Improving a Mac based system - where to start?

Posted by: Yetizone on 30 July 2015

Hi all,
 
My home office system is current shutdown due to redecoration, so i'm wondering about using the downtime to investigating what I can do to optimise the output from my Mac to Beresford TC-7510 DAC and CB Nait2. This was implemented quite a few years ago, so I realise the game must have moved on significantly!
 
The current set up uses an old 2007 Macbook, OSX 10.7.5 (can't go any higher with the OS) using iTunes 12.1.2.27. My CD's were ripped using Apple Lossless and i'm currently using iTunes as the interface as I also listen to a lot of podcasts too. All data stored on an external HD (firewire). I also share the library to an older G5 so that has to be able access the files via iTunes also.
 
A Chord Company Toslink cable outputs the optical signal to the Beresford DAC. An RCA to DIN cable connects the DAC to Nait. For ref, the DAC has 2x Coaxial Inputs and 2x Optical. 
 
So, what are my options folks?
 
Can I connect the Mac to the DAC in a better way - with an eye on possibly upgrading to an N-DAC in six months or so? I guess a DAC-V1 is out of the question as it requires OSX 10.7 minimum.
 
Perhaps some sort of asynchronous USB DAC connector / converter / cable upgrade?
 
Re-ripping the CD's perhaps to a better format? Happy to do this as I only have a couple of hundred so not a huge task.
 
Are there any software upgrade possibilities?
 
A lot of questions I know, but any help most gratefully received by this streaming novice!
Posted on: 30 July 2015 by ChrisSU

I'd say that your DAC has to be the first thing to look at. In its day, the Beresford was good for the money, but I'm pretty sure it will be a real bottleneck in your system now. 

Remember that your amp was designed for an analogue (vinyl) source, so it may never be the ideal partner for a digital front end. 

Your CD rips should be OK. Best to have 'error correction' enabled in iTunes import settings. It's easy enough to re-rip a couple of CDs in other formats or with other ripping software just to see if it sounds better.  

Posted on: 30 July 2015 by Williewonka

I'll happily share some of my experiences...

1. I replaced the Chord Company toslink I had with one from DH Labs - $70

- it made a huge difference to the sound quality - it's capable of much greater throughput

- when I heard how good it was I got one for the AV System as well

- but you might not need it - read on...

2. I re-ripped my entire library on a windows machine using DB Poweramp to AIFF

 - for best quality digital files that carry all of the metadata

- iTunes can corrupt a library of WAV files - it's  happened to me a couple of times

- DB Poweramp was highly recommended and has worked flawlessly and does sound better

3. The USB implementation on my DAC was lacking so I bought a V-link192 USB-SPDIF converter

- sounds amazing now, but it requires a SPDIF (wired) connection to the DAC (no toslink)

4. I also bought a split USB cable that has separate data and power lines and have a separate power supply just for the v-link - it really cleaned up the fine details

 

I use iTunes on an iMac for Library management with Audirvana as the streaming software (it's far superior to iTunes alone) and I use Retune on my droid phone and tablet for remote control of iTunes.

- I like iTunes for the various views it offers of the songs - by artist, album, genre etc...

- iTunes just does not play files very well at all - hence - Audirvana 

- Retune offer the very same views on my phone/tablet - amazing!

 

It's taken me several years of pain to get to where I am right now, but my library IS finally safe - stored on a dual RAID NAS drive in the basement :-)

 

I don't trust wireless at all, too many dropouts, so everything is Ethernet wired.

 

But I'm happily playing up to 24/192 digital files and listening to internet radio etc.. in superb fidelity :-)

 

Regards :-)

Posted on: 30 July 2015 by karlosTT

I'm no expert on (nor user of) Mac, but it's sounding like the OSX may be a blockage to other upgrades, so could it be time for a new computer as a first step (to take advantage of the latest DAC technology) ?

 

ALAC can be batch converted to any format of preference so no real point in re-ripping unless you're aware of numerous faulty / non-secure rips.....

Posted on: 31 July 2015 by Yetizone

Thanks for the detailed replies folks - much appreciated Certainly quite a lot to think about and time to start some research! 
 
For now I was hoping for just (relatively) simple upgrades for the moment due to room refurbishing / decorating costs, as mentioned, a 2nd hand N-DAC could be on the cards for later in the year, so I was thinking of potential cable alternatives (USB etc) for now while everything is disconnected, but with an eye on that upgrade further down the line - as opposed to radical box changing right now.
 
A new Mac could be on the cards. Something I am considering, but not 100% sure which way to jump as yet - I'm thinking of a new Mac Pro (to replace my G5 work mac) but as I'm not terribly enthusiastic about Adobe's subscription service (but that's another debate) I haven't made the leap as yet.
 
So, would a starting point be something like a MF V-link USB-SPDIF converter and associated USB cables?
 
Off to look up Audirvana, the V-Link etc!
Posted on: 31 July 2015 by ChrisSU

When it comes to replacing your Mac, I would go for a dedicated music-only Mac Mini. This should give you better results and greater stability than you could expect from a busy, multi-tasking machine. Alternatively, go for a Naim streamer (as I did.) Search the forum, and you'll find lots of opinions as to which is the best way to go. If you go for a streamer, you could consider one of the Uniti products. This would include an amplifier well suited to digital sources, as your Nait was really designed for vinyl.

If you do keep the Nait, get it serviced if it hasn't been done, and it should sound much better.

 

Sorry, no advice from me on cables, I use a Superuniti so I don't need any interconnects. I'm sure someone else will be able to make some suggestions.

 

Good luck.

Posted on: 31 July 2015 by dayjay

"When it comes to replacing your Mac, I would go for a dedicated music-only Mac Mini. This should give you better results and greater stability than you could expect from a busy, multi-tasking machine." +1

Posted on: 31 July 2015 by Jude2012

Take a look at the audio circles site for optimising a Mac for music

 

Jude

Posted on: 31 July 2015 by karlosTT

If you can find a decent USB>SPDIF converter that def works with your OSX then that would be a sensible place to start I think, giving you a building block for the future and scope to use eg an nDAC (or any Naim streamer/uniti product in 'DAC mode', for that matter).  Some of these converters use an asynchronous USB interface, which is a good thing.  There is also the possibility of using a toslink (if your Macbook has an optical/3.5mm combo socket - I think most do) with one of the above products, too.

 

So you could invest a bit of time researching what is OSX compatible vs what's not.  Or you could just bite the bullet on a new computer, perhaps a Mac Mini as others have suggested in this thread.  These are very popular on this forum as a music hub....

Posted on: 31 July 2015 by NickSeattle

I installed Audirvana today on my Mac Mini.  WireWorld optical to nDAC 555.  Very satisfying sound.  Approaches, near enough, my SBT via co-ax into same.  Both sound "meatier" than NDX, though the NDX is still beautiful, and more neutral-sounding.  Nice to have the choice, and the many usability benefits of the NDX-FM > nDAC system automation.

 

Nick