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PC to USB DAC Directions and Questions

Posted by MRMB (A) on April 14, 2006 at 13:35:19

I’ve been following this thread for quite some time. I’m very close to parting with my CDP, and moving to a PC/USB DAC (probably a Brick).

For previous CD compilation purposes, I already have approximately 120GB’s of WAV’s, culled from my CD collection. All were ripped using a Plextor drive and Adeptec (Roxio) software. I’m wondering if I would benefit from re-ripping using EAC to WAV’s. Although the ripping was done with error checking enabled, I assume the quality might improve using EAC, but I’m not sure how noticeable it would be, or if I want to take the time to duplicate the effort.

Although I’m leaning towards an iBook as my PC, I believe I would like to maintain WAV’s for archival purposes on my main/Desktop PC, and convert/copy them to Apple Lossless for use & storage on my music-only playback device.

Since the early 80’s, all my PC’s have used Mr. Bill’s software. So the Mac path is an unknown one. However, everything I read suggests that Mac is the easier more readily configured format for output to an USB DAC. And I understand that an iBook is nearly silent and should suite my music-only needs quite nicely.

Regarding silence and hard drives, does anyone have experience using Maxtor’s external “One Touch III’s”, up to and including their double 500GB (terabyte) drive? How silent is this line of drives? Do they compete with what are the most silent drives available?

BTW, what is the maximum length of Firewire 400/800, or USB 2.0 cables that can/should be run from PC to HD?

If you believe I’m on the wrong track in terms of Hardware/Software selections/solutions, before I do something rash or time, or monetarily wasteful, please point me in the right direction.

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