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Post by GreenKiwi on Nov 8, 2009 14:53:41 GMT -5
Hello, I have been getting this noise coming through my speakers that are connected to my iMac. The noise happens when the hard drive is active and seems to be electrical. I was thinking about connecting my amp up to the iMac with an optical DAC to electrically isolate it. Does anyone have any good recommendations for inexpensive DACs? I guess it could also be USB. I have a completely separate sound system, so this is just for my back room. I'd like it to be good, but I was hoping to find something well under $100. (or if someone has ideas on how to not get the hard drive noise through the speakers, I'll take that too  ) Thanks, -gk |
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jlafrenz
Global Moderator 
I don't want to jump in, unless this music's thumping
Posts: 7,722
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Post by jlafrenz on Nov 9, 2009 0:05:15 GMT -5
Sub $100 may be a bit difficult to do. Used may be your best option. There are quite a few budget DAC's out there. I personally haven't listened to them, but from what I have researched when I bought my DAC many liked the following
Zhaolu
Bresford
M-Audio
Giga Lab
Head-Fi.org is a great resource for DAC's
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Post by roadrunner on Nov 9, 2009 1:47:20 GMT -5
Sub $100 may be a bit difficult to do. Used may be your best option. There are quite a few budget DAC's out there. I personally haven't listened to them, but from what I have researched when I bought my DAC many liked the following Zhaolu Bresford M-Audio Giga Lab Head-Fi.org is a great resource for DAC's The M-Audio is the only sub $100 DAC I know of. Not sure what the expected usage is, but re-thinking the budget or the application might be in order. One can't expect much in this price range. Time to do some research. Good luck with your search. |
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Post by GreenKiwi on Nov 9, 2009 2:01:43 GMT -5
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Post by dotvibe on Nov 9, 2009 2:11:52 GMT -5
music streamer is probably your best bet, if it's mac compatible.
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Post by GreenKiwi on Nov 9, 2009 2:17:43 GMT -5
The M-Audio is the only sub $100 DAC I know of. Not sure what the expected usage is, but re-thinking the budget or the application might be in order. One can't expect much in this price range. Time to do some research. Good luck with your search. The expected use is in a back room. I have the following setup: iMac - Apple Lossless files Acurus Dia-100 ( www.stereophile.com/integratedamps/1193acurus/ ) Paradigm Atom (previous version of www.paradigm.com/en/paradigm/fronts-monitor-atommonitor-model-2-4-1-1.paradigm ) My main goal getting rid of the "electical noise" and maybe "reasonable" sound, I have a whole other room for "good" sound. |
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Post by dreadpiratemarc on Nov 9, 2009 2:44:14 GMT -5
I've heard good things about the Music Streamer, and yes it is Mac compatible. I use an Edirol UA-101 recording interface with my PC. It's overkill as a DAC (10 channels at 24/192), but it sounds awesome. It's not in your price range, but the point is you might look at pro-audio stuff along those lines and maybe find a good deal.
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Post by hobbs on Nov 9, 2009 8:22:08 GMT -5
I use an Aiport Express in conjunction with Audioengine speakers. emotivalounge.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=newgear&action=display&thread=7244I was considering a DAC, but this is what Audioengine says: " Audioengine speakers contain all-analog circuitry and do not include digital inputs. The analog outputs from the Airport Express and Slim Devices Squeezebox, for instance, are extremely high quality and are perfect examples of why we didn’t feel the need for digital inputs." I read several reviews of the Audioengine speakers that mentioned that the SQ was better when using the output from Airport Express vs the output from the computer itself. The Airport Express is $99 and falls right in your budget! I think the iPod Dock also has a decent DAC. I have heard good things about the Musical Fidelity V-DAC ($299) on the internet (caveat!) |
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edmondwolfman
Emo VIPs 
Gun Control Is Hitting What You Aim At
Posts: 332
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Post by edmondwolfman on Nov 9, 2009 9:35:08 GMT -5
I too have read a lot of glowing reviews for the music streamer ($99) and music streamer+ ($299) but just be aware that a 48k/16 bit file is the highest resolution you can feed it. If you have high res music (88k, 96k, 176k or 192k) those will not work with a music streamer (either model).
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toka
Minor Hero
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Post by toka on Nov 20, 2009 22:06:48 GMT -5
NuForce will soon be releasing a DAC in that price range...uDAC is the name, $99 is the price. Of course, its not out yet, but will be shortly.
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Post by drwily008 on Nov 21, 2009 0:55:30 GMT -5
I read an entire article on the High Resolution Technologies Music Streamer DAC in Absolute Sound. They raved about it. Everthing I have heard is great.
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