Chris M.

Can someone in plain English explain to me why this software sounds better than iTunes? Does FLAC sound better than ALAC?(Apple lossless)I've A/B'ed both of 'em and I can't hear any difference. I don't know, maybe my $2200 headphone based system isn't worthy. Plus I'm running USB straight out of my laptop with no asynchronous USB converter. Thinking of getting a V-Link...

Why a BNC connector? Most cables with this interface tend to be pricey. And DAC's with an AES/EBU balanced input usually cost thousands. I'm sure this is a nice piece, but there are other products that do pretty much the same for a lot less $$$. Hey, not all of us can afford dSC Scarlatti systems.<br />

Mike at HeadRoom has informed me of a new headphone amp out of out Germany that has so many imaging features, it's enough to make one dizzy. "The Phonitor unique feature set includes Speaker Angle imaging 'toe-in', Mono/Stereo and Center Level control, plus 6-position crossfeed stage." It's actually for engineers to do a two track mix down with speaker listening in mind using headphones. It goes for over $2100. He hasn't obtained a unit yet so he has no idea how good or bad it will sound. The caveat is the way I like to fiddle with stuff, I can picture myself tweaking these adjustments to the point of insanity. Sound like fun, though! If this thing can do what it says, this could be huge for headphone users, albeit with deep pockets. I'll post any reviews I hear. http://www.headphone.com/headphone-amps/spl-phonitor-headphone-amp.php iMac G5 iTunes--cheap Sony DVD player for optical discs--HeadRoom Micro DAC--HeadRoom Micro Amp--AKG K702 Headphones with custom cord--everything plugged into PS Audio Duet Power Center--PS Audio Power Port receptacle--3 PS Audio Noise Harvesters--Caig ProGold--Cardas and Monster cables

What about us po' folks? A V-Link is as far as I can go with all this. My DAC's got a TI PCM2902 to change USB to SPDIF at 16/44 only. No high rez through there! Coaxial and TosLink 24/96. V-Link should work, right?

As primarily a headphone listener, I would have liked for the review to cover the crossfeed circuit's effect on headphone listening. It's a similar, but different to the crossfeed on HeadRoom amps. This amp is close to HeadRoom's Ultra Desktop both in cost and features.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> iMac G5 iTunes-AIFF-ALAC-->cheap Sony DVD player as disc transport-->HeadRoom Micro DAC-->HeadRoom Micro Amp-->AKG K702 headphones w/custom cable, all plugged into a PS Audio Duet Power Center, PS Audio Power Port receptacle, 3 PS Audio Noise Harvesters, Caig ProGold, Cardas and Monster cables

The idea is cables can encounter static charges from the carpet and there could be a change in Impedance, induced RF, etc.<br /> As an experiment you can purchase some styrofoam coffee cups, turn them upside down, cut a notch in the bottom of the cup that fits the cable, and use them a cable supports to get your cables off the carpet or whatever surface they're laying on. It won't work quite as well as cable risers, or myrtle blocks, but it can give you an idea of what, if any, improvements you may hear. Then you can decide if you want to take the more expensive plunge. I was passively bi-amping with 2 runs of Transparent Super and Plus speaker cables and I did notice a very slight lowering of the over-all noise floor. I then made my own out of wood blocks. Cost about $30.<br /> <br /> <br /> iMac G5 Leopard iTunes w/AIFF and ALAC--cheap Sony DVD player as disc transport--HeadRoom Micro DAC--HeadRoom Micro Amp w/Astrodyne power supply--AKG K702 headphones w/custom cable--PS Audio Duet Power Center--PS Audio Power Port AC receptacle --3 PS Audio Noise Harvesters

Sorry about the faux pas. Kind of new to this and trying real hard to not appear an idiot. I have been doing high-end audio for about 30 years, but mostly analog(vinyl). A lot of this computer orientated stuff is fairly new to me. Trying to learn as I go... Let's see... iMac G5 Leopard--iTunes--HeadRoom Micro DAC--HeadRoom Micro Amp--PS Audio Duet--3 PS Audio Noise Harvesters--AKG K702's w/Headphile custom cable

One thing I noticed is the lack of even the obligatory tube traps in the corners behind most of these megabuck systems. Most rooms, left untreated, sound horrible and these rooms are no exception.

Back in the 60's when stereo sound was in it's infancy , engineers went nuts panning some instruments hard left and others hard right. The Beatles would have all vocals in one channel and the bass and drums in the other. Hard panned mixes don't work well with headphone listening and a crossfeed feature solves this problem. It presents a much more natural sound stage. Remember, you can turn it off. It does little to classical music recordings and live jazz recordings. I feel it's an invaluable playback option to have, especially if you're a rock listener.

I'd like to see the same treatment for Steely Dan's Aja. Or Supertramp's Crime Of The Century. I remember these were some of the first Mobile Fidelity LP releases in the mid 70's. Mobile Fidelity got the whole "audiophile release" phenomenon started.

I just got an email from one of the product developers at HeadRoom and they're bumming as they didn't see the 24/96 craze coming. Their DAC's will support 24/96 and up, but only via Toslink and coaxial. My Apple G5 only has USB outs so I'll be picking up a V-Link soon, I hope. Of course Stereophile is recommending expensive as hell USB and Toslink cables. Toslink is nice as there's no conductor connecting the noisy computer to the DAC, but coaxial sounds better I think. About 15 years ago, Toslink cables and interface was determined unworthy of high end audio. Funny how times change.

Just how much better does this, yet another, issue of Dark Side sound? How much can you improve a 40 year old recording? You can't go back and re-record the multi-track tape. I suppose you could re-mix the multi-track down to a 2 track master, but that would do more harm than good. You can remaster using better quality, advanced digital technology I suppose. I just don't have the gear to take advantage of this box set. Would a Blue-ray DVD player help? One with a digital out?

Sorry, but I don;t know euros. I can't urge you enough to investigate the crossfeed feature. I could not buy another headphone amp without it. The Grace 903 has it. It has a first class DAC and amp. It goes for about $1800. What headphones are you looking at?

That was nothing. If I went through the whole process, you'd think I was insane. But analog has enjoyed a renaissance over the last 15 years. There's a turntable system from Australia that goes for $150,000. My rig was only 14K. and I've yet to hear a digital based system that sounded better. My dealer lent me a $12,000 Mark Levinson single box CD player with a pair of $6000 Transparent Premium balanced interconnects. The Levinson had it own internal volume control so I connected it straight to my Pass Aleph 5 power amp. To this day, it's the best sounding digital I've ever heard. But it didn't touch my analog rig. If vinyl was for old fashoned quirky obsessive-compulsives, why is it now so popular? Keep in mid most turntable systems are not at all complicated. But at the level I was at, yeah it could be meddening, but it was always worth it.

You're right, my friend. What is the price range for these units?