Audiophiles hifi appreciation thread old and new

Doesn’t sound like the room is on the bright side, which is a good thing.

Bahdum tish.

@rogan - Totally. I am genuinely looking forward to not having to wear headphones to listen to music all day.

Ok - thanks! I'll do some research. Is it as "easy" as you describe? I.e just putting the amp and speakers together?

Yes. You just need speaker cables.

Have a feeling @ChainBreaker has bought a few cheap mini amps over the years with BT, so he might be able to suggest something.

The other advantage is the speakers will last decades so you'll be able to reuse them when the amp no longer works for your use.

Also you referenced bluetooth in your OP, but if you want it to be a smart speaker then you can buy Chromecast Audio knockoffs from ali

https://m.fr.aliexpress.com/item/32929407949.html

These plug into the back of the amp as an input, then you stream to it from your device.

@hugo7 Perfect - that sounds like exactly what I'd need unless the amp came with a bluetooth input already.

@ChainBreaker if you have any suggestions, I am all ears. Thanks

Look at SMSL product. Decent quality and plenty of models with different features. Otherwise there's plenty of small class D amps on places like Amazon that offer decent sound and connectivity. You could then connect almost any speaker you want.

Eg. SMSL AD18 HiFi Audio Stereo Amplifier with Bluetooth 4.2 Supports Apt-X,USB DSP Full Digital Power Amplifier 2.1 for Speaker,Small 80Wx2 Class D Amplifier with Subwoofer Output https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B071JN7GXN/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_ZPHRRKEQHBNMXD7WMTQN

I'd really recommend using a small streamer (chromecast audio or something like hugo7 linked) rather than bluetooth. Means it only plays the music you're playing, and if you get a call/text message the notification sound doesn't come through the speakers, but stays on your phone. It does need everything to be on the same wifi, but also means you can stream via laptops etc too.

Possibly a tough sell for the Mrs but pop into Kenrick Sound.

How do those places work? Do you pay an admission charge? Do you get to request tracks?

The big ask there is do they sell coffee/booze and play jazz? because thats an easy sell! it’s only me that has an interest in vinyl/hifi.

Jazz has gradually become acceptable in my house. Wife even requests 'jazz' where previously this was absolutely verboten. Gradually getting closer to fire music, no complaints recently whilst listening to the Lee Morgan live thing that was re released which gets a bit edgy in places.

The sound on my monitor is shit so I'd like something better. With a widescreen monitor and a fairly narrow desk there isn't much space so I'm thinking of some form of soundbar under the monitor. Are there any small ones that don't have rubbish sound? Preferably no wider than 50cm and no deeper than 10cm. Ideally under £100 but could stretch to more.

Or willing to listen to any other bright ideas people have.

no deeper than 10cm

This is gonna make things tough, so I think the sound bar is the right call. For eg these small front ported active speakers I've got saved from some recommendation somewhere are still 18cm.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B06XGC7NTX/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_2?smid=A2V8YV6FAC397E&psc=1

If you are just after something better than shit you could mount a sound bar underneath the desk.

Another option is getting some cheap but not shit cube speakers (this sort of thing but idk about these in particular) and pair with a sub.

Having little monitor style speakers plus a sub is very unaudiophile, but a very practical way of getting better sound - especially for the volumes I assume you're going to be listening at. I had a Creative set up like that, and it worked very well for my office desk.

Could you go Bluetooth portable speaker and charge whenever it’s running low?
Then you could use for more than just computer work.
I occasionally use my jbl charge 2 when I want the music I’m playing to be louder than the speakers in my laptop..

@Mr_Smyth
My very young kids and wife seem to quite like/tolerate Jazz.
Bitches Brew got a bit much for them though.

@TheButchersDog @hurricane_run the wiggly-wiggly frantic stuff does get skipped.
Not inflicted My no 1 fave Coltranes My Favourite Things (live Newport 63) on her yet...

I still can't get behind Bitches Brew. It's just too much.

Bluetooth portable speaker and charge whenever it’s running low?

Or just leave it plugged in to the charger, which is how my bedside Juice SoundSquare has been running for the past decade.

Oh - I have a question for Roon users. I have Roon installed on an old MBA that's plugged into my DAC via USB. Is the only way to control it remotely via the iOS/Android app? I'd love to be able to control it from another full fat Roon client on a PC but I don't think that's possible, cause if I try to install it on more than one device it tells me I already have a Roon server. I don't really want to spend $100 on a Pi just to get around this when I have a perfectly good computer just sitting there.

You should just be able to install on desktop and select your existing server rather than creating a new one.

Mine runs on a nuc and I use an iMac and work MBP using the desktop apps to control the music.

The live in Japan hour long MFT would be the next step! Frank Lowe's Black Beings is a fave of mine but has been roundly condemned as 'racket' in the pre jazz past.

Can you tell that I am an idiot and didn't read this message?

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if you have any suggestions, I am all ears. Thanks

What @TRA suggests

TRA in reply to @Deeney_in_a_bottle
Look at SMSL product. Decent quality and plenty of models with different features. Otherwise there's plenty of small class D amps on places like Amazon that offer decent sound and connectivity. You could then connect almost any speaker you want.

Eg. SMSL AD18 HiFi Audio Stereo Amplifier with Bluetooth 4.2 Supports Apt-X,USB DSP Full Digital Power Amplifier 2.1 for Speaker,Small 80Wx2 Class D Amplifier with Subwoofer Output https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B071JN7GXN/­ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_ZPHRRKEQHBNMXD­7WMTQN

I'm a huge SMSL Amp fan.

I have one of these on my desk which I got years ago as a birthday present.. Sound is OK and fairly neutral compared with most portable speakers..

https://uk.webuy.com/product-detail/?id=SACCSONBTX300B&gclid=Cj0KCQiAoNWOBhCwARIsAAiHnEh_bHvaVhaf4ZKAXVMSYIFwobRsyDkQTLUHS1ov3gzWEcNNdnIiPqwaAqAJEALw_wcB