wwh

I got a DACmini CX about 5 months ago and think it's excellent, especially at its price point. I use it primarily to drive my 600 ohm Beyerdynamic DT880s. Before purchasing, I auditioned the Benchmark DAC1 (I think it was the PRE version) and also listened to the Lavry DA11. I liked both of these (very detailed -- the DAC1 was slightly more energetic in the treble -- maybe a better match for Sennheiser cans), but I preferred the DACmini overall for several reasons: - Very detailed, controlled low end - Many input options - Analog volume control - Better price The DA11 has an interesting crossfeed feature for headphone listening, but I can do this in software, and its volume control was awkward. - Bill

I also have a DACmini and experienced a similar problem with 24/192 playback via optical and coaxial SPDIF from my onboard ALC889a, and also via an Asus Xonar DS card. I had trouble with 24/176.4 as well. Are you able to try this format? I'm curious if we're hearing the same phenomenon -- here's what I get playing a continuous 24/192 440hz sinewave: http://hayden.homenet.org/dacmini_192khz_stutter.wav I have emailed CEntrance and they are currently looking into it. You might try contacting Michael Goodman with details of your specific setup -- mgoodman at centrance dot com - Bill

It seems reasonable that good quality plugs and receptacles are beneficial, along with heavy-gauge cable, by reducing points of resistance in the electrical supply (especially for power amps). One thing I've wondered, though -- especially in light of the high prices some of these cables command -- is why not hard-wire the components using standard residential or commercial electrical cabling (solid 12 gauge THHN in flexible conduit, for example)? I suppose an obvious problem is that audio components can't accept such a connection. And maybe you wouldn't want your components to be non-unpluggable. But perhaps not outside the realm of possibility if you're willing to void the warranty and maybe do a little drilling and soldering... - Bill

I noticed more mainstream loudspeaker companies exhibiting their wares this year, including Polkaudio, MartinLogan, and Hsu Research. I thought the Polk LSiM 705s performed well above their price point of $3000/pr. At previous RMAFs I wasn't impressed with the JBL DD66000s (and I'm a horn enthusiast), but this year their distributor had them set up on the longer room dimension, with some top-of-the-line Mark Levinson electronics, and they sounded much better. Several exhibitors were showing "value" systems that I thought performed very well. Of particular note was Emerald Physics' $5000 complete system -- speakers, amp, powered sub, and DSP crossover. Overall my favorite rooms, in no particular order (and I didn't get to every room) -- Joseph Audio DALI Home Audio Sound (JBL Everest + Mark Levinson) Emerald Physics Volti Audio Polkaudio Odyssey Von Schweikert (VR-33 and the ones with the built-in amp -- VR-11?) Benchmark / Studio Electric Analysis Audio - Bill

At RMAF last year, Blackfire Research demonstrated a system that was fully wireless from the computer source to their receiver / amp modules connected to *each* speaker. This seems like a terrific setup for truly minimal wiring -- only a power cord to each speaker. I see Chris mentioned Blackfire in his RMAF review: http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/Rocky-Mountain-Audio-Fest-2010-Review - Bill