MellowVelo
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MellowVelo

Friend, Male, from Chicago

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Peter Gabriel fans: PG will release two versions of every song on i/o. The “dark-side” mix of Panopticom drops tomorrow on the new moon. Jan 20, 2023

    1. MellowVelo
      MellowVelo
      Peter Gabriel fans: PG will release two versions of every song on i/o. The “dark-side” mix of Panopticom drops tomorrow on the new moon.
      1. View previous comments...
      2. MellowVelo
        MellowVelo
        @DigMe you give new meaning to “Full Moon” Club.
        Jan 20, 2023
      3. jaker782
        jaker782
        Looking forward to this! He takes forever to release albums but they are worth the wait!
        Jan 20, 2023
        MellowVelo likes this.
      4. MellowVelo
        MellowVelo
        @jaker782 I had honestly given up hope that i/o would ever be released. 21 years is excessive, even by PG’s standards. To say I’m excited is an understatement.
        Jan 20, 2023
        GuySmiley'sMonkey likes this.
    2. MellowVelo
      MellowVelo
      How does the Decware house sound compare to EC and DNA amps? I understand that EC is drier and DNA is wetter. How about Decware?
      1. Lyander likes this.
      2. Inoculator
        Inoculator
        Jan 18, 2023
      3. Tchoupitoulas
        Tchoupitoulas
        Below Inoculator I posted that with the Zen Taboo MKIV "there’s a good amount of warmth, richness, and lushness, and the amp has a slightly wet sound to it, not unlike the Stratus." It's not as wet as the Stratus, though, for me.
        Jan 18, 2023
        Cryptowolf, Qildail and MellowVelo like this.
    3. MellowVelo
      MellowVelo
      Peter Gabriel's new single "Panopticom" goes live on Friday. It's beautiful, haunting pop, like only PG can make.
      1. sheldaze, Josh83, Merrick and 3 others like this.
      2. MellowVelo
        MellowVelo
        Jan 5, 2023
      3. Josh83
        Josh83
        What’s the trick?
        Jan 5, 2023
      4. MellowVelo
        MellowVelo
        @Josh83 VPN, although it looks like the link is now live in the US.
        Jan 5, 2023
    4. MellowVelo
      MellowVelo
      FWIW, John Atkinson strongly recommends the Schiit Tyr monoblocks in the latest issue of Stereophile.
      1. View previous comments...
      2. Cspirou
        Cspirou
        Wouldn’t say it’s a bad pairing. Schiit is known as high value gear and seeing how it does with $$$$$ sources is a good test of the value proposition
        Dec 27, 2022
        Cryptowolf and MellowVelo like this.
      3. MellowVelo
        MellowVelo
        @Cspirou I'm not saying that it's a bad pairing. I'm sure that Tyr absolutely holds its own with $$$$$ sources. In that regard, you're correct that the pairing is a good test of the Tyr's value proposition, but that's basically an academic exercise.
        Dec 27, 2022
        Cryptowolf likes this.
      4. MellowVelo
        MellowVelo
        As a real-world application, it's pretty absurd. In most circumstances, people will pair high-value gear with other high-value gear. Or, if somebody is really buying ORFAS gear like the MBL DAC, then they wouldn't dream of pairing it with non-ORFAS gear like Tyr.
        Dec 27, 2022
    5. MellowVelo
      MellowVelo
      To all who celebrate Christmas and all who yearn for renewal, may this season bring the birth of new and hopeful possibility. You are loved.
      1. Thad E Ginathom
        Thad E Ginathom
        Can some of us who don't celebrate it have some love too please? ;) lol...

        Seriously. Happy Eating and drinking, folks :D
        Dec 24, 2022
        gixxerwimp likes this.
      2. MellowVelo
        MellowVelo
        @Thad E Ginathom yes, of course! That’s why I said “all who yearn for renewal”. Everybody is included. :)
        Dec 24, 2022
        Thad E Ginathom likes this.
    6. MellowVelo
      MellowVelo
      I scored Metallica tickets today. But good Lord, the concert is 20 months away. This is a terrible trend in the concert industry.
      1. Cryptowolf, CEE TEE, brencho and 2 others like this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. MellowVelo
        MellowVelo
        @Qildail yeah, I assume that’s the reason. They basically have their tour financed up front.
        Nov 30, 2022
        Cryptowolf and Qildail like this.
      4. JayC
        JayC
        I was a little disappointed when I saw them at Pinkpop this year.
        Lars just seemed like he didnt want to play - he kept getting up and walking off.. Also they decided to play songs from St Anger, so theres that
        Dec 1, 2022
        MellowVelo likes this.
      5. MellowVelo
        MellowVelo
        @JayC that's disappointing to hear. I last saw them in 2017. I was actually quite pleased with Lars' performance. For all the legitimate criticism he receives for his sloppy playing, I think that he has actually improved in the last few years. He's never going to play like the late 80s/early 90s again, but to my ears, he sounds better today than some of the atrocious performances I heard in the 2000s.
        Dec 1, 2022
    7. MellowVelo
      MellowVelo
      Piety has landed. If the packaging is any indication, we’re in for a treat. @CEE TEE pays attention to details.
      1. Cryptowolf and brencho like this.
    8. MellowVelo
      MellowVelo
      I’m a noob with the toob. Lyr+ loaner has two types of 6SN7: Rogers and Tung-Sol. What’s the difference?
      1. View previous comments...
      2. Qildail
        Qildail
        I preferred the Rogers one over the TS one in the loaner, personally, but yeah try both and see what works for you.
        Nov 21, 2022
        mediumroast and MellowVelo like this.
      3. Claritas
        Claritas
        Try to hear the differences. See if *you* have a preference. Years ago, I had a dozen old American 6SN7s; I sold them all, except one (not telling).
        Nov 23, 2022
        Qildail and MellowVelo like this.
      4. MellowVelo
        MellowVelo
        @Claritas I certainly take your point. Ultimately, only I can decide what I like. That said, I appreciate reading about people's preferences and triangulating with my own experience. It helps me to understand what I'm hearing.
        Nov 23, 2022
    9. MellowVelo
      MellowVelo
      I’m a cool kid too! Piety ordered. Congrats to @CEE TEE for a successful launch!
      1. Cryptowolf, zottel, Cspirou and 5 others like this.
    10. MellowVelo
      MellowVelo
      I’m thinking of building an office desktop system with Piety and Modi Multibit. Any recommendations for powered speakers of similar value?
      1. Cryptowolf and CEE TEE like this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. MellowVelo
        MellowVelo
        @9suns the price is right, for sure. Have you used the Presonus speakers?
        Nov 19, 2022
        9suns likes this.
      4. 9suns
        9suns
        Not yet, was also looking for studio monitors and noticed the Eris had those characteristics. I think the rca inputs, class a/b amps and absence of internal ad/da alone makes it a nice choice in that price range tbh. Have to hear one ofc but seems like a safe bet.
        Nov 19, 2022
        MellowVelo likes this.
      5. MellowVelo
        MellowVelo
        @9suns yes, I like those characteristics too. I think that they look nice too.
        Nov 19, 2022
        9suns likes this.
    11. MellowVelo
      MellowVelo
      Eddie Current website is back online, for anybody who was concerned…
    12. MellowVelo
      MellowVelo
      Darlington Labs MP-7 is really special. I feel like an evangelist who needs to share the good word. I’ll post proper impressions soon.
      1. Azimuth, JayC, HotRatSalad and 2 others like this.
      2. Azimuth
        Azimuth
        Please do. I’ve been thinking of upgrading. I feel like the MM-6 needs cleaner top end…less murky.
        Nov 13, 2022
        MellowVelo likes this.
      3. MellowVelo
        MellowVelo
        @Azimuth will do. I haven’t heard other DL models, but I don’t perceive a murky top end on the MP-7.
        Nov 13, 2022
      4. MellowVelo
        Dec 2, 2022
        Azimuth likes this.
    13. MellowVelo
      MellowVelo
      Honest question: does anybody here like Yggdrasil MIL? If so, what do you like about it? I haven’t heard it, but I’m genuinely curious.
      1. Azimuth and RestoredSparda like this.
    14. MellowVelo
      MellowVelo
      Darlington Labs MP-7 has arrived. I’m looking forward to comparing it with Mani 2, but first, I need to recover from COVID. :(
      1. Cryptowolf, JayC, HotRatSalad and 3 others like this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. JayC
        JayC
        Haha, I had the same with the Mani 1, I sold it immediately and I completely agree with the bass, its thick and detailed but doesnt bleed. I've had three iterations of the MP-7 so I've also seen it progress over time, mostly with the bass

        Do you think you want to post your findings on the thread? Could be interesting for others too
        Nov 9, 2022
        MellowVelo likes this.
      4. MellowVelo
        MellowVelo
        Yes, I’m definitely planning to post my impressions. Could you also post an update about how the MP-7 has improved with subsequent iterations? I think that people would find this interesting, and it speaks to Keith’s commitment to continually improve his products.
        Nov 9, 2022
      5. JayC
        JayC
        oh definitely, I created that comparison thread with the intention of doing a lot of side-by-sides with other units and there's something to be said there about iteration comparison. I had some setbacks in getting that done, but I'll be picking that up again in the coming days
        Nov 10, 2022
        MellowVelo likes this.
    15. MellowVelo
      MellowVelo
      I might upgrade the power supply for Sonnet Echo Express SE I, which powers Lynx E22. Looks like I need 12V, 5A. Any recommendations?
    16. MellowVelo
      MellowVelo
      Schiit Mani 2 is in the house. Still warming up, but very initial impression is that the bass hits much harder than OG Mani.
      1. Qildail and HotRatSalad like this.
      2. MellowVelo
        MellowVelo
        First spin: “Random Access Memories” by Daft Punk.
        Oct 14, 2022
        CEE TEE likes this.
    17. MellowVelo
      MellowVelo
      Has anybody heard the Ayre P-5XE phono stage? I’m really curious about this one. I might have a lead on a good deal.
      1. wbass
        wbass
        Haven't heard but was curious myself a couple years ago. Those balanced inputs/outputs especially appealing. In a big compare of phono stages, I found the big difference, unsurprisingly, to be between tube and solid-state.
        Sep 27, 2022
        MellowVelo likes this.
    18. MellowVelo
      MellowVelo
      Blue Jeans Cable now makes headphone cables. Not listed yet on website, so email them. Got 10’ w/ Canare L-4E6S and XLR for less than $100.
      1. penguins, wbass, Merrick and 11 others like this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. MellowVelo
        MellowVelo
        @SoupRKnowva nice! I didn't see the page because it's not listed in the menu. Canare L-4E5C is standard, but if you want the slightly larger Canare L-4E6S, you can request it for a few bucks more. I had a great email conversation with Andrew at BJC. He's super knowledgeable and helpful.
        Apr 28, 2022
        SoupRKnowva likes this.
      4. roughroad
        roughroad
        So, what do you think of the HP cable so far?
        Apr 28, 2022
      5. MellowVelo
        MellowVelo
        @roughroad I haven’t done an A/B comparison (life is too short), but the Focal Elear sounds as expected. I purchased the cable because I wanted a particular length and termination. Canare starquad is well regarded for headphone cables. It’s durable and non-microphonic. Lots of folks on SBAF use it.
        Apr 28, 2022
    19. MellowVelo
      MellowVelo
      Enjoying Elear w/ Utopia pads. Pads restore upper mids, add air in treble, and remove bass bloat. Am I missing anything compared to Utopia?
      1. View previous comments...
      2. Boops
        Boops
        As with everything, the amp/source/chain/synergy matters a lot, but all things being equal, you'd be missing resolution, micro.
        Apr 26, 2022
      3. zonto
        zonto
        You're missing beryllium and swagger. ;)
        Apr 26, 2022
        Boops and MellowVelo like this.
      4. ChaChaRealSmooth
        ChaChaRealSmooth
        Driver timbre is noticeably different between the two. Utopia also has incredibly smooth upper treble; still never heard a headphone with better performance there. Utopia also scales like mad with better gear since it's so resolving
        Apr 27, 2022
        MellowVelo likes this.
    20. MellowVelo
      MellowVelo
      The Dynamic Range Database is back. Like other measurements, DR isn’t everything, but it’s a helpful tool for comparing different masters.
      1. MellowVelo
      2. Merrick
        Merrick
        Here's how I see DR. High DR doesn't guarantee a mastering will sound good, because there are other ways to bork a mastering, but a low DR almost always guarantees the mastering will suck because if the DR level is low enough there is no saving it.
        Apr 22, 2022
        Justin S, Cryptowolf, Friday and 3 others like this.
      3. MellowVelo
        MellowVelo
        Well said. Many older CDs have high DR but also sound thin and brittle. I seek out masterings with high DR, but I have to actually listen to know whether or not it sounds good.
        Apr 22, 2022
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  • About

    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Chicago
    A mountain-climbing, ocean-swimming Californian living on the prairie.

    Signature

    Digital: MacBook Pro > JRiver Media Center 29 > Lynx E22 > Schiit Yggdrasil A1
    Analog: Dual 701 > Ortofon Super OM 40 > Darlington Labs MP-7
    Headphone: Headamp GS-X Mini > Focal Elear w/ Utopia pads
    Two-channel: Pass Labs X2.5 > Bryston PowerPac 300-SST (x2) > Wharfedale Denton 80th Anniversary