mashif's System

by mashif on Getting Started

Description

My approach to music listening reflects my 37 year career as a recording engineer/mixer. My room is my best attempt to recreate a studio control room as this is my happy place for listening. My goal is to make my room disappear and hear only what is coming out of the speakers. I continually experiment with acoustic treatments and speaker placement. 

Until 2020, I was a "vintage" guy playing with mostly '70s gear. I enjoyed that but the only tech I trusted retired and I decided to "go modern". The choices a so vast I decided to put a budget system together, listen to what needs improvement, and upgrade over time. 
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Components Toggle details

    • Bluesound Node 2i
    Stock. I plan to upgrade but waiting for the technology to sort itself out before deciding direction.
    • Schiit Audio Bitfrost 2/64
    Both my streamer and CD transport go through.
    • Panasonic DVD-S52
    99% of my listening is streaming and I only have CDs of the few recordings not available on my service. It extracts the digital files well enough.
    • Parasound Halo A-23+
    I like Parasound amps for their really sweet high end and the high damping factor that controls my woofers. The attention John Curl pays to reducing odd harmonics pays off.
    • JBL 4311wxa
    These unique speakers have been with me since 1978. The incredible dynamics and rich acoustic and harmonic interaction between the drivers due to a simple first order crossover and the midrange wired in reverse polarity, cannot be found in any other speaker system.
    • Linear Tube Audio MICROZOTL MZ2 Preamp/Headphone amp
    This recently replaced the Schiit Valhalla 2 as my tube preamp. I upgraded a couple of tubes and it sounds quite beautiful.
    • Schiit Kara
    Another recent addition, it is not currently in the chain but is a very neutral SS preamp. It's quiet and versatile, with balanced I/O, a passive mode, and two stages of gain. It sound great on its own, but I primarily have it to use as a remote volume control for vintage gear that is lacking.
    • Schiit Audio Valhalla 2 Digital Cable
    My original tube headphone/preamp. This was my first foray into tube home audio and I liked it enough to replace it with the LTA MZ2. It's a great piece for the price and will find a place in another room for headphone use.

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