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Newbie Questions / Just want to listen to good music!


machinehead

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(Keep in mind I am using iMac wirelessly feeding an Apple TV to feed a Benchmark DAC, If possible I would like to retain the ATV as my source)

 

1. If you had to rip your entire library right now, what software would you rip with ( many panelists at RMAF reffered to Exact Audio Copy as the defacto if you had scratched discs, I have a bunch). Does MAX really do the same quality of ripping that EAC does? Could I boot to XP, download EAC, rip all CD's to AIFF, then transfer to OSX and iTunes.

 

2. What file format to save it as (I am using ALC, but FLAC seems to be universal, if I need to down the road can I convert ALC to FLAC?). I have read AIFF may be the best way to go with iTunes for sound quality.

 

3. I felt even after seeing all of the new gadgets at RMAD, the Apple TV is still the hands down coolest interface / most usefull, I have one, but being an audiophile did I make the wrong choice? Of the other playback software, can any be accessed via Apple TV? Is the TOSLINK digital out to my DAC going to degrade or limit my sound quality vs. using an interface such as Squeeze box that has SPDIF coax out?

 

4. Does anyone have experience hacking the Apple TV to allow USB harddrive attachment? Right now for me this maybe the best solution, as wireless to the ATV is very poor (stutters on audio and video).

 

5. Is the AIFF / iTunes 8 cover art issue fixed?

 

Thanks for the help folks, and thanks Chris for the best website for us!

 

Jeff

 

 

 

 

 

\"It would be a mistake to demonize any particular philosophy. To do so forces people into entrenched positions and encourages the adoption of unhelpful defensive reactions, thus missing the opportunity for constructive dialog\"[br] - Martin Colloms - stereophile.com

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Hi Jeff,

 

1) That sounds like a PITA. Why bother? Given your hardware I'd look no further than iTunes. It will be much simpler. I've had it choke on maybe 1 or 2 CDs out of ~900. I'd start that way until you have real problems to solve. However, some people like the complicated process for whatever reason. If you have space AIFF uncompressed is duplicate copy. Many would argue lossless is just fine too, although a bit proprietary.

 

The middle - I don't fiddle with the TV yet, but I suspect wireless audio and video is still a handful unless resolutions are lowered. Might need to inject a mini in there ... just a guess at that.

 

5) What issue? It doesn't grab everything, but neither do any of the others. They all take a little manual intervention to be perfect from time to time. I'd say I get about 95% correct, but it depends a lot on how much weird or obscure music you rip.

 

I'd try non wireless to get a good reference for comparison. Rip a CD using iTunes, AIFF, set volume to 100% on iMac. Direct to DAC then amp. That should be the right sound. Then direct connect apple TV. If everything sounds and looks good, I bet you just can't move the data quick enough via wireless. Holler if I'm way off here.

 

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Thanks inntertuber, good advice, I am probably just being too anal.

 

My only issue with your advice is my dac is does not have a USB port, so the ATV will still be in the mix, but I do plan on running an CAT V cable direct to test the sound vs. wireless.

 

In your experience does ALC sound as good as AIFF?

 

Thanks,

 

Jeff

 

\"It would be a mistake to demonize any particular philosophy. To do so forces people into entrenched positions and encourages the adoption of unhelpful defensive reactions, thus missing the opportunity for constructive dialog\"[br] - Martin Colloms - stereophile.com

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I have a good bit of storage at this point so I really don't mess with ALC. From what I read it's arguably the same as FLAC. (Everything is arguable when it comes to this stuff!)

 

Rip a couple songs using both and compare. Let your ears guide you. My guess is, unless you have some over the top system that makes you, dare I say want to hear a difference, or perhaps you have Superman hearing you probably won't tell any difference. But if you can go with what you prefer and enjoy.

 

Be sure in iTunes to turn error correction on, forgot to mention that one!

 

 

 

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Thanks Innertuber,

 

Storage is not an issue for me either so I will go with AIFF.

 

Could you answer the question about iTunes.

 

I have read to turn the volume to 100%. I am not sure how to do this. I see if I "Get Info" I can change the output for each song, but not a global volume control for iTunes.

 

I am outputting the data via wireless to my ATV, so does the volume control still matter within iTunes?

 

Thanks,

 

Jeff

 

\"It would be a mistake to demonize any particular philosophy. To do so forces people into entrenched positions and encourages the adoption of unhelpful defensive reactions, thus missing the opportunity for constructive dialog\"[br] - Martin Colloms - stereophile.com

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I wouldn't mess with that volume per song thing, leave it off is my suggestion.

 

Goto the main iTunes and I think at the top is a little slider. Just keep that at max and adjust volume using your amps or whatever.

 

"Could you answer the question about iTunes." - missing that - what was the ? again.

 

 

 

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Right, the question was exactly how to set iTunes volume to 100%.

 

If I open preferences, there are check boxes for sound enhacement and cross fade.

 

Those are the only one I have found to enfluence playback within iTunes.

 

Thanks,

 

Jeff

 

\"It would be a mistake to demonize any particular philosophy. To do so forces people into entrenched positions and encourages the adoption of unhelpful defensive reactions, thus missing the opportunity for constructive dialog\"[br] - Martin Colloms - stereophile.com

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If I may be so bold as to jump into the conversation here, hello machinehead and 'Tuber.

 

I second 'Tuber's recommendation of iTunes for ripping. Simple and bit perfect. You can get real geeky with others if you want, but why. And have error correction on, all other "enhancers" off.

 

On volume, yes, on just the main iTunes page (not one of the menus), upper left, your basic volume slider. Keep at max.

 

There was an issue with iTunes 8.0 and album art. Here's the discussion:

 

http://www.computeraudiophile.com/itunes_24_bit_aiff_album_art

 

Problem was fixed with version 8.0.1. Still flaky at times tho'.

 

Oh, and don't get 'Tuber started on discussions about which brand of beer is best to spill on your shirt before you use it to clean dirty CD's with.

 

TheOtherTim

 

 

 

 

 

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Gin is not bad for cleaning CD's, but what genesis of tree did the juniper berries come from?

The only gin to use on CD's must be made from the trees high atop Mesa Verde...

 

There is also a monastery high atop a cliff in Germany that brews the best beer for cleaning CD's....

 

Just kidding of course!

 

OK that was my idea of a bad joke, you know us audio dudes going over the top on everything and all.

 

Thanks guys for the info, I must have overlooked the easy slider control, I will have to check when I get home.

 

Thanks for the encouragement not to over think the iTunes/EAC thing. Guess I am just worried over the poor condition of my CD's. I am not good with organizing, which is why I love the media server movement.

 

Jeff

 

 

 

\"It would be a mistake to demonize any particular philosophy. To do so forces people into entrenched positions and encourages the adoption of unhelpful defensive reactions, thus missing the opportunity for constructive dialog\"[br] - Martin Colloms - stereophile.com

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