|
|
Post by julesd68 on Feb 28, 2020 22:28:15 GMT
So nobody knows then!  Not to worry, I will be a trailblazer with data only USB cables, LOL ... I've managed to move things around on the rack so I now only have a 20cm run from reclocker to DAC which means I will do Paul's little experiment and then if decide to get another split data / power cable, it will be nicely cheaper. |
|
|
|
Post by Slinger on Feb 28, 2020 23:09:23 GMT
Soundwise, I don't think you'll gain much, if anything, Jules. If I read the Oehlbach bumph correctly they use their 7.5v psu to provide a clean 5v out alongside the newly generated digital signal.
What cables are you using that are data only?
|
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Feb 29, 2020 0:07:13 GMT
I'm using the Gothic Audio silver cable Paul as shown here with split power and data. Data only USB cables seem to be increasingly popular for audio so thought I would give them a go. I've swapped the cables round now ready to try on Monday and if it works ok I will order another of the above cables. |
|
|
|
Post by Slinger on Feb 29, 2020 0:27:44 GMT
Thanks, Jules. I should have remembered. DOH!
|
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Feb 29, 2020 9:47:02 GMT
though my middle aged memory may be failing me ... Nope, your memory is fine Jules, I'm rather a Gillian Welch junky, her and her partner (David Rawlings) are a bit of Americana/Bluegrass royalty amongst other musicians of that ilk. Their talent and attention to detail is legendary. Saw them at Hammersmith a few years back, sat in the balcony and was a little dumbstruck at the sound quality, wondering why it was so much better than normal.
Heard an interview about that show later and they take hours over sound check. Once they have the sound they want on stage, David goes around the auditorium whilst Gillian plays on stage and they check the sound in all areas of the house for the audience. I do like a bit of OCD 
Oh, and they always mic their guitars too, never plug them into an amp or PA.
That was one of the best shows I've ever been too, just the two of them on stage for 3 hours and they played a sublime version of White Rabbit for one of many encores.
I seem to remember you liked Such Jubilee by Mandolin Orange too? Also very particular about attention to detail and sound quality and also very fine musicians.
Anyway, sorry for the interruption . . . as you were chaps I would definitely go and see Gillian Welch next time she comes to London, Tim. Do let me know if you hear about her touring here again! It's not my usual staple of music as you know but there is something special about her particular style - 'Tennessee' has become one of my favourite songs. The MO album doesn't grab me in quite the same 'ethereal' way if you know what I mean. |
|
|
|
Post by Tim on Mar 1, 2020 17:36:48 GMT
I would definitely go and see Gillian Welch next time she comes to London, Tim. Do let me know if you hear about her touring here again! Will do Jules, she/they don't come over very often, but it's been a good few years now, so maybe it's due? |
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Mar 10, 2020 17:42:00 GMT
Gents, I have taken delivery of a shiny new Samsung 4K TV today.  It is rather splendiferous but am itching to test some 4K Blu Ray material with it to see just how good it can be - I am wondering if anyone has bought any superb looking discs and might be able to lend me a couple to try? |
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Mar 10, 2020 18:32:58 GMT
Nope, but I can recommend both Netflix and Prime 4K material. To be honest, one of the benefits of having such a TV is the amazing quality they derive from standard HD material.
|
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Mar 10, 2020 19:12:21 GMT
I've only got the standard HD Netflix sub at the moment but I do have Prime and some of the 4K material is good whilst some inconsistent from my brief look so far ...
But it won't match the quality of a 4K Blu Ray produced by one of the major studios - something like Blade Runner 2049 must really benefit ...
|
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Mar 10, 2020 20:05:28 GMT
Do you have a 4K Blu-ray player, Jules?
|
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Mar 10, 2020 20:13:39 GMT
My son has an Xbox One S which is also a 4K blu-ray player ...
|
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Mar 11, 2020 13:35:06 GMT
Yesterday I spent some time researching best 'expert' picture settings. Basically you disable most of the processing software to try and achieve a look that is as close as possible to the source.
The most important one to disable is the 'Auto Motion Plus' settings - it's only really of any use with sport like football. It's not known as the 'soap opera effect' for nothing - was watching Scorpion last night and the video quality was so low rent it made it look like it was shot on Fisher Price HD cameras!!
|
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Mar 11, 2020 15:21:22 GMT
The classic ones to set are disable vivid or 'shop' mode, turn sharpness down, disable most motion processing, reduce or disable video noise reduction, natural contrast and colours.
|
|
|
|
Post by Slinger on Mar 11, 2020 15:27:08 GMT
"Special" settings are for special lazy people. I learned from my Dad to dial everything back and then set up the picture so it looks "natural" to me. Basically, if it can be adjusted manually why trust someone else's idea of what's good and what's not? Adjust it manually.
It always amazes me how, when you visit some peoples houses, their TV seems to be set up (or not, is probably the point) to make your eyes bleed. Colour: way up, contrast: way up, everyone looks like Trump or an extra from The Simpsons.
|
|
|
|
digititis
Mar 11, 2020 17:03:28 GMT
via mobile
Post by julesd68 on Mar 11, 2020 17:03:28 GMT
Of course you are right Paul but some people are just too 'scared' to do some manual fine-tuning. And then there are these people with a phobia of reading instructions ...
|
|
|
|
Post by Slinger on Mar 11, 2020 17:11:28 GMT
What is this "instructions" of which you speak?
|
|
|
|
Post by mikeyb on Mar 11, 2020 21:17:18 GMT
Plenty 4k stuff on YouTube, wildlife and travel vids 😉
|
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Mar 12, 2020 7:25:10 GMT
Yes, the Sony 4K test videos on YouTube are very good indeed for seeing what your TV can do.
|
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Mar 12, 2020 9:49:31 GMT
Thanks chaps, I've avoided YT vids to date as there are loads of 4K but lots of them are shot on cameras that are basically just little 4K camcorders and/or shot by people who don't really know what they are doing.
Of course if you are willing to sift through the amateur stuff things like Sony must be worth checking out as they should be reliable in terms of quality.
Even watching The Grand Tour in 4K with the production budget they have is very variable due to the filming conditions and lighting - there's some amazing quality footage and then some very ordinary stuff too ... That's 'TV' for you and why I'm hoping for something a bit more inspiring from a really good 4K movie release where you can ensure consistent picture quality ...
|
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Mar 17, 2020 17:16:18 GMT
Just picked up a new 4K blu-ray of Blade Runner 2049 on Amazon for under £9 delivered ... I reckon that should put the new TV through its paces!  |
|
