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How to transition from "stereo components" to modern means for listening to music?
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Jul 7, 2021 07:23:39   #
edwdickinson Loc: Ardmore PA
 
srt101fan wrote:
I've always liked having music playing in the background while engaged in my various indoor activities. Seems like I've always had stereo receivers, floor speakers, tape decks, turntables and CD players. With our downsizing, I've disposed of most of that stuff (the last items, including my remaining vinyl records went to Goodwill this morning!) I still have a "boom box" that plays CDs. A little sad to part with the past but it's time to move on.

How do you all listen to music? What do you think of the Alexa-type speakers for providing background music? I'd love to hear about your experiences and suggestions.

Thanks!
I've always liked having music playing in the back... (show quote)


I converted all my music to .wav files years ago, my firestick is connected to my receiver and I can play music from the receiver using Kodi or I can listen on an Alexa device using My Media for Alexa app which runs from the media server.

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Jul 7, 2021 07:29:35   #
Canisdirus
 
Computer has Emotiva speakers hooked up to a Sony UDA-1 DAC AMP.
The den has a couple of Bose 901's with a revamped equalizer and an added subwoofer (which makes all the difference).
All units are Yamaha.

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Jul 7, 2021 07:47:10   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
I found an excellent solution with no monthly fees: Internet radio. I have a small Grace radio connected to an FM transmitter. When I turn on both, I can choose music from thousands of stations all around the world, and it is broadcast all over my property on the FM frequency I choose.

https://smile.amazon.com/s?k=grace+radio&ref=nb_sb_noss_1
https://smile.amazon.com/s?k=fm+transmitter&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

Another solution: flash drives. I have house and car radios that accept flash drives. I use the tiny flash drive linked below to play music on them. I use Audacity (free) to record music off Pandora or other sources.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MDXBT87/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have no plans to give up my CDs or DVDs. They might be "old fashioned," but I can listen and watch when I want.

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Jul 7, 2021 08:00:15   #
Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States
 
jerryc41 wrote:
...
...
I have no plans to give up my CDs or DVDs. They might be "old fashioned," but I can listen and watch when I want.

Ditto.
Many of the DVDs I have are never on cable, or VERY rarely....
But I'll admit, I have not used a physical audio CD in years. They're all on the computer.
The car takes them, but when in the car, I listen to Sirius.

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Jul 7, 2021 08:42:34   #
rustfarmer
 
I still prefer vinyl and other analog music over digital but do use some digital forms when in cars or other compromised listening environments. Other folks moving away from older (and in my opinion better) equipment has allowed me to obtain used components very cheaply, especially speakers needing repairs. I have bought several sets and had some given to me because the foam surrounds had deteriorated, which I easily repaired. Still looking for old tube amps but recently had a local "retired" tech overhaul my wife's marantz 2252 which now sounds great. My shop has 6 large speakers and two small ones in a smaller room with two receivers jumper wired to drive everything. For me, larger speakers are not just for volume, but rather to move more air so they sound great even at low volume.

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Jul 7, 2021 09:23:54   #
burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC
 
srt101fan wrote:
I've always liked having music playing in the background while engaged in my various indoor activities. Seems like I've always had stereo receivers, floor speakers, tape decks, turntables and CD players. With our downsizing, I've disposed of most of that stuff (the last items, including my remaining vinyl records went to Goodwill this morning!) I still have a "boom box" that plays CDs. A little sad to part with the past but it's time to move on.

How do you all listen to music? What do you think of the Alexa-type speakers for providing background music? I'd love to hear about your experiences and suggestions.

Thanks!
I've always liked having music playing in the back... (show quote)


iPhone or Mac plugged into powered speakers or receiver via aux cord with Lightning adapter…

I converted most of my CDs years ago, using iTunes on the Mac.

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Jul 7, 2021 09:31:23   #
LXK0930 Loc: Souh Jersey
 
srt101fan wrote:
I've always liked having music playing in the background while engaged in my various indoor activities. Seems like I've always had stereo receivers, floor speakers, tape decks, turntables and CD players. With our downsizing, I've disposed of most of that stuff (the last items, including my remaining vinyl records went to Goodwill this morning!) I still have a "boom box" that plays CDs. A little sad to part with the past but it's time to move on.

How do you all listen to music? What do you think of the Alexa-type speakers for providing background music? I'd love to hear about your experiences and suggestions.

Thanks!
I've always liked having music playing in the back... (show quote)

I am in much the same situation. Over the past few years, I got rid of my high-end components. I haven converted to Alexa (yet?), but did install a sound bar and sub woofer that I BT to from various devices. Sound does not compare to good components, but it makes the room more livable. Anyone want to buy about a mile of speaker wire, RCA plugs, etc?

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Jul 7, 2021 09:39:53   #
Morry Loc: Palm Springs, CA
 
Can MP3 music be downloaded from Chromebook computers?

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Jul 7, 2021 09:44:22   #
Bayou
 
burkphoto wrote:
iPhone or Mac plugged into powered speakers...


Yes. There are many wonderful powered speakers available these days, real speakers, two of 'em, not bluetooth junk. These speakers can be fed from a laptop, phone, or tablet (not just Apple stuff).

Here's a few powered speaker reviews from an independent reviewer. He's brutally honest, but knows good sound. He gets kinda out there with DSP corrections for some of the speakers he reviews, so I'd just consider his uncorrected opinions. http://noaudiophile.com/reviews.php The Vanatoo models he reviews have a great reputation.

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Jul 7, 2021 09:52:38   #
Bullittjon Loc: Minnesota
 
I'm still old school for the most part. I have a Marantz 2250B receiver and a Marantz CD6006 player for my music CD's. Also, Bose and Advent speakers for my listening pleasure. I did connect a Bluetooth device to my receiver to stream music from my iPhone when I want. Not ready to part with these vintage items yet.

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Jul 7, 2021 09:57:43   #
billmck Loc: Central KY
 
I've loaded all my CDs into iTunes (now Apple Music) on my computer and downloaded all that to my iPhone. I can either play it via bluetooth thru my receiver and speakers, or thru a bluetooth speaker. I also stream music from Sirius XM the same way.

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Jul 7, 2021 09:59:44   #
andesbill
 
Apple Music is in the process of upgrading all their music to a higher quality lossless. To take full advantage of it you will need a good a/d converter to add to your receiver, or between your computer/iPhone/iPad and headphones or speakers. It will also cost you $10 or so/month

When I got married in 1970, I purchased a McIntosh integrated amp and fm tuner, Dual turntable, Revox 10” reel tape deck, Bose 901 speakers, Sennheiser and Beyer headphones. Every time we moved, I had to find a place with a wall for the Bose. I sold everything over the years since. My wife was amazing about it all. I can’t believe she put up with my crap.
We’re still married of course. I’m not stupid, just a pain in the ass.

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Jul 7, 2021 10:21:15   #
StanMac Loc: Tennessee
 
srt101fan wrote:
I've always liked having music playing in the background while engaged in my various indoor activities. Seems like I've always had stereo receivers, floor speakers, tape decks, turntables and CD players. With our downsizing, I've disposed of most of that stuff (the last items, including my remaining vinyl records went to Goodwill this morning!) I still have a "boom box" that plays CDs. A little sad to part with the past but it's time to move on.

How do you all listen to music? What do you think of the Alexa-type speakers for providing background music? I'd love to hear about your experiences and suggestions.

Thanks!
I've always liked having music playing in the back... (show quote)


Nothing provides the listening experience of good music like a legacy component system and good turntable or CD player, IMO. I guess I’m a Luddite for saying that but it’s what I believe.

Stan

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Jul 7, 2021 10:45:52   #
Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States
 
StanMac wrote:
Nothing provides the listening experience of good music like a legacy component system and good turntable or CD player, IMO. I guess I’m a Luddite for saying that but it’s what I believe.

Stan


Unless the sampling rate for the digitization is really high, analog is purer.

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Jul 7, 2021 10:49:57   #
jkm757 Loc: San Diego, Ca.
 
srt101fan wrote:
I've always liked having music playing in the background while engaged in my various indoor activities. Seems like I've always had stereo receivers, floor speakers, tape decks, turntables and CD players. With our downsizing, I've disposed of most of that stuff (the last items, including my remaining vinyl records went to Goodwill this morning!) I still have a "boom box" that plays CDs. A little sad to part with the past but it's time to move on.

How do you all listen to music? What do you think of the Alexa-type speakers for providing background music? I'd love to hear about your experiences and suggestions.

Thanks!
I've always liked having music playing in the back... (show quote)


I have Spotify on my computer and phone. I use the bluetooth to connect to my home entertainment system or the cars audio system. I also have a small Sony portable speaker I can use when I'm away from the house or car.

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