Streaming

[rjinaz86323]

Not sure if this is the right section, but I am here now.

I am currently using my Mac Mini to stream music. Mostly Amazon Music and Spotify. I am thinking of upgrading to Amazon Music Unlimited which will give me HD and Ultra HD as well as a bigger catalog.

First question is about this service, as to how it compares to others (I like the price $7.99)

Secondly I am using a Schiit Modi 3+ DAC. Will this give me a good result or do I need to upgrade this as well?

I am going into a Mac MX130/MC7150/SF Chameleons

Keep in mind I have a very limited budget.

Thx
Rick

[eljr]

Amazon Music Unlimited which will give you Atmos and Spatial in addition to HD and Ultra HD.

The quality is excellent.

The value is the best in the business.

It is visually pleasing.

I don't like way more than I like about it. Poor control options, terrible search engine. It's library is difficult as it will not retain your filter options.

[JoeN]

For better quality music, I would suggest Qobuz. It’s a little more but definitely worth it.

$129.99 per year, which is $10.83 per month.

https://www.qobuz.com/us-en/discover...EaAt_uEALw_wcB

[Kal Rubinson]

Originally Posted by rjinaz86323

Secondly I am using a Schiit Modi 3+ DAC. Will this give me a good result or do I need to upgrade this as well?

I am going into a Mac MX130/MC7150/SF Chameleons

If you are feeding the DAC output into the Mac, do you know if the Mac is redigitizing the signal? If so, why not forget the DAC completely and go straight into the MAC?

[rjinaz86323]

Why would the MZX130 re-digitize the signal?

[Kal Rubinson]

Originally Posted by rjinaz86323

Why would the MZX130 re-digitize the signal?

Just asking because, while it might be uncharacteristic of McIntosh to do this, it is typical of most AVRs and pre-pros.

[W9TR]

Originally Posted by rjinaz86323

Why would the MZX130 re-digitize the signal?

The MX 130 does not digitize the analog input signals unless the surround modes are active. In Pre/Pro dog years the MX 130 is long dead. But it has a nice tuner and solid analog preamp sections, even though the video and prologic surround stuff is lost in the mists of time.

More recent McIntosh Pre/Pros, like the MX 150, 160, 170 and the MX 121, 122, and 123 digitize ALL the analog inputs, even in "Pure Direct" modes.

What Kal was noting, with these processors, you might as well feed them a digital signal directly. Why?

Because the analog output of your DAC will get re-digitized with an A/D converter internal to the Pre/Pro, and then converted back into analog with a D/A converter internal to the Pre/Pro. Using the Pre/Pro's internal D/A converters directly eliminates two conversion steps.

Tom

[Formerly YB-2]

Think Kal is asking about your Mac, not your Mc.

[Kal Rubinson]

Originally Posted by Formerly YB-2

Think Kal is asking about your Mac, not your Mc.

Nope.

[rjinaz86323]

The Mac Mini is feeding the DAC and the DAC is feeding the MX130