Mach2 Music - Provider of Modified MacMini Music Servers

dmccombs · « **Reply #40 on:** 2 Jan 2011, 04:17 pm »

Zach,

We have been swamped filling order and getting ready for CES, so we haven't done any in-depth listening to the Pure Music 1.7 yet.

We did download the new version though. As long as you overwrite the current Pure Music application, our scripts work fine.

Darrell
www.mach2music.com

jrebman · « **Reply #41 on:** 2 Jan 2011, 04:23 pm »

Hi Zack,

So, where is all this chatter? I just downloaded 1.7 yesterday but haven't installed it on the mini yet. I will probably install it on the MBP today though and was going to ask Darrell if there were any updates to the script needed for the mini.

Sent in my order for a sandwich yesterday.

-- Jim

ZLS · « **Reply #42 on:** 2 Jan 2011, 05:12 pm »

Hey Jim,

The Chatter consists of two or three posts in the Apple Circle.

You are going to be amazed what the Sandwich does.

The amount of harmonic information that it allows to come through still astounds me.

A Healthy, Happy, and Prosperous New Year to you and yours.

dmccombs · « **Reply #43 on:** 3 Jan 2011, 04:18 am »

We are going to CES this week and we are offering a SHOW special. Here are a few details. The rest can be seen on our site at:

http://www.mach2music.com/order/ultimate.html

The Mach2 Ultimate Package

We have taken our Mach2 Server and added a comprehensive set of accessories that allow the Mach2 to sound its best.

We start with the excellent sounding Mach2 Music Server. The Mach2 Music is a modified Mac Mini that has been optimized for music playback. The Mach2 includes optimized music player scripts and propriety mods that take this player to a whole new level.

We then increase the memory, add superb music player software, provide a platform and EMI protection for the server. We then throw in excellent sounding Power Cables, USB Cables and Firewire Cables.

This is a comprehensive package. All you need to do is add the Music Storage drive of your choice (additional cost). We offer 1TB, 2TB, and 240GB SSD options.
 
 Here is list of what you get in the package:
   ▪   A New 2010 MacMini
   ▪   8GB of Memory
   ▪   40GB Solid State Internal Hard Drive
   ▪   320GB Hard Drive in a USB enclosure for backup of the Music Server
   ▪   All our Software modifications
   ▪   Amarra Music Player Software
   ▪   The MacSandwich w/ set of 4 Spikes.
   ▪   MPC/Mini Power Cord (Wattgate Edison Connector)
   ▪   Most Beautiful Sound USB Cable
   ▪   Most Beautiful Sound Firewire 800 Cable (w/ Power Cut)

This is an incredible package at a terrific price.

We make it even better through January 31, 2011, with our CES/ THE Show price of $2995. This is a $500 savings.

Note: There are no substitutions allowed on this package deal.

ZLS · « **Reply #44 on:** 11 Jan 2011, 12:18 pm »

Quote from: ZLS on 2 Jan 2011, 03:30 pm

Darrell and Kevin,

A new version of Pure Music is out.
I know that you have included scripts of Pure Music because it sounds better that the older version.
Have you compared the new version?
From the chatter, it would seem that it is much easier to use which would be a big plus onto itself.
I will await your answer before I try to download it and screw everything up.
Thank You

BTW, still loving my Mach2 Mini to pieces!!

I want to let everybody know that the mach2 guys did get back to me answering several of my question that I asked due to with my unfamiliarity with computers.
That is what customer service is all about, and quality customer service is the lifeblood of any company.
This is especially true of a young company that is establishing a name for itself.

Thank You Gentlemen

poseidonsvoice · « **Reply #45 on:** 12 Jan 2011, 04:02 pm »

Which music player software comes with this modified MacMini?

What are the advantages of the Amarra software (the $695 version) from a sonic standpoint?

I need something that can at least output 24bit/96kHz. With the advent of HiRez and other sites, even 24bit/192khz would be nice since my dac is capable.

Thanks!

Anand.

jtwrace · « **Reply #46 on:** 12 Jan 2011, 04:06 pm »

I highly recommend you demo Pure Music. It has a free uninterrupted demo period.

http://www.channld.com/puremusic/

and most importantly to you it suports FLAC.

poseidonsvoice · « **Reply #47 on:** 12 Jan 2011, 04:12 pm »

Thanks JT. It is certainly cheaper than Amarra. It also recognizes FLAC files from what I see.

Thanks, I plan on trying a USB-I2S interface built into my dac but I do need a server that has USB outputs and is built/designed well. This Mach2 music stuff looks interesting. I just need to find a nice used Mac Mini!

Anand.

dmccombs · « **Reply #48 on:** 12 Jan 2011, 04:16 pm »

Quote from: ZLS on 11 Jan 2011, 12:18 pm

I want to let everybody know that the mach2 guys did get back to me answering several of my question that I asked due to with my unfamiliarity with computers.
That is what customer service is all about, and quality customer service is the lifeblood of any company.
This is especially true of a young company that is establishing a name for itself.

Thank You Gentlemen

Zach,

Thank you for the kinds words. We are working our butts off to make the best product possible.

We are in the process of beefing up our support even more. I will provide more details as we get things in place. We are very excited about the improvements coming.

Poseidonsvoice,

The Mach2 Music Server comes with iTunes, Play.app, and Pandora music players. We include optimization scripts for those players as well as Amarra, Pure Music, Ayrewave, Audirvana.

Since we resell Amarra, I hope others with experience will chime in with their results. In the meantime, here are mine.

Amarra plays up to 24/192 resolution, and has the ability to play FLAC files (iTunes does not), has a dithered volume control and excellent EQ for for those that need it. The sound quality that Amarra provides is much better than with iTunes or any of the other free players. The sound is richer, more analog like, with several layers of haze removed. Instruments are better defined, soundstage is wider and deeper. If you have a resolving system, the differences are quite obvious.

Darrell
www.mach2music.com

dmccombs · « **Reply #49 on:** 12 Jan 2011, 04:21 pm »

Quote from: poseidonsvoice on 12 Jan 2011, 04:12 pm

Thanks JT. It is certainly cheaper than Amarra. It also recognizes FLAC files from what I see.

Thanks, I plan on trying a USB-I2S interface built into my dac but I do need a server that has USB outputs and is built/designed well. This Mach2 music stuff looks interesting. I just need to find a nice used Mac Mini!

Anand.

Finding a used Mac Mini is fine, but we suggest that you keep it in the 2009-2010 year range. The older one only allow you to use 1-2GB of RAM. the new players use Memory Play and like more memory. We recommend 4-8GB.

JT's alternate suggestion of Pure Music is worth investigating as well. It is $129, plays FLAC, plays files up to 24/394, and it also sounds way better than iTunes.

Darrell
www.mach2music.com

jtwrace · « **Reply #50 on:** 12 Jan 2011, 04:29 pm »

One of the better Amarra Vs. PM comparisons.

http://www.audioasylum.com/cgi/vt.mpl?f=pcaudio&m=83456

poseidonsvoice · « **Reply #51 on:** 12 Jan 2011, 04:58 pm »

Quote from: jtwrace on 12 Jan 2011, 04:29 pm

One of the better Ammara Vs. PM comparisons.

http://www.audioasylum.com/cgi/vt.mpl?f=pcaudio&m=83456

Excellent JT! You are a wealth of info (I'm sure I've said that to you before!).

Darrell,

Thank you for expanding on what options are available to me so expeditiously.

Anand.

jrebman · « **Reply #52 on:** 12 Jan 2011, 10:30 pm »

Hi Anand,

One place you can look is the Apple online store under the refurbished section. There you can list computers by type and see if there any refurbished minis available. They do show up from time to time and come with all new packaging and manuals, guarantee, etc.

BTW, did I meet you in the GR Research room at RMAF this past year? You couldn't miss me, I was the blind guy in my Ninja red sweat suit

-- Jim

tasar · « **Reply #53 on:** 15 Jan 2011, 08:57 pm »

I simply can not concur with the findings over on AA. I find PM to soften the music in the wrong places. String, quitar, and reeded brass just don't sound "right", clear timbre to these clearly softened in an effort to sound "analog. Amarra affords instrumental distinct tonals, there is a "correctness" to the sound, not a veiling in the pursuit to sound more "vinyl". Further, I find with Darell and Kevin's Mach2 exploits together with the Tranquility Sig and Oyen/Oxford chipset, things rather do sound "right". I happen to believe the Tranquility was "voiced", if you will, to be rather neutral and that things indeed sound "real" which, as subjective as it may be, cannot be construed as "bright", but "right". Additionally, and this is the real feather in Amarra's hat, bass string and percussion (strike, decay, and separation) in the orchestral array, is quite demonstratively distinct and not muddled as with PM. This finding may certainly be an offering of the Rythmic servos in my Super Vs, but I'm here to say everything is sounding "good" as the sheets are being pulled from the music that's lies below......

dmccombs · « **Reply #54 on:** 5 Feb 2011, 06:46 pm »

While the MACs are the easiest computers to use, they still are computers. The Mach2 Music server has incredible sound, and we want to people get setup and running as smoothly as possible.

Mach2 Music is happy to announce that we have a Support Specialist now. Chris is a fantastic addition to the Mach2 Music team, with lots of MAX OSX and music server experience. He can be reached at support@mach2music.com

We also changed the Support and Mach2 Q&A sections of our website. We hope these changes help people get up and groovin to the music as easily as possible.

Darrell
www.mach2music.com

jrebman · « **Reply #55 on:** 5 Feb 2011, 07:04 pm »

Hey Darrell,

Did you know that your online PureMusic user's guide is way out of date?

Just thought you should know.

Coongrats on the new support setup!

-- Jim

dmccombs · « **Reply #56 on:** 5 Feb 2011, 07:18 pm »

Hi Jim,

We have been updating the Pure Music Setup Guide on the new machines, but PM has put out so many updates, I haven't kept up on the website. Doh!!!

I am our Webmaster which is good in some respect and bad. Once I get to making changes, I can do them pretty quickly. But getting to things on the web sometimes takes a while...

But, hey I updated the link and did it in a way that hopefully will keep us up to date.

Thanks for pointing this out Jim.

Darrell
www.mach2music.com

jrebman · « **Reply #57 on:** 5 Feb 2011, 09:19 pm »

Thanks, Darrel. . I figured as much and just wanted to let you know.

-- Jim

glory · « **Reply #58 on:** 6 Feb 2011, 07:25 pm »

I have a stock '09 MM with 4GB upgrade. Can I sent this unit in for your mods and will it be as good as the 2010 unit?

dmccombs · « **Reply #59 on:** 6 Feb 2011, 09:13 pm »

Hi Glory,

The consensus is that the 2010 is a little quieter electrically, despite having the power supply inside the unit. However we have upgraded some of the 2009 Minis and they sounded great. I wouldn't hesitate to upgrade a 2009 unit.

Here is a link to the upgrade service we do.
http://www.mach2music.com/order/upgrademini.html

We would give you a credit for the 4GB ram against eh $749 upgrade. Please email us at info@mach2music.com if you want to proceed.

Darrell
www.mach2music.com