nobax!
I was thinking of trading my Lehmann BCL + Headroom Micro DAC for an Apogee Mini DAC, but I've lately been thinking of maybe getting an external sound card instead.

 

[MartinB]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pangaea /img/forum/go_quote.gif Get a beresford and an optical toslink to mini cable and you can connect to either a home amp or HP amp. It sounds amazing.

Thanks for the suggestion! I didn't know about this (amazing?) little cheap thing, but I've read a little about it and it does indeed seem amazing.

 

[ruZZ.il]

for amazing and cheap (check what goes first!

) check out the Alien DAC. If you can, build it for ~30$, or buy it for ~100. look for threads here too.

 

[redwires]

I use a Keces DAC (Burr-Brown PCM2702). Sounds great with my NAD amp as well as my Mini3.

http://www.keces.com.tw/3_audio/K0708001/K0708001.htm

I think you can buy them off ebay. I got mine from Taiwan.

Forgot to sat that the drivers are built into windows already and there's no need to reboot after plugging it in

.
not sure about macs... but I assume the drivers are available.

 

[Maniac]

For Macs and even Linux (with USB Audio support installed), it is also just as easy, much easier than any sound card installation actually.

It will actually work with USB ASIO/FOOBAR under Windows as well.