ljgerens

Responses from ljgerens

Clean component connections
if your interconnection contacts are gold plated, all you need to clean them is isopropyl alcohol and a soft cloth. If they are another metal than you can use De-Oxit. Never use acetone. It dissolves many plastic and rubber components and actually... 
A new equipment rating system based on time % free time spent on listening
I am also retired, but do not listen to my systems in my free time as much as the previous posters. I have to break my time down into summer (April through October) and winter (November through March).In the summer months we like to travel to the ... 
Decent DAC/Streamer
I found the Node2 did not sound as good as my Apple TV and DAC. My son also had a similar observation with his system. 
Novice Digital (wired) Question(s)
Glad it is working out for you. The internal DAC in the Airport Express is pretty good, probably equal to the built-in DACs in many receivers, integrated amps, and CD players. It sure makes it convenient to listen to your favorite music.  
Novice Digital (wired) Question(s)
Jitter may or may not be an issue for you depending on the DAC you use. For me it was a non issue, even with an inexpensive $200 DAC. I read so much about jitter and wondered if it was present in my wireless systems using an Airport Express or App... 
Novice Digital (wired) Question(s)
I haven't noticed any loss in sound quality going wireless.I incorrectly mentioned using a coaxial cable for the output of the Apple TV and Airport Express. I was thinking of something else when I typed that. They do not have coaxial outputs. 
Novice Digital (wired) Question(s)
The first thing you need is a DAC. There are many out there anywhere from $100 to thousands of dollars. I would go with a reasonably priced one from one of the better known manufacturers to start with. You can always upgrade later if you feel the ... 
AirPlay - "Best" solution help...
@mzkmxcvThanks for your comment. I only mentioned the iFi Purifier because the OP has it listed in his setup with his Apple TV and I wanted to describe my experience with it. I only tried it because of all the discussion regarding jitter from an A... 
AirPlay - "Best" solution help...
I have been using Airplay for 8 years streaming my lossless ripped CDs and currently have 4 systems in different rooms. Two of the systems use an Airport Express (Gen2) and two use Apple TVs (Gen3). I have switched the Airport Expresses and Apple ... 
Proper DAC Upgrade for my modest system.
You made a good choice. It is a better DAC than the zDAC as you have already observed and it matches your system well. Your KEF R11 speakers are no slouch. Just enjoy your music. 
Best practices - cleaning contacts!
It really depends on the material that your contacts are made of. If your contacts are gold plated, than cleaning is very simple because gold is not reactive and does not oxidize or corrode. The major contaminant that coats a gold surface are hydr... 
Silver plated copper
Just to clarify for everyone on this post - Copper oxidizes very rapidly but Silver does not. A clean Copper surface prepared in vacuum forms a monolayer of Copper Oxide within minutes of exposure to air. A clean Silver surface prepared in vacuum ... 
Budget Music Streamer
@ghulamr - I have been streaming 3 systems wirelessly for 8 years and added a fourth for my wife over a year ago and I have never observed a dropout with either an Airport Express or Apple TV. My router is an Apple Airport Extreme.My wife's system... 
Budget Music Streamer
Is there any difference in the SQ between your Airport Express and Apple TV? If the Apple TV is not as good, it might be the Kanexpro. I have 4 systems, 2 using an Airport Express and 2 using Apple TVs (the 3rd generation using the optical output)... 
How many of you had been to all 50 states of United States.
Another +1 for New Mexico, The Land of EnchantmentSome of my favorite places; Santa Fe, Taos Pueblo, Gila Cliff Dwellings,  Chaco Canyon Pueblo ruins, Chimayo, Sandia Peak, Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Great hiking in the Carson National Forest, Pe...