Airfoil

[hytechrednek]

I used this program back before Airplay was included with OSX. Apparently it hijacks the data stream from a playback application, thus bypassing whatever Apple normally does with the signal. I happened to use it again the other day, but not with an Airport Express. For the first time I tried it with a USB / SPDIF converter. I have to say it sounds better to me, but can't imagine why. It's more concise sounding. If anyone cares to try it, they offer a free trial for OSX and Windows. I have never tried this with Windows, so have no idea if it makes any SQ difference in a Windows setup.

 

https://rogueamoeba.com/airfoil/mac/

https://rogueamoeba.com/legacy/

 

It's a little tricky to configure, because you first have to select the output device that you wish to use from inside Apple's System Preferences. The top button of the Airfoil Control Panel then activates whatever device you've selected within the system preferences. Sort of crazy how they did not make this selection process within their software.

 

To bypass Airfoil, you can toggle it on and off using the top button on the Airfoil control panel, but there will be a couple seconds time delay when you do. It makes it easy enough to hear the differences. It's also necessary to have Airfoil running first and then launch the hijacked application from Airfoil. I'd be interested to hear if anyone perceives a similar SQ improvement.

[Rexp]

I used this program back before Airplay was included with OSX. Apparently it hijacks the data stream from a playback application, thus bypassing whatever Apple normally does with the signal. I happened to use it again the other day, but not with an Airport Express. For the first time I tried it with a USB / SPDIF converter. I have to say it sounds better to me, but can't imagine why. It's more concise sounding. If anyone cares to try it, they offer a free trial for OSX and Windows. I have never tried this with Windows, so have no idea if it makes any SQ difference in a Windows setup.

 

https://rogueamoeba.com/airfoil/mac/

https://rogueamoeba.com/legacy/

 

It's a little tricky to configure, because you first have to select the output device that you wish to use from inside Apple's System Preferences. The top button of the Airfoil Control Panel then activates whatever device you've selected within the system preferences. Sort of crazy how they did not make this selection process within their software.

 

To bypass Airfoil, you can toggle it on and off using the top button on the Airfoil control panel, but there will be a couple seconds time delay when you do. It makes it easy enough to hear the differences. It's also necessary to have Airfoil running first and then launch the hijacked application from Airfoil. I'd be interested to hear if anyone perceives a similar SQ improvement.

I have Airfoil, don't use it as gave up on AirPlay SQ but waiting for them to make it Chromecast friendly later this year. Interested how you use it with a USB/SPDif converter?