Random thoughts on hifi

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beck
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Re: Random thoughts on hifi

Post by beck »

Chet wrote: 2021-04-27 10:54 I think that is great that Beck & U252 are in that happy place.

I find when I listen in the car or on a system I have put together from spare Hifi (ok its still decent hifi, 5125 amps type of thing, Kabers), I think mentally I switch off better because you are not thinking 'how can that be improved' and just enjoying it as it is. At that point I am not thinking of the imperfections, in fact just not thinking.

I think that is the really difficult thing to do, stop thinking 'how can it be improved' or I still need to do that with it. I find with my main HiFi system I do think that too much and its harder to lose myself. Something I need to let go of...
I can follow what you are saying Chet.

My end goal has always been the “happy place”. That makes it a lot easier for me to relax without thinking of the sound and what could be improved.

To me the “happy place” is where a good “balance” has been achieved and the music becomes the main point.
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u252agz
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Re: Random thoughts on hifi

Post by u252agz »

Whilst I have not quite reached the zen like levels that Beck has with his Hi Fi listening - I do think it is easier to get in this mind set with simple systems.

Non-exakt, No space optimisation, single passive amplification and analogue sources ( as opposed to digital), in my opinion make it much easier to be happy with one's system, and enjoy the music without distraction.

Upgrades then become something that might be nice to try in the future, as opposed to something that is urgent and pressing .
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Re: Random thoughts on hifi

Post by Chet »

I agree that it is easier to achieve with simpler systems. I think that is because you have lower expectations and you are not trying to make it a journey of HiFi nirvana, so when you put it on you are pleased just to listen to good music played well by a decent enough system.

I know if I had Exakt & SO etc. I would forever be tweaking, and I really don't want that.

The real mind trick to achieve is to be pleased at any point on a journey - because we want the best sound quality we can achieve, I can't deny that at all, but to be able and relax and enjoy it at every point in the journey is the key (which I have not mastered!).
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Re: Random thoughts on hifi

Post by Spannko »

There’s no tweaking with Exakt, which is just a fancy marketing term for a digital crossover. There are no adjustments which can be made. As for SO, there’s only one tweak worth doing: turn it off!
beck
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Re: Random thoughts on hifi

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Chet wrote: 2021-04-28 14:55 I agree that it is easier to achieve with simpler systems. I think that is because you have lower expectations and you are not trying to make it a journey of HiFi nirvana, so when you put it on you are pleased just to listen to good music played well by a decent enough system.

I know if I had Exakt & SO etc. I would forever be tweaking, and I really don't want that.

The real mind trick to achieve is to be pleased at any point on a journey -because we want the best sound quality we can achieve, I can't deny that at all, but to be able and relax and enjoy it at every point in the journey is the key (which I have not mastered!).
The problem is that hunting the best sound quality almost always make you go in wrong directions with your system.
You should be hunting the best “music making”. It is very seldom the same. Why? Because any system is flawed.
You have to use your own human experience listening to music to dial your system towards great music making.
Playing cd’s…………
Spannko
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Re: Random thoughts on hifi

Post by Spannko »

beck wrote: 2021-04-28 20:54
Chet wrote: 2021-04-28 14:55 I agree that it is easier to achieve with simpler systems. I think that is because you have lower expectations and you are not trying to make it a journey of HiFi nirvana, so when you put it on you are pleased just to listen to good music played well by a decent enough system.

I know if I had Exakt & SO etc. I would forever be tweaking, and I really don't want that.

The real mind trick to achieve is to be pleased at any point on a journey -because we want the best sound quality we can achieve, I can't deny that at all, but to be able and relax and enjoy it at every point in the journey is the key (which I have not mastered!).
The problem is that hunting the best sound quality almost always make you go in wrong directions with your system.
You should be hunting the best “music making”. It is very seldom the same. Why? Because any system is flawed.
You have to use your own human experience listening to music to dial your system towards great music making.
I absolutely agree with everything you say here beck. Every time I’ve chosen a better sound it’s resulted in misery, and every time I’ve chosen more musicality it’s strange, but the sound deficiencies don’t seem to matter any longer.
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Re: Random thoughts on hifi

Post by ThomasOK »

I would give that a big two thumbs up!
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Re: Random thoughts on hifi

Post by Chet »

Beck, I think you have slightly misunderstood, I was referring to mentally relaxing when listening to music rather than thinking about improvements or 'I still need to swap that cable' outstanding type of things.

I am not meaning at the expense of musicality or enjoying the music. I still want the best sound quality I can realistically achieve but its got to be musical and enjoyable. I have tried anti vibration platforms, specialist power cables, even racks etc. and whilst they separate the sound, add something etc. I have rejected them all because they destroy the flow/ musicality for me. I guess when I say sound quality I imply musicality & enjoyability in that. There is no point having nth degree sound separation and it sounding disjointed etc. or flat.
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beck
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Re: Random thoughts on hifi

Post by beck »

Chet wrote: 2021-04-29 10:58 Beck, I think you have slightly misunderstood, I was referring to mentally relaxing when listening to music rather than thinking about improvements or 'I still need to swap that cable' outstanding type of things.

I am not meaning at the expense of musicality or enjoying the music. I still want the best sound quality I can realistically achieve but its got to be musical and enjoyable. I have tried anti vibration platforms, specialist power cables, even racks etc. and whilst they separate the sound, add something etc. I have rejected them all because they destroy the flow/ musicality for me. I guess when I say sound quality I imply musicality & enjoyability in that. There is no point having nth degree sound separation and it sounding disjointed etc. or flat.
We agree. :-)
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Re: Random thoughts on hifi

Post by u252agz »

Chet wrote: 2021-04-28 14:55 I agree that it is easier to achieve with simpler systems. I think that is because you have lower expectations and you are not trying to make it a journey of HiFi nirvana, so when you put it on you are pleased just to listen to good music played well by a decent enough system.

I know if I had Exakt & SO etc. I would forever be tweaking, and I really don't want that.

The real mind trick to achieve is to be pleased at any point on a journey - because we want the best sound quality we can achieve, I can't deny that at all, but to be able and relax and enjoy it at every point in the journey is the key (which I have not mastered!).
I am not sure I have lower expectations from 'simple' systems - In fact I would probably say that I have higher expectations of musicality as there is absolutely no excuse! Some of these simpler systems can sound amazing and certainly approaching Hi Fi nirvana.

My experience of going from a single passive system to bi active and then triactive ( old ikemi/kolektor/LK140s) was not great but I persevered as my Linn dealer had convinced me that this was the thing to do. The change back to a single passive Tundra was a revelation and I have never looked back.

Since then I have always been happy with the music but really enjoyed all the upgrades which have given more and more insight into the music and an even greater appreciation of the artists and musicians,
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Re: Random thoughts on hifi

Post by beck »

Hifi is music made complicated! :-)

Listen to the clips below. The tracks should just be a band playing a song. Nothing more, nothing less.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/1k9befsbte2tq ... 0.mov?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/bhrwndwg5jnmj ... 0.mov?dl=0

The focus should always be on the recreation of music. It sounds simple but is actually a very hard task.
So when you make videos of your system to dial in the reproduction of music keep in mind that the best you can achieve is something that feels close to what you can experience live.
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Tony Tune-age
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Re: Random thoughts on hifi

Post by Tony Tune-age »

Good morning Beck,

Have you tried placing your turntable on another shelving unit, like a wall shelf or a turntable stand?
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Re: Random thoughts on hifi

Post by beck »

:-)

I would never use my turntable like it is placed now. Only using cd player at the moment.
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Tony Tune-age
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Re: Random thoughts on hifi

Post by Tony Tune-age »

beck wrote: 2021-05-28 14:36 :-)

I would never use my turntable like it is placed now. Only using cd player at the moment.
Would the cd player sound better without the turntable on top of it?
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Re: Random thoughts on hifi

Post by beck »

The last time I tried it sounded worse so for now this is what I use.

The clips above are not included to bring focus on my system, merely an attempt to underscore the point I try to make.
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Tony Tune-age
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Re: Random thoughts on hifi

Post by Tony Tune-age »

beck wrote: 2021-05-28 14:49 The last time I tried it sounded worse so for now this is what I use.

The clips above are not included to bring focus on my system, merely an attempt to underscore the point I try to make.
Sorry about that Beck, I wasn't trying to shift the focus. And you do make a valid point for sure.

Cheers
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Re: Random thoughts on hifi

Post by beck »

No harm done and I know you are one of the “good guys”! :-)
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Tony Tune-age
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Re: Random thoughts on hifi

Post by Tony Tune-age »

beck wrote: 2021-05-28 17:10 No harm done and I know you are one of the “good guys”! :-)
Thanks for that...so are you!

Cheers!
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Re: Random thoughts on hifi

Post by ThomasOK »

I prefer the first clip, in the second one the voice sounds too digital!

Seriously though, you do generally get an enjoyable musical presentation of your rather unconventional system setup. Have fun!
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Re: Random thoughts on hifi

Post by beck »

ThomasOK wrote: 2021-05-28 17:18 I prefer the first clip, in the second one the voice sounds too digital!

Seriously though, you do generally get an enjoyable musical presentation of your rather unconventional system setup. Have fun!
You too Thomas! :-)
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beck
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Re: Random thoughts on hifi

Post by beck »

I have been desperate now for a while. I put on cd after cd and still music comes out of the speakers. Bod Dylans “Modern Times” is no problem anymore.

So I dug deep into my collection and found some jazz on a cd. DDD recorded and now I thought I was onto something.

I do not like modern jazz that much so it should have been a no brainer to get something out of my speakers I did not agree with.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/23wbo0zbq7mvv ... 8.mov?dl=0

So I listened..............and listened.............


I give up. I cannot find one single unmusical cd in my collection. :-(
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Re: Random thoughts on hifi

Post by Spannko »

It sounds like you’ve put together a great system there beck! Remind me again, what components are you using?
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Re: Random thoughts on hifi

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My system, that I cannot recommend to anybody else to try to put together, is a NAD C 542 cd player (awful player before I modified it) connected using Linn black interconnects directly into an old Linn LK100 connected using Linn K400 bi-wire (connectors modified) into Espeks (passive bi-wire setup).

All put on a homemade heavily modified and tuned by ear stand...........

In my case an unused Sondek on top of the cd player is needed to make it play music at it’s best! :-)
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Re: Random thoughts on hifi

Post by Tendaberry »

beck wrote: 2021-06-04 10:33 In my case an unused Sondek on top of the cd player is needed to make it play music at it’s best! :-)
The Sondek is the secret ingredient in your setup ;-)
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Re: Random thoughts on hifi

Post by David Neel »

beck wrote: 2021-06-04 10:33 In my case an unused Sondek on top of the cd player is needed to make it play music at it’s best! :-)
Back in the 70s I seem to remember Linn claiming that using their turntable would improve any system. Not sure that this was what they meant!
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