Connecting Mac G4 laptop to Theta DSPro GEN III DAC

[centaurus3200]

yeah, my digital front end is REALLY OLD. but i like it and it's paid for ;-)

my theta data II transport died on monday. so, i'm wondering if it's time to go the music server route. i still want to use the theta DAC. i don't think it has an optical input, just spdif coax. what's the best way to connect the laptop to the dac?

i can't remember - do the G4 laptops (circa 2005) - have a digital out? or do i have to get a usb to spdif converter?

if the laptop does have a digital out, then can't i get cable with a headphone size phono termination on one side and an RCA termination on the other for connecting it to the spdif jack on the DAC?

and here's a really absurd question...is there any way to use a wireless blueray player with the digital out connected to the dac on one and and then connect the bluray player to my laptop through my wireless network? this is probably crazy-talk though.

like this one:
Samsung - Blu-Ray Disc Player with 1080p Output - BD-P1600

thanks,
Robby

[planet10]

How fast your PowerBook is makes it easier to determine its configuartion. 1.5 GHz (2004-5) like mine does not have digital I/O. Niether does the next gen (2005), only the last generation of PowerBooks (1.67, double layer SD, 2005-6)

dave

[centaurus3200]

i'll check the laptop speed tonight.

question - sounds like some people are saying the M2 will still sound better, even if my laptop can do digital out - because it get the signal away from all the crap inside the computer? any sense to this?

lastly, is there any sense in buying the M2 if my DAC is from 1993? i assume the Theta GEN III only does 44.1khz, right?

thanks,
Robby

[kstlfido]

Um, USB. That's a form of digital out. It's not perfect, but works. G4's should be fine.

If the DAC chips in the Theta have I2S inputs, then you can use a USB>I2S converter. I use this- The USB DAC/Receiver

-but there are probably other ones around.

[qusp]

errrmm you should easily be able to see ALL of the macs inputs and outputs in the apple menu->about this mac->more info provided you are using OSX and also in the audio/midi prefs

[planet10]

His PowerBook only runs OS X (+ Classic). OS 9 and earlier had the same capability with Apple System Profiler.

dave

[qusp]

yeah I know, been using macs since the original 128k and there are 5 of different generations currently in this house, but could not remember the menu flow off the top of my head for classic. plus it was nowhere near as comprehensive as the OSX version

[planet10]

That last bit is true. Somewhere i still have my 1st 128 (well actually only the shell is original, everything has been replaced at one time or another ... it has a Levco Prodigy in it (16 MHz 020 with 4 MB RAM). 2 Laptops and 3 desktops in regular use plus a G4 tower running 9.2.2 for a webserver (pretty much unhackable ). the godson has a toilet seat iBook for when he comes over... and bits scattered all over. One of my next tube amps will be housed inside a G5 tower case.

dave

[qusp]

yeah we have G4 sawtooth (server), G4 gigabit ethernet (pretty much parts and backup), G5 dual 2GHz (music server) feeding my buffalo from an RME HDSP9632 with modified breakout cable with AES (XLR) and BNC. plus a 30" IMAC intel duo and a 24"?? IMAC intel.

cant remember what we did with the 128, probably sold it used for 4 grand ;D we also had one of the first generation laserwriters 10K; man apple new how to charge back then. suppose they still do, but you get a little more for you money aside from knowing your computer would turn on in the morning and do what you wanted; guaranteed, well worth it IMO, that and put a smile on your face when it had a smile on its face

[planet10]

Biggest iMac is a 27". It replaced the 24".

I had one of the 1st LW to... with upgrade to plus status it was $14k CAD. Ouch.

dave