My 2019 Update Thread - My final system I think.

I am glad the Red does UPNP as this would be my route for using it with Audirvana and Qobuz unless Qobuz Connect is made available to the Holo Audio RED. As its a ROON endpoint you are well sorted Gary so at least that part of the conundrum is fine , now its a matter of working out best implementation into the MAY I guess. I know the MAY has fabulous galvanic isolation on the USB input but not sure about I2S? Lots of folk using HQP using USB so they can max out the upsampling opportunities! BUT as I have found NOS is sublime and OS for me is a step backwards.

I would certainly like to hear what the MAY does compared to the CYAN 2 with all that fantastic dual mono power supply etc. The Cyan 2 sounds amazing so I expect the MAY is mind boggling!:):eek:

Happy to bring it down at some point James, let you hear it in your System. :)

Cant wait to hear what the May can do once its ran in properly, will take quite a while to bed in by all accounts.
This things been over engineered as far as possible, so lots to come I think.

Meanwhile,
I'll just enjoy the day to day stuff as it happens.

Yeah,
Have Terrabytes of albums in Flac, and a lot in DSD so Roon is a good solution for me.
Cant beat browsing your music on the big Ipad.

As I wasn't getting the Fizz playing music from Roon via the Oppo, I let my Qobuz subscription lapse.
Time to get it back up and running now I have the Holo Audio Kit.

So good to have my own music sounding great in Roon again, been enjoying YouTube and Apple Music, but Roon sounds a lot better. Especially with the new gear.
https://i.imgur.com/JyumeVb.jpeg

Must admit to being curious about HQPlayer upsampling, especially knowing the Holo gear can take full advantage of it.
But that's WAY down the line, just gonna enjoy what I have as the reported sound quality starts to come out.

I can now play around with the upsampling options in Roon, the Holo Dac is still in NOS mode, so still get the advantage of that.
Its just that as with HQ Player, there’s upsampling being taken care of outside the Dac, in this case my seperate PC running Roon software.
Can adjust it on the fly in Roon from the IPad, so pretty handy.
Just something else to try going forward.

Just a couple of days in it’s already by far the best digital I've had, this Dac just hits different.

Yes a trip down will need to happen sometime. Great to hear you have advanced your digital system by quite a margin I think what with the May Dac and the RED streamer.

Over on head fi I was yabbering to a guy who upgraded from the RED but he had to spend a lot of cash £5000 on an Innuos Pulsar and even then I think it was only marginal differences and a big lesson in diminishing returns!

Seems like there's a lot of options, which is good. I think I am too old to learn all that, or too lazy.

I'll be over soon mate :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by brian2957

I'll be over soon mate :)

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Anytime Brian.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jimbo

Yes a trip down will need to happen sometime. Great to hear you have advanced your digital system by quite a margin I think what with the May Dac and the RED streamer.

Over on head fi I was yabbering to a guy who upgraded from the RED but he had to spend a lot of cash £5000 on an Innuos Pulsar and even then I think it was only marginal differences and a big lesson in diminishing returns!

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:eek: Crikey!
Good to know…

In other news…
I found a fancy fuse of the same rating I could use in the Red, an SR Purple.
These worked well to give a nice improvement with other gear in my system, so fitted it to the streamer.

Won’t do any harm, might as well use it!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Macca

Seems like there's a lot of options, which is good. I think I am too old to learn all that, or too lazy.

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Sometimes a CD is alot less faff, thats for sure.
Not lazy, just "set in your ways" :lol:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gazjam

Sometimes a CD is alot less faff, thats for sure.
Not lazy, just "set in your ways" :lol:

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A bit of both I think!

Change in cabling

I use an AppleTV hooked up over HDMI input to the Oppo 203, for Apple Music, YouTube, streaming TV 'n such.
Not being able to use the Oppo's i2s audio output into the new Dac, I tested its coaxial digital output?

That said:
i2s will probably work if I switched the Dacs internal PLL off.
I'll test that after the Dac has run in properly, see what happens.

Anyhoo
I've never used the Oppos Spdif output?
And as I removed the Oppo's internal Dac circuitboard when modding my 203, I didn't even know if the socket was still connected to anything!

Plugged in a scrapper RCA cable to test it, and it works fine.
https://i.imgur.com/77ub2gf.jpeg
Anyone else remember these Tandy Gold interconnects?
Sat in my spares box for many years... they were a big thing back in the Day! :)


Been listening to Apple Music, YouTube n stuff through it last couple of days, sounds pretty good.
New Dac is making everything sound better so not unhappy with that.

If I'm using Spdif digital to the Dac from the Oppo though:
I'm not going to keep using an old analogue interconnect as a digital cable into the new Dac...

So picked up a 'proper' digital Coax cable to use.
Final piece of the puzzle I think.

https://i.imgur.com/gdbzgbD.jpeg

https://i.imgur.com/8VG9Haw.jpeg

https://i.imgur.com/xZjuZe3.jpeg

Read about this one, its is supposed to be quite good.
The 'magic' 1.5m length too.

Got it 2nd hand from a Dealer, like new condition so that's cool.
Picked it up for just over half price compared to new, bit of a bargain.

So plumbed it in and I'm happy with the improvement over the old RCA cable.
Sounds good, really like what it's doing.

That looks a great cable Gary, just bought another cable myself with KLE plugs and OCC copper.

Which one?
An interconnect or digital cable?

KLE plugs are the best in the Biz...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gazjam

Which one?
An interconnect or digital cable?

KLE plugs are the best in the Biz...

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Just an interconnect.


My digital cables are Audioquest Cinnamon USB and Coax. Both made a big difference however I believe the Carbon Audioquest cable is better. These digital cables not only made a difference audibly they also made a technical difference which in my case was even more important. Coax is proper 75ohm coax.

Cables certainly make a difference and even more so I find in digital audio.

Yup.
100% agree.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jimbo

Just an interconnect.


My digital cables are Audioquest Cinnamon USB and Coax. Both made a big difference however I believe the Carbon Audioquest cable is better. These digital cables not only made a difference audibly they also made a technical difference which in my case was even more important. Coax is proper 75ohm coax.

Cables certainly make a difference and even more so I find in digital audio.

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OK, 'my final system I think'

Well we can all critique the thread title, however (I think) I have come to the end of my upgrade journey.
Last purchase - cables, and yes they do make a differene.

I have been spending money like it grew on trees, hey what's it for apart from to enhance ones time left.
Bought a modern newer car, fabulous, lots of auto features apart from the gearbox, makes driving more relaxing.

Following the relaxing ethos, I bought some Arke Audio Solo stand mount speakers earlier this year, everyone needs to hear these.
The internal cabling is Triple C so my latest (last?) purchase was some Triple C speaker leads. Replaced some Talk 4.1 cables that I had been given some while back.

Result - more relaxed presentation, detail and transparency increased (what the Arke Audio speakers are masters of).

End of journey? I have no money left so yes!

We all get there in the end Alan!

Those speakers sound tasty...
Nope.
Im happy with what I have :)

Unless we are very fortunate, I don't think we ever reach "the end of the line" as regards achieving a personal audio nirvana.

What happens is that the majority of the equipment in the replay chain have already been chosen, within one's budget, so apart from upgrading an old item with a significantly newer and better item that also offers good value for money, the "job's done".

After 50 year's involvement in hobby and having spent something like £80K, I'm at the end of the upgrade path. The only thing that might interest me would be a stand alone DAC; my limited investigations have shown that switching between internal and external DACs reveal small but non-decisive changes, and my current DAC (a TEAC design) does not work well with any of my CDPs (Mark Levinson, Studer-Revox, Simaudio Moon, and Sony).

Dread to think how much I have spent over last 45 years on hifi!:eek:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jimbo

Dread to think how much I have spent over last 45 years on hifi!:eek:

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Me too. System I'm listening to right now owes me nine grand which I don't think is too unreasonable for a serious enthusiast given what you can spend on this stuff, but there's another system on the telly and the house is full of unused equipment (not to mention the cable graveyard).

Best not to think about it.

BTW I always assumed the thread title was ironic, even back in 2019 :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Firebottle

OK, 'my final system I think'

Well we can all critique the thread title, however (I think) I have come to the end of my upgrade journey.
Last purchase - cables, and yes they do make a differene.

I have been spending money like it grew on trees, hey what's it for apart from to enhance ones time left.
Bought a modern newer car, fabulous, lots of auto features apart from the gearbox, makes driving more relaxing.

Following the relaxing ethos, I bought some Arke Audio Solo stand mount speakers earlier this year, everyone needs to hear these.
The internal cabling is Triple C so my latest (last?) purchase was some Triple C speaker leads. Replaced some Talk 4.1 cables that I had been given some while back.

Result - more relaxed presentation, detail and transparency increased (what the Arke Audio speakers are masters of).

End of journey? I have no money left so yes!

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What car did you get Alan?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Macca

Me too. System I'm listening to right now owes me nine grand which I don't think is too unreasonable for a serious enthusiast given what you can spend on this stuff, but there's another system on the telly and the house is full of unused equipment (not to mention the cable graveyard).

Best not to think about it.

BTW I always assumed the thread title was ironic, even back in 2019 :D

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Bow swapper... Me?

The thread title was a bit of a playful dig at Grants gallery thread :)
I'd pointed out to him he was always changing his "final" system...

To quote Marco, this Forum section is to: “Post your system pictures or create/update your 'system blog'.
I like to look back at my system, and having it all in one place is good.

No system is ever final, just a work in progress!:lol:

True ' Dat!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gazjam

Bow swapper... Me?

The thread title was a bit of a playful dig at Grants gallery thread :)
I'd pointed out to him he was always changing his "final" system...

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Nearly 4 years since I bought Grant’s Pathos amp from his “final” system

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Originally Posted by rmcin626

Nearly 4 years since I bought Grant’s Pathos amp from his “final” system

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:lol:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ali Tait

What car did you get Alan?

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I bought a Kia Niro self charging hybrid, TOTL, in black..

Looks rather like this one:
https://static-eu.cargurus.com/image...-1024x768.jpeg

I've found a really effective way to stop upgrading is to have 3 or 4 power amps to swap between and masses of valves to roll into various bits of equipment.

When you rotate the amps every month or few months and swap a few valves around it gives you that upgrade, or rather change from sameness which avoids monotony.

It really does work. Apart from slight snags like getting there in the first place and the inability to stop buying valves.

Hey, ho.

Next piece of gear isn't hi-fi. Probably a 100 inch Hisense TV when the new model is available in the UK.

I am not claiming I am immune. Just saying change, rather than buying for change helps a lot. Familiarity breeds contempt, as they say.

Sent from my CPH2653 using Tapatalk

Just for the benefit of the Tape...

https://www.yourprops.com/movieprops...Recorder-1.jpg

I upgrade to better gear, never change just for the sake of it.
And always have been happy at any specific point.
Theres always better out there, you gotta live in your own comfort zone.

Just when something significantly better comes along, I could sensibly afford it at the time, and would improve my enjoyment in the hobby.
You gotta enjoy yourself, otherwise whats the point? :)

I like getting the most out of my kit, so mod it where possible?
Most stuff is built to a price point and can be improved for just a little outlay.
Fun part of the whole hifi thing for me that, and we all have our own aspects that we enjoy.

Its all going to my Son when I pop my clogs, he can sell it, enjoy it, give it to the Cat Protection League, whatever he wants.
Cant take it with you, so its all an inheritance for him as well.

Cant plan these things though, so best not to overthink it.
Always remember this guy, chased the dream system all his life... didnt quite work out for the best.
Need to keep things in perspective!

https://youtu.be/4b2IOOhJmxw?si=j2XV1m1oc2E_P8tK

One of the Video comments hits hard...
All about perspective.

"The audio system fetched just $156,800 at auction. Fritz died of ALS a couple of years ago, suffering an affliction that slowly removed his ability to use, then appreciate, the project that took so much money and work. A nicely done Washington Post story from today (Jan. 13, 2024) also chronicles how his obsession pushed his marriage into divorce and caused a rift that prompted him to disinherited one of his sons. I was actually surprised to see that the equipment sold for that much. Reminds me of what a stamp-collecting friend told me many years ago: enjoy the hobby, and know that the collection will someday be worth 10 cents on the dollar, if that."

Might worth trying one of these with the Red streamer. I used one into another streamer sometime back and it made a noticeable difference.

https://the-ear.net/review-hardware/...ns-the-stream/

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Firebottle

I bought a Kia Niro self charging hybrid, TOTL, in black..

Looks rather like this one:
https://static-eu.cargurus.com/image...-1024x768.jpeg

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Nice, had one as a courtesy car when mine was being serviced. Kia spec is always good, lots of toys.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jimbo

Might worth trying one of these with the Red streamer. I used one into another streamer sometime back and it made a noticeable difference.

https://the-ear.net/review-hardware/...ns-the-stream/

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Interesting product, and timely too.

Ive recently changed Broadband companies and had copper Ethernet removed and Fibre to the Home installed.
My network audio improved, which set me thinking about losing Ethernet all together and using a Fibre Network setup.

Thats been on hold for a while with other stuff to do, but with the new Dac/streamer setup I’ll look into it again.
Definitely worth doing, not too expensive and if it eliminates more noise n stuff that’s always good.

The filter you linked to James is very interesting, I'll do some reading up on it.
Could be just the ticket, and a lot simpler to implement.

cheers.

Trying one of these at the minute Gaz-

https://the-ear.net/review-hardware/...n-regenerator/

Am in Rhodes for the week, have left it running whilst I'm away so it'll have a good few hours on when I get back (Just received it the day before we left). 60 day return policy so if I don't feel it's an improvement it'll be going back.

Looks a nice bit of kit Ali.

Look fwd to hearing what you think of it when your back.

Was looking at the spec on that DAC on Audioholics, Gary.

It's insane.

Bring it here immediately, wanna hear it.

Can it beat my Firebottle modded Lampizator with Western Electric VT-25 valves in it?

I wonder...

My DAC will lie, but the spec on that thing sez it shouldn't.

It's all a fix. It's all pretend. Government is not your friend.

Yeah,
this thing is insanely over engineered, the numbers are nuts.
Don’t really care about measurements though, if it sounds good it sounds good.

Only one way to find out Justin... :eyebrows:
Apparently takes a LONG time to burn in properly so would give it time before I "put it out there"

Don't be embarrassed.

Massive smile.

It's all a fix. It's all pretend. Government is not your friend.

You been on the piss mate?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gazjam

Looks a nice bit of kit Ali.

Look fwd to hearing what you think of it when your back.

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It's certainly solidly made. Yeah will let you know how it goes.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gazjam

You been on the piss mate?

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Nope.

Was just saying don't be shy;)

In all honesty I don't expect you to turn up with it. Be interested to hear it, though.

So if you ever want to do so, PM me.

You will enjoy it and get to hear something that is pretty extraordinary, when it really boils down to it. You may not like what you hear, but it will make an impact, I will guarantee you that.

No idea where you are. Give me a region? Just curious.

It's all a fix. It's all pretend. Government is not your friend.

Ah, my bad. :)

Always enjoy hearing other folks gear, thanks for the invite J.
Im up in Glasgow, so a fair distance away though!

Ah. That is a bit of a trek...

Maybe not, then.

I'm near Bristol.

"It's all a fix. It's all pretend. Government is not your friend." Ian Brown.

Ach, thats a pity.
If Im ever heading down that way Justin I'll give you a shout, and bring the May Dac along.

Fun wee Project for when Im back from Holiday...
Improving isolation for glass shelves in my rack.

https://i.imgur.com/zfAhkxP.jpeg

https://i.imgur.com/p9WvKRE.jpeg

https://i.imgur.com/O9yLYcM.jpeg

https://i.imgur.com/8riDNau.jpeg

https://i.imgur.com/seoIh8R.jpeg

Ikea style shelf location pins came with a silicone pad on them, but have fallen off over the years.
I've used Blu-tak, self adhesive pads all that stuff, currently not all shelves are the same.
Some are even just sitting glass on metal pin, which aint great.

So decided to fix it, nice way to pass the time of a wet Sunday afternoon I think, I enjoy dabbling with this stuff and it keeps me out of trouble. https://theartofsound.net/forum/imag...es/biggrin.gif

M6 Brass Nyloc nut, soldered to shelf brass location pin.
Sillicone Nitride ceramic balls inserted in the nut's nylon "cup" ('a La Naim Fraim concept) and shelves sat on that.
In my setup I've tried to minimise vibration and its harmful effects where I could, and this is just another step. How much difference, who knows, but I'll be happier knowing its done.
This has been a niggle for me for a while, this should give a much better shelf interface with less transferred vibration.

Big thread over on the Naim forum discussing the Fraim and how to recreate the effectiveness of it, Ceramic ball bearings on glass is the way to go.
And as theres a little play in the nylon "cup" that holds the ball bearing, this should level the shelves out much better than they are at the moment.

The Manufacturers of my Hifi rack, Stands Unique (sadly RIP) offered improved ‘carbon support’ shelf pegs, so they knew there was room for improvement.
Every little helps!

https://i.imgur.com/COpVOwE.jpeg

You going anywhere nice?

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Originally Posted by Ali Tait

You going anywhere nice?

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Me and the Spawn going to Japan for 2 weeks Ali.
Flying out to Tokyo next week.

Gonna be cool.

Nice! Always wanted to go.

I’ll bring you back a stock of rock, howzat! :)

He would probably a little bit of rock on the end of some boron. ;)

That'll do lol

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Originally Posted by CageyH

He would probably a little bit of rock on the end of some boron. ;)

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:)

https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-mhzo...743175.jpg?c=2