16 thoughts on “A Step Closer To The AXPONA System

  • February 9, 2015 at 5:37 pm
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    I agree with you that LP’s do not meet the technical definition of high resolution (or definition) audio, but, to me, they simply sound better. The sound is more relaxed and I can forget about the technicalities and just listen to the music.

    The biggest challenge in setting up a room at the Axpona show will be the room itself. That is the bugbear at all shows.

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    • February 10, 2015 at 8:51 am
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      I have never argued that listening to vinyl LP is a bad thing or that they don’t have the potential to sound wonderful. However, I’ve gotten so enthralled by super clean, accurate, crisp high-resolution PCM digital that I’m never going back. Have you experienced the sample files on my FTP site through a good system?

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  • February 9, 2015 at 6:09 pm
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    Im so dying to see a Home theater geeks show titled.. Analog vs Digital, Framer vs Waldrep.. Both of you on the same show duking it out…

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    • February 10, 2015 at 8:52 am
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      Michael Fremer is a friend and loves the sound of his vinyl LP. He spends a lot of time trying to elevate it to “high-resolution” status, which is counterproductive. He should just acknowledge that he enjoys his vinyl and leave it at that.

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  • February 9, 2015 at 6:26 pm
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    Doesn’t the Bauman article assume that the dynamic range is entirely limited by the playback electronics? i.e. the black frisbee itself is unlimited in dynamic range?

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    • February 10, 2015 at 8:53 am
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      There’s a lot of stuff in the Bauman article that misses the real world production paths that are used to make records.

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  • February 9, 2015 at 6:53 pm
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    How many “true HD” albums would you guess are made?

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    • February 10, 2015 at 8:53 am
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      Maybe 1500.

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  • February 9, 2015 at 7:13 pm
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    It is very difficult if not impossible to achieve a dynamic range of over 125dB on source components or preamplifiers. The Oppo 103 does not meet this requirement for HRA if used as an analog source. The Benchmark DAC2-HGC does. For noise reduction on the analog domain you must use high quality balanced cables, and the corresponding balanced inputs and outputs at the preamplifier and power amplifier.

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    • February 10, 2015 at 8:53 am
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      Ron…you’re right. It’s going to prove very difficult to get to the highest level of playback.

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  • February 9, 2015 at 7:28 pm
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    Sorry that I can’t offer a lot of information as to the setup to use at AXPONA. But I definitely will be there this year. Look forward to meeting you and hearing your setup. It sounds like you are on the right track.

    I am definitely looking for a cost effective way to listen to my collection of HiRes flac files of music. I am using an Audioengine D3 with a decent set of headphones on my computer but I do want something I can use on-the-go. I have been reading about the FIIO X1 player which has some pretty good reviews. I would like to see you address some of the units that we common folk could use in a future article.

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    • February 10, 2015 at 8:54 am
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      I will explore some of the portable devices. I have several…

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  • February 10, 2015 at 4:59 am
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    Dear Mark

    Is there any sense in updating a good quality (Gamut) cdplayer’s DAC from 44,5, to an external 16 to 92 kHz, 24 bits ?

    I hear only classical music, and since 2 years have downloaded CD quality albuns from Presto Classicals and 92, 24s from Hyperion ( they call it Master, not HD Quality)

    I appreciate every day your posts about Real HD audio. Iam in Brazil.

    Thank you in advance.

    Best Regards

    Luiz Oscar Becker

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    • February 10, 2015 at 8:55 am
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      You probably should upgrade more than just your DAC. Get an Oppo and then save up for a Benchmark DAC2

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  • February 10, 2015 at 2:30 pm
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    “How many “true HD” albums would you guess are made?”

    “Maybe 1500.”

    Thanks for the reply.

    How many albums (digital or analog) would you guess are made that are better than CD quality sound?

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    • February 10, 2015 at 3:57 pm
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      If you’re asking better than the highest potential of CD spec sound, not very many…

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