A while ago, I got in to HiFi audio. There's a certain combination of things that tickle the 'tisms when it comes to audio.

The equipment, wiring, signal chain, buttons, switches, relay clicks, all come together to make a very satisfying little hobby. Oh, and I guess you can listen to music too, or something.

Audiophiles don't use their equipment to listen to your music. Audiophiles use your music to listen to their equipment.

— Tackhead on Slasdot

My setup grew over time as I learned what was good, what wasn't, and what fit my preference. I wanted to make a post walking through some of that, the decisions I made, and what I've ended up with.

Importantly I want to make something clear. This is not a product review, I'm not giving purchasing advice. If I'm praising a product it's because it works for me but in no way am I offering an objective or comprehensive view of the landscape.

If I make any major changes, I may update this post in the future.

I'm pretty proud of how everything works together today. I think I have all my bases covered, support all the inputs and outputs I want to, and can direct them where I want.

Currently, I support the following inputs/formats for my HiFi:

• My Personal Computer (USB)
• My work computer (USB)
• Bluetooth
• Turntable

I can mix any of these inputs together passively and direct them to any of:

• Headphones
• Monitors
• Bluetooth

With only a few caveats and exceptions. I'm going to go over each component, my thoughts on it and how it fits into the overall picture.

Modes of Operation

In my current configuration, one of the things I'm most proud of is the ability to switch, and mix, different sources together in a way that is effortless.

I can maintain a high bitrate, low hop, path from my main DAC to the output device, or I can maintain an all-analog stream from my turntable all the way to my headphones. I can even stream bluetooth audio in or out.

In this section, I wanted to cover some of these flows to get an idea of how the chain works and how each component plays in.

Highest Signal Quality

In this mode, the analog signal sources from the J2 DAC, and outputs balanced to the SA-1, which pre-amps the signal to the monitors. This mode supports high bit rate PCM as well as DSD audio. Ensures the lowest noise path and is ideal for most listening.

Mixing Work Laptop

When I'm working, I can use the analog mixer to take input from the Arc DAC (work), the J2 DAC (personal), and mix their RCA outputs. This mixer lets me adjust the volume of each input.

This also allows me to mix in the turntable or bluetooth audio, should I want to.

Bluetooth Transmit

A really unqiue configuration this setup allows is I can mix these inputs into a bluetooth output. This is possible because the analog mixer technically isn't directional, it backfeeds.

This means that, without recabling anything, some switches can be flipped to allow the mixed inputs to be used to transmit to a bluetooth speaker in the shower, for example.

Components

Headphones

I love headphones. I spent a lot of my life restricted to headphones due to my living situation. Even now that I have speakers, I still grab my headphones for some tasks.

Sennheiser HD800S

These are my primary headphones. I love them dearly.

The HD800S are probably the only headphones I've ever owned that I'm happy to wear for 8-10 hours in a day. They're light, comfortable, and they simply disappear onto my head.

I do have an aftermarket head pad on them (my head is specifically sensitive to hotspots) which is a ZMF headphone pad.

The sound is lifelike and perfect to my ears. I really enjoy listening to these. They sit on my desk always within arms reach.

Dan Clark Audio Aeon 2 Noire

The DCA Noire are my favorite built headphones. They're also my only real remaining closed-back headphones.

They come with a nice case and it makes these an excellent option to travel with (on the rare occasion I need a HiFi headphone on a trip).

I don't pull them out as much these days, but it's nice to have them close by if I ever need a closed-back for more isolation or privacy.

The clamp on these headphones does get to me after a while, so I tend to only wear them for a couple hours at a time.

Sennheiser HD660S

While the HD660S is a divisive headphone in the HD600 series of headphones, I got these when they were first released. You could call them my first "HiFi" headphones.

These days, I don't take these out much, but when I do I find them very cozy feeling. They're snug on the ears, but not constricting. Their sound is very relaxed.

While I feel the HD800S is an upgrade from these in every way, it's still nice to have them around and I don't intend on getting rid of them any time soon.

Speakers/Monitors

When I was younger, I didn't have much opportunity for speakers. These days, I appreciate having good quality monitors, and I use them most times I can.

Kali IN-8v2

When I was looking for monitors for my desk, I knew I wanted self-powered ones. The Singxer SA-1 headphone amp, acting as a pre-amp, was how I wanted to integrate the speakers into my setup.

These monitors jumped out at me at the time. They were not too expensive, independent, self-powered monitors that would have enough energy in the low end to avoid needing a sub.

Are they comically large on a desk setup? Yes. Yes they are. I love it.

Amplifiers & DACs

Singxer SA-1

My headphone amplifier is a Singxer SA-1.

The device acts both as a headphone amp as well as a pre-amp for my IN-8v2 monitors. It's a wonderful little device that I've had for many many years now. It's very well built and performs exactly as I expect it to.

No, I didn't do the "jumper mod" to it, as I believe that to be silly.

Geshelli Labs J2

My primary DAC is the Geshelli J2. A wonderful device that supports a large number of digital inputs.

It supports 3 gain settings which is very convenient for handling inputs of diverse gain. A very flexible device that I rely on for the vast majority of my listening.

The DAC outputs both XLR and RCA simultaneously which is perfect for the setup I have.

Mayflower Audio Arc Mk2

Ah the Arc Mk2. This was the first dedicated USB DAC/Amp combo I got. It waas relatively cheap, and offered a fun little bass boost button, plus handled microphone input.

As my setup grew, and my knowledge of HiFi with it, this device became a bit of a burden. It isn't perfectly silent, has a noise floor that's noticeable, it can cause some output spikes in some conditions, and has a DC offset in some conditions which could damage other gear.

This now acts simply as a DAC for my work computer, outputting RCA into the mixer.

Other

Technics SL-1500C-K Turntable

I've been a Technics fan since I was growing up and my dad had a Technics turntable. When I was in the market, they were the first manufacturer I looked at.

This wonderful turntable is very manual, but built with well-known, tried and true, components. It's a blast to use and has been very reliable. I use the internal phono pre-amp, which seems perfect to my ears.

I do have a bone to pick with the queue lever and how the auto lift seems to damage it over time, but honestly if that's the only problem with this turntable, then it's doing pretty good!

MC5 Little Bear Mixer

This wonderful little device opened a lot of possibilities. It's an analog only passive mixer. Simply a set of 5 potentiometers and a set of resisters.

I wouldn't call this a "HiFi" device. Its pots can be a little scratchy, the passive nature means you do have to be cognizant of how you use it, and it backfeeds signal, which can be a problem.

In my case, it allows me to have a "not-fidelity-critical" path of my audio where I can combine things easily and route audio around. It works very well with line level signal for that. I would avoid trying to use it on the output stage of anything.

Monoprice Bluetooth Transceiver

This little bluetooth device is an extremely convenient thing that works "in-a-pinch" when you need it to.

Have guests over that want to stream to the speakers? Flip a few switches and here's a bluetooth device to pair to. Have a bluetooth speaker you want to feed from your turntable? Flip a few other switches and this device can transmit that signal.

It doesn't get used every day by any means, but the times I do end up turning it on, it feels like magic.