How to transition from "stereo components" to modern means for listening to music?
Jul 7, 2021 11:06:50 #
andesbill wrote:
Apple Music is in the process of upgrading all the... (show quote)
If you still have a decent amp and speakers, adding a USB DAC to take advantage of Apple’s new ALAC lossless compression audio streaming is a good way to access a huge library of music at a reasonable cost. Unfortunately, you can’t buy the ALAC version or use it with Apple’s music match, but for streaming, it’s a BIG improvement over the octave truncated and compressed MP3 format. Btw, BlueTooth is not supported. It’s unclear if it’s supported on iTunes running on other than Apple devices (PCs) - I’ll try it and see. Details here: https://www.macworld.com/article/346837/apple-music-lossless-hi-res-lossless-spatial-dolby-atmos-iphone-airpods-homepod-dac.html
Jul 7, 2021 11:24:24 #
Not to change the subject too much, but those of you who love the music of the sixties. You might enjoy this father and son duo on Youtube and Facebook. They are from the UK and release a new song every day. Their interpretation of all the great songs and Elvis is great. They started during the Pandemic. Look them up on Youtube or Facebook. They are known as Father and Son The Karaoke Kings. Here is a sample link https://youtu.be/AbeLqXSrQNI
Jul 7, 2021 11:24:34 #
JFCoupe
Loc: Kent, Washington
Ysarex wrote:
Music is a big part of my life from considering a ... (show quote)
Have a yard sale and price them at $1 each or perhaps more for the really valuable ones you mentioned. You might be surprised at the number you sale. Alternatively, donate them to Goodwill or St Vincent de Paul and take a tax deduction based on $1 each. Either way you gain a small return.
Jul 7, 2021 11:26:18 #
Longshadow wrote:
Unless the sampling rate for the digitization is really high, analog is purer.
Unless the sampling rate for the digitization is really high, analog is purer.
A sampling rate of 2x the highest frequency (Nyquist) will reproduce a sine wave accurately, hence the reason 44 KHz has become a standard, but there’s a valid reason for sampling above Nyquist. The DAC (digital to analog converter) uses a low pass filter at the output to remove the DAC’s clock frequency and pass the music. With a 44 KHz sampling rate, that filer must be very “steep” which can produce distortion and “ringing” in fast transients. Sampling at a higher frequency such as 88 or 192 KHz, while not necessary to meet Nyauist requirements, allows the use of a low pass filter with a gentler slope.
Jul 7, 2021 12:08:30 #
srt101fan wrote:
I've always liked having music playing in the back... (show quote)
Rip all those CD's to MP3's, and put them on your phone or tablet. Then, you can stream them to a player via bluetooth.
Jul 7, 2021 12:32:10 #
Longshadow wrote:
We have an Alexa in the kitchen. I simply ask it (... (show quote)
We have 4 Alexa's around the house, there is always 1 on during the day. It's well worth investing in the large studio version as the sound is so much better.
Jul 7, 2021 12:57:08 #
srt101fan wrote:
I'm enjoying the discussion and appreciate all the... (show quote)
When I had a desk top computer I had two Hercules speakers with a Hercules subwoofer, a three piece set, that had in my opinion great sound.
Jul 7, 2021 13:26:43 #
mhdt64
Loc: Tampa, FL
I digitized all my music into my computer. I bought two small HEOS speakers which are very easy to setup and I stream to them the music from the computer. I also have a Spotify subscription. Spotify has all the music you can think of, old, new and classical and I make playlists and stream to my HEOS speakers using the iPhone.
Jul 7, 2021 13:29:42 #
lnl
Loc: SWFL
We have all our CDs ripped to an external hard drive and have Sonos speakers and sub-woofer. We can use apps on our phones and ipads to listen inside or outside to our choice of ripped CD or internet radio as everything is connected via the beautiful internet. Maybe not the same sound quality as of old, but neither is our hearing! Plus this is so convenient.
Jul 7, 2021 13:30:27 #
I've moved most my listening to the car. My G37 has 7 Bose speakers and a hard drive with a 120 hour capacity.
It's a couple hours short of being fully loaded with pop/rock of everyone from ABBA to ZZTop along with a healthy sprinkling of country, classical, blues & big band.
The AXS channel has a lot of music - frequent concerts, Live From Darryl's House, etc - which sound pretty good on a Bose surround sound.
Just got an Alexa & I'm quite impressed. Decent sound. Tell it to play something relatively obscure - artist or tune - and its almost instantaneous.
It's a couple hours short of being fully loaded with pop/rock of everyone from ABBA to ZZTop along with a healthy sprinkling of country, classical, blues & big band.
The AXS channel has a lot of music - frequent concerts, Live From Darryl's House, etc - which sound pretty good on a Bose surround sound.
Just got an Alexa & I'm quite impressed. Decent sound. Tell it to play something relatively obscure - artist or tune - and its almost instantaneous.
Jul 7, 2021 14:13:39 #
Paul Diamond
Loc: Atlanta, GA, USA
For the Sony 3D television, I have a good sound bar/sub-woofer. For audio, nothing has yet surpassed the sound quality of my Scott 15" Reference Speakers.
Jul 7, 2021 14:40:44 #
Bayou wrote:
Yes. There are many wonderful powered speakers av... (show quote)
ALL powered speakers can be driven from Apple devices. The Macs have headphone jacks. iPhones and iPads from the iPhone 7 and up need a $10 dongle to convert Lightning to 3.5mm/1/8" mini plug. I have one in my car, on an Aux cord. I have one on my Sony 7506 headphones. I have one on my ancient Harmon-Kardon C-330B receiver. I have one on each of three powered speaker systems... See below:
Jul 7, 2021 15:02:59 #
Jul 7, 2021 15:28:28 #
srt101fan wrote:
I've always liked having music playing in the back... (show quote)
Bluetooth 5.0 earbuds or headphones so I don't bother anyone else in the house. There are many inexpensive BT transmitters that can be connected to any stereo. IMO for anyone over 50 talking about bitrates and sampling frequencies are fooling themselves. As a fact you have hearing loss, and chasing the "perfect" system is irrelevant. I am perfectly happy with the limits of BT 5.0, as most people over 50 would be. Why reproduce what you can't hear?
Jul 7, 2021 15:41:38 #
Cbrummer
Loc: Lower Michigan
After much research:
Look into a streaming DAC (i.e., Bluesound Vault 2i) coupled with a preamp and speakers for the most stream-lined “great” set up. Digitize LPs or get preamp with a phono stage. Rip CDs to the Vault over the winter. (Good wifi signal is required and involve getting set up close to your router/modem although there are work-arounds). You will be left with a manageable hard-wired system capable of control from a smart phone or lap top with excellent sound capable of expansion as well as back up. Most streaming services are supported. One can download music and add it as well. One can copy music to other devices as desired. The system can support wired or Bluetooth headphones as desired. Hope this helps.
Look into a streaming DAC (i.e., Bluesound Vault 2i) coupled with a preamp and speakers for the most stream-lined “great” set up. Digitize LPs or get preamp with a phono stage. Rip CDs to the Vault over the winter. (Good wifi signal is required and involve getting set up close to your router/modem although there are work-arounds). You will be left with a manageable hard-wired system capable of control from a smart phone or lap top with excellent sound capable of expansion as well as back up. Most streaming services are supported. One can download music and add it as well. One can copy music to other devices as desired. The system can support wired or Bluetooth headphones as desired. Hope this helps.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.