Topic: how to listen to 24/48 properly?

[eman]

Here's a related question: can you get some kind of wireless interface that won't kill the benefits of playing high resolution files? My setup right now involves a lappy on the coffee table, added shelf underneath for UA-5, optical cable from lappy to UA-5, RCA to stereo across the room (20' of cable). I feel like that cable run is killing any benefits but I want to keep the laptop on the table and the stereo over there. Also looking at a new receiver with optical in and a long optical cable.

[Todd R]

I'm not sure what all the options are, but a Slim Devices Squeezebox plays 24/48 flacs natively (along with many other audio formats) and they generally have very good on-board D/A conversion. They allow you to wirelessly stream 24/48 over your home network, for playback at your stereo.  I've got both a Squeezebox Ver 2 and a Squeezebox Duet. 

They are discontinued now, but if you keep an eye out, you can get one (Ver 2, Ver 3, Classic, Duet) for under $100, maybe even $50-65 or so shipped.  Don't get the older Ver 1, and I'm not sure about the Squeezebox Touch or other models, but the ones I have listed should work fine. 

You also can get an app to control them from your iPhone/iPad and I imagine that Droid's would have a similar app.

[db]

as for recordings made via 3.5mm stereo inputs; they're not all equal. i'm guessing that what's used in a decent recorder is way better than the garbage that is stuck into an macbook or dell machine... where the audio-out is an afterthought rather than an integral part of the machine. but, there's only one way to know; crank it up with no signal and listen to what happens.

There's some truth to this. My computer's (Lenovo T400) minijack output is simply awful with TONS of self noise.

my macbook isn't sterling. The single best thing I did to improve my computer audio was invest in a decent DAC.

yeah, i found my friend a maudio fw410 for cheap on cl. was noticeably better than her crapple headphone out... she's just spitting out mp3s too.

[Gutbucket]

Laptop minijack output quality varies wildly IME.  The Dell I'm typing this on is terrible.  The old Compaq it replaced was amazingly good.  Not as good as USB(S/PDIF) > quality DAC, but good enough for serious listening and mixing decisions, on-par with the direct output from my recorders.

[jlykos]

Here's a related question: can you get some kind of wireless interface that won't kill the benefits of playing high resolution files? My setup right now involves a lappy on the coffee table, added shelf underneath for UA-5, optical cable from lappy to UA-5, RCA to stereo across the room (20' of cable). I feel like that cable run is killing any benefits but I want to keep the laptop on the table and the stereo over there. Also looking at a new receiver with optical in and a long optical cable.

Audioengine D2. It has received great reviews and supposedly sounds the same as the highly regarded Audioengine D1. USB and Toslink inputs on one unit and a wireless receiver with RCA and Toslink outputs.

http://audioengineusa.com/Store/Audioengine-D2

[eman]

Thanks for the suggestions. Then I can eliminate the UA-5 and also use my phone with 30 gig card. My Droid came with a FLAC player- nice. I think this is one of the best answers for the original poster as well. 

Also, for the OP, a good sativa and a comfy chair also make for a better "high" def listening experience

[db]

Here's a related question: can you get some kind of wireless interface that won't kill the benefits of playing high resolution files? My setup right now involves a lappy on the coffee table, added shelf underneath for UA-5, optical cable from lappy to UA-5, RCA to stereo across the room (20' of cable). I feel like that cable run is killing any benefits but I want to keep the laptop on the table and the stereo over there. Also looking at a new receiver with optical in and a long optical cable.

see if you can do a blind test with 2 different lengths. there's someone in the world who loves you enough to assist.

[eman]

Good to know. Now to the Dither Noise Store (hope they have free samples!)

[eman]

Got outbid on a Squeezebox Duet at $160. Were there any ts-ers in on the bidding?