Hi experts,
I have what seems to be a pretty common configuration :
Mac mini -> optical cable -> nDAC -> Naim amp.
I'm using iTunes with all CDs ripped in ALAC format and I'm very happy so far.
Yesterday I've tried for the first time to download some HD (24 bits, 96kHz) songs
and I was expecting the HD led on my nDAC to turn on when listening to
these songs from iTunes. But that was not the case : the HD led remains off as always.
Then I've played with the "Audio and MIDI configuration" application
from the "Applications/Utilities" folder on y mac :
I think by default settings for the digital output are : [44100 Hz - 2 ch. 16 bits integer]
When I change to [96000 Hz - 2ch. 24 bits integer] the HD led on the nDAC
turns to ON, but stays always ON, instead of varying depending on whether
I'm playing an HD song or normal 16 bits song.
So here are my questions :
- for a normal 44.1kHz/16 bits song does it make any difference modifying these settings ?
- what are the best settings to play "normal" music ?
- what are the best settings to play HD music ?
- Are there any settings good for both or at least an acceptable compromise ?
For now I'm assuming something like [96000 Hz - 2ch. 24 bits integer] is ok for
both 44.1 kHz/16 bits songs and 96kHz/24 bits songs; but not sure, as 96kHz is not
a mulitple from 44.1 kHz. 88.2 would be better probably, but then not good enough for HD…
Any suggestion or any pointers on documentation about this would be appreciated.
And of course any advice from Naim nDAC team would be great !
Thanks,
FranÇois
PS: Using just my ears to define the best settings I must admit I can't hear any
significant difference ! So my questions are more for intellectual purpose…
Posted on: 01 October 2011 by LeeTom
in my opinion, you will get the best results by matching the settings in Audio Midi Setup to the music files that you are listening to. For example, when listening to ripped CDs, set it to 44.1/16, when listening to high resolution music, set it to 96/24 or whatever the file happens to be.
there are some applications out there that switch your settings for you based on the song that is currently playing - PureMusic is popular, integrates with iTunes, and I believe it does this for you amongst other things.
Posted on: 01 October 2011 by DT79
The problem is that iTunes/your Mac won't automatically switch the bit depth/sample rate to match the native properties of the track being played. It's a very fundamental and annoying omission, but it doesn't seem to be something that Apple are interested in fixing! The result is that when you play a track with different bit/sample rate properties than you midi settings are set to the track gets up/down sampled which is not ideal.
To alter the midi settings according to each track you play is obviously very tedious, not least because you have to quit/re-start iTunes for the change of settings to take effect.
The easiest and cheapest solution is Bitperfect, available from the App store for £2.99. It runs in the background and takes over the playback duties from iTunes to give improved quality and automatic sample rate switching. Once launched the icon just sits in the top right of you screen to show you it's running, and you just use iTunes as you normally would.
Posted on: 02 October 2011 by Simon-in-Suffolk
Hi Bart, yes it appears Unitiserve only converts HDCD to 16 bit, whereas other ripper/encoders such as dBpoweramp convert to 20bit and truncate within 24bit. But as others have it's the sample rate that drives the hidef light on the NDAC, not sample word length ie sample rate needs to be 48kHz or higher.
Simon
Posted on: 02 October 2011 by The Hawk
Francois, you will reap many benefits by using something like BitPerfect. The sound itself should be better than iTunes alone. I have PureMusic, Amarra, etc, but the latest and greatest is an app called Audirvana Plus, it's free to try for 14 days, then it will be available for $49. I also have their original free version, but I can't stop listening to their new player. I also like Fidelia, they have an amazing app for the iPhone that is the best way to remote control your iTunes library on your Mac mini, IMO.
I have trouble hearing the differences between the various software players, they are all quite amazing. But listening to iTunes itself is not something I can do anymore, at least not for serious listening. For me, listening with iTunes alone makes me feel there is something wrong with my MacBook. The difference between iTunes as a player versus a player like Audirvana is startling, IMO.
Please let us know if you hear an improvement to the sound quality of your music on your Mac mini now. You can try most of the other players for free, they have trial periods. If you think the sound quality with iTunes through your nDAC was good before, well, be prepared to be shocked at how much better it will be now.
Enjoy!
Dave
