julie_priest

Responses from julie_priest

streamer Lumin U1 or Aries G2.1
Gerrie- I agree, why Tidal?  Spending all that money to use an inferior streaming service when Qobuz is available almost everywhere.   If one thought Tidal was bad UX, Qobuz takes the cake. The sound quality is OK - it's loud, not necessarily ... 
Best Smaller Bookshelf Speakers For Use Exclusively With Ambient Music?
KEF LS50 is what we replaced with S3000 from cheapie chi-fi Edifier, and our mind is blown. We find ourselves gravitating to this hidden gem more than our much more expensive Accuphase / Dynaudio Contour setup in the living room upstairs.   
New KEF R11 META : The Real Giant Killers !
Nothing from this salesy "reviewer" makes sense. Everything is amazing.    Meta 11 are ok for large rooms where gigantic speakers are OK. Even there, I'd recommend Reference 1 Meta at that price range. Or just go Dynaudio Focus 50.   
Top two most important sound qualities
Tonality, clarity, sound staging/imaging. In that order.   
McIntosh to Luxman?
If you’re lusting after Japanese refinement in the sound, look for Accuphase E-480 upwards. You’ll forget Macs and their "meaty bass, but blanket-over-high-end" American sound that others here have pointed out. Macs are more bling than refined sou... 
upgrade Dynaudio Special 40 to Kef Reference 1
Lose the amp and other paraphernalia, and listen to Dynaudio Core 59 or Genelec 8351B in your space. Both are active pro-grade models, and excellent at what they do. For modern living rooms or bedrooms in apartments, these will be hard to beat, at... 
Considering moving to separates with a tube preamp-appreciate recommendations
Hegel 390 is an excellent integrated. Your issue, as has been pointed out, is Dynaudio Evoke 50. That's their second from bottom lineup. Stop trying to fix the preamp etc and adding more clutter in pursuit of a delusion. Look at better speakers, i... 
WHEN DID YOU FINALLY STOP...
With a simple speaker system that brings joy to my ears. Dynaudio Focus 30, with Limetree Lindemann streamer.   
Name 3 songs where audio quality and song quality completely align
Si tu me laisses - Nicolas Michaux Booth Love - Umphrey's McGee Mumbo Jumbo - Brent Lewis   
Accuphase and T+A
T+A is excellent, but with a frustratingly sparse dealer network. If something happens, you're in for a painful exercise. Accuphase is far more established.. and yes, that tube like warmer sound is magic.   
Powered speakers show audiophiles are confused
Can’t win this religious battle on rationality alone. "Powered speakers will fail and then what will I do" is the most idiotic refrain I’ve ever heard.   My Dynaudio Focus 20XD are still perfectly fine with daily use for both music and TV after ... 
Whats playing on your system today?
Be Alright by BRTHR … a surprisingly cool folk music band. Beautiful arrangements like with the song “when the waters come”.   
How did 70s rock music transition into 80s music?
So much nonsense in this thread, esp from people who think 80s was a waste. They clearly have heard one or two Best Of 80s CDs, the pop crap that's consistent across decades (except 70s, when pop was in fact excellent music) and made their ill-inf... 
Whats playing on your system today?
@boxer12 your pointers are stellar. I've discovered some superb music thanks to your posts! THANK YOU!   
DAC comparison
Get an RME ADE2 and get a pro quality transparent, solid build quality, no nonsense German component. It lives up to DACs five times its price that have "audiophile" fanfare etc.