Choose Your Own Audio Adventure
zombie boy 2000
Posts: 6,641
The wifey-poo has wisely thrown in the towel on searching for audio equipment for the Christmas season, and has asked point-blank what it is that I desire.
I've had two directions ricocheting around the noggin' for a bit now, and thought I would throw 'em both on the table to see what you guys think.
1) Go with the Lite Audio DAC (modded by Pacific Valve) along with a Monarchy Audio DIP 48/96 DIP Upsampler.
For those of you curious about the latter:
Monarchy Audio48/96 Upsampler
Features:
1: Upsamples from 44.1(standard CD) to 48 or 96 KHz (User Selectable)
*48KHz will work with most conventional
DAC’s for enhanced performance.
*96KHz will work with all 24/96 DAC’s
providing jitter reduction and signal
boosting.
2: Accurate Reference Clocks result in higher sonic performance for all DAC’s.
3: Down samples 96 Khz (DVD audio) for use with all conventional DAC’s
(so all DVD, or 24/96 discs can be played on them)
Unit must be set to 48 Khz output.
Basically, this is placed between the source and the DAC for added performance and has gotten rave reviews.
2) Shell out the ducets for another Monarchy Audio SM-70 Pro to run as monoblocks. Keep in mind that my room is small and my listening levels moderate. But then again, my speakers are 4 Ohm with a sensitivity of about 86 db. May not really need the extra juice. Just the added dynamics might be super duper nice.
If 1, please turn to page 23.
If 2, please turn to page 17.
Jason
I've had two directions ricocheting around the noggin' for a bit now, and thought I would throw 'em both on the table to see what you guys think.
1) Go with the Lite Audio DAC (modded by Pacific Valve) along with a Monarchy Audio DIP 48/96 DIP Upsampler.
For those of you curious about the latter:
Monarchy Audio48/96 Upsampler
Features:
1: Upsamples from 44.1(standard CD) to 48 or 96 KHz (User Selectable)
*48KHz will work with most conventional
DAC’s for enhanced performance.
*96KHz will work with all 24/96 DAC’s
providing jitter reduction and signal
boosting.
2: Accurate Reference Clocks result in higher sonic performance for all DAC’s.
3: Down samples 96 Khz (DVD audio) for use with all conventional DAC’s
(so all DVD, or 24/96 discs can be played on them)
Unit must be set to 48 Khz output.
Basically, this is placed between the source and the DAC for added performance and has gotten rave reviews.
2) Shell out the ducets for another Monarchy Audio SM-70 Pro to run as monoblocks. Keep in mind that my room is small and my listening levels moderate. But then again, my speakers are 4 Ohm with a sensitivity of about 86 db. May not really need the extra juice. Just the added dynamics might be super duper nice.
If 1, please turn to page 23.
If 2, please turn to page 17.
Jason
I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
Post edited by zombie boy 2000 on
Comments
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I went to page 23 and took a look. I flipped back to 17. Forward to 23. Back to 17. Pondered. 23 again. Thought about it. Back to 17.
Argh!
Um, I think, if it were me, I'd stay on page....
23!
Good luck!
Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10 -
Ha! Pretty good Halo. Especially considering neither said "The End".I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
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I haven't read the whole book yetzombie boy 2000 wrote:Ha! Pretty good Halo. Especially considering neither said "The End".
I just focused on the two pages you asked me to consider Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10 -
Per his sig: Dared SL-2000A tube preampZero wrote:What pre amp do you have?Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10 -
The Dared Sl-2000a. And before you gasp at any of the gain issues that this must present, I really haven't had any problems. Actually, I love it. Solid, budget entry into the world of tubes.
Any suggestions Sean? And would the DIP Classic actually be a better choice over the Upsampler? Besides being cheaper, it seems to read that the Upsampler only provides jitter reduction when paired with a 24/96 DAC (which I believe the Lite Audio is not, though I may be wrong...).
On the other hand, the Classic promises all the perks with all DAC's -- if not on the same level.I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore -
I accidently went to page 24 and was killed off by a gelatinous cube.
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Pthug-
Unless you read the whole page, you can still flip back.
fyi page 33 has a rabid Shirley McClaine biting the heads off of baby ducks and quite possibly you, the reader!!!I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore -
i have read this adventure 7 times now, but i always end up dying on page 5, even when i cheat and look ahead!
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I was accidentaly dropped on page 13 1/2; it says there that all the other pages are BS, and that the real solution is to get a tube CDP.......
hint...hint...._________________________________________________
***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***
2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
SOPAThank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman -
13 1/2 has crossed my mind as well Ricardo (as you're well aware:D )
Is your's up for sale? It seems I'll have to pry the Bada from EB's cold, dead hands:pI never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore -
There are only two things that I think will never leave this house; one is the BADA player, the other one is the Belles amp.
Preamp and speakers, they might come and go....._________________________________________________
***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***
2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
SOPAThank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman -
Man.. the Bada is awfully tempting (and has been for a while now). I'm just wondering since I already have tubes in the chain, if the results will be as staggering.... eeeshhh.....I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
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You are less than 90 minutes away......you're welcome to come have a listen..bring your gear to swap _________________________________________________
***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***
2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
SOPAThank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman -
Are you about 30 minutes north of Cincy?
You are close. I hadn't even thought about it. Thanks for the invite. I might just have to set something up:)I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore -
I live off exit 22 on I75; that's 22 miles from the river. Just let me know if you'd like to come over; we could do it a Friday evening or during the weekend; not many activities going on now that the cold weather is here._________________________________________________
***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***
2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
SOPAThank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman -
Sweet...
maybe a bottle of chloroform and a missing Bada are in your future:eek:
just kidding
Seriously, thanks for the invite. I'll see what I'm looking at with the holidays here, and try to make some plans. Of course, I'll keep ya posted:) Expect the Arros and the Monarchy in tote.I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore -
Z..
I certainly rolled the dice when I opted for the Dared's 20db of gain:D And though the volume knob never goes above 10, I've been pleased as the proverbial punch with the set-up. Besides, I always figured I could get some Rothschild attenuators if things got funky.
Will look into the Scott Nixon.. thanks for the advise:)
Maybe if you get a chance, you could take a peak over at Monarchy's site and see if my suspicions concerning the differences between the two DIPs are well-founded.I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore -
Well, there's not many preamps out there with lower gain where to choose from, at least in the less than 2K budget; I am sure there are, but even the Cary's and others supposed to be high end have gains of 20db or so. IMO not a big deal._________________________________________________
***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***
2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
SOPAThank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman -
I guess it's my understanding that a preamp with high gain paired with an amp of high sensitivity leads to a high noise floor? As well as an inability to "fine tune" your listening levels...
HT -- I noticed a tube preamp from Pacific Valve that had two separate pairs of outputs (one for high sensitivity amps and one for amps of low to average sensitivity).
But I agree, not much of an issue thus far...I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore -
Dunno...I've never shopped amps/preamps trying to match specs....and so far have not had issues...
I am glad now that this was not on my list...I'm sure I would have spent a lot more trying to get the right gain or the right sensitivity :rolleyes: _________________________________________________
***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***
2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
SOPAThank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
