2. digital
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I downloaded high-res files and...

My best player is my Audio Research Ref CD9. 

The Reference CD9 incorporates four digital inputs: Asynchronous USB 2.0HS, AES/EBU, RCA, and Toslink. All inputs handle 24 bit / 192k resolution.

I recently downloaded a few albums in FLAC and WAV files that I would really like to play via the CD9.

But how? 

Try 1. I purchased some 700MB TDK CDR, with a view to burning the tracks onto the discs to become standard cd's.

But, as you know, traditional cd players, esp this one, ONLY play Redbook cd's. And the files of these cd's are .CDDA. So I started to convert the files using an online service and it delivered me a .cdda file. All good, I guess.

Then I went to 'test it' by trying to play the single .cdda track I had back on my Mac. Nothing would play it. Nothing. Not VLC, Not Apple Music. Nutz. Test 1. Fail.

Probably, I need to convert whatever the CDR will hold, probably 18-20 tracks and then burn them onto the CDR, run over and insert into the cd9 in the living room, and push play...

Now I am thoroughly sick of thinking about what will it take to play these great tracks through the CD9.

As far as the digital inputs in the CD9, the only media player I have right now is a spare Apple Macbook Air that I could probably use. I have a nice USB cable... but the MBA is not an ideal and potentially noisy digital player. It is what it is... I also have an Apple 4K tv not in use, if that helps?

Does anyone have any thoughts about driving this pursuit to completion? Especially how this can become a longer term solution for all my digital files to play through this analog (and DAC) CD9 unit? 

The options seem endless yet the experience is also start-less! Oh, I do have my LG tv optical connected to the CD9 to play Tidal, not too badly.  

 

 

128x128johnread57
eagledriver_22's avatar
eagledriver_22
81 posts
 

I am using a Fiio X7 MKII and a Fiio M9. Actually, M11S, M11+, M15S or M17 are on the market.  There are many DAP's of other brands which will do nicely as well (Astell&Kern, Shanling, iBasso), provided that they have digital out.

If you will use the DAP mainly as a transport, you don't have to spend a fortune on the DAP (but you could can if you want to)

A new product is the Fiio R7 desktop transmitter

https://www.fiio.com/r7

Depending on your eyesight, you may want to look for a DAP with a large display.

In addition, you could stream Quobuz via DAP to your CD9 if the DAP allows downloading of the corresponding app.

Second hand might be ok as well. If battery life should be below average, you could run the DAP using wall power or a powerbank.

Hope this help.

 

ppinto1's avatar
ppinto1
5 posts
 

I play hires FLAC from my MAC on occasion.  I play from VNC, but there's probably a better way.

The DAC is connected via USB, but I've also used this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077D4GDPF/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The above provides a TOSLINK output in the 3.5" connection - similar to how older MacBook Pro's did.

You'll need to open Applications->Utilities->Audio MIDI Setup to set the bitrate/depth you want the interface to operate at.  This is necessary for the device and the USB to DAC connection.  

If using USB, the DAC may appear by its name or may come up as "Speaker" or some other generic term.

Short of a cable and a free download, you have everything you need, IMO.

floydfan388's avatar
floydfan388
14 posts
 

I use a MacBook Pro to play FLAC files using VLC free media player, plays everything just fine.

esarhaddon1
43 posts
 

I must agree wiht the obvious, WAV files or some similar lossless format is the only route to go. And this is why I prefer to burn my music on DVDs. you can get a whole album on one disk and that is pretty much impossible for CDs as they just don't that the space for a whole album. I find that it is sad to see so few good DVD players on the market these days. 

yage
400 posts
 

@johnread57

I think in your case there are two things you need to address - first, where are you going to store your hi-res files and second, how are you going to access them for playback on two separate systems.

 

If you want to minimize purchasing new gear and are willing to experiment with some software on your MacBook Air, then my suggestion is to look into a free app called Kodi (https://kodi.tv/). Kodi can turn your MacBook Air into a media server using a protocol called UPnP (for more information see https://www.cambridgeaudio.com/usa/en/blog/what-upnp). Store all your hi-res files on your Mac and let Kodi do the rest.

 

If I’m reading the N70ae manual right, Kodi will enable your Pioneer to browse the music library stored on your Mac and stream the file over the network (see pp.19-20 on enabling Windows media sharing which also uses UPnP).

 

You can connect the Mac to your Ref CD9SE via USB and control it through either the Kodi web interface or a UPnP app on a mobile device such as BubbleUPnP (Android) or mConnect (iOS). You can also stream from music services such as Qobuz or Tidal to either Kodi or your Pioneer from those apps as well since Kodi and the Pioneer also function as UPnP renderers.

 

I’ve used Kodi before to turn my Mac mini into a media server and it worked well. If you need any details, feel free to message me.

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