lapaix Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 The Metropolitan opera is now offering streaming video of many operas, some in HD, via its own player, "metplayer." Does anyone know if the USB (or firewire) output from a Mac mini (or Apple TV) -- I'd prefer the former -- can go into an outboard DAC, or whether one has to use the audio bitstream as provided via the metplayer? I suspect the audio signal goes to the monitor over the DVI-HDMI connector, but don't know if that is correct. Also, is there any reason why the metplayer would not work in a wireless connection? David Link to comment
The Computer Audiophile Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 Hi David - Almost all sounds on a computer can be sent out to an external DAC. Most likely the MetaPlayer is just sending the sound out through the default sound selection. If you were to choose a DAC the MetaPlayer would send the sound to the DAC. Not real sure what you mean by wireless connection for the MetaPlayer. Let me know a little more and I'll be happy to help. Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems Link to comment
lapaix Posted October 22, 2008 Author Share Posted October 22, 2008 I downloaded the player from the "Met" site and watched a preview on my Mac -- no sound card or anything, just a 2 yr old, dual processor G5 PowerMac. The video was ok, the sound what one would expect from a pair of $10 Harman/Kardon PC speakers. When one uses the Mac mini (I assume since I do not yet own own, but which I plan to purchase for a nascent MAc-based music server), the video goes from DVI-HDMI. I have no idea whether one would use some connection from Mac mini to DAC to grab the audio bitstream. I could take the audio off the Plasma Monitor via a toslink connection and send that to the DAC (I think). On a separate question: for garden variety video (TV, let's say) the plasma can send audio by the toslink connection or (as I use it) as an analog signal that goes to my preamp (not a video processor). Are there any DACs that can decode Dolby digital? Sorry for all the questions. I really am clueless as you can tell. This is really a great site and I am learning a lot from you and others who post here. David Link to comment
The Computer Audiophile Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 Hi David - From a Mac Mini you can output via the built-in optical output or with a USB DAC or FireWire DAC. Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems Link to comment
lapaix Posted October 23, 2008 Author Share Posted October 23, 2008 Hello Chris, At first I did not realize that it was quite easy to set up a Mac Mini wirelessly, so of course the streaming AV would arrive wirelessly too. I suppose the toslink output of the mini would be used to carry the audio. For a person who spends a lot of time doing computer related things, I am certainly at sea here. I am very intrigued by the Chord DAC that has just come out, the chord qbd76, have you received one yet? I recall you said a while ago that one was on the way. This seems like the wrong time to spring for an expensive DAC when the Sonic Studio Amarra is coming soon. David Link to comment
The Computer Audiophile Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 Hi David - Actually the Mini streams the audio via its wireless network card to the AE. The Mini won't use its own Toslink output if you use an AE. The AE uses its Toslink output. The Chord DAC is something that kind of surprises me because of its Bluetooth capability. I'm not seeking to review one, but may be open to it at some point. Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems Link to comment
chuy Posted February 8, 2010 Share Posted February 8, 2010 Chris, I am a new member and I have a question regarding the bluetooth capability of any DAC unit (ie. Chord QBD76 DAC). What is the highest sampling rate that you can go to using bluetooth?. Have been researching all over to no avail. Link to comment
Audio_ELF Posted February 8, 2010 Share Posted February 8, 2010 IIRC, bluetooth is limited by using a lossy compression algorithm similar to MP3 or AAC. Eloise Eloise --- ...in my opinion / experience... While I agree "Everything may matter" working out what actually affects the sound is a trickier thing. And I agree "Trust your ears" but equally don't allow them to fool you - trust them with a bit of skepticism. keep your mind open... But mind your brain doesn't fall out. Link to comment
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