humanflyz

Pretty routine day: went to work, ran at the gym during lunch break, and then lifted some weights after work. For the rest of the night, edited my writing sample for grad school applications.

I got an Estoeric SA60, but sold it because I was no longer in college, and my music listening time was dramatically reduced. Also, eventually I came to not like the SA60 as much as I did.

Actually I would (and did have) get something better, because the Stello is mid-fi at best. My reasons for keeping it were two-fold: first, despite its flaws, it has a sound that I can live with, and second, it is pretty convenient in terms of the feature set (its own dedicated headphone amp and phono inputs with adjustable loading).

Holy thread revival Batman! Anyways, I think the good Dr. misunderstood what I did (take this with a grain of salt because it's been a while) was play the same 16/44.1 tracks on my computer, using the DP200's digital out to feed the Lavry's digital input. I used the Crystal lock mode because it was recommended by the manufacturer, and on one comparison, I bypassed the Stello's upsampling, so I didn't think it was an unfair comparison. I think I also fed the Stello's balanced inputs from my Lavry's balanced outputs, but in my opinion that would've introduced another variable, which would be the Stello's separate pre-amp section. So I thought the simplest thing would be to drive the F1 directly with both. I couldn't think of a way to volume match the two sources, because only the Stello had a fixed output option, and I didn't know what volume setting on the Lavry would have been the equivalent.

The reason why I only used the crystal mode on the DA10 was because Lavry said that crystal mode sounded the best. If you send me a DA10, I'll be more than happy to a proper comparison, since I still have the Stello.

AudiogoN ForSale: Sony PS-X800 Biotracer Is this a good deal for the X800?

Yeah that was a stupid question by me: what I really meant to ask was why the change in driver shape then?

Is there a reason why Stax chose to design the Omega series using round earpads as opposed to the rectangular earpads of the Lambda series?

So I'm looking at the output of the SRM-1/MK2 compared to the 727A, and the difference is 80V (450 - 370). My question is: would be a worthwhile upgrade for me to get a 727A or an used 717?

My hope is that with this supposed new manufacturing process, Apple will pass the savings onto consumers. If this is the case, then there might be something to the $800 Macbook rumors.

So the Lambda Pro + SRM-1/MK2 combo definitely emphasizes sibilients and leading-edge transients more than the O2+KGSS combo I used to have. For example, I listen to a lot of Neko Case, and on "That Teenage Feeling" from Fox Confessor Brings the Flood, the sibilants are definitely audible on the O2/KGSS combo, but they are not fatiguing because they are not emphasized. I can turn up the volume and it's still very listenable. On the Lambda Pro/SRM-1 combo, I have to turn down the volume slightly, or else the emphasized sibilants become fatiguing after a while. But maybe I'm just not used to the Lambda sound after living with HD650s for the past half year. I thought there was nothing wrong with the midrange, not as good as the O2, but nothing to complain either. So to summarize, my impression of the Lambda Pro/SRM-1 combo is that, compared to a good O2 set up, it lacks refinement on both the top and bottom end, but otherwise, still a very enjoyable set up and definitely satisfies my 'stats withdrawal after selling the O2/KGSS combo.

Thanks to JP#'s, I once again have some Stax goodness in my life: Lambda Pro + SRM-1/MK2. Of course this doesn't compare to the O2 MK1 + KGSS I used to down, mainly because that combo was much smoother than the Lambda combo. But I couldn't resist the Stax, and damn, I miss the sheer speed of 'stats compared to my HD650:o

posting on my iPhone right now: so far I'm very pleased

Thanks for the wishes guys; I'm going to see The Meat Puppets and Built to Spill tonight.

So does that mean you are selling your vinyl setup Nate?

You are right: T-Moble's 3G coverage sucks balls here in DC.

Anyone else curious about the Android-based phone that's being announced today?

I did the calculations, and with all the mods, the Technics end up costing much more, and that's not including cartridge and all the other accessories.

Fair enough, but what about things like ease of use, build quality, tweaky-ness factor?

There is a basically new Pro-ject RM-5 SE table on the 'Gon right now for a pretty good price, and I know someone here has one (can't remember who right now). Just wanted to know what the owner thinks about the table.

Might be too late: the black discs have got me.

I've seen the light... So today I went to Red Onion Records & Books in Dupont Circle to check out their used CD selection. But I saw that they had a vinyl listening station set up for people who want to listen to records before buying them. So I thought, what the hell, I'll give it a shot. The store set up is pretty lo-fi as far as audiophile things go: a Technics SL-D3 DD table, a Pioneer receiver from the 80s from the looks, all hooked up to a generic pair of Koss phones. I don't know what the cart on the table is, and I doubt that the owner painstakingly made sure that it was set up correctly. So I flip through the bins, find a copy of Coltrane and Duke Ellington in average condition. The inner sleeve is a little bit yellowed from the age, but the record itself is not warped, and I couldn't see any obvious signs of damage. Anyways, I put the record on, press the "start" button, and the arm lowers itself. What happened next I can only describe as a state of trance: when Duke starts to play those first chords on "In a Sentimental Mood," I knew that I HAD to get a turntable. Even in this very lo-fi setup, the music just sounded RIGHT. I really cannnot adequately describe the euphoric feeling I got from listening to this cheap setup. The next thing I knew, I finished the whole of side one, and someone tapped me on the shoulder because I was hogging up the listening station. So I guess that answers my original question: no, the surface noise did not bother me at all. Sure, I could hear some hiss in between cuts, and there was the occasional pop, but nothing deal-breaking. Well, I guess I know where my next paycheck is going...

For those of you on the AT&T iPhone plan, does the lowest monthly rate ($70) include unlimited data/web access?

I'm Chinese, and I gave up pork, which is crazy, I know.

@JP: I think what you said is probably the biggest obstacle preventing me right now. Part of the appeal of vinyl for me is just the experience of going to used record stores and looking through the racks to find good stuff. But if everything is too much of a gamble, I don't know if I could deal with the frustration.