dudeymon

This is news to me. I thought HDCD encoding was limited to specific CD files. I use software to decode them to 44.1K/24b WAVs. So are there hi-res downloads available with HDCD encoding as well? Like 96K/24b with HDCD? If so, is there a list somewhere of the titles available? I may need to go looking for software to decode these babies, because my DAC doesn't do HDCDs unfortunately. Learn something everyday! Thanks.

Steve N - "This is precisely why a COMPLETE LI battery solution with charger circuits and automatic control costs $1K or more. If you dont want to be screwing around timing the discharge and worrying if you will start a fire when it recharges etc.., then just buy one." Steve - My understanding is that these newer style batteries and charger were safe and extremely unlikely to cause a fire. Here are the specific components I am using: - Smart Charger (0.7 A) for 9.6V (3cells) LiFePO4 Battery Pack, 100-240VAC, CE listed CH-LFP9.6V0.7A - LiFePO4 18650 Battery: 9.6V 3000 mAh (2Rx3C, 28.8Wh, 8A rate) with PCB & Polyswitch (2.7) LF-H1P2S3R2WR BatterySpace.com clearly indicated that these items had appropriate protection control circuits and were safe and free from fire threats with normal use. Are you saying they are in fact not safe? If so, please point us to specific web documents that detail and support this. I certainly don't want to live with a fire threat, but I also don't want to spend $1,000 to eliminate a threat that really isn't there. I'm in no way saying there's nothing to be worried about - I'm pretty unschooled in this area. Thanks. Dudeymon

Socrates- "@Dudeymon -- did you have the stock PSU from TweekGeek? If so, what did you have it plugged into? The wall? A power conditioner?" I had the PSU that came supplied with the EVO from Tweekgeek. I tried it straight in to the wall, and with it plugged in to my PS Audio P300 power regenerator. Sounded much better on the P300, but it still didn't cut it for me. The Alkalines seemed a little better than the PSU. Dudeymon

Encore - "Very interesting indeed--how would you describe the difference in sound between the Alkaline and the LiFePO4?" With the alk's, the bass seemed a little thin, not as robust and full. The lower frequency spectrum was certainly present and didn't sound bad, but I just always came away sensing I was missing something in the musical perfomance. The higher end frequencies seemed a little less controlled, a little dry. With the lfp4's, all of the above is gone. Bass is full and clear, with better soundstaging and depth. Highs are precise and pristine, but with a nice analog-like smoothness that invites me to "turn it up to 10", and sit back and enjoy the show. My system: USB drives with 192K/24b upsampled CD ripped WAV files --> Wireless G network --> Dell Laptop --> EVO --> APL 3910 DAC/pre-amp (designed by Alex Peychev) --> Rane AC22B active crossover --> Classe CA-150 solid state amps --> Dynaudio-driver custom-built speakers. Line level cables are balanced designs by Grover Huffman, speaker cables by Grover Huffman. Line components powered with modded PS-Audio P300. Man do I love this hobby! Dudeymon

I just received my LifeP04 battery and charger. Did a quick charge and handwired it in to the EVO. All I can say is WOW! All of my disappointments with the sound using the supplied PSU and with Alkalines are out the window - this EVO sounds fantastic with the LifeP04 supplying the DC. I bought a DIY project box to house the battery and put in a rotary switch to switch the battery to either the charger or to the EVO. I hope the switch and additional connections don't affect sound quality. May need to A/B test it to find out. Anyway, bottom line is, to these ears, LifeP04 is the way to go if you don't want to spend $500-$900 on a high-end power supply. Dudeymon

I'm still using the supplied PSU while I'm waiting on my LifeP04 battery and charger order to arrive. I also use 9V alkalines, but only get about an hour on each one. I'm using the PSU powered by my PS Audio P300 regenerator, and the sound is surprisingly good. I guess the clean A/C going in to the PSU results in a better quality DC output. If I plug the PSU directly in to the wall the sound is much worse. Anyway, that's my story and I'm sticking to it. I'm looking forward to the LifeP04 set-up.

Hi Encore, Using a Laptop w Vista, Foobar with the 192K-Kernel component added, 3' USB cable to the EVO, RCA out to the DAC. Don't get me wrong, things sound very nice, but I was expecting a more full and analog like sound. Maybe I just need to close my eyes and relax with it and quit evaluating.

Just got the EVO in today - sounds great - using a 9V Alkaline to power it - have LIFEp04 battery and charger on the way. I still sense the sound is a little hard in the mids & highs due to lack of burn-in - at least I hope that's it. What has been your experience in burn-in time requirements? Thanks.