TomG

I'm not sure what you really *need* but I use ChronoSync to keep my 2 separate macs music synced between separate external drives (via my 1gb network). It may take a while to get used to the interface, but I've used this software since 2008 and have never looked back. License is for lifetime free updates (if bought via their website) and support is quick and outstanding. If you are trying to backup over a network get the ChronoSync + ChronoAgent Bundle. ChronoSync Overview

You already knew the answer. If the delivery is uninterrupted, enjoy your music and forget all the non-issue digital/network tweaks.

Of course not. (unless you're sticking them in your ear)

I believe you will find your problem is the connection between the MacMini and your MCD-1100. Check/re-seat (or swap-out) your usb cable or optical cable (whichever you use).

For sure you should do that ASAP before someone convinces you otherwise!

Guessing: Young buck in pajamas (late evening?) complaining about old man playing his music too loud?

"Define: Bridge mode is the configuration that disables the NAT feature on the modem and allows a router to function as a DHCP server without an IP Address conflict". If the Airport Express is put into bridge mode, you will be using your original DSL router's 2.4 and 5Ghz configuration for your access points.

It might be something as simple as your browser preference settings. I *think* I run into something similar when buying some tunes somewhere a while back and it turned out I simply had to disable the 'stop pop-ups' preference setting in Safari and/or turn off ad-blocking. After I did that, up pops a box with what I needed to complete my transaction and download.

I my particular case, I seemed to liked my preamp turned up to my room's peak comfortable volume (~ 45/100) and then use my DAC (Exasound E-22) to deprecate down from there for my preferred sound pressure levels for my album of the moment. No scientific proof to producing superior sound, I just tried different combinations of pre/dac variances and finally settling on that. You might find your HUGO would yield similar results? It sounds so good, that I would suggest a *good* DAC and straight amp would satisfy many audiophiles needs with an all digital based playlist.

How about leave the mac where it is and run an Optical Toslink - Mini Toslink cable to the Hugo? Very inexpensive solution via monoprice that works for me with true 24-192 digital connections available between my late 2014 mini and DAC.

In a close field experience, I don't believe you are going to require a sub to be satisfied. You don't want the low end muddy and lets face it, you might experience problems with wall resonance/freq-alterations in your particular home's wall construction method. I suggested a type of powered speaker because for their size, they seem to provide decent frequency balance (amp matched to speaker's freq abilities). I have owned the Stealth DC-1 and in all the ≤$1k price range competition, this DAC does amazingly well. You'd need to spend ≥$2k to get a noticeable improvement. The DC-1's standard balanced outputs and remote controlled preamp abilities are a blessing for an active speaker setup. I have not heard the Airmotiv line-up, but Stereophile looks favorably on them for close in monitor usage. I do have a set of passive KEF LS50 speakers that I use on a secondary system (they sound GREAT) and if the KEF X300a are anywhere close in sound quality, you might consider demoing these if you want bigger speakers than the Airmotive 4s. Good luck in your quest!

I'm going to open with a response bound to stir the pot but you'll have lots of cash left over. This will not fill your urge for DSD streaming (I think PCM flac source files sounds acceptable). A 7 yr old windows laptop needs to be replaced for sanity, go with your own choice here. Active speakers don't get a lot of love but simplify things and work well in your environment. Now for music hardware. -Emotiva Pro Stealth DC-1 DAC - sounds great, review well, and punches way above price mark $499 -Emotiva Airmotiv 4s - active speakers - $299 (review in Stereophile Mag 2015-04) -bigger speaker budget? Maybe KEF X300A's -connect DAC->speakers with balanced xlr cables from monoprice.com (~$6/pr) -new laptop -> DAC use USB2 or my isolated favorite... S/PDIF (Toslink) Digital Optical-MiniToslink (~$3) Emotiva has a generous try at home program, so try it to see if the above products suit your music needs.

Personally, I always thought ultra-high resolution was a waste of space. It's like pouring a bottle of fine wine into a 5 gallon pail. The 5 gal pail still only contains 1 bottle of fine wine, the rest is unused space. Why waste the storage by putting a 5 gallon pail into a wine rack! No one to my knowledge is recording music with ultra-resolution so the provenance of ultra-quality is just not there. (please don't try and convince me tape can hold ultra-resolution information). Now if you are just looking for an ultra-low noise floor... good luck. My answer to the original question... I'm good with Redbook and possibly 24-96 PCM if the provenance of that rate is maintained from start to finished product. Anything in a larger container is a waste to me.

May I suggest the following so Squeesepad (and iTunes) doesn't split the album up on you. (for 8 tracks relating to Rodrigo) ARTIST = Rodrigo ALBUM = Concerto D'Aranjuez ALBUM ARTIST = Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Sollscher COMPOSER = Rodrigo CONDUCTOR = Heitor (for 3 tracks relating to Villa Lobos) ARTIST = Villa Lobos ALBUM = Concerto D'Aranjuez ALBUM ARTIST = Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Sollscher COMPOSER = Villa Lobos CONDUCTOR = Heitor Using these settings *should* leave the album shown as one and still show Villa Lobos and Rodrigo as the *featured artist* for their tracks. I had similar problems with iTunes splitting a single album until I got my head around using "Album Artist" as the main identifier to keep an album grouped together. Good luck, TomG

I bought a G-RAID with Thunderbolt (8TB Raid0) drive in January. The r/w speed is outstanding and the older G-Tech drives I have used have been EXTREMELY dependable (so far). G-Tech drives/enclosures are a quality product in my opinion and well worth the premium.