2. digital
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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
mahler123
3,365 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
3,273 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.

azwill
97 posts
 

Very fine that you are happy and satisfied, but suggest you may want to consider staying away from audio forums--a bar is not the best environment to hang for a reformed drinker ;-)

dreas's avatar
dreas
86 posts
 

1. So you built your Neurochrome 686 stereo amp? How long did it take you? 

2. Are you willing to post pictures of it?

Thanks! 

sandthemall
544 posts
 

This is a great thread because we definitely place different priorities on gear and enjoying music. I definitely have upgradeitis. But I enjoy it to the full.

It started with moving to my 3rd home. It was my first old home which had ’formal’ rooms. Old homes seem to have better proportions for listening to music. All of a sudden the same system sounded 18x better than before without an upgrade.

So I thought, ’let’s see if I can make it better!’. I added a Technics 1200G turntable...yes, sounds better. Then I switched the room layout 180 degrees...holy smokes!!! Easily the 2nd best improvement...the first being the move to the house. Then the switch to tube gear...a little bit better.

Then the wife made us move!

But I countered with another, even older, home with very formal rooms. It’s not as good as the other room...but about 75% there. But now I know all about rooms vs upgrades ratio and it is helping me unlock the potential of this room. I’ve stopped upgrading electronics for the moment but not the room.

I’ve always enjoyed the journey more than the destination. I’m not goal-obsessed. I’ve always been more process-obsessed. So upgradeitis is here to stay for me. Bring it on. And yes, to each their own.

 

 

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