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twdodge

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  1. End of last year I got the itch to upgrade my desktop (near field) setup and thought I would share: I ended up pulling an old Bel Canto DAC 2.5 out of my closet and paired it with Yamaha HS5's backed up by an Adam Sub7. I already had the DAC, got the monitors used and found Thomann would deliver the Sub7 for roughly $475. So I'm out of pocket about $750 and have a resolving system that is quite different, but compares favorably, with my primary 2-channel system. I'd kind of forgotten how much I like this 10 year old DAC, especially through SPDIF input. Key for me was adjusting the low frequency cutoff for the monitors (Yamaha's reported low of 54Hz is at -10dB, so take it with a grain of salt!) and level matching the sub.
  2. twdodge

    BitPerfect

    Wish I had known sooner that BitPerfect is not compatible with any audio output other than 'computer'. I just spent way too much time troubleshooting my network to figure out why I couldn't get iTunes to stream from my MacMini music server to a whole house system. Turns out all I had to do was quit BP... (The Mini is hard wired to a 2-channel system via USB to SPDIF converter, then to my DAC. Several choices of software for critical listening, but nothing beats the convenience of iTunes controlled with Remote via one of two iPhones in the house for casual/background listening.) I finally realized today that I had to quit BP to get streaming to work. Would have been nice to know last night. Let's file that under 2011 with a bunch of other stuff I hope to never revisit. Now I'm looking forward to the update, Tim... The sooner the better!
  3. I am happy to stand corrected. I will reconsider my position. Thanks.
  4. I am tired of hearing how committed the Chesky brothers are. Every thread with complaints about HDTracks quality and/or service seems to bring this up (OK, maybe not *every* thread). My point is that HDTracks has had plenty of time to improve their business and they have chosen not to. HDTracks has chosen not to quality check releases before offering them for sale. HDTracks has chosen not to improve customer service. HDTracks has chosen not to immediately refund customers when presented with evidence that their files are not as advertised. I can't think of another business where customers are as tolerant of basic business mistakes, crappy service and misleading marketing claims. All you apologists deserve what you get and you're keeping the rest of us from getting a decent retail source for high rez recordings.
  5. I've lost track of the number of albums with threads like this. I read complaints about sound quality, customer service, etc. There is no way this company gets any of my money for the foreseeable future. Certainly not before there is some sort of quality control process, additional information about the recording source(s), documentation about the actual measured resolution, a clear refund policy if recordings are found to be other than as represented, and community forums/user ratings for recordings. Anything less than this is unacceptable to me. To do otherwise simply sends the message that their business model is acceptable.
  6. I don't know enough about the unit, but I think I read somewhere that the Furutech functions as both a DAC and an ADC. You'd need to check the impedance of the GT40 to make sure it would work with your equipment, but the functionality may be just what you need. Please let us know what solution you choose.
  7. @labjr "Yeah we can hear recording artifacts like tape hiss, splices and overdubs punching in and out but it's part of recording history. Part of the art." Seriously? How can tape splices and overdubs be part of the art yet zero limit peaks are a problem? Really can't have it both ways. Is it art or noise? And back to the matter at hand: Are we buying hi-rez recordings or not. If not, get out of the business. *rant off*
  8. To keep my comment as short as possible I'll start with a summary of what I *think* I've read:<br /> <br /> (a) the 1.5 is pretty awesome -- it made the CASH list!<br /> (b) the 2.5 adds an analog input and improved power supply to the 1.5<br /> <br /> Is the 2.5 even awesomer than the 1.5? I know middle children sometimes get forgotten but I can't get too excited about the 3.5 because of the price, ST in place of USB input, and the fact that BC eliminated the headphone jack. Are there other improvements to the 3.5?<br /> <br /> Maybe I could add a cost effective power supply (e.g., Channel Island) to the 1.5 to make a 2.5 on the cheap. Either way it might be worth a listen to keep a pre-amp out of the chain.
  9. I've been following this thread for months. Various people here have made it clear that at least some of the tracks offered for sale at HDTracks are not as advertised. If you don't support the (now accepted?) practice of passing off upsampled files as hi-rez then don't support HDTracks. Would it be so hard for them to (i) certify the actual source of each file, (ii) have a clear policy about what constitutes a hi-rez file, and (iii) refund -- not credit -- any customer who purchased files that were not as described? For now I an *not* a HDTracks customer, but I am hoping to become one.
  10. Per Aqvox technical specs: COAX-S/PDIF : 16bit/32kHz - 24bit/192kHz (electrical) AES/EBU : 16bit/32kHz - 24bit/192kHz (balanced) TOSLINK : 16bit/32kHz - 24bit/ 96kHz (optical) USB1.1(2.0) : 16bit/11kHz - 16bit/ 48kHz (In/Out to PC) Input Impedance: COAX: 75 Ohm, AES/EBU: 110 Ohm Source: http://www.aqvox.de/download/Flyer_USBMKII-EN-1.pdf
  11. I'd rather Synchronize our swimming... or the clocks between my transport and DAC. I'm pretty sure there's no Olympic-level Syntonous Swimming events. If we're discussing cables and not swimming, you could always borrow a cable from The Cable Co. lending library and decide for yourself. Not nearly as much fun as posting here, but a nice way to spend an evening. Either way, someone is sure to end up all wet after yet another cable debate. Double blind testing anyone? ;-) (ducking now!)
  12. would imply this thread is officially over. http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/Proposed-Audiophile-Corollary-Godwins-Law
  13. Saw this on A'gon, reportedly can be adapted for any Mac Mini: Core Audio Technology DC Power Supply. Also sold by Mojo Audio. I am unaffiliated and have no commercial interest.
  14. Per the ACVOX website the USB 2 D/A MK II has USB 2.0 available as an upgrade. Does anyone have recent experience with this DAC? Is it an asynchronous connection? I've also asked these questions of ACVOX and I'll post any information that comes my way. If it's built as advertised it should handle 24/192 conversion via USB. In the meantime, I like the fact that it offers (i) headphone amplification, (ii) monitor control, (iii) source selection, (iv) 24/192 conversion, and (v) balanced analog outputs. The list of DACs meeting these criteria seems to be a short one. If anyone has names of others that do all of that and also handle USB 2.0 and asynchronous transfer I could use the information. Many thanks.
  15. I have a data point. You can decide if it is anecdotal or trend-worthy... My 2009 MM *does* output 88.2 via USB to a USB/SPDIF converter.
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