New Year Audio Thread

[sidvee]

Since we are in the New Year, thought I would start a thread pertaining to achievements of last year and what I am looking forward to in 2014 - Audio/Music wise that is.
For me 2013 was a watershed year in terms of integrating computer based source into my Hi-Fi system. With the current solution that I have I am extremly satisfied with FLAC/WAV playback whether is it standard or high res and I feel I am getting significantly better sound than disc based sources for the first time. And there is looking back for me. All I have left in my systems in terms of disc based players are DVD/BluRay players and even these I hope to get rid of this year.
For 2014 I am going to seriously consider upgrades to my current Harbeth Shl5's, could not do too much auditioning last year due to heavy work commitments, but plan to make a trip overseas this year to get all my auditioning covered and make a concrete decision. I also plan to watch the rollout of DSD and take a call, with personal auditioning if it makes a difference, whether to add it to my system. I am mulling the addition of a Schiit Loki as a first step. I did get into SACD for a while and some discs definitely sounded better but with lack of wide releases I just dropped it. Hope that is not the fate for DSD.
Esteemed FM's waiting for you to share your personal goals and achievements in audio for 2013/14.
Cheers,
Sid

 

[Tanoj]

Great going sid,

last time i heard your system was the B&W Bs speakers + Belcanto's pre n power + Ayon cd player and it was sounding amazing.

i can imagine how your new setup must be sounding, as you describe your satisfactory level.

will audition your system once i visit hyderabad in feb, since i too wish to get a computer based source this year.

so will keep TT for the Analog and Computer based source for digital.

Wish you all a very Happy new year

Tanoj

 

[elangoas]

Me too moved to PC playback for Audio (WAV, FLAC, MP3) & movies (Intetnet download files) abandoning the WDTV Media player....

Also using FM help, i was able to make my TV as my PC monitor for browsing, gaming & youtube videos....Couldn't be more happier than this....:clapping:

With this above idea, i did the same to my Mom TV & PC... & she is absolutely delighted..:thumbsup: Now planning to upgrade the bigger screen for her (50 Inches) and she is already excited :lol:

Thought i don't have access to Bluray rental stores & Discs because of the cost, will add a Bluray writer to my PC once the same is accessible for 2014....

Oh yeah... Happy new year folks..

 

[sidvee]

Thanks Tanoj. Actually in the system you heard the Ayon cd2 player was Sameer's, but I too had an Ayon CD2s at that time which I didn't bring to the get together. However as I was describing earlier, my current computer setup, IMO, is significantly better than my Cd2s which I sold early last year and lot of FM's in other global forums have reported, well implemented computer audio bettering disc players that cost significantly higher than the Ayon Cd2s.
Cheers,
Sid

 

[Audio_Freek]

First of all,My best wishes for the new Year 2014.


2013-Was not much improved in my Audio Setp-up but have one Angel Joined Famil,She is Sansui-AU 719

This was my dream Amp,though i was looking for AU-717.I have much passion towards Vintage stuff and would get Over Joyed even i get audition them.

On the part of Source,Still am using the a Entry level Philips DVD player playing MP3 files though its much impressive it kind of Ok to me.

Plans for 2014
-Source-Analog-Manage to get atleast an entry level TT and start collecting LP
-Source-Digital-Planning to get Hifi Media Player to stream MP3/Flac/wav
-DAC-Possibly a good DAC for playing Music from M-Player ,as M-players doesnt have quality DAC
-Amplification- Sansui AU 717-No Compromise
-Speakers- JBL L96\L40\EPOS M12i I got impressed of my JBL L20,so looking for the same League.
-Finally interconnections-Still now using a normal\cheap cables, so need to upgrade this part.

Not sure i would achieve all my goals this years but i cant miss the TT in my set-up for sure and Interconnections too.

 

[Raghav_K]

Well i entered the hi fi world 5 days before today, so 2014 will be the year where i spend all my spare cash setting up the system!

That would be buying a woofer, center and surround speakers + stands one by one

 

[theironhorse]

2013 got me my proper HT room with a projector and and finished my stereo setup...

2014 plans for pre-power combo ...

+1 to pc playback.. HTPC replaces xtreamer etc etc..

xbmc for movies and foobar for audio is one stop solution for me now..

 

[GeorgeO]

For me two incremental steps w.r.t storage-a Synology 2Bay NAS as an audio server, it has reached India should be in my hands next week, a home brew 4Bay storage server for video and backing up stuff sometime int he near future. The other thing is to get a pair of Altec vintage speakers sometime during the year, let's see how that turns out!

Those are on the horizon, off the radar I dont' know-I'm sure there will be plenty of low hanging fruit that will be plucked (some Yamazaki single malt, for one) during the course of the next 12 months!

Cheers Guys and have a peaceful and good year ahead!

 

[AmitKumar]

Dear FMs,

Wishing all of you and your families a very happy and prosperous new year!

I joined the forum in 2010, however my journey into the hifi world started in the begining of 2013 only. I acquired my first amplifier towards the end of Jan 2013, then purchased speakers, purchased blueray player, got interested in vinyls, purchased 2 turntables and about 120 odd Lps and now about to finish the GR Research X-ls encore project.

My aspirations for 2014 are 1) to restrain myself spending further on Hifi equipments, 2) listen to the existng system as much as possible. Hope i will be able to achieve both of them, though it looks difficult to achieve the first one.

 

[Audio_Freek]

Dear FMs,
My aspirations for 2014 are 1) to restrain myself spending further on Hifi equipments, 2) listen to the existng system as much as possible. Hope i will be able to achieve both of them, though it looks difficult to achieve the first one.

Amit,

This was the best aspiration i have ever seenhyeah: Good. My simple Advice is- Dont Use the Internet or any Audio Magazines or even visit any Audio shows\Audophile House

This would keep you away from a Upgrade Bug. Our mind would search for something new only when some things crosses our life.If No choice to make then probably no chance for confusion.

Even i try to control my eyes and hands away from the Browser- But am failing on daily basic.Concern to me Music and upgrade is more dangerous and addictive than smoking and drinking too.

Probably, we shall revisit the promises End of 2014 .Have a fabulous year.

 

[sidvee]

For me two incremental steps w.r.t storage-a Synology 2Bay NAS as an audio server, it has reached India should be in my hands next week, a home brew 4Bay storage server for video and backing up stuff sometime int he near future.

George - You guys (Sam9s - I believe is the other FM) - seem to be at the bleeding edge of network/server based audio systems. Would look forward to auditioning your implementation when I am in B'lore next time.
Cheers,
Sid

 

[GeorgeO]

Sid

Welcome to audition-your trip to Bangalore is anyway long overdue. I'll send you home with a spring in your step after a shot of the "water of life", aka usquebaugh!

Cheers

George

 

[Gerry_the_Merry]

May 2014 bring everyone happiness, success, and better sound from their systems.

I moved to PC Audio through a mac mini in 2013, and set up my Garrard 301. Subsequently, in a change of residence, I am restricted to PC Audio, in which there are a few remaining steps to be completed, before I settle down. Major decisions included the player software, file format, and significant improvements in speaker placement and choice. The PC audio set up sounds very promising.

During 2014, I will return to analog, first with my Garrard in a heavy sandstone plinth, and if I have the appetite, a Lenco L75 in good condition which I picked up a while ago, in a CLD plinth. I may also get the chance in that case to use my Ortofon RMG 309 arm, which is lying unused.

 

[umeshdhingra]

Wishing all my forum members all the best for Twenty Fourteen.
I started my new year by actually buying Sennheiser HD 650 ( actually upgraded from HD 598 , which I would be putting up for sale soon) on first day of the year , got a excellent deal from Flipkart ( final price Rs 23744) .
However my main plan to is to buy a real good DAC and also upgrade my blu ray player as need to watch few 3D movies too.
Lets see how things shape up .
cheers

 

[sidvee]

During 2014, I will return to analog,

Thanks Gerry, I would imagine a few FM's would be contemplating this as well for 2014.
Cheers,
Sid

 

[Nikhil]

Happy New Year to everyone!

2013 was a year of settling in with my Acoustic Portrait gear. Spent a lot of time implementing a cable setup which suited my taste and was very happy with the solution given to me by Mr. Murthy. Change in residence also gave me a chance to have a second look at my room and fortunately was blessed with a fairly good room acoustics in my new place.

End of 2013 saw me pull the trigger on Computer Audio with my purchase of the AP DAC which promises to keep me busy well into 2014. Setup of the computer transport was a lot more involved than I suspected but has a tremendous upside over disc spinners. No going back though - computer audio seems to be the way forward. Still it was a real eye opener on how good Redbook CD was and still is.

Plans for 2014: Computer Transport Optimization

Happy New Year once again to all!!

 

[indialogue]

I'm sure there will be plenty of low hanging fruit that will be plucked (some Yamazaki single malt, for one) during the course of the next 12 months!

OT: Yamazaki is low hanging fruit? Don't tell me its available locally now :O

My audio plans for 2014 are:

1. Cut up my credit cards - no more upgrading (which will also mean spending more time in front of my system)
2. Try out newer audio-focused Linux distros and programs - the next in line for implementation is CherryMusic
3. Plan and learn/model some designs for my 2015 DIY transmission line speaker build

 

[cha_indian]

Happy New Year to all !! My new year started with the my completion of XLS Encore speakers kit. I find them significantly better as well quite a bit louder than my current Jamo set. Although I have quite a nice setup, I hardly have time to listen...ironically nowadays I spend most of the entertainment time watching TV

 

[hydra]

Happy New Year, everybody!

In 2013, I spent far more time listening to music than I did any of the previous years. The movie-watching (which used to an essential daily thing for me) was cut down substantially, in favor of the music.

From the second half of 2013, I'd been going almost weekly to some live performance of music or the other. Also, significantly for me, I've been going to quite a few Carnatic performances. I know close to nothing about Carnatic music, and while recordings of Carnatic music do nothing for me, I find the live performances (however badly miked and setup) to be VERY breathtaking!

Equipment-wise, I got myself a nice pedestal for the TT, and I tested the tube waters with a Lyrita DHT preamp.

I'd also been giving serious thought to the direction my future upgrades would take. In the last week of 2013, after many hours with Maargas and some hours with Trishnas, I decided to resign myself to my room-size limitations, and go in for a pair of Rethm Trishnas. I should get delivery by the first week of Feb 2014.

For the rest of 2014, I look forward to bringing the final piece of equipment into place: Most likely a Lyrita 2A3c SET Power Amp, to go with the DHT Pre. I'll also most likely get myself a good rack, since the equipment will be final for the next few years (hopefully many years).

I look forward to enjoying a lot of music, both at home, and performed live, during 2014!

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

Also, significantly for me, I've been going to quite a few Carnatic performances. I know close to nothing about Carnatic music, and while recordings of Carnatic music do nothing for me, I find the live performances (however badly miked and setup) to be VERY breathtaking!

Great! I have, as you might have seen on another thread, been absolutely up to the ears in live carnatic music since the beginning of December. I even got to the point of feeling almost fed up with it, broke through, and found myslef listening in a new, more detailed way.

The year began with a wonderful performance by Flute Shashank.

Equipment wise, I began to experiment with headphone amplifiers in 2012. I want to move up the 'phones listening ladder; I want decent speakers on the desktop too, but the 'phones are going to get more use.

Happy New Year to All --- Try not to spend too much! :lol: