Post by lexman on Jan 25, 2017 2:46:01 GMT
My first post!
Knowing Ethan is the pope of hifi BS debunking, I hope I'll be able to have some more honest feedback than elsewhere about this. Seriously, I posted something similar on another forum (I think that was headcase) and the first reply I received was a troll telling me to buy a $2k Yggdrasil DAC from Schiit... I had a big LOL. Anyhow.
Here's my problem. I'm storing most of my music on my MacBook Air 2012 edition, with 500GB of SSD storage - this is a $2k machine btw. I'm hoping to be able to build a simple setup, without the need to create a complex network with computer, NAS, DAC etc. My understanding is that the wireless Airplay functionality of the Macbook Air outputs all music files, regardless of their encoding, in 16/44 format. As the Air does not have SPDIF output, the only way to output a music file in its original format (as stored on the computer) is to wire the computer to a DAC using one of its USB outputs. At the moment, I'm thinking one of AudioQuest's DragonFly small USB DACs could do the trick (note: I'm not endorsing any of AQ or schiit stuff).
My question is: I don't really care of spending $200 for a DAC if it helps outputs my files in their original format, but will I notify the sonic difference? Will I be able to discern the difference between 16/44 and 24/96, 24/192?
Thanks,
Alex
Knowing Ethan is the pope of hifi BS debunking, I hope I'll be able to have some more honest feedback than elsewhere about this. Seriously, I posted something similar on another forum (I think that was headcase) and the first reply I received was a troll telling me to buy a $2k Yggdrasil DAC from Schiit... I had a big LOL. Anyhow.
Here's my problem. I'm storing most of my music on my MacBook Air 2012 edition, with 500GB of SSD storage - this is a $2k machine btw. I'm hoping to be able to build a simple setup, without the need to create a complex network with computer, NAS, DAC etc. My understanding is that the wireless Airplay functionality of the Macbook Air outputs all music files, regardless of their encoding, in 16/44 format. As the Air does not have SPDIF output, the only way to output a music file in its original format (as stored on the computer) is to wire the computer to a DAC using one of its USB outputs. At the moment, I'm thinking one of AudioQuest's DragonFly small USB DACs could do the trick (note: I'm not endorsing any of AQ or schiit stuff).
My question is: I don't really care of spending $200 for a DAC if it helps outputs my files in their original format, but will I notify the sonic difference? Will I be able to discern the difference between 16/44 and 24/96, 24/192?
Thanks,
Alex
