dbphd
Responses from dbphd
| Do you use a preamp in your HT system to improve sound? emergingsoul, much of HT is two channel, so by using the Ayre preamp I get the benefit of its superb sound. I use the Bryston SP3 more as an HDMI receptacle than surround processor -- I often set it to stereo for cable. I use KEF Reference 1s for ... | |
| Do you use a preamp in your HT system to improve sound? A Bryston SP3 processor takes in HDMI and passes balanced analog front LR to a by-pass input of an Ayre KX-5 Twenty preamp. | |
| Setting up a Mac mini as a music server, and other digital music questions I used USB from the Mini to the Oppo 205 then balanced to JC 1 monoblocks. The sound was very good with minimal clutter. Replacing the the 205 with the Ayre QB-9 DSD DAC and Ayre K-5xeMP preamp certainly improved the sound, but it did add a bit ... | |
| Setting up a Mac mini as a music server, and other digital music questions I recently removed an ultraRendu and LPS 1.2 and now go USB direct from a Mini to an asynchronous Ayre QB-9 DSD DAC then balanced analog through an Ayre KX-5xeMP preamp to a pair of Parasound JC 1 monoblocks driving KEF LS50s. I think the sound is... | |
| Stylus pressure setting Thanks for the tip, MC, now I remember vertical tracking force. I’m a Roon guy who rarely spins anything anymore, but the Thorens with SME arm is a handsome icon atop my equipment rack. And it sounds good playing expensive LPs, and even my old Ca... | |
| Cardas Clear or AudioQuest Carbon USB cable jafant I haven't, but it would be easy to do. The QB-6 DSD receives USB from the Mini for Roon, but it sits atop the C-5xeMP so would be easy to connect. The DX-5 DSD is in a different setup with 5-Twenty preamp and amp and KEF Reference 1s rath... | |
| Cardas Clear or AudioQuest Carbon USB cable I don't recall buying it, but my Cardas Clear USB is a single cable about 18" long. It's in a setup comprised of USB form Mac Mini to Ayre QB-9 DSD DAC to Ayre KX-5xeMP preamp to a pair of Parasound JC 1 amps driving KEF LS50s augmented by a pair... | |
| Cardas Clear or AudioQuest Carbon USB cable Thanks, guys. I'll stick with the Cardas Clear. The other interconnects are Cardas Clears. | |
| USB DAC of Oppo 205 Changed current 2nd setup today. It's still Mini USB to Ayre DAC, but Ayre DAC to Ayre KX-5xeMP to JC 1s. Disc player is Ayre C-5xeMP. Not sure if there will be role for the Oppo 205. | |
| USB DAC of Oppo 205 My current solution for 2nd setup is USB from Mac Mini to Ayre QB-9 DSD DAC then balanced analog through a Parasound JC 2 to a pair of JC 1 monoblocks that drive KEF LS50s augmented by a pair of KEF KC62 subs. Using an Oppo 205 for discs, but pla... | |
| Best USB port on a late 2012 Mac mini I think my Mac Mini is actually a late 2012, with SSD and external HD. I moved the USB cable to the Ayre DAC from the ultraRendu to the Mini. Roon immediately displayed the DAC as the output device. The setup is balanced analog from the Ayre DAC t... | |
| Best USB port on a late 2012 Mac mini Except that my Mac Mini is a late 2016 the setup is the same as gryphongraph’s. But I use Ethernet to deliver the Roon stream to an ultraRendu with LPS 1.2 and Ayre QB-9 DSD DAC. Could I get the same sound quality by going direct from the USB port... | |
| HT Sound quality - best processors and/or combined with preamp? Not sure I understand OP's question, but for surround HDMI goes to my Bryston SP3 processor that sends balanced LR to a by-pass input of my Ayre KX-5 Twenty preamp and balanced surround directly to a pair of NAD stereo amps that drive side and rea... | |
| Marantz 2270 hunt There's one on craighslist Santa Barbara for $1200. | |
| Will streaming ever be "audiophile-worthy"? Roon provides Qobuz and Tidal via Ethernet to Ayre QX-5 Twenty then balanced analog through KX-5 Twenty and VX-5 Twenty to KEF Reference 1s. Makes me a happy camper. I rarely spin anything anymore; DX-5 DSD and Thorens TD 124 sit idle. |