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Hibernation Break: The Christmas Treek and a few other items

69.65.69.236
Posted on December 18, 2014 at 23:02:49
JBen
Audiophile

Posts: 3082
Location: South FL
Joined: May 18, 2008
Contributor
  Since: July 26, 2010
 [I am presently in hibernation, from all net forums, to enjoy every minute of my family and my music available during this time of the year. This break is to report minor things that may tend to have an additive (and/or addictive) SQ effect]

1. The Christmas treek, which I may have reported on before (I think) returned this year to enhance the overall sound in my room. It stands 7'+ tall, some 5 feet behind my seat and about 15' from Maggies. I get slightly more dynamic impact and better "rounded" sound. Also, far more instances of "surround sound" from just two Maggies.

2. MagRaz, an experimental adaptation of the Razoring tweak, is now up to "level 3". No longer do I have any fear of damage to my Maggies. Tried on MMGs only, so far. It means that implementation will vary by model, though it is very easy. I'll try to report in the Spring. Meanwhile, I'll reply to email inquries if "system specifics" are included. Main SQ attributes: improved overall clarity and sharpness, better instrumental textures, slightly improved dynamic impact, perhaps aided by sharper upper-bass/midrange transients. Large ensembles like choirs and orchestras stay clearer at higher volumes. Main SQ downside: slight reduction in lowest bass (typically replaced by clearer, richer and more impactful bass). Low cost, easy to apply/remove. You do need a tweaking spirit to optimize to your own system.

3. I was reminded this week that for being two-way - often same sheet of Mylar for two drivers - Maggies can be remarkably stable on intermodulation. A friend here mailed a CD to replace my lost copy of "Fresh Aire III" and some jazz music. I had never played this on my Maggies (lost the CD before I got them). DAMN, what a blast! Two MMGs ("lightly modded" including MagRaz) played "Toccata" at past 105db (peak) without signs of stress, glare or harshness. Tons of loud & clear mid/treble staccato and bass drums simultaneously. Try it if you have the disc and your Maggie + gear are in good shape. (Reposition or fix issues if huge -- often wall-busting -- soundstage fails to materialize).

4. I lost the main hard drive in my music-dedicated PC this week. A SSD (solid state drive) took its place and the SQ benefits came along also. If you have seriously undertaken high definition computer audio, the SSD should add an extra level of SQ improvement. It can be heard. It can also be measured as lower system stress (cpu & electrical/EMF noise). They are very fast loading huge music files (DSD & PCM 192/24+). To be sure, they don't fix unresolved system shortcomings. However, at the prices now being offered, SSD's make much sense for audio systems (like PCs, some players like the Oppo 105 and some other networked playback systems). BTW, if you have an Oppo 105, get the SSD for it (as external) and listen for the SQ improvement. Soundstage improvements alone may make it worth the expense.

Happy holidays!

 

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Nice post..., posted on December 19, 2014 at 08:15:15
Mark Man
Audiophile

Posts: 1079
Location: MN
Joined: January 31, 2010
 JBen...

1. IMHO...diffusion...diffusion...diffusion...Yasuhisa Toyota, world renown Acoustician, Kauffman Center and Disney Concert Hall, is all about diffusion...aka x-mas treek...my forest of silk fichus trees behind my Maggies, make my bad room decent...

2. MagRaz...at some point, it would be nice of you to post something in tweaks or perhaps a more in-depth post here...just my $.02...
2A. I wonder has anyone done this tweak with any of the .7 models??? AND would it have the same benefits???

3. Lightly Modded??? Really??? Two-way Maggie models have always impressed me with what you have stated and add coherence over older 3-way models...IMHO
Fresh Aire III, I am on it...need to add that one...Now..."105db (peak) without signs of stress, glare or harshness"...condo living and my own listening habits, I have not pushed my rig to that type of volume as of yet, but that is impressive no matter what...

4. This subject is of particular interest to me; I want to get my music library on a "server" with I-pad control...I have been researching this and the SSD is one of the few consensus in this hobby...I have been leaning towards the one box ripper/servers, just for easy of use, but have really not made any decisions as of yet...this and a new DAC is next...Curious, what is your DAC???

Last but not least...happy holidays man...enjoy your family...
take care
thanks
Mark

 

RE: Nice post..., posted on December 19, 2014 at 08:41:09
66mgb
Audiophile

Posts: 252
Location: Neskowin Oregon
Joined: November 8, 2009
 My 2 cents on digital. I use a Mac Mini with the music on an external drive. For playback software I use Audirvana. It plays FLAC DSD etc. and does make a difference. as of yet it does not have a remote app, but the developer is working on an IOS app. I use a Peachtree USB to optical/ coax to get 24/192 from the Mac mini.I feed it to the DAC input of my NAC 565 which has a Wolfson 24/192 DAC. I am probably going to add a Schitt bitfrost DAC next year. I Agree with a solid state drive it's on my list. The Audvirna software reads the file into Ram before playing, so this helps.

 

RE: Nice post..., posted on December 19, 2014 at 20:43:05
JBen
Audiophile

Posts: 3082
Location: South FL
Joined: May 18, 2008
Contributor
  Since: July 26, 2010
 Hi Mark!

On #1, Yes! Diffusion works like charm for Maggies in many many places. Unfortunately for me, it was not so in my room. Reflective walls behind my Maggies are a better (though not simple) choice here, forced by the room. Now, behind my seat -- and probably in many other rooms -- the diffusion never fails to deliver an easy bump up in SQ.

On #2, I also agree, and sure would like to do so. But first, I hope to get volunteers to try it in models other than MMGs. (I developed it about 2 years ago and then held back until proven safe on my MMGs.) I would like to help a few folks one-on-one to try it first. We would learn and then share the experience. It is not rocket science but it may be deceiving in its extreme simplicity. It is very effective on MMGs and likely on most other Maggies. In Spring 2015, I will also mention other tweaks under which MagRaz will have a better context. For example, the minor loss of bass could actually be a blessing in disguise when other tweaks are used.

On #3, LOL! Just clarifying that the MMG won't sound like a 3.7i right out of the box...*=)) rolling on the floor... a little tweaking effort is required.

On #4, seriously again, your plan to do the server/iPad music setup is very timely. I think that there's far more understanding of what it takes to have a good system nowadays. It is a lengthy subject and the Digital Asylum can probably help you best. My own setup evolved out of my scarcity of funds...luckily paired to my hobby in electronics. Thus, I don't think there is anything here that I have not twe...hacked or built.

That said, I think that you have an option that could make freaking audio monsters out of your 3.7i. Even before getting to a PC setup, you could get something like the Oppo BDP 103 or 105. The 105 is what I have set up for a friend, and have available at times also. On sale for a decent price, it offers superb sound and an outstanding features set. Aside from playing discs and networked music, direct USB drives can hold all kinds of music formats. PLUS, once you have a music computer -- which you may not need aftre all -- the 105 can act as a terrific USB DAC. Now, imagine this direct path:
Source music >> Oppo 105 >> Power amps >> 3.7i >> HEAVEN
(hmmm, a Magtech is it? Sweeter still!!!)



 

RE: Nice post..., posted on December 19, 2014 at 21:06:07
JBen
Audiophile

Posts: 3082
Location: South FL
Joined: May 18, 2008
Contributor
  Since: July 26, 2010
 The Bifrost sure is nice gear for the bucks involved. A former neighbor had one and we tried it here briefly one evening. Even new, right out of the box, it covered all the bases. My Maggies liked it!

The whole DAC scene is changing fast with the increased demand for DSD playback capabilities. Schiit may be introducing more models soon but the ones they have now already punch well above their price. I tried their Loki (DSD only) and was impressed by the quality/value offered at $150. I think Neolith has one and likes it very much. So, I suppose that a great combo could be the Bifrost + Loki.

 

RE: Nice post..., posted on December 23, 2014 at 10:48:46
rickl
Audiophile

Posts: 583
Location: Twin Cities
Joined: February 7, 2002
 I don't want to turn this into a pc audio thread but I'm running a raspberry pi -> Wolfson DAC -> hafler pre/power -> maggies.

software is either rune audio or volumio. network drive with FLAC. Web GUI so I control the music/playlists/web radio from either my phone or pc.

This was way under $100.
looking for some jazz and a little libations - js

 

RE: Nice post..., posted on December 25, 2014 at 02:22:21
Dawnrazor
Audiophile

Posts: 12587
Location: N. California
Joined: April 9, 2004
 Hi Mark and Jben,

Been out of the scene for a long long time and will continue to be, but at some point I will probably be making a networked system.

Keep in mind that I am much less a militant audiophile these days but I am fairly certain that I will just use DLNA.

Not saying I even know the current rage but this would be a simple setup.

DLNA (a subset of UPnP I think) is pretty easy and supported by many devices these days.

I will likely use the renaissance player and the asset server detailed on this page because its a simple player with a minimal resource footprint:

https://forum.dbpoweramp.com/showthread.php?17415-dBpoweramp-Renaissance

If you pay the 26$ to get asset premium, you get internet radio and playlist support too.

Several dlna control options on the iDevices. I like the mconnectfree app, but several like plug player, etc. The Kinsky app (by Linn) has a multiroom bent it looks like so if you want to have a few rooms playing the same thing then maybe that is the app for you. Anyhow the phone or ipad is the control and is pretty good though its networked so get a good network for smooth volume.

Files can be in the computer or a network drive (in which case you would not need asset).

Sorry about your hard drive Jben! I might have used my powers to make you get a SSD! And how DARE you tweak my Razor tweak... :)

So ends my yearly drive by! Have a great new year!

Cut to razor sounding violins

 

RE: Nice post..., posted on December 25, 2014 at 20:05:40
JBen
Audiophile

Posts: 3082
Location: South FL
Joined: May 18, 2008
Contributor
  Since: July 26, 2010
 Well, well, well, ain't this a great Christmas present! I had just read an email from Old Guy 42 saying that you did seem to be more alive than we feared, then I decided to check and see if you had posted.

Yeah, gotta tweak, always tweak...like we always do :-)) Those ancient MMGs that you had (still have?) make good use of all kinds of proper tweaks. And become supremely sensitive to the great (and the bad) audio. Your Razoring is such a great SQ enhancer that it was frustrating to me that so few folks were venturing to try it. So, MagRaz was born as an easier alternative for some. It tests well on MMGs but needs to be tested on other Maggies. The day, early in 2012, that similar lower harmonic distortion measurements showed me they affected the same design weakness in Maggies, I called it MagRaz (for magnetic Razoring). So, you see, you have never really left the scene.

 

DACS, posted on December 25, 2014 at 20:25:36
Satie
Audiophile

Posts: 5426
Joined: July 6, 2002
 I too got a Loki and put it against my own MF DAC and a PS Audio Perfect Wave DSD.

This raised the issue of doing DSD right without any processing on the DAC itself - just let it go from DSD to RCA outputs and not have any digital circuits inside it.I posted on Computer Audiophile (see URL).

There are a few things that were suggested that sound interesting. Lampizator's DSD only DAC and the cheaper Amber DSD only DAC. Also Miska, the HQ player author has a DAC of his own design that was suggested:
Project description:
http://www.signalyst.com/hardware.html

First published implementation other than the original:
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/digital-line-level/254935-signalyst-dsc1-5.html#post4163626

Measurements from Miska's Computer Audiophile blog:
http://www.computeraudiophile.com/blogs/miska/preliminary-measurement-results-dsc1-digital-analogue-converter-627/

 

RE: DACS, posted on December 25, 2014 at 21:48:25
JBen
Audiophile

Posts: 3082
Location: South FL
Joined: May 18, 2008
Contributor
  Since: July 26, 2010
 Satie, now that I am "finished" tweaking the Maggies themselves, next year's resolution is to decide on a proper DSD DAC for the audio PC. In this sense your input is very useful, tks for the links.

My current gear setup is sounding very smooth, delightful and impactful under 192/24 PCM. This is more so if the upsampled files are saved, not done on the fly. Yet, a few experiments with upsampling/converting to DSDx2 (and even basic) DSD, and playing to PCM 192/24, totally surprised me. Comparing some stuff vs the SACD player also gave me encouraging results. I did have to borrow DSD DAC gear for some of these tests and the tests were too short. However, next year's crop of DSD-capable DAC units may include some very affordable and still powerful ones.

Other than spinning the SACD player, for now I do have one particularly useful approach on the PC. For some PCM recordings I use the DSD converter in JRiver (which I don't use for playback) and save to disc. The resulting DSD file plays back very impressively (almost true-DSD-like). This is via the DSD/PCM plugin to Foobar2k in a cMP wrapper & hardware-optimized PC.

 

RE: DACS, posted on December 26, 2014 at 01:04:55
Satie
Audiophile

Posts: 5426
Joined: July 6, 2002
 If you are going to be looking for a DAC, then you might find this list useful (URL)

This general DAC w.headphone comparison which starts with PCM and post 582
http://www.head-fi.org/t/689783/december-2013-mid-level-dac-comparison/570
The lead reviewer here is "Gary in Md"

Note that the DSD tracks on the test music list are from Shelby Lynne Discussion of DSD performancwe starts showing up in page 50 of the thread.

There were some flaws in the tests including the planar phones being less resolving than expected,

 

RE: DACS, posted on December 29, 2014 at 21:36:57
JBen
Audiophile

Posts: 3082
Location: South FL
Joined: May 18, 2008
Contributor
  Since: July 26, 2010
 Satie, tks! That spreadsheet will also come in very handy.

 

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