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My PC Audio Question Journey

I finally took the step of getting an external DAC (Maverick D2) allowing me to stream iTunes from my computer via an Apple TV. So far, I have only used a PC, but purchased a Macbook Pro over the weekend that will become the primary computer in the near future.

My system is the following:
Computer with iTunes (Apple Lossless)
Apple TV
Maverick D2 DAC (tube and solid state outputs)
Yaqin MC-30L amplifier
Focal 836v speakers

As a baseline, I have been unable to tell a difference between the solid state DAC output and my Elite SACD player. I am also aware that the Apple TV streams 48 kHz instead of 44.1 kHz which, in theory, is weakness in the digital signal.

Overall, I'm satisfied with my current sound, but I could be convinced to upgrade the Apple TV to an Airport Express and also to use a parallel software that works with iTunes (as long as Airplay is still supported) if I was convinced that an objective improvement could be expected in my system.

There's several layers to the discussion so I thought I'd ask my questions one at a time in an effort to keep things focused.

TOPIC 1:
The goal when ripping a CD is to create a "bit perfect" digital copy on the hard drive. Should it be expected that using iTunes will achieve this goal? If not, is there an objective way to validate that another software performs this step better? Is the primary reason that most recommendations are to not use Apple Lossless vs. other lossless formats is because it is propriatary to Apple making it the most limiting format in the future?
mceljo

Showing 4 responses by doggiehowser

doggiehowser
672 posts
 
Use XLD on the Mac.

It provides a log of the rip and compares it to an online database (AccurateRip).

It also has a paranoid mode that reads/rereads/rechecks the data multiple times - a sure fire way to kill your optical drive :) but it's for the (as the name suggests) paranoid.

I usually rip to AIFF. It's uncompressed lossless and supports meta data.

AIFF is also a fairly universal standard. I also run JRiver alongside iTunes and get JRiver to read from the same folders.
doggiehowser
672 posts
 
The file format is irrelevant to Airport Express or AppleTV - as long as iTunes can read it. It streams it as a PCM stream across wifi. It could even be MP3 (shudder) which gets converted to PCM on the fly for transmission.
doggiehowser
672 posts
 
Interesting. Was not aware that they used Apple Lossless. Still the original file format isn't really relevant - they could even be MP3 as I said.

I still prefer to keep everything as AIFF in my library.
doggiehowser
672 posts
 
The thing is that there is still inherent jitter in the devices, especially if you use a SPDIF connection again from the Sonos/Touch to a better quality DAC.

I can see the appeal of devices like the Sony HAP Z1ES, the Lumin network player and the PS Audio DS/PW DAC with the network bridge.
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