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Went to the dark side

I'm not really an analog zealot, although my high end, audiophile world was analog only — until now. I finally decided to take the plunge and get into digital with a dac/streamer. I had held off mostly due to being bewildered by all the choices and  different approaches to fine tuning a digital system.

Well, I finally took the plunge before the holidays and thanks to everyone here and specifically @mdalton I decided to go with the Gold Note DS-10 (and a DH Labs Reunion ethernet cable). I am super happy with it. It's a joy to have access to so much more music and to include my family in it. 

No, it doesn't match my analog front-end. But that wasn't to be expected, as I have an order of magnitude more invested in it. 

However, I know it can get better. I know the Gold Note isn't new or anything flashy. But, man, is it satisfying. I look forward to adding Stack Audio Smoothlan Regenerator and the optional external power supply. 

Anyhow, just wanted to say: I went to the dark side — and I like it, like it, yes I do!

jpan
kennymacc
722 posts
 

@jpan 

"You went to the dark side?"  Funny, after over 45 years of 8-track, vinyl, cassette, reel-to-reel, and CD/SACD/DVD-Audio, about 4 years ago, I considered transitioning to streaming exclusively, at an extremely high level, as going to the "Bright" side Lol!!   As you continue to upgrade your digital streaming rig, you’ll discover just how brilliant streaming can sound, too.  Happy listening.    

newton_john's avatar
newton_john
551 posts
 

The dark side has many advantages. Not least of which is that Roon can integrate Quobuz and Tidal with ripped CDs, downloads, etc. on local storage. Having so much music readily available is a boon, yet it can be overwhelming at times. 

hifiguy42
386 posts
 

This constant haraunging and hand wringing over which format one favors is bizarre but fits into the "human nature" narrative that everything has to be binary. If you like dogs, you have to dislike cats. Beatles/Stones, Pepsi/Coke, Packers/Bears, Alien/Predator, Ford/Chevy, blue/red ad astra ad infinitum. It's a very limiting, arbirtrary way to view the world - make this the year you break free from these self imposed rules and embrace whatever format you like without feeling as though you have to defend that decision without denigrating "the other side". Remember when you were a wee tot and your brain would do flip flops when a song you loved came on, regardless of the source? Try to return to that joy, it's very liberating. There is no "dark side" of the hobby really, matter of fact it's all great!

speedthrills
215 posts
 

Well, hopefully you'll eventually get used to having endless selection (for $20 a month), not havnig to spend $40 for poorly recorded vinyl, no static, no pops, limited dynmamic range, expensive cartridges, turntable and cleaning gea and will eventually find that NOT having to get up every 22 minutes and change a record is a pretty good thing. 

jpan OP
175 posts
 

Thanks everyone. I agree with all your comments. It’s been a great experience.

I just added the Stack Audio Smoothlan Regenerator. Wow. It’s not even settled in and I can easily say Wow. 

Really starting to feel blown away by the whole dac/streamer/digital thing.

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