Burning question regarding upgrading paths

1 - Start over. I am in the middle of this answer right now. The desire to sit and listen has become a central part of our lives again. We have dusted off parts of the library that have been untouched for years.

2 - Beginner's mind is an elusive state. Peace and balance in life are difficult in our new world. I think that a majority of modern Western society practicing Zen miss the point and fall into the trap of escapism.

I. You might want to try one of the Rogue tube preamps.

II. I think the main purpose behind Zen Buddhism is to take people`s eyes off Jesus and what He did for us on the cross and to put our eyes on ourselves instead.

Hey there,

My summary is this:

1) People here love EVS Millennium and hate my system!

I checked out EVS a few months ago on the tweakaudio website. This website gives more tips on tweaks than anyone actually needs. Regarinding what I learned about the DAC, it sure seems to have all the best components available. However, that thing looks hideous. It would ruin my aesthetic decor in my living room. = X

2) People here care more about Afghanistan refugees than they do about my sanity!

How do I know my money is used to help the refugees? What they really need are a few anti-missle missles. I have a friend that is volunteering with the UN's relief efforts. This dainty girl is going to Afghanistan while we are talking about stereos and zen. = L

3) People either think Zen is be one with nature/unknown to elevate one-self from "huh??", or the questioning of Zen is "inherently wrong." However, the question is designed to derive a utilitarian function of Zen, not a better understanding of Zen's principles. IE. The benefit of ABS rather than how it works.

1 E 2 F

Really, those EVS are really ugly. It looks like those 10 year old PS Audio dacs with a white dove on the front face that looks like something that is out of the 60's. Maybe I can glue on a Sonic Frontier face plate to the front of the EVS chasis.

The tweak audio site really has some nifty tweaks. But they are all way over my head. I don't know how to solder. I don't think I want to negate my speaker's cross over apart so I can directly bare wire all the connections. Nor do I wanna freeze my discs.

I've learned a great deal from these posts I've read online, mainly on Audiogon. I've read quite a few posts on audioreview.com as well. But, I've noticed I am quite shallow with the way I read a reviews. I first look at the equipment they have to judge whether they know what they are talking about. For example, I would trust a person that uses high end gear than the circuit city/radio shack shopper.

Speaking of trusting reviews, recently I've been reading nothing but glowing reviews about EVS, Rogue and BlueCircle. And this doesn't sit well with me, not just because they fill my heart with desire, but mainly because I've made an online purchase before based on glowing reviews. And it turned out to be a bust. Good thing this product is only a $75 "silver snake" digital cable. (I am a poor student, so I have to look out for good deals.)

Ok, you are probably thinking, big deal, maybe this cable just doesnt have synergy in my system, or it's user error. This certain cable company, "not the good, not the best, but shall remain nameless cable.com company," emailed me after my purchase and said if I submitted a positive review and send them a copy of my review to prove I did write it, then they will send me a mouse pad. I felt like an absolute sucker after I received this email.

This cable in question sounds better than most mass market stuff under $50 bucks I've heard. But it is no giant killer as the reviews claim them to be. I have replaced this digital "snake cord" cable with a single run of AQ emerald, and it sounds much much better. And emeralds are not even 75ohm digital cables (i am using it between the trans and meridian 518.)

Regarding upgrades, I am inquiring about the AQ Sterling single bi-wired cables that is for sale on this site. I've emailed the seller but haven't received a reply yet. The Sterlings are big improvements on the Argent/Midnights, no? But this guy is offering a killer price of $200 for a 6ft pair, granted they are not factory terminated. So he probably sold them already, (I emailed him at 7am today too!)

Anyhow, I feel the zen question is a bust. I wanted to learn more about applied Zen, instead, most people are telling me more about principles of zen. Yes, Lao Tze and all the Taoists, Zen monks all agree that the Zen, the Tao, the Mahayana, the Shuyanta, can only be experienced and not explained. I am not seeking enlightenment through eastern philosophy.

I am quite the western philosophy-phile if there is such a thing, therefore, I am putting Zen on the hot seat and see what good Zen actually is. As Keikegaard or any existentialist would say, good philosophy are those that are practiced with a leap of faith. There are numerous philosophers whose basic tenants serve a variety of utilitarian needs such where society can benefit as a whole.

Upgrading myself by doing calc hw now, take care,

Etane