How to Set Up iTunes on a Mac

Mac is really easy to set up:

Plug in the USB media device via a USB cable

Go to "system preferences",
• Select "sound",
• Select the USB media device you just plugged in
• Close preferences

Open up iTunes,
• Select "preferences" from drop down choices in the "file menu"
• Click "playback", uncheck "sound enhancer" and "sound check" if they are checked
• Click OK

Click the "general" tab
• Click "import Settings"
• Choose either "Apple Lossless Encoder", or "AIFF"
• Check "Use error correction when reading Audio CD's"
• Press OK

Click "window" at the top of iTunes
• Select "equalizer"
• Turn it off
• Exit

That's it, you are set up!

Some general tips for getting the most out of your Mac when used as a Music server. Not all have to be done, but, if you are looking to build a top flite music server that can compete (and even better) with a high end CD transport and/or a top flite turntable:

• Use an Intel Mac with at least 4G of RAM, loaded with Snow Leopard, that is dedicated to music server duties
• Use Amarra playback software
• Use an internal SSD, and keep your iTunes library on an external drive
• Disable wireless networking (Airport card)
• Disable bluetooth
• Use battery power when critically listening
• Disable Spotlight Requires going into terminal, at your own risk.
• Disable Dashboard Requires going into terminal, at your own risk.
• Disable Spell Check Requires going into terminal, at your own risk.
• Disable Aiport Utility Requires going into terminal, at your own risk.
• Disable the crossfade songs preference in iTunes (as above, just double check)
• Disable the sound enhancer preference in iTunes (as above, just double check)
• Disable the sound check preference in iTunes (as above, just double check)
• Disable sleep and other energy saving preferences
• Disable TimeMachine
• Remove any software that is not needed for music server duties
• Set the Mac on some type of vibration absorbing feet--I like to to use little Sorbothane dots and set my Macbook Pro on a Bright Star shelf

The following is only is you are using a DAC, or other device that allows pass through of 24/96, are NOT using Amarra, and you wish to have iTunes upsample all of your tracks to 24/96

If iTunes is open, close it
• Double click your HD icon
• Double click "applications"
• Scroll down and double click the "utilities" folder:
• Double click "midi setup"
• Change "default output" and "system output" to your hi-res device, if it is not already selected for you
• Change "properties for" to your hi res device
• Change "format" to the bit rate 2ch-24bit and the frequency to 96000Hz
• Close everything you just opened
• Re-launch iTunes and listen!

DONE!