GMG Classical Music Forum

FLAC / MP3 Portable Player for me.

I have a "complex" system in the living room.  This is where I usually listen to classical music.  It's a real hodge-podge:

A Raspberry Pi 4 that acts as a streaming endpoint and also runs digital filters for room correction and the crossover between my main speakers and subwoofer.  The RPi also runs the custom software for controlling everything (e.g. volume) via a programmable remote control.  The RPi is connected to a Motu M4 USB audio interface, which has 4 analog outputs for the mains and the subwoofer.  The Motu also acts as a microphone preamp so I can "calibrate" my speakers and subwoofer for the room using the Acourate room correction software.  The only "traditional audiophile" stuff in the system is the power amp (a Bryston 3B-SST), the passive stand-mount speakers (Buchardt S400), and the SVS-1000 pro subwoofer. 

Probably none of that makes sense; it is indeed complex.  The resulting sound is wonderfully satisfying, though.
 
I also recently bought some IEMs and listen to those with a Logitech Touch and a Topping DAC/headphone amp.  That's probably as close to having the music shunted into my brain as I'm willing to get.  It's a good way to hear what is actually on recordings (particulary accurate tonality) without the sound getting messed up by a room.

Both these systems stream from a Linux server in my loft that has all my music files.

In the bedroom I often find myself listening to pop tunes on Youtube on my TV, especially as YT will put your frequently watched videos into playlists, and I will just click on those.

My system is very much "old school". Front end consists of a Garrard 401 turntable fitted with a SME IV tonearm. A Quad 99 compact disc player and pre-amplifier which feed a Border Control 300B power amplifier. Speakers are Tannoy Berkerly from the 1970's.

Quote from: Irons on December 31, 2022, 12:03:10 AMMy system is very much "old school". Front end consists of a Garrard 401 turntable fitted with a SME IV tonearm. A Quad 99 compact disc player and pre-amplifier which feed a Border Control 300B power amplifier. Speakers are Tannoy Berkerly from the 1970's.

I'm too much of a commie to have something called a "Border Control 300B" in my house.

Well, none of the above. My micro hi-fi doesn't count as a complex system because it's an all-in-one.

I knew the middle had dropped out of the stereo market. Apparently it's even dropped out of polls.

The biggest complexity it has is that it's capable of streaming as well as CD, radio etc.