Da Horsey

This is a thoughtful and detailed review providing important context. It's definitely chock full of insight from actual experience comparing different DACs and giving some context that is useful to others. Would be curious is the Node got a similar galvanic treatment coming from a router just with a couple of media converter boxes with fiber. I've set that up (with a 5v lps into both) and am very impressed by the improvement on my sensitive system. Was also curious about the Sonora options more along the lines of an UltraRendu but that's not in the cards right now. What I've done is use Aurdivana 2.1 from may M1 MacBook Air as the base to a 2011 Mac Mini which is rigged with the fiber and media converters. Wanted to use the Mac Mini as a "Sonore" type device and installed JRiver so the laptop can "see" it. Not only did it work; it's working the best ever. The fiber with converter boxes was a very nice jump. Now, it's taken another leap. I'm curious about the new Wiim Pro streamer coming later this month. I will test it with the fiber and media converter boxes. It could prove interesting if nothing else. Thanks again for the shared insights here.

"Right On Time" is very nice. Technical chops in a bit way plus the album is beautifully recorded.

Just want to thank you guys for having this discussion. I was very interested in seeing if the newly released Audirvana 2.1 version streaming from a M1 MacBook Air to a 2011 Mac Mini with system was possible via DLNA. After some efforts to find a solution, you guys mentioned JRiver Media Center. After JRiver was installed, Audirvana 2.1 sees it as an option for connection. The only wrinkle was it defaulted to the Mac Mini output. After a quick check going into "Sound" on High Sierra OS, just switched it back to the DAC for output and voila! Sounds even better. Wow. Thanks very much guys!

Hooray for the 1.10.2 update! Back up and glad to see that bug disappear. Hope it sticks.

I was going to post the photo but it's on my remote audio server so I would have to log out.... I now see there is that shuffle button on the top AND the bottom with the play button(s). Thanks for checking in and sorry for the trouble as I see no delete post option.

I want my MTV?

So Run Home Slow, you knew I'd wonder about the 24 hour disconnect in doing so? If so, then it's time for us to run home slow. We have 23 hours to go.

Audirvana Studio use limited to only one computer? Coming from the older subscription 3.5, you could have two computers active using your subscription. Now I see an error message when I try to login and use Studio on my laptop. It points to the other computer I use as a main server and says I have to disconnect it. Since I already paid for a year, this is more than a little odd and surprising. We pay an annual fee but we get to use our subscription 50% less. Previously, I understood it was necessary to delink a subscription on any third computer before running it on the other two. With Audirvana Studio, it is saying you are limited to just one computer. In looking at the Audirvana forum, I see nothing about this limitation. Pay more for less utilization which makes no sense. Since I already paid for a full year, there's no alternative other than going back to Audirvana 3.5 where you could use the software on a computer and then on your music server system. That's definitely on table considering the look and feel is superior on version 3.5. Very annoying.

Well, you answered your own comment with more detailed thought. Your 2017 could have been creating more problems with other programs running or any number of factors with the USB ports being used, etc. But the upside is you're happier with the new setup using Audirvana Studio so that's cool. (As an aside, I'm using a 2011 Mac Mini dedicated for my music system and it's great.)

Nope, the suggestion an M1 Mac would make superior sound with Studio is a fallacy. The world has enough fallacy (especially Dr. Fallacy).

Thanks and I've read about this aspect on the RME ADI-2 DAC using DSD Direct. I don't want to lose control of the volume as I'm listening but I will certainly try this with Audirvana Studio. Try to isolate changes and listen for a bit before altering settings so I can get a handle on any change and see if I prefer it. In this case, with the RME, upsampling to DSD on my sensitive tube monoblocks adds a sheen and is definitely not preferable to PCM. Back in the day prior to the Audirvana software, I had one of the top Sony SACD players. It was built like a tank and weighed in the ballpark of 30 pounds or more. Sent it to a guy in Oregon twice who made a ton of hardware changes and he shipped back the unit with the original parts. It was quite the big bag. That was an amazing player and some albums sounded spectacular as they were redone specifically for SACD. So fast forward many years and I have to say Audirvana Studio is producing some of the best sound in this tube monoblock system I've ever had. So for those who are waiting to try it and upgrade from Audirvana 3.5, this may be the time. (More later when I can digest everything in my setup.) Happy listening!

Direct DSD Mode on the RME ADI-2 DAC is for DSD files I believe. It's not an issue on the upsampling side really because the RME is simply outstanding. At some point I will try some actual DSD files but I'm more interested in the wider range of material available in my regular listening library. So, to keep on topic here, Audirvana Studio is truly an outstanding performer and if you like and have 3.5 as I have, you owe it to yourself to try Audirvana Studio. It's superb. Thanks to everyone sharing their experience on this thread here.

3.5 user and decided to dive in on Studio on my high end tube monoblocks system. Well, I was happy with 3.5 and waiting for more news on Studio but decided it was time to give it a whirl. The remote app upgraded automatically on the phone and is nice so why not? Wow, not sure what has changed but this version is a nice audio improvement over 3.5. I tried upsampling to DSD and it's a duller sound so no use bothering with that. With my unique vintage rebuilt tube monoblocks with an RME ADI-2 DAC and McIntosh full range LS340 it's pretty much no contest. Studio is a sonic winner, end of story. I'll support Damien in Studio and that's that. It sounds excellent. Not a big audio library connected and understand some have had some issues there but I'm more on the Qobuz streaming side these days so no issue on that front but I will add a library with some significant quantity at a later point.

Yes, it's AirPlay&UPnP app available for just a few dollars. It runs automatically in the background once you have it downloaded to the Amazon Fire and works seamlessly with Audirvana 3.5 from my laptop. My LG has an optical audio out so this goes directly to the DAC. Then it attaches to uniquely rebuild/remade tube mono blocks. I can say that it produces the best sound I've had in my system. The mono blocks are the big driver there but Audirvana & the Amazon Fire make sure it gets there. I can't be certain about the 96kHz sample rate on the other end as there's no reader showing it but I do know that it supports up to the 96KHZ sample rate up to 24 bit. https://developer.amazon.com/docs/fire-tv/device-specifications-fire-tv-stick.html I've also used a direct connection to the DAC with Audirvana and I can say both are excellent.

Thought to ask if an update to the Amazon Fire app is in the works? Many people don't realize the high quality available streaming through it. Since optical out is available at 96K, the sound is tremendous excellent quality. It's a gem not many know but I use streaming from Audirvana this way all the time. Having a direct option through the Amazon Fire app would be terrific.