Kato

Many thanks everyone for the responses to my query and the lively debate that ensued. I can ensure everyone that my original query was not intended to incite a debate on the merits of one technology over another. My primary issue is that ever since I sold the McIntosh cd player and moved to a music server, the system just seems less involving and as a consequence I am listening to it less and less. However, the convenience a music server brings makes going back to a cd player a non-starter. I honestly don't understand all of the technical ins and outs discussed in the responses to my original post, but I suspect that if the optical out on the MacBook is not up to snuff, then issues will remain regardless of the Toslink cable used. I am using a cheap Toslink cable at the moment, so it is quite possible (perhaps likely) that I am not getting full performance from the system. The USB to Spdif option seems appealing, as some respondents have suggested a noticeable improvement following the addition of the device. Thanks again.

I hope this query hasn't been dealt with previously, but I am trying to determine the merits of using a usb to spdif converter. For HD recordings (i.e., from HD Tracks), I'm currently using a MacBook (Amarra) --> mini Toslink plug --> Simaudio 300D. I am quite impressed on some recordings, although I sometimes feel that it is missing some of the magic I experienced with the McIntosh SCD301 that I once had but sold as I wanted to move to a music server. I have read that the Toslink is subject to jitter (even though the DAC may deal well with this jitter I'd rather remove it altogether) and the USB section of the DAC is not worth dealing with (as indicated by Simaudio). I'm wondering if the MacBook USB --> USB to Spdif converter --> DAC solution would provide any improvement in sound. I'm thinking of something like the Bel Canto or Musical Fidelity products (I'm sure that there are many others). Any assistance (thoughts, cautionary tales, preferences, etc.) would be very much appreciated. Many thanks in advance. Kato Vancouver