I like the product, but is not something I would like to own. I hope to bring the 4000SV home at some point, but the problem with it is its closed, dead-end architecture. It might be a stellar redbook player, but that's it.
Great report! As for the Spectral's "closed, dead-end architecture," that's exactly what some of us are seeking! DSD? Who cares. Downloads? No thank you. Hi-rez? Good luck finding the music you want. So...based on what you've already said, I really look forward to what you're going to say about the 4000SV.
We seem to go for the same relics Kevin computer audio is of zero interest fo me too, maybe once the dust is settled and computers start sounding less like computers but we're not even close yet.
david
It is something that puzzles me - I have heard spinning CD playing great many times, something that makes me happy as 90% of the music I enjoy is only available in this format, but never had the pleasure of listening to great computer audio.
I have even bought a Berkeley Audio USB - AES/EBU converter, but even with it the CD spinning in the Metronome Calypso sounds much better than my computer using JRiver.
I don't what it is either, a few years ago I sat in a Chesky recording session and the mastering process. First listened to the master on glass media and it was fantastic, very close to what I heard at the recording session. Then we sent the file to the cloud and downloaded it and suddenly it was unlistenable, I don't know if its the computer hardware, the cables, the player or what but I hear the same sonic signature with every computer front end no matter type of file it is. There was a lot of loss in the downsampled CD, more than you can imagine but it still was much, much better than the downloaded hirez files.
david
I realize this is a Spectral thread and that everybody is entitled to his own opinion, but I want to make clear that with a dedicated music server (in my case: Lampizator computer), great usb cable (German made Refine Audio usb) and fine (dsd) dac (Lampi GG) music is in my view far from unlistenable. Apparently we hear very differently.
I realize this is a Spectral thread and that everybody is entitled to his own opinion, but I want to make clear that with a dedicated music server (in my case: Lampizator computer), great usb cable (German made Refine Audio usb) and fine (dsd) dac (Lampi GG) music is in my view far from unlistenable. Apparently we hear very differently.
I don't what it is either, a few years ago I sat in a Chesky recording session and the mastering process. First listened to the master on glass media and it was fantastic, very close to what I heard at the recording session. Then we sent the file to the cloud and downloaded it and suddenly it was unlistenable, I don't know if its the computer hardware, the cables, the player or what but I hear the same sonic signature with every computer front end no matter type of file it is. There was a lot of loss in the downsampled CD, more than you can imagine but it still was much, much better than the downloaded hirez files.
david
In part you make my point - you had to get a server and DAC from the same manufacturer to get a very good digital system. It seems that source synergy to the DAC (it is the only name I can find for this magic property is fundamental in digital playback. I have to say that my interest is mainly CD (redbook). Considering only redbook do you prefer this Lampizator system to the Trinity?
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