Hi, just looking for some basic understanding about these phrases and what is taking place if an OS X Mac is used by means of iTunes to playback lossy or lossess files along the "S/PDIF protocol" as its described from the Toslink optical out information in the instruction manual.
Could anyone give a basic explanation on what is really happening in terms of transcoding, so once hitting the Play button on an ALAC album in iTunes, it is said to be transcoded "on-the-fly" via S/PDIF when an optical lead is connected which then is being sent along to a DAC. So the DAC at the other end is converting some form of received format, in what form is this once it has entered the DAC?
So it wouldn't really matter that much to the DAC if the iTunes playback consisted of rip formats of either ALAC, AIFF or WAV, in terms of the final sound quality output?
Also is it really worth looking into FLAC based ripping tools for Mac OS X, since FLAC seems to be so hot 'n' happenin' with the Naim community. Why is this? This appears to be a bif faff and if there is no real benefit I'd be better off with building an ALAC library from existing CDs?
Last thing, would it be by any amount detrimental to sound quality to put an Airport Express in between the Mac and DAC, that is to have the Airport Express wired in opticacally for AirPlay use.
Ta.
Posted on: 12 November 2012 by PinkHamster
Please allow me to skip the S/PDIF part as my technical knowledge of this is not sufficient. But I can confirm to you that the file format is irellevant for the DAC which is fed via S/PDIF because the decoding of the file is done by the player software (iTunes in your case).
As you are in the iOS/MAC world, FLAC is not really an option for you as iTunes will not play it. But that is no drama as ALAC (or any other lossless format) is just as good. Also as long as you stay lossless you can always transcode to any other lossless format without losing anything. So you should rip to ALAC non, because this what iTunes understands. If you decide to move to FLAC at a later point for what ever reason, this is possible and only a matter of minutes or hours depending on the size of your library.
Posted on: 12 November 2012 by Disposable hero
Ah that sounds about right, from further background reading about FLAC the only real benefits appear to be smaller file sizes per lossless rip. I'd be ripping about 100 CD's, this is a small collection in comparison to most since it had to be cut down during periods of relocation. Then by getting an Airport Express I could release the computer from its permanent docking on the hi-fi - but only if there were no side effects to the music & sound quality. Most people in other threads are happy with Airport Express as a sreaming enabler, although even a bit of sound quality loss I wouldn't find so tolerable.
Posted on: 12 November 2012 by Guido Fawkes
Originally Posted by PinkHamster:
.... I can confirm to you that the file format is irellevant for the DAC which is fed via S/PDIF because the decoding of the file is done by the player software (iTunes in your case).
.....
+1 - it transcodes everything to PCM - so as PH says 'tis all the same.
The Airport Express will definitely result in a loss of SQ ... it is mediocre compared with the Mac Mini. It will not support hi-res and it produces about 10 times as much jitter as the Mac Mini does .,, and that is with the MM on national jitter day playing a jittery version or the jitterbug soundtrack. Apple TV is even worse. Well both devices are quite good, but the MM is very much better.
Use a Wireworld Supernova 6 to connect the MM directly to the DAC ... it is the best way to use a MM. There are other cables, but the Supernova 6 is the best I've tried (Mark Grant was good, but needed an adapter). Didn't like a couple of plastic ones I tried (e.g. Chord, Belkin).
If you get hi-res FLAC then convert them to AIFF with XLD and that's it. (24/96 - you can't play 24/192 with iTunes S/PDIF or at least I don't know how to. You need a hiFace for that.
All the best, Guy
Posted on: 12 November 2012 by paulreso1
Guy, do you use any reclocking or other treatment between your MM and DAC? Or is jitter from modern Mac Minis no issue?
Paul
Posted on: 13 November 2012 by Iver van de Zand
Originally Posted by Guido Fawkes:
Jitter is no issue with the Mac Mini ... it is very low. You also benefit from the buffering within the Naim DAC. I'm fairly sure Apple changed the output chip when it released the MM without DVD/CD drive. There is a noticeable degradation if I use an older MacBook with the DAC.
Hello Guido,
A sidestep from te discussion - excuses for that - but have you already heart/reviewed the new Mac Mini. Are the from a same/better quality than the 2011/2012 models in terms of sound quality and quality of digital out ?
Kindest regards,
Iver
