Videos of Acoustically-Coupled Audio Recordings

[hopkins]

Might not be "What's Best" for you, but it works for me We all have our quirks!

 

[Rexp]

Might not be "What's Best" for you, but it works for me We all have our quirks!

I seem to remember your previous DAC sounding better, perhaps you can record the same track with that for a compare?

 

[hopkins]

I seem to remember your previous DAC sounding better, perhaps you can record the same track with that for a compare?

Nope, it did not sound better. I don't have the previous model any longer, but regardless , the differences are hard to perceive on videos.

 

[Rexp]

Here's an external Streamer/DAC vs internal Streamer/DAC. Would you pay the extra $10K for the external?

 

[hopkins]

I seem to remember your previous DAC sounding better, perhaps you can record the same track with that for a compare?

P.S. If you are referring to recordings of my open baffle speakers, I have changed their placement in my living room and got rid of some of my DIY acoustic treatment, for practical purposes (one of which being household peace!). Changes in placement/acoustics can be pretty dramatic and take time to adjust and optimize. I have been sidetracked by my Altec speakers, which I only listen to "near-field" for the time being. Those I never recorded with the previous DAC. The Altec speakers are more adapted to certain music than others, due to their limited range. One of the speakers (soon to be replaced) is in poor condition and does not sound as good as the other.

I did make a comparative recording a while back of the two DACs (S model vs newest SX model). I thought I could hear differences in the recordings but I send it to several people and they told me they could not. The difference "in-room" were obvious. I don't really have an explanation for this, but I don't lose sleep over it. The new model has also more power (hence I can use it with a wider variety of speakers) and better source immunity, which allowed me to get rid of the low-noise player I was using before, which had practical constraints, and use the WiiM Pro as my digital source (with either Qobuz or my local library with LMS server now connected to the WiiM). There has been no loss in quality there, believe it or not...

 

[hopkins]

Here's a good track to test your system's dynamics:

My recording:

I tilted the baffles back (not permanently) and the frequency response at the listening point is smoother.

 

[Rexp]

How do you rate the sound of this?

 

[hopkins]

How do you rate the sound of this?

Here is the original track on Qobuz: https://open.qobuz.com/track/44068513
The recording sounds dark, dull and veiled compared to the track on Qobuz, but that is often the case with recordings...

There is over 100.000€ of equipment in that system - I don't think the video makes it sound any better than a 10.000€ (or less) rig could - that's the issue with videos?

 

[Rexp]

Here is the original track on Qobuz: https://open.qobuz.com/track/44068513
The recording sounds dark, dull and veiled compared to the track on Qobuz, but that is often the case with recordings...

There is over 100.000€ of equipment in that system - I don't think the video makes it sound any better than a 10.000€ (or less) rig could - that's the issue with videos?

The video sounds harsh to me, a typical traite of poor digital playback. The youtuber uses a 32bit recorder and DPA mic, and as you say the original recording is good so it's likely the DCS DAC is at fault. The youtuber/hi end store worker seems oblivious/immune to the horrible noise he is making. As I said in the 'can digital get to vinyl' thread, I guess some folks are less sensitive to digital distortion.

 

[hopkins]

The video sounds harsh to me, a typical traite of poor digital playback. The youtuber uses a 32bit recorder and DPA mic, and as you say the original recording is good so it's likely the DCS DAC is at fault. The youtuber/hi end store worker seems oblivious/immune to the horrible noise he is making. As I said in the 'can digital get to vinyl' thread, I guess some folks are less sensitive to digital distortion.

Then you should steer away from system recordings and listen to the gear in person, if you can
Phone recordings add distortion...

 

[Rexp]

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly:

 

[hopkins]

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly:

What are your impressions on these three videos?

 

[Rexp]

What are your impressions on these three videos?

My impressions will be very different from yours as we hear things quite differently. Others may find the comparison useful.

 

[morricab]

My impressions will be very different from yours as we hear things quite differently. Others may find the comparison useful.

Well, you have to give them first (or was, good, bad and ugly the full impression?)

 

[Rexp]

Well, you have to give them first (or was, good, bad and ugly the full impression?)

No but I do think 2 versions sound similarly good..

 

[morricab]

No but I do think 2 versions sound similarly good..

Well the first one with the turntable is good but are we sure it is actually going through speakers on this "recording"? I see a TT turning but no system and could be coming off the phonostage, no?

The second one with the Sonus Faber speakers is quite good I think, good dynamics, good resolution and good top-to-bottom balance.

The last one sounds quite bottom heavy and dark...also lower in resolution. The tonal balance seems very off.

 

[Rexp]

Well the first one with the turntable is good but are we sure it is actually going through speakers on this "recording"? I see a TT turning but no system and could be coming off the phonostage, no?

The second one with the Sonus Faber speakers is quite good I think, good dynamics, good resolution and good top-to-bottom balance.

The last one sounds quite bottom heavy and dark...also lower in resolution. The tonal balance seems very off.

Yes they were my initial thoughts, then I listened again all the way through and preferred 3 to 2, despite the tonal balance. Seems to have better flow similar to the turntable (captured with Shure MV88).

 

[DasguteOhr]

How do you rate the sound of this?

Chris Stapleton needs Funspeakers more emotional not Highendspeakers that sounds like hifi ...sorry

 

[PeterA]

Chris Stapleton needs Funspeakers more emotional not Highendspeakers that sounds like hifi ...sorry

Wow, that is quite a contrast.

 

[DasguteOhr]

Wow, that is quite a contrast.

Klipsch are not perfect speakers, they are fun and sometimes shoot beyond the mark, but with the right amplifier they never get boring. That's the most important thing when listening to music...foot tapping included