Wednesday 15 July 2020

Why configure a Hi-Fi system

Hello!

I had a previous entry on a similar topic but it was unfortunately deleted.
Music is a journey and a discovery.
Thus this is the theory that we are together into this.
And we will continue to be together in this.

And thus we share this with everyone.

What is a Hi-Fi? A Hi-Fi system is THE system to go for. And there are various reasons why you could go for a hi-fi system. But first - What is a Hi-Fi system.
It is an honest reproduction of music. Real music sounds much better if we really hear what the artist & the recording engineers produced.

Now, we see that we have arrived at a new place where we will see that we all are connected.
You will see.

You bet there are levels of this honest reproduction. Lesser systems introduce their own artifacts which is not good.
The full form of Hi-Fi is High Fidelity.

A high fidelity system looks something like this :



An entry level system costs something like $700 or Rs 50k. A good Hi-Fi system costs something like $2,000 or Rs 1,60,000. But soon...
And both these configurations can be found in this blog in my earlier posts.

So, the reasons to buy hi-fi are:

The system should accurately reproduce music and not distort it.

It will save you countless hours of botheration if you learn to understand this sound. New technology comes and becomes obsolete but this understanding of sound remains the same forever.
This facet includes understanding sound characteristics. Like clarity, like bass. But there are more. For example timing, for example balanced sound. For more look at this blog entry.

This knowledge of sound characteristics could be very happily passed down to the next generation. Think of it.

The fourth is that it is easier to maintain and upgrade. A Hi-Fi system mostly comes in the form of separate components which are also called separates. Each part of music reproduction has a different discrete component. And they are:

  • Transport - one that reads and plays music from CDs or Vinyls or cassettes. These days, a computer (desktop or laptop) or even a mobile phone is a good transport. Just put a software like fidelizer (for windows)
  • DAC - converts digital information in sound files (like mp3) or CD to analog, which is what is required to hear. You cant hear digital.
  • Amplifier - amplifies the sound to a level required to actually hear properly and easily.
  • Speaker - upto this level music is present as electrical signals. Speaker converts them into sound waves which our ears can hear.
So you see that it is easier to change or repair one part rather than the full system which has to be done in the case of an all-in-one.

Thus it is a worthwhile investment of our time and energy if we configure (which is good matching of various components) a hi-fi system.
And this is true for learning of sound characteristics as well.

Have a great adventure!

Tuesday 7 July 2020

Some good systems for those on a tight budget

This is for those who find even Rs 50k or $700 to be too much.

1) Asus Xonar USB DAC Rs 3,000
Logitech Z623 Rs 11,600
Good wire Rs 400
Total Rs 15,000

2) Mackie CR5BT
Rs 21,000

3) Norge New Millenium Bookshelves Rs 7,500
Norge 2060 amplifier Rs 7,500
HiFimeDIY asynchronous DAC Rs 5,000
Wires Rs 6,000
Total Rs 26,000

They have flat frequency response.

Mackie has bluetooth connectivity. It has good sound. Only two speakers.

The logitech speaker has a bit extra bass but its good sound.

Norge system has flat frequency response. It is a separates system which is easy to repair and upgrade. Add a UPS to this system for protection.

They are listed in the order of low to high soundwise.

Have a good journey.

Hi Fi separates for those with low budget ($700)

Heres a good configuration for those looking to buy a Hi-Fi separates system but are limited by a budget of 50k. It qualifies as High Fidelity. It took time and efforts of many.

Speakers : JBL Control X; Rs 15,000
Amplifier : Pioneer A10-AE; Rs 17,000
DAC : Audioquest Beetle; Rs 12,000
Cables (4) : Rs 6,000

Total : Rs 50,000

A few things about this configuration :

It gives a hi fi sound. I have configured and listened to this. It will give about 1dB of dynamic range level sound.

Good clarity, bass and midrange. Ample sound level.

Good Speakers at this budget. Good amplifier too. They match well.

DAC has three inputs so that you can connect your
- Phone (Bluetooth. Sorry, no aptx. So limited to bluetooth sbc which has variable bitrate. Most phones have sbc which gives 192-320 kbps. See https://www.soundguys.com/understanding-bluetooth-codecs-15352/)
- Cable TV (through optical out of your set top box)
- Desktop or Laptop (through its usb input)

This system has low jitter and low noise.

For those who dont want TV and phone connectivity, I suggest Audioquest Black (cheaper than Audioquest Beetle). Desktop users can also go for Asus Xonar DX soundcard which has low noise and jitter (It will save some money).

A good UPS is required for voltage fluctuations (extra cost).

Dont skimp on the Cables. Full audio signal chain has to be seen and good quality cables help in preserving that.

Best Wishes

Friday 26 June 2020

Budget Component System for the East

Friends, I have been looking to configure budget component systems. I have seen many first time buyers confused and harassed for lack of demo and information. Therefore I have started some time back. I have looked at many systems. This took around a year but these systems are worth it.

So here they are:

Budget Audiophile System for the East
---------------------------------------------------------------

Amplifier : Marantz PM6006, Rs 30,000
Speakers : Wharfedale Reva, (They are a steal at their current price of 500 dollars)
DAC : ifi nano iOne, Rs 17,000
Cables : Audioquest evergreen (interconnects, usb, spdif) & QED Silver anniversary XT, Rs 15,000
UPS : APC 600 VA, Rs 2,500

Total Cost : Rs 1,10,000


Some points about this system:

This system has wonderful synergy. If configured well (and my configuration is good), you can expect around 3dB dynamic range sound from this.

Marantz as a company deals very well with entry level systems. And PM6006 is the one to go for. I have PM 5004 and I can say with experience.

Wherfedale Reva is a steal at this price. It goes well with Marantz. I have Q-Acoustics though. But Wharfedale is better. Look at tharbamars demo on youtube.

IFi nano iOne is very good at this price. It will attach to not just your laptop (through usb) but to your phone (through bluetooth aptx & apple aac) and your cable television (through spdif out of your set top box) as well. And it will do 24/192 with upsampling. Audioquest Beetle goes upto 24/96 & without upsampling.
Thus your TV sound will be improved as well.

Audioquest and QED cables are best for this category.

APC is cheap for the performance it gives. Your equipment is not cheap and needs some protection.

All the best

Why configure a Hi-Fi system

Hello! I had a previous entry on a similar topic but it was unfortunately deleted. Music is a journey and a discovery . Thus this is th...