My Journey Into HiFi
From a Chance Encounter to the Pursuit of Perfect Sound
It’s amazing how a casual conversation can open the door to a new world of experiences. My journey into HiFi audio began with a random chat in the lift of my apartment building and turned into an experience that completely changed how I listened to music.
“Have you ever listened to speakers that completely immerse you in the music?” Andrew asked.
I hadn’t. But I was about to find out.
If you’re curious about HiFi, sample rates, or bit depth, let me take you through what I’ve learned so far, the challenges I’ve faced, and the thrilling discoveries that keep me hooked.
A Mind-Blowing Listening Experience
It all started when I bumped into my neighbour, Andrew, in the lift. He was buzzing with excitement about his new KEF LS50 speakers and offered to let me listen. I couldn’t resist his enthusiasm, so I accepted the invitation.
When I walked into his living room, he placed me equidistant from the two speakers, dimmed the lights, and asked me to close my eyes. Then, he hit play. What I experienced next completely changed how I understood music. As the sound filled the room, I was enveloped in an experience that was more than just music — it was three-dimensional sound. I could hear every detail as if the band was playing live, just for me.
“Have you ever heard music that feels like it’s surrounding you? That was my first taste of high-fidelity sound.”
After that experience, I knew I had to dig deeper into this world of HiFi audio.
The KEF Store: A Journey of Exploration
Inspired by that listening session, I headed to the KEF store in London for a more immersive experience. I booked a listening session, determined to see if the magic I had experienced at Andrew’s could be replicated. The store staff welcomed me with a lineup of KEF speakers that each promised something special.
When I sat down and listened to the KEF LSX II, I was hooked. These compact, wireless speakers delivered incredible clarity and richness, all while being perfectly sized for my living room setup. I left the store convinced that the LSX II was the right choice for me.
But as with any good audio journey, there’s always more to learn and more challenges to overcome.
The Streaming Dilemma: Which Service Delivers the Best Sound?
In the world of HiFi audio, one of the key questions I had to address was which music streaming service would give me the best sound quality. For years, I had been a loyal Spotify user, but as I ventured deeper into high-resolution audio, I realized that Spotify’s maximum streaming quality — 320 kbps — simply wasn’t cutting it.
I began researching other options, weighing the pros and cons of services like Apple Music and Tidal. Here’s what I found:
Spotify: While convenient, Spotify doesn’t offer lossless audio or support for higher sample rates beyond 320 kbps. This means it wasn’t capable of delivering the full audio fidelity my HiFi setup could handle.
Apple Music: Apple Music recently introduced lossless audio and supports up to 24-bit/192 kHz. While a solid option, it still didn’t offer the full integration and experience I was looking for.
Tidal: Tidal became the clear winner for me. With its Tidal HiFi Plus plan, it offers Master Quality Authenticated (MQA) tracks, allowing playback up to 24-bit/192 kHz, and for some tracks, even higher resolution. The combination of Tidal’s high-quality streaming and its broad catalog made it the perfect match for my HiFi system.
Ready to Nerd Out? 🎧
Now that we’ve explored the fun side of setting up my HiFi system, let’s get into the nitty-gritty. If you’re like me and love geeking out over numbers like sample rates and bit depth, this next part is for you. If not, hang tight — I’ll break it down in a way that’s easy to follow. But first, let’s grab our imaginary lab coats and get ready to dive into the science of sound!
Understanding Sample Rates: Why Do They Matter?
As I began researching the world of HiFi, I came across terms like sample rate and bit depth. These concepts sounded technical, but I wanted to understand what they meant and how they would impact my listening experience.
Simply put, the sample rate refers to how many times per second the audio is sampled during recording and playback. Standard CD quality uses a sample rate of 44.1 kHz, which means the audio is sampled 44,100 times per second. However, HiFi systems like my KEF LSX II support much higher sample rates, up to 384 kHz, which allows for more detail and a richer sound.
But here’s the thing: just because a speaker supports a higher sample rate doesn’t mean your entire setup will deliver that quality right out of the box. And that’s where the next challenge began.
The Challenge of Achieving 384 kHz
After setting up the KEF LSX II, I was eager to push these speakers to their limits. I wanted to see if I could achieve the 384 kHz sample rate they were capable of, but when I connected my speakers to my Mac, I hit a roadblock. Despite all the settings adjustments, I couldn’t get beyond 192 kHz.
I learned that this limitation wasn’t from the speakers themselves, but rather from my Mac’s built-in DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter), which was capped at 192 kHz. This discovery led me down a rabbit hole of researching external DACs.
Researching DACs: The Key to Unlocking Hi-Res Sound
As I delved into the world of DACs, I found that they serve as the bridge between digital and analogue audio, converting digital files into sound that your speakers can play. The higher the quality of the DAC, the more detail and clarity you can extract from your music, especially if you’re dealing with high-resolution files.
However, not all DACs are created equal. Some are designed to handle up to 24-bit/96 kHz, while others support sample rates as high as 24-bit/384 kHz or more. After weeks of research, I’m currently weighing the options based on budget and performance.
Here are some insights from my research so far:
Entry-level DACs: Devices like the AudioQuest DragonFly Black offer a great entry point into the world of high-res audio, but they cap out at 96 kHz.
Mid-range DACs: The Schiit Modi 3+ and Topping E30 both support up to 192 kHz, which is perfect for most users.
High-end DACs: If you want to go all-in, options like the iFi Zen DAC V2 or FiiO K5 Pro can support up to 384 kHz — which is exactly what I’m aiming for.
I haven’t made the purchase yet, but once I do, I’m looking forward to finally unlocking the full potential of my KEF LSX II speakers.
Discovering Roon: The Perfect Integration
While Tidal solved my streaming quality issues, I also stumbled upon Roon, which has been a game-changer in how I manage and experience music at home.
Roon integrates seamlessly with Tidal, allowing me to stream music in high resolution while adding a layer of metadata-rich discovery and upsampling. Through Roon, I can upsample my Tidal streams, optimizing them for the highest possible audio quality, even when they don’t originate as high-res files. But the real selling point? Roon lets me connect all my speakers across different rooms in the house, from the KEF LSX II in the living room to my Google Home and Google Nest speakers.
“With Roon, my entire flat is now synced for a full listening experience. Whether I’m cooking in the kitchen, in my office or relaxing in the bedroom room, the music follows me with seamless precision.”
Roon’s ability to group zones and stream to multiple speakers simultaneously has turned my home into a cohesive multi-room audio setup — all while delivering the high-resolution sound I was craving.
My Setup Today: A Growing Passion for HiFi
While I haven’t yet reached the 384 kHz mark, my current setup already feels like a major step forward from where I started. My Roon Core is running on a Dell XPS 9570, with Roon Bridge on my Mac to connect my wired PreSonus Eris E3.5 speakers in my home office.
I’m using Roon to manage all my music across different devices, and it’s been a game-changer. Roon allows me to stream music in multiple rooms, optimize my setup for high-resolution audio, and explore new music through its intuitive interface. It’s a critical part of my system, especially since I’m always tweaking and experimenting with new configurations.
Reflections on the Journey So Far
Looking back, what started as a casual conversation with a neighbor has evolved into a full-blown passion. The pursuit of perfect sound is as much about the experience as it is about the technology. It’s not just the numbers — whether it’s 192 kHz or 384 kHz — that matter. It’s the way the music makes you feel.
For anyone else thinking about diving into the world of HiFi, my advice is simple: take your time and enjoy the journey. Whether you start small or go all-in, each upgrade will bring you closer to that perfect listening experience.
Tips for HiFi Newcomers
Research Your Equipment: Take time to understand the importance of each component — speakers, DACs, and the music source all play a role in the final sound.
Speaker Placement Matters: As I learned from Andrew, positioning your speakers correctly can make a world of difference.
Don’t go cheap on a DAC: If you’re chasing high-res audio, investing in a good DAC can unlock the full potential of your speakers.
Experiment with Software: Tools like Roon make it easier to manage your setup and push your system to its limits.
Want to Follow My HiFi Journey?
I’m just getting started on this HiFi journey, and I’m excited to continue exploring new gear, tweaking my setup, and sharing what I learn. Hit the Follow button if you want to stay updated on my future posts!