2022 - a year in HiFi

[CN211276]

Scanning back in my HFS posts to the beginning of this year, Holland was still in Lockdown (nr 3?) and I was heavily into turntables and vinyl countdowns. Exploring the merits of acrylic mats, phono stages, vintage cartridges, record weights and clamps. A journey back to where it all began, before 'digital' ever happened.

Discovering that Facebook could be a fun place to be for the audio enthusiast, I began to spend (too much) time on there, joining several groups of like-minded maniacs. Felt right at home - just like HFS.

An encounter with German Maestro headphones took me back to my student days, when they were called MB Quart - and headphones became an object of importance.

Too soon I was diving into the murky world of planar cans which opened my eyes and ears to the affordable, high-res equipment being produced in China. Headphone amps from cheap 'n cheerful to esoteric finesse arrived, this has changed my way of listening from a soft, relaxing preference to a system that gives more resolution and insight.

Enter a new DAC and Class D amps from Chi-Fi sources. Which are leading me to strange new worlds of audio experience.

Well, I hadn't expected any of this 12 months ago. Wonder what the coming year will bring?




Any other convoluted audio adventures or new discoveries out there?

[CN211276]

After owning Cubes for nearly five years 2022 was the year I discovered that heavy metal stands do not provide the best support for upward firing bass and decoupling is the way to go. It started off when I borrowed the Iso pucks from the second system and was immediately aware of the sound being cleaned up, particularly the bass. The purchase of oak stands soon followed, bringing about a similar level of improvement. That is it as far as the main system is concerned. After years at paying a lot of attention to the source I finally discovered that something was amiss at the other end.

I had to get replacement Iso pucks for the second system which had been improved earlier in the year with the newly released Chord Mojo 2. All in all 2022 has been very uneventful on the hifi front compared to the previous five where I must add that every acquisition was an improvement with no side ways moves. As far as equipment is concerned I am now where I want to be and enjoying the music.

[Grumpytim]

Only superficial changes here, an Allo Digione to replace an ailing squeezebox touch, and a Digi 32 to replace a recalcitrant Hifiberry Digi2 pro.

The Allo unit was a real revelation, I wish I'd got this before the Digi2 pro, in our system it sounds so much better than the Hifiberry part.

However lots and lots of music in various formats, which is kind of the point of all this..

[Vinyl-ant]

I have done very little.
I fixed a broken roksan xerxes which i set up alongside the jbe and lenco and jvc, with a tabriz and dynavector cart.

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Had a play with a technics sl150

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And a very pretty orcale delphi was mended.

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Fixed a jvc ql-y3f after headscratching, poring over the circuit, and firing up the milling machine

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Put some different speaker cables in because the other ones had insulation falling off them, and discovered that headphones are enjoyable.

Thats about it really

[Fretless]

Lookin' good, Ant.

[SteveTheShadow]

I abandoned low power valve amps and efficient speakers.
Committed heresy with my NVA boards by adding frequency compensation networks to the output stages and doubling the negative feedback levels.
With the NVA board based amp, I now use slim, inefficient floor-standers from Mission (773)
My music has never sounded so good, but my credibility is shot.

[slinger]

[Vinyl-ant]

I ran out of space so the oracle is safely back in its box, and the black jvc and technics are put away upstairs. So i.... errrrr...... only have 4 set up downstairs

[Fretless]

Ahhh ... the minimalist approach.

Groovy, Stu.

[CycleCoach]

Ahhh ... the minimalist approach.

Groovy, Stu.

Due to my mental health troubles I have been listening to that JBL almost exclusively. I have listened to a lot more music than I otherwise would have done. It's the only thing I own where I can listen without analysing the sound, wanting to modify it and ultimately throw it in the bin.

Since giving in and trying streaming (about two years ago) my life has changed for the better. Some of the bew music I discover these days I would have never found by any other means. I use YouTube music. At first i did the free version until i got pissed off with the adverts, not being able to do anything else on the tablet at the same time and the catalogue was limited. So well done Google you robbing bastards, I finally gave in and signed up for a paid subscription.

This JBL obviously is not the pinnacle of musical reproduction but I can honestly say I don't bleeding care. Music is just as enjoyable and I get to totally forget about the mechanics. It us the size of a flask and the ultimate in multiroom portability It won't go mega loud without distortion but i never listen loud. The drivers are tiny with two passive radiators (one on each end) but i don't miss the low bass it can't produce but it goes lower than it has any right to. Yeah most of the bass is stunt bass but I just hear the song and the music.

No big stereo effects but I don't miss that either. This thing is probably packed full of new devilry constructed from surface mount components and as such not economical to repair. We can safely say the amplification and psu is class D and there's probably some dsp in there too. All things i have been very vocal about in the past and not in a good way. It's destiny as landfill is the only thing that doesn't sit well with me.

I'm very happy with my lo fi thanks very much