pennpencil

Responses from pennpencil

Using optical Ethernet input for your Hifi Rose RS130
Definitely, the optical isolates the system from EMF that runs through copper. My previous streamer was an IFI Neo Stream that comes with an optical Ethernet input. I A/B'd copper and optical, and there was a noticeable difference in my system--cr... 
Using optical Ethernet input for your Hifi Rose RS130
:-)   With all the stuff in my system, I’m not sure what "expensive" means anymore! SFP supports up to 1 gig bps, SFP+ supports up to 10 gig bps. Both are plenty fast. I’d use the plus, but I read (somewhere) that SFP+ can hurt the RS130 because ... 
Using optical Ethernet input for your Hifi Rose RS130
@erik_squires  Thanks for your thoughts! Yes, LC to LC is the way I went. I don’t know if I made it clear above that I (finally) got the optical input working. The router you mention is interesting in that it has an SFP port! It’s an SFP+, which, ... 
Best products and process to polish piano black KEF speakers
Scratch-X works for for superficial scratches and smudges. I tried it for the first time today on my Rel subs. It took a while but it worked..   
When using a power conditioner, why is it advised to run amps directly to the wall?
By extension, is the common wisdom NOT to plug a powered subwoofer into a power conditioner? I’ll try it both ways.  
Streamer recommendation
Sure. Stay with Aurender n200 or n20. Otherwise consider the hifiRose RS130. It has amazing sound quality and more outputs like I2S which makes a big difference depending on your system.  
Looking for a more up-to-date streamer
For under $1500, IFi Neo stream has an I2S out that I find remarkably clearer than usb. Not many streamers in this price range have that. And it supports Qobuz connect but I prefer mconnect.  
the gateway product that turned you into an audiophile
Bowers and Wilkins entry level 683 speakers. I was infected by my cousin in law.   
Faint buzz in speakers
+1 For having the router too close to the power amp.  
Audio Cables: All the Same?
Morrow gives a 60 day return. Try some speaker cables and interconnects. Like them or don’t. In my system, the improvement was monumental but who cares about my system? You care about yours. Return them if they don’t work after 30 days and you’re ... 
Keep light equipment from tipping up from cable weight?
Mitch2 #2 is what I use. A similar alternative is moving the component forward on a shelf so the cord is supported by the length of the shelf behind the component.  
Have you noticed as your system improves?
“They” say that over 80 db hurts your ears. So I try to play close to that level but not above because the ringing bells of tinnitus have already ruined so much.  
Does it have to sound good for you to like it?
Of course the music has to sound great. Why spend thousands or tens of thousands of dollars on equipment if a car radio is good enough? On the other hand, who wants to listen to music beautifully rendered if you don’t like it? The other aspect is ... 
Morrow Audio Speaker Cables
I started at level 2 and was so impressed I immediately upgraded to the level 5 for the speaker cables and interconnects. I would never ever, ever have imagined the immense change those cables made in my system... huge soundstage, detail, bass res... 
One answer to an oft-asked question.
@hickamore totally agree. I listen to pandora during work. Qobuz at night.