Schmidlapper
Super Member
Missed a step, purchase Audirvana and you will still feed any DAC a digital stream.
Dac, Mac, and itunes.
- Thread starter bbqjoe
- Start date
bbqjoe
Void where prohibited
For the Halibut, I've been reading reviews on this program.
Most say there is a large improvement in SQ over itunes.
Some of the reviews are a bit old, but many complain the UI is mind numbing and the search is short of impossible.
Have things improved since then?
kray
HE>i
I don't think the UI is bad and search works for me. Easy way to find out is use the free trial, you can use your existing iTunes folder structure so don't have to duplicate any music.
Also they have been saying they are about to release a fully revamped version for a while now, which looks really good:
cpt_paranoia
Addicted Member
It's digital.
USB is an entirely digital data interface. It does not carry analogue audio, video or any other analogue application signal.
The only analogue signal it carries is that representing the bits of the USB data protocol.
And, in case you are wondering, the following interfaces are also purely digital data interfaces:
Ethernet
WiFi
SPDIF
I2S
HDMI
RS-232
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rocknroll1
Well-Known Member
I can't tell you how everything works but for me there is an easy way to identify analog signal vs digital. If you are using RCA cables (or balanced in some cases) it is analog. If you are using toslink, coaxial or USB it is digital. So in other words if come out of a source rca you would be using internal dac. If you come out from a source with toslink, coaxial or USB then it still needs to be converted by a dac.
bbqjoe
Void where prohibited
And the one above you, thank you. Now clear as a bell!
mac mini
Active Member
My opinion is sound quality is better with Audirvana.
User interface isn't as good as iTunes but its OK. Playlists from iTunes import into Audirvana. However, you can't use your iPhone as a remote.
You can have both programs loaded and use one or the other as needed.
Here's a screen shot.
cpt_paranoia
Addicted Member
Electrical SPDIF often uses an RCA jack. It's usually coloured orange, though, especially on PCs.
bbqjoe
Void where prohibited
I DL'd the free version to kick the tires on. Supposedly the paid version does have an iphone remote. Also you can put audirvana into itunes mode, I''l bet you can use the iphone remote then.
I haven't tried yet.
Edit. It does work.
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mac mini
Active Member
I was aware of the remote but older reviews said it wasn't worth bothering with it because it didn't work well. And you had to purchase the app. Thanks for the tip, I'll look into it.
Edit. If you use ITunes Integrated mode the app will work. However, you do not get the Full Abracadabra purity of Audirvana. Use at your own risk.
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Audirvana Plus 3.2 user here. I run it on a dedicated Mac mini headless server and on my MacBookPro. I don't run it in integrated with my iTunes library. I run it in "Hog mode" playing FLAC files. The UI isn't quite as good as iTunes, but it's close and I'm certainly looking forward to ver 3.5. The A+ remote works very well on the iPhone which wasn't the case when I first started using it. I had a lot of comms trouble requiring frequent rebooting of the mini to get the remote app to work. Since I upgraded my wifi router it's very reliable. I use the mini's optical output for my AVR for listening with the living room speakers and 2 USB outputs for dedicated headphone DAC's and amps. Audirvana provides for switching outputs within the app and with the A+ Remote which is key to a headless server. iTunes requires you to go system preferences to change outputs which can't be done blind or on the iTunes Remote app. Audirvana also allows no, mixed, or only software volume control which I appreciate.
I only maintain an ALAC library for my remaining iOS devices. I have tried a number of iOS player apps on my phone, but none are remotely close to either iTunes or Audirvana in their library management capabilities.
If Audirvana is listening - now that I have a 512gB iPhone Xs that can play FLAC an iOS version of Audirvana is at the top of my wish list.
I only maintain an ALAC library for my remaining iOS devices. I have tried a number of iOS player apps on my phone, but none are remotely close to either iTunes or Audirvana in their library management capabilities.
If Audirvana is listening - now that I have a 512gB iPhone Xs that can play FLAC an iOS version of Audirvana is at the top of my wish list.
mac mini
Active Member
Audirvana has an equalizer. I think it may pull it from iTunes, I'm not sure, you have to go to the Audirvana manual
. You can save multiple curves.
bbqjoe
Void where prohibited
It almost starts making Audivarna moot point.
mac mini
Active Member
Well Audirvana is an extra step of PIA. I bought into it, and I bought it. YMMV. I do like to add some equalization, I cut some midrange and add bass. I don't believe in flat, at least not in my setup. I'm going to buy this, maybe it will be easier, definitely more fun to turn knobs
:
kray
HE>i
No it is not pulled from iTunes, it is using the OS level CoreAudio Units, and many professional AU (audio units) are available for use
I can't tell what device that is. Can you enlighten me?
mac mini
Active Member
Thank you for that correction, its good knowledge.
mac mini
Active Member
Sorry about that, I shouldn't have cropped it like that. It is a 4 knob tone control by Schiit. $149.00
