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Post by Deleted on Dec 21, 2015 23:01:26 GMT
OK, so you all know I'm a Luddite when it comes to computer audio. I am happy to avoid it altogether if it involves hassle or tinkering. The thing is, I probably have almost all the things I need to run a 2nd system that I THINK would be straightforward.
WHAT I HAVE
1. I have a laptop filled with most of my music on ITunes Apple Lossless.
2. I have a Beresford Caiman DAC that I have never taken out of the box.
3. I have a few spare amp/speaker combos to play with.
NOW THE THINGS I DONT HAVE:
1. I don't have the right shaped USB lead, so I will need to get one. Is there a certain spec I need?
2. I don't have a clue how you get the laptop to send a digital music signal from its USB ports. I'm guessing it doesn't just do this automatically. If there is any downloading and installing of software, or any other hassles, I will probably abandon the idea and sell the Caiman.
3. I don't have the appetite for messing around with updates, patches, fixes etc. Again if such things are needed, I won't even bother.
Apologies for asking such basic stuff, but I really try to avoid anything to do with PCs if Incan, so I haven't much to go on.
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Post by ChrisB on Dec 21, 2015 23:35:01 GMT
You need a USB printer cable - if the connector is the right shape, it will work.
Plug it in. The laptop should just see it and it will bypass the sound card.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 21, 2015 23:41:22 GMT
Many thanks, Chris. I was really hoping for that answer whilst refusing to believe it could ever be that simple. I've thrown out many a printer cable since wireless ones came out, but I will get one and give it a spin. Should be easy enough even for me.
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Post by ChrisB on Dec 21, 2015 23:53:27 GMT
You are welcome Andrew. It really is a piece of cake.
USB is not going to be as good as optical or coax, I don't think, but pretty respectable, all the same.
Everyone says that it will improve after a good few hours on the clock and I certainly noticed things like the soundstage widening a good bit with my two cooking 7520 StanDACs.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 22, 2015 0:11:33 GMT
My laptop doesn't have any other digital outputs, but I guess I can make sure its replacement does. I only use the laptop for MS Office and iTunes storage. If Apple were more generous with device storage on the iPad, I'd use it even less.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 22, 2015 0:43:29 GMT
Andrew, what is the laptop? If it's an Apple MacBook, it will have an optical output built into the headphone socket. I use the optical output from my MacMini into my DAC to great effect.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 22, 2015 1:04:37 GMT
Sadly, it's a Toshba. When it's due for replacement I will most likely change to Apple as I have a real dislike for PCs. I may change to an Apple much sooner if I find myself using the iTunes/Beresford combination. Good to know they have optical outs.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 22, 2015 1:11:04 GMT
Check the build of the one you are buying, but all the Macs I have, which is 6 of them have optical out in the 3.5mm combo socket. I would highly reccommend the Fisual Pearl optical cable to go to the DAC, these can be had with 3.5 to standard Toslink connectors. It's a high quality glass cable at a really budget price.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 22, 2015 1:15:32 GMT
Thanks, Paul. That sounds ideal. A change to an all-Apple house has been on the cards for a while. I think it's just taken a big step closer to fruition.
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Post by John on Dec 22, 2015 5:03:18 GMT
Yes if using the Caiman best to use a optical out as it performs a lot better this way.
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Post by jandl100 on Dec 22, 2015 7:09:01 GMT
I just connected my laptop to my DAC (which happily just happened to have a USB input) and it started playing music at the press of the Play icon from Amazon Music.
No-one could have been more surprised than me. Couldn't have been easier.
It sounds fantastic, imho. And is now my main music source with Spotify Premium.
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Post by MartinT on Dec 22, 2015 8:00:40 GMT
A simple USB A to B type cable will do the job, like a printer cable as Chris says. Any modern OS will detect the Caiman and route the music there. You will get pretty good performance, although as has been said S/PDIF optical would be better. Contact Stan to ensure that you have the latest firmware, it does make a difference.
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Post by ChrisB on Dec 22, 2015 8:05:05 GMT
I think Andrew's is the original Caiman Martin, so probably no firmware - just as well as he's not up for that!
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Post by Stratmangler on Dec 22, 2015 8:13:26 GMT
Thanks, Paul. That sounds ideal. A change to an all-Apple house has been on the cards for a while. I think it's just taken a big step closer to fruition. Is the pun intended?  |
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Post by ChrisB on Dec 22, 2015 8:25:51 GMT
Awwwww.........
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Post by Deleted on Dec 22, 2015 15:07:51 GMT
I think Andrew's is the original Caiman Martin, so probably no firmware - just as well as he's not up for that! It is the original Caiman, so Hallalujah to no firmware  |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 22, 2015 15:09:31 GMT
Thanks, Paul. That sounds ideal. A change to an all-Apple house has been on the cards for a while. I think it's just taken a big step closer to fruition. Is the pun intended? Not consciously: my puns are usually obvious and cringeworthy. That one's too subtle to me my deliberate work  |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 22, 2015 15:09:48 GMT
Thanks, Paul. That sounds ideal. A change to an all-Apple house has been on the cards for a while. I think it's just taken a big step closer to fruition. Is the pun intended? Not consciously: my puns are usually obvious and cringeworthy. That one's too subtle to me my deliberate work |
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Post by MartinT on Dec 22, 2015 15:52:22 GMT
Twice too subtle!
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Post by dsjr on Dec 22, 2015 18:14:27 GMT
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