blessingx

Little other masquerading as science I dislike more (a reason these personality types end up in management training after being rejected elsewhere - utility outranks accuracy), but... INTJ.

An interview with Lena Dunham... http://entertainment.time.com/2012/04/12/lena-dunham-interview-part-one-what-girls-is-made-of/ http://entertainment.time.com/2012/04/13/lena-dunham-interview-part-two-the-personal-factor/ http://entertainment.time.com/2012/04/16/lena-dunham-interview-part-three-or-a-voice-of-a-generation/

You're right. Conflicting info out there and I shouldn't have post first link of it.

WTF? Swedish Minister of Culture celebrating... http://ow.ly/1KJ4eN

Who likes 'em? Lena Dunham pretty much just rejiggered Tiny Furniture with a little Apatow assist, but probably the most interesting HBO series pilot I've seen in a bit. On YouTube and DailyMotion if you don't have HBO.

All for more bi.

Newman and Nilsson: L.A. Weirdos | Pitchfork http://ow.ly/1KxlRZ "Part of what makes Newman such a breathtaking writer is the same thing that makes a breathtaking boxer or a breathtaking military offensive: He draws out your armor and defenses with his irony, then levels a suckerpunch to the place you're least capable of defending with the weapon you're least expecting: sentimentality."

Not much info, but... http://j.mp/HSsiUj Seems to be amp/dac combo?

TruBrew, great to know about the Stereo Down Mix (if indeed it is in place with current firmware). As I no longer have the Realiser I can't confirm firmware versions, etc., but it's certainly possible I did something wrong. That save method though matches every other system setting which did take. Also when discussing with Smyth I'm surprised I wasn't corrected then, but nevertheless that's great it's there. Please correct anything else I may have had wrong. As for a video focus, apologies if I was confusing or misleading. I meant that not in recent HDMI inclusion (which is great), but other digital inputs exclusion. I know of no other non-video audio component that features only a HDMI digital input. A minority of computers have HDMI output and this may be the year when more DACs (M51!) have them (some just 2-ch), but considering the percentage of DACs and CDPs that don't (99%?), the number of quality 2-ch recordings (99%) and the 'relaunch' of Smyth (after a few years of near silence) in the audiophile space, it seems the recent HDMI addition (and not also traditional audio digital inputs) is expecting video equipment connections (Blu-ray player and TV). Much of this also may depend on the subtle, but important sales pitch difference of 'multi-channel' or 'speaker' emulation. I'm also possibly adding the weight of the diagrams of their site, the demos, founders history, HF thread, etc. Which I know I keep repeating ... is fine. I've stayed silent since returning the Smyth because I got a glimpse of what a game changer it can be and didn't want to exaggerate my disappointments... and I fear I've now been overly negative because design choices didn't match what I needed or expected in this 'space.' Someone in a different situation with a few thousand to spend on the Realiser or new DAC I'm still confused what I'd recommend. I want to add an idea I had during my time with it, discussed with Lor and never had a time to test - taking secondary headphone readings as PRIRs, not HPEQs (the L/R readings would have to be worked out - possibly lifting off ears and slightly rotating). Maybe you'd never want your 009 or HD800 to sound like a T1or PS-1, but if you took your most resolving/expansive can, you may be able to emulate others. Thus a virtual headphone collection. Not the intended use (Lor looked confused why one would even want to try ), but I think it may be possible. What do you guys think? EDIT: And there are actually two Realisers on sale over there at the moment (1 HDMI/1 not). When was the last time that happened?

The 'bypass' setting doesn't bypass effects through toslink (only analog), but the 'stereo down mix' setting does.

Most settings are non-volatile such as the PRIR and HPEQ. Others like the stereo downmix are not. So as I had my setup at the time (not using bypass because of analog limitation), if I wanted to use the speakers after using the Realiser, I'd have to turn on, go into downmix settings, step L channel from 0 to .2, .4, etc. up to 1, switch to R channel and repeat. I wasn't going to subject my GF to that as she thinks the steps are too many already. She's probably right. Also keep in mind in my case the signal was already stereo to begin with. This could be fixed in a future firmware though. But that's my situation. From Smyths perspective (and I'm sure their users who are mostly discussing DVD/Blu-ray audio) I'm in an extreme minority situation. From mine - wanting a standard audio digital input and have a head amp that's also a pre (as many are over a certain price point) - it seemed less so. And that dual perspective probably explains it all. From a technology perspective that they could bring a functioning consumer product to the door at a mere $3K price point is pretty incredible. From an audiophile perspective it's a $3K box that's very unpolished. And that's a personal pet peeve. Most others are likely more forgiving there. While I did tests with a DAC in front (to feed Realisers AD best SQ) and then in back (to bypass its DA), I don't feel I really had a strong enough PRIR to comment on ranking against various DACs. It should also be noted the Realiser is limited to 16/48 (though can input higher) unless you use both digital input and out (the TOSLINK as the HDMI out bypasses the effects always). I am definitely curious where their tiny team goes in the future, but as my speaker setup improves I may just end up personally listening to speakers when I want that and headphones when I want that. Little of this may apply to others.

The one for sale in the earlier analog only version I think. The lack of SPDIF/USB inputs, not being able to find a SPDIF to HDMI converter that worked audio only, having no intensions of combining with home theater, bypass functionality being analog only and stereo downmix (in my case stereo to stereo but must be done to sidestep effects) settings not retained in memory proved too much for me and I returned to the local reseller. I never got a reading of the quality of those traveling to LA so I never heard what it was capable of, but did enough that it is indeed as mind-blowing as the demos. Just be aware it's history is in video (thus the HDMI) and is further complicated if you have a head amp performing pre duty also. None of these complaints are about SQ and again all the rumors there are true, but I don't mind headphone listening and I would likely never have gotten over the fact the most expensive piece of gear in my system is also easily the clunkiest.

The Eight Kindes of Drunkennes Back in 1592, Elizabethan satirist Thomas Nashe produced and distributed a popular pamphlet named "Pierce Pennilesse," within which was written the following — a list describing the "Eight Kindes of Drunkennes." (Source: Pierce Pennilesse.) THE EIGHT KINDES OF DRUNKENNES The first is ape drunke; and he leapes, and singes, and hollowes, and danceth for the heavens; The second is lion drunke; and he flings the pots about the house, calls his hostesse whore, breakes the glasse windowes with his dagger, and is apt to quarrell with anie man that speaks to him; The third is swine drunke; heavie, lumpish, and sleepie, and cries for a little more drinke, and a fewe more cloathes; The fourth is sheepe drunk; wise in his conceipt, when he cannot bring foorth a right word; The fifth is mawdlen drunke; when a fellowe will weepe for kindnes in the midst of ale, and kisse you, saying, "By God, captaine, I love thee. Goe thy wayes; thou dost not thinke so often of me as I doo thee; I would (if it pleased God) I could not love thee as well as I doo;" and then he puts his finger in his eye, and cryes; The sixt is Martin drunke; when a man is drunke, and drinkes himselfe sober ere he stirre; The seventh is goate drunke; when, in his drunkennes, he hath no minde but on lecherie; The eighth is fox drunke—when he is craftie drunke, as manie of the Dutchmen bee, that will never bargaine but when they are drunke.

Time for You-Fo+Dukes mash-up?

Every jump...

Not sure there's anyone interested in this old model, but damn the price keeps dropping (should be free by holiday season). Cheap point of entry for Micro 4/3. http://dealmac.com/Olympus-E-PL1-12-MP-Micro-4-3-SLR-Body-for-150-free-shipping/566488.html

In case this hasn't already been posted... Alzheimer’s Patient Regains Lost Memories With Help Of Music

Art Lande | While She Sleeps

Also... DSD-Guide.com is offering a special promotion. 5 songs for $5 in DSD audio. Songs feature Keith Greeninger... http://fb.me/1wxNTRHzt

I can't tell if you are serious or joking, but just watched and regardless of ones viewpoint saw little expressed 'scholarly.' Did watch another video where he attacks psychiatrists and sociologists and rallied the troops against liberal theologians who 'infest' the church. That was kinda fun.

Bears Make the Best Walk-and-Text Deterrents: http://gawker.com/5900698/bears-make-the-best-walk+and+text-deterrents

Yeah, I know; and such small portions.