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1: General Asylum, The acronym (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2022-12-08, 07:45:29 (98.97.59.135)
The name, DENAFRIPS, stand for: D-ynamic E-xquisite N-atural A-ttractive F-idelity R-efined I-ntoxicating P-ure S-ophisticated .......
2: General Asylum, RE: REVIEW: DENAFRIPS Pontus II DAC Processors (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2022-12-08, 07:43:34 (98.97.59.135)
Yeah, I read similar stories of people trying the Aries, liking the general sound but maybe lacking something, then getting the Pontus. So I skipped that step though the Pontus was much more expensive .......
3: General Asylum, RE: REVIEW: DENAFRIPS Pontus II DAC Processors (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2022-12-08, 07:37:37 (98.97.59.135)
I think that most do not hear the DS noise that some of us are sensitive to, in which case, they may be preferable in some ways. One of the few DS DACs that I heard at a show that did not have the DS .......
4: General Asylum, RE: One question (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2022-12-08, 07:29:26 (136.144.33.40)
A chip DAC at nearly twice the price. I doubt I would like that. I have not heard it. But I would consider the Venus for that price. Though the Pontus is the sweet spot in terms of value I read. I hav .......
5: Planar Speaker Asylum, x.7 brightness (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2022-11-26, 13:18:22 (98.97.59.135)
I heard new 3.7s when they came out, but they were way too bright for me. Does that mellow after they are matured? .......
6: Planar Speaker Asylum, I would tend to agree (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2022-11-26, 13:16:37 (98.97.59.135)
I'm using 3.3s. I bought them cheap years ago and sent them in for re-glue. 1.6s may be more coherent. But I like a fun, enjoyable sound, not just coherence or imaging. I've heard very coherent gunned .......
7: Planar Speaker Asylum, Qobuz link (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2022-11-26, 13:08:07 (98.97.59.135)
This may be the Qobuz link, for those interested. .......
8: Digital Drive, Aries (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2022-11-26, 13:01:01 (98.97.59.135)
I saw a while ago that many Aries buyers then upgraded to the Pontus II, so I saved up and just tried the Pontus. It's the DAC that I tried to find for 30 years. The Aries should probably only be comp .......
9: Digital Drive, The better the DAC, the better are MP3s (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2022-11-26, 12:48:26 (98.97.59.135)
With a great DAC, the difference between MP3s and 24/192 becomes smaller it seems to me. .......
10: Digital Drive, They may also disappear later (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2022-11-26, 10:03:25 (98.97.59.135)
I've noticed that. But it can change over time. For example, the Wes Montgomery Trio was 24/192 for a while and sounds amazing. Now, for no apparent reason, it's 24/96 and not as good. Quite sad that .......
11: Digital Drive, DENAFRIPS (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2022-11-26, 09:55:06 (98.97.59.135)
I would suggest a DENAFRIPS DAC. Very high quality build and sound. .......
12: Digital Drive, Not true (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2022-11-26, 09:46:55 (98.97.59.135)
I just tried it and my Pontus DAC shows no resolution change from 44.1 kHz. But it may sound cleaner than other similar channels. .......
13: General Asylum, REVIEW: DENAFRIPS Pontus II DAC Processors (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2022-11-26, 09:38:00 (98.97.59.135)
Model: Pontus II Category: DAC Processors Suggested Retail Price: $1800 Description: Discrete resistor DAC Manufacturer URL: DENAFRIPS Model Picture: View Review by sbrians on Novemb .......
14: Planar Speaker Asylum, ML (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2022-07-09, 10:02:36 (98.97.61.237)
I heard and awesome ML setup years ago with ~$200k of equipment. The soundstage, etc. were perfect. I could see Steely Dan standing around the stage playing each instrument (I have never heard musicia .......
15: Planar Speaker Asylum, Older 3s more bass (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2022-07-09, 09:57:16 (98.97.61.237)
I tend to agree; I did not like new 3.7s when they came out, but they may not have been broken in. Gunned Maggies are coherent, but that is not my priority; fun and frequency balance may be. I visited .......
16: Planar Speaker Asylum, RE: a 3.3 got me addicted to Maggies (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2022-07-09, 09:52:14 (98.97.61.237)
I love my 3.3s. They are my best pair. I'm using a custom KMF active crossover made in San Diego. I got my IIb's at that store you describe, I suspect; I forgot the name, but they were awesome before .......
17: Digital Drive, Partially; get IFI SPDIF purifier2 (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2021-02-27, 12:35:39 (99.46.90.131)
I only listen to multibit DACs. That helps. But this week, I listened to a Norwegian disc (Flunk Personal Stereo which I just bought) and heard this, into my multibit Bifrost: A bit thin and rough, no .......
18: Digital Drive, RE: Why Both Qobuz and Tidal? (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2021-02-27, 12:14:14 (99.46.90.131)
Yes, I only do one or the other. Tidal has a much bigger pop selection. But I prefer the sound of Qobuz; more open, etc. .......
19: Digital Drive, High resolution (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2021-02-26, 23:15:58 (99.46.90.131)
I was just comparing CDs with the IFI SPDIF purifier2 to hi-res to some extent. I find that only 24/192 may really be better than CD. Most of the Qobuz hi res I hear is 24/44.1 (which sounds better th .......
20: Digital Drive, REVIEW: iFi-audio SPDIF iPurifier2 DAC Processors (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2021-02-26, 22:53:54 (99.46.90.131)
Model: SPDIF iPurifier2 Category: DAC Processors Suggested Retail Price: $200 Description: Re-clocker Manufacturer URL: iFi-audio Model Picture: View Review by sbrians on February 26 .......
21: Digital Drive, RE: iFI SPDIF ipurifier (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2021-02-26, 22:43:11 (99.46.90.131)
I have not posted here in a couple of years, but I must say when I come across awesome product. I have been relying upon this product for a while in my secondary system. It's clearly essential. I just .......
22: Digital Drive, Weiss 202 (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2018-06-26, 20:41:22 (99.46.90.131)
I presume you mean that the Weiss, at five times the cost, sounds better than the Metrum Octave? Thanks. .......
23: Digital Drive, Anyone compare Bifrost multibit to Metrum Octave (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2018-05-28, 11:03:10 (99.46.90.131)
Hi all, I'm wondering whether anyone has compared a Bifrost multibit to a Metrum DAC. Thanks. .......
24: Digital Drive, RE: Astell & Kern (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2018-05-28, 10:55:27 (99.46.90.131)
I could not afford the A&K portables, but got a FiiO X5 that sounds great. I may use it to connect a laptop to my main system preamp input for occasional use since my better DAC already has both input .......
25: Planar Speaker Asylum, RE: Radio Shack SPL Meter (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2017-09-21, 01:17:25 (99.46.90.131)
The meter claims flat down to 20Hz on C weighting. And the bass seems about right if I set it to the meter. But I am fine-tuning by ear. I reduced the ribbon resistor from 3 to 2 Ohms and that seems a .......
26: Planar Speaker Asylum, Sound update - long. (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2017-09-20, 21:03:31 (99.46.90.131)
Thanks. Much reading there, which I will not do now (spend all day on a computer). But one day I will. It looks like a great source of information. My rambling notes after a couple of hours of listeni .......
27: Planar Speaker Asylum, RE: Time alignment (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2017-09-18, 23:16:13 (99.46.90.131)
Thanks. I figured that latencies should not be too much. You had me a bit concerned. I have the Sheffield My Disc which has impulses. I will check some time. I figured that since I have the sub betwee .......
28: Planar Speaker Asylum, RE: Time alignment (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2017-09-18, 17:28:07 (108.171.132.188)
Oh, thanks. I was using the phase alignment to try to set the time alignment. I did not think of that. But I had already set a position for the sub before I even got it (surely some aspects are best n .......
29: Planar Speaker Asylum, Time alignment (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2017-09-18, 11:43:46 (108.171.135.184)
I did not know all of this. But I have found the best "time alignment" by ear by setting the phase to ~45-51 deg. so far. (I perceive that I am able to hear a 1 deg. change.) Does that match what you .......
30: Planar Speaker Asylum, In (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2017-09-16, 10:26:24 (99.46.90.131)
I also just reduced the toe-in so that it is very little. .......
31: Planar Speaker Asylum, I went with 80 Hz (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2017-09-16, 10:24:39 (99.46.90.131)
Thanks guys. Considering some possible boominess from the Maggies ~40-60Hz and that I also considered that I only have ~700 Watts going to my Maggie woofers combined and I have 1500 W (continuous) goi .......
32: Planar Speaker Asylum, RE: Maggie 3.3R high pass crossover frequency for sub (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2017-09-15, 09:14:07 (108.171.135.188)
Thanks, Satie. You clearly understood my question. I value your opinion. What you said is exactly what I am thinking about (moving some customization options into the sub). I am still trying to decid .......
33: Planar Speaker Asylum, Maggie 3.3R high pass crossover frequency for sub (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2017-09-14, 07:40:37 (99.46.90.131)
I got an SVS SB16 Ultra sub for music for my system. I use the Reaction Audio sub only for movies. My hybrid music, 4.1 HT system is focused on 2-channel music. I try not to compromise the 2-channel s .......
34: Digital Drive, RE: Spending $$$$ on digital. (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2017-05-05, 15:28:06 (108.171.135.189)
"A DAC is a DAC". Clearly an ignorant statement. .......
35: Tubes Asylum, getting better w/ burn in (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2016-04-18, 07:01:03 (99.46.90.131)
Unlike a couple of years ago, they seem to be sounding better now. They may never develop the soundstage depth of the EH tubes - I don't know. But they are becoming more enjoyable and balanced. ::: TO .......
36: Tubes Asylum, RE: Fixed (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2016-04-17, 09:35:52 (99.46.90.131)
The type that Upscale Audio recommenced (NOS made in GB that he called Mullards I believe) since he also said this pre eats up tubes. But the Russian Electroharmonix from CJ lasted over 10 years, so .......
37: Tubes Asylum, Fixed (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2016-04-16, 18:34:42 (99.46.90.131)
You are correct. Thanks. New (old) Mullards are now in and I have my stereo back. Those CJ Russian tubes sure lasted a long time (w/ no degradation that I notice, even compared to the ones that I jus .......
38: Tubes Asylum, CJ pre tube burn out question (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2016-04-16, 17:58:02 (99.46.90.131)
I am going to the replace the tubes and may find out the answer to this question soon. But I thought that I would ask, especially in case this is not just a burned out tube. My system is complex, acti .......
39: Planar Speaker Asylum, ugly (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2016-03-14, 12:35:41 (108.171.135.184)
They look ugly and look like they would ring more than Mye stands, but where can I get some? If they are more affordable, they may be worthwhile. .......
40: Digital Drive, No (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2016-03-14, 12:32:35 (108.171.135.184)
They way I see, it I can find "affordable" equipment which requires good cables to sound great. I suspect that one can spend much more and get better drive circuitry, etc. which is less dependent on c .......
41: Digital Drive, Lifatec (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2016-03-14, 12:24:52 (108.171.135.184)
The Lifatec is much better sounding that another glass fiber that I tried. This is definitely the one to get. I found that my satellite radio sounds best from fiber, where as my old Sony CD transport .......
42: Headphone Heights, Ultimate Ears 200 (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2016-02-21, 23:45:28 (99.46.90.131)
I got 3 of these things for about $10 each and they surely beat anything under $30. They do have some bass. Very portable. I believe they are discontinued, so closeout prices. .......
43: Headphone Heights, FiiO X5II DAP initial notes (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2016-02-21, 23:41:53 (99.46.90.131)
I was travelling and went to the Headphone Bar in Vancouver to determine whether I wanted to buy an X1 or X3. I walked out w/ the X5 since it seemed to get me up there in sound close to the Astral & K .......
44: Inmate Systems, sbrians's Mobile (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2016-02-21, 23:22:35 (99.46.90.131)
sbrians 's Mobile System
IP Address: 99.46.90.131
Last Update: February 21, 2016 at 23:22:35
Amplifier: FiiO X5II.
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): none
Speakers: Ultrasone HFI .......
45: Amp/Preamp Asylum, I think it is, somewhat (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2016-02-02, 13:26:29 (108.171.135.188)
The signal to the output transistors is binary, not analog. To me, that seems like it is more digital than analog. .......
46: Amp/Preamp Asylum, Yes. (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2016-02-02, 13:21:21 (108.171.135.188)
I got rid of my Sonic Euphoria one years ago. Advantage: very lower power usage. Disadvantage: lost some dynamics. .......
47: Planar Speaker Asylum, Agree (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2016-02-02, 13:17:36 (108.171.135.188)
Tube preamp is what you need. But every preamp sounds different, so you need to try to find the sound you like. I like CJ. .......
48: Speaker Asylum, RE: Reaction Audio Gamma 18 subwoofer - after 3 weeks (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2016-01-22, 13:16:14 (108.171.135.188)
We still love this sub. I did push it back to the corner rather than in the plane of my Magnepan speakers and it does measure flat to ~15Hz. But I may put it back to the speaker plane for a little mor .......
49: Speaker Asylum, Reaction Audio Gamma 18 subwoofer - after one day (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-12-29, 09:14:49 (99.46.90.131)
I could find almost no information on this brand or model on the internet, so I will add my impressions here. The company started in 2014 in MS in the US. They are offering no-frills high value hand-b .......
50: Planar Speaker Asylum, Why not Maggies for HT? (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-12-03, 12:48:40 (108.171.135.189)
For movies, I must limit bass to mine and therefore use a sub, but why not use the Maggies for movies? Beautiful room. .......
51: Cable Asylum, Pangea AC9 (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-12-03, 12:40:53 (108.171.135.189)
The AC9 has dramatically improved anything I used it on (especially power amps, but even sources). I highly recommend trying those. I have not heard the SE version. The AC14 is worse than stock on eve .......
52: Cable Asylum, Morrow? (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-12-03, 12:37:05 (108.171.135.189)
I suspect that he would make shorter than the 1/2 meter ones that he has, but I can say that I was surprised at the clarity & musicality that these brought to my computer powered speakers. I do use Mo .......
53: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: OPPO 105 Direct to Amp, Bi-amp (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-12-03, 12:30:11 (108.171.135.189)
I similarly have not wanted to compromise stereo and cannot afford a processor at the quality level of the rest of my system, so I use an Oppo BDP-83 for movies only. I also use a sub only for movies. .......
54: Digital Drive, Wow (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-11-19, 07:10:50 (99.46.90.131)
I keep learning about new frauds; there seem to be no limits. .......
55: Digital Drive, Agreed (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-11-18, 13:00:23 (108.171.135.189)
I generally feel similarly. I prefer CD to hi-res, but I don't know why since I predicted theoretically a different experience. By auto-tune, you mean the singers, right? To me, that means that they a .......
56: Digital Drive, RE: Bifrost Multibit - Have your heard it? (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-11-18, 09:06:28 (108.171.135.189)
I wonder whether I should upgrade my non-Uber. I disliked the Uber because the analog section faithfully passed on the delta sigma noise to which I am sensitive. I am wondering whether the multibit ma .......
57: Digital Drive, Schiit, Metrum (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-11-12, 13:33:27 (108.171.135.188)
I was not impressed w/ the Lampizator that I heard at a show, but don't read much into that since I was not familiar with the system. But I would look into the Schiit (only mutibit ones) (American) or .......
58: Digital Drive, What about Adapticlock? (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-11-12, 13:20:41 (108.171.135.188)
The Schiit re-clocks as I understand, and I would think that w/ a multibit DAC would make jitter quite low or not overly relevant? My experience with the old Gungnir was such that it seemed much less .......
59: Digital Drive, I thought it was just a trendy thing to do (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-11-10, 12:48:18 (108.171.135.188)
The best speakers that I have seen/heard being shown off were playing vinyl. The second best were spinning discs. I thought some just used a server as a trendy thing to sell (not for superior sound). .......
60: Hi-Rez Highway, Sound (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-10-27, 13:01:47 (108.171.135.188)
In the older hit sounds, I remember them sounding like there was no bass; tinny sounding. Does this stuff sound better/normal? Thanks. .......
61: Digital Drive, off topic (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-10-27, 12:50:56 (108.171.135.188)
It's funny: the NSA probably sneaks in a back door and ends up spying on themselves. .......
62: Digital Drive, Anti-consumerism (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-10-22, 13:21:47 (108.171.135.189)
Surely there are other non-consumers here. I get the best of anything that I can generally and try to keep if for decades, if not a lifetime. I never buy anything that I intend to replace in a shorter .......
63: Amp/Preamp Asylum, Clipping (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-10-21, 12:57:56 (108.171.135.189)
I believe that you will know it when you hear it. .......
64: Digital Drive, RE: Resonessence (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-10-21, 12:37:45 (108.171.135.189)
I have not heard the Wyred, but at T.H.E. show last year, I was listing to many DACs and most sounded like DS nonsense to me, however I found the Resonessence (some model) to be NOS-sounding and there .......
65: Digital Drive, Sony S-7000 (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-10-13, 13:52:42 (108.171.135.189)
I don't know how the S-7000 compares to a modern transport sonically, but financially it's cheaper. I also don't know how it compares to Thorsten's recommendation. But on coax digital out for CDs, it .......
66: Digital Drive, Compromises (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-10-07, 12:53:23 (108.171.135.188)
Why not...? If one has a budget constraint, then, in my limited experience, typically adding more formats compromises the sound quality compared to a unit dedicated to less formats. In my case, my bes .......
67: Headphone Heights, UE (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-10-05, 12:49:26 (108.171.135.189)
I suggest giving them a try. I suspect that Logitech may not be messing with UE. My only data point was a recent purchase of IEMs for $10 that surely blow away any other $10 'phones (they were on clea .......
68: Planar Speaker Asylum, RE: This could be the Future of floor-standing speakers...! (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-10-02, 08:45:46 (108.171.135.188)
They are much more energy efficient than loudspeakers. But with renewable energy, that would be somewhat moot. .......
69: Planar Speaker Asylum, $3k (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-10-01, 12:36:08 (108.171.135.188)
I did not like the sound of their portable players. But the headphones could sound good - I have not heard those. I just wonder why someone would spend $5k+ on a headphone system when one could have a .......
70: Digital Drive, DS vs R2R (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-09-28, 15:34:54 (108.171.135.188)
Each DAC sounds different, but to me, one type sounds like music and the other does not. In other words, when I hear an R2R, it immediately sounds like what I was looking for from digital for 20 years .......
71: Planar Speaker Asylum, I never heard them break in (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-09-08, 13:00:12 (108.171.135.188)
I never heard this Maggie break-in that people speak of. I don't doubt it, and I do hear cables break in, etc. I just did not notice or hear it on my MMGs. My other set were broken in when I got them. .......
72: Digital Drive, Dimmers (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-09-08, 12:50:24 (108.171.135.188)
I do not allow those in my house. They are noisy unless you get an expensive transformer-based one. .......
73: Digital Drive, Yggdrasil (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-09-02, 12:57:08 (108.171.135.188)
I have a Bifrost and had tried a Gungnir. The re-clocking on the Gungnir was great, but it was not a NOS R2R DAC and me and my wife could not stand it. Although I have not heard it, I have high hopes .......
74: Digital Drive, What is perfect sound? (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-09-01, 12:33:19 (206.190.70.130)
Even live, maybe I don't like the type of strings that a player is using, etc. Then even this perfect "playback" is "flawed". I eventually found that my goal is not perfect sound, but maximized enjoym .......
75: General Asylum, Solar power inverters (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-08-13, 16:15:29 (12.184.144.30)
I have not seen much on this topic here in the last couple of years. I have put off getting a solar system largely since I have my own transformer at my house, which I believe means that my power is c .......
76: Inmate Central, Solar power inverters (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-08-13, 16:15:29 (12.184.144.30)
I have not seen much on this topic here in the last couple of years. I have put off getting a solar system largely since I have my own transformer at my house, which I believe means that my power is c .......
77: Digital Drive, R2R DAC (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-08-10, 15:05:00 (12.184.144.30)
I found that most pop or average CDs were unlistenable. Until I got a NOS DAC, then all were pretty nice. The major differences in quality that I had fought for years was resolved with a NOS DAC. ::: .......
78: Planar Speaker Asylum, Passive, if no active xover available (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-07-31, 15:03:05 (12.184.144.30)
In my opinion, if you don't have an appropriate active crossover, passive bi-amping will let you hear most of the improvement in dynamics, but not so much in transparency. Although with your cap upgra .......
79: Planar Speaker Asylum, Soundstage (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-07-28, 13:13:02 (12.184.144.30)
When I tried that years ago (I have a much better system now), what I noticed w/ MP3s was the lack of imaging and soundstage depth. These were someone else's, probably at default settings, not high bi .......
80: Planar Speaker Asylum, Bi-amp (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-07-28, 13:06:14 (12.184.144.30)
If I understand correctly, you are not bi-amping your Maggies. Bi-amping largely improves the low-volume dynamics and transparency, etc. If you are not bi-amping, you have not fully heard your Maggies .......
81: Planar Speaker Asylum, Same thing (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-07-14, 15:16:53 (12.184.144.30)
I thought that you were both saying essentially the same thing, but your explanation may be more clear. Either way, I believe that my 3.3s use much more power than my 1.6s even though I expect that on .......
82: Planar Speaker Asylum, cross section (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-07-14, 15:04:51 (12.184.144.30)
Ok, then my hypothesis would be wrong. .......
83: Planar Speaker Asylum, Bi-amping 1.7s (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-07-14, 13:03:07 (12.184.144.30)
Let us know how it goes. My guess is that the conductive tape is lighter, which should have some speed benefits, but has higher resistance and therefore lower current flow to the woofer. This could ex .......
84: Digital Drive, Pledge (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-06-30, 12:27:59 (12.184.144.30)
When needed, I have used Pledge in a similar way since I have not found a good price on the Brillianize. The sound is always improved by this. .......
85: Planar Speaker Asylum, Passive (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-06-24, 12:18:50 (12.184.144.30)
I agree. I got about 1/2 or more of the benefits of active biamping by passively biamping my 3.3s. Mainly I gained dynamics by doing it passively, as I recall, and active added a little more dynamics .......
86: Digital Drive, RE: SACD directly into preamplifier (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-06-23, 12:31:43 (12.184.144.30)
I don't know of any real alternative. .......
87: Digital Drive, Interesting (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-06-22, 20:20:28 (99.46.90.131)
That's experience that I can trust, since you heard what many have not in terms of the NOS DACs. But I'm not ready to swap my disc spinner for a computer. I suppose that after an EMP I will have those .......
88: Planar Speaker Asylum, Alpha Core (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-06-22, 13:12:50 (12.184.144.30)
The Goertz are some of the best that I have heard: .......
89: Digital Drive, Sure (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-06-22, 13:07:56 (12.184.144.30)
OPPO 83 has the labels correct, as I recall, but the left was on the right side of the player, etc. .......
90: Digital Drive, I like CDs (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-06-22, 13:05:57 (12.184.144.30)
I never like them until my current DAC (Octave). .......
91: Planar Speaker Asylum, RE: Opinion Eminent Tech (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-06-16, 13:26:07 (12.184.144.30)
So, what made you choose those over the 3.3s? I had wondered about ETs years ago, but had not easy way to hear them. .......
92: Planar Speaker Asylum, Agreed (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-06-16, 13:25:27 (12.184.144.30)
I do not prefer the 3.7s over my 3.3s. .......
93: Digital Drive, Manchester code (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-06-16, 13:23:41 (12.184.144.30)
Interesting. .......
94: Digital Drive, Link to another old discussion (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-06-15, 15:38:45 (12.184.144.30)
NT .......
95: Digital Drive, Octave Mk I (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-06-15, 13:48:11 (12.184.144.30)
I heard one from Russia once that I almost bought, from this guy: http://mycroft.su/en/catalog/cifroanalogovye_preobrazovateli Then I got a deal on the Octave mk I like linked below. There is the Nix .......
96: Digital Drive, RE: Yes (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-06-15, 13:15:30 (12.184.144.30)
I cannot stand the sound of budget CD players unless they are NOS. Only a NOS/multibit/ladder DAC sounds right to me. The difference is fairly obvious to me. I may have heard a Macintosh CD player tha .......
97: Digital Drive, Yes (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-06-15, 12:51:30 (12.184.144.30)
I cannot hear music from CDs otherwise on my budget of $1k. .......
98: Digital Drive, Same here (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-06-09, 12:44:08 (12.184.144.30)
My Metrum Octave was the breakthrough that made all CDs sound good. After decades of thinking that there were many bad CDs, it turns out that instead, there are many bad DACs (as in delta-sigma) and C .......
99: Amp/Preamp Asylum, Huge speaker cables going to woofers (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-06-05, 12:58:36 (12.184.144.30)
Active bi-amping is very important, but I can only get good bass from my Maggies with very low resistance speaker cables to the woofers. For years now, I have run a shot-gunned bi-wire set of Z-cables .......
100: Amp/Preamp Asylum, Me too (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-06-05, 12:44:53 (12.184.144.30)
I was impressed at a show w/ the sound of an Odyssey amp. Emotiva in a friend's Maggie 1.6 system sounds great. I have a Parasound that is ok (used on my 1.6s in my secondary system). Of course, I hea .......
101: Digital Drive, Need to call (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-06-03, 12:50:41 (12.184.144.30)
I could not order one online, probably due to the price error. I don't need one, I just wanted to see what would happen. .......
102: Planar Speaker Asylum, Grant's layout seems great. (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-05-29, 13:27:39 (12.184.144.30)
The only solution that I can see is what Grant drew, since the speakers will need at least 6 feet behind them and the posts could actually help with diffusion. I would not think that the speakers woul .......
103: Planar Speaker Asylum, Inside (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-05-28, 12:54:19 (12.184.144.30)
Are you tweeters inside or out? When you say put the wings inside, I presume that your ribbons are inside too? Mine are. .......
104: Digital Drive, Over the ear better for sound (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-05-28, 12:28:45 (12.184.144.30)
I used a couple of in-ear ones for years, but never tried customer ear molds. Over the ear is much better sound and comfort for less money. I use the HFI-580 http://www.head-fi.org/t/538289/review-hfi .......
105: Digital Drive, By 1958 (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-05-28, 12:09:56 (12.184.144.30)
The best recordings that I have heard are from 1958-1962 (on an Analog productions sampler). That is not to say that no great ones were done before then; I have no idea. I'm not sure exactly what happ .......
106: Cable Asylum, RE: Ferrite Thingy On DC power Cord (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-05-18, 17:07:14 (12.184.144.30)
I removed the ferrite on my Metrum Octave DAC (going from power supply box to DAC box) and that improved the sound. I am plugging the power supply into a filter though. I'm in no hurry, since my sound .......
107: Amp/Preamp Asylum, Good point. (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-05-04, 22:04:34 (99.46.90.131)
I did not think of that. But at near zero output the power dissipation of a class A amp is maybe 1000 times more than a class D for comparable power output capabilities. The class D's seem to mostly m .......
108: Amp/Preamp Asylum, It's not something from nothing (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-05-04, 16:53:05 (12.184.144.30)
Think of it as directly converting your wall power into speaker output power w/ only ~10% loss, as opposed to 50% or more loss from class A, AB. A class A amp putting out low power may have nearly 100 .......
109: Cable Asylum, Better cables may be for cheaper equipment (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-04-27, 12:49:52 (12.184.144.30)
I suspect that better power cords, ICs, etc. may benefit cheaper equipment more than more expensive equipment. Meaning, if I were to pay, say $20k for an amplifier, then I would hope that it would be .......
110: Digital Drive, Or use R2R ladder NOS DAC (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-04-24, 12:31:07 (12.184.144.30)
I agree, the typical DACs ruin music. Metrum DACs are reducing people's need to play vinyl to hear music. Then use the CD player as a transport only. .......
111: Planar Speaker Asylum, Yes (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-04-15, 13:01:01 (12.184.144.30)
For the 3 series, ~ double the dynamics. Much better clarity, etc. As stated below, even passive bi-amping can take you over half way there. I mix Class D and hybrid (tube/bipolar)amps and don't hear .......
112: Digital Drive, transports with great bass. (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-04-09, 19:00:53 (99.46.90.131)
I would guess that some DACs are more sensitive to transports than others. I don't know and I don't believe that anyone could explain such things anyway (such as why a transport and optical fiber qual .......
113: Digital Drive, RE: Dacs with a great bass. (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-04-08, 13:06:18 (12.184.144.30)
My Metrum Octave bass is much better from my Sony transport than Oppo. An Emotiva CD player (generation 1 I think) that I heard had bass like I have never heard otherwise, so check them for cheap DAC .......
114: Hi-Rez Highway, Octave (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-04-08, 08:11:01 (99.46.90.131)
by Metrum .......
115: Hi-Rez Highway, Somewhat (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-04-06, 12:43:20 (12.184.144.30)
I now have re-configured my system to incorporate my subwoofer on a Y from my front 2 channels. And put Morrow MA-3s on the output of my Oppo BDP-83 for SACDs. For CDs I use an old, but much better tr .......
116: Amp/Preamp Asylum, Check your AC voltage (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-04-06, 12:32:36 (12.184.144.30)
Years ago I have a problem with buzzing, as I recall, on my Rogue 99 preamp. This was due to low line voltage. The pre did have a switch for lower votage, as I recall. In the end, power company plugge .......
117: Amp/Preamp Asylum, Circuit breakers (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-04-06, 12:28:38 (12.184.144.30)
For what it's worth, I learned recently that some types of circuit breakers are only meant to be tripped once (supplemental breakers where they rely upon a more robust one upstream, like maybe a fuse, .......
118: Cable Asylum, Box downstream (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-04-03, 13:13:59 (12.184.144.30)
On all of my Transparent stuff, the network box goes closest to the destination. .......
119: Cable Asylum, RE: Transparent (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-03-27, 18:35:13 (99.46.90.131)
Mine are not dark at all; when the recording is good, cymbals sound like cymbals. I think for the dynamics, you just need to try, since I don't think that they are lacking in that area either. I got m .......
120: Planar Speaker Asylum, Pic here too (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-03-25, 12:47:02 (12.184.144.30)
The cheap version: .......
121: Cable Asylum, Transparent (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-03-24, 12:57:52 (12.184.144.30)
Since someone else suggested Transparent and your speakers don't have to carry huge current, I would think these worth trying. You should have a good Transparent dealer nearby to be able to take some .......
122: Amp/Preamp Asylum, DH-110 (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-03-24, 12:48:02 (12.184.144.30)
That Hafler model is a pre-amp. I'm guessing that you meant the DH-220? .......
123: Planar Speaker Asylum, Tuning dots (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-03-20, 13:29:32 (12.184.144.30)
I will have to see whether my arrows are at the dots and try moving them. I adjust the force just enough to push through the cloth springiness and touch the plate a little. .......
124: Cable Asylum, Alpha Core (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-03-20, 13:21:14 (12.184.144.30)
Worth checking out: .......
125: Cable Asylum, Very (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-03-20, 13:18:14 (12.184.144.30)
For my Channel Islands D-200s, they do not seem to store much energy, so my 7 ga. power cords make a huge difference (better than 12 Ga too). So much, in fact, that the stock cord is like buying a new .......
126: Planar Speaker Asylum, Tradeoff? (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-03-18, 16:06:07 (12.184.144.30)
Although I don't know whether this would be audible, I agree that whether by bending the bar or whatever, they would increase the gap and therefore decrease low-level dynamics. My 3.3s, especially one .......
127: Cable Asylum, Not to mention the extra connections (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-03-13, 13:10:08 (12.184.144.30)
Aside from what Duster said, you are adding connections, cables and maybe other active devices in the path. Based on your post, I am guessing that you have not yet tried different fibers and may be us .......
128: Digital Drive, Formats (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-03-12, 13:29:41 (12.184.144.30)
I agree w/ your statement about vinyl nearly always being musical, but after SACD and DVD-A failed to bring me the enjoyment that theory may have predicted, I found that certain magic DACs can make CD .......
129: Digital Drive, Detail vs fatigue (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-03-10, 13:17:51 (12.184.144.30)
Well said. I totally agree. The Gungnir was a little more detailed than my Octave, but the difference in fatigue was the difference between wanting to turn off the music vs wanting to listen to a whol .......
130: Amp/Preamp Asylum, I liked it (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-03-10, 13:11:00 (12.184.144.30)
w/ the 110 preamp, I had a great sound. The system was stolen and it took me years to get a system as good. .......
131: Cable Asylum, Morrow (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-03-09, 12:45:37 (12.184.144.30)
I got a Morrow one for my computer and was amazed at the increase in musicality over the broken cheap one that I had. I can highly recommend that. .......
132: Planar Speaker Asylum, Analysis Audio (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-03-05, 12:43:54 (12.184.144.30)
That was one of the few (maybe only) speakers at the Newport show that probably bettered my Maggies. They are great. .......
133: Hi-Rez Highway, Classical (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-03-05, 12:39:55 (12.184.144.30)
I probably do enjoy classical more on digital, w/ my current DAC than on viny (I will have to compare my DG Beethoven records to CDs one day), but I keep a TT setup now mainly for the albums which I d .......
134: Hi-Rez Highway, Oppo's customer service is the best in the business (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-03-05, 12:32:08 (12.184.144.30)
I agree with your statement. .......
135: Digital Drive, Probably (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-03-05, 12:22:03 (12.184.144.30)
I have never brought home a DAC or player over $1k. Does that mean mid-fi? The Gungnir was one of the most expensive that I have heard in my system and I have heard those in several other systems too. .......
136: Amp/Preamp Asylum, I had one (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-03-03, 13:54:28 (12.184.144.30)
I sold it years ago. I prefer active CJ pre, but the rest of my system has changed much since then. I found this note: .......
137: Cable Asylum, Morrow MA-3s (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-03-03, 13:50:41 (12.184.144.30)
Used are an amazing deal. New are worth it compared to others, once you know whether you like them, used is a steal. .......
138: Digital Drive, No (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-03-03, 13:48:08 (12.184.144.30)
I use an external DAC and found that a Sony S7000 DVD player as CD-transport sounds better than my Oppo BDP-83. I use the Oppo only for movies now. .......
139: Digital Drive, NOS DACs (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-03-03, 13:16:51 (12.184.144.30)
I, too, had found that only rare CDs sounded good. After a long journey of trying DVD-A, SACD and only listening to good CDs and then starting to buy the new vinyl releases, I found that what I was lo .......
140: Hi-Rez Highway, Vinyl asylum (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-02-27, 12:53:18 (12.184.144.30)
Now post on the vinyl asylum and compare the responses. .......
141: Hi-Rez Highway, Me too (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-02-25, 16:11:53 (12.184.144.30)
It's my best SACD. I prefer Aja on CD. So, as the others say, the quality varies more w/ the mastering than the format. .......
142: Cable Asylum, That's what I'm using (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-02-25, 15:52:57 (12.184.144.30)
I can't compare to other wires, but I'm using 10 ga. solid core Romex, which is really hard to work with. But sounds great. .......
143: Digital Drive, It helps on Bifrost too for satellite radio (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-02-24, 12:44:56 (206.190.70.164)
I had been running my satellite radio in my secondary system over coax to my Bifrost DAC. I tried the Lifatec in that link instead of the coax, and had to buy one for there too. A huge improvement. I' .......
144: Headphone Heights, Local show (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-02-20, 14:06:06 (12.184.144.30)
I got to visit B&H one day and tried 20-30 phones. I got an Ultrasone. I went to a local Can Jam and tried some of the $2k ones which did not sound better to me than my $200 ones. The better ones are .......
145: Digital Drive, SonicWave vs Lifatec TOSlink fiber (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-02-07, 12:20:34 (99.46.90.131)
I don't have much time to listen to CDs, so listen to Satellite radio often. Lately although, I found that I was not enjoying it, knowing that CDs sounded way better in my system. I tried the coaxial .......
146: Planar Speaker Asylum, ML Neoliths (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-01-29, 13:16:45 (12.184.144.30)
I'm sure they sound great, but they make Maggies look beautiful. .......
147: Digital Drive, artificially smooth sounding (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-01-29, 12:38:52 (12.184.144.30)
Yes, I could not explain what did not seem right, but I think that's it. I think that it even rounds transients a bit. .......
148: Digital Drive, R2R and other philosophy (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-01-28, 22:20:52 (99.46.90.131)
I have only heard DVD-A & SACD from the Oppo BDP-83, but after that and other DACs, I am much happier listening to CDs from a Metrum Octave. The enjoyment increase goes well beyond the price differenc .......
149: Planar Speaker Asylum, RE: Stands alone (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-01-16, 13:57:18 (12.184.144.30)
Good idea. I suppose that the distance from ribbon to panel is not critical? Either way, it will be a while before I would get around to getting frames. Aesthetics are low on my priorites (there are m .......
150: Planar Speaker Asylum, Stands alone (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-01-15, 12:47:08 (12.184.144.30)
I have Myestands on my 1.6s, but none so far on my 3.3s. I have heard Myestands and gunned MMGs and 1.6s. To put the stands in context and separate out the Magnestand frame/stand vs crossover changes, .......
151: Planar Speaker Asylum, 3.6 (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-01-05, 17:13:22 (12.184.144.30)
1.x cannot compare to 3.x, but the 3.x require much power to sound their best. I cannot say however which would be best for your room. I have my 3.3s nearly 2 m out from the wall behind them. I also l .......
152: Digital Drive, Help to move the market (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-01-05, 16:44:51 (12.184.144.30)
by buying CDs which you control. After about 20 years of trying, I finally got enjoyable-sounding music out of CDs by using an NOS DAC, so I am happy that there are cheap discs available. .......
153: Planar Speaker Asylum, Anthem (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-01-05, 13:01:46 (12.184.144.30)
My Anthem Amp 2 SE (silver wiring, Brimar tube on the input) is the best amp that I have and that I have heard. I could never get a better one for the money. It sounds a little better than my Channel .......
154: Amp/Preamp Asylum, Solar power (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-01-05, 12:50:58 (12.184.144.30)
Those with solar, wind, etc. power sources should be exempt from any such rules. .......
155: Cable Asylum, Morrow MA 3s (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2015-01-05, 12:37:19 (12.184.144.30)
I have some Mapleshade Excaliburs, but my Morrows are superior in every place and system in which I have tried them. I have some Grovers too. I have never heard cables which sound better than the Morr .......
156: Digital Drive, Good to know (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-12-19, 21:44:16 (99.46.90.131)
Thanks. That's an interesting comparison. .......
157: Digital Drive, Octave (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-12-19, 12:38:59 (12.184.144.30)
I much prefer the Octave MkI to Gungnir, though the Gungnir is more analytical. I also preferred this DAC to any others that I have heard: http://mycroft.su/ru/catalog/cifroanalogovye_preobrazovateli/ .......
158: Digital Drive, Interconnects over digital cables (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-12-16, 13:00:22 (12.184.144.30)
In my opinion, don't concern yourself with different digital cables until your analog ICs are great. I highly recommend Morrow MA-3s as the best that I have heard in my systems. The MA-4 is not audibl .......
159: Digital Drive, RE: Laser life & leaving CD players on (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-12-16, 12:23:50 (12.184.144.30)
I hope the S7000 ones are better, because that's only 1.5 years if the player is left on, unless it turns off the laser after some idle time. I leave my "transport" powered on since it sounds a little .......
160: Digital Drive, Laser life (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-12-15, 16:38:50 (12.184.144.30)
I have no idea about laser life and have the same concerns as you. But I know 3 people w/ these and they are working like new so far. I can never go back to a bad transport, so if/when this fails if i .......
161: Planar Speaker Asylum, Bi-amp (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-12-15, 15:04:51 (12.184.144.30)
Definitely bi-amp, as Satie implied. I think that Maggies like a smooth and warm set up (no Oversampling DACs). .......
162: Planar Speaker Asylum, 3.3 balance (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-12-15, 12:55:47 (12.184.144.30)
I have 3.3s and wonder what you mean by balance. It did take me a lot of effort to get them to sound their best, but it's mostly an active 2-way xover which has a higher crossover point than factory a .......
163: Digital Drive, Sony S7000 (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-12-15, 12:44:05 (12.184.144.30)
A friend sent me an old S7000 to compare what difference a transport makes since he had tried a few old ones. For CDs into my NOS Octave DAC, it is clearly quite superior to my Oppo BDP-83. Another fr .......
164: Digital Drive, Thanks (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-12-10, 20:02:44 (99.46.90.131)
I realized after reading later posts after I posed to this one that you did not have it yet. At T. H. E. show, I could generally tell which few DACs were NOS and I passed by most of the rest. Although .......
165: Digital Drive, RE: Don't forget sandbag (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-12-10, 19:55:58 (99.46.90.131)
I put cleaned "playground" sand (from Home Depot or wherever) in a Ziploc sandwich baggie (maybe some baggies are quart size?). Actually, I have my Octave sitting on a couple of these w/ one or two ba .......
166: Digital Drive, Don't forget sandbag (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-12-10, 09:20:02 (206.190.70.164)
If your Hex is anything like my mark I Octave, then a sandbag on top may affect the sound more than a digital cable. .......
167: Digital Drive, Yes (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-12-09, 14:40:08 (206.190.70.164)
I can hear differences between each cable I use for my SPDIF on various DACs over the years. I used to tune my digital sound that way. I tried a long glass fiber on my Octave (Mark I) and it was clear .......
168: Digital Drive, Kenwood DP7090 notes (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-12-08, 16:28:51 (206.190.70.164)
Notes from Lampizator linked. I don't think that DAC chips have really improved in the last 15 years. Just the move back to the older technology of NOS and/or R2R. .......
169: Digital Drive, Hex (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-12-04, 13:04:27 (206.190.70.164)
I'm a little surprised that you have a Hex and are wanting to hear something else. I have not heard the Hex, but I have the Octave and I can imagine that the Hex may have deeper bass, etc., but I woul .......
170: Digital Drive, Yes - remember how you feel, not what you hear. (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-11-20, 12:48:59 (206.190.70.164)
It may be much easier to remember how you feel during listening, rather that what you hear. Either way, I have found that how I feel is the most important aspect of listening to music. .......
171: Digital Drive, imaging (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-11-18, 23:30:23 (99.46.90.131)
Yes, this was not an attempt to compare similarly priced items. Just a data point whose answer I had not known. I think that you may be shocked at the imaging of the Ocatave (at 3 times the cost of th .......
172: Digital Drive, Improvements (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-11-18, 23:21:35 (99.46.90.131)
I should clarify that I believe we both heard only improvements in the differences, as I know that in most cases of comparing items of similar cost, some changes are good, and some are not. But the cu .......
173: Digital Drive, RE: what did your friend think? (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-11-17, 17:06:31 (206.190.70.164)
That he wants a new DAC one day. This is not to put down the Bifrost, it can't be beat for the price to my knowledge and I am using one in one system. But we wondered what the difference would be. I t .......
174: Digital Drive, price difference (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-11-17, 16:33:46 (206.190.70.164)
Yes, my Octave was about 2 times the cost of Bifrost Uber. In audio, price vs performance is exponential (or is it logarithmic?). Overall, to me, it's worth twice as much. Overall sound ~1.6 times. Ti .......
175: Digital Drive, Bifrost Uber vs. Metrum Octave (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-11-17, 12:56:42 (206.190.70.164)
My fried has Magnepan 1.6s w/ upgraded crossovers, Emotiva electronics, and a Bifrost Uber. I brought my Octave by, wondering whether we could hear a difference in his system. His system sounded good .......
176: Digital Drive, Would this be a downgrade for you? (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-11-14, 12:58:05 (206.190.70.164)
Your Consonance uses a TDA1543 DAC. Will you consider the Sabre DAC as an upgrade? Many seek out the 1543s, it seems. Although yours does only have one DAC it seems. .......
177: Cable Asylum, I do it. (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-11-03, 14:04:13 (206.190.70.164)
Some will work well together (blend), others not. You just have to try it to hear. .......
178: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Anthem amp (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-10-28, 13:21:22 (206.190.70.164)
I'm an Anthem fan. My best-sounding Amp is an AMP 2 SE hybrid which blows away anything else that I have heard for the price. Although my old CI D-200s sound almost as good, but use much less power. I .......
179: Digital Drive, Lens cleaning and oil on rails (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-10-28, 12:48:07 (206.190.70.164)
Good info. I had to clean my Oppo lens this way also. I gave a more direct subject above for easier searches in the future. .......
180: Digital Drive, RE: Look at the Blue Circle BC509 (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-10-28, 12:44:51 (206.190.70.164)
Interesting. Not too expensive, either, ~$1200. But I did not find mention of the R2R DAC. I believe you, but it would be nice if they said so. I guess that they rely on brand loyalty. A review: http: .......
181: Planar Speaker Asylum, I use cotton insulation (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-10-27, 12:58:53 (206.190.70.164)
I'm not using the brand linked, but put up a roll on my back wall at ear level. I have not gotten around to covering it in something that looks better. If touched, it does give off a lot of cotton dus .......
182: Digital Drive, And Metrum Quad (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-10-27, 12:39:14 (206.190.70.164)
I considered both along with an MHDT model. I have not heard either; I got an old Octave. .......
183: Digital Drive, Agreed (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-10-27, 12:36:55 (206.190.70.164)
For years, I knew that in theory, high resolution would be superior. Until I heard it and was not too enthralled with the sound. And then I got an NOS/R2R DAC and found great musical enjoyment from CD .......
184: Planar Speaker Asylum, Really? (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-10-13, 13:28:43 (206.190.70.164)
I agree that 3's need bi-amping, but how many people here recommending that on II's have heard IIs? Based on my limited experience with my IIb's, I cannot imagine much improvement from the extra work .......
185: Planar Speaker Asylum, 3.3 ribbon tweeter shipping same (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-09-19, 13:23:42 (206.190.70.164)
When I replaced my ribbons alone, they, too are shipped in PVC pipes/tube as shown, although not when shipping the speaker as a whole. .......
186: Planar Speaker Asylum, Shipping (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-09-15, 13:13:26 (206.190.70.164)
I only shipped my 3.3s a few thousand miles to the factory and back, but my impression was that, when shipped in the Maggie boxes and with the protective stips on the ribbons, they seemed to be very r .......
187: Planar Speaker Asylum, Agreed (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-09-15, 13:01:32 (206.190.70.164)
I did not prefer (unbroken-in) 3.7s nor 20.1s to my bi-amped 3.3s at all. My listening time and music selection for the 20s was limited (but they had those huge AR tube amps driving them). I still thi .......
188: Planar Speaker Asylum, Time (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-09-08, 15:25:57 (206.190.70.164)
We can be fooled in short-term listening, but I find, not in the long-term. How do you feel after an hour or several hours of listening? .......
189: Planar Speaker Asylum, IIb (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-09-08, 15:16:15 (206.190.70.164)
IIb's for $200, but they may not be the best choice if you want to play really loud. I like the sound of this model more than 1.6s. .......
190: Digital Drive, LITE AUDIO LT-ONE transport (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-09-07, 14:37:40 (99.46.90.131)
Great info. Thanks. I will keep this in mind in the longer term. .......
191: Digital Drive, Jitter. (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-09-07, 14:30:06 (99.46.90.131)
Thanks, that's good to hear confirmation of. .......
192: Digital Drive, BNCs (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-09-05, 23:38:37 (99.46.90.131)
Thanks. Interesting. I was just looking at the Monarchy classic DIP for $250, but it sounds like it's possible that could not improve the Sony signal much. I use a Transparent digital coax now. I wou .......
193: Digital Drive, dynamics (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-09-05, 22:30:33 (99.46.90.131)
Yes, I like the dynamics more now. I think that NOS DACs are less sensitive to jitter, but not immune. .......
194: Digital Drive, reclocker (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-09-05, 22:27:19 (99.46.90.131)
I did think that that reclocker would create a good old transport with more modern jitter performance, but no budget for that now. When I got my DAC, my wife asked, "now are you done?". I am mostly do .......
195: Digital Drive, transports (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-09-05, 16:40:10 (206.190.70.164)
This also tells me that jitter is not the only important aspect of a transport. I suspect that the Oppo has small jitter, but this test suggests to me that it does not transmit all of the bits. The di .......
196: Digital Drive, Oppo BDP-83 vs Sony DVP-S7000 as CD transport (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-09-05, 12:49:28 (206.190.70.164)
At the prompting of a friend, who found me an S7000 for $18 to try and, into my Metrum Octave DAC, the Sony basically blows away the Oppo as CD transport. There is way more bass, a more solid foundati .......
197: Hi-Rez Highway, PCM (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-09-02, 12:44:34 (206.190.70.164)
I found that a good NOS PCM DAC is more enjoyable to me than a more affordable DSD DAC. Although I wonder how the Schiit Loki compares to an Oppo 83 on SACD, but I just like to enjoy music, not mess a .......
198: Hi-Rez Highway, Hearing Loss protocol (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-09-02, 12:38:51 (206.190.70.164)
For several years I have kept my tinnutus at bay w/ certain chemical inputs such as listed at the end of this article. Hydergine is an important one which is not listed any longer for some reason. ::: .......
199: Planar Speaker Asylum, NAD pre (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-08-27, 15:37:31 (206.190.70.164)
On my integrated 312 (or 314?) the amp is much better than the pre-amp. So, if their amp is not good enough, then the pre-may not be worth using either. BTW I'm using that NAD on my MMGs as my rear sp .......
200: Planar Speaker Asylum, Nice room (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-08-22, 12:21:37 (206.190.70.164)
I wonder why he is giving that up. .......
201: Digital Drive, Cullen vs Pangea power cords (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-08-22, 12:18:12 (206.190.70.164)
How does your crossover model compare to the AC-9? Or have you compared? The AC-9 (unlike the AC-14) makes everything that I have used it on sound better, especially power amps. .......
202: Planar Speaker Asylum, $100 from Magnepan (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-08-21, 12:33:38 (206.190.70.164)
But you probably want to replace both sides for $200. .......
203: Planar Speaker Asylum, Similar here (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-08-21, 12:30:23 (206.190.70.164)
I friend bought a pair. I also sent my ~25 year old ones to MN for refurb which at least helps to keep people employed if not make a profit. .......
204: Digital Drive, Nixon (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-08-18, 13:21:01 (206.190.70.164)
No need for used. But I have not heard it. I considered it, but got an Octave. For $800, you can still get a mark I Octave: http://hifiheaven.net/store/Metrum-Acoustics-NOS-Mini-DAC-Octave?filter_name .......
205: Digital Drive, CD transport (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-08-15, 09:22:05 (206.190.70.164)
I may try one to compare to my Oppo as transport. I think that NOS DACs are not as sensitive to jitter, etc as the other kinds, although some people who may not have tried them seem to believe that th .......
206: Planar Speaker Asylum, My IIb's sound great even with low power (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-07-31, 08:57:54 (206.190.70.164)
Of my 4 pairs of Maggies, my IIs seem to be the least demanding of anything upstream. I think that they may not go as loud as more "modern" designs would be the tradeoff. I think that you started your .......
207: Planar Speaker Asylum, Go active bi-amp route (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-07-31, 08:51:04 (206.190.70.164)
These guys can have one made (it's what I use for my 3.3s and it sounds excellent), but I don't know whether they ship or just serve local market. .......
208: Digital Drive, Oppo (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-07-31, 08:45:31 (206.190.70.164)
Are you saying that your 105 sounds as good as your turntable(s)? That would be impressive. Otherwise, have you heard NOS DACs? Thanks. .......
209: Cable Asylum, Very interesting - history. (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-07-15, 21:23:45 (99.46.90.131)
Now the pieces of the puzzle are starting to fit: "1985 Transparent begins to distribute and manufacture MIT cables. 1993 Transparent begins to design, distribute, and manufacture Transparent C .......
210: Cable Asylum, Agreed (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-07-15, 11:20:30 (206.190.70.164)
They look like Transparent to me, but I found no info found on the internet. I wonder whether they have the network. .......
211: Hi-Rez Highway, I agree (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-07-01, 12:46:41 (206.190.70.164)
I have not found that SACDs or DVD-As sound any better with my relatively low level of DACs, than a good CD. The mastering is the most important part of the sound. I do have several rock SACDs which a .......
212: Planar Speaker Asylum, Swimsuits (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-06-30, 14:52:54 (12.184.144.30)
Great idea. .......
213: Planar Speaker Asylum, No (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-06-30, 13:03:09 (12.184.144.30)
I have considered such a thing also, but have not done it. But if you were to try something like silk, clearly you would want a very loose weave. Maybe hemp is better? .......
214: Cable Asylum, You must try it. (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-06-30, 12:54:24 (12.184.144.30)
People will say that theoretically, the best should go upstream. But I have found that it depends on what I believe to be the driving capability and other unknowns of the upstream source. I have gotte .......
215: Digital Drive, Of course. (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-06-26, 13:02:28 (206.190.70.164)
I do not understand your point. Jitter only has meaning in the digital domain. Any re-clocker will be upstream of the DAC chip. .......
216: Cable Asylum, Link (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-06-26, 12:44:09 (206.190.70.164)
Some people like to be able to click on a link to the product. Here is one: .......
217: Cable Asylum, ERS cloth (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-06-26, 12:37:56 (206.190.70.164)
I have used this for tuning my sound. .......
218: Digital Drive, Great info (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-06-23, 23:09:29 (99.46.90.131)
I did not know that there were 8-bit DACs. Where does one see those in use? .......
219: Digital Drive, jitter sensitivity (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-06-23, 13:10:56 (206.190.70.164)
I thought that one point of NOS was much less sensitivity to jitter. In other words, re-clockers are mostly for delta-sigma DACs. But in my experience w/ the Gungir, which I think has very low jitter .......
220: Hi-Rez Highway, Such a DAC does not need a $40 CD to sound good (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-06-18, 12:34:44 (206.190.70.164)
Too bad they can't find a way to sell them for $9 like the Led Zeppelin remasters. Even double that if they are are really good. But $40 kind of defeats the point of using a CD rather than vinyl. ::: .......
221: Hi-Rez Highway, I love it (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-06-17, 18:01:33 (99.46.90.131)
I look forward to getting III and especially IV and PG. On the II CD I heard more sounds that I did not notice w/ my SHM. I actually listened to the whole album. It was very much worth the $5 to me to .......
222: Planar Speaker Asylum, Maggie sighting on TV - HCF (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-06-12, 13:03:50 (206.190.70.130)
On the 2nd episode of Halt and Catch Fire, in the audio store (going out of business in ~1981 or whenever due to people going portable), there was a shot of some Maggies. The first time that I have se .......
223: Planar Speaker Asylum, Analysis Audio (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-06-12, 13:01:14 (206.190.70.130)
I heard these planars at THE show and thought that it was one of the ~5 best systems there. .......
224: Hi-Rez Highway, Thanks (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-06-12, 12:52:23 (206.190.70.130)
I will get the 2 CDs of II in a couple of days. Not high res, but I will be able to compare to SHM. I got the extras because the WLL rough mix sample on Amazon sounded like something that I need to he .......
225: General Asylum, Ok, but I do. (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-06-03, 17:04:35 (206.190.70.130)
Ok, you did not say that. But I do. Vocals and Cornet sound excellent through the Bose tower thing. I prefer the cornet through a Shure mic to a Neumann though. .......
226: General Asylum, Agreed - Bose is audiophile quality (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-06-03, 16:02:03 (206.190.70.130)
I would not have believed this when I first heard them, but I have told the Teagan Taylor band that they have audiophile concert quality and they are using the Bose stuff. .......
227: Digital Drive, Exactly (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-06-03, 12:30:46 (206.190.70.130)
I had the same experience. For years I blamed the uninvolving and/or annoying sound from CDs on the discs. Now I blame oversampling and the like used by profiteers. I had given up on CDs again until I .......
228: General Asylum, No (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-06-03, 12:03:19 (206.190.70.130)
I could barely hear them. .......
229: General Asylum, Not run of the mill. (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-06-03, 12:02:12 (206.190.70.130)
I noted that that was a way above-average sounding PA system. I wish more people would use systems of that quality. It impressed me enough to note the brand, which I have linked below. Although I agre .......
230: Planar Speaker Asylum, I skipped that room. (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-06-02, 16:59:43 (206.190.70.130)
Magnepan was the only room with a line and I don't like to wait in lines. I already have 4 pair, so I did not need to hear them. .......
231: Digital Drive, RE: I have the Metrum Hex ; Love it ! (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-06-02, 16:58:08 (206.190.70.130)
I disagree w/ having a different system for different music types. I listen to all types of music and enjoy them all on my Metrum. At T. H. E. show this weekend, I think that there was one OS DAC that .......
232: General Asylum, Passes question (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-05-31, 08:04:30 (99.46.90.131)
Do I have to pre-register? I am going in ~30 minutes and wonder whether I can just show up and get a pass or must pre-register? Thanks. .......
233: Digital Drive, I agree (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-05-31, 07:59:27 (99.46.90.131)
That the cheaper oversampling DAC chips are a form of "mild" fraud. Regarding the Metrums, I suspect what you may gain over yours is dynamics and resolution, I'm not sure. But I do love my Octave. I t .......
234: Planar Speaker Asylum, Just break them in (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-05-29, 12:57:42 (206.190.70.130)
I figure that they could be broken in one way and if changed, just break them in the other way (if one can even hear a difference). But if using those silvery looking things, replace them even with ba .......
235: Cable Asylum, MA2s (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-05-28, 16:52:34 (206.190.70.130)
The ones that I heard may not have been broken in fully. What I meant though, was that I did not hear them as being outstanding from others in their price range the way that I do with the MA3s in my s .......
236: Cable Asylum, Price (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-05-27, 12:46:48 (206.190.70.130)
Having nothing beats everything on price. But that is not really the goal here. I have never heard cables come nearly as close to perfection as my Morrows and I have heard many. The Morrows do have a .......
237: Amp/Preamp Asylum, Try Interconnects (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-05-27, 12:38:43 (206.190.70.130)
A lot of changes or improvements can be had by changing ICs. You may try Morrows. .......
238: Cable Asylum, Try Hufmann or Morrow? (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-05-23, 13:10:02 (206.190.70.130)
I'm not sure what that model of Cardas sound like, but the ones that I tried years ago (nor anything else that I've tried) is as close to being perfect everywhere as Morrows. .......
239: Amp/Preamp Asylum, Young Audiophiles, read this and save time & $ (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-05-21, 09:14:08 (206.190.70.130)
It has cost some of us years and money to learn this, which is rarely acknowledged in writing. I do have one friend who recognized how to get to a decent system quickly by learning some from what I ha .......
240: Digital Drive, Bogus surveys (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-05-21, 09:07:25 (206.190.70.130)
Yeah, if I have time to do a survey, I always have to point out that they are asking the wrong questions and then proceed to point out the real issue(s). That info may not often go anywhere, who knows .......
241: Digital Drive, Did you talk to them to let them know why, first? (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-05-20, 13:10:45 (206.190.70.130)
I find that in the face of the degradation of everything in the name of corporate (read 0.1%ers) profits, many of us just give up. But I think that if more of us at least speak up and give people a ch .......
242: Digital Drive, Maybe it helps good ones too. (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-05-20, 13:01:21 (206.190.70.130)
If it's really good, which it should be, for that price, then I would think that it would help many sources. .......
243: Amp/Preamp Asylum, What an audiophile wants (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-05-20, 12:54:49 (206.190.70.130)
What I want is to enjoy music. Thus, I want average recordings/CDs to be fun. I eventually found that I want a system which is subjectively good, not objectively good. Years ago I had a system that on .......
244: Digital Drive, Agreed (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-05-19, 13:31:26 (206.190.70.130)
I think that your system deserves better. For example, my Bifrost is great, but I knew that my bi-amped Maggie 3.3s would benefit from a more resolving DAC, and I was not disappointed at all w/ my Oct .......
245: Cable Asylum, Phono (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-05-17, 08:40:35 (99.46.90.131)
Why not phono? I'm using my Mapleshade on that line until I can afford more Morrow MA3s. I am also using an MA3 on my secondary system and the Morrows improve everything that I have used them on. ::: .......
246: Cable Asylum, Morrow MA3 w/ copper Eichmanns vs MA4 (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-05-16, 23:24:48 (99.46.90.131)
In my system, I could barely tell the difference between MA3s and MA4s. I have wanted to hear MA3s w/ Eichmanns for a long time. I got a used pair a couple of days ago. They still need to re-burn in, .......
247: Digital Drive, Metrum Acoustic (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-05-16, 23:14:56 (99.46.90.131)
The Havana only accepts 16 bits to the DAC chips themselves, I believe. The Metrum DACs do 24 bits, I think. .......
248: Digital Drive, RE: Selectable filters - why (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-05-16, 23:09:00 (99.46.90.131)
I'm sure that works for some people and may sound good. The only NOS that I have heard in my system is the Octave and it sounds great to me. It's using modern chips, R2R, I think, but I'm not sure. I .......
249: Digital Drive, Fair statements (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-05-16, 22:55:52 (99.46.90.131)
That sounds reasonable. I suppose that what I meant about tone controls would be if, say all recordings sounded like a 1928 disc and I always needed to boost the bass and treble (which would be pointl .......
250: Digital Drive, CI Audio (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-05-16, 22:49:01 (99.46.90.131)
Interesting. The Channel Islands VDA-2 that I used to have "uses only a mild "slow roll-off" digital filter and first order analog filter to tame the sampling noise. This architecture has reduced filt .......
251: Digital Drive, Selectable filters - why (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-05-16, 13:45:00 (206.190.70.130)
It may work, I have not heard, so cannot say from experience. And I expect that the AMR stuff sounds good. But by my thinking, if the designer does not know which sounds best and/or cannot optimize to .......
252: Digital Drive, why Vinyl (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-05-16, 13:32:39 (206.190.70.130)
Until I got my Metrum Octave, I gave up on digital again and started to buy the new 180 g vinyl pressings, which are way better than my old ones. But now, w/ good sound from CDs, I keep my vinyl for t .......
253: Digital Drive, Now you know. (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-05-16, 13:29:18 (206.190.70.130)
That gives you some idea of the differences. .......
254: Digital Drive, EJ song order (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-05-16, 13:28:22 (206.190.70.130)
That looks good, but seems a bit over priced. I also noticed that it's another one with the songs not in chronological order - I really dislike that. .......
255: Digital Drive, Similar here, but improved (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-05-16, 13:23:29 (206.190.70.130)
In our Hondas, the SQ used to be garbage. I thought that it was the DACs. Then I cancel and maybe sometimes explain that the Sound Quality is horrible. Then they evenually offer a "trial" at $6/month .......
256: Digital Drive, Nixon (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-05-14, 13:15:19 (206.190.70.130)
I found one model made in Russia for ~$800. Scott Nixon is the cheapest new one that I know of, linked below. Or you can check Audiogon for a used MHDT Havana or an older, cheaper model from them. Not .......
257: Digital Drive, Note the correlation to TT owners. (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-05-13, 18:21:40 (99.46.90.131)
I think that I'm starting to notice that many NOS owners also have TurnTables. Conversely, I suspect that many who think that they prefer OS have never heard pure analog on a stereo. .......
258: Digital Drive, The only type that I will buy again is NOS (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-05-13, 12:49:16 (206.190.70.130)
I think that few who have heard NOS on a resolving system will say that they prefer the OS types. I wasted some money over the years trying to get CDs to sound enjoyable until I got an NOS DAC. At a h .......
259: Digital Drive, Dynamics too (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-05-13, 09:33:19 (206.190.70.130)
I think that you will notice that the dynamics are much less restricted than OS types also. .......
260: Digital Drive, Metrum DACs (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-05-12, 11:25:44 (206.190.70.130)
I agree with you and I highly recommend listening to a Metrum DAC. There are 3 models (prices). The list linked by someone else below did not have the cheapest one, the Quad listed. They have ended my .......
261: Planar Speaker Asylum, I am interested (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-05-01, 12:53:21 (206.190.70.130)
But you do not accept email, even from registered inmates. Thanks. .......
262: Amp/Preamp Asylum, Unplugging vs power off (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-05-01, 12:31:19 (206.190.70.130)
I unplug that which has no hard power switch, but not generally items w/ a real power switch. That should offer ~80% risk reduction or so, shouldn't it, from all but lightening which would take out ot .......
263: Digital Drive, NOS vs Delta sigma (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-04-21, 16:09:03 (64.134.179.249)
This re-enforces, what I suggested in my Metrum review. That the most enjoyable DACs for music may not be the same as a recording engineer would want to use. It could be that a typical recording engi .......
264: Digital Drive, I liked it. (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-04-21, 15:56:39 (64.134.179.249)
That was pretty great except that I think that it ignores NOS DACs (where jitter is less relevant?) and Speakers Corner (and maybe other) modern, high quality vinyl pressings which do not have the noi .......
265: Cable Asylum, ) 3 meters (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-04-07, 13:32:11 (206.190.70.130)
I think that I compared fibers in 3 foot vs 25 feet a while ago and the longer was much better. I'm using 1 m for my coax, since a long one with quality would be very expensive, although, depending on .......
266: Cable Asylum, Double shotgun. (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-04-04, 13:26:36 (206.190.70.130)
To me, double shotgun would literally imply 4 runs (or could be shot-gunned biwire; doubled biwire). Clearly not a term meant to convey descriptive clarity. .......
267: Digital Drive, Turntable (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-04-04, 13:19:55 (206.190.70.130)
Not great, but as stated in my system: Music Hall MMF-5 Turntable w/ Goldring 1042 cartridge and Parasound phono preamp. .......
268: Planar Speaker Asylum, RE: Maggie Bi Wire vs Active OX (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-03-28, 15:56:45 (206.190.70.130)
Biwiring in my experience would give you only ~10 % of the benefit of even passively bi-amping, if that. And passive bi-amping gives ~60% of the benefits of active bi-amping. .......
269: Hi-Rez Highway, Pops (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-03-28, 14:28:00 (206.190.70.130)
As I recall, the Speakers Corner disc has no pops, etc. But it is more work to play one than an SACD. .......
270: Hi-Rez Highway, I will give it another try (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-03-27, 20:10:09 (99.46.90.131)
Sometimes, I like music right away and other times, it takes me years or even decades (I am just now getting to listen to the Rush albums from the 70s). I will give this another try some time. I'm not .......
271: Hi-Rez Highway, Crime of the Century vinyl is amazing (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-03-27, 14:45:39 (206.190.70.130)
The sound quality of this record from Speakers Corner is incredible. I don't see how SACD could better it. I was talked into trying the record; too bad I don't like the music. .......
272: Hi-Rez Highway, I thought it was a pretty good summary (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-03-27, 13:10:36 (206.190.70.130)
Other than the Nyquist part and other stuff near the middle. .......
273: Cable Asylum, More important with better equipment (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-03-26, 19:21:30 (99.46.90.131)
I was trying to hypothesize why some people do not hear differences which seem large to me. But I can say that I have had components which are less sensitive to cables than others. .......
274: Cable Asylum, Less important with better equipment (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-03-26, 12:59:45 (206.190.70.130)
I have a hypothesis (somewhat in line with my experience) that better equipment, which typically costs more, drives the cables better and therefore the sonic differences among cables diminish. Many of .......
275: Digital Drive, NOS (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-03-25, 19:42:34 (99.46.90.131)
I do not doubt you. Of course, I have spent years getting my system to not sound cold or analytical (I went down that wrong path years ago, where only audiophile recordings sounded good). Maggies real .......
276: Planar Speaker Asylum, Level control (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-03-25, 12:58:43 (206.190.70.130)
I find that the highs are much more sensitive than the woofer on my 3.3s. The high out needs attenuation for me. So no level control would be a mistake. .......
277: Digital Drive, Hex (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-03-25, 12:52:34 (206.190.70.130)
Well that may qualify as a good review of the Hex. It's like I suggested - that Metrum owners become more interested in listening to music than reading/posting about listening to music, so there are f .......
278: Digital Drive, That would be fraud (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-03-23, 18:55:31 (99.46.90.131)
Some, like the MHDT Stockholm do say that they accept the high res. signals, but use a 16 bit DAC chip. Stello DA100 page says: "True 24Bit Delta-Sigma DAC" at the link below: .......
279: Digital Drive, Thanks to you. (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-03-23, 10:42:13 (99.46.90.131)
Your past posts summarizing what you found to be strengths and weaknesses of different DAC design aspects helped me very much in finding what was critical to me which helped to lead me to this DAC. :: .......
280: Digital Drive, Which is.. (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-03-23, 10:07:10 (99.46.90.131)
what? .......
281: Digital Drive, Thanks. (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-03-23, 10:06:19 (99.46.90.131)
But my budget has already been exceeded : ) I was lucky to get the mark I on close out price and I achieved my dream system finally (at least one that does not make me keep thinking that I need someth .......
282: Digital Drive, Check again - link corrected. (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-03-23, 09:45:04 (99.46.90.131)
I corrected/edited my post prior to your reply. I have the correct link now. .......
283: Digital Drive, Linked below (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-03-23, 09:23:56 (99.46.90.131)
I linked it below, and again here. I thought about it - I still have not read it, but the effective resolution could go up with the number of paralled chips, for all I know, so that may not be much of .......
284: Digital Drive, I forgot to comment on break in. (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-03-23, 07:47:47 (99.46.90.131)
I forgot to mention in my review that it does indeed take 4 months for the sound to fully stabilize. The "magic", so to speak, happened at about 3 months. It was never bad before that, it's just that .......
285: Digital Drive, DAC 8581 only 16 bit; (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-03-23, 07:42:39 (99.46.90.131)
I think that cannot be it, if the TAS review measures more resolution than 16 bit? But I don't care what it looks like or words or numbers that describe it. I only care about the sound, which works gr .......
286: Digital Drive, Me too, generally (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-03-22, 20:47:42 (99.46.90.131)
But in this case, we have the TAS measurement, which I did not read closely, just enough to try to answer your question. I had read before that the effective # of bits for the old 16-bit R2R chips was .......
287: Digital Drive, Not 'unique' (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-03-22, 13:44:25 (99.46.90.131)
The total DAC seems to be 24-bit (w/ 14 bit effective resolution? per 6 Moons review). So Metrum is indeed not unique in that sense. The CAD is based on the old 16 bit chips and I'm sure that 16 of th .......
288: Digital Drive, RE: Thanks for the review... (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-03-22, 13:26:48 (99.46.90.131)
Although the constant feeling that I have had for ~40 years of always wanting to improve my stereo went away w/ this DAC, if I did upgrade I would only want a Hex. I love the sound of the Octave. Like .......
289: Digital Drive, Comparison of AT3500+ to Octave (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-03-22, 12:45:17 (99.46.90.131)
FYI .......
290: Digital Drive, True High-resolution (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-03-22, 12:42:58 (99.46.90.131)
It is my understanding that the other NOS DACs which use chips made decades ago, only process 16 bits (maybe at 44.1 kHz sampling rate?); their receiver chips pass that reduced-resolution data to the .......
291: Digital Drive, Octave (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-03-22, 08:58:58 (99.46.90.131)
I'm a huge fan. I finally posted my review above. .......
292: General Asylum, REVIEW: Metrum Acoustics Octave DAC Processors (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-03-22, 08:33:25 (99.46.90.131)
Model: Octave Category: DAC Processors Suggested Retail Price: $1083 Description: NOS DAC Manufacturer URL: Metrum Acoustics Model Picture: View Review by sbrians on March 22, 2014 a .......
293: Digital Drive, REVIEW: Metrum Acoustics Octave DAC Processors (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-03-22, 08:33:25 (99.46.90.131)
Model: Octave Category: DAC Processors Suggested Retail Price: $1083 Description: NOS DAC Manufacturer URL: Metrum Acoustics Model Picture: View Review by sbrians on March 22, 2014 a .......
294: Planar Speaker Asylum, Panels (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-03-18, 15:34:25 (206.190.70.130)
Maybe I am confused, but I meant on the speakers themselves. I thought that if you put the bananas too far into the speakers, then you had a problem. .......
295: Planar Speaker Asylum, RE: Shorting (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-03-18, 13:49:32 (206.190.70.130)
Was there another wire or piece of metal behind the connector? .......
296: Planar Speaker Asylum, Shorting (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-03-18, 13:41:43 (206.190.70.130)
I'm thinking that if you push them in to far, they can short against something. .......
297: Planar Speaker Asylum, Something wrong with the Crossovers - try passive bi-amp. (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-03-18, 08:50:15 (206.190.70.130)
If the stock crossover sounds better, then something seems very wrong with your Behringer or something. You should be able to passively bi-amp using the Maggie external crossover. If passive bi-amping .......
298: Hi-Rez Highway, Optical input wrong? (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-03-14, 13:51:09 (206.190.70.130)
It seems to me, that to have a current into a load, you need to leave the preamp input on the analog while burning in, if current is much of a factor. But, yeah, if the mfg. expects you to like the in .......
299: Hi-Rez Highway, Yes (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-03-13, 17:59:33 (99.46.90.131)
As I gain more experience, more evidence points me in that direction. .......
300: Digital Drive, Interesting. (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-03-13, 13:31:20 (206.190.70.130)
We do, indeed, hear differently. I did hear a lot more "going on" from the Gungnir (as a comparison to an opposite type of sound), but not dynamically, and not to my liking. .......
301: Hi-Rez Highway, It looks like your reference DAC is NOS? (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-03-13, 13:22:56 (206.190.70.130)
If your references are analog and a NOS DAC, then I would not expect others to compete with that. .......
302: Hi-Rez Highway, 2112 DVD-A (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-03-12, 20:49:04 (99.46.90.131)
I just got 2112 (Rush) DVD-A and CD pack today. I did not have time to listen to the album yet, just a quick sampling, but through my Metrum Octave, while the DVD-A (stereo) is more clear in certain a .......
303: Hi-Rez Highway, CD vs SACD player comparison - Nora Jones (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-03-12, 20:35:18 (99.46.90.131)
That's a good point. My friend brought over his Come Away with Me "SACD" and I pointed out that it was a fraud. But I did compare it with my CD, and, through my Oppo BDP-83 analog outputs, there was s .......
304: Hi-Rez Highway, I am also playing the CD layers of hybrid SACDs (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-03-12, 13:05:52 (206.190.70.130)
I finally got a great redbook DAC and just play the CD layers also. So, don't bother with an entry level SACD player. .......
305: Cable Asylum, There is no choice, for those who care about sound. (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-03-12, 12:46:48 (206.190.70.130)
The Morrows do take ~400 hours. Others may not. If one made choices only on non-broken in stuff, then their system is not likely to be too good. On the other hand, as has been pointed out, if some equ .......
306: Digital Drive, Metrum Octave (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-03-12, 12:39:45 (206.190.70.130)
I cannot say which one sounds better, but one to consider: http://hifiheaven.net/store/Metrum-Acoustics-Octave-MkII?language=en¤cy=USD .......
307: Amp/Preamp Asylum, Wow - nice tube (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-03-11, 13:07:10 (206.190.70.130)
From a review link on the site you linked. .......
308: Cable Asylum, & volume up (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-03-07, 12:56:11 (206.190.70.130)
When the amps are off, turn up the volume on the CD player. If playing, but muted or at low volume, that would defeat the purpose. Some believe that a current must flow (a small current will flow into .......
309: Films/DVD Asylum, Yes (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-03-03, 08:37:51 (206.190.70.130)
But something like buying a hybrid SACD that has only the CD layer is what I call fraud. To me, fraud is not small stuff. .......
310: Films/DVD Asylum, The United States District Court for the Northern District of California (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-02-27, 11:48:47 (206.190.70.130)
The United States District Court for the Northern District of California 1301 Clay Street Oakland, CA 94612 .......
311: Films/DVD Asylum, Summit/Netflix fraud & collusion confirmation (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-02-26, 20:54:24 (99.46.90.131)
If somebody has ideas on how to fight this scam, please let me know. This corporate greed was one reason I helped to put BB out of business (by not giving them mine). One option would be to open a hig .......
312: Films/DVD Asylum, Maybe there are different versions (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-02-26, 17:05:28 (206.190.70.130)
The only disc format that I see in imdb fits the Netflix disc that I got which is only DD. No dts-MA. I wonder whether this is a ripoff by Netflix? Blockbuster used to have their custom cheap copies w .......
313: Planar Speaker Asylum, If one is going, the other is probably not far behind (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-02-26, 15:29:37 (206.190.70.130)
I would not repair one and expect the other one to keep going. You could find a disc that causes the sound and power off and disconnected the bass and try again to confirm whether it's the bass panel, .......
314: Hi-Rez Highway, & Metrum (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-02-26, 15:19:38 (206.190.70.130)
Metrum has some choices in between those also. I too, have given up on getting great sound from high-resolution on "budget" DACs and found what I wanted from mere CDs w/ a good NOS multibit DAC. ::: T .......
315: Films/DVD Asylum, Don Giovanni on Blu ray? (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-02-25, 22:09:44 (99.46.90.131)
I'm not an opera fan, but years ago decided to see Don Giovanni if I ever watched an opera. I really wanted to see an Academy of St. Martin in the fields version, but have not found one. I got the Kar .......
316: Films/DVD Asylum, Ender's Game audio format fraud on Blu ray (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-02-25, 12:46:31 (206.190.70.130)
I really liked the allegory of this in the end, but wanted to call out the issue of putting only the Dolby Digital audio tracks on the Blu ray disc. There was no dtsMA or anything available. If this t .......
317: Planar Speaker Asylum, RE: LED spectrum (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-02-18, 22:03:42 (99.46.90.131)
I do not doubt that the LEDs with drive circuits which are made to replace a screw-in incandescent bulb emit RF. But I was thinking that if a string of LEDs does not need such a circuit, then they wou .......
318: Planar Speaker Asylum, LED spectrum (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-02-18, 13:04:35 (206.190.70.130)
I suspect that, unlike a fluorescent tube, LEDs do not put out UltraViolet. .......
319: Digital Drive, M-Audio (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-02-13, 12:45:04 (206.190.70.130)
The AV 30 & 40 are near that price. I have a pair of some model by these guys that I like. .......
320: Cable Asylum, RE: Any 20 awg litz headphone wire, all cu on the planet (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-02-12, 12:34:34 (206.190.70.130)
And there are 2 Headphone cables for these models: "Headphone Cable is available for Sennheiser HD800, HD600/650, HD580, Audeze and HiFi Man headphones." Here: .......
321: Digital Drive, Neuropathy & price (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-02-12, 12:28:19 (206.190.70.130)
It can be somewhat reversible. Reduce carbs and use ALA if applicable. Here is a price reference to the 2.1B assembled kit: http://www.audioasylumtrader.com/ca/listing/DAC-Processors/Audio-Note/2.1B/K .......
322: Cable Asylum, agreed (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-02-10, 12:55:24 (206.190.70.130)
The MA3s are the first cables that I have tried that do not have any trade off of sonic attributes that I can hear. .......
323: Digital Drive, On bottom too (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-02-07, 13:00:34 (206.190.70.130)
Yesterday I put my transport on top of a sandbag also. The result was similar to using a CD mat, so I will make 3 sandbags to use under the player when I get around to it. What I don't know is how imp .......
324: Digital Drive, Agreed (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-02-06, 11:25:17 (206.190.70.130)
The improvements of late are making CDs sound better than high res. at affordable prices (or nearly affordable). If talking very expensive stuff, then I cannot comment. I have the impression that what .......
325: Digital Drive, Agreed - Multibit is much better (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-02-04, 13:27:13 (206.190.70.130)
In my limited experience, I agree fully. I would also say that Metrum Acoustics has introduced new technology in their use of newly manufactured multibit DAC chips that require no output stage. There .......
326: Digital Drive, Modelling clay (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-02-04, 13:20:38 (206.190.70.130)
I have used that blue tack stuff and the waxy earplug stuff on some caps. Only after this discussion did I think about how flammable this stuff could be if a cap were to explode? Your clay sounds poss .......
327: Planar Speaker Asylum, Bookshelf speakers w/ ribbons - Goldenear (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-02-04, 13:14:00 (206.190.70.130)
I just came across these on the amplifier board: .......
328: Digital Drive, Sandbags (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-02-03, 12:25:00 (206.190.70.130)
Econimical: I put sand in ziplock baggies on nearly everything in my rack. One of the biggest differences was on the circuit board of my preamp which has the tube sockets. Of course you need to keep a .......
329: Computer Audio Asylum, RF Exposure Warning (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-02-01, 12:31:16 (99.46.90.131)
I wonder whether the dual frequencies double our exposure and therefore increase cancer risk. At least it seems that they impose a limit to the radiated power if their safety warnings are a guide. Bot .......
330: Digital Drive, Great story (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-02-01, 08:05:04 (99.46.90.131)
It re-enforces what I have come to learn about audio: I care not what the THD specs. are, just how I feel when listening to it. .......
331: Digital Drive, Metrum Hex (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-01-30, 13:46:13 (99.46.90.131)
I think that you should definitely try the Hex or the cheaper Octave, which I have. I think that they may be the bigggest thing in DAC tech in a while, but not many have heard them yet I suspect. ::: .......
332: Digital Drive, CD players don't cause the relays to click (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-01-29, 19:25:28 (99.46.90.131)
I guess that if you guys get frequent clicking of the relays at song pauses, etc., you are using computers. I don't have that issue using the satellite receiver or a cd player. .......
333: Hi-Rez Highway, PCM if monitor is on (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-01-29, 13:33:38 (206.190.70.130)
I asked them about the PCM issue a while ago. I forget the exact situation, but I think having the monitor on does that. You can test which mode it is in by using the Oppo volume; DSD will not be affe .......
334: Digital Drive, learn to deal with it if you like the sound and return it if you don't (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-01-29, 13:06:44 (206.190.70.130)
The acoustic relay sound (through the air) does not reduce with time. .......
335: Digital Drive, Yes (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-01-23, 13:29:11 (206.190.70.130)
I have never had a player that did not have both working at the same time. I can't say about yours. .......
336: Digital Drive, ok (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-01-21, 15:05:58 (206.190.70.130)
I did not take it too wrong. I know that you make useful posts, not attacks. .......
337: Cable Asylum, Anticable (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-01-21, 10:35:22 (206.190.70.130)
I thought that they use a single solid core wire? If so, that it quite different from the Morrow design. .......
338: Cable Asylum, Transparent (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-01-20, 18:53:30 (99.46.90.131)
I use a tube pre w/ class D and hybrid tube/SS amps (bi-amping). My Transparent experience is of their older stuff. Years ago I got their Music links and liked it at the time, but it seemed quite expe .......
339: Digital Drive, Thanks (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-01-20, 18:38:05 (99.46.90.131)
I know that you have done some research (and listening to various types, I believe). I'm just glad to find one much closer to analog sound than I have heard before. .......
340: Cable Asylum, RE: Analysis Plus Oval 12 vs. Transparent Audio The Wave (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-01-20, 14:37:03 (206.190.70.130)
Years ago, when they were fairly new, I tried some oval something by AP; not silver. I ended up returning them and use the Transparents for my highs in my main system to this day. I can't remember the .......
341: Cable Asylum, Yes (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-01-20, 14:31:00 (206.190.70.130)
Until I got Morrow MA3s, they were my best cables (Excalibur plus, single ended). I have 2 pair, one of which I bought used years ago. Now they may be my 2nd best depending on the system. Yes, they do .......
342: Digital Drive, I will try it more (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-01-20, 12:06:39 (206.190.70.130)
I tried it on one replaceable disc, and it seemed to be a worthwhile improvement in sound (mostly on the cymbals). But I will have to try it on more discs to confirm, when I get a chance. I don't thin .......
343: Digital Drive, Jena (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-01-19, 22:33:40 (99.46.90.131)
I believe that Jena stopped making theirs as too expensive. .......
344: Digital Drive, 24/176 (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-01-19, 22:27:58 (99.46.90.131)
I that they all accept 24/176 (some of the mark I's happen to do 192 and all of the mark IIs do). I think that the older NOS chips used by others could only convert 16 bits, but these seem to be speci .......
345: Digital Drive, Metrum Octave - 2 months in. (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-01-18, 07:30:01 (99.46.90.131)
I thought that I would post this draft review while giving more time before my permanent review. I have the Mark I Octave. It has burned in for about 2 months and needs that long for the character to .......
346: Digital Drive, smooth (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-01-18, 06:09:14 (99.46.90.131)
The multibit DACs are difficult to find since most are delta sigma, but they are smooth. I would describe the delta sigma as hard and analytical. You have heard those. The second post linked below giv .......
347: Digital Drive, RE: Right direction - Multibit DACs (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-01-17, 14:30:24 (206.190.70.130)
It took me a year or 2 to figure some of this out. All that I know is what you said above and the Metrums which use currently manufactured chips I believe. I believe that the ESS and Wolfson are not R .......
348: Cable Asylum, Superconducting (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-01-14, 13:09:09 (206.190.70.130)
It's not under audio, but I wonder how superconducting cables would sound. I've been waiting to hear a superconducting amp. for years, but maybe not in this life. .......
349: Digital Drive, Right direction - Multibit DACs (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-01-13, 13:35:24 (206.190.70.130)
I had similar problems as you with digital until I heard multibit DACs. I think that you would not be happy with the delta sigma DACs. I do not understand why people are selling expensive DACs using t .......
350: Digital Drive, Constricted (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-01-10, 07:22:42 (99.46.90.131)
If you mean dynamically constricted, then what I was calling NOS DACs do not seem to constrict the dynamics. Note that Morricab below corrects my terminology some as to NOS vs R2R DACs; I don't know w .......
351: Digital Drive, Interesting. (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-01-10, 07:17:16 (99.46.90.131)
Good; you corrected me. I only heard 2 R2R and NOS DACs and did not know that some have separated those functions. I have not seen anyone clarifying those details before. Does that mean that, due to O .......
352: Planar Speaker Asylum, MMGs (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-01-09, 12:48:39 (206.190.70.130)
MMGs linked below. These 3.6s w/ Mye stands seem like a good deal: http://allentown.craigslist.org/ele/4278203501.html .......
353: Planar Speaker Asylum, Here are some SMGs (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-01-09, 12:44:14 (206.190.70.130)
Maybe a bit expensive @ $270? .......
354: Cable Asylum, Bi-wiring is not a gimmick (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-01-09, 12:39:31 (206.190.70.130)
Though this will vary with speakers, etc. I generally find some sonic benefit to bi-wiring. Bi-amping is way better for my speakers, but bi-wiring usually improves the sound for me (I have only tried .......
355: Digital Drive, Neko Audio D100 Mk2 24-bit Stereo DAC review link (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-01-09, 12:22:53 (206.190.70.130)
This review gives more hints about Non-OverSampling sound. .......
356: Digital Drive, RE: Metrum housing (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-01-09, 11:04:29 (206.190.70.130)
My Octave housing may look okay, but I needed to place it in sandbags (in ziplock baggies) and then put sandbags on top to have good control of the bass. So, to get the best sound out of the Quad, you .......
357: Cable Asylum, CDs too (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-01-08, 13:17:59 (206.190.70.130)
I don't know whether they may be damaged, but I have tried the freezer and heard a temporary improvement. You gave me one reason not to be in warm weather now. There's a guy somewhere here in MI who t .......
358: Amp/Preamp Asylum, Manual (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-01-08, 13:09:10 (206.190.70.130)
Maybe this will help? .......
359: Digital Drive, Metrum (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-01-07, 09:37:02 (206.190.70.130)
I'm very happy w/ my Octave. One needs NOS for analog sound it seems. The Quad is cheaper, although I have not heard that. .......
360: Digital Drive, Both (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-01-03, 12:08:19 (206.190.70.130)
I find the Bifrost fairly tunable with PC, ICs and digital cables. Another idea is to get a $50 power cable and a glass fiber or something and have both to tune the system. I find that as I have built .......
361: Digital Drive, DSD (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-01-03, 11:54:24 (206.190.70.130)
I believe that for legal/greed reasons, to play an SACD through your external DAC, you can only get signal on HDMI and then possibly only DSD converted to PCM. .......
362: Planar Speaker Asylum, Channel Islands D-200s (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2014-01-02, 13:22:53 (206.190.70.130)
I'm using these amps on the woofers. They sound almost as good as my Anthem Amp 2 SE. Both amps have similar power, the D-200s may have better dynamics and channel separation as would be expected w/ m .......
363: Digital Drive, OS or NOS? (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-12-11, 12:51:57 (206.190.70.130)
That was interesting. I'm wondering whether this is an R2R DAC or delta sigma? .......
364: Films/DVD Asylum, Art (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-12-05, 13:14:06 (206.190.70.130)
I find some art to be instantly enjoyable and some to take more time and/or effort as you describe. And some that I will never understand, nor care to. Was the Matrix art? .......
365: Films/DVD Asylum, 2 of the best actors (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-12-05, 13:02:12 (206.190.70.130)
If they are awful, who are great ones? I can see that these 2 may not stretch much beyond their personalities. I think that William H. Macy is one of the greatest since, even though he's rarely in gre .......
366: Films/DVD Asylum, Oh, "L'homme qui voulait vivre sa vie" 2010 (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-12-05, 12:56:29 (206.190.70.130)
Apparently there are several films w/ such a title. It's now # 256 in my queue : ) .......
367: Amp/Preamp Asylum, Interesting. I like my 10BL (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-12-04, 17:47:23 (206.190.70.130)
I prefer mine to autoformer, Rogues, AVA, Parasound, and nothing. .......
368: Digital Drive, Metrum Octave Mk I DAC price cut further (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-12-04, 13:29:09 (206.190.70.130)
Demo units down to about $700 (not including shipping/tax). I figured that someone may be interested. Mine has just finished most of its break in and I can say that it has ended my DAC search and make .......
369: Planar Speaker Asylum, I wonder whether Mye Stands, etc. still benefit (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-12-04, 13:12:25 (206.190.70.130)
I wonder whether there is some damping of the frame or whether it's purely some baffle effect? .......
370: Planar Speaker Asylum, No center - agreed (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-12-04, 13:04:42 (206.190.70.130)
My system is 4.1; I did not hear much benefit to having a 6.1 system. That's also because I don't want to sacrifice the 2.0 aspect of my system. If I were doing a set up only for movies, etc. I expect .......
371: Cable Asylum, try a longer one (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-12-04, 12:58:47 (206.190.70.130)
Try 5 meters or longer. That may tame reflections and brightness. .......
372: Digital Drive, Beautiful. (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-12-04, 12:40:36 (206.190.70.130)
I know someone recently complained about black components, but I like them. .......
373: Digital Drive, Great comments (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-12-02, 07:39:10 (99.46.90.131)
It's good to hear how it compares to the Scout. Yeah the dynamics are amazing. .......
374: Planar Speaker Asylum, KMF (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-11-27, 00:00:01 (99.46.90.131)
I'm very happy w/ my KMF crossover which can be obtained through this dealer linked below. If you need balanced xover, they have a used one for sale at the link below. There is a previous posting here .......
375: Planar Speaker Asylum, Bi-amping (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-11-25, 15:55:42 (206.190.70.130)
I found between a NOS DAC which you seem to have, and active bi-amping, my speakers sound good even a low volume levels. You can expect more dynamics and clarity by bi-amping. .......
376: Digital Drive, Gould (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-11-23, 10:31:51 (99.46.90.131)
I figured that initially, but it was not musical and sounded like muffled talking from a sound booth or something. That does not mean that I'm correct. .......
377: Digital Drive, A few hours later, music. (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-11-22, 06:55:07 (99.46.90.131)
Wow. Things have smoothed out now. I am feeling sorry for people trying to get music out of OverSampling DACs. I would compare the 2 as like a facsimile to a good copy. I was concerned about this nove .......
378: Digital Drive, NOS (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-11-21, 23:27:26 (99.46.90.131)
I could not afford the AN, but 2 days in w/ a Metrum Octave, I think that I may have obtained one that will work for me. I had also considered MHDT Stockholm 2, but those cost more and I think the Met .......
379: Digital Drive, ~40 hours in (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-11-21, 23:21:36 (99.46.90.131)
It has changed better and worse during burn in so far, so this is preliminary, but I wanted to post these notes before I forgot. It seems clear to me that people that say that this has a poor reciever .......
380: Digital Drive, My experience (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-11-21, 11:53:24 (206.190.70.130)
What I think that I learned is that better DACs are less sensitive to transports and digital cables (and analog output cables). For example the Gungnir sound did not seem to be affected by digital inp .......
381: Digital Drive, No (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-11-21, 10:53:06 (206.190.70.130)
Unless the disc has a CD layer which will be played (hybrid SACD). Some SACDs are not hybrid, but "pure" DSD and do not have the CD layer. .......
382: Digital Drive, Yes (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-11-21, 10:27:39 (206.190.70.130)
I think to get the most out out those discs in the way that you mean, you need the Pacific Microsonics chip in your DAC. I have some Keiko Matsui and Van Halen HDCDs that sound great (I have to use th .......
383: Digital Drive, Metrum (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-11-21, 09:43:24 (206.190.70.130)
I found that great recordings (~1958-1964)on CD can sound good on average DAC, but my goal has been to make the other 99% of CDs sound good or quite listenable. The Schiit Gungnir proved to me that co .......
384: Digital Drive, sources (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-11-20, 06:34:01 (99.46.90.131)
I only use satellite radio (TOSlink) and Oppo disc spinner as sources. I can tune the bass depending on how I damp the DAC box. Currently it is sandwiched between 2 sand bags. But it's still breaking .......
385: Digital Drive, Metrum Acoustics Octave mk1 initial impressions (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-11-19, 20:40:20 (99.46.90.131)
Only ~ 3 hours on it so far. Time will tell, but I think that this is what I have been looking for in a DAC for under $1k. So far, so good. Order of preference based on feeling: Octave Bifrost Channel .......
386: Digital Drive, Loki for USB DSD (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-11-18, 09:24:44 (206.190.70.130)
There is this in case you did not know, but it has no return policy due to the price. "I'm finding the easy analogish presentation of the Octave missing". This is encouraging since I get my mark I tom .......
387: Digital Drive, Thanks (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-11-18, 09:19:10 (206.190.70.130)
I considered the Valab, but my Octave Mark I arrives tomorrow. .......
388: Digital Drive, Break in. (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-11-18, 09:16:14 (206.190.70.130)
I agree on the Bifrost break in (that's undeniable, at least non-Uber). But I did not hear much change w/ the Gungnir. Did you? .......
389: Digital Drive, The WYWH test (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-11-17, 16:38:01 (99.46.90.131)
"- My favorite album - I know it well". I can say the same. I have a Metrum acoustics octave DAC arriving in a couple of days. I will have to give it the WYWH test if it works out. I have not had a DA .......
390: Digital Drive, Bifrost vs Nixon DAC (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-11-17, 00:52:14 (99.46.90.131)
I've heard the Uber and have the original. Let us know how you like it compared to the NOS Nixon. I'm trying to move toward NOS and you seem to be going the opposite direction. .......
391: Amp/Preamp Asylum, Tube switches (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-11-08, 11:16:58 (206.190.70.130)
I was not sure about the capability of some tubes to act as binary switches, since some were used that way a long time ago (Eniac?). Yes, the rest I generally knew. .......
392: Planar Speaker Asylum, Because it's cheaper and easier (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-11-06, 19:21:38 (99.46.90.131)
I did that with what I had at the time to learn & enjoy the benefits - at no cost. Then I could learn more from that before committing money to going "all the way". Just like years ago, I tried bi-wi .......
393: Planar Speaker Asylum, VDA2 (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-11-06, 17:07:13 (206.190.70.130)
BTW, I just posted my VDA2 here for sale last night. Very interesting to use a good DAC for Bi-amping. That could sound awesome. .......
394: Amp/Preamp Asylum, 700W for inefficient speakers (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-11-06, 17:02:57 (206.190.70.130)
Inefficient Magnepan speakers. I'm bi-amping which enables me to get away w/ only 700 W. The Woofer probably needs 500w or so, but I don't have amps that big. .......
395: Amp/Preamp Asylum, Cost (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-11-06, 12:41:57 (206.190.70.130)
Initial cost/Watt, maintenance (tube life), etc., electricity cost (including increased air conditioning cost). I wonder whether someone can design a class D tube amp? I'm running ~700W to each speake .......
396: Planar Speaker Asylum, Bi-amping article (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-11-05, 23:33:46 (99.46.90.131)
This fits my experience w/ Maggies and seems like a good summary for those interested. .......
397: Digital Drive, More (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-11-05, 21:03:55 (99.46.90.131)
I have considered trying one of these for a while and am interested in hearing more of your impressions. Specifically, do you find it more difficult to stop listening to music with this? What did you .......
398: Digital Drive, Hex (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-11-01, 23:47:00 (99.46.90.131)
I would like a HEX and wonder whether one really givee up dynamics with NOS in this case. Of course I would like Lampiztor also, but that costs more. Please tell me more about this DAC's sound. Thanks .......
399: Digital Drive, Treble (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-11-01, 23:42:10 (99.46.90.131)
Cymbals on the Uber Bifrost are not as clean and realistic as on the Gungnir as I recall, meaning their accuracy is limited, but not annoying. It's strange that I keep thinking that the sounds from th .......
400: Digital Drive, Uber Bifrost comments (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-10-31, 13:02:05 (206.190.70.130)
I borrowed an Uber Bifrost this week. It is more clear than the original. But I prefer the original. The uber does sound more like the Gungnir - what they both do to me is make my tinnitus scream. The .......
401: Hi-Rez Highway, Yes. (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-10-29, 21:19:11 (99.46.90.131)
If I lived in a city, then I would have much less room to speak. in the mean time, I am quite happy to try to benefit from having my nearest neighbor much farther away than one generally does in a cit .......
402: Cable Asylum, Yes, the pic in the link (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-10-29, 06:55:53 (99.46.90.131)
The posting that you linked to is wrong; pic and description do not match. It's good that you got what you paid for in your case. .......
403: Cable Asylum, Gauge? (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-10-28, 09:44:08 (206.190.70.130)
Maybe it's cheaper because he's selling it as 10 ga. yet the photo shows it labelled at 12 gauge? Do you know which gauge it really is? Not too important, as long as it sounds good. .......
404: Headphone Heights, 2nd Annual San Diego Head-Fi Meet: Saturday, November 2nd, 2013 (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-10-26, 08:31:22 (99.46.90.131)
FYI .......
405: Amp/Preamp Asylum, Probably a good idea (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-10-25, 18:24:30 (99.46.90.131)
I suppose that would add to the cost. I don't think that the one that I had, had a differently loaded output for each winding, but did not hear issues w/ that in my system. I just prefer active tubes .......
406: Planar Speaker Asylum, Upstream components have a large effect (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-10-25, 13:34:53 (206.190.70.130)
active bi-amping would help also. Your InterConnects are not listed, but I would recommend Morrow MA-3s. .......
407: Hi-Rez Highway, "is afraid of WiFi" (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-10-25, 13:29:15 (206.190.70.130)
I think that everyone who knows much about it, is "afraid" of wifi. I don't know how dangerous wifi is compared to cell phones, but I don't want my stereo to cause cancer, etc. either. http://ehtrust. .......
408: Amp/Preamp Asylum, Constant input impedance. (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-10-25, 13:17:36 (206.190.70.130)
It is my understanding (I used to have a Sonic Euphoria PLC unit on which I base this response) that as the volume control is turned down, the output impedance goes down (voltage is converted to curre .......
409: Headphone Heights, Oppo headphones & amp - future (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-10-24, 12:50:16 (206.190.70.130)
These may be interesting. Someone posted about these phones in the planar asylum. .......
410: Planar Speaker Asylum, Interesting - Oppo (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-10-24, 12:48:39 (206.190.70.130)
http://www.oppodigital.com/future/ .......
411: Planar Speaker Asylum, That's what planars are for (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-10-23, 12:50:19 (206.190.70.130)
I've gotten pretty good at pausing and rewinding to assure myself (and my wife) that all sorts of sounds are on the recording and not real life happening outside (like my 5-year old, door knocks, etc) .......
412: Cable Asylum, Dedicated lines (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-10-21, 16:15:37 (206.190.70.130)
Would you say that, to some extent, a power conditioner or regenerator is for people who don't have dedicated lines? I'm lucky and have an "audiophile house" w/ a transformer near my house. On my dedi .......
413: Cable Asylum, Bass (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-10-21, 12:37:28 (206.190.70.130)
I tried the MI2s biwired years ago. I returned them, but would blame my active electronics that I had at the time for that, more than the cables. I have always kept those cables in the back of my mind .......
414: Cable Asylum, RE: Eichman bullets (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-10-16, 12:54:37 (206.190.70.130)
Though I have not compared directly different connectors on the same cable except Audio Art cables, Eichmann coppers are my best sounding connectors. I have not heard the silver. One day I would like .......
415: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: REVIEW: B&K Components ST2140 Amplifier (SS) (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-10-16, 12:43:45 (206.190.70.130)
I think that I tried that model years ago (used), but returned it because all of my Magnepans need the tweeters tamed with a series resistor, but this amp was a current source rather than voltage sour .......
416: Planar Speaker Asylum, Model corrections (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-10-15, 00:32:37 (99.46.90.131)
Halo P3 pre amp and HCA 1500A stereo amp. That's what I have running there. Their sound quality was not quite up to what I have in my main system, but they are a great match for the MMG system. The he .......
417: Planar Speaker Asylum, MMG sensitivity to amp (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-10-14, 12:42:28 (206.190.70.130)
I just replaced my NAD 312 amp in my secondary system (MMGs) w/ a Parasound HCA 1800 II or something like that, and the improvement in sound is huge. Now that system is Bifrost to Parasound Pre and Pa .......
418: Planar Speaker Asylum, Bigger is better generally (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-10-14, 12:34:40 (206.190.70.130)
If the 1.5s have never been re-glued, then I would factor that expense in (~$700 w/ shipping). So, I have never heard 1.5s, but would expect them to be better than MMGs on size of sound and bass but t .......
419: Cable Asylum, 14 ga is not overkill (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-10-11, 13:45:41 (206.190.70.130)
If you need more bass, you may need larger wire. Your sonic goal is not clear. .......
420: Films/DVD Asylum, Not at same quality (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-10-07, 13:08:37 (206.190.70.130)
If the original format is lower quality than original IMAX, then I would think not. But the last time that I went to a public theater (rather than my home theater) to see something, it was Avatar in I .......
421: Amp/Preamp Asylum, More dynamics (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-10-07, 12:33:29 (206.190.70.130)
W/ Magnepans, I get more dynamic sound (so then I went active later). I can't speak for other speaker types. .......
422: Digital Drive, Circuit or chips? (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-10-04, 09:03:37 (206.190.70.130)
There's Altmann, MHDT, Metrum - all Non Oversampling I believe. I suppose that's custom. .......
423: Planar Speaker Asylum, How to tell? (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-10-01, 12:19:21 (206.190.70.130)
Interesting. I have thought that when that happens on my 3.3s or 1.6s I was at the excursion limits since it sounds like that is what is happening, but have never been sure whether the amps were clipp .......
424: Films/DVD Asylum, Netflix (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-09-30, 14:02:25 (206.190.70.130)
Since you had no other response, check that out. .......
425: Films/DVD Asylum, RE: Doesn't seem that bad to me either. (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-09-30, 14:00:33 (206.190.70.130)
I like them too, for Blurays, etc. Their stock of new releases has improved over the years too, possibly at the expense of slightly more limited obscure stuff. .......
426: Films/DVD Asylum, I thought that it was one of the best TV series I've seen. (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-09-30, 13:54:04 (206.190.70.130)
What do you think of the Twilight Zone? I consider that to be the best American one. I can't compare to ones from other lands. .......
427: Headphone Heights, Ultrasone HFI-580s (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-09-30, 13:45:55 (206.190.70.130)
I tried about 20 pairs at B&H when I chose these as the best to me under $200. I can't compare to much others, but I really like the sound of these and comfort. But they can make you ears hot if you a .......
428: Cable Asylum, Cable article link (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-09-30, 10:38:55 (206.190.70.130)
This may be of interest. .......
429: Propeller Head Plaza, Cable article link (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-09-30, 10:38:55 (206.190.70.130)
This may be of interest. .......
430: Digital Drive, Gungnir will reduce jitter (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-09-27, 09:54:22 (206.190.70.130)
The Adapticlock would help the jitter greatly I believe. I'm sure he would hear a difference w/ that DAC, but that is beyond his stated budget. My Bifrost is more sensitive to my transport than the Gu .......
431: Films/DVD Asylum, Me too. (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-09-19, 12:57:22 (206.190.70.130)
I liked it. .......
432: Hi-Rez Highway, Impressive that the Loki is already there. (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-09-18, 12:49:41 (206.190.70.130)
I just found out about that today. Although it does me no good without HDMI input. .......
433: Cable Asylum, RE: Pangea AC-9 (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-09-18, 05:54:04 (99.46.90.131)
Good info. I have yet to try the SE versions due to cost, but the AC-14 does not impress me on anything. I have used the AC-9 even on DACs and find them to be my best power cord anywhere I use them. M .......
434: Digital Drive, Sensitivity of DACs to transport, etc (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-09-17, 12:49:19 (206.190.70.130)
I found that the Bifrost DAC was sensitive to power cable, digital input cable, and output ICs, whereas the higher design quality of the Gungnir was very insensitive to any of those things (I really l .......
435: Cable Asylum, Pangea AC-9 (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-09-17, 12:36:13 (206.190.70.130)
I think this cord provides great bass and other good things. .......
436: Cable Asylum, RE: Odd, I've used those particular Nordost cables specifically FOR their warmth... (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-09-17, 11:23:31 (206.190.70.130)
Ok. I used the Solar Winds years ago in a different system (different amps and different model of planar speakers than I use now). My speakers need low resistance cables for bass current, and I never .......
437: Planar Speaker Asylum, Impedance vs frequency (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-09-17, 11:13:45 (206.190.70.130)
The DC resistance of the highs should be infinite. His parallel math fails due to the different frequencies going to the highs and lows, if I am not mistaken. .......
438: Planar Speaker Asylum, 20.1 bi-amped (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-09-17, 11:04:39 (206.190.70.130)
I have heard not-broken in 3.7s, but not 20.7s. I prefer my bi-amped 3.3s to maybe even 20.1s (but only heard in store w/ $40 tube amps, etc). I expect that I would much prefer bi-amped 20.1s to 20.7s .......
439: Digital Drive, Thanks (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-09-17, 11:00:13 (206.190.70.130)
I thought that it is good information, but my enthusiasm is tempered by the country of origin. .......
440: Cable Asylum, Nordost Super Flatline Gold Mk 2 (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-09-16, 13:11:13 (206.190.70.130)
I'm pretty sure that changing from Goertz to Nordost will remove all warmth. .......
441: Digital Drive, Cheap player w/ good DAC (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-09-11, 13:00:08 (206.190.70.130)
Why not a $100 Sony spinner and a Gungnir DAC? You don't list your equipment, so response accuracy will be limited. .......
442: Planar Speaker Asylum, Series vs parallel link (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-09-10, 13:31:00 (206.190.70.130)
I found the one that you mentioned: .......
443: Planar Speaker Asylum, I agree (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-09-07, 23:16:46 (99.46.90.131)
I went 2-way active a while ago. After trying passive. My main point was that many say that passive biamping does little to no good, but on Maggies, I very much disagree, at least with my amps. So, it .......
444: Planar Speaker Asylum, Bi-amp (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-09-06, 21:51:26 (99.46.90.131)
On my 3.3s, I heard huge improvement passively biamping. As someone else also did as posted recently. I'm thinking that no way would a single amp be better. But 60W available for the woofers? I presum .......
445: Planar Speaker Asylum, 70V (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-09-06, 21:39:37 (99.46.90.131)
I'm thinking that Magnepan was trying to say not to push more than 280W into them? That wood frame looks better quality than on any of mine, even my IIbs, as far as I can tell. .......
446: Planar Speaker Asylum, $100 Maggies (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-09-06, 15:28:00 (206.190.70.130)
This guy thinks they hang on a wall. I can't tell the model, and assume that they need re-glue, but are probably a great deal for someone in San Diego. .......
447: Digital Drive, Great link (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-09-06, 12:28:25 (206.190.70.130)
I presume that the 22.2 surround sound is just for demo or theaters or people with excess money. I already thought that 7.1 was overkill, especially since movie directors seem to be barely able to use .......
448: Planar Speaker Asylum, Channel Islands VDA2 (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-09-05, 13:03:04 (206.190.70.130)
and an analog crossover. .......
449: Headphone Heights, Ultrasone ULE (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-09-05, 12:54:06 (206.190.70.130)
Some makers consider this. I expect that any effects of this are likely less than being bathed in wireless RF from cell phones, etc. .......
450: Cable Asylum, RE: Help What or how is this interconnect tcable used? (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-09-05, 12:41:28 (206.190.70.130)
It looks to me like you could use it to passively bi-amp if you don't use the balanced connector. .......
451: Digital Drive, I think that it was just a DAC test (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-09-03, 10:49:16 (206.190.70.130)
I think that mediocre DACs do better with higher sampling rates and as better redbook DACs become more affordable, CD sound quality approaches that of higher resolution playback. I cannot speak of mul .......
452: Digital Drive, RE: Emotiva CD-2; Bifrost better (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-08-22, 13:01:53 (206.190.70.130)
I'm not sure whether you are asking about the ERC-2, but in my opinion, it has amazing bass, like I have never heard before, but some minor glare and I preferred using a Bifrost DAC. The ERC-2 that a .......
453: Inmate Central, Netflix discs (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-08-20, 20:27:10 (99.46.90.131)
Netflix has much improved the new release availability since their start. Generally good enough for me. Blockbuster used to call a disc a new release for years, it seems, to help the illusion that the .......
454: Digital Drive, What about transports? (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-08-19, 14:24:47 (206.190.70.130)
I found that my Oppo took ~5 days to sounds its best. But now that I use an external DAC which stays on, I have not figured out whether Oppo as transport needs warming up. I think that there is an imp .......
455: Cable Asylum, They work for digital signals too (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-08-16, 13:46:16 (206.190.70.130)
I have used them as digital cables (just one of the 3; if they are long enough then length can improve the sound depending on DAC). Or use them where I don't need better sound quality. Or give them aw .......
456: Hi-Rez Highway, Sony BDP-S370 (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-08-15, 12:56:09 (206.190.70.130)
I can't vouch for the digital outs of this Sony compared to more expensive players, but I use one in my secondary system to a Bifrost DAC. Why not use the bluray player for redbook, or are you trying .......
457: Films/DVD Asylum, Masterpiece (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-08-07, 13:41:07 (206.190.70.130)
I thought that it was the best movie that I've seen in years (and I've seen many). I accepted the musical anachronisms and enjoyed it. .......
458: Amp/Preamp Asylum, Exactly (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-08-07, 13:22:19 (206.190.70.130)
I have now learned to judge equipment by how I feel from the music, more than what I hear. .......
459: Digital Drive, Bifrost (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-08-07, 13:04:26 (206.190.70.130)
I don't know how you could better sound for the money. It's a musical DAC. The original version can sound a bit rolled off on the ends of the frequency spectrum depending on the system, but I think th .......
460: Planar Speaker Asylum, Shotgun (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-08-06, 13:01:37 (206.190.70.130)
Shotgunned, both high and low of bi-wire going to the same place on the speaker will give you more bass, in my experience. The real bi-wire may give you clearer mids or highs? Try them. That's how I h .......
461: Planar Speaker Asylum, active Xover (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-08-01, 21:57:06 (50.201.197.37)
I think that you replied to the wrong post of mine (I made 2 today), but Tim posted more info on the KMF crossover. I have a newer one made by the same guy for my 3.3s, so not the same exact thing. As .......
462: Planar Speaker Asylum, RE: Low Pass 18dB @ 108Hz, High Pass 6dB @ 330Hz (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-08-01, 21:40:18 (50.201.197.37)
I suppose that you called them to find that out? I did not know that there was only one pot, not that low outs were RCA. There is only one way to find out how it sounds, but I expect even w/ the "comp .......
463: Planar Speaker Asylum, Cool down (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-08-01, 13:58:58 (173.126.83.61)
On a similar note, I try to power off between songs and/or turn volume down first so as not to leave something magnetized maybe. More OCD. .......
464: Planar Speaker Asylum, used KMF active xover (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-08-01, 12:53:02 (173.126.83.61)
I use a KMF (custom made in San Diego) and paid much more than this used one. I suspect that it would sound better than any other option for the money: KMF Active Crossover 2-way 250hz 12 db XLR input .......
465: Planar Speaker Asylum, Oppo BDP-83 w/ EVS basic mods & CI VDA2 DAC (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-07-25, 12:50:36 (206.190.70.130)
Also use satellite digital source. .......
466: Planar Speaker Asylum, ~700 bi-amped (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-07-23, 11:44:07 (206.190.70.130)
Active Xover .......
467: Planar Speaker Asylum, Definitely (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-07-18, 13:47:51 (206.190.70.130)
I used a freq. sweep CD to check out my 3.3s when I went to buy them and those were very old and the CD made the buzzing obvious, thus I got a lower price and used that savings to have them repaired. .......
468: Planar Speaker Asylum, Not (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-07-18, 13:44:22 (206.190.70.130)
I have listened to 12s and thought that they were in between MMGs and 1.6s in sound quality and price. I like the overall sound of my IIb's much better than my 1.6s. I suspect that your best upgrade w .......
469: Cable Asylum, Morrow MA3 (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-07-18, 13:37:47 (206.190.70.130)
Not shielded, but can return if you don't like. All of my best ICs are not shielded except for maybe my Huffmann. Mapleshade excaliburs are probably not what you are looking for, but the Morrows sound .......
470: Amp/Preamp Asylum, Cost (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-07-18, 13:33:41 (206.190.70.130)
Benefits on pre vs power amp is cost. I could not afford sufficient tube amps to drive my inefficient speakers (and the extra tube replacements and electricity and air conditioning), but use a CJ prea .......
471: Planar Speaker Asylum, 3.3s, IIb's, 1.6s, MMGs (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-07-16, 13:07:37 (206.190.70.130)
Listed in order of sound quality to me, best to worst. The IIb's really sound great, just don't go as loud as newer ones (maybe because they need re-glue, but work fine in the bedroom). .......
472: Amp/Preamp Asylum, Thanks (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-07-16, 12:57:28 (206.190.70.130)
That was quite informative. .......
473: Digital Drive, Yes (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-07-16, 12:50:55 (206.190.70.130)
That's one of the most valuable posts that I've read. .......
474: Cable Asylum, Agreed. (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-07-11, 13:17:27 (206.190.70.130)
Moreover, take a guitar cable. It only carries a relatively few frequencies and different cables from there would likely alter the sound, but maybe not too much. Use that same cable on mixed, full spe .......
475: Amp/Preamp Asylum, Anthem (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-07-02, 16:17:03 (206.190.70.130)
For my stereo amps, my Parasound HCA-1500A does not compete with my Anthem Amp 2 SE. I can't say whether that comparison applies to the models that you are considering. .......
476: Amp/Preamp Asylum, link (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-07-02, 16:11:11 (206.190.70.130)
nt .......
477: Films/DVD Asylum, Not me (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-07-01, 13:19:08 (206.190.70.130)
The few that I got in the past year were better than I knew vinyl could be. Much better than my older original ones. The dynamic range compression on some like Raising Sand (not a re-issue) is a diffe .......
478: Cable Asylum, RE: The answer can be the speaker wires (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-07-01, 12:55:45 (206.190.70.130)
I need large speaker cables to feed enough current to my Magnepan woofers. Smaller cables choke off the low bass. I can't speak about Mirage speakers. .......
479: Music Lane, Teagan Taylor - Hello CD (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-06-19, 14:29:07 (206.190.70.130)
I posted about this new Jazz group last year. But one could only get CDs at the live shows. They have a new album which is now available on Amazon. I tried to get them to sell CDs there since I think .......
480: Digital Drive, Thanks (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-06-01, 21:43:46 (99.46.90.131)
That's helpful. .......
481: Digital Drive, Decent (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-05-31, 13:01:25 (206.190.70.130)
Does decent mean that none draw you into hours of listening? I found the Gungnir way more resolving that the Bifrost (or anything else that I have ever heard), but not necessarily more involving. The .......
482: Planar Speaker Asylum, Short-term listening (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-05-29, 13:28:08 (206.190.70.130)
I finally found that I don't care how "realistic" a system sounds nearly as much as I do about whether I feel better after listening rather than worse (relaxed is good to me) and whether it makes me w .......
483: Planar Speaker Asylum, 300W into 4 Ohms (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-05-23, 12:38:51 (206.190.70.130)
I'm bi-amping w/ ~700W into 4 Ohms and could rarely use more. It's the woofer that eats the power I believe. 3 series does take more to drive than the 1.6s due to the larger woofers in my opinion. Als .......
484: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Actually N.A. is comprise of 23 countries... (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-05-21, 23:22:31 (99.46.90.131)
Well that may be the most that I learned today. No Central America. .......
485: Films/DVD Asylum, Stylistically like Hurt Locker (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-05-21, 23:11:27 (99.46.90.131)
Yeah, I think that it's similar, but more polished. My only issue was that it was the "truth" as believed by a very few and the most important question - who they killed - was presented as a fact with .......
486: Films/DVD Asylum, RE: How do you feel about Amityville Horror? (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-05-21, 13:50:47 (206.190.70.130)
I may have watched the 1979 version decades ago. I no longer watch such things. I don't know much about that story, but I know that there are things beyond what we can see or measure. .......
487: Amp/Preamp Asylum, No Mexico? (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-05-21, 13:41:25 (206.190.70.130)
I just mean that I had found myself thinking of North America previously without Mexico and then realizing that N. A. has 3 countries, rather than 2. .......
488: Films/DVD Asylum, The distinction is "based on actual events" (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-05-20, 19:52:18 (99.46.90.131)
Only a few claim to be based on true stories, not the ones that you cited however. Fictional stories cannot be considered fraud, etc. Ted was pretty cool, but I did not read at the beginning or end of .......
489: Films/DVD Asylum, Sham (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-05-20, 15:09:06 (206.190.70.130)
But look at all of the evidence they got - oh, wait they threw that away. Those who believe he was still alive just get their memories implanted further w/ that nonsense. I liked Argo, but didn't know .......
490: Amp/Preamp Asylum, Energy (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-05-20, 14:01:06 (206.190.70.130)
Do they count? .......
491: Films/DVD Asylum, Zero Dark Thirty (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-05-20, 09:26:19 (206.190.70.130)
I just saw this and was surprised that such propaganda got Oscar nominations. I still had hope for truth at the end, expecting the woman who ID'd the body to say it wasn't him, but no. It was well-don .......
492: Digital Drive, Oppo (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-05-20, 09:00:15 (206.190.70.130)
I don't think that it could be called a CD player if it did not. I believe that my BDP-83 plays CDs normally. .......
493: Digital Drive, Even most of the internals (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-05-16, 12:13:25 (206.190.70.130)
Even the caps, etc. as much as they can. I think that some makers use better components but designs that don't sound as good. I think that their focus is on designing products to work well and sound g .......
494: Films/DVD Asylum, RE: Laurel and Hardy are quintilingual (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-05-15, 17:07:07 (206.190.70.130)
Interesting. .......
495: Planar Speaker Asylum, Link (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-05-15, 16:45:56 (206.190.70.130)
It's a strange website. I had to click up or go to the root. then you can click on contact, etc. .......
496: Vinyl Asylum, Skill & stylus (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-05-10, 23:46:34 (99.46.90.131)
So, I think that one must select with skill and also have a certain stylus shape. I think that my Goldring 1042 is a line contact type which probably plays contamination better than some (meaning more .......
497: Vinyl Asylum, Surface noise (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-05-09, 19:33:17 (99.46.90.131)
Some of the modern pressings are amazing. For years, my old (bought new) DG Beethoven symphonies had a lot of surface noise, apparently from the mold compound and the Mapleshade steamer really cleaned .......
498: Vinyl Asylum, Good points (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-05-09, 14:48:11 (206.190.70.130)
I got the gist of the posts below: learn how to find good ones, but don't expect new quality. To your point: I listen to 1950s+ and want "high fidelity" generally. Although when I listen to ~1920s rec .......
499: Vinyl Asylum, Can used vinyl be cleaned enough to be useable? (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-05-09, 12:34:44 (206.190.70.130)
I know that some used vinyl was never really played and once cleaned is like new. I gave up buying common used ones however, since they never sound like new to me. I have the Mapleshade cleaning syste .......
500: Films/DVD Asylum, GMO (0.00)
Posted by sbrians on 2013-05-08, 12:55:20 (206.190.70.130)
While 90% of the corn in US is Monsanto carcinogenic type, 0% of popcorn is GE so far. .......
Found total of 500 records, Query: , Author: sbrians in All Forums, Time: 1 sec.