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Post by brettj on Oct 11, 2021 9:40:39 GMT
Yes. A cupboard.
My gear has to be hidden.
What makes it worse are the dimensions: 600x550x420mm
Including DVD player. Used to have the Sky Box in there as well.
No cables allowed to be seen.
Makes good sound production a little more difficult to arrange; it needs to be compact.
So, prudent purchases.
Like SGS-1 rather than any other larger model.
No power conditioner.
The SEG was perfect due to its small footprint.
Macbook Pro with Halide Bridge through the wall to my cupboard.
Etc...
My first real system was a Plinius Pre/power 1986, Dual 502 1982, and Luxman tape deck 1983.
Had always wanted to go back to a pre/power system. No such luck.
Still trying to figure out how I fit the Hiface Evo Two, Evo Clock and Evo Power Supply in there.
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Post by brettj on Oct 11, 2021 20:55:56 GMT
Who'd have thought, 30 year ago...
You were lucky to have a cupboard.
I used to have my kit in a shoe box in the middle o' road...
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Post by MartinT on Oct 11, 2021 21:02:29 GMT
...eating broken glass.
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Post by brettj on Oct 12, 2021 3:02:08 GMT
Have another who appreciates Black Ravioli.
Sent my Big Pads to my cousin to put under his amp.
“ Surprisingly big difference with the pads. Feels richer and less screechy on the higher notes.”
He hasn’t taken the feet off yet, so the pads were just sitting under them.
I will send a box of goodies down for him to try.
It’s strangely quite exciting.
SGS-1 grounding box
Mad Scientist Nitro Nano power cable
Audience AU24sx RCAs
Mad Scientist donuts
Ifi ac ipurifier
SR Black fuse for the McIntosh
Can I use a 6amp fuse, when the McIntosh states 5amp?
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Post by MartinT on Oct 12, 2021 5:15:32 GMT
You should be safe enough on a 6A fuse, Brett.
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Post by brettj on Oct 19, 2021 22:07:03 GMT
I thought it was a really good idea to put speaker cables in the wall.
At the time - 2009 - my system was very simple.
Technics CD player, Plinius pre/power amp from 1986, Quad 11L speakers.
Merlin Verdi ICs and QED Silver Anniversary speaker cables.
Found some very cheap Merlin Scorpio speaker cables at the time.
Now I want to upgrade them (which involves ripping the wall apart).
System is soon to be
Macbook Pro
- to Hiface Evo Two (+Evo Clock) via Mad Scientist Black Magic USB
- to LKS DA004 Dac via Black Cat Silverstar BNC cable
- to Perreaux R200i via Audience AU24sx RCAs
- to ATC SCM19v2 via Merlin Scorpio speaker cables
Mad Scientist Nitro Nano power cables.
An assortment of tweaks.
Suggestions for speaker cables?
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Post by MartinT on Oct 19, 2021 22:40:14 GMT
I found NVA LS6 & LS7 to be very good for the price.
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Post by brettj on Oct 22, 2021 5:15:01 GMT
It's time to consider moving on from my Macbook Pro as a source.
It was where I started when I stepped up my system (which I'm still doing), with the toslink digital out.
What do I need?
Well, no network connection; only wifi.
No need for an inbuilt Dac.
USB A out (via Halide Bridge or Hiface Evo Two).
Perhaps a micro sd slot.
Streaming capable (Qobuz, Tidal etc).
Perhaps Bluetooth 5.0 (to get rid of my iFi Zen Blue)
Looking at the first step into this.
Not overly expensive.
Wondered about SMSL?
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Post by MartinT on Oct 22, 2021 5:20:33 GMT
Asus Tinker Board S (or Pi 4) + case + Volumio?
You won't find better value out there.
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Post by brettj on Oct 22, 2021 9:00:09 GMT
Asus Tinker Board S (or Pi 4) + case + Volumio? You won't find better value out there. I wouldn't know where to start |
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Post by MartinT on Oct 22, 2021 9:06:51 GMT
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Post by julesd68 on Oct 22, 2021 10:08:09 GMT
The Asus is king - it's surprisingly easy to get up and running.
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Post by John on Oct 22, 2021 16:10:09 GMT
Stay away from the Ifi zen never heard anything decent (I has the mk1 and kept it a day it was that bad) if getting a android consider a Bluetooth receiver really cheap and whilst Jules preferred the Tinkerboard I just love the BT receiver and don't see me going back a streaming box. I have been through a lot of media streamers They are on Ali Express |
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Post by brettj on Oct 23, 2021 2:05:27 GMT
I only bought the iFi Zen bluetooth for my family to use the stereo. Never use it myself. If the streamer had bluetooth, it's gone. Have been looking at an SMSL DP5. 6Moons gave it a good review as a transport 6moons.com/audioreview_articles/smsl/Bluetooth 5, Micro SD card, Wifi, USB A out, streaming. That Project Stream Box S2 Ultra looks promising, although would like a micro SD to eliminate attaching a hard drive. |
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Post by brettj on Oct 23, 2021 2:06:09 GMT
The Asus is king - it's surprisingly easy to get up and running. I'd need someone to do this for me while I clap and cheer. |
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Post by MartinT on Oct 23, 2021 9:08:44 GMT
Are you looking for file streaming (do you have a collection?) or service streaming such as Qobuz or Spotify?
The Pro-Ject offers both, in a package that's very similar to building your own with the Asus. It even uses an OEM version of Volumio.
You could leave your files in the Mac and have the Stream Box play them. It will also play the big services.
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Post by brettj on Oct 24, 2021 1:37:43 GMT
Actually not sure what the best playback is for me.
I do know if I can get better playback than Macbook, I'd like to do so, and keep improving the system.
I guess a Mac Mini is not the step up I'm looking for.
Have all my music on the Macbook, so would consider switching that to a micro SD Card. Hence the SMSL DP5
That way, the Macbook becomes a backup drive and CD ripper.
If I have to, then music on a hard drive to streamer.
The Project Stream Box S2 Ultra would be perfect for that.
And also being able to stream the likes of Spotify or Qobuz.
Unfortunately, a Lan connection is not possible.
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Post by brettj on Oct 25, 2021 9:01:23 GMT
In the process of buying a Project Stream Box S2 Ultra for £350.
Pretty happy about it.
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Post by brettj on Oct 25, 2021 20:12:42 GMT
System changes.
Project Stream Box S2 Ultra (new ones are £750 here).
Received Martin's LKS DA-004 Dac.
Buying some BR Big Pads for it.
Halide Bridge swapped out for a Hiface Evo Two, Evo Clock and Evo Power, with Mad Scientist Black Magic USB and Black Cat Silverstar BNCs.
Sent amp away to get parts replaced. Looking at buying the SR purple fuses for it.
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Post by MartinT on Oct 25, 2021 20:29:29 GMT
SR Purple - that's a new one. Better than Orange, apparently.
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