Amarra a worthy investment?

I remember before digital was invented, vinyls were criticized for being "colored". In fact all audio reproductions are colored in one way or the other. The essence of this hobby is to pursue the kind of coloration that one enjoys most. It is 100% subjective. If you like it, you like it; if you don't, you don't. I personally listen to both vinyl and digital and I enjoy them both.

Back to your Amarra question. Since you don't like its sound, it will not be a worthwhile investment for you. Personally I like Audirvana plus best. The latest Puremusic v1.88 just came out is quite good too but its UI is a bit ugly and complex to use. IMHO of course.

The thing to understand, particularly with USB interfaces, that music software all sounds different, even different revisions of the same player software.

I have used Amarra for years and won more than one best of show with it, but I am really picky about which versions I use. It is still the best sounding IMO, but you must use version 4318/19.

Purchase the latest Amarra, and then go to Amarra "extras" folder and run the "delete Amarra Preferences" command.

Then install and use this version: http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=105236.0

Use it with iTunes with Cache turned on.

If your system is not truly resolving, then you may not hear a big difference. The way to tell is the system should have pinpoint imaging with serious depth and width well beyond the speaker boundaries. If you have more of a 2-D presentation then you probable will not get the benefit.

If your USB interface has relatively high jitter, then you may not get the benefit.

One thing that I use in Amarra both at home at at shows is the EQ. Its worth it just for this. Very transparent and elevates the system to new levels. Here is how to do EQ:

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

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

Steve, thanks for the Amarra tips...

Mountainsong, I've used Amarra for years, I can hear it's benefits even on modest setups. First this is to make sure it's set up and being used right...do you have the Amarra and Cache buttons turned on? They change colors if so...

I don't know...I've been going back and forth comparing Amarra (previous version and the current one)with Pure Music, Audirvana, Decibel and something else I can't remember.

Amarra definitely adds it's own flavor and alters the sound significantly.

I use itunes with Amarra 4318/19 with Caching turned on. It sounds slightly better in playlist mode, but not worth the hassles.

There are only two Amarra releases that I like, and the 4318/190 is the best by far.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio