Bobby

Thanks for all of the input! I think I'll just buy an SA-CD player. Does anybody have any suggestions there? My system consists of: Mac mini running iTunes with all AIFF files Benchmark DAC 1 PRE Parasound A21 power amp, 400 watts RMS x 2, 4 ? Wilson Duette speakers

Thank you all for helping me to understand this issue!

If I can't Rip SA-CDs, Is there an inexpensive, good quality SA-CD player that will allow me to bypass its internal DAC and use my Benchmark DAC1 PRE for anti -jitter and digital-to-analog conversion?

I am interested in ripping my SA-CDs, but I don't know if it can be done or how to do it. Can anyone help? Thanks!

I ripped my CDs to itunes in AIFF. They sound great playing through my Benchmark DAC 1 Pre. When I put them on my new iPhone and played them in my car using the integrated ipod jack, they sound harsh. They also sound bad playing on my Shure earbuds or Bose QuietComfort headphones. I don't have this problem with my old ipod. Could the DAC on the iPhone be worse than the old ipod DAC. Am I doing something wrong? Thanks!

Chris, Thanks again for the prompt response! I've been to the Met's site. I don't see any HD opera downloads available. I'm wondering why the other HD sites have no opera. Bobby

Does anybody know where I can find high definition opera downloads? Thanks

Poo, I agree. What kind of speakers are you using? I'm looking for speakers and trying to find a good match. Bobby

Chris, I went to the Benchmark Wiki and got it all set up. I'm ripping and listening now and it sounds great! Thanks for your help! Bobby

Chris, Thank you for your quick response and for clearing this up for me; and thank you for such an outstanding resource! You've done a great job with this site. I recently bought a Benchmark DAC1 Pre to use with my Mac Mini. I plan to use it as a DAC and a headphone amp. Is there anything else I should be doing to optimize the quality of the music? I'm planning to try music from HDtracks and iTrax as soon as I get the basics figured out. Thanks again! Bobby

I am just getting started ripping my CD collection on a Mac mini running Mac w/ OS X 10.5.6 with iTunes 8.0.2. I have configured the Audio MIDI Setup for 96000.0 Hz and 2ch-24bit. I set the import setting in iTunes to rip AIFF files with error correction and auto Sample Rate, auto Sample Size and auto Channels. When I rip CDs, I get a Sample Size of 16 bit. Shouldn't this be 24 bit? Am I doing something wrong? I'm new to lossless ripping. I've never used anything but MP3s and an ipod. Thanks in advance for your help! Bobby