audioengr
Responses from audioengr
| Apple lossless -vs-24/96 Some upsamplers such as Wave Editor on Mac do a good job of upsampling. This can improve the playback sound quality of a 44.1 track on most DACs. Why? Because the digital filter in the DAC has less impact on the music data at 96 than at 44.1. The ... | |
| Why do modern DACs over $1,000 sound different? "Am I right to read Steve's response as suggesting that I'd have to put a device between the changer and the DAC that would reduce the jitter? If so, what's that device?"Synchro-Mesh resampler/reclocker.Steve N.Empirical Audio | |
| the best, cost-no-object, music streamer? Nd4 - not only is it a good idea for older non-USB DACs, it is beneficial 99% of the time for newer USB DACs that have other inputs. Most USB inputs are poorly implemented IME.Steve N.Empirical Audio | |
| the best, cost-no-object, music streamer? When you said USB converter, did you mean USB cable from A type USB (MacMini) to B ?No, I'm talking about a device that takes async USB as input and outputs S/PDIF coax, AES/EBU and maybe I2S to drive a DAC. Because it is async USB protocol, it cr... | |
| Looking for a DAC that has.. For most DACs, delivering a low-jitter signal is beneficial, even if the DAC reclocks or resamples inside. Even Sabre-based DACs.Steve N.Empirical Audio | |
| Update on room correction systems? I have found speaker correction to be more important, achieving better results than just RC. Even the most expensive speakers benefit from this. I have had them in rooms at shows. Some room correction is helpful for bass resonances, but the SC ele... | |
| the best, cost-no-object, music streamer? "Is there something wrong with my setup? should i buy a master clock?has anybody tried a master clock, how much "less jitter" does the unit do the whole music experience?"Most DACs can be improved dramatically by adding an external USB converter w... | |
| the best, cost-no-object, music streamer? Nd4 - I am planning on designing a version of my USB module using XMOS parts in the near future, that is if I can get some cooperation from them....Steve N.Empirical Audio | |
| Sonicweld Diverter HR, etc... The Diverter HR, the Synergistic and the Off-Ramp 5 are USB converters in a class of their own. It is the most important part of any digital audio system, so dont spare the change on this.You DAC however needs work IMO. To waste a $2-3K converter ... | |
| Potential DAQuestion - Tube preamps and Buffers If you want to keep it within a budget of say $3K, then there are some great options, including:Off-Ramp 5 driving I2S cable to Wired 4 Sound DAC2. This is a world-class sound rivalling $15-20K DACs.Off-Ramp 5 driving S/PDIF to Metrum Octave DAC i... | |
| Potential DAQuestion - Tube preamps and Buffers Async USB interfaces and DACs vary all over the map. Some are much better than any S/PDIF input and others are not as good. Depends on the design and parts choices.The opportunity is there to make it a LOT better than other DAC interfaces because ... | |
| the best, cost-no-object, music streamer? For best SQ, I recommend to get a music server that has USB streaming audio output, such as Sonore or Aurality. With these you can add an external USB converter or USB DAC that contains a better master clock and power delivery to achieve much lowe... | |
| Are you still playing CDs after, comp based syst? "Can anyone tell me why I would want to buy an expensive music server or even use another program to hold my library?"Sure. Its all about sound quality. If you have a $100K system then this type of source will limit the performance. If you have $1... | |
| Maximizing Sonos and Mac Mini "It seems you have outlined an approach where the Sonos and Mini would operate on parallel paths, not convergent in the Mini. Please correct me if I'm wrong about that."Yes and no. The Sonos is definitely improved with reclocking, but because it i... | |
| Maximizing Sonos and Mac Mini If you are using Sonos, then all of the computer "tweaks" you have read about are not applicable. These are primarily for USB and Firewire, not Ethernet/WiFi. With Ethernet you dont have to worry about sound quality with the computer, only the Son... |