Audirvana 1.5.5

Posted by: Arjan on 12 August 2013

Has anybody using Audirvana upgraded to the latest 1.5.5 version? I've upgraded after reading on Computer Audiophile that this version is a big sound improvement over previous versions. But over the last few days i found my system sounding a bit off which initially i thought was from powering down a week ago with some big thunderstorms here. As i wanted to see the progress of Jriver for Mac i installed the last beta last night and found it sounds far more normal to what i'm used. I also confirmed it with Bit Perfect which was still on my system and sounding very similar to Jriver. Audirvana has an unusual wide soundstage compared to the others and more emphasis on voices which initial gives the impression of better sound quality. But with longer listening the very wide soundstage becomes a bit strange almost sounding like some artificial surround effect. It also makes the bass very vague with emphasis on leading edge but not much sustain. It feels like they're using some phase shift to create the soundstage but which is messing up the bass. For now went back to using Jriver as it works stable so far, but it's still a work in progress with several features not working compared to the windows version. Am curious how others are feeling about the latest Audirvana version since it got so much positive feedback on computer audiophile. Thanks.

 

Arjan

Posted on: 12 August 2013 by mutterback
Originally Posted by Arjan:

Has anybody using Audirvana upgraded to the latest 1.5.5 version? I've upgraded after reading on Computer Audiophile that this version is a big sound improvement over previous versions. But over the last few days i found my system sounding a bit off which initially i thought was from powering down a week ago with some big thunderstorms here. As i wanted to see the progress of Jriver for Mac i installed the last beta last night and found it sounds far more normal to what i'm used. I also confirmed it with Bit Perfect which was still on my system and sounding very similar to Jriver. Audirvana has an unusual wide soundstage compared to the others and more emphasis on voices which initial gives the impression of better sound quality. But with longer listening the very wide soundstage becomes a bit strange almost sounding like some artificial surround effect. It also makes the bass very vague with emphasis on leading edge but not much sustain. It feels like they're using some phase shift to create the soundstage but which is messing up the bass. For now went back to using Jriver as it works stable so far, but it's still a work in progress with several features not working compared to the windows version. Am curious how others are feeling about the latest Audirvana version since it got so much positive feedback on computer audiophile. Thanks.

 

Arjan

I can't comment directly, as I dropped Audirvana a few months back.

 

However, I can say that the USB settings made a big difference ("direct" "integer" and the other settings.) I initially used an older MacBook and its USB driver couldn't support the Audirvana upgrade.  Worth checking through all those issues. Their support was also very good - send them an email.

Posted on: 12 August 2013 by Arjan

Thanks, i'm using the optical out on my mac mini so integer mode is not supported. I've posted on the computer audiophile forum where the developer is also active so i'll see if he picks it up. I've noticed on that forum that the majority of people listen to their DAC's via headphones where i can understand the benefit of the wide soundstage. Am curious though how people on here find the latest sound quality on their main Naim systems.

Posted on: 12 August 2013 by mutterback

My understanding was that the main benefit and the developer's focus for this software is the USB implementation.  I find most people on the CA forum are using USB DACs.

 

Have you tried other software, like BitPerfect via iTunes or Decibel?  

 

Search "Mac Mini" on this forum - there are several people using them with optical connections.  

 

My previous set up was the mac book pro > USB > Halide Bridge > NDAC. I've forgotten all the permutations I tested, but the software and the settings made a huge difference. I at least had a lot of fun messing around with all the options, and the software is free to try.

Posted on: 13 August 2013 by Arjan
Originally Posted by mutterback:

My understanding was that the main benefit and the developer's focus for this software is the USB implementation.  I find most people on the CA forum are using USB DACs.

 

Have you tried other software, like BitPerfect via iTunes or Decibel?  

 

Search "Mac Mini" on this forum - there are several people using them with optical connections.  

 

My previous set up was the mac book pro > USB > Halide Bridge > NDAC. I've forgotten all the permutations I tested, but the software and the settings made a huge difference. I at least had a lot of fun messing around with all the options, and the software is free to try.

As in my topic i've tried Jriver and Bit Perfect and they sound more 'normal' to me with a normal soundstage with voices in between the speakers. Audirvana's last versions on the other hand have such a wide soundstage voices tend to come from outside of the speakers instead of in the middle with vague bass as well.

 

I know more people on here use Mac mini's with optical Wire World Super nova 6 like me so am curious if they noticed as well this strange soundstage in Audirvana right now.

 

As for settings i'm not using up-sampling or AU filters as i just want a bit perfect output. The only setting are exclusive access and direct mode which are standard enabled and should give the highest quality.

Posted on: 13 August 2013 by mikapoh

So it is you....who posted on Computer Audiophile forum. I am not a member there but merely a reader of the forum. 

 

I am also using Mac Mini -> Supernova 6 -> nDAC and my current Audirvana version is 1.4.9.11. I could not care more to upgrade to latest 1.5.5 since it is still in the development stage. My aim of using Audirvana is to send bit perfect data instead of up-sampled ones to the DAC. My advice is not too worry about the latest version, even a slight move of your speakers' position has much greater impact on the sound than try comparing different version of the same player! (We are not even talking about different players). Anyway it is interesting to read your findings as it proves our Naim gears are more than capable to reveal the difference among the versions.

 

 

 

   

Posted on: 13 August 2013 by Arjan
Originally Posted by mikapoh:

My advice is not too worry about the latest version, even a slight move of your speakers' position has much greater impact on the sound than try comparing different version of the same player! (We are not even talking about different players).

Well in this case the change is quite noticeable and i'm just curious how the soundstage can change so much while the developer says only the signal path has been shortened in the new version. I've gone back to 1.4.9.11 and that sounds normal to me.

 

On the forum the majority seems to feel the new 1.5.5 is a huge advance in sound quality, so maybe you'd like to try it on your system and see what you think? You can easily go back to 1.4.9.11 if like me you're not happy about it.

Posted on: 13 August 2013 by mikapoh

Ok Arjan. I will try to download and save it as another app rather than replacing my 1.4.9.11 just for fun. Like you said, I can always revert to old version if I dislike it.

 

But frankly in the longer term, we will be looking at Naim streamers such as HDX or NDS in the context of Naim system to yield the best sound. Until I can afford these streamers, I will continue to use Mac Mini as my reliable digital player.

 

 

Posted on: 15 August 2013 by mikapoh

Arjan, I have downloaded the latest version of 1.5.6 today. After playing a few tracks, I found the same as yours that the vocal is more diffused to the extent you can hear its echoes. When I switched back to 1.4.9.11, it snaps into focus. I do not think 1.4.9.11 lose the details but find it more tonally correct and natural. In conclusion, I am going to continue to use the earlier version.

 

 

 

Posted on: 24 August 2013 by Jude2012
Using 1.5.6 with the latest version if iTunes.  Sound is great for downloaded tracks but cannot now play back internet radio. The message on Audivarna says that there was an error loading the song.

I have rebooted but no luck.
Any suggestions folks?

J
Posted on: 24 August 2013 by Arjan
Originally Posted by mikapoh:

Arjan, I have downloaded the latest version of 1.5.6 today. After playing a few tracks, I found the same as yours that the vocal is more diffused to the extent you can hear its echoes. When I switched back to 1.4.9.11, it snaps into focus. I do not think 1.4.9.11 lose the details but find it more tonally correct and natural. In conclusion, I am going to continue to use the earlier version.

 

 

 

Thanks for the update! It's good to know you've heard the same effect with the soundstage. At least i know it's not just a glitch in my setup or mac mini. I have moved to Jriver for mac for serious listening which works very well now with JRemote. Must say that's by far the best remote app that i've used.