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So the next step for me after I run the Bugle for a while will be to try a SUT with an MM tube phono stage. Of course I'm already looking for an appropriate SUT, and it appears that the Cinemag transformers are within my price range, and supposedly they have a synergy with the DL-103 line of carts. There are two builders I've come across. anumber1 on agon and capnbob on eBay. I have read that anumber1 is a popular guy on aa, but I've never spoken with him. Capnbob responded to a question I had quickly last night, and he regularly sells Altec and Cinemag SUTs which always go quickly. However, capnbob's price is $85 more then anumber1's. Also, anumber1's layout of ins on…

One of the sources I've been considering upgrading to for CD playback. I'm trying to find out if there is any sort of digital input, which would eliminate the need for the Bel Canto, and free that up for another rig. I haven't seen anything about inputs, only outputs. If anyone knows if this has any sort of digital input, I'd appreciate you mentioning it. Thanks.

I recently had to open my Plinius CD-101 (a physical issue with the transport developed) and thought I'd take additional pics of the internals. First though some specs: - DACs: TI PCM1704 (2) (not the 4 required for true-balanced dual-differential output) - Op-amps: unknown, but ECE EDR201A1200 in analog output stage - Unknown: National LM317T (2) and LM337 (2) - Transport: Asus CD-S520B2 Previous set of internal pics posted on Head-Fi here: Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio - View Single Post - The Plinius CD-101 has landed - and is staying

I've often commented on how undervalued the Squeezebox 3/Classic is as a DAC. I've really thought, and still do, that it performs quite nicely for its price even if you forget it's streaming capabilities. Part of that conclusion though was based on DAC comparisons when fed through the SB3. In fact I sold my Lavry DA10, when after a comparison, I could no longer justify its cost. Before boxing for shipment though I decided to give it one last go fed optically from a MacBook, recreating what I lived with for a year - a DAC/amp single-box combo with balanced HD580s out the back. It sounded wonderful, but so many variables I didn't even think about the Squeezebox (after all b…

So I just bought a CKKIII with a built in Alien DAC and the Alien just isn't cutting it for me. The CKKIII is a big upgrade for me, and I thought it was amazing from USB until I hooked it up to my parents cheap CD Player ( JVC XL-FZ158 ) and then it sounded a LOT better. So I think I need a new source to bring to college. Problem is that I don't have a lot of money to spend. For reference I have K701s and Headphiled SR225s. I like the K701s better as of right now. My budget is around $300. I was thinking of several things: The cheapest solution would be to use the Wolfson in my iPod. I could hook up my iPod to my Meier Move, which would function as a pre-amp. I'…

So there have been a few threads that have touched on it, but let me ask directly - for those have compared... A) Which is the better at DAC only duty? Which is better as a DAC/head amp combo for occasional transportable use with low impedance cans and which for high impedance cans? Any words of advice would be appreciated and if you could qualify/quantify the preference it would be doubly so. Obviously, these two units were designed for different uses, but they are priced similarly and often touted. Finally, personally I already have the Pico which I'm currently using as a DAC, so any comments especially from Duet fans if it's worth switching over would be…

I am bringing my old Dual CS-721 (vintage 1976) out of retirement. I had some work done on it around 2002 and it works great. The cartridge on the other hand needs some help. It currently has an old Ortofon LM30 cartridge. A replacement stylus costs about the same as a new cartridge of comparable quality. Therefore, I am looking at alternative cartridges for this table. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated, especially from those using older direct drive turntables

Anyone heard it or heard anything about it? MUSIC HALL/SHANLING CD-T200A TUBE SACD PLAYER - elusivedisc They run ~$1500 range used on Audiogon. Nice looking unit when it has the silver posts instead of the gold. Two of the tubes power the output, the other two tubes power a headphone amplifier (output on side of unit). It also has preamp functionality (onboard volume). Shanling = Music Hall, which is a good thing I guess. I've never heard Music Hall stuff but I've heard good things.

While my Marantz has been very enjoyable for the short time I've owned it, I cannot help but wonder what I will move to after I am finished with this unit. Really it comes down to sticking with redbooks and simply moving up to a better cdp (Cambridge 840C, Marantz SA8001 are a few possibilities) or keeping the 5001 as a transport and grabbing a dedicated DAC (CIA VDA2 interests me greatly). The flexibility of a standalone DAC would be nice, but is not totally necessary. Budget will probably be under $1,000. The rig as it sits now is CD5001 > SP MPX3 > JVC DX1000/Denon D2000. All suggestions are appreciated, thanks much.

Contemplating a source specifically for a SRM-007/Lambda Pro/Sig setup. Looking at the normal suspects - DAC1, DA100 Sig and DA10, which I had previously. Would be used with a computer (with USB & optical) or through a Squeezebox. Haven't used a dedicated CDP for years. Does anyone have suggestions otherwise or comments on that trilogy of choices? Find the Stello interesting, but reports of a darker signature may not make create the best synergy. Anyway appreciative for your advice. May get a chance to try, but looking for longer term impressions, especially with electrostatics. Figure budget $800-1,000. And no that doesn't extend to 'twice that.'

What falls in that category? I'm not sure this is the perfect timing considering my latest thread but I'm interested finding out more. I hope I don't annoy anyone here with all these questions. I mentioned the DA220 over in that thread and someone said it was not really "high-end" so then, what is? I've looked at several options but it's hard wading through all these opinions of other people spread out over numerous of threads, comparing apples to oranges or comparing only 2 or 3 options of what I've found so far. I've made a list of DACs gathered from the "Best DAC money can buy" over at hf and left out several models because of their lacking specs / sonically signa…

Hey y'all, first post since coming from Head-fi... Filburt graciously turned me onto Headcase this past weekend (thanks, Filburt!!) I was wondering if anyone has had personal experience between the ECD-1 and the Northstar M192... both in an unmodded state. I currently have an opportunity for both. I'd prefer to use them stock (not ready to plow funds into mods right now)... but may want to mod them in the future. So, I guess... how would you rank them stock... and how would you rank them EA'd? ...some "why" would be really helpful, too! BTW, I'll be using them with an EC ZD and Senn HD580's... and I seriously dig Filburt's modded Assemblage 2.6 with the ZD/HD580's.…

just as my title, can anyone give me some ideas about detecting the lifetime's of tube inside the audio aero DAC. From what i know, the lifetime of the tube is around 10000 However, the original owner used it for 1 year and 2 months. So i think I can only use it for 10 more months.Is it right? do you know any ways to prolong the lifetube? when i read the instruction, they advise me to let the DAC on all the time . If i turn it off, I need to wait 1 or 2 days to make the DAC do its best when the tube died, where can i contact to have the replacement? thanks

So last time I looked we were talking vigorously of a certain Capitole that showed up in a certain unstable state. Lot's of people had lot's to say late into last evening. I went to look to see if there was anymore feedback and...for the life o' me I can't find the thread. It's gone, or at least I don't sse it. I looked at my PMs to see maybe it had been moved elsewhere or even removed for some reason that I'm sure would be explained. But no PM eiher. I'm just blind as a bat or hallucinating once again. Can anybody find the "Capitoleizing-yes I did!" thread or explain why it's gone?

hi, right now my main source is a PC I want to buy a good used CD player which can play mp3 disks because most of my song are mp3 files. I know you may recommend me to use flossless files but I mainly download music from internet so flossless files are hard to find cables i have had so far are virtual dynamics digital RCA and analog RCA my budget will be around 4k when you recommend me the player, can you also give me a good price tag for it? which brand should i consider? thanks for your time

An interesting new DAC with bluetooth and USB input by Chord, looks like a good computer source. Chordette Gem

Hi everyone. I'm thinking about upgrading my source. Right now I have a stock Denon DVD-2900 to a DAC1. I've been looking at either a Exemplar DVD-2900 or DVD-3910 or Purks rig which is a Modwright with Kern Modded Sony SCD-777ES w/ Tube Rectified PSU or even a Cambridge 840C. There is a Exemplar DVD-3910 on sale at Agon http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?dgtlplay&1214828507, but I'm not sure if that is a good price or not. Just a little background on sources, I'm pretty much a noob when it comes to sources. I read reviews on all the products mentioned, and read Tkam's great review on the Cambridge 840C. They all sound like they would be good, but I'm not sure…

So, I bought that Capitole SE CD player on Audiogon, sent off my check, I'm a happy lil' clam and...Let's go look and see the "sold" sign. Yeah, that's the ticket. But to my horror and dismay, the post...poof, up in smoke, gone with the wind, etc, etc, etc. Now I thought it was customery to keep posts up and put a bold "sold" so everyone would know that one lucky person got the prize and everyone else didn't. I mean, isn't that the good 'ol American Way? So did something BAD happen here? Or are there mysterious ways that things dissappear that I don't know about and...most importantly: Does this decrease the likelihood of me ever seeing my Capitole come hither? …

I have all my FLACs across three hard drives, and all my MP3s in the default iTunes directory under My Documents. I have not pointed Slimserver to my iTunes directory, but it won't stop pulling MP3s. The result is I'll be listening to an album, and there are duplicates of every track: first the FLAC, then the MP3. This is annoying. How can I get my Squeezebox to stop pulling from my MP3 directory?

I'm new to head case so take it easy on me folks. I've read a bunch of posts and it seems like a great place to call home! I think I'm going to buy the TTVKJ/Millet 307A tomorrow having never heard it but having done my homework and knowing that I have Todd's permission to take a 30 day trial and his guarantee that there's no chance I'll return it. I'm looking for something full, involving, resolving well so many of the things said already in this thread. I primarily listen to accousitc music emphasizing voice and guitar (Did someone mention Sam Phillips and "Fan Dance?" That's a perfect example!) and jazz, and I want to experience all the life in the music as well …

I think I'm going to forgo my desire to get a Rega P3, I doubt it would be a huge upgrade from my current MMF-5. And I've received some feedback from the SH forums saying as much. The MMF-5 is a great table, I'd just like to make another intermediate jump before going all out. So I've budgeted $1000 plus or minus a little bit for just the turntable and arm. I'm open to spending a decent percentage on the cart as well. But I want to figure this part out first. The VPI Scout/JMW9 is at the top of my list, even though I know a couple of people here aren't fans. And I won't have any problems selling it which is also a big plus. And I've heard a nicely modded Aries3 on num…

Well I just sold off all my old stuff and I am without a system and have a handful of cash. My budget is $1000. I am considering these: 1. a new Lavry DA10 - $975 2. a used, modded Benchmark DAC1 - $825 AudiogoN ForSale: Benchmark DAC1 silver 3. A modded bel canto DAC2+ - $750 on head-fi here: FS: bel canto DAC2+ (Legendary Edwood balanced mod) - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio 4. A used, unmodded Benchmark DAC1 - $760 AudiogoN ForSale: Benchmark dac1 blk non-usb 5. Other suggestions? thank you! I was really leaning to the Lavry for a while but now I am not quite sure. Tell me what you think.

About three or four years ago, I laid eyes on this cute(at that time) disc transport and thought of how expensive and useless it was- yet there was something in me that yearned for it ever since. I finally found a mint one in original box with remote and literature and could no longer resist finishing my digital rig. The thing is not cute. It is much bigger than I had ever imagined. It was made before I began middle school. It is just shy of 15 lbs, and is about 14" wide, 6" high, and 9.75" deep. The front panel is clean, with power button, red fluorescent display and buttons made of "flexible aluminum membrane." The controls are very unique feeling. They are li…

I did promise some internal pics a long time ago but here they finally are. I did manage to fuck up the shots of the other side of the board so only the top part shown. The SR-X Mk3 Pro used to show just how tiny this DAC is. Not that many parts used but the quality is very high indeed.

Finally got it