new interface/front-end for audiophile system


hi, for 6 years now i have been happily running this system for my music:

music storage: lacie hard disk containing my cd's downloaded using apple lossless
interface: dedicated 2nd hand ibook running itunes
primare pre-amp connected to ibook via a hag usb (thanks jim hag), from usb socket to preamp digital in
genelec active monitors
rel active subwoofer

the music has recently developed intermittent 1 second pauses averaging every minute or so, so something is wrong. it seems ok using my macbook pro as interface, so perhaps the ibook is the problem. maybe it's just a loose usb socket? might a usb hub using the other socket solve the problem?
this might be an opportunity to upgrade the system and perhaps replace the ibook with something better. can anyone suggest something that would leave the majority of my system as it is? thanks
garbo

Showing 3 responses by clio09

Have you tried using programs that interface with iTunes like Audirvana and Pure Music. These programs have trial periods so there is no risk in trying them. You might find they offer some benefit. While I have a lot of respect for Jim Hagerman I do not think his USB interface was one of his better designs. A better quality USB interface may be more beneficial.
I can certainly understand you perspective given everything else that goes on in our industry. Personally I preferred Audirvana, seemed the simpler approach. I hear Bit Perfect for Mac is another good option and maybe the simplest of them all. For me the idea was to get away from the reliance on iTunes as the player.
Metadatics has been useful to me for taggings. Others out there too. Have to say FLAC is best for tags versus WAV and AIFF. Prefer to use AIFF though so I use Metadatics to fix or customize my tags for use with Minimserver. If you are using iTunes use AIFF if possible unless you want to save some space.