deepak

I still haven't heard one, but I've started to want a Beta22 again now that I have some hard to drive headphones (orthos)

After more listens I really like about half of the tracks and don't care one way or the other for the other half. I'm getting used to it sounding like a "big band" (some of the songs are in a similar vein to The New Pornagraphers, and I love everything they've put out) album Another thing I realized is that Fox Confessor just goes by so quickly (and I looked up the time and Middle Cyclone is only ~ 6 minutes longer than Fox Confessor if you don't count the 30 minute track), whereas I find this drones on a bit I can still see myself listening to it a few times a year like her pre FC albums. Ian- I actually like Prison Girls (lyrically very interesting, and I like the song as well)

How does it compare to the Lavry Gold?

Another device I have to refrain from buying everytime a deal comes up

I think the songwriting is quite a step backward from Fox Confessor. Having so many collaborators and a bigger band this time around, there is a lot more going on in the songs. And I do not understand the last track that is 30 minutes long.

Happy birthday!

On track 4, this is very different from Fox Confessor...

...nothing that Google couldn't answer or anything Woot - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (scroll down to woot off)

Neko Case - Middle Cyclone listenin to dis!

I haven't been to woot since the last woot off, the new website colors/layout feels weird...

But the Jade has no soundstage depth, and a bunch of other problems. I like the HE60 so no argument there. Airbow SR-SC, no comment since I haven't heard it, but I loath the SR-404 Let me pick through your list Jade, RS-1, K1000, HP-2, all of those headphones have good treble IMO. Not bright if matched in a good system. The others I agree with you or haven't owned/borrowed.

I am definitely not knocking the Ultra Analog DSP, that was never my intention. I haven't heard a DAC using the Ultra Analog yet. I do like the 1704 DAC/CDPs I've heard and I'm itching to hear the SimAudio Andromeda. I haven't made it down to Goodwins yet, on call on this rota leaves me with no free time. I might get a chance at the start of March.

When someone says something is dark or bright, I always take age into consideration as well. Like it or not, the ability to hear high frequencies does diminish with age I can hear the treble of the SR-007 MK1 extend up as far as I can hear (~18 Khz or there about). Then there are headphones like the SR-404 that have a upper mid/low treble boost, that gives them the illusion of being well extended, but frankly I doubt it extended past 14 KHz (or the SRM-313 was just a really junk amp that severely limited FR extension).

I find this interesting that the Levinson 30.5 to 30.6 upgrade (that Levinson would do for a fee) involved going from 2 x UltraAnalog D20400A+PMD100 to 4x PCM1704... The 30.6 remains in the top digital I've heard.

The Levinson 30.6 must be an approaching ten year old design, doesn't make it any less good today than it was ten years ago...

Stan Getz, Zoot Sims, Al Cohn, Art Blakey - The Brothers

Esoteric- The Maniacal Vale Newest doom metal album from these Bri'ish doom metallers. Good stuff.

Popol Vuh - Aguirre, The Wrath of God (Soundtrack for the film)

Brainticket - Cottonwoodhill

Pink Floyd - A Saucerful of Secrets (US first pressing cd)

Yup

Fostex T50rp

I am afraid I will have to challenge you to a game of Bacarat over this matter

IMO from owning the Bel Canto DAC2, there is nothing special about it. In fact it sounds pretty bad in the same vein as Benchmark DAC1.

Happy birthday Steve!