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WANTED: Happy members who like to discuss audio and other topics related to our interest. Desire to learn and share knowledge of science required. There are many reviews of audio hardware and expert members to help answer your questions. Click here to have your audio equipment measured for free!
Welcome New Members to ASR, introduce yourself here.
- Thread starter JSmith
- Start date
Monster
Member
Hello all,
I'm Mark and I live in Wales. I'd just like to thank you all, but especially @amirm, for the great technical information and general audio myth busting. I have been lurking here for a few months and the insight I have gleaned has definitely saved me some money by avoiding buying products that confer little or no benefit to sound quality.
Thanks again for running a great site.
M
I'm Mark and I live in Wales. I'd just like to thank you all, but especially @amirm, for the great technical information and general audio myth busting. I have been lurking here for a few months and the insight I have gleaned has definitely saved me some money by avoiding buying products that confer little or no benefit to sound quality.
Thanks again for running a great site.
M
Birdie in the pocket
New Member
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2024
- Messages
- 4
- Likes
- 5
Hi everyone, Rodrigo here from Lisbon/Portugal. I'm a vintage stereo equipment collector, with an enfaces on compact cassettes/decks.
Thanks for having me
Cheers,
Rod.
Thanks for having me
Cheers,
Rod.
Welcome to the forum from not so sunny UK. That is a very niche collector specialism - though I do still own a Technics dual cassette deck.Hi everyone, Rodrigo here from Lisbon/Portugal. I'm a vintage stereo equipment collector, with an enfaces on compact cassettes/decks.
Thanks for having me
Cheers,
Rod.
PS - I think you meant "emphasis". (Don't worry - your English is very very much better than my Portuguese)
Belgik
Member
Hi, I'm Paul, from Belgium, but influenced by the places I lived as (Belgian) army brat, Germany and the United States, when I was 15 I lived in El Paso, TX
The very first vinyl I had, was a 45 rpm single of Mahalia Jackson performing "Jerusalem", it was around 1960, my dad had a 75 rpm turntable wheel-drive spindle remachined to drive at 45 ...
My first "hi-fi" was around 1966, Lafayette tube amp, Garrard disk changer, flat Realistic speakers
Later, when I started working and lived away from my parents, I bought my first new "chaine stéréo", Kenwood amp, tuner and baroque wooden grille speakers, lousy L-75 Lenco turntable setting the pace of rumble between tonearm jumps. Cheap headphones and Deep Purple in Rock contributed to the present state of my hearing. Then came the NAD and Bose days with a louse cheap Thorens not meriting that brand denomination. From 1985 onwards I completely lost interest in Hi-Fi, until 2010.
My present setup is all Onkyo, part 1991-2 Integra AR-700 amp 2x105 clean 8 Ohm watts, EQ-540 equaliser, and part "new" FM-DAB+ unit and a CD-7030 player. And 1970's Bower & Wilkins DM2a's which I value highly.
Today, I ordered a SMSL PL200...
Whilst I do have a Teufel streamer and a family Spotify account, and listen to Internet radio, and have digitalized vinyl, I now consider that an oft frustrating waste of my time. And vinyl, well it's ok, but only since a bought a 1979 Technics SL-1710 platter and Audio-Technica ML-95, for the first time I've enjoyed rumble-free (sometimes) great-sounding music from a vinyl record.
But I prefer CD, even if I've noticed some sound sharp and rough, others great. I'm curious to experience the forthcoming SMSL machine.
Of course, it's the music that counts. I wonder how Scott Ross' harpsichord will sound, whether the latter years Johnny Cash will be even more moving, and to what extent Outkast's "Speakerboxx/The Love Below" may sound even better...
I hope you would allow me to, generally, lurk. With due respect, I'm an eternal newbie!
The very first vinyl I had, was a 45 rpm single of Mahalia Jackson performing "Jerusalem", it was around 1960, my dad had a 75 rpm turntable wheel-drive spindle remachined to drive at 45 ...
My first "hi-fi" was around 1966, Lafayette tube amp, Garrard disk changer, flat Realistic speakers
Later, when I started working and lived away from my parents, I bought my first new "chaine stéréo", Kenwood amp, tuner and baroque wooden grille speakers, lousy L-75 Lenco turntable setting the pace of rumble between tonearm jumps. Cheap headphones and Deep Purple in Rock contributed to the present state of my hearing. Then came the NAD and Bose days with a louse cheap Thorens not meriting that brand denomination. From 1985 onwards I completely lost interest in Hi-Fi, until 2010.
My present setup is all Onkyo, part 1991-2 Integra AR-700 amp 2x105 clean 8 Ohm watts, EQ-540 equaliser, and part "new" FM-DAB+ unit and a CD-7030 player. And 1970's Bower & Wilkins DM2a's which I value highly.
Today, I ordered a SMSL PL200...
Whilst I do have a Teufel streamer and a family Spotify account, and listen to Internet radio, and have digitalized vinyl, I now consider that an oft frustrating waste of my time. And vinyl, well it's ok, but only since a bought a 1979 Technics SL-1710 platter and Audio-Technica ML-95, for the first time I've enjoyed rumble-free (sometimes) great-sounding music from a vinyl record.
But I prefer CD, even if I've noticed some sound sharp and rough, others great. I'm curious to experience the forthcoming SMSL machine.
Of course, it's the music that counts. I wonder how Scott Ross' harpsichord will sound, whether the latter years Johnny Cash will be even more moving, and to what extent Outkast's "Speakerboxx/The Love Below" may sound even better...
I hope you would allow me to, generally, lurk. With due respect, I'm an eternal newbie!
Birdie in the pocket
New Member
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2024
- Messages
- 4
- Likes
- 5
Hello and welcome Paul
Like many of us here, some young others not so much... we tend to have our share of experiences when it come the both the quality and variety of stereo equipment, we've owned/experienced over the years. The important thing I believe is to have experienced these differences, and to reach some sort of conclusion, if not only, to realise that there is a whole lot more to learn/experience
Once again, welcome and happy listening.
Cheers
Rod.
Like many of us here, some young others not so much... we tend to have our share of experiences when it come the both the quality and variety of stereo equipment, we've owned/experienced over the years. The important thing I believe is to have experienced these differences, and to reach some sort of conclusion, if not only, to realise that there is a whole lot more to learn/experience
Once again, welcome and happy listening.
Cheers
Rod.
Belgik
Member
Belgik
Member
Er...I''m not yet familiar with the functioning of this forum, perhaps I better try my laptop next time.
wandulus
Member
Hi Everyone!
Reading the forum since 2019, but only now registered and post.
Born and raised in Argentina, I lived in various places (TX, Cambridge (UK), Liguria (Italy) and now in Costa Blanca region (Spain))
Automation engineer, and audio is one of my hobbies (The others are cycling at masters level and everything with an engine and wheels)
Nice to meet everyone here!
Reading the forum since 2019, but only now registered and post.
Born and raised in Argentina, I lived in various places (TX, Cambridge (UK), Liguria (Italy) and now in Costa Blanca region (Spain))
Automation engineer, and audio is one of my hobbies (The others are cycling at masters level and everything with an engine and wheels)
Nice to meet everyone here!
Last edited:
Hello JSmith and other audio enthusiasts. My name is Jackson. I remember my first step on my audiophile journey was buying an Audio Technica cartridge, with my summer job money, for the family stereo’s turntable. I didn’t have a clue how to re-balance the tonearm and I still remember the exasperated look on the salesperson’s face when I, just a high school kid, brought the whole turntable to the store for help.
Fast forward 40 years, far too many misinformed and misguided purchasing decisions later, I have realized that there is no truly faithful sound in recorded music beyond what the producers and audio engineers deem good or good enough for distribution and consumption. Floyd Toole sums up the “circle of confusion” conundrum succinctly (Sound Reproduction, 3rd ed). Hopefully we are getting closer to the day of escaping from it, though I suspect that won’t be in my lifetime.
Which is what brought me to ASR a couple of years ago, when I started looking to replace the speakers for my main stereo. I am still very happy with the Revel F328Be that I bought based on Amir’s recommendation. I envy those who have just started on this journey and found this community: there are many more products to discover that are (much) better value-for-money than before. Let’s hope that competition in equipment design and manufacturing will drive innovations and quality improvements for a wider audience.
I do find many of the relevant ASR posts are more technical than my ability to translate into what to expect in terms of sound reproduction and enjoyment of music. The tutorial threads and links to educational materials are very helpful. I am grateful for the rigor of more seasoned forum members in moderating and discouraging unconstructive and confrontational posts. I really appreciate the minimization of marketing and industry presence on the webpages. I am very happy with the two products I bought based on Amir’s reviews (including the subsequent discussions). Thank you Amir and the ASR community
Fast forward 40 years, far too many misinformed and misguided purchasing decisions later, I have realized that there is no truly faithful sound in recorded music beyond what the producers and audio engineers deem good or good enough for distribution and consumption. Floyd Toole sums up the “circle of confusion” conundrum succinctly (Sound Reproduction, 3rd ed). Hopefully we are getting closer to the day of escaping from it, though I suspect that won’t be in my lifetime.
Which is what brought me to ASR a couple of years ago, when I started looking to replace the speakers for my main stereo. I am still very happy with the Revel F328Be that I bought based on Amir’s recommendation. I envy those who have just started on this journey and found this community: there are many more products to discover that are (much) better value-for-money than before. Let’s hope that competition in equipment design and manufacturing will drive innovations and quality improvements for a wider audience.
I do find many of the relevant ASR posts are more technical than my ability to translate into what to expect in terms of sound reproduction and enjoyment of music. The tutorial threads and links to educational materials are very helpful. I am grateful for the rigor of more seasoned forum members in moderating and discouraging unconstructive and confrontational posts. I really appreciate the minimization of marketing and industry presence on the webpages. I am very happy with the two products I bought based on Amir’s reviews (including the subsequent discussions). Thank you Amir and the ASR community
Didn't realize there was a "members only" area till today....
Hello all!
I'm Chris,
Been an "audio enthusiast" for about 15 years. I remember my first "real" system purchase was an onkyo all in one receiver + speakers from a circuit city that was going out of business down the street from my house. Smiling now as I sit and listen to my "real" system today and think how far this journey has come. How many hours of driving all over the states I have lived in to snag a "good deal" on the next "better" speaker, or receiver, or whatever, audio related. I whole heartedly appreciate this forum and all its wonderful members and those who spend time/money/energy to get readings on speakers or type up recommendations. Up until I stumbled onto this site I thought my old Paradigm Studio 100's were god's gift to the speaker world and nothing sounded better. After finding this stie and the floor stander recommendation list I blindly went for a deal on some Revel F208's and would never look back. I'm now onto another set of speakers and just ordered a different set today. I keep telling myself, "THIS is the last time." Maybe it is .. maybe I get the itch a few days/months/years down the line who knows. I have enjoyed every moment and will continue to do so.
TLDR; Thanks for having me!
Hello all!
I'm Chris,
Been an "audio enthusiast" for about 15 years. I remember my first "real" system purchase was an onkyo all in one receiver + speakers from a circuit city that was going out of business down the street from my house. Smiling now as I sit and listen to my "real" system today and think how far this journey has come. How many hours of driving all over the states I have lived in to snag a "good deal" on the next "better" speaker, or receiver, or whatever, audio related. I whole heartedly appreciate this forum and all its wonderful members and those who spend time/money/energy to get readings on speakers or type up recommendations. Up until I stumbled onto this site I thought my old Paradigm Studio 100's were god's gift to the speaker world and nothing sounded better. After finding this stie and the floor stander recommendation list I blindly went for a deal on some Revel F208's and would never look back. I'm now onto another set of speakers and just ordered a different set today. I keep telling myself, "THIS is the last time." Maybe it is .. maybe I get the itch a few days/months/years down the line who knows. I have enjoyed every moment and will continue to do so.
TLDR; Thanks for having me!
Hello everyone. I'm 62 and a retired software engineer as of last August. My first intro to trying to get good sound was in High School. I had just bought a 67 mustang that needed a lot of work. I installed an Alpine cassette system and thought it was awesome. The first cassette played in it was Van Halen's first album. After dropping out of college after 1.5 years because of a great job offer, I worked as a software developer for a company that did systems for banks while also playing in local heavy metal bands (bass, keyboards and vocals). Most of my income went to buying equipment for myself and my bands during those years (the 80s and some of the 90s). I just had some crappy turntable at home.
I got a lot of experience with equipment for public performances. Bass amps, guitar amps, PA amps, microphones, mixing boards, monitors, etc. Big banks of big speakers with lots of powerful amplifiers. It was mostly a fun time (too many hot but bad women), but I would not want to do it again. We also did a lot of recording starting with 4 track cassette recorders, moving up to 8 track recorders and a few sessions in real recording studios. Like I said, it was fun at the time and I learned a lot, but that is for younger people.
Before I retired, I didn't have much time for music and equipment. Had a soundbar for my tv for movies. Now, I have time for the important things and I thank you all for what I learned here. I have a main system in my living room and a monitor type system in my former office now recording studio. So far I have two guitars (strat and SG), two fender basses, multiple Fender guitar amps, an awesome Hartke bass amp, an Alesis drum machine, 4 keyboards / synthesizers (Roland Juno 106, Juno 60, Yamaha DX7, etc.) and a Tascam 24 track recording studio set up.
I'm loving retired life. I went to a doctor for a hearing test in December and apparently still have the hearing of a 45 year old which is amazing considering all the loud sounds from when I was in the heavy metal bands.
I believe in spending money only where it will make a difference and avoiding all the snake oil BS. I do still like some eye candy so I have an Eversolo DMP-A6 which doesn't sound any better than my Wiim Pro Plus. Both are awesome.
I know that vinyl is inferior to CDs, but still managed to get a setup that sounds really good. Just a Fluance RT81 going into a Fosi Box X4 with an Ortofon Blue cartridge. I am surprised it can sound as good as it does, but realistically good Vinyl playback only needs a turntable that can maintain a fairly constant speed with a good cartridge going to a good phono preamp. No need to spend crazy amounts for great reproduction.
Anyway, I am happy with the setup I have and am mostly collecting CDs now.
I could easily afford any of the high dollar woo woo systems people talk about, but I have a functioning brain and know not to flush money down the toilet on snake oil BS. I feel sorry for the people who fall for all that garbage.
I got a lot of experience with equipment for public performances. Bass amps, guitar amps, PA amps, microphones, mixing boards, monitors, etc. Big banks of big speakers with lots of powerful amplifiers. It was mostly a fun time (too many hot but bad women), but I would not want to do it again. We also did a lot of recording starting with 4 track cassette recorders, moving up to 8 track recorders and a few sessions in real recording studios. Like I said, it was fun at the time and I learned a lot, but that is for younger people.
Before I retired, I didn't have much time for music and equipment. Had a soundbar for my tv for movies. Now, I have time for the important things and I thank you all for what I learned here. I have a main system in my living room and a monitor type system in my former office now recording studio. So far I have two guitars (strat and SG), two fender basses, multiple Fender guitar amps, an awesome Hartke bass amp, an Alesis drum machine, 4 keyboards / synthesizers (Roland Juno 106, Juno 60, Yamaha DX7, etc.) and a Tascam 24 track recording studio set up.
I'm loving retired life. I went to a doctor for a hearing test in December and apparently still have the hearing of a 45 year old which is amazing considering all the loud sounds from when I was in the heavy metal bands.
I believe in spending money only where it will make a difference and avoiding all the snake oil BS. I do still like some eye candy so I have an Eversolo DMP-A6 which doesn't sound any better than my Wiim Pro Plus. Both are awesome.
I know that vinyl is inferior to CDs, but still managed to get a setup that sounds really good. Just a Fluance RT81 going into a Fosi Box X4 with an Ortofon Blue cartridge. I am surprised it can sound as good as it does, but realistically good Vinyl playback only needs a turntable that can maintain a fairly constant speed with a good cartridge going to a good phono preamp. No need to spend crazy amounts for great reproduction.
Anyway, I am happy with the setup I have and am mostly collecting CDs now.
I could easily afford any of the high dollar woo woo systems people talk about, but I have a functioning brain and know not to flush money down the toilet on snake oil BS. I feel sorry for the people who fall for all that garbage.
behindthesofa
Member
- Joined
- Feb 15, 2024
- Messages
- 6
- Likes
- 5
Hi everyone! I have followed this forum and site for a couple of years now, decided it was time to register. I'm a scientist/programmer by training, and an audiophile-on-a-budget. Bought my first setup 15 years ago - Marantz PM7001 amp, Marantz CD6002 CD-player and KEF iQ7SE speakers. Started building on this setup with a Musical Fidelity V-DAC and V-LINK. That was a nice improvement, and stayed in my system for quite some time. In the last couple of years, I had more time again to devote to listening. First I replaced the V-DAC1 with a Marantz HD-DAC1. Then the PM7001 amplifier started behaving badly, and I took the opportunity to replace that with a NAD C268. That was a massive upgrade, really helped in extended bass response.
Due to the recent onslaught of affordable state-of-the art DACs, I replaced the HD-DAC1 with an SMSL D6s. Wow! Even better and tighter bass extention, superclean sound. Loved it. And last week I bought a UMIK-1 to help me with positioning and room EQ. Again, a major leap - bye bye boomy bass, a much more pleasant and coherent sound, better imaging! I really didn't know my humble speakers were able to rise to this level of fidelity (obviously I have a lot to learn still).
Current setup is: Streaming (Qobuz/Audirvana/upmpdcli) --> Raspberry Pi4 (CamillaDSP - REW/UMIK1 room corrected) --> USB --> SMSL D6s --> NAD C268 --> KEF iQ7SE
Looking forward to my next steps. Love all the interesting discussions here!
Due to the recent onslaught of affordable state-of-the art DACs, I replaced the HD-DAC1 with an SMSL D6s. Wow! Even better and tighter bass extention, superclean sound. Loved it. And last week I bought a UMIK-1 to help me with positioning and room EQ. Again, a major leap - bye bye boomy bass, a much more pleasant and coherent sound, better imaging! I really didn't know my humble speakers were able to rise to this level of fidelity (obviously I have a lot to learn still
).Current setup is: Streaming (Qobuz/Audirvana/upmpdcli) --> Raspberry Pi4 (CamillaDSP - REW/UMIK1 room corrected) --> USB --> SMSL D6s --> NAD C268 --> KEF iQ7SE
Looking forward to my next steps. Love all the interesting discussions here!
Welcome everyone since the last time I said welcome
It's a great place here.
It's a great place here.
phantompowered
Member
- Joined
- Feb 22, 2024
- Messages
- 34
- Likes
- 54
Greetings ASR folks! Glad to be here. Though I may not always agree with everything everyone posts, I respect what you all have to say and I've learned a lot as a lurker. I'm 35 and located in Vancouver, Canada.
I've loved music all my life, but my interest in hi-fi audio started back in high school when friends of mine went on a mission to learn how to build basic headphone amplifiers. The first component I ever bought was a Sonic Impact T-Amp, hooked up to a pair of long forgotten Polk Audio bookshelf speakers. It was bliss. I bought a Benchmark DAC1 as a graduation present to myself after university, which was the real mind blowing moment.
I have worked for a time as an audio engineer in recording studios both small/humble and large/fancy, and my "philosophy" such as it may exist around what I want from a hi-fi system is largely based around that experience. Sadly I've left the industry, but what I learned really stuck with me... for instance, no engineer worth a damn ever told me about a ten thousand dollar pure silver unicorn hair XLR interconnect. But also that time alignment and phase coherence are utterly critical to good sound, from recording to mixing to playback, along with effective room treatment. Further to that, with enough 2520 opamps, one can move heaven and earth.
I believe that measured performance is very important, but well executed, robust electronic build quality/circuit design and thoroughly researched, scientifically rigorous design approaches are even more important. Optimal performance, optimal neutrality/transparency and optimal tonality are not always correlated, and their relationship is always shifting.
If you're going to manufacture and sell an audio product, I respect if you do it right, do it by the book and don't seek to create hype or esoteric nonsense when something simple could suffice. You can always hear when something is designed to cut a corner or make a compromise. Sometimes you just need to shut your eyes off and let your ears tell you what you need to know - it is far less often that looking at a screen or the brand name on a box will make something sound better in the end.
The best 2 channel system I've ever heard was a pair of Dunlavy SC-IVs in an extremely neutral room, with stereo subs and amplification of a make I can't recall right now, alas, with signal coming out of a Lynx Hilo DAC. It was utterly magical.
My current system: Roon > Allo DigiOne Signature (Coax) > Benchmark DAC1USB > Benchmark AHB2 > Bowers and Wilkins 804S. As much of it as possible is balanced interconnects on Canare Star Quad cabling. Simple. Effective. I don't stress about it too much. I can listen to it all day. I'm currently working hard to make better adjustments to my very un-optimal listening space both by physical and digital means.
Glad to be here and looking forward to chatting, learning and sharing what knowledge I can.
I've loved music all my life, but my interest in hi-fi audio started back in high school when friends of mine went on a mission to learn how to build basic headphone amplifiers. The first component I ever bought was a Sonic Impact T-Amp, hooked up to a pair of long forgotten Polk Audio bookshelf speakers. It was bliss. I bought a Benchmark DAC1 as a graduation present to myself after university, which was the real mind blowing moment.
I have worked for a time as an audio engineer in recording studios both small/humble and large/fancy, and my "philosophy" such as it may exist around what I want from a hi-fi system is largely based around that experience. Sadly I've left the industry, but what I learned really stuck with me... for instance, no engineer worth a damn ever told me about a ten thousand dollar pure silver unicorn hair XLR interconnect. But also that time alignment and phase coherence are utterly critical to good sound, from recording to mixing to playback, along with effective room treatment. Further to that, with enough 2520 opamps, one can move heaven and earth.
I believe that measured performance is very important, but well executed, robust electronic build quality/circuit design and thoroughly researched, scientifically rigorous design approaches are even more important. Optimal performance, optimal neutrality/transparency and optimal tonality are not always correlated, and their relationship is always shifting.
If you're going to manufacture and sell an audio product, I respect if you do it right, do it by the book and don't seek to create hype or esoteric nonsense when something simple could suffice. You can always hear when something is designed to cut a corner or make a compromise. Sometimes you just need to shut your eyes off and let your ears tell you what you need to know - it is far less often that looking at a screen or the brand name on a box will make something sound better in the end.
The best 2 channel system I've ever heard was a pair of Dunlavy SC-IVs in an extremely neutral room, with stereo subs and amplification of a make I can't recall right now, alas, with signal coming out of a Lynx Hilo DAC. It was utterly magical.
My current system: Roon > Allo DigiOne Signature (Coax) > Benchmark DAC1USB > Benchmark AHB2 > Bowers and Wilkins 804S. As much of it as possible is balanced interconnects on Canare Star Quad cabling. Simple. Effective. I don't stress about it too much. I can listen to it all day. I'm currently working hard to make better adjustments to my very un-optimal listening space both by physical and digital means.
Glad to be here and looking forward to chatting, learning and sharing what knowledge I can.
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hi, i'm Simon
just joined today.
based in UK.
interested in all headphone gear, inc tube amps.
also got back in to vinyl in recent years (dont shoot!!)
been on several other forums for years.
mainly joined as this forum seems to be based on measured facts .
just joined today.
based in UK.
interested in all headphone gear, inc tube amps.
also got back in to vinyl in recent years (dont shoot!!
)been on several other forums for years.
mainly joined as this forum seems to be based on measured facts .
solderdude
Grand Contributor
Hi Simon,
Great to see you here as well.
Great to see you here as well.
Welcome.also got back in to vinyl in recent years (dont shoot!!
No gunshot wounds from this direction - I subscribe to an audio broad church. (As long as it is just your preference, and don't try to persuade anyone it is technically superior)
Can't say the same for everyone here though, so don't discard the tactical vest just yet.
