smeyers

Responses from smeyers

Dac Technology Mature?
Hey my 20, 23 actually, year old DAC sounds just fine thanks! Love that old R2R technology, wedded to a robust power supply and tubed analog output stage of course. Same here. Old R2R; check.  Tube output stage; check.  Robust power supply chec... 
TEST: Older R2R Tube DAC vs Newer Delta-Sigma Solid-State DAC
By the way, source is Deezer 16-Bit / 44.1 kHz ("CD quality") via the Sonos system.  I also listened to some lossy, lower bit-rate music via Pandora. 
Need Balanced DAC with optical and coaxial inputs for 2 channel home theater system
I'll recommend one more: the Wyred 4 Sound DAC-1 LE with the Femto clock and super cap upgrade options.  At $1,274, it is much less expensive than the DAC-2 DSD SE, but is very similar; no remote option and has a different display.  I do have thi... 
Streaming Audio Questions
I also use a Wyred4Sound modified Sonos player into a good DAC streaming Deezer Elite (16 bit 44.1khz) with very very good results.  You can also stream redbook from file based sources with good results.  Not a complicated setup, and the app that ... 
Do you power your Class D amp on and off?
I have the Nuforce 9V3SE amps and power them down anytime I'm not using them unless I plan to use them within a very short time. I honestly can't hear much of a difference between stone cold and on for a while and personally I feel better from a g... 
Best lines in a song
"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans" - John Lennon 
ARC LS26 vs BAT VK-31se preamps
IMHO: In My Humble Opinion 
Tired of Problems with Tube Equipment
Ralph, thanks for the info on the tube sockets for the 6c33 tubes; I do not know what type of sockets the amps have. I certainly do notice how hot these tubes get. What's your view of tube coolers; something like the Pearl coolers from Parts Conne... 
Tired of Problems with Tube Equipment
Well, I'm back in business after the last tube escapade. I suddenly had two separate problems: one tube in one channel wasn't measuring any bias voltage, and popping in the other channel. The was the reason that I started this post; two sudden pro... 
Tired of Problems with Tube Equipment
"Smeyers - can you give us a rundown of some of the components you've had the problems you've described?"Please take the following for what its worth. I've enjoyed all the equipment mentioned despite the problems I've had.BAT vk-5i preamp - one ch... 
Tired of Problems with Tube Equipment
How 'bout SnM R Us? Ha, just kidding! DIY sound great assuming one has time for a new hobby! I used to 'invent' electronic gizmos as a kid, even built a few speakers, but just don't have that kind of time at the moment... 
Tired of Problems with Tube Equipment
Wow; great responses! This may be somewhat off-topic from my original post (I AM allowed to hijack my own thread, eh?), but I'm wondering how close I can get with a good solid-state amp vs my class A SET tube amp I have now. I know there's been qu... 
Tired of Problems with Tube Equipment
Rhljazz, I don't disagree that sometimes things work owning are worth the hassle, as I've done for quite a few years with the equipment I've had (and some cars too!). But (and using your car analogy), how would you feel if your BMW left you strand... 
Floorstanders designed to be against the wall?
The older NHT 3.3 were designed to go against the wall, although they are quite deep. They were also in Stereophile's class A list if that means anything. 
digital eq/room correction trade-offs
My living room is far from ideal for good sound reinforcement, as there is lots of glass, stone chimney, wood floors, etc., and I will not 'decorate' the room with lots of audio panels. I decided about a year go to try the Tact 2.2XP; it completel...