Greetings,
I am setting up a new 2 channel system that will be used exclusively to listen to iTunes songs (all lossless ALAC) stored on my 5-6 year old iMac (3.06 ghz dual core, 4 gb RAM) using an Emotiva XDA-2 DAC/pre-amp hard wired to a local amp. I also will be sending the music over wifi (Airport Extreme and Airport Express) to two other sytems in other rooms. The airport Express' will be connected to other pre-amps by RCA, as they do not have optical outs, I don't think.
My initial question has to do with the base iMac connection to the DAC. What factors do I consider in deciding which type of cable to use - USB, toslink or coax?
What do I do with iTunes as far as its settings for this purpose?
Since I do not have any hi-res files and probably will not be getting them, will I benefit from software like Audirvana, etc? Bear in mind I know little about computers and simplicity and reliability is a big factor to me, but so is sound quality. I assume I will need to balance those factors somehow.
Your shared thoughts are appreciated. Thanks
