I played around with "computer audiophile" system as a streamer for a few weeks now...so here are my findings. Maybe it helps you saves you time and money! Gear: Mac mini 4GB, 2.3GHz, 1TB apple lossless, USB to McIntosh C2500 DAC. USB cable- yes, a grey one...
My final statement so far: it s..cks!
I tested all the super hi-audiophile SW from Amaxx, Purexx, Audirxx etc. on my Mac (system settings after their best practises...) running itunes up and down, integer mode, USB-async., system optimizer etc. etc.
Connected my Mac via USB to the DAC...and the sound? Boring! I mean really boring and without any s..x!!! Switching music formats kills the SW or the connection...means: start SW or MAC or DAC again-aaargh!!!
And the worst is an incredible bad handling of music (I HATE itunes- my music is stored in folder!! ha- try to do this with itunes!) If you every worked with Kinsky or LUMIN you know what I'm talking about...I want a headless design here...Than I tried JRivxx. Who designed such SW? But ok, folder view and an ipad app...
So I was almost done with it, well- almost! Than I installed XBMC, a free SW that turns your system in a music streamer controlled with an ipad, android AND folder view! Setup time roughly 10min, detects USB, add music- done! Switching from mp3 to 192/24? No problem- just say play it!
Folks- what really shocked my is the sound! It is unbelievable good- really everything I need!
So if you would like to go the computer-way, just test XBMC first before you buy other SW.
cheers
Ralf
Posted on: 04 December 2013 by Andrew Porter
...and its (xbmc) also very good for streaming the latest dvds,foreign tv,sports from all over the world
etc etc etc. Brilliant and all free and legal!
Posted on: 04 December 2013 by Iver van de Zand
Hi Ralf,
glad you finally found a solution with XBMC (tried it once myself for video; worked well) allthough it surprises a bit you experienced sonmany issues with iTunes. Reading this forum, there is a huge group of people streaming with iTunes without major issues and with positive Sound Quality results. Did yiu use the iLounge guiding documents. There is a lot of valiable info there.
cheers and hope you will continue your streaming journey
iver
Posted on: 06 December 2013 by garyi
I ran xbmc for a number of years, hiwever the multi client one server approach of plex is compelling so i use that now as preference, the ability to queue uoutube vids etc to play back is also amazing and useful
Posted on: 08 December 2013 by peez
Originally Posted by Aleg:
Originally Posted by T38.45:
Hi Iver, Andrew,
thanks!
itunes worked alone very good, but I don't like the handling of it and it doesn't switch to right file resolution (44/96/192). Here, it need additional SW...
cheers
Ralf
That's Apple for you.
IMHO you used the worst possible setup to try computer-based audio.
but hey, that's only me.
cheers
aleg
what is the best set up configuration for apple based computer audio, and is this better than the Naim streamer approach, i.e NDX? I have an apple mac mini and het usb dac but am considering alternatives.
Posted on: 08 December 2013 by NickSeattle
Originally Posted by peez:
Originally Posted by Aleg:
Originally Posted by T38.45:
Hi Iver, Andrew,
thanks!
itunes worked alone very good, but I don't like the handling of it and it doesn't switch to right file resolution (44/96/192). Here, it need additional SW...
cheers
Ralf
That's Apple for you.
IMHO you used the worst possible setup to try computer-based audio.
but hey, that's only me.
cheers
aleg
what is the best set up configuration for apple based computer audio, and is this better than the Naim streamer approach, i.e NDX? I have an apple mac mini and het usb dac but am considering alternatives.
peez,
IMHO, a Mac Mini into a decent DAC of your choice brings you within range of the best-sounding solutions available -- "close enough" for many of us. After that, it is all nuances and tweaks. Logistics are also important. Naim streamers add iDevice remote control of your Supernait2 and Naim CD player and/or Naim DAC, if applicable -- n-stream is very nice to use!
Configured properly, the user experience with a Mac or PC can be pretty good, though, if you are good at that sort if thing.
Nick
Posted on: 10 December 2013 by NickSeattle
Originally Posted by peez:
what is the best set up configuration for apple based computer audio, and is this better than the Naim streamer approach, i.e NDX? I have an apple mac mini and het usb dac but am considering alternatives.
My prior remarks are not intended as faint-praise of the more-expensive options. At this level, everything sounds so good that your functional requirements become more important than any differences in sound quality, IMHO.
For example, I have my Mac Mini connected to the DAC via Toslink and the TV via HDMI. The results are really good, but many would not want to do this.
My answer to the above question from peez is that BitPerfect does seem to effectively tune and improve iTunes. In the end, I leave BitPerfect and other add-ons turned off, as they sometimes affect the remote control adversely, especially when patch levels get out of sync. But it does work as advertized.
I am picky about SQ, and have rejected a number of products that failed to satisfy. The Mac Mini has been a pleasant surprise, and is cheap relative to similar-sounding alternatives, in my experience. It is an affordable place to start to explore if streaming is for you; and it has many other possible uses if streaming is not for you, after all.
All that said, I am still interested in the Naim streamers, and am likely to own one, one day, for their unique benefits.
Nick
