Double Bass Audio Systems. How do we listen to music?

[TroyK]

Your intellect in this area is way above mine, but you might get a little more detail.

 

[cymbop]

I spent about ten years not playing much bass and instead building an obsessive 2-channel system. It's a common refrain among audio-nerds that they can't believe most musicians don't have much in the way of a hi-fi. I explain to them that a working musician can't fathom spending money on a hi-fi, because there's so much music gear they still want to explore. A musician wants a $150 pedal or a $1000 axe, not a $1500 CD player or a $10,000 set of speakers.

Anyhoo, here's what I built:

 

[TroyK]

Holy Crap!

 

[cymbop]

For me, my audio system is what TV is for a lot of other people.

Same! No TV in our house. I tell people: we have a big-screen stereo.

 

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

I made a mistake getting talked into having a TV in the audio room. I’ll often turn the system on and choose an album to play only to have my wife plop down and grab the TV remote. Still, a good problem to have.

 

[James Hart]

Good job! Have you considered spending just a little bit of money on a DAC? If feels like you'd notice an upgrade from the internal one on the tablet.

That is why I held onto my LG v40 and v60, they have a higher end dacs

Same! No TV in our house. I tell people: we have a big-screen stereo.

Same here too, it has been so long that we've had a TV, I've never owned a flat screen one.

 

[Nebadon2000]

I managed a High End Audio Store from 1980-2002 [was Audiophile first] was Dream Job;
I choose everything we sold and got to listen to and play with all the best; without having to buy anything
Mark Levinson, Krell, Linn[of Scotland], Revel Speakers, Audio Research and Conrad Johnson Tube Amps, Vandersteen, Apogee [Ribbon Speakers], Magnapan,; Rega, Linn, Thorens, Oracle [turntables] and many more I can't remember

Also had value products like NAD, Harmon Kardon, Nakamichi,; Polk , Snell, DCM, Mission [speakers]

At one time I had Linn's $20k CD Player, $7k Turntable and Cartridge, top preamp with with 6 200 watt amps Active into their Isobaric Speakers

I have now Linn Preamp, Linn 60 watt amp with Tukan Bookshelf Speakers along with Rega 3 turntable and Pioneer Elite DVD/CD.

 

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

That's probably true. I also haven't investigated whether there are differences in the audio quality of the streaming services based on compression and other things.

That must be a thing now but it’s a whole ‘nuther world I haven’t explored. I just stream straight from my phone and it sounds ok.

 

[Nebadon2000]

That must be a thing now but it’s a whole ‘nuther world I haven’t explored. I just stream straight from my phone and it sounds ok.

IME of the 100% that will even look for a Stereo/AV System only 3 to 5% will even walk-in to Hi-Fi Store or search for Audiophile products and be aware they exist.

Ok sound is accepted by 95% for their AV needs since they are not enthusiast whom listen[not just hear] to music seriously and are willing to setup/rearrange a room for best Sound with sweet spot for critical listening 10+ hours a week.

There has been a big push from the 'Masses' to have superior Car Audio last few decades [now Video] systems above Ok

Most streaming sounds pretty good nowadays even with entry level reproduction equipment.

 

[marchone]

IME of the 100% that will even look for a Stereo/AV System only 3 to 5% will even walk-in to Hi-Fi Store or search for Audiophile products and be aware they exist.

Ok sound is accepted by 95% for their AV needs since they are not enthusiast whom listen[not just hear] to music seriously and are willing to setup/rearrange a room for best Sound with sweet spot for critical listening 10+ hours a week.

There has been a big push from the 'Masses' to have superior Car Audio last few decades [now Video] systems above Ok

Most streaming sounds pretty good nowadays even with entry level reproduction equipment.

Most people I know read Amazon reviews when looking for an electronic product. Hi-Fi stores are daunting to many.

 

[Nebadon2000]

Most people I know read Amazon reviews when looking for an electronic product. Hi-Fi stores are daunting to many.

Yes I can understand that also Crutchfield may be a good option

 

[JBarz]

and are willing to setup/rearrange a room for best Sound with sweet spot for critical listening 10+ hours a week.

This is what killed the audiophile in me. I’ve got a killer McIntosh+Nac -> Magnepan stereo rig, but unfortunately the room with the piano that has been designated the “music room” (where the stereo lives) is not the ideal listening environment. It’s like using premium coffee in a very dirty machine — it’s always going to come out tasting like the dirty machine.

 

[Jason Sypher]

Buchardt A500s in the living room

Hedd Mk II 07, Audeze LCD-X on the desk

 

[TroyK]

I'm not sure what's going on with that middle picture, Jason, but it's very Fitzgeraldian.

 

[Deleted member 394181]

You have to have a good Equalizer. My old Sansui EQ broke down recently. Bought it in 1985. I use two 5 disc CD players. I can program them or load em up and randomly listen to ten discs. Headphones are what I use/ neighbors. Beyer Dynamic DT 770' s work well. Nothing too expensive, but what I have sounds great for listening and practice. Had to buy a crazy Chinese EQ but its ok.

 

[Jason Sypher]

I'm not sure what's going on with that middle picture, Jason, but it's very Fitzgeraldian.

Gotta keep the cat amused…

 

[JBarz]

Home after a week in Texas with the in-laws. I’m on a big cool-school / Gerry Mulligan kick via Tidal. Moved all my records and turntable out back because there wasn’t room in here, mostly streaming, radio, and cassettes these days. Nakamichi zx9 cassette deck, CDP-2A CD player, Schitt audio DAC, McIntosh amps, Magnepan .7 speakers.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Cat presses FTW! For a long time we had a pair of littermate sisters who would let me cat press them, one on each hand, just like that but without the stool. They were a couple of loveable goobers. Miss them a bunch.

@Jason Sypher how does your obnoxious noise police neighbor like those high end speakers?

Regarding the audiophile thing, I could never get the vinyl tube amp thing. I can always hear the medium in the background, and it’s distracting to me. Also, as mentioned above I know folks who have these high end systems in crap sounding rooms that are way too live and full of flutter and wolf tones, and when they play music for me to demonstrate the system I usually smile and politely say something nice, but inside a part of me is thinking “WTAF is happening here”? The filthy coffee cup is a great analogy. Give me a decent set of phones and some great music and I’m good.

 

[Don Hergert]

Gotta keep the cat amused…

Is that also what this pok'em board is for on top of your speaker?

 

[Don Hergert]

Home after a week in Texas with the in-laws. I’m on a big cool-school / Gerry Mulligan kick via Tidal. Moved all my records and turntable out back because there wasn’t room in here, mostly streaming, radio, and cassettes these days. Nakamichi zx9 cassette deck, CDP-2A CD player, Schitt audio DAC, McIntosh amps, Magnepan .7 speakers.

You almost have that banjo vibe just right! Need a tenor, a plectrum, a guitar-banjo, a mando-banjo and of course a 5-string-resonator. Oh and a cello-banjo for those low-down nights.