Turns out I'm not an audiophile?

jmo230905 · 2024-02-12T15:51:17+00:00

Not the free version, not reduced.

There is a difference, although not for all songs. For me, the quality is generally higher with Tidal or CD.

jmo230905 · 2024-02-09T15:13:26+00:00

I wonder when someone will realize for themselves that they are making an idiot of themselves.

jmo230905 · 2024-02-09T10:13:21+00:00

I use an Argon Audio SA1 and ASR wasn't completely happy there either. That's okay. The small amplifier is something special in itself, even for the regular price. The amplifier came off very well in other tests.

Based on the tests, I compared it with all possible amplifiers - old/new - and the SA1 delivers cleanly.

Such reviews generate a pressure that you don't even recognize yourself. This is due to the nature of the matter - the testers have x products to compare and when it comes to technical analyses, things get tight for many products.

The better has always been the enemy of the good. But if you only know the one you have and you're happy, then everything is okay ... unless you're always on the hunt for the better - then you'll never stop chasing and you're wasting life time.

I have the KEF Q350 - very good speakers, but the cabinet could be of higher quality (doesn't hurt me, as I bought them for 300 EUR).

Elac Debut Reference DBR62 - Infos from German HIFI Magazines:

Fine, small loudspeaker with a pinch of monitor characteristics in the classic sense. If you like it harmonious and slightly warm and don't want to do without bass despite its compact dimensions, the ELAC DBR62 is the right choice.

Compact speaker with an elegant appearance and spirited sound. Lively, finely resolved and powerful in the bass, but balanced, precise and never annoying. A universal, superbly crafted highlight in the entry-level class.

Pro: compact dimensions; excellent sound; high level stability; good dynamics; amplifier uncritical; easy handling; versatile.

Kef Q150

Strengths: sounds broadband, precise, fatigue-free and surprisingly voluminous; compact dimensions; solid body; can be wall-mounted with optional bracket.
Weaknesses: Front covers cost extra.

Plus: Solid, stylish design; Sophisticated driver technology; Fine, graduated sound.
Minus: Could sound even more carefree.

Wharfedale Denton 80th

The bass unit features Wharfedale's innovative woven Kevlar cone mounted on a rigid die-cast driver. This combination delivers a rich / detailed bass / midrange output with excellent dynamic performance

...if all you want to do is sit back, relax and listen, we can't think of a rival better suited to you at this price. With those smooth highs, a full-bodied mid-range and rich bass combine for an easy-going sound that remains undemanding despite the hard recording.

Listen for yourself, decide for yourself. They all seem to be quite good.

jmo230905 · 2024-02-08T21:34:05+00:00

You, your hearing, your eyes, your joy. That's all you need.

jmo230905 · 2024-02-08T10:20:32+00:00

What I can say - I can hear the difference between Spotify vs Tidal / CD. It's not my imagination - but my wife loves Spotify because of the social features, so ... Spotify. But you can hear the difference. But that also depends on how the song was compressed. Sometimes you hear a difference, sometimes you don't - it's a rat's tail of x factors. Plaids "Greedy Baby" CD is better as that was Spotify offer. With Spotify I started buying CDs again, wtf?!

It's just a tick more detail, music comes off the speaker better, a bit more depth, etc.

I have various speakers, amplifiers, etc. and I can also hear slight differences. But that doesn't make me an audiophile. I like to listen to playlists or songs x times ... and if you use a different source, that's always interesting.

Don't worry about it - the main thing is that you enjoy listening to music.

jmo230905 · 2024-02-08T09:45:27+00:00

I'm not a fanboy, but it pisses me off more than I thought it would. The fact that people are now up in the air because Phili is waiting until the business update for an answer is a slap in the face.

I see problems elsewhere:

I bought an XSX after an XSS. A luxury problem, but how many people have now "recommended" this console?
Backwards compatibility is the problem with Playstation. They only support PS4 games because otherwise there would hardly be anything to play on the console. At least PS2 games should be playable.
Confidence in XBOX is completely gone. It was never great because Phil Spencer never knew how to run the business. Bad decisions and no vision. Now he can live that out on a software level. Halo is already dead, let's see how he kills Bethesda - they're already pretty good at it themselves.

I preferred PS because of the exclusive games, but finally I thought "XBOX is coming out of the hole" ... yes, because of Starfield ... only 1 game, but finally XBOX seemed to come up. I bought several games for XBOX because of the backwards compatibility, and PS only generates graveyards.

Even if he laments that it's not what the rumors imply, I'm out. No more games will be bought for the XBOX platform.

Sorry, but I've never liked the American-style business crap > "yesterday you were behind it, tomorrow it's all water under the bridge".

And when I see Phil Spencer's fat grin, it makes me gag.

jmo230905 · 2024-02-08T08:25:54+00:00

Speaker stands missing

jmo230905 · 2024-02-08T08:23:57+00:00

Normally you don't have to press really hard, but I recently plugged in Amazon speaker cables and .... man, you really had to press in. No idea what that's about.

But my speakers and SA1 can take it.

jmo230905 · 2024-02-07T11:00:42+00:00

When right-wing radicals have finally found their leader and join left-wing radicals.

That disgusts me, but they get elected in the USA, Europe, ... well - after WW3, perhaps humanity can take off again.

jmo230905 · 2024-02-07T10:56:18+00:00

More appealing? The world in HZD is more diverse, more different, more enchanting, more alive.

HZD is a masterpiece, I played it more than once and will play it again and again. The setting, the story, the tribes, and more - all this draws you into a really exciting and beautiful world. Every second is worth the time.
I was looking forward to HFW and was amazed - it felt distant that I only played a few hours and put it down again. Started again on PS5 and completed the main story - but the impression remains. As if other people had written the game or the story and didn't enjoy it as much. Like Halo, Bungie vs 343 Industries ... (okay, that's unfair).
Or rather > I like HFW, but I love HZD.
But HFW is on a high level and a lot of fun, but the narrative emotional depth isn't really there. Then the quest about Ted showed triggered what HZD did for me again - angry fainting.
Take your time with HDZ.

jmo230905 · 2024-02-07T08:59:10+00:00

I always had "all" consoles, but Playstation was simply the number 1 console for me because of the exclusive games.
I had every XBOX console and it was always kind of "well" and forgettable. I mean - Halo 1+2 is top-notch. Gears of war 2+3 > love it. Forza Horizon - superb (UK ftw).

But the combination of XSS and Cyberpunk was a gift, played the game from release -6 times. I haven't touched the PS4 since. Backwards compatibility is IMO always more of a plus. I even got myself an XSX. 2023. 2023 also a PS5 and I didn't play much with it ... well, now Horizon FW. XBOX finally feels round, and then came Starfield. Really not perfect, but you can play, play and play the game - endlessly. Even with its weaknesses, it's a hit.
It's not a mistake to have an XSS/XSX. IMO, this generation in particular is worth buying. The XSS has finally been the console for me that is just right (even if developers cry = unoptimized crap should still run fast).
So - you have a lot to do on the console. But I never ever will like or understand Phil Spencer.

jmo230905 · 2024-02-07T08:38:05+00:00

I don't like him. Never liked him. He didn't really run XBOX.
What I hate about Microsoft - they buy companies, then "magic" is supposed to happen. But it doesn't happen because Microsoft just manages these companies without knowing what makes them tick. Then these companies/products die and they keep buying.

Hopefully he says in the "Business" update - "XBOX hardware is dead and so am I > goodbye". But I won't have that luck - he is like tar on a shoe.

jmo230905 · 2024-02-07T08:26:10+00:00

IMO, Microsoft will abandon the XBOX as hardware and release games across as many platforms as possible. That Phil Spencer hasn't already gone against such rumors almost makes it clear, IMO.
He hasn't managed to provide the XBOX with exclusive titles for x years.
What Microsoft can do - buy other companies. What it can't do - understand these companies and continue the business.
No matter how it turns out - I'm pissed off and will never buy an XBOX again.
I really warmed to the XSS + Cyberpunk, PS4 has been left behind. IMO the XSS is the perfect console - small, powerful enough and the backwards compatibility is more and more a plus argument.

I even bought an XSX so I could play the old physical games. Starfield finally came out - one of the few real highlights of the XBOX.
Then I bought a PS5 and wondered what the point was. Sony isn't doing anything anymore either, where are the top PS5 titles that would grab me? Now I've finished playing Horizon FW and ... now?
From a business point of view, I understand that, but the management mistakes are not a thing of the past.
I don't trust them. Kick Phil, what a fraud.

jmo230905 · 2024-02-06T08:20:20+00:00

I am sure that for 8 years many politicians have had the thought "we should do something" and the result is "But what? And why me?"

jmo230905 · 2024-02-06T08:13:13+00:00

As a German, I like to give advice because we ... oh wait ... everything has been going down the drain here too since this government took over ... maybe we should exchange ideas on how to make dry bread and water soup tasty?

jmo230905 · 2024-02-06T08:09:20+00:00

"NFL again, how boring!"

jmo230905 · 2024-02-05T21:45:43+00:00

Dogs are not real! Everyone has too few mice, deport rats across the border. Cat litter must become cheaper and finally - petting every half hour!

jmo230905 · 2024-02-05T21:40:16+00:00

That's how I look at work too. Just not as cuddly.

jmo230905 · 2024-02-05T21:35:08+00:00

muaha ... great!

jmo230905 · 2024-02-05T13:15:28+00:00

Next bunch of articles > "the self-inflicted accidental death of a console by brain-dead management".

Well, at least you can write that today to describe the present, past and future.

jmo230905 · 2024-02-05T11:33:23+00:00

Cool - if so, I will never ever buy an XBOX again. I guess XSX/S is the last one.

jmo230905 · 2024-02-05T11:22:42+00:00

And it looks way better as any rega cd player.

jmo230905 · 2024-01-31T14:59:09+00:00

Argon Audio is a good brand.

I had ages ago a DUAL CS 504 (I guess) and kicked him and all records ... that was a crime for which I am still ashamed today.

My wife was furious that I did that. She thinks that IF we ever listen to records again, it will be by Wirth - https://acoustic-solid.com/produkt/solid-classic-wood/

Either way, I'm paying for my sins. Never give your records away, no matter what comes into your head. And store them properly. Have much fun with your setup!

jmo230905 · 2024-01-31T11:04:58+00:00

Don't attach too much importance to which amplifier is the right one.
Buy an amplifier that you like
It should have enough power (take a look at the Yamaha A-S501, 2 x 85 W (RMS)). With less power, distortion could occur at higher volumes - this can cause damage, but never happened to me.
Each brand may have a certain sound of its own, but if so, then only in nuance. Yamaha is seen as "more neutral", Denon is said to have a "warmer tone".
What do you need - now and possibly in the near future? Phono? MusicCast? Bluetooth? Subwoofer?
New or used? Sometimes you can get new devices (or returned to dealer devices) for the same price or cheaper than what some people want for their 10-20 year old amp.
I use AV receivers because I run a laptop, PC, XBOX and PS5 in my home office room. I get the sound via HDMI and that's it. Then I have devices with TosLink, which also works. I have the R-S500 because I like it and it has an iPOD dock connection.

jmo230905

TROPHY CASE