Anybody have desktop HIFI?

MWalt

Active Member
I enjoy my desktop system and usually end up listening to it more than my main system. I don't know if one would consider it HIFI, but it sounds pretty good. I have my CPU streaming audio through an APPJ Miniwatt EL84 tube amp (oldschool RCA tubes), Topping D10 DAC, Fostex Pangea speakers with the Fostex FF105WK 4" Full Range Drivers and an REL T/5i subwoofer. Anyone have a good sounding desktop/Computer setup they want to share?

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This is an older photo, but still the same setup except I have ISO Acoustic riser stands now.

Source is my Retinea 5K iMac, custom 1/4" steel riser base under which sits a Parasound ZAmp V3 and Parasound ZDac V2, both purchased new. The ZDac acts as the preamp. Homebrew interconnect of solid silver wire between them. Speaker cables are Audience Conductors. Speakers are Audience ClearAudient The Ones, full-range, crossover less speakers with a passive radiator on the back. I have a REL T/Zero sub on the floor.

Like you @MWalt it gets used almost as much as my main rig when I'm doing work at home. I really love it and haven't changed it in several years... which is rare for me.

- Woody

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Very nice guys! I see some very nice desk systems in very functional environments.

-Woody, I love the clean look of your desk. Did you build it yourself? (I ask because I need a larger desk)
-Geoff, tell me your opinion on those Omega's: How do they compare to Fostex drivers? Those speakers are beautiful!
-Thermionics, that is very nice gear and I am quite interested in the Linaeum speakers. Which model are they?
 
Very nice guys! I see some very nice desk systems in very functional environments.

-Woody, I love the clean look of your desk. Did you build it yourself? (I ask because I need a larger desk)
-Geoff, tell me your opinion on those Omega's: How do they compare to Fostex drivers? Those speakers are beautiful!
-Thermionics, that is very nice gear and I am quite interested in the Linaeum speakers. Which model are they?

I did, kinda. The top is a reclaimed section of the approach from a local bowling alley that shut down a few years ago and a buddy and I bought a bunch of the reclaimed wooden lane sections. It's maple and heavy as all hell. I just refinished it and added a new front fascia piece. The legs are steel I drew up and had a local fabricator make and powder coat.

It's about 8ft wide and 30" deep.

- Woody
 
Great work. That wood looks great against the natural brick. I am curious about those Audience ClearAudient The Ones as well. What can you compare their sound to?

I use my desk so often that it makes sense for me to upgrade my desk gear at some point as well. I also like to swap out with the Allo Volt +D chip amp which sounds even better .
 
Very nice guys! I see some very nice desk systems in very functional environments.

-Woody, I love the clean look of your desk. Did you build it yourself? (I ask because I need a larger desk)
-Geoff, tell me your opinion on those Omega's: How do they compare to Fostex drivers? Those speakers are beautiful!
-Thermionics, that is very nice gear and I am quite interested in the Linaeum speakers. Which model are they?
Those are the original LFX (e.g. the first generation with the clear mylar tweeters as opposed to the later dark grey tweeters).

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(not my photo)
 
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I am curious about those Audience ClearAudient The Ones as well. What can you compare their sound to?

Hard to say. I will say they are supremely neutral. Detailed but never fatiguing. They image like mad — the sound just comes out of the screen. I really like them. I feel like they let the Parasound house sound come through, which to me is neutral to just a TICK dark. I've been very pleased with them.

- Woody
 
Woody, where do you get the Audience ClearAudient The Ones? I bet they would sound good with my Allo Volt+D amp.

Edit: Just found them at Music Direct. Expensive!
 
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Woody, where do you get the Audience ClearAudient The Ones? I bet they would sound good with my Allo Volt+D amp.

Hmmmm... that's a good question. Music Direct used to carry them. I got mine used off Audiogon. Here is what they say on their site...

For a referral to an Audience Dealer in the U.S. or countries not listed below please contact
John McDonald at john@audience-av.com or by phone at 760-599-9611.

- Woody
 
This last year I set up an Ion Obelisk 1 and a pair of little A/D/S speakers as my desktop system, just connected to my computer. It was so underwhelming that I maybe used it 5 times over a year :(.

Not my best day in hi-fi.

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This last year I set up an Ion Obelisk 1 and a pair of little A/D/S speakers as my desktop system, just connected to my computer. It was so underwhelming that I maybe used it 5 times over a year :(.

Not my best day in hi-fi.

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The Obelisk is nice enough and I've heard the A/D/S sound pretty good, so I wonder why it didn't work out so well?
 
The Obelisk is nice enough and I've heard the A/D/S sound pretty good, so I wonder why it didn't work out so well?
I don't think the Obelisk is that nice. I bought it thinking it would sound a bit like the current Heed stuff but it doesn't. The A/D/S are lifeless and dull. All in all kind of everything I don't like about vintage audio and nothing I do like about it.
 
I never did hear the Obelisk, now I think of it. I just presumed it was like some proto-Heed and similar. Ah well. The A/D/S can sound pretty good, but they need a good head of steam behind them to do so as I recall. What I like about what I'm listening to at this moment is that it is incredibly lively. Dull and lifeless not at all, gets me bopping around in my chair.
 
I can't answer for the Obelisk and/or ADS, but these little Fostex single drivers paired with a miniwatt or an Allo Volt+D (or insert your favorite chip amp) sound surprisingly good. Crisp, clean, coherent and image like a boss. There is something really special about single drivers in nearfield
 
Luxman 5L 15 integrated courtesy of JohnVF, Yamaha NS-1000mm, wall mounted. It really sounds remarkably good, though I'd like to damp the interface between the speakers and the wall a titch and add a small sub somewhere to fill out the bottom end a bit. One could argue that the truly marvellous Luxman is underutilized except that in the current situation it is my main source most of the day. The little Yamahss are far better than one might imagine - incredibly clean, articulate, image beautifully and the little 6 lb. rascals can handle 150 w/ch.
DSC_8224 by fiddlefye, on Flickr
 
Luxman 5L 15 integrated courtesy of JohnVF, Yamaha NS-1000mm, wall mounted. It really sounds remarkably good, though I'd like to damp the interface between the speakers and the wall a titch and add a small sub somewhere to fill out the bottom end a bit. One could argue that the truly marvellous Luxman is underutilized except that in the current situation it is my main source most of the day. The little Yamahss are far better than one might imagine - incredibly clean, articulate, image beautifully and the little 6 lb. rascals can handle 150 w/ch.
DSC_8224 by fiddlefye, on Flickr
That’s a studly luxman; can’t say I’d get tired of looking at or listening to it!
 
That’s a studly luxman; can’t say I’d get tired of looking at or listening to it!
The Luxman really sounds and looks quite wonderful. I dare say it is the finest-sounding SS integrated I've heard. Much as it really deserves bigger speakers the little mm are really quite an involving listening experience with decent material like a good FLAC stream. Did I mention that they extend all the way to 24k? I'd love to fill in s bit below their bottom end of 70hz, though the bass it really pretty good.
 
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