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Kahuna's Theatre - Page 8

post #211 of 279
12/11/11 at 2:49pm
Thread Starter 
I finally got around to taking some pics of my latest additions to my theater system, the Mach2music Mini Music Server & Oppo 93 BD Player. Both feed my Classe SSP 800 through Wireworld Platinum HDMIs. I tried the no name brand HDMI out of the Mach into the SSP first, then compared to the Wireworld...all those people who say not to spend any money on cables don't get it, or their system isn't very resolving...it was a massive improvement in overall detail, depth and just musicality.

The Mach Mini has a small SSD drive to boot up with, then a 2TB firewire Hard drive to store on. I run Pure Music which gives you a big improvement in sound over iTunes (plus FLAC Hi Res support) with the convenience of using my iPad to control it.

Closeup:


I upgraded the Oppo 83 to the 93 as well, and found it is a nice improvement over the 83, I didn't bother with the 95 as I use the DAC in the Classe, so the Oppo is really just a transport.


All are sitting on Symposium Roller Block Jr. isolation.

Happy with the changes, the Oppo is a solid performer, and the Mach is a big step up in ease of use and sound quality.

Cheers!
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post #212 of 279
12/11/11 at 3:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by KahunaCanuck View Post

II tried the no name brand HDMI out of the Mach into the SSP first, then compared to the Wireworld...all those people who say not to spend any money on cables don't get it, or their system isn't very resolving...

A very typical attitude on the part of a cable believer. I'd say the chances are nil that you did a blind comparison. That essentially means you heard what you expected to hear.
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post #213 of 279
12/11/11 at 7:50pm
KC, congrats on the new addition! You can't beat the convenience of using a tablet to control everything.

Wow, one would think that the WYSC remains a quiet area where the over-zealous, quadruple blind test proponents, self appointed 2 channel forum police would leave be. Thousands of miles away they can tell you what you're hearing and if you're hearing it right. Nice!
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post #214 of 279
12/11/11 at 8:24pm
Thread Starter 
Thank you Robert!
Yes, I am a mindless Zombie to the cable manuafacturers...

I did actually live with the regular HDMI for 2 months before switching over...and no, I didn't want to spend needlessly on a cable...in my system, with my ears, it made a significant improvement. You may choose to use and listen to whatever you prefer...good luck!

Thanks DD, hope you are well! The tablet works great, makes it a lot of fun to explore music!

Have a good one!
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post #215 of 279
12/11/11 at 8:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ddgtr View Post

KC, congrats on the new addition! You can't beat the convenience of using a tablet to control everything.

Wow, one would think that the WYSC remains a quiet area where the over-zealous, quadruple blind test proponents, self appointed 2 channel forum police would leave be. Thousands of miles away they can tell you what you're hearing and if you're hearing it right. Nice!

The funniest part that many have no clue as to what is involved in a DBT nor have they ever participated, facilitated or observed one. The audio video theory room is an interesting place where some truly great members take an objective approach to both sides of the coin.
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post #216 of 279
12/12/11 at 6:00am
I was considering getting my sister an Oppo 93 to upgrade the older Sony player at her house but she says they don't need it (saves me the money). Having seen the picture they get from the current player I'd disagree, but then it could also be the TV (an older Sharp). Nice pickup. The Classe' is really better at processing over the 93, then, or is it just convenience of setup?
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post #217 of 279
12/12/11 at 6:34am
Quote:
Originally Posted by KahunaCanuck View Post

I did actually live with the regular HDMI for 2 months before switching over...

It took you two months to decide how something sounds? It's actually much more revealing to do a comparison with very little time lag.


Quote:


Thousands of miles away they can tell you what you're hearing and if you're hearing it right. Nice!

Actually, I was FAR less presumptuous than Kahuna deciding how "resolving" other people's setups are, based on zero actual knowledge of those setups. Note that he actually confirmed my assumption about him not doing blind listening.
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post #218 of 279
12/12/11 at 10:21am
Quote:
Originally Posted by RobertR View Post

A very typical attitude on the part of a cable believer. I'd say the chances are nil that you did a blind comparison. That essentially means you heard what you expected to hear.

You say that is such absolute terms. Are you implying that all things being equal you will hear no improvement when comparing say a typical 8' length of 24 AWG wire to let's say 8 AWG wire of the same length?

When I tested a 15' 13 AWG wire to a 7.5' 8 AWG wire the improvement was heard immediately, the high and mid frequencies were much more resolved in the 8 AWG wire. Until that day I was always in the skeptical camp, not anymore. I couldn't have asked for a better night and day test. For reference my cables were the 13 AWG wire. I had been using that 13 AWG wire for 8 years when I did the test and I am still using that wire one year later.
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post #219 of 279
12/12/11 at 10:50am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rod#S View Post


When I tested a 15' 13 AWG wire to a 7.5' 8 AWG wire the improvement was heard immediately, the high and mid frequencies were much more resolved in the 8 AWG wire. Until that day I was always in the skeptical camp, not anymore. I couldn't have asked for a better night and day test. For reference my cables were the 13 AWG wire. I had been using that 13 AWG wire for 8 years when I did the test and I am still using that wire one year later.

People have proclaimed "night and day" differences with an open comparison before, and found those "night and day" differences vanished under DBT conditions, so I'm skeptical that there really were significant objective differences (as opposed to what you thought you heard).

Regardless of what people think of DBTs, my original post was more of a commentary on the attitude of cable believers, who typically (not always) say:

A. If you don't hear differences, it's because you are one of those unfortunates lacking MY superior hearing abilities and those of my fellow "golden eared" audiophiles;

or

B. If you don't hear differences, it's because you are one of those unfortunates lacking the superior "resolving" abilities of my equipment and that of my fellow elite audiophiles.

I've heard it all before--many times, and heard of failures under DBT conditions many times (with supposed "golden eared audiophiles listening to SOTA equipment). It just doesn't hold up when the quite simple factor of not knowing the identity of what you are hearing is introduced.
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post #220 of 279
12/12/11 at 9:37pm
Kahuna did or said nothing of what you claim. He simply said he heard a difference in HIS system going from one cable to another. I for one believe him.

We're having fun here and all that really should matter is how MY system sounds to MY ears.

You wanna take this further, the 2 channel section in the Audio Related Forum is where you really want to be. Plenty of supporters, opponents, triple double blind testing and 24/7 arguing going on.
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post #221 of 279
12/12/11 at 9:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fanaticalism View Post

The funniest part that many have no clue as to what is involved in a DBT nor have they ever participated, facilitated or observed one. The audio video theory room is an interesting place where some truly great members take an objective approach to both sides of the coin.

Good to "see" you again, Fanaticalism!!
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post #222 of 279
12/13/11 at 3:50am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ddgtr View Post

Kahuna did or said nothing of what you claim.

You must have missed the part in post #211 where he said:

Quote:


all those people who say not to spend any money on cables don't get it, or their system isn't very resolving
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post #223 of 279
12/13/11 at 4:36pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by prepress View Post

I was considering getting my sister an Oppo 93 to upgrade the older Sony player at her house but she says they don't need it (saves me the money). Having seen the picture they get from the current player I'd disagree, but then it could also be the TV (an older Sharp). Nice pickup. The Classe' is really better at processing over the 93, then, or is it just convenience of setup?

Hey Pre,
Well I didn't perform a double blind test, so take my opinion with that knowledge in mind, but yes, I believe the onboard DAC of the Classe to be superior to that of the 93. The 95 obviously has better onboard DACs, but I didn't see the need to spend twice as much since I am happy with the Classe sound. I have read great things about the 95 though, so sometimes I am tempted. I find with the video side of the room I kind of want to cheap out since stuff changes so fast.

Anyways, sorry to interrupt my thread about my theater, now back to bashing anyone who buys a cable without triple blind testing it fourteen times.
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post #224 of 279
12/13/11 at 4:44pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by RobertR View Post

You must have missed the part in post #211 where he said:

Yes, I did say that, because I honestly don't know how you could not hear the difference. I pointed out that since I had the original HDMI for 2 months I was quite familiar with the sound. While I did not perform a double blind test, listening to a song, then swapping the HDMI and listening to the same song (all within less than 5 minutes)again is enough for me to draw the conclusion that I was happy with the improvement of the new cable and not send it back. I don't have golden ears, and I apologize if I insulted you regarding the resolution of your system or anyone elses. Maybe we can agree to disagree on how you & I choose cables??
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post #225 of 279
12/14/11 at 5:37am
Thanks, Kahuna. No problem. I don't doubt you hear differences. We'll just agree to disagree on their origin.
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post #226 of 279
12/14/11 at 6:33am
Kahuna,
What is a used Oppo 83 worth??
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post #227 of 279
12/14/11 at 8:03am
Thread Starter 
I see them on Agon for about $350 - $375 and they seem to move quickly. I put mine into my bedroom system to replace my Pioneer....couldn't stand how slow the Pioneer was to load!
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post #228 of 279
12/17/11 at 11:51am
First of all great looking set up! Love your color choices in the HT room, love the Mac, B&W, Classe gear. I almost bought your combo of amps but I changed it a little. I am waiting patiently for 3 MC601's, and a MC452. The 601's are on back order. I placed my order before Thanksgiving and at that time they said it will be here at the end of November. Now it looks like January...

I have questions and thoughts on the cables but will leave it to a different thread.

Anyways, congrats on a Very Very Nice System!

Jim
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post #229 of 279
12/18/11 at 1:15pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks Jim!
While it always sucks having to wait, you will have an amazing experience once you get it all working! Feel free to pm me if you have any questions, sounds like you are going to have lots of fun!
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post #230 of 279
12/18/11 at 3:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by KahunaCanuck View Post

Thanks Jim!
While it always sucks having to wait, you will have an amazing experience once you get it all working! Feel free to pm me if you have any questions, sounds like you are going to have lots of fun!

Thanks for the offer. Good to see u also on AA.. I hope ur right, it is a big investment!
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post #231 of 279
12/25/11 at 12:49pm
Thread Starter 
Merry Christmas to all! Hope you all have a great time with your friends, family and your theaters!!
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post #232 of 279
12/25/11 at 1:46pm
Said it before, I really like your system, great gear!
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post #233 of 279
12/25/11 at 2:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by KahunaCanuck View Post

Merry Christmas to all! Hope you all have a great time with your friends, family and your theaters!!

Thanks, same to you.
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post #234 of 279
12/25/11 at 6:35pm
Merry Christmas, and may the New Year bring lots of new audio toys!!
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post #235 of 279
12/28/11 at 11:19pm
I love your HT!!! Very impressive! Thanks for sharing. The best to you in the New Year
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post #236 of 279
12/31/11 at 2:01pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks! Happy New Year to you too!

All the best in 2012 to all of you!
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post #237 of 279
1/1/12 at 2:36am
2012 is here. I hope everyone had a safe and blessed evening. And aren't OD'd on football.
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post #238 of 279
1/12/12 at 1:50pm
KahunaCanuck,

I'm contemplating on upgrading to beefier MAC amps but dont know if a monoblock is ideal for the center. How do you find the MC303 in terms of dynamics and overall sound quality compared to the mono MC501's? Do you feel the MC303 has enough grunt for that HTM1D speaker as well for surround duty? I will be using a HTM2 Diamond and 804 Diamond for rears.

Thanks,
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post #239 of 279
1/13/12 at 2:20am
Quote:
Originally Posted by KahunaCanuck View Post

Hey Pre,
Well I didn't perform a double blind test, so take my opinion with that knowledge in mind, but yes, I believe the onboard DAC of the Classe to be superior to that of the 93. The 95 obviously has better onboard DACs, but I didn't see the need to spend twice as much since I am happy with the Classe sound. I have read great things about the 95 though, so sometimes I am tempted. I find with the video side of the room I kind of want to cheap out since stuff changes so fast.

Anyways, sorry to interrupt my thread about my theater, now back to bashing anyone who buys a cable without triple blind testing it fourteen times.

As an update, I spent Christmas at my sister's and did some looking around into the situation. While I think the 93 would be an upgrade, the picture is now much improved with her Sony because I corrected its setup. It was outputting 480p!
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post #240 of 279
1/16/12 at 9:33pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by scanido View Post

KahunaCanuck,

I'm contemplating on upgrading to beefier MAC amps but dont know if a monoblock is ideal for the center. How do you find the MC303 in terms of dynamics and overall sound quality compared to the mono MC501's? Do you feel the MC303 has enough grunt for that HTM1D speaker as well for surround duty? I will be using a HTM2 Diamond and 804 Diamond for rears.

Thanks,

The MC303 is a high current design and somewhat underrated power wise. It has more than enough grunt to get the job done. A Mono would be nice for the center I think, but I have yet to hear a situation where I thought the 303 wasn't keeping up...so I think it is probably overkill. Plus 3 monos would take a lot of space! Best of luck with your journey!
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