To DAC or not to DAC - that is my Question

[yobigc]

Apologies, but I'm a bit new at this.

Currently I have a Mac Mini (one of the new ones) and I'm using the HDMI output connected to my TV and then I have a digital optical out connected to my Marantz Receiver (it's an old Marantz so it doesn't have HDMI inputs which is why I did it through the TV)

What I'd like is to get the best possible sound coming out of my Mac Mini.

My source is largely computer based music - some of my iTunes library I have ripped at Lossless (ALAC) but the majority of my music is MP3 with bitrates between 128-192kbps

Another source I'm using is Spotify, but from what I've read (the free version of Spotify) is MP3 at 128kbps. I cannot upgrade to Spotify Premium as I'm not in one of the licensed Spotify countries. I'm thinking of using MOG as their bitrates are apparently higher 320kbps although I have to check this out.

Right now, it feels like my system is very clear and defined - Vocals are great, Classical is awesome, but lacks it seems to lack the punch or bass when I listen to more Rock or Hip Hop. I have a Marantz SR4300 receiver (80w x 6) and an old pair of Mission 753 speakers.

I'd like to know how to go about improving it. Should I?

- Install a DAC - so either USB or TOSlink out from my Mac Mini
- Buy a stereo amplifier (like the Marantz PM6004) and hook that up to my Mission 753
- Buy a subwoofer to add the bass to my system
- Buy a new pair of stereo speakers?

Any advise anyone can give would be greatly appreciated

Thanks,

 

[jonnythan]

A DAC will do absolutely nothing whatsoever for you.

In all seriousness, by far the biggest upgrade you can make right now is to increase the quality of the source material itself. 128 kbps MP3 is just... well, it's not good. If you need to invest some extra dough in higher quality music files it's better to invest it there than anywhere else.

 

[bikemig]

I mainly agree with jonnythan; invest in higher quality bit rate files. 320 kbps is pretty good and Spotify premium will do that (as well as MOG). I rip all my CDs in apple lossless but the difference between that and 320 kbps is slim to none (at least on my system and to my ears). But a dac will help with a mac mini and you have a good and inexpensive one at hand. Use the digital input on your Marantz receiver. The headphone out on the mac mini can send a digital signal with the right cable: use a mini toslink to toslink cable. The cheapest ones will be available on monoprice. This one from Amazon is pretty decent at $7.50: http://www.amazon.com/Cables-Go-27016-Velocity-Toslink-/dp/B0002JFN1A/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1322753322&sr=8-2.

 

[jonnythan]

I mainly agree with jonnythan; invest in higher quality bit rate files. 320 kbps is pretty good and Spotify premium will do that (as well as MOG). I rip all my CDs in apple lossless but the difference between that and 320 kbps is slim to none (at least on my system and to my ears). But a dac will help with a mac mini and you have a good and inexpensive one at hand. Use the digital input on your Marantz receiver. The headphone out on the mac mini can send a digital signal with the right cable: use a mini toslink to toslink cable. The cheapest ones will be available on monoprice. This one from Amazon is pretty decent at $7.50: Amazon.com: Cables To Go 27016 Velocity Toslink-to-Optical Mini Plug Digital Cable (2 Meters): Electronics.

How can you use a DAC and the digital input on the Marantz simultaneously?

Either you are feeding the Marantz a digital signal and using its internal DAC or you are using an external DAC and feeding the Marantz using analog RCA.

 

[bikemig]

That's my point. The dac on the mac mini isn't terrible but you can do better. The dac on the marantz reciever will, I believe, improve the SQ. I know that its the case in my system. There is a noticeable improvement in SQ when using the dac in my NAD T747 receiver as opposed to using the dac in the mac mini and relying on an analog connection.

Edit: @Jonnythan, how about those Saints? Pretty good Monday night game; we'll see how they do against the Lions next week.

 

[jonnythan]

That's my point. The dac on the mac mini isn't terrible but you can do better. The dac on the marantz reciever will, I believe, improve the SQ. I know that its the case in my system. There is a noticeable improvement in SQ when using the dac in my NAD T747 receiver as opposed to using the dac in the mac mini and connecting via analog.

He's already using the DAC in the Marantz. Perhaps I misunderstood, but I took his post as a question of whether to get an external, dedicated DAC ("install a DAC") or continue using the DAC in the receiver. I never got the impression that he was asking whether to switch to the analog output of the Mac.

In any case, IMO the preferred connection would be to use the optical audio output of the Mac Mini and connect it directly to the receiver, while leaving the HDMI cable attached to the TV.

 

[bikemig]

Then I misunderstood the OP's question; I thought he was relying on an analog connection from the mac mini.
Edit: @Jonnythan, you are absolutely right; I simply misread the OP's post.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

lacks it seems to lack the punch or bass when I listen to more Rock or Hip Hop. I have a Marantz SR4300 receiver (80w x 6) and an old pair of Mission 753 speakers.

I'd like to know how to go about improving it. Should I?
Buy a subwoofer to add the bass to my system

With Marantz SR4300 you don't need external dac - that would be 100% waste of money.

If you don't have sub - you need to get one in ether case. Proper bass integration will make you system really shine for bass material.

Replacing speakers would my 2nd Option