Best setup to listen to music on computer/iPod?

[bieneleve]

I recently bought a Yamaha AX-497 Stereo Integrated amp and plugged in my iPod to the AUX in connection (using the Apple dock and the line-out connection) and was disappointed with the results. Plugging my mac in through the same cable didn't help very much. I have a decent set of speakers, decent quality speaker cable, etc, but I am now realizing that the issue is that this setup isn't designed to reproduce music from my intended source. I will NOT be using a CD player with this amp, ever. Can anyone offer some advice on what it would take to make a high quality system for this purpose? My laptop has digital audio out...would a digital amplifier help? I would like to keep the total cost of the system under $1000. Again all I'm looking to do is play music from an iTunes library or iPod in the best way possible given the budget restriction. Thanks!

 

[Rmassey]

Since you are an Apple user, I'd recommend an Apple Airport Express ($99) to stream your music.

http://www.apple.com/airportexpress/

http://www.apple.com/airportexpress/features/airtunes.html

This will allow you to bypass your iPod and stream music directly from your Mac. Keep in mind if you have a collection of low bitrate MP3s, you will hear the degraded sound from compressed music. If you have higher bitrate music of Apple Lossless, it should sound fine.

 

[markw]

What he said.

Keep in mind if you have a collection of low bitrate MP3s, you will hear the degraded sound from compressed music. If you have higher bitrate music of Apple Lossless, it should sound fine.

Once you've ground that fine filet into hamburger, there ain't no gettin' that filet back no matter what you do.

 

[GranteedEV]

Additionally, the ipod and mac's DACs may not be the best sounding. I'd definitely consider a cowan or sflo as my mp3 player, and fill it with FLAC and 320kbps CBR files.

 

[BWG707]

I just ordered a Onkyo nd-s1 digital ipod dock that I hope will sound as good as the reviews say it does. It has not been released in the US yet. I had to order from Japan, at about $200 shipped. I believe this and the Wadia digital dock (costing much more) are about the only purely digital docks available. I will post my thoughts about the Onkyo nd-s1 after I have recieved and played with it for a while. Good luck to you.

 

[bieneleve]

Yeah, most of my songs are 256kbps AAC...if I need to buy a new amp to replace the Yamaha I'm fine with that. I was just on their site and they have a CD player that allows directy input from an iPod...could this be the solution i'm looking for?

 

[BWG707]

Yeah, most of my songs are 256kbps AAC...if I need to buy a new amp to replace the Yamaha I'm fine with that. I was just on their site and they have a CD player that allows directy input from an iPod...could this be the solution i'm looking for?

Which cd player are you referring too? I've seen the Teac CD-P650. It has the digital ipod interface also with a price tag of about $150 (not bad). I have never heard any of these cd players using an ipod, have you?

 

[bieneleve]

This is the CD player I'm referring to:

It's the Yamaha CD-C600...i'd post a link but your forum isn't allowing me to.

I am more interested in connecting my computer to the system, however. And yes I understand that minimizing the number of DACs is important. Is there any inexpensive (less than $600) amp that accepts digital in?