iMac - FiiO upgrade

[Bonky]

In my study I have an iMac serving an Amptastic T-amp and a pair of highly-regarded Q-acoustics 2010 speakers.
Yesterday I plugged in my FiiO E7 usb DAC between the iMac and the amp.
An instant increase in SQ - even to my old(ish) ears.

Just thought I'd pass it on...!

I was contemplating Stan's Bushmaster upcoming DAC with an optical link. I'm not sure I would hear the difference...(?)

BW

Bonky

[StanleyB]

I was contemplating Stan's Bushmaster upcoming DAC with an optical link. I'm not sure I would hear the difference...(?)
If the current arrangement works for you and gives a high level of satisfaction, there is no need to fork out on another DAC if you don't think you would hear a difference. The Bushmaster might not improve on the SQ. In fact, it might make listening to some tracks a lot more disturbing. I was listening to a Norah Jones track recently that has a guitar player providing some instrumental accompaniment to her vocals. The endless running of fingers along the guitar strings without any note being plucked was getting the better of my patience. Norah snapping at small gulps of air was also a bit to much as well on some tracks on the same album. But I could quite happily listen to those same tracks on a Caiman, where those sounds were far less noticeable. So SQ can work both ways.

[purite audio]

An Async USB DAC might well improve the sound quality, or even an asyc USB to s/pdif converter, into your current DAC, and it would allow you to play 24/192 files from your Mac.
Keith.

[Bonky]

Thanks for the replies. I could always buy a Bushmaster, and if it was too revealing swap it with the Caiman in my main set up.

...and here I was trying to save some money!

BW,

Bonky.

[StanleyB]

Thanks for the replies. I could always buy a Bushmaster, and if it was too revealing swap it with the Caiman in my main set up.
i hope you got some good neighbours. Mine has knocked on my door a few times in the last couple of months after I started testing the Bushmaster with a couple of deep bass tunes. His complaint was that items were shaking on his shelves and even falling on the floor. We didn't have any problems with him before when the Caiman was connected up to my main system:scratch:.

[bobbasrah]

i hope you got some good neighbours. Mine has knocked on my door a few times in the last couple of months after I started testing the Bushmaster with a couple of deep bass tunes. His complaint was that items were shaking on his shelves and even falling on the floor. We didn't have any problems with him before when the Caiman was connected up to my main system:scratch:.

Probably the rumble from the hires ripped LP test track Stan.....:doh:

[kininigin]

:lol:

[StanleyB]

Probably the rumble from the hires ripped LP test track Stan.....:doh:
Extremely unlikely. Turntable rumble doesn't cause anything to move, not even on the dance floor.

[Bonky]

An Async USB DAC might well improve the sound quality, or even an asyc USB to s/pdif converter, into your current DAC, and it would allow you to play 24/192 files from your Mac.
Keith.

Hi, thanks. Any advice as to what low-cost asyc USB to s/pdif converter model to get? I've googled the subject but am confused by the various models - and prices! Is there anything from the FiiO stable?

Another question based on my ignorance: Would such a device be of any use connected to the Caiman (which I have) and/or the upcoming Bushmaster?

Thanks,

Bonky

[purite audio]

Richard Hi, I am going to recommend the M2Tech Hiface ,(we distribute them but they are extremely good) they are Async, offer some degree of galvanic isolation and allow you to play 24/192 from your USB port.
Ideally you wouldn't use a USB/s/pdif converter at all, but buy an Async USB DAC ,which you can plug straight into your PC/Mac this sends the data straight into the DAC chip.
KR Keith.

[Bonky]

Richard Hi, I am going to recommend the M2Tech Hiface ,(we distribute them but they are extremely good) they are Async, offer some degree of galvanic isolation and allow you to play 24/192 from your USB port.
Ideally you wouldn't use a USB/s/pdif converter at all, but buy an Async USB DAC ,which you can plug straight into your PC/Mac this sends the data straight into the DAC chip.
KR Keith.

Hi, thanks for that. I'll take a look.

Is the Caiman and/or Bushmaster async do you know? (I looked at Stan's website but couldn't find any reference).

BW

Bonky

[roob]

Is the Caiman and/or Bushmaster async
Nope.

[wee tee cee]

musical fidelity is good...plug and play. Everyone that has heard mine in they're system has remarked on the improvement it makes.

[Bonky]

The iMac does have a SPDIF connection. Does this alter any advice?

Just seen this:http://www.whathifi.com/news/world-exclusive-cambridge-audio-unveils-£19995-dacmagic-100.

...for next month; (thanks Andy - http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=15149)


BW

Richard (getting confused now)

[purite audio]

Async is good because the source and the DAC shake hands, the dac agrees to accept only the data and not the embedded timing, this allows the DAC clock to be in total control of the flow of data .
It is a major advance in computer audio, although async usb s/pdif converters can be good it is better to avoid the conversion to s/pdif completely if you can.
Keith.

[Bonky]

Async is good because the source and the DAC shake hands, the dac agrees to accept only the data and not the embedded timing, this allows the DAC clock to be in total control of the flow of data .
It is a major advance in computer audio, although async usb s/pdif converters can be good it is better to avoid the conversion to s/pdif completely if you can.
Keith.

Thanks Keith.

BW

Richard