Discussion:
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] The Hilarity Never Stops
ralphpnj
2018-04-17 21:09:36 UTC
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I know that many of us here find the high end magazines to be rather
worthless as far as their equipment reviews are concerned but they often
provide some good laughs. Here is small sample of the hilarity to be
found in the latest (May 2018) issue of Stereophile:

Equipment under review: LG V30 Smartphone with MQA

Reviewer: Jason Victor Serinus

Quote from "Conclusions":

"Forced to chose among listening through headphones to the LG V30 or to
the Bel Canto Design Black ACI 600 all-in-one integrated amplifier I
reviewed in April ($24,900), or through loudspeakers to the Aurender A
10 network music player/server ($5500) in my main system, I'd choose the
LG V30.

Musically speaking, the LG V30 phone doesn't qualify as merely smart;
LG's implementation of its Hi-Fi Quad DAC is a work of genius. If ever
there were a device that could bring the experience of high-end sound to
millions of music lovers, the hi-rez V30 with MQA is it. It's more than
a game changer. For its audiophile sound quality and its smartphone
portability - a combination that may prove unbeatable - it belongs in
Stereophile's 'Recommended Components' in a Class A catagory all its
own. Now, if only Apple could see the light and release a similar
product."


After reading the above I was left speechless and laughing hysterically.
For that I feel that my subscription to Stereophile is well worth the $1
per issue price.



Living Rm: Transporter-SimAudio pre/power amps-Vandersteen 3A Sign. &
sub
Home Theater: Touch-Marantz HTR-Energy Veritas 2.1 & Linn sub
Computer Rm: Touch-Headroom Desktop w/DAC-Aragon amp-Energy Veritas 2.1
& Energy sub
Bedroom: Touch-HR Desktop w/DAC-Audio Refinement amp-Energy Veritas 2.0
Guest Rm: Duet-Sony soundbar
Garage: SB3-JVC compact system
Controls: iPeng; SB Controller; Moose & Muso
Server: LMS 7.9 on dedicated windows 10 computer w/2 Drobos
'Last.fm' (http://www.last.fm/user/jazzfann/)
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Wombat
2018-04-17 23:49:42 UTC
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I can imagine there are many parts of the audio business dream of the
day such a big player like Apple jumps on MQA.
Looks like a plump attempt to convince Apple customers they need it.



Transporter (modded) -> RG142 -> Avantgarde Acoustic based 500VA
monoblocks -> Sommer SPK240 -> self-made speakers
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ralphpnj
2018-04-18 00:27:15 UTC
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Post by Wombat
I can imagine there are many parts of the audio business dream of the
day such a big player like Apple jumps on MQA.
Looks like a plump attempt to convince Apple customers they need it.
Very interesting. I didn't see that connection until you pointed it out.
MQA is going the way of the Tice Clock. At present we are in the circle
the wagons part but there will be breaks in the chain. I think that The
Absolute Sound will be the first to jump ship on MQA. Atkinson will
defend his fellow countrymen to the bitter end.



Living Rm: Transporter-SimAudio pre/power amps-Vandersteen 3A Sign. &
sub
Home Theater: Touch-Marantz HTR-Energy Veritas 2.1 & Linn sub
Computer Rm: Touch-Headroom Desktop w/DAC-Aragon amp-Energy Veritas 2.1
& Energy sub
Bedroom: Touch-HR Desktop w/DAC-Audio Refinement amp-Energy Veritas 2.0
Guest Rm: Duet-Sony soundbar
Garage: SB3-JVC compact system
Controls: iPeng; SB Controller; Moose & Muso
Server: LMS 7.9 on dedicated windows 10 computer w/2 Drobos
'Last.fm' (http://www.last.fm/user/jazzfann/)
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Apesbrain
2018-04-18 00:32:44 UTC
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Post by ralphpnj
After reading the above I was left speechless and laughing hysterically.
For that I feel that my subscription to Stereophile is well worth the $1
per issue price.
Barely, just read it next time you visit Barnes & Noble. Imagine how
betrayed all those people who went out and purchased the "Bel Canto
Design Black ACI 600 all-in-one integrated amplifier he reviewed in
April" must feel.


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ralphpnj
2018-04-18 02:54:50 UTC
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Post by Apesbrain
Barely, just read it next time you visit Barnes & Noble. Imagine how
betrayed all those people who went out and purchased the "Bel Canto
Design Black ACI 600 all-in-one integrated amplifier he reviewed in
April" must feel now being told they could have saved $24,000.
Funny thing is that one can stream 24/96 flac files to an iPhone via
iPeng and send the bit perfect digital output to a portable DAC like the
Dragonfly or the Oppo HA-2 for similar setup and all without MQA.



Living Rm: Transporter-SimAudio pre/power amps-Vandersteen 3A Sign. &
sub
Home Theater: Touch-Marantz HTR-Energy Veritas 2.1 & Linn sub
Computer Rm: Touch-Headroom Desktop w/DAC-Aragon amp-Energy Veritas 2.1
& Energy sub
Bedroom: Touch-HR Desktop w/DAC-Audio Refinement amp-Energy Veritas 2.0
Guest Rm: Duet-Sony soundbar
Garage: SB3-JVC compact system
Controls: iPeng; SB Controller; Moose & Muso
Server: LMS 7.9 on dedicated windows 10 computer w/2 Drobos
'Last.fm' (http://www.last.fm/user/jazzfann/)
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Golden Earring
2018-04-18 23:13:46 UTC
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Post by ralphpnj
I know that many of us here find the high end magazines to be rather
worthless as far as their equipment reviews are concerned but they often
provide some good laughs. Here is small sample of the hilarity to be
Equipment under review: LG V30 Smartphone with MQA
Reviewer: Jason Victor Serinus
"Forced to chose among listening through headphones to the LG V30 or to
the Bel Canto Design Black ACI 600 all-in-one integrated amplifier I
reviewed in April ($24,900), or through loudspeakers to the Aurender A
10 network music player/server ($5500) in my main system, I'd choose the
LG V30.
Musically speaking, the LG V30 phone doesn't qualify as merely smart;
LG's implementation of its Hi-Fi Quad DAC is a work of genius. If ever
there were a device that could bring the experience of high-end sound to
millions of music lovers, the hi-rez V30 with MQA is it. It's more than
a game changer. For its audiophile sound quality and its smartphone
portability - a combination that may prove unbeatable - it belongs in
Stereophile's 'Recommended Components' in a Class A catagory all its
own. Now, if only Apple could see the light and release a similar
product."
After reading the above I was left speechless and laughing hysterically.
For that I feel that my subscription to Stereophile is well worth the $1
per issue price.
Hi Ralph!

Now that I've stopped laffin', here's my short & sweet Brummie (that's
Brumigham, England folks... ) take: "UTTER BOLLOCKS!". 'Nuff said...
:rolleyes:

Dave :cool:


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ralphpnj
2018-04-18 23:38:18 UTC
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Post by Golden Earring
Hi Ralph!
Now that I've stopped laffin', here's my short & sweet Brummie (that's
Brumigham, England folks... ) take: "UTTER BOLLOCKS!". 'Nuff said...
Thanks! By the way things are actually way worse than the quoted
conclusions make them appear. To wit, there is no information given
about the amplification circuit of the phone nor the headphone/audio
output specifications. And no measurements. As I said, laughable.



Living Rm: Transporter-SimAudio pre/power amps-Vandersteen 3A Sign. &
sub
Home Theater: Touch-Marantz HTR-Energy Veritas 2.1 & Linn sub
Computer Rm: Touch-Headroom Desktop w/DAC-Aragon amp-Energy Veritas 2.1
& Energy sub
Bedroom: Touch-HR Desktop w/DAC-Audio Refinement amp-Energy Veritas 2.0
Guest Rm: Duet-Sony soundbar
Garage: SB3-JVC compact system
Controls: iPeng; SB Controller; Moose & Muso
Server: LMS 7.9 on dedicated windows 10 computer w/2 Drobos
'Last.fm' (http://www.last.fm/user/jazzfann/)
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Golden Earring
2018-04-18 23:47:36 UTC
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Post by ralphpnj
Thanks! By the way things are actually way worse than the quoted
conclusions make them appear. To wit, there is no information given
about the amplification circuit of the phone nor the headphone/audio
output specifications. And no measurements. As I said, laughable.
Hi Ralph!

It really- isn't -worth your precious time reading!

Have you considered gardening: I can't really do it myself (buggered
back + brown fingers... ), but I'm told that it can be a great solace in
one's later years.

One hell of a lot better than reading Stereophile! :D

Dave :cool:


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ralphpnj
2018-04-19 00:37:41 UTC
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Post by Golden Earring
Hi Ralph!
It really- isn't -worth your precious time reading!
Have you considered gardening: I can't really do it myself (buggered
back + brown fingers... ), but I'm told that it can be a great solace in
one's later years.
One hell of a lot better than reading Stereophile! :D
My wife does the gardening while I'm out riding my bicycle. I ride about
6,000+ miles a year and I read Stereophile mostly for laughs.

I do find that I now have trouble talking with some of my Kool-Aide
drinking audiophile friends about audio so now we just talk about music.
A much better topic. As for music, jazz is my main area of interest.
Lots and lots of jazz. Perhaps that is why I don't make to big a stink
about the loudness wars, except of course when I listen to a modern
popular music release. Often times they are unlistenable because of the
severe dynamic range compression combined with over driven loudness
levels. A terrible thing to do to any music.



Living Rm: Transporter-SimAudio pre/power amps-Vandersteen 3A Sign. &
sub
Home Theater: Touch-Marantz HTR-Energy Veritas 2.1 & Linn sub
Computer Rm: Touch-Headroom Desktop w/DAC-Aragon amp-Energy Veritas 2.1
& Energy sub
Bedroom: Touch-HR Desktop w/DAC-Audio Refinement amp-Energy Veritas 2.0
Guest Rm: Duet-Sony soundbar
Garage: SB3-JVC compact system
Controls: iPeng; SB Controller; Moose & Muso
Server: LMS 7.9 on dedicated windows 10 computer w/2 Drobos
'Last.fm' (http://www.last.fm/user/jazzfann/)
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drmatt
2018-04-19 08:58:56 UTC
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loudness wars.. A terrible thing to do to any music.
Those recordings are for listening to in the car. Hopefully whilst
driving as fast as possible. Never, ever, play them on the big system in
the house. It'll just hurt.


-Transcoded from Matt's brain by Tapatalk-



--
Hardware: 3x Touch, 1x Radio, 2x Receivers, 1 HP Microserver NAS with
Debian+LMS 7.9.0
Music: ~1300 CDs, as 450 GB of 16/44k FLACs. No less than 3x 24/44k
albums..
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ralphpnj
2018-04-19 11:07:38 UTC
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Post by drmatt
Those recordings are for listening to in the car. Hopefully whilst
driving as fast as possible. Never, ever, play them on the big system in
the house. It'll just hurt.
-Transcoded from Matt's brain by Tapatalk-
And with all the car windows wide open. Better yet whilst driving a
convertible with the top down.



Living Rm: Transporter-SimAudio pre/power amps-Vandersteen 3A Sign. &
sub
Home Theater: Touch-Marantz HTR-Energy Veritas 2.1 & Linn sub
Computer Rm: Touch-Headroom Desktop w/DAC-Aragon amp-Energy Veritas 2.1
& Energy sub
Bedroom: Touch-HR Desktop w/DAC-Audio Refinement amp-Energy Veritas 2.0
Guest Rm: Duet-Sony soundbar
Garage: SB3-JVC compact system
Controls: iPeng; SB Controller; Moose & Muso
Server: LMS 7.9 on dedicated windows 10 computer w/2 Drobos
'Last.fm' (http://www.last.fm/user/jazzfann/)
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bakker_be
2018-04-20 09:02:17 UTC
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In any halfway decent car with a halfway decent car stereo, a good
recording will still be more enjoyable than a Loudness War victim. That
kind of treatment is actually aimed at the iPhone (or other smartphone,
just being biased anti-Apple here :p)generation, with their horrible
little earbuds incapable of reproducing bass impact anyway ...



Main System: Touch; Marantz SR-5004 + TMA Premium 905 + TMA Premium 901
+ Teufel Ultima 20 Mk 2 + BK Monolith+ FF + Lenovo T460 + Kodi + Pioneer
PDP-LX5090H
Workshop: iPad 32GB Wifi + Squeezepad (local playback activated)
Wherever needed: Acer Iconia Tab A700 + Squeezeplayer
Kitchen: iPhone 5s + iPeng (local playback activated) + NAD 312 + Teufel
Ultima 20 Mk 2
Headphone (cozy corner): Lenovo T550 + Squeezelite-X + Cyrus Soundkey +
Topping A30 + Focal Elear
Car: TBC ...
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ralphpnj
2018-04-20 12:03:59 UTC
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Post by bakker_be
In any halfway decent car with a halfway decent car stereo, a good
recording will still be more enjoyable than a Loudness War victim. That
kind of treatment is actually aimed at the iPhone (or other smartphone,
just being biased anti-Apple here :p)generation, with their horrible
little earbuds incapable of reproducing bass impact anyway ...
Yes but if they listening to the LG V30 with MQA then they are in audio
nirvana or so one is led to believe.



Living Rm: Transporter-SimAudio pre/power amps-Vandersteen 3A Sign. &
sub
Home Theater: Touch-Marantz HTR-Energy Veritas 2.1 & Linn sub
Computer Rm: Touch-Headroom Desktop w/DAC-Aragon amp-Energy Veritas 2.1
& Energy sub
Bedroom: Touch-HR Desktop w/DAC-Audio Refinement amp-Energy Veritas 2.0
Guest Rm: Duet-Sony soundbar
Garage: SB3-JVC compact system
Controls: iPeng; SB Controller; Moose & Muso
Server: LMS 7.9 on dedicated windows 10 computer w/2 Drobos
'Last.fm' (http://www.last.fm/user/jazzfann/)
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Golden Earring
2018-04-22 11:16:54 UTC
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As for music, jazz is my main area of interest. Lots and lots of jazz.
Hi Ralph!

I -like- jazz, & I have the obvious stuff in my eclectic 6500+ album
collection. BUT, I always find it difficult to know where to look next:
classical music is *much* easier to construct a decent collection of
(even if you often end up with lots of different interpretations of your
favourite compositions, lol).

If you could PM me a few pointers to get me going again, I'd be most
grateful - no particular genre preferences, just so long as it's done
well...

Thanks,
Dave ( :cool:, man, far out!) :D


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Dogberry2
2018-06-07 18:07:36 UTC
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Jeepers, my LG V20 has the Hi-Fi Quad DAC, but no MQA. I wonder if I
should throw it in the trash and rush out to get a V30?

Actually, I do like the sound quality I get from my phone (I use
headphones; cannot tolerate earbuds!), in light of the fact that it's
only a phone. I often run the Android Squeeze Player app, and stream
FLAC from my LMS through a pair of Sennheisers. For a portable device,
it's quite good (even without the amazing miracle audio advantage of
MQA).


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