96.26.230.160
In Reply to: RE: Sampling Rate to Choose in Audio Midi Settings in Mac. posted by dgad on November 01, 2009 at 08:03:21
My understanding is that you are using core audio in both cases -- but iTunes sets up different parameters compared to Audio Midi. I think I learned that on the Apple forums... but I can seem to locate the discussion now. Sigh.
The DAC will look at the settings from Audio Midi, regardless of what iTunes is playing. This is easy to check visually if your DAC as an indicator for incoming sample rate.
If you start iTunes when audio midi is set to 44.1, iTunes will convert everything it plays to the target value of 44.1 kHz. Suppose your next track is 96 kHz. If, without closing and restarting iTunes, you switch audio midi to 96 kHz then iTunes will take the 96kHz source file and convert it to 44.1 kHz to match what it thinks audio midi is set for. Audio Midi will then receive 44.1 kHz input but, as it is set now to 96 kHz, it will convert the 44.1 kHz input into the 96 kHz output that it is now set for. The Dac will be happily receiving 96 kHz signal -- but which as been converted twice.
Whether these conversions make a difference in what you hear may depend on a number of factors, not least is the quality of the original source file.
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