I recently obtained a 2021 LCD-X from an open box sale and listened. Previously I had a 2011 LCD-2. My first impression of the LCD-X was that it was closed-in compared to my LCD-2, but had better bass. A long time ago I reverse-flexed the headband on my LCD-2 to loosen it up (I can't take the...

I'm interested in getting an iFi Zen DAC V2 or V2 Signature. I have an old iDSD Nano (not Black Label) which a very talented technician modified and created a super HQ 5V LPS for, and it's a very high performer. Very musical and good extension/resolution. (Not stellar, but good for the money -...

I've got a strange problem which was noticeable in the past, but became really noticeable with a couple of DACs I tried recently (a Gustard x20pro and a Gustard R26). When I listen through headphones, there's a resonance in my left ear around 500 Hz. For example, if I play piano tones from a...

I just upgraded my Win 11/Foobar2000 computer to a dedicated streamer/server, an Aurender N100. I'm finding that I might like to EQ some files for use with my headphones (I have many headphones). But an Aurender has no playback options at all, and I don't see a way to EQ things. In fact, the...

I have an LCD-2 and a custom made cable that dates back to 2011 or 2012. I don't think it was V1. There had been some significant revisions to brighten the sound, but it was pre-fazor. I've recently upgraded my streamer to an Aurender N100. Was previously using a Windows 11 NUC running...

I was looking around for software like Fidelizer that is meant to optimize the PC (stopping services, setting process priorities, core affinity policies, etc.) and there's something called Project Lasso. It's not meant for audiophiles in particular but I'm wondering if there's an existing guide...

I own an Audeze LCD2 from 10 years ago, a very early revision. I love the bass, but the can is a bit rolled off on the high end. I'm attracted to planar magnetic open-back headphones in general, and now I'm in the market for something with better high-end extension. A little brighter, yes, but...

I'm thinking of modding my K712 Pro to have a balanced cable and I'm wondering if anyone knows what kind of wire connects the left to the right sides. The headband springs seem to be plastic with a wire inside but I'm not sure. If I'm content to use that wire I don't need to make an extra entry...

AKG K712 Pro -- what is the headband made of and what material/wire connects the left to the right side? Anyone have experience with premium cables for this headphone and whether they provide benefits to the right side equal to the left (given that extra wire of some sort, probably not premium...

I just got the Moondrop Starfield. My first thought was "zero lower midrange and bass." I know they need time to burn in, but what? Then I put some comply tips on there. Instant improvement. I quite like them. They have bass! However to get the best sound I need to push them with my hands a...

I'd like some help identifying this Beyerdynamic IEM. I bought it maybe four years agofor $100 and love it.. I just forgot the model number. It has an integrated microphone, and here you can see it with my UGREEN lightning port adapter for use on my iPhone. There's one thing I don't love...

I argue that accuracy is subjective. First of all we have to be in a context where accuracy is meaningful. An example is a performance of acoustic music in a hall, then listening in the control room to see how well the sound is captured. As each listener, say the conductor or the sound...

I want to respectfully discuss the role of "the musician's perception" in evaluating the accuracy of audio. There are many musicians, there are many types of music, and there are many types of recordings. The scope I want to discuss here is the following: We have some kind of live acoustic...

I own a Hifiman HE-500 from a while back, four years or so. I like it, basically, but the bass is a little boomy and lacking in pitch definition, and the overall sound is not as warm as my Audeze LCD-2 from late 2011 (a non-fazor, after the first major driver diaphragm upgrade, known to be more...

If we define accuracy in audio playback as "how close something is to the original," then we have to ask "what is the original?" and "what are we comparing it to?" The original is a sound field experienced by a human being. The reproduction is a sound field experienced by a human being.  ...

I'm trying to get JRiver to play DSD into an iFi Nano iDSD, on a MacBook. I went to JRiver's wiki to look up instructions. First problem is that there's no "Output Mode" option in the Audio dialog. This is JRiver 21.0.80. The WIKI says I need to go to Tools > Options > Audio and select an Output...

It's pretty obvious right away when using JRiver on Mac that it's awful software.   It sounds good and is the only thing that does what I need, such as play FLAC and DSD files, and provide a good way of browsing files at the same time.   However, the user interface is an overcomplicated...

I am trying to use JRiver on Mac, but it's a difficult user interface. Nothing makes sense.    So my problem is this. I previously used my FLAC library on Windows, with Foobar2000, and it was structured into folders. Things were not tagged in a regular or predictable fashion, so I didn't use...

I am setting up a MacBook Pro as a music player for the first time, and I am trying to figure out what software to use.   I like the functionality of JRiver, but my issue is that it sounds dramatically different than other Mac media players, and not good. It sounds much brighter and somewhat...

I'm moving my computer audio setup from Windows to OS X and I am having trouble finding the right software and reconfiguring my music library.   I want to explore for a moment the idea that I use iTunes. This is NOT a question about other media players, I can deal with that issue separately as...

I am thinking of switching from Windows to Mac. I have been using Foobar2000. I tried a couple Mac players, JRiver and Clementine, but I couldn't figure out how to get them to display my folder structure. My music is organized primarily in folders. It's not tagged well enough to organize it by...

I want to discuss the question: What is the right way to compare live and recorded music in order to select good audio components?   My other three threads can be merged by the mods if they want. They are, in essence, about the question "What do we need to know to design and test audio...

In asking the question, "What sample rate is needed for digital to be perfect," we often refer to the ear's upper bandwidth. If the Nyquist frequency is greater than the ear's bandwidth, we're good.   That might be a bad assumption, however.   I've been reading through some sound science...

I read the first pages of Gregorio's 24 bit/16 bit digital "myth exploded" thread. Within the first few pages, it was all theory. There should be no audible difference between 16 bits and 24 bits assuming the equipment works in an ideal manner.   But, does the fact that no audio device is...

I'm not an expert in sound science, but rather I'm a professional musician. My understanding is that many blind audio tests are done with short clips of sound, but the curious thing is that in evaluating a musician's sound we would never think that we could pick up all the details in a short...