Mac / Hiface / nDac - settings?
Posted by: Lee Henley on 08 October 2010
I was wondering if anyone on here was using a hiface to connect to the nDac. If so what are they setting the midi settings to on the mac?
I have mine currently set to 192khz in the midi settings which brings on the little green light on the front of the dac indicating the dac is receiving the correct signal, all my recordings are ripped from red book cd's to apple lossless files.
As usual any help much appreciated
Lee
I have mine currently set to 192khz in the midi settings which brings on the little green light on the front of the dac indicating the dac is receiving the correct signal, all my recordings are ripped from red book cd's to apple lossless files.
As usual any help much appreciated
Lee
Posted on: 08 October 2010 by james n
Dont let the Mac upsample (unless using something like Pure music to do it) - set Audio midi to the native sample rate - 44.1khz for red book. Worth setting the word length to 24 bit rather than 16 (it's only padding the 16 bit work up to 24 bit with 0's) but seems to make a difference.
James
James
Posted on: 08 October 2010 by garyi
James what is your feeling on this.
I purchased a cheapish USB DAC which apparently does 24/96
I fed it said material with audio mide set to 24/96 and OSX chokes telling me there is not enough bandwidth.
In reality I can have either the 24 or the 96.
Which is more important?
I purchased a cheapish USB DAC which apparently does 24/96
I fed it said material with audio mide set to 24/96 and OSX chokes telling me there is not enough bandwidth.
In reality I can have either the 24 or the 96.
Which is more important?
Posted on: 08 October 2010 by pcstockton
I realize you are asking James but I figured I would butt in.
16/44 to 24/48 (huge jump)
24/48 to 24/96 (minor jump but worthwhile)
24/96 to 24/192 (did not notice a meaningful difference)
The freq rate is what makes the files size so much bigger. The word length doesn't add too much.
I dont really recall what the results of 16/96 were. I think i tried it though...... years ago.
The few 24/192s (DVD-A) I have have been dithered to 24/96.
-Patrick
16/44 to 24/48 (huge jump)
24/48 to 24/96 (minor jump but worthwhile)
24/96 to 24/192 (did not notice a meaningful difference)
The freq rate is what makes the files size so much bigger. The word length doesn't add too much.
I dont really recall what the results of 16/96 were. I think i tried it though...... years ago.
The few 24/192s (DVD-A) I have have been dithered to 24/96.
-Patrick
Posted on: 08 October 2010 by pcstockton
quote:I have mine currently set to 192khz in the midi settings which brings on the little green light on the front of the dac
which light? Sync or Hires?
Posted on: 08 October 2010 by garyi
Patrick the device I have has an input and an output which I guess is striaght forward enough. The USB dac is inputted from the mac and outputs from the spdif.
Now I can set both input an output resolutions. If I set either to lower the 24/96 and the other to 24/96 then it works.
So whats with the input thing, do I need this set to max power?
I must admit to finding it a bit confusing (And wishing I had just plumbed for a hi face)
Now I can set both input an output resolutions. If I set either to lower the 24/96 and the other to 24/96 then it works.
So whats with the input thing, do I need this set to max power?
I must admit to finding it a bit confusing (And wishing I had just plumbed for a hi face)
Posted on: 09 October 2010 by Lee Henley
quote:Originally posted by pcstockton:quote:I have mine currently set to 192khz in the midi settings which brings on the little green light on the front of the dac
which light? Sync or Hires?
Both of them are on
Posted on: 09 October 2010 by james n
Bit of a strange one that Gary. I take it that it plays normal 44.1 / 16 ok ?. Which DAC is it ?
James
James
Posted on: 09 October 2010 by gav111n
Lee,
The HiFace only has the option of 32bit in the midi settings, so nothing to worry about there.
As James said, set the sample frequency to 44.1KHz for ripped CDs. If you set it higher (say 192KHz) then iTunes* will upsample and you are no longer bit perfect. The nDAC recognises that the sample rate is high so the HiRes light comes on, even though you are not actually playing a HiRes file.
*assuming you use iTunes. Have you had a play with PureMusic or Amarra? They will choose the correct sample frequency for you and for many (including me) are a worthwhile improvement of sound.
Gav
The HiFace only has the option of 32bit in the midi settings, so nothing to worry about there.
As James said, set the sample frequency to 44.1KHz for ripped CDs. If you set it higher (say 192KHz) then iTunes* will upsample and you are no longer bit perfect. The nDAC recognises that the sample rate is high so the HiRes light comes on, even though you are not actually playing a HiRes file.
*assuming you use iTunes. Have you had a play with PureMusic or Amarra? They will choose the correct sample frequency for you and for many (including me) are a worthwhile improvement of sound.
Gav
Posted on: 09 October 2010 by js
Gary, sounds like there's not enough bandwidth on the USB reciever of the DAC to do 24/96. Unlike others, I prefer the output set to both the correct bit depth and sample rate. I don't generally care for 16 bit files played at 24 bit out though it can add something pleasant for some setups. It's a bit disconcerting that a difference is heard at all.
Posted on: 09 October 2010 by garyi
Well I am willing to default to experience on this one. If I set input and output at 16 bit then I can happiply set both to 96hz as well.
I have spoken with apple about this as I am on their list and I think the consensus is a driver issue.
I don't see how a USB socket could run out of room with a device like this.
Its just a cheap one from the bay.
I have spoken with apple about this as I am on their list and I think the consensus is a driver issue.
I don't see how a USB socket could run out of room with a device like this.
Its just a cheap one from the bay.
Posted on: 09 October 2010 by Lee Henley
quote:Originally posted by gav111n:
Lee,
The HiFace only has the option of 32bit in the midi settings, so nothing to worry about there.
As James said, set the sample frequency to 44.1KHz for ripped CDs. If you set it higher (say 192KHz) then iTunes* will upsample and you are no longer bit perfect. The nDAC recognises that the sample rate is high so the HiRes light comes on, even though you are not actually playing a HiRes file.
*assuming you use iTunes. Have you had a play with PureMusic or Amarra? They will choose the correct sample frequency for you and for many (including me) are a worthwhile improvement of sound.
Gav
Hi Gav
I did try the pure music s/w however with the hiface connected it kept making a clicking noise, I aint tried the amarra due to the price!
Anyway Ive reset it back to 44.1
Lee
Posted on: 09 October 2010 by garyi
JS, I spoke with apple and they concluded the device was not in spec. Its only a cheapy from ebay, pay cheap pay twice and all that.
However it will quite happily function if in and out are set to 16/96
I just need to find a way to switch audio outputs easily so that 5.1 is available on the standard optiocal out and I am set.
You would not believe how difficult this appears to be.
However it will quite happily function if in and out are set to 16/96
I just need to find a way to switch audio outputs easily so that 5.1 is available on the standard optiocal out and I am set.
You would not believe how difficult this appears to be.
Posted on: 09 October 2010 by js
Coming from you, I do. Try 24/48 for 24/96 material and see how that sounds.