2. pc-audio
  3. 1328246582

Mach2Music mini and Amarra : Huge disappointment

I invite all the fellow Audiogon members than own both the Mach2Music Mini and Amarra to share they experiences.

Mine has been a huge disappointment .

The sound I get from the Mach2Music mini even with the advantage of playing Hi-Res files is mediocre at best and way inferior to the sound of a common CD.
Mach2Music tech support after checking that every setting is correct and everything is as it should dropped the ball. They blame the mediocre sound I'm complaining about on Amarra newer version of software they say more stable but sounding not so great.......

To me It doesn't add up. When there are problems the old music start playing: It's someone else fault. May be it's just that the Mach2Music mini is not so great as some say to start with.......

After spending over $4000 on the Mach2Music web site purchasing all the best available upgrades to possibly get the best possible sound from this computer based system, including their top of the line cables (power, USB, Firewire) an optional solid state SSD hard drive besides their special sandwich case to reduce vibrations and the expensive software Amarra, I get instead the sound you would from a cassette player.........at least that's how it sounds to me in my audio system....

My audio system as you read below is of high quality and well balanced where everything from acoustic treatment to power treatment has been closely matched starting from a dedicated room 20x24x9H fully treated with massive use of acoustic diffusers Gikq7 and bass traps Soffits and Tritraps by GikAcoustics.

Audio components connected to the Mach2music mini are:

DAC : dCS Debussy 24/192
Pre: BAT VK52SE upgraded with 6H30DR supertubes Reflector 1987.
Amp: 2x BAT VK600SE Mono
Transport ; Oppo 95
Speakers ; Magnepan 20.1
Speaker cables : MIT Oracle Matrix HD90
Interconnect : MIT Oracle Matrix XLR
Power: 2x Torus RM20 (one x each amp on two dedicated 20 amp circuits)
Power cords all MIT Oracle ZIII
Audio rack Adona Zero reference
All internal and external stock fuses replaced with HiFi Tuning Supreme.

I rarely write on the forum but this is too big of a screw up to pass and I hope to save to somebody the frustration I went thru.

Besides if some of you has a very positive experience with other computer based systems please share . Help is always appreciated.

I hear good things about Solos by Meridian or the USB Thumb reader by Bryston and I'll probably move on one of the two.... life continues......

so if you'll see my Mach2mini for sale on Audiogon in the near future you already know why..............................
128x128alessandro1
pettyofficer
462 posts
 
As everyone knows, I am a Critic of Computer Audio. I know
it may seem that I want Computer Audio to fail, actually I
want Computer Audio to succeed. CD is failing, it could never stand up to Analog despite being more Convenient-
still having mediocre sound. Those that complained about
it's Sound Quality were quickly dismissed. The Market decided on the convenience and mediocre Sound Quality of CD. Now CD is a failure, and on its way out. This marketing
strategy did not succeed in the long run. Why do we want to
repeat this History with Computer Audio, going down the same road sacrificing Sound Quality for Convenience?
People, we are just going to end up exactly where we
started from- just going in circles. You want to break the
cycle, demand better Sound Quality from Computer Audio.
You deserve it, and Computer Audio might be around just a little bit longer than CD. Accept the mediocre Sound Quality of Computer Audio, and you will end up just putting another nail in it's coffin- CD all over again!
Learn from History, instead of just endlessly repeating it!
Mediocracy is the death knell of any Format, no matter how
immediately exciting it's convenience may be at first appeal. The End is never the less the End, unless you take steps to avoid it!
foster_9
1,638 posts
 
I have considered the Mini not more expensive Mach2Music machine. I had a laptop and several dacs before which I sold.

I want to get back into computer audio but it's hard to know what to do. It's confusing trying to figure what to buy to get the quality of sound that betters a quality cd player. And I sure don't want to spend 3k on a failed experiment.

I'd like to see a few manuf put together computer audio packages that reproduce quality sound streaming from the net or high rez or lower rez- and not cost so much money. I figure $3k for everything ought to get anyone there.
levy03
442 posts
 
Steve: i never did get your email. Petty...you can demand what ever you want. best of luck with that. my pc based system sounds outstanding and i enjoy it greatly. love the sound my transport produces as well. thanks for your concern but i'm fine and in a happy place =).
edorr
714 posts
 
I will be receiving the CAPS 2.0 as a music server tomorrow ($1,400). I have a HiFace EVO with Bolder powersupply USB converter. No basis to compare to Mach2Music - my baseline performance is streamed I2S through the PS Audio bridge. If I continue down this path I may get an offramp 5 USB converter.
tomcy6's avatar
tomcy6
2,540 posts
 
Foster9, I think you will just have to be patient a while longer unless you're computer inclined. Server based audio still needs time to develop.

I've been hearing that hi res downloads are almost here since the late 90s and they are still almost here. We are a lot closer now but still not there. Cd sound is steadily improving and SACDs are seeing some reissue action.

We'll know when servers are ready. Until then, there is a lot of music available on disc to enjoy.
More to discover