Recent content by busb

I always laugh when someone says: "My system sounds so good - it's as though the band is in my living room!" I want my system to sound good enough that I'm fooled into thinking I'm at the venue! Actually, that's not true, I don't think neither! I wonder if anyone has put their speakers on...

I hope Tony doesn't get sued by the next of kin of an ex-contributor!

If I was starting from scratch, I'd probably go active. Quadral Aurum Titans are available in either type would get my audition.

<Spipped> I'm talking about venues such as The Fairfield Hall, Festival Hall & Albert Hall in London. All have good enough acoustics apart from the Albert Hal who's acoustics will be considered bad to adequate depending on who you ask to a greater extent than the other two. I would never chose...

Indeed but not the 1st to be one note short of an octave! A fool & their money...

I used to go to classical concerts in London as a teenager with my brother. What immediately struck me was what a huge difference the live sound was to even the very best stereo systems I'd heard at show, in showrooms or homes. The difference was astonishing, particularly with brass instruments...

I would also point out that like other streaming services, much music I've d/l'd onto my Mac Mini suddenly disappears - it's greyed out. Some is still available on Spotify but some seems to have been removed from other services. These streaming services are not a substitute for owning hard...

I've been using Apple Music before it was a streaming service. 2014 Mac Mini over Wi Fi/ USB / Audiolab M-DAC+ / Primare Pre32. I bought a M1 Mac Mini just after launch but returned before the deadline - the Bluetooth keyboard & mouse didn't work 3m away from my armchair. Its replacement is...

I'm criticising individual items rather than the brands themselves. My current amplifier is a Primare A34.2 & a Pre32. My DAC is an Audiolab M-DAC+, all of which I'm more than happy with. A friend once owned a Pioneer A400 integrated that I could not understand why it was so highly rated.

Primare 121 - just an uninspiring listen. Audiolab 8000A - the original one rolled off the bass on the phono input.

Can't comment on the A1 but from what I've heard friends say - if you looked inside you'd know why. Very cheap electrolytic caps & not inspiring build quality.

I have two other "interests" or hobbies if you prefer: cycling & photography. All three can cost a little to a lot! The latter two are generally not so prone to foo therefore governed more by the laws of physics & mechanics by a few orders of magnitude. Hi-Fi is by far the more entertaining...

Once apon a time, a stereo system was about faithfully reproducing music - as has already been quoted "The closest approach to the original sound." Whether or not the people who don't listen to acoustic-based music believe this mantra - I'm not sure. I listen a huge variety of music from...

It was obvious as long as 5yrs ago that this project was too much for one man as as good as he may have been at designing for the simple reason that the technology was marching forward faster than one man could keep up. IIRC, JW was offered expert help that he declined. My investment was "only"...

To some degree - yes. Class D with SM PSU about 7 yrs ago. Partly undone by the recent purchase of an LG 55OLEDG1.