I think my System is virtually finished

[Nick B]

I wanted to present an article showing a somewhat direct correlation between
YouTube Premium Video settings and audio quality. Rates to 512K kbps can be had.

You Tube Premium also has a higher rate than simple YouTube Music Premium (256K).
Go figure.

https://alanspicer.com/does-youtube-quality-affect-audio/

Cheers

steve

Thanks, Steve. Quite interesting and a topic I had not given much thought about. In years past, I didn't care that much about video quality, but my wife and I were shocked the first time we saw a 4k movie on our new TV some years ago. Nice that utube has the capability for good video and audio.

Nick, I have read YouTube is exploring at least redbook (CD) quality audio, which would be nice. It is amazing to me
how many YT recordings they have on their site. So much talent, and I love to watch some high quality videos.

Reaction to Eva Cassidy "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWJkgFPVRJY

Cheers and all the best.

steve

I've seen some information regarding utube about that. As audio is my main hobby, I would be fine trying and paying for Amazon music, Apple, Utube etc. But the problem then is making them playable through my system. I also love using Roon and there have been comments on the Roon board about them not being able to add Amazon and other streaming services. As I always look for keeping my setup as simple as possible and as I like Roon and have a paid up lifetime membership, I'm sticking with it.

[steve]

I wanted to present an article showing a somewhat direct correlation between
YouTube Premium Video settings and audio quality. Rates to 512K kbps can be had.

You Tube Premium also has a higher rate than simple YouTube Music Premium (256K).
Go figure.

https://alanspicer.com/does-youtube-quality-affect-audio/

Cheers

steve

Thanks, Steve. Quite interesting and a topic I had not given much thought about. In years past, I didn't care that much about video quality, but my wife and I were shocked the first time we saw a 4k movie on our new TV some years ago. Nice that utube has the capability for good video and audio.

Nick, I have read YouTube is exploring at least redbook (CD) quality audio, which would be nice. It is amazing to me
how many YT recordings they have on their site. So much talent, and I love to watch some high quality videos.

Reaction to Eva Cassidy "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWJkgFPVRJY

Cheers and all the best.

steve

I've seen some information regarding utube about that. As audio is my main hobby, I would be fine trying and paying for Amazon music, Apple, Utube etc. But the problem then is making them playable through my system. I also love using Roon and there have been comments on the Roon board about them not being able to add Amazon and other streaming services. As I always look for keeping my setup as simple as possible and as I like Roon and have a paid up lifetime membership, I'm sticking with it.

I love the reaction to Eva's song. Priceless.

My audio buddy Dan favors Roon as well for its superior audio quality, just sounds better than
Qobuz alone on his system, and like me, YT because of its variety and just a browser is needed.
I think I can understand from both Yours and Dan's experience.

I just have YT and Deezer right now. No app to download from Deezer. I don't really have any
collection of audio on my "new" win 10 computer. I have heard Tidal has improved in audio quality
but have not checked it out.
So many obligations, so little time and medical visits lately.

One thing I have liked about Firefox is the ability to have multiple "Bookmark Toolbars", so I have links to
lots of music. With my win 10 with SSD and 32 gig of ram, I am at a selection in a second; is it fast.


On a different note, what is interesting to me is that although we think of speakers as being the weak
link to great sound, the components degrade music just as speakers do, but in a different way.
With components one does not normally deal with resonances, but with issues that affect the
entire audio band, from bass through the highs.

When we compare speaker specs to component specs, we naturally see the speaker specs as inferior.
For instance, we see a resonance, bump in the response and assume the worst. Yet, if that resonance
is less than 1/3 octave, it is probably not noticeable when listening, according to RANE. the ear is an
interesting device.

However, if we see a 0,1db change in an electronic component's specs we think that is ok. Yet that
spec in response means a slight change over many octaves, from bass through treble, and is
quite noticeable. We hear it all the time when we compare electronic component after component.

Anyway, cheers and all the best.

steve

[Nick B]

I wanted to present an article showing a somewhat direct correlation between
YouTube Premium Video settings and audio quality. Rates to 512K kbps can be had.

You Tube Premium also has a higher rate than simple YouTube Music Premium (256K).
Go figure.

https://alanspicer.com/does-youtube-quality-affect-audio/

Cheers

steve

Thanks, Steve. Quite interesting and a topic I had not given much thought about. In years past, I didn't care that much about video quality, but my wife and I were shocked the first time we saw a 4k movie on our new TV some years ago. Nice that utube has the capability for good video and audio.

Nick, I have read YouTube is exploring at least redbook (CD) quality audio, which would be nice. It is amazing to me
how many YT recordings they have on their site. So much talent, and I love to watch some high quality videos.

Reaction to Eva Cassidy "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWJkgFPVRJY

Cheers and all the best.

steve

I've seen some information regarding utube about that. As audio is my main hobby, I would be fine trying and paying for Amazon music, Apple, Utube etc. But the problem then is making them playable through my system. I also love using Roon and there have been comments on the Roon board about them not being able to add Amazon and other streaming services. As I always look for keeping my setup as simple as possible and as I like Roon and have a paid up lifetime membership, I'm sticking with it.

I love the reaction to Eva's song. Priceless.

My audio buddy Dan favors Roon as well for its superior audio quality, just sounds better than
Qobuz alone on his system, and like me, YT because of its variety and just a browser is needed.
I think I can understand from both Yours and Dan's experience.

I just have YT and Deezer right now. No app to download from Deezer. I don't really have any
collection of audio on my "new" win 10 computer. I have heard Tidal has improved in audio quality
but have not checked it out.
So many obligations, so little time and medical visits lately.

One thing I have liked about Firefox is the ability to have multiple "Bookmark Toolbars", so I have links to
lots of music. With my win 10 with SSD and 32 gig of ram, I am at a selection in a second; is it fast.


On a different note, what is interesting to me is that although we think of speakers as being the weak
link to great sound, the components degrade music just as speakers do, but in a different way.
With components one does not normally deal with resonances, but with issues that affect the
entire audio band, from bass through the highs.

When we compare speaker specs to component specs, we naturally see the speaker specs as inferior.
For instance, we see a resonance, bump in the response and assume the worst. Yet, if that resonance
is less than 1/3 octave, it is probably not noticeable when listening, according to RANE. the ear is an
interesting device.

However, if we see a 0,1db change in an electronic component's specs we think that is ok. Yet that
spec in response means a slight change over many octaves, from bass through treble, and is
quite noticeable. We hear it all the time when we compare electronic component after component.

Anyway, cheers and all the best.

steve

Steve,

You may have mentioned this previously. But as to Utube and Deezer for example, are you able to run these somehow through your main system or do you have an auxiliary system or portable devices or just run them through your computer?

Nick

[steve]

I wanted to present an article showing a somewhat direct correlation between
YouTube Premium Video settings and audio quality. Rates to 512K kbps can be had.

You Tube Premium also has a higher rate than simple YouTube Music Premium (256K).
Go figure.

https://alanspicer.com/does-youtube-quality-affect-audio/

Cheers

steve

Thanks, Steve. Quite interesting and a topic I had not given much thought about. In years past, I didn't care that much about video quality, but my wife and I were shocked the first time we saw a 4k movie on our new TV some years ago. Nice that utube has the capability for good video and audio.

Nick, I have read YouTube is exploring at least redbook (CD) quality audio, which would be nice. It is amazing to me
how many YT recordings they have on their site. So much talent, and I love to watch some high quality videos.

Reaction to Eva Cassidy "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWJkgFPVRJY

Cheers and all the best.

steve

I've seen some information regarding utube about that. As audio is my main hobby, I would be fine trying and paying for Amazon music, Apple, Utube etc. But the problem then is making them playable through my system. I also love using Roon and there have been comments on the Roon board about them not being able to add Amazon and other streaming services. As I always look for keeping my setup as simple as possible and as I like Roon and have a paid up lifetime membership, I'm sticking with it.

I love the reaction to Eva's song. Priceless.

My audio buddy Dan favors Roon as well for its superior audio quality, just sounds better than
Qobuz alone on his system, and like me, YT because of its variety and just a browser is needed.
I think I can understand from both Yours and Dan's experience.

I just have YT and Deezer right now. No app to download from Deezer. I don't really have any
collection of audio on my "new" win 10 computer. I have heard Tidal has improved in audio quality
but have not checked it out.
So many obligations, so little time and medical visits lately.

One thing I have liked about Firefox is the ability to have multiple "Bookmark Toolbars", so I have links to
lots of music. With my win 10 with SSD and 32 gig of ram, I am at a selection in a second; is it fast.


On a different note, what is interesting to me is that although we think of speakers as being the weak
link to great sound, the components degrade music just as speakers do, but in a different way.
With components one does not normally deal with resonances, but with issues that affect the
entire audio band, from bass through the highs.

When we compare speaker specs to component specs, we naturally see the speaker specs as inferior.
For instance, we see a resonance, bump in the response and assume the worst. Yet, if that resonance
is less than 1/3 octave, it is probably not noticeable when listening, according to RANE. the ear is an
interesting device.

However, if we see a 0,1db change in an electronic component's specs we think that is ok. Yet that
spec in response means a slight change over many octaves, from bass through treble, and is
quite noticeable. We hear it all the time when we compare electronic component after component.

Anyway, cheers and all the best.

steve

Steve,

You may have mentioned this previously. But as to Utube and Deezer for example, are you able to run these somehow through your main system or do you have an auxiliary system or portable devices or just run them through your computer?

Nick

Both YT and Deezer digital signals are run directly through my computer, thru my dac, and main system. No special
apps or programs are necessary, just browser. The computer is "straight through", no Realtek or other program like
Win 7 had. The sound was superior through win 10.

For newbies, I cannot leave out the ethernet and usb cables are very very important. Don't forget the Ethernet
cable.

After several types, I have found Supra to be an excellent USB cable. There may be others
as good or better, but don't have time to check out.

As far as Ethernet, Dan brought up, and I loved the Pimf 25  40Gbase-T Cat 8 2000mhz Patch Cable PVC.
Dan had an extra one which fit the bill perfectly.

It is quite inexpensive yet provided a beautiful, accurate, natural sound. I only tried 3 other ethernets, and
none were that good. One sounded chalk board top end, one better but still bright, another thin with lack
of bottom end. The clear winner was 25' Pimf.

So my total system contains a direct through win 10 pc, dac, and three total amplification stages and 
speakers. 

Cheers

steve

[Nick B]

Steve, that's a nice, simple solution to run it through your computer. I have no gone that route and my Mac desktop or Mac Mini....if I ever get one... would likely remain in the computer room at the other end of the house.

[steve]

Steve, that's a nice, simple solution to run it through your computer. I have no gone that route and my Mac desktop or Mac Mini....if I ever get one... would likely remain in the computer room at the other end of the house.

Yes, I love that I was able to simplify as much as possible without over simplifying. That was a real
blessing. Every part and every stage deteriorates the musical quality unless special listening tested
and found accurate. Each amplifier channel had to be built in its own chassis. There just was not
room to build both channels together.

I know this is redundant, but I had to design every piece from scratch, ics, speaker wires configuration,
preamplifier, amp, speakers/cabinets, upgrade the dac to all poly cap +vcc supplies in the analog section,
even solder type and connection locations, come up with multiple methods of listening testing/comparison to check
for inaccuracies in the ics, line preamp, amp, and teeter/totter between dac, speakers, and speaker wires
for best accuracy/naturalness, since that is the only way to final test the system.

The last thing I am doing is switchable bypassing a 2 ohm resistor in each crossover with either nothing,
or different high ohmage resistors. This is for personal preference for visitors.

Imagine if I had to include another stage or two. Gives me a headache.

I think I have pretty much exhausted any more data for me to present. Now finding new musical selections,
sitting back, and enjoying great recordings.

steve

[steve]

Well, I have to eat some crow as with my new windows 10, Default, I was running
Media Player. (I was running Windows Media Player in my old Windows 7 computer.)
The realism was really descent, until...

these past couple of weeks, I tested and found both VLC and Foobar2000 increased realism
still further. I suggest forget Microsoft programs folks. (I wish I knew more about
computers and all that is out there.)


Cheers
steve

[steve]

I made a minor adjustment to the speaker crossover. I placed a notch filter across the
full range driver (FRD). This particular filter is used to drop the impedance of the driver
just slightly which slightly drops the amplitude over a very broad range of frequencies,
design center is ~6,5khz. (Broad response curve below schematic is very exaggerated.)

The filter consists of a capacitor in series with an inductor in series
with a resistor. The resistor value is ~ 2,700,000 ohms. (See attachment.)

I also chose VLC over Foobar 2000 for improved fidelity.

Cheers

steve

[dflee]

Steve:
I don't have a frickin clue about most of the stuff you write about
but really enjoy the way you write them. Your enthusiasm shows in your words.

[steve]

Thank you for the nice words Don. Back in 1980, I had a a friend, Bill, who was a
Quadriplegia. He had a horrendous sounding audio system, think scratching chalkboard,
and I wanted to design and build a system for him.

Well, that mission morphed into leading edge science of perception and what could be
accomplished in audio playback and recording designs. I knew one significant marker is
when all the system components use accurate sounding polypropylene decoupling capacitors
(Except monoblock amps with electrolytics bypassed by large polypropylene caps. I had no
idea of how deep I would be sucked in, but I had to find the limits.

Well, 45 years later, I am about done. The last thing is finding the highest quality
speaker drivers with the specs I need. But even with what I have, I am very, very pleased with
the results. Maybe a small tweak here and there will be beneficial.

One other comment. The resulting reference system demonstrates just how far off typical
electronic components are from accuracy/naturalness. Typical "specs" give a false impression.
Turns out that room and speakers are not the only limiting factors. Electronic components need
to share more of the spotlight when it comes to sonic degradation.

Cheers

steve