24/96 not possible with Mac with Mac processors?

[Gordon]

I'm currently running a Mac Pro G5 through a Scott Nixon Tube DAC and am about to upgrade the DAC. Currently, my Mac, which has the Apple/MAC processors, not Intel chips, limits my importing and playback to 16/48. I had assumed that the DAC was what was limiting me to 16/48 and that by upgrading to another DAC, I would be able to use 24/96 settings. But I think I noticed something which stated that only the Macs with Intel processors were capable of 24/96. So I assume that the Mac processors are not. Any insights out there?

 

Thanks,

Gordon

 

[rockrabbit]

Depends, Go to you Utilities folder and launch Audio MIDI Setup.

 

select optical output.. then see the drop down options.. they will read 44.1, 48 and if you are luck 96... I know all new Intel Mac's can do this, never did check a G5 Mac Pro.

 

...and I think you ment to say.. Mac with PPC processors!

 

Hope this helps!

 

 

 

[Audio_ELF]

If your G5 Mac can't support 24/96 (I assume you mean through optical output) this is a limit of the audio interface rather than a limit of the processor. Devices such as the M Audio transport and Bel Canto USB link will allow you access to 24/96 material without changing your computer, or with some FireWire devices upto 24/192.

 

[airdronian]

I'm using a Power Mac G5 at the moment (2 x 2ghz power pc processors) and just checked the audio settings. It appears to be limited to 24/48 with the internal audio.

 

I have to say that the sound I get from the internal card is markedly different from that of other onboard audio I've heard, or the SoundBlaster Live I've used in the past. Much fuller bass. Not that this is used for my audio server, just an observation.

 

[Part-Time Audiophile]

I have a external USB DAC attached to my dual 2GHz Mac G5. However, the output of Audio MIDI still says a max of 48kHz even tho the DAC is a 24/292 ....?

 

 

 

 

[flatmap]

I'm pretty sure that, as Audio_ELF says, this is a limitation of the interface to your DAC.

 

In my case I have the even older G4 model. It does fine via USB to my DAC at 24/96. This sample rate appears as an option in Audio Midi Setup -- and an indicator on the DAC shows it is receiving 96 kHz when this option is selected.

 

[Part-Time Audiophile]

I have the same model Mac. Does the option change when you connect an external DAC or converter to your Mac, or does the Audio MIDI option remain at redbook?

 

[flatmap]

Yes, the Audio Midi Setup options change based on what DAC you plug in.

 

So for my first DAC, all I ever saw as an option was 16/44.1. With my Proton I have choices up to 24/96 in Audio Midi.

 

[Tog]

The G5 is (or was) a sophisticated 64 bit chip that ran hot, had relatively poor wafer yields and cost motorola an awful lot of cash to develop. The G5 Macs have everything you need to produce high sample rate files except probably the appropriate optical out specs. Core audio if you are running Leopard is more than doing what you want - try usb or firewire!

 

yours, sleepily, tog