Recommend a 'hifi' laptop!
It's about time to replace my laptop so I thought of going for a laptop that is also good for audio.
I am not looking for a dedicated "music center" laptop; this new laptop is what I will do my work on; I would like this laptop to have some way of connecting to my desktop system (an old Arcam 9 power amp, vienna accoustics bookshelf speakers, I am using a Squeezebox touch as a preamp now, and getting the music wirelessly from my computer).
Is there a laptop that has a optical or coaxial out? then I guess I could use that to connect to the SBT. Will that result in better SQ?
Thanks
Are there any Bluetooth Apt-X laptops out there?
You'll just need an Arcam rblink bluetooth receiver (if you're feeling flush, it's around £150), or if funds won't stretch that far, a QED U-Play. I managed to pick up a U-Play brand new for £40 off eBay recently - post Christmas eBaying is great for getting unwanted giftage! It's not bad at all. Bit quiet, so I trimmed the input of my A85 up 8dbs to compensate. Range could be better, but not gonna complain too much for £40.
Decent processing power and a good sized memory is what you need. The best sound quality comes with having your DAC and other parts separate from the laptop IMO.
As for connection type I do not think it matters and look for USB DACs as all laptops have USB ports.
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Decent processing power and a good sized memory is what you need.
As for connection type I do not think it matters and look for USB DACs as all laptops have USB ports.
With the caveat that USB + laptop PSU can sometimes result in ground loop/noise issues.
Adding a cheap audio interface that provides optical output like the Behringer U-Control is worth considering.
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The SBT doesn't have digital inputs, just carry on doing it as you are now, if you want to improve the sound quality you'd need to a DAC after the SBT, it'll have to be a good one though to better what's in the SBT already.
No signature worth mentioning...