Advise on computer based music

Can you check what format the PS3 is outputting the audio in, I once tried using my XBox 360 to stream to my DAC but it re-sampled everything to 48KHz very badly.

Normally I use a Squeeze Box 3 to stream and it seems to do a good job, so much so that it and a good DAC replaced my CD5i.

quote:

1. Why is there a difference, since all the CDs are in wav format?

CDs are not in WAV format ... they follow the Red Book standard. If you rip them to a PC then the files created are in WAV format. If you rip them to a Mac then the files created are in AIFF format.

However, assuming you get the same 1s and 0s to your DAC then it could simply be the DAC, OP amps and so on sound better in your CD5 than your AV2. If you used a new Naim DAC I would suspect your view would change, but .....

thanks for the replies.

with the current setup I have are there any suggestions to improve the sound qulity (output settings on PS3 or any other)?

Unfortunately I do not use the gear you are using so it is not possible to help directly. If you had not guessed already you will find that pretty much everything in your computer based setup is important and most things are not designed to he hifi quality. Your CD player is a different matter - designed for hifi from the ground up.

Things you might want to consider (I factored all these into the design of my setup)

The files - you need to ensure that the software you used to rip the files did so at the highest quality - there are a range of ripping programs out there, check on a site like computer audiophile to make sure you have the best quality rip possible.

Getting the signal off the hard drive - I preload the computers RAM (buffer) so I am not actually reading off the disc directly to maximise quality. This may not be an option for you.

The connection - toslink is typically regarded as the poor cousin compared to other links (apart from the electrical isolation it provides), if there is no other option then check you have a decent cable - not a freebie or similar

The DAC - The AV2 DAC and output stage may not be as good as your CD players. Your CD player also benefits from the flatcap, which your AV2 may not (I am not familiar with the AV2). I don't know what to suggest here, maybe a power cord or better interconnect for your AV2

I was serious about upgrading from my CD5x and flatcap. I use a USB hard drive feeding a Macbook 4gig running pure music software - firewire out to a Weiss INT202 then through a fancy digital cable to a nDAC. Frankly there is simply no comparison between what I had and the new. The software is still not 100% stable, thats the only area where the computer audio does not overshadow CD.

Hi,
thanks for the useful advice, I will consider moving to the nDAC after demo.

If anyone else would like to specify a setup he uses it will be great.

I ripped all my cd's aiff into itunes. I stream them via an AppleTV2 into the dac of my SN via high quality glass toslink cable. The reults are very good, and to my understanding the buffering on the ATV adds to the quality of the sound. This is all very new to me, and this set-up allowed for a simple, cost effective(ATV2 99.99USD)base to get started.

..an interesting note..i much prefer the aiff files to the standard apple lossless.

quote:

Originally posted by Marc0209:
..an interesting note..i much prefer the aiff files to the standard apple lossless.

I agree uncompressed is better. I'm in the world of Windows, but my preference is for wav rather than flac. On all systems I've tested including Linn KDS wav sounds better.

I use a bog standard PC [Windows XP] with iTunes [Apple Lossless files] but have eliminated the PC soundcard from the picture by using a USB connection to a modestly priced USB DAC. Search Aune in this section for my history with this budget priced device including using it to front a 552, Active 300s onto SL2s for an idea of what can be achieved on a shoestring. The CDs in that great system played on a CDS3 with 555PS, and though the CD replay has its advantages on such a player, it was more than clear that there was nothing embarrassing about my little arrangement, and no irritating foibles to get in the way of enjoying the music.

As with all these things spending more gets better quality, but sometimes you can stumble across something that works very nicely and is incredible value for money.

It is the kind of thing that almost anyone could afford to experiment with, and if you do not like it, the total cost was less than a third of a Hiline for example.

ATB from George

Hi Tsvikab -

Welcome to the forum!

When you demo the Naim DAC, I suggest you install it as your "digital hub", and feed it with S/PDIF output from both your AV2 and PS3.

My bet is, at that point, you will find little to distinguish between the two. The DAC's buffering/reclocking architecture is a great leveler of sources.

The Naim DAC has led many of us away from CD playback and to PC-based streaming, and typically with an increase in sound quality (with only very high-end CD players being the exception).

Good luck, and let us know how you get on!

Hook

Only thing I would disagree about is the "leveler of sources" part, or maybe it would be worth saying "leveler to a point".

There may well have been little difference in your comparison but everything I tried made a difference in my system, hence the rather expensive chain feeding my Naim DAC. The Naim DAC goes from good to very very good indeed if you are prepared to feed it the best possible signal.