Macs and the Audiophile

[mjb]

Many of us use Macs in our systems, perhaps as music servers or sound analysers. I thought this thread could be a place to exchange idea's and software links. So fire away.....

[mjb]

For those who don't want to use iTunes to rip (or rip to FLAC), try XLD: http://tmkk.hp.infoseek.co.jp/xld/index_e.html

Max is another, and it allows control over what type of error correction is used for audio extraction: http://sbooth.org/Max/

[littlesaint]

I've been using Songbird for music playback. It has a lot to offer beyond iTunes, but I can't seem to cut the cord to iTunes entirely. Play from sbooth.org is nice as well.

[JonMarsh]

Just got an RME Fireface 800; plan to use it for playback (ultra low jitter clock system and 24/192 capability, plus using Pure Vinyl for analog ripping of SACD from my Marantz SA-11, particularly single layer disks with no hybrid layer.

I've also just bought six albums from HD Tracks music, (including Robert Plant/Allison Krause "Raising Sand" and getting setup to play them - and of course, just got in a new hard drive and RAM upgrade for my Mac Mini- but time's a little short for getting that done immediately.

BTW, no issues so far with upgrading to Snow Leopard- it does have some useful UI polish, and it is snappier than Leopard.

I'll post about results as I get it pulled together- before RMAF I hope, as I plan to take the system there.

[Alaric]

Jon , how do you like 'Raising Sand'?

[mjb]

Lee, I'm sure its amazing.

Any on topic comments?

[mjb]

I've also just bought six albums from HD Tracks music, (including Robert Plant/Allison Krause "Raising Sand" and getting setup to play them - and of course, just got in a new hard drive and RAM upgrade for my Mac Mini- but time's a little short for getting that done immediately.

BTW, no issues so far with upgrading to Snow Leopard- it does have some useful UI polish, and it is snappier than Leopard.

I'll post about results as I get it pulled together- before RMAF I hope, as I plan to take the system there.

I've also just done a Mac Mini processor/ram/HD upgrade, and wow, what a difference! Also very pleased with Snow Leopard. No issues, and as you say, its much much snappier.

[Hberg]

I use a 2009 Mac Mini 2.26Ghz, 4GB with a Newertech miniStack V3 1.0TB 7200 32MB Cache Drive attached via Firewire 800. I use it for all my iTunes that I record using the Apple Lossless method. I have upgraded to Snow Leopard, and everything seems to function properly.

The only exception I have is with the Elgato TV Hybrid and EyeTV. Right now EyeTV is only allowing Stereo Output for all my OTA Broadcasts, and I am unable to use Digital Audio Out. Elgato is aware of the problem and trying to resolve the issue. It seems to be a problem for a number of individuals using the latest version of EyeTV and Snow Leopard.

[littlesaint]

I use a 2009 Mac Mini 2.26Ghz, 4GB with a Newertech miniStack V3 1.0TB 7200 32MB Cache Drive attached via Firewire 800. I use it for all my iTunes that I record using the Apple Lossless method. I have upgraded to Snow Leopard, and everything seems to function properly.

The only exception I have is with the Elgato TV Hybrid and EyeTV. Right now EyeTV is only allowing Stereo Output for all my OTA Broadcasts, and I am unable to use Digital Audio Out. Elgato is aware of the problem and trying to resolve the issue. It seems to be a problem for a number of individuals using the latest version of EyeTV and Snow Leopard.

How's that working out with the ministack? I'm debating between picking up one of those or swapping out the internal drive with a larger, faster one.

Also, what are people preferences for audio transport -- USB or mini optical? I know some swear by USB, but I've also read that if you don't have drivers for your DAC, the USB is limited to 48/16. I'm purposely leaving out Firewire since those DACs are usually found on the recording side and not consumer gear. I have an M-Audio Firewire Solo which does a good job, but I need that for recording, so I'm going to replace it with something from the consumer side. Probably a DACMagic, V-DAC, or Emotiva's upcoming standalone DAC.

[Hberg]

How's that working out with the ministack? I'm debating between picking up one of those or swapping out the internal drive with a larger, faster one.

Also, what are people preferences for audio transport -- USB or mini optical? I know some swear by USB, but I've also read that if you don't have drivers for your DAC, the USB is limited to 48/16. I'm purposely leaving out Firewire since those DACs are usually found on the recording side and not consumer gear. I have an M-Audio Firewire Solo which does a good job, but I need that for recording, so I'm going to replace it with something from the consumer side. Probably a DACMagic, V-DAC, or Emotiva's upcoming standalone DAC.

The miniStack off the Mac Mini works fine. The great thing is that I can access it and the files using my MacBook Pro. I have no sense of lag with the iTunes library stored on the miniStack, and the miniStack offers plenty of space.

Personally, I went with the mini-Toslink (mini optical) connection to my Classe' SSP-800. It sounds great! I did not see the need for a stand alone DAC.

[Brandon B]

We've got 2 ministacks (an older ATA and a newer SATA drive version) as well as one of their mercury elite pros and one of the little plastic mercury on the go units.

All are decent enclosures (put in my own drives). Only thing I would ding the ministacks on is that once they start to get a little dust clogged, the fans run a lot more than they need to. In our house, this took about 3-4 months. You can open them up and clean them out, but they clog back up.

I hav one of the WD greenpower drives in the newer one, and it is a lot better since that drive puts out a lot less heat.

In general, OWC's stuff is decent and they have great support. I'd upgrade the mini's drive too, if I were at it. Redundancy is always a good thing and you can get a 320GB drive for the minis for under $70.

Jon - any news back on Snow Leopard leaving the bitstream unsullied for sure?
BB

[JonMarsh]

Jon , how do you like 'Raising Sand'?

I like the album quite a bit, but I haven't gotten setup to listen to the High Rez version yet, there's a lot of stuff going on here lately! I'm curious to see how it compares, as I've been making other system upgrades, and a new "conventional" DAC on the way, too.

[JonMarsh]

We've got 2 ministacks (an older ATA and a newer SATA drive version) as well as one of their mercury elite pros and one of the little plastic mercury on the go units.

All are decent enclosures (put in my own drives). Only thing I would ding the ministacks on is that once they start to get a little dust clogged, the fans run a lot more than they need to. In our house, this took about 3-4 months. You can open them up and clean them out, but they clog back up.

I hav one of the WD greenpower drives in the newer one, and it is a lot better since that drive puts out a lot less heat.

In general, OWC's stuff is decent and they have great support. I'd upgrade the mini's drive too, if I were at it. Redundancy is always a good thing and you can get a 320GB drive for the minis for under $70.

Jon - any news back on Snow Leopard leaving the bitstream unsullied for sure?
BB

I haven't seen anyone running a test on it, but iTunes is not that tweaked yet; there's still carbon libraries in it, and as far as I know the "claimed" core audio performance has not changed at all.

Sometimes people make claims about iTunes not ripping as well as EAC, but I've tested it twice myself in the past, and found it bit perfect. Computer Audiophile has too. That's an interesting site for those following this path.

I've got a new high rez analog ripping software that I'm setting up, and it has a playback engine that works with iTunes, and optionally can provide an upsampling engine for 44/16 material using their own 64 bit engine; they also have custom decimation program for going from 24/192 or 24/96 down to 44/16. It's called Pure Vinyl, it's pretty neat what it does for a little over $200.

BTW, on the subject of HD in Mini's and mini stacks, I do have a mini-stack with an Hitachi Enterprise class 1 TB drive but I just got in a new 750GB WD to up grade the mini itself- with sleep modes, sometimes the external loses the connection. That will take me from 320 to 750; I didn't have any problems with upgrading my MBP from 320 to 500 last Christmas, so I'm hoping this one goes as smooth- upping the RAM at the same time.

[numberoneoppa]

For those who don't want to use iTunes to rip (or rip to FLAC), try XLD: http://tmkk.hp.infoseek.co.jp/xld/index_e.html

Max is another, and it allows control over what type of error correction is used for audio extraction: http://sbooth.org/Max/

Yes, XLD is the only ripper for mac that allows for proper rips will full log and .cue support. If you can't use EAC, use XLD. :P

edit: I find it strange that any of you use iTunes with its horrible native file support. Any love for Cog out there?

[littlesaint]

You might want to checkout sbooth.org. The guy there has some very nice tools. Rip for high-quality rips to lossless and uncompressed formats. Max for conversion to other formats. Play for music playback. Play uses 32bit floating-point processing for all audio files, utilizes Apple's Core Audio and Audio Units for DSP effects. It also uses ReplayGain for volume normalization.

[Crimson]

Is anyone here running Amarra by Sonic Studio? I have it set up with RME, Wavelength, and Apogee dacs using OS 10.6 and everything works without any issues (and SS just released v1.0.2).

[littlesaint]

Yes, XLD is the only ripper for mac that allows for proper rips will full log and .cue support. If you can't use EAC, use XLD. :P

edit: I find it strange that any of you use iTunes with its horrible native file support. Any love for Cog out there?

Well, I only use Apple Lossless for my server, and iTunes Plus (256bit AAC, VBR) for my iPhone, so it's not horrible to me. As I use Rip, Max, and Play more, iTunes becomes more of a store front-end and less an audio solution, but I still stick with the Apple codecs.

[Hberg]

Well, I only use Apple Lossless for my server, and iTunes Plus (256bit AAC, VBR) for my iPhone, so it's not horrible to me. As I use Rip, Max, and Play more, iTunes becomes more of a store front-end and less an audio solution, but I still stick with the Apple codecs.

I only import CDs in to iTunes, and I only use Apple Lossless.

[Brandon B]

Trying to run a 24 bit 44.1Khz FLAC through iTunes. I can get it to play using Fluke, a program that relabels the files as .mov and they will then play in iTunes, but will not stream to other output devices (an aTV in this case), nor are they visible as part of the library when browsing from the aTV. Anyone find a way to get this to work with something other than Fluke?

I'd just convert them to ALAC, but then they go from 24 bits to 16. Which brings up another question - anyone think there will be an audible difference between 16 and 24 bit files if they are both at 44.1Khz? Or are we already past the point of diminishing return for SNR at 16 bits anyway?

[mjb]

Fluke adds the necessary library components for FLAC support, but not on the ATV which would need them too for playback, assuming the file even gets that far which I doubt. (http://blowintopieces.com/fluke/)

There is a huge difference between 16 and 24 bit (bit depth), the question is whether you can hear it! Why not convert a copy of the files to ALAC and see if you're satified with the results?

[Brandon B]

Equipment-wise, I am unable to do that for a month or so as I am replacing the speakers in my second system.

How would you characterize the difference in the sound when increasing bit depth only?

My curiosity basically is built around the Beatles FLAC release. I bought the mono box set, and was unlikely to pick up the stereo set, but might try (if they do another prodution run) if the quality is a decent jump from the RBCD version.

[mjb]

In case you missed it, Apple has just dropped the price of the Mini in non-US markets.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/02/a...on-us-markets/

And in the UK:

http://www.reghardware.com/2010/11/02/apple_cuts_mac_mini_price/

[wettou]

Building a Movie Server based on Mac Mini

Hello

I would like to build a movie server using a mac mini.

Here is what I am interested in doing:
- Replace the hard drive with a SSD

Now I am completely ignorant as to Windows and programs that will allow me to burn blu ray to hard drive.

Any help would be appreciated :T

[mjb]

You can use MakeMKV (http://www.makemkv.com/) to RIP a BLU-RAY on the Mac (there's a PC version too).

Run the resulting MKV file through Handbrake (http://handbrake.fr/) if you need to turn it into an MP4 to play in iTunes or on a PS3.

The MP4 files can be stored on your Mac server, in or out of iTunes.