I started to work out in high school because the hot chicks only went out with big dudes so i tried but i was quite weak. Lol
The only difference is that i stayed the course and they didn’t so most of them are fat nowadays.
25 years of lifting, i hit 40 years of age and now i can’t have too much caffeine or else i get crazy anxiety.
Working out without pre-work drinks has been the toughest thing but my body now can’t handle them.
In my early 30s, I was able to drink double servings of pre-work powders, go to the gym, come home and go out on dates until 3am then go home and sleep until 6am and then be at work at 8am. I didn’t have any issues doing it and now if i don’t sleep 7 hours minimum, i begin to suffer the next day. Ain’t that a b!tch...
No wonder why i felt out of place at Axpona 2019? Everyone looked "normal". The only dude i remember that looked like he lifted weight is the sales rep from Lampizator.
I hope in 15 years they can rebuild backs.
Don’t laugh at this, but they have figured out how to rebuild knees, shoulders, new hips, keep you from passing or catching HIV, etc etc and they haven’t figured out a way to replace herniated discs?
There’s gotta be a country somewhere who’s doing this already. I know the U.S. won’t allow it in here until they have figured out a way to make money first just like they did with marijuana. It’s all a damn business. Same thing with cancer. They are letting the pharmaceutical companies make their money and next thing you know, right before I’m getting ready to head out to my funeral, they will announce that the cure for cancer has been found and it that is a simple one - eat shark liver for a week straight until you puke and BOOM... You're cured. |
Elderly crowd for the most part.
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I wish i could help everyone, but that is impossible. My primary focus for the most part has been the ultra high-end although occasionally i might bring a mid-fi product.
The top brands dominate my thoughts and it is not by coincidence. The reality is that most of them perform and do things that the more pieces just don't provide.
The Mcintosh 611 were in my head at some point and i was days away from bringing a set here for the whole world to see/hear, but i had some difficulties that did not allow me to do so.
I wish i could add more brands to the list of amplifiers that have impressed me:
Constellation
Gryphon
Boulder
Block Audio
Dan Agostino
(i am sure there might be another one i can't remember)
However, that is simply not the case guys. Soulution and CH precision amps will happen at some point i am sure - it is just a matter of time and patience.
Am i running out of high- end amps? yep - i have said this before.
This has lead me to choose my reference amps which i will probably do in front of the camera at some point. Once i do that, i will crown this amp the king and it will be the one that will help me judge other sources, preamps, cables, etc.
Am I contemplating a preamplifier journey? Hmm... you will have to sit tight and find out. |
I don't think pillium is coming. Bob has that line tightly controlled since he's the importer. |
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Viber
I won’t be embarking on the same amount of shootouts. It doesn’t pay my bills (i don’t get many views ).
It seems to me that you benefit from them quite a bit, but my YouTube audience is not receiving the same "benefit" you are.
No offense, but if it ain’t paying ANY SORT of dividends to me then WHY do it? It’s a boat load of work and i am not getting the same level of returns.
It is views that GET ME a small check each month. I didn’t do the YouTube channel " just because" i don’t have anything better to do. I need it to return SOMETHING back to me. It’s been 19 months of work on YouTube.
People - YouTube people- want my insights or opinion. They don’t give a damn about shootouts. Maybe it’s time you differentiate YouTube from the forum?
When i started the channel i had a vision: I wanted to put in work and monetize at some point. If i take the time to set up shootouts, match dbs, buy a microphone, edit, record songs multiple times, etc etc i gotta get something in return. Not sure where I’m wrong here? It’s not like i am asking for handouts or money from anyone. I’m moving the channel in the best direction i see fit for my audience and my pocket.
As you said, "proof is in the listening". I’m already doing plenty of that here.
I have to keep rolling forward and it takes a tremendous amount of work. 6k subscribers now - it’s still NOTHING in comparison to other channels but I’ll get there.
I actually ran into someone today at the gym who recognized me from the channel. His feedback was:
" If you keep doing what you’re doing, it will pay you big time. Why? Because everyone keeps reviewing the same thing... You don’t... And i don’t want to watch videos about things i see at best buy or can afford. I want to see the stuff that might be out of my reach because that’s what entertainment is all about"
This is another reason why i plan to go to Axpona this year. I need to get my face out there and those plane tickets, hotel room, meals, transportation, etc cost money. Something has to help me offset these costs; this would be YouTube and consultation service. |
You nailed it... Sometimes what doesn't sound impressive in the first minutes might actually be the component that leads to long listening sessions. I've had amazing 15 min gear that never turned into one full hour of enjoyment.
It's no different than cars. Some cars you love to drive in short distances ,but you don't want to drive them on long trips. (Dodge viper comes to mind) |
I didn't say i wasn't going to do more shootouts. I am simply going to not keep doing the same amount of these types of videos.
Also, remember that most people don't care to hear it because it's YouTube anyway. They rather have me show the component on my floor to validate my claim of ownership.
They know that when i give out my opinion it is because i have actually owned it and not just read about it on a magazine. |
Someone has to do it so... here i go: The "cons" about Pass Labs: https://youtu.be/sC110xruuXIDisclaimer: This video is about my personal opinion on the product. This might not reflect your personal views and/or experience with it. As we all know, this hobby is subjective and YOU - the end user - is the only person that can decide what best suits your particular needs. |
I had someone come over a few days ago to pick up the Aurender ASC10 and he told me he ordered the Coda 16.0 stereo amp and that i am more than welcomed to borrow it. Maybe we will get to hear Coda in my room after all?
I will try to see if i can borrow it next month. |
The amplifier that will be unveiled soon is not a brand I'm going to represent. That said, it is at the top of the mountain with the Mephisto. Which one will i prefer? You shall find out...
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Ok so i have a quick update:
I don't think i will have more "music videos" for at least the next 10-12 days. I have sold my DCS, all of my synergistic research cables, aurender w20se and shunyata everest, Dragon powercords and other things. I basically have an incomplete system at this time and well I have to get all this shipped out and begin to find their replacements.
For now, i have new cables on order (xlr and speaker cables) and i have to embark on the quest for a new music server to go with the MSB Reference DAC. What is coming? hmmm...Patience... You will soon find out! |
Maybe one day I'll buy one.
The pass labs crowd is quite routy on YouTube. Whoa 😳
Some of them are feeling their heart ripped out of their chest. It's only electronics... |
-1 on AGD
Not interested at this time. i appreciate the recommendation and it is always possible that i try it at some point down the road. Right now, my mind is locked in with what I've got going on and what i will be bringing over the next few weeks. |
Sounds good. I have received several messages tonight from people who want to also send me their amps.
I think we might do this after all. |
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@rsf507
I agree, you have been away far too long...circle back and watch my videos or read the thread. I write here and do content on YouTube. I don’t want keep repeating myself (it’s already too much to manage YouTube ). If people want to know what I’m doing all they gotta do is subscribe to my channel.
Lastly, I feel like I’ve worked my @$$ off on here for over 5 years (it’s well documented here on this thread?) so if I feel like representing something i believe in then i will do exactly that.
Why? Because it’s my journey and I am behind the steering wheel. I’ve done it ALONE, with zero sponsors so i don’t really have to explain myself? However, i still do it because I believe in transparency.
My body of work is documented here throughout the 380 pages found on this thread.
If my answer to your question above seems strong, it is because you came at me with a tone i didn’t like.
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I gave those brand names thinking about the brand holistically speaking. You are primarily focusing on one power amp which i wasn't doing.
I think the momentum with matching preamp (which i owned later if you recall) is much better than any pass labs amp with a xp30 or 32.
The xs300 is the only amp from pass i would own if i had to own one. It’s still excellent but it requires too much to deliver.
I’ll show you all something new in due time. Just be patient |
My opinion of gryphon today is simply what? Amazing and incredible on all counts right? What about 2 years from today when there’s "new blood" of top end amplifiers? Maybe I’ll realize at that point in time what gryphon doesn’t do 100% at this time?
Evolution is a thing... Had i met the Mephisto when i had momentum and xs300? Nope...
The Mephisto would have easily pulverized both. One chassis, monster control, huge speed and dynamics. The clock keeps ticking and time isn’t meant to stand still.
I used to love the 2002 Camaro SS but then the Camaro ZL1 came out...guess which one i think is better?
Back in 1998 I owned a 1995 mustang gt (which i loved) and then i hopped in a 2004 Z06... I never looked back...
Do you all follow a guy by the name "Doug demuro"? He reviews cars then gives them a grade for each car. As he reviews new cars, he begins to take down the grade of vehicles he reviewed because he has to grade new vehicles.
If i were to say pass labs xs300 was a 99% out of 100% back when i owned it, then where do I place boulder 2150 and Mephisto? 99%????
I can’t because the xs300 isn’t near the level of those two amps..
Every review you read by anyone is "usually" only good up until that particular point in time. If enough time has passed since then, one must read what has changed and been released since then because if there has been innovation, there might already be a better component today with more of what didn’t exist before.
If Gryphon releases a Mephisto mk2 in the near future, most likely it would overthrow the current Mephisto if it was designed to do so.
Plenty of people chase their tail looking for a "cost no object" stereo power amplifier yet if they read between the lines of what I've said , they would have already been finished looking by now (assuming they like what i like of course because this is subjective) |
I don't believe Dan makes mid Fi products... That's the main reason why. I don't mind 4 chassis because I'm nuts but the average person doesn't want 4 radiators in their home. |
I refuse to change my journey and begin to review "normal" gear - for lack of better word.
I will occasionally bring components that are more affordable - as I’ve done before but that’s not my primary focus.
Why would I review the same that everyone else does?. You’re essentially asking me to regurgitate what has been said with that level of gear.
The day SOMEONE - A manufacturer or end user can put a product at my door that blows the doors off what I’ve had in here (or what i have here right now), i give you MY WORD, I’ll sell all my sH!t and buy these new affordable units. Why wouldn’t i want to have more money in the bank and less invested on equipment?
What I’m NOT going to do is buy this affordable stuff with my own money because if it sinks and doesn’t swim, i will be the one having to sell it.
I am a believer that there is a desire from some people which is that want me to buy these other components so they can hear what i have to say.
I’m not going to take advantage of the free trial period either. If these brands that claim to kill the ultra high end REALLY believed it, they would have used MY CHANNEL as means to get exposure. How much money would it cost them to send me something to try? Not much. They could easily see opportunity with me. The reality is that deep down they know they don’t have what it takes or else they would have come out with guns blazing and showed what they are capable of.
I’m here saying it: SEND ME THIS NEW AFFORDABLE PRODUCT and i will sell my Sh!t if it beats it. I will be front and center on my channel disclosing what transpired.
The thing is there’s no politics on my channel. If their product sucks, do they want me to say that? Nah..and this is no different than what other reviewers do. They also don’t speak up when something they reviewed sucks. This is A FACT by the way.
I don't want this to be a back and forth fyi. I spoke my peace and i will leave it at that. I think i left it quite clear where i stand with these "scenarios" of affordable "ultra high end" components.
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Remember one KEY FACTOR:
Those that claim pass labs is the best for them (which i applaud because they found something they love), have never had a " high " reference point.
I urge each and everyone of you to always ask what is the reference point of anyone making such claims.
Once you know, you’ll understand my position.
If i said the best watches are fossil watches , but yet i have never owned a Rolex, how much weight will my opinion have... I'll leave it at that. |
Rh67I’m here man...send that stuff here and I’ll let everyone know if it sinks or swims? I’ll eat shipping both ways?
I will sell my new amps and buy those amps you got if they best mine. I will be 200% objective as well. I have heard gear in my room that has given me enough satisfaction to contemplate keeping it and then selling the more expensive piece. For instance, Gryphon Essence...I've been vocal as to how awesome it is and it isn't my most expensive amp. I'm still blown away by it. This should show you that I'm not all about the price. |
@kren:
That's not nice...you're trying to wake up the dead... |
Jay’s preferences have slowly morphed over the years. At a high level, here are the important qualities (these are randomly selected and in no particular order) that i seek:
1. Clarity
2. Bass control
3. Soundstage width & depth
4. Dynamics
5. Long-term effects ( how long i can sit in front of the component without having to turn it down)
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@jetter
That's what I'm talking about. I know that some of you would buy those amps if my opinion was positive because you know the level of gear I've been playing with. This is what I've been saying this whole entire time. |
Sometimes i get confused by the extrapolations you present.. |
I can't talk McLaren unfortunately. What i can say is the c8 (or viper ACR) would be the cars I'd own if i had a garage for them and the time to enjoy them as well.
I am lately becoming more and more a high performance SUV enthusiast. I can haul equipment to fed ex, pick up heavy amps, go to pick up my daughter and do a ten second pass a the dragstrip. Hell yeah! |
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I heard the Nagra classic amp and preamp here in my room and i was like omg...who buys this? 🤔 |
Pandora needs world class powercords and so do the Gryphon amps. If you haven’t done that, you haven’t heard the full potential of either. Been saying this on my videos for quite sometime.
Soulution 725 sounds amazing with Gryphon but it is rare for it to show up on the used market. |
I tried fuses and they made a difference. I can recommend those fuses to anyone.
That said, i don’t have time to embark on "deep" tweaking. The deep tweaking is left for those who want to finish off the system they will stay with for some time. I am not the person to have any system for the long haul. This is why I don’t dive in those waters. I’m not saying that what you mentioned won’t make a difference but i am way too busy with the "macros" than "micros" of my life. The macros also seem to be more important in my life and provide me with greater satisfaction, but I’m not saying this is the case for everyone though. |
One day i might. I still have not even completely enjoyed the Soulution 725. I have not used it in like 2-3 weeks. |
Essence all day long. I've had the progression stereo behind closed doors. Great amp but it ain't no essence. |
You should go listen without having other people's opinions first. This way you are not biased or influenced by others. Go listen and you should form your own opinion. |
Maybe i will some day.
Gryphon should pay me. I might shoot them an email lol. |
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No plans at this time to bring that music server. The W20se has been sold since last week. My system is running but without a music server and without the level of cables I've normally had in here.
I plan to have a new music server in the next 3-5 weeks.
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Rossini is fine without a music server. Get the clock before the server.
Rossini is one great unit and i found it quite impressive for the money. |
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The lows are just astonishing. If you come here in my room and i blast "death row" by Chris Stapleton, your head would fall off your shoulders. I am actually SHOCKED that many of you have never really thought about this: Reviewer A takes delivery of a serious set of speakers to review, but he uses HIS REFERENCE amps with HIS REFERENCE cables. After the review is done, he says the speakers did not have incredible bass, BUT nowhere on the review do we see if other amps were tried? other cables? What if this "reference" amp sucks to control world-class speakers? This is something that many of you fail to understand each and every time. It is not just the speaker, but also the supporting cast. Most reviewers use whatever they own and then they give their opinion. This is like saying: (this is an example) I use NITTO tires for a stock 700HP Shelby GT500 with great results. i have excellent traction and they hook on the pavement pretty good. Next week, i send the car in to get more boost, headers, exhaust, tune and now it has 1,000 hp, but fail to understand that those NITTO tires won’t do the job anymore. Now i need to think about buying MICKEY THOMPSON slicks or else i will be spinning tires everywhere. Stay tuned for this video: https://youtu.be/hw-mQbhMVpg |
yes, the SR Powercell will be here either this or next week. I also have the following coming: - new speaker cables
- new xlr's
- new usb cable
- new ethernet cable
- potentially (99% sure) a new set of monos
- music server (next month)
Right now, my system sounds cold, bright, shrill, and making me watch movies in the living room :) |
Jay needs a new power conditioner... both Shunyatas Everests are sold and i am using a Nordost Qbase Mk2 and it is bright as hell lol
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