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How is there Apple Lossless Debate?

Ok, so since I got my 'hi fi' system about a year ago my goal is to get a music server set up, with either a mac mini connected directly to my Bryston Dac, or a Macbook Pro streaming music over Airtunes and an optical connection. After reading all Id read about Apple lossless it seemed there was much debate as to whether or not there was any noticeable loss. I know how most "audiophiles" are and I know a lot of times they/we like to think we hear a difference when we really don't.

So I took it for granted Apple Lossless was just as good as cd and Ive started burning my cds onto my new MBP in AL format. I got my airtunes set up with the optical in to my Bryston Dac and I thought it just didnt sound right. "Must be that USB is better I thought" ... So i connected it through USB too. No difference. But it still didnt sound right. So i popped a cd in to my (make sure you are sitting down) Onkyo DV-SP405 dvd/cd player that I am using as a transport in to my Bryston through a SPDIF connection. WOW. What a difference. It is huge. Much more open. Much more "air". Much more space.

SO.. either I am doing something wrong with my Mac setup or there are some people out there that should just stick to mp3s because if you cant tell the difference between Apple Lossless and a CD through the same set up.. you are wasting youre money on equipment.

Any input is greatly appreciated. Next up I am going to burn a few songs on to my Mac in .wav format and test again.
farjamed
hellofidelity
77 posts
 
Sometimes the Airport Express can cause trouble. Can you hook your Mac directly unto your DAC? If that solves the problem, then you might look at two things.

1. Your network and/or Airport Express need to be checked. Which version of the AE do you have? Newer (802.11n) units sound better and are more reliable. Also make sure your router is setup and working correctly.

2. There might be an electrical problem or interference with another electrical device. Microwaves can cause trouble in older networks. I have experienced the need for power conditioning on AEs before.
magfan
1,583 posts
 
Hellofidelity:
Thanks for equalizer tip. Just turned it 'off'....it was set to flat.

Does that effect recording or just playback?
hellofidelity
77 posts
 
Magfan, the EQ only effects playback. You're welcome.... :)
darkj's avatar
darkj
150 posts
 
In my system, Apple Lossless sounds great running over my AppleTV through my processor. I've compared it very closely to my Oppo BDP-83 and really can't notice a significant difference, and the Oppo is no slouch as a transport.

However, it sounds like you're using AirTunes over an Airport Express. I'm 99% sure that when you stream over AirTunes to an Airport Express, the Mac converts to a lossy format on the fly for AirTunes to decode.
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,447 posts
 
Darkj -

Airport Express uses native ALAC so it is better to store in ALAC to avoid additional conversion. Stereophile tested Airport Express for bit transparency and it recovers exactly uncompressed data bit-for bit true. They concluded that Airport Express has very low jitter but rather mediocre analog output section. Airport Express has few second buffer and unless you hear dropouts quality should be fine. I use it with Benchmark DAC1 and cannot tell the difference between AE and CDP to Benchmark.

Here is review: http://www.stereophile.com/digitalprocessors/505apple/
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