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I don't know poo poo about class A/B or D or whatever. But this old hunkering beast that I've had for 20+ years finally died a couple of weeks ago:  And I got this NAD for my birthday:  It sounds great and is so simple that a 3 year old could set it up.
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Mar 28, 2025 22:51
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Idk if speaking of CDs is verboten in this thread but I was hoping y'all could answer a question for me: what equipment do I need if I want to be able to play CDs *without* having to unplug stuff each time I want to switch audio sources? Based on the following setup: Speakers: https://www.klipsch.com/products/r-51pm-powered-speakers Turntable: https://www.fluance.com/rt82t-reference-high-fidelity-vinyl-turntable-black-gloss Subwoofer: https://www.parts-express.com/Dayton-Audio-SUB-800-8-80-Watt-Powered-Subwoofer-300-627?quantity=1 I think I need to get both a CD player *and* an amplifier to be able to do this without unplugging but I'm not 100% sure so I thought I'd ask.
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Mar 29, 2025 00:25
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Looks like you could use either the aux input or the optical input and just switch sources using the speakers. Probably in combination with the line level switch.
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Mar 29, 2025 00:36
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I had a similar setup at first and got a Schiit Sys which is just a small two way RCA splitter with a button for switching and a potentiometer.
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Mar 29, 2025 00:37
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Badger of Basra posted:Idk if speaking of CDs is verboten in this thread but I was hoping y'all could answer a question for me: what equipment do I need if I want to be able to play CDs *without* having to unplug stuff each time I want to switch audio sources? Based on the following setup: yeah, you need what’s called either a receiver (historically a preamp+poweramp+radio tuner in a metal box, nowadays usually means “network and AV connectivity” instead of AM/FM, an integrated amplifier (a receiver minus the radio tuner), or if you’re an anorak nerd you can get a separate preamp and power amp in their own separate boxes, etc. You listed a set of self-powered speakers there: those have a built in amplifier and preamp with multiple inputs. You would not connect a separate amp or receiver to those, merely your cd player and turntable, etc. You need passive speakers if you want to use an external amp/receiver. Or you can keep those self powered speakers or others like them (there are way better ones, IMO, and also monitors if you want to go down that route) and plug your stuff into them. If you need more inputs, then an additional preamp or switch will sort you out. Schiit audio sells a nice chonky passive one for $50 but there are lots of others out there. The final thing you need to keep in mind is your phono stage. A turntable cartridge on its own outputs a very weak signal with hosed up levels so before it gets to the main preamp where all of your line level audio sources are connected it needs to go through its own special phono preamp/phono stage that brings it up to line level and applies a RIAA curve to make it listenable. Historically, receivers and integrated amps would have one of those built in (usually labeled “phono”) and many still do. However your average post-2000 AV receiver doesn’t have one so most contemporary budget-to-midrange turntables will come with a built in one that you can enable or bypass as your equipment dictates. I don’t believe the Fluance that you listed has one but there is at least one in the range that does (edit: Fluance website says you can add theirs, I think a separate little box, for $99). Some (usually higher end) self powered speakers have a phono input but most don’t, so if you want to use a turntable with no onboard pre you’ll have to buy a separate standalone one, and they run like $50-200 for a decent one. trilobite terror fucked around with this message at 00:51 on Mar 29, 2025 |
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Mar 29, 2025 00:49
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Badger of Basra posted:Idk if speaking of CDs is verboten in this thread but I was hoping y'all could answer a question for me: what equipment do I need if I want to be able to play CDs *without* having to unplug stuff each time I want to switch audio sources? Based on the following setup: CD's are evil digital things! But seriously you either need some sort of input switcher or an amp.
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Mar 29, 2025 00:50
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Oh hey I just looked at the Klipsch site, these are new (to me at least, I guess we’re on V3 now) and one of two analog inputs on the back can be switched between phono and line, so I guess that solves that problem (running a Sys or something else through the 3.5mm aux in if you need more analog line in isn’t ideal but it won’t rly be a bad thing either). Otherwise yeah you can just do the CD player through optical, assuming you don’t want that input for something else.
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Mar 29, 2025 00:58
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CDs are cool.
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Mar 29, 2025 01:16
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ferroque posted:CDs are cool. Nah, unless it's something really unique you can get the same experience on streaming.
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Mar 29, 2025 01:26
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trilobite terror posted:Oh hey I just looked at the Klipsch site, these are new (to me at least, I guess we’re on V3 now) and one of two analog inputs on the back can be switched between phono and line, so I guess that solves that problem (running a Sys or something else through the 3.5mm aux in if you need more analog line in isn’t ideal but it won’t rly be a bad thing either). Otherwise yeah you can just do the CD player through optical, assuming you don’t want that input for something else. Heads up: if your powered speakers are similar to mine, you’ll lose some volume when you plug something into both the RCA in and stereo plug/headphone Jack input. Hopefully it’s not an issue on your end. I’m using AudioEngine A5+s.
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Mar 29, 2025 01:28
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cdc posted:Nah, unless it's something really unique you can get the same experience on streaming. it's increasingly likely you'll find a better (or at least a more familiar) mix on older CDs. A lot of older albums got remastered for streaming and a lot of them are pretty bad compared to the original CD release. which is why you have to be insane like me and have 3-4 different rips of various popular albums.
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Mar 29, 2025 01:49
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HKR posted:it's increasingly likely you'll find a better (or at least a more familiar) mix on older CDs. A lot of older albums got remastered for streaming and a lot of them are pretty bad compared to the original CD release. Yeah, get vinyl mixes from the good old days and not cds. HKR posted:which is why you have to be insane like me and have 3-4 different rips of various popular albums. just get important stuff on vinyl and stream everything else.
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Mar 29, 2025 02:02
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It's fun when you go to your friendly local Linux iso repository and they have fifteen different versions of every moderately popular album.
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Mar 29, 2025 02:10
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So for my upcoming passive speaker/active amplifier upgrade, let's say I want to do the Fosi monoblock route. How would I get a subwoofer output into that? Just get a Fosi ZD3 and use that?
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Mar 29, 2025 17:01
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cdc posted:Nah, unless it's something really unique you can get the same experience on streaming. You’re not wrong, but I also felt this way until the first time an album disappeared from every service. [Edit] at the time, it was the soundtrack to Michael Mann’s Thief by Tangerine Dream. This was awhile ago, maybe it’s back on something now, but the point stands. Sometimes owning and having the thing becomes suddenly important. ephori fucked around with this message at 17:12 on Mar 29, 2025 |
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Mar 29, 2025 17:09
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chaosapiant posted:So for my upcoming passive speaker/active amplifier upgrade, let's say I want to do the Fosi monoblock route. How would I get a subwoofer output into that? Just get a Fosi ZD3 and use that? you get a subwoofer that has speaker terminal inputs and outputs. Wire the output of the monoblocks to the subwoofer's input, wire your speakers to the output, then adjust crossover and phase to match your setup.
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Mar 29, 2025 17:23
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HKR posted:you get a subwoofer that has speaker terminal inputs and outputs. Wire the output of the monoblocks to the subwoofer's input, wire your speakers to the output, then adjust crossover and phase to match your setup. I have a Polk Audio DSW440, which has speaker outputs and RCA ins/outs. So that should work? What am I losing by not having a dedicated subwoofer output, anything? The volume works and the crossover frequency knob on the sub will work?
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Mar 29, 2025 17:47
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That FOSI X5 is a real bargain. I had one of the first ones in the US some months back. I since replaced my two x5s for a couple of Cambridge Alva Audio Duo for a lower noise floor. Keeping the FOSIs incase a Cambridge goes out. Slight high pitch his can only be heard between tracks or in very soft segments of tracks. I listen close to reference, his is so slight no big deal, your mind ignores it since it's not pops or clicks but a constant. Main system is 7.1.4,I only use stereo mode for 2 channel music. Pro-Ject RPM 5, Cambridge phono preamp, Ortofon LVB 250 Black, Denon 6800 in full preamp. 13 Outlaw Audio 350 monoblocks, Arendal THX 1723S towers, Arendal dual 15 inch driver ported. Upstairs system Same mains but Paradigm X15 sub, Marantz 8015 in full preamp mode, 200 watt 7 Channel Outlaw audio amp. Pro-Ject Carbon Evo Debut with updated platter, sub platter and power supply. Ortofon 2M Black LVB 250. X5, Best deal in a phono preamp for the price ( normally about $80 US) beats about every pre amp in testing costing $300 or less.  large hands posted:After years of switching between various 40lb + integrated amps and power/preamp combos I've decided to go with a stealth system I can mostly hide on a bookshelf. Partially motivated by wanting something with bass management and room correction I picked up a wiim ultra and a REL sub to go with my Lintons and couldn't be happier. Gavle Goat fucked around with this message at 00:28 on Mar 30, 2025 |
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Mar 29, 2025 23:51
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Phono preamps are cool but DJ mixers that let you run twin tables are cooler
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Mar 29, 2025 23:53
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Hypothetically if I get two Fosi V3 monoblocks, and I pair them with a Schiit Saga 2, could I use one set of RCA outputs to the monoblocks and the second set of RCA outputs to go into the RCA inputs on the back of my Subwoofer? And if I did that, I’m hoping it would be an attenuated connection, as in volume on the Saga 2 would control both the subwoofer and monoblocks?
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Mar 29, 2025 23:56
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chaosapiant posted:I have a Polk Audio DSW440, which has speaker outputs and RCA ins/outs. So that should work? What am I losing by not having a dedicated subwoofer output, anything? The volume works and the crossover frequency knob on the sub will work? you plug speaker wire between the amp and the subwoofer's "Speaker In" terminals, and speaker wire from the sub's "Speaker Out" terminals to the speaker's terminals. Ignore the RCA inputs. You lose nothing hooking up your subwoofer this way (And some audiophiles insist this is how you have to wire subwoofers to get them to sound good). The Crossover still does what it does. To hook anything else up to the monoblocks, you either plug your source into the left RCA/XLR in one and the right RCA/XLR in the other. If you want to hook up multiple devices, you will also need a pre-amp with multiple inputs.
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Mar 30, 2025 00:06
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The external power supply is bigger than the monoblocks themselves. If the goal is to have gobs of inexpensive ruler flat Class D power in a small chassis, why not just get one of the cheaper Crown amps? Still quite small and lightweight, relatively speaking, and the PSU is integrated in the chassis so you don't have to futz with a putting a bigass brick somewhere and letting it get appropriately cooled, etc. Also built in fans, so it won't overheat the way the Fosi amps seem to have a tendency to
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Mar 31, 2025 03:18
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For me the power brick sits on the floor behind my bookshelf while the mono blocks are behind some books on a shelf. Passive cooling has been fine, they're warm to the touch but I don't live in the tropics or anything. If you want a big ugly rack mount looking PA amp with worse measurements and whirring fans then a crown would be the way to go. Or just get a decent class D integrated like the NAD posted above or spend a bit more on a boxed hypex based power amp The Fosis are exciting for me because they're tiny, cheap, powerful at any speaker load and get up into DAC territory for noise using the balanced input.
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Mar 31, 2025 04:22
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cdc posted:And I got this NAD for my birthday: My first rodeo with NAD. It sounds incredible, exceeded my expectations. Way more dynamic and controlled. I see why people like them.
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Mar 31, 2025 17:23
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large hands posted:If you want a big ugly rack mount looking PA amp with worse measurements and whirring fans then a crown would be the way to go. Or just get a decent class D integrated like the NAD posted above or spend a bit more on a boxed hypex based power amp Worse measurements? Also assuming we’re both thinking of the same NAD receiver it’s class AB
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Mar 31, 2025 19:53
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trilobite terror posted:Worse measurements? So it is, thought all the NAD/Lenbrook stuff had switched over to class D these days. Which crown amp were you thinking? The first one i looked at wasn't amazing (1502 xls?) but I'm probably splitting hairs as I'm sure it's outside the audible range. Honestly if someone wants to add a sub I'd suggest getting a pre with a sub/LFE out and bass control, That's part of why I'm selling my integrated amp and replaced it with a wiim ultra and the Fosis.
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Mar 31, 2025 20:14
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large hands posted:For me the power brick sits on the floor behind my bookshelf while the mono blocks are behind some books on a shelf. Passive cooling has been fine, they're warm to the touch but I don't live in the tropics or anything. In my case tiny chip amps are the only real desktop solution since there's no space for anything bigger and im never really use more than an output watt
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Apr 1, 2025 03:25
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large hands posted:So it is, thought all the NAD/Lenbrook stuff had switched over to class D these days. Yeah, if you're talking about my NAD (316BEE v2), I looked it up and its class AB.
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Apr 1, 2025 14:36
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the one true class, as god commands
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Apr 1, 2025 21:26
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btw, I got something coming in the mail from China that you guys are either going to love or hate Edit: oh wait, this isn’t the “ridicule audiophiles thread” (even tho it’s taken on the flavor of late, not that I’m complaining. I like the edge), so probably more “love” than hate, idk
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Apr 1, 2025 21:27
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trilobite terror posted:the one true class, as god commands I thought that was pure class A - as useful as a space heater as for amplification
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Apr 1, 2025 22:10
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large hands posted:I thought that was pure class A - as useful as a space heater as for amplification 🤫💡🔈📦🗓️🔜
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Apr 1, 2025 22:33
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trilobite terror posted:btw, I got something coming in the mail from China that you guys are either going to love or hate You ordered one of the Willsenton R _ _ , Boyuurange A50, etc. China hi-fi tube amps didn't you
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Apr 2, 2025 07:43
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Mederlock posted:You ordered one of the Willsenton R _ _ , Boyuurange A50, etc. China hi-fi tube amps didn't you bitch please, I have more taste than that
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Apr 3, 2025 20:11
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Apr 3, 2025 20:13
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So I'm assuming you have to wear the gloves in order to enhance to soundstange when listening to it?
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Apr 3, 2025 20:31
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cdc posted:So I'm assuming you have to wear the gloves in order to enhance to soundstange when listening to it? they're for
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Apr 3, 2025 20:59
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trilobite terror posted:they're for mmmm, precious soundstage fluids
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Apr 3, 2025 21:16
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trilobite terror posted:bitch please, I have more taste than that I dunno bro the MT-45 is basically the same type of amp as those others, let us know how it sounds! I've honestly been tempted by those China hi-fi amps for a while but a session in front of my FOSI gear keeps me satisfied enough to not be tempted.. so far. 
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Apr 3, 2025 22:00
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and anyway everybody knows that you need lamb skin gloves in order to get that true sonic perfection     I have never experienced a soundstage like this before.
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Apr 3, 2025 22:28
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