akim

Hello, I am using a MacBook Pro with Mac OS X 10.6.8 via USB with a North Star Design Essensio DAC. Performance WAS excellent! I switched to another DAC for testing an since this switch, sound is like "destroyed". As software I use Audirvana or Amarra. I haven't changed any Software preferences or anything else - AS FAR AS I KNOW. It seems as if there has changed something in the configuration of the MacBook. There are no more dynamics, it sound harsh, ... not comparable to the sound before the switch. Is there anything with the Audio-Midi-Setup that changes and could cause such a change for the worse??? Cheers, akim

Thanks a lot.

Hello experts, I ordered a Dragonfly and I am really impressed. Unfortunately, there is a little problem: I use Amarra 2.1.1 and followed the installation advices given here. But it seems that I can not use the pre-amp function of the Dragonfly. Because volume control does not have 64 steps and sound isn't really good unless I turn volume control to max for Amarra AND frontrow. Then I downloaded an Audirvana Plus trial version. Sound was much better and I had about 60 steps of volume control (not 64 steps??). According to sound it was much better than with Amarra. Any idea what's wrong with my setup?? Cheers, akim

Hello to all from Germany, I ordered a Dragonfly and I am really impressed. Thanks a lot for your review. Unfortunately, there is a little problem: I use Amarra 2.1.1 and followed your installation advices. But it seems that I can not use the pre-amp function of the Dragonfly. Because volume control does not have 64 steps and sound isn't really good unless I turn volume control to max for Amarra AND with frontrow. Then I downloaded an Audirvana Plus trial version. Sound was much better and I had about 60 steps of volume control (no 64 steps??). According to sound it was much better than with Amarra. Any idea what's wrong with my setup?? Cheers, akim

... and the first impression is: really, really good - excellent! Further information will follow if anybody is interested. Thanks a lot for your help.

This would also be an interesting dac. But how can I get 24bit/192kHz without an additional converter from MacBook Pro to Matrix Mini? Is this possible via firewire/optical??? If so, which cable do I need? Thanks, akim

Hello, thanks a lot for these interesting recommendations. The Emotiva sound very interesting - especially considering its price. I didn't know about a new DagMagic - the "Plus". Another async. usb and therefore minimalisitc DAC to consider is the 299 EUR iLove TW by Firestone, which was discussed in a German magazine recently and declared "giant killer" - more or less. See: http://www.projekt-akustik.de/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/testbericht_firestone_iloveTW_einsnull.pdf I am also interested in the Lindemann USB DAC 24bit/192. But this would be about 695 EUR. Cheers, akim

Hello everybody, I am searching for a new DAC in the 500-700 EUR price range for my MacBook Pro. I would like to play my ripped CDs 16bit/44,1 kHz but also hires files up to at least 24bit/96kHz. Unfortunately I am not into technical details. I have read a lot about low jitter and asynchronous usb. But I did not find out what the best connection between MacBook and DAC is - maybe toslink or USB, ...? For example I am not convinced by the Cambridge DacMagic because this DAC is limited to 16bit via USB. Otherwise its Toslink/Optical input supports up to 24bit/96kHz. Would it make sense to get a DacMagic for a MacBook or are there better ones in this price range. I really appreciate any recommendations. Kind regards, akim

Hello, has anyone new impressions about the Firestone Audio iLoveTW USB-D/A-Wandler 24Bit/192kHz? It recently got a fantastic discussion in a German computer audio magazine: http://www.projekt-akustik.de/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/testbericht_firestone_iloveTW_einsnull.pdf I am thinking of trying this tiny DAC... Cheers, akim

Hello everybody, I recently decided for a DAC: the Atoll DAC 100. I compared it to Cambridge Audio DagMagic, NuForce HDP, Musical Fidelity M1 and Benchmark DAC 1. (At least) via S/PDIF the Atoll "for my ears" sounded best. Anyway. Since I am no "USB-fan" and the Atoll via USB is limited to 16Bit, I used a M2Tech HiFace. Interesting, that also the 16Bit-Redbook-files improved a lot with the HiFace. My problem resp. question: Are there any other "solutions" to get/convert the USB-signal to S/PDIF in the same price-range as HiFace AND are maybe even "easier" to use? (I don't like the connection of the HiFace with the USB-slot of my MacBook - the HiFace just doesn't feel "solid" in the USB-slot...) Is it maybe possible to use a Firewire-to-S/PDIF cable/adaptor? If yes, does this require 24Bit/192kHz? Any problems with jitter? As you can read: lots of questions and YES, I am not into technical details ;-) Even better would be a solution with a replacement of the MacBook but with the same sound-quality. Anybody tried Squeezebox via S/PDIF + external DAC? I would highly appreciate any help. Thanks a lot, akim.

Hello everybody, I have read quiet a lot of reviews/opinions in this forum. I am "new" and would like to "enter" computer audiophile. My setup: Zu Audio Tone speakers and a NuForce Icon Amp (without DAC!); as a CDP I use a Philips SACD 963. I was now thinking of the above mentioned DACs. I found lots of impressions on the M2Tech Young and also on the Icon HDP, which would fit with my Icon Amp. But the most interesting product - in my opinion - is the WADIA 151 PowerDAC. This all-in-one-solution seems very minimalistic. The combined digital amp with the upsampling DAC could be really "highend". Has anybody heard the WADIA? In comparison to the M2Tech Young it might seem unfair - since the M2Tech costs almost as much as the WADIA combi. I would like to play my ripped CDs 16Bit/44.1kHz but also Hi-Res Files via my Apple Mac Book Pro. I would appreciate your recommendations and opinions. Thanks akim