kutner

Aha sorry perhaps I should be more direct. Laptop has to go and yes I can buy a Mac mini and continue in the same way. But what are the options "streamer-wise" and do the recognise external HDD and more specifically Apple lossless?

Hey folks - it's been a while and I'm in need of advise. I'm using am old black MacBook, an external HDD and send the output to my DAC (Beresford Caiman MK2). I use iTunes fed from an external HDD that is full of Mac lossless files (about 1000 CDs). Problem is that I'm a bit sick of using the MacBook to push the signal into the DAC and I'd prefer a small silver or white box instead. What are the alternatives? I have a MacBook Pro that I can use whilst I sell the old MacBook. Suggestions would be greatly appreciated... Mac Mini? Streamer of some sort? I'll still need to rip from CD... Are they're any streamers out there for £300 that recognise Mac lossless? Should I bin iTunes / lossless altogether? Am I looking at re ripping everything? Horrid thought... Look forward to hearing from you all. Best regards, Darren

There is a USB input connection for an iPod or similar... so I assume that I could stream from my computer if I wanted as my files are all Lossless

Hi, Does anyone know if it's possible to use a Marantz cd6003 / cd6004 as a DAC in its own right via USB? Thanks, Darren

A far cheaper alternative to spending £2k would be to try out the Beresford Caiman DAC. I had a Dacmagic and thought it was OK when compared with my Musical Fidelity A3 CD player so I hung on to the CD player and sent back the Dacmagic - it's a decent enough piece of kit but it's my opinion that you can get a better sounding product for the same or similar money. I have recently bought a Beresford Caiman DAC (TC-7520 SE) and am more and more impressed with it. It's pure silk, beautifully warm and detailed and I get varying, but equally enjoyable results depending on which speakers I choose to listen through. My Dali IKON 6s are brighter and more detailed whereas the Neats are less so and are in much bigger room. I have subsequently sold my MF CD player as I'm convinced that I'll not need one again as the only optical drive I'm likely to need is self contained within my computers. Perhaps the way ahead for you might be to home audition some high end DACs against your Dacmagic or maybe just buy the Caiman and see how you go? I think you'll be impressed with the Caiman. Hope this helps

Hi folks, Many thanks for the replies. I would potentially consider using a MAC Mini but what concerns me is controlling it, i.e., I would like to simply power up and run iTunes. Obviously I could use my TV as the display but then I'd need a mouse of some sort and this all makes it appear messy. For those of you that use a MAC Mini, do you need to use a mouse or are you able to control all of the essential audio functions from an iPhone? If the Mac Mini can be essentially functioned from an iPhone App then this would be the best option. If this is not possible then the way forward for me will be a second macbook as this is the smoothest path! Darren

Hi folks, I'm very pleased that I've now ripped all my music (again) but now to an external HDD. Now the time has come to have a second computer to take advantage of the external HDD as my macbook is in too much other use around the house. I would like to retain remote usage with my iPhone. I consider that I have two options and seek advice. Option 1 Buy another macbook and output via toslink to my DAC (as I am doing now). Option 2 Buy an older ibook/powerbook or a new iPad and output via USB to my DAC: but how do I do this via USB on a MAC... is this possible? any idea? Darren

I'm delighted to report that I picked up my Beresford Ciaman DAC from Stan the man Beresford himself just over two weeks ago. Stan swears that the unit needs to be run in and I'm inclined to agree so I left it running for about a week constantly - and what a result. I did an A/B comparison with my Musical Fidelity CD Player and found no difference or perhaps better detail on the Ciaman DAC. I consider that a placebo effect may have occurred but when listening to the Caiman as the source subsequently I was more than satisfied. That said - I have put my MF CD Player on eBay and I'm re-ripping all my CDs to an external HDD (which will take some time, but will be very much worth it). In conclusion I whole heartedly recommend the Caiman DAC. Thanks again to everyone for replying - I hope my encounters and research will help others! Good bye to CD Players (as a transport) Best, Darren

Thanks to everyone for their input. I'm going to go with the Beresford Caiman on the basis that the designer/producer looks to be doing something very special with this product inasmuch as it designed to be upgradable. I'm sure the V-DAC is a good product and I've been a fan of MF cd players however times they have a changed. I'll report back to you all when I have got my hands on the Caiman with my views. Thanks again. Darren

Many thanks for the replies so far on the V-DAC and the Perpetual. I'm inclined not to go with the perpetual even though I can get it serviced so the fight is left between the V-DAC and the Beresford Does anyone here own a Beresford Caiman TC-7520 and if yes what are your opinion(s) with respect to it?

OK so if Perpetual are still going - would you rate the P-3A a better product than either of the V-DAC or the Beresford Caiman? Also there are a number of bespoke DACs available on eBay, has anyone any experience of these items? For Example: 1. (£332) http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320480812348&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT 2. (£114) http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320480812969&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT 3. (£240) http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160418625775&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Thanks Richard, I prefer to use Toslink/Optical interconnect as rule, even though I heard no difference when I had my Dacmagic 3 when using USB. By doing this I am able to use some older DACs out there.

Hi all, I had a Cambridge Audio Dacmagic 3 about a year ago but returned it due to system problems at the time... I'm happy to say that I now have got myself a nice clean system and am looking to purchase a new DAC. I have immensely enjoyed my Musical Fidelity A3 CD player for years, and have never felt the need to upgrade to an outboard DAC as I am very pleased with its quality, presence, detailing and overall balance and presentation no matter what I throw at it. However, with the onset of using my Macbook/iTunes as my main media source I now require an outboard DAC. I am considering a Musical Fidelity V-DAC or the Beresford Caiman both of which have received good reviews. I have considered an older Musical Fidelity X-DAC but I have trashed this idea on that basis that DACs have likely improved in the intervening 10 years! Speaking of "age" I have had an offer of purchasing a Perpetual Technology P-3A - has anyone heard of this (it's about 10 years old and the company is now defunct). I live in London and am planning to spend up to £400 / $600 on the DAC If anyone has any comments/experience with any of the DACs above mentioned and has compared them I would greatly appreciate your views. Additionally I welcome any / all other suggestions!

Hi thanks for the reply but the main issue was with my old OS. This I have now sorted. I also realise that the source files need to be at least lossless or raw. I will most likely go lossless as that way I can use a 500GB 2.5" external HDD connected by USB/Firewire to my mac and then optically to a new DAC. I intend to buy a musical fidelity DAC as this is the sound that matches my CD Player. Have you noticed any difference when listening to compare lossless against raw from your HDD?

I have recently upgraded from Mac OS-X 10.4 to 10.6 by a clean install - took a while mind you as I had to back everything up manually etc. Having done this I have to say that the end result is well worth it as I now have clean system and a distortion free iTunes! Next I need to decide how I should re-rip all my music to an external HDD as well as investing in a new DAC and selling my CD Player and existing DAC... how exciting!!! I may start a fresh thread with regard to ripping as I think many would benefit from this discussion. But first I'll check what's already been written in the forum. Thank you all once again for your time and efforts in replying to this thread.