Dennis L Jacob

I have to agree with Chris here. It seemed to me that Steve was saying don't use a Mac and/or iTunes for it is inferior. Then basically rallying around his products as the way to get true sound reproduction. For awhile it sounded like this was Steve's website. Don't take offense Steve, but just because you like the output of your products, don't assume that we need to feel the same way. I'm more inclined to take Gordon's word because he doesn't beat us down on why we need his product over someone else's. He doesn't sell his product in his posts or responses. He just provides us with valuable information.

Well if most of what Steve is saying is true; about his gear playing through an Apple computer with iTunes is inferior to what he is hearing through his PC makes for one conclusion. If you are using a Mac and iTunes, don't use Steve's gear. Does that mean his gear isn't good? NO it doesn't. It just means use his gear with PC's instead. End of discussion. Back to Amarra discussion.

Clay you hit the nail on the head with that observation. I've been thinking the same thing. At RMAF, I'd have to say of the folks using a computer music server for their source - 95% were using an Apple MacBook as their computer system with iTunes as the software used. I'm betting that USB DAC he is using is the reason for the jitter and other sonic problems. That and not wanting to hear his gear is the problem, not the software. That coming from a guy who has been a 25 year PC user. I switched earlier this year to a family of Mac computers. Wish I'd done so years ago.

So "this is what makes audio such a fascinating and enjoyable hobby!". I could do without the "guess" factor on whether i bought crap or greatness. Most of the online sellers are still going to charge shipping each way plus most now have restocking fees. So you end up paying for half the product after you've shipped it back to the company. I'd rather have a better chance of success before placing the order. Which is why forums like this one help with making choices. Hopefully after a while, we learn who's ear equals our own and can use their recommendations or opinion in making decisions. I always get scared when someone who sounds like they know what they're talking about actually don't have a clue. Or they are using Bose speakers as their reference point. Or they have maybe 9 months of audio - phile experience. I always hate that term. But that's what we're really talking about. You also get what you pay for. Only the lucky and those that do their homework end up getting a "good" buy. It takes work and time. And you don't start off with a grand slam on the first try. So more reading is the cure for a positive ending and lasting result.

It could also be one too many adapters on your monitor cable.

Try a ground lift plug on your LCD monitor/tv. Maybe you'll get lucky. You might try the same on your audio amp/preamp/whatever else you have.

Are you using the analog audio out on the Mini that generates this noise? I get noise from my Mini too if I use the analog audio output of the Mini and have the volume turned up. I figure it is not the best use for analog audio. Using either the optical output or using a separate DAC is the way to go while using the Mini.

Or you could do what I did last Christmas - I bought two of the later model MacBook Pro's with Firewire 400 and 800 ports. Planning in advance of knowing I'd most likely want two Firewire ports.

Having owned Ayre products and friendship of insiders, I would feel very comfortable in a blanket recommendation of any Arye product. I too wonder how the QB9 will fit into the entire form of computer supplied/sourced audio with asynch USB and Firewire DACs. Most of my friends are interested in replacement of standalone CD/transport/DAC products without giving up the highest-end of performance. I know that is what I'm looking for. I don't need another source of average performance. So with Weiss, Wavelength and now Ayre providing what may be world class performance without any reservation, is the key to their success. That's what I'm looking for - world class performance. Then hopefully something I can afford.

What are you referring to with "V-DAC"?

I was trying to point out that fact on Mac OSX only use. Since Amarra acts as a plug-in, i'm thinking that folks are listening to itunes passing the signal through Amarra without processing. I would think Sonic Studio could confirm this one way or another. I'd think they'd mention that the program works in windows or with USB devices if it did so. For those who are using it, do you hear a difference without or with the software in place? Maybe those hearing no difference with or without - is because they are not hearing Amarra at all????

Regarding the use of Amarra - below is the first section in the Amarra software manual. It indicates the software is built for Mac OSX and iTunes only. So I am guessing that those trying the software in Windows, is not listening to the Amarra software????? But I could be wrong. The same goes for output through Firewire only. The USB port use is for the dongle iLok software key. I'd like to hear from Daniel on this topic since he offers the Amarra software to work with his Firewire DACs. Since the Amarra software is a plug-in to iTunes, I'm wondering for Windows users, if you're actually listening to the iTunes Windows software and not Amarra. Hopefully someone in the know will be able to give an accurate assessment of this topic/issue. AMARRA Computer Music Player Installation Guide April 2009 Thank you for purchasing the Amarra Computer Music Player. You are about to enjoy the ultrafidelity sound of Amarra. Designed to work with your Apple™ MacIntosh Computer and with iTunes, Amarra provides a seamless integration for high resolution music playback. Contents — This document details the installation of AMARRA and its associated software: 1) AMARRA Package Contents 2) AMARRA System Requirements 3) Introduction to PACE iLok Security Key 4) Installing AMARRA Software 5) Launching/Using AMARRA 6) Using AMARRA and iTunes 7) Registering Your AMARRA Software 8) Troubleshooting Guide 9) Support. 10) Warranty / Certificate of Ownership The Amarra installer will install the following items on to your Macintosh Computer: • AMARRA Computer Music Player • AMARRA iTunes Plugin • AMARRA Fonts • PACE iLok extension • AMARRA Documentation To install software for Model Three and Model Four hardware, please read the AMARRA Hardware Installer Guide. 1- AMARRA Package Contents AMARRA Install Disk AMARRA Getting Started Document PACE iLok High Resolution Audio Sampler 2- AMARRA System Requirements Computer: • Any Intel based (or G5 2.6 Ghz or above) Mac with 10.4.11 or 10.5.5 • RAM: 3 GB RAM minimum • Firewire port • USB port for iLOK security key. Peripheral FireWire Adaptors supported: • OHCI compliant PCCard, PCI card, ExpressCard or PCIe card Software: • Mac OS X 10.4.11 or 10.5.5 and above recommended • Amarra • iTunes We also highly recommend a fresh install of the operating on a clean disc. This can prevent problems later on. We also highly recommend that your computer be used exclusively for music playback. Email, web browsers, screen sharing and other applications can all effect performance. Note that USB hubs, audio or optical disc peripherals are generally not supported. 3- Introduction to PACE iLok Security Key AMARRA is protected with PACE's Anti-Piracy InterLok copy protection. Your iLok should come ready to use and you should only need to install the iLOK extension on your computer. There may be occasions when you need to setup an iLOK for new options or for replacement. Please ask your dealer for more information. PACE InterLok (iLok): PACE iLok (Yours may be a different color) Your AMARRA license is authorized with an iLok USB Smart Key.

Whether a DAC up or over samples and how the end result is, is subject to the performance of the DAC design. Some DACs don't need up or over sampling - like Wavelength's non- up/over sampling models. Other designs may need the up/over sampling to equal the same performance of the other designs. All things considered, in my mind if your DAC can perform without the up/over sampling, then that would be my preference. However having a DAC that can do Redbook and also do Hi Res will most likely mean that it performs up/over sampling for the Redbook tracks just because it is fixed in doing that method or format. It is all implementation in the design.

Chris, check your email, I have a question for you on the Weiss DAC software installation for you.

Chris if you're hearing a big improvement with the Amarra software, why wouldn't you use it all the time? Or is this just a non-issue due to your using different formats for different physical systems? Last time I checked the Amarra product only works with AIFF format. What hardware do you use when using the Amarra software? Could you give more descriptive reasons for liking the Amarra software in your system? It would be nice to know what hardware you're using with the software and what the improvements are? There also has to be some negatives that the software presents. What don't you like while using the software? Thanks,