vanderdm

I couldn't agree more..

You'll notice mostly how cables affect your soundstage, the depth of the instrument, the position of the instrument in the soundstage, etc.. you can't do that with headphones.. so no wonder..

This topic has been debated on 1000 different forums.. Any experienced audio nut has done the comparisons. It's a total no brainer.. Good cables make a dramatic improvement in sound.. lets move on..

I wouldn't even consider using a lossy format (and HD's are so cheap.. why would you ) I use AIFF and WAV only.. The usb ports made no difference to me ...

I was suprised to hear that the SSD made no difference.. ( Did you install a fast one?) In my system the SSD was a big improvement.. I guess everybody's experience is different.. This is an insane hobby.. what can I say..

Hey no problem, it was good for a laugh.. Hey Warrensomebody guess what ( you'll even find this harder to believe then ram) putting the QB-9 on isolation spikes also makes an audible difference..

If you can't hear the difference you probably don't have very resolving equipment. Judging by your retarded comment you probably can't afford it..

I concur.. No Halo effect with high end CDP.. this is also my reference..

That is exactly what I noticed.. ( thanks for your detailed description, I'm not good at putting what I hear into words) you nailed it.. Yes.. the "reverb" is clouding my (previous to Amarra) detailed instruments.. It's like my sound turned Foggy..

YES Firewire is better - ( This frees up the USB so USB is dedicated to your dac) ( It is also FASTER) Also, in regards to the Amarra I personally found that Amarra added a "DSP" effect - ( it seemed to add an artificial sense of space, I also noticed the music sort of lost it's "pop" ( the music seemd to loose it's soul ) My system is extremely revealing, I noticed a difference immediatly.. I was happy to uninstall it.. Of coaurse this is what I noticed in MY system.. Perhaps It does wonders in others.. who knows.. Also, I did some surfing regarding the "usb port issue" - As far as I can tell this problem has no effects on the Mac Mini.. But please, if your Info is to the contrary I would love to hear about it..

Firewire is much better then ethernet The spinning Firewire disk is very very quiet.. ( you can only hear if you put your ear on the hd) I have no idea about one USB port vs another, this doesn't make sense.. But Im interested.. Please let me know what you find on this topic.. Where I live I can go to my computer store, purchase something (anything) and return it within a week, no questions asked.. Pelase do yourself a favor and try the SSD and firewire.. If you dont like it return it.. Let me know how it goes.. Dave

Sure here it is.. My setup is as follows: Mac Mini and Ayre QB-9 Dac for source (obviously) Opus 21 with GNSC Ref Mod CDP (Which I am selling) Audio Research Refernce 3 Pre Amp Pass Lab 350.5 Amplifier Soundlab A1-PX Speakers MIT Oracle 1.2 Interconnects MIT Oracle 1.2 Speaker Cable 1 Valhalla Interconnect Shunyata Anaconda Power cables (vx for digital) Ps Audio Power Plant Premier misc tweaks (like points, feet, etc) I think thats about it.. Total price tag (for mini and ayre?) $2500 for Ayre, $900 for mac, $200 for Firewire drive, $600 for USB Cable (i think Transperant USB cable is alot cheaper - haven't heard it.), $250 for fast SSD Drive. My Mini is controlled IR and the network is "wired" - again, the wireless off vs on is extremely minor.. I also keep the mini and Dac fairly far apart (a couple feet)

I control My Mini with IR - ( you can buy the IR Remote from apple ($20) The IR remote also automatically opens front row when you hit the menu button) )You can either use front row or just simply track up and down through itunes.. I assume you use an itouch or Iphone.. no big deal - having the wireless off isn't mandatory, just recommended..

This will get you Better Sound then a $20000 Cdp, this is what you do. Purchase an Ayre QB-9 Purchase a Mac Mini with 4 gb Ram (dual intel proccessor) Remove the original HD and install a FAST Solid State Drive (not a cheaper slow one, only needs to be 64gig and yes you will have to reinstall your OS) Purchase a FireWire 800 Drive for your music. (make sure you use the 9pin to 9pin 800cable) Use a good USB Cable ( yes I know it shouldn't matter - But is does.. I'm using an alethias) Mac sure your midi setting is set exactly the same as the source music (44.100 for usual cd) The Mac Mini will use the SSD drive for the OS only, the firewire will be used only for your music and the USB will only be for your QB-9. This way your OS isn't fighting with your music data and your Firewire data isn't interfering with the USB. Turn your wireless off and run straight ethernet. I've tried every different scenereo.. This is the best way - guaranteed..