Laptop vs. iPod (Rockboxed)

[Downer]

Hi, I have been using my rockboxed iPod running thru Corda Move or Tomahawk and only listening flac. I believe it sounds good yet not good enough. My question is if I get a laptop and connect it thru usb to lets say Pico or Move and listen only flac on foobar, what kind of a upgrade that would be (SQ wise) ??? Would any laptop do the trick or do I need something good ??? Thank you and any kind of input is welcomed...

 

[GreatDane]

I'm using a RockBoxed 5.5 G iPod(>ALO Bling Bling) with a Porta Corda MkIII USB. Most of my music on iPod is LAME VBR(~245kbps) but I do have some lossless. I'm also using a POS Compaq laptop with my Pico(w/USB) and there is a very nice step up in SQ when comparing any same music file. Headphones used are in my profile.

Using your DT-880 you would hear the difference I think. I do even when comparing my PC MkIII-USB to Pico using computer as source.

I've never heard the Move.

 

[Downer]

Thanks for the reply...

 

[Shiki]

I'm also going the laptop route. I'll be using a Pico when I need to move around, and SPDIF to the DAC in my main rig when I'm at home.

 

[Downer]

Any Laptop recommendations ??? Something mid-priced yet good quality...

 

[Shiki]

Personally, I'm waiting for the HP TX2000 to be released here as I'm looking for a tablet PC too.

 

[Jaska]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downer /img/forum/go_quote.gif Any Laptop recommendations ??? Something mid-priced yet good quality...

MacBook.

 

[krmathis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaska /img/forum/go_quote.gif MacBook.

Ditto!
The MacBook is a great portable computer.

 

[Downer]

Well, where I am from, Macbook costs like 1500 € (base model). Maybe I can find a used one... Actually, would there be difference between a cheap so-so quality laptop and a good one as long as I have a good amp/dac combo ???

 

[chaoz2]

why not an asus eepc? if i remember comes in 2 flavours, 399$ and 499$ (here in italy 299 euros), they have linux xandros inside but you can switch it for xp

i am seriously thinking of one for myself, they are so small and cute!!!
no spdif but the pico usb should fit perfectly

 

[Shiki]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downer /img/forum/go_quote.gif Well, where I am from, Macbook costs like 1500 € (base model). Maybe I can find a used one... Actually, would there be difference between a cheap so-so quality laptop and a good one as long as I have a good amp/dac combo ???

If you're using an amp/dac combo with USB then it shouldn't matter. If you're using SPDIF, then as long as the laptop has bit-perfect output it should be fine. Even if it doesn't, I think you can just get a USB sound device that has decent SPDIF out.

 

[Downer]

Quote:

why not an asus eepc? if i remember comes in 2 flavours, 399$ and 499$ (here in italy 299 euros), they have linux xandros inside but you can switch it for xp i am seriously thinking of one for myself, they are so small and cute!!! no spdif but the pico usb should fit perfectly

Thats a very interesting find. Thanks...

 

[Fallen]

I second the asus eee if you need a laptop as a portable music device.

I have a macbook pro, but for on the go situations, it's too big to lug around. I much prefer bringing my girlfriend's eee pc, an you can surf and do some light work as well. fits in my jacket pocket!

Space is fairly light, though we did get the 8gb model, but flash drives and sd cards are cheap... and how much music do you need on the road anyway?

I especially use it as a PMP for music and videos. Great for when we're on long commutes, and the media player built-in, amarok, is top notch.

 

[triodesteve]

A macbook pro is overkill for using as a music computer. I've been using a G4 ibook for a few years as my dedicated digital playback device. The important thing about the ibook G4 is that it was the first ibook to use USB2. Mine never leaves the equipment table so I'm not really concerned about portability...in fact I encode Apple lossless files and store them on daisy-chained external notebook drives via firewire (they are very quiet and now fairly cheap). I have followed the advice of Gordon at Wavelength Audio (see his new usb dac webpages for the best way to set up a music computer) and have never had any issues with storage, playback, etc.
Can you find used iBooks in Turkey?


Quote:

Originally Posted by Downer /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hi, I have been using my rockboxed iPod running thru Corda Move or Tomahawk and only listening flac. I believe it sounds good yet not good enough. My question is if I get a laptop and connect it thru usb to lets say Pico or Move and listen only flac on foobar, what kind of a upgrade that would be (SQ wise) ??? Would any laptop do the trick or do I need something good ??? Thank you and any kind of input is welcomed...

 

[Downer]

Yeah, I could find a used macbook yet I have decided to get this thing MSI -- MICRO-STAR INT'L CO., LTD.
I believe MSI is solid company and can get this 500 USD so it seems to be the logical choice. I will be upgrading HD to 250 GB and 2 gigs of ram and only run Foobar on it. So what u guys think ??? Would this be enough only for music while foobar running a couple of plug-ins...