USB Soundcards for Macbook Air and Naim DAC
Posted by: Asenna04 on 28 December 2009
I am considering getting the new Naim DAC. I will initially use it with my Macbook Air while I wait to see what Naim comes up with streaming options.
The only problem is that the Macbook Air does not have a mini TOSLink digital out. Macbook and Macbook Pro have this built in the line out port but not Macbook Air.
So I have to consider an external USB soundcard with Toslink out.
Any suggestions. I know the M-Audio Transit have been referenced in the DAC White paper and I am considering that as an option. Any other good high quality ones I should be considering?
ASenna04
Posted on: 28 December 2009 by js
As an interim device, something like a Musiland Monitor 01 USD is cheap and non critical of system or player. HiFace is supposed to be better but not as program friendly. Check in latest drivers. Both are async HiRes with dedicated drivers.
Posted on: 28 December 2009 by Fv02
Why not use a airport express to link your macbook air to your Naim dac.
The express has toslink, so you can use itunes or the program Airfoil to strem you music to the dac.
I have similar setup but with a cambridge dac, works perfect
Posted on: 28 December 2009 by Eloise
quote:
Originally posted by js:
As an interim device, something like a Musiland Monitor 01 USD is cheap and non critical of system or player. HiFace is supposed to be better but not as program friendly. Check in latest drivers. Both are async HiRes with dedicated drivers.
The Musiland Monitor 01 is limited to Windows driver (afaik) so no use with a MacBook Air.
IIRC the HiFace Mac drivers are Core Audio compatible so usable with any app. The newest windows drivers support Direct Sound as well as Kernel Streaming so are more or less universal (though KS is recommended for best quality).
A M-Audio transit will do as you require but is limited to 24/96 (the HiFace and Musiland Monitor will do 24/192).
Eloise
Posted on: 29 December 2009 by js
Thanks for the correction.
Posted on: 30 December 2009 by Occean
How about an EMU 0404 USB?
Posted on: 30 December 2009 by Asenna04
Thank you all for your feedback.
JS, as mentioned Musiland is not an option since I use Mac.
Fv02, I think airport express is not low jitter, not sure if it is bit perfect as well. So ruled out.
Eloise, your suggestion of HiFace was interesting. I followed it up and did some research. I am getting it shipped to me tonight for trial. Lets see how it performs.
Thanks,
ASenna04
Posted on: 30 December 2009 by Eloise
quote:
Originally posted by Occean:
How about an EMU 0404 USB?
EMu 0404 USB 2.0 is limited to 16/44.1 and 48 when used with Mac.
Eloise
Posted on: 31 December 2009 by Occean
How about the Bel Canto USB to SPDIF converter? AFAIK it supports mac tp 96/24
Posted on: 31 December 2009 by JYOW
Eloise, in terms of quality, any idea how the HiFace compare to the Weiss INT202 or AF11 Firewire adapters? Or on the USB side, the Empirical Audio Offramp? All are a lot more expensive than the HiFace, is the HiFace the giant killer with Async?
I am using Weiss DAC2 but am itching for the Naim
Posted on: 31 December 2009 by ferenc
quote:
Originally posted by JYOW:
Eloise, in terms of quality, any idea how the HiFace compare to the Weiss INT202 or AF11 Firewire adapters? Or on the USB side, the Empirical Audio Offramp? All are a lot more expensive than the HiFace, is the HiFace the giant killer with Async?
I am using Weiss DAC2 but am itching for the Naim
I can compare it to the Konnekt 8 (which is using the Dice chip too) and I like the HiFace BNC (with the BNC-BNC Naim DC1 cable) lot more than I like the Konnekt and the Konnekt is very good as a Firewire-SPDIF converter. It has a purity and flow which the Konnekt can
mimic somehow only if I use the external Paul Hynes power supply with it.
I do not have a Naim DAC yet, but I think it will be very difficult to get something significantly more entertaining than the a Mac (10.6.x) - Amarra - HiFace - Naim DC1 (BNC) - Naim DAC (BNC)
Posted on: 01 January 2010 by JYOW
If the HiFace compares well with the Weiss and Empirical Audio Async interface then it would be quite a good deal.
Problem with the Naim DAC is the lack of Async connectivity to PCs, and typical USB synchronous drivers according to expert opinions are quite poor sounding. Hence the recent excitement about the Wavelength/Ayre/Weiss async interface, which is supposed to do away mush of the issues associated with clock jitters. Which at least in theory makes sense.
Posted on: 01 January 2010 by DHT
JYOW I use a Weiss dac and for me it sounds a lot better through it's firewire input, my dealer tells me the new Weiss firewire interface should arrive any day, I have a hiface which I use in a second system, just need the new Naim to compare!
Posted on: 01 January 2010 by paremus
DHT
Have you tried the hiFace / RCA v.s. Firewire into the Weiss DAC?
Or have you already tried this - and the results were much better with Firewire? Just seeking clarification
Thanks
Richard
Posted on: 01 January 2010 by DHT
Richard Hi, the Weiss sounds best through it's firewire, but there isn't a huge difference imho.
Posted on: 01 January 2010 by likesmusic
quote:
Originally posted by Asenna04:
I am considering getting the new Naim DAC. I will initially use it with my Macbook Air while I wait to see what Naim comes up with streaming options.
ASenna04
What happens if Naim's streamer includes a DAC (like pretty much all the other streamers on the market)?
Posted on: 01 January 2010 by Dan Carney
I use the Aiport Express. Evidence suggests that it is bit-perfect.
D
Posted on: 01 January 2010 by james n
quote:
Evidence suggests that it is bit-perfect.
Limited to 16 / 44.1 though.
