New Members - Introduce Yourself

Hey guys,

Induatrial electric here.
Some of the old guys in my trade have measurement rigs, which I’ve been curious about hearing them talk about.

I’d also be happy just to convince the wife to let me get a proper set-up.

Thanks for having me!

 

Hi all. I got back into audio during the pandemic as part of upgrading my home office, which seems to be a common experience. (I'd fiddled with vintage gear long ago in grad school, then got sick of tinkering and settled down with some mid-fi solid state.) I quickly discovered ASR, then shortly thereafter this place, which confirmed my sense that much of what ASR is peddling is nonsense. (By day I'm a software engineer at one of the big tech cos, where we call the sort of thing Amir publishes "micro-benchmarks", and one of the lessons I have to teach new grads is how little can be inferred from measures of system performance using only one or a few types of workload.)

I'm primarily into two channel. My main and secondary systems are at present:

(RPi > Soekris 2541 or Technics 1200 & AT 440ml > iFi Phono) > icOn 4 avc > Aegir > Heresy I w/Crites upgrades
RPi > iFi Zen DAC 2 > JLH 1969 > Reynaud Twin mk ii

Desk setups at home and at the corporate office:

Laptop > Modi 3 > Magni 3 > HD 6xx
Laptop > Fulla 3 > Etymotic ESR2SE

 

@sesso Welcome!

 

Hi,
I have been lurking on Superbestaudiofriends for years, but now I have finally joined. I come from Denmark and have been into hi-fi since I was a kid, 40 years ago.
Thanks for having me as a member.

 

Hi. Long time lurker here. I am from Ukraine and I like this forum for its lenient policy on polarizing opinions. When reading most of the internet (which consists of more than 50% bots, LOL), it seems like everyone is so afraid to say something even remotely offensive that the act of talking itself becomes moot. If you lived and was passionate about something, you would likely develop fond memories about few things and disdain to other things. That is normal. This being said, what led me to join on board was the discussion on Harman target topic. I was pleasantly surprised to discover how little respect SBAF has to this load of marketing bull that is plaguing audiophile spaces. I don't consider myself an audiophile, but I seriously hate all the bullshit that surrounds this hobby.

 

Hey guys!
Im Mace from the USA.
I first ran into you guys trying to mod the DT 880 600ohm (with great results)!
Over time, I would look to this forum for reviews on amps and DACs. (The Quicksilver Headphone Amp is BOMB!)
A few days ago, i was on the phone with Mr. Kelly (Pi2Design), and he recommended I look to this forum for some opinions.
I figured, why not officially join?



Thank you for reading!

 

I think I found this forum looking for my first DAC many years ago. I've alway appreciated the spirit and the lack of fluff, here and Diyaudio are where I go to read and learn things.

I listen at home in stereo and then just a pair of earbuds on the move. More vinyl than digital. Main system is a modded Lenco - diy phonostage and preamp - Tyrs - Tannoy Monitor Gold 12s, the second is Yggdrasil - Freya S - Luxman MQ-50 - NS1000s.

Active, 3 ways with a big horn on top are next...

 

Thanks to all who set up this Forum!

A friend of mine suggested I "head" over here and check out the other side

I mostly listen to headphones / IEMs. Only desktop is KEFs hooked up to Fiio K11. Otherwise have Noble Apollo, Noble Chronicle, EE Ravem, Meze and ZMF CC, CO, AC, and LP Ea4 amp, SP3000T source.

Always tempted to drain my wallet to keep discovering.

Looking forward to becoming a member of the community and add value where I can. For now, I have 2 ears and one mouth so I will be in listening mode for a bit.

 

Hi everyone! posted twice already as I didn't read the rules.

Matt from London here.
Just looking to play FLAC files, and enjoy my music without having the nagging thought that I've done something wrong, or not tweaked some obscure setting.
Cheers

 

Hi all, I'm Blueberry, music enthusiast and selector from Copenhagen. I listen to music either from vinyls on a vintage not-that-facny speaker system, or hi-res downloads from bandcamp on studio monitors or headphones.

I have only a single pair of headphones and as i don't see the point in owning many objects serving the same purpose, but I have gone through quite many models to find what I like, so am quite opinionated on what headphones are good for me, although it's quite personal so no shade towards anyone enjoying what I don't

Signed up to read some discussions and contribute, and also to ask some advice.

 

Hi everyone, I started my audio journey with the Fidelio X2 and then upgraded to the ZMF Aeolus. I mainly listen to various kinds of metal, through Tidal and Spotify.

I signed up to join discussions on different gear and to ask for advice on future upgrades, like dacs, amps and maybe headphones. Currently, I am using a Ifi Zen Dac v1 and a Little Dot mk3 with upgraded tubes.

 

I'm a retired engineer that has worked in multiple disciplines (everything from product development - system interconnects including to drum scanners costing millions, file systems, image manipulation, and etc that were sold to customers throughout the world to designing communication networks for large corporations). Nonetheless, I'm not a new member, but I see many new people on here so I figured I should post something here first. I have had some health issues so I have been out of the audio arena for a few years, but I have plans to get back in. I have many HiFiMan headphones along with Audio Technica, LCD-2C, Aeon Flow, some HD600/HD650s, OG Focal Clear, some Koss Porta Pros for mobile, and probably too many other headphones around here somewhere. My main stack at present is an OG Bifrost MB 1 w/Asgard 3 and a Garage1217 Polaris w/Acopian Linear Power Supply. I also have some two channel audio gear as well... Nonetheless, I'm here to get some additional ideas for my audio journey as I plan to update my entire audio setup over the next year or two. I'm also more than happy to share my experiences with gear that I have heard. Although, probably not for tube based equipment. I use to have tube amps along with testers and etc that I used to grade tubes for channel matching and etc. In a move to simplify and due to time constraints (I have too many hobbies and commitments), I have since sold off all of my tube amps and associated gear. I'm concentrating primarily on solid state. Although, I do enjoy amps that have tube like qualities. I have also learned throughout the years that I'm not fond of Planars in general. Most of the ones I have are never used. I still use a HE-500 and OG Ananda on occasion. I'm also not fond of headphones/speakers that use metal drivers. Typically too dynamic and even if the metal utilized is suppose to not ring in a frequency that I can hear, they still seem to cause tonality or harshness issues for me. In short, most of my headphone purchases in the future will probably be concentrated around dynamic drivers with either natural fibers, plastic, rubber, and/or similar materials. Composites are also fine provided they are not impregnated with some kind of metal. Nonetheless, I also evaluate frequency response, CSDs, and etc, but ultimately it's all about the sound for me regardless of how it measures. I also prefer darker systems that do not follow the Harman curve. Those systems have a tendency to be too mid forward for my liking. Lastly, I'm in the process of acquiring parts to assemble multiple PI2AES systems w/Allo Shanti Linear Power Supplies to be used as my sources because I'm tired of fighting issues with USB including audio aberrations caused by jitter or noise induced from computers. I'm also keen to potentially move to a Gungnir 2 and Moljnir 3 if they have good synergies. Then, I'll demote my current gear to my two channel setup. My primary headphones will be HD600/HD650 depending on mood and I hope to add a ZMF Autuer Classic to my ever growing headphone collection. Sincerely, an audiophile stuck in the middle of central Indiana with no opportunities to audition gear without having to travel great distances.

 

Hi All,

I'm a UK ex broadcast sound engineer, now working part time as a electronic/mechanical technician. I've turned to DIY where I can...the quest for great sound without spending high end money being the main motivation! I run an all digital system. Allo Usbridge Signature streams to a TDA1541A based DAC. An ASKA designed AN39 class A amplifier power KEF R3 Metas with an upgraded crossover. My small dedicated listening room is 3.5 x 4m. The irony of countless hours getting my digital system to sound as analogue as possible is not lost on me..!

 

Hi, been lurking since before covid and finally signed up. I have synesthesia, and have been into audio my whole life. I have 2 bachelor's degrees from The University of Texas; Radio-TV-Film and Biochemistry. I worked as a recording engineer in the first half of the 90's, first doing classical/jazz at UT where I recorded the '91-'92 season of the Austin Symphony for radio rebroadcast, and a lot of degree recitals - they throw up often. Also, horn players are gross and the reason wood music stages rot.

After pretty much the whole dept was let go I opened a 16 track ADAT based studio in Austin. I mainly recorded Austin's alt scene of the mid 90's. Surprisingly to me, several records I recorded (and mostly mixed) are available to stream on Qobuz. I got into recording because I didn't like the way a lot of records sounded. I also discovered a universal truth - a recording studio is a good way to lose, or launder, money. I lost.

Realizing that audio didn't pay squirt (and it pays way less 30 years on) I worked several disparate jobs before going back to UT to get my biochem degree. I was an account manager for a local biomedical device maker for 7 years, managing most foreign distributor accounts outside Europe. Great company, boring job. Our neighbor was Fleshlight, no lie. We all found the "synergy" amusing. During covid I picked up a gig writing for SoundStage! doing DAC and headphone amp reviews while also going back to school to learn electronics (and Pro Tools). Online school sucks. Pro Tools was an eye opener. Reviewing isn't what you think it is.

I no longer write for SoundStage! because of the THX-AAA amp circuit. I got a headphone amp with that circuit in to review and it was such a slog it was making me not want to listen to music; and a quality negative review is a real PIA to write. I never even finished the review, though I did figure out why I hated the amp so much. I won't name the company because they didn't design the circuit and it was otherwise fine. I won't say why I hated it because I don't have the measurements (or the analyzer to do them) that would provide proof. Think TANSTAAFL.

I am now comfortably retired in my 50's with only a headphone system while my house remodel finishes up in a couple months. Everything else is either in storage or, in the case of the speakers I recently bought, at the dealer's where I go and listen to them at least once/week. I also play drums, and rock.

Oh, sound preferences - soft domes, solid state, sealed speakers, class A no global feedback amps, high sample rate digital or really good vinyl, min phase DAC filters (heresy, I know and don't care) with a slow roll-off, active preamps, and a well treated room. Transformers are for recording, not listening unless you like the McIntosh sound. I do not.

Well, I've rambled enough.

 

Hi!

I love Soul, Funk and Jazz and I am in the Hifi game for more than 20 years. I am from Austria, Europe.
My current gear is:

AT ATH-R70X
Lake People RS08, Project Headbox DS2B
Merason Frerot, ifi zen dac
ifi zen stream

I get a ADX5000 in a few days and I want to find the right DDC / Streamer / DAC / Amp for it.
My goal in Hifi is live sound of course and that means for me:
- ultimate immediacy and speed
- super stable dynamics (PRAT)
- huge and correct soundstage with the instruments in front of me - not in my head

I stay clear of tubes and R2R dacs as they need to be turned on 24/7 and need a lot of power. So I try to get the best performance out of SS amps and NOS or DS Dacs. I use redbook files only for listening.

 

Hi SBAF,

I am from Houston Texas, USA, and was mostly into headphones till 2019 when I bought my first house and started in 2channel audio. I have slowly progressed in the hobby and I am a tech nerd and an analog/vinyl fan. I currently own about 1500 vinyl records and a few turntables, cartridges etc.

here to learn, participate and meet fellow audio nerds.

my current rig.

Speakers: Zu Audio Soul 6, Closer Acoustics OGy, Magnepan LRS+, omega outlaw 8
Amps: Soulnote A2, Radu Tarta 300B poweramp, Spec Corp RSa V1
Preamps: Supratek Syrah preamp
Digital: Aurender N100H, Weiss DAC 204 and Sbooster LPS, Onkyo CD player
Vinyl: Well tempered lab classic w/ VPI JMW anniversary 12” tonearm (unipivot), bob devices SKY20S SUT, ifi black label phono 3
Cartridges: Koetsu Rosewood Signature, Hana ML, Zu Audio DL103 modified
Cables: Zu audio event mk2 everything



keep having fun!

 

Righto chums. Uk based music lover. Low tier gear. Like reading about this stuff. I’m funny and sexy so will fit in well.

 

Hello SBAF!

I'm a long time lurker, and really dig this place. Finally signed up to deepen knowledge and be a part of the conversation. Stoked.

I'm almost entirely a 2 channel person these days, unless mobile with IEMs. Kit includes:

Main System
DIYSG Fusion 12 Tempest (BB Ply w/ Modded XO)
AKSA Aspen Maya Amp (Kit) / VTA ST-70 Tube Amp (Kit)
Schiit Freya N
Schiit Gungir MB
Bluesound Node 130 w/ LPS
Power and Speaker Cables - DIY Helix
REL T7x and 2x DIY 10" Subs

Near Field
DIY Transmission Line Foam Core Faital Pro 3fe25
Burson Funk w/ Vivid V6/7
Schiit Freya S
Bifrost 2 OG w/ 1656 OpAmps
MacBook USB
REL T5x

Headphones
Beyer DT700 Pro
Senn/Drop 58X
Campfire Comet
Blon BLO3

Have some DIY Pass stuff to build along with a few more cables. Considering upping my streaming game - looking at the Mercury V3 - and gearing up for the RPI Rabbit Hole.

My professional work deals with design and sociology, so my philosophical orientation naturally leans more subjectivist, with an obvious understanding that measurements mean something and matter. What that meaning is, however, is where things get a little weird.

Very happy to be here. Thank you for having me.

 

Hi everyone,

Introduction post - I don't really know what to say...

I've been into audio since I was young - my first stereo receiver was a Pioneer SX-950 which my dad gave me in grade 2. I still have RT-707 but haven't used it much lately.

My speakers now are ATC SCM20 PSL Pro Mk 2 (passive studio monitors)

Lately I've been looking more into amplifier circuit design. Not a pro by any stretch, but I find it very interesting - this is my hobby

I know that not all audible aspects of gear are currently quantified with standard measurements, and that "technically transparent" gear has its own character (unless it's neutral)

 

Hi SBAF!

I have been lurking the site for a long time but I think it's finally time to formally post and be more active. I started the hobby 10 years ago through headphones and IEMs. Currently I'm listening mostly from my LCD-2C fed from Piety and Modi Multibit 2. However I'm starting to look into 2 channel stereo now since I have been having issues with my neck and back pain.

Just ordered my first speaker (wharfedale super linton) to be used from an old yamaha amp as a starter. Hopefully I can build a great stereo system for better enjoyment of music.

Happy to be here and want to thank everyone for the awesome data and valuable information scattered throughout the site (both on gear AND music).