Source Improvement?????

[crazyeyes]

Hey guys i was wondering what you guys though about my setup and where i can improve on my source? Right now i have a B&K Reference 10, Marantz Model 170DC, Polk LSi9's, and i am using my iMac as my source i am going from the iMac to the B&K with an Optical cable. I know i can do better and i would like to get a dedicated CD Player eventually but i am asking what can i do to improve the iMac as a source cause that is what i use alot cause i love having a music jukebox with everything i own on it. All music is in Apple Lossless format and sounds pretty good. Now i am wondering should i buy an external DAC for the iMac or an external sound card? What are your guys oppinions. I have a Thorens TD280 turntable with a Shure V15 Type IV for when i really want good SQ. Any reccomendations on what i can do to improve the sound quality from my iMac would be great thanks.

[F1nut]

Any reccomendations on what i can do to improve the sound quality from my iMac would be great thanks.

Flush it.

[Ferres]

Too much interference from the computer itself to make it a decent player. Get an onkyo DX-C390 and burn your mp3's to cd.
:)

[steveinaz]

Hate to be blunt, but you can't a polish a turd. Everything upstream affects things down stream.

Convenience or quality, which do you want? No free rides in audio.

[crazyeyes]

Hey guys thanks i figured there wasn't much i could do to improve the sound. I was just curious, well i guess i will invest in a decent CD player. How is the quality on those Music Jukeboxes such as the Yamaha that has the 80GB hard drive built in? I know Mcintosh has one as well.

[shack]

This is one I would consider based on their CDP quality....

Cambridge Audio Azur 640H (http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/summary.php?PID=39&Title=Azur+640H)

160Gb. However, it will set you back $1,399 (MSRP).

[audiobliss]

I would stay away from the Yamaha. I used one in a demo room at a local store and fell in love with the idea. However, when I searched for the info on it, I was very disappointed. From what I can remember, the Yamaha converts the signal to MP3 format when it sends it to other servers.

I would, however, be interested in the CA version, as I really like the idea.

[Ferres]

Hey guys thanks i figured there wasn't much i could do to improve the sound. I was just curious, well i guess i will invest in a decent CD player. How is the quality on those Music Jukeboxes such as the Yamaha that has the 80GB hard drive built in? I know Mcintosh has one as well.

A new soundcard review here. Looks very interesting for someone who want to use computer jukeboxes. :p

http://www.sdinfo.com/volume_13_1/lynx-two-sound-card-2-2006-part-1.html

[ohskigod]

Even a cheap DVD player that can play cd's would be a huge improvement. go that route if the budget isd really tight, then save up for a better source down the road. The Toshiba 3960 would have been right up you alley, but I think they stopped making it

[unc2701]

The setup you have is about the best you can do with the iMac- the important parts being:
1)Lossless format and
2)Optical cable

Just make sure you've got the computer well away from the rest of the gear.

As for music servers, make sure that they do lossless- most don't.

[crazyeyes]

Just make sure you've got the computer well away from the rest of the gear.


Is 10-15 Ft. far enough? I am thinking of buying a nice CDP soon. I have a record player which I Love I was just listening to Eagles Hell Freezes Over on vinyl and man does it sound sweet. I was just curious if there was any way to improve upon what i had going with the iMac already. Thanks again guys, and any other suggestions are welcome.