Thanks for the honest non-snippy responses and excuse my ignorance. So 24 bit 96kHz is only for ripping from vinyl or other high res sources? It's interesting because I hear something other than line level difference (though it only really comes through to me as listener fatigue). Guess I'll...

Yeah understood - and nearly all my music was from cd. I just didn't understand compression and wanted to check if I could have made a slip up with the file rip that was now the weakness of my setup. Thanks for confirming for me. I believe it's the sound the DAC is bringing that I'm unhappy...

Hi, Can anyone advise me if I would notice any difference in audio quality if I re-ripped my flac files to 24-bit/96kHz? As the attached shows it looks when I ripped to FLAC I possible did so in 16-bit/44.1kHz? Would this truly make a difference with audio quality? I'm noticing a diminished...

I tried the Fiio EX1 being in a similar position. They didn't last a week before I replaced them with a my second pair of Shure Se215's - this time the special editions. I was actually surprised how much I hated them, I usually like what Fiio does. I flinched every time the black coated...

I bought the Fiio EX1, they didn't last a week before I replaced them with a my second pair of Shure Se215's, this time the special editions. I was actually surprised how much I hated them - I usually like what Fiio does. I flinched every time the black coated aluminium drivers clicked together...

Thanks guys for the replys. Ok so a decent DAC, the best integrated stereo amp I can afford, speaker stands + cables and some stuff for the room. Much appreciated. I'll start my shopping list with these.

I forgot to say: for me simplicity is key and also a tight budget (as in I'd rather a receiver than 3 different components and a 1k budget). *Also I'm hoping the FiiO works as a stereo dac?

Hi all, I'm after a definitive explanation of what I need in a good home audio set-up! Every bit of advice is different and for years I've been running in circles chasing my tail. I have all my music in flac, with AT ESW9A headphones, FiiO E17 dac/amp and Wharfdale diamond 10.1's as speakers...

So after a days research I have narrowed down the vintage recievers to HK 430, 730 or 930 twin. Marantz 2270 or 2285B, Luxman R117, Fisher 400 or Tandberg 2080...   I gather all of these will run my Wharfdales with plenty of power to spare and I will probs upgrade them into a bigger system...

I really really like the look of the Marantz recievers from the 70's - 79. With the metalic finish and blue lights those things were way ahead of their time before sound quality is even considered.   Can anyone recommend some of these Marantz models to shorten my list. For instance are the top...

Awesome this sounds like the place to start then.   As I understand it I need a AVR and a DAC too? Can anyone recommend a previous thread or website to get a killer list of vintage receivers. Harmon Kardon and Marantz are brands I know and like but their model numbers mean nothing. Any...

Hi all, I have a pair of these bookshelves and have had a chance to hear them and I'm very impressed.   Now I have to get a reciever and DAC with the hope that eventually I will add a woofer and centre speaker. Can anyone recommend a reciever that would pair well with the diamonds? I'm on a...

I have had a pair of ESW9's for about a year but with no more than a month of heavy wear (meaning simply I wear them into the city).   The headphone band supposedly made of a supple lambskin is starting to disintegrate and looks like it is actually a crappy synthetic copy of leather, So only...

Some of what you said I dont understand yet I have to research more about these setups... I probably will play blurays through these but that wasnt the purpose only music so I'm making that my primary objective. A sub may be in my future but its last on my list, a centre speaker would be the...

Thanx mate I'll start my search by looking at the 3020.

Well , I got the Diamond 10.2's :) though I thought they sounded a little reserved in the mids and muddy... What recommendations for Dac, receiver and wiring guys? To brighten the mids and clarify?

Wow, I'll give them a good listen then cause if you found the bass heavy on the 10.1 the 10.2 might be too much for me. especially in a smaller room! Yeah I gathered there was a price dif there. I think 300 to 350 is more reasonable in AUD but he prob wont come down. Your right tho I've seen so...

Yeah to be honest most of the brands in hifi are currently foreign to me :s I'm looking for some 2nd hand BR2's now. If I can't find any I'll go take a look and a listen at the 10.2's. Having used these speakers will the stands always provide a slight edge over them being on the tv cabinet for...

OK awesome. Sounds like separate DAC amp will give me more bang for my buck. As for the two speakers I've always preferred clarity over bass punch. I think I'll make the hr drive to check the speakers out though. He wants $450 AUD and apparently they are RRP $650 over here. Might not be as good...

http://www.gq.com/cars-gear/gear-and-gadgets/201203/mid-fi-speakers-wharfedale-diamond-marantz-nr1602-receiver   What do you think about pairing it with the marantz mentioned in that article? Is that overkill for the speakers or under representing them :s That thing must be a DAC and amp in...

To be honest I havn't done my home work on DACs and amps yet and originally planned to buy the speakers first then research the next acquisition :).  The seller does also has a Grant Fidelity DAC-11 and NAD 216 Power amp which he will sell paired with the speakers if I so wish. What is a fair...

Hi all, I been slowly researching a sound system after upgrading to audiophile headphones and IEMS and getting a taste...   Limited budget of probs 1K AUD as I'm still a student, and I'm mostly hoping for second hand purchases. I have a short list of passive (I like the ability to upgrade)...

After the first few hours I have this pressured feeling in my ears like you get when you go up a mountain too fast which I never got with my brianwavz iems. Like theres not enough air available for my ears or something... :-s Has anyone experienced this, do I need to try non-foam comply tips? Or...