Recent updates to my system.  Wilson Audio Sabrina replaces the Ascendo C8R.

sidvee April 08, 2019 12:31

System edited: Recently replaced my Harbeth Shl5 with the Ascendo C8 Renaissance.

sidvee November 18, 2014 04:14

Tboooe, my understanding is that the computer environment is not conducive for pristine audio reproduction due to emi, noise, heat etc. and that it is better to perform conversion outside of it. Consequently I decided against the PCI card method. I did hear a few implementations of PC's with direct coax. out and was not impressed.
Cheers,
Sid

sidvee August 10, 2013 02:12

Hi Tboooe,
I am using USB to usb/spdif converter. Another thing I noticed that all usb's outputs from the motherboard are not equal. Some sound much better, and one should use the ones nearest to the board.
Cheers,
Sid

sidvee August 09, 2013 23:59

System edited: I recently replaced my sony vaio laptop with a purpose built music PC. Running Jriver MC 18 on windows 7. I perceive a significant jump in overall sound quality compared to the laptop. And the jump over my old cd player, Ayon cd2s, playing cd's vs playing back FLAC's from this pc is huge. Cheers, Sid

sidvee August 09, 2013 13:50

Not really sure Tboooe, but I did notice that my laptop is kind of slow, when I click on Jriver for instance. It takes a moment before the program opens up. Also sometimes the program hangs. I do not have any other sw on the machine only windows 7 and jriver so it is dedicated to music and I bought it 3-4 months ago so it is fairly new spec. I am hoping that with a purpose built mc with 16gb ram, perhaps a better processor (newer generation) than my laptop, better heat management etc, I may have some improvement in SQ. If not, at-least I will have a spare laptop :-).
Cheers,
Sid

sidvee June 20, 2013 07:55

I am also considering a dedicated purpose built music PC to replace my Sony laptop, which I believe is the weak link in my current computer based source, audio configuration.
Cheers,
Sid

sidvee June 20, 2013 05:35

Thanks Tboooe,
You have/had awesome systems, and wow! really admire your move in simplifying from where you were, I am sure many of us want to do it, but perhaps do not have enough courage. Actually my previous system was similar to the direction you are planning to go. However when the opportunity for an upgrade presented itself, I could not justify spending $12.5k on the Ayon cd5s, so I settled for the DAC section of that player, my current Skylla II. What I was not prepared for was the quantum leap in sound quality over the Ayon Cd2s, especially in computer files. Now everytime I listen to music I have a smile on my face. I love the Harbeths as you can tell from my title, so it will be a tough search, hopefully won't make too much of a dent in my wallet :-).
Cheers,
Sid

sidvee June 18, 2013 13:41

System edited: Since I started getting serious about using my computer as a source I have made two significant changes. One, I got rid of my AyonCd2s Cd player which I was using as a DAC through the dig. in and have added a full fledged DAC in the form of the Ayon Skylla II. Secondly I added the Evo supply and clock to my M2tech Evo Usb to Spdif converter. I cannot believe my ears now how good WAV's and FLAC's sound now (to my ears much better than cd playback from the Ayon Cd2s), so much so that though I thought that I would add a $1500 cd player/transport for my 700-800 cd's that I am lazy to rip, I have dropped that idea. I will now go ahead and rip my cds and listen computer files exclusively. Also the skylla II is a significant Step Up from the Cd2s, better bass, wider soundstage, smoother treble and higher resolution. I believe I have reached the limit of my source upgrades for the near future (at-least what I can afford), and I will now look at speakers in the $12-$15k range for the next upgrade. Cheers, Sid

sidvee June 18, 2013 06:45

Anytime Milpai. Your listening room is looking great BTW.
Cheers,
Sid

sidvee January 21, 2013 14:10

Thank you Roxy54. Yes the Kraft really has elevated my system to the cliched "another level". Is is quite unfortunate that Symphonic Line products are not advertised widely - The efforts of Klaus of Odyssey apart. IMO they should be a must audition for people considering high bias Class "A" amplification.
Cheers,
Sid

sidvee January 14, 2013 05:20

System edited: Updated photos

sidvee January 12, 2013 09:55

Thanks Milpai. Yes the Harbeths are performing very well now, deeper and tighter bass as the kraft controls the woofer with an iron grip, sweeter/smoother high frequencies - perhaps due to the high bias Class A power and an expanded soundstage. Popular opionion on the SHL5 is that it does not need very high end partnering equipment, but IMO, when thus connected its performance is catapaulted into a different league.
Cheers,
Sid

sidvee November 16, 2012 01:27

System edited: Upgrade my amplifier.

sidvee November 15, 2012 07:29

Thanks for your kind words Roxy54. Yes to my ears the Symphonic line amps. are in a different league entirely and after getting the lamm there is fabulous synergy between the two that was missing with the ARC in the chain.

sidvee September 20, 2012 00:01

Upgraded my lame HP net book to a Sony laptop running jriver media player. FLAC files never sounded better!

sidvee September 19, 2012 13:56

System edited: Was looking for a preamp upgrade as that was the weak link. Ended up with a Lamm LL2.1 deluxe which is a superb pre amp. Also added computer audio in the form of a hp net book and a m2tech hiface evo converter. The Ayon cd2s is the DAC.

sidvee June 16, 2012 11:23

Hello Milpai,
To my ears the Ayon is more resolving than the Marantz on cd's. Of-course on its own it is a superb SACD player which is why I am still using it. Secondly since the Ayon has a digital/usb input it doubles as a great DAC as well. Actually my Marantz is getting to the point where it needs to be serviced soon, but it has performed very well for the past 7 years. Your system looks great and undoubtedly sounds great as well. Enjoy.
Cheers,
Sid

sidvee April 14, 2012 00:59

Thanks Lapierre for your encouragement. Having hi-fi as a hobby, while living in India is quite demanding as availability is limited and costs are astronomical.
Cheers,
Sid

sidvee February 05, 2012 06:51

Thank you kindly Lapierre - the Aesthetix is high on my list - only concern, my amplifier - the symphonic line rg7 has low input impedence - 10kohms and as such pre-amps with low op impedence are recommended to pair with this. I perceive that with the Jc2 which has a op imp. of 50 ohms when compared the ARC lS26 which has a 300 ohm rating, the low end is tighter and more extended. The Aesthetix has a rating of 1000 ohms SE. I am also considering a Lamm Ll2.1 delux which is recommended to work with amps of 10kohms and above with an op imp. of 200 ohms.

sidvee February 02, 2012 06:15

Update: Compared the Parasound JC2 preamp to the ARC LS26 and in this system I felt that the JC2 conveyed more immediacy and greater resolution, though heavy handed use of the volume control could lead to fatigue. Currently on the hunt for a tube based pre. that will have qualities of both the ARC Ls26 and the Parasound Jc2. Any recommendations?
Cheers,
Sid

sidvee January 30, 2012 03:32

Thank you Lapierre! Love your 275's and your system as well.

sidvee October 09, 2011 23:49