4est

Responses from 4est

DAC recomendations $1500-$3000
Wow, that thread has over 50 pages! Yikes... 
Any devices like Squeezbox Touch but handle 192/24
I am sure at least one of those does. The top two ought toBuild a vortexbox maybe? http://vortexbox.org/about/ 
Any devices like Squeezbox Touch but handle 192/24
An appliance server aka Digital Music Server. They work very similar to the SB.AuralitiSonoreNaimBryston and PS Audio maybe as wellTypically controlled by another computer, Ipod/Ipad, or Android. 
How do you test different tubes?
Andy at Vintage Tube Services has the real deal. The idea that there are no good NOS tubes out there is patently untrue. As Elizabeth indicated, many private sellers are offing ones they did not like, but the best dealers are getting ones through ... 
Music Server VS Laptop
There are dedicated music servers that are better than off the shelf computers for audio. One would need to have a pretty hot DAC and a well tuned system to hear it. I'd stay put unless you've got money burning a hole in your pocket. 
Does Hardware Matter?
You will most likely not discern a difference in computers for streaming radio, and all you really need is a streaming device. E.g.:the Squeeze Box, Airport Express, Apple TV and a host of others will be just fine. If anything, I would consider a ... 
Ever tried putting a cap inline with RCA for XOVER
Yes, a cap in series will act like a high pass filter. It is done regularly. 
You never see this anymore
There may not be a manufacturer, but there are companies that do it such as Ciamara. 
Vibraplane: Should it be loaded close to limit?
Hmm, I thought that you could adjust the air pressure to the load? 
Importance of computer for DAC shootout
For starters you might want to test file types and player programs. On my system I notice a distinct and repeatable difference in them (alac,flac,aiff and wav). Yes, I realize that there should be none, alas.If your system can resolve those differ... 
Biamping: Emotiva, W4S, Parasound or ..?
I would have to recommend the second paragraph options. The superlative bass the JC 1s have on my Magnepans is hard to leave behind. A point could be made for using the same amps, or maybe the A1 for the mids/highs. 
Digital Source Comparison - An audible difference?
I do know how much difference you will hear between those two, but I will say that the transport makes as much difference as the DAC...or more. 
media player for mac.
My rough order of preference:Fidelia -detail and dynamics, get the full version $79Amarra - just feels good, too priceyDecibel and Audirvana are tied.Pure Music- this may rank much higher, honestly it has been awhile on this one. Bit perfect is in... 
Why has audio become so specilized over the years?
I do not really see it as all that much more complex than it used to be. There have always been separates. In fact, one could say that the 70's-80's was the "down" period of hifi wherein receivers and cassette decks were hot. What has changed I th... 
Sonic differences between Mac Mini 2009 and 2010?
Interesting...I have heard from Mach2Music that the 2011 outperforms the 2009.