As in past years (2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011), I am putting together a new list of my top tech.  The list contains my favorite things from the last year, even if they were available in prior years.  By "tech" I am basically including any new toys, apps, etc... that I find cool and/or useful. 

Note:  I may get paid commissions for purchases made through any links to Amazon products on this page.  Also, I get some products for free to review from Amazon (though, I do have to pay taxes on them).

Denon X3700H Receiver - This is an amazing receiver, especially at the price.  It has very good measurements, sounds fantastic using my pair of Emotiva amps in Denon’s special “ preamp” mode, has Alexa and Siri capabilities, and is 8k ready!  A receiver ready for the future! I discuss it in more detail here.

Orei Ethernet to HDMI - this is probably going to have limited appeal for many readers, but it was a real game changer around here.   What it does is connect to HDMI out on a receiver and allow you to send that signal to other parts of the home via Ethernet, which is much is easier to route through walls than HDMI.   This allowed me to easily connect a projector in my living room.  I still need an electric projector screen to automate it all, but we have watched more movies on the 100 inch screen this year than all the years combined that I have had a projector available. 

Viltrox 85mm -  I was a little skeptical when I got the opportunity to review this lens.  It was much cheaper than Sony lenses and I had never heard of the company.   However, I could not have been happier with the results.  Below are a couple pics I took with it, just for example.

iPhone 12 Pro Max - I updated from a 7 plus ( which I loved) and this seems to be the phone with the most future proofing.  The screen, cameras, and speed are amazing.   I financed it for 30 months to keep my payments down, so it had to have some future proofing to make it worthwhile.  Let’s see how I feel in two years! Lol. Would normally be my product if the year with the major upgrade from my old iPhone, but the x3700 was compelling enough to take the top spot, especially with us spending so much time using the home theater in this Covid wrecked environment.

Weber gas grill S315- my old Weber gas grill fell apart after many years of use.   We updated to a new version of the classic and it works great.  While Weber isn’t the cheapest brand, it is a brand I trust to get great results and last for years. 

TiVoo Max - I got the opportunity to review this Bluetooth speaker, pixel art, clock and it definitely reminded me of something in my youth.  Maybe the old pac man games or playing Lite Bright with friends.  Anyway, it is so fun to use, the speaker is very good for what it is, and it even works great as a clock.   It is just a really fun, but purposeful, toy.

Qobuz -  I still use Apple Music for convenience, but when the price of hi-resolution and lossless audio came down, I got on board (thanks to Amazon for shaking up this industry).   Since I am home so often, it is nice to use this service with its extraordinary sound quality.    I have mentioned Tidal on here before, but they use an unnecessary MQA format rather than just sending audio over an uncompressed file.  The plug in for Audirvana has been a dream to use, as well.

Note:  I may get paid commissions for purchases made through any links to Amazon products on this page and website.  Also, I get some products for free to review from Amazon (though, I do have to pay taxes on them).

Marantz TT15 - while it should be obvious that I love music, I don’t listen to a ton of vinyl.  Maybe that was my budget turntable’s fault?  Who knows, but my current turntable stopped working, so I figured it was time for an upgrade.   I debated a long time about how much to spend, but I figured this will be my last turntable, so I splurged a bit on it.   This seems to be the best combination of engineering, bank for the buck, and good looks.  All in all, it makes for a very nice setup.  I paired it with a nicely engineered Cambridge Phono Amp. 

Of course, I had a little fun with it by placing an LED under the acrylic platter.  Is there anything better than listening to Kind of Blue in a room where the only light is coming from the Bluely lit turntable?  LOL 

Brewista Kettle -  another elegant kitchen device that is both purposeful and beautiful.  We love having a cup of tea after dinner and this is quick to heat up water with one button push.  It feels elegant in the hand and it’s spout makes it easy to pour.

Massage Gun Deep Tissue Percussion 20  - I seem to be sitting longer and working more now that I currently don’t have the commute to work.  As a result, muscle tightness has started to be an issue.   This multi-speed device with multiple massaging head options can help loosen up the tightest muscles.

Panasonic 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Player with HDR10 - when you start using a faux K projector with HDR, you really want to have some way of taking advantage of that quality.   This machine does that in spades without costing a fortune.  It does have streaming built in for some services, but I use it only for playing back discs....which is where it excels.

Jabra Elite 75t Earbuds -  I got a lot of "on-the-go" stuff this year (the Lacie Rugged SSD, small mechanical keyboards, and other stuff for my iPad), but this is the only device I used enough to put it on the list.   These are truly wireless, sound spacious, EQ can be changed with the app, and they can be used with two devices without fiddling with settings.   Very nice set of earbuds I have used most of the year.   I will link the version I have, but there is a new version out that looks interesting, as well.

So, another year (is almost) behind us (as of this writing).  I am looking forward to 2021 with the vaccines being on the market and hopefully returning to normal life...though, I much prefer working from home.  

I think when we can get out, more money will go toward outside the home entertainment since cabin fever has take over.   There are a few things I already have coming before the end of the year that I plan on reviewing, but if they are worthy, they will go on the 2021 list.  Have a great new year!
​

After having the Denon X4200H in my setup for a few years, I decided to upgrade.  There were a few reasons to do it now, though I could've held off for a while if I need to.  Below is my reasoning for upgrading now and why I chose the X3700H over other options on the market.  Also, I have included a quick run down of my impressions, so far.


Note:  I get paid commissions for purchases made through any links to Amazon products on this page and website.  However, I did buy this unit myself for my home system.  

​I will say that Amazon's zero percent financing for the next year played into my decision to buy it from them, though.   

Why update now?  In a word, "2020".   With being home this year more than anytime in my life, I have been using my system more than ever for entertainment.   Denon has added some new features that I thought would enhance the experience, so I decided to do it now rather than later.

Secondly, I have a cheap Onkyo receiver in my home office that was completely adequate until I started spending 8+ hours a day in there.   I wanted an upgrade for this setup, too.  Being able to move my Denon X4200H into the room gives me the opportunity for  better sound quality and more HDMI outputs that should prove to be very useful, especially with it being able to use zone 2 for a separate signal from the same receiver.  This means I can listen to music from my Mac using one output, while having my Dell computer feeding my monitor with zone 2 (as one example).   It also has a 3rd HDMI that mirrors the main HDMI out, so I can send that to my Vizio TV that sits above my main monitor.    (Note: still deciding on the exact configuration I want to use because there are a lot of options I could go with)

Thirdly, with me staying home, I have been spending less money on entertainment.   I feel like having some of my entertainment budget going towards a nice home theater upgrade is money well spent!  

This was a pretty easy decision, though I did have to do a bit of research to confirm my decision.   First off, I am a big Denon fan.  I have had several of their receivers over the years and I don't think anyone provides the same bang for buck when doing direct comparisons.

I did consider the much more expensive NAD T778 receiver.  The LCD screen on this unit is gorgeous.  However, I found it lacking in a lot of areas.  It only has 2 HDMI outs, but one is maxed at 1080p.  This is kind of crazy at this price point.  I did consider an outboard splitter, but the bigger issue was performance:

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/nad-t778-audio-video-receiver-avr-review.15643/

"NAD gets a lot of things right with T778 with high efficiency and cool running amplifiers, large beautiful display, excellent cooling if needed and good DAC performance (for an AVR). Alas, there just isn't enough attention to detail with respect to noise, bugs, input digitization, etc. Given all of this, I give up and let you all decide if it fits for your purpose. I hope NAD takes this platform and this data and makes a clean up pass for next year to build a truly superior product. As it is, it doesn't get there."

At a lower price point, some of this may have been acceptable, but at nearly $3000, I couldn't justify it.

The X3700H, on the other hand, is $1199.  I could buy 2 for less than the NAD.   However, the performance, at least in the review below, trumps that of the NAD:

"What a sigh of relief that the Denon AVR-X3700H performns on par with the later year mode, 3600H. The other "2020 year" Denon AVRs we have tested have had worse performance, leaving the 3600H as the best performing AVR until now. So buy the 3700H with peace of mind knowing that it performs quite well (for an AVR). Of course be mindful of what other features the units above it have which you may want, top of which is more power.

I am happy to add Denon AVR-X3700H to my recommended list."

At the end of this article, I will have the entire feature list, which is impressive, but I wanted to talk about the few features that swayed me in the direction of upgrading:

8K capabilities:

This is one of the first AVRs with an 8k output.  There is only one 8k input, but this works for me because I can't see me adding more than one 8k device down the road.   I mainly use the AppleTV for everything, so if it gets updated to 8K, I could see that as being my only 8k device for a long while.   Of course, this is just future proofing, but it is nice to have that extra comfort when you upgrade.  The NAD will, in theory, have modules come out to upgrade their receiver with new features (at a cost) down the road.   I wonder what it will cost to add an 8k input and output?   I don't know, but I wouldn't be surprised if I could buy another X3700H (or whatever is available then) for the same money.  

Pre-amp mode

This is a new feature that "detaches" the amps when using an external amplifier.   I have 2 Emotiva Monoblocks, so getting a cleaner signal (which is how this would affect the sound) was very enticing.   The X3700H doesn't have the flexibility in how to assign the pre-outs as the more expensive models, but with my 5.1 setup, I just chose the 11.1 option, let it configure for 11.1 channels and then assigned the pre-outs to the front two channels.  It seems to work since I looked in the "amp assign" and it shows the front two channels as "PRE".  However, under the Speaker configurations it shows that the surround back and top front speakers as "none".   This gives me the ideal setup for my system.   However, for those that want to have a setup for multichannel and a completely separate setting for 2 channel, that is also possible with the 2 Speaker Presets.   You can then easily switch back and forth with one of the 4 Quick Select buttons on the remote.  There are 4 Quick select buttons, so you have a bit of flexibility with other settings, as well.

Airplay 2 

I have been using Airplay 2 since it first came to market.   While I mainly listen to music on my main system using a Mac Mini running Audirvana and Qobuz, I also have an Apple Music account for a few reasons.   In this case, I can use the HomePod that sits between my living room and kitchen to control what is playing on my main system.  Before, I had to start up my receiver and go to the AppleTV input.  Now, telling the HomePod to "Play Tom Petty in Living Room" will start up the receiver and start to play.  No remote needed and no display needs to be on.   I can even control the volume by voice without picking up the remote.  

There is an issue with turning off the receiver when I am done.   From what I can tell, the HomePod doesn't have this capability.   However, Alexa can turn off and on the receiver, so I can go that route since I have a Dot in the same space.   (more about that below)

Of course, Airplay 2 gives me the ability to play music all over the house, as well.  It is nice to have it built in to the receiver!  

Alexa control

While I mainly use Airplay, I can play music using the Amazon Dot using the Amazon service, as well.   I don't subscribe to Amazon Music, but it will play music from the thousands of files I uploaded years ago or using their free service to play music.    I won't use this a lot, but I will use the feature that will turn off the receiver when I am finished using Airplay 2.   It doesn't look like all skills are available when sending the receiver music from the Dot.  If I tell it to send a song from Apple Music or SiriusXM, it tells me they "aren't support by this device."  Kind of a bummer if I didn't have a HomePod or Airplay 2.

UPNP

While I currently have my Mac mini directly connected via a Topping DAC feeding it Coax, I also require UPNP for when my 2010 Mac eventually burns out or when I move the receiver to another room.   The sound quality is fantastic and after about an hour of listening to hi resolution files (up to 24/192), I never had an issue with sound dropping or any other audible issues.  

There is an issue with it showing "unknown" on some songs rather than showing the artist and song title.  The album art does show up on the display and some songs do show the title, so I am not sure if this is an issue with the Denon or Audirvana, but worth mentioning.   I mainly use the iOS app for controlling music, so not a big deal for me, but there is some flaw here.

Sound formats

Since I currently only have 5.1 in the room, I am also interested in some of their virtualization settings for Atmos.  However, I haven't had a chance to test those out yet.  Of course, I could decide to put some speakers in the ceiling down the road for real Atmos, so the fact that this receiver supports so many formats, I don't see me needing much more in the next few years.

More Video Capabilities

While I mentioned 8k for future use, the Denon also has 4K/120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG. 3D, and BT.2020 pass through.    It is simply a beast for both audio and video.

Other features I could use down the road

This receiver is Roon Ready.  If you are not familiar with Roon, I would just say it has the best use of metadata that I have run across in an app.  The app also has wiki reviews, liner notes, and plenty of other information built in.   The downside for me is the lack of DLNA features and the price (which is roughly $99 a year).   Without DLNA, most of the components I currently own wouldn't work unless I used Airplay (which is capped at 16/44.1).   There is a chance that I would subscribe if they added DLNA or just lowered the price significantly.   Not sure it will happen, but very happy to see this as an option.

Two sub outs.  If I ever decide to add another sub, I am covered.

Phono input -  If my Belari Phono stage ever burns out, I can just plug my Project Debut directly into the receiver.  Also, for future proofing down the road.  Not sure if it will sound as good, but nice to have the feature.

So far, I am extremely happy with this purchase.   The sound quality is amazing and the features are off the charts.  I am really surprised that Denon can offer such a feature packed receiver, with very good measurements, at this price point.   I would suggest it is the only thing near this price point with this combination of features.   Also, being able to move my old receiver into my office was a huge upside to the upgrade.

Upsides
Preamp mode
11.1 channels of processing
8k 
3 HDMI outs
7 HDMI inputs
Very good measurements
HDR/3D etc
Virtualization for those with a limited number of speakers
2 Speaker Presets (nice for those that want to have multichannel and stereo set up differently)
PRICE!!
Still has some component inputs for those that still have a Wii :)

Downsides
 They removed the HDMI input on the front
The UPNP weirdness with the song titles
Would love an LED like the NAD on future models

Power and processing:

• 9-channel amplifier
• 105 watts per channel into 8 ohms (20-20,000 Hz) at 0.08% THD, with 2 channels driven
• Dolby® and DTS® surround sound decoding
  • Dolby Atmos® processing for use with in-ceiling or "height" speakers for more enveloping home theater sound
  • Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization and DTS Virtual:X® create three-dimensional effects without height speakers
• IMAX® Enhanced reproduces the full dynamic range of specially encoded IMAX soundtracks from compatible sources
• analog-to-HDMI video conversion
• upscales standard-definition video signals to HD and Ultra HD (up to 8K)
• Audyssey speaker calibration and system optimization includes:
  • MultEQ® XT32 auto setup and room calibration delivers balanced, dynamic sound with enhanced surround performance
  • Dynamic Volume anticipates loud sounds to keep volume levels even
  • Dynamic EQ improves dialogue, bass response, and surround channel levels at lower volumes
  • Sub EQ HT provides individual calibration for dual subwoofers, for even bass response throughout the room
  • Low Frequency Containment reduces the amount of bass that bleeds into other rooms
  • Audyssey MultEQ Editor app for further audio customization (paid app; not included)

Digital and streaming music options:

• built-in Wi-Fi for listening to music from a networked PC, free internet radio, and music services
• HEOS Built-in technology wirelessly connects compatible HEOS components for whole home audio
  • includes support for Pandora®, SiriusXM, and Spotify® (subscription required for some services)
  • free HEOS app offers easy Wi-Fi control, settings adjustments, and music selection and playback
  • works with Amazon Alexa and Google Home voice control assistants
• Apple AirPlay 2 lets you stream directly from an iPhone® or iPad® and ask Siri to play Apple Music®
  • supports multi-room audio with compatible wireless speakers
• built-in Bluetooth for wireless music listening with smartphones, tablets, and compatible computers
• Bluetooth transmission for sending audio from the receiver to Bluetooth-enabled headphones
  • play audio through Bluetooth headphones only, or through Bluetooth headphones and connected speakers simultaneously
• plays high-resolution digital music files via USB storage device or a networked computer (PCM up to 24-bit/192kHz resolution; DSD up to 5.6 MHz)
• Denon's Compressed Audio Restorer improves sound quality of MP3s and other digital music files

Multi-room audio/video:

• dual-room/dual-source output
  • amp assign function lets you use surround back speaker outputs for front height, Zone 2, Front B, or bi-amping front speakers
  • using powered 2nd-room output allows 7.2-channel sound in main room
  • All Zone Stereo mode ensures that both zones stay in sync when playing the same source
  • All Zone TV Audio lets you play surround sound in your main room and downmixed stereo in your 2nd room
  • supports both analog and digital audio connections
  • HDMI dual-zone switching for watching video content from different sources in two zones simultaneously
  • Zone 2 compatible audio sources: HDMI audio, optical/coaxial digital inputs, analog audio inputs, AM/FM tuner, USB, Bluetooth, and HEOS music apps
  • cannot select different USB/Bluetooth/network sources for each zone

Connections:

• HDMI 2.1 audio/video switching: 7 in, 3 out
  • 1 input and 2 outputs support 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz video
  • all inputs and outputs support 4K/60Hz video
  • HDCP 2.3 technology ensures compatibility with Ultra HD sources and TVs
  • HDR-compatible for extended picture contrast and brightness with compatible TVs and HDR-encoded content
  • supports HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision™, and HLG
• gaming-optimized video processing technologies for a smooth, lag-free gaming experience
  • Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), and Quick Frame Transport (QFT) reduce or eliminate lag and frame tearing
• supports ARC (Audio Return Channel) and eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)
  • eARC receives uncompressed surround sound signals including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X via the HDMI connection with your compatible TV
• component video switching: 2 in, 1 out
• composite video switching: 3 in, 1 out
• digital audio inputs: 2 Toslink optical, 2 coaxial
• 5 analog stereo RCA audio inputs
• MM (moving magnet) phono input for connecting a turntable
• 11.2-channel preamp outputs
• two discrete line-level subwoofer outputs for more precise multi-subwoofer setups
• front-panel USB port for audio playback from USB flash drives
• Ethernet port for network connection
• outputs for 11 speakers (Front L/R, Center, Surround L/R, Surround Back L/R, Height1 L/R, Height2 L/R)
  • receiver can power a maximum of 9 channels at once
• RS-232C, remote (IR), and 12-volt trigger connections for use with optional third-party controller
• full-sized headphone jack

Seeing so many videos pop up in my Youtube lists with the Magic Keyboard left me wondering if I could put together a decent laptop-like experience with the iPad Pro.

Note:  I get paid commissions for purchases made through any links to Amazon products on this page and website.

I already had the old "Origami"  Smart Keyboard which consisted of a nice light cover for the front and back, a keyboard, and a stand for the iPad, so I already had a decent option for couch use.  Personally, I would go with this type of keyboard again if they made it.  Their current version of this keyboard still folds back, but it will not work as a stand....bummer.

Since the Magic Keyboard essentially doubles the weight of the iPad, I assume many are just keeping it on a desk and just popping the iPad off when they want to use it in tablet mode.  Apple doesn't really give you much choice.  For me, this would end up with the Keyboard being in storage near the kitchen table and I could just get it out when I want to use it on the kitchen table.

I think there are better, much cheaper options than going this route.   However, the only way to get the same functionality as the trackpad on the Magic Keyboard would be with a new Magic Trackpad or Magic Mouse.  The Magic Mouse is $79, so you really have to decide how often you plan to use this setup to see if it is actually worth this money.    At one time, I thought my old first gen Magic Mouse would work with it.  Apple decided to cripple it by not even allowing scrolling!  I have that feature with my Logitech Mouse!   Personally, I went with the Logitech MX Ergo Pro, which works with a scroll ball rather than moving the mouse along the table, so it can be used in small spaces.  Also, I keep it near my spot on the couch to use with my Mac Mini and I can switch to the iPad with a touch of a mouse button.  It works fine, but it is clunkier than using it with a mini or a laptop.

Of course, I could use the iPad Keyboard stand, but I have a few options that can fold down for travel.  For me, the one I use depends on the stability that I think I will need.  At home, I just use a lightweight stand that works with this iPad, but isn't the most stable.  If I need something stable, I have something like this and this.

I have multiple options for this, as well.  I have small Bluetooth keyboards, the magic keyboard, and a mechanical keyboard.

I have been using the mechanical keyboard since it can be plugged in or run off of the battery.  Also, I just prefer typing on it.  Of course, I didn't get one with the number keys, since I wanted this to be somewhat small for travel.  I also like the fact that this one has back-lit keys.   The only downside is that the keys are a bit thicker (which I like for typing) which means it takes up more space in a bag.   I have to see how much room I have for it before deciding which keyboard to use. 

However, the keyboard itself is a pleasure to type on, so I am very happy with the experience.   The keyboard also has function buttons, so you can change the back-lighting of the iPad, control volume, etc. without needing to touch the iPad or go into settings (you can't do this with the Magic Keyboard).

As a side note, I have it pictured with the cable since I can slowly charge it with the iPad, but it can also go without the cable since it works with Bluetooth.  I would just have to watch running down the battery.

For me, it is important to be able to listen to music while I work.   When I need to save room in the bag or just want to work quickly, I use the Jabra Elites 75t Earbuds.  I haver reviewed them here.  When I am going to be working a while, I go with a more complicated setup that pairs the Shure SRH940 headphones with an older Dragonfly DAC.  They work great together and sound fantastic. Note that some of the Amazon reviews complain that they "broke their 4th pair", but I haven't had issues with mine since I reviewed them in 2012.  That being said, I'm not rough on headphones.  I keep these near my spot on the couch and don't wear them out in the rain or elements.  I have different earbuds I use for those purposes (Beatsx or the Jabras that I mentioned above). 

With my version of the iPad, I need power if I am going to plug anything into it.  I have the Lighting to USB adapter with the two ports.  It allows USB to plugged into one port and power into the other.  On the road, I like having an Anker power supply.   If I am just plugging in one thing, I can just use a Plugable device that fools the iPad into thinking it is getting enough power.  It is nice for this setup since I can go without power if I need to.  

As you can see, I have put together a setup for my current iPad that gives me ultra portability with the Smart Keyboard case, but also gives me a great desktop experience when I am going to be sitting at a table for a while.  

For me, this is better than having a heavy case that goes with it everywhere.   The only thing I might add down the road is a Magic Mouse, but we will see if it makes sense when I get a 12.9 inch iPad late this year or sometime next year.  For now, I am pretty happy with this setup.   Even when, or if, I get that 12.9, I plan to keep this setup around for more portability.   They great part is that I can just as easily use this "desktop" setup with the new iPad as the old, even though they are different sizes.  It also helps with longevity when Apple eventually moved the pins or changes the design so they can sell you a new "Magic Keyboard" with your next iPad.   

Note:  I get paid commissions for purchases made through any links to Amazon products on this page and website.

Now that Apple has released the Magic Keyboard, I have seen a lot of videos and articles comparing the iPad with Magic Keyboard against the Laptop.   I thought I would talk about my preferences in this article.

I have loved the iPad since Steve Jobs introduced the original version.   ​For me, this was an answer to the tiny iPhone screens they had on the market at the time.  It was so nice to be able to actually run apps on something larger than the 4 inch screen!

The changes since the initial release have been huge.  We now have a "pencil", you can use it with a mouse and keyboard, and the screen resolution alone has improved dramatically.

For a long time, this was my " go to" device in the home.  However, that award now goes to my iPhone 7 Plus.   At one time, I really hated using that small screened device, so the iPad was about all I would carry around the house at the time.  Many of those roles have switched to the iPhone.   However, that doesn't mean it isn't still the second most used device during my free time.  I still like the larger screen for a lot of the things I do.. Youtube, News+, surfing the web, etc.

As with the Original iPad, there are a lot of people that can use this as their main computer.  The device has always been great for those focused on consuming media, answering emails, and other small tasks.  However, the new changes have definitely opened it up to a larger audience.

There is no doubt that creating a case with a very nice, back-lit, keyboard with a built in trackpad has taken this device to a new level.   You can now get many of the same benefits on the go that you get from a laptop.   However, I have written about my issues with this setup in another article, but the main issue is the weight and the fact that if you want to use it in tablet mode, you have to completely remove it from the case, which will give you another item to deal with.  

I have been messing around with a small mechanical keyboard combined with a Logitech Ergo mouse for some of my Notes and Safari usage.  I have them stored near the kitchen table to make it easy to setup when I want to use it this way.  However, I really just couldn't get by with only this setup.  I need a computer with a more desktop oriented operating system.

While they both have advantages, there are issues with the iPad that I don't have with my MBP (or any laptop).   Before I discuss the OS, the MBP can be plugged into multiple monitors and run at full resolution.  You can't do that with an iPad (with only a few exceptions).  This makes it less useful for real work right out of the gate.  Also, my MBP has 4 thunderbolt ports and a headphone port.  The iPad, even with the Magic Keyboard, only has two ports and one of them is only for power.

The OS though, is a bigger obstacle.  I use Photoshop and Lightroom as my main photo editors and for organizing my catalogs.   Unfortunately, the iPad versions are dumbed down, eat up tons of bandwidth, and start costing more the minute you go over your limited allotted space.   I tried going this route with Lightroom, but I was over 600GB in no time.  Also, I just don't think it is practical to store every file in the web until you have time to review and delete.   It is nice to have, no doubt, but until these programs have the same capabilities and some way to save to a network drive instead of the cloud, it just isn't practical.   Also, I have several TBs of files on hard drives that would need to be moved to a network drive if I didn't have a computer accessing them.  

​Even Apple doesn't have their pro software on the iPad.  No Final Cut and no Logic Pro.  Hard to even make the argument that this is a Pro device from Apple's perceptive. 

Obviously, there are things that still make the iPad very appealing to someone that needs a laptop or a desktop computer.    There is the Pencil , the tablet apps, and the form factor.  While I use  my Mac Mini more than any computer right now (while working from home), when I do use the MBP, that 15 inch screen is so nice to have when I need to use Excel or Photoshop.  My 9.7 inch iPad feels tiny in comparison.  I am considering the 12.9 inch to get that extra real estate, but I still don't consider this a real computer replacement (for my needs) because of the current OS.

Well, if you are getting ready to buy your first computer, then I guess you need to ask this question and then it depends on how you plan to use it.  Personally, I already have multiple computers and don't need to update them all that often. 

For me, the iPad is the perfect "in between" device.  Its larger screen give me a better experience than the iPhone with most apps and its tablet form factor means I will use it more often than a laptop for consuming media.   It is close to being a laptop replacement, but for my needs, it still comes up a bit short as an "only" device.   Of course, right now, I could get by without the laptop and just have a desktop and the iPad.  However, if it came down to one device...an iPad or a MBP, I would still have to pick the MBP.   I would live with my iPhone for reading on the couch.

Apple appears to be listening to those that are always questioning whether it will ever completely replace a laptop.  I guess they have to do something to justify a user upgrade, so this may just be a natural evolution.   Unlike the iPhone, the better camera marketing pitch just isn't as important on a device you don't always have on you.  

Personally, I am happy with the OS updates, but the only reason I am thinking of another iPad is to get that extra screen size for using with "Sidecar" (their screen sharing app) or Photoshop...if they ever come out with the full version on the iPad.   Until then, I will happily continue to use this as my favorite "in between" device that makes the user experience a lot better with certain apps.   For me, that is enough to justify updating next time around, but they will really need to make some major changes for me to upgrade again anytime soon after that.

The new Apple Keyboard has been met with a lot of praise from the Apple Fans out there.  It definitely makes your iPad more like a laptop, so why do I have no interest?

Is it just me or have others grown tired of Apple using the word "Magic"?  I will save that rant for another day, but I have been very interested in the 12.9 iPad for a while and this year may be the year I pull the trigger.  I am waiting for the end of the year to see if they come out with a new iPad (as rumored) and then decide if I want a new or a used version.  In any event, unless this keyboard can pull a rabbit out of a hat, I fail to see what makes it so magical.

I should mention that I am using the 9.7 iPad Pro with the Smart Keyboard for a few years now.  I love it, but would love to have a larger screen with Lightroom, Photoshop, and Sidecar all being able to take advantage of that space   However, this keyboard is really not something I would want and here are the main reasons:

1.  Too Expensive - Maybe this this can be attributed to most Apple products, but for a 12.9 version, the price is $349.  That just seems crazy to me for what you get.

2.  The viewing angle - I realize that they are dealing with physics and a heavy display means that you can't tilt it back very far without tipping.  However, I am 6'5 and this just doesn't tilt back enough for my typical needs.

3. Lack of a way to fold the cover back - The Smart Keyboard for that initial 9.7 inch took into account that people don't want to remove the cover every time they want to use the iPad in tablet mode.  It is much more convenient to fold it back when not using the manual keyboard.  Of course, the old Smart Keyboard even has a way to stand it up with the Keyboard folded back and out of the way.  I don't think any of their iPad keyboards have this feature anymore.  As a result, if you take the iPad off the Magic Keyboard, you now have two things to deal with.   I realize some will just keep the Keyboard parked on a desk, however, I don 't have a need to use the iPad that way.  Also, now if I am laying on the couch reading and then decide I want to type something, I have to trackdown the keyboard.  With the Smart Keyboard it was always attached.

4. Heavy - Way too heavy.  With the Keyboard attached, the combo weighs about the same as a MBP 13 inch.   

(unfortunately, the configuration below is not available)

Better keyboard than the Smart Keyboard -  Yes, it is better to type on.
Back lit Keys - Nice to have back lit keys.
The power port built in - this is nice even though the port only does power.

Right now, I am toward the $199 Smart Keyboard Folio.   When I want to use it to type a lot, I can pair it with one of my many old Apple Keyboards (or even pair it with a mechanical keyboard..which I prefer) and an older Magic mouse or Logitech mouse.  I already have a few different tablet stands for it that allow for better viewing angles.  The thing is, it wouldn't be all that portable, but I would have the Smart Keyboard Folio to use for those type of situations.

For those that really want to ditch the laptop, this may still be the best way to do that.   I have a 2016, 15 inch MBP and it still works fine, so I am not on any track to get rid of it.  I still like that screen size for some on the go activities, and with the unlimited viewing angles, it is better for using on the couch/chair when I need to type a lot.   That being said, I spend a lot of time in front of my huge monitors in my office, so I use the laptop less and less all the time.  I just don't feel like I need to get rid of it or start switching how I do things because Apple came out with a better keyboard for the iPad.

That being said, if I was in the market right this minute for a new laptop, I think I would try to get by with the iPad and the Smart Keyboard Folio and just use the desktop for things that need that larger screen.  I do understand why people would like to just get by with an iPad, but this keyboard just doesn't do that for me due to the many issues I mentioned above.   

If Apple figures out a solution for the viewing angles and way to keep the keyboard attached in tablet mode (as an option), I would definitely be interested in it....of course, they would probably charge $500 for the "All New, Much, Much, More Magical, Magic Keyboard". 
​

Looking back, it was over 10 years ago when I bought a Marantz 2220B off of eBay.   I guess it is time to discuss it and how I have modernized the experience.

​Note:  I get paid commissions for purchases made through any links to Amazon products on this page and website.

I chose this particular receiver after researching for a while.  I wanted a warmer sound since a lot of what I was listening to was compressed audio files at the time.  However, I would be lying if I denied the fact that I really liked how it looked.  It is more understated than many of the receivers I was considering and I actually like the fact that it has just a few buttons and knobs.  The beautiful blue light was also a major selling point.  Whether we want to discuss it or not, many of us actually care what the equipment looks like.  

The Marantz has an AM/FM tuner,  20 watts per channel, and a frequency respond between 10Hz and 50 Hz.    It has 2 tape in and outs, an aux in, and a phono input.   

Just about every modern receiver has some sort of streaming built in.  That is typically Bluetooth, Airplay, DLNA, and possibly some third party music services.

However, when you buy a vintage receiver, you are stuck with only its tuner and maybe a few analog inputs.   However, those inputs are what make it easy to modernize.

It is easy to complain about the lack of streaming options, but that really isn’t a major shortfall.  Many people are streaming using third party devices anyway.  With analog inputs, you can add a third part streamer, a DAC, etc.

For my own use, I went with an all in one solution, but you can connect an Amazon Dot to one of the Aux inputs, add a Chomecast Audio device, an Airport Express, etc.  There are a bunch of streaming products that have analog out that make it plug and play.​​

I added a Yamaha WXC-50 (reviewed here) to my Marantz setup (as a side note, it also feeds a separate headphone amp).  This one device has added so many options without the need for a separate DAC.  

Airplay, DLNA, Bluetooth, Spotify, Pandora, SiriusXM (for now), Napster, Tidal, and Deezer.  If you are concerned about Hi Res audio, it can handle up to 24/192 files or DSD up to 5.6 MHz.    Via the preamp outputs, you can also control the volume of your vintage receiver.  I find this more convenient than getting up and changing the volume most of the time, but you can use the volume in the app or on the receiver.   If you prefer controlling volume via the knob on the receiver, you can use the aux output on the Yamaha rather than the preamp outs.

The Yamaha WXC-50 is also small and can be put on its side or placed horizontally in its normal stance.  I decided to stand it up on the side since it means it only takes 2 inches of shelf space.

Below is a more recent pic (the gray device to the right of the Marantz is the Yamaha):

I want to discuss this separately because this is a more compressed form of audio and if you can listen to Airplay or one of the many other ways to play lossless audio, I would go that route.

However, for me, Bluetooth is ultra-convenient.  Since the Yamaha has Bluetooth built in, I simply paired it with an Amazon Dot and can now play music without any effort at all.  Just say “Alexa connect to stereo” and it pairs to the Yamaha that feeds the Marantz.   I can do this from anywhere within earshot of the Dot, so it can be done when I am just cleaning up the living room or lounging without the need to fire up the main system.  

As I mentioned, it is easy to control what is playing, but that would depend on what you have access to.  I use Apple Music as my main source on the Amazon Dot.  This works great for me.  It is just like using the service with the HomePod.   That being said, I also like to access my own library and installing the Plex skill makes that easy to do.  You  have to tell Alexa something like “Ask Plex to play Bob Dylan” and it will start playing back via Bluetooth on my Marantz.  Of course, Plex requires a device to run the app continuously.  I run it on a Mac mini.

One of the amazing things about the Dot is the price for the performance.  I won’t go into the privacy issues, but I would definitely recommend researching that if it is a concern.  I buy so much from Amazon that it really didn’t bug me to have them in my living room, but I definitely prefer Apple’s take on privacy (though it hasn’t been perfect).  However, they don’t make anything similar device right now.  The HomePod does not have Aux or Bluetooth outputs.  You can use it with an Airplay 2 device, but the Yamaha uses Airplay 1.  You could pick up something like the Bluesound Note 2i if you don’t mind spending the extra bucks or try to locate a compatible Airport Express device that got updated with Airplay 2.

For me, if I use the Dot, it is for casual listening.  However, Yamaha does have something called “compressed music enhancer” that I believe makes Bluetooth sound a lot better. 

I have the Marantz connected to a smart plug (iHome).  It has a nifty little remote I keep by my favorite spot on the couch.  Just hit the button and the Marantz is on.  

However, if you just want to control it by voice, you can install the skill onto the Amazon Dot and just tell Alexa to “turn on receiver” and you are up and running.

My favorite  app for music is Audirvana.  It works with the DLNA feature on the Yamaha.   It allows Hi Rez options like Tidal or Qobuz to be streamed directly to the Yamaha/Marantz.  It sounds fantastic and you really couldn’t ask for much more.  The main thing that is lacking is MQA support (if you use Tidal), but it will still play files at 24/96.  No such issue with Qobuz.  Personally, I prefer Roon, but the person that runs that company doesn’t like DLNA.  He claims that everyone has issues with DLNA.  From my experience, with the Yamaha WXC-50, I haven’t had any issues.  However, depending on your network, your milage may differ.    I should mention that many say that DLNA does not support gapless playback.  I have tested that on the WXC-50 with Audirvana and it is indeed gapless.

It is also quite useful and convenient with Apple Music since it has Airplay built in.

When I first moved the Marantz to my living room, it was more of an art piece.  My dad made the beautiful wood case for it and it simply looks gorgeous  IMO.    At first, I was using it just for its tuner with headphones.  It worked great, but recently I added NHT SB2  bookshelf speakers to it (I love these speakers) which pushed the sound quality up several notches.  For headphones, I have a pair of ATH-AD700s.  Out of all my headphones, these are the most comfy and they have a wider sound stage (“head stage”) than most headphones.  

All in all, I am very happy with my modernized vintage receiver.  It plays any digital file I throw at it and the Dot gets around always needing to turn it on manually.   Also, knowing that the product goes back to the 1970s brings back a bit of nostalgia.  It would be interesting to add a turntable down the road, but that is probably overkill for this secondary living room setup.  ​​​​​​

I found a way to enjoy my projector at the touch of a button without mounting it, which is something that I really didn’t want to do, especially with this “faux K” 5040UB that is huge compared to your typical 1080p projector.  

​I ran HDMI via Ethernet through the attic and ran it under the rug in to the projector that sits on an open ottoman.  Sure, I miss that teal color of the old ottoman, but at least we still have a pillow top for the pups and a bit of storage space for 3D glasses and a few nick-knacks.  (see pic below to see where I put the projector):
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The little device that uses Ethernet for HDMI, had a cool trick up its sleeve and also connected via USB to the Mac mini, so now I can get USB on the other side of the room next to my spot on the couch.   I use it with a backlit mechanical keyboard.   The device has two ports, but I prefer my Logitech Mouse that uses Bluetooth to a wired option.  It controls the curser with a ball rather than moving around the entire mouse, so it works great on the arm of the couch.  It has an on off switch, which is very convenient, and can be plugged in for a recharge.

​Using a wireless mouse allowed me to plug my Dragonfly DAC into the second USB port.  I haven’t tested it with other DACs, but this one has a problem playing a clean Hi Rez signal, but it works perfectly with my lossless files and Apple Music options.  It would be interesting to see if a powered DAC would do better.   Maybe I will test it down the road.  I just hate unplugging one of my DACs from a separate system.   However, it is nice to have music on demand without messing with anything but the Apple Remote app that controls Apple Music on the Mini.

Below are pics of the mouse and keyboard I use in the space

I have discussed out inside projector setup, but we have started to dabble in outdoor movies, as well.  There have been some up and downs in my short time with this process, so I thought I would go over them.

As I have mentioned, I have been striving for less time to get rolling with watching a movie indoors.  For me, that is impossible with the outdoor theater.  I have to get my projector, remote control, screen, and chromecast (which we are using now, but that could change).  I also have to run electric to the area.  I may put in some outdoor power cables near the space, but I would still need to plug everything in.

I am using a 100 inch screen on a tripod mount for now.  I was using this in the living room at one point, so it meant that I could do this whole process without pulling any more money out of my pocket.  

Since we are watching on an field stone patio, that isn't perfectly level, I have had to do some adjustments to just get the picture straight.  Once that is done, I am on to the projector.

Unlike the projector setup in the house that uses the 5040UB, in this setup, I am using a 2040UB that does not have all the setup flexibility, but it is a lot lighter, which is a trade off I am pretty happy about.

I do have a couple tables out on the patio for drinks and one of them is the perfect height for the projector.  I did have to prop up one end with a couple magazines to get it even with the screen, but I will just have to live with that issue since I chose field stone rather than pavers a long time ago!

I know this sounds like a pain, but it takes maybe twenty minutes for the whole process.

The 2040UB projector has its own 5 watt speaker.  Since it is summer and we can't even start watching a movie until around 9, when it gets dark, I was hoping this would suffice because I don't need neighbors complaining.  No such luck, with all the external noises ( air conditioner for the house cutting on and off, someone doing fireworks nearby, a pool pump running, and some crazy squirrel that was making a lot of noise in the trees), I am going to need an external speaker option.   I have a small Bluetooth speaker that I am going to try out next time and see if it works.  I do have a receiver in our sunroom and had speaker wire run to the patio if we want to go that route.  I just need to attach my outdoor speakers which are currently in the sunroom.

As I mentioned, we are using a Chromecast and I am luckily get a great signal out in the yard with the Orbi wifi setup I am running.   However, if I decide to use my receiver as a source for audio, I will use one of my AppleTV 3 devices that I typically take on trips.  This will allow me to send the audio wirelessly to the receiver via Airplay.   In other words, more experimentation before I find the best solution.

Well, that is the question!  I don't think this is something we would do during the week.  For now, we have to get started too late and I just won't want to deal with taking down the whole system at 11:30 or whatever time the movie ends.   Also, I think the 100 inch screen is a bit too small for the yard. I guess because of the open sky, it doesn't feel as large outside as it does indoors.  However, I don't really want it to be seen from the street, so I don't want a mammoth 14 foot screen, either.  A ~200 inch screen would probably be ideal if I can fit it into the space (will look into that later if we use this setup a lot).

All that being said, we really like to be outdoors.   We have a pool and we entertain in the summer more than any other time, so it will be something we do when we are entertaining for sure. 

Also, I mentioned some of the audio issues before and no matter which solution I come up with, the movie won't be as immersive as it is indoors with a surround system.  I could get a decent sound bar, but at the levels we have to listen to it, it won't be the same as watching inside.  As a result, this is more for watching romantic comedies, nature films, and other movies that don't rely so much on the sound system.  

Like many, my first introduction to Wilt was through my dad’s eyes.  I had never seen Wilt play, but my dad watched him and said he was the most unstoppable force in the history  of basketball.  He would talk about his 100 point game and the year he averaged 50 points.

​Here is a quick discussion by the only radio guy to give him any credit (that I have heard).

The NBA has been around for several eras.  In all that time, we have never seen a player as dominant as Wilt.  In fact, no one is close.   He average over 50 for an entire season.  Unfortunately, he played before the modern sports journalist and talking heads were even around.    He didn’t have the corporate sponsorships and movies, so we just have to judge him based on his unprecedented stats.  The broadcasters prefer to just put him aside as some sort of exception.   Not really fair and most just dismiss him for two titles without looking at the competition.  

One other thing I have heard is that a center needs a good guard and that ball handlers don’t need that.  How many boards did MJ average over his career (6)?  Without others doing the rebounding, he wouldn’t have won as many games or got nearly as many shots.  There is a reason they needed Rodman.   With Wilt, he could do it himself.  One season he averaged 27 boards a game.  That would lead to a lot of scoring without anyone passing him the ball.   The argument that centers need teammates holds true for every individual player at every position.   It is a team sport!


So some would ask about my all time starting 5.  Here it is for the moment:

Wilt
Bird
Magic
MJ
Lebron

If I had to start a team with one of them, it would be Wilt.

Since cancelling cable TV in January 2020, we have been watching more movies.  We typically want a projector and projection screen to provide a more realistic experience than our TV.  However, that has some drawbacks that I am currently in the process of trying to fix.  

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At first, I used a tripod mounted screen with a 100 inch surface  This worked, but it had some drawbacks compared to a wall mount.  It put the screen in front of my entertainment center, which hurt the audio of the center speaker, which sat behind it.   Also, setup took some time and taking it back down took even more time.  It was such a hassle that we rarely used it unless we were watching the Super Bowl or some other major event.

​Recently, I decided to just get some projector mounts and screw them into the wall.  Then put a 100 inch projection screen on the mounts.  This is a whole lot easier to deal with.  Just pull down the screen when we want to watch and put the screen back up when done.  It is probably the ugliest thing in the living room, but it is so functional that I felt that it was a trade off I would be willing to take.  


Tripod screen pic below:

Well, this is really a bigger pain than the original tripod screen.  I have the projector inside an ottoman and pull it out and either put it on the ottoman (usually with a flat piece of wood under it) or put it on a tripod stand.  The stand itself is starting to bend in one corner, so I am going back to the ottoman.  Of course, I try to get the projector into a similar position each time, but I am always having to work on getting everything in focus and centered because it is difficult to put it back in the same exact spot.

​To connect it to my receiver, I have a male to female HDMI that plugs into the third HDMI out of my receiver.  When I want to watch a movie, I have a 20 foot HDMI cable that I use to plug into the female side of the receiver connected HDMI.  This leaves us with a long cable running through the room.

The current ottoman is in the pic below:​

Well, first off, I can use the pull down projection screen for the time being.  We plan to paint the living room down the road, and at that point, I am going to switch to a screen that can be controlled via a remote.  This will make it even easier to switch from TV to projector.

The second issue was the projector is placement and I don’t want to mount it in my living room.  I have art on the walls and don’t want a large projector hanging in the path.  That left me with few options.  I don’t have room behind the couch to put it on a table, either.   

Well, we decided to get a new ottoman.  The current one is cloth on top, which the dogs love, but I found an ottoman with that same feature (with an additional feature of the cloth side being able to be put face down with a table top going face up).  I had an ottoman with this feature in the past and it allowed visitors in the middle of our sectional to have a place for drinks (even if it did confuse my pups).   The new ottoman has an open area at the bottom and this is where I will put the projector.  It is ideal given my limitations.  It will give us some storage for 3D glasses and a few knick knacks, while also serving as a permanent location for the projector.  We will have to figure out exactly where the ottoman needs to be to watch a movie, but that should be easy enough.  This will curb setup time dramatically.  

The other issue is the HDMI cable that people could trip over.  Well, I looked at wireless HDMI and it seemed too expensive if I wanted a 4k signal.   As a result, I went with a device that will push an HDMI signal over Ethernet.  I did have to get into the attic and run cable, but I had done it before with my surround speakers and subwoofer cable, so nothing I hadn’t done before.  I tested it this weekend and it worked great.  The only minor issue was that the manufacturer said that the receiving device would get plenty of power without plugging it in, but I had to plug it in to get a perfect signal.  No big deal, it uses mini USB (which it says it used for for service) and my nearby power strip has a couple unused USB ports. 

I have the ottoman on order, so we will see how things go after using the setup for a little while and I will post an update article down the road.  However, this seems like it will fix most of my issues until I can get the electric screen in place.   We love movies, and I love sports, so this should pay for itself in the long run.  

By the way, some people have mentioned that you can get a 75 to 85 inch TV these days, so why bother with  a projector?  The answer is that I have a doorway that a screen can pull down in front of, while I can’t mount a TV there.  I currently have a 65 inch TV and maybe I could fit in a 75 inch, but even if I stay with just a 100 screen (I may switch to a 120 when I go electric, but I will have to see if it will still fit in the space), the experience is just better from my typical viewing location.  Having a screen stretch from speaker to speaker is ideal for my needs and that requires it to extend in front of the doorway. 

Also, I did look at ultra short throw projectors and, for the price, I saw a lot of complaints about their current state.  I think my Epson 5040ub is just a better projector for my needs given the current state of technology.   However, I will see how things progress in this area if the things I discussed above don’t go as planned.

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