Since my home office has been the most popular thing on my website, I thought I would start with that room for the way I listen to music. This room possibly has the most options, but I am going to list them from the most used way of listening to the least used methods.
iPad M1
This is my most popular way of listening to music in the space. I have a Satechi stand that I use to send HDMI to my TV that can be used a separate display or can mirror the iPad's display. This allows me to see large album overs on the 42 inch TV that hovers over my desk (when it is in "sit down mode"). I mainly use Apple Music with this configuration. It feeds the following:
1. Topping D10 DAC - This is a well measured DAC that has great sound quality. It's a few years old, but still does a great Job. I actually bought 2 of them since I am such a fan.
1. Topping D10 DAC - This is a well measured DAC that has great sound quality. It's a few years old, but still does a great Job. I actually bought 2 of them since I am such a fan.
2. TC-754 preamp/switcher - This device lets you switch 3 different RCA sources and has an another input for phono.
3. Little Dot MKIII headphone amp and preamp - I had a very capable Heed Canamp headphone amp in the space, but the Little Dot gives me more flexibility. Via an RCA Splitter, I can send the audio signal from the TC 754 preamp to both my Denon AVR-X4200W receiver or through my Little Dot when I want to send the signal through tubes, first.
Wiim Mini
I use this with Amazon Music. It is nice to use when the iPad is in another room and I don't have time to run and get it. However, I mainly go this route if I want to control what is playing by voice via an Amazon Echo Show without messing around with Airplay on my phone. It is actually quite convenient to get music playing when I already know what I want to hear. I use a device that will take the optical output of the Wiim and convert the signal to Coax (which allows me to play 24/192 files...optical on the Denon is limited to 24/96).
I can also send audio from my phone to the Wiim, which gives me the ability to stream hi res using the Amazon Music app. The Wiim also has UPNP built in, so I can also use it with Audirvana or Logitech Media Server when I want to hear my own music files.
I can also send audio from my phone to the Wiim, which gives me the ability to stream hi res using the Amazon Music app. The Wiim also has UPNP built in, so I can also use it with Audirvana or Logitech Media Server when I want to hear my own music files.
Angels Horn Turntable
As with the iPad, this also goes through the TC-754 and uses its capable phono preamp. By going through the TC-754, I can send it through the Little Dot Tubes or directly to the Denon. I am a fan of the sound of records playing through tubes for some reason. I still have a tube phono amp from Belalri that I had intended to use, but it was getting feedback from my computer. I may still mess around with it to see if I can get around that issue, but I am pretty happy with this solution, so I may just sell the Belarl.
M1 Mac mini
The Mac Mini for Apple Music doesn't have bitrate switching on the fly without using a separate app, so it isn't my most used audio setup in the space, though it does still get some use, especially when I am listening to music with Youtube as a source. I have an app called LosslessSwitcher that will allow bit rate switching, but it has a slight hiccup on the first song when the resolution of a file changes. Not a deal breaker, but with the other options above, I don't have to deal with any issues.
I have the Mini connected via USB to a HiDisz S8 DAC. This is a good solution because if I want to use the HiDisz on a trip with my iPhone, I know where it is. I unplug one cable and I can hit the road. I also have a Dragonfly DAC I could use, but it's limited to 24/96. For listening directly from my iPhone or iPad around the house, it is plenty good, though.
The HiDisz is also connected to the TC-754, which makes it easy to jump from source to source.
I have the Mini connected via USB to a HiDisz S8 DAC. This is a good solution because if I want to use the HiDisz on a trip with my iPhone, I know where it is. I unplug one cable and I can hit the road. I also have a Dragonfly DAC I could use, but it's limited to 24/96. For listening directly from my iPhone or iPad around the house, it is plenty good, though.
The HiDisz is also connected to the TC-754, which makes it easy to jump from source to source.
Yamaha 5 Disc Universal Player
While the room can play multichannel, I have not gone that route with the Yamaha thanks to needing tons of cables to pull that off. I may do it down the road, but it is already a jumble of cables behind my receiver as it is. I have thought about getting a new universal player (or used) with HDMI output for the space, but I rarely listen to music this way, so it wouldn't be the best use of my money. It is cool to listen to surround sound from SACDs and DVDAs, but they sound pretty great with 2 channel audio.
AppleTV
I will occasionally use my AppleTV for audio in the space. This is an older version without Dolby Atmos, but still works for listening to music while watching Youtube or just from convenience with Apple Music. It is a great source for those Dolby Digital soundtracks.
Headphones
I have been using AKG K701 headphones for years now. I guess I don't jump on the flavor of the month the way I have in the past. I remember back when I was on Head-fi forums all the time and you would see a great review of a product, then a year later it was "blown out of the water" but the next new thing. I personally think most moves in the same price point are more incremental, if that. Yes, you can get a different sound by changing brands, but that doesn't mean one is better than the other. Very happy with these headphones and have no plans to change them out. Though I do have headphones in other rooms that I can bring in here, when I want. I guess I should also mention that I rarely listen to headphones in the space these days and prefer speakers.
Speakers
I changed out speakers earlier in the year. I finally moved the NHT SB2s out of the space. I think they will eventually go in our sunroom, but we will see. I now have KEF LS50 Metas that I love! These things really shine in my desktop setup. I pair them with a small B&W subwoofer. Honestly, for music, I could easily live without as sub, but I guess it fills in that very low end, especially when listening to movie soundtracks.
I have a few other speakers in the room mainly for movies...Polk audio center channel and a couple pair of Radio Shack speakers at the rear of the room.
I have a few other speakers in the room mainly for movies...Polk audio center channel and a couple pair of Radio Shack speakers at the rear of the room.
To Wrap Up
I guess you could say I am very happy with my current setup. The only thing I have considered is adding a Fiio R7 for the solid state headphone amp, but I just don't think it is worth it since I rarely listen to headphones. Other than that, it fits all my audio, video, and computer needs.
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