Quote:
+1.... Enjoying Amarra at the moment....
Any Macbook with Amarra installed...
+1.... Enjoying Amarra at the moment....
Pictures Of Your High End System (Please see the first pages for examples of what should be posted here)
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googleli
Headphoneus Supremus
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Quote:
Am also wondering when HDtracks will start releasing 384/24 files so I can fully utilize the Zodiac Gold.
+1.... Enjoying Amarra at the moment....
Am also wondering when HDtracks will start releasing 384/24 files so I can fully utilize the Zodiac Gold.
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+2 -- Amarra Hifi absolutely contributes to my MacBook Pro-based HD 800 rig sounding what I'd definitely call a high-end system. I'll post a pic / some pics soon.
Any Macbook with Amarra installed...
+2 -- Amarra Hifi absolutely contributes to my MacBook Pro-based HD 800 rig sounding what I'd definitely call a high-end system. I'll post a pic / some pics soon.
calipilot227
Headphoneus Supremus
Quote:
Then you'd still run the risk that they are just converted CD rips (*ducks for cover*)
Am also wondering when HDtracks will start releasing 384/24 files so I can fully utilize the Zodiac Gold.
Then you'd still run the risk that they are just converted CD rips (*ducks for cover*)
googleli
Headphoneus Supremus
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Reminds me - I should use my Weiss Saracon software to do that and try out
Reminds me - I should use my Weiss Saracon software to do that and try out
vinyllp33
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Unfortunately that is quite a valid concern, even for 24/96 material.
I have taken a hiatus from HDtracks until they can start providing mastering pedigrees of their titles.
This was mitigated by the fact that I have some Japanese XRCD and SHM red-book CD's that sound considerably better than many of my so called "high-res" purchases.
OTOH some albums do indeed sound quite good but I don't like to gamble with my discretionary income.
googleli
Headphoneus Supremus
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Agree that many so called high res titles can't even compare to red books, especially when the red books are played through a high end CD transport. Can't beat CAS/DAC for its convenience though.
calipilot227
Headphoneus Supremus
I guess that goes to show you just how good a well-mastered CD can be, even limited to 16/44.1. And I don't know of any CD's that make use of the 110db of available dynamic range anyway.
On a side note, some of my best sounding highres recordings are from clean vinyl, although this likely has more to do with the better mastering found on newer pressings as compared to their CD counterparts.
On a side note, some of my best sounding highres recordings are from clean vinyl, although this likely has more to do with the better mastering found on newer pressings as compared to their CD counterparts.
googleli
Headphoneus Supremus
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Let's talk about CDs!
I agree that well-mastered CDs can be very good sounding. There is a general hype in the Hong Kong market in recent years on CD masters... Names like AQCD, AMCD, HQCD, K2HD, direct cut 1:1, LPCD are just too confusing. For ordinary redbook CDs (excluding SACDs and HDCDs), the only kind of CDs which I think really stands out is the SHM-CD. SHM-SACDs are also available, but they are at extraordinary prices - price only second to the "glass" CDs and Esoteric branded SACDs. I find the sound of SHM-CDs is quite commendable and SHM CDs are generally quite good in their masterings.
Not sure if any of you heard about it, but we also have "glass CDs" ... They go for US$1,000 to US2,000 per CD. If the glass CDs sound that good, I am just wondering why no one made them into SACDs. I would spend US$2,000 on tons of HDtracks downloads and redbooks, or an extra pair of LCD3, rather than spending them on just one glass CD, listening to the greatness of the glass CD but with only, what, 10 tracks over and over gain.
Last but not least, people here think that the first batches of the CDs released in the market sound the best, so the price of the very first batches of some vintage CDs soared. They claim they can identify the very first batches by looking at the inner ring of the CDs. They claim that the mould for pressing the CDs would wear over time, therefore discs in the first few pressings are always the best sounding... I don't know, dude, but I would have thought that the emphasis should be on how the master is converted to digital in the first place, rather than how the bits are burnt onto the CD.
I believe the situation in the States or Europe is not as bad, but I am sure most of you heard that, say, a Japanese version CD would sound better than the original CD (same recording / publisher).
I agree that well-mastered CDs can be very good sounding. There is a general hype in the Hong Kong market in recent years on CD masters... Names like AQCD, AMCD, HQCD, K2HD, direct cut 1:1, LPCD are just too confusing. For ordinary redbook CDs (excluding SACDs and HDCDs), the only kind of CDs which I think really stands out is the SHM-CD. SHM-SACDs are also available, but they are at extraordinary prices - price only second to the "glass" CDs and Esoteric branded SACDs. I find the sound of SHM-CDs is quite commendable and SHM CDs are generally quite good in their masterings.
Not sure if any of you heard about it, but we also have "glass CDs" ... They go for US$1,000 to US2,000 per CD. If the glass CDs sound that good, I am just wondering why no one made them into SACDs. I would spend US$2,000 on tons of HDtracks downloads and redbooks, or an extra pair of LCD3, rather than spending them on just one glass CD, listening to the greatness of the glass CD but with only, what, 10 tracks over and over gain.
Last but not least, people here think that the first batches of the CDs released in the market sound the best, so the price of the very first batches of some vintage CDs soared. They claim they can identify the very first batches by looking at the inner ring of the CDs. They claim that the mould for pressing the CDs would wear over time, therefore discs in the first few pressings are always the best sounding... I don't know, dude, but I would have thought that the emphasis should be on how the master is converted to digital in the first place, rather than how the bits are burnt onto the CD.
I believe the situation in the States or Europe is not as bad, but I am sure most of you heard that, say, a Japanese version CD would sound better than the original CD (same recording / publisher).
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Listening right now to REM Automatic for the People 24/48 via Macbook Retina Pro > Amarra 2.4 > Nuforce DAC-100 > HD800 and I'm in heaven. And this isn't even my best rig.
Amarra makes the Macbook pro USB > Perfectwave DAC with iTunes sound about as good as the NAS > Bridge on my Perfectwave DAC. It really refines the sound for use with my HD800 and SR-009 which are so revealing.
+2 -- Amarra Hifi absolutely contributes to my MacBook Pro-based HD 800 rig sounding what I'd definitely call a high-end system. I'll post a pic / some pics soon.
Listening right now to REM Automatic for the People 24/48 via Macbook Retina Pro > Amarra 2.4 > Nuforce DAC-100 > HD800 and I'm in heaven. And this isn't even my best rig.
Amarra makes the Macbook pro USB > Perfectwave DAC with iTunes sound about as good as the NAS > Bridge on my Perfectwave DAC. It really refines the sound for use with my HD800 and SR-009 which are so revealing.
googleli
Headphoneus Supremus
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I agree. While previously satisfied with Foobar with WASAPI or ASIO plugins, it became no comparison with the Macbook Pro with Amarra, when you do connect your computer to a better DAC. I compared the Foobar using Windows 7 and Amarra on the Mountain Lion, on the very same MBP, and the Foobar was simply a joke in comparison, IMO.
I agree. While previously satisfied with Foobar with WASAPI or ASIO plugins, it became no comparison with the Macbook Pro with Amarra, when you do connect your computer to a better DAC. I compared the Foobar using Windows 7 and Amarra on the Mountain Lion, on the very same MBP, and the Foobar was simply a joke in comparison, IMO.
TheGrumpyOldMan
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This thread is derailing a bit, so what's one more comment re: CD vs HDtracks. I agree that technically CD quality is more than enough, but in one recent case for example, I was checking out a recent album at the DR database, and only the vinyl version was halfway decent. All the CD pressings were below par, probably aimed at the young(er) crowd more typical for the band?
And one other "good" one: the recently released HDtracks version, obviously based off the vinyl master. I don't even care if it was truly "HD", bought it because it was off a better master... and verified it myself w/ the DR meter. So sometimes CD just doesn't offer any decent version, and sometimes HDtracks delivers, so I wouldn't dismiss them outright, just be picky about what to buy...
And one other "good" one: the recently released HDtracks version, obviously based off the vinyl master. I don't even care if it was truly "HD", bought it because it was off a better master... and verified it myself w/ the DR meter. So sometimes CD just doesn't offer any decent version, and sometimes HDtracks delivers, so I wouldn't dismiss them outright, just be picky about what to buy...
googleli
Headphoneus Supremus
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Hey GrumpyOldMan... I agree - it is hard to tell though... Wish there is someone who buys all versions of the CDs out there and also the high res version from HD Tracks to compare - but even then we don't know whether we should trust the comparisons because everyone hears differently. Or maybe start a thread on that so people can share their thoughts on different versions of vinyl / CD/ digital files.
Hey GrumpyOldMan... I agree - it is hard to tell though... Wish there is someone who buys all versions of the CDs out there and also the high res version from HD Tracks to compare - but even then we don't know whether we should trust the comparisons because everyone hears differently. Or maybe start a thread on that so people can share their thoughts on different versions of vinyl / CD/ digital files.
Silent One
What silence said... then nothing.
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Any Mac mini with Amarra 2.3 (4344) installed...
Quote:
Any high end system that has a MacBook in it is the system for me.
Any Macbook with Amarra installed...
Any Mac mini with Amarra 2.3 (4344) installed...
Silent One
What silence said... then nothing.
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Not long ago, tired of being had, took and misled, I too, decided to go on strike (hiatus) from HDTracks. Then lunchtime the same day, email from HDTracks hit my in-box regarding Stevie Wonder's 'Innervisions' now available in 24/96 kHz.
I'm shopping there less often but Stevie was a must BUY!
Not long ago, tired of being had, took and misled, I too, decided to go on strike (hiatus) from HDTracks. Then lunchtime the same day, email from HDTracks hit my in-box regarding Stevie Wonder's 'Innervisions' now available in 24/96 kHz.
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