Michele

Hello. I'm selling my XEO 3s (white, up on eBay now!) and getting the XEO 20s. I think! I started down the path of exploring a direct USB connection to the XEOs, but not necessarily wanting or needing the Dynaudio Connect box. Then I came across a review of the KEF LS50 wireless, where an external DAC was used, I think via the analog outs. It sounded like using an analog out would be odd with the XEOs, as a digital signal stays digital until the driver, and an analog signal is converted to digital by the XEOs. So with analog DAC out, the digital signal would be converted 2x, if I understand correctly. Any thoughts on the following setups— With DAC 1. iPhone + ALAC files > Apple CCK > USB cable > External DAC > Toslink from DAC to XEO 20 master. 2. iPhone + ALAC files > Apple CCK > USB cable > External DAC > Analog out from DAC to XEO 20 master. No DAC 3. iPhone + ALAC files > Apple Lightning Dock > Toslink to XEO 20s (I think Apple's Lightning Dock bypasses the iPhone DAC when using Toslink and sends a pure signal.) On my setup, I'm thinking of using my iPhone 7 (gasp!) for the source. Don't really want to deal with a headless Mac mini (+ controlling Apple Music would be a pain). I was looking at the Aries Mini, as you can add storage, but it's sold out. Bluesound Node 2 doesn't work with Apple Music. Sources are ALAC and Apple Music for the mist part. Maybe Tidal at some point. So as much as it may offend, I like the idea of a iPhone or iPad as source. Thoughts?

Hi. I think my Midi Audio Setup settings are a bit mangled, and wanted to reset them to defaults. Deleting the midi audio prefs file, along with PRAM, safe boot, and SMC resets didn't work. Can anyone with a Xeo share their settings for both input and output screens? Thanks!

I was sad to see my Audience 42s sell recently...I had them for 10 years! But they've been replaced with pair of Xeo 3s, purchased from a Dyn dealer as a demo set. He said that they haven't been played much at all, basically they're new, so they should be broken in. I imagine that the break in affects the amps and the drivers, right? On the drivers, what is a good general rule? I've heard 40 hours of low-moderate volume listening, and after that it's safer to play deep bass and louder volumes. And there is mention the the break-in process can go to about 400 hours. True? What are your experiences with your Xeo 3s?

Thanks for the reply. In Dynaudio's world, DSP is better SQ, right? Do you mean that the DSP is a SQ limitation, where differences are less likely to be heard?

An old thread...but I'm looking at picking up a new Dynaudio system. One option I hadn't expected was a demo XEO 3 (I have been looking at the XEO 2 and x14a). My primary sources would be an iPhone with ALAC files, connected via the camera connection kit and direct into the Connect hub. Also my Mac (I'm guessing toslink would be better than USB?) But what about Airplay via my Airport Express, rev 2012? Would this disappoint me considerably over the other connections?

I'm looking at a new system and am considering the x300a. I'd be curious if there are thoughts on: 1) direct USB connection to a laptop compared with 2) using the Apple Lightening Camera USB adapter and an iPhone. This adapter is supposed to bypass the iPhones internal DAC. So in theory there should not be a big difference in sound between the two. Has anyone tested this? Michele

I'm going through and replacing all my old 320kbps files with AIFF and/or Apple Lossless files (don't want to offend anyone . When I replace my files after the iTunes prompt (vs adding as new), all my previous play settings remain intact. iTunes also moves all of the old files to the trash when complete. But I did run into a few hiccups on a small number of discs...where I was left with two copies of a song—looks like the old format was not trashed even though the names were identical. Before I go through the process with my entire collection, has anyone else had issues with the replace option in iTunes? Better to trash the old copies before ripping?

I'll likely go with these!

Hi. I just picked up the Wadia 151 and 171 recently, and have been very happy with them, in the few weeks they have been here. But... I currently have a pair of Dynaudio Audience 42's. Love them. They are 4 ohm, so the Wadia puts out 75 watts for them. All the press I've seen on the 'net has shown amazing reviews with the 'new' model of the 42, the Excite 12, specifically paired with the Wadia 151. The Excite's are supposed to be easy to drive, and therefore a great match with the Wadia. I'm not sure if the differences between the two monitors will justify $1200, though. So since I'm on this path, I thought I'd ask what is your 151 driving, and your personal impressions? Or I could keep tinkering, sell it all, buy the Wadia 121, and match it with the Dynaudio 110a. Hmmm...

Hello. I'm getting a little overwhelmed with some of my options for my set-up, and would love to keep things simple. Here's my story: Stereo: Creek 4330 SE integrated amplifier driving a pair of Dynaudio A42's. I love the Dyn's. My Rega CD player burned out a while back, and I never replaced it. Been using a standard iPod (photo iPod) for music, as well as a cheap old sony DVD player for audio cd playback. My goal is to get iPod or Mac Mini playback pretty darn good sounding, so I don't feel the need to spend $1500 on a CD source, at least for a while. 1. I was curious if I could use the Apogee Duet as a DAC for a newer iPod? My current iPod's power supply accepts a FireWire 400 cable, so not sure if this would work (or kill) the Apogee? I like this option as things are simple and small, not much space to take up. 2. Another option would be getting a Wadia transport. Not sure about what DAC to use...the Duet? Would that work in this set-up? 3. Or another option is to get a decent CD player with digital inputs, like the Cambridge Audio 740/840., and use that with the Wadia. Or just get a stand alone DAC... 4. A more basic analog dock like the Arcam. Maybe not much of an improvement with this? 5. The more expensive setup may be a new Mac Mini with the Apogee Duet. Seems like this would work well. I wouldn't have a monitor for this setup, but feel I could control everything from my Mac design workstation, which is in the same room. More expensive yet would be the Mac Mini server, but that may be overkill just to run audio from iTunes. Lastly, my Mac design station runs a 23" cinema display (it's in the same room). Once in a while I play movies (Netflix streaming, Hulu or DVD's) and want audio through the Dyn's. I'd love to solve this simply, as I'm not critical about the quality here, but the better the better! Problem is when I use a 16' mini stereo cable to cross the room, going into a mini-RCA cable, then into the creek, I get a low signal and some hum. Is this a pure limitation of the my MacBook Pro's audio card? Would a simple thing like this help: http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/imic I know this is a lot here! But just wanted to get clarity on what options won't even work. My preference is to keep pretty small minimal, and for that I may not want the Wadia transport. Cheers for anyone who has any thoughts here! Michael