cat_doorman

Responses from cat_doorman

Own many mid-game speakers or a few end-game speakers.
I’m not anywhere as far along the journey as most of you, but I can’t fathom an end-game-be-all-I’ve-already-tried-everything approach to this hobby. As I build up and out and better my system I’m already planning for variety to come. I’ll want at... 
Really...My favorite power tube is reissue that's not widely popular
I’m not even sure what I originally searched for to eventually stumble onto this old thread, but I‘ve now ordered a new set of tubes tonight.I blame all of you. 
Zu Soul Supreme Recap -- Owners, what are your preferred system pairings with them?
Thanks for the insight @parsonsMaybe I'm not old enough to think "end game" yet. Even though I've had my previous main speakers for 20 years, I never for a moment thought of them as my last. I also can't quite bring myself to get rid of them yet e... 
Theoretical Pre Amp Question
I didn’t think through the circuit. The answer is pretty obvious after that. Of course there are 3 basic categories case 1:buffer, gain, attenuation - this might have issues with variable output impedance similar to a passive depending on implemen... 
Zu Soul Supreme Recap -- Owners, what are your preferred system pairings with them?
@parsons what was it that had you keep the Soul Supremes over the Druid V? My current room is a little bigger than yours 22x19x10avg but opens into other spaces so it feels bigger. I might move to a smaller more symmetric space that is easier to t... 
How do you know what you're missing?
Q: If I’ve never had chocolate cake (or haven’t had any in a long time), what are some ways I can insure my recipe turns out as good as possible WITHOUT tasting a bunch of other chocolate cakes or making dozens of trial cakes? What is chocolate ca... 
I need to pick between A and B but I can't hear a difference is the worst type of thread.
Maybe they are soliciting advice on what to listen for between the two specific components, in the normally vague audiophile language of course. Sometimes you just can’t find Waldo on your own until someone points him out. Then it’s obvious. Even ... 
How do you know what you're missing?
As I understand it, clean power is a necessary but insufficient condition for great sound. It’s on the list, just not next on the list. I have some reasonable no bullshit cables from Zu and Cullen that should be good until I need to get to the nex... 
McCormack DNA with Schiit Preamp?
What are your sources? Since the Saga has unity gain it may not work well with typical phono stage output. Input sensitivity is only 1.2V on the DNA which is the same as my power amp. I’ve been pretty happy using a Saga+, but digital sources usual... 
How do you know what you're missing?
I appreciate all the replies. Sounds like consensus is there isn’t a substitute for first hand experience. No one has come up with a gear emulator plug in like Pro Tools effects to take your favorite track and digitally alter it to replace your bu... 
How do you know what you're missing?
I don't think I presented the question well. I'm looking for those subtle things that happen when you change a cable or roll tubes. When doing an A/B comparison it can be fairly easy to pick out which one you like better and maybe even what about ... 
Thinking about getting a R2R DAC
OP, what is your vinyl setup - cartridge through phono stage? I’m curious what the digital side is up against budget wise.Just in case anyone was interested, the 4 Qutest filter settings are incisive neutral, incisive neutral w/HF roll-off, warm, ... 
Speaker cables under floorboards - a good or bad idea?
If suspending cables is the cool thing to do now then you can run them completely through the floor and they can be suspended from the ceiling of the room below.  
Power Conditioners
I may never know if my system sounds better plugged directly into the wall. I can’t afford the risk. Maybe I’ll step up to a nice power conditioner or regenerator eventually, but I’d rather have a flawed system than have no system. I’ve seen too m... 
External DAC?
The DAC in the Node 2i isn’t awful, but that’s not much of an endorsement. Most decent DACs will be an easily audible upgrade. I ran coax to an Oppo 105 and then stepped up to the Qutest. Definite improvement each step, but I think I’m at the poin...