What components is your sound system composed of?

[Naperville]

What components is your sound system composed of? How do you listen to music?

My father worked for IBM and he and some of his buddies got together and bought Knight Stereo Systems kits back in the 60's and assembled them. So when I grew up, I listened to that back in the 70's. It was lo-fi but few cared or had better. At the time it was a good system.

When I was in college I read Stereophile and WhatHiFi magazines and bought their recommended components. I bought a Pioneer CD/DVD player, an Arcam Amp, Rotel pre-amp, Celestion 3 speakers. I had full size speakers to, but I'm too lazy to go look at the manufacturer. My old college stereo system is sitting here, I don't use it. The components are all from 1995 - 2000. The components are not bad just old and I do not buy CDs any more.

TODAY

I get my 24 bit 192 kHz streamed music from Qobuz and Tidal. Tidal had a deal a couple of months ago where they give you a month or two for $2, then it's $10 per month, so I took it. The deal at Tidal may still be going.

The reasons why I like Qobuz and Tidal are that they have a wide variety of high bit-rate music. It isn't all 24 bit 192 kHz, but it is all CD 16-bit quality or better I believe. I look for 24 bit 192 kHz tracks to play. You can even download the tracks, but I have not done that yet.

https://tidal.com/
https://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/discover

So far on Tidal I like Joni Mitchell, Supertramp, Miles Davis, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Rush and The Carpenters.

Three months ago I bought a JDS Labs Element IV DAC and SYNAPSE USB that attaches to my home computer. It took me about 5 minutes to unbox and get it all plugged in. I try to listen to some 24 bit 192 kHz music every day. It's excellent! So excellent that I bought Focal Clear MG open back headphones. I never had open back headphones but the soundstage is supposed to be very good.

JDS Labs Element IV DAC
https://jdslabs.com/product/element-iv/

Synapse - drops sound-floor even lower
https://jdslabs.com/product/synapse/

The Web Based 10 channel equalizer included





Focal Headphones
https://www.focal.com/catalog/headphone ... headphones
https://www.focal.com/products/clear-mg

[Naperville]

Closed back vs open back headphones

[shunsui]

My current system is getting old. A lot of it is unavailable these days except the amps. It's mostly geared to watching TV. I need to get into streaming music one of these days.

OPPO UDP-203 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Player (and surround sound pre amp)

Two Crown XLS 1002 DriveCore™ 2 Series Class D power amplifiers — 215W x 2 at 8 ohms, 8.6 lbs each

ELAC Uni-Fi UB5 3-Way Bookshelf Speakers front left and right
ELAC Uni-fi UC5 Center Speaker

SVS-SB12-NSD Subwoofer

Sennheiser RS 185 RF Wireless Headphone System

I run left, right, center 3.1 near field sound system for my TV, and run Windows 7 through the TV. I use the old Windows Media Center to record cable TV with a cable card and tuner. I hate commercials. I'll play sounds off Windows and YouTube.

[Naperville]

My current system is getting old. A lot of it is unavailable these days except the amps. It's mostly geared to watching TV. I need to get into streaming music one of these days.

OPPO UDP-203 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Player (and surround sound pre amp)

Two Crown XLS 1002 DriveCore™ 2 Series Class D power amplifiers — 215W x 2 at 8 ohms, 8.6 lbs each

ELAC Uni-Fi UB5 3-Way Bookshelf Speakers front left and right
ELAC Uni-fi UC5 Center Speaker

SVS-SB12-NSD Subwoofer

Sennheiser RS 185 RF Wireless Headphone System

I run left, right, center 3.1 near field sound system for my TV, and run Windows 7 through the TV. I use the old Windows Media Center to record cable TV with a cable card and tuner. I hate commercials. I'll play sounds off Windows and YouTube.

I know all of those brand names, they are/were also recommended components at one time or another. For a long time OPPO made some of the best gear under $2000.

We have a Samsung TV and the soundbar and woofer are also Samsung. Nothing special. I did not hook up my old stereo system because the floor standing speaker drivers have cracked rubber surrounds. It does not make sense to replace the drivers or buy new floor-standing speakers because systems today mostly involve streaming and everything that I have needs to be replaced.

The best that I could do was the headphone based system that I have now. It isn't the best headphone system, but I do not have the funds for anything better. It will do! A good home stereo system is out of the question, way too expensive for me right now.

I just wanted to have a better system than my Audio-Technica ATH-M50x headphones playing sounds off of my computer.

[shunsui]

You can find kits for those cracked rubber surrounds. I think acetone removes the old glue and you glue on the new surrounds. Not very expensive. Probably on YouTube somewhere.

These days soundbars and headphones are the way to go.
Keep it simple.

[Naperville]

You can find kits for those cracked rubber surrounds. I think acetone removes the old glue and you glue on the new surrounds. Not very expensive. Probably on YouTube somewhere.

These days soundbars and headphones are the way to go.
Keep it simple.

Thank you, I'll give it a try!

[Naperville]

Just listened to Boston, the Boston album in DSD purchased and download off of Qobuz, which as I understand is the best format available for an audio file.

The JDS Element IV DAC that I have does not play DSD files, soooooooo.... if you want to follow along:

#1) Join Qobuz.
#2) Download the Qobuz Installer app for you system.
#3) Download the Qobuz Downloader app for high rez music.
#4) Buy the Sublime streaming plan at $179.99 / year. DSD albums are just $12.
#5) Look for new high rez albums, and scroll down to DSD to buy the Boston DSD album.
#6) If you do not have a DSD capable system but for example have a JDS Element IV DAC that can play music at 24 bit / 192 kHz download and buy the J River software for playing DSDs in a format such as 24 bit / 192 kHz. I download and then purchased the "Media Center 34 Windows" for $69.

PLAY IT! LIKE MAGIC!!!!!!!!!!!!

Best sounding Boston album I have ever heard.

[abbazaba]

You can find kits for those cracked rubber surrounds. I think acetone removes the old glue and you glue on the new surrounds. Not very expensive. Probably on YouTube somewhere.

These days soundbars and headphones are the way to go.
Keep it simple.

Thank you, I'll give it a try!

Be sure to go with a butyl surround kit, not "foam". They should last just about forever.

[Makunochimaster]

Sennheiser CX
Technics EAH-AZ60

[abbazaba]

Audio is arguably one of my biggest hobbies, and we have a set of speakers amped in every room of the house. Lots of setups, but the desktop setup has seen the most critical listening for the past few years...

I guess the starting point of getting more serious was when I started researching and comparing DACs back to back. Various USB Fiio DAC upgrades to Klipsh X10, then Aune T1 DAC to Dunu DN1000 (had fun trying different tubes). Quite few iterations from there but my last headphone setup included the wonderful FLC 8n paired with an NAD 1050.

Nowadays I'm happy to have the ability to listen to speakers in my office instead of headphones. Started with an old amp off of the NAD 1050 powering some NHT Super Zeros (old NHT Super Zeros and Super Ones are a screaming deal and still better than most speakers under $500/pr IMO). My current setup is Tidal via USB to a Topping D70Pro Sabre DAC to a Topping LA90 Discrete A/B amp powering some SVS Ultra Bookshelves with a Paradigm Ultracube 10 sub. I auditioned a lot of speakers and equipment to get here, and for my money I'm not sure I can do better for incredibly detailed but smooth non-fatiguing sound. I'm historically a soft dome tweeter guy (Scanspeak 9500 is a good one), but SVS really nailed it with their aluminum setup. My primary home theater speakers are time-accurate, so I am curious to hear the new SVS Ultra Evolution Bookshelves eventually, but some reviews said they weren't as laid back as my current speakers (which I like).

Bluetooth headphones been mostly disappointing to me even after trying half a dozen pricey ones. For my money the SoundPEATS Engine4 are incredible at ~$50, and sound 90% as good or better than $300+ options. LDAC is a must IME.

Bluetooth and DACs make it hard because you can be always chasing the new thing as technology gets better. Speakers and amps are great because you can buy amazing equipment for cheap used that may be as good or better than the new hotness today. Most of my speaker setups were pretty cheap, some were originally $3000 speakers I got for a couple hundred bucks and still sound amazing.

[vivi]

Sennheiser CX
Technics EAH-AZ60
IMG_20240612_212730_400.jpgIMG_20250310_182610_580.jpg

nice, blind guardian.

[Evil D]

Status Audio Between 3ANC earbuds and my phone.


I actually have two vintage rack stereos in the house, my wife's old '90s Pioneer and an equally old Onkio system. Both will shake the house but these days I just prefer some really good sounding earbuds.

[Naperville]

You can find kits for those cracked rubber surrounds. I think acetone removes the old glue and you glue on the new surrounds. Not very expensive. Probably on YouTube somewhere.

These days soundbars and headphones are the way to go.
Keep it simple.

Thank you, I'll give it a try!

Be sure to go with a butyl surround kit, not "foam". They should last just about forever.

I just took a look at the tower speakers and they are Boston Acoustics, a basic speaker, like Polk Audio. The speakers are from around 1995. The cabinets are heavy, and braced pretty well internally. They are in good shape.

For a while I was thinking of buying new drivers from seas or scan-speak, new crossovers and just "make" a set of new speakers. Probably cheaper than buying a whole new set of speakers.

But I might try replacing the driver surround first. It's a lot less money!

[grasshopper]

I’ve been into audio/video for about 20 years. I haven’t spent any money on
My systems for about 4 years since I retired. I’m now at the stage of my life
Where I’m very happy with my “stuff”.

Living Room.
Marantz SR6012 AVR
2-Outlaw Audio m2200 monoblock amps
2-Rythmik F12 sealed subwoofers
Assassin HTPC-the 5TB hardrive holds all my videos. Shoebox size!
Harman Kardon DMC-1000. Hard drive based music server. Holds my 500 cd collection.
Sony 65” 4K display-Directv/Apple TV
5-Paradigm Signature speakers. 2-S6 towers,1-C1 center, 2-S1 surround. All V2 W/Be tweeter
——the system is calibrated with microphone and the Assassin computer.

———————————
Music Room-(was a spare bedroom)
Outlaw Audio RR2150 stereo integrated amp. Unit has analog bass mgmt!!
Yamaha CDR-HD 1500-hard drive based CD player. Has all my CD’s on it.
Sony CE-595 -5 disc carousel SACD/CD player
Paradigm DSP1400 subwoofer calibrated with PBK and computer.
Ascend Acoustics Sierra 2 bookshelf speakers w/RAAL ribbon tweeter.
———————————————-

Bedroom—-
Marantz SR5003 AVR
Sony 48 inch 4K display/Directv-Apple TV
Sony blu-ray player
Music comes in from HK DMC-1000 in living room
Paradigm speakers-Paradigm Studio 40’s/SE Center/2 SE bookshelf surrounds
SVS SB2000 sealed subwoofer

Covered Patio/backyard-Paradigm Stylus 470 fed from bedroom.

Computer room-Roland Cakewalk ma-15D powered monitors.(stunningly good)
———————————————————————————————————
I haven’t gotten into any music streaming services. I have Directv music channels
For casual listening and in my opinion some pretty darn good CD’s.

[Naperville]

@grasshopper is that the subwoofer next to the TV? Oh you have two of them. They are good sized. I bet watching movies is great.

I see you have a music server. I need one too.

[Naperville]

Audio is arguably one of my biggest hobbies, and we have a set of speakers amped in every room of the house. Lots of setups, but the desktop setup has seen the most critical listening for the past few years...

I guess the starting point of getting more serious was when I started researching and comparing DACs back to back. Various USB Fiio DAC upgrades to Klipsh X10, then Aune T1 DAC to Dunu DN1000 (had fun trying different tubes). Quite few iterations from there but my last headphone setup included the wonderful FLC 8n paired with an NAD 1050.

Nowadays I'm happy to have the ability to listen to speakers in my office instead of headphones. Started with an old amp off of the NAD 1050 powering some NHT Super Zeros (old NHT Super Zeros and Super Ones are a screaming deal and still better than most speakers under $500/pr IMO). My current setup is Tidal via USB to a Topping D70Pro Sabre DAC to a Topping LA90 Discrete A/B amp powering some SVS Ultra Bookshelves with a Paradigm Ultracube 10 sub. I auditioned a lot of speakers and equipment to get here, and for my money I'm not sure I can do better for incredibly detailed but smooth non-fatiguing sound. I'm historically a soft dome tweeter guy (Scanspeak 9500 is a good one), but SVS really nailed it with their aluminum setup. My primary home theater speakers are time-accurate, so I am curious to hear the new SVS Ultra Evolution Bookshelves eventually, but some reviews said they weren't as laid back as my current speakers (which I like).

Bluetooth headphones been mostly disappointing to me even after trying half a dozen pricey ones. For my money the SoundPEATS Engine4 are incredible at ~$50, and sound 90% as good or better than $300+ options. LDAC is a must IME.

Bluetooth and DACs make it hard because you can be always chasing the new thing as technology gets better. Speakers and amps are great because you can buy amazing equipment for cheap used that may be as good or better than the new hotness today. Most of my speaker setups were pretty cheap, some were originally $3000 speakers I got for a couple hundred bucks and still sound amazing.

You have some high quality brands I can tell this is your area of expertise.

A lot of people buying Topping gear. They must make good equipment because many people mention Topping.

[Coastal]

I went from a transistor radio in the 60s to mid-fi in the 70s-80s to several thousand dollars worth of equipment in the 00s, but never truly top-end. Now I listen on Apple AirPods, a ~2002 $300 Bose speaker set on my computer, and various bluetooth speakers around the house, none of which cost more than $100. I have an insanely expensive set of wired headphones that I very seldom use.

I decided long ago that my hearing doesn't warrant good equipment. Too many rounds downrange with inadequate hearing protection.

On the other hand, I have over 120,000 iTunes tracks and I do listen to a lot of music. I find I get just as much pleasure out of listening now as I ever did with better equipment. It was a fun hobby for a while, though!

[grasshopper]

@grasshopper is that the subwoofer next to the TV? Oh you have two of them. They are good sized. I bet watching movies is great.

I see you have a music server. I need one too.

Thanks! The other Rythmik sub is left of the left speaker tucked under an end table.
When I crank up the system for an action movie any explosion will make the dishes
Rattle in the kitchen cabinets!

The H/K DMC 1000 was originally sold at $3400!! When they discontinued them
Harman Kardon sold them off of their website for $600! About 6 months later they were
Selling refurbs (with warranty) for $300! I couldn’t resist. When I got it in and fired
It up it I noticed that it had about 250 CDs on the drive. They were mostly pop, soul and
Motown artists. I kept them and reloaded my music on it. Happy to have a spare.
It supports 4 different zones and you can even play different music on each zone.

[Naperville]

...I have over 120,000 iTunes tracks and I do listen to a lot of music.

WUT? I think you downloaded them all!!!!!!

[Naperville]

@grasshopper is that the subwoofer next to the TV? Oh you have two of them. They are good sized. I bet watching movies is great.

I see you have a music server. I need one too.

Thanks! The other Rythmik sub is left of the left speaker tucked under an end table.
When I crank up the system for an action movie any explosion will make the dishes
Rattle in the kitchen cabinets!

The H/K DMC 1000 was originally sold at $3400!! When they discontinued them
Harman Kardon sold them off of their website for $600! About 6 months later they were
Selling refurbs (with warranty) for $300! I couldn’t resist. When I got it in and fired
It up it I noticed that it had about 250 CDs on the drive. They were mostly pop, soul and
Motown artists. I kept them and reloaded my music on it. Happy to have a spare.
It supports 4 different zones and you can even play different music on each zone.

Yea. I was looking at a Naim headphone DAC/AMP and it was around $3800 and I just cannot do it right now. Eventually I'll do something. Maybe the Naim or something better. Need to pay down the credit cards for a while.

https://www.naimaudio.com/products/unit ... ne-edition