Delbert

I recently purchased an iFi micro-iDAC2. I have it attached to a Mac Mini running JRiver. With all the iDAC2 capabilities I’m having a difficult time deciding what would be the best strategy to get the best sound. So, with the iFi’s micro-iDAC2's design, what do you feel is the best strategy to get the best sound? 1. Have JRiver convert everything to 2xDSD (or 4xDSD)? 2. Have JRiver send everything to the micro-iDAC2 in the audio files native form (44/16 as 44/16, 96/24 as 96/24, DSD as DSD etc.)? 3. Have JRiver upsample all PCM to maximum kHz, and DSD to 4xDSD? 4. Some other strategy? Thanks for you input, Delbert

Would another option be to upsample PCM to DSD, or would that be a different poll?

Could you use three inexpensive DSD DAC’s for multi-channel DSD playback? Something like three Schiit Loki’s, or three iFi nano iDSD’s?

I’ve been having the JRiver converting everything to DSD and playing it through a Schitt Loki for several months now. The Loki only plays DSD64. But, I think it sound good, much better than one would think a $149 DAC should, although I would be interested in hearing what others think. There has been some discussion on the web how the cables some audiophiles are using with this little unit are costing many times more than the cost of this little DAC. For an offline converter, if you have a Mac, DSD Master from BitPerfect sounds like it might do a good conversion, but I have yet to try it.

That's a good question. I guess one could consider them audiophile level, till one hears better equipment, then one might consider them consumer level. Not a good answer, but maybe that's part of the challenge.

Booster MPS, I agree 'educate' was not the best word to use, but at the time I couldn't think of a better word. I like your ideas. They reminds me of back in the late '70s when the local planetarium would have midnight laser light show to "Dark Side of The Moon". The audio was provided by a local audio business using ESS AMT-1 speakers, and I thought at the time they sounded awesome. Delbert

Teresa, that is very close to my story, which makes me wonder how can that happen now? By the way, The Six Wives of Henry VIII was one of my favorite albums back then. DigiPete, I am a long time surround audio fan. When I was 16 years old I got a car quadraphonic 8-track tape player with quick disconnect mount that I could plug into my car or into a box, and speakers, in my bed room. Later I wired my stereo with some rear speakers that would play back the out of phase signals from the stereo channels, giving a pleasing effect. Of course I had to get a multi-channel SACD player after they came out. Delbert

How do we educate the average consumer about quality audio? I know that often when people experience quality in something, they quickly begin to be able to tell the difference between quality and a lesser product. But, how do we get people to experience quality audio any more? "Back in the day" even a small city would have several business that you could walk into and demo and buy quality equipment. There are very few left, and with everyone buying off the internet, there will probably be fewer in the future. Has consumer level audio equipment advanced to a level where the average consumer wouldn't be able to tell the difference between consumer and audiophile equipment, even after listening to a quality set-up for a while? Just wondering, Delbert