I can’t even find anywhere it’s available to buy, so I have no idea I’ve found a couple of promising devices that are available from CeX, at a relatively reasonable price - FiiO Q5, Oppo HA-2SE, and Audio Technica AT-PHA100. They’re still a bit more than I wanted to spend, even second-hand, and I’m a bit wary about the battery life I’d be getting. But they all have USB DACs so can double-up as desktop/laptop devices, and finding brand-new headphone amps with analogue inputs is still a challenge.
Quick question for the AV enthusiasts. Contemplating moving from my ancient (but excellet) plasma TV to OLED as they offer smear free viewing, which is why I've stuck with the plasma for so long. I have my eye on the LG C4 but wonder if there are any others I should seriously consider? I don't have any first hand experience of the various OS from each manufacturer, are any better than others for speed, functionality, updates, no ads etc? I can only presume the inbuilt audio is terrible (whilst my Plasma is good enough for TV viewing) so will need a soundbar. Any reasonable recommendations? I have a separate 5.1 with an old projector for "proper" movie watching so the TV will just be for normal tv watching and the occasional movie. This will by my first 4K / HDR display, as I'm currently on Netflix/Disney+ HD only plans, is it worth the good chunk more to go up to the UHD/HDR plans? Is there enough content to justify it?
Keep an eye on Richer Sounds, they currently offer a Dolby Atmos soundbar with the LG G4 TVs (they're usually 1 gen better than the C, but a stand is an accessory) https://www.richersounds.com/promotions/lg-g-series-free-atmos-bar/?page=1&limits=12&sort=PRICE_ASC
Thanks I had seen this deal and it probably (applying man maths) makes sense as I would need to add a few hundred quid to the C series for a soundbar anyway. I'm not familiar with LG soundbars in general and a few reviews I did see for an entry model weren't good! More reasearch required!
It's free to join their VIP club for the extra discount btw. Just means accepting a monthly email from them.
I'm currently running the following:. Tidal Connect > Bluesound Node > Topping E50 DAC > Topping PA5 amp > Monitor Audio RS6 I can't help but thinking my old Arcam AVR300 in bi-amp mode sounded better. The AVR300 was a bit of a musical legend when bi-amped, it's 20 years old, am I mad or is it still amazing? Anyone else had one?
if you going to spend that kind of money go for a demo, and i mean a demo watch movies/listen to music you know well and enjoy . both SVS and Arendal are rated highly make your choice between the two after demoing them
Can you actually demo Arendal though? I was under the impression that their whole deal was direct only, no dealers or showrooms. IIRC they do offer a return policy in the event you don't like them, which I would hope is pretty slick if you can't demo them.
last i checked and that was a few years ago there were a list of "installers" on their site who who let you demo them. it might have changed post brexit. if it has then thier 60 days no quibble return policy is prolly b0rked then. if so you may want to try their community forums, you will find someone willing to let you listen to speakers/subs i got a demo of Ken Kreisel 4 stack subs like that sadly the mrs talked me out of buying one. and an lcr build i am working on kinda got ahead of my self i really wanted to add 3 v grooves top to bottom in the middle of the front baffle
this made me chuckle https://audiodesign.co.uk/styled-23/styled-27/index.html https://archive.org/details/the-gbp...tom-evans-mastergroove-sr-mk-iii-rjbp-fsfzi-i https://hackaday.com/2024/11/14/repairing-the-questionable-25000-tom-evans-audiophile-pre-amp/
Tried a Sonos Arc and sub but switched to the Bose 900 with the base 700 module which i personally thought sounded better.
Sonos beam on the TV (which met the balance of I'm happy with the sound, and SWMBO was happy with size/looks/ease of use) PC is a Fosi ZA3, with Cambridge Audio Min 22s & X201 sub. Because space constraints. I've been massively impressed with them, especially given the size. Just need to fix my headphones and look at a DAC/Headphone amp.
i have had M&K sub/speakers for the past 12 years. anm in the process of building my LCR and hopefully replace surrounds/atmos with jtr clones if i can source the parts cheap. on living room pc its acrylic dac/amp with boenicke diy clone speakers which were built with a major work done by forum legend Nealieboyee without his help i would have never managed to build em
https://uk.creative.com/p/speakers/creative-sxfi-carrier What are your opinions on the above soundbar/sub combo. Is it worth saving up for or is there something better at a lower/similar price point that can be had?
