starbux48

There is an option under Metadata in XLD to "not overwrite already embedded images" which worked for me as my original Flac files did not have art in them but was in a .jpg file. Thanks everyone for the suggestions

Without getting into the seemingly endless debate as to formats (Aiff, Alac, Flac, Wav) I have a great deal of music still in Flac format with some converted to Alac and a bit less to Aiff. I use XLD utility on Mountain Lion OS X 10.8 and use Audirvana Plus 1.4.2 w/iTunes for playback. At the moment going analog output to a Denon receiver and probably get an HRT MusicStreamer II soon to put between the MacBook Pro and the Denon. All that being said and laid out, I would like to put my library in something like Alac or Aiff formats and also have artwork as sometimes I copy music to my iPhone for portable listening. Using XLD I just converted an album in Flac to Aiff, but it didn't take the cover.jpg artwork and put with the files as I would like. Should I go back to Alac when converting from Flac to be played on above system or another format?

Ok, maybe I'm over thinking this or thinking incorrectly. Main goal is to get as accurate music reproduction of my lossless music (mostly classical but other types too) using my MacBook Pro as the server and either FLAC, AIFF, or ALAC files as the source material. Secondary but important goal is to do this on very tiny budget. I know there have been and are many options even on limited speaker/Dac costs, but now that I've got the Audysseys it now boils down to should I use the optical input or the 3.5mm analog input to them and should I put an outboard Dac in the mix to use instead of the internal one the Mac already has? I've read many places that even on the Macs, using external Dacs like the HRT Musicstreamer II, the FiiO E10, Audinst and others will give me better reproduction (aka better soundstages, separation, etc.). I had originally planned on getting the HRT MSII Dac and maybe I should. It does output to dual RCA connectors, but why can't I get a good Dual-RCA female to male 3.5mm adapter cable and run the Mac>HRT Dac>Audysseys? That would use the HRT to do conversion from USB on the Mac, and in the future should I go back to normal integrated amp or receiver + passive speakers, I can use normal RCA interconnects. Does that sound better? Any flaws in using the dual-RCA to 3.5mm adapter cable from the HRT to the Audysseys? I can pickup the HRT for $149 approx (or the FiiO E10 for around $60), some USB cable like Belkin or Wireworld, and that won't be too much expense, but as much as I can do for the foreseeable future? One benefit to going with the E10 is its analog output is already 3.5mm so just a straight 3.5mm male to male would be needed, no adapter. It would save about $90 off the HRT which is savings I could use. I've already got some suggestions on USB cables but anyone recommend modestly priced adapter cable for Dual-RCA to 3.5mm male?

Audinst HUD MX-1. Has some very nice options. Dual headphone jacks for one. Just bought some Sennheiser headphones with 1/4" plug which this has so won't need adapter. Their website looks good and this comes directly from the manufacturer in Korea for $180. It's pushing the $ limit, but has optical out, that headphone jack, and does supposedly have a good Dac chip in it. Might be best solution as it still gives me an outboard Dac instead of the Mac's, a headphone jack that I won't need an adapter for, and the optical out.

Yet another realization/new questions. With the Firestone or MF V-Link I'm just providing a super clean output via USB, but still am using the onboard Dac chip in the MacBook Pro. My first layout I thought of was buying a USB cable, the FiiO E10, taking the coaxial digital output from the E10 and into a plain converter with coaxial in and Toslink out, then using a Toslink cable from the media convert to my speakers. (Never said but they're Audyssey LES speakers with Toslink digital and 3.5mm analog inputs). That's 3 cables (1 USB, 2 digital), the FiiO Dac, and a digital/digital converter. Just seemed like a lot, and for how much improvement? This setup of items cost around $90 to $100 which in the end is still cheaper than either the V-Link or Firestone, plus has the benefit of giving me an outboard Dac. Should I go back to Plan A? Right now I'm ready to run a Mini-Toslink to Toslink directly out from the MacBook Pro to the Audyssey speakers.

Last remaining question is which USB cable to use? I had previously been recommended Belkin Gold USB cables by the CTO of a U.S. Dac manufacturer so will likely get that but as I can't buy a very expensive one, would it still benefit me to go just a bit better than the Belkin? What about Kinder Cable, Audioquest, or other USB cables? Any under $50 that would be a step up from the cheap Belkin?

Now the fog is clearing.......Originally I "was" looking for a true DAC to get analog high-res output into a traditional analog stereo setup. Now, however, I am just wanting to get highest quality output via USB from my MacBook Pro to a Toslink/Optical Digital end. I think either the Firestone or VLinkII would be fine so I'll read on to make my choice between them. Thanks much for the information. I have nearly 0% files more than 24/96 and majority are 16/44 lossless.

I thought maybe someone here would know. I know they exist but I am on extremely limited budget. Anyone know of anywhere I can order such a device close to $100 to $125? Can't afford much more than that. Most I have found have Coaxial digital (S/PDIF?) outputs only.

After much searching, I've decided to get some Audyssey Lower East Side speakers which have both 3.5mm analog input and a Toslink digital input. My Mac output options are 3.5mm analog or optical (mini-Toslink) or USB. Originally I was going to get a Fiio Dac using the Mac's USB output to offload from the internal Dac in the MacBook Pro. Now that I'm getting the Audyssey's I'm wondering would I still benefit from an outboard USB Dac or just use the one in the Mac?

After much searching, I've decided to get some Audyssey Lower East Side speakers which have both 3.5mm analog input and a Toslink digital input. My Mac output options are 3.5mm analog or optical (mini-Toslink) or USB. Originally I was going to get a Fiio Dac using the Mac's USB output to offload from the internal Dac in the MacBook Pro. Now that I'm getting the Audyssey's I'm wondering would I still benefit from an outboard USB Dac or just use the one in the Mac?

I have finally ordered the MS II. It took awhile before I was able to even afford such an inexpensive Dac, but I know it gets very good reviews and as most of my music is in one lossless format or another, believe it will improve my sound output quality. From HRT, they only said to go into System Prefs on the Mac and choose the MS II for output but seems like some time ago I've seen other tweaks or settings maybe on this site that might be useful also. If anyone has any suggestions of anything that I can do on the Mac please post or message your suggestions please. Additionally I am using Audioengine 5+ speakers on the other end of the MS II.

Realizing you have to spend a certain amount of money to get even decent sound (at least $200+) from a computer speaker system, still I need some speakers and will not have much money to buy any right now. Have considered some HK Soundstick IIIs from Amazon, but everytime I think I find a good candidate, I read some review that removes them from consideration. I don't know why but I believed some reviews of some Logitech speakers I bought (and am returning). Muddy sound, no highs, barely any mids.

Price range I am looking at tops out around $400 and change. Can find tons of reviews on Audioengine speakers, nearly none on Kantos iPair5s, and few on any others. Want as good as this money will buy for lossless music playback from MacBook Pro, Internet radio (I know, low-fi), and running output from satellite box or my blu-ray. Music is top criteria, if they'll do that well, don't care if others are not played back that accurately. Some people mention Swan speakers. I don't care if they are active w/builtin amp or passive running off an Audioengine N22 amp externally. As of today August 22nd, 2011, any current opinions?

The space being filled is not large. Two queen beds would take up most of the space.

Hi, I will someday buy minimum HRT Music Streamer II or higher Dac, but for now may need either to go to lower priced one or just skip idea entirely. Is there any Dac from $100 down maybe to $75 or $50 that would be any better than the one builtin to my 2009 MacBook Pro? Will be running output via RCA cables to a Yamaha integrated amp + Wharfedale speakers. tks, Randy