ropie's digital dreams

[Kno]

My gf has the same macbook as yours, David, and it's also now pretty slow, even with the same SSD installed as mine. Laptops wear out faster and generally have a much tougher life than desktop machines. The mini otoh is now faster than when I bought it. And it's running the latest version of Mac OS, which it's not even supposed to be able to!

Mini + iPad is the way to go.

[ian]

Hi Piero 

Might be imagining this, but wasn't Ian venturing into DIY Dac's?

Might be worth dropping him a pm.

 
Keith

This is a lie    I have put together a DAC/streamer from a kit but that was beyond Piero's budget.

[itskeith]

This is a lie    I have put together a DAC/streamer from a kit but that was beyond Piero's budget.

I'm quite happy that i even remember there was a dac in it 

[ropie]

Amazingly, the DAC has already arrived!

[Kno]

Mini + iPad is the way to go.

Mini + iPad + Creative Soundblaster is the way to go!

[mr havoc]

Amazingly, the DAC has already arrived!

Let's us know what you think, been thinking about getting one but as you said, thought they were a bit cheap 

[ropie]

Let's us know what you think, been thinking about getting one

Steve, I thought the sound was actually already more than bearable through the headphone jack of the computer (also given that the signal path from computer to amp is about 30cm). However, with the Soundblaster everything just sounds a bit smoother, nicer and cleaner. I think the noise floor is lower (maybe; I'm guessing!) It's not mind blowing but it is noticeable and definitely worth the investment!

NB: I do have a very small issue with some interference/hum that's only audible between tracks when the DAC is playing. If I put the amp and the computer on different levels relative to one another it disappears so I think it might be my amp. The thing is, I don't want them on different levels; they are supposed to sit side by side  (I might try my Kenwood later to see if it also gives the same).

[ropie]

I do have a very small issue with some interference/hum that's only audible between tracks when the DAC is playing. If I put the amp and the computer on different levels relative to one another it disappears so I think it might be my amp.

Interestingly, putting a large loop in the signal cable with a ferrite bead, has cured the problem. The interference, a high pitched whining noise, is now totally gone.



I am also trying a different audio player, called IINA. It definitely does a better job than itunes. We were up quite late listening to old favourites

[mr havoc]

Thanks for the review, i would be using one in much the same way, i did have a Soundkey some time ago but i used that in the main system to stream music on Qobuz.But i found that for the amount of time i actually listen to music i have plenty of records and cd's to keep me happy 

[Kent T]

Is it still speedy.  My 2013 MacBook Pro makes snails look fast. 

Likely faster than my Late 2008 MacBook.

[ropie]

My Sound Blaster Play! had been giving me some problems recently. Not only had the high pitched whining noise returned together with a modicum of hiss - both audible during quieter patches of music - but it also made a nasty crackling noise in the speakers if disturbed.

Not really fancying my chances, I carefully disassembled it by prying it apart with a screwdriver and took a look. There was nothing obviously wrong although the grounding connection (the top wire) looked a bit frayed. Anyway, I also decided that it would benefit from a longer cable as the original was about 5 cm long and the unit always hung awkwardly behind the computer.

The old wiring:





I took an old USB cable, about a metre long, cut the smaller connection off, stripped the wire ends and soldered them to the tiny board to the best of my ability. The first time I tested it, it didn't work but I checked and I had got the red and white wires the wrong way round. Thankfully, it didn't seem to negatively affect anything.

The new wiring:





The operation has been a complete success! The longer USB connection means the unit is no longer close to the computer, and the crackle / hiss / whining all seem to have disappeared! I also put a ferrite bead on the usb cable close to the unit (although removing it doesn't really seem to bring back any unwanted noise).

Held together with a cable tie until I get some superglue on it:



Inky black digital backgrounds are currently being enjoyed

[Colin_EJJ]

You're a brave man, rewiring one of those. I'm glad it worked.

I have a similar set up in that it's a Mac Mini, although in my case it's being used for exclusively for music and movies. As such it's a dedicated unit and has one of those split SSD/HD thingies, so is nippy enough for what's required of it, despite being a 2012 model.

[ropie]

Thanks Colin Mine is the 2012 model too, but I replaced the ageing hard disk with an SSD a few years ago.

What's the rest of the digital chain between your Mac and the amp?

[Colin_EJJ]

I cheat and use optical out directly into an Arcam AVR9 preamp/processor.

btw, I presume you know that the 2012 Mac has two HD bays? That's how I've configured my work machine; SSD for system and documents, standard HD for archiving.

[ropie]

A simple repair for a CD player.

I was toying with the idea of buying a new CD player but found this old budget unit in the basement. I don't use CDs very often so I figured it would do. Although it works, the LCD display didn't.



On opening the unit up I found that the bulb that lights the liquid crystal numbers had blown.



It's fed by 13V DC so I snipped it off, replacing it with a pair of bright LEDs.



Glued into position behind the LCD, the LEDs light the numbers nicely.





I like CDs. They're like tiny, convenient, shinier, cheaper LPs. And they sound pretty good too