JeffreyW

deho, That is one serious looking power supply! I'll put this upgrade on the list of things to do together with the SSD. Thanks....

Deho, Interesting that you observe a greater improvement with a linear PSU. Perhaps you could share your experience: * What are the sonic differences * How did you do the upgrade: Which model Voltcraft, and is it usable off the shelf, or were modifications needed? Thanks....

Hi deho Have you tried changing the offending music files to "Gapless Album" using Get Info in the File menu of iTunes? Curious: did the SSD make a significant different to the sound? I am thinking of adding SSD to my Mac Mini.

Hi azzamach, Memory mode preloads the next track into RAM and then plays the track from RAM rather than the hard disk. To my ears, memory play mode is better: more grain free and more air. While 2Gb of RAM is enough, it may not be optimal in some cases. I have found that playing a long high resolution track, one runs into problems of not being able to load everything. For example, a large classical piece, in gapless mode, at 24/88.2 takes up more memory than available even on my 4gb Mini. But this only occurs on very huge tracks, which will be unusual. 2gb should be plenty for most jazz/pop tracks which are short. Overall I have found Pure Music to sound better than straight iTunes even on normal 16/44 music, especially in memory play mode. Also check out Hog mode, it improves sound as well.

I dowloaded the Mahler 6, and the Ravel Daphnis et Chloe in 24/88 AIFF format. Both files are in HDCD according to my Berkeley Alpha DAC. Both enjoyable renditions. Good sound, though slightly dry. Excellent value. Mac Mini, iTunes+Pure Music, Weiss AFI1, Berkeley Alpha, Dartzeel pre and amp, Wilson Maxx2

Hi Chris,<br /> <br /> Yes, the correct audio output device is showing on the left side.<br /> Yes, when I change the sample rate in AMS, the Alpha display registers a change in sample rate display immediately. <br /> No, I did not change the filter. The Alpha is correctly choosing 1.16 and 1.24 as appropriate.<br /> Bit-correct HDCD at 16/44.1 is no problem, I get that without PM, and I get that whether I use the built in optical out or the AFI1.<br /> <br /> I rebooted the alpha and the AFI1. No change in behaviour.<br /> <br /> Have you tested bit correctness at 24/96 or 24/176 in Mac/iTunes without Amarra, PM or other software?<br />

Hi Chris,<br /> <br /> No offence taken at all. Appreciate the dialogue.<br /> <br /> Not only did I try quitting iTunes from the menu by selecting Quit iTunes, I also tried the following:<br /> <br /> 1. Cold boot the Mac<br /> 2. Select Audio Midi Setup and configure the Weiss AFI1 to 96/24<br /> 3. Launch iTunes, and play RR's Exotic Dances from the Opera download which is in 96/24.<br /> <br /> No HDCD light on the Berkeley Alpha.<br /> <br /> I repeated 1-3, but this time for step 2, chose to output to the built in optical output, selecting 96/24 again. Got the same no HDCD result.<br /> <br /> When I launch Pure Music, I do get the HDCD light on this recording.<br /> <br /> Come to think of it, probably something to do with the bit depth rather than the sampling frequency.<br /> <br /> Chris, do you have a similar Mac-Berkeley setup and RR samples, and are you able to get the HDCD light on without Amarra/Pure Music? If so, then clearly my conclusions are wrong.

Hi Chris,<br /> <br /> No offence taken at all. Appreciate the dialogue.<br /> <br /> Not only did I try quitting iTunes from the menu by selecting Quit iTunes, I also tried the following:<br /> <br /> 1. Cold boot the Mac<br /> 2. Select Audio Midi Setup and configure the Weiss AFI1 to 96/24<br /> 3. Launch iTunes, and play RR's Exotic Dances from the Opera download which is in 96/24.<br /> <br /> No HDCD light on the Berkeley Alpha.<br /> <br /> I repeated 1-3, but this time for step 2, chose to output to the built in optical output, selecting 96/24 again. Got the same no HDCD result.<br /> <br /> When I launch Pure Music, I do get the HDCD light on this recording.<br /> <br /> Come to think of it, probably something to do with the bit depth rather than the sampling frequency.<br /> <br /> Chris, do you have a similar Mac-Berkeley setup and RR samples, and are you able to get the HDCD light on without Amarra/Pure Music? If so, then clearly my conclusions are wrong.

Sharing some experiences with trying to get bit perfect output from my Mac, which readers may find useful<br /> <br /> 1. Itunes 9.1/ OSX 10.6.3 outputs bit perfect at 44.1/16, but NOT higher sample rates, unless additional software (such as Pure Music or Amarra is used). I have verified this doing all the prescribed steps: adjust Audio Midi sample rate and bit depth, then relaunch itunes, set volume at maximum. Verification of bit perfection was via playback of HDCD/HRx files, and using the HDCD indicator on the Berkeley Alpha.<br /> <br /> 2. With Pure Music installed, the HDCD indicator lights up on HRx 176/24 and 96/24 Reference Recording files.<br /> <br /> <br /> Mac Mini Firewire to Wiess AFI1, Berkeley Alpha, Dartzeel Pre/Main, Wilson Maxx2, TNT HRX, Krell 505

Hi Bill,<br /> <br /> With the Berkeley Alpha DAC, it is easy to check if the SPDIF is at 16 or 24 bits. Simply press the Mode button till the Filter light is lighted. The display will either show "1.16" or "1.24" <br /> <br /> Geoff

Hi Chris,<br /> <br /> Thanks for the reply.<br /> <br /> I tried shutting down itunes, changing the sample rate to 176/24 in Audio Midi, then relaunching itunes. Still no HDCD indicator light on the Alpha when playing Hrx wav files from the Hrx Sampler. <br /> <br /> As an aside, changing the sample rate back to 44.1 in Audio Midi while itunes was still running. still resulted in an HDCD light on, when playing 44.1 HDCD tracks, contrary to some of experiences reported.<br /> <br /> This weekend I'll try Pure Music to see if that helps.

The HDCD indicator light on my Berkeley Alpha lights on 44.1 HDCD recordings from Reference Recordings, but it does not light when playing back the Hrx Sampler which came with the Alpha. I am playing the original Wav files off the DVD. The sound of the Hrx Sampler is fantastic, but no HDCD indicator light.<br /> <br /> Does this mean my system is not bit perfect on Hrx? Also does anyone know if the 96/24 and 88/24 Reference recordings use HDCD<br /> <br /> <br /> Mac Mini (March 2010 model), firewire to Weiss AFI1, AES/EBU to Berkeley alpha. Dartzeel pre and main amp, Wilson Maxx2<br /> TNT HRX