Firstly thank goodness I found this forum. Looks like I'll be in safe hands as I make the transition to the mac side of life.

A brief introduction: I'm a tafe/uni student studying film - so I'm also somewhat of an independent film maker. As you can guess, I need FCP. So this is the primary reason for moving over - not to mention disliking Windows and wanting stability/better coded programs.

So what am I after? Well I'm after a 2.8ghz 24" imac. I'll be buying from the Apple store on edu discount (or if a 10% off sale crops up shortly at JB or similar outlet). But here the issues arrise.

I need some help on configuration options. Due to budget limitations I'm not able to go all out (sadly!) So I'm happy with the 2.8ghz, ram I'm confident to upgrade at a later date, interal harddrive space is fine as I'll be using external storage. But the big question is the graphics card. I've read the other threads here about it, but couldn't see a clear answer either way. I need something that can handle HD (uncompressed format) video content outputting to a 19" WS monitor (along side the imac). But at +$198 is it really value for money?

Additonal to the imac configuration itself, I'm also needing a high quality external sound device. I've liked the look of the EMU 0404 USB, however it is rather pricey and not easy to come by. I need consumer level inputs/outputs (RCA), good quality DAC/ADC, able to record/output (to analogue) 24bit/96khz etc. Basically something that matches what the EMU 0404 USB can do but can have different i/o plugs.

I'm going to match all the above with an elgato eyetv diversity stick and a leica 1TB external drive (and perhaps a second when I have more money).

I think I've thought of everything (or too much?) I'm the kind of person who needs to know the products inside and out before I buy anything, I've found it saves me money/stress in the long run, however I'm keen to start buying and using!

Thanx again and look forward to your responses to this query and future questions.

Welcome to MTAU!

I don't see anything wrong with the 2600 PRO.

But if you can stretch it, get the better graphics card if you are a film student.

I personally would spend the extra $198... It sounds like you might already push the limits of the ATi with uncompressed HD video and running two displays.

Additionally, if you get the iMac with the ATi in it and you do exceed its capability with something you need to do - the video card cannot be upgraded.

Another option...

Get a second hand G5 tower or Mac Pro...

I used both when I was doing my film/tv course up here at Griffith Uni... You can pick up the G5's fairly cheap... not sure about Intel Mac Pros...

Sorry, I know that complicates matters further Or maybe you are set on the brand new Mac smell...

End of the day - even my 1.25GHz eMac can "handle" uncompressed HD video in FCP... (of course, it's BLOODY SLOW, but it can do it).

Ohnoes! Yeah, I would consider that, I used a dual G5 tower at Deakin last year, and omg it was amazing! However I'd rather go with the newer generation of Intel macs (somewhat future-proofing). I'd look into a secondhand Intel Mac Pro, however not sure where to buy etc.

I had considered these options and thought it would just be easier to get a new imac. But feel free to change my mind!
Yeah I feared that was the case. I wont be doing uncompressed HD just yet, that will happen a bit later - this year I'll be using Sony's HDV format which is MPEG compressed. I'm just keeping my options open for when I get my hands on a better camera.

As for the other bits I'll ask about them in the peripherals forum.

Thanx for your help thus far!

- acutally on a quick note, in regard to the mac pro's, I've a PCI soundcard (very good one too) whcih is mac compadible, do either of the G5 or new ones take PCI cards or are they different?

Hi there,

So I'm currently organising the setup for a 24" 2.8ghz imac I'll be buying shortly. One of the big issues for me is sound. I'm an amature audiophile, I listen to lossless encoded music, high-res (24/96) files and record my own digital transfers from vinyl (at high 24/96 resolutions). As far as I know the imac only offers digital output. Unfortunately I don't have a DAC/ADC unit, so I need an external usb/firewire soundcard. I've looked at the EMU 0404 USB and it looks great! However it's rather expensive and can't find many sellers.

Does anyone recomend/know of another device that meets my requirements:
24/96 (minimum playback/record)
highquality ADC/DAC
RCA input/output
firewire/usb (or I suppose digital input directly from the iMac)

Thanx for any help!

Sorry, but the iMac will never be able to play Uncompressed HD video in real time. There's simply no way you can attach a storage solution fast enough to handle the bandwidth required. You'll be better off working in a compressed video format for HD, then getting a Mac Pro or G5 when you're ready to move to Uncompressed HD.

Avoid audio over USB -- FireWire is the ticket.

The iMacs all have standard line-level audio output, but whilst it's good, it's definitely not audiophile quality. What Apple have adopted as standard these days is what they call a "combo audio" port -- one jack that is both a mini stereo phone (standard mini tip-ring-sleeve headphone) jack and an optical TOSlink connector, which is secreted away at the rear of the jack. One option is to keep everything in the digital realm, and if you have a receiver or (pre)amp with an optical input that talks SP/DIF over optical, you can use that. All you'd need then is a TOSlink to miniTOSlink cable.

If your audio rig doesn't sport optical inputs, then you're obviously going to want to look at a quality audio interface. The thing is, none of the audio interfaces I would class as "pro quality" are cheap, especially if you're a purist who wants excellent ADC/DAC electronics with flat response, low THD, high oversampling, a respectable SNR and low latency.

For my money, the best value pro-grade unit on the market is the Mark Of The Unicorn Ultralite, but for your needs would be overkill (especially at nearly $1,000!), even if it does sport the nicest DACs available ... I doubt you would need balanced XLR and MIDI. I think something like the Presonus Inspire 1394 ($299 on special) would be an excellent unit for you, as it also happens to be one of the few interfaces that sport a phono input with RIAA filtering. Analog Devices 24/96 ADC/DACs gives it very good clarity, its only drawback is the onboard mic preamp is lacklustre. Or there's the Terratec PHASE 24 ($459) which also doesn't have phono capability unless you use a standalone phono preamp. Another contender that is worth considering (and one I've used) is the Mackie Onyx Satellite (again, $299 on special). It too lacks direct phono inputs, but sports AKM ADC/DACs, Onyx preamps, and is a solid, bug-free unit, and like everything from Mackie, has amazingly clean audio quality.

I second what Brains posted - stick to well known audio brands and something with a FireWire interface and you'll do fine.

Look into buying from the USA also, as gear there is a lot cheaper and their dollar is doing so poorly! You can get a MOTU Ultralite for AU$665 delivered (compared to the bare minimum of $880 locally).

Wow Brains, thanx so much for your detailed post. I've had a look at your sugestions and here are my thoughts...

The Mackie Onyx Satellite looks amazing! However it is a little intimidating! Is it too much for me? As much as I'd love to, I doubt I'll be getting into studio recording just yet, so sadly I think a lot of it's features would be lost on me (however XLR inputs would be somewhat handy perhaps, but not essential). And I don't think it matters about portability. Price wise though I can't complain!

The Presonus Inspire 1394 seems more my style. It has just the right amount of i/o for my needs, however I'm not keen on the software only controls - I've always had to use them, however I'd like the option to tinker with some knobs! (however if it's not really so bad perhaps this fits in)

I suppose the question is then, at the same price which is a better option since both offer very similar technical specs.

Also looking at the site you linked (which is a great resource!) I came across M Audio Firewire SOLO which boats similar specs at a slightly higher price. Any thoughts on that? (I suppose it's not an issue since the other two, especially the Onyx has so much to offer at a lower price.

On a slightly different note, I'm somewhat embarrsed to ask, but despite my research attempts I'm still not clear on the whole TS/TRS balanced/unbalanced audio connections. I'll be using RCA (output from my turntable which has a built in phono preamp - and even if I upgraded my TT, I'd be using a seperate preamp so phono RIAA input isn't an issue for me), which I know is unbalanced. I also read somewhere you can make it balanced etc. I guess the question is, am I going to have issues plugging it all in - will I need adapters? I'll be outputting (through RCA) to my NAD amplifier, which I've got connected to my speakers.

Thanx again!

The Mackie unit does look like a lot, but it's actually quite straight forward, and if anything the sound quality is a teensy notch up over the Presonus. Get the Mackie, use what you need to, ignore what you don't One other benefit of getting the Mackie is that if you decide to sell it in the future (for whatever reason) then you are more likely to find a buyer because of its extended feature-set.

The M-Audio unit I wouldn't really bother with, because unfortunately their overall quality has declined in the last two years since they were bought by Avid. They're a "name brand" but you don't really get anything special by buying into the brand.

The difference between a balanced and unbalanced line signal is fairly straight-forward. In an unbalanced connection, the signal travels along a single core (the tip) and returns via the grounding shield (the sleeve). In a balanced connection, there are two core conductors, with the signal travelling down both, but one is 180 degrees out of phase with the other. When the two phases are combined, any noise or hum picked up by the cable is elimininated, leaving a purer signal. A balanced connection is really only required when you are using low signal levels (such as that from a microphone) or the signal has to travel long distances.

A TRS balanced-capable connection is a mono signal connection, and will work with both balanced (TS) and unbalanced (TRS) wiring. You can't turn an unbalanced output into a balanced one just by wiring the tip and ring together, though.

As long as you use decent quality cables, and keep them as feasibly short as is practical, you won't have to be concerned about exessive noise. If you want to do long runs, avoid using adaptors and either buy or have made some proper cables with the necessary connections at each end.

Thank you once again for your response Brains! And I think you make a good point about on Onyx and resalability, not that it's on the cards, however always a plus! And considering it's the same price as the other, and cheaper than the lower quality m-audio, it's a winner! The review I read of it was really positive - how you plug it in and away you go without needing to install too much mumbojumbo.

So I think I've got that decided. I hope they still have stock at that price. Might put in an order now even though I'm yet to get the imac!

Thanx for your explination of balanced/unbalanced audio connections. The only question I still have is, for my needs, I'll be connecting my turntable via RCA to the Onyx for doing transfers. And i'll outputting into my amp tvia lineout to RCA for playback. Am I going to have issues with connectors? I'll just need an adapater to convert RCA to two (mono) TRS plugs, right?

Thanx again, I'm getting so excited! I just also hope I can offload my ESI Juli@ (it's only about a year old).

Good choice on the Mackie Onyx, i reckon, and even if Turramurra Music don't have any left at that price, it's still an exceptional unit ... and if they don't, well, there's always the Presonus. Turra are good to deal with, too -- if you have any enquiries you want answered straight off the bat, don't hesitate to ring them direct and ask to speak to their resident computer-music expert, Ritchie-J (and tell him Brains sent you )

If your PC has FireWire, you can start using the Onyx straight away.

As far as cabling goes, you will need four RCA male to phone (tip-sleeve) male cables. Two to go from the phono preamp to the Onyx, two to go to your NAD.

Awesome, sounds simple enough. I just sent them an email to check stock availability.

I also started hunting around and what-do-ya-know, but youtube is handy! I found this video which gives a nice little walkthrough this particular unit. Explains a few things a little better to me. I hope they have stock!

I've started looking around for other places who stock it just in case. Most places are charging RRP, however Billy Hyde have it marked on sale at $399. It's obviously more than the shop you linked, but I'll get it at that if I can't through them.

Just found this ebay auction. I know it is a bit of a risk, but if no one bids, that's darn cheap! Seller claims to be near new.

Well I'm very unimpressed. Got an email back about the mackie, turns out they had one left in stock and someone (guessing another member on here) also contacted them and bought it before I could get home and check my emails today. Well even if it wasn't someone here, gee thanx, I can barely afford this stuff anyhow and now I'll be paying at least $100 more for this unit. I'd rather not go for the other options which aren't as good. Not happy