Shamsky

Hi Chris:<br /> <br /> I have some 5.1 WAV files that I purchased from iTRAX that play back from my Mac to my home theater via Apple TV (iTunes - Airport Extreme - ATV - HomeTheater). This approach certainly is not to be considered "audiophile" quality (24/48), but it delivers the expected results.<br /> <br /> Your article regarding converting WAV to AIFF piqued my curiosity since the WAVs have little or no <br /> metadata capabilities (such as album art).<br /> <br /> My questions to you and your audience of experts:<br /> <br /> -Does a 5.1 AIFF format exist?<br /> -Is iTunes converting the 5.1 WAV files to a low quality AIFF? Then is this what I am hearing when I play back my 5.1 WAVs from iTunes to ATV to home theater? My AV Receiver displays the input as "DTS Surround".<br /> <br /> Finally, can MAX convert a 5.1 WAV file to 5.1 AIFF or is the software limited to 2.0 conversions?<br /> <br /> Thank you for this excellent source of information.<br /> Shamsky

Jason,<br /> <br /> I guess that I also qualify as a beginner audiophile (and loving every minute of it!).<br /> <br /> When I pass a 5.1 DTS-WAV file via i-tunes, Apple TV serves as a pass through to my Denon AVR receiver (via toslink only). The Denon AVR 3805 has "middle of the road' quality DACs that perform the conversion. The Apple TV can only pass a maximum 16/48 source for 2-channel and 5.1 surround. The sound quality of this setup is equivalent to a 24/48 DVD-A disk played from my Denon Universal player (at least to my ears).<br /> <br /> For 24/96 2-channel, you may also want to consider the Slimdevices (now Logitech) Transporter. Your computer can then reside in a separate room away from your AV equipment, eliminating noise generated from your computer hardware.<br /> <br /> For external DACs, the pros on this site can guide you to the best setup to fit your requirements.<br /> <br /> And question to the experts:<br /> <br /> Can a 24/96 source pass successfully from an external DAC (such as a Benchmark) to a pre-amp or AVR via analog interconnects? Or must the connection between DAC to PreAmp remain digital (ethernet, toslink, Denon D-Link3, etc)?<br /> <br /> Sincerely,<br /> <br /> Shamsky<br />

Chris - Thanks, I now get it on the 24/96 setup.<br /> <br /> BTW, if you want to pass a wireless N signal to your Benchmark, you can pick up an Apple TV. Your router can communicate to the Apple TV, then run an optical cable out of the Apple TV to the optical input of the Benchmark.<br /> <br /> I am using this type of setup to send iTrac 5.1 DTS files (minus the DAC) to my AVR receiver and it works great. When the source files are of excellent quality, even the crappy DACs in my receiver produce decent sound.<br /> <br /> Thanks again for all of the helpful information.<br /> <br /> Shamsky

Hi Chris - Thanks for pointing me to the DAC section in the forum. Most of these articles deal with their capabilities including USB support for various SACD, Audio DVD, and other output hardware devices. <br /> <br /> My question to stay on topic with 24/96 from a download provider to a computer is how to pass this file unaltered to your audio system.<br /> <br /> I know that the Slim Server will pass a 24/96 to the Slimdevices Transporter either via WiFi or Ethernet, then analog convert (balanced or unbalanced) to the AVR receiver or pre-amp that accepts the 24/96. But how does your computer pass through the 24/96 to your Benchmark DAC without altering it? <br /> <br /> Do you have a special audio card in your computer with a USB out? <br /> <br /> What software player/manager are you using for your Mac / PC / Etc. that supports 24/96 FLAC or AIFF? <br /> <br /> Is your computer stacked with your audio equipment in the same room?<br /> <br /> I hope that I did not make your head explode with all of these questions, but my point is whether members of this forum using external DACs are truly hearing 24/96 output from online resources like HDtracks, Music Giants, Linn, etc.<br /> <br /> Shamsky<br />

I am curious what equipment that fellow computer audiophiles are using to play these 2 channel 96khz/24bit file downloads. The only player that I am aware of that will output downloaded 96khz/24bit AIFF and FLACs is Slimdevices Transporter via their Slim Server software.<br /> <br /> BTW, a 5.1 multi-channel Transporter is very high on my future wish list. I hope that Slim Devices is checking out this forum.<br />

Does anyone know if HDtracks will be offering DRM free 5.1 downloads? The only other service that currently offers DRM free 5.1 downloads that I am aware of is iTrax.com.<br /> <br /> By the way, 5.1 files from iTrax sound great streaming from my iMac to my Apple TV then to my home theatre via optical cable (I purchased the download in DTS format).