do Macs sound better than PCs..?

think so yes, I am always direct to whichever Dac and don't have an AE (express) so not sure, I just assumed Scaramucce was using outboard Dac. I know the AE maxes out at 16/44, but again not seen what the audio midi window options are for AE. It would be interesting to see if you would notice a difference between the internal DAC at 24 bit and the AE at 16. If you have a laptop, try it ! I would if I had an AE. I do like it at 24 bits with my DACs though, just a very very little bit. I have an Aiport Extreme, but that does not have audio/optical outs so I can't experiment.
Are you using a Dac or an AE into DAC ? or just AE into pre ?

cheers

joaquim

Joaquim

MacBook Pro to AE to DacMagic currently. I'll play around and connect direct later if I can muster up enough enthusiasm!

Jim

cool, I am curious to know your results if you get around to it. r-tee also posted above that he had a good improvement with glass optical cable and his AE, so you should look into that also.

good night/day

quote:

Originally posted by haroldbudd:
Hi Scaramucce,

Shut down iTunes, open up Audio Midi. On the left side of Audio Midi window, you select your output device ( your Dac ), then on right you can set bit depth and sample rate. Set bit rate output to 24, even if your music is 16, and your set.

j

Hi!

Thank you for the advice! I never touched Audio-Midi-Setup before
I am currently not using any external DAC and haven't dared to go for streamed music yet. But that's very tempting and I am very interested in all those digital music formats, bit depths and so on and just trying to play 24/96-ALAC-files (converted from FLAC with Max) in iTunes with no success (setting 'Audio Output' in MIDI-Setup to 24/96 didn't help). Is it possible now, or not? If yes, how can I do that? People seem to have different opinions about that...


Cheers
Scaramucce

quote:

Originally posted by haroldbudd:
Gary1(us)
I read an article once that said Celine Dion was the best singer in the world...

Actually Harold, I wasn't saying that the PC was better than the Mac for music playback. In fact the article doesn't say that at all. All it states is that the PC provides more flexibility than the Mac for construction of the reference player, but that the Mac is easier to set up. I actually don't know what the "flexibility" is all about.

In my case the iMAC plugged directly into the 82 sounds much better than the Medion PC I had connected the same way. My conclusion is the sound card is better in the MAC. As for all this digital connecting , I haven't a view, due to complete ignorance/indifference.

quote:

Originally posted by gary1 (US):

quote:

Originally posted by haroldbudd:
Gary1(us)
I read an article once that said Celine Dion was the best singer in the world...

Actually Harold, I wasn't saying that the PC was better than the Mac for music playback. In fact the article doesn't say that at all. All it states is that the PC provides more flexibility than the Mac for construction of the reference player, but that the Mac is easier to set up. I actually don't know what the "flexibility" is all about.

I think flexibility refers to software and hardware choices to build the music server,
For instance: an mcubed case, an external regulated atx psu, microprocessor, ram and hard disk of your choice and what it is more important, more sound devices available (internal or external). The software compatibility issue is no longer a PC advantage though...

I do find all of this interesting, but definitely not for me. I don't like tweaking with computers. For me, it's not fun. Especially since it seems that every aspect of the process needs consideration, what I mean is it appears from what I've read, experienced EVERYTHING affects the playback from the ripping software, drives used eg. NAS, drivers etc... Again not for me.

The other question is if everyone is can use the same components to build their systems, then it would seem as if the DAC is the final arbiter of music. However, all the ripping engines produce a different sound despite "bit perfect" copying??? I know this is also a big debate, but I've heard it myself.

I'm really curious, however, to see what one can really get out of the PC/MAC with better components, drivers etc... and really what the cost would be to develop something thats reference quality and how that sound is different or the same as the Naim "house" sound.

I think Mac is a bit better out of the box but I can get more from a PC. I suspect that is what the article was referring to. Didn't read it.

Good points everyone.

Gary1(US) was spot on when he mentioned the Dac being the final arbiter, different ripping engines etc etc. After all, we can all go out and buy the same CD, but with different transports and different DACs ,pre-amps, speakers rooms etc etc......it quickly becomes difficult to form a consensus on how to get the best sound from that recording. Likewise, I adore the sound of the cartridge I am using right now, but when I took it over to a buddy's place and put it on his fancy Rega, ..... nope...not bad. but not as good. So, is Rega no good ? Or maybe the fact that my phono stage costs three times more than his ....hmmmmm.... and different arms , and TT's ( I have LP12), and cables...

The original poster seems to have his PC set-up working fine and he enjoys it, so no need to go Mac, now which Dac to use... there are so
many choices both pro/studio and consumer.

I really find all the myths about both PC's and Mac's interesting and on a lighter note, I would like to share an experience I had last week.

I opened up my Mac mail, my .mac account, and I swear this is true, there it was, .. a spam email !! I think it was trying to sell me something for my penis or something like that. It was highlighted in some cautionary colour so I just deleted it. So much for that Mac myth then ! On the other hand, I have a German friend Tanja who works for the Goethe Institute here in Toronto who just purchased a new Macbook yesterday. She came buy this morning and I installed Microsoft Office for Mac on her machine, and she can't wait to go to work and show all here co-workers who all told her that she would be completely screwed work-wise if she bought a Mac. She is going to wait and see if she wants Windows put on it

With regards to "the article", I am always a bit cautious with things like that. There was a comparison of all the Naits from 1 to 5i a while back by Tom Tom audio I think, and his conclusion was that he liked the Nait 3 and 2 the best with perhaps the slight edge to the 3. I am positive there would be many Nait owners on this Forum who would think that is bonkers. I have a 3 , and if the writer would have picked another Nait and trashed the 3, I would still love mine the same.

So everyone enjoy their over-engineered and over-priced Macs, and enjoy your over-engineered and cheap Naims

Goldfinch, what part of Spain are you from ? I am from Vigo

cheers

joaquim

your right i am enjoying what i have but as always theres a chance or a thought of an upgrade, maybe its just a cosmetic upgrade but its an upgrade. my toshiba M9 laptop looks naff against a macbookpro, but if im am to change anything the first thing would be to lose the AE with maybe an ATV or a mini then to get an itouch or vnc a macbook. but we all know this is still PC version of a mini to go with my current lappy

If you can be bothered I would think it's the PC.
Much more flexibility than iMac mackbook, lots of specific audio sound cards etc
But, PC's require more tweaking and the mac works straight out of the box.
Also the mac is a very silent piece of kit, to make a PC as quiet would significantly increase the costs, indeed you would either have to buy from a specialist or build it yourself, not an option for most.
For me this is one of the key factors, add in total ease of use, great audio output, the mac for now is the best option.

iiyama thats what im thinking too, i could make a small PC just like the mini for around £4-500. i have no issues with that at all.