Studio Master Playback (stupid) question.

Posted by: Voltaire on 25 November 2013

I'm sure this is a stupid question but here goes!

 

I have an iMac + Qute2 set up which is great but I have recently become interested in 'Studio master quality' albums from Linn & Naim amongst others and I've bought a few. My question is, how does my Qute2 play the studio master quality back at studio master quality if it (as I assume) plays the albums from my iTunes library (based on Apples total world domination)? In other words, does iTunes determine the playback quality of my library even via streaming or does my Qute2 pull the files at source quality (as they are saved on my NAS/HDD) bypassing iTunes limitations?

 

Any help always appreciated.

 

Gordon

Posted on: 25 November 2013 by garyi

No this is where you can start hitting brick walls. It depends very much on your UPNP server.

 

If however you are simply hooking up the imac directly via toslink to the Qute then you can download a little app called bitperfect which will change the macs audio output on the fly to whats required,

 

Or you could spend like 700 quid forsomething that does basically the same thing.

Posted on: 25 November 2013 by Voltaire

Thanks garyi, I am using Yazsoft Playback which I believe supported his res files?

 

As to connecting my iMac to the Qute I have two issues with that. 1/. I am trying to maintain a minimalist wireless system and 2/. I don't see any suitable socket on the rear of my 2012 iMac?

 

Gordon

Posted on: 26 November 2013 by Voltaire

According to the display on the front of my Qute it is actually streaming my studio master files at 96khz ALAC?

Posted on: 26 November 2013 by Bart

I'm not 100% sure but I think that that headphone jack is also an optical mini (Toslink) jack.  You'd need an optical mini to toslink cable, which can be purchased, to connect to the Qute2.

Posted on: 26 November 2013 by Voltaire

Thanks Bart, I'll look into that.

Posted on: 26 November 2013 by james n

Playback supports these files. I've used it with 24/192 AIFF with no problems. If you are already connected via UPnP then why do you need the optical connection to the Mac ?

 

James

 

Posted on: 26 November 2013 by Voltaire

Hi James, your'e right I don't need to connect it. All working fine now thanks.