What format(s) does your system support?

Discussion in 'Audio Hardware' started by Mike-48, Feb 16, 2021.

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  1. Mike-48

    Mike-48 A shadow of my former self Thread Starter

    Location:
    Portland, Oregon
    I was thinking about how playback formats might affect one's choice of recordings. That led me to wonder what formats people have available for serious (non-background) listening. If you're so inclined, let us know.

    In the poll question, I've left what's "high quality" up to the user. I mean by it: in good enough quality so that you could find a dozen demo tracks in that format to show off your system.
     
  2. It's Felix

    It's Felix It's not really me

    Well, my main setup is LP12 to amp. But as I can connect CD, streaming etc to the amp. It has to be everything...
     
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  3. toddrhodes

    toddrhodes Forum Resident

    Location:
    South Bend, IN
    Both.

    Haven't touched my vinyl in a few months but it's like that old friend, just waiting to hang out again.
     
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  4. Daddy Dom

    Daddy Dom Lodger

    Location:
    New Zealand
    LP and CD, no downloads.
     
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  5. Dream On

    Dream On Forum Resident

    Location:
    Canada
    In order of preference:

    1. CD
    2. LP
    3. FM Radio
    4. SACD
     
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  6. BayouTiger

    BayouTiger Forum Resident

    1. Streaming via Roon
    2. LP's
    3. CD's - Have my OPPO connected but haven't put a disc in it in months (and months)
     
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  7. JorgeGvb

    JorgeGvb Senior Member

    Location:
    Virginia Beach
    I can play just about anything, except 8-tracks and reel-to-real.
     
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  8. tomd

    tomd Senior Member

    Location:
    Brighton,Colorado
    Every format but streaming (and tape-reel to reel and cassette)
     
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  9. Luxmancl38

    Luxmancl38 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Manchester NH
    Just not R to R and cassette.
     
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  10. drh

    drh Talking Machine

    You left out 78s, which are at the heart of what I play. Before you say, "They aren't high quality," note that stereo microgroove 78s are available on the market. I have some, and they sound fabulous.

    And let's not forget "audiophile" 45 RPM issues.

    Otherwise, I can play LPs, digital sources, and cassette and open reel tape.
     
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  11. tumbleweed

    tumbleweed Innocent Bystander

    LP, digital, Blu Ray, laserdisc, VHS, cassette, 8 track. Spread over three systems.

    Formerly R2R also, but I sold that some years back.

    And yes, I noted the "high quality" header; I consider my Akai CR-81D to be high quality in the endless loop universe. The VHS? Well....
     
    Last edited: Feb 16, 2021
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  12. Dillydipper

    Dillydipper Space-Age luddite

    Location:
    Central PA
    When I say, "both LP and digital", I only mean that, the LP's are in boxes safe and snug in the basement, and the turntable is where I can bring it out any time. Just haven't for some time now.

    I do no streaming services, although the OPPO plays everything but a grilled cheese sandwich, and ethernet and NAS takes it wherever I want it in the house.

    Please forgive me if "someone" finds this a "very long-winded thread crap" for being specific, and honestly answering the question in good faith.
     
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  13. tyinkc

    tyinkc Senior Member

    Location:
    Fontana, Wisconsin
    LP's
    SACD
    CD
    In that order
     
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  14. Doctor Fine

    Doctor Fine "So Hip It Would Blister Your Brain"

    My true HiFi source was originally going to be a LOMC record player as that was my highest quality signal.
    I planned on using Spotify streaming just for background listening as it is a big step down from the liveliness of a record played with good kit.
    But then I made the mistake of trying a sample run of Qobuz High Res at 24/192.
    It sounded exactly like the best of the best of my records.
    And even better separation.
    But initially I neglected to make the effort to do a run of Cat6 over to my rig and was running Qobuz with WiFi and getting dropouts. I finally gave up on WiFi for high res streaming. Too much hassle getting a solid connection.
    At the moment I am back to just running Spotify for discovering new music.
    Using my record player again for high res when I can't take listening at 320K for one more second!
    Waiting for Spring so I can crawl under the house and run Cat6 and start up another subscription to Qobuz.
    The biggest problem with a great source like high res---it makes it hard to listen to anything LOWER.
    But I am trying hard to not be a fidelity snob.
    It is so much better to listen to music and not give a damn about quality.
    But that is hard to do now with streaming that goes to 24/192!
     
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  15. Echoes Myron

    Echoes Myron Forum Resident

    Location:
    USA
    Vinyl only across all three systems in the house.
     
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  16. PFA

    PFA Forum Resident

    Location:
    Florida
    Geez, just about every format:

    LP
    45
    78
    Reel to Reel
    8 track
    cassette

    CD
    DVD
    Blu-ray
    SACD
    mini-disc
    streaming
    various digital computer files

    VHS
    Beta
    LaserDisc
    CED videodisc

    I do not have the ability to play:
    DAT
    mini cassette
    UMD
    8mm film
    35mm film
     
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  17. Swann36

    Swann36 A widower finding solace in music

    Location:
    Lincoln, UK
    Records 33 & 45
    CDs
    streaming only via laptop
    Small cassette tape only on 1990s portable boom box ..really only good for spoken word
     
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  18. Big T

    Big T Forum Resident

    In order of what sounds best to me overall on my system.

    1. Vinyl records
    2. Streaming Hi-Res
    3. SACD
    4. CD
    5. R2R (1/4 track, 7.5 ips)
    6. FM Tuner
    7. Cassettes

    Really a tie for CD's and R2R, just depends on what's playing.

    Big T
     
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  19. Simoon

    Simoon Forum Resident

    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Pretty much everything (all formats of digital, LP) except MQA* and reel to reel.

    *Which, with my ever increasing collection of DSD, I am not sure I care.
     
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  20. Tim Irvine

    Tim Irvine Forum Resident

    Location:
    Austin, Texas
    Records and CDs.
     
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  21. Catcher10

    Catcher10 I like records, and Prog...duh

    Why is there no choice for 8-track cartridge tapes!!!??? For the love of God man...unbelievable, what is this world coming to.
     
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  22. vinylontubes

    vinylontubes Forum Resident

    Location:
    Katy, TX
    We are in an age where all my optical disc have been ripped to files. So, there isn't an optical drive connecter. Not because I don't have the gear, I just don't see the point in connecting them. I prefer vinyl, but, there is a lot of music that is both unavailable on vinyl and digital. So, if need be, I can play almost anything available outside of 78 rpm and magnetic tape.
     
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  23. fish

    fish Senior Member

    Location:
    NYS, USA
    You know, CED videodisc was rather brilliant!
    A vinyl record video player. F'in RCA when they were smart.

    [​IMG]

    and let's not forget about DVC Pro! Greatest product know one ever owned.
    [​IMG]
     
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  24. SonicCzar

    SonicCzar Forum Resident

    Location:
    New England
    There are a hundred reasons why I dumped all my vinyl over 20 years ago, but I learned a new reason just a few days ago. I was watching a rockumentary on Peter Gabriel's "So", and the producer was talking about how bass heavy selections needed to be placed on the outer part of the disk, due to limitations of the disk. CDs allowed artists to arrange selections as they saw fit artistically.

    EDIT: And I can't be the only one that used a HiFi VHS deck for making music mixes back in the day. The audio quality far surpassed my HK cassette deck.....
     
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  25. timind

    timind phorum rezident

    Don't play records often, but they're ready anytime I get the urge.
     
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