What do you listen to your music on?

mr_yossarian · Oct 31, 2018

After quite some years of stacking (Naim Audio)-Boxes (NAC 72/NAP 250/CD 5x/Hi-Caps etc) I came across Teddy Pardo and his PSU for Naim Pre-Amps.
Long story short, after going full digital ( my last 15 analogue years with a Well Tempered Record Player) for different but mostly good reasons, I jumped on a Teddy Pardo Teddy DAC VC & ST-60 Power-Amp, fed by a Cyrus CD-Transport and a Auralic Aries Mini for the Hi-Res stuff.
Speakers are Audio Physic Yara 2 Superior, cables are all Tellurium Q Black.

It's engaging, musical and so very close to my former ( analogue) setup that I really appreciate the trade off access to more music/Hi-Res Music vs. the last % that analogue in a good setup is still ahead.

..I still have some old Decca SXL's standing around in some shelves though 😀

bonerp · Oct 31, 2018

paulw
Each is fitted with a cartridge designed to provide a differing musical presentation. At the back is a Roksan NIMA fitted with a Decca London Export from the 70's (utilising a design probably from the late 50's) it has a very fast and edge of the seat presentation which is unlike anything other cartridges can provide. Trouble is the way the cartridge works it only clears the record surface by a millimetre, so like nice flat records it is also dreadful at letting you know if your record is worn - some of my records are 50 years old and started out being played on portables that never had their 'needles' changed. So a second arm (the Jelco 12 inch at the front) is fitted with an Ortofon SPU, these give a meaty musical midband and allow to concentrate on this and ignore those less than pristine pressings. Lastly to the left in the 'normal' position we have an SME M2-12, this is fitted with a Godring Excel GS from the early 90's, this is to my mind an exceptional cartridge and get so much detail out of the groove, but again this is essentially its strength and weakness, one of my favourite records on either of the other two set-up I find unlistenable on this as you can clearly hear where the guitar solo for instance is actually created from several tracks! All three of these cartridges require being sent away for a rebuild when the tip becomes worn - no slide on stylus's here. I have a list of perhaps another 10 obscure tonearms I'd like to try should I ever find them at a reasonable price, the last one I ticked of the list was the Keith Monks M9BA Laboratory arm, which used mercury baths at the main pivot, to replace the cables. Picture of the NOS arm I found and me filling the mercury reservoirs:

Paul

Impressive thanks for the detail

Tony C. · Oct 31, 2018

I have been into good quality audio equipment for many years, though I once I build a system, it tends to stay static for some time. My most recent one, designed for my current smallish space in Lisbon, includes a re-capped and modified vintage Accuphase E-303X integrated amp, matching T-103 tuner, a modified Electrocompaniet EMC 1-UP CD player from 1999, and a pair of contemporary Harbeth P3ESR speakers.

The bottom photo shows the Accuphase when it was being upgraded. About the only component that wasn't originally very high class on these superb amps were the plastic speaker cable binding posts, so I had four of the eight replaced with expensive, but excellent WBT Signature Platinum posts. The original internal wiring leading to and from the posts was also replaced with Van Den Hul cables.

jimmyd13 · Oct 31, 2018

I'm going to be very mjuch out-gunned here but I listen on something akin to this:

Essentially, it's a full sized cello with a bunch of JVC speakers in it. Except ... mine's also covered in Vacheron & Constantin paraphenalia. Cos, ya know ... why not?

Edit: my living room seems to be nothing more than piles of boxes so I can barely get a full shot of the damn thing. This should give you an idea, though ... the "strings" are neon and light up when turned on:

willin · Oct 31, 2018

my audio system
lenco vpi analog
benz micro ebony
klimo final amplifiers
dissanayake line preamp
ear 834 phono preamp
university sound speakers

Waltesefalcon · Oct 31, 2018

In addition to my Victrola, I have a Technics TD145 and a Sony CDP CX400 hooked up to a MAC1700 that is powering a pair of Norman Lab model 10s. I also have an Ipod and a pair of Grado SR80e headphones.

ras47 · Oct 31, 2018

Once upon a time I had a thing for Krell Digital equipment and Martin Logan electrostatic speakers. These days, however, with a family and a house full of family stuff there is no room for the Krell equipment, nor those towering speakers. So I've downsized considerably. Truth be told, music is not as important to me as it once was. So now my system is very simple?

Screen Shot 2018-10-31 at 11.11.56 AM.png

Screen Shot 2018-10-31 at 11.14.18 AM.png

Bang & Oleufson Beosystem for listening at home, and my iPhone and Earpods for when I'm on the move.

rcs914 · Oct 31, 2018

I know this is going to be the equivalent of "Why do you need that expensive watch when my $10 casio is more accurate?" but I use bluetooth almost exclusively for music at this point, and all of it I listen to via Google Play. I have probably 1000 CDs in the garage that have been packed up for years - I just don't have the time, energy, or even the equipment to listen to them now.

Several years ago I started to get into headphones and bought a couple decent pair (including a pair of Grado HF-1), but eventually I realized I'm just not an audiophile. I really like decent sound, but my definition of "decent' is likely a lot lower than most of you. I was happier with a pair of Koss KSC-75 than the HF-1. I still use a pair of Grado SR60 on my computer, and listen through those when I'm working sometimes, but 90% of my music is through an LG HBS-770 BT headset or when I am in the car.

Waltesefalcon · Oct 31, 2018

rcs914
I know this is going to be the equivalent of "Why do you need that expensive watch when my $10 casio is more accurate?" but I use bluetooth almost exclusively for music at this point, and all of it I listen to via Google Play. I have probably 1000 CDs in the garage that have been packed up for years - I just don't have the time, energy, or even the equipment to listen to them now.

Several years ago I started to get into headphones and bought a couple decent pair (including a pair of Grado HF-1), but eventually I realized I'm just not an audiophile. I really like decent sound, but my definition of "decent' is likely a lot lower than most of you. I was happier with a pair of Koss KSC-75 than the HF-1. I still use a pair of Grado SR60 on my computer, and listen through those when I'm working sometimes, but 90% of my music is through an LG HBS-770 BT headset or when I am in the car.

I ripped all of my CDs onto my computer a few years ago and haven't even used my CD changer in probably a year. I can just plug my Ipod into my stereo and listen to my CDs that way.

Wivac · Oct 31, 2018

Larry S
How do you like those? I’m thinking about getting a pair once I hook a preamp to my Reciever. Did you audition before you bought them?

Yes, and for me they had the best sound stage, a really nice balance while having a decent and punchy bass response without being over the top. I used Kites by Submotion Orchestra a fair bit to gauge the more subtle bass side of things and they are superb. I wasn't looking for noise cancelling this time, just pure sound and they won out. They work very well when wired too as I use them at home on my Sony STR-DN1080 amp when someone else is in the room. Also, the build quality is IMHO the best out of the bunch here. Mine have taken a beating over the last year and still look new.

Some of the others I tried in the same price bracket:
- The Bose (that everyone who flies Business seems to rock these days) - couldn't get on with them. Nice touches like in case charging but didn't like the sound stage
- The top end Sonys ( MDHR something or others) And while they were ok in the sound dept, they STILL suffer from a big design flaw in the head band being prone to breaking - like my last pair. So not going back.
- B&O's - very pretty and a decent sound , a very close second
- Sennheisers - didn't try these, have a few audiophile friends who like them.

Larry S · Oct 31, 2018

Wivac
Yes, and for me they had the best sound stage, a really nice balance while having a decent and punchy bass response without being over the top. I used Kites by Submotion Orchestra a fair bit to gauge the more subtle bass side of things and they are superb. I wasn't looking for noise cancelling this time, just pure sound and they won out. They work very well when wired too as I use them at home on my Sony STR-DN1080 amp when someone else is in the room. Also, the build quality is IMHO the best out of the bunch here. Mine have taken a beating over the last year and still look new.

Some of the others I tried in the same price bracket:
- The Bose (that everyone who flies Business seems to rock these days) - couldn't get on with them. Nice touches like in case charging but didn't like the sound stage
- The top end Sonys ( MDHR something or others) And while they were ok in the sound dept, they STILL suffer from a big design flaw in the head band being prone to breaking - like my last pair. So not going back.
- B&O's - very pretty and a decent sound , a very close second
- Sennheisers - didn't try these, have a few audiophile friends who like them.

Thanks ... I have QC 25 ... they rock for travel but for pure audio listening I think they lack something. I don’t want to spend a fortune. Will check them out.

time flies · Oct 31, 2018

Years ago I cataloged all my albums. Wiped them down and put them "away ". Waiting for who knows what. Now I know. Thanks.

have fun
kfw

Larry S · Oct 31, 2018

time flies
Years ago I cataloged all my albums. Wiped them down and put them "away ". Waiting for who knows what. Now I know. Thanks.

have fun
kfw

Do your research, Audition some gear, set a budget and get back into the game. There are some great turntables out there for not so much money. Just on this thread you've seen the wide range of options.

nonuffinkbloke · Oct 31, 2018

oddboy
@nonuffinkbloke, you need moar guitars!

Embarrassingly.... I have more.😟 But I can't keep them all at my small apartment.🙁
That's the beauty of fine watches. They fit in a sock draw!😀

frederico · Oct 31, 2018

Larry S
How do you like those? I’m thinking about getting a pair once I hook a preamp to my Reciever. Did you audition before you bought them?

I have a pair too - they are my go-to, over five other pairs of reasonably expensive cans. Can't recommend them enough and B&W as a company have great customer service. They get a little warm for prolonged use as they have full leather pads, and some people complain about them being tight fitting, but you can adjust them if you're willing to give the metal band a little reshaping. I doubt you'd be disappointed.

frederico · Oct 31, 2018

Another one fully digital here. Just got back in with a NAS under the stairs streaming lossless audio to a Cyrus Audio network streamer and amp + Kef R300 speakers. No chance am I going back to vinyl!

time flies · Oct 31, 2018

Larry S
Do your research, Audition some gear, set a budget and get back into the game. There are some great turntables out there for not so much money. Just on this thread you've seen the wide range of options.

I've some gear stashed around here somewhere...

have fun
kfw

Wivac · Oct 31, 2018

frederico
Another one fully digital here. Just got back in with a NAS under the stairs streaming lossless audio to a Cyrus Audio network streamer and amp + Kef R300 speakers. No chance am I going back to vinyl!

We need to talk....I need to copy all my CD's on to something and have no idea where to start. Read about NAS drives but no idea where to go next.
[Edit] The only thought I had was to buy another decent CD player, not sure if that may be viewed very retro in a few years time...

Larry S · Oct 31, 2018

Wivac
We need to talk....I need to copy all my CD's on to something and have no idea where to start. Read about NAS drives but no idea where to go next.
[Edit] The only thought I had was to buy another decent CD player, not sure if that may be viewed very retro in a few years time...

It’s not a bad investment. Like vinyl ... reports on the death of the CD format are greatly exaggerated.

Wivac · Oct 31, 2018

Larry S
It’s not a bad investment. Like vinyl ... reports on the death of the CD format are greatly exaggerated.

Had been looking at an Arcam player that also streams, best of both.

What do you listen to your music on?

mr_yossarian

bonerp

Tony C.

jimmyd13

willin

Waltesefalcon

ras47

rcs914

Waltesefalcon

Wivac

Larry S

time flies

Larry S

nonuffinkbloke

frederico

frederico

time flies

Wivac

Larry S

Wivac

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