[lextek]

I'm using a Macbook Core-Duo with Airport Express feeding a Audio Magnus Tweak-Kit T-Amp and Paradigm Atoms.  I'm really surprised how good it sounds.  So I'm wondering about adding a DAC.  The Macbook also has the optical out so I could use Front Row.

[Crimson]

If you opt to use an output from your Macbook, you can also consider USB and firewire dacs.

Here's a thread that was just started that references some resources.

[roscoeiii]

DAC makes a really nice improvement in the sound. See the Stereophile article below:

http://www.stereophile.com/digitalprocessors/505apple/

The concluding sentence: "The beauty of this unassuming component, however, is its S/PDIF [optical Toslink] data output, which allows the AirPort Express to assume a respectable role in a true high-end audio system."

If you are streaming, I find a DAC the way to go.

[chrisby]

Well, not to rain on anyone's Parade, but I tried using the AEX's miniToslink optical output, and found sound quality more than a little compromised compared to to either the USB or even better, the Firewire output from my iMac. 

While there is no shortage of USB Dacs, and even a few Firewire units available, for relatively budget priced and very flexible units, Edirol has a couple of great choices. If you can tolerate a hardwire connection, these are well worth consideration. 

USB:

http://www.rolandus.com/products/productdetails.php?ProductId=970&ParentId=114



 
Firewire



http://www.roland.com/products/en/FA-66/index.html


Having used both of the above, as well as the AEX Toslink connection to a Citypulse DAC, the Firewire is clearly the superior of the group.


edit:

well, for some reason the second picture didn't post properly, but essentially, the Firewire unit is the same sized, but in a nice red case.

[EDS_]

Well, not to rain on anyone's Parade, but I tried using the AEX's miniToslink optical output, and found sound quality more than a little compromised compared to to either the USB or even better, the Firewire output from my iMac. 

While there is no shortage of USB Dacs, and even a few Firewire units available, for relatively budget priced and very flexible units, Edirol has a couple of great choices. If you can tolerate a hardwire connection, these are well worth consideration. 

USB:

http://www.rolandus.com/products/productdetails.php?ProductId=970&ParentId=114



 
Firewire



http://www.roland.com/products/en/FA-66/index.html


Having used both of the above, as well as the AEX Toslink connection to a Citypulse DAC, the Firewire is clearly the superior of the group.


edit:

well, for some reason the second picture didn't post properly, but essentially, the Firewire unit is the same sized, but in a nice red case.

I tend to agree about the A/E.  I tried an A/E (Macbook streaming into -A/E-toslink to Coax into my Musical Fidelity X-DACV8) for about ten minutes and thought it was five notches down the SQ ladder from - Macbook to the MF via USB. 



ETA - chrisby, in this context is the FA-66 a DAC or simply a FW interface?

[chrisby]

EDS - it's actually serving 2 functions - as mike pre-amp and digital data capture for in situ speaker measurements in conjunction with FuzzMeasure, and as a stand alone DAC.

While either the UA25 or FA66 have more bells and whistles than you'd actually need for a DAC only, I think they're still quite reasonably priced, particularly the FA66.

Although they both have sufficient output to drive most amps, I happen to be a big fan of DHT amps and small wide-range single driver speaker systems, so tend to use in conjunction with a simple tube line-stage  (Bottlehead Foreplay in this case) . Sure that probably adds some "coloration", but it's entirely euphonic, and I've yet to hear a "passive" pre-amp/volume control at any price I could afford that I much enjoyed.

         
 

[Crimson]

Just a heads up about the Edirol units: their outputs are +4dBu (balanced) only.

EDIT: I see they also have -2dBu RCA outputs, but isn't that a little hot for an unbalanced output?

[low.pfile]

Just a heads up about the Edirol units: their outputs are +4dBu (balanced) only.

EDIT: I see they also have -2dBu RCA outputs, but isn't that a little hot for an unbalanced output?

Curious...what's a normal unbalanced(RCA) output value/range?

[planet10]

Just a heads up about the Edirol units: their outputs are +4dBu (balanced) only.

EDIT: I see they also have -2dBu RCA outputs, but isn't that a little hot for an unbalanced output?

The Edirol USB we have has RCAs out that work fine, The FA66 requires SE (or balanced) wired 1/4" phone, the RCAs are an input.

dave

[roscoeiii]

I haven't done as rigorous an A/B testing as I should for my Airport Express, but did want to point out that EDS's system also has a toslink-to-coax converter in the chain after the Airport Express. I wonder if having this intermediate conversion might be responsible for some of the decrease in sound quality. Maybe this thread will get me to more closely compare the sound of my Airport Express with other transports using digital, coax and USB to my DAC. Looks like i've got a fun weekend project. 

[oneinthepipe]

I use one of two Audio by Van Alstine DACs from the optical output from my iMac to a toslink to digital coax converter to a DACs digital coax input.  The Red Book tracks from the iMac are better than from a CD Transport.  I think that this would easily work with Airport Express.  Airport Express 3.5mm digital output-> 3.55mm to toslink adapter->toslink to digital coax adapter->DAC->premap->Amp->speakers.  I have hi-fi sound from computer-based server.  Doesn't do USB, Firewire, hi-rez, but doesn't need to.

[roscoeiii]

Hi oneinthepipe,

Does the DAC you are using only take coax input? If it can accept Toslink, I'm a little confused on why you would want to add the converter to the chain. I have read elsewhere that the conversion process is where problems with a digital signal (jitter IIRC) are most likely to occur.

[srb]

Both the AVA Insight and Ultra DACs only accept an S/PDIF coax input, but they sell the external Audio Authority 977R Adaptor ($75) for those that need to use optical.
 
Per the AVA website: "We did not build that extra cost into the DAC itself as coax is best and most won't need optical converters."
 
Steve

[Crimson]

Just a heads up about the Edirol units: their outputs are +4dBu (balanced) only.

EDIT: I see they also have -2dBu RCA outputs, but isn't that a little hot for an unbalanced output?

Curious...what's a normal unbalanced(RCA) output value/range?

This is a decent resource that explains the relationship between dBu and voltage.

[arthur]

I'm surprised no one had mentioned the Empirical Audio Pace Car which works with a wireless Airport Express, and up until they built a radio station nearby, was working and sounding amazing. It works on both Mac and PC.

[srb]

I'm surprised no one had mentioned the Empirical Audio Pace Car which works with a wireless Airport Express, and up until they built a radio station nearby, was working and sounding amazing. It works on both Mac and PC.

Probably because it is a USB interface/reclocker that would still need a DAC and costs $1,250 - $1800.
 
Steve

[morganc]

i used a MHDT Paradisea in the past in a similar set-up, and it is a great deal at the current used prices.   A step up would be the Havana.  Though, IMO for double the price the dB Labs Tranquility is many fold better in every way, though it only has USB input.