about building up a CAS

Icefireman

Hi all ching,

I am new in CAS.  I don't know what gears (such as DAC, cables, etc) I should buy to building up a CAS.  Anyone can share the experience? My existing gears are Exposure 2010s CDP, Mcintosh MA6600 (planning to buy this amp), JMLab speakers.  I have a netbook and iMac as a source.  Thank you very much!

7500martin

I also want to know!! What I need to buy if  I have nothing!?

masteralain

Hi all ching,

I am new in CAS.  I don't know what gears (such as DAC, cables, etc) I should buy to  ...
Icefireman 發表於 2011-6-15 12:22

Hi Icefireman CHing, you need a DAC to decode the songs from your sources. You could connect your iMac or netbook by USB,coaxial,FireWire or optical to the DAC so a correct cable/interface is required. Besides, you also need a interconnect cable either RCA or Xlr to connect the DAC to your Mac 6600. Software wise, the most popular software we use is foobar & iTunes. Hope it is helpful.

cyberken

Hi Icefireman CHing, you need a DAC to decode the songs from your sources. You could connect your  ...
masteralain 發表於 2011-6-15 12:45

   

Icefireman

thank you masteralain,  I still have question.  If I use iMac as a source, then that means firewire should be a connect cable.  First, any lenght limitation to connect from iMac to DAC, because the lenght between my iMac and DAC (assume I have a DAC) is around 5-6 meters.  Second, as firewire is a input cable, any good DAC (around $3-5k) can be suggested.  Third, if I want optical to be a input connection, how to convert firewire to optional? Or is there any solution for this?  Many many thanks for all ching.

kachow

我曾經都用過macbook Optical 入CD機做src. 5-6M無問題. 如果再長就最好用RCA, or AES/EBU XLR線. Mac有齊firewire 同opt唔洗用convert 亦都無得convert.

可能睇睇, Mac機要認真考慮買呢個Amarra,雖然貴,但係對音效好有正面幫助
http://www.hiendy.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=1046

不過有個問題..就係Exposure 2010s無Digital-in. 你要外加解碼器先得. 平價可以試下M2Tech,Nuforce uDAC2, 貴可以試下Weiss, 鹿仔, 因為有部份人覺得用USB輸出做CAS會大打折扣. firewire就無呢個問題. 但係USB就好方便.  

仲有一種就係經Lan用NAS或者File sharing 方法做. 呢個完全無線既問題. 例如Linn, Marantz Air-play都有呢個功能.




M2Tech

gundamfix2005

我曾經都用過macbook Optical 入CD機做src. 5-6M無問題. 如果再長就最好用RCA, or AES/EBU XLR線. Mac有齊f ...
kachow 發表於 2011-6-15 16:14

   
Mac有齊firewire 同opt ----------- 邊樣質素好D ?

OldHenry

thank you masteralain,  I still have question.  If I use iMac as a source, then that means firewire  ...
Icefireman 發表於 2011-6-15 13:17

    mac 本身可以optical out, 無須convert firewire to optical!

    My case is very simple.

   iMac optical out ----> DAC ----> pre-amp (use RCA)!

kachow

mac 本身可以optical out, 無須convert firewire to optical!

    My case is very simp ...
OldHenry 發表於 2011-6-15 16:56

    我都係後來先知macbook optical同headphone係同一個位.. 搞到我另外買多左舊外置sound card..

OldHenry

我都係後來先知macbook optical同headphone係同一個位.. 搞到我另外買多左舊外置sound card.. {:5_1 ...
kachow 發表於 2011-6-15 17:03

    所以玩mac有個好處就係可以用firewire, optical 同usb! 任君選擇

masteralain

thank you masteralain,  I still have question.  If I use iMac as a source, then that means firewire  ...
Icefireman 發表於 2011-6-15 13:17

Hi CHing, for your budget 3-5k, below are 2 suggestions that fit your budget. Please note that DAC price may range from 500 to 1xxk, whether the machine is good or not is simply your personal preference.

1. Musical Fidelity M1 DAC
2. Eastern Electric minmax dac

One more reminder, you need to decide what interface you are going to connect from your computer sources to the DAC before you buy. Cheers!

Icefireman

So simply say, I should buy the following items to build up a CAS:
1. optical cable ( plus a mini optical convertor to connect iMac)
2. DAC

Then I can iMac (optical cable) --> DAC and Exposure 2010s optical or coxial --> DAC --> AMP
Am I correct?  any comment that should I plug Exposure CDP to DAC (because I don't know the DAC in Exposure 2010s is better than any DAC in present market or not?

Under above config, any suggested good DAC to fit this setting? (under $8k, decide to add more budget)
Or which DAC can benefit both sources which iMac and CDP?
Thank you

OldHenry

So simply say, I should buy the following items to build up a CAS:
1. optical cable ( plus a mini op ...
Icefireman 發表於 2011-6-15 17:17

    不如貢connect, 咪可以鍾意聽邊樣就邊樣!


iMac optical ------> DAC-----------Pre (RCA or XLR)
                    /                     /
CDP coxial ----                   /
              --------------    / (RCA or XLR)

Icefireman

In hiendy forum,  I found most ppl were talking about MF M1 DAC, DacMagic, Benchmark DAC1.  But does any ching have comment on Stello DA100 signature?  Thank you

masteralain

I also want to know!! What I need to buy if  I have nothing!?
7500martin 發表於 2011-6-15 12:41

馬田兄，你講真定假？     

如師兄唔嫌棄小弟技術低微，小弟願意一效微勞！