What stereo(s) do you listen to? What do you want?

[R.O. Thornhill]

The P8 just came out. I like the look but haven’t seen it here in the US. The dealer said they might be available end of December or early January.

Yup, I got the first one my dealer had. Compared it to a few others and found it had them all beat

 

[Seafinch]

Garrard 301 / Woodsong Plinth / Schick 12” Arm / SPU / Audio Note Oto Phono SE Signature / Audio Note AN-E/Spe-He

 

[Oswald Cornelius]

That is a stunning rig, Seafinch. I imagine is sounds as good or better than it looks.

 

[Seafinch]

That is a stunning rig, Seafinch. I imagine is sounds as good or better than it looks.

I’m really happy with it. And you’re right, it sounds amazing.

 

[Nader393]

I made this boombox out of an old Pelican case, a water proof marine head unit, and some decent but cheap speakers from Parts Express. Powered by a LiFeSO4 motorcycle battery. That's a passive radiator on the backside, for the subwoofer:

 

[ter1413]

...

 

[Rumpelstiltskin]

All this Zenith Allegro excellence plus an 8 track recorder.

 

[speedster.8]

I love this preamp, bought it today. Counterpoint SA-5.1, tube pre with a separate power supply. About to connect it and give it a listen.

View attachment 869785

And I see Sansui! !

Love Sansui gear !
Dont get me wrong, Counterpoint made som good stuff!

 

[StephenHero]

Hardly know **** about audio. Trying to improve my entry-level stereo. Here’s my setup right now:

Speakers: Wharfedale Denton 80th Anniversary Bookshelf (pair; no sub woofer)
Amplifier: Yamaha A-S501 (85 watts x 2 channels into 8 ohms (20-20,000 Hz) at 0.019% THD)

Analog Source: U-Turb Orbit Plus w/built-in Pre-Amp
Cartridge: Ortofon OM 5E
Digital Source: Tidal streaming via IPhone/IPad Mini 4 (using 3.5 to RCA connections).
Wire: AmazonBasics 14 gauge

Can anybody point me in the direction of any obvious oversights or weak links that might quickly and affordably improve my sound quality? If I have $500 to spend, where should it? Being a novice, I’m wondering all sorts of stuff:

Do I need a DAC for digital conversion?
Do I need better wire or cables?
Do I need some fancy power strip?
Do I need to Bi-wire these speakers?
Do I need a clue?

Thanks for any help. FWIW, I’ll be sticking with these speakers for for the foreseeable future, most likely.

 

[Artisan Fan]

Hardly know **** about audio. Trying to improve my entry-level stereo. Here’s my setup right now:

Speakers: Wharfedale Denton 80th Anniversary Bookshelf (pair; no sub woofer)
Amplifier: Yamaha A-S501 (85 watts x 2 channels into 8 ohms (20-20,000 Hz) at 0.019% THD)

Analog Source: U-Turb Orbit Plus w/built-in Pre-Amp
Cartridge: Ortofon OM 5E
Digital Source: Tidal streaming via IPhone/IPad Mini 4 (using 3.5 to RCA connections).
Wire: AmazonBasics 14 gauge

Can anybody point me in the direction of any obvious oversights or weak links that might quickly and affordably improve my sound quality? If I have $500 to spend, where should it? Being a novice, I’m wondering all sorts of stuff:

Do I need a DAC for digital conversion?
Do I need better wire or cables?
Do I need some fancy power strip?
Do I need to Bi-wire these speakers?
Do I need a clue?

Thanks for any help. FWIW, I’ll be sticking with these speakers for for the foreseeable future, most likely.

I would get a better cartridge for the table and consider a better DAC than the apple products. Pro-Ject is worth looking into for the DAC and the better quality Ortofons like the 2M Blue and Bronze are good for the money.

 

[megabiscoito]

Not so complex system. A simple home audio with radio and CD. Other options besides these one (with good design)?

 

[Girardian]

I just updated my system and will post pics, but the biggest improvement I've made is a dedicated music server for processing content before being sent to my PS Audio DirectStream DAC. Major improvement in sound.

I'm also a Qobuz convert -- they have an incredible library and true high res streaming (CD quality and, importantly, better). For those who doubt digital, these changes have shown me that streaming can provide amazing sound.

 

[poorsod]

I agree. I suspect the server is more important than the DAC when it comes to improving sound quality, particularly in bang for the buck.

Currently I am running an Opticalrendu via fiber with the optical module to a schiit Yggdrasil.

 

[Girardian]

I have looked at the optical products from Sonore / SGC. I have a fanless server and run it directly to my USB so don't need to run the server through the network before it hits the DAC. Have you done an A/B with the OR via fiber to the DAC vs. server straight into the DAC?

 

[poorsod]

I only do streaming so I run the rendu as a Logitech Media Server and end point. I used to use the ultrarendu. I found going from the ultrarendu to the optical rendu changed the sound stage. For example, playing the John Williams Boston Pops Swing album the uRendu sounded like it came from the pit in my floor. On the optical rendu, the orchestra moved up on stage. I think got more depth to the sound stage as well.

I borrowed a friend’s Innuos Zenith SE and I think it sounded better than my ultrarendu. Voices seemed to have more space around them. Sadly, the Innuos SE I is way out of my price range. OTOH SGC is a lot cheaper and good value for the $$$