One more thing… hearing aids. Many of us are getting up in age and our hearing is not what it once was. I bought very good hearing aids because of this ($6,000 Signia’s). Side benefit, it flattens your hearing across the musical spectrum. The audiologist tests your hearing at about 20 different frequencies and adjusts your hearing aids accordingly.
The universal setting maximizes the sound of a human voice. However, 3 of the brands have a recorded music setting which flattens your hearing across the spectrum. Think of it as equalization for your ears. Even if you don’t have hearing loss, your hearing probably is not flat. Food for thought. Thanks!
New streamer
I recently opened a discussion on upgrading my DAC. I started at the beginning of that discussion, that I was a vinyl guy, but with my purchase of the Chord Qutest, I realized that digital music can be outstanding and want to now upgrade my Node.
That will provide 2 benefits: Maximizing my current systems digital, and allow me to move the Node & Schiit Modi Multibit 2 to the family room, a small HT setup with a Yamaha AVR driving a Goldenear soundbar. Streaming there is currently MusicCast using the AVR DAC. The improvement there should be very nice.
My 2 channel equipment is as follows:
Rogue RP-1 w/ NOS Brimar’s, LSA Warp 1, KEF R11’s, Rhythmic F12SE, Pro-ject 1Xpression w/Hana ML, Rega Aria, Bluesound Node w/Qubuz, Marantz CD6007, Chord Qutest. Good to very good power, speaker, interconnect cables.
My weakest link (I believe) is now my Node.
I don’t want or need amplification or volume control, ripping storage, nor an internal DAC. Sound signature should be neutral.
My budget is $2,500, but willing to spend less. My current favorites are:
Lumin U2 mini. Very well reviewed, beautiful, perfect form factor, good app & controllable via my Harmony One remote. It is currently my #1 choice.
Auralic Aris. If new, the G1.1, if used G2.0 or 2.1. Very well reviewed, good app, OK form factor, but not controllable via harmony.
Naim ND5 XS2. Considered the best high end streamer by What Hi Fi Would need to buy used to stay close to budget.
EverSolo DMP-A6. Included based upon reviews, but may not be a serious contender.
HiFi Rose RS250A. The streamer EverSolo seemed to copy
Aurender. Don’t think they have anything within my budget, but included for discussion.
LPS upgrade for Node. Included because I know it will come up. Plan to reuse my node downstairs, so out. Would prefer LPS upgrade for one of the above.
Please let me know your thoughts and/or recommendations. Thanks!
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@signaforce if you can, run 2 dedicated lines with two duplex outlets on each. Gives you more flexibility. |
@audphile1 Thanks. As you know, 2 schools of thought on that. 2 dedicated lines provides separate power for digital vs analog or amps vs other. The potential downside is ground loops. I have only class D amps, both in my AVR and my 2 channel amp, so probably don’t need 20A, let alone 2, but will do 20A regardless. |
Interesting, I never knew about that. So once those are installed one wouldn't need to turn up the volume in order to flatten out the curve, as typically humans have to in order to increase lower frequencies to the same level as midrange. Thus the invention of the loudness control (Mcintosh). So you enjoy your hifi at lower volumes than those without hearing aids. |
@signaforce I had two dedicated lines run by the electrician for my system. No ground loop. I can either run the amps on one circuit or split. |
- 151 posts total