Separating all the sound files during daily computer use...

[wappinghigh]

Dear Chris and others.

 

I've been absent from the forums a while now.

 

Here is a practical dilemma for you:

 

I've come to the conclusion, that unless you use a dedicated computer for this computeraudio stuff, you start to run into problems....blown speakers to name but one! If you try and use the same computer (I have a new imac) for general use/browsing the net etc AND run the toslink or usb audio out to say a high end piece of gear for background hidef listening from itunes: there are so many general audio files that pop up with daily computer use...it becomes a darn problem. Having EVERY sound file generated by a computer heading straight out into your hifi gear is a real hastle!

 

So I've gone back to switching my imac's main audio out to it's internal speakers, and I've upgraded my Sonos to 24/96 using the Cullen Circuits mod. I run this into my main hifi via a Northstar DAC. This works best for me....because it physically separates the sound sources. This is actually a good thing!! I find I'm heading away from using my imac as my primary audiophile music source. This is a real pitty....

 

My question then is what to do next to get the most out of the 24/192 hi res downloads....Sonos is so darn convenient, but limited in file size as you know.

 

Would you guy's buy another computer (say a dedicated macmini), or go searching for a different hi end external digital source....say something that streams native itunes tracks at their native high res bitrates. Does such a thing exist?

 

Or: does some piece of clever software exist that allows you to separate the audio sources and outputs only itunes music through the usb/toslink midi outputs- and switches to internal speakers for everyday computer sounds and hack stuff?

 

I hope you guys get my question....

 

thanks

 

AB.

 

[Audio_ELF]

Option 1: MacMini - doesn't need much expansding on.

 

Option 2: UPnP or other streamer - Logitch Transporter (supports to 24/96) or Linn DS range (supports 24/192). Much more expensive (Transporter £1500; Linn DS range from £1000).

 

Hope this helps a little.

Eloise

 

[wappinghigh]

Yeh. I forgot about the Linn. Amazing since I run their gear in my main zone! It's just I'm hooked on the ease of Sonos...

 

Anyway. Pity there isn't a software solution....what I'm sort of driving at, is say an Amarra option/setting (or some other equivalent software or plugin) which hijacks the usb or firewire out for exclusive itunes only. Leaving the "built in audio out" of the iMac to output any other audio file/noise that hits the computer whilst your going about everyday use of the computer...

 

I've no doubt the cpu is capable of handling this. I just don't know about the soundcard. Pity there isn't an OSX midi "setting" or software plugin that will do this...