tubeguy80

Responses from tubeguy80

Are all streamers the same?
I think it depends. When things start as a streamer, and then the DAC part gets added, it always seems like a compromise to me. This is how I felt about all the Aurender models I've ever tried with analog outputs. Not that they sound bad, just not... 
Audio Art Statement cables
I have a couple of Audio Art mid level cables and intend to explore the Statement line soon. They are really impressive for the money, and it’s a great company to deal with. I only wish they made more digital cables. I'm on the hunt for some ethe... 
All in One Solution for Streaming
You might look into the Matrix Audio Element P. It's an all in one streamer, DAC, and speaker amp with tons of functionality. Matrix is a Chinese firm that isn't really well known in the mainstream but they make great products with lots of value f... 
Stack Audio-SmoothLAN Network Filter- WOW!
I know a guy using all sorts of megabuck gear, but he swears by the Stack Audio Link 2 network streamer. It's under $2k with the matching Stack linear PSU which makes it by far the most affordable piece of his system, by orders of magnitude.  I w... 
PS Audio Stellar Gold DAC ?
I tried it out and it was decent but not great to my ears. I remember enjoying the old Stellar Gain Cell DAC back in the day which had a lot to offer for a pretty low price. The Gold is more than double that price and to me doesn't really justify ... 
LAIV Harmony
@audiostick  Obviously the Major US Audio Manufacturer is complacent and doesn’t really care about your business. Good riddance. Laiv is new and hungry for business so I say let them earn it, we’ll soon find out if this is a new Denafrips/Holo Aud... 
Morrow Audio Speaker Cables
@mitch2  Agree, the DH Labs connectors are probably at the limit for me in terms of price/performance ratio. Anything "better" will cost far more than it is worth as far as actual contributions to the sound. Sure do love me some Furutech bling bu... 
Musical fidelity encore “frustrated owners”
Honestly I'm not sure how many people are using Musical Fidelity gear these days. Particularly anything other than their amplifiers, which seem more popular and generally better than the rest of their line. I used to own of a few of their pieces ... 
Should I cash in?
There are tons of really nice DACs in the $3k to $6k range, I'd demo as many as I could get my hands on and go from there. One needn't spend $20k to get excellent sound.   
How Could I Get A Mivera Audio Purestream and Superstream Serviced If Needed?
I doubt Mike is interested in supporting Mivera owners at this point. Would love to be proven wrong, but his internet history is a mess: banned or disappeared from quite a few forums after various arguments etc. Seems like a talented designer but... 
EverSolo Streamer
It sounds like you've got it set up correctly, and just can't hear a difference. Which is totally fine if you are happy with the sound.  I would try to break out the Sonos and Cambridge stuff, see if you hear a difference there. It might be that ... 
Denafrips Pontus *15th* ?
I have an "original" Pontus II (so no 12th or other numbers involved) and I very much enjoy it. Purchased it new a few years back and always felt it was a really good deal for the money. But I don't think I will be purchase anything else from Den... 
Small Green Computer - Sonic Transporter i9 (Gen 4) mini review
Nice writeup, thank you. I've been curious about SGC and this is a great data point.   
LCD-2 from 2011
Older Audeze are notorious for having variations from one example to the next. That went on for many years until the more recent models, and I think they have it worked out by this point. But anything over a couple years old is likely to be pretty... 
RAAL 1995 headphones, Magna and Immanis
I've been using the SR-1b for a while and now have the CA-1a. They are my favorite headphones by far. I do enjoy others from Audeze and Meze and Sennheiser but somehow the Raal models feel more like the real music experience to me.  I don't want ...