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Is My Audio Setup Hi-Res Ready?

Al Griffin  |  Jul 13, 2015

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Q I’m interested in hi-res audio but am not sure if my current system can cut it. Here’s what I have: Integra DTR-40.3 AV receiver, GoldenEar Technology Triton 2 speakers, Macbook computer. I’m using iTunes for playback and am running an optical cable from the computer to the Integra. Here’s my question: Do I need a DAC to connect the Macbook to the receiver, or can I just continue to use the optical hookup? —Michael Skrzat / via e-mail

Q You have most everything you need for hi-res audio—minus the right playback soft ware and a DAC. Much hi-res music available online is in the FLAC format, which isn’t supported by iTunes. So if you want to play those files in their native format without having to first convert them to another format like WAV or AIFF that iTunes does support, you’ll need to invest in media playback soft ware that’s both Mac- and FLAC-friendly. Popular free soft ware includes Vox and VLC. Paid software includes JRiver and Fidelia. Other options include Audirvana, BitPerfect, and PureMusic, all of which operate in Tandem with your iTunes library and automatically switch your Mac’s audio setup to the right settings for either high- or standard-res playback.

As for DACs, you’ll need one with a USB port, which has become a standard feature on most new models. Along with decoding native high-res FLAC files, another benefit many USB DACs offer is asynchronous data transfer, which enables the timing clock in the DAC to process the audio data instead of the computer’s own clock. This feature will improve sound quality not just for high-res FLAC files, but also for regular tracks in WAV, AIFF, and compressed audio formats.

COMMENTS
mtymous1's picture
Submitted by mtymous1 on July 13, 2015 - 8:56am

After a quick search within your manual, you should be able to accomplish hi-res with your existing equipment.

P. 93 says, "For server playback and playback from a USB device, the AV receiver supports the following music file formats..." and then lists FLAC as one of several supported file formats, with a max of 96kHz/24-bit. This implies your receiver’s built-in DAC should be able handle hi-res FLAC files from a USB thumb drive, as well as a server stream. For quick grins, try loading a thumb drive with some sample FLAC files, and then connect it to your receiver’s USB port – just be sure they aren’t higher than 96kHz/24-bit. (HDTracks has a free 96/24 FLAC sampler here: http://www.hdtracks.com/hdtracks-2015-sampler.)

For streaming, the good news is that the Integra DTR-40.3 is DLNA-certified, so all you need to do is install and configure a compatible server solution on the Macbook, and then you should be able to enjoy your content through the receiver’s UI. Check out this list of media servers: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_UPnP_AV_media_servers

(FWIW, I've tried several of them but have found myself using Universal Media Server for the last 3 years. 100% free.)

If you want to play content that’s higher than 96kHz/24-bit, you will need external help since your receiver’s absolute max is 192kHz/24-bit, but only via HDMI (p. 90 of manual). Depending on the features of your BluRay player (and assuming you have one), you might be able to do this as well. Let me know the make/model of your BluRay player, and I’d be glad to look in to it. NOTE: If the player doesn’t support 192kHz/24-bit files or DLNA, this approach will not work.

NOTE: With the DLNA-based approach, you would no longer need to connect your Macbook via optical, but your receiver and computer would need to be on the same network.

NoHoR56's picture
Submitted by NoHoR56 on July 13, 2015 - 1:10pm

It's my understanding that optical can't pass the higher bandwidth signals. As said above, HDMI is the way to go - or analogue. (But I don't know if your receiver supports that.)

http://www.cnet.com/news/hdmi-vs-optical-which-digital-audio-connection-...

My 2cents - I'm not sure why you'd ever need to go above 192kHz/24-bit. 96/24 is good enough for Giles Martin (who produced the Beatle's Love album) and that's even for studio work.

Also, when wading into this, be very careful that the Hi-Res audio files you're getting are actually Hi-Res. There are a lot of them out there that are CD resolution in bigger file sizes, which will cost more and be no better than CD. Happy listening!

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