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-- best way to play music (http://www.vcdhq.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=83593)


Posted by HoldDaSalad on 12-22-2008 06:03 AM:

best way to play music

Before the mp3 revolution we had tangible CD's that everyone purchased but it's becoming more and more obsolete with services such as itunes, Rhapsody, and Napster and a lot of people like myself download the better quality Flac releases.

With that out of the way the question comes into play, What's the best way to play music now?

Before when I bought CD's I had a nice home shelf stereo with a reciever, amp, CD player, and a cassette player with a 5.1 speaker set-up, with crappy headphones, lol.

Times have changed, now most of my listening is on my PC which can't be the best option. We all know or at least most of us know that the PC is a very noisy enviornment and therefore we get unwanted noise in our playback, even with the better soundcards this happens.

I also have an mp3 player that I don't think I can live without, Music on the go or in the car is essential and it limits the use of 100-200 cd's in my car which is a valuable option for on the go or in the car but not good enough for home use.

I'm currently looking into other options for my home audio wants. Only music, Not for video use. I'm not looking to replace my home stereo, but possibly adding to it? Maybe even a seperate devise.

Mainly headphones will be used as opposed to speakers.

Is ther like a media center HDD that plays just music that I can hook up to my home reciever?


Posted by K-FurY on 12-23-2008 11:02 PM:

i usually listen to music on the pc or my ipod, but my xbox is still kicking with xbmc and is my main media player. it's hooked up to my stereo setup. that's always a cheap option.


Posted by punzada on 12-24-2008 01:57 AM:

Like most things you can either do it cheap or you can do it right, you can get a small form factor pc that has totally passive cooling (no fans for those wearing helmets) and a small linux/bsd based distro designed around media (would not be hard at all with a lil research and tweaking, even a major one like base debian could rock it easy) with an SSD hard drive, you can even go for a cheaper end ssd since once you fill it up with music you wont be going write crazy on the disk and killing it's read/write cycles, then the only expensive piece you put on it is the best audio card(s) you can find depending how you want to output it -- if i was crazy audiophile style, this is how I would do it, it would give giant flexability and could be attached to anything that accepts audio (can then tailor it to the system you're hooking up to with either digital audio cables or matching ones for best sound quality, or spend the extra bucks for something 'port crazy' so that you'll be able to plug it into absolutely anything without sound distorting conversion cables).

As far as adding on to your system, not sure besides a small machine like that built around media playback, I believe there are things that will wirelessly send audio signal to a lil box from a pc that'll hook directly into your reciever to stream audio that way (some that you can even accept your remote inputs from to effect song changes, etc etc) but I can't for the life of me remember what the name of them are, I keep thinking slingbox but I think that's the tv-type version of it.

There are options out there but i'm more of a general purpose geek then an audiophile ;p


Posted by Bit_Confused on 12-24-2008 04:09 PM:

Smash both your hands on your big fat belly.

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Posted by Avenue_1 on 12-24-2008 04:25 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by Bit_Confused
Smash both your hands on your big fat belly.


HAHA

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Posted by HoldDaSalad on 12-24-2008 04:40 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by punzada
Like most things you can either do it cheap or you can do it right, you can get a small form factor pc that has totally passive cooling (no fans for those wearing helmets) and a small linux/bsd based distro designed around media (would not be hard at all with a lil research and tweaking, even a major one like base debian could rock it easy) with an SSD hard drive, you can even go for a cheaper end ssd since once you fill it up with music you wont be going write crazy on the disk and killing it's read/write cycles, then the only expensive piece you put on it is the best audio card(s) you can find depending how you want to output it -- if i was crazy audiophile style, this is how I would do it, it would give giant flexability and could be attached to anything that accepts audio (can then tailor it to the system you're hooking up to with either digital audio cables or matching ones for best sound quality, or spend the extra bucks for something 'port crazy' so that you'll be able to plug it into absolutely anything without sound distorting conversion cables).

As far as adding on to your system, not sure besides a small machine like that built around media playback, I believe there are things that will wirelessly send audio signal to a lil box from a pc that'll hook directly into your reciever to stream audio that way (some that you can even accept your remote inputs from to effect song changes, etc etc) but I can't for the life of me remember what the name of them are, I keep thinking slingbox but I think that's the tv-type version of it.

There are options out there but i'm more of a general purpose geek then an audiophile ;p



Well I want the overall best sound quality I can get that my wallet will allow, lol. Don't get me wrong I get really good sound with my PC set up, but I know it can sound a lot better. I prefer quality over quantity.

I know I will have to get a decent headphone amp which I've already priced em, and I plan on getting a micro amp for around $300-400, I can't see spending anymore than that.

I guess the sudden change in hardware is due to the fact of the headphones because if the source, or anything beyond that is fucked you notice it.


Posted by The CandyMan on 12-25-2008 01:17 AM:

quote:
Originally posted by Bit_Confused
Smash both your hands on your big fat belly.


Just make sure Bit_Confused Mum's head is out of the way.

__________________


Posted by Bit_Confused on 12-25-2008 01:42 AM:

quote:
Originally posted by The CandyMan
Just make sure Bit_Confused Mum's head is out of the way.



My mom doesn't have a head.


Thanks a lot asshole.


At Christmas too.

Only an American.

JK Merry Xmas fuckers.

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Posted by bartleby on 12-25-2008 02:13 AM:

The best way is proberly a PC. I still listen to alot of music on my stereo though.


BTW... Merry christmas to everyone.

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Posted by pHo on 12-25-2008 05:56 PM:

If I buy anything, it's on vinyl.. bigger artwork, often cheaper, coloured/picture discs. It's just a better package to own.

If I download, it's just in plain old MP3. Wouldn't pay for em tho. iTunes library on lounge PC hooked up to big screen and hifi separates takes care of playback.

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Posted by HoldDaSalad on 12-25-2008 06:11 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by pHo
If I buy anything, it's on vinyl.. bigger artwork, often cheaper, coloured/picture discs. It's just a better package to own.

If I download, it's just in plain old MP3. Wouldn't pay for em tho. iTunes library on lounge PC hooked up to big screen and hifi separates takes care of playback.

I don't have the room for vinyls, I do however get Vinyl rips and boy do those sound sexy, It just has a much different sound than CD.

I have some Eagles, and Pink Floyd, Metallica and some other bands from vinyl and it blows the CD's away, the sound is much fuller and richer.

I like the portability of an mp3 player, but most mp3 players don't support Flac. Flac is the only way to go.


Posted by gezzer on 01-10-2009 09:36 AM:

The best way is on vinyl on a decent 70's system(newer systems are too "clean") My preference would be a Pioneer deck,(Must have a sure cartridge) Leak amp and Cambridge speakers .You can still pick all this stuff up at bootsales.
Having said that I mainly listen to the cd player in the car (120 mile round trip to go to work).
I is mainly listening to the Eagles, Neil Young and Heaven and Hell (AKA Sabbath) at the Mo.Rust still rocks!!.
I have gotta agree about flac as well gotta be only a matter of time.


Posted by HoldDaSalad on 01-11-2009 11:41 AM:

quote:
Originally posted by gezzer
The best way is on vinyl on a decent 70's system(newer systems are too "clean") My preference would be a Pioneer deck,(Must have a sure cartridge) Leak amp and Cambridge speakers .You can still pick all this stuff up at bootsales.
Having said that I mainly listen to the cd player in the car (120 mile round trip to go to work).
I is mainly listening to the Eagles, Neil Young and Heaven and Hell (AKA Sabbath) at the Mo.Rust still rocks!!.
I have gotta agree about flac as well gotta be only a matter of time.

Have you downloaded any of the vinyl rips? Usually there in .Flac, and they have the vinyl sound which is really cool.

I have heard that if you use headphones and want good quality out of a receiver to use vintage equipment because the sound quality is superior than what's thrown into the receivers today.

My buddy has a Pioneer receiver that was produced in the 90's and he has a DTS copy of Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon. With my headphones AKG K 701's it did sound absolutely amazing. His Pioneer is about 12 years old produced great sound through the headphones.

Flac is the ONLY way to go or buy the CD.

I have The Eagles Hotel California CD rip, and Vinyl rip and they sound drastically different I do prefer the vinyl on a lot of older music.

I'm looking for a soundcard for the pc that's designed for headphone use that could properly power my heapdhones. With my current setup they sound great but I know they can sound better

I have a few sound cards in mind, I'm going to go this route cause I pretty much have the setup done, and it'll save a lot of money. Later on I will probably get a headroom micro amp for about $400


Posted by Avenue_1 on 01-11-2009 01:21 PM:

Your headphones are shite para. I read the reviews and they all say the sound is nowhere near as good as other headphones in that price range.
I also read that the hiss and crackle you think is coming from vinyl rips is actually coming from your crap headphones lol

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Posted by HoldDaSalad on 01-11-2009 02:01 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by Gimp Mask
Your headphones are shite para. I read the reviews and they all say the sound is nowhere near as good as other headphones in that price range.
I also read that the hiss and crackle you think is coming from vinyl rips is actually coming from your crap headphones lol

I'm shocked you know how to read, seriously. You must be deslexic because you read the wrong reviews you dumb git


Posted by Avenue_1 on 01-11-2009 02:45 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by parasiticgannon
You must be deslexic


Yup.

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I'M NEVER COMING BACK TO THESE FORUMS... BOOHOOHOO

OH WAIT...I'M BACK


Posted by Avenue_1 on 01-11-2009 03:47 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by parasiticgannon
You must be deslexic


Yup.

So good i had to quote it twice lol

__________________
I'M NEVER COMING BACK TO THESE FORUMS... BOOHOOHOO

OH WAIT...I'M BACK


Posted by The CandyMan on 01-11-2009 04:30 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by Gimp Mask
Your headphones are shite para. I read the reviews and they all say the sound is nowhere near as good as other headphones in that price range.
I also read that the hiss and crackle you think is coming from vinyl rips is actually coming from your crap headphones lol



Hmm after a quick google search it seems overall that this headphones (which Para brought over a few weeks back and let me give a listen and they sounded fucking fantastic) have gotten great reviews.

http://reviews.cnet.com/headphones/...7-31649804.html

and

http://www.stereophile.com/headphones/806akg/

So either you did an incorrect search (akg k 701) or....

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Posted by Avenue_1 on 01-11-2009 07:07 PM:

quote:
http://reviews.cnet.com

These cans are a piece of shit, the quality of sound is completely off. They actually sound like you are listening to vinyl rips, when in reality it is the piss-poor workmanship of these headphones that is causing the vinyl like "hiss,crackle & pop"


LOL Para=Pwnd.

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I'M NEVER COMING BACK TO THESE FORUMS... BOOHOOHOO

OH WAIT...I'M BACK


Posted by The CandyMan on 01-11-2009 09:23 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by Gimp Mask
LOL Para=Pwnd.


Dumbass my first link above was to the Cnet reviews and after reading all 8 posted on there I don't see anything close to your above review. So again...

__________________


Posted by David Cameron on 01-11-2009 10:22 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by parasiticgannon
You must be deslexic


quote:
Originally posted by Gimp Mask
Yup.

So good i had to quote it twice lol



HAHAHA


Posted by David Cameron on 01-11-2009 10:32 PM:

You couldn't have been looking hard enough para.

I have never used any AKGs so I have no personal opinion of them. I bought some cheapish Sony headphones in a Spanish airport about 3 years ago, still working just dandy now.


Posted by Neversoft on 01-11-2009 10:35 PM:

Nowadays I can't see where Gimp mask ends and Cupidstunt begins... You're like the worlds first retarded conjoined trollbots or something - we should hire you out to other forums


Posted by David Cameron on 01-11-2009 10:38 PM:

If you saw my first post NS, it was a genuine mistake, I added file para1.jpg from my Photoshop folder instead of para1.jpg from my My Pictures folder. I thought i'd swapped it before any1 had noticed, but, its nothing you haven't seen before.


Posted by HoldDaSalad on 01-11-2009 11:06 PM:

So Gimp, Who's the bitch you or cupid?

I'm sure there are one or a few bad reviews from people who don't know a god damn thing about quality.

So before you read one out 20 bad reviews and run with it, buy a pair if you can afford em and try em out and judge em for yourself? I know you won't, so your opinion is shit. Nuff said now stop shitting up my thread and gimp go give your BF a nice bumpkin cause it's your turn.

Neversoft I thought you were moderating the forums and trying to clean this shit up and trying to make this place a bit more respectable? C'mon man do your job.


Posted by David Cameron on 01-11-2009 11:18 PM:

Not guilty, I just clicked your link to Cnet reviews and saw the review that GimpMask had quoted. The AKG's do look sexay tho, have you tried em on an Ipod? Ipods give surprisingly good quality sound. Used along with a decent docking station there really is no need for any extra clutter.


Posted by Neversoft on 01-11-2009 11:18 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by parasiticgannon
Neversoft I thought you were moderating the forums and trying to clean this shit up and trying to make this place a bit more respectable? C'mon man do your job.
It's not THAT bad, it has improved I think Tweedle-dumb and Tweedle-dumber show a little bit of restraint in the main forums.

... and that's twice you've called me out on this in less than a fortnight and I'm not the only admin/mod. If we ever get this place revamped then the forum will probably have more clearly defined SFW/NSFW "idiot posts and flames here" section but in the meantime it's not really worth it when most of our members have been here since 1836 and know what the score is.

Having said that (and this goes to anybody posting) please don't shit-up "serious" threads. Post a joke sure (I know I do) but if you're simply posting to be a spaz... Don't


Posted by danimal39 on 01-11-2009 11:44 PM:

review,jan 11th 2009 Pros: Look nice on chunky people,which one of you is gordonbrown?nice try


Posted by Avenue_1 on 01-11-2009 11:56 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by parasiticgannon
So Gimp, Who's the bitch you or cupid?

I'm sure there are one or a few bad reviews from people who don't know a god damn thing about quality.

So before you read one out 20 bad reviews and run with it, buy a pair if you can afford em and try em out and judge em for yourself? I know you won't, so your opinion is shit. Nuff said now stop shitting up my thread and gimp go give your BF a nice bumpkin cause it's your turn.

Neversoft I thought you were moderating the forums and trying to clean this shit up and trying to make this place a bit more respectable? C'mon man do your job.



Listen son...Don't get all whiney again just because you got ripped off with your sub-par headphones.

Look on the bright side...you look cool as fuck wearing them and you don't look like some retarded faggot at all

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I'M NEVER COMING BACK TO THESE FORUMS... BOOHOOHOO

OH WAIT...I'M BACK


Posted by Neversoft on 01-12-2009 12:03 AM:

MEANWHILE... BACK ON TOPIC!


Posted by Avenue_1 on 01-12-2009 12:34 AM:

i know you laughed at that

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I'M NEVER COMING BACK TO THESE FORUMS... BOOHOOHOO

OH WAIT...I'M BACK


Posted by HoldDaSalad on 01-12-2009 01:09 AM:

quote:
Originally posted by Neversoft
... and that's twice you've called me out on this in less than a fortnight and I'm not the only admin/mod.
That's because we all look up to you, Usually gimpy is looking up to you while sucking your cock but that's a different story.


Anyway this thread isn't about headphones, it's about the best way to listen to music, My preference is with headphones and I was looking for the best solution so if you're not going to contribute gimp or cunt get out

Oh and since you want to post one or two bad reviews here you go.

http://www.buzzillions.com/ dz_1135...br /> t_reviews


Posted by The CandyMan on 01-12-2009 02:51 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by parasiticgannon
That's because we all look up to you, Usually gimpy is looking up to you while sucking your cock but that's a different story.


Anyway this thread isn't about headphones, it's about the best way to listen to music, My preference is with headphones and I was looking for the best solution so if you're not going to contribute gimp or cunt get out

Oh and since you want to post one or two bad reviews here you go.

http://www.buzzillions.com/ dz_1135...br /> t_reviews



Well as far the best way to listen to music imo would be for you to leave em at my place so I can use em with my Kenwood receiver. At least that would be the best way for ME to listen to music lol.

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Posted by HoldDaSalad on 01-12-2009 04:39 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by The CandyMan
Well as far the best way to listen to music imo would be for you to leave em at my place so I can use em with my Kenwood receiver. At least that would be the best way for ME to listen to music lol.
I'd suggest you buy your own pair.

Actually you could get a really decent pair of cans for around $100

Senn HD280: I almost got these, and still might get em.
Grado SR 60 or 80
Audio-Technica A700 (B has this pair)

You'd be pleased with any of those, There are quite a few others out there that you'd be very happy with. If I were you I'd take the money you spent on those cheapies and got one decent pair. Headphones for $7 are NEVER worth it, lol.


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