@Paul : I’ve been following the Maestro development with some interest, and have 2 questions.
My current digital process is:
MConnect on PC, tablet (Android), or phone (Android)->NAS (or PC)->AirLens->DS DAC Mk1->preamp…etc.
I stream from the NAS 95% of the time (4,500+ albums), QoBuz 5% (new artists, etc.) I listen to albums, not playlists.
In simple terms, what is the difference between Maestro and MConnect in selecting a file and sending to the AirLens? Aside from any difference in that, is the primary benefit library management and Ella?
Will there eventually be an Android app version? I primarily use MConnect on the tablet. (If there is no difference on how/what the AirLens is fed then this is moot.)
Any comments would be greatly appreciated. Thank you
Well I think you need it if you want better sound. It’s far from a finished product as far as I’m concerned on Windows anyway and like you, I’m hanging out for Android but boy, when it works, jeez it sounds great! On my system, a DirectStream DAC with a Bridge II, it sounds a lot better than mconnect, BubbleUPnP, Roon, and even Audirvana which was the best sounding app I’d found before Maestro came along. They are all Android apps or in the case of Roon and Audirvana for me, Linux servers remotely controlled by an Android app. I’ve also tried Foobar2000 on Windows and JRiver on IOS and afraid that none match the sound quality I’m hearing using Maestro! Paul does have an Android version in the pipeline and I’m really looking forward to it of course.
Right up there with sound quality I’m looking forward to the music recommendation aspect. I seem to spend a lot of time sampling playlists looking for new music that speaks to me with Qobuz. Their music recommendation engine is hit or miss at best.
One of the features that I most would like to see with Maestro is someway to tag albums with a star system, or something like it, to remind myself how much I enjoy it. Maybe even tag it for music and sound. Really hard to remember such details of the many albums saved in my favorites.
I build one for myself with my window piston Software And I give up after the 50 attempt!
Everything was working fine but when those always ring you set up that mess my program and Apple always have blockers to force music app
I was trying to do something also with the window Media player but now it’s only the shadow of what it was used to be it even don’t grab any hardcover from Internet now
Windows seems to encourage user to go VLC media that is more movie oriented than music oriented
The only one I found that is OK for Apple user is musical musicolet (I’m not sure I have the writing correctly)
So what I do I brought back my old Mac mini and use iTunes instead!
If I could go with iTunes seven and the red chair it was perfect music management and sound was their very good but uncomfortable with High resolution music!
mcinnect, Was working fine but since I have a sacd marantz/denon Heos, For their application de block it!
So back to iTunes I’m happy with that
my guessing for maestro probably 3000 Try an error and then Apple and Windows gonna change something in their software and it’s gonna be messed up!
Like in the Parain Movie, You have to pay protection to the big guy to make it work!
Would like to hear from @Paul, on the difference between Maestro directing a file from a NAS to the AirLens, vs. other apps like MConnect, Bubble, etc. The responders so far have said “it sounds better” and I would like to understand why that might be so.
I can see why audio streaming services like QoBuz and Tidal can be compromised, and that Maestro can improve upon those, so that is not my main concern.
The simple answer is that most of the other programs that you might think of that use a computer all run every file through the computer, reorganize and resend that file (whether streaming or local NAS) through the computer and then back onto the home network to be delivered to your rendering device (streamer or streamer built into your DAC).
Programs that don’t require a computer in the mix obviously don’t have that restriction, though they too aren’t usually as clean as Maestro because they demand more processing from the streamer to be heard.
Maestro is unique in that we don’t run anything through the computer and what we do present to the streamer, whether originating from your NAS or the cloud, has already been readied for immediate playback.
You’re very kind and thank you. Indeed, whether it’s me, or Chris, or Bob or anyone at PS Audio we’re all obsessed with the same goal of bringing sonic magic into your home.
I’m assuming this would apply to JRiver? I have been thinking of asking the forum how my NAS (Synology DS224+) routes the music. I got the NAS since I thought it would sound better than a USB drive attached to the computer with JRiver, but quite honestly it doesn’t. The Synology operating system has been a real pain for me, and I have on many an occasion wished I never went there. But here I am … I’m hoping Maestro does the trick. I don’t have the time right now for putzing with it and I really would prefer it on my iPad so I shall wait a few months then give it a shot.
I also run Synology NAS units (2) for audio and video files. I use the Media Server extension, and early on I used the Audio Station extension and DS Audio app (phone/tablet) to play on an Oppo BDP 105. With the DS DAC & AirLens came MConnect. It would seem Maestro will not be any different sound-wise:
Scuse me for butting in, but I’m learning about Maestro. I have a lifetime Roon subscription, bought back when it was relatively cheap. I’ve enjoyed it immensely, and have discovered a lot of music that I did not know existed. It sounds pretty good to me and I can’t hear any difference between my ripped files or Tidal being streamed to either my Airlense or Lumen player and my ps audio cd player which was sold many months ago. So, would I gain anything soundwise by using Maestro instead of Roon? I mean, am I wrong in thinking these programs do the same thing?
I’m an ignorant doubting Thomas I guess.
Absolutely. You’d gain a lot of sound quality. If you have a chance read through some of the comments and testimonials here from Roon users who have discovered the sonic improvements of Maestro.
I haven’t heard Maestro yet so I can’t comment on sound from personal experience. There have been several positive comments on sound quality improvement so I will explore when I have time to do it justice.
I’ve been using Roon for years and only recently switched to Audirvana because it definitely sounded better to to me but Maestro sounds quite a lot better again.
I had been using Amarra Luxe for 10 years, having tried Pure Music, Bit perfect, Audirvana, and Roon. Luxe was always the most musical, but Maestro to my ears is in another class to them all. I voted with my wallet and despite the frustrations you will read on the forum - I’m all paid up and loving it.
