[yagimax]

I've enjoyed 2 channel audio for many years being a complete vinyl user and no CD playback.
Now to venture in hidef digital playback I'm at a total loss at what items to ask for in purchasing everything I need to play these files.
The plans are for a Mhdt Havana NOS dac which seems to be getting good reviews for a smooth sound.

With a Mac book is it also OK to surf the internet for other duties and not just a music server? 

[Nels Ferre]

Hi,

I do just what you are talking about with my Macbook (also with the Havana as well.) Don't fear the refurbished MacBooks, either. Just like new appearance, operation, and warranty. I saved $500 from a "new" one by buying a refurb.

Mine is used for my checkbook, internet, music, and video ( Netflix and Hulu connected to our LCD monitor.)

Max it out with memory. (Do not buy the memory from Apple- the prices are outrageous.) I bought my memory from Newegg and installed it myself (easy.)

You will be a happy camper!

Nels

[yagimax]

Hi Nels, thanks for the reply.
I'll look into this Newegg memory and see if they sell it here in town.Maybe online?

Hopefully the Mac/tube dac will have a smooth analog sound after avoiding digital for all these years.

Are there any special sound cards or other items needed to get started?
Special usb cables?

thanks,  Gary

[rwdrey]

I don't think the Havana is capable of doing Hi Resolution, although I'm sure she sounds sweet with standard PCM.

[Nels Ferre]

Oops!

I missed the hi rez part. Yes, the Havana will not do hi rez. Although the Havana will accept hi resolution at the input, it is down sampled to 16/44.

That said, I replaced a 24/192 DAC with the Havana. It just sounds far more natural, at least in my system. One thing with the Havana though- replace the supplied tube. It is fair at best. NOS tubes (Western Electric, Bendix, Tesla, and possibly Siemens are what to look for.) The tube is easily replaced.)

Newegg is an online computer discount house.

www.newegg.com

I hope this helps.

Nels

[oneinthepipe]

Are there any special sound cards or other items needed to get started?

If the DAC has a toslink input, you just need a toslink cable and a 3.5mm adapter to plug into your Mac's digital audio out jack, i.e.. headphone jack (at least that is the way it works on my Macs).  If the DAC doesn't have a toslink input but has a digital coax input, you need a toslink to coax adapter, which is $11.80 from monoprice.  If the DAC has a USB input, I believe that you just need a USB cable, but I am not certain.  You select the Mac's output source in the Audio MIDI Setup application.

[yagimax]

Thanks everyone for the help. I didn't realize the Mhdt dacs were not 92k or higher.That said, I guess the tube outputs of these simple dacs make up for the smoother sound!

Is the Mac then a plug and play setup and no other items needed?

 

[oneinthepipe]

Thanks everyone for the help. I didn't realize the Mhdt dacs were not 92k or higher.That said, I guess the tube outputs of these simple dacs make up for the smoother sound!

Is the Mac then a plug and play setup and no other items needed?

 

Yes, you can use iTunes or another ripper and player.  Rip your music as AIFF files and connect the optical output to your DAC.  Adjust your settings in the Audio MIDI Setup application.

[Moon Doggy]

The MHDT website doesn't mention using Macs with the product. The drivers seem to be Windows only.  Am I missing something?  Wavelength tube Dacs will work with Macs.

[Crimson]

The MHDT website doesn't mention using Macs with the product. The drivers seem to be Windows only.  Am I missing something?  Wavelength tube Dacs will work with Macs.

Most (if not all) USB dacs utilize the 1.1 standard which does not require custom drivers. This includes both the Wavelength and Havana dacs. OTOH, if you were to come across a 2.0-only dac, drivers would be required.

[truant]

Any updates on your MacBook/Havana setup?  I just got my Havana last week and am using it with my MacBook. It is by far the best digital source I've used so far.  I took my cues from Jeff Day (check out his articles on 6moons & Positive Feedback) whose 6moon piece introduced me to the Sony PS1 as cd player.  I've been using this for the past couple of years and was waiting for the right time to jump into computer audio.  I had been hesitant but am a convert now.  I thought the MacBook/Havana combo sounded great w/out tweaks or upgrades but I did order a Polestar USB cable and upgraded the tube. Presently I'm using a Furutech pc with the DAC. Take advantage of the iTune Equalizer!

[Nels Ferre]

Truant,

If you are using the GE tube that came with the Havana, you haven't heard anything yet. Try a NOS Western Electric 396A or , if you can find one, a Swedish LM Siemens 396A/2C51.

Nels

[truant]

thanks Nels,
  I did pick up an cryoed (Kuhltube) NOS WE 396A.  I used to roll tubes in my previous amp, seems funny now to
have only a single tube.  I'll be picking up some other tubes I'm sure.  On a software note - I came across a post yesterday commenting on the sound of Front Row vs. iTunes.  I checked out FR last night and have to agree that FR sounds quite a bit better than iTunes.  Any experience with this? 

-Truant

[Nels Ferre]

I hear it the other way around. iTunes sounds more dynamic to me
and harmonically richer as well. It should not make a difference, as both programs use core audio.

[truant]

Interesting.  I've only been listening for a day or so and I've only had my DAC in my system for a week...it'll take me awhile to hear what's going on with this new set up.  It may be that I'll use both programs depending on the recording.  A little earlier I was listening to a Warren Vache/Bill Charlap recording and the piano sounded all wrong on FR so I switched over to iTunes.