My audio updates stream of consciousness

[kray]

Hi All,

I wanted to start a thread of my audio circus, the constant merry go round of all the equipment in and out of my room. Thought I'd keep It all in one thread as I jot my notes down of my impressions, etc. instead of opening a new thread for each piece I'm checking out. I had a long thread on my DAC journey last 2yrs here, then I decided to try and combine a bunch of boxes, and displaced my long time favorite DAC here

I'm in Sarasota FL and always welcome anyone to come over and take a listen, swap some gear, etc.

Current setup:
Speakers: Omega Vintage 8's High Output
DAC/Streamer/Preamp: Meitner MA-3
Amplifier: Oliver Sayes 421a
Another Preamp: Oliver Sayes Slagle Autoformer
Turntable: VPI Traveler with BearPaws feet
Phono Preamp: Darlington Labs MP-7
Subs: Dual stereo REL T5i's
Cables: Audio Art Statement RCA's, Pine Tree Audio Octa Speaker cables (silver over copper), DIY Power Cords (DH Labs Encore power cable with Furutech FI-15 connectors, Network Acoustics Eno Ethernet streaming filter + cable, Zenwave D3 RCA's, Zenwave SL17 speaker cables.

To be continued....

 

[TEA FOR ONE]

How do you like the REL’s? I was getting ready to pull the trigger on the new version,when a pair of SVS sb2000 pro’s showed up on the used market at I price that I couldn’t possibly pass up. But I still wonder,”what if”.

 

[kray]

How do you like the REL’s? I was getting ready to pull the trigger on the new version,when a pair of SVS sb2000 pro’s showed up on the used market at I price that I couldn’t possibly pass up. But I still wonder,”what if”.

I like them a lot but honestly have never tried another sub. These were my first. They easily blend in and sometimes I feel like they aren’t even on (cause mentally I’m just expected big bass” like the home theater sub I have (Sony SW3 with HT-A7000 soundbar) but they blend in so well that when I turn them off, I can now tell.

another thing I like is the size. They arent huge and bulky. My room is only 13x12 so every foot counts.

 

[kray]

I picked up a Naim Uniti Atom because I was thinking I might throw in the towel and go with an all in one unit. The Atom is a streamer, DAC, preamp and amp. Has pre-outs, has 1 RCA input. Beautiful form and function. The top orb looking thing is the huge physical volume knob! The Naim is controlled with either its well built remote, which detects pickup and becomes backlit, or from the Naim app. The app also controls all the amps settings like labeling input, login to streaming services, etc. a cool feature too is you can change the input voltage of the RCA input. you can make the input fixed volume, or set the input sensitivity to 1V, 2.5V, or 6.5V. You can also use it as Roon endpoint.

My objective was if I liked the Atom to upgrade to the Nova (which is 2x the cost of Atom, including 2x the power output, 80W).

How's it sound? Well I knew, or was hoping it wouldn't better my Meitner and 421a, but let just say, if I had never heard my reference combo, I would be very satisfied with the Atom. It gives you that British sound, but it's warm, musical, detailed and toe tapping easy to listen to. the infamous British PRaT is there in spades. I never got listening fatigue over long periods of time, and it just played nicely with all types of music, from jazz to electronic, etc. Some could say it's a little rolled off at the top, but it's never harsh sounding when something high comes thru you still hear the treble, it's just not etched in stone.

So obviously it falls short of the Meitner/421a... but you'd have to experience both first to understand where. the Meitner just opens the music up bigger. hard to explain bigger, but vocals, instruments are still imaged tightly, they just occupy a bigger space on the stage, I'd say that's more realistic. Also the Meitner is a plankton monster, it pulls out pin drops and minute details, but keeps everything smooth and musical.

 

[Roscoe65]

Thanks for the update Kray.

I’ve been tossing the idea of a one or two box solution as well. I really would like HDMI Arc included though. The Atom, NAD, and Lyngdorf are pretty much the only games in town. I never warmed up to the NAD sound. The Naim is intriguing, but it is hard to ignore the Lyngdorf 1120i.

 

[kray]

Thanks for the update Kray.

I’ve been tossing the idea of a one or two box solution as well. I really would like HDMI Arc included though. The Atom, NAD, and Lyngdorf are pretty much the only games in town. I never warmed up to the NAD sound. The Naim is intriguing, but it is hard to ignore the Lyngdorf 1120i.

Yep. Those are pretty much head to head. You can get the atom with hdmi arc too. I agree with you too about the NAD. It’s also class D not sure about the Lyngdorf

 

[Roscoe65]

The Lyndorf is Class D, but it is an all-digital amp. Everything is converted to 24/96 and the PCM signal is converted to PWM signal at the power side. The speaker receives a modulated 96khz carrier wave.

 

[Olson_jr]

Off to Google, "What is HDMI ARC?"

​

 

[Roscoe65]

It is really nice to be able to control the amps volume control from the Chromecast remote.

 

[JoeThePop]

Off to Google, "What is HDMI ARC?"

​

Audio Return channel. I used to know why that is important but I've forgotten much since I kicked my AVR to the curb.

 

[MikeyFresh]

It is really nice to be able to control the amps volume control from the Chromecast remote.

Chromecast with Google TV (aka CCwGTV)?
I really love that thing, what an enormous bargain for $49, simply over the top value there.

I plan to do a further investigation of mine in two newer contexts, one being connected to an HDMI audio extractor à la what @Poultrygeist is doing with his Amazon Fire Stick HD, and another similar thought in connecting a USB DAC to the same USB Type C hub I already have the CCwGTV connected to in order to get additional storage space on it via external thumb drive. I have a feeling I'll be able to extract the audio to a USB DAC, though if it works at all it will no doubt top out at the 24/96 upper limit spec of the CCwGTV.

 

[Roscoe65]

Except you lose HDMI-CEC. If the device is used to provide TV sound full time, HDMI-CEC provides on/off and volume. It is really nice to use the CCwGTV remote to control everything.

 

[MikeyFresh]

Except you lose HDMI-CEC. If the device is used to provide TV sound full time, HDMI-CEC provides on/off and volume. It is really nice to use the CCwGTV remote to control everything.

Understood, in my case the testing won't be intended to provide full system control or anything like that, just another alternative/option for a Poor man's Bluesound Node.

I'm certain that will work with an HDMI audio extractor and SPDIF, but not entirely sure if it will work with USB Type C hub, and a USB DAC.

In neither case am I sure what sample rates will be supported.

 

[kray]

So this afternoon should be fun... I have a new (to me, but used) pair of speakers scheduled for delivery between 12-4p ET. Here's a hint. heirloom quality cabinets, and needs a palette and freight delivery....

 

[Roscoe65]

How big of a pallet do the Daedalus speakers come on?

 

[kray]

How big of a pallet do the Daedalus speakers come on?

Ah you spoiled it you must be tracking on AC forum

 

[Roscoe65]

Its a small world. I think that audiophiles often underestimate how small our hobby is in general and how microscopic the SET/High Efficiency sub genre is.

 

[kray]

Its a small world. I think that audiophiles often underestimate how small our hobby is in general and how microscopic the SET/High Efficiency sub genre is.

That is true.... I'm sucked into it, and don't see myself leaving anytime soon, but I'm looking for a solid state amp that can keep me happy during the day in my office/audio room, that I can leave on all day. I know nothing will replace my 421a or 45, but the Atom had some nice qualities, I just don't need all-in-one. I have some options I'm looking at researching over on audiogon. Budget under $2k

 

[Guf]

Obviously, a lot of us frequent other forums i'm always excited to see names i recognize here. AC was my first audio forum 10 plus years ago, and I still check it regularly and often first in the morning....although i find more similar tastes here, I credit my formative years of learning to AC. And yeah @kray i was excited to read you were getting the Deadalus. I had an epic audio experience hearing Pans with shindo and vinyl. Although now its a embellished fantasy sound, i crave and seek out the sound i heard that day.

 

[Guf]

Its a small world. I think that audiophiles often underestimate how small our hobby is in general and how microscopic the SET/High Efficiency sub genre is.

yeah you are one of the most helpful resources i have pulled from over the years. thank you 🙏