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

[AnotherSpin]

Well in that case it does not matter what you buy, Sonooooooossssss or Boooooossssseeee.    

About 20 years ago, on a music forum, I used to chat with a fellow from Siberia who was a true Bruckner enthusiast. He had a real passion for the symphonies and knew his way around the various recordings by Jochum, Wand, and the like. He also had a soft spot for Myaskovsky, along with a whole lineup of second-tier Russian symphonists. Despite his refined taste, he listened to everything on a Nokia phone, in MP3s compressed down to 96 or 128 kbps.

[Irons]

About 20 years ago, on a music forum, I used to chat with a fellow from Siberia who was a true Bruckner enthusiast. He had a real passion for the symphonies and knew his way around the various recordings by Jochum, Wand, and the like. He also had a soft spot for Myaskovsky, along with a whole lineup of second-tier Russian symphonists. Despite his refined taste, he listened to everything on a Nokia phone, in MP3s compressed down to 96 or 128 kbps.

Was he a musician? In my experience trained musicians have no need for Hi-Fidelity (showing my age there!). They listen with brain rather then ears.

[AnotherSpin]

Was he a musician? In my experience trained musicians have no need for Hi-Fidelity (showing my age there!). They listen with brain rather then ears.

I can't say for sure, most likely not. I lost track of him many years ago. But does a musician even need sound? One can just read the sheet music...

[Valentino]

Most musicians I know have modest setups if any, and some have good hifi. Very similar to non-musicians as a matter of fact. Small populace though.

[Harry]

Since my Pass X 250 amplifier has to be checked and eventually repaired, I will have this set probably on loan, and who knows maybe I like it better as my Pass Labs.

[AnotherSpin]

Most musicians I know have modest setups if any, and some have good hifi. Very similar to non-musicians as a matter of fact. Small populace though.

Some musicians play the notes but never hear the music. The timeless drama: the amateur has fire in their eyes, the professional has a contract in their hands.

[Kalevala]

Most musicians I know have modest setups if any, and some have good hifi. Very similar to non-musicians as a matter of fact. Small populace though.

The professional ones that I've known (who have worked with well-known groups and orchestras) didn't have any pricey audio equipment.

K

[AnotherSpin]

About 20 years ago, on a music forum, I used to chat with a fellow from Siberia who was a true Bruckner enthusiast. He had a real passion for the symphonies and knew his way around the various recordings by Jochum, Wand, and the like. He also had a soft spot for Myaskovsky, along with a whole lineup of second-tier Russian symphonists. Despite his refined taste, he listened to everything on a Nokia phone, in MP3s compressed down to 96 or 128 kbps.

Honestly, I find it a bit silly. It's kind of like an art lover carefully collecting reproductions of Old Master works — except they're all cut out of newspapers. Wouldn't it make more sense to collect albums in reasonable quality instead?

Building a system that actually sounds acceptable wasn't all that difficult or outrageously expensive twenty years ago, and still isn't today.

It's not necessary to undertake a full-blown audiophile crusade like Harry, whose passion I deeply admire and fully support. However, maintaining basic audio hygiene and preventing rubbish from reaching the ears is, in my view, essential.

[Harry]

Honestly, I find it a bit silly. It's kind of like an art lover carefully collecting reproductions of Old Master works — except they're all cut out of newspapers. Wouldn't it make more sense to collect albums in reasonable quality instead?

Building a system that actually sounds acceptable wasn't all that difficult or outrageously expensive twenty years ago, and still isn't today.

It's not necessary to undertake a full-blown audiophile crusade like Harry, whose passion I deeply admire and fully support. However, maintaining basic audio hygiene and preventing rubbish from reaching the ears is, in my view, essential.

I know however exactly were the fine line is between HiRes that still sounds musical, and which sounds technical, and that saves me from excessive spending. Most of my parameters are set now. I will certainly try things out, but that does not mean I will engage in buying it. I underestimated the Reference Avalon Eidolons Diamond speakers in how much they are top reference. They need a upgrade in equipment, starting with a power conditioner which is now settled (afterall the Thor from Nordost was already 23 years old), a better USB cable for the streamer (also an a demo), the Audioquest cable I had was of decent quality but not really fitting in the new setup, a demo power cable for the conditioner, because the one I had was not really fit to deliver all the electricity the system needed. If somehow the Pass Labs amplifier does not deliver, the Bricasti set is also a demo set, for very reduced prices. So in the end it will not add up as much as if I would buy them for the full price. If I decide to integrate the Ansuz switch (also a demo) it will be for next year, or if the upgrade is too small, I will not implement it. Hope that clears things up

[Valentino]

And here I am outputting analog XLR from my beautiful Yamaha CD-S2100 SACD player into a MiniDSP Adept ADC that samples at 24/96 for my system that's all DSP with SMPS...
Music sounds right though.

[Kalevala]

I know however exactly were the fine line is between HiRes that still sounds musical, and which sounds technical, and that saves me from excessive spending. Most of my parameters are set now. I will certainly try things out, but that does not mean I will engage in buying it. I underestimated the Reference Avalon Eidolons Diamond speakers in how much they are top reference. They need a upgrade in equipment, starting with a power conditioner which is now settled (afterall the Thor from Nordost was already 23 years old), a better USB cable for the streamer (also an a demo), the Audioquest cable I had was of decent quality but not really fitting in the new setup, a demo power cable for the conditioner, because the one I had was not really fit to deliver all the electricity the system needed. If somehow the Pass Labs amplifier does not deliver, the Bricasti set is also a demo set, for very reduced prices. So in the end it will not add up as much as if I would buy them for the full price. If I decide to integrate the Ansuz switch (also a demo) it will be for next year, or if the upgrade is too small, I will not implement it. Hope that clears things up

That's smart to integrate some used/demo equipment into your system.

Which Bricasti model are you considering?

K

[Harry]

That's smart to integrate some used/demo equipment into your system.

Which Bricasti model are you considering?

K

See post #3264 June 12, 2025, 16:35:25

[LKB]

...
I didn't mention that I also have and like Beyerdynamic DT 880 headphones which almost meet the bill, but are "semi-closed" and I want a bit more isolation. But I have a fondness the Shure, having used their V15 Type 5 cartridge and various Shure Microphones over the years.

Just ordered the Beyerdynamic DT 880 32-Ohm headphones yesterday, after reading some complimentary reviews in this thread and elsewhere. I should have them on Wednesday. 

[AnotherSpin]

Just ordered the Beyerdynamic DT 880 32-Ohm headphones yesterday, after reading some complimentary reviews in this thread and elsewhere. I should have them on Wednesday. 

Great choice! These are very good headphones. Honest, highly neutral, and faithful to the material, without adding much to embellish the sound. I used them regularly whenever I didn't need to be on the move; after all, a wired connection does have its limitations.

These days, I sometimes listen to music while walking through the fields or along the sea, and in that setting, high-quality wireless headphones are much more suitable, those are the ones I mainly use now.

[DavidW]

Just ordered the Beyerdynamic DT 880 32-Ohm headphones yesterday, after reading some complimentary reviews in this thread and elsewhere. I should have them on Wednesday. 

Those were my favorite Beyers until the 1990 pro. If you are sensitive to treble you won't like them. But if you're old enough they'll sound great.

[LKB]

Those were my favorite Beyers until the 1990 pro. If you are sensitive to treble you won't like them. But if you're old enough they'll sound great.

I know I've lost a significant part of the higher frequencies available to humans, and have suffered from tinnitus since 2013. I suspect any HF bias that is built into the phones won't be an issue, but l appreciate the head's up. 

[Harry]

Yesterday I inserted two new contenders in my system and very strong contenders they are,
Also changed my XLR interlinks for the Ansuz Acoustics Signalz C2, Analoge Interlink.

First, the Bricasti M1 Series 2 High End Dual Mono PCM DSD DA Converter,
Second, the Bricasti M20, pre-amplifier, Fully Balanced, Class A, Dual Mono.
At the moment my power amplifier is the Bricasti M 15, but in a few weeks I will try the somewhat bigger Amp the M 25.

Impressive indeed.

[Fëanor]

...
At the moment my power amplifier is the Bricasti M 15, but in a few weeks I will try the somewhat bigger Amp the M 25.

Impressive indeed.

I wonder if Harry would comment on the issue of measurements and perhaps also the class D phenomenon.

I note the Stereophile Magazine has reviewed both the Bricasti Design M15 power amplifier and the Buckeye Purifi Eigentakt 1ET9040BA monoblocks.

I think it's fair to say that both amplifiers were very well reviewed. The distinctions, as it seems to me, are the price and the measurements.  The Bricasti is USD 18,000 and the measurements, while good, aren't as good as those of the Buckeye 1ET9040BA's which cost USD 2300 for the pair.

I'd like Harry's comment on the relevance, if any, of price versus measurements and the listening experience

[Harry]

I wonder if Harry would comment on the issue of measurements and perhaps also the class D phenomenon.

I note the Stereophile Magazine has reviewed both the Bricasti Design M15 power amplifier and the Buckeye Purifi Eigentakt 1ET9040BA monoblocks.

I think it's fair to say that both amplifiers were very well reviewed. The distinctions, as it seems to me, are the price and the measurements.  The Bricasti is USD 18,000 and the measurements, while good, aren't as good as those of the Buckeye 1ET9040BA's which cost USD 2300 for the pair.

I'd like Harry's comment on the relevance, if any, of price versus measurements and the listening experience

They you have to wait a little while my friend. I listen with my ears, and measurements are not that important to me. The Buckeye is unknown to me, so I can only relay my thoughts about the sound of the Bricati M 15 and what it does in my system, and in a later stadium the M 25. I also have the M 5 streamer which I will insert in a later stadium to compare with the Lumin U 2 that is playing in my system right now.

[Daverz]

I wonder if Harry would comment on the issue of measurements and perhaps also the class D phenomenon.

I note the Stereophile Magazine has reviewed both the Bricasti Design M15 power amplifier and the Buckeye Purifi Eigentakt 1ET9040BA monoblocks.

I think it's fair to say that both amplifiers were very well reviewed. The distinctions, as it seems to me, are the price and the measurements.  The Bricasti is USD 18,000 and the measurements, while good, aren't as good as those of the Buckeye 1ET9040BA's which cost USD 2300 for the pair.

I'd like Harry's comment on the relevance, if any, of price versus measurements and the listening experience

There are sellers in the EU that put together amps using the Purify modules, and you can get them with fancier cases than the rather utilitarian Buckeye boxes. Me, I like utilitarian, but I also like the little TI chip amps that cost under US$100.  They sound fine to me.