Amarra a worthy investment?

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

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

Mikey - I use full Amarra EQ on all systems, even at shows, even on TAD reference speakers. Makes a big difference with ALL speakers. This is actually more important that EQ of the room resonances. Its like replacing your speakers with $50K speakers.

Here are some tips on how to do it with an iPad:

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

Steve N.
Empirical Audio