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

[StudioGuy]

Ah, yes... I don't even have to watch the video. I know what misinformation he is debunking. People misperceive the discretization of audio like this:



Mostly due to damned lies from the industry itself, case in point, this is taken from Cambridge Audio, and I also had Sony as a choice, and Sound and Vision.

That was part of what he was debunking but mainly it seems to have been about how he was personally taught a simplified explanation of the Nyquist theory, which didn't include the necessity for a sample rate that allowed for a low pass filter transition band.

Incidentally, the "digital stair-step" graphic was invented by Sony around 1999 as part of their marketing campaign for the release of SACD and it was debunked at the time. As is so often the case though, many/most audiophiles didn't understand or believe the debunking, so it's been copied/adapted numerous times by other marketers, even over quarter of a century later!

[Mandryka]

Do any of yous guys use room correction?

I've just started using it in WiiM -- I'm really knocked out by the results.

[Daverz]

Do any of yous guys use room correction?

I've just started using it in WiiM -- I'm really knocked out by the results.

Yes, I've used a few different DRC programs.  I currently use Acourate, and have also been playing around with Obsessive-Compulsive Audiophile's REW methods lately.

[Mandryka]

Yes, I've used a few different DRC programs.  I currently use Acourate, and have also been playing around with Obsessive-Compulsive Audiophile's REW methods lately.

I wonder what the differences are between the systems? 

[Daverz]

I wonder what the differences are between the systems? 

Some are based on finite-impulse response (FIR) filters, some on infinite-impulse response (IIR) filters, and some use a mix of the two.  Parametric EQ (PEQ) filters would be an example of IIR filters.  There are trade-offs between the two types of filters.

Acourate uses FIR filters, and the video I posted also uses FIR filters, but using the free Room EQ Wizard to create them. 

[Mandryka]

Some are based on finite-impulse response (FIR) filters, some on infinite-impulse response (IIR) filters, and some use a mix of the two.  Parametric EQ (PEQ) filters would be an example of IIR filters.  There are trade-offs between the two types of filters.

Well, that lost me! This could well be the next big thing in hifi.

[Daverz]

Well, that lost me! This could well be the next big thing in hifi.

Sorry, was being deliberately vague as it's a huge topic, and my understanding of it is limited.

DRC is included in most AV receivers these days (e.g. the Dirac and Audyssey systems).

[Mandryka]

Sorry, was being deliberately vague as it's a huge topic, and my understanding of it is limited.

DRC is included in most AV receivers these days (e.g. the Dirac and Audyssey systems).

I'm just wondering whether there's anything to gain by exploring other systems. Someone said to me that the WiiM has limited processing power and that could have a negative impact on higher frequencies. I'm really impressed by it.

[Daverz]

I'm just wondering whether there's anything to gain by exploring other systems. Someone said to me that the WiiM has limited processing power and that could have a negative impact on higher frequencies. I'm really impressed by it.

Actually it's the lower frequencies that require more processing power to correct.  Most of the benefit will be from reducing bass peaks.

Found this page on Wiim room correction:

https://faq.wiimhome.com/en/support/solutions/articles/72000642662-a-practical-guide-to-roomfit-room-correction-for-enhanced-sound-quality

What kind of microphone are you using?  Are you able to measure what effect the Wiim correction has when applied?

EDIT: after a cursor look at what the Wiim room correction can do, it seems fairly capable.  For something different (I don't know about better) you'd need extra hardware you probably don't need (e.g. one of the miniDSP interfaces that run Dirac), some expensive software like Dirac for Windows, or one of the free but much more fiddly options.

[Mandryka]

Actually it's the lower frequencies that require more processing power to correct.  Most of the benefit will be from reducing bass peaks.

Found this page on Wiim room correction:

https://faq.wiimhome.com/en/support/solutions/articles/72000642662-a-practical-guide-to-roomfit-room-correction-for-enhanced-sound-quality

What kind of microphone are you using?  Are you able to measure what effect the Wiim correction has when applied?

EDIT: after a cursor look at what the Wiim room correction can do, it seems fairly capable.  For something different (I don't know about better) you'd need extra hardware you probably don't need (e.g. one of the miniDSP interfaces that run Dirac), some expensive software like Dirac for Windows, or one of the free but much more fiddly options.

I'm using a Drayton calibrated mic with an iPad. And yes, I can measure the effect of the calibration.

[Fëanor]

I got myself an Eversolo DMP-A6 GEN 2 streamer/preamp.

Right now I'm not streaming anything, I'M just using the Eversolo A6 as a preamp and also a the player for my own, non-Classic recordings and to listen to my FM tuner.

I considered Eversolo's DMP-A8 player which some acquaintances are using, but the A6 is 1/2 the price of the A8.  Maybe the A8 has some refinements over the A6 but both have had excellent ASR reviews.  The A6 lacks the A8's analog input but I don't listen to vinyl any more and a $25 ADC is good enough to convert FM broadcasts and feed to the A6's coaxial input.

After some annoying missteps I got the Eversolo Control app installed on my Android phone, and my NAS-stored, (non-Classical), recordings added my Eversolo Library.

I will continue (for now) using Foobar2000 on a Window 11 computer to browse and play my Classical recordings which I fed to the A6 via its USB B input.  Using Eversolo as the player for non-classical means my Foobar library isn't cluttered with the non-Classical stuff.

[Kalevala]

I got myself an Eversolo DMP-A6 GEN 2 streamer/preamp.

Right now I'm not streaming anything, I'M just using the Eversolo A6 as a preamp and also a the player for my own, non-Classic recordings and to listen to my FM tuner.

I considered Eversolo's DMP-A8 player which some acquaintances are using, but the A6 is 1/2 the price of the A8.  Maybe the A8 has some refinements over the A6 but both have had excellent ASR reviews.  The A6 lacks the A8's analog input but I don't listen to vinyl any more and a $25 ADC is good enough to convert FM broadcasts and feed to the A6's coaxial input.

After some annoying missteps I got the Eversolo Control app installed on my Android phone, and my NAS-stored, (non-Classical), recordings added my Eversolo Library.

I will continue (for now) using Foobar2000 on a Window 11 computer to browse and play my Classical recordings which I fed to the A6 via its USB B input.  Using Eversolo as the player for non-classical means my Foobar library isn't cluttered with the non-Classical stuff.

I hope that you two have a happy relationship together! 

K

[drogulus]

     I'm considering getting a different dongle DAC for headphones on my PC. The control panel on my Fiio KA3 won't detect the device, so even though it works just fine with what I assume are default settings I want to try something else.

[Fëanor]

I got myself an Eversolo DMP-A6 GEN 2 streamer/preamp.

Right now I'm not streaming anything, I'M just using the Eversolo A6 as a preamp and also a the player for my own, non-Classic recordings and to listen to my FM tuner.
...

I will continue (for now) using Foobar2000 on a Window 11 computer to browse and play my Classical recordings which I fed to the A6 via its USB B input.  Using Eversolo as the player for non-classical means my Foobar library isn't cluttered with the non-Classical stuff.

I've begun to investigate the Eversolo's "Room Correction" and "EQ" faculties.  I've set up a 'Contig 1' using on the 'Room Correctio' but I'd like to better understand and refine my initial result.  It seems that most Eversolo devices can use a calibrated microphone;  I was able to attach my UMIK-1 mic and enter its calibration file for my measurements.

Eversolo seems to let you use its 'EQ' to apply equalization on top on a basic room correction result.  The best YouTube how-to I've discovered so far is here ... Revealing The Best Settings For EVERSOLO Hi-Fi Music Streamers!

Note that the Eversolo corrections apply ONLY to its internal player, NOT to other sources such as my Foobar2000 input thru the USB type B input ... So what about Foobar2000 room correction?

My strong personal suggestion is the MathAudio's Room EQ. It's extremely easy to use relative to other EQ/room correction options.  I've been using it for several years and it make a very substantial improvement to the sound. MA's Room EQ is free for Foobar2000 and can be downloaded as a Foobar component plug-in.

[drogulus]

    It's interesting to me that while Fiio makes a desktop R2R DAC that performs poorly as you might expect, they also make inexpensive dongle/DACs that perform exceptionally well.

    FiiO KA11 Portable DAC/Amp Review

FiiO K11 R2R Balanced Desktop DAC/Amp $175.99 (cheepest version)

Fiio KA11 portable $30

     My KA3 goes for $70-ish at Walmart. 

[DavidW]

It's interesting to me that while Fiio makes a desktop R2R DAC that performs poorly as you might expect, they also make inexpensive dongle/DACs that perform exceptionally well.

Not that interesting to me. Modern R2R DACs can measure well, but they require more engineering (and a higher price point) than delta-sigma DACs, which are a mature technology. There is also the economy of scale at play. Delta-sigma chips are mass-produced for a wide range of electronics and are relatively inexpensive. The same can't be said for a well-designed resistor ladder.

For FiiO to dip their toes in an area they don't know much about, and also try to hit a low price point, it was bound to fail.

[drogulus]

For FiiO to dip their toes in an area they don't know much about, and also try to hit a low price point, it was bound to fail.

     I don't think the Fiio R2R products are failing in the market they are targeting. They even have one with VU meters and a 4 tube buffer stage. It's got an option for no oversampling as well.

     My point is they make these R2R DACs for audiophiles with more money than sense and sell them without the usual premium price, while at the same time produce the KA11 dongle which Amir tested and confirmed to be among the greatest things in the history of the world, proving with geometric logic that exceptional performance can be had for $33.

     Some kind of doublethink is involved.

[Valentino]

I'm considering getting a different dongle DAC for headphones on my PC. The control panel on my Fiio KA3 won't detect the device, so even though it works just fine with what I assume are default settings I want to try something else.

I use a Topping DX1. It's powered by the USB connection. Excellent measurements: https://www.l7audiolab.com/f/topping-dx1/

[drogulus]

I use a Topping DX1. It's powered by the USB connection. Excellent measurements: https://www.l7audiolab.com/f/topping-dx1/

    It's not a dongle, so it's out. I see it measures very well over at ASR.

    Amir gives the Fosi Audio DS2 a super "it cures cancer in its spare time" recommendation.



     

[DavidW]

I bought the Dan Clark Audio Noire X (closed) headphones. And wow, they are spectacular! They have the same wide, deep soundstage as any open-air headphone I've heard, but with the isolation and bass impact of closed headphones. Everything from piano, to chamber, to orchestral, to vocal, to non-classical all sound tonally right, natural, and detailed. Best headphone I've ever heard. And it blocks out the loud hvac in my office.