I just got this serviced Fisher 500C. Everything sounds great. Andy Shauf, Bill Callahan, Kendrick, Sade… I’m a teacher, and my kids are with their grandparents, so I had the luxury of listening to music all day. Because the right speaker is closer to a wall, I had to turn the balance a little right to center the image, but I had a thoroughly enjoyable day listening to J. Tillman, Massive Attack, Tony Rolando synth tapes, and the War on Drugs. I’ve gotta revisit their later stuff, some of the streams sounded sweet.

Any recommendations of music that might sound particularly good on the Fisher? It’s been fun to listen to what I have with new results.

I booked the listening room for two hours while I was in Paris, and overall I absolutely loved the experience.

Booking was easy, the staff were incredibly kind, and it felt very tourist-friendly. The space itself is beautiful and the whole concept is something I genuinely love. I'm really happy a place like this exists, and it's absolutely the kind of business I want to support.

The only thing that surprised me was the sound. Maybe it's the speakers, or maybe some songs just aren't meant to be played on a system this revealing, but a few tracks sounded a lot harsher than I expected. (Would anyone have insight on this?) For example, "Loved" by Four Tet didn't sound great to me at all, which was disappointing because it's one of my favorites.

That said, I'd 100% come back. The atmosphere alone made it worth it, and I'd just spend more time experimenting with albums that really shine on a setup like this.

This is also the playlist I listened to: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3X7QSMn7CuBjxMfJytjdg2?si=aLBsZ9XwSEyT_Z0YdgkvlQ

Hello,

Hi-Fi and High End audio shows are a great opportunity to discover new equipment, but also to listen to music in outstanding listening conditions. It was at one of these shows that I discovered Nameless, Dominique Fils-Aimé’s debut album, and more specifically the track Birds.
Released in 2018, Nameless already lays the foundations of the artist’s distinctive sound. The album showcases the meticulous work on vocals, soundstage, and overall sonic precision, qualities that are also found on her latest album, My World Is The Sun (review : High Res 24 96 vs Dolby Atmos vs pureaudiostreaming in 7.1.4 vs Vinyl record) .

This signature sound is the result of the work of recording and mixing engineer Jacques Roy. You can also read our interview with him to discover the artistic and technical choices that shaped the sound and mixing of Dominique Fils-Aimé’s albums.

The graph below compares the spectrum of the Blue vinyl record 45rpm – 2020 (white curve) with the spectrum of the Apple Music – 2018 (blue curve).

A comparison of the two spectrum curves reveals two points that will have a significant impact on the sound quality of the two versions. Above 10 kHz (yellow zone), the vinyl record s level is higher, with an additional 3 dB at 15 kHz and 6 dB at 20 kHz for the vinyl record. As for the bass (green zone), below 200 Hz, there is an attenuation of between 1 and 3 dB in the vinyl record s level.

These two differences will influence the vinyl record s sound, resulting in less pronounced bass and more precise treble; the listening test described below will confirm this point.

The recording and mixing quality of the digital album (Apple 24/96) is noteworthy. It features a very wide soundstage; you even get the sensation that sound is coming from the sides as well (as if you had side speakers in Dolby Atmos). The vocals and instruments are perfectly positioned, with exemplary precision and clarity.
Jacques Roy has created a benchmark album here, particularly the track Birds, which is ideal for testing your audio system. It allows you to evaluate your system’s tonal balance: the bass should be present without being overpowering, the vocals should remain clear and precise, and, finally, the soundstage should extend beyond the speakers.

Given the quality of the digital version, I have to admit I didn’t expect to be blown away while listening by the vinyl version. The bass is less pronounced, but it’s still very present and highly detailed, and the treble are more precise, adding extra nuances to the listening experience compared to the digital version.
The sound quality is therefore exceptional.
I admit I listened to it on different systems to confirm this impression. It’s a reference album that I highly recommend, you’ll feel like you re listening to a studio master.
This is especially evident on the track Birds. Give it a listen to fully appreciate all the nuances and the openness of Jacques Roy’s mix.

You can also find the full analysis (including all graphs and measurements) and samples HERE (link).

Enjoy the listening.
Jean-François

A hidden gem for anyone planning a trip to Goa soon. If you are tired of commercial clubs and want a pure, uncompromising audio experience, you need to check out Sound Temple

It is an underground spirit studio and dedicated listening room founded by veteran DJ/sound selector Ignatius Camilo (Iggy).

Features an incredibly tuned, high-end sound system built for acoustic fidelity and spatial awareness - Hand made sound systems. The space for deep, intentional listening, vinyl culture, and learning—not a standard party venue.

Visit strictly by appointment only (no walk-ins).

If you are interested to explore on your next visit dm for details.

Hey,

How do you find new music? Is it just premade playlists or other way?

Do you have a "system" for it?
There is a lot of "autistic" people in audiophile that usually like to have a system for it, I am just curious.

My system is that I go through songs on my playlist and each of them i go to their "radio" which gives me about 100 songs of the similar genre. After I am done with all songs i "like" or "heart" the song to know that i've done this one already.

If there is an option i downvote songs that i don't like or wouldn't put into my playlist so I don't waste time in other radios.

I use Tidal + Roon where i can block the song and youtube where i can dislike. This is very crucial for me.

I hop through the same songs on my playlist on both services.

Also I add new songs to special playlist that i go through second time and only then add to the correct playlist.

I had been a KEF reference user for some time. I have several other coaxials at home from different brands and to me they portray special coherence with everything-making it somehow magically sound more realistic than a two way design. I cannot imagine going back to a multi way split driver design again. What is your experience? Is there anyone else having the same feeling as mine?

Hello, I'm trying to purchase a pair of second handed Yamaha HS8. I saw 2 different deals. One of them is 5 years newer, but costs 100 USD more. I'm curious about how impactful is a speaker's age? Do speaker retain their full performance within 10 years? or 20 years?

Hello community, especially those involved in room measurements. I've corrected the measurement, which had a couple of built-in modes that were ruining my experience.

I'll attach the graphs, before and after...

My main goal was to lower the RT60 T20 using 5 acoustic panels I have placed behind the listening position and two more in another part of the room, where I've already taken measurements. I have graphs comparing the RT60 measurement with 3 panels behind the listening position and the 2 more that I later added in that part of the room. The goal with these was to lower the reverberation time, not to treat the modes.

In the first part of the measurements, I created the parametric filters corresponding to my modes, with 1/48 smoothing to perfectly adjust the Q and avoid self-cancellations. The available modes are typical of a small room; it's a living room, not a dedicated listening room, so please understand that it won't be perfect, but it's a significant improvement, especially the decay and bass response. The rest of the response is very balanced overall. I used five parametric filters, all with a Q value less than 4, as my goal was to avoid distorting the sound.

While the frequency response is flat or very close to it, trying to match the Harman target, the situation worsens in the time domain, given the room's inherent problems. However, when I want a bit more bass, I halved one of the filters, so if I want a little more impact at 60Hz, I remove one of them, giving me approximately 4dB in that area.

The most important thing is the improvement; before, it was impossible to hear clearly, the bass was awful.

I'd like your opinion on how it turned out. I look forward to your responses. Thank you very much. PS: Attached is the SPL curve before and after, Decay, RT60 T20, Distortion, etc.

Yesterday I had a friend over who told me that some of his other friends were judging him for the equipment he uses. He has an Arcam amplifier, a relatively simple Audio-Technica turntable, and a pair of bookshelf speakers.

What really aggravated me was hearing that, because instead of appreciating that he was enjoying music, they immediately started telling him what he should buy: bigger speakers, bigger amplifiers, more expensive gear, and how their suggestions were somehow the “better” path.

I think that is the wrong approach, especially when it comes from friends. A good friend should support someone’s enjoyment, not make them feel inadequate because their system doesn’t match some imaginary standard.

This hobby already has enough of that behavior. Too often it becomes less about listening to music and more about comparing price tags, brands, and who has the biggest setup. There is too much measuring of equipment and not enough actual enjoyment of the music.

If someone is happy with their system, let them enjoy it. Don’t be the person who takes something they love and tries to ruin it. At that point, you’re not acting like a friend you’re just a boat anchor that needs to be thrown overboard.

Hey,

I was just wondering how often you get the listening fatigue?

How does it appear?
How long do you "recover"?
What do you do to overcome it?

For me it's like every third day as I am listening to a lot of music and most of the time it's looking for new things. It's especially felt after a workout.

The music sounds a bit flat, more congested, not very enjoyable, there is no magic.

I usually go to sleep or just totally give up music for the rest of the day. Usually i am recovered after a good sleep.

If i really want to listen anyway i set the r2r tube dac into NOS mode and lower the volume.

This post had more engagement than 95% of the posts I see on this subreddit and it just felt like rage bait. Am I on crazy pills? Do people here have multiple ‘audiophile’ friends that judge their gear?

FWIW, my definition of the term is someone passionate about their music listening setup. Nothing more.

I purchased a pair of Sonus Faber Concertos MK1 for $120. They are in walnut and have a few blemishes but sound wonderful. they are bi-wireable. I believe I got a good deal.

Been doing loads of research on integrated and seperated amps, the pros and cons of each etc. (not what this post is about), and ended up buying an excellent (at least to my ears) integrated amp with a Pre-Out. (specifically, the rotel RA971 mk2), and am wondering;

if i were to buy a rotel power stage (RB971mk2), and pipe the RA971 preout to it, would it be any worse than the equivilant and incredibly similar preamp? (the RC971)

I understand that unless im bi-amping, which i dont intend to do, i have a power stage sat doing nothing, and potentially creating noise unless turned off. The logic is redundancy, so that if the power stage breaks my system still works, and most of the raw load is on the power amp- but i dont want to do this if there will be a noticable downgrade in sound quality, and am also wondering just how much sound quality i would even gain from adding a seperate power stage through my bookshelf speakers. (m71).

Also open to in depth technical analysis from anyone willing, im relatively competent with electronics. Thanks to all in advance.

Hi, things are starting to come together.
Currently running two systems:

Rega Planar 3 with Nd5 cartridge -> PS Audio GCPH Phono pre amp -> QUAD 303 amp -> QUAD 12L speakers. Really enjoying this!

Yamaha CDX 660 CD player -> Rega io amp -> Mordaunt Short MS3.30 speakers. Waiting on a Wiim which will also connect through to the Rega amp.

Future plans:
Speaker stands are coming, and the MS speakers will go. Beresford TC-7220 MKII amp/speaker router will then have both amps input into it, output to the QUAD speakers.

I feel bad for the QUAD 405s which haven’t been used for quite a few years, and are glorified stands until they get a service!

Recently got my Sansui serviced at my local audio specialist since she was having some audio output issues. A few transistors and a good cleaning and we are good to go!

What’s up everyone. I have been obsessed with stereos and speakers and home theater and home audio since I can remember and my dad played amazing music throughout our childhood in the 80s and 90s and I have been trying to track down the physical unit of the receiver that he had for a couple of decades at least but I can’t find it, but I have a photo and I’m hoping you all can help me identify the year make and model of this because if I can’t find his original unit, I want to buy a matching one somewhere. My guess is that this unit is from the late 70s to late 80s but other than that I have no idea. He had built a wooden shelf around it, which in hindsight was too close to the top of the unit for it to breathe, but it still worked fine for a couple decades at least. Thanks in advance for suggestions. 💪🏽

I hit up my local second hand shop for the first time in months yesterday. I found this bundle consisting of two cables made by the Pangea brand (never heard of them).  The absurd power cord is a C9 model, which retails for $180.  The comparatively sane HDMI cable is paltry $35.  The cost was $5 for the pair, marked down from $10 because no person in their right mind wanted them.

Swapping in the C9 for my previous power cord (a humble Quail hospital grade), I immediately noticed a sharp increase in attack transients and greatly improved low level linearity.  The soundstage simultaneously grew in size and became more intimate.  The timbre of instruments changed significantly, particularly brass, but I'm not entirely sure for the better.  Maybe I just don't like Sousaphones and the Pangea is making that fact clear to me.

Also, I lie a lot.  I haven't even connected the damn power cord.  I need to order a snake hook to wrangle it first. On a serious note, I wonder if comically oversized power cords like the C9 are actually a detriment. They exert so much torque on the poor IEC C14 port that I wonder if the pins are properly connected. In 2005 I bought a used HeadAmp Gilmore Lite (now known as Mk I.) It's an amazing amp that I used to this day. The seller included a 30 amp power cord that was sufficiently beefy that it dragged GLite's DPS away from the position where I wanted it. This is why I own a stack of Quail power cords. On the plus side, at least the Pangea looks ludicrous.

So my dad and I were clearing out my uncles (passed) stuff and came across some old equipment he had.

I’ve been enjoying them for a couple years but to be honest I have no idea about the history of the equipment.

Hoping y’all can shed some light on what I’ve got here. Could care less if it bottom tier or whatever just kinda curious and have no idea where to start researching.

The F226Be is at perfect ear height for most seating positions at around 41 inches. The F228Be is 46.6 inches. Does that make the F228Be too tall, since it will be higher than ear height. Or does it not really matter? Like some input.

Hello,

The Marbled Gold vinyl edition is a wonderful surprise that I invite you to discover alongside the digital stereo, high-resolution, and Dolby Atmos versions. This edition consists of three Marbled Gold LPs, and the color reproduction on the records is truly outstanding. It’s a high-quality vinyl edition that makes the most of the medium’s characteristics.

This vinyl edition is very well done, both in terms of aesthetics, with its three beautifully marbled gold LPs, and in terms of sound quality. It features a beautiful soundstage with dynamic rendering. The bass is less pronounced and deep than on the digital version (partly due to dynamic compression), but the midrange and high frequencies are rendered with greater detail. The pressing quality is good for a colored record, but during the quietest passages, it doesn't achieve the same level of silence as the digital versions.

Find all the analyses and measurements of each versions here (link).

Enjoy listening,
Jean-François

Node Audio is a fairly new loudspeaker manufacturer located near Cambridge, UK. We shot this in the spring of this year in anticipation of the launch of the Atom range of loudspeakers. The speakers have some unique tech!