Computer Stream - McIntosh Driver Enough?

MichaelMcse

MichaelMcse

New Member
Hello,
I listen to digital audio using a new model ThinkPad laptop. and use Windows 10 Pro. I have installed the McIntosh USB driver from the product page - I am using a C2700 Pre-amp.

I feel the audio isn't quite as good as it once was when I used a different laptop (now dead). I use Martin Logan electrostat speakers and replaced the panels on them at the same time as the laptop. The panels are broken in (+-1000 hours listening). Since then, I feel it doesn't sound as nice as before - slightly less.

I am wondering if the computer is imposing on the audio somehow, and if there is something I need to do to prevent that - if that is even a thing.

Thank you in advance for any help and suggestions!

Kind regards,
Michael
 
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The USB connection is digital so I believe that ThinkPad output bypasses the ThinkPad DAC and the signal is being processed by the C2700 internal DAC.

Also, the Tidal "HiFi" plan is limited to 16/44.1 lossless while the "HiRes" plan offers up to 24/192 lossless. So depending on your Tidal plan you may be limiting some sound quality. Where is the DSD coming from?

Is the digital music you are playing coming to your system via streaming or do you have your own digital repository?
 
Yamaki said:
The USB connection is digital so I believe that ThinkPad output bypasses the ThinkPad DAC...
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Thank you for the information. I have been subscribed to the premium plan for both laptops. I may download DSD files and listen with a player - though not much. I rarely listen to anything digital outside of Tidal (streaming), and I am using that for the comparison. Also, the songs I've listened to on Tidal before, and now, do not sound bad - but have a smaller sound stage, and other subtle differences. It's lost some of the mojo.
 
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I have a think pad that I’ve suffered with for two years now, between trips to have parts replaced, worst laptop I’ve owned.

But I digress.

Although Tidal might not be different, and your internet might not be different, the new computer might handle it differently and if it’s using a lot of internet / data for other processes it might be downscaling your Tidal or otherwise managing data speeds.

Other than that I can’t think of anything else that would be different, USB is USB and it should all be the same datastream from the laptop to the C2600 USB input. What does the C2600 display indicate for input / speed?
 
SaturationPt said:
What does the C2600 display indicate for input / speed?..
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They typically range from 44.1 to 96 khz. The sound quality is noticeably better the higher the rate. Most songs are around 88.2 khz. I do have one song on a play list that is 384 khz - which sounds really good.

Maybe it is the new electrostatic speaker panels, or the speaker placement is not what it was before. I messed with placement for months before. Martin Logan's are known for a very small sweet spot and laser focus. An inch of movement could make a significant difference with them. They had been moved when replacing the panels, and I've been adjusting placement.
 
I think you are on to something with the speakers, placement and sound stage. I also have some speakers that are a bit picky when it comes to placement.

I've been known to move them around 1/4 of an inch for sound quality adjustment. LOL
 
If the new panels aren't matched well to each other, they will never give you the imaging that they should.

Are they factory replacements?
 
SaturationPt said:
If the new panels aren't matched well to each other…
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I was fortunate the speakers were still under warranty when they were replaced, so I received a new set of panels from Martin Logan. They had to manufacture them because they didn’t have a set in stock, so I am thinking the timbre is a good match between the two.
 
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