Home Source Components

Hello, I currently have this setup: PC > Keces 151 > WA3+ > DT990 The 151 and WA3+ sound good, but when I turn the volume all the way up on the WA3+ with no music playing, I hear a very feint FM radio interference. The other night I was hearing Kelly Clarkson Most noticeable are drums. I never hear this interference except at full volume, I've never actually heard it during real listening, but I can't help but think its degrading the signal still. It's definitely coming through the USB. If I turn off my PC, turn off or unplug the DAC, the radio noise is gone. If I skip the DAC and go from the PC's mini-stereo out to RCA theres no radio noi…

I was told that the Bel Canto USB Link 24/96 was made to allow 24/96 type files to be put out via the computers USB and received via the coax of their USB 24/96 DAC so that people could overcome the limitations of their (and most DACs USBs) to receive anything over 16/44.1 , I was impressed that someone could spend so much money on their DAC and still not have a simple solution for this issue without blowing an extra $500.Before looking into this I just thought that if a USB DAC said 24/96 then that's what you would be getting via the USB.If I'm not mistaken Wavelength DACs deal with this issue without the use of a USB to coax converter just over the USB,does anyone here …

About a month back I picked up the Kora Hermes DAC after reading about it on Agon and AA. It was a reference for a bit for a few reviewers so O thought I'd give it a go. I am using it slightly unconventionally in a computer as source rig with a hagusb/aes converter to take the usb signal out of my apple mac mini to the aes input of the Kora dac. I have been on a search for the holy grail for a while now looking for a dac that would plit the difference between the thicker analog sounding wadia/opus21 sound and the faster but brittle sound of some of the newer top gun dacs. Having gone through the wavelength cosecant, transporter, transporter APL modded and apogee mini dac …

I'm still doing research as to what type of hirez player I want. While a universal unit would be cool, the fact is that I have tons of SACDs but only a handful of DVD-A's. So in addition to universal (modded) units, I am considering stock SACD players. I see the Marantz SA-11S1 and Krell SACD Standard mentioned quite a bit, but have not really heard anything about their performance from anyone whose opinion I trust. So give me your opinions, people I trust! Anyone ever own or hear or know someone who has owned or heard one of these players? Or even better, are there any other SACD only players you'd like to recommend? My price range is <$2000, and I want something that…

I found one of these locally for about $1k, and I'm tempted to pick it up. The problem is I can't audition them (not that I would have a decent reference to begin with), so does anyone here besides Nanoha (he had a unit, but hasn't logged in since August last year) have any experience with this converter? or have any info that might be useful in helping me decide? Thanks

Has anyone heard this turntable? A friend of mine is having one sent to him for in house audition. I might get a chance to hear it.

mercenary audio said they should have them in stock again next week or so. yay.

I know a few here jumped on the Geek Out DAC/amp when offered on Kickstarter. Rumor is the desktop version is going up on Indiegogo in a couple hours. http://parttimeaudiophile.com/2013/10/28/light-harmonic-introduces-desktop-geek-pulse-on-indiegogo/ “Geek Pulse” provides superb sound quality from a wide range of high-resolution formats, in an easy-to-use plug-and-play device. “Pulse”‘s DAC natively decodes PCM files up to 32-bit/384kHz, as well as native decoding of DSD64 and DSD128 files, and features the Patent-Pending 3L buffer introduced by Light Harmonic in Da Vinci DAC. The amplifier is pure Class-A, utilizing a super-quiet DC power supply to produce 3,000 …

Hey Guys, Anyone have any thoughts to share on Linear Tracking tone arms such as this Clearaudio Master TQ-I: I'm thinking of going in for a vinyl setup and one of those setups would have this tone arm. From an engineering stand point, it seems to me that a cartridge would find it easier to track in a linear tone arm as opposed to "traveling" with the grooves in a pivotal tone arm. Thats just my initial thought, but I would love to hear some opinions before I make any plunge Thanks!

does anyone here has any experience with the "other" lite audio dacs (by that I mean other than the well known around here DA-AH). Man there are quite a few of them. There is quite a bit of into on the DAC-60 at audiocircles. Then there is the DAC-68, 38, 39. So offer balanced outs while others only single ended. Anyone heard any of the ones listed??

Link to thread on Slim Devices' forum.

What do you guys think are some good low cost DACs? I'm not opposed to going the DIY route. Just needs a set of analog outs and one digital in (size/form factor not an issue, same with looks could be used uncased for all I care).

What do you guys think the SQ on lower end DAC (ESI Nano/Gamma 1/Ordnance DAC/Go Vibe DAC fed by losless from computer vs a direct play using CD from a standard issue DVD player ($100 or lower price) ? Which is better in your opinion ? My take is on this lower end DAC, DVD player playing CD is better.....

I'm going to be upgrading my SACD playback soon. I've taken an interest in this player. Looks like it offers native DSD, which is what I want. More interested in that than getting 20 playback combinations from the Esoteric. I realize this has digital input and no USB, but I dont currently give a damn about computer based playback, I like just grabbing a disc these days. I doubt anyone has actually heard the thing, but I'm just asking if anyone sees anything that should make this instantly disqualified when only considering sound quality and build/design quality. I dont know we can tell if the balanced output is done 'correctly' from the pics or not. I…

"Luxman has released the DA-200 USB DAC by combining the P-1u headphone amp and the D-05". link

Hi, I'm looking for some informations to my Pre- and Main-Amplifier Set from Luxman. I bought the set in 2003, and I can't find any information on the web about it. Luxman Limited Edition C-3 (Pre-Amplifier) Luxman Limited Edition M-3 (Main-Amplifier) The Back of the Amplifiers marks "Limited Edition made by The Lux Corporation Japan 2003" I heard, that in Japan this Set has been sold as "Copies" that are similar to a Set from Accuphase. Both Amps are built of the same components and assemblies as the Accuphase models. My questions: Is there anyone who knows these Amplifiers and who can tell me, how high a Collector's value would be ? In Ebay I'm looking …

Got one of these USB->SPDIF converters in this past week. In short, quite a big improvement over my old Trends UD10.1; everything sounds like a layer of fuzz was removed from the signal, resulting in a more relaxed and focused sound. $150 for an asynch USB converter that does 192KHz? I'm sold. Good job Italians. I was actually considering the Wavelink, but not anymore. Also, any lust for the QB-9 has faded dramatically I recommend this highly to anyone who has a PC as their primary source.

anyone tried one of these? http://tech.uk.msn.com/audio/articles.aspx?cp-documentid=158211805

My brother asked me what I thought about using a Mac Mini as a htpc. Since I've never done this, I thought I would ask here. I know some of you use these as music servers. Any tips, recommendations, etc.? Thanks in advance

As I am further developing my computer as a source set up I have come to the realization that placing a Mac Mini in the rack might be my best option. Right now I can run audio from my Mac Pro or my Macbook Pro via, USB, Firewire or AES/EBU from the Pro. Unfortunately I do not want to give up the Macbook Pro as my listening room computer and the Mac Pro is several rooms away. My plan is to put the Mac Mini in the rack with iTunes and Amarra installed. Then I believe I can control the Mac Mini either by my laptop or with my Touch if I leave Amarra up as it interfaces with the Rowmote App. I could then take the Squeezebox out of the system and run USB or Firewire ou…

So I just bought a used G4 Mac Mini for $89.00. Thought I'd try it out, now that I have a USB DAC. I guess at this point my plan is just Mini to Zdac via USB, and iTunes as player. Not sure what operating system is on the Mini (should arrive before the first of Dec.) I've browsed for small LED monitors, but with no luck. Is there an iPad sized monitor out there? Curious about how everyone else is running their Mini based setups, all advice welcomed.

Well hell has frozen over, the cubs have won the world series, George Bush has said something clever, I will be buying an iMac. All patently unlikely a few short months ago but I will most likely be buying an iMac to do multipurpose duty in our kitchen dining area. One of its duties will be to act as the server for squeezcenter. I am currently running squeezcenter 7.0 on my laptop but it will need to be out and about most of the summer so I need a more permanent solution. Is anyone running squeezcenter on a MAC? Any glitches or problems? Thanks.

Hi Guys Sorry for the alarming title. I have spent months reading magazine reviews on DACs before I bought my last DAC in June. I want to make my money convert to musical bliss as we all do. I also read many many posts on the various forums from owners and spoke to some owners direct via PMs or by telephone. I am coming to the 'obvious' realisation that 90% of magazine reviews are just bull, total horse shit. Totally slanted to advertising revenue and / or the next free piece of gear at discount or free to the reviewer. The classic 'i liked it so much I bought it' or 'no way I was letting this one go' They must think we are totally dumb? Have you also noticed al…

Just got a set of naked old men from http://lemonparty.org, and got a pair of dildos from http://babeland.com by $700 this weekend. With some other gears I already have, experiences and thoughts in playing with those gears will be shared later.

Anyone know where I could buy just the transport/laser replacement for the SA-11S1? My Marantz SA-11s1 is out of warranty and now it stops playing many CD's and SACD's. The problem is intermittent and if I go through some voodoo magic spell I (turn off, turn on, open the tray, close the tray) can eventually get it to play the CD. Apparently there is something wrong with the transport/pick-up. Could be as simple as an allignment? but it looks like I can't open the unit up. Anyone have any experience troubleshooting this unit? Sound is fantastic when it works - but lately I feel like throwing it out the window.