Audio Accessories

I'm a bit loathe to post this, but I have had some interesting and positive experiences. There's a lot of buzz around about various USB tweaks to extract better sound from PC or Mac audio. It was cheap enough that I decided to jump into the fray. I started with a Uptone Audio Regen, and immediately heard sonic benefits. So I looked for various other devices, and ended up with an iFi iUSB 3.0 (used at work with my Chord Mojo), iFi iPurifier 2, Audioquest Jitterbug, and just tonight a previously-unknown-to-me product called the Intona USB Isolator. A lot of marketing BS floats about, along with some science, pseudo- or not. Everything I have tried so far, tho…

The loops of litz wire tweak. This is quite possibly the strangest tweak I've heard of, get loops of wire and attach them to the ground connections of CD players, amps, and speakers. Sure, whatever, someone is on drugs. Then a few weeks ago I had my CD player open to make sure all the mods I'd done were still holding up, and while I had it open I thought, "time to prove someone IS on drugs", so I made a couple wire loops and put them on the RCA output grounds. I can't believe this shit works. I have no idea why, but it does. I've since applied the tweak to my amp and it works there too. It's relatively small difference, but the effects are as claimed by the inventor.

My Google ability has failed me -- I am looking for a TRRS to TRS adapter that has a built in mic (perhaps that can clip onto the cord of headphones) so I can use my regular phones to talk via Google Voice. If that is not clear, I imagine it would look like a TRRS male to TRS female jack, with a cord coming out the side with a mic on the end. Does such a thing exist?

The WAT? Ya rly. After asking about cable ties in the "Whatchoo bought?" thread, I concluded that this topic needs further discussion in its own, less scrollerrific thread. There's two distinct subjects here: #1 Keeping cables that are in-use from taking over everything in sight. I'm not so good at this. The back of my headphone/computer rig looks like a Moog modular on steroids, and my HT rig even scares Cthulhu. I'm curious if any H-Cers are successful in keeping the upper hand over their interconnects. Maybe I should call this Post A Picture of [the back of] Your Rig. #2 Keeping cables that are not currently in use sorted. I wear several hats: computer ge…

I am going to buy a set of 1ft XLR(m)-XLR(f) cable from Blue Jeans Cable to connect my ECD-1 to my HR BUDA. The options are Belden 1800F or Canare L-4E6S Star Quad. Any reason to go for one or the other for such a short run? They are both close to the same price, I guess the Star Quad is a tiny bit more. I have seen that a lot of DIY people use the Star Quad for their cables (along with Mogami) but perhaps that is because it is more readily available and/or easier to work with than the Belden? My impression is that it is not going to make much of a difference which I buy and to just go for the Belden since it is slightly cheaper. Any thoughts? *My amp for now…

Can you recommend me the best one for use with pc to NOS DAC

I was browsing diyparadise.com today and found this: diyparadise - all about volume control... Is there a reason it should sound good?

Hi! id love for anyone to share pics and recs of some quality listening chairs. I’ve been using an old wood rocker which actually isnt too bad, but it’s a bit of a family heirloom piece and I should get my ass out of it. As I’ve been looking, the search has been harder than I thought - I’m looking for an armchair but most I’ve found are so bulky they would just dominate the room. Many nice chairs seem to be made for dining table sets or kitchen tables which look odd. I would say I like the mid century style the most but know those can get pricey. Something classy but not bulky, definitely wanting something on the sleeker side but hopefully still comfy. My liste…

Just thought I'd post this link to the announcement that WE will once again produce more 300B's and perhaps some more tubes at a new facility in Georgia. If anything else, it should keep scalpers from driving up the prices of the ones on the market now. http://timesfreepress.com/news/2013/jun/23/western-electric-plugs-into-rossville/

I don't know about you guys, but the VI cable keeps breaking for me (every few months of daily usage). If this is the case for others, what have you done to prevent this? Has anyone tried an aftermarket cable? I really don't want to deal with this problem again (3 times so far). Any help would be appreciated!

Searched this forum, didn't see it before. I tried a couple of Mr. Kim Dao's adapters years ago, as part of a discount-for-review program when he first went into business. They didn't do well in my system, he thought it was a mismatch with my modded CD player. Still, he posted the review, hats off to him. Over the years, I've seen his diatribe grow. But methinks he may have gone over the edge now. Read if you can.... Dakiom MA203 &diy5, proven For Sale | AudiogoN

I have been using an optical cable to feed a DAC that is about 18 feet from an iMac. The optical cable has bit the dust and rather than getting the same I am thinking of streaming the music wirelessly from the apple extreme base station by the iMac. Specifically I am thinking of the AirPort Express Base Station which in turn would feed the DAC via the optical out. Any other suggestions? Thanks.

Hi, Newbie at head-case - please enlighten me with your wisdom! I

I just talked to an "expert" in high end audio, acoustic theory and application. He went into a dissertation on the primary importance of room acoutics, proper power cables and power conditioners in getting the most out of excellent speakers(#1 consideration and cost factor for a sound system)... even more important than the cd player as a source. His theis is if the sound is not clean from the git go than a good cd player will still be working with a distorted signal. He talked about secondary considerations like room devices such as "bass traps" and other assorted construction on walls and ceilings. As you all know by now: "I know nuthing!" So...anybody buying? …

I have searched through every thread and all I can seem to find is people bagging certain cables but no real info on why they are bagging them or what to look for in a cable. So where's the good shit? The info I was told I could find on this forum?

well, I'm on the look out for something a bit more high density for my CD collection, and I'm considering something like this: Has anyone gone to something of this nature, and did you regret it? I'm looking at the Viewpak XG sleeves and then a nice box or case to put them all in: I'm not sure I'd go this route for everything, but it would definitely be nice to have all those Daniel Barenboim CDs that I never listen to handy for coaster use mod edit: rehosted the cdbinder.com image. Their certificate expired and I was getting a warning every time I clicked this thread

Hey guys - we're going on a lengthy road trip early next month [2,500 mi] and are considering not taking a rental. Our prehistoric (2006) Chevy Malibu does not have any sort of connection for an iPhone, and I sure as shit need to be able to use Spotify/iTunes for this trip if I plan on keeping my sanity. There's no aux, USB, etc. Anyone have suggestions? I'm not handy with cars and do not want to try taking apart the dashboard to access our CD changer or anything like that. Seems that something like this might be my only option with the limited amount of time and effort I'm willing to put in. Will it actually sound close to cd-quality? Thanks for the help.

I'm looking for some help with what I think is a building electrical issue. Just picked up a pair of SR-002s from Justin. I've noticed an annoying hum in the right channel whenever I listen at my desk, but not when I listen in the bedroom (i.e. it's not the headphones). The hum is loudest when the SR-002 is connected to my gamma2 -> Mac (doesn't matter if the Mac is plugged in or not), but it doesn't go away when I disconnect the SR-002 amp from the gamma2, or even when I disconnect the SR-002 headphone cable from the amp. As in, I can hear a fricking hum even when I'm wearing headphones plugged into nothing at all. I've never heard this hum with my other Stax but I g…

Which digital input do you use and why?

Is anyone aware of an app that will turn my Galaxy Note 10.1 into a stereo remote control ala Logitech Harmony? It sure would be handy.

Blackbody - $959.00 : LessLoss high end audio power cables, video power cables, audiophile power cables, audiophile cables

How about ​The McIntosh McAire Yours for only ... $3000 http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/us/Products/pages/ProductDetails.aspx?CatId=LifeStyle&ProductId=McAire Oh, and don't forget the stand http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/us/Products/pages/ProductDetails.aspx?CatId=Merchandise&ProductId=McIntoshST1AccessoryStand A Bargain at only $50 (or use an aptX enable bluetooth audio receiver and some (active) speakers ...)

This looks promising for those that are into LPs. This is a new somewhat diyish style cleaner for lps that uses a system like a power washer but for lps. You spread on a cleaner that loosens up the dirt and muck on an lp then with a hose that attaches to your sink you spray off the cleaner. The advantage to this system is no residue from the cleaner gets stuck in the groove and should provide for a cleaner quieter lps. The drawback is it is messy and I would probably do this outside or in a garage. The other thing that immediately struck me was the use of tap water that has several contaminates that distilled does not. George Merrill is the maker and seller of this unit a…

Read about this on Computer Audiophile, tried it and like it. Nice alternative to Remote. Try it in landscape mode to see more information on your albums.

My STAX Sigma headphones have gone bad. Sound comes only in one ear. Is there anywhere I can send them for repairs?