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RZangpo2

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  1. And also ... 4. Better specifications as a DAC/preamp, meaning possibly better sound.
  2. For me, the x4 has at least three advantages over the Anti-Mode 2.0: 1. Digital output sample rate same as input rate, not reduced to 48k. 2. Coaxial digital input; no more fussing with toslink cables (and in my case, elimination of AES/EBU -> toslink converter box). 3. Active crossover between sub and main speakers (the Anti-Mode 2.0 doesn't have this).
  3. It can be used as a phono preamp for listening, although this of course requires an additional D/A conversion (phono cart -> LIO-8 phono input / RIAA decode -> analog out). It sounds pretty good this way, but I'm more used to the sound of my analog phono stage, with no A/D/A conversion.
  4. I've mentioned this on another thread. The Metric Halo crew modified the DI input on my LIO-8 so that I don't need a phono stage (or mic pres) to record from LP. I use a MM cart, so the input resistance was modified to 47kOhms and capacitance to 100pF. Using the modified DI input, plus the RIAA decode curve built into the LIO-8, is the best way of recording vinyl that I know about. The signal goes directly from the cart to the LIO-8, with no gain stages between.
  5. Based on what I know of their gear and their software, I would assume that Metric Halo's implementation of the RIAA curve is more than competent. It sounds good to me. BTW, if digital RIAA decoding is more accurate than any analog EQ, then I assume the original LPs' RIAA encoding is less accurate. This may be a case of the playback equipment's having more accuracy than the source is capable of delivering.
  6. What is the story with the PureVinyl RIAA equalization? Is it somehow better than the RIAA equalization that is built into the ULN-8/LIO-8?
  7. I have no experience with moving iron carts. Do they require the same impedance loading as MM carts? If so, I could experiment.
  8. With regard to MH modifying input impedance, I think my LIO-8 is the first unit on which they have tried this. The mod took quite a while to design and execute. But maybe now that they've tried it, they'll be willing to do more. I should say that MH charged me only about $125 for the mod! That's amazing, considering all the thought and hard work that went into it.
  9. It seems to me that my choice of carts is limited now by the spec's of the LIO-8's phono input (unless I have it modified all over again). That doesn't bother me; I'm pretty much wedded to the Shure V15VMR anyway. I suppose I could experiment with other MM carts, though; the load should be correct for a variety of MM carts, but not (I think) for MC carts. Having said that, the LIO-8 has way more than enough gain for a MM cart. It should be possible to use it as a phono preamp for MC carts, too, assuming the input is modified to present the correct load. "Can you use an ASIO driver to push the needledrop back to a DAC in real-time via a PC?" I'm afraid this is Greek to me. I'm a Mac user, not a PC man. I can monitor the digital recording in real time via the headphone out on the LIO-8. I suppose I could monitor on speakers as well; it's just a matter of routing the signal correctly through the mixer. Yes, the LIO-8 is expensive, but (1) I took advantage of the "early-adopters" offer and bought it for only $3K, and (2) it replaces three boxes in my system: DAC, phono amp, and ADC. So it's a pretty good value IMO.
  10. Well, Metric Halo finally finished the mod and returned the unit. I've only had a few days to play with it so far. First of all, MH effectively changed the DI input into a MM phono input. Resistance is 47kOhms and capacitance 100pF - just about perfect for my vintage Shure V15VMR cart. Testing the frequency response showed that the cart is indeed "seeing" the correct load. So how well does the LIO-8 work as a digital phono amp? So far, very well indeed! Unfortunately my amp is in the shop, so I can't do head-to-head comparisons between the LIO-8 and a conventional phono stage. But comparisons with needle drops I've done in the past reveal a significantly lower noise floor - the "blacker background" that we audiophiles value so much. I attribute this to removing an entire gain stage (or several?) from the signal path. The LIO-8 has plenty of gain, and also a built-in RIAA decode EQ curve, so it really renders a phono amp unnecessary. Recording at 192/24, it sounds just fine. I'm not aware of any digital artifacts such as one might expect from the sizeable EQ adjustment. But I will do a lot more listening and comparisons and report back further. Jon Stern and his team at Metric Halo have been amazing throughout this process. I have been corresponding with them since April about the cartridge loading issue, and they have stuck with me all the way. The mod they designed was unique - I now have a LIO-8 unlike any other - and perfectly executed. Hopefully, MH can apply this knowledge down the road. After all, the LIO-8's RIAA decode function just begs for it to be used as a phono preamp - and now it can be.
  11. My cartridge is a MM, not a MC. I find that the DI inputs of the LIO-8 have more than enough gain to serve as a phono pre. The problem I'm having is cartridge loading. My cart needs to "see" 47kOhms resistance in order to have correct frequency response. Jon Stern at Metric Halo gave me this advice: "You can actually achieve what you want by modifying your cable. You would just need to short the ring to ground, tip to signal, and place a 47 k resistor in parallel with whatever cap you want between the tip and the ring." Unfortunately, this is Greek to me. Anyone know of someone who can do this cable mod for me? LATER. Jon says they can do the mod at MH. I will report back.
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