Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] What DAC to use?
Robin Bowes;316770 Wrote: Themis wrote:[color=blue] That's not what people are saying. We're saying that the difference between the SB3 DAC and a $400-$500 DAC is likely not all that significant, and that a better use of funds might be to look at other areas of the system. R. But a $200 DAC and try it - the difference IS significant. It may not be as much as with a $1000 DAC but then again it might be that the designer of the cheaper DAC is focusing more on performance and audio quality than marketing and design...it's perfectly feasible, is it not, that a good audio engineer could design and build a DAC for that short of price, still make a profit, and outperform the SB3 DAC (which is indeed not at all bad, but hardly the holy grail). Maybe it's just that other DACs sound different, but for me the differences in this case (Beresford) mean better - it's much more open sounding, much lower noise floor, everything seems just separate and less, I'm sorry to say it, digital. It's just silly (and snobby) to rule out these things based soley on price...which is exactly what a lot of people have argued about the Sb versus the Sonos, for example -- bossanova808 bossanova808's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=619 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=49316 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] What DAC to use?
I think mine is V or VI -- bossanova808 bossanova808's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=619 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=49316 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] What DAC to use?
mvalera;316337 Wrote: Again we have qualified engineers that know how to treat a signal from end to end in our designs... I think you can draw a conclusion about what I am saying about some of the other less expensive DAC boxes that were recommended earlier in this thread. You're better off spending that money on better speakers. So you're implying the makers of those DACs don't know what they are doing, essentially, or at least as much as your engineers. Not sure how you can conclude this, and I already have several sets of very nice speakers (Sonus Faber, Rega etc) and with any one them, the DAC in the humble Beresford is noticeably a better sound than the analogue out from the DAC in either my SB2 or my three SB3s. The evidence implies to me you're wrong about this. I imagine the Benchmark is better again, but there's simply no question the Beresford is a humbly priced improvement to the SB system. Why knock it if you haven't tried it? It's jsut another engineer in a room trying to make a decent product, much like Sean was those years ago. No reason to think this guy is any worse or different...and I *love* the squeezeboxes, but I definitely was disappointed in the analogue out when I bought my first one compared to my Nakamichi CD player. Once I popped the Beresford MKV into the system, I was happy again, indeed it's better than the Nak wasand that was pretty good. Not that I disagree - money first into speakers, if you have crappy ones, but once you've reached a certain point a DAC can make a very pleasing difference. -- bossanova808 bossanova808's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=619 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=49316 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] What DAC to use?
I think you're being harsh on the Beresford - I have one and it made a substantial improvement in the Sb3's sound. Hard to go wrong for the price and if you ask me there's no reason per se a good DAC can't be built for that sort of price. Most of the price with the others is sheer hoo hah and a pretty box. -- bossanova808 bossanova808's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=619 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=49316 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Simpler (less demanding) EQ than Inguz?
I've looked but can't find a plugin that offers a simple set of EQ controls (not room correction etc) but in a relatively lightweight form (on Win32) I'd like it to bew lightweight because it will be running on our main server here at work, so would prefer something that does not significantly impact server performance for our other 'more important' things. Does such a thing exist? Any chance of a cut down Inguz or Brute on Win32?? I'd be happy to Paypal some dollars for such a thing, if it existed... -- bossanova808 bossanova808's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=619 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=47667 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Simpler (less demanding) EQ than Inguz?
I'd really like to avoid extra hardware if possible. At the moment it's an Sb3 into AudioEngines and it's a very neat little solution but I feel it could be tweaked to be better...or at least more how I like it. -- bossanova808 bossanova808's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=619 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=47667 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Simpler (less demanding) EQ than Inguz?
Ok I'll give Inguz a go - my experiments with it on the home server (mucking around with room correction) are that it is wildly inefficient...the cpu goes bananas when it is on and it effects streaming video (which the server is also used for). Worst that can happen is I need to uninstall it I guess... -- bossanova808 bossanova808's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=619 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=47667 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Beresford 7510 MK V and Sb2
Yep I've seen that and hold out hope. Stupid name for it though...don't think it helps in the 'loudness wars' for your label to be 'turn me up' somehow -- bossanova808 bossanova808's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=619 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=37568 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Beresford 7510 MK V and Sb2
Just a quick note to say - several months on now - I'm still really happy with my DAC purchase. It cost next to nothing and has really made a huge difference in my enjoyment of music. Fortunately I'm not the type that wants to endlessly spend and explore optionsI've reached a level with my system where I'm more than happy with itwhen given well recorded material it's sounds beautiful. If only mastering were by and large done betterthat's the only real remaining problem I have. There's such a huge gap between the well recorded and mastered stuff and the rest, it's amazing. And unfortunately, the majority of music I listen to falls in the badly recorded/mastered category. -- bossanova808 bossanova808's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=619 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=37568 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Beresford 7510 MK V and Sb2
Those little brass knobs on the front switch the inputs, the LEDs indicate which is active. I'd suspect a remote control will be in the offing with later versions. -- bossanova808 bossanova808's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=619 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=37568 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Beresford 7510 MK V and Sb2
signor_rossi;220652 Wrote: I own a MK V and while I can hear a difference in some songs and now listen only through it and enjoy it I haven't made a final judgment yet, but would say that the Beresford certainly isn't a step back. ;) Once I have set up the speakers right (position/decent cables) I will do more a accurate comparison. It's power supply makes a buzzing high frequency sound ... Is anyone experiencing the same? I don't know if that affects the sound in any way. . I did once hear a high pitched whine from the supply, but only for a moment and I've not heard it since. I am not sure why it went away though. Replacing the power supply would be easy. No funny noises through the speakers - there's no background to speak off, silences and quiet passages are wonderfully pure. I think if your system is capable of expressing the difference you'll hear it pretty clearly. Not on all things, I guess, especially on things that have been very badly recorded originally (eg the latest Bloc Party CD - shameful)...but on well recorded stuff it sounds much, much, much improved on my system. -- bossanova808 bossanova808's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=619 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=37568 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Beresford 7510 MK V and Sb2
That doesn't mean much to me as I just don't get electronics (is there a 'golden' textbook for starting with this stuff??) Also, does this include the MKV version?? I believe Stanley regularly adds new tweaks. -- bossanova808 bossanova808's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=619 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=37568 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Beresford 7510 MK V and Sb2
adamslim;220550 Wrote: Shame it's so darn ugly!! It's not THAT bad. It could certainly be prettied up like some other DACs but it's neat enough and functional in appearance. I'd love it to have remove input selection etc. I'll take good sound and a decent price first everytime. Anyway, for me the big visual problem is cords. Frickin cords everywhere. There's just too many to hide properly. -- bossanova808 bossanova808's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=619 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=37568 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Beresford 7510 MK V and Sb2
Oh I should add even the Zensonic sounds bloody amazing.I don't have 5.1, just two channel, but it sounds amazing now. -- bossanova808 bossanova808's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=619 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=37568 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: Rotel RA-04, RA-05 RA-06. Any thoughts...
I've always found Rotel gear to offer excellent value for money and very neutral, un-coloured sound. I'd have a listen to see if it suits you but I think they're often as good or better than many much more 'premium' marques at a substantially lower cost. -- bossanova808 bossanova808's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=619 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=28432 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: Slim Devices NAS Device
A poll associated with this post was created, to vote and see the results, please visit http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=24534 Question: What do you think about the new SD NAS device? - Awesome! Where can I get one? - Nice. I'll put that on my wish list. - Not for me, but it sure is pretty. - Lame idea. Have the SD folks lost their minds? I have bout 8000 songs, 700 artists - a complete re-scan on the slower X6 from scratch takes about 3 hours. I set it to do this every now and again when I know I am not going to use it. If I just want to add a new album, you can 'browse music folder' to the album and it will be added. So full re-scans aren't necessary very often really, once you have a moderately tidy and well set up library. I do find that every few weeks or so Slimserver benefits from a re-start (not the whole NAS - that often runs for months)...slimserver will definitely slow down a bit over time. Overall though it all works a treat..and is suprisingly zippy actually...although I am increasingly nervous about upgrading slimserver versions as they seem to change the tag scanning algorithms with each versions which is irritating. -- bossanova808 bossanova808's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=619 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=24534 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: So what is the audiophile approved firmware
To my ears 6.2.2 and its included firmware restores the SB to its former glory, gets rid of the tinny highlights and allowd me to start using ReplayGain ahead... So for me, this is the 'approved firmware' - anyone else agree? -- bossanova808 bossanova808's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=619 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=22118 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: *CROSS-POST* ReadyNAS 600/X6 SB2
I have 400Gb of flacs as well and a set up very similar to the one listed above. TURN OFF THE LIBRARY STATISTICS! This option is *only* available in the infrant version of slimserver (under server settings-performance). 99% of operations should be every bit as good as with a dedicated server, the only ones where there is a slight pause ( 1 second) is when entering browse artists or browse albums. Everything else should be super zippy. This will speed everything up A LOT! When browsing on a PC, use Moose instead of the web front end, works much better. -- bossanova808 bossanova808's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=619 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=19215 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: Wired vs. Wireless audio differences
I've just switched from wired to wireless and done a few blind tests and can't hear a difference - using Rotel pre-amp/amp and Rega Jura speakers. The amp is a bit older so I'm using RCA outs from the SB2 All files are FLAC. -- bossanova808 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
