thanks! i was thinking about this preamp http://www.long-mcquade.com/product...Audio/2-Channel_Tube_Preamp_USB_Interface.htm but is there any way to get a higher quality signal going out of my macbook?
I couldn't speak on the quality of the converters on that (or any, really) unit. That's a peculiar one as it uses a 12AX7 tube in the input preamp. Most low cost units don't. Be aware that the quality of your input signal could be highly dependent on the quality and condition of the tube (they wear out a lot).
I would shy away from that unit because of the tube, really.
The output signal quality probably won't differ much from unit to unit in the low price range. Most likely any of them will sound better than the built-in sound on the Mac.
Thats very helpful thank you, I'm just very new at this! so would you suggest something like this http://www.focusrite.com/products/audio_interfaces/scarlett_2i2/specifications/ which isn't tube? I will probably also be getting at this mic http://www.akg.com/site/products/powerslave,id,1057,tmpnodeid,2,_language,EN,pid,1057.html Thank you in advance!