Now that I have (X) I will never go back to (Y)...

Joules · « **Reply #20 on:** 19 Apr 2007, 12:11 pm »

Quote from: JoshK on 19 Apr 2007, 12:14 am

X = the ability to build my own gear the way I want it for reasonable $$
Y = spending atrocious amounts of money on overrated/overhyped audio pet rocks that don't satisfy

What he said

JohnR · « **Reply #21 on:** 19 Apr 2007, 12:15 pm »

Me too...!!!

(Now I just have to figure out the "time" part as well as the "ability" part......!!)

woodsyi · « **Reply #22 on:** 19 Apr 2007, 12:53 pm »

X=room treatment
y=bare room

mcgsxr · « **Reply #23 on:** 19 Apr 2007, 01:11 pm »

PC front end vs cd for sure.

Amplification is harder for me - I have honestly really enjoyed Class A sand, Tripath, and Class A bottles.

OB is great, but I know that some boxed speakers still speak to me.

DIY vs commercial also for sure. Eventually I will tighten up the cosmetics, but for the moment, the ugly crap I build sounds nice enough to me, to forgo the added expense of lovely visuals!

Randy · « **Reply #24 on:** 19 Apr 2007, 04:28 pm »

Anybody care to explain how a PC based system works, Squeezebox, and all that to someone who is woefully technically challenged. Many of you apparently think it worth the effort.

mcgsxr · « **Reply #25 on:** 19 Apr 2007, 04:57 pm »

Well, there are threads in the Square Circle for that, where an appropriate thread could be started, but briefly:

1 - you "rip" all your music from cd into a lossless, compressed format and park it on a hard drive in or attached to your PC - FLAC is popular, as it is smaller than WAV (the natural cd format) and sounds 100% the same.
2 - you download the free Slimserver s/w from www.slimdevices.com and install it on your PC - this allows you to actually play the music on your PC, and then either wirelessly through modem, or wired through ethernet, you broadcast to the SB3 device.
3 - the SB3 device acts like a receiver, and has analog or digital outputs that you connect to your system. If so desired, the SB3 can act as a preamp too, as it has built in decent DAC and volume control. Plenty of mod options, and power supply replacement options, for those inclined to pursue better sound, in concert with the phenomenal convenience.
4 - the remote for the SB3 (or PDA, or laptop) allow you to slice and dice your music database, and play tunes, build playlists etc.

That fair?

So, any new music I get, goes straight to my PC for conversion to FLAC (via freeware called EAC) and then goes back into the jewel case forever. I keep the tunes on an onboard 250g hard drive, and back it up onto 2 others, one offsite.

Randy · « **Reply #26 on:** 19 Apr 2007, 05:09 pm »

mcgsxr - thanks for the reply.

Daygloworange · « **Reply #27 on:** 19 Apr 2007, 05:13 pm »

Quote from: Thelonious Monk on 19 Apr 2007, 02:01 am

x = computer as source; y = anything shaped like a circle

Ditto.

Quote from: woodsyi on 19 Apr 2007, 12:53 pm

X=room treatment
y=bare room

Ditto.

Cheers

chgolatin2 · « **Reply #28 on:** 20 Apr 2007, 04:39 am »

I am no computer guru but it sounds complicated to me

Quote from: mcgsxr on 19 Apr 2007, 04:57 pm

Well, there are threads in the Square Circle for that, where an appropriate thread could be started, but briefly:

1 - you "rip" all your music from cd into a lossless, compressed format and park it on a hard drive in or attached to your PC - FLAC is popular, as it is smaller than WAV (the natural cd format) and sounds 100% the same.
2 - you download the free Slimserver s/w from www.slimdevices.com and install it on your PC - this allows you to actually play the music on your PC, and then either wirelessly through modem, or wired through ethernet, you broadcast to the SB3 device.
3 - the SB3 device acts like a receiver, and has analog or digital outputs that you connect to your system. If so desired, the SB3 can act as a preamp too, as it has built in decent DAC and volume control. Plenty of mod options, and power supply replacement options, for those inclined to pursue better sound, in concert with the phenomenal convenience.
4 - the remote for the SB3 (or PDA, or laptop) allow you to slice and dice your music database, and play tunes, build playlists etc.

That fair?

So, any new music I get, goes straight to my PC for conversion to FLAC (via freeware called EAC) and then goes back into the jewel case forever. I keep the tunes on an onboard 250g hard drive, and back it up onto 2 others, one offsite.

hmen · « **Reply #29 on:** 20 Apr 2007, 05:19 am »

Quote from: woodsyi on 19 Apr 2007, 12:53 pm

X=room treatment
y=bare room

Absolutely agree 100%. I went for years ignoring the old adage that the room is half the equation. I don't know if it's really half but the rewards in soundstage and clarity are far greater than I ever imagined. I can't think of any other way that I could have gotten that improvement for that amount of money from upgrading the equipment.

For me
x=ribbon tweeters
y=dynamic tweeters

F-100 · « **Reply #30 on:** 20 Apr 2007, 05:48 am »

This is a good phrase to use on your girlfriend...

Now that I have you, I will never go back to her....

patrickperry · « **Reply #31 on:** 20 Apr 2007, 06:00 am »

Quote from: F-100 on 20 Apr 2007, 05:48 am

Now that I have you, I will never go back to her....

Or maybe.....
Now that I have her, I'll never go back to you....... aa aa

mcgsxr · « **Reply #32 on:** 20 Apr 2007, 12:23 pm »

Quote

I am no computer guru but it sounds complicated to me

Well, I am no technical writer, so perhaps I simply cannot explain it very well! Imagine trying to write down every step involved in cooking a burger, it would seem pretty complex too!

Honestly - you put your cd in your PC once.

Then, you use your remote control for your SB3 and listen.

pardales · « **Reply #33 on:** 20 Apr 2007, 01:11 pm »

X= Computer music server as digital front end
Y= CD player

inguz · « **Reply #34 on:** 24 Apr 2007, 05:28 pm »

X = room correction DSP
Y = not

nodiak · « **Reply #35 on:** 24 Apr 2007, 08:59 pm »

x= room treatment, y= none.

Veering toward computer source, iMod first.

Also, x= keeping acoustic guitar next to sub to keep soundboard warmed up and broken-in, sounds like it's been played for hours/years! y= keeping it in cold bedroom til ready to play.

acresm22 · « **Reply #36 on:** 24 Apr 2007, 09:05 pm »

nodiak, that guitar one is a good one ; )
I actually had two acoustic guitars in my listening room, but finally moved them out when I could hear them "ringing" after a sudden drop in volume levels. Figured that couldn't be good for room acoustics...

Zero · « **Reply #37 on:** 24 Apr 2007, 09:29 pm »

Y - saying there is nothing I'd go back to.

I am a huge advocate of using the PC as a source - heck its what I've done since I got into audio a number of years ago. Like vinyl, it requires a sizable amount of time and effort. Converting over your files.. dealing with nasty AC power in the PC. PC noise. And all the time it takes to make sure each one of those issues are overcome to satisfaction. The sound quality is, to these ears, unquestionable. However, at the end of the day the simple drop and plop nature of a regular disc is something I can turn away from. It's not that I'm lazy persay - hell, I am one of those guys that will walk up to turn up the volume even if the remote control is only a foot away. Sometimes its just the peace of mind of simple mechanics.

Pro's and Con's to virtually everything... even room treatment. As always, we are left to pick and chose what we are willing to live with.

Sorry to be the downer of an otherwise very good thread!

zapper7 · « **Reply #38 on:** 24 Apr 2007, 09:40 pm »

IB subwoofers=========boxed subs

Soundroom===========living room

markC · « **Reply #39 on:** 24 Apr 2007, 09:58 pm »

I never say never, but for the foreseeable futre.....

x= IB subs + OB mains.......y= Boxed subs + Boxed mains

and
x = L shaped wife dominated living room.......Dedicated listening room with treatment