Augsburger

Well I auditioned an MBL system last week using a hard drive source ripped to lossless and one with the MBL cdp. The HD system seemed less lively and detailed so of course software protocol in a HD system is paramount and I suspect this retailer may not have had everything ironed out as yet. I just wanted to offer my opinion that HD systems are not a panacea for beautiful music, as with every bit of gear synergy and correct implementation can make a huge difference. I am ashamed to admit that I tried the Auric Illuminator, Zerostat gun, demagnitizers and the famed green pen..... none made as much difference as upgrading to MFSL or XRCD's or a better source. Were there "subtle" differences? Perhaps, but so close it may have been attribitable to placebo to me and I don't bother with them anymore. Now I feel better that I have shared my dark secret with the HC.

It is probably too late, but if it ever happens again try one of these hey are called an ah so...http://www.winestuff1.com/acatalog/AH___SO_Cork_Puller_Double_Prong.html

aerius, you crack me up. ;D

Happy belated birthday! Now go enjoy some of those tunes you have stashed away.

Interesting. I have tried three different HD650's at different times and they all had very similar characteristics, ie. good bass lacking in midrange detail. The difference is always the most noticeable in the amp. to mea anyway.

Don't forget the ALO cable mod mod. "Augs piles on them leaves"

So can you explain to us how you can afford your gear?

Thanks for the amp suggestions guys, but the first part I need some opinions on is whether the TRS outs of the PreSonus, if connected to XLRs on a balanced amp setup will mean I have a true balanced system.

Hi David, Thanks for the FW reco but the amp is a whole differerent issue. In my living room the speakers are 88db Infinity's or 90db Fostex 166es back loaded horns with Fostex T90 tweeters, but the speakers have probably fiftyfive to sixty feet of speeker wire between them and the amps so even though I can used to be able to drive the speakers with my late Flying Mole 18 watt amp, I really think I need 50 to 100 watts to get the umph and detailout of them. Ergo, I need more power.......I think. Thanks anyway.

For primarily budget reasons, I am using a PreSonus Central Station as a pre amp in my living room speaker system. The PCS has a pretty decent built in dac which I am feeding with a modded Onix cdp via spdif. Due to the fact that my Flying Mole custom amp that had been providing amp duties over this past year has suddenly decided to take the vow of silence, I am in the market for a new sub $1.8K amp and perhaps going balanced if that is doable at that price point. The PCS has TRS outputs so I was thinking that if I had a pair of TRS to XLR connectors to a "balanced" amp(s) I would have a true balanced speaker system. Am I right or am I blowing smoke? (Leaves self open for a thrashing)

It is also great for refinishing furniture, it removes varnish and paint with ease. No need to visit Home Depot anymore.

I am always fascinated when "audiophiles" get into these e-brawls. It often times takes hours to figure out who is full of it and who speaks the truth. Makes some of my work annoyances seem trivial....

DigiPete, did you use the Naviships spc? I am putting the finishing touches on Fostex 166 full range BLH cabinets with Purpleheart and quartersawn White Oak trim. Finished last night a DIY Paradize Charlize II amp for the office, so now I will try to determine what went out on my Flying Mole CA-S3. Kind of frustrating, all solder joints are fine, the fuse looks OK, nothing seems fried. It just stopped working two weeks ago so I am without music in my main room.

Daaaaammmmnnnnn! Damn nice and I bet Visa sends their love too.

If you were to snag the Northstar, what were you planning to use as the source? The Esoteric?

Congratulations and good luck on this new venture. Keep your overhead as low as possible, it will make success easier.

DigiPete, since we live near each other and see each other at meets, I will gladly receive and hold your audio deliveries for you anytime. In fact I will provide burn in service free of charge. > The employees here know to accept all my packages and don't touch so deliveries are safe anytime of the day. I know the FedEx, UPS, DHL an USPS Express guys on a first name basis so no prob........

Well I own the Oppo 981HD and have listened to a number of RB CDs that I am very familiar with on the Oppo. I listened to a Denon 3930 for a brief while at the OC/LA/HF mixer meet and to me the Denon unmodded kicks the Oppos butt in the RB playback arena, not even close. Everything Mr. Reimyo CDP777 said is true. Different amps and cans were used on each one of my listening sessions but the sonic differences between the Oppo and Denon were huge to me, too much to be accounted for in the different cans and amps used. I bought the Oppo not for the RB anyway, I bought it as a cheap reasonably good source for HT in a playroom/visiting kids isolation booth.

"Honey everyone knows a cubic zirconium looks just like a real diamond".......honest!

I will be very interested to hear if the P5 eats the Scout (best memory) ...or the other way around. Have Laser TTs fallen off the "to be auditioned" list?

You just had a bad run and you go and post this? Ahh more bad Karma coming your way.....got any other equipment you need smoked?

Hhhhmmmmm. time to start saving up those pennies. I would have thought more. I must not be tempted.

Well I guess my week wasn't as bad as I thought afterall. Sorry to hear about yours, but Karma speaking, it was your turn. Go buy a Lottery ticket or something, you might win something, at least the Lottery folks can't come to you and take more money.

You make some great cables, and you are a nice guy too. Now can I have a discount on my next order? Perhaps for some silver plated copper XLRs?