The All Purpose Advice Thread - Part 2

Just please don't ever, ever try to use a coffee grinder used to grind spices for grinding coffee beans. Or vice versa.

 

What, no flavored coffee?

 

@Lyander, @atomicbob, @Armaegis, @fraggler

Wanted to say thanks again for the webcam and microphone advice. I ended up with the following:

• Insta360 Link 2C ($130 at Microcenter)
• Rode VideoMic Go II ($100 at MC)
• USB-C cable ($15 at MC)
• Rode Tripod 2 ($40 from Amazon)

Total: $285 + tax.

The Rode mic is a solid budget and value option because it can hook up directly via USB. It also has no battery and has a shorter tube than the VideoMic NTG so would be more immune to any indoor phasing issues arising from poorly treated rooms. I really liked the AT mic samples @atomicbob shared, but for now could not justify the cost of that mic plus the separate interface/adapter that would be required. Part of the reason I kept budget lower here is that I’m between jobs. In a year or two I may upgrade the mic depending on how real world usage is with the new job I’ll be starting soon.

I keep the mic tripod just past my keyboard so it’s out of the way, and the mic ends up roughly 20” from my mouth. I did some tests with my wife and daughter of the Rode mic vs. the Insta360 built-in mic, and the Rode was very clearly better to my daughter and me. She said it makes me sound more like myself.

The Insta360 camera is great and has a larger sensor than most webcams. I don’t use any fancy AI tracking or other features, but it looks great with a variety of lighting conditions and seems well-built. It also has a physical privacy screen operable by side switch, which I liked.

No issues setting up the new stuff with Zoom or Teams and both have worked flawlessly so far.

Thanks again!

 

Truly “all-purpose” advice on gear needed.

I’m visiting Shenzhen for work for a few days next week. Have been to Hong Kong before but never across the border. Wondering which stalls / vendors I absolutely should visit if I have an afternoon free?

for what it’s worth / context, I’ve got a Holo Cyan 2 (from Shenzhen Audio of course), a Xduoo TA-66, and several FiiO mini DACs / phone “headphone amps” in addition to a lot of Schiit. I’ve obviously got to fit anything I get in a suitcase back to the US, and I don’t want to get stuck at customs, so getting the Willsenton R8 amp I’ve wanted is not in the cards.

i also will have to trust that anything I get is legit enough that I’m willing to deal with no warranty support so… what would you get? Where would you go? Anyone in particular you would talk to / meet with?

Thanks all