Recent content by earwaxxer

I agree with the laptop approach. I have an old Squeezbox Transporter sitting in the corner. Laptop sounds much better through USB. As some above have said, I use my iPhone as a remote to play JRiver on the laptop. I also play blu-ray through JRiver. Fantastic.

I didnt read every post here, but I did see squeezebox mentioned several times, as other things.. Look I was a died in the wool squeezebox Transporter devote until I went with JRiver 18 USB out to Wrd4snd Link. So much better sound than what the Transporter could ever do. Add whatever DAC you...

I would agree that redbook (16/44.1 PCM) can sound very good if handled correctly. Dither, minimum phase etc are some good methods to smooth out the filtering ruff spots. Many DAC's are now using min phase. You can use these techniques yourself in software if you are using a computer as a server...

I would say, from where I am today with my system, I would only consider a DAC, amp, music server etc, if it had balanced outputs/inputs. I have had the option of using balanced for quite some time, but I really didnt believe that it would be a benefit. Boy was I wrong . All of my gear has XLR...

I think I'm getting the gist of this thread.... In terms of a 'transport', IMO, there is more than just specs that yield the 'best' digital representation to the DAC. I have not tested this, but I would be willing to venture a guess, from my experience, that a PC/laptop with properly upsampled...

I would look at M2Tech

Yep - to many here - some more wires! JPS Labs - balanced interconnects. Fantastic. Sorry - wires matter.

cables - use JPS Labs - its a no brainer. Try the cheapest ones you can buy. Then you will understand.

yep - I like using the digital front end as the preamp - going balanced to the power amp. I use Transporter as pre- Gungnir as DAC - balanced to the Emotiva XPA-2. Very nice.

I would have to agree with the above. 'Boomy' bass, is not a fault of the amp, unless the amp is underpowered and distorting. That kind of sound is usually what I would associate with a sub par system, not what you have. The only thing I would do to solve 'boomyness' is to make sure I have...

I would say that the 105 would be a good 'replacement' for the Touch, but I wouldnt get rid of the Touch until you give the Oppo a good extended audition. In fact, I wouldnt get rid of the Touch PERIOD. You can always go digital out from it, and still enjoy the server aspect. I have the...

What is lacking in your sound that you are looking for? That might help isolate where to begin.

I would look at PSB's, or Magnepan. Very different animals. I'm a maggie lover, but I have a pair of PSB's that I will never sell.

yes! - if they bulge or leak - get rid of them. If you can replace old ones with new audiophile grade caps - ex. elna - I would.

IMO, amplifier power is a relative thing in certain applications. As others have said, tube watts usually translate to more perceived power (vs. SS) for a given rating. It also depends on the type of music, and how loud one listens. With that said, there is no replacement for headroom at any...