What Are You Buying Right Now? (non-OT version)

nolaegghead

Legume said:

@nolaegghead what does a DAC do for me?

@legume - it is a digital to analog audio signal converter.  Basically it allows you to convert a digital signal to analog.  This is where the magic of quality occurs, since most of our music is stored digitally.  If you plug the headphone output from a tablet, echo or whatever to your amp, you're letting that device's DAC generate the analog output.  If you want to convert a purely digital output like USB or optical to analog (because most amps don't accept digital), you would need some kind of DAC.  I have a really nice one for my stereo.

Here's an example:

https://emotiva.com/collections/dacs/products/big-ego-1

But if you're fine with the analog output from your device (which is perfectly acceptable), you don't need one.

HeavyG

Legume said:

I need a stereo receiver.  

80w +

Ability to stream to it from a tablet (ideally something higher quality than just Bluetooth like DTS, DLNA, but I really don’t know these things). I don’t own a bunch of music, I stream. Preferably not always across Bluetooth.

no A/V, just two speakers and option for sub

Phono in

at least one digital input, no need right now, just future consideration

What brands do you like?  Cambridge has been recommended to me.  Others?

"Receiver" implies a built in tuner (AM/FM) - do you also need/want that?

Botch

Legume said:

I need a stereo receiver.  

80w +

Ability to stream to it from a tablet (ideally something higher quality than just Bluetooth like DTS, DLNA, but I really don’t know these things). I don’t own a bunch of music, I stream. Preferably not always across Bluetooth.

no A/V, just two speakers and option for sub

Phono in

at least one digital input, no need right now, just future consideration

What brands do you like?  Cambridge has been recommended to me.  Others?

Yamaha still makes a surprising number of stereo receivers.  I've been a Yamaha guy since 1979, but don't do streaming so I can't comment on that.  
https://www.crutchfield.com/shopsearch/yamaha_stereo_receiver.html

GrateEggspectations

johnmitchell said:

Stuck in Greenville NC due to no gas hopefully tomorrow will be better.. Today looking for gas was like a “Mad Max” movie

There is a gasoline shortage? How come?

There is great irony in your signature block at present: “When in doubt Accelerate....”

TideEggHead

johnmitchell said:

Stuck in Greenville NC due to no gas hopefully tomorrow will be better.. Today looking for gas was like a “Mad Max” movie

Yep feeling it here too, yesterday I put $15 in our accord because I was in a rush and that’s was at $2.72 I think? Today I went to finish filling it up and paid $3.40 per gallon. All they had was premium at the stations that had gas. 

GregW

I have ordered a meat grinder. I really wanted a Hobart, but due to no room in the kitchen, I selected a smaller machine.
LEM Model 12
Hopefully it will be a good investment. 

Legume

HeavyG said:

Legume said:

I need a stereo receiver.  

80w +

Ability to stream to it from a tablet (ideally something higher quality than just Bluetooth like DTS, DLNA, but I really don’t know these things). I don’t own a bunch of music, I stream. Preferably not always across Bluetooth.

no A/V, just two speakers and option for sub

Phono in

at least one digital input, no need right now, just future consideration

What brands do you like?  Cambridge has been recommended to me.  Others?

"Receiver" implies a built in tuner (AM/FM) - do you also need/want that?

Yep, might as well. Not an absolute requirement and I know it narrows the choices a little, but why not.

Ozzie_Isaac

Legume said:

I need a stereo receiver.  

80w +

Ability to stream to it from a tablet (ideally something higher quality than just Bluetooth like DTS, DLNA, but I really don’t know these things). I don’t own a bunch of music, I stream. Preferably not always across Bluetooth.

no A/V, just two speakers and option for sub

Phono in

at least one digital input, no need right now, just future consideration

What brands do you like?  Cambridge has been recommended to me.  Others?

Denon PMA-600NE for a decent budget stereo amp w/streaming.

Less than your specs, but 2x70watts at 4ohms is close.

Musical Fidelity and Emotiv are two other good brands.

nolaegghead

I like Emotiva a lot. Best bargain "boutique" stuff out there, IMO

Ozzie_Isaac

Cambridge EVO 150 looks pretty sweet too.

Legume

Ozzie_Isaac said:

Cambridge EVO 150 looks pretty sweet too.

It does, but that price point hurts. 

Ozzie_Isaac

Legume said:

Ozzie_Isaac said:

Cambridge EVO 150 looks pretty sweet too.

It does, but that price point hurts. 

Yeah, two stimmies is not an impulse buy.  Is this in a secondary listening room/house or your primary space?

nolaegghead

Maybe if it's your 3rd or 4th house you could go ghetto with that Cambridge....right, Ozzie?!

nolaegghead

(Where did I put my Grey Poupon)....

Legume

Lol, just the one house.  Will be the only stereo.

GlennM

Legume said:

I want to avoid Bluetooth when I can, but plan on getting a small android tablet just for the stereo and leave it on a cradle by the stereo - avoid the pitfalls of using my phone, etc.

I use a receiver with 2 speakers and a sub in my garage. I bought a Bluetooth adaptor on Amazon and stream from a google mini - works great, no dropouts and voice control

fishlessman

TideEggHead said:

johnmitchell said:

Stuck in Greenville NC due to no gas hopefully tomorrow will be better.. Today looking for gas was like a “Mad Max” movie

Yep feeling it here too, yesterday I put $15 in our accord because I was in a rush and that’s was at $2.72 I think? Today I went to finish filling it up and paid $3.40 per gallon. All they had was premium at the stations that had gas. 

its been 3.99 for premium all winter here.

SonVolt

It's getting close!

kl8ton

 @SonVolt I feel this needs its own thread.  This is awesome.

northGAcock

nolaegghead said:

Legume said:

@nolaegghead what does a DAC do for me?

@legume - it is a digital to analog audio signal converter.  Basically it allows you to convert a digital signal to analog.  This is where the magic of quality occurs, since most of our music is stored digitally.  If you plug the headphone output from a tablet, echo or whatever to your amp, you're letting that device's DAC generate the analog output.  If you want to convert a purely digital output like USB or optical to analog (because most amps don't accept digital), you would need some kind of DAC.  I have a really nice one for my stereo.

Here's an example:

https://emotiva.com/collections/dacs/products/big-ego-1

But if you're fine with the analog output from your device (which is perfectly acceptable), you don't need one.

I went all analog about a year ago. No regrets, but had 400-500 albums i had lugged around for 40 years. Also have three reel to reel decks with about a hundred album releases on the shelf. Hard to beat the old stuff. I sold my CD collection.

Legume

northGAcock said:

nolaegghead said:

Legume said:

@nolaegghead what does a DAC do for me?

@legume - it is a digital to analog audio signal converter.  Basically it allows you to convert a digital signal to analog.  This is where the magic of quality occurs, since most of our music is stored digitally.  If you plug the headphone output from a tablet, echo or whatever to your amp, you're letting that device's DAC generate the analog output.  If you want to convert a purely digital output like USB or optical to analog (because most amps don't accept digital), you would need some kind of DAC.  I have a really nice one for my stereo.

Here's an example:

https://emotiva.com/collections/dacs/products/big-ego-1

But if you're fine with the analog output from your device (which is perfectly acceptable), you don't need one.

I went all analog about a year ago. No regrets, but had 400-500 albums i had lugged around for 40 years. Also have three reel to reel decks with about a hundred album releases on the shelf. Hard to beat the old stuff. I sold my CD collection.

That sounds great.

However, I have a turntable and only a handful of LPs.  I’ll buy more here and there, but it won’t be a centerpiece for me.  I’ve found that LP sides are much shorter than I remember and I prefer to curate my own playlists or listen in the many other ways streaming services provide.  I won’t accumulate any more music as an owner, I’m a renter and I’m happy to be.  What I’m no longer happy with is quality of music streamed via my phone then across Bluetooth to a tv soundbar or a portable Bluetooth speaker.  I do want to try some of the higher quality streaming as well once I get setup.

Coincidentally, my UE megaboom just died as well, so now I need a decent portable speaker for outdoors, camper, etc., hit that’s an easier find.

Ozzie_Isaac

Legume said:

northGAcock said:

nolaegghead said:

Legume said:

@nolaegghead what does a DAC do for me?

@legume - it is a digital to analog audio signal converter.  Basically it allows you to convert a digital signal to analog.  This is where the magic of quality occurs, since most of our music is stored digitally.  If you plug the headphone output from a tablet, echo or whatever to your amp, you're letting that device's DAC generate the analog output.  If you want to convert a purely digital output like USB or optical to analog (because most amps don't accept digital), you would need some kind of DAC.  I have a really nice one for my stereo.

Here's an example:

https://emotiva.com/collections/dacs/products/big-ego-1

But if you're fine with the analog output from your device (which is perfectly acceptable), you don't need one.

I went all analog about a year ago. No regrets, but had 400-500 albums i had lugged around for 40 years. Also have three reel to reel decks with about a hundred album releases on the shelf. Hard to beat the old stuff. I sold my CD collection.

That sounds great.

However, I have a turntable and only a handful of LPs.  I’ll buy more here and there, but it won’t be a centerpiece for me.  I’ve found that LP sides are much shorter than I remember and I prefer to curate my own playlists or listen in the many other ways streaming services provide.  I won’t accumulate any more music as an owner, I’m a renter and I’m happy to be.  What I’m no longer happy with is quality of music streamed via my phone then across Bluetooth to a tv soundbar or a portable Bluetooth speaker.  I do want to try some of the higher quality streaming as well once I get setup.

Coincidentally, my UE megaboom just died as well, so now I need a decent portable speaker for outdoors, camper, etc., hit that’s an easier find.

In general, I belive your sound quality is not related directly to "bluetooth". It is probably related to average soundbars coupled with average Bluetooth streaming hardware.  Bluetooth is capable of high data rates, but all devices in the chain need to be able to handle it.  Encoding, transmitting, decoding.  Not to mention starting with a high quality source.

All that to say, I would not discount bluetooth all together.  However, I do prefer wifi or hardlines.

Legume

Ozzie_Isaac said:

Legume said:

northGAcock said:

nolaegghead said:

Legume said:

@nolaegghead what does a DAC do for me?

@legume - it is a digital to analog audio signal converter.  Basically it allows you to convert a digital signal to analog.  This is where the magic of quality occurs, since most of our music is stored digitally.  If you plug the headphone output from a tablet, echo or whatever to your amp, you're letting that device's DAC generate the analog output.  If you want to convert a purely digital output like USB or optical to analog (because most amps don't accept digital), you would need some kind of DAC.  I have a really nice one for my stereo.

Here's an example:

https://emotiva.com/collections/dacs/products/big-ego-1

But if you're fine with the analog output from your device (which is perfectly acceptable), you don't need one.

I went all analog about a year ago. No regrets, but had 400-500 albums i had lugged around for 40 years. Also have three reel to reel decks with about a hundred album releases on the shelf. Hard to beat the old stuff. I sold my CD collection.

That sounds great.

However, I have a turntable and only a handful of LPs.  I’ll buy more here and there, but it won’t be a centerpiece for me.  I’ve found that LP sides are much shorter than I remember and I prefer to curate my own playlists or listen in the many other ways streaming services provide.  I won’t accumulate any more music as an owner, I’m a renter and I’m happy to be.  What I’m no longer happy with is quality of music streamed via my phone then across Bluetooth to a tv soundbar or a portable Bluetooth speaker.  I do want to try some of the higher quality streaming as well once I get setup.

Coincidentally, my UE megaboom just died as well, so now I need a decent portable speaker for outdoors, camper, etc., hit that’s an easier find.

In general, I belive your sound quality is not related directly to "bluetooth". It is probably related to average soundbars coupled with average Bluetooth streaming hardware.  Bluetooth is capable of high data rates, but all devices in the chain need to be able to handle it.  Encoding, transmitting, decoding.  Not to mention starting with a high quality source.

All that to say, I would not discount bluetooth all together.  However, I do prefer wifi or hardlines.

Agree.  I’m upgrading all the links in the chain, or at least the major ones.  I don’t expect to drop Bluetooth, but take advantage of better options when I can.

northGAcock

Legume said:

Ozzie_Isaac said:

Legume said:

northGAcock said:

nolaegghead said:

Legume said:

@nolaegghead what does a DAC do for me?

@legume - it is a digital to analog audio signal converter.  Basically it allows you to convert a digital signal to analog.  This is where the magic of quality occurs, since most of our music is stored digitally.  If you plug the headphone output from a tablet, echo or whatever to your amp, you're letting that device's DAC generate the analog output.  If you want to convert a purely digital output like USB or optical to analog (because most amps don't accept digital), you would need some kind of DAC.  I have a really nice one for my stereo.

Here's an example:

https://emotiva.com/collections/dacs/products/big-ego-1

But if you're fine with the analog output from your device (which is perfectly acceptable), you don't need one.

I went all analog about a year ago. No regrets, but had 400-500 albums i had lugged around for 40 years. Also have three reel to reel decks with about a hundred album releases on the shelf. Hard to beat the old stuff. I sold my CD collection.

That sounds great.

However, I have a turntable and only a handful of LPs.  I’ll buy more here and there, but it won’t be a centerpiece for me.  I’ve found that LP sides are much shorter than I remember and I prefer to curate my own playlists or listen in the many other ways streaming services provide.  I won’t accumulate any more music as an owner, I’m a renter and I’m happy to be.  What I’m no longer happy with is quality of music streamed via my phone then across Bluetooth to a tv soundbar or a portable Bluetooth speaker.  I do want to try some of the higher quality streaming as well once I get setup.

Coincidentally, my UE megaboom just died as well, so now I need a decent portable speaker for outdoors, camper, etc., hit that’s an easier find.

In general, I belive your sound quality is not related directly to "bluetooth". It is probably related to average soundbars coupled with average Bluetooth streaming hardware.  Bluetooth is capable of high data rates, but all devices in the chain need to be able to handle it.  Encoding, transmitting, decoding.  Not to mention starting with a high quality source.

All that to say, I would not discount bluetooth all together.  However, I do prefer wifi or hardlines.

Agree.  I’m upgrading all the links in the chain, or at least the major ones.  I don’t expect to drop Bluetooth, but take advantage of better options when I can.

You will be missing out on looking through the bins of old albums at the used record stores. The excitement of stumbling on those unexpected gems. How can you pass on this? Just kidding....enjoy music how ever you listen to it.

Legume

You will be missing out on looking through the bins of old albums at the used record stores. The excitement of stumbling on those unexpected gems. How can you pass on this? Just kidding....enjoy music how ever you listen to it.

I will browse the bins and pick up some used classics, but 20-25 minute sides definitely isn’t my preference.

nolaegghead

I'm content paying ten bucks a month to spotify.  SWMBO is a collector of albums - LP and CDs.   To each his own.   With DSP you can make a studio edited digital recording sound like it's played on a **** turntable.  If that's your bag, man.

Ozzie_Isaac

nolaegghead said:

I'm content paying ten bucks a month to spotify.  SWMBO is a collector of albums - LP and CDs.   To each his own.   With DSP you can make a studio edited digital recording sound like it's played on a **** turntable.  If that's your bag, man.

Shots fired.

An LP with the analogue signal is everything, exactly as it was recorded in the studio.  It is impossible that digital technology can in any was come close to that.  The only thing better may be wax cylinders.

Also, I have a $10,000 set of cables for your woofers and a $12,000 set for your tweeter.  No true appreciator of the musical arts would ever send all their signals over a single set of cables.  Bi-wiring is absolutely essential to unlocking the potential of a setup.

Legume

For the best sound, you have to reduce the distance from the source to the speaker to your ear.

Ozzie_Isaac

Legume said:

For the best sound, you have to reduce the distance from the source to the speaker to your ear.

Hard to get a food sound stage that way!  Need decent open back headphones for that ....

Botch

Legume said:

For the best sound, you have to reduce the distance from the source to the speaker to your ear.

I am happy we don't see this much, anymore.