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What’s next up on the docket for you?


What has been either your fav or your most interesting system or…
Which audio outfit was your best… or which one would you like most to have on hand soon?

Maybe you’ve thought of building a server based system. Perhaps putting together a Flea watt rig has your attention now. Could it be tubes front to back that you’re eyeing as the next project you’ll get into? Is the new digital amp arena piqued your curiosity? Finally decided to get into an all analog rig now? Thought of going to planar, maybe bi or di-pole speakers next instead of cones? Monitor & subs perhaps? Could it be that owning Active speakers has finally given you sufficient enough intrigue? Want to own membership in the lot’s o’ watts club next? Bent on going retro and now Vintage pieces allure you most? Finally decided to fill out your HT system with dedicated separates? Found a contractor to build your ultimate listening room now? Finally going to add those acoustical treatments you’ve been putting off doing for so long?

I’m curious to get some inkling of which scenario you have found thus far your best built system overall, your most interesting learning experience, and/or your next totally different direction, if so, you’ll soon be striving to put together, or would if you could?

S.E.T. has had my attention for some time now and of the various types of rigs I’vd be most interested in putting together it would be one of those. Albeit, on a small scale. Stereo amp & monitors. Something absolutely fat & wet sounding.

Acoustical room treatments too are in the works for me now. Mainly bass traps first. Diffusers will be next. All DIY too.

How about you? What’s your next audio interest or build looking like more and more, one you’d wish to pursue if at all possible?
blindjim
jax2
3,031 posts
 
The thought on twin gain controls is due to the loss of sensitivity in my left ear by about 4db or so... and why I listen in the nearfield... with the volume moderately up.

Ah, that makes sense now. I'm not aware of any HP amps that have that. I would choose a Balance knob over two volume controls simply for convenience of volume adjustment (supposedly set the balance knob once). The reason those things are not included on headphone amps, of course, is because you are not having to deal with room-generated imbalance since the speakers are right on/in your ears.

The server project sounds like fun too. I use Squeezeserver and have three separate listening areas now. I'm very happy with it except for their crappy, slow interface. I've gotten used to it, but it could be a whole lot better. The actual gear that forms the system is pretty darn good for the money. With tweaks/mods, it is excellent. I have no experience with the other options (Sonos, Olive, etc.) to compare though. I do love having access to a central library of all my music though, and occasionally enjoy internet radio and Pandora as well. Have fun with that!
blindjim OP
3,092 posts
 

Hmmmm.

My early exp with BAT preamps showed me a preamp with two gain controls, R & L, and volume. having since read of others so appointed, I just figured someone somewhere would have such a gizmo. Oil well. It's a lark for me anyhow.

Centralizing all the data no matter which PC machine is being used is utterly fantastic for me.

I'm prone to be on the PC in the BR early and late, and some other one during the day & early evening... so I amass tid bits of stuff across them all.

Currently only the audio is the aim, and that by remote desktop from the laptop PC. After applying some automotive wire flexible conduit to my coax SPDIF RCA cable going into the BC DAC3, things are improving. I didn't feel that they would but one never knows 'till they try.

yes, it's fun... frustrating too. I'm sure worth the doing though.
rja's avatar
rja
2,377 posts
 
I've been thinking monitors for a while now but when I look out there the choices are mind boggling. Don't really know where to start.
blindjim OP
3,092 posts
 

Rja

The field will narrow abruptly once you consider the needs of the speakers and the abilities of your power amp (s), along with the size of the room and your preffs for esthetics and of course there may be that budget aspect too.

The notion which always preempted my getting monitors was or is, they take up the same footprint as floorstanders. Monitors however do have usually a more open display of the sonic depiction... That and I like a very good bass influence when I listen to music.

As time has passed however I've found bass under 30hz isn't all that necessary for the majority of musical reproduction. So I'm more inclined now to really consider some more upscale monitors for my next speaker upgrade too.

JM Reynaud, Joseph Audio, and Daedalus all have very interesting units out now.All of which indicate amp friendly usage and not prerequisite of enormous power amps to drive them quite satisfactory.
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