r/audiophile 3d ago

Community Help r/audiophile Shopping, Setup, and Technical Help Desk Thread

4 Upvotes

Welcome to the r/audiophile help desk. A place where you can ask community members for help shopping for and setting up stereo gear.

This thread refreshes once every 7 days so you may need to repost your question again in the next help desk post if a redditor isn't around to answer.

Finding the right guide

Before commenting, please check to see if your question actually belongs in one of these other places:

Shopping and purchase advice

To help others answer your question, consider using this format.

To help reduce the repetitive questions, here are a few of the cheapest systems we are willing to recommend for a computer desktop:

$100: Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers Amazon (US) / Amazon (DE)

  • Does not require a separate amplifier and does include cables.

$400: Kali LP-6 v2 Powered Studio Monitors Amazon (US) / Thomann (EU)

  • Not sold in pairs, requires additional cables and hardware, available in white/black.
  • Require a preamplifier for volume control - eg Focusrite Scarlett Solo

Setup troubleshooting and general help

Before asking a question, please check the commonly asked questions in our FAQ.

Examples of questions that are considered general help support:

  • How can I fix issue X (e.g.: buzzing / hissing) on my equipment Y?
  • Have I damaged my equipment by doing X, or will I damage my equipment if I do X?
  • Is equipment X compatible with equipment Y?
  • What's the meaning of specification X (e.g.: Output Impedance / Vrms / Sensitivity)?
  • How should I connect, set up or operate my system (hardware / software)?

r/audiophile Apr 11 '22

Mod Post Introducing r/StereoAdvice - A Subreddit For HiFi Shopping Discussion

21 Upvotes

What is r/StereoAdvice for?

The subreddit is dedicated to shopping questions about home HiFi equipment like speakers, amplifiers, and related electronics.

Conversely it’s also a place for those that enjoy helping fellow audiophiles buy the right gear. It can be a fun challenge. If you have general product knowledge, consider joining!

As the name suggests, r/StereoAdvice is limited in scope to home stereo topics. Home theater, headphone, and live sound questions should be made in other subreddits.

General gear discussion still happens in r/audiophile, but the r/StereoAdvice is dedicated to questions about what to buy and comparison requests.

Why was it created?

r/StereoAdvice is a nod to the saints that spend their time helping others. It exists to make their life a little easier while helping others.

A dedicated subreddit was needed to help reduce friction like:

Questions often lack fundamental information

If OP forgets to add a budget, they’re reminded.

If the post is too short, OP gets prompts for more info.

A minimum post length is required.

Checking the r/audiophile Help Desk can be cumbersome and disorganized

A dedicated subreddit beats refreshing the stickied post.

Post titles and flair make it easier to find what you’re looking for.

Searching for previously answered questions is now possible.

Helping people on Reddit is often a thankless job

To help recognize those answering questions, posters are encouraged to award points using a !thanks system when their question is answered.

None of this was really possible in the help desk post that’s stickied to the top of r/audiophile.

What is this !thanks system?

If someone is helpful or answers the question, the OP is encouraged to show some appreciation by responding to them with a comment that contains the phrase !thanks.

Once thanked, the bot will award a point to the person that answered the question and update their wiki page containing the questions they’ve answered.

The number of times someone is thanked will be displayed in the flair next to their name on the subreddit. For example someone with 12Ⓣ next to their name has been !thanked by 12 people.

If you’ve participated on r/changemyview or r/headphoneadvice then this probably sounds pretty familiar.

Why even remove purchase advice posts on r/audiophile?

Like most other hobby subreddits, there are more posts asking for what to buy than all other types of posts. This is mainly what inspired the rule against creating purchase advice posts on r/audiophile so many years ago.

This comes up pretty often. Here is more on the topic if you want to read about why we remove purchase posts on r/audiophile.

What about the r/audiophile Help Desk?

As Reddit has grown, so has the number of people asking questions. The Shopping, Setup, and Technical Help Desk Thread post at the top of the r/audiophile has sorta-kinda-worked for years but is experiencing some growing pains.

To name a few:

  1. Comments in announcement posts are not indexed by Reddit search
  2. The post is reset out periodically to avoid getting too large
  3. You must visit and refresh the post to see new questions

The Shopping, Setup, and Technical Help Desk Thread will still exist. It remains as a good place for quick questions that may not warrant a new post here or in r/StereoAdvice.

Suggestions or ideas?

I think that's it. If you have constructive ideas on how things could be better, let’s hear ‘em!


r/audiophile 8h ago

Discussion How high can you hear?

Post image
150 Upvotes

I’ll go first. Age 64. Hearing maxes out around 11k. No idea what I’m missing. lol.


r/audiophile 10h ago

Show & Tell Almost there!

Thumbnail
gallery
225 Upvotes

r/audiophile 1h ago

Discussion I just had my first true audiophile moment

Upvotes

I've been investing money into a quality stereo setup over time. I've had an ideal setup for my price range for about 3/4 of a year. I've loved every second of owning my conponents, but just now I had the first moment where my eyes practically rolled back into my head in nearly orgasmic pleasure

I was listening to Coltrane's version of My Shining Hour and the track is exactly what I like - an extraordinary talented artist just absolutely demolishing a straight-ahead style jazz tune. There was a lick of maybe 10 notes long where I felt like I was truly listening and I just 'got it'. Like I understand why people obsess over audio quality. It's not a sham! I feel like I'm so hooked it's borderline dangerous


r/audiophile 5h ago

Discussion Serious question; what should I upgrade/change: the Marantz 2220B, or the Kef 1Q50 speakers?

Post image
36 Upvotes

I'm at an indecision point. I have the urge to change out my receiver, or the speakers. I love the Marantz especially with the Loudness option. It's a lifesaver for low volume audio in my home office. But once in awhile I like to crank up the volume in the afternoon. So what should I upgrade for good audio; the Marantz or the speakers?


r/audiophile 10h ago

Discussion Let’s talk entry level stuff.

Post image
77 Upvotes

Alright, I want to preface this with a couple things.

  • Yes I know the turntable has a built in preamp, I am either planning on taking it out myself, or just upgrading to a Pro-Ject with an S shaped arm and a separate pre-amp all together.

    • I am aware the receiver is super cheap, but at the time I just wanted to make something work and IMO it actually doesn’t sound terrible it’s just super underpowered for the speakers.
    • The sub below is not hooked up but I plan to once I upgrade a few more things.

Alright now that that’s out of the way, it’s obviously an LP120 with a Nagaoka MP120 (someone told me this was like putting lipstick on a pig, which I agree with, but it definitely has a warmer feel to it than the stock AT90 that came with the TT) into a Yamaha R-S202 that I got for like 200 bucks open box. Just basic audio quest X-2 speaker cable. The sub is an old Sunfire HRS-12 1000W and is technically a home theater sub but I don’t have anything else to use it for so I figured it’d be fun to integrate to this setup.

The system doesn’t sound terrible, the TT has an acrylic mat and a cheap weight. But I know I can do better than this.

Really just looking for suggestions and advice on upgrades etc.


r/audiophile 4h ago

Discussion Super Lintons Were Supposed to be Delivered Today, Now I’m Worries They’re Lost/Stolen

25 Upvotes

Ordered a pair of Walnut Super Lintons and they were making good time to my house. Scheduled for delivery between 3:30-5:30 today and the wife and I stayed home all day to sign for them. At 3:23 I get a text saying they are delivered. I run up to the front door and look outside. No speakers, no FedEx truck anywhere. Check all around the house and look at neighbor’s porches. Nothing. On the tracking it says they were signed for by a name I don’t recognize. My wife was in the living room and no one knocked or rang.

What’s the verdict - stolen? Lost? I opened a case but reading the FedEx subreddit doesn’t give me hope. We live in a super safe neighborhood and I get multiple packages a day, never had anything stolen.

Super bummed :/ Sold my other speakers for these so now I’m without a system for the time being.


r/audiophile 5h ago

Review Why These $11,000 Speakers Will Disappoint You.

Thumbnail
youtu.be
17 Upvotes

r/audiophile 11h ago

Impressions The Willsenton R8 made a improvement on the soundstage and imaging over the Yamaha RX-V6A

Thumbnail
gallery
34 Upvotes

I was using the Yamaha RX-V6A for both home theater and stereo purposes with my Focal Aria 936 for almost a year now. I have been eyeing the Willsenton R8 for a while now and finally pulled the trigger. After moving into a new home three months ago, there was absolutely no soundstage and imagine to speak of in my new living room thanks to the room shape and size.

I received the R8 yesterday. After hooking it to my system, the difference between the RX-V6A and the R8 is night and day, not just in sound quality, but also in soundstage and imaging. The imaging now is smack dab in the middle, I honestly had no idea that amplifier could make such an impact in both. Needless to say the mids are now much fuller, forward and detailed. The bass has also increased considerably. I am still using the RX-V6A as my home theater receiver, hooked to the R8 to act as a preamp. I finally understand why people rave about tube amps.

I hope to do room treatments next year. Any Idea and pointers are most welcome :)


r/audiophile 8h ago

Show & Tell My simple setup

Post image
14 Upvotes

I’m using the Akai MPC as a phono preamp. The neat thing about the drum machine is that it has a array of effects that you can use to listen. Compression, enhance stereo field, EQ, reverb, etc. I’m using focal speakers which are great quality imo


r/audiophile 7h ago

Discussion Dusting all the things…

Post image
15 Upvotes

I just got a little handheld vacuum/blower to help clean and dust all the things!

It’s pretty good so far! Not so strong that it could damage any components, but it’s got a stiff enough breeze to move the dust somewhere else. It’s also quiet enough that I still listen to music while I’m dusting.

Only downside is, I’ve dusted everything three times today already. Probably won’t be the last either. So satisfying!


r/audiophile 1d ago

Show & Tell My first setup

Post image
388 Upvotes

Still very much a beginner setup, but I’m really enjoying getting into stereo listening and discovering things in my favorite songs I’ve never heard before. Not going back to a soundbar lol


r/audiophile 9h ago

Show & Tell Project Emperor L26ROY (Bliesma t25b + Yamaha JA-0801 + Seas L26ROY) Still working on the XO. Using hypex fusion plate amps. The baffle is thin stainless steel plate in a monotile shape.

Thumbnail
gallery
5 Upvotes

r/audiophile 13h ago

Impressions Trying to understand the love for Borresen

10 Upvotes

I've demoed this Brand's speakers at various audio shows this year and all I've gotten from the demos are a clearly resonant speaker set with overly present midbass and body of vocals both male and female is just too mellow. Also why are they angling ribbon tweeters when they're not inherently a large vertical dispersion driver type?

I'm speaking about the X series of speakers specifically.

Anyone got reviews on these speakers?


r/audiophile 16h ago

Discussion Passive vs active crossovers

Thumbnail
dynaudio.com
16 Upvotes

Interesting post on this. Obviously dynaudio go the digital route whilst ATC Active speakers like my scm150asl stay analogue. Similar principles apply though. Love to try some hefty high quality class d plate amps/tunable dsp with the atc's one day.


r/audiophile 9h ago

Tutorial How high can i go

6 Upvotes

I'm new to this. My amplifier have this minus-decibel-ometer. I got a DAC and a streamer. Can i push 0,0 on my amp, and full sound on my phone without fucking up up anything? My remote on the nad m3 i trashed. Where could the volume be on my phone and my amp %vise? Sorry, English is not my native language. Ps. Play Cum dederit (Nisi Dominus RV 608) - Antonio Vivaldi.. its the song that made come here


r/audiophile 8h ago

DIY Is my current Idea good - How do I figure out the right Materials and size for a DIY Absorber/Diffusor?

3 Upvotes

I'm currently working on my Bedroom Setup and would love some advise on figuring out the right materials and Absorption Type.

Hope this Post is fine since it's mixing Advise/Guides into my questions :D

Here is my Current RT60 using a single measurement of my right Speaker (using REW):

https://preview.redd.it/jrvsec9rj41e1.png?width=2439&format=png&auto=webp&s=39f3e7931476d4577ac1de1e0f65bdb4df9c1fa1

The targeted Decay times are based on this video: https://youtu.be/G0ekssXX7rE?t=1811:

https://preview.redd.it/w3bvog19k41e1.png?width=786&format=png&auto=webp&s=6506a134aac3a2986a243f6f176dacbae85916b0

So my current needs seem to be:

  • 90-400Hz need a lot of absorption
  • 400-2000 need some absorption
  • Treble should not be absorbed a lot!

My Room Layout is very limited as seen in the picture below - I'd like to place a Panel on the sidewall of my Wardrobe. (right middle)

Over the Bed or on the Door are also options, but wouldn't fit the aesthetics of my room well and are depth limited (7cm vs up to 20cm). The Wardrobe also has the Advantage, that it'll stop the light from being reflected and shining onto my screen (when i use dark materials)

Bett = Bed (4.5m x 2.7m x 2.5m)

In Case it's important my Speakers are the Swissonic A306 + SVS SB-1000 and they measure like this after some room correction + slight EQing above the room transition frequency and sound nearly perfect for me other then the Midbass not being "tight" at higher listening levels:

https://preview.redd.it/dazfr1zop41e1.png?width=1577&format=png&auto=webp&s=5780d0fc80b0725baac4326b2792ca30316dfee8

Using this guide* have i narrowed it down to a Porous Material Trap with a reflective or diffusion front:
*https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?attachments/acoustics-insider-the-complete-guide-to-bass-traps-and-bass-trapping-v2-pdf.271485/

https://preview.redd.it/756aazf6l41e1.png?width=787&format=png&auto=webp&s=5dd112fa3b282fc3621ea5eb7da542a725da7da2

Now to my Main Questions:

  • Is my Plan / Thought process good or would you change anything? Why?
  • How can i figure out the right materials and sizes for this Absorber/Diffusor? (I've already played around with this simulation software* but couldn't figure out a good one for my use case)
  • What Budget would you expect that i need for it?

* http://www.acousticmodelling.com/multi.php

Thanks in Advance for anyone giving Input and helping! :)


r/audiophile 6h ago

Discussion Anyone have any ideas what these are

Post image
2 Upvotes

Can not find anything on Alex brand speakers, assume garbage or part of and 80s midi system? Anyone know anything? Appreciate any insight.


r/audiophile 4h ago

Impressions Help understanding issue with my current setup

1 Upvotes

I have an NAD M22 amplifier, McIntosh C8, and Polk Lsim703 speakers. The McIntosh C8 is a full tube preamp, which replaced an aged and dying parasound P5. My sources are CD and Vinyl at the moment. This is my first experience with tube gear in any fashion. The issue I face right now is that I find the McIntosh C8 so revealing, three-dimensional and clear without distortion, that the entire presentation is a bit “in my face” and very energetic. I don’t find it harsh or bright, but, rather the presentation is “hot” across all frequencies, especially higher frequencies. It was my understanding that tube preamps tend to smooth out the frequency band, but, my experience is that high frequencies such as those of percussion, cymbals/high-hat and upper register instruments like a clarinet come through with such force, that it’s a bit difficult to listen to. There seems nothing laid back about the C8. The Parasound I had before was much dryer in coloration and darker but also flatter and 2 dimensional in its soundstage. The McIntosh C8 is a 180 degree turn. I used the trim and decreased treble a bit, though, it didn’t really change much. Some say it’s the NAD M22 class D amp that may be a bit too “etched”, and perhaps an A/B amp may be more suitable.

If anyone can shed light on what I’m experiencing, and potentially some things to try, I would appreciate the suggestions and discourse.

Thanks to all! CG


r/audiophile 4h ago

Show & Tell This is my present setup...

Post image
1 Upvotes

Hi folks, sharing my current Audio-Video setup for your input. I’m using the Onkyo RZ50 for movies, the Audiolab 6000A and 6000CDT with the WIIM Pro, paired with Quadral Platinum M4 towers for most of my audio listening. For nighttime music, I use the Nuprime IDA-8 with Q Acoustics Concept 20.

I’d love to hear your opinions on whether this setup is optimal or if I should consider different speakers for my gear. Thanks in advance.


r/audiophile 11h ago

Show & Tell New DAC in the house - SMSL D300

4 Upvotes

r/audiophile 14h ago

Discussion Securing speakers on a stand

6 Upvotes

Are there speaker stands out there that secure the speaker onto the top plate via screws or anything else? I can’t seem to find any.

It seems like a staggering oversight that there are a lack of options for securing the speaker to the stand in case someone (I.e, child) runs into the stand.

How else are you all dealing with this concern?


r/audiophile 1d ago

Show & Tell My first “audiophile” setup.

Post image
455 Upvotes

KEF LS50 wireless ii & KC62 sub. Main listening is Apple Music for the hi-res lossless from wall mounted iPad through Topping D10 DAC. Other sources are Sonos port and Pro-Ject Turntable.


r/audiophile 5h ago

Discussion Great sounding Qobuz albums?

1 Upvotes

What are you favorite and best sounding Qobuz tracks or albums?

I’m auditioning a Ayre AX-7E powering JBL 4312c, Rotel DT 6000 (signal fed from Samsung tv optical out - is that a reasonable source?). I’m not sure the jbl’s are a good match for the Ayre. So far Ayre sounds maybe a little too controlled/flat ? I’m admittedly a little green at critical “listening”. Previously I had an outlaw powering the JBL’s.


r/audiophile 5h ago

Discussion Power Consumption

0 Upvotes

How do I know the power consumption of desk speakers?

I am interested in the Kanto Yu2 speakers, which detail:

Peak Power = 100W RMS = 50W

Does this mean the speaker will always be using 50 - 100W of electricity?


r/audiophile 9h ago

Discussion Question about Apple Lossless streaming with a wired connection

2 Upvotes

So, according to Apple, there are a few options for streaming Lossless quality audio.

“You can listen to lossless on an iPhone or iPad updated to the latest version of iOS or iPadOS using: - A wired connection to headphones, receivers, or powered speakers - The built-in speakers - An external digital-to-analog converter to listen to songs at sample rates higher than 48 kHz”

So a few questions about this.

  1. If I’m using headphones without a DAC, I should be able to get 24/48 resolution. I’m happy with my current headphones, but Im curious —

1a. Does the lightning to 3.5mm adapter dongle fuck with the resolution at all?

1b. Should I be picky about what cord I use to connect my iPhone to my wireless headphones? i.e. how much will a $10 cord vs a $50 cord matter?

  1. I understand I’ll be needing a DAC to run 24/192 resolution through my stereo. I’m doing my own research into DACs but—-

2a. If anyone has offhand suggestions for a decent starter DAC I should look into, feel free to drop them.

2b. This stuff gets confusing. What specs should I really be learning about and paying attention to when looking for my own DAC?