The All Purpose Advice Thread - Part 2

Maybe see if the guy from this ad would part with his Eitr...
https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650005090-schiit-audio-stack-eitr-modi-2-multibit-vali-2/

 

Forgot about eitr, good call, thank you.

 

Yes it is, at least in my experience.

Years ago when I got my first SPDIF converter (Musical Fidelity V-Link 96/24), I started out using the optical connection via glass/optical cable to my then-DAC. Admittedly, that ~2005 vintage DAC had classic delta-sigma sonics (pretty bad sound); with that SPDIF converter, I didn't get as much improvement in sound as I expected.

Then 4-5 years later I was reading about digital coax cables and decided to try one. I began low & slow with an inexpensive 1.5M Billy Jeans coax cable. Immediately heard some improvement over toslink, even on that shitty DAC, and stayed with coax thereafter.

Since those years I upgraded that SPDIF converter to a newer one (V-Link 192/24); then got a very fine sounding, more expensive coax cable (Oyaide 1.3M DR-510); then got a digital-to-digital converter (DDC, the Matrix Audio X-SPDIF 2), which was a distinct sonic upgrade, too.

No more toslink for me...

 

Thanks for sharing your input! Several others had really helpful comments too. Your detailed and thoughtful comments sent me down a rabbit hole about speaker placement and studio monitors and I'm now slightly more informed. It seems that putting speakers up against the wall might sound okay, but will most likely not. Further, finding speakers that are so insensitive to placement might limit my options significantly, and I'll either have to pay more, deal with tradeoffs, or both.

I'm trying this arrangement out, which I think will give me more flexibility. The speakers would be about eight feet apart, and I'd be about 10-12 feet away. I can also keep them 12-18 inches off the wall. I suspect this opens my options up further. I have some speaker stands I hate, so I'll need to figure that part out next.

 

I would say, definitely try it before deciding it can't be good.

(and no apologies! )

 

I'm sorry I already bought an Eitr

 

Gosh, you just 1958ed me!

 

Glad my post was helpful. Picture shows an Interesting setup. FWIW, 12-18" from the wall is still fairly close, so I stand by recommendations for either sealed/acoustic suspension speakers, or bass reflex speakers that use a passive driver in back (or on aside) instead of an outright port; or ported speakers where the ports are front-firing.

In fairness to rear-ported speakers (which include some truly great ones), some mfrs offer "bungs," foam plugs intended to partially or wholly obscure the rear ports to accomodate a near-boundary backwall.

Now a possibly dumbass question...assuming the flatscreen is an LCD/LED type, why is it positioned so high? TVs of that type look better viewed straight on (I'm a total TV wonk...it's a rabbit hole I haven't simply gone down--I live there)

 

A few years ago, I picked up a pair of KEF Q100 speakers and they had the sort of plugs you're referring to, which were placed in what I guess were its bung... ports lol. IIRC, they sounded better with the bungs (they were about 12-15 inches from the wall), I didn't love the sound overall, and sold them.

TV placement is another reason I wanted to consult the group here about my system in the first place, as I want to have one pair of speakers, whether I'm at my desk or watching TV. Since I've been "relegated" to this bonus room, it doesn't look like my 65' LG C1 will be coming with me, so I'll eventually need to replace it, probably with a 55, and it'll probably be the C3. The TV in the picture is way too high; it used to be on a shorter tv stand. That's more for "placeholder" purposes really.

I'll do some research on the the speaker types you mentioned, though I have considered the Triangle BRO3, which are front ported.

 

I love this! I've got KEF Q150s as my desktop speakers, gonna have to call them "bung ports" from now on.

As far as TV placement, I just posted this elsewhere, but I've always struggled to get a good stereo image with a TV between the speakers. It just sounds, mushy and diffuse, with no real solid center image. If the TV is non-negotiable, and it sounds like you get to buy one - smaller is better, obviously - but some acoustic treatment on the wall behind the speaker, and the walls/ceiling around the speakers should help. Also, if you have a big moving blanket you can throw over the TV when not in use, that might help, too. Just my $0.02 if imaging is important to you.

Also - curious why you're getting rid of the Klipsch speakers? Looks like the RP-160m's to me, and I rock those in a nearfield setup with a subwoofer in a small room, and am very happy with them. Also listen primarily to rock, metal and orchestral. I didn't see in your original post what you don't like about your current system, so figured I'd ask, in case it helps zero in on the sound you are looking for.

 

Sorry, it was the Q150 that I tried to replace the Klipschs RP-160ms with, and I ultimately kept the latter.

I haven't enjoyed my listening experience with these for some time, and it's probably due to a combination of placement, my avr not sounding great, and my distaste for looking at same speakers and stands for the last 7 years. I did try these near field once, but the treble was shooting into my ears, and I wasn't a great experience. (I was using an Denon avr from 2006 to power them, so that might have been the culprit.)

I may pick up a cheap amp (ayima, or one of its knock-offs, one of the small new schiit amps, or maybe a used crown locally), and rock the Klipschs until someone buys them locally.

 

This is all purpose advice? May I ask about e-Ink readers?

Contemplating a Pocketbook Inkpad. It also plays audiobooks so a matching headphone amp could be interesting...

 

A couple guys here are into e-ink. Paging @YMO and I think @zerodeefex ?

 

There's an e-Ink thread:
https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...ish-for-e-ink-tech-general-e-ink-thread.8124/

 

there is an entire thread on them...

-----edit-----
@Metro beat me to the punch

 

Does anyone have a recommendation for bluetooth clip HPs or IEMs that are good for working out and cheap? Something sweat/heat resistant to use with an android phone and preferably under $50-$75 that don't sound like ass. I had some cheap JBL clips a few years ago but they wouldn't seal very well and didn't sound very good. I could spend more if I needed to but would prefer to keep em cheap.

 

it would be absolutely worth it to get most anything to that would allow you to take advantage of coax... over... toslink...

 

I asked this years ago in the old all-purpose advice thread and don't believe I got an answer, so figured I'd try again.

I've used Magnepan 1.6QR speakers for years. It's a bit jarring to switch from the speakers to the Utopia for quiet listening as the two sound so different. I also don't really like the Utopia for TV/Netflix/movies either, but love how the Maggies sound on the same (except the lack of low bass and kick).

What planar headphones sound the most like Magnepan speakers? (preferably from manufacturers other than Audeze, so I don't have to play the QC lottery)

 

For the benefit of those who don't have maggies, can you briefly explain how they sound to you?