e.schell

@e.schell : pass through set in parallel is basically a Radial LX-3 line splitter.

^Maybe a source selection switcher?

If you want a solution that doesn't require any cutting, you could use one of these snake boxes: https://www.redco.com/Redco-MB1.html and then choose a lid with 4-6 slots for XLR/RCA ports: https://www.redco.com/Redco-XLR-UCP-Module.html.

Hard to go wrong if these promise to match your tastes and listening space. The value proposition seems quite high. The two month audition period ought to give you enough time to decide whether you are happy with them. (They give them a 100 hour factory break in, so you can start critical listening soon after you set them up.)

Listened to Zu Soul Superfly ($4k speakers) next to a pair of Tekton Lores (very similar configuration and spec) and they sounded as good as each other. The kicker is you can get Tekton Lores for $1000 or less. Zu speakers are way overpriced IMO.

I was kicking the tires on these too. The Dirty Weekend are reasonably priced at $1k, and high efficiency at 97 dB/W. On paper they're a perfect candidate for a single Aegir. Along the lines of @PTS' comment, I decided to place an order for the Tekton Lore Reference instead ($750 shipped).

@purr1n Have any shots of your trafo? I took a quick look at the site and it legitimately seems like you just need XLR in, RCA out, 2x transformers, something to put it in, and a bit of wire. Simple as hell, but probably $200-$250 in parts. Oh, and a resistor.

Parts are higher than I unthinkingly assumed. The $550 for the AmpsandSound box is looking OK now. The Iso-Max Jensen offerings are < $300 retail, though perhaps those transformers are significantly cheaper builds

Marv mentioned somewhere here the 1:1 jensens used in the iso box and the cinemags looked pretty close to the same, since they shared the same lineage. Maybe Marv can get a deal from David at Cinemag?

I always thought the Clears sounded excellent but got bored and gave Sonarworks a try. Now when i turn SW off it sounds like I'm listening under water. Haha. The Focal Clear Wired Average preset does wonders as far as I am concerned. Highly recommend giving Sonarworks free trial a whirl with any headphone they have a preset for.

OK, you've prompted me to try Sonarworks again, and you're absolutely right. These presets completely transform the HD800S.

Back in the day, when audiophiles often wore white shirts and ties, a fully loaded audiophile component system comprised of a turntable, tuner, tapedeck, preamp, amplifier and speakers. The 9500 was one of the better tuners in such a system.

I just assumed it would have at least a few pairs of rca analog inputs! Kinda of a bummer...

That would have been called a Receiver in that era.

Just saw it was released and haven't listened to The Slow Rush yet, but I really like Innerspeaker, Lonerism, and Currents... I'm sure it's going to be good.

Thanks for the heads up. Going to give it a listen on Spotify and buy the digital album if I enjoy it (I’ve liked their last two albums).

Agreed. Now I have to go explore the back catalog, as it is the first i have heard. Always enjoy it when that happens

Mine are comfy to walk around, but it's still a bit snug around my foot. Liked boosts so much, I got a pair of pureboosts for $46. Not as snug.

@insidious meme The cushioning as comfortable as the UB's? Thought about grabbing a pair of the pureboosts as well because i have seen them cheaper...

i think they are. It didn't take me as long to break them in as I did the UB's. A steal for the price I paid.

When I had the FDX1 Loaner it needed more volume on the ZX2, like most of the time I was running them at 70% power on the ZX2.

@brencho Done a quick search: 15mW vs 200mw at 16ohms for ZX2 and ZX300 respectively.

I find myself using blue filters with ZX300 most often. ZX300 has this tendency to make everything sound a bit leaner, faster, cleaner, and sharper. ZX2 has much more slam, a warmer character, rounder transients, longer decays, but less power output. Since it is a fairly efficient single DD, it should be less of a diva on amplification so it’s more about choosing the sound profile you prefer between these two DAPs.

@YMO Is streaming (LDAC) from a phone to the ZX300A reliable in your experience (given the phone is not shit) ?

@FlySweep it works great for me on the WM1A.

The ZX300A is an amazing pairing with the JVCs. Best DAP I’ve ever owned!

We don't eat babies, you monster

At that price, why not consider a used pair from the golden age of JBL manufacturing (1970s) http://www.lansingheritage.org/html/jbl/reference/price-lists/1970-1999-prices.htm

Ideally that will be plan once I get serious about putting together a 2 channel system. Hard part will be patience while tracking down the right pair! But was just curious about 580's... see them pop up from time to time in this price range.

That's a huge discount.

Sorry about the snow!

It's melting off... at least a few hundred miles south of chicago... forecast is telling me at least there won't be anymore falling while i'm there... so WIN!

I am flying into Chicago this January for a concert. My California body is probably not ready for a Chicago winter!

The trouble with turntables (not their fault!) is that people buy them to tinker with, rather than just to listen to.

Based upon certain threads here, apparently that's also true of headphones, IEMs, amps, DACs, and CD players.

So…tinkerers will tinker?

Lol. Well, yes, but for physical twiddling, as single components go, I still suspect that turntables have the most capacity.

Get impressions done by an audiologist, perfect sounding attenuators. -10 & -25dB inserts.

I got some custom earplugs with filters from UE. https://pro.ultimateears.com/microsonic-earplugs.html

I use it all the time for movies and concerts, generally the -15db filter. IIRC, UE used my previous ear impressions and gets the filters from a third party.

Funny story. In July went to a concert with a few friends. I had my ear plugs and brought an extra set. I asked my friends if they wanted the extra and they declined. First set goes on and one friend asked to use them.

After the concert the unprotected friend said his ears were ringing for hours afterwards.

I know I’m a biased fanboy, but I do like Martin Axenrot as well. His drumming is less overtly showy or complex than some, nor does Opeths stuff usually call for anything absurd, but he has a lot of subtle depth to his playing.

Saw Animals As Leaders live. That drummer has a small drum kit but when he stops jazzing it up it is hard to believe. When a drummer can make a small drum kit sound like a thunder storm like that, I listen.

Danny Carey is a god, but I’d put Tomas Haake in the same breath