calvinandhobbes

Responses from calvinandhobbes

Putting an end to the audio cable debate! Part 1
Good discussion from an audio engineer (electrical engineer) on some reasons why cables can sound different. The discussion starts around 55 minutes in. There are actual reasons why cables do sound different. Many "objectivists" just don't know en... 
DAC That Punches Above Its Price Point
As a diehard vinyl listener, I’ve actively avoided digital audio for the past 32 years until COVID struck this past year. With working at home for a year and a half now, the advantages of being able to change music without getting up became much m... 
The Importance of the Digital Cable
Reduction of EMI & RFI.Some reading on the topic: Bob Stuart, Meridian Audio "Of course digital bits-are-bits and with due care, each of the three interfaces (USB, Toslink, coaxial) can deliver the same data at approximately the same time. Bu... 
Streamer vs. new mac mini for 2 channel system
@tvad One solution that I found to optimize sound quality was to turn off the WiFi in my streamer and to use an Ethernet cable connected to a WiFi extender that provides an Ethernet access point. That provides the benefit of not having miles of Et... 
Streamer vs. new mac mini for 2 channel system
The key benefit of a streamer on SQ is reduced EMI and RFI. In my experience it takes a good amount of workarounds such as USB noise reducers to clean up the quality of output from a computer. Apparently Macs do have less EMI and RFI than do most ... 
Rega P10 Owners: have you compared to other tables?
@jcoehler Thank you for the comparison. The P8 is probably a better fit for what I want to spend when I look to get a new turntable. Knowing that the overall sound signature of both tables is similar and differences are in resolution is good to know. 
Rega P10 Owners: have you compared to other tables?
@jcoehler How do the P8 and the P10 compare to one another? Thanks! 
The Amazing World of Streaming Audio - Video Music
The Berlin Philharmonic’s streaming broadcasts via their Digital Concert Hall sound quite good.I can't lie though; I do miss live music. One of the best things I heard this past summer was a 12 year old girl singing the Star Bangled Banner at my s... 
What do "audiophiles" use to judge equipment?
Like with any other product, there are likely to be different segments of even "audiophile" buyers. My observations of audiophiles is that there are at least several likely "audiophile" segments that have different drivers and processes for purcha... 
CD Quality Versus Streaming Quality
A couple of issues to consider in your listening test with your son’s system.1. From my experience, Tidal is the worst sounding of all of the major streaming services. My impressions of the sound quality of streaming services is:1. Qobuz2. Primeph... 
Can we talk about Qobuz for a minute
@kgveteran  Google Translate's suggestions for pronunciation. Click on the speaker icon to hear the suggested pronunciation.https://translate.google.com/?sl=fr&tl=en&text=qobuz&op=translate 
Can we talk about Qobuz for a minute
@rhljazz My guess is that Tidal applies that EQ so rap, hip-hop and pop music sounds "better" on lower fidelity gear. 
Can we talk about Qobuz for a minute
My subjective impressions of the musicality and sound quality of the major HD streaming services: 1. Qobuz2. Primephonic3. Spotify Premium (320 kbps Ogg Vorbis which is not lossless)4. IDAGIO5. Amazon HD6 Tidal  
Can we talk about Qobuz for a minute
My listening notes comparing Qobuz to Tidal: Round 2, Qobuz vs Tidal: So far Qobuz is clearly better than Tidal even listening through pretty cheap desktop passive speakers. Tidal sounds very two dimensional and flat in its sound quality but with ... 
"Need" Roon, Bluesound Node, or or other streamer?
Another vote on dropping Tidal. My experience is that it sounds worse than Spotify Premium.Another streamer to consider is the Pro-ject Stream Box S2 Ultra which is supposed to sound better than the Bluesound Node. It’s about $750-800 new and you ...