Pure Analog

LitoZacky
LitoZacky Posts: 115
edited August 2010 in Troubleshooting
I've heard many ppl saying pure analog is a bliss, but IDK what are the pros of having all analog.
Speaker: LSi 15
Pre/Pro: Pioneer VSX-9040
Amp: Emotiva XPA-2
Sub: Seaton Submersive HP
TV: Samsung PN50B550
DAC: soon-to-be EE Minimax Dac Plus
Post edited by LitoZacky on

Comments

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 7,658
    edited August 2010
    Hey LZ,
    Good question. Just so I'm clear, are you wanting to know what's so special about listening to music via a non-digital format?
    Regards, Ken
  • LitoZacky
    LitoZacky Posts: 115
    edited August 2010
    Yeah that, and also an all-analog connection from a from an asus essence ST soundcard in a computer. thanks
    Speaker: LSi 15
    Pre/Pro: Pioneer VSX-9040
    Amp: Emotiva XPA-2
    Sub: Seaton Submersive HP
    TV: Samsung PN50B550
    DAC: soon-to-be EE Minimax Dac Plus
  • HB27
    HB27 Posts: 1,518
    edited August 2010
    LitoZacky wrote: »
    Yeah that, and also an all-analog connection from a from an asus essence ST soundcard in a computer. thanks

    PC is a poor start on an analog system. Sorry. Think OLD. IF it's got digital anywhere in it you're not analog.
  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,081
    edited August 2010
    HB27 wrote: »
    PC is a poor start on an analog system. Sorry. Think OLD. IF it's got digital anywhere in it you're not analog.

    Computers and music don't mix in my book but what do I know.:rolleyes:
  • headrott
    headrott Posts: 5,496
    edited August 2010
    IMO you know a lot. Especially if you want "pure analog", you certainly cannot have a computer involved (that's not my opinion).

    Greg
    Relayer-Big-O-Poster.jpg
    Taken from a recent Audioholics reply regarding "Club Polk" and Polk speakers:
    "I'm yet to hear a Polk speaker that merits more than a sentence and 60 seconds discussion." :\
    My response is: If you need 60 seconds to respond in one sentence, you probably should't be evaluating Polk speakers.....


    "Green leaves reveal the heart spoken Khatru"- Jon Anderson

    "Have A Little Faith! And Everything You'll Face, Will Jump From Out Right On Into Place! Yeah! Take A Little Time! And Everything You'll Find, Will Move From Gloom Right On Into Shine!"- Arthur Lee
  • LitoZacky
    LitoZacky Posts: 115
    edited August 2010
    I know its not an ideal mix but I can't think of another way to play any song at any time. It is just soooooooo convenient using a computer. BTW am I not doing justice for my LSi15 by having a computer as a source?
    Speaker: LSi 15
    Pre/Pro: Pioneer VSX-9040
    Amp: Emotiva XPA-2
    Sub: Seaton Submersive HP
    TV: Samsung PN50B550
    DAC: soon-to-be EE Minimax Dac Plus
  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited August 2010
    Asus sound cards don't sound bad, but you're better off running USB/Digital Coax/Optical out to an external DAC. I hope you're ripping your files to a lossless or WAV format.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
  • LitoZacky
    LitoZacky Posts: 115
    edited August 2010
    All of them are in FLAC. I was thinking of a tube DAC but I don't know any good ones. Instead of using a computer as a media source, what should I do for better quality. I will seriously consider it.

    What do you guys think of "musical fidelity v-dac" and "cambridge audio dac magic". I prefer warm sound, not sure if any of them are warm.
    Speaker: LSi 15
    Pre/Pro: Pioneer VSX-9040
    Amp: Emotiva XPA-2
    Sub: Seaton Submersive HP
    TV: Samsung PN50B550
    DAC: soon-to-be EE Minimax Dac Plus
  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited August 2010
    I'm not familiar with the V-DAC, but Cambridge's DAC is pretty neutral.

    The Eastern Electric MiniMax is a tube DAC and is supposed to sound very good. http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl?dgtlconv&1285099042
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
  • LitoZacky
    LitoZacky Posts: 115
    edited August 2010
    What should I have for the best sound quality?
    Speaker: LSi 15
    Pre/Pro: Pioneer VSX-9040
    Amp: Emotiva XPA-2
    Sub: Seaton Submersive HP
    TV: Samsung PN50B550
    DAC: soon-to-be EE Minimax Dac Plus
  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited August 2010
    As far as what?
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
  • 98Badger
    98Badger Posts: 317
    edited August 2010
    I will agree with the others that involving a computer is not pure analog. That being said, I do use a Cambride DACmagic along with a HiFace for my music. The asynch version should be available soon. I've been fairly happy with this combination but have been looking into a Peachtree or Wyred for Sound DAC. The HiFace made a pretty significant improvement to the sound. It controls your computer's clock to reduce jitter. Might want to check it out.
  • LitoZacky
    LitoZacky Posts: 115
    edited August 2010
    Sourcewise. Is a cd player the best way to get the best sound quality ?

    98badger: Yeah I've also looked into the Cambridge DACmagic too.
    Speaker: LSi 15
    Pre/Pro: Pioneer VSX-9040
    Amp: Emotiva XPA-2
    Sub: Seaton Submersive HP
    TV: Samsung PN50B550
    DAC: soon-to-be EE Minimax Dac Plus
  • HB27
    HB27 Posts: 1,518
    edited August 2010
    Still NOT pure analog.
    There's some nice sounding digital systems and hybrid digital/analog mixes.
    You're getting some good advice for source enhancement.
    CD is an excellent clean source and all the DACs and digital storage at a click is convenient.
    The true analog you spoke of is a "horse of a different color".
    Think amps receivers, turntables, tape, etc without the digital effects.
    I listen to about 50% cd now for convenience but IF/WHEN I want to fully enjoy my listening experience I'm on vinyl or good tape only.
    Nothing wrong at all with a mixture of analog and digital.
    Tubes and vinyl rule.
    It's like the saying..."IF I've got to explain it you can't understand".
    You'll have to have a listen for yourself to fully understand "Pure Analog"
  • LitoZacky
    LitoZacky Posts: 115
    edited August 2010
    Very Helpful. Thank you guys. I just want to know instead of using a computer what should I use now, a cd player or what ?
    Speaker: LSi 15
    Pre/Pro: Pioneer VSX-9040
    Amp: Emotiva XPA-2
    Sub: Seaton Submersive HP
    TV: Samsung PN50B550
    DAC: soon-to-be EE Minimax Dac Plus
  • rooftop59
    rooftop59 Posts: 8,121
    edited August 2010
    Pure analog = Turntable or tape = lots of work and money but can sound amazing

    If you want to improve your sound without getting into vinyl simply add a quality DAC like suggested or a good quality cd player with good internal dacs.

    Peace,
    Paul
    Living Room 2.2: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Dayton SPA-250 amps; Arcam SA30; Musical Fidelity A308; Sony UBP-x1000es
    Game Room 5.1.4:
    Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology Power Monitor 900 mains, CLR-3000 center, StudioMonitor 350 surrounds, ProMonitor 800 atmos x4; Sub - Monoprice Monolith 15in THX Ultra

    Bedroom 2.1
    Harmon Kardon HK3490; Bluesounds Node N130; Polk RT25i; ACI Titan Subwoofer
  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited August 2010
    There's nothing wrong with using a computer as a source as long as it's done right.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,802
    edited August 2010
    Pure analog with purely discrete components (i.e., no monolithic/integrated circuits)... ideally no inherently nonlinear amplification devices (ahem, transistors, ahem) either... but it is the 21st century, so two outta three wouldn't be bad.

    The analog vinyl 'chain' at my house is all-discrete and all vacuum tube ('cept the rectifiers in the phono preamp and the amplifier). My reel to reel decks, though, are all soiled state. There were some fine vacuum tube electronics for reel to reel - but generally the stuff is a bit too old/esoteric or unaffordable (i.e., for me). The vacuum tube ReVox G36 was (is) a very nice deck; arguably one of the very best "consumer grade" (today, we might call it "prosumer") tube R2Rs extant. I actually had the chance to acquire one of these... but passed on it so that someone who could (and would) restore it properly could have the chance.

    vinAd65Revox.jpg
    http://reel2reeltexas.com/vinAd65Revox.jpg
    (source of the ad above: http://reel2reeltexas.com/catIndex.html)