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Sound levels: Apple lossless vs. original CD

I have been following many threads on this as I try to set up my computer based server system. I have gone out and purchased a Mac in order to simplify all the issues vs. a PC based system.

I have been recording in Apple lossless format and I find there is a noticable difference with lower quality as compared with my inexpensive CD player that I am using (an inexpensive Panasonic).

I am playing both methods back through a DAC - Musical Fidelity X-Dac v8 (the latest model).

The data stream from the CD player is via optical output miniplug - through an optical converter to digital coax cable (there is no cable available directly from optical mini to coax). The data stream from the Mac is via USB output to the DAC USB input.

First - the music via the inexpensive CD player sounds better. There is a noticable difference in the voices being more forward from the music (less compressed?). The Mac sounds excellent - but the CD still sounds better.

Second - the sound level from the CD player is much louder (perhaps 25-35%% louder). If I am streaming digital bits from both sources, why is the CD player much louder than the Mac? This doesnt make sense to me??

Lastly - would there be any reason to copy in AIFF rather than Apple lossless? It seems now - but I just want to get the lastest view.

Any help is appreciated ! Thanks !
markny
edo_musica
113 posts
 
Another thought....Do you have a DVD player? Maybe connect the DVD player and play a CD through it to see if your CD player has an abnormal high output.

BTW your DAC is AC powered (Spec: 100 / 115 / 230Volts AC 50/60Hz)so it is not USBbus powered. Bus powered would be something like your mouse or keyboard (no additional AC input).

Sounds like you already checked your itunes and OS settings

try a cheap Radioshack 3mm-to-RCA cable~$6 confirm the level. that directly to your pre or amp.

Unfortunately you can't use Toslink cable direct to the DAC since the MF X-DAC doesn't accecpt Toslink...a good converter is expensive route. USB *should* work.

BTW which Mac are you using?
4est
507 posts
 
Actually the USB DAC likely does use power from the Mac (PC).I doubt if it is the issue though. Typically I have seen 5v supplied as part of the USB ports. A quick test would be plugging the DAC into the keyboard instead of the CPU box- with both DACs I tried I got an error message. The easy fix is to modify a USB cord- split off the power leads and add a power supply or battery of your choice (many options, check out the DIY sites). Optical USB wires have a separate power supply at the "end" because of this.
markny OP
7 posts
 
Thanks again yo everyone thus far. I will experiment tonight and post an update tomorrow.

Re the question of which Mac - I am using a Macbook. The middle model 2.4 ghz dual core with 2 gig of memory.

The equalizer was on ! I will try that with it off. Another good suggestion. There are so many variables !!

Thanks again !
elf73
104 posts
 
I don't have a CD player yet, so I'm not much help with a comparison. As well, I have an airport express optical out into a Monarch M24. Quite a different setup from you.

But for me, Apple lossless sounded the worst (it's still a lossy format). I found WAV the best (bit for bit), and I assume AIFF is the same.... I use itunes so I use AIFF. However, the strange part is (don't flame me), I found 320kbps MP3 format, which is the smallest file size of the ones mentioned, sounded better than lossless.. (vocals more forward, more detail, more robust sound)... FWIW.
4est
507 posts
 
Make sure that you turn off crossfade, sound enhancer and sound check. They are located in iTunes=>Preferences=>playback. Now that I've typed it, sound check may have been the reason for the attenuation compared to your cd player as that is what it is meant to do.
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