Gadget Guy

Here is where I am. I have changed the output settings in MIDI to "Internal Output Device" and set the quality to 24/96. I did the same for the input settings as well. The microphone no longer appears as the default. I deleted all of the AIFF files that I had created previously and set the conversion format in MAX to AIFF (Linear PCM) 24/96 (Core Audio). I re-converted my Studio Master FLAC tracks and they all show-up in iTunes, but still will not play. Only static. Interestingly, they appear as 44Hz files in iTunes and not as 96Hz. However, the test tone files that I also downloaded from the Linn website show as 88Hz and they do play. Just for a sanity check to see if the FLAC files were corrupted or not I downloaded PLAY, which plays native Hi-Rez FLAC, and the FLAC files played fine. I also used PLAY to convert the FLAC files to AIFF via MAX (they seem to integrate seamlessly) and they still showed up in iTunes as 44Hz and unplayable. So it appears as though somewhere there is another setting that needs to be changed to 24/96 so that the files end up in iTunes at 96Hz and not 44Hz. I am quite handy with PC's but this is my first MAC so I am still feeling my way around the OS. Any suggestions? Thanks, Steve

Sure enough, the microphone and 24/44 was the default. I have changed it to internal output device and 24/96. I'll plug it into my DAC when I get home and see what happens.

Chris, Under "Audio Output" on the lower right corner of the Audio MIDI Setup window it says "Output is not supported" Do I need to add an output device? Thanks, Steve

Chris, I spoke to LinnRecords and they suggected that iTunes won't play hi-rez 24/96 files. Their Help section has a blurb that says "FLAC Studio Masters play in Play and VLC, but not in Cog or MPlayer." Are the Studio Master files you converted to AIFF still 24/96 in iTunes? Also, How do I change my MIDI settings? I would like to try a player that can play hi-rez FLAC files in their native format without having to convert them. Does anyone have a suggestion or any experience with Play or VLC? http://sbooth.org/Play/ http://www.videolan.org/vlc/index.html Thanks, Steve

Chris, Just for the fun of it I went back to the LinnRecords web site and downloaded another album in FLAC by Claire Martin called "He never mentioned love" http://www.linnrecords.com/recording-he-never-mentioned-love.aspx The only difference was that this time I downloaded the FLAC 16bit 44.1kHz version instead of the higher resolution FLAC 24bit 96kHz. I converted the files to AIFF and imported them into iTunes using MAX the same way I did the other files and they play perfectly. This suggests that the problem I am having is either some setting in iTunes that is not processing the 24/96 files properly or that the files are in SACD format which requires a different player to process other than iTunes. Thoughts? Thanks, Steve To answer your question: I still have all of the original FLAC files from both albumns.

Chris, Thanks for the quick response. The only setting I had different was on the "Output" window I had Output Files "Music" which I changed to "Same as Source File" to match what you have. I deleted the songs from iTunes and re-converted the files and now I get hissing and static, which is more that I had before. I'm closer, but there is still something wrong with my set-up. This is also my first time using a Mac, so I am felling my way around. I have somehow managed to change my desktop so that I can no longer see all the application icons and widgets across the bottom and I have no idea how to put it back. I work around the block from the Apple store on 5th avenue, so I may bring it in there tomorrow to have them show me the errors of my ways. The only problem is that the store is so crowed anymore with Europeans buying everything that is not nailed down because it's half price in the US compared to European prices. Maybe I'll try a download from iTrax or Music Giants and see if that works. Thanks, Steve

OK, So I went out and bought the new Mac Book and then I went to the Linn Records website to download some hi-rez files. I downloaded: "Barb Jungr - Walking In The Sun" in Studio Master FLAC 24bit 44.1kHz. http://www.linnrecords.com/recording-walking-in-the-sun-sacd.aspx I also downloaded the two 24/44 test files. I then followed the instructions on the Linn Records web site for adding the files to iTunes using a freeware program called Max. How to play Studio Master FLAC files in iTunes Step 1: Download and unzip the following shareware program called "Max" for OSX 10 website http://sbooth.org/max Step 2: Open "max for mac" Step 3: Set following preferences - desired output format to AIFF (Linear PCM). This is the apple equivalent of uncompressed raw wav files. Also set the encoder settings to "Linear PCM" 24 Bit. You can also ellect to export a copy of the encoded files straight into iTunes under max's iTunes preferences. (If you convert to wave files they will also play but album art is not supported) Step 4: Download FLAC studio master files from Linn records in 24bit 88-96Hz format. Also download album art png file. Leave all files on desktop. Step 5: Drag all the downloaded files straight into "files to be converted" panel in Max Step 6: Hit the "Convert" button! Step 7: Open iTunes...all your files will be seen in your music library! You can check their 24bit hi-res status by selecting "info" Step 8: Play files! Whilst you are doing this drag the album png art file straight into the album art box of iTunes. I dragged all the files into the converter, hit convert and all the files showed-up in iTunes as expected. The problem I'm having is that the test files play fine, but the music files don't play. There is an initial click like sound and then a very low level hissing. I'm feeding my DAC1 via toslink (I’m replacing my old DAC1 with a new Benchmark PRE that has USB input this week) from the Mac Book and the Blue PCM light is on but still nothing. I also tried listening via the headphone jacks on the DAC1 to take the stereo system out of the equation. Is sound to me like there is a format compatibility issue with playing these files with iTunes. I'm guessing there are some settings that need to be changed in preferences that I did not find on my first glance or perhaps I need to use a different player. Could the problem be that the file is a SACD file? “The SACD layer is both 5.1 channel and 2-channel / The Studio Master files are 44.1kHz / 24 bit.” Anyone have some thoughts on how I can play these files? So close and yet so far... Thanks, Steve

Matt, Thanks for your comments. I was in the Apple store yesterday looking at the various options based on my previous post on specs vs cost and ended up with the Mac Book and a mini Toslink cable because for my needs it meant not having to buy mouse/keyboard and monitor. I'm new to Mac gear but not to iTunes where I have ripped all of my music onto a NAS in Apple Lossless. I'm now reading that AIFF is better and perhaps need to re-rip at least my favorite discs to do an A/B comparison to see if I can hear a difference. My question is when you Rip to AIFF in iTunes do you leave the settings on Auto or do you change them to the maximum settings of 48KHz, 16-Bit and Stereo? Cheers, Steve

Rick, I'm in CT and work in NYC. Where is your store? I may need a DAC1 USB. Steve

Rom661, You bring up an interesting question. I have an older DAC1, without the USB interface, and was going to connect to the Mac via its mini optical port. A few questions on that: 1. I hear that the mini optical plugs are fragile. What is your experience with them, if any? 2. Is there a debate about the sound quality differences between feeding the DAC via USB or Toslink / RCA Digital? 3. I'm looking at the Mac Mini on the Apple web site and once you get done with the monitor/keyboard/mouse... it's more expensive than the Mac Book Black or an iMac and it has a slower chip. I guess it all depends on how much space you have to work with. After looking at the stats, I wonder if the Mac Book is a better solution over the Mini? Thoughts? Mini Stats Chip: 2.0 GHz RAM: 2GB HD: 160GB Super Drive Display: 20" Keyboard/Mouse: Wireless Cost: $1,675 Mac Book Stats Chip: 2.4 GHz RAM: 2GB HD: 250GB Super Drive Display: 13" Keyboard/Mouse: Integrated Cost: $1,500 iMac Stats Chip: 2.4 GHz RAM: 2GB HD: 320GB Super Drive Display: 20" Keyboard/Mouse: Wireless Cost: $1,650 For the purposes of the comparison I basically maxxed-out the Mini and then configured the Mac Book and the iMac to get close to its specs without spending more. You could save money by buying a smaller non-Apple monitor since the 20", which is their smallest, is much bigger than you need just to manage your music.

Wow, what a great resource! I was just Googling the same question when I found this forum. Here are my thoughts/experience on the topic: I have a 2-channel system that I am happy with consisting of a rack of McIntosh gear feeding Revel Ultima Salon's via Nordost cables. I have been trying to integrate my 350GB of Apple lossless music files into my system with varying amounts of success. I started with the McIntosh MS300 music server fed into a Benchmark DAC1 via it's digital out and then via balanced connections into my tube pre-amp. The MS300 does not play Apple lossless so I had to re-rip my favorite CD's onto it in FLAC. The sound is very good but, like mentioned in a previous post, you have to go to the rack to change tunes. What is cool is that you can also rip your vinyl and even record FM radio broadcasts to the HD in the MS300 and add your own album art. Just for fun I tried the Slim Devices SqueezeBox also fed into the DAC1 via digital out and found it to be a cool toy to access the music stored on my 1TB NAS drive that is connected to my router so that no computer was necessary. It didn't sound as good as the MS300, which is wired, but the quality was still good. The problem is that it also requires going to the rack to change tunes. Then I found the Sonos system and fell in love with the controller. No more going to the rack to change tunes or adjust the volume and you can pass it around at the party and have folks pick their favorite songs. I now have a number of their ZP80 and ZP100 units around the house, in the garage and, when it's nice, out on the patio. The problem is the sound quality. Of the 3 solutions I've tried, it sounded the worst while being the most convenient. It's good for background music and playing internet radio stations, like Pandora, but there is a lot of lost detail compared with the MS300, even when I plug my NAS directly into the ZP80's ethernet jack to eliminate the wireless journey. The problem is probably a result of the Sonos being limited to just 48Khz/16-bit. I agree with the other previous post about once you make your CD collection accessible by ripping the tracks to your network, you listen to a lot more music. It's as easy as turning on your radio without the commercials and reception issues. The problem I now have is that I want the sound quality of a wired solution with the ease of use of the Sonos controller. This is what has led me to your forum and I am excited about the solution you propose of a Mac Mini fed into a DAC and controlled by an iPod Touch with Signal (which would be very similar to the Sonos controller). This sounds like it will give me the 96/24 quality I'm looking for and the ease of use. Being a Gadget Guy I'm always happy to try a new solution and learn along the way. Things that don't workout end up given to friends/family or sold on Audiogon/Craigslist/eBay (like the SqueezeBox that is boxed up on my desk as I write this). I guess I don't have a question at this point but I wanted to thank Chris and the rest of the team for making this information available on the web and to let you know that there are other folks out there who are also grappling with the same issues and are happy to share what they have found to work. Thanks, Steve