Audio nuggets YOU have learned along the way...
steveinaz
Posts: 19,536
Disclaimer: This is strictly a personal findings, "in my opinion" type thread. Post up an audio nugget that you have learned, that may or may not fly into the face of audiophile conventional wisdom.
Here's mine:
Cables (again, in MY experiences)
Cable cost versus performance; do you get what you pay for? Maybe. Cables flavor the sound dependent upon materials, and topology. Flavor is an extremely subjective thing, and everyone has their preferences, as well as synergetic influences based on associated equipment. What if it's true that you actually prefer the tonal flavor of a less expensive cable? Quite possible; in fact factual for me on a few occasions.
The nugget? Don't make cost a priority when selecting cables. Bigger isn't always better. As long as a cable is well constructed with quality components, and spec'd for the purpose, never count out the value giant.
POST A NUGGET--
Here's mine:
Cables (again, in MY experiences)
Cable cost versus performance; do you get what you pay for? Maybe. Cables flavor the sound dependent upon materials, and topology. Flavor is an extremely subjective thing, and everyone has their preferences, as well as synergetic influences based on associated equipment. What if it's true that you actually prefer the tonal flavor of a less expensive cable? Quite possible; in fact factual for me on a few occasions.
The nugget? Don't make cost a priority when selecting cables. Bigger isn't always better. As long as a cable is well constructed with quality components, and spec'd for the purpose, never count out the value giant.
POST A NUGGET--
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
Comments
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Room. Period.
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Spiking your speakers is definitely a game changer.The Night is Dark and Full of Terrors
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NOT all remastered CDs are an improvement over older versions.
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Quality jumpers beat stock brass on speakers.
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You have a great sounding system at a big discount if you are willing to buy used. Also, there are alot of great, older components out there so the newest version of something may not actually sound better.
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Conradicles wrote: »Room. Period.
Warning, multiple nuggets in one post but they are related.
Just to expound on the quote, acoustic treatments and speaker placement. Just because your speakers are rated 25Hz - 20kHz +-3dB does not mean they play 25Hz - 20kHz +-3dB in your room. Speaker placement and treatments can level out frequency nulls and spikes. Most rooms not designed for audio won't even get close to +- 3dB response, but you can balance it to a more acceptable range.
Large spaces may need subwoofers to improve the low bass. This of course is music dependent. Consult a musical instrument frequency chart and sweep your room to see if you are hearing or missing something.
Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 * -
Tubes rule...The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD
“When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson -
A 10/2 dedicated circuit sounds better than a 12/2 circuit. Also, check that circuit is actually off before working on.
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Stacked SDA's do not sound good
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Also, check that circuit is actually off before working on.
Now that just takes ALL the fun out of it !
If you haven't welded at least one screw driver shaft to a metal box then you have no idea what life is allll about. The best ones are when you go to pull the shaft off the box and come away with just the plastic handle woohoo dat is lively
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Clean out your ears every once in awhile.
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Trust your ears and listen to as much as you can.
Listen to as much live music (preferably unamplified) as possible, too.
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if a speaker isn't tonally correct you can stop right there and move on.Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
Puritan PSM156 -
Don’t send your sub signal below it’s tuning point
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1. Good speakers don’t sound good without good equipment behind them.
2. Do your best to test used gear before buying.
3. There is good sound for EVERY budget, A.K.A. Audio is not just for people with deep pockets. -
Trust the opinions of Polkies. They’ve probably been there done that before.Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD. -
Humidity in the air changes soundwaves from speakers.
NEVER use expensive speakers to test a yard sale receiver purchase!
Try not to let electronics sit unplugged or unused for a long period. Some quit working while idol.
Look around in your area ALL THE TIME and you'll find affordable audio stuff every once in a while.
Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them. -
All good advice @Tony M I’ve got an SAE amp that’s been sitting in the box for years. Eventually I want to use it for my garage setup. Any startup advice?Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD. -
I learned Nelson Pass is a hack2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC
erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a -
All good advice @Tony M I’ve got an SAE amp that’s been sitting in the box for years. Eventually I want to use it for my garage setup. Any startup advice?
Use cheap speakers to start with. I hope it starts working from the get-go. SAE gear is pretty good aren't they?Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them. -
Like others have said.
Fix the room first.Mojo Audio Illuminati v3>>Quantum Byte w/LMS>>Rpi/PiCoreplayer>> Starlight 7 USB >> Mojo Audio Mystique v2 SE>>ModWright SWL 9.0 SE Signature>>Hafler DH-500 Amp+ (Musical Concepts Fully Modded)>>
SRS 2.3TL (Fully Modded)...Velodyne Optimum 8 subwoofer
1KVA Dreadnought
Marantz SA 8005
Pioneer PLX-1000 Turntable - Shure SC35C/N35X - V15III/VN35HE
Yamaha TX-540 Tuner...Sony BDP-S570
Sony PS4
Separate subpanel with four dedicated 20 amp circuits.
1. Amplification 2. Analog 3. Digital 4. Video
"All THAT IS LOST FROM THE SOURCE IS LOST FOREVER" -
Spikes!!
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Larry's Rings.
Vinyl Death Grip. Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them. -
Ignorance is much less expensive.
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NEVER, EVER allow anyone to carry your prized Tyler Lindbrook speakers down a flight of stairs. I wish I could find that picture....Post edited by nooshinjohn onThe Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD
“When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson -
Or across a concrete drive way. But I think that was the owner of the speakers who had a person taking his picture not knowing he was about to trip. Caught him in motion heading down. Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.
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Don't drive a Miata 120 miles to pick up an AVR, only to find it won't fit.
Always bring a moving blanket to a potential used purchase. @Tony M -
The old saying goes as we age, the first to go is the memory.
P.S. I now have 2 blankets in my trunk.
Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them. -
Don't drive a Miata 120 miles to pick up an AVR, only to find it won't fit.
Never drive a Miata.
