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Amarra HiFi and 24/96 FLAC Files - Heads Up

OK, I am new to computer audio, but, want to make sure others do not make the same mistake I just made. Based on a recommendation from HD Tracks I downloaded Amarra HiFi to start playing 24/96 FLAC files. In fairness to HD Tracks they recommend the full version of Amarra , not Amarra HiFi. After much frustration and technical help from HD Tracks and Amarra I found out Amarra HiFi will not play HD FLAC files! I now need to spend an additional $149 to upgrade to the full Amarra program to get this feature.

So fellow Audiogoners, what do I do? Spend the additional $149 to upgrade to Amarra, use Audirvana Plus priced at $49, go with Pure Music at $129 or spend $33 to purchase Decibel (my wife suggested a fifth option, "Just give up", nah, can't do this)? Your thoughts would be much appreciated.

Regards,

Marcus
mgattmch
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
"Amarra 2.4.2 is widely known as the most resolving option available today."

They would be wrong. It does not hold a candle to version 4318/19:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=105236.0

I earned more than 1 best of show at RMAF with this version.

If you are licensed for it, you can download this version and install it. Make sure you run the "remove config" script in the "extras" folder before installing it.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
mgattmch OP
567 posts
 
I am working with Amarra to resolve this problem, they are very helpful people. It would appear Amarra HiFi will indeed handle up to 192 kHz files. However, they need to be loaded into iTunes to play. This is my problem, loading a HD FLAC file into iTunes. Can this be done directly, or do I need to convert to AIFF first? If I convert to AIFF, will the files be downgraded from 24/96 to 16/44.1?
mwheelerk
121 posts
 
FLAC files are not directly supported by iTunes. I know both Audivrana Plus and Pure Music work with iTunes and support FLAC files. I have done a demo of Amarra but to my ears it was no better than either PM or A+.
mgattmch OP
567 posts
 
The previous poster is correct, Amarra HiFi only works with iTunes, which does not support FLAC. According to Amarra I need to convert my FLAC files to AIFF and load them into iTunes. Apparently they will then play at full HD resolution, in my case 24/96. I will try at the weekend and report back.
mgattmch OP
567 posts
 
OK, so I converted the FLAC files to AIFF using Amarra HiFi, they play fine now. I also downloaded the trial version of Audirvarna Plus, so I could play the FLAC files directly without using iTunes. Comparing the regular CD version of Norah Jones "Come Away With Me" with the AIFF (via Amarra HiFi) and FLAC file (via Audirvarna Plus); both HD audio files were immediately far superior to the regular CD; no two ways about this! However, the difference between AIFF and FLAC was much more subtle. Both my wife and I preferred the FLAC file, slightly more dynamic and cleaner sounding. Although I have to admit, the difference was more like preferring one shade of yellow to another, a lot more subjective. At the end of the day I have decided to stick with FLAC, via Audirvana Plus; partly to avoid the hassle of file conversion and my preference for the sound of the FLAC file over AIFF file sound.

Overall, I am extremely happy with my first foray into computer audio, it has given me a new love for our hobby.
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