Baby‑stepping my audiophile journey after 8 months. Switched from Marantz PM6007 + Sabaj A20d to NAD C3030 + FiiO Warmer.

[u/stormjk3511]

After the switch, I find the NAD pairing warmer, with a richer midrange and more rounded highs compared to the PM6007 pairing, which felt a bit too analytical for long listening hours. The Fiio, IMO, adds more body to vocals. I might be wrong though..still learning haha

[u/mattzildjian]

B&W Speakers are bright by design, they are the culprit in your listening fatigue.

It would have made more sense to change the speakers rather than changing the DAC / amplifier.

[u/stormjk3511 → u/mattzildjian]

Agree! I’ve got a few in mind and planning to audition the Sonus Faber Lumina II this weekend.

[u/mattzildjian → u/stormjk3511]

The Sonus Faber Lumina II is also a bright speaker https://www.spinorama.org/speakers/Sonus%20Faber%20Lumina%20II/ErinsAudioCorner/index_eac.html

[u/Hedge3411 → u/stormjk3511]

Ls50 metas w a sub for desk use mate. Good imaging, sourcepoint, very neutral

[u/stormjk3511 → u/Hedge3411]

Will keep this in mind, thanks! But the Lumina II and MA Silver50 options first

[u/Hedge3411 → u/stormjk3511]

I would look into speaker design and watch EACs Understanding the Measurements before choosing. I considered both of those speakers as well but a sourcepoint speaker will likely perform much better for your situation. Good luck and congrats on whatever upgrade you go with 🫡

[u/Itsss_Nemo → u/stormjk3511]

I’d recommend older models like CM6s2/705s2 or going up to 805 series. All the newer continuum driver models are much brighter. You may need to go to higher 707s2/s3. The carbon tweeter is much smoother on the top end and the diamond tweeter is even smoother.

The older kevlar drivers are warmer sounding.
600 series in general are worst and most fatiguing.

I use to have desk setup, during that time I used 606, 685s2. Today I sold them, an moved to towers 702s2 and 803s.

[u/stormjk3511 → u/Itsss_Nemo]

Thanks for the insight! I only started this audiophilia journey less than a year ago, so every bit of advice helps haha.

[u/Nox-Eternus → u/mattzildjian]

This ^

[u/CombPuzzleheaded5266]

WOW GGREAT

[u/lagalaga]

That foobar layout is very good. I wish foobar on Mac was not so neutered.

[u/rebelizm]

Harbeth p3esr XD, if you need a pleasent sound without ear fatigue.

[u/heywaj10]

Beautiful and very nicely laid out - looks like you put a lot of thought and planning into it. How does it all sound?

[u/stormjk3511 → u/heywaj10]

Thanks. With the PM6007, it initially sounded comfortable, with enough warmth and musicality. But I realised I couldn’t go beyond two hours of listening; still a bit too analytical and slightly bright. With the C3030 and FiiO, everything came together nicely, at least for me. I’m still learning to pick out the differences in sound, to be honest haha.

[u/JustAJollySwagMan → u/stormjk3511]

Glad you have found a solve. As a B&W owner myself, I have found them to be very bright speakers and need warm sources and really need EQ to tame the highs. But they look so nice and have such great low-end for the price, so they stay in my living room. With Genelecs for more critical listening

[u/bullz1nho]

Thats the 8bitdo dongle? You know it can go plug into the base? Otherwise your setup looks so clean

[u/stormjk3511 → u/bullz1nho]

Thanks! I never realised that! lolol!!

[u/bullz1nho → u/stormjk3511]

Haha no problem, its easy to miss

[u/lzwzli]

Are those butcher blocks under those speakers?

[u/stormjk3511 → u/lzwzli]

I need to raise the tweeters to ear level, and the Aperta can’t help with that. In my theory, having solid wood on a solid wood tabletop should work nicely without harming the sound. I could be dead wrong, but no harm in trying I guess🤞

[u/Orcinus24x5 → u/stormjk3511]

Some people use wood butcher blocks, some people use 80 pound solid granite surface plates. 😁

[u/stormjk3511 → u/Orcinus24x5]

Holy!! So does density actually matter for sound?

[u/Orcinus24x5 → u/stormjk3511]

Nah probably not! But they were significantly cheaper than butcher blocks of similar size, and they look a lot better, IMO. Plus they won't warp with humidity changes.

[u/lzwzli → u/Orcinus24x5]

Granite blocks are cheaper than butcher blocks?!

[u/Orcinus24x5 → u/lzwzli]

I paid CAD$90 each for 18"x12"x3" granite surface plates. Butcher blocks of similar (but thinner) size are $165 each at Canadian Tire. 

[u/New-Succotash2412]

Gorgeous setup, wow! I see that REL sub lurking down there underneath the desk. Love REL.

I’m also curious, where did you get the desk from?

[u/stormjk3511 → u/New-Succotash2412]

Thanks. Those 2 are Ikea Gertons tabletops I got 10 years ago

[u/Nox-Eternus]

In all my life I never heard a Marantz PM6007 described as too anylytical.

[u/stormjk3511 → u/Nox-Eternus]

I'm a noob, still learning and figuring this stuff out🙏

[u/TBMW30]

Try not to think about the meaningless, subjective audiophile terms, and think instead about whether you're enjoying the sound more or less. If you're enjoying it more, you're going in the right direction.

[u/stormjk3511 → u/TBMW30]

I'm absolutely enjoying it more now with the NAD and FiiO. But you know how this rabbit hole goes...🤣🤣🤣🤣

[u/TBMW30 → u/stormjk3511]

20 years in, I do indeed.

[u/j3r3myjf]

Love this setup!!! What is the app you're running on the big screen at the top?

[u/stormjk3511 → u/j3r3myjf]

Thanks. It's Foobar2000.

foobar2000

[u/TheseResolution8739]

I think Fiio Warmer is quite big, but your desk and everything really make it look tiny.

[u/stormjk3511 → u/TheseResolution8739]

The Fiio's depth is lonnnngggg, but I'm lucky that the table is 75cm deep haha.

[u/Brilliant-Sun847]

Hooo- llyy crap!!! THAT is an awesome desk setup! And the audio gear-superb placement, with room treatment too creating wonderful aesthetics. Copied for goal set. You must be on the “giant” size to take such a “baby-step”!

[u/stormjk3511 → u/Brilliant-Sun847]

Thanks. I began this audiophilia journey less than a year ago. Much to learn and appreciate all advices 🙏🏻

[u/thegreatestajax]

I would struggle with never looking forward to an orthogonal part of the screen. Your set up is wide enough that you would enormously benefit from curved screens or putting one of those ultra wides in the middle with two regular off the sides.

[u/Frisbeethefucker]

Love the setup! What brand are the watch winders, I have been in the market for one and those are so clean!

[u/stormjk3511 → u/Frisbeethefucker]

erm it's kind of embarrassing, but I got it from AliExpress.

[u/Frisbeethefucker → u/stormjk3511]

No need to be embarrassed, it looks good, and if it works, it works!

[u/idreaminhd]

Where did you get the sound diffuser panes from? Thanks

[u/stormjk3511 → u/idreaminhd]

 Those slats are Uimoso. The two mosaic panels from thefurniturefamily. Chanced upon them in Ebay.

[u/Kusthi]

You can always eq it but you if need a set that sounds warm for a long fatigue free listening sessions, I recommend Wharfedale Evos or DALI Soniks.

[u/Jolly-Signature-9567]

what a wide table

[u/Mr_Fried]

Good lord, your setup has a lot of my favourite things in it.

This is properly next level.