I have been an Amateur Radio operator for a rather long time. I have not been active, but the call of HF and Digital modes has re-ignited my interest.

I have been obsessed with music playback systems since the 1960s. I have 8-track tapes, Akai 4-track reel-to-reel tapes, and Koss Pro–4aa headphones!

It was not until 1985 that I started to understand clean-sounding systems: Thiel CS 3.5 speakers, Bryston 3B power amp, and APT Holman preamp. The system was set up in the basement because it was too big and “ugly” to be part of family life. I started learning about room reflections from the paneling on the walls and the low ceiling.
Fast forward to the ’90s, and the system was allowed in the living room because we had more space. We upped the ante with a better CD player and a Threshold FET–9 Pre-amp! The family could play CDs and records. Then the CD player gave up, and I said, Hey, let’s rip the CDs and play them from the computer! Instantly, the system was too complex to use. iTunes was not like a CD. The machine had to be on, and you had to log in! I do not think that this was or is progress.

Then there was this side trip to Sonos speakers in the living room that nobody listened to because they could not run them! NOTE TO SELF: Never run beta software on something others have to use!

The last five years have been a classic case of “Audiophilia Nervosa.” There has been a constant stream of speakers, amps, pre-amps, cables, DACs, and the like. I settled down on Schiit Yggdrasil DAC, and Ayre AX–5 Twenty integrated with B&W 804S speakers using Transparent Cable throughout.

Then there is the computer side: laptops, MacMini, Sonic Transporter, custom-built buildings, and four-D—four different operating systems! Oh, and do not forget the networking issues! There may be a small light at the end of the tunnel.

Digital Audio playback software is improving at presenting a user interface that almost anyone can understand. For example, Roon Labs software gives you a friendly interface to your local music, Tidal, and Qobuz, as well as a limited internet radio interface. Jriver Media Center is continuously improving and evolving. Audirvana is expanding to new platforms. What a great time to be able to listen to almost any of the music the world has to offer!

There are many rough spots, and accessing content such as Bandcamp or YouTube on your stereo system can be hard. There are still issues around the complexity of managing a local music library.

Today, you can tell “the lady in the can” to play some music, and the “super” computers at Google, Apple, or Amazon will typically present you with what you asked.

Considering all of this knowledge, services, systems, and individual requirements, I have built a set of audio playback systems that will work in virtually any home, can be operated by almost anyone, and provide sit-down performance listening, including virtual assistant integration and around-the-home background information delivery and music.

Enough gazing fondly into the past. Next time, I will write more about the complete redesign of the audio system. We will eliminate a lot of complexity and take the sound quality to another level!

Last time, I discussed some of the issues related to building systems in your home. Today, I want to discuss creating a shared listening experience.

Some audiophile systems have accessibility problems. Either the system is not accessible to others, or nobody else can run it.

I regularly find issues like these:

• The system is located away from family life. • It has a very complex setup and operation • The equipment is too fragile to let “just anyone” use it • The “owner” does not let anyone touch the system. • The system design only provides a single person listening position.

These issues can create hidden or public tension and stress around music where there should be none! So the shared listening experience is not there. I may be harsh here, but it is crucial. I do not intend to denigrate the audiophile who has a personal need to build systems for whatever reason! Please enjoy the music, but think about including others in the musical experience.

The stand-alone system is not the only culprit. Devices like the Amazon Echo, Google Home, and Apple HomePod all provide instant music that has an almost magical feeling. The sound can be a bit like elevator music or the old Intercom system with terrible little speakers around the home. It’s just not great for a “Performance” listening experience.

There is another trend in stereo called multi-room audio. Companies like Sonos, Bluesound, and others have created system designs that allow you to place speakers around the home and synchronize the music playing on them or to play different music as desired in each room. The system designs are a great way to get music everywhere. While the quality can be pretty good, there is still no drive to take time to listen to music together as an experience.

The technology companies named above have also started providing multi-room audio. They are earnest about their work but do not appear serious about the listening experience. Their voice activation systems are compelling, and it will be fascinating to see where this goes.

Do not take me wrong; I have Amazon Echo and Apple HomePod devices in my home. They all play valuable roles in our daily lives. However, the incumbent multi-room systems like Sonos and Bluesound are most likely feeling the pinch.

Next time, we will take an abbreviated journey through time and start experiencing the future today!

Building a new music system in our homes today presents both technical and personal challenges. We need to make sure that a few things are ready before we start.

The first challenge is the local network in the home and the feed from the Internet. While audio is not as intense as say video streaming they both require a stable, consistent internal network. If the system streams files from the Internet, then some additional requirements have to be met.

The second challenge is placement and system requirements. Where does the system go to encourage maximum use and enjoyment? Will it go in a shared space such as a living room? Is there a spare room dedicated to music?

The third challenge is the people and adds what additional audio systems are required? Google Home, etc. It is best to build a plan and stick with it. Get everyone on board, set up, and taught how to operate things, play music, etc.

I will address these challenges and much more. You can subscribe to the RSS feed and follow along on Social Media, see the links in the footer.