New integrated Yamaha AS-2100 and LFD phono preamp.
I have had the Harbeth SHL5s for over 2 years now. The most natural sounding speakers I have owned. Perfect balance of coherence, micro-macro dynamics and frequency extension.
And they perform exceeding well with all sorts of amplifiers. I have had Primaluna, Naim Nait XS2, Jolida 302CRC. Sticking with the Arcam A28 for now.
The Sonos streamer pulls my CD collection from my NAS and I also listen a lot to internet radio like MOG. Very versatile and easy to use multi-zone solution. I have a second Sonos for my basement setup.
System edited: I was always of the impression that amplifiers wouldn't make much of a difference if the speakers are efficient and/or a benign constant load. Well I am simply enamored with the Yamaha AS-2100. So far the best I have heard in my system.
RObotIcs, I finally heard the Harbeth shl5+ at the Chicago axponia,show. Very very impressed. The detail and voicing was excellent. Way better than I expected. It ranks right at the top choices for me. I've listened to all the speaker choices you have to, with the same conclusions. THe show also had the horn speakers (jbl 6500), wow very nice surprising, like the cornwalls THIEL AND Harbeth sound pretty similar to me( cs 2.4,2.7 etc) I like your choices, now that I've listened to your speakers. KEEP the faith. I'm using the Dirac and its integration with my velodrome has made the low bass very articulate and integrated.THAT I NEVER HAD,with the past speakers. One note bass Jeff s
Thanks Frozentundra. You have a nice setup too. How do you like the Theils?
The Harbeth SHL5 have the perfect balance resolution, dynamics and timbre for me. I love resolution too. The image specificity and depth layering is very important. But I also need the midrange to be spot on and the bass articulate and the whole freq spectrum integrated and cohesive. The SHL5 does just that. And yes late night listening is a peach because they do their thing exceeding well at low volumes. You hear a good serving at low levels.
Prior to listening to them I had auditioned way too many to list (Monitor Audios, Magnepans, Vandys, Golden ear, B&W CM and 8 series, Focal Labs, Vienna Acoustics, Linn etc. ). I have been in the merry-go-round for 9-10 years. I have owned B&W CM1, Quad 22L2, Pi speakers, Klipsch Cornwall.
The Harbeth SHL5 pair isn't leaving my system. Hopefully I will have the bigger brother 40.1 in my basement system someday. Check that system too.
System edited: Update: Upgraded from the DV 20x2L to the XX2 Mk2. Also added the DV p-75 mk3 and moved the PH3D to my basement system. I am loving the DV xx2mk2 and P75 pairing.
24/96 is essential for recording, mixing and mastering; for headroom and fewer errors in processing, but is not a huge difference in the final delivery format. I record, and have several friends who are mastering engineers, so this is my personal experience. The design details of the DAC employed have way more effect than the sample rate used for playback. Again, capture ADC and production are totally different in this regard.
Yeah, I agree that, generally speaking, any difference between hi-res vs. redbook 16/44.1 is largely due to the hi-res version being "closer" to the master and/or better mastering. The reason I buy from HDTracks is for the convenience and immediacy of getting the music. Unfortunately, when I purchase the music, it's in a format that my whole home audio system (Sonos) can't deal with!
The Sonos, as you've pointed out, is awesome in terms of it's convenience and ease of use. Man, if it could only play hi-res formats!
Thank you. I love the Sonos/peachtree combo. Also love my basement setup sonos/centrance combo. Initially I did hesitate on sonos for the same reason you mentioned ie., inability to play hi res. I also use my laptop (foobar / jriver) to feed into centrance dac via usb to play hi res in my basement rig. I find it hard to tell the difference b/w 16/44 or hi res on a well mastered recording as I really believe it all depends on the mastering. I did my own experiments by downloading 24/96 and used db power amp to convert to 16/44 on good chandos,DG or decca recordings. And I couldn't tell one from the other.
Also love the sonos for the multi zone capability and ease of playing via android app. Only wish it's meta art as better at cataloging.
How do you like the Sonos/Peachtree combination? I was using a Sonos in one of my systems. I modified the Sonos to bypass it's output stage. It sounded great, but I was frustrated that the Sonos system couldn't handle hi-res files that I purchase from HDTracks. So, I recently switched to a PC-based system and am using a DIY DAC kit that I built. Not sure if there's any audible improvement, but I like that I can play 24/96 and 24/192 files.
