scrouby

Is there a significant loss in quality from the conversion to 16/48? I will not be using high res files, just ripped CDs. I don't want to use the MacMini, for one because I'm not sure it will work. It's the first version (G4) so I'm not even sure it will run an iTunes version that does Homesharing. The other thing is that I'm not sure it will work well without having a screen to see what it's doing.

Hello, new member here in search of some practical advise on improving my setup. I've recently moved and having already ripped my entire music collection decided to move away completely from CDs (apart from new ones... I'm not one for digital downloads yet) and put them in storage. My current setup is as follows: - All music ripped using iTunes in Apple Lossless format, a minor portion of music in VBR Mp3. - Music stored on a Synology DS413j NAS. It's currently shared over the network using Audio Station. - Hifi set consists of Arcam A85+P85 amplifiers, a CD92T and B&W 805Ds. - An AppleTV2 (jailbroken) is the source for my digital music. It's hooked up to the A85 using a cheap Chinese DAC, similar to this one: HEADPHILES: Sources » Muse Mini Dac TDA1543 X 4 NOS - The ATV2 is connected to the network over wifi. - I use my iPad as the remote using DS Audio. In principle this works fine. I can play all my music. Of course, there are some issues, and I have done some searching on the web but not found clear paths to resolving them. - The first issue is sound quality. The difference isn't night and day, but when playing a CD and playing the ripped files over this setup, there is a loss in quality. The first suspect would be the DAC - it's a cheap thing I got to get this digital music lark going some time ago and I am wondering whether it's due for replacement by something more decent. However, I also wonder about what happens to my lossless files in Audiostation - is there some transcoding going on there? Same for the ATV2. Neither device allegedly provide 'bit-perfect' output. If this is the case, is it a cause for concern? If yes, what's the best way to resolve it? - Second issue is the control of the system through the iPad. I dislike DS Audio for two reasons, one is that it doesn't show my cover art (which can be fixed with a bit of work), the other the lack of sorting options and the truncating of titles in the album view. In short I'd like an alternative to DS Audio (possibly by replacing Audio Station as well) that looks more like Apple's own remote - which I can't use because it relies on iTunes, which in turn relies on a computer running that program. I do not want to spend 100s of pounds/euros/dollars to fix this and apart from the DAC, I doubt that's necessary, but I may be mistaken. A potential option would be to use an old Mac Mini I have lying around, but that's not preferred as it would have to be runnning 24/7. Advise, tips, help all appreciated!