ghdprentice

Responses from ghdprentice

Streamer observation / question to those who know
A high end streamer is built from the ground up to meticulously deal with every parameter that impacts the sound quality. Each aspect is considered by design, part choice, and location. This certainly includes processing, power supply, physical vi... 
ARC Ref75se bias
@audphile1    +1  
Why did this just happen ?
By real streamer he means a dedicated audio streamer. Virtually any will outperform a pc. I have used iPads, Macs, PCs. When I finally reluctantly upgraded  to a dedicated streamer the digital leg took a huge jump up in sound quality. Since then I... 
Tube or solid state phono stage?
Oops. I meant ARC Reference 3SE or 3 phonostage… I accidentally put the preamp models.   
Tube or solid state phono stage?
Audio Research Reference phono stage. If in your budget a 6SE or used 6. Exceptional phonostage and synergistic with the rest of your system. This is what I have and would not change it out. I have had Audio Reseach phonostages for over thirty yea... 
Solo streamer
OP, The Conductor App is very good and getting better. It is also pretty easy to use. Are you expecting to learn the app in a day? If so, no problem, then spend an hour reading instructions on how it works. In the world of software it is very sim... 
AudioQuest PowerQuest 707 Review
Thanks for your description of your experience. Great description of what a noise floor is and what happens when it is lowered. If you haven’t experienced this, it is easy to think if you can’t hear noise then no improvement will occur with power ... 
The (never ending) Quest For “More”
@stuartk …” It’s easy to lose track of the music if you’re constantly obsessed with upgrading ... which can be a problem even if one has little to spend. It’s just that one can get much more carried away with endless gear chasing if one has lo... 
Relaxed/Analog sounding DAC for under $10k (used or new)
I would recommend listening to an Audio Research Reference DAC9. Be aware it does not do dsd. I was really shocked when I first heard it and have yet to hear a better sounding DAC although I have had better in my system. It is extraordinarily musi... 
I’m confused. Please explain.
OP, I would consider @sudnf’s point again. He (we) are advocating a method to make sure your system is reproducing the input recording as closely as possible.       
Have you noticed as your system improves?
I notice I am also really sensitive (and very quickly responds negatively) to high frequency distortion as is so common in iPhones, low end systems and detail scraping solid state high end audio systems. Although technically I am sure my hearing i... 
Have you noticed as your system improves?
As my systems have improved over the decades this is exactly what has happened to me. My systems have become completely satisfying at lower volumes. Most of the time I now listen between 65 and 75db.    Typically I go through an upgrade cycle abo... 
Has a Power Conditioner Improved Your Sound?
Yes power conditioners have always improved the sound of my system. This is true for the vast majority of people but not all. There is a very small minority that seem to live in exceptional locations with good power. I have used a power condition... 
Upgrading to a stand alone DAC
I would consider a used Schiit Yggdrasil. The Yggdrasil is a very good DAC for the ~$2K and performs very well for its class. I highly recommend getting up this far in the hierarchy of DACs to gain a significant sound quality jump.   
Best speaker brands for transient response
This sounds about right:    In the context of high-end audio, the term transient response refers to the ability of an audio system to accurately reproduce quick, abrupt changes in sound, such as the attack and decay of musical notes or the leadi...