Amarra Alternative

[Tune]

A while ago, when looking to archive my vinyl, I invested in Pure Vinyl software for my Apple computers.

Primarily a really sophisticated vinyl capture system, the software package also features many facilities that have helped me to substantially improve the performance of my hard drive audio set up. The difference compared with iTunes is substantial to my ears, the sound has far greater depth and texture making the music far more engrossing over long listening periods.

Simply put, the iTunes Music Server feature uses iTunes as a music database and user interface, while all audio is rendered and played via Pure Vinyl's "low CPU overhead" audiophile quality 64 bit resolution playback engine.

Just like Amarra, it allows automatic SRC for bit perfect playback, it now features a properly dithered volume control as well as being compatible with Apple Remote. Unlike the cheaper Amarra package, it's fully compatible with 24/192 files as well as offering high quality upsampling as an option.

I've held off on commenting on this package as the first release of V3 was very much a work in progress and was frustrating in operation. The latest release however corrects pretty much every bug I experienced and works seamlessly with my iPod Touch. There is a slight lag, but this is quickly adapted to and switching tracks every ten seconds is not something a serious music lover does anyway.

It's worth pointing out that the original raison d'etre for the Pure Vinyl software was the digital archiving of precious vinyl collections and the software package includes a comprehensive solution including a high quality digital RIAA facility allowing users to dispense with their phono stages. The couple of recordings I have done have been very impressive (recordings at up to 24/192 again) as has been the ease of their integration with iTunes.

I have not really had the time though to even listen to vinyl recently let alone explore the possibilities with this side of the package. It's incredibly fully featured and that means, to someone like me, the learning curve is steep and time consuming. I hope to report soon once I get some time to start archiving my collection.

For me, the software is now reasonable value for the iTunes jukebox alone. I've been a heavy critic of PC audio on the forum - but this solution has led to a change of heart. The good news is that at just $229 it's also half the price of even the cheapest Amarra package - yet offers everything you find in the top Amarra solution plus a whole lot more. It's not been possible to compare them side by side of course so I am only assuming that without altering the signal, there is only so much you can do when bypassing iTunes on a Mac. It would of course be interesting to hear them side by side one day, but in the meantime anyone can download a trial from Pure Vinyl anyway should they want to experiment. It would be interesting to get other's opinions.

[TheMooN]

Hmmmmm Nice solutionMike , Twud be interesting to compare Vinyl rips via a dedicated phono against the inbuilt software .

[Tune]

At some point I'll try it - I've got a couple of phono stages here and the PV software has some 40 or so EQ curves to keep even RG happy. To date, I have used my own off board phono stage. Hopefully have time to explore more next month.

[SteveS1]

Looks interesting Mike, is gapless playback supported?

FWIW I have Amarra Mini and the 3177 release (AIFF only and no gapless playback) sounds very good and is an improvement on iTunes.

But the latest 3189 supporting ALAC is not as good - Christ knows how they managed that but it is the case for sure. So I would be interested in this if it works. The case for audio software intervention to optimise playback is something I'm happy to accept, although iTunes still produces a better result overall than the latest version of Amarra to my ears.

Steve

[Tune]

Hi Steve,

yes it supports gapless playback. I am happy to accept that there are still the odd bug to report. Overall it works well although obviously the iTunes interface is quicker. For me, the PV is considerably more natural sounding - and as I mentioned has more depth. As ever YMMV but why not download the trial and give it a go?

[SteveS1]

Tune wrote:

Hi Steve,

yes it supports gapless playback. I am happy to accept that there are still the odd bug to report. Overall it works well although obviously the iTunes interface is quicker. For me, the PV is considerably more natural sounding - and as I mentioned has more depth. As ever YMMV but why not download the trial and give it a go?

Hi Mike,

Will do.

Steve

[bodymusic]

TheMooN wrote:

Hmmmmm Nice solutionMike , Twud be interesting to compare Vinyl rips via a dedicated phono against the inbuilt software .

Would be interested to hear a comparison, too

[SteveS1]

Tune wrote:

Just like Amarra, it allows automatic SRC for bit perfect playback, it now features a properly dithered volume control as well as being compatible with Apple Remote. Unlike the cheaper Amarra package, it's fully compatible with 24/192 files as well as offering high quality upsampling as an option.


For me, the software is now reasonable value for the iTunes jukebox alone. I've been a heavy critic of PC audio on the forum - but this solution has led to a change of heart. The good news is that at just $229 it's also half the price of even the cheapest Amarra package - yet offers everything you find in the top Amarra solution plus a whole lot more. It's not been possible to compare them side by side of course so I am only assuming that without altering the signal, there is only so much you can do when bypassing iTunes on a Mac. It would of course be interesting to hear them side by side one day, but in the meantime anyone can download a trial from Pure Vinyl anyway should they want to experiment. It would be interesting to get other's opinions.

Thanks for the heads-up Mike.

I have both Amarra and Pure Vinyl downloaded now (the latter in demo mode).

The first thing to say is that I have (so far) had no bugs and PV supports gapless playback. Amarra does not, and there is little apparent interest from Sonic in getting that fixed. Add that irritation to the fact that IME the latest Amarra release sounds worse than 3177, and I've been unimpressed with it to say the least. Especially as the demo version (3177) showed promise.

Unlike Amarra, PV seems codec agnostic (only the latest Amarra supports ALAC) and does not seem to be hardware specific. It works with iTunes and fully supports the iTouch remote. So the case for giving it a go is compelling, especially as it's a lot cheaper than Amarra.

I shall do some serious SQ testing against the 3177 release of Amarra over the weekend.

Steve

[sq225917]

Would like to hear some digital/vinyl rips from this, see how good it is.

[Tune]

I'm hoping to finally get some time over Christmas. I'll be comparing two phono stages along with the built in RIAA correction using a HQ mic preamp. The Software does require some learning.

You can of course download a demo and rip a single track as I did. It will allow a recording of up to 10 minutes I think.

The new software release that appeared last night for some reason sounds really good - maybe it's just my mood and the wonderful weather. If downloading the demo make sure you also download 3.0 v 4b.

[Duvet]

No pushing of new products in here please .

[Tune]

Are you being serious?

[sq225917]

[Duvet]

sq225917 wrote:

No he's being an annoying prick.

duvet, go find something to moderate eh, everyone on this thread doesn't want to waste hundreds of pounds on Amarra and are genuinely interested in alternatives.

Er excuse mei was referring to post by a dealer in this thread which i have deleted. I believe its your move .

[browellm]

[Hawk]

sq225917 wrote:

No he's being an annoying prick.

duvet, go find something to moderate eh, everyone on this thread doesn't want to waste hundreds of pounds on Amarra and are genuinely interested in alternatives.

You might want to reconsider that remark... Personally insulting a moderator doesn't strike me as the smartest move

[Tune]

Could Duvet just remove everything including his confusing post? Then we can get this back on track.

[Tune]

Well I finally took delivery of my 24bit AD-DA unit today so will be able to try some recordings soon. I'll even be able to add some valve like distortion and use the digital RIAA filter.

The new DAC enabled me to try out the upsampling facility on the Pure Vinyl software and it's good at what it does - I've just never been one for upsampled red book replay. In this case, initial impressions are that it leaves a slight hole in the lower mids, causing a loss of drive and energy. Some might well love the effect - it's certainly leagues ahead of the Apple SRC and very smooth. I'm preferring native sample rate with some "boutique tube distortion" though ;)

[Purite Audio]

What did you get T?
Keith.

[Tune]

I just got a MH ULN-2 Keith. I'm going motor homing around Europe in the new year and it will be perfect with the laptop as a portable system as well as allowing me to make some decent needle drops in the meantime.

Not bad. Subjectively it's not a CD7 but it's pretty good for the money.