Computer to Receiver advice

[joshcowboy1]

Hello,

I'm a musician and composer who loves music and appreciates good sound quality, but doesn't know much about audio technology.

Most of my music is on my 2006 MacBook (which has an optical out) in the form of mp3s or AAC files, recorded at very high bit rates. Most of the music is classical or jazz.

I've been told that the best way to get good sound quality from the computer is to run an optical cord from the computer to a high-quality AV receiver. As I understand it, when you use an optical out, there is no data loss (i.e., sound quality loss) on the way to the receiver, and the receiver does the delicate work of making sound from that data. On this theory I was all set to buy either the Yamaha 659 receiver or the Pioneer 1016. (Both about $350, which is about my price range.)

But then I read something that made me stop in my tracks. I read that those receivers couldn't translate mp3 information or AAC information. I would have to use an analog out from my computer, which would result in significant sound quality loss.

Is this true? If so, what receiver (or other device) should I get?

Thanks!!!

-Josh

 

[MDS]

Some receivers are starting to include the ability to stream music from your computer and have the receiver decode MP3 and WMA formats. Onkyo tried it and abandoned the approach and there are now several threads about problems with Yamaha's implementation of said feature.

However, if you run an optical cable from your laptop to the receiver, you don't need the receiver to be able to decode MP3 or AAC files. You need to use whatever software player you normally use on the laptop - it does the decoding to PCM and the receiver will just play it.

 

[jonnythan]

When you use an optical output, your computer sends out standard audio. The computer is doing all the sound decoding.

Run the optical cable and it will work, guaranteed. Don't worry about it.

 

[cutlas]

MDS provided sound advice

I also run an optical cable from my PC to my stereo and notice a large improvement in sound compared to regular rca cabling. Again your pc will decode of the music (PCM) and your receiver will be able to use this signal.

Have fun and good luck.

 

[apatel25314]

i agree you should just put run the optical cable from your notebook to a receiver

 

[abboudc]

You could also pick up an Airport Express (~$130). That way you're wireless. The DAC in the Airport isn't too bad.

You could go all digital with a Slimdevices Squeezebox ($299).