Tim-Ann

Hi there, Sorry unable to reply to my original question, travelling, oddly the Altair is supposed to support DSD 256 so now going to try other options than the Mac Mini I can attach some of my music via a USB SSD drive and then see what it will do, plus I have a Windows server so I might try that pity a waste of the Mac mini. Many thanks for all your replies, Tim.

Hi there, Just purchased an Auralic Altair to use in DSD mode the specification says the Altair can run at DSD 64/128/256 but when I've set my A+ in Audio System to DSD over PCM 1.1 it only shows DSD 64 or 128 have I done something wrong here. I'm running my music from a Mac Mini 2013, 500GB SSD, 8Gb of RAM feeding into a pair of ATC 150 towers. Software on all devices is current. Many thanks, Tim.

Thanks Jud I'd seen the team but in the UK HiFi press it gets a poor write up compared to the MDAC+ but I've seen this and thought that looks interesting Auralic Altair Streaming DAC, something oriel points to, thanks for the pointers now a few days searching for the new DAC. Tim. [h=1][/h][h=1][/h]

Hi there, £2,000 upwards but is it worth paying so much given the changes that are likely to happen in the near future, is there a streaming solution that would mean I no longer would need to use my Mac and feed from my NAS but it would need to be balanced to work with the ATC 150's. Many thanks, Tim.

Hi, chosen the correct settings and the DSD 64 is highlighted so is it playing DSD or just 24/192? But thanks guys it looks like I'm in search of a new Balanced output DAC that can play DSD and act as a volume control, any ideas out there, I'm in the UK. Many thanks, Tim.

Please can someone explain why I can only set my A+ to DSD 64 the other two settings 128 and 256 are greyed out is this a failing of my Perreaux DP32 DAC and Pre-Amp? Or are there settings I've got to change in order to achieve the higher DSD settings? Using a Mac Mini 2013 i5, 8GB RAM, SSD via USB to http://www.perreaux.com/products/audiant/audiant-dp32-usb-dac-preamplifier#specifications Many thanks, Tim.

Thanks Jud will try those options out this evening, I did think that A+ might not play or be able to access the Apple Music streamed files yet LMS and Sonos can so I do have access to them via their software and via iTunes in either stand alone mode or using the integrated mode with A+. I thought my Mac Mini might not be up to up-sampling but reading your other thread I notice you had a similar spec machine which copes comfortably with using A+ so that is good to know I could invest in 16GB of RAM if needed but it might not be necessary at this moment in time. I'm not sure about converting all my ALAC files to AIFF I have DBPoweramp so it is easily done in their batch converter I might get round to that job eventually. Now all I have to contend with is Apple's impending OS upgrade, think I'll wait on that one until the dust settles. Again many thanks for your quick response. Tim.

Hi there, I've just purchased A+ and loaded on my Mac Mini, i5 2.5Ghz with 8GB of RAM and a 500GB SSD, I'm using A+ into a Perreaux DP32 via USB. I've read most of the forums topics on Audirvana but there aren't many so far on the latest version. 1) does A+ allow me to use AppleMusic steamed tracks that are not in my main Apple music folder as MPEG-4 audio files. Im assuming that it cannot play these files. 2) am I right in believing that it is better to play A+ in standalone mode rather than use iTune Integrated mode? 3) does anyone have any pointers into setting up A+, I am only using thus far original CD's converted and stored to MPEG-4 format is that the correct format to use, I only use it for what I believe is the best format for use across my iDevices. 4) does A+ allow me to play my current music files in a better standard or format, if so how? Many thanks, Tim.

Hi there. What, this is about a known problem when connecting an Airport Express via Toslink to some DAC's it causes a lot of problems for some of us. My USB connection is fine. Hope that clarifies things for you. Tim.

Hi there, You are very fortunate that your TC serves you so well but as I have already said we live in a large Victorian house and to have Wi-Fi throughout the house on all four levels we need our system plus we have Ethernet devices connected to each device in each room it is certainly not over complexed but you are entitled to your opinion, even though you have no idea of our circumstances. It okay and we know what the problem was and have work around for now. No luck required. Thanks for your input. Tim

Hi there, We live in a large Victorian house and have two Airport Extremes and two Time Capsules plus an Airport Express with wireless turned off and an ATV3 this is all connected via Ethernet. The issue is a known jitter problem between Apple's AE DAC and is so bad it causes dropouts or if you want to call them sonic issue then so be it, more like spluttering Now I can connect my AE via its mini jack port to my DP32 DAC AUX port using phono and Airplay works with no problems I can connect my ATV3 via Toslink to my DP32 DAC and it works but the ATV3 up samples or even down samples to 48 as opposed to the standard 44.1. So I know what the issue is and we will see if Apple produce a fix but in the meantime I have a working version of Airplay should I need it. Hope this explains things suitably? Tim.

Hi there, Thanks for your replies, firstly I use a USB connection which is fine I just wanted to use Airplay occasionally hence the AE but it is not a network problem it is a DAC issue which is a known Apple issue relating to jitter, I can use a Apple ATV3 without any dropouts using Toslink and using the AE via mini jack into an Aux port into my DP32 is also fine which just verifies the DAC jitter problem. I hope this clarifies things. Tim.

Okay so I connected a mini jack analogue to two phono RCA plugs on the preamp guess what no loss of signal no drop outs all works as it should do so carried on trying loads of Toslink cables but no joy so will see what happens with the TV3 when it arrives tomorrow. But is does look as if the Toslink connection upsets something in the chain. Having read any old threads on here and on Apples sites it all points to a DAC issue, but can they fix it. Many thanks, Tim.

Hi there, I have an Apple wired router system connected to a Virginmedia 120 MB input, the Virginmedia super hub 2 is set into modem only mode it then feeds by ethernet to a new Apple 3 Gb TC then onto an airport Extreme again ethernet connection then onto a new model Airport Express again wired and then onto an older 1 GB TC still wired now we use wireless for all our Laptops and iPads and iPhones. Hopefully that explains how the network is set up my issue is with constant dropouts when using Airplay, I've given up on being able to use my iPad or iPhone to feed to the AE when I'm in the same room as the dropout are horrendous. My current setup uses my Mac Mini which is connected to a Perreaux DP32 Pre-amp/DAC via a USB cable using JRiver, Spotify, Qobuz and iTunes all works very well into a pair of ATC speakers. I then thought can I connect the Mac Mini direct to the AE and then into the the Perreaux with a mini jack to to slink cable and see if I still get the dropouts and yes I do not as bad though so please can someone explain what is going wrong or have I done something wrong? Have I got to take the ethernet out from the AE direct to the Mac Mini at the moment the Mac Mini is connected via ethernet from the TC which is fed from the AE not sure if that is what is causing the problem. Also I have to turn the Wi-Fi on, in the MM in order to see Airplay appear in the Settings/Sound options is this correct? Up to now I use the MM headless and control from iPhone or iPad or a MacBook. What I hope to do is be able to just use my iPad to Airplay Qobuz to my Hi-Fi system, to this end I've ordered an Apple TV3 which I believe may give me what I want without these horrendous dropouts. I have set the Wi-Fi to use WPA2 only something I read on an Apple forum thus far Applecare have been next to useless without any solutions I think I read somewhere that there could be an issue with the AE DAC and other DAC's is this true? Hope this is enough information. Many thanks, Tim.