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strawbale

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  1. @Eloise: OK - I think I'll stick to that (and probably to an USB-only DAC like the HRT microstreamer; I could always source through an ext FW HD to avoid possible USB interference, no?)
  2. Thanks again Eloise, I see I should believe everything I read on the Net ;-) Talking about that, here Balanced (XLR, TRS) Vs. Unbalanced (RCA, TS) Connection - Blu-ray Forum I read "When you use a cable with an unbalanced RCA connector on one side and a balanced XLR connector on the other side, the end result will become unbalanced and you will lose all the advantages of an XLR cable. That is why the use of a converter box such (described below) is recommended." As the NAD doesn't have a XLR-in, should one use such a converter box when one uses XLR-out of the DAC?
  3. Thanks Bill, Good to hear that you found an affordable DAC that sounds good via the optical out! Had to google 'XLR' connection - how did you manage to use these when these specs DacMagic technical specifications | whathifi.com say the DagMagic doesn't have a XLR out? Peter
  4. Krutsch, thanks x2 ! BTW: the internal superdrive of my MacMini died after 2,5 yrs (luckily I had taken a 3yr apple care plan), possibly because I used it for ripping 350 CDs into iTunes...?
  5. Thanks jtk, good to know it is/can be a pain to use iTunes with 2 different libraries. Did you import all your CDs using the built in superdrive or a dedicated external drive? The reason I ask is I get the impression superdrives are not the sturdiest (nor the fastest...), so maybe an external one (which plays back BluRay too?) is not a bad idea/investment?
  6. Sorry, getting excited now, so another question: Can one have/keep 2 iTunes library on the same MacMini (or, in my case given the small internal HD of 120GB, an external HD): one with AIFF files, to be played via a DAC and the amp & speakers, and another one with AAC or MP3 files (of the same imported CDs) to be synched with an iPod (nano)? If not, I'd have to use 2 different pieces of software, maybe XLD for the lossless and from there encode them (as jtk mentions) to iTunes but in a compressed format?
  7. Paul and jtk, both thank you for sharing your experiences. @jtk: what USB DAC do/did you use? And do you know if all USB DACs would have an on/off switch as I'd expect some maybe don't (when they're 'just' USB powered)?
  8. Blueixus, thanks for that! Always good to have the choice cut down, so a USB DAC it will be! (saving the MM's audio out for the monitor speakers)
  9. Eloise, thanks again! Re high end cables: I did a double blind test at home once, with some high end speaker cables vs my own - could NOT hear the difference conclusively; and that was in the 80s when my ears were still fresh ;-) Given that size/type isn't really an issue, would something like this Cambridge Audio DacMagic review from the experts at whathifi.com via optical connection to MM's analogue/optical audio output sound/be better for only a bit more cash? Or this http://www.whathifi.com/review/beresford-tc-7510 for less cash? Peter
  10. Another question about cables: should I try to keep the USB-cable as short as possible? Same question for the DAC-out to amp line-in cable? Any cable quality advice?
  11. Eloise, thanks a lot for your quick and detailed response - I'll definitely look into XLD first and will see what my budget is for a DAC.
  12. I'm new to this forum and, in fact, very new to using my computer to play back my music over my amp & speakers. I used to play back my CDs with a CD player connected to amp & speakers until we sold our house, stored everything and were on the move for quite some time. In the meantime I put my CDs on my computer (MacMini 2007) and occasionally listen to it through some cheap speakers plugged into the audio out of the MacMini (MM). Now not far(ish...) from finishing our new house, I've started thinking about re-importing my CDs in a lossless format (which one?) into iTunes (or something else?) and linking the MM to my amp (NAD C370) & speakers (B&W DM 14). A very basic, probably dumb, question to start with: do I 'only' need a DAC (between the MM's audio out and the NAD's line in) and cable(s) to make this work? If so, would something like this HRT microStreamer review from the experts at whathifi.com do the job or do I need something better? (not being a real/proper audiophile myself - just like to listen to my CDs over my 'old' system again, but used to iTunes in the meantime...) Any help/advice is much appreciated! Peter
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