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2022 Audio System Wish List and thoughts about streaming

I've been doing this at the end of December for years for a number of years now- so here goes one more time-

What is on your audio wish list for the coming year? 

For several years I anticipated the need to replace an aging (close to 20 year old) phono cartridge- I finally did that in 2021. I also changed the power supply for my turntable. I'm extremely pleased with my turntable. A friend gave me a slightly damaged but fully functional McIntosh subwoofer as well. All other gear is unchanged and with no desire to change anything.

I also bought a Bluesound Node which I am enjoying quite a bit. My ultimate goal is to use the Node in a bedroom system and go for a different streaming transport in my main listening area. I'm looking at the "usual suspects" - Aurender, Auralic, Lumin, etc. 

As far as adding new music, getting into streaming (I use Qobuz) has caused a musical explosion! Since getting the Node in September I've built a library of about 90 new to me albums. 

zavato

Showing 2 responses by mitch2

mitch2
4,238 posts
 

Thought I was done but apparently not since I, 

  • added a Khozmo passive this year to control volume remotely and provide a display when using my SMc Audio buffer - and that led into
  • recently purchasing a used Hattor The BIG preamp with Amtrans resistors and NewClassD opamp active gain stage, which led me to figure out that the SMc buffer betters the opamp active stage, which was good enough to make me want to...
  • pull the trigger on Hattor's Tube Active Stage that I will compare directly with the SMc buffer (both in unity gain) while using The BIG in passive mode (working with Arek this week on the purchase)
  • May try replacing the the two AN Silver Tantalum non magnetic series resistors in the SMc buffer with something else but no idea what else I might try after a review like this
  •  Would consider adding one or two more SW-12 subs to the two I have now
  • Making some XLR cables this week out of Furutech wire and some other stuff I have sitting around here so I can optimize lengths
  • Add Qobuz trial this week
  • Sell stuff I have around here that I no longer use or need

To @dekay - try the streaming, it is easy and opens the door to a lot of music as the OP posted.  We are about the same age and I got started with a server/streamer a few years ago, Roon lifetime, and Tidal.  Plan to add Qobuz trial this week and hardly ever play CDs anymore.

mitch2
4,238 posts
 

Working through my list from below, b4 work and life and bikes start to get in the way again.  Made one set of balanced cables yesterday using some bulk Furutech u-P2.1 balanced cable I have had laying around here for years.  I usually use their 601M/602F plugs but used DH Labs Ultimate XLR connectors, which are much less expensive and are said to have copper pins.  IMO, the u-P2.1 is one of the better bulk IC cables available (19awg OCC connectors, foamed PE insulation, and internal cotton damping).  I tried them out and they sounded great from pre to amps so they are back on the cooker getting ready for a permanent spot.

Also signed up for the Qobuz trial on Friday and am streaming that along with Tidal through Roon - very easy set up and integration with Roon.  I have not yet discerned a difference in sound quality between Tidal (which I have been using for years) and Qobuz, but it is nice having the additional content to play so I will probably do the year subscription when the trial runs out.

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