Nest Theater Part Nineteen ~ New JRiver MC Streamer ~ MeLE 2Q2 27Apr22

To eliminate my complete frustration with Win 10 maintenance on the Dell XPS13 laptop, that serves solely as a JRiver client for digital files, and to eliminate fan noise, I added a fanless NetTop to run Linux and host JRiver MC. It's got bluetooth for integration with remote controls, WiFi to connect to the net when needed (but already my music library is stored locally in Silverthore on an external 2TB SSD, to eliminate latency), and spits bits true to 96KHz. The tiny box is a MeLE Celeron 2GHz Quad-core 8GB/128GB fanless box for $220. This was all new stuff to build & integrate, other than fly rods, to engage the melon.

First I built, to Matt's disgust, a Ubuntu 20.4 OS on the Mele. I went back rev as it'd been verified to run JRiver MC28 well. Then I built JRiver MC28 for this environment; all good - it loaded my 1TB of FLAC/MP3/DSF/WAV tunes quickly into the library. On first "play" attempt on the NestT - nada. I needed to reset the driver for digital audio output, in the OS and MC28, properly. Among the 50 drivers available I found iec958 ALSA to be the better bit-perfect one for this OS. It rendered music well and at high bit rates. Discussing this choice later with Matt I modified my selection to YY, with no apparent change in character or playback. 

The new MC28 digital player setup rocks the doors off and is better controlled with a new Logitech K400 keyboard.

On this digital side I again used Dirac Live and my tiny miniDSP box to correct for the current config, the room, and the speakers. I made a number of painful measurements but I can't say enough about this system.

Here's a sweep comparison of Dirac vs No Dirac on the NestT. Yeah, I don't know why the Dirac EQ over-corrected in the 50Hz-100Hz range... I need to work on that.

Nest Theater Part Eighteen ~ Back To Vinyl 26Apr22

Twenty years ago or so Kala & I sold our ~400 LP collection of 1st vinyl pressings to an enthusiastic record store associate. We asked jack shit for the lot, believing that digital/etc was the "exclusive" future. After all, I sold all my 8 Tracks, Cassettes, and the even my reel-to-reel recordings previously ~ I move on full bore. I don't rue the day exactly as digital is ultimately so convenient. In fact I've optimized the Nest Theater DAC and digital library as well as my headphone systems (drawing from a .flac library) around the digital content playback notion... I've profiled these setups previously and I don't believe I'm sacrificing and get an awesome liquid response and visceral experience. However, too much evidence, including objective dynamic range measurements of some albums, indicate that I was leaving something on the table as to sound capable from the vaunted Nest Theater. Too, listeners in the know have commented they'd like to hear vinyl on the Nest Theater. So, with no further ado, I have added an "entry level" audiophile (that's my price point) phono setup to the Nest Theater, and I even bought some vinyl. Gear is described below.

Specifically I have a Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Evo turntable with a Sumiko Ranier MM (moving magnet) cartridge. Since my hand built 300B SET amp does not include a phono stage pre-amp, I had to add one of those too, in order to amplify the ultra-low signals from the cartridge ~ for this I chose the Pro-Ject Tube Box DS2, an ECC83 tube pre-amp. This stuff is designed in Vienna and built in the Czech Republic and together the items cost ~$1,500 before interconnect cabling (though decent ones were included with the turntable). I also bought 6 pcs of vinyl to test A vs D: Phoebe Bridgers' Punisher, Reina del Cid's Morse Code, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway's Crooked Tree & Molly Tuttle's When You're Ready, Waxahatchee's St Cloud, and LSD's Obviously. If it shows promise, as Kala is rightfully concerned it might, I'll get new stuff in vinyl LPs since they often also allow me access to the .flac files or even hi-res downloads along with the vinyl purchase... unless I ramble through a vinyl shop. I also have to build another level onto my blackened Russian birch gear rack to hold the turntable & phono pre-amp; I'll ultimately make a matching vinyl holder. Here's the electronic and electro-mechanical stuff naked. Sweet satin black to match the rest.

I took a couple of days to add a deck to the gear rack... dang finishing wood takes days, and I had to mess again with black stain and polyurethane. The new level accommodated the phono subsystem as well as the all new digital music source for JRiver MC28. Tearing down a perfectly good system to only potentially improve it.

Adding a turntable required I again re-jigger audio paths - the existing setup would not have allowed use of the supertweeters or subwoofer when playing LPs. I removed the NAD amp from the mix and ran the XLR>RCA  out from the DAC to the amp and now directly drive the mains & supertweeters in parallel  from the 300B SET amp (they are same impedance and the Viawave tweeters can handle the unadulterated full spectrum). I send line level out from the DAC to the subwoofer simultaneously. Currently I don't have subwoofer output when playing LPs, but for D-A compares I just turn the sub off.

Anytime I rebuild to this extent I need to re-balance and re-equalize the system. The first task is to make sure the sub and the mains are right to deliver a clean low end. For this I take a dozen SPL measurements of the full system driven each 1/3 octave with pink noise from 16Hz to 200Hz. I then average 5 measures below my 80Hz "crossover" and 5 measures above that and adjust the sub gain so these averages are equal - that's my way of flattening the bass response. This is an "advanced" scheme but so necessary as many sub schemes are way too boomy on the low end.

I think it will make a very tough battle for the vinyl to best digital, as it delivers it's signal unadulterated to the DRC BLHs, which are not equalized on this path either. We'll see how I sense it all in the longer run. It does take me back searching the vinyl crates and checking the cool covers ~ but the sound and music matter most. I will also try to find some scheme to objectively compare vinyl and digital ~ after all, dynamic range, frequency range and spectral density can all be measured for each of these mediums. More on subjective listening comparisons with the vinyl I acquired, as well as objective measurements, in an update or future post.

UPDATE 10May22 - Vinyl storage rack is done and an initial cache of LPs is acquired. I finished the rack with the same Russian birch plywood, black stain and satin polyurethane as I did the gear rack and speakers. Looks nice.

I "filled" the rack with an initial set of LPs. That's Molly Tuttle's limited edition red vinyl in my hand. Past promotion time LPs can be scored fairly inexpensively but are often the lighter <140 gram variety. Audiophile viny at 180 grams is expensive. I went cheap but got some limited editions in the effort and some LPs came with download codes for "CD" quality digital versions.

• Lake Street Dive - Obviously - white - local shop in Dillon
• Jade Bird - Different Kinds of Light - red x 2 45rpm - Online Discogs.com
• Jade Bird - Jade Bird - black - deepdiscount.com
• Reina del Cid - Morse Code - black - bandwear.com
  
• Molly Tuttle - When You’re Ready - LE red w/ DL code - deepdiscount.com
• Molly Tuttle (& Golden Highway) - Crooked Tree - black w/ DL code - amazon.com
• Mysterines - Reeling - black - deepdiscount.com
• Waxahatchee - St Cloud - black w/ DL Code - deepdiscount.com
• Phoebe Bridgers - Copycat Killer - LE mtn blast w/ DL code - phoebefuckingbridgers.com
• Phoebe Bridgers - Punisher - black w/ HD DL code - phoebefuckingbridgers.com

Spring Flows & Mayflies Are Back On The PT 26Apr212

I hit the PT @ the Nature Center section today. We had a couple of inches of snow yesterday and there were puddles on the dirt in Pueblo, but the day was super nice with part sun and no wind. Flows have been bumped finally to a more normal late spring of ~400cfs. That might've kept folks away as I was all alone (1st time ever?) at NC. I even took the wading staff (but didn't need it). I did very well all morning on #18 grey MH flash wing RS2 (a keen BWO emerger for here), and a few other bugs... while I didn't see but a smidge of a hatch, the fish are sure anticipating. I have modified my rig to use black ice top, big RS2 dropper and awesome midge trailer. This worked very well. I'll even go to 3 mayflies when "it's on." Caught a number of stout fish like these but many 14"ers too. Targeting was more challenging but the fish are still not spread out as it's only been several days at the higher flows. The new flows are quite different as to feeding lies (compared to ~80cfs), but so much better for the fish. I did best behind weirs and especially in the hook-ends with slower water. I lunched and hit the PM for a bit out of Valco but the bite seemed to have subsided. I caught some, but a smaller version of PT cutbow. I was heatrened in that I did catch a 12" streamborn (coloring was different that the stocked versions).

Bluebird Music Festival 23Apr22-24Apr22

Simply awesome... we liked the acts, the venue, the sound, the format (basically 30-40 minute sets and quick changeovers); we liked it all. Kala & I were fortunate to attend the 3rd annual Bluebird Music Festival held in Macky Auditorium on CU campus in Boulder, CO this weekend. We held "Golden Circle" tickets, meaning we sat right up front center for each of the 4 sessions. I'd done my homework for the shows and knew a bit of the music of most of the artists. Here are the limited edition concert poster and our VIP bracelet for the concerts.

We arrived in Boulder in time for shrimp tacos @ LaChoza before doors opened at 1pm on Sat. We also had time for some walks and pics around CU, including in front of the Flatirons and Macky Concert Hall. We queued early as typical for me (to assure position A) and enjoyed the company of strangers.

We were 2nd in line so once inside we scored front row center. Ultimately it's only drawback was some early peskiness from the light guy who shined directly in our eyes on occasion - during an act changeover, a discussion with him tamed his "artistry."

The first session of Strings & Stories brought the team shown (in playing order of right to left). Cole Scheifele is a CO local and sang softly of sad stuff. Performance was very understated but the sound was fine, even in the front row. Too quiet. Up next was another "new to me" artist from the West Virginia named Scott T Smith. He showed off a full voice with blues orientations and some keen guitar playing (as did his accompanying friend). Third to stage was the spectacular Lone Bellow. We'd seen Lone Bellow before in Summit Co but they were more refined in this great theater environment. The harmonies were gorgeous and the playing was stunning. Ultimately on the session, these guys were our favs. Even the mic/sound rigging was keen - a single Ear Trumpet Labs Delphina mic captured all three acoustics stringed instruments and all their great voices. I've only seen the Milk Carton Kids and Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway attempt this setup before - only viable on a very quiet stage and good theater; it was very fun. Finally for the afternoon was Colin Meloy (of the Decemberists) who sang some songs, cracked us up with stories and added a 10 minute long song-story of being in a movie with Reese Witherspoon. Most of the folks in the theater were there to see him that afternoon I'd say ~ but he was brief and mellow for such a long standing screaming & dour guy.

Cole Scheifele

Scott T Smith

The Lone Bellow

The Lone Bellow

Colin Meloy

Kala and I headed right to Cafe Aio for dinner after the show, knowing we'd need to queue for the evening performance my 5:30pm (doors @ 6pm). This is a keen Spanish/French/Moroccon spot on "The Hill." We have a fine meal of mussels and frites, charred cauliflower and cassoulete. We were there again near the front of the queue but decided to go for 5th row to avoid the lighting and check the sound a few rows deep. Easy to get there.

The evening session was to bring the group below to stage, again they'd come out in right to left order.

First out was another CO local named Emelise. She was strictly solo and had incredible voice control. She broke her voice many times with elegant control ~ in was stunning control to display but too much to hear in her works frankly. More impact could've been delivered with less. In any case her playing was stellar and accomplished. Songwriting was decent with youthful outlook. The Lone Bellow graced us again, in more formal garb and more lead mic sharing. They were completely great again, neh even better than in the afternoon. Unanimous standing ovation.

Emelise

The Lone Bellow

The Lone Bellow

Then Langhorne Slim with his full band took the stage and staged a full on revival. We were lifted to the heavens as he ran around the audience and rocked our world. A very fun performer and many in the evening audience were there to see him. His full band stayed put while he cajoled his captives to cadence clap and stand up. The later was clever as he repeated this on his finale, assuring a standing ovation. Jersey kid gone wild - singing very uplifting and positive stuff as he might've been in darker places previously.

Langhorne Slim

Langhorne Slim

Langhorne Slim

Headliner and closer for the eve was Colin Meloy. His full hour set was packed with his many hits with the Decemberists and even his prior efforts as Tarkio. He's glad to be out of Montana and into Portland where he is king of the scene. Unfortunately he was accompanied by a drunken super-fan next to Kala who incapably sang every song about 3/4 of a beat slow and off key... We all stared but he was too buzzed to ack. Colin was wicked good on 12 string and even brought harmonica into the mix. And again he was humorous with fantastic songwriting ~ but to me his donkey braying voice and regular Irish pace left me wanting for a more varied presentation set. I'm sure voice slur is sacrilege to his many wild fans at the show but that's how I heard the night.

Colin Meloy

Kala & I stayed @ Wilkes and had Sunday breakfast with Leslie at Lucile's for cajun morning fare. Tom couldn't join us as he was in Houston with the First Robotics team he mentors, winning the world championship! Congrats.

We again arrived an hour early to the queue @ Macky and again met up with our new friend John/JT. He is a big concert goer and yesterday was joined by his wife Betsy, who couldn't attend today. John's a chef but retired, with some vision issues, and always goes early to score a front row seat in order to see. Yep, Kala and I moved back to row 1 for this show ~ avoid the riff raff and bobbing heads in my way. Sound was fine up there - Macky is awesome.

The Sunday afternoon session was my primary target at this festival as it heralded the showmanship of some great lady singer/songwriters. I was there to hear Nicole Atkins and Waxahatchee primarily but happy to hear Margo Price too... we'd also be hearing again from Langhorne Slim, this time in solo acoustic form.

Nicole was as good as hoped. She played strictly solo but her voice can carry any show. Her songs and guitar were very good too. I loved it but she was a smidge of an outlier for the home crowd. I don't think as many were familiar with Nicole as others like Slim and Price on the slate (see 3min into video where she's asking for confirmation, but no one knows it's "crazy"). Nonetheless from my view it was awesome. The pics are there and even a video of "A Little Crazy."

Nicole Atkins

Nicole Atkins

Langhorne Slim played solo and wasn't at all as raucous and last night. He repeated two songs from the night's performance but was again entertaining and revivalist.

Langhorne Slim

Waxahatchee ( the creek near home, is Katie Crutchfield) was stunning with strong songs from the St Cloud album. This is a powerful reflexive album from getting sober and where the place she is strongly informs her songwriting. Fire: West Memphis, home in the south, Detroit, and more places of which she sang came through. She was accompanied on electric guitars by key members of the band from that album, Bonny Doon: Bobby Columbo and Bill Lennox, of Detroit. The sound and performance was great and left us confident but disappointed we could leave early from the evening show (with her full band) to beat the snow. Down south singin' with some dark and much less so... she even added a Bonnie Doon number for the guys. Pics and a vid...

Waxahatchee With "Bonny Doon"

Katie Crutchfield/Waxahatchee

The closer, Margo Price, was very good, and extremely dark at times, but so eclectic. I didn't know as much about her, but learned. She's from Nashville and she could play anything, sings with passion, and was casual and severely confident on stage. She offered more of a country sound but is whack strong. I can see her as the future of country - maybe she is already as I wouldn't know. She brought her husband, Jeremy Ivey, up to initially accompany her on a Spanish song of inclusion on the harmonica, and he stayed for more as she flipped and played the harmonica herself on others. They were awesome together... I liked it... this headliner is probably the "miss" of our night as the "big band" was likely fab, but we headed back to COS with flake falling and an inch on the ground as we arrived home.

Margo Price

Jeremy Ivey & Margo Price

Such a great outing. Thanks "Colorado Sound" and new friends. Tix for '23 are penned; highly recommended.