Aura

Ah thanks for the correction, Ryan! Again, no changes pending to either power amp or the speakers because I'm just that happy with where I ended up and realized that I prefer single driver to everything. All that being said I'm still curious about different flavors ;). BTW you should come over sometime soon for tunes and booze.

Melody Gardot - My One and Only Thrill Goddamn easy to obsess over her voice.

@aardvark baguette Voxativ - tell us your thoughts... Oh yeah.... tagging. I can dig this.

Thanks for all the suggestions, fellas. I will never (and I repeat, NEVER) sell the Alerions but I'm curious if other implementations of things like widebanders can be that much better than what the DX55s already deliver. Voxativ Ampeggio looks really interesting. Anyone heard these before?

Just wondering about commercial releases... what else is out there besides Voxativ, Rethm, etc?

Happy birthday, Tom!

Just remembered to respond to this. I am officially taking a year hiatus from FFB. Mostly because I despise the NFL as a business.

My fifth year of Lollapalooza starts tomorrow. Tonight Allison and I are going to see a pre-show at Schuba's for Zella Day. Apparently people think she sounds like a happier, more energetic Lana Del Ray... not sure I agree, I think she just has catchy songs.

Arcade Fire - The Suburbs Still trying to convince myself that I like this album band.

Sublime with Rome - Sirens

Happy birthday, Antonio!

Isn't the raptor the one that could catch on fire? I remember making the mistake of touching one at an old Chicago meet.

Rain pours. $200 less for another pair. Cheap enough that if I had the space I'd do it just because.

Some great-looking Cain&Cain Abby's.

Thanks for the feedback Todd. I guess something I can't reconcile in my mind... Is it better to have your optimal DAC (from a sound preference perspective) with lesser preamp capabilities or your optimal preamp with a lesser DAC? *Apologies for the semi-threadjack, Ric. The Parasound looks pretty sweet... the P5 was another option for me as well, similar to the NAD but ultimately I think the NAD looks more up my alley. This integrated would be a perfect solution, especially for a second rig like living room HT.

Definitely considered that too but I'm hesitant on using a Sabre DAC in favor of my trusty Parasound 1100... just worried it would sound lifeless. Then again, it would be super easy to output from the Oppo to the Parasound whenever I wanted. So maybe I'm dumb.

Apart from that Exogal that Todd just got, I've been giving consideration to the NAD M12. Essentially a robust digital pre with M51-like DAC stuff thrown in. I've tossed around lots of other ideas but I just can't pinpoint any stand-alone pre that seems offer enough value.

Pitchfork music festival happening this weekend. Yesterday was Natalie Prass, Jessica Pratt, Mac Demarco, Panda Bear, Chvrches, and Wilco. Not sure what early stuff we're seeing today but will end with New Pornographers and Sleater Kinney. Tomorrow I think we're just going for Courtney Barnett and then bouncing immediately. Don't know anyone else playing but nofuxgiven.

Friday morning metal. I completely forgot this band existed. \m/ Job for a Cowboy - Doom

$15 packs are sold-out, can only do $25's now (which is $75 total).

I absolutely LOATHE oysters and even I could eat these every single day.

Confirmed that this sounds pretty goddamned-good even on Spotify.

Did I hear this? I think I did. It sounded really fucking nice with HD800's.... insanely neutral with a near-perfect midrange and absurd detail.

Happy birthday Greg!