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Cart Before the Horse: Signal Path Help Please

Hello all -

Short version:
What is the best way to get FLAC files from an external HD --> DAC --> integrated -->Speakers?

Long Version:

I have been digitizing my CDs, building on my extensive Pink Floyd Bootleg collection and purchasing some HD Audio. Currently all of this is housed on an external FireWire HD - with me swapping files to my Laptop as I feel like it. I also listen to a lot of Spotify to discover new music (much of which I then purchase on CD, LP w/ Download or HD).

I'm trying to figure how best to tie all of this together in the cleanest AND user friendly way. For instance - I'd love to be able to rip CD's or Download HD to my laptop and then wirelessly transfer to an external HD and then be able to control that via my iphone. Or be able to do spotify direct from a magic box, etc ...

I hope this isn't too wide ranging a question and there is an obvious way that I am missing.

So I'm building my new system in somewhat of a convoluted order. At this point i have:
- Primare i30 Integrated Amp
- Primare CD31 CD Player
- Music Fidelity m1DAC A
- Pair 1 Meter XLR interconnects
- .5m Fairly nice TosLink Cable
- 1st Generation 40 gb appleTV

On the Way:
Orbit Turntable from KickStarter (Just for fun!)

Left over - to probably be upgraded (but that is a whole other thread!)
- 1 Pair B&W 685s
- 1 Pair Kimber In Wall Bi-Wired Speaker Cables (25') Decent at $2.75/ Foot

thank you!
Septemous
128x128septemous
septemous's avatar
septemous OP
26 posts
 
So is the Apple Airport Express taking in whatever signal is being sent, or is it downsampling to 16/44.1 via AirPlay ?? And then go out via optical to the DAC.

I also see that you can connect a HD via USB to the Extreme - but you cannot airplay or optical :(

thanks
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,428 posts
 
Septemous, I don't know Extreme. AE receives in 16/44.1 in ALAC format (so I've heard) thus I keep my hard drive music in ALAC format. It goes by short glass Toslink to DAC. Toslink is usually worse than coax but it is system dependent. In addition Toslink breaks groundloops.

Reducing jitter (noise in time domain) is the most important thing. It can be done but it is not easy. Better method is IMHO is to either strip music of timing and recreate it again or to use reclocker, or both. Reclocker will also reduce jitter from the other sources like transport. Problem with noise created by jitter is that it is proportional to loudness (no noise without music) and detectable only by lack of clarity, harshness, poor sound-staging etc.
septemous's avatar
septemous OP
26 posts
 
I think the m1DAC has reclocking built in:

"In addition, our smart data-reclocking system ensures there is virtually no audio-damaging jitter imparted to the signal."

http://www.musicalfidelity.com/m1dac/
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,428 posts
 
Septemous, they claim that oversampling converter upsamples all incoming data to 192kHz. Oversampling and upsampling are two different things. Oversampling is usually done by Phase Lock Loop (PLL) and is integer multiple of incomming frequency while upsampling is done by asynchronous rate converter that can upsample to any, usually eneven number and then output data at particular frequency like 192kHz. Upsampling provides superior jitter suppression and since your DAC "Upsamples to 192kHz" it perhaps is asynchronous rate converter based since 192 is not even multiple of 44.1
You have to try it with different sources. It is also important to keep quiet supplies to DAC because any noise can convert to jitter inside of the DAC. I use Furman Elite 20PFi conditioner for that.
septemous's avatar
septemous OP
26 posts
 
Thank you ..

I have been getting some 192kHz Flac files and I would like to get them to the DAC at 24/192.

Can someone suggest the best way to get the content form an external HD to the DAC?
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