I am an audiophile addict! However, I love iTunes and the ability to instantly access all of my music from multiple locations around the house. Accordingly, I have been searching for a subjectively perfect system that balances my desires and still makes me say "WOW" when I sit down for a listen.
In addition, I now have a young daughter and my wife took away my office and converted it in to a guest room :-( Luckily for me, I am a master debater and was able to successfully negotiate for access to the two hallway closets downstairs ... I have now effectively turned them in to the world's smallest home office / audiophile listening room.
The System:
I have been playing around with components, software, and disc ripping formats in an effort to create a true audiophile sound system that uses a Mac Mini as the main source component. I feel that I have finally succeeded in my quest and have put together quite an amazing sounding system based upon the Mac Mini and iTunes.
I have been using the system for two weeks now. And, since the new speakers need at least 200 hours to break in and the new DAC needs at least 100 hours of use until it is truly ready, I will not be able to post an in depth review until next month. In the mean time, here is my setup and a mini review of my observations so far. A more in depth review will follow that will include my reasons for choosing each component of the system:
Computer Hardware:
Mac Mini 2.0Ghz
Newertech miniStack V2 500GB HD
Drobo 2TB HD
Audio Components:
Simaudio Moon I-7 Integrated Amp
Bel Canto DAC3
Shunyata Hydra Model 6 Power Conditioner
Dynaudio Confidence 1 Speakers
Nordost Tyr Balanced XLR Interconnects
Nordost SPM Speaker Wire
Software:
iTunes - CDs ripped using Apple Lossless
Indigo Home Automation Software
iRed IR Remote Automation Software
Initial Thoughts:
WOW!!!!! This is going to work! Already it is musical nirvana and the components haven't even broken in yet. Precise imaging, HUGE soundstage (considering the miniscule size of my listening room), perfect highs and a tight bass. When this system blooms later on this month, it will be a jaw dropper.
More to come ...
JUST ADDED:
My audio system, as well as my home automation system, can be accessed and controlled from my iPhone or from any computer connected to the internet from anywhere in the world. I have added a pic of the Indigo control page that allows me to do this ...
what do you think is the best way to get the data to the DAC?
Options: 1. wireless transmission to AE, toslink to DAC (doesnt fit with above amp, but Im not locked into that amp) 2. wireless transmission to AE, USB out to above amp (is this possible?, there is a USB thing on the AE, but never read anyone using it for itunes out to DAC) 3. wired tranmission via Ethernet to DAC with that input (I read that there is a $20k DAC using ethernet! Linn?) 4. wired tranmission via USB (just use extenders, Im assuming this is ok - no loss) 5. wired transmission via ethernet to AE, then USB out to DAC (dont know if possible) 6. some other method!
I have read that the wireless transmission from computer to AE limits the quality of the transmission because itunes/AE automatically transmits the signal at a certain rate
this doesnt matter if youre using mp3... but most of my music is lossless - so am I wasting my time having losses in itunes if its being downgraded in the trasmission stage?
if this is true, what is the best way to send the information from computer to DAC/stereo? if it has to be a cable, thats fine - I was using AE for convenience... but a cable is only an inconvenience ONCE!
