Audio Accessories

Should I be worried about gain on TVCs? I don't think I listen that loudly, but certainly not at whisper-level either. I like to turn it up once in a while just to rock out and try to get some big dynamics going. More specifically, would a TVC have trouble with the output level of cartridges? The specific model that I might be interested in is the Bent Audio TVC, which uses a the S&B TX-102 transformer, and has up to 6db of gain.

I've been looking for a decent multi-way speaker switch. Something with at least a half substantial casing, binding post terminals instead of screw clamps or spring clips. Good internal construction too. Its so that I can easily switch between the AMT, the H2 and my speakers rather than having to duck behind the rack and change plugs around. QED make a few boxes, but they look cheap and plasticy and use screw clamps, theres also some even crappier looking products on eBay and Maplin. Anyone have any suggestions?

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?

http://apuresound.com/v3.html looks neat-o.

http://6moons.com/audioreviews/nanotech3/79.html Shark oil!

I was looking for some NOS tubes and sent a few emails out. The responses have been more than a bit puzzling. Is it now the norm to have customers place the order without knowing what brand of tubes he can expect to receive? Maybe I'm being unreasonable, but I'd kinda like to know what brand of tube I'm actually going to be receiving BEFORE I place the order. Is this now how the tube vendors operate? Is it accepted that Sylvania, RCA, Tung Sol, etc....are all pretty much the same so who gives a flip? All of a sudden, SS is looking pretty good to me again. Someone want to make a beta22 for me?? \

Looks like I'll be getting a new source (Modwright Sony 999es), and as such I need some longer ICs to run from the source to my PPX3. I'm thinking in the length of 5-6feet, from one side of my desk to the other. I've used Blue Jeans Cables before and they are fine, but I was wondering if there are any other ICs worth checking out in that range. Just give me a couple names and I'll do some research. The world of IC's is dense and scary. Here is a pic of my listening area to better give you an idea of what I'm doing:

What are your preferred RCA connectors? I'm thinking about buying some good bang for the buck connectors and looking for opinions. No strict budget. Will need a total of 8.

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.

http://www.machinadynamica.com/machina41.htm Of all the bullshit audio tweaks, this takes the cake. Of course, what do you expect from the makers of Magic Pebbles? "The Clever Little Clock is a small, battery-powered travel alarm clock that has been extensively modified using a number of highly-specialized techniques. The Clever Little Clock does not plug into the wall and has no direct or indirect influence on the "audio signal" per se -- not on house wiring, audio components, cables, interconnects, power cords or acoustic waves in the room. Yet the Clock has a pronounced affect on the sound heard by listeners in the room. In addition, any video systems in the hous…

http://www.virtualdynamics.ca/content.php?id=159 I'm not associated with Virtual Dynamics...just thought people like to see the sale.

I've got myself a dedicated listening room and had wanted a new rack. The Atlantis line seemed to please the wife from a "furniture" standpoint and it really did look pretty nice compared to most. Not an outrageous price either. Now most sites don't list the Atlantis line anymore and the few who do indicate that the Reference line has been discontinued. Did they go belly up or is a new product line coming which replaces the Reference series? Anyone know? Either way I'm back to square one in the search and nothing really appeals to me.

It was built by the craftsman swt61 based off a design I sent him. The stand is made from gaboon ebony (the blackest of woods), bloodwood and quilted maple. It will be the resting place for my ps-1's once it arrives. Biggie.

Take a look at this. I'd pay $20 with ship. I don't think I want to pay more than a third of what I paid for my SR60 but I sorely need one before the padding gets shredded from putting it in my backpack. If you know of something else, point me the way.

At the risk of being made fun of a bit , I have to admit to you all that I've had concerns with my power situation. I've done some searching and reading around here and elsewhere, and it seems that power conditioning and other power solutions could help to improve a system if that system is in an older home. Well my home is older, and my primary concern is that all of the outlets are NEMA 1-15 ungrounded two prong outlets, so I have to use one of those three prong to two prong converters in order to hook up most anything into the wall, and then those are running through some inexpensive surge protectors. Here are some pics: So should I consider either i…

So basically desk space is getting to be a problem. I realized that when I have my monitor on top of my CDP, it does deaden the music a bit to my ears, so now it is in the back corner of the desk on top of some old books and it is hard to read. So I want to get some kind of floor standing rack to accommodate a 17" wide, 12" deep cdp, a PPX3, a future amp, and possibly, if I can get a stable enough stand, room at the top for my TT (17"w, 13"d). Anyone have any good recommendations for component stands on the cheap? I was thinking of going with Boltz since I enjoy my CD rack, and they would match, but goddamnit I don't want to pay $600 for a component stand. I'm hoping …

Hello I'd like to try out some good silver interconnects. Please tell me what i should be looking at.. right now i have my eyes on the moon audio silver dragon.

i replaced my crappy wall outlet with a cryoed pass and seymour 8200H from cryo parts like 2 weeks ago. i got a really nice improvement on imaging, and the blackground hash also dropped a bit, resulting in a better sense of transparency and speed. out of boredom i plugged my lavry directly to the receptacle. to my surprise the sound isn't that different from the clean, open sound i get from plugging my rig into the running springs haley. take the improvement i get from the cryoed P&S further, and you get the haley. the p&s is more expensive than the normal receptacle we use, but its physically larger, and the clamping mechanism is better built. it also doesn't …

I don't have enough experience to answer, but I'm curious to see what others think. Let's keep this friendly...who am I kidding (I will be setting up a double blind cable test to see how I do, right now I'm trying to find a Nordost Blue Heaven RCA cable to pit against a cheap Monster IC)

I'm sitting here looking at my lavry and my zana deux (just put it together after a long vacation). and now i realize i need XLR to RCA connectors. question, does it matter (should i go for 6 dollar ones) or should i spend the $ on the fancy cardas?

I bought a Squeezebox today and plan to run the coax out the my Opus 21 and the optical out to my Marantz receiver. I found a few glass optical cables at Parts Express but the longest the have is 12 ft and I really need something thats 15 ft. Any recommendations?

Does anyone have an opinion of his stuff? He seems to like making Ipod docks and mini to minis, but he sells some pretty expensive stuff. Can it really be worth it or even half as good as the other place says? http://www.aloaudio.com/multiarray/MA%20mini.html wow.... $200 mini to mini FTL.... *glares at GrandEnigma*

I'm in need of a new tone arm cable. I am presently using the stock Van den hul cable on my SME V arm. It's copper but is not as resolving nor as rich as I would prefer. I was thining Cardas Golden Reference or Cross, but they are pretty pricey, as is the more revealing but more linear Hovland and Graham 2.2. Any suggestions?

Anyone know of such a device? Or should I DIY one? And should I do it in digital or analog?

OMG!!!1! Better than "studio quality"!!!1! How do they do that?!?!?