Audio Accessories

Due to a change in the configuration of my system, I'm looking at getting a passive volume control/preamp for the odd occasions when I want to listen to my monitors rather than my headphones. Does anyone have any experience with the NHT ones? Or any thoughts on whether it's worth the extra tenner (and cable costs) to go balanced all the way through my system? (They go for far less than MSRP online. The Goldpoints look nice but are way too spendy.) The HP4 converts balanced input to SE, but the Quads have XLR ins and -- given it's a desktop system -- there's a lot of RF interference about. All cable lengths will be pretty short once it's properly set up.

Hey Guys, I came across a pair of Mullard EL84s from the good old days. I understand these tubes to be awesome and I think would be fun to listen to hooked up to my single driver crossover-less speakers. I'm looking for a EL84 based amp and was wondering if anyone has some nice recommendations? Since I have a pair of EL84's, it would be best to suggest amps that use just 2, and not 4 el84's (I am guessing those amps would work in a push pull configuration). Amps can be integrated OR plain jane amps. I see that the Almarro 205mkII is well regarded which sparked my interest. Any others that you guys like? Thanks!

I have a ton of DIY parts, cables, old iPods, accessories, etc., as I'm sure most of us do. Living in an apartment means little storage space. I have those big clear Rubbermaid bins and the little parts cases, but it's still sort of unwieldy. I want something perfect. How do you store your crap? Any recommendations?

Has anyone any experience with Virtual Dynamics cables other than looking at the price and getting turned off?

I am waiting for my new source, which I am willing to use through balanced way, so which one would be the best choice for the money please. Budget no more than USD 100, for a pair of course. THX

I have a few long road trips coming up and while I enjoy listening to the radio I don't particularly care for the idea of having to find new channels every few hours. Cd player in the car only takes 1 cd and I don't have an Aux input. I have an iphone 4 and my road trip companion has an ipod touch (not sure which generation) that i would like to use to play music on but hear it through the car speakers. Never really looked much into it but I don't imagine using it much outside of road trips so don't want to spend enormous amounts of money on it. Road trip is on the 24th so would need to have in house by the 23rd preferably. +1 for Amazon prime. Any suggestions for…

I'm getting ready to buy some accessories for my incoming turntable, and while I have a list in mind, I would like some recommendation/suggestions since this is my first time entering the analog world. I know I need the following: 1) stylus force gauge: probably will get the Shure one, unless there is a compelling reason to get a digital one? 2) Spirit level 3) Record mat: I have no idea how to choose which one to get. 4) Brush: Again, there are a ton of options, and I don't know where to start. 5) Record sleeves 6) Test record 7) Cartridge alignment: there seems to be different alignment systems for different arms, so any information? Record cleaning sys…

I don't want to say money is no object, as I would soon find myself owning a $40,000 cable or something crazy like that, but I'm willing to drop a few pennies. I just ordered a modded Opus 21 cd player and will be purchasing an amp soon (can't decide on whether to get some Stax Omega IIs with the tube amp or maybe just get a balanced amp of some sort for my HD650s). I'd like to get cables that are in "the right league" for this kind of product and am completely overwhelmed by the amount of cables available.

I need something besides IKEA bookshelves to keep my CDs in. Do any of you have anything that has a high WAF? Can be mounted to the wall or stand alone. I think I'll probably keep about 600 CDs. The other option is to chuck them all.

Before its over with, I'll own a CDP with a digital input. My computer is on the opposite side of the room from my rig. Currently I have a long USB cable running from the computer to the back of the Aqvox. Whenver the Aqvox gets replaced, I'll need something to do the USB -> Toslink/Coaxial thing. The name I remember the most from researching this kind of thing a while back was the M-Audio Transit. Is there any other piece I should consider?

I've never had an audio rack before, and I think its probably about time I get one. My days of horizontal desk annexing have come to an end, now that I will be adding a transport, and, in a few months, possibly a transport/player combo, or just an upgraded player. My home rig currently a Bel Canto Dac3, an Ear HP4 amp, and coming soon, Oppo Digital transport. I plan on adding a Hydra conditioner as well. There is always the possibility that the HP4 will become my office amp, should I spring for the Millet/TTVJ 307A if it remains available. Here is what I'm debating buying: http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=SMA5 Thoughts?

If when I got into this hobby you told me I would end up spending as much on a case for headphones as I did for my first pair of headphones, well... I was intrigued by the case jpak uses for his HP2s, so per his suggestion I went by my local Ritz Camera store and picked up this Quantaray case. It comes with a large chunk of foam in the middle that can be customized to your camera's (or headphones) needs. So I went crazy on it with a kitchen knife, and this is what I ended up with: Not sure what I'll do with the cable. Probably keep it similar to how it is, in a large loop around the case, but maybe cut a little path leading from each driver to take the stre…

So, if I want to buy another cable to connect the Duet to my stereo, what would be a good brand to look at? I have never been into dedicated cables so hence my question. I'm not looking at a

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

Any problem using a couple component video cables as analog ICs? And before I get slammed, yes I've tried it. Just curious if there was any technical reason(s) to avoid?

http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/03/audiophiles-cant-tell-the-difference-between-monster-cable-and/ its lolworthy no matter how you slice it.

I recently became interested in transformer-based volume controls and want to learn about them. For example, what makes them different from regular passive pre-amps? And are there advantages to using one versus the other? For something concrete, I'm looking at ones offered by Promethus Audio for the sub-1k range, and the Sonic Euphoria models for sub-2k models.

I'm trying to find some nice feet for my SS. Gold or brass is preferred, also big and chunky, maybe cones depending on design. Any good resources for nice feet.. obvious jokes aside

As many of you know, I have (and love) the Manley SkipJack. It's really a neat little device with many cool uses. I've been using it primarily to compare DACs, as it allows for very quick and quiet switching. One thing that occurred to me was that the SkipJack could really use a headphone jack so that one could do the same thing with headphone amps. Is that something that already exists? Put another way, is there a passive device into which you can plug a pair of phones and then switch back of forth quickly between two amps?

My wife and I are at the Louis V store and she's shopping for a new travel bag for yours truly. Seems she's sick of seeing me carry my electronic gear in a Canon camera bag when we travel. While I'd love to get a nicer case for my gear(we travel a lot), there's no way I'm going to carry that thing....at $1200 with NO compartments! So we struck a deal....I find a new/nicer bag to replace my camera case or I carry a Louis V on my next trip. I need a bag with secure compartments, zippers or velcro, dividers...etc. Something a geeky gear junkie like me can store all his goodies in and still slide it under seats on flights. The Louis V has a great big space for a main comp…

Long story short. We moved. Speaker cables got hosed. Now need new ones. Please recommend decent, solid construction easily available and reasonably priced. Thanks.

I got these cheap adapters on ebay from a real nice guy, but they are not working right. I know, you get what you pay for. He replaced the 1st pair with the same problem. I think I see the issue now. The pins are not the same length and are rocking in my sockets creating a static-like noise. I think the longer pin (1st picture right tube middle) is bottoming out in the socket? And the other pins have junk on the ends, solder? Can I just make the pins even length by sanding, grinder, snips, or another method? Is it possible to make them too short?

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

Monster Cable Sends Cease and Desist Letter to Small Cable Maker for Patent Infringement. President (who used to be a lawyer) Writes a Response Refusing to Stop Making Cables and Makes Letter Public. Kurt's letter is printed below: RE: Your letter, received April Fools' Day Dear Monster Lawyers, Let me begin by stating, without equivocation, that I have no interest whatsoever in infringing upon any intellectual property belonging to Monster Cable. Indeed, the less my customers think my products resemble Monster's, in form or in function, the better. I am evaluating your claim that the connectors on certain Tartan brand products infringe Monster'…