Apple TV quality limitations?

[mgsylvestre]

I am upgrading my sound system and Home Theater and want to use higher quality music files for some applications. I want to determine to what extent I can really use Apple TV for high-fi audio.

I just bought the Beatles USB compilation which provides a lossless 24 bit FLAC version, for example. I converted the files to Apple lossless using Max 0.9.1 (which works well), imported the files into iTunes, synch with ATV et voilà!

I wish to know if ATV has inherent quality limitations which would limit the playback quality of lossless files. I honestly can't hear any difference with The Beatles (then again the sampling is 44.1khz only), but I would like to know this before purchasing higher quality files for classical music.

I have at least 3 options:

-Import the higher quality files in iTunes after converting if necessary and sync with ATV. The easiest most convenient solution by far;

-Play the files directly from the receiver using DNLA compliant server software like Townky. Not very convenient or aesthetic but it works

-Purchase a dedicated media server like Logitech Transporter. The quality has been tested by pros, but this option is expensive, and this means yet another media library to maintain.

Any advice?

 

[MidnightSensi]

AppleTV is awesome and cheap. I use it for background music and 'in a pinch' movie rentals (when I forget to load up my Netflix, mainly). It is limited to CD quality audio though. It down or up converts anything to CD quality, so FLAC's will be played back at redbook quality.

For higher quality, you can use a Sonos, which will play FLAC. It also has a great interface and very slick RF remote.