dgarretson

Responses from dgarretson

Audio System Donation
Join a local audio society/club.  They should be worthy pallbearers. 
Recommendations for a good audiophile digital coax (BNC-BNC) 50 ohm cable?
SOtM and Habst make good if expensive 50 ohm cables. 
What is your top priority items on Black Friday Sale.
I grew up in a family-owned department store.  In that world the first shopping day after Thanksgiving is thought of as the point in the year when a retailer begins to turn a profit.   It is black vs. red, not black vs. white. 
Mattresses, not stereos is where the money is
Unfortunately, a friend on a very limited income has a 400lb. twenty-something mentally-disabled son who wandered into one of these mattress stores and purchased an $8000 mattress on a five-year installment plan. 
Best of compact audio systems
For around $25K, Gayle Sander’s Eikon audio system does it all, to which you add your DAC of choice. This compact system sounds and looks great, with LF extension to 20hz and digital room correction.https://eikonaudio.com/ 
Pass Labs XA 30.8 Standby power draw?
The spec on the Pass web site states 3.3A at idle, which is around 400W. 
Dreaming of a DIY 8W Class A amp designed by Nelson Pass?
Upon returning from the CAF audio show with good sounds freshly implanted in the memory bank, I was greeted by two Zerozone 24V/5A linear supplies from Hong Kong.  Even without break-in they improve on the stock Meanwell SMPS. Increased dynamics. ... 
Dreaming of a DIY 8W Class A amp designed by Nelson Pass?
@auxinput - Woops, the connectors are indeed Oyaide-- for the ACA, 2.5 ID x 5.5 OD (based on the Meanwell data sheet spec.)I do a custom build to 10-11awg with a twist of 20awg .999 dead soft silver strands from Rio Grande on-line.  IME, with DC t... 
Dreaming of a DIY 8W Class A amp designed by Nelson Pass?
@auxinput  Thanks for this info.  In past projects I have build DC umbilicals with 10-11awg silver wire, Furutech connectors, and tinned copper braid shielding.  I'll keep all options in mind.  
Dreaming of a DIY 8W Class A amp designed by Nelson Pass?
I just ordered a pair of Chinese Zerozone 24Vdc/5A linear power supplies to compare to the stock Meanwell SMPS.  I've queried the ACA DIY forum thread for experience with LPS substitutions, but to no avail.  We'll find out shortly.    
Dreaming of a DIY 8W Class A amp designed by Nelson Pass?
I enjoy most of Erik’s threads, which often raise unusual topics that break the tedium of too many repetitive threads. It’s irrelevant whether the OP decides to build the kit. A good thread is like a large inflated ball that we used to see bouncin... 
Dreaming of a DIY 8W Class A amp designed by Nelson Pass?
I've also heard great reports on the Elekit tube integrated amp kits.   
Dreaming of a DIY 8W Class A amp designed by Nelson Pass?
The power supplies are external and easily swapped. However if you want to try alternative resistors, caps, and internal wire, de-soldering the original pieces from the PCB is a PITA. Consider researching substitutes for the initial build. The sch... 
Dreaming of a DIY 8W Class A amp designed by Nelson Pass?
@dutchydog  It develops around 16wpc when wired as a bridged or balanced monoblock.  
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.