dgarretson

Responses from dgarretson

Dreaming of a DIY 8W Class A amp designed by Nelson Pass?
@auxinput I’ve had good results with the Chinese Zerozone LPS in other applications. It’s a modest gambit to order two and compare to the Meanwell SMPS. I’ll make that comparison and report back. 
Dreaming of a DIY 8W Class A amp designed by Nelson Pass?
@jl35 Nelson conceived this as an entry-level kit.. The associated blog reveals that most problems result from bad solder joints. Most problems are remediated by re-flowing the joints. I suggest that you use a magnifier lamp or loupe and solder ea... 
Dreaming of a DIY 8W Class A amp designed by Nelson Pass?
@erik_squires It takes around 8 hrs. to build two of ’em-- not much of an investment of time. BTW, for me an illuminated magnifier is essential for proper soldering.  
Dreaming of a DIY 8W Class A amp designed by Nelson Pass?
I built a pair of the current 2.0 version for a bedroom system, substituting Audio Note electrolytic and ClarityCap film coupling caps, Welwyn resistors, and silver wiring throughout.  It's an easy build and a sweet-sounding and resolving amp.  Ap... 
Why discussions generate into personal affronts...
Controversy may be extravagant when the stakes are low.  Audio is such a subject.  
Phono stage with 3 inputs
DSA Phono II.  Three inputs 40-60db, balanced or SE inputs and output. 
Rough Mix by Townshend and Lane
Townshend's Who Came First & Jai Baba solos-- but you probably know those.  Also Robert Wyatt post-Soft Machine: start with Cuckooland and Shleep and work backward. He's not at Pete's level of intensity, but psychologically, spiritually, and m... 
Good Old Chipboard
My vintage TOTL Luxman PD444 plinth is a combination of chipboard and cast iron. I doubt they did that to save money.   
Best electrolytic capacitor
From the AN website: "The Audio Note (UK) KAISEI range has been developed over the past years in collaboration with the engineering team at Rubycon (of Black Gate fame). Whilst working on our top of the line Black Gate replacements (which we sh... 
R.I.P: Rest In Peace Roy Johnson, Green Mountain Audio's Genius
I'll miss Roy as well-- a real gentleman from the old school.   
Sirus XM Radio
XM satellite to car is compressed and boomy-- almost unlistenable.  There is lots of content, but boring repetitiveness of playlists on the dedicated channels like Grateful Dead, Petty, Pearl Jam, etc.  I'm getting much better SQ and choices with ... 
Tortuga Preamps
George, I had thought that the Tortuga's calibration of the LDR's LED control current curve is invoked periodically by the user on an as-needed basis, not "actively" or on-the-fly.  If it's performed only periodically, how will this degrade SQ?  
First time mount perfect!!!
Since my Kuzma 4PT and SME 3012R both have removable headshells, I can usually replicate perfect cartridge/headshell geometry on the workbench under a large magnifier.  Slide 'em into the tonearm and good to go.    
Worst Rock Band Ever !!!!
@bdp24 Hopefully that wasn't when they recorded Cheap Thrills with Janice Joplin. 
Used DACs in the 10k range
If your PC is a desktop with a PCIe slot, I would first recommend a JCAT Net Card Femto with an external 5V LPS.  That made a major improvement for me with the SOtM endpoint.  Also, I've heard the Terminator in the same system as the Aqua Formula....