Ender
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Post by Ender on Nov 12, 2013 15:33:32 GMT -5
So I will start this thread off by saying so far my favorite source are my digital music servers (XBMC & Squeezebox Classic). With that said the best SOUNDING source is my Turntable.
Why are my favorite sources digital you ask? Well because I enjoy the convenience of browsing ALL my music at once. I have my entire library availible to me, which also includes a MOG subscription so my selections are endless. However the fidelity varies based on the fidelity of that specific recording, and I do have some low bitrate mp3's in my collection. So while its the most endless selection of music its not always the "best" fidelity wise. I enjoy using these sources for when I have a more finite time to listen and need to be able to key up what I want quick, or shuffle through a bunch of things without any lag due to switching sides. This tends to be a bit more of a passive listening session, where I am playing with the baby, dancing around with her, and not "really" trying to hear each note of each instrument as it attacks and decays. This is how I spend most of my listening time.
With all that said when I really want to kick back relax and have the time to dedicate to it, my TT experience is MUCH different. The Turntable experience requires me to get up, select ONE LP and then normally due to the annoyance of changing them out, listen to a whole side. This normally means I am "actively" listening to the music and normally have a more enjoyable experience, however I dont always have the time to listen in this fashion. I would posit I spend 10% of my time listening in this fashion. It also requires me to go out and buy LP's for artists I currently already own, which IMHO is one of the HUGE downfalls for the younger generation. We are too used to being able to transport our music with us across operating systems, devices, etc. However since I now have MOG, I believe I will start using it to listen more digitally, and then find the same artists on LP to add to my collection if they are deemed worthy.....
SO thats me.... how about you?
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Post by zltful on Nov 12, 2013 15:45:52 GMT -5
For convenience, definitely digital. It's nice to have everything at your fingertips.
For SQ, interaction with my system and keeping me engaged in the process, definitely vinyl.
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tonyb
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Post by tonyb on Nov 12, 2013 15:53:28 GMT -5
Same reasons for the digital, and ease of use for the wife. Sad thing is, the cdp rarely gets used anymore and any critical listening time has been greatly reduced. For all the benefits digital has brought to the table, it has decreased the quality audio time for me. Aside from that, where I want to go in my audio journey, and my wallet.....they're bumpin' heads.
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Ender
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Post by Ender on Nov 12, 2013 15:57:05 GMT -5
I agree Tony. I will be selling my Denon 3910 as I honestly have used it less than 10 times since I got it about 4 months ago. And most of those times were just to ensure it was still working after a power outage, equipment restructuring, etc.
I am also not sure if the BDP-51FD will last once my Xbox One shows up since its got a blu-ray player built in, and again I probably wont ever spin DVD-A, and if I want high quality digital then I will just invest in a Squeezebox Touch or digital device capable of streaming that resolution.
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Post by headrott on Nov 12, 2013 16:03:36 GMT -5
Ender, I very very very highly recommend modifying your 3910 to output pure DSD to a Buffalo III DAC. Rich (SCompracer) moded his 3910 to output DSD to his Buff III and enjoys the results. I have a 5910 that I modded to output DSD to mu Buffalo II DAC. It sounds very nice. I would keep the 3910 and do the mod.
That said, my other sources are a Theta Jade, which is a pheominal transport for redbook. I also very highly enjoy my Teac X-2000R reel to reel deck for an analog source.
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Ender
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Post by Ender on Nov 12, 2013 16:05:12 GMT -5
Ender, I very very very highly recommend modifying your 3910 to output pure DSD to a Buffalo III DAC. Rich (SCompracer) moded his 3910 to output DSD to his Buff III and enjoys the results. I have a 5910 that I modded to output DSD to mu Buffalo II DAC. It sounds very nice. I would keep the 3910 and do the mod. That said, my other sources are a Theta Jade, which is a pheominal transport for redbook. I also very highly enjoy my Teac X-2000R reel to reel deck for an analog source. Why not just get a Buffalo DAC or DAC capable of DSD playback instead? Then I could store it on my computer and have access to it on all my systems (even if downsampled for other sources like my Classic)? For digital I see myself storing it all on my computer regardless of format. I already have some 24/196 files from a buddy as well as a bunch of 24/96 stuff as well. I would assume DSD just takes up more space. Am I missing something?
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Post by headrott on Nov 12, 2013 16:10:07 GMT -5
You could do that of course Ender. I am just not a fan of downloadable music personally (for multiple reasons). I prefer physical media, but understand not everyone shares this point of view. Ender, I very very very highly recommend modifying your 3910 to output pure DSD to a Buffalo III DAC. Rich (SCompracer) moded his 3910 to output DSD to his Buff III and enjoys the results. I have a 5910 that I modded to output DSD to mu Buffalo II DAC. It sounds very nice. I would keep the 3910 and do the mod. That said, my other sources are a Theta Jade, which is a pheominal transport for redbook. I also very highly enjoy my Teac X-2000R reel to reel deck for an analog source. Why not just get a Buffalo DAC or DAC capable of DSD playback instead? Then I could store it on my computer and have access to it on all my systems (even if downsampled for other sources like my Classic)?
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Ender
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Post by Ender on Nov 12, 2013 16:18:51 GMT -5
You could do that of course Ender. I am just not a fan of downloadable music personally (for multiple reasons). I prefer physical media, but understand not everyone shares this point of view. Why not just get a Buffalo DAC or DAC capable of DSD playback instead? Then I could store it on my computer and have access to it on all my systems (even if downsampled for other sources like my Classic)? Gotcha. I too prefer physical media over mp3, but have been enjoying MOG for what it does well, and also my FLAC/high rez library. MOG lets me find and hear CD's I may want to buy to get in a FLAC format, or even higher rez than 320bps.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2013 21:16:02 GMT -5
My favourite source has to be my Sony PS3, sure it's not an Oppo, but not only is it a decent Blu-Ray player, it's also a great gaming console with great picture quality. Also plays CDs well and has multiple outputs, the standard A/V cable thing (unused), HDMI and a optical port. Sure it's DAC leaves a lot to be desired but I use the optical out to my receiver, use it's DAC which by my ear, sounds better.
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Post by nooshinjohn on Nov 12, 2013 21:39:40 GMT -5
My Yamaha PX-3 is still top dog in my rig, going on 7 years now... It is the longest serving member of my setup, by far. I also enjoy the Pioneer Elite D9 MkII SACD player, and have been buying new media to feed it as well. I currently am tracking down an impedance mismatch between my Yamaha, the Dodd MLP and my Statements, so until I am able to crack that nut, the SACD has been getting plenty of airtime.
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tonyb
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Post by tonyb on Nov 12, 2013 22:00:26 GMT -5
You sure that's the problem John ? How did you come to that conclusion ?
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Post by nooshinjohn on Nov 12, 2013 22:05:08 GMT -5
You sure that's the problem John ? How did you come to that conclusion ? My amps do not have an ability to back down the output, so they are full output all the time. If the volume control on the Dodd is at 9 o'clock, the sound is powerful enough to chase you from the room. At that level, there is so much hiss introduced that LP playback is not enjoyable in the least.
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Post by hochpt21 on Nov 12, 2013 22:13:38 GMT -5
Pro-Ject 2.9...Why...I enjoy the process.
I play cd's and sacd from the oppo, and I stream MOG from the squeezebox duet. I do enjoy not getting up to flip the album, however, I also enjoy picking out an album...briefly looking at the album art...throwing it on the table and dropping the needle.
The sound is just an added bonus for me.
I know...I'm crazy.
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Ender
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Post by Ender on Nov 12, 2013 23:28:22 GMT -5
Pro-Ject 2.9 huh Paul.... I just got my debut (still waiting for the powercord to show up). Curious how much better it will be than the Technics SL-B3 I still have.
Also may try connecting it straight to my Sunfire's phono rather than the Citation 11 just for giggles. I still think I will commit sacrilege and keep a Equalizer between my TT and pre...
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Post by dawgfish on Nov 13, 2013 16:36:53 GMT -5
My favorite source by far is vinyl. Why? Simple it sounds like music!
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Post by dudeinaroom on Nov 14, 2013 1:17:21 GMT -5
I would agree with vinyl being top dog. Don't have a way to play any right now, but listen to it all the time. The guy I work for has a pair of Klipsh La Scalas (known as FrenKlipsh), pushed buy a pair of NOSValves VRDs tube monoblocks and an NOSValves NBS preamp feeding them. He has a nice digital and vinyl thing going on. There are times when we rock out for a bit while working. Music is usually going all day. I could over flow the "what are you listening" to thread over at home but I would not get any work done.
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tonyb
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Post by tonyb on Nov 15, 2013 19:02:57 GMT -5
. I still think I will commit sacrilege and keep a Equalizer between my TT and pre... Oh......don't make us drive to your house.......don't do it man.
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Ender
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Post by Ender on Nov 16, 2013 10:02:51 GMT -5
. I still think I will commit sacrilege and keep a Equalizer between my TT and pre... Oh......don't make us drive to your house.......don't do it man. Well I hooked the Pro-Ject Debut III up to the Sunfire TGP-II directly using the phono input and quickly realized at least using that setup I didn't need a EQ at all! Sounded great so going to try the Technics soon.
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Post by agentorange on Nov 17, 2013 20:57:00 GMT -5
All digital is not equal, same goes for analog.
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tonyb
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Post by tonyb on Nov 18, 2013 2:15:57 GMT -5
All digital is not equal, same goes for analog. That's kinda a gimme, wouldn't you say ? Nothing in audio is equal.
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Post by rockmanrock on Nov 18, 2013 13:02:40 GMT -5
All digital is not equal, same goes for analog. True dat, but analog has no to and from conversion which produces nasty artifacts that must be dealt with. Only thing vinyl has filter wise is RIAA equalization.
That said my fav is vinyl but I got my diy digital sounding close and love the off the charts convenience of sitting in my chair and controlling what to play next.
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tonyb
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Post by tonyb on Nov 20, 2013 12:18:45 GMT -5
My favorite source......none at all. If you ever been in a small blues bar, filled with smoke, liquor, and 10 feet away from the stage, you know what I'm talking about.
Seriously, go find yourself the biggest dive of a blues bar you can, ain't nuthin' better.
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Post by rockmanrock on Nov 21, 2013 2:47:36 GMT -5
Schubas in chitown is a nice venue.
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tonyb
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Post by tonyb on Nov 21, 2013 13:40:26 GMT -5
You a Blues/jazz kinda guy ?
Tell ya what, I don't give a shit how well recorded something is, nothing like sitting 10 feet off a Sax in a small room. Now that's audio heaven.
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Post by rockmanrock on Nov 22, 2013 13:50:45 GMT -5
I'm both but more into jazz. Not so much a Bitches Brew type jazz though. Have that on SACD, never bought the vinyl.
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tonyb
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Post by tonyb on Nov 25, 2013 11:05:36 GMT -5
Aside from vinyl, Reel to Reel has it for me as second top dog. Maybe some of you guys aren't old enough to have heard good RR on tubes. I think it can rival vinyl when done right. Plus you don't have the care, cleaning and washing, needles, tone arms, and junk associated with vinyl. My first experience with RR was at a friends in Kansas City, playing Kansas on some Sonic Frontiers tubed gear. Glorious sound.
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Ender
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Post by Ender on Nov 25, 2013 11:18:16 GMT -5
Part of me would love a R2R in my 2 channel system just to have it. Problem is they are expensive now as you either get really junky ones that dont work, or really nice looking ones that do and cost an arm and a leg.
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Post by rockmanrock on Nov 25, 2013 16:07:41 GMT -5
Oh yeah, R2R can eat up your disposable income (remember those) and then some. Back in the day you'd record your vinyl and have some extended play. Didn't have to get up to flip a record while you were 'nubbin or trying to find where someone dropped the roach. I have an old Pioneer R2R, sounds great on SS too...lol It needs some work. Bulbs, belts and maybe felt slip clutches in the reel drives. Plays good though.
I couldn't revive the BAT mono block. Bias resistor is good. Found some suspect readings on other parts. Owner emailed Vlad, not sure if any part values or further advice will be shared. He might have to bite the shipping and repair bullet.
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Ender
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"I want my 2 dollars" - the "paperboy"
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Post by Ender on Nov 25, 2013 17:48:02 GMT -5
That stinks, thankfully Vlad is in Indy so shipping any part shouldnt be too bad...
And disposable income? The only thing DISPOSABLE around here are diapers and me lol........
But seriously I think R2R players look sexy. I wouldnt mind a non working one just to display it at some point, but again the price to find one that just looks good could be better used elsewhere...
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Post by rockmanrock on Nov 25, 2013 18:49:34 GMT -5
BAT Vlad is in DE I think....which Vladimir was you thinking of?
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