I have a new model Mac Mini and run Pure Music. I currently run Pure Music exclusively for the "memory play." It has helped eliminate any disk-access related hiccups from playback, but I'm not currently using it for anything else. My current USB DAC (PS Audio Digital Link III) does not support high resolution data via the USB interface. 24/96 is supported via SPDIF.
I recently upgraded from some Parasound separates to a McIntosh MA6600 and am interested in exploring the world of high resolution audio (e.g., hdtracks, etc.).
I want a new DAC, but I enjoy the process of trying different things in my system before settling on a solution.
The Empirical Audio Offramp 4 seems like the very best way to get USB out of my mini and into a format that just about any DAC I'll evaluate will be able to consume. Asynchronous USB makes a lot of sense to me and the Offramp 4 seems like the best of breed.
Is the Offramp 4 right for me?
Many of my customers use it with USB DAC's because it sounds better than the existing USB interfaces. The jitter is the real reason to get it, not necessarily to have 24/192. Several customers already had HiFace, EVO, Wavelink and others so they did shootouts.
Talk to me about all the upgrades offered. Is any one critical?
Certainly the clocks are the most important upgrade, but you can get there two ways:
1) upgrade one or both clocks
2) use the standard clock, but add the Monolith LI battery supply.
The best scenerio is of course to upgrade both clocks and then use the Monolith to power it.
The Hynes regulator helps the most if you use standard clocks.
Is there a trade-up program or anything of the like if I want ultraclocks later?
The upgrade clocks can always be added later, but the cost will be slightly higher due to the testing and measurement process. Every clock is examined for jitter and tuned for correct frequency on an RF spectrum analyzer. Then, the Off-Ramp 4 is system-tested.
Steve N.
