Digital Output from MacBook

Posted by: Keith L on 18 July 2008

I bought an optical lead to connect my macbook pro directly to my Benchmark Dac1. I usually connect my SB3 to my dac with a Naim DC1 coax lead. The direct connection using the optical lead sounds lifeless with a bloated bass. I checked through the sound settings on itunes and unchecked crossfade playback and sound enhancer, and unchecked sound enhancer on frontrow. It sounded better but far from the excellent results I get from my sb3. I then tried the optical lead from the sb3 and found the results very close to the Naim DC1 coax.

The digital output from my sb3 is much better than from my macbook pro. Are there other settings on the laptop that will effect the digital output? I was playing the rip through itunes and frontrow.
Posted on: 05 August 2008 by ryan_d
Thanks Rega,

I've checked on the slim devices forum and even this one has its fair share of problems.

I've bit the bullet and now got rid of the SB3 and will use either a server unit connected via ethernet, or use Airport express with ipod touch as remote control.

Ryan