tk21
Responses from tk21
| Jaw Dropping Improvement? I own both the Node 2i (not currently in use) and a more expensive DAC/streamer (the Matrix Element X). FWIW, these 2 DACs have shown up at nearly opposite ends of the ASR measurements, Matrix near the top and Bluesound near the bottom.vhttps://w... | |
| Remarkably better sound possible with just 1 system component change? You already have excellent components.If you still want to make a significant difference in SQ, for far less than $10K, consider a BACCH4Mac package. It's about $1K for the basic software (and set-up consultation(s)), plus the cost of a Mac (Mini... | |
| Perfect Speaker Placement - Put next to the back wall as much as possible. I don’t think there is any such thing as "perfect" speaker placement as long as you have them in a room with people, furniture, and pets. However, any of the major speaker placement formulas may improve your set up just by (a) getting the speaker... | |
| A deeper more holographic soundstage. Look into BACCH4Mac or HAF digital signal processing.I have no experience with HAF, but am using the BACCH4Mac Intro edition and probably will upgrade to the Audiophile edition (although it is rather expensive.) BACCH is a product of an acoustic r... | |
| Mistakes I’ve made I cannot imagine throwing a borrowed turntable in the trash.But then, I've never loaned (or borrowed) HiFi gear.On the other hand, if you've never made expensive mistakes in this hobby, then probably you're either very young, very lucky, or you're... | |
| Floor-standing vs Book-shelf from upper line up? IMO any generalizations about the two types, with respect to bass or imaging, are just that -- generalizations. Especially the imaging part. The choice is mostly a matter of (a) budget (since bookshelf speakers generally are less expensive than f... | |
| Speaker upgrade for classical music If you are content to sit in a rather narrow sweet spot, then consider highly directional (focused) speakers combined with phase management software to widen the soundstage and separate the instruments. The goal is to minimize room effects and max... | |
| Speaker recommendation $10-20K (with some requirements!) Have a look at hybrid electrostatic speakers by JansZen and Sanders.The JansZen towers come in both passive and active versions, the Sanders only in active (I think). These are highly directional speakers, which minimizes/eliminates the need for r... | |
| DAC's Made in the USA I've never used/heard Mytek products but you might want to consider the Mytek Liberty DAC at $995. If it's like some of their other products it is designed in the USA but manufactured in Poland.https://mytekdigital.com/storeus/catalog/product/vie... | |
| Overrated/Underrated Probably overrated:Any speaker cable priced at more than about $2/foot, unterminated.Add about $30 per terminated cable (for one pair of locking bananas at each end.) These, roughly, are Blue Jeans Cable prices for Canare 4S11. | |
| Recommendation for a replacement speaker cable Bluejeans Canare 4S11. Way under $600 for 2x8'. | |
| Name a few albums which helped determine your musical tastes Circa 1968, The Byrds Greatest Hits was one of my first albums; it helped shape a life-long enjoyment of jangly folk-rock (and later indie pop).More recently, Beth Orton's Trailer Park and Sugaring Season, along with Molly Burch's First Flower, he... | |
| I was told to put Kitty Litter in my new speaker stands. Was he joking? My Totem Arros have mass loading chambers. I used rice. Figured that in the event of Zombie Apocalypse I could break open the stash. | |
| Why do some think "music" (not gear, trading, etc.) is the ultimate end? Loving material things without any consideration for their practical purposes can become a fetish. A fetish can become harmful when it distracts from other things that are important in life. But if you're going to have a passion, even to the negl... | |
| Audiophile demographics? A hobby like hifi can be a good way to show off technical knowledge. Peacock strutting definitely is a guy thing. |