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Post by MartinT on Aug 21, 2022 16:44:55 GMT
...and I'm back on the HP SFPs. To explain my vacillation over these, the differences in sound are small but perceptible and my recent shorting of the ER moat had masked their true differences. Don't be thinking that one SFP is better than the other - it's a matter of getting the balance right for the system.
The BlueOptics have a touch more prominence in detail but also add a little sheen to female vocals, something I don't like. The HPs don't have that sheen but otherwise do everything the BlueOptics do. The best balance for my system is with the HPs, so they're staying put.
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Post by MartinT on Aug 28, 2022 17:28:52 GMT
Had a message that my Samsung tablet is returning from repair tomorrow. Thank goodness as this neocore's sloth-like responses are driving me spare. I hardly dare read metadata or switch between BubbleUPnP and browser as it goes into deep thought between each key press.
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Post by MartinT on Aug 30, 2022 18:22:24 GMT
The Samsung tablet is back with me, thank goodness. The work done was: - Replaced flexible ribbon cable - Replaced motherboard So that's pretty much all of it except the case and battery! Consequently, I've spent some time putting it back to the way I like it. BubbleUPnP has extensive configuration options and it's a job to remember where all the settings are. All is well and the music is playing Gosh, this is fast compared with that neocore.
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Post by MartinT on Aug 31, 2022 18:32:12 GMT
I've had the Black Magic Ultra USB in the system for long enough for it to have settled down, and what a performance it's giving me. I truly didn't expect as much from just one USB link with a DDC still coming after it. There have been further tweaks to grounding arrangements, especially with grounding the SFP cages directly rather than either the EtherREGEN or Rendu cases. Finally, I took two electronic timers for the lights out of circuit to get mains noise as low as I can possibly achieve.
I am mighty pleased with the HP SFPs that didn't cost me a penny - they were surplus equipment at work. They sound the best of a bunch of optical SFPs I've tried. I'm not forgetting the Signature Rendu SE that definitely took my system up a step in performance with optical isolation.
The system sounds different in ways that are hard to describe. Music is organic and substantial with large amounts of detail within the mix, but not thrown outwards. Dynamics are 'slam dunk' as Tony likes to call it, but very much part of the music and not leaving it behind. Bass is sometimes incredible, but the speakers and power amp seem to take it all in their stride (the Belles rarely gets warmer than tepid). It's as if my system was briefed to 'keep it real' and the outcome is relaxed and non-fatiguing but makes me want to hear just another track. And another...
Where next? There is very little left for me to do now. I know I'll be approaching the ceiling of what my components can achieve so I'm not looking for much more. Tony has lodged the seed of an idea for another power cable and I'll be pursuing that soon.
Back to the music.
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Post by stellabagpuss on Aug 31, 2022 19:51:48 GMT
Utopia Martin....Your sat right in the high tower, looking down at those Amstrad Tower systems 🤣
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Post by MartinT on Sept 1, 2022 5:04:17 GMT
Compared with three years ago, when I was playing CDs, I'm above the clouds Damien.
I suspected that streaming was going to be the way for me to go, based on a much earlier incarnation with Pi-based streamer and Beresford SEG DAC.
Being released from buying media and having millions of albums available to me via Qobuz, not to mention the excellent sound quality, has been really eye-opening. I no longer feel constrained by my collection.
It's a different world now.
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Post by stellabagpuss on Sept 1, 2022 6:08:12 GMT
lt is indeed Martin, a different world. l know how you feel, l used to have thousands of CD's...all gone now.
l guess it's in our DNA to want to play, and improve things,l enjoy the challenge and lessons.
Damien
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Post by MartinT on Sept 4, 2022 7:43:05 GMT
Showing the system up to date, including the superb Black Magic Ultra USB cable, the stunning Coherent BDM power cable and detailing the SFPs in the optical link.
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Post by MartinT on Sept 7, 2022 8:34:13 GMT
I was listening last night and noting the usual slow burn-in associated with a new power cable. The Coherent BDM is coming along really well and there was a step-change in the sheer attack and speed of the system. As I've said elsewhere, I've effectively upgraded the entire system by moving the BD to my P3 regenerator (for the source components) and adding the BDM to the P10 regenerator (for the power amp and pre-source components). The most startling change was in a track by Delooze called What is Love. When I first came across her, this track in particular, which is in 24/44 hi-res, sounded thick and congested to my ears. It has improved somewhat, but last night it dramatically sounded like a different recording. I wonder if a few members would have a listen and tell me what they hear? Even if you don't have Qobuz, it's available in Spotify although it doesn't sound as good. open.qobuz.com/track/47366501
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Post by John on Sept 7, 2022 9:02:20 GMT
Will listen later
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Post by HD Music & Test on Sept 7, 2022 11:24:43 GMT
I still hae the knack of suggesting those interesting moves then?
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Post by MartinT on Sept 7, 2022 12:34:37 GMT
I still hae the knack of suggesting those interesting moves then? You do, Tony, you do
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Post by brettj on Sept 8, 2022 2:32:35 GMT
Will have a listen tonight.
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Post by MartinT on Sept 8, 2022 5:03:46 GMT
I've been listening again to this fascinating track, among others.
Really keen to hear what others make of it.
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Post by John on Sept 8, 2022 7:07:52 GMT
I tried to listen, but not my thing Strong pounding bass. I did not like the mids just too forward for me and just became unpleasant to listen to Sorry
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Post by MartinT on Sept 8, 2022 8:51:56 GMT
Interesting, John - that's a finding in itself.
I find it extremely exciting. Forward, yes, but not overly so. The drum (not bass drum) and cymbals are incredibly fast and her voice changes from slightly diffuse and ethereal to right there as she increases power (or steps closer to the mic).
I used to find it not a great sound but now it's a pretty good listen. I'll try it on Mike on Saturday. Mind you, female voice...
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Post by MikeMusic on Sept 8, 2022 9:04:59 GMT
There's some females I am very happy to listen to Many males sound horrid
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Post by speedysteve on Sept 8, 2022 19:23:47 GMT
It okay. The presentation is not obnoxious. The effect on her voice grows on me after a while. Bit 2 dimensional, compared to other favs I have. Okay pump but nothing special bass wise. Now this track by her is expansive in comparison! In fact the whole ep is. open.qobuz.com/track/41796495You'll probably find it a bit loudnessy. My system handles them well. Edited; Heard this on the Umbrella ☂️ academy. open.qobuz.com/track/100589159This is a catchy cover 😃
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Post by MartinT on Sept 8, 2022 20:09:51 GMT
Oh yes, I know that one. Great song.
The point I was making with What Is Love is about how awful it sounds (muffled, defocussed) on an average system and how it grows and reveals hidden power as the transparency clears up. For that reason, it's a great test track.
I also really like her voice and songwriting. A touch of the dark side to her. Or, from her YouTube channel, "Delooze blends dramatic, electronic post-punk, laced with gothic elements and classical instrumentation, which weave a dark yet delicate soundscape."
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Post by MartinT on Sept 9, 2022 8:42:41 GMT
The most startling change was in a track by Delooze called What is Love. When I first came across her, this track in particular, which is in 24/44 hi-res, sounded thick and congested to my ears. It has improved somewhat, but last night it dramatically sounded like a different recording. I wonder if a few members would have a listen and tell me what they hear? Even if you don't have Qobuz, it's available in Spotify although it doesn't sound as good. I had another good listen to What Is Love last night. The recording on Qobuz is in 24/44 hi-res. It's a fascinating track with a Jekyll and Hyde nature depending solely on the portrayal of vibrancy, soundstage and dynamics, as those are the things which have benefitted most from my recent system changes. What I hear is a heavy bass drum intro with a diffuse ethereal opening vocal from Delooze. A higher toned synth drum and cymbals have very fast attack throughout the rest of the song. It sounds vibrant and exciting. As she raises her level later in the song, perhaps also stepping closer to the mic, she comes into focus and is no longer diffuse. On an older incarnation of my system this track sounded distant, muffled and really not enjoyable at all. I kept wondering why it was in hi-res. Now I know. it's a great test track! I'm still happy to hear comments from others on what they hear.
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