Audio Accessories

I am looking for some matched pair of 12au7, which I may want to put in my new source/cdp, but not sure which one to choose, so, I need your advice please. Any other options are welcome. First are Telefunkens Smooth Plate, but I am not sure what ever they are fake or not, looks real to me, but what you think Another pair are TUNG SOL's Black Glas

I was wondering if aftermarket powercables strive to achieve the same effect as a power conditioner and vice versa? I've seen some users only use one or the other so im not sure if they are suppost to compliment each other by using them together, or substitute each other by using only one or the other? Can anyone clarify this? I've been looking at the Shunyata Hydra 4, but was wondering if a better power cable is all I need.

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

Many of you probably know that I just bought this Samsung HTIB. All I need to finish setting it up is a pair of cheap 28" (more or less) speaker stands for the front L/R speakers. These Sanus stands at Amazon is the best deal I've found. Before I act on this, I thought I'd ask here to see if anybody knows of a better stand and/or deal. Thanks in advance for your advice.

Hey guys, Do you have any ideas/recommendations/links to a nice, sturdy, protective case for my hp2's to store when not in use? I searched and saw what postjack used, a quantary camera case, but seemed a bit bulky and overkill. Though it looked nice, and you could cut out the foam. I saw something like this on HF in the pic below, up top: That seems to fit it perfectly, and not be as tall as the one postjack used.

So, hopefully I'm not making a complete fool of myself for asking but... If you had to chose, would you rather have a longer USB cable or RCA cable from computer -> DAC -> amp? Would having a longer USB be better because of they way it transmits data? Does it apply to optical and coax too? I remember reading (don't remember where) that if you had to chose a longer speaker cable or a longer IC from source -> amp, you should run longer IC and keep the speaker cable shorter... not sure if that's related though...

Anyone have any experience with the Signal Cable Silver Resolution ICs and speaker cables?

Can someone provide a comparison between the Grado Flats vs. the Sennheiser HD-414 flats in terms of sound? Thanks in advance.

Ayre MX-R -- $10,000. Dog dish and Ikea coffee cups -- $7.50. Appropriately elevated speaker cable -- priceless.

Is there anywhere in the US or close by that sells the HI-Fi 2000 cases, specifically the black 2U Pesante Dissipante 300mm or something similar. Decent quality, not like the crappy Par Metals case I have now. Preferably priced in $US and not cost an arm and leg to ship like it would from Italy, or is there no way around this pickle?

Ummmm... usb

I'm thinking of getting a small stand for my dac/amp. My desk is quite small and I have to stack up the amp and dac. S2 audio has the stand like that but their site went dead I've just contacted Steve regarding this but still need some ideas to have a nice one. My amp is quite big and heavy (the Littledot mk vi) while the dac is small (dac1). Of course the amp will be on top of the dac. I just wonder if there's any small stand like that? No need for exotic looking, only as strong and durable as possible cos I don't want the amp falls off on my dac

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 not yet officially, but Alex can do headbands now. I sent in an SR-X MKIII that looked like this: (click for larger) And this is the new headband: Alex actually held my SR-X MKIII hostage for about 3 months (!) so I wound up getting the new headband for free, thanks Alex! He also informed me that sometime next year he'll have a person on staff who will do headbands exclusively, but you didn't read that here.

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…

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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? …

This is the update to the Dac3 that allows for high rez playback. Its a lot steeper than I thought it would be. Still, I'm tempted. I think someone on the Computer Audiophile forums was going on about how it uses a better USB chip too. (as opposed to what the Dac3 uses) I'd have to get an explanation as to what it does better than the M Audio transit via toslink before buying. Someone talk me out of it.

So I recenty got a new iPhone 3g and now need to carry around my earbuds with the USB cord with me at all times. So right now my solution has been to use my old batty and dugout softcase:) So I have two questions. 1. What is the best soft headphones case that has enough space for earbuds, usb cable and maybe a future third cord? I would prefer a softcase but am bycurious over soft/hardcase. (The third cord option would be for an iPhone A/v cable but is totally optional I would like it as a future cord.) 2. What is the best earbuds with microphone, volume adjustment and play,pause,fast forward etc.?

Has anybody tried these? I haven't found a lot of impressions by searching the web so far.

Developing from the last thread I was on, a simpler and cheaper solution for my speaker rig to get some extra voltage gain I need would be to use xlr-rca adaptors from the balanced output. I understand I don't necessarily get the benefit of the dual differential output from the dacs and output stage of the meridian, therefore lose the common mode noise rejection, but technically, I still get the 2x voltage, correct? Impedance issues should not be a concern, as my moth integrated input impedance is 100kohm and my IC's are very low capacitance. If that all makes sense and you guys are on board, what differentiates a well made adaptor and a poor one? They sure come in …

The two receptacles in the wall by my computer and assorted audio equipment are both quite poor. They're at least 25 years old and don't hold plugs well anymore. I'm looking for some quality replacements. I balk at the idea of paying $100+ for boutique audio outlets, but I don't want $3 pieces of junk either. There must be some middle ground in the market. Any suggestions on brands, models, and where to look would be muchly appreciated.

Anyone else kinda excited? Logitech Squeezebox Boom pops up on Dutch site - Engadget

So I just bought some Iron Lung Jellyfish Power cables, an improvement from the stock stuff on my amp and DAC. But I was wondering if having a fairly cheap power strip (an absolute necessity in my dorm room) would negate the effect of the better power cables? I don't really know much about electronics, cables, or anything that has to do with anything in my entire audio set-up... so some good input would be much appreciated. Alternatively, do any of you think that I just wasted my money on the power cables and that they won't make a noticeable difference in sound quality? I'd be interested if that's what you thought as well.

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?