My Desktop Setup 2018 (BenQ SW271, Questyle CMA400i, Audeze LCD-2C - and a ground loop!)

[@lachlanlikesathing]

So, something I didn't manage to fit into this video (or else it would have gone on for another 6 mintues -__- In my quest to find software on the PC as I transition away from my iMac, I wanted to mention two things. First, I've found that Affinity Photo is a great alternative to paying monthly subscription fees for Photoshop. Affinity does about 90% of what I used Photoshop for, costs under $100 AUD and is quick and easy to work with. Also, the latest Beta 15 of Davinci Resolve now supports the files that my A6500 records in, without an extra ingestion / transcode step. Coupled with the fact that Davinci Resolve 15 now supports 4K video output in the free beta, and now integrates a compositing engine, I am pretty blown away that THEY ARE GIVING THIS STUFF AWAY. I still use FCPX for work and I do find it is faster, especially in rendering times, but I'm willing to give Resolve a real shot. I edited this video on Resolve, and I was pretty impressed with the colour grading system in particular. Let me know what you use, and if you have suggestions for good photo management (like Lightroom) on the PC?

[@techgeek1874]

lachlanlikesathing You could've considered wall mounting the ultra wide monitor. By the way BenQ's really great.

[@johnyang799]

does that ifi ground loop breaker work?

[@johnyang799]

I thought it is the interference through the usb.

[@lachlanlikesathing]

Nah at the end of the day, this was a better choice for long term use as far as colour accuracy goes. I don't really play that many games that would be that much more awesome in ultrawide. But maybe one day things will change.

[@lachlanlikesathing]

I will make a new video to show you ;)

[@Xsetsu]

So glad to see another video from you. Questyle is worth the extra price as far as I am concerned. Very nice.

[@Digiphex]

I am surprised that you are ok with the extremely low quality speakers. I pictured you for a Kef LSX.

[@MAELOB]

If the ifi doesn’t work, you could try a hum-x device to connect to the speaker’s ac cable

[@AccuphaseMan]

Bought the Questyle yesterday from minidisc. Paired it with focal clears. Haven't tried it with iems. Surprised at how tiny the store was

[@muslimsfortulsigabbard8646]

how are you liking it?

[@AccuphaseMan]

@@muslimsfortulsigabbard8646 I'm loving it a lot. Its quite musical and great for low sensitivity cans. The way it does DSD is on another level compared to how I've heard it before. Not crazy analytical, but I'm not here to look at measurements, I'm here to enjoy myself.

[@creatorbydefault]

Whoa that centerpiece is wicked

[@TheWretchedWorld]

As for your ground loop, try connecting your dac to your pc via optical

[@devtank]

Highly recommend getting a VESA arm for your monitor, it will change the way you physically work at the computer for hours.

[@metroid209]

My setup is my Desktop(ryzen 7+16gb ram) under my desk and a Dell 24in 1080p monitor + Sony 19in 1280x1024. Then have 1 sony xb10 speaker connected via aux. THEN have HDMI switch that connects to my PS4 and PC. Then route output to monitor and TV in other room. Now I can freely switch between pc or ps4 on either screen. This is great when someone needs to sleep or is using the other screen, can just move to the other. You should eventually try dual monitors, it will change how you do stuff. I can't imagine not having 2 monitors. On the sony 19in, I just run IRC/torrent and other text based stuff. It's very useful when multitasking.

[@tardezyx]

Either go optical or try the ART DTI to solve your ground loop issue.

[@Rav3noid]

I always love the shirts you're wearing and also thumbs up for the pants and stocking wallpaper!

[@HiFiInsider]

Does the hood fit the LG 4K Ultrafine display? I think a better quality USB cable may solve the noise issue and music would sound better but I'll cost more than the iFi.

[@lachlanlikesathing]

It shouldn't fit another monitor because it has tabs specifically to be inserted at mount points on the BenQ. Also the LG 4K Ultrafine is a 21" display and this is 27"!

[@tthbro]

I think he should have burned in those usb cables to make zeros and ones fly little softer and faster trough the cable.

[@ClevrGrl]

Love the new setup! I'm saving up for a pair of LCD-2C as well atm. Do you think you'll do a review video of them sometime?

[@lachlanlikesathing]

Probably!

[@Nytemare117]

I had basically the same ground loop issue with my LSR305 monitors and it was especially bad when I was playing games. It was probably due to the cabling in my room. However, I got the Behringer HD400 Hum Destroyer and that completely eliminated it. Hope that ifi ground loop breaker works for you though man!

[@lachlanlikesathing]

Ah - I had something very similar once, the ART Dual Transformer Isolator: artproaudio.com/isolators/product/dti/ The thing that as I understand it, something like this ART box actually introduces some degree of distortion or signal loss (even if minimal) because it works in the analogue stage. Whereas the iDefender should deal with the ground loop before the USB data gets converted to an analogue signal. But I'm not an electrician soo...

[@forgworm]

Hi Lachlan, do you think it's worth it to upgrade from the CMA400i to the CMA Twelve/Twelve Master?

[@lachlanlikesathing]

I am really hoping that Questyle releases an updated CMA400i with 4.4mm, because while the Twelve is good, most of the extra features (wireless, remote controlled volume knob) are not relevant to me.

[@forgworm]

lachlanlikesathing agreed, the Twelve does look really nice as well. Thank you for taking the time to reply, I really appreciate it! :)

[@sakabatou]

The Jotunheim headphone jack doesn't turn off the pre-outs. They are permanently active, and so it sucks for an active monitor/headphone set up

[@lachlanlikesathing]

Oh wow. That sounds... daft.

[@sakabatou]

yeah, I hated it. apparently has something to do with how 4pin XLRs facks are set up. It needs a separate switch like... oh, I dunno, the CMA400i!

[@OutdoorsmenLee]

Have you tried any LG phones with the Quad Dac? I have the LG g7 ThinQ pairing with the massdrop seinheisser 6XX(shipping in April) Would be awesome to see your thoughts on LG's Quad Dac.

[@matticeverhoeven6539]

Hi Lachlan, would you consider selling your quest style is you still own it?

[@edoardogiordano531]

Didn't expect you to go with Audeze since they're known to be quite dark and your love for Ath-like treble. Wish you could try an audeze pair myself too in the future (I'm loving my hifiman sundara at the moment). Lovely setup indeed! Looking forward to your next videos ❤️

[@lachlanlikesathing]

It's definitely nice to have the Audeze alongside my other more mid-forward cans. I do love the Audeze bass and the natural timbre, and the next can I get will probably be more mid heavy..

[@elias38]

I just got it and having issues calibrating it with x-rite display pro using Pallette Master. First of all this monitor has a green cast out of the box. Then I am getting en error before validating the calibration. Sometimes it works but the results are terrible, all colors are washed out, dimm and still with a green cast. Have you encountered issues like these? Love your audio setup!

[@juliangst]

You have to get some nicer speakers with your high end setup. I can recommend the ls50(passive) or the fluid audio fpx7(active).

[@lachlanlikesathing]

I just don’t have the room to make 5” speakers or rear ported speakers make any sense. They’d be severely compromised.

[@juliangst]

lachlanlikesathing then try to test fluid fpx7 which are small and front portet and sound insane.

[@FriedEgg101]

Nice setup. I have krk rp8s and feed them with the audiolab mdac+ and I'm very happy with how they sound. The only issue I ran into was that the mdac+ makes a terrible heaphone amp and doesn't really drive my hifiman he-4xx. So I bought a chord mojo lol. But now I've realised that my galaxy note 4 makes a terrible source. I need to stop spending money.

[@gigihanmandarin]

Thanks for cutting the fringe off Lachlan.

[@lachlanlikesathing]

Anything for my precious viewers!

[@Farpun]

Can you review the LCD2C's for minidisc if you haven't already (and I missed it)

[@virgilwilliams8082]

I have the same ground loop problem when i Serato Dj Software.

[@eat_ze_bugs]

No Stax?

[@TheWretchedWorld]

^you've never heard stax

[@pionergena]

Nice setup. Please, make review on iDefender3.0

[@vnrays3775]

Hi Lachlans, Nice Video as always! Thanks. Oh, than can I ask if the LCD-2C can be run using the zx300? Maybe through the balanced output? It’s 47 Ohm as I remember correctly but I’m not into buying another DAC/amps combo when having my zx300 as a DAC. Many thanks ;)

[@lachlanlikesathing]

I am going to say that the LCD-2C would be fine out of the ZX300. The LCD-2C needs a power output of around 100mW to reach listenable levels (as per Audeze's spec), and the ZX300 puts out 200mW from its 4.4mm balanced output. Even unbalanced, you can drive the LCD-2C to very listenable levels out of the ZX300 in high gain mode without going past 65/120 volume steps.

[@vnrays3775]

lachlanlikesathing Thanks alot ^^

[@YouTuberr285]

Do you think you could send the link for that wallpaper that you have? Looks epic, thanks

[@lachlanlikesathing]

wall.alphacoders.com/big.php?i=249131

[@YouTuberr285]

lachlanlikesathing thanks Lachlan. Setup looking fresh

[@lorenzoa.5795]

Heyy I need help i'm searching for some iem for djing with good bass in a price range with a maximum of 90€ i'm becoming mad (I don't know what TO choose between shure se 215 spe or ath e40) other iem proposes are accepted.

[@TheWretchedWorld]

You made a good choice getting the cma400i imo it's a better unit than the cma600i which I had and sold because I had issues with it. Also the Jotunheim is shit. Look at the measurements on audiosciencereview.

[@shaolin95]

You only get 10bit in Photoshop if using Quadro or similar amd cards

[@zblus]

Dayum, lucky with the audeze lottery! I'm jelly

[@Malangsufi]

I remember seen you at minidic!

[@creambun1963]

hasn't this monitor got built in speakers

[@lachlanlikesathing]

nope

[@ScreamingGecko]

Where did you get that t shirt? Or should I say who makes it?

[@lachlanlikesathing]

It's an awesome shirt! I got it at a recent anime con. You can get it here: bibisama.com/shop/link-xh9yn Sizing runs smaller, so I was advised to go one size up - I am 5'11" and typically wear Medium, and for this shirt I am a Large.

[@GiullianSN]

HA! saw your videos before and now just realizing you work at Minidisc. :)

[@HAL9007]

What? No review of the Questyle sound quality? Just the looks? Sheesh. Why did I listen to all that?

[@jdam28k]

that t-shirt, oh my...

[@kaileeinatree]

Looks amazing! #360pgang

[@peterludlow1472]

Welcome to the PCMR

[@disruptfam]

Very rad Indeed.

[@lachlanlikesathing]

I was inspired by kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXrIeZVulJJ6hsk

[@AmpedZWeb]

All this audio talk and you have KRK Rokits as studio monitors. You should take a look at some other brands.... like soon

[@lachlanlikesathing]

I’m happy with the KRKs as small 4” monitors that I use casually. If one day I buy an Eizo I’ll get Genelecs to go with them.

[@josesantiagoortiz5341]

Nice.

[@wydchristian]

Hi there! I'm a fan

[@lachlanlikesathing]

Ah awesome, ty!

[@wydchristian]

Np when someone makes good content how can i not be a fan!

[@MichaelBruceTaos]

Cut the ground pin off the KRK monitor power cords. Seriously.. it works.

[@yunovaa]

nice ! :D

[@cday131]

Callie best girl

[@lachlanlikesathing]

Pearl has grown on me over time! Marina I liked from the outset. But of course Callie and Marie are golden gals.

[@demiurge8480]

your desktop wallpaper is hideous ..... i like it :)

[@DARKERanimexxXxx]

This hideous wallpaper is hot and it's from anime called panty and stocking. Also your opinion is shit. cya

[@resonantconsciousness9248]

If its on its side all the electric will fall out.

[@lachlanlikesathing]

o noe

[@PaulSebastianM]

You payed for all that expensive shit and you cant't get a ground loop isolator? Better yet, fix your ground loop problem. Use the same wall plug for all your hardware. Plug your cables in the same orientation (with regard to Live and Null cables).

[@maheeinfy13]

Do you like Starbucks

[@eli7693]

first