Why is it so good?


Hi All, I just finally getting around to hooking my iMac computer up to my McIntosh amp. I have about 24000 songs on it, most of them in Apple lossless. I know there are better formats. I also know iTunes is not great for playback. However, it sounds incredible. Much better than all my Turntables and CDPs. 
Maybe this is because the tone is adjustable on the playback on computer? Or maybe the DAC on the Mc is really good? Sounds much better than SACDs even.

After having been reborn as a vinyl junkie 10 years ago I am really wondering if I need to rethink things, within the confines of my components and ears. 
Your thoughts are appreciated!
astorey
Because I grew up with vinyl. Because I love collecting it. Because I love the art. Because I love the sound. 
Apple lossless is pretty good. Nowhere near as good as even a budget turntable, but pretty darn good. Especially considering its basically free, being that it comes bundled with every Mac. Which probably is a lot to do with it. Imagine you had to pay $5k for your Apple lossless. Which would probably be fair - if it really was as good as you say. 

Which its not. One clue, you mention adjusting tone on the computer. That speaks volumes. Get back to me when you have it hooked up to stuff good enough tone controls only make things worse not better.
Apple lossless, wave, FLAC, it's all the same. If you ripped without loss, then you have digital versions of your CDs, and the playback will be similar.

DACs on MACs have always been pretty tolerable.

Or maybe you got your preconception out of the way and just listened to the music without assuming it would be bad  (like some comments above).  Digital tone controls don't add noise or distortion, so that could be at play, or maybe you have an ambience setting on that you really like ?

"Maybe this is because the tone is adjustable on the playback on computer? Or maybe the DAC on the Mc is really good? Sounds much better than SACDs even."