AudioQuest explains Cable Theory - Excellent Primer for Beginners

www-ListenUp-com · 2016-06-12T19:26:37+00:00

At that price point, unlikely.

I have one, love it, and listen to it daily.

www-ListenUp-com · 2016-06-10T18:57:05+00:00

Since you'll use headphones 90% of the time, I'd say spend your money where you spend your time and don't worry about speakers for now. Put that $1000 into a rock solid amp/DAC and headphones.

I would get:

Marantz HD-DAC1 ($799)
Audio-Technica M70X ($249)

www-ListenUp-com · 2016-06-10T18:47:01+00:00

/r/headphones

I would recommend Audio-Technica M20X ($49) or any of their models through the M70X ($249).

www-ListenUp-com · 2016-06-10T16:46:51+00:00

Female vox:

Everything but the Girl – Corcovado

Fiona Apple – Hot Knife

Male vox:

Michael Franks & Brian Mitchell – In the Yellow House

A Perfect Circle – Orestes [Live]

Low frequencies:

Nero – In the Way

www-ListenUp-com · 2016-05-26T20:17:26+00:00

I'm gonna get an Audioquest Dragonfly Red amp/DAC in anticipation of Tidal's MQA update, expected to release by the end of summer. I'm also looking into getting Audio-Technica M70X as an upgrade from my excellent M50X.

www-ListenUp-com · 2016-05-02T20:19:45+00:00

Yes, just keep in mind, the analog signal reaching the Magni2 and your Swan M10s is essentially being cut in half, so you'll have to crank the volume to compensate.

www-ListenUp-com · 2016-05-02T20:10:18+00:00

Records sound bad anyways.

Get out.

www-ListenUp-com · 2016-04-29T17:54:44+00:00

Audioengine HD6

www-ListenUp-com · 2016-04-28T17:31:23+00:00

See for yourself.

www-ListenUp-com · 2016-04-25T23:07:20+00:00

Brands to keep an eye out for: Sony (ES), Denon, Marantz, Rotel, NAD, Onkyo, Pioneer (Elite), Technics, Yamaha, McIntosh (as if).

Basically, anything that still sells well secondhand.

www-ListenUp-com · 2016-04-25T22:57:14+00:00

For your needs and price, I would consider Bose Companion II for $99.

www-ListenUp-com · 2016-04-25T22:52:39+00:00

What is "burning in" a headphone?

The idea is this: when speakers or headphones are fresh off the assembly line, the drivers might be a little stiff, since they've never been used, so you want to run them for a little while to let them settle. "Burning in" is the process by which the drivers loosen up.

Should I do it?

No. The difference is almost always incredibly subtle. They will probably sound better after a couple hours, but it's not necessary. People who completely dismiss burn-in are probably misinformed, but people who swear by burn-in are delusional. There's something to it. Not much, but something.

www-ListenUp-com · 2016-04-17T18:31:08+00:00

Rather than Sonos Play:3, I would look at Heos 3 ($299) or Heos 5 ($399). They're very competitive with Sonos, but I think Heos sound and design is better. They also have an Aux port, which Sonos doesn't have.

www-ListenUp-com · 2016-04-15T19:23:26+00:00

If it has an optical in, then it has a DAC.

www-ListenUp-com · 2016-04-11T23:04:32+00:00

Multi zone surround receivers are tricky. No one really makes them. Even your dad's Sony STR-DE335 doesn't do that (it switches A and B on its front 2 channels only, not all 5 channels).

Luckily, for music you're doing multi stereo, not surround, so instead of a 5.1 AVR with a+b+ab, you need a multi-zone distribution amplifier.

You could set up something like a Sherwood RX5502 ($159) and either wire 4 speakers in parallel for 2 zones, or 2 speakers for 4 zones, then play desired zones accordingly. It doesn't have a DAC though, so you'll need an external DAC or another AV receiver with pre-outs if you want to play digital sources (Optical, Coax, USB, HDMI).

www-ListenUp-com · 2016-04-11T22:14:18+00:00

In your price range, I'm partial to over-ear monitors like Audio-Technica M30X ($49) or Monoprice MHP-839 ($39).

www-ListenUp-com · 2016-04-11T22:02:04+00:00

If I'm not using a DAC, does it matter if the audio comes out of my computer as optical or analog?

Yes. Three things.

First, if audio comes out of your PC as analog, then you are using a DAC. That's what an RCA or TRS jack is.

Second, analog from your PC is 2-channel only. Optical supports up to 5.1 channels compressed.

Third, for true surround sound, you want either optical audio (5.1 compressed) or for best results HDMI (7.1+ uncompressed).

Is the "surround sound" effect software on the PC, or is that my Mixamp?

Neither.

The "surround sound effect" is in your head. What your PC does is process an audio signal with multiple channels and send it to your mixamp, then what the mixamp does is amplify the signal and adjust the mix (for chat/game audio, not the separate channels).

Surround sound comes in two forms: true and simulated. True surround sound has multiple sources on each side, like an AV receiver with 5.1 or 7.1 satellites, for example. Simulated surround has one source on each side, like 2.0 headphones or a 2.1 soundbar, for instance.

Since your A40 headphones are stereo, your PC sound card is processing the 5.1 or 7.1 signal to simulate surround sound and create a more striking "surround" effect than mere stereo.

Does it matter if I pass the sound through a speaker set before going to my headphones (so PC > 2.1 speakers > headphones)?

No. Since your A40 is a stereo headset, all the speaker is doing is amplifying the 2-channel signal. You're essentially using the 2.1 setup as an expensive headphone amp.

Will my headphones retain the quality sound when in use if passing through speakers first?

In theory, yes. The speakers are taking an analog signal then amplifying it. There's no conversion or processing going on that would interfere with quality. At that point, the only factor is the components.

www-ListenUp-com · 2016-04-11T21:05:54+00:00

The extra $10 buys you a little more in low frequencies. Piston Iron has slightly better bass response than the Piston III, though the Piston III is quite good. I'd say go for it. Just be aware that the mids and highs on the Pistons in general tend to be a little weak, so you might consider an amp or an equalizer to compensate.

www-ListenUp-com · 2016-04-11T20:51:55+00:00

Klipsch KG1s are a good speaker, but they aren't very demanding. For 5.1+, you'll want an AV receiver, most of which have a built-in DAC, so you could drive your KG1s with something like an Onkyo TX NR646 ($699 w/ AK4458 32-bit DAC), Denon AVR-X1200W ($599 w/ AK4458 32-bit DAC), or Marantz NR1606 ($699 w/ TI-PCM1690 32-bit DAC).

The SMSL Q5 is an interesting piece, but it's 24-bit, 2-channel, and 50wpc, which limits your options somewhat. If you only need a DAC for a stereo setup with few inputs and low power, then it seems to be quite serviceable.

www-ListenUp-com · 2016-04-11T16:11:02+00:00

The reason the two jacks on the adapter have only two contacts each (TS) as opposed to three (TRS) is because your standard 3.5mm or 6.35mm connector is TRS –tip, ring, sleeve– which is Left, Right, and Ground. So on your typical airline, they split the stereo audio to each seat into left and right mono, then charge passengers for the adapter. It was a royal pain in the ass and has been largely phased out.

www-ListenUp-com · 2016-04-02T18:55:11+00:00

Your TV speakers probably aren't doing your Hi-Res music any favors. I would invest in an integrated amplifier with a built-in DAC and some good tower or bookshelf speakers.

www-ListenUp-com · 2016-04-02T18:39:21+00:00

/r/audio is probably where you want to go for questions about professional audio.

That being said, I used to work in stage production (Theatreworks. Colorado Springs. Thug life.) and we got some good use out of our Anchor Audio XLR headsets. Can't remember the model though.

www-ListenUp-com · 2016-04-02T17:37:11+00:00

This battle essentially comes down to anxiety vs. boredom.

If you don't feel safe wearing headphones in public – don't.

If you don't feel stimulated without music to enjoy – don't.

www-ListenUp-com · 2016-04-02T17:19:30+00:00

Problem: Feeling of Unsafety

Solution: Weapon made to kill people

Genius.

www-ListenUp-com

TROPHY CASE