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To Wavelngth USB DAC users: Best ripping/playback?

I recently configured a computer music server using a Mac mini and a Wavelength Cosecant USB DAC. I use iTunes for ripping & playback. In iTunes I use Apple Lossless and select the error correction option.

I've read many posts on this site & Audioasylum about people jumping through hoops to use EAC to rip, then other software to compress and then playback with Foobar. I'm a bit skepitcal about these posts as most posters are using Windows and many of them are using the computer sound card instead of investing in a USB DAC.

So to all of you Wavelength users that have figured out that there are no shortcuts and you have to use a decent USB DAC for sound quality, has anyone done any A/B tests between Mac based iTunes (using Lossless & error correction) and a Windows based ripping/playback method?

I've read that we should expect a well configured computer music server to equal or better any CD transport/DAC combo. My results are very good, but my computer music server doesn't equal a world class CD transport such as the AMR CD-77 and I'm wondering if I need to consider my ripping/playback method.

Thanks in advance.
cycles2
reubent
6,953 posts
 
http://www.wavelengthaudio.com/usbdac.html

Gordon has a lot of information on his USB DAC page. I would go through the entire contents of his web page first. If you don't find what you need, follow his last instuction, "If you have more questions, give me a call or e-mail"...

Enjoy,

TIC
deshapiro
177 posts
 
Have you actually heard an AMR CD player to compare it to the Wavelength? I'm asking since that is a comparison that I am very interested in. Unfortunately, in Chicago, I can't hear either. The local Wavelength dealer is just now getting a Cosecant in as a demo, and the local AMR dealer won't have a demo unit for a few weeks. I'm particularly interested in the comparison of the 2 units as USB DAC's, as well as comparing the AMR as a player, compared to the Wavelength combo.

David
lokie's avatar
lokie
528 posts
 


It's my impression that Gordon likes Apple because it's the path of least resistance.
splaskin
170 posts
 
The ripping procedure you use is not the problem. I have both a MAC and PC and listen to Apple Lossless and WMA Lossless. Both formats work very well with my Crimson.

I have not heard the AMR CD player, but if you are looking for something to be SOTA, look at Gordon's Crimson. The Cosecant is a wonderful DAC, but there is better.
jeffreybowman2k
216 posts
 
i have made that comparison. as between Apple Lossless and FLAC (using EAC), i found a slight edge to FLAC (in terms of resolution) -- but only when using a PC. When usuing a Mac (as i now do), the winner is Apple Lossless hands down. Don't ask me why there is a difference; imho, there just is. of course, Itunes beats the hell out of most everything else, including foobar, in terms of ease of use/interface.
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