I'm done with ASR!!!!

[fatoldgit]

But not in the way you think.

So I have been going through an existential crisis the last few years knowing I wanted a sea change in my system (relative to DAC's and amplifiers).

Visiting ASR did and didn't help.

It did help in narrowing down choices but the amount of new stuff appearing (esp from Chinese brands) meant I would make a "definitive" decision only for the next week to have some new offering cast doubt on that.

Now I have finally made my choices: new apollon amps, new Audalytic HP70 pre-amp (1) and sticking with my DEQX HDP-4 DAC (nothing can touch it in terms of flexibility/connectivity aside from it's ridiculously priced newer Gen 4 version) and cause I only "spin" 16/44.1 CD rips, it's internal 32 bit engine has all the head room/resolution I need.

Thus the days of me breathlessly scouring ASR for the latest reviews are done....my eye twitches and cold sweats are now all gone and I can just relax and let it all wash over me.

So thanks to Amir for causing me all that mental anguish for all these years.

Peter

(1) yes it's a head amp but if you turn off the amplification you get a pure, straight thru volume attenuation control... in that mode you can't beat it at any price.

 

[Matias]

That is peace of mind there. Enjoy your system!

 

[fatoldgit]

That is peace of mind there. Enjoy your system!

Thanks...I will do once the new stuff arrives so now all I have to worry about now is the state of the world in general.

But that's a whole other discussion... much safer to worry about SINAD's and it's like and arguing with subjectivists on various fora.

Peter

 

[tineared]

But not in the way you think.

So I have been going through an existential crisis the last few years knowing I wanted a sea change in my system (relative to DAC's and amplifiers).

Visiting ASR did and didn't help.

It did help in narrowing down choices but the amount of new stuff appearing (esp from Chinese brands) meant I would make a "definitive" decision only for the next week to have some new offering cast doubt on that.

Now I have finally made my choices: new apollon amps, new Audalytic HP70 pre-amp (1) and sticking with my DEQX HDP-4 DAC (nothing can touch it in terms of flexibility/connectivity aside from it's ridiculously priced newer Gen 4 version) and cause I only "spin" 16/44.1 CD rips, it's internal 32 bit engine has all the head room/resolution I need.

Thus the days of me breathlessly scouring ASR for the latest reviews are done....my eye twitches and cold sweats are now all gone and I can just relax and let it all wash over me.

So thanks to Amir for causing me all that mental anguish for all these years.

Peter

(1) yes it's a head amp but if you turn off the amplification you get a pure, straight thru volume attenuation control... in that mode you can't beat it at any price.

Congratulations on finally coming to a conclusion on your electronics.
Now it's time to concentrate on new speakers

 

[Rick63]

# Click bait thread!



























In all seriousness, congratulations!

 

[Oddball]

What is the room EQ system here? If none than a total flop. If some then well, yeah, could work if there are no better options.

 

[Nay16]

I see ASR and Amir's work as a reality check for snake oil. I've built my system around the recommendations here except a tube amp which I also enjoy, and that's what matters. Enjoy your system!

 

[fatoldgit]

Congratulations on finally coming to a conclusion on your electronics.
Now it's time to concentrate on new speakers

nah...love what I have...been loving them for 20 years...even brought a spare pair just in case!!!

So with my latest move I am sorted for at least the next 10 years.

 

[fatoldgit]

What is the room EQ system here? If none than a total flop. If some then well, yeah, could work if there are no better options.

not sure what you are asking?

The raison d'etre for the DEQX is room EQ among many other things (on top of the fact I have a dedicated, well treated room I have worked on for many years)

Peter

 

[tineared]

nah...love what I have...been loving them for 20 years...even brought a spare pair just in case!!!

So with my latest move I am sorted for at least the next 10 years.

Got it. My speaker situation exactly (except for the spare pair)

 

[Oddball]

Just read the post?

 

[JPA]

 

[Keith_W]

Now I have finally made my choices: new apollon amps, new Audalytic HP70 pre-amp (1) and sticking with my DEQX HDP-4 DAC (nothing can touch it in terms of flexibility/connectivity aside from it's ridiculously priced newer Gen 4 version) and cause I only "spin" 16/44.1 CD rips, it's internal 32 bit engine has all the head room/resolution I need.

1. You don't need a preamp. Use the DEQX as a preamp.
2. The new Hang Loose Processor will likely beat the DEQX, both old and new. The problem is that it hasn't been released yet, but it will be soon. Its major advantage is that it is filter design software agnostic and can host VST's.

The new DEQX is compromised by a few baffling decisions starting with its price. At the moment it is the most capable FIR DSP platform on the market, but on specs alone HLP will handily clobber it.

 

[xanalog]

Yeah! Right!

Like what? What else is there to spend your Benjies on?
College fund/loan? Retirement? Mortgage? Taxes?
Those are some painfully big Benjies, whereas spending a small Benjie here (and there) always brings joy.

I just bought that FOSI DS1 portable DAC... only because it was on sale for half a Benjie.
It sure brought a smile to my face!
Thanks @amirm

 

[fatoldgit]

1. You don't need a preamp. Use the DEQX as a preamp.
2. The new Hang Loose Processor will likely beat the DEQX, both old and new. The problem is that it hasn't been released yet, but it will be soon. Its major advantage is that it is filter design software agnostic and can host VST's.

The new DEQX is compromised by a few baffling decisions starting with its price. At the moment it is the most capable FIR DSP platform on the market, but on specs alone HLP will handily clobber it.

(1) I run a 2 channel source into a 4 channel system (don't ask!!!) so need TWO volume controls (a master as per the DEQX for my fronts and another for relative volume control for my sides)

(2) Been looking at all DSP options for a while (minidsp, colinear, hangloose etc) but until the hangloose is released can't make a judgement

(3) I am used to the DEQX config I have setup so something else might react differently

(4) yeah, if the new DEQX was a decent price with some compelling advantage then it might have been a goer


The overall issue for me is I live in New Zealand and unless you are buying mainstream gear that is sold locally, anything else has no support and shipping anything will literally take a week (asia) or two/three (europe/us) to get from A to B and cost an arm and a leg. A lot different from being in the US and buying US gear or the EU/UK and buying EU/UK gear.

NZ is similar to OZ in these respects but your market/population is 5.5 times NZ's so you will have better choices/pricing (i.e. advantage of scale)

The two attractive things about the DEQX when I got it back in 2013 was (1) I got it half price as a dealer demo in NZ and (2) with DEQX being from OZ, support (if shipping needed) wasn't that far away

So yeah maybe the colinear is better or the new hangloose is better but as noted, for my 16bit/44.1 source files, the DEQX is fine.

I think when the DEQX dies I would try some minidsp option..cheap enough to dip my toes into something else

Peter

 

[Steven Holt]

I have a funny feeling that this post is not going to age well......because many of us have said this before

 

[Sal1950]

Thus the days of me breathlessly scouring ASR for the latest reviews are done....my eye twitches and cold sweats are now all gone and I can just relax and let it all wash over me.

Yea sure, we'll see what happens to your visit count next month.

 

[delta76]

I have a funny feeling that this post is not going to age well......because many of us have said this before

stop visiting ASR is easy. Been doing that a dozen times.

 

[fatoldgit]

Yea sure, we'll see what happens to your visit count next month.

I am not saying I won't be visiting ASR like I always have (It's my home away from home, an oasis in the desert of subjectivity) but I will no longer be falling in love every second week with some new device that Amir has measured.

My decisions have been made and I am not one to chop and change.

I hold onto gear for a long time..for example the mono blocks I just replaced are over 20 years old, the DEQX is 13 years old and I use daily my 2006 era Slimdevices Transporter in my office system.

My long term mantra is: do the research up front (in terms of measurements, functionality and build quality) and longevity ensues. Much the process/metrics you apply when selecting a wife/partner.

Peter

 

[Sal1950]

I will no longer be falling in love every second week with some new device that Amir has measured.

That's a good choice and we are completely on the same page. Outside of speakers, audio has mostly been a solved problem for 40+ years. I still run 5 of the 30+ yo Adcom power amps in my rig. But If one day they finally crap the bed, I'll look to ASR and Amir to determine their replacements.