What did you do to your stereo rig today?

treitz3 · February 22

Extremely. IMO/IME.

But when you are there? Oh, man....

Tom

bcwsrt · February 22

treitz3 wrote: »

show previous quotes

bcwsrt wrote: »

There’s a noticeable improvement in the separation of instruments and, especially, lead vs. background vocals that just wasn’t there before.

...

Worsening audio tracks do tend to sound worse, until you surpass a certain point though. Just keep chugging. Some folks stop there. Others have discovered a point beyond....to where everything sounds, maybe not stellar, but definitely enjoyable on any level.

No more of having a secondary rig or going to the car to enjoy a certain tune.

Tom

This is the first time I've made a change where lesser tracks sounded overall worse than before, so that surprised me. I'm not saying it's entirely bad because I still hear things I didn't before. But, what I now hear on familiar recordings far outweighs any negatives related to that.

I am the epitome of someone who chugs! I love these kind of nuances, so I will keep chasing them.

treitz3 · February 22

Here is my point. There is actually a thread about it here on CP.

https://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/125574/poor-quality-music/p1

Jesse said it best (IMO) within this quote from years ago.

F1nut wrote: »

Many times over the years I had the same thought about getting a boom box and calling it a day. Eventually I managed to put together a rig that excels with great recordings yet makes bad ones sound pretty damn good. Don't give up, you'll get there one day.

Been there, done that and got the T-shirt or 3 along the way. Don't get me wrong. There is no "level" that you have to spend to get there. Everyone is on their own audio journey and what level they stop at....or whatever level they keep pushing. That's up to that particular person.

It took me a LONG time to go through the phase of "Wow". I echoed the thoughts of not only yourself, but many, many others. Including the thoughts of the OP of said link. It's like....Why in the H would I keep chugging, only to get my most favorite selections that now sound like absolute chit?!!!??!!!?

I get it. What I am trying to relay is that there is another plateau beyond the horizon of what you think there is....or what you may think may be the end of audiophilia/Hi-Fi. That being that whatever you listen to? It is surprising and pleasurable. It does not matter if you are listening to Bob Marley, Neil Diamond, a 50's recording of Jazz, a compilation, compressed music, or otherwise.

Now, do you prefer to listen to some selections over others? Absolutely and without a doubt. But do you change the selection, without adjusting the volume to match that of the era/recording? Nope. You enjoy what you previously passed upon (as your audio journey advanced).

It's so nice to listen to selections that you forgot....as the resolution and performance of your system advanced....like they were new recordings. This time, you notice so much more to the music than you had ever experienced prior to that....and you get so lost into the music, that you forget that at one time along your audio journey? That it sounded like chit.

Tom

treitz3 · February 23

A perfect example, as I continue to listen to physical music tonight...

Tim McGraw. Greatest hits album. A ho-hum song in the past. "Please remember me". Nothing special, nothing that one would pay attention to (ever). That song, as I currently listen to it, is an audiophile track...with sounds that envelope you and every instrument is distinct. The lower registers are pure and not exaggerated (precise, if you will).

The harmony between the singers are great and everything between the percussion ensemble and the rest of the band is equalized, without anything sticking out. The more you turn it up? The more into the music (and subtle sounds) you hear.

This, in turn , makes you enjoy a previously ho-hum song like you have never heard it before. This is a horrible example, but it is also the example I want to portray.

A seemingly ho-hum song that now sounds spectacular and very enjoyable. Repeat, rinse upon multiple genres/generations of music?

You have now arrived at bliss. Enjoy.

In no way in H am I saying anything other than what I just relayed here. There is just something about pushing that envelope that pays off. In more ways than you know. You just keep listening....

Tom

Geoff4rfc · February 26

treitz3 wrote: »

Here is my point. There is actually a thread about it here on CP.

https://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/125574/poor-quality-music/p1

Jesse said it best (IMO) within this quote from years ago.
show previous quotes

F1nut wrote: »

Many times over the years I had the same thought about getting a boom box and calling it a day. Eventually I managed to put together a rig that excels with great recordings yet makes bad ones sound pretty damn good. Don't give up, you'll get there one day.

Been there, done that and got the T-shirt or 3 along the way. Don't get me wrong. There is no "level" that you have to spend to get there. Everyone is on their own audio journey and what level they stop at....or whatever level they keep pushing. That's up to that particular person.

It took me a LONG time to go through the phase of "Wow". I echoed the thoughts of not only yourself, but many, many others. Including the thoughts of the OP of said link. It's like....Why in the H would I keep chugging, only to get my most favorite selections that now sound like absolute chit?!!!??!!!?

I get it. What I am trying to relay is that there is another plateau beyond the horizon of what you think there is....or what you may think may be the end of audiophilia/Hi-Fi. That being that whatever you listen to? It is surprising and pleasurable. It does not matter if you are listening to Bob Marley, Neil Diamond, a 50's recording of Jazz, a compilation, compressed music, or otherwise.

Now, do you prefer to listen to some selections over others? Absolutely and without a doubt. But do you change the selection, without adjusting the volume to match that of the era/recording? Nope. You enjoy what you previously passed upon (as your audio journey advanced).

It's so nice to listen to selections that you forgot....as the resolution and performance of your system advanced....like they were new recordings. This time, you notice so much more to the music than you had ever experienced prior to that....and you get so lost into the music, that you forget that at one time along your audio journey? That it sounded like chit.

Tom

Wow indeed. That F1 quote regarding Vr3's quote was just shortly after I joined CP and was in the midst of building my "first" real set up with Monitor 70s (speakers with removable grills

).

Every time I upgraded a speaker or component, I'd hear something new in my movies.

I have always been a music lover, but my initial ratio was 90/10, movies to music.

Over the years as my rig has progressed, my ratio has changed. And now (15 years later), some weeks, it's only music from my setup, and I love it.

Who'd a thought way back then, a knee dragging knot head would be part of this group????!!!

treitz3 · March 2

So, that Mutec clock cable is seemingly taking for ever to burn in and get acclimated to the system. For that reason aand others, I am having a love/hate relationship with it. On the previous page of this thread, I had mentioned the sonic changes between this cable and the other one.

treitz3 wrote: »

Main differences right off the bat....and none of this is night and day, just subtle....

Upper frequencies seem to be ever so slightly more pronounced/accentuated
Lower registers are more articulate and further defined
Improvement on visceral impact
More relaxed and, shall I say, calm background
Background sounds more pronounced/noticeable but not in your face

All of the above are still the same, but are no longer as subtle as they were, when I first put the cable in. The placement of singers and instruments, along with the image specificity has definitely improved as well. The separation of singers is now very clear and the distance between them has improved....and not by just a little bit. Extremely calm background.

One aspect that I am not sure I like, is that the tonal balance has now shifted. It does sound a little lean. More accurate, but still a little lean. Now, I will say this. The streaming rig did the same thing at one point, and while it sounded great, it just wasn't preferred. I actually preferred the tonal balance of the other clock cable, but I also prefer the aforementioned aspects of this cable. Like I said, Love/hate relationship.

Looks like might have to upgrade the PC from the SRA Signature to the Takshaka on the Esoteric transport and quite possibly the DAC as well, if I want to get that tonal balance back. That's what I ended up doing on the streaming portion of the rig and it worked like a charm. Those Takshaka's definitely bring great tonal balance and weight to the sound.

Since it is taking so long for this to burn in, I will just keep it playing non-stop for about another week, then revisit. Enjoying the tunes along the way.

Tom

Dr_Wu · March 4

Installed Vera-Fi Audio Snubway and Main Stream plugins. Nice cleanup in SQ. As usual, you notice the noise more in its absence than its presence. Thought I didn't need the filters with everything running through a PS Audio P10. Bad logic. I wasn't doing anything about the flow to the regenerator which, in an apartment building where I don't have a dedicated circuit, is/was a problem.
Thanks for the tip, Tom!

treitz3 · March 4

You are welcome @Dr_Wu. When you target specific noise that enters the system, what you don't hear, makes you hear further into the music. I'm honestly glad I was able to help. Enjoy the music, brother.

Oh, play around with placement, if you haven't already. It does make a difference.

Tom

Tony M · March 4

I demonstrated Drew's cables and the Hartleys to a couple of sons of the roofing Co. owner.

Wow, they said.

motorstereo · March 5

Added a new piece of furniture yesterday to the listening room; my first treadmill. Plopped it in the sda sweet spot and that's likely going to be it's spot for the foreseeable future. I really need to do something as it's too cold or rainy to walk outside and my Stairmaster really started bothering my knees.

pitdogg2 · March 5

WAIT!! There's no laundry piled on it.....This belongs in the you're doing it wrong thread.....

motorstereo · March 5

pitdogg2 wrote: »

WAIT!! There's no laundry piled on it.....This belongs in the you're doing it wrong thread.....

Hey now don't knock the people that pile their laundry on them. That could be the reason I own it as it was a freebie from fbmp. I'm happy especially since it's an $1,800 commercial Nordictrack unit with no issues.

bcwsrt · March 5

Haha! My treadmill is in the near vicinity of my listening room, though far removed from the sweet spot.

Congrats on your commitment to your health!

Geoff4rfc · March 7

motorstereo wrote: »

Added a new piece of furniture yesterday to the listening room; my first treadmill. Plopped it in the sda sweet spot and that's likely going to be it's spot for the foreseeable future. I really need to do something as it's too cold or rainy to walk outside and my Stairmaster really started bothering my knees.

Costco shopper??? I have a very similar rug in my living room!!

I apologize for your patritart poster, but everything else is pretty cool!!

motorstereo · March 7

[/quote]

Costco shopper??? I have a very similar rug in my living room!!

I apologize for your patritart poster, but everything else is pretty cool!!

[/quote]
Thanks; Nope; rug is from Home Depot. I've yet to go to a Costco as there aren't any nearby. Hmmm; I guess you were so focused on the Patriot towel you didn't notice the original 48 star flag.

HzTweaker · March 7

Plugged everything in this evening so I can enjoy some listening time this weekend!

Geoff4rfc · March 7

motorstereo wrote: »

Costco shopper??? I have a very similar rug in my living room!!

I apologize for your patritart poster, but everything else is pretty cool!!

[/quote]
Thanks; Nope; rug is from Home Depot. I've yet to go to a Costco as there aren't any nearby. Hmmm; I guess you were so focused on the Patriot towel you didn't notice the original 48 star flag.

[/quote]

Very nice!!!

billbillw · March 7

You bros need to learn how the quote feature works.
As far as my system: it got Swiffer dusting and I lint rolled the speaker grills. It's also been playing tunes for the last 5 hours.

Geoff4rfc · March 8

billbillw wrote: »

You bros need to learn how the quote feature works.

W-w-w-why???? What will happen???? Now you've scared me Bill.......

treitz3 · March 8

So, I had a recent auditory revelation that I wish I had done much sooner than I did. As many of you know, I have had Tyler Acoustics speakers for the better part of all of you knowing me. Ever since I heard Trey's little 7U's at Ted's Polkfest many, many, many moons ago? I knew that this was the direction I wanted my audio journey to take. Being able to "see" B.B. King walk across the stage was an eye (or rather, ear) opener for me. I simply fell in love with that tweeter/mid combo.

Funny thing is, that wasn't even a stellar system. It was literally cobbled together haphazardly in Ted's living room. But to experience that? Well it completely changed the train tracks my audio journey was taking at the time. I ended up getting the same speakers I heard that day. Move forward more than a few years, I have had a set of Linbrooks that are arguably the most highly modified set in the world. They were basically rebuilt from the ground up, the crossovers were made to be external and everything was upgraded along the way. Literally from the spikes up and to the drivers themself. Then a couple of years ago, I drove to New York to pick up a near mint set of Ty's TOTL speakers. The Woodmere's.

Along this journey, as many of you know, I have moved through multiple changes with gear, configurations, cables, sources and the like. There has been a significant change in the sonic capabilities and performance along the way. And trust me, when I say that this is an understatement.

One thing that has always bugged me was the Cardas binding posts on the speakers. Cardas is generally well known and respected within the audio community, and has a general consensus of being one of the top tier binding posts available. Are there better? Absolutely, but these are stout and did the job quite well, as some of my observations over the years have put forth. The thing that bugged me is that the 'nanner's on my speaker cables never really sat snug. I would have to use an eraser and some rubber bands to make sure that the connections did not fall out during heavy playback.

Below is the only photo I could find that illustrates what it is I am talking about when it came to the SC's. Both the Transparent and SRA SC's did the same thing (with expanding OD of the'nanner's to secure them in place). The AQ Sure Grip 'nanner's, for some reason, did not require the eraser and rubber bands to have a secure connection, but they were upgraded and I preferred the sound of the new cables better than the AQ's. Please forgive the dust, I normally do not go back behind the speakers and this photo was taken during one of my configuration swaps for the jumpers a year or so ago.

So, basically, you do see that the connection is made. It is also secured and I never had any issues when hooking them up this way. Or so I thought. While the sound has been nothing short of incredible lately, what I did next was the revelation.

Continued on next post.....

Tom

treitz3 · March 8

I researched a bit into Cardas binding posts to see why the connection is not secure. I learned that Cardas binding posts are often mentioned in discussions about reliable connections. That the binding posts are primarily designed to work best with spade lugs and while Cardas binding posts can accommodate banana plugs, they are not optimized for them. Well yeah, no chit, Sherlock! I already knew that. 4mm seems to be the norm, but Cardas accepts larger (I believe I read, up to 7mm)

So, I got to taking a closer look at them and did some experimenting. A week or two ago, I ordered a very thin 99% pure copper band and custom cut them, to fit in the ID as a shim, if you will. This did not go as anticipated, so I immediately scratched that idea altogether. So, I took a look at the binding posts even further.

What I learned is that with the spade nut in place, the banana clips would not provide a secure fitment. But when I took the spade nut (technically called a counter nut) out, I could securely mount both banana's in place without fear of them ever moving. So, I pondered for a bit and did some measurements with calipers. Long story short, I went out to the shop and bench ground off about 3mm of the back of the nut, so it could be screwed further in, onto the binding post itself. After grinding one nut, I cleaned up the inside thread pattern with a fine round file and went back to test to see if this would even work. It did! So, I spent the next hour and a half carefully grinding, finishing and polishing all of the nuts where the SC's would be attached.

I then went back to the stereo room and hooked everything back up. This time, with no need at all for rubber bands and an eraser. When I turned on the rig, I could not believe what I was hearing. All of the aspects I have worked so hard to achieve over the years came into a rather profound clarity and focus. I kind of figured that a slight change, to no change at all would happen. I am happy to say that I was completely incorrect with that assumption. What I knew was fantastic before, is now on a level that……well, it's just on another level. The image clarity/specificity/locational/aural cues and palpability is so clearly spot on now, it's kind of a shock to me. As mentioned before, an auditory revelation.

So, knowing what I know now, I am looking to upgrade all of the binding posts on the Woodmere's. Since they are tri-ampable, I will need twelve total. And, as you can guess, I am not looking at Cardas. I was speaking with an industry insider the other day about this and WBT appears to be the route I'd like to explore. I was eyeing this one -

http://www.wbtusa.com/pages/0705cun.html - WBT - 0705Cu

We'll see what the price comes in at for 12 of them…..along with the possibility of custom making a binding post plate for the Woodmere's. But from what I am hearing now? The investment will be more than worth the expenditure. Here is the "after" modification and configuration. All connections are now rock solid.

SRA Signature SC's into the bass network > Tara Labs, "The Muse" jumpers into the tweeter network > Audience Front Row jumpers go to the mid network.

Tom

Toolfan66 · March 18

I purchased this a few weeks ago from Zach here on the forum.
I was surprized the power supply didn’t have a face plate like the Phono Pre.
Well, I had to change that, 😁
I haven’t installed it yet, but you get the idea.. 😎

pitdogg2 · March 18

Bada** bro!

treitz3 · March 18

But.....but......no comment about how it actually sounds. What's up widdat?

Tom

Clipdat · March 18

It doesn't sound very good without a SnubWay, that's for sure.

Toolfan66 · March 21

Toolfan66 wrote: »

I purchased this a few weeks ago from Zach here on the forum.
I was surprized the power supply didn’t have a face plate like the Phono Pre.
Well, I had to change that, 😁
I haven’t installed it yet, but you get the idea.. 😎

At least now they look like they belong together..😎 IMO, this is how they should be done..

VR3 · March 21

Looks much better

What did you do to your stereo rig today?

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