Macbook Sound Quality

[LuckyKarma]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calroth There's a fairly large gotcha with running Windows on a MacBook Pro: with the current drivers, if you use the standard headphone/line out, the sound still comes through on the internal speakers (i.e. they don't cut out). I don't know if this applies to the optical digital out too. This may be fixed in future drivers, and does not apply when you're running Mac OS X. It also doesn't apply if you have an external USB sound card.

That was a problem with earlier versions, but with the current version of Bootcamp it's been fixed.

 

[Calroth]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuckyKarma That was a problem with earlier versions, but with the current version of Bootcamp it's been fixed.

Ahh, this is correct. I just checked. Ignore me

 

[kugino]

here's my portable solution out of my laptop (thanks to marshall)...the alien DAC could sound better if i used a separate PSU, but i wanted it to be USB bus-powered to be more portable...

 

[3lusiv3]

wow kugino, that's mighty fine!

 

[LuckyKarma]

Very nice kugino

I went ahead and ordered an Entech Number Cruncher 203.2 that I plan on running from the optical out. Once I get everything together (optical out to DAC, DAC to amp, amp to headphones) is there anything software wise I need to do? At the moment the output plugin I'm using in foobar2000 is "DS: SigmaTel Audio" ... I currently get an error when I try the kernel streaming plugin, should this work once I hook up the DAC? Forgive my ignorance on this subject, I am VERY new to DACs and how they work with laptops

 

[kugino]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuckyKarma Very nice kugino I went ahead and ordered an Entech Number Cruncher 203.2 that I plan on running from the optical out. Once I get everything together (optical out to DAC, DAC to amp, amp to headphones) is there anything software wise I need to do? At the moment the output plugin I'm using in foobar2000 is "DS: SigmaTel Audio" ... I currently get an error when I try the kernel streaming plugin, should this work once I hook up the DAC? Forgive my ignorance on this subject, I am VERY new to DACs and how they work with laptops

are you running OSX or windows on your macbook?

if you're running OSX, there's no foobar for the mac. the optical output is bit-perfect, so all you need to do is run your optical cable to your DAC, DAC to amp, amp to headphones, and you're all set. no messing with drivers or kernel streaming plugins...

 

[LuckyKarma]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kugino are you running OSX or windows on your macbook? if you're running OSX, there's no foobar for the mac. the optical output is bit-perfect, so all you need to do is run your optical cable to your DAC, DAC to amp, amp to headphones, and you're all set. no messing with drivers or kernel streaming plugins...

I've been using XP more lately because I've had a lot of projects for my business classes (only way to do them is in Access and Excel in XP). I've got all my music on an external HDD so its not an issue to use one or the other. Once I get the DAC though, should I stick with the DirectSound plugin or should kernel streaming work?

 

[vlaguy]

I've got a possibly noob solution, but one that works well for me. I've got a presonus firebox audio interface i connect to my mac via firewire with a built-in headphone amp. It is supposed to be primarily a recording interface, but I am enjoying using it to power my grado sr125. I guess it's not really practical unless youve got recording needs like me, but its nice for a small box and dual purpose.

First post!

 

[b17m4p]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hedrick I have a Macbook Pro. Output quality is OK, but I get significantly cleaner sound when I connect a digital output to an external DAC

Would you say that a macbook --> Benchmark DAC I, setup is a good combination? I'm curious because thats exactly the setup I am aiming for right now. Thanks.

 

[Calroth]

Quote:

Originally Posted by b17m4p Would you say that a macbook --> Benchmark DAC I, setup is a good combination? I'm curious because thats exactly the setup I am aiming for right now. Thanks.

I think most people would agree that anything into a Benchmark DAC1 would be a good combination.

 

[dknightd]

The built in headphone output in the macbookpro is OK.
I haven't compared it to an ipod, but suspect they are close.
Good enough for casual listening at medium to low volume.
It sounds MUCH better feeding a benchmark dac1. The
dac1 isn't very portable though - transportable though.
If you need to run windows I'd look into parallels - for most purposes
it is much better than dual booting using bootcamp (I think
the only exception might be graphics intensive games, and
some usb devices). With parallels you can windows and osx
at the same time (and fredora too if you want and have the RAM).
Very slick.