4est

Responses from 4est

Looking for Polarity Invert Feature...
My Bent Audio TVC has both a panel button and a remote button. I find the remote to be of particular value as some recordings have phase changes from track to track. 
Help -- need Idiot's Guide to music server system
Imacs appear to be the easiest to set up. When compared to the prepackaged servers, they are still very competitive. Go to the benchmark site and check their wiki on computer audio set up. I started out with a $50 stand alone mac G3 with an added ... 
DAC improvement
imac-usb (kimber Kable) benchmark-bent audio tvc-parasound jc 1- soundlab a3 with balanced connections. The jury is still out on the tvc as I need to upgrade my xlr cables... The biggest improvement I have had was switching to a server as opposed ... 
Capacitor burn in, Capacitor Cooker? Need help...
There is no free lunch, just put them in 
Seach for tubes - PL519 type - help
Paul, the tubes listed are all simular with the addition of the 40kg6a. There should be new Russian, hungarian and chinese tubes available for $25 a pop. 
Modify tube amp or upgrade to NOS tubes
Think of it this way. NOS tubes are going up in value and modifying a piece will reduce it's value 
why do companies charge double for xlr cables?
Discovery cable is fully balance as well and they will re terminate any of their cables to xlr for $100 They sound great to boot. Joseph runs a fair business- seemingly rare these days. I recommend him and his cabling! 
Speaker's efficiency, sensitivity and impedance
Chris,I feel for you, it appears as if you are hung up on amps lately. I assume for your sound labs- forgive me if I am wrong.Sensitivity=efficiency= how much power(watt) for how much sound(spl)-typically measured in db/w {decibels(perceived loudn... 
Paradisea Dac
I can see how Jax2 felt the highs were unbearable. I am a sucker for high resolution on my electrostats and found that the highs were tamable when I found the correct power cord and conditioner (running springs/cardas to jpd digital pc)- avoiding ... 
Paradisea Dac
My paradisea was very dependent on tubes- even within "identical" tubes. I recieved half a dozen tubes from Andy @ VTS including 2 Western Electric and an RCA that he thought should have been really good. Some no name tube (re branded) won. I ques... 
Jump in now or wait?
The DAC1 usb seems to hold it's value. At that price range I don't see too much change. The Benchmark is a piece of pro gear with less mark up than audiophile equipment- hard to beat it. I've been waiting to find a reasonable upgrade for mine. Mos... 
Changing Front Panel on Audio Research Preamps
The front should just come right off and the led's will stay put. At least that is the way it is on older arc gear. 
VINYL - 2,200 LP's to CD or Hard Drive - HELP
Definitely hard drive. I think that I've seen a USB turntable- it could make it easy if the highest fidelity isn't an issue... 
I just don't get PC Audio
Arbuckle, for the cost of an x03 ($7k), less a good server ($2k), that leaves you $4-5K for a DAC. Why would you expect a $1K Benchmark to best that? I've not heard the x03 unfortunately, but for that price they should have given you an input IMHO... 
Stock Benchmark DAC-1 versus EA MSB Gold Link 3
Briefremarks,First thing to do is go to the Benchmark Wiki and make sure that your server is set up correctly. I use a mac and iTunes, of little use to your foobar/flac. I posted because I did notice a difference in switching to xlr with the Bench...