Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Stereophile review
cliveb;210612 Wrote: Not really. It's to try and help people understand that it's far too easy to convince yourself of things that simply are not true. We're all vulnerable to it - it's human nature.That's true, but it's also true that it's often quite surprising what you -can- hear, and what makes a difference to your musical enjoyment. I think it's quite possible to be open-minded without being gullible or becoming a 'brand victim'. egd;210626 Wrote: Agreed. I get the distinct impression that those among us obsessed with constantly seeking out yet another improvement in our equipment are so busy trying to discern differences that they forget to enjoy the damned music.I think that's sometimes true too. But you have to remember that hi-fi is a hobby for many, and they like to try different equipment and things out, and chop and change a bit. -- Patrick Dixon www.at-tunes.co.uk Patrick Dixon's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=90 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=26306 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Stereophile review
Patrick Dixon;210578 Wrote: There is a proportion of the industry that appears to be selling snake-oil, and a proportion that are selling things that genuinely do make a difference, but are wrapped up in pseudo-scientific bullshit. To some extent customers are getting what they deserve, because customers do seem to prefer to buy equipment with fancy spec-sheets and 'dark-art' circuitry, blind. In general, too much honesty doesn't pay. There is no good way to buy high-end audio equipment from the internet. There just isn't any substitute for experience and for listening, and if you don't want to spend the time and do the graft, you just have to go with someone you trust and take your chances. But, be aware, that those who shout loudest are not always right, identical equipment does sound different in different setups, and different people do like different things. I think we should frame this quote and have it as a sticky at the top of every page on this forum. BTW it's actually quite easy to spot much of the bullsh*t. When people write it, they have a habit of using what I call bullsh*t marks - punctuation which resembles the apostrophe, but when used in a description of a piece of audio equipment, means that either the author is clueless, or knows perfectly well that what they're writing is total rubbish. Try it: pick a manufacturer of any controversial piece of equipment - cable burn-in devices, CD demagnetisers, miracle jitter squishers or whatever - and read the scientific explanations they offer of how their product works. Watch for the bullsh*t marks and report back your favourite examples :) -- AndyC_772 AndyC_772's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=10472 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=26306 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Benchmark vs. CIAudio VDA-2
Enlisted the service of our wives and between the four of us we could not choose a consummate winner between the VDA-2 and DAC-1. Help me out a bit - why is the Benchmark so well received here? I don't ask this to start a flame war or ruffle any feathers. I'm genuinely interested in what owners listeners of the DAC-1 have to say about their choice. -- kphinney SB3 Krell KAV 250CD CIAudio DVA-2 JoLida 102B Omega Grand 6's BW 602 S2's PowerMac Zhaolu D2.5 AKG K501 kphinney's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=10409 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=36172 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Newbie looking for some advice
Hi, I've just ordered a SB3 and intend to copy my favourite CD's to my PC so that I can stream them to my hifi. If I'm happy with the results then it means my Naim CDX2 CDP should end up doing a little less work! What I don't want to do is copy say a hundred CD's and then discover that I could have done it better for optimum audio quality. So I could do with some advice... I currently use itunes to feed my ipod and have imported my CD's as 320kbps MP3's. However, it looks like Apple Lossless would be the best way to go for streaming to my hifi. So, would you recommend re-importing into itunes using Apple Lossless, or (given that I'm going to have to import my CD collection again anyway) would you suggest looking at using different software? I notice that a lot of people seem to prefer EAC, which I think offers FLAC. Also, do you audiophiles out there with ipods store two copies of each CD, one in lossless for your hifi and one in a lossy format for your ipod? -- david68 david68's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=12107 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=36362 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Benchmark vs. CIAudio VDA-2
kphinney wrote: why is the Benchmark so well received here? it is, IMHO, a good piece of gear. It is not new, I've had mine probably three years. I would expect something designed recently to be both comparable and a little cheaper. I no longer use my DAC-1, I use my Transporter. But if I had not bought the Transporter, I'd still be using the DAC-1. -- Pat http://www.pfarrell.com/music/slimserver/slimsoftware.html ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Newbie looking for some advice
david68 wrote: I currently use itunes to feed my ipod and have imported my CD's as 320kbps MP3's. However, it looks like Apple Lossless would be the best way to go for streaming to my hifi. So, would you recommend re-importing into itunes using Apple Lossless, or (given that I'm going to have to import my CD collection again anyway) would you suggest looking at using different software? I notice that a lot of people seem to prefer EAC, which I think offers FLAC. First, it is not really all that important which lossless compression you use, they are all, by definition, lossless. Use what you like. The main advantage of FLAC is that it is Free, as in the first letter of its name. (Thanks Josh). Since Jobs is starting to say DRM is evil, Apple Lossless is now less evil than it used to be, but it is still proprietary to Apple. Also, do you audiophiles out there with ipods store two copies of each CD, one in lossless for your hifi and one in a lossy format for your ipod? The world seems to be divided into two lists, those that make lists and oppps There are two main camps. One keeps two libraries, and the other use tools like flac2mp3 to convert on the fly. There are many different flac2mp3, almost all named the same, some with different features. -- Pat http://www.pfarrell.com/music/slimserver/slimsoftware.html -- Pat Farrell http://www.pfarrell.com/ ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Newbie looking for some advice
Yes Evert, that helps a lot, as that is what I was hoping would be possible. Thank you! So, to clarify just a bit, you can have more than one library in iTunes 7 and you have it setup so that your ipod only sees the library containing your MP3's. Then, when you are streaming it is the other library that is in use? -- david68 david68's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=12107 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=36362 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Benchmark vs. CIAudio VDA-2
The Benchmark weighed more. Only kidding. as mentioned the synergy between the VDA-2 and my tube system was very good. My original comments hold true for both my system in the first round of testing and Geof's Rotel amp and I-Bens speakers in the 2nd round: A low noise floor was evident in both units - an improvement over the stock SB3 analog out. While both units and systems sounded well rounded and revealing the Benchmark seemed a bit more flat, or perhaps more realistic depending on the listeners POV. Musical instruments in the low range were a bit more bleached running on my system with the Benchmark but this was not evident with the Rotel/I-Bens - it could also be the effect of doing the comparison a week apart and the VDA-2 is that much further along in its break-in period. I've seen this mentioned in other threads and I did my own test to compare Optical-Out vs. Coaxial between the SB3 and VDA-2. Absolutely no difference was discernible. While this is a Squeezebox forum I'll mention one more comparison; Neither unit improved the listening experience when used in conjunction with my 7 year old Krell transport. -- kphinney SB3 Krell KAV 250CD CIAudio DVA-2 JoLida 102B Omega Grand 6's BW 602 S2's PowerMac Zhaolu D2.5 AKG K501 kphinney's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=10409 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=36172 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Benchmark vs. CIAudio VDA-2
kphinney;210691 Wrote: Enlisted the service of our wives and between the four of us we could not choose a consummate winner between the VDA-2 and DAC-1. Help me out a bit - why is the Benchmark so well received here? I don't ask this to start a flame war or ruffle any feathers. I'm genuinely interested in what owners listeners of the DAC-1 have to say about their choice. That's it? What were the differences between the two? -- JJZolx Jim JJZolx's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=10 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=36172 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Newbie looking for some advice
david68;210700 Wrote: What I don't want to do is copy say a hundred CD's and then discover that I could have done it better for optimum audio quality. So I could do with some advice... ... However, it looks like Apple Lossless would be the best way to go for streaming to my hifi. So, would you recommend re-importing into itunes using Apple Lossless, or (given that I'm going to have to import my CD collection again anyway) would you suggest looking at using different software? ... Also, do you audiophiles out there with ipods store two copies of each CD, one in lossless for your hifi and one in a lossy format for your ipod? This is what I do, and it works great for me - got a BIG (external) HD (are cheap nowadays), re-ripped all CD's with iTunes, settings Apple Lossless and Error Correction, have iTunes put them on the external. Make sure to clean up the collection (the tags aren't really perfect, and this is really the hardest part). This is the collection I use for my streaming. This is future-proof, one can always transcode to e.g. FLAC if there is a desire to do so, losslessly! But iTunes is SO much easier... Once all this is done, I set iTunes to MP3 in the setting I want (160 VBR), select my entire library, and with the menu-option Advanced - Convert to MP3 have iTunes (overnight...) transcode all to MP3, for my iPod. iTunes 7 can have different libraries, so this makes it easy. For evey new CD I repeat above, for that CD. Does this help? Evert -- Audiotic MacMini CoreDuo, 300 GB of ALAC music - Black Transporter (via analog digital out) - Harman Kardon AVR 8500 HK PA2200 Signature - 6 x Mission 780SE 78C REL Strata III Audiotic's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=5912 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=36362 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Newbie looking for some advice
david68;210711 Wrote: Yes Evert, that helps a lot, as that is what I was hoping would be possible. Thank you! So, to clarify just a bit, you can have more than one library in iTunes 7 and you have it setup so that your ipod only sees the library containing your MP3's. Then, when you are streaming it is the other library that is in use? That is certainly possible. Since I started this process before iTunes 7 (so before more libraries were possible) I have created a Smart Playlist where the bitrate is 300, and my iPod is syncing with that playlist. For streaming I use the 300... -- Audiotic MacMini CoreDuo, 300 GB of ALAC music - Black Transporter (via analog digital out) - Harman Kardon AVR 8500 HK PA2200 Signature - 6 x Mission 780SE 78C REL Strata III Audiotic's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=5912 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=36362 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Newbie looking for some advice
Audiotic;210714 Wrote: That is certainly possible. Since I started this process before iTunes 7 (so before more libraries were possible) I have created a Smart Playlist where the bitrate is 300, and my iPod is syncing with that playlist. For streaming I use the 300...Thanks. I've just upgraded my iTunes to version 7 and can't see how to setup separate libraries, but I'm sure I'll be able to work that out sooner or later! Failing that, I'll just try the Smart Playlist method that you describe. -- david68 david68's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=12107 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=36362 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Newbie looking for some advice
If you use a Naim CD player you are probably a fairly committed audiophile, so should use the best systems available. That starts with using EAC to rip to FLAC. The other possibility is DBPowerAmp. iTunes has no system for ensuring that the rip is accurate, so is best left in the skip. Once you have good FLACs, you have a perfect copy of your music, and can use it however you like. For my iPod I use the FLAC2MP3 script from Robin Bowes, a regular contributor here. Convert your entire library, and use iTunes to sync your iPod (iTunes is uite good and syncing a library that is bigger than your iPod, as mine is!). The main advantage of Robin's FLAC2MP3 is that it can go through and update tags. Since I listen mostly to classical music, I am often adding more and more info to my tags. As a new user, it may well take you some time to get your tagging system sorted. DBPowerAmp is also good at FLAC to Mp3 conversion. Either way, make sure you use the latest version of Lame, which gets better sounds at lower bitrates. Anyway, welcome to the new way to listen to music! Adam -- adamslim Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, I have others http://www.last.fm/user/AdamSlim/ 'Last.fm group: people who don't listen to any of last.fm's top artists' (http://www.last.fm/group/People+who+don%27t+listen+to+any+of+last.fm%27s+top+artists) SB+, EAR 859, Living Voice Auditorium II plus some other stuff SB3, Shek d2, Ming-Da MC84-C, Harbeth HL-P3ES adamslim's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=7355 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=36362 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Audio Note Dac Zero
i still own a dac zero.. was a very warm sound of tube on CD. then i still used it when i was a sb3 owner, as i still noticed a warmer sound, evne if may be less detailled than sb3 dac. since, i bought the trasnporter, and said bye bye to the dac zero.. -- etfun2000 etfun2000's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=4814 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=36333 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Newbie looking for some advice
Thanks Adam, you are right..I do take music reproduction pretty seriously. I just don't want to over complicate matters if I don't actually need to. However, if, as you say, iTunes doesn't necessarily result in an accurate rip then I will need to look at alternatives. I'll look further into EAC and try to get an idea of what settings I'd need to be using. By the way, I notice you are using a Shek D2 DAC. That's on my shopping list now along with the D1. I already have a Meridian DAC, but don't rate it as highly as some other do. -- david68 david68's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=12107 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=36362 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Audio Note Dac Zero
I love AN kit, but I'd say it might be showing its age now. Buy an SB+ ;) Better sound than my Shanling and you can then use the SB3 in the kitchen :) Chasing lots of external DACs may be expensive and not get you what you want. My Shek d2 was good, but not good enough. Neither was a decent Meridian... Adam -- adamslim Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, I have others http://www.last.fm/user/AdamSlim/ 'Last.fm group: people who don't listen to any of last.fm's top artists' (http://www.last.fm/group/People+who+don%27t+listen+to+any+of+last.fm%27s+top+artists) SB+, EAR 859, Living Voice Auditorium II plus some other stuff SB3, Shek d2, Ming-Da MC84-C, Harbeth HL-P3ES adamslim's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=7355 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=36333 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Newbie looking for some advice
david68;210720 Wrote: T...However, if, as you say, iTunes doesn't necessarily result in an accurate rip then I will need to look at alternatives... Separate discussion... but iTunes does a great job. Compared once EAC rips with iTunes rips. Bit-perfect, both... No issues here. But you should judge on what matters most for you. In any case, you'll love the simplicity with which you now can access your music. I can guarantee you'll listen more, and more diverse! Success! Evert -- Audiotic MacMini CoreDuo, 300 GB of ALAC music - Black Transporter (via analog digital out) - Harman Kardon AVR 8500 HK PA2200 Signature - 6 x Mission 780SE 78C REL Strata III Audiotic's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=5912 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=36362 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] plug-and-play linear PS (part one)
So, after all has settled out, has the test actually been done - Did the suggested power supply actually eliminate the noise heard on other AM radios? I'm surprised that Slim Devices could get the Squeezebox to pass FCC requirements for not generating EMF noise outside the box. If I put the SB near an AM radio the AM radio sounds like a motorboat! I have a radio on a different floor in my house and the interference is still very objectionable. Is this really due to the external power supply? When the power supply is plugged into the AC but not plugged in the SB, there is no interference on the radio. Thus, I'm wondering if the interference is caused by something inside the SB itself. I must say, I'm a bit (well, more than a bit) disappointed that, after spending $300 on the SB they couldn't include a power supply or whatever it takes internal to the SB to not cause this severe problem. -- Pete -- ptorpey ptorpey's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=12072 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=31971 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Q: Inexpensive Linear power supply
Is the noise folks are complainign about in this thread related to the sound quality of music being played through the SB? OR Is the noise folks are complaining about the noise that is heard on any AM radio in the same house with a SB even when the SB power is turned off? For me, the sound quality of music heard through the SB is fine. MY complaint is the severe interference heard on other AM radios in the house when the SB isn't being used. What is the appropriate solution for that (if any)? Thanks. -- Pete -- ptorpey ptorpey's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=12072 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=33547 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Benchmark vs. CIAudio VDA-2
kphinney;210691 Wrote: Help me out a bit - why is the Benchmark so well received here? My guess? Hype. I'm not saying it's not a quality product. but I do find it interesting, reading through various forums, that more than a few people who have tried the DAC-1 and the VDA-2 chose the latter. I have seen few posts where the listener chose the DAC-1 over the VDA-2 (maybe I missed them, blinded by my love of the VDA-2 though). I find the VDA-2 to be very natural sounding, detailed without being analytical, quiet and musical and I'm still using one that has not been updated to the latest spec (too lazy to send it in for the free update right now) which supposedly lowers the noise floor even more and improves linearity. Adam. -- SatoriGFX SatoriGFX's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=8852 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=36172 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Where to buy a Lavry Black
Any suggestions for a Lavry retailer that will offer a good price and reasonable return policy without a 15% re-stocking fee. Thanks. -- Markhh2 Markhh2's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=3042 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=36369 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Where to buy a Lavry Black
Markhh2 wrote: Any suggestions for a Lavry retailer that will offer a good price and reasonable return policy without a 15% re-stocking fee. Thanks. I bought my Benchmark DAC-1 from Mercenary. They carry Lavry too. They have good return policies, but I don't know the specifics, I've bought a lot of stuff for my recording studio from them http://www.mercenary.com/lavry.html -- Pat Farrell PRC recording studio http://www.pfarrell.com/PRC ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
