[Brucemck]

Steve, what would you consider the absolutely highest quality "music server solution", with constraints (a) feeds the DAC via spdif, (b) supports flac up to 24/96, seamlessly across different source rates (can mix 16/44 and 24/96 seamlessly), (c) has a terrific wireless remote user interface on an iPad or similar device, (d) easy to browse music collection and play tracks while browsing, (e) supports at least a 1tb flac library.

Assuming it would be some commercial device and software integrated to a multiple Ultraclock PaceCar or Off Ramp?

[audioengr]

Steve, what would you consider the absolutely highest quality "music server solution", with constraints (a) feeds the DAC via spdif, (b) supports flac up to 24/96, seamlessly across different source rates (can mix 16/44 and 24/96 seamlessly), (c) has a terrific wireless remote user interface on an iPad or similar device, (d) easy to browse music collection and play tracks while browsing, (e) supports at least a 1tb flac library.

Assuming it would be some commercial device and software integrated to a multiple Ultraclock PaceCar or Off Ramp?

I updated my Computer Audio Info pages recently:

http://www.empiricalaudio.com/computer-audio/recommended-systems

To get the best ease-of use, it is probably Sooloos or Qsonix driving Overdrive DAC.  Pace-Car would help with SQ with these.

To get the best SQ, its the #1 system from the link above above driven from a Mach2music.com Mac Mini using Amarra 1.2 (that's right 1.2, not 2.1 or 2.1.1), and making use of the EQ of Amarra to optimize your system.  Control the Mini using iPhone, Ipod Touch or iPad.  Control including selection, Volume and Muting.  Set the volume on the Overdrive for the quietest track and then using Amarra digital volume for 3-9 dB of reduction for louder tracks.  Rip tracks to AIFF using XLD.  Music should be stored on a RAID1 with removable drives attached with Firewire or ESATA to the Mini.

It was at RMAF in October of 2010 that I discovered how useful Amarra EQ is.  I had not used EQ for decades because it always compromised SQ.  This is different.  This is really useful and beneficial.

To use the Amarra EQ effectively, you either have to have a really good ear or some kind of spectrum analyzer and mic.  Portable spectrum analyzers are getting cheaper and you can get these even on ebay now.  I use an hp analyzer and a small digital recorder as a mic.  I found that making it extremely flat isn't always the best solution.  Usually I have to back-off a few dB for each tuning to make it just right.

Steve N.

[Brucemck]

PEQ is a pretty amazing, properly used.

Would the Mach2Music running Amara 1.2 feeding an OffRamp via USB be close to the same feeding a Pace Car via Toslink?

[bpape]

Last year at RMAF, we were adjusting the EQ in Amara by 0.1db increments and had full control over intensity, center frequency, and Q of the EQ.  It's quite a nice thing to have when still in the digital domain with no A/D or D/A conversions before the EQ happens.  VERY little if any phase problems using EQ this way as opposed to Analog EQ or EQ in the digital domain in the middle of multiple A/D and D/A steps.

Bryan

[audioengr]

PEQ is a pretty amazing, properly used.

Would the Mach2Music running Amara 1.2 feeding an OffRamp via USB be close to the same feeding a Pace Car via Toslink?

Close, but the Off-Ramp 4 is a bit better than Pace-Car IMO.  I do mods to the Ultraclocks and Superclocks now to make them even better and the reclocking of the async USB module delivers very low jitter.  I also changed the termination of the I2S interface, so its a bit better than the Pace-Car also.

Steve N.

[rogerdn]

Control the Mini using iPhone, Ipod Touch or iPad.  Control including selection, Volume and Muting'.



Steve,

I run a Mach2 Mini (with my PaceCar) but have not found a good way to control it with my iPad, could you tell me what you are using ?

roger

[audioengr]

Control the Mini using iPhone, Ipod Touch or iPad.  Control including selection, Volume and Muting'.



Steve,

I run a Mach2 Mini (with my PaceCar) but have not found a good way to control it with my iPad, could you tell me what you are using ?

roger

I dont have an iPad.  I use an iPod Touch.  Remote is the application that runs on both the host and Touch.

Steve N.

[rogerdn]

Do you mean the hardware remote, the itunes remote app, then there is a remote Desktop ($79) too ?

[audioengr]

Do you mean the hardware remote, the itunes remote app, then there is a remote Desktop ($79) too ?

iTunes Remote application.

Steve N.