While I do appreciate gear and like looking at a some smart things with meters on I also proclaim that what really matters is the music and how it sounds as this the real goal I think i have in my head . I truly thought I believed this but now I am not so sure .
Digital music played from files has brought in for me at least a whole new world of messing about and things to look at . I was always glad to get rid of Vinyl in the early days just to get rid of the faff and set up . Buy a CDP plug it in connect it up and there you go . This is still possible but it is not now how I listen to music most of the time , instead I rip all of my CD,s to an SSD HD and then use Logitech media Server to play that music . Seems simple then someone mentioned and pointed out that using SMPS plugs in equipment add noise to the music . I get one to try out and find out that this is true for me at least . I then go through a whole period were all SMPS are replaced with LPSU some moderately expensive some cheaper used buys . At each replacement the background noise gets quieter and the music becomes more real and more cohesive happy bunny .
Then someone introduces me to reclocking in the first instance with a Mutec MC-3 + USB . The improvement is not hard to hear but for me at least it is just too expensive to consider . Then I get sold a used Audio GD DDC unit which does a similar job but on a less pro basis . The sound improves in similar way to the Mutec probably not quite a s good but still a very nice improvement . Then I find a very cheap (relatively) Mutec and get that and it does all the things I remember .
My main music system now sounds better than i have ever heard it and I should be happy . Then the next level of fiddling and messing is brought to my attention . You can use the Mutec to slave the clock on m Upsampler and my DAC and this will give another improvement . So now I have ordered the additional cables and this will be given a try and see were that leads . At the same time another Mutec user has given me the link and nod to a standalone precision clock that I can feed in to my Mutec and make that work just a little better. Again as this was not very expensive order placed and this will be something for weekend (sir) .
All of the above is additional for a system of music delivery that was supposed to simple and just pug and play . I am sure there are many on here looking at this and wondering what and probably why I am doing this . Now my stock answer is to get better sound but I am starting to look sideways at that answer . I think that yes i do like music but some part of me loves the messing about and the looking in to the corners of things hoping to find something that just raises the performance and outcome just a little more . Tube rolling is probably a similar pursuit , just that one extra type that changes things a little .
So yes I still love music and it is the main reason for all this but I am going to admit that I love the faff and the searching a little bit too .
Digital music played from files has brought in for me at least a whole new world of messing about and things to look at . I was always glad to get rid of Vinyl in the early days just to get rid of the faff and set up . Buy a CDP plug it in connect it up and there you go . This is still possible but it is not now how I listen to music most of the time , instead I rip all of my CD,s to an SSD HD and then use Logitech media Server to play that music . Seems simple then someone mentioned and pointed out that using SMPS plugs in equipment add noise to the music . I get one to try out and find out that this is true for me at least . I then go through a whole period were all SMPS are replaced with LPSU some moderately expensive some cheaper used buys . At each replacement the background noise gets quieter and the music becomes more real and more cohesive happy bunny .
Then someone introduces me to reclocking in the first instance with a Mutec MC-3 + USB . The improvement is not hard to hear but for me at least it is just too expensive to consider . Then I get sold a used Audio GD DDC unit which does a similar job but on a less pro basis . The sound improves in similar way to the Mutec probably not quite a s good but still a very nice improvement . Then I find a very cheap (relatively) Mutec and get that and it does all the things I remember .
My main music system now sounds better than i have ever heard it and I should be happy . Then the next level of fiddling and messing is brought to my attention . You can use the Mutec to slave the clock on m Upsampler and my DAC and this will give another improvement . So now I have ordered the additional cables and this will be given a try and see were that leads . At the same time another Mutec user has given me the link and nod to a standalone precision clock that I can feed in to my Mutec and make that work just a little better. Again as this was not very expensive order placed and this will be something for weekend (sir) .
All of the above is additional for a system of music delivery that was supposed to simple and just pug and play . I am sure there are many on here looking at this and wondering what and probably why I am doing this . Now my stock answer is to get better sound but I am starting to look sideways at that answer . I think that yes i do like music but some part of me loves the messing about and the looking in to the corners of things hoping to find something that just raises the performance and outcome just a little more . Tube rolling is probably a similar pursuit , just that one extra type that changes things a little .
So yes I still love music and it is the main reason for all this but I am going to admit that I love the faff and the searching a little bit too .