Experience with Mach2 Music Server?

Having now owned the Mach2 for a couple of weeks, I have some basic observations.

First, a learning curve existed for me, and I consider myself reasonably savvy when it comes to Mac computers. There were a few roadblocks along the way involving "headless" set-up with my home network that I solved on my own.

Second, careful attention must be paid to the sample rates configured on the Mac, and in the playback software. Make certain the rates match the capability of your DAC and of your USB>spdif converter (if applicable).

Third, the MacMini does not make noise. However, the external hard drive on which the music files are stored does quietly whir, which can be heard a few feet away during quiet music passages.

Fourth, the computer and/or hard drive can vibrate a good deal at times; particularly during ripping of CDs. The vibrations travel through my rack and into my components despite the fact the components are are placed on various vibration control footers (Stillpoints and Synergistic Research MiGs). I placed 3/8" sorbothane pucks under the MacMini and hard drive and mass loaded them with brass weights. This has reduced the transfer of vibration to the rack. I would not recommend hard footers. They do nothing to stop the transfer of vibration to the rack.

Hi Tvad... and the music? What was the contribution of the Mach2 to your experience of music after using it for a couple of weeks? Improved? Less so? About the same? What were some of the significant changes (or lack thereof)?

:) listening,

Ed

I've only been listening to the Mach2 for two days. The other 12 (or so) days was spent trying to get the system up and running.

Also, I'm spending most of my time ripping CDs, and not listening critically.

However, I would say that thus far it's about the same as my Esoteric UX-3Pi...perhaps a little less harmonically rich...but that may or may not have anything to do with the Mach2 (could be USB>spdif conversion, etc).

No conclusions can be drawn at this point.

Tvad,
The external hard drive making noise would be an issue for me. Dead quiet back ground is very important with music. Can the external hard drive have a long firewire cable so the external drive could go in another room? This would be very inconvienent for many. Firwire is high speed, so would it degrade the music?

I am also interested in how it sounds with critical listening. At RMAF, one room sounded very good and another sounded OK. Also, is the program installed using an equilizer in the program to tweek the sound or is it flat out of the Mac Mini? Being a purist (using no tone controls), I have found several with computer based music systems are using tone controls. Some call this room correction, but is it not just tone controls?

The Mach2Music Server is marketed as plug and play. What issues are there with networking?

Thank you for the information.

Can the external hard drive have a long firewire cable so the external drive could go in another room?

I don't know. I suspect if one's component rack is farther than six feet and not in direct line of an ear (mine is just behind my left ear and about three feet away) the noise won't be an issue.

is the program installed using an equilizer in the program to tweek the sound or is it flat out of the Mac Mini?

iTunes has some tone controls, but they're user configured. As configured by Mach2 (and straight out of the box on any Mac), the tone controls are set flat.

The Mach2Music Server is marketed as plug and play. What issues are there with networking?

Thank you for the information.
Elsneb (Threads | Answers | This Thread)

I am using mine without a hardwired monitor or keyboard. I control the Mini using my MacBook Pro via either Screen Sharing or VNC. I also can control the Mini with an iPod Touch via VNC. Configuring the Mini to recognize my home wireless network was not plug and play. It took some time to figure out. Each time the MacBook Pro goes to sleep, I have to open a new window, enter the name of the Mini and a password to get the MacBok Pro to share the Mini's screen. Now that I know what's required, it's not difficult, but it's also more steps required than would be the case if the Mini were used with its own monitor and keyboard.

Now, everything is working as it should, but IMO it is not plug and play. For example, playing a CD from beginning to end without stopping after the first track requires clicking several buttons in iTunes before playing the music. It's possible I haven't found the secret yet. Those who work every day with computers, hardware and software may consider the Mach2 plug and play, but as someone who just wants to pick an album, press play and listen, I don't find it so. It's certainly not as simple or as fast as inserting a CD into a CD player and pressing Play.

Regardless, I'm getting the hang of it, and I'm ripping lots of CDs that will be put into storage, thus saving some shelf space. I'm keeping the CD player, though, and I'm keeping most of my CDs handy.

IMO. YMMV.