Audiophiles hifi appreciation thread old and new

You just need something which will be happy driving those specific speakers. The main struggle the amp will have is if the impedance is ve low at particular frequencies as this then requires the amp to push out a lot of current.

I looked for an impedance graph, but failed. I think they are nominally 6 Ohms, so getting an amp with a decent amount of juice is probably a good idea. I'd guess you need to be looking at 50W + into 8 Ohms, as a ballpark figure. Stick with respected brands, and you should be ok. Ignore the usual HiFi audiophool bullshit.

yes those speakers are 6 ohm
the amps, I'm looking at are 50W 4 - 16 ohm or 70W 4 - 16 ohm.
I don't really understand the significance of impedance. (I don't need to either. Just want to know what will be best for the money)

Anyone got thoughts on the Pono from Neil Young?

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1003614822/ponomusic-where-your-soul-rediscovers-music

Part from obvious design flaws, i'm curious

It's going to live or die on it's music store.

I can play CD quality lossless FLAC files on my iPhone. If i can buy lots of music at a quality that is higher than CD quality. I'm in.

If not, the device isn't anywhere near clever or sexy enough to warrant buying to replace what my iPhone can already do.

That's my thoughts too. And for a portable device I doubt I'd be able to tell iTunes FLAC from Pono FLAC with all the background noise going on.

Looks like a solution looking for a problem

It's going to live or die on it's music store.

I can play CD quality lossless FLAC files on my iPhone. If i can buy lots of music at a quality that is higher than CD quality. I'm in.

If not, the device isn't anywhere near clever or sexy enough to warrant buying to replace what my iPhone can already do.

HDTracks is supposed to be available here very soon....the've got a decent selection of 24/96 and higher..... It'll be interesting to what Pono has.

I was thinking maybe this could replace the external DAC that I use with my phone, but it's still an extra bit of kit..... maybe an audiophile phone with a decent dac that'll handle hi-res files??? Hmm....kickstarter?

read about the pono flac yesterday
straight from the master recordings
wonder how much better they will actually be ?
it would be nice to do a side by side comparison

Who will the Pono be aimed at?

Surely an Audiophile wouldn't listen to a digital music device on the go.

quality sound is essential where ever you are

I agree but we already have lossless, surely this is quality enough for sitting on a train.

good point ambient noise will stop those extra hertz being heard

Exactly and the cost of the cans worthy of the system would set you back the best part of a grand. It just doesn't fit into the audiophile model at all imho.

do the bose noise cancelling headphone corrupt the sound of the music ?
i guess as they play an inverted sound wave to neutralise the ambient sound extra hertz are going into the headphones or are they on separate circuits ?

do the bose noise cancelling headphone corrupt the sound of the music ?
i guess as they play an inverted sound wave to neutralise the ambient sound extra hertz are going into the headphones or are they on separate circuits ?

Yes, they play polarity-inverted noise to cancel out.

Noise is noise; it shouldn't distort the music. If there's relatively less noise by whatever method then this is a good thing.

You can get cans with good isolation without the need for active circuitry though.

The Bose headphones are excellent and coupled with an ipod running lossless are enough for anyone I would imagine. My point is that portable and audiophile do not marry very well. I am struggling to see who the Pono will be aimed at. It will be interesting to see the cost when it does finally surface.

for gadget freaks and the rich

An audiophile and his money is easily parted

Looks like a solution looking for a problem

Agreed.

You can play FLAC files on a rockboxed Sansa player for very cheap. Fair enough this will have great d/a converters, headphone out jack etc but will it really be noticeable? Will it fuck.

I also find it hilarious that Neil Young is endorsing this - he's nearly 70 and has notoriously fucked hearing.

^^ but those cymbals in beethovens 3rd

Have hada pal of TS's trying to bring my Beograms turntables back to life the last week... nearly there... ones only playing in one speaker so I guess the cables need looking at (?) as other inputs are all fine. ie if I plug something else into the ports.... Will have a spare Beogram 1200 in really good condition apart from the return mechanism if anyones interested...

Audio Visual is all very subjective but full of snake oil. Its all about perceived improvement at a very individual level. Unlike HDMI cables which give zero return the higher up the "quality" ladder you go. Russ Andrews sell an HDMI cable for £200 which has no benefits over £5 one of similar spec. Vagabond.

An audiophile and his money is easily parted

yep. fish in a barrel. file under those who use the word "timepiece"

Heard a story where Quad forgot their speaker cable for a hifi show so bought a length of flymo cable. No one noticed. Surprise surprise.

Heard a story where Quad forgot their speaker cable for a hifi show so bought a length of flymo cable. No one noticed. Surprise surprise.

I own a Quad 405. It specifically states in the manual what type of mains 2-core to use for the speakers. Which is exactly what I use.