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

Showing 4 responses by levy03

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 =).
+1 on Sgr's comments. have had a chance to listen to many computer based systems and nothing i've heard bests streaming with the PWD II and the bridge. redbook sounds great and hi-res is truly a mind bender. incredible in all respects and comes VERY close to duplicating the sound my PWT can produce (PWD MKII upgrade really took it up a notch).

it was alot of work. between the many settings, glitches and firmware updates...it was also frustrating at times. learned more about computers in the last year then i have the previous 20 years. if you're willing to jump in with both feet (time and money), pc audio is definitely getting there if not there already imho.
Steve: yes...i've read it and posted in it several times. is there something specific you'd like to point out?

i do have the mk2 upgrade.
Hfisher nailed it. optimization is the key....just like anything else audio. computer's bring another element into the equation that requires additional research/effort/work to get right. if you don't care to go there...then don't. why you would try to talk others out of it is beyond me. i just don't get it

similar to the vinyl debate....what ever floats your boat. what works for some might not be your cup-o-tea. doesn't mean anyone is wrong or right. i'm not a vinyl guy but couldn't care less if anyone else is or is not. i have no dog in these types of fights.

reminds me of the debate i had with my sister a while back. she couldn't believe that i don't like chicken. she loves it and was amazed at how i didn't. she was trying to understand why and just kept pressing me. talk about a silly conversation/debate!.

Petty....do you like chicken?? =)

cheers all