Gordon

Thanks Poo, I've been using the grouping option you mention and would prefer not to create a bunch more smart groups. Figured I'd ask and thanks again for your input. I guess that in the back of my mind, it might seem that many would welcome a feature like this as there is so much crossover in so many genres; ie Coltrane's early recorings with other artists, Ozzy and Black Sabbath, etc. I guess no matter how many conveniences computer based storage offers (and that's why I made the switch; it is so convenient) we will always come up with new wants. That's all I want, perfect fidelity and perfect convenience not too much to ask, is it?

Can anyone provide some advice for iTunes? I'd like, for example, Paul Westerberg to show up as Artist-Westerberg but maybe also in The Replacements or John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers "with Eric Clapton" to show up with Mayall but also with Clapton but for the 2nd Bluesbreakers album "A Hard Road" to show up with Mayall but also with Fleetwood Mac (for Peter Green). I know I can do this if I use the search box in the top right of iTunes. I'm more interested in having them show up this way in the Artist field. Any thoughts? In other words, can a single album or song show up in two artist lists (without using the search box) and if so, how? Thanks Gordon

Frank, I have a Sonic Frontiers SFCD1. Good in its time but it is at least 10 years old. Don't get me wrong, I like it but I guess I figured that 10 or more years would have given a lot of development time to other DACs. I in no way want to bash the Nixon DAC. I bought it several years ago before I found this site, outboard consumer DACs were relatively new and it has functioned problem-free. But both Chris and you touch on something I had suspected. If I infer correctly, you are both implying that at this point, the weak link is more likely to be my DAC than my computer. Chris, considered the Bryston but much of the appeal of computer audio is convenience so a volume remote is really appealing and additionally would allow me to remove my preamp from the chain. And though I don't think this preamp is a sonic liability, if I can remove something from the signal path, I'd prefer to do it. If I go the Lynx route chris, will I need to have balanced INPUTS on the DAC? My question is from the Lynx card, what is the simplest/cleanest output connector? It looks like the Lynx comes with, oh, I don't know, about ten XLRs. What's a non-engineer to do? BTW Chris, just to confirm... The power pc chips in my G5 vs. Intel chips are not a problem? I had an annoying chirping noise and would remind anyone else out there to uncheck "allow naps" in the processor control panel. I believe that this is specific to the power pc chips. Thanks again to all for responding and preventing me pursuing dead-ends. Gordon

I just can't get the sound. I read about you guys getting superior sound from computer playback and so I believe it must be possible but I am nowhere close. Two recent threads mentioning the appeal of G5s prompted this appeal to any of you for help. I'm using a Power Mac G5 (dual 2GHz Power PC 970 processors-not Intel) with 3.5 gig RAM. All rips are uncompressed from CDs in WAV at 16/44.1 using error correction. I'm using ITunes on the G5 (I only use the Mac for ITunes and have removed a lot of programs) and all music is stored on external terabyte WD hard drives (backed up on other WD hard drives using time machine). I'm 99% sure my midi settings are correct because I've been hoping that I had something amiss there and have checked them repeatedly against the advice on this site. Signal is fed through Kimber usb (with ferrites removed) to Nixon USB tube dac (Nixon dac has usb input only) to Sonic Frontiers SFL1 Signature preamp to Classe CA 300 amp to Krell Reference 3 speakers. I've also tried the various usb ports on the G5 and believe I have it on the best one (front port) as I've seen recommended here as well. Bottom line-bright, compressed, honky and two dimensional. My CD player into the preamp crushes this. I have Itune's and the machine's volume at max but, frankly, without using iTune's equalizer it is painful to listen to. I've considered changing to a mac mini (in case the G5 with power PC chips is the problem and Intel chips will be better); changing the Nixon DAC to a Benchmark USB HDR (twofer-better? DAC and eliminate the preamp); but lately I've read of some of you espousing the G5 with a Lynx card (not express-got it). Basically, the Lynx card or the mac mini cost about the same (but I'll still be limited to usb output only because of the Nixon dac) or I could just replace the dac with a Benchmark which would allow me to try other non-usb connections if non-asynchronous usb (acknowledgments to the other Gordon, fount of knowledge) is the problem. I'd hate to drop $2k for the benchmark and not notice much difference if the processor chips or the soundcard are the problem. I noticed another reference to Tiger vs. Lepoard (I'm using 10.5.7 which I believe is Leopard) I'm kind of familiar with audiophile and definitely expect the 80/20 rule-diminishing returns here but like I said, I'm not even in the ballpark. I just feel that I must be missing something pretty basic. Is there something inherently wrong with what I've got? I'll happily provide any further information and would love any advice on which way to lean particularly from others who are using G5s with power pc chips. My goal, as is all or yours, is perfect sound but for now, I'm just trying to get to good and restore some faith in computer audio. Thanks Gordon

I'm currently running a Mac Pro G5 through a Scott Nixon Tube DAC and am about to upgrade the DAC. Currently, my Mac, which has the Apple/MAC processors, not Intel chips, limits my importing and playback to 16/48. I had assumed that the DAC was what was limiting me to 16/48 and that by upgrading to another DAC, I would be able to use 24/96 settings. But I think I noticed something which stated that only the Macs with Intel processors were capable of 24/96. So I assume that the Mac processors are not. Any insights out there? Thanks, Gordon