+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 4 123 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 36

Thread: "Decibel" for Mac

  1. #1
    Join Date: Jul 2009

    Location: Scotland

    Posts: 372
    I'm seldomaroundnow.

    Talking "Decibel" for Mac

    Hi,

    It's been a long time since I posted here last, but recently I've been testing Decibel for music playback, and I wondered if anyone had had any experience with it. Either way, here's the link:

    http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/37573/decibel

    I suppose the two highlight features are its ability to play all music entirely from RAM, and its ability to grant itself unique access to your chosen output - ie. nothing else can send a signal through that output if Decibel is launched.

    I've been listening to it through my signature set-up and I'm enjoying it a lot, more than I would through iTunes I think.

    So, any opinions?
    Simon.

  2. #2
    Join Date: May 2008

    Location: Bristol, UK

    Posts: 9,962
    I'm Nick.

    Default

    Sounds like it's got some interesting features. I'll check it out.
    Nick
    My system...


    Follow AOS on Twitter: @AoS_Forum

  3. #3
    Join Date: Apr 2011

    Location: Norwich, UK

    Posts: 513
    I'm Ross.

    Default

    Also check out Fidelia (app store). Audio wise, a lot of people have found it come up trumps.
    Speakers: Kii THREE
    Headphones: Lumin A1 > Simaudio Moon 600i > Abyss AB-1266

  4. #4
    Join Date: Feb 2010

    Location: Plymouth, UK

    Posts: 458
    I'm invisible.

    Default

    Why is it that I cant tell the difference with Mac apps but on a PC they seem obvious.....wierd!
    If only it was that simple

    Main System :
    Quad II/40 amps, Music First passive pre, Tannoy Stirling SE speakers, Technics 1200 + RB301, V-LPS, digital streaming from Mac mini via Lifatec Toslink to Moon 300D. Meier Corda Arietta headphone amp, Sennheiser HD650 Phones. Mark Grant i/c cables. Speaker cables, Audioquest Rocket 44 BiWire.


    Ray.

  5. #5
    Join Date: Jul 2009

    Location: stoke-on-trent

    Posts: 647
    I'm andrew.

    Default

    I tried the 15 day demo of Fidelia and found it to be very good, nice interface and easy to use.
    Andy.

  6. #6
    Join Date: Jul 2009

    Location: Scotland

    Posts: 372
    I'm seldomaroundnow.

    Default

    Somebody with claims to a high-quality system posted a review on MacUpdate under the name of Ozron, claiming that, having tried many of the alternatives including Fidelia, Decibel was the one that produced the best output. I actually wondered if it was by someone from here. Here's the link:

    http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/37573/decibel

    Scroll down and their post is from 10th April. He even claims to have tried Amarra, which I think is $295 (down from $995).

    By the way, try not to get too incensed by the attitude of Echorob while you're on that page
    Simon.

  7. #7
    Join Date: May 2010

    Location: Melbourne, Australia

    Posts: 57
    I'm Greg.

    Default

    FWIW, For anyone intererested in Music Player software alternatives to itunes, I'm quite taken with 'Audirvana', a free music player for Mac OS10.6 . Its still at beta stage with frequent updates, but using my MacMini with 8gbs ram, I just drag anything i want from my itunes library into the Audirvana playlist and turn off itunes. Even with my well worn hearing i can detect an improvement over itunes. It has Hog facility and you can dedicate as much ram as you like to the player,(the more the better).
    It also gives a range of preferences, upscaling, integer mode and other options. The interface is basic (suits me fine);if you have existing playlists in itunes its quick and simple to drag and drop, wait for it to copy and off you go. There is a useful thread over at Computer Audiophile or google it. Its a work in progress but after 3 months of using it I'm a believer and sent the fella a donation for his efforts.
    Greg.

  8. #8
    Join Date: Apr 2009

    Location: Oakengates, Shropshire

    Posts: 654
    I'm Richard.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by jantheman View Post
    Why is it that I cant tell the difference with Mac apps but on a PC they seem obvious.....wierd!
    I find that this depends on the age of your Mac. If you have a model which features an Intel Core2Duo and an NVidia chipset, everything sounds pretty much of a muchness via MacOS - There's also a USB bug that means any USB DAC sounds a bit poor because every 16384'th sample is zero.

    A nice shiny new Mac with an i3/i5/i7 processor will blow the old ones out of the water as they seem to have ironed out the issues. I've recently tried a swanky new top of the range MacBook Pro and it sounds STUNNING running Audirvana in Integer mode.
    Rich

  9. #9
    Join Date: Dec 2008

    Location: Kuala Lumpur

    Posts: 110
    I'm Abe.

    Default

    I've already stowed the rest, including Decibel ..

    Audirvana - is my current fave and the only player for my Macbook Pro at this mo. Until I stumble upon something better (which I do hope I will) Audirvana is here to stay..
    -abe-

  10. #10
    Join Date: Jan 2011

    Location: Devon, UK.

    Posts: 314
    I'm Marc.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by lovejoy View Post
    I find that this depends on the age of your Mac. If you have a model which features an Intel Core2Duo and an NVidia chipset, everything sounds pretty much of a muchness via MacOS - There's also a USB bug that means any USB DAC sounds a bit poor because every 16384'th sample is zero.
    oooer ... rich, can you elaborate on this - I've googled to no avail.

    I've an imac with a core2duo and (I think) an nvidia chipset (the 'serial ATA is shown as such) ... and am using an usb soundcard...

    could you post a link explaining the issue in more detail?

+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 4 123 ... LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •