xcool wrote: > Hi, I have been using a SqueezeBox 3 with Slim Server backend running on > a ReadyNAS for more than 10 years now. I also use an external DAC from > the SqueezeBox. All my music are apple lossless ripped from my CD > collection. > > Recently, I've started to use my AppleTV and stream my Apple Lossless > music to it, and also use the same DAC from the AppleTV. > > I noticed a big difference in sound quality - the music from my AppleTV > sound much better than the SqueezeBox. Everything just sounds better > with better imaging, more details, and better dynamic range. I > started to do some research to find out what could be the difference. I > noticed that Apple Lossless streamed from the Slim Server must first be > converted to PCM before streaming to the SqueezeBox using some program > called faad. I now think that there might be some quality loss during > this conversion to PCM by faad. Given that AppleTV is an Apple > product, it probably does a much better job converting Apple Lossless > into PCM before hitting my DAC. That is just my hunch to try to > explain why AppleTV sounds better than SqueezeBox. In my case, they > are both acting as a transport because they both route to the same DAC > before going into my Amp. > > Does anyone here have the same experience or able to shed some light on > this? > > Thanks very much.
I think your faad theory is unlikely. ALAC is lossless so the PCM output will be the same. Also, even if for some reason the ALAC file is getting converted to MP3 (which it might do if it thinks the player requires it, or bandwidth is limited) then it would not change the dynamic range. I suppose the two things to check are first, whether LMS is set up correctly to convert ALAC to lossless PCM rather then MP3; second, whether there is some audio enhancement going on in the AppleTV chain; and third, that the volume is 100% in both cases. Also, try a blind test with a friend to confirm that the difference is still audible. Tim ------------------------------------------------------------------------ onlyconnect's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=19154 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=107488 _______________________________________________ Squeezecenter mailing list [email protected] http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/squeezecenter
