hatari

What is FAT32? I bought them from the Mac Store (can't recall the brand, but they were the recommended ones, ready to use with Mac). Did you re-format the WD MyBooks before using them? Is one a backup hooked up by USB, and the other an Ethernet link? Is the ethernet to your wireless network, or is it wired to the computer you use to link to your DAC? Thanks sidssp - appreciate it.

Hi. I ripped all my CDs and then had two hard drive crashes - luckily data was recovered. I have a headless Mac Mini and had an external HD. The problem I faced with this was always having to "eject" the HD, and I think my lack of attention to this resulted in the crashed drives. Is there any way to set up a mini with an external hd, power it up by pressing the "on" button on the mac mini, leaving the HD on all the time and never having to eject the HD when shutting down the mini? I have ripped everything AIFF so it can't fit on the internal HD. That would be ideal, internal HD holds everything, external is only there for occasional backup. I toyed with the idea of getting a Drobo S, but comments on speed etc are refocussing my attention on getting a smaller setup done right. Thanks

So I connect the mac mini to the NAS (MyBook World) though a standard Ethernet cable (not sure what a hub or crossover cable is)? I'm sure setting it up requires a protocol to be setup to identify it as part of this small wired network. So a few questions Eloise: 1. Is it as above, using simply an ethernet cable? 2. In this setup, i can store all my music files (uncompressed) on the NAS and access them while playing 3. When playing, the computer then extracts the data from the NAS via the ethernet (ie my small wired network) and transmits it out the firewire to my firewire DAC... Am I getting it? I did some digging, the Thecus N2200 (apparently made for home use - which gives me hope) also looks good. I'm very interested in a device that stays on all the time, does not have to be ejected, powers down with a switch (safely without being ejected), with large capacity and redundancy. In this configuration, wireless might not be a bad thing (ie vs streaming itunes wireless to a little airport thingy - which wasn't good), as the data is being transferred to the mini which is then feeding it (hopefully after ensuring it's perfect) through firewire to the Weiss DAC. Best wishes

My mini is stand alone (has wireless network connection, but not wired) and I use it's Firewire port for the Weiss DAC2. If I use the MyBook World edition, would I be using the ethernet port and effectively using it as a single computer external hard-drive (i suppose it could become a NAS drive if I wire my system)? I don't want to go wireless (used to do that, am looking now to go wired). If that's the case, would I need to power it up and down every time I use it? That is my biggest issue (as per my post). If I can add it to a single computer, not have to power it up and down (ie it's recognized at all times by the computer, can stay on and is active when it needs to be), store all my itunes files there and access them to play through my mini... then perhaps it works. thanks

I've been using a mac mini, with an external "G-drive". The external unit requires that it is powered up and then ejected, else it starts acting strange. After light use and a few of these "improperly dismounted" errors, the thing has just crashed. Once in a while it works, but then cuts out and freezes with a "a peripheral has been removed improperly..." message. My system is a headless mac mini (but need a storage drive for my files which won't fit on the internal), Weiss DAC2 etc. I've had these issues with external drives in the past, so I conclude that I fundamentally don't like drives that I need to power up, and eject - especially when the point is to minimize the computer interaction while listening etc in a headless format. Assuming I can restore my files, is there a solution to this? If mini's came with 1TB drives, I wouldn't bother and only have an external for backup. If cost is not a major factor, but I want to keep the mini, rather than add a new box, what solutions exist? Does the Drobo unit essentially mount and dismount automatically? I don't intend to ever move it, it will simply sit there behind my system. Any thoughts welcome to ease the frustration. Cheers

Flatmap: yes, glass cable. The sound just flat compared to the CD, but not unbearable in any way. Just goes to show (me) that the Levinson is a very good CDP. iTunes setup all good, but thanks for the check. Zerung: sounds like an external solution is possible. My view is that the Weiss Vesta is essentially an external PC soundcard-equivalent in No 2. It's stupid expensive compared to getting a PC together, agreed. Given the quick pace of change, I want to focus on the software and the DAC - the rest will certainly be outdated in months (hence sticking with the cheap mac mini). Thanks

Although my first venture into computer audio (mini->toslink->digital in on Levinson 390S) resulted in excellent usability, but inferior sound (to the CDP). I'm committed to continue and make it work. Problem is that I can't try the alternatives, but here is what I'm thinking, let me know your thoughts. The underlying constraint is that I don't want a full size PC/Powermac in my listening area/living room - so mini/macbook is my source. 1. Mini->Weiss Vesta via firewire->Berkeley Alpha DAC (via aes/ebu)->preamp 2. Mini->Weiss Minerva/DAC2 via firewire -> preamp What do you think? Cost is always a consideration, but both options can work (I'd love 2. to be as good as 1. and save some dough, but have an open mind). Many thanks

Yes - all AIFF. I'm sorry, didn't mean to imply otherwise. I'm simply trying to get a handle on higher definition files, and whether they can be ripped using the Apple optical drives, or whether downloads via specialized sites are the way to go. Thanks

So no matter whether K2HD or HDCD or XRCD24, it is stored as 16/44 info on the disc? Is it a bad conclusion to say that only files that are specifically stored and available as 24bit 88/96..192khz can be effectively played back as such? So this really gets us to the realm of specific computer downloads via the net, rather than anything else. The K2 HD sampler (FIM K2 HD 078) I have, for example, has a track from Reference Recordings (The Hot Club of San Francisco, Star Dust). This disc says "100khz and 24 bit resolution!" on the front. Is it fair to say this is "regular" CD, but has tracks that a HD CD player or DAC can effectively upsample to get this extra definition and dynamics? DVD-Audio and SACD I suppose are a different beast where the material is 24 bit on the disc, but I'm not aware on how these would be "ripped", other than the "hybrid" versions that have both CD and SACD tracks. Am I getting it? I have read everything in the Academy section (just so you don't chastise me). All the best

I also had the same question as Bobby... this is helpful. If I may: - so when I take my Opus3 24bit HDCD and rip it via itunes (same setup as Bobby), it stores at 16/44? Is there a loss of information here, or simply some form of compression? When it's replayed and if MIDI settings are 24/96 on output, do I effectively "reconstitute" the original data available on the HDCD? Foregive my ignorance and thanks. I may have a fundamental lack of understanding of bits and sampling.

I compared my Levinson 390S playback to the AIFF ripped version (mac mini>monster toslink with minijack adapter>Levinson 390S spdif input>pre, amp etc.). The Levinson was significantly better in playing the same CD. Other than the monster cable, I'm comparing the transport quality of computer to the CDP in this test. The DAC is the same. I will get the wireworld toslink (glass) and try again. In the meantime, the Levinson is staying put. Does this surprise anyone? My wife, who rolls her eyes at me on such things, had the patience to listen as well and it was immediate and without hesitation that she said "all that effort and the CD player sounds better!". I hear the advice on getting a Lynx etc. setup - would do it tomorrow if we could find a box that is smaller than the mac pro. So, for the meantime, I'll have 2 digital sources until I find an elegant and better sounding solution than the CDP. And, I'll only get the Weiss if the local dealer let's me try it out for a weekend or two and it at least equals my CDP. I was listening to the K2HD sampler last night (24/100?) - so very nice. Keeping hopeful and patient.

audiozorro: thanks for the input. The dealer isn't into home tests and I ideally do not want to add boxes. if the Minerva matches/beats the Levinson on redbook or HD, and then gets me the opportunity to explore higher res, it would be a switch. I am not good at selling things (don't have the time or patience) so would ideally seek a trade. The only other concern is that I don't have a CD transport if I lose the Levinson. How good a transport is the mini's CD player? Or do I need to rip everything before listening? Keith: we have the same tastes in turntables . I have the one motor version of the AC. Thanks

Bob: Thanks for your input - I did see those setups. The idea behind the Weiss is to use the Firewire, where it can do 24/192. The aesthetics of a desktop computer in my listening room (living room of sorts) never worked for me, so I went for the mini to work with my home network. So wasn't an investment decision, but rather one of preference - with the same theory - in time the technology will evolve to use smaller footprints/fewer boxes etc. The elegance of a Weiss/mini setup just works for me vs the desktop/other DAC. I am certainly keen on the higher res material, as I enjoy k2HD, XRCD and other higher definition digital formats. Keith: thanks, wish local dealers did similar. I am on the wrong side of the pond. Appreciate it though. Cheers

I'm considering trading in my Levinson 390S + a little cash for a Weiss Minerva DAC. I've got most of my CDs ripped AIFF and use a mac mini as a server (in an adjacent room, wire through the wall). The Levinson is a great CD player, and I've been using it's digital input (spdif) - so really it's DAC portion. Unfortunately I can't hear the Weiss Minerva to understand the difference in sound (though I've heard it in another system). My concerns? Really only that the Levinson 390S' DAC is pretty good and the Minerva gives me something different, but not necessarily better. Also, I'm a little concerned that I will no longer have a CD player (though the mini can play the CD and act as a transport, I suppose). My gut? Go for the Weiss as this computer setup is fantastic in sound quality and convenience. My brain? Stick with the Levinson, has a good DAC, has a CD player - old faithful. Thoughts and input welcomed. Cheers PS Rest of system is tube monoblocs and preamp (all RCA, not balanced), and vinyl

Good day all. I've got my library (at least a significant part of it) ripped AIFF and am now using a mac mini with external hard drive as a music server, connect via the mini-jack (optical) to the toslink digital input in my CDP (Levinson 390S). My settings on the computer show this as an output that is not adjustable, so I assumed as much. I was surprised to see the volume control work on itunes into my system! After reading some threads, I still don't get it (slow). How do I get the truest setup? I thought I'd simply be sending a digital signal from my computer to my CDP(DAC section) and then use my pre for volume. How can I bypass this volume control? Thanks and sorry if this is obvious.