Hi all, I'm using a SB Duet that use my ALAC iTunes library located on a Mac Mini (used as both server & mediacenter) running Leopard & latest iTunes + Quicktime releases. I use my Duet with an external DAC (embedded in my CAIRN FOG3 CD Player) and not using the analog RCA outputs.
I just try to test the differences of ALAC -> WAV and ALAC -> FLAC by recording the SPDIF output of the SB Receiver (using a Stereovox HDXV digital cable). Here are the results (all tests with SC 7.2.1 & firmwares up to date) : 1/ Comparison on the Mac Mini : ALAC file versus WAV file (the WAV is from an EAC RIP on a PC & is my reference. This WAV was imported in iTunes as ALAC) Result : no difference 2/ 1st comparison using the SB Receiver : ALAC -> WAV Result : no difference 3/ 2nd comparison using the SB Receiver : ALAC -> FLAC Result : no difference Conclusion : Transitively, there is no difference between the original ripped CD track & the hardware decoded FLAC on the SB Receive side ! I think it is a placebo effect to ear a difference between WAV, FLAC or ALAC for a same track at least using the SPDIF output. Perharps the SB (for my hardware : SB Receiver, it can not be the same for a SB3 or a Transporter) incorporated Digital to Analog conversion permit to ear a difference but using an all Digital signal & an external high grade DAC there is none. -- jeanchris ------------------------------------------------------------------------ jeanchris's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=20946 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=34122 _______________________________________________ audiophiles mailing list [email protected] http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
