Yeah, listening to stuff in my car is like listening through monitors. The speakers are so sterile it kinda sux, but I also definitely hear if the mix pretty clearly thaty way. I drove a Chevy Impala for a few weeks maybe 5 years ago and the stereo system in that car was amazing compared to what I have now. I need to figure out the best way to hook up more stuff to my Hi-Fi, come to think of it. I saw someone else talking about some sort of bluetooth receiver on here.Tom Wanderer wrote: Tue Mar 15, 2022 11:01 am Slightly off topic, but the ability to listen on a totally separate system is really helpful sometimes. I have my 'daily driver' hi fi in the living room, but I also have a fancy little 'listening room' setup now in the spare bedroom where all the books and records are. It's easy to go down a hole thinking something doesn't sound quite right and to be able to listen to the same sound source on a completely separate set of components is a great and fast way to double check those perceived problems. For example, I was listening to something the other night and I thought "huh, doesn't sound like there's much bass in this...". I just put it on the other stereo and was able to immediately be like "nope, that's just what the record sounds like" and that was the end of it, rather than fussing about with my equipment, trying to hear something that wasn't there. It's also great for reviewing test pressings and the like.
Re: When does money matter for audio quality, and when doesn’t it?
22I use Bluetooth, but it’s certainly not audiophilic quality. More like mp3 type compression. The little Logitech adapter I got has 1/8” and RCA outputs and was like $30.indiegrab_360 wrote: Tue Mar 15, 2022 10:34 pmYeah, listening to stuff in my car is like listening through monitors. The speakers are so sterile it kinda sux, but I also definitely hear if the mix pretty clearly thaty way. I drove a Chevy Impala for a few weeks maybe 5 years ago and the stereo system in that car was amazing compared to what I have now. I need to figure out the best way to hook up more stuff to my Hi-Fi, come to think of it. I saw someone else talking about some sort of bluetooth receiver on here.Tom Wanderer wrote: Tue Mar 15, 2022 11:01 am Slightly off topic, but the ability to listen on a totally separate system is really helpful sometimes. I have my 'daily driver' hi fi in the living room, but I also have a fancy little 'listening room' setup now in the spare bedroom where all the books and records are. It's easy to go down a hole thinking something doesn't sound quite right and to be able to listen to the same sound source on a completely separate set of components is a great and fast way to double check those perceived problems. For example, I was listening to something the other night and I thought "huh, doesn't sound like there's much bass in this...". I just put it on the other stereo and was able to immediately be like "nope, that's just what the record sounds like" and that was the end of it, rather than fussing about with my equipment, trying to hear something that wasn't there. It's also great for reviewing test pressings and the like.
Even in a nice car, the noise floor of the tires is too much for anything nuanced to come through.
Re: When does money matter for audio quality, and when doesn’t it?
23Someone on here sent me a Logitech bluetooth receiver for my home stereo. It's great for playing from my computer or phone. Sounds fine, convenient as hell for when I'm cooking or cleaning (hands dirty) and don't wanna touch the stereo. Thank you, whoever you are. I've forgotten who sent it.indiegrab_360 wrote: Tue Mar 15, 2022 10:34 pmYeah, listening to stuff in my car is like listening through monitors. The speakers are so sterile it kinda sux, but I also definitely hear if the mix pretty clearly thaty way. I drove a Chevy Impala for a few weeks maybe 5 years ago and the stereo system in that car was amazing compared to what I have now. I need to figure out the best way to hook up more stuff to my Hi-Fi, come to think of it. I saw someone else talking about some sort of bluetooth receiver on here.Tom Wanderer wrote: Tue Mar 15, 2022 11:01 am Slightly off topic, but the ability to listen on a totally separate system is really helpful sometimes. I have my 'daily driver' hi fi in the living room, but I also have a fancy little 'listening room' setup now in the spare bedroom where all the books and records are. It's easy to go down a hole thinking something doesn't sound quite right and to be able to listen to the same sound source on a completely separate set of components is a great and fast way to double check those perceived problems. For example, I was listening to something the other night and I thought "huh, doesn't sound like there's much bass in this...". I just put it on the other stereo and was able to immediately be like "nope, that's just what the record sounds like" and that was the end of it, rather than fussing about with my equipment, trying to hear something that wasn't there. It's also great for reviewing test pressings and the like.
Re: When does money matter for audio quality, and when doesn’t it?
24This gets to the bottom of my view of all gear: The difference between bargain basement and mid grade is huge, the difference in mid grade and top of the line is more subtle. As you increase in quality the money invested becomes greater and the percentage difference becomes smaller. It's like two opposite exponential curves: quality gained and money spent.tallchris wrote: Tue Mar 15, 2022 10:37 am I've definitely noticed significant improvements with a few changes I've made over the years:
Crappy integrated->decent Adcom preamp/power amp
Project Debut->Rega P3-24
Old thrift store speakers->B&W 602s
Ortofon Blue MM cart->Hana MC cart
Adcom preamp->Parks Puffin phono pre
At this point, I can't really see anything sounding dramatically better on my end without spending a significant chunk of money on speakers or a new cartridge, and frankly with the one-sided hearing loss I've got, it's probably not really worth it.