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+1.... Enjoying Amarra at the moment....
Any Macbook with Amarra installed...
+1.... Enjoying Amarra at the moment....
Any Macbook with Amarra installed...
+1.... Enjoying Amarra at the moment....
Any Macbook with Amarra installed...
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*)
Then you'd still run the risk that they are just converted CD rips (*ducks for cover*)
+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.
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...
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Any high end system that has a MacBook in it is the system for me.
Any Macbook with Amarra installed...
Quote:Then you'd still run the risk that they are just converted CD rips (*ducks for cover*)
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.