Jeff Arrington

At CEDIA, Audio Research announced the new DSPre (digital/analog preamp using the DAC 8 technology for the d/a conversion). ARC said the product would be available in a few weeks. Since then, I have heard nothing more about it, and from what I have read ARC did not show the product at CES. Does anyone know the current status of the DSPre? Thanks in advance for any responses.

I recently switched from a MacBook Pro/Amarra/Audiphilleo2 front end to a Bryston BDP-1. I have the Berkeley DAC. I think the Bryston is a nice improvement, particularly in the area of transparency/clarity. Using my iTunes library as a starting point, I set up a new music library in the hierarchical structure preferred by the Bryston system, and copied images of the album art into the album folders. I then transferred the library onto a couple of thumb drives (which are the easiest for the Bryston to read). I had the full system running within a day. The mPad app for the iPad is sweet. It is as elegant and as easy to use as the remote app for iTunes and other Mac-based music players. I think the Bryston is a very nice product, and I recommend it highly.

I would appreciate feedback on a potential upgrade. My current system consists of a MacBook Pro to an Audiphilleo2 USB converter to a Berkeley Alpha DAC to Clayton M300 amps to Martin Logan Spire speakers. I use Amarra 2.3 Mini as my player, and an iTunes database comprised of wav, hi-rez FLAC, and AIFF files. I found Amarra to be a significantly different (and to my taste, more desirable) player than Pure Music, Fidelio, and Audirvana Plus. I tolerate Amarra’s quirks because of the sound quality. I use an iPad 2 (Remote App) as my controller. I put this system together to familiarize myself with computer audio. I find this system produces superior sound to one using my Meridian 800 CD transport (that, in its day, was a SOTA transport). Now that I have concluded that computer audio is the way to go, and am more familiar with its trappings, I am seriously thinking about taking the next big step. My wife also wants the MacBook Pro back for her use. After reading through many threads on this site and at the Bryston BDP-1 support sites, I am considering these two paths: 1) Auraliti PK-90 2) Bryston BDP-1 These two systems have much in common. In fact, the Bryston is based on the Auraliti. But they differ significantly at the output stage. The Auraliti is only USB output. I need a converter to get the PK-90 signal into my DAC. The Bryston uses a Bryston-modified ESI Juli@ card to output S/PDIF and AES/EBU to the DAC. They also differ in terms of press. The Bryston has received rave reviews from the audiophile magazines and positive user comments are easy to find on various sites. Bryston also provides excellent support for the BDP-1. Ask them a question at Audiocircle and James Tanner responds promptly. The user reports on the PK-90 are very small (as far as I have been able to determine). The two systems are close in price if I would need to upgrade my USB converter to a Wavelink or a Berkeley Alpha to make the Auraliti a winner. If the Audiphilleo2 is good enough, then the Auraliti (with an upgraded power supply) is about half the cost of the Bryston. Obviously, I would love to hear from anyone who has compared the two units. Otherwise, can anyone offer a technical (or other) reason why one should perform better than the other? Is the Auraliti USB design using the SOtM card equal or superior to the ESI Juli@ card in the Bryston, or does the Bryston design have the upper hand? I know it is best to listen to both pieces in my own system. But that is much easier said than done. Thank you for taking the time to read my post. I look forward to any comments I might receive. Jeff

I have a few questions about the Classe CP-800. Classe claims that they have a "magic sauce" for the CP-800's USB input for the iPod that makes the iPod sound better than it would through other digital transports (like the Wadia 170 & 171). Has anyone tested the iPod directly through the Classe vs. through a Wadia or other digital transport for the iPod? Second, has anyone compared the quality of the USB input on the Classe vs. the SPDIF input coupled with the use of an external USB converter?

I have been auditioning Amarra Mini. I have compared it to Pure Music, Fidelio, and Audirvana. The sound quality of Mini is so superb that I am going to purchase the product (notwithstanding the ease-of-use issues). Given the price cut now in effect, I am considering purchasing the full Amarra instead of Mini. As I understand it, the primary difference between Amarra Mini and Amarra is the EQ feature. For those with Amarra, do you find the EQ feature to be that valuable? Does it detract in any way from the sound quality? Are there any other differences that might justify the additional cost? (I know that Amarra is available for an audition. But the price deals supposedly expire on November 15, and I do not expect to have time to really play with the EQ to get a good handle on its benefits. I am hoping that those who have had the time to explore its virtues can give me informed guidance.) Also, I have seen mentions of an expected November 15 upgrade to the Amarra packages. But these mentions have not indicated about what will be addressed in the upgrade. Does anyone know for sure that the upgrade will be released and what it will include? Thanks in advance for any responses.

For most of my listening, I presently use an iPod/Wadia 170i "server" feeding a Berkeley DAC via a Stereovox XV Ultra cable. The 170i is a stock unit. I am wondering whether a Mac Mini or Macbook Pro would provide a better transport source than the iPod/170i. If I maxed out both options (that is, improve the power supply on the 170i and add a jitter reduction device; and use a good firewire or USB converter for a Mac Mini or Macbook Pro along with the Amarra or Puremusic playback software and high quality cabling), would one be superior to the other? If so, why? I realize the iPod cannot offer high resolution files. I am really curious whether one system is preferable in playing uncompressed 16/44.1 source material.