View Full Version : My 2019 Update Thread - My final system I think.
Rush2112
26-07-2024, 07:12
Some Room correction...
Fancied a change of vibe, plus having smooth stone walls, was curious about putting something behind the speakers and any potential effect on sound.
Couple of tables with big ass plants, changes the vibe of the room, I like it.
https://i.imgur.com/OsLkeAt.jpeg
Turns out sound has changed as well.
Left / Right focus has definitely improved, soundstage a tad deeper.
Ok, Concept in my own room proven, will investigate some 'proper' stuff going forward.
Years ago tried digital room correction software and didn't get on with it.
More potted plants it is!
Mahoosive framed print on wall behind me, figure thats playing a part, though my room doesn't sound particularly echo-ey.
Piqued my curiosity this.
Great system Gary, I also tried digital room correction using Lyngdorf Room Perfect and although some albums were blow away, mainly simply mixed, jazz and vocal other albums were truly horrible !
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Great system Gary, I also tried digital room correction using Lyngdorf Room Perfect and although some albums were blow away, mainly simply mixed, jazz and vocal other albums were truly horrible !
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Letting it do its own calibration rarely works out well. What the mic 'hears' isn't what we hear, at least above the transition point. Like using a flamethrower to take the top off a pint of milk.
On the subject of plants I took a big one out of a corner, was surprised to discover how much damping of flutter echo it had been doing.
I heard the effect of a DSP system at a mates house and it was horrible. The loss of bass from his speakers was dramatic. I would prefer too much bass rather than too little.
I think the best room correction is application and implementation of room acoustic material rather than digital processing.
I heard the effect of a DSP system at a mates house and it was horrible. The loss of bass from his speakers was dramatic. I would prefer too much bass rather than too little.
I think the best room correction is application and implementation of room acoustic material rather than digital processing.
I use a combination of the two, but I only apply a very small amount of DSP over a very narrow bandwidth.
Sounds to me like your mate was not doing it properly. This business of using some crappy mic supplied with the unit, sticking it roughly in the listening position, and then letting the computer do all the calibration is unlikely to give the best results. Of course it's quick and easy and so seems like a good idea.
At best it gives a starting point but then you have to go old school and tweak by ear.
I use a combination of the two, but I only apply a very small amount of DSP over a very narrow bandwidth.
Sounds to me like your mate was not doing it properly. This business of using some crappy mic supplied with the unit, sticking it roughly in the listening position, and then letting the computer do all the calibration is unlikely to give the best results. Of course it's quick and easy and so seems like a good idea.
At best it gives a starting point but then you have to go old school and tweak by ear.
My mate had a built in system and he just let it do its thing.:eek:
My mate had a built in system and he just let it do its thing.:eek:
This is why DSP gets a bad rap. Used properly it can fix otherwise intractable speaker/room problems and transform the overall sound quality.
Pigmy Pony
26-07-2024, 08:20
Yes, I imagine the way to go would be for the DSP to give you a 'flat' response, then you adjust from there to suit your tastes. I've heard a variety of set ups employing DSP and always been impressed. I bet most people would find 'flat' deathly boring, but the means to cut this, boost that incrementally appeals to me.
I'd be using it myself, just as soon as I can
(a) buy what's needed
(b) find someone with the time, knowledge and patience to help me set it up :doh:
Flat response in room usually sounds way too toppy.
But if you have a room node at say 80Hz and your speakers have a port that is tuned to 80hz - boom, boom shake the room. With DSP you can cut at 80Hz and leave the rest untouched, solving the problem.
There's really no way to do that with passive treatment and analogue EQ is too crude.
DSP...
I'll go with analogue over digital and stick with the plants!
Just one more thing to faff about with and get in the way of enjoying the music.
Had similar issues to what’s been reported when I tried it in my own room, so not for me.
Luckily, no big speaker/room problems to dial out here.
Looking good Gary, just need some hanging plants from the ceiling strategically placed to do a bit of refraction/reflection, watering might be tricky. :D
See the Meridian 557 is still pumping.
Yup,
The big Meridian just sits there quietly, doing its thing Adrian.
Hardly even gets warm at picture rattling volumes, mega redundancy, it’s a good power amp.
I biwire with it, and a recent swap out to Duelund 10 gauge cable for the bass, from 16 gauge helped it step up a notch, impedance down I guess with beefier cable.
Sounds more “fruity” and less dry as a pal recently said. :)
(The Science bit plays this out)
System looking great Gary and like the plants! Think they had reflection rather than absorption?
Dispertion I reckon?
Less forward facing conflicting sound waves anyway
'Diffusion' with a bit of HF absorption too I think. A big pot full of soil might absorb some lower frequencies maybe.
AJSki2fly
31-07-2024, 10:21
Yup,
The big Meridian just sits there quietly, doing its thing Adrian.
Hardly even gets warm at picture rattling volumes, mega redundancy, it’s a good power amp.
I biwire with it, and a recent swap out to Duelund 10 gauge cable for the bass, from 16 gauge helped it step up a notch, impedance down I guess with beefier cable.
Sounds more “fruity” and less dry as a pal recently said. :)
(The Science bit plays this out)
Sounds good to me https://media1.giphy.com/media/Fu3OjBQiCs3s0ZuLY3/giphy.gif
Incoming...
i2s CD Transport/Streamer
Shanling ET3
https://en.shanling.com/article-IntroET3.html
https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?attachments/img_1293-jpg.36667/ (https://en.shanling.com/article-IntroET3.html)
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.co.uk%2FShanling-ET3-CD-Transport-Black%2Fdp%2FB0CRYCYNH7&psig=AOvVaw2xyKs8-HqPfwGVSZKQLDaO&ust=1724624914746000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBQQjRxqFwoTCOD2tdHWjogDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAEhttps ://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.co.uk%2FShanling-ET3-CD-Transport-Black%2Fdp%2FB0CRYCYNH7&psig=AOvVaw2xyKs8-HqPfwGVSZKQLDaO&ust=1724624914746000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBQQjRxqFwoTCOD2tdHWjogDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE
https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?attachments/img_1294-jpg.36668/
https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?attachments/img_1295-jpg.36669/
https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?attachments/et3src-jpg.36693/
https://darko.audio/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/shanling-ET3-2.webp
Darko likes it
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=96JFEBc0xjY
Currently using my modded Oppo 203 as CD Transport and streamer, the comparison with this should be interesting.
The Oppo is a great digital audio "Swiss army knife", and ticks a lot of boxes really, REALLY well, but I've always prefered the idea of dedicated tools for a particular task?
Right tool for the right job.
Bluray player for movies, CD player for music.
The Oppo's laser for instance, has to play CD, DVD, Blu ray DVD Audio, SACD, Kodak Picture CD, Video CD, whereas the Shanling is optimised for Redbook CD playback only.
Turns out the Sanyo HD850 laser mechanism in the Shanling is used in Macintosh, Unison Research, Simaudio and Lyngdorf CD players, as well as the Project RS2T which was my previous go-to, even at 2K+
Also,
it's Philips SAA7824 Transport was good enough for this valve based Luxman CD player,
https://www.hifinews.com/content/luxman-d-38u-%C2%A32395
so...
https://scontent.fgla3-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/81665294_1383920115144255_5312032675727409152_n.jp g?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=13d280&_nc_ohc=UHeEs4Opmj8Q7kNvgHlhHFk&_nc_ht=scontent.fgla3-2.fna&oh=00_AYCYQKwd7pNLsUmh2nyZovl52mQNmXMOcmdvThmSQ--LcA&oe=66F1F824 (https://www.hifinews.com/content/luxman-d-38u-%C2%A32395)
... more than "good enough" on both fronts I reckon.
As always though, all about the implementation.
Happily the reviews of this thing are good, up there (and bettering) Jays Audio transports.
:thumbsup:
Aside playing CDs, most of my digital audio nowadays is done over my AppleTV, (Apple Music, YouTube, Netflix and the like) and handily the Shanling has Airplay (and it’s Airplay1 not 2, which is native lossless audio) so all things streaming are now no longer limited to what AppleTVs hardware limitation over HDMI puts out.
Potentially better Redbook CD output too into my Dac over i2s, at native resolution, or 16/44 CD upscaled to DSD 512 into my Dac.
Also,
an i2s Roon endpoint once they get Certification for it, theres currently a "hack" using iFi Audio’s app iFi Bridge for Roon, so will explore that.
Will compare Roon sound quality from the Oppo vs the Shanling.
Digitals still developing, and this bit of gear got my attention.
Early adopter of forward looking digital (First Squeezebox enjoyer!) and just like that first Squeezebox, this half width black box gives me the Fizz.
Shanling actively update the firmware for this, and have an active presence on Hifi forums offering support.
They stand by this product, and this, along with seeing the smart design decisions done behind the scenes helped in my buying decision.
Sounds daft, but to me it has an old school Naim half width box vibe too, which I really like. :thumbsup:
Top loading Transport as well,
so no rattly plastic tray or scratchy slot loader to deal with.
Suspect a dedicated i2s CD Transport will better the Oppo 203 for playing CDs, can upscale too, so looking forward to seeing what that brings to the table.
Im enjoying playing CDs again, had the audiolab 6000 and which was bettered by further mods on my Oppo 203, but hoping this is better again.
Ticks all the digital spec boxes, into my dac over i2s, hoping CDs should sound good.
The top loading "hands on" approach to it appeals to me too, a "digital turntable" sort of thing?
The black glass lid reminds me of the Rega Planar platters so another nod there.
Always fancied a top loading CD player since seeing the original Rega Planet back in the day?
Funny how this stuff all works.
Something else that's cool is it's USB input, which can read SACD ISO images, and play them back at full res DSD over its i2s output.
Have 100ish SACD rips in *.ISO format (disc image) - my Oppo lost the ability to play those a few firmware updates back.
So great to be able to enjoy my favourite SACD albums again, will pick up a 1TB USB stick and put my SACD ISOs on it.
Much more than just a CD Transport, and from researching it over on American forums, even just as a Transport folks have preferred it over the Jay's Audio and Shitt transports at substantially higer cost.
So great bang for buck.
Will it better my modded Oppo for playing CDs?
Shall see.
Having the controls on top is a good idea.
brian2957
24-08-2024, 08:12
That looks like a nice bit of kit mate. Hope it fits the bill. Hopefully I'll get over soon to give it a listen :)
Ali Tait
24-08-2024, 12:24
Looks nice mate, hopefully does the business. I like the top loading thing too on my Lector, wee magnetic puck for holding the disc in place.
These get good reviews so will be interested in your assessment of it Gary.:thumbsup:
Posties been :)
https://i.imgur.com/4V86Xx6.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/HwYHFO4.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/4s78nr8.jpeg
Reads CDs quickly and is completely silent, feels really well built.
Packaging great, came double boxed and wrapped in a cloth bag with great documentation, reminded me of the Oppo.
Small details taken care of always an encouraging sign.
Feels solid weighty and high end, I'm happy with this.
No idea about sound yet, playing a few CDs to let it warm up, sound quality comes later.
Have a really good Morrow digital AES cable, compare that to i2s connection in a wee bit.
Ali Tait
25-08-2024, 16:39
Looks good mate!
Ali Tait
26-09-2024, 12:56
https://i.imgur.com/x10rD94.jpg
Heh :)
Not quite that big a bang, in fact won't change the sound quality at all...
Very very cool tho,
Definitely adds to the system.
https://i.imgur.com/d8FwNNQ.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/qDN7Ro9.jpeg
https://imgur.com/a/y8EAMSL
https://youtu.be/lHkVXyTIhmU?si=390el6gj5oOpRG5I
This thing is very cool, real electromechanical meters, work in real time with no lag.
Can run it as a 4 way switch box, but not interested in that, only its BIG VU’s and inbuilt microphone.
Can adjust both the microphone gain and the meter delay, so have it tweaked ‘just so’.
Company used to do McIntosh blue meters which I wanted, but their sales guy said they received a cease n desist letter from their Lawyers a couple of years back :eek:
Damn,
would have loved one of those, most of the other kit has blue LEDs.
Ah well.
Sitting with the tunes on, definately adds something I love it.
Don’t like the 4 pushbuttons along the top, will get some black cap covers for those as it takes the look away a bit.
Ali Tait
26-09-2024, 20:56
Can’t beat a nice VU meter!
Probably easy enough to change the lights to blue mate.
What is the point of it? I would find the flickering meters, regardless of the colour of their backlighting, highly distracting.
But each to their own - enjoy!
Many people say...
It's been scientifically proven by men in white coats, that VU meters are known to make the music sound better.
:D
Bought purey just for the vibe,
Same meters as I had on my old Marantz tape deck when I was a kid, kinda going full circle.
Long listening session last night, enjoyed the warm fuzzzies.
Firebottle
27-09-2024, 12:57
Just spotted this
http://image.pushauction.com/0/0/a0e33258-4283-401f-a9c9-cfdc68581dd2/b07c4e31-71b4-4bb6-a2d9-a06d276d35a9.jpg
I'd rather spend the money on 8 CDs. ;)
Same
Have to say,
Really enjoying the VU bouncing meters again, brings something extra to the listening session.
Call it nostalgia or whatever, it doesn't affect sound quality, but brings a warm Vibe.
Happy with this.
Pigmy Pony
28-09-2024, 22:49
I think it looks great, and imo a visual 'connection' to what is happening, in a similar way to watching the platter going round :)
Yeah,
I’d go with that Steve.
The “visual connection” to the music definitely adds something.
Having big VU’s ticking away in the background listening to music kinda adds a recording studio vibe too, which I like.
Funny how the mind works!
Guess it’s similar to putting framed Album Art or music related posters up in the listening room, just adds a connection to the music your listening to?
I’d been using the VU Units inbuilt microphone to pick up the sound and get the meters working?
My preamp has the choice of XLR or RCA line level outputs to Power amp.
I run the system fully balanced so it’s connected to my power amp over XLR, never really thought about it much after plumbing it in when I first got it.
After a bit of forum rummaging turns out I can use both outputs at the same time, many PS Audio peeps use the rca outputs to feed their subwoofer.
So I connected the preamp Rca outputs directly to the VU Meter unit, and now have more accurate left/right levels.
Think the unit must have a single mono mic built in?
This is better, meters are a lot more accurate and now track individual left/right stuff in the mix :thumbsup:
Cool.
Today's schennanigans
https://i.imgur.com/gRgfIju.jpeg
Run my speakers biwired to my power amp, which has 2 sets of speaker outs.
I use Duelund tinned copper in cotton and oil, best cable I've had in my system I'm a big fan.
For bass duty I recently swapped out to their thickest 10 gague cable, a nice improvement over the (very) expensive cable I had in before.
At £18.50 a metre it's a bargain in comparison, and is better.... go figure.
Was using the thinner Duelund 16 gague for mid and treble, thinking keeping the same type and brand of cable was the way to go?
But,
As the thicker 10Ga cable was bedding in it became obvious the two different cables DIDNT quite have the same sound charactaristics...
The Delund cable is all about big soundstage, integration top to bottom and 'realism' in its sound.
Mixing the 2 cable types in biwiring was messing with that, the mid and top end standing out as seperate more than I'd like...
So I picked up some more of the same 10 gague cable, for the mid and treble.
Aside the thicker 10 gague cable just sounding better than the 16, all cable feeding the speakers will be the same, so hoping for more of that Duelund natural 'integrated sound' that I like so much.
Sold a cable on Ebay which paid for the cable, so happy days. :)
https://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?78126-What-speaker-cable-do-you-use&p=1380955#post1380955
Update on the new CD Transport, a Shanling ET3.
Wanted to put some time on it before posting anything about its sound.
Owned an ET3 for a few months now, a noticable upgrade over my modded Audiolab 6000CDT, which sounded better than stock model.
Did additional and similar mods to my Oppo 203 (EMI/RF treatment and case damping) and the Oppo improved on the Audiolab again.
Thinking the Oppo was my "last disc spinner"?
But got curious about the ET3
Heard abouts its i2s output (Big thing for my PS Audio dac), on board upsampling, USB input, can be used as a Server and its half width form factor.
Controls on the top are a smart choice too.
Took a punt on one and after a bit of running in and trying out different approaches to isolation, its sounding better across the board than both. :thumbsup:
https://i.imgur.com/R1M3Yre.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/XhoK79h.jpeg
From stick on rubber feet to all this malarkey!
Worth it though... including the specific ceramic ball bearngs (Thanks Naim Forum and Fraim for the spark of an idea to hear that different types make a difference, especially on a glass rack. BIG difference)
https://i.imgur.com/OhfN1Nl.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/IW7CuJR.jpeg
Over i2s, Redbook CD upsampled to 24/192, it sounds better than a SACD of the same album, played in to the same dac over my Oppo 203. :eek:
Bit of a gamechanger this.
Has a USB input, and can play SACD *.ISO files, an ability my Oppo lost a few firmware updates ago.
All my SACD rips playing in native DSD, from a USB stick, playing over i2s to my Dac, full Res... and all from a £600 cd transport?
WTF!!
Server functionality too, UPNP, Bluetooth, DNLA and Airplay 1 (the original that does lossless)
Streams lossless audio from Apple TV (Radio Paradise,YouTube, Apple Music) over Airplay and sounds fantastic - a genuine hifi source now Apple's hardware limitation has been worked around.
Believe Shanling are working on Roon Certification as well, though thats not set in stone yet.
Cool wee display on it too:
ALBUM ART WITH TRACK INFO
https://i.imgur.com/2m6dx2H.jpeg
STREAMING OVER DNLA
https://i.imgur.com/R6xhRSK.jpeg
STREAMING OVER AIRPLAY (Lossless Audio from AppleTV)
https://i.imgur.com/wCAOGYi.jpeg
STREAMING OVER BLUETOOTH
https://i.imgur.com/Z0EfdVq.jpeg
CD UPSAMPLING (Can go to DSD 512, but Redbook CD best at 24/192)
https://i.imgur.com/6neDVoS.jpeg
I'm buying CDs again!
... AND reliving the same Sellers remorse I had selling my vinyl to go CD... went streaming a few years back and sold a lot of CDs.
Damn wish I'd kept them.
Anyhoo.
Sound quality of the Transport scales up depending on your Dac?
Audiolab and Oppo were great, but can run out of capacity depending what they are plugged into. Kinda learning how good my PS Audio dac actually is with this thing...
Brings a lot of resolution to CDs and sounds detailed, grain free and transparent.
Couldn't want for more really.
Source first?
CONS
The Shanling App needs a bit of work, early stages yet and very simple.
Need it to browse music from USB drive, and delve into deeper settings.
Few software glitches initially getting my Wifi to connect, had to set my router to Legacy mode for the initial connection via the App.
Shanling recently updated the Firmware (always a good sign) to V1.7 and any software niggles I had have gone.
Little bump in sound quality too I think, especially playing DSD stuff over USB.
(Like Apple, a lot of unnanounced software stuff going on under the hood)
Purely as a CD Transport its Killer?
Easily beats both my Audiolab 6000CDT and Oppo 203 into the same Dac, and both were heavily modded and improved over stock.
More refined, higher resolution "high end" sound from it, not digital sounding at all.
With the Server functionality, a rare set of digital outputs, including USB output, this things a Doozy.
Its a digital swiss army knife, and sounds superb. Best digital I've had in my system.
Not the best You Tube quality video ever, but gives an idea of the dynamics of this thing, its genuinely blow your hair back amazing.
(SPOLIER: THE TRANSPORTS NOT A BOTTLENECK, EVEN WITH AN ACCUPHASE AMP)
Listen for how "organic" it sounds and how it just "flows"?
Thats what I'm hearing with my own music.
https://youtu.be/n_iOq1Y3hsg?si=mMTgPwZLcS55qsH_
Build quality is extremely good, not just for its pricepoint but significantly more.
Very solid damped casework, all the hifi worry stuff has been thought of by Shanling already and taken care of.
The Top Loading is an absolute delight, very hands on and gives it a "digital turntable" vibe, I love it.
Had similar with my Pioneer Stable Platter player way back when, but not like this.
SO much better than a rattly plastic tray.
This stuff all adds to enjoying putting on a CD.
Had zero issues with mine once I got Wifi connected.
Best way to digital music?
Streaming... With all it's "Ah.. but"s, or a modern CD Transport into a good Dac.
Dunno?
The Shanling is toe to toe with my record player. Better in a lot of ways.
This things amazing,
anyone sitting on the fence I'd say go for it, best improvement to my system in years.
Sounds like the Shanling was a good choice Gary. Some really great stuff coming out of these Chinese companies.
Have you seen the Gustard X30 DAC. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLkFoU3fu18&t=348s. Things are still moving in the digital world and I like the look of this number crunching machine.
At least you can re-buy your CDs for a lot less money than re-buying your vinyl!
At least you can re-buy your CDs for a lot less money than re-buying your vinyl!
Fair comment!
(Thank You Music Magpie... :D)
Sounds like the Shanling was a good choice Gary. Some really great stuff coming out of these Chinese companies.
Have you seen the Gustard X30 DAC. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLkFoU3fu18&t=348s. Things are still moving in the digital world and I like the look of this number crunching machine.
Hiya James
Yeah,
heard good things about this Dac, always nice to see i2s being more widely adopted too.
Done right it really is the best digital connection.
Good looking bit of gear, looks its price (at £2K+) which isn't always the case.
Your spot on in that digital is moving forward all the time, think the delta between mid price gear and high end is narrowing all the time?
Would enjoy hearing one.
Really like the display on the X30, its a forward looking piece of kit.
Great write up on it here:
https://soundnews.net/reviews/sources/dacs/gustard-x30-dac-review-the-quintessential-delta-sigma-dac/
Some really great kit coming from the Far East nowadays, the old stigmas and stereotypes dont mean a thing now.
And it's only going to get better!
Another similarly priced new Dac is this one, the Liav Harmony from Japan.
https://www.hifi-advice.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Laiv_Harmony_DAC_4X3A7373_750pix.jpg
An R2R Ladder Dac, balanced outputs and using i2s, ticks all my boxes.
Love the looks of this thing, genuinely different.
https://www.hifi-advice.com/blog/review/digital-reviews/spdif-dac-reviews/laiv-harmony-dac/?related_post_from=38905
Can't say I agree with the idea that digital is moving forwards, I think it was a done deal a long time ago.
Most of the technology now being discovered and hailed as advances is from the 1980s - like I2S and R-2R. Only difference with R-2R now is they do it discretely at much higher cost and with less accuracy (not less enough to matter, but still...).
I'm currently using a DAC from 1989 and I'm fairly convinced it's giving nothing away to one from 2024.
brian2957
10-11-2024, 11:02
Another similarly priced new Dac is this one, the Liav Harmony from Japan.
https://www.hifi-advice.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Laiv_Harmony_DAC_4X3A7373_750pix.jpg
An R2R Ladder Dac, balanced outputs and using i2s, ticks all my boxes.
Love the looks of this thing, genuinely different.
https://www.hifi-advice.com/blog/review/digital-reviews/spdif-dac-reviews/laiv-harmony-dac/?related_post_from=38905
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJm6-77fN
Can't say I agree with the idea that digital is moving forwards, I think it was a done deal a long time ago.
Most of the technology now being discovered and hailed as advances is from the 1980s - like I2S and R-2R. Only difference with R-2R now is they do it discretely at much higher cost and with less accuracy (not less enough to matter, but still...).
I'm currently using a DAC from 1989 and I'm fairly convinced it's giving nothing away to one from 2024.
Always new things to discover, and ways to improve what’s already there?
Don’t disagree the fundamentals are probably already out the box, but refining them seems to be ongoing.
Always new things to discover, and ways to improve what’s already there?
Don’t disagree the fundamentals are probably already out the box, but refining them seems to be ongoing.
Have to admit when I got the Sony pre-amp I was a bit concerned that its DAC wouldn't be up to it, and as all inputs are digitised there's no way to bypass it.
Concerns went away with the first few bars of music!
Agree that there's always ways of pushing the envelope with the DAC technology. I'm sure that the Topping it replaced would trash it in the measurements. But I think we passed the limits of our hearing a long time back. And my hearing's not getting better with time (or any other bit of me for that matter...)
I think DACs are like a box of chocolates in that they are all slightly different but each one may just the one you are looking for and we all have different tastes driven by different systems and listening preferences.
I agree with Martin that Digital and DACs in particular are a done deal and manufactures are simply producing new models by either adding more features or simply changing the box! Ok there are technical differences such as FPGA, R2R or the latest and greatest Delta sigma chips but these all play about with slight variations on a theme as it were and of course there is all the other stuff surrounding the "chip" such as power supply and op amps etc which can be manipulated.
Of course manufactures are always trying to come up with new designs in order to get us to part with our money but critical listening invariably results in very little progress.
For me DACs fall mainly into two camps. Warm and full with a big soundstage or forensic and analytical. Some may straddle the two but in the end it all depends on what you value and what you are looking for? Of course folk are always seduced by the latest and greatest and if you spend loads of money on a DAC it must be the best surely?:)
I think DACs get treated like they are pickup cartridges and I'm not sure that's right.
Any system will probably have some other area it can be improved before looking at what the DAC's doing.
Like that million pound system I heard. Full DCS stack which alone must be £100K plus but system unlistenable with ripping distortion on the top end. On an audiophile plinky-plonk jazz recording!
Not the DCS doing that but why have a £100K DAC when there's clearly a bigger issue to solve?
Whasaat?
speak up young man!
:wheniwasaboy:
Have to admit when I got the Sony pre-amp I was a bit concerned that its DAC wouldn't be up to it, and as all inputs are digitised there's no way to bypass it.
Concerns went away with the first few bars of music!
Agree that there's always ways of pushing the envelope with the DAC technology. I'm sure that the Topping it replaced would trash it in the measurements. But I think we passed the limits of our hearing a long time back. And my hearing's not getting better with time (or any other bit of me for that matter...)
Whasaat?
speak up young man!
:wheniwasaboy:
These bloody youngsters, always mumbling!
Its
https://i.imgur.com/IzjDVNt.jpeg
Reckon 10,000+ hrs on my preamp tubes is plenty :eek:
Left channels been getting wee bit hissy and overall volumes dropped a bit, so needed sorted.
Pre-amps lost a bit of its magic last few months
Posties been...
https://i.imgur.com/bqhVdMF.jpeg
Some special glass bottles?:)
Yeah James,
and long overdue!
Apos Ray Select 12AU7 tubes, matched pair.
New production.
https://i.imgur.com/sQkK24s.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/Rhfy1q7.jpeg
My Preamp uses valves in its input stage.
Having been stung going down the NOS rabbit hole when I ran a 300B power amp, strictly new Manufacture tubes for me.
Previous preamp tubes were Genalex Gold Lions, apparently up there with best of new production tubes?
A lot of the PS Audio amps use valves, so theres always Tube Rolling threads over on PS Audio forums.
The Apos Ray valve was getting a lot of press there, and elsewhere.
So took a punt on them.
Not the cheapest but a big step up from the Gold Lions apparently.
Shall see, plumbed them in today, getting some hours on them playing away in the background.
Amp seems to have a lot more grip straight out the box, big part of that will them just being fresh tubes, but watching with interest as more hours go on them.
Absolutely silent, which is great the hissy channel was annoying the hell out of me.
Out with the Old, in with the New. :thumbsup:
https://i.imgur.com/J2s4fkQ.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/lXIc2vr.jpeg
MUCH better
https://i.imgur.com/ljW4PqY.jpeg
That's neat that it tells you how many hours they've clocked up.
Nice tubes Gary. I actually use a combination of NOS and new manufactured tubes in my preamp. NOS in the Phono stage and new in the regulation stage. My NOS are definitely NOS and matched and come from a very good source and I could not be without them as they sound superb. However they did not have the same benefits in the regulation stage so went for new modern tubes with a good strong ouput.
That's neat that it tells you how many hours they've clocked up.
Yeah,
When you put amp in standby it switches off the tubes to preserve them, and stops the clock.
Also,
when you power the amp up from standby, the timer takes 30 secs or so to get the tubes up to temp.
Pretty cool.
Had to reset clock to zero when I put the new ones in. (almost forgot!)
Nice tubes Gary. I actually use a combination of NOS and new manufactured tubes in my preamp. NOS in the Phono stage and new in the regulation stage. My NOS are definitely NOS and matched and come from a very good source and I could not be without them as they sound superb. However they did not have the same benefits in the regulation stage so went for new modern tubes with a good strong ouput.
Getting a good source is half the battle I think,
especially with NOS valves slowly running out, and a lot of fakes out there (dont ask me how I know!)
When I had the big 300B I ran NOS signal tubes, and new production 300Bs of various types.
Its an expensive game if you want to sit at that table, happy not to worry about that now.
Thing with Apos,
Kinda like Duelund addressing and recreating a "classic" design, they talk about how the NOS market is slowly winding down, and you can never guarantee the quality (word of mouth and trust counts big time as you say)
Shooting for best of NOS quality, but with modern availability and dependability.
Thats what they say anyway...
Boys at Head-Fi like 'em?
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/apos-ray-12au7-vacuum-tube.26778/reviews
Just struck me there…
This is my first “Posties Been” post without Grant commenting…
Feeling sad about that.
Miss the old bugger. :)
Best mate’s in palliative care at home, (His not mine) Guys mid 50’s, I'm keeping in touch/visiting every day.
so thinking about this kinda stuff I guess.
In other News...
At 50+ hrs on the valves Im starting to hear what all the fuss is about.
My 3rd valve type in this Preamp, never knew it could sound this good, glad I got there in the end.
In any valve Amp I've had, heard the difference good valves make.
These things are terrific.
ALL the valve superlatives.
Just buying a set of these valves for the preamp every year, stick a fork in it, done.
No faffing about with Nos valves, these are better.
These Valves (and preamp) were a very good call
Firebottle
07-12-2024, 08:09
Best mate’s in palliative care at home, (His not mine) Guys mid 50’s, I'm keeping in touch/visiting every day.
so thinking about this kinda stuff I guess.
Oh man that's tough, my thoughts are with you.
Please send best wishes to him/family.
rmcin626
07-12-2024, 09:02
Just struck me there…
This is my first “Posties Been” post without Grant commenting…
Feeling sad about that.
Miss the old bugger. :)
Best mate’s in palliative care at home, (His not mine) Guys mid 50’s, I'm keeping in touch/visiting every day.
so thinking about this kinda stuff I guess.
Like you Gary, miss my daily interactions with Grant, a good guy, you only had to mention something that you are maybe interested in and a link would appear.
brian2957
07-12-2024, 10:07
Grant was a true gentleman. Visited him at his home on a number of occasions and had a coffee and a listen to his system. Covid put a stop to that unfortunately. I saw him once or twice after things got better. Sorely missed :(
Oh man that's tough, my thoughts are with you.
Please send best wishes to him/family.
Thanks so much Alan, appreciated.
Ali Tait
10-12-2024, 22:37
Oh man that's tough, my thoughts are with you.
Please send best wishes to him/family.
+1, sorry to hear mate.
Cheers Ali
Life's a bugger sometimes.
Can't take anything for granted, as easy as that is to do.
The Trick I guess, is not to miss the good stuff at the time.
It may never come again.
Ali Tait
11-12-2024, 20:26
Yes exactly mate. Make the most of the time we have.
Aside all the important stuff previously touched on...
New Apos Ray 12AU7 valves are on Point.
Fuck Me... wow.
250 hours till they stopped getting better.
Best signal valves I've had, and in several Amps
Aside all the important stuff previously touched on...
New Apos Ray 12AU7 valves are on Point.
Fuck Me... wow.
250 hours till they stopped getting better.
Best signal valves I've had, and in several Amps
Gary.....you got me tempted.....I might well be ordering some of these soon!? Damn.
https://apos.audio/products/ray-vacuum-tube-12ax7-select?_pos=1&_sid=e8dcb9ac6&_ss=r
Got a bit of a thing about tubes and they intrigue me especially as you have had such great results.
All that talk about Valves Gary sort of chimes with my latest Youtube outing.........
https://youtu.be/yWARaU_L5No
Cheers James
And apologies!
They really are that good.
Didn't know my Preamp could sound so good.
Worth every penny
Getting the kettle on, then sitting down to your latest Vid.
Cheers James
And apologies!
They really are that good.
Didn't know my Preamp could sound so good.
Worth every penny
Getting the kettle on, then sitting down to your latest Vid.
Hope it doesn't send you to sleep!:lol:
Wakefield Turntables
20-12-2024, 19:27
Ahh! Jim, you made another one. Now for a fresh cuppa!
All that talk about Valves Gary sort of chimes with my latest Youtube outing.........
https://youtu.be/yWARaU_L5No
I read somewhere (or maybe you told me) that Croft said he distilled down everything he'd learned over the years into the 7 series.
I love how stripped down those amps are.
Lots of attention to the important bits, anything you don't need in there, get rid.
I read somewhere (or maybe you told me) that Croft said he distilled down everything he'd learned over the years into the 7 series.
I love how stripped down those amps are.
Lots of attention to the important bits, anything you don't need in there, get rid.
Yes like an output transformer. I believe the real reason he went OTL was that really high quality transformers that were quiet and did not “add” anything to the sound were very expensive and he wanted to keep the cost down. Glenn’s ethos was to always provide excellent performance that was affordable.
Supposedly the definition of an engineer is someone who can make for fifty pounds something that any fool can make for five hundred pounds.
I think that's what the Series 7 are - proper engineer's amps. Well built but not over-built, well designed but not over designed.
I had a 7 power amp with a Micro Basic for a while but confess they were just a bit too hair shirt for me. But then my favourite kit has always been 1980s high end Japanese. I like the overkill :) so world's apart in philosophy really.
I sold them same day they went for sale and that was while they were still in production.
Wouldn't surprise me if they get to 'collector item' status in the not so distant future.
Hope it doesn't send you to sleep!:lol:
Enjoyed that video James,
informative and entertaining as always.
Saying that,your voice does have an AMSR quality to it :)
Theres voiceover work in your future I think!
Enjoyed that video James,
informative and entertaining as always.
Saying that,your voice does have an AMSR quality to it :)
Theres voiceover work in your future I think!
Good for bedtime viewing! :)
Gary.....you got me tempted.....I might well be ordering some of these soon!? Damn.
https://apos.audio/products/ray-vacuum-tube-12ax7-select?_pos=1&_sid=e8dcb9ac6&_ss=r
Got a bit of a thing about tubes and they intrigue me especially as you have had such great results.
James,
if you DO get the Apos Ray's I'd be very interested in your burn in experience?
The manual says let them get 6 hours under their belt, I heard changes even at 250 Hrs.
Sitting at 337 hours now and these things are STILL opening up.
(Nothing else has changed in my system)
Sat down to listen this morning and the sound just caught my attention as being better.
Best my Pre's ever sounded.
This is my 3rd valve type, all new production.
Was stung on NOS valves when I had the 300B power amp, never again.
Had the stock JJ's that came with it, then Genealex Gold Lions and now the Apos Rays.
Apos is quite a bit more expensive but much better sounding and worth every penny.
Just sounds like a better preamp now, component level I'd say.
Just goes to show everything matters, and everything has a BOM cost.
Thats why I enjoy modding my gear and getting more out of it.
Endgame 12AU7s, and none of the risk you take with uber expensive NOS valves.
Will do wonders for your Croft I reckon.
James,
if you DO get the Apos Ray's I'd be very interested in your burn in experience?
The manual says let them get 6 hours under their belt, I heard changes even at 250 Hrs.
Sitting at 337 hours now and these things are STILL opening up.
(Nothing else has changed in my system)
Sat down to listen this morning and the sound just caught my attention as being better.
Best my Pre's ever sounded.
This is my 3rd valve type, all new production.
Was stung on NOS valves when I had the 300B power amp, never again.
Had the stock JJ's that came with it, then Genealex Gold Lions and now the Apos Rays.
Apos is quite a bit more expensive but much better sounding and worth every penny.
Just sounds like a better preamp now, component level I'd say.
Just goes to show everything matters, and everything has a BOM cost.
Thats why I enjoy modding my gear and getting more out of it.
Endgame 12AU7s, and none of the risk you take with uber expensive NOS valves.
Will do wonders for your Croft I reckon.
I will certainly be ordering a pair of the Select 12ax7. in the new year. I am quite excited about these as they do seem to get some good reviews around the net and I haven't tried anything different for a long while. If you managed to stay awake to the end of my video :)you may have noticed I was intending to do a separate valve rolling session with the Croft and the Apos Rays will certainly be in that mix amongst others. I have a few boxes of assorted stuff here and there with some classics and the Ray Selects will be an interesting addition I am sure.
Now where's my camera!?:lol::doh:
Another tweak today,
Improving Speaker Isolation.
I’d already had a pass at improving the way my speakers interact with the floor, they are big bass heavy floorstanders so was worth taking a look at.
https://i.imgur.com/YxNnK6f.jpg
Rather than sticking the spikes directly into the floor, I’d sat them on a set of Herbies Audio spike decoupling gliders
https://herbiesaudiolab.com/cdn/shop/products/cs_gliders_3_720x.jpg?v=1569270214
Which reduced bass boom a bit, and tightened up the focus.
Cool.
I was going to get Isoacoustics Gaia screw in feet at one point, but several folks who’s audio opinions I trust used these over the Gaia’s, and preferred them.
Much cheaper too.
Isoacoustics had a dedicated set of “carpet disks” for their isolation feet, to improve performance on thick pile carpet, given the Herbies work on the same principle I thought I’d give them a go under the Herbie pucks.
https://i.imgur.com/OCKQvcW.jpeg
Sure enough, a nice improvement again, biggest thing was the top end opened up a bit, timbre seemed better especially with ‘real’ instruments.
So that’s where I was.
I take the view that speakers and Dac are the two biggest areas for bang for buck improvement, the Dacs already done so had a look at improving the speakers again.
In the pic above, you can see the stock aluminium screw in spike feet and silver end caps?
The design idea being the metal spikes screw into the black speaker base, the metal top cap screws into the threaded bar of the spike to close off the foot.
Lot of metal on metal contact there, and despite how much I tightened them they were never truly “tight’ - a source of vibration, as insignificant as it might seem?
That it could be improved! :)
With speakers removing unwanted vibrations is the ideal, so set about working on that.
The stock aluminium feet could be swapped out, and any metal on metal contact eliminated.
Im a big fan of RDC Cones and use them elsewhere in my system, their vibration damping really works.
May be better out there, Stillpoints and the like, but not at those prices.
There is a version of the RDC cone with an attached threaded bar for screwing in to replace component feet… or in my case Speaker feet.
Also,
The screw in metal speaker foot Top Cap is more of a cosmetic thing, and is a metal on metal contact I don’t want.
So decided to toss ‘em.
Have been on a bit of a mission to dampen vibrations throughout my system, lining casework with Silentcoat damping compound and the like, and that’s what I used here.
Stock speaker spike replaced with RDC isolation cone, top cap removed and the void filled with Silentcoat damping compound.
Doing this wraps the Spike’s threaded bar in damping compound, further damping it and (hopefully) eliminating any vibration.
The Outcome?
A good one.
Soundstage improvement, there’s a depth and width that wasn’t there before.
Can really turn the volume up and there’s NO bass boom, at all.
It goes down LOW and is very tight, no concerns at all.
Rock solid musical image, wide and deep. Instrument separation and placement noticably better than before.
But overall with all the tweaks to the speakers,
including biwiring with the thickest Duelund 10 gauge tinned copper in oiled cotton cable, 2 separate +/- runs (4 in all) to each speaker:
All the Hifi stuff is great, sure.
but the net effect is the speakers just disappear when the music on.
No boom or vibration to get in the way of the music.
Its always worth spending time on small details and tweaks like these, everything matters.
https://i.imgur.com/seRPqYP.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/PkbA3Eo.jpg
You've stuck with those Wharfies for a long time now?
Crackin' speakers Martin.
The AMT tweeter on them is something else.
Crackin' speakers Martin.
The AMT tweeter on them is something else.
Yes I like AMT tweeters too. The Elysian 4 was one of the speakers I was considering before I went with what I did.
Yes I like AMT tweeters too. The Elysian 4 was one of the speakers I was considering before I went with what I did.
The Elysian's are big boys!
Too big for my room I suspect, but they do look great.
Been following your Mash Up, the Faitals sound like they are hitting the spot.
:thumbsup:
The Elysian's are big boys!
Too big for my room I suspect, but they do look great.
Been following your Mash Up, the Faitals sound like they are hitting the spot.
:thumbsup:
Yes they are lovely - a sound you can bask in.
Your room does look quite large in the pics but I suppose they can be deceiving.
Its a fair old size my room,
but its more square shaped than yours?
The Elysians need a lot more space between them and the back wall, compared to my Evo's.
Think Conference room sized listening room ideally.
So a compromise was needed.
They WOULD work, but wouldnt be getting the full performance out them which, at the price, would be a bad idea.
Happy with my Evo's
especially wioth a few tweaks here and there. :)
Its a fair old size my room,
but its more square shaped than yours?
The Elysians need a lot more space between them and the back wall, compared to my Evo's.
Think Conference room sized listening room ideally.
So a compromise was needed.
They WOULD work, but wouldnt be getting the full performance out them which, at the price, would be a bad idea.
Happy with my Evo's
especially wioth a few tweaks here and there. :)
Yes the longest dimension is 29 feet so that's helpful as the main node is down in the 20s so doesn't get excited.
I'd like a conference room size :) - or maybe I'd settle for 50% bigger than what I have - but you just don't get houses with rooms that size round here. And if you did I probably couldn't afford one anyway.
Plus for any other use except hi-fi that's too big, not very cosy if you're just sat watching telly on a winter night.
Big thread over on Head-Fi about my CD Transport the Shanling ET3
A guy there was talking about sound changes as his ET3 broke in over time, saying it compares well to his Vinyl Setup?
Cool I thought..
I knew the Shanling didnt have that typical "digital" sound to it, it’s very open and transparent and does the timbre and realism thing very well.
https://i.imgur.com/IndipXX.jpeg
and then I googled his record player...
https://images.hifiplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/DSCF1823.jpg
$28.5K Turntable
$19K Tonearm
$9K Cart
Bloody Nora! :eek:
Certainly "good enough" for me, especially with latest Firmware update.
The guy commenting on the Shanling being able to differentiate between source material on such a revealing system speaks to its transparency, even in an uber high end setup.
Happy with that.
Will upgrade the i2s cable I use to connect it to my Dac with at some point, be good to max out what the Shanling can do knowing it can shine in a bonkers high end system.
Cool.
INCOMING...
Bit more of a 'serious' one this time.
A last hoorah for the digital setup.
Few weeks away, putting things in place and doing my research.
Keeping speakers and Vinyl setup as is, looking at maxing out my Digital.
Been enjoying file based music from the Shanling transports USB drive so much recently, decided to up my digital game, stick a fork in it and call it done.
More news as it breaks....
https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/574f0b9a37013b939ab0b866/1484232765665-CVIHDNG48PVA3G9CTOCA/maxresdefault.jpg?format=1500w
Bought a set of these for under my MDF turntable isolation platform, will replace the stock screw in cones.
40mm DIA , 25mm tall, brushed chrome finish. Two part design, ball bearings with rubber damping.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/146226865101?var=445106103306
£22 for 4, available in silver, gold and black
https://i.imgur.com/NCjhx7Q.jpeg
Design principles of these looks sound, and (most importantly :)) will look great against the piano black TT platform and plinth of the turntable
https://i.imgur.com/0peT7QW.jpg
Ali Tait
26-03-2025, 18:48
Look good mate, good price too.
Aye,
maybe don’t have to pay silly money for something that works good!
Ali Tait
28-03-2025, 14:22
Yup!
Posties been :thumbsup:
https://i.imgur.com/Ogr5eP0.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/XHXSKTC.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/bDQoxIx.jpeg
https://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?78557-TV-upgrade&p=1389823#post1389823
Pigmy Pony
20-04-2025, 09:49
Big telly!
Be interested to hear what you think of your LG soundbar set up, I know my brother's Sonos kit sounds pretty good. That Dolby Atmos thing does make a big difference. Is it wireless?
Only thing that might be a sticking point for me is that you may not be able to use an existing sub with these soundbar kits (though admittedly I haven't investigated this). I already have a decent REL sub, be a shame not to use it.
Aye!
The 'Jumbotron' should be pretty good for my 4K movies, looking forward to a rewatch.
Got the LG soundbar free with the telly actually?
Bought the (apparently) fair bit better sounding Samsung Q990D for half the LG soundbars RRP, idea is to sell the unopened LG on for at least as much as what I paid for the Samsung.
Both the Subwoofer and rear speakers are wireless, which is great.
Last time I dabbled with surround sound was a pair of Mission bookshelfs on Target stands, with wires trailing across the carpet!
The surrounds have 3 different facing drivers (including upwards facing 'bounce' speakers) to simulate ceiling mounted Atmos speakers, so a different ball game to what I had before, with the Yamaha Pro Logic receiver.
Win Win.
Setting the Samsung soundbar up today, need to rejig power cabling a bit to get it all working.
Its a beefy boy!
https://i.imgur.com/FU6dD2p.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/ixA1g4n.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/FEksr1h.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/HHaVDrO.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/gPb5jeu.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/KhZOPdz.jpeg
.
.
.
Ali Tait
20-04-2025, 18:40
You could go surfing on that soundbar lol.
Pigmy Pony
21-04-2025, 06:31
Had a read up on your Samsung soundbar, keeping it looks to be a no-brainer... so when are your blokes-with-a-crane coming to put up your new telly? Rather them than me :)
That looks like fun.
Correct me if I am wrong, but the bigger the telly the more you will realise what Hollywood is doing these days.
YouTube stuff shot with mobiles gives you more clarity. Embarrassingly more.
Most US based stuff is being shot with blurry lenses and filters to hide detail now we have these HD formats. They are literally scared of it, I reckon.
Very true of movies and series being put out on Netflix and Amazon.
Go back to some movies shot a couple of decades ago on BluRay, say, and you will find some content that far outstrips what they are doing now. For the most part, I reckon.
You will still love that bigger screen, though, I reckon. Enjoy.
Pigmy Pony
21-04-2025, 13:09
That looks like fun.
Correct me if I am wrong, but the bigger the telly the more you will realise what Hollywood is doing these days.
YouTube stuff shot with mobiles gives you more clarity. Embarrassingly more.
Most US based stuff is being shot with blurry lenses and filters to hide detail now we have these HD formats. They are literally scared of it, I reckon.
Very true of movies and series being put out on Netflix and Amazon.
Go back to some movies shot a couple of decades ago on BluRay, say, and you will find some content that far outstrips what they are doing now. For the most part, I reckon.
You will still love that bigger screen, though, I reckon. Enjoy.
Yeah, I've noticed that with more recent US TV/films. I reckon it's the actors insisting on soft focus so we don't see how rough they're looking these days.
Had a read up on your Samsung soundbar, keeping it looks to be a no-brainer... so when are your blokes-with-a-crane coming to put up your new telly? Rather them than me :)
Looking at next weekend, maybe one after?
Need to look into reputable local Company, sure there’s plenty about.
Yeah,
The telly weighing 99lbs, the guys better have had their Weetabix that morning!
Agree on the Samsung soundbar being a no brainier,
it was this AV Forums review that sold me on it.
https://www.avforums.com/reviews/samsung-hw-q990d-soundbar-review.21638/
Pigmy Pony
21-04-2025, 13:35
Looking at next weekend, maybe one after?
Need to look into reputable local Company, sure there’s plenty about.
Yeah,
The telly weighing 99lbs, the guys better have had their Weetabix that morning!
Agree on the Samsung soundbar being a no brainier,
it was this AV Forums review that sold me on it.
https://www.avforums.com/reviews/samsung-hw-q990d-soundbar-review.21638/
I also read a What Hifi review of the LG soundbar, and in comparison with the Samsung implied it fell way short... so what will your new telly be premiering with? I reckon Top Gun Maverick will put it through its paces :)
Now THATs the big question….
Looking forward to seeing Tron Legacy on it?
The Daft Punk score for that film is incredible, hoping for that Cinematic magic at home from all the new bits n bobs.
Shame there’s no 4K HDR version, the films crying out for one.
will update the thread as I go along.
The Soundbar has two HDMI 2.1 inputs, so for gaming on the PS5 Pro it’ll pass through 120Hz variable frame rate, so will really see what the “Pro” machine can do.
The big screen and immersive surround sound will add another dimension to it I reckon.
With the Jumbotron getting installed soon, and wanting the TV to sit lower at eye level than my current one, I've had to rejig the bits of kit that sat on top of my rack.
Had my Turntable, CD Transport and Dac power supply sitting there, all now needing to be rehoused.
First up is the Turntable.
I'm wall mounting it on the side of the telly.
The other kit will sit underneath it on 4 glass shelf rack I picked up from EBay to match my main one under the telly.
The Stands Unique Hifi racks are LONG out of production, had my main AV rack since 1998.
I was lucky enough to have found one in matching cherry wood in great nick.
https://i.imgur.com/1aJ2swy.jpeg
Couldn’t find one with the matching 10mm thick glass, unless I took the ferry to Northern Ireland… overall cost would have been close to £500, most of that on travel!
Is what it is, no big deal.
The Turntables a heavy beastie at 20ish kilos, so needed something beefy to sit it on the wall.
Happily it's stone walls I have, so can take the weight.
So a decent shelf to sit the Turntable on, but looking about you could pay £500 up to a grand for the name brand audiophile shelves, so I looked on Ebay for the old Target/Apollo type shelves.
Solid construction and gets the job done.
(The modern Pro-Ject one I had my eyes on was unobtanium sadly)
Sadly only battered examples of Target/Apollo ones kicking around with £200+ piss taking asking prices, so had a rethink.
There's a European Company that seems to have picked up the mantle of what the likes of Target and Apollo did back in the day, solid proper welded box section construction.
Just with more modern aesthetics.
Cool.
One of these coming next week.
https://www.kronosav.com/products/norstone-esse-ws-turntable-shelf?variant=43839135744254
https://i.imgur.com/AqZOF79.jpeg
Can take up to 30 KGs and I've stone walls, so despite a beefy record player it's all good.
Considered the walnut shelf on white metal frame one as my walls are white, but went with the black frame option with black tempered glass shelf to best match the record deck.
Pigmy Pony
25-04-2025, 20:49
Hopefully it's a misprint, but your post says your t/t is 20-ish kg, and your incoming shelf can take up to 30lb :eek:
Whatever the weight, our OLED telly's which are much smaller than yours (around 42" from memory) were a bugger to mount on the wall, especially with all the cables in place, since they couldn't be plugged in afterwards. And it still took two of us to do it.
So you are well advised to employ TV installers to do it for you.
Hopefully it's a misprint, but your post says your t/t is 20-ish kg, and your incoming shelf can take up to 30lb :eek:
Garry's Rega P10 weighs 4.7kg (= 10.34lb), so the shelf should be adequate.
TT is 20ish KG,
Shelf can take up to 30 KG.
Phew!
Mixing my units there like a true 'imperialist" :)
Moved on from the Rega P10 Barry, my current Pro-Ject X8 with its extra mass is the polar opposite of Roy Gandy's vision of what turntable design should be.
Tried both approaches, prefer high mass decks.
The P10 didn't have the vinyl "magic", sounded more like very good digital with added pops n clicks.
Enjoying the new Soundbar. :thumbsup:
The sound is surprisingly "hifi" and Im enjoying music from it a LOT.
Soundstage is massive, beyound the boundaries of not just the soundbar but my floorstanders too.
Thought it would be good for movies with the new telly, but music is terrific from it.
Imaging has pinpoint placement and the surround aspect is terrific for movies and gaming.
Listening to music close your eyes and the sound is coming out the big floorstanders, not the soundbar.
Lots of tunes on Apple Music re-encoded in Dolby Atmos which I can enjoy for the first time, really adds...something... to classic albums, maybe like multi-channel SACD?
Dunno, but definately adds to the enjoyment.
anyhoo,
Never had a subwoofer before, had just plonked it on the carpet out the box, bit of reading though and turns out its worth paying attention to what its sitting on and where its situated?
So spent a bit of time looking into that today.
Mines is rear ported, and had been pushed hard up against the wall.
Moved it out 8 inches or so and the boomy rumble was reduced and music became more tuneful in the low end.
Cool.
Couldnt help but think plonking it on the carpet was getting the best out of it, so raided my spares box to see what I had.
Sat it on a 1" thick granite chopping board, bass increased, but it wasnt the tight musical kind just the boomy stuff.
Quickly took that out.
Had good results back in the day with a set of Active monitors for the bedroom sat on IsoAcoustics Aperta stands, and had a set of 4 Isoacoustics pucks spare so sat them under it, and made a good improvement.
Cool.
When I last looked at isolation for my main speakers, I removed Isoacoustics Carpet spikes meant for their Gaia speaker feet, as other stuff I did with the speaker feet meant I didnt need them anymore.
So dug out the Isoacoustics carpet spikes and used them with the Isoacoustics pucks under the subwoofer... and yup, noticably better.
Happy with this wee tweak, the floor aint influencing the bass at all with this setup.
https://i.imgur.com/Icril86.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/RUM1ejT.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/ZiH8Kvr.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/CZKD2IF.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/8xIR0Sl.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/R1P3Lxz.jpeg
Was playing some YouTube stuff quite loud earlier and I paused the music as I thought I heard someone knocking my door?
Have an acoustic guitar hung on the wall behind me and it was vibrating after I'd paused the music!
Never heard that happen before.
Guess isolating the subwoofer from the floor meant the bass energy was coming from the 8" driver not blurry from the cabinet, so was more focussed?
Either way, pretty cool.
Subwoofer FOMO...done.
That telly really is massive.
That telly really is massive.
Getting installed this Wednesday morning.
Happy days. :thumbsup:
Major pain to clear the main wall for the guys to install it, but it'll give me a chance to tidy up cables n stuff behind the rack.
Getting installed this Wednesday morning.
Happy days. :thumbsup:
Major pain to clear the main wall for the guys to install it, but it'll give me a chance to tidy up cables n stuff behind the rack.
I thought that was the new one! - My god it's going to be gigantic.
I have screen envy.
I thought that was the new one! - My god it's going to be gigantic.
I have screen envy.
That ones a 65...
May be finding its way into the bedroom, dunno yet.
New ones almost the same width as the gap between the speakers https://theartofsound.net/images/smilies/3750.gif
Install guys said they never fitted an 83" before, hope they have their Weetabix Wednesday morning.
Out of curiosity, how heavy is your new TV?
Just under 90lbs I think Barry.
Thats one of the reasons I'm getting the Pro's in to fit it on the wall.
Happily walls are solid, so no issue with finding joists etc.
Yes, that's heavy. I had enough trouble hanging our 42" TVs, and there were two of us to do it.
What I can't understand is why they use a captive mains lead. It would be so much more convenient to be able to use a much longer lead, since in most cases there is not a convenient mains socket nearby. The problem is exacerbated if you have a duct buried in the wall so as to hide all the cables (I dislike seeing cables running across the floor or around the skirting boards, or hanging down from a wall-mounted TV).
Yes, that's heavy. I had enough trouble hanging our 42" TVs, and there were two of us to do it.
What I can't understand is why they use a captive mains lead. It would be so much more convenient to be able to use a much longer lead, since in most cases there is not a convenient mains socket nearby. The problem is exacerbated if you have a duct buried in the wall so as to hide all the cables (I dislike seeing cables running across the floor or around the skirting boards, or hanging down from a wall-mounted TV).
I'd guess the reason for the captive lead is you don't need to change the design of the power socket on the TV for each territory you're going to sell it in. Putting a different plug on the wall end of the cable is a lot cheaper.
I can't see why they can't fit a two pole 'shaver' plug and socket, like they do with some double-insulated audio gear.
Need to double check with Richer Sounds about the warranty if I cut the moulded plug off.
The TV fits flush to the wall, but wont if I need to install a socket behind it, and not use the existing cable channel I chased into the stone wall.
Damn, hadn't thought of that...
Reading up on warranty info about warranty and removing moulded plugs, getting mixed messages on this one.
Anyone any clue...?
Need to double check with Richer Sounds abouot the warranty if I cut the moulded plug off.
The TV fits flush to the wall, but wont if I need to install a socket behind it, and not use the existing cable channel I chased into the stone wall.
Damn, hadn't thought of that...
Reading up on warranty info about warranty and removing moulded plugs, getting mixed messages on this one.
Anyone any clue...?
I'd check with Richer and if they confirm it won't violate the warranty get them to put that in writing. It shouldn't do since it has zero effect on the unit.
Good call Martin.
Checked with Richers Glasgow and they confirmed it wouldn’t affect their Warranty, said they came across this before and it was fine.
Cool,
Phoned another Store and asked the same question, they are checking with Engineeer and getting back to me.
”should be ok 99%” he says, wanted to double checking for me.
Will ask to get it in an email too for peace of mind.
Theres UK ‘right to repair’ legislation too.
Warranty is with Richers not LG, so what Richers says goes.
5 year LG panel burn in warranty as well, which is good.
EDIT
Yup, confirmed by Richer Sounds Edinburgh too, and email confirmation sent.
"As discussed, our engineers have confirmed that cutting off and reattaching the plug will not invalidate the warranty if done correctly."
Last minute wee niggle sorted, happy days. :)
Was watching a G4 LG 83 in Currys a few days ago. The light output had me struggling to look at it and it was average ambient indoor light. TBH I was impressed with how bright it can obviously get.
What impressed me is it looked VERY wall mountable in the same way my 100 inch ALR screen for my UST projector is i.e. it can sit flat against a rear wall.
Thinking great, they do a G5 in 97 inch I wonder what the price is? And the answer was and is still a resounding no go at £25K.
Shame they can't get that down, especially as 100inch screen TVs (non-OLED e.g. Hisense) can be had for massively less.
From forum posts around the Web Justin,
there was never any complaints about the G4's brightness... OLED (traditionally) suffered a bit on brightness but the G4's MLA OLED panel made great steps in getting the Nits level (Brightness) up.
The G4 in a dark room would look insane!
I know the 95" G5, or the new size 48", doesnt use the same new 4-stack OLED of the 83" but it will be at least as good as the G4's panel, so pretty terrific.
The G4 95" should be a lot cheaper than the G5's at 25K!
Expect still a chunk of change though.
OLED is night and day better than any other TV tech out there, and its shortcomings (brightness and screen burn) have been addressed as the tech has moved on.
My Sony A1E I got in 2017 still looks stunning, but it does have some red colour screen burn which is annoying.
My goto guy on all things TV, Vincent Teoh of HDTV Test, did a direct comparison betweeen the G4 and the G5?
https://youtu.be/rWCNxNyJsDE?si=KbLYGofxyqNhdPab
The Matrix white room comparison is crazy, the G5 gets really close to the £30K Sony reference monitor.
Vince did an OK review of the projector I bought. Had it close on five years now I guess.
I have a first gen LG OLED 55 inch and a 65 inch Panasonic OLED (it has an LG screen and arguably better driving electronics than the LGs at the time).
The fist gen LG still looks great.
Of all the TV techs I think OLED is the best.
The one thing I don't like about OLEDs is this. It's obvious and anyone can do it.
Look at the real world, then look at what comes out of your OLED. They don't match. OLEDs colour hype like crazy. It looks great but it is NOT real world low distortion. Quite the reverse, in fact.
You don't get that with projectors it is a far closer real world match. But then they also have flaws in different areas. Would I swap my projector for a 100inch OLED. For a reasonable price, almost certainly.
But for the £3.2K the projector cost we've really enjoyed it.
BTW the ALR screens even at 100 inch are very light. Very easy to mount.
Ali Tait
30-04-2025, 07:17
What projector do you have Justin?
Pigmy Pony
30-04-2025, 07:53
OLED is night and day better than any other TV tech out there, and its shortcomings (brightness and screen burn) have been addressed as the tech has moved on.
My Sony A1E I got in 2017 still looks stunning, but it does have some red colour screen burn which is annoying.
Has it though? Our 55" LG OLED from about 2017 has some mad screen burn at the bottom, due to Mrs. P leaving it on Sky News for hours at a time. Sometimes you can actually read "Breaking News" at the bottom of the screen :(
We'll be looking at changing the telly at some point this year, she wants something bigger (ooh-er missus). And though OLED provides the best picture quality imo, the screen burn issue could be a deal breaker. Unless I can impose a Sky News ban.
I've no idea what tech my TV uses, it was just the cheapest 55 inch they had from a manufacturer with a name I'd actually heard of.
7 years with about 25K hours on it, no screen burn. But then I never watch the news.
Most TVs these days have a facility where the screen will go blank (dark) with a logo or motif which will drift around the screen, if the TV is left on for a long time to protect against screen burn. The time is selectable and can be disabled if required.
This is especially useful if you use your TV to listen to radio programmes. All BBC radio channels can do this by pressing the green button on the remote.
Most TVs these days have a facility where the screen will go blank (dark) with a logo or motif which will drift around the screen, if the TV is left on for a long time to protect against screen burn. The time is selectable and can be disabled if required.
This is especially useful if you use your TV to listen to radio programmes. All BBC radio channels can do this by pressing the green button on the remote.
Mine goes dark automatically if you select an audio only channel. It does switch itself off if left on the same channel for - I think - 6 hours, but it gives a warning first.
Usually not a problem since if you leave a TV on any channel for long enough either 'Forged In Fire' or 'Junk And Disorderly' will come on and you'll be compelled to change channel anyway.
Pigmy Pony
30-04-2025, 09:16
Most TVs these days have a facility where the screen will go blank (dark) with a logo or motif which will drift around the screen, if the TV is left on for a long time to protect against screen burn. The time is selectable and can be disabled if required.
This is especially useful if you use your TV to listen to radio programmes. All BBC radio channels can do this by pressing the green button on the remote.
My telly has this facility, it dims the picture significantly and kicks in after a minute or so if there is no movement on the screen, such as when it is paused or when displaying static images such as radio info as you mention. But in the case of Sky News (and it probably happens with Sky Sports too), you have the news coverage (moving images) combined with static information banner. So the auto-dimming isn't activated.
Sky really should be made to do something about this.
And.... its.up.
(Acoustic guitar for scale)
https://i.imgur.com/XP5mce3.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/cUeH3PZ.jpeg
Bit of a ballache to come putting the system back together, but hey ho.
This bit was quite satisfying though...have to say :)
https://i.imgur.com/u5tgMSL.jpeg
How far away from the screen will you be viewing the TV?
Any distance he wants to I'd guess.
How far away from the screen will you be viewing the TV?
Just under 12 feet I think.
The 65” Sony this replaces could look a bit lost on the wall sometimes, didn’t get that feeling of immersion you really want for big movies?
Even sitting looking at the LG switched off you can tell that’s not the case anymore.
Able to take in edges of screen and the overall scale of it without needing to move my eyes back and forth, so viewing distance seems spot on.
Sit down later tonight when I’m all set up, need to run it on calmer settings for a while till the panel runs in.
Some reading up to do on that today.
85'' is about the minimum size for 12 foot viewing distance.
New telly, new cabling…
Picked up a bunch of these,
Recommended on the AV forums and by a lot of the AV guys on YouTube.
New telly does a lot more than the old one picture spec wise (HDMI 2.1) so didn’t want cabling holding that back.
Thick heavy cables, unusually for HDMI they are solid core copper construction, so a bit trickier to install but top quality.
Two 3m ones, one for the EARC connection to soundbar and another for direct connection to Oppo Blu-ray player.
Another two 1.5m ones, AppleTV and PS5 to the soundbars HDMI 2.1 ports.
https://i.imgur.com/OzAc43Z.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/HVTQXy1.jpegA
HDMI 2.1 certified too, so fully tested.
Not all HDMIs are, and can lead to dropouts, handshake issues and stuff.
Ticks all the boxes, extremely well made and HEAVY cables, fire them up tonight.
Not expensive either at £25 for a 3m one, £13 for a 1.5m.
I wouldn’t pay silly money for HDMI cables, better ways to get improvements.
Got mine courtesy of Mr Bezos
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07S196T4Z?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1
https://i.imgur.com/hpx2Ovl.jpeg
What projector do you have Justin?
https://www.changhong.co.uk/laser-home-theater/a5u/
Chinky one. Quite surprised they haven't updated it yet. In a 35 by 14 room. With their ALR screen.
Fan is a bit loud, but otherwise it's good. Source material still needs to catch up for 100 inch screens I would say. But give it some decent 4K YouTube input and it shows what it can really do. Netflix/Amazon generally let it down, but not always.
Ali Tait
30-04-2025, 12:33
It's a beast!
Ali Tait
30-04-2025, 12:36
https://www.changhong.co.uk/laser-home-theater/a5u/
Chinky one. Quite surprised they haven't updated it yet. In a 35 by 14 room. With their ALR screen.
Fan is a bit loud, but otherwise it's good. Source material still needs to catch up for 100 inch screens I would say. But give it some decent 4K YouTube input and it shows what it can really do. Netflix/Amazon generally let it down, but not always.
Thanks. Recently for a Philips Neopix for the man cave, pretty good for the money. Same issue with loud fan though.
Just under 12 feet I think.
The 65” Sony this replaces could look a bit lost on the wall sometimes, didn’t get that feeling of immersion you really want for big movies?
Even sitting looking at the LG switched off you can tell that’s not the case anymore.
Able to take in edges of screen and the overall scale of it without needing to move my eyes back and forth, so viewing distance seems spot on.
Sit down later tonight when I’m all set up, need to run it on calmer settings for a while till the panel runs in.
Some reading up to do on that today.
12 foot is about right for an 88" screen diagonal. The SMPTE recommend a viewing angle of 30 - 40°.
Next question - what will be the first film you will play?
12 foot is about right for an 88" screen diagonal. The SMPTE recommend a viewing angle of 30 - 40°.
Next question - what will be the first film you will play?
Oh....there's a question!
Probably just some 4k demo stuff from YouTube till I get the settings dialled in?
That said,
Fair few folk just putting it in Filmaker Mode and calling it done.
Movie wise... needs a bit of thought!
Have a zillion things I've held off watching till the new telly was in...
Curious most about Tron Legacy and how it would look on this telly, probably that.
It's a beast!
Yup
And it's not even switched on…
Pigmy Pony
30-04-2025, 15:58
Papah, papah, papapapapapah, papah-papah-papah-papah, pap!
Don't forget the popcorn :)
Papah, papah, papapapapapah, papah-papah-papah-papah, pap!
Don't forget the popcorn :)
https://youtu.be/cxU6LT6DonE?feature=shared
Though my favourite is this one
https://youtu.be/MOwGBzbXb8k?si=OrCaw8pUw44osUlE
Here's a thought, Gaz. This stuff did improve the sonics in my room a lot.
You could hide cables in the grooves, too.
Just food for thought. Dunno if you like the looks of it.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250430/3e0a4433485f555348f774c845ce80d3.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250430/f54744d478dcfdb9194c286e7007b535.jpg
Yeah,
like that Justin, very cool.
Neutral colour scheme too, kinda my thing.
The Company that did my installation this morning offers “feature walls” like that?
Had considered going down that road but few other things on the go at the moment, after the telly I’m back on the toast ‘n beans for a wee while. :)
Holiday in June to make happen too.
Think next time I’m redecorating I’ll get a wall like that fitted.
:thumbsup:
Ali Tait
30-04-2025, 17:25
Have been thinking of getting that for the ceiling in my man cave.
Pigmy Pony
30-04-2025, 17:47
Yes, I'm planning to use that stuff myself. But just about a metre wide, running up from behind the cabinet, up behind the TV, and on up to the ceiling. This will conceal all the cables, and I will run a string of LEDs behind the edges for some ambient lighting. I already have the LEDs there, set on red. Because I like a bit of bling, me :)
It will be so glamorous, visitors will think they are in Las Vegas.
Pigmy Pony
30-04-2025, 17:50
Have been thinking of getting that for the ceiling in my man cave.
I bet it could give you a degree of 'room treatment', though what happens may depend on which way you run the 'slats'.
Pigmy Pony
30-04-2025, 17:55
Though my favourite is this one
https://youtu.be/MOwGBzbXb8k?si=OrCaw8pUw44osUlE
Looks like a Kill Bill moment! That final fight between "The Bride" and O-Ren Ishii would be epic on your new screen :)
Ali Tait
30-04-2025, 20:20
I bet it could give you a degree of 'room treatment', though what happens may depend on which way you run the 'slats'.
Yeah that was my thought. Room’s a decent size but the ceiling is low.
Pigmy Pony
30-04-2025, 20:47
Looks small [emoji1787]
No, it's just that you are far away :)
https://youtu.be/dwajb0Zgt_g?t=7
Kudos for the Robocop poster too.
Just noticed it :)
Here's a thought, Gaz. This stuff did improve the sonics in my room a lot.
You could hide cables in the grooves, too.
Just food for thought. Dunno if you like the looks of it.
Kudos for the Robocop poster too, just noticed that.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250430/3e0a4433485f555348f774c845ce80d3.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250430/f54744d478dcfdb9194c286e7007b535.jpg
REALLY enjoying putting the system back together after taking it apart to clear the front wall..
(Sarcasm)
WORRA BALLACHE https://theartofsound.net/images/smilies/1502.gif
Sure this lot was a good idea at the time... (It was... but was supposed to be fit 'n forget!)
https://i.imgur.com/rNIko4k.jpeg
Coming together though.
All contact pins cleaned n deoxit'd, might as well when it's all stripped.
I NEVER want to see these ever again :lol:
https://i.imgur.com/BcmHZEm.jpeg
Fire up the Jumbotron tonight.
First up on the Jumbotron... Kill Bill Volume 1
Tokyo scenes at night really popped.
https://i.imgur.com/gBVfeci.jpeg
Absolutely loved it, been 10ish years since I watched it.
Posties been...
https://i.imgur.com/o3EqdKG.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/vtFphLk.jpeg
Ran out of space for the black boxes that sat on top of the rack after plumbing in the new telly.
got a smaller "matching" Stands Unique glass rack (or so I thought :rolleyes:) to sit to the side to hold the bits of kit.
Ebay Seller insisted it was "Cherry" wood colour to match my AV rack, double checked and sent him pictures before buying....
Arguing the toss over messeges now, insisting he's right.
Its really heavy and fragile, so was collection only from south of England?
He was good enough to pack it all up and post it whan I asked, which would have been a ballache.
So cant fault him for that.
Think his Feedback is dropping by the minute though...
Ah well.
No big deal, it'll be just fine.
First world problem.
Hey, it matches the sofa, problem sorted. :)
I'm no style guru but unless the camera is playing up that's nothing like the colour of your existing rack. Is he really insisting that it is? That defies belief.
Yeah,
and he's doubling down too.
He's being a little Tinker.
Its night and day different, suspect he knew what he was doing when he sold it.
Not worth arguing with the guy, fair play to him on the packing and shipping it up, would have cost me fuel and an overnight stay otherwise.
Imagine that, and me turning up to see its the wrong colour.... :lol:
Oh well - maybe when you got it all set up the two colours will compliment? Or something.
Yeah.
Autumn woods or summit... :)
All about how you look at things really?
Set it up tonight.
Just looking around my room now I see 6 different colours of wood. Never occurred to me before.
Although I have been meaning to paint all the built-in wooden stuff gloss white - for about the last 28 years....
It's mahogany stained right now - it was the Seventies (Buckaroo!).
Suppose I could make a start on that now I have the time.
The wood in my room is quite varied both in source and colour, though most of it is mid-tone in shade.
Just looking around my room now I see 6 different colours of wood. Never occurred to me before.
Although I have been meaning to paint all the built-in wooden stuff gloss white - for about the last 28 years....
It's mahogany stained right now - it was the Seventies (Buckaroo!).
Suppose I could make a start on that now I have the time.
https://i.imgur.com/xa6Y3q3.gif
rednose66
11-05-2025, 05:45
@User211 what effect does the paneling have on your sound? I see it for sale in Spain and I like the look of it although if I used it for one wall in my living room I would have to smooth plaster the other three - rough Spanish walls. It is marketed as "acoustic panelling" but it doesn't look that effective?
@User211 what effect does the paneling have on your sound? I see it for sale in Spain and I like the look of it although if I used it for one wall in my living room I would have to smooth plaster the other three - rough Spanish walls. It is marketed as "acoustic panelling" but it doesn't look that effective?It is very effective basically because it covers the entire front wall. Apogees are dipoles and generate sound in both directions.
Essentially it calms the sound down quite a lot. There's noticeably less echo in the room, too, post install. That's probably the main effect that cleans up the sound. Less echo.
So essentially the sound becomes more relaxed and refined with better imaging. That said, it's a 35 foot long room and what you hear depends very much on were you sit. At 12 foot the system just provides incredible resolution beyond what most people are accustomed to dealing with. Information overload, in other words. At 20 foot things are appreciably more normal and homogenised, if you like. I choose one of those two locations depending on mood. That's just a product of insane speakers, really, more than anything else.
I can't claim it would be as effective if not using dipoles and TBH I suspect not. But if your room has appreciable echo and not much in the way of soft furnishings it's probably worth it.
I had a couple of carpenters put it in and it took them a day.
https://www.thewoodveneerhub.co.uk/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign=22534803808&utm_content=178883115549&utm_term=wood%20veneer%20company&gadid=720495006157&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22534803808&gclid=Cj0KCQjwlYHBBhD9ARIsALRu09q2q3Tyksjtkcj447B8 CtACTXCaUeD7PxcRvNz9VkXueTsHh0X5dbEaAmQ7EALw_wcB
Good info Justin. :thumbsup:
Putting up the Turntable wall shelf and getting everything put back together today.
Its just finding the time.
https://i.imgur.com/VBaqPk1.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/2TTLVWo.jpeg
4 M8 concrete anchor bolts into a solid wall, turntable setups a heavy thing at about 21KG, so taking no chances!
With the extra rack in the system I'm taking the opportunity to rejig where everything is, tidy up cables at the back, that kinda stuff.
Also,
My Preamps been out of use for an few weeks now?
One of the 2 valve input stage boards had had gotten noisy and one channel was very hissy.
Think something on it had drifted out of spec in the 8 years Ive had the amp.
PS Audio to the rescue,
Contacted Customer Support and they shipped a replacement board to the UK Dealer for me to swap out.
Its a daughter board that slots into the main PCB, a 5 minute job.
https://i.imgur.com/3quQPfw.jpeg
£50 delivered from the US, Im happy with that.
Happy to get my Preamp back, the dac sounds great direct to my power amp, but the seperate Pre adds the special sauce.
That said,
Been lazy casual listening to music through the new soundbar, it's pretty great.
Having 'ambience' added from the back speakers seems to just open up the soundstsge and that sense of being 'in' the music?
I dial the rear speakers back using the app when listening to music, but back to normal for movies.
It really works well, can tweak the levels from your seat.
Bob on :thumbsup:
Happy with that.
https://i.imgur.com/u3xk4IN.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/uT7aaUK.jpeg
Pigmy Pony
12-05-2025, 20:05
Those levels can't be trusted 100% - play something by Level 42, that'll tell you whether everything's right :) Don't bother with The Levellers, their music always sounds a bit wonky.
Those levels can't be trusted 100% - play something by Level 42, that'll tell you whether everything's right :) Don't bother with The Levellers, their music always sounds a bit wonky.Wonky when Orbital is on, obviously.
Gave up trying to delete a double post.
As long as there's no Jah Wobble it'll be fine.
Everything’s back together, happy THAT hassles over.
Actually like the contrast between the two wooden racks, a happy accident, I’ll take it.
Not much space on the wall anymore, but that’s fine.
Works for me… Jobs a good ‘un.
https://i.imgur.com/CFSkZzE.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/3VbsVQ0.jpeg
Ali Tait
15-05-2025, 11:16
Rubber ring fetish channel? :D
rmcin626
15-05-2025, 11:21
Fine looking set up
Rubber ring fetish channel? :D
Otherwise known as Channel 4.
Ali Tait
15-05-2025, 12:31
LOL
Rubber ring fetish channel? :D
Don’t knock it till ye’ve tried it… :eyebrows:
Think I was listening to THIS banger of a Tune when I took the pic.
Great track for the Summer, makes me think of my holidays as a Kid.
https://youtu.be/Bhk7cjjLVXI?si=EGSxQuYd1T42RBrR
Ali Tait
16-05-2025, 14:32
Who says I haven't? :lol:
Set up's looking great mate.
Who says I haven't? :lol:
Set up's looking great mate.
A few changes Ali since that first time you were over a lifetime ago when I had the Cambridge Audio kit!
Time flies my Friend.
Ali Tait
18-05-2025, 17:20
Aye that’s for sure, same with my setup. :-)
Incoming...
New dac and (probably temporary, but maybe not if it sounds good enough) preamp.
Calling digital done after this one.
Though may dive into the HQ Player upsampling rabbithole at some point.
Incoming...
New dac and (probably temporary, but maybe not if it sounds good enough) preamp.
Calling digital done after this one.
Though may dive into the HQ Player upsampling rabbithole at some point.
Come on then, what are you getting? Topping E30? :D
Come on then, what are you getting? Topping E30? :D
Weirdly,
the Preamp IS a Topping!
:eek:
Audio Science Review's measurebator special, the Pre90.
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/topping-pre90-review-preamplifier.18283/
https://www.electromod.co.uk/storage/img/products/Pre90-Ext90-Back_60377fcb64aa2.jpg
(https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/topping-pre90-review-preamplifier.18283/)Gets great reviews online?
"Straight wire with gain" transparent, massive dynamic range, goes head to head (and subjectively betters) some high end Pre's, and has fully balanced Inputs and Output.
So it ticks all my boxes.
More affordable than a lot of options out there, which is great, including the one Im (probably?) still set on getting.
But want to hear the Topping first, it just might be what I need.
So I'll give it some time and make the call.
The new Dac doesn't have a lossless volume control like the PS Audio, and as I'm looking for a change from my PS Audio pre (up for sale soon), I just need a clean transparent volume control with balanced XLR ins and outs.
The Topping does that.
Only one balanced XLR input though, so not enough inputs to run the vinyl at the same time...
Depending if its all its cracked up to be, I might actually keep it and pick up the handy extension unit, which adds more XLR inputs.
I like the half width form factor too.
The Dac however,
ISN'T a Topping.
Was always a Speakers first guy?
But that changed over time when I realised a better source can make a massive difference, IF your speakers are sorted and the rest of your chain is transparent enough to let the Source do its thing.
Happy with my Wharfie speakers, work well in my room and always step up whenever I improve something.
Like the Chrod Dave and DCS dacs,
my Directstream dac runs on an FPGA, and I've enjoyed several software upgrades over the years to improve it.
That, along with the hardware mods Ive done I've had some pretty great sound upgrades over the years, and sounds a heap better over the stock Dac.
My PS Audio Directstream Dac is now discontinued, there's a Mark II out now, but given the mods I've done I suspect it will be only incrementally better, with the same sound signature.
Folks over on PS Audio forums who've compared both bear this out.
So looking for a Dac to improve my digital which goes in a completely different direction.
I've taken this (great) dac as far as it can go, so whats the next step?
Back in the day I built music servers, so was very into stuff like Jitter reduction, SNR power filtering and the like. Digital Audio theory stuff.
Kinda miss all that stuff, software upgrades and the like, so drifting back into that area nowadays.
My Vinyl setup is locked in, so looking at upping the Digital and decided improving my Dac is the way forward.
I can get that upgradeability I miss with this new Dac?
Upsampling NOS digital files with HQ Player and I get to tinker again with audiophile PC hardware builds and software tweaks.
But getting ahead of myself,
The Dac running unaltered digital files in NOS mode will be a great start and again, might be all I need.
Maybe no need for a beefy music server build and HQ Player running through Roon.
But going forward I have the option though, which I like.
I've taken my current Dac as far as I can.
Shout out to Elise Audio in London, after checking they had one in stock I ordered it and an hour later got an email from UPS saying its getting delivered tommorow! :eek:
*EDIT*
Was going to put a second "uneccessarily wordy" :) post up talking specifically about the Dac, but pictures speak louder than words, so I'll keep the suspense up a while longer.
I'll post some pictures tommorow when the Posties been.
Wont be able to hear the Dac until the new Pre comes in (UK Retailer out of stock sadly, so a couple of weeks from Chinashire) but will leave the Dac on and get some burn in time under its belt while I wait.
* Found another UK Source for the Topping Pre90, so getting the Preamp delivered tommorow as well. https://theartofsound.net/images/smilies/thumbs-up.gif
Happy Days.
Thats me done for a bit.
Good pre-amp. I looked at that when I was looking for an active pre, along with the Rotel Michi, Parasound JC2BP and Benchmark LA4.
Ruled it out on looks in the end, same with the Michi and the Benchmark. Probably would have got the Parasound but then had a punt on the Sony which ended up surprising me - and saving me about three grand!
For me it's got to look old school.
We have very different approaches to digital sources. I don't go with spending large amounts of money there, I just don't hear any benefit, or see that there can be any when I look at the measurements either. Yes I did drop two grand on the CD transport but that was just bought for the looks as well. If there'd been anything cheaper that looked as good and wasn't slot loading I'd have gone for that instead.
Good pre-amp. I looked at that when I was looking for an active pre, along with the Rotel Michi, Parasound JC2BP and Benchmark LA4.
Ruled it out on looks in the end, same with the Michi and the Benchmark. Probably would have got the Parasound but then had a punt on the Sony which ended up surprising me - and saving me about three grand!
For me it's got to look old school.
We have very different approaches to digital sources. I don't go with spending large amounts of money there, I just don't hear any benefit, or see that there can be any when I look at the measurements either. Yes I did drop two grand on the CD transport but that was just bought for the looks as well. If there'd been anything cheaper that looked as good and wasn't slot loading I'd have gone for that instead.
Slot loaders are the work of Beelzibub.
Just Say... NO.
As you say though,
It's funny how folks can hear things differently?
For me,
even changing out digital cables I've heard a difference?
Ferrinstance the new HDMI i2s cable I'm running between the CD Transport and Dac sounds VERY different now to how it did when I first plugged it in a few weeks ago.
1's and 0's right?... Go figure.
My take on things is that theres too many assumptions being made and we just dont know enough about how it all works... yet.
Example:
With my current Dac you can run it in two modes, High volume or Low volume.
The choice being there to tailor the Dacs sound to the particular gain structure of your pre/power amp?
The low setting reduces the noisefloor by -20dB, and is meant for high gain systems where the DSD upsampling nature of the Dac may produce slightly audible background noise.
A decision made by the Dac Designer at the time..
Love Audio folks that look that far into their designs, can totally get behind that.
Those are the products you want to spend money on, not the flavour of the week stuff.
Bought a few things over the years based on that.
I compared both settings and volume matched, and they sounded slightly different, with the Low setting having slightly reduced dynamics and narrower soundstage width.
So not even two different bits of digital gear, but the same Dac with different settings sent to the analogue output stage applied!
:stalks:
Hear you Martin on the gear having to look the part as well?
Feel the same.
You gotta stare at it and if it looks terrible or if it's not your Thing... thats never great.
Each to their own of course, but like yourself wouldn't give gear like that houseroom, unless it was hidden out of sight.
That Parasound looks the Business, hadn't seen it before?
Has an old school Electrocompaniet/ Audio Note vibe about it, you cant beat a bit of Black and Gold with hifi Gear.
My first Valve amp was a chinese cheapie, which sounded MEH... and eventually blew up :D but boy did it look good with all that black brushed aluminium and gold valve cages!
Really enjoyed my time with it.
My next foray into valves was a custom build 300B power amp, that one looked amazing AND sounded wonderful.
https://i.imgur.com/3FDRO4x.jpeg
It had a black case with a copper top plate.
Loved how that thing looked, especially with the big Western Electric 300B valves at night.
Real "serious amp" vibe about it.
Miss this amp, thanks to Nick Gorham and Colin Topps (RIP)
Some things really are worth spending your hard earned on, the Amp yes, but not Premium unobtanium 300B power valves at THAT price.
Only reason I still dont have it.
Always liked the copper contrasting with the black though?
Guess it kinda stuck with me, the new Dacs the same
https://cdn.head-fi.org/a/11744533.jpg
Riislingen
02-06-2025, 17:42
Ah, that looks like Kitsune. HoloAudio DAC coming' up?
Ah, that looks like Kitsune. HoloAudio DAC coming' up?
Yeah
Good spot :)
Holo Audio May
Level 3 KTE
Posties bringing it tommorow!
Bit of a gamechanger this one by all accounts. Shall see.
Two box Dac, seperate Power Supply, its a big beastie... need to rearrange the rack.
https://youtu.be/Wa3sOSRa-U0?si=hzcvb-S4_agieM2O
Subjective Spolier:
This guy prefers it to the Chord Dave with MScaler.
Good enough for me!
Was going to get the matching Serene KTE preamp by default, but want to see if the Topping gets me there first.
Hope so.
Couple of other takes:
https://youtu.be/7JEKgiXm7ZI?si=rWvkQPh9sz_2DE6n
https://youtu.be/HPtsWvhjLxA?si=q_CdJfVBeESnnwr5
Riislingen
02-06-2025, 18:36
Congrats on the new gear, Gary! Been eyeballing the Topping P90 as well for some time. We'll see what happens.
Ali Tait
02-06-2025, 20:44
Nice mate, should sound great.
Nice mate, should sound great.
Whn you next back in the "Old Country" Ali?
Pigmy Pony
02-06-2025, 21:58
Whn you next back in the "Old Country" Ali?
Old country? What, Bournemouth? :D
Old country? What, Bournemouth? :D
Dont make me bring out the Horse Brasses Steve...
Pigmy Pony
03-06-2025, 05:49
Dont make me bring out the Horse Brasses Steve...
:lol: Love the looks of your incoming dac, especially that black/copper combination. I know looks shouldn't really matter, but they do :)
Firebottle
03-06-2025, 07:31
Hi Gaz, I have the Holo Audio Spring 3 KTE edition so have a flavour of what you are going to hear.
The Spring 3 has supposedly trickle down tech of the May but yours is definately going to be better, 2 box an' all.
I had a big uptick when I went with I2S with a quality lead. Enjoy my son!
Ali Tait
03-06-2025, 07:39
Whn you next back in the "Old Country" Ali?
Currently working at Hunsterston mate, travelling daily from Fife. Off to Rhodes at the weekend for a much needed break. :-)
rmcin626
03-06-2025, 08:48
Currently working at Hunsterston mate, travelling daily from Fife. Off to Rhodes at the weekend for a much needed break. :-)
Fife to Hunterston is a lengthy commute
Ali Tait
03-06-2025, 09:35
Aye, doing around 200 miles a day. I get away early enough to miss the evening rush hour though, so it's not too bad.
Aye, doing around 200 miles a day. I get away early enough to miss the evening rush hour though, so it's not too bad.
Plus you've got that rocket ship of a car :)
Ali Tait
03-06-2025, 09:44
LOL no, decided I didn't want to put a thousand miles a week on it, so I picked up a 2014 Hyundai I20 last weekend for £1500. Couple of rust spots which I'll fix, but generally in good nick and drives fine. Has a full service history on 109k. Bit of a bargain I think, plus it does 50mpg. The Stinger can sit on the drive looking good. :-)
LOL no, decided I didn't want to put a thousand miles a week on it, so I picked up a 2014 Hyundai I20 last weekend for £1500. Couple of rust spots which I'll fix, but generally in good nick and drives fine. Has a full service history on 109k. Bit of a bargain I think, plus it does 50mpg. The Stinger can sit on the drive looking good. :-)
Makes sense. Thousand a week is insane mileage.
Ali Tait
03-06-2025, 09:50
I like to be at home if I can. Been used to doing the mileage over the years as I've always worked on site, but if I wasn't getting away early I'd most likely stay over these days, but I'm normally back in the house by 5. Be too long a day if I wasn't, keep getting my nose rubbed in the fact I'm not 20 any more. :-)
I like to be at home if I can. Been used to doing the mileage over the years as I've always worked on site, but if I wasn't getting away early I'd most likely stay over these days, but I'm normally back in the house by 5. Be too long a day if I wasn't, keep getting my nose rubbed in the fact I'm not 20 any more. :-)
You must have retirement before much longer? I was out the house at 0730 and not back until gone 1800, in bed and asleep by 2230. Not much time in between to do anything or even just to chill out.
Ali Tait
03-06-2025, 09:56
Few years yet I think. I do often think about it but I know I'd get bored. My Dad worked until he was 72, could have retired at 50 if he'd wanted.
Posties been...
https://i.imgur.com/GLr3wYv.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/eIiTyVy.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/mbPrh5R.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/wEzaf3W.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/2cxI6nd.jpeg
This thing is a Beast!
Getting the Pre 90 remote to function takes a little bit of time, as you have to find the correct angle.
Wow Gary KTE Version - Very impressive!
The Holo Audio Cyan 2 stopped me playing vinyl!!! :eek: Had it for a few months now and in NOS it sounds unlike any other DAC I have heard and has at last converted me to digital. Build quality and SQ on another level and I would put the Cyan 2 up against anything else out there but I expect its only true competition is now sitting in your system!:)
Give me a call if you can sometime Gary and we can have a yabba about Holo audio.
Thanks everyone.
Been fitting out my kitchen, haven’t even heard it yet!
Plugged the May and the Pre90 in late last night before going to bed to get some heat in them, will have time to day to hook it all up and have a listen.
Running it all fully balanced and using i2s, and in NOS, so hopefully take full advantage of what the May can do.
From reading about I know the May Dac needs a lot of hours on it before it really starts strutting its stuff.
That’s fine I’m in no rush, know what to expect.
The version I’ve got has a lot of silver in it and from experience that can take an age.
Will enjoy the journey. :)
Also,
Had a think about the best way to position the May Dac, it being a two box’er?
You get an umbilical cable about 1m long so have the option of separating the two, but I like the two of them together as a unit.
Various folks around the web run it that way, but that said the Dac box runs really quite warm, so I don’t want to stack directly on top of each other.
Checked temps this morning,
the May power supply gets only slightly warm, but the Dac box heats up like a power amp. Must be all those ladder resistors packed in so tight.
So I’ve used my tried ‘n trusted IsoAcoustics feet to separate the two boxes.
From an isolation point of view, the Dac is sitting on a glass shelf, so I’ve used another set of Iso feet under the power supply to get it off the glass shelf.
It keeps the look, but gives the Dac box a bit more air around it.
Anyone had a Topping Pre90?
Aside the bad remote control anthing else worth keeping an eye open for?
Read that some folks had issues with gain from their power amp, would be a pisser if that’s the case here.
The big Meridian should be ok, but you never know.
Find out today.
Wow Gary KTE Version - Very impressive!
The Holo Audio Cyan 2 stopped me playing vinyl!!! :eek: Had it for a few months now and in NOS it sounds unlike any other DAC I have heard and has at last converted me to digital. Build quality and SQ on another level and I would put the Cyan 2 up against anything else out there but I expect its only true competition is now sitting in your system!:)
Give me a call if you can sometime Gary and we can have a yabba about Holo audio.
James,
your able to post again, nice one.
Been meaning to call you for a while mate, Brian gave me your number.
You have PM.
Bit of a shocker you coming away from your vinyl setup, know you loved the way that made music. :eek:
Got me more intrigued now about Holo Audio Dacs.
Lots to talk about, give you a bell mate.
James,
your able to post again, nice one.
Been meaning to call you for a while mate, Brian gave me your number.
You have PM.
Bit of a shocker you coming away from your vinyl setup, know you loved the way that made music. :eek:
Got me more intrigued now about Holo Audio Dacs.
Lots to talk about, give you a bell mate.
Yes I was shocked to get back on AOS - tried an old password and bingo!
As you know my dedication to vinyl has been absolute - until now! The truth is I never heard a DAC or any digital set up that convinced me it could better my vinyl set up but the Cyan 2 has been a surprise if not a left field choice. It is an interesting story and the surprise was when I used it in NOS, that was the killer deal.
Will be great to have a chat Gary.
PS didn't get PM but if you have my number just call anytime.
Got distracted and forgot to send it! :lol:
Sent now.
Yes I was shocked to get back on AOS - tried an old password and bingo!
As you know my dedication to vinyl has been absolute - until now! The truth is I never heard a DAC or any digital set up that convinced me it could better my vinyl set up but the Cyan 2 has been a surprise if not a left field choice. It is an interesting story and the surprise was when I used it in NOS, that was the killer deal.
Will be great to have a chat Gary.
PS didn't get PM but if you have my number just call anytime.
Got distracted and forgot to send it! :lol:
Sent now.
Just received it !:)
I have a Pre-90.
It has a nice safety feature regarding the volume level. Read the manual, and set it up.
I have no complaints with mine feeding the 686.
Kevin,
Does the sound get better for you with some time on it?
Read conflicting reports from folks, what do you think?
Thanks.
Its Alive!
https://i.imgur.com/5Y5OiYA.jpeg
Let the fun begin.
New dac and new preamp from cold, going to take a fair bit of time to get full performance.
Happily no issues with gain with my poweramp, happy about that. Was worried about that.
A great match in fact.
Very impressed so far, first impressions after half an hour of bloated mid bass from cold is its definitely improving.
The Holo Dac gets very warm, so separating it from the power supply with IsoAcoustic feet, get some fresh air circulating about it.
Sitting on a glass shelf, so another set under the power supply.
Keeps the look of the two box Dac, but eliminates any potential heat issues.
Hit a snag though?
With the PLL engaged (the Dacs jitter buster) it can't lock onto the i2s output from my Oppo 203.
Fitted a custom output card for that to the Oppo, worked fine with the PS Audio Dac, but the May's not having it.
Can switch off the PLL and it would work, but easier to keep that on and use 'normal' digital out on the Oppo to the Dac.
Only have an optical cable lying about, and it sounds great for YouTube, AppleMusic, Netflix and the like.
A long way to go, but that's cool.
Say one thing though,
Already this doesn't sound like any digital I've heard before.
Its... different.
What is your power amp? Is it PS Audio?
Great to see the May up and running in your system. Indeed there will inevitably be a lot of fiddling and running in until you can get a handle on it but feed it some good material and I am sure it will sound epic.
I am listening to the Cyan2 at the moment and it delivers a stunning visceral performance.:)
Ali Tait
05-06-2025, 19:37
What is your power amp? Is it PS Audio?
Meridian. 557 I think?
Meridian. 557 I think?
That's right I remember now. Nothing odd about Meridian amps, so it should be fine.
Yeah
Meridian 557.
Enough torque to pull a tank.
Just read that some folks had issues with Pre90's gain in their system.
Happily Im ok.
More I read of this wee preamp I like it.
Can confirm though the remote is the work of Satan.
Its terrible, even tried reprogramming the AppleTV remote with it as a workaround, even that didn't work.
It's just a shame they didn't keep the orange display from the E and D series DACs.
I might have got one otherwise.
Kevin,
Does the sound get better for you with some time on it?
Read conflicting reports from folks, what do you think?
Thanks.
I did not notice it, as I bought my Pre 90 second hand, so the “burn in” was already done.
Firebottle
06-06-2025, 08:03
Gaz, if the May is similar to the Spring 3 then it is best to leave the PLL off.
Might sound like you about to throw something away but extensive testing by Oli and myself showed that the soundstage was affected badly.
It was as if the performers were 8 feet wide rather than focussed where and how you would expect them.
Be ineresting to hear if you get the same result.
Thanks for that Alan... interesting.
Yeah,
Had thought the PLL was one of the "killer features" and best to leave well alone?
Most comments online seem to be about the delay in playback with it on, just assumed it was a pain worth enduring for the inprovement in sound.
Once my May has some time on it and beds in (Its all over the place atm) I'll try that and report back.
As a Holo Dac owner,
Keen to get others experience with it, you alright for a call at the weekend Alan?
Firebottle
06-06-2025, 14:56
Yes no problem Gaz. Will be travelling on Saturday morning so best avoid.
Incoming...
Been enjoying Roon quite a bit recently,
decided to get a dedicated Streamer.
Posties been.
https://i.imgur.com/znQ2Awl.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/WiOARsM.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/wzHYgg3.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/7nVOxTr.jpeg
This things small, but VERY heavy.
Solid metal construction, could take a burglar out with it.
About the size of a Beresford Dac.
Its very VERY Red.
Wish it was black but hey-ho… guess it’s called Red for a reason.
Plug it in and let it warm up a bit before putting some music through it.
Video Review:
https://youtu.be/vGOBMVkLFtc?si=_Nsih8h1h67HhKqF
Be using this review HERE:
https://twitteringmachines.com/review-holoaudio-red-ddc-network-streamer/
to help with setting it up.
I'll use it mainly as a Roon endpoint into the Dac over i2s, will be replacing the Oppo 203 for that.
Reckon the right tool for the right job will apply in this case?
Its built to go with Holo Audio dacs, was a good call this over other options.
Lots to research with this thing, do that when it's bedding in.
Exciting times Gary, these boxes are coming thick and fast!
Looks like a piece of hifi jewelry and I am sure it will be an interesting piece of kit. Hope it moves the system up another notch.
Look forward to your thoughts soon.
Ali Tait
07-06-2025, 17:31
Nice! Have you won the lottery? :lol:
Nice! Have you won the lottery? :lol:
You just never know...
Ali Tait
07-06-2025, 19:33
Should be a great sounding digital source mate.
Cant wait to hear it Ali.
By all measured and A/B Blind tested accounts, its not half bad!
Designed to work well with Holo Audio dacs, (with their mega high upsampling rates) it should be great.
Almost pulled the plug on a HifiRose RS130, great bit of gear, but like the Topping Pre90 I bought instead of the Holo Audio Serene Preamp ... I wanted to be sensible and see if this got me there first.
Been a tight paypoke this month, so need to be kinda sensible.
Thats what happens when you go "bull in a chinashop" with hifi.
I'm ok with ny decisions, suits me at this point in time.
If the new Pre or the Streamer sound offensive, its back to Plan A, will get the first ones I thought of.
But as with all things Hifi, best to hear them first if you can.
SPOILER: Initially they both sound outstanding, lets see what the next few weeks brings…
Ali Tait
09-06-2025, 09:59
Don't think you'll be disappointed mate, that's some nice kit.
Ali Tait
09-06-2025, 11:32
Don't think you'll be disappointed mate, that's some nice kit.
SPOILER: Initially they both sound outstanding, lets see what the next few weeks brings…
I keep looking at replacing the Pre90 in my system, but the problem is that it works well, and what do you replace it with for sensible money?
I keep looking at replacing the Pre90 in my system, but the problem is that it works well, and what do you replace it with for sensible money?
I know… right?
It’s as close to transparent as possible, and if it works well with your power amp then where to go?
Had some more time with the Holo Red replacing the Oppo 203 as a Roon Endpoint now.
From the start it’s WAY better sounding playing from Roon than the Oppo, the difference is obvious.
The Oppo was limited to it what it could output, particularly unable to play native DSd from Roon, the Holo Red can play everything at insane upsampled bitrates.
https://i.imgur.com/185Esw9.jpeg
Hooked it up with both USB and i2s, to let me flip between them, see which one sounds best to me?
Opinion seems to be divided, so hearing for myself.
Way too early to tell, that’ll come with time.
The USB implementation bypasses the May Dacs PLL, allows higher bitrates and uses the Dac as the master clock.
The i2s goes through the PLL and uses the Streamers clock.
Its a case of seeing which one works the best.
With everything still new I’m a long time away from drilling down that deep, just letting music play for a while get some time on both the Dac and Streamer.
No display on the Holo Red, only a status LED.
All settings accessed from its WebUI, just punch in its IP address and you access the SD card preinstalled control software.
Its Linux based, so you can install whatever flavour you prefer, but I’m sticking with the stock RedOS software.
Lets you toggle on and off the different services the box can do:
Roon Endpoint
HQPlayer NAA
UPnP
Airplay 2
Squeezelite
Scream
Spotify Connect
Tidal Connect
https://i.imgur.com/b6TMQUA.png
Nice to have the options,
but I’ll be using the box mainly a Roon Endpoint, playing local music and streamed through Qobuz.
The Holo Red shows up as an endpoint in Roon no problem, cool.
https://i.imgur.com/hhhDoU2.png
In the settings,
There’s a “Perfomance Mode” setting you can toggle on and off, which limits you to only having one option available.
As I’m just using Roon I’ll switch that on at a later point, just want to get a feel for how it sounds once it properly starts doing its thing.
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