How do you do it? [Archive] - The Art of Sound Forum

Mr. C

20-12-2009, 15:49

Christmas is coming and the box swappers are getting another session of OCD.
When you are considering a change of equipment, what is foremost on your mind?. Are you a single box person or some one who take a system building approach.
Would you dismiss a piece of equipment on hearing it with just your set of tools so to speak, or would you venture further forward and audition with equipment more resolving than your own?
Would you now consider the server based formats as a genuine alternative to red book.
Do you have a room/ space / family /female considerations to absorb into the equation.
So many options, however as the end of the year was fast upon us people have more time to answer after the usual Xmas feast alcohol indulgence, you may be in a more reflective mood :)
Thanks in advance Mr.C

John

20-12-2009, 17:18

Would you dismiss a piece of equipment on hearing it with just your set of tools so to speak, or would you venture further forward and audition with equipment more resolving than your own?
Depends how much money I got to spend usually I would just audtion to my own system but my system is pretty resolving
Would you now consider the server based formats as a genuine alternative to red book.
Often use server based music but still perfer vinyl
Do you have a room/ space / family /female considerations to absorb into the equation.
Some compromises to be made but not many. After going to the last DIY meet I now consider myself to be not to extreme
So many options, however as the end of the year was fast upon us people have more time to answer after the usual Xmas feast alcohol indulgence, you may be in a more reflective mood :)
Thanks in advance Mr.C
:lolsign:

Themis

20-12-2009, 17:42

When you are considering a change of equipment, what is foremost on your mind?. Are you a single box person or some one who take a system building approach.
Rather a single box. Except when I change speakers.

Would you dismiss a piece of equipment on hearing it with just your set of tools so to speak, or would you venture further forward and audition with equipment more resolving than your own?
I always give a second chance to equipment. Especially when at least one of my friends likes it, or my favorite reseller advises it.
But only one second chance, though. ;)

Would you now consider the server based formats as a genuine alternative to red book.
Definitely, yes. I don't plan buying any CD players anymore.

Do you have a room/ space / family /female considerations to absorb into the equation.
Some common considerations for speakers only. Nothing really special to think about as far as the other bits are concerned.

Joe

20-12-2009, 18:46

Alex_UK

20-12-2009, 20:23

Do you have a room/ space / family /female considerations to absorb into the equation.
Some common considerations for speakers only. Nothing really special to think about as far as the other bits are concerned.

I'll come back with my answers after the coma, but just to say that this is I think hitting the "WAF" nail on the head - generally, the electronics can be tucked away or at least contained within a rack - it is the speakers that are potentially "eye sores" and where the greatest compromises are likely to be needed - especially if you are basing your system in a non-dedicated room.

Spectral Morn

20-12-2009, 22:29

Christmas is coming and the box swappers are getting another session of OCD.
When you are considering a change of equipment, what is foremost on your mind?. Are you a single box person or some one who take a system building approach.

Both as funds allow. It was always my suggestion when doing a demo for a customer that if a number of upgrades were planned then they should be tried and if successful then a road map existed for future purposes...even if the funds did not currently exist for all to happen at once...at least one knew where one was going.

Sometimes one item upgrades can be just the ticket as long as that item does not upset the system synergy (short term excitement for long term regret). Always vital to try in ones own set up...to be sure.

Would you dismiss a piece of equipment on hearing it with just your set of tools so to speak, or would you venture further forward and audition with equipment more resolving than your own?

No, but I would suggest that often its a mismatch, rather than lack of resolution that is the issue.

Would you now consider the server based formats as a genuine alternative to red book.

Never. I enjoy and will stay with physical media as long as there is breath in me...with a preference for analogue.

Do you have a room/ space / family /female considerations to absorb into the equation.

Blessed with several rooms and a wife who allows me the freedom to pursue my audio interests.

Regards D S D L

technobear

21-12-2009, 00:25

Christmas is coming and the box swappers are getting another session of OCD.

Hi Tony! I think my box swapping days are very nearly over. I am at the limits of what I consider a sensible budget. Having said that there might be some moves that are side-wise in price but upwards in performance.

When you are considering a change of equipment, what is foremost on your mind?. Are you a single box person or some one who take a system building approach.

I used to be a system builder but once I arrived on the doorstep of high-end I changed to a single-boxer and I still am. I think joining hifi forums might have had an influence on this.

Would you dismiss a piece of equipment on hearing it with just your set of tools so to speak, or would you venture further forward and audition with equipment more resolving than your own?

Given my current set of tools, any piece of equipment that didn't fit with that or didn't improve the sound would be rejected no matter how good it might sound in another system (especially if that other system blows my budget).

Would you now consider the server based formats as a genuine alternative to red book.

As I've been using a Transporter for 3 years now and the CD player is only used when other folks bring round CDs, I think I can say I'm comfortable with server based systems.

Having a low power (and silent) Tranquil PC that I can leave on 24/7 certainly helps in the acceptability of computer audio. Nothing worse than having to wait for a computer to start up when you just want to listen to some choons.

I now have a Beresford Caiman DAC and the Transporter, CD player and TV all feed into it. The Transporter sounds best by some margin over the CD player. Perhaps I need a better CD player.

I am toying with the idea of getting a silent netbook and one of those M2tech Hi-Face doo-hickies as a possible replacement for the Transporter (but only if it sounds better).

Do you have a room/ space / family /female considerations to absorb into the equation.

I only have my own aesthetic considerations to contend with but as the electronics now live in a cabinet, only the sound matters there. Speakers on the other hand must look good as well as sound good.

As for space, I don't have room for 'stats or horns or dipoles so I guess I am 'limited' to conventional box speakers only. Fortunately I don't regard the Zu's as in any way limited and would probably choose them anyway even if I had more space.

The source is the only place I might make changes this year - oh and I might dabble with mains cleaners again.

Merry Christmas :cool:

jandl100

21-12-2009, 08:38

Are you a single box person or some one who take a system building approach.

As an unrepentant box swapper there is a real thrill to the arrival of the next box. Having everything arrive at once would only provide a single 'hit'. One box at a time maximises the fun for me!

Would you dismiss a piece of equipment on hearing it with just your set of tools so to speak, or would you venture further forward and audition with equipment more resolving than your own?

I'm only interested in how something works in the context of the current system. In principle, I might revisit something if I feel it might work better than it did with the previous gear, but in practice I cannot recall ever having actually done so.

I am happy, though, to try things that didn't seem to my taste when heard elsewhere (e.g. at a Show). For example, my Show experiences (as well as reviews and forum gossip) led me to think that Audio Physic speakers were too tonally thin, and Chord electronics were harsh and bright. Despite my negative feelings I ended up buying these when the opportunity arose at a nice price and thoroughly enjoy(ed) owning them.

Would you now consider the server based formats as a genuine alternative to red book.

No. Red book CD (I tried SACD and was dismayed that my music choices were being dictated by the technology and not the music), LP, cassette, minidisc, DAB radio - I have no plans whatsoever to go computer-based.

Do you have a room/ space / family /female considerations to absorb into the equation.

Well, I'm limited by my 12x20 foot room, but surprisingly large speakers can work OK in there. My wife, bless her, just let's me get whatever I want within the constraints of an agreed annual nett expenditure. I definitely married the right gel!

:)

jandl100

21-12-2009, 08:49

Hi Tony! I think my box swapping days are very nearly over. I am at the limits of what I consider a sensible budget. Having said that there might be some moves that are side-wise in price but upwards in performance.

Must admit that one of my "Rules of Hifi" - learned from swapping many boxes! - is that 'different' can be just as much fun as 'better'. For example, in the past, I've changed from an excellent pair of £5k Kharma speakers to cheap as chips £150 vintage JBLs and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Different can be just as much fun as better.
&
Price is no real guide to musical enjoyment. :)

I think it is a real mistake to assume that you have to pay more (or even pay as much) to get better (or more or equally enjoyable) sound.

Jonboy

21-12-2009, 17:18

Must admit that one of my "Rules of Hifi" - learned from swapping many boxes! - is that 'different' can be just as much fun as 'better'. For example, in the past, I've changed from an excellent pair of £5k Kharma speakers to cheap as chips £150 vintage JBLs and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Different can be just as much fun as better.
&
Price is no real guide to musical enjoyment. :)

I think it is a real mistake to assume that you have to pay more (or even pay as much) to get better (or more or equally enjoyable) sound.

I have to agree with you Jerry, coming from another serial box swapper (although i happy with my Alpen Muesli at the moment)

I get a lot of enjoyment out of buying another amp just to see what it sounds like, sometimes for the better other times for the worse or even sideways, all good fun though:)

hifinutt

21-12-2009, 19:23

i would have thought most people were pretty broke this time of year and reflecting on what they might be able to afford if they didn`t have so many presents to buy. !!!

i suppose server based formats [ altho i know very little about this] are the future if Linn is to be believed

StanleyB

21-12-2009, 19:52

i suppose server based formats [ altho i know very little about this] are the future if Linn is to be believed
Don't believe the hype, as was once demonstrated by the LP12. I can see the problem with jitter raring its head, and the increased amount of electrical energy, with its associated cost, in powering those servers. They'll never match the low energy devices such as the iPOD, CDP, Media HD. Nor can I see servers beating them in terms of jitter performance.

technobear

21-12-2009, 23:54

Don't believe the hype, as was once demonstrated by the LP12. I can see the problem with jitter raring its head, and the increased amount of electrical energy, with its associated cost, in powering those servers. They'll never match the low energy devices such as the iPOD, CDP, Media HD. Nor can I see servers beating them in terms of jitter performance.

Sorry Stan but I have to disagree.

The Transporter has been showcasing jitter specs that shame most sub-£3k CD players (and a few dearer ones) for three years now.

Furthermore the upcoming Squeezebox Touch, a server and player in one box, will have similar jitter performance to the Transporter and will use about 5.5 Watts when partnered with a 2.5 inch USB hard drive. Not many CD players are rated as low as 5.5 Watts.

Streaming is the future :eyebrows:

Mr. C

22-12-2009, 08:27

This thread is not about spending funds, you may or may not have currently, it is purely about how you would go about the thread question.
As for hard, SSD drives ok for storage but as direct playing medium oh no matron!