Too Much Music

This is what I like about my Auralic Altair G1 and the associated Lightning DS app. It's "radio" feature is every bit as good as the one on Roon. It's a great way to discover new artists/music for sure.

I had Roon for a few years but dropped it once I got the Auralic almost a year ago. Roon was a reoccurring expense and I kept having random hardware/software issues that neither I or Roon could resolve, so once I had the Auralic in my system, I saw no need to keep Roon. Lightning DS does a decent job on artist bios and album info, but it's not as "thorough" as Roon, but I can live with that.

But yes, do try the radio feature. I think you'll like and appreciate it.

chops said:

This is what I like about my Auralic Altair G1 and the associated Lightning DS app. It's "radio" feature is every bit as good as the one on Roon. It's a great way to discover new artists/music for sure.

I had Roon for a few years but dropped it once I got the Auralic almost a year ago. Roon was a reoccurring expense and I kept having random hardware/software issues that neither I or Roon could resolve, so once I had the Auralic in my system, I saw no need to keep Roon. Lightning DS does a decent job on artist bios and album info, but it's not as "thorough" as Roon, but I can live with that.

But yes, do try the radio feature. I think you'll like and appreciate it.

Click to expand...

I've been thinking of changing my streamer and Auralic Altair is in my shortlist, so I was interested to read your post, particularly regarding the control app's "radio" feature.

This is the only Roon feature that I thought was an advantage over my existing control app, BluOS, but like you I ditched Roon after a one month trial because I could live without that feature.

A couple of questions if I may. What platforms can Auralic's app be loaded onto? I tend to use my Windows app most, as the PC is on much of the time and always close to hand. I also occasionally use a horrid little Android phone but it's just too small a screen. My iPad is occasionally used, but my preference by far is the mouse-controlled Windows app.

I note that the G1.1 offers only digital inputs and this is an advantage for me as I don't use analogue and prefer not to have to pay for features I'll never use. The G2.1 includes unwanted analogue, but do you know if it is a better unit and likely to offer higher performance for its more-than-double price comparted with G1.1?

Can the Altair be controlled from its front panel screen or an IR remote? I often choose to use these features on my current streamer. Also when I have visitors, I like to see the artwork on a connected TV screen via HDMI. I don't believe this is possible with the Altair.

The Auralic isn't currently top of my shortlist because it seems to lack many features I currently have and value, but perhaps my lack of first-hand knowledge means I'm missing something. The "radio" feature is certainly a bonus. Are you intending to keep the Altair or move on in the foreseeable future - and to what? Thanks

One point to note regarding AURALiC products is that their Lightning app is only supported on iOS devices (Apple phones or iPads) and not on Android devices.

My friend auditioned the 1.1 and then the 2, he went with the 2. I'm not sure if it's twice as good, if I heard both I don't remember the difference. As a side note he eventually added the Sirius. I think that may now be discontinued.

Roon on my Wolf Alpha 3SX server handles the 11,000 plus albums stored locally on a NAS. With an additional 4,000 LPs there is plenty of music to keep my ears busy. I use Roon Radio and Qobuz to find new and forgotten selections.

Hear Here said:

I've been thinking of changing my streamer and Auralic Altair is in my shortlist, so I was interested to read your post, particularly regarding the control app's "radio" feature.

This is the only Roon feature that I thought was an advantage over my existing control app, BluOS, but like you I ditched Roon after a one month trial because I could live without that feature.

A couple of questions if I may. What platforms can Auralic's app be loaded onto? I tend to use my Windows app most, as the PC is on much of the time and always close to hand. I also occasionally use a horrid little Android phone but it's just too small a screen. My iPad is occasionally used, but my preference by far is the mouse-controlled Windows app.

I note that the G1.1 offers only digital inputs and this is an advantage for me as I don't use analogue and prefer not to have to pay for features I'll never use. The G2.1 includes unwanted analogue, but do you know if it is a better unit and likely to offer higher performance for its more-than-double price comparted with G1.1?

Can the Altair be controlled from its front panel screen or an IR remote? I often choose to use these features on my current streamer. Also when I have visitors, I like to see the artwork on a connected TV screen via HDMI. I don't believe this is possible with the Altair.

The Auralic isn't currently top of my shortlist because it seems to lack many features I currently have and value, but perhaps my lack of first-hand knowledge means I'm missing something. The "radio" feature is certainly a bonus. Are you intending to keep the Altair or move on in the foreseeable future - and to what? Thanks

Click to expand...

The Lightning DS app can only be loaded onto iOS devices which I have installed in my iPad of course. That said, you can also do as I did and download and install Linn Kazoo app on my Windows laptop. It also controls the Altair just fine. The only thing is, it doesn't allow you to make changes to the settings and such. That you have to use the Lightning DS app. No big deal since the settings almost never get adjusted.

The G1.1 is the updated version of mine. I got my G1 barely used at a bargain, so didn't see the "need" to spend considerably more to get the new G1.1. The G2.1 includes a pair of analogue inputs as well as a pair of phono inputs. Neither I care about since I have a stand-alone preamp and phono-preamp. It also uses an analogue volume control vs the digital volume control in the G1.1. Again, doesn't matter since I have my Pass Labs XP20 preamp. And I believe the DAC is supposed to be somewhat better in the G2 vs the G1.1.

The G1, 1.1, 2.1 can be controlled via the front panel, an IR remote that I think you can order, OR it allows you to program other IR remotes to it. For instance, I use the "Skip Forward" feature a bit on my G1. Instead of having to turn on the iPad and open the app all the time, or via the Linn app on my laptop, I programmed that "Skip Forward" function to the "Power" button on my Pass Labs remote since the preamp doesn't even have a power switch. You can use any IR remote that you want.

Lastly, the Altair does not have any video output.

With my Altair G1, being able to control it with Lightning DS via my iPad, with Linn Kazoo on my laptop, and "skip" with my Pass remote, its features, sound quality and performance, I feel I'm missing nothing not using Roon anymore.

I am coming up on 1919 LPs. And still purchasing what catches my fancy. Many get played once or twice tops because 95% of my listening time is Roon/Tidal where I constantly
play stuff I've never heard before.

I keep buying records; up to 1962. However, I generally play them ONCE,,, why? I am too busy discovering new to me interesting music across all genres on Roon.

Too much music?

No such thing [emoji6]

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Lol---and I just discovered I posted back to back on this thread, earlier today not realizing I had posted about 3 months ago. Well, another several or 5 dozen records listened to once, and probably 200 new to me albums streamed in that space! Never too much....

SCAudiophile said:

Too much music?

No such thing [emoji6]

Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk

Click to expand...

I, too have many records. I also use Qobuz. Friends and I have a common playlist where we post songs we like, any genre, new or old. All of us search and use Qobuz and some use Tidal, but we all find new to us music, via radio, various playlists, etc. It is fun looking up albums of a performer you may like and finding out what else he/she has also done. As far as records, I may spend a week without listening to digital and just pick out albums I haven't heard for a while, or can't remember exactly what the music sounds like. I "rediscover" a lot of records that way. This is mostly for jazz. Also, I read record reviews from magazines, reviewers, etc.

I originated this post while in a philosophical frame of mind. Nowadays, we have so many means of entertaining ourselves during the time allocated to be alone (or in "parallel play"). For me, they include listening to music (CD/SACD, vinyl, streaming, and FM), watching movies and concerts in my home theater (4K/Blu-ray and streaming), reading (printed books and Kindle), playing video games (Playstation), and communicating -- like this -- on the Internet. These several sources all together represent an extraordinary amount of entertainment and offer me the opportunity to enjoy numerous singular pleasures from discovering new content as well as revisiting "old friends". Moreover, the interesting (to me) available content of each source increases faster than my ability to consume it. Taken in aggregate, these choices for spending my free time can become somewhat overwhelming since I really want to engage in them all and clearly cannot. I am simply interested in learning how others allocate their time among them and whether it is haphazard (as is mine) or relatively disciplined.

AVphile said:

I originated this post while in a philosophical frame of mind. Nowadays, we have so many means of entertaining ourselves during the time allocated to be alone (or in "parallel play"). <SNIP> I am simply interested in learning how others allocate their time among them and whether it is haphazard (as is mine) or relatively disciplined.

Click to expand...

That's exactly how I do it: I allocate specific intervals of time during the for my "day's deliverables", just as if I were a Project Manager, managing a project:

Here's an example; the exact times might vary on the day, but overall, it's representative.
AM
8:00 - 8:30: Feed the cats + 7 minute daily workout + elastic band strength workouts
8:30 - 8:45: Shower & shave
8:45 - 9:00: Brekkie
9:00-10:00: Science reading/YT video (e.g. Lex Fridman interviewing a scientist, etc)
10:00-12:00: High-end Audio Article writing

PM
12:00-1:00 PM: Lunch
1:00-4:00 PM: Bike ride for fun & fitness
4:00-4:30 PM: The cats' daily romp outside
4:30-5:45 PM: Household admin tasks (e.g. shopping, housecleaning, finances, etc.)
5:45 PM: Feed the cats
6:00 PM: Fix dinner and after, listen to music or watch a movie or video

I have some structure but will be flexible on my mood. For example, I usually check Audio Shark and other computer stuff after breakfast and taking my dog out. My evenings are usually when I unwind and listen to my system. Fridays are different as I usually listen to music earlier due to new releases dropping that day. I watch the news in the morning with coffee and news at night and maybe some other stuff before going to sleep.

I don't have as much options as you, I don't play video games and watch very little TV.

I think you could group your listening into one large group and just decide how you want to listen, ie., LP's, concert videos, discs etc. Then again I listen to music while working out but really don't consider that as my music time. It's just not the same as sitting between the speakers and taking it all in.

AVphile said:

I originated this post while in a philosophical frame of mind. Nowadays, we have so many means of entertaining ourselves during the time allocated to be alone (or in "parallel play"). For me, they include listening to music (CD/SACD, vinyl, streaming, and FM), watching movies and concerts in my home theater (4K/Blu-ray and streaming), reading (printed books and Kindle), playing video games (Playstation), and communicating -- like this -- on the Internet. These several sources all together represent an extraordinary amount of entertainment and offer me the opportunity to enjoy numerous singular pleasures from discovering new content as well as revisiting "old friends". Moreover, the interesting (to me) available content of each source increases faster than my ability to consume it. Taken in aggregate, these choices for spending my free time can become somewhat overwhelming since I really want to engage in them all and clearly cannot. I am simply interested in learning how others allocate their time among them and whether it is haphazard (as is mine) or relatively disciplined.

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I always have an issue deciding what to listen to. I guess it is one reason I do not like to stream. I play either a vinyl album or from my server. Lately the digital music seems to win out more often since Marleigh (our music listener cat) requires digital. She likes to jump up and share the recliner and switching sides of the records simply will not due.

Never too much music. I enjoy exploring and hearing new music for the first time. For the past year+ that means listening to, and learning about Jazz and Classical music. As others have mentioned, I peruse Qobuz’s new releases from time to time and add something that interests me to my ROON library.

Often times, I let ROON radio takeover and just listen to what it suggests. If something catches my ear, I may stop and add it to my ROON library.

Just go with it. Listen to what pleases you and ignore the rest. And certainly, do not lose any sleep over it all.

Roon radio is very cool and on point for the most part. I wish I had something similar. Tidal used to do something similar but it quit working with the Conductor ap for some reason. I need to try on my phone the issue could be Tidal.

crwilli said:

Never too much music. I enjoy exploring and hearing new music for the first time. For the past year+ that means listening to, and learning about Jazz and Classical music. As others have mentioned, I peruse Qobuz’s new releases from time to time and add something that interests me to my ROON library.

Often times, I let ROON radio takeover and just listen to what it suggests. If something catches my ear, I may stop and add it to my ROON library.

Just go with it. Listen to what pleases you and ignore the rest. And certainly, do not lose any sleep over it all.

Click to expand...

I too enjoy ROON radio for discovering new music and for easy background listening to a certain genre. It wasn't that good to begin with, often straying way out of bounds, but has gotten much better. Pandora still does the best job of curating in my opinion. I use it a lot on my lower-fi systems and my outdoor zones, but of course it's lossy. Qobuz recently introduced a "radio" feature but when I've tried it starting from a particular artist it's just the same playlist every time, so not really what I consider radio.

After reading the first post, one of the first thoughts that came to my mind was how soon would someone take a shot at Roon. Well that didn't take long, reply #1.

Like the OP I have plenty of material that I don't listen to and honestly I probably never will. I have yet to meet anyone who actually listens to everything they have, if they have a 500+ collection.

If you want to discover new music, something like Roon Radio does a great job.

bryans said:

After reading the first post, one of the first thoughts that came to my mind was how soon would someone take a shot at Roon. Well that didn't take long, reply #1.

Like the OP I have plenty of material that I don't listen to and honestly I probably never will. I have yet to meet anyone who actually listens to everything they have, if they have a 500+ collection.

If you want to discover new music, something like Roon Radio does a great job.

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I don't have ROON, but your statement is solid. I have lots lots of CD's and I've been reducing my LP count. And there is music that I haven't touched in years. Pretty much stream these days.