Shikasta

Ahhh, Jecklin Floats. Wonderful sound but made one look a complete prat!!!

I'll let you know when I get back to Australia and set up the Micro iDSD in my main (non-headphone) system. I plan on experimenting with up sampling red book cd files from my NAS, and with several DSD albums I've acquired. (cough cough). I'll be interested in your experiences too. Thanks for starting this thread.

sburtt, my apologies for hijacking your thread. I later realised it was best to contact Wisnon via a PM. I've managed to purchase an ifi Micro iDSD DAC from a UK company called Mains-Cables-R-Us. Not sure where you are but I wish you well on your journey into computer audio.

Hi Norman, I'm considering the iDSD Micro for it's DSD. VERY happy with the Lampi for PCM. Wished I lived closer to Poland or may have just got Lukasz to add the DSD module to the Lampi. The mere thought of lugging the Lampi half way round the world, on my visit to the UK was enough to give me caniptions! So the iDSD Micro looks like a good compromise. What do you think? Graeme

Greetings dear Richard, faithful reporter of all things Amarra! Like Melvin et al, I've been pleased with this latest version of Amarra Symphony. 3.02 definitely (to my ears/brain) more realistically conveys the sounds of stringed instruments. I noticed this particularly when comparing the sound of Bill Evans' piano in his Village Vanguard performance. I found the piano slightly 'thin' in version 3.0 but 3.02 sounds like it has 'corrected' this and my 'critical self' can once again relax and 'enjoy the music'. I noticed yesterday I felt more drawn in to listening to the music rather than playing with my iPad!! So Sonic Studios are on the right track as far as I'm concerned. As others have said I also sense a greater robustness in this new build. Something I can't explain, just the feeling I get with some software...sometimes it just feels a bit flakey/fragile. However I don't get this sense with version 3.02. I'd be remiss if I didn't report one of my other experiences (which does NOT negate what I've already written!). Like Melvin I use Amarra exclusively in Playlist mode so as to maximise SQ enjoyment. The previous issues with track info presentation in the playlist window remain in the new version. Particularly with high sample rate files, the album and artist info fail to show. However, the artwork now shows more often than not. None of the observations in the last paragraph are a deal-breaker, but, particularly when I load a longish playlist, it does not aid my (sometimes) poor memory, particularly when listening to unfamiliar tracks. Am I alone in having this ongoing issue? In conclusion, I continue to rate Amarra's SQ as my go-to listening preference. My wish is for Sonic Studios to now concentrate on a library management system that will allow me to use my iPad as a remote without fiddling about with tiny mouse cursors in the VNC app I currently use!! Happy listening to all.

BRILLIANT! Thank you Ted.

Hi Richard, et al, Quick first impressions of Symphony 3 with iRC. After downloading the new version and deciding quite quickly to pay the (relatively) minimal upgrade fee, I waited, and waited for the new Activation code(s). When I EVENTUALLY them, and worked out I needed to CREATE a Password, I was on to the next stage. Surprisingly, I found I could load iRC and set up my current filter without having to input my new iRC registration details. Time will tell eh? Listening to some well known music I sense the bass is a little more refined compared with 2.6. Regarding the user interface, on the surface (apart from the 'skin' colour-change and little lights to indicate which functions are active) much looks the same. I only use the Playlist function, and drag over files from my Ramdisk (copied from my NAS). No problems there, BUT I found the same hit and miss issues with displaying file metadata in the Playlist window. Despite going to great lengths to embed album art into EVERY file it is difficult to predict just how much info will end up being displayed when I load files. In Preferences, Version 3 now warns against ticking the EQ box if you want iRC to work. However, Bypass Gain ticked doesn't affect iRC operation. Joy of joys! The Clear Memory feature now works! I had some delusion there would be some kind of library management feature that didn't rely on iTunes. WISH LIST: Library management (non-iTunes) AND an iPAD remote app for those who like to run their Mac Mini headless. Haven't downloaded the streaming add-on yet. Finally, and MOST IMPORTANTLY, SQ is gorgeous. And Amarra Symphony 3.0 is now my 'go-to' player. (but am waiting curiously to see/hear what Damien the French magician presents with v2.0 of A+). More impressions as they surface!

Upgraded as per Sonic Studio's email but am STILL (an hour after paying via PayPal) awaiting my new Symphony 3.0 registration. Until I get that I cannot access iRC. My original Amarra Symphony 2+ registration does not appear to be recognised so I am having to use the evaluation mode. WHY oh WHY do Sonic Studio make those of us who have paid hundreds of dollars for their software do this bl**dy registration dance???? I suppose I can just go back to my functioning Symphony 2.6 with iRC while I wait for Sonic Studio's new registration to arrive. I'd rather be listening to music than playing computer games with Sonic Studio's registration process. :-(

Re- using Data-only USB cable with Lampi DAC I have a Lampi Gen4 Level4 PCM DAC connected via USB to my Mac Mini. I have had NO problems with 'handshaking' between the two devices using a dB Labs Signature USB cable that I have taped over the 5v connector of using a thin strip of insulating tape. This is just one of the things I've done to wring the last bit of potential SQ improvement from my digital replay system. I suspect some 'tweaks' (maybe I'm not as 'reformed' as I think!) add a small cumulative improvement to SQ. It costs little to experiment, sometimes with synergistically surprising results. ;-) Given the latest Lampi developments I can't help wondering how much improvement I'd hear if I'd ordered Dueland cast copper caps.... SIGH... is there NO end to this madness??? Regardless, I LOVE the 'analogue' MUSIC that I hear emanating from my speakers right now. My heart ENJOYS, my head analyses. The challenge seems to be about keeping them in a balance that highlights musical enjoyment. Perhaps I should just give up reading these fora so I'm not tempted by the 'inner trickster' and sidetracked from enjoying the music. Hmmmm. OK, back to the music!

Hi Norman, thanks for that. It's quite tempting. SHOULD I 'take the bait', I will order direct and cut out the Aussie 'middle man' this time! ;-) Does the Amber DSD DAC upsample PCM to DSD/DoP?

I was wondering when someone would mention DSD Master. I've used it recently to convert a number of DSD tracks to PCM at 176.4khz sample rate. It handled DFF and DSF files without problems, and they sound very good to my tin ears! AND buying it supports the guys who also produce Bit Perfect. Fairly effortless and reliable software that does what it claims. What more can one ask for?

Since it doesn't appear that anyone has yet posted the DR measurements for Blonde on Blonde (HD Tracks), here they are: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Analyzed folder: /Volumes/Music Server/iTunes/Bob Dylan/Blonde On Blonde ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DR Peak RMS Filename ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DR11 -0.47 dB -12.75 dB 01-Rainy Day Women #12 & 35.aif DR11 -0.58 dB -12.79 dB 02-Pledging My Time.aif DR14 -0.21 dB -16.17 dB 03-Visions of Johanna.aif DR10 -0.19 dB -12.78 dB 04-One of Us Must Know (Sooner or Later).aif DR11 -0.80 dB -12.95 dB 05-I Want You.aif DR10 -0.15 dB -11.43 dB 06-Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again.aif DR10 -0.18 dB -12.24 dB 07-Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat.aif DR11 -0.81 dB -13.67 dB 08-Just Like a Woman.aif DR11 -0.17 dB -11.96 dB 09-Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine).aif DR10 -0.23 dB -12.32 dB 10-Temporary Like Achilles.aif DR11 -0.20 dB -12.34 dB 11-Absolutely Sweet Marie.aif DR12 -0.21 dB -13.63 dB 12-Fourth Time Around.aif DR9 -0.15 dB -10.47 dB 13-Obviously Five Believers.aif DR12 -0.56 dB -14.37 dB 14-Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands.aif ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of files: 14 Official DR value: DR11 =================================================================

Another option to those already mentioned above....have you had your ears checked lately for wax build-up? It may be as simple as getting your ear(s) syringed. The pollen allergy/sinusitis may be aggravating an already-existent wax issue. This is not medical advice, just sharing what has worked for me in the past.

ELF, just for non POMs here, the 'rags' (so-called 'news' papers) mentioned are UK-based printed news media. I hope others 'grokked' your pun. BOOM BOOM!

Don't you still have the 1.5.10 version in your Downloads folder? I tend to hang on to the last couple of versions, as a 'get out of jail free' option!