Recent Activity

I am getting interested in a DAC upgrade.   Has anyone dealt with Safe and Sound audio? Thanks  

I am looking for a durable record vacuum machine. Any recommendations? Ideally will also do 10" ...

I am looking for a pair of CS5 or CS7.2 in good condition. 

I currently have the following system: 1. Martin Logan 11A Impression Loudspeakers (hybrid ele...

Anybody have any experience with this amp?  I realize its class D and have owned and enjoyed IceP...

Picked up a used SA3.1 with the fuse door/fuse missing on the power supply unit.  I’ve ordered th...

I've been using this for about a week now, and I must say, I am incredibly impressed with the r...

Has anyone else found the need to balance compelling aspects of sonics with forgiving/euphonic so...

• The Civil Wars-"Barton Hollow" US 1st Pressing (mofimadness)
• The Civil Wars-"The Civil Wars" Music On Vinyl, Limited Edition, 180 Gram (So sa... (mofimadness)
• How about a little BTO on our Monday afternoon? Bachman-Turner Overdrive-"Not Fra... (mofimadness)
• @bslon...thanks for the mention of the new Bryan Ferry album.  I just listened to ... (mofimadness)
• Ambrosia-"Life Beyond L.A." Nautilus, Limited Edition, Superdisc, Half-Speed (LO... (mofimadness)
• @mofimadness  Bryan Ferry is fantastic...LOVE Roxy Music! Me too, his newest i... (bslon)
• Playing copycat again: Traffic-"The Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys" MOFI, Anadisq... (mofimadness)
• Taking the lead from @bslon.  I pulled this out yesterday, but didn't get around t... (mofimadness)

• I always unplug after each listening session. My system only takes 30-45 minutes t... (mytthor)

• There is a return policy. Yes? (daytrader)

• @ raysmtb1, I’ve been a friend of Bills since 1989, however current date is 9/29/9... (buellrider97)
• I could be done. Perfectly happy and content with what I have. But if I see a scre... (elrod)
• It helps to have little money for this. Works as a sort of safeguard. Doesn't addr... (inna)
• I retired in 2019. A couple of years ago, I purchased an LTA microZOTL v2 pre amp.... (oldschool1948)
• Not done yet. When I retire in 5 years, the system will have to shrink. An amp tha... (earthbound)
• Great discussion.great article.some humor.enjoy the physics and experiments in mus... (mark200mph)
• "Need funds badly for a new needle !” LOL  ..many interpretations of this phrase ... (westcoastaudiophile)
• @tony1954 +1  (westcoastaudiophile)
• +1 "Much easy to quit smoking than to stop upgrading stereo equipment” LOL (westcoastaudiophile)
• "There is no better sound and there won't be better sound than my current audio sy... (westcoastaudiophile)
• YEAH, I'm totally done getting new equipment.  However, looking at some used spea... (mswale)
• There are those that continually buy…, it’s new it’s better, perhaps giving them a... (1971gto455ho)
• I’ve read that this is a particular type of addiction. I’ll have to find the artic... (symphonicsoul)
• There was a thread not unlike this one just a few weeks ago. It inspired me to wri... (thebrokenrecord)
• Yes. Started 50 years ago. Perfectly happy with current system. Now my pursuit is ... (tomcarr)
• Good topic. At age 70 and doing this for 65 years, more or less (see my avatar at ... (veemike)
• The voice on my shoulder always asks”what more do you want out this system, room?”... (bigwave1)
• I like tekton ulfberht?spelling.they are a bang for the buck the ceramic version t... (mark200mph)
• Tough question.  I recently purchased a Wiim music streamer and a Schiit Audio pho... (quincy)
• I will have to let my audio magazine subscriptions go before I can quit buying new... (boxcarman)
• Having put together a very satisfying system over the past four years, I have only... (mike4597)
• At my age I'm no longer chasing gear, but instead enjoying the gear I have. It con... (jimmyblues1959)
• I’m done too many other hobbies, Porsche’s, boating & offshore fishing. My fun... (pjlivengood)
• It’s the dopamine rush.  Whether it be cars, guitars or stereos, as long as your b... (rivington66)
• The used market has knocked me off the bandwagon 😂. Being able to get “like new” e... (troutstreamnm)
• I’m retired now and have finally broken the curse of spending to buy happiness. Af... (inverness)
• Yes at 74 I am happy with last purchase of my puzzle of pieces to make my ears enj... (harleyujoe)
• Yes this year I get my full pension , I am upgrading  my days with separates they ... (audioman58)
• I know it's only rock n' roll but I like it.  I have no plans to quit the pursuit... (yesiam_a_pirate)
• I’m done as well. I think I have all of the pieces that I’ve wanted and satisfy my... (dinov)
• I'm definitely done. As others have stated, I still look at new gear, but every ti... (rcm1203)
• After a half century in this crazy hobby, there are certain lessons learned - Thi... (akg_ca)
• Upgrading or as I like to call it tweaking my system is a fun part of this hobby f... (bassbuyer)
• I was very fortunate to be able to do a major system upgrade in 2021-2022.   My ma... (oddiofyl)
• I'm currently on idle .  (iseland)

• Yes  I bought a open box from them that was a great value. (g2the2nd)
• Haven’t been to their location but have had multiple excellent transactions with t... (m2team00)
• Has anyone been to their physical location? (retiredaudioguy)
• Yes, they are very reliable (jl35)
• Yes.  They are legit.  (sls883)

• Greetings, I agree with @hifiguy42 . Bought my VPI 16 in the early 1980’s. Conver... (joenies)
• I've been using my VPI 16.5 for thirty years, average 10-15 records a week.  The o... (hifiguy42)

• @OP,  There is a Vandy dealer in Fort Collins, Audio Alternative. I have no expe... (gdnrbob)
• I went from the A3s to Harbeth M40s.  I also mainly listen to classical.  I really... (jimmy2615)

• I’ve had great success with Dynaudio special 40, PS Audio Fr5, and Buchardts. I ha... (dwest1023)
• I have a pair of Fritz carbon 7SE Mk2 bookshelf's  that I will never sell. In a sm... (robshaw)

• April Wine "Better Slow Down"  https://youtu.be/W_8IvQWXa7w?si=6JgW9VlY6cHidxJp N (nutty)

• Yes green is improving and it is premature to abandon until we start with the new ... (audition__audio)
• Lots of crap here. I bought a new Pre Amp today and will continue to live my life ... (texasblues1959)
• @audition__audio understand it is generative ai we are talking about these days . ... (mapman)
• @nonoise +111 (unclewilbur)
• It's hard to want fair competition when you are guaranteed to lose. And this tradi... (inna)
• Green energy jobs? Green energy is a joke and a feel-good creation. Nuclear is th... (nonoise)
• Maybe take a look at the leader of solar and see what they're doing. Doesn't look ... (gdaddy1)
• Nuclear fusion is an almost clean energy, but they can't really make it work yet. ... (inna)
• Well I can do without this forum but not without screenwriters and truckers. Can s... (audition__audio)
• Generative AI could very easily make this forum obsolete along with all the rest.  (mapman)
• Will AI be buying fancy expensive hifi systems?  Could weed out the pack there as ... (mapman)
• Yeah AI is the least of my concerns. (audition__audio)
• Those professionals losing jobs due to AI are perfect candidates to pick the crops... (sns)
• Wow. Even below my expectations. If we need power then we need a cleaner, more ef... (audition__audio)
• Green energy is in part a solution for climate change. But perhaps there is no cli... (2psyop)
• Why do we need new nuclear power plants?  To power the vast server farms running A... (onhwy61)
• Forgot that no one is making any money on green energy and that this energy soluti... (audition__audio)
• Nuclear is an interesting energy alternative. Bill Gates has been talking about ho... (2psyop)
• Green energy jobs? Green energy is a joke and a feel-good creation. Nuclear is the... (audition__audio)

• As you own AQ's, I think the person you should PM is John Rutan (Audioconnection).... (gdnrbob)
• The rockets are fine for the money, but likely much better to stretch for the grea... (kennyc)
• AQ Type 4’s are pretty good cables, in their newest iteration, which includes a ca... (mitch2)
• Took some 4 awg welding wire put it together, I'll let you know how my 10 k cabels... (mark200mph)
• Cerious Matrix - refurbished cables available direct from Cerious at great prices.... (jl35)
• @neversatisfied wanting to warm sound up is fairly common here plus your Michi isn... (jond)
• Proper as in no electric organs, xylophone, etc. Think Miles Davis, Shorter, etc. (neversatisfied)
• Have not heard the term "proper jazz" before. Did not detect irony, either. (devinplombier)
• I use Rocket 44 with banana plugs in my second system upstairs. McIntosh MSA5500 t... (jbthurston)
• There's a thousand cables out there to choose from that are in your price range, n... (kennymacc)
• I would argue that we've had all these same discussions before when it comes to mo... (996turbo911)
• Yes. I was aware I was going to reopen that can of snake oil…I mean worms! (neversatisfied)
• Asking for advice on which cable to purchase. Same old thing, a million recommenda... (sns)
• Compared the cardas cables I made myself to the AQ 44's and some top end Audio Env... (jmalen123)
• Link to review below.  If this guy knows what he's talking about, it sounds like t... (sls883)
• if you want a significant upgrade with exceptional performance at really fare mark... (curthuff)
• My view is that cables matter a little more than the network math would lead us to... (erik_squires)
• I too will suggest Audio Sensibility. I just updated all my loom to their Statemen... (fanofjazz66)
• +1 Cardas (mashif)
• Thank you waytoomuchstuff! That is a bit of music to my ears, if you will. I thi... (neversatisfied)
• Hello @neversatisfied  Great questions. Speaking from the position as a retired ... (waytoomuchstuff)
• I recommend Anti-Cables, they are amazing and affordable. I used to have Audience ... (fpomposo)
• jond, your comment “guessing you want to warm up your sound…” Im curious why you ... (neversatisfied)
• @mike4597  I  had the same instant response to Silversmiths.  @neversatisfied , Wi... (fthompson251)
• I took @soix advice several years ago to buy some AZ Satori’s, these really opened... (zlone)
• Since you have a Graham Slee phono stage, have you considered demo’ing their Spati... (sdberman)

• It's all social medias fault.   (texasblues1959)

• I can’t comment on the Bartok never heard or owned one. I have owned Terminator Pl... (fredster111)

• @jond , +1. (gdnrbob)
• Place a wanted in the classifieds they definitely come up from time to time also c... (jond)

• Well I would completely ignore any discussion of anything audio related on ASR, ju... (audition__audio)
• rikkipuu struck a nerve with me and perhaps put his finger on what bothered me abo... (audio-b-dog)
• @audition__audio  I don't think anyone here is setting limits on purchasing gear f... (daveyf)
• So your concern is economic rather than social. The operative word is not need, bu... (audition__audio)
• @jafant  No question that audiophiles need the ultra high end, only question is do... (daveyf)
• Maybe dCS threatened to sue him if the review wasn’t OTT.  They have a history her... (mahler123)
• My most expensive component are my amps at $ 19K. In my mind the obscenity of a $ ... (audition__audio)
• daveyf Audiophiles need the Ultra High End. Reason- eventually, the technology tr... (jafant)
• I had a TAS subscription but dropped it  years ago after reading their over the to... (rikkipuu)

• @faustuss Of course we are off topic. None of this has anything to do with the ope... (atmasphere)
• @faustuss Oddly, many digital titles do not have the dynamic range of their analo... (faustuss)
• @faustuss Oddly, many digital titles do not have the dynamic range of their analog... (atmasphere)
•   The question is the clarity and musical impact of the dynamics. Take clarity. ... (faustuss)
• The question is the clarity and musical impact of the dynamics. Take clarity. In ... (atmasphere)

• @rwalsh07 "What did you have before the Lintons?" Let’s see: Bose 901 Series I an... (russ69)

• sns Streaming is so complex and crazy.  Some people make it that way. But ... (cleeds)
• Streaming is so complex and crazy. Sometimes more is less, other times less is mor... (sns)
• @debrajray I use Cisco from Afterdark Audio because I havent got around to Finisar... (dbastin)

• Sounds like you wanna keep the detail of the Bryston but just want a little more m... (soix)
•    Yes , I’d upgrade too. Going from the RP-1 will be a big step up in performance... (buellrider97)
• @kjl1065 Since your amp has balanced inputs you might consider a preamp that has b... (atmasphere)
• Contact Aric Audio, I am sure he can make you a tubed linestage with a balance con... (fthompson251)
• I am looking for a line stage. I currently have 2 12Au7 tubes on order.  They are ... (kjl1065)
•   You have gear that is above your RP-1, so that’s an issue. I am curious as I hav... (buellrider97)
• I'd reconsider used. Companies like Audio Research, Conrad Johnson, and Zesto make... (ghdprentice)
• Here ya go! https://backertlabs.com/linestages-no-phono/ (yogiboy)
• First question, a preamplifier or line stage?  If no vinyl inputs then I'm guessin... (pryso)

• @joenies...if your F9E has a Green stylus, it’s not a Ruby.  The Ruby stylus is Re... (mofimadness)
• Greetings, @lewm Thanks for the correction on the Grado cartridge being a MI. I t... (joenies)
• @joenies +1 "It put a big smile on my face" same feelings here, when I switched t... (westcoastaudiophile)
• If you want to hear a really good MM cartridge, check out the Clearaudio Charisma ... (larsman)
• I have several lovely high end MC cartridges, but I chose to install a Grado AEON ... (awise1961)
• Joenes, The Grado XTZ is a moving iron (MI) cartridge, not an MM, and it is a grea... (lewm)
• OP, I'm with you on this subject. The tonearm on the table in my #2 system has a r... (mwh777)

• Greetings, Sorry for be late to this posting, I want to make sure I had proper in... (joenies)

• @mattw73 It might not have the most punchy slam but the bass is accurate. It’s ti... (lanx0003)
• @lanx0003 I think I saw that review...headphone guy?  My experiences have no issu... (mattw73)

• “It’s hard to get any enjoyment these days for under $40” @mswale  Exactly! Vinyl... (lalitk)
• PREACH! You nailed it!  One thing I do, is once the record is started, you listen... (mswale)
• I am on the fence. I've been streaming for years and am totally used to the pure c... (saugertiesbob)
• I am on the fence. I've been streaming for years and am totally used to the pure c... (saugertiesbob)
• I am on the fence. I've been streaming for years and am totally used to the pure c... (saugertiesbob)
• One thing I truly loved about vinyl,  was the "Ritual"  of going to the "record st... (alvinnir2)
• This is very well written and for me at least, accurate to the word.  I actually D... (hifiguy42)
• This is exactly where my head is! No apologies. (faustuss)

• I have audited the GR tower and it has some sonic semblance to the irs that used t... (deep_333)
• @gdaddy1  Funny.  I got the same impression you did in regards to Jay’s reaction ... (kennymacc)
• It seemed to me that Jay was polite but not blown away. The expectation of such a ... (gdaddy1)

• awesome, thanx   (maddog4079)
• Looking from the front of the unit, on the top back right corner it says: FUSE 2A... (mofimadness)

• I was not familiar with Rockpile. Good stuff! (asctim)

• The VOX software fully parametric EQ for Qobuz is the best software EQ I’ve heard ... (tlcocks)

• @juysocal55...sorry, but it does take awhile to break-in.  Canare recommends at le... (mofimadness)
• Canare 4S11 user here, had them for maybe 3 years and i like them. I always tell m... (juysocal55)

• LA Phil & Hollywood Bowl - The rehersals - the music is of course world class ... (sbsail9)
• New Sussex Symphony at Sparta New Jersey last weekend Great amateur symphonic music! (bruce19)

• ...And a Class 2 is accurate to within two dB.  But both of these are as measured ... (toddalin)

• @erik_squires Hence 'spawned this old thread'...   (atmasphere)

• Make sure they're cool and use cotton gloves, finger cots or surgical gloves.  The... (faustuss)
• @vuch I use special hand stitched, exotic leather, custom made Would that be fi... (hilde45)
• I use special hand stitched, exotic leather, custom made "Audiophile Hand Enclosur... (vuch)
• Bare hands give better grip, wipe clean with dry microfiber cloth after. (chenry)

• Very interesting and thanks for sharing.  I'll be interested to see what the opini... (rick_n)

• The Quadratic SUT is a good one, but it’s definitely a little tilted in favor of ... (jobeare)
• Once the current has been converted to voltage, the signal must be handled as vol... (mulveling)

• @jazzman7 @mgrif104 thanks very much to you both.  This is exactly the type of fee... (marco1)

• First off, PS Audio has been one of the leaders in trying to implement a standard ... (sns)
• Another Holo May owner here. Assuming you have either the L2 or KTE versions you p... (shooter41)
• All HDMI cables are not the same. However, DHLabs Silversonic 2.1 specifically ref... (kingbr)
• Thank you. (ssand1)

• Id say it sounds really good. I have mine connected to the pre-out from the Luxman... (paqua123)
•  I think you have to use your ears to judge the validity of the results and exper... (erik_squires)
• I use a mini DSP unit.  I think you have to use your ears to judge the validity of... (mahler123)

• jeffbij it may not be a fully balanced design with the XLR jacks a convenience. ... (cleeds)
• +1 @cleeds   -  Agreed it looks like a balanced connection, but it may not be a fu... (jeffbij)
• I was told by the manufacturer it was not a balanced design ... maybe the represen... (jl35)
• @jasonbourne71  Scroll over to @ 12:00 for the measurements. What was your "eye-o... (deep_333)
• jl35 The Gato has an XLR connection but is not a balanced design  It sure ... (cleeds)
• Lrs+ without a good servo subwoofer would be an incomplete speaker and it needs a ... (deep_333)
• The Gato has an XLR connection but is not a balanced design  (jl35)
• Depends on your room size.  If you have room for a bigger pair of Maggies, it is a... (boxcarman)
• @tubeguy76  -  The Gato integrated has both Balanced and RCA outs.  Have you tried... (jeffbij)
• https://youtu.be/gRMqDb-t9oo?si=4zTnrm0kY9tyoJ_B Have a look at this.  (iseland)
• If I didn’t already have a pair of great sounding monoblocks, I would for sure try... (mitch2)

• Forgot to mention that I really like the expensive Cardas posts simply because of ... (audition__audio)
• Excellent points. I believe it was Ken at CAT that uses cheaper resistors because ... (audition__audio)
• Boutique parts don't automatically create the perfect audio component. There is in... (sns)
• @rodge827  You are absolutely correct.  The AER BD3 do have built in binding posts... (langla4)
• @langla4 Which Charney speaker do you have? If I remember correctly the BD3 driver... (rodge827)
• @larryi   I agree with your comments 100%. Charney makes a really nice cabinet wit... (langla4)
• @langla4 Did you contact Charney about your concerns regarding the binding posts?... (rodge827)
• It seems that some people think the binding post makes the speaker.  I don't see h... (larryi)

• @ghdprentice I'd agree for major streaming components like streamers and dacs shou... (sns)
• @hdm, ok I see that now. The $87US version does give you the option of the double ... (tyray)
• Same power supply tyray. The only difference is the 2nd output connection on one i... (hdm)
• The LHY Audio LPS25VA has (2) 15V Simultaneously Driven Voltage Output Jacks that... (tyray)
• The Sengterbelle is still the one to get IMO.  I have a Talema based LPS like the ... (hdm)
• @scp I found the better resolving your system the better the uDDC will deliver. Gr... (toneranger58)
• Good thread..as I am in the same boat. I have been wanting to try a ddc and the La... (scp)
• @sns Oops, perhaps my comment was too brief. The focus of my comment was on the wo... (ghdprentice)
• I have Small Green Computer 5, 7, 12 volts LPS for 189, 189 and 289. Had them for ... (shxmd)
• Just for future reference, you could not use the 15V version as linked to by @tyra... (hdm)
• I have the Allo Shanti now for a couple of weeks.. Ordered from Amazon.de.  It is ... (knockknock12)
• @tyray  @trivema    Thanks went with LHY as you both noted, the specific one fo... (toneranger58)
• S Booster (vinylshadow)
• +1 LHY LPS.  I have 5 LPS of three brands and think the LHY is best value for pric... (trivema)
• The LHY Audio LPS25VA has (2) 15V Simultaneously Driven Voltage Output Jacks that ... (tyray)
• Plixir Elite BDC Mk2 (gramophone_canada)
• Paul Hynes  (au_lait)

• China “fakes” a lot of recent interconnect technology development, by plating over... (westcoastaudiophile)

• If you want excellent support , build quality, and sound go with Aurender.  If you... (oddiofyl)

• Essence separates should be better. There is almost always something better somew... (swede58)

• @ice812  Bottom line, if you don’t know what you’re aiming for, being presented w... (stuartk)

• Change Cartridge, or OPTIONAL multiple arms? You need to think long, knowing your... (elliottbnewcombjr)

• @thecarpathian, I'm in Goshen, NY, about 50 miles NE of there. Why do you ask? (desktopguy)

• would you please share the name of your platter pad with us? @petaluman So far ... (atmasphere)

• Quicksilver Audio see here Mike (ditusa)
• 35wpc seems a bit low to me in that large space McIntosh MC275 would give you 2 x... (elliottbnewcombjr)
• Anything from 2wpc and up will fit the bill, but if you’re going to crank it up to... (glennewdick)
• For sound characteristics, my preference is the warm rich sound of tubes, and wou... (soix)
• If you like the LTA sound (I , for one, do) why not buy amp & spearate phono f... (gregm)
• LTA gear sounds great but I would not call it warm and rich. With that budget chec... (jond)

• There is a reason why many speaker designers test their products in anechoic chamb... (st0944)

• but in a no more than a moderately sized listening room the Grimm’s are a treat ... (erik_squires)

• I've had a Koetsu Rosewood Signature Platinum for almost fifteen years now. It has... (awise1961)

• I finally broke down and ordered a SDFB MAX, along with the Snake River Audio Taks... (treitz3)

• @troutbum - Hi, I don't stream - just records and CDs.  Podcasts and YouTube and t... (rar1)
• I thought the Node was pretty high end......not true (IYO)? The Joseph's have alwa... (troutbum)

• @ozzy62 , Absolutely! You can see pics of my vinyl set up at Village Baker in the ... (oranfoster)
• For even better ambience, why not spin vinyl instead of streaming. Will be more la... (ozzy62)
• Indeed I was agreeing, and attempting a bit of humor. We had a bakery in Michigan ... (oranfoster)
• @gkelly    I think you're getting all worked up over nothing. Sounds like he was... (ozzy62)
• Failing to obtain the necessary ASCAP license for playing music in your business c... (gkelly)

• Check current prices on hifishark   (grinnell)
• You can always eBay them and try and get a couple of hundred dollars, especially t... (jeffbij)
• Send pictures to tmraudio.com and see if they make you an offer, is my best sugges... (theo)

• @pkatsuleas I had to kick in a little cash to make it work  (yesiam_a_pirate)

• Taj Farrant (slaw)

• @overthemoon  I wonder if this integrated amplifier has a regulated output stage, ... (invalid)
• I heard the amp powering Wilson’s new Watt Puppies - I was impressed.    The soun... (overthemoon)

• Mr Fremer in his recent review of the new Wilson Benesch turntable could not hear ... (yoyoyaya)
• @oberoniaomnia Yes, it is an interesting trade off. We did not need to go to the ... (richardkrebs)
• Fremer should be granted grace…. imo (tomic601)
• error correction on playback without an understanding of the error during the cut…... (tomic601)
• @richardkrebs thanks for that explanation. So MF confuses the adjustment period un... (oberoniaomnia)

• @obarrett said: Hey Jim, the reason why I didn’t have an issue before is that I ... (jea48)
• @obarrett  Reverse polarity OR bootleg ground alone won't manifest until somethin... (devinplombier)
• Hey Jim, the reason why I didn’t have an issue before is that I wasn’t using outle... (obarrett)
• @obarrett said: It seems like next I should call a professional electrician. I ... (jea48)
• I concur, a professional electrician is definitely your next step. It’s a detail,... (devinplombier)
• I made the following measurements, both on V and LoZ. All the measurements were id... (obarrett)

• Thom Rotella (jafant)

• @richardbrand  It is striking how little progress has been made in fundamental ph... (newton_john)
• @daveyf  The price of the Bedrok is small fraction of the extra cost of the LP12-... (newton_john)
• @newton_john  I also had a great uncle who’d been some sort of technician/instru... (richardbrand)
• @newton_john Part of the price that Linn asks for the Bedrok has to do with the f... (daveyf)
• @daveyf "I suspect these very same folk would have little problem with the same ... (newton_john)
• @dover  diamond hardening refers to a heating and cooling process used to harden... (richardbrand)