Playground for practical listening exercises

[Spannko]

Thanks for the suggestions!

I wasn't patient enough to wait, so I've done some more tests.

Which do you prefer:

Brasso: https://photos.app.goo.gl/qttYjkqBECJjgv7q8
Brassic: https://photos.app.goo.gl/yXrFMtCXeUAgCxcAA
Air: https://photos.app.goo.gl/tjJcQgotKGqo3eXj7

Brasso for me followed by brassic then air, although I didn’t really like brassic or air.

[Spannko]

Can you spot difference? If yes, which you prefer?

Clip A:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tzyg- ... share_link

Clip B:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/15VTHiU ... share_link

I prefer B

[Sopper]

I prefer Clip A.

Is this analog vs digital where Clip A is analog?

No… it’s internal wiring in a power distribution unit
Same units, one wired with Solid core silverplated copper and the other with Linn K400

Interesting idea using K400* for power distribution... I like the feel of B/112, but it seems a little vague - if I had to guess I'd say that's the Linn wiring. A/110 is more defined, but a little cold - guessing that's the solid core. Ideally I'd like a blend of the 2: the mood of B with the precision of A.

* did you use it in the right direction? :)

You are spot on with your evaluation, remarkable Tokenbrit 👍
I finished re-wiring with solid core just an hour ago, when I recorded the clips. I reckon it’ will get better over time.
Me too would like a blend of the 2…

Will post a 2nd set of clips later this week, to see if the solid core settled in

By the way: I didn’t think of direction when wiring with K400 > I will re-do with right direction for 2nd set clips

[lejonklou]

Interesting Sopper!

As I’ve been through these same tests before, can I humbly suggest you test some cables that are in between these two? Because neither K400 nor single core have ever sounded any good in mains applications, in my experience.

[Sopper]

Interesting Sopper!

As I’ve been through these same tests before, can I humbly suggest you test some cables that are in between these two? Because neither K400 nor single core have ever sounded any good in mains applications, in my experience.

Offcourse, Fredrik
And what cable/wire would that be?

[lejonklou]

Interesting Sopper!

As I’ve been through these same tests before, can I humbly suggest you test some cables that are in between these two? Because neither K400 nor single core have ever sounded any good in mains applications, in my experience.

Offcourse, Fredrik
And what cable/wire would that be?

I would recommend a multi stranded cable between 1 and 2 mm2.

Sadly I don’t have any particular brand or model to recommend. There is of course no correlation to price to consider.

[Spannko]

I’d recommend cutting up a Linn mains lead with the writing running against the direction of current flow, making sure the cable is reversed in the distribution unit. I’ve done this with an old MK distribution unit and at the time I thought the results were quite good.

[Sopper]

24 hours later, let’s see if it’s settled more

Clip A:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HPvkoJ ... share_link

Clip B:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1r3Du5A ... share_link

Which one do you prefer?
Same PDU’s and wiring, just 24 hours later with current flowing


@Spannko: thanks for the suggestion, but I don’t have these
@Fredrik: will source some different wires to test

[Whatsmynaim]

I pick Clip A. It got more drive and urgency.

[Charlie1]

Prefer A as well - makes more sense to me

[tokenbrit]

Timing more together in A; singing more emotive in B

[tpetsch]

(B) just sounds hot & overdriven now, so I pick (A), but saying that these both sound more out of tune than clip (A) did in your first A/B. So I can only assume that burning things in only made things worse.

[Sopper]

Alright, clip A was solid core and clip B was K400
What I have learned sofar:
Linn K400 ain’t good as internal wire for PDU
Solid core I used is better, but needs somewhat more emotion

Next tests:
Solid core OCC copper 2,5mm2 (Greyknight)
Stranded OCC copper 2,5mm2 (Elecaudio)

[lejonklou]

I'm going to follow up on my test in November, where you listened to the difference between 352 and 353 degrees Celsius on one soldered joint. Most of you preferred 353 degrees C. Here were the two clips: https://www.lejonklou.com/forum/viewtop ... 527#p71527

I went ahead with the idea of trying to optimize even further by reprogramming the soldering station to Fahrenheit (https://www.lejonklou.com/forum/viewtop ... 572#p71572). An engineer at the company that makes the soldering station told me that internally, the stations work with 0.1 degrees C. So switching to Fahrenheit really does result in tip temperatures that are sometimes in between the Celsius settings.

Here are five clips. Normally I don't like comparing more than two clips at a time, but I'm making an exception here because these are five consecutive temperatures. They're presented in order, not mixed up.

Which one do you prefer?

https://lejonklou.com/1.MOV
https://lejonklou.com/2.MOV
https://lejonklou.com/3.MOV
https://lejonklou.com/4.MOV
https://lejonklou.com/5.MOV

[Charlie1]

That was very difficult and I have low confidence in my choice - i.e., I could pick another one tomorrow and another the day after. I can't blame the gear either cos I'm on the MAC and using my most musical headphones (the old K24P). I did always struggle with the JBLs though, except that one clip you shared about a year ago, and I still don't find them very coherent.

However, asking myself which one I'd want to listen to the music again on now, then it's the second clip.

[lejonklou]

I agree these clips are difficult. And it's one speaker only playing, which makes it worse.

The lower bass is where I find the most difference. When I listen on the computer speakers, it's hopeless. With Airpods Max, it's a lot easier (they go deep).

[Charlie1]

Trying to factor in the bass more then probably not clip 2. I thought 3-5 sounded a bit speeded up but now they seem better. I dunno. Maybe clip four. I'm out of my league really.

[markiteight]

Listening through the AirPods Max, it seems like the music gets progressively "tense" as the temp goes up (assuming the temps increase with each successive clip). The music starts to get a bit too tense in the 3rd clip, but the 2nd is perhaps a bit too relaxed. Any way to get between the two?

I'm surprised to see the 708P in your lounge.

[Whatsmynaim]

Without reading what others have answered I pick 3. Sounds like that's where the performance has its peak. IMO.

[tpetsch]

I just went thru all five, and as others mention 5 is a lot to compare. But I settled on No. 3, pretty quickly actually, it just shined in that way I like a little more than the others, the band was really on the mark. ...I liked No. 2 the least FWIW.

[erho]

I'm going to follow up on my test in November, where you listened to the difference between 352 and 353 degrees Celsius on one soldered joint. Most of you preferred 353 degrees C. Here were the two clips: https://www.lejonklou.com/forum/viewtop ... 527#p71527

I went ahead with the idea of trying to optimize even further by reprogramming the soldering station to Fahrenheit (https://www.lejonklou.com/forum/viewtop ... 572#p71572). An engineer at the company that makes the soldering station told me that internally, the stations work with 0.1 degrees C. So switching to Fahrenheit really does result in tip temperatures that are sometimes in between the Celsius settings.

Here are five clips. Normally I don't like comparing more than two clips at a time, but I'm making an exception here because these are five consecutive temperatures. They're presented in order, not mixed up.

Which one do you prefer?

https://lejonklou.com/1.MOV
https://lejonklou.com/2.MOV
https://lejonklou.com/3.MOV
https://lejonklou.com/4.MOV
https://lejonklou.com/5.MOV

Sorry, but which speakers are these?

[markiteight]

Sorry, but which speakers are these?

https://jblpro.com/en-US/products/708p

[Hermann]

The differences become apparent after listening for a while. I prefer 3.

[erho]

Sorry, but which speakers are these?

https://jblpro.com/en-US/products/708p

👍👍👍

[springwood64]

Too hard for me I’m afraid. Listening on iPad and Kalla. I heard more variation by moving my listening position than between the clips.