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Post by julesd68 on Apr 20, 2019 20:21:44 GMT
What's going on Jerry - I thought you couldn't have too much rez!! LOL.
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Post by jandl100 on Apr 20, 2019 20:50:35 GMT
I reckon I'm getting old, Jules.
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Post by julesd68 on Apr 20, 2019 22:22:56 GMT
Time to take it easy ...
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Post by MikeMusic on Apr 23, 2019 10:38:52 GMT
Very near field listening !
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Post by jandl100 on May 9, 2019 19:20:49 GMT
New speakers for my 2nd system. Infinity Cascade Model Nine. Review... 'From the outset, the Cascades impress with two characteristics: stunning clarity and terrific surround sound imaging. You’ll notice the speaker’s clarity every time you put on music recordings or soundtracks that are rich in textural details, or that combine multiple complex voices or sound effects.' I can't disagree with that; really excellent clarity and image focus. They only go down to about 70hz and are meant to be used with a subwoofer. I am using a Jamo sub200 - 200W and an 8 inch driver, it works well.
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Post by Slinger on May 9, 2019 19:28:49 GMT
They look interesting, Jerry, and pretty "cool" too, in a retro sort of way. Have you used a sub in any of your systems previously?
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Post by jandl100 on May 9, 2019 19:47:01 GMT
Yes, I use subs with my Podium 0.5 panel speakers when my MBLs take an occasional holiday. I borrowed one of the subs to use with the Infinitys.
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Post by MartinT on May 9, 2019 20:04:13 GMT
Looks like they continued developing their planar drivers of old?
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Post by jandl100 on May 9, 2019 20:11:22 GMT
Looks like they continued developing their planar drivers of old? Not necessarily - the drivers here are conventional dynamic, just flat diaphragms. But it works very well!
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Post by petea on May 9, 2019 21:37:26 GMT
Ah, so it is the one on the left! Interesting design.
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Post by jandl100 on May 24, 2019 7:37:23 GMT
In my ongoing search for audio perfection (not ) I've recently been investigating interconnects from Morrow Audio in the USA. These seem to have an enthusiastic following there but a low profile in the UK. I think they may be direct sales only. www.morrowaudio.com/pages/ssi-cable-technologySomeone on AOS (gazjam?) mentioned them very positively a while back and they went onto my 'to be investigated' list. The interconnect cables start with the low cost MA1 at $60, thru MA7 at $3k and then two more even more costly. The main difference seems to be the number of individually insulated 'SSI' cable strands used, MA1 having 8 strands and the top model having 288! A pair of used MA2 (14 strands) came up on eBay UK so I decided to invest. And was suitably impressed - very natural tonally and an ability to dig into the ambient cues on a recording which helps it come to life which is very unusual at the price ime. More recently a pair of used MA4 (48 strands) came up on eBay. Only had these a couple of days but have been very impressed so far, a huge amount of fine detail and somehow very 'solidly grounded', for want of a better term. Not sure I've heard this kind of presentation before but the soundsrage/imaging is somehow locked into place. Other cables sound a bit vague in comparison. Interesting, I'll see how these settle in but enjoying them a lot at the moment!
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Post by jandl100 on Jun 10, 2019 8:31:22 GMT
The 3 month free go with TIDAL has given me (another) opportunity to re-evaluate streaming options. I've been back with Spotify for a while, so I thought it would be interesting. Curiously, my most recent issues with TIDAL - a brief pause 30 seconds before the end of each track, and lack of gapless playback - have both disappeared. Good news! So no issues with it now. A fair bit of swapping back and forth twixt Spot and TIDAL yesterday. A tad more immediacy with TIDAL, a bit brighter (but not as much brighter as I recall). I have come to the surprising conclusion that on my system I find Spotify playback more realistic and more enjoyable. Yes, bass thwacks, for example, are more impressive with TIDAL and there's a bit more 'zing' at the top end. But to me it sounds like Spotify gives me more of the sound I would hear in a concert hall, with that gentle cushion of air that is always between you and the performers, and a more immersive sound. TIDAL presentation is more like a studio recording with more immediacy, but it lacks a little in believability for me. Another 3 months (less 1 day) to play with TIDAL, which I am sure I shall do. With a lot more music, and a wider sampling of genres. But my default source remains Spotify for now. ______ Report coming soon on new amplification, but I shall wait on that until after I collect my 2nd 'new' amp tomorrow.
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Post by MartinT on Jun 10, 2019 8:45:31 GMT
Interesting findings, Jerry. I certainly agree that Spotify is a serious source, despite some people turning their noses up at compression. Ogg is compression done well.
For me, I find the sound quality from Qobuz really very good and it's the only reason I won't give Tidal a try, I don't want to change everything (not least my playlists) without good reason.
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Post by mikeyb on Jun 10, 2019 12:25:19 GMT
Funnily enough I've had several Tidal trials and do far I don't hear any benefit over Spotify. The last time I trialled Tidal I didn't even do the three months before I binned it, I have done the latest trial but don't even knew why as I know it's not worth the cost over Spotify Family Sub that I use just now.
Interesting that you seem to hear much the same as myself with regards to the differences.
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Post by petea on Jun 10, 2019 13:15:12 GMT
The only reason I use Tidal is because it is built into the streamers and that was what I heard first. Spotify is also built-in, but I have never bothered to try it. This is mainly because I only use streaming for exploring new stuff and internet radio and Tidal suits me find for the former. My other sources are either on the server (and either rendered directly to the DAC in the UK or via a steamer in Germany) or as CD and vinyl.
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Post by ChrisB on Jun 10, 2019 13:30:15 GMT
... or via a steamer in Germany..l. Now that is proper hair-shirt hifi!
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Post by petea on Jun 10, 2019 14:41:14 GMT
Yes, it takes bloody ages to change tracks!
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Post by jandl100 on Jun 10, 2019 16:08:21 GMT
I started off with Tidal as that was what my streaming 'mentor' used. It was only after several months that another friend recommended Spotify and I reluctantly tried that (reluctant because of the compression).
It sounded different, so I went on a bit of a music streaming journey, trying Qobuz, Deezer, Amazon Music, iDagio, Primephonic (the latter 2 being classical music only). I also watch a fair amount of YouTube classical live videos. They all sound a bit different from each other - with Tidal being most forward and 'obvious', and Spotify the least.
Qobuz was my favourite overall, other than Spotify.
Spotify wins for me as a sole provider for the breadth of its catalogue and its rather more relaxed (and to my ear, more natural) sound.
I used to be into a fairly upfront, hi-rez sort of sound, but I seem to be mellowing with age! It's toward the rear of the front stalls, rather than a few rows from the front, that I now prefer.
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Post by jandl100 on Jun 11, 2019 15:33:58 GMT
A couple of new amps to play with. Both excellent if with rather different capabilities.
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Post by julesd68 on Jun 11, 2019 16:18:05 GMT
Are they both integrateds Jerry?
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