The OFFICAL Apple TV thread

I'm glad you posted this topic. I use my ATV2 mostly for streaming radio from my iPad to my system. Occasionally I will stream Apple Lossles files from the iPad as well. It's connected to a Musical Fidelity V-DAC using a 1 meter Monster Interlink LightSpeed 100 I had lying around (from my HT faze). I did not replace the power cord. I have to say it sounds good. Internet radio is quite enjoyable thru the V-DAC. The lossless files sound even better. I'm really happy with the ATV2 and the convenience.

That said, I've wondered if a higher end dac would make much difference or would the law of diminishing returns apply here. I can't see spending $1000 for say, a 2% increase in fidelity. Perhaps we will have to wait for an ATV3 to see if Apple will tweak it for the audiophiles who want more.

The majority of my listening is done thru my Mac Mini, Pure Music, Tranquility dac and there is just no contest.

BTW here's a link to Airfoil which streams to AE:

http://www.rogueamoeba.com/

Works great.

Kbarkamian .. the Tranquility has USB input only. Glad to hear using a more expensive dac than the V-DAC was a significant difference for you. Perhaps that will be an upgrade path I will take in the future.

Lush .. I had a similar experience after installing Pure Music. The sound was warmer, less clinical yet detailed, soundstage was wider, and instruments simply sounded more real. I don't know how they do either but it works. All it took was one listen to convinced me.

I used Airfoil with Pure Music for a short while and found no degradation of sound at all. Quite a nice solution for those who are in need.

Lush .. I'm not sure either but my understanding is Macs have been used for years by most pro studios, thus mastering software like Amarra and Pure Vinyl (from which Pure Music is derived) has remained in the Mac domain predominately. JRiver Media Center seems to be often mentioned as one of the best for the PC.