As per request, I have created this thread so that those who would like to build their own audio server can do so. When I first heard of Mach2 Music and looked at their site, I began entertaining ideas on how I could do the same to my Mac's without handing over $399 for someone to do it for me. In the last few months I have been addressing this problem of mine, and have learned a lot. For example, there is one device out there that you put your mini in to protect it from EMI/RFI. After reading the specs on the mini case and the acoustic characteristics of the metal used then it was a simple deduction that such devices are nothing more than audio snake oil. I have learned that the best hardware modification one can make for the money is to build or buy a quality C7 power cord.
My experience with OS X began about seven years ago. I currently maintain a network of seven Mac's in my household, and three are configured for audio (one Lion and two Snow Leopard). The primary audio mini is running Amarra. Prior to retiring this year, I maintained a lab of 32 iMac's for six years (G5 towers, eMac's, then iMac's) and was confronted with every type of hardware/software/OS problem one could face after they had been toyed with by bored adolescents (high school.) I continue to learn the OS, and imagine that there are many out there who have something to teach me. For this thread I invite lively dialog based on objectivity, and I solicit any suggestions on how I can improve/add to the page below. Let's pick each others brains.
The page title is: Getting the Most Out of Your OS X Music Player. http://www.co-bw.com/Audi
SX_Optimal_Audio.htm I have a lot of script commands, which for those who are new to OS X but remember the days of DOS, hey basically work the same as DOS shell commands. There is one large script which could be run as a "batch file" in OS X, but more importantly almost everything can be done via the System Preferences. I have inserted images of most of the things I do in the System Preferences, but have not include the last batch of screen shots (I was playing with disabling the Spotlight and wiped the Spotlight index out and it is still rebuilding. Ever try to find a file on over 4 Tb of storage with no index?) I have also included some links to some utility software that can do many of the tasks for you. The bottom line is you have four options: 1) go the hard (Brave Heart) route and play with the terminal and write some scripts, 2) go the fairly easy and error proof way and use System Preferences, 3) use the easy, but possibly dangerous route of using third party software, or 4) pay Mach2 $399. Either way the results will basically be the same.
The link again: http://www.co-bw.com/Audi
SX_Optimal_Audio.htm
My experience with OS X began about seven years ago. I currently maintain a network of seven Mac's in my household, and three are configured for audio (one Lion and two Snow Leopard). The primary audio mini is running Amarra. Prior to retiring this year, I maintained a lab of 32 iMac's for six years (G5 towers, eMac's, then iMac's) and was confronted with every type of hardware/software/OS problem one could face after they had been toyed with by bored adolescents (high school.) I continue to learn the OS, and imagine that there are many out there who have something to teach me. For this thread I invite lively dialog based on objectivity, and I solicit any suggestions on how I can improve/add to the page below. Let's pick each others brains.
The page title is: Getting the Most Out of Your OS X Music Player. http://www.co-bw.com/Audi

The link again: http://www.co-bw.com/Audi
