So where is the best place too start?

Posted by: petespeed on 14 August 2014

Hi all 

the cd collection has finally drove us both nuts  just moved into our new house & don't won't loads of racks in front room

so it's time too box it up in loft for time being.

I'm now looking into streaming I know have done a bit of reading i don't want too have too run PCs or laptops  would like to use it with my iPad & could run it with my iTunes that I already have or is a rip it all again job  I'm running at the mo 200/202 flat cap.

I've looked at naim streamers but I'm not really sure what's best for me as they seem too make a fair few?  I also take it I'll need a nas for storage 

thanks for reading  

 

Pete

Posted on: 17 August 2014 by Huge
Originally Posted by Erich:
Huge,  alac and flac are compressed.  I guess what you tried to say is using lossless codecs, compressed like alac or flac or uncompressed like wav or aiff.

Regards.

Erich

Apologies all, I meant lossless and typed uncompressed!

 

Sometimes I have trouble with worms.

Posted on: 17 August 2014 by Huge
Originally Posted by Steve C:
+1 

That little DAC is unbelievable and it's frightening how close it got to Steves full spec LP12.

Whether a vinyl system can compete with digital is a matter of personal taste, and the which degradations a listener is sensitive.  I am particularly disturbed by surface noise, HF distortion and lack of definition.  Due to the first two I find any good digital replay system superior to all vinyl replay.

 

Please don't just assume a fully developed LP12 is superior for everyone; and the standard by which all else should be judged.  If it really sounds like an LP12, distortion and all, then it won't work for me.

 

The rule still applies: by all means suggest systems, but let the listener decide what's best for them by auditioning.

Posted on: 17 August 2014 by Quad 33

Huge.

 

I am not assuming anything! However, I have istened to vinyl for close on 50 years and CDs for 25+.  All mediums have pros& cons as you well know. All I am saying is compared to the medium that I know best the Hugo produced a quality of sound that was astounding.

 

ATB Graham.

Posted on: 17 August 2014 by George J
Originally Posted by Huge:
Originally Posted by Steve C:
+1 

That little DAC is unbelievable and it's frightening how close it got to Steves full spec LP12.

Whether a vinyl system can compete with digital is a matter of personal taste, and the which degradations a listener is sensitive.  I am particularly disturbed by surface noise, HF distortion and lack of definition.  Due to the first two I find any good digital replay system superior to all vinyl replay.

 

Please don't just assume a fully developed LP12 is superior for everyone; and the standard by which all else should be judged.  If it really sounds like an LP12, distortion and all, then it won't work for me.

 

The rule still applies: by all means suggest systems, but let the listener decide what's best for them by auditioning.

Totally agree. I would also add to the list of digital replay advantages, pitch stability which is of course related in proportion to stability with respect to timing of rhythm as well.

 

ATB from George

Posted on: 17 August 2014 by George J

Flat speakers are fine. Only flat pitch is horrible!

 

ATB from George

Posted on: 17 August 2014 by Huge
Originally Posted by George J:

Flat speakers are fine. Only flat pitch is horrible!

 

ATB from George

Ah, there's flat ...

 

... and then there's Quad FLAT

 

Posted on: 17 August 2014 by George J

Dear Huge,

 

I was trying to avoid being partisan! Nothing is as flat as Quad I quite agree!

 

ATB from George

Posted on: 18 August 2014 by andarkian

I have been reading this thread with some interest. Firstly, I hadn't heard of Audirvana and decided yesterday to give it a trial. I have a B&W A7 in my Conservatory for easy listening. This is linked to my iTunes Library stored in iCloud and on my Macbook Air with a 1/2 terabyte SSD. I have been quite happy with this, but was very impressed indeed with the detail that the Audirvana has brought. 

 

Secondly, I was talking to my friendly Audio T salesman last week about the compromise I had made by installing an AV system in my lounge that is primarily driven by an Onkyo TX-NR5008 amp and how this had precluded any aspirations to a Naim system. He said that if I wanted to I could use the Onkyo as a pre-amp to, say, a Superuniti using the Onkyo's pre-outs. Am wondering about the merits in that I have my lovely old Castle Harlechs bi-wired to the Onkyo and am not sure a Superuniti would even do that and then would I be disappointed with the Harlechs necessitating an upgrade to PMC 23s or such like?

 

Lastly, everything I have is in iTunes, although I do have a lot of my original rips on a Synology NAS, but when I bought the Macbook Air, being a generally lazy git, I simply downloaded from iCloud and, to be honest, it sounds not too bad at all. These days I find that the original production quality of the music adds or takes away most to my music pleasure. I am only too aware that my music is all 256KB AAC, but the Audirvana has elevated reproduction amazingly and am wondering the pros and cons of going for, say, the Superuniti in my main lounge?