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my ears are not good

Joined
Feb 1, 2024
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hello!!!!!!

my system is Mcintosh composed of:
Preamplifier C 22 MKV
Amplifier 275 Mk VI (were two as mono blocks but I decided to simplify my chain and sell a 275 to make some money.)
I have a bluesound node 130 streamer ( Node 3)
I had and now no longer have a DAC T+A 200

after having the T+A 200 DAC for almost a year, i decided to do some testing by taking it out of the chain and using the Bluesound as a streaming and DAC....

having said that, I could not hear the difference of several thousand in my system, and I decided to sell the T+A.
For the past few weeks I have been using only the bluesound node as a streamer and DAC.
now with blackfriday i got an RME ADI-2 DAC FS ( ESS) for 999 euros.

I'm doing some testing but I can't figure out if it's me being unrefined and the Bluesound is enough for me to listen to very decent music.

the pre and amp and my Tannoy Cheviot speakers sound great with a nice soundstage and I can't figure out at this point the difference between all these DACs.

what is wrong with me?
thanks! Maurizio from Munich (Germany)
 
Nothing is wrong with you.

DACs simply play an incredibly minor role in creating a high fidelity playback system.

Room treatment, room correction, and loudspeakers are where you'll see actual returns.

Edit:
Living in Munich, I'd check out GGNTKT at Hörzone.
 
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what is wrong with me?
Nothing, it's hard to hear differences between dacs unless they're broken or designed with a sound. Your speakers and room are what you mainly hear. I know the Node didn't measure very good and since you already have the RME you might try some room correction as you can do some PEQ and it has the loudness function as well.
 
thanks.
I was emailed today by a dealer who is getting new Bluesound node ICONs.
He would take my Node 3 as used and I would have to give 750 euro difference.
I am thinking of giving back the RME and getting an ICON.
I am very comfortable with the software of bluesound and the remote control on my preamp also works with the Bluesound, with top convenience to stop music, and skip tracks..... I´m just thinking about it.
 
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How old are the Cheviots? How are the driver surrounds and maybe caps in the crossover? If you were going to put some money into your rig, I'd arguably look there towards restoration if they're originals, assuming they've not been overhauled.
 
How old are the Cheviots? How are the driver surrounds and maybe caps in the crossover? If you were going to put some money into your rig, I'd arguably look there towards restoration if they're originals, assuming they've not been overhauled.
They are original and sound crazy.
I bought them used five years ago so I don't know their history.
I rebuilt the rubber seals a year ago and anyone who listens to them is amazed at these oldies from 1976/78. cheers
 

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your ears are fine.

And it's just that nowadays with modern devices and especially with digital, it is very difficult, if not impossible, to be able to establish and find differences between devices that are so salient as to become characterizing. More or less, I have been testing for the whole of last year with different Dacs. Apart from the output level between SE and Bal and the game with the filters, there is little to note. I ended up with a 20 year old Dac, which has no display, no buttons, no volume. Nothing. It turns on on the back and turns off from there. I couldn't ask for more, since it reads 24/96, and that's enough for me. Enjoy your Bluesound and your RME, without thinking too much: leave the frustrations to others!! Happy listening!
 
Living in Munich, I'd check out GGNTKT at Hörzone.
They look really good, performance and style. The "bottom end" speaker on the M3 looks potent (cardioid FTW). I was thinking of DIYing something just like that, and sitting my monitors on top.
 
DACs simply play an incredibly minor role in creating a high fidelity playback system.
I would agree with the sentiment here but nitpick the wording.

DACs play a huge role in the sound, you need them to produce an analog signal.

But in 2024, most of the DACs you can buy, even cheap ones, have great performance and sound effectively neutral / transparent / perfect in practice. So your choice of DAC makes very little or no difference to the sound.

@Maurizio_Maggi As others have said, your ears and brain are working great, just buy the cheapest DAC that has the features you want and don't worry about it.
 
thanks.
I was emailed today by a dealer who is getting new Bluesound node ICONs.
He would take my Node 3 as used and I would have to give 750 euro difference.
I am thinking of giving back the RME and getting an ICON.
I am very comfortable with the software of bluesound and the remote control on my preamp also works with the Bluesound, with top convenience to stop music, and skip tracks..... I´m just thinking about it.
Generally the technical differences are quite minor, but useability, ergonomics etc can definitely have more value IMO. Your ears are likely fine.
 
Thanks for Your Messages..... I sent back the ADI and found today used a HOLO MAY KTE for 3800 euro... at this point I´ll try this if by chance it´s another world with R2Rs
 
Thanks for Your Messages..... I sent back the ADI and found today used a HOLO MAY KTE for 3800 euro... at this point I´ll try this if by chance it´s another world with R2Rs
Another waste of time. You aren't hearing a difference, then you are hearing what is in front of you. Go back and read @staticV3's post. It says everything.

Oh, and leave the Node Icon alone until someone confirms that the MQA QRONO stuff in it is not damaging the sound in practice.
 
Thanks for Your Messages..... I sent back the ADI and found today used a HOLO MAY KTE for 3800 euro... at this point I´ll try this if by chance it´s another world with R2Rs
Don't go down the rabbit hole! It makes no sense at all. If you want to get rid of money then invest in speakers, room treatment and EQ. Buy a Umik 1 and get free REW for a start.
 
Thanks... I know I know... it MAY be a Waste of time but not Money.... I could always resell it for that price which rather low for this highly sought after piece.
 
Scorecard:
Ears - Fine
DAC - Fine
Node - Fine
Reviewer/Dealer hype - Terminally Ill

All the smarty pants (you know who you are) ASR guys are saying the same thing. You can take their advice, which is what you were looking for when you posted, or you can listen to someone who wants your money. Who do you think is more likely to give you an honest and highly informed opinion? If you hear the electronics, either the gear is broken, or you are... as everyone is basically saying.
 
Ok. I understand

is there any online reviewer who seems honest to you? ( and I´m not talking about Steve Huff who quite ridiculous in the guise of medium)
guido of ana-dialog?
goldenear?
 
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