jessie619

I would consider myself someone who is pretty picky about my music (some use the term "audiophile), and the quality of sound. For your reference in possibly helping with the issue I'm experiencing, here are the specs of my computer: I have a MacBook Pro Retina, 2.3 GHz Intel Core i7, 16 GB RAM, 1600 MHz, Late 2013. I use Bose Companion speakers, plugged into the "headphone jack" audio out. I also use Fidelia to play my FLAC files (I prefer FLAC because of the quality I seem to have with Lossless files) as well as Pure Music w/ iTunes for other downloads. I've tried both Bandcamp and HD Tracks for downloads regarding high resolution music. I've found that I get a better quality with Bandcamp than HD Tracks, comparing the same Sample Rate and File Size, etc. My first question is why am I getting a better sound from Bandcamp file downloads compared to HD Tracks. Additionally, my audio seems to be affected by our AC (Central Air Unit) somehow. I cannot figure this out. I get a low vibrating sound within the audio, and its not just through my Mac, but the TV as well (which is not connected at all to my Mac). I don't think its a grounding issue because as soon as I stop the music or TV (mute) the vibration sound stops although I haven't turned the speakers off. I've heard of phasing issues but I don't understand the concept very well. The computer, TV and speakers are all plugged into adjoining walls with the AC Unit that sits in the backyard corner of the house. I just have this "gut feeling" its connected somehow but no one seems to be able to help. I just finished reading your article and thought, "maybe this is someone who can give me some sort of guidance." In any case, I'd love advice or pointed in the right direction. Thank you so much!