nDAC: USB input rocks - output from mac doesn't
Posted by: ThomasDJ on 28 December 2010
Hi I just got myself a naim DAC to replace my old cdp.
When I play directly from a USB stick the performance is just stunning. However when I play from my Mac - with Pure Music, Ayrewave or Audionirvana it's just not as good. I'm not talking subtleties here the difference is huge.
The Mac connects to the nDac by a toslink. I was under the impression that the reclocking circuit in the nDac would eliminate the digital transfer problems from the equation - but perhaps not...
Anyone got experience in getting the best out of a mac based setup? And can you get up to or close to the performance of the USB?
Posted on: 28 December 2010 by ThomasDJ
sorry wrong forum
Posted on: 28 December 2010 by AMA
Thomas, get M2TECH HiFace or Evo. These are USB--> S/PDIF convertors (around 300 -- 500 $). Run it into nDAC through BNC coax and you will approach or match nDAC USB performance.
Posted on: 28 December 2010 by AMA
You may also run M-Audio Transit (100 $) -- USB--> tosslink converter -- works good but very finicky drivers.
Posted on: 28 December 2010 by John R.
Take a look at some asyncronous USB to S/PDIF converters like Wavelink from Wavelength Audio or the Bridge from Halide Design that was just reviewed in Stereophile (review is online) or many others. Or go Firewire to S/PDIF and use INT 202 from WEISS.
Although the Naim DAC has got a clever reclock a toslink connection is never as good as a dedicated coax digital connection.
Posted on: 29 December 2010 by Tog
Agreed - USB - asynchronous - preferably with Gordon Rankin's code ie. Halide Bridge or via Wavelength Dacs makes a huge improvement over standard mac headphone/ optical.
Tog
Posted on: 29 December 2010 by pylod
will all the effort be improved by using the serve instead ? or is the mac plus all the tweaking in between ( with int 202 or HiFace or Evo ) better in the end ? most probable cheaper anyway, since many here own a mac.
but performance wise. which solution is better. has someone tested both ?
Posted on: 29 December 2010 by ThomasDJ
Hi guys. Thanks for all your replies. With all of my cash blown on the nDac I won't be able to get the costly weiss firewire thingy. I think I'll start out with something like the hiface or halide cable.
What's the opinion on the difference in quality between the halide and the hiface?
ohh and don't you just hate the way itunes degrades the sound. It really shouldn't be necessary to have a go-between like amarra or pure music. Shame on you Apple.
Posted on: 30 December 2010 by Tog
You need to see if you can listen to them but for me the Halide Bridge has the edge on sound and also on ease of setup - no fussing with drivers. The use of a licenced version of Rankin's Streamlength software finally clinched the deal for me.
Don't know what you mean about iTunes - never had a problem with the sound.
Tog
Posted on: 30 December 2010 by Tog
quote:
Originally posted by AllenB:
Nothing wrong with iTunes as a ripper, it's accurate, but as a player, it does have it's own 'signature'. Not bad as such, but it does emphasise certain areas of the music, only ever so slightly, but it's there. As a manager of your music library, it's still the benchmark for others to aspire to, especially with control apps like Remote 2.
Ahh Remote 2 - beautiful piece of design ...
Got to remember as well - the contribution iTunes has made in terms of kickstarting Computer Audio.
My ears can't really tell the difference but then I tend to use iTunes for casual listening. As a means of getting stuff on an off my beloved iPad - it's not so good.
Tog
