About my reference setups, part 2

[@michaelpaul9672]

Hans,I really appreciate your professionalism.Thanks for all the hard work you put in to provide these excellent videos. Looking forward to next Friday's video already!!

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Many thanks!

[@corycooper3942]

I've just stumbled upon your channel after searching for a review of the Cambridge Audio CXN (v2) streamer and am so delighted I did! After watching the CXN review I of course started watching your other videos and I wanted to compliment you - they have all been outstanding! This video in particular I suspect took a lot of effort to put together (with the diagrams) but has been exceedingly helpful in understanding your various setups. Thank you for the time and effort you put into it.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

My pleasure. And welcome.

[@RobWhittlestone]

Very interesting, Hans. I'm especially impressed by your focus on digital, networked sources. This is an area where I have zero experience, despite being quite a technical person. I have taken some steps in that direction, however with a Synology NAS in the basement and the house wired with CAT6 gigabit network cabling and CD collection ripped to FLAC. I think what's missing is a DAC and streaming mechanism. This is where my knowledge currently fails me. Thank you for your informative content. All the best, Rob in Switzerland.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Well, I do have numerous videos on those topics😁

[@RobWhittlestone]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Indeed! Thank you - I have been watching them! Most educational! Dank U wel, Hans.

[@colanitower]

Funny, I'm in the exact same position. I follow this strategy: to try something new I buy a cheap 'tryout solution' to build experience and refine requirements in a field I didn't know about before. If the solution appears to meet my long-term needs, it's fine. Otherwise it's on to a 'quality solution' with better gear, and the 'tryout solution' gets a secondary task. I did so in the past with a NAS. At first a cheap one, then based on built experience I chose a better one and repurposed the cheap one to backup storage. Now it's the same with a DAC. I bought a simple, affordable Cambridge Audio DACMagic100 as 'tryout solution'. If that works good enough to my ears, it's fine. If not, then there's this channel to use as a guide to upgrade further. In my opinion one thing is important on a journey like this: take your time.

[@vmpty]

Hans, thank you for your work. The area you have selected of digital audio is a great niche, with few worthwhile reviews and most lacking your thorough and structured approach. Thank you very much, I have learned a lot.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

My pleasure!

[@garykarczewski6678]

Thank you for a great series Hans! Lots of cool system configurations.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@ryansudding667]

Thank you for the second part. I really appreciate the details on the setups. It really helps guide in making some decision on digital components. Excellent 😄

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

My pleasure

[@iansharp1171]

Thanks Hans. A lot of work there, and it was clearer with the diagrams, especially the network part.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Glad it helped

[@roquesoprano913]

Thanks Hans 👍

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Very welcome

[@robertyoung1777]

Thanks It’s a new world! My head is a spinning. I think I’ll stick with analogue. Thanks for the fantastic explanation.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

my pleasure

[@harrisedgar]

What a great video this one in particular this one is...!!! Definitely better than part one in terms of it making far clearer some doubts and answering some questions. thank you.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ingmarsjansons3665]

Thank Hans! At the beginning when I discovered your KZbin channel i imagined than in setup 1 you own a pair of fancy horn type speakers wich was tweaked by using secret audiophile knowledge and the same with amplifier, but it's nice to see that, than your setup actually are not from "far away" esoteric high-end shelf. For me your videos gives good meaning and are very educational. I'm happy to experience, than some of stuff you review I can try and hear at some of local hi-fi shows. By following your advice, so far I discovered than good sounding hi-fi components actually can be affordable and good sound not only depend on price tag.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

🙏🏻

[@alejandrobruno4525]

Mr. Beekhuyzen, could you share with us what is your personal musical taste and your sources for digital content streaming and may be preferred listening genres ? that would perhaps make a nice complementary video now that your 3 gear setups are presented. Some of us would love to hear about those musical treasures you cherish, for both sound testing and for your personal music enjoyment. Thanks for the great insights and explanations about music appreciation and sound optimization.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

If you watch kzbin.info/www/bejne/mITFh4KdqKZ7bbs you will understand that I don't.

[@moussaobeid]

Thank you for the great educational videos

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

My pleasure!

[@blejzerosamigos6115]

Hans thanks for great video, I just got around to subwoofers in my audio journey, so my question is your Rel B2 fast enough or should I just get the new model they offer. Thanks again

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

What do you mean with fast enough? It goes above 200 Hz while I wouldn’t use a sub above 80 Hz....

[@blejzerosamigos6115]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel well that is what some people describe it, that it can't keep up with speakers and monitor audio makes better one. Like I said I just started my Subwoofer research and I am kinda of lost, I found used b2 $1200 and I it should be better than T9i which is the same price new. Thank you very much for pointing 👉 me in the right direction

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

@@blejzerosamigos6115 go for the B2, you won’t regret it. What most call speed has to do with room modes that cause time smearing. So pay serious attention to placement.

[@blejzerosamigos6115]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel 😎 thank you much

[@blejzerosamigos6115]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Hans I found B1 ,it’s transforming my system WOW thanks for great advice cheers 😃

[@voltzinho]

You can have the Roon Core installed on your Synology (and proceed to automatically and scheduled backup...)

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I don't think my NAS will comfortably serve my +10k album collection.

[@wyup]

Hi Hans, excuse if you have addressed this before, but just in case I ask here as suggestion: Do you also use USB as source to dacs for reference setup, since most have good jiiter correction and implementation compared to coax? Is it for convenience to your network streaming setup or from sound quality concerns?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Remarkably enough there is no read (audible) difference between all digital interfaces when done right. USB, SPDIF, AES/EBU, TOSlink (for sampling frequencies up to 48 kHz) or I²S, they all sound just as good WHEN DONE RIGHT in both sending and receiving device. Unfortunately this is rarely the case in affordable equipment. Then the only way to get the best sound is to try very possibility available to find what matches best on both sending (streamer) and receiving (DAC) device. Not pretty, but it's the reality. The Auralic Aries G2 and the Mytek Brooklyn combo sound the same on SPDIF, AES/EBU and USB. This is also the case when I change the Mytek for the Denafrips Terminator-Plus.

[@vmpty]

I cannot find a better source for learning about digital audio. Thank you very much. I am curious, is there any particular reason you did not use an ISO Regenerator/USB Reclocker before the DAC in your Setup 1?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Setup 1 is ‘the basic setup’ with no frills and a low price.

[@taher3mg]

Hi Hans, thank you so much for the great honest effort, sharing with your viewers your own system and your accumulated knowledge, I have a question/concern; that miniDsp Studio is a week link between Auralic G2 and Mytek Brooklyn DAC, and what type of connection you are using between miniDsp Studio and the Mytek Brooklyn DAC to get the best performance?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Why is the Mini DSP a week link?

[@taher3mg]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Hi Hans, thank you for communicating with me, Regarding the miniDsp I think it is a week link between Auralic G2 and Mytek Brooklyn DAC, because the only digital output it has is SPDIF which are limited to support up to 24/96KHz, while the Mytek Brooklyn DAC can play up to PCM386 and DSD256, please correct me if I miss understand due to my limited electronics specs. experience.

[@brianfromspace]

Hi Hans, did you hook up a linear power supply to your SHD Studio and did you hear any audible difference?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Yes, but that gave no improvement. The MiniDSP, as most digital gear, needs current very fast. Only very powerful LPS would work. Most audiophile LPS aren't. The Ferrum Hypsos might, I haven't tried.

[@xaviborrell9078]

Impressive setups and explanation. With a good player we wouldn't have the possibility of using services as TIDAL, QOBUZ, etc but we would avoid to build up systems with so many elements. Do files dound better than a good cdplayer? Looking forward to your explanation. Thank you!

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Files on my setup 1 sound better than the best cd-player I know.

[@jianboo]

Hans, how about covering a bluetooth connection played via smartphone? For example, one of my setup plays bubbleupnp app on my smatphone connected to a bluetooth with coaxial out to my monarchy audio dac then to my amp line input. Please send me the link if you already discussed bluetooth connection. If not yet, let me know when you made one and give me shout-out. Keep rocking!

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

If I play music over my stereo, I want the best sound quality obtainable so Bluetooth for me is only fine for in the car.

[@jianboo]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannelThanks, I was actually suggesting a bluetooth connected to a decent external dac via coaxial. Just wondering if you have tried it or if it merit an effort in your point of view. PS. I am following your journey specially on the minidsp topic. I find your videos to be very informative and unbiased. Thank you for putting them up.

[@miguelplaza327]

Hans, I love your videos and the dedication and clarity you use to explain and convey your ideas. I have a question, you have given super enthusiastic and positive reviews to the SOtM SMS-200 Ultra, however they are not part of your reference system. Is it because you find the what you have used to replace them with I. Your setups are considered much better? I recently purchased a Roon Nucleus and I’m evaluating if I should add one or several of the SOtM solutions, ie the SMS 200 Ultra Neo, the tX-USB Ultra, and the Silent Angel Bonn N8. What should be the order in which I should purchase them to get the most return in audio quality? Thank you again!

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

The sMS-200 Ultra has been the source for my setup until I bought the Auralic Aries G2 (that costs 2.5 times more). The sMS-200 Ultra still is extremely good for the money. As for the network switch, also watch this review: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6CXhHefas1_rtU.

[@michaelwilliams4086]

The biggest variable in my music system is me. Now, if it doesn’t sound as good on a known track, it is often an indicator that the listener is stressed. Time to relax until the music gets through to me again. What are the benefits of a DAC which uses an FPGA (field programmable gate array) other than being able to upload a new program with different characteristics? Do they offer better quality sound reproduction, assuming that all is well with the rest of the circuit design?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Powerful FPGA's allow for far better filtering than is possible inside the DAC chip.

[@steverees1936]

Hi Hans, thanks for sharing with us your Hi Fi set up, which is very interesting but not as flamboyant as I would expect from an audiophile reviewer. My question is how would you describe the sound of the Reference 1 setup? What is the bass, mid range and treble like? Warm, harsh or neutral? Streaming is still like wizardry to me at the moment as I'm still playing cd's and vinyl, but as I hear more about it, I am becoming a lot more interested in it, but I find it hard to get my head around. I'm quite new to your channel but really enjoy how you present it. Thank you.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

My hifi set up is sufficient to do the work I do. I have heard several € 250K set ups that sounded less. Since I only review front ends, how the amp and speakers sound is not relevant as long as I can produce reliable judgments on the devices on test. If you check the responses of my viewers, I think you might conclude that this is the case. I'm rather down to earth and aim at a public that want to separate hype from quality.

[@steverees1936]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel To be honest I liked the look of your setup and was hoping for some constructive feedback as I'm searching for new speakers and an amp. Never mind I will ask someone else.

[@jamesdwright]

Another interesting video Hans. You are my go to guy when trying to understand the best possible audiophile setups and connections. Are you using balanced or RCA connections between the Mytek Brooklyn and Audionote amp Hans and what is your preference given the option?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

My preference is to use the kind of interlink that works - the Audio Note is fully single ended - and if more options are available, I choose the best sounding one - which differs between combinations of equipment. Sorry, in serious audio there are no simple answers.

[@jamesdwright]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Makes sense Hans. You're right, especially with digital audio there are now so many options and permutations for set-ups and connections that it can be overwhelming at times!

[@MrClubgibson]

Great channel, very informative! Could you do a review on the Benchmark DAC3?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Possibly!

[@patrickmeylemans9627]

Nice, and professional like always. Is the Auralic Altair G1 on your radar?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I own a G2 now

[@MrRAW1968]

Hi Hans, a small question about the amplifier in Setup 2, the Marantz PM KI Pearl Lite. Do you use this amplifier with Source Direct mode on or off?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

on

[@lonelycake4114]

Why would one use an external power supply?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

If the external power supply is of better quality than the internal power supply, it will improve the sound.

[@lonelycake4114]

The Hans Beekhuyzen Channel Will any do or does it have to be matched?

[@alexanderdijkema7546]

Beste Hans, Ik vraag mij af waarom u een usb kabel gebruikt tussen de auralic aries g2 en de mytek dac. Ik gebruikte ook een usb kabel tussen mijn auralic aries femto en schiit audio modi multibit. Dit klonk goed, maar sinds ik dit vervangen heb door spdif over coax klinkt het nog veel beter. Dit komt omdat over spdif ook het kloksignaal wordt gezonden, iets waar de aries letterlijk voor gemaakt is. Mijn idee is dus dat usb het beste is als de klok in de dac beter is dan die van de bron en spdif het beste is als de klok in de bron beter is dan die van de dac. Hoe denkt u hier over? Met vriendelijke groet, Alexander

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

USB Class 2, as used by Auralic and all other modern DAC's and streamers, is asynchronous, meaning that it sends bits to the DAC on demand. In the DAC these bits are stored in a buffer and read out at the pace of the DAC's clock. So if the clock of the DAC is very good, the sound quality will be very good. If the clock is poor, then so will be the sound quality. In that case it's better to rely on the clock of the streamer and thus use SPDIF.

[@monmioamio]

🙏🏻 ✌🏻

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

👍🏼

[@sahdinkhan1827]

Hello, please kindly show 🙏 your setups once in KZbin. It will give a greater understanding.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Please watch kzbin.info/www/bejne/gH6YiXyFl5uXbsk

[@jules153]

Fantastic. Wouldn't want to see your electricity bill though! 😉

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

It's not too bad (for a company, that is)