Who uses Mac?

Bemopti123 · « **Reply #20 on:** 22 Feb 2007, 03:12 am »

Mostly, when the Slimserver was idle for any period of time, I had to continue trouble shooting, therefore, I needed to access the network setting etc.... over and over again. Although any sort of "sleep mode" can cause an occasional freeze, the Slimserver and perhaps its overall sound, just did not cut it for me. Perhaps I did not tweak it enough or add an outside DAC. I had the Slim device RCA out into my system. Another major issue I had with it was the layout of the software in terms of album etc... When I thought I put the entire library to play randomly, it would play either 1 song or 10, not continuous. I am sure there was a way of achieving this, but it was not intuitive.

In contrast, Itunes, at least navigation wise, it is dumb proof, can make lists out of the blue and allows more flexibility in many ways...and now, I am using a dedicated USB+DAC unit. I think this DAC unit, I have not heard other USB DACs, but for what I paid for it, makes my dedicated transport + DAC, not nearly as clean. Perhaps I am interpreting an aberration in the higher frequencies of the USB+DAC as "cleanliness, but for what I can tell, it seems to add another octave in the higher frequency.

I do wonder whether there are too many variables that were changed on flight as I try the computer server route. The USB+DAC is oversampling, while my other DAC is non oversampling. Digital cords vs silver coated copper for the RCA connectors to the preamp might be another reason.

I have my head scratching what is the major difference between FLAC encoding and Apple Lossless. I am sure it has to do with some kind of software coding for each. Although I continuously read about the sonic advantages of FLAC, I have yet to see an "empirical" or well controlled blind test between all formats, so maybe a lot of these differences we hear might really be subjective opinions etc...

Paul

Double Ugly · « **Reply #21 on:** 22 Feb 2007, 03:36 am »

With regards to sound quality, I doubt I would have stuck w/ the SB (and later Transporter) had both not been modified. The stock SB2 did little for me, but the full enchilada from Bolder Cable was a completely different animal. Shoot, even the lowly "Basic" (or "Rev. 1" mod as its now known) was a major step up.

As for this -

Quote from: Bemopti123 on 22 Feb 2007, 03:12 am

Although I continuously read about the sonic advantages of FLAC, I have yet to see an "empirical" or well controlled blind test between all formats, so maybe a lot of these differences we hear might really be subjective opinions etc...

You may be right, but like I said, I wanted Apple Lossless to win. When in my "subjective opinion" it didn't, I tried different discs and different settings, but the result was always the same. I even tried my ripping software (MAX), but nothing changed but the method of ripping.

And as you noted, I'm not the only one to prefer FLAC. Still, my opinion and those of others who agree constitute nothing more than a few data points. But w/o empirical data to quantify the differences (if any), I'll stick with my opinion, flawed or not.

-Jim

Christof · « **Reply #22 on:** 22 Feb 2007, 04:12 am »

Jim-

Quote

You may be right, but like I said, I wanted Apple Lossless to win. When in my "subjective opinion" it didn't, I tried different discs and different settings, but the result was always the same. I even tried my ripping software (MAX), but nothing changed but the method of ripping.

Interesting that you find a difference between the Apple lossless and Flac I do not have my system set-up to the point where I would be able to discern any differences. Certainly those Timepieces help reveal any subtle differences, good or bad. Too bad iTunes cannot utilize Flac files. If it could utilize Flac I wonder if there would be any sonic differences between your approach and the approach that Paul and I are using?

Paul-

Quote

In contrast, Itunes, at least navigation wise, it is dumb proof, can make lists out of the blue and allows more flexibility in many ways...and now, I am using a dedicated USB+DAC unit. I think this DAC unit, I have not heard other USB DACs, but for what I paid for it, makes my dedicated transport + DAC, not nearly as clean. Perhaps I am interpreting an aberration in the higher frequencies of the USB+DAC as "cleanliness, but for what I can tell, it seems to add another octave in the higher frequency.

This is with the Headroom USB Dac, correct? How do you navigate through your music using a mini? I assume you have a screen located by your system and use Front Row? I have an iMac sitting front and center and my signal has only a 0.5m journey via firewire to my DAC. Nothing wireless in my system.

Bemopti123 · « **Reply #23 on:** 22 Feb 2007, 04:29 am »

My small music room also has a table with some computers. The Mini is connected via an USB extender to the Micro DAC. There is nothing wireless here. I cannot discern any different between longer runs of USB wires and shorter ones. I tried the Micro DAC via Itunes in my Powerbook G4 directly into a TVC and then, into OP chip monoblocks then to FTA-2000 loudspeakers. The sound was about the same there as in the audio room, which has an entirely different set up and loudspeakers.

Maybe I need to concentrate all my best components into one room and then, compare the sound difference between cables and different, alternative compressions in Itunes or other software.

The biggest or the most critical component in the chain, my First Sound Paramount MKII is boxed. It along with the Micro DAC into whatever amplifier/speaker might be a lot more revealing.

For what it is worth, either system sounds rather awesome with the Itunes/Micro DAC.

refmedia · « **Reply #24 on:** 22 Feb 2007, 03:45 pm »

I am guilty of using a mac, I like and have PC's too... just prefer the mac for most things. I use a Mini and a Powerbook to stream to an Airport Express that is connected via toslink to a DEQ2496 and I primarily use apple lossless. I am going to experiment with Max and flac but I am surprisingly happy with apple lossless.
Matt

acd483 · « **Reply #25 on:** 21 Mar 2007, 01:29 pm »

I've got a digital audio Mac Mini w/ a 250 GB Lacie matching hard drive. What a great combo!

I use .aiff over Apple Lossless. Haven't tried FLAC.

I see no point in the wireless music transports when Airport Express does digital so well.

Christof · « **Reply #26 on:** 22 Mar 2007, 12:46 am »

Luigi · « **Reply #27 on:** 22 Mar 2007, 01:18 am »

I recently bought my son a Mac Mini with the duocore Intel chip and a Superdrive to get him off skateboarding. It worked - he broke his ankle! Now he sits and watches skateboarding videos on U-tube at every waking moment he's not meant to be doing school work.

Ive always had Macs. They have almost never gone wrong. My significant other has always had PCs. Lately they've been good, but they were always crapping out when the boys used them for playing games on line. So she wont let them use the PC anymore! hence, the Mac minis, and these have been great. Quiet as too. And sooo tiny.

SET Man · « **Reply #28 on:** 22 Mar 2007, 01:23 am »

Quote from: acd483 on 21 Mar 2007, 01:29 pm

...I use .aiff over Apple Lossless. Haven't tried FLAC.

Hey!

Me too!

With HDD getting cheaper every day I just feel that there is no reason for me to use any type of Lossless compression.

Although I've never really seriously try to compared the AIFF vs. Apple Lossless. I did a quick one and I must say I can't really tell if can hear any different.

So, I think I could say that Apple Lossless is pretty good

Anyway, I'm still spinning my CD most of time since my HDD set up still up to the task right now.... I need a better way to out put the signal to my DAC than using a el cheapo M-Audio "Transit" and 12' long glass optical

I'm not really into wireless music transport right now and I don't I will anytime soon. What I have now seem to work fine

Take care,
Buddy

Christof · « **Reply #29 on:** 30 Mar 2007, 07:16 pm »

I just switched my Mac setup a bit and I could not be more happy. I swapped out the my M-Audio Firewire Audiophile for a Firestone USB Fubar and Supplier PS. While this did not create a big noticable improvement, the new DAC is a USB plug and play device vs. the M-Audio which is more of a studio device and has a computer interface. I also added a new pair of SP Tech Timepiece 2.1's to my system at the same time which did create obvious improvement over my Abby speakers...apples and oranges I guess.

Anyone know how long I can run a USB cable without causing problems? I would like to get my computer about 12' away from my system.

konut · « **Reply #30 on:** 30 Mar 2007, 09:06 pm »

That shouldn't be a problem. They even make extension/repeater cables.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=103&cp_id=10303&style=

Levi · « **Reply #31 on:** 3 Dec 2007, 05:59 pm »

I just bought a MacBook Pro with Mac OSX "Leopard" in it. I plan to load all my music files in it from my other PC and probably use one of my usb audio converter to stream music and such. Let shall see.

mcullinan · « **Reply #32 on:** 3 Dec 2007, 08:05 pm »

Ive been using Mac since those days when you had to walk a mile to school and dinos roamed free.

I have a Quad G5 at home, just bought a Macbook for the wife..
My first Mac was a 7100, back in the day.
Mike

Levi · « **Reply #33 on:** 3 Dec 2007, 08:10 pm »

I am with you with the mac awhile back then migrated into pc for business...I really love that lemonade game. Hmmm...

Quote from: mcullinan on 3 Dec 2007, 08:05 pm

just bought a Macbook for the wife..

That's what I told everyone

. It sure has that WAF!

Levi · « **Reply #34 on:** 3 Dec 2007, 08:13 pm »

WAF!

Mine came with Mac OSX 10.4, one quick call to Apple and they are sending me the 10.5 "Leopard'! FREE!!

mcullinan · « **Reply #35 on:** 3 Dec 2007, 08:16 pm »

Quote from: Levi on 3 Dec 2007, 08:10 pm

I am with you with the mac awhile back then migrated into pc for business...I really love that lemonade game. Hmmm...

Quote from: mcullinan on 3 Dec 2007, 08:05 pm
just bought a Macbook for the wife..

That's what I told everyone . It sure has that WAF!

I remember the lemonade game! Fun. I am using Leapord now, its not much different than 10.4. It feels a bit speedier and has a few nice functions like Time Machine.
Also I use Apple Lossless codec to aiff at SB.

Sweet pics.. It is a beautiful computer.

Mike

Robert57 · « **Reply #36 on:** 3 Dec 2007, 10:05 pm »

I'm eagerly waiting till Macworld in mid January before upgrading my old G3 Mac, probably to a maxed-out Mac Mini or a Macbook Pro. I've heard some very scary reports of freezes and crashes, with Mac apps, with the latest Leopard OS, even on some newer Mac Pro towers. I hope Apple irons out these bugs fast. I'd be interested in hearing any other experiences with Leopard, particularly running SlimServer and iTunes. It would be great to upgrade to a new Mac, with a new Leopard OS, and try out the beta SqueezeCenter for my SB2's, all in one furious binge come January. I'm probably courting big headaches, though.

Rob

dmckean · « **Reply #37 on:** 3 Dec 2007, 11:25 pm »

I do. And I use an Apple TV for music.

nicksgem10s · « **Reply #38 on:** 3 Dec 2007, 11:38 pm »

Hi Levi,

I am typing this on the same machine. I have had my MBP for about 9 months and it is my 3rd Mac. It is really a nice machine and it is also a big part of my hifi.

I run usb out to a Trends USB converter to my Altmann DAC. I use WAV files ripped into iTunes with a Plextor premium drive.

The results are incredible. You made a really good decision.

Have fun,

Nick

Levi · « **Reply #39 on:** 4 Dec 2007, 03:47 am »

Thanks Nick. It looks like you are on top of your game. This MacBook Pro is state of the art. It is well designed and user friendly. I love my MacBook Pro.

I like your setup. I heard the Altmann DAC before and I really like it's sonic qualities. Not a cheap setup that's for sure. Good job!

I only ripped music into .wav considering the price of external drives nowadays. 1T HDD for less than $500.

Cheers,
Levi