2. pc-audio
  3. 147204-2116

Vox (app? Player?)

I’m new to all this and attempting to set up high resolution audio from my Mac to my integrated amp.  I’ve read a few of the guides online for this but still have a ton of questions...This one is about the “Vox” program.

Unless there’s something buried deeper in some sort of settings, my iTunes on my 2017 Mac limits me to ripping CDs to 16 bit AIFF.  (I keep hearing something like “true” high resolution starts at 24 bit.  Will using the Vox program allow ripping the CDs at a higher resolution, as well as playing back in higher resolution than iTunes?  Does this become a moot point for some reason? (I.e., these higher resolution files can’t be obtained by importing CDs, etc.?)  Also, will audio played back via the Vox app be streamable, for the time being, via an Airport Express until I obtain a DAC that’s connected by wire? (This is going to be the next chapter in this ongoing puzzle as the Mac is located in a different room from the amp/speakers and will require a long run of whatever cable that connects computer to DAC.). Thanks...
lg1

Showing 1 response by bsimpson

bsimpson
167 posts
 
It’s just my experience that may not apply to all, so take this with a ton of salt.

High resolution is a moot point with Vox.

The Vox player is outstanding software that, unfortunately, the hardware failed it. I use an Mac with it. Tried many different things like you said (and then some hacks too) ... the noise and distortion just not worth it. If you are using any other Mac application while you are also running Vox, this issue is amplified at least 5 folds.

You basically have to turn off as many Mac background services (Linux processes) as possible to get decent sound.

In general, any hardware/software solution that plays the files on the Mac or PC ain’t worth it. That includes some insanely priced one-box solution (which mostly uses Linux like Mac). Use the Mac or PC as a file server instead. Buy a quality audiophile streamer and DAC.

In my setup, an 16/24 AIFF I ripped on my Mac with Logitech Media Server -> Logitech Transporter (an 24/96 streamer) -> Audio Aero Capitole or DCS or Ayon CD2S or Ayon S-3 (all 24/192 up-sampling DACs) sound far superior than Vox + Mac + high rez files -> aforementioned DACs, just because of the noises & distortion.


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