Optimum Mac Mini audio settings

[BowserWilkens]

hello again,

I'm still wondering what the best set up is for my mini. I'm referring to the Audio Midi set up on the Mac.

For those that have a mac mini (mine was bought late 2013 & has 500gb - it's the cheapest model), does it make a difference which type of output I choose? Currently, I'm running an optical digital cable from the mini into my Denon 4311. In the future, I'll be getting a Dac.

So, should I select 24bit or 32bit in the Audio MIDI menu? Does it make any difference? Switching between the two, I am not sure I can hear any discernible change.

I guess this will be more important, maybe, once I have the Dac in place (probably irDac or Nad 1050) - I am really rather naive here so any constructive input would be welcomed.

Thanks again.

 

[iMark]

It only makes a difference if you play hires files.

 

[chebby]

When I used to use my iMac and seperate DAC, I found the Benchmark Audio Wiki excellent for advice on set-up (and extremely easy to understand) ...

http://wiki.benchmarkmedia.com/wiki/index.php/Main_Page

 

[inbox4]

I've been trialling Audirvana on my Mac Mini for about 30 mins. So far I'm very impressed (I reserve the right to change my mind though as I've only heard a few songs so far!)

http://audirvana.com

http://www.wiebel.nl/zut/Audirvana%20Plus%20User%20Manual.pdf

 

[ID.]

OK, I'm a bit late to this, but I use BitPerfect, downloaded from the App. store.

I haven't done any before/after comparisons, but I basically just wanted something that would adjust automatically adjust the output so I didn't have to change it by hand each time a high resolution file was played. I'm not sure that I could necessarily hear the difference between a bit perfect output and one that was upsampled all the time, but for psychological reasons it's nice knowing that my DAC is receiving a bit perfect signal.

 

[MajorFubar]

The biggest benefit I can see of BitPerfect is it changes the sample-rate of your DAC to match that of the file. This is useful if you have a lot of hi-res files. I don't think it's a great idea permanently leaving it at 96k via Audio / Midi Setup. 96k is not an exact multiple of 44.1.

 

[inbox4]

I've moved from Audirvana to Bitperfect and prefer it. It's a brilliant piece of software. It's great for sample rate switching but it's key advantage in my opinion (as with Audirvana) is the use of Integer mode. This improves the Macs sound quality over its default sound output by accessing this Integer feature which is buried within OS X (I believe).

 

[BowserWilkens]

Thanks for the feedback on the mini.

I'm tempted by BitPerfect but as I've never bought anything from the App Store, I was wondering whether there was any free App that come close to the functionality it has.

Would paypal be the safest method of paying for BitPerfect? As I mentioned, I'm a virgin when it comes to buying online and after so many stories of accounts being hacked, if I were to purchase it, is there any other form of payment possible? (excluding credit card or bank transfer)

While I'm mulling this over, would it be redundant to buy a new DAC without buying an App such as BitPerfect?

 

[peter312]

You can buy an iTunes gift card at pretty much any supermarket and use that to buy the Bitperfect app feom the Apple App Store.

Kind regards

Peter

 

[inbox4]

In my opinion you will benefit from adding a DAC with or without installing Bitperfect. It will be better with Bitperfect though.

To get the most out of Bitperfect, make sure the DAC you choose is compatible with Bitperfect/ Apple's Integer mode.

As for cheaper alternatives to Bitperfect, I'm not aware of any. I think Bitperfect is the cheapest of it's type and is well worth the money.

 

[wilro15]

+1 for BitPerfect - purely for the auto sample rate switching.

I've tried Amarra, Audirvana, Pure Music, BitPerfect and JRiver - the difference in sound quality is negligible and certainly not worth forking out hundreds of pounds. You're better off spending the money on hardware or more music.

BitPerfect is cheap, you can buy through the AppStore on your Mac. You'll need to sign up to iTunes Store and put in your credit/debit card details.

 

[BowserWilkens]

Thanks for the advice & tips for a virgin iTunes user,

Picked up BitPerfect a few days ago & installed it onto my mac mini.

After extended listening, I'm fairly convinced of an improvement over iTunes on its own.

Things seem tidier and a little closer to the tightness of my old marantz 63 cd player.

I have tweaked my system many times over the last 6 months (Using the Audiolab 8000s for my fronts instead of the 4311, Putting the Tube Buffer between the two, Buying a high quality power cable for the audiolab (2nd hand), Moving the P6's out from the wall, Moving the 2 subs further into the room, Running Audyssey at the absolutely quietest possible time of day) and this 8 euro App is as pleasing as any of the other tweaks so far.

The last tweak will be a DAC, but I'll have to wait a while for that - completely skint right now.

Thanks again. :clap:

 

[inbox4]

I thought Bitperfect only offered benefits via a USB connection to an external DAC. Is this not the case?

 

[Infiniteloop]

I've moved from Audirvana to Bitperfect and prefer it. It's a brilliant piece of software. It's great for sample rate switching but it's key advantage in my opinion (as with Audirvana) is the use of Integer mode. This improves the Macs sound quality over its default sound output by accessing this Integer feature which is buried within OS X (I believe).

You can run Audirvana+ in Integer mode too. All you need to do is upgrade to OSX Mavericks.

 

[ID.]

I've moved from Audirvana to Bitperfect and prefer it. It's a brilliant piece of software. It's great for sample rate switching but it's key advantage in my opinion (as with Audirvana) is the use of Integer mode. This improves the Macs sound quality over its default sound output by accessing this Integer feature which is buried within OS X (I believe).

You can run Audirvana+ in Integer mode too. All you need to do is upgrade to OSX Mavericks.

And an integer mode compatible DAC (applies to all software running integer mode). I think that integer mode is only available over USB.

 

[Stellatyler]

Thanks for the advice & tips for a virgin iTunes user,

Picked up BitPerfect a few days ago & installed it onto my mac mini.

After extended listening, I'm fairly convinced of an improvement over iTunes on its own.

Things seem tidier and a little closer to the tightness of my old marantz 63 cd player.
Rugged Android Phone

I have tweaked my system many times over the last 6 months (Using the Audiolab 8000s for my fronts instead of the 4311, Putting the Tube Buffer between the two, Buying a high quality power cable for the audiolab (2nd hand), Moving the P6's out from the wall, Moving the 2 subs further into the room, Running Audyssey at the absolutely quietest possible time of day) and this 8 euro App is as pleasing as any of the other tweaks so far.

The last tweak will be a DAC, but I'll have to wait a while for that - completely skint right now.

Thanks again. :clap:

I haven't done any before/after examinations, however I essentially simply needed something that would change naturally conform the yield so I didn't need to transform it by hand each one time a high determination document was played. I'm not certain that I could essentially hear the contrast between a bit flawless yield and one that was upsampled constantly, however for mental reasons its decent realizing that my DAC is accepting a bit impeccable sign......