The Mike Moffat (#2 at Schiit) Blog

Discussion in 'Schiit' started by baldr, Dec 15, 2016.

  1. rlow

    rlow A happy woofer

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  2. allegro

    allegro Friend

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  3. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    I mean, if they are doing a transport with a Pi type system for CD playback, I see no reason why they can't embed a player type system in there as well for digital files and streaming. Although this would either take more development or partner with someone like Volumio, MoOde, etc. Just seems like if they are going to go that far with a tiny computer device like a Pi, it would be a huge added benefit.
     
  4. baldr

    baldr Schiit-sterer

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    God I need to settle back here after a dyspeptic blast of non-sequitur argument in SJW/racial terms on another venue. I discuss for this post the transport. In the above post, @rtaylor76 speculates on a “pi” as a fundamental component of the upcoming transport. That is a no, negatory. We built the first proto with a pi for the purpose of data handling and cd transport control, a mere tiny subset of which a pi is capable. Why not include a pi? Well it seems a stretch for me to muster civil customer support gestures for hardware; but software? One of my typical retorts could be “Well, why don’t you try to find someone at pi to give a Schiit on why your f'ing weather station won’t work on our transport?” How about “Why don’t you go back to JC to learn all about Linux programming?” Or, “How about we refund you on this product and you agree to never call us again.” Perchance, “Why don’t you buy a pi and whimper to them?” (Please @rtaylor76, do NOT take this as directed at you.)

    Perhaps it can now be understood why I consistently fail at customer service. Further, this is not just because I loathe such work, but because I perhaps fail to grasp why so many are incapable of researching on their own. This is in many cases manifests before the fact of purchase, where all too often stunningly obtuse decisions are made. I have heard it opined that people are stupid, with which I for the most part, strongly disagree. I believe unwillingness trumps stupidity.

    Returning briefly from my sucking at customer service to the transport - although it may well be possible for many at this forum to add a financial calculator to their pi equipped (not) transport, I have no intention of unleashing such a product. I build appliances as they are simple enough for me to understand.

    It will be a transport with enough of pi functions to effect cd start/stop/pause/skip/skip back/scan/scan-back/open-close/ etc. etc.. There will be a digital audio board signal processing with coax, AES, and accujack USB out. (TOS only if there is a deafening roar of TOS nostalgia)

    There will be a super whump power supply and the expected Stoddard industrial design. It is guaranteed NOT to sound like ass.

    I am so tired of snowflakes – I know I am a relic from another era. They just need to live in a world where a trigger warning is the scream of an incoming Chicom 107 and a safe space is an army hospital. That might make them shut the f**k up.
     
  5. DigMe

    DigMe Friend

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    I chuckled several times.
     
  6. LetMeBeFrank

    LetMeBeFrank Won't tell anyone my name is actually Francis

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    f**k yes.
     
  7. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    Hey, no offence taken @baldr. The Pi is an experimental device and non-serialized. It is designed for hobbyists and for testing/developing.

    You guys obviously know the market and your own capabilities. You have designed some great solutions beyond just a DAC and amps, and now transport and vinyl playback. I think it is only natural to think about the possibilities for digital file playback from you guys that would also "revolutionize" things, since that is the bulk of most collections these days.

    And you guys talk about the design process even before things are built. It is great to see the inspiration and journey these challenging deaings present. I also think it is natural for schmucks like me to think "what if...", but it is never a "should" request. Those "should" people are not your customers.

    So don't mind me...just dreaming. Keep doing great things. I look forward to this transport design and all your other Schiit.
     
  8. Taverius

    Taverius Smells like sausages

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    Damn, there goes my dream of an IoT CD changer that knows when I'm on the loo and plays appropriately dramatic music. /s

    :pirate07:
     
  9. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

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    OhMyGod that image is a real mind poisoner!

    :eek: :)
     
  10. johnjen

    johnjen Doesn’t want to be here but keeps posting anyways

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    I've seen the term snowflakes bandied about recently, and in diverse sets of circumstances.

    It does seem to apply as there are those who seem 'entitled', and some do seem to be skilled at making their drama, your drama.
    And I'd add curiosity as another related trait along with unwillingness, or rather the lack of curiosity, which seems like it's an off shoot of instant gratification.

    JJ
     
  11. BenjaminBore

    BenjaminBore Friend

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    Oh it gets better, the social media raised post-millenials are a whole new breed unto themselves:
     
  12. haywood

    haywood Friend

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  13. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    This is true. It's specifically made for industrial applications (as opposed to hobbyists) and doesn't have a miniSD card slot.

    It's still a lot more computing power then you need for a transport and it'll probably cheaper in the long run to do something in-house.
     
  14. Scott Kramer

    Scott Kramer Friend

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    upload_2018-12-12_16-30-58.png

    Hmmmm... We know of another funky DAC this would be super useful in! ;)
     
    Last edited: Dec 12, 2018
  15. MWSVette

    MWSVette Almost "Made"

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  16. EeePee

    EeePee Acquaintance

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    As long as it works with my Theta Cobalt 307, cool. :D
     
  17. baldr

    baldr Schiit-sterer

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    It seems it has been some time since I have posted -- not because I didn’t want to, but more like I have been pretty weirdly sick. So here goes the narrative, in the proper style of the most polished of hypochondriacs. This started about ten years ago when I noticed some funny gait sensations when I walked. Within 3-4 years, I was morphing into a genuine gimp, but what the hell, I was still moving. Then the slurred speech started – I sounded like a drunk at 10 o’clock in the morning. Funny thing was, these symptoms would come and go.

    So I went to the Doctor who solemnly intoned that I must have suffered a stroke (I was badly slurring when he examined me) and sent me out for a MRI. The MRI came back negative for a stroke. Puzzled, he examined me again. I asked about how this could be a stroke when all of these symptoms come and go. He diagnosed me with the IDKWTFYH Syndrome (I don’t know what the f**k you have). I worked around the limp and slur and attempted to ignore them. I settled into a bit of an interrupted routine, for example not showing up at trade show booths until I wasn’t slurring, and so on. Over the next few years, the on time for the slur was getting longer and longer, and all of a sudden I couldn’t button my buttons, write a check, or solder anymore. Besides all of that, my walking was getting worse and worse. However, all of this was still coming and going.

    I stepped up to once more to Valencia’s best neurologist to see what he had to say. I was well examined to by an attending nuerologist who could not conceal his puzzlement. Once more I was diagnosed with IDKWTFYH Syndrome. A year or so ago I noticed that when I would attempt to type, a sort of “letter salad” would appear instead of my intended prose. I took solace in the notion that all those symptoms would soon pass, but it was taking longer for them to do so. Those who knew me well told me that my body motion was encumbered, but I did not listen.

    Please allow this digression: In Vietnam we had a neuro-toxic snake called the Blue Krait. I witnessed one fellow soldier who was bitten. Within a few hours, his extremities were going numb. Within a day or so, his ability to walk was gone. He still could talk after a fashion, and his brain was 100% functional. Another day passed and he was only capable of slight eye motion and his muscles which enabled him to breathe failed that night – at least that’s what the medic said. That is one of my greatest fears – to be caught in a failing body fully awake and aware of everything as it slowly dies. I bring up the Blue Krait because a month or so ago, I woke up one morning and could neither walk nor talk. Scared the bejezus out of me. I was newly motivated!!

    My poor wife Rosie had been trying to find more through and comprehensive medical attention. She opted for UCLA and we awaited an appointment, the first of which was a month or so ago. The neurologist examined me, gave me a tentative clinical diagnosis of Myasthenia Gravis, a rare but treatable disorder. Diagnosis! She gave me medication for that but insisted, however, that I required specialized testing which could only be given and assessed by a Neuro-Muscular Junction Specialist. Further, the pills worked for some of the symptoms, particularly the low strength. It seemed like progress – until the labs came back with the result I was missing some Myasthenia Gravis antibodies in blood tests.

    So, it seems as of now, I currently stand half diagnosed and until I see the next UCLA Neuro-Muscular specialist in two weeks, hoping for more specific data, I’ll settle on a Myasthenia Gravis-like deal which responds in part to Myasthenia Gravis medicine. I realized that, until then, what’s best for me (and those around me) is just to keep moving forward, albeit at a slower physical pace. My brain still works fine, I love my work and life without my work would suck. I’ll just work a bit differently, with an added tool, my new walker, which I call The Schiit Wagon – and my unusual and ever-changing (ahem) vocal “accent.” But this whole distraction has been going on too long..
     
  18. earnmyturns

    earnmyturns Smartest friend

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    Arrgh, an autoimmune disease :( These are so hard to diagnose, since so little is known about mechanism in most of them. I'm glad that the medication is helping, that's an important step forward.
     
  19. atomicbob

    atomicbob dScope Yoda

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    @baldr - each of us passing through this ephemeral existence experiences “interesting” challenges during the process of aging. Yours is one of the more troubling given the rarity and also your awareness. Nothing more frustrating than knowing your capabilities have been compromised while the mind is still sharp. I’m fortunate that my own issues are treatable by rather large doses of magnesium, creating moments when the rectum is so fired as to roast marshmallows. Yay, s’mores.

    My hat is off to you for your contributions to the collective auditory delights, myself included, thank-you.
     
  20. jexby

    jexby Posole Prince

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    Exit stage left....
    @baldr appreciate your candor, and your inventions past and future.
    am forever hopeful that you find that one Dr to provide the best meds or ramrod to drive the Gravis from your being.
    fight on with good spirits and positive energy.
     

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