Inoculator
Last Activity:
Jul 8, 2025 at 4:06 PM
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Dec 5, 2018
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heart 19 38
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Gender:
Male
Birthday:
Feb 20, 1988 (Age: 37)
Location:
Tacoma, WA

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Inoculator

Friend, Male, 37, from Tacoma, WA

Pyrate

Trying out Mimir+3FN as a desktop stack. Burning them in a bit before serious impressions. Overall enjoyable, 3F as special as I remember. Jun 2, 2025

Inoculator was last seen:
Jul 8, 2025 at 4:06 PM
    1. Inoculator
      Inoculator
      Insomnia+HiFi Shark+Poor impulse control=Accidently won a Naim Uniti Nova on ebay. Well here we go, will see what I think of Naim sound.
      1. View previous comments...
      2. Inoculator
        Inoculator
        UPDATE: Wife approved and is excited about it, so no sleeping on the couch for me tonight. Phew.

        I am actually still very interested in Hegel if they get their roon integration together, and may grab a H190 or H390 to compare down the road depending on what speakers I land on.
        Apr 6, 2021
        Gazny likes this.
      3. Deep Funk
        Deep Funk
        I hope you mean "Insomnia" by Faithless...
        Apr 6, 2021
        Inoculator likes this.
      4. gixxerwimp
        gixxerwimp
        Apr 6, 2021
        Inoculator likes this.
    2. Inoculator
      Inoculator
      Freya+ with some NOS RCA/Tung sols paired with Gungnir Multibit A1 is a bit too much of a good thing. Preferring leaner presentation of JJ stock/SS
      1. View previous comments...
      2. Inoculator
        Inoculator
        @rlow So far I have tried all JJ and NOS RCA in buffer/NOS Tung Sol in gain stage. Will need to do more mix and match experimenting. Things are just too thick sounding with the all NOS configuration I tried, at least for nearfield.
        Apr 5, 2021
        rlow likes this.
      3. rlow
        rlow
        Oh, are they NOS Tung-Sol too? Sorry was thinking just the RCA were NOS. Have not heard the NOS Tung-Sol, so disregard my comments about being balanced - that would be for new production TS 6SN7. I can see how JJs would be a good match with Gungnir Multibit A1 though, so it makes sense - leaner and more incisive to balance the GA1 warmth and smoothness.
        Apr 5, 2021
        Inoculator likes this.
      4. Inoculator
        Inoculator
        @rlow yeah NOS tung-sols as well. I would like to try the new production tung-sols, as I have enjoyed other new tung-sol variants. Seems they have just a hint of tube "magic" via a nice spatial/full sound, but don't sacrifice technicality.
        Apr 5, 2021
        rlow likes this.
    3. Inoculator
      Inoculator
      I think I have decided on LTA Z10 to drive Klipsch Forte IV in living room. Now to decide on Holo Audio vs Yggdrasil.
      1. rlow likes this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. dubharmonic
        dubharmonic
        Choosing between those DACs is tough!
        Mar 30, 2021
        Inoculator likes this.
      4. Inoculator
        Inoculator
        Mar 30, 2021
      5. dubharmonic
        dubharmonic
        They're different enough that I haven't been able to choose one over the other.
        Mar 31, 2021
        Inoculator likes this.
    4. Inoculator
      Inoculator
      Gungnir Multibit A1 with 1.5 days of warmup...very girthy. Feels like details should be muddy, but instead come across with spooky realism. Love it.
      1. Woland
        Woland
        How do you know it's an A1? I'm curious to ID mine.
        Mar 28, 2021
      2. Inoculator
        Inoculator
        @Woland I am no expert, a buddy of mine who has done a ton of A2 vs A1 comparisons as well as toyed around with modding the A1 identified it for me. I think there is some way to tell by serial, but some as they transitioned are harder to identify without opening it up. Having previously owned an A2, this is for sure different. Hesitate to say better, but synergy wise with my chain it seems to be working great.
        Mar 29, 2021
      3. Woland
        Woland
        Thanks @Inoculator. I've seen a few discusisons on IDing via serial number, but none seem definitive.
        Mar 29, 2021
    5. Biodegraded
      1. ogodei and Inoculator like this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. Biodegraded
        Biodegraded
        Your table might have been made before the new belts were released (March). I presume a Neo PS came with the table, and you'll use the Swagman (24V AC out transformer version, right?) into that?
        Mar 28, 2021
        Inoculator likes this.
      4. ogodei
        ogodei
        That's almost 300% less wow and flutter ! You gotta be willing to pay for that !
        Mar 28, 2021
        Biodegraded likes this.
      5. Inoculator
        Inoculator
        @Biodegraded I will have to look into that! I read it as these belts have been in use on the P8/P10 and now are available to upgrade other decks. But if not the case my nervosa would for sure lead to me buying them, haha.
        Mar 28, 2021
        Biodegraded likes this.
    6. Inoculator
      Inoculator
      Just had an offer accepted on a house! Finally enough space for toddler, and the baby on the way. Moving is going to be a nightmare...
      1. sheldaze, Syzygy, Azimuth and 22 others like this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. Ksorota
        Ksorota
        Def. Hire movers. We just moved after 10 years in a home. Moved with a dog, 2 cats and 3 kids. Ended up using PODS to store and move stuff since we had to have interim housing (inlaws house). The PODS do a number on your stuff...lots of stuff shifted during transit, made it such a mess. Never again myself
        ....maybe I will never move again!
        Mar 24, 2021
        FlySweep, Inoculator and rlow like this.
      4. Cryptowolf
        Cryptowolf
        Congratulations on the new house and kid. I agree with others, movers are worth the cost. Our moving company made our move out of the city so much easier and offered an extra guy to help when a storm was coming.
        Mar 24, 2021
        Inoculator likes this.
      5. Merrick
        Merrick
        Mazel tov! Even if it's just 10 minutes away, hire movers. Especially with the animals and toddler. Just do your due diligence when getting quotes, look up reviews, etc. Just doing the work of sorting what will go and what won't is going to be a Herculean task, let alone the actual moving.
        Mar 24, 2021
        Cryptowolf, Syzygy and Inoculator like this.
    7. Inoculator
      Inoculator
      Freya+ already very welcome in my chain. Soundstage expansion of tube mode is great, the SS buffer is pleasant surprise, nuanced sounding.
      1. View previous comments...
      2. Cryptowolf
        Cryptowolf
        Hmm, I appreciate the contrast between work mode and dedicated listening. I often use my Beyer DT880 instead of my ZMF for the same reason.
        Mar 23, 2021
        Inoculator likes this.
      3. Inoculator
        Inoculator
        @Cryptowolf yeah I have found it to be a nice balance. Still sounds incredible via the SS buffer, just a lot sweeter, more restrained, gobs of microdetail but they are not slapping you in the face. Tube mode just begs for your attention. Speakers disappear, soundstage becomes deeper. Bass gets a bit more bloated and less precise, and vocals sound more natural, but less accurate compared to ss buffer.
        Mar 23, 2021
        Cryptowolf likes this.
      4. Cryptowolf
        Cryptowolf
        I have a Saga + in my 2.1 system and it is everything you describe. The way you put it really hits home for me.
        Mar 23, 2021
        Inoculator likes this.
    8. Inoculator
      Inoculator
      Pleasant surprise at my local spot today that they have begun to grade their used vinyl. Laughably generous though, this VG+/NM is trash
      1. Inoculator
        Inoculator
        I am spoiled with all the great record spots around me. This is an example of trust the old timer hole in the wall crate digger spot for used vinyl, not the hipster "indie" record store spot for used stuff. Unfortunately everyone takes their collections when they fall out of the hobby to the hipster spot who overvalues everything.
        Mar 21, 2021
    9. Inoculator
      Inoculator
      Don't underestimate WAF. House hunting, got sign off on distressed oak Forte IVs in living room because they would match a house so well.
      1. View previous comments...
      2. Biodegraded
        Biodegraded
        Could it rather be HAF - she got the ok on the house she wants because it'd match your target speakers? ;)
        Mar 19, 2021
        Thad E Ginathom and Inoculator like this.
      3. Inoculator
        Inoculator
        @Biodegraded haha probably a little column A, little column B. Funny enough, I had not super seriously considered the Klipsch Heritage stuff until I saw a house that was pretty open concept with big vaulted ceilings in the living room. Then I was like, oh yeah, I need some speakers that can step up and fill this space.
        Mar 19, 2021
        gurubhai and Biodegraded like this.
      4. EagleWings
        EagleWings
        If you haven’t already, try to demo the Klipsch heritage series. It is very different sounding from the Grahams and the current gen floorstanders and won’t be everyone’s cup of tea.
        Mar 19, 2021
        JayC and Inoculator like this.
    10. Inoculator
      Inoculator
      Modi Multibit is pinch hitting as I shipped out the soekris and waiting on Gungnir Multibit A1. Always underestimate this one, tonally so right.
      1. Soups
        Soups
        Gateway drug, for sure. Chased the dragon all the way to Yggdrasil. Trying to be done...
        Mar 16, 2021
        Inoculator likes this.
      2. Biodegraded
        Biodegraded
        Was thinking to sell mine after going Soekris (the rest of my system is the antithesis of yours, I think) but will likely keep it in case I want some of the old-school R2R sound back again.
        Mar 16, 2021
        Inoculator likes this.
    11. Inoculator
      Inoculator
      Gungnir Multibit A1 and Freya+ on the way, about to get warm and romantic up in here. DAC 2541 taught me I was going the wrong direction.
      1. Cryptowolf, obsiCO, AdvanTech and 4 others like this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. Inoculator
        Inoculator
        @rlow Love to hear that as that is exactly what I am hoping for from the Freya+ with this nearfield setup. DAC2541 just did not stage correctly with my speakers. Mainly grabbed the Freya+ just because I need BAL-SE conversion for the Gungnir Multibit A1, but tube buffer is a bonus for sure.
        Mar 15, 2021
      4. shredical
        shredical
        didn't like the DAC2541 eh?! did you end up grabbing the gungnir and freya from the guy up near seattle??
        Mar 15, 2021
      5. Inoculator
        Inoculator
        @shredical Yeah the DAC 2541 was great with Auteur/SW51+...but it REALLY did not play nicely with my speakers. Guy in Seattle wasn't willing to budge on price, but scored the Freya+ with some NOS tubes via USAM and the Gungnir Multibit A1 from a buddy that had a spare.
        Mar 15, 2021
        rlow and shredical like this.
    12. Inoculator
      Inoculator
      Any Zu speaker fans around here? Consensus sees to be avoid, but tempting to flex some stimmy on Dirty Weekends to see what they are like.
      1. View previous comments...
      2. Vtory
        Vtory
        Seems you already know what you will get. Then why not! Just make sure you would have enough distance (8-9 ft or longer).
        Mar 12, 2021
        Inoculator likes this.
      3. Inoculator
        Inoculator
        A good point @Vtory, I am a sucker for looking for validation...and my wife is a bit less thrilled about whim $1k speaker purchases. I think I will snag and report back though, will be fun to try out and is relatively low cost all things considered.
        Mar 12, 2021
      4. PTS
        PTS
        Zu are generally too expensive for what they are. You'd be better off picking up some Tekton Lore. Better speakers for the same price. I've heard both Zu and Tekton.
        Mar 12, 2021
        Inoculator likes this.
    13. Inoculator
      Inoculator
      Soekris DAC2541 in the house! Everyone's chassis pastel green rather than silver? Just an initial shock/surprise, hooking it up now.
      1. Jinxy245, Syzygy and dematted like this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. Inoculator
        Inoculator
        @dematted Did you land on the black filter like most folks around here? Sounding good to me, just curious. Could already tell a difference after about 30 minutes warm up...something really special coming together here.
        Mar 10, 2021
        dematted likes this.
      4. dematted
        dematted
        Yes, I prefer the black filter. Not sure why, but it just sounds a bit more natural/effortless to me in its sonic presentation. You can also play around with custom filters if you like the DIY stuff.
        Mar 10, 2021
        Inoculator likes this.
      5. Syzygy
        Syzygy
        All the same for me (color, cord, filter). Although for certain tracks the red (linear) filter provides better sonic placement cues. But any song that's got too much reverb or ringy at all in the treble and it's back to black.
        Mar 10, 2021
        Inoculator and dematted like this.
    14. Inoculator
      Inoculator
      I know I am honeymooning pretty hard, but the Rega P8+Zu 103r is hands down the best source I have ever had the privilege of owning.
      1. Cryptowolf, rlow, scblock and 4 others like this.
      2. Inoculator
        Inoculator
        Even my subpar pressing sound pretty dang enticing from it, killing me every time I have to stop listening to join a zoom meeting during the workday.
        Mar 8, 2021
      3. Merrick
        Merrick
        That’s so great to hear! Glad you got something you love after two disappointments.
        Mar 8, 2021
        Inoculator likes this.
    15. Inoculator
      Inoculator
      Breaking in the Rega P8 with ZU 103r...WOW. First upgrade in a long time that feels like truly next level stuff.
      1. Inoculator
        Inoculator
        Really lives up the Rega trademarks, very energetic/lively sounding, but not in a fatiguing way. PRAT king for sure.
        Mar 5, 2021
        Rustin Cohle likes this.
    16. Inoculator
      Inoculator
      Qobuz with exclusive early access of the Tower of Power 50th Anniversary Live album...good stuff.
      1. Inoculator
        Inoculator
        I was a jazz band kid back in the day, so was TOP obsessed during my teen years. Loving this recording!
        Feb 26, 2021
        YMO likes this.
      2. Biodegraded
        Biodegraded
        TV for you tonight: KCTS, 8.30-10pm - Tower of Power: 50 Years of Funk and Soul.
        Feb 27, 2021
        Inoculator likes this.
    17. Inoculator
      Inoculator
      I am apparently cursed with turntables. Mofi Ultradeck arrived with very noisy motor and other issues. Pivoting to the Rega P8.
      1. Gazny and rlow like this.
      2. Gazny
        Gazny
        Do you have a preference for gimbals? Curious of what features you are looking for in a table at these price ranges.
        Feb 25, 2021
      3. Inoculator
        Inoculator
        @Gazny I have never had a unipivot, but initially wanted to give it a try with an old VPI scout, but was sent the wrong model and damaged. Ultimately I am agnostic at this point, have only tried gimbaled arms. Originally was looking for a deck to pair with my Zu 103r. Ordered the P8 with no cartridge planning on trying out that combo.
        Feb 25, 2021
        Gazny likes this.
    18. Inoculator
      Inoculator
      Modhouse has a few Soekris DAC 2541 units up for purchase from their next shipment if anyone is looking. I am going to give it a whirl!
      1. obsiCO, Jinxy245, Syzygy and 4 others like this.
    19. Inoculator
      Inoculator
      If it was still Massdrop of old rather than Drop we would be getting a stock HD 800 with some mod/filter options at $600-800
      1. View previous comments...
      2. Azimuth
        Azimuth
        But it is more fun for them to be FOTM and move on. This is why Drop model sucks. They constantly have to have the need for yet ANOTHER product to keep the cycle going.
        Feb 18, 2021
        Inoculator likes this.
      3. Gazny
        Gazny
        I was really hoping for 800, oh well. even with their pseudo 900 dollar price I don't think I will bite. Luckily SBAF has a better headphone in the works. So I will stick to that in the near future.

        In the age of instant gratification, waiting 9 months is too long.
        Feb 18, 2021
        Azimuth, dasman66 and Inoculator like this.
      4. crenca
        crenca
        Is the OG HD800 driver even made anymore? I thought they revised it for the HD800S
        Feb 18, 2021
    20. Inoculator
      Inoculator
      Thinking it is time to try out a Soekris DAC 2541, my LS3/5A just do not like the bass/forwardness from BF2.
      1. nishan99 and dematted like this.
      2. Inoculator
        Inoculator
        Interestingly enough the Gungnir Multibit A2 actually had better synergy, but I parted with it when downgrading whole chain to SE. Thinking the 2541 might be a reasonably priced option with better synergy.
        Feb 17, 2021
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  • About

    Gender:
    Male
    Birthday:
    Feb 20, 1988 (Age: 37)
    Location:
    Tacoma, WA