john_h88

If you would consider shipping to San Francisco at my cost (zip 94920) I would be interested in buying this. Just let me know.

This is odd then, because I am playing ALAC files from my iTunes library (ripped from 16/44 CD's) and Amarra is showing as 24/192. I wonder if the Prism Orpheus control panel software (where I select the SRC) is getting to the file (and upsampling within OSX, not in the Orpheus DAC/hardware) before Amarra processing begins? I will test again with the full version of Amarra (which I just purchased, very impressed).

Apologies if this is a dumb question, but if you have an upsampling DAC and you have set it to upsample 16/44 to 24/192, does Amarra process the 16/44 out of iTunes and the DAC then upsamples the processed audio, or does Amarra process at the upsampled 24/192 (which I guess would require the full version of Amarra)? The demo version of Amarra says it is seeing 24/192, but I would have guessed it would be the other way around.

Clay - I went with the shielded Vovox cables. Most of the attention has been on their unshielded version, but I was worried about how noise-sensitive they are reported to be and its virtually impossible in my configuration to fully isolate them from noise contamination. If that is not an issue for you, I'm sure the unshielded version would be even better. I might try giving Lava a call and see if they can get you the unshielded version. They were very responsive when I ordered mine and my recollection is that they receive product direct from the Vovox factory already terminated per the particular order (I could be wrong on that though). I purchased 2 pair of the TRS-XLR to use with the Orpheus. I was using Mogami and Monster previously and there is an audible improvement to me with Vovox (most noticeable on the connection to an SPL Phonitor headphone amplifier which is the most transparent piece of gear I have ever heard).

Oddly, I use a Prism Orpheus with Vovox cables (Vovox cables are available in the U.S. and online from Lava Cable). I can highly recommend both. My real world comparison of the Prism conversion is limited to high-end consumer gear (Meridian 861v4) and other highly regarded pro gear (Lavry Blue, UA 2192) and I do prefer the Orpheus as being the most pleasing (small, but meaningful difference). The Orpheus also has mic preamps and A/D conversion with digital RIAA so can be used as a really good phono stage in a digital system, making it pretty versatile for a consumer setup. I really like pro gear, in addition to generally being a good value compared to comparable consumer gear there is also usually a greater degree of control/flexibility with these units since they are designed for demanding applications with pro's who need/want to tinker. As far as the Vovox cables, they are beautifully made and I hear a slight improvement in my system over other cables by Monster, Audioquest, Analysis Plus, Mogami, etc that I have to compare to. Lately though, I find myself almost more blown away listening to the $300 V-Dac and $250 Audioengine speakers in the system I gave my daughter for Christmas.

Very interested in this test and will listen tonight, thanks for posting. As far as your signal path, have you also tried doing RIAA digitally via software? I'm putting together a more modest TT setup than yours (VPI Scout w/JMW9 and Dynavector 20X-H) and research was pointing me towards digital RIAA being superior if you were going to go through a digital signal path anyway. I'm in a similar situation to the Tact as far as playback as I have a Meridian system. Curious if you had a different experience/opinion on RIAA, although I'm guessing with a phono stage like the Pass you may not have wanted to bypass that?

There is a YouTube video of one of the songs being recorded at Blackbird Studios in Nashville. Do not have the link but search under her name. Sounds fantastic even on YouTube.

Hi everyone, new to the site which I found from looking into Amarra (fantastic site by the way, love it and will now be visiting regularly!). Just wanted to throw in my quick reaction to Amarra (demo'ing it right now). Have only had it going for an hour or so but I am absolutely floored! Demo'ing in two systems: (1) Mac Mini -> Prism Orpheus -> SPL Phonitor Headphone Amp -> Denon AH-D7000 headphones (2) Mac Mini -> Meridian 861v4 (optical in) -> 5.3 speakers (Meridian DSP3100's and Triad subs w/Velodyne SMS-1's) I can't even really highlight specifically what it is that sounds better, its just that the whole musical presentation (tone, pace, dynamics, detail, extension, etc) is vastly more pleasing through Amarra. I can't think of anything else in my system that I have upgraded that has made such an audible difference regardless of $ (including the 861v4 upgrade from a 586.2). I want to spend more time with it to make sure there isn't any fatigue but so far I'm definitely a believer! Since I use iTunes for 75%+ of my listening the $995 doesn't seem so bad. John