2. digital
  3. 176192-117192

I am so happy.....

That my upgradeitis is over before it even started.

I am so happy with the system I have, I want to share with everyone the fact that that even a very modest and cheap system can produce great sound for me and makes me happy to the point where I no longer have to search for improvements.

Call me ignorant if you want. Does not bother me even an iota. I will go the grave happier than everyone who is condescending.

I am using my own home made Neurochrome 686 stereo amp with 1000 VA medical grade toroidal, 160 amp rectifier (very little fwvd hence virtually no heat generated) and 200,000uF filter capacitors producing approx 220 watts rms/channel. It sounds just absolutely FANTASTIC.

My preamp is a Freya S. Speakers are B&W.

I have a Linn LP12 with SME 3009R and Nagaoka 500 and a Mani which I find that I listen to less and less in favor of the convenience and the dynamics and quietness of digital.

For my music server, wait for it......... I use an LG V60 phone, which has a great in built DAC, which I bought for $300 brand new on ebay ($1200 retail but no longer made) using the lossless Apple Music and Qobuz apps. I use an AuidoEngine B1 as my bluetooth receiver to which the LG phone can send aptX-HD which I can actually also connect directly to the Freya S on occasion.

The combination sounds simply fantastic to my ears and I listen to it for hours grateful that this technology available today provides this gift to me.

Just as I am writing this, I am listening to smooth jazz "Euge Groove Slow jam" and it is just sublime.

 

128x128cakyol
tylermunns
601 posts
 

@mahgister I appreciate your thoughtfulness.

After taking a wonderful (to many, perhaps, humble) audio system from one home to another, with zero changes in gear in between, I was struck by the difference in sound quality.  Wow. What a difference.  Unfortunately, for the worse 🤣  My music sounded better in the old room.  Like, noticeably better.

I feel that your point about prioritizing room optimization in lieu of perpetual “upgrades” in electronics is valuable and helpful.  Arguably more substantial gains and almost always (depending on far one is willing to go in changing their listening room) far easier on the bank account.

mahgister's avatar
mahgister
13,102 posts
 

Your experience is interesting indeed and will be helpful to some...

It is better to hear a message coming from more than one voice...

thanks for your generosity and understanding...

 

arafiq's avatar
arafiq
1,682 posts
 

@cakyol [

However, the aptx-hd codec with bluetooth sounds great to me already. And to top that, the LGv60 has already a great DAC in it which I sometimes feed DIRECTLY into my Freya from the LG's headphone output. To tell you the truth, at my age, I cannot quite detect the difference :-)

Well at the end of the day, if you're happy and content with your setup who are we to question or rain on your parade. After all, it is about enjoying the experience. Enjoy my friend!

mahler123
3,364 posts
 

I have fed the LG 60 directly in my pre amp as well and it is a quality DAC.  Of course it’s hard to actually use the phone while being tethered, and as good as the DAC in the LG is it doesn’t compare to my regular DAC.

  My bigger issue with the LG 60 is its to light.  If I walk around with it using Bluetooth phones the physical motion causes the Bluetooth to disconnect, so I use wired phones.

sns
3,265 posts
 

Variability amongst humans means a multitude of responses to audio reproduction, contentedness comes at widely varied levels of fidelity.

 

And so, the question becomes how one responds to the process of achieving their necessary level of fidelity for contentedness. If the process is enjoyable the process will continue, if not, process will end. I just wonder if the present response or feelings of those who quit the process is long lasting. The mere idea those claiming contentedness are still perusing audio forums gives me pause.

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