Varnish connoisseurs
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Re: Varnish connoisseurs
Have you thought about building a DDDAC? A giant killer by all accounts. http://www.dddac.com/sales.html
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Re: Varnish connoisseurs
Audioquest Jitterbug USB thing. Foo or legit - what's your opinion? Got one?
I'm curious and essentially sceptic, but would really like to know what it does / if it does anything.
I'm curious and essentially sceptic, but would really like to know what it does / if it does anything.
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Re: Varnish connoisseurs
Some people swear by them, some people would call you a mug for buying one. Same goes for the Ifi audio ones. I say try it and see for yourself. It's not the most expensive Hi-fi mistake you'll ever make if you sell it on. What DAC do you have?
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Re: Varnish connoisseurs
No dac yet. I'm using the audio out of my AirportExpress for now, which honestly is plenty good. Still saving up for the service of my valve power amp
But when my toy fund allows I would like to get one of these
Mark Levinson 360
Audio Research DAC 6
Northstar Intenso
a girl can dream
Also having Apple at home I could always use toslink for 44/16 so what the Jitterbug is supposed to do could be done with spdif anyway.
Thing is those things are cheap as chips in the UK at around £30 compared to mainland Europe (shipping not included) and I'm a bit bored

But when my toy fund allows I would like to get one of these
Mark Levinson 360
Audio Research DAC 6
Northstar Intenso
a girl can dream

Also having Apple at home I could always use toslink for 44/16 so what the Jitterbug is supposed to do could be done with spdif anyway.
Thing is those things are cheap as chips in the UK at around £30 compared to mainland Europe (shipping not included) and I'm a bit bored

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Re: Varnish connoisseurs
Get an Aries mini and spend the change on vinyl.
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Re: Varnish connoisseurs
Check out the new Altair as well.
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- Armed Police Buttrider
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Re: Varnish connoisseurs
Good for you. Despite being perfectly happy with the sound I'm constantly pondering the next upgrade. Currently trialing a new power amp.



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Re: Varnish connoisseurs
kern, now that the new owners have completely ruined "The Wam", are there any other Hi-Fi forums you'd recommend? PFM?
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Re: Varnish connoisseurs
I was only ever a lurker but it's dead now, especially that stupid megastore thing.
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Re: Varnish connoisseurs
http://www.ubergizmo.com/articles/lg-v2 ... -it-works/ < They're not kidding. The difference between on/off is stark.

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Re: Varnish connoisseurs
There are some great options for improving the sound from a smartphone these days, from £100 to £1800 (which actually doesn't sound that mad if you've got a grand of iPhone.)cools wrote:http://www.ubergizmo.com/articles/lg-v2 ... -it-works/ < They're not kidding. The difference between on/off is stark.
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Re: Varnish connoisseurs
So, my quest for perfect amplification for my PMCs has ended after some sound advice from Fanthorpes and a home demo of a couple of options the other day. I was left with something I'm quite sure kernow would approve of.

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Re: Varnish connoisseurs
Dat Luxman ampSuperPang wrote:So, my quest for perfect amplification for my PMCs has ended after some sound advice from Fanthorpes and a home demo of a couple of options the other day. I was left with something I'm quite sure kernow would approve of.![]()



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Re: Varnish connoisseurs
No valves I'm afraid but Class A, a heady 30W! There's some Japanese wizardry going on though as it'll drive most speakers. Mine are 86dB sensitivity and it'll go as loud as you'd need outside a concert hall. Saw off the highly regarded 330W Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista 800.
http://www.luxman.com/product.php?pid=54
http://www.luxman.com/product.php?pid=54
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- Master or universe
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- Master or universe
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Re: Varnish connoisseurs
The MF is a hybrid design of surface mount and nu-vista valves and has a really rich sound. I really wanted to like it but it just didn't gel with my speakers and was quite muddy even when warmed up.

https://www.stereophile.com/content/mus ... -amplifier
I'm really not keen on the Luxman 70's styling at all, I loved the mad spaceship Chord but sound is all that matters and this just provides a nice contrast with my speakers which is what I like. It has a sweeter treble and more present mid-bass which adds more warmth. It's got a delicate touch but loves a bit of rock with the wick turned up. I'm really surprised at the increase in detail too. Just when I think there's nothing new to find in a mix I'm noticing little nuanced effects and overdubbed vocals pulled apart to hear two distinct voices etc.
It's actually something of a bargain when you consider it's beaten pre/power combos at a higher price, and it contains a phono input, which, no I haven't tried yet but surely it won't touch my Pro-ject. It's designed for old duffers who only want one box.
I've ordered longer legs for the rack as it gets suitably toasty. Only really sings after 30+ minutes too.
I'd never own baby coffins. To each their own xoxo
You don't fancy a passive pre do you? I'll be sad to see that go.

https://www.stereophile.com/content/mus ... -amplifier
I'm really not keen on the Luxman 70's styling at all, I loved the mad spaceship Chord but sound is all that matters and this just provides a nice contrast with my speakers which is what I like. It has a sweeter treble and more present mid-bass which adds more warmth. It's got a delicate touch but loves a bit of rock with the wick turned up. I'm really surprised at the increase in detail too. Just when I think there's nothing new to find in a mix I'm noticing little nuanced effects and overdubbed vocals pulled apart to hear two distinct voices etc.
It's actually something of a bargain when you consider it's beaten pre/power combos at a higher price, and it contains a phono input, which, no I haven't tried yet but surely it won't touch my Pro-ject. It's designed for old duffers who only want one box.
I've ordered longer legs for the rack as it gets suitably toasty. Only really sings after 30+ minutes too.
I'd never own baby coffins. To each their own xoxo
You don't fancy a passive pre do you? I'll be sad to see that go.
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Re: Varnish connoisseurs
A mere 25kg. The MF is 39kg and would've required a new rack.