The HiFi Thread! [Sorry about your wallet]

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › The HiFi Thread! [Sorry about your wallet]

Item

1717 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#230362 21-Feb-2018 08:44

I did search and couldn't find a comparable thread to the venerable and excellent "Headphones" one, so here is my attempt!

Much as I love good, high-end headphones, IMHO they can't ever compare to the joy of listening to your favourite music on a great 2 channel hifi system (or maybe even 2:1...2:2?)

For me, being able to feel as well as hear the music makes all the difference and to have the music feeling like it is "in the room" instead of "in your head" connects me to the experience more.

Appreciate that it is not always possible to crank the volume in a shared space or apartment, but when you can, there is nothing to compare!

I am currently running a Cambridge Audio Azure 651a integrated amp, a Cambridge DacMagic Plus and a pair of Canton Vento 886 floorstanders. My source is lossless digital files powered by Roon audio player/system and hooked up to the DAC via a Raspberry Pi running the RoonBridge software with a HiFiBerry Digital stage added on.

After a year with the Cantons, I am actually about to move on to something else - they do many things very well; Dynamics, room-filling sound, imaging, tight, deep bass - but I find they can get quite bright and edgy on some genres (especially female vocalists like Bjork or Joanna Newsome) and they are little too "analytical" for me.

I am currently torn between the new Proac DT8 and the GoldenEar Triton 3+ - very different speakers, but both very appealing to me for different reasons and both sounds great. I am off to test a pair of Focal Aria 936s this weekend to see what they have to offer, but I wasn't that impressed with their little brothers, the 926.

Having originally come from Monitor Audio RX6s which I liked a lot, I did listen to the new Silver Range and the entry level Golds...but they actually seemed very similar to my Cantons with the same positives and negatives. I also tested a pair of Totem Hawks which were wonderful speakers for the size, but just didn't go deep or hard enough for my tastes.\

Anyways - tell me about your HiFi journey/history and feel free to chip in with any suggestions on speakers or amps (the Cambridge will likely be next on the list once I have my speakers sorted!)

1 | 2

3558 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#1961339 21-Feb-2018 09:14

Currently have a Project Carbon Debut DC turntable, a pair of Mission LX-2 Book Shelves and an old Teac amp.

Looking at replacing the amp with an Onkyo R-N855. Seems to be a well featured amp, built in airplay etc. Be interested in any other suggestions around the same price ($900ish).

ren1316

136 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

#1961355 21-Feb-2018 09:39

I concur about feeling the music (or the noise to others).

If you are in Wellington, feel free to drop by.

I 'd like to think I have a good setup: Focal utopia spks, ASR amp, Aurender streamer & PS Audio Directstream DAC.

John.

Item

1717 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#1961362 21-Feb-2018 09:45

ren1316:

I concur about feeling the music (or the noise to others).

If you are in Wellington, feel free to drop by.

I 'd like to think I have a good setup: Focal utopia spks, ASR amp, Aurender streamer & PS Audio Directstream DAC.

John.

Indeed sounds like you have a very nice system! Which Utopia's do you have? Sadly I am not in Wellington...

I am looking forward to testing the the Aria 936s this weekend. The 926s had a nice sound to them, but to my ears the bass was a bit weak and boomy (though it wasn't the best listening room.

Hoping that the extra driver and cabinet size in the bigger speaker will solve that!

Item

1717 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#1961365 21-Feb-2018 09:48

lxsw20:

Currently have a Project Carbon Debut DC turntable, a pair of Mission LX-2 Book Shelves and an old Teac amp.

Looking at replacing the amp with an Onkyo R-N855. Seems to be a well featured amp, built in airplay etc. Be interested in any other suggestions around the same price ($900ish).

Not had much experience with Onkyo 2ch, but that does look like a good amp for that price point - plenty of power and the right features you want, though the THD looks a little high! I had a friend who has had a few of the Onkyo 5:1 systems and been very happy with them.

The other option would be to go second-hand, but not sure that would offer you much benefit over the new Onkyo...

I have so far resisted the temptation of buying a turntable - record collecting would be another money-sink I could do without and whilst I get the appeal of that "vinyl sound" I think I prefer the accuracy and better dynamic range you get from a good lossless digital source.

ren1316

136 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

#1961386 21-Feb-2018 10:17

Grande

Item

1717 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#1961393 21-Feb-2018 10:26

ren1316:

Grande

I have to ask - have they been worth it?

Do you still get upgrade-itis? (where you would go from here I am not too sure...)

ren1316

136 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

#1961400 21-Feb-2018 10:32

From my point of view, YES. To each his own.

Use it all the time. Much more than the car or TV or anything else.

And, as you said, the feeling is PRICELESS to borrow a quote from an advert.

I have not think or need to upgrade the speakers. It be with me till the end of my days.

Sharesies

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

Item

1717 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#1961408 21-Feb-2018 10:45

ren1316:

From my point of view, YES. To each his own.

The only point of view that matters!

ren1316:Use it all the time. Much more than the car or TV or anything else.

And, as you said, the feeling is PRICELESS to borrow a quote from an advert.

I have not think or need to upgrade the speakers. It be with me till the end of my days.

I am certainly envious! For sure, up to the point where I was no longer able to hear the value and the sonic difference, I would certainly love to make as much investment into the "perfect" kit as I was able to.

Awesome mate - congratulations on your epic setup!

I assume you have invested time and effort into the listening space/acoustic treatment as well?

ren1316

136 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

#1961412 21-Feb-2018 10:51

Triple glazed acoustic glass windows, double sound gib board, sound batt.

Dedicated 30 amp power feed with its own earth rod.

Amp with battery power.

Separate power bank/filter.

Yep, all sorted.

Item

1717 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#1961415 21-Feb-2018 10:53

I may well drop you a PM next time I am planning to be in Wellington - would love to hear it!

ren1316

136 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

#1961419 21-Feb-2018 10:58

, yep, welcome

tripper1000

1619 posts

Uber Geek

#1961460 21-Feb-2018 12:08

Item:

....For me, being able to feel as well as hear the music makes all the difference and to have the music feeling like it is "in the room" instead of "in your head" connects me to the experience more.

Appreciate that it is not always possible to crank the volume in a shared space or apartment, but when you can, there is nothing to compare....

I could not agree more. This is why (in my mind at least) those massive pipe organs in Cathedrals and the Akl Town Hall, never grow old - the sound goes right through you and the whole building shakes.

The MP3-on-a-phone generation simply don't know what they're missing out on. I played some music for my 25 y.o. sister in law (wasn't trying to show the stereo) who thought she was into music, and she was taken aback by the "big sound". She had simply never listened to music on speakers that you couldn't fit in your pocket.

Item

1717 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#1961475 21-Feb-2018 12:44

tripper1000:

the MP3-on-a-phone generation simply don't know what they're missing out on. I played some music for my 25 y.o. sister in law (wasn't trying to show the stereo) who thought she was into music, and she was taken aback by the "big sound". She had simply never listened to music on speakers that you couldn't fit in your pocket.

You can end up missing so much! I love it when I listen to a track for the first time on a great system and notice detail, sounds or production tweaks that I had never heard before.

pknz

102 posts

Master Geek

#1961670 21-Feb-2018 16:02

Anyone else running a Linn system?

Batman

Mad Scientist
29773 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1961778 21-Feb-2018 19:05

tripper1000:

Item:

....For me, being able to feel as well as hear the music makes all the difference and to have the music feeling like it is "in the room" instead of "in your head" connects me to the experience more.

Appreciate that it is not always possible to crank the volume in a shared space or apartment, but when you can, there is nothing to compare....

I could not agree more. This is why (in my mind at least) those massive pipe organs in Cathedrals and the Akl Town Hall, never grow old - the sound goes right through you and the whole building shakes.

The MP3-on-a-phone generation simply don't know what they're missing out on. I played some music for my 25 y.o. sister in law (wasn't trying to show the stereo) who thought she was into music, and she was taken aback by the "big sound". She had simply never listened to music on speakers that you couldn't fit in your pocket.

That's why you need 4 subs.

1 | 2