RE: software to tag mp3 files?

[John Gurd via Pc-audio]

I've used Tag and Rename for years. It is very rich in features and accessible 
with Jaws. I can't remember how much I paid for it.

http://www.softpointer.com/tr.htm

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
Trethowan
Sent: 04 November 2017 00:45
To: PC Audio Discussion List 
Subject: Re: software to tag mp3 files?

I very much look forward to seeing your tutorials.
In the meantime? I’ll use MP3 Tag Studio to get the job done.


**
“For the gardener nothing is more handier than bulbs, I mean the 1’s you put in 
the ground and not the electric light 1’s.”




> On 3 Nov 2017, at 6:02 pm, Robert Godridge  wrote:
>
> Well, I just did it once and next time when you press the down arrow
> you can select it.
> The beauty of mp3tag is if you have a folder of files you want to tag,
> hit applications key, then press 3 or go down to the mp3tag option in
> your context menue and it'll do the entire directory, then select all
> and you're done.
> I can help somewhat if you like. id="DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2">
> 
>   
> href="https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email_source=link_campaign=sig-email_content=webmail;
> target="_blank"> src="https://ipmcdn.avast.com/images/icons/icon-envelope-tick-round-orange-animated-no-repeat-v1.gif;
> alt="" width="46" height="29" style="width: 46px; height: 29px;"
> />
>   Virus-free.  href="https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email_source=link_campaign=sig-email_content=webmail;
> target="_blank" style="color: #4453ea;">www.avast.com
>   
>   
>  height="1">
>
> On 11/3/17, Peter Scanlon  wrote:
>> It’s the ability to do it with multiple files that is needed.
>> For me I get confused with the conversion process
>> Where you need to put in a series of characters such as %artist% - 
>> %album% -
>> %track% - %title%
>>
>> P.
>>
>>
>> -Original Message-
>> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Robert
>> Godridge
>> Sent: Friday, November 3, 2017 5:35 PM
>> To: PC Audio Discussion List 
>> Subject: Re: software to tag mp3 files?
>>
>> also if you don't mind doing each file individually you can edit them
>> in winamp, go to propperties, alt and 3.> id="DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2">
>> 
>>  
>>> href="https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email_source=link_campaign=sig-email_content=webmail;
>> target="_blank">> src="https://ipmcdn.avast.com/images/icons/icon-envelope-tick-round-orange-animated-no-repeat-v1.gif;
>> alt="" width="46" height="29" style="width: 46px; height: 29px;"
>> />
>>  Virus-free. > href="https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email_source=link_campaign=sig-email_content=webmail;
>> target="_blank" style="color: #4453ea;">www.avast.com
>>  
>>  
>> > height="1">
>>
>> On 11/3/17, Robert Godridge  wrote:
>>> There's a forum. I've googled all my queeries and I've found
>>> explanations for them. If you mean mp3tag.>> id="DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2">
>>> 
>>> 
>>>>> href="https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email_source=link_campaign=sig-email_content=webmail;
>>> target="_blank">>> src="https://ipmcdn.avast.com/images/icons/icon-envelope-tick-round-orange-animated-no-repeat-v1.gif;
>>> alt="" width="46" height="29" style="width: 46px; height: 29px;"
>>> />
>>> Virus-free. >> href="https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email_source=link_campaign=sig-email_content=webmail;
>>> target="_blank" style="color: #4453ea;">www.avast.com
>>> 
>>> 
>>> >> height="1">
>>>
>>> On 11/3/17, Peter Scanlon  wrote:
 Like Adam, I have found this program difficult. I wish there was a
 tutorial.



 -Original Message-
 From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of
 Robert
 Godridge
 Sent: Friday, November 3, 2017 5:25 PM
 To: PC Audio Discussion List 
 Subject: Re: software to tag mp3 files?

 https://www.mp3tag.de/
 I wouldn't be without this. Goes nicely into the context menue.>>> id="DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2">
 

>>> href="https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email_source=link_campaign=sig-email_content=webmail;
 target="_blank" src="https://ipmcdn.avast.com/images/icons/icon-envelope-tick-round-orange-animated-no-repeat-v1.gif;
 alt="" width="46" height="29" style="width: 46px; height: 29px;"
 />
Virus-free. >>> href="https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email_source=link_campaign=sig-email_content=webmail;
 target="_blank" style="color: #4453ea;">www.avast.com


 >>> height="1">

 On 11/3/17, Adam Morris  wrote:
> Hi 

RE: Rotel T14 Tuner Network Streamer

[john Gurd]

That's a pity. How do you feel about giving some feedback to the IOS PlayFi 
developers? Quite often Devs will be only too happy to make adjustments if they 
know where the issues are. Thanks for the info. 

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
Trethowan
Sent: 15 March 2017 20:50
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: Rotel T14 Tuner Network Streamer

Okay here's a follow-up regarding the IOS Play-Fi App that's used to control 
the network functionality of the T14 Tuner and I'm afraid its not at all good 
news.

I managed to get the App out of the Welcome and tutorial screens - I eventually 
found the "Done" button which got me out - so I expected plain sailing from 
then on, this certainly wasn't to be.

The first section of the App I tackled was the connection to the Rotel
T14 tuner and that worked fine.

I started having problems when I wanted to select my Music Service, I 
double-tapped "Music" and was presented with a login screen but for what? The 
App gave no indication to Voiceover of the Music service and it could have been 
any one of a good dozen, Tidal, iHeart etc.

So I've given up on the IOS App and that's a great shame as Play-Fi is very 
fast becoming the streaming standard used for Network Players and Network 
connected speaker systems given its streaming quality and flexibility.

Oddly the Androiad Play-Fi App is incredbly accessible and the only odd thing 
with the Android version is the small amount of unlabeled buttons, that issue 
can be dealt with easily.



On 16/03/2017 1:04 AM, john Gurd wrote:
> I really like the sound of this but I only have IOS devices so controlling it 
> would be an issue for me. It gets good reviews and retails for £699 in the UK.
>
> John
>
>
> -Original Message-
> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of 
> Dane Trethowan
> Sent: 13 March 2017 18:35
> To: PC Audio Discussion List
> Subject: Rotel T14 Tuner Network Streamer
>
> Hi!
> I have a Rotel T14 Tuner/Network Streamer here and I do plan to write a 
> detailed review of this fantastic device when I have more time.
> Meanwhile I wrote some notes on the Rotel T14 to a friend which I think are 
> worth sharing with the list I’ve mentioned the new Rotel T14 tuner I bought? 
> Well actually its a Network player with the feel of a tuner.
> I wired the thing up to my Rotel RA10 Amp this morning so the T14 is now a 
> permanent fixture of my audio system in the Den.
> So for some details.
> The T14 is heavy by tuner standards weighing in at 6 kilograms and is very 
> well built but we are talking Rotel so I guess that’s no surprise.
> What is a pleasant surprise however is the very few menu systems on the 
> device, two in fact and they don’t control much at all.
> For example the DAB+ menu has a few options in it which are easy to remember, 
> options like Scan and so on.
> The FM Menu has options to allow the setting of the scan threshold, I don’t 
> normally use the Scan functions of tuners anyway preferring to manually tune.
> The T14 has a keypad on the front though this is used only for entering 
> preset numbers which is a pity, would have been very nice to have a facility 
> to enter a FM frequency manually but still I like the idea of each memory 
> preset being instantly accessed via its own unique number, the T14 has 60 
> presets from 01-30 on DAB+ and FM bands. No presets on the network player 
> side but that’s by no means a problem as I’ll explain a little later.
> The tuner comes with a rather large remote control which I haven’t fully 
> worked out yet but I know enough about the layout to get around the tuner, 
> browse up and down the DAB+ band, move between tracks when using the T14 in 
> Network Player mode etc.
> The audio out of the T14 is as good as my Cambridge tuner and sounds just as 
> good when I switch to the Tuner on my Rotel DAC.
> Switching between stations is amongst the fastest I’ve heard from any Hi-Fi 
> tuner I’ve tried and the Rotel is very sensitive for all bands.
> So now to the Network player side of things and here the Rotel stands out 
> from the pack.
> When you switch to the Network Player mode a message appears on the screen 
> telling the user to connect to “Play-Fi”. Play-Fi is an App available for 
> Windows, IOS and Android and all the network functionality of the T14 is 
> controlled from this App.
> With Play-Fi you have the most extensive range of musical sources I’ve ever 
> seen bundled into one App, everything from being able to browse your own 
> network for Music, to iHeart and Internet radio, Spotify, Pandora and Tital 
> are all featured not to mention the ability to stream from HD sources and 
> play HD audio files - DAC of the T14 supports sampling rates

RE: Rotel T14 Tuner Network Streamer

[john Gurd]

I really like the sound of this but I only have IOS devices so controlling it 
would be an issue for me. It gets good reviews and retails for £699 in the UK.

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
Trethowan
Sent: 13 March 2017 18:35
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Rotel T14 Tuner Network Streamer

Hi!
I have a Rotel T14 Tuner/Network Streamer here and I do plan to write a 
detailed review of this fantastic device when I have more time.
Meanwhile I wrote some notes on the Rotel T14 to a friend which I think are 
worth sharing with the list I’ve mentioned the new Rotel T14 tuner I bought? 
Well actually its a Network player with the feel of a tuner.
I wired the thing up to my Rotel RA10 Amp this morning so the T14 is now a 
permanent fixture of my audio system in the Den.
So for some details.
The T14 is heavy by tuner standards weighing in at 6 kilograms and is very well 
built but we are talking Rotel so I guess that’s no surprise.
What is a pleasant surprise however is the very few menu systems on the device, 
two in fact and they don’t control much at all.
For example the DAB+ menu has a few options in it which are easy to remember, 
options like Scan and so on.
The FM Menu has options to allow the setting of the scan threshold, I don’t 
normally use the Scan functions of tuners anyway preferring to manually tune.
The T14 has a keypad on the front though this is used only for entering preset 
numbers which is a pity, would have been very nice to have a facility to enter 
a FM frequency manually but still I like the idea of each memory preset being 
instantly accessed via its own unique number, the T14 has 60 presets from 01-30 
on DAB+ and FM bands. No presets on the network player side but that’s by no 
means a problem as I’ll explain a little later.
The tuner comes with a rather large remote control which I haven’t fully worked 
out yet but I know enough about the layout to get around the tuner, browse up 
and down the DAB+ band, move between tracks when using the T14 in Network 
Player mode etc.
The audio out of the T14 is as good as my Cambridge tuner and sounds just as 
good when I switch to the Tuner on my Rotel DAC.
Switching between stations is amongst the fastest I’ve heard from any Hi-Fi 
tuner I’ve tried and the Rotel is very sensitive for all bands.
So now to the Network player side of things and here the Rotel stands out from 
the pack.
When you switch to the Network Player mode a message appears on the screen 
telling the user to connect to “Play-Fi”. Play-Fi is an App available for 
Windows, IOS and Android and all the network functionality of the T14 is 
controlled from this App.
With Play-Fi you have the most extensive range of musical sources I’ve ever 
seen bundled into one App, everything from being able to browse your own 
network for Music, to iHeart and Internet radio, Spotify, Pandora and Tital are 
all featured not to mention the ability to stream from HD sources and play HD 
audio files - DAC of the T14 supports sampling rates up to 384K 32 Bit -.
I haven’t been able to fully access the IOS version of Play-Fi but I can use 
the Android version easily enough.
Along with the Play-Fi App one can stream to the T14 using the conventional 
AirPlay system or use the T14 as a DLNA render device, I’ve tried both these 
options.
There are other advantages to be had with the idea of using a separate App for 
the control of Network Music which I discovered.
As one has to use a computer or a Smart Phone to have the T14 play Internet 
radio stations it therefore follows that you can easily put your controlling 
device onto a VPN so you may listen to blocked radio stations or audio sites, 
I’ve done this myself.
With a conventional Internet radio setup where the Internet radio is part of 
the Firmware one has to do some pretty fancy setup work to allow connection of 
the Radio to a VPN.
Anyway the Rotel T14 ain’t cheap at around $1300 but its not the most expensive 
Network player.
I was looking at what Marantz had to offer and - whilst struck by the quality - 
the Marantz players weren’t as flexible as what Rotel had to offer in the T14.

**
Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will leave the rest of the 
halfwits in this world behind.

RE: DTS Play-Fi: Wireless audio streaming for Android | Wren Sound Systems Wren Sound Systems, LLC

[John Gurd]

I'll look forward to the review of the Rotel T14. Pity about the accessibility 
of the app on IOS. I need something that can do streaming of HD Audio.

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
Trethowan
Sent: 03 March 2017 14:37
To: PC Audio Discussion List 
Subject: DTS Play-Fi: Wireless audio streaming for Android | Wren Sound Systems 
Wren Sound Systems, LLC

Hi!
today I started the upgrade of the Hi-Fi system in the Den and the first 
component arrived that being the Rotel T14 DAB/FM/Network Player.
I'll be writing a review shortly for the list though it won't be for a while as 
the T14 is a piece of comprehensive music kit.
What I would like to mention is the standard that the T14 uses when streaming 
over a network.
Up until now - when using my Sangean WFT3 DAB/FM/Network Player tuner which in 
many ways can be compared to the Rotel - I was used to using devices with all 
the network streaming capabilities built-in and thus using an iPhone or Android 
Device as a remote.
The Rotel T14 Tuner reverse the whole equation 
http://wrensound.com/hi-fi-over-wi-fi-a-new-era-of-old-school-sound-by
having the streaming component as part of the Tuner but relying on an App to 
actually do all the streaming work, retreive the file or stream and then stream 
that content via the Wi-Fi network to the player.
The App recommended for the Rotel T14 is the excellent Play-Fi App 
http://www.play-fi.com Setup of the App for connection to the tuner was fast 
though I note with interest that the Android version is 100% more accessible 
than the IOS version though its early days so perhaps I'm missing something.
So Play-Fi is yet another emerging Wi-Fi standard which prides itself on 
streaming losslessly from a Smart Device to a pair of compatible Wi-Fi Speakers 
or - in the case of the Rotel T14 - a dedicated Network player.
Unlike Airplay, Play-Fi doesn't have any "Drag Time", your source is in 
complete sync with the speakers.
Unlike AirPlay Play-Fi can stream with effortless ease high bit-rate files such 
as HD FLAC though this capability isn't turned on by default as this sort of 
streaming requires quite a lot of band width that some Wireless router systems 
may not be capable of providing.
Anyway the link below takes you to an article which discusses using Play-fi on 
Android devices streaming to compatible equipment.
for-android/

RE: Amazon Echo Alexa

[John Gurd]

No, the Echo isn't stereo but not at all bad for a momo speaker. It would be 
nice if two together could act as a stereo pair like Sonos devices do but 
that's not the case. I haven't looked into the Tap (I don't think it's 
available in the UK yet) but if it is as good as suggested I might. I just 
assumed it would be portable but inferior in audio quality even to the Dot. 
Obviously I assumed wrong so I'll check it out just from Nosiness. I don't 
really need yet another speaker just yet. :)

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
Trethowan
Sent: 06 February 2017 17:38
To: PC Audio Discussion List <pc-audio@pc-audio.org>
Subject: Re: Amazon Echo Alexa

to your last comments about "The Pipes" first? Impressive, absolutely 
impressive.

I had the Echo on my table behind my bed - shelf actually - and I listened to a 
few Classic Albums I came upon on Spotify, the tone was quite pleasing and 
something I could easily relax to but no, not as wonderful as my B A7 and I 
didn't expect it to be either.

I think the Echo plays in mono so it was a damn good performance indeed if 
that's the case.

Battery Base for the Dot? Makes all the sense in the world given that the Dot 
can stream to Bluetooth speakers and headsets, I wonder why the Echo won't do 
Bluetooth streaming both ways, you can stream to it of course but you can't 
stream from it.

I'm thinking about whether or not to buy a Tap, in a review I read over the 
weekend it was compared favourably to the Bose Soundlink Mini and I had been 
thinking about getting the current version of the Bose so perhaps its best to 
kill some b irds with a stone and just get the Amazon Tap? Will think about it.



On 7/02/2017 3:04 AM, John Gurd wrote:
> I'm just catching up with this thread. Just to make it clear, the Dot does 
> not have a built-in battery. That's interesting you can get a battery base 
> for it (I didn't know that) but I personally don't think it would be 
> worthwhile. The Dot is fine for speech and books and even casual radio but I 
> wouldn't spend much time listening to music on it. I've never connected it to 
> external speakers. The Echo is much better for music but it is still not as 
> good as my Bose  Soundlink Mini or Creative Roar. I noticed the Echo is very 
> susceptible to positioning: on a table away from a wall it is quite 
> mid-rangey with little base, on a carpeted wooden floor the base is very good 
> but it's speech is too base heavy. I have it on a table near a wall and it 
> sounds reasonably good.
>
> Apart from the Hive skill, the following are the ones I found of most use. 
> The Guardian newspaper because it is very generous with the unabridged 
> articles it provides and they can be accessed in categories. I was using the 
> Telegraph occasionally but I removed it as suddenly the few available 
> articles are now truncated to the first few paragraphs. The National Rail 
> skill is very basic but great for quickly getting the times and status of a 
> single pre-set up route. I've enabled Radio Player as well as the TuneIn 
> Skill and have sometimes found radio stations that for some reason TuneIn 
> won't find. I've dabbled with the Magic Door game which is a basic 
> Interactive Fiction with sound effects and although it's quite amusing I 
> ultimately found it a bit limited. I've just enabled the International Space 
> Station skill and enjoy finding out where it is at any given moment and when 
> it will pass Glasgow next as well as news about what the astronauts are 
> doing. Alexa has a lot of hidden talents herself but you have to work quite 
> hard to find them and doing so is very hit and miss.
>
> Oh, and just for you, Dane, I asked Alexa to play the Pipes. The first 
> time I got the Pogues instead and the second I got the Pipes of the 
> Royal Tank Command playing Chariots of Fire of all things. It didn't 
> last long as military bands are definitely not my thing. I'm not keen 
> on the Scottish Pipes on their own although there is a very excellent 
> pipe-based rock band called the Red Hot Chile Pipers. Sadly, Alexa 
> will always think you want the more famous Peppers. :)
>
> John
>
> -Original Message-
> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of 
> Clifford Blackwell
> Sent: 04 February 2017 20:05
> To: PC Audio Discussion List <pc-audio@pc-audio.org>
> Subject: Re: Amazon Echo Alexa
>
> You can purchase a battery base for the Dot.  I haven't wanted to spend the 
> extra money on this though so I can't verify how well it works.
> - Original Message -
> From: "Dane Trethowan" <grtd...@internode.on.net>
> To: "PC Audio Discussion List" <pc-audio@pc-audio.org>
> Sent: Friday, February 03, 2017 5:57 

RE: Amazon Echo Alexa

[John Gurd]

I'm just catching up with this thread. Just to make it clear, the Dot does not 
have a built-in battery. That's interesting you can get a battery base for it 
(I didn't know that) but I personally don't think it would be worthwhile. The 
Dot is fine for speech and books and even casual radio but I wouldn't spend 
much time listening to music on it. I've never connected it to external 
speakers. The Echo is much better for music but it is still not as good as my 
Bose  Soundlink Mini or Creative Roar. I noticed the Echo is very susceptible 
to positioning: on a table away from a wall it is quite mid-rangey with little 
base, on a carpeted wooden floor the base is very good but it's speech is too 
base heavy. I have it on a table near a wall and it sounds reasonably good.

Apart from the Hive skill, the following are the ones I found of most use. The 
Guardian newspaper because it is very generous with the unabridged articles it 
provides and they can be accessed in categories. I was using the Telegraph 
occasionally but I removed it as suddenly the few available articles are now 
truncated to the first few paragraphs. The National Rail skill is very basic 
but great for quickly getting the times and status of a single pre-set up 
route. I've enabled Radio Player as well as the TuneIn Skill and have sometimes 
found radio stations that for some reason TuneIn won't find. I've dabbled with 
the Magic Door game which is a basic Interactive Fiction with sound effects and 
although it's quite amusing I ultimately found it a bit limited. I've just 
enabled the International Space Station skill and enjoy finding out where it is 
at any given moment and when it will pass Glasgow next as well as news about 
what the astronauts are doing. Alexa has a lot of hidden talents herself but 
you have to work quite hard to find them and doing so is very hit and miss.

Oh, and just for you, Dane, I asked Alexa to play the Pipes. The first time I 
got the Pogues instead and the second I got the Pipes of the Royal Tank Command 
playing Chariots of Fire of all things. It didn't last long as military bands 
are definitely not my thing. I'm not keen on the Scottish Pipes on their own 
although there is a very excellent pipe-based rock band called the Red Hot 
Chile Pipers. Sadly, Alexa will always think you want the more famous Peppers. 
:)

John

-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Clifford 
Blackwell
Sent: 04 February 2017 20:05
To: PC Audio Discussion List 
Subject: Re: Amazon Echo Alexa

You can purchase a battery base for the Dot.  I haven't wanted to spend the 
extra money on this though so I can't verify how well it works.
- Original Message -
From: "Dane Trethowan" 
To: "PC Audio Discussion List" 
Sent: Friday, February 03, 2017 5:57 PM
Subject: Re: Amazon Echo Alexa


> Have you tried any "Skills" yet? I've tried a few such as 20 
> questions, Mystery Radio Theatre etc.
>
>
>
> On 4/02/2017 10:18 AM, Tom Kaufman wrote:
>> Yep...that's the one; it has a chargeable battery and seems to have 
>> good battery life; seems to charge up fairly quickly!
>> Tom
>>
>> -Original Message-
>> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of 
>> Dane Trethowan
>> Sent: Friday, February 03, 2017 3:44 PM
>> To: PC Audio Discussion List 
>> Subject: Re: Amazon Echo Alexa
>>
>> And the Tap is the one you have right? Is that battery powered?
>>
>>> On 4 Feb 2017, at 6:13 am, Tom Kaufman  wrote:
>>>
>>> Dane:  The Dot can be connected to a stereo, but not the Tap.
>>> Tom Kaufman
>>>
>>> -Original Message-
>>> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of 
>>> Dane Trethowan
>>> Sent: Friday, February 03, 2017 5:25 AM
>>> To: PC Audio Discussion List 
>>> Subject: Re: Amazon Echo Alexa
>>>
>>> Now that I’ve had mine up and running for a little longer than 24 
>>> hours I’m probably in a better position to reply to this eMail than 
>>> I was Yesterday.
>>> Firstly a note to anyone in Australia or outside the US or UK who 
>>> may be thinking of going down the Echo path, is it worth it? Well 
>>> yep, I reckon it is and even better is the fact that setup requires 
>>> no hacks or cracks to be applied as was previously the case.
>>> Your Echo will still think you’re somewhere else - Mine thinks I’m 
>>> in Seattle - but I can still get standard time for my local 
>>> location, this can be set easily in settings, in my case I chose the 
>>> Australian time zone and the NSW Eastern Time region, works fine!
>>> If you’re in Australia then probably one of the best places to get 
>>> an Amazon Echo is from eBay, they sell for as little as around $100 
>>> Australian depending on the model you want.
>>> I had my Echo 24 hours after I ordered it, the eBay store I bought 
>>> from dispatched the 

RE: Amazon Echo Alexa

[John Gurd]

I've got the Echo and the Dot. The nice thing about the Spotify app is that you 
can pick the device you want to use direct from the app including Echo and even 
Sonos devices. 

I use the Echo for catching up with News and radio and I also use it to control 
the central heating and lights with British Gas Hive controller. I often 
connect my Echo or Dot to my iPhone via Bluetooth and listen to books from the 
Voice Dream app. All in all I get a lot out of it. 

Oh, and I got the remote which I paired to my Echo. I use it if the environment 
is a bit noisy with the telly on in the background or if I'm sitting further 
away from the Echo and don't want to raise my voice.

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
Trethowan
Sent: 03 February 2017 10:25
To: PC Audio Discussion List 
Subject: Re: Amazon Echo Alexa

Now that I’ve had mine up and running for a little longer than 24 hours I’m 
probably in a better position to reply to this eMail than I was Yesterday.
Firstly a note to anyone in Australia or outside the US or UK who may be 
thinking of going down the Echo path, is it worth it? Well yep, I reckon it is 
and even better is the fact that setup requires no hacks or cracks to be 
applied as was previously the case.
Your Echo will still think you’re somewhere else - Mine thinks I’m in Seattle - 
but I can still get standard time for my local location, this can be set easily 
in settings, in my case I chose the Australian time zone and the NSW Eastern 
Time region, works fine!
If you’re in Australia then probably one of the best places to get an Amazon 
Echo is from eBay, they sell for as little as around $100 Australian depending 
on the model you want.
I had my Echo 24 hours after I ordered it, the eBay store I bought from 
dispatched the item using Australia Post Express Post.
The first thing I had to do was to find a wall adapter to make the supplied 
power supply compatible with our AC mains socket, that done it was just a 
matter of plugging the supply into the mains and connecting to the Echo, the 
power lead plugs into the bottom of the Echo and protrudes from the rear of the 
unit.
Echo will say “Hell” and I think she tells you you’re in setup mode so you know 
you can proceed with the setup which is all done from the Amazon Alexa home 
page.
For those using Echo now and who have it set up the home page is well worth 
exploring if you haven’t done so already, so much there to tweak and see.
Even though I’m in Australia I’ve had little trouble having my Echo recognise 
the voice commands I’ve issued.
There’s a lot I can’t use but a hell of a lot I can, I can use Spotify Premium 
with Echo however I can’t use Amazon’s Unlimited Music Service.
Radio is an oddity I have to admit, I can’t get Echo to tune into many stations 
using voice commands however I can manually have Echo tune into stations if I 
use the Tunein interface from the Echo Home Page so go work that one out, if 
anyone manages to listen to radio 2GB in Sydney Australia with their Echo then 
I’d be interested to know how you did it with voice commands?
The Echo can be paired with an amazon remote controller, has anyone done this?
I’m a little disappointed with the Bluetooth facilities offered, yes you can 
stream to Echo using Bluetooth so that’s nice and handy if you want to use Echo 
as a speaker for your mobile device etc but I’m surprised that Echo can’t 
stream the other way - say stream the output using Bluetooth to a pair of 
Bluetooth headphones etc.
To summarise, this purchase was well worth the while for me and I’m sure I’m 
going to be served well for many years to come, I may even consider buying one 
of the other Echo models such as the Dot, the Tap can be connected to a stereo 
or television, is that right?

> On 2 Feb 2017, at 2:15 pm, Tom Kaufman  wrote:
> 
> II am enjoying mine (I have the one that is known as the Tap) mostly listen 
> to music on it...but it can do other things like tell you the weather, tell 
> you a joke (haven't tried that yet) am sure there's lots of things you can 
> ask her to do!
> Tom Kaufman
> 
> -Original Message-
> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
> Trethowan
> Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2017 10:05 PM
> To: PC Audio Discussion List 
> Subject: Amazon Echo Alexa
> 
> Hi!
> For those of you who have one of these - can’t say what it is again or the 
> device will get upset when its name is called  - then I sincerely hope 
> you’re enjoying your as I am mine.
> Unfortunately Australia isn’t one of the support country’s for the product 
> yet - I’m in Seattle apparently - so I still need to do a little tweaking.
> 
> **
> Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will leave the rest of the 
> halfwits in this world behind.
> 
> 
> 
> 

**
Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will 

RE: FW: BBC Radio URL's

[John Gurd]

Sorry Dane, Just ssaw this. The updated list in the link you provided the other 
day works fine in Winamp. They all seem to be 128kb. I even found BBC Radio 
Scotland.
http://bbcmedia.ic.llnwd.net/stream/bbcmedia_scotlandfm_mf_p

John

-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
Trethowan
Sent: 19 January 2017 13:52
To: PC Audio Discussion List <pc-audio@pc-audio.org>
Subject: Re: FW: BBC Radio URL's

How are you trying to play them? I've played them using several devices here, 
Windows computer, Mac and Samsung Galaxy S6.



On 1/19/2017 11:26 PM, John Gurd wrote:
> So just dug into my archives and found some fish from Dane thoughtfully 
> provided last July which I am reposting here for the rodless among us 
> (smiles). Judging from his comment below getting them may not be so simple as 
> I had hoped. Thanks again Dane.
>
>
> John
>
>
> -Original Message-
> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
> Trethowan
> Sent: 27 July 2016 11:30
> To: PC Audio Discussion List <pc-audio@pc-audio.org>
> Subject: BBC Radio URL's
>
> Okay, I've managed to track these down.
>
>
> The following URL's take you to high quality 320K streams of the appropriate 
> stations and can be pasted into VLC Media Player or similar.
>
>
> Note that these streams will not work unless you're a resident of the U.K.
>
> BBC Radio 1
> http://a.files.bbci.co.uk/media/live/manifesto/audio/simulcast/hls/uk/sbr_high/ak/bbc_radio_one.m3u8
> BBC Radio 1Xtra
> http://a.files.bbci.co.uk/media/live/manifesto/audio/simulcast/hls/uk/sbr_high/ak/bbc_1xtra.m3u8
> BBC Radio 2
> http://a.files.bbci.co.uk/media/live/manifesto/audio/simulcast/hls/uk/sbr_high/ak/bbc_radio_two.m3u8
> BBC Radio 3
> http://a.files.bbci.co.uk/media/live/manifesto/audio/simulcast/hls/uk/sbr_high/ak/bbc_radio_three.m3u8
> BBC Radio 4
> http://a.files.bbci.co.uk/media/live/manifesto/audio/simulcast/hls/uk/sbr_high/ak/bbc_radio_fourfm.m3u8
> BBC Radio 4LW
> http://a.files.bbci.co.uk/media/live/manifesto/audio/simulcast/hls/uk/sbr_high/ak/bbc_radio_fourlw.m3u8
> BBC Radio 4 Extra
> http://a.files.bbci.co.uk/media/live/manifesto/audio/simulcast/hls/uk/sbr_high/ak/bbc_radio_four_extra.m3u8
> BBC Radio 5 Live
> http://a.files.bbci.co.uk/media/live/manifesto/audio/simulcast/hls/uk/sbr_high/ak/bbc_radio_five_live.m3u8
> BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra
> http://a.files.bbci.co.uk/media/live/manifesto/audio/simulcast/hls/uk/sbr_high/ak/bbc_radio_five_live_sports_extra.m3u8
> BBC Radio 6 Music
> http://a.files.bbci.co.uk/media/live/manifesto/audio/simulcast/hls/uk/sbr_high/ak/bbc_6music.m3u8
> BBC Asian Network
> http://a.files.bbci.co.uk/media/live/manifesto/audio/simulcast/hls/uk/sbr_high/ak/bbc_asian_network.m3u8
>
>
>

RE: BBC Radio URL's

[John Gurd]

Okay, good luck. I'll have to install VLC myself. Winamp looks to be getting 
well past it's shelf life.

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
Trethowan
Sent: 19 January 2017 14:24
To: PC Audio Discussion List <pc-audio@pc-audio.org>
Subject: Re: BBC Radio URL's

I've gone through them quickly, four I counted that didn't work.

I went onto the page and copied each link by selecting it using shift-down 
arrow with JAWS.

I then pasted the link into VLC.

I haven't as yet installed Total Recorder onto the Laptop I'm using in place of 
my Desktop right now which has had another melt down and I'll attend to that 
later on today, don't usually have Total Recorder installed on the Laptop but 
I'm curious to see if these streams work, can't see why they shouldn't as they 
work in VLC etc ehre I have tried them.



On 1/19/2017 11:47 PM, John Gurd wrote:
> I just tried some of these URLs here in the UK and it looks like they no 
> longer work - at least in Winamp.
>
> Regards
>
> John
>
> -Original Message-
> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of 
> John Gurd
> Sent: 19 January 2017 12:27
> To: 'PC Audio Discussion List' <pc-audio@pc-audio.org>
> Subject: FW: BBC Radio URL's
>
> So just dug into my archives and found some fish from Dane thoughtfully 
> provided last July which I am reposting here for the rodless among us 
> (smiles). Judging from his comment below getting them may not be so simple as 
> I had hoped. Thanks again Dane.
>
>
> John
>
>
> -Original Message-
> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of 
> Dane Trethowan
> Sent: 27 July 2016 11:30
> To: PC Audio Discussion List <pc-audio@pc-audio.org>
> Subject: BBC Radio URL's
>
> Okay, I've managed to track these down.
>
>
> The following URL's take you to high quality 320K streams of the appropriate 
> stations and can be pasted into VLC Media Player or similar.
>
>
> Note that these streams will not work unless you're a resident of the U.K.
>
> BBC Radio 1
> http://a.files.bbci.co.uk/media/live/manifesto/audio/simulcast/hls/uk/
> sbr_high/ak/bbc_radio_one.m3u8
> BBC Radio 1Xtra
> http://a.files.bbci.co.uk/media/live/manifesto/audio/simulcast/hls/uk/
> sbr_high/ak/bbc_1xtra.m3u8
> BBC Radio 2
> http://a.files.bbci.co.uk/media/live/manifesto/audio/simulcast/hls/uk/
> sbr_high/ak/bbc_radio_two.m3u8
> BBC Radio 3
> http://a.files.bbci.co.uk/media/live/manifesto/audio/simulcast/hls/uk/
> sbr_high/ak/bbc_radio_three.m3u8
> BBC Radio 4
> http://a.files.bbci.co.uk/media/live/manifesto/audio/simulcast/hls/uk/
> sbr_high/ak/bbc_radio_fourfm.m3u8
> BBC Radio 4LW
> http://a.files.bbci.co.uk/media/live/manifesto/audio/simulcast/hls/uk/
> sbr_high/ak/bbc_radio_fourlw.m3u8
> BBC Radio 4 Extra
> http://a.files.bbci.co.uk/media/live/manifesto/audio/simulcast/hls/uk/
> sbr_high/ak/bbc_radio_four_extra.m3u8
> BBC Radio 5 Live
> http://a.files.bbci.co.uk/media/live/manifesto/audio/simulcast/hls/uk/
> sbr_high/ak/bbc_radio_five_live.m3u8
> BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra
> http://a.files.bbci.co.uk/media/live/manifesto/audio/simulcast/hls/uk/
> sbr_high/ak/bbc_radio_five_live_sports_extra.m3u8
> BBC Radio 6 Music
> http://a.files.bbci.co.uk/media/live/manifesto/audio/simulcast/hls/uk/
> sbr_high/ak/bbc_6music.m3u8
> BBC Asian Network
> http://a.files.bbci.co.uk/media/live/manifesto/audio/simulcast/hls/uk/
> sbr_high/ak/bbc_asian_network.m3u8
>
>
>
>
>

RE: BBC Radio URL's

[John Gurd]

I just tried some of these URLs here in the UK and it looks like they no longer 
work - at least in Winamp. 

Regards

John

-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of John Gurd
Sent: 19 January 2017 12:27
To: 'PC Audio Discussion List' <pc-audio@pc-audio.org>
Subject: FW: BBC Radio URL's

So just dug into my archives and found some fish from Dane thoughtfully 
provided last July which I am reposting here for the rodless among us (smiles). 
Judging from his comment below getting them may not be so simple as I had 
hoped. Thanks again Dane.


John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
Trethowan
Sent: 27 July 2016 11:30
To: PC Audio Discussion List <pc-audio@pc-audio.org>
Subject: BBC Radio URL's

Okay, I've managed to track these down.


The following URL's take you to high quality 320K streams of the appropriate 
stations and can be pasted into VLC Media Player or similar.


Note that these streams will not work unless you're a resident of the U.K.

BBC Radio 1
http://a.files.bbci.co.uk/media/live/manifesto/audio/simulcast/hls/uk/sbr_high/ak/bbc_radio_one.m3u8
BBC Radio 1Xtra
http://a.files.bbci.co.uk/media/live/manifesto/audio/simulcast/hls/uk/sbr_high/ak/bbc_1xtra.m3u8
BBC Radio 2
http://a.files.bbci.co.uk/media/live/manifesto/audio/simulcast/hls/uk/sbr_high/ak/bbc_radio_two.m3u8
BBC Radio 3
http://a.files.bbci.co.uk/media/live/manifesto/audio/simulcast/hls/uk/sbr_high/ak/bbc_radio_three.m3u8
BBC Radio 4
http://a.files.bbci.co.uk/media/live/manifesto/audio/simulcast/hls/uk/sbr_high/ak/bbc_radio_fourfm.m3u8
BBC Radio 4LW
http://a.files.bbci.co.uk/media/live/manifesto/audio/simulcast/hls/uk/sbr_high/ak/bbc_radio_fourlw.m3u8
BBC Radio 4 Extra
http://a.files.bbci.co.uk/media/live/manifesto/audio/simulcast/hls/uk/sbr_high/ak/bbc_radio_four_extra.m3u8
BBC Radio 5 Live
http://a.files.bbci.co.uk/media/live/manifesto/audio/simulcast/hls/uk/sbr_high/ak/bbc_radio_five_live.m3u8
BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra
http://a.files.bbci.co.uk/media/live/manifesto/audio/simulcast/hls/uk/sbr_high/ak/bbc_radio_five_live_sports_extra.m3u8
BBC Radio 6 Music
http://a.files.bbci.co.uk/media/live/manifesto/audio/simulcast/hls/uk/sbr_high/ak/bbc_6music.m3u8
BBC Asian Network
http://a.files.bbci.co.uk/media/live/manifesto/audio/simulcast/hls/uk/sbr_high/ak/bbc_asian_network.m3u8

FW: BBC Radio URL's

[John Gurd]

FW: BBC Radio URL's

[John Gurd]

So just dug into my archives and found some fish from Dane thoughtfully 
provided last July which I am reposting here for the rodless among us (smiles). 
Judging from his comment below getting them may not be so simple as I had 
hoped. Thanks again Dane.


John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
Trethowan
Sent: 27 July 2016 11:30
To: PC Audio Discussion List 
Subject: BBC Radio URL's

Okay, I've managed to track these down.


The following URL's take you to high quality 320K streams of the appropriate 
stations and can be pasted into VLC Media Player or similar.


Note that these streams will not work unless you're a resident of the U.K.

BBC Radio 1
http://a.files.bbci.co.uk/media/live/manifesto/audio/simulcast/hls/uk/sbr_high/ak/bbc_radio_one.m3u8
BBC Radio 1Xtra
http://a.files.bbci.co.uk/media/live/manifesto/audio/simulcast/hls/uk/sbr_high/ak/bbc_1xtra.m3u8
BBC Radio 2
http://a.files.bbci.co.uk/media/live/manifesto/audio/simulcast/hls/uk/sbr_high/ak/bbc_radio_two.m3u8
BBC Radio 3
http://a.files.bbci.co.uk/media/live/manifesto/audio/simulcast/hls/uk/sbr_high/ak/bbc_radio_three.m3u8
BBC Radio 4
http://a.files.bbci.co.uk/media/live/manifesto/audio/simulcast/hls/uk/sbr_high/ak/bbc_radio_fourfm.m3u8
BBC Radio 4LW
http://a.files.bbci.co.uk/media/live/manifesto/audio/simulcast/hls/uk/sbr_high/ak/bbc_radio_fourlw.m3u8
BBC Radio 4 Extra
http://a.files.bbci.co.uk/media/live/manifesto/audio/simulcast/hls/uk/sbr_high/ak/bbc_radio_four_extra.m3u8
BBC Radio 5 Live
http://a.files.bbci.co.uk/media/live/manifesto/audio/simulcast/hls/uk/sbr_high/ak/bbc_radio_five_live.m3u8
BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra
http://a.files.bbci.co.uk/media/live/manifesto/audio/simulcast/hls/uk/sbr_high/ak/bbc_radio_five_live_sports_extra.m3u8
BBC Radio 6 Music
http://a.files.bbci.co.uk/media/live/manifesto/audio/simulcast/hls/uk/sbr_high/ak/bbc_6music.m3u8
BBC Asian Network
http://a.files.bbci.co.uk/media/live/manifesto/audio/simulcast/hls/uk/sbr_high/ak/bbc_asian_network.m3u8

RE: Bit rate settings with Total Recorder

[John Gurd]

That's good to know, but I'm interested, how did you get at them in the first 
place. You know the old proverb about giving a man a fish is good but teaching 
him how to fish is better (smiles).

So long, and thanks for all the fish! Sorry, couldn't resist the Douglas Adams 
reference.

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
Trethowan
Sent: 17 January 2017 12:01
To: PC Audio Discussion List <pc-audio@pc-audio.org>
Subject: Re: Bit rate settings with Total Recorder

I published all available 320K URL’S to the BBC to the list several months ago.

> On 17 Jan 2017, at 8:59 pm, John Gurd <j.g...@ntlworld.com> wrote:
> 
> Where do you get the URL for the direct BBC stream?
> 
> Thanks
> 
> John
> 
> 
> -Original Message-
> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of 
> John Covici
> Sent: 11 January 2017 05:26
> To: PC Audio Discussion List <pc-audio@pc-audio.org>
> Subject: Re: Bit rate settings with Total Recorder
> 
> Yep, works well and they fixed the windows 10 bug they had.
> 
> On Tue, 10 Jan 2017 21:32:11 -0500,
> Dean Martineau wrote:
>> 
>> Does background recording work in Total Recorder in Windows 10?  That 
>> program used to work remarkably well in XP but I haven't had much
> success
>> with it since and haven't used it much as a result.
>> 
>> Dean
>> 
>> 
>> -Original Message-
>> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of 
>> John Covici
>> Sent: Tuesday, January 10, 2017 8:53 PM
>> To: PC Audio Discussion List <pc-audio@pc-audio.org>
>> Subject: Re: Bit rate settings with Total Recorder
>> 
>> There are certain limitations for this -- I use it all the time, but 
>> it won't work on some streams like anything that uses flash, and it 
>> doesn't work on youtube links.
>> 
>> On Tue, 10 Jan 2017 20:09:09 -0500,
>> Dane Trethowan wrote:
>>> 
>>> As far as I know the same holds true.
>>> Now I?m doing this from memory as its been a while since I used 
>>> Total
>> Recorder, you go into Background recording where you?re prompted to
> enter an
>> UR that links to a stream of a radio station on the net etc.
>>> Total Recorder captures the data from this stream in real time thus
>> avoiding the Sound Card completely so its just total recorder saving 
>> the data from the stream to the computer, nothing more and nothing less.
>>> You can open url?s or streams in Total Recorder for listening in the
> same
>> way from the File Menu.
>>> 
>>>> On 11 Jan 2017, at 12:01 pm, Tom Kaufman <tomca...@comcast.net>
> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> Have a question for Dane: you say you can have TR record and not
> have
>> the screen reader interfere with anything.  I have the standard 
>> version
> of
>> TR, so does the same hold true here?  And if so, how is this done? 
>>>> Thanks,
>>>> Tom Kaufman
>>>> 
>>>> -Original Message-
>>>> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of
> Dane
>> Trethowan
>>>> Sent: Tuesday, January 10, 2017 7:14 PM
>>>> To: PC Audio Discussion List <pc-audio@pc-audio.org>
>>>> Subject: Re: Bit rate settings with Total Recorder
>>>> 
>>>> I'm meerly making a suggestion which would save you heaps of time
> and
>>>> frustration in the end for several reasons.
>>>> 
>>>> What you're doing at the moment is known as a software recording 
>>>> and
> 
>>>> this may mean that other audio surces could be heard in the
> recording
>>>> itself such as system sounds from your computer or even your Screen
>> Reader.
>>>> 
>>>> If you Capture the stream as I outlined then the pricess is
> completely 
>>>> independent of your Sound card thus you can carry on with other 
>>>> activities on your computer, have your Screen Reader ttalk to its
> hearts
>> 
>>>> content etc.
>>>> 
>>>> Anyway how you do things is completely up to you but I do suggest
> you 
>>>> read the primers on Total Recorders web page wich contain some 
>>>> great
> 
>>>> information on this sort of thing.
>>>> 
>>>> Total Recorder is an incredibly powerful tool and much of that 
>>>> power
> is 
>>>> hidden away.
>>>> 
>>>> What version of Total Recorder are you using by the way?
>>&

RE: Bit rate settings with Total Recorder

[John Gurd]

Where do you get the URL for the direct BBC stream?

Thanks

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of John
Covici
Sent: 11 January 2017 05:26
To: PC Audio Discussion List 
Subject: Re: Bit rate settings with Total Recorder

Yep, works well and they fixed the windows 10 bug they had.

On Tue, 10 Jan 2017 21:32:11 -0500,
Dean Martineau wrote:
> 
> Does background recording work in Total Recorder in Windows 10?  That 
> program used to work remarkably well in XP but I haven't had much
success
> with it since and haven't used it much as a result.
> 
> Dean
> 
> 
> -Original Message-
> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of 
> John Covici
> Sent: Tuesday, January 10, 2017 8:53 PM
> To: PC Audio Discussion List 
> Subject: Re: Bit rate settings with Total Recorder
> 
> There are certain limitations for this -- I use it all the time, but 
> it won't work on some streams like anything that uses flash, and it 
> doesn't work on youtube links.
> 
> On Tue, 10 Jan 2017 20:09:09 -0500,
> Dane Trethowan wrote:
> > 
> > As far as I know the same holds true.
> > Now I?m doing this from memory as its been a while since I used 
> > Total
> Recorder, you go into Background recording where you?re prompted to
enter an
> UR that links to a stream of a radio station on the net etc.
> > Total Recorder captures the data from this stream in real time thus
> avoiding the Sound Card completely so its just total recorder saving 
> the data from the stream to the computer, nothing more and nothing less.
> > You can open url?s or streams in Total Recorder for listening in the
same
> way from the File Menu.
> > 
> > > On 11 Jan 2017, at 12:01 pm, Tom Kaufman 
wrote:
> > > 
> > > Have a question for Dane: you say you can have TR record and not
have
> the screen reader interfere with anything.  I have the standard 
> version
of
> TR, so does the same hold true here?  And if so, how is this done? 
> > > Thanks,
> > > Tom Kaufman
> > > 
> > > -Original Message-
> > > From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of
Dane
> Trethowan
> > > Sent: Tuesday, January 10, 2017 7:14 PM
> > > To: PC Audio Discussion List 
> > > Subject: Re: Bit rate settings with Total Recorder
> > > 
> > > I'm meerly making a suggestion which would save you heaps of time
and 
> > > frustration in the end for several reasons.
> > > 
> > > What you're doing at the moment is known as a software recording 
> > > and

> > > this may mean that other audio surces could be heard in the
recording 
> > > itself such as system sounds from your computer or even your 
> > > Screen
> Reader.
> > > 
> > > If you Capture the stream as I outlined then the pricess is
completely 
> > > independent of your Sound card thus you can carry on with other 
> > > activities on your computer, have your Screen Reader ttalk to its
hearts
> 
> > > content etc.
> > > 
> > > Anyway how you do things is completely up to you but I do suggest
you 
> > > read the primers on Total Recorders web page wich contain some 
> > > great

> > > information on this sort of thing.
> > > 
> > > Total Recorder is an incredibly powerful tool and much of that 
> > > power
is 
> > > hidden away.
> > > 
> > > What version of Total Recorder are you using by the way?
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > On 1/11/2017 6:16 AM, Andy wrote:
> > >> Hi Dane.
> > >> 
> > >> I don't set TR to do anything.  When I launch it, JAWS announces, 
> > >> press the space bar to record, so I do, and end up with quite a
good 
> > >> quality WAV file, of the show that I'm listening to.
> > >> 
> > >> I just was not sure if I  could be doing this job of recording
better.
> > >> 
> > >> In your message you advised that the BBC were broadcasting at 320
kbps 
> > >> and if I recorded any programme, then TR would simply grab it at
the 
> > >> same quality.
> > >> 
> > >> I often use Tap-in radio or the assessible bbc Iplayer to stream
the 
> > >> show, but I'm thinking that perhaps you are telling me to record 
> > >> directly from Internet Explorer rather than Tap-in radio?
> > >> 
> > >> Am I right?  Or is it very much the same thing whither I stream 
> > >> through Tap-in radio, the Accessable BBC Iplayer or Internet
explorer.
> > >> 
> > >> 
> > >> Incidentaly, BBC radio 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 are all termed "Global" 
> > >> stations, thus the 320 kbps.  However, my favourate station is
Radio 
> > >> Scotland, but this is considered as a Reginal station and only 
> > >> streamed at 128 kbps.
> > >> 
> > >> So much for equality, where my national station is obviously
inferiour 
> > >> to all the other "British" Broadcasting Company stations!
> > >> 
> > >> 
> > >> Very best wishes.
> > >> 
> > >> Andy.
> > >> 
> > >> 
> > >> 
> > >> 
> > >> 
> > >> - Original Message - From: "Dane Trethowan" 
> > >> 
> > >> To: 

RE: Can a total operate a Go Pro camera guys

[John Gurd]

Hi Andy
Before you splash the cash it might be worth checking with Guide Dogs that
they are okay about recording training sessions. They may view it as a
potential distraction and the individual trainer may have reservations about
being filmed at work.

Hope it works out though, and glad you're getting that dog at last.

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Matthew
Chao
Sent: 01 December 2016 14:09
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: Can a total operate a Go Pro camera guys

Hi, Andy.  First, you don't meed a mic, as the cameras have built-in ones,
quite nice, in fact.  The Hero5 series actually record in stereo.


GoPro makes attachments for wrists, arms and legs.  Additionally, 
there's a chest harness that you can wear.  Minor problem is that the 
GoPro's mics are so sentitive that you'll hear a lot of thumping when 
walking - that's the sound of your feet as you plod along.


So, long story short:  If you're going to get a GoPro, get the Hero5 
Session.  Hope this all helps.--Matt & Quill.




On 12/1/2016 6:15 AM, Andy wrote:
> Hi Mat.
>
> Thanks for the advice regarding the Gopro cameras.
>
> I've been searching my local suppliers over here in Scotland since 
> your message and it's looking a bit complicated.
>
> I accept that you were saying about the Gopro hero 5.  I can find 2 
> models the one you suggest and a larger model, more expensive called 
> the Gopro Hero 5 black.
>
> So I'd probably go with your suggestion, but which of the Hero 5 range?
>
> Another complication is about fitments and attachments.  I'd probably 
> need sighted assistence to look at these pages for I don't really 
> understand what they are, apart from a gun grip or extension pole.  
> I'd like something to attach it to my upper chest and perhaps a 
> similar attachment for my dog, for a dog's eye view of training.
>
> The final difficulty is that I notice that the 5 has an external 
> mini-usb for connecting a 3D binaural microphone set up.  I'd much 
> rather this was a quarter inch socket.
>
> So it looks like I have quite a lot of work to do before I actually 
> make my purchase.  But it will be the Hero 5 right enough.
>
> Thanks again for your help.
>
> Very best wishes.
>
> Andy.
>
>> From Scotland with Love.
>
>
> - Original Message - From: "Matthew Chao" 
> To: "PC Audio Discussion List" 
> Sent: Wednesday, November 30, 2016 1:05 AM
> Subject: Re: Can a total operate a Go Pro camera guys
>
>
>> Hi, Andy.  I had a GoPro Hero4 Silver, and yes, a blind person can 
>> use it. However, you should have a sighted person put it into video 
>> mode before you leave for training.  You use the top button to start 
>> the video, and to stop it.  When you stop the video, you get three 
>> beeps to know that that's what happened.
>>
>>
>> The above said, however, a GoPro Hero5 would be better, as it has 
>> voice control.  For example, you can say "GoPro start video" and 
>> "GoPro stop recording".  Suggest you buy the Hero5 Session for $299.  
>> Hope this helps.--Matt & Quill.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On 11/29/2016 6:43 PM, Andy wrote:
>>> Hi all.
>>>
>>> Thinking of doing some video recording to send to family and 
>>> friends, in particular, my up-coming guide dog training.
>>>
>>> I'm thinking of buying a Go Pro 4 Silver 32GB and a set of Binaural 
>>> external micropones to capture these podcasts.
>>>
>>> This camera has a single button to turn the device on and start 
>>> recording.
>>>
>>> That's all I know about it apart from the fact that the screen is a 
>>> touch screen and does not have anything like voice over.
>>>
>>> So, given the high cost of this camera microphone set up, I'm a 
>>> little concerned that as a totally blind person, I'd be unable to 
>>> use this camera.
>>>
>>> Has anyone on this list any experience of using a Go Pro camera who 
>>> could give me a little advice please.
>>>
>>> Very best wishes.
>>>
>>> Andy.
>>>
 From Scotland with Love.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>
>

RE: Who's the better BFF: Amazon Echo or Google Home?

[John Gurd]

Ah, I forgot to answer that part of your question. No, the Dot is not battery 
powered. You get a little USB style cable. 

And yes, practise does indeed make perfect (well, close enough, anyway) when it 
comes to voice commands. Just imagine doing it with a Scottish accent and 
you'll see how hard I have to work sometimes. I'll admit sometimes I've either 
had to put on an English accent or talk like I'm speaking to an imbocile! 
Actually, most of the time the speech recognition is good so it's not that bad, 
and it does seem to learn over time. And of course you have to hit upon the 
right phrase as the Echo isn't that flexible with how commands are expressed. I 
suspect Google Home will be an improvement in that regard. Google Home isn't 
out here in the UK yet. 

I'm still enjoying playing with the Echo though and have to confess at being 
surprised at how much I like it. The UK voice is very good, and when I've had 
it read the odd newspaper article I've been really impressed with how natural 
it sounds. I believe in the US it can read Kindle books (as opposed to 
Audible/Audio books) but sadly that function isn't available in the UK so far. 
If it were I might be tempted to buy a few books from the Kindle store.

John

-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
Trethowan
Sent: 27 November 2016 14:54
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: Who's the better BFF: Amazon Echo or Google Home?

Yes, we�re discussing the Amazon Echo on another list as it happens and I just 
wanted to confirm that the Dot indeed is a battery unit.
The whole Voice recognition game has gone ahead ahead in leaps and bounds, 
obviously I don�t have an Amazon Echo - not yet - or a Google Home but I do 
have my Samsung Galaxy S6 with �OK Google� and �Google Now� installed and the 
things that combination can do - if you�re prepared to spend the time to speak 
your mind as the saying goes - is astonishing.
For example I can tell the phone to �Play Radio 1070 KNX with Tunein� to which 
Google responds, �Playing KNX 1070 News Radio� and that you then hear.
To stop playing all I have to do is to wake up google , �Ok Google� and say, 
�Stop Play�, to which Google Responds, �Sure!�.
I have Google do a whole heap of other things besides, I just mentioned this 
example as its one I�ve only refined the voice commands for over the last few 
days, practise makes perfect .

> On 28 Nov. 2016, at 1:42 am, John Gurd <j.g...@ntlworld.com> wrote:
> 
> Yes, it's the smaller unit by far but has all the features of it's bigger 
> sibling. The Dot can be connected by audio cable to a larger speaker or even 
> an amplifier. I haven't done this. It also has Bluetooth. There is a misnomer 
> that it doesn't have a built-in speaker but it does. The sound quality is 
> much like an old-fashioned transistor radio but I have listened to music from 
> a random playlist in the background from amazon Prime and it is okay for 
> casual radio listening. I can also tell it to connect via Bluetooth to my 
> iPhone and play my book from the Voice Dream app via the Dot. It certainly 
> sounds fine and can play at a reasonable volume for the equivalent of a 
> transistor radio. 
> 
> If I should be fortunate to get the bigger Echo for Xmas I'll keep it in the 
> living room and move the Dot to the bedroom. That way I can use it to control 
> the heating and lighting from either place by voice and it will serve as an 
> alarm clock as well. Incidentally, it also tells Jokes and Interesting Facts 
> on demand. In fact it is quite a good dictionary and calculator too.
> 
> John
> 
> 
> -Original Message-
> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
> Trethowan
> Sent: 27 November 2016 02:27
> To: PC Audio Discussion List
> Subject: Re: Who's the better BFF: Amazon Echo or Google Home?
> 
> The Echo Dot is the smaller unit right? Does it run on battery power too?
> 
>> On 27 Nov. 2016, at 6:58 am, John Gurd <j.g...@ntlworld.com> wrote:
>> 
>> I just got the Echo Dot to try it out as I already have a Hive home 
>> connected system. I can control some lights and the central heating 
>> thermostat with it. It's fairly rudimentary but has a lot of potential  that 
>> I hope will be realised in the near future. I've found it handy for a quick 
>> news summary, checking my local train service, and for simple questions and 
>> even a casual dip into radio such as BBC radio 4. Overall, I like it enough 
>> to anticipate getting its bigger brother for Xmas. 
>> 
>> John
>> 
>> -Original Message-
>> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Jim 
>> Noseworthy
>> Sent: 25 November 2016 11:43
>> To: 'PC Audio Discussion List'
>> Subject: RE: 

RE: Who's the better BFF: Amazon Echo or Google Home?

[John Gurd]

Yes, it's the smaller unit by far but has all the features of it's bigger 
sibling. The Dot can be connected by audio cable to a larger speaker or even an 
amplifier. I haven't done this. It also has Bluetooth. There is a misnomer that 
it doesn't have a built-in speaker but it does. The sound quality is much like 
an old-fashioned transistor radio but I have listened to music from a random 
playlist in the background from amazon Prime and it is okay for casual radio 
listening. I can also tell it to connect via Bluetooth to my iPhone and play my 
book from the Voice Dream app via the Dot. It certainly sounds fine and can 
play at a reasonable volume for the equivalent of a transistor radio. 

If I should be fortunate to get the bigger Echo for Xmas I'll keep it in the 
living room and move the Dot to the bedroom. That way I can use it to control 
the heating and lighting from either place by voice and it will serve as an 
alarm clock as well. Incidentally, it also tells Jokes and Interesting Facts on 
demand. In fact it is quite a good dictionary and calculator too.

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
Trethowan
Sent: 27 November 2016 02:27
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: Who's the better BFF: Amazon Echo or Google Home?

The Echo Dot is the smaller unit right? Does it run on battery power too?

> On 27 Nov. 2016, at 6:58 am, John Gurd <j.g...@ntlworld.com> wrote:
> 
> I just got the Echo Dot to try it out as I already have a Hive home connected 
> system. I can control some lights and the central heating thermostat with it. 
> It's fairly rudimentary but has a lot of potential  that I hope will be 
> realised in the near future. I've found it handy for a quick news summary, 
> checking my local train service, and for simple questions and even a casual 
> dip into radio such as BBC radio 4. Overall, I like it enough to anticipate 
> getting its bigger brother for Xmas. 
> 
> John
> 
> -Original Message-
> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Jim 
> Noseworthy
> Sent: 25 November 2016 11:43
> To: 'PC Audio Discussion List'
> Subject: RE: Who's the better BFF: Amazon Echo or Google Home?
> 
> Hi:
> 
> In my opinion, if you're not wanting to use Audible, Google home wins the 
> vote; however, if Audible is important, then forget Google home.  I have 
> access to both devices.
> 
> Cheers.
> 
> 
> -Original Message-
> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
> Trethowan
> Sent: Thursday, November 24, 2016 4:53 PM
> To: PC Audio Discussion List <pc-audio@pc-audio.org>
> Subject: Who's the better BFF: Amazon Echo or Google Home?
> 
> All I can say is that Home and Echo are incredibly powerful tools as this 
> article demonstrates all too clearly.
> http://newatlas.com/amazon-echo-vs-google-home/46423/?utm_source=Gizmag+Subscribers_campaign=4cc9032d68-UA-2235360-4_medium=email_term=0_65b67362bd-4cc9032d68-92350869
> 
> -- 
> 
> **
> ?Oh, I?m an activist and I?m OK / I sleep all night and I tweet all day.?
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 

**
Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will leave the rest of the 
halfwits in this world behind.

RE: Who's the better BFF: Amazon Echo or Google Home?

[John Gurd]

I just got the Echo Dot to try it out as I already have a Hive home connected 
system. I can control some lights and the central heating thermostat with it. 
It's fairly rudimentary but has a lot of potential  that I hope will be 
realised in the near future. I've found it handy for a quick news summary, 
checking my local train service, and for simple questions and even a casual dip 
into radio such as BBC radio 4. Overall, I like it enough to anticipate getting 
its bigger brother for Xmas. 

John

-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Jim 
Noseworthy
Sent: 25 November 2016 11:43
To: 'PC Audio Discussion List'
Subject: RE: Who's the better BFF: Amazon Echo or Google Home?

Hi:

In my opinion, if you're not wanting to use Audible, Google home wins the vote; 
however, if Audible is important, then forget Google home.  I have access to 
both devices.

Cheers.


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
Trethowan
Sent: Thursday, November 24, 2016 4:53 PM
To: PC Audio Discussion List 
Subject: Who's the better BFF: Amazon Echo or Google Home?

All I can say is that Home and Echo are incredibly powerful tools as this 
article demonstrates all too clearly.
http://newatlas.com/amazon-echo-vs-google-home/46423/?utm_source=Gizmag+Subscribers_campaign=4cc9032d68-UA-2235360-4_medium=email_term=0_65b67362bd-4cc9032d68-92350869

-- 

**
�Oh, I�m an activist and I�m OK / I sleep all night and I tweet all day.�

RE: Vifa Copenhagen.

[John Gurd]

Interestingly for a number of years it was banned for import into the US
because it contains offal: namely sheep's heart and liver chopped up with
oatmeal and onions and herbs. They vary in flavour with some being too well
seasoned for my liking but my favourite brand is MacSweens which is very
tasty.

John

-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of John
Covici
Sent: 04 November 2016 02:42
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: Vifa Copenhagen.

Ahh I participated in several Burns suppers, unfortunately it was
electronically, so I never got a chance to actually eat of the Haggis!

On Thu, 03 Nov 2016 19:57:49 -0400,
John Gurd wrote:
> 
> That's true, and we have to hunt down a haggis every 25th January and
strangle it with our sporrans as a rite of passage before we can celebrate a
Burns Supper. All you have to do in Australia is mud wrestle a crocodile
which is probably an inflatable one anyway. I was thinking, you must have
ducked out of that question on Copanhagen: How can someone be called Dane
and not know about Denmark? (smiles).
> 
> John
> 
> -Original Message-
> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of 
> Dane Trethowan
> Sent: 03 November 2016 19:43
> To: PC Audio Discussion List
> Subject: Re: Vifa Copenhagen.
> 
> Plenty of benefits of living in Scotland I would have thought, you get to
wear a Kilt, you can play the Pipes and - even better - get to recite Robby
Berns .
> 
> What do we have in Australia? Kangaroo hunting amongst other things, no
wonder the Hi-Fi shops are disappearing at a great rate of knots.
> 
> 
> 
> On 4/11/2016 6:39 AM, John Gurd wrote:
> > Hi Anders,
> > Sorry to disappoint again. I live in Bonnie Scotland, much better than
England except for the weather, and unfortunately the hi-fi shops (smiles).
It's interesting you're asking, coincidently I met someone who told me a
friend of his is coming over to the UK from Sweden to go on a shopping
spree. Good to know at least someone is benefiting from the massive fall in
the value of the pound, even if it isn't me (smiles).
> >
> > John
> >
> >
> > -Original Message-
> > From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of 
> > Anders Holmberg
> > Sent: 03 November 2016 15:45
> > To: PC Audio Discussion List
> > Subject: Re: Vifa Copenhagen.
> >
> > Hi!
> >  From what i know you?re living in England.
> > Do you perhaps know a good hifi store in England that has good pricing
and can ship to Sweden?
> > Amazon is not always the best.
> > /A
> >> On 3 Nov 2016, at 00:45, John Gurd <j.g...@ntlworld.com> wrote:
> >>
> >> Hi Anders,
> >> No sorry, I've not come across that one.
> >>
> >> John
> >>
> >>
> >> -Original Message-
> >> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of 
> >> Bob Hicks
> >> Sent: 01 November 2016 18:12
> >> To: 'PC Audio Discussion List'
> >> Subject: RE: Vifa Copenhagen.
> >>
> >> thanks
> >>
> >> Best Regards,
> >>
> >> Bob Hicks
> >>
> >> -Original Message-
> >> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of 
> >> Anders Holmberg
> >> Sent: Tuesday, November 01, 2016 1:42 PM
> >> To: PC Audio Discussion List <pc-audio@pc-audio.org>
> >> Subject: Re: Vifa Copenhagen.
> >>
> >> Hi!
> >> No Sir i don?t know him.
> >> I actually live in sweden.
> >> Have no friends in Denmark sadly.
> >> /A
> >>> 31 okt. 2016 kl. 18:04 skrev Bob Hicks
<b...@seeinghandassociation.com>:
> >>>
> >>> Hello, this is a real long shot, but . ..
> >>>
> >>> In 1979 I met a gentleman, Gnorem Hanson from Denmark.  He was here
getting a Leader Dog dog guide.  Is there any chance you know him?
> >>>
> >>> Best Regards,
> >>>
> >>> Bob Hicks
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> -Original Message-
> >>> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of 
> >>> Anders Holmberg
> >>> Sent: Monday, October 31, 2016 12:45 PM
> >>> To: PC Audio Discussion List <pc-audio@pc-audio.org>
> >>> Subject: Re: Vifa Copenhagen.
> >>>
> >>> Hi!
> >>> Yes sure.
> >>> Just wondered here too if anyone had any experiences with the beast.
> >>> /A
> >>>> On 29 Oct 2016, at 23:20, Dane Trethowan <grtd...@internode.on.net>
wrote:
> 

RE: Vifa Copenhagen.

[John Gurd]

Aw, and here's me thinking of you as the Crocodile Dundee of the PC Audio world 
(smiles).

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
Trethowan
Sent: 04 November 2016 00:03
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: Vifa Copenhagen.

I guess I'm what you call an International Ambassador for Denmark .

No crocks down here, they're up to the north of us thank goodness, out of sight 
and out of mind, how people in your part of the world could think of our place 
being populated by nothing but those useless creatures is quite beyond me.

They don't even make any noise worth sampling as far as I know, never been near 
enough one to find out and I'm sure going to keep away.



On 4/11/2016 10:57 AM, John Gurd wrote:
> That's true, and we have to hunt down a haggis every 25th January and 
> strangle it with our sporrans as a rite of passage before we can celebrate a 
> Burns Supper. All you have to do in Australia is mud wrestle a crocodile 
> which is probably an inflatable one anyway. I was thinking, you must have 
> ducked out of that question on Copanhagen: How can someone be called Dane and 
> not know about Denmark? (smiles).
>
> John
>
> -Original Message-
> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
> Trethowan
> Sent: 03 November 2016 19:43
> To: PC Audio Discussion List
> Subject: Re: Vifa Copenhagen.
>
> Plenty of benefits of living in Scotland I would have thought, you get to 
> wear a Kilt, you can play the Pipes and - even better - get to recite Robby 
> Berns .
>
> What do we have in Australia? Kangaroo hunting amongst other things, no 
> wonder the Hi-Fi shops are disappearing at a great rate of knots.
>
>
>
> On 4/11/2016 6:39 AM, John Gurd wrote:
>> Hi Anders,
>> Sorry to disappoint again. I live in Bonnie Scotland, much better than 
>> England except for the weather, and unfortunately the hi-fi shops (smiles). 
>> It's interesting you're asking, coincidently I met someone who told me a 
>> friend of his is coming over to the UK from Sweden to go on a shopping 
>> spree. Good to know at least someone is benefiting from the massive fall in 
>> the value of the pound, even if it isn't me (smiles).
>>
>> John
>>
>>
>> -Original Message-
>> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Anders 
>> Holmberg
>> Sent: 03 November 2016 15:45
>> To: PC Audio Discussion List
>> Subject: Re: Vifa Copenhagen.
>>
>> Hi!
>>   From what i know you?re living in England.
>> Do you perhaps know a good hifi store in England that has good pricing and 
>> can ship to Sweden?
>> Amazon is not always the best.
>> /A
>>> On 3 Nov 2016, at 00:45, John Gurd <j.g...@ntlworld.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> Hi Anders,
>>> No sorry, I've not come across that one.
>>>
>>> John
>>>
>>>
>>> -Original Message-
>>> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Bob Hicks
>>> Sent: 01 November 2016 18:12
>>> To: 'PC Audio Discussion List'
>>> Subject: RE: Vifa Copenhagen.
>>>
>>> thanks
>>>
>>> Best Regards,
>>>
>>> Bob Hicks
>>>
>>> -Original Message-
>>> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Anders 
>>> Holmberg
>>> Sent: Tuesday, November 01, 2016 1:42 PM
>>> To: PC Audio Discussion List <pc-audio@pc-audio.org>
>>> Subject: Re: Vifa Copenhagen.
>>>
>>> Hi!
>>> No Sir i don?t know him.
>>> I actually live in sweden.
>>> Have no friends in Denmark sadly.
>>> /A
>>>> 31 okt. 2016 kl. 18:04 skrev Bob Hicks <b...@seeinghandassociation.com>:
>>>>
>>>> Hello, this is a real long shot, but . ..
>>>>
>>>> In 1979 I met a gentleman, Gnorem Hanson from Denmark.  He was here 
>>>> getting a Leader Dog dog guide.  Is there any chance you know him?
>>>>
>>>> Best Regards,
>>>>
>>>> Bob Hicks
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> -Original Message-
>>>> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Anders 
>>>> Holmberg
>>>> Sent: Monday, October 31, 2016 12:45 PM
>>>> To: PC Audio Discussion List <pc-audio@pc-audio.org>
>>>> Subject: Re: Vifa Copenhagen.
>>>>
>>>> Hi!
>>>> Yes sure.
>>>> Just wondered here too if anyone had any experiences with the beast.
&

RE: Vifa Copenhagen.

[John Gurd]

That's true, and we have to hunt down a haggis every 25th January and strangle 
it with our sporrans as a rite of passage before we can celebrate a Burns 
Supper. All you have to do in Australia is mud wrestle a crocodile which is 
probably an inflatable one anyway. I was thinking, you must have ducked out of 
that question on Copanhagen: How can someone be called Dane and not know about 
Denmark? (smiles).

John

-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
Trethowan
Sent: 03 November 2016 19:43
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: Vifa Copenhagen.

Plenty of benefits of living in Scotland I would have thought, you get to wear 
a Kilt, you can play the Pipes and - even better - get to recite Robby Berns 
.

What do we have in Australia? Kangaroo hunting amongst other things, no wonder 
the Hi-Fi shops are disappearing at a great rate of knots.



On 4/11/2016 6:39 AM, John Gurd wrote:
> Hi Anders,
> Sorry to disappoint again. I live in Bonnie Scotland, much better than 
> England except for the weather, and unfortunately the hi-fi shops (smiles). 
> It's interesting you're asking, coincidently I met someone who told me a 
> friend of his is coming over to the UK from Sweden to go on a shopping spree. 
> Good to know at least someone is benefiting from the massive fall in the 
> value of the pound, even if it isn't me (smiles).
>
> John
>
>
> -Original Message-
> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Anders 
> Holmberg
> Sent: 03 November 2016 15:45
> To: PC Audio Discussion List
> Subject: Re: Vifa Copenhagen.
>
> Hi!
>  From what i know you?re living in England.
> Do you perhaps know a good hifi store in England that has good pricing and 
> can ship to Sweden?
> Amazon is not always the best.
> /A
>> On 3 Nov 2016, at 00:45, John Gurd <j.g...@ntlworld.com> wrote:
>>
>> Hi Anders,
>> No sorry, I've not come across that one.
>>
>> John
>>
>>
>> -Original Message-
>> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Bob Hicks
>> Sent: 01 November 2016 18:12
>> To: 'PC Audio Discussion List'
>> Subject: RE: Vifa Copenhagen.
>>
>> thanks
>>
>> Best Regards,
>>
>> Bob Hicks
>>
>> -Original Message-
>> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Anders 
>> Holmberg
>> Sent: Tuesday, November 01, 2016 1:42 PM
>> To: PC Audio Discussion List <pc-audio@pc-audio.org>
>> Subject: Re: Vifa Copenhagen.
>>
>> Hi!
>> No Sir i don?t know him.
>> I actually live in sweden.
>> Have no friends in Denmark sadly.
>> /A
>>> 31 okt. 2016 kl. 18:04 skrev Bob Hicks <b...@seeinghandassociation.com>:
>>>
>>> Hello, this is a real long shot, but . ..
>>>
>>> In 1979 I met a gentleman, Gnorem Hanson from Denmark.  He was here getting 
>>> a Leader Dog dog guide.  Is there any chance you know him?
>>>
>>> Best Regards,
>>>
>>> Bob Hicks
>>>
>>>
>>> -Original Message-
>>> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Anders 
>>> Holmberg
>>> Sent: Monday, October 31, 2016 12:45 PM
>>> To: PC Audio Discussion List <pc-audio@pc-audio.org>
>>> Subject: Re: Vifa Copenhagen.
>>>
>>> Hi!
>>> Yes sure.
>>> Just wondered here too if anyone had any experiences with the beast.
>>> /A
>>>> On 29 Oct 2016, at 23:20, Dane Trethowan <grtd...@internode.on.net> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Guess you could research this on Google?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On 30/10/2016 8:06 AM, Anders Holmberg wrote:
>>>>> Hi!
>>>>> On a Hifi store here in Sweden they?re selling a speaker from Vifa named 
>>>>> Copenhagen for 5500 swedish crowns.
>>>>> Normally it costs around 7000 swedish crowns.
>>>>> However has anyone had a listen to this portable beast?
>>>>> It seems to have both airplay and bluetooth and also an optical in and an 
>>>>> ipod dock usb contact.
>>>>> I am thinking of buying this device.
>>>>> I have money for it but i am not sure if there are any software for the 
>>>>> Iphone or such things.
>>>>> So i throw out a question if anyone has tried it?
>>>>> Thanks.
>>>>> /A
>>>> -- 
>>>>
>>>> **
>>>> ?Oh, I?m an activist and I?m OK / I sleep all night and I tweet all day.?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>

-- 

**
 Oh, I m an activist and I m OK / I sleep all night and I tweet all day. 

RE: Vifa Copenhagen.

[John Gurd]

Hi Anders,
Sorry to disappoint again. I live in Bonnie Scotland, much better than England 
except for the weather, and unfortunately the hi-fi shops (smiles). It's 
interesting you're asking, coincidently I met someone who told me a friend of 
his is coming over to the UK from Sweden to go on a shopping spree. Good to 
know at least someone is benefiting from the massive fall in the value of the 
pound, even if it isn't me (smiles).

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Anders 
Holmberg
Sent: 03 November 2016 15:45
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: Vifa Copenhagen.

Hi!
>From what i know you�re living in England.
Do you perhaps know a good hifi store in England that has good pricing and can 
ship to Sweden?
Amazon is not always the best.
/A
> On 3 Nov 2016, at 00:45, John Gurd <j.g...@ntlworld.com> wrote:
> 
> Hi Anders,
> No sorry, I've not come across that one.
> 
> John
> 
> 
> -Original Message-
> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Bob Hicks
> Sent: 01 November 2016 18:12
> To: 'PC Audio Discussion List'
> Subject: RE: Vifa Copenhagen.
> 
> thanks
> 
> Best Regards,
> 
> Bob Hicks
> 
> -Original Message-
> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Anders 
> Holmberg
> Sent: Tuesday, November 01, 2016 1:42 PM
> To: PC Audio Discussion List <pc-audio@pc-audio.org>
> Subject: Re: Vifa Copenhagen.
> 
> Hi!
> No Sir i don?t know him.
> I actually live in sweden.
> Have no friends in Denmark sadly.
> /A
>> 31 okt. 2016 kl. 18:04 skrev Bob Hicks <b...@seeinghandassociation.com>:
>> 
>> Hello, this is a real long shot, but . ..
>> 
>> In 1979 I met a gentleman, Gnorem Hanson from Denmark.  He was here getting 
>> a Leader Dog dog guide.  Is there any chance you know him?
>> 
>> Best Regards,
>> 
>> Bob Hicks
>> 
>> 
>> -Original Message-
>> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Anders 
>> Holmberg
>> Sent: Monday, October 31, 2016 12:45 PM
>> To: PC Audio Discussion List <pc-audio@pc-audio.org>
>> Subject: Re: Vifa Copenhagen.
>> 
>> Hi!
>> Yes sure.
>> Just wondered here too if anyone had any experiences with the beast.
>> /A
>>> On 29 Oct 2016, at 23:20, Dane Trethowan <grtd...@internode.on.net> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Guess you could research this on Google?
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> On 30/10/2016 8:06 AM, Anders Holmberg wrote:
>>>> Hi!
>>>> On a Hifi store here in Sweden they?re selling a speaker from Vifa named 
>>>> Copenhagen for 5500 swedish crowns.
>>>> Normally it costs around 7000 swedish crowns.
>>>> However has anyone had a listen to this portable beast?
>>>> It seems to have both airplay and bluetooth and also an optical in and an 
>>>> ipod dock usb contact.
>>>> I am thinking of buying this device.
>>>> I have money for it but i am not sure if there are any software for the 
>>>> Iphone or such things.
>>>> So i throw out a question if anyone has tried it?
>>>> Thanks.
>>>> /A
>>> 
>>> -- 
>>> 
>>> **
>>> ?Oh, I?m an activist and I?m OK / I sleep all night and I tweet all day.?
>>> 
>>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 

RE: Vifa Copenhagen.

[John Gurd]

Hi Bob
I've heard recordings of Bill Hicks, a very funny American comedian. I see you 
have the same sir name and being from the US and all I'm wondering if you are 
any relation. He was a very funny guy if a little near the bone at times.

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Bob Hicks
Sent: 01 November 2016 18:12
To: 'PC Audio Discussion List'
Subject: RE: Vifa Copenhagen.

thanks

Best Regards,

Bob Hicks

-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Anders 
Holmberg
Sent: Tuesday, November 01, 2016 1:42 PM
To: PC Audio Discussion List 
Subject: Re: Vifa Copenhagen.

Hi!
No Sir i don�t know him.
I actually live in sweden.
Have no friends in Denmark sadly.
/A
> 31 okt. 2016 kl. 18:04 skrev Bob Hicks :
> 
> Hello, this is a real long shot, but . ..
> 
> In 1979 I met a gentleman, Gnorem Hanson from Denmark.  He was here getting a 
> Leader Dog dog guide.  Is there any chance you know him?
> 
> Best Regards,
> 
> Bob Hicks
> 
> 
> -Original Message-
> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Anders 
> Holmberg
> Sent: Monday, October 31, 2016 12:45 PM
> To: PC Audio Discussion List 
> Subject: Re: Vifa Copenhagen.
> 
> Hi!
> Yes sure.
> Just wondered here too if anyone had any experiences with the beast.
> /A
>> On 29 Oct 2016, at 23:20, Dane Trethowan  wrote:
>> 
>> Guess you could research this on Google?
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> On 30/10/2016 8:06 AM, Anders Holmberg wrote:
>>> Hi!
>>> On a Hifi store here in Sweden they�re selling a speaker from Vifa named 
>>> Copenhagen for 5500 swedish crowns.
>>> Normally it costs around 7000 swedish crowns.
>>> However has anyone had a listen to this portable beast?
>>> It seems to have both airplay and bluetooth and also an optical in and an 
>>> ipod dock usb contact.
>>> I am thinking of buying this device.
>>> I have money for it but i am not sure if there are any software for the 
>>> Iphone or such things.
>>> So i throw out a question if anyone has tried it?
>>> Thanks.
>>> /A
>> 
>> -- 
>> 
>> **
>> �Oh, I�m an activist and I�m OK / I sleep all night and I tweet all day.�
>> 
>> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 

RE: Vifa Copenhagen.

[John Gurd]

Hi Anders,
No sorry, I've not come across that one.

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Bob Hicks
Sent: 01 November 2016 18:12
To: 'PC Audio Discussion List'
Subject: RE: Vifa Copenhagen.

thanks

Best Regards,

Bob Hicks

-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Anders 
Holmberg
Sent: Tuesday, November 01, 2016 1:42 PM
To: PC Audio Discussion List 
Subject: Re: Vifa Copenhagen.

Hi!
No Sir i don�t know him.
I actually live in sweden.
Have no friends in Denmark sadly.
/A
> 31 okt. 2016 kl. 18:04 skrev Bob Hicks :
> 
> Hello, this is a real long shot, but . ..
> 
> In 1979 I met a gentleman, Gnorem Hanson from Denmark.  He was here getting a 
> Leader Dog dog guide.  Is there any chance you know him?
> 
> Best Regards,
> 
> Bob Hicks
> 
> 
> -Original Message-
> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Anders 
> Holmberg
> Sent: Monday, October 31, 2016 12:45 PM
> To: PC Audio Discussion List 
> Subject: Re: Vifa Copenhagen.
> 
> Hi!
> Yes sure.
> Just wondered here too if anyone had any experiences with the beast.
> /A
>> On 29 Oct 2016, at 23:20, Dane Trethowan  wrote:
>> 
>> Guess you could research this on Google?
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> On 30/10/2016 8:06 AM, Anders Holmberg wrote:
>>> Hi!
>>> On a Hifi store here in Sweden they�re selling a speaker from Vifa named 
>>> Copenhagen for 5500 swedish crowns.
>>> Normally it costs around 7000 swedish crowns.
>>> However has anyone had a listen to this portable beast?
>>> It seems to have both airplay and bluetooth and also an optical in and an 
>>> ipod dock usb contact.
>>> I am thinking of buying this device.
>>> I have money for it but i am not sure if there are any software for the 
>>> Iphone or such things.
>>> So i throw out a question if anyone has tried it?
>>> Thanks.
>>> /A
>> 
>> -- 
>> 
>> **
>> �Oh, I�m an activist and I�m OK / I sleep all night and I tweet all day.�
>> 
>> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 

RE: The purchase of Any DVD HD

[John Gurd]

Whose lifetime: the developers, mine, the software itself? I often wonder when 
the lifetime guarantee of a product is mentioned (smile).

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Casey
Sent: 01 November 2016 03:53
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: The purchase of Any DVD HD

Hi what is the best web site to google for to purchase this software from?


-- 
Casey

RE: Now I have my B T7 Speaker

[John Gurd]

I've just been checking out the reviews and they are mostly glowing. I didn't 
even know B did a BT speaker. I'd be tempted if I didn't have two fairly 
costly ones already albeit not in this class. I know I might have mentioned it 
once or twice... Oh, If only Apple did APTX! Then I wouldn't hesitate (smiles).

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Hamit Campos
Sent: 22 October 2016 18:02
To: 'PC Audio Discussion List'
Subject: RE: Now I have my B T7 Speaker

Cool dude. Way too cool.

-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
Trethowan
Sent: Saturday, October 22, 2016 7:53 AM
To: PC Audio Discussion List 
Subject: Now I have my B T7 Speaker

Yep, proudly bought the baby home this morning though I didn't have time to 
listen and fully aprreciate what this darling of sound could product, in a 
word? stunning!

So first I think it best to mention what you're not going to get from this 
speaker.

No, it doesn't have a hands free speaker phone.

No, it does not have overpowering bass as the Bose Soundlink does - not to be 
confused with the latest Soundlink Mini. -

No, the speaker cannot be charged from a USB port though the speaker does have 
one for servicing and firmware updates, the external power supply that comes 
with the speaker has to be used for charging or powering the speaker from a 
mains outlet.

No, at $549 Australian the T7 isn't a cheap Bluetooth speaker system.

So with all that in mind we soon realise that the T7 is catering for a 
particular person, those who enjoy listening to their music collection on the 
go.

All the B products I have are detailed even from the point of unpacking 
that's obvious, anyone would think that we're talking about a gold bar here 
when it comes to the packing of the T7, foam padding as part of the lid and the 
bottom of the T7 box for instance.

The T7 looks like no other Bluetooth speaker I've seen thus far, a metal frame 
at front and back bulging out from a rubberised frame in the middle.

On the top of this are your control buttons, the bluetooth pairing button, 
transport control buttons, volume up/down buttons and so on.

Of course this led to some confusion on my part as I thought the power button 
would be on the top with the rest of the controls but no, the power button is a 
concave button towards the bottom right hand side of the unit, well out of the 
way and not likely to be knocked I thought, when I finally discovered where the 
power button actually was.

Turning on the T7 presents the ears with a lovely musical introduction to tell 
us that the T7 is ready and yet a further melodious tone is heard to indicate a 
connection with a Bluetooth device.

Another distinctive sequence of notes is heard when the Bluetooth pairing 
button itself is pressed and further short musical scores sound when the 
Bluetooth is disconnected.

So what you say, many Bluetooth speakers sound tones but not short sequences of 
notes.

For the tests I used two devices paired to the T7, the Samsung Galaxy S6 and 
the Apple iPhone 6 so before we go any further - if you're thinking about a B 
T7 and you have an iPhone - even though the iPhone doesn't have AptX - - you 
wn't be disappointed, more on that later.

So what do we get when selecting the music player on the Samsung S6, 
double-tapping the "Play" button and turning up the volume of the T7 to a 
comfortable listening level? A well defined sound from the T7 and when I say 
well defined that's exactly what I mean, one could be forgiven for thinking 
they're listening to a pair of well spaced bookshelf speakers.

The presence of instruments in a track is well heard on the sound stage.

The bass is there though - as I stated before - if you're looking for something 
with overpowering bass then you're going to be disappointed, I call the T7 a 
system that produces the bass honestly.

The mid range is excellent and the highs? Well obviously not as good as a 
system with dedicated tweeters perhaps but they're certainly there to be heard, 
the DSP of the T7 truly shines.

I noticed something else when putting my hand on the desk the T7 was standing 
on, no vibrations from the T7 of any sort so the T7 doesn't rely on the surface 
its standing on to allow you to hear bass notes, have you ever thought your 
house might sustain serious structural damage from all those bass heavy notes 
going through your walls and floor? I know with some systems I've used I can 
feel the bass coming through the walls and floor a few rooms away from where 
the speaker actually is but not with this little beauty, absolutely incredible.

Listening to the speaker paired to the iPhone 6 was also a pleasure, the same 
characteristics of the speaker are to be heard though the sound from the iPhone 
6 didn't sound quite as airy as that from the Samsung Galaxy S6 with its AptX 
encoding though perfectly 

RE: The New Even Over-Ear Headphones Will Blow Your Mind Without Blowing Your Ears

[John Gurd]

The concept is brilliant, and obvious when you think of it. It's a fact that
as we get older (and I mean from our twenties onwards) our hearing starts to
deteriorate. At the very least our ability to hear very high frequencies
gradually reduces. Headphones should be tailored to these changes like
spectacles are. I bet they cost more than a good pair of specs though
(smile).

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of JOHN
RIEHL
Sent: 20 October 2016 12:00
To: 'PC Audio Discussion List'
Subject: RE: The New Even Over-Ear Headphones Will Blow Your Mind Without
Blowing Your Ears

Wow! Sounds very cool. 

-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Mary
Otten
Sent: Wednesday, October 19, 2016 11:02 PM
To: pc-audio@pc-audio.org
Subject: The New Even Over-Ear Headphones Will Blow Your Mind Without
Blowing Your Ears

I would love to hear these. The only thing missing in this article is the
price.
Mary
The New Even Over-Ear Headphones Will Blow Your Mind Without Blowing Your
Ears Technology - The Huffington Post  /  Morena Duwe



"Why aren't headphones, or personal audio for that matter, actually
personal? Why aren't they more like prescription glasses, where each and
every person gets her or his own custom sound-fit based on a hearing
profile?" This is what Danny Aronson asked himself when his good friend Ofer
Raz asked him to recommend a good pair of headphones three years ago.
Realizing he could not name a pair of headphones that he felt were worthy of
his close friend's ears, he decided to create his own.

As a classically trained composer and sound designer, Aronson has dedicated
20 years of his life to the art of sound. He plays the flute, piano and
guitar and has a degree in music composition from the University of Tel
Aviv. Aronson studied score-writing as well as avant-garde and modern music
which guided him towards his career in sound design where he led Israel's
largest audio post-production facility. As is the natural progression of
human anatomy, our senses tend to weaken with age. With a profession in
music, Aronson refused to let his hearing become an impairment.

Even headphones are a one-of-a-kind, personal sonic experience. Their slick
design, ergonomic fit, and walnut wood ear pieces make each pair unique,
just as each person's hearing is unique. The entire audio industry has been
based upon the assumption that "one sound fits all," as stated by Aronson.
"We know that this assumption is simply untrue," he explains in an
interview. "Just like eyesight or any other physical attribute, people each
hear differently and our left ear hears differently from the right."

Even's core crew consists of Danny Aronson (CEO), Ofer Raz (CTO), Mosi
Shuchman (VP of Operations), Ronen Hillel (head of sound design), Pam Kramer
(consumer marketing), Christian Riley (CMO), Kevin Leong (chief
manufacturer) as well as a team of software, firmware, sound and acoustic
engineers. They have been working on these headphones for two and a half
years and launched their first batch of earbuds in June of 2016 which sold
out within 48 hours. Their newest creation, the H1 over-ear pair, launched
October 19th.



Before you use these headphones, you must first tailor them to your ears
through a 90 second test administered by a mysterious woman named "Sarah."
After plugging in your headphones, you press the Even button and Sarah tests
your reactions to a series of frequencies ranging from 125hz (very low bass)
to 14KHZ (very high) and several pitches in between. The result is a
perfectly balanced and customized listening experience where the headphones
are actually tuned into the exact frequencies that your ears hear. "The
first time I heard music with my own EarPrint, the experience took me back
30 years," reflects Aronson. "It was an emotional, moving moment for me. I
was blown away."

The benefits of Even EarPrint technology include a uniquely rich and
detailed sound that compensates for frequencies you may have lost over time
or have always had issues with, creating a feeling of surround-sound - the
sense of being engulfed by the music.

The technology behind the unique EarPrint sound is based on a complex
algorithm that was perfected over the span of two years and developed by
professional music mastering engineers, sound designers and software
engineers. The sensation these headphones produce is clean lows, thick mids
and crisp highs. "Imagine, for example, that you don't hear 8KHZ frequencies
in your right ear as well as you do in your left. What do you do?" Aronson
asks. "You crank up the volume, affecting all frequencies, in both ears.
This can really muddy the sound. Once you hear music set to your unique
EarPrint, you simply hear what you've been missing. People often turn down
the volume!"

The concept of EarPrint technology is also ideal for musicians, producers
and DJs who are frequently exposed to loud 

RE: Happy Birthday To Me!

[John Gurd]

Happy Birthday. 21 again? I really wish Apple would support APTX as the brief 
opportunity I had to hear it at work really impressed me: certainly the best 
wireless format around. And Xmas is just around the corner. Maybe Santa might 
bring you some P9s if you’re a good boy and are extra nice to everyone on the 
list? Hmmm, still a long time to go, could be a tall order! (smiles)

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
Trethowan
Sent: 20 October 2016 04:11
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Happy Birthday To Me!

Yes indeed and I�ve just chosen my gift, the B T7 Bluetooth Speaker, I�ve 
heard it often enough so now time to own one.
The B T7 is - in my view without a doubt - one of the best Bluetooth speakers 
to own and - whilst a little more expensive then some - its not outrageously 
so, in Australia the B T7 retails for $549 so I reckon it would be around two 
thirds of that in the U.S.
Naturally the B T7 has AptX decoding as standard and a very good battery life 
to boot, 19 hours from a full charge.
Anyhow I�ll write more about the product when it arrives.

**
Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will leave the rest of the 
halfwits in this world behind.

RE: iPhone 7 disappointing audio...?

[John Gurd]

Thanks Pete,
That sounds very promising.

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of pete gurney
Sent: 19 October 2016 09:00
To: pc-audio@pc-audio.org
Subject: Re: iPhone 7 disappointing audio...?

hi,

something worth looking at for those that want to improve their sound on apple 
devices using the lightning socket is a new device that will come out soon.
it's called AMP.I.AM
it was a campaign on indiegogo  but they didn't need to finish the campaign as 
apple saw it and liked it so much they pre ordered 25000 of them.
it's only a few millimetres longer than the apple lightning headphone adapter 
but this has it's own amp and dac built in and has both lightning and 3.5 
headphone outputs.
it also doesn't need any power sorce other than the apple device and apple have 
asked them to change the specs slightly so that it will include a second 
lightning socket so you can charge your apple device at the same time as 
listening through your headphones.

here is the url to read more.

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/amp-i-am-superior-sounding-music-for-the-iphone-apple/x/4916492#/

pete.

--
pete gurney <p...@gurneyfamily.org.uk>

On Wed, 19 Oct 2016 06:40:12 +1100
Dane Trethowan <grtd...@internode.on.net> wrote:

> Hi Mary!
> 
> Interested in what you say about the B P7 when connected to the iPhone.
> 
> Yeah, output is quite decent though it could be better and I'm not 
> complaining about that as all the reviews I read on the B P7 did warn about 
> the output of the cans when connected to an iPhone.
> 
> I now have a pair of the Sony MDr-7506 canns and - whilst not in the league 
> of the B P7 - they sound very nice on iPhone which is amazing given the 
> price tak - about a quarter of what one would pay for the B P7 -.
> 
> Again this is all subjective and its all down to personal choice and taste 
> but an interesting discussion nevertheless.
> 
> 
> 
> On 19/10/2016 6:34 AM, Mary Otten wrote:
> > Hi John,
> > Your findings are interesting. I have not gotten around to actually using 
> > headphones with this little new adapter. I was intrigued, however, when I 
> > saw a post yesterday or the day before from a guy who says he was able to 
> > use his EKG to 40s with the little adapter with great effect. He said they 
> > really sounded good. Those phones typically require an extra  amp to be 
> > driven decently. I have a pair of a KGQ701 phones which are really nice, 
> > but if you don't have a preamp, forget it. So I thought I would try them 
> > but haven't done it yet with the little new adapter. I will be curious to 
> > see if I hear the same things that you did. I really liked the P7 even just 
> > with the output from the iPhone 6s. It's not perfect. But convenience can't 
> > be beat. I was hoping that the experience would be even better with this 
> > new phone and it's DAC, being better than the power straight out of the 6S. 
> > I guess I will have to get to it and see what I think.
> > Mary
> >
> >
> > Sent from my iPhone
> >
> >> On Oct 18, 2016, at 12:17 PM, John Gurd <j.g...@ntlworld.com> wrote:
> >>
> >> I got an iPhone 7 a few days ago and had it away with me on a 
> >> weekend break with limited opportunities to play with it.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Well, on this list there s always someone who wants to know what 
> >> the phone speaker sounds like. To dispense with that question 
> >> quickly, it s the best sounding iPhone (that doesn t have a Plus in its 
> >> name) I ve heard so far.
> >> Not surprising, as it has two tiny speakers instead of one so Voice 
> >> Over and books on Voice Dream Reader sound very pleasant. I don t 
> >> listen to music on a phone speaker and am always surprised when 
> >> people give this aspect of audio serious consideration.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Of course the iPhone 7 is the infamous one where they got rid of 
> >> the audio jack. So I took my trusty B P7 headphones, my ancient 
> >> and cheap but much-loved (for sentimental reasons) Koss Porto Pros 
> >> and my Bluetooth Plantronics BackBeat Pros and the lightening ear 
> >> pods that ship with the device. No DAC except the little lightning 
> >> to 3.5mm convertor supplied by Apple.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Here are my first impressions and I have to emphasis they were 
> >> entirely subjective with no attempt at rigor. Imagine my shock when 
> >> I tried my P7s and thought they sounded awful! The mid-range was 
> >> thin with a hardness I never noticed before. The base was there but 
>

RE: iPhone 7 disappointing audio...?

[John Gurd]

I considered getting that modular LG phone for the DAC attachment. I've never 
owned an Android device and I got cold feet as to the effort I'd have to put 
into getting to grips with it. You can get into a comfort zone with IOS devices 
that is hard to break. And I think some of my apps may not be so accessible or 
even available on the Android platform. But part of me would love to break out 
of that walled garden called Apple (smiles).

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
Trethowan
Sent: 18 October 2016 20:57
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: iPhone 7 disappointing audio...?

No, nothing to do with JBL, B make a DAC for the Lg phone I mentioned.

I also mentioned that - being a modula phone - various modules could be 
attached, the B DAC being a case in point so - when I think about it  
- its quite possible that JBL might make a speaker of some kind for that phone.

I'm not in a hurry to buy the B P9 either but - already having P7's and 
naturally curious to see what the P9's sound like in comparison.

Of more immediate interest to me in the B line is the B P7 wireless.



On 19/10/2016 6:49 AM, Mary Otten wrote:
> I think the extra attachment you can get for that LG phone is a JBL speaker 
> of some kind. Not sure about any sort of extra DAC. I will also be very 
> curious what you think of the P9, although it is frankly out of my price 
> range. I don't care how good it is, there must be limits. Smile. I went from 
> an iPhone 6s to a 7+, so I have a size difference in my phone, which might 
> make for some of the differences in sound between the two. The 7+ is 
> certainly louder than the 6S, and I do think it sounds better. The stereo 
> image of course is a joke. I have a Nexus six android device for comparison. 
> The iPhone sounds better. The stereo image if you want to call it that, on 
> the Nexus is actually better, probably because the speakers both face the 
> same direction. But the Nexus is so incredibly lacking in bass, that they 
> might as well not have bothered with the stereo at all. The single iPhone 
> speaker in my 6S sounded better than the Nexus with its dual stereo speakers.
> Mary
>
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On Oct 18, 2016, at 12:33 PM, Dane Trethowan <grtd...@internode.on.net> 
>> wrote:
>>
>> A most interesting read!
>>
>> I've always been impressed with the internal speakers on Apple iPhone though 
>> - like you - I've never taken them seriously for music listening but for 
>> speech and Voiceover the internal iPhone speaker is superb.
>>
>> Now I have an iPhone 6 because of my Arcam DAC - the same as yours - and I 
>> had an iPhone 6S at one time.
>>
>> I think - could be wrong - that the quality of the iPhone 6 speaker isn't 
>> quite as good as that of the 6S but none the less iits an improvement on the 
>> 5S and so its gone on right up through the iPhone series so I'm not at all 
>> surprised to hear that the speakers of the iPhone 7 sound good, that's the 
>> only thing that's tempting me to go out and buy an iPhone 7.
>>
>> I'm not at all surprised to at your comments regarding the Lightning Dock to 
>> 3.5MM jack converter but - as Apple have never ever provided high quality 
>> Earbuds with their iPhones anyway - its therefore not surprising that Apple 
>> didn't provide a high quality DAC but - having said that - I think Apple 
>> should have stated this and perhaps sold a higher quality converter - say 
>> for a couple of hundred dollars - so the user would at least have the choice 
>> of an upgrade.
>>
>> LG does this with one of their phones, its a modular phone - can't remember 
>> the name of it - but the user has the choice of using what's available or 
>> buying other options to enhance the quality of audio, photos etc.
>>
>> I have a set of Philips cans here that plug straight into a Lightning 
>> connector so - if and when I get a chance - I'm looking forward to 
>> connecting these to an iPhone 7 and doing some comparisons with that cheap 
>> nasty lightning to 3.5MM jack converter .
>>
>> I like you have a pair of P7's, love the things and - may as well tell you 
>> now - I'm off to listen to the B P9's shortly.
>>
>>
>>
>>> On 19/10/2016 6:17 AM, John Gurd wrote:
>>> I got an iPhone 7 a few days ago and had it away with me on a 
>>> weekend break with limited opportunities to play with it.
>>>
>>>   
>>> Well, on this list there s always someone who wants to know what the 
>>> phone speaker sounds like. To dispense with that question quickly, 
>>> it s the best sounding iPhone (that doesn t have a Plus i

RE: iPhone 7 disappointing audio...?

[John Gurd]

Hi Mary
I've no doubt the adaptor will drive most headphones very high. I briefly had 
my P7s up very loud just to see how loud they would get. And they did get very 
loud. I just didn't like the sound. The trouble is the traits I described made 
it uncomfortable listening even before the volume got all that high. Audio can 
be very subjective. I wouldn't say they were unlistenable, but I did feel the 
adaptor changed the audio in a way I didn't like. I'll be interested to hear 
what you think. 

John

-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Mary Otten
Sent: 18 October 2016 20:34
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: iPhone 7 disappointing audio...?

Hi John,
Your findings are interesting. I have not gotten around to actually using 
headphones with this little new adapter. I was intrigued, however, when I saw a 
post yesterday or the day before from a guy who says he was able to use his EKG 
to 40s with the little adapter with great effect. He said they really sounded 
good. Those phones typically require an extra  amp to be driven decently. I 
have a pair of a KGQ701 phones which are really nice, but if you don't have a 
preamp, forget it. So I thought I would try them but haven't done it yet with 
the little new adapter. I will be curious to see if I hear the same things that 
you did. I really liked the P7 even just with the output from the iPhone 6s. 
It's not perfect. But convenience can't be beat. I was hoping that the 
experience would be even better with this new phone and it's DAC, being better 
than the power straight out of the 6S. I guess I will have to get to it and see 
what I think.
Mary


Sent from my iPhone

> On Oct 18, 2016, at 12:17 PM, John Gurd <j.g...@ntlworld.com> wrote:
> 
> I got an iPhone 7 a few days ago and had it away with me on a weekend 
> break with limited opportunities to play with it.
> 
> 
> 
> Well, on this list there s always someone who wants to know what the 
> phone speaker sounds like. To dispense with that question quickly, 
> it s the best sounding iPhone (that doesn t have a Plus in its name) I ve 
> heard so far.
> Not surprising, as it has two tiny speakers instead of one so Voice 
> Over and books on Voice Dream Reader sound very pleasant. I don t 
> listen to music on a phone speaker and am always surprised when people 
> give this aspect of audio serious consideration.
> 
> 
> 
> Of course the iPhone 7 is the infamous one where they got rid of the 
> audio jack. So I took my trusty B P7 headphones, my ancient and 
> cheap but much-loved (for sentimental reasons) Koss Porto Pros and my 
> Bluetooth Plantronics BackBeat Pros and the lightening ear pods that 
> ship with the device. No DAC except the little lightning to 3.5mm 
> convertor supplied by Apple.
> 
> 
> 
> Here are my first impressions and I have to emphasis they were 
> entirely subjective with no attempt at rigor. Imagine my shock when I 
> tried my P7s and thought they sounded awful! The mid-range was thin 
> with a hardness I never noticed before. The base was there but not 
> particularly extended. The music sounded kind of flat with no real 
> involvement. For the first time I felt I knew what was meant when 
> components were described as unmusical. When I then tried my Koss 
> Porto Pros whose basic design hasn t changed since the 1980 s and 
> which at one point retailed at around  25 I actually thought they 
> sounded better but with the qualities described above still present, 
> perhaps with more space and a warmer tone. The Bluetooth BackBeat Pros 
> sounded the best with musicality restored and a warmth replacing the 
> hard midrange. The Apple earpods were what you would expect: a good reason 
> for buying decent headphones for your Apple device.
> 
> 
> 
> The culprit, of course, was the $9 DAC provided by Apple for those 
> folk who will insist on owning headphones with a 3.5mm plug. The 
> frustrating thing was that as I was away from home I couldn t try any 
> other lightning to audio DAC. I did have my Arcam MusicBoost case but 
> as it is made for the thinner iPhone 6 I didn t fancy having my new 
> iPhone 7 permanently wedged in it. Out of desperation I did gingerly 
> try to insert it but gave up when it became clear it would end in disaster.
> 
> 
> 
> What I didn t do (and still haven t done) was try the above headphones 
> with the audio jack on my old iPhone 6 to see if it really did sound 
> worse on the iPhone 7 or if it was just a trick of the mind because I 
> was expecting better. Since arriving home I have tried my P7s with the 
> Oppo HA 2 DAC and the iPhone 7 and I am glad to say they were back to 
> being absolutely stunning. That s a relief. I then tried them again 
> with the little Apple supplied DAC converter a

iPhone 7 disappointing audio...?

[John Gurd]

I got an iPhone 7 a few days ago and had it away with me on a weekend break
with limited opportunities to play with it. 

 

Well, on this list there’s always someone who wants to know what the phone
speaker sounds like. To dispense with that question quickly, it’s the best
sounding iPhone (that doesn’t have a Plus in its name) I’ve heard so far.
Not surprising, as it has two tiny speakers instead of one so Voice Over and
books on Voice Dream Reader sound very pleasant. I don’t listen to music on
a phone speaker and am always surprised when people give this aspect of
audio serious consideration.

 

Of course the iPhone 7 is the infamous one where they got rid of the audio
jack. So I took my trusty B P7 headphones, my ancient and cheap but
much-loved (for sentimental reasons) Koss Porto Pros and my Bluetooth
Plantronics BackBeat Pros and the lightening ear pods that ship with the
device. No DAC except the little lightning to 3.5mm convertor supplied by
Apple. 

 

Here are my first impressions and I have to emphasis they were entirely
subjective with no attempt at rigor. Imagine my shock when I tried my P7s
and thought they sounded awful! The mid-range was thin with a hardness I
never noticed before. The base was there but not particularly extended. The
music sounded kind of flat with no real involvement. For the first time I
felt I knew what was meant when components were described as unmusical. When
I then tried my Koss Porto Pros whose basic design hasn’t changed since the
1980’s and which at one point retailed at around £25 I actually thought they
sounded better but with the qualities described above still present, perhaps
with more space and a warmer tone. The Bluetooth BackBeat Pros sounded the
best with musicality restored and a warmth replacing the hard midrange. The
Apple earpods were what you would expect: a good reason for buying decent
headphones for your Apple device. 

 

The culprit, of course, was the $9 DAC provided by Apple for those folk who
will insist on owning headphones with a 3.5mm plug. The frustrating thing
was that as I was away from home I couldn’t try any other lightning to audio
DAC. I did have my Arcam MusicBoost case but as it is made for the thinner
iPhone 6 I didn’t fancy having my new iPhone 7 permanently wedged in it. Out
of desperation I did gingerly try to insert it but gave up when it became
clear it would end in disaster. 

 

What I didn’t do (and still haven’t done) was try the above headphones with
the audio jack on my old iPhone 6 to see if it really did sound worse on the
iPhone 7 or if it was just a trick of the mind because I was expecting
better. Since arriving home I have tried my P7s with the Oppo HA 2 DAC and
the iPhone 7 and I am glad to say they were back to being absolutely
stunning. That’s a relief. I then tried them again with the little Apple
supplied DAC converter and although they weren’t as shockingly bad as my
first impression they still sounded seriously under par, and that also when
for my little plastic Porto Pros. Yet I still feel even the Porto Pros
sounded better with the old audio jack. It mostly came down to that sense of
hardness and lack of musicality I felt I detected. 

 

Well, what do you expect for what amounts to a $9 DAC, I hear you say. Most
people who have a cheap pair of headphones won’t notice or care and will
just want them to work. I am quite sure that some headphones will even sound
better for it. But as I don’t always want to carry a separate and cumbersome
DAC around with me for casual listening I do wish Apple had spent just a
little more on their convertor.

 

John Gurd

 

 

RE: SV: Problems with Bluetooth on a laptop

[John Gurd]

Hi Brian
I seem to have the model 50. I did try removing the other Bluetooth dongle
having belatedly realised it could be a cause of interference but it made no
difference. Are you getting a good range from yours with no dropouts?

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Brian
Olesen
Sent: 12 October 2016 16:48
To: 'PC Audio Discussion List'
Subject: SV: SV: Problems with Bluetooth on a laptop

Hi John,
Remember to disable the Bluetooth radio on your pc if you have one.
Else it will interfear.
Brian

-Oprindelig meddelelse-
Fra: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] På vegne af Brian
Olesen
Sendt: 12. oktober 2016 17:38
Til: 'PC Audio Discussion List' <pc-audio@pc-audio.org>
Emne: SV: SV: Problems with Bluetooth on a laptop

Hi, john
As far as I can tell there are 2 editions. A model 40 and a model 50.
Maybe you should just ask for a replacement.

Best regards
Brian

-Oprindelig meddelelse-
Fra: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] På vegne af John Gurd
Sendt: 11. oktober 2016 20:28
Til: 'PC Audio Discussion List' <pc-audio@pc-audio.org>
Emne: RE: SV: Problems with Bluetooth on a laptop

Sadly, I'm sending my Avantree adapter back to Amazon because I keep
experiencing dropouts and the range seems only to be a few feet. It's a
great shame because My Plantronics Back-Beat Pros sound really good using it
(better than my iPhone does) no doubt due to being able to take advantage of
the ADPTX format. Also the latency Is very good but I can't get past the
short range and dropouts. Don't know if it's faulty or what. I've tried it
in a number of ports and even a powered hub but no Joy. 

Regards

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Brian
Olesen
Sent: 10 October 2016 09:36
To: 'PC Audio Discussion List'
Subject: SV: SV: Problems with Bluetooth on a laptop

Hi,
Yeah I got it very cheep from ebay. Really useful information there.

Best regards
Brian

-Oprindelig meddelelse-
Fra: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] På vegne af John Gurd
Sendt: 10. oktober 2016 09:50
Til: 'PC Audio Discussion List' <pc-audio@pc-audio.org>
Emne: RE: SV: Problems with Bluetooth on a laptop

I've just ordered one of these as well for my PC. My present USb Bluetooth
dongle has terrible latency and is useless for audio. I got it on Amazon UK
for £24.99. 

John

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane
Trethowan
Sent: 09 October 2016 17:05
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: SV: Problems with Bluetooth on a laptop

It was a stroke of luck that I came upon this.



On 10/10/2016 3:03 AM, Brian Olesen wrote:
> Hi Dane,
> Again thank you very much.
>
> Brian
>
> -Oprindelig meddelelse-
> Fra: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] På vegne af Dane 
> Trethowan
> Sendt: 9. oktober 2016 17:31
> Til: PC Audio Discussion List <pc-audio@pc-audio.org>
> Emne: Re: Problems with Bluetooth on a laptop
>
> Right, here's my USB dongle so it should be easy enough to do a Google 
> search and see where you can buy one, either that or go to eBay where 
> I bought mine.
>
> Avantree Leaf Low Latency Bluetooth wireless AptX Stereo USB adapter
>
>
>
> On 9/10/2016 6:16 PM, Brian Olesen wrote:
>> Dear list,
>>
>> My Lenovo laptop has a real bad sounding Bluetooth audio connection, 
>> so I wonder what I can do to improve it.
>>
>> I've just board a wonderful pair of Bose Quiet Comfort 35 wireless 
>> headphones and I would like to use my laptop as audio source for them 
>> and off course wireless.
>>
>> However, a constant hissing low noise annoys me, when they are connected.
>>
>> The same noise doesn't acur, when they are connected for example to 
>> my iPhone or iPad.
>>
>>
>>
>> What would you do to get a good clean audio signal from such a machine?
>>
>> May Replacing the sound card help, but how can I maintain the 
>> Bluetooth connection?
>>
>> Thanks in advance.
>>
>>
>>
>> Best regards
>>
>> Brian
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ___
>>
>> Midimag-ex mailing list
>>
>><mailto:midimag...@mailman.midimag-xt.org>
>> midimag...@mailman.midimag-xt.org
>>
>>
>> <http://mailman.midimag-xt.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/midimag-ex>
>> http://mailman.midimag-xt.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/midimag-ex
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>

RE: Plantronics Back-Beat Pros

[John Gurd]

Hi Dane

The Back-beat Pros are really designed for listening to music. They are 4.1
Bluetooth headphones with APTX. They can connect to two devices at the same
time. I use them with my iPhone and iPod. They are full over ear and very
comfortable. They have good noise cancellation which can be turned on or off
and there is a button to drop the music volume and turn on the external
mikes if someone is talking to you in the room. You can take them off and
rest them flat on your collar and they stop the music and resume again when
you return them to your ears. The controls are large and full-featured
regarding pause, play, back and forward. They sound very good for Bluetooth
headphones and even better as I discovered yesterday with ATPX. Normally the
Bluetooth range is very good but not so with the Avantree Device. Normally
with Voice Over they are very laggy although this disappeared when I used
them with the Avantree and my PC due to the ATPX low latency feature. Of
course this isn't available with an iPhone. 

I'm not sure how good they would sound for chat as I've never used them for
that. Well, I've just phoned a friend to find out. She says they sound okay
from her end but she can tell I'm on a mobile. She sounded very clear to me
but I noticed the automatic volume control seemed to kick in a couple of
times quite abruptly when her voice popped. If you want them for chat I
think you could do better. They have no boom mike for this. 

Regards

John

-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane
Trethowan
Sent: 12 October 2016 00:06
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Plantronics Back-Beat Pros

Hi John!

Can you tell me more about this headset, is it an in the ear device or over
the ear? I'm looking for another Bluetooth headset for chatting but want
something better than that dreadful Logitech H800 headset, its good with
Wireless USB but bloody rottin on its ancient Bluetooth protocol.

I have my MM550's from Senheiser of course but.. well.. don't like using
those every day and I would like to get something with a boom microphone if
at all possible.



On 12/10/2016 5:28 AM, John Gurd wrote:
> Sadly, I'm sending my Avantree adapter back to Amazon because I keep 
> experiencing dropouts and the range seems only to be a few feet. It's 
> a great shame because My Plantronics Back-Beat Pros sound really good 
> using it (better than my iPhone does) no doubt due to being able to 
> take advantage of the ADPTX format. Also the latency Is very good but 
> I can't get past the short range and dropouts. Don't know if it's 
> faulty or what. I've tried it in a number of ports and even a powered hub
but no Joy.
>
> Regards
>
> John
>
>
> -Original Message-
> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of 
> Brian Olesen
> Sent: 10 October 2016 09:36
> To: 'PC Audio Discussion List'
> Subject: SV: SV: Problems with Bluetooth on a laptop
>
> Hi,
> Yeah I got it very cheep from ebay. Really useful information there.
>
> Best regards
> Brian
>
> -Oprindelig meddelelse-
> Fra: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] På vegne af John 
> Gurd
> Sendt: 10. oktober 2016 09:50
> Til: 'PC Audio Discussion List' <pc-audio@pc-audio.org>
> Emne: RE: SV: Problems with Bluetooth on a laptop
>
> I've just ordered one of these as well for my PC. My present USb 
> Bluetooth dongle has terrible latency and is useless for audio. I got 
> it on Amazon UK for £24.99.
>
> John
>
> John
>
>
> -Original Message-
> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of 
> Dane Trethowan
> Sent: 09 October 2016 17:05
> To: PC Audio Discussion List
> Subject: Re: SV: Problems with Bluetooth on a laptop
>
> It was a stroke of luck that I came upon this.
>
>
>
> On 10/10/2016 3:03 AM, Brian Olesen wrote:
>> Hi Dane,
>> Again thank you very much.
>>
>> Brian
>>
>> -Oprindelig meddelelse-
>> Fra: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] På vegne af Dane 
>> Trethowan
>> Sendt: 9. oktober 2016 17:31
>> Til: PC Audio Discussion List <pc-audio@pc-audio.org>
>> Emne: Re: Problems with Bluetooth on a laptop
>>
>> Right, here's my USB dongle so it should be easy enough to do a 
>> Google search and see where you can buy one, either that or go to 
>> eBay where I bought mine.
>>
>> Avantree Leaf Low Latency Bluetooth wireless AptX Stereo USB adapter
>>
>>
>>
>> On 9/10/2016 6:16 PM, Brian Olesen wrote:
>>> Dear list,
>>>
>>> My Lenovo laptop has a real bad sounding Bluetooth audio connection, 
>>> so I wonder what I can do to improve it.
>>>
>>> I've just board a wonderf

RE: SV: Problems with Bluetooth on a laptop

[John Gurd]

Sadly, I'm sending my Avantree adapter back to Amazon because I keep
experiencing dropouts and the range seems only to be a few feet. It's a
great shame because My Plantronics Back-Beat Pros sound really good using it
(better than my iPhone does) no doubt due to being able to take advantage of
the ADPTX format. Also the latency Is very good but I can't get past the
short range and dropouts. Don't know if it's faulty or what. I've tried it
in a number of ports and even a powered hub but no Joy. 

Regards

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Brian
Olesen
Sent: 10 October 2016 09:36
To: 'PC Audio Discussion List'
Subject: SV: SV: Problems with Bluetooth on a laptop

Hi,
Yeah I got it very cheep from ebay. Really useful information there.

Best regards
Brian

-Oprindelig meddelelse-
Fra: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] På vegne af John Gurd
Sendt: 10. oktober 2016 09:50
Til: 'PC Audio Discussion List' <pc-audio@pc-audio.org>
Emne: RE: SV: Problems with Bluetooth on a laptop

I've just ordered one of these as well for my PC. My present USb Bluetooth
dongle has terrible latency and is useless for audio. I got it on Amazon UK
for £24.99. 

John

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane
Trethowan
Sent: 09 October 2016 17:05
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: SV: Problems with Bluetooth on a laptop

It was a stroke of luck that I came upon this.



On 10/10/2016 3:03 AM, Brian Olesen wrote:
> Hi Dane,
> Again thank you very much.
>
> Brian
>
> -Oprindelig meddelelse-
> Fra: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] På vegne af Dane 
> Trethowan
> Sendt: 9. oktober 2016 17:31
> Til: PC Audio Discussion List <pc-audio@pc-audio.org>
> Emne: Re: Problems with Bluetooth on a laptop
>
> Right, here's my USB dongle so it should be easy enough to do a Google 
> search and see where you can buy one, either that or go to eBay where 
> I bought mine.
>
> Avantree Leaf Low Latency Bluetooth wireless AptX Stereo USB adapter
>
>
>
> On 9/10/2016 6:16 PM, Brian Olesen wrote:
>> Dear list,
>>
>> My Lenovo laptop has a real bad sounding Bluetooth audio connection, 
>> so I wonder what I can do to improve it.
>>
>> I've just board a wonderful pair of Bose Quiet Comfort 35 wireless 
>> headphones and I would like to use my laptop as audio source for them 
>> and off course wireless.
>>
>> However, a constant hissing low noise annoys me, when they are connected.
>>
>> The same noise doesn't acur, when they are connected for example to 
>> my iPhone or iPad.
>>
>>
>>
>> What would you do to get a good clean audio signal from such a machine?
>>
>> May Replacing the sound card help, but how can I maintain the 
>> Bluetooth connection?
>>
>> Thanks in advance.
>>
>>
>>
>> Best regards
>>
>> Brian
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ___
>>
>> Midimag-ex mailing list
>>
>><mailto:midimag...@mailman.midimag-xt.org>
>> midimag...@mailman.midimag-xt.org
>>
>>
>> <http://mailman.midimag-xt.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/midimag-ex>
>> http://mailman.midimag-xt.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/midimag-ex
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>

RE: SV: Problems with Bluetooth on a laptop

[John Gurd]

I've just ordered one of these as well for my PC. My present USb Bluetooth
dongle has terrible latency and is useless for audio. I got it on Amazon UK
for £24.99. 

John

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane
Trethowan
Sent: 09 October 2016 17:05
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: SV: Problems with Bluetooth on a laptop

It was a stroke of luck that I came upon this.



On 10/10/2016 3:03 AM, Brian Olesen wrote:
> Hi Dane,
> Again thank you very much.
>
> Brian
>
> -Oprindelig meddelelse-
> Fra: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] På vegne af Dane 
> Trethowan
> Sendt: 9. oktober 2016 17:31
> Til: PC Audio Discussion List 
> Emne: Re: Problems with Bluetooth on a laptop
>
> Right, here's my USB dongle so it should be easy enough to do a Google 
> search and see where you can buy one, either that or go to eBay where 
> I bought mine.
>
> Avantree Leaf Low Latency Bluetooth wireless AptX Stereo USB adapter
>
>
>
> On 9/10/2016 6:16 PM, Brian Olesen wrote:
>> Dear list,
>>
>> My Lenovo laptop has a real bad sounding Bluetooth audio connection, 
>> so I wonder what I can do to improve it.
>>
>> I've just board a wonderful pair of Bose Quiet Comfort 35 wireless 
>> headphones and I would like to use my laptop as audio source for them 
>> and off course wireless.
>>
>> However, a constant hissing low noise annoys me, when they are connected.
>>
>> The same noise doesn't acur, when they are connected for example to 
>> my iPhone or iPad.
>>
>>
>>
>> What would you do to get a good clean audio signal from such a machine?
>>
>> May Replacing the sound card help, but how can I maintain the 
>> Bluetooth connection?
>>
>> Thanks in advance.
>>
>>
>>
>> Best regards
>>
>> Brian
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ___
>>
>> Midimag-ex mailing list
>>
>>
>> midimag...@mailman.midimag-xt.org
>>
>>
>> 
>> http://mailman.midimag-xt.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/midimag-ex
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>

RE: IOS 10 And AirPlay

[John Gurd]

I just tried Airplay on my Stealth 2 using my iPod 6th gen with Apple Music.
Mary you're right, It wasn't as laggy as I thought and it's much better
having Voice Over on the device. It even sounded better. I'll use it from
now on. :)

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane
Trethowan
Sent: 04 October 2016 17:14
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: IOS 10 And AirPlay

I share your disappointment.

> On 5 Oct. 2016, at 3:11 am, Mary Otten <maryot...@comcast.net> wrote:
> 
> Yes. I was really looking forward to that in iOS 10. That was the feature
I most wanted as a matter of fact. And then it turned out to be useless.
Really disappointing, especially for Apple TV.
> Mary
> 
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>> On Oct 4, 2016, at 9:01 AM, John Gurd <j.g...@ntlworld.com> wrote:
>> 
>> Hmmm, Maybe I'll have another go with Airplay then. Incidentally, 
>> there was a rumour that IOS 10 was going to allow one to keep Voice 
>> Over on a device while playing audio over Bluetooth. I was 
>> disappointed when it didn't transpire. Instead, it allows you to have 
>> audio on one channel and Voice Over on the other.
>> 
>> John
>> 
>> 
>> -Original Message-
>> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of 
>> Mary Otten
>> Sent: 04 October 2016 16:32
>> To: PC Audio Discussion List
>> Subject: Re: IOS 10 And AirPlay
>> 
>> For anyone using an Apple device, there are some Stansel advantages 
>> to using airplay. For one thing, VoiceOver stays on your device and 
>> doesn't interfere with the music. For another, you can have multiple 
>> rooms playing from one Mac. Of course you have to have airport 
>> expresses. But it still beats Bluetooth for sound as far as I'm 
>> concerned. And not having VoiceOver interfering with my music is a 
>> huge advantage. And it's also less laggy Bluetooth. I have to 
>> disagree with John on that one. Trying to use my android device when 
>> I'm playing music through my mega boom speakers is not fun. Plus, I 
>> have a stereo downstairs. If I were stuck using Bluetooth, my Mac 
>> wouldn't reach there. And if I left my eye device upstairs and went 
>> downstairs for something, I'd be out of luck if I wanted to use that
downstairs stereo. Bluetooth won't go that far.
>> Mary
>> 
>> 
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> 
>>> On Oct 3, 2016, at 11:50 PM, Dane Trethowan 
>>> <grtd...@internode.on.net>
>> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Yes, you pretty much summed it up and I'll get to that in a moment.
>>> I've not heard of the speaker you mentioned but I do know of 
>>> something
>> that sounds similar, the new Bowers And Wilkins Zeplin wireless which 
>> has Bluetooth and Airplay facilities as well as Spotify Connect.
>>> Unfortunately Bowers And Wilkins have seen fit not to give the 
>>> Zeplin Air
>> DLNA connectivity, perhaps the thinking at B is that DLNA isn't as 
>> good as AirPlay.
>>> Now that Bluetooth AptX is in use widely I just don't see a future 
>>> for
>> AirPlay and the "Lag" exhibited by AirPlay is perhaps the most 
>> telling point in this discussion, absolutely no good for wireless
headphones for example.
>>> 
>>>> On 4 Oct. 2016, at 5:37 pm, John Gurd <j.g...@ntlworld.com> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> I've got a speaker in my loft called a Stealth Air 2 which has both 
>>>> Airplay and Bluetooth with a rather nifty little remote that lets 
>>>> you
>> select either.
>>>> I use Bluetooth every time. Less laggy for one thing.
>>>> 
>>>> John
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> -Original Message-
>>>> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of 
>>>> Dane Trethowan
>>>> Sent: 03 October 2016 12:37
>>>> To: PC Audio Discussion List
>>>> Subject: Re: IOS 10 And AirPlay
>>>> 
>>>> Hmm.. interesting point however take a look around you and count 
>>>> just how many AirPlayed enabled devices there are now compared to a 
>>>> few years
>> ago?
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>>> On 3/10/2016 5:32 PM, John Gurd wrote:
>>>>> Surely Apple wouldn't invent a whole system of Airplaying audio 
>>>>> using a method different from anyone else to thousands of 
>>>>> appliances designed just for it and depended upon by millions of 
>>>>> people just to get rid of it? No, that

RE: IOS 10 And AirPlay

[John Gurd]

It's the Azitom Stealth Air 2. I got it a few years ago so it's dropped in
price on Amazon. It's currently selling for £118. It's not Hi-Fi but sounds
pretty good. I use it when I'm exercising in the loft.

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Anders
Holmberg
Sent: 05 October 2016 01:37
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: IOS 10 And AirPlay

Hi!
Whats the name of that one?
That would be something for me if its not extremly expensive?
/AD
> 4 okt. 2016 kl. 08:37 skrev John Gurd <j.g...@ntlworld.com>:
> 
> I've got a speaker in my loft called a Stealth Air 2 which has both 
> Airplay and Bluetooth with a rather nifty little remote that lets you
select either.
> I use Bluetooth every time. Less laggy for one thing.
> 
> John
> 
> 
> -Original Message-
> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of 
> Dane Trethowan
> Sent: 03 October 2016 12:37
> To: PC Audio Discussion List
> Subject: Re: IOS 10 And AirPlay
> 
> Hmm.. interesting point however take a look around you and count just 
> how many AirPlayed enabled devices there are now compared to a few years
ago?
> 
> 
> 
> On 3/10/2016 5:32 PM, John Gurd wrote:
>> Surely Apple wouldn't invent a whole system of Airplaying audio using 
>> a method different from anyone else to thousands of appliances 
>> designed just for it and depended upon by millions of people just to 
>> get rid of it? No, that doesn't sound like Apple! (Grin)
>> 
>> John
>> 
>> -Original Message-
>> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of 
>> Dane Trethowan
>> Sent: 03 October 2016 04:15
>> To: PC Audio Discussion List
>> Subject: Re: IOS 10 And AirPlay
>> 
>> Still there yes but I'm given to wondering just how long for?
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> On 3/10/2016 1:14 PM, Mary Otten wrote:
>>> Well, they don't exactly advertise it, nor is it well labeled. At 
>>> least it
>> is still there.
>>> Mary
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>> 
>>>> On Oct 2, 2016, at 5:40 PM, Dane Trethowan 
>>>> <grtd...@internode.on.net>
>> wrote:
>>>> Okay thanks for that, I found the iPhone icon in the Control 
>>>> center, it
>> was where you said on page two, would never have known about it had 
>> you not mentioned it.
>>>> 
>>>> **
>>>> 
>>>> Those with negative attitudes are a problem, those with positive 
>>>> outlooks
>> are the solution.
>>>> 
>>>>> On 3 Oct. 2016, at 7:06 am, Mary Otten <maryot...@comcast.net> wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>> You can still get to the audio airplay in control center, although 
>>>>> you
>> might not know it because it's in adequately labeled. If you go to 
>> "page 2, in your control center view, by doing the iOS page change 
>> three finger flick, one of the things you will see in there with 
>> other music controls is the announcement iPhone, assuming you were 
>> using an iPhone. Or it might say iPad, if you're using an iPad. 
>> Double tap on that, and you will see all the choices of whatever 
>> other airplay and able audio devices you have. This is true for the 
>> Amazon music app and the Apple Music app. I assume it's true in 
>> general, although those are the only two I tried. Frankly, I like the 
>> option of having the air play control it within the app. That's how 
>> it used to be before they moved
> it to control center. And I wish they would put it back.
>> Or at least wish they would have the flexibility for app developers 
>> to include that airplay functionality right in the main screen of the 
>> app. That was the most convenient I thought.
>>>>> Mary
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>> 
>>>>>> On Oct 2, 2016, at 12:27 PM, Dane Trethowan 
>>>>>> <grtd...@internode.on.net>
>> wrote:
>>>>>> Has anyone bothered to use IOS 10 with AirPlay?
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> I'm wondering if you've noticed what I have if you go into the 
>>>>>> control
>> center and activate AirPlay from there.
>>>>>> On my iPhone I only see the option to Mirror to an Apple TV - 
>>>>>> which I
>> don't have at the moment - and I don't see an option to stream audio 
>> to any other compatible device.
>>>>>> The only way I know of to get around this is to go into the Music 
>>>>>> App,
>> launch the mini player view and select an AirPlay device from there, 
>> a little annoying to have to perform that extra step but at least I 
>> can still select my AirPlay device of choice in a roundabout way it 
>> has to be
> said.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
> 
> 
> 

RE: Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signature Headphones Review | StereoNET

[John Gurd]

These would definitely be worth a demo. They come over as sit-down, undivided 
attention headphones given their weight and bulk. Despite the remote cord 
supplied I can't see myself toting them about in my shoulder bag on a daily 
commute.

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
Trethowan
Sent: 05 October 2016 04:19
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signature Headphones Review | StereoNET

Since these cans are under discussion I thought I'd go in search of a review 
and this is an interesting read.
Those who know the B P7 cans - as I do - can look at some interesting 
comparisons between P7 and P9.
Should you upgrade? Well in the end that decision is between both you and your 
bank manager  but the review certainly puts forward some very compelling 
reasons as to why the Bowers and Wilkins P9 cans should be on a future shopping 
list.
http://www.stereo.net.au/reviews/bowers-wilkins-p9-signature-headphones-review 

RE: Bowers And Wilkins Speakers

[John Gurd]

Hi Dane
Yes, I've had the following set up for about ten years. 
B CWM8180 left right and centre speakers 
B MT1 rear speakers 
Linn Sizmik sub-woofer

Sadly, all the above are now obsolete so it's not much help to you. The fact I 
have kept them so long shows I have been very happy with the products. Mind 
you, it could also show I couldn't afford to replace them either! I am still 
very happy with the sound. The centre speaker blew a driver a couple of years 
ago and I was lucky to get a part to replace it as I was warned there weren't 
many left. 

The mistake I made at the time I bought them was having the 3 front speakers 
built into a purpose built media cabinet. We were having the living room 
completely renovated at the time and my wife has always hated my previous floor 
standing speakers with a passion because of their size and the trailing cables. 
She hates wires. She says when I die she will wrap me in all the wire I have 
around the house and bury me in them! So the cabinet was a way of hiding the 
cables. I even had the cables leading to the rear speakers plastered into the 
wall. The problem I have now is that when I have to replace the front speakers 
I will either have to find something the same size that will fit the cabinet or 
get rid of a very expensive and elaborate piece of furniture. Secretly I would 
like to go back to floor standing speakers one day but she will kill me!

John

-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
Trethowan
Sent: 03 October 2016 00:43
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Bowers And Wilkins Speakers

Hi John!
You mention you have some Bowers And Wilkins speakers as part of your system so 
which models do you have? I m looking at their range of floor standing models 
for the lounge, a bit of saving to do to own a pair of those but - if the B 
A5, A7 and Z2 active speaker systems which I ve owned are anything to go by - 
then a year s saving will be well worth the wait, any additional comments?

> On 3 Oct. 2016, at 5:12 am, John Gurd <j.g...@ntlworld.com> wrote:
> 
> Hi Jim
> I just saw your enquiry. I don't have the Sonos Conect:Amp, but I do have the 
> Sonos Connect. So I don't know how good the Connect Amp is at powering 
> Speakers and How they would sound. I got the Connect which feeds my Arcam 
> AVR750 receiver with a digital signal which in turn powers a 5.1 set of B 
> speakers. I use the Connect with Wi-Fi and listen to streaming media from 
> Apple Music and Amazon. There is never any buffering or dropout. It sounds 
> surprisingly excellent with these music sources. I expected it to sound 
> inferior to my old Logitech Transporter but it doesn't. I never got around to 
> listening to uncompressed music on it yet which I hope should sound even 
> better. The only drawback may be that it can't play HD audio sources by which 
> I mean anything sampled above 48000 or 24bit. But anything at CD quality is 
> very good. 
> 
> As the Connect:Amp has its own amplification stage I can't comment on that 
> side of things from a personal experience. I will say that my other Sonos 
> equipment i.e.: a stereo pair of the small Sonos Play 1 speakers sound very 
> good for their size.
> 
> John
> 
> -Original Message-
> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of 
> Dane Trethowan
> Sent: 29 September 2016 19:21
> To: PC Audio Discussion List
> Subject: Re: SonosConnectAmp.
> 
> I don t own one though I certainly will be looking at one in the coming days.
> The Songs connect gets good write-ups and I m looking forward to using one 
> for two reasons, I m looking forward to having a play with the Songs App and 
> I m looking forward to using the digital output on my system with my DAC.
> 
>> On 30 Sep. 2016, at 4:16 am, Jim Noseworthy 
>> <jim.nosewor...@compuconference.com> wrote:
>> 
>> HiGang:
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Can anyone on this list comment about the quality of the Sonos 
>> Connect Amp":?
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Thanks all over the place.
>> 
>> 
>> 
> 
> **
> Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will leave the rest of the 
> halfwits in this world behind.
> 
> 
> 
> 

**
Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will leave the rest of the 
halfwits in this world behind.

RE: IOS 10 And AirPlay

[John Gurd]

I've got a speaker in my loft called a Stealth Air 2 which has both Airplay
and Bluetooth with a rather nifty little remote that lets you select either.
I use Bluetooth every time. Less laggy for one thing.

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane
Trethowan
Sent: 03 October 2016 12:37
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: IOS 10 And AirPlay

Hmm.. interesting point however take a look around you and count just how
many AirPlayed enabled devices there are now compared to a few years ago?



On 3/10/2016 5:32 PM, John Gurd wrote:
> Surely Apple wouldn't invent a whole system of Airplaying audio using 
> a method different from anyone else to thousands of appliances 
> designed just for it and depended upon by millions of people just to 
> get rid of it? No, that doesn't sound like Apple! (Grin)
>
> John
>
> -Original Message-
> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of 
> Dane Trethowan
> Sent: 03 October 2016 04:15
> To: PC Audio Discussion List
> Subject: Re: IOS 10 And AirPlay
>
> Still there yes but I'm given to wondering just how long for?
>
>
>
> On 3/10/2016 1:14 PM, Mary Otten wrote:
>> Well, they don't exactly advertise it, nor is it well labeled. At 
>> least it
> is still there.
>> Mary
>>
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>>> On Oct 2, 2016, at 5:40 PM, Dane Trethowan 
>>> <grtd...@internode.on.net>
> wrote:
>>> Okay thanks for that, I found the iPhone icon in the Control center, 
>>> it
> was where you said on page two, would never have known about it had 
> you not mentioned it.
>>>
>>> **
>>>
>>> Those with negative attitudes are a problem, those with positive 
>>> outlooks
> are the solution.
>>>
>>>> On 3 Oct. 2016, at 7:06 am, Mary Otten <maryot...@comcast.net> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> You can still get to the audio airplay in control center, although 
>>>> you
> might not know it because it's in adequately labeled. If you go to 
> "page 2, in your control center view, by doing the iOS page change 
> three finger flick, one of the things you will see in there with other 
> music controls is the announcement iPhone, assuming you were using an 
> iPhone. Or it might say iPad, if you're using an iPad. Double tap on 
> that, and you will see all the choices of whatever other airplay and 
> able audio devices you have. This is true for the Amazon music app and 
> the Apple Music app. I assume it's true in general, although those are 
> the only two I tried. Frankly, I like the option of having the air 
> play control it within the app. That's how it used to be before they moved
it to control center. And I wish they would put it back.
> Or at least wish they would have the flexibility for app developers to 
> include that airplay functionality right in the main screen of the 
> app. That was the most convenient I thought.
>>>> Mary
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>
>>>>> On Oct 2, 2016, at 12:27 PM, Dane Trethowan 
>>>>> <grtd...@internode.on.net>
> wrote:
>>>>> Has anyone bothered to use IOS 10 with AirPlay?
>>>>>
>>>>> I'm wondering if you've noticed what I have if you go into the 
>>>>> control
> center and activate AirPlay from there.
>>>>> On my iPhone I only see the option to Mirror to an Apple TV - 
>>>>> which I
> don't have at the moment - and I don't see an option to stream audio 
> to any other compatible device.
>>>>> The only way I know of to get around this is to go into the Music 
>>>>> App,
> launch the mini player view and select an AirPlay device from there, a 
> little annoying to have to perform that extra step but at least I can 
> still select my AirPlay device of choice in a roundabout way it has to be
said.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>
>
>

RE: Sonos Connect AMP.

[John Gurd]

Hi Dane
Regarding your comments on the Sonos Speakers and their limitations. I wouldn't 
argue. Just a point of clarification: they don't do Bluetooth - none of the 
range do. I like my Sonos Play 1's which I use in the bedroom, but they would 
be so much better with Bluetooth. They do play the music directly from an IOS 
device using Wi-Fi (but not Airplay) so long as it is from the native Music 
App. So you can't play music from any other audio app. I use them mostly with 
Apple Music service, Amazon Prime and Tune-In Radio which is a built in service.

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
Trethowan
Sent: 29 September 2016 12:13
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: Sonos Connect AMP.

Well firstly and someone may correct me on this, the songs connect needs an amp 
to run with and I can t see any logical reason as to why you couldn t use your 
Songs connect with your existing 5.1 system, you d probably want to use a 
digital connection as a link between the Connect and your system, I m sure your 
system would have at least 1 digital input - either coax or optical, the Songs 
Connect will handle it -.
Asfar as Sonos Speakers go? I ve never seen much value in them myself either 
though again, if that s what people want then that s fair enough.
Wy don t I see much value in Songs Play speaker systems? Because - to my way of 
thinking - they re too limited.
The two cheapest models - last time I looked - didn t even have an Aux-in 
connection so one had to get the top Songs Play3 I think the model is for 
around $900 if I remember rightly.
Even then - if you wanted stereo sound from that speaker - you needed two to 
make a stereo set, that s a lot of money for a set of stereo speakers when 
there are far better options out there for this sort of money.
Then there s the fact that Sonos systems don t support HD audio, not a feature 
that most would worry about I suspect but for that amount of money? Yeah, i d 
be furious given I have a collection of HD files.
And finally, Sonos doesn t support AirPlay - not sure if it supports bluetooth 
-, the only way you ll get AirPlay working is to buy a Songs Play3 and connect 
an Airport Express or something similar to the Aux-in jack and no, the Aux-in 
is only analogue believe it or not.
As for the Songs Connect? I reckon that s a far better value for money 
proposition for most people in most cases given they already have existing 
systems of one form or another.
I opted for the Bowers And Wilkins A7 as people would know and the A7 is 
flexible in many ways, firstly it can be connected to the USB port of a 
computer - Mac or Windows - thus acts as a Computer desktop system.
Then the A7 supports AirPlay.
On top of that the A7 has both analogue and digital inputs, only one of each 
but that will do - so I ve taken advantage of the digital input to connect my 
Sangean DDR66 desktop music system which plays CD S - multi format -, can play 
audio files from a SD card or USB stick, has Internet radio along with Digital 
and FM Radio, Spotify connect, can stream from DLNA devices and - on top of all 
that - has a nice IOS/Android controller App, yes quite a powerful little 
system for my bedside table.
So that s one option and there are many other good options from where that one 
came from.

> On 29 Sep. 2016, at 8:22 pm, Jim Noseworthy 
>  wrote:
> 
> Hi Gang:
> 
> 
> 
> I've been looking at Sonos equipment and, I am very impressed with the 
> connectivity to music services and the accessibility of the Sonos app.  
> I am, however, at a loss as to why the Sonos system would be 
> considered as a serious first line stereo system in the home.  Even 
> though the Play:5 is a remarkable speaker system, it is, after all, still a 
> portable speaker.
> 
> 
> 
> I can certainly see the awesome value in a Sonos Connect being 
> utilized on an existing stereo system: which brings me to my point. I 
> have an old HarmonCarton 5.1 amplifier and I would like to replace it.  
> Therefore, what is the good, the bad, and the ugly, concerning the Sonos 
> Connect Amplifier.
> 
> 
> 
> BTW: are most of you Sonos owners using the sub-woofer?
> 
> 
> 
> Thanks all over the place gang.
> 

**
Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will leave the rest of the 
halfwits in this world behind.

RE: Sonos Connect:Amp.

[John Gurd]

Hi Jim
I just saw your enquiry. I don't have the Sonos Conect:Amp, but I do have the 
Sonos Connect. So I don't know how good the Connect Amp is at powering Speakers 
and How they would sound. I got the Connect which feeds my Arcam AVR750 
receiver with a digital signal which in turn powers a 5.1 set of B speakers. 
I use the Connect with Wi-Fi and listen to streaming media from Apple Music and 
Amazon. There is never any buffering or dropout. It sounds surprisingly 
excellent with these music sources. I expected it to sound inferior to my old 
Logitech Transporter but it doesn't. I never got around to listening to 
uncompressed music on it yet which I hope should sound even better. The only 
drawback may be that it can't play HD audio sources by which I mean anything 
sampled above 48000 or 24bit. But anything at CD quality is very good. 

As the Connect:Amp has its own amplification stage I can't comment on that side 
of things from a personal experience. I will say that my other Sonos equipment 
i.e.: a stereo pair of the small Sonos Play 1 speakers sound very good for 
their size.

John

-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
Trethowan
Sent: 29 September 2016 19:21
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: SonosConnectAmp.

I don t own one though I certainly will be looking at one in the coming days.
The Songs connect gets good write-ups and I m looking forward to using one for 
two reasons, I m looking forward to having a play with the Songs App and I m 
looking forward to using the digital output on my system with my DAC.

> On 30 Sep. 2016, at 4:16 am, Jim Noseworthy 
>  wrote:
> 
> HiGang:
> 
> 
> 
> Can anyone on this list comment about the quality of the Sonos Connect 
> Amp":?
> 
> 
> 
> Thanks all over the place.
> 
> 
> 

**
Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will leave the rest of the 
halfwits in this world behind.

RE: B P7 Wireless review | What Hi-Fi?

[John Gurd]

Hmm, I've got a good sounding pair of wireless headphones just now with some 
great features, namely the Plantronics Pros, but these seem like they ought to 
be excellent. Don't know if I can justify the outlay but I'm tempted... If you 
get to hear them let us know what you think.

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
Trethowan
Sent: 16 September 2016 02:15
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: B P7 Wireless review | What Hi-Fi?

And here�s another review Bowers And Wilkins themselves put up on their Twitter 
feed, they must be pretty happy chap�s I should think.


> http://www.whathifi.com/bw/p7-wireless/review#node-content-start 
> 


**
Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will leave the rest of the 
halfwits in this world behind.

RE: Bowers & Wilkins P7 Wireless headphones review: They sound better than the original

[John Gurd]

We will await your report with interest, Dane (smiles)

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
Trethowan
Sent: 15 September 2016 19:21
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: Bowers & Wilkins P7 Wireless headphones review: They sound better 
than the original

I have the originals myself though one does have to wonder just how good they 
are if they're selling for the same price as the originals which they are, 
anyway I've made arrangements to go take a listen myself.



On 16/09/2016 3:16 AM, John Gurd wrote:
> If these are as good as they claim, I'd be sorely tempted even though I've 
> got the original P7's already.
>
> John
>
>
> -Original Message-
> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of 
> Dane Trethowan
> Sent: 14 September 2016 18:56
> To: PC Audio Discussion List
> Subject: Re: Bowers & Wilkins P7 Wireless headphones review: They 
> sound better than the original
>
> I?ve owned an original Bowers And Wilkins P7 set for around 12 months now I 
> think it is.
> Like you I would never claim that they?re the best cans around but I reckon 
> they?re damn good all the same so I?ll be making a point of going to my local 
> Hi-Fi store to give these babies a listen.
>
>> On 14 Sep 2016, at 11:46 PM, Mary Otten <maryot...@comcast.net> wrote:
>>
>> Theo Nicolakis
> **
> Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will leave the rest of the 
> halfwits in this world behind.
>
>
>
>

RE: Bowers & Wilkins P7 Wireless headphones review: They sound better than the original

[John Gurd]

If these are as good as they claim, I'd be sorely tempted even though I've got 
the original P7's already.

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
Trethowan
Sent: 14 September 2016 18:56
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: Bowers & Wilkins P7 Wireless headphones review: They sound better 
than the original

I�ve owned an original Bowers And Wilkins P7 set for around 12 months now I 
think it is.
Like you I would never claim that they�re the best cans around but I reckon 
they�re damn good all the same so I�ll be making a point of going to my local 
Hi-Fi store to give these babies a listen.

> On 14 Sep 2016, at 11:46 PM, Mary Otten  wrote:
> 
> Theo Nicolakis

**
Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will leave the rest of the 
halfwits in this world behind.

RE: Apple TV, how's it getting on?

[John Gurd]

Hi Dane
I am embarrassed to say I have done very little with my Apple TV for some 
months. It kind of got overtaken by the Sonos Connect which I've been using to 
access my Apple Music account instead as I can also use it for Amazon Prime 
music too. To be honest I think it sounds better too. 

I got a Bluetooth keyboard to pair with the Apple TV and still haven't got 
around to it. I think it's due a TVOS update so I'll make a point of 
reacquainting myself with it and let you know if there's anything of interest.

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
Trethowan
Sent: 13 September 2016 01:56
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Apple TV, how's it getting on?

Hi!

I know several list members own an Apple TV 4th gen so I'm curious to know how 
the Apple TV experience is coming along, have there been any major updates or 
changes?

I have an Android Neo box in my ounge which I really love but I am thinking of 
an Apple TV in the Den now where I have my old Samsung 19 inch TV so can just 
plug the Apple TV directly into that.

RE: Apple Music Challenges Spotify with Playlists

[John Gurd]

Oh I just realised, I'm a bit ahead of myself. IOS 10 is released tomorrow,
Tuesday, not today. Looks like I'll have to kerb my excitement for another
24 hours (smiles).

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Mary
Otten
Sent: 12 September 2016 18:11
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: Apple Music Challenges Spotify with Playlists

Hi John,
Apple Music is definitely better in iOS 10. When you try it, I would be
curious how you compare it with Spotify, since that is a service I was
considering until I put the beta on my iPhone and started saying how much
better Apple Music suggestions were for me. They have playlists the change
every day and suggested albums that  change every day.
Mary


Sent from my iPhone

> On Sep 12, 2016, at 10:06 AM, John Gurd <j.g...@ntlworld.com> wrote:
> 
> Ah well, Dane, you're making the mistake a lot of people do when you 
> equate new music with Top 40. Personally, I can't stand Top 40 either, 
> but I am interested in experimental, alternative and World music that 
> will never get into the charts, and even very occasionally, jazz and
classical.
> 
> In fact I've been considering switching from Apple Music and trying 
> out Spotify for this reason. I heard a fascinating interview with the 
> guy in charge of writing music algorithms for Spotify, and they sound 
> way in advance of Apple's. They are much better at serving up what you 
> are likely to like as well as old favourites and obscure stuff you 
> might not have heard. Up to now I've found Apple's offerings very 
> pedestrian and predictable and they just keep offering more of the 
> same. An interesting thing about Spotify is that they keep an eye on 
> listeners who tend to be consistently ahead of the curve in the music 
> you may be interested in and use their delvings to inform the 
> algorithms that help you discover new music. So the clever thing is 
> that it's not just what the big music corporations have decided what
should be in the charts.
> 
> Anyway, having heard that Apple seems to be becoming more like Spotify 
> in the way the app works I'll hold off and try it in IOS 10 before 
> trying out Spotify.
> 
> John
> 
> 
> -Original Message-
> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of 
> Mary Otten
> Sent: 12 September 2016 02:31
> To: PC Audio Discussion List
> Subject: Re: Apple Music Challenges Spotify with Playlists
> 
> Well, I can't speak for Spotify, but one of the nice things about the 
> newly reorganized Apple Music in iOS 10 is that you get every day, 
> some albums that it think she will like, based on what it knows about 
> your listening habits. You also get to view new releases and genres 
> that it thinks you like, based on what it knows about your listening 
> habits. I assume Spotify must do something similar in their discovery tab.
> 
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>> On Sep 11, 2016, at 6:27 PM, Dane Trethowan 
>> <grtd...@internode.on.net>
> wrote:
>> 
>> Seems as though Apple Music and Spotify are going to be the big 
>> players in
> the Music Subscription business before long.
>> One thing I'm puzzled about though and perhaps someone can answer 
>> this,
> why do Apple Music and Spotify always concentrate on "New Music", most 
> new music I absolutely despise - I'm not a listener to Top 40 radio 
> and haven't been for 20 years or more along with a whole heap of otehr 
> people Im sure - .
>> 
> http://www.radiotoday.com.au/news/whats-new/9640-apple-music-challenge
> s-spot
> ify-with-playlists.html
>> 
> 
> 
> 

RE: Apple Music Challenges Spotify with Playlists

[John Gurd]

Thanks Mary, that's encouraging. I think I'll go see if the official IOS 10
is available. The IOS release  usually appears here in the UK around 6pm.
Mind you, there are bound to be at least a few Voice Over bugs and it can be
frustrating when they take months to fix.

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Mary
Otten
Sent: 12 September 2016 18:11
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: Apple Music Challenges Spotify with Playlists

Hi John,
Apple Music is definitely better in iOS 10. When you try it, I would be
curious how you compare it with Spotify, since that is a service I was
considering until I put the beta on my iPhone and started saying how much
better Apple Music suggestions were for me. They have playlists the change
every day and suggested albums that  change every day.
Mary


Sent from my iPhone

> On Sep 12, 2016, at 10:06 AM, John Gurd <j.g...@ntlworld.com> wrote:
> 
> Ah well, Dane, you're making the mistake a lot of people do when you 
> equate new music with Top 40. Personally, I can't stand Top 40 either, 
> but I am interested in experimental, alternative and World music that 
> will never get into the charts, and even very occasionally, jazz and
classical.
> 
> In fact I've been considering switching from Apple Music and trying 
> out Spotify for this reason. I heard a fascinating interview with the 
> guy in charge of writing music algorithms for Spotify, and they sound 
> way in advance of Apple's. They are much better at serving up what you 
> are likely to like as well as old favourites and obscure stuff you 
> might not have heard. Up to now I've found Apple's offerings very 
> pedestrian and predictable and they just keep offering more of the 
> same. An interesting thing about Spotify is that they keep an eye on 
> listeners who tend to be consistently ahead of the curve in the music 
> you may be interested in and use their delvings to inform the 
> algorithms that help you discover new music. So the clever thing is 
> that it's not just what the big music corporations have decided what
should be in the charts.
> 
> Anyway, having heard that Apple seems to be becoming more like Spotify 
> in the way the app works I'll hold off and try it in IOS 10 before 
> trying out Spotify.
> 
> John
> 
> 
> -Original Message-
> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of 
> Mary Otten
> Sent: 12 September 2016 02:31
> To: PC Audio Discussion List
> Subject: Re: Apple Music Challenges Spotify with Playlists
> 
> Well, I can't speak for Spotify, but one of the nice things about the 
> newly reorganized Apple Music in iOS 10 is that you get every day, 
> some albums that it think she will like, based on what it knows about 
> your listening habits. You also get to view new releases and genres 
> that it thinks you like, based on what it knows about your listening 
> habits. I assume Spotify must do something similar in their discovery tab.
> 
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>> On Sep 11, 2016, at 6:27 PM, Dane Trethowan 
>> <grtd...@internode.on.net>
> wrote:
>> 
>> Seems as though Apple Music and Spotify are going to be the big 
>> players in
> the Music Subscription business before long.
>> One thing I'm puzzled about though and perhaps someone can answer 
>> this,
> why do Apple Music and Spotify always concentrate on "New Music", most 
> new music I absolutely despise - I'm not a listener to Top 40 radio 
> and haven't been for 20 years or more along with a whole heap of otehr 
> people Im sure - .
>> 
> http://www.radiotoday.com.au/news/whats-new/9640-apple-music-challenge
> s-spot
> ify-with-playlists.html
>> 
> 
> 
> 

RE: Apple Music Challenges Spotify with Playlists

[John Gurd]

Ah well, Dane, you're making the mistake a lot of people do when you equate
new music with Top 40. Personally, I can't stand Top 40 either, but I am
interested in experimental, alternative and World music that will never get
into the charts, and even very occasionally, jazz and classical. 

In fact I've been considering switching from Apple Music and trying out
Spotify for this reason. I heard a fascinating interview with the guy in
charge of writing music algorithms for Spotify, and they sound way in
advance of Apple's. They are much better at serving up what you are likely
to like as well as old favourites and obscure stuff you might not have
heard. Up to now I've found Apple's offerings very pedestrian and
predictable and they just keep offering more of the same. An interesting
thing about Spotify is that they keep an eye on listeners who tend to be
consistently ahead of the curve in the music you may be interested in and
use their delvings to inform the algorithms that help you discover new
music. So the clever thing is that it's not just what the big music
corporations have decided what should be in the charts.

Anyway, having heard that Apple seems to be becoming more like Spotify in
the way the app works I'll hold off and try it in IOS 10 before trying out
Spotify. 

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Mary
Otten
Sent: 12 September 2016 02:31
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: Apple Music Challenges Spotify with Playlists

Well, I can't speak for Spotify, but one of the nice things about the newly
reorganized Apple Music in iOS 10 is that you get every day, some albums
that it think she will like, based on what it knows about your listening
habits. You also get to view new releases and genres that it thinks you
like, based on what it knows about your listening habits. I assume Spotify
must do something similar in their discovery tab.


Sent from my iPhone

> On Sep 11, 2016, at 6:27 PM, Dane Trethowan 
wrote:
> 
> Seems as though Apple Music and Spotify are going to be the big players in
the Music Subscription business before long.
> One thing I'm puzzled about though and perhaps someone can answer this,
why do Apple Music and Spotify always concentrate on "New Music", most new
music I absolutely despise - I'm not a listener to Top 40 radio and haven't
been for 20 years or more along with a whole heap of otehr people Im sure -
.
>
http://www.radiotoday.com.au/news/whats-new/9640-apple-music-challenges-spot
ify-with-playlists.html 
> 

RE: So the new iPhone 7 has been announced

[John Gurd]

Actually, I wouldn't mind so much about the removal of the jack if Apple 
granted licence to use the lightning connector to others free of charge. As 
things stand any headphone manufacturer making use of the lightning connector 
has to pay Apple a fee as Apple holds the patent. That will unnecessarily 
restrict the numbers of manufacturers to those with the cash and willing to 
design products just for Apple gear that are useless for anything else.

Oh, by the way, the pods that come with the iPhone are lightening,, you have to 
pay 150 bucks for the airpods. And to date Apple don't even use the optional 
Bluetooth lossless APTEX standard

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Tim Noonan
Sent: 08 September 2016 01:54
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: So the new iPhone 7 has been announced

The Airpots are still using Bluetooth, but wrapped in all sorts of Apple secret 
sauce.

Probably some aspects from the now announced BT 5.0 spec.

Here is a fuller description of the justification for removing the headphone 
jack and the Airpod tech and design.

Inside iPhone 7: Why Apple Killed The Headphone Jack - BuzzFeed News 
https://t.co/TV2Kps3Mvz 

On 8 Sep 2016, at 9:15 AM, Hamit Campos  wrote:

Yeah not much was said but it sounds like they are more wireless than blue 
tooth. They talked trach about blue tooth. I mean just to say that they didn't 
seem keen to use it. So I guess it's some kind of wireless like wireless 
headphones and keyboards use. Which for distance is much better. Leo Laporte 
and Andy Anatco were pissed about the jack. They kept insisting that they could 
have kept it. But that would mean the phone would have to be wider at best. 
Right? AAlso I agree with Shiller time to cut the cord. Cords always tangle 
especially the cheep spegetty cord like Apple themselves use for the ear pods. 
Or you could axidentally step on them and break something like I've done to my 
Bose OE2I head phone kable. Stuff like that. I agree it's not fare for those 
that have bought mad expensive stuff that is corded but oh well se la vi. At 
least they give ya an adaptor.

-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
Trethowan
Sent: Wednesday, September 7, 2016 6:46 PM
To: PC Audio Discussion List 
Subject: So the new iPhone 7 has been announced

Indeed it has and no real surprises.
The headphones socket has gone to make way for another speaker - thus stereo 
speakers which should dramatically improve the sound of the phone - and that 
can only be a plus.
According to the blurb I read the iPhone comes with two very nice additions, a 
lightning dock to 3.5MM headphones adapter and a set of Airbuds, interesting to 
know whether these use AirPlay, Bluetooth or yet another standard? I wasn�t 
presented with much information on them.
No mention of atpX unfortunately, at least we have the dock where we can plug 
in DAC�s if better sound is what we�re after or we have AirPlay.
I�ll still be holding onto my iPhone 6 having spent a small fortune on the 
Arcam DAC .

**
Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will leave the rest of the 
halfwits in this world behind.






Tim Noonan
Consultant  Speaker  Coach

Phone:   +61 419 779 669
Email:   t...@timnoonan.com.au
Skype:   VoiceReadings
Twitter: twitter.com/TimNoonan

Coaching & Consulting:  www.timnoonan.com.au
Inspirational Speaking: www.visionarycommunications.com.au
Gemwater Bottles:   www.timnoonan.com.au/water
Voice Readings: www.voicereadings.com

RE: So the new iPhone 7 has been announced

[John Gurd]

Ah, but now with the removal of the 3.5mm jack you'll be able to listen 
underwater... (smiles)

-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of JOHN RIEHL
Sent: 08 September 2016 01:52
To: 'PC Audio Discussion List'
Subject: RE: So the new iPhone 7 has been announced

Actually, there's a difference between "whining" and legitimate complaints 
about a feature that one values that is now lost. If I were gaining something 
substantial by losing the headphone jack I'd feel better about it, but I'm 
losing a substantial capability -- the ability to use headphones and charge my 
phone at the same time. As I said, I take train trips lasting several hours and 
listen to books, etc, while charging my phone. 

-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
Trethowan
Sent: Wednesday, September 07, 2016 8:38 PM
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: So the new iPhone 7 has been announced

Whilst I don�t travel on planes I do have a hearing impairment -a profound one 
at that - thus I believe I�m in a position to comment as I have done.
There are ways around the charging problem  as you put it, I�ve seen cases 
already that have one or two additional lightning dock connectors.
As far as listening on a plan goes? Well my hearing instruments I reckon would 
be up to the job not that I�ve had absolute personal experience in this area 
given its a bit risky flying on planes with my particular hearing condition but 
that�s bye the bye and not of particular interest to this list.
I think the main problem here is that a lot of folks would rather just whine 
about it all.

> On 8 Sep 2016, at 10:28 AM, JOHN RIEHL  wrote:
> 
> What you don't realize is that for some folks who are deaf or hard of 
> hearing, or people like me who travel on trains and planes, having the 
> ability to use headphones and charge your phones is pretty important. 
> I resent having a substantive capability taken away for the sake of 
> "thinness". 
> 
> 
> -Original Message-
> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Hamit 
> Campos
> Sent: Wednesday, September 07, 2016 7:16 PM
> To: 'PC Audio Discussion List'
> Subject: RE: So the new iPhone 7 has been announced
> 
> Yeah not much was said but it sounds like they are more wireless than blue 
> tooth. They talked trach about blue tooth. I mean just to say that they 
> didn't seem keen to use it. So I guess it's some kind of wireless like 
> wireless headphones and keyboards use. Which for distance is much better. Leo 
> Laporte and Andy Anatco were pissed about the jack. They kept insisting that 
> they could have kept it. But that would mean the phone would have to be wider 
> at best. Right? AAlso I agree with Shiller time to cut the cord. Cords always 
> tangle especially the cheep spegetty cord like Apple themselves use for the 
> ear pods. Or you could axidentally step on them and break something like I've 
> done to my Bose OE2I head phone kable. Stuff like that. I agree it's not fare 
> for those that have bought mad expensive stuff that is corded but oh well se 
> la vi. At least they give ya an adaptor.
> 
> -Original Message-
> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
> Trethowan
> Sent: Wednesday, September 7, 2016 6:46 PM
> To: PC Audio Discussion List 
> Subject: So the new iPhone 7 has been announced
> 
> Indeed it has and no real surprises.
> The headphones socket has gone to make way for another speaker - thus stereo 
> speakers which should dramatically improve the sound of the phone - and that 
> can only be a plus.
> According to the blurb I read the iPhone comes with two very nice additions, 
> a lightning dock to 3.5MM headphones adapter and a set of Airbuds, 
> interesting to know whether these use AirPlay, Bluetooth or yet another 
> standard? I wasn�t presented with much information on them.
> No mention of atpX unfortunately, at least we have the dock where we can plug 
> in DAC�s if better sound is what we�re after or we have AirPlay.
> I�ll still be holding onto my iPhone 6 having spent a small fortune on the 
> Arcam DAC .
> 
> **
> Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will leave the rest of the 
> halfwits in this world behind.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 

**
Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will leave the rest of the 
halfwits in this world behind.

RE: Article: High-end music player has a Raspberry Pi running Raspbian inside

[John Gurd]

I see it uses Ethernet and has no wireless connection. I struggle to get a good 
Ethernet connection in my livingroom these days. My router is upstairs and I've 
used a Powerline adaptor in the past but for some reason this is no longer 
working for me. 

The user interface is always the issue, I haven't heard of Roon software and 
would be pleasantly surprised if it was accessible. Even web browser interfaces 
aren't necessarily going to work with screen readers. I see you can use it with 
SqueezeBox software... I wonder if that's the same interface as my old 
Transporter, which was largely accessible. Pity there isn't an easy way to get 
hold of these things and try before you buy, eh? :)

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
Trethowan
Sent: 27 August 2016 17:54
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Article: High-end music player has a Raspberry Pi running Raspbian 
inside

Now my mouth is watering and I wonder just how much use one without sight could 
get from one of these things?
Given the support from the manufacturer - and the fact that each component is 
well documented along with open source - I reckon we'd be in for a good chance.
http://hackerboards.com/high-end-music-player-has-a-raspberry-pi-inside/

RE: Desktop computer speakers

[John Gurd]

Hi Casey, 
I don't live in the US so can't tell you but I imagine Amazon might be a good 
start.

John



-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Casey
Sent: 24 August 2016 01:56
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: Desktop computer speakers

Hi sorry I didn't state this before I live in the united states.
So where can I get one of thees cards and how much would I have to shell out 
for on in the states?
Sorry I didn't say that before.

a
--
Casey

RE: Desktop computer speakers

[John Gurd]

Hi Andy,
I don't use a Mac as yet, but I'm sure you won't have a problem getting your 
music, MP3's and the like, onto your Mac. I was talking about media like DVDs 
that's got copyright protection built in. I think the only issue transferring 
data is that Apple Macs use a different file system on hard drives, so an 
external drive might need to be converted from NTFS to something an Apple or 
both machines can use. One thought might be to use a NAS to store stuff you 
want to access from both machines as they can be set up to be seen by both. 
Someone more qualified than I might point you in the right direction, and of 
course, as Dane would say, Google is your friend. :)

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Andy
Sent: 23 August 2016 20:49
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: Desktop computer speakers

Hi John.

Don't frighten me with words such as copywright protection!

I've spent a load of cash on my Imac and Macbook pro, and audio, either through 
movies, books or music is my life.  So I'd just hate to face restrictions from 
Apple that would make life even more difficult for me.  A friend told me the 
other day that my Imac may not accept data from my external hard drives, which 
contain all of my stuff.

If what you say turns out to be the case, then i'd probably keep and upgrade my 
Microsoft stuff, now that I've got JAWS 17.

It is sad isn't it.  I'd just love to do the stuff I do now with Microsoft on 
my new Apple equipment, but I've got this funny feeling!


Very best wishes.
Andy.


- Original Message - 
From: "John Gurd" <j.g...@ntlworld.com>
To: "'PC Audio Discussion List'" <pc-audio@pc-audio.org>
Sent: Tuesday, August 23, 2016 4:32 PM
Subject: RE: Desktop computer speakers


Hi Andy
You're right. It still annoys me that I can't connect all the equipment I 
want without a lot of rigmarole. Sonos will let me play music from the 
built-in iPhone app but not other apps such as NatureSpace which has really 
nice nature/relaxation tracks. A lot of Apple and Microsoft products don't 
integrate well - deliberately so in order to force you to stay with one 
company. And what a carry-on it can be getting music onto an iPhone from a 
PC these days! As for HDMI, it's great when it works, but it has a little 
thing built in called High-bandwidth Digital Copyright Protection (HDCP) 
which you will find will stop you doing some of the things you mentioned: 
like you can listen, but you certainly can't record and definitely not copy. 
And because of that, it refuses to play certain media such as Blu-ray if it 
detects you are using equipment not certified for HDCP. So frankly, life 
could be a lot simpler if it wasn't for the jealousy and rivalry of some big 
corporations.

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Andy
Sent: 21 August 2016 21:15
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: Desktop computer speakers

Hi again John.

God, it's getting even more complicated eh?

I'd just love, like yourself, to keep it simple, but it simply isn't going 
to happen is it?

Good quality audio from computers, TV's and interfacing that with AV units 
or amps has historically resulted in multiple complexities and it's only 
people like us who may know a little about these things that gain the 
benefits.

One day you will with no understanding whatsoever  about technology , be 
able to play audio from any device through your home system, without even 
thinking about it.

I really couldn't tell you what was the best method of drawing all these 
threads together and with every year, it's getting even more complicated.

Wouldn't it be nice to buy a good computer with high quality sound and you 
could simply download audio from Itunes or otherwise, listen to it and edit 
it and post it again without any effort whatsoever!




- Original Message -
From: "John Gurd" <j.g...@ntlworld.com>
To: "'PC Audio Discussion List'" <pc-audio@pc-audio.org>
Sent: Saturday, August 20, 2016 4:08 PM
Subject: RE: Desktop computer speakers


Hi Andy,
That's a thought which I'll have to ponder some more. I know desktop
speakers for PC are nearly always rubbish but the ones Dane linked to are an
exception. But a separate amp or receiver for my PC is a possibility.

My PC is in a den too as my wife banned PCs from the living room so instead
I've got a high end set up in the Livingroom similar to yours minus the PC.

Believe it or not in my PC room/den I used to have 2 PCs with 2 sound cards
each going through a sound mixer and then output through an amplifier and
stereo speakers. That was in the days when I used to broadcast on internet
radio. The 2nd PC was a backup for when things went wrong with my main
machine which sometimes happened. Anyway, I've simplified things since then
getting rid of redundant equipment. I now have one of th

RE: Desktop computer speakers

[John Gurd]

Hi Andy 
You're right. It still annoys me that I can't connect all the equipment I want 
without a lot of rigmarole. Sonos will let me play music from the built-in 
iPhone app but not other apps such as NatureSpace which has really nice 
nature/relaxation tracks. A lot of Apple and Microsoft products don't integrate 
well - deliberately so in order to force you to stay with one company. And what 
a carry-on it can be getting music onto an iPhone from a PC these days! As for 
HDMI, it's great when it works, but it has a little thing built in called 
High-bandwidth Digital Copyright Protection (HDCP) which you will find will 
stop you doing some of the things you mentioned: like you can listen, but you 
certainly can't record and definitely not copy. And because of that, it refuses 
to play certain media such as Blu-ray if it detects you are using equipment not 
certified for HDCP. So frankly, life could be a lot simpler if it wasn't for 
the jealousy and rivalry of some big corporations.

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Andy
Sent: 21 August 2016 21:15
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: Desktop computer speakers

Hi again John.

God, it's getting even more complicated eh?

I'd just love, like yourself, to keep it simple, but it simply isn't going to 
happen is it?

Good quality audio from computers, TV's and interfacing that with AV units or 
amps has historically resulted in multiple complexities and it's only people 
like us who may know a little about these things that gain the benefits.

One day you will with no understanding whatsoever  about technology , be able 
to play audio from any device through your home system, without even thinking 
about it.

I really couldn't tell you what was the best method of drawing all these 
threads together and with every year, it's getting even more complicated.

Wouldn't it be nice to buy a good computer with high quality sound and you 
could simply download audio from Itunes or otherwise, listen to it and edit it 
and post it again without any effort whatsoever!




- Original Message -
From: "John Gurd" <j.g...@ntlworld.com>
To: "'PC Audio Discussion List'" <pc-audio@pc-audio.org>
Sent: Saturday, August 20, 2016 4:08 PM
Subject: RE: Desktop computer speakers


Hi Andy,
That's a thought which I'll have to ponder some more. I know desktop 
speakers for PC are nearly always rubbish but the ones Dane linked to are an 
exception. But a separate amp or receiver for my PC is a possibility.

My PC is in a den too as my wife banned PCs from the living room so instead 
I've got a high end set up in the Livingroom similar to yours minus the PC.

Believe it or not in my PC room/den I used to have 2 PCs with 2 sound cards 
each going through a sound mixer and then output through an amplifier and 
stereo speakers. That was in the days when I used to broadcast on internet 
radio. The 2nd PC was a backup for when things went wrong with my main 
machine which sometimes happened. Anyway, I've simplified things since then 
getting rid of redundant equipment. I now have one of the few self-amplified 
5.1 systems that can plug into a sound card without an amplifier. I also use 
a splitter to a little transmitter that lets me use the old-style wireless 
headphones and portable speakers so I can have audio from my PC in other 
rooms. The Logitec Z5500 5.1 speakers sound reasonable for their price and 
age but as they're quite elderly I want something better.

I was hoping to keep it simple but if I wanted to keep a 5.1 set up in my PC 
den you are probably right and I would have to think about an amp or 
receiver. It would also allow me to get the best out of my small collection 
of PC-based HD recordings. To be honest though although it's nice having the 
ability of outputting music in a 5.1 virtual mix like Dolby PL2 I spend less 
time than I used to doing that and I usually go to the living room for 
movies in surround sound, so maybe a good stereo speaker set up would do.

I've used the external Sound Blaster USB X-Fi in the past. I've always liked 
the Creative Sound Blaster range and their latest top card is an internal 
one called the ZX. I use it and it's great! The reason I gave up the 
external card was it could only handle 5.1 if it was compressed to a lower 
bitrate. I think when USB3 becomes standard with HDMI out this will no 
longer be an issue for external cards. Optical toslink connections 
inherently can't handle 5.1 channels without reducing the sound quality. 
They are fine for stereo though.

Anyway, I'll definitely consider the configuration you suggest. I'm even 
thinking of testing a Sonos Connect (which lives in the Livingroom system) 
as an experiment and connecting it to my PC. It has a line in as well as out 
and therefore could carry audio from my PC simultaneously to my room 
speakers and to the Sonos speakers in my bedroom. If it was succes

RE: Desktop computer speakers

[John Gurd]

Hi Casey
Yes, you can get the ZX today for £99 but I just realised that mine is the ZXR 
which unfortunately Creative are selling for £199, but I think you can get it 
elsewhere much cheaper. 

The difference is that the ZX is really for gaming and uses a pretty good 
Cirrus Logic DAC for all channels. However, the ZXR uses the same DAC rear and 
centre but for front stereo it uses a high end Burr-Brown DAC. Also as it is 
aimed at audiophiles and those interested in studio level recording it has a 
daughter board (which sports another set of audio inputs/outputs) that takes up 
an additional slot in the PC. It also has a small module with audio cable that 
allows it to be placed round the front of the PC with a volume control, 
built-in mike, a couple of headphone jacks and microphone jacks. So you get a 
lot of hardware for your bucks and it's debatable if you would use it all if 
you simply want to listen to music which to be honest is what I mostly do with 
it. There is no question that for outputting surround sound from a PC using 
analogue connections it is very good indeed. It can also drive headphones of up 
to 600 ohm. You could probably get away with something much cheaper if all you 
want to do is digital pass through.

As for the other part of your query, the software control panel is mostly 
accessible - at least for the parts I use with Jaws. There are a couple of 
unlabelled controls and buttons but all of the audio processing effects and DSP 
effects can be adjusted. A separate app for setting up speaker configuration is 
tricky but not impossible. I tend to use the Windows set up wizard when I want 
to, say, change from 5.1 to 2.0 speaker configuration.

Regards

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Casey
Sent: 20 August 2016 17:27
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: Desktop computer speakers

Hi you talk3d about the sound blaster ZX internal card.
Now can you use the control panel that is with this card to adjust any of its 
settings with your screen reader?
Also can you still get one of thees sound blaster ZX cards today and for what 
price roughly?


--
Casey

RE: Desktop computer speakers

[John Gurd]

 
Goldwave and Tune-in radio so I can record everything going through the card.

If I wanted to, on my JAWS computers, I could pump all of my audio music 
through the AV unit and send JAWS to little shitty speakers, more or less, such 
as the ones you are considering.

This means that all of my recordings are free of sounds coming from JAWS.

I do a lot of recording on my computers and listen to 5 Live and 6 Music as 
well as Radio Scotland and these days John, the Broadcast quality is very good, 
so why would I want to listen to all of my hard work, through stand alone cheep 
speakers.

Start thinking about an AV unit, an external sound card, nice speakers, either 
sterio or 5.1 and a couple of cables.

John, you deserve it, so be nice to yourself and buy some toys.











Very best wishes and kind regards
Andy Logue.
>From Scotland with love.

- Original Message -
From: "John Gurd" <j.g...@ntlworld.com>
To: "'PC Audio Discussion List'" <pc-audio@pc-audio.org>
Sent: Saturday, August 20, 2016 9:38 AM
Subject: RE: Desktop computer speakers


The information on these speakers is really interesting. I've never heard of 
the egg series. It got me wondering about the 5.1 Egg set range for my PC 
but then I realised that particular range need an amplifier. At some point 
I'll have to replace my elderly Logitec Z5500 5.1 speakers and there is 
nothing comparable on the market at the moment. A good stereo PC set may be 
the way to go.

John

-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
Trethowan
Sent: 17 August 2016 19:20
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Desktop computer speakers

Hi!

It seems the mainstream speaker manufacturers are entering the computer 
desktop speaker market in droves and its probably about time too given the 
low quality of computer speakers these days.
We've discussed the B M1 speakers in the past and now there's another 
model from Kef that shows us a thing or two when it comes to listening to 
music and good audio quality from your speakers, the Kef Eggs It shouldn't 
be too difficult for anyone to guess the shape of these speakers .
Like the B M1's the Eggs can plug directly into a computer via its USB 
port but the system also boasts an Optical In digital connection for other 
devices such as a TV, Digital radio etc and a sub-wooffer out should you 
need one.
I've not had a chance to listen to these speakers here but the review linked 
to below seems to suggest that a sub-woofer may not be required in most 
situations and - having heard a lot of Kef speakers myself - that's how I 
also imagine things http://www.whathifi.com/kef/egg/review

RE: Desktop computer speakers

[John Gurd]

The information on these speakers is really interesting. I've never heard of 
the egg series. It got me wondering about the 5.1 Egg set range for my PC but 
then I realised that particular range need an amplifier. At some point I'll 
have to replace my elderly Logitec Z5500 5.1 speakers and there is nothing 
comparable on the market at the moment. A good stereo PC set may be the way to 
go.

John

-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
Trethowan
Sent: 17 August 2016 19:20
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Desktop computer speakers

Hi!

It seems the mainstream speaker manufacturers are entering the computer desktop 
speaker market in droves and its probably about time too given the low quality 
of computer speakers these days.
We've discussed the B M1 speakers in the past and now there's another model 
from Kef that shows us a thing or two when it comes to listening to music and 
good audio quality from your speakers, the Kef Eggs It shouldn't be too 
difficult for anyone to guess the shape of these speakers .
Like the B M1's the Eggs can plug directly into a computer via its USB port 
but the system also boasts an Optical In digital connection for other devices 
such as a TV, Digital radio etc and a sub-wooffer out should you need one.
I've not had a chance to listen to these speakers here but the review linked to 
below seems to suggest that a sub-woofer may not be required in most situations 
and - having heard a lot of Kef speakers myself - that's how I also imagine 
things http://www.whathifi.com/kef/egg/review

RE: The Best Apple HomeKit Siri-Enabled Devices And Accessories | Redmond Pie

[John Gurd]

Here in the UK I just installed some similar devices Based around the Hive 
system. It allows me to control my central heating totally from my iPhone. If I 
leave the house beyond a radius that I set it alerts me if the heating is on or 
if the heating is off when I re-enter that zone (anything from a few hundred 
yards to several miles). 

I bought a bunch of other Hive accessories including an electric plug, a motion 
sensor and a door sensor. The plug allows me to remotely turn on and off any 
attached appliance manually or on a schedule, and the latter give me peace of 
mind when I'm out. I can even tell when my wife has returned from work when I 
am out. 

Sadly, I don't think the system works with the homekit yet so can't be 
controlled by Siri but the Hive app is fully accessible. Its marvellous and I'm 
certainly interested to know what else might be in the pipeline.

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
Trethowan
Sent: 17 August 2016 23:56
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: The Best Apple HomeKit Siri-Enabled Devices And Accessories | Redmond 
Pie

What can SIRI do for you in your home? The article linked to here provides some 
answers plus recommending some hardware devices to get you started.

I�m going to take a look on Google shortly to see exactly what�s available in 
Australia - if anything -.



> http://www.redmondpie.com/the-best-apple-homekit-siri-enabled-devices-and-accessories/
>  
> 


**
Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will leave the rest of the 
halfwits in this world behind.

Re: Its Goodbye To An Old And Faithful Product

[John Gurd]

Hi Dane
I know where you're coming from. A couple of weeks ago I had to disconnect my 
Logitec Transporter from my system as it stopped working. It's over ten years 
old so owes me nothing even though I paid a thousand quid for it at the time. 
It's the best sounding streaming player I've ever had. It probably used the 
same HTML interface as the one you used with your Boom and of course it worked 
with an iPhone app called Ipeng which I got following a recommendation from 
yourself. 

I've just replaced it with a much cheaper Sonos Connect. It sounds much better 
than I expected but it can't play HD audio so I've got a small collection of 
albums I'll actually have to downs ample. Still, the app is very accessible and 
it gives me access to my Apple Music and Amazon Prime and audio purchases as 
well as internet radio. I haven't actually scanned my own home collection onto 
it yet so we'll see.

Before that I  got a Sonos Player 1 for my bedroom and was  so impressed I got 
a second one to make up a stereo pair. The one big disadvantage with the Sonos 
range though is it doesn't do AirPlay or even Bluetooth. That means I can't use 
some of my iPhone audio apps with it. For instance, I have a great audio 
Relaxation app that can't be played over it. 

Because it's a multi-room system the temptation is to keep adding to it but I'd 
like to see the above drawbacks addressed before wading further into the water. 
It does sound pretty damn good though, especially for the money. That's not to 
say it's cheap, but it's certainly not the most expensive system of it's type. 

John Gurd

> On 9 Jul 2016, at 6:49 am, Dane Trethowan <grtd...@internode.on.net> wrote:
> 
> Yep, seems my Logitech Squeezebox Boom has come to the end of the road as its 
> not providing audio output any longer and I’ve reset the Boom a couple of 
> times.
> 
> I bought the Squeezebox Boom around 5 years ago and during that time the Boom 
> hasn’t missed a beat.
> 
> Accessibility was king with the Boom, I could pretty much set everything 
> through the HTML Interface or through a wide variety of Smartphone Apps and 
> that included multiple alarm clocks.
> 
> I have two Logitech Ultimate ears Smart Radios here and together they make a 
> stereo pair of speakers and much of the accessibility I had with the Boom can 
> still be enjoyed with the Smart Radios and they’re portable unlike the boom 
> but.. well.. its just not the same.
> 
> 
> **
> Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will leave the rest of the 
> halfwits in this world behind.
> 
> 
> 

RE: Best AirPlay speakers 2016 | Best buys | What Hi-Fi?

[John Gurd]

This looks very interesting, thanks. I've had a detailed look at the cheapest 
and the most expensive just out of interest. It strikes me as a blind consumer 
there's always the possibility that some modern design feature might make a 
good piece of kit unusable. For instance, the Monitor Audio Airstream S200 can 
select several types of input, including Bluetooth, USB, audio jack, Airplay 
and DLNA, but it's all done through one multi-select button. Sometimes without 
sound clues this can be a real pain. At the other end of the scale the Mu-so 
must sound fantastic but when I read it is controlled via on-screen controls 
I'd bet it would be impossible to actually operate by a totally blind user like 
myself. Still, at £895 I expect that's the least of my worries (smiles).

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
Trethowan
Sent: 10 June 2016 03:48
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Best AirPlay speakers 2016 | Best buys | What Hi-Fi?

Hi!

Someone on this list wanted to know what was the best AirPlay speaker around? I 
mentioned the B A7 though I have to admit you do have to shell out an arm and 
a leg for one.

Using Google I found a roundup of the best AirPlay speakers that others may 
wish to consult.

The B A7 - whilst amongst the best - might be just out of range for a lot of 
people price wise so considering a good value for money alternative would 
therefore be a practical solution and that's where this guide comes in.

are there any better than the B A7 AirPlay speaker system? Well this guide 
tells the story, there's always better but at a price too!  
http://www.whathifi.com/best-buys/best-airplay-speakers

-- 

**
Those who don't need help are prepared to help themselves

RE: High Criteria Announces new release of Total Recorder and the introduction of its new video recording edition Total Recorder VideoPro Edition.

[John Gurd]

Thanks for this. I had the older version too. I've just upgraded from the
audio professional to the Vidio one as well as it was only $18. 

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane
Trethowan
Sent: 22 May 2016 00:39
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: High Criteria Announces new release of Total Recorder and the
introduction of its new video recording edition Total Recorder VideoPro
Edition.

So that problem has been solved, I don't know whether it was Windows causing
it or the older version of Total Recorder.




On 22/05/2016 8:52 AM, cov...@ccs.covici.com wrote:
> It works with windows 10 and closes by itself whereas I had to kill the
> process manually with 8.5.
>
> Dane Trethowan  wrote:
>
>> A slight miss-understanding there from yours Truly .
>>
>>
>> Yes, it was intended in a way as I didn't have the latest version
>> installed myself so I installed but didn't look at the release date
>> until after.
>>
>>
>> I upgraded to Windows 10 around 8 months ago and the only trouble I
>> had with the upgrade was my Total Recorder 8.5 settings disappearing,
>> not a huge problem I think you'll admit but a problem neverthe less.
>>
>>
>> In the meantime Total Recorder V8.6 was released and I only bothered
>> to see if my V8.5 had been updated this morning so you know the story
>> now .
>>
>>
>> I'll be interested to see what differences the V8.6 Video Pro Edition
>> -
>> that's what I use - offers the user.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On 22/05/2016 7:46 AM, cov...@ccs.covici.com wrote:
>>> The link is from October 2015, is this what was intended?
>>>
>>> Dane Trethowan  wrote:
>>>
 http://www.totalrecorder.com/announce86.htm

 -- 

 **
 Those who don't need help are prepared to help themselves

>> -- 
>>
>> **
>> Those who don't need help are prepared to help themselves
>>

-- 

**
Those who don't need help are prepared to help themselves

RE: Oppo HA--2 just arrived...

[John Gurd]

If I remember correctly it's a minimum of 7 hours.

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Anders
Holmberg
Sent: 21 February 2016 19:09
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: Oppo HA--2 just arrived...

Hi!
How long does the battery in this unit last if you do not charge the iphone?
/A
> On 21 Feb 2016, at 14:26, cov...@ccs.covici.com wrote:
> 
> I didtry the charging function anditdoes work,Idid nottry it for very 
> long,just to test.
> 
> John Gurd <j.g...@ntlworld.com> wrote:
> 
>> Hi Mary
>> 
>> Excellent description. Just to add that if you want to charge a 
>> mobile device then you have to hold in the battery indicator button 
>> for about 7 seconds and this will activate the charging function. I 
>> haven't used it so I don't know if you can still play music while 
>> charging but I've turned it on and off. The only way to tell that it 
>> is indeed charging the device is from the screen of the mobile device
itself.
>> 
>> John
>> 
>> -Original Message-
>> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of 
>> cov...@ccs.covici.com
>> Sent: 20 February 2016 05:40
>> To: PC Audio Discussion List
>> Subject: Re: Oppo HA--2 just arrived...
>> 
>> OK, that will help -- thanks.
>> 
>> Mary Otten <maryot...@comcast.net> wrote:
>> 
>>> Well, John already reported about most of the controls in his 
>>> initial post on this topic. And that certainly helped. There is one 
>>> side of the device which could be thought of like the spine of a 
>>> book. It has no controls and is completely covered by the leather 
>>> casing. If you have the ha-2 lying on a table with that side facing 
>>> you, on the left end, from closest to you to furthest away, you have 
>>> a small knob which turns the device on with an audible click and 
>>> adjusts volume up as you turn, like an old-fashioned radio on/off 
>>> knob. Moving on that same end but away from you, you have aan imput 
>>> which is for I think John said is for line out to active speakers, 
>>> but is also for analog in. Not sure how that works, and I didn't pay 
>>> attention, since I don't have anything for that. Then last input on that
end is for your headphones.
>>> On the long side that is furthest away from you, first control on 
>>> the left is a button which you can press in and shows the charge 
>>> level of the
>> device.
>>> Inaccessible, of course. That is the one thing I wish it had, a way 
>>> to tell how much charge remains if you can't see the lights. Moving 
>>> to the right, you have the two position bass boost switch, and then 
>>> next to it moving to the right is the two position high/low gain switch.
>>> Finally, on the right end of the device,  you have, from back to 
>>> front, a small usb input, which is for connecting a computer or an 
>>> android device, a "regular" usb for connecting Apple i-devices and 
>>> finally, a 3 position slider which selects the input, a b or c, 
>>> corresponding to the analog in and the two usb ports.
>>> 
>>> There are 3 small cables included with the device, a usb to 
>>> lightning, one with two small usb plugs on it for the small input on 
>>> the device and for a usb to go out on an android device, and 
>>> finallyone for the analog. Sorry I never can remember the 
>>> nomenclature, which is usb b or a or whatever, but it is obvious 
>>> when you look at the cables what goes where. And there is a wall 
>>> plug and a much longer cable that has a usb plut that fits into the 
>>> wall charger, and the other end fits into the small usb input on the 
>>> device where you would normally plug in the android or computer 
>>> audio source.  You are suppose to be able to charge your i-phone 
>>> from this device. I'm not sure how that works. I did have my ipad 
>>> plugged in last night, listenig to some music, and it was not 
>>> charging, according to voice over. In any case, I don't think I'd 
>>> want to use this as a charger for my mobile device and be listening to
music at the same time. Maybe you can't even do that.
>>> 
>>> There is documentation in print that comes with the device, but I 
>>> haven't tried scanning it. It may be on the oppo website in a more 
>>> or less accessible form, but I have not looked there either. Hope 
>>> that helped. Probably way too long.
>>> 
>>> Mary
>>> 
>>> 
>> 
>> --
>> Your life is like a penny.  You're going to lose it.  The question is:
>> How do
>> you spend it?
>> 
>> John Covici
>> cov...@ccs.covici.com
>> 
>> 
> 
> --
> Your life is like a penny.  You're going to lose it.  The question is:
> How do
> you spend it?
> 
> John Covici
> cov...@ccs.covici.com
> 

RE: Airfoil Fir Windows 5

[John Gurd]

Hi Dane

Can Airfoile capture the output of a screen reader like Jaws or Voice Over as 
well as the music? I often use a wireless keyboard in a different room from my 
PC and get the audio output on an old-fashioned wireless radio speaker. I'm 
wondering if I could replace with an airplay one.

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
Trethowan
Sent: 21 February 2016 04:41
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Airfoil Fir Windows 5

I'm very excited to be using the new upgrade for Airfoil.
http://weblog.rogueamoeba.com/2016/02/18/now-playing-airfoil-for-windows-5/

Airfoil has been with us for quite a few years now.  Put simply Airfoil allows 
the computer user to capture any sound source and stream that source to 
multiple devices around the home.

You could for example use your favourite Internet browser to navigate to your 
favourite radio station, capture the audio and stream it to your AirPlay 
compatible speakers or AVR Receiver, another computer or Smartphone running 
Airfoil Satellite etc.

Now Airfoil is smarter than ever giving the ability to transmit captured audio 
to Bluetooth devices such as Bluetooth Speakers and headphones.

Not only can you capture running Apps on your Windows PC you can also capture 
the audio from Physical devices such as the line-in source of a sound card and 
so on.

For those who like me have owned Airfoile for quite some time a havily 
discounted purchase price for an upgrade licence is available.


-- 

**
Those who don't need help are prepared to help themselves

RE: Oppo HA--2 just arrived...

[John Gurd]

Hi Mary

Excellent description. Just to add that if you want to charge a mobile
device then you have to hold in the battery indicator button for about 7
seconds and this will activate the charging function. I haven't used it so I
don't know if you can still play music while charging but I've turned it on
and off. The only way to tell that it is indeed charging the device is from
the screen of the mobile device itself.

John

-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of
cov...@ccs.covici.com
Sent: 20 February 2016 05:40
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: Oppo HA--2 just arrived...

OK, that will help -- thanks.

Mary Otten  wrote:

> Well, John already reported about most of the controls in his initial 
> post on this topic. And that certainly helped. There is one side of 
> the device which could be thought of like the spine of a book. It has 
> no controls and is completely covered by the leather casing. If you 
> have the ha-2 lying on a table with that side facing you, on the left 
> end, from closest to you to furthest away, you have a small knob which 
> turns the device on with an audible click and adjusts volume up as you 
> turn, like an old-fashioned radio on/off knob. Moving on that same end 
> but away from you, you have aan imput which is for I think John said 
> is for line out to active speakers, but is also for analog in. Not 
> sure how that works, and I didn't pay attention, since I don't have 
> anything for that. Then last input on that end is for your headphones.  
> On the long side that is furthest away from you, first control on the 
> left is a button which you can press in and shows the charge level of the
device.
> Inaccessible, of course. That is the one thing I wish it had, a way to 
> tell how much charge remains if you can't see the lights. Moving to 
> the right, you have the two position bass boost switch, and then next 
> to it moving to the right is the two position high/low gain switch. 
> Finally, on the right end of the device,  you have, from back to 
> front, a small usb input, which is for connecting a computer or an 
> android device, a "regular" usb for connecting Apple i-devices and 
> finally, a 3 position slider which selects the input, a b or c, 
> corresponding to the analog in and the two usb ports.
> 
> There are 3 small cables included with the device, a usb to lightning, 
> one with two small usb plugs on it for the small input on the device 
> and for a usb to go out on an android device, and finallyone for the 
> analog. Sorry I never can remember the nomenclature, which is usb b or 
> a or whatever, but it is obvious when you look at the cables what goes 
> where. And there is a wall plug and a much longer cable that has a usb 
> plut that fits into the wall charger, and the other end fits into the 
> small usb input on the device where you would normally plug in the 
> android or computer audio source.  You are suppose to be able to 
> charge your i-phone from this device. I'm not sure how that works. I 
> did have my ipad plugged in last night, listenig to some music, and it 
> was not charging, according to voice over. In any case, I don't think 
> I'd want to use this as a charger for my mobile device and be 
> listening to music at the same time. Maybe you can't even do that.
> 
> There is documentation in print that comes with the device, but I 
> haven't tried scanning it. It may be on the oppo website in a more or 
> less accessible form, but I have not looked there either. Hope that 
> helped. Probably way too long.
> 
> Mary
> 
> 

--
Your life is like a penny.  You're going to lose it.  The question is:
How do
you spend it?

 John Covici
 cov...@ccs.covici.com

RE: Apple TV 4th Gen

[John Gurd]

Hi Mary

Ah well, you've got me there. I should have been more specific. I didn't use
the remote to enter any passwords, etc. Most of the set up was done using
that handy Bluetooth transfer thing you can do with your iPhone and my wife
put in the remaining password. I was only referring to navigation with the
remote. 

I have my Apple TV connected to an Arcam AVR750 reciever via an HDMI so you
could be right and it is affecting Voice Over for some reason. I haven't
tried disconnecting the TV from the receiver, but interestingly, anytime I
turn on the Apple TV my Sony Bravia TV automatically comes on as well. I'll
try turning off the Sony to see if it turns off the Apple TV. 

Regards

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Mary
Otten
Sent: 16 February 2016 20:51
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: Apple TV 4th Gen

Hi John,

Your observation about the remote being easy to use is interesting. I think
you are the first one who hasn't encountered a significant learning curve,
especially when it comes  to actually having to type something in, such as a
mixed case alphanumeric password. I'm holding out for bluetooth keyboard
access, which is supposedly coming with the next major release of tv os, if
I can believe what I read in the mainstream Apple-oriented press. 

That deal where voice over cuts out has happened to me with a 2nd generation
apple tv. It happened a lot and only quit happening when we experimented and
connected the apple tv directly to the hdmi in on our tv, rather than going
through an a/v surround receiver or even a sound bar. When connected
directly to the tv, the voiceover cut out problem completely disappeared.
Unfortunately, that also meant the rest of the sound from the apple tv went
to the tv speakers, which are God awful.
Just food for thought. And I have heard others report varying results with
the voiceover cut out problem. Some have it. Others don't. And I haven't a
clue why.

I do have a question. Can you connect the apple tv 4th generation and use
all of its features without actually having a tv in the mix? As an example,
with my 2nd generation product, it was not possible to watch netflix unless
the tv was actually turned on. Netflix would not play.
There may have been others too, but Netflix is the one I specifically
remember. So even though I didn't need the picture, the tv had to be
physically on, not just the surround receiver and speakers.

Mary

Apple TV 4th Gen

[John Gurd]

I got the Apple TV 4th gen last week. I had been resisting because the 3rd
Gen audio was so poor. 

 

I have to say the 4th gen sounds much better. This is based exclusively on
my use of the Apple Music service. Maybe it's just down to the better WIFI
capacity, I don't know, but the audio sound is full and more detailed and
much more acceptable. I haven't tried any movies yet.

 

One thing I noticed with the 3rd gen TV (especially since the last few
updates) and that is that Voice Over was terrible. I don't mean the audio
quality. I mean much of the time the beginning of any menu or selection was
cut off to the point where it was unintelligible. The speech was delayed and
had weird pitch-altering effects. I assumed (probably correctly) that the
hardware could not handle the extra work of Voice Over. Well, it's a lot
better in the 4th gen, but it's still present at times. If you pause and
then flick to another selection the first bit of the spoken item can get
truncated. Sometimes you have to flick away and back again to hear it
properly. I'm using the UK Voice which is Daniel so maybe it doesn't happen
with other voices. 

 

The remote is quite easy to use and because it's based on swiping it is a
lot like using any other IOS device. If I discover anything else of note
I'll let you know.

 

John

 

 

RE: Oppo HA--2 just arrived...

[John Gurd]

Yes, they'll hear a difference... And spend the whole time arguing about what 
it is! (smiles)

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of André van 
Deventer
Sent: 15 February 2016 06:45
To: 'PC Audio Discussion List'
Subject: RE: Oppo HA--2 just arrived...

One thing I have been wondering about.

If a group of audiofiles are put in a room and not told what they are listening 
to, will they really be able to hear the difference between different formats 
of audio reproduction.

I always use the analogy of wine tasting.  If you are not told beforehand what 
you are drinking, will you really be able to taste the difference between what 
would be considered a good drinking wine at a reasonable price and  a so-called 
superior one with also a higher price tag?  I believe I once read about a group 
of wine tasters who were given different wines to taste  without them knowing 
what they were tasting.  And it turned out that in some cases  they actually 
enjoyed the cheaper wines more!

I like my red and dry white wine but I am in no way a expert.  I just like a 
good drinking wine that I can enjoy with good friends.

I knew a man once who spent thousands of dollars on the best audio equipment he 
could find at that time.  He could talk to you about the qualities of each of 
these superb systems.  But the interesting thing is that he had a very small 
record collection and had little knowledge of the music he listened to.  So he 
was listening more to the audio quality than the to the music itself.

I suspect that most individuals are like me and my wine drinking habits - you 
just need to enjoy what you are having.  In the end they want a decent sounding 
system with a lot of music to simply enjoy.  You don't want to listen to every 
finest nuance but want a decent sounding system for a decent  price.  After 
all, many of us listen to our favourite music when doing something around the 
house very often.  I believe in the end the enjoyment should be in the music 
with decent sound and not necessarily all kinds of fine points.  It is often 
happened to me that I was looking for a specific song or album and that I could 
only get it at a lower bitrate say 192 kbps.  I would then gladly take it while 
looking for it in another higher bitrate.  But in the meantime I will just 
enjoy  the music and be glad that I have it!

Please don't misunderstand me - I also like good sound out of my system - that 
is why I am getting the B mm-1 desktop speakers, but my main aim in listening 
to music is to enjoy the music!

So I lift my glaas of nice ordinary red wine  to all lovers of good music for 
the sake of music!

Andre



-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of John Gurd
Sent: 14 February 2016 07:59 PM
To: 'PC Audio Discussion List'
Subject: RE: Oppo HA--2 just arrived...

I don't think it's the case anymore that vinyl sounds better than digital music 
or even CD although I can remember a time when it did. I used to have a fairly 
large LP collection in the eighties and I was so disappointed when I bought my 
first CDs because they were so flat and lifeless with noticeably less detail. 
Since the turn of the century digital recording and production techniques have 
improved to the point that digital can capture the richness and detail of a 
performance. 

Usually there's one serious and unnecessary exemption. Most digital recordings 
compress the relative loudness of instruments and vocals into one narrow band 
so that much of the dynamics of the music are lost. This technique isn't 
inherent to digital but is a production standard to make music easier to hear 
at any volume; it's more convenient for radio broadcasting and for compressing 
down into lossy formats. The exception is usually in the classical or jazz 
genres. Vinyl tends to escape this level of over production. 

Having said that, digital HD recordings are some of the best recordings I've 
ever heard. This despite the fact I know I personally don't hear higher 
frequencies the way I used to when I was younger due to the natural roll-off as 
you get older. By the way, before anyone gets too smug, this process starts in 
your early twenties. Check out the Mosquito Anti-Loitering device for a device 
that works on the principle of an annoying sound that only teenagers can hear 
but the rest of us can't. 

Just to go back to Dane's query about how to describe a high quality DAC, or 
any Hi Fidelity audio for that matter, I think it is about presence. The more 
an artist or piece of music sounds real, like you could almost reach out and 
touch it, like it's a performance and not just a recording, then the closer you 
are to pure audio quality. Sadly, at least for the wallet, this also depends on 
the other equipment you're using but the starting point has to be the source 
signal. There's no question the simplest and cheapest way to achieve

RE: Oppo HA--2 just arrived...

[John Gurd]

Hi Mary

Yes, strange as it seems, there are two digital inputs. The USB A (the
bigger one) is for the little lightning connector, and is exclusively for
Apple IOS devices. The USB B (the small  slot) is for the little connecting
cable which has a normal male USB A on the other end and is for Android USB
On-The-Go devices or Windows or Apple PCs. 

There must be a technical reason why IOS devices need that dedicated USB,
probably the same reason you need to use a camera to USB connector to
connect an IOS device to the USB input of the Chord DAC. That's the way it
is though.

John

-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Mary
Otten
Sent: 14 February 2016 01:22
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: Oppo HA--2 just arrived...

Hi John,
So this comes with a short cable that has a lightning connector on one end
and usb on the other which plugs into the headphone amp? Is that what you
were saying? I guess I'm not getting why you'd need two different inputs
into the amp, one for androids and one for i-devices.
I certainly understand that the lightning connector and a usb are different,
but those are the outs on the devices providing the source audio. When I
last had a portable amp with dac was with the old 30-pin connector, and I
can't remember how the cabling worked with that thing, did I buy an extra
cable or what? Getting old isn't for the faint of heart.

Mary 

Mary

RE: Oppo HA--2 just arrived...

[John Gurd]

aring does matter when it comes to frequencies. For 
>>> instance when on the Twit network HD audio is discussed, Leo Laporte 
>>> always points out that he can't really appreciate what higher sample 
>>> rate and bit death does for the music as well but as he always says 
>>> making fun of himself he has old ears. He's 58. So he says he can't 
>>> hear what a mid 20s dude might. Pluss since he's always been in 
>>> Radio and has had headphones on pretty loud he says that may have busted 
>>> some of his hearing too.
>>> 
>>> -Original Message-
>>> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of 
>>> Dane Trethowan
>>> Sent: Saturday, February 13, 2016 3:28 PM
>>> To: PC Audio Discussion List <pc-audio@pc-audio.org>
>>> Subject: Re: Oppo HA--2 just arrived...
>>> 
>>> I don't knock people for having analogue systems or anything else 
>>> and you pretty much summed it up yourself when you talked about 
>>> people getting what they could afford to buy and that's fair enough 
>>> as I'm in that boat too however I do look around for the good audio 
>>> and if it means I have to save and wait? Well so be it and that 
>>> attitude has proven its worth beyond question.
>>> 
>>> Yes an open mind is what's required but all this wasn't really the 
>>> point I was trying to make, I was asking the question how best to 
>>> describe the audio difference to someone between what you hear 
>>> through a DAC and most audio equipment and the difference is certainly that 
>>> of night and day.
>>> 
>>> You don't need good hearing to distinguish the difference though 
>>> certainly you need some decent speakers or some reasonable 
>>> headphones, you're not going to notice all that much with your $2 
>>> earbuds which a lot of people are perfectly happy with.
>>> 
>>> Its like MP3 files I guess, they're perfectly acceptable when you're 
>>> listening on the bus and so on but you soon notice the difference 
>>> when you start listening to music on CD'S and so on through 
>>> reasonable equipment and the difference is even more pronounced when you 
>>> turn on that DAC .
>>> 
>>> 
>>>> On 14 Feb 2016, at 7:11 AM, Anders Holmberg <and...@pipkrokodil.se> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> Hi!
>>>> Well, this is a good question as i am often very skeptical when 
>>>> hifi nerds
>>> speak out their minds.
>>>> I think that others might think of them as not very open minded.
>>>> I am not a hifi nerd in my own perspective.
>>>> But people know that i am very audio intrested and that i do want 
>>>> good
>>> audio quality.
>>>> TO be honest i don't hear some differences other might talk about 
>>>> and
>>> people may or may not judge me for that or laugh at me for that but 
>>> i don't care.
>>>> I think you should try to be very open minded and very very humble 
>>>> and not
>>> critisize them for having their analog system for example.
>>>> I know you do but maybe they do not think you are humble enough.
>>>> We are talking about audio like an evangelist talks about Jesus.
>>>> Its like a religion where evrything we might say is the very word.
>>>> /A
>>>>> 13 feb. 2016 kl. 20:02 skrev Dane Trethowan <grtd...@internode.on.net>:
>>>>> 
>>>>> I have a question which someone might be able to give me some advice on.
>>>>> 
>>>>> I've been using DAC'S for nearly 3 years now and there's no doubt 
>>>>> about
>>> it in my mind that they do truly enhance the music listening whether 
>>> it be through a good pair of speakers or through headphones.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Okay fine so how do you tell someone just how good a DAC actually 
>>>>> is when
>>> they're stuck in "The Analogue World" for want of a better description.
>>>>> 
>>>>> You tell them about your DAC and they say something like, "Yep but 
>>>>> I've
>>> got this CD player or that Sound Card", fact is though that its 
>>> still analogue and - unless you've gone out of your way to buy some 
>>> top notch gear
>>> - and most people don't as they don't walk into Hi-Fi specialist 
>>> shops
>>> - then they just have no idea what they're missing so how does one 
>>> describe that in w

Oppo HA--2 just arrived...

[John Gurd]

.and I'm very impressed. I've only had a short time to try it out but I
think it's great. The audio with the P7s is quite perfect even just
listening to tracks from the Apple Music Service. It's better than the Arcam
MusicBoost (which itself is pretty good) but that's not surprising given the
price tag. 

 

It has an effortless, natural sound that doesn't over-emphasis anything,
just lets you hear the music. It's detailed, and you feel you can place
every instrument with pin-point accuracy. I briefly tried the bass-boost,
but although it does its job well enough, I really didn't think it
necessary.

 

The HA-2 is easy to use. It's about the size and thickness of the iPhone 6,
although it's a centremetre or so shorter. The switches are all easy to
locate and are positional and tactile in operation with the exception of the
button for checking power/charging attached units. That has to be pressed
and a blue light illuminates when it is charging another device. The only
way I could tell it was on was because my iPhone indicated through Voice
Over it was charging. 

 

With the leather surface it is nice to hold and fits easily in the hand.
It's light and could easily be carried in a bag or pocket. 

 

I haven't yet tried it with any other devices but it has 3 inputs: a USB A
for Apple devices, a USB B for Android phones or tablets or even a PC and a
3.5mm jack for analogue audio. This jack also doubles as a line out for amps
or active speakers. I'm looking forward to trying it out. There's a 2nd
3.5mm jack which is the outlet for the headphone amp. With a 2-position
low/high gain switch on the side it can drive headphones of almost any
impedance. You get a very handy set of extremely short connector leads for
the 3 kinds of inputs. 

 

Thanks to Dane for drawing it to my attention. 

 

John

 

RE: Oppo HA--2 just arrived...

[John Gurd]

Hi Mary

I think you would notice a massive difference. I haven't heard the Oppo PM3s
but judging by the reviews they are certainly on a par with the P7s and
would sound incredible with the HA-2.

John

-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane
Trethowan
Sent: 13 February 2016 18:03
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: Oppo HA--2 just arrived...

Very definitely 

> On 14 Feb 2016, at 5:01 AM, Mary Otten  wrote:
> 
> Interesting. I wonder if it would help the sound on my Nexus 6.
> Something should!
> 
> Oppo makes a pair of headphones that seem to be quite favorably 
> reviewed, at least by amazon purchasers. These are the pm-3, and they 
> sell for a cool 400 bucks, so not cheap. One reviewer even compared 
> them favorably with the P7.
> 
> Mary
> 
> 

**
Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will leave the rest of the
halfwits in this world behind.

RE: Mobile DAC/Headphone Amps

[John Gurd]

Hi Dane

I'll have to stop looking at your posts to avoid temptation. I just bought one 
of these. I know I just got the MusicBoost bought the Oppo works with Android 
and PCs as well and I wanted one with a line level out too. Besides which, the 
specs and reviews are very good. The range of high res recordings it can 
playback is incredible, ludicrous in a way as 32bit recordings don't even exist 
yet commercially.

John
 is 

-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf of Dane 
Trethowan
Sent: 09 February 2016 01:16
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Mobile DAC/Headphone Amps

Hi!

It seems quite a few list members are after better audio quality from their 
music when using an iPhone etc.

The Music Boost has been discussed along with the Mojo unit but here�s another 
that looks quite nice, saw it at my local Hi-Fi dealer this morning so looked 
it up on their web site.


http://www.stereophonic.com.au/oppo-ha-2-portable-headphone-amplifier-dac/ 

**
Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will leave the rest of the 
halfwits in this world behind.

RE: MP3 Problems

[John Gurd]

Yes, some mp3 files can get corrupted but fixed easily. A common problem is 
when time indexes get messed up resulting in a file that doesn't play all the 
way through even though the information is still there. It often happens when 
several files for audio books are joined incorrectly. I used to have a tool for 
this but can't find it. I suggest Googling for mp3 repair tools.

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
Trethowan
Sent: 09 February 2016 01:49
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: MP3 Problems

Yep a simple means, get the original and reencode.



On 9/02/2016 10:32 AM, Andrea Sherry wrote:
> Is there a means of repairing faulty mp3 files?
> Andrea

-- 

**
Those who don't need help are prepared to help themselves

RE: Now I know why music on the Apple TV 3rd Gen doesn't sound sogood...

[John Gurd]

That's a very helpful explanation. So no Voice Over with the Apple TV without 
resampling. Oh well, at least now we know. I might go ahead and buy the new 
Apple TV anyway. My wife would probably use some of the apps, so I can pretend 
it's not really for me. (smiles)

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
Trethowan
Sent: 06 February 2016 17:54
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: Now I know why music on the Apple TV 3rd Gen doesn't sound 
sogood...

Hi!

I wrote to an audio engineer friend of mine forwarding him the original email 
from this list written by john and his explanation is an interesting one, 
certainly the practise is more common it seems than I thought:

> Unfortunately, this is *very* common practice.  Horrible as it is for decent 
> audio, forcing everything to one output sampling rate and bit-depth is 
> unavoidable for the vast majority of consumer hardware, otherwise which 
> wouldn't be able to support playing multiple simultaneous output streams of 
> differing formats.  The SoundBlaster Live and above do exactly this in 
> hardware, which is why SB cards always sounded bloody horrible at anything 
> other than 48KHz.  XP and above do it in software; OSX and IOS do the same, 
> as (I imagine) does Android; Linux and BSD do it if you use a Sound Server. 
> It's an absolutely attrocious way to handle audio, but necessary if you want 
> the sound device to be able to do more than one thing at a time. Fortunately, 
> Linux at least can be made to pass the stream directly to the hardware, but 
> of course the device loses the ability then for multiple streams for that 
> particular sound device. So, e.g., no speech output wilst playing music.  If 
> you want the best possible precision and still want multiple streams, the 
> simplest solution is to install a professional Sound Server such as Jack 
> Audio Connection Kit (Linux, Win, and (I believe) OSX), which, although it 
> has to resample, has very high-precision resampling algorithms, and does a 
> very good job.  Of course, it's more CPU-intensive.

> On 5 Feb 2016, at 8:36 AM, Brent Harding <br...@hostany.net> wrote:
> 


So there we are, take it or leave it 


> I heard the 48k sampling rate is more common in video than it is for music or 
> anything else. Maybe it's what a TV would expect to see if HDMI is used.
> 
> - Original Message - From: "Dane Trethowan" 
> <grtd...@internode.on.net>
> To: "PC Audio Discussion List" <pc-audio@pc-audio.org>
> Sent: Thursday, February 04, 2016 3:06 PM
> Subject: Re: Now I know why music on the Apple TV 3rd Gen doesn't sound 
> sogood...
> 
> 
> Well to be perfectly honest that s Apple for you and where would you find any 
> serious audio reviews about anything Apple?
> 
> Okay, I did find plenty of reviews and information regarding the audio for my 
> 2012 Mac Mini machine but Apple just won t release too much information about 
> anything else it seems when it comes to audio.
> 
> I m glad you mentioned that about the Apple TV and now I m having second 
> thoughts about that purchase for myself too.
> 
> 
>> On 5 Feb 2016, at 5:38 AM, John Gurd <j.g...@ntlworld.com> wrote:
>> 
>> I got an Apple TV 3rd Gen a year or so ago to use with MusicMatch and 
>> my HiFi. I was really disappointed to discover that it really didn't 
>> sound that great even with a HDMI connection. I recently read that 
>> for some reason it resamples music from 44.1KHZ to 48KHZ. This is the 
>> equivalent to transcoding on the fly which is inevitably going to sound 
>> terrible.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> The thing is, I really love the new Apple music service and I am 
>> tempted to buy the Apple TV 4th Gen in order to use the service with 
>> my living room system. But once bitten, twice shy. I haven't been 
>> able to find out if it handles music in the same way. I haven't even 
>> been able to find any serious reviews of its audio quality.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> John
>> 
>> 
>> 
> 
> **
> Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will leave the rest of the 
> halfwits in this world behind.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 

**
Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will leave the rest of the 
halfwits in this world behind.

RE: High Quality Music Streams

[John Gurd]

At the risk of annoying Dane (LOL) Winamp does a very good job of playing HD 
files. I've just checked it on a 24bit 9600 sample rate. You have to tick a 
setting in preferences to allow it.

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Anders 
Holmberg
Sent: 07 February 2016 15:29
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: High Quality Music Streams

Hi!
Is it tidal you re looking for?
/A
> On 06 Feb 2016, at 18:01, hamitcampos  wrote:
> 
> There's HD tracks and I tracks. Just remember you need 1 of the new players 
> that will play 96 KHZ 24 bit files.
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>> On Feb 6, 2016, at 11:01 AM, Steve Jacobson  wrote:
>> 
>> Recently, I heard of a high quality music source called Deezer.  It 
>> appears to have quite a few tracks, but it requires Sonus hardware as 
>> I understand it.  Do those here have experience with other high 
>> quality download or streaming music sites that are not particular about the 
>> hardware used?
>> Certainly I am aware that it is necessary to have good hardware to 
>> take full advantage of such sources.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Best regards,
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Steve Jacobson
>> 
>> 
>> 
> 

RE: Arcam MusicBoost

[John Gurd]

I'm just curious... Do you actually use two phones? Do you have two numbers or 
do you juggle a sim card from one to the other?

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
Trethowan
Sent: 04 February 2016 18:30
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: Arcam MusicBoost

Yep, that they were.

Regarding iPhone 6S? Well my opinion for what its worth but I think the S6 from 
Samsung has more going for it, every time I pick up that device I m always 
discovering something new, I like the quality feel and balanced hold, the 
wonderful sound and so on.

When I pick up the Apple 6S? Well it just feels very humdrum, nothing new 
really and nothing much to write home about, a little sluggish and clunky 
compared to the S6 in most things.

Now don t get me wrong, the Apple 6S is still a great phone but what it does 
show is that Apple have a hell of a lot to think about with the upcoming iPhone 
7 if they still want to remain in the race.


> On 5 Feb 2016, at 5:23 AM, John Gurd <j.g...@ntlworld.com> wrote:
> 
> Hmm, interesting. Sounds like Apple might have been stung into 
> avoiding a repeat of stories like those about the bendy 6 Plus.
> 
> John
> 
> 
> -Original Message-
> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of 
> Dane Trethowan
> Sent: 04 February 2016 18:08
> To: PC Audio Discussion List
> Subject: Re: Arcam MusicBoost
> 
> The 6S is slightly thicker due to its tough construction of steel 
> frame, I read this in a review of the 6S a week or so back.
> 
> 
>> On 5 Feb 2016, at 5:03 AM, John Gurd <j.g...@ntlworld.com> wrote:
>> 
>> Hi Mary,
>> I'm surprised too. a lot of cases do fit both models. And until I got 
>> it I always thought the 6 and 6S were exactly the same size. I 
>> suspect it might be a design oversight on the part of Arcam. There's 
>> only a 5th of a millimetre difference in the thickness of the phones 
>> but that makes all the difference with a case that is already a tight 
>> fit and very
> rigid.
>> 
>> John
>> 
>> -Original Message-
>> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of 
>> Mary Otten
>> Sent: 02 February 2016 17:13
>> To: PC Audio Discussion List
>> Subject: Re: Arcam MusicBoost
>> 
>> Well, I have to say I'm sorry to hear that about the tight fit. Hard 
>> to believe they would just come out with a product that is made for a 
>> phone which is now a year and a half old and won't fit the current model.
>> 
>> Mary
>> 
>> 
>> 
> 
> **
> Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will leave the rest of 
> the halfwits in this world behind.
> 
> 
> 
> 

**
Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will leave the rest of the 
halfwits in this world behind.

RE: Arcam MusicBoost

[John Gurd]

Hi Anders

In the UK the MusicBoost is £120 stirling.

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Anders
Holmberg
Sent: 02 February 2016 22:40
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: Arcam MusicBoost 

Hi!
Whats the cost of this unit?
I am about to buy an android phone so i may not have enough money for this
unit but it sure sounds intresting.
/
> On 02 Feb 2016, at 17:31, John Gurd <j.g...@ntlworld.com> wrote:
> 
> I got my Arcam MusicBoost a few weeks ago and I've been meaning to 
> write about it for a while.
> 
> 
> 
> First of all the DAC sounds great with the B P7s as you might 
> expect. I mostly listened the music from the Apple Music service so 
> there was a limit to the definition (256 bitrate). However, it sounds 
> very detailed and natural with plenty of seperation. As it is a 
> headphone amp as well there is plenty of volume if necessary and the 
> music has a nice feel of power in reserve. Bass when present has loads 
> of umph but very well controlled and by no means overwhelming.
> 
> 
> 
> The unit is a hard shell with a velvety feel that is almost slippery. 
> The fit is very tight for an iPhone 6 and there is no wiggle room at 
> all. I struggle sometimes to remove the phone from the MusicBoost. You 
> can't pull it out by the phone's sides even though they can be gripped 
> from about halfway up. You have to get your fingernails between the 
> bottom edge of the phone and the unit and it can take more than one 
> attempt. So there is no way an iPhone 6S should be inserted into it! 
> Well, it can be forced but you'll never get it back!
> 
> 
> 
> There is a tiny button on the bottom front left of the unit and 
> pressing it in for a few seconds gets it charging the phone. Like a 
> lot of charging cases it feels light but once united with the iPhone 
> the combined weight is quite hefty in the hand. I usually keep my 
> phone in a trouser or jeans pocket but it's too heavy to be 
> comfortable with the case. So I use the musicBoost when I want to do 
> some undivided listening and it's certainly handy to have in a bag to 
> breakout it the iPhone needs a charge boost on the go.
> 
> 
> 
> Overall, it sounds fantastic and is great to have but I don't use it 
> all the time. But if you try to use a 6S with it I think you'll find 
> it will be permanently attached!
> 
> 
> 
> John
> 
> 
> 

RE: Arcam MusicBoost

[John Gurd]

Hi Dane

Yes, the P7s are the best I've heard and they've come down in price, at least 
on Amazon UK. I think I paid about £350 for them originally but I saw them 
recently for about£270. 

I'd love to try them with some high resolution 24 bit music but as yet I 
haven't got around to it. So far I've used them exclusively with my iPhone 
which is somewhat remiss as I have a fairly high-spec system. The fact that the 
cord is so short and I don't have a chair near my amplifier doesn't help. 

John

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
Trethowan
Sent: 02 February 2016 19:40
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: Arcam MusicBoost 

Yes that s a shame about the 6S so I ve therefore decided to purchase the Chord 
Mojo, something similar one might say but it doesn t follow the case idea.

Actually the Mojo is a standard type of DAC in a shell about the size of an 
iPhone though thinner.

The Mojo can be used with a wider variety of devices - everything from iPhone 
to Samsung S6 - and you can even hook it up to stereo components if you want 
given the Mojo has several digital inputs.

Of course that s not knocking the Music Boost and that would have been my 
preference, something to enclose my iPhone 6S.

If you re a lover of music then you really don t know what you re missing until 
you ve heard it through a DAC from Arcam, Chord or one of those manufacturers 
who dedicate their existence to DAC S.

And you have a pair of B P7 s as do I.

Perhaps you would echo my thought process when I say that these cans are a 
bargain for their price, sounds as though you re listening to a 30 inch 
sub-woofer and some silky tweeters not forgetting those power mid range 
speakers right up close.

My only annoyances about these cans is that they don t come with a longer 
leader for Hi-Fi listening and I m a little surprised that B don t offer one 
as an optional attachment.


> On 3 Feb 2016, at 3:31 AM, John Gurd <j.g...@ntlworld.com> wrote:
> 
> I got my Arcam MusicBoost a few weeks ago and I've been meaning to 
> write about it for a while.
> 
> 
> 
> First of all the DAC sounds great with the B P7s as you might 
> expect. I mostly listened the music from the Apple Music service so 
> there was a limit to the definition (256 bitrate). However, it sounds 
> very detailed and natural with plenty of seperation. As it is a 
> headphone amp as well there is plenty of volume if necessary and the 
> music has a nice feel of power in reserve. Bass when present has loads 
> of umph but very well controlled and by no means overwhelming.
> 
> 
> 
> The unit is a hard shell with a velvety feel that is almost slippery. 
> The fit is very tight for an iPhone 6 and there is no wiggle room at 
> all. I struggle sometimes to remove the phone from the MusicBoost. You 
> can't pull it out by the phone's sides even though they can be gripped 
> from about halfway up. You have to get your fingernails between the 
> bottom edge of the phone and the unit and it can take more than one 
> attempt. So there is no way an iPhone 6S should be inserted into it! 
> Well, it can be forced but you'll never get it back!
> 
> 
> 
> There is a tiny button on the bottom front left of the unit and 
> pressing it in for a few seconds gets it charging the phone. Like a 
> lot of charging cases it feels light but once united with the iPhone 
> the combined weight is quite hefty in the hand. I usually keep my 
> phone in a trouser or jeans pocket but it's too heavy to be 
> comfortable with the case. So I use the musicBoost when I want to do 
> some undivided listening and it's certainly handy to have in a bag to 
> breakout it the iPhone needs a charge boost on the go.
> 
> 
> 
> Overall, it sounds fantastic and is great to have but I don't use it 
> all the time. But if you try to use a 6S with it I think you'll find 
> it will be permanently attached!
> 
> 
> 
> John
> 
> 
> 

**
Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will leave the rest of the 
halfwits in this world behind.

RE: Arcam MusicBoost

[John Gurd]

Hmm, interesting. Sounds like Apple might have been stung into avoiding a
repeat of stories like those about the bendy 6 Plus. 

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane
Trethowan
Sent: 04 February 2016 18:08
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: Arcam MusicBoost

The 6S is slightly thicker due to its tough construction of steel frame, I
read this in a review of the 6S a week or so back.


> On 5 Feb 2016, at 5:03 AM, John Gurd <j.g...@ntlworld.com> wrote:
> 
> Hi Mary,
> I'm surprised too. a lot of cases do fit both models. And until I got 
> it I always thought the 6 and 6S were exactly the same size. I suspect 
> it might be a design oversight on the part of Arcam. There's only a 
> 5th of a millimetre difference in the thickness of the phones but that 
> makes all the difference with a case that is already a tight fit and very
rigid.
> 
> John
> 
> -Original Message-
> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of 
> Mary Otten
> Sent: 02 February 2016 17:13
> To: PC Audio Discussion List
> Subject: Re: Arcam MusicBoost
> 
> Well, I have to say I'm sorry to hear that about the tight fit. Hard 
> to believe they would just come out with a product that is made for a 
> phone which is now a year and a half old and won't fit the current model.
> 
> Mary
> 
> 
> 

**
Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will leave the rest of the
halfwits in this world behind.

Now I know why music on the Apple TV 3rd Gen doesn't sound so good...

[John Gurd]

I got an Apple TV 3rd Gen a year or so ago to use with MusicMatch and my
HiFi. I was really disappointed to discover that it really didn't sound that
great even with a HDMI connection. I recently read that for some reason it
resamples music from 44.1KHZ to 48KHZ. This is the equivalent to transcoding
on the fly which is inevitably going to sound terrible.

 

The thing is, I really love the new Apple music service and I am tempted to
buy the Apple TV 4th Gen in order to use the service with my living room
system. But once bitten, twice shy. I haven't been able to find out if it
handles music in the same way. I haven't even been able to find any serious
reviews of its audio quality. 

 

John

 

RE: Arcam MusicBoost

[John Gurd]

Hi Mary,
I'm surprised too. a lot of cases do fit both models. And until I got it I
always thought the 6 and 6S were exactly the same size. I suspect it might
be a design oversight on the part of Arcam. There's only a 5th of a
millimetre difference in the thickness of the phones but that makes all the
difference with a case that is already a tight fit and very rigid. 

John

-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Mary
Otten
Sent: 02 February 2016 17:13
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: Arcam MusicBoost

Well, I have to say I'm sorry to hear that about the tight fit. Hard to
believe they would just come out with a product that is made for a phone
which is now a year and a half old and won't fit the current model. 

Mary

Arcam MusicBoost

[John Gurd]

I got my Arcam MusicBoost a few weeks ago and I've been meaning to write
about it for a while. 

 

First of all the DAC sounds great with the B P7s as you might expect. I
mostly listened the music from the Apple Music service so there was a limit
to the definition (256 bitrate). However, it sounds very detailed and
natural with plenty of seperation. As it is a headphone amp as well there is
plenty of volume if necessary and the music has a nice feel of power in
reserve. Bass when present has loads of umph but very well controlled and by
no means overwhelming. 

 

The unit is a hard shell with a velvety feel that is almost slippery. The
fit is very tight for an iPhone 6 and there is no wiggle room at all. I
struggle sometimes to remove the phone from the MusicBoost. You can't pull
it out by the phone's sides even though they can be gripped from about
halfway up. You have to get your fingernails between the bottom edge of the
phone and the unit and it can take more than one attempt. So there is no way
an iPhone 6S should be inserted into it! Well, it can be forced but you'll
never get it back!

 

There is a tiny button on the bottom front left of the unit and pressing it
in for a few seconds gets it charging the phone. Like a lot of charging
cases it feels light but once united with the iPhone the combined weight is
quite hefty in the hand. I usually keep my phone in a trouser or jeans
pocket but it's too heavy to be comfortable with the case. So I use the
musicBoost when I want to do some undivided listening and it's certainly
handy to have in a bag to breakout it the iPhone needs a charge boost on the
go.

 

Overall, it sounds fantastic and is great to have but I don't use it all the
time. But if you try to use a 6S with it I think you'll find it will be
permanently attached!

 

John

 

RE: Review: Phantom of the flopera, by Rod Easdown.

[John Gurd]

This was fascinating. I've spent an hour or so reading reviews of the speaker 
and then of the company, Devialet, that makes them. Their truly revolutionary 
D200 amp also sounds amazing. Though wouldn't you just hate to buy a pair of 
these speakers at well over £3000 each and then find the IOS app to control 
them is inaccessible!!! (smiles)

Thanks Dane

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
Trethowan
Sent: 27 January 2016 23:56
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Review: Phantom of the flopera, by Rod Easdown.

No, this isn�t the most expensive Wireless system I�ve heard of but its right 
up there with them, read why below, scanned this out of today�s local paper.

Headline, Phantom of the flopera, by Rod Easdown.

Devialet is a French company that had its beginnings in 2003 with ingenious 
technology that combines digital and analogue amplification. Yes, its amps 
sound good, but what most appeals to me is that they look like nothing else at 
all in hi-fi. They are sleek, elegant, stylish and expensive, of course: $8300 
to $39,500.

Now Devialet is making speakers called the Phantom ($2990) and the Silver 
Phantom ($3590) that also look like nothing else in hi-fi. Both can be used 
singly or set up as stereo pairs. They are Bluetooth AptX-compatible, and by 
hooking into your home wireless network, they can go in any room and play the 
music you have stored on wirelessly connected devices. Well, that's the theory.

Maybe you haven't noticed, but since everything went online, the instruction 
books provided with new gadgets have become thinner, lighter and, most of all, 
cheaper. Often all you get is a quick-start guide that usually invites you to 
visit a website if you have problems. I suspect Devialet has set the minimalism 
record with its guide for the Phantom.

You get a little round book 6.5 centimetres in diameter that mostly boasts 
about the technology. The set-up and operation instructions total just three 
pictures and 15 words, five of which are the invitation to visit the website 
("Oops! Need help? Visit ..."). The folk at Devialet have obviously assumed 
that everything is going to go exactly to plan when you plug the Phantom in at 
your place, but it didn't at my place.

I downloaded the app and everything worked nicely until I got to the screen 
declaring that everything was ready and to press "continue". Then a little 
timing wheel came on and kept turning. I went to the website. There I learnt 
there was a button to be pressed and a connection to be made. Once done, the 
app told me the next step of installation would launch automatically. No, 
nothing. Try as I most assuredly did, the Phantom app went no further. The 
Bluetooth worked, so I could listen to music on my phone and high-resolution 
music player, but the home wireless network remained as silent as a stone, and 
so did the music on my computer.

I kept trying. I even tried with Devialet's optional Dialog box ($499) that 
plugs into the router (instructions: four pictures and 20 words), and still 
there was nothing but darkness. After two days of mucking about, I decided I 
had better things to do.

Devialet's Australian product manager called by and got everything running 
beautifully on his MacBook, but nothing he could do would persuade the Phantom 
to join my wireless network through my PC, which was the point of the exercise. 
It seems the Phantom app prefers Apples to PCs and doesn't like Windows 10 at 
all, although the factory says Windows 10 is expected to be supported soon.

I can say, however, that this is absolutely the best Bluetooth speaker I've 
ever listened to. It has powerful but never overwhelming bass, brilliant 
definition and beautifully defined and crisp highs, and it's extremely 
powerful, filling a big space even at low volume.

Looking like the progeny of a motorcycle helmet and a football, it's big and 
it's heavy - 11 kilograms. If you go to the Devialet website, you'll find a 
video of the Phantom pumping out bass, the convex cones at each side thrusting 
dramatically. I had no test tracks that made them gyrate that hard (at normal 
volume anyway), but Lucia Micarelli's Samarkand got them excited. Yes, it's an 
expensive speaker, but it sounds good, especially given that it can live on a 
shelf.

Now, here's the good thing. These are sold on a 45-day trial basis. If it 
doesn't work at your place or you just don't like it, return it for a full 
refund. But I have a better idea: its price is such that you can ask the dealer 
to install it at your place for free. That way his brain cells will be killed 
by the set-up, not yours, and if it doesn't like your wireless system you can 
tell him, gently, that the deal's off.


**
Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will leave the rest of the 
halfwits in this world behind.

RE: Audio On The Network

[John Gurd]

Hi Dane

That's interesting. I bought an Asus RT68U and am quite happy with it. I only 
use it in a basic setup although I know it can do a lot more. I always meant to 
spend some time with the manual but I haven't got around to it so far. Maybe I 
will now. 

This is a rather obvious question. Is the Merlin firmware fully accessible? I 
get tired of spending hours with software trying to do simple things with 
interfaces that turn out to only partly work with JAWS.

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
Trethowan
Sent: 13 January 2016 19:45
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Audio On The Network

Hi there!

Late last year I purchased an Asus RTAC3200 Tri-Band Router and I noted a huge 
improvement in audio quality when it came to streaming through my network.

Various list members discussed their experiences with audio and Routers at the 
time I recalled.

I touched on the subject of other firmware being available for the Router from 
the Open Source community and another member suggested I try the �Merlin� 
incantation of the Firmware.

Whilst this list is not a place for getting techno too much - though that�s 
unavoidable in audio discussions often - I can tell you that I�ve applied the 
firmware and the Router is faster again, notably so.

In short if you love your audio and your streaming then I believe you should do 
two things, take your time and same for an Asus RTAC3200 or something similar 
and then make some time available to study the feature set of same and - maybe 
- apply the �Merlin� firmware, you can always undo if things go wrong and go 
back to where you were.


**
Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will leave the rest of the 
halfwits in this world behind.

RE: Arcam MusicBoost adds a headphone amp, DAC and battery pack to iPhone 6 | What Hi-Fi?

[John Gurd]

A word of caution if you have a 6S as opposed to an iPhone 6. I saw a couple of 
reports of Amazon customers in the UK where people using the iPhone 6s had 
extreme difficulty removing the Music Boost once fitted to the phone. 
Apparently the 6S is fractions of a millimetre wider than the 6 and this is 
enough to cause too tight a fit. 

Also, be aware that the signal is one way, so the microphone and remote control 
functions of a headset style headphone will not work.

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
Trethowan
Sent: 08 January 2016 02:32
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: Arcam MusicBoost adds a headphone amp, DAC and battery pack to 
iPhone 6 | What Hi-Fi?

Google our friend is doing its best, I had trouble finding it too and I can 
only assume that - given the device has only been available for less than two 
months - it hasn t made its way outside the United Kingdom yet.


> On 8 Jan 2016, at 11:17 AM, Mary Otten  wrote:
> 
> This sounds most interesting. But am having difficulty finding it in 
> the States. C'mon google. I thought you were my friend!
> 
> Mary
> 
> 

**
Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will leave the rest of the 
halfwits in this world behind.

RE: Arcam MusicBoost adds a headphone amp, DAC and battery pack to iPhone 6 | What Hi-Fi?

[John Gurd]

Correction. The iPhone 6S is thicker, not wider, than the 6. It's only 0.2mm 
thicker, but this is enough to cause problems with certain cases, including the 
Arcam MusicBoost. 

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of John Gurd
Sent: 08 January 2016 10:11
To: 'PC Audio Discussion List'
Subject: RE: Arcam MusicBoost adds a headphone amp, DAC and battery pack to 
iPhone 6 | What Hi-Fi?

A word of caution if you have a 6S as opposed to an iPhone 6. I saw a couple of 
reports of Amazon customers in the UK where people using the iPhone 6s had 
extreme difficulty removing the Music Boost once fitted to the phone. 
Apparently the 6S is fractions of a millimetre wider than the 6 and this is 
enough to cause too tight a fit. 

Also, be aware that the signal is one way, so the microphone and remote control 
functions of a headset style headphone will not work.

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
Trethowan
Sent: 08 January 2016 02:32
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: Arcam MusicBoost adds a headphone amp, DAC and battery pack to 
iPhone 6 | What Hi-Fi?

Google our friend is doing its best, I had trouble finding it too and I can 
only assume that - given the device has only been available for less than two 
months - it hasn t made its way outside the United Kingdom yet.


> On 8 Jan 2016, at 11:17 AM, Mary Otten <maryot...@comcast.net> wrote:
> 
> This sounds most interesting. But am having difficulty finding it in 
> the States. C'mon google. I thought you were my friend!
> 
> Mary
> 
> 

**
Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will leave the rest of the 
halfwits in this world behind.

Arcam Music Boost

[John Gurd]

I've just ordered one of these to use with my iPhone 6 and B P7
headphones. It's a combined IPhone battery boost case, headphone amplifier
and lightning DA converter. 

 

The P7s sound great, but they sound even better with a little help. I've
been using a FiiO Kilimanjaro portable headphone amp occasionally with them
and noticed a difference. The Music Boost taking the digital signal direct
from the lightning connector on the iPhone should make a significant
improvement hopefully without the inconvenience of interposing a cumbersome
additional device.

 

John

 

RE: What happened all the iPhone lightning docks...?

[John Gurd]

Thanks Dane, I'll check this out. I've looked at B ones as you suggested.
Although they have AirPlay none has Digital out. Come to think of it, I
wouldn't be surprised if digital out is forbidden by Apple's licence to use
their proprietary lightning connector. It would be too easy to record DRM
Apple Music onto a PC, for instance?

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane
Trethowan
Sent: 07 January 2016 20:08
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: What happened all the iPhone lightning docks...?

Also have a look at Ruark Audio and see if they might have something to
suit.

Yes, Docks are disappearing as people prefer Bluetooth or Airplay.

Deion also have the Cocoon DSD501 still available which you may consider.


> On 8 Jan 2016, at 6:12 AM, John Gurd <j.g...@ntlworld.com> wrote:
> 
> I've been searching for an audio dock I could use with an iPhone with 
> a lightning connector. There weren't many a year or so ago and I 
> thought there would be a lot more on the market. Instead I found the
opposite to be true.
> All the previous models seem to have been discontinued from Onkio to 
> the top end made by Arcam.
> 
> 
> 
> I've been particulary interested in one with a digital out so I could 
> connect it to my home theatre. I've Googled for two days now and found 
> nothing current. Got excited when I found the Pure i120 but it's no 
> longer in stock on Amazon.
> 
> 
> 
> Has anyone else come across such a dock?
> 
> 
> 
> John
> 
> 
> 

**
Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will leave the rest of the
halfwits in this world behind.

RE: Arcam Music Boost

[John Gurd]

Just looked at the Mojo. It gets fantastic reviews. I'll tuck that thought away 
for future reference.

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
Trethowan
Sent: 07 January 2016 19:12
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: Arcam Music Boost

Clever Man!

I ve ordered something similar, the Chord Electronics Mojo which can be used 
with iPhone, Samsun S6 or even a desktop computer.


> On 8 Jan 2016, at 5:46 AM, John Gurd <j.g...@ntlworld.com> wrote:
> 
> I've just ordered one of these to use with my iPhone 6 and B P7 
> headphones. It's a combined IPhone battery boost case, headphone 
> amplifier and lightning DA converter.
> 
> 
> 
> The P7s sound great, but they sound even better with a little help. 
> I've been using a FiiO Kilimanjaro portable headphone amp occasionally 
> with them and noticed a difference. The Music Boost taking the digital 
> signal direct from the lightning connector on the iPhone should make a 
> significant improvement hopefully without the inconvenience of 
> interposing a cumbersome additional device.
> 
> 
> 
> John
> 
> 
> 

**
Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will leave the rest of the 
halfwits in this world behind.

How to create shares on MyCloud Device...

[John Gurd]

I'm trying to create a private share to use for my audio books on a
MyCloudEx4. I know how to do it in theory but in the Shares section I can't
find the 'Add Share' icon. Has anyone else had success with this? I am using
Jaws 16 and IE11.

 

John

 

RE: Electro Static Headphones

[John Gurd]

I think I had the same Stax Electrostatics as Mary. I hope it's not the same
these days, but back then the big disadvantage was that over time the moving
plates acquired a charge and would need replaced as they became less
effective. It was expensive so I had to sell them after only about 6 months
or so.

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Mary
Otten
Sent: 28 September 2015 15:58
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: Electro Static Headphones

A long time ago, like probably 30 years, I had a pair of Stax
electrostatics. They were pricy; I don't remember how much, but certainly
nowhere near a thousand. Then again, that was 30 years ago.
Yes, they did require a special amp. They even had a special connector that
plugged into the amp that came with the phones. And these phones were just
wonderful, except for those who want major bass. For folk and classical,
they were amazing! And they were light and quite comfortable, but of course,
they wouldn't have worked on a pc or a portable device, due to the special
connections and power requirements.
I didn't even know they made electrostatics any more.

Mary

RE: Bowers And Wilkins P7 Headphones, Why Shouldn't There Be Luxury Looks, Feel, Build And Sound

[John Gurd]

I've got the P7's and really like the sound. I take them on holiday but they're 
a little too big for everyday portable use. The only other drawback is I find 
them a little tight on the head with prolonged listening. 

I've looked into headphone amps before, but couldn't find one with a lightning 
connection for my iPhone6. There is one with the older Apple connection but I 
couldn't find any for newer devices and I didn't want to use the headphone jack 
as it would just pass on the faults of the built in DAC. I would be interested 
if anyone has come across ssuch a thing.

Regards

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Hamit Campos
Sent: 26 September 2015 00:45
To: 'PC Audio Discussion List'
Subject: RE: Bowers And Wilkins P7 Headphones, Why Shouldn't There Be Luxury 
Looks, Feel, Build And Sound

Yeah and actually the more I think about it it's true. I heard some BNW 
speakers once on youtube and even threw the guy's not so good camera they 
sounded epic. This person was playing the ship fight at the end of A New Hope 
and the X Wings were clearer then I've ever heard them. Keep in mind this is on 
youtube and threw a meh camera, so how must those speakers sound in actual 
life? I want them homy. Thing is that they were several thousand dolars. So 
yeah I know these people make good epic stuff. But you can't necessarily judge 
1 product by another. Especially a cheeper 1 by 1 that is several thousands.

-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
Trethowan
Sent: Friday, September 25, 2015 1:20 PM
To: PC Audio Discussion List 
Subject: Re: Bowers And Wilkins P7 Headphones, Why Shouldn't There Be Luxury 
Looks, Feel, Build And Sound

I don t its a question of what s best, everyone likes different things.  The 
question here is about good value for money and good headphones for the price.

As I initially stated, - in my view - the B P7 certainly give you that for 
their money, great and natural speaker type sound, incredible tough build, 
luxury finish etc.


> On 26 Sep 2015, at 1:06 am, Hamit Campos  wrote:
> 
> Cool man. Wow then it's real good. I mean Senheiser is 1 of the best. >From 
> what I've heard. I've not heard Senheiser sets with anything real. I did hear 
> 1 but it was just for 1 of the display things at a muzeam that you aim the 
> little Walkman thing at and it plays stuff having to do with the display. So 
> I 1 can't judge and 2 can't really fully come to turmes with what you mean. 
> But from what I've heard, I believe you.
> 
> -Original Message-
> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of 
> Dane Trethowan
> Sent: Friday, September 25, 2015 10:47 AM
> To: PC Audio Discussion List 
> Subject: Re: Bowers And Wilkins P7 Headphones, Why Shouldn't There Be 
> Luxury Looks, Feel, Build And Sound
> 
> This B set even give my Senheiser reference set I've had for 10 years a 
> good run for their money, you can hear the audible difference.
> 
> The P7's are the best I've heard particularly in their price range, no 
> emphasis on any particular part of the audio frequency spectrum, if there's 
> music to be played or spoken word to be heard then that's what you're going 
> to enjoy, the absolute detail.
> 
> 
> 
> On 9/25/2015 11:04 PM, Hamit Campos wrote:
>> Epic dude! Well I guess you kind of answered my question. I was going to ask 
>> about the hi end sounds. Yes here we go again. Lol! Would 1 hear the wistle 
>> to Godzilla 98 real crisp and clear? Seriously it's real rare the speaker or 
>> headphone that can do it and do it well. This is why it blows my mind that 
>> Sony TVs aren't as crisp as Samsung. Like, what the heck? But I digress. 
>> Seriously dude. Also real crispness to the high end is usefull for other 
>> things. It makes things real sharp and clear. Well for me anyways. I just 
>> bring Zilla up always because that's 1 instance where it gets real tricky. 
>> Either you do it well or it's meh. It's that particular that wistling sound 
>> to it's roar is.
>> 
>> -Original Message-
>> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of 
>> Dane Trethowan
>> Sent: Friday, September 25, 2015 6:45 AM
>> To: PC Audio Discussion List 
>> Subject: Bowers And Wilkins P7 Headphones, Why Shouldn't There Be 
>> Luxury Looks, Feel, Build And Sound
>> 
>> And that s exactly what the B P7 offer and a reasonably affordable price 
>> particularly if you re in the u.S. Where I m told these cans can be yours 
>> for under $300.
>> The P7 S are built from stainless steel and other metals with a touch of 
>> leather plus leather ear cuffs, the cuffs are attached to the frame 
>> magnetically and replacements are available should they be needed.
>> These cans are designed with portable/travel use in mind given the fold away 
>> design 

RE: What was the accessible Personal Clould Solution...

[John Gurd]

Ah, to answer my own question I think it was the WD MyCloud series. I hope
so, I've just ordered a MyCloud EX4.

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of John Gurd
Sent: 04 September 2015 09:33
To: PC Audio
Subject: What was the accessible Personal Clould Solution...

Can someone remind me, what was the Personal Cloud solution people were
recommending a few months ago based on a NAS drive? I thought I'd saved the
emails but can't find them. It might have been a WD brand but I remember it
worked well with Windows and IOS devices.

 

Thanks for any help.

 

John

 

What was the accessible Personal Clould Solution...

[John Gurd]

Can someone remind me, what was the Personal Cloud solution people were
recommending a few months ago based on a NAS drive? I thought I'd saved the
emails but can't find them. It might have been a WD brand but I remember it
worked well with Windows and IOS devices.

 

Thanks for any help.

 

John

 

RE: listenning on my iphone from my computer

[John Gurd]

TuneIn Radio is no longer accessible on the iPhone. See recent discussion on
Apple-Vis.

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Milton
Ota
Sent: 27 August 2015 00:23
To: mexican...@aol.com
Cc: pc-audio@pc-audio.org
Subject: Re: listenning on my iphone from my computer

You could get TuneIn Radio for your iPhone and computer. the iPhone app now
comes in 3 version/editions; 1. free with ads; 2. TuneIn Pro which removes
commercial advertising in the app; 3. the newest offering is a monthly
subscription fee which will give you much more stations including blocked
professional sports games on the app.

I didn't find the website that accessible when I last looked at it.

RE: streaming music from your pc to your iphone

[John Gurd]

I've just downloaded Monkey Mote. It's very good and surprisingly
accessible. But the Winamp version doesn't stream to an Apple device, only
the Foobar 2000 one does that. Still, even the Winamp library is accessible
in the Pro version which only costs £1.49 so very good. Thanks for
highlighting the app.

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Brett
Boyer
Sent: 25 August 2015 16:51
To: 'PC Audio Discussion List'
Subject: RE: streaming music from your pc to your iphone

I have done it using the Monkey Mote app that works with foobar and winamp
and a few other media players


  
-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of André van
Deventer
Sent: Tuesday, August 25, 2015 12:31 AM
To: pc-audio@pc-audio.org
Cc: National Accessibility Portal mailing list with topics focused on
accessibility for users with visual disabilities. bl...@napsa.org.za
Subject: streaming music from your pc to your iphone

Hi all

 

On google I see a lot of information about streaming music from your iphone
to your computer.  But can the opposite be done?  Is it actually possible to
stream music stored on your computer to your iphone over a wifi network?
Can you use your regular network for this or do you need other hardware?

 

Regards

 

Andre

 

 



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RE: BW P7.

[John Gurd]

I've got these too. They sound superb. The only disadvantage is that they
can get uncomfortable over long listening periods. As stated they are
designed for use with portable gismos like the iPhone and sound great but
they are not ideal for short journeys as they are quite big. More
importantly they are an enclosed style and cut down external sounds so if
you are on a local train or bus you may not hear your stop being announced,
and for a blind person walking around it wouldn't be safe. They are great
for long journeys, holidays or of course listening at home. They'll sound
great with any high end equipment as well as portables.

John

-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane
Trethowan
Sent: 17 May 2015 09:36
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: BW P7.

Yep, it is though note the following.

The cord is short, around 4 feet, they're really designed for Portable use b
but no reason whatever! why you can't use them with your favourite stereo
system.

Incredibly well built as is every BW product.

Wonderful bass, never heard anything like it through a pair of headphones
but again, shouldn't expect anything less from a company such as BW.

Yep, top is still there, loud and clear but that's BW.



On 17/05/2015 6:18 PM, Anders Holmberg wrote:
 Hi!
 Has anyone these headphones?
 I read a review in swedesh that it was one of the best wired headphones
around.
 I think it was $300 .
 Just wonder if i should stick with them or stay with my beyer dynamic
dt770.
 /A

-- 

**
Those who need help are those who are prepared to help themselves

RE: SACD'S

[John Gurd]

Hi Dane,

I didn't realise SAD's could do multi-channel recordings. I have a few BluRay 
audio recordings which sound great but only one is multi-channal. While they 
sound great you still have to use a menu system to access them just as if they 
were BluRay video. I wish there were more multi-channel recordings around but 
there seem to be very few even for contempory output. 

I am thinking of upgrading my ancient BluRay Sony player as it is clunky and 
slow. Which Dennon player did you get?

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
Trethowan
Sent: 27 March 2015 00:05
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: SACD'S

Hi!

Been a good while since I've sat down and had a listen to my small collection 
of Super Audio CD'S, I had an old Pioneer DVD Player which handled them however 
that player is not compatible with any of the newer equipment I own so SACD'S 
had to wait until I could afford to buy a compatible player.

The compatible player arrived in the form of a Denon Blu-Ray player about 3 
weeks ago ,time to take some time out from the grind, put my feet up and listen 
again.

There's no doubt about it in my view, the upgraded player for SACD'S was 
certainly worth the while given that each channel of the audio is now digitally 
delivered to the Denon Surround-Sound receiver, each channel being delivered 
via its own speaker rather than having to rely on processing to do the same 
job, the old Pioneer player would also deliver the channels to each speaker but 
in an Analogue mode and you can certainly pick the difference.

The Pioneer player connected to a multi channel amp or Surround-Sound receiver 
by the use of multiple VCA connecting cords, one lead for each channel and the 
connection couldn't be done digitally even though the Pioneer had a Digital out 
connection - two in fact - they would allow the streaming of standard Audio or 
Surround-Sound audio and not from SACD.

The Denon player on the other hand is completely digital for everything, one 
HDMI connection handles up to 8 channels of audio, HD 4K video - if available - 
and all the other controlling stuff that HDMI is capable of, certainly makes 
life one hell of a lot easier connecting HDMI devices rather than doing things 
the traditional way with RCA and other cords.

I guess you're all wondering, what's the use of me getting SACD'S if I can only 
play them on a compatible player? That's true if you want to enjoy the multi 
channel benefits of SACD however a SACD will play in standard stereo mode quite 
happily in a standard CD Player.

Time to get back to my Jeff Waynes Super Audio CD Version of War Of The worlds, 
the classic double album from 1978.


-- 

**
Those who need help are those who are prepared to help themselves