I got Macbook Air and Amarra mini

[Sasaki]

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I am a Windows user right now but I use to be a Mac fanatic. I was a Mac user since Mac Plus to Quadra700. I even bought a infamous Spartacus

However, I left Mac and got into the Windows world. Since then, I only use Windows PC.
Recently I attracted into Mac world again for some reason and I finally bought Macbook Air (Core2duo 2.13GHz 128GB SSD).
Macbook air is mainly for portable use computer but the performance is not bad. I get some good result from recent experience with Adobe lightroom RAW development works. Macbook air is not only a stylish gadget but also useful enough for most computer tasks.

I quickly compared the computer audio quality between Mac and XP. My XP is a DELL desktop Core2quad machine with mighty two graphic cards for image processing.
To my surprise iTunes on Mac is better than iTunes on XP to my ears. The major difference is transparency. Even Foobar2k with ASIO4ALL is not so transparent compared to the Mac itunes.
I know the two machines are not identical however this fact shaken my mind..

Next I also tested several Mac audio music players that are alternatives to iTunes. For example Amarra mini, Play, Cog, VLC and Songbird.
I found Cog and Play are considerably better than iTunes. But Amarra really amazed me. That is really a beautiful music from the neat Macbook air. Music from Amarra is crisp and clear, detail and tight, decent and beautiful.

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So here it comes, a big-iPod setup in a train

Macbook air, Amarra mini, Dacport and Edition8.

 

[bixby]

How did Songbird and VLC fair in your tests? I am on the verge of downloading VLC for my Macbook. Also not sure if you have tried this, but my external Firewire drive sounds much better than my internal MAC drive. Oh, wait a minute the Air has a SS drive right, should sound fantastic.

 

[Sasaki]

I think the VLC and Songbird are slightly better than iTunes to my ears, but I prefer Cog and Play regarding sound quality. I'd say Cog and Play can be considered as Winamp/Foobar in Windows. but I have not so much tried them yet anyway.
Yeah SSD is very nice, quiet and fast.

 

[Karo]

Wow, you're downloading and working on your photos on the Air ? Nice. I have a Freitag bag I think the Air will fit in.

Supposedly it is the kernel Apple uses that makes the music better, even the old guys are discovering this now. I will come for your advice when I go portable/digital ! Thanks Sasaki.

 

[bixby]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karo;bt1823 Wow, you're downloading and working on your photos on the Air ? Nice. I have a Freitag bag I think the Air will fit in. Supposedly it is the kernel Apple uses that makes the music better, even the old guys are discovering this now. I will come for your advice when I go portable/digital ! Thanks Sasaki.

What kernal? The one in the Air vs all the other Macs? And where are folks discussing this?

 

[Karo]

I said "supposedly".

http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/6859/dsc07912a.jpg

It was an actual conversation w/ an old radio geezer who listens to alot of Pandora.

He's in the business, and as old as that tale is .... was shocked to hear it from him.

On with the show Sasaki san !

 

[Sasaki]

I guess it would be Core Audio portion of Mac OS X. Amarra smartly use Core Audio I think.
Core Audio - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Quote:

Originally Posted by bixby;bt1824 What kernal? The one in the Air vs all the other Macs? And where are folks discussing this?

 

[grokit]

I want this setup. I don't need it, but I want it. Another Thing on the List!

 

[omasciarotte]

Quote:

Sasaki said: /img/forum/go_quote.gif

I guess it would be Core Audio portion of Mac OS X. Amarra smartly use Core Audio I think.

Hey Sasaki,
 
The whole Amarra family does not use Core Audio. Instead, they use a "virtual machine," as engineers call it, designed only for audio. Hence the improved SQ.

 

[williamsjohn]

Macbook Air is Working Perfectly I really Like Macbook Air its Awesome

 

[hifuguy]

My brother came to town to verify that he could make his PC sound as good as my Mac Mini running Audiophile Engineering's Fidelia. The effort failed miserably, including several players and multiple different drivers/driver configs. all going down is flames.
 
I'd be interested in your comparision of Amara to Fidelia, if you get a chance. It's very reasonably priced, the tirial is free, it auto imports your iTunes library and there are even more features coming soon.