Lossless Music from iMac to Audio System

[BengalCatKilo]

I currently store music either in FLAC or Apple Lossless on my Imac and use my older AppleTv using the optic out and a Sonos ZP90 using the digital coax into a Music Fidelity M1 Dac and analog from there to my Anthem MRX300 receiver. I've since upgraded the MRX300 to the MRX720 and I'm thinking of moving the M1 to my computer room with my Harmon Kardon Computer Speakers. People in the Anthem Forum have said the dacs in the MRX720 are superior to the M1 so everything should be plugged straight into the MRX720 for the best sound. My question is the AppleTv and Sonos ZP90 still a good way to receive my music or is there a better way meaning better fidelity. My second question is I would like to get the new AppleTv 4K but I'm afraid having that and the other one will interfere with each other so another option I've heard is to get the Nvidia Shield Pro and use Plex.

 

[Trebdp83]

You shouldn’t have an issue with multiple Apple TV devices in the setup. Not sure how you feel about numbers and conversions, but the Apple TV 4K is capped at 24/48khz and will send everything out as such via HDMI. It has no other audio connections. There are a couple of other settings to consider if you plan on using the Music app to stream from their service and not just files from the iMac.

 

[BengalCatKilo]

You shouldn’t have an issue with multiple Apple TV devices in the setup. Not sure how you feel about numbers and conversions, but the Apple TV 4K is capped at 24/48khz and will send everything out as such via HDMI. It has no other audio connections. There are a couple of other settings to consider if you plan on using the Music app to stream from their service and not just files from the iMac.

My apologies but my current Apple Tv is the A1427 3rd gen model and that's what I'm using currently to stream music from my iMac to my audio system. I was planning on adding the new Apple Tv 4K for streaming purposes only and keeping the other for streaming music and both would be in the same rack. So I'm assuming Apple doesn't vary their remote codes and so why I had that concern. I also realize the limitation of the Apple Tv and why I'm using it thru the M1 Dac and which upsamples and converts the digital signal to 24bit/192kHz. So that's why some others have suggested going with the Nvidia Shield Pro as alternative to the Apple TV 4K. I'm not familiar enough with their product and Plex.

 

[Trebdp83]

Yes, that is a 3rd generation model. I have a couple of them as well as an Apple TV 4K Gen 1. They work fine on the same network using the same Apple ID but remote control inputs can be an issue if you are going to use them together in the same room. What I noticed with mine is that the 3rd Gen remote control will control both of them right off the bat when placed near one another. The new Siri Remote Gen 2 uses Bluetooth 5.0 and only controls the Apple TV 4K Gen 1 in my setup. Of course, results will vary. If the 3rd Gen in your setup is a set it and forget it situation, you should be good streaming with the 4K model and Siri Remote control and not mess up the 3rd Gen. What is the model of iMac in use there?

 

[BengalCatKilo]

Yes, that is a 3rd generation model. I have a couple of them as well as an Apple TV 4K Gen 1. They work fine on the same network using the same Apple ID but remote control inputs can be an issue if you are going to use them together in the same room. What I noticed with mine is that the 3rd Gen remote control will control both of them right off the bat when placed near one another. The new Siri Remote Gen 2 uses Bluetooth 5.0 and only controls the Apple TV 4K Gen 1 in my setup. Of course, results will vary. If the 3rd Gen in your setup is a set it and forget it situation, you should be good streaming with the 4K model and Siri Remote control and not mess up the 3rd Gen. What is the model of iMac in use there?

The iMac is old from 2019 which hopefully will be replaced in the near future as budget permits. And yes my concern was using the Apple remote and it controlling both units but if the other can be controlled via bluetooth than should it still matter? I also use a Harmony One remote controller but of course that doesn't do bluetooth.

 

[Trebdp83]

I like the new remote control. It really is great. You can use it for the 4K and the Harmony for the other. You can also set up the Harmony to control both of them if you prefer to have one remote control for everything. 2019 Mac old?

 

[BengalCatKilo]

I like the new remote control. It really is great. You can use it for the 4K and the Harmony for the other. You can also set up the Harmony to control both of them if you prefer to have one remote control for everything. 2019 Mac old?

opps meant iMac is from 2009 lol