BoomerangJ111

Q: Playing back my CD collection through HiFi.

Hi-I have a MacBook Pro with external Superdrive.  OS X 10.9.5 Processor 2.3GHZ 1600 MHz DDR3 500Gb SSD.  I also have two new Apple TV's and one old Apple TV (Unused with disc capacity).

 

My question is that I have recently decided to break out the old stereo gear.  I have a tube amp, Technics drive turntable.  Along with the old vinyl I have a large box of CD's.  I forgot that I gave my perfectly adequate CD player away!  When mentioning this to an audio guy and stating that I need a new CD player, the response was-don't buy another CD player, record them and play back into your amp via a DAC.

 

How do I to this?  Do I need an application called Toast to transfer the music from my CD's to my laptop?  Which format should I use?  The audio guy made a comment that I can record my CD's, playback through the DAC (Input into the amp-analog signals) and experience far greater sound quality then through a CD player. 

 

Not sure I have enough storage on my MacBook.  I do have at least one maybe two of the old style apple TV's laying around.  Would/Could they make good juke boxes?  Tie them into the DAC and play back through my stereo that way?

Apple TV

Posted on Mar 17, 2015 6:30 AM

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Q: Playing back my CD collection through HiFi.

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  • by BoomerangJ111,

    BoomerangJ111 BoomerangJ111 Mar 19, 2015 4:22 AM in response to BoomerangJ111
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Mar 19, 2015 4:22 AM in response to BoomerangJ111

    Yikes!  No  one responding?

     

    Since I posted here's what a couple of audio store sales guys have recommended: 

    Sony - HAP-Z1ES 1TB Hi-Res HDD Player

    Record the CD's into my Mac-load them onto the Sony and plug the sony into my amp.  It's an expensive solution though.  The Sony sells for $2k

     

    The apple TV I have laying around has a 500Mb drive.  Wondering if there is a way to up convert the CD's that I store on it?

  • by judysings,

    judysings judysings Mar 19, 2015 11:52 AM in response to BoomerangJ111
    Community Specialists
    Mar 19, 2015 11:52 AM in response to BoomerangJ111

    Hi BoomerangJ111,

    You can import your CD's directly into iTunes, and play your music from your computer through your home stereo system.  You can also connect your turntable to your computer.  Here are a couple of resources to get you started:

     

    iTunes 12 for Mac: Import songs from CDs
    https://support.apple.com/kb/PH19607?locale=en_US

     

    Connect your Mac to a home stereo, iPod, iPad, musical instruments, or speakers - Apple Support
    https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201739

     

    Enjoy the music!

    - Judy

  • by BoomerangJ111,

    BoomerangJ111 BoomerangJ111 Mar 19, 2015 2:03 PM in response to BoomerangJ111
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Mar 19, 2015 2:03 PM in response to BoomerangJ111

    Judy-This is all makes sense to me.  But-does recording on apple/iTunes maintain the same music quality?  up convert?

     

    This would be the easiest solution.  I'm just trying to figure out if Toast (app for Mac to "rip" CD"s) is required and what's the value it adds?

     

    Or if there are other solutions.  I'm just starting to dabble in this-but it seems that folks are up converting the CD data into a much better listening experience.

  • by ed2345,Helpful

    ed2345 ed2345 Mar 19, 2015 6:03 PM in response to BoomerangJ111
    Level 7 (24,877 points)
    Mar 19, 2015 6:03 PM in response to BoomerangJ111

    This is all makes sense to me.  But-does recording on apple/iTunes maintain the same music quality?  up convert?

     

    Boomerang, To keep the same audio quality as the CD original, import using one of the 3 lossless formats:  WAV, AIFF, or Apple Lossless.

     

    The lossy formats, namely MP3 and AAC, will introduce some amout of audio degradation.

  • by judysings,

    judysings judysings Mar 23, 2015 2:14 PM in response to BoomerangJ111
    Community Specialists
    Mar 23, 2015 2:14 PM in response to BoomerangJ111

    Hi BoomerangJ111,

    ed2345 is correct.  You can import the files using iTunes, and choose which format you want.

    - Judy

  • by BoomerangJ111,

    BoomerangJ111 BoomerangJ111 Mar 25, 2015 5:46 AM in response to ed2345
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Mar 25, 2015 5:46 AM in response to ed2345

    Thanks!  that helps-then I can run them through a DAC to up convert them to a higher quality.

     

    What I am trying to do here is that I have a box of old CD's.  According to common theory they have degraded-dropped bits. 

     

    What I didn't know if I could use my Apple with the appropriate s/w to not only import-but up convert as well.  I didn't know enough about what I was asking to word the initial question appropriately.  But I appreciate the feedback as it has given me a path to follow.

     

    Thanks.

  • by Chris CA,

    Chris CA Chris CA Mar 25, 2015 6:02 AM in response to BoomerangJ111
    Level 9 (79,555 points)
    iPhone
    Mar 25, 2015 6:02 AM in response to BoomerangJ111

    BoomerangJ111 wrote:

    Thanks!  that helps-then I can run them through a DAC to up convert them to a higher quality

    It simply plays them back at the quality they are.

    Nothing gets up converted. You can't improve the quality.

  • by BoomerangJ111,

    BoomerangJ111 BoomerangJ111 Mar 25, 2015 7:36 PM in response to Chris CA
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Mar 25, 2015 7:36 PM in response to Chris CA

    Chris-There are actually devices that "up convert" CD data to make them sound better.  Sony has a device that does this-It costs $2k and has a 1Tb disc drive.

     

    There are some DAC's out there as well that folks use.  What they are doing is interpolating the digital CD recording (which is old technology/old algorithms by today's standards) and creating a digital or analog signal that sounds closer to a high end analog signal.  The music becomes more real.

     

    As I've learned more the question I would ask would now be along the lines of:

     

    "Can I purchase s/w for my Mac that would allow me to up convert my CD's, store on my last generations Apple TV hard drive, and play back through my stereo"

     

    Ie; use my Mac book as the DAC and my old Apple TV as the Juke box.