SM Audiophiles?

CatmanV2 · Feb 28, 2022

zagatoes30 said:
I must be getting old use to love all this stuff mixing and matching components to get the next step up but then I realised, within my budget, I was always compromising between pure Stereo Hi Fi and Digital Surround Sound. I eventually decided that when I sit and listen it is always music so gave up on surround and just set-up a stereo setup that I like. I could upgrade again but the next move means moving to separate power supplies for all components, I keep my eye out for the bits I need and might one day bite the bullet but for now I just listen and enjoy

Yes indeed. We have a surround system in the cinema, because that's what it's for. The stereo is in the living room

C

Wack61 · Feb 28, 2022

CatmanV2 said:
Odd to have a stereo unit with surround decoding.

Enjoy!

C

I really like the Roksan Caspian , this came up at no loss money so I thought I'd try it and keep whichever I like the best

I'm also keen to try Naim but I'm totally confused by the lineup £500 to £5000 and model names I've never heard before

Most manufacturers have a model number they increase it as they improve

With Naim it's nap, nait,supernait,NAC , flatcap

Not a bloody clue

CatmanV2 · Feb 28, 2022

Yep Naim are a world or their own.

C

zagatoes30 · Feb 28, 2022

CatmanV2 said:
Yep Naim are a world or their own.

C

Naim is pretty easy when you get your head round it, I know your not a fan but it suits my ears

NAP - Naim Audio Power
NAC - Naim Audio Controller
NAIT - Naim Audio Integrated
HICAP - Naim HiCapacity Power Supply 2 x Outputs, Flatcap & SuperCap each have more outputs (can drive more other units)

CatmanV2 · Feb 28, 2022

zagatoes30 said:
Naim is pretty easy when you get your head round it, I know your not a fan but it suits my ears

NAP - Naim Audio Power
NAC - Naim Audio Controller
NAIT - Naim Audio Integrated
HICAP - Naim HiCapacity Power Supply 2 x Outputs, Flatcap & SuperCap each have more outputs (can drive more other units)

Well that all makes sense! Cheers

C

Wack61 · Feb 28, 2022

CatmanV2 said:
Yes indeed. We have a surround system in the cinema, because that's what it's for. The stereo is in the living room

C

It's been years since I've had multiple speakers in the main room , I've just bought a Sonos beam which works really well but it'll be going to where the projector is once the arcam arrives

Reviews are very good as a stereo amp

Arcam SR250 Stereo Receiver Review

As a stereo AV receiver, the Arcam SR250 is in a field of one but is it a niche or the future?

www.avforums.com

CatmanV2 · Feb 28, 2022

Well it certainly sounds like a nice bit of kit, but I still don't get it at all. Why listen to BR discs in Stereo? Seems like a lot of cash to spend (at least new) for a not even close to optimal surround experience.

That EQ correction looks pretty snacky, though

Still as long as you're happy

C

Wack61 · Feb 28, 2022

CatmanV2 said:
Well it certainly sounds like a nice bit of kit, but I still don't get it at all. Why listen to BR discs in Stereo? Seems like a lot of cash to spend (at least new) for a not even close to optimal surround experience.

That EQ correction looks pretty snacky, though

Still as long as you're happy

C

I fall into the music listener who occasionally plays a Blu-ray category that this amp is aimed at

If it'd been £1000 I wouldn't have even looked at it but £500 delivered really is a bargain for this class of amp , I could put it on eBay and make £200 on it which if I don't like it ( unlikely) will be what's happening
As an aside did you listen to the band I mentioned in the what are you listening to thread

London Grammar , I've listened to their whole back catalogue over the last few days

CatmanV2 · Feb 28, 2022

But you watch Blu-rays is my feeling? I mean the whole point of BR (and DVD before) was to have more data = more channels and more video space.

Not had a chance yet! Sorry

C

Wack61 · Feb 28, 2022

Mostly Netflix if I watch TV

If I see a 4k Blu-ray in cash converters I'll buy it but £25 new , that's not happening

I don't care what anyone tells me 4k Blu-ray has much more detail than streamed 4k

I bought a used 4k player that had the Martian in it , the detail is staggering on my LG oled TV

midlifecrisis · Mar 1, 2022

Wack61 said:
I bought a used 4k player that had the Martian in it , the detail is staggering on my LG oled TV

Do you mean the film, Marvin or some gismo in it?

Wack61 · Mar 1, 2022

midlifecrisis said:
Do you mean the film, Marvin or some gismo in it?

Not an actual martian , that might've knocked Ukraine off the no 1 story , expecially if they were ****** off with the Russians

Matt Damon in The Martian

CatmanV2 · Mar 1, 2022

Wack61 said:
I don't care what anyone tells me 4k Blu-ray has much more detail than streamed 4k

I don't doubt it. Same like 7.1 from BR is better than 7.1 from stream. And there's not even theoretical reasons they shouldn't be.

C

Wack61 · Mar 2, 2022

This arcam amp was supposed to be delivered tuesday, I was out , looking at the ring doorbell the courier was there for less than a minute , by the time my wife got to the door he was off

Today, I'm ready for him, delivered , well it was delivered but it's back in the van and gone now, they had it down as a swap which obviously it isn't as I only ordered it sunday , because I have nothing to give them they wouldn't leave it so the shop have asked me to write an RMA number on an empty box and they'll bring it back tomorrow so I can give them an empty box

FFS

CatmanV2 · Mar 2, 2022

Wack61 said:
This arcam amp was supposed to be delivered tuesday, I was out , looking at the ring doorbell the courier was there for less than a minute , by the time my wife got to the door he was off

Today, I'm ready for him, delivered , well it was delivered but it's back in the van and gone now, they had it down as a swap which obviously it isn't as I only ordered it sunday , because I have nothing to give them they wouldn't leave it so the shop have asked me to write an RMA number on an empty box and they'll bring it back tomorrow so I can give them an empty box

FFS

That's a bit ****!

C

Wack61 · Mar 2, 2022

Can't say I'm very impressed with DPD

CatmanV2 · Mar 2, 2022

Wack61 said:
Can't say I'm very impressed with DPD

Indeed.

C

Wack61 · Mar 4, 2022

And it's delivered , though even that wasn't without a bit of drama , I handed my empty box over and the driver said , it hasn't got a label , I can't leave this if I haven't got a label to scan , Only it was in the house by then so I said if you think you're taking this back you'll have to fight me for it

, all ok though he found something to scan

I'm really impressed with it and I've not even set it up properly yet , just streaming tidal

I've now got to master firmware upgrades and DIRAC room adjustment which isn't just a matter of pressing a button , it measures the room using the mic then you send the file to Dirac and get custom settings back based on what the microphone has heard during the setup process

They make more used on eBay than this cost new so if you don't like it (unlikely) it'll be easy enough to sell on

I've just got to work out where to put it now , it's replacing my Roksan stereo amp which was in the hifi rack the other side of the fireplace but it's looking like everything will have to go under the TV

boomerang · Mar 4, 2022

Dirac is great!
But takes a little more effort to get it right.

Someone here with Michi equipment?
Bought two M8 mono's, unbelievable power, control, detail.

Rotel Michi M8 monoblock power amplifier

www.stereophile.com

But from what i read at a german forum, some people experience a slight noise when they listen close to their speaker.
Mentioned with the smaler amps/integrated and pre.
Others have no complaints at all, only positive comments.
Noise figures are among the best, so this seems strange to me in the first place.
But to be honest, even the M8 is not as quiet as the Mcintosh; when i put my ear on the tweeter, i can hear a distant noise.
No problem at all.
But the Mc is completely silent under the same circumstances.
Strange; signal/noise specs are very close.

Ebenezer · Mar 4, 2022

Wack61 said:
And it's delivered , though even that wasn't without a bit of drama , I handed my empty box over and the driver said , it hasn't got a label , I can't leave this if I haven't got a label to scan , Only it was in the house by then so I said if you think you're taking this back you'll have to fight me for it , all ok though he found something to scan

I'm really impressed with it and I've not even set it up properly yet , just streaming tidal

I've now got to master firmware upgrades and DIRAC room adjustment which isn't just a matter of pressing a button , it measures the room using the mic then you send the file to Dirac and get custom settings back based on what the microphone has heard during the setup process

They make more used on eBay than this cost new so if you don't like it (unlikely) it'll be easy enough to sell on

I've just got to work out where to put it now , it's replacing my Roksan stereo amp which was in the hifi rack the other side of the fireplace but it's looking like everything will have to go under the TV

Interested to hear how you get on with your room correction. Something I've wanted to try for years but never got round to understanding what you need to do in detail and obtaining the appropriate quality microphone. I've read that it can work great for your listening sweet spot but no so good elsewhere. Also you may be disappointed with the now "flat" response!
Eb

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