Getting the best out of iTunes with the Naim DAC

Posted by: MartinCA on 27 March 2010

I guess many of us have big libraries of Apple Lossless files organised by iTunes. As long as I have an iPod I don't expect that to change. Plus I, for one, don't really want to change because I quite like the convenience of iTunes and the ability to use the Remote App on the iPhone. Also I don't really want to have to re-rip or convert hundreds of CDs all over again in order to use some other transport.

So - my question is - how do we get the best performance from the DAC with iTunes (Apple Lossless with error correction) as the start point?

I have tried the following, using WAV files ripped by EAC on memory sticks as my reference point.

1. USB iPod connection from iPhone using standard iPod connector - better than I expected, but well short of the memory stick.

2. Chord Toslink connection from MacBook - better, but I had hoped for more.

3. Chord Toslink connection from Airport Express (AE) over WLAN from either Macbook or PC. Best option - it improved when I went through iTunes and changed any setting that allowed iTunes to control volume or cross-fade. What was slightly worrying about that is that iTunes must be modifying the digital data before it is transmitted to the AE, rather than sending the raw data.

Option 3 was the best - but falls short of the memory stick.

So what have other people tried? Are there settings on the PC/Mac that make a difference? Does Hiface work with iTunes on the Mac, and if so, does it make a difference? Are there higher quality alternatives to the AE that work with iTunes? Any other (helpful) suggestions?

Posted on: 28 March 2010 by js

Don't know as I wont use PC/mac TOS out. I'd try a better interface, Sonos or a Naim solution depending on need and finances. The SN is not a nDAC but it's also not why you're not getting an important difference. I'd like to see you move away from lossless and I'm not a fan of your speaks but that shouldn't be enough for your not hearing a dif. As a quick trial, I would use an AIFF or wav rip via XLD into PM and compare again to the same song you already have in Itunes.

Posted on: 28 March 2010 by winkyincanada

Not keen to dip into the streamer world. What with all the stuff I read on here about trying to get it all to work. UPNPs, Twonkys, DHCPs and christ knows what else. NAS is the work of the devil.

I don't have any issues with what I've got. Might try a firewire or USB SPDIF converter, though.

I wouldn't expect you to be a fan of my speakers. I like what they do with the SN, but definitely room for improvement. My next major upgrade.

Your suggestion about an AIFF Rip in XLD might be worth a try, though.

Posted on: 28 March 2010 by winkyincanada

Cloth ears. The XLD rip, Apple lossless rip, both with or without PM all sound the same to my cloth ears. I guess I'm just not very discerning with this stuff.

When I bough my SuperNait I could tell I liked it over the 100w Linn pre/power combo I compared it to. It is much better than my old Audiolab amps. I could tell I didn't like the CDX2. I liked the SL2s but not the little red Sonus Fabers on the ugly marble and string plinths. I think my HiCap helps bass control on my system. Speaker spikes and Linn floor protectors were a definite improvement over felt pads. My new room is better than my old one. I can hear the effect of speaker positioning (nature's EQ!). I can tell the differences between these things.

I cannot hear the difference between the XLD and Apple rips. I cannot hear the effect of Pure Music. Sorry.

Posted on: 28 March 2010 by js

I haven't tried XLD or PM so I'm definitely not saying you have cloth ears. I couldn't know. Just that sometimes it takes a sequence for things to fall into place. Perhaps with a better interface and PM the dif would be discernible when using an XLD rip. I've always said that there's a lot to get right before it becomes important. I'd really suggest for you to try a streamer and see how it wears. Some are extremely easy to set up. Nothing ventured and all that. Those Fabers aren't my favs in their line either.

Posted on: 28 March 2010 by winkyincanada

I can't see my better half going for a streamer. She's fine with Mac Mini and using remote desktop from her MBP (she actually wants an iPad for this job, which I'm not totally adverse to). But another computer-like box that seemingly does much the same as our current setup - pretty hard to sell!

New speakers, well that's another matter. They could theoretically (and very, very likely will) look prettier than the current black Daleks. I could get some S-400s through the door on the looks alone (assuming they look a bit like mini S-600s)

Posted on: 28 March 2010 by js

I can tell you that Sonos is the only product that the husband buys and the wife sends him back for more zones after a month. It's that friendly and may be a comfy step for future negotiations.

No high def and probably enough jitter to make the SN reclock but it's worth a go via coax.

Posted on: 28 March 2010 by winkyincanada

We actually looked at/listened to Sonos when shopping for the SuperNait. She was quite impressed.

I recall that there was a guy/company doing after-market "audiophile" mods to Sonos a year-or-so back. Not that I'd even be able to tell the difference

Posted on: 28 March 2010 by rich46

quote:
Originally posted by winkyincanada:
We actually looked at/listened to Sonos when shopping for the SuperNait. She was quite impressed.

I recall that there was a guy/company doing after-market "audiophile" mods to Sonos a year-or-so back. Not that I'd even be able to tell the difference .

for a initial streaming etc i use sonos/iphone /ripnas feed via the ndac and the results are very good. only 16 bit. just waiting for a good streamer with dig out only .dont need radio/and power amp..

Posted on: 28 March 2010 by Aleg

quote:
Originally posted by winkyincanada:
Not keen to dip into the streamer world. What with all the stuff I read on here about trying to get it all to work. UPNPs, Twonkys, DHCPs and christ knows what else. NAS is the work of the devil.
...

Hi Winky

Don't equate the use of a NAS with UPnP-streaming. Don't let yourself be put off by this idea.

I use a NAS, but keep myself a 1000 miles away from UPnP-streaming.

I use my NAS just as a fileserver which is attached to my PC & my mediaplayer as a network share (just a kind of harddisk really), it works in the same way as the Naim HDX connects to NASes.

This way I can have near limitless storage.

-
aleg

Posted on: 29 March 2010 by Joe Bibb

Winky,

Before doing anything else, try a better interface like a Hi Face. It's an easy thing to eliminate the TOS connection as a potential barrier.

Joe

Posted on: 29 March 2010 by js

I agree he should try the HiFace also but I bet the wife would prefer to use a Sonos and the cost is about the same depending on configuration. Try both if you can and then decide.