More than one way ...

Allan,

Result. 

Regards,

Lindsay

Allan, Apple's new OS Sierra is very big on voice commands using Siri. I know many hate iTunes but I quite like it and I'm assuming you could control playback with your voice. Maybe worth checking out. I use a Mac book and find it ideal as hifi source for music playback and streaming.

Amazon Echo is also along these lines.

Hi HM,

Had a MacBook Air for some time but I have been a Windows man for ever and, when working, couldn't find the time to be fluent in both Windows and Mac o/s; now I'm retired ... well I can't be bothered learning yet another new thing unless I have to ... got too many other things to do

Don't get me wrong, I admire Apple O/s but it is very different from Windows.

I also admire Apple in that they are the only company I know that has put accessibility right up front from the early days. I have been an iPod Touch and now iPhone user for years with their VoiceOver giving me the same accessibility as sighted users - built-in and at no extra cost ... right on Apple

... I wish Microsoft would take note, the Jaws screenreader costs me a lot of money on top of buying my PC

... and Naim also in keeping their IOS apps accessibly consistent with VoiceOver.

cheers,

Allan

Would Cortana on Windows 10 do this?  Could check on my 2 in 1 HP laptop, but I disabled Cortana because (like Siri), I just found it annoying.  Probably just me, but voice control seems for me caused more problems than it solved.

HI DunGassin,

no it doesn't help - voice control like Cortana and Ciri and Amazon Echo are very, very limited. Ciri is great as a PA on my iPhone but, like all the others, totally useless within apps.

They are reported to have "intelligence" but what AI they do have is focused on the speech recognition and the top-level O/S - they have no knowledge of the apps except perhaps for some bundled ones. Thanks for the interest though.

I did go back to my main rig after yesterday afternoon's fun  and it certainly is more detailed and realistic but then so it should be at 2 orders of magnitude more costly"

... but then the Z906 was certainly fun and "good enough" ... maybe not?

Perhaps sometimes we get so involved in the detail of our HiFi rigs ... how often do you actually listen to a more "reasonably" priced system and try and figure out just what it is about our HiFi that gives us so much pleasure compared to what "normal" folks would have ...

I have never been one of those people who have said that they can't listen to poorer sound - I just can't understand where they are coming from; ... its about the music.

Allan

Allan

Hi Allan, I know what you mean, I had to learn both OSX and Windows for my own work. They are a lot more alike now than they used to be.

Yes, listening to music in a car is a lot of fun and enjoyable but you don't get the feeling of realism or being there like with my hi-fi. Whilst working I listen to a Mu-so. With all I get enjoyment and emotional involvement but listening to my hi-fi is like a treat and feels special, like going out to a gig. I even get myself a beer or glass of wine to listen like I would at a gig. I wouldn't do that working or driving!

Halloween Man posted:

Allan, Apple's new OS Sierra is very big on voice commands using Siri. I know many hate iTunes but I quite like it and I'm assuming you could control playback with your voice. Maybe worth checking out. I use a Mac book and find it ideal as hifi source for music playback and streaming.

Amazon Echo is also along these lines.

 

Interesting HM, I glance at many post, and comment when I feel I can contribute, or showing  gratitude.

Occasionally I flip to Streaming, to see what problems exist in the streaming world.

I can't recall the post this moment, but some forum members were praising Apple's wireless Extreme and Airports.

The Context was how Naim and the aforementioned work well together. 

The Gentleman/OP was slamming Naim, because his Streaming System wasn't working that fine.

I'm not into Streaming, or that familiar with it, but have recently just updated my desk top MM to  Sierra, to allow voice activation, Siri.

Decided to abandon my Analog TT, in favor of the Digital CD, convenience, and didn't want to dump 5K to bring my LP 12 up to latest upgrade status.

Hence, it's Cdx2 and partial Streaming, I guess.

Point being, MM/Airport Extreme/3 x Airport expresses is working fine.

The convenience is great, I can lay in bed, and controll 3 Systems from my Android phone, with Remote App sinked with iTunes.

Over 3 days of continuous music from my Library, which was created by sharing Cds, and purchasing tunes from Apple store for a buck!

Furthermore, one can create an endless number of playlist, to suit the musical occasion.

May not be quite as Dynamic as the Cdx2, but very close. 

My guest can't distinguish the difference between both sources, but I would imagine, Namiacs could handle an A-B test!

But Allan, I will experiment, and see if Siri will allow me to controll playback with my voice.

I will get back with you!

Out!

Allante93!

Allante93, I know many here disagree but for me source is the least important part of my hifi. I only have digital sources so for me it's just a case of bit perfect playback (itunes/audirvana/jriver) and isolate from electrical noise/interference (galvanic isolation in DAC from source USB and battery powered laptop, or alternatively use an optical cable). I also want my source to operate silently. Source jitter should not be an issue for any current DAC worth its salt.

Allante93 posted:

Decided to abandon my Analog TT, in favor of the Digital CD, convenience, and didn't want to dump 5K to bring my LP 12 up to latest upgrade status.

 

Seems a great shame. A well set up LP12 will provide enjoyment regardless of vintage and upgrades.

C.

I did toy with the idea of going fully digital but the whole "experience" of playing vinyl on my LP12 is just too good to mis

... not just the quality but the whole experience of getting out of my chair (which at my age and sedantry lifestyle is to be encouraged) through to searching my collection (all Braille labelled) to getting it out of the sleeve (lovingly), givng it a brush and finally gently lowering the needle

... aw bliss

 ... for most of the time anyway, until I get annoyed at some surface noise/pop

... and wondering whether I should just sit back an use the UnitiServ all the time

.... but then there are those huge smiley moments that make it all worthwhile

The digital access in my den that I was posting about is for having music when I am working through there and an observation that "HiFi" is also available for fun!

enjoy the music,

Allan

Allan, the only voice activation software I have known to be recommended for more than casual use is Dragon Dictate.  I have known a number of people (in my former company) who had difficulties to overcome and who have been able to use it successfully (and they also used Jaws!).  However it is expensive though (again).

I don't know if you'd be able to get a trial of it somehow, but even then it only really shows its abilities after considerable training of its neural network, so a trial would take time and effort to properly evaluate it.

I can understand the nostalgia and tactility of vinyl and can appreciate, under perfect conditions, it having superior sound quality. However, I remember the reality. The scratches, jumps, constant cleaning, messing around with needles, and deterioration of sq with playing etc. Nearly all vinyl today is created from digitally mastered recordings so kind of makes the whole thing pointless.

Huge - Thanks but voice recognition/control is not too relevant to my situation - I am a very fast touch typist and am quite happy using the keyboard. Other problem with most voice control systems is they require the software they are controlling to be somewhat compatible and since a lot of software isn't even compatible with a screenreader there is little hope with voice control ! Screenreader software is usually always compatible with software that has been developed using relevant manufacturer's component and accessibility standards (Microsoft, for example, have reams of documentation on this) but many developers are either ignorant of these or deliberately flout them in order to get some visual or behavioural effect - a prime example of form before function ... and that applies to the music players I have tried and hence my solution.

HM - I know what you mean but the wow of vinyl still draws me although I can forsee a time when  it pales It's funny, isn't it, everything you say is true and logic dictates I should be throwing myself into digital but yet ...

I must admit though that I am now considering deferring (or even rejecting completely) my next planned upgrade to my LP12 (its basic Majik but with a Krystal cartridge) and instead going for a 252 (instead of 282) upgrade to my 202 and then  something big in the digital area - maybe even NDS!

I am very fortunate in that I have the funds, but unfortunate in that I have a conscience and always feel really guilty spending all that hard-earned dosh on hifi

... back to the OP; dear wife asked why we have all this kit in the living room when I had so much fun with the Logitech in the den

Allan

Allan

Allan Milne posted:

 

 

I also admire Apple in that they are the only company I know that has put accessibility right up front from the early days.

I actually switched away from Apple back in the 1980s precisely because of their closed architecture. I have spent my research career in the field of assistive technology for people with physical and cognitive difficulties and found it impossible to use alternative input devices such as touch screens and touchpads with the Apple Mac. Many aids for people with disabilities were and are created by small scale enterprises that can't afford to offer special Apple only versions and many of our client group can't afford the premium prices of Apple products - a more fundamental barrier to access. 

I would endorse Huge's recommendation of Dragon voice recognition software - especially Dragon Naturally Speaking. My Research Unit has used it succesfully with many people with communication disorders and the more recent versions are much better and require much less training than was the case a few years ago. Dragon does offer Apple compatible versions.

Pev, yes it was Dragon Naturally Speaking of which I was thinking - thanks for the correction.

Allan.  You know what works best for you.  I wish you well and just hope that more software vendors start to pay attention to the requirements of screen readers.  We always had to test our UIs both at the design stage (via a theoretical review) and at implementation stage where some of our UAT were visually impaired.

Allan Milne posted:

 

HM - I know what you mean but the wow of vinyl still draws me although I can forsee a time when  it pales It's funny, isn't it, everything you say is true and logic dictates I should be throwing myself into digital but yet ...

I must admit though that I am now considering deferring (or even rejecting completely) my next planned upgrade to my LP12 (its basic Majik but with a Krystal cartridge) and instead going for a 252 (instead of 282) upgrade to my 202 and then  something big in the digital area - maybe even NDS!

 

I am very fortunate in that I have the funds, but unfortunate in that I have a conscience and always feel really guilty spending all that hard-earned dosh on hifi

... back to the OP; dear wife asked why we have all this kit in the living room when I had so much fun with the Logitech in the den

 

Allan

 

 

Allan

I can see the attraction to vinyl and all that goes with it. There is a certain beauty to it.

You know I felt that way once when I purchased an expensive premium brand car (which I no longer have). I decided to ease my conscience by donating an amount to charity.

HM - now there is a thought ...

for every £ I spend on my HiFI I'll donate a £ to Guide Dogs ... after all my dog is my eyes.

Thanks, sometimes the obvious is just too obvious

Allan