Playing beyond it's price point

Are you speaking of a dedicated computer with nothing to do but play music? I'm not even sure that can even be done with a computer as it would look for updates etc. and always have some background jobs going on.

Wouldn't a stand alone streamer have an advantage with only having one dedicated job to do and being specialized to do that one job?

Or, maybe streamers are just for guys like me that really don't want to have anything to do with a computer while listening to music. I suppose there's an argument whether using my IPhone and streamer is a computer but it's not, not in the same way.
 
I dedicate a computer to my music... it is a music server in every way in my view. I have turned off unnecessary services and have very limited software installed. I do allow for updates because the machine has to be on the Internet for Roon updates. The machine does nothing but server my music files and therefore does not need extra software installed... I do not even connect a monitor, keyboard, or mouse to the machine. I use Remote Desktop from my controller machines or my laptop to load new music or if I ever (rarely) need to do any maintenance on the machine.

The way I figure it a true powerful computer you might want to compare to a Ferrari while many pre-built music servers have the power of a Pinto, in a comparison. Even the few extra clock cycles that the machine might need to perform is virtually nothing compared to extra power in the machine. I have seen many custom built music servers with a fraction of the power but at many times higher price tags.
 
Seems like a sensitive topic. Not interested in participating with the way it’s going. Keep doing what you’re doing, it’s all good.
 
Mine is a Pinto. Very little power. 6 watts. It is specifically designed to play music. It has 5 linear PS in it. The MB and SSD are on vibration isolation stands. There are multiple steel walls dividing the sections of the machine keeping noise pollution from contaminating adjacent sections. Even the case metal was finished with a material that provides its own level of isolation. AO keeps if from updating windows. If I want to update software such as Roon I open my Roon account and tell it to update. It came with a Linux OS but I had it changed out to MS. I like the sound better. I think. I may drop a new MSATA OS into the motherboard and change out the SSD to see how the performance compares. The original Linux OS was running JRiver. I did not like that configuration. I did like the HQPlayer on the Linux OS, but I was not able to get Roon working right. I hear Roon does not like to play friendly in server mode when one machine is Linux and the controlling machine is MS. They failed to hold a connection. Linux is also an unfriendly environment to work in unless you have a software background. MS is much easier for me to configure the communication on the network. You know what I really like about my machine, it not only sounds amazing, but I can also play Spotify, Pandora, Primephonic, Deezer or any radio station I want to listen too. I have 0 limitations. For the $4,500 I spent, I am very happy. When I sent it for an upgrade and installed my Asus laptop, you really heard the loss of musicality. I was surprised at the bass from the Asus, but the midrange and highs were flat and uninviting. Just dull and lacking magic.

Even with all that goes into my server, the Linear Solution "Endpoint" stepped up the game. Better definition of instruments with a more clean intelligible high end. Bass was pretty much unchanged. That was with the Wall Wort PS. I have a linear PS to use and it is suppose to improve the performance even more.

My machine is not designed to upsample. 6 watts in not enough power to compute properly. I have to do some more research, to fully understand Roon. I think in server mode the upsampling would happen in my office PC that is controlling the core. IF that is the case, then upsamping would be no problem. For me it's not really an issue. I only have PCM 24/192 on my DAC. Hence I like Qobuz.

You know whats really kind of funny. All the fiddling on the digital front end at some point becomes minute improvements. It's damb fine now and hard to make better. I have been offered a large upgrade to my preamp for $2,000. The last time I upgraded the preamp for $700 my jaw hit the floor. It was that big a gain. Why I "F" around with miniscule improvements for $1000 to $2000 and don't get the preamp modded. Sometimes I just don't get myself.
 
I heard the Dynaudio the other day. For $7,500, very nice. I really don't know what speakers play beyond a price point. Many new ones today sound great when configured correct. They are doing a better and better job of getting the box out of the sound.

I tried to look up some info on the
T+A Criterion 2200’s. I don't get all the guys posting on YouTube. Playing a song then saying wow, wasn't that great. Sure it sounded great through my Panasonic tv speakers. I love the OCD Hifi guy, but he does the same thing all the time. Plays comparisons between amps, speakers what have you. Can anyone here actually get any sort of taste for what anything sounds like through YouTube?​
 
Kingrex said:
Mine is a Pinto. Very little power. 6 watts. It is specifically designed to play music. It has 5 linear PS in it. The MB and SSD are on vibration isolation stands. There are multiple steel walls dividing the sections of the machine keeping noise pollution from contaminating adjacent sections. Even the case metal was finished with a material that provides its own level of isolation. AO keeps if from updating windows. If I want to update software such as Roon I open my Roon account and tell it to update. It came with a Linux OS but I had it changed out to MS. I like the sound better. I think. I may drop a new MSATA OS into the motherboard and change out the SSD to see how the performance compares. The original Linux OS was running JRiver. I did not like that configuration. I did like the HQPlayer on the Linux OS, but I was not able to get Roon working right. I hear Roon does not like to play friendly in server mode when one machine is Linux and the controlling machine is MS. They failed to hold a connection. Linux is also an unfriendly environment to work in unless you have a software background. MS is much easier for me to configure the communication on the network. You know what I really like about my machine, it not only sounds amazing, but I can also play Spotify, Pandora, Primephonic, Deezer or any radio station I want to listen too. I have 0 limitations. For the $4,500 I spent, I am very happy. When I sent it for an upgrade and installed my Asus laptop, you really heard the loss of musicality. I was surprised at the bass from the Asus, but the midrange and highs were flat and uninviting. Just dull and lacking magic.

Even with all that goes into my server, the Linear Solution "Endpoint" stepped up the game. Better definition of instruments with a more clean intelligible high end. Bass was pretty much unchanged. That was with the Wall Wort PS. I have a linear PS to use and it is suppose to improve the performance even more.

My machine is not designed to upsample. 6 watts in not enough power to compute properly. I have to do some more research, to fully understand Roon. I think in server mode the upsampling would happen in my office PC that is controlling the core. IF that is the case, then upsamping would be no problem. For me it's not really an issue. I only have PCM 24/192 on my DAC. Hence I like Qobuz.

You know whats really kind of funny. All the fiddling on the digital front end at some point becomes minute improvements. It's damb fine now and hard to make better. I have been offered a large upgrade to my preamp for $2,000. The last time I upgraded the preamp for $700 my jaw hit the floor. It was that big a gain. Why I "F" around with miniscule improvements for $1000 to $2000 and don't get the preamp modded. Sometimes I just don't get myself.
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Well Rex, it sounds like your computer is a whole lot more than a Pinto :) (remember the Ford Pinto is my default junk car :D for analogies)... sounds like you have a machine that would be closer to a Ferrari :).... not sure what you mean by 6 watts though... I was referring to computer power, CPU, RAM, Mobo, SSD, etc.


I have never seen T+A speakers. They look nice, and I have always enjoyed the couple German speakers I have heard... but no opinion on theirs... except that T+A make fantastic gear...
 
kzhtoo said:
Seems like a sensitive topic. Not interested in participating with the way it’s going. Keep doing what you’re doing, it’s all good.
Click to expand...

It is just a friendly discussion. No one is being rude or disrespectful to other members. People are simply offering their opinions and experiences.

Enjoy your music and system how it best suits you... that is really all that matters.
 
I always thought the Dynaudio Focus 160’s sounded pretty darn good for the money. The fit and finish was also top notch.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I've found something can play beyond it's price point...if you hold out and wait for something to go on a deeply cut sale price. I've managed to pick up some items like this where it's nearly half off. Helps to grab something for a discount when you can.
 
What I paid for my Heil Kithara speaker was a veritable steal! Not the best looker, but that big Heil driver is pure voodoo. Nothing better for voice or piano transients to me. Weakest link would be bass and the floorplate and tightened woofer suspension cured that.

The Rowen amps for the price are stunning in their ability to deliver unclippable power. Imagine monoblocs for $2600 a pair that can deliver 65wpc into 8 ohms and 1,300W music power into 0.5ohms! Coming to America soon too.

As for Dac, the Lampi Pacific even at that premium price is a relative bargain. With the right tubes...untouchable for me!
 
Having said that, lots of great gear out there and system and room synergies matter. Just be mindful that power corrupts and absolute power...when you hear it, you cant go back to flea watts. LoL.

I had some demo amps and was running peak 4,000 wpc into 0.5ohms for 2 pairs of speakers in parallel. Dynamics were off the chain!

I also got to hear the Von Schweikert E3 Mk2 over the holidays and I must say for $8K, they were kicking butt and taking names!
 
I am hoping and believe that the Audio Mirror pre-amp might very well be the best bargain I have ever found. It arrives today (fingers crossed). The Audio Mirror 45 watt mono block SET amplifiers are one of the finest bargains I have ever heard (TAS agrees and stated at twice their price they would be a deal). Vlad stated to me that the pre is a perfect match, and as a true DHT pre at under a grand.... nice....
 
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