Audio Accessories

Great prices, and they look nice! Emotiva Audio X-Series Interconnects

So, the AD2K box is a big pile of dogshit. The plastic covering inside actually fell off when I first opened the box upon receiving it. I don't feel like the headphone would be very safe traveling in it (or even for storage). The current case that I've been using for my HF-2 is just a tad too small (not enough height/depth) for my AD2K and I was wondering if anyone happened to know if the W5000 case (or another AT case for that matter) supported the AD2K? If so, any idea where I could find it? I did look at Pelican but would rather see what else is out there since they are a little expensive, like $80 for the size I'd need. Based off some very rough measurement…

Hi all. I suffer from acute audio placebo. I have broken the 10 percent rule with cables. My interconnects now cost 120 perc of system and have experimented with power cables - now at 100 perc of system. My cables have costed me more than my system. I now run a pure sine wave inverter with two car batteries powering my system. I hallucinate a better soundstage and superior sound with these devices. I have been banned by Head - Fi for calling a member a "fag" for pointing out the errors of my way. I seek refuge here and hope for some rehabilitation. These headphones drove me insane and I hope to share my experiences. My name is Spanimal and I have a problem…

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…

I'm looking to buy a tube tester and would like to make it a bit future proof to my buying habits. Before researching the testers, I never knew that 12 pin tubes existed. I'm talking about 6KD6 compactron type tubes. Does anybody here use them, design with them, etc.? Has anybody even seen a piece of audio equipment that does use them? I'm guessing that I won't ever need to test them, but would like to know more about them before I dismiss them.

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.

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?

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

I`m hoping that this EVAL-ADuM4160EBZ may be an affordable means to prevent a usb ground loop when its released. [url=http://www.analog.com/en/interface/digital-isolators/products/overview/over_iCoupler_USB_Isolation/resources/fca.html]iCoupler

ALO USB Cable Does it even comply with USB2.0specs? I guess I should start making cables too... 500 for this?

Curious if anyone had already recabled their HD800? As a rule, I had always heard that silver plated copper wire was to be avoided for analog signals. Tends to sound bright and irritating.

While reading the new July issue of Stereophile, I came across a good article on HDMI cables. The article is mostly about the cables one achilles heal... light clamping force. The article goes on to state that the problem is not just aggravating, but can lead to cable and or socket failure. If the cable connection is dislodged too many times it can cause the cable or socket to fail permanently. They go on to give a few cable solutions, namely cables with a tighter clamping force, cables with a PC type screw connector, and finally a clamp system for use on any HDMI cable. The latter is the solution that most interested me, since I will soon be putting my A/V system t…

I'm trying to run the sound from my set top box to my home theater receiver. I'd like to use the receiver's digital optical input so I get 5.1 (it's the only input my receiver has that will allow this. My set top box has an optical output, so it should be easy. I ordered a digital optical cable from Monoprice. Today I tried to connect them. The connectors go into the socket, but won't stay in place. I see no locking mechanism, which seems pretty strange to me. I must be doing something wrong as everybody would have thrown out optical digital a long time ago if the physical connections were this fragile. Can anybody tell me what the trick is to use connect this cab…

I guess that pole-smoker Ken has got another scam up his sleeve. From the $925 "super cotton" USB cable... "Using ALO's proven silver in cotton design to a USB cable that now proves to take your DAC to a new level. We start with a specially designed solid silver wire that is to our specs, purity, temper and gauge. Then we manually push the silver wire in a thick tube of 100% cotton. The advantages over this vs Teflon are huge, there is zero Teflon, PVC, or PE products associated with the ALO Super Cotton USB. We then use a special geometry to isolate the data from the VDC conductors, double sleeve these yet again and finish up with a black and gold mesh jacket. Wha…

Have any of you heard of or used this place? I guess it's in Vietnam. The guy has some ridiculous nice tubes but his prices are outrageous. Audiophile I would love some of those metal base sylvania 6SN7s . Doubtful i would make the leap though.

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?

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

Can you recommend me the best one for use with pc to USB vibrator I am a golden-eared slut, and my orgasms with the Locus Design USB cable possess certain degree of harshness. I would like them to be smoother with bigger soundstage, more relaxed and maybe a bit more detailed.

check this out: Multicard-lovin' dual SATA HDD dock keeps the dream alive

I finally unpacked the old Lafayette tuner that I bought from Miguel Arroyo many months ago. Besides needing a switch box, I need an indoor FM antenna. Can anybody recommend one? I'd like to spend no more than $50. Thanks in advance for your recommendations.

For $1400, what's it made of??? Also, it was at the NY meet, right? Not that I want one, but how's it sound?

I have always been curious by what appears to be a wide variety and diversity in the various permutations of the above rectifier tube. They seem to come in all forms of mullards and rebranded mullards as well as philips, with fancy bases and logos and others that are more basic pedestrian looking, all seeming to garner outrageous prices and others being more modest. I have never even bothered to roll or even think about the concept of the rectifier having an impact on the sound signature, probably due to spite. Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences.

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

Steve graciously made me this stand. I took a couple lousy pictures that weren't good enough to post. Nate took this one at CanJam, so I finally get to show off how beautiful it is. I think Iron Dreamer took a few good shots as well if he gets around to showing them. I also got to see Steve's work on Jay's amp and stand this weekend, and the pics I'd seen prior don't do it justice. Thanks Steve for beautifying our gear!