Is this a reasonable Audiophile Mac-based Server?

S789f: i believe you're experiencing a 'clocking' issue. i had this same problem when i 1st hooked up my Mac mini to my Emm Labs DCC2. problem was gone once i activated Emm Lab's master clock function. unfortunately, i'm not familiar with the Bel Canto DAC3 & therefore not able to offer you more advice.

S789f, have you checked if iTunes - which I suppose you use - is set up to download album pictures automatically? I had occasionally drop outs, but when I unchecked this option in the preferences, they disappeared.

i have had that unchecked and just unchecked everything automatic.

still happening!

S789f, I guess there might be a problem with the Bel Canto then - do you know anyone in the area with other USB DACs that you could try out. Would a Benchmark have similar problems?

I would test your DAC with another software and PC than iTunes and your mac mini. There are many programs that play music....surely you can find something and just test to see if you get drop outs...in which case it would lead one to suspect the DAC.

Is there anything else that might be hogging the USB bus...do you have a dongle and wireless mouse or something plugged into USB (printer/scanner)that might cause latency in the USB port?