Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] SBR with Meridian
I have dsp5500's , connected directly , I do have a 518 which I tried , but find that whatever setting I use , it actually changes the sonics , and not for the better , it removes the drive from the music, even in bypass (the meridian still acts on the signal in bypass) Worked much better with just the SB and a Kimber D60 digi cable. I don't actually have my SB directly connected right now , Im using a Z-sys RDP-1 parametric eq. When I tested the SB and my meridians , the Z-sys wasnt in the loop. -- Rodney_Gold Sb3/Z-sys RDP1/meridian DSP5500's TP/X-cans v3/Senns 650's TP/TACT 2.0/SCM 50a's TP/Meridian DSP5000's The nicest thing about smacking your head against the wall is...the feeling you get when you stop Rodney_Gold's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=14618 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=46561 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Linn Klimax DS - Network Music Player
tomjtx;293772 Wrote: In your comparo did you level match with an SPL meter and do it blind? If not, the comparo and your conclusions are w/o merit. A db diff will be mistakenly perceived as a qualitative diff. A sighted comparo is invalid due to expectation bias. They may be without merit to you, but not to others lurking here. There's one or two people round here who need to read the forum header: It says Slimdevices, not Hydrogenaudio! The DBT point of view is by no means universally held here. -- bigfool1956 David Ayers Music is what counts, hifi just helps us enjoy it more bigfool1956's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=13782 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=38815 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Linn Klimax DS - Network Music Player
Right you are Bigfool--I always appreciate subjective opinions and understand that MMMV. Surprised you got such a hostile reaction to your review! I have read elsewhere (including Stereophile) that the software interface is very rudimentary and needs improvement -- sc53 sc53's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=8690 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=38815 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Linn Klimax DS - Network Music Player
sc53;293923 Wrote: Right you are Bigfool--I always appreciate subjective opinions and understand that MMMV. Surprised you got such a hostile reaction to your review! I have read elsewhere (including Stereophile) that the software interface is very rudimentary and needs improvement Well not my review, but I was interested in the comments. -- bigfool1956 David Ayers Music is what counts, hifi just helps us enjoy it more bigfool1956's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=13782 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=38815 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Linn Klimax DS - Network Music Player
bigfool1956;293926 Wrote: Well not my review, but I was interested in the comments. The conclusions are flawed if the comparison was not done with level matched sources. and not just level matched by ear There is no escaping that. DBT is somewhat of another matter. However one can't rule out expectation bias in a sighted test, period. Short term testing does have it's own pitfalls and long term listening is preferable. Long term sighted comparo's followed by some blind testing which corroborates the sighted testing would be the most convincing . These blanket assertions of superiority of one source over another w/o some rigorous testing are quite invalid and boring. -- tomjtx tomjtx's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=7449 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=38815 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Linn Klimax DS - Network Music Player
tomjtx wrote: bigfool1956;293926 Wrote: Well not my review, but I was interested in the comments. The conclusions are flawed if the comparison was not done with level matched sources. and not just level matched by ear There is no escaping that. DBT is somewhat of another matter. However one can't rule out expectation bias in a sighted test, period. Short term testing does have it's own pitfalls and long term listening is preferable. Long term sighted comparo's followed by some blind testing which corroborates the sighted testing would be the most convincing . These blanket assertions of superiority of one source over another w/o some rigorous testing are quite invalid and boring. I agree. Mainly because the language used is inevitably some thing like X blows Y away, or similar. For example, in this case: Audio Quality is stunning, and blows away the TP in all aspects in my opinion. Now, it may well be that the source in question is very good; I don't know, I've not heard it. But, we're talking about a digital source here. There's no way on earth that *any* digital source can blow away another. Just like the Transporter doesn't blow away the SB3; sure it's better sounding, if you have a sufficiently high-calibre system that can resolve the differences, but it's not night and day. Hell, I've got a v.old CD player (Marantz CD50SE - about 20 years old!) and yeah, both the SB3 and Transporter sound better, but the difference is not massive. R. ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Linn Klimax DS - Network Music Player
The one thing I rarely see is an explanation as to what each items does, how it sounds, and musical references to those examples. That would be the most interesting. In addition I would like to know what was done to accomodate each item, in terms of partnering equipment (including stands and cabling), and if any thought was given to the repositioning of the speakers - something that is often required. In the end this is a forum, and not a hifi magazine. -- bigfool1956 David Ayers Music is what counts, hifi just helps us enjoy it more bigfool1956's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=13782 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=38815 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Squeezebox 3 and Mark Levinson DAC
Hi Anne. The Apollo uses a Wolfson WM8740 sigma-delta converter. Stereophile measured the Apollo's noise at -90dB and the distortion at -80dB. -- duke43j duke43j's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=15911 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=46533 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Squeezebox 3 and Mark Levinson DAC
Hi Dave. Thanks for your input. I have similar experiences with my setup. About 20% of my CDs sound like the music was made for my system. About 70% sound pretty good. About 10%, especially the some older, remastered CDs, sound terrible. I have just recently been getting serious about this hobby (i.e. big bucks) and I can see that the search for the perfect system will never end. -- duke43j duke43j's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=15911 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=46533 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] 2 weeks without LP's!
Well recorded vinyl can sound great; well recorded CDs can sound great. The key is WELL RECORDED. Many vinyl albums have problems, just as many CDs do. IMHO vinyl itself is not the magic, nor are CDs; it's the recording and mastering process... There are a few recordings, irrelevant of the medium, which possess the magic, there are many average recordings, and there are far too many poor recordings... -- Timothy Stockman Timothy Stockman's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=8867 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=46547 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Linn Klimax DS - Network Music Player
I hope to be hearing the DS later this month - so I will refrain from commenting on it until then, except to say that I doubt it will blow away the SB into a good dac, never mind a transporter. In 30 years I've only heard two blow away moments...(I guess I must get out more) 1) Linn Aktiv Bariks vs passive - that was jaw dropping at the time (1988) 2) Linn Troika vs Linn Basik (wow - a £500 cartridge blows away an £80 one!) Since then it's all been rather small improvements to be honest. Picking up David's point, I tend to use a handfull of tracks to assess initial quality. This is followed by long listening to a wide variety of material, including some difficult digital renderings. For example, I often use: School from Crime of the Century by Supertramp. The cymbals when they arrive are a big help to me. One Night In Paris by 10CC - a wealth of detail to be retrieved Sledgehammer (Peter Gabriel, So remastered) - can be like nails on glass on some systems, especially when LOUD) Mezzanine (any track) by Massive Attack...good for bass control/response...this disc can set rooms into a resonant frenzy! In Between Dreams by Jack Johnson - astonishingly natural sounding vocals and guitar - if it doesn't sound like he is in the room then something is wrong. Bells of Berlin by Lone Star from Firing on All Six - this is a really dynamic rock track that will sound dreadful if the system lacks dynamic capabilities. It also has challenging synth tones and a really good drum track. -- Phil Leigh You want to see the signal path BEFORE it gets onto a CD/vinyl...it ain't what you'd call minimal...SB3+Stontronics PSU - Altmann JISCO/UPCI - TACT RCS 2.2X with Good Vibrations S/W - MF X-DAC V3/X-PSU/X-10 buffer (Audiocomm full mods)- Linn 5103 - Linn Aktiv 5.1 system (6x LK140's, ESPEK/TRIKAN/KATAN/SEIZMIK 10.5), Townsend Supertweeters, Kimber Chord cables Phil Leigh's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=85 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=38815 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] live recordings!
Great surprise, think this was mentioned in a recent stereophile article, but archive.org has some high res live recordings available in the live music section. Would love to get feedback or reviews on best 24 bit recordings there... -- mmg_fan mmg_fan's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=9157 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=46630 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Not impressed with the Transporter
I should have explained what I meant on the analog bypass. I'm bypassing any digital upsampling and only using the preamp as a volume control. I can really tell the difference when hook up the Transporter to my reference system which is shown below. Soundesign Stereo Dual Cassette TV Radio +---+ |Filename: Stereo.jpg | |Download: http://forums.slimdevices.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4929| +---+ -- Walleyefisher Walleyefisher's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=7122 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=46271 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] 2 weeks without LP's!
Timothy Stockman wrote: Well recorded vinyl can sound great; well recorded CDs can sound great. The key is WELL RECORDED. Many vinyl albums have problems, just as many CDs do. And all of the mastering engineers and recording engineers want to make them sound great. But the pointy haired bosses at the labels, and clueless group managers, use the golden rule: he who has the gold, rules. -- Pat Farrell PRC recording studio http://www.pfarrell.com/PRC ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] live recordings!
mmg_fan;294023 Wrote: Great surprise, think this was mentioned in a recent stereophile article, but archive.org has some high res live recordings available in the live music section. Would love to get feedback or reviews on best 24 bit recordings there... I downloaded several of these the night I received my Stereophile. Some are OK, some are terrible, most are unknown. If I had to rate them with a system, it would be as follows: Most of the better ones are the ones that were hot decked right off a properly setup soundboard. Next are the ones made with stereo mikes setup in the band's allowed recording area. Anything else is not realy worth it. There is to much crowd noise or the guy is holding two mikes in one hand above his head or using the mike built into his DAT recorder. My suggestion is to scroll all the way down to the bottom and read the reviews before downloading. If it hasn't been reviewed, move on until you have plenty of time to download a sample song (unless you already know the group). Remember these are large files so your time is an issue also. One good thing has come out of this, it has created exposure for some groups to enable them to sign with Digital Soundboard http://app1.dsbd.net/dsb/index.jsp Steve Kimock is well worth downloading in my opinion, but I am also a guitarist. I am also not up to speed with tagging and have not been able to figure out how to use the tagging info that is listed in a separate file. So mine are semi-tagged by how I download them. First create a directory for the artist, then create a directory for the album or event, then download the songs into this directory by renaming them as you save them remembering to edit the title with the track number before saving. Its worked so far. Wish I could use that tagging file provided with most. Just my two cents. -- iPhone iPhone Last.FM http://www.lastfm.com/user/mePhone Media Room: Transporter, Vandersteen Quatro Signature, Ayre MX-R Mono Blocks, VTL TL-6.5 Signature Pre-Amp, VCC-5 Reference Center Channel, four VSM-1 Signatures, Runco 710, RAM Oppo DV970HD, VeraStarr 6.4SE Living Room: SqueezeBox Duet, Vandersteen Model 3A Signature, Two 2Wq subs, VCC-2, Two VSM-1, ADCOM GTP-870HD, Cinepro 3K6SE III Gold Bedroom: Squeezebox 3, Thiel 2.3, NAD C370 iPhone's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=13622 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=46630 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Squeezebox 3 and Mark Levinson DAC
Hi Duke, in your quest for a warmer external DAC try to find a used Electrocompaniet ECD-1. I found one for $1100 on Audiogon and use it with my Squeezebox and previously owned Olive music server. I like it better than the Benchmark DAC I also have for its (to me) more lush, warmer sound with digital music files. -- sc53 sc53's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=8690 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=46533 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] SB3 vs Transporter
I have an SB3 with the Bolder digital mods and power supply. I send the digital signal to a TacT 2.0 pre/DAC. I know the Transporter is a lot better than the SB3 if you're using their respective internal DAC's. My question, is the Transporter a step up from the SB3 if I'm using an exteranl DAC? -- ecruz ecruz's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=4048 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=46636 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] SB3 vs Transporter
ecruz;294050 Wrote: I have an SB3 with the Bolder digital mods and power supply. I send the digital signal to a TacT 2.0 pre/DAC. I know the Transporter is a lot better than the SB3 if you're using their respective internal DAC's. My question, is the Transporter a step up from the SB3 if I'm using an exteranl DAC? No sense in using an external dac with the TP. Sb3 yes, TP no. Your set up is more complicated with more variables. Are you using the room correction in both cases? TP as just a transport should be better than SB3 but not by a large margin. TP is slightly better than SB3 into Benchmarck Dac in my experience. -- mr_bill mr_bill's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=6737 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=46636 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] My impressions
Okay I originally had the SB3 when it came out. It is a nive piece and an exeptional value. I moved to the transporter becasue I wanted the AES/EBU for my dCS Purcell and Delius DAC. Here are my observations. From an analog point of view the Transporter is worth the additional money. I used both stock and aftermarket power supplies with the SB3 and I have to say that the TP is better. From a digital out standpoint they are hard to diferentiate. Addtionally the clock in the TP is very good. I was having a very hard time telling the difference between the internal clock setting and the world clock from my delius. Lastly, I'm sorry to say that when comparing the internal DAC on the transporter to using an outboard DAC, there's no competition. I have never used the Benchmark but if it sounds the same as the transporter in analog then I wouldn't want to even buy one. I know I'm comparin apples to oarnges when I compare the TP to the dCS gear, but it's no competition. If you intend to buy a player for it's analog capabilities, I wouldn't buy either. As a pure transport however neither can be beat, and either is an awseom value. Any of the premier DAC's can provide a MAJOR benefit to using either as an analog player. If you think the Benchmark is a toss up on sound quality with the internals, then I would say try Esoteric, dCS, or Wadia. The TP can easily hang with the most expensive transports in the world, and there is a HUGE difference in sound. Once more point. I have a DEQX 2.6P and when connected using AES, the two are outstanding. If you haven't ever looked into building your own speakers and using active crossovers, you should. Botom line Great as a transport, but sounds midfi as a player. -- mp006ltk mp006ltk's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=4090 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=46639 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Songs you use for critical listening
Phil Leigh wrote: For example, I often use: School from Crime of the Century by Supertramp. - The cymbals when they arrive are a big help to me. One Night In Paris by 10CC - a wealth of detail to be retrieved Sledgehammer (Peter Gabriel, So remastered) - can be like nails on glass on some systems, especially when LOUD) Mezzanine (any track) by Massive Attack -...good for bass control/response -...this disc can set rooms into a resonant frenzy! In Between Dreams by Jack Johnson - astonishingly natural sounding vocals and guitar - if it doesn't sound like he is in the room then something is wrong. Bells of Berlin by Lone Star from Firing on All Six - this is a really dynamic rock track that will sound dreadful if the system lacks dynamic capabilities. It also has challenging synth tones and a really good drum track. Interesting. I decided to use this as a springboard to start a new thread about good reference tracks that we use to audition systems. However, it just turned into a list of music that does it for me! Anyway, I did it, so I'm going to hit send! R. The Blower's Daughter by Damien Rice from O - very up-front vocal. Good test of how natural the system sounds - also has good bass extension when the band comes in at 1:41 Highway To Hell by AC/DC from Highway to Hell - Can sound harsh. Needs lots of PRAT Be My Number Two by Joe Jackson from Body Soul - very nicely recorded, piano + vocal + full band. Great song! Birdland by Weather Report from Heavy Weather - quite busy jazz - potentially harsh high-hats - also lots of bottom end that can get muddy True Love Ways by Buddy Holly from The Original Master Tapes - that voice, up front; lots of lovely strings - this is perfect. Prelude Fuge No.2 in C from Das Wohltemperierte Klavier, Part I by J.S. Bach, played by Sviatoslav Richter - amazing performance, but very wet - good test of ability to resolve detail L. van Beethoven - Allegro con Brio from Symphony No.5 - VPO/Kleiber - a classic performance, but can get a little mushy - good test of ability to resolve detail and convey dynamics Verdi - Dies Irae from Requiem Mass - Gardiner - wow! Tchaikovsky - The Nutcracker - Kirov Orchestra, Gergiev - incredibly well-recorded orchestral music ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] SB3 vs Transporter
I am using (and LOVE) the room correction on the TacT. I was thinking that there probably wouldn't be much difference since I'm using and external DAC. From what I've heard, the big upgrades to the Transporter are on the analog side. -- ecruz ecruz's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=4048 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=46636 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] New transporter firmware (v.40) in nightlies
ModelCitizen;293732 Wrote: I've just updated to todays 7.1 nightly. My Transporter looks as though it's working fine but it's silent. Guess I'd better go back to 7.0.1. Did moving to 7.1 switch you to FW40? There's the Xlinix reprogramming to be done as part of that change. When moving from FW36 to FW40, that was supposed to happen automatically, but you had to manually update if you went backwards. You mentioned you were on FW37 earlier, so there may be something going on that way Sean et al, any comments? -- DCtoDaylight DCtoDaylight's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=7284 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42960 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] 2 weeks without LP's!
All you vinyl heads are dead wrong. Your new-fangled gizmos such as vinyl LP records, magnetic cartridges, diamond styli, electric motors, etc. are compromises of the infinitely superior shellac recording technology that preceded them. And those are compromises of the one, true, high-fidelity medium ever produced for mass consumption. The ultimate technology of which I speak was developed by none other than Thomas Edison. My 100+ year old Edison Standard model B cylinder record player beats the pants off all the compromise technologies that followed. Analog recording from start to finish, with NO electronics to get in the way and muck up the sound. Combine those attributes with the constant radius, constant linear velocity of the disc playback, the medium- stearate wax, and the spherical sapphire pick-up and you have the best 2 minutes of recorded audio you have probably never heard. And we all know from experience that 2 minutes is the optimum match to the human attention span. Not too short to rouse one's interest without bedding it back down, and not too long that one will fall asleep part way through the performance. 40-50 minutes on a single LP/CD? Ridiculous! Variable velocity/radius on a disc medium? Nonsense! Electronics between the instruments/singers and the recording medium? Poppycock! Electronics in the playback chain? Foolishness! All compromises on the best system ever developed. I should also point out that the Edison cylinder system is as green as can be. A wind up motor and no electricity. Zero carbon footprint! TD -- tyler_durden tyler_durden's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2701 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=46547 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] New transporter firmware (v.40) in nightlies
It was moving to 7.1 that caused the upgrade to firmware 40. I'd have persevered with it if I did not have the Transporter wired directly to my amp. A quick warning to others: Upgrading by downloading the Windows executable and then errr... executing it, such that 7.1 just overlaid my 7.0.1 installation destroyed my SqueezeCenter installation. The left hand pane of the web interface would not load. I've had to reinstall 7.0.1 from scratch now. I'm back on firmware 37. MC -- ModelCitizen Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known. It's the music, stupid. http://www.last.fm/user/ModelCitizen ModelCitizen's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=446 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=42960 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
