Hi
A friend gave me an old Mac Powerbook G4 that only runs OSX 10.4.11. I'd like to find away to convert it to a USB DAC worth playing on my good audio system.
Any software or other suggestion would be appreciated.
Thanx
A friend gave me an old Mac Powerbook G4 that only runs OSX 10.4.11. I'd like to find away to convert it to a USB DAC worth playing on my good audio system.
Any software or other suggestion would be appreciated.
Thanx
DAC or streamer? Or just use the built-in sound interface as a DAC?
The problem is that to use it as an USB DAC, you need a device that looks like a device - the USB interfaces on the Mac are host interfaces, not device interfaces. To change the USB interface, you need to change very low-level driver software (and modify hardware as well). Why bother, when a DAC of equivalent quality costs a few tenners?
The problem is that to use it as an USB DAC, you need a device that looks like a device - the USB interfaces on the Mac are host interfaces, not device interfaces. To change the USB interface, you need to change very low-level driver software (and modify hardware as well). Why bother, when a DAC of equivalent quality costs a few tenners?
Not clear on what you want to do.
You want to use the Powerbook as a server connected to a USB DAC? Or you want to play files off a USB drive and use the Powerbook's analog outputs?
Either way, there are a lot of choices. FWIW, my favorite media server is now on MAC and Linux. Check out JRiver Media Center.
You want to use the Powerbook as a server connected to a USB DAC? Or you want to play files off a USB drive and use the Powerbook's analog outputs?
Either way, there are a lot of choices. FWIW, my favorite media server is now on MAC and Linux. Check out JRiver Media Center.
Sorry to confuse you, but I've come to the conclusion your right about using it as a DAC. For the last several years at the CES in Vegas, many hi end audio displays were simply a Mac going to a pre amp.
For intel Mac's there are a couple of programs that are supposed to enhance the audio coming from a Mac. Amarra is one, but it only works on Intel Mac's. I'm hoping to find away to improve the audio with my PPC G4.
I think the best way is to make aiff files on a memory stick or HD and run them through my old Mac to my Hi End Pre Amp.
Thanx for your input and I hope you still have more suggestions.
For intel Mac's there are a couple of programs that are supposed to enhance the audio coming from a Mac. Amarra is one, but it only works on Intel Mac's. I'm hoping to find away to improve the audio with my PPC G4.
I think the best way is to make aiff files on a memory stick or HD and run them through my old Mac to my Hi End Pre Amp.
Thanx for your input and I hope you still have more suggestions.
No, they would typically use an external DAC between the Mac and the pre amp.
"Supposed" is the key word here. There is a lot of snake oil out there.
And what aspect of it do you want to improve? What part are you not happy with?
I suggest you read through The Well-Tempered Computer.
What does that mean? Dynamic range? Frequency range?
You are unlikely to achieve that with random trial and error - once you figure out what the issues really are, it is easier to address them.
I suggest reading Ethan Winer's The Audio Expert.
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