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No, a friend of mine has them. I am happy with my Vanatoos

I've been looking at the X-LS Encore, but saw those as well. Dannie has a new video up with some additional speakers based on that driver that are interesting

@ergopower saw that, but I think the smaller LGK would be all I would need for nearfield, but will have to check out some more reviews before pulling the trigger. Amir’s measurements did show some pretty major distortion issues in the bass. Could be Amir just borked something or got a borked pair, but need to read more.

....and somehow the critics all loved Reflector, which was God awful. At least Arcade Fired ditched the disco rock and went back to making actual rock music.

I'm still building the courage to hit play on that one. I saw them in Asheville in 2005 and it was epic. Everything after has been milquetoast.

@yotacowboy, it doesn’t compete or sound anything like their early albums, not at all. Those are basically modern classics IMO. But set expectations at something a bit more down to earth (and closer to their last few albums sound wise, but way better than the last one) and hopefully you’ll enjoy it. It does have an 80s vibe (which I typically dislike, but in this case I’m kinda digging it).

I couldn't handle the microdynamic losses on Rag 2 even vs. MJ2. Eventually felt lifeless to me, which is why I returned it.

Thanks @roshambo123, good to know. Unfortunately leaves me rethinking my approach of one unit for speakers and headphones…

My DAC at the time was Gungnir A1 which wasn't ideal either. With Yggdrasil A2 injecting some organic texture and detail the situation probably would have been better.

I can't stand anything but low gain using Focal Utopia. With HD600, the amp just isn't a good match (shoutiness in the midrange emphasized). Best match I've found was the JAR HD650 when I had that loaner in. I usually try to cap average listening level between 70-75 dB, with peaks above that of course, using NIOSH iPhone app. Not really a high volume listener.

Rag 1.5 is almost too much amp for 600/650, although it is nicer with 650’s. Such a polite (but not laid back) and effortless amp. On speakers in high gain is the best.

Have you guys tried Freya with Rag? Just tried hooking my Freya+ up between the Yggdrasil and Rag for Schiits and giggles (maxed the volume on the Rag on low gain) and it might be giving me exactly what I’m looking for…need more time though.

Anchoring your new 2 channel nearfield setup around a Ragnarok 1.5? Still going to run the LS6?

Going to give it a shot at least. Don’t know if it’s a 1.5 unit but will see. Was a good deal so thought I’d try it anyhow. Hoping it can also do double duty with headphones and replace the Lyr 3 as well, but will see. As far as the LS6, it’s doubtful they’re going to work nearfield unfortunately- too big :’(

What speakers will you be using with the Ragnarok? Also, how you like the Lyr 3.

Full line of Schiit components in the freya/Gungnir Multibit chassis size please. Would be killer to have a rack/stack of separates all that size (new Gungnir Multibit, phono, loki max, headphone amp, power amp, Freya)

Cheap seats observation: Gungnir feels behind the refresh curve now after the value-performance-ratio play in Bifrost 2 and the pure performance play of Yggdrasil flavors.

The way parts are going right now I don't see it changing soon, sadly.

@Inoculator power amp in that size unlikely unless @schiit have managed to come up with an alternative to class D (efficient/low heat).

woulda been a bigger loogie if it was an official request to join NATO. fuck Putin

I know it’s blasphemy to some audiophiles, but I do like our Sonos setup. The integration with nearly every music service and simple room correction are killer features.

@purr1n https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/audeze-lcd-5-speculation.11440/page-7

Well that was weird

What the what.

They do run well on tubes. But you need at least 8w or so to get them going decently. The Zen is a flea watt amp and just can’t push the crossover and 2 drivers in a 3/5.

I can only speak to the prototype/pre-production Veri-Fi Vanguards, but with ~8W of SET 300B they we're at their (lower) limit, IMHO. They sounded hungry for current (like, iirc, Inoculator's Sugden).

I don’t have a ton of confidence that the Taboo can run much for speakers, but figured I’d try it for a lark. Was mainly looking to hear it with cans - going to try grabbing a set of orthos at some point soon which apparently it was designed for. Of course, if it sucks with the HD650 and Elex, it may get flipped pretty quickly. That’s the great thing about the used market.

My wife wanted us to sell our Maggies when we had our daughter. Instead, even as a baby I would take her on tours around the house and tell her what things were, what they did, and whether she could touch them. Worst we’ve had is touching the TV glass as a young toddler. Is this your first kid?

Same with my 2ch system but when I am about to travel :)

Haha…making sacrifice is what parents do. This is first chapter of parenting. Welcome to the club

I listen to my vanatoos at my desk (supported by mpingo feet and shamwow grills) for a few hours a day almost every day. I do wonder why I put thousands and thousands of $ into another system I hardly listen to

@k4rstar pics or it didn't happen. Gotta see the shamwow grills. :)

https://i.imgur.com/MnCpefE.jpg
this was step 4 towards transforming the sound of the vanatoos from 'computer speakers' to 'legendary music makers'. I will write an article on it when the journey is complete.

Hi-Fi Plus has MQA (nope) and some direct artist payment scheme. I think I’ll just keep my $10/month and buy something on Bandcamp instead to support the artists I prefer. And no way in hell I’m paying for MQA (although I’m sure even their HiFi tier is probably just CD quality wrapped in MQA anyhow, but at least I’m not paying extra for it.). Plan is now “downgraded” to Hi-Fi.

Hoping Qobuz will come to Canada soon.

I've had the feeling for a while that Tidals days are numbered, and this may be further evidence suggesting that. I don't wish tidal itself any ill will, but MQA can gtfo imo. I've been using apple lossless, and whilst the interface bugs out sometimes, its been overall a solid experience. When spotify lossless happens, I might migrate back to it simply for its music discovery.

If I could give you more likes for the first piece of advice you gave me I would <3

@Gazny what was that? I don’t recall. Was it, don’t care about likes or dislikes?? Lol

Likewise.

450g vs 260g. Neck loading increased by nearly 100%. If using the original cables that also is a heavy neck load. Switch to something like Custom Cans to relieve the load.

Yep, I used to wear my HD6XX for 7+ hours at work, then come home and wear my HD650 for a couple more and never had a problem, despite having neck pain issues in general.

I’m hoping I will eventually build up some strength in my neck muscles to handle it, because at this point I am finding the Elex far more engaging and to my taste than the 650s (stock).

For the same season a 2C52 is the best sounding in my Kenzie Ovation; you can’t get low noise floor and dynamics due to gain at the same time in tubes?

Somewhat pop-y and overproduced, but still enjoyable.