• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Streamer suggestion

A quick update:
I managed to find an Airport Express locally and yesterday got it.
The sound is definitely better compared to the BT receiver, but still the signal is not strong enough. Maybe a DAC will be a nice addition.
Soundwise the biggest difference is in Master quality songs- they sound more vibrant and live.
 
cpt_paranoia said:
What signal do you mean? Wifi? Or analogue output?

The AR should be outputting 2V. What input level does the Mac preamp expect?
Click to expand...
I mean the analog output signal. I have not measured it yet, but I have to crank the volume to 11-12 o'clock. For comparison, I usually listen at around 9.
 
The position of the volume control really is immaterial. For a preamp, all it does is set the level of the preamp output.

For different sources, it is quite likely that each will have a different signal level, and require different volume control setting for each source.

One other possibility is that your preamp has a very low input impedance, and that is dropping the source input voltage.

As I asked, what is the input voltage spec for the Mac preamp input? The AE's 2V swing is standard for a CD player.
 
HifiEngine suggests the line input voltage spec is 250mV.

So I suspect yours has been modified to take a modern 2V CD swing.
 
I'm using the Grace Link Internet tuner. It has a great Internet tuner and supports some apps directly, like Pandora, iHeart, Amazon (but NOT Amazon HD, at least yet). It also serves as a Chromecast Audio device and a Bluetooth unit. Because the apps it natively supports is limited, it's probably best to think of it as a Chromecast Audio and Bluetooth Adapter with a built-in Internet Tuner and some direct app support. It has both digital and analog output.

The Chromecast integration is pretty cool because when I cast Spotify to the Grace (since Spotify isn't a local app on the Grace), it still displays the track on the Grace and the forward track and reverse track buttons on the Grace work. Somebody in another post said that the best data rate they could get through the Grace by casting was lossless CD (presumably a general limit of casting, but I'm only guessing). It's pretty cool that you can store streamed FM and Pandora channels to preset buttons. For example, you can switch from your local FM jazz station (streamed) on preset 1 and Pandora "Van Morrison" channel (or whatever) on preset 2 and it changes instantly (no need to manually up the Pandora app, then manually select the individual station). Same with TuneIn channels -- a specific channel can be stored as a preset.

If you use CCA a lot, and would also like Bluetooth, and like to listen to FM radio stations across the globe, it's worth the investment in a Grace Link over a CCA (for me at least). Just be aware that the native apps that run directly on the Grace are fairly limited. There is a Grace app to control it and it is quite good.

https://gracedigital.com/products/grace-link

613IyuVXyLL._AC_SL1500_.jpg


71YTEXRz8UL._AC_SL1500_.jpg


81BHsZqwhdL._AC_SL1500_.jpg
 
Last edited:
@peterp1 What is your exact chain of your source to speakers? IE, Is it Grace to AE to Mac pre to Mac amp to speakers?
 
Danddd said:
@peterp1 What is your exact chain of your source to speakers? IE, Is it Grace to AE to Mac pre to Mac amp to speakers?
Click to expand...

I have 2 signal chains:

Grace (Digital out) => Muse Model II DAC => Tube amp input 1

Grace (Analog out) => Tube amp input 2

The dual inputs allows me to easily compare external DAC and internal Grace DAC just by switching amp inputs -- I use the external DAC 99.9% of the time, the second path is just for comparing sound quality, but the Grace's internal DAC seems quite good.
 
peterp1 said:
I have 2 signal chains:

Grace (Digital out) => Muse Model II DAC => Tube amp input 1

Grace (Analog out) => Tube amp input 2

The dual inputs allows me to easily compare external DAC and internal Grace DAC just by switching amp inputs -- I use the external DAC 99.9% of the time, the second path is just for comparing sound quality, but the Grace's internal DAC seems quite good.
Click to expand...

Where does the Airport Express come in?
 
Danddd said:
Where does the Airport Express come in?
Click to expand...

No Airport Express involved -- I was responding to your original post looking for a streamer before you had the Airport Express. The Grace connects to your WiFi (or hard-wire Ethernet) and would not require the AE.
 
AngelAT said:
I compare it with say cd or tt source
Click to expand...

Turntable goes in via a completely different path, assuming it uses an MM or MC phono input, and doesn't have a built-in phono preamp.

Even then, the output of different cartridges varies considerably.

Do you have the streaming source app set to 100% volume?
 
cpt_paranoia said:
Turntable goes in via a completely different path, assuming it uses an MM or MC phono input, and doesn't have a built-in phono preamp.

Even then, the output of different cartridges varies considerably.

Do you have the streaming source app set to 100% volume?
Click to expand...
Thank you for your input!
I am aware of this.
I use the volume of the iPad to manage the level of musical reproduction.
Do you think that an external DAC would be a benefit for the system?
 
Do you set the iPad volume to 100%? If you want the same preamp volume setting for CD and Airport Express, at 2V, you will need to set the iPad playback to 100%
 
cpt_paranoia said:
Do you set the iPad volume to 100%? If you want the same preamp volume setting for CD and Airport Express, at 2V, you will need to set the iPad playback to 100%
Click to expand...
Yes, at 100% and 11-12 hours the level is similar to this of a cd player and 9 hours.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom