2. pc-audio
  3. 1406732504

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
11 responses Add your response
zd542
5,339 posts
 
Check to make sure the HD on your ibook is not almost full. Also, make sure that there are no extra programs/processes running that you don't usually have.
lewinskih01
909 posts
 
There are two parts to your question: troubleshooting your current setup and suggestions for something new.

About suggestions for new: directional la, you want to have a computer dedicated only to audio, so no unnecessary programs are running (and if you can make it headless, the better), and an a synch USB DAC. What in particular will be mostly driven by your budget and if you want to stay with Mac.
garbo OP
27 posts
 
thanks for the replies. the problem is resolved but still want to consider a new system. (the music worked straight from the external hard disc; the pauses only happened once itunes was used. i have changed the hard disc and itunes now appears to work with it.)

for the new: i am not tied to mac and there is no fixed budget. of primary importance is good audio quality and good flexibility in playlist selection (e.g. to shuffle within a user defined genre). currently the dac is that within the primare p30 sound processor; i thought that was pretty good?
clio09
3,355 posts
 
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.
garbo OP
27 posts
 
thanks. i might try pure music etc., but initially they seem to me like snake oil, like most things that purport to act before the DAC.
clio09
3,355 posts
 
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.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
"08-05-14: Garbo
thanks. i might try pure music etc., but initially they seem to me like snake oil, like most things that purport to act before the DAC."

Its good to be cautious, but you still have to learn. If you make a division yourself, based on your own experience, then you know for sure. If not, its really a guess.

"for the new: i am not tied to mac and there is no fixed budget. of primary importance is good audio quality and good flexibility in playlist selection (e.g. to shuffle within a user defined genre). currently the dac is that within the primare p30 sound processor; i thought that was pretty good?"

Are you listening to classical music, or other genres?
garbo OP
27 posts
 
all sorts of stuff: classical; rock; jazz, i.e. want it to sound good with bach, led zeppelin & charlie parker!
zd542
5,339 posts
 
The reason I asked what type of music you listen to is for tagging. Classical music can be challenging to tag. You may want to experiment with some different music player/management software to see what works best for you.
clio09
3,355 posts
 
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.
garbo OP
27 posts
 
thanks. tagging is not an issue for me. i'm using itunes and apple lossless; thought that was equivalent to aiff, just more space-efficient?
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