HiFi Subjectivist ¦ Audio Forum ¦ NVA User Group

karatestu wrote: ↑Sun Mar 20, 2022 8:38 am…Lots of music I used to love became unlistenable- not always because of my error but the fact that a lot of music was recorded and mastered by a deaf person. I would have ended up only listening to well recorded classical, jazz or the plinky plonk stuff that is forced on people at shows. I don't want to limit myself like that…

Yes, that’s the danger of hi-fi.

I like to think now, at the end of this DIY adventure, that I’ve solved that particular problem. It has taken me years to get to the happy position where it doesn’t matter one jot what I play, how ‘bad’ the recording/mastering, or what source I use, the music somehow gets out, unencumbered by hi-fi nastiness of any sort.
Whether the system is high resolution is arguable, but I couldn’t give a fook, it allows enjoyment of music. It must be doing something right, as yesterday I listened to six classic original vinyl records, one after the other and paid full attention to the music, the performance, the playing, the singing. There were no distractions, nasty noises, sibilance, or cringy moments when a vocalist hit a certain note.
The system is so good at what it does that I don’t feel the need to go any further. The irony is that I have found what I want from building a valve amplifier that owes nothing to any of the current trends. It has brought the whole setup together in a way I was beginning to despair of ever achieving. In fact I was about to concede that such a thing was not possible. God knows I’ve been told enough that it was. Actually, it isn’t!

Sorry Stu that you reached the final border with Hifi... Just hope you will quickly re-learn to just enjoy music no matter what gear is used to reproduce the music ( and really hope it will be all your current gear)

and if you dead serious about BT and portable then maybe this : Aiwa Exos 9
Amazon has it and you can always return it if you don't like it.
I have heard it - not Hifi but brilliant for background music - and for annoying neighbours at campsite ( as it can go very loud ;]] )
If I would think of getting BT speaker that would be it

That might be just what you're looking for, Stu. A "BBB" (Big Bastard Bluetooth) speaker, plus a decent, dedicated tablet to run your streaming services. Have a word with MartinT about the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE 12.4" Tablet It ain't cheap, but it's what he's using for controlling his streaming services, and it looks to be the mutt's nuts.

Just been chilling on the sofa with our newborn son, listening to Agnes Obel on a Sonos Beam (sound bar) and at no time was I thinking about audio quality, just enjoying the moment.

On special offer: bit of a bargain for anyone looking for a cheap bluetooth speaker, and I like this guy's videos, he's done more than one on this speaker since it's one of his fav's

and against your your JBL 5

"Feck this, I've had enough" is phrase well known to anyone who decided Everton was their team in past 25 years or so Try as I may to say goodbye I can't, the club and it's dreadful performances always find a way to chip away at my well being. The optimist in me always gives the benefit of doubt to latest soon to be dismissed managerial appointment only to realise yet again my trust has been misplaced. In the middle of all this bollox theres some Iranian chap who thought his money would make us great but all it's done is diminish his personal fortune at an alarming rate.
And the point of this post, well if my system is occasionally frustrating me I only have to think of Mr Moshiri, the 5 years he has invested and the > £500 million (and rising) he has lost making Everton worse and I suddenly feel ok about my music. Perspective is everything