Just listened to a CD for the first time in years....

I am using an Emu0404 outputting to an M-Audio LX4 2.1 speaker set and it sounds very very good to me when listening to lossless ripped Cd's. The soundstaging is especially good.



My main system is a MF Xray running through a Unison Research hybrid valve amp into a set of Rega Xels. This system does female vocals scarily well but it is not pulling any more out of the mix as far as I can hear.

What amazes me is how many people spend a lot on kit but never bother to understand or work with their room acoustics.
 
speedyj said:
What amazes me is how many people spend a lot on kit but never bother to understand or work with their room acoustics.
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See photo, heavy full length curtain behind speakers, and sound absorption panels on the wall, would like to put some thicker rugs on the floor.

Room.jpg
 
9designs2 said:
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Not sure what you are using to rip from though - if thats an external source then you may be better off than ripping from a £20 internal optical drive (theoretically a dvd capable transport will never be as good as a plain cd one for music if you want to go to the nth degree)

I am happy with my 192bit rips but then I dont have anything like that kind of equipment to play them on - if I did I would keep a pc well away from any audio source
 
FrankJH said:
Not sure what you are using to rip from though - if thats an external source then you may be better off than ripping from a £20 internal optical drive (theoretically a dvd capable transport will never be as good as a plain cd one for music if you want to go to the nth degree)
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??
If I read that correctly, then I've got to ask whether you really understand ripping of CDs.
Use EAC on a PC and it takes a straight data copy of the data. Additionally, if data errors occur, then instead of using error correction and possibly guessing the value, the PC will re-read the CD until it gets the data. That's why it's called a "bit perfect" rip.
In comparison to taking a feed from an external CD player, I'm not sure how the two would synchronise up and the chances of ending up with a similar "bit perfect" copy doesn't seem that high to me. For one thing, the CD player does not have the capability to conduct re-reads.

So whilst I still believe that high end CDPs do have the edge on analogue output sound quality, I think that's a result of better application of the DAC and the analogue output stages, and NOT a result of the digital data being pushed through it.
 
Thanks Mr_S :)

FrankJH
I currently use Ripstation Micros DS software on the PC, I have used EAC and FLAC converters in the past. But Linn have had Ripstation port a small app that is pre configured for my Media software and DAC. So it tags correctly, and is automatic, I just keep feed the PC drive with discs.
It does the "Exact Audio Copy " work and produces error free "Bit perfect" FLAC files.

These are stored on the NAS drive, and the on board Media Twonky server software on the NAS, sends it direct over CAT5 network to the Linn DAC.
Where it is received into a 5 second buffer, and then processed into analogue. All of this is done with out a PC being switched on !!!! The DAC is a true stand alone HiFi component, it just has a Network interface instead of a SPDIF of a convention HiFi DAC

If you accept the marketing, this is the finest way currently possible to play digital music. (outside of the recording studio etc etc etc).
A bold claim ??? in principle no, Playing a CD or file requires a DAC, but here the transport and possible short comings have been removed by streaming data from a "perfect file".

Oh and it sounds dam good ;)

Mr_S, go get a demo of a DS :D....(make sure it has a least 30 hours run in though )
 
Frank, also with a Squeezebox there's no "PC" in the chain, except as the server. SB receives data over RJ45, then digital or analogue out on the back.
 
9designs2 said:
Thanks Mr_S :)Mr_S, go get a demo of a DS :D....(make sure it has a least 30 hours run in though )
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That's probably not a good idea, no funds at the moment and particularly so the level of funds required to replace my SB+ with a DS.
Having said that, certainly piques my curiosity.
 
9designs2 said:
See photo, heavy full length curtain behind speakers, and sound absorption panels on the wall, would like to put some thicker rugs on the floor.

Room.jpg
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Thats a nice looking room my friend!!

The acoustic treatment is as good as an upgrade in terms of performance but then you obviously know that judging by your room setup.

If you are listening centrally in that room I would imagine the reflections are pretty low.

No point preaching to the converted.......
 
Well back on the subject of data and media streaming to DAC etc etc.... Just been reading on one of the Linn Forums that they reckon the CAT5 cable connecting the DAC, Router and NAS/PC up can make a difference to the sound :eek: WTF !!!!

Now I like to be open minded....but moving packet data over a network in to a memory buffer, under the control of IP protocols is stretching my believe a bit to far !!..... Anyway I let those guy's come to a conclusion before I re patch mine ;)

I guess soon we see some silly priced Audiophile CAT5 cables marketed.... Oh heck what am I saying.... let me get down to B&Q for a roll, and start knocking some up ...LOL ..... What should we start at £50 for 2 meter budget version....and £150 for "gold" RJ45's and double screened ;)
 
Very, very nice listening room there 9designs2.:cool:

Can't quite see how "hi-fi" Cat5 would work exactly as its data and not an anlogue signal, it either gets there or it doesn't! Fair play to anyone who can find anyone willing to buy it.

Dave
 
I use Custom Browse, it's fantastic. Rather have a massive list of artists, I have \A\ \B etc.

SB supports Replygain, so foobar /replygain your music and enable it in SC.
 
badbob said:
I use Custom Browse, it's fantastic. Rather have a massive list of artists, I have \A\ \B etc.

SB supports Replygain, so foobar /replygain your music and enable it in SC.
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Cheers....I'll have a look at those...

Afraid I've never heard or tried a SB, so can offer no help....
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Apologies.....I misread one of your earlier posts...:)
 
jbloggs said:
When you talk about a "Squeeze Box" is it This you are referring to?

Would using a "Squeeze Box" to feed a hi fi amp/speaker setup produce better sound quality than a decent soundcard (Terratec DMX 6Fire) feeding the same hi fi amp/speaker setup, given everything else being equal? :)
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Have now had a Squeezebox for a couple of weeks, and from general listening, it certainly is quite superior in sound quality to my soundcard (Terratec DMX 6Fire 24/96)...more detail, sound is "tighter"....
 
Glad to hear it's working out and your enjoying it....... My DS is starting to make CD sound as good as SACD, now that it's more run in :eek:
 
Well I put on the first moby album yesterday and it really showed how much better my new amp is than my old arcam delta 290. Gotta love danish class D power, spanking the hungry ATCs asses.

Well played CD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
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