128x128

kairosman

Responses from kairosman

streaming and audiophile stereo
In a digital source chain the streamer is probabaly most important, try a reasonably affordable all-in-one streamer/DAC like a Lumin T3 that has very good digital outs via USB and BNC so you can rotate other DACs into your system. Lumin's app soun... 
Ideon DAC's
Consider a tube DAC like Lampizator, I have a Baltic 4 with volume control, IMO the best DAC under $10K, and replace your Node with either a Lumin U1 or Innuos Pulsar. Without a good streamer you won't fully exploit your new DAC's capabilities.  
What is the current retail cost of your reference system?
Total loser here as I have spent way too much and am still not 100% satisfied but then again I enjoy gear swapping and tweaking so in a way I'm paying for a geeky form of relaxation. Less offensive habit than blackjack booze and hookers.  
I feel bad for Generation X and The Millennial's
@goofyfoot agreed that streaming is fantastic and getting better SQ wise every day, so yes I am not a Luddite as many technologies are a blessing. @oregon yup the 50s might not have been all about great jazz there was indeed a lot of shite on man... 
I feel bad for Generation X and The Millennial's
Gen Xer here, I saw Pink Floyd in LA in the late 70s, David Bowie in Edmonton in the mid 80s, Beck in Geneva in the late 90s, and The Killers in Vegas in the late 2000s, however since then it's been hard to understand/appreciate and thus connect w... 
How much should I spend on a new DAC
+1 @sgreg1 is spot on, the Gustard R26 is truly the only 'unicorn' DAC I've yet had in this crazy hobby, replaced my Terminator II, also that frees up your funds for a good ethernet switch + fiber optic isolation kit, which will give you almost as... 
Grimm MU1 Streamer - Really "The Best"?
@lordmelton exactly my thoughts. I just can't understand in this day and age considering how quickly digital playback is evolving why a manufacturer would limit a product's input/output/format/sampling options. Some here have responded to my query... 
Grimm MU1 Streamer - Really "The Best"?
Have the Lumin P1 utilizing fiber optic from a Melco S100, and output on USB and/or BNC to Lampizator Baltic 4 or Musetec MH-DA005 or Gustard R26 then onto a Gryphon Diablo 300. I didn’t opt for an internal DAC cuz obviously I already had great ex... 
New MOFI speaker (Andrew Jones)
For $4K with stands, they seem by almost all accounts a LOT of speaker. Not for everyone obviously, but for a lot of folks most likely yes. That's the point of this and any other business, appealing to the most folks possible.  
Advice for a new analog system
+1 @jeffseight lol exactly. The money pit of all money pits is high-end analog turntable playback, an outdated tech with zero chance of true sonic innovation versus digital sources which are only getting started on their innovation curves. My $3... 
DAC recommendations
@earthbound the main weakness is your Airplay front end from the switch and cables through to your streamer. Get a good switch with a clock and good cables and a Lumin U2, then subscribe to Qobuz and or Tidal and don’t bother spending more until a... 
Has anyone been able to define well or measure differences between vinyl and digital?
@tomcy6 agree, the upshot being perhaps the difference is the analog source chain produces the magic that analog enthusiasts talk about. But is it a distortion, or a higher fidelity engine?   
Combination streamer and music server…without DAC
Lumin U1 is cheap now that Lumin released the U2, has a good app and support and most importantly you will need to spend double to best it.  
Built-in vs. Standalone DACs
Diablo 300 owner here, when I auditioned the amp it had the DAC module and I really liked the sound/synergy, awesome scale and dynamics, like it was on steroids. But I ultimately didn't get the module and spent the $5K on a Terminator II, not beca... 
Denafrips 12 anniversary
Yes now that we have a Gustard R26 for $1600 that sounds as good or better than my Terminator II, will Denafrips be forced to up its game in the lower price bracket gear war to stay competitive, or does it go upscale and try to compete with Chord ...