Audio out volume when Macbook is music server

[marcster]

I have moved my Late-2007 MacBook running 10.7.5 to be a music server.

This computer has single analog/digital audio out/headphone jack.

I have a 35 mm analog audio jack that splits into left-right RCA jacks which are plugged into my Yamaha stereo receiver. I guess since this is also a headphone port, the level of the output depends on the volume setting on the Mac.

When turned the Mac volume all the way down, I had to turn the Yamaha almost full blast to hear it.

At medium volume it seemed to sound quite good through the Yamaha, which only needed volume similar to, say, the CD player would take.

Is there any downside - distortion or damage to the stereo receiver or bookshelf speakers -- to turning up the volume on the Mac? How far should I turn it up and/or how much of the volume should be made by the Yamaha?

If I get an external DAC to run between the MacBook and receiver and use a digital optical cable plugged into the MacBook's audio out, will it revert to digital line out with no volume control by the MacBook?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Keep the volume all the way up on Mac. Digital (in software) volume control could reduce sound resolution. Control the volume on the yamaha. No need for external dacs. Yamaha got it covered.

 

[bikemig]

What BSA said if using the analog out from your mac. Given your set up, I'd be tempted to get a device that does airplay and access to internet content like this Denon DNP 720ae, http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/dendnp720ae/denon-dnp-720ae-network-audio-player-radio-tuner-ipod-airplay/1.html I'm running airplay right now from my macbook pro; it's pretty slick if you use iTunes as your front end.

 

[bikemig]

. . .

If I get an external DAC to run between the MacBook and receiver and use a digital optical cable plugged into the MacBook's audio out, will it revert to digital line out with no volume control by the MacBook?

An outboard dac can have both a fixed and a variable output like this usb dac, Amazon.com : AUDIOQUEST - DRAGONFLY V1.2 USB DAC : Electronics, or it can be either one or the other.

Your Yammy is a stereo receiver, not an AV receiver, right? If AV, definitely use the digital inputs from your mac and let the receiver do the digital to analog conversion. Personally I'd get an outboard dac for a stereo receiver rather than rely on the computer's internal dac but you'll get some disagreement on whether this improves the sound quality. If you get the dragonfly (which is fairly inexpensive usb dac and I like that you can configure it either for fixed or variable output) from a vendor like Crutchfield, you get 60 days to try it out to see whether it makes a difference in your system: AudioQuest DragonFly® v1.2 Plug-in USB digital-to-analog converter/headphone amplifier at Crutchfield.com. The shipping can't be too bad on a unit that small if you decide to return it.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

What BSA said if using the analog out from your mac.

Nope, volume control issue in software will affect digital out as well.

Your Yammy is a stereo receiver, not an AV receiver, right?

Hmm, this maybe possibly, but from some of OP remarks I find it unlikely...

 

[marcster]

Yeah it's a stereo R-s700. So was wondering if there was distortion created by high Mac volume, but as BSA said, turning MacBook volume to "full blast" and controlling sound with Yamaha is working well. Still researching an outboard DAC but leaning that way. Maybe also to play hi-res audio/album downloads.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Yeah it's a stereo R-s700. So was wondering if there was distortion created by high Mac volume, but as BSA said, turning MacBook volume to "full blast" and controlling sound with Yamaha is working well. Still researching an outboard DAC but leaning that way. Maybe also to play hi-res audio/album downloads.

ok, I take back what I said. You do need an outboard dac or just get a surround receiver. Refub or used avr will cost you same a good new dac

 

[bikemig]

That's a pretty nice stereo receiver; I wouldn't be in a hurry to replace it when a good quality usb dac runs less than $200:

AudioQuest DragonFly® v1.2 Plug-in USB digital-to-analog converter/headphone amplifier at Crutchfield.com

D3 24-bit DAC

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

it is a nice stereo receiver, but under $200 on used receiver market will go a long way - for example :
Marantz SR7300 AV Surround Receiver
or this:
Denon AVR-2308CI Stereo Receiver - like new!

But If DAC is preferred I would recommend this one:
http://www.jdslabs.com/products/46/standalone-odac/

 

[marcster]

If I go with DAC, I may look at one with multiple digital in ports. Thinking I then may as well also run the Sirius receiver and CD player through it, as well as the Mac. And I'm torn about whether I want one that plays DSD files ...

 

[bikemig]

If I go with DAC, I may look at one with multiple digital in ports. Thinking I then may as well also run the Sirius receiver and CD player through it, as well as the Mac. And I'm torn about whether I want one that plays DSD files ...

XDA-2 USB DAC/Digital Preamp/Headphone Amp | Emotiva Audio Corporation | Emotiva Audio | High-end audio components for audiophiles and videophiles, spanning 2-channel music systems, as well as 5.1 and 7.1 home theaters. Products include multichannel

 

[ozziozzi]

I have tried both analogue out and digital audio (optical and USB) from older iMac desktop, macbook and most recently from mac mini late 2006 core2 duo. I found quality rises from analogue through USB with optical out being best of all. I am running a fairly cheap external DAC / headphone amp and listening to midrange AKG over-ear headphones. My question-- is it worth upgrading OSX from 10.5.8 to 10.6+ and upgrading iTunes as well. I have only 1 GB RAM but would upgrade to 2 G. or more if upgrading OSX. Has anyone tried this progression? Is it worth upgrading. Only performance issue I have detected is slow load of some files before playing commences. Would more RAM fix that or is problem likely to be slow (external) USB HD?

 

[DD66000]

If you really want to step up your AQ, when getting a DAC, also download the Dirac Stereo Room Correction Suite...well worth the money. I run it through a DragonFly v1.2.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Ozzi, your biggest improvement in SQ would come from upgrading speakers, not EQ or DAC.
I also take back what I said a year ago about needed DAC if using apple hardware analog out - if you don't notice any issues, just like original op did - analog 3.5mm jack to RCA inputs stereo yammi receiver - this is fine.
As for comparing SQ between analog, digital and usb ports - did you matched playback levels? did you ran test blindly?
If ether of these are no (i suspect both) then your "findings" are irrelevant. sorry