tobias

Responses from tobias

Upgrade my CD player or buy a DAC?
The Benchmark DAC, which I have auditioned a fair number of times, has a large following for good reason: it digs out detail like no other I have heard. It is impressive and you may love it. My own preference ultimately went to a DAC which I felt ... 
Upgrade my CD player or buy a DAC?
Also consider the Moon 100D. Whichever digital cable you buy (I seem to like cryo'd OCC copper cables myself), make sure it is 1.5 meters long. 
Plugging modem wall warts into power conditioner?
Agree with Rbautista about substituting a linear power supply of the same rating for the wall wart. Doing that improved sound from two DACs I own ( Muse TDA 1543 and Apogee Mini-DAC ). 
Plugging modem wall warts into power conditioner?
Switching-type wall warts inject noise back into the AC line. A small isolation transformer will block this and in addition give the wall wart cleaner power to switch. It seems to work for me. 
Single Zen Satori Vs. Bi Zu Wax Opinion Please
If you want to be able to describe the differences you hear, you can train yourself. I offer a few humble suggestions.• Line up an audio buddy if you can. Conversation about what you hear helps.• Take notes during the session.• Pay attention to th... 
latest unobtainium music
Flamencon ( based in VA ) has emailed me to tell me they don't have the CD in stock. They seem to think it will come in eventually. I've emailed them back to say I'm willing to wait if there's a chance of getting it.I'll update with whatever I hear. 
latest unobtainium music
I've just ordered it from Flamencon. I'll post results. 
From high end digital to beginners analog?
I listen to analog using a Well Tempered Amadeus and a Lyra Delos, and digital up to 24/192 via FireWire and an Apogee Mini-DAC. My impression is that the very hi-res digital is as interesting as the vinyl, in its own way. Vinyl tends to be prefer... 
Integrated for 2500 new or used?
UHF Magazine's Audiophile Boutique has recently discontinued Moon I-3.3 integrated amps on closeout. They come with or without a DAC or a phono stage, and there are refurbs at slightly lower prices. 
Need help with cd or dvd burning
Here's a link to the gold archival CD-R page at ProDataPlus. You can also find gold DVD-Rs at the site if you click around. I have used MAM-A discs with great success.ProDataPlus archival CD-R 
100 watts amp suggestion?
The Qinpu A-1.0x integrated amp puts out 100 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 160 wpc into 4 ohms. Its price is low enough to leave over a good part of your budget for a DAC and cables.One DAC to consider would be the Moon 100D, and good budget c... 
Best floorstanding speakers under $2000
My Meadowlark Shearwater Hot Rods have a low end spec above 30 but they have a useful extension lower than the -3dB point because of their transmission line design. So my suggestion is to give them a listen if you get the chance -- they will be co... 
component where PC does not make a difference
Although some components ( power amps ) seem to react less than others ( preamps, DACs ) to power cord upgrades, I have found only one component which showed no obvious change. That one was the Cambridge Audio IsoMagic DAC. The fact that it was eq... 
CONUNDRUM
If you take Mr. Carr's advice then you have to buy a Lyra ;) 
Snapped off my cantilever
Lovely system! Very sorry to hear of the accident.Soundsmith will do a great job on your cart, but you will have to be patient. Do you have a backup cartridge?