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Imac to my dac- sounds awful?

Guys- be gentle, I'm a new Mac user. Got a new Imac 24 today with the 2.8 Ghz processor, 500 GB Hard drive. Beautiful to look at, so far I love the Leopard OS (I'm a lifetime Windows user ).

Imported some cd's into ITunes, and set it up per the advice on the Wavelength site- i.e. Import Apple lossless, set my preferences in sound to USB dac.

Plugged in my Glow Audio Amp1, which is new and has a built in 16 bit Dac and headphone output.

Sounds like crap- it sounded much better on my windows XP rig running ASIO 4All. I'm hearing some distortion and intermittent dropouts that occur at random.

I KNOW it's me- where can I get educated on how to address this?

Thanks much!

Any ideas where to steer me?
danlib1
8 responses Add your response
synthfreek's avatar
synthfreek
627 posts
 
Try troubleshooting to see if the rips were bad by playing directly from the cd. Also make sure you're not running a bunch of apps while ripping. Welcome to the Mac camp.
cwlondon
1,210 posts
 
I am sorry to hear you are having some difficulties.

I am also relieved to hear that life actually is not as simple as:

"JUST GET A MAC!"

Good luck.

cwlondon
lupinthe3rd
47 posts
 
I assume you're using the toslink optical output on the iMac? Check to be sure you're actually importing the songs using the codec you've selected (apple lossless). Maybe something as simple as dirty CD's?

I have a 2005 Powerbook G4 and playing Apple Lossless (or even 256k / 320k MP3's) across wireless to my Airport Express, (which is attached using toslink optical to my DAC) sounds marvelous! My ears can't tell the difference between that and playing the actual CD.

FWIW My DAC is the Stello DA-100, CD Player is a Theta Miles, Amp is a Cary SLI-80 and speakers are Taylo Reference from Tyler Acoustics.
danlib1 OP
819 posts
 
I don't think it's the way the files were ripped....I enabled the Mac sound output and played via the Mac soundcard to my speakers and I hear none of the trash- it actually sounds okay.

It's only when I set sound preferences to USB Audio, plug the USB Dac in and listen through the USB Dac/Headphone combo that it sounds bad.

But that same Dac headphone combo on my windows rig- using ASIO4all and J. River media player- sounds pretty good.

So it must be the way I have the Mac audio setup, or the 16 bit Dac in the Glow Audio Amp 1 is somehow incompatible with the output from the Mac?

Please keep the help coming!
rbstehno
1,454 posts
 
i have multiple macs and have not had the issue that you are experiencing. i am assuming that you are using a usb cable. try a different cable. also, i used to use a usb setup and switched to using the mini to toslink with better success. it allows me to use more audio devices (jitter reduction devices, audiophile type dacs with toslink,coax,aes inputs) and the cable sounds much better. welcome to the MAC world. you will be glad you switched.
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Maybe the plug-and-play USB interface chip that they used in the USB DAC is at fault. If it does not support 24/96, this is usually the clue. A better quality USB interface and associated clocking will improve this.

Have you checked the utilities-MIDI settings to make sure it is set to the correct sample-rate? Mac's usually default to 24/96 and it can use the wrong upsampler. Close iTunes and then go change the sample-rate and then re-open itunes and try again.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
danlib1 OP
819 posts
 
Steve;

I believe you have hit on something here :0

I appreciate the advice, and I'll implement it and see what results.

Thanks again!
jylee
306 posts
 
Make sure you turn off Sound Enhancer and Soundcheck in the option. It can cause wrong volume level and clipping.

If you are hearing dropouts the problem must lie in hardware somewhere. Since both your iMac and DAC are new, either could be the culprit.

I had a similar setup, using Macbook Pro and Dared tubed USB DAC + headphone amp, very similar to your glow audio. I really enjoyed the sound. Never had any problem with that setup.
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