jonT wrote:
Hi,

I have an Exposure 2010 amp coupled with a pair of Mordaunt Short 902i.
This has been a great set-up but I'd like to move away from CDs -
the convenience of the digital age proves to be great!

The idea is to run FLAC audio from a computer -- transport -- high
quality DAC -- my existing amp. Hopefully this doesn't sound too
blasphemous.

On the transport side, a few options a

1. the S/PDIF output (TOSLINK or coax) from my audigy4 soundcard
2. the S/PDIF output from an upgraded soundcard
3. an audiophile level USB S/PDIF output
4. a standalone player - perhaps a Squeezebox or Apple TV

Apple TV - not receiving good press on the NGs. It's basically a
strangled video interface.


On the choice of DAC, I've considered:

1. Cambridge Audio s700 Isomagic
2. Musical Fidelity A3
3. DPA Bigger Bit DAC
4. Audio Alchemy DDE
5. Musical Fidelity X-DAC V3

Any recommendations of transport and DAC (and indeed over the entire
setup) would be appreciated.

Thanks,
jt

I think I've tried every solution permutation and I've ended up with this:

I've transferred all my compressed music (80-odd gig) to a Mac Mini.
Issues/compromise/things include:

D/A conversion - I'm not completely convinced by the Mac's ability here,
so I use the Mac digital output to a Cambridge DAC;
Monitor required - I use the telly. This might rule it out for you. I'd
just say that trying to access one of several thousand tracks on a 3
line LED using a remote is not pleasant;
HD Space - I use an external HD;
Cost - 400UKP - less if you qualify for the education discount or buy
refurb (plus the monitor);
Size/in use - a bit bigger than a CD box footprint, low power, remote
included, analogue/digital I/O, very quiet, superb Front Row interface,
video playback, plus a proper computer with bluetooth, CD or DVD writer,
USB, firewire and wifi 'free'.

A PC can do most of this but not, IMO, as well. If you must have
Windows, Macs can now dual boot or run Windows on top of the Mac's
operating system - both very effective.

Rob