Parasound P5 DAC upgrade, zdac oppo 105

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I still didn't make a purchase yet. But the sound from the mac to P5 can not match cd playback SQ.

Volume level matched?

I wonder if one of them applies any EQ.

Is the MAC bit-streaming or is the MAC just outputting analog to the P5?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Lossless. I know FLAC is better but we know itunes doesn't offer it.

Lossless is lossless. FLAC isn't better than ALAC (Apple).

 

[slipperybidness]

Lossless. I know FLAC is better but we know itunes doesn't offer it.

I agree with ACDT, lossless is lossless.

Have you tried FOOBAR2000? It's a free/open source music player and it will do FLAC (may need a plugin) and many other formats. I like it much better than iTunes and I know a lot of other people that agree on this. You can actually customize the panels and layout to your tastes.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I stream ALAC straight from my iPad to my Denon pre-pro.

I am still trying to sell my 2 high-end players (DVD-3800BDCI and 4010UDCI, both with great DAC).

 

[ematthews]

Lossless is lossless. FLAC isn't better than ALAC (Apple).

Didn't know that. Like I said elsewhere.. I'm new to the whole non CD playback category.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Didn't know that. Like I said elsewhere.. I'm new to the whole non CD playback category.

Yeah, you'll get there one day.

FLAC = WAV = ALAC = WMA Lossless = all Lossless format

Dolby TrueHD = DTS HD MA = PCM

 

[cpp]

Lossless is lossless. FLAC isn't better than ALAC (Apple).

Bingo , right on

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Yeah, you'll get there one day.

FLAC = WAV = ALAC = WMA Lossless = all Lossless format

Dolby TrueHD = DTS HD MA = PCM

Putting on my Nerd Rage Cap with Propeller on the top

Not quite. WAV is not codec. WAV is a file container, which typically contain Uncompressed digital signal, but it can be very compressed such as in Voicemail to email systems.
I also have at-least one WAV file with DTS soundtrack inside it (1812 btw)
Also Lossless means compressed without any losses on decoding (think of ZIP file) . Umcompressed is technically not lossless, since it's same as RAW and not changed in anyway
PCM is same as WAV with uncompressed signal.

The rest above mentioned are Lossless:
Dolby TrueHD , DTS HD MA, FLAC, ALAC, WMA Lossless


Nerd cap off

 

[ematthews]

With all this said..... Is there anywhere I can read about the proper set up and software to run my Imac to my Parasound P5 for the best possible sound. My knowledge tells me to download Jriver. I haven't done this as of today. Run the Imac from the headphone out via Toslink into the P5. I am guessing most of the downloads from Itunes were lossless. I also ripped some of my CD's into Itunes.

 

[sharkman]

I tried Jriver and found it to be pretty decent, but I have to admit my lack of knowledge on this one.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Putting on my Nerd Rage Cap with Propeller on the top

Not quite. WAV is not codec. WAV is a file container, which typically contain Uncompressed digital signal, but it can be very compressed such as in Voicemail to email systems.
I also have at-least one WAV file with DTS soundtrack inside it (1812 btw)
Also Lossless means compressed without any losses on decoding (think of ZIP file) . Umcompressed is technically not lossless, since it's same as RAW and not changed in anyway
PCM is same as WAV with uncompressed signal.

The rest above mentioned are Lossless:
Dolby TrueHD , DTS HD MA, FLAC, ALAC, WMA Lossless


Nerd cap off

Well, it's no wonder I never use PCM or WAV. Subconsciously I knew there was something wrong with them.

For music I exclusively use ALAC (iPad to Denon, no in-between like PC or server). For movies, it is mostly DTS-HD MA or TrueHD.

 

[PENG]

Well, it's no wonder I never use PCM or WAV. Subconsciously I knew there was something wrong with them.

For music I exclusively use ALAC (iPad to Denon, no in-between like PC or server). For movies, it is mostly DTS-HD MA or TrueHD.

I am sure you are just kidding. If the resolution is the same there should be no difference whether it is ALAC, flac or wave.

 

[PENG]

With all this said..... Is there anywhere I can read about the proper set up and software to run my Imac to my Parasound P5 for the best possible sound. My knowledge tells me to download Jriver. I haven't done this as of today. Run the Imac from the headphone out via Toslink into the P5. I am guessing most of the downloads from Itunes were lossless. I also ripped some of my CD's into Itunes.

You may want to double check itune is in fact set to rip losslessly, it is all in the setting!!
I don't know if there is Foobar2000 MAC version. I run it on Windows7 and found it as good as JRiver except it is free. JRiver is a little expensive for what I need but I may eventually buy it when my HA-1 arrives.

 

[ematthews]

My import setting of CD's was on AAC encoder. I just switch it to Lossless. Now all the CD's that I already import need to be redone correct???
I am also trying to find out how to download files from itunes in the Lossless format. Can't seem to find where this is check? Anyone know?

 

[moves]

This should be under iTunes/preferences and then hit the import settings tab at the bottom of the window.

 

[ematthews]

This should be under iTunes/preferences and then hit the import settings tab at the bottom of the window.

I did this but it's for importing CD only. Didn't see anything about downloads.

 

[slipperybidness]

My import setting of CD's was on AAC encoder. I just switch it to Lossless. Now all the CD's that I already import need to be redone correct???
I am also trying to find out how to download files from itunes in the Lossless format. Can't seem to find where this is check? Anyone know?

Well, now your are beginning to understand why we are starting to steer you away from iTunes. I'm not trying to be offensive, but iTunes just seems like it's made for amateurs (as compared to Foobar2000). I too used iTunes for many years until I decided to give Foobar a shot. Now, I keep my music segregated and use iTunes for my lossy MP3s and Foobar for my lossless high-res stuff.

I'm not sure if Foobar is available for Mac, but you should definitely search for it.

Now, the million dollar question: Is it possible that some of the differences that you heard between DACs was due to different DACs handling lossy files better than other DACs?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I am sure you are just kidding. If the resolution is the same there should be no difference whether it is ALAC, flac or wave.

I was j/k. I don't notice any difference among those, assuming the same source/recording.

 

[PENG]

My import setting of CD's was on AAC encoder. I just switch it to Lossless. Now all the CD's that I already import need to be redone correct???

Correct, if you want the imported tracks lossless quality.

I am also trying to find out how to download files from itunes in the Lossless format. Can't seem to find where this is check? Anyone know?

I tried, it could not be done! All you can get is bit rate of around 256 kbps. Many likely cannot tell a difference anyway but I am sure you can, even I can.