humpty dumpty

Thank you very very much Eloise, Peter and Teresa, the information you gave me really means a lot to me!!! It's very very useful and I can't start without it! After reading all the information, I still have something don't understand, may I ask some more questions into details? Is that mean Mac and iTunes can store and play file size up to 24/192, but if I use iTunes to play these files without "add on" software, I'll have to change the output sample rate of the computer manually? Otherwise it'll down-sample these files from their original resolution to 16/44? This issue is cause by iTunes not Mac, is that right? or it's cause by Mac internal DAC? Is the result from all this add on softwares actually the same? (Because they should not modifying the data, they just open a tunnel for the HD data output without change) For the 14/66 AIFF music files, if I use iTunes to play them without add on software, can I call it Bit Perfect? Will iTunes do any modification on them? Understand, when I select the external DAC for output in Audio MIDI control panel, is the data will not converted to analog and bypass the internal DAC accordingly because of this action? May I ask do I have to do any setup on the iPod such as the Audio MiDI setup on a Mac? Is it mean if I connect an iPod to a regular DAC with the Camera Connection Kit through the USB port, it's still have a chance not working? Is iPod different from computer, even using USB to connect, a DAC may not able to recognise it? Any further setup need to do on iPad if I connect it to a regular DAC? (Such as Audio MIDI setup on a Mac) Also, may I ask can the Apple Dock do the same like the Camera Connection Kit? Understand, so the volume need to be "value":1 and "db": 0 If I use iPod/iPhone/iPad, is it goto Setting-->Music-->switch off: "Sound Check"+"EQ"+Volume Limit"? And then turn the volume to highest? Thank you, I have misunderstood some information in the beginning, now the picture is getting clear. Yes my Mac is set to 24/44 after checked, if the sample rate is set to 24/96, may I ask what will it be if I play 16/44 with it? Is it call up-sampling? Thanks again and sorry for so many questions ^^"

Hi, I'm a total dummy on computer audio system and feeling great found this website, I have checked many post here but still have some stupid questions, would anyone please help me to clarify and I'm really appreciate it: 1) I'm starting to rip my CDs and turn them to data files via my Mac, I'm using iTunes and AIFF encoder for import, and I found that all these files turn out 16bit/44.1kHz, may I ask is this resolution is maximum from CD? 2) Is iTunes only can play files within 16/44? For higher resolution music files, do I have to buy it online and play it with different software? 3) Many expert here talk about DAC here, is it stand for Digital Analog Convertor or Decoding Analog Computer? Does an additional DAC make a big different? 4) Is DAC just work right away when I plug it to my computer? or it'll need driver or I have to install a software to run it? Will it recognise iTunes or other player automatically? 5) Many expert talk about bit perfect here, can iTunes play file bit perfect? 6) I read someone mentioned "a DAC can play a file doesn't mean it can play it bit perfect", may I ask is it because of the software or the connection? 7) Besides my main computer, I have an iPod and want to use it to play my music as well, is it just like a computer and I can use USB adaptor to connect between iPod and any DAC? Is all DACs work fine in this case and able to play bit perfect? 8) Any advise when I rip my CDs? Thank you so much humpty dumpty