The Dark Side; Digital audio equipment recommendations and setup.

I have been looking to jump from Tidal so this will probably be the incentive for me. I don't really care about hi res streaming but I like to be able to stream lossless. Cost wise I would come out ahead I think, probably could upgrade to the Family pricing for Apple 1 and it be a wash to what I am paying now.
 
jamieanderson1968 said:
I have been looking to jump from Tidal so this will probably be the incentive for me. I don't really care about hi res streaming but I like to be able to stream lossless. Cost wise I would come out ahead I think, probably could upgrade to the Family pricing for Apple 1 and it be a wash to what I am paying now.
Click to expand...
Apple 1 is really nice, tbh.
 
jamieanderson1968 said:
I have been looking to jump from Tidal so this will probably be the incentive for me. I don't really care about hi res streaming but I like to be able to stream lossless. Cost wise I would come out ahead I think, probably could upgrade to the Family pricing for Apple 1 and it be a wash to what I am paying now.
Click to expand...
it'll be interesting to see if Apple Music will work with Roon. It would be amazing if I could add it and have all my music in one app.
 
MikeH said:
it'll be interesting to see if Apple Music will work with Roon. It would be amazing if I could add it and have all my music in one app.
Click to expand...
I kind of doubt it. But I stream to a Bluesound 2i and through Roon I find Tidal will drop usually 1-3 times an album so I usually use the Tidal app. Pretty sure it is the 2i but not too bothered by that. My streaming tends to be downstairs with my Sonos One (which has been giving me grief lately as well).
 
jamieanderson1968 said:
I kind of doubt it. But I stream to a Bluesound 2i and through Roon I find Tidal will drop usually 1-3 times an album so I usually use the Tidal app. Pretty sure it is the 2i but not too bothered by that. My streaming tends to be downstairs with my Sonos One (which has been giving me grief lately as well).
Click to expand...
Yea. I still use Apple Music in the car + sometimes to Sonos for now when we're doin stuff around the house so it's not a big deal. but would be kinda nice to have everything in one app! I'm guessing I'll probably keep Qobuz but might second guess that if Apple's library is solid with lossless and it works with Roon.
 
MikeH said:
it'll be interesting to see if Apple Music will work with Roon. It would be amazing if I could add it and have all my music in one app.
Click to expand...

No chance. I think Roon have been pretty open that the big three have not been willing to engage with them on terms that would allow the metadata over layer that Roon requires. It’s too much effort for a niche portion of the market that makes up a smaller portion of their customers than it does for the hi res specialists.
 
Joe Mac said:
No chance. I think Roon have been pretty open that the big three have not been willing to engage with them on terms that would allow the metadata over layer that Roon requires. It’s too much effort for a niche portion of the market that makes up a smaller portion of their customers than it does for the hi res specialists.
Click to expand...
Ah that makes sense, sadly.
 
Alright I've been getting really jaded by the a majority of vinyl collecting as of late. Feels like everything I buy has something wrong with it and the process of running through returns is starting to drive me bonkers. Just spent $300+ on a herbie box set from VMP and now have to do replacement merry-go-round for the next x amount of weeks. Starting to wonder if all this stress/headache shit is worth the trouble. How much audio goodness would I be missing out on with a fully digital set up? Is it so significant?
 
The new version of Audirvana Studio will be subscription EVEN for lifetime license owners of the origional. The old version will still work if you have it. If anyone sees a good alternative please post.
 
Ghost said:
Alright I've been getting really jaded by the a majority of vinyl collecting as of late. Feels like everything I buy has something wrong with it and the process of running through returns is starting to drive me bonkers. Just spent $300+ on a herbie box set from VMP and now have to do replacement merry-go-round for the next x amount of weeks. Starting to wonder if all this stress/headache shit is worth the trouble. How much audio goodness would I be missing out on with a fully digital set up? Is it so significant?
Click to expand...
:eek:

I like having both options available to me. Some things I just will never own on vinyl (price, availability, etc) so I have a good sounding, musical, affordable, Schiit dac. But vinyl can be enjoyable for many reasons as we know. If you were to say you did not like the noise, crackle, maintenance, cleaning, digging through stores, or the chase I might say otherwise.
 
Last edited:
Ghost said:
Alright I've been getting really jaded by the a majority of vinyl collecting as of late. Feels like everything I buy has something wrong with it and the process of running through returns is starting to drive me bonkers. Just spent $300+ on a herbie box set from VMP and now have to do replacement merry-go-round for the next x amount of weeks. Starting to wonder if all this stress/headache shit is worth the trouble. How much audio goodness would I be missing out on with a fully digital set up? Is it so significant?
Click to expand...
I’d look into a digital setup. I still like the ritual of playing records but got a nice-ish DAC and a digital setup with Roon and it’s very nice. I use it every day.
 
Ghost said:
Alright I've been getting really jaded by the a majority of vinyl collecting as of late. Feels like everything I buy has something wrong with it and the process of running through returns is starting to drive me bonkers. Just spent $300+ on a herbie box set from VMP and now have to do replacement merry-go-round for the next x amount of weeks. Starting to wonder if all this stress/headache shit is worth the trouble. How much audio goodness would I be missing out on with a fully digital set up? Is it so significant?
Click to expand...
A lot of people do make the move. Some are very happy, some come back to vinyl. I keep vinyl, streaming and CDs in my collection. I like to try to find the best master for my favorite releases, and it's not universally on a single format.

But, the thought of all digital has certainly crossed my mind. I could easily fund a new amp, high end streamer and high end DAC with all of our records. Not to mention the space savings. But I'd miss them. I'd miss a lot of the vinyl side of the hobby.

I will say, buying albums more selectively keeps it fun. I've met quite a few people now that have over $10K into vinyl gear, but under 100 records. They only invest in the best pressing of albums they know they love. Digital covers everything else. I'm not moving fully in that direction, but I get it. Could be a better option for you.
 
Ghost said:
Alright I've been getting really jaded by the a majority of vinyl collecting as of late. Feels like everything I buy has something wrong with it and the process of running through returns is starting to drive me bonkers. Just spent $300+ on a herbie box set from VMP and now have to do replacement merry-go-round for the next x amount of weeks. Starting to wonder if all this stress/headache shit is worth the trouble. How much audio goodness would I be missing out on with a fully digital set up? Is it so significant?
Click to expand...
I still love buying and listening to vinyl, stalking specific pressings on Discogs, the whole ritual. That said, i now have about 2500 digital albums in cd quality or higher on my network.

I joked that I would buy less vinyl and I sort of did. The quantity I bought went down but the quality (and price) of the pressings went up.

Depending on your home stereo and computer setup you can have a really nice digital player system up and running quickly. There is already lots of great advice in this thread. You can spend as little or as much as you like, but the minimum would be a good quality DAC. Some streamers like the Bluesound have a good DAC built in so you are just running your network cable right into it and then feeding into your receiver.

Be careful with Roon, I think once you try it you will be addicted and it is an annual licence. Same as Audiovana. I love my Roon .
 
Audirvana is great so far with the trial

I wish last.FM scrobbling was there though because otherwise it's now fantastic.. since I don't need the multi zone stuff in roon
 
jamieanderson1968 said:
I still love buying and listening to vinyl, stalking specific pressings on Discogs, the whole ritual. That said, i now have about 2500 digital albums in cd quality or higher on my network.

I joked that I would buy less vinyl and I sort of did. The quantity I bought went down but the quality (and price) of the pressings went up.

Depending on your home stereo and computer setup you can have a really nice digital player system up and running quickly. There is already lots of great advice in this thread. You can spend as little or as much as you like, but the minimum would be a good quality DAC. Some streamers like the Bluesound have a good DAC built in so you are just running your network cable right into it and then feeding into your receiver.

Be careful with Roon, I think once you try it you will be addicted and it is an annual licence. Same as Audiovana. I love my Roon .
Click to expand...

I have thought about a Bluesound Node many times.
 
JohnnyCashFan said:
I have thought about a Bluesound Node many times.
Click to expand...
They are releasing an updated model soonish, so the current 2i model is being marked down about $100 at various places. The new model apparently improves the DAC.

I have the 2i, and have been impressed. I'm eying an external DAC to try to see if I can raise the quality further, but it's certainly very solid as is. Pretty ideal as an entry point at the $425-450 price range.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top