As a sidenote, I have read downloads account for only 20% of digital sales. Personally, it took alot more time and effort than anticipated to set-up my digital system to arrive at lifelike playback. I feel the next best direction for my digital system is two-fold:
First, focus future buys on higher resolution disk formats like SACD, Blu Ray Audio, DVD-Audio, HDCD, DTS. Second, move up from my OPPO 981 to the 95 with balanced 32-bit DAC's. I can connect via analog pass-through with the Proceed to connect to the OPPO's 32-bit DAC's.
Except for high resolution multi-channel disks connected via Mogami Gold connectior's, I listen to redbooks through Van Den Huls' glass cables in either 2-channel or 2.1. Glass cables sound consistantly more naturally balanced in my system than the digital coaxial cables.
My pro and speakers allow combining multiple soft-dome tweeters with horns in both multi-channel disk formats, or, a L/R stereo surround mode through all sources. That helps produce a very well-balanced, smooth sound to my ears.
High end downloads, lossless, asynch USB, etc. can solve some digital issues. I feel my personal #1 issue was developing the skills to properly evaluate and set-up a matched system. Impedances must match, inout/output sensitivities, ohms, special internal component settings - there's all kinds of details not mentioned in ads or component reviews.
One final system set-up example that I hope may also help someone - Due to my sub's port noise and no low-cut feature, I was nearly ready to go with REL or JL Audio Fathom until I put my SVS Ultra-13 in the sealed mode for music only. That cleaned up the entire lower-musical sound floor, adding further bloom to the mids and highs.
High end disk players offer a very bright future in my
home.
First, focus future buys on higher resolution disk formats like SACD, Blu Ray Audio, DVD-Audio, HDCD, DTS. Second, move up from my OPPO 981 to the 95 with balanced 32-bit DAC's. I can connect via analog pass-through with the Proceed to connect to the OPPO's 32-bit DAC's.
Except for high resolution multi-channel disks connected via Mogami Gold connectior's, I listen to redbooks through Van Den Huls' glass cables in either 2-channel or 2.1. Glass cables sound consistantly more naturally balanced in my system than the digital coaxial cables.
My pro and speakers allow combining multiple soft-dome tweeters with horns in both multi-channel disk formats, or, a L/R stereo surround mode through all sources. That helps produce a very well-balanced, smooth sound to my ears.
High end downloads, lossless, asynch USB, etc. can solve some digital issues. I feel my personal #1 issue was developing the skills to properly evaluate and set-up a matched system. Impedances must match, inout/output sensitivities, ohms, special internal component settings - there's all kinds of details not mentioned in ads or component reviews.
One final system set-up example that I hope may also help someone - Due to my sub's port noise and no low-cut feature, I was nearly ready to go with REL or JL Audio Fathom until I put my SVS Ultra-13 in the sealed mode for music only. That cleaned up the entire lower-musical sound floor, adding further bloom to the mids and highs.
High end disk players offer a very bright future in my
home.