Favorite source

steveinaz
steveinaz Posts: 19,538
edited January 2011 in 2 Channel Audio
What is your favorite (in terms of enjoyment) source component?
Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited December 2010
    Steve - good thought provoking question, but it really depends on my mood, what's available, what I just acquired, etc. I just can't honestly pick one favorite.
    DKG999
    HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED

    Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,566
    edited December 2010
    Since I can't vote for SACD and CD, which I think should have been lumped together, I voted for SACD.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • Dawgfish
    Dawgfish Posts: 2,554
    edited December 2010
    Vinyl, with SACD being a close second.
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited December 2010
    dkg999 wrote: »
    Steve - good thought provoking question, but it really depends on my mood, what's available, what I just acquired, etc. I just can't honestly pick one favorite.

    Same here. Soon I will be doing FLAC via PC and a real nice DAC.
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited December 2010
    I had CD and SACD split out for a reason. I was looking for an absolute answer in terms which brings the most satisfaction, regardless of availability, convenience, etc. I wasn't looking for what you utilize the most, per se, but what you find gives you the most satisfying experience.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited December 2010
    SACD, but good quality recordings is a first.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited December 2010
    steveinaz wrote:
    I had CD and SACD split out for a reason. I was looking for an absolute answer in terms which brings the most satisfaction, regardless of availability, convenience, etc.

    I'm sorta in the same boat as Doug on this one. There is no single source for me that trumps all the rest. SACD provides amazing sound with the right recording, gear etc...but I can't say I enjoy it anymore than a well recorded CD, LP or even a lossless digital recording on my iPod. If it is music I like, the source is secondary. I typically spend more money on music than I do on gear. No vote for me.
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited December 2010
    Turntable obviously...
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • punk-roc
    punk-roc Posts: 1,150
    edited December 2010
    I've moved firmly into the FLAC via Network Device camp... I'm getting close to tracking down a nice CDP and giving it a try since i've only listened to CDs via my Denon 2910...
    2-Channel - So far...
    Pre: Dodd ELP
    DAC: W4S-Dac2
    Source(s): Computer and Denon 2910
    Amp: Parasound HCA-1200II
    Speakers: LSi9s - Vr3 Fortress Mod
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  • Joe08867
    Joe08867 Posts: 3,919
    edited December 2010
    Turntable by far is my Favorite.
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited December 2010
    Network device... which for me is my computer>FLAC's>Foobar 2000>SPDIF out>Parasound DAC 2000 Ultra

    Doesn't sound any better or worse than CD's played on my Denon 3910 and through the same Parasound DAC, but it's a hell of a lot more convenient!

    Having my entire catalogue at the click of a button allows me to explore parts of my collection I otherwise wouldn't if I had to change a CD.
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited December 2010
    A PC based two channe; music system offers me all my albums at the point of my touch screen at resolution up to 24bit/192kHz; sounds good to me.
    Jake
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  • inspiredsports
    inspiredsports Posts: 5,501
    edited December 2010
    Great question.

    FM sometimes, hard-drive based is nice when I don't want to be bothered selecting tunes, CD/SACD can sound stellar, but there is just something magical when I toss some vinyl on one of the platters. I had to cast my vote for "Turntable".
    VTL ST50 w/mods / RCA6L6GC / TlfnknECC801S
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 w/mods
    TT Conrad Johnson Sonographe SG3 Oak / Sumiko LMT / Grado Woodbody Platinum / Sumiko PIB2 / The Clamp
    Musical Fidelity A1 CDPro/ Bada DD-22 Tube CDP / Conrad Johnson SD-22 CDP
    Tuners w/mods Kenwood KT5020 / Fisher KM60
    MF x-DAC V8, HAInfo NG27
    Herbies Ti-9 / Vibrapods / MIT Shotgun AC1 IEC's / MIT Shotgun 2 IC's / MIT Shotgun 2 Speaker Cables
    PS Audio Cryo / PowerPort Premium Outlets / Exact Power EP15A Conditioner
    Walnut SDA 2B TL /Oak SDA SRS II TL (Sonicaps/Mills/Cardas/Custom SDA ICs / Dynamat Extreme / Larry's Rings/ FSB-2 Spikes
    NAD SS rigs w/mods
    GIK panels
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,194
    edited December 2010
    Apple Tv is my favorite source but not used everyday. I use cable and Xbox 360 everyday.

    The Xbox360 is a very close 2nd as we love to stream movies from Netflix , music from last fm and games all day long.

    We have Verizon cable service which is very very good. I really enjoy their service.
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited December 2010
    99% of the time Turntable
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • megasat16
    megasat16 Posts: 3,521
    edited December 2010
    No fixation on the type of source. Redbook CDs probably got played more than the SACD, DVD-A, and other types of Digital formats.

    So, I voted for CD.

    No Tuna (no fishy smell) and no TT for now.
    Trying out Different Audio Cables is a Religious Affair. You don't discuss it with anyone. :redface::biggrin:
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  • cubdog
    cubdog Posts: 835
    edited December 2010
    CD. I'm to lazy to use my turntable that often.

    cubdog
    Shuguang Classic S8MK
    Emotiva XDA-2
    Bel Canto M300 mono blocks
    Bel Canto DAC 1.5
    Squeezebox Touch
    Sony SS-M7
    A/D/S L710
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  • bikerboy
    bikerboy Posts: 1,211
    edited December 2010
    Cds because I have more than any other source and I think it sounds better. The TPA Buffalo II dac sounds better than anything I've had a real listen. The flac files from the pc are a very close second. No digititous at this house anymore.
    Main system: Lyngdorf TDAI 2170 w/ Pioneer 42" plazma-> Polk LSiM 703 w/Tivo, Marantz tuner, BRPTT: Nothingham Spacedeck-> Pioneer PL L1000 linear arm-> Soundsmith DL 103R-> SUT->Bottlehead ErosDigital: I3 PC w/ Jriver playing flac -> Sonore Ultrarendu -> Twisted Pair Audio ESS 9028 w/ Mercury IVY Vinyl rips: ESI Juli@24/192-> i3 PC server
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,804
    edited December 2010
    in all honesty... CD because of convenience more than anything else.

    I've gotten more and more reliant on the ease of random access; I am not sure I have the gumption to listen to whole album sides much any more.

    The sound quality of well-recorded and mastered redbook CDs is perfectly adequate for me - not the best, but perfectly adequate.
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  • vmaxer
    vmaxer Posts: 5,117
    edited December 2010
    I really like to listen to good clean vinyl, but I don't get to that often yet. It requires time to prepare, you have to be there to lift the arm unless you have an automatic. I am just getting back into vinyl (about a year now) and still learning a lot. Mostly that it can get expensive in a hurry:frown:

    It is kind of fun when you have time. One day I hope to have a room just for sound, set up properly and all. Gotta have dreams:biggrin:

    Meanwhile, CD's and SACD's are the easy way:wink:
    Pio Elete Pro 520
    Panamax 5400-EX
    Sunfire TGP 5
    Micro Seiki DD-40 - Lyra-Dorian and Denon DL-160
    PS Audio GCPH phono pre
    Sunfire CG 200 X 5
    Sunfire CG Sig 405 X 5
    OPPO BDP-83 SE
    SDA SRS 1.2TL Sonicaps and Mills
    Ctr CS1000p
    Sur - FX1000 x 4
    SUB - SVS PB2-Plus

    Workkout room:
    Sony Bravia XBR- 32-Inch 1080p
    Onkyo TX-DS898
    GFA 555
    Yamaha DVD-S1800BL/SACD
    Ft - SDA 1C

    Not being used:
    RTi 38's -4
    RT55i's - 2
    RT25i's -2, using other 2 in shop
    LSI 15's
    CSi40
    PSW 404
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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited December 2010
    CD's for me (99% of my music collection), but I do enjoy the sound of good vinyl.
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  • inspiredsports
    inspiredsports Posts: 5,501
    edited December 2010
    I had one last upgrade to make before I could be sure. A Sumiko PIB-2 Adapter plugs into tonearm's 5-pin DIN socket and adapts to standard male RCA phono plugs so I can now directly connect my MIT Shotgun IC's (or any IC's I choose) from my tonearm to my Conrad Johnson PV-5 preamp phono inputs.

    There are 2 different source camps here at CP, and the CD/SACD contingent is constantly telling me, "you need to upgrade your CDP if you think vinyl sounds better."

    So I've spent tons upgrading and listening, buying source material and listening, downloading 192/24 digital tracks and listening, blah, blah, blah.

    My CD sound quality is "hair stands up on the back of my neck" good.

    My Vinyl sound quality stands that same hair up, PLUS adds goose bumps the size of golf balls! :biggrin:

    Vinyl Forever,
    Greg
    VTL ST50 w/mods / RCA6L6GC / TlfnknECC801S
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 w/mods
    TT Conrad Johnson Sonographe SG3 Oak / Sumiko LMT / Grado Woodbody Platinum / Sumiko PIB2 / The Clamp
    Musical Fidelity A1 CDPro/ Bada DD-22 Tube CDP / Conrad Johnson SD-22 CDP
    Tuners w/mods Kenwood KT5020 / Fisher KM60
    MF x-DAC V8, HAInfo NG27
    Herbies Ti-9 / Vibrapods / MIT Shotgun AC1 IEC's / MIT Shotgun 2 IC's / MIT Shotgun 2 Speaker Cables
    PS Audio Cryo / PowerPort Premium Outlets / Exact Power EP15A Conditioner
    Walnut SDA 2B TL /Oak SDA SRS II TL (Sonicaps/Mills/Cardas/Custom SDA ICs / Dynamat Extreme / Larry's Rings/ FSB-2 Spikes
    NAD SS rigs w/mods
    GIK panels
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited December 2010
    Of course I voted turntable but I gotta tell ya, I had a lot of wrestling to with SACD and CD. Vinyl guy with a love of SACD music weight and good CDP clarity, Oye Vey it is getting close.
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  • inspiredsports
    inspiredsports Posts: 5,501
    edited December 2010
    hearingimpared wrote: »
    Of course I voted turntable but I gotta tell ya, I had a lot of wrestling to with SACD and CD. Vinyl guy with a love of SACD music weight and good CDP clarity, Oye Vey it is getting close.

    I'm with you, and have to add that 192/24 is becoming pretty intriguing. I guess it's cool that we have so many choices, but now we get to fund THREE source options. I'm spinning vinyl as I write and still absolutely love the specific sound quality that nothing else quite matches.
    VTL ST50 w/mods / RCA6L6GC / TlfnknECC801S
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 w/mods
    TT Conrad Johnson Sonographe SG3 Oak / Sumiko LMT / Grado Woodbody Platinum / Sumiko PIB2 / The Clamp
    Musical Fidelity A1 CDPro/ Bada DD-22 Tube CDP / Conrad Johnson SD-22 CDP
    Tuners w/mods Kenwood KT5020 / Fisher KM60
    MF x-DAC V8, HAInfo NG27
    Herbies Ti-9 / Vibrapods / MIT Shotgun AC1 IEC's / MIT Shotgun 2 IC's / MIT Shotgun 2 Speaker Cables
    PS Audio Cryo / PowerPort Premium Outlets / Exact Power EP15A Conditioner
    Walnut SDA 2B TL /Oak SDA SRS II TL (Sonicaps/Mills/Cardas/Custom SDA ICs / Dynamat Extreme / Larry's Rings/ FSB-2 Spikes
    NAD SS rigs w/mods
    GIK panels
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited December 2010
    inspiredsports wrote: »
    I'm with you, and have to add that 192/24 is becoming pretty intriguing. I guess it's cool that we have so many choices, but now we get to fund THREE source options. I'm spinning vinyl as I write and still absolutely love the specific sound quality that nothing else quite matches.

    I don't think that digital in any form is going to be able emulate that open, airy presentation that analog produces either with R2R or LP. Who knows though!
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  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited December 2010
    TT... As I've said before it just involves me more... the prep, setting the stylus in the groove, flipping to side 2... Maybe it's a tactile thing. Or maybe all that effort (and more) vs. throwing a plastic disc in a drawer and pushing a button just makes me listen harder to vinyl.

    Kinda like my preference for a manual vs. an automatic transmission. Hop in a car with either drivetrain and it'll get me where I want to go, but I like the involvement of shifting...

    Of course that whole drawer/ button thang is much more convenient on the road...
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
    "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD
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  • inspiredsports
    inspiredsports Posts: 5,501
    edited December 2010
    Not to get too far off topic, but either I was dreaming it, or I remember reading that a senior member here in CP once had a turntable playing at 20,000+ feet in a jet airplane.
    VTL ST50 w/mods / RCA6L6GC / TlfnknECC801S
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 w/mods
    TT Conrad Johnson Sonographe SG3 Oak / Sumiko LMT / Grado Woodbody Platinum / Sumiko PIB2 / The Clamp
    Musical Fidelity A1 CDPro/ Bada DD-22 Tube CDP / Conrad Johnson SD-22 CDP
    Tuners w/mods Kenwood KT5020 / Fisher KM60
    MF x-DAC V8, HAInfo NG27
    Herbies Ti-9 / Vibrapods / MIT Shotgun AC1 IEC's / MIT Shotgun 2 IC's / MIT Shotgun 2 Speaker Cables
    PS Audio Cryo / PowerPort Premium Outlets / Exact Power EP15A Conditioner
    Walnut SDA 2B TL /Oak SDA SRS II TL (Sonicaps/Mills/Cardas/Custom SDA ICs / Dynamat Extreme / Larry's Rings/ FSB-2 Spikes
    NAD SS rigs w/mods
    GIK panels
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited December 2010
    Smoking that funny stuff again ay Greg!:eek::biggrin:
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  • inspiredsports
    inspiredsports Posts: 5,501
    edited December 2010
    hearingimpared wrote: »
    Smoking that funny stuff again ay Greg!:eek::biggrin:

    Well, after all, it IS New Year's Eve !! :eek:

    SERIOUSLY though, I think there is an old thread around here stating that a certain Polkie payed vinyl at 38,000 feet !!
    VTL ST50 w/mods / RCA6L6GC / TlfnknECC801S
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 w/mods
    TT Conrad Johnson Sonographe SG3 Oak / Sumiko LMT / Grado Woodbody Platinum / Sumiko PIB2 / The Clamp
    Musical Fidelity A1 CDPro/ Bada DD-22 Tube CDP / Conrad Johnson SD-22 CDP
    Tuners w/mods Kenwood KT5020 / Fisher KM60
    MF x-DAC V8, HAInfo NG27
    Herbies Ti-9 / Vibrapods / MIT Shotgun AC1 IEC's / MIT Shotgun 2 IC's / MIT Shotgun 2 Speaker Cables
    PS Audio Cryo / PowerPort Premium Outlets / Exact Power EP15A Conditioner
    Walnut SDA 2B TL /Oak SDA SRS II TL (Sonicaps/Mills/Cardas/Custom SDA ICs / Dynamat Extreme / Larry's Rings/ FSB-2 Spikes
    NAD SS rigs w/mods
    GIK panels
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  • inspiredsports
    inspiredsports Posts: 5,501
    edited December 2010
    found it . . . http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=73302 . . . post 13.

    Friggin LEGENDARY !!
    VTL ST50 w/mods / RCA6L6GC / TlfnknECC801S
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 w/mods
    TT Conrad Johnson Sonographe SG3 Oak / Sumiko LMT / Grado Woodbody Platinum / Sumiko PIB2 / The Clamp
    Musical Fidelity A1 CDPro/ Bada DD-22 Tube CDP / Conrad Johnson SD-22 CDP
    Tuners w/mods Kenwood KT5020 / Fisher KM60
    MF x-DAC V8, HAInfo NG27
    Herbies Ti-9 / Vibrapods / MIT Shotgun AC1 IEC's / MIT Shotgun 2 IC's / MIT Shotgun 2 Speaker Cables
    PS Audio Cryo / PowerPort Premium Outlets / Exact Power EP15A Conditioner
    Walnut SDA 2B TL /Oak SDA SRS II TL (Sonicaps/Mills/Cardas/Custom SDA ICs / Dynamat Extreme / Larry's Rings/ FSB-2 Spikes
    NAD SS rigs w/mods
    GIK panels
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