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Thread: My basic digital system: new Asus or old Macbook?

  1. #1
    Join Date: Aug 2014

    Location: Norfolk

    Posts: 69
    I'm John.

    Default My basic digital system: new Asus or old Macbook?

    I'm happy but ignorant as far as digital music is concerned, so opinions will be helpful. I've been using a small new Asus laptop (4Gb, 500Gb) as a source for digital music, all flac, through a cheapish DAC, and supplemented by/backed up to 2Tb of portable hard drive. I'm happy with the sound quality - indeed it occasionally seems to produce better results than vinyl or CD. But I've just been given an eight-year-old Macbook (which only has 100Gb of storage). Is there any point in using this instead of the Asus? I ask because of Apple's old reputation as "media machines". Or would there be no difference, or not worth the hassle?

  2. #2
    Join Date: Feb 2013

    Location: W Lothian

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    I'm Grant.

    Default

    If the asus sounds good then why bother. Ive not had many issues using windows 10 for audio. Maybe improving the dac at some stage if you feel you must. usb dacs all seem to sound a bit different
    Regards,
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  3. #3
    Join Date: Mar 2014

    Location: West Wales

    Posts: 843
    I'm malcolm.

    Default

    Maybe download and install the free version of fidelizer, it really does improve the sound.
    Audiophile Tosher

  4. #4
    Join Date: Apr 2008

    Location: Warrington

    Posts: 3,451
    I'm Neil.

    Default

    It is easy enough to optimise Windows to be bit perfect without using Fidelizer, but in terms of Apple vs. Asus, set up properly, there will be zero difference. What is more important to sound quality is the USB front end whether internal or external to the DAC unit. This *does* make a big difference!
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  5. #5
    Join Date: Nov 2010

    Location: Coventry

    Posts: 3,039
    I'm Will.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Yomanze View Post
    It is easy enough to optimise Windows to be bit perfect without using Fidelizer, but in terms of Apple vs. Asus, set up properly, there will be zero difference. What is more important to sound quality is the USB front end whether internal or external to the DAC unit. This *does* make a big difference!
    Indeed, as much USB 'Isolation' as is financially reasonable...
    Cheers, Will

  6. #6
    Join Date: Sep 2012

    Location: Derbyshire

    Posts: 542
    I'm mark.

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    The Mac will (probably) have optical output via the headphone socket, this MAY be useful and add some flexibility to dac choices?

  7. #7
    Join Date: Feb 2017

    Location: Sussex

    Posts: 324
    I'm Simon.

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    I doubt it would make much difference, but you can only but experiment.

  8. #8
    Join Date: Dec 2008

    Location: Kuala Lumpur

    Posts: 110
    I'm Abe.

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    I'm rooting for the Mac..
    -abe-

  9. #9
    Join Date: Nov 2008

    Location: Valley of the Hazels

    Posts: 9,139
    I'm AMusicFanNotAnAudiophile.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by aBe View Post
    I'm rooting for the Mac..
    I don't think there's any need to be rooting for anything.
    Common sense dictates that it makes more sense to use the Mac if it has optical on board.
    If it doesn't it's another story.

    I'd see if the Mac has an optical output, and go with that if it does.
    Chris



    Common sense isn't anymore!

  10. #10
    Join Date: Aug 2014

    Location: Norfolk

    Posts: 69
    I'm John.

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    Right. I'll explore that option. As I understand it, if it has optical it's via the headphone socket which doubles as an optical output. Or have I got that wrong? Thanks for the advice.

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