Amarra - anyone using it? - Page 39

Quote:

Originally Posted by paradoxper 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silent One 

 

I needn't strain to hear the difference either. Walking along the audio path, low level detail and a change in tone just casually began to unfold before me. Will examine kitty for the usual suspects later tonight; tomorrow. You know, Speed, Timbre, Detail, Depth, Separation, Sound stage and so on...

I guess you're saying it's safe to upgrade now...

Yeah, I wouldn't go that far. But since I'm using the Mac as a music server, other bumps in the road are minor, if at all noticed.

I upgraded to Mountain Lion and Amarra seems to be working the same as before, which means the little bugs are still there.  Like how some tracks start a fraction of second late.  As far as sound quality, it seems like it's improved but hard to tell since I don't have Lion to test against.  I'll quickly tested against BitPerfect and Audirvana +, and Amarra still wins.

^ How much memory have you assigned to Amarra? If not at least 2 GB, perhaps give it a try? 

On my way out the door - cycling. But not before I chime in with 4 GB memory assigned to Amarra. Their rule of thumb is to use 50% of what you've got on the computer.

But for the record, none of the amounts of memory assigned prevents Amarra from losing its mind. My Mac mini music server is naked as a Jay bird! Outside of music programs, ain't a whole lot there in software with most services turned off.

Granted, there has been some improvement but it still acts up. And none of my other OS X players, Windows or Linux players ever stumbles. Instead of patchwork repair, an overhaul seems to be in order. It's likely something at the very core of the program from the very beginning of their design that's keeping this audio player from delivering a world class performance. Not that is doesn't sound great but the experience is lessened. 

One more thing, I will say that under Mountain Lion, Amarra is quicker, more responsive to track changes in either Playlist mode of iTunes/Amarra mode. Still get hit with delays though, but not always. BTW, I use Cache mode when possible.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silent One 

 

Yeah, I wouldn't go that far. But since I'm using the Mac as a music server, other bumps in the road are minor, if at all noticed.

Hehe I just got a Mini server to use as a Mac. And a PC

Off topic:

I'm on 2.4.1 Symphony and other than the recent loss of playlist mode, and the aforementioned problems with Safari (used in the background) solved by switching to Chrome, have not had any issues whatsoever. That on my primary and only computer, an early 2011 MacBookPro, 10.7.4. Have not found any differences with 2-4 GB memory.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silent One 

On my way out the door - cycling. But not before I chime in with 4 GB memory assigned to Amarra. Their rule of thumb is to use 50% of what you've got on the computer.

 

But for the record, none of the amounts of memory assigned prevents Amarra from losing its mind. My Mac mini music server is naked as a Jay bird! Outside of music programs, ain't a whole lot there in software with most services turned off.

 

Granted, there has been some improvement but it still acts up. And none of my other OS X players, Windows or Linux players ever stumbles. Instead of patchwork repair, an overhaul seems to be in order. It's likely something at the very core of the program from the very beginning of their design that's keeping this audio player from delivering a world class performance. Not that is doesn't sound great but the experience is lessened. 

 

One more thing, I will say that under Mountain Lion, Amarra is quicker, more responsive to track changes in either Playlist mode of iTunes/Amarra mode. Still get hit with delays though, but not always. BTW, I use Cache mode when possible.

Did you go all the way crazy and remove all the language packs?  My friend made me do it.  And are you using an SSD?  Yes speed is good, but no spinning disk is even better!

Quote:

Originally Posted by grokit 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silent One 

 

Yeah, I wouldn't go that far. But since I'm using the Mac as a music server, other bumps in the road are minor, if at all noticed.

 

Hehe I just got a Mini server to use as a Mac. And a PC

 

Off topic:

Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)

 

It comes with Lion (not sure if the server edition is a different cat from the same liter or included in the regular OS now), and I qualified for Mt Lion update. But I will probably just install my retail copy of Snow Leopard, for now and for a variety of reasons. I will save the Mt. Lion update as a disk image to use later (like when Dreamweaver gets updated for example) but it's only $19 so whatever.

 

On the PC side I was able to re-license AstoundSound for Windows as I stopped using it on the Mac side with Amarra and Pure Music available. Plus I will be watching ripped videos on the Windows side so AstoundSound's cinema mode will be fun. Music and video for both sides will come in via Firewire, unless I spurge for a Thunderbolt dock with an ESATA port for my Drobo.

 

Even more OT, my plan is to partition both HDD's, booting off an OS on part of one while doing auto-backup (time machine and the W7 equivalent) on part of the other one.

Fingers crossed

However, never put off 'till tomorrow what you could do today.  New OS X, anyone?

Quote:

Originally Posted by bixby 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silent One 

On my way out the door - cycling. But not before I chime in with 4 GB memory assigned to Amarra. Their rule of thumb is to use 50% of what you've got on the computer.

 

But for the record, none of the amounts of memory assigned prevents Amarra from losing its mind. My Mac mini music server is naked as a Jay bird! Outside of music programs, ain't a whole lot there in software with most services turned off.

 

Granted, there has been some improvement but it still acts up. And none of my other OS X players, Windows or Linux players ever stumbles. Instead of patchwork repair, an overhaul seems to be in order. It's likely something at the very core of the program from the very beginning of their design that's keeping this audio player from delivering a world class performance. Not that is doesn't sound great but the experience is lessened. 

 

One more thing, I will say that under Mountain Lion, Amarra is quicker, more responsive to track changes in either Playlist mode of iTunes/Amarra mode. Still get hit with delays though, but not always. BTW, I use Cache mode when possible.

Did you go all the way crazy and remove all the language packs?  My friend made me do it.  And are you using an SSD?  Yes speed is good, but no spinning disk is even better!

Currently in-session with Big Joe Turner, Live At Monterey...

I was removing programs like Governor Brown!  Love my SSD with the HDD outside via FireWire. May look to get a mini 2012 model. The 2011 model is a step up audio wise from the 2010. It's  fast approaching August, so I'll just skip the '11 model.

Amarra update:

Four restarts did not resolve the issue of v2.4 playing too fast. It took uninstalling/re-installing and that got me back on track. To confirm my initial suspicions, I played the same track on Pure Music and Audirvana. Also, played it on an earlier version of Amarra (v2.3). I have the fortune of using my neighbor's  Mac mini with Amarra on SL and the earlier v2.3. Yup, I simply walk down his driveway and up mine, mini tucked at my side.Though,  sometimes I carry my own around the library like a Pizza! I use to take the mini there to preview CD's - my 17" Desktop replacement was heavier though it was a notebook.

Anyway...

A quick run through tonight shows my early preference as follows:  Mountain Lion/Amarra 2.3 (4344)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silent One 

May look to get a mini 2012 model. The 2011 model is a step up audio wise from the 2010. It's  fast approaching August, so I'll just skip the '11 model.

Ah well the time was now for me. I want to get rid of the Mac Pro well before Applecare runs out

But I changed my order and got the non-server because of the graphics card and better clock speed. Sucked it up for the i7 with the better HDD.

Quote:

Originally Posted by grokit 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silent One 

May look to get a mini 2012 model. The 2011 model is a step up audio wise from the 2010. It's  fast approaching August, so I'll just skip the '11 model.

 

Ah well the time was now for me. I want to get rid of the Mac Pro well before Applecare runs out

 

But I changed my order and got the non-server because of the graphics card and better clock speed. Sucked it up for the i7 with the better HDD.

You'll be just fine.

Just for the record i emailed Sonic Studios with the question of Mountain Lion.  The response explained that there could be a problem installing it and how to fix the problem.

At the end of the email response it said this:

"Sonic feels, however, that further testing of its products running with Mountain Lion is required to verify compatibility and determine whether there are any effects on sound quality as a result of the upgrade to Mountain Lion. Until further notice:
Sonic recommends that all users consider deferring installation of Mountain Lion."

So this also happened when Snow Leopard came out and the reason that i never upgraded until just recently.  I am sure they will get Amarra up to speed with another version update that addresses ML.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by dallan 

Just for the record i emailed Sonic Studios with the question of Mountain Lion.  The response explained that there could be a problem installing it and how to fix the problem.

 

At the end of the email response it said this:

 

 

"Sonic feels, however, that further testing of its products running with Mountain Lion is required to verify compatibility and determine whether there are any effects on sound quality as a result of the upgrade to Mountain Lion. Until further notice:
Sonic recommends that all users consider deferring installation of Mountain Lion."

 

 

So this also happened when Snow Leopard came out and the reason that i never upgraded until just recently.  I am sure they will get Amarra up to speed with another version update that addresses ML.
 

This is easy to do since my venerable Mid 2007 Mac Mini is not upgradeable to ML....Looks like it has reached the end of Apples road for OS upgrades. Nice and stable with Lion and Amarra!

Audio on Mountain Lion with Amarra continues to bring me delight! Hour number 8 and rolling...sunrise or bust!