melvinjames

Responses from melvinjames

What am I missing?
I embraced streaming years ago as my taste in music was shifting. Internet radio streams allowed me to explore without spending needlessly. When I heard a song I liked I would take note and further check out the album/artist. My days of purchasing... 
What is Your Opinion of Atmos Music?
@kota1 .. don't know, I haven't read it (no interest in Atmos).  
Good read: why comparing specifications is pointless
... genial ... You can't be serious @kota1. I think it's pretty clear how genial you and others have been to Amir. Not a good look to say the least.   
Nearly all manufacturers do not advertise/exhibit their product measurements? Why?
So, all this venom being spit at Amir is because of what??? Oh, I remember how it all started, @fleschler was banned from ASR and his feelings got hurt. Insulted his subjective opinion wasn't taken seriously on a measurement-oriented objectivist s... 
Ditch your USB cable for Toslink? Might surprise you!
Seems to me the negativity associated with Toslink is a hold-over from days long past, when it sucked. Some DAC designers (Rob Watts comes to mind) managed to figure out how to implement it with great results some time ago. Back when Chord release... 
The Six Moons.com review on the Mhdt Labs Orchid DAC just went up
@morganc .. I use BNC with my Pagoda. I prefer it to their USB implementation.  
Bluesound Node 2021 DAC - I sold my Denafrips Ares II
@painter24 .. I recently upgraded from the Node 2 to the latest and I tend to agree with you, the on-board DAC in the N130 isn't nearly as bad as many would have us believe. As usual, how much we want to spend for an incremental improvement in sou... 
The best audio tweak is a soft bristled paint brush...
Steve Deckert recommends them for dusting his amps. 2-inch, soft natural bristles. I took his advice. Works great.  
What are you streaming tonight?
 
What are you streaming tonight?
 
Products you added to your system in 2021 that made most impact to your music enjoyment
The stock rectifier in my Decware SE84UFO failed recently and I replaced it with a NOS RCA 5U4G. Sound quality improvement? I almost hate to say that my jaw dropped. Literally. The change was that profound. Money well spent.  
Is there any merit to assembling a same stack system to achieve excellent performance?
Too simplistic? Hardly, if you like the manufacturers house sound. Instead of trying to cobble an entry level headphone system together I decided on a Schiit stack (including cables). Made sense to me and wasn't disappointed.   
What are you streaming tonight?
Released on Qobuz today (24/192).  
Single Ended DAC vs Dual Differential XLR DAC
@gkg2k .. apologies for veering off course. If you decide to take a chance on the balanced version I hope you'll share your impressions (warts and all).   
Single Ended DAC vs Dual Differential XLR DAC
I don’t see what beef people have with ASR or Amir. I think he’s doing a great service for the community measuring all this gear.   For me it’s the off balance approach. I much prefer a review process which includes measurements and listening....