If you are missing something, I'd bet it isn't much.
I think sometimes we can get stressed over the aspect we might be or are missing somethin in audio performance it is scary. somehow or some where. Perhaps.... most of us enact our 'due diligence' frequently and fervently so its not usually the incident.
"If you like what you are getting.... keep doing what you are doing. If not change what you can...."
Sometimes that amounts only to changing one's own perspective.
I've tried numerous paths for music consolidation, acquisition, and playback performance... and used iTunes for the past several years implicitly until I heard about JR MC.
For myself, and in my own system, as well as according to my own ears, I've been able to acquire substantial gains over the level iTunes has provided... sonically speaking. Interface wise though, itunes gets the checker flag. There is a learning curve with JR mc, no doubt but it can be skinned to appear as iTunes . And more can be done in JR MC to & for, the music as well.
It is my opinion as well that JR MC 12.534 (last edition of 12 BTW) doesn't do quite as good a job on AIF as it seems to do on other file formats. eg., ALAC, AAC, FLAC, WAV, & MP3.
The encoder/decoder and the way the signal is transmitted and ultimately converted to analog is key. Not all encoders (codecs) are equal either.
I've toyed with the notion to reconvert all my tracks approximately 14K into FLAC from their present ALAC (Apple lossless VBR) BUT HAVE DISSMISSED THE IDEA WHOLELY. i cnvert into FLAC with newly ripped & added CDs I buy henceforth.
Again, using JR MC 12, I find FLAC more detailed and resolving vs AIF or AL. But I'm not so nuts about the diffs to re-rip all my music for that singular improvement, as I'm not looking to burn up a couple more cd drives in the process. or spend the time doing it.
I'd suggest you try some other CODECS, personally. Direct show, CCCP, etc., which do work with JR MC.
As heavily invested into AL as I am I'll keep an iTunes issue on hand, and quite true too, it is a simpler interface to use... though my hats in the ring on JR MC as being better sonically across the board than iTunes, given the exception of AIF FILE PLAYBACK.
I've gotten the best results with MC 12 outputting at 24/192, via a Radeon HD 4870 Thru HDMI into my Onkyo rec + Odyssey Stratos SE amp oddly enough.
It rivals so closely in terms of res and detail that of the BEL CANTO USB 16/44.1 w/ASIO, it is impressive.
It is not however my ultimate fav overall for serious music enjoyment, as then Id opt for a 24/96 output into the Bel Canto D3 and my tube gear.
and I might be missing something in that link too, as perhaps 24/192 output into a 24/192 DAC may be even better. But by how much, and for what price? I can easily live with what it brings me currently however so Im not looking to change anything for a while there.
Good luck.
I think sometimes we can get stressed over the aspect we might be or are missing somethin in audio performance it is scary. somehow or some where. Perhaps.... most of us enact our 'due diligence' frequently and fervently so its not usually the incident.
"If you like what you are getting.... keep doing what you are doing. If not change what you can...."
Sometimes that amounts only to changing one's own perspective.
I've tried numerous paths for music consolidation, acquisition, and playback performance... and used iTunes for the past several years implicitly until I heard about JR MC.
For myself, and in my own system, as well as according to my own ears, I've been able to acquire substantial gains over the level iTunes has provided... sonically speaking. Interface wise though, itunes gets the checker flag. There is a learning curve with JR mc, no doubt but it can be skinned to appear as iTunes . And more can be done in JR MC to & for, the music as well.
It is my opinion as well that JR MC 12.534 (last edition of 12 BTW) doesn't do quite as good a job on AIF as it seems to do on other file formats. eg., ALAC, AAC, FLAC, WAV, & MP3.
The encoder/decoder and the way the signal is transmitted and ultimately converted to analog is key. Not all encoders (codecs) are equal either.
I've toyed with the notion to reconvert all my tracks approximately 14K into FLAC from their present ALAC (Apple lossless VBR) BUT HAVE DISSMISSED THE IDEA WHOLELY. i cnvert into FLAC with newly ripped & added CDs I buy henceforth.
Again, using JR MC 12, I find FLAC more detailed and resolving vs AIF or AL. But I'm not so nuts about the diffs to re-rip all my music for that singular improvement, as I'm not looking to burn up a couple more cd drives in the process. or spend the time doing it.
I'd suggest you try some other CODECS, personally. Direct show, CCCP, etc., which do work with JR MC.
As heavily invested into AL as I am I'll keep an iTunes issue on hand, and quite true too, it is a simpler interface to use... though my hats in the ring on JR MC as being better sonically across the board than iTunes, given the exception of AIF FILE PLAYBACK.
I've gotten the best results with MC 12 outputting at 24/192, via a Radeon HD 4870 Thru HDMI into my Onkyo rec + Odyssey Stratos SE amp oddly enough.
It rivals so closely in terms of res and detail that of the BEL CANTO USB 16/44.1 w/ASIO, it is impressive.
It is not however my ultimate fav overall for serious music enjoyment, as then Id opt for a 24/96 output into the Bel Canto D3 and my tube gear.
and I might be missing something in that link too, as perhaps 24/192 output into a 24/192 DAC may be even better. But by how much, and for what price? I can easily live with what it brings me currently however so Im not looking to change anything for a while there.
Good luck.