"Optimising" a Mac for use as a music server into DAC? [low jitter, BitPerfect App]

Disposable,

hi.

I have BitPerfect on my MacBookPro, I think its main purpose is to output bit perfect files and automatically select the files' format and bit rate, which iTunes does not.

Anyway, it only does this for the digital output, so when your MacBook is used with an external DAC.

For ripping duties, many say that XLD is a very good integration to iTunes, apparently ripping more accurately; this has not been proven so far yet, but it's true that XLD is a small, well functioning ripping software.

For playback duties, a software called Playback, by Yazsoft, enables easily and effectively your MacBook for UPnP operation (which the Mac is reluctant to do by itself); and there are many who think highly of 3rd party players (to be used in integration with, or in alternative to, iTunes), such as Amarra, Audirvana and others.

Many, then, think that iTunes is perfectly able to accurately rip and accurately replay files. You only need to configure it for the desired operation mode (format, bit rate, destination folder, automations).

Some say that the last generation of MacMinis has been optimized for low jitter and hence better sound; MacBookPros, anyway, are used by many here, and you will get a number of recommendations.

Best,

Max

Max ... hope you didn't mind me using your post, but you laid out all the points to consider really well so I thought I'd follow it and FWIW say yes I agree. 

Guido,

I was hoping/expecting you'd arrive. I'm glad I made the points well enough to be of help.

Cheers

Max

Hi maxbertola and Guido,

Thanks for these tips, it will be a cabled connection and right now I've got the Chord company Optichord. I'm aware that the WireWorld Supernova 6 is the cable of choice among forum users in these sorts of connections, I was unsure of spending that much for a cable (had a little search and the average prices are £130) so I'd got the cheaper Chord.

Disposable Hero, Don't worry about going for the Chord. My setup streaming wise is, QNAP NAS, Mac Mini, Optichord, Naim DAC, XPS 2 and it sounds great. I had the same view about the price of the Wireworld. I have yet to get hold of one on loan or something to see if it's worth the difference. Some argue that bits are bits so I need to hear it first.

That is good to hear spartacus, also the QNAP you mention looks very useful too, it should easily contain an entire music collection.

The Supernova 6 was a significant upgrade over the Chord plastic cable in my system ... whether it has the same effect in everybody's system I cannot say ... I thought the Chord and Belkin cables I tried were similar in SQ and so thought well bits are bits or is that words are words .... then I tried the Supernova 6 .... no more thoughts on USB to S/PDIF convertors. This is the best digital cable I have tried ... the MG is very very good but it does need an adapter. 

To me the Supernova 6 makes far more of difference than the various players some folk are impressed by ... iTunes BP is fine for me. 

See if you can persuade a friendly dealer to let you try one .... 

Guido, I would really like to try a Supernova 6, especially hearing you recommend it so often and for such a long time (going by your posts) . Any suggestions on a dealer who stocks them? It could be something my other half can get me for Christmas.

spartacus as your avatar's character suggest - be brave! Buy Supernova 6 with confidence. I bought mine 'blind' following Guido's recommendation & no remorse whatsoever.

I love the swivel-ends on Supernova 6.  Scared me, at first, when they popped off.

Nick

Ha ha..... free the slaves, Free the music!

Hi spartacus, so what did you think about buying blind a Wireworld Supernova 6, if you did do it or are maybe pondering? If you do I will

If you use your Mac (or any other pc or computer) as a UPnP server  - ie to serve up music files over ethernet or wifi - then there are not and cannot be any issues with source jitter whatsoever.

This is one of the inherent advantages of UPnP - music is shipped over your network much the same as other data like files and things you are printing.  There is no clock signal bound up with the data, so there is nothing in the source that can jitter. Only clocks jitter. Data is unequivocal and invariant, and the UPnP protocol transmits the correct clock frequency as data, so it is perfect.

You would of course need to use a UPnP capable network player like the NDS/NDX etc.

OTOH if you use s/pdif or USB as a way of connecting your computer to your DAC, then jitter may well be an issue, although the nDAC goes to some trouble to minimise the impact of this.

Not gone for it. Too busy enjoying the music and of course there is a lot of "seasonal" spending going on right now. Although I don't make New Years resolutions I might just add it to my "to do list" for next year but not at a high priority.

Ah, but have you read the post on the magical AQ snake-oil cable - unless you spend a fortune on buying such cables ,,, all kinds of serpents will come down your Ethernet and in to your network player ... in fact it will be akin to the end of the world as we know .... a Supernova 6 on the other hand brings peace and tranquility and soothes the savage beast ... no ugh plug and pray (upnp) required ... it just works  

Fair enough, I did forget to mention that (imo of course) cds ripped after midnight sound much better than those ripped in the daytime. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it a night and day difference. I think this is because the serpents are afraid of the dark. 

LoL !!