#11
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You’re doing fine Reynolds, you’re asking the right questions. Many of us are not that technically savvy, we just love the hobby and the music. If there’s one thing we love on this site besides audio, it’s giving opinions and advice.
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Tony D'Agostino Momentum S250 MxV & HD pre; Linn Klimax Organik DSM, SonicTransporter, EtherRegen; Acoustic Signature Typhoon Neo, Koetsu RSP, Boulder 1108; Sf Il Cremonese; Shunyata Everest, Altaira, Sigma & Alpha v2 |
#12
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Thanks, I think that's the way I'm going to go. I'm guessing the McIntosh DAC is better than the NAD native DAC on the CD player. Now to order some cables... I'm thinking Audioquest is about as much as I'm willing to spend right now. Sky's the limit I'm sure in terms of what you can spend.
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Turntable Rega Planar 3 (2016), white belt Cartridge Hana EH Platter mat Funk Firm Achromat Integrated amplifier McIntosh MA8900 Speakers KEF LS50 (white/blue, wired) CD player NAD C 538 Headphones HIFIMAN HE-400i RCM VPI 16.2 |
#13
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Actually, NordOst makes some cables I can probably afford. Plus it'd be good to support a local Massachusetts company. Blue Heaven is do-able.
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Turntable Rega Planar 3 (2016), white belt Cartridge Hana EH Platter mat Funk Firm Achromat Integrated amplifier McIntosh MA8900 Speakers KEF LS50 (white/blue, wired) CD player NAD C 538 Headphones HIFIMAN HE-400i RCM VPI 16.2 |
#14
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Slightly, no guessing necessary. You will be a happy camper.
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#15
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#16
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Wouldn't he have to download the McIntosh USB driver for it to work via USB. I know without it installed on my laptop and PC I get zilch to my MA8000.
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McIntosh MA8000; McIntosh MC1502; Canton Vento Reference 1 DC; E.A.T. E-Flat; Soundsmith Paua Mk II; Technics SL 1210 MK5; Audio Technica AT-150 MLX; Tascam BR-20; Teac X1000R; Pioneer RT-707; Oppo UDP 205; Denon DCD A-100; HP All-In-One Touchscreen Server; JRiver MC 28; Woo Audio WA6; Shure SRH 1840; SVS SB 1000; Jolida 502BRC; Jolida JD9; VPI 16.5 RCM; Wireworld Oasis 8 Speaker Cables; Audoquest Columbia 72 DBS IC's; Panamax PM-5400 (source components only) |
#17
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He is planning to use a MacBook Air Their is no need for a specific driver when using Mac OS Only windows based computers need a driver
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Analog Sources: Oppo 203, Oppo 105, DirecTV, AppleTV 4K, Roku Ultra, Nvidia Shield Digital Sources: Aurender W20 via USB and dual XLR, dCS Rossini and Clock HT Processor: Anthem AVM90 PreAmp: Audio Research Ref 6 Amp: ML 536 (2), Rotel 1552 (3), Rotel 1585 Speakers: Focal Maestro EVO, Focal 1000 Utopia Center, Focal 1000 IW6 side/rear surrounds, Focal 1000 IW6 X4 Ceiling, Rel G2 X 2 subs, Martin Logan 1500 X 2 subs, B&W 805D2 in master bedroom Video: JVC NZ8 Projector Power: Shunyata Everest, Sigma XC (1), Sigma NR (1), Sigma Analog (2), Alpha HC (2), Alpha Digital (2), Alpha Analog (1), Viper(1), Venom Digital(1) Cables: Shunyata Anaconda SC, Anaconda IC (2), Shunyata Sigma USB, Shunyata Sigma XLR X 2, Shunyata Sigma Ethernet, Shunyata Clock Alpha X 2, Sigma x 1 |
#18
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McIntosh MA8000; McIntosh MC1502; Canton Vento Reference 1 DC; E.A.T. E-Flat; Soundsmith Paua Mk II; Technics SL 1210 MK5; Audio Technica AT-150 MLX; Tascam BR-20; Teac X1000R; Pioneer RT-707; Oppo UDP 205; Denon DCD A-100; HP All-In-One Touchscreen Server; JRiver MC 28; Woo Audio WA6; Shure SRH 1840; SVS SB 1000; Jolida 502BRC; Jolida JD9; VPI 16.5 RCM; Wireworld Oasis 8 Speaker Cables; Audoquest Columbia 72 DBS IC's; Panamax PM-5400 (source components only) |
#19
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I’ll second going USB B-A cable from computer to DAC. Get a decent one. 1.5 meters is the best length.
Ivan (MasterLu) sells Wireworld and they will have an option at your price point. If cash is an issue get a Shunyata Venom 1.5M - One Benjamin. Run your MacBook Air on batteries and don’t use any additional USB hubs or switches between your laptop and the DAC. Coax out of your CD player to the coax input on the DAC input. Enjoy!
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Main System: Amati Futura Mains Amati Homage VOX Center, Proac Response 1sc Rears, Three MC2301's for L,C,R MC 602 for the rears C 1100, MX 151, MCD 1100, MR 80 Nottingham Dais with Wave Mechanic Sumiko Palo Santos Presentation SurfacePro 3, RPi 4, ROON, WW Starlight Platinum USB, Schiit Yggdrasil, Benchmark DAC3 HGC MX 151, OppO BDP-95, JVC RS-500 DILA projector, 106" diagonal Stewart Luxus Screenwall Deluxe with Studiotek 130 G3 material. Lake House: Ohm F, MC 275V, C2300, MR 77, Rega P3 OnDeck: McIntosh MAC 4300v |
#20
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I have a MA8900, I do use it 100% of the times to play digital through USB.
Best way to get the best of the DAC/MacBook is to connect your computer to the DAC directly through USB A>B cable (you do not need a $300 USB cable but do not use a crappy printer USB AB cable) a cheap audioquest will do a great job by instance. Using a software that would really bypass the computer OS mixer and use the exclusively the DAC is good, if you don't want to pay for Roon (which in my opinion is the best) Audirvana is super easy and waaaay cheaper than Roon. Not (if any) config you have to do from the MA8900 side, I wrote to Chuck at Mcintosh few months ago to check if any firmware upgrades are recommended he said not many issues reported and if aint broke don't fix it. |
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