Hello! I'm new to using my computer as a source for hi-fi audio in my also newly forming dedicated listening room. My interest is only in 2 channel, reference quality sound. My set up consists of a Jolida 302B integrated amp, an old 200 disc JVC cd player (my obvious need to upgrade to something else!) and Klipsch RF-82 speakers. The computer I would like to make my music server, is a Mac PowerBook G3 with 400 mHz processor, 2 usb and 2 Firewire ports. The sound is good with this limited setup, but I could definitely improve my sound by listening to HDCD's, etc., and technologies that would make better use of my CD's (which brings me here, and an excellent site btw). Being brand new I have some questions. Here goes:
1. From what I've read, USB is not favored over Firewire for streaming data to the dac. Am I reading this right? My USB's on the Mac are ver. 1.1. If I use the firewire option (or USB? based on your recommendations) would I be better off going to an external sound card that could "clean" the sound and output it into a more common dac input such as SPDIF or Toslink, etc? (there don't seem to be as many dacs that accepts firewire).
2. If I go the more common route with USB, would the fact I only have USB 1.1 prevent me from ever playing anything above 24/96? If that's the case, what is the sonic difference between a HiRez song at 24/172 played without downsampling (like it would through a USB connection) and one that downsampled from the USB 1.1 and then sent to an upsampling dac that then takes it back up to 24/172? Does that make any sense? hehe, I hope so.
3. Finally, if anyone has a common setup like mine (old PowerBook G3 mac, etc.) and has had the chance to try going out directly to a dac versus going to an external sound card + dac (external I'm assuming is my only option on a laptop like this), and the difference in sound quality and reliability...please, PLEASE let me know what you think!
Thank you kindly for the help, and look forward to contributing more in the future.
cheers,
Matt
