Any audiophiles out there?

[plain fan]

I've been using the BlueSound Node 2i (previous generation) for a few years now and really like it. The SW is always being upgraded to improve things or incorporate new features. It handles all of the streaming services and internet radio stations plus can handle local or networked storage of files. The only file format it doesn't play natively is DSF or DXD (SACD file format). And it will decode MQA if you use the internal DAC. I'm using the internal DAC output to my processor but I'm looking for an external DAC to pair with it.

@Chocaholic which Denafrips DAC are you using with your BlueSound?

[aschen]

Originally Posted by astrochex

“Better fidelity” doesn’t matter if the source material isn’t better.

Of course i was careful with my words, these services dont downsample and then transmit redbook if your settings are right

Mqa on tidal is basically bs

Plenty of audiophile pay for 24bit music that is simply resampled and no better that the 16bit 44khz master


The point is to say streaming is a compromise over cd is not correct for anybody who uses any care for streaming.

[javadog]

Lots of steps between the source and the sound that you have to be concerned with when streaming.

With CDs, the path can be as simple as a CD player and an amplifier.

My 60-something year old brain enjoys simplicity these days.

[Chocaholic]

Originally Posted by plain fan

I've been using the BlueSound Node 2i (previous generation) for a few years now and really like it. The SW is always being upgraded to improve things or incorporate new features. It handles all of the streaming services and internet radio stations plus can handle local or networked storage of files. The only file format it doesn't play natively is DSF or DXD (SACD file format). And it will decode MQA if you use the internal DAC. I'm using the internal DAC output to my processor but I'm looking for an external DAC to pair with it.

@Chocaholic which Denafrips DAC are you using with your BlueSound?

Pontus ll.

[Chocaholic]

Originally Posted by javadog

Lots of steps between the source and the sound that you have to be concerned with when streaming.

With CDs, the path can be as simple as a CD player and an amplifier.

My 60-something year old brain enjoys simplicity these days.

Why not take the A to D conversion, then the D to A conversion out of it completely? Pure analog from the guitar string to your ears. Play a record.

[javadog]

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

Why not take the A to D conversion, then the D to A conversion out of it completely? Pure analog from the guitar string to your ears. Play a record.

Vinyl doesn’t have the dynamic range of a CD and so adjustments are made in the recording process to effectively “dumb down” the signal. That’s why vinyl sounds warm. It lacks extension on the high-end, as well as on the bottom end.

I would imagine that modern music is recorded digitally, but what do I know?

Plus, it sucks to have to get up out of your chair and change sides every few minutes.

If you really want to go vintage, dig out your old TEAC real to reel and have at it. See park up a cigar with your old Dunhill and think back to when we were really on top of the world.

[Racerbvd]

[javadog]

I will see your vintage eight track deck and raise you, with a vintage cassette deck.

[aschen]

True drama last year when mfsl divulged there expensive all analog records were sometimes mixed digitally. The mastering equipment probably had 24bit depth and 100khz sampling so 100s of times better than the vinyl can record, the human ear can discern, and at the fundamental limits of electronic recording, yet there were still a bunch of angry snob o philes

https://www.audioholics.com/audio-technologies/mobile-fidelity-scandal

A well done lossy encoded 320kbs mp3 or aac file is hard to reliably differentiate from cd. You better have good headphones, a good base reccording, and probably young ears.


Speakers and rooms are an order of magnitude worse than electronics

[javadog]

Nothing worse than an argument between audiophiles.

[hcoles]

Originally Posted by aschen

True drama last year when mfsl divulged there expensive all analog records were sometimes mixed digitally. The mastering equipment probably had 24bit depth and 100khz sampling so 100s of times better than the vinyl can record, the human ear can discern, and at the fundamental limits of electronic recording, yet there were still a bunch of angry snob o philes

https://www.audioholics.com/audio-technologies/mobile-fidelity-scandal

A well done lossy encoded 320kbs mp3 or aac file is hard to reliably differentiate from cd. You better have good headphones, a good base reccording, and probably young ears.


Speakers and rooms are an order of magnitude worse than electronics

In spite of all science to the contrary the audiophiles argue for more than the 16/44.1 and buy $349 AC power cable B24 from GR.

[charlesbahn]

You guys are great, I've learned a lot from this thread. Now I want to put together a good system. But not an expensive system. Here's my plan:

Input through a vintage mixer/preamp that outputs to two monoblock amplifiers cobbled together from salvage Hammond Organs (A0-29 tube) that will drive two pairs of 12" Alnico speakers (old but good condition- one pair ribbed, one pair smooth, also out of salvage organs). Speakers are 8 ohm with each pair wired in parallel.

These parts are readily available and not much $.

I think I can hear the laughter already, but what do you think?

[javadog]

I admire your enthusiasm, but I don’t think that would be a very good system. The speakers might be good in an organ, or in a guitar amp, but I don’t think they would make very good full range speakers.

[astrochex]

Originally Posted by charlesbahn

You guys are great, I've learned a lot from this thread. Now I want to put together a good system. But not an expensive system. Here's my plan:

Input through a vintage mixer/preamp that outputs to two monoblock amplifiers cobbled together from salvage Hammond Organs (A0-29 tube) that will drive two pairs of 12" Alnico speakers (old but good condition- one pair ribbed, one pair smooth, also out of salvage organs). Speakers are 8 ohm with each pair wired in parallel.

These parts are readily available and not much $.

I think I can hear the laughter already, but what do you think?

Looks like a great project. Keep us posted.

[hcoles]

What are the options to have active crossover on right and left speakers using an AVR?
E.g.:
1 - put active crossover between the R (right) pre-out and a channel input, same for the L (left) and use bi-amping.
2 - put an active crossover on the speaker wire going to the speakers
Thanks.

[908/930]

Active crossovers are usually between the source and the amplifier. Usually intended for multiple amp setup, one amp for mid and high frequency and one for the low freq, or can be more amplifiers if split three ways.

Edit, most AVR have the ability to limit the the low frequency sent to the main speakers, used with a subwoofer, this helps take some load off the amplifier driving the main speakers. To add an additional external crossover and another amplifier would not be the best use of funds, better to just spend that on better main speakers if you want better sound quality. Electronic (active) crossover and multiple amps can give better sound quality especially at high volume but at a much higher cost.

[ErVikingo]

Originally Posted by hcoles

What are the options to have active crossover on right and left speakers using an AVR?
E.g.:
1 - put active crossover between the R (right) pre-out and a channel input, same for the L (left) and use bi-amping.
2 - put an active crossover on the speaker wire going to the speakers
Thanks.

You put it before the AVR; in the past you could have placed it on the Tape Loop. And it wont be as much an active crossover as a DSP unit.

If you want an active crossover, the affordable ones will input and output line level.

Look at Minidsp. For example https://www.minidsp.com/products/dirac-series/ddrc-24

[ErVikingo]

Originally Posted by hcoles

In spite of all science to the contrary the audiophiles argue for more than the 16/44.1 and buy $349 AC power cable B24 from GR.

Well, I can discern differences in 16/4 and 24/192 sources. Power cables are another story.

I find it interesting that power comes in Romex to the outlet, then a 1-2 meter power cord will improve on that but then goes through a sh_tty fuse (that's another discussion) to the trafos on the amps. But IMHO the potential improvements come from improved contact surface on the plugs and more importantly for the shielding they provide close to the equipment.

Full disclosure, I have hospital grade breakers, isolated ground outlets and a massive power supply to the equipment.

Breaker and outlets since it was a scratch built home so why not and the massive power supply to address ground loops and to give more especially to the pair of tube amps (my twin solid state amps have massive reserves - twin 1200VA toroidal transformers (short-term capable of twice that)).

Its interesting that my outlets read 123V which progressively drops as I turn on power amps until it settles at 114V. Seems to me that I have contact issues on the outlet or the breaker.

On my old house, lights would dim with big bass sounds.

[908/930]

ErVikingo, He did ask about an active crossover, you would not put that in front of the AVR, in front of the amplifier section.

Yes trying to get the AC power to be clean can be a pain, I have five 2.4KVA ultra isolation transformers waiting for me to start building my AV room.

[ErVikingo]

Originally Posted by 908/930

ErVikingo, He did ask about an active crossover, you would not put that in front of the AVR, in front of the amplifier section.

You are correct... but the active cross overs I know go before the amps. He is using a receiver thus no outboard amps. Had he said he was using a PreAmp I would have said after the pre/before the power amps. Thus my comment about a tape loop