Voltron

DOTU MOTU sounds like a cartoon character, but maybe just because it is close to one of my heroes (not really). I don't need the 16 channels at all, but the Berkeley Audio people apparently like it because it is 24/192 capable, does digital only so no analog business to muck it up, and because they think you should have a big-ass computer sitting in your rig. I don't really want an external firewire thing because the idea of taking this from place to place is appealing to me since I have rigs in two places.

Me no know. Are there limits on the bit rate of the output? Can it do 24/192 from the optical? I simply do not know, but I understand that the AE is limited to 16/44. Lynx Studio Technology AES16e PCI Express AES/EBU Interfaces The AES16e offers 16 channels of 192 kHz AES/EBU I/O. In addition to the base model, the AES16e-SRC includes sixteen channels of sample rate conversion and AES16e-50 will provide up to 32 additional digital inputs/outputs via AES50 technology. The AES16e builds on the capabilities of our industry-standard AES16 with an updated feature set and the benefits of the PCI Express interface. The architecture and higher bandwidth of PCI Express reduces bottlenecks and overhead, which provides higher performance for computer-based high end audio. The AES16e x1 PCI Express card provides 16 channels of 24-bit AES/EBU digital audio at a 192 kHz sample rate in both single-wire and dual-wire AES modes. Designed to integrate digital consoles, multi-channel A/D and D/A converters, hard disk recorders, digital audio workstations and other digital audio equipment, the AES16e is compatible with Windows and Macintosh operating systems. The AES16e-SRC provides 16 channels of sample rate conversion, which may be switched on for any or all of the 8 digital inputs. The third model, the AES16e-50, will add up to 32 digital I/O channels using AES50 technology, carrying the digital signal on standard CAT5 or CAT6 cable. Features * x1 PCI Express interface works with Macintosh or Windows PCs with PCI Express slots (x1 - x16). * Eight stereo inputs and eight stereo outputs (16 mono I/O), AES/EBU format, 24-bit, single wire and dual wire, transformer coupled. * Extensive on-board digital mixer. * Optional sixteen channels of Sample Rate Conversion. Support for conversion ratios up to 16:1 with 144 dB dynamic range and -140dB THD+N. * Optional AES50 interface. * All relevant settings, such as sample rate selection, sync source selection, channel routing, and buffer size are enabled, controlled and monitored from the host computer. * Multi-channel support of 5.1 and 7.1 surround playback formats. * Includes Lynx-exclusive SynchroLock

Bastards. How about PC laptops? Or Mac Mini?

I just checked out the Alpha Dac at a shop yesterday, although I didn't get to hear it in action due to short time and their preamp not cooperating. I am trying to figure out if there is a way to use their preferred Lynx AES16e PCI-Express digital I/O card with any Mac laptop (current or recent past) or if the big box Macs are the only option for that beast.

Erik Friedlander -- Broken Arm Trio

I like that you can tell exactly what they were dealing by they way they look: Pot Speed Acid Shrooms Moonshine distilled by his sister/wife Glue Hairspray Kool-Aid Ecstasy Anger

According to NYT: And because the Touch Book was built on an open-source platform, users have their choice of operating systems, including Google

Masada String Trio conducted by John Zorn while sitting Indian-style in front of the musicians. This was an amazing performance, including the unique conducting style of Zorn that involves lots of funky hand gestures such as the redruM, the temple-point, and the Jazz Hands. The musicians were all incredible: Mark Feldman (violin), Erik Friedlander (cello), and Greg Cohen (bass), especially Feldman and Friedlander played the crap out of instruments that are often dainty. Plucking, strumming, bowing, and bashing in turns and at the precise direction of Zorn. Cohen was playing with a right arm that looked like it was Hell Boy's, all reddish purple, swollen and painful looking. Jewish jazz music on strings couldn't sound better than this. As Clarke said, you would absolutely pick those three guys if you were to put together a dream trio for this music. Even without any association or limitation to Jewish music, it was awesome in its own right.

These two 45 RPM beauties arrived from Music Matters yesterday:

There's also this convertible tablet/netbook/refrigerator magnet thing written up in NYT Circuits today:

Are bashing and aplomb mutually exclusive?

Nat King Cole -- Re:Generations Likely to be my only listen to this one...

A Killer Good birthday to you!

Cool. I'd like to see her sometime.

The Chuck 69 is damn big for that little bugger of a can amp. What's up with that (other than the obvious Chuck philosophy answers).

Or you could build a listening room out of lead with dedicated stand-alone circuits and no other electronics.

That described HeadphoneAddict, not you.

Yeah, Clarke, I am having a hard time figuring out what to see and what not to miss. The String Trio is so much better than I expected after a few listens of the last weeks that I may be joining you late night tomorrow. Right now, Sunday's offering is on tap: John Zorn -- Electric Masada: 50th Birthday Celebration Vol. 4

You tell me. He was dogged here for ages but it was mostly before I hung out here as much.

I have absolutely heard improvements and the opposite with changes in power cords and power conditioners. And the other thing too.

But stop sucking up to Mike. Nobody liked him over here for years but now we just put up with him for the t-shirts.

I use power conditioners and fancy cables and like them so you all can go to hell.