swt61

Jay, If the Zapfilter is removed from your E5-SE (if you're going to be using it as a transport only I'd imagine you'd want to reuse it in the DAC), then I'd imagine you'd have more than enough room to add the AES/EBU output to the E5. That would probably be the cheapest and certainly the slickest way to go.

Very interesting read Kevin, thanks. Bridged output does seem to be more accurate. I seem to have a ground loop hum only noticeable in my active monitors. If I turn the volume up just one step the hum goes away, but if I turn off my gear I get the hum. So I have to disconnect the XLR cables from my speakers when I'm not using them. I never thought that the problem might be related to the balanced configuration of my gear.

Thanks, I feel like I'm finally set for a while. Maybe some K1000s if I can find a pair for $1,200.00 or less.

So how will you go about this? Powder coating? I do remember someone powder coating their K1000 grills, but they did have a problem fitting them back in place, as the powder coating made the grills slightly larger. The leather straps would be uber cool!

Sure. From top to bottom HifiDIY CD transport, and next to that my S2 Audio Dockit wooden iPod dock. Four channel balanced β22 w/Joshua Tree stepper. Dual σ22 power supply. PS Audio PCA-2 balanced preamp. Twisted Pear Opus DAC in dual differential configuration w/Zapfilter. Tice Audio MB3 power conditioner.

That unit is currently owned by yours truly, and it performs beautifully! For the money it's an absolute bargain. I'm sure looser101 could manage the task of building the unit provided you can ply him with something. It is a top loader though, so I'm not sure how that would work in your rack. So does this mean the lovely Bloodwood trimmed E5 SE will be finding a new home?

Well to each his own, but I've hated that faux granite look since the day the 600 was introduced.

I completely agree on all points. My 600 grills and new pads are on backorder for a few weeks until Sennheiser gets more 600 grills in stock.

Hey Nenso, I'm with you buddy! No banana stands for this dude either.

Customize your own.

Hmmm, I've had mine hung on these racks for quite some time now, and I just don't think there's enough force where the pads touch at the bottom to flatten them. So for me at least it's a non issue.

I'm going to be getting an older turntable up to snuff. It's a Mitsubishi LT-30 linear tracker, that I plan on building a custom plinth for. A dedicated stand will also be included in the project, as well as new cabling, cartridge and phono stage.

Thanks Nate. Yes I do build them to sell. Everyone is custom though, as I hate building the same thing over and over. I have many pics of stands I've built for people that I could send to anyone who might be interested. Also S^2 Audio (warrior05 and I) has a less expensive stock stand that Scott builds, and they're quite nice on a budget. I use wall hanging stands for my own headphones.

X2! That is a very nice DAC indeed! The workmanship is flawless as well, but that goes without saying, and is why I named it the Zhaolooser101. I hope it brings you extended enjoyment!

I agree. If I were planning on using it for both balanced and SE I'd have gone with six channels. My whole system is balanced and I don't see myself going back to SE.

LOL! To my mind the 22 is the way to go for a headphone amp. The 24 may be a better selection for not so efficient speakers, but there are lots of fish in that pond if you ask me. Not saying it wouldn't be a great speaker amp, but it'll have a heck of a lot more competition than the 22 IMO.

I have to say that I really like the updated retro styling, even though retro has been so overdone lately.

There's this one too... http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=698696&Sku=C184-22327&SRCCODE=GOOGLEBASE&CMP=OTC-GOOGLEBASE

I think I'd double up the MDF for the shelves for that kind of weight. Contact cement would do nicely. The other option would be to mount a couple MDF rails under each shelf to keep the shelf from flexing. 1" thick rails would effectively double the strength of the entire shelf.

You might have read that on Head-Fi. warrior05 has a pair, and he preferred them to the Denon AH-1000 and the RP-21.

Well let's be real, the β22 made it kind of obsolete. And it was too big for a paper weight.

The M? is definitely a nice amp. I spent a little time with one that Nate built, and I enjoyed it very much. For the money it's hard to beat.

Hey cool!

I just built a simple rack. In fact when I built this some 12 years ago I was able to find prefinished Birch drawer material and ply for the back at my local cabinet builders supply. The CDs stick out proud of the shelves by about 1/2" inch for easy extraction.

I'm looking forward to hearing your rig. It sounds like you have an awesome analog setup! I'm also wanting to give the 650s another chance now that my rig is up to par, but they'd need to be balanced.