01-Jul-2015, 10:00
(This post was last modified: 01-Jul-2015, 10:04 by teddlesdee.)
After a lot of reading up I originally dipped my toe into the silky waters of Devialet about 6 weeks ago or so & purchased a D200.
Recklessly spontaneous as I am, I also purchased a set of ex demo Triangle Signature Deltas with 5 yrs warranty remaining + a Moon CD transport, all from different providers. Most of my music however is being driven by a small PC from a silent QNAP NAS via ethernet or WiFi, which has worked out as a pretty good combination.
Generally I have been very pleased with the result, albeit with a couple of reservations. Then last week saw me been bitten with the enticing notion of going mono-block after reading all the positive comments from others that have done so. Again my wallet got bashed, chasing that dream of ever better music reproduction, a D200 Companion was duly ordered and within a week my setup became a D400.
Music reproductionThe result?
I now can hear sometimes substantial differences between certain Albums (but I am but a newbie to this, so it could be complete b@ll@cks!), some mid frequencies being slightly muddled or dare I say it 'muted', other recordings crystal clear like a mountain spring shimmering in the summer sun, even with apple lossless as my standard. Maybe its my old ears, and am I getting finicky.
I have also invested in a few Hi Res Albums from HDTracks, and yes, I can hear the difference - Just!
Media Server/ Player - Ultimately I found Apple ITunes a complete Faff! Generally OK for managing my iPhone content, but navigating those options, only to find that Itunes has a mind of its own is rather irksome, so took a look at 'MediaMonkey' - BAD MISTAKE for me! Once I had installed it, I began to notice all manner of weird interference with my browser, including pop-ups etc. On investigation I subsequently found that it had installed 'ClearThink' covertly, which is malware and a real pain to remove as it 'hides'. When you think you have got rid, then it reappears! I Tried everything to get rid....Only by using 'Revo Uninstaller' to uninstall media Monkey and then scanning for any remains, did the problem go away completely! BAD BAD Monkey!
So what next? Well, last night even though I was getting the 'stare of derision' from my good wife, I set about downloading and installing 'JRiver', and how refreshingly clean and easy to set up I found it! And reproduction is very good as well!
Triangle Speakers
Was my rash impulsive action to get these without auditioning first, a mistake?
You know how it feels when you are not sure if you made the right decision?
I am vacillating between Yes! I did when I hear brilliantly clear reproductions like 'Vangelis China' - so precise, so open and errr... oriental or New Zealands Hayley Westenras haunting rendition of 'Malena' from the Paradiso album. In all my 65 years, I have never come across a voice so pure and beautiful as hers - a complete accident!
...and not sure, because in some recordings I 'feel' there is 'something missing', but can't put a finger on it! Maybe I am looking for a 'fatter' sound on more lively or big orchestra tracks, but without sacrificing the pinpoint clarity I am now getting with some tracks?
So.... this has, in a very long winded way, led me to think a good musical sub might be the way to go, but jeez, so many options? I like full, I like DEEP, I like chest-rattling rumble (with the right tracks), so looking for something that is Wife friendly (not much chance!) but delivers at less than £2k ish ...Oh, and maybe once I have moved, I might try to combine the hifi with my TV system, so could possibly have a surround-sound roll later, but that is not the priority.
Please... Ideas Guys! - Been looking a svs, rel, Mk (had older version before - great, but gave it to my son just before I got this HiFi - stupid me!)
..and any other thoughts on what could improve my system without totally killing the 'wallet-baby'!
Recklessly spontaneous as I am, I also purchased a set of ex demo Triangle Signature Deltas with 5 yrs warranty remaining + a Moon CD transport, all from different providers. Most of my music however is being driven by a small PC from a silent QNAP NAS via ethernet or WiFi, which has worked out as a pretty good combination.
Generally I have been very pleased with the result, albeit with a couple of reservations. Then last week saw me been bitten with the enticing notion of going mono-block after reading all the positive comments from others that have done so. Again my wallet got bashed, chasing that dream of ever better music reproduction, a D200 Companion was duly ordered and within a week my setup became a D400.
Music reproductionThe result?
I now can hear sometimes substantial differences between certain Albums (but I am but a newbie to this, so it could be complete b@ll@cks!), some mid frequencies being slightly muddled or dare I say it 'muted', other recordings crystal clear like a mountain spring shimmering in the summer sun, even with apple lossless as my standard. Maybe its my old ears, and am I getting finicky.
I have also invested in a few Hi Res Albums from HDTracks, and yes, I can hear the difference - Just!
Media Server/ Player - Ultimately I found Apple ITunes a complete Faff! Generally OK for managing my iPhone content, but navigating those options, only to find that Itunes has a mind of its own is rather irksome, so took a look at 'MediaMonkey' - BAD MISTAKE for me! Once I had installed it, I began to notice all manner of weird interference with my browser, including pop-ups etc. On investigation I subsequently found that it had installed 'ClearThink' covertly, which is malware and a real pain to remove as it 'hides'. When you think you have got rid, then it reappears! I Tried everything to get rid....Only by using 'Revo Uninstaller' to uninstall media Monkey and then scanning for any remains, did the problem go away completely! BAD BAD Monkey!
So what next? Well, last night even though I was getting the 'stare of derision' from my good wife, I set about downloading and installing 'JRiver', and how refreshingly clean and easy to set up I found it! And reproduction is very good as well!
Triangle Speakers
Was my rash impulsive action to get these without auditioning first, a mistake?
You know how it feels when you are not sure if you made the right decision?
I am vacillating between Yes! I did when I hear brilliantly clear reproductions like 'Vangelis China' - so precise, so open and errr... oriental or New Zealands Hayley Westenras haunting rendition of 'Malena' from the Paradiso album. In all my 65 years, I have never come across a voice so pure and beautiful as hers - a complete accident!
...and not sure, because in some recordings I 'feel' there is 'something missing', but can't put a finger on it! Maybe I am looking for a 'fatter' sound on more lively or big orchestra tracks, but without sacrificing the pinpoint clarity I am now getting with some tracks?
So.... this has, in a very long winded way, led me to think a good musical sub might be the way to go, but jeez, so many options? I like full, I like DEEP, I like chest-rattling rumble (with the right tracks), so looking for something that is Wife friendly (not much chance!) but delivers at less than £2k ish ...Oh, and maybe once I have moved, I might try to combine the hifi with my TV system, so could possibly have a surround-sound roll later, but that is not the priority.
Please... Ideas Guys! - Been looking a svs, rel, Mk (had older version before - great, but gave it to my son just before I got this HiFi - stupid me!)
..and any other thoughts on what could improve my system without totally killing the 'wallet-baby'!
Fairford UK area - Devialet 440, Aurender Streamer- Linked to QNAP NAS 453mini - Triangle Signature Deltas, Van Damme Professional Blue Series Studio Grade 2 x 4.0 mm cables, Moon Neo 260D DC Transport, Dell notebook Client linked both ethernet & wifi.
