PaulC

Hi all, I am in the market for a new storage solution for my music files and would appreciate some advice. I use a MB with firewire connection to a Sonic Studio Model 4 for playback. My question, I only want a storage device for music (currently around 2000 CDs, a few 24/96 albums but a large vinyl collection to digitize when I can work out how to do it). I do not need to share the files with any other users or computers. Can I use the Drobo FS with a direct connection to the ethernet port on my laptop (no network switch or router involved) or in my circumstances am I better advised to go for the Drobo USB version? Hope some of you will be able to help with words of wisdom. Many thanks.

Plymouth, Devon UK 3 months/year, Al Khobar Saudi Arabia 9 months/year...just enough to avoid paying tax!

Chris, If you get the chance please take a look/listen and comment on the Red Wine Audio Isabella valve preamp with NOS DAC. <br /> <br /> Cheers,<br /> <br /> Paul.

Hi all, I'm looking to purchase a new computer primarily for use as a music server. I have the external storage covered but would be interested to learn if anybody has experienced any discernable sonic benefit from an SSD based front end over convential internal drives. My other equipment comprises Benchmark DAC1 USB, Red Wine Audio Sig 30.2 amp and ProAC studio 110 speakers. My budget would stretch to a Macbook pro or a windows based machine with SSD such as recent releases from Samsung and Lenovo. Any advice/comments will be much appreciated.

Phil, they do get a little hot but I understand (from the well informed dealer I bought them from) that its normal. I think you should be able to use the CD analogue output to the ADM9 analogue input - the preamp is already built in. I think you need to use the remote control to change from the toslink to the analogue input. Try that and if it does not work give AVI a skype call/email. I'm sure its just a matter of changing with the remote though. I'll keep you posted on the Linn DS when I get the chance to demo. PaulC.

I get that noise when turning on too but understand that it is normal and nothing to worry about. I use the USB version and like Radar I'm not convinced that investing in expensive optical cables will give you better sound. As long as the cable is of reasonable quality material/workmanship and not kinked it should be ok, at least that what I concluded after testing a few. You may tell from this post that I'm a cable sceptic! I'm going to demo the Linn Majik DS as a source for the ADM9s and will compare with the USB input from my Macbook. The dealer says the DS will be night and day better than the internal dac but we shall see. Keep enjoying the music. PaulC.

Hi Phil, I'm still very happy with the ADM9s and play more music now than I ever have. I thought the bass was a little light at first but after listening for some time I find it adequate and won't be buying the sub. Mine are not ideally placed and my listening room is less than ideal acoustically. A few weeks ago I decorated my lounge and dragged all the soft furniture and rugs into the room where I have the ADM9s - amazing difference and showed me how important room acoustics are. Shame the wife made me put the furniture back! If you can get yours on stands and have reasonable room acoustics I'm sure you will be delighted with your investment. Enjoy the music!

A benchmark DAC1 USB and Red Wine Audio Signature 30.2 battery powered amp - need speakers - anybody got recommendations with a budget up to USD 2000?

Thanks for the comments and advice. Seems that a basic specification Macbook is the way to go. Thats two parts sorted (Macbook and DAC1 USB) - now I'll read up on the best external storage (about 600 CDs to rip to AIFF).

Hi people, I'm building a second computer based system for my workplace. I have a Benchmark DAC1 USB and have decided to go for a Mac and external hardrive as the source . My question is which mac? Is there any benefit (sound quality wise) in a high spec mac like the pro or the new air version with the SSD over the basic mini or bottom spec standard macbook. I won't be doing much other than music and maybe email and browsing but would pay for a better spec mac if there is a real benefit. Any advice or comments on personal experience would be very helpful. Thanks. PaulC.

Maybe radar can tell you where he bought his and for how much. Otherwise, send AVI an email or Skype call and I'm sure they will put you in touch with their USA distributors. They retail for GBP 1,000 in UK with certain finishes at premium cost (I've got piano black ones and they look fantastic). Good luck and let us know if you hear them/buy them.

These ADM9s have caused some hot debate in UK hifi forums mainly because of some of the claims of the manufacturer. I agree that other manufacturers have done this before but I’m not aware of any other products in the same price range (UK price £1000) that are of similar sound and build quality – if anybody knows of any please post a link as it would be great to have some alternatives to compare against the ADM9s (several of my friends are saving their hard earned bucks to buy the ADM9s after hearing mine). Radar, are you tempted by the sub (UK price £750)? I’m not sure that I need one but will probably make a visit to AVI’s factory to check them out. Incidentally, while AVI’s marketing strategy seems to annoy some they are very helpful and will happily invite prospective customers to their factory. They also have a skype link on their web site so you can call for a chat and ask as many questions as you like.

Hi people, newbie here with first post. I also have the AVI ADM9s and would like to share my experience. I use a macbook/itunes through USB connection to the ADM9s and lossless or uncompressed audio files. I have to say the ADM9s are my most satisfying hifi purchase to date – the macbook and ADM9s are now my main system and have replaced a rack of separates costing more than twice as much. It’s not just that the itunes thing is so convenient, the macbook and ADM9s simply sound better. Chris, they are more flexible than you might think on first impressions. They have analogue inputs so you can use an external dac or cd transport if you want and with the USB version you can record to your laptop/macbook’s hard drive. They might not be to everybody’s taste (conventional audiophile types) but to anybody interested in computer audio they are a must audition in my view. A word of caution, I had problems getting the best out of them with Windows laptops. I tried three different brands – (1) Samsung running Vista Home (2) a JVC mininote running XP Pro and (3) a HP running XP Home. 1 sounded bad, 2 sounded poor and 3 sounded great. The manufacturer were very helpful with advice on what to do to get the best out of them with Windows but in the end I got a macbook, which sounded fantastic straight out of the box without any messing around. I’ve recently ordered a Benchmark DAC1USB to use with headphones at my workplace but will try the Benchmark with the ADM9s to compare the sound quality against the ADM9s internal DAC. I also intend digitizing some of my vinyl collection and will post my thoughts on these experiments, if anybody is interested.