Audiophiles hifi appreciation thread old and new

https://darko.audio/2020/03/grinding-your-own-gears/

ah, fuck it

John sounds like an idiot tbh. USB is a packetised, asynchronous digital signal - comparing it to things in the physical/analog/acoustic realm is not a serious angle. I’d be disinclined to pay any attention to anything he writes after that!

With regard to your previous points, dropped packets are possible, USB timing errors (that cause an effect) are less possible but both are not that likely with undamaged equipment. There’s also nothing to say that these errors only affect the subtleties of a track - you’re just as likely to get a massive pop or underwater garble as lose the detail from a reverb tail...

Ha! Fair enough. It’s just that nobody so far has talked about actually trying 2 or more different devices. Cue “I have and it’s bollocks”.

I’ll hopefully have a valve amplifier arriving this week to distract me from digital stuff.

"go faster stripes on my car definitely make me go faster"

"no, that is absolutely bollocks"

"YOU ARE WRONG! I definitely feel like i am going faster - who are you to tell me what i am feeling?!? It 100% feels faster to me, so i must be going faster. JUST BECAUSE YOU CAN'T MEASURE IT, DOESN'T MEAN I AM NOT GOING FASTER!!!1!"

FFS

It’s just that nobody so far has talked about actually trying 2 or more different devices

Err, I have and...

To be fair, it was two pretty expensive digital sources; a Wyred 4 Sound DAC and a Meridian 500 series CD player. Did extensive A/B with the CD and the FLAC rip of the CD. Had a friend over as well, who is a musician (not that means their hearing is any better).

We both concluded that it was impossible to distinguish between the sources.

Sold CD player, kept DAC. All CDs are now ripped to flac for home listening.

Really glad I know little to nothing about any of the things you guys have been wittering on about for the last page or two.

On a subwoofer note, I’ve seen a rel habitat 1 for a decent price, only downside is it doesn’t have a floor mount stand. Decisions, decisions.

I could probably make you a stand for it... doesn't look very complicated.

Thanks for the offer. Might take you up on that if I ever buy it. Currently umming and ahhing about it, despite the super reasonable price.

Cool. That’s good to know.

Rejoice is great but 'Tony Allen - The Source' is still something to beat. The vinyl is all analog too. I thought Rejoice lacked a bit of quality, maybe why it didn't get released while Hugh Masekela was alive.

Hi Audio people - I'm moving into a new flat next month. The living room space is 3.3 x 4.5 metres. Solid brick walls, and polished floorboards. It's a small flat overall, in a block of 4 and we're upstairs.

What I'd like to do is put together a stereo for the living room that sounds full, dynamic and engaging and effortless - at lower volumes. I wont be able to wind it up to hear the high fidelity...

It also needs to be simple, have wi-fi to connect to NAS and also connect to a TV via optical.

I haven't researched this stuff for ages so I'm wondering where to start for the amplifier/streamer and then the speakers.

First thought is something like:
https://www.melbournehifi.com.au/products/yamaha-wxa-50?variant=6779863105587&currency=AUD&utm_campaign=gs-2020-03-13&utm_source=google&utm_medium=smart_campaign&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4P_v4oDp6AIVjTUrCh2i1ARREAYYASABEgIYLvD_BwE

Connected to a pair of B&W 606 - these are the first speakers that come to mind.

I do have existing stuff - a pair of KRIX Acoustix and a NAD C320Bee - problem is that this pairing requires volume to sound any good at all.

Other things to consider is that I'm in Aus so less access to the more interesting smaller UK based brands. Also budget.... not a lot...

What should be on my radar?

you should include your budget @TRA

Are you thinkning of all new? All components?

(Just getting the group juices flowing)

As a heads up, i have just had a go with Yamaha's MusicCast and it fucking sucks. I had to keep on linking the speakers to the app which wasnt simply a one click job.

As a side note: I wanted 2 rear wireless speakers for my soundbar, also Yamaha with MusicCast. But turns out the wrong MusicCast. It must be MusicCast Surround in the soundbar. So just check what it is that you are looking for. That amp may make it work, but honest to god, i wanted to smash the new speakers against the wall when for the umpteenth time i had had to re-connect them to the app.
Conclusion: I sent the speakers back.

As a side note, I think Yamaha makes great sound equipement like amps. But it is definitely not as good at software like ChromeCast Audio.

These get great reviews, never heard them myself though. Think @croft has a pair. They do a wireless version too.

Yeah, think about app support for wireless streaming. I bought a streamer from audiopro that was priced well and had all the features etc, and the app sucked so much. And that's all the company does. I went and got a Sonos connect, which is stupid expensive, but the app works really well.

Active?

https://www.stereophile.com/content/kef-lsx-wireless-loudspeaker-system

Edit.. DBR linked to them already

Yes! That looks like a great solution.

However it is pushing the budget.

To answer that question, $2000 aud is the preferred budget.

i like how it says:

Against - Some small usability issues

I have to think its the app... LOL

No amp needed though.

Even better, you linked to the cheaper version . Under budget! Now how to I go and audition under lockdown?

I like this:

Music signals can enter the LSX wirelessly via Bluetooth 4.2 with aptX or 2.4GHz/5GHz dual-band WiFi—or wired via RJ45 Ethernet, TosLink optical, or its 3.5mm line-level analog jack.

The little brothers i linked to might creep into budget..

Edit.. Already pointed out as i converted AUD to GBP

https://www.audiovisualonline.co.uk/product/21274/dali-zensor-5-ax-white-active-floorstanding-speakers-pair-&utm_source=GoogleShopping&utm_campaign=GoogleShopping&utm_content=DALI-ZEN5-AX-WHT?gclid=Cj0KCQjw4dr0BRCxARIsAKUNjWQIeY2jfftyHAzj0XMDIT1WSAUmyCl8PuW68dDDUsou8CDllF2sPu0aAoDBEALw_wcB
I have a pair of these in my kitchen plugged into a chromecast audio and I'm pretty happy with them.. Struggle at high volumes but for the money (I paid £450 ish) I think they're pretty good.

They lack the connectivity and dsp of the LS which in your room might be useful.
Depends how much you want to spend!

MusicCast and it fucking sucks.

This is good to know. Thanks! Bad software would ruin it for me.

Now that a few people have mentioned wireless active speakers I'll do some research tonight. I hadn't even thought of that route.