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MAC users, do you use optical out or just usb for dac - Page 4

post #46 of 71
2/11/08 at 5:08pm
Yes, but having to plug a cable into a laptop is really inconvenient so the airport express becomes a good option. Same is true if your computer isn't near your dac. I personally have a mini with a duet, so I'm not concerned one way or the other. But mileage definitely varies as to the value of interpolation. If there's only 44/16 recorded, any higher rate is inventing information that isn't really there. So it really depends on your dac as to whether or not there's an improvement.
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post #47 of 71
2/11/08 at 6:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by grawk View Post
Yes, but having to plug a cable into a laptop is really inconvenient so the airport express becomes a good option. Same is true if your computer isn't near your dac. I personally have a mini with a duet, so I'm not concerned one way or the other. But mileage definitely varies as to the value of interpolation. If there's only 44/16 recorded, any higher rate is inventing information that isn't really there. So it really depends on your dac as to whether or not there's an improvement.
Yes, that's true. If the choice is between the mac and the airport express, choose the airport express if it's more convenient. My current setup is right next to the iMac but I used to use the airport express all the time. I kind of want to use it again just so I have an excuse to use the ipod touch as a remote for it. I sometimes use it now but I find Front Row is just easier if the mac is right there.
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post #48 of 71
2/11/08 at 6:35pm
I use signal as well , tho I use it with a nokia 770.
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post #49 of 71
2/11/08 at 6:49pm
i have a mac pro and i use my optical out, its much better than the usb. The internal sound card is crap. i wouldn't use that either.
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post #50 of 71
2/11/08 at 7:02pm
I LOVE Signal! I tried demos of a few other apps, but it was the fastest, most full-featured (search capabilities, etc.) and yet least bloated (I don't want to control other app).

I seriously couldn't remove any of the pieces -- Airport Express, iPhone or Signal -- and still enjoy my bedroom set up as much.

For those using Macs and iPhones/iPod touches, check out Telekinesis. I use it to start and quit my iTunes and Signal (with an Applescript). It has a bunch of other coolness, too.

Quote:
Originally Posted by grawk View Post
I use signal as well , tho I use it with a nokia 770.
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post #51 of 71
2/13/08 at 3:54am
I tend to use Firewire, personally.
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post #52 of 71
2/23/08 at 8:02pm
I had little popping and crackling when i used USB to my Onkyo SE-U55 external DAC so I bought a mini to toslink cable to try it out in my Imac. The popping disappeared but the output volume is too low....i had to turn my Audioengine A2's volume all the way up to get an audible sound.

The iMac's optical out settings volume was disabled but set to max. I was disappointed with the optical out of the iMac.

Now my SuperProDAC 707 should arrive next week and im going to try it again but i'll also buy a Kimber USB cable to see if it will make a difference. I will also buy a better quality fiber optic cable that i bought from monoprice.

Anyone one else have the same issue when using the opitcal out on a Mac?
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post #53 of 71
2/23/08 at 9:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by cscamp View Post
I had little popping and crackling when i used USB to my Onkyo SE-U55 external DAC so I bought a mini to toslink cable to try it out in my Imac. The popping disappeared but the output volume is too low....i had to turn my Audioengine A2's volume all the way up to get an audible sound.

The iMac's optical out settings volume was disabled but set to max. I was disappointed with the optical out of the iMac.

Now my SuperProDAC 707 should arrive next week and im going to try it again but i'll also buy a Kimber USB cable to see if it will make a difference. I will also buy a better quality fiber optic cable that i bought from monoprice.

Anyone one else have the same issue when using the opitcal out on a Mac?
Make sure iTunes is also set to max and the additional sound options are turned off. This will give you bit-perfect output.
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post #54 of 71
2/23/08 at 10:28pm
My iTunes volume control is already set to max but the volume output is still low...What are "sound options" that need to be turned off. When you said sound options..Is it in iTunes or in the Mac's sound preference? What are these sound options that needs to be turned off?
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post #55 of 71
2/24/08 at 4:16am
Quote:
Originally Posted by cscamp View Post
Anyone one else have the same issue when using the opitcal out on a Mac?
I have no such issues when using optical out on my Mac.
My DAC output a very clean and strong line signal when fed optical signal from the Mac..
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post #56 of 71
2/24/08 at 5:32am
I use optical but my 2004 vintage PowerMac G5 dual-2GHz seems to be limited to 48kHz, contrary to what Apple's data sheet says, so I set it to 44.1kHz to avoid sample rate conversion.

Now that I have some 24/96 FLACs from Linn, I will either need to upgrade my DAC-1 to a DAC-1 USB or upgrade the Mac. I'd rather wait another year for the Nehalem Mac Pros to come out since the switched QPI interconnect should yield major improvements over the current shared bus (which causes the 8-core version to not perform any better than a 4-core model for most workloads due to I/O starvation.
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post #57 of 71
2/24/08 at 1:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by cscamp View Post
My iTunes volume control is already set to max but the volume output is still low...What are "sound options" that need to be turned off. When you said sound options..Is it in iTunes or in the Mac's sound preference? What are these sound options that needs to be turned off?
Just the crossfade, sound enhancer, and sound check. I believe the sound check can have the most effect on the volume level. Otherwise I've never heard of anyone having a problem with the sound level. I can't imagine a better optical cable improving this. The only effect it could have is on jitter.

You could check the Audio Midi settings in the utilities to see if anything is off there.
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post #58 of 71
2/26/08 at 3:56am
usb / optical where available or necessary.
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post #59 of 71
2/26/08 at 12:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by TSi View Post
usb / optical where available or necessary.
Not sure what you state here.
Perhaps you can be a bit more specific?
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post #60 of 71
10/3/08 at 11:29am
USB until I have enough funds to get some expensive optic cable.
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