csd455

Whew! Sounds like my ripping was done correctly, despite being in ALAC, so thanks for the feedback MusicTrax. <br /> <br /> Just curious though, why does an AIFF file will have identical bit rates identified, but ALAC is variable?

I'm pretty dissapointed as I just completed ripping about 300 cd's prior to reading Chris's article. I ripped everything to ALAC via Max. Until now, I was confident that I had at least done a good job in ensuring bit:bit ripping. Now I'm not so sure, especially after reading the last post. Can someone help with the following questions:<br /> <br /> --My freshly ripped ALAC files have varying bit rates (typically 800-1100 kbps) listed in iTunes and are slightly different by song. Is that normal? Sample rate on all are 44.1. I did convert a few 24/96 files (downloaded FLAC's, not CD's) to AIFF, and they all read 2116kbps identically.<br /> --Can I convert the ALAC files to AIFF (working) and FLAC (archived files), or does this present any basic problems since the "original" file is now ALAC?<br /> <br />

Yeah, I did notice that pesky Soundflower extension. If fact, first time I pushed play on the iPad after installing, music was coming through my ipad instead of my system so it automatically chose Soundflower as the output device. I will uninstall per your instructions...no need for it.

I read all the posts on Splashtop and started using last night. It's a huge improvement in screen resolution and basic functionality on my ipad vs. the iTap VNC I was using. A couple issues though, not sure if others have had:<br /> <br /> -Sometimes takes three or four attempts to connect upon opening the app.<br /> -Was experiencing some 1 second music "drops" when switching back into ipad apps while music was playing. (using Pure Music for playback).<br /> <br /> I know maybe I shouldn't be switching in and out of ipad functions as it appears that quits the splashtop application and am thinking this is the issue. But, not sure if this is what's really causing the drops or stutters, or maybe it's PM settings. Just kind of nice to read CA posts while I'm listening on the sofa!

I recently purchased a McIntosh C48 preamp (along with MC302 amp and Sonus Faber Cremona M's), and have a USB from my Mac Mini into the preamp, which obviously has a DAC. I'm considering an upgrade "tweak" by using a QB9 instead of the DAC in the McIintosh. Just wondering if the difference in sound would really be that great and worth the extra $2500 for the QB9??

Can somebody point out to me where you find "audio midi" output settings or display in itunes? Or where it "shows" in itunes that something is playing at a particular sample rate? I'm experimenting/comparing Pure Music, Audrivana, Amarra and Decibel. Decibel does not show an output rate that I can find (but I find it the easiest interface to work with). Pure Music shows "native sample" rate in the progress bar, but doesn't necessarily mean that's what it's playing at. When you choose new tracks with higher rates, there is a quick flash (barely enough time to read) showing the change in sample rate. There is a reset button, that restarts Pure Music, and it announces a sample rate, which I believe is the last rate it was set to. Ammara shows a rate, but who knows...this one I find impossible to understand how it is queueing music, let alone what it's playing at. With Audirvana, it shows bit and sample rate, and those rates change as you switch files with different rates. I like that with Audrivana, I am playing the file from the file source, rather than through the iTunes interface. I guess it gives me the most reassurance nothing's changed/upsampled/downsampled. You just don't get the nifty cover art, etc with iTunes in the background. With any of the above, I just want to make sure I am playing a track in native sample rates at all times. Drives me nuts thinking I'm listening to a 24/96 track, but oh wait, maybe I'm not because I'm not sure what these players are really doing!

Thanks again for the world of information and Bill is right, you have two killer setups! So, I fussed all day about getting this going and how so I just dove in, went down to the Mac store and bought a Mini with hopes of picking up an iPad as well, but my local Phoenix store was sold out of them for the day. I'll have to head back tomorrow after they restock. I'll tackle and navigate the iPad tomorrow. So I have the Mini basically up and running and for now and have an HDMI into my HDTV. I'll just stream into apple TV via my home theater receiver so I have a chance to play around with things until all the new audio gear arrives and I run a USB into the C48. (I'm actually not sure what an SPDIF is, or how that connects from Mini to C48 as you posted earlier). My hope is to get the hardware and libraries setup so the computer/source end of things is ready to go when the REALLY cool gear gets here. As I'd mentioned before, I have an iMac, which is where my current iTunes library is. I'm assuming I should rebuild/copy the library in the new Mini, which will now be the server, rather than share/stream from iTunes in the iMac Is there any words of wisdom on performing this task? Should I access the iMac iTunes library via file sharing and copy into the Mini's library? Sorry for all the questions...despite lots of reading and research, I'm still a beginner.

AutoFormer - Thanks for the valuable info, photo and links...especially since I will have very similar equipment (delivered next week: C48>MC302>Sonus Faber Cremona M). A few questions/comments on your post: Until I read your post, I did not know the C48/C50 could handle 24/96 through any port, (you say they will via optical) but did know there will be a Mcintosh update sometime this summer so sounds like I should have an optical option as well until that happens. I too have always maintained a directory with original FLACS that have been primarily downloaded. Ripped, I just convert to ALAC and file into iTunes libarary. I was trying some of the free demo's of Amarra and PureMusic (just playing through my iMac) last night and was confused as to output bit/depth matching original file. Seems you have to restart in order for them to play in another file with a different sample rate than the last. I will try Decibel as it sounds more straightforward. From what I can tell, I want playback to match the source sample/bit depth. (actually, I'm not sure if upsampling is desired?) Lastly, it looks like you have two screen sharing programs running, one for iPad and one for the Macbook. Is this necessary due to the different OS's? Would that be necessary if I ran a Mac Mini? Please advise.

I notice in your gear, you have the upgraded Mini with 4G RAM and way more storage. How important you think to upgrade over the basic Mini? I have the other "McIntosh" expenses to deal with...to bad they don't sell for for $799! Also, I do have AppleTV (streaming from my iMac) already so know the joy of seeing album artwork on the big screen. Whole point of this project though is to move away from current streaming into my home theater, and move up to higher end 2-channel with direct USB.

I like "mwheelerk's" idea of running an HDMI from a Mac Mini to my HDTV, along with a wireless keyboard and mouse for accessing all functions of the mini, (including playback I assume). With a 58" plasma as a monitor, probably no need for an iPad (well, there's always a "need" for more gear, right?) I just got done working more on file conversion with MAX and figured out how to convert high rez FLACS to ALAC or AIFF at 24 bit. I'm sure I can search to find an answer to this--and perhaps it's hotly debated--but for time savings: is there an advantage/disadvantage to ALAC vs. AIFF?

Thanks for the feedback. I was under the impression that Amarra and PureMusic would play high-res Flacs seemlessly (no space between tracks) without conversion or creating a playlist, and it's true that both are not ideal. I currently have been converting these files to ALAC (.m4a) so I can play through iTunes, (or burning as DVD-Audio...again a lot of hassle) but my understanding is that when I convert to ALAC for iTunes, my file is no longer a 24/96, which is the major driver to going Amarra or PM...playing the file natively. I've read some good reviews on Decibel but there seems to be much less talked about than the others. Still not sure which way to go on the hardware side. Maybe best to bring one of the options home and work with it. If one doesn't work, I'm sure Apple has a decent exchange policy.

I am working on setting up a new computer audio system and need help with recommendations of hardware and software to meet my objectives. I will have a new McIntosh C48 preamp which has a USB input and DAC. I would like to be able to sit on my sofa--12 feet from the audio rack--and control playback of iTunes and high-rez flac files from either an iPad/Mac Mini (which can be positioned next to the C48) or a Mac Book Pro. I like the option of controlling with the iPad/Mac Mini so that I do not have to string a USB 12 feet accross the room (actually would need about a 15 foot USB...probably not ideal?) to a MacBook. I plan to use either Pure Music or Amarra for playback. I also currently have an iMac (10.6), and Airport Extreme. The iMac is in my office, far from the audio rooom. It would also be nice to web surf and download music while I'm listening and controlling playback from the sofa, but sounds like I cannot have it all with the iPad/Mini option. What's my best option?