ksjeff

It's been about 10 months since I made the original post on this thread. Thought I would share this, on the chance that it is relevant to anyone else who has an ALO Audio Island USB headphone amplifier. Since my original post I acquired a new laptop, a spec'd-out Dell XPS15 that I needed for a new career. Anyway, I had basically forgotten about my Island amp. But after I updated my machine to the Windows 10 Creator's Update, I thought I'd give it a try, since I thought I remembered reading here that this update would be supporting USB audio 2.0. Well, I plugged the Island into the USB port, and was listening to music via J.River Media Center about 90 seconds later. No drivers to install; didn't have to do anything. It was truly plug-and-play. Cool!

"To the larger point which you address, if I bought new tires for my car and the motor crapped out on me, I don't think it's reasonable to expect that I can put those tires on my replacement car." And by the way, that's a garbage analogy.

At some point in time, one is more or less forced to upgrade the OS. The larger issue here is, in my opinion, a company manufacturing and selling a product on the market, and less than 3 years later that product no longer operates on the dominant OS in the market, because they aren't interested in producing an up-to-date driver. We are not talking about an out-of-date product that is a decade or more old; this is a product I purchased new from the manufacturer LESS THAN 3 YEARS AGO! Hell will freeze over before I consider buying one of their products in the future.

I have an ALO Audio Island headphone amplifier. Once I upgraded my laptop to Windows 10, The Island no longer worked. So I went to the ALO website, hoping that there is an upgraded driver for Windows 10. But there's nothing on their website regarding tech support, downloads, etc. So, I searched around and found a contact phone number. I called multiple times and got no answer, each time leaving a voicemail and my number. Never got a return call. So I kept calling, and finally today, someone picked up the phone, and it went like this: Me: I have The Island headphone amp, and when I upgraded my laptop to Windows 10, my Island stopped working. ALO: The Island had been discontinued, and isn't supported for Windows 10. Me: Are there plans for developing a driver that will work with Windows 10? ALO: No. Me: Do you know of any 3rd-party driver solutions, or any solution at all I can look for? ALO: No, I'm afraid not. Me: So, basically what you're telling me is, this piece of equipment I bought from you not all that long ago is now just a paperweight. ALO: I'm sorry, but yes. This is so infuriating to me. I realize The Island isn't a very expensive piece of equipment. I love this hobby, but I'm not a wealthy person, and I'm not one who updates my equipment every time a new product comes to market. I also have what I think are reasonable expectations regarding the lifespan of audio equipment. But I purchased this headphone amp only about two or three years ago, and for it to be rendered useless because the company chooses to not develop a driver for a Windows upgrade is very frustrating. I, for one, won't be considering any future purchases from ALO Audio. In the computer audio age, if your company won't update drivers to keep up with Windows upgrades, to keep the equipment operable, you won't get my business in the future. Am I being unreasonable here? Also, is there a solution available of which I am unaware? Thanks.

It does say on the sleeve the disc was mastered with the GAIN 2 mastering system. Also, it says it was recorded with DSD at a sample rate of 2.8Mhz. And it was mastered from the original master tape.

Almost 3 years ago, I "pre-ordered" Mobile Fidelity's SACD of Miles Davis' Kind Of Blue, from MusicDirect.com. And today, it arrived. The SACD was mastered from the original master tapes. I've listened to the disc 3 times today on my Oppo BDP-105; twice through the speakers and once through the headphones. I don't claim any highly tuned hearing powers, but this disc sounds fantastic to these ears. I don't know how many times I've listened to Kind Of Blue over my lifetime, but I never tire of it. If limited to a single desert island disc, this would be the one.

Artist: The War On Drugs Album: Lost In The Dream This has been getting very heavy rotation for me going on about 3 months now. Best new rock album I've heard in at least 5 years. I'll be surprised if this doesn't show up on lots of 2014 Album Of The Year lists. Absolutely love this incredible music. And, oh yeah, it's meant to be played loud!

Just so you know, I'm still following this thread (I'm the original poster). I've been listening to much of this music on MOG (when available), and have purchased some of it. I'm really enjoying this. And thanks so much for all your wonderful recommendations. This is so cool.

Trying out some brand new music on a brand new toy. I've had a set of Grado SR-325 headphones for several years, but I've always just listened to them through the iPod or the laptop. I picked up an ALO Audio The Island headphone amp/DAC to hook up with my Grado cans. Wow, I am really stunned at the upgrade this little jewel provides. And at US$299, the price is right. Anyway, I downloaded David Chesky's latest effort, "Jazz In The New Harmonic" (24/192 FLAC) from HD Tracks. It features Chesky, of course, on the piano, Peter Washington on bass, Billy Drummond on drums, Javon Jackson on tenor sax, and Jeremy Pelt on trumpet. I've listened to this piece a couple of times through today, and I can say I really enjoy this music; some very talented players here. The overall pace is very pleasing to me. And the sound of Chesky's 24/192 recording, oh my goodness, it's just magnificent. Two huge thumbs up on the sonics, and the music. Highly recommended to jazz fans.

I have several live albums I really enjoy, but I think these are my four favorites. And I can't pick an order; love them all. Alison Krauss & Union Station -- Live Allman Brothers Band -- Live At Fillmore East Keith Jarrett -- The Koln Concert Little Feat -- Waiting On Columbus

Thanks so much to all you guys for these terrific responses. I've since picked up the Kleiber/Vienna 5th & 7th on Hybrid/SACD. I listened to it three times over the weekend. As I mentioned before, I'm a classical music novice, but I know what I like, and I really enjoyed this recording. I'm also considering the Karajan/Berlin set. Pretty appealing value for the collection. Thanks again, you guys are the best.

This seems to be a good place to post my question, with so many knowledgeable folks here. As a classical music novice looking for guidance, is there an available recording/performance of Beethoven's 5th that is widely considered to be the best? Could you recommend your favorite? Thank you.

Just took delivery of "Architectures" by the Giovanni Mirabassi Trio. On the recommendation of Musicophile, I ordered it unheard. It wasn't available on MOG for a test drive. Ordered the CD through Amazon, from a 3rd party, across the pond a few days ago. Pleasantly surprised at how soon it arrived. Anyway, just finished ripping it, and am listening through the headphones as I write this. Outstanding! Once again, this thread is giving me lots of good music that I otherwise would not have known about. Thank you! I have more on the way! Muhwahahahahaha! (Mad scientist laugh!)

What a great thread! I've been listening to Alboran Trio; it's fantastic. Only "Meltemi" is available on MOG. "Near Gale" is not. Just dropped a pretty penny at Amazon for these two CDs. Too bad a hi-res download isn't available. Musicophile, you've put me on a lot of good music that I otherwise would not have known about. Thanks!

Yes, I use Squeezebox, and I am a MOG subscriber. I always try to find new music and give it a listen on MOG, if available, before plunking down the $$. And thanks for your music suggestions.