Noob with more questions - mac mini/itunes to DAC connection options/recommendations

[Chilledspode]

Hello again,

 

I just want to say - there is a ton of information in CA and truth be known, more than I can take in...

I have made significant progress since last looking for advice from CA and my system is up and running but I am now chasing basic improvements/confirming fundamentals of my setup is appropriate/correct. Currently this is my setup:

 

mac mini w/itunes with all music files in ALAC format on an OS X Mavericks software RAID 1.

apple TV to access itunes wirelessly then optical out to NAD M51 DAC and onto the M3 using balanced interconnects.

 

Yesterday I experimented with mac mini to the DAC via usb and there was a noticeable improvement not to mention I don't have to have my TV on to listen to music, which I always found distracting. I am going to stay with the usb input to the DAC.

 

I can't think of anything I would change with the basic components and connections and so am looking for advice on changes I should look at with the basic setup and/or player software upgrades over itunes.

 

Thanks to all for helping me get this far - I am thoroughly enjoying the ride.

Cheers

Mark

[jhwalker]

I think you've already made the biggest jump in quality with the move from wireless through the AppleTV (which is limited by Airplay to 16/48, I think) to via USB to the NAD M51.

 

I also prefer Audirvana + over iTunes as a music player. You can start in the iTunes integrated mode, then switch to playlist mode if you want to eke out the last little bit of audio goodness

[souptin]

It's always a great idea to take a break from lusting over new kit, regardless of your budget and spending priorities. So enjoy.

 

I think you can get a time-limited trial of most of the player add-ons / upgrades (except maybe Bitperfect, which is only £5). Mileage can vary here (as with everything else), so don't brand your system a failure if you don't hear as much of a difference as you did with the Airplay to USB change. Have a look at what the Audio Midi utility does, particularly if you have music at other resolutions than CD (aka rebook / 16-44.1) - note that iTunes needs to restart to match the Audio Midi setting. Which is one of the conveniences of specialised add-on players like Audirvana - they switch automatically to match the file.

 

Now that you have a more settled system, now would be a good time to sort out all the various tangles of power cables and interconnects that you (may) have behind your system rack. Not just for tidiness and fire safety, there's a sound quality benefit. It's not good to have an interconnect running right alongside a power cable.

 

In a similar vein, you might find some benefit in experimenting with your speaker positions. I have ended up with mine slightly closer together and toed in because it seems to suit the new digital system better than how I had them for analogue. Not having the TV right between the speakers is good for sound quality too, though I appreciate there's many reasons for keeping this arrangement.

 

If you - a: are going to dedicate the mac to music only, and - b: make a decision on one of the audiophile players... Then consider doing a clean re-install of your OS and the software you want. Of course, as you've seen, there's lots of tweaks suggested here on CA to eliminate background processes in the interests of better sound (eg turn of spotlight indexing on your music library). None of these tweaks actually require you to have a clean system install to try, is just that personally I think it's a good start. Plus some special audio software - *cough* Amarra *cough* behaves much better if it thinks it's the only program installed.

[Chilledspode]

Hi Souptin,

 

I appreciate your approach to matters - I have managed to keep my cabling pretty organized and most of my line level stuff passes power stuff at 90 degrees or a reasonably well separated. My power supply is a dedicated feed from the panel with a 10/3 - this effort is well worth it in my opinion.

 

Speaker positioning for me is a compromise, a big one. I am running a set of modern networked JBL 4344's in a 12 x 20 room, open on one end but there are corner effects I can't easily avoid. :-) Moving these things out of the corners introduces considerable space challenges in our living room. I have been wondering if I can manage to successfully tweak my system using Acourate but I am not sure my skills are up to that level of sophistication. Also looking at DSPeaker but for now I think I'll kick back and enjoy the music for a bit.

 

The NAD M51 with usb input is really smooth and warm and the M3 brings a new level of control to the big speakers that my old C370 just couldn't deliver.

 

The mac mini is an all purpose machine for now doing duty as a music/media server, home server and the primary workstation and does all of these things admirably thanks to being an i7 with an SSD.

 

Amarra - so noted :-)

 

Cheers

Mark

[Chilledspode]

I have a new related question:

 

I am considering a house reno that will result in my mac mini media server being relocated a long ways away (40-50ft) from the stereo. I have no idea how I could preserve the current functionality from that distance. It will be on one floor so wifi connectivity should be fine for ipad remote to the mini - the real question is how do I connect the mini to the dac via usb 50 ft away?

 

Are there usb - ethernet - usb solutions for long distance usb connections?

 

Cheers

Mark

[Chilledspode]

A little internet searching turned up this but I have no idea how it may/may not impact the quality of my input signal to the DAC - I am assuming it would be insignificant.

 

QVS - USB Repeaters & Extenders

 

Is there a better approach to my challenge?

 

Cheers

Mark

[realhifi]

I have a new related question:

 

I am considering a house reno that will result in my mac mini media server being relocated a long ways away (40-50ft) from the stereo. I have no idea how I could preserve the current functionality from that distance. It will be on one floor so wifi connectivity should be fine for ipad remote to the mini - the real question is how do I connect the mini to the dac via usb 50 ft away?

 

Are there usb - ethernet - usb solutions for long distance usb connections?

 

Cheers

Mark

 

No. Now you see why networking has become popular. Ethernet connection to your network and a network player and off you go.

Lot's of them out there now, just start looking all over the net and read, read, read.