Source Improvement?????

crazyeyes
crazyeyes Posts: 74
edited February 2006 in Electronics
Hey guys i was wondering what you guys though about my setup and where i can improve on my source? Right now i have a B&K Reference 10, Marantz Model 170DC, Polk LSi9's, and i am using my iMac as my source i am going from the iMac to the B&K with an Optical cable. I know i can do better and i would like to get a dedicated CD Player eventually but i am asking what can i do to improve the iMac as a source cause that is what i use alot cause i love having a music jukebox with everything i own on it. All music is in Apple Lossless format and sounds pretty good. Now i am wondering should i buy an external DAC for the iMac or an external sound card? What are your guys oppinions. I have a Thorens TD280 turntable with a Shure V15 Type IV for when i really want good SQ. Any reccomendations on what i can do to improve the sound quality from my iMac would be great thanks.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,793
    edited February 2006
    Any reccomendations on what i can do to improve the sound quality from my iMac would be great thanks.

    Flush it.
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  • Ferres
    Ferres Posts: 310
    edited February 2006
    Too much interference from the computer itself to make it a decent player. Get an onkyo DX-C390 and burn your mp3's to cd.
    :)
    Gear: Rotel RC 1082, Rotel RSP 1068 pre/pro, Rotel RMB1077 amp, Cayin CDT 15a CD player, S301 bluray.

    Speakers: Tannoy DC sensys speakers, Paradigm Servo15 Sub, Velo Spl-1500r

    Conditioner: Isotek :D
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited February 2006
    Hate to be blunt, but you can't a polish a ****. Everything upstream affects things down stream.

    Convenience or quality, which do you want? No free rides in audio.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • crazyeyes
    crazyeyes Posts: 74
    edited February 2006
    Hey guys thanks i figured there wasn't much i could do to improve the sound. I was just curious, well i guess i will invest in a decent CD player. How is the quality on those Music Jukeboxes such as the Yamaha that has the 80GB hard drive built in? I know Mcintosh has one as well.
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited February 2006
    This is one I would consider based on their CDP quality....

    Cambridge Audio Azur 640H

    160Gb. However, it will set you back $1,399 (MSRP).
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  • audiobliss
    audiobliss Posts: 12,518
    edited February 2006
    I would stay away from the Yamaha. I used one in a demo room at a local store and fell in love with the idea. However, when I searched for the info on it, I was very disappointed. From what I can remember, the Yamaha converts the signal to MP3 format when it sends it to other servers.

    I would, however, be interested in the CA version, as I really like the idea.
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  • Ferres
    Ferres Posts: 310
    edited February 2006
    crazyeyes wrote:
    Hey guys thanks i figured there wasn't much i could do to improve the sound. I was just curious, well i guess i will invest in a decent CD player. How is the quality on those Music Jukeboxes such as the Yamaha that has the 80GB hard drive built in? I know Mcintosh has one as well.

    A new soundcard review here. Looks very interesting for someone who want to use computer jukeboxes. :p

    http://www.sdinfo.com/volume_13_1/lynx-two-sound-card-2-2006-part-1.html
    Gear: Rotel RC 1082, Rotel RSP 1068 pre/pro, Rotel RMB1077 amp, Cayin CDT 15a CD player, S301 bluray.

    Speakers: Tannoy DC sensys speakers, Paradigm Servo15 Sub, Velo Spl-1500r

    Conditioner: Isotek :D
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  • ohskigod
    ohskigod Posts: 6,502
    edited February 2006
    Even a cheap DVD player that can play cd's would be a huge improvement. go that route if the budget isd really tight, then save up for a better source down the road. The Toshiba 3960 would have been right up you alley, but I think they stopped making it
    Living Room 2 Channel -
    Schiit SYS Passive Pre. Jolida CD player. Songbird streamer. California Audio Labs Sigma II DAC, DIY 300as1/a1 Ice modules Class D amp. LSi15 with MM842 woofer upgrade, Nordost Blue Heaven and Unity interconnects.

    Upstairs 2 Channel Rig -
    Prometheus Ref. TVC passive pre, SAE A-205 Amp, Wiim pro streamer and Topping E50 DAC, California Audio Labs DX1 CD player, Von Schweikert VR3.5 speakers.

    Studio Rig - Scarlett 18i20(Gen3) DAW, Mac Mini, Aiyma A07 Max (BridgedX2), Totem Mites
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  • unc2701
    unc2701 Posts: 3,587
    edited February 2006
    The setup you have is about the best you can do with the iMac- the important parts being:
    1)Lossless format and
    2)Optical cable

    Just make sure you've got the computer well away from the rest of the gear.

    As for music servers, make sure that they do lossless- most don't.
    Gallo Ref 3.1 : Bryston 4b SST : Musical fidelity CD Pre : VPI HW-19
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  • crazyeyes
    crazyeyes Posts: 74
    edited February 2006
    unc2701 wrote:
    Just make sure you've got the computer well away from the rest of the gear.

    Is 10-15 Ft. far enough? I am thinking of buying a nice CDP soon. I have a record player which I Love I was just listening to Eagles Hell Freezes Over on vinyl and man does it sound sweet. I was just curious if there was any way to improve upon what i had going with the iMac already. Thanks again guys, and any other suggestions are welcome.
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