Hipper

Thanks. I look forward to it.

Thanks for the review but I'm a bit disappointed that the review, with all the talk about the headphone amp part, didn't appear to listen to any headphones. Like someone above I would have been interested in how the top end headphones sounded.

Thank you. Ethernet Switch. You mean something like this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/NETGEAR-GS105UK-Gigabit-Unmanaged-Ethernet/dp/B0000E5SEQ/ref=sr_1_18_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1535016525&sr=8-18-spons&keywords=ethernet+switch+2+port&psc=1 PC>ethernet switch>Network Bridge using two Ethernet cables?

I'm interested in the Network Bridge to use between a computer and a fourteen year old TEAC D/70 DAC, which has dual AES inputs and two word sync outputs. The computer is Windows 8 and I use JRiver for storing and playing WAV files only (at the moment anyway). At the moment it is used on a headphone system using the USB out. Currently I use a CD Transport going into a digital equaliser (Behringer DEQ2496) then the D/70, and on to a power amp. With JRiver I can use its DSP Studio to replace the Behringer. EQ is an essential part of my set up which I insist on. From reading the manual I assume the Ethernet in option is for me. So it would be computer (via Ethernet) to Network Bridge (via dual AES plus word sync) to D/70. I don't have an Ipad or similar. I control the computer by mouse and monitor but am looking at using a portable touch screen instead. My questions are: 1. Is this feasible? 2. What should I look for in Ethernet cables? 3. Can JRiver still be used in this situation? If not, how can I get some DSP (mostly separate channel Parametric EQ, but Ideally a Graphic EQ too) into the system?

Thanks for the replies. I have no network at all for this Windows 8 PC. That's what I had in mind. A tablet to replace the monitor and mouse that would display JRiver Media Centre so I could control it from my listening chair. I did once try a small Dell touch pad to replace the mouse but I found it misbehaved too often and the battery lives were short. A mouse proved easier for the headphone set up I'm currently using the PC for. This set up is close to my chair so easy to control. I'm looking at some stage to use a PC for my speaker listening and I will sit further away from the gear for this, hence some remote type of tablet control, removing the mouse and monitor. I'd seen that JRiver link before. Perhaps I should study it in more detail.

I have an offline Windows 8 computer, similar in design to one of the CAPS, with JRiver as my music management software. At the moment the PC is managed using a monitor and mouse. I want to control the PC with a touch screen type device of tablet size instead of using the monitor and mouse. It could be connected to the PC by a cable or better without, but I don't want to compromise on sound quality if there is a choice in that. What is the best solution for this? I realise this may seem a dumb question but I know nothing about tablets, Ipads, Android etc. and can't find the answers I want.

Thanks Mazza. It's what I feared. A shame. May be I have to look at a more computer like server, or continue to accept that I can't use the dual AES function. I've never found any difference between that and single AES but perhaps I'm not listening for the right things. EQ/DSP has a much more significant impact on sound.

I'm investigating the W20. Is it possible to add DSP (Digital Signal Processing) software - something like Acourate (although that is Windows based) - to the W20? In other words, can it act like a computer in that respect, with the appropriate other connections - sound card, microphone pre-amp etc.. Alternatively can I add software that applies filters after I have measured and made filters using other measuring software on a laptop, as I currently do. At the moment I use a CD Transport, which goes through a digital equaliser, then a DAC, but this means I can only use single AES connections. I could avoid the extra box, and connections, and use the dual AES facility on the D/70. An equaliser/DSP is important to me as I use it to complete room sonics after positioning and room treatment. I wouldn't be without it. The DAC, by the way, is a TEAC D/70 which has dual AES connection and a word clock output. Currently I only play CDs and have ripped these to WAV. In the future, perhaps, I might get a more modern DAC

My HD800s have a frequency response relatively flat, between 100Hz and 12kHz it varies by 4dB. This is a measurement called a 'Loudness Diffuse Field Frequency Response', whatever that is. I don't find them bright like some say, but then I'm 62 years old and my high frequency hearing has deteriorated, so maybe they suit me perfectly.

Thanks WG. I'm just re-reading the manual where this problem is mentioned. It seems one possibility is to not measure the area concerned by moving the 'curtain' on the left of the target curve graph to say 60Hz. When I use the resulting filter I can play test tones, note any anomalies and adjust the filter. Or of course do not move the 'curtain' and adjust the resulting filter. Which would be the best way? As for my hearing being different in each ear, I can unlink the channels and adjust the appropriate filter. This would I think be the final task. I wonder therefore if there is a possible improvement to Dirac here? First measure ambient noise. Then do the measurements proper, and somehow remove the ambient noise from the results.

Thanks Jim. I live in a flat (apartment) and I don't think it is a good idea to do measurement sweeps at two in the morning. Perhaps I'll try early Sunday morning.

I am considering a MiniDSP with Dirac Live to replace a Behringer DEQ2496, and have two questions please: 1. Ambient Noise. Below is an REW measurement of noise in my listening room (blue) and the same taken on Christmas Day (yellow) (the 150Hz is the amp playing up!). As can be seen, the problems are mostly in the 40 and particularly 50Hz area and is caused by traffic. The 40Hz may in part be the room. I don't want to wait until Christmas to take measurements, nor measure at two in the morning! Will this be a problem with Dirac Live and is there a way round it. With REW I simply ignore the readings in this region and use test tones and my ears to correct the sound (implemented on the Behringer). 2. My hearing in my right ear is different to my left at around 7kHz - down by some 6dB. Is there a way to adjust for this (i.e. boost 7kHz in only the right speaker by 6dB say)?

I put Symposium Svelte platforms under my speakers and they gave real benefits. Effectively they reduce the noise floor so increasing clarity. Things like rhythm guitar and piano came more to for. It's the sort of improvement that speaker positioning, room treatment etc. cannot bring. However, I highly recommend you investigate speaker/ear positioning and room treatment before anything else. Probably your best investment would be the book 'Get Better Sound' by Jim Smith: Get Better Sound - Get Better Sound (Who the f... designed this word 'rhythm'? It p...s me off every time I have to write it!)

GIK make Soffit Bass Traps which go down to 50Hz and a bit below. I use them: GIK Acoustics Soffit Bass Trap - GIK Acoustics Europe They also make tuned traps down to 40Hz which I haven't used: Tuned Membrane Bass Traps Archives - GIK Acoustics Europe I have nine Soffit traps in my 420cm x 386cm room plus other panels but I also use EQ. Indeed I found I had boomy bass on a very few tracks (six) and using the Real Traps free test tone download I was able to find that it was at a frequency of 42/43Hz. I suppose I could have tried a tuned trap but instead used EQ as near as I could get it (44.5Hz) and this did the trick. From what I know now (and of course I'm always learning) I suggest: 1. Treat room. 2. Position speakers and ears (chair), concentrating particularly up to 300Hz or so. 3. EQ - based on a microphone initially, and then test tones and your ears to finish off. Your ears are different from a microphone, and different from mine. 4. Vibration control. Vibration control is what I'm up to at the moment, in part employing Barry Diament's suggestion of a ball bearing system via Symposium Acoustic products. What I've found so far is that these type of products give improvements of a type that nothing else does - at least, items 1 to 3 above cannot do this. I can only refer you to Symposium's site for what to expect and why. What he describes is exactly what I hear: Symposium Acoustics: FAQ

GIK offer a free advisory service in the hope that you buy their products and I suggest you consult them. I see two main problems that will contribute to a lack of symmetry in the sound. The first is bass, the second side wall reflections. With the left speaker in a corner and the right not, I would guess you get bass build up on the left and not on the right. This will affect the bass you hear at your chair. It is possible a bass trap in the left corner may help. Proper bass traps need to go deep. If you look on the GIK site they give measurements for their products: http://gikacoustics.co.uk/product/gik-acoustics-soffit-bass-trap/ Compare the Soffit Trap to the Tri-trap for example. For sidewall reflections, most people who have symmetrical rooms just need to ask if they think the want sidewall reflections or not. I like them so have no panels on my side walls. In your case you need to even up the effect of the side walls. I would suggest that firstly you remove the dining room chair nearest the speaker on the right when playing music. I would think some sort of moveable panel in front of the glass on the left would do the trick - a GIK 242 panel perhaps, with some feet - I use the wooden feet. You may well need a similar panel on the right wall. The alternative to the two panels might be to put a piece of glass (or mirror, or glass covered picture) on the dining table at 47.5cm in from the right speaker at the reflection point so it behaves like the glass on the left. I agree about the above comments on the coffee table (possible reflections from the left speaker) and the four foot wall behind your head. For the latter, a cushion behind your head may help. All I've tried to address is the symmetry problems but you may also want to deal with getting the best overall frequency response as well. That's another story!