[wgscott]

There's no cutoff. People with all lots of types of systems see the benefits of removing as much crap from OSX as possible.

Oh, come on, you just told me my system sucks too much to hear the difference.  I just want to know how much more I need to buy in order to benefit.  I realize you might loose a few customers if you say I need to spend $15K or more on speakers, as suggested above...

[dmccombs]

I find that changing the System Alert sound to "Magic Bell" makes JPEG images of snow have smoother tonality in the highlights.

I think the scientific term for that is "Sparkle" or "Sheen".  Come on, get it right...   

[dmccombs]

Oh, come on, you just told me my system sucks too much to hear the difference.  I just want to know how much more I need to buy in order to benefit.  I realize you might loose a few customers if you say I need to spend $15K or more on speakers, as suggested above...

No one said your system sucks.  I loved my 703s (which are comparable to your CM7s).  But, in my case, I didn't have good synergy and they weren't set up well, so my 703 system wasn't very resolving.  I enjoyed the sound even though resolution wasn't its strong point.   

I think system synergy is more important that system cost.  I don't equate system cost with system quality in Audio.  I've heard some expensive systems that didn't impress me, and I've heard some moderately priced ones that really made me smile.

Darrell
www.mach2music.com

[wgscott]

No one said your system sucks.  I loved my 703s (which are comparable to your CM7s).  But, in my case, I didn't have good synergy and they weren't set up well, so my 703 system wasn't very resolving.  I enjoyed the sound even though resolution wasn't its strong point.   

I think system synergy is more important that system cost.  I don't equate system cost with system quality in Audio.  I've heard some expensive systems that didn't impress me, and I've heard some moderately priced ones that really made me smile.

Darrell
www.mach2music.com

OK, but on what systems will such modifications be detectable? 

[dmccombs]

OK, but on what systems will such modifications be detectable?

Obviously there is no hard and fast rule but I would say if a system does some of the things below, that OSX mods would be detectable.
- Differences between stock power cords and a decent aftermarket cord can be heard.
- Moving of speakers changes your soundstage (depth and/or width).
- Benefit could be heard when putting your components on a rack/platform/spikes.
- Differences between interconnects or speaker cables can be heard.

I would say most of the folks here on the forums will have systems that can hear the differences.

Even though you seem to downplay software mods, you mentioned about you heard differences when turning off Spotlight/mdutil.  Surely those processes aren't the only ones that are troublesome.

We are getting off the Lion path here with this discussion so I'll try to get us back on course by adding that the best way know weather your system will benefit from a OSX change is to try it.  If you don't like it, put it back.  The best way to decide if Lion is for you, is to shoot a back-up and do the upgrade.  If you don't like it, put it back.

Darrell
www.mach2music.com

[teros1]

We are getting off the Lion path here with this discussion so I'll try to get us back on course by adding that the best way know weather your system will benefit from a OSX change is to try it.  If you don't like it, put it back.  The best way to decide if Lion is for you, is to shoot a back-up and do the upgrade.  If you don't like it, put it back.

Right as rain, at least for this thread.

All this other stuff about "resolving systems" takes us further from that topic.

Darrell, do you have Lion in-house today and have you tested its sonics?

Bob

[dmccombs]

Darrell, do you have Lion in-house today and have you tested its sonics?

Bob

Yes, and yes. 

[teros1]

Yes, and yes.

Thanks. So readers have three data points from real users of the pre-release Lion.

Hardly statistically significant, but it's something...  LOL.

Bob

[nathanm]

I've read that new Mac Pros are (finally!) coming out in August and since I assume they will come with Lion installed then I guess I will be upgrading.  Personally, aside from the autosave thing which may be interesting none of the Lion features really do much for me.  But I need to figure out how the damn thing works since I'll have to babysit 15 machines with it next year.  Initial grumbling and resistance to new software always gives way to eventual acceptance, unless there's some critical showstopper sort of thing. *sigh*

[wgscott]

Here is a listing of all the processes running on my mini while I listen.  (I removed the applications for simplicity).  If you can tell me ONE of these impacts sound quality (apart from simply killing playback), and I can verify it by killing the process, I will shut up and go away.

Code: [Select]

TV-Stereo-mini-% ps -ax | awk {'print $4}' | grep -v app
 
/sbin/launchd
/usr/libexec/kextd
/usr/sbin/DirectoryService
/usr/sbin/notifyd
/usr/sbin/diskarbitrationd
/usr/libexec/configd
/usr/sbin/syslogd
/usr/sbin/distnoted
/usr/sbin/mDNSResponder
/usr/sbin/securityd
/System/Library/CoreServices/coreservicesd
/usr/sbin/ntpd
/usr/sbin/krb5kdc
/sbin/SystemStarter
/System/Library/CoreServices/RemoteManagement/AppleVNCServer.bundle/Contents/Support/RFBRegisterMDNS
/usr/libexec/ptmd
/usr/sbin/KernelEventAgent
/usr/libexec/hidd
/System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/CarbonCore.framework/Versions/A/Support/fseventsd
/sbin/dynamic_pager
autofsd
/System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Frameworks/CoreGraphics.framework/Resources/WindowServer
/System/Library/Frameworks/OpenGL.framework/Versions/A/Libraries/cvmsServ
/sbin/launchd
/usr/sbin/coreaudiod
/usr/sbin/pboard
/System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Frameworks/ATS.framework/Support/fontd
/usr/libexec/UserEventAgent
/System/Library/CoreServices/RemoteManagement/AppleVNCServer.bundle/Contents/MacOS/AppleVNCServer
/System/Library/CoreServices/AirPort


[wgscott]

Someone posted on CA today that integer playback isn't working on the betas of 10.7, so there might be a reason for caution after all.   

[Levi]

OSX Lion is here!

Post your impressions here.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=96728.0

[wgscott]

It turns out 10.7 removes Front Row.app, and the new iTunes is incompatible as well.

[Obriendigital]

Downloading now. Planning to do a partition to ensure my gear still works if there is a bug.