Any audiophiles out there?

[astrochex]

Originally Posted by ErVikingo

Any recommendations for a shop to refresh and adjust my old Theta Data Universal transport?

Mike Moffit is at Schiit in Santa Clarita, maybe you could reach him there and he might know someone.

[ErVikingo]

Originally Posted by astrochex

Mike Moffit is at Schiit in Santa Clarita, maybe you could reach him there and he might know someone.

Thanks but I already asked him and their response is that they only service "Schiit" products

[sc_rufctr]

Sunday Chill

#cardasaudio

[ErVikingo]

Its been a decades long journey and I have enjoyed and sometimes suffered the ride.

I have just completed the audio treatments of my room (5th dedicated listening room in my life). I have also restored most of my vintage stuff (looking for a shop to restore my Theta Transport and to update my spare servo controller – suggestions?) and added new components. Now just left to tinker with speaker positioning some more and enjoy the music.

My room is multi purpose with 2 separate systems. Acoustical treatments by Seven Audio in Poland

For audio: Infinity IRS Betas, Threshold 12e and Manley Snappers, ZLC transformer, ALLNIC L-6500, Sony ES SACD+CD, Theta Data Transport, DACs: Theta Gen V Pro and Topping D90SE and a Wiim Pro streamer.

For movies: Denon AVR, Cambridge Frt and Rr, Snell Center and sides, Sunfire Signature Subs (2), AWOL UST with 120"screen

For playing (I’m a horrible player): various acoustic (Taylor, Ovation, Takamine, Papa Jack) 6 and 12 string, Carvin Soprano Spanish guitar and electric. Pedals/processor and a 2x12 cabinet

Secondary system (office): Aerial 8b, Lexicon MC-1, Sherbourn amps, Sony ES CD

Bunch of stuff I plan to sell including Nakamichi Dragon, Sony DAT deck, …

[Superman]

I think it was Lombardi who said "Winning is a habit. So is losing." When it comes to achieving goals, you don't mess around. In sound reproduction and in driving. And who knows what else.....

[chuckr]

Just getting into this. The Apple Music with the hi-res audio is pretty good.

[Superman]

Slippery slope, Chuck. Viking can tell you. In audio systems, chasing perfection is a long and expensive journey. Fun. And never-ending. Viking has settled on a system, or systems, that he likes and I have done the same, but we also know improvement is still possible.

[astrochex]

Originally Posted by ErVikingo

Its been a decades long journey and I have enjoyed and sometimes suffered the ride.

I have just completed the audio treatments of my room (5th dedicated listening room in my life). I have also restored most of my vintage stuff (looking for a shop to restore my Theta Transport and to update my spare servo controller – suggestions?) and added new components. Now just left to tinker with speaker positioning some more and enjoy the music.

Very nice! Johnny Darko just did a piece on treatments for a new place of his https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_tkCEiWLuM. Your wall treatments look just like some he used. How do you like the change with the treatments?

[ErVikingo]

Originally Posted by Superman

I think it was Lombardi who said "Winning is a habit. So is losing." When it comes to achieving goals, you don't mess around. In sound reproduction and in driving. And who knows what else.....

THANKS! Humbled Mr Man of Carbon Fiber!

[ErVikingo]

Originally Posted by chuckr

Just getting into this. The Apple Music with the hi-res audio is pretty good.

Yes it is! I'm using more Qobuz than Apple or Amazon HD. Give it a shot.

[ErVikingo]

Originally Posted by Superman

Slippery slope, Chuck. Viking can tell you. In audio systems, chasing perfection is a long and expensive journey. Fun. And never-ending. Viking has settled on a system, or systems, that he likes and I have done the same, but we also know improvement is still possible.

I agree, like on most everything else in life, but the law of diminishing returns applies.

In my current system I wonder if "bits are bits" and how much can I improve with a different "premium" streamer and what about other DACS.

But it sounds so good I am rediscovering a lot of music and gaining more appreciation for my dad's favorites.

[908/930]

ErVikingo, Nice AV room.

[ErVikingo]

Originally Posted by astrochex

Very nice! Johnny Darko just did a piece on treatments for a new place of his https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_tkCEiWLuM. Your wall treatments look just like some he used. How do you like the change with the treatments?

John used Vicoustic treatments from Portugal. Very nice products represented in the USA by FOCAL Naim. Pricewise, Vicoustic is multiples of what Seven Audio charges.

More importantly, Seven Audio did custom matching on the wood and finishes on my speakers. I highly recommend them:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/19aZoeP30pjFOm4WT8vVlN9DVOVP9TdjT/view

I built the room as close to the ideal "golden ratio" (width being 1.6 of height and length 2.6 my room is 1.27 and 2.55) but the home's layout didn't allow for the perfect ratio. As such, the need to control low frequencies (diffusion in my book is always needed for a great soundstage).

I purchased all treatments at once but installed them in stages to see how the room was changing. I started with diffusers on the rear walls which cleared up the width of the soundstage. Then the diffuser/absorbers on the side walls which did wonders for a very defined and ample soundstage. Speakers have totally disappeared!

After that, came the bass traps on the rear corners which had some impact in giving a tight bass response, then the front bass traps. Full stop there, as you have seen I have plenty of low frequencies from the Betas, they are servo controlled but now bass is much more musical, bass drums are tight, cellos and bass are clear.

Last to install were the ceiling "cloud" diffusers/absorbers which are installed 13" (diffuser surface) from the ceiling. Can't tell how much these did to control standing waves but being that they are located at primary and secondary reflection points, they complete a very well defined soundstage.

Following are links to a couple of videos taken from my iPhone 14 Pro. Not ideal but put some headphones on and listen to this and please give me some feedback.

Nils Lofgren: https://share.icloud.com/photos/01ef_g1R-VQPGm90qoY05J9EA

Steven Wilson's Regret #9: https://share.icloud.com/photos/0cfEw-YfHPXvZfzu_66T4OO2A

Ben Harper: https://share.icloud.com/photos/0c6J5gMC9gm_QRzlYSb_I9Erw

SRV: https://share.icloud.com/photos/04fNS_9pqhQQVItP-Jz4gGoog

[ErVikingo]

thanks!

[hcoles]

Probably most here will po po DMLs.
Anyone try making a pair of DMLs and testing them?
Generally the bass is not very good, but a woofer added might solve that.
Seems like a fun project coupled with a low cost Type D amp. This would be for the garage.
E.g. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qs3vv_90iPA
Tech Ingredients had a good series also on Youtube.

[ErVikingo]

DML's I have listened make sound but IMHO not with the clarity we get with other types of drivers.

My little pick up truck has them on the "bed audio" package and the are great for tailgating sound.

I think that, for your application (garage audio) it will be cheaper to get regular speakers. Cool sounding project though...!

[hcoles]

okay, I'm back to provide more stupid questions.
A couple of days ago I visited a friend I ride with that is an audiophile (I didn't know he was until very recently). Over the years he has spent more than I could imagine and I didn't ask.
He has three different setups in three different listening areas/rooms. He played some music we both like and the speakers disappear. I think that's supposed to be good. I can hear each instrument and sounds of e.g. fingers touching the strings. In any case....now I'm thinking of putting together a multi speaker system to replace my cheap sound bar.

So far it seems it is recommended to concentrate on the speakers to start with. I don't want to spend a wad of money before seeing if this might be a hobby....
I have two paths I'm considering:
1 - buy used speakers and fix them up if needed (driver not working or needs a better crossover)
2 - DIY speakers with a well know and proven design

I don't think the amp is a big deal just get more than enough power for 4 ohms and have the various HDMI inputs e.g. eARC/etc./etc.


FWIW- I've been reading about null testing of speaker wire, amps, etc. I come from the electronics industry so I believe that sort of stuff. As I understand some audiophiles don't believe in various types of measurement technology.

That's the update for now. I suppose many here are well past all of this. I appreciate any comments.

[908/930]

hcoles, Just purchase good quality used speakers, that will work well in the available room size, small room stick with smaller speakers, larger room both small and large speakers will work well.

The speakers will determine the requirements of the amplifier.

What size is the room you are thinking of using?

[hcoles]

Originally Posted by 908/930

hcoles, Just purchase good quality used speakers, that will work well in the available room size, small room stick with smaller speakers, larger room both small and large speakers will work well.

The speakers will determine the requirements of the amplifier.

What size is the room you are thinking of using?

The whole room is about 28' x 18' but we use 2/3s of it for the TV viewing area. The ceiling is vaulted. The TV viewing area is about 18'x18'.

[908/930]

With 28 x 18 that will work well with any size speaker and also sound good. How loud do you intend on playing music? How much do you want to spend?