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jfrye

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  1. These discussions always seem to end up focusing on the DAC and the implementation of the DAC and the never ending search for the holy grail and mother of all DAC's. After frequenting this site and wanting to better my system I was almost taken over by the DAC bug. I posted a question here regarding if I should connect an external DAC to my AVR to improve SQ, to no real avail. I've since concluded not to buy into the DAC merry-go-round, much to the chagrin of the merry-go-round ticket sellers I'm sure, but instead to improve my system with speakers since that's where the real improvement lies. And I would suggest that's generally the case assuming you haven't maxed out your amp or you already own the world's best speakers in which case go ahead and start a collection of DAC's.
  2. It appears that the rationale, to date on this thread, is one of convenience. I don’t disagree. To have the convenience and “as good a SQ” as a non-CA system (for lack of a better term) is a win-win.
  3. There are a number of people with receivers who would like to improve their system around it and/or supplement it with CA.
  4. Doesn't it all, or at least 90% anyway, always comes down to the DAC regardless of the system? To my rookie thinking on this, it's all computer audio, X's and O's. The issue, or question becomes what DAC will better my system for a given budget?
  5. What is the rest of your system? Not knowing what it is, I would would say speakers.
  6. I can't really offer any advice with regards to a DAC but I am curious why you want one as I also have a mid-level receiver, Denon AVR-3802, and am considering a DAC but I'm not sure if I need one or just want one thinking it will make some improvement. So what lead you to getting a DAC? Thanks.
  7. I'm considering an external DAC for my Denon AVR-3802 receiver. The Denon is great as a processor for home theater but I have a nagging concern that for serious stereo listening it's lagging. I have Mirage speakers all around which are also great for HT but I'm looking to replace the front mains. I know part of this hobby is the search for the holy grail but I can't really tie up thousands of dollars buying and selling DAC's especially if there's no enhancement in SQ. As an aside I intend to incorporate a Squeezebox or server eventually. So I have multiple questions as always.... Any thoughts on or experience with the Denon DAC, frankly I don't even know what it is? Is an upgrade warranted? Anybody else upgraded to an external DAC from this level receiver and what were your results and satisfaction level? Should I blow the whole budget on front mains or keep the Mirages and get a DAC? Thanks in advance.
  8. My question, or concern really, is being locked into a hardware platform based on which CODEC I start with. I want to start slow, using a current PC and only adding a squeezebox. Can I rip, download Apple lossless to a PC?
  9. I don't have a squeezebox and it looks very promising but I always like to confuse myself. Is there a squeezebox alternative? I want the wireless capability but don't need the on-board DAC for example. I'm not talking about an Olive or Vortex appliance. Something that pulls wireless, lossless 1 and 0's to a home theater receiver. Thanks. Great site again.
  10. Different systems use different CODECS. How important is it to decide this early on when designing your system? It seems like it's windows vs apple all over again. I would like to begin slow with a squeezebox touch pulling off a windows pc using itunes but would probably move to a mac mini eventually. The thought of having all my music on a windows machine would make me loose sleep. So is this plan OK or should I start with a mac mini? Some music would be down loaded and some would be ripped.
  11. Chris, Eloise, Kal thanks for your suggestions. I think I have enough information and options to get over this first hurdle. I'll keep you posted as I'm sure I'll have many more questions. Jeff
  12. In that there appears to be solutions to this connection problem and as in everything else there are pluses and minuses, pro and cons to consider. I don't want resolution limitations on play back. I'll just buy a Oppo 83 and be done with it. But I'm not ready to give up yet. Any thoughts on a "decent reasonably" priced usb to spdif converter without any play back limitations. Let's use the Oppo as a cost standard. I don't want to turn this topic into a player vs computer discussion because computer audio is such an elegant solution. Thanks again.
  13. Hi Kal, Besides providing for the connection between PC and AVR what else does the SqueezeBox Touch offer? I'm not interested in wireless. You mentioned ancillary benefits but I'm not seeing them. Please explain. This could be my and many others solution. Thanks.
  14. Thanks Chris. The PC doesn't have a digital out only USBs'. I came across this device http://www.audiophileproducts.com/usbtospdif. Have you or anybody else heard of it or had experience with it? It claims it converts the USB signal into a digital signal which I could then input into my receiver via a SPDIF RCA connection. The "conversion" kind of concerns me. What's happening to the signal or the SQ? What kind of signal is coming out of the USB port? Another option I came across is a HP docking station that connects to the expansion port 3 on the PC which includes a digital audio out connection. The dock might provide the most direct path, without the conversion of the other device. The device is a little cheaper and smaller plus. If, and it's a big if, if the signal isn't being corrupted in the conversion I might be persuaded to the device.
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