The Mac Audio Server to beat all Mac Audio Servers?
Having the Young DAC in my system for the past few weeks has had far more far-reaching effects than anticipated.
The Mac mini G4 fell by the wayside as I needed a platform than would run OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard). That enables me to run AyreWave and Audirvana, as better-sounding alternatives to iTunes and also the Young's own USB driver.
I had three choices: buy a new Mac for a server, put my newly acquired MacBook Air into service as a part-time server, or not sell my White MacBook and use that.
The two laptops obviously have the advantage of cutting noisy mains power out of the picture. The Air has 2GB RAM, while the White has 4GB; the Air has a 1.4Ghz processor, while the White has a 2.1Ghz processor.
I'm not being paid by the word here, so I'll cut to the chase. The White /10.6 combination knocks the mini/10.4 combination into the middle of last year, playing iTunes. Absolutely astonishing!
But the real kicker is that the Air is almost as good again. And it isn't difficult to see why. It's 100% solid-state, and although I've seen what looks like a tiny fan in an exploded view of the Air's innards, I've never been able to hear any mechanical noise or other evidence of it doing anything - after all, the Mac aluminium unibody is one great heatsink. Battery life can be better than specified, so it's great for long listening sessions.
I suspect it really needs as good a DAC as the Young to really draw out the goodies from the Air. Together, they come to just less than £2K. If such a sum can be a bargain, I think they are one.
And together they sound effortless, dramatic, tangible and room-filling. They time and drive perfectly, or lay back with an air of nonchalance, depending on the music.
Custom Mac media servers are a little thin on the ground, and cost about twice the £1K asking price of the Air. I'd like to compare the Air to one, but it's hard to see where the improvements are going to come from. And £1K buys a lot of high-res files ;-)
Comments
My plans revolve around my 2009 MACMini, which has a 2.26 core 2 duo processor. It needs:
- SSD hard drive - not too large, only really needs to run OSX 10.6.5, and AyreWave.
- 8GB RAM - not the boutique stuff but bog standard gear. Will be needed with larger files & memory play.
- Power conditioning.
The last was suggested by a Computer Audiophile chap, who rates the improvement as highly as a linear power supply. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180605861568&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT. I already have a large power thingy for all my digital gear, this would just go between that & the brick.I can't invest much more in this system, and hope I won't need to.
:P
I just looked at a MACMini power cord for sale - it isn't a simple twin & earth configuration, so I don't know if I could fit one myself.
L-)
These I know work - I've A-B'd them at a friend's house. But are not filters in the conventional sense.
http://www.airlinktransformers.com/balanced-power-supplies.asp
I'll get myself one when I get around to it.
Just my tuppence...
Did you use the filtering on amplifiers? I am aware they don't respond well to this sort of thing - but I was under the (mis)apprehension(?) that digital components like all the filtering/conditioning etc?
The idea behind this kind of filter, according to the chap on computer audiophile who recommended it, is as much to prevent noise & such re-entering the mains as it is to improve the supply to the MAC.
Do balancing transformers perform the same role as an isolation transformer? (- please forgive my ignorance, but I've learned not to be scared of it!) I've seen mention of 'hospital grade isolation transformers' several times on CA as beneficial additions to MAC based systems but the links are always to very pricey commercial US gear.
What sort of application would those balancing transformers have? Would they help to isolate the nasties from the MAC to the rest of the system, or do you envisage an improvement for the MAC also? Or are they more for amplifiers?
I also have seen it recommended to have the computer & the DAC on separate power sockets/distribution blocks as DACs can pick up on nasties as well. I had been tempted to try one of the filters on my MAC, then another on the DAC later. It even crossed my mind to fit one to the fridge, as I'm not too worried about the dynamics there!
I currently have all my gear (incl TV etc) plugged in to one of these, with the amp directly into a switchless socket:
http://cache-www.belkin.com/support/dl/p74595_ap21300-12_manual.pdf
I understand a balanced transformer to work on the "equal and opposite cancelling out principle". That is when noise is present on the mains (of which there is plenty) it will be cancelled. Something to do with not being inducted to the other side of the transformer I think. I could very easily be wrong.
There's plenty of mentions on a number of other forums. Have a Google, you're bound to get a better explanation than my attempt.
What I do know is that the preferred method of connection is to get the transformer at the correct rating and run the entire system off it. This is what my friend does, he went for a 1.5kva and it works a treat - very noticeable to my ears.
I did notice a very large improvement when we moved down here last September from South London. Much less hash and it sounds cleaner. Thus far I haven't made any attempt to deal with the mains - not really felt the need.
I don't know about the amp's draw, but it has 4 trafos on it, 2x240va & 2x260va. It's designer reckons no power conditioning at all, so I've never experimented.
On the little inline filter doobrie - even with the benefit of a balanced transformer there may be merit to additionally isolating the noisy urchins - MAC, NAS...maybe?
transformer', or at least close enough. The 'puterphiles that have tried
them reckon they're as good as a high quality linear power supply.
Were you still using AyreWave on the MacBooks, or running iTunes directly into the Young? I'm very interested in this, as I'm edging towards getting a new Mac Mini for audio duties, feeding digits via my HiFace Evo.
Cheers!
As a general point, using AW via USB/HiFace into the Dacmagic it's easily the best I've heard digital audio in my system (using an aluminium 2009 MacBook/2.4Ghz/4G memory).
I would be interested in your thoughts .
Keith.
Amarrra does look interesting - if there isn't much take up of your offer I'll have a go with it to compare with AyreWave. Does it uninstall easily from a mac?
Keith.
I have had 'carbon copy' recommended to me.
Oh yeah - open it up with a can opener - got it.