Best post ever. You should be able to do both. I don't believe smoking herb leads to making poor decisions. That's what alcohol does, not weed. The only poor decision a stoned person ever made was eating Doritos instead of Kale chips.
Upgrade my DAC or buy more weed?
So I was just listening to Bad Company (Live) "No Smoke Without a Fire" at near deafening levels (about 94db at my seat), the REL G1 was pumping away... it sounded like I was actually at the effing concert... and I am POSITIVE my neighbor was hearing what was going on as well... and I was wondering if I really should be thinking about upgrading to a better DAC or if those funds might be better invested on more weed?
It seems like more and more lately, that when I am baked on a heavy Indica like Bubba Kush, Blackwater or AK-47, that I seem to "get" the music more and enjoy the listening session more. Also, it seems that I become more open to different types of music as well. Likely the same with musicians and song writers... they probably create some of their best work when they are high.
Just wondering I guess about dumping more money into system upgrades or just leave it as is and keep on smokin' ?
It seems like more and more lately, that when I am baked on a heavy Indica like Bubba Kush, Blackwater or AK-47, that I seem to "get" the music more and enjoy the listening session more. Also, it seems that I become more open to different types of music as well. Likely the same with musicians and song writers... they probably create some of their best work when they are high.
Just wondering I guess about dumping more money into system upgrades or just leave it as is and keep on smokin' ?
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If you live in the State where medicated marijuana is legal, go that path - it's cheaper and better for your health I heard, and it's safer when you go to get it. On the audio side, have you considered spinning plastic (Turn table)? I had 2 TTs and never used them for years. Just hook one up because my wife put it near my system today. Wow - it has soul man that is missing from digital, even with high level DAC...Super audio CD's come closer , but I still prefer analog sound. Just something to think about, before forking out big dough on digital. |
dbtom2116 posts08-17-2016 9:19amI believe that DAC is a known 'gateway' device. Your desire to upgrade it is typical of a user's path to harder, more devastatingly costly equipment.Now that made me laugh out loud. Good one db. |
Arizona is a bit "strange". It's really gotten way too big here (about 4.2 million people in all of the Phoenix Metro area)... more crime, more illegals, more drug problems (only the bad drugs, not weed). Sheriff Joe does like the make headlines. I bought the Grommes from an Audiogon member about 2 months ago - he was local. He bought from the last batch they made around 2 years ago. It uses EL84 for output - I have Telefunken in there now. Not sure of the other smaller tube types. Very nice sound (as many SET amps are I suppose), but with 1.8-watts, needs the right speaker. |
I have the EE Minimax Supreme as well. Rolling tubes is an option but I think changing out the opamps makes a bigger difference; I changed the stock ones out for Sparkos, no soldering required. I go back and forth on which sounds better. They're just different, that's for sure. The optical input on mine went bad but otherwise, it's a lovely DAC. |
Depends on whether they are DIP packages or SMD. If DIP, depends on whether they were socketed or not. If not, take them out, add some nice sockets, and then do what you want with the op amps. In addition to chip rolling (just swapping one set of IC's for another) there's also some discrete op amps that will fit into a DIP package with enough clearance. :) Fun stuff to do if your gear isn't htat expensive. If it is, I suggest new gear instead. :) Best, Erik |
The EE Tube DAC has much more capability than you have heard if you haven't swapped out the 4 IC that come in sockets with the unit. The Burson V5 discrete component opamps are a revaluation, especially if you bypass the output coupling capacitors of the EE. The Sparkos discrete component opamps are also a quite remarkable. |
Last Friday, I saw Alice Cooper in Fort Lauderdale. There is no way a better DAC would have made the experience better. Your alternative choice did just that. Unfortunately, when I returned home to a 250 wpc stereo powering B&W 803's I had a midrange speaker quit after about an hour. The next day it worked. What's up with that? Seriously, these are not my old speakers with protection circuitry I use for parties. Is a crossover overheating? |
From my personal experience on the matter, which I would argue I have more of than anyone else here, weed dulls the senses if used regularly. If used occassionally, it skews it. Some people find this skewd perciption as pleasurable to the listening experience. I find that I enjoy my listening sessions more when sober and I can hear details better. On the other hand, lsd and extacy opened my hearing up so much that music became a spiritual experience; many times it was the best experience of my life, others it was the worst (think hell) and that's why I stopped. Again, I feel like I am very qualified to speak onthis topic. Weed does make you dumber than you'd be if you didnt smoke it and it is bad for memory. Like all things in life, moderation is key. Anything we love and enjoy becomes dull and boring if done all day, everyday. I think alcohol is more physically and mentally destructive. I also think that smoking a pack of ciggerettes a day is harder on your lungs than smoking 5 or 6 bowls a day. As for vaporizing your herb, if you are concerned about your lungs, try shatter. I've tried shatter that tasted amazing (think oranges or lemons) and gets you exactly where you want to be after 2 rips (I am a heavy smoker with a high tolerance). Honestly, for as analytical as we audio guys are, shatter is where it is at. As far as xanex and oxy, etc, are concerned, they are far far worse for you than weed. Oxy is heroine without all the dirty junk in it. Most heroine addicts would prefer to take oxy than heroine. Many people are prescribed oxy and when they no longer have a prescription, turn to heroine. Another ill side effect of smoking herb is making poor decisions regarding the sale or purchase of audio equipment. Its happened to me before. I do my best now to be sober when making those types of decisions! Anyhow, Im off to meet up with a cutie, burn a j and enjoy the beautiful mountains where I live (by the way, weed is legal where I am, both med and rec). Happy Listening, and Living :) |
Most excellent OP and responses. Is this a great country or what? Apart from a (very) few testy responses, a friendly, lively, and very funny exchange on a really interesting general topic (effect of intoxicants and technology on the quality of listening experience). G-d bless the First Amendment. I would love to see the Freakonomics guys sort out the marginal utility of a better dac v. better weed. Cheers (literally and figuratively), Alex |
Think of the different types of weed like alcohol. They each have their signature buzz. Beer, wine liquor and all the variants in each category are similar in effect but have a different mood associated with them. The effect on music is universal - more focus, separation and "there" there - like the room suddenly has perfect acoustics and the gear is flawless. Aside from that, your appreciation is dependent on your mood. Experience necessary to choose the right one for you. |
Man has used intoxicants since the dawn of time. I am not surprised to see a thread about weed and the music appreciation business. Makes perfect sense. As far as a better DAC goes, I don't know what you are currently using ...but yes, an improvement in the DAC will get you to a level where your next "session" will reveal another component or interconnect that is lacking ;-) My first DAC was a piece of junk, in retrospect. Then came a series of improvements that made my head spin with the differences. I've had similar experiences upgrading every component since then. I am curious as to the specific music-relevant effects you discern with different strains of weed. You mentioned Indica, can you give us some idea as to how that differs from the other major strain Sativa? Also, are there significant differences in specific varieties when it comes to music appreciation? I am not making fun, you asked a serious question. |
Audiofreak32, I'll give you $500 for your old DAC, $100 for a month's supply of weed, and $150 for 30 minutes with your avatar model. Deal? How fondly I remember my first time listening to Led Zep One high. A dude on a Harley pulled into the gas station I was working at on Memorial Day 1968, I think. After I washed his windshield and carefully filled his tank, he asked me for a paper towel, threw a handful of weed in it and thanked me. I don't know where he got his weed; but wow! The music was soooo beautiful man! I took the two bookshelf speakers with me out on the roof and held them 2 inches from my ears. It was bliss! One of my fondest memories. |
Audiofreak32, very interesting thread, at time most people don't take it seriously it is the real trigger, I personally know few people over 40 and 50 who changed their latest models of Panasonic to an old ones Linn Majiks and else old but real Hi-Fies and even Hi-Ends after they understood the tremendous power of musical compositions in another state of mind and the Importance of quality, clarity and dynamic of sound. |
Well put dweller... It is with a heavy heart that I must inform anyone following this post that this will be my last entry this evening as I am starting to lose motor skills and even typing this message now, I am having to go back to really check that I spelled all these words correctly (even the small ones). So, I must bid you all farewell and happy listening. I have gone back in time a bit to an older Dead Can Dance song "Nierika"... pretty awesome. It is also on their live CD "Anastasis in Concert"... WOW. |
Awesome volcano! Too funny! I guess I stirred up some "stuff" with this post, but I think it is good sometimes to partake, let loose and have fun as long as it is under control and not the only thing you know how to do in life. Let's not go get hammered on weed or alcohol and then go drive around town though. I started a listening session on the SS amp about 60 minutes ago and I am currently "involved" to say the least. Very much enjoying the latest offering from Dead Can Dance at high volume. Isn't there anyone who wants to buy my lot of MFSL Gold CD's ??? |
I would buy a volcano vape unit and have it modified with a better power cord, dynamat internally to damp vibrations, change out the red led for blue and have still points inserted into the base of the unit for mechanical grounding. Also the power switch /temp dial could probably benefit from replacing with a mil/spec part. Maybe someone will create a better bellows fan with carbon fiber for the ultimate upgrade. |
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Well if you buy the DAC used and don’t overpay, you can always try and resell the loser. That's nice if you are really interested in hearing other DACs. The weed, well it pretty much goes up in smoke and that's the end.. :^) FWIW I’ve heard the EE DAC is pretty good but have not actually heard it. I had an mhdt tube DAC. Tube rolling (coincidence) made a big difference in sound. If you have a tube pre-amp and/or amp, I think little value in a tube DAC also. I sold mine and still use the SS version of the mhdt DAC and have been happy with that for several years now. |
