[gdg]

I run an Apple TV into an Apogee Big Ben to reclock the signal and then into a pro Genelec DSP sat/sub system. I seem to be getting great results. Are my ears failing me or is this just a stupidly good (and cheap) digital source?

[Crimson]

Your ears are what matter. I've got a first gen ATV feeding a HT processor and it sounds great.

[kingdeezie]

I agree that your ears should be your guide, however, I am running the ATV (original) right into a DAC with only minimally satisfying results.

I think the digital output is not so great (high jitter), and I think the whole unit is pretty noisy as I hear just a little bit of nastiness in the highs; which again, could be because of the jitter.

Reclocking it is probably a great idea! It is a very sweet interface, and very easy to setup and use.

[gdg]

Reclocking it is probably a great idea! It is a very sweet interface, and very easy to setup and use.

Dude I have to tell you. After 10 years of being an audiophile  with expensive equipment from Classe, Tact, Audible Illusions, Thiel, Bryston, Celeste, Musical Fidelity,   etc etc. I've completely renounced the "audiophile" world. Literally NOTHING in the overpriced substandard  hi-end audio world (under $100,000) can compare with my:
ATV> Big Ben> Genelec 7260 sub > Genenlec 8240 satellite system. Literally this level of pro stuff utterly trounces the garbage that is passed off as hi-fidelity in the  audiophile world. The Apogee Big Ben is probably one of the best investments I've made in audio, letting me clean up all sorts of nasty digital sources. I sold it once thinking it was no longer necessary and after a few weeks realized that it had been a mistake.  I HIGHLY recommend it.

Ps Even my  small desktop system which uses a  Benchmark Dac1 (straight out of my iMac), Genelec 5010 sats and Genelec 5040 sub easily matches any of the MUCH more expensive audiophile stuff I've ever owned.
BTW it's all tied together with ridiculously cheap, top of the Mogami line, 2497 interconnect.

[gdg]

That system has full dsp and the volume is controlled at the computer.
Ps. The dsp involves full room correction.

[gdg]

BTW, you haven't been listening. $8k of audiophile equipment wouldn't even be REMOTELY in the ballpark. Not even close.  That would be like comparing a Harley to Suzuki GSXR. For straight out performance the Harley barely qualifies as a motorcycle compared to a modern sport bike. Likewise for audiophile equipment. The entire industry is a complete hoax and I'm going to shut this down before I work myself into a frenzy over the fact I got sucked into the BS for so many years. BTW, I'm not just some idiot who thinks audio is all about personal "preference". I am an ex jazz musician who has spent thousands of hours around live unamplified instruments so I know exactly what piano, upright bass, horns etc. should sound like. 

[chrisby]

BTW, you haven't been listening. $8k of audiophile equipment wouldn't even be REMOTELY in the ballpark. Not even close.  That would be like comparing a Harley to Suzuki GSXR. For straight out performance the Harley barely qualifies as a motorcycle compared to a modern sport bike. Likewise for audiophile equipment. The entire industry is a complete hoax and I'm going to shut this down before I work myself into a frenzy over the fact I got sucked into the BS for so many years. BTW, I'm not just some idiot who thinks audio is all about personal "preference". I am an ex jazz musician who has spent thousands of hours around live unamplified instruments so I know exactly what piano, upright bass, horns etc. should sound like.

well, thanks for the lesson in humility, and it certainly looks like you answered your own original question 

seriously though, it's not too hard to get the point about the performance/value quotient of what passes for the recurring fixes required by those infected with  "high-end audiophilia" addiction

I'm not a rider myself, but had to laff at the Harley comment

what's kinda sad is to visit the "virtual reality" world in which long-term high-end audio retailers that we grew up with have insulated themselves 

[gdg]

Actually my original question was not related to the way I currently use an ATV. The way it is configured in my system the performance is essentially flawless. I intend to use another ATV in a separate system without the Big Ben. That's why I posted the question.

[gdg]

I apoligize for the bluntness and aparent  arrogance. I simply am disgusted by the nonsense and idiotic debates about the "subjectivity" of high end audio. This debate doesn't exist in video and it shouldn't exist in audio. A high quality video monitor is a high quality monitor. You don't get boneheads arguing that they prefer their screen to be tinted green or softened or any other such nonsense. The debate in audio is utter garbage and is perpetuated by manufacturers that want people to believe that they can make a flawed music source (redbook) into something it isn't by buying equipment that has been "voiced" by "experts". That is as idiotic as trying to turn the previous standard definition video format into HD by "tweaking" the video monitor. What is worse is that by "voicing" audio equipment one invariably compromises the fidelity. That's why the true hi-fidelity of Genelecs came as such a shock.

[newzooreview]

What size room are your Genelecs in? I understand the DSP is meant to work in a small studio control room vs. a larger space.

[gdg]

I have a very small apartment with a living room that is 12' x 14'. I've been a big advocate of room correction and used Tact equipment for years. Genelec DSP is, IMO, better and dead siimple to use. What is interesting about Genelec is that the diffenerces in their lineup are not quality differences but essentially power handling differences to accomodate different sized rooms. They have sub/sat DSP systems for a broad range of studio/room sizes (not all studios have small control rooms). The system I use is one step above what I actually need for that sized room and I could have easily used the SE (small evironment system) and gotten equal or better results.

[newzooreview]

Cool. Thanks for explaining.

[Stu Pitt]

I use a 1st gen Apple TV and love it.  I'm using an old Theta DAC until I get a new one - hopefully Rega's new DAC will be what it's been said to be.  Gotta wait until it comes out to hear it.

A few things improved my Apple TV in my system -

Glass optical cable - I bought a Sonicwave glass toslink from Amazon for about $25 shipped.  Far better than any plastic cable I've heard.

Audioquest C-7 power cord (the lower end one) - Opened up and cleaned up the music in a good amount.  Not sure why - maybe less noise and better flow from the cable reduces jitter at the output?  Hopefully that doesn't start a debate.

I also use Vibracones under it.  Not sure about sound improvement or not because I've used them since day one.  I had them laying around and used them to help dissipate heat.

The ATV can be a great source with the right DAC and system IMO.