My Audio System - A Tour of My Audio Room

[@richardking43000]

From audio, eyepieces, to telescopes, Ed Ting always provides his listeners with well-rounded information and reviews of the equipment being considered. I purchased my first Dobsonian scope after listening to his review of the 8" Orion. I wasn't disappointed. Thanks Ed.

[@shunpillay]

😲 I was not expecting to see content like this on this channel! Fellow audiophile here. I loved every moment of this video! A bit surreal listening to Ed Ting uttering words you’d expect from Steve Guttenberg. 😅 Loved it.

[@KingsMom831]

Omg, this channel just keeps getting more interesting!❤

[@LifeIsAnArt95]

Ed Ting has the best natural talent for explaining anything and makes it sound so very interesting! Love this content! Very cool!

[@astrotechnique1]

Astrophile and an Audiophile. Amazing. God bless you always

[@MikeBab-j4z]

As avid amateur astronomers, my son and I greatly appreciate your astronomy videos but I was delighted to discover your music videos. Love my Magnepan 3.6 speakers bought 20 years ago. I ended up with an amplification compromise driving them with Classe CAM350 but signal supplied by Conrad Johnson tube preamp. The idea with the CAM350 was to use just minimum output where the amplifiers have excellent control. Were I buying today I too would use tube amplification. But, as you said, it is all about having a decent substitute in between live performances. Thank you for all your music related videos. Oh, I was an avid road cyclist as well and enjoyed your Pikes Peak bicycle rides. We live on the back side of Pike Peak.

[@edting]

Wow, 3.6s! I did Pike's Peak only once. I got light headed near the top and almost fainted...

[@MikeBab-j4z]

@@edting I liked the concept of the 3.6 more with a more true 3-way driver design but I've paid for it in weight. They are monsters to move.

[@MichaelEdelman1954]

In the later 70s I was a graduate research assistant in an auditory research lab working for a lab director who was a bit of an audiophile. We bought a lot of gear from high end audio shops for our research program- Bryson power amps, a Nakamichi cassette deck- and four Klipschhorn clones from Speakerlab. I got to know the staff at these stores, which was handy when actually buying gear. For a long time my system was made of bits and pieces I’d bought used or ”borrowed” from a collection of old, unused gear in the back room of a lab at my school, like a Dynaco PAS and a pair of Mark IV amps. I had a wonderful old turntable with a unipivot arm and a Decca cartridge I bought for a song, but I loaned it to a scatterbrained friend, and when asked about it later, she shrugged. (She’s a professor of philosophy today) Around 1985 I bought a pair of Polk 10s, an NAD 3020 and matching tuner, and a Dual 504 with a Grado F1+. (I remember at the time looking at an Linn LP-12 in 1986 and saying “$250 for a turntable??”) . My LPs were destroyed in an apartment fire a few years later that spared the rest of the gear, although I had to wash plaster dust out of the electronics. Ten years ago a neighbor friend who reps gear like NAIM found a deal on older Music Hall CD players and sold them to his friends for, I think, $50 each, and I’m still using that system today. I have had several secondary systems as I sometimes can’t resist yard sale deals, like the pair of B&W bookshelf speaker sitting at one end of my living room, or the ADS speakers sitting above my iMac. I don’t get too carried away with stereo gear these days for a couple of reasons. One is that I’m 70 years old, and even though I’ve been very careful about protecting my hearing, I know I have precious little sensitivity above 10k. The other is that like you, I have a lot more tied up in my musical instruments.

[@ronmcmartin4513]

"Linn LP-12 in 1986 and saying “$250 for a turntable??”... Conrad Johnson Premier 1, 200WPC Tube amp--$2000. "Are you Insane?" Today, $5000. From Bill Conrad, "Refurbished, closer to $10K". My offer, 60WPC Sankyo Receiver, plus $100. "Deal!"

[@singedcarry]

My daily drivers are Yamaha NS1000s driven by a Luxman M12. I've never heard Magnapans but I always wanted to check them out.

[@Larrym-rz5bk]

Once we got our NS1000s 25 years ago I gave up reading about audio. The base was always poor but then I got a $1000 Danish subwoofer at a thrift store for $28 and life was better. Unfortunately, recently our house was flooded and I need to get a replacement now. Is there anything as good?

[@robertdavis5714]

Nice thorough job Ed. Appreciate your input on your Magnapan's, I am a solid state person, mainly 1976-1979 . I personally am a Bass fanatic and Kenwood 9000G with Celestion Ditton 66 is a nice sound and are in my top 5 of 13 pairs of speakers.

[@frankcannon410]

First time viewer. You echo my sentiments exactly. My system consists of mostly ‘lo/mid-fi’ 2nd or 3rd hand used gear that looks and sounds great to me, which is what matters the most. I am currently running a pair of S-MMG’s from a MF-A1 class A amp. Plenty of power for me and the sound is amazing. Thank you for the sensible and honest commentary.

[@jiffijoff9780]

What a wonderful episode. I probably didnt understand or know 98% of the gear or brands - but still very much enjoyed this video. As other commenters stated: its you Ed, your very classy and enjoyable way of transfering knowledge. Huge gift, for you and us 😊

[@Cajundaddydave]

Thank you for the tour Ed. Very nice gear and though I do not count myself as an audiophile, I appreciate the time and attention to detail you put into your system. My system? I come from the pro sound world which includes both live music venues and recording studios. In the past I had a pair of Altec A7 biamplified speakers which were huge and unbelievably loud when pushed. My current system is more modest with Boston Acoustic A100 speakers and Yamaha integrated amp from the 1980s. I have a Sony CD player and Phillips turntable for vinyl. While I do own several nice tube guitar amps from Fender and Mesa I am fine with the response I get from the Yamaha amp for sound reproduction. It is similar to the amps used in many recording studios where CDs are mixed and mastered. I did spend significant effort in tuning the room to eliminate hard reflections, flutter, and bass nodes. Through careful use of reflection, diffusion, absorption, and measurement, the room sounds very pleasing whether playing acoustic guitar, piano, or listening to a recorded CD. My musical taste runs full spectrum from Classical symphony, Jazz, Avant Gard, vocal ensemble, and mainstream rock. As a wise man once said: "There are no perfect sound systems. Choose one to suit your particular tastes, interests, and budget. Then select a favorite musical track and enjoy!" Cheers!

[@BobJohnsonSince1970]

This was great! I'm chuffed that you have a Pro-ject turntable. I acquired an X1 about 2 years ago and love it. But now you've piqued my curiosity about your surround setup!... :)

[@aw7425]

You Sir are a true renaissance man

[@3VAudioVideo]

Hey Ed, nice system! You mentioned how bright your room sounds. Ever consider some acoustic absorption panels? They'll do wonders! You probably only need 1 for each wall except for the one where your rack is. And maybe not even one opposite the rack wall. I have plain looking ones in my Theater room. but for my living room I want a more aesthetically pleasing look. So am waiting to take some nice astro pics and have a company print it on their panels. And if you feel you are lacking in bass (since the Maggies have less bass than the 6 1/2" cone woofers in the Apos), a nice small sub would work perfectly. Rythmik makes audiophile grade subs that are small and inexpensive. I have their least expensive sub used with Martin Logan bookshelf speakers and the bass is even deeper than on my other system consisting of Martin Logan ReQuest that have 12 woofers. The sub enclosure is 15" or less on each dimension. I paid about $550. People on Audio Science Review do t co m swear by them!

[@SimonBarrett-ry9cb]

Hi Ed, A very interesting set up that looks like it's grown over the years. Mine also has. Currently it consists of: AR Legend turntable fitted with a Syrinx LE1 tonearm and Nagoka MP11 Boron; JE Sugden A48mk3 mono amplifiers in bridge mode, these are class ab type transitor amps from the 90s. Sugden also specialize on pure class A amps now but I cannot afford them; JE Sugden DTFM tuner; JE Sugden CD1 transport with Cambridge Dac300; Epos ES14s from late 80s, PMC20s and a pair TDL TSL3s, the last two are transmission line speakers. I like the Epos they are one of the best of their type. I also have a soft spot for transmission lines as they produce unforced deep bass that you fell instead of hear. Other ancillary equipment: Rotel 965BX with non solid-state audio circuits; Aiwa AD-F810 3 head and Sony KE140 cassette deck. Everything apart from the turntable system is 2nd hand. Currently after a lot of experimental listening I am running the speakers in parallel with high power shunt resistors to give at total impedance of 6ohms per channel. It's an odd set up but to my ears it sounds three dimensional and inegrated acoustically. The PMCs are on top of the Epos' and the TDLs are right behind, it shouldn't work but it does. Clear skies and clear listening. Simon.

[@stephenpalmer7281]

I mainly watch your Astro stuff but also a long time Audio enthusiast. Very nice setup! I’ll be looking into those Grado headphones. I’ve been using a solid state integrated Krell amp and Vienna Acoustics Mozart Grands for nearly 20 years and it’s been zero regrets . These are among the very few items I cherish as much as my favorite scopes. Who has better hobbies than us? Nobody 😊

[@pfunk34]

I have Magnepan LRS+ speakers and drive them with solid state amp.s. Solid state is fine as long as they have plenty of available current. The key to my system is my pre-amp. I can use solid state mode if I want to hear (micro) details or hear things I have never noticed before. If I want to just relax and enjoy the music, I put the pre-amp in tube mode. I just learned from you that you really don't need a lot of watts if you listen at low(er) volumes. I am now thinking of looking at Class A or tube amp.s. Now to do some research...

[@frankcannon410]

See my comment below!

[@craigenputtock]

I like your presentation. I have the LRS+ and am happy with them. I can see how Magnepan considers them a "gateway drug" to their more expensive models.

[@keithhanssen7413]

I had a nice component system (Pioneer 10” speakers, Technics turntable, tape deck, Equalizer and super tweeters) when I was a teenager, but I lost interest. Now, at 58, my interest is resuming. I bought a pair of KRK monitors, an Audio Interface, and an HP desktop, so now I can at least listen to something better than small computer speakers and KZbin. I don’t listen to my music at a very loud volume either. Very interesting video. Thanks for sharing your choices.

[@JohnZolla-bp7tl]

Hi Ed, Brand new to your channel and very much enjoyed your system tour. I have Maggy .7s and drive them with a Pass Labs XA 25, or a pair of Schiit Vidars used as monoblocks. I have PrimaLuna tube amps, but I've never tried them with the .7s. Occasionally I also drive the .7s with a Mytek Brooklyn Amp which is class D. I also have a pair of SVS 2000 sealed box subs that sound pretty good to me. Box speakers are KEF LS50s, Harbeth P3ESRs, Harbeth 30.2s, and Tannoy XT8 floorstanders. Finally, I have a pair of Betsy Baffle speakers that have 8" full range drivers. Cheers !!

[@KurtFlechtner]

I had to laugh to myself when I saw this video appear. In the last month or so, I decided that my fascination with telescopes is very similar to my fascination with audio equipment: I spend way more time researching, selecting, and assembling it than I do actually using it! As I sit here, I have a decent 5.1 soundbar surround system hooked to my TV in the living room, and a KEF/NAD/Pro-Ject audio system in the bedroom. I also have an old Orion ST80, a 134mm reflector on an EQ mount, and an 8" Dobsonian. Over the last couple months, I have been upgrading my eyepieces and finder scopes. While my pocketbook is not as large as Ed's, it seems my gear obsession is very similar. Thanks for sharing and letting me know I'm not alone!

[@danytoob]

@KurtFlechtner ... me too.

[@astrobob9432]

Had a pair of magnaplanar speakers back in the late 70's - early 80's. Oldies, but goodies. Wish I still had them.

[@Jack96993]

A pair of Magnepans LRS+ are under $1,000 Rave reviews

[@drde4010]

Ed, that's wonderful. Got my audio set up going here too on my audio channel. Best, daniel aka DoctorD

[@HouseofDavidMinistries]

I'm definitely a fan of tube amplifiers, especially for vocals. I have a Cary Audio SLI-100 (ultra-linear) and B&W 804 speakers. As for the front end? I've moved away from vinyl and CDs and now have all my music stored on a NAS streaming through an Innuous Pulse Mini with an upgraded power supply. The cables are Transparent Audio and Nordost. It is set up in our family room and sounds very good to my ears. My only other upgrade will be the DAC.

[@RobertDoyle1]

Really enjoyed your tour. Just subscribed.

[@Lovelacewatkins139]

Hi there ,loved your tour . I have roksan attessa streaming amp and cdt , coupled to neat ministra isobaric standmount speakers on solidsteel ss6s, an old ariston q deck from the late 80s ,using QED golden anniversary speaker wire , , it's a forever changing expensive hobby ,

[@karlderhammer5628]

Speakers are the heart of any audio system, just as the OTA is the heart of an astronomical system. My present listening room (a/k/a living room) speakers, purchased just last year, are Legacy Audio Signature SE's, a masterpiece of the speaker designer's art with beautiful clean bass down to 22 Hz and beautiful clean everything else up to the limits of my 70+ year old ears and doubtless, well beyond. The remainder of my system consists of a Tascam 200SB CD in transport mode feeding an SMSL DAC, outputting to a NAD M3 integrated amp. I ditched the turntable in about 1987 when I bought my very first CD player. One of the cool things about the DAC, by the way, is that it has a bluetooth receiver in it so I can watch KZbin videos on my laptop and listen to the music through my system. I was the owner of a pair of Maggie 1.5's which like your Maggies, were exceedingly bright and had a sharp rolloff below 40 Hz. For a lot of music, that isn't really important, but If one listens to organ music (e.g., Bach or Buxtehude), or symphonic music or opera with kettle drums, the Maggies simply can't cut the mustard. I had the Maggies--bought used for very little $$--down in the basement in a home theater system, where they worked just fine for movies with the aid of a big subwoofer. When I replaced my audio speakers (20+ year old Thiels) with the Legacy Audio speakers, I replaced the Maggies with the Thiels and gave the Maggies to a very grateful friend. Clear skies, Ed--and clear ears! P.S. My astro gear includes 2 Tak refractors, a Redcat 51, a Vixen VMC260L, an Avalon and an Ioptron strainwave mount, a couple of cameras, etc., etc.--and that's just the AP part; there's more for casual sightseeing. It might be interesting to poll your fan base to find out how many of your astro fans are also audiophiles or at least audio-curious!

[@kevinhaynes9091]

Nice setup. You've inspired me to get my old equipment up and running. Due to their size and weight, I gave away my Linn Isobariks a few years ago, and replaced them with a pair of compact Linn Tukans. Unfortunately I gave away the Naim amps at the same time and never replaced them. So I have the Tukans and my trusty old Linn Sondek LP12, but that's about it. I'm sorry to say that I got so used to digital, that I never got around to rebuilding my system. Your speakers remind me of a friend's Apogees, which are even heavier than my old Isobariks. The membranes are a constant concern to him, and I wonder how yours have fared...

[@edting]

I had a pair of Apogee Centaurus Minors for a while. They were too screechy and loud. I sold them. Then I wondered if I should have experimented more with placement.

[@keithkohley9855]

Thank you for the tour. My understanding is that the unused speakers will “sing along” with the speakers that are playing as well.

[@jakedavis2838]

Very nice system. But how do you access your turntable? Seems like it should be on the top shelf. Thanks for sharing.

[@MikeLikesChannel]

My wife bought me a Yamaha digital piano for my birthday during Covid and I’ve been at it for 4 years now. Rachmaninov, I will never be… but it’s nice to play. Simply Piano app on the iPad taught me *so much*

[@WeeWeeJumbo]

super clean system! i also built my stereo in my smallest room, and it’s about the same size as yours. maybe there’s a connection between the compulsory bi-wire (or bi-amp) and the simplified crossover in those Epos speakers? in my stereo i’m running a pair of Salk Song 3s driven by a solid state Rotel amp, a pair of Rythmik subwoofers, an SMSL DAC and a Benchmark line amplifier. the Benchmark is the newest member of the family and everything about it aligns with my personal philosophy regarding stereo. i love it half to death and i’m listening to it even now

[@tywoodruff8578]

Finding your channel may be one of the most expensive, but enjoyable, things (as it relates to my bank account) that I’ve ever done. First, I buy a Dobsonian telescope based mainly on your recommendations. Second, between you and several other sources mentioning camera equipment, I buy a nice mirrorless camera (solely for “regular” photography) and am geeking out looking at lens options. And now this. I first heard a pair of Magnepan Tympani v.1 speakers in the late 1970’s. The material being played was “The Famous Sound of Three Blind Mice” (amazing Japanese jazz) and a folk/bluegrass album, “Norman Blake/Tut Taylor/Sam Bush/Butch Robins/Vassar Clements/David Holland/Jethro Burns”. If I hadn’t known better, I would have sworn the musicians were “right behind those room dividers”. Fast forward to today, and my system features a pair of 1980 Klipsch La Scalas. Yes, they are huge. No, they are not perfect, but when you listen to them, that doesn’t matter. Other than the Maggies they are the only speaker I’ve heard that made me feel like the music was live. When I first heard La Scalas the experience was as much emotional as it was auditory. Regardless, I still want a pair of Magnepan speakers, maybe the 0.7 or 1.7, although the LRS also get a lot of positive press. Also REALLY want a tube amp. Other stuff is what it is. Marantz 9.2 channel receiver because the La a Scalas are part of my home theater system (although I am considering a tube amp with H/T bypass), and a Technics SL-1210, although I’d love to trade that out for a Rega or possibly Linn table. I’m also currently sporting a nice MM cartridge but considering dabbling in the MC waters. Looking forward to a future video where you discuss your choice there. Like you, I mainly buy used, but the cartridge may need to be purchased new so I can truly appreciate the changes as it breaks in. One question though. I may have missed it, but don’t recall you discussing the monoblocks on the top shelf. Wassup with those? Anyway, thank you for the introduction to your audio system. As usual, I thoroughly enjoyed the wonderful video.

[@edting]

Thanks for the message. Those monoblocks are Antique Sound Labs AV20 amps. I have three sets of ASL amps and after I bought them they went out of business!

[@theaustralianconundrum]

@@edting Subscribed from Australia. Having been retired for quite a while I have found myself spending more and more time in my listening room. I recognize all the brands you mention here and I also concur about the room affecting the sound we might hear. Have a great week.

[@kuanjuliu]

You had me at “Magnepans are bright”. They sure are! FYI the best solid state amplifier I ever used on my MG1.6 was a Lavardin IS integrated amplifier. That was so good I actually preferred it over a tubed setup. Strange bedfellows, I know, but worth trying if only for the simplicity of it.

[@cityslacker6221]

fyi, a key to pairing a sub with magnepans is to use multiple subs. By having multiple they cancel out the standing waves and the distortion disappears and the clarity starts to match maggies. You can read the mathematical analysis in a white paper by Wayne Parham of Pi Audio.

[@robi4514]

Great video Ed 👍

[@deanblackwell2090]

I always wanted a pair of the Mognapans but never got them. I did have some old B&W hybrid electrostatics at one time and they were awesome

[@jayem1826]

I don’t know why you popped up in my feed, but I saw z Maggie’s and started. I too love Maggie’s. My SMGa’s from ‘89 sound better than the MMG’s I got a couple of years ago. I place mine 6’ away from the wall and not toed in. Accuphase amp with a PV-3 tube pre amp WAS great into that amp died. Tried class D and I’m happy again. I’m located in the 3rd world. Impossible to just try and resell.

[@ronmcmartin4513]

@12:30--I used to go to the CES(Consumer Electronics Show--Trade Only) in Las Vegas every year to the High End part in the Venetian & Mirage, not the Zoo in the Hilton Convention Ctr. My non-Audiophile friend and I, Both chose the $300K room over a $766K room as the Best of Show. #1& #4 Best rooms were the same; 2&3 were flopped.

[@davidlee2895]

Hey Ed very nice setup. I see you have asl monoblocks on the top of your rack. You didn’t mention them. I had asl wave 8s. I’ve been through a lot of equipment. I had quad ii amps but sold them. I now have qiad 303 with 34 and fm4 with audiomaster ls3/5a. Made by Robin Marshall. Have linn lp12 analog,b77 reel to reel. The linn has a nagaoka mp500 on it. Rega planet 2000 cd. I have a similar system quad 405,34,fm4 with Spendor bc1. Spendor bc1 are the first speakerPeter Walker heard that didn’t dound like a box. He designed quad products including the amps and ESL57 and 63. Some have said the 57s are the finest speakers ever. Analog rega 3 with grace 707 and f9e cartridge. You mentioned mc cartridges. I have owned a couple. Difficulties getting a good pre preamp, no interchangeable stylus. Need proper tonearm to match. You need also match cartridge to prepreamp. My denon103 only put out .25 mv. I had a denon phono pre preamp. It was noisy. I ended making a passive out of old altec microphone transformers. Completely silent. You have to check your project arm for arm mass. A decent mc cartridge will cost nearly as much or more than value of your table. My mc were good but a lot of hassle. Good mm cartridges will make you very happy. M grace f9e cartridge is excellent. Lastly why not move tt to top shelf. You should play records with cover up or off. Lastly your arm height looks a little high to me but then maybe its my phone. Love your site and i play piano too. Your seiler looks sweet. David

[@GaryMCurran]

Right now, I don't really have a 'stereo system' any more. A few years ago, I became homeless, lost all of my CDs and even a lot of my sheet music collection (almost all of it, including stuff I can't replace) At that time, for 'critical listening', I used a Lavry DA-10 and DA-11, and a DA-924 Digital to Analog Converter, output to a set of KRK Rokit RP-5s. The DA-924, at the time, was literally a mastering studio level D/A converter. Unfortunately, I had to sell it, as well as my DA-10 (and some other gear, on the A/D side). I still have my DA11. Now, I'll go so far as to say that I actually worked for Lavry Engineering for a while. I said that all that say this. MOST music we get today is too overly processed in the recording studio and mastering houses. Most people would not know a 'live music' sound if they tripped over it. When Dan was developing the AD-10, he had three modes on there, a 'Clean' Mode, a 'Tube' Mode, a 'Transformer' mode and a 'Tube+Transformer' mode, and he invited us into his office while he was still doing the design and prototype work. He wanted to know what people thought about the different sounds. Most people who listened (all technicians) agreed that the Tube and Transformer modes, to varying degree, sounded the best. We were not told what we were listening to and the source material was classical music recorded using the AD-122 Mk III A/D converter. It was a clean source. I, on the other hand, told him that the 'Clean' position was the most realistic sounded, although others through it was the 'thinnest and most gutless' of the modes. The problem is that in the studios and mastering houses, for today's 'popular' music it is so tweaked and worked to make it sound palatable that people no longer hear what was recorded, but what was 'manufactured.' I'm sure when you record a piano, you don't go into the effects section of your DAW and pull down some kind of effects plug in to 'make the sound better.' Reverb, and maybe a bit of EQ for the room, okay, I can see that, but anything else, most likely not. On the other hand, someone like me who plays a keyboard and a variety of different instrument sounds and plays 'pop' music will most certainly be using a variety of plug-ins to get 'that perfect sound.' So, TO ME, it's the sound you're looking for that makes the difference. Bose with their small speaker/subwoofer setup caught a lot of flak from people because they were (correctly) saying that Bose was not a good emulation of the real sound. I don't disagree with them, but that didn't matter. I liked the Bose sound. It was pleasant to the ear, it covered the frequency range that I wanted to hear, and it was well 'tuned.' People aren't looking for audio perfection, most of them wouldn't know audio perfection if it slapped them in the face. Add on top of that the source material today for most music is so convoluted, destroyed and missing so much that people can't hear it anyway, not to mention that a lot of people play back this music so loud that they are infact destroying their own hearing (and in many cases, the people's that are with them and annoying neighbors for streets beyond!). When we get back to the point where were are listening to acoustic music recorded under -2 or -3dBm, and we want to hear the instruments being played the way they were played, then maybe we can have this conversation about what is best. In the meantime, the best is very dependent on what you want to hear. Sonic authenticity went out the windows for the majority of people years ago.

[@ronmcmartin4513]

"Bose was not a good emulation of the real sound". I disagree. Bose 901s sounded the same whether you were sitting in front of them, or from the kitchen. Professional equipment goes for accuracy(500Hz=500Hz). But people buy expensive systems for Detail("Listen to that Triangle or clinking glasses!"), which is not the same as "Live!"

[@GaryMCurran]

@@ronmcmartin4513 please note that I said their 'small satellite/subwoofer system', not the 901s

[@ronmcmartin4513]

@@GaryMCurran--I actually liked the small satellites from Bose. And they were really tiny!

[@jdekong3945]

Nice system, with regards to upgrading to an MC cartridge, the decks bearings ideally should be of a higher tolerance to get the best out of the cartridge, I would recommend the Rega P6

[@Youtuber-ku4nk]

Hi Ed. For Audio recording I can whole heartedly recommend the MixPre-3 mark2. Computer recording is noisy so using this little marvel is much better. It also comes with more channels if you need it. But the biggest selling point is that it has analog limiters and can record in 32-bit which is the equivalent of recording in raw in photography. Check it out :) And it can run on batteries so you can easily record elsewhere (I recommend using a usb powerbank instead of the AA-holder. It also has 3/8 thread both top and bottom so you can mount it on photo tripod and thread a camera on top. Audio wise I have Gryphon Diablo 300 amp and Dynaudio speakers. Astro wise I have just ordered my first telescope (8” f/5 TS-Optics and a couple of starter eyepieces and a focal extender (nothing comes incl)).

[@Cakebattered]

Thanks for sharing your system. I had a feeling you took interest in Hi-Fi. I like that you have 2 independent systems. As someone who sold Hifi for a while, I wished more customers took that approach rather than spending more money trying to configure a single system to meet all their musical tastes.

[@MichaelHrivnak]

I also have a nice 2-channel stereo system and listen mostly to classical music, but here's the best purchase I've made: the Focal Bathys noise-cancelling headphones. I listen with a usb-c cable connected to an android phone running USB Audio Player Pro to get high-resolution audio from Qobuz (or you could pick a different streaming service) directly into the headphone's built-in DAC. WOW. It won't sound quite as good as your room setup, but it sounds VERY good, light, detailed, natural, and most importantly for me: accurate. And they're so portable. You can have amazing audio anywhere you want to go. They also work very well as a good pair of noise-cancelling bluetooth headphones for listening to astronomy podcasts on-the-go. Or other stuff I suppose...

[@razzman2987]

Streaming guality sucks

[@MichaelHrivnak]

@@razzman2987 streaming quality of what specifically?

[@armanddimeo6575]

I agree that keeping it simple has its advantages and that going ultra high end is not necessarily going to be more musically satisfying. I would agree with you about Grado headphones being the best value out there. I have the SR-80 and Sr-225. I use dynamic speakers only but have always been tempted by Maggies. However, I have resisted so far for the reasons you mentioned as well as the fact that the fabric covers or "socks" are susceptible to destruction by cats.

[@dieselbassohyah1533]

Harmon Kardon amp, Bose surround sound system (I know, But my tinnitus from 34 years making cinder blocks...) Live music? Bass guitars, fender jazz fretless, fender jazz, ibenez 5 string, ibenez Musician, Rickenbacker 4003 customized. Love the channel.

[@ginopagnani7286]

Hi Ed, I’ve been and audiophile for over 40 years. My main system is a pair of Klipsch Belles, a pair of VTL mono-bloc tube amps, a pair of VPI turntables one for mono LP’s the other for stereo. It suits my needs and have stopped shopping.

[@ronmcmartin4513]

You should have just bought another VPI Arm, and swapped it. Save the extra money for records😄

[@billmurphypenguins3774]

cheers Edd, nice system

[@SonnyPruitt-q1s]

I acquired a pair of Cerwin Vega RE38 and the foam around the 15" woofers had fallen apart,I got a repair kit and replaced the foam,my system is a Denon with a Klipsch subwoofer and seeing as I like to play vinyl I have a Pro-Ject turntable,if I were to crank these CW speakers in that little room the windows would blow out.🤣

[@maxt1617]

By coincidence I love astronomy but was also into Hi-Fi in the late '90s, Ed. So my kit back then was a little more modest even than yours: Kef Coda 7 speakers, a Cambridge Audio CD4SE cd player (they are very nice, Cambridge 👍) and Sugden A21a class A integrated amplifier. All sitting on marble slabs resting bicycle inner tubes, for total vibration removal. A surprisingly taut and pleasing sound, friends would bring their CDs round to listen. Of course, audiophiles like refractor owners can end up focussing on their kit instead of enjoying their kit haha. Enjoyed your video.

[@jlutell]

my policy on the audiophile treadmill as well....I you enjoy it keep it to keep on enjoying it.

[@mt9727]

Thank you

[@jaimeballester840]

Ed, you should try the REL Acoustics T/5x for those Maggies.

[@reelrebellion7486]

I bought a Kenwood CD player in 1984 a Dual turntable in 1985, Adcom amp pre and some Klipsch speakers in 1998. Probably paid too much, but I use them daily so the $/day is not so bad. I use the Adcom for heat when my furnace goes out, and the balance knob does not. Other than that I've been quite happy with the setup.

[@KingLoopie1]

Love your astro videos! Being a guitar pl... Uhhh... Noisemaker and not really an audiophile, I'd like to see more reviews of used audio equipment. I play with both electric and classical or flamenco guitars and I'm awful, but I can relate to live sounds. Especially with natural, unamplified (electrically) materials. Classical, flamenco and acoustic guitars always sound richer and more nuanced to me when played by someone good! Out of my guitars they are the ones I pick up and fool with the most... Good video, Ed! Thanks! /Dave

[@ronmcmartin4513]

No wonder you appreciate classical music. I have Maggie 3.7i(Jim Winey just died, but technician Wendall Diller is there) in my living room, with larger tube amps, separate tube preamp with higher gain built-in, Low-Output, moving coil phonostage, on Triode mode. In a larger room, not "bright", but Fast! Cone speaker have more Punch. I've also tried Tubes Separates with Solid State Separates, & it doesn't work. Unfortunately, you've asked me, "What time is it?", so I have to tell you how the watch is made! --A few suggestions: Move Equipment Stand to the corner(where the lamp is), or side wall(in line with the edge of the Maggies, underneath Nutcracker, to reduce interaction with the equipment). You'll get better imaging/soundstage(horseshoe of orchestra), while keeping the detail, but the Wall of Sound for Orchestras & Choral in a Cathedrals. Put Ceramic(white) fuses in the Maggies. So far, almost FREE!(but the looming "HOWEVER"). --Buy a decent(Audioquest, Morrow SP-6, NOT Monster Cable) 10-foot pair of BI-WIRE speaker cables with banana plugs on Both ends. They send the "power" to the correct place(bass for Orchestras, midrange and highs for Chamber). It works for BOTH Maggies (remove jumpers, they are 6 Ohms, connect to 4 Ohms on Cayin) & Epos(8 Ohm taps). Your wires & bi-wires are Terrible(worse than generic eyepieces vs Televue). Same with Interconnects(patchcords). Better Power Cords than generic(computer) IEC cords(Pangea Audio AC-14SE, not the AC9, 6 feet for convenience) on your Amps & CD player. Tributaries T-100 Spike/Power Conditioner. Check all this on Ebay, because people are Trading Up. They DO make a difference. And will remain until you spend another $5000. --SACD player?(SACDs sound more like vinyl). A Sony CDP-C225 is a great sounding SACD player for about $150, but a Very average regular CD player. --Put your turntable on top for convenience(below is an Accident, waiting to happen), and buy a record clamp/weight/bubble level(Ebay, DITGITNOW 60hz $20). You could trade up to Ortofon Red cartridge($99), universally well-regarded in higher-end circles, instead of the P-mount now. Decent Moving Coils start at about $350(Sumiko, HANA, etc). An upgrade phonostage, Schiit Mani-2($129), but not necessary. Buy an $80 Spin-Clean(90% of the viewers here, don't have a cleaner. They may have a Discwasher wet brush that they never use) and $10 Carbon dust brush before Every play(Essential!). That saves your records(imbedded dust ticks) and stylus! Vinyl is Labor-Intensive, like telescopes. --Somehow, put the NAD with the other Amps(they're never on at the same time). I don't think you need the NAD. Putting it on top of the CD player, creates RFI interaction. --For ALL music, you should use a Subwoofer for richer ambience, not Punchy bass, which is Mid-bass(trombone, cello). That's why people try to turn the bass up to 11, to obtain the Punch. ONE 8-inch "self-powered" Subwoofer where your Equip. Stand is now(in a corner, it sounds disjointed). The Pioneer sw-8mk2 is surprisingly good for $150, and will work well for the Maggies & Epos. Best way to connect it, is with an extra pair of speaker cables(not a patchcord) with Spades on the same Speaker terminals as your Maggies/Epos(already connected with bananas). So far, about $1000, used. Go find a mint Bosendorfer for that!

[@martinbishop2966]

I use Epos ES11s, mine are 1993 vintage. They definitely sound best on their dedicated open frame stands and they should always be bi-wired or bi-amped with good amplification and good sources. I have lived with mine for over 30 years and they still perform flawlessly. A good design that has stood the test of time. A good video, nice to see people enjoying relatively modest hi-fi rather than all this overrated, ridiculously expensive high end stuff. 🙂

[@northpole8634]

Thanks for the interesting post!

[@islygon]

Great video! I haven’t invested in a good speaker system yet..but I have plans… I am definitely interested in magnapans! Right now, I have several pairs of good headphones with some decent headphone equipment. I also have that same pair of Grados.. hard to beat for the money! I also have some HiFiman, and my most expensive are the Focal Clear. I use Schiit Audio equipment, including a Valhalla 2 tube amp.

[@rakitakhan]

My best friend has a set of Maggies. He used to drive them with an old Dynaco ST 70 tube amp. Spectacular. Unfortunately, now they sit. He bought a Rotel setup several years ago and uses a set of bookshelf speakers...not sure what brand. Sad.

[@ZachPetch]

I know no one (in person / real life) who shares my interest in astronomy and _nearly_ no one (maybe 2 people) who share my interest in audio equipment. So it's wild to me that you're interested in both. I don't have anything too too fancy, in either hobby, but I try to get the best bang for my buck - which I've been really happy with so far. I have a Denon X1700H with KEF Q750 speakers and an AKAI record player from the 1970s - and, for what it's worth, an Explore Scientific FirstLight 10" Dobsonian with a single 15mm Celestron Luminos eyepiece - all of which have lead to many an enjoyable evening, clear skies or otherwise.

[@mr.george7687]

I added a pair of Magnepan DWM Bass panels to my LRS speakers. Plenty of bass !

[@jerkypat8296]

You should find somebody that has Carver amp/preamp to see if the magnapan’s perform well with them… would be an interesting experiment

[@astroimagers]

Connoisseur of wavelengths of light and sound... Judging by Ed's good healthy stature, I'm expecting food and wine reviews next! 😊

[@ronmcmartin4513]

Now you're talkin'! Add Large Format photography & I'm there, Dude!

[@RT65CB-SWL]

Just over thirty years ago, I was looking to buy a turntable. Arranged a visit and appointment with a specialist hi-fi dealer and gave them my price, (up to £250GBP). Didn’t really like what they had for sale in my price range. Just as I was leaving the manager called me over said they were servicing a Michell Focus One for a client, as he was likely to be selling it privately. I saw it, fell in love with it, got the customer details and phoned him on the spot, we agreed on a price then I bought it. I still have it. 😉

[@AltonWilson-q8m]

Hello Ed, great post. I may have missed it but what are the mono amps on the top shelf? Surprised with your happiness with the low powered tube amps on the Maggie's. I have a cord-johnson M50 45 watt amp that I may switch into using in an office set up with a pair of Maggie LRS+. Still under consideration, but that is what I am thinking. Just looking for music while I write computer software.

[@danytoob]

My NAD died a few years ago and haven't been able to replace it due to budgetary constraints. Sad ever since.

[@edting]

My NAD 7225 receiver just died. I tried replacing the output transistors but it's still dead. Can't bring myself to throw it away.

[@danytoob]

@@edting Mine is a T 761...still sitting on a shelf. Obviously not being in the studio(s) when recordings were made, it sounded like I imagined it actually would have ... nothing colored. I suspect it has blown cap(s).

[@SonnyPruitt-q1s]

One of these days I would like to put together a Vincent Audio system.

[@tonyscinemascope]

wow, i have no idea about what you were talking about. these days i mainly listen to music from my $10 usb speakers plugged into my cheap old hp computer. i'm probably not that picky since i did grow up listening to music on transistor radios. i guess our perception of listening enjoyment is different as i like how music makes me feel and having the highest audio quality is not a necessity (smashed the like button anyways 😁)

[@ronmcmartin4513]

I'm sorry, I can't smash the Like button. That would be Lyin'😂("It's gotta great beat & it's easy to dance to. I give it an 85")

[@tonyscinemascope]

@@ronmcmartin4513 good one, but just because i couldn't relate doesn't mean i didn't like the video. i enjoyed ed's room tour and his commentary 👍

[@jayem1826]

Had Grado’s 60 and 80’s. Both got damaged to the severe weather in my area. Liked them better than the Sundara’s that were a major disappointment.

[@jrpstonecarver]

I'm having flashbacks to the 1980's! Argh! I also had some nice gear for a while, but I have given up on that. My own hearing is crap, and these days I don't even bother with surround sound of any kind on the TV. My wife is a musician - as you will recall - and her ears are much better than mine, but she's not into anything significant regarding audio gear either. We're a pair, it seems. Anyway, thanks for sharing, sir. I found your choices fascinating.

[@ronmcmartin4513]

"My own hearing is crap"...But you would STILL hear the difference.

[@theoldman2821]

I first saw magnepans in 1980. They sounded fantastic but they were just too weird for me to consider buying at that time.

[@TexasEngineerScotty]

I have mixed emotions about not having a golden ear. I am perfectly satisfied with my Aria 948s and an internally amplified Anthem MRX 740. No analog end but my digital source is an oppo BDP-103 which I either stream Tidal through or listen to a select few SACDs and about twice as many standard CDs that I own or I watch the Berliner Philharmoniker on. I also have a sealed JL Audio 10" sub for movie watching but I only do two channel listening with my music and do no integrate it. The Kawai 907 sits in the next room and only ever gets played by my son (he is actually playing Gymnopedie on it right now). I never though of having it in the media room to "SING"along! What do you think, is having a golden ear a blessing or a curse? I always feel like I am missing out on something....P.S. I have listened to my Daughter's Audio Technica turntable though it with a preinstalled cartridge and quite enjoyed it but can't imagine starting over collecting vinyl.

[@MarkThomas-hm3ju]

I've been using the discontinued 2.7 Magnepans for about 30 years using two Golden Tube SE 40s as mono blocks with a NEW P3 tube preamp. Wonderful sound. I'm going to try the inexpensive FOSI V3 D Class amplifier to see if it can drive the Maggie's and maybe lower the temperature in my house😅. Also, FOSI is getting ready to release the V3 as a monoblock set but I'm set on just using the original for experimentation. They say FOSI has solved the high frequency problem with these amps. They are so inexpensive you might lose money by not buying them.

[@user-xh3lb1ov3t]

How does the piano perform when looking at the planets

[@randallpatrickc]

ooh - Ed is online The Seiler is beautiful. Have you recorded it? Curious about the undamped strings! A bit like a sitar?! Maybe not... Anyway, can I ask you a quick EP question? I bought a C9.25 after watching your video on it. I love visual and use a Meade flip diagonal on a Celestron reducer for the camera but I only have a basic Celestron 2" EP set. I note that you like the Panoptic and was about to order a 35mm but would appreciate your input - would that work well? I like star hopping then flipping to the cam for some EAA.

[@edting]

The 35 Panoptic is a good match for the 9.25. If you have the funds, ditch the Meade diagonal and get a TeleVue Everbrite or an AP MaxBright. Those reducers sometimes introduce some distortions and often narrow the image circle so I'd remove that too.

[@googlecrazy657]

I think if you took a subwoofer and power it with a full range amp it would help your system

[@OnceShy_TwiceBitten]

I am the same way, I have expensive taste, but I have the budget to need to buy used haha, either that or I enjoy too many expensive hobbies. I love Mcintosh and actually had a really nice set up with a 4280 and Xl-1s with a MC2105 as the amp, had a nice vintage turn table as well. Ended up actually downgrading to a Cambridge and a Project as well. I never tried the magnepans, but have wanted to. Why do hobbies have to be so expensive haha. General aviation, RC planes/helis, shooting... Guitars... lol, I will probably never be able to retire lmfaoooo.

[@feds27]

I was expecting Ed to have the large Infinity IRS.

[@michaelwalsh7846]

The voice and midrange on ye oldie Quad 57s is also exceptional, but dominate the room like my SMGa Maggie's. Transcriptors Transcriber I have you may find interesting, tracks at 1/10 gram with next to no record wear, as inertia of arm is non existent, as there is no arm just a head shell.Ortofon VMS 20e. Sennheiser 650s tend to be used with headphone amp and computer now as it's easy and my neighbours are happy! Bought some old Electrostatic Stax SR3 headphones from 70s, dont like them, too bright! Quad S1box speakers are laid back and currently connected, but you know it's a box! Samson SR 850 on a budget, about £30 an absolute steal!

[@ADCar]

I had a set of Grados a number of years back and while they sounded great, they were incredibly uncomfortable. I could only use them for short periods of time before giving up on them.

[@AmatureAstronomer]

Interesting.

[@RaisinEnjoyer]

Ed is now my favorite person

[@warrenf6935]

What is wrong with me? I watch the channel for astronomy material. I watched this right to the end. Maybe it's Ed. He could probably get me to watch him debate ketchup vs mustard.

[@paulwood6729]

I've got a Rega Planar 3 turntable with a Linn cartridge, Arcam Alpha 5 amp going into Linn Sekrit speakers, all bought in the late 90's and still sounds incredible. Possibly the best thing I've bought, apart from maybe an engagement ring!

[@ronmcmartin4513]

Nice system, but if you believe 1990s audio, "still sounds incredible", then you haven't listen to today's equipment.

[@Robin-Visser]

Would ed know about Bluetooth and mp3?

[@edting]

Compressed audio formats...

[@joekean8555]

Onkyo 696 receiver pushes old bose 201 series 4 also elac debut 6.2 and dayton audio sub 8 inch.2 klh speakers surround and pioneer center. speaker . My turntable is old pioneer pl4 with Pickering cartridge . Sorry so long. Super cheap here. Best to you Ed.

[@ronmcmartin4513]

The ELACs are very different than the rest of your system. Those are actually quite good, with better(more recent) equipment.

[@joekean8555]

@@ronmcmartin4513 Thanks for comment Ron. The onkyo receiver is fairly Recent 100 watts per channel. I live in an apartment so I cannot get too loud maybe clearer. Also have orion 4.5 starblast table top. Good viewing and listening to you from near Westerville Ohio. Joe kean ii

[@ronmcmartin4513]

@@joekean8555--The 8-inch sub works well with the ELACs, because it is the "correct" size. People make the mistake of wanting bass, so they buy a 12-inch Sub, and there is a big hole between the 6-inch "midrange" of the ELAC. So they solve the problem by turning up the 12-inch to full blast.

[@joekean8555]

@@ronmcmartin4513 Ron you.are so right on 8 inch woofer I have it turned down a little. I was going to go with some klipsch speakers for sound down low. Thought the bass was not as good with too much horn. I have to use a little more volume pushing 8 speakers. Send back your set up if you wish. Good to hear back. Joe kean ii.

[@ronmcmartin4513]

@@joekean8555--I wasn't a rock & roll guy after high school. I listened to European Rock(no lyrics and only 1-2 songs on each side of an album). And I liked about half of the Windham Hill label, mid to late 1970s(Acoustic guitar, etc until John Tesh & Kenny G turned it into pablum), along with Classical & Jazz. That's when I started getting into Hi-Fi(Hafler, Adcom, Dynaco, Sota turntables, Magnepan, bigger Infinity). So I was never into booming bass like Cerwin Vega, Bose & JBL.

[@Sergey_Sergeev]

Are you a fan of Chaikovsky "Nutcracker"?

[@randallpatrickc]

Audio interface to what? Logic? Live? (Did I miss it? - skimmed thru) Or maybe a Teac?!

[@edting]

I use the Focusrite as a mic preamp when recording the piano.

[@randallpatrickc]

I just wondered what you were using as the recorder - something digital like Apple s Logic or ABleton Live or a tape deck? @@edting

[@edting]

Nothing that fancy. I have a Dell gaming laptop dedicated to recording. I use the KM184s, the AT2020s, or Rode NT1s (don't like those much). My editor is an ancient copy of Cool Edit Pro that limits you to two tracks. I want to force myself to keep it simple and not add any effects.

[@Panotaker]

I would remove that lamp in the corner, and put a Questar there.

[@edting]

I could do that!

[@JemCruz]

Geez the first time the piano was shown i thought it was a coffin!

[@Babr900]

My Sony WH-1000XM3 headphones are the only thing I use. Wish I had space for a listening room 😂

[@EJ22bakadesu]

More of a headphone person due to living with other people for many years, I've got SR80s and I like them. My most used headphones are either my HD-600s or CD-900st though. Those Japanese made Sony monitors are great. I mostly use a Schitt Magni Heresy and an old 80s Sony receiver.

[@ronmcmartin4513]

Change that 80s Sony receiver for a recent integrated amp(and stream HD audio for a tuner).

[@EJ22bakadesu]

@@ronmcmartin4513 I should have been more specific, the Hersey hangs off one version or the other of a Modi that's connected to my desktop over digital. I mostly stream FLACs off my file server. The old Sony is upstairs in the retro tech room that I more or less care about being fun or semi-period correct more than anything else. I do a lot of repairs and upgrades on older gear and most of that stack is thrifted from the last couple of decades. I used to build my own amps back in grad school too!

[@ronmcmartin4513]

@@EJ22bakadesu--I find it interesting that most of the "Best Inexpensive Equipment" videos on KZbin have the people with 1970s equipment. They confuse "still works" with "Sounds Awesome!". An 8-Track car system with Reverb, and Grado Sr-60s or better on a good, quiet home system. They also confuse an Amplifier with a Receiver, because it is 50WPC and it has fabulous Tone Controls! I find that MQA sounds like Antiseptically Clean CDs vs Tidal Lossless is like vinyl.

[@EJ22bakadesu]

@@ronmcmartin4513 MQA is snake oil. I use Linux and AFAIK Tidal doesn't work there. But I generally refuse to rent media like that anyway. Bandcamp sells DRM free 24-bit FLACs for many artists these days too. I don't have a problem with CDs in general outside of the loudness wars era. There's always garbage equipment from any decade (including now) old != good just as new != good. I like doing repairs and modifications and usually older stuff is just better for that. IMO there was plenty of decent stuff floating around back then. My HD600s are first gen models from the late 90s I bought used too. Just cleaned the up and stuck new OEM pads on them. Likewise the MDR CD-900sts I think came out in the 80s?

[@wunderkind56]

About 40 years ago my home was broken into and the thieves made off with my audio system. They left the Magnepans.

[@edting]

I'm guessing the thieves had no idea what the Magnepans were.

[@ronmcmartin4513]

@@edting--AND they were too bulky to fit in their Hyundai Elantra!😳

[@wunderkind56]

@@ronmcmartin4513 @edting These were the two prevailing theories at the time.

[@bk3720]

I condone Ed's two hobbies that use glass.

[@peterleveillee1321]

Tubes Rule

[@ultrametric9317]

I just stopped listening to recordings. Not sure why. Most everything is in my head now anyway. Interesting comments RE speakers. I can't deal with MP3 sound and modern speakers sound terrible. To me the most important thing is to move a lot of air, even at low volume. I would also listen mostly at low volume. I had a pair of Realistic 8" x 3" speakers which for some reason had great piano reproduction. Since most of what I listened to was solo piano, they became my all time favorites. Probably a Panasonic rebrand.

[@wattswheelhouse]

I bet those amps go to 11.