Apple 24 Bit 96 KhZ

It's not as simple as one interface being better than another. There is a lot going in with computer audio and there are good and bad solutions for both. If you already have a good DAC with Toslink input, my recommendation is to start there. Get a good Toslink cable, such as the Wireworld (you'll need an adapter for the mini Toslink jack on the Mac) or the van den Hul, which you can get with a mini Toslink on one end. If your DAC has a USB input, odds are it sucks. To get good USB, you need one of the specialty USB DACs or one of the speciality converters (converts USB to other interfaces), such as those from Bel Canto and Empirical Audio.

In my experience, there are no clearcut answers in computer audio (heck, in audio in general). I recommend experimenting, if that interests you.

Thanks Drubin - I have the Bel Canto DAC3. I have both a USB and Toslink cable going from my new iMac 24". It will take 24/96 from the toslink but NOT from the USB - it needs a new upgrade box which I am getting.

Do you know of a very inexpensive way to TEST the digital signal coming of the Apple to determine 16/44.1, 24/96, etc.? The Bel Canto has zero signal indications, etc.

Thx, Stew

Drubin, et al., I'm running the latest OS and iTunes revs from Apple and you no longer need shut down and restart iTunes as you suggest. Changes in Audio MIDI now update on-the-fly, if you will.

L.D. Moore

L.D. Moore - I noticed that too as my DAC has an external display which shows the locked signal sample rate. However, I asked around on various forums and it seems that the AudioMIDI sample rate changes when it's switched, but iTunes still locks on to the sample rate that was set upon the app's opening. So, AudioMIDI is up (or down) sampling from the iTunes locked in rate.

Does anyone know of an inexpensive DAC that shows the signal sample rate? I want to use that to check - the Bel Canto does NOT show the sample rate.

Thnx,

Stew