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New Hobby

zog13

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Sep 14, 2020
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During Covid-19 I have started playing with a raspberry pi and streaming music. I have played with Moode Audio and Volumio. But I want to take the next step. I am just starting out on this new hobby :) I have the following:

Intel Nuc 10 Ubuntu 20
Raspberry Pi 4 and 3
Allo Boss Dac (just ordered)
Sonos Arc
A lot of Flac Music on google drive

My Plan?

Install Logitec Music Server on Intel Nuc. Mount a google drive using Rclone. Install piCorePlayer on raspberry pi w/ Dac. Thoughts? Any better suggestions?

And finally, I need a pair of good bookshelf speakers?

Thank you!
 
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Z

zog13

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I guess about $400 - $500. No clue yet where to get them
 

Aldoszx

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You can try to install Daphile as LMS on NUC.
piCorePlayer is a good alternative for Squezelite client but you can try also Ropieee XL.
 

ScofieldKid

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Some Revel speakers have been getting good reviews here...
 

sweetchaos

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Have you seen the database of speakers? Link
Since your budget is under $500/pair, you can see all the reviewed options below.
I've excluded options above this price point.
1601315185025.png
 

sweetchaos

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Yes I would like powered speakers
Well, that narrows down the options a lot.
We're now looking at powered speakers below $500usd/pair.

From the picture above, you can see 3 options that stand out (in no particular order):
- JBL 305P MKII (has -6dB at 41hz)
- AudioEngine A5+ Classic (has -6dB at 53hz)
- Yamaha HS5 (has -6dB at 54hz)

Different sizes, of course. Do you have a limit on the size of the speaker? Maybe you have a limited space and prefer smaller ones? Or no limit?

All of which, Amir liked and recommended.

EDIT:
I totally missed the Vanatoo Transparent Zero (due to the different colour on the chart because its an active speaker with a DAC). It has -6dB at 60hz. Amir liked it.
 
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sweetchaos

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We really need more budget (below $600/pair) powered speakers tested...IMO.
I heard of at least 3 that Amir *might* have for testing in that price range....hopefully they'll be added to the recommended list. *fingers crossed* :D
 

Webninja

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Yes we do. I have the 305s, and I really have a tough time figuring out an upgrade without jumping into over $1,000/pr.

@zog13 For the price alone, the JBLs are going to be hard to beat. I’ve seen them under $200/pr during sales
 

sweetchaos

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Personal opinion below:
I have JBL 305P MKII.
The bass is awesome (better -6dB measurements, when compared to other 2 options above)(I haven't tried other options myself), but they're a little bit bright (you can tell by looking at the estimated in-room-response graph).
To tame them down, I applied a manual set of EQ. They sound just right and more pleasing to listen to for a lot longer.
 
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sweetchaos

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I really have a tough time figuring out an upgrade without jumping into over $1,000/pr.
I have the same dilemma.

Above $1000/pair, Neumann KH80 jumps out...then at $1400/pair Neumann KH120, Genelec 8030C, etc.

I'm hoping Amir will review the following $600/pair active speakers *hopefully this year*:
- Adam T8V (regular $600/pair)
- IK Multimedia iLoud MTM (on sale for $600/pair)
- Yamaha HS8 (on sale for $600/pair)
 

BillG

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sweetchaos

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What's your listening distance?

If it's short (approx 1m), then you can choose the smaller speaker of a lineup, since you won't be playing it loud anyway.
If it's longer than 1m, then you'll need to consider your listening levels.

For example:
JBL 305P MKII can hit 94dB max continuous SPL, while the bigger brother (JBL 308P MKII) can hit 102dB max continuous SPL.

Similar with Yamaha HS5,HS7,HS8.
 
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