MAATgo

MAATgo is explicitly built for everyone who listens to HRA (High Resolution Audio) files and streams on their computer. In the Golden Age of consumer hi–fi, some preamplifiers had not only a “balance” knob, but stereo/mono blend controls and even an oscilloscope to instantaneously display amplitude, frequency and the phase relationship between left and right channels. Marantz and Panasonic sometimes included an oscilloscope in their receivers, while the Apt Corporation’s legendary and groundbreaking Holman Preamplifier had a range of channel re–routing switches and a continuous stereo/mono blend control. This was not “feature creep,” needless features just to fill out a list. The Apt’s re–patching and intermix controls served a very useful purpose.

Back in the Analog Era, most hi–fi enthusiasts had “separates.” These were individual stereo components, like a tuner or preamp, each serving one purpose. With the advent of “computer audio,” that rig can been reduced to a personal computer feeding a DAC or digital–to–analog converter. In turn, the DAC feeds a power amplifier or powered loudspeakers. While this minimalist setup eliminates a preamplifier, it has only a volume control and most player applications lack typical controls other than volume. Enter MAATgo, a preamp’s worth of advanced choices. When any of the controls are disabled, they are completely “out of circuit” and do not affect the sound quality. When any control is enabled, it’s DSP uses 64 bit, double precision floating point math to ensure maximum fidelity. Also, MAATgo will operate at up to 384 kHz, compatible with the highest fidelity lossless PCM files and streams generally available.

Features

MAATgo combines a variety of channel steering and blending controls with a balance adjustment and goniometer. The goniometer or “phase scope” quickly conveys global trends and troubles, with a visual out–of–phase warning built in. Plus, an optional autogain feature insures that you’ll see an understandable display with a wide range of input amplitudes.

See What You’re Hearing

Visualization has long been part of enjoying music on a computer, and MAATgo’s options are easy to like. Unlike an oscilloscope which takes up room in your equipment rack, MAATgo has a notable absence of knobs. Control over gain, focus, “phosphor” color, drawing style and persistence are all there in the preferences, and everything can be saved as a personal preset.

Stream Through

Another nice feature with MAATgo is the standalone or “native” version that’s included, native in that it runs on its own without the help of a DAW or player app. The standalone version let’s you really saavy geeks out there use MAATgo as a stream–through processor, just like component separates in the hi–fi hardware world. To use MAATgo standalone, you usually need a “virtual audio device,” an audio driver that provides a software “device” your operating system can use for patching. For Windows, we recommend VB-Audio’s HI-FI Cable. For macOS, we recommend Existential Audio’s BlackHole. Both are free.

It All Adds Up To Versatile

Better informed means better enjoyment…Whether you’re troubleshooting an issue, setting up a new system, or just exploring the nuances of your music, MAATgo makes it easier. With all of its functionality, it’s faster and more pleasant to track down a noisy cable or component, burn in new speakers or headphones, set up a new rig, or even figure out how a reissue sounds different from the previous generation. All that and more with just a button click.

Easy On You…And Your System

All of MAATgo’s functionality is wrapped in an information-rich yet visually unobtrusive, resizable user interface that occupies only a small slice of screen real estate. Likewise, the plug-in is very “light weight,” demanding an absolute minimum of CPU resources so it won’t slow down your player and host.

Low cost, unprecedented control and intuitive operation all add up to MAATgo as a must–have tweak to any computer audiophile’s playback solution. Download a fully functional, 14 day demo today.