2. pc-audio
  3. 1406732504

new interface/front-end for audiophile system

hi, for 6 years now i have been happily running this system for my music:

music storage: lacie hard disk containing my cd's downloaded using apple lossless
interface: dedicated 2nd hand ibook running itunes
primare pre-amp connected to ibook via a hag usb (thanks jim hag), from usb socket to preamp digital in
genelec active monitors
rel active subwoofer

the music has recently developed intermittent 1 second pauses averaging every minute or so, so something is wrong. it seems ok using my macbook pro as interface, so perhaps the ibook is the problem. maybe it's just a loose usb socket? might a usb hub using the other socket solve the problem?
this might be an opportunity to upgrade the system and perhaps replace the ibook with something better. can anyone suggest something that would leave the majority of my system as it is? thanks
garbo
lewinskih01
906 posts
 
There are two parts to your question: troubleshooting your current setup and suggestions for something new.

About suggestions for new: directional la, you want to have a computer dedicated only to audio, so no unnecessary programs are running (and if you can make it headless, the better), and an a synch USB DAC. What in particular will be mostly driven by your budget and if you want to stay with Mac.
garbo OP
27 posts
 
thanks for the replies. the problem is resolved but still want to consider a new system. (the music worked straight from the external hard disc; the pauses only happened once itunes was used. i have changed the hard disc and itunes now appears to work with it.)

for the new: i am not tied to mac and there is no fixed budget. of primary importance is good audio quality and good flexibility in playlist selection (e.g. to shuffle within a user defined genre). currently the dac is that within the primare p30 sound processor; i thought that was pretty good?
clio09
3,343 posts
 
Have you tried using programs that interface with iTunes like Audirvana and Pure Music. These programs have trial periods so there is no risk in trying them. You might find they offer some benefit. While I have a lot of respect for Jim Hagerman I do not think his USB interface was one of his better designs. A better quality USB interface may be more beneficial.
garbo OP
27 posts
 
thanks. i might try pure music etc., but initially they seem to me like snake oil, like most things that purport to act before the DAC.
clio09
3,343 posts
 
I can certainly understand you perspective given everything else that goes on in our industry. Personally I preferred Audirvana, seemed the simpler approach. I hear Bit Perfect for Mac is another good option and maybe the simplest of them all. For me the idea was to get away from the reliance on iTunes as the player.
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