'source first'

Posted by: sharik on 08 November 2015

 

- so true indeed...  recently i purchased a MacBook Pro Retina to replace the Oppo 105 in my system; the sound has improved considerably (provided, the Mac is powered with internal batteries while not connected to the power circuit) even without use of an external DAC, that is, Macbook plugged directly in the integrated amp (Supernait 2 in this case) with a mini-jack/RCA through DIN5 adaptor interconnect bundle; hey, is it some kind of synergy between MacBook Pros and Naims?

Posted on: 08 November 2015 by Huge

Well, an Oppo 105 just isn't in the same league as a SN2, so think what a decent DAC will do.

 

Improving the source in a mullet is definitely going to work!

Posted on: 08 November 2015 by Martin.L

The Macbook pro is a great platform for playing music and it goes very well with a naim system.

Posted on: 08 November 2015 by SongStream

Now that's an unbalanced system!

Posted on: 08 November 2015 by Simon-in-Suffolk

Wow, I find this intriguing my MacBook Pro Retina has a shocking audio output.. It's noisy and unrefined.. There is a distracting amount of low level high frequency RFI noise as well... as many know the shielding in laptops is typically rather poor and not recommended for use on your lap unless wearing shielded boxer shorts!! MacBooks and direct audio replay I like to keep well seperate. If you need quality audio, then couple to a remote DAC by USB or Ethernet.

 

 

Posted on: 08 November 2015 by dayjay

Put a Hugo in between them and run Audirvana on the Mac and then it really starts to sound good

Posted on: 08 November 2015 by winkyincanada
Originally Posted by Simon-in-Suffolk:

Wow, I find this intriguing my MacBook Pro Retina has a shocking audio output.. It's noisy and unrefined.. There is a distracting amount of low level high frequency RFI noise as well... as many know the shielding in laptops is typically rather poor and not recommended for use on your lap unless wearing shielded boxer shorts!! MacBooks and direct audio replay I like to keep well seperate. If you need quality audio, then couple to a remote DAC by USB or Ethernet.

 

 

Yeah, me too. Intriguing and baffling. I can't imagine that the DAC in a notebook comes close to being a decent source.

Posted on: 08 November 2015 by sharik
Originally Posted by Huge:

think what a decent DAC will do.

and i do use a DAC, currently Nad M51 that i already had, but mostly for the reason i'm reluctant to go into trying figure out which mini-jack/RCA/DIN5 cable is best for direct connection to the amp.

Posted on: 08 November 2015 by Jan-Erik Nordoen
Originally Posted by Simon-in-Suffolk:

There is a distracting amount of low level high frequency RFI noise as well... as many know the shielding in laptops is typically rather poor and not recommended for use on your lap unless wearing shielded boxer shorts!!

Yup, gotta protect your little swimmers.

 

Posted on: 08 November 2015 by sharik
Originally Posted by Simon-in-Suffolk:

my MacBook Pro Retina has a shocking audio output..

- rather strange because by many accounts the MacBook Pro is deemed to have a very decent sound.

Posted on: 08 November 2015 by Mulberry
I ran the digital output of a MacBook Pro into my NDAC a few weeks ago. This was more or less to confirm my low expectations. The results were surprisingly good. To my ears at least, the sound was stable, smooth and noise free. Connection was via Audioquest Cinnamon Toslink.
Posted on: 08 November 2015 by Richard Dane

I guess it all comes down to what you're comparing against and what your expectations are; certainly I find my 2 year old MBP's headphone audio is improved no end by adding the neat little Dragonfly USB DAC. This makes it a pleasant device to use for headphone listening while moderating the forum.  With the Dragonfly in the bag (or something similar), it positively encourages me to listen to music while I'm working or moderating the forum. Without the Dragonfly I'm not so keen and don't bother...

Posted on: 08 November 2015 by hungryhalibut

So if we can kidnap the Dragonfly, we can have endless fun offering things for sale, discussing fuses in an obsessive way and mentioning certain companies that must not be mentioned....... Anarchy is  just a Dragonfly away ! 

Posted on: 08 November 2015 by Richard Dane

ahem...  

 

...without the Dragonfly I can't be bothered listening to music on the MBP...

Posted on: 08 November 2015 by Simon-in-Suffolk

 

And  yes I also use the Dragonfly USB DAC on my MBP and other than lack of granularity on suitable volume level on sensitive IEMs is a huge step forward to the MBP inbuilt audio output....

Posted on: 08 November 2015 by sharik
Originally Posted by Richard Dane:

I guess it all comes down to what you're comparing against

for example a symphony orchestra or opera house kept in mind when changes made to the system.

Posted on: 08 November 2015 by Skip

I use a Halide HD DAC cable off my MBP and run Audirvana Plus into my 552.   It sounds pretty good, but not the equal of a Naim CDP such as CDS2 or CD555.   Based on what I have heard on my son's UQ2, I think that UPnP would sound better if you could make that happen.

Posted on: 08 November 2015 by Mortalcoil
Originally Posted by Richard Dane:

ahem...  

 

...without the Dragonfly I can't be bothered listening to music on the MBP...

 

Originally Posted by Simon-in-Suffolk:

 

And  yes I also use the Dragonfly USB DAC on my MBP and other than lack of granularity on suitable volume level on sensitive IEMs is a huge step forward to the MBP inbuilt audio output....

 Sounds like you fine gentlemen need a V1

Posted on: 08 November 2015 by Simon-in-Suffolk

Hmm but the V1 is not the size of a USB memory stick...

Posted on: 09 November 2015 by Richard Dane

Yup, fine though the DAC-V1 undoubtedly is, it's not a portable option.  The Dragonfly is not the last word in SQ by any means, but it does markedly improve the MBP headphone out, is more than good enough to be enjoyable to listen to, and it's form and size are ideal for the task.  

 

Oh, and it has a picture of a dragonfly on it that lights up and changes colour depending on what sample rate you're using - what more could you want?

Posted on: 09 November 2015 by Jude2012

Perhaps a Mojo 

Posted on: 09 November 2015 by Huge
Originally Posted by Richard Dane:

Yup, fine though the DAC-V1 undoubtedly is, it's not a portable option.  The Dragonfly is not the last word in SQ by any means, but it does markedly improve the MBP headphone out, is more than good enough to be enjoyable to listen to, and it's form and size are ideal for the task.  

 

Oh, and it has a picture of a dragonfly on it that lights up and changes colour depending on what sample rate you're using - what more could you want?

A portable Statement?  

Posted on: 09 November 2015 by Mortalcoil
Originally Posted by Simon-in-Suffolk:

Hmm but the V1 is not the size of a USB memory stick...

 Very true.

 

Originally Posted by Richard Dane:

 

Oh, and it has a picture of a dragonfly on it that lights up and changes colour depending on what sample rate you're using - what more could you want?

lol you make a good point.

Posted on: 09 November 2015 by sharik

 

maybe an OS installed on the MBP is what makes the difference?