Experience with Mach2 Music Server?

Tvad,

Listening to Peter Gabriel's "Plays Live" recording o the MacMini. I have to admit that the best this ever sounded was on my ~$2000 analog front end. Nothing super fancy: Technics SL1200 with KAB upgrades, Dynavector XX MK 2, Heed Audio Quasar. It was dynamic, open and incredibly extended top to bottom

I can relate to this because I also have Technics SL1200M5G (slightly better than 1200MKII, and with some very extensive re-designs, of course :-)), and I have Dynavector DV XV-1S with specially tuned for it phonostage. I love the sound!

Listening to the ripped CD on the MacMini>M2Tech HiFace>Modwright Transporter is the worst of the bunch. Flat, lifeless...blechhh

The AK4396 in the Transporter relies on the Master Clock provided by the S/PDIF receiver (unlike when you play from wi-fi, although there are many problems there as well).

This said; MacMini sounds a lot better than that, especially when loaded with Win7 (x64), Jriver and Asio4all. :-)

Best,
Alex Peychev

It would be curious to see how the MacMini would be perceived once connected to a Red Wine Audio Black Lightning battery power supply . My suspicion is that most of the digital glare talked about here would be eliminated (among other improvements). It would be even more interesting to see if Mach2 would allow for a such a mod to their mods. :-)

Well, after reading some other threads, it seems I have egg on my face. Although I did not see it on the Mach2 website if I am reading correctly part of the mods include the addition of a battery as an alteration of the stock internal power supply.

Perhaps someone can educate this novice further. :-)

Hi everybody,

I have for the last few weeks been running on Mach2music with Pure Music into an Zodiac Antelope Gold +Voltikus setup. This replaced a highly tweaked Audio Aero Capitole MkII SE CDP. On a USB 2.0 setting upsampled to 192Khz, in hog mode and memory play the new setup is miles ahead, actually to the point where I prefer it to my Dynavector DV507MkII/Zyx Universe/zyx Artisan vinyl setup. The holographic soundstage, zapping impulse response and utter transparency without treble stridency nor bass wooliness make this a true break-through. The mach2Music mini beats a setup via my Imac on conventional hard-disc by a country mile and I am convinced that the frustrations voiced by others on this thread are resulting from poor choice of cables/wrong setup or USB1.0 interfaces.

Hello Antigrunge,

Read your post with great interest. Now wondering what what cables you use
and and USB1.0 interfaces. I am new to computer audio and am leaning towards
a Mach2music server, Wryred4 Sound DAC2, M2 Tech HiFace Evo interface and
Decibel music player.
Would appreciate any suggestions you might offer.

Jay