Jump to content
  • The Computer Audiophile
    The Computer Audiophile

    By The Computer Audiophile •

    Desktop Audio For The Apple Pro Display XDR

    It all started with a message on January 8, 2021. I tried to watch a video on my Late 2014 iMac 5K, that I'd recorded with my iPhone 12 Pro, when the fateful message appeared. "Unsupported Video Format, The full-resolution video is unsupported." After some searching, I found that my iMac didn't have the hardware required to play HDR video with 10-bit high dynamic range or Dolby Vision. I had no need to shoot video in that format from my iPhone, but I took this as a good reason to look at new computers. 

     

    error message.pngAfter using an iMac for many years, I was ready to ditch the platform because Apple stopped supporting Target Display Mode. This mode enabled iMacs to be used as a display when connected to another computer. I could upgrade with a new computer and still use the iMac display if target display mode was still possible. The iMac is now essentially a dead end that can never be upgraded or used any other way than the day it's purchased. For most people this is perfect, but I was ready for something different. 

     

    I purchased the latest Mac Mini (M1, 2020) because I read the reviews of the Apple Silicon performance and was amazed at what the company had accomplished. Plus, I didn't need an Intel based Mac for anything because my podcast recording rig runs on an Intel based MacBook Pro. If you've never fought with digital audio workstation software for professional recording, consider yourself lucky. My MacBook Pro is frozen in time because any updates are liable to cause major issues. 

     

    Anyway, the Mac Mini obviously requires an external display unlike the iMac. After using an iMac for so long I was used to the incredibly high quality of Apple displays. I just couldn't get myself to cut a corner and save money by purchasing something I hadn't looked myself. The real issue was selecting the far less expensive LG Ultra Fine display sold by Apple or going all-in with the Apple Pro Display XDR. Given my propensity for high quality, I just had to go with the Pro Display XDR. 

     

    The Pro Display XDR has amazing specs at 32 inches, 6K, 1600 nits of brightness, a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, 99% of the P3 wide color gamut, true 10-bit color depth, and an aesthetic design that's second to none. Here's the Pro Display XDR technical white paper for those interested (link). Don't get me started on the $1,000 stand that I also "had" to purchase.  


    Two features the Pro Display XDR doesn't have are a built-in camera/microphone and built-in speakers. Yes, I'm well aware that it's preposterous The Computer Audiophile would use built-in speakers, but that's what I did much of the time with my iMac 5K. When one has a full Constellation, Wilson, Berkeley, Aurender, and Transparent system on the other side of the room, the built-in speakers matter a little less. Solving the camera/microphone issue was easy, but in true Pro Display XDR fashion the cost was $200. If one gets the $5,000 display, and the $1,000 stand, it's a must to get the expensive magnetic camera built exclusively for this system. OK, not a "must" but I was all-in for $6,000, what's another $200?

     

     

     

    Pro Display XDR Dynaudio Xeo 10 Front.jpg

     

     

     

    Finding speakers for the Mac Mini / Pro Display XDR combo was actually much more enjoyable than cringing over the cost of the stand and camera. The most important factor I considered when looking for speakers was size. There's no getting around one's desktop space limitations, even if the sound quality of something gigantic is compelling. Size also includes any additional components needed to drive the speakers. In this case, active / self powered speakers would likely save me much needed space. Similar to size is the design of the speaker, in that certain designs require more space even if the physical speakers are small. For example, I really wanted to try the Mini Maggie System from Magnepan. However, I'd previously talked to Magnepan's Wendell Diller, when we were both participating in an event at Audio Advice in North Carolina, while he setup the Mini Maggie System and I knew these speakers needed more room to breathe behind them than my desk has to offer. 

     

    As a card-carrying, knuckle-dragging, audiophile it goes without saying that sound quality was absolutely critical in my search for speakers. Sure, I have my main system just to my left, but if I was required to connect speakers to my new computer, I might as well do it audiophile style. 

    In addition to sound quality I considered all the possible ways desktop systems connect to a source (computer, music server, mobile device, etc...). All the active desktop systems I considered use internal digital signal processing. This makes the analog inputs of such a system far less desirable in my book. It doesn't make sense to me, to use an external DAC like an AudioQuest DragonFly to feed a pair of active speakers. The speakers will convert the analog signal back into digital for processing, then back into analog for playback. Thus, I focussed on the digital inputs of these speakers. 

     

    The Mac Mini has very sparse audio output options. It's either Ethernet, USB, analog, or Bluetooth. Unfortunately, the analog output isn't a dual purpose port with optical S/PDIF inside like many MacBook Pros have been over the years. The most reasonable audiophile option here is USB. I love Ethernet audio, but for a desktop that must also use speakers to output sound from Zoom meetings, FaceTime calls, and Podcasts, Ethernet can be a bridge too far. I didn't feel like fighting with it to re-route Zoom calls over an Ethernet interface that wasn't mean to output Zoom calls. Oh it can be done, but that's not a hill I was willing to die on when I needed instant access to audio. 

     

    Last, the speakers had to look nice. I just can't put ugly, shiny plastic, transformer-looking speakers in front of my face all day long. 

    Astute readers will notice I didn't pay much attention to supported audio types such as high resolution PCM or DSD and frequency response specifications. This disregard is for two reasons, 1. The DSP inside active desktop speakers usually runs at 48 kHz or 96 kHz maximum, and 2. This just isn't that important to me for my desktop system. I like high resolution and chest pounding bass as much as the next guy, but I can also trim my requirements when needed.

     

    I thought about speakers that could fit on my desk, but under the bottom edge of the display. That was a dead end. Then I searched for speakers from all the companies I respect, to see if they offered anything that fit my narrow requirements. I looked at Wilson of course and had the TuneTot near the top of my list. I've hear the TuneTot many times and love the sound of music coming through these speakers. My hesitations were twofold, the size of the TuneTot, at 25 inches tall, is probably larger than I want on my desk and they are passive speakers that require external amplification. Because I like them so much, and the sound of my Wilson Alexia Series 2 is so fantastic, I don't think I will ever rule out putting TuneTots on my desk. For this desktop speaker exercise I set the TuneTot aside as something to consider on another day. 

     

    I looked at Elac because I've experienced the work of Andrew Jones countless times, but I didn't see any speakers there that fit my requirements or looked so compelling that I would set a requirement aside. Based on recommendations from many Audiophile Style readers over the years I looked at ADAM Audio, but just couldn't get excited about any of its offerings. Plus, I hadn't heard ADAM speakers nearly as much as I'd heard other brands. There's likely a good speaker from ADAM that meets my requirements, but I decided to pass this time. 

     

    The two companies at which I looked hardest were KEF and Dynaudio. KEF's LS50 Wireless II and LSX are extremely solid products, loved by audiophiles all over the world. I've heard KEF speakers countless times and enjoyed them very much. The size of the LSX is perfect for my desktop and it looks very nice. The LS50 Wireless II is also within a reasonable size, even though it's deeper than it is tall at just over one foot. The issue with these KEF speakers is no USB input. I absolutely wouldn't care about this if the speakers were for listening to music, but I need a direct digital connection that's addressable by any app that will run on my Mac Mini.

     

    Note: I could easily purchase a USB to Toslink (for the LSX or LS50) or use a USB to coaxial S/PDIF (for the LS50), but this is another piece of equipment to plugin near my desk. I wanted to avoid this if possible. The MiniDSP USBStreamer B is only $109 and enables USB to Toslink. It's a really powerful device with different firmware options etc..., but I just didn't want to go down this path for this system. Looking back on it, this device isn't much different from the Dynaudio Xeo Hub that enables me to connect wirelessly, but by the time I realized this I was already too far down the road to look back. 

     

    I've been a big fan of Dynaudio speakers for many years. I visited the factory in Denmark a few years ago and really loved the vibe, the story, the sound quality, and the incredible speaker measuring room where speakers are hoisted up on a crane-like device and rotated any number of ways for measurements. The legendary Dynaudio soft dome tweeter is another major plus for a speaker that will sit a few feet from my ears for eight to ten hours per day. I've also used the Dynaudio Xeo system quite a bit and this familiarity is always beneficial in case something goes awry when a call is coming in and I want to answer it on my computer. Stuff happens, it's a fact of life. 

     

    One additional intangible benefit is the people at Dynaudio North America. I've dealt with Dynaudio's Mike Manousselis many times over the years and he has always made sure even my dumbest questions are answered quickly. As you'll read in a bit, this high level of service was extremely nice when I ran into an issue that turned out to be unrelated to Dynaudio. 

     

    Anyway, I selected the Dynaudio Xeo 10 speakers because the size was perfect, they have optional stands, they look great, they have optional colored speakers grills, they have USB connectivity through the Dynaudio Xeo Hub, and I enjoy the sound of Dynaudio speakers. I've never heard a Dyn speaker that hurts my ears or fatigues me in any way. This is key, give the lengths of time I listen at my desk. 

     

    Pro Display XDR Dynaudio Xeo 10 Stand.jpgAfter receiving the Xeo 10 I mounted them on some IsoAcoustics speaker stands I'd already purchased years ago. The stands were a bit large, so I opted for the purpose built Xeo Desk Stands. This is a no-brainer. I should've used this from the start. They look great and fit like a glove, with channeling for the speaker's power cable. 

     

    I listened through the Xeo 10s immediately, preferring to break them in as I used them rather than connect them to another system running non-stop for a week or so. After the first day I noticed something strange. The left channel wasn't as loud as the right channel. I switched the connection to the analog output of my Mac Mini and the analog input of the Xeo, and the problem was resolved. This was OK for a couple days, but then the problem arose with this in/output as well. I contacted Dynaudio, which sent me a replacement pair without forcing me to jump through several hoops. Again, excellent service for what turned out to be unrelated to them. 

     

    When the new pair arrived, they worked for about a day before the left channel was lower than the right. I dug into it further and discovered that Roon was setting my left channel volume to -10dB in Audio Midi, upon reboot. I didn't see this previously because I had no reason to look at Audio Midi. I never used it for volume control because the Xeo has its own remote control. I uninstalled Roon and the issue disappeared. 

     

    There are a couple configuration options for Dynaudio Xeo speakers that aren't readily apparent, but are absolute requirements for me at my desktop. The first is called night mode. This enables one to turn off the two LEDs on each speaker unless the volume is being changed, input switched or they are turned off. At such time the LEDs only illuminate for a couple seconds. To enable night mode, press and hold the ‘OFF’ button on the remote for five seconds.

     

    The feature that's even more imperative is disabling autosense. Autosense is enabled by default. It's job is to listen for a signal, then turn off the speakers or go to standby if an incoming signal isn't detected. The issue arises when waking up the speakers. I answered a few FaceTime calls and discovered the speakers don't wake up immediately. I couldn't hear the person to whom I was talking. Disabling autosense resolves this issue 100% by keeping the speakers awake and looking for a signal on the selected input. When disabled the speakers respond immediately to any audio coming form the computer. To disable or enable Autosense, press and hold the ‘OPT’ button for five seconds: the LEDs will blink once for enabled or twice for disabled. In this mode, the listener must remember to actively turn the Xeo 10 power off when not in use.

     

    A third feature that I don't use, but can see why people like it, is the fixed volume mode. This enables listeners to lock the volume at a fixed level, likely near the top of the Xeo 10's range, and control attenuation via one's computer or app of choice. This removes the issue of dualing volume controls when both the speakers and computer's volume controls active. 

     

    Note: The Xeo 10 has a switch for three different settings on the back for Neutral, Wall, or corner positions of the speakers. I used the Neutral setting for this review. 

     


    Sound

     

    Pro Display XDR Dynaudio Xeo 10 Angle.jpgThe sound of the Dynaudio Xeo 10 speakers is really nice. As a jaded audiophile I have extreme expectations, making my sound quality scale likely different from many people who just want really good sound. The Xeo 10 will easily satisfy anyone "just looking for really good sound" and should please audiophiles alike. I don't hear the transparency with the Xeo 10 that I would hear if I had the Mini Maggie System, but I also don't hear any ear splitting tweeters common in other speakers. The soft dome tweeter in the Xeo 10 is terrific for all day listening and for critical audiophile listening. 

     

    The aspect that's most likely to hold back a speaker like the Xeo 10 is setup. I have a 32" display smack dab in the middle of the speakers. There's no getting around it. Without a display the speakers would image much better, but that's a conversation for another day. As it stands, the sound I get from this Dynaudio Xeo 10 / Apple Pro Display XDR system is a touch laid back or recessed but still very detailed. 

     

    Listening to the new Lake Street Dive album, titled Obviously, the Xeo 10s sound are terrific. On track one, Hypotheticals, Rachel Price's vocals are silky smooth and detailed, the baselines are stellar for a desktop system, and the guitar coming in and out of the left channel is crystal clear. Around the 3:25 mark of the track, the band supplies backing vocals that harmonize wonderfully and sound organically sweet. 

     

    One pleasant surprise I heard when listening through the Xeo 10s is something that would likely bug me if it was in my main system. Listening to Randi Tytingvag's Red or Dead title track can rip one's head clean off. It's a track with absolute clarity in the vocals and high frequencies, but it can be a bit much. On my main system I want this to be a bit much, if that's what's on the recording. No so on my desktop system when I listen for up to ten hours a day. Ear splitting isn't pleasant, even if it's accurate. Sure, the Xeo 10s may be toning down other areas of music that I enjoy, but I've yet to hear it in anything else. Overall, it's a big win because I enjoy the heck out of the music when listening through the Xeo 10s. I'm not analyzing everything, but rather accepting the realities of small powered speakers flanking a giant computer display. I'm not a mastering or mixing engineer. I'm an audiophile who loved music and has a job to do during the day. I'd like to enjoy my music during this time.  

     

     

    Conclusion

     

    The Dynaudio Xeo 10s satisfied my requirements perfectly. Size, sound, appearance, usability, and great customer service were all a match for me. Extremely long listening sessions at varying sound levels were always enjoyable. Enabling / disabling some custom settings also made the Xeo 10s a perfect match for everyday computer use such as Zoom calls, FaceTime calls, and podcasts. I'll also never underestimate the ease of a physical remote control. When I have 25 windows open on my computer, it's very easy to grab the Xeo remote control and hit volume up/down or mute. Overall I highly recommend the Dynaudio Xeo 10. 

     

    P.S. As I typed up this review, I discovered the Dynaudio Xeo 10 was surprisingly discontinued. That's unfortunate because it's a great speaker. I'm unsure what the replacement will be from Dynaudio, but if the other Xeo products such as the Xeo 20 fit one's desktop, it would be a great option. The Xeo 10 is also still available from some dealers and online outlets until stock disappears. 


     

     

     

    Product Information:

     

     

     

    Associated Music:

     

     

     

    Associated Equipment:

     

     

     

     

    Listening Room:

     

    This graph shows the frequency response of my room before (top) and after (bottom) tuning by Mitch Barnett of Accurate Sound. The standard used for this curve is EBU 3276. This tuning can be used with Roon, JRiver, and other apps that accept convolution filters. When evaluating equipment I use my system with and without this tuning engaged. The signal processing takes place in the digital domain before the audio reaches the DAC, thus enabling me to evaluate the components under review without anything changing the signal further downstream. 

     

    551112741_myroom.jpg.7922adb92cf9efcff4c401f0dffbc5c4.jpg

     

     

     

     

    Go to articles

    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments



    blaven

    Super cool article. I just started a desktop set up about a year and a half ago with a Mac mini purchase. Had many of the same desires you did and, having already been very pleased by the KEF LS50 wireless  was definitely looking at the LSX, Magnepan, and others as well. I ultimately settled on a different KEF product: KEF Egg. 

     

    So, just trying to be helpful as the KEF Egg  is  another alternative for those who might be looking. It’s supports 24/96, has USB plug-in that can go directly out from the Mac mini for all computing sound, looks great, and uses that same coaxial driver technology as their other speakers for their “house sound”.

     

    I later spent a little bit extra on a used REL T0 sub and it’s amazing. Very different than my other set ups. Nearfield listening is truly unique but rather enjoyable especially as we spend so much time in front of our computers in general. 

     

    I’m more just throwing us out there for anybody who might be in a similar position who is looking for a style friendly product that accepts USB straight from a computer.  it’s brainless turnkey solution and sounds great with or without a subwoofer.

     

    Thanks for another great review!

    Share this comment

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    The Computer Audiophile
    2 minutes ago, blaven said:

    Super cool article. I just started a desktop set up about a year and a half ago with a Mac mini purchase. Had many of the same desires you did and, having already been very pleased by the KEF LS50 wireless  was definitely looking at the LSX as well. I ultimately settled on a different KEF product: KEF Egg. 

     

    So, just trying to be helpful as the KEF Egg  is  another alternative for those who might be looking. It’s supports 24/96, has USB plug-in that can go directly out from the Mac mini for all computing sound, looks great, and uses that same coaxial driver technology as their other speakers for their “house sound”.

     

    I later spent a little bit extra on a used REL T0 sub and it’s amazing. Very different than my other set ups. Nearfield listening is truly unique but rather enjoyable especially as we spend so much time in front of our computers in general. 

     

    I’m more just throwing us out there for anybody who might be in a similar position who is looking for a style friendly product that accepts USB straight from a computer.  it’s brainless turnkey solution and sounds great with or without a subwoofer.

     

    Thanks for another great review!

    Very cool. Thanks for the suggestion.

     

    Is the KEF Egg still made?

     

    https://us.kef.com/speakers/computer-speakers/egg.html

    Share this comment

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    grinner

    Where did you see that the Xeo 10 is discontinued? It seems to be still featured on the Dynaudio website. 

    Share this comment

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    The Computer Audiophile
    4 minutes ago, grinner said:

    Where did you see that the Xeo 10 is discontinued? It seems to be still featured on the Dynaudio website. 

    I saw it at Crutchfield and confirmed with Dynaudio North America. 

    Share this comment

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    AudioDoctor

    As someone that bought the 4K LG Ultrafine, in 32 inch size, and being blown away by the quality of it, I can't imagine what the Apple Display must look like...

    Share this comment

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Roy Boy

    On your comment about Elac not having something that met your requirements, I am guessing that meant no digital inputs? I have a pair of the ARB-51 that I use with my LG OLED TV but I have a Bluesound Node 2i set up that I have been pleased with, but that is not a desktop system. My son has a pair of the older XEO 2 in a desktop Mac system and he loves it.

    Share this comment

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    The Computer Audiophile
    3 minutes ago, Roy Boy said:

    On your comment about Elac not having something that met your requirements, I am guessing that meant no digital inputs? I have a pair of the ARB-51 that I use with my LG OLED TV but I have a Bluesound Node 2i set up that I have been pleased with, but that is not a desktop system. My son has a pair of the older XEO 2 in a desktop Mac system and he loves it.

     

    Yeah. I love Elac, but couldn't find a speaker with inputs I needed. 

    Share this comment

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    ednaz
    20 hours ago, blaven said:

    Super cool article. I just started a desktop set up about a year and a half ago with a Mac mini purchase. Had many of the same desires you did and, having already been very pleased by the KEF LS50 wireless  was definitely looking at the LSX, Magnepan, and others as well. I ultimately settled on a different KEF product: KEF Egg. 

     

    So, just trying to be helpful as the KEF Egg  is  another alternative for those who might be looking. It’s supports 24/96, has USB plug-in that can go directly out from the Mac mini for all computing sound, looks great, and uses that same coaxial driver technology as their other speakers for their “house sound”.

     

    I later spent a little bit extra on a used REL T0 sub and it’s amazing. Very different than my other set ups. Nearfield listening is truly unique but rather enjoyable especially as we spend so much time in front of our computers in general. 

     

    I’m more just throwing us out there for anybody who might be in a similar position who is looking for a style friendly product that accepts USB straight from a computer.  it’s brainless turnkey solution and sounds great with or without a subwoofer.

     

    Thanks for another great review!

    Using the KEF Egg also, and it's a nice little setup for me when I'm working on editing photos. They're set a bit farther apart than I'd like, given the size of my editing monitor and the distance I prefer for editing, but it doesn't seem to affect the sound. Instruments in the middle come from the middle of the screen, with a nice little soundstage on my desk. They have the KEF sound character, too, reminding me of my living room LSX speakers. 

    Share this comment

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    The Computer Audiophile
    1 minute ago, ednaz said:

    Using the KEF Egg also, and it's a nice little setup for me when I'm working on editing photos. They're set a bit farther apart than I'd like, given the size of my editing monitor and the distance I prefer for editing, but it doesn't seem to affect the sound. Instruments in the middle come from the middle of the screen, with a nice little soundstage on my desk. They have the KEF sound character, too, reminding me of my living room LSX speakers. 

    Have the EGGs been discontinued?

    Share this comment

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    RichardSF
    Quote

    they worked for about a day before the left channel was lower than the right. I dug into it further and discovered that Roon was setting my left channel volume to -10dB in Audio Midi, upon reboot. I didn't see this previously because I had no reason to look at Audio Midi. I never used it for volume control because the Xeo has its own remote control. I uninstalled Roon and the issue disappeared.

    I'm curious that you didn't pursue this further. Is it a bug in Roon? It seems like a rather serious issue.

    Share this comment

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    The Computer Audiophile
    2 hours ago, RichardSF said:

    I'm curious that you didn't pursue this further. Is it a bug in Roon? It seems like a rather serious issue.

    Oh I’ve pursued it but Roon isn’t very interested in it.

    Share this comment

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    CG
    8 hours ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

    Oh I’ve pursued it but Roon isn’t very interested in it.

     

    It's truly amazing how uninterested companies are now.  Customers are really pains in the keister, aren't they?

     

    Somewhat off topic...  

     

    I'm typing this on a somewhat more recent vintage iMac than your previous computer, but Apple in its great and powerful wisdom haa decided to not update the firmware in it for the past year.  That may not be a problem now, but it could be.  Their answer is that it's up to date, but I keep getting eficheck notices that my firmware is not up to date.  Apple is about as interested in my (and other people's) issue on this as Roon is with their issue.

     

    Aside from Retina displays and the wider spread use of SSDs over the past decade or so, the improvements in computers have been rather small in a practical sense.  People make more of a deal of them than is really merited.  Which is exactly what the companies want.

     

    So, your plan of getting a really great display and a lower priced compute engine makes great sense to me.  There doesn't appear to be an earth shaking display performance improvement on the horizon, and all the computing improvements will largely be incremental.  Your approach seems like a better allocation of resources than buying a new iMac.

     

    So, how's it working?

    Share this comment

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    The Computer Audiophile
    18 minutes ago, CG said:

     

    It's truly amazing how uninterested companies are now.  Customers are really pains in the keister, aren't they?

     

    Somewhat off topic...  

     

    I'm typing this on a somewhat more recent vintage iMac than your previous computer, but Apple in its great and powerful wisdom haa decided to not update the firmware in it for the past year.  That may not be a problem now, but it could be.  Their answer is that it's up to date, but I keep getting eficheck notices that my firmware is not up to date.  Apple is about as interested in my (and other people's) issue on this as Roon is with their issue.

     

    Aside from Retina displays and the wider spread use of SSDs over the past decade or so, the improvements in computers have been rather small in a practical sense.  People make more of a deal of them than is really merited.  Which is exactly what the companies want.

     

    So, your plan of getting a really great display and a lower priced compute engine makes great sense to me.  There doesn't appear to be an earth shaking display performance improvement on the horizon, and all the computing improvements will largely be incremental.  Your approach seems like a better allocation of resources than buying a new iMac.

     

    So, how's it working?


    It works fantastic. Best computer system I’ve ever used. 8-10 hours in front of this display is a breeze on the eyes. 
     

    Speaking of firmware, I pulled the power cable on the monitor three times, in the middle of a firmware update (unbeknownst to me) and it came up just fine and on the newest version of firmware. Incredible engineering. 

    Share this comment

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    CG
    27 minutes ago, The Computer Audiophile said:


    It works fantastic. Best computer system I’ve ever used. 8-10 hours in front of this display is a breeze on the eyes. 
     

    Speaking of firmware, I pulled the power cable on the monitor three times, in the middle of a firmware update (unbeknownst to me) and it came up just fine and on the newest version of firmware. Incredible engineering. 

     

    Good to know.

     

    There's rumors of a less expensive monitor coming out Any Day Now.  (The only things really coming out Any Day Now are the rumors.)  As you alluded to, this monitor is overpriced.  Just because they can overprice it.  For example, the stand doesn't appear to be that much different from what you get on an $1800 27 inch iMac.  (Is the stand $1000 and the rest is only $800?  Somebody should go into the boutique stand business.)  Anyway, if there's a lower priced alternative, that might be the way to go for us puny humans.

     

    Thanks for the report.  Back to the shadows.

    Share this comment

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    bbosler
    7 hours ago, CG said:

    So, your plan of getting a really great display and a lower priced compute engine makes great sense to me. There doesn't appear to be an earth shaking display performance improvement on the horizon, and all the computing improvements will largely be incremental.  Your approach seems like a better allocation of resources than buying a new iMac.

     

    I would actually go the opposite direction, I'm sure it is a fabulous display but the most progress has been in that arena so investing $6K+ in a display that will likely be outdistanced very soon makes no sense to me.. look how fast we went from 1080 being state of the art to 4K being ubiquitous. I understand that if you want the state of the art now in displays you have to pay the premium and I have no problem with others doing it, just not for me. 

     

     

    The Mac Mini M1 may be "lower priced" but for tasks that use a single core it is the fastest that Apple has at the moment. Faster than a Mac Pro. My 2018 3.2GHz i7 was choking with HQ player to DSD 512 and my M1 sails through it. Prior to the M1 the iMac was the fastest and the M1 is about 50% faster so not in agreement on the assessment of incremental computer improvement ,,, 50% to me  is a leap.. not an increment

     

     

    Screen Shot 2021-04-03 at 7.14.09 PM.png

    Share this comment

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    AudioDoctor

    I was one of those people waiting for the next big fancy monitor to come out, and except for the Apple Display, as of the moment they are all coming at some indeterminate future date... And none of them will be cheap. In fact I bet they will be 5K plus as some of the just below that tier models are right now selling for 4.5 to 5K. The one I was really interested in is the upcoming LG OLED 32 inch computer monitor, but again, I need it now, not at some unknown time in the future. So I did the next best thing and got a super deal on the LG Ultrafine monitor from Microcenter and I could not love it more. For my needs it's perfect. I also have it paired with an M1 mini and I love the little machine.

    Share this comment

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    blaven
    On 4/2/2021 at 9:37 AM, The Computer Audiophile said:

    Have the EGGs been discontinued?

    I’m not entirely sure. I suspect so, but I have been thinking about getting a pair in blue and periodically I check on Amazon and they will suddenly have 30 available. I have no idea what warehouse is secretly discovering a lost stash or what is going on, but you definitely can still get them knew through a number of outlets. Even Crutchfield up until recently but I think they’re still on Amazon.

     

    I really love the Nearfield listening experience. It’s just nice to have a different set up compared to 5.1 and two channel where you were further back. I’m really surprised by how much I enjoy listening to music there and how great it sounds from a relatively simple set up.   It’s almost a headphone like experience. I can only imagine what those Dynaudio’s sound like

     

    thanks for all your work on the site Chris. I’ve been on it since the beginning and it’s such a wonderful resource. big fan of the site and the location (dad grew up in St Louis Park)

    Congratulations on all your life and site successes

     

     

    my computer rig. such a fun hobby. Thanks for contributing so much to it

    844780C5-585F-4E39-8A43-BC86226458A1.jpeg

    Share this comment

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    The Computer Audiophile
    42 minutes ago, bbosler said:

     

    I would actually go the opposite direction, I'm sure it is a fabulous display but the most progress has been in that arena so investing $6K+ in a display that will likely be outdistanced very soon makes no sense to me.. look how fast we went from 1080 being state of the art to 4K being ubiquitous. I understand that if you want the state of the art now in displays you have to pay the premium and I have no problem with others doing it, just not for me. 

     

     

    The Mac Mini M1 may be "lower priced" but for tasks that use a single core it is the fastest that Apple has at the moment. Faster than a Mac Pro. My 2018 3.2GHz i7 was choking with HQ player to DSD 512 and my M1 sails through it. Prior to the M1 the iMac was the fastest and the M1 is about 50% faster so not in agreement on the assessment of incremental computer improvement ,,, 50% to me  is a leap.. not an increment

     

     

    Screen Shot 2021-04-03 at 7.14.09 PM.png


    I don’t care if a display has 8k or 16k, it’s all about quality for me. The Apple displays have such high quality it’s crazy. Text looks amazingly crisp. 
     

    I also don’t need the latest and greatest. This display will be just as good as it is today, in 10 years. 

    Share this comment

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    SalR406
    28 minutes ago, AudioDoctor said:

    I was one of those people waiting for the next big fancy monitor to come out, and except for the Apple Display, as of the moment they are all coming at some indeterminate future date... And none of them will be cheap. In fact I bet they will be 5K plus as some of the just below that tier models are right now selling for 4.5 to 5K. The one I was really interested in is the upcoming LG OLED 32 inch computer monitor, but again, I need it now, not at some unknown time in the future. So I did the next best thing and got a super deal on the LG Ultrafine monitor from Microcenter and I could not love it more. For my needs it's perfect. I also have it paired with an M1 mini and I love the little machine.

     

    I've got a iMac 27 Mid 2011 High Sierra I'll need to replace pretty soon and the new M1 Mac Mini with the LG UltraFine is at the top of my list.  Have you experienced any "gotchas" from the Mini dealing with a non-Apple display?  Do they integrate well?

    Share this comment

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    blaven
    21 minutes ago, SalR406 said:

     

    I've got a iMac 27 Mid 2011 High Sierra I'll need to replace pretty soon and the new M1 Mac Mini with the LG UltraFine is at the top of my list.  Have you experienced any "gotchas" from the Mini dealing with a non-Apple display?  Do they integrate well?

    I’m using a BenQ PD3220U

    Works without a single hiccup. 

     

    Share this comment

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    blaven

    Also, regarding non-Apple monitors integrating with the Mac Mini, one thing that can be mildly frustrating is inability to adjust brightness. There’s a pretty cool application called lunar that can run in the background and facilitate this pretty seamlessly. Otherwise, there are no hiccups whatsoever and it is brainless and easy set up.

     

    the BenQ comes with this little 3 inch diameter hockey puck thing with a control dial that allows you to adjust brightness, volume, and that kind of stuff.


    but that lunar program works very well and allows you to control brightness from the Apple Bluetooth keyboard. That’s what I find myself most frequently using. 

     

    dont want to derail the thread but this might be helpful for others. Sorry. 

     

    image.jpg

    Share this comment

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites


    Create an account or sign in to comment

    You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

    Create an account

    Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

    Register a new account

    Sign in

    Already have an account? Sign in here.

    Sign In Now



sonore

aurender

Lumin

HEAP

Schiit

SOtM

Mytek

mutec

uptone

jcat

sotm usa

audioquest

Taiko Audio

Teddy Pardo

Eversolo




×
×
  • Create New...