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Early impressions, musings & pondering a Sub addition
#11
(01-Jul-2015, 10:59)completeluxury Wrote: i have never heard of twonky media nor any idea of what it does, how good/bad it is Tongue

Theres a few good choices in music player software: Roon, jplay with jplay streamer, jriver, foobar, hq player.

You can also look at room correction software like: Acourate, Dirac

jplay is actually really easy to set up but theres other peices of important software that help as well.

Audiophile optimizer
fidelizer
project lasso

all help streamline and strip away unnecessary processes and stuff that isnt required for audio pcs.

you say you have access to other pcs but what i mean by a well designed audio pc is not just the software on it but also the hardware!

fanless cases to reduce fan noise and EMI, low voltage ram, specialised audiophile USB cads, separate hard drives for your operating system and all other software, audiophile sata cables, specialised power supplies for each component (cpu, motherboard, hard drives and USB card), audiophile lan cable to link up your computers (if using dual pcs), audiophile USB cable, upgrading the clock on your motherboard.

those are examples of the different things you can do... to do everything i just mentioned would be awfully expensive, i dont dare tally up the cost of what my ideal system would cost i would probably cry.

I would start off by building one good PC instead of going for a dual pc set up. it means you will have a solid source which you can upgrade later to dual pcs if you were ever so inclined!
I actually quite like using a PC as a source, rather than being locked into an Aurender eco system or whatever, but what I don't fancy is all the hassle of building and setting up such a beast.  I am a fairly competent user of PC's and wouldn't mind a little bit of tweaking, but all this computer audiophile level stuff would drive me bonkers!  Plus, limited free time is a big factor.  Is there any kind of off the shelf solution that would yield 90% of the benefit of a custom built fully tweaked twin PC affair?
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#12
you can always go here.

http://shop.smallgreencomputer.com/Compu...ver_c5.htm

those pcs are made to the CAPS audio pc specs so basically its how we would set it up but done for you.
Amp - Devialet 400 Speakers - vivid audio B1 Speaker cable - audioquest oak Power conditioner - furman SPR 16IE Source - audio PC with paul pang audio usb card v3 and paul pang red dual usb cable running through jplay. usb card powered by teddy pardo power supply Source 2 - line in from integra AV receiver (TV)
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#13
All great stuff guys - thanks for taking the trouble!

Back to my set up.

I did some more listening last night, and before I explain my conclusions, I must mention that I realise that my system is in an environment that is challenging at best.
My original intention was to work on the missus to have the system in the lounge and optimally placed (21' x 12' carpeted), but I rather underestimated my wife's hatred of speakers in particular!

I should have known since even small speakers that had adorned my TV surround system, have been the subject of negative comment for years, but I am forever an optimist! Especially as I have just sold my pride & joy (a 640bhp Ultima GTR) that I spent many years building, which made me cry!

Her-in-doors was happy whilst I was building, but the second it was on the road (and track) she would never get in it, and frankly hated it, so I thought that since I had made the ultimate sacrifice by selling it, there would be some considerable credits in my favour... but no, I underestimated her.
I have no idea whether my darling wife has got this phobia from... maybe one fell on her when she was a child?

Anyhow, so the system has been relegated to the kitchen/ dining room (25' x 14'), with its hard reflective surfaces and tiled floor!!! Not the ideal, but I have to live with it, unless I can find a friendly psychoanalyst or hypnotist!!! Know anyone?

With this rather poor environment, I realise that I have an uphill struggle, and last night I realise that upper mid registers seem recessive compared to high frequency and bass. Does this sound expected?

BTW, I am not giving up on the lounge thing....
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.
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#14
wow that sucks.. i just googled your speakers and they arent one of those "out there" speakers looks wise.

there isnt a lot you can do in respect to cleaning up the sound. if you arent allowed speakers you certainly wouldnt be allowed any acoustic treatments on the walls... and is a rug on the floor between the speakers and the listening position out of the question?
Amp - Devialet 400 Speakers - vivid audio B1 Speaker cable - audioquest oak Power conditioner - furman SPR 16IE Source - audio PC with paul pang audio usb card v3 and paul pang red dual usb cable running through jplay. usb card powered by teddy pardo power supply Source 2 - line in from integra AV receiver (TV)
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#15
Pot plants can do a bit to counter reflections but to counter reflections from the floor that won't work...unless you use grass  Smile
If you're going the sub route, try two smaller ones, rather than the one big one. Apparently it works better for the same money and in your case a couple of 8"es might do the trick.
                                                    Lifetime Roon, Mac mini, int. SSD, ext. HDD, tv as monitor, key board and track pad on bean bag as remote,Devialet 200, Od'A #097, Blue jeans speaker cable,                                     
                                                                                                                                                                            Dynaudio C1 MkII.
                                                                                                                                                                              Jim Smith's GBS.
                                                                                                                                                                        Northern NSW Australia.
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#16
Yep CL, I still can't figure either, except to say she likes to remark that every time she goes into the kitchen she catches these 'big black shiny things' lurking in the corner of her eye! Before you ask, I had posed rosewood finish but she just shrugged her shoulders)
I believe that she feels that she has 'given' enough simply by allowing me to have them in the house, but the next step (lounge) is a no-no for now!

I have often tried to have a rational conversation with her pointing out that if you want good & involving sound, then generally you have to have decent speakers (I think these Triangles are rather elegant looking compared to many - but I am just...a man!), but logic does not seem to work with her.... Even sitting (tying? - nah! I wouldn't dare!...would I?) her on/to a chair in the correct listening position and playing her her fav CDs (Oh Gad - Westlife!), only results in "Oh, that's nice - love that song", yet she does not see (or appear to appreciate) any difference between that and playing the same CD on her portable! - Lost cause, methinks!

Is it that some of us (mostly blokes it seems - not that I am sexist!) are born with some sort of extra bump in our brain that gets a buzz-rush out of good sound repro, and with others, that bit of brain is simply missing?

Same happened with the DVD surround - she could not appreciate what all the fuss was about - perfectly happy with the TV's own speakers... Aaaaargh!
Feeling sorry for me yet?

Again thanks guys!
Does it seem reasonable to assume that the crap room dynamics will probably be causing the mid range issue I mentioned?
I am suspecting so, as certain music (I mentioned Vangelis) seems amazing throughout the range, but the composition is very different to other music such as full range orchestral/ pop etc where I detect it being somewhat light in mid range presence.... or maybe I am just getting OLD!
I prefer not to introduce frequency level adjustments via the player, but I guess I might have to have a go tonight to try to 'bring forward' mid range and hear what happens!
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.
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#17
I set up a nice dolby atmos system in the theatre, with an excellent projector/100 inch screen. you think my parents EVER use the room? they watch all movies in the living room.

I set up vivid audio/devialet hifi in the lounge room and am continually improving it.. you think they ever listen to music on it regardless of how excellent it is?

automation/AV is what my business does.. i can tell you when ive had meetings with owners, the women couldnt give 2 shits about what i do, its only ever the men that want this stuff done. different priorities i guess?

back to your speakers though - attenuation of certain frequencies isnt your big problem!

the major problem is first order reflections in that room. if you cant cover the walls, floor or ceiling you are likely getting first order reflections from 4 points (left/right wall, floor, ceiling) which will affect sound quality.

that could actually be what you are hearing happening. those first order reflections cause a second (and 3rd, and 4th, and 5th) sound wave to hit your ear of the exact same noise but milliseconds one after another because of the different distances away.
Amp - Devialet 400 Speakers - vivid audio B1 Speaker cable - audioquest oak Power conditioner - furman SPR 16IE Source - audio PC with paul pang audio usb card v3 and paul pang red dual usb cable running through jplay. usb card powered by teddy pardo power supply Source 2 - line in from integra AV receiver (TV)
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#18
(02-Jul-2015, 14:46)completeluxury Wrote: I set up a nice dolby atmos system in the theatre, with an excellent projector/100 inch screen. you think my parents EVER use the room? they watch all movies in the living room.

I set up vivid audio/devialet hifi in the lounge room and am continually improving it.. you think they ever listen to music on it regardless of how excellent it is?

automation/AV is what my business does.. i can tell you when ive had meetings with owners, the women couldnt give 2 shits about what i do, its only ever the men that want this stuff done. different priorities i guess?

back to your speakers though - attenuation of certain frequencies isnt your big problem!

the major problem is first order reflections in that room. if you cant cover the walls, floor or ceiling you are likely getting first order reflections from 4 points (left/right wall, floor, ceiling) which will affect sound quality.

that could actually be what you are hearing happening. those first order reflections cause a second (and 3rd, and 4th, and 5th) sound wave to hit your ear of the exact same noise but milliseconds one after another because of the different distances away.

Nicely put...

Now I need to translate that into a format that might, just might add some weight to my lamentations with the Missus -

Forever the optimist Rolleyes
Dee
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.
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#19
Easy to say in hindsight, and admittedly not much help to you now, but if you're after WAF for a living room placement, Sonus faber is the way to go ... sorry, couldn't resist.
Roon (Mac Mini), Wilson Benesch Full Circle, Expert 1000 Pro CI, Kaiser Chiara
Warwickshire, UK
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#20
(02-Jul-2015, 14:00)teddlesdee Wrote: Yep CL, I still can't figure either, except to say she likes to remark that every time she goes into the kitchen she catches these 'big black shiny things' lurking in the corner of her eye! Before you ask, I had posed rosewood finish but she just shrugged her shoulders)
I believe that she feels that she has 'given' enough simply by allowing me to have them in the house, but the next step (lounge) is a no-no for now!

I have often tried to have a rational conversation with her pointing out that if you want good & involving sound, then generally you have to have decent speakers (I think these Triangles are rather elegant looking compared to many - but I am just...a man!), but logic does not seem to work with her.... Even sitting (tying? - nah! I wouldn't dare!...would I?) her on/to a chair in the correct listening position and playing her her fav CDs (Oh Gad - Westlife!), only results in "Oh, that's nice - love that song", yet she does not see (or appear to appreciate) any difference between that and playing the same CD on her portable! - Lost cause, methinks!

Is it that some of us (mostly blokes it seems - not that I am sexist!) are born with some sort of extra bump in our brain that gets a buzz-rush out of good sound repro, and with others, that bit of brain is simply missing?

Same happened with the DVD surround  - she could not appreciate what all the fuss was about - perfectly happy with the TV's own speakers... Aaaaargh!
Feeling sorry for me yet?

Again thanks guys!
Does it seem reasonable to assume that the crap room dynamics will probably be causing the mid range issue I mentioned?
I am suspecting so, as certain music (I mentioned Vangelis) seems amazing throughout the range, but the composition is very different to other music such as full range orchestral/ pop etc where I detect it being somewhat light in mid range presence.... or maybe I am just getting OLD!
I prefer not to introduce frequency level adjustments via the player, but I guess I might have to have a go tonight to try to 'bring forward' mid range and hear what happens!

I wonder what Mrs teddlesdee would make of my room, KEF Blades, late 90's spec Danish JBL100's with lovely 12"drivers on surround duties, a pair of KEF LS50's on stands as a centre speaker, a couple more speakers on shelves at the back of the room for 7 channel surround, the rest of the shelf space stuffed with vinyl, Dev D800's on a big rack with lots of other kit and a giant shiny TT, triple Arcam Alpha 10's running the multi channel stuff, I could go on.

The poor woman doesn't know just how lucky she is! Angel
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