dcstep

Responses from dcstep

Jazz artists for late starter.
I could also add to this list, but I'm wondering what you liked the most out of your initial purchase. Knowing that I might be more specific to your tastes. (Yeah, I know, sadly, no vocals and no brushes). ;-)Dave 
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06-25-08: Bar81 said:"I think for 10K, there should be something in writing besides what's out there."Well, there will be printed writing. Playback Designs is only into the second month of a new product launch. Reviewers actually have in hand prod... 
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Bar81, your lack of faith is understandable. I wavered myself and got on the phone with Jonathan, Andreas, Mike Lavigne and others. Given my appetite for risk, it was worth it, but I'd suspect that most would not find that risk acceptable.Frankly,... 
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Arbuckle, it's not ugly at all in person. Hopefully a professional photographer will soon take some shots with proper lighting and you'll see the fine finish and actual "handsome" exterior that goes with the superlative internal technology.Dave 
Rocky Mountain Audio Fest 2008
Be sure to check Frontier. They still have $200 fares from many parts of the country. I just bought a ticket for my grand daughter for $225. America and United will rip you a new one coming into Denver. Southwest is another good option for some.Dave 
speakers for classical music
Shardorne, I'm actually measuring those peaks, with my speakers, in my room. I don't think the peaks are lasting long enough to lead to significant compression when listening to actual music in my system. Those graphs you showed a few days ago of ... 
speakers for classical music
06-24-08: Shadorne said:"So combine performance levels around 110dB with speakers that easily reach 105 to 110dB and there's no 20dB of lost dynamic range. I don't think I am exaggerating. I don't think you will find many dynamic speakers that eas... 
Okay......best single box reference CD player
Yet some are already working with 32-bit DACs for new upsampling schemes. Those 32-bit DACs are under $50. What's better, a new 32-bit generic DAC or a ten-year old 16 DAC built like a brick sh*t house?? I don't know and I think that a lot depends... 
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The Playback Designs display is bright. Since it's not blue or green it photographs harshly, but in person it's VERY easy to read and understand.Dave 
Okay......best single box reference CD player
Mapman asked Dcstep:"Are you running a new CD player in your system other than the Pioneer listed in your published system here on Agon??"In fact I am. I was going to take some pictures and update my Virtual System this weekend to reflect the addi... 
Okay......best single box reference CD player
I hope you don't if I don't respond point by point, but I will respond to two or three. A billet aluminum chassis is one of the very best shields of RFI and EMI radiation. In digital components or analog components placed near digital components R... 
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Chadeffect, my friend, the Playback Design MPS-5 is not ugly at all in person. The pictures have not done it justice. When you see it in person I think you'll agree.I nominate the Chord as the ugliest, funkiest design.Dave 
Review: Playback Designs MPS-5 CD Player
Mike, I understand the advantage of a server or harddrive-based system is the lower error rate in reading a hard drive vs. an optical transport reading a CD or SACD. There's no advantage attributable to the DAC; therefore, like you, I'm very much ... 
speakers for classical music
Shadorne, I think you're really overstating the dynamic range of live performance and understating the dynamic level of widely available conventional speakers.I've taken my SPL meter to big band and orchestra rehearsals and taken readings right in... 
Okay......best single box reference CD player
Mapman, it doesn't sound to me like you're going to buy a $20,000 player no matter how good it sounds. Still, parts are only part of the equation. Most of the top players today basically use off-the-shelf parts and a designer develops the boards, ...