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[Matt]

The testing was really fun.  Thanks to John and Jay at Bel Canto.

[JimH]

Here's how we spent the day.  It was a lot of fun.

This is why we did it.
http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/Engineering-best-audio-player

Here's some video of Matt Ashland of JRiver and John Stronczer of Bel Canto Design setting up for the test.





More Pictures

[KingSparta]

It sounds high tech to me.

[Matt]

It sounds high tech to me.

Sometimes when software guys talk hardware, or hardware guys talk software, it's a little like 5th grade boys talking about girls.

So it's good when we can work together and learn from each other.

[jmone]

I just skimmed the CA posts and I think you forgot one Pic...

[Osho]

Sounds like a fun day - did you guys do any comparison between using a high-end sound card inside PC vs. using PC only as a digital transport and external DAC??

Osho

[JimH]

Sounds like a fun day - did you guys do any comparison between using a high-end sound card inside PC vs. using PC only as a digital transport and external DAC??

No.

[Frobozz]

Interesting goings on there.  There's good audio manufacturing and knowledge in the Minneapolis area.  Take advantage.  Getting hardware audio geeks and software audio geeks together will result in good things.  And fun things for those involved.  Computer and digital audio has lots of areas for experimenting and investigating.

With 24/192 capable USB DACs coming and in development it would be especially good for the hardware folks to be talking with software folks so the software side and hardware side have a better chance of working nicely together with fewer surprises.

I would suggest getting the Sennheiser HD800.  It's an amazing listening tool.  Amazing engineering and amazing technical results in that headphone.  Very revealing of source and components and gear and artifacts.  Much more revealing than the Denon D2000 or even D7000.  If I was listening to gear and digital filters and similar things as an engineer I would absolutely have the HD800 as a tool.  The Denons are nice for fun listening (I own them and like them for what they are).  But for technical listening the HD800 is tops.  If there are audible differences the HD800 will be much more likely to reveal those differences.

[Matt]

I would suggest getting the Sennheiser HD800.

Please send extra pairs of Sennheiser HD800s to:

JRiver Inc. c/o Matt
125 N First St
Minneapolis MN  55401

Feel free to include extra cupcakes or Honus Wagner rookie cards in the package.

[JimH]

We accept spare change, too.

[FastKayak]

And the crew likes beer too.....on Fridays anyway.   I know, I dropped some off one time as a thank you from the MC community. 

[Frobozz]

I know the HD800 is crazy expensive for a headphone.  There's an audiophile luxury tax built into the price.  An unfortunately high price that keeps it away from the ears of people who could use it for what it's designed for.

Maybe we should start a JRiver HD800 donation fund.   
The headphone is worth it as a technical listening tool.  Especially if you are listening for things that will be very subtle if they even exist at all.  Investigating tweaks and going after the audiophile reference market means you'll need headphones that will give you a chance to hear what's going on.  The D2000 and HD600 are just mid-fi toys in comparison for technical listening and the ability to hear details.

I'm not trying to spend all your money.  Otherwise I'd recommend something more expensive that's not as good for the purpose.  I'm also full of beer recommendations and espresso recommendations.