Thank you Mike, this raised some avenues of inquiry I had not considered.
Like a dock for the iPod that has a decent DAC? Or a toslink to analog inte=
rface for the minidisc? Anything that gets past the limited quality of the =
headphone jack. It also just occurred to me that the MZRH1 can switch betwe=
en headphone and line output and maybe the line out has better sound qualit=
y? I'll have to try that.
Scott's suggestion of staying with a Macbook with a good audio interface is=
probably going to deliver the most satisfying result, but there may still =
be other, more portable, less expensive options.
Several options to investigate.
John
--- In "Mike Rooke" <> wrote:
>
> Interesting post,
>
> Sounds like the problem is faithful transfer of the original content to t=
he PA? So your bound by the DAC quality of the portable device, what about =
using optical out to a DAC and then PA or system with e.g SPDIF input?
>
> My thoughts,
>
> ipad2 with the camera interface and a usb audio device - not much better =
than the laptop.
>
> Sony D50 with optical out to an amplifier / PA system with SPDIF in - sma=
ll but maybe difficult to cue&play
>
> Dedicated player like a Lynn Majik. - bigger than the laptop.
>
> Squeezebox (requires lan/wifi connection to the server) -> Optical out to=
Amplifier, remote control, but in a live situation perhaps not good.
>
> Use optical out from the macbook -> Amplifier and loose the USB audio car=
d? - back to square 1.
>
> Heres a list of portable players:-
> http://wiki.xiph.org/PortablePlayers
>
> Although if you want to trigger playback or sequence during a performance=
then
> something more music orientated such as a Muse box?
>
> http://www.museresearch.com/products/musebox.php
>
> or dedicated players:-
> http://flac.sourceforge.net/links.html
>
>
>
>
> --- In "John" <jladd@> wrote:
> >
> > I just played a couple of .wav files through my PA system using all of =
the devices I have on hand: MZRH1 minidisc, Zoom H2, iPod touch, and my pow=
erbook with an external sound card (nothing fancy, just an old Xitel AN1 us=
b interface). The Powerbook/interface option sounds much better than any of=
the others. Clearer overall, especially more detail in the low frequencies=
. All three portable devices sound pretty muddy to me, the H2 worst of all.
> >
> > So, does anyone know of a playback device that would be comparable in q=
uality to the Powerbook/Interface combination but more portable than a lapt=
op and perhaps more durable?
> >
> > John
> >
> > --- In "John" <jladd@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Greetings,
> > >
> > > I am looking for the best solution (although price is a factor) to hi=
gh quality playback in a concert setting (we use nature sounds along with c=
ompositions for harp and cello) and educational setting (I present on marin=
e conservation and cetacean communication). I have been using Quicktime on =
a Mac Powerbook for many years with an external USB audio interface (which =
delivers better quality than the headphone jack on the Powerbook). This wor=
ks fine, but since all I am doing is playing back audio files, I would rath=
er not have to drag my computer to every gig.
> > >
> > > I have tried using the iPod touch, but have not been impressed with t=
he sound quality coming out of that into a PA system. We are talking about =
whales here. Low frequencies need to be well reproduced. I also find naviga=
ting the iPod touch frustrating when on stage.
> > >
> > > Do any of you know of a compact, well-designed, high quality digital =
audio player that can play uncompressed WAV or AIF files? Well designed mea=
ns being able to easily arrange, rearrange and access the tunes on the play=
er, and play one at a time (the iPod plays in sequence without stopping. I =
can't stop the player while I'm playing the cello!).
> > >
> > > How do the digital recorders (PCM-M10, MZRH1, LS-7, H2, etc etc) comp=
are in terms of their digital to analog playback qualities? Is one of them =
more suitable than others for playback (I have an H2 and an MZRH1).
> > >
> > > What are others using for best quality performance of nature sounds?
> > >
> > > I will be comparing everything I have through our sound system, but w=
ondered what you all would have to say.
> > >
> > > Many thanks!
> > >
> > > John
> > >
> > > Let us live in harmony with the Earth
> > > And all creatures
> > > That our lives may be a blessing
> > >
> >
>
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