Post by windhoek March 9, 2015 (51 of 74)
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I thought I'd update to say I wimped out of using OSX and installed Windows 7 on my Mac Mini instead because JRiver is more stable on Windows and having two ecosystems was a pita because the Mac Mini is the only Apple device I own. My setup is still the same as it was, but OSX has been replaced by Windows 7. Fwiw, Apple very obligingly include an app called Bootcamp in their OS which is designed to enable users to install another OS on the Mac, how thoughtful!
I'm currently trying out MakeMKV as a blu-ray ripper (although I think I still need to use DVD-Audio Extractor once the disc protection has been negated), but as I'm ripping my first BDA right now (Crime of the Century), I'm not quite ready to say whether it works.
Anyway, current system is:
Digital (2.0):
Mac Mini (Windows 7/JRiver)>Marantz NR1504>Teddy Pardo i80a>ATC SCM7
Digital (4.0):
(f): Mac Mini>Marantz NR1504>Teddy Pardo i80a>ATC SCM7
(r): Mac Mini>Marantz NR1504>ATC SCM7
(c): no centre
(s): no sub
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Post by Iain March 9, 2015 (52 of 74)
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windhoek said:
I thought I'd update to say I wimped out of using OSX and installed Windows 7 on my Mac Mini instead because JRiver is more stable on Windows and having two ecosystems was a pita because the Mac Mini is the only Apple device I own. My setup is still the same as it was, but OSX has been replaced by Windows 7. Fwiw, Apple very obligingly include an app called Bootcamp in their OS which is designed to enable users to install another OS on the Mac, how thoughtful!
...
Good decision.
I purchased a new, 64-bit custom-built laptop in November. After much research, I decided to have OEM install Windows 7 Professional on it instead of Win 8.1 Pro. Best decision I ever made as the former is still the best OS on the market.
Microsoft need to re-evaluate their position on Win 8.1. It's rubbish. Let's hope they sort it with Windows 10.
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Post by windhoek March 9, 2015 (53 of 74)
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Yep, Windows 8 ain't great. At least Microsoft will soon offer a free upgrade to what will hopefully be a much improved OS, i.e. Windows 10. I don't think I'll be changing from Windows 7 anytime soon though :)
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Post by Fugue March 11, 2015 (54 of 74)
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DALI Epicon 2 speakers
SVS SB13 Ultra sub
Pass Labs INT-150 integrated amp
Esoteric K-03 SACD player
Oppo 105 Blu-ray player
Sennheiser HD800 headphones
Woo Audio WA6 headphone amp
Nordost, Audio Analysis interconnects; Kimber Kable speaker cables
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Over the years I have owned many stereos, but my current system is by far the most superior. Amplifier, Ayon Orion / 4-Golden Lion KT 88 tubes, 3- 1950's NOS RCA clear top 12au7 tubes > MIT 1m interconnect > Sony ES SACD player > Vienna Acoustics Mozart Grand speakers > Analysis speaker cables > Monster 2500 power conditioner > Signal Cable Digital and Amplifier power cords. The sound is very warm, three dimensional with a lot of air around the instruments and very accurate instrument placement. For me this is my Holy Grail and last system, time to just enjoy the music.
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Post by al66 March 14, 2015 (56 of 74)
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Luxman D-05 + Luxman L-550 AX + Harbeth Super HL5 plus
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Post by Marpow May 10, 2015 (57 of 74)
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I have upgraded my system and looking at my profile is best.
I have been chasing the audiophile dragon since the 1960's and mostly due to lack of money I have have had moments of great joy and thoughts of "this needs to be better".
The current system was started in the mid 90's and has grown based on a McIntosh foundation.
This past week I did a new upgrade and now I have great joy as it is the best system I have ever owned.
When I moved into my new house 3 years ago our connected living room/dining room is a small/meduim L shaped space. My system is designed as a Home Theater as I cannot have a designated listening space only, so music and TV are same set up. Three years agoI thought best was to build the front system around the fireplace and because of odd room shape put the rears in the ceiling. Needless to say I was never that happy as it didn't sound that good.
Rammiepie kept hounding me about the inadequate rears in the ceiling. So after careful consideration based on my room, wife, and budget I took the plunge. Purchased new R/L fronts, making the old fronts now the rears on stands, taking the 6 channel 600 to 100 watt amp, bridging to 200 watts each per both rears and center. Adding a 450 watt each R/L front. Plus a few extras you can see on profile.
The rears where still haunting me as to placement, as the right rear would have to be in a walking path if the fronts and rears where to be lined up with each other. This was a deal breaker for my wife. So with the help of the hired tech we put the rear left and rear right both on stands against walls approx 20' apart from each other but in an even line.
My listening position has the fronts approx 8' diagonally, center about 6' and the rears approx 12' diagonally. None of the 5 speakers are out of line with each other and sounds absolutely wonderful.
It has been a very stressful undertaking as it looked a little rough at first and as my wife said, a man cave. Having the two amps on the floor stand in my wife's opinion and mine looks ugly with our decor. I will have the cabinet maker build a window seat to hold the two amps. Design for proper ventilation will be critical.
Of course these are fun problems to have and I am grateful, certainly not a world problem and I am aware of real life problems.
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Mark,
You have an understanding wife. My wife would never allow me to do the same thing (we have a similar arrangement in our living room as yours). I'd love to put more of my speakers up, but can't yet.
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Post by windhoek May 10, 2015 (59 of 74)
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Well done Mark, getting a system to be aesthetically acceptable and be a bona fida toe-tapper is far from easy, so if your set up is pleasing to the wife's eye and your ears, result!
My system scores high for the toe-tap factor, but is fugly thanks to the Mana Acoustics hifi rack. I've got a symmetrical setup, so that helpsmake it look less horrid, but what you've got is like the Holy Grail; looks good and sounds good, almost impossible...almost :)
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Iain said:
Good decision.
I purchased a new, 64-bit custom-built laptop in November. After much research, I decided to have OEM install Windows 7 Professional on it instead of Win 8.1 Pro. Best decision I ever made as the former is still the best OS on the market.
Microsoft need to re-evaluate their position on Win 8.1. It's rubbish. Let's hope they sort it with Windows 10.
I dislike Windows 7 far too slow in fact I find it virtually complete rubbish. with constant updates and virus infiltration I am very happy with Google Chromebook, very fast completely trouble free and very good value especially the ASUS C300 The Google Chromecast is also very good. However what has this to do with SACD ?
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