Updated Office Setup

Mikey081057

I deployed a few new items today in my desktop rig.

Item 1. Cocktail Audio X14 Streamer/ripper/storage/slash

Item 2. KEF LS50 (always wanted a pair of these beauties)

Right now I have the X14 configured as a ROON endpoint device and use the ROON app to control it.

Using analog out on the X14 to my Peachtree Nova 125SE which to me always sounds sweet.

So far so good.

The X14 has a lot of features and functions that I still need to discover and configure but makes for a neat looking desk rig...

The LS50's still are great bang for the buck even after all these years. Amazing bass for a compact bookie and the tweets are pure and with the way they are designed and implemented make them a nice near field choice.

Gonna let it all play overnite and check it again in the morning,,,

verb

Nice setup Mikey!

WagnerRC

Looking good

txcoastal1

Yeah that’s how u do it

tonyb

Looks nice man, I was expecting that x14 to be a bit larger, considering all it does.

tophatjohnny

Great rig. Congrats!!

kharp1

Nice setup.

Mikey081057

So I have been able to spend a little time now with the CA X14. I downloaded the latest firmware and I installed a Samsung 500GB SSD in it and added an external USB CD/DVD. I've ripped maybe a dozen or so CD's to it and have added the coverart to them. I connected my desktop computer with an old Dragonfly DAC to it's analog in which will mostly be for Youtube vid's and such from PC.

I installed the drive with the mounting hardware they provided and did not have to resort to zip ties, velcro or even duct tape.

Everything functions with a relative intuitiveness thru the front display, the interface, the Android app, the ROON UI or the remote.

SQ is very nice with all of the sources and options. There are digital EQ setting for which I have no use for. The KEF LS50's are really starting to come around after letting them play constantly now for about 2 days. They are really the star of the show here.

Overall it's a nice package that does probably more than (I) you will use but it performs all the things that I have been doing nicely.

As a streamer/DAC i think it sounds/performs well. It's not at the level of the Lumin U1 mini but that is 3x as much.

Here's a link that has a lot of information on streamers in 1 place to do some comparisons/research for the features you might want.

https://www.noteworthyaudio.com/collections/dac

Cheers from Cocktail Audio!

Clipdat

Was looking into the LS50s again and see that they have released a special all black edition! Sweet!

https://us.kef.com/ls50-black-edition.html

Mikey081057

Nicest near field mini monitors I have heard... The coaxial design really hits the mark.

Clipdat

Mikey081057 wrote: »

Nicest near field mini monitors I have heard... The coaxial design really hits the mark.

I've wanted a pair of R300s for the past 7 years. They're on sale right now at A4L for $1,300 (new, not refurb).

Edit: And the LS50 black editions above are "only" $950 (refurb).

Mikey081057

So I've been breaking this rig in for about 5 days now and got a little listening time in this eve.

1. The LS50's put out a lot of base for their size...very rich and not bloated like many bookies. They are about the same size as the LSI7's. They could fit nicely on the desk but I feel they will perform better on their stands. Many before me have documented the performance of the tweeters and they certainly pass my cymbal test. They are very realistic during acoustic passages and piano.
2. I found a pair of Sanus Steel stands (heavy) that bring them to just slightly above desk top height and they are just at ear height in my other chair across the my room.
3. The Cocktail Audio is very quiet and neutral sounding using it's normal EQ setting. Haven't found anything that I have fed it that it doesn't handle well. The DAC is fine for a $700 device.
4. I know a few folks here own or have listened to Peachtree... To know it is to love it. Very organic sounding class D stuff and they look very elegant as well. I can listen very comfortably at the 09:00 position on the attenuator... at 11:00 they really open up.
5. Low volume listening retains much of the detail which is great for doing work at the desk.

I can listen here for hours very rich, detailed... adequate bass without need for a sub, and dialed back they are very nice for office/background stuff. I often wondered why all the stink over the LS50's....

Mikey081057

So after listening to a youtube vid today regarding the KEF LS50's, the guy on there convinced me to ditch the Peachtree (class d) and go with something that was class A/B.

The only thing I had available was this tube rig that I really only liked to use on cool nights as it doubles as a space heater.

But with that said it also puts out app 50 watts of KT88 goodness. Now it has a real nice set of tubes too; A quad of Shuguang Treasure KT88's and a quad of CV181Z's along with a pair of vintage Tesla E83CC's.

Well shut my mouth and slap my gran ma he was right... The toobs bring out an overall upgrade in tone and vocals are sweet. The improvements are nearfield and in the prime listening position too.

I still really like the versatility and sound of the Peachtree but I might rig it to drive the outdoor stuff for now.

Ya learn something new every day....

Here is the video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mr_zVeSijGY

Clipdat

Crazy looking tube amp! Glad you found some good synergy.

BlueBirdMusic

Mikey, I really like your desk. Those bottom shelves are perfect to showcase your equipment. Everything fits together nicely.

Mikey081057

The desk weighs a ton and the Yaqin weighs like 50+lbs. I am experimenting with the best way to integrate an SVS SB2000 sub (has line level inputs... no hi levels). Right now I am using the Peachtree as a pre and the .6v front input. In this config the pre controls the sub volume relative to the preset volume on the sub. Perhaps not ideal and I will play some more...I have the sub set to app 60 Hz.

Clipdat

In your screenshot I can see that my post is collapsed indicating that I'm on your ignore list. I'm flattered!

pitdogg2

Never quote a spammer

hochpt21

Well the cool thing is that I missed this thread a few years ago so I was able to enjoy Mikey’s office rig

pitdogg2

hochpt21 wrote: »

Well the cool thing is that I missed this thread a few years ago so I was able to enjoy Mikey’s office rig

Wish he would show up once in a while.