soix

Responses from soix

Leave system on or power everything down?
Given some later responses I’ll share my experience with my McCormack amp I’ve owned for about 30 years.  Unless I was leaving for a week I left my amp on 24/7 and had no problems except one blown fuse over that time.  I recently had my amp upgrad... 
Leave system on or power everything down?
Just leave everything on.  Four days off isn’t that long and you’re not burning much electricity, and turning things on and off every week puts added stress on the equipment — if nothing else having the electronic components constantly cycling bet... 
Time To Upgrade My Digital Front End
I’d recommend the Innuos Pulse.  It’s new and contains Innuos’ latest thinking, is compatible with Roon, and comes with their Sense app that gets top marks for both usability and sound quality.  And at $3250 it’s well under your $5k price target. ... 
Upgrading preamp. Best for under $1K
This will be a big upgrade. It has tubes but in this unit they last a looooong time and are inexpensive to replace, and this one comes with the upgraded linear power supply, which is key. Read the reviews. https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650... 
Best Full-Function Preamplifier
Man, you must REALLY not want that extra phono box because you’re greatly limiting your options.    
Can I do any better than BJC LC-1 or Gotham GAC-1 Ultra Pro for the money?
Got it.  Well, you could buy one of the AZ interconnects for only about $165 for the arguably more important connection from pre to amp and go cheaper for the Atmos connections.  Just a thought FWIW.    
Wondering if anyone can identify the speaker in this screen grab
I’m impressed.  Many musicians have garbage systems.  Wonder what he’s driving them with?  
Can I do any better than BJC LC-1 or Gotham GAC-1 Ultra Pro for the money?
Here are a couple pairs of Acoustic Zen interconnects at an attractive price that may punch above the bargain basement stuff. Owner says they approach the performance of AZ’s much pricier interconnects, and if that’s the case I think they’re well ... 
Spec-chart for digital cables
With all factors being even, which cable reproduces the cleanest signal. That’s a fallacy.  You’re looking for something that simply doesn’t exist.  You’re also leaving out noise and shielding, which inputs are optimized on which component, etc... 
Spec-chart for digital cables
HDMI cables are the biggest pile of junk I have found. I’d qualify that if you’re using HDMI to utilize the i2S input on a DAC.  I did that and it kicked the living crap out of running SPDIF.   
Five feet from the front wall
It’s irrelevant.  Place your speakers where they balance and sound best in your room.  Where you measure them from means absolutely zero.    
Adding a power trigger to an amp that doesn't have one
Man, that’s a lot.  Think about that a lightbulb fails most often when you turn it on.  It’s because that’s when it’s under most stress.  You’ve got the initial power surge and also the constant temperature fluctuation from cold to warm, which add... 
Adding a power trigger to an amp that doesn't have one
How often do you turn your components on and off each week?  
Adding a power trigger to an amp that doesn't have one
If it’s solid state (and not Class A) why not just leave it on, then no trigger needed? Leaving it on is typically better for longevity than turning it on and off, and it’s always warmed up and ready to go.  Same for your AVR.   
Speaker cable recommendations
@vthokie83 Congrats on the new room!  If you haven’t already, I’d very highly recommend reading this from Earl Geddes for tips on building a good-sounding room. I found it supremely interesting, educational, and useful while also being very approa...