[Ripper2860]

Tye and I buttoning up a newly purchased (and opened) gjallarhorn. Yeah no user serviceable parts inside but looks cool

The GHorn is likely the most under-rated 'sleeper' amp in Schiit's line-up. A pair in mono-block mode makes it even more so!

 

[Paladin79]

I'm also of the belief that, generally, there is a law of diminishing returns and much that is out there in the world of audiophilia is overpriced to the point of insanity ($120,000 speaker wire, or $10,000 Ethernet cables, anyone?). Yes, you need to spend a bit on the core bits and pieces to elevate the sound and experience, but very good sound can be had relatively inexpensively. I'm grateful to have what I own (many audio snobs elsewhere would sneer and pat me on the head, but whatever) and for companies like Schiit that price their unique offerings so more people can enter the hobby and experience what others pay 5-10x as much to hear and be wowed.

Edit: as others have recently spoke of, take the time to place room treatments, run tools like Audyssey, and if you're so inclined, get a calibrated measurement microphone and learn how to use Room EQ Wizard.

Well said and I certainly agree about diminishing returns. Without knowing price or brand my group compares hear and oftentimes we find lesser expensive gear has outperformed more expensive. There is plenty of money spent on marketing hype but ears and brain can tell a different story.

 

[Paladin79]

The GHorn is likely the most under-rated 'sleeper' amp in Schiit's line-up. A pair in mono-block mode makes it even more so!

I forget are you running the Ghorn with mini-radial speakers?

 

[artur9]

... It's like having a radio station that plays only your personal requests and surprises you with every song for as long as you listen!

That's how and why I use roon and my local collection of approaching 700 albums. Even the occasional clunker there is worth a listen every few years.

 

[wout31]

Interesting! Watched the PSaudio video about Mike Moffat's blind test, piqued curiosity... So I'm using 12 awg speaker wire, unknown quality, It is marked as "big brute". Looked at audioquest as referenced in the video and there is no way I could or would pay $700 for speaker cables. Is there a cheapo of known decent, substantial quality that I could try?

Just use this

 

[artur9]

Affordable list, in order of price & performance (IMHO)

1) Micca 14 (for budget) $25 (w/bananas)
2) Blue Jeans Belden 5000ue 12awg with PE casing (not PVC) ($1.30ft)
3) Canare 4s11(g) Star Quad ($2.30ft)
4) Duelund DCA12GA tinned copper cotton oil (debated between 16 and 12awg for better sound - cotton oil is lowest dialectric coefficient on this list). $16-$34 meter

Any way to bookmark posts such as these?

thanks, @r66cort !

 

[Paladin79]

That's how and why I use roon and my local collection of approaching 700 albums. Even the occasional clunker there is worth a listen every few years.

I can random play nearly 40,000 albums of my collection stored on my server and it is in effect a whole radio stations music consisting of mostly classic rock and jazz.

 

[artur9]

... much that is out there in the world of audiophilia is overpriced to the point of insanity...Yes, you need to spend a bit on the core bits and pieces to elevate the sound and experience,... if you're so inclined, get a calibrated measurement microphone and learn how to use Room EQ Wizard.

Here, here!

Other than speakers, which "have to" be expensive due to appearance/furniture-grade quality (if so desired) and expensive drivers, I still haven't determined where the best place to splurge is. Definitely not cabling, interconnects . DAC maybe? Turntables are also expensive because of all the engineering and construction.

Learning Room EQ Wizard and what it measures is a revelatory experience.

 

[artur9]

I can random play nearly 40,000 albums of my collection stored on my server and it is in effect a whole radio stations music consisting of mostly classic rock and jazz.

I sort of suffer from analysis paralysis for what new music to buy.

And I'm annoyed that some LPs that I have haven't been reissued digitally so I'm slowly making needledrops, which takes forever.

 

[Paladin79]

Here, here!

Other than speakers, which "have to" be expensive due to appearance/furniture-grade quality (if so desired) and expensive drivers, I still haven't determined where the best place to splurge is. Definitely not cabling, interconnects . DAC maybe? Turntables are also expensive because of all the engineering and construction.

Learning Room EQ Wizard and what is measure is a revelatory experience.

Do you feel like there are any weak areas in your gear setup? I tend to start there.

 

[artur9]

Do you feel like there are any weak areas in your gear setup? I tend to start there.

I'm good with what I have, other than lusting after a used Aqua DAC I saw listed recently elsewhere.
I'm at the point where I mostly window shop and replace things that break or when I need a new feature (Schiit, crossfeed please?!).
At CAPFest I'll have to see if there are any affordable headphones better than my EQ'd Sendy Aivas.

 

[Ripper2860]

I forget are you running the Ghorn with mini-radial speakers?

Yes. A single GHorn with your mini-radials fed by Lyr 3 as a preamp.

I had 2x GHorns in my main 2-channel setup running as mono-blocks and was quite happy with them. I now have an Aeigir 2 so I sold one of the GHorns to a member here and moved the remaining unit to my desktop speaker rig to replace the Rekkr. The radials LOVE the extra power.

 

[Paladin79]

I'm good with what I have, other than lusting after a used Aqua DAC I saw listed recently elsewhere.
I'm at the point where I mostly window shop and replace things that break or when I need a new feature (Schiit, crossfeed please?!).
At CAPFest I'll have to see if there are any affordable headphones better than my EQ'd Sendy Aivas.

If it is an Aqua La Voce we should speak in PM.

I rarely try to help with headphones since a sponsor here had some of my views removed

 

[Paladin79]

Yes. A single GHorn with your mini-radials fed by Lyr 3 as a preamp.

I had 2x GHorns in my main 2-channel setup running as mono-blocks and was quite happy with them. I now have an Aeigir 2 so I sold one of the GHorns to a member here and moved the remaining unit to my desktop speaker rig to replace the Rekkr. The radials LOVE the extra power.

I may consider getting a Ghorn if I get back into speaker building. It is nice to try different amps in my shop setup.
I am a great believer in headroom and all of my amps tend to have power to spare.

 

[artur9]

I may consider getting a Ghorn ....

I have one and it definitely sounds more powerful than its ratings suggest.