Merrick
Last Activity:
Mar 27, 2024 at 5:12 PM
Joined:
Jan 6, 2016
Messages:
3,612
Trophy Points:
113
Positive ratings received:
13,286
Neutral ratings received:
12
Negative ratings received:
15

Post Ratings

Received: Given:
Like 12,568 10,200
Dislike 13 23
Respectfully Disagree 12 8
heart 42 31
Miss Information 2 10
Epic 341 533
Agreed, ditto, +1 335 314
Gender:
Male
Location:
Portland, OR

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Merrick

A lidless ear, Male, from Portland, OR

Pyrate

The design of the Vali 3 is beautiful and I want one, but I’m not sure I have any use for it. Mar 17, 2024

Merrick was last seen:
Mar 27, 2024 at 5:12 PM
    1. Merrick
      Merrick
      Sometimes I need to remind myself the music is more important than the gear.
      1. BillOhio, Riotvan, 9suns and 6 others like this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. zerodeefex
        zerodeefex
        Given the nature of my job and life, I'm back to 99% listening on Andromeda + ZX2 and I can't complain.
        Jan 17, 2018
      4. Dino
        Dino
        For many decades, I figured if I had a system on which I could enjoy both 'Kink Kronikles' (unfortunate sound) and 'Uncle Meat' (out of this world sound) LPs I was in a sweet spot as far as equipment went. That simple rule of thumb served me well. And I bought a ton of music.
        Jan 17, 2018
        Merrick likes this.
      5. Cspirou
        Cspirou
        A lot of people say we care more about gear than music. However I am not so sure the average person cares more about music when they just listen at the gym or in the background to distract them from whatever drudgery they are experiencing.
        Jan 17, 2018
    2. Merrick
      Merrick
      Best budget amp for HD 580s? Magni 3, Vali 2, MCTH?
      1. View previous comments...
      2. Merrick
        Merrick
        I've had the Vali 2 before and liked it. I never got to try those tubes that require the adapter that people here rave about.
        Jan 14, 2018
      3. Merrick
        Merrick
        Based on re-reading the pertinent threads and my own experience, I’m going to get another Vali 2. Thanks everyone!
        Jan 15, 2018
        brencho, Melvillian and DigMe like this.
      4. Azimuth
        Azimuth
        Good choice. The Vali 2 is just magical with efficient headphones.
        Jan 17, 2018
        Merrick likes this.
    3. Merrick
      1. View previous comments...
      2. Merrick
        Merrick
        I only used them briefly but I didn't find any glaring holes. Not sure how licensing in the US will affect that though.
        Jan 13, 2018
      3. Melvillian
        Melvillian
        That’s true about licensing in the US, hopefully they have a robust catalog. Will definitely check it out. Like Tidal, It’s integrated into Audirvana so that’s a big plus.
        Jan 13, 2018
        captkirk likes this.
      4. Merrick
        Merrick
        I think they beat the pants off of Tidal, at least in their current form.
        Jan 14, 2018
        captkirk and Melvillian like this.
    4. Merrick
      Merrick
      HD 580s in the house!
      1. spwath
        spwath
        HD 580s out of the house!
        Jan 11, 2018
        Merrick likes this.
      2. Lyander
        Lyander
        Congrats on the great cans!

        ... That sounds a bit off but errm.
        Jan 11, 2018
        Merrick likes this.
    5. Merrick
      Merrick
      Just ordered some symbio tips for my Andromeda. Here’s hoping they’re the perfect balance between foam and silicone.
      1. elguapo, Cellist88 and SoupRKnowva like this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. Cellist88
        Cellist88
        share your thoughts with us. Still using comply with waxguard.
        Jan 9, 2018
      4. Mystic
        Mystic
        When I had an Andromeda on loan, I felt the sq was better than regular silicone, but they are rather stiff and my ears got uncomfortable after awhile.
        Jan 9, 2018
        elguapo likes this.
      5. elguapo
        elguapo
        Yes, the stiffness is something I didn't expect. It makes the fact that they run big harder to deal with.
        Jan 10, 2018
    6. Merrick
      Merrick
      Happy new year y’all!
    7. Merrick
      Merrick
      1. LetMeBeFrank, DigMe, Mystic and 2 others like this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. Merrick
        Merrick
        And to you as well!
        Dec 22, 2017
        BillOhio likes this.
      4. landroni
        landroni
        Not to spark anything, but. For me it was the weakest movie of the series. Most shallow, predictable and recycled. Loved the main character, though, as she still shines, and Spooky's bebodying was cool. But other than that, much of a disappointment. (That, plus the bloody technician who set up the Dolby ScrewYou (TM) was friggin' deaf; next time I'm going to the cinema I'm bringing ear plugs.)
        Dec 25, 2017
      5. BillOhio
        BillOhio
        I'm not sayin' nothin', I'm behaving :)
        Dec 25, 2017
    8. Merrick
      Merrick
      I loved 95% of The Last Jedi. Not sure why people are so down on it.
      1. View previous comments...
      2. Merrick
        Merrick
        I don’t mind Vader going ballistic, it just felt like fan wank in the context of that particular sequence of a disappointing movie.
        Dec 18, 2017
      3. Mystic
        Mystic
        The end of Rogue One Vader scene? That was awesome. Showed a side of Vader we never saw in the originals, probably due to tech limitations. The awesome power of a sith lord.
        Dec 18, 2017
        BillOhio and Mithrandir41 like this.
      4. BillOhio
        BillOhio
        ...and getting fan wanked is partly why I pay $18.25 and go to the theater at 1:30 AM on opening night, so long as that wank isn't at the expense of the story which I don't feel the Vader scene was at all. Luke made out to be a bitch while literally destroying the Jedi that I grew up being fascinated by though? F that.
        Dec 18, 2017
    9. Merrick
      Merrick
      Up way too late comparing different masterings for multiple bands.
      1. bixby, elguapo, Mikoss and 4 others like this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. Merrick
        Merrick
        Black Sabbath: SHM-SACDs are the way to go except for Paranoid and Heaven and Hell (and IIRC they didn’t do a Sabotage one). I preferred a de-emphasized ‘86 Castle release for Paranoid, also an ‘86 Castle for Sabotage, and a needledrop of a UK 1st press for Heaven and Hell, although the Deluxe Edition is also decent. Mob Rules also didn’t get a SACD but the ‘88 or ‘89 WB CD sounds really good.
        Nov 27, 2017
        Dino, Melvillian and DigMe like this.
      4. Merrick
        Merrick
        For Van Halen you absolutely cannot beat the 24/192 remasters from a few years ago. Incredible depth, exceptional texture, details are easy to pick out without being in your face. Some people prefer the DCC of the first album, just depends on your preference.
        Nov 27, 2017
        Dino, Melvillian and DigMe like this.
      5. Merrick
        Merrick
        And speaking of DCC titles, Highway 61 Revisited trumps the MFSL stereo SACD, and The Doors releases best the recent SACD. I have yet to hear the Highway 61 mono SACD however. In general the MFSL Dylan releases have been excellent.
        Nov 27, 2017
        Melvillian and Case like this.
    10. Merrick
      Merrick
      Forget white Andromedas. I’m holding out for purple!
      1. View previous comments...
      2. brencho
        brencho
        JK. I actually really like the green.
        Nov 22, 2017
      3. shotgunshane
        shotgunshane
        Make the sbaf reference dynamic in purple. All bases covered.
        Nov 22, 2017
      4. Merrick
        Merrick
        @shotgunshane Your ideas are intriguing to me and I wish to subscribe to your newsletter.
        Nov 22, 2017
        shotgunshane likes this.
    11. Merrick
      Merrick
      What’s a reasonable price for an HD 580 in good condition?
      1. View previous comments...
      2. Cspirou
        Cspirou
        Less than a used HD 600 for sure. Especially since the HD 600 has identical drivers to the HD580, just better matched.
        Nov 20, 2017
        imackler likes this.
      3. Merrick
        Merrick
        Thanks all! Just trying to get a sense of the market.
        Nov 20, 2017
      4. WNovizar
        WNovizar
        The current market trend is about 150 with box, without box you can offer for 120-130ish
        Nov 20, 2017
        Merrick likes this.
    12. Merrick
      Merrick
      Thor Ragnarok is awesome. Go see it twice.
      1. View previous comments...
      2. Grahad2
        Grahad2
        He was in Green Lantern ;)
        Nov 12, 2017
      3. Lyander
        Lyander
        Did precisely that, actually, second time was with a friend when we met up to celebrate her birthday. Awesome film, did feel like a bit of an Ant Man/GotG crossover. Don't get how some people dislike it, but haters gonna hate.

        Also, What We Do in the Shadows is awesome! +1 :)

        (Had to do multiple edits because I forgot the movie's title, haha)
        Nov 12, 2017
      4. brencho
        brencho
        Haha man what we do in the shadows or whatever it's called was so fun. but definitely check out "Boy" as well.
        Nov 12, 2017
        Merrick likes this.
    13. Merrick
      Merrick
      Sometimes it feels like all I care about are IEMs.
      1. FlySweep, Vansen and SoupRKnowva like this.
      2. SoupRKnowva
        SoupRKnowva
        Andros <3
        Nov 4, 2017
        Merrick likes this.
      3. philipmorgan
        philipmorgan
        Andros and speakers are my jam at the moment.
        Nov 5, 2017
        JayC, SoupRKnowva and Merrick like this.
      4. DigMe
        DigMe
        Your wife has noticed too.
        Nov 5, 2017
        drgumbybrain and Merrick like this.
    14. Merrick
      Merrick
      I’m seriously obsessed with the From Elvis in Memphis album.
      1. monacelli likes this.
      2. monacelli
        monacelli
        Thanks for giving this album a shout out, @Merrick. I've never really listened to Elvis, but I'm digging it!
        Oct 29, 2017
        Merrick likes this.
      3. Merrick
        Merrick
        Glad you like it! Unfortunately most of the rest of his catalog sounds very different.
        Oct 29, 2017
        monacelli likes this.
      4. monacelli
        monacelli
        It's got a unique vibe to it, a lot of disparate influences beautifully blended. I hear some Conway Twitty in there, some Ray Charles. But man, Elvis really digs in on the vocals. He sings like he means it.
        Oct 29, 2017
        Merrick likes this.
    15. Merrick
      Merrick
      Picked up a pair of Infinity Crescendo CS-3009s for $40 tonight. They’re going to be the anchor of my main system.
      1. philipmorgan, monacelli and JoshMorr like this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. Merrick
        Merrick
        @insidious meme They need new foam around the drivers for sure. I’m going to take them to a shop to be serviced, might be a few hundred but still not a bad deal (and might just be the cost of replacing the foam). The guy was selling them because his wife objected to their looks, not for any deficiencies in the speakers.
        Oct 5, 2017
      4. DigMe
        DigMe
        now you can drown out the sounds of your wife going berserk on her punching bag.
        Oct 5, 2017
        Dino, monacelli and Merrick like this.
      5. Merrick
        Merrick
        Doing a listening test now, there appear to be no broken or damaged drivers. Still going to get it serviced but these sound very good!
        Oct 5, 2017
    16. Merrick
      Merrick
      Goddamn, first we invite always listening mics into our homes and on our person, and now Google wants us to use always watching cameras? Ew.
      1. View previous comments...
      2. shotgunshane
        shotgunshane
        You should read the book, The Circle. They made a movie but haven’t scene it.
        Oct 4, 2017
      3. philipmorgan
        philipmorgan
        That movie was a garbage barge :)
        Oct 4, 2017
        Merrick likes this.
      4. shotgunshane
        shotgunshane
        Haha, I read it was bad. But garbage barge puts it in perspective!
        Oct 5, 2017
    17. Merrick
      Merrick
      Annoyed at the poor mastering and obvious errors on the new Bowie box set. The Lodger remix is poor as well. Glad I didn’t buy the box.
      1. Dino likes this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. Merrick
        Merrick
        For vinyl the Ziggy Stardust remaster is the 2012 AAA reissue and everyone should own a copy, as it is superb.
        Oct 1, 2017
        Dino likes this.
      4. Dino
        Dino
        I forgot about Pin-Ups. The LP is actually an improvement (not as bright) over the original US LP. I still prefer the WG RCA CD but that is debatable. I prefer the WG RCA STS to the 2010. I prefer the 2010 to the Japan for US RCA STS (which really sucks). Yes, the Ziggy LP is superb! (To bad about the CD mastering.)
        Oct 1, 2017
      5. Dino
        Dino
        I took a look at the DR for 'A New Career In A New Town' 24-96 download. 1 album is DR10 the rest are DR8 and DR9!
        Oct 1, 2017
    18. pavi
      pavi
      1. Merrick likes this.
      2. Merrick
        Merrick
        Thank you! I don't use Tidal but if I do in the future I'll check that one out.
        Sep 9, 2017
        pavi likes this.
    19. Merrick
      Merrick
      I recall someone here posting a link to a Spotify playlist of audiophile test tracks, but I can't find it. Does anyone still have the link?
      1. View previous comments...
      2. Panohm
      3. bixby
        Sep 9, 2017
      4. Merrick
        Merrick
        Thanks guys!
        Sep 9, 2017
    20. Merrick
      Merrick
      The Wetton era will always be my first and best King Crimson love, but there’s a very special place in my heart for Discipline.
      1. MrTeaRex, Case and DigMe like this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. DigMe
        DigMe
        Sep 7, 2017
      4. Merrick
        Merrick
        Yeah! To be honest I still haven't made it through all of the 13 disc Larks set, and then there's the Starless and Discipline era ones on my list, so it will be awhile before I get to the new set, although I do like that era a lot. It's amazing how much diversity of music Fripp oversaw in such a short period of time.
        Sep 7, 2017
        DigMe likes this.
      5. Merrick
        Merrick
        I forgot the Road to Red set too! Oy vey!
        Sep 8, 2017
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  • About

    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Portland, OR
    Gear List:
    Source: Pi2AES
    DAC: Yggdrasil GS2
    Headphone Amp: Schiit Ragnarok
    Headphones: ZMF Auteur, ETA O2, Sennheiser IE 600, Koss Porta-Pro
    Speakers: NHT SB-3
    Power amp: Schiit Ragnarok
    Portable: iBasso DC06 Pro, Schiit Fulla E
    Turntable: Yamaha PX-3 linear
    Cart: Technics ECP-205C-IIL
    Phono: Schiit Mani 2

    Signature

    HP/IEM: ZMF Auteur Blackwood | Senn IE 600 | PortaPro
    AMP: Schiit Ragnarok (1)
    DAC: Yggdrasil+ GS2
    Turntable: Yamaha PX-3 w/Technics ECP-205C-IIL cart
    Speakers: NHT SB-3