What audio system do you have, or plan on getting?

[Todd]

I usually leave idiots well alone, but it's enjoyable tearing down arrogantly wrong idiots that loudly repeatedly post misinformation I won't be one of the ones on GMG that just leave you to live in your fantasies.

I look forward to more of your true believer posts. 

[staxomega]

Incorrect.  My statement is based on a quarter century of listening to high end gear, including some speakers that cost as much as cars but sound awful.  Only an audiophile can equate price with sound quality with what amounts to religious devotion.

The great irony in this statement is it feels like my posts back and forth with you feel like you're the religious person 

"I ain't puttin' no gene therapy vaccine in my body"

That statement conveys not only stupidity but dangerous stupidity because said person has some grasp of what mRNA is (or at the least heard it from his mega church pastor); equivalent to your rudimentary understanding of audio.

[Todd]

The great irony in this statement is it feels like my posts back and forth with you feel like you're the religious person 

"I ain't puttin' no gene therapy vaccine in my body"

That statement conveys not only stupidity but dangerous stupidity because said person has some grasp of what mRNA is (or at the least heard it from his mega church pastor); equivalent to your rudimentary understanding of audio.

You do not disappoint.

[staxomega]

I like that we see more active speakers being offered. Even better active speakers with DSP-controlled crossovers, and eve better thn that active speakers where the DSP also does room integration below the Schroeder frequency. There are some that do full range which very often makes the speakers sound worse.
What I don't like is that most speakers are box speakers, just in different sizes. Box speakers radiate like box speakers and thus sound like that.

Lots of good information in this post, however box speakers don't have to radiate like box speakers, B&O Beolab 90 can do directivity that matches Toole's findings in his blind tests or flip a switch to make them full blown omni. As for Schroeder, cardioid bass (Genelec, Kii, D&D) solve some of those issues and in a box design, omni would fare worse in exciting room modes.

The best sounding speakers I've heard essentially had directivity index identical to Toole's findings.

I heartily agree with you on this one, but he will never change his views, so it best to totally ignore him, that way he doesn't get food to live on and he dies a silent dead.

I'm entirely unsurpassed he hasn't actually engaged on anything objective that was posted opting instead to dodge the numerous times I've shut his misinformation down. He may continue to hide behind his one dimensional snark.

[DavidW]

BTW this is why most posters don't share their gear.  This thread is 10% fun sharing our setups, 90% crazed audiophiles shouting at each other and name calling for no reason.

[71 dB]

BTW this is why most posters don't share their gear.  This thread is 10% fun sharing our setups, 90% crazed audiophiles shouting at each other and name calling for no reason.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVQiUFshjc8

[drogulus]

BTW this is why most posters don't share their gear.  This thread is 10% fun sharing our setups, 90% crazed audiophiles shouting at each other and name calling for no reason.

     You don't even need a degree from a diploma mill. Did you know I have a doctorate in Bogology?

[Spotted Horses]

I had been using a Marantz SACD player with digital inputs as a DAC, but although the analog circuitry sounds very nice the digital interface is extremely clunky. It is subject to dropouts when connected by USB, and I had to resort to a Toslink input via another interface gadget. Recently it developed the habit of not recognizing a signal until a second or so has passed, clipping the initial instant of the music.

I'm ditching it in favor of a little gadget from Schitt, the Modi.



I already have a headphone amp I am happy with so I only need a DAC.

It's arrived and hooked up. Preliminary assessment, it sounds great with my "HeadRoom Little" headphone amp (and old headphone with crossfeed).

[Harry]

I have it on loan and it definitively an option for me.
The Esoteric Grandioso

[Todd]

Veblen was right. 

[Fëanor]

Veblen was right.

When it comes to audiophilian indulgence, Veblen was nowhere more right.

Digital files ripped from CD played from a NAS via a computer, even a Raspberry Pi, and decoded by a substantially under US$1k DAC will give you essentially perfect playback of a recording.  (Mind you, essentially perfect playback doesn't cut any slack for 2nd rate recordings.)

That said, (and not to refute my above assertion in any degree), I do fancy a good SACD player for my stereo system.  Good SACD players are very scant today except in the high-end category. The Esoteric Grandioso P1X is pretty much the high end of the high-end, and it is only a transport, not a full player.  One might match it with the D1X DAC:  total investment US$100,000 -- not for the hoi polloi masses.

[Harry]

When it comes to audiophilian indulgence, Veblen was nowhere more right.

Digital files ripped from CD played from a NAS via a computer, even a Raspberry Pi, and decoded by a substantially under US$1k DAC will give you essentially perfect playback of a recording.  (Mind you, essentially perfect playback doesn't cut any slack for 2nd rate recordings.)

That said, (and not to refute my above assertion in any degree), I do fancy a good SACD player for my stereo system.  Good SACD players are very scant today except in the high-end category. The Esoteric Grandioso P1X is pretty much the high end of the high-end, and it is only a transport, not a full player.

I can confirm that, the sheer detail depth and precision is a marvel to behold. I will certainly acquire this player. It will be also my last acquisition in Hi res equipment.

[Todd]

The Esoteric Grandioso P1X is pretty much the high end of the high-end, and it is only a transport, not a full player.

Pfft.  There's always Goldmund.

The benefits supposedly imparted by high end transports are as spurious as the benefits once promised by Mpingo discs. 

[Fëanor]

I can confirm that, the sheer detail depth and precision is a marvel to behold. I will certainly acquire this player. It will be also my last acquisition in Hi res equipment.

Famous last words: "My last acquisition in hi res equipment":  we'll see.

I'm sure the Esoteric Grandioso gear is marvelous but then it ought to be.

[SonicMan46]

Famous last words: "My last acquisition in hi res equipment":  we'll see.

I'm sure the Esoteric Grandioso gear is marvelous but then it ought to be.

Boy, I can't imagine convincing the wife to invest in the Esoteric gear - $50K for the equipment under question I believe?  We could use a new car instead - looking at my den stereo (old EV speakers), I think the total cost was about $1200 USD - NOW, since 1984 the amount of money I've put into CDs and optical media likely exceeds $50K -    Dave

[Harry]

Boy, I can't imagine convincing the wife to invest in the Esoteric gear - $50K for the equipment under question I believe?  We could use a new car instead - looking at my den stereo (old EV speakers), I think the total cost was about $1200 USD - NOW, since 1984 the amount of money I've put into CDs and optical media likely exceeds $50K -    Dave

I say its worth it, and I rather have this as a new car, which is also new by the way. the set is now playing in my listening room, and boy its sounds the works.

[Harry]

Famous last words: "My last acquisition in hi res equipment":  we'll see.

I'm sure the Esoteric Grandioso gear is marvelous but then it ought to be.

Well I am getting into age, and since this is build to last, I think its my last investment. And my wife is convinced too.

[SonicMan46]

Well I am getting into age, and since this is build to last, I think its my last investment. And my wife is convinced too.

1+ Harry - boys and their toys -    Dave

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Well I am getting into age, and since this is build to last, I think its my last investment. And my wife is convinced too.

That it's your last investment and/or that she also loves it? 

1+ Harry - boys and their toys -    Dave

Boys aren't the only ones who like their "toys". 

PD

[Harry]

That it's your last investment and/or that she also loves it? 
Boys aren't the only ones who like their "toys". 

PD

Both