calvinandhobbes

Responses from calvinandhobbes

Mac vs streamer.
My Pro-ject Stream Box can be controlled via an Internet browser with any PC or Mac (laptop or desktop) on the same network as the streamer. This works as well as any iPhone or Android phone. (or iPad). I think many other streamers such as the Blu... 
What are your top 5 Windham Hill recordings?
I've liked all of Michael Hedges' records. There were also some delightful recordings from Tuck & Patti which are somewhat unlike Windham Hill's typical artist selection. 
What DAC upgrade made you say “DAMN, that sounds SO MUCH better than my last DAC”?
One suggestion is to focus on all parts of the digital signal path instead of just the DAC. You can get audible improvements from each of these changes that adds up. I’ve heard clear and immediate improvements from:1. Switching to a streamer from ... 
any suggestions on what to replace Bluesound Node 2i with
I just read this great response on another forum from a person that is an audio reviewer. --------------------------------- I've used a few streamers in my time as a reviewer and the ones I recommend at each price tier are:1. Bluesound Node 2i ($... 
Returning to audiophilism after 20 years: a little guidance would be nice :-)
As someone who has actively avoided digital music for 32 years, my perception is that there have been changes in digital audio that have encouraged me to build a digital front end in the past year to both stream digital music as well as listen to ... 
Mac vs streamer.
+1. My suggestion if you want to try this out for yourself: Buy a used streamer. If you hear no difference, sell it for about what you paid for it. I've had good results from a fairly inexpensive Pro-ject Stream Box. 
Auralic Aries
FWIW, the Pro-ject Stream Box sounds quite good. I haven't listened to too many higher priced streamers, but I listened to a $7500 Naim NDX 2 as a streamer feeding my Pontus II DAC and without comparing head-to-head, I'm not sure I could confident... 
Music Servers, Do They Matter?
My understanding of why the quality of the streaming source or server matters is because of the EMI that these components can generate. General purpose computing devices such as PCs and Mac aren't focused on minimizing the amount of electrical noi... 
Stratospheric audio gear prices
High-end audio pricing completely makes sense from a macroeconomic standpoint. Due to shifts in income distribution in the past 50 years, fewer people can afford mid-priced audio gear, but a small number of individuals can afford more than ever. S... 
Wilson Audio Sabrina X Reviewed ! WOW
@james633 I appreciate hearing your thoughts on the sound quality of good affordable speakers and good expensive speakers. As with any product, the marginal improvements with audio must also get smaller and smaller as you go up in price. My commen... 
Wilson Audio Sabrina X Reviewed ! WOW
I have to say that I tend to read audio equipment reviews, especially those of expensive equipment, with a grain of salt. I had a chance to hear the new SabrinaX speakers recently while I was auditioning DACs. The SabrinaXs were powered by a Simau... 
Streamer Advice / Recommendation for Denafrips R2R DAC
Not if you’re feeding it into the Denon. Feeding that nice, high-end signal into an AVR is like putting crappy tires on a Porsche100% agree.  
Streamer Advice / Recommendation for Denafrips R2R DAC
@fuzztone Just curious as to what the Pro-ject streamer does better than the Bluesound Node in terms of sound quality? I've read that but haven't seen specifics.Also, what benefits do you hear from adding the LPS to the Pro-ject streamer? Thank you! 
Streamer Advice / Recommendation for Denafrips R2R DAC
The relatively inexpensive Pro-ject Stream Box Ultra S2 is working well for me with my Pontus II DAC. I'm pretty sensitive to digital glare and have avoided listening to much digital audio for the last 32 years for that reason. But the Pontus II d... 
Rega DAC ?
I found the original Rega DAC to sound a bit soft and lacking in resolution. It was loaned to me by a friend that also loaned me a Denafrips Ares II. The Rega DAC went back to him pretty quickly. The Ares II stayed in my system for 5-6 months.