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Mac sound quality

I'm using the new IMac , burning my CDs in AIFF . Its hooked up to an audio grade power conditioner , power cord and run to a Levinson #360S dac from the digital out through a audio grade digital cable . The sound quality is not nearly as good as my mid fi CD player . Iv'e read many posts saying this type of hard drive is far better than good quality CD players , too many posts to disregard . What am I doing wrong , the other posters were down loading , but can there be that much difference ?
tmsorosk
tmsorosk OP
1,013 posts
 
4est . Settings were as you recommended , except error correction was off , does this mean all imported CDs will have to be reburnt ? I could not find the audio midi set . This is the newest Imac , could it be different ?

Thanks
larryken
537 posts
 
I'm running MacMini, apple lossless with error correction ripping, usb connection to my amp and PURE MUSIC software....I couldn't be happier, I've got better than cd sound with the convenience of my my Itouch as a remote.
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drubin
3,274 posts
 
TOSlink out to the DAC is not the best way to go, but it should be at least decent. What are you using for a TOSlink cable?
tmsorosk OP
1,013 posts
 
Audioquest . What is the best way to go ?
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
It's not the "hard drive" that is the problem. Its the internal clock jitter and the S/PDIF interface.

I recommend using an external USB converter or USB DAC. Most of these will have lower jitter. The new ones support up to 192kHz sample-rate. Playback with Amarra, Pure Music or Ayrewave is a must. Avoid using just itunes.

Also, rip CD's with XLD with Accurate-Rip not iTunes:

http://tmkk.pv.land.to/xld/index_e.html

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
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