What did you do to your stereo rig today?
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As long as you like what your money was spent on, up to the highs being recessed, enjoy them.
Can you turn a treble dial or treble setting up?
When you get some Polk audio towers in the future, I expect you'll hear a lot more and better musical sound.
How's the secondary market where you live? Yardsales, Goodwill stores, thrift stores, pawn shops or the unbeatable Facebook marketplace and Craig's list sites?Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.
“Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured.”
--Mark Twain.
“If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.” - Steven Wright -
As long as you like what your money was spent on, up to the highs being recessed, enjoy them.
Can you turn a treble dial or treble setting up?
When you get some Polk audio towers in the future, I expect you'll hear a lot more and better musical sound.
How's the secondary market where you live? Yardsales, Goodwill stores, thrift stores, pawn shops or the unbeatable Facebook marketplace and Craig's list sites?
I am enjoying the rig so far. I left the little rig play all day as I was out running earns. I can't wait till this evenings listening session.
The DTA-PRO has treble and bass settings but are currently set to 0. Theres also a direct option.
I do have some small Polk R40 towers. That'll be a fun comparison! I wonder what they cost new?
The secondary market is pretty crap for the most part when it comes to high-end electronics in my area.
2ch rig: Speakers: LSi9s with VR3's Fortress mods Preamplifier: Parasound P5 DAC: Fiio K13 Amplifier: Parasound A23 CDP: Pioneer DV-563A Cables: Wireworld Equinox 7 XLR ICs, Wireworld Ultraviolet 7 USB, AudioQuest Q2s, AudioQuest NRG X(preamp)
Standby: Magnepan LRS w/Magna Riser stands -
The LPS arrived today. I'm currently burning it in. The highest amp draw I've seen so far is .3a. I'm going to run it for a while to see how noisy the cooling fan is in it.2ch rig: Speakers: LSi9s with VR3's Fortress mods Preamplifier: Parasound P5 DAC: Fiio K13 Amplifier: Parasound A23 CDP: Pioneer DV-563A Cables: Wireworld Equinox 7 XLR ICs, Wireworld Ultraviolet 7 USB, AudioQuest Q2s, AudioQuest NRG X(preamp)
Standby: Magnepan LRS w/Magna Riser stands -
Ok here's a quick recap of last nights shoot out for the T65s vs. R40s (since no ones asking for it
). I wanted more highs and got them with the R40s! That's where the comparison end. The T65s take the cake everywhere else. The easiest way to put it is, bigger speaker bigger sound (and stage).
Eagle eye viewers will notice the adjustable LPS on the bottom right shelf doing its thing. I can't say I noticed a huge difference in SQ while using the LPS. But wait! There WAS a gigantic difference in this little amps performance! It actually ran cooler and louder with out clipping believe it or not. I couldn't turn the amp up past 70 with the SPS before I noticed the sound was degrading/clipping.
It's really cool to watch a real time amperage draw!(If you're nerdy like me ). For the most part it ran between .230A-.289A. I did manage to push the little amp to draw 1amp! but you are exceeding 80 plus on the volume and the music was way WAY to loud to listen to for any extended period of time. The fan in this unit is audibly noticeable, but only ran when it was pushed hard than switched it's self off.(I like that alot!).
This "sesh" went to midnight lol
2ch rig: Speakers: LSi9s with VR3's Fortress mods Preamplifier: Parasound P5 DAC: Fiio K13 Amplifier: Parasound A23 CDP: Pioneer DV-563A Cables: Wireworld Equinox 7 XLR ICs, Wireworld Ultraviolet 7 USB, AudioQuest Q2s, AudioQuest NRG X(preamp)
Standby: Magnepan LRS w/Magna Riser stands -
Bought my 1st Mac gear!
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Conradicles wrote: »Bought my 1st Mac gear!
Nice; What did you get? -
I brought home my first brand new Marantz piece since 77. So far I'm liking what I'm hearing
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MHA150
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Tonight, I determined that my trusty Benchmark HPA4 preamp has serious issues with the two RCA inputs
Initially, I feared that source components were the problem, but after testing with different components and cables, I have narrowed it down to the HPA4 RCA inputs themselves. The two XLR inputs still work fine, so I will be able to limp along until I figure out next steps.
I've recently been testing a couple of RTR tape decks through one of the RCA inputs of the HPA4, but now both RCA inputs are bad, so I don't really think the recent tape deck testing has created the problem."This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
"Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon -
Update to my previous post: I contacted Benchmark about the issue with my HPA4 preamp, and the next day I had a reply. Short version: after checking my S/N, they said my unit is still under warranty, gave me an RMA number, and off it went. It was delivered to their HQ in Syracuse, NY today, so I'll be waiting for their evaluation. Honestly, being Memorial Day week, I'm going to temper my expectations, and not be overly critical about progress.
In the meantime, I'm using my Benchmark DAC3/HGC as a preamp, and honestly, I don't feel like I'm 'settling' at all. IMO, they are amazing, and quite unassuming, little units."This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
"Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon -
Update to my previous post: I contacted Benchmark about the issue with my HPA4 preamp, and the next day I had a reply. Short version: after checking my S/N, they said my unit is still under warranty, gave me an RMA number, and off it went. It was delivered to their HQ in Syracuse, NY today, so I'll be waiting for their evaluation. Honestly, being Memorial Day week, I'm going to temper my expectations, and not be overly critical about progress.
In the meantime, I'm using my Benchmark DAC3/HGC as a preamp, and honestly, I don't feel like I'm 'settling' at all. IMO, they are amazing, and quite unassuming, little units.
Benchmark’s customer service moves faster than some amps warm up… maybe they are magic boxes
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True dat. I got notice yesterday that my preamp is now on its way back homeBenchmark’s customer service moves faster than some amps warm up… maybe they are magic boxes
That was a one-day turnaround, during Memorial Day week. Impressive! Since their roots are in professional/studio gear, I wonder if the competitive nature of that market has made them uber responsive overall. "This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
"Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon -
Memorial Day shenanigans:
The weather was gloomy, foggy and rainy. So I got to spend a lot of time playing with the chi-fi rig again
. I decided since I had a pair of Dayton Audio B65s laying around that I'd do a little comparison between them and my PolkAudio LS-FXs. As I was warming everything up I noticed when I played with the bi/di pole switch the sound in the tweeters were scratchy or cutting in and out while in di pole mode (which was the mode I want to run them in). So I decided to remove the crossovers and use some of my audiophile quality CRC electronic cleaner on the switches and cycled them ~25 times each.
While the switches dried I listened to the B65s for a while and liked what I was hearing from the mids to the highs but came to the conclusion that they and the LS-FXs were needing to be paired with a sub. So I broke out a old PSW202 I had laying around and wouldn't you know it the plate amp $#*t the bed after only two song while paired with the B65s .
That's when I decided to put the LS-FX back together and give them a listen. Wouldn't you know it the issue with the switches were resolved! During the listening Sesh I had them in dipole mode. These little speakers are great! I couldn't believe how much bigger they sound than they actually are. They totally give Maggie vibes (on a much smaller scale) . I can't wait to pair them with a sub.
As for the POS PSW202 I'm going to order a new Dayton Audio plate amp (to continue the theme) for it as soon as the one I want is back in stock .
Some photos:
The T65s are now currently back in the rig.
2ch rig: Speakers: LSi9s with VR3's Fortress mods Preamplifier: Parasound P5 DAC: Fiio K13 Amplifier: Parasound A23 CDP: Pioneer DV-563A Cables: Wireworld Equinox 7 XLR ICs, Wireworld Ultraviolet 7 USB, AudioQuest Q2s, AudioQuest NRG X(preamp)
Standby: Magnepan LRS w/Magna Riser stands -
I like your sign!
Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 * -
Just installed a few things today.
L600 (front), R200 (rear), R200 (rear surround), L400 (center), Sunfire HRS-10 (2)Marantz AV7706Sunfire Cinema Grand, Marantz M8077, Music Hall Stealth, Ortofon bronze cartridge, Parasound Zphono XRM, Sony UBP-X800 -
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The coil close to it is 90 degrees so should be ok- Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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I can always move the crossover to the other side of the enclosure. Seams to sound good though. Much better than the original crossovers.L600 (front), R200 (rear), R200 (rear surround), L400 (center), Sunfire HRS-10 (2)Marantz AV7706Sunfire Cinema Grand, Marantz M8077, Music Hall Stealth, Ortofon bronze cartridge, Parasound Zphono XRM, Sony UBP-X800
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The best coil configuration is a flat and a 90, you can get very very very close with minimal issues.
I think you should be fine
Rock N roll!- Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit. -
It’s not a big deal to move the board it will just take about an hour for me. I have the one in the other speaker mounted on the side opposite the inductor. That one was harder to find a spot where the 6 required mounting screws and spacers would miss the grooves in the box wall and still be able to get my tools inside to mount the boards. If I take them apart I may just mount the crossover to a separate board and then mount that board to the cabinet. That will be easier since I won’t have to worry about all the spacers.
Everything I read from the loudspeaker design cookbook is a minimum of 3” and 90 degrees should be good. I’ll probably just take the time this weekend and move it.L600 (front), R200 (rear), R200 (rear surround), L400 (center), Sunfire HRS-10 (2)Marantz AV7706Sunfire Cinema Grand, Marantz M8077, Music Hall Stealth, Ortofon bronze cartridge, Parasound Zphono XRM, Sony UBP-X800 -
Finally introduced a tube component to the system, and am very happy with the pairing of a Joule Electra LA-150SE preamp with the Parasound A21. 95% of my listening is streaming Qobuz using my Lumin streamer as a preamp with its LEEDH volume control. I've been hesitant to put a preamp in the signal path for fear of losing clarity/resolution. Shouldn't have worried. If I've lost anything, I can't tell, and the fuller, richer, bigger soundstage I'm hearing now has me planted in front of the speakers and reluctant to move.
Thanks to Rich Brkich, the "Joule Doctor" - so generous with his time and patience. Great transaction start to finish! -
Well, I will say this. That's a fine sounding preamp. You choose....
Wisely.
Enjoy your new found sound. I don't know about others on this board, but I can't go without tubes in the main rig. I did that once, after having tubes in the rig for many years and couldn't stand it. It sounded like an all SS system. Anyhoo, congrat's to you on the aqusition of the Joule. Enjoy!
Tom~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~ -
Appreciate your kind words, Tom. Your example, along with others here, convinced me to give it try. Glad I did, even if it took until now. Slow learner, I guess.
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Testing the vintage Yamaha A-760 integrated amp that I gave to my daughter, via a pair of Infinity RS5 speakers, on my 'side system'.
Her former roommates cranked the volume to max on her system, which fried one of the vintage AR speakers she had, but we weren't sure about the amp. I *think* the amp is okay, but one of the AR speakers has toasted drivers. Right now, though, playing the amp through these Infinity RS5, it sounds mighty fine I love these speakers
"This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
"Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon -
Another day and I will have my Musical Fidelity Tri-vista 21 back together. It was a lot of work, but I just finished replacing all of the Jamicon electrolytic capacitors with Nichion FG, all of the .01uf and .3pf ceramic capacitors with Wima MKP film capacitors, and all of the Chinese film capacitors with Wima equivalents. The NE5532AP opamps were removed and I installed sockets, so I can play with various combinations of OPA2134PA and LM4562NA opamps. I also replaced the RCA output jacks with Cardas CTFA and swapped the RCA input jack with Pomona BNC jack. I had some Siless matt leftover from my truck, so I put a square of that on the lid. I'm curious if these mods will alter or improve this DAC. I'm also interested in comparing the Tri-vista to the Lumin's on board DAC.
Enjoying the journey while never attaining the destination. -
Dang, you have come a long way...
Tom~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~ -
Definitely worth the investment and effort! The Lumin DAC is really very good, but in a side by side comparison... There really is no comparison. There's so much more detail revealed through the Tri-vista. Deeper and more impactful bass and there's a sparkle in the high frequencies that makes everything sound more realistic. The sound stage is so precise that I found myself looking for the instrument that caught my attention. Considering that with all the new parts the DAC isn't even "burned in" I anticipate it is only going to get better. I'm a happy camper!Enjoying the journey while never attaining the destination.
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Testing some VR3 pads...
