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

[Girardian]

I'm only curious if I'll get a benefit by putting an optical connection between my server and the network signal coming into the server since my server is connected via USB to the DAC (I use a split USB cable with separate data and power lines).

 

[poorsod]

SGC has a 30 day return period so I figured I would try it and return if it didn’t do anything for me. YMMV

 

[Girardian]

Current set up:
Ayre VX-5 Twenty amp
Ayre KX-5 Twenty preamp
PS Audio DirectStream DAC (yes, I need to trade it for silver) (Snowmass software)
PS Audio P20 PerfectWave Power Regenerator (on a dedicated circut)
Oppo UDP 205
Green Mountain Audio speakers
High end Cardas, Furutech and custom cabling
Roon server (not pictured)
BDH cabinet
Samsung QLED TV (not pictured)
Gigabit Intenet and networking upgrades, CAT-7 cables, to accommodate high-res lossless streaming (photo only shows 16 bit on the DAC)

Sound: great
Footprint: huge

 

[poorsod]

Have you tried the Windom version for the DAC?

 

[Girardian]

Not yet - curious but want to get to know Snomass first.

 

[poorsod]

Have you heard about the EtherRegen? Might be an alternative to fiber. Don’t know how effective it is because it so new there is no user feedback. Nonetheless, the first two production runs have already sold out.

 

[NaTionS]

I did a search for Devialet in this thread and saw there was some discussion back in 2015. Wanted to bring this up again and see what people's opinions of their phantom gold speakers are in 2019.

I currently have a B&O Beoplay A9 and am considering getting 2 phantom golds for proper left/right separation. Would this be a noticeable difference in sound quality?

For the price of 2 phantom golds + legs I can likely get a pair of pre-owned B&O Beolab 20s, which was my original plan but I read about a rather widespread issue with the BL20 where one speaker would blast noise at high volumes upon powering on. Seems to happen randomly and B&O would replace a board but as I'd be buying them pre-owned and there's no B&O dealer near me I'd rather not deal with any warranty issues.

Yes, I know that for much less money I can get equal or better audio quality by going with traditional brands but I enjoy the design and simplicity of not having so many cables.

 

[poorsod]

I think the strengths of Devialet and B&O are in the design. I have heard them both in different points in time and they are both fine. I can't give you a more detailed comparison because it was so long ago and there was nothing that unique from the sound quality to stand out in my memory.

If design is important to you, choose the one you like the look of more. If the design is less important to you, there are now quite a number of powered speakers on the market like from Dynaudio, Kii, ELAC, Dutch and Dutch, just to name a few.

 

[A Y]

Have you heard about the EtherRegen? Might be an alternative to fiber. Don’t know how effective it is because it so new there is no user feedback. Nonetheless, the first two production runs have already sold out.

You might want to wait for the release of Schiit's Unison USB module for your Yggy. It's shipping now in the Bifrost 2, and is supposed to be offered for the other DACs in January. Apparently, it's their preferred way for digital interconnection now, and reports from beta testers have been very positive.

 

[poorsod]

You might want to wait for the release of Schiit's Unison USB module for your Yggy. It's shipping now in the Bifrost 2, and is supposed to be offered for the other DACs in January. Apparently, it's their preferred way for digital interconnection now, and reports from beta testers have been very positive.

yeah I plan to get the Unison USB when it’s available to the public.

the big decision for me is whether to take the plunge into openbaffle speakers. I have been auditioning the Diesis speakers at my audio dealer but it’s a pricey proposition.

Did you go the Linkwitz open baffle route? I thought you we’re discussing it at one point

 

[A Y]

the big decision for me is whether to take the plunge into openbaffle speakers. I have been auditioning the Diesis speakers at my audio dealer but it’s a pricey proposition.

Did you go the Linkwitz open baffle route? I thought you we’re discussing it at one point

Yes, I still have the V1 Orions, and they were pretty much endgame speakers for me. I'm very happy with them, and the bass of a well-implemented dipole speaker is something to behold. There's the imaging stuff at higher frequencies, but for me the real reason for an open baffle is its bass clarity.

 

[poorsod]

Yes, I still have the V1 Orions, and they were pretty much endgame speakers for me. I'm very happy with them, and the bass of a well-implemented dipole speaker is something to behold. There's the imaging stuff at higher frequencies, but for me the real reason for an open baffle is its bass clarity.

Did you have trouble with placement? I can do 3-4 feet from the back wall but I am worried that’s not enough

 

[A Y]

Did you have trouble with placement? I can do 3-4 feet from the back wall but I am worried that’s not enough

They're the easiest speakers I've had to place because there's relatively lower room interaction and the off-axis response tends to fall off the same way (ie. no omnidirectional bass, just like there's no omni midrange or high frequencies). They do need some room to breathe behind them, and I'll be putting that to the test soon because I just moved to a new home with a smaller listening area. My previous place had about 3 feet to the rear wall. Siegfried didn't have them pulled out that far from the wall either.

I'm also using a pair of Plutos, which are omnis, as computer speakers in my small office and they're placed less than a foot in front of a large window, and they still sound good with relatively undamaged imaging.

 

[NaTionS]

I think the strengths of Devialet and B&O are in the design. I have heard them both in different points in time and they are both fine. I can't give you a more detailed comparison because it was so long ago and there was nothing that unique from the sound quality to stand out in my memory.

If design is important to you, choose the one you like the look of more. If the design is less important to you, there are now quite a number of powered speakers on the market like from Dynaudio, Kii, ELAC, Dutch and Dutch, just to name a few.

Thanks for the brand recs. May take a look at them.

 

[edinatlanta]

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