StudioLou

Guys - I forgot to mention a few key points I learned the hard way: If you want to hear the Mac's optical outputs at their best, be sure to bump up the Mac's core audio settings from default of 24-bit/44K to max of 24-bit/96k. What a difference! On the Mac Mini, "Audio Devices" is in "Audio Midi Setup" in the Utilities folder - you can't miss it. Also, when using the Mac's optical out, the volume control is disabled. When unplugging the optical, the Mac Mini drops output volume to 50%, and it appears to stay that way when you reconnect the optical line unless you manually change it back to 100% first. Supposedly the Mac only outputs full resolution at full volume, because the volume reduction algorithm actually dithers down bits of information; not sure of the math/logic here but I've noticed a definite qualitative difference at lower volumes. Finally, I treat my Mac Mini like a serious audio device and filter power going into it via the same device filtering my NAD M2 and SACD drive, namely my Tributaries T200 power manager. Hard to tell sometimes what's doing what in a system, but all these technologies and processes together are finally giving me the sound I've always wanted - at a fraction of what I thought it would cost. We'll see if Audiophilleo2 can add anything to this (aside from obvious 24-bit/192k output). -Lou

Hi Guys - My first post - after reading many from this group! Love my NAD M2 - especially with digital sources. I feed mine mostly 24-bit/88k and above from HDTracks and similar resources. Regarding USB/SPIDF converters versus Mac optical, first: I've been a Mac addict since the beginning, but their optical outs always disappointed - jitter so bad you could actually hear it - not just specs on a page but audible, like some damn robotic mosquito. But now I have a new Mac mini server, sending digital direct via optical to M2. I don't hear any jitter or noise of any kind - just rich, clean, warm music, with tons of depth. Probably part improved Mac architecture, though the NAD M2 white paper describes various techniques to eliminate jitter at output regardless of input, concluding, "Using the j-test to assess data-related jitter, the telltale side bands at 229Hz intervals from the fundamental are totally missing. Quite simply there is no jitter." That may or may not be literally true, but over my B&W 802 Diamonds, it sounds true. As an experiment though, I've decided to add a good USB/SPIDF converter into the chain. After many hours of research, I've ordered an Audiophilleo2, which pushes jitter so low they had to use diagnostic tools designed for satellite calibration just to measure it. Seriously. Here's the company link, followed by a very deep review in 6moons.com: http://www.audiophilleo.com/audiophilleo2.aspx http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/audiophilleo/1.html I'll report back after I add the Audiophilleo2 into the chain. No difference would be cool for Apple/NAD, but I'm going for the best sound regardless. All the best, Lou