About my reference setups, March 2024

[@BobbyBass-x6i]

Thanks for your weekly video. I look forward to watching them on the weekend. Great to see your system, just like many viewers, has evolved over time. Our musical journey continues as equipment evolves and hopefully our budgets grow over time.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Enjoy the music!

[@RAMIRO61FERNANDES]

Thanks for sharing your setups!!!!!! Its evident the profound love you have about this work!!! This video shows profissionalism and humility of sharing!!! With NO FEAR!

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

🙏

[@kingdome1874]

Hello Hans, Have you ever considered a video of a roomtour video about your reference setups in there "natural habitats".

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Yes and decided not to.

[@techmed-rainer]

Three very nice setups with some additional variants - remarkable! Thank you very much for being transparent and providing us with all of this information. I think many people could be very happy with your basic setup three.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Absolutely!

[@playbackamusicloversjourne8620]

I really enjoy your videos but wonder why you never show a photo of your systems?

[@Kowinaida]

Why do you need to see a photo...?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I use flow diagrams with photos of the equipment.

[@PauloFerreira-hh6zv]

Thank you Hans for another video. I got the idea that your Magna Mano Ultra MKIII Farad had the SR Purple fuse and the L2 DC Silver cable, which increases the price of the Mana Mano to €1,946.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

No,just the standard power cable and fuse

[@PauloFerreira-hh6zv]

My mistake. As, in the Magna Mano review video, when you were explaining the interior, you mentioned the Purple fuse and as in the sound quality #2, you talked about 2 cables, mentioning that you preferred the L2 silver cable, I assumed that your Magna Mano had a Purple fuse and a L2 DC silver cable. Therefore, your Magna Mano can still improve the sound level, which is already very good. It won't be easy to find a better streamer at his price range.

[@tonythearchitect]

14:57 Very clear diagram and how you differential the setups. Core are the speakers (+sub) and amp. The A/B/C factors are source + dac variations.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

🙏

[@No_Limits_411]

Impressive. I am happy for a fellow audiophile 👍

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

🙏

[@Captain_Mike]

Your reviews are great. I tried using ifi elite power for both network router and modem. The better power on my modem gave the greatest improvement to sound

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

👍🏼

[@scottygdaman]

Thank you Hans for the videos and even challenges to improve the knowledge and understanding of our common interest. im going to ask if along with your very helpful connection setup flow charts if you could please provide photos of those units/connections. thx again.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Most equipment in my setups is reviewed by me. Just query for “beekhuyzen [equipment name] in KZbin.

[@aceofspades6667]

Glad to see you post new content Hans! Good day

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

👍🏼

[@gdwlaw5549]

nice to see you Hans.....happy easter

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

You too’

[@rcavor74]

Thank you Hans for comprihansive and professional presentation of your testing audio system setups. Now, I have finally realized how you actually grade the audio equipment without absolute rates.😊 And, I would like to see in your review how Holo Audio Red streamer compares to Magna Mano MK3 and/or Eversolo DMP A6 if possible?...

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I have not reviewed the Red streamer but you find the Eversolo here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m53Lo6Jni7eogpI

[@TheVeganVicar]

Happy Easter, Mr. Beekhuyzen!

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Thanks, you too!

[@MCMTL]

I was at the Montreal Audio Fest last weekend and I heard, among other components, an EverSolo streamer paired with a Lumin DAC and Accuphase amp. I don't recall the make and model of the speakers but the result was heavenly. I'm quite happy with my CHORD Mojo and Eversolo DMP-A6 Master Edition. But I sometimes wonder whether the higher end DACs from PS Audio, CHORD or Lumin are worth the money.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

They sure are!!

[@alexhoffmaister]

As always, enjoy your weekly videos. If possible, could at some point discuss how you designed your network focusing on the disadvantages of using only cat connections versus a comnination of cat and glass? Would you expect soind quality changes if you rock was connected via cat cables?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

It's simple: I just heard for a colleague that using fibre improved the sound. So I replaced the CAT6 cable from the third floor where the Roon Server is to downstairs where my setup 1 is and replaced it with fibre. And it did improve the sound so Ileft it there. Afterwards I did the same between the central switch in the machine room on the third floor and the setups 1 and 2 in the studio on the third floor. Again it sounded better.

[@alexhoffmaister]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Much appreciated. I only have glass before my player/roon end point; will explore further glass.

[@jakobgooijer]

That was another very fun and insightful video 👍. It's nice to see how a music lover's audio set changes and improves over the years. We will of course do the same here as long as finances allow it. What strikes me is that - and now I don't know what the truth is - my taste in music also changes due to: 1- The resolution of the set invites me to play different music. 2 - I'm getting older.. Previously, for example, Dobrinka Tabakova - String Paths ( ecm) was boring and uninviting to listen to. With the new digital set this is a completely different story and I played this album digitally to pieces (Qobuz). I notice that your Set 1 in audiophile standard remains below €75,000 and (even though it is still a lot of money) I think it is great that you have achieved this. I occasionally think about other mono power amplifiers and I suspect that your thoughts are slowly turning to a new amplifier for set 1 too ! 😉

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Music gets more interesting when the sound quality improves.

[@IanKnight40]

Hi Hans, what average listening levels and peak listening levels would you expect from each of your reference systems?. For instance on large orchestral recordings what sort of volume levels would you expect to acheive before compresion on the speaker or clipping of the amplifer occurs?. Thanks in advance. Cheers Ian.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I'm not into SPL tournaments. Normal listening levels for me are between 60 and 70 dB SPL(A). For modern music productions C weighting is more appropriate, they can be up to 12 dB higher. Really loud for me is 82 dB SPL(A) or 86 dB SPL(C), whatever comes first. I use the dB Music (apps.apple.com/nl/app/dbmusic/id924812615?l=en-GB)

[@IanKnight40]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Thanks Hans, it is always good for me to get an idea of how reviewers listen. I will try that app too!. Thanks, cheers Ian.

[@ardalay88]

I'm curious about your cable choices for each setup. Could you provide some info. Kind regards.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I think I mentioned the cables for all setups save setup 3.

[@phfen]

Hello Hans, I could not find the video where maybe you explained why you quit using Dirac live on your systems. Is there one ? I would like to set up something like your 2b or 2c, but feel useful to insert a Dirac live. I am just lost on how to do this. A minidsp studio or flex could do the trick but we pay for a DAC that is already there in the amp or the streamer. Am I correct ? Any other way though ? Thank you. And as always excellent review.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I stopped using it when I bought the Ayre amplifier. There simply was no no need for it anymore. My setup 2 in the studio also doesn't need it since the acoustics there are very good (no aesthetics committee ). But if I would ever need one again, it would be Dirac live that I use. And the MiniDSP Studio I used has no DAC. I goes digital in and digital out.

[@phfen]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Very clear. Thank you very much.

[@mapetbg]

Can you please tell me what are the cables, speaker and interconnects in your setup 3?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

lamp cord and cheap RCA's

[@mapetbg]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel lamp cord? No kidding

[@Helmimark]

Your inspiring update had me woundering the following; 1. Have you tried to switch ZyXEL to Etherregen (ER) and take the signal from the ”clean side” of ER to your Ref 1 system for improved SQ? This ER is designed as a HiFi product and the ZyXEL is not. 2. You provided a positive review on the Ferrum Hypsos but do not seem to use it in your system, ex. for ER in the prevoiusly mentioned position for further improved SQ. What is the reason behind this?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I have tried the ER in my setup 1 too and it's great. But the Network Acoustics Muon Pro provides an even better sound quality on most streamers. It's also a lot more expensive. I have used the Ferrum Hypsos quite some time in combination with the Mytek Brooklyn DAC. I currently have no situation where the Hypsos makes sense to the viewer. There is no point combining it with a € 400 streamer since no one would do that.

[@Helmimark]

Thank you for your timely reply. Sorry if was unclear in my previous input (I completely agree with you that pictures are far better to explain complex systems with compared with words….). My thought with the ER was that you could replace the ZyXEL ethernet switch, that feeds your Ref 1 system, with the ER so that the ER feeds your Ref 1 system. The signal from the ”clean side” of the ER would then go to the Network Acoustic Muon Pro and further to the Ref 1 system. My thinking was that this would result in a better SQ as the ER is designed with the best SQ in mind while the ZyXEL is not. I use the ER myself and am very pleased with the outcome.

[@seamussheehy8380]

6 minutes 30 into the video you list Acoustic Energy Avant 902 for ref 2 system -but the speakers you mention are the acoustic energy radiance one- and they look like the one) -Is this a typo?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

They are Acoustic Energy Radiance One's

[@seamussheehy8380]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Thanks

[@partridgemike]

can you share your listening habits during a product evaluation? Do you reach a conclusion after one session or over a period of a few days or weeks? Is a pint or a cabernet enjoyed during this time? Secondly, would you consider reviewing room treatment products (i.e bass traps) for hostile sound reflected environments?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Usually I play the device under test during the weekend without really listening most of the time. Then I do several sessions of 30 to 60 minutes of real listening. I only drink decaf espresso and soda water. I won't review room treatment products.My setups sound great without. I only use the PSI active bass trap.

[@rcavor74]

Thanks!

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Thank you too!

[@Bogdan0zaurus]

Hello Hans Thanks for sharing this information about your system. However, I have only one question, what is the point of adding Stack Audio to a system (setup3) where any other component is cheaper than them? No one in real life would do that.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Well, that's personal. It's a very good fix to improve Loews. But the real reason is that the Stack Audio's are on the stands that are also used for setup 2. There it is more logical.

[@techmed-rainer]

Danke!

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Danke dir auch!

[@allenhopkins3637]

I have a question somewhat related. I know that you have reviewed Cocktail Audio cd rippers and streamers in the past. Do you know if that company is still in business?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I haven’t heard they’re out of business. But then again, the press often is the last to be told.

[@jamesfarrow6752]

They rebranded and I think the company is now Nova. Not sure if they are still in business, though.

[@marinus074b]

How does someone combine the apparature in a setup? I know testing is the best but one cannot teat all the possibilities so there must be a way to make life easier. Just because something is written in a personal sence, doesn't mean there isn't a general question in there 😉

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Well, you have to interpret reviews from me and my colleagues.

[@Rowuk2024]

For everyone that thinks that videos help, you miss the most important part: integration - something that you cannot "see". With confidence, I can say that just buying all the parts of any given reference will not give close to the performance here. The results are at least 50% effort not purchasing power. I am not interested in eye candy. One point not yet mentioned is the listening hygiene required to appreciate music at any "advanced" level.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

It's a summing. up of the gear I use not an instruction video on how to set up a stereo.

[@PeterMooshammer]

Well someone else knows the Nits 😊

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

They actually have fans all over the world!

[@PeterMooshammer]

Yeah I brought the Urk CD from Germany to the US when I moved So now they are internationally known. 😅