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Hey folks, What follows is a press brief on our newest product. From a vectorscope and “mix minus” or karaoke mode to new speaker break–in and troubleshooting, MAATgo has something for everybody. Review copies available… MAATgo Gives Computer Audiophiles Unprecedented Control Company announces release of first consumer product aimed at playback of HRA streams and files MAAT Incorporated, a manufacturer of exceptional performance professional audio solutions, today announced the release of a cross platform plug–in and native application for routing, matrixing and visualization of digital audio. While the new creation represents the debut of MAAT’s first product designed specifically for hi–fi enthusiasts, MAATgo enhances all music playback from computers. Building on the foundations of MAAT’s 2BusControl and GŌN plug–ins, the new MAATgo augments and enhances the audiophile user experience. As with other members of MAAT’s product family, its double precision internal architecture contributes to uncompromising quality and exacting fidelity. In simpler times, a benchmark of the Golden Age of High Fidelity was the APT Corporation’s Holman Preamplifier. Another reference for home audio enthusiasts was the Japanese trend to include a CRT–based “vectorscope” in higher end receivers. MAATgo combines the routing, visualization and control of touchstone component separates with additional matrixing modes and a precision balance adjustment for complete control of file–based “computer audio” playback and HRA (high resolution audio) on–demand delivery services. The product is delivered in all modern plug–in formats, including cross–platform AAX, VST 2 and 64 bit VST 3 as well as a Universal Binary 2 AU for macOS. In addition to the plug–in, which is supported by top flight, audio–only players like Amarra and Audirvana, MAATgo also includes a “native” or standalone application for use with HRA streaming through services such as TIDAL and Qobuz. Sample rates up to 384 kHz are supported for top echelon HRA content. Perpetual licenses for MAATgo are available now, exclusively from MAAT. Additional information, including demo downloads and user manuals, are accessible anytime at www.MAAT.digital on the web.

Hey Chris, First off, since Amarra always follows the file header's sample rate metadata, you won't be able to compare the two sampling rates “via Amarra” without first sample rate converting (SRC'ing) the file. Since the resulting SQ will most likely be dominated by the quality of your SRC algorithm, your results will be skewed but that depends on how your IIS converter/DAC combo "deals with" jitter components. A well designed DAC will generally shrug off low frequency (LF) jitter as well as HF jitter, which even the most middling DAC should manage. BTW, that even multiples rule you mention really plays an important role in SRC'ing.

In that case and, depending on which version of Amarra you have, you can simply SRC (sample rate convert) the files so the resulting files are at 48 kHz. Read the user documentation for your version to find out how to do that. If your Amarra doesn't background SRC, then use one of the many free SRC utilities available… OMas :: Other Munday Press :: Welcome Curious Reader

Papageno wrote: After upgrading my hard drive on my Mac mini to a SSD, iTunes sounded much better....obvious differences in quality between Amarra and iTunes almost disappeared or became much more subtle… Hey Papageno, What OS and iTunes versions are you running? I've heard anecdotal comments from audiogeek buds that Lion has much improved audio fidelity on a fully 64 bit-capable machine.

freddie40 wrote: Audirvana is free, BitPerfect is $4.99, Decibal is $33.00 and Fidelia is about $89. All are very good alternatives… Agreed, though very much dependent on your rig and ear training. BTW, Fidelia is $19.99 for the basic version, which is fine for the majority of listeners. Again, it’s all about your gear’s ability to resolve and your ear/brain’s ability to grok what you’re hearing. For the cost of one channel of a middling cable, MINI is a choice that you won’t grow out of and, with judicious EQ, you can darken things up to match the other packages.

KingStyles wrote: Its been a while since they have had one. I am surprised that no info on an upcoming update has been released… You may want to visit their Downloads page, the version 2.2.3 installers were posted on 05/31. Licensed Amarra users should grab that so they’re rockin’ with the latest tech.

GoldenEar wrote: I frequently switch playlists, albums etc. in the middle of a song, I frequently have short pieces of the last track and/or skipping of the first 1/10th of seconds of the next track. Hey GoldenEar, Although the current implementation of Amarra MINI isn't designed for changes within a playlist while it's playing, you should be able to switch between playlists and albums. If you can figure out a "recipe" to recreate the problem, you should e-mail it to the Sonic guys…

barrows wrote: The differences between PM and Amarra need to be auditioned to decide between them-for me, Pure Music wins on price and features alone, as full fledged Amarra (I need 24/192 capability) is a fair amount more expensive. I always recommend that everyone should consider which playback engine they use as another important component in the system, which deserves attention. Wholeheartedly agree! One observation though: Amarra MINI now “does” 192 kHz and, has double precision EQ, etc.

cclay wrote: And for those others here besides Paul.Raulerson, does Amarra playback ALAC files as smoothly as AIFF? Any other tips for me? Hey CClay, Not sure if this is applicable but, when I have slipping/burping problems w/Amarra, it's due to memory issues. Since I use my mini (w/a measly 4 GB RAM) for everything, including work & play, I sometimes run out of free memory… Next time you get skipping, launch Activity Monitor and click on System Memory in the button bar. If it show less than 400 or 500 MB of “Free” (memory), then it may be time to quit some applications or restart the computer. I know on my rig, Safari is a particular memory hog, and is also assigned a high priority by the OS.

Dj_AmTrax wrote: it's starting to feel like Amarra is not moving forward fast enough to compete. We don't even know what the next version will bring/fix and when it will be released. Hey Dj_AmTrax, Don't be disappointed but do be aware that, generally, Sonic doesn't pre–announce products that aren’t released. There will be news when the Cal Audio Show and RMAF roll around…

Dj_AmTrax wrote: Amarra with a full music library, but instead of importing all your music files into it, it uses "alias" of the original files. So when you select the album in Amarra music library, it uses the alias to grab the original file from Finder and plays it inside Amarra, no iTunes at all. Amarra can do a remote app for Amarra library to control it. It's like an easy Playlist mode. Hey Dj, Not sure what your asking for since that’s what MINI and Amarra already do. BTW, Junior doesn’t have Playlist Mode so, it does need iTunes. Playlist Mode builds a playlist, with play pointers (start & end infomation) to your referenced or designated sound files. To be specific, the files don’t move or get copied. In Playlist Mode, there’s no need to have iTunes even running. You can drag & drop songs or add them via the Finder.

Hey proftournesol, I agree! Sent a note off to Sonic, an enhancement request has been filed on your behalf.

proftournesol wrote: When I use the File -> convert folder command, It defaults to 44.1k bit conversion unless I then open the background manager and manually change it to 96k. Is there a way of automatically converting at the same original bit rate? The BG Mgr is a batch processor, it doesn’t assume anything. So, you have to set it and let it do the transcode.

Paul wrote: Any advise on which version I should buy? Is there something I am really going to want in one version or the other? Hey Paul, All a matter of degree really as MINI is perfect for folks that don't have a need for DSD conversion and fully adjustable EQ…I assume you have a broad mix of lossy and lossless files in your library, along w/good ol’ CDs. MINI can handle all of the above, with the exception of very low rate (

Paul.Raulerson wrote: The Jr. version links EQ to iTunes- does that mean iTunes is doing the equalization or is Amarra Jr. doing the eq based on the iTunes settings? Hey Paul, I had asked Jon at Sonic about this just last week…Junior uses Sonic EQ presets that match the response characteristics of iTunes’ EQ presets. So, similar “curves” but implemented in a better EQ.