vthokie83

Responses from vthokie83

Birthday DAC
Mpomerantz  I have no personal experience with them, but Lampizator have quite a few highly thought of tube DACs. I’m sure someone will post more for you  
How much should I spend on a new DAC
celestial_sound, Dump the PC, even an entry level streamer like a Bluesound Node (130) will best the PC if you bypass the internal DAC with a separate high quality DAC. Others can give you better recommendations on the streamer; but some day I'll... 
You know when you are dealing with a BS company....
I too don't like the Morrow marketing, but then I don't like the marketing at Audioquest either.....or other companies. I do however LOVE my Morrow cables (MA4 RCA and XLR analog cables, and DIG4 RCA 75OHM cables. I also have those same cables fo... 
DAC/Pre-Amp Advice
Chuck, best of luck and let us know once you order!  
SPDIF Coax cable recommendation?
Sorry I double checked the cables, they’re Arcadia analog RCAs. I’ve not heard Blue Jeans cable, so have no direct comparison   
SPDIF Coax cable recommendation?
DH Labs, Zavfino, Morrow Audio, or Supra cables are all great “bang for the buck cables. I currently use Morrow for my RCA digital, but am also testing the other brands which I like very much…..IMO all will deliver great sound and not break your b... 
DAC/Pre-Amp Advice
Chuck_Tamu, The issue with the Node (even the 130) is that it is trying to be a jack of all trades at an extremely reasonable price. You've got class leading software development, streaming, DAC, power supplies, etc all in a $600 package.....all ... 
DAC/Pre-Amp Advice
I (and several others on these threads) have ordered the recently released LHY power supply and LPS upgrade for the Node 130; the cost is $280 for both at Beatecknik. I have not received mine yet, and even when I do it will be a while until I have... 
DAC/Pre-Amp Advice
Chuck_Tamu, here are some recommendations.....these will al be R2R ladder DACs. (1) Denafrips - Pontus II 12th Anniversary DAC $1,850. You will find many many reviews on this DAC, almost all of them glowing. Add  a Denafrips Iris DDC at $560, and... 
DAC/Pre-Amp Advice
Which Node do you have, the Node 2 (or 2i) or is it the newest Node 130 with USB output? Also don't worry about MQA, it's a farce  
Baffled and Frustrated: Streaming/DAC Sound Issues
Swap out some cables to try to find the culprit, whether new cable or try changing topologies (USB, Co-ax, optical).....hopefully that will help you narrow it down. The Morrow cables in general are excellent cables, so the quality should not be th... 
Ultimate stereo nightmare
The Morrow Audio cables are already labeled, the final end will be labeled “MA X” for analog RCA where the X is the version of cable….mine are MA4 cables. Digital cables will be “DIG X” for digital RCA cables. Remember that Morrow cables are also... 
Can a Bluesound Node's Streamer Be Bypassed and be used as an External Dac?
If you have an Aurender, you owe to yourself to have a good DAC. The DAC in the Node is below average in a Node 2 or 2i, and a little better in the Node 130.  
Starting from Basically Scratch. Help me power some Wilson Watt Puppys
I’d suggest separates, but your budget is nowhere near enough for that. Most are correct, whatever you buy now will need to be sold and upgraded at some point…..so I’d buy used, you’ll lose less in resale. The Hegel H190 is an excellent all in on... 
Which Line Level, Balanced Preamplifier?
I have not heard the Denafrips Athena, but am extremely happy with my Denafrips Hades pre-amp driving a Denafrips Thallo amp. I do love the “house” sound of their products; slightly warm, wide soundstage with depth, effortless power with great att...