soix

Responses from soix

Lyngdorf 3400 headphone amp quality?
If you’re at all serious about headphones, get a dedicated headphone amp.  Headphone amps in integrated amps are, with very few exceptions, afterthoughts at best.  Amps matter as much with headphones as they do in home systems, so while you probab... 
Help me pick a new pair of speakers
Given what you’re looking for I’d put the ProAc at the top of your current list. I’d also add the Joseph Audio Prism that offers a lot of the acclaimed Pulsar’s sonic properties at about half the price. Another outstanding monitor that flies under... 
Using MHDT Orchid to stream Hi Res with Apple Music ?
Just get Qobuz.  It’s better.  There are several ways to stream to your DAC — just depends what equipment you have available to use.    
Warning for Revel lovers
For Samsung fridge owners with ice maker issues, you can also try turning down your freezer temp to -4 degrees, and there’s also a reset button for the ice maker that (once you find it) you hold down for a few seconds until it beeps.  Unplugging t... 
Do you consider cables to be a "component" of your system?
I view cables like tires on a car.  The better the car the more the tires matter, and if you put crappy tires on a good car they undermine a lot of the strengths you bought the car for in the first place.  And just as with cables in the context of... 
Point of diminishing returns for a Network Streamers?
I think the iFi Zen Stream offers a lot of performance/$, and it also incorporates iFi’s noise reduction technology that, especially in your case using an old computer as a source, may be particularly beneficial. If you go to Hifi Shark and search... 
Usb cable recommendation
Really depends on how “entry level” you’d like to go. For me, more important than length is that the USB cable separate the power and signal parts of the USB signal. The best value I found was the LavriCables Ultimate Silver USB cable that is abou... 
Is Mark Levinson still considered up there with the best of the best?
@twoleftears What’s going on with Revel?  I don’t really follow them but seems like some of their models are a bit long in the tooth (i.e. Salon, Studio).  
Cable Quality vs Customer Service
So the lesson learned is to leave headphone cables for headphone cable specialists. Yup, I found the same thing.  I was speaking with another cable manufacturer and he said he tried making headphone cables and some of the connectors were a nigh... 
Is Mark Levinson still considered up there with the best of the best?
Doesn’t help that their products are so rarely reviewed.  You’d think if Harmon believed in the products and wanted to get them more exposure they’d reach into their deep pockets and do some advertising.  To many other stellar options out there fo... 
does the vtl 5.5 compare with the herron vtsp-3
Given what you’re looking for I’d think VAC, Aesthetix, and Zesto (among others) might give you a bit more treble detail without sacrificing tonality or musicality.  Best of luck.   
does the vtl 5.5 compare with the herron vtsp-3
Do some research on VTL’s customer service before going that route. Past that it comes down to what sound characteristics you’re looking for, and if you care to share that info I’m sure you’ll get lots of good recommendations here.  Great amp BTW ... 
DAC recommendation in 5 to 10K range
Given what you’re looking for I’d take a serious look at a Mojo Mystique DAC. It’s also an R2R DAC but possibly with a more organic kinda sound you might really like. Here’s a relatively recent review of one of their most recent models, but you ca... 
Cable Quality vs Customer Service
Thanks for the interesting insights.  Reason I asked is I’ve held SR cables in high regard for sonics so was curious how the Lavris would stack up.  I’m gonna compare my Lavri interconnects to my beloved Acoustic Zen Silver Ref ll and will share m... 
Unterminated bulk ethernet cable
Monoprice sells their own and probably about the best value you’ll find if you’re not looking for very high-performance cable… https://www.monoprice.com/category/cables/bulk-networking-cables/cat8-bulk-ethernet-cables