EEVblog #783 - Dumpster Dive Power Macs

[Fungus]

PCM270x is just a 16bits/48Khz interface, it's not really the best you can get

It's more than enough for audio playback:

[senso]

I know that, but 16bits and audiophoolery just doesn't cut it anymore.
It must do at least 32 bits, DSDx2 or x4 so they can apreciate their iTunes library filled with Diana Krall 

[Delta]

PCM270x is just a 16bits/48Khz interface, it's not really the best you can get

It's more than enough for audio playback:

That really is a superb video.  All audiophools should be forced to watch it.

[Godzil]

That really is a superb video.  All audiophools should be forced to watch it.

They all will say that's it's bullshit because THEY hear the difference (of course when you put thousand of $/€/£ in something it must do a difference...

[BradC]

That really is a superb video.  All audiophools should be forced to watch it.

C'mon. You've seen what happens when you attempt to deny someones faith. This is no different. In the case of irrefutable scientific evidence they will always deflect with some pseudo-science and unflappable outrageous belief.

Once you accept that they just are what they are, you can derive quiet amusement without the need to expend energy trying to explain in simple terms why they are wrong. It's just like arguing on the internet... Oh wait..

[Fungus]

Making/recording music is so much different from listening to music.

Of course.

Cheap AD/DA converters being the biggest problem.  The good designs take much better care of the signal on the analog side and also with power supplies even if they use the same converter chip as the cheap ones.

Don't worry, phoolery is alive and well. There's a whole bunch of people out there swapping tips on how to upgrade the capacitors in those $12 ebay DACs.

FWIW, ELNA seems to be the brand of choice.

(Or you can pay a couple of dollars more on eBay to get an 'ELNA' model...)

$15 is just too cheap for them, it miss at least one zero.

Ok, I found the one for you. It's a PCM2704 USB DAC with toroidal transformer, gold plated contacts  and everything:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/121393018864

$132 plus $30 shipping from China

(Ok, it has a fancy SPDIF input as well as USB...)

[Godzil]

Don't see any black magic there, this is not an audiophile product.

These are Audiophile product:
http://esprit-audio.fr/en/

And sorry, I don't agree with your definition, Audiophile is now used for people that buy such highly expensive "empty box" product to get "better audio experience", if really you are someone that like to listen to music, you are either a "music lover" or not in a box at all.

Audiophiles are a specific category of people, and not to be mistaken with people that like to listen to music.

[Fungus]

Don't see any black magic there, this is not an audiophile product.

Did I add a zero or not?

There's no pleasing some people.

[Godzil]

Oh your right, I took the first one to a simple capacitor, so no, it's not only one zero missing, but a few more

[CSIISC]

Hey Dave, can I have one, I will pay the shipping and other taxes. Please let me know if you can give one. I desperatelly need a new computer. I currently run on a 1.7 GHz single core CPU with 1 GB of RAM, so one of those would actually be a huge upgrade.

[Godzil]

If your computer is at least a P4, you will gain nearly nothing, you should try to get a cheaper and more efficient than a PMG5

[Rasz]

Hey Dave, can I have one, I will pay the shipping and other taxes. Please let me know if you can give one. I desperatelly need a new computer. I currently run on a 1.7 GHz single core CPU with 1 GB of RAM, so one of those would actually be a huge upgrade.

Hey Dave, can I have one of your scopes (MDO4000 to be exact), I will pay the shipping and other taxes! Please let me know if you can give one. I desperately need a new scope. I currently run on a potato, so one of those would actually be a huge upgrade.

[mmanchev]

I've got one G5 case too, and I'm gonna to make a really powerful PRO audio amplifier. With massive toroid power supply, lots of capacitors and bridge connected amplifiers for each channel, so here it's - an idea !