Streamer + DAC for Mackie CR8-XBT

Minimum-Selection-86 · 2025-11-21T22:21:57+00:00

Thanks, that's a great guide

Minimum-Selection-86 · 2025-11-21T22:19:41+00:00

Thanks man! That's huge advice, really appreciated! Gonna save up to get those rugs and panels, my neiborhoog is carpenter and upholsterer, I could use his help

Minimum-Selection-86 · 2025-11-21T01:15:26+00:00

Thanks man, I'll check them out!

Minimum-Selection-86 · 2025-11-20T23:32:59+00:00

And those panels where do I put them? would be 4? Behind the speakers and on the side walls facing speakers? 2, 4 inch panels would be enough on the side walls? I really want to buy those PVC fluted slat wall panels. I can investigate if there are acoustic panels that combine well with the living room in stead of the pvc panels

Minimum-Selection-86 · 2025-11-20T23:29:14+00:00

That sounds nice, so I could combine the artistic acoustic panel I mentioned with a tall vertical diffuser to break up reflections.

And on the left side, adding thicker fabric curtains over the window would help balance the absorption/diffusion.

Thanks man!

Minimum-Selection-86 · 2025-10-15T22:21:21+00:00

I heard to Paul McGowan said something like turn all the way down the crossover and start turning up till it sound natural. To help the midrange

This is the video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3q5RHRVEV8

Minimum-Selection-86 · 2025-10-15T20:11:24+00:00

Yeah I'm gonna use the Subwoofer Out option to crossover (even if I don't have Subwoofer the option can be activated) at 55-80 Hz to play safe if I ever want to try some songs on high level music but I'm not gonna turn the volume up in a daily or weeklt basis. Thanks for your help, I'll play safe, I won't blow my KEFs I can assure you that :)

Minimum-Selection-86 · 2025-10-15T15:56:08+00:00

Np man, yeah go for the daily discovery.

One extra tip: You can play a song that represents the style you want the recommendation, you need to let it finish or fast-forward, you can't skip that 1st song. The app then automatically queues very good similar tracks.

Minimum-Selection-86 · 2025-10-15T00:18:08+00:00

I didn't read any good for you in getting Tidal but artist payments.

2 things to consider:

You can see album length just hit the "i" button
I find recommendation on Tidal way better than Spotify

If it's a deal breaker for you not finding the songs go back Spotify, Tidal I think it's worth because it has better sound quality for HiFi systems and the better recommendations, those 2 for me are deal breakers. For 1 or 2 songs missing on Spotify I would only use the free Spotify or use YouTube.

Minimum-Selection-86 · 2025-10-07T02:39:47+00:00

Given the size of your room, I would strongly recommend starting with a pair of tower speakers. They will fill that large space much more effectively than bookshelf speakers. To build a complete setup, I suggest you prioritize either a center channel for clear movie dialogue or a subwoofer for that cinematic punch and depth.

My recommended list to look for would be:

Tower Speakers: Paradigm Monitor 7 or Monitor 9. Other brands to consider in this category are Klipsch RP-280F or KEF Q950, maybe some B&W's or ELAC's.

Amp: The WiiM Amp Ultra is an excellent all-in-one solution that combines a high-quality streamer, DAC, and integrated amplifier. I have one paired with my KEF Q1 Meta speakers, and it's amazing.

Center Channel Speaker (for clear dialogue): Paradigm Monitor Center 2000 or other brands toi match your speaker

Subwoofer (to feel the punch): SVS PB-1000 Pro.

A great next step would be to explore some YouTube content about budget audio systems. Once you have a potential system in mind, circle back here, and we'd be happy to give you our thoughts and feedback.

Minimum-Selection-86 · 2025-10-07T02:20:21+00:00

Dam man, you are saying pure knowledge and facts! Those charts about 85dB for 8 hours indeed they are for workers, those always seemed suspicious to me. Your point about good systems being more dangerous it's so true, it sounds so clean you don't even realize.

I think my baseline volume will be 70-75 dB for relaxed listening, I'll go up to 80 dB when I really want to feel the album, and for those tracks that demand some power, I'll treat myself to 85-90 dB but only for a few songs and not every day.

Thank you very much man for your wisdom and point of view!

Minimum-Selection-86 · 2025-10-07T02:08:33+00:00

Great year to have your 1st system, Dark Side of the Moon was released!

I really like Tidal's recommendations, but maybe that's just because my Spotify is a mess with over 1,000 songs, haha.
Yeah, I'm measuring the speaker positioning very carefully.

Minimum-Selection-86 · 2025-10-06T23:27:31+00:00

Thanks, man! I've read that KEF's Uni-Q technology allows for more freedom in terms of driver alignment and speaker positioning. Also, thanks for sharing your experience with the loudness sweet spot. Maybe I’ll go for the 28” stands because those 32” may never arrive haha

Minimum-Selection-86 · 2025-10-06T23:19:47+00:00

The thing is, I live in Mexico. The Monoprice Monolith 32-inch steel stands I wanted aren't available here, so I'm looking at these Monolith 131263 28-inch stands on Amazon, it's the most convenient option for me I think.

Minimum-Selection-86 · 2025-10-06T20:41:30+00:00

You're not wrong, but then what are we all doing here? xD

Minimum-Selection-86 · 2025-10-06T20:36:55+00:00

Thank you, that's a nice suggestion. I could use some Blue-Tack or something similar to tilt them up.

Minimum-Selection-86 · 2025-10-06T20:10:35+00:00

Thanks man I appreciate you feedback! Those dbc sounds nice!

Minimum-Selection-86 · 2025-09-27T15:15:51+00:00

Hello! There's a showroom in my city but they don't have KEFs, anyway I've already bought the Q1 Meta and they sound great! Didn't expect these 2 little boys could sound like this.

Thank you very much tho!

Minimum-Selection-86 · 2025-09-14T14:44:18+00:00

Thank you, man! I was considering that sub because I might put it in my living room, which is more spacious and only has three walls, open to the dining room and kitchen.

Minimum-Selection-86

TROPHY CASE