vthokie83

Responses from vthokie83

DAC shopping - Trying to sift through the Hype. Can I trust the reviews these days ??
Exactly what I wanted to hear, I haven't personally heard the 12th Terminator or Venus.....Terminator and/or Terminator Plus will be on my short list when I upgrade  
Why does USB feature so much in discussions about DACs when the newer HDMI seems better?
richardbrand That's true, I did not....and I do understand your point. I'm not an electrical engineer (I'm mechanical) nor a builder of audiophile equipment. I was responding to the various USB/I2S/SPDIF/Toslink posts in between, and reflecting o... 
Why does USB feature so much in discussions about DACs when the newer HDMI seems better?
SNS You've nailed it perfectly. There are SO many reasons to use I2S if you can, and you explained it really well. I agree that short HDMI cables are best, but I've had excellent results with the Audioquest Vodka 48 8k/10k cable at 1 meter. For s... 
DAC shopping - Trying to sift through the Hype. Can I trust the reviews these days ??
Fred Any news on the Terminator yet, I'd love to hear your thoughts  
Should I add a DDC?
The value of a DDC is much more than just converting to I2S. It does several things depending on the product, since I have a Denafrips DDC I'll speak there. Convert the input signal to I2S (used internally in DACs/streamers/etc), galvanically and... 
Seeking speakers under $3K for 10x12 ft room and driven by 20wpc tube amp
Fritz should work at 8 ohm and 88 db should be easy to drive. I'd love to recommend the Philharmonic BMR, but at 4ohm and 87 db it might not be the best fit....but it's a surprisingly great speaker for $2,200  
300B Tube Amps with 15/16 Watts Per Channel?
Sure, once that does occur.....be happy too  
300B Tube Amps with 15/16 Watts Per Channel?
Don, I suspect I will get that chance one day.....in the not too distant future. He's already talking about adding the Raven, which I encouraged......but not my money.  
Should I add a DDC?
Absolutely it will improve the sound on any USB input, I use an Iris with my Pontus II. Just be sure to use a high quality HDMI cable. Supra 2.1 HDMI are good for the $60 they cost, but something like the Audioquest Vodka 48 8K/10K is what I settl... 
A Review of the Denafrips Pontus Gen 15 DAC
That's great news Fred, please do let us know when the Terminator arrives. When I do upgrade the Pontus, the Terminator and Terminator Plus will certainly be in the mix. Looking forward to hearing you notes  
DAC shopping - Trying to sift through the Hype. Can I trust the reviews these days ??
SNS For me (I use the Denafrips Iris DDC with a TXCO temperature controlled crystal oscillator), the combo of the DDC and the use of I2S from it to the Pontus II was definitely a 1 + 1 = 3 situation. The Supra 2.1 HDMI cable is terrific for the $... 
300B Tube Amps with 15/16 Watts Per Channel?
Only one to buy in my mind for higher powered 300B, the Don Sachs/Lynn Olson Blackbird Monoblocks; manufactured by Spatial Audio Labs. Not cheap at $10,000 each, but it appears the culmination is Don's and Lynn's life's work. I do not own them, as... 
DAC shopping - Trying to sift through the Hype. Can I trust the reviews these days ??
The Denafrips Pontus II DAC is not hype nor a promotion. It is most likely one of the best selling DACs for at least 3 years, with hundreds and hundreds of positive reviews. I've had mine for 3 years, and it has held it's own as I've upgraded the ... 
Weak link
I would do in order: (1) dedicated lines (2) Audiophile receptacles (Furutech GTX-D (Gold or Rhodium to your taste), Oyaide R-1, or for the budget minded Acme Audio Labs cryo silver (3) Acoustic treatment, GIK Acoustics is an affordable place t... 
Speaker cables with good timbre
My favorite speaker cables to this point are the Anti-Cables 4.2 Flex speaker cables. That said, my system is currently disassembled (building a dedication audio room), and I have acquired or built several new cables. I have a fun winter project,...