Apple TV as music source

[trose49]

Originally Posted by audioengr

The stock Squeezebox will sound better though. The chips and clocks used in the Apple products tend to result in a lot of jitter on the S/PDIF outputs (Toslink), not to mention that Toslink is at the BOTTOM of the list for minimum jitter. This is why I use my Pace-Car reclocker to reclock the output from the AirPort Express. Same thing can be done for Apple TV. Once the jitter is minimized, these are actually better than the best transport you can buy.

Steve N.

I am looking into a Monarchy Dip to do the same thing!

Do you have a link for the model you are using?

[tlie00]

This week's The 5th Wave makes me think of this thread...

[Skylab]

Of course if you have a DAC that reclocks the incoming datastream, that jitter won't matter.

[trose49]

I wonder if the meridian 203 dac reclocks or not it would save be a couple hundred to find out?

Anyone?

Also can someone post a link to the Apple Tv optical out DATA?

[trose49]

Originally Posted by trose49

I wonder if the meridian 203 dac reclocks or not it would save be a couple hundred to find out?

Anyone?

Also can someone post a link to the Apple Tv optical out DATA?

Found this on StereoPhile:

"Getting back to the 203, one of its most interesting features is a jitter-reduction circuit that processes the incoming data stream before decoding. This proprietary circuitry is hidden beneath a metal shield toward the rear of the pcb. It reportedly reduces jitter by a factor of 100, which in turn improves the audio performance"

[audioengr]

Originally Posted by trose49

I am looking into a Monarchy Dip to do the same thing!

Do you have a link for the model you are using?

Here is the link:
http://www.empiricalaudio.com/frPace-Car.html

The Monarchy DIP is not even remotely close the the low level of jitter you get with the Pace-Car. I've modded the DIP in the past. Besides, it is simply an asynchronous upsampler. The Pace-Car does not upsample. It stores the data in a FIFO memory and reclocks the output, a true reclocker.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

[audioengr]

Originally Posted by Skylab

Of course if you have a DAC that reclocks the incoming datastream, that jitter won't matter.

No such DAC exists, except my Spoiler, which has a true reclocker, the Pace-Car mounted internally.

These tricks inside DAC's are simply PLL's that track the incoming clock and attempt to reduce jitter, which they do to some extent. However, they are all sensitive to jitter and introduce their own jitter. The Pace-Car is the only device that is totally insensitive to ANY incoming jitter. The difference is immediately audible in my system. I have modded many of the DAC's that claim jitter on the inputs does not matter (Benchmark, Bel Canto, Dodson 217, 218, Bremen, Electrocompaniet, Perpetual Tech., dAck!, Meridian, MSB, EAD, Theta, Audio Note, Northstar and others). Trust me, it matters.

Steve N.

[poo]

Originally Posted by audioengr

I have modded many of the DAC's that claim jitter on the inputs does not matter (Benchmark, Bel Canto, Dodson 217, 218, Bremen, Electrocompaniet, Perpetual Tech., dAck!, Meridian, MSB, EAD, Theta, Audio Note, Northstar and others). Trust me, it matters.

Steve N.

So pretty much all the high end DACs out there have issues with jitter, to the extent that it interferes with ones ability to enjoy the music jitter free?

Steve, I'm open to someone teaching me when I hear jitter, but so far no one has. I don't want to be ignorant and start claiming it doesn't exist, but I'm now also at a point that I don't want to be foolish enough to prove to myself that it does. Lets face it - if I start hearing jitter, it's only going to cost me money to correct it... why not be ignorant...

At this point my music sounds good... guess I'm one of the lucky ones

[trose49]

Originally Posted by audioengr

No such DAC exists, except my Spoiler, which has a true reclocker, the Pace-Car mounted internally.

These tricks inside DAC's are simply PLL's that track the incoming clock and attempt to reduce jitter, which they do to some extent. However, they are all sensitive to jitter and introduce their own jitter. The Pace-Car is the only device that is totally insensitive to ANY incoming jitter. The difference is immediately audible in my system. I have modded many of the DAC's that claim jitter on the inputs does not matter (Benchmark, Bel Canto, Dodson 217, 218, Bremen, Electrocompaniet, Perpetual Tech., dAck!, Meridian, MSB, EAD, Theta, Audio Note, Northstar and others). Trust me, it matters.

Steve N.

I looked on Audiogon and seen none currently for sale.

I would be interested in a used one if anyone sees one send me a PM.

I probably should not be considering a Jitter reduction device that is 8 times the price of the Meridian I bought!

If the 203 sounds that bad I will resell and upgrade the DAC first I would imagine.

From what I have read the Monarchy although not the same thing for the 150-175 on audiogon seems like a real bargin.

[audioengr]

Originally Posted by poo

So pretty much all the high end DACs out there have issues with jitter, to the extent that it interferes with ones ability to enjoy the music jitter free?

Steve, I'm open to someone teaching me when I hear jitter, but so far no one has. I don't want to be ignorant and start claiming it doesn't exist, but I'm now also at a point that I don't want to be foolish enough to prove to myself that it does. Lets face it - if I start hearing jitter, it's only going to cost me money to correct it... why not be ignorant...

At this point my music sounds good... guess I'm one of the lucky ones

There is no question that jitter exists. The issue is whether it is audible to you and in your system. IME, it is the one thing that makes digital music fatigueing. With low jitter, I can listen at very high levels all day long without fatigue.

Steve N.