audioengr
Responses from audioengr
| Benchmark to amp direct question? Depends on the preamp. Most separate preamps are much better than the stock unit. With volume control mods however, it can be quite marvelous. It trounces my fully modded Mark Levinson #38, which I thought was quite transparent. Have to keep getti... | |
| PC-Based Set Up/Process - Comments? USB, at least with an Off-Ramp converter, has lower jitter and 24/96 capability. However, with a Pace-Car reclocker, the SB3 passes it up. Only a simple mod needed to the SB3.Steve N.Empirical Audio | |
| PC-Based Set Up/Process - Comments? Fishbone222 - kmixer is avoided for PC when using ANY networked server, such as AE, SB3, Sonos or Olive etc...kmixer is only a problem for USB streaming audio, and only for certain devices and firmware. It is not a problem for my Off-Ramp and Free... | |
| Benchmark Dac1 - next step recommendations please Streetdaddy - I have them and use them all, Squeezebox, Sonos, Off-Ramp USB converters. I like the Sonos myself. The output is very jittery stock however, so I highly recommend a Pace-Car reclocker. The first Zone player of Sonos needs a network d... | |
| PC-Based Set Up/Process - Comments? You can connect the AE directly to the Toslink input on a DAC, but the jitter is really awful. Requires a reclocker to clean it up, or at least a really good clock and S/PDIF digital output mod.Jitter is not bad on a Squeezebox, even stock. Slaved... | |
| Benchmark Dac1 - next step recommendations please You can actually have your cake and eat it too. With the I2S interface that Empirical puts on the DAC-1, you can add a USB to I2S converter, or a Sonos, Olive or Squeezebox reclocked through a Pace-Car reclocker. This gives you the most flexibilit... | |
| What is new with the Memory Player? Tbg - I heard a Behold system at CES and was not impressed. I even brought my own music track for them to rip. Maybe it was the setup because I have heard that it can sound very good. I examined the technology and made some observations:1) the Clo... | |
| What is new with the Memory Player? Tedmbrady - Reviewers, like many audiophiles that have not reached audio nirvana can be awed when there is a big improvement in their systems. It is all relative. I have learned not to trust reviewers and be very wary of their system quality. I do... | |
| What is new with the Memory Player? Value proposition? I believe there are much easier and cheaper ways of doing the same thing, and even better. Why duplicate a PC when you can just buy one? Why limit the customer to one DAC when there are so many to choose from? How does the MP su... | |
| Airport Express vs. Squeezebox 3 No contest. The stock SB3 beats the stock AE. | |
| What is new with the Memory Player? Drubin - I do have a cable builder, but for the mods and product assembly, there is noone capable in this location. I plan to outsource the assembly of my circuit boards soon and transition out of the modding business. This should solve it.Steve N. | |
| What is new with the Memory Player? Drubin - I've been to the show before. I have to have my own room and system if I do the show, and that means 3 days driving each way pulling a trailer, plus the three show days. I just cannot afford the time. I'm backlogged 15 weeks right now. If... | |
| What is new with the Memory Player? Bigamp - If there is a bonfide shootout scheduled at RMAF, I will be there with my gear. I will ask Al Stiefel if we can do a shootout, or if anything is/can be planned.Steve N.Empirical Audio | |
| suggest laptop for music storage Jax2 - TACT 2150 is a "digital amp", which means it performs the functions of DAC, preamp and amplifier all in one, without ever changing the signal to analog. Some Panasonic receivers (SA-XR50, SA-XR70) do this too and they sound very good. If th... | |
| suggest laptop for music storage Kana813 - heard the TACT gear at CES. Do you drive the 2150 with a computer or a transport?Seems like it should have a clock output to drive a transport as a slave in order to reduce jitter.Steve N. |