Is the formally known as Meridian Sooloos THAT much better than Apple iTunes?

[Victor]

It sounds like you are going to have fun at the dealer. I'm courious to hear which you end up liking more. It sounds like you have iTunes mastered and you may end up deciding to stay with that instead of learning a completely new system, which would make a lot of sense.

I have a friend using iTunes, he loves it. Last time I checked with my friend using iTunes he didn't know about the smart playlist for rated albums. I bet there are many features in all music server systems that the average user never figures out.

[o0OBillO0o]

Originally Posted by Victor

I have a friend using iTunes, he loves it. Last time I checked with my friend using iTunes he didn't know about the smart playlist for rated albums. I bet there are many features in all music server systems that the average user never figures out.

I am an iTunes Jedi.





Challenge accepted, I think that iTunes has the capability, it's my perception that Sooloos is easier to use.

The other factor is the wife and her friends, if they are fascinated with the speed of the Control 15 touch screen and listening to songs, it may be a clear win for Meridian.

If anything, I will be able to represent the music lover and provide more information for others to make an informed decision. i.e. FOR SCIENCE!

[Supercronopio]

I looked at the Sooloos a couple of weeks ago and chose not to go that direction. Since I would be using the iPad app, I saw no real benefit over the Amarra, Pure Music, Audirvana, AyreWave, Bit Perfect, options I have now. If I were to use the touchscreen display, I think it would have been a different story. Have Fun!!

[Victor]

Originally Posted by o0OBillO0o

Air Supply Greatest Hits Live is a 4 star album? I think you still have some editing left to do!

[Victor]

Originally Posted by Gaucho1

I looked at the Sooloos a couple of weeks ago and chose not to go that direction. Since I would be using the iPad app, I saw no real benefit over the Amarra, Pure Music, Audirvana, AyreWave, Bit Perfect, options I have now. If I were to use the touchscreen display, I think it would have been a different story. Have Fun!!

I completely agree with this. The Control 10/15 touch screen is where the Sooloos magic is.

[o0OBillO0o]

Originally Posted by Gaucho1

I looked at the Sooloos a couple of weeks ago and chose not to go that direction. Since I would be using the iPad app, I saw no real benefit over the Amarra, Pure Music, Audirvana, AyreWave, Bit Perfect, options I have now. If I were to use the touchscreen display, I think it would have been a different story. Have Fun!!

You are right! Amarra is great! when I'm home, I control my iMac from the iPad and output to the office stereo. There was a noticeable, good, difference by using Amarra's sample rate converter instead of the Mac OS X one. This is the system to beat since one could load 24bit/192Khz music on the iMac and output this to a very good DAC with good supporting cast of components.

I will make sure to analyze this in my comparison. Thanks.

[eddiel]

I had a chance to play around with the Sooloos just after Meridian bought it. This would have been several years ago so it might be different (good or bad now). I also spoke with one of the engineers on the project.

Anyway...is it better than Apple Itunes. I would say that based on my experience back then yes with respect to user interface. I never had a chance to try the whole managing the library thing so no idea in that respect.

However, there have been suggestions that Itunes sucks in this thread. That would be incorrect IMO and I'm no Apple fanboy. I've used itunes even when I had a PC and it's still very useful. It sure does have quirks but based on what it's meant to do it does it quite well. Essentially what I'm saying is don't take a Ford Fiesta out 4-wheel driving and then say the cars sucks because it's not meant to be a 4-wheel driving type of car.

The Sooloos was/is great though. If I had the budget for such a system it would be on the short list. But for those without that sort of budget there are other options.

[o0OBillO0o]

Originally Posted by eddiel

Essentially what I'm saying is don't take a Ford Fiesta out 4-wheel driving and then say the cars sucks because it's not meant to be a 4-wheel driving type of car.

Close enough. Car analogies can be misleading. Maybe iTunes with Amarra/Pure Music with a high end USB DAC would level the two?

Sent from my iPad using A.Aficionado

[eddiel]

Originally Posted by o0OBillO0o

Close enough. Car analogies can be misleading. Maybe iTunes with Amarra/Pure Music with a high end USB DAC would level the two?

Sent from my iPad using A.Aficionado

Yeah I guess it sounds like I'm saying Itunes is like a Fiesta!

That sort of set up would do me just fine. I can live with Itunes (although I wish it did cater to larger library users a little more) and I have heard good things about both Amarra and Pure Music.

[o0OBillO0o]

What's a large library and how do you cater to it?

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