tk21
Responses from tk21
| Streaming 102 For my money, there's hardly a better value in HiFi than the Bluesound Node2. Expect to spend at least 5x-10x more for an equivalent feature set with better SQ. Sure, the new Lumin P1 looks wonderful. At ~$10K, it ought to. Although it doesn't e... | |
| Subwoofer cable question The REL Acoustics site has several "how to connect my subwoofer" videos. The instructions vary for different amps (class A/B vs. class D) and set-up scenarios (active speakers vs passive speakers, TV, soundbars). rel.net/blog/2018-01-04/how-to/... | |
| One big reason why brick and mortar high end audio dealers struggle. The ONLY thing brick and mortar stores have to offer over the internet is service. Well, they also offer the chance to listen to the products they sell. You cannot do that over the internet, unless you count a 30-day return policy. That can work p... | |
| Looking for a SS integrated Amplifier recommendation going into a new system Does your DAC/streamer already have decent source-switching and volume control? If so, could you possibly go with a power amp (or a pair of them) instead of an integrated? If Peachtree interests you (previous post), you may want to consider the N... | |
| Science that explains why we hear differences in cables? Perhaps a useful analogy is a listening room with hard, reflective walls, ceilings, and floors and no acoustic treatment.One can demonstrate the effects of room acoustic treatment, clearly and easily, with a tool like REW. Can you do that for cab... | |
| That Other Audiophile Website Was it the cable that reeked, or was it the packaging?A cable (or a CD player) isn't like upholstered furniture or the inside of a car. I don't see how these things can retain enough persistent tobacco odor that a little wipe-down can't remove. Wo... | |
| What do you think is the best integrated amplifier under 1000 The Peachtree Nova 150 runs about $1300 new, but you might find a used one used that fits your budget. One nice feature is that they are designed to accept a direct connection to iOS devices.Another possibility, for $899 new, is the Bluesound Powe... | |
| Best Integrated that you've heard under $5k The term "integrated" traditionally has been short for "integrated amplifier". However, in the world of digital streaming systems, the part that really matter to SQ and functionality isn't so much the power amp but the pre-amp, along with the DAC.... | |
| How much does power amplifier really matter comparing to other hi-fi components? Assuming a budget of $10K-$15K, I might put nearly everything into a pair of JansZen Valentina A8 active speakers. Plus as little as $550 for a Bluesound Node (the source) and < $100 for cables. Then trade up from the Node later (to Bryston/Ca... | |
| Recommended streamers/servers? SERVER options:* Roon Nucleus or sonicTransporter i5/i9 (if you want to run Roon Core)* Innuos Zenith line (if you want to run Roon Core, or if you only want to manage a local library of digitized music files)* Mac Mini, Raspberry Pi, or virtually... | |
| Streaming virgin For $549 USD, the Bluesound Node packs a lot of features. My connection preference: ethernet cable to the Node, then USB or SPDIF to your amp. It can be controlled from an IR remote, a desktop application, phone app, or its own box-top buttons.... | |
| Integrated amp recommendation for Focal 1038 Suggestion: find a local dealer you can trust, ideally one with good return and upgrade policies, then pick from the brands they carry in your price range. If that is not feasible in your area, stick with a few brands that get consistently good re... | |
| How to get into high end digital? (Feeding a DAC) If your new "Home Theatre pre, which is Roon capable" means it's a Roon Ready endpoint device, then it can be your network streamer/player. Just connect it via ethernet cable to your network. This. IMO you may be focusing too much on the DAC at ... | |
| Still happily using vintage gear? I only have one piece of vintage gear that is still wired up in one of my rooms. It's a 45w Harman Kardon integrated amp I bought in the early-mid 1980s for about $250, IIRC, from a high-end shop near Washington DC. No WiFi capabilities, no LED f... | |
| Streamer vs. new mac mini for 2 channel system I have both.that is, a Mac Mini and also a streamer/DAC/preamp(the Matrix Element X), in addition to a now-unused streamer (the Bluesound Node 2i). FWIW, I almost never use the streaming function of the Element X (even though it's a very good Roo... |