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Jht69

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Posts: 7

Smile Score: +2

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Member Since: 27 Apr 2009
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AstoundSound Expander

JHT69 commented on 01 May 2009

Just downloaded the v.2.0 update. Sounds even better than before primarily via the new features. I dig the speaker mode although I'll have to do some more extensive testing on my home system this weekend.

I have some recordings that would push a little distortion when played loud and with the more/less slider on Max setting. That was resolved easily enough by decreasing the slider position to the less position. However, That does not seem to be an issue now that the have added a "PreAmp" feature. This acts like adjustable gain to reduce the audio wave form and keep it in a non-distorted state even when the more/less slider is set to max and the volume is up to a concert-like level.

I also really like the "On/Off" mode. Now I can turn the Expander off when running other software programs that need all the CPU juice I can spare. I was a bit concerned about this before since the constant ON process would eat up about 20% of a single core. Obviously this is no longer an issue for me. Plus I can now enable or disable the Expander from the menu bar icon...this is a shortcut that was definitely needed.

Well done! They seem to have addressed the several of features I wanted the most. Now if they can just make a version for my iPhone, I'll be in iPod heaven!

[Version 2.0]

DiskWarrior

JHT69 commented on 18 Apr 2009

As a follow-up to the review I just left. It work after operating the DW in target mode. I was lucky since I happened to have both Macs at home. It seemed to work with 10.5.6 but I was still not able to boot up from the disk. They need to clearly label their compatibility chart on their box. It's a valuable tool, but I'm still very disappointed by the confusing compatibility issues. They need to get their act together.

[Version 4.1.1]

DiskWarrior

JHT69 reviewed on 18 Apr 2009

I was having some real troubles with a new iMac that I just recently purchased. I'm fairly certain that it was corrupted files that transferred when I uploaded my files from a MacBook Pro that I use as well.

DiskWarrior got me up and running in no time. It's very straight forward with a couple clicks of the mouse. I'm only giving this app 4 stars since the version I bought v.4.1.1 would not boot up from the disk that I purchased. A bit of hunting on their site indicated that I needed revision 901 (for the latest generation of iMacs. The version I just purchased from the local Apple store was version 810.

A solution seemed within grasp as a friend recommended downloading the latest version (via CD update); but quickly eroded when the version I bought rejected the upgrade process. I searched for the coveted version 901 and came up with a giant goose egg in their search engine. It's a wonderful piece of software to have on hand should things start going wrong.

However, they need to get their act together on the whole version thing. Don't tell me you have a tech update for my specific machine and then make it damn near impossible to find.

[Version 4.1.1]

-1

Tidy Up!

JHT69 reviewed on 16 Apr 2009

TidyUp seems to be an easy app to navigate. Although I've primarily used it thus far to eliminate duplicate programs. Until I installed this app, I had no idea that I had so many duplicates. It's unfortunate that software manufacturers do not include code that detects existing forms of their software in an effort to help prevent users from having multiple versions on their computers.

[Version 2.0]

AppCleaner

JHT69 reviewed on 16 Apr 2009

This product works as described. And the price is just right...FREE!!! I was on the brink of throwing down some dough on another app when I stumbled upon AppCleaner 1.2.2. So far, I haven't encountered any issues and the GUI is easy to navigate.

[Version 1.2.2]

AstoundSound Expander

JHT69 reviewed on 16 Apr 2009

I recently downloaded the trial version of AstoundStereo on a friend's recommendation. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to use. Hear was just plain confusing as I felt that it should have come with an audio engineering class to be able to make adjustments; and iWow failed to "WOW" me.

What surprised me most is that although I was impressed by the improved stereo imaging in my little desktop speakers, I was blown away at how much better my 5.1 system (running 5 channel stereo mode) sounded with the AstoundStereo enabled. I figured it would be a vast improvement over my little speakers but seriously impressed with the sound out of my big speakers. Admittedly, I'm a bit of an audiophile geek;o)

Another nice aspect of the quality of the processed tunes is that it "wakes up" many artifacts that are buried in lower fidelity audio files. Although you may have to play around with the "more/less" slider to find the right sound for you, there are now new sounds coming out of very familiar music that just makes those "old tunes" sound fresh again.

Best of all, I can run the AstoundStereo processed tunes through Airtunes to all my audio zones via Airfoil (Rogue Amoeba's software) to my Airport Express and control it all with my iPhone. Technology is WONDERFUL!

The only thing that was a bit annoying was the trial pop-up "buy now" notices. I've come to grow to accept this minor nuisance for trial software. There's always a trade-off for free stuff. But that is now a thing of the past since I bought my copy last night for a sale price of 20 bucks. No more pop-ups & hello fidelity!

[Version 1.2]

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