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Imac to my dac- sounds awful?

Guys- be gentle, I'm a new Mac user. Got a new Imac 24 today with the 2.8 Ghz processor, 500 GB Hard drive. Beautiful to look at, so far I love the Leopard OS (I'm a lifetime Windows user ).

Imported some cd's into ITunes, and set it up per the advice on the Wavelength site- i.e. Import Apple lossless, set my preferences in sound to USB dac.

Plugged in my Glow Audio Amp1, which is new and has a built in 16 bit Dac and headphone output.

Sounds like crap- it sounded much better on my windows XP rig running ASIO 4All. I'm hearing some distortion and intermittent dropouts that occur at random.

I KNOW it's me- where can I get educated on how to address this?

Thanks much!

Any ideas where to steer me?
danlib1
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Maybe the plug-and-play USB interface chip that they used in the USB DAC is at fault. If it does not support 24/96, this is usually the clue. A better quality USB interface and associated clocking will improve this.

Have you checked the utilities-MIDI settings to make sure it is set to the correct sample-rate? Mac's usually default to 24/96 and it can use the wrong upsampler. Close iTunes and then go change the sample-rate and then re-open itunes and try again.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
danlib1 OP
819 posts
 
Steve;

I believe you have hit on something here :0

I appreciate the advice, and I'll implement it and see what results.

Thanks again!
jylee
306 posts
 
Make sure you turn off Sound Enhancer and Soundcheck in the option. It can cause wrong volume level and clipping.

If you are hearing dropouts the problem must lie in hardware somewhere. Since both your iMac and DAC are new, either could be the culprit.

I had a similar setup, using Macbook Pro and Dared tubed USB DAC + headphone amp, very similar to your glow audio. I really enjoyed the sound. Never had any problem with that setup.
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