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1: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Phonostage Burn-In (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-04-18, 17:44:54 (104.14.166.32)
I have the Hagerman Inverse RIAA filter. Very simple and quick to build, cost effective, and works just as it should. However, the disc that Blake references below is a pretty cool idea. If I didn't a .......
2: General Asylum, RE: if you can spare $50MM (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-04-16, 17:35:13 (104.14.166.32)
Are you gonna absorb the 3%, or do I have to send the funds via Friends and Family (I'm short about $100k in my bank account that I'll have to put on a credit card)? .......
3: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: Siltec wire is there a close replacement (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-04-16, 16:26:42 (104.14.166.32)
I don't know what the percentage of gold to silver is in the Siltech wire. Both Mundorf and Neotech make a 1% gold/99% silver blend wire though: http://www.soniccraft.com/index.php/neotech-wire-pe-str .......
4: Cable Asylum, RE: Oyaide Terzo RR v2 vs. Analysis Plus Solo Crystal Oval, et. al (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-04-16, 16:11:34 (104.14.166.32)
No, not yet, Duster. It's at the top of the project list, just haven't had the time here of late. Hopefully I can get to it this weekend, barring further spousal unit interference. :) .......
5: Inmate Central, New Audiophile Product (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-04-15, 16:48:42 (104.14.166.32)
For the well-heeled that want silence to sound like the real thing. Even has an audiophile price tag! .......
6: Cable Asylum, RE: Oyaide Terzo RR v2 vs. Analysis Plus Solo Crystal Oval, et. al (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-04-15, 16:32:02 (104.14.166.32)
I'll second that, well part of it anyway. :) Having recently put together a headphone setup out of Schitt components, I needed some very short interconnects (5") to go between the Modi and Loki, and a .......
7: General Asylum, How.... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-04-13, 17:04:25 (104.14.166.32)
...do you know that your Fluke isn't reading 2v high? :) Joking...well, kind of. 125v is on the high side for most north American residential service. .......
8: Inmate Central, RE: I recall my initial impressions of this... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-04-09, 16:19:32 (104.14.166.32)
LOL! Without the Toyota label up front, I would have guessed it to be a VW. .......
9: General Asylum, RE: Hmm (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-04-02, 13:16:29 (104.14.166.32)
As age advanced there was a gradual increase in hearing loss, men showed a lower threshold in the 4000Hz frequency when compared to women, and in the speech intelligibility test thre was also a gradu .......
10: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: Help!! (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-03-27, 15:55:05 (104.14.166.32)
Assuming you need a DC supply, take a look at the AMB Sigma 22. You mentioned "build" so I assume a DIY unit is OK? This one is extremely DIY -- AMB supplies the board and some of the parts, but yo .......
11: Tubes Asylum, RE: Telefunken 7dj8 (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-03-17, 17:27:48 (104.14.166.32)
Kind of interesting with this tube that some of the data sheets show a straight up 7v for the heater, and others show 7.6v. I haven't been able to find an actual Telefunken data sheet, so don't know w .......
12: Cable Asylum, RE: R angle AC plug (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-03-17, 11:25:52 (104.14.166.32)
That's what I thought you were referring to, but then you mentioned the FI-12L which is the right angled IEC plug (the wall plug is the FI-12ML). I know...trivial, but that's what prompted my post on .......
13: Cable Asylum, Another option (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-03-17, 10:36:50 (104.14.166.32)
I use one of these on my DAC due to spacing issues between the rack and the wall. Nicely made with gold plated conductors. I can't honestly tell any difference in sound quality with it in place, altho .......
14: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: Recommended RCA Jacks? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-03-16, 15:58:17 (104.14.166.32)
It's been many years, but I tested a half-dozen different chassis-mount RCA's in a preamp (kit) I put together. The Kimbers were my favorite by a wide margin, and they were less expensive than several .......
15: Cable Asylum, +1 (nt) (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-03-13, 18:22:10 (104.14.166.32)
. .......
16: Cable Asylum, RE: wow. Well yeah. But they do flush out.. with time. (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-03-13, 18:20:58 (104.14.166.32)
LOL!! I put some of my vintage electrons up for sale on Audiogon a while back, but after receiving a dozen emails addressing me as Geoff Kait, I deleted the ad. Shame too...those were some choice elec .......
17: Cable Asylum, RE: Damn the fine print! (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-03-11, 08:47:35 (104.14.166.32)
Have you ever considered adding another AC line, perhaps with the outlet a bit closer to the audio system? :) .......
18: Cable Asylum, RE: They need to be careful with their ad wording (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-03-11, 07:16:41 (104.14.166.32)
And at 10,000 miles, the voltage drop will necessitate something a wee bit heavier than 11 gauge. :) .......
19: Cable Asylum, RE: MIT Terminator 2 Cable's...did I get ripped-off? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-03-10, 10:09:04 (104.14.166.32)
I am not familiar with the specifics of MIT cables, but that said, the biwire set should have twice as much wire as the non-biwire set, so the smaller cable diameter of the new set would appear to be .......
20: General Asylum, RE: It's called having an "opinion" (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-03-10, 07:34:41 (104.14.166.32)
Is your reading comprehension really that impaired? Further discussion is obviously pointless, so have a great day. .......
21: General Asylum, RE: Home System (fed with good recordings) vs. Live (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-03-10, 05:23:14 (104.14.166.32)
Caveman goes to a live concert of flutes and drums, caveman hums or whistles the tune as he remembers it during the walk home. Believe it, this is the basis of the modern hifi experience! Wow. You m .......
22: General Asylum, Not really (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-03-10, 05:16:42 (104.14.166.32)
Let's recap: Duster posts his opinion on the original post. You chime in, not with an "I don't agree, here's why" approach but plainly "You're wrong." The usual degeneration follows, and now we've en .......
23: Cable Asylum, RE: Not really a cable guy, but (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-02-24, 15:12:46 (104.14.166.32)
I should lift them while I am on a roll. You should try it. Use anything handy in the house already (cups, old boxes, CD cases, etc) to see if you hear a difference. If you do, you can look for some .......
24: Cable Asylum, RE: DIY Gotham GAC-1 Ultra Pro with Gold EIZZ EZ-203 rca connectors (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-02-24, 06:10:16 (104.14.166.32)
Interesting, Duster. Thanks for sharing. Seems like that configuration would also be an excellent candidate for long cable runs due to its inherent shielding. From your description, it appears you did .......
25: Inmate Central, LOL! (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-02-16, 16:45:59 (104.14.166.32)
Several years ago when I was changing jobs, all my stuff was in storage for a period of time and I needed a printer in the temporary domicile. Went to Big Lots, and they had several pallets of new Lex .......
26: Inmate Systems, bcowen's Headphone (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-02-16, 16:16:54 (104.14.166.32)
bcowen 's Headphone System
IP Address: 104.14.166.32
Last Update: February 16, 2018 at 16:16:54
Amplifier: Schiit Vali 2 Schiit Loki
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): None
Speake .......
27: Cable Asylum, RE: spades or bare wire on the rear of a binding post? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-02-16, 15:31:34 (104.14.166.32)
Any copper connector that is unplated will oxidize. Some oxidize more quickly than others, but it's just a matter of time for any of them. My favorite bang-for-the-buck binding post is the Cardas " .......
28: Cable Asylum, RE: Great recommendation (as usual), Duster (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-02-11, 13:29:38 (104.14.166.32)
Be interested in your findings with the ETI Link versus the KLEI Silver Harmony, if you get to it at some point. Have you ever tried the Furutech FP-126G? Gold plate directly on OCC copper, and priced .......
29: Inmate Central, RE: 'All Classifications are arbitrary!" (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-02-11, 13:13:43 (104.14.166.32)
Or perhaps she's one of the many US "Professors" that was educated beyond her intelligence. :) .......
30: Cable Asylum, Great recommendation (as usual), Duster (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-02-11, 05:36:30 (104.14.166.32)
Added the Loki to the stack of Schiit for the headphone rig, and needed to make another pair of short interconnects. Decided to give Chris VH's V-Twist wire a try as you have spoken highly of it in th .......
31: Inmate Central, Timbo may have an issue with this new development... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-02-11, 04:23:36 (104.14.166.32)
And when this now unemployed "professor" determines the US isn't a country, *I'll* have an issue with it. :) .......
32: Cable Asylum, RE: Interconnect Cable 'Failed' ?? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-02-10, 15:51:15 (104.14.166.32)
Have you cleaned the contacts on the cable's plug (RCA, I'm guessing)? Be sure to clean the input connector on the amp as well (best to turn the amp off first). Could be as simple as a dirty contact p .......
33: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: 6/8awg? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-02-10, 14:14:42 (104.14.166.32)
Too bad Romex doesn't come in 00. Which is quite likely because there's no application for Romex in 00. .......
34: Cable Asylum, RE: How much difference could a simple Banana plug make? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-02-04, 06:04:12 (104.14.166.32)
Don't know how the Furez compare to the KLEI's in the strength department, but the Furez are probably the strongest of the ones I've tried (so far). Pretty robust. You are correct on the oxidation tho .......
35: Cable Asylum, RE: How much difference could a simple Banana plug make? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-02-03, 12:10:03 (104.14.166.32)
Over the years, I have seen so many of these everyday-type critics pooh-pooh and dismiss stuff they have no experience with. Somehow that cycle starts all over again too. .......
36: Cable Asylum, RE: Great Big Huge.... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-02-03, 12:02:28 (104.14.166.32)
Well, "huge" wasn't quite emphatic enough alone, and "great huge" sounded weird as did "big huge." :) .......
37: Cable Asylum, RE: New Tweak --- Its Fantastic (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-02-03, 12:00:18 (104.14.166.32)
Good to know, David. Thanks for posting your experience with the Total Contact. .......
38: Cable Asylum, RE: New Tweak --- Its Fantastic (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-02-03, 04:40:47 (104.14.166.32)
I haven't tried the "Total Contact." And at $300 for 1.5 milliliters, I won't be trying it. But for anyone curious about the effects of a graphene-based contact enhancer, my suggestion would be the of .......
39: Cable Asylum, RE: How much difference could a simple Banana plug make? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-02-03, 04:16:35 (104.14.166.32)
I have not tried these. Didn't even know about them until now, so thanks for posting! But in response to your subject line, my experience is: a lot. I went through 8 different sets of BFA-style banana .......
40: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: Eizz XLR connectors (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-02-02, 16:04:15 (104.14.166.32)
I like to make the change to only one channel and then, after some break in, try to get a direct comparison... Interesting. Have you ever had your hearing tested by an audiologist? You'd be a very r .......
41: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: Weller LED Soldering Iron (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-02-02, 15:55:53 (104.14.166.32)
I bought that same iron a while back because my nice Weller temp-controlled soldering station didn't have what it took for soldering speaker binding posts. The 40-watter is perfect for that task. The .......
42: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: Except,... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-02-02, 15:48:32 (104.14.166.32)
Lew, Not to pick a bone, but why does an observation here on AA need to "be more thoroughly done"? If he (or anyone) here were writing a technical paper, doing a publication review, publishing a profe .......
43: Inmate Central, RE: Would this be good for home self defense? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-31, 15:53:04 (104.14.166.32)
Well, gee, thanks for the schoolin' there. I probably would have been irresponsible, and definitely would have shot my family (and maybe a few bystanders too) without your expert tutelage. ::: TOPIC:: .......
44: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Cary slp98 upgrades (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-31, 15:45:42 (104.14.166.32)
Good to hear the mods are to your liking. Thanks for posting back with your impressions! .......
45: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: Source of hum? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-30, 15:25:30 (104.14.166.32)
In addition to what's already been mentioned, it would be good to get the cables off and free from contact with the circuit board. There also appears to be a lot of stress on the RCA plugs (from the c .......
46: Inmate Central, RE: Would this be good for home self defense? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-28, 06:44:46 (104.14.166.32)
I have two .45's (both Colt's), and have to admit I'm not very good with either one of them. More practice needed, I guess. What I *am* good with is below, and can do consistent 6" groups at 25 yards. .......
47: Inmate Central, RE: Better not... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-28, 06:18:40 (104.14.166.32)
They're just keeping it warm for you. What thoughtful kitties. :) .......
48: Tubes Asylum, RE: If that is =/ (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-28, 06:16:18 (104.14.166.32)
Gotcha...thanks. Very difficult to make out the symbol on the tube, even with a magnifying glass. :) .......
49: Vinyl Asylum, RE: It wasn't just vinyl that never died (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-28, 05:45:44 (104.14.166.32)
Interesting. But I must have slept through the resurgence of interest in cassettes referenced in the article. Their only redeeming quality was they were better than the portable medium they replaced ( .......
50: Inmate Central, RE: Spiders in the house? Inlaws bugging you? Unwanted folks at the front door? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-28, 05:35:38 (104.14.166.32)
Love it! Especially the uses listed. :) .......
51: Tubes Asylum, RE: If that is =/ (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-28, 05:16:48 (104.14.166.32)
Is this the symbol you and Nunki are describing? If so, mystery solved...it's a Siemens. Learn something new every day. Thanks everyone for the help! .......
52: Cable Asylum, RE: Schitty Interconnects (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-28, 04:47:34 (104.14.166.32)
The geometry is merely a (tight) twist of the two wires with the anti-static sleeve on the outside. No fancy wire weave, shield, etc. I'll probably try the cotton core/helical wind at some point with .......
53: Cable Asylum, RE: Schitty Interconnects (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-27, 13:33:18 (104.14.166.32)
Thanks, Duster! Pretty simple effort here with just a twisted pair of some wire I got from Shunyata many moons ago -- solid core copper with teflon dielectric, roughly 20 gauge. Not sure of the detail .......
54: Tubes Asylum, Who made this? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-27, 09:33:20 (104.14.166.32)
Recently dug this out of the bottom of the stash bin while rolling for my headphone amp. I bought these probably 20-25 years ago (before counterfeiting became mainstream), so I'm fairly sure the label .......
55: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Breakthrough in spindle bearings=hoax/con (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-27, 06:21:26 (104.14.166.32)
Entirely possible that your money vanishes -- any Indiegogo program is risky. It's also possible this becomes a sleeper product with sound quality far greater than its price would suggest. For me, it' .......
56: Vinyl Asylum, RE: That's pretty cool. However... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-26, 15:39:33 (104.14.166.32)
I have the same question. After all, the entire signal generated by the cartridge is dependent on the magnetic field within it, and that field has to be an order of magnitude less than what's needed t .......
57: Cable Asylum, Schitty Interconnects (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-26, 15:29:49 (104.14.166.32)
Haven't made any interconnects in a while, so I figured it was time to build a set before I forgot how. But I didn't want to get too tired in the process, so I made 'em really short. :) ::: TOPIC .......
58: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: Replacing a C7 (Figure 8) inlet to audio phile IEC inlet (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-21, 19:03:35 (104.14.166.32)
I don't see any way of installing an IEC socket in that location without removing the small yellow circuit board. From the picture, I don't see any other components installed on that board, but it wou .......
59: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: Replacing a C7 (Figure 8) inlet to audio phile IEC inlet (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-21, 17:45:58 (104.14.166.32)
Your player is listed as a Class II, or double insulated device. The "double box" symbol is likely printed on the back panel. In a nutshell, this means there are two layers of electrical insulation be .......
60: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: DIY Sennheiser HD600 Headphone Cable Project 1 (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-20, 06:15:10 (104.14.166.32)
Thanks Duster. And, LOL, your expectation bias is not of concern to me. But still be interested to hear your thoughts on the direct A/B comparisons when you get around to it. The cable for the (used) .......
61: Cable Asylum, RE: Duster Ping (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-19, 16:24:25 (104.14.166.32)
Good info, and glad the M1060's are putting a smile on your face. I still have the stock tube in the Vali. Wanted to get a baseline with the 'phones before I started rolling tubes. I have an ample sta .......
62: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: DIY Sennheiser HD600 Headphone Cable Project 1 (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-19, 15:32:37 (104.14.166.32)
Duster, Have you used or tried the Neutrik NP3X-B phono plug? It's gold plated brass (rather than bronze), and just wondering how it compares sonically with the ViaBlue if you've tried it. Thanks! .......
63: Inmate Central, RE: No sucker here... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-17, 18:03:21 (104.14.166.32)
But I also believe it cannot be denied that the best tubes were mfgd decades ago during the golden age and for a number of practical reasons, they will never be duplicated again. No argument here... .......
64: Cable Asylum, RE: Duster Ping (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-17, 15:06:18 (104.14.166.32)
Good to know, Dawnrazor. Thanks! I just picked up a pair of previously loved Mr. Speakers Alpha Primes for a good price. Letting them play on the computer upstairs right now to be sure they're fully b .......
65: Inmate Central, RE: for the suckers that got into Bitcoin during the Mainstream Media hype (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-17, 14:26:24 (104.14.166.32)
But if you'd bought a year ago at $850, even $10k is pretty sweet. Me? I don't invest in things I don't understand, which means no bitcoin or about 99.9% of everything else. :) .......
66: Inmate Central, RE: No sucker here... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-17, 14:20:04 (104.14.166.32)
Problem is that some of the new manufactured tubes (Gold Lions, for one) sound pretty darn good. A NOS Tele or Amperex or ?? still sound better, but the difference is not near as great now as it was w .......
67: Cable Asylum, Are you serious? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-17, 14:03:26 (104.14.166.32)
Duster's question was clear enough. Sidestep it if you wish, but changing the subject for lack of a credible answer is pretty childish. .......
68: Cable Asylum, RE: Ping Jon Risch (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-16, 16:04:55 (104.14.166.32)
What specifically are you hoping for? Or are you so dissatisfied with your system now you're just hoping (in general) for something better in the future? .......
69: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: For what it's worth... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-15, 17:29:43 (104.14.166.32)
Thanks Shep! Appreciate the post and comment. .......
70: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: For so many questions, Pegboard is the answer (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-15, 17:28:56 (104.14.166.32)
Pegboard I like, tag board not so much. But I like opium better than both. :) .......
71: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: Ping: Oscar (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-14, 04:49:12 (104.14.166.32)
Oscar, That's a pretty substantial endorsement! But your endorsement alone (regardless of the purchase offer) is enough to get me quite interested. Only hangup I have is the flexibility factor. Looks .......
72: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: Solder, budget larger cap & coil values (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-14, 04:36:11 (104.14.166.32)
The board is nothing special, just something I had on the shelf leftover from another project. Not sure what it's made of, but similar to masonite. The extra piece the inductors are sitting on is part .......
73: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Listening Skills to detect a problem (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-13, 14:40:28 (104.14.166.32)
Pete Riggle's "VTAF" defied everything I'd always believed about the rigid coupling as well, because once installed, the arm is no longer rigidly coupled. In fact, the decoupling is something he claim .......
74: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: Ping: Oscar (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-13, 13:44:59 (104.14.166.32)
Thanks for the tip, Oscar! .......
75: Inmate Central, RE: Caption time... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-13, 13:35:26 (104.14.166.32)
"Watch me erase this hard drive... way more fun than chewin' up the sofa!" .......
76: General Asylum, RE: Does CCleaner feature bloatware removal like PC Decrapifier ? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-13, 13:27:39 (104.14.166.32)
I love Crap Cleaner. Been using the free version for years with excellent results. It's standard cleaning routine is very selectable as far as what you want removed. Only one caveat (which may not app .......
77: Tubes Asylum, RE: EL34 six packs (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-13, 09:00:55 (104.14.166.32)
Gorgeous!! Love the chrome chassis. But when you said "Six Packs," I thought you were talking about these (link below). Fun little amps in their day... .......
78: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Funky phono connection (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-13, 08:49:23 (104.14.166.32)
George, Can you clarify something? When you plug the cable into the second set of phono inputs on the preamp, you say the problem goes away, "but it may return at any time." Does this mean that after .......
79: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: Ping: Oscar (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-13, 07:05:17 (104.14.166.32)
Hi Oscar, ...and have gone through all of 21 different flavors of USB cables before narrowing it down to 4 I can live with.... Does the Baskin Robbins quantity of flavors include the Oyaide Neo D-Pl .......
80: Critic's Corner, How in the world... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-12, 15:49:45 (104.14.166.32)
...does this: Better than talking about weed :) warrant this? For anyone to mock someone who does smoke cannabis, they should take a good hard look at themselves. Lighten up. I didn't perceive any .......
81: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: Solder, budget larger cap & coil values (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-12, 14:50:12 (104.14.166.32)
Unless you're planning on swapping parts in and out, I'd get rid of the tagboard altogether and just twist the component leads together and solder them (as Madisonears suggests). Depending on the tagb .......
82: Cable Asylum, RE: Duster Ping (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-11, 18:51:14 (104.14.166.32)
I was surprised too. But there seems to be more and more really nice quality items coming from Monoprice, just without the price tag that would make one think it was quality stuff. The other planars I .......
83: Inmate Central, LOL!!! (nt) (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-11, 15:55:53 (104.14.166.32)
. .......
84: Cable Asylum, +1 (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-11, 15:51:43 (104.14.166.32)
Agree. There are cheaper cables out there, but I doubt there's anything constructed as well as the Lifatec Silflex for anything near the price. (btw, Mr.B - the link to your review points to the wrong .......
85: Cable Asylum, RE: Duster Ping (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-11, 15:40:35 (104.14.166.32)
The Monoprice Monolith M1060's came in today, and while still cold out of the box, the first tunes emanating from them put a big smile on my face. Very evenly balanced, superbly defined bass, and even .......
86: Cable Asylum, RE: Perhaps.... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-11, 15:27:11 (104.14.166.32)
You mean buy headphones that someone else has worn? Isn't that like buying used underwear? Ewwwwwwwwww...... Seriously, that's a pretty nice idea. I see Mr. Speaker sells replacement ear pads for a ve .......
87: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: Solder, budget larger cap & coil values (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-11, 15:21:45 (104.14.166.32)
Not to be contrary, but I'm not sure how a DIY'er is supposed to reliably compare the sound of solder, short of building two identical projects using different solder for each. Perhaps a manufacturer .......
88: Cable Asylum, RE: Duster Ping (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-09, 17:57:46 (104.14.166.32)
Thanks for the info Alan. Very nice looking 'phones! And the concept of the "accordion" diaphragm makes perfect sense. His lowest priced offerings are a bit above my intended budget, but you never kno .......
89: Cable Asylum, RE: Hmmm.... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-08, 18:04:26 (104.14.166.32)
You could always squirt some in there and not tell them. :) .......
90: Cable Asylum, RE: Duster Ping (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-08, 16:18:57 (104.14.166.32)
We're probably in the wrong forum to continue, but we did start out talking about cables. :) I have basically no experience with headphones, so I've been perusing the reviews and forums (here and Head .......
91: Tweakers' Asylum, Couldn't agree more (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-07, 05:59:08 (104.14.166.32)
You kinda lost me with the first paragraph :), but the rest gets a big +1 from me. .......
92: General Asylum, It never ceases to amaze me... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-07, 05:39:29 (104.14.166.32)
The 19 billion is the market value of Spotify which does not represent any revenue earned or which is available to anyone. How any company that is losing money and has never made any money can have .......
93: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Yeah but... FREE shipping! (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-06, 17:28:04 (104.14.166.32)
I have one (blush). Except it was only $99 when I bought it. Can't remember if I got free shipping. :) It *is* a nice light. The white light is very bright, and I love the glow of the red light that .......
94: Cable Asylum, RE: Duster Ping (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-06, 15:32:31 (104.14.166.32)
I'll be sure to post my thoughts, although it may take a bit until I get a stable reference in this application. Trying to put together an acceptable headphone setup for (predominantly) listening to T .......
95: Cable Asylum, RE: Hows about treating a TOSLINK cable with light rather than electricity? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-06, 15:00:07 (104.14.166.32)
I've got a busy build schedule... Then what you're saying (politely, as usual), is that R&D time for the Cooker Toslink option is on the back burner? :) The bigger question though: does glass benefi .......
96: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Power from a wall wart. (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-06, 14:35:28 (104.14.166.32)
You're close...but $26.25 off. :) .......
97: General Asylum, RE: Why all the animosity towards Monster? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-06, 06:28:54 (104.14.166.32)
My only hope is that Beats wins the upcoming $100m lawsuit. Not because I have any fondness for Beats, but because I despise entities like Monster that bastardize our legal system and abuse our courts .......
98: Cable Asylum, RE: Duster Ping (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-06, 05:17:54 (104.14.166.32)
Thanks Duster! Just what I was looking for. .......
99: Vinyl Asylum, RE: So your buddy ask you.."Show me what your system can do" (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-06, 05:16:54 (104.14.166.32)
They just want low bass and painfully bright treble like their Beats. Unfortunately, my experience is much the same. The Bose-ification of the mass market, I guess. .......
100: Inmate Central, That appears... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-04, 18:42:47 (104.14.166.32)
...to be a solution for a problem that hasn't yet been identified. But it looks like a very nice solution to whatever the problem may turn out to be. :) .......
101: Cable Asylum, Duster Ping (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-04, 15:18:51 (104.14.166.32)
Any recommendation for a super-flexible USB cable, standard "A" connector on one end and standard "B" connector on the other? I need something to go between my laptop and the headphone amp I'm conside .......
102: Vinyl Asylum, RE: stupid question about power cables (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-04, 14:56:19 (104.14.166.32)
Looking at the Peavey model you noted, some internet sites show a regular wal-wart configuration, and some show a floor model. But none of those sites show that model with detachable cords. Do you hav .......
103: Computer Audio Asylum, RE: Used it with the Vali 2 (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-02, 17:50:04 (104.14.166.32)
What do you think of the Vali 2, BH? I was eyeballing that just yesterday. I'm not full of Schiit at this point (owning only their EITR), but I'm quite impressed with it. I gotta get some tubes (or ev .......
104: Cable Asylum, RE: C7 Power Cord Options " Duster Your Help Is Needed ". (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-01, 07:58:07 (104.14.166.32)
Cliff Notes would hire you in an instant. :) .......
105: Inmate Central, It would be best... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-01, 07:11:43 (104.14.166.32)
...if you sent all your alcohol to me for safekeeping and prevent any potential slips or lapses. No charge...I'm just happy to help out a fellow audio bud. :) .......
106: Tube DIY Asylum, RE: Powder Coating (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-01, 07:06:52 (104.14.166.32)
Definitely coat each piece separately. The edges can be masked off as already discussed, or they can be purposefully coated (what we do with our stuff for enhanced corrosion resistance due to outdoor .......
107: Tubes Asylum, RE: How can I clean gold pin tubes ? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-01, 06:59:31 (104.14.166.32)
Try lemon juice. Yes, I am serious. Works extremely well removing oxidation on copper (try soaking an old penny in it for a minute or so if doubtful), but admittedly I have never tried it on gold. Cer .......
108: Inmate Central, RE: :-) -- reminds me of our late, lamented Zappa (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-01, 06:50:45 (104.14.166.32)
Sorry to hear about Zappa. I've lost several over the years...and it never gets easier. Hopefully you got (or are getting?) a new family member to assume ownership of that spot in front of the firepla .......
109: Cable Asylum, RE: Are audio or video signals more difficult to move from one place to another? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-01, 06:19:44 (104.14.166.32)
Is there any way we can know that we have received the essence of a signal after it has traveled through a cable? Yes, by simply using two of the measurement tools God gave us that are far more accu .......
110: Cable Asylum, RE: C7 Power Cord Options " Duster Your Help Is Needed ". (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-01, 06:13:55 (104.14.166.32)
Let me stop here before someone in a white van pulls up..." LOL! Perhaps we should do a "group buy" and charter a bus so they can get all of us in one trip. :) My first paradigm reconfiguration rega .......
111: Cable Asylum, RE: C7 Power Cord Options " Duster Your Help Is Needed ". (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2018-01-01, 05:43:37 (104.14.166.32)
Hi Duster, and Happy New Year to you! I don't have any audio components plugged into the Levitons other than the power cord for my turntable motor. All other components are plugged into the Oyaide e-T .......
112: Tube DIY Asylum, RE: For Dak and others who might have forgotten... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-31, 18:50:45 (104.14.166.32)
I told my wife (both of them) not to wear those tonight. A lot of good it did.... .......
113: Inmate Central, RE: COTD... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-31, 17:41:40 (104.14.166.32)
LOL! "You expect me to eat that ??" .......
114: Cable Asylum, RE: C7 Power Cord Options " Duster Your Help Is Needed ". (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-31, 11:49:41 (104.14.166.32)
And happiest of New Years to you and your loved ones as well! I've certainly enjoyed your postings this last year...and all the eye candy you share with us. :) I'm extremely under-qualified to attempt .......
115: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Buried Treasure: 5 Holy Grail Turntables (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-31, 06:44:36 (104.14.166.32)
My thoughts exactly. I can't believe this one wasn't included. :) .......
116: Inmate Central, Oh, the weather outside is frightful (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-31, 06:14:25 (104.14.166.32)
But the fire is... .......
117: Cable Asylum, RE: C7 Power Cord Options " Duster Your Help Is Needed ". (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-31, 05:48:07 (104.14.166.32)
Just to throw a hand grenade into the mix at this point, there's also this. :) Don't know anything about the wire employed, although I'll make a logical assumption it's not at the same level as the B .......
118: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Cary slp98 upgrades (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-31, 05:15:21 (104.14.166.32)
Based on the thoughts you've posted so far, I think you'll be very pleased with what the modifications do in keeping the tube character intact, but bridging some of the gap between having an active pr .......
119: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Cary slp98 upgrades (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-30, 19:32:52 (104.14.166.32)
The upgrades didn't change the overall character at all. More dynamic drive and swings (probably the Hexfreds), and more inner detail and sense of bloom and space (probably the caps). The '98 still so .......
120: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Cary slp98 upgrades (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-30, 16:40:35 (104.14.166.32)
Been a number of years since I had a '98, but I had the Hexfreds and oil caps put in mine and it was a substantial upgrade that I felt was well worth the money. I had them both done at the same time s .......
121: General Asylum, RE: The Cable Cooker is the gift which keeps on giving (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-30, 16:21:59 (104.14.166.32)
Yeah, Lummy....it's way past time for you to upgrade. I don't think *my* original Cooker saw anything close to the duty yours has, but I upgraded anyway because it's the audiophile thing to do. :) .......
122: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Paging bcowen . . . (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-30, 16:10:55 (104.14.166.32)
Nice score for Christmas! I got an Audioquest Dragonfly which is cool, but I shouldn't even mention it in this forum. :) Glad that sharing my experience was helpful, just as Rushton's was very helpful .......
123: Inmate Central, LOL! (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-26, 15:01:47 (104.14.166.32)
Plus, only the 1% of well-to-do terrorists have carpet in their caves anyway. :) .......
124: Inmate Central, RE: so what did you get? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-26, 14:55:22 (104.14.166.32)
I got one of those for my birthday 6 months ago. Love it! And I *really* like that you can wash it. Can't do that with most pillows and have them retain any semblance of their original form or fluff. .......
125: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Try $1 for a fuse... Way better to sell it for junk though... just my two cents. (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-26, 04:39:53 (104.14.166.32)
If you're still slingin' around 80 pounds at 78, you have my respect. I'm only 59, and dread the thought of moving my Art Audio amp that weighs about the same. One other possibility: have you unplugge .......
126: Inmate Central, RE: Actually... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-25, 18:17:38 (104.14.166.32)
I did follow the link and was commenting on the text that states $284 billion at the beginning and $284,460,000 further down. .......
127: Inmate Central, Seems that.... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-25, 17:51:50 (104.14.166.32)
...the writer of the article has difficulties with big numbers. $284,460,000 is not $284 billion, even with the new math... .......
128: Vinyl Asylum, Do they... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-25, 17:45:31 (104.14.166.32)
...offer a belt-drive model? Old habit die hard, I guess. :) .......
129: Inmate Central, RE: My GOM view is that any singer who needs so MUCH technical audio processing (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-24, 05:05:14 (104.14.166.32)
I was listening to the many different renditions of "Ave Maria" available on Tidal last night and ran across hers. Proof positive that she can even hack up and totally destroy a favorite Christmas son .......
130: Inmate Central, LOL!! And your caption is perfect. (nt) (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-24, 04:58:35 (104.14.166.32)
. .......
131: General Asylum, RE: My new holiday centerpiece (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-23, 12:52:47 (104.14.166.32)
The power supply for that has got to be huge. :) .......
132: Inmate Central, Yeah, but.... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-23, 05:56:49 (104.14.166.32)
...you have LOTS of really good microbreweries, especially on a brewery-to-population ratio. :) Food or beer. Hmmmmm. Guess if I have to pick one or the other, it's gonna be beer. :) .......
133: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: Foil wire awg (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-23, 05:45:21 (104.14.166.32)
...I can clearly see why the SE guys use it they have an over abound amount of sloppy bass and no treble... Funny. Are you competing with Tweaker for the most ignorant post of the year award? ::: TO .......
134: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: Housing? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-23, 05:39:03 (104.14.166.32)
Yes, that's mine. Bought the case on Ebay. Link below to current listing from the same seller. Unfortunately the shipping cost (to the US) is almost as much as the case itself, but even with that it's .......
135: General Asylum, RE: You mean other than his mother?... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-17, 14:11:50 (104.14.166.32)
LOL! If I were his mother, I'd not only be very, very rich (for bearing a child without the anatomy to do so), but I'd be pretty embarrassed. So much talent laid to waste with a revolting presentation .......
136: Inmate Central, 10-4 on that. (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-17, 09:18:51 (104.14.166.32)
I've never understood the Land Rover thing. It has to be a status thing, because the vehicles have no other redeeming qualities. A friend bought a Discovery (smaller SUV) a number of years ago. Kept i .......
137: General Asylum, Nice list.... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-17, 06:20:41 (104.14.166.32)
....although has anyone ever argued for Kenny G.? :) .......
138: General Asylum, RE: I'm sure glad my wife isn't an audiophile (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-17, 06:17:35 (104.14.166.32)
LOL! Many say that (including me) while the reverse is more likely the truth. If my wife was an audiophile, I wouldn't have to continue to answer the same question over and over and over: "How do I tu .......
139: Vinyl Asylum, +1 and.... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-17, 05:47:00 (104.14.166.32)
I read this comment in a thread about contentious topics in General: ...the "vinyl" subforum is chockablock with the most snippy, snarky content of the whole forum site, IMO/IME. Really? I guess "sn .......
140: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Fixing your Ace Space (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-17, 05:29:38 (104.14.166.32)
Thanks Doug!! Greatly appreciate the info, and appreciate you checking on it even more. I'll give them a call. Bill .......
141: Inmate Central, The one that made me want to spew all over the floor... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-16, 05:52:13 (104.14.166.32)
...was the Honda ad last year with the dreamy-eyed woman going "Ooooohhhh it's Michael Bolton." If I ever go to a car dealership and see (let alone hear) Michael Bolton, I'll likely smash into severa .......
142: Vinyl Asylum, I'd love to find *something* analog under my tree... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-16, 05:31:35 (104.14.166.32)
...but the odds of that are similar to finding a Ferrari in my driveway. :) I'm currently having the analog DT's. While I was away on business a couple weekends ago, my wife had some friends over, inc .......
143: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: Follow up on WBT posts (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-16, 04:44:46 (104.14.166.32)
I didn't respond further in Salectric's original thread on this, but after finding out the ends of his wire were already tinned, I would have made the same recommendation you did -- better to solder t .......
144: Inmate Central, RE: Moderating groups like this is a hard, thankless job... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-15, 18:53:31 (104.14.166.32)
So, you callin' us all a bunch of pussies, Rod? I'm OK with that...I'm a cat person. :) .......
145: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: Follow up on WBT posts (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-15, 18:39:45 (104.14.166.32)
With the sonic traits you're describing, I agree with Mossback that some more play time could very well help. Let it play with as much volume as the domicile will tolerate, and see what changes are au .......
146: General Asylum, RE: Could it be? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-13, 05:02:32 (192.5.46.4)
You don't remember the coordinates? Sheeez. It's BR549. :) .......
147: Inmate Central, LOL!! (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-12, 05:11:43 (192.5.46.4)
Ahhh....the life of retirement. :) .......
148: Inmate Central, +1 (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-11, 17:29:04 (104.14.166.32)
My recently purchased Lenovo laptop takes 6 seconds to get to the desktop after powering on, and that includes the time to enter the passcode into Windows. :) The Lenovo came with an old-tech hard dri .......
149: General Asylum, RE: Could it be? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-11, 05:30:25 (192.5.46.4)
All I need is a laser. Can I borrow yours, Alan? :) .......
150: Inmate Central, RE: Dollar Stores (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-10, 16:42:09 (104.14.166.32)
I have a love/hate relationship with Dollar Tree - the stores are usually a mess which I hate, but the savings can't be beat, which is hard not to love. Especially this time of year: Gift wrapping pap .......
151: General Asylum, RE: Dealing with crappy acoustics... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-10, 16:32:05 (104.14.166.32)
The Herbies decoupling footers may be worth a try. They're only 1/2" thick, and returnable for refund (less shipping) if they don't help. I have yet to buy a Herbie's product I've been disappointed wi .......
152: Cable Asylum, RE: White curled plastic wire cover (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-10, 14:54:57 (104.14.166.32)
Cool beans. Glad you found something that works! .......
153: Inmate Central, RE: Well, Steve.... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-10, 14:50:59 (104.14.166.32)
Appearances would suggest you've lost your sense of humor. :) .......
154: Inmate Central, Well, Steve.... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-10, 13:07:44 (104.14.166.32)
You know what's said about someone that has lost one of their physical senses (sight, hearing, etc): the remaining senses tend to improve? I have no actual experience with that (fortunately), but it's .......
155: Cable Asylum, RE: glad you like them (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-09, 17:03:37 (104.14.166.32)
And a lot of guys like you creating them. .......
156: Vintage Asylum, RE: I actually blew out my Fluke meter today (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-09, 09:46:39 (104.14.166.32)
Are you sure the fuses(s) aren't blown? How did you test them? With the Fluke? :) .......
157: General Asylum, Could it be? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-09, 09:35:15 (104.14.166.32)
A 1,000x more conductive 300b? I'm thinking an SET loping along while driving Apogee Scintillas to 110dB levels. :) Of course by the time this happens any remaining Scintillas will have decomposed int .......
158: Inmate Central, Fire ants... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-09, 08:37:20 (104.14.166.32)
...are the biggest problem here. Never had any in the house fortunately, but they can make an anthill the size of a basketball in a couple days. And that's only what's above ground. I've tried a few d .......
159: Inmate Central, RE: When Frozen Food was new (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-09, 08:19:52 (104.14.166.32)
I think the Marie Calendar pies are the most edible of the frozen pies (note the term "edible" rather than delicious). :) Don't like the crust on the Boston Market pies, although the chicken inside is .......
160: Cable Asylum, RE: some equipment does sound worse after break in (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-08, 19:23:05 (104.14.166.32)
I've never experimented with any RelCaps, but the WonderCaps in a bypass application always sounded to me exactly as your describe: lean, thin, and bright. I didn't notice a big change from new to bro .......
161: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: Is that so? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-08, 17:34:24 (104.14.166.32)
Teeny Tiny extra price to pay for this kind of improvement What kind of improvement? What's improved? You have no experience with this LPS, so as usual you're talking out your butt without even the .......
162: Cable Asylum, RE: White curled plastic wire cover (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-08, 12:14:06 (192.5.46.4)
Something like this? (see link) .......
163: Vinyl Asylum, +1 (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-08, 05:49:30 (192.5.46.4)
That's how I got my 103 as well. Seems they sell a batch out very quickly, and if you don't get your name on the list they'll be all out by the time you see they're available again. :) There's no comm .......
164: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: Thank you.... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-07, 14:20:48 (192.5.46.4)
I guess we forgot to ask one question: is your speaker cable wire solid or stranded? :) If stranded, my preference would be the "crimp sleeve/no solder" method as discussed. If it's solid, then tighte .......
165: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: DIY Linear Power Supply for NUC serving Roon (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-07, 14:12:49 (192.5.46.4)
Which pretty much negates the entire point of buying the Chinese unit: price. .......
166: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: DIY Linear Power Supply for NUC serving Roon (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-05, 22:24:06 (104.14.166.32)
The AMB Labs Sigma 11 is another option. Similar to the one Janis posted, it requires a number of parts as well as the case/chassis to be sourced on your own (DigiKey and Mouser part numbers are provi .......
167: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: WBT binding posts--- solder or set screw? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-12-05, 22:07:13 (104.14.166.32)
My experience aligns with Duster's recommendation -- a speaker cable or interconnect connection without solder sounds better than a soldered one. If soldering is the only way to assure a solid mechani .......
168: Computer Audio Asylum, RE: And what's even better... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-11-30, 17:31:37 (104.14.166.32)
Thanks! Be most happy to help with info. Starting point here: https://www.audioasylum.com/audio/tweaks/messages/20/203047.html I ended up scrapping the cheesy chassis/enclosure that I first used (show .......
169: Inmate Central, I always thought.... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-11-30, 15:46:00 (104.14.166.32)
...it was just shorthand for "Inattentive Idiot Behind The Wheel." :) .......
170: General Asylum, RE: How does one distinguish faith based arguments from Audiophile arguments? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-11-30, 15:41:59 (104.14.166.32)
Interesting that "putting something in my system" is immediately translated into "gluing thimbles on the wall." Pretty much proves you're here just to ridicule, which eliminates any possibility of a m .......
171: General Asylum, RE: How does one distinguish faith based arguments from Audiophile arguments? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-11-29, 17:43:06 (104.14.166.32)
How does that question answer my question? .......
172: General Asylum, RE: How does one distinguish faith based arguments from Audiophile arguments? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-11-29, 16:43:31 (104.14.166.32)
If I put something in my system and hear a difference, and you put the same thing in your system and don't hear a difference, does that invalidate the difference I hear in my system? .......
173: General Asylum, +1 Or... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-11-29, 15:42:51 (104.14.166.32)
...there's stuff going on that we're not measuring. .......
174: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Basis 1400 (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-11-27, 18:37:48 (104.14.166.32)
If I'm reading his email correctly (the motor pulley won't spin), it sounds like the motor has seized up. Nothing really to adjust there, other than making sure the pulley hasn't slipped down on the m .......
175: Inmate Central, RE: Birthday 25th November! (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-11-26, 05:35:48 (104.14.166.32)
Happy (late) Birthday Timbo! I quit celebrating birthdays around 50 years ago when I turned 50. :) .......
176: Inmate Central, RE: "How It's Made" (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-11-25, 07:43:36 (104.14.166.32)
Love that show (but then I'm a manufacturing guy). Did you see the one on Kron tubes? Definitely old world, but quite interesting. .......
177: Critic's Corner, RE: Meet the audio spinster (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-11-25, 06:24:47 (104.14.166.32)
LOL! I sure hope that gramophone is spinning counterclockwise. :) .......
178: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Stop Making Sense (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-11-25, 06:15:29 (104.14.166.32)
Then you should keep that one, buy one of the $8.00 copies and give it back to your sister's ex. :) .......
179: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Amazon has the bottom feeders with high prices, waiting for the foolish.. (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-11-25, 06:11:36 (104.14.166.32)
I've purchased more than 50 used LP's from Amazon sellers in the past several years, and have had only one problem LP in that time (had a serious warp, and after contacting the seller and shooting him .......
180: Cable Asylum, RE: DIY AC Power Cord Projects: Correct Polarity (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-11-25, 05:43:32 (104.14.166.32)
Good reminder. Too easy to mix these up. Most quality connectors will identify the hot terminal with a gold screw, the neutral with a silver screw, and the ground with a green screw. While I've never .......
181: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: banana plugs (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-11-24, 15:18:04 (104.14.166.32)
I prefer the BFA style, as there is more contact area with them than any of the other styles of bananas. I also prefer copper as the base metal. I don't like brass or bronze, but that's what most of t .......
182: Critic's Corner, RE: Going to attend first audio show in 2018...adice please (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-11-24, 13:26:35 (104.14.166.32)
All very good recommendations. But if you plan to be there more than 1 day, #7 especially. Nice to have someone to share thoughts with, eat meals with, have a drink with, fight over the last remaining .......
183: Critic's Corner, Yeah, but... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-11-24, 13:08:27 (104.14.166.32)
...there's no mini-jack on that amp to plug her iPhone into. Maybe there's more LP's in the living room? :) .......
184: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: banana plugs (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-11-24, 13:00:41 (104.14.166.32)
What type and material are you looking for? BFA, spring, screw? Copper, gold, silver, rhodium? Preferred or max price range? Lots of options....if you could narrow things down a bit it would help in o .......
185: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Anyone installed a new Mofi cart yet? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-11-24, 09:59:34 (104.14.166.32)
They look pretty interesting, and thankfully at sane price levels. But I don't see a compliance spec on their site or on any vendors site that sells them. Rather important piece of missing info, at le .......
186: Cable Asylum, RE: Help finding specific impedance cables (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-11-24, 09:44:49 (104.14.166.32)
Are you sure the brightness is being caused by capacitance? Less capacitance is usually more better, and higher capacitance doesn't normally have as much of an effect on frequency balance as it does o .......
187: Inmate Central, RE: Thanks for the Man Wipes mention... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-11-23, 14:54:53 (104.14.166.32)
3 weeks on a Gillette? Dang. After less than a week for me, the razor is pulling the hair out rather than cutting it. Extremely clean shave, but excruciatingly painful. :) I should probably grow a nic .......
188: Inmate Central, RE: Happy Thankgiving (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-11-23, 11:39:14 (104.14.166.32)
To you as well, Bill. From Bill the C :) .......
189: Inmate Central, RE: Thanks for the Man Wipes mention... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-11-23, 11:36:59 (104.14.166.32)
How long do the Harry's blades stay sharp? Maybe I have really tough hair, but I've always had to replace a blade (cheap or expensive) after the 4th or 5th shave...just gets so dull it's painful to us .......
190: Tubes Asylum, RE: Simple tube tester (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-11-23, 06:52:55 (104.14.166.32)
Agree with FenderLover on the Hickok's. Quite a few on Ebay right now. An 800A or 6000 will do the job, as will most any that are "mutual conductance" testers. A couple things to be aware of though: t .......
191: Cable Asylum, RE: Tripp Lite PS-602-HG Outlet Strip (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-11-23, 05:47:28 (104.14.166.32)
Hi Duster, Haven't decided on what connectors to use for the 2nd cord yet. Waiting to see how this cord sounds, and then pick connectors accordingly for the next one. Maybe just duplicate with the sam .......
192: Inmate Central, RE: first pizza pic in awhile (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-11-21, 14:07:52 (104.14.166.32)
The local Papa Johns here is quite good too. Consistent. Not the best pizza in the world by any means, but always tasty, always hot, and delivery drivers that are courteous and never leave without a s .......
193: Inmate Central, If you look closely.... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-11-21, 13:55:19 (104.14.166.32)
...you can see the pot smoke leaking out of the porthole. :) .......
194: General Asylum, RE: Made in ___? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-11-21, 13:53:19 (104.14.166.32)
Could be. I think you'd be hard pressed these days to find any component that doesn't have some part or parts inside that were made in China. .......
195: Computer Audio Asylum, +1 (nt) (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-11-21, 05:43:08 (104.14.166.32)
. .......
196: Cable Asylum, RE: Tripp Lite PS-602-HG Outlet Strip (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-11-21, 05:34:48 (104.14.166.32)
Thanks Duster. Waiting on the Oyaide cable to come in, but I have both FI-11(Cu) and FI-15E(Cu) IEC connectors to try out. Don't have a spare FI-11(G) laying around, but I'll order one and give it a t .......
197: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: Looking for Old Shinkho 1watt resistors (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-11-19, 18:45:40 (104.14.166.32)
PC has the 1 watters in 62k values also...just more expensive that way. .......
198: Inmate Central, Just in time for Christmas... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-11-19, 16:04:54 (104.14.166.32)
...a new treat from Down Under. :) .......
199: Inmate Central, RE: Black Friday Anyone ? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-11-19, 15:04:28 (104.14.166.32)
I haven't been to a brick and mortar store for Christmas shopping in over 4 years (excepting the Honey Baked Ham store), and have no intention of ever going back. Amazon puts it on my doorstep 2 days .......
200: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Crime of the Century is ... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-11-19, 14:49:19 (104.14.166.32)
Bloody well right! (ugh...sorry) :) .......
201: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: Looking for Old Shinkho 1watt resistors (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-11-19, 13:21:17 (104.14.166.32)
Shipping from Parts Connexion to North Carolina was $6.00 last time I ordered from them. Probably not going to do better than that even from a stateside vendor. Depending on space constraints and how .......
202: Vinyl Asylum, RE: I Need To Listen More Often ... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-11-19, 12:48:47 (104.14.166.32)
You have good taste in music. :) The Basia title cut is one of my favorites, although her voice has a razory grit to it in a couple places. May just be the pressing I have. Astrud, OTOH, is one of tho .......
203: Vinyl Asylum, RE: I Need To Listen More Often ... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-11-19, 08:11:30 (104.14.166.32)
I'm with Slapshot....you have two of my all time favorites there in Crime of the Century and Wish You Were Here. And add the Joan Armatrading...only bested by Hearts and Flowers, IMO (although I only .......
204: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Auditioned a McIntosh MAC5200 yesterday (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-11-18, 16:59:24 (104.14.166.32)
They manufacture their own screws, nuts, and washers? You can't be serious. If you are, and they do, that's gotta be the most stupid waste of manufacturing resources I've ever heard of. .......
205: Cable Asylum, RE: Tripp Lite PS-602-HG Outlet Strip (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-11-18, 14:41:43 (104.14.166.32)
I love the Furutech FI-11 plugs. Really peak out on the price/performance ratio. No doubt the higher level Furu's are even better, but at ~$50/plug for the FI-11 series, they're hard to beat. Not to d .......
206: Computer Audio Asylum, RE: I bought some two wire mic jacks and... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-11-15, 05:09:43 (192.5.46.4)
Oooohhh....USB connection. Just got through making a DIY USB cable myself. Glad you got some extra connectors! I consider myself relatively skilled with a soldering iron, but still managed to screw up .......
207: Computer Audio Asylum, And what's even better... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-11-14, 18:42:00 (104.14.166.32)
...is to save the money on one of those pricey (but excellent) Oyaide's and wire one end of the cable directly to the board. What's the only thing that sounds better than an Oyaide plug? No plug. :) .......
208: Inmate Central, RE: Repurposed surplus Pono enclosures? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-11-14, 16:12:30 (104.14.166.32)
We had similar problems with our letter carrier. She would regularly stuff the whole street's mail into the first mailbox on the street, wouldn't deliver packages that were too big for the mailbox if .......
209: Vinyl Asylum, RE: So what is your point? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-11-13, 17:55:30 (104.14.166.32)
So what's your point again? a) the improvements people report are possibly biased by their expectations b) most are either exaggerating the improvements or are just fooling themselves c) most would ne .......
210: Vinyl Asylum, So what is your point? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-11-13, 17:08:51 (104.14.166.32)
Disparage something that you haven't heard or tried because you, um, wait.....what again? .......
211: General Asylum, RE: And now for something different (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-11-13, 13:14:51 (192.5.46.4)
They don't really sound their best until you upgrade them with the Magic Varnish. A few hints: 1) Be sure and go "Ugh!" "Ugh!" "Ugh!" as each drop of the Magical Varnish makes contact, or the molecule .......
212: General Asylum, RE: 4:56 AM (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-11-12, 16:00:48 (104.14.166.32)
Then you must have a lot of problems. Just sayin'.... .......
213: General Asylum, Actually... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-11-12, 08:28:36 (104.14.166.32)
Yipper dogs should be illegal. Or used as snacks for real dogs. :) .......
214: General Asylum, RE: 3:52 AM (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-11-12, 04:22:35 (104.14.166.32)
Time for a doggie door. :) .......
215: Vinyl Asylum, LOL! (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-11-11, 14:19:59 (104.14.166.32)
At least it's battery powered, so you don't have to spend additional funds on an audiophile power cord for it. .......
216: Cable Asylum, +1 (nt) (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-11-11, 05:29:06 (104.14.166.32)
. .......
217: Cable Asylum, RE: Black Mamba V2 power cable (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-11-10, 15:36:19 (104.14.166.32)
Be very interested in your sonic evaluation if/when you build the cords. I have a couple Zu Events myself, as well as a couple very old Mothers. The Events have some nice qualities, but I prefer the D .......
218: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: Could be worse than you claim. (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-11-10, 15:26:57 (104.14.166.32)
I would say that only about 3 or 4 people tried to kill me in all that time. Percentage wise it's pretty small. Probably much smaller than the percentage here. .......
219: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: Cruzefirst Maestro, Cooper BR20 and Oyaide R0 (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-11-07, 18:12:57 (104.14.166.32)
I'm probably one of the worst for never letting things be, but my power cord plugging/unplugging is due more to thunderstorms than tweaking. We get some pretty raucous storms here (especially in the s .......
220: Computer Audio Asylum, RE: USB Treeview (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-11-05, 14:43:02 (104.14.166.32)
That's very helpful. Thanks for the link! .......
221: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: Thank you for sharing (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-11-04, 15:56:18 (104.14.166.32)
Hi Duster, The in-process effort is using Neotech 28-gauge PTFE insulated 99% silver/1% gold alloy wire in a helical wind around a 100% cotton "core". No shield, and the wire is held firmly in place a .......
222: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: DIY USB Cable Final Verdict (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-31, 15:31:56 (104.14.166.32)
Thanks Duster. I'm pretty interested in giving an unshielded version a try, and if I end up with some noise, it's simple enough to add a foil shield (facing the right way this time) without having to .......
223: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: DIY USB Cable Final Verdict (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-30, 16:06:06 (104.14.166.32)
Great information. Thanks! .......
224: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: DIY USB Cables (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-30, 16:01:42 (104.14.166.32)
Thanks Mike. I'm guessing this one would flunk on your tester with no 5v conductor. I did check, re-check, and then triple-check continuity and pin assignment before I plugged it in to the Audiodharma .......
225: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: Thank you for sharing (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-30, 15:55:06 (104.14.166.32)
Kind of a work in progress, but thanks for the encouragement. It's taken me a number of tries with some RCA interconnects, but I've finally got a pair that's unseating the reference pair I was trying .......
226: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: DIY USB Cable Final Verdict (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-30, 15:43:31 (104.14.166.32)
No, I wrapped it with the adhesive side to the twisted pair of wires. Didn't think about reversing it, but what you say makes sense. I assume the drain wire would go to the "inside" as well (ie: in co .......
227: Inmate Central, RE: Cutting the Cable (or, "What's the Deal with 'Bitchin' Rides?") (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-28, 15:20:55 (104.14.166.32)
So true and so sad. History Channel used to be one of my favorites, but I cleared it off the channel menu 6 months ago so I didn't have to scroll through it any more. .......
228: Critic's Corner, Enormous +1 (nt) (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-28, 13:58:53 (104.14.166.32)
. .......
229: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: USB plugs and Shield (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-28, 13:45:46 (104.14.166.32)
Jon, Got the connectors at Parts Connexion. Have no idea what the substrate metal is, but I liked the gold plating (which is on the contact end of the pins too). I was surprised at how difficult it wa .......
230: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: DIY USB Cable Final Verdict (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-28, 11:06:10 (104.14.166.32)
Thanks Lew! I twisted the signal pairs for EM noise cancellation primarily and because the twist is called for in the USB 2.0 specification (although not as tight). The metallized polyester tape is .......
231: Tweakers' Asylum, DIY USB Cable Final Verdict (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-28, 08:10:50 (104.14.166.32)
First attempt at a DIY USB cable is finally complete. As my setup does not require the 5v power normally carried through the USB cable, I was most interested to see the effect of eliminating the 5v wi .......
232: Inmate Central, Not quite there yet... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-28, 06:30:47 (104.14.166.32)
One more year -- I plan on living to 120. :) Unfortunately, my 401k funds will probably run out about 30 years too early... .......
233: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Record weight recommendation (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-27, 14:53:05 (104.14.166.32)
You're nuts. :) .......
234: Vinyl Asylum, 5 Lbs? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-26, 15:47:51 (104.14.166.32)
FIVE pounds? I would NEVER add that much weight to my platter. Mine weighs only 4 lbs and 2 ounces, which is, of course, totally acceptable. :) Don't even remember where I got this, but it sounds bett .......
235: Cable Asylum, RE: Installed it, initial thoughts compared to Gutwire (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-25, 15:28:29 (104.14.166.32)
Thanks for sharing your impressions, BH. Give it some time to break in. Some cords change more than others, but I haven't run across a power cord yet that doesn't improve after it gets some time on it .......
236: Cable Asylum, RE: Need stress relief/chasi mount - power cord (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-22, 11:03:02 (104.14.166.32)
Something like this? (link below) .......
237: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Huh? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-22, 05:31:40 (104.14.166.32)
Thanks for the clarification. Is the additional cleaning required due to leftover gunk from the treatment (ie: clearing out excess residue)? I've never used a preservative-type product, other than Gr .......
238: Inmate Central, RE: Weld in a section of straight pipe... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-21, 16:20:20 (104.14.166.32)
The lack of the O2 sensor OR the lack of the expected reading from the O2 sensor would trigger it. .......
239: Inmate Central, RE: Weld in a section of straight pipe... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-21, 15:46:49 (104.14.166.32)
And then see if someone will offer a decent price for it with the CEL glowing in the dash... .......
240: Vinyl Asylum, Huh? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-21, 15:36:31 (104.14.166.32)
You NEED to clean the stylus 3-4 times during playing. 3-4 times per listening session, or 3-4 times per LP? Not sure what you mean here. .......
241: General Asylum, Well, actually... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-21, 15:30:09 (104.14.166.32)
Yes. 'Cause the last car I had like that was a '72 Datsun 240Z. Sure wish I had that back. :) .......
242: Cable Asylum, Thanks Duster! (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-21, 15:20:17 (104.14.166.32)
Due to uncertainty about the as-yet unknown sonic capability of my DIY USB cable effort, and having very high confidence in your recommendation(s), I purchased the Oyaide Neo D-Plus Class S cable that .......
243: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Power cords (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-21, 12:32:24 (104.14.166.32)
I use that for interconnects. My power cords are bigger. :) .......
244: Cable Asylum, RE: USB (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-21, 09:32:58 (104.14.166.32)
You need the ground (black) line. See link below. I've just finished my DIY cable which omits the 5v line and have it cooking now. Haven't had a chance to listen to it yet, but now that I've gone to a .......
245: General Asylum, +1 (nt) (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-21, 05:10:48 (104.14.166.32)
. .......
246: General Asylum, RE: Just went digital and streaming (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-21, 05:10:18 (104.14.166.32)
Fun, isn't it? I'm a long-time LP guy in my 50's too (well, for a little while longer), and I just got started with streaming a couple months ago. Tidal lossless on laptop -> Schiit EITR -> Cary 100t .......
247: Tubes Asylum, LOL! (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-20, 19:08:21 (104.14.166.32)
Best suggestion yet! I totally get the objection to the smell of cigarette smoke residue, but who doesn't like the smell of weed? :) .......
248: Inmate Central, RE: this stock thing at the height is getting dangerous (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-19, 17:59:59 (104.14.166.32)
If we see the apocalypse, you're better off with guns, ammo, coffee and whisky. That's all good even without the apocalypse. :) .......
249: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: AA Inmate project... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-19, 14:36:28 (104.14.166.32)
Great suggestion, Duster. David, hopefully you can work something out with Story since he already offered. But if not, let me know. .......
250: Inmate Central, RE: Terrible herbst used to sell used oil (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-16, 17:27:49 (104.14.166.32)
I had a '72 Vega (college car) that could have used that. It was the first car engineered with a self-changing oil system -- you had to add so oil so often there was no real need to ever change it. : .......
251: Inmate Central, Wish I'd thought of this (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-15, 06:10:03 (104.14.166.32)
All these years I've been giving my used oil away for free at the local parts store. Crap. .......
252: Inmate Central, Al Gore? (nt) (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-14, 20:11:08 (104.14.166.32)
. .......
253: Inmate Central, Breaking News (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-14, 15:59:06 (104.14.166.32)
. .......
254: Hi-Rez Highway, RE: Question for you too.... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-14, 15:04:33 (104.14.166.32)
Yeah, I know. But when it's a dog to start, still a dog after a 36 hour and then a 12 hour cook, I figured cooking a dead dog a little longer couldn't possibly hurt it. It didn't. Didn't help it eithe .......
255: Inmate Central, RE: brewing beer - wort pic (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-14, 14:43:02 (104.14.166.32)
Kinda looks like chicken broth. No matter...as long as alcohol is the final result, the base is irrelevant. :) .......
256: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Helping a newbie (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-14, 14:41:12 (104.14.166.32)
Thanks for the pics! Almost made me feel like I was unpacking a new toy myself. Hope you got a couple good beers for your effort? :) .......
257: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Ultrasonic Cleaning Update and questions (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-14, 14:33:15 (104.14.166.32)
Hmmmm....3 LP's should be perfectly fine in a 10L tank, unless your particular tank just isn't creating much action up top for whatever reason. Might be worth taking two of the ones you've cleaned th .......
258: Hi-Rez Highway, RE: Question for you too.... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-14, 14:20:45 (104.14.166.32)
Well, the second cook helped a little. Unfortunately, I'm afraid even a nuclear powered cook wouldn't help this particular cable. I even gave it another 48 hour cook (after the second cook for 12 hour .......
259: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Ultrasonic Cleaning Update and questions (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-14, 12:17:09 (104.14.166.32)
A few possibilities: 1) Are you using the Hepastat in your solution? It really does help with static. 2) How many LP's are you cleaning at a time in your tank? The problem area on your LP's is at the .......
260: General Asylum, RE: she's streaming her digital, of course! (nt) (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-14, 07:50:13 (104.14.166.32)
Ahhhh....that explains it. I guess some of us old timers are stuck in the past. :) .......
261: Computer Audio Asylum, Another option (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-14, 07:45:00 (104.14.166.32)
I've been very pleased with the improvements brought to the table by the EITR, which is the first Schiitty product I've ever tried. :) I'm running from a laptop too, and although I have short cable ru .......
262: General Asylum, RE: 1951 kitchen tunes (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-13, 17:51:58 (104.14.166.32)
Where's the CD player? :) .......
263: Tubes Asylum, RE: And all this time you thought something fell out of the Fifty Shades of Grey guy's pocket (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-13, 16:17:57 (104.14.166.32)
Now that you know what it's for, time to bust out the soldering iron! Or the handcuffs, whichever. :) .......
264: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: Sam Tellig? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-12, 15:50:14 (104.14.166.32)
No, the author of the article you linked: Terry Atkinson. My poor attempt at humor...:) .......
265: Tweakers' Asylum, Love the article.... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-12, 15:02:21 (104.14.166.32)
...that you linked. "Digital sounded more like analog (this is something that makes sense only to certain audiophiles who still think vinyl LPs sound better than digital audio)" Note the date of the .......
266: Inmate Central, I like this one better.... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-08, 05:16:13 (104.14.166.32)
...and a relative bargain at $939k. But only if those custom front window blinds are part of the deal. :) .......
267: Vinyl Asylum, LOL! (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-08, 04:22:35 (104.14.166.32)
I'd be hittin' the "Buy It Now" button on that if only it had spiked feet. That killed it for me. :) .......
268: General Asylum, RE: Female audiophiles (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-08, 04:19:11 (104.14.166.32)
Is she married? And where does she live? :) Nice looking system! .......
269: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: SuperSpeed USB 3.0 cable (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-08, 04:15:03 (104.14.166.32)
Thanks for the info. Unfortunately, the 3.0 cable won't work for me as the Schiit has only a 2.0 socket. Not sure if anyone makes 3.0 -> 2.0 "B" adapters, but that approach may negate whatever benefit .......
270: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: DIY USB Cable (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-08, 04:10:29 (104.14.166.32)
Thanks Duster. I have a pointed tip for my Weller, and I've successfully done some SMD soldering before, although it's been a while. So I know the what and how, just not sure my eyes or my hands are a .......
271: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: DIY USB Cable (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-07, 07:16:41 (104.14.166.32)
Thanks Uncle Mike. I was wondering why some of the connectors showed 9 terminals and others showed 4....that explains it. If the 4 terminal USB 2.0 connectors are treacherous to solder as DrN and Dust .......
272: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: DIY USB Cable (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-06, 15:46:59 (104.14.166.32)
Well, this is new ground for me. Lots of learnin' to do. I have only one "audiophile" USB cable and I don't like it. I do have a couple dozen computer USB cables of varying vintage, lengths, and manuf .......
273: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: DIY USB Cable (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-04, 18:48:03 (104.14.166.32)
I have a nice magnifying lamp. Broke down and bought a good one after nearly burning my nose while soldering the last circuit board I worked on. :) .......
274: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: DIY USB Cable (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-04, 18:14:37 (104.14.166.32)
Good advice...thanks. I'll run some heat shrink over the twisted signal wires to keep them from unraveling. Will hinder the flexibility a bit, but better than having them un-twist over time. I only b .......
275: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: DIY USB Cable (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-04, 16:43:12 (104.14.166.32)
Thanks Duster! I'm going to give this home-brew attempt a try, and if it falls flatly on its face, the Oyaide sure looks a great answer to the "what next?" question. Very nice price for Oyaide-level q .......
276: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: DIY USB Cable (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-03, 15:05:18 (104.14.166.32)
That's very helpful. Thanks!! Have you found a noticeable sonic improvement building the cable without the +5v line? I'm just assuming it will sound better, but have no data or experience (at this poi .......
277: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: DIY USB Cable (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-03, 14:58:17 (104.14.166.32)
That's way above my pay grade. :) Don't have the equipment or the knowledge to do that kind of test. I agree it would be interesting to find out though. .......
278: Tweakers' Asylum, DIY USB Cable (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-10-02, 18:48:34 (104.14.166.32)
After recently testing the streaming waters with Tidal Lossless, I'm encouraged enough with the result to put some more time and effort into optimizing the setup for best sound. Currently running from .......
279: Vinyl Asylum, RE: If you want to get serious about getting something level... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-09-30, 15:33:32 (104.14.166.32)
That would work nicely on a headshell. Yup. .......
280: General Asylum, RE: Very interesting (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-09-30, 12:13:27 (104.14.166.32)
It's easily painted with either powder coat or a good automotive finish. Just needs an acid-etching primer first. Or better, just get it in a bright-annealed finish and it looks very similar to chrome .......
281: General Asylum, Very interesting (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-09-30, 05:41:37 (104.14.166.32)
Charles, I've been in the metal fabrication business for the past 25 years, and when I read your comment on the increase in metal prices, I had to pause. Most of what I buy is stainless -- about 3m lb .......
282: Cable Asylum, RE: Best Overall Audio Grade Receptacle / Outlet (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-09-27, 18:25:06 (104.14.166.32)
"Very little "micro arcing" do you know what that means ? I sure don't, beyond the obvious. Perhaps you could show us where and how that term applies to a hospital grade outlet in either UL Standard .......
283: Cable Asylum, RE: Best Overall Audio Grade Receptacle / Outlet (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-09-27, 15:58:16 (104.14.166.32)
Thanks for the link, Duster! Good information. .......
284: Critic's Corner, RE: You mean.... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-09-27, 15:48:08 (104.14.166.32)
No!!! I can't believe they did that. What's the world coming to when you can't even find quality potheads? Disappointing. Maybe it's time for some meth addicts. They would have eaten the paint brushes .......
285: Cable Asylum, RE: Best Overall Audio Grade Receptacle / Outlet (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-09-26, 16:40:20 (104.14.166.32)
I have no experience with the Oyaide or PS Audio, but have been very pleased with the Furutech GTX-D outlet. Top notch build quality, and a very balanced sonic presentation. Regarding the Maestro, rea .......
286: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: Fuses on sale anywhere? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-09-26, 16:14:33 (104.14.166.32)
You didn't mention what level of the price spectrum you're interested in, but if it helps any, Parts Connexion has the Hi-Fi Tuning Gold fuses on sale for $10 each (in the 5x20mm size). ::: TOPI .......
287: Inmate Central, Love it! (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-09-26, 15:55:08 (104.14.166.32)
And giving me some ideas. :) .......
288: Inmate Central, LOL! (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-09-25, 15:50:16 (104.14.166.32)
That's hilarious! Hope it was Captain and Tenille at max volume. Or Yanni. :) .......
289: General Asylum, That's gotta be.... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-09-25, 15:22:44 (104.14.166.32)
...the Homer Simpson version of that saying. :) .......
290: Critic's Corner, RE: Say what you will about Fremer, but (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-09-24, 16:31:26 (104.14.166.32)
My allegiance goes back almost as long....back to when Wolfpack red was the color of the competition and nobody even knew what shade of blue Duke was. :) .......
291: General Asylum, RE: Audiogon Sale to New Audiogon Member (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-09-24, 11:25:37 (104.14.166.32)
Not necessarily a cause for concern. Everybody is new user at some point. Just be sure that: 1) YOUR terms are clear and agreed to by the purchaser in writing (will you allow a return, refund, offer a .......
292: Critic's Corner, RE: Say what you will about Fremer, but (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-09-24, 08:05:20 (104.14.166.32)
Naw. Well, maybe a little. OK, fine. A lot. :) If God is not a Tarheel, why is the sky Carolina blue? .......
293: Inmate Central, Here you go.... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-09-23, 10:53:35 (104.14.166.32)
Hate for you to be disappointed. :) .......
294: Inmate Central, LOL! (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-09-23, 07:25:09 (104.14.166.32)
Me too. Kinda the same with audio equipment. And women. :) .......
295: Inmate Central, Then I guess *after* tomorrow.... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-09-22, 18:06:24 (104.14.166.32)
...I'll have to log in as "ghost of bcowen"? Man, that's a lot of extra typing. :) .......
296: Critic's Corner, You mean.... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-09-22, 16:50:52 (104.14.166.32)
...you're not letting the potheads stay there? Or did they go back to Bulletheads? :) .......
297: Critic's Corner, RE: Say what you will about Fremer, but (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-09-22, 16:01:37 (104.14.166.32)
Huh? "Pearson is considered the most influential figure in the history of audiophile journalism." Well, since it's on Wikipedia, it must be true. cough > cough! > Had no idea he went to Duke. If that .......
298: Inmate Central, RE: Ralph Nader said it best... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-09-21, 18:02:15 (104.14.166.32)
From my experience, you can scratch out the word healthcare and just state it as every insurance company period. 1995: pine tree from neighbors property fell on my roof during a thunderstorm. His ins .......
299: Inmate Central, RE: She'd been sick for a while ... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-09-20, 16:25:22 (104.14.166.32)
So very sorry, Dean. Heart wrenching. I had to make the same decision with my first Siamese after almost 18 years. His liver and entire digestive tract were failing, the vet trips became more and mor .......
300: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Ultrasonic cleaning (and on the cheap!) (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-09-17, 15:56:51 (104.14.166.32)
My solution is: .13% (that's point 13) Triton X .10% Hepastat 256 5% Isopropyl alcohol Rest is distilled water. My tank only holds a gallon and a half, and IIRC .13% is like 3 milliliters of Triton X .......
301: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Ultrasonic cleaning (and on the cheap!) (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-09-17, 13:52:58 (104.14.166.32)
A couple things: 1) The formulation of the cleaning solution is very important. The AI solution you're using is intended for regular washing, not for an ultrasonic machine. Article by Rushton in Posit .......
302: Cable Asylum, Looks very similar.... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-09-14, 18:22:19 (104.14.166.32)
...to Nordost Super Flatline, but can't say for sure that's what it is. .......
303: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: PartsConnexion going through a lot of trouble... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-09-11, 15:36:59 (104.14.166.32)
Appreciate the updates, Jonesy. Glad to see PCx is attentive and trying to help. .......
304: Inmate Central, RE: Animal cruelty or just a jerk? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-09-09, 14:15:04 (104.14.166.32)
Yeah. And that chicken looks dried out with a visually pedestrian breading, so add culinary incompetence to the list. :) .......
305: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Ultrasonic cleaning (and on the cheap!) (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-09-07, 18:38:51 (104.14.166.32)
Correct. Linked below is the one I got. You can get both this part and the female coupling (previously pictured) in valved or non-valved versions. The valved ones have an internal seal that shuts off .......
306: Hi-Rez Highway, RE: Question for you too.... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-09-07, 16:18:48 (104.14.166.32)
Thanks Alan! I'll give it 36...you know I never get anything that isn't fancy. :) .......
307: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Ultrasonic cleaning (and on the cheap!) (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-09-07, 14:49:12 (104.14.166.32)
It's from an old aquarium gravel siphon. Just happened to be the right size for this task. Can't remember the brand or where I bought it as it was a long time ago. The Amazon link below is very simila .......
308: Tubes Asylum, RE: Sure, here you go (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-09-07, 14:32:16 (104.14.166.32)
Sweeeeeet! But they look a bit lonely sitting there with nothing to do. Think how much happier they would look inside my DAC. :) .......
309: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: Shieled Power cable is it better for Digital than on Amps? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-09-05, 17:29:02 (104.14.166.32)
IMO, there's no universally correct answer to your question. It depends on how much environmental RFI/EMI exists around your components, how much noise your components generate and pump back into the .......
310: Hi-Rez Highway, RE: Even old dogs can (try to) learn new tricks... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-09-05, 17:07:13 (104.14.166.32)
Good to know Alan, thanks. Haven't experienced any issues with mine so far, so I'll keep my fingers crossed. .......
311: Hi-Rez Highway, Question for you too.... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-09-05, 17:05:36 (104.14.166.32)
Haven't cooked a USB cable before. With 23 or 22 gauge internal wires, what would you suggest I set the timer to? .......
312: Hi-Rez Highway, RE: Even old dogs can (try to) learn new tricks... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-09-05, 15:16:55 (104.14.166.32)
Awesome! Thanks Alan. .......
313: Tubes Asylum, RE: It was an hour from me (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-09-05, 15:13:19 (104.14.166.32)
I'll trade you my Homer for a pair of NOS Tele E188CC's... Since we missed the hamfest we can dicker here. :) .......
314: Tubes Asylum, RE: Did anyone hit the Shelby Hamfest this year in NC? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-09-05, 15:07:32 (104.14.166.32)
I'm not a ham radio guy. Been to several hamfests though as a good friend who is an operator (W4USR) told me many moons ago that hamfests were a great place to score tubes. Really bummed I missed this .......
315: Tubes Asylum, RE: Did anyone hit the Shelby Hamfest this year in NC? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-09-04, 18:46:04 (104.14.166.32)
I live 30 minutes from Shelby and didn't even know about this. I gotta find a different rock to live under... .......
316: Hi-Rez Highway, RE: Even old dogs can (try to) learn new tricks... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-09-04, 16:19:06 (104.14.166.32)
Excellent. Thanks Par! .......
317: Hi-Rez Highway, RE: Even old dogs can (try to) learn new tricks... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-09-04, 13:36:17 (104.14.166.32)
Is it an audio related process? Don't know. I just popped open the task manager window on the CPU and didn't go further to see what resources were tagged to it. Didn't have anything else open beyond .......
318: Hi-Rez Highway, RE: Even old dogs can (try to) learn new tricks... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-09-04, 13:26:27 (104.14.166.32)
Thanks Abe. Appreciate your thoughts on the cables, and I'll consider the charger a non-issue at this point. Have no plans for ripping right now. May get into that at some point in the future, but fo .......
319: Tweakers' Asylum, Notice (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-09-04, 10:35:48 (104.14.166.32)
. .......
320: Hi-Rez Highway, RE: Even old dogs can (try to) learn new tricks... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-09-04, 06:24:00 (104.14.166.32)
Thanks PAR. Very helpful. I was, in fact, referring to the linear power supply for powering the laptop. Not sure if the battery will last for as long as I'd like to listen. Noticed in task manager th .......
321: Vinyl Asylum, RE: FYI - Nottingham Analog Website says mounting distance is 222mm (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-09-03, 19:45:25 (104.14.166.32)
I wouldn't put a lot of faith in the information on that website. It's not Nottingham's original website, but a Polish copy of it. Authorized or not I don't know, but a number of errors are evident: t .......
322: Hi-Rez Highway, Even old dogs can (try to) learn new tricks... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-09-03, 16:00:06 (104.14.166.32)
Need some input on an initial streaming setup. I've been into audio for 30 years, and into streaming for all of 30 minutes. :) Currently just testing the waters, and running Tidal (HiFi) on my laptop .......
323: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: I think I found it (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-09-03, 11:55:31 (104.14.166.32)
99.9% of the world's population would say the same thing about the components, wires, connectors, outlets, etc. that we audiophiles buy. All a matter of perspective I guess... .......
324: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: I think I found it (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-09-03, 05:32:55 (104.14.166.32)
I'm not familiar with that brand, but that setup looks pretty sweet! Those of us here in the trailer park will have to make do with our $100 Weller WES51's. :) .......
325: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: $1000 soldering iron? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-09-02, 17:42:51 (104.14.166.32)
Hakko, maybe? Never heard of McHale. Although at $1000, even for a Hakko I'd bet that's a full soldering station (desolder/rework, etc) rather than just a standalone soldering iron. .......
326: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Yep... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-09-02, 15:57:59 (104.14.166.32)
Ok, ok...you win. :) Usually when I come across a sizable quantity of "old records" it's a collection of crap in both condition and musical value. Last collection I looked at (~500 LP's) had been play .......
327: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Errr...Errr... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-09-02, 14:53:47 (104.14.166.32)
Bet you got it in one of the bins labeled "Old Records." :) .......
328: Inmate Central, Dad seems to get around. :) (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-09-02, 07:10:31 (104.14.166.32)
. .......
329: Cable Asylum, RE: substitute for 5/8" hose for Flavor 4 VH DIY power cord (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-09-02, 07:05:14 (104.14.166.32)
You could try some vinyl tubing. Much more flexible than the (automotive) rubber hose. The reinforced variety (2nd picture) is not as flexible as the non-reinforced type, but is much less prone to kin .......
330: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Errr... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-09-02, 06:48:34 (104.14.166.32)
Problem is that the "Old Records" collections are mostly comprised of the complete works of Yanni, Herb Albert, Leif Garrett, and several copies of the Definitive Collection of the Partridge Family. .......
331: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Kudos to Jim McShane - the EH-6922's really ARE the only tube for my AI Mod 3a (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-09-01, 15:54:57 (104.14.166.32)
Good to know...thanks for posting! Jim, if you're listening, how would you compare the sound of the EH's to the current production Gold Lions (in a component that doesn't flog them)? Thanks! ::: TOPIC .......
332: Vinyl Asylum, And perhaps.... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-09-01, 15:11:00 (104.14.166.32)
....a community college course in marketing. "Old Records"? Wow. Can't wait to get over there. Draws me right in. How about "Collectible LP Treasures" or "Vintage Vinyl" or even "Perfect Sound Forever .......
333: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: Power Cord stripping HELP! (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-09-01, 15:06:06 (104.14.166.32)
Thanks for the update Ozzy. Now after you get them all assembled, you *do* have an Audiodharma to cook them on, right? :) That's some pretty pricey cable, so very interested to hear your sonic evaluat .......
334: Vinyl Asylum, So which is it? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-08-30, 16:05:37 (104.14.166.32)
A clamp or a weight? Perhaps I'm being too literal, but by definition, a clamp should have some means of affixing itself to the spindle (screw, friction, etc) and thereby "clamp" the record to the pla .......
335: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Ultrasonic cleaning (and on the cheap!) (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-08-30, 14:52:08 (104.14.166.32)
The pump and filter pictured use a 3/8" I.D., 1/2" O.D. hose. Picked that up at Lowes for (I think) $10 for 25 feet. Way more than needed, but that was the smallest quantity they had. I upgraded the f .......
336: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Ultrasonic cleaning (and on the cheap!) (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-08-27, 16:34:33 (104.14.166.32)
I have the Vinyl Stack too (love it) and a 6 liter US tank. You were wise to get the 9 liter size -- if I had to do it all over again that's what I'd get. The 6 L tank works fine, I'm just limited to .......
337: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: Power Cord stripping HELP! (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-08-27, 15:13:50 (104.14.166.32)
It should work great. Set the depth initially by testing at the very edge of the end of the cable. That way if you first set it a little too deep, it'll be in an area where you'll be stripping the shi .......
338: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: Power Cord stripping HELP! (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-08-27, 15:06:28 (104.14.166.32)
Nice looking plugs you have! Let us know how the rest of your cords go. .......
339: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: Power Cord stripping HELP! (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-08-26, 18:04:12 (104.14.166.32)
It's more like a sharp, flattened pin than a blade. It's specific to the tool, but lasts a long time before getting dull. An extra one is included with the tool, but beyond that you'd have to buy repl .......
340: Inmate Central, Cool.... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-08-26, 06:40:48 (104.14.166.32)
I'd get one of those to drive back and forth to the marina where I'd jump on this to get out to where my big yacht was anchored. :) .......
341: Cable Asylum, RE: Any thoughts, ideas, or opinions on WiSA? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-08-26, 06:27:37 (104.14.166.32)
Pretty interesting, and I agree the adoption could be rapid and widespread. Any loss of fidelity (assuming it's not substantial) won't be much of an issue to the mass market where convenience typicall .......
342: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: Power Cord stripping HELP! (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-08-25, 16:23:49 (104.14.166.32)
This is the best kind of tool for the job (we use these at work). The cutting blade is adjustable, so you can set it to the exact depth needed for the cord size you're working on. But quite pricey if .......
343: Inmate Central, RE: Hey! How'd my cat ... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-08-22, 17:18:03 (104.14.166.32)
Mine seems to prefer the floor. But then, she's in no danger of being adopted by Mensa. :) .......
344: Inmate Central, RE: Solar chart for tomorrow (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-08-20, 16:24:58 (104.14.166.32)
Yeah, I'm just west of Charlotte, NC where we'll get about 98%. I'm already dreading the drive to work tomorrow as I have 20 miles of I-85 south to traverse that's likely going to be a great big parki .......
345: Vinyl Asylum, RE: I still have my 70s car ... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-08-20, 06:45:14 (104.14.166.32)
Sweeeet! Would love to see a photo after it's painted. Had a '78 280Z, an '83 280ZX, and an '88 300ZX turbo. That '83 remains the most favorite of all the cars I've owned -- bought it with 53k miles o .......
346: Inmate Central, RE: Very impractical... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-08-19, 14:28:29 (104.14.166.32)
That's what happens when you leave engineering to an artist. :) .......
347: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: Con"fuse"ion (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-08-19, 14:21:55 (104.14.166.32)
Not sure if by "91% I-R-Alcohol" you're referring to isopropyl rubbing alcohol? If so, that wouldn't be my first choice, as rubbing alcohol typically contains lanolin and/or other skin conditioners th .......
348: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: The "fluctuation" in resistance (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-08-19, 10:18:32 (104.14.166.32)
Did you ever hear anything back from Parts Connexion? Interested in what they had to say if they responded. Thanks! .......
349: Tube DIY Asylum, LOL! (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-08-19, 10:14:15 (104.14.166.32)
Guess they didn't foresee that developing into a common abbreviation when these tubes were made. :) .......
350: Inmate Central, RE: The fence??. (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-08-19, 08:43:22 (104.14.166.32)
That's what you get for splurging on a NOS fence. Sometimes New New stock is better. :) .......
351: Tube DIY Asylum, RE: 6CG7 pin 9 tie to ground (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-08-19, 08:40:15 (104.14.166.32)
Eli, Thanks for that! I've had components using these tubes for years, and never really knew what the difference was. Made me go look. :) I have a number of 6CG7 (only) labeled tubes, a number of 6FQ7 .......
352: General Asylum, 2nd that... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-08-19, 07:06:25 (104.14.166.32)
Would help some warped senses of humor (like mine) be misinterpreted less often. Some frownies would help too when not misinterpreted. Nothing will help the double negatives though... .......
353: Inmate Central, RE: not bad for $150 (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-08-19, 05:00:41 (104.14.166.32)
Awesome! Love the pool lights too. I think you should keep the projector where it is and just get a bigger screen. :) .......
354: Inmate Central, RE: Yup, could definitely use a few paint sniffers... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-08-19, 04:53:28 (104.14.166.32)
What a gorgeous dog! And that's coming from a cat guy. :) But what's goin' on with that fence? .......
355: Vinyl Asylum, RE: they WON'T BE MISSED by me (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-08-16, 16:23:22 (104.14.166.32)
Apologies for the crappy picture... John, I use a foam mat rather than a rubber mat, but the same process as your second thought. I put the foam mat on top of the VPI's cork mat and place the wet .......
356: Inmate Central, RE: The fun part will be guessing... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-08-15, 18:27:54 (104.14.166.32)
We should just install a huge magnet over Pyongyang... .......
357: Vinyl Asylum, RE: they WON'T BE MISSED by me (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-08-15, 16:35:32 (104.14.166.32)
My DIY ultrasonic setup in conjunction with a vacuum machine (VPI 16.5) is audibly superior to using the vacuum machine alone, but the vacuuming is still necessary to remove all the fluid (and suspen .......
358: Critic's Corner, A conspiracy...I knew it! (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-08-13, 18:50:32 (104.14.166.32)
Just wondering when Isaac Garvey is gonna jump in claiming MQA is the wrong color... .......
359: Tubes Asylum, RE: eBay tubes Gold pins? Real? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-08-13, 13:41:06 (104.14.166.32)
There's also the "RCA" 7316's he has two listings for. AFAIK, the Heerlen, Holland factory was the only plant to ever manufacture a 7316, with Amperex branding the most prevalent. It's possible (but h .......
360: Critic's Corner, RE: Question for JA: Why no colored vinyl LP advocate at Stereophile? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-08-13, 07:24:08 (104.14.166.32)
But what about us blue- and red-ophiles? I know you can't please everyone, but I'd sure appreciate some effort at pleasing me . :) .......
361: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Joists at 16" on center? Maybe in your neighborhood. (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-08-13, 05:30:20 (104.14.166.32)
I stand corrected. I was thinking wall studs, as you correctly surmised. My joists are 16", but I have long spans (24') of engineered trusses. I believe the spacing on these is specified by the manufa .......
362: Inmate Central, RE: Our lawn is Scorched as in BURNED by chemicals !! (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-08-12, 19:24:31 (104.14.166.32)
You must have mid-fi grass. Audiophile grass stays green during the winter. :) .......
363: Inmate Central, RE: Memories...like the cordite of my mind... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-08-12, 16:33:15 (104.14.166.32)
I was lucky to have use of a free outdoor shooting range back when I was burning through .44 mag ammo. Nothing fancy -- just a few picnic tables on a graveled area and mounds at 25, 50, 75, and 100 ya .......
364: Inmate Central, I like this one best.... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-08-12, 16:22:46 (104.14.166.32)
...although it would admittedly be a bit unwieldy in the car. :) .......
365: Inmate Central, RE: Our lawn is Scorched as in BURNED by chemicals !! (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-08-12, 16:01:58 (104.14.166.32)
Well Abe, this won't make you feel any better but your scorched grass looks better than my Nutsedge infected lawn. My neighbor on one side is retired and spends a lot of time in his yard, and it's bea .......
366: Inmate Central, RE: LOL! (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-08-12, 15:39:11 (104.14.166.32)
The Officers Model aka "Defender" (bottom) is about 2/3's the size of a standard 1911 (top), and only one less round mag capacity. Fits in the hand nicely, and I like the added whomp of a .45 over a . .......
367: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Records storage - How high to stack (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-08-12, 06:29:27 (104.14.166.32)
Are you sure your joist spacing is 12" on center? 16" is far more common. Regardless, Option 1 would be the best bet as spreading the weight over multiple joists would be better than concentrating it .......
368: Inmate Central, LOL! (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-08-11, 15:53:54 (104.14.166.32)
The "boom" of a .44 Mag is *is* truly satisfying, but can be surpassed at times by the "boom" "boom" "boom" "boom" "boom" of a good .45 auto. :) I love my S&W 686 Classic Hunter, but for close quarter .......
369: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Beware...International Fraud on Asylum Trader (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-08-11, 15:40:05 (104.14.166.32)
Thanks for the heads-up and glad you didn't get burned. Not sure I understand how the money orders "initially cleared" but were later returned unpaid. Seems if the bank cleared them then they were cle .......
370: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: The "fluctuation" in resistance (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-08-07, 18:38:06 (104.14.166.32)
LOL! Here's a really embarrassing meter story for you: A number of years ago I was putting some new 845 tubes in my Cary 805 amps. Connected the trusty Fluke to check the bias, and got no reading at a .......
371: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: The "fluctuation" in resistance (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-08-07, 15:57:47 (104.14.166.32)
I have a couple of the Gold version Hi-Fi Tuning fuses with 250mA fast-blow ratings (but no 100mA). Both read .1 ohms in both directions on my intermediate level Fluke meter, which I attribute to just .......
372: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: interesting EMI experiment (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-07-28, 19:00:36 (104.14.166.32)
Did you have the component each cord was connected to powered up when you did your test? I have a cheap EMI detector,and when I first started playing with it, I was amazed that the detector buzzed lou .......
373: Inmate Central, Caption needed: (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-07-23, 06:03:32 (104.14.166.32)
"Those aren't MY footprints on the turntable. See?" .......
374: Inmate Central, Well, since you brought it up.... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-07-22, 04:16:57 (104.14.166.32)
:) .......
375: Tweakers' Asylum, LOL!!! (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-07-13, 18:58:00 (104.14.166.32)
Their expressions are priceless. :) .......
376: Cable Asylum, RE: power cord trick (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-07-10, 16:32:03 (104.14.166.32)
TIN PLATED BRASS!??!?!?!? Isn't that like stopping by Clem's Gas 'N Grub and filling up your Ferrari with 4-year old 87 octane? Just kidding. :) It's always nice to use what you already have .......
377: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: best on/off toggle switch to fix Thor phono stage (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-07-10, 16:11:12 (104.14.166.32)
If it were mine, I'd pull the broken switch out, and see what markings exist on the housing and then try and match that up with the offerings at Mouser or Digikey. At minimum the voltage and current r .......
378: Cable Asylum, RE: power cord trick (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-07-08, 20:33:55 (104.14.166.32)
Are you sure you won't negate the benefits of the FI-10 by running the incoming power through the nickel or tin plated, magnetic steel contacts of that fuse holder? The Furutech FI-03 is only $15 in g .......
379: Cable Asylum, RE: power cord trick (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-07-08, 07:09:25 (104.14.166.32)
When I re-did the wiring in the Furutech e-TP60, I replaced the stock IEC socket with the Furutech FI-06(G). Even though the stock IEC was a nice gold-plated Furutech connector itself, I wanted the sc .......
380: Cable Asylum, RE: power cord trick (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-07-08, 06:37:53 (104.14.166.32)
Thanks for that info, Duster. I'll have to order some Black Mamba and give it a try. I'm currently using the 11-gauge Neotech NEP-3002 III with the Furutech FI-11G connectors on both ends between the .......
381: Cable Asylum, RE: power cord trick (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-07-04, 08:01:07 (104.14.166.32)
So if you couldn't hear a difference between the "high buck" cords and the stock cords, why did you buy the high buck cords to begin with? .......
382: Vinyl Asylum, RE: SRA related part two (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-07-04, 07:08:19 (104.14.166.32)
If you have a Dremel or other rotary tool, run down to Home Depot and get a couple sample pieces of laminated countertop material (ie: Formica, as one brand name). They usually have these hanging on a .......
383: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Enzymatic Cleaners - A Recco Plz (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-07-04, 06:41:58 (104.14.166.32)
I have the Audio Intelligent enzyme cleaner that Travis linked. Works well on noisy, used records, although it needs to be left on the LP for about 5 minutes before vacuuming off to give the enzymes t .......
384: Cable Asylum, RE: Hookup Wire Recommendations Requested (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-07-03, 04:01:16 (104.14.166.32)
Lots of options for this, and probably twice that many opinions. :) I like the Neotech UPOCC copper wire. Available with teflon or PVC insulation, and in solid or stranded (solid core will be easier t .......
385: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: Yes, it will make a difference... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-07-03, 03:42:55 (104.14.166.32)
I agree with Lew. Very audible differences between the type (and brand) of cap used. But define "small." I like the Jensen copper foil/oil caps in this application. Have tried several different types .......
386: Inmate Central, I did not know that (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-07-03, 03:15:44 (104.14.166.32)
Learn something new every day. But I suspect those using X in place of Christ are doing it from laziness rather than knowledge of the Greek language, so I'm still irritated. :) .......
387: Inmate Central, Can't wait to see that... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-07-03, 03:11:28 (104.14.166.32)
Loved the original. .......
388: SET Asylum, RE: I'm a relative innocent, so (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-07-02, 16:14:40 (104.14.166.32)
I've had a pair of Lores for about a year and a half now. Unbelievably good speakers for the money. When I bought them I'd just purchased a house and didn't have the pile of money available that I tho .......
389: Inmate Central, RE: Which brings me to my annual holiday rant (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-07-02, 05:59:06 (104.14.166.32)
I'll join your rant. Just as irritating (to me) as "Xmas." Why do people "X" Christ out of his own birthday, Christian or not? .......
390: Vinyl Asylum, RE: I've owned 6 Regas and light/rigid is the only way to go. (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-07-01, 16:42:16 (104.14.166.32)
The Neuance is an awesome platform for Nottinghams too. :) And amps, preamps, and DACs as well. Sadly, I'm short one for my transport. Have several sitting unloved in the closet that are the wro .......
391: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: DIY Audio Cable/Power Cord Project Tools (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-07-01, 16:02:22 (104.14.166.32)
Duster, You left out the most important tool of all.... :) .......
392: Inmate Central, RE: Water, lots. No earthquakes, no tornadoes, not too hot (really not over 90F) not a lot of snow, cheap rents. (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-07-01, 14:46:07 (104.14.166.32)
SE Wisconsin must have a different climate than central WI. I was in the Wausau area for 2 winters. My first night there (late January) the low was -26. Two nights later it hit -34. My friggin' car ba .......
393: Shady Lane, RE: It is not fraud. Period. So the recorder broke with in transit. (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-07-01, 06:20:33 (104.14.166.32)
Well, I won't say "always use PayPal" as a buyer. Ooops. Sorry. :) You received the unit in a non-functioning condition. I mean what good is a tape recorder that won't record? You appear to have repor .......
394: Vinyl Asylum, RE: tonearm / cartridge resonance test --- video (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-07-01, 05:31:00 (104.14.166.32)
Per John's comments below and needing to slightly reduce the arm's effective mass, there is a counterweight adapter available (or at least used to be) for the Graham. But it won't help as it's added o .......
395: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: External L-pad Connections Wiring Scheme (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-06-30, 18:13:55 (104.14.166.32)
Snell used nasty sounding potentiometers in both the E-III's and C-IV's I used to own, FWIW. .......
396: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: Any advantage to having a bigger trafo on headphone amp? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-06-30, 17:56:05 (104.14.166.32)
A linear power supply would quite likely offer some improvements, but more from eliminating the noise produced by that wal-wart (which is quite likely a switching supply) than from the size of the tra .......
397: Inmate Central, RE: Thank you ... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-06-30, 17:39:58 (104.14.166.32)
That whole area is quite nice. Gets cold and snowy in the winter, but less snow and a shorter cold season than the northeast. Summers are awesome. You should spend a few vacation days there and hit th .......
398: Inmate Central, RE: I have a friend in Asheville... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-06-30, 15:16:13 (104.14.166.32)
Asheville is great. So is Boone, home of my alma mater Appalachian State. Greenville/Spartanburg area in SC is also very nice, as is Charleston. I'm just outside of Charlotte and like it here. It's my .......
399: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Tweaks for Nottingham 294 (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-06-28, 17:01:09 (104.14.166.32)
Agreed on both points -- the 'table and the arm. I have a Hyperspace, but I assume the design shortcomings are a family affair. :) I found an easy way to deal with the azimuth: using tungsten putty, r .......
400: Vinyl Asylum, This: (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-06-27, 18:40:19 (104.14.166.32)
. .......
401: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Got The SP 10 In Plinth With Riggle Arm (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-06-18, 05:27:35 (104.14.166.32)
Nice job!! Great looking setup. It's hard to tell from the photo, but it doesn't look like you have Riggle's VTAF on there? I put one on my Nottingham to resolve its' crappy VTA adjustment design and .......
402: Inmate Central, RE: I agree with Pictureguy (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-06-10, 14:53:43 (104.14.166.252)
You're right that people are very passionate and opinionated about oil... And you're right with that statement. :) If you ever end up one day with absolutely nothing to do, head over to RX8Club.com .......
403: Inmate Central, RE: The very first 2018 Toyota Camry is at a Dealership! (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-06-10, 08:50:11 (104.14.166.252)
It looks like the 2018's are actually being equipped with engines as standard equipment. Cool! Maybe they'll have enough power now to get the hell out of the left lane. Around here, Camry drivers are .......
404: Tube DIY Asylum, RE: Sometimes you get lucky (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-06-10, 08:19:56 (104.14.166.252)
You're right....even though these sockets had the right "qualities," they didn't have the right quality. :) If only I'd known about the Amph's or Cinch's back then.... .......
405: Tube DIY Asylum, Sometimes you get lucky (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-06-10, 07:23:52 (104.14.166.252)
As I'm getting ready to do capacitor surgery on the Art Jota, I figured I'd hook up the neglected and miserably lonely Audio Electronic Super Amp in the interim. But instead of music, I got a horrendo .......
406: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Creedence Clearwater Revival vinyl quality (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-06-05, 17:21:36 (104.14.166.252)
I have only Cosmos Factory. Absolutely horrible. Sounds like I'm listening through a cheap transistor radio. Very disappointing as I love the music. .......
407: Inmate Central, RE: Hijackers Of The Day... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-06-04, 14:13:09 (104.14.166.252)
I love tall women. They lay longer. :) .......
408: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Goldline (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-06-03, 15:37:41 (104.14.166.252)
The Koetsu takes the midrange up a couple notches in low level detail, microdynamics, and harmonic detailing. It goes lower in the bass, but at the expense of some control and dynamic slam. Treble is .......
409: Vinyl Asylum, +1 (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-06-03, 13:51:41 (104.14.166.252)
The Zu-modded Denon is a really nice cartridge, and does exactly what the OP states that he's looking for. I prefer my Koetsu overall, but it's 3X the price. If I didn't have it, I could live very hap .......
410: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: Equipment cleaning - polished stainless steel (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-06-02, 14:56:50 (104.14.166.252)
The Midas touch will work on chrome too. Lots of variation in chrome plating thickness and hardness though, so definitely test it first. It'll clean quite well and should remove heat discoloration if .......
411: Inmate Central, The '70's are calling.... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-06-01, 17:47:15 (104.14.166.252)
...and want their plate back. Food looks good though. :) .......
412: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: Then again.... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-06-01, 16:37:07 (104.14.166.252)
LOL! I never actually added stuff up, but I'm pretty sure that paycheck didn't even cover the cost of the electricity consumed. There were other perks though...I really miss going to CES. Reviewers g .......
413: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: Equipment cleaning - polished stainless steel (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-06-01, 16:22:12 (104.14.166.252)
Susie, Are they the AtmaSphere Novacrons? What you may be seeing is heat discoloration if it has kind of a black/blue tint to it. Been in the stainless fabrication business for the last 25 years, and .......
414: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: Viborg Milled Aluminum Gold AC connectors (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-05-31, 18:50:19 (104.14.166.252)
Duster, Looking forward to your comparisons when you have time to post them. .......
415: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: And now for something completely different (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-05-31, 16:24:23 (104.14.166.252)
Then I'd just be doing more of what I do now. Doing stuff for audio would be a lot more fun though. :) Unfortunately the cost of the machinery needed would be prohibitive, even if bought used. Still, .......
416: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: And now for something completely different (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-05-31, 16:14:27 (104.14.166.252)
I've used it in the previous chassis. This is just a cosmetic upgrade. :) It offers a decent improvement over the inexpensive wal-wart that came with the Remedy. More ease in the upper frequencies, le .......
417: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: And now for something completely different (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-05-30, 18:46:46 (104.14.166.252)
Thanks for the compliment and the thought. May be one of those retirement "jobs" to look at (which isn't too terribly far away for me). I can't remotely imagine just sitting around. I hate golf. I've .......
418: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: And now for something completely different (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-05-30, 16:42:33 (104.14.166.252)
Thanks Duster! I hadn't thought of the carbon fiber discs, but I'll give 'em a try. Thanks for the suggestion. I have one set under the Art Jota amp where they offered some nice improvements over the .......
419: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: And now for something completely different (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-05-30, 16:27:55 (104.14.166.252)
Thanks! Funny, I spent quite a bit of time looking at DC connectors when I put the first box together, trying to determine which would be sonically transparent and easy to cut a hole for. And then it .......
420: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: And now for something completely different (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-05-30, 16:23:57 (104.14.166.252)
LOL! The spousal unit asked me what in the world I was building this time. "A power supply," I replied matter-of-factly. She gave the usual eye roll and walked off. I should have said it was a sex toy .......
421: Tweakers' Asylum, And now for something completely different (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-05-29, 05:58:40 (104.14.166.252)
A while back, I put together an AMB linear power supply kit for my Remedy Reclocker to replace the factory supplied wal-wart switching supply. AMB supplies some of the parts with the kit, while others .......
422: Cable Asylum, +1 (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-05-29, 05:24:23 (104.14.166.252)
Great binding posts. I've replaced cheap gold-plated-brass factory posts on 2 pairs of speakers with these, and the sonic improvement was significant on both. Plus, these are very robust and can take .......
423: Vinyl Asylum, LOL! (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-05-28, 16:32:37 (104.14.166.252)
Don't forget the spikes for the bottom of the legs. :) .......
424: Tubes Asylum, +1 (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-05-28, 14:49:10 (104.14.166.252)
Can't comment on the JJ's (haven't tried them), but my +1 is for your solid advice to buy tested and matched tubes from a reliable vendor. To the OP: with such a nice (and expensive) component, don't .......
425: Inmate Central, RE: Bye-bye Boxster (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-05-28, 14:30:55 (104.14.166.252)
Bummer. I still remember the heart shredding that occurred when I had to trade my twin turbo 300ZX in on a......Honda Accord. The gift of an adopted child necessitated it (and I have no regrets whatso .......
426: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Hum, dang it. (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-05-28, 14:22:51 (104.14.166.252)
Forgive me for being thick, but just want to be sure I understand your setup. Are these 2 separate systems, or one system with both TT's, both phono stages, and both preamps all hooked up together at .......
427: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Hum, dang it. (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-05-28, 08:36:35 (104.14.166.252)
Are the phono stage, preamp, and amp all plugged into the same outlet or into a common power distributor/conditioner for each system? If any of the interconnected components are plugged into different .......
428: Inmate Central, RE: spray washing car engines yay or nay? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-05-28, 06:20:11 (104.14.166.252)
My opinion? Depends on the car, and whether the myriad of sensor and other electrical connectors are sealed, potted, or booted. For instance, all the engine bay connectors in my wife's Lexus are seale .......
429: Inmate Central, You're lucky. (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-05-27, 16:18:55 (104.14.166.252)
Last rental car I got was a Nissan Versa. I was supposed to get a mid-sized, but Enterprise being the usual Enterprise, the Versa was all they had available. I guess I've been pretty lucky to be able .......
430: Vinyl Asylum, With friends like that... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-05-27, 15:57:57 (104.14.166.252)
....you need more friends. :) Sweeeeeeeet! .......
431: Speaker Asylum, RE: Zu Soul Supreme sensitivity (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-05-27, 05:21:04 (104.14.166.252)
I'm running my Lores with ~21 watts of SET power (300BXLS output tubes), and they will play stupid loud. Unless you like to play rock at 105 dB in a huge room, I'd bet your 8 watts will be plenty. Not .......
432: Inmate Central, RE: You will love this I bet..It's called Payback. (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-05-27, 05:09:19 (104.14.166.252)
Shoot us a picture of the Cougar when you get it out. A best bud in high school had a '68 (hardtop), and I always lusted over that car. .......
433: Inmate Central, Love it! (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-05-27, 04:31:22 (104.14.166.252)
Makes me wonder what digital tastes like though. :) .......
434: Vinyl Asylum, Please tell me you're not serious? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-05-23, 18:14:36 (104.14.166.252)
The dielectric is obviously not teflon. :) .......
435: General Asylum, What kind.... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-05-21, 14:36:38 (104.14.166.252)
...of tubes you have in that? Bet they're some choice New New Stock, aren't they? :) .......
436: Tubes Asylum, RE: Unplugged Plasma TV and Installed Genelex Gold Lion GZ-34 Rectifier tube. Wow! (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-05-21, 13:08:54 (104.14.166.252)
I obviously can't speak to your setup, but I remember one of my first tube rolling experiences was many years ago when I came across a stash of NOS RCA 5AR4's at a repair shop that was shutting down. .......
437: Critic's Corner, +1 (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-05-21, 07:11:40 (104.14.166.252)
I'd be very interested in the demographics particularly. Is the increase due to young blood, or just a higher number of retirees with nothing else to do? :) .......
438: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: Kemet series R46 X type safety capacitors (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-05-21, 06:11:18 (104.14.166.252)
I just guess I'll never know unless some "expert" tells me or maybe if I actually try different ones and see for myself?? Here's an idea. Perhaps you should practice what you preach rather than jus .......
439: General Asylum, RE: Interesting (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-05-21, 05:53:04 (104.14.166.252)
I'd be more concerned about the PayPal fee. Or maybe that's included. :)) .......
440: Tubes Asylum, LOL! (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-05-20, 12:03:53 (104.14.166.252)
Didn't make that connection. :) But it's safe to say that if this imaginary Tube Sellers Association would admit OGA as a member, it would have a similar reputation. .......
441: Tubes Asylum, But only.... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-05-20, 11:56:30 (104.14.166.252)
...if you agree to contact them first. If you don't agree, then the clams are probably fine. :) .......
442: Tubes Asylum, Careful DAK..... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-05-20, 06:32:11 (104.14.166.252)
If OGR comes over here, he'll likely report you to the Tube Sellers Association, "equable" or not. Bwhahahahaha! Perhaps he should just say he's gonna tell his Mommy. :) .......
443: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: DIY Power Distributor (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-05-19, 16:44:13 (104.14.166.252)
Pixel, Nice job! And many thanks for the nice photos and taking the time to share the details. I bought the fully assembled e-TP60 (from Chris VH, incidentally) about a year ago. It has the Furutech F .......
444: General Asylum, RE: If it would only cook dinner.... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-05-06, 14:23:01 (104.14.166.252)
Depends on what you eat for dinner. Real audiophiles eat wire. :) .......
445: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: Your Furutech FI-11M(Cu) AC plug is genuine. (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-05-06, 14:17:26 (104.14.166.252)
Duster, Not questioning your comments on this as your experience eclipses mine substantially, but one of the reasons I questioned the authenticity was the rough, grainy surface of the prongs and groun .......
446: Inmate Central, $22,580 was the bill I got.... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-05-06, 06:03:41 (104.14.166.252)
....from the NC Dept. of Revenue after I moved from CA to NC in 2011. It was for tax year 2008, and the actual income tax was only about $7k -- the rest was interest and penalties for my failure to fi .......
447: General Asylum, +1 (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-05-06, 05:39:58 (104.14.166.252)
Lummy, it's time for an upgrade. :) I retired my version 2.0 Cooker after 16+ years of regular usage. Still worked just fine, but the new one is 'mo better and 'mo faster. Like you, I consider it an i .......
448: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: Attn: Duster - Furutech FI-11M (CU) Plug (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-05-03, 18:49:29 (104.14.166.252)
Perhaps you got one of the ones as sold below. To my knowledge (which isn't all-encompassing), that is not a genuine Furutech plug but rather a knockoff. The genuine FI-11M CU has solid copper blades .......
449: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: Attn: Duster - Furutech FI-11M (CU) Plug (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-05-03, 17:25:04 (104.14.166.252)
I'm not Duster (and I'm sure he's very glad to learn that) :), but what you appear to have is a genuine outer shell for an FI-11 Copper plug and the innards from something else. I have both the gold a .......
450: Inmate Central, RE: Yeah, sure. (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-05-02, 19:08:34 (104.14.166.252)
Cats learn "no" very quickly at the business end of a squirt gun. Try and make a dog use a litter box when you're away for the weekend. :) .......
451: Inmate Central, RE: Dogs have owners/masters, cats have staff? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-05-02, 18:34:29 (104.14.166.252)
A dog is your friend by default. A cat makes you earn it. But once you do, they can be as great a friend as a dog. I have both and love 'em all. .......
452: Inmate Central, Dang Young-uns... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-05-02, 16:05:00 (104.14.166.252)
Them's not glasses, that there thing is a visor. Sheeez. Jordi got the audiophile version, and he wasn't even a Vulcan. .......
453: Inmate Central, Since when.... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-05-01, 18:39:29 (104.14.166.252)
...do Vulcans wear glasses? That's obviously a fake photo. :) .......
454: Inmate Central, Let's see.... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-04-30, 06:25:55 (104.14.166.252)
1) Throw jeans in washer 2) Add detergent 3) Spin dial, push button 4) Throw in dryer 5) Spin dial, push button The significant additional labor required to vinegar-ize and freeze just doesn't pan out .......
455: Vinyl Asylum, I can't believe you're bashing THIS one (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-04-30, 06:02:43 (104.14.166.252)
I mean, really: 1)State-of-the-art battery power supply 2)No microscope required to examine the stylus 3)Direct drive, no belts to replace or futz with 4)Handles warps better than most any player ever .......
456: Digital Drive, RE: Cambridge Audio Importer (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-04-29, 14:31:42 (104.14.166.252)
I got mine at Amazon. I didn't know Music Direct offered them, or I would have sent my funds their way instead. .......
457: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: "my skepticism was instead replaced by a lighter wallet" (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-04-29, 14:23:19 (104.14.166.252)
But, assuming for a moment that I could hear an improvement, two things give me pause with boutique fuses. The first is the accuracy of their specifications. Does their 0.125 A fuse really open at mo .......
458: Vinyl Asylum, RE: But... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-04-29, 13:54:25 (104.14.166.252)
Good point. Probably a contributing factor, and maybe a significant one. Digital was also pretty lacking at that point, and even though I had a well-regarded player of the time (a Philips LHH-500), th .......
459: Vinyl Asylum, Roksan Radius (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-04-29, 09:54:39 (104.14.166.252)
This was my second "audiophile" turntable, replacing a Rega Planar 2/RB250. There was something very special about this 'table's ability to involve you in the music...nearly 20 years ago. Call it the .......
460: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: "Solder would just have their [sic] own indentations" (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-04-29, 08:21:35 (104.14.166.252)
I try and keep an open mind about things, but I guess I'm too much of a skeptic to spend $100 on a disposable fuse "Just to see". Me too. Upon re-assembling a system after a 10 year remission and sca .......
461: General Asylum, Thanks for the pics! (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-04-25, 18:13:21 (104.14.166.252)
And really nice job with the photography. .......
462: General Asylum, LOL! (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-04-25, 18:11:05 (104.14.166.252)
It's what the Bose engineers came up with after they got trashed at last year's Christmas party. :) .......
463: Inmate Central, LOL!! (nt) (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-04-23, 09:20:29 (104.14.166.252)
. .......
464: Tubes Asylum, There IS such a thing..... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-04-23, 06:08:52 (104.14.166.252)
....it's just not built-in. :) .......
465: Inmate Central, RE: All that added to the spying, porn etc. is what HUMANS would do... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-04-21, 16:37:18 (104.14.166.252)
Prove it isn't. .......
466: Tube DIY Asylum, RE: Cornell Dubilier Caps (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-04-17, 18:03:28 (104.14.166.252)
That could well be all that's wrong with mine. I pushed on the area that was popped up, and it's pretty hard under there (no flex), but that could just be deformed plastic. I have a simple capacitance .......
467: Tube DIY Asylum, RE: Cornell Dubilier Caps (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-04-17, 17:49:13 (104.14.166.252)
Thanks Eli! .......
468: Tube DIY Asylum, RE: Have you checked 100 x 450v? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-04-16, 14:04:55 (104.14.166.252)
I haven't looked extensively yet. I see 100uF/400v caps on CD's website in a couple different varieties, but haven't easily found a retailer for them at this point. I'm wondering if Joe Fratus selecte .......
469: Tube DIY Asylum, RE: Take a look.... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-04-16, 13:37:52 (104.14.166.252)
The 100uF/500v caps have snap-in leads....I'll have to get the board pulled out to see of the PCB holes are large enough. Pricey too, but then I did just say that cost was not the main factor. :) Than .......
470: Tube DIY Asylum, Cornell Dubilier Caps (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-04-16, 05:48:17 (104.14.166.252)
Need some advice. Had the bottom plate off my Art Jota HC amp yesterday, and noticed that one of the electrolytics has a bulge in the top of it. Not leaking, but that bulge concerns me as it's rather .......
471: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: Wiring outlet box (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-04-15, 05:23:20 (104.14.166.252)
Why not just use a plastic j-box, and all the grounding issues go away? :) .......
472: Tube DIY Asylum, LOL!! (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-04-15, 05:19:42 (104.14.166.252)
That's the schematic for a Krell integrated amp, right? :) .......
473: Vinyl Asylum, 17' x 19'....kind of... (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-04-14, 16:49:45 (104.14.166.252)
The "proper" room is 19 feet long, but there's an opening into the dining room which adds another 15'. To the left, the 10' ceiling disappears about 2/3 of the way into the 17' dimension and is open .......
474: Whiner's Woad, RE: It's SO Hard Not To Be Sarcastic (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-04-14, 06:21:51 (104.14.166.252)
Your question would seem to indicate that you're not here to contribute anything of value or merit, but rather just to pick apart what other people write. Maybe that's the problem. .......
475: Cable Asylum, RE: Big +1 on the Furutech IEC inlets (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-04-14, 06:01:23 (104.14.166.252)
Good to know Duster, thanks. I haven't tried the Oyaide IEC sockets, as I haven't seen a version with an integral fuse holder (like the Furutech FI-03/06) and all but one of my components have require .......
476: Cable Asylum, RE: Big +1 on the Furutech IEC inlets (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-04-14, 05:49:38 (104.14.166.252)
Be aware that anything with a rhodium plating takes a good while to break in, at least IME. So the improvements you're hearing now will likely improve even further after you get 200+ hours on the inle .......
477: Vinyl Asylum, LOL!! (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-04-11, 17:45:50 (104.14.166.252)
What a great way to drain vibration! .......
478: Inmate Central, RE: I do. (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-04-11, 15:43:59 (104.14.166.252)
Well, you should move to Cary, NC then (Cary Audio's original hometown). Cary is an acronym for Containment Area for Relocated Yankees. :) Kidding aside, most Carolinians I know are pretty welcoming, .......
479: Inmate Central, RE: I do. (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-04-11, 14:55:42 (104.14.166.252)
$1200 a month? Really? What, do you smoke a carton a day? Sheeeez.... A carton here in NC is $55 for the premium brands. Still unhealthy and still a bad waste of money, just not quite to the extreme y .......
480: General Asylum, RE: Some climates and poly rugs have static charge that can zap cables on floor (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-04-09, 14:57:47 (104.14.166.252)
My experience supports what you've read. In my last house, the listening room was carpet on a concrete pad. Don't know what the carpet was made of (poly or nylon or what), but there was a definite imp .......
481: Cable Asylum, RE: Anybody have any experience with Furutech FT-111 RCA's? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-04-09, 14:28:52 (104.14.166.252)
I've been curious what that wire would sound like as an interconnect. I might give it a try after I see what this gold wire sounds like. I'm going to give the assembled I/C's another full day cooking .......
482: Cable Asylum, RE: Anybody have any experience with Furutech FT-111 RCA's? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-04-09, 13:25:01 (104.14.166.252)
Good suggestion, Duster, but I tried that. It just separated and still climbed up the side(s) of the setscrew. With the way it's behaving, the bottom of the setscrew must be rounded (if even slightly) .......
483: Vinyl Asylum, LOL!!! (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-04-08, 15:30:39 (104.14.166.252)
Been a while since I've seen Ronco mentioned. "And if you act now, you'll get the Cap Snaffler absolutely free, and it REALLY REALLY works!" Guess I'm dating myself. :) .......
484: Cable Asylum, Big +1 on the Furutech IEC inlets (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-04-08, 15:08:33 (104.14.166.252)
Agree wholeheartedly on the Furu IEC inlet sockets. Big improvement in my system for very little money, and whenever I get a new component it's usually the first thing I change out. Have yet to get a .......
485: Tweakers' Asylum, RE: Novus 1 as a CD/DVD Cleaner (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-04-08, 14:39:40 (104.14.166.252)
I like the Zaino Plastic Magic. Bought it for my car, then on a whim used it on one of my son's X-Box discs that was fingerprinted to death, scratched up and wouldn't read. Cleaned it with the Zaino, .......
486: Cable Asylum, RE: Anybody have any experience with Furutech FT-111 RCA's? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-04-08, 06:40:22 (104.14.166.252)
Had some time to work on the cable last night. For me, the FT-111's are very frustrating to work with for a small diameter (ie: 23 gauge) wire. The wire wants to pop up to the side of the setscrew as .......
487: Inmate Central, RE: Large printer for printing schematics.Help me out here. (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-04-08, 05:50:14 (104.14.166.252)
Michael, if you want 3x the size of an 8.5" x 11", you'll need a plotter. I've never seen a laser plotter at that size -- they may exist, but I doubt you'd touch one for less than 5 figures, even used .......
488: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Flaky White Residue From Stylast Stylus Treatment (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-04-07, 16:07:06 (104.14.166.252)
Ahhhh.....I'm guessing the shipping box for that cost more than my whole microscope. :) Thanks for the info. .......
489: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Flaky White Residue From Stylast Stylus Treatment (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-04-07, 14:37:18 (104.14.166.252)
Sorry to go off-topic here, but John, I assume you took those photos with a USB microscope? What power and what brand, if you don't mind me asking? I have a cheap one, but don't get anywhere near that .......
490: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Chicken / Egg (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-04-07, 13:43:16 (104.14.166.252)
You're totally ignoring my statement that it is not that LPs have changed, it is that consumers' expectations have changed. Why do you do that? Because the "consumers" you're talking about are those .......
491: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Chicken / Egg (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-04-07, 12:27:40 (104.14.166.252)
As I've outlined in my original post, consumers have become more demanding of the quality of LPs. As they started getting better turntables, and reading all the hi fi hype in the magazines, they star .......
492: Vinyl Asylum, Chicken / Egg (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-04-07, 08:36:42 (104.14.166.252)
So, did Tower (and others) quit stocking LP's first, or did we (consumers) quit buying them first which resulted in them not stocking ? :) The root cause, of course, is that demand fell, and CD's were .......
493: Cable Asylum, RE: Supra ZAC Toslink Cable Report (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-04-07, 08:20:30 (104.14.166.252)
There wasn't any real issue (on initial listen) with too much top end. A little more detail up top, but not overblown. Bass was a bit deeper, and overall macrodynamics improved a touch. But what seeme .......
494: Cable Asylum, RE: Dangerous AC delivery device (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-04-07, 08:13:18 (104.14.166.252)
A dead short should cause the breaker to trip. But the bigger danger is in using unrated and imperfectly applied insulation materials resulting in a current flow between the conductors. Not a dead sho .......
495: Cable Asylum, RE: Supra ZAC Toslink Cable Report (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-04-04, 18:34:13 (104.14.166.252)
I'm quite impressed with the Lifatec's quality. Very nicely manufactured. I have nothing to compare it to sonically, so I simply don't know what's responsible for the mixed results (so far). Could wel .......
496: Vinyl Asylum, RE: You don't know if you don't ask....vpi counterweight (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-04-04, 18:24:56 (104.14.166.252)
$800 - $1000 for a counterweight? Seriously? Or is that a typo? Sheeez, I balked at paying $50 for a heavier counterweight for my Nott' arm. I don't have any firsthand experience with VPI arms so don' .......
497: Inmate Central, +1 on that (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-04-03, 17:45:33 (104.14.166.252)
And if anyone could predict the market accurately and consistently, you wouldn't know about it because they wouldn't be stupid enough to share it. .......
498: Vinyl Asylum, ROFL! (nt) (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-04-02, 17:17:57 (104.14.166.252)
. .......
499: Inmate Central, RE: Future Hall of Famer (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-04-01, 18:04:17 (104.14.166.252)
What a cutie! But really, Rod, hold off on that next component purchase and buy her some shoes. :) .......
500: Cable Asylum, RE: Anybody have any experience with Furutech FT-111 RCA's? (0.00)
Posted by bcowen on 2017-04-01, 17:59:46 (104.14.166.252)
Thanks for the input Duster. I was aiming more for a minimal dielectric result by going with the bare wire. All dielectrics seem to impose some signature on the sound, so I figured less was better whi .......
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