24-Apr-2016, 13:45
Getting this thread back on topic. I have worked out that it would indeed be possible to use a microRendu with iTunes acting as the 'file delivery system'. Apparently this can be done using the Shairplay output mode. Although compared to Roon, this will not be the best sounding of the applications and only supports Redbook and low res files.
The sound quality deficit is inherent to the Airplay protocol. In this output mode the microRendu might still sound better than a standard computer. However, on the microRendu and relative to the other output modes the Shairport (Airplay emulator) will not be the best sounding output. Technically, it has to do with how the Airplay protocol uses the internal clock of the source for audio.
How do I know this? Jesus told me. (Sonore's Jesus R, that is, I am not hearing voices or anything.)
I must profess to only partially understanding all this, but I wonder if this is a related issue to iTunes not sounding quite as good as JRiver or Roon on a PC with WASAPI / AIR?
I also did a bit of research myself regarding getting iTunes into a simple 'file delivery mode'. It would appear that iTunes uses 'DAAP' protocol, and in normal Apple style they have tried to keep this ring fenced in the Apple eco system, and although some have managed to hack around this restriction, it is never anything likely to be supported widely or by major manufacturers, except Apple of course, who are not likely to release a top quality music server anytime soon. So although this is not insurmountable, it is never going to be an ideal solution. Even if you did manage to get a top quality set up somehow, using DAAP, it would only take the odd iTunes update to mess up the good work.
The sound quality deficit is inherent to the Airplay protocol. In this output mode the microRendu might still sound better than a standard computer. However, on the microRendu and relative to the other output modes the Shairport (Airplay emulator) will not be the best sounding output. Technically, it has to do with how the Airplay protocol uses the internal clock of the source for audio.
How do I know this? Jesus told me. (Sonore's Jesus R, that is, I am not hearing voices or anything.)
I must profess to only partially understanding all this, but I wonder if this is a related issue to iTunes not sounding quite as good as JRiver or Roon on a PC with WASAPI / AIR?
I also did a bit of research myself regarding getting iTunes into a simple 'file delivery mode'. It would appear that iTunes uses 'DAAP' protocol, and in normal Apple style they have tried to keep this ring fenced in the Apple eco system, and although some have managed to hack around this restriction, it is never anything likely to be supported widely or by major manufacturers, except Apple of course, who are not likely to release a top quality music server anytime soon. So although this is not insurmountable, it is never going to be an ideal solution. Even if you did manage to get a top quality set up somehow, using DAAP, it would only take the odd iTunes update to mess up the good work.
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