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Showing content with the highest reputation on 06/17/21 in all areas

  1. You know what Victorias Secert is, ................she has BS'd people into buying 2 ounces of cloth for $40+
    4 points
  2. 75 and sunny today with low humidity here. Terrible. Sittin in a kiddie pool? Another just plain nasty visual. 😂 😂
    4 points
  3. & ask me if I care 🤣😂 Hey! pull my finger 😆
    3 points
  4. “tomboy” tom and boy - A double negative in today’s pure world -
    3 points
  5. https://people.com/style/victorias-secret-ditches-angel-wings-priyanka-chopra-megan-riponoe/ OMG. There are so many things I could say here but discretion is the better part of valor. Maybe I can just say that they're using less glamorous representatives now. Is that OK?
    3 points
  6. Another bites the dust - succumbing to PC/woke pressure coupled with having no backbone. This too shall pass -
    3 points
  7. 3 points
  8. I recently purchased a Freya + as a B-stock item, and it arrived within a week of ordering the preamp. I just couldn't wait the long lead time for a new unit. Anyway, I can't find any blemishes on the chassis and it was packed like a brand new unit with what looks like a new quartet of JJ 6SN7 tubes. It must have been a return. Instead of using the stock JJ 6SN7's, I installed two matched OS GE gray plate side FAT D getter 6SN7GTB tubes in the differential voltage gain positions (right side) and two new production Tung Sol 6SN7 tubes in the output buffer positions (left side). I initially used octal socket savers from Eurotubes in Portland, OR to elevate the tubes above the chassis to keep the chassis from any additional heat radiating from the tubes. Later on, I took them out as most of the heat generated using the Freya + in tube mode radiates from the regulated power supply underneath the top cover. For connections, I wanted full balanced connections from my DAC to my power amplifier. I used two pairs of DIY Mogami 2549/Switchcraft XLR balanced cables to connect my SMSL SU-8 Version 2 DAC to the Freya +, and the Freya + to my Pass DIY Aleph J Class A power amp that drives my modified Klipsch Forte II speakers. I have a Raspberry Pi 4 running Volumio connected via USB to my SMSL SU-8 DAC. I started off with the Freya + running in the differential JFET buffer mode, and I really like the clarity and large, deep soundstage. the bass response is very good and I really appreciate the black background with the all-balanced connections. Operating the Freya + with the nice metal bodied remote is very straightforward. I am not sure why some people have complained about the clicking noise of the 128-step volume attenuator. I found that it works very well with excellent channel balance. Overall, the differential JFET buffer mode presents a musical presentation with great tonality, timing, and great detail. After running about two hours, I switched the Freya + into differential tube mode, and the sound was initially a little edgy in the upper midrange with some sibilance, but over the course of 30-60 minutes, the sound smoothed out significantly. The soundstage started to open up to extend beyond my speakers side-to-side and well beyond the back wall. The tone took on a creamier richness if I can call it that. As others have said, the Freya + in tube mode will get warm--literally. I could place my hand over the power supply area where most of the heat is emanating and keep it there, so it wasn't scorching hot, but definitely warm. But then, I also have a Pas DIY Aleph J with some hefty heat sinks radiating a lot of heat too. The combination of the Freya + driving my Pass DIY Aleph J sounds beautiful. I can play anything from blues to jazz, to rock to symphonic classical, and the music is so engaging and organic. I have listened to lots of vinyl playing on my Denon DJ VL12 Prime direct drive turntable connected to my Audio Research PH5 tube phono stage and the Freya +. It just gets better with an analog source. Separation between performers is excellent and the fine detail and tonality of the music comes through very clearly. I hate to say it, but music sounds better playing through the Freya + compared to my Audio Research LS7 tube line stage. With the balanced connections, I have a black background, and maybe this is what allows me to hear things in recordings I hadn't heard before. Maybe it's because the LS7 only has single-ended RCA connections. I also have a rebuilt McIntosh MC240 tube power amp to connect to the Freya + using RCA single ended interconnects. In my experience, the sound really settled in nice after 20+ hours of cumulative playing time. The jury is still out on long term reliability. For now, I have to say I am very impressed with the build quality, the Schiit aesthetics, and more importantly, what I am hearing from this $899 preamp.
    3 points
  9. It's been hot here also 95 and humidity in the high 70's, not AZ hot but plenty enough for me.
    3 points
  10. As did I with the oxymoron crack. I knew you could take it. I have a couple Hawaiian shirts, one of which I bought in Hawaii, another at a local thrift shop. EDIT: 6/17/21 I stand corrected. The pocket matches on the expensive shirt purchased in Honolulu; it does not match on the thrift shop shirt.
    3 points
  11. As PBS Passport members we were perusing the PBS channel through Roku and stumbled across the Classic Albums series. The making of many classic albums is covered in documentary format. We watched the episodes regarding No Secrets and The Plastic Ono Band. They were very interesting. There are many more. I strongly recommend the series. EDIT: 6/17/21 Apparently, the documentary series originated with the BBC, but is now available on several streaming platforms. We watch it on the PBS channel through ROKU. Our donation of $100 per year makes us “Passport” members with unlimited access to many excellent PBS offerings in addition to the Classic Albums series. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classic_Albums The episodes about DSOTM and American Beauty were also very interesting. I look forward to enjoying more episodes.
    3 points
  12. Thanks to @Kevmosmith for sending this headphone amp to me for free a few months back. It worked great powering some small bookshelf speakers, but I'm not using it anymore, so as per his request, I'll be passing it along to another member. You will need to provide a standard power cable to go into the brick. Free + $0.00 shipping and handling, same as he did. First person gets it.
    2 points
  13. I hope so. Btw I'm in a full-stack development boot camp right now. Switching to that line of work hopefully this fall. It seems many developers are also audio nerds. The guy who got me into Klipsch is a SQL developer.
    2 points
  14. I find it strange that RW wants the public to have everything for free ... Unless it comes to his funds or copyrights
    2 points
  15. Tell us how you really feel, Roger, lol.
    2 points
  16. Priced a little high. Good luck with your sale!!! LOL Nice offer.
    2 points
  17. Roger Waters denies ‘powerful idiot’ Mark Zuckerberg’s bid to use Pink Floyd song in Instagram ad: ‘No f—ing way’ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8IFVVmT2YhE
    2 points
  18. The mounting bolts are quarter inch diameter. Shortly after getting my K-402s, I made a decorative frame to hide the extra holes. The trim improves the appearance and does not affect the sound of the horn. I like the look of the wider frame on the New Jubilee.
    2 points
  19. Got mine today. Go to Houston to get son's tomorrow.
    2 points
  20. So "What You Got Today" was a ditch? Nice.
    2 points
  21. "aint no doubt about it" & I'm headed for the hills Actually moreso for lower taxes, better water and fresh air, hopefully the acid rain was just in the 80s! That flat Toyota was parked, nobody in it so everyone was fascinated including the firemen and police. We're up 14 here, 90s come back tomorrow. Things have cleared the acct, copies of everything made & final accounting coming up. OK has anyone else noticed that when it's warm and humid you have to cut your nails more often? I first noticed when I moved to warm humid FL in `92, right now I've got to do it again and I think I just did it last week %$#!
    2 points
  22. Our humidity doubled the other day... and was still in single digits.... Temps has gained 8` since 6AM..
    2 points
  23. A ‘hundred predicted today and tomorrow. First time in 1200 + days for such an event. Although it’s been 95 + and high humidity for the past week. I mean really, what’s a few more degrees - . 🥵
    2 points
  24. about 65` this AM. Temp will climb 40` today. R/H is still in single digits. @JohnJ never been to DeathValley.... from what I've seen in pics... no, not like here. It's hilly here...and, as you noted, much, much more vegetation. Not to mention, 20` - 30` cooler. .
    2 points
  25. Death Valley is a good ways north & W of you isn't it @grasshopper ? But I guess the terrain isn't that much different where you are except a few more trees and foliage. Heard on the tv 120s hitting the valley soon. We've had more 80s than 90s so far this June. Happy the wet air broke, even if it's only for a day. Imagine by Sept. that we are long overdue for a heatwave. Last bad one I remember was mid to late 80s.. > a year without rain, something like 50+ days over 95, 20+ over 100 in there. I literally watered our hardwoods and bushes with the garden soaker and let the lawn die that year. Ever since occasionally a big `ol tree falls down around here, not in this yard though. Ten years ago on the road parallel to this one a hundred year old oak way over 50 ft tall fell one day. I thought a plane had nose dived into the earth but there wasn't an explosion after the ground shook. From one front yard to the back yard of the place across the street it was five feet tall. The crowd was separated by it. The Toyota was less than ten inches squished out around it on my side. The trunk touched the road on one side and the curb on the other. A junk yard car crusher couldn't have done a better job!
    2 points
  26. Exactly what I use, although not in German......
    2 points
  27. This monster is next, but not today.
    1 point
  28. I contacted him he decided to keep them I told him good decision
    1 point
  29. Understatement of the year! Most tomboys are a lot prettier than that one!
    1 point
  30. Worry about something else. Tube gear reigned before air conditioning became prevalent in homes.
    1 point
  31. Not to beat a dead horse but this quote is from a thread on Nelson Pass' SE V-fet project on the SMPS included in the kit build of the SE V-fet amplifier. For those that are not familiar with a V-fet (SIT) transistor it has the curves of a triode amplifier. In other words a triode tube like SS device. Makes one wonder how much if any better the Benchmark amplifier would sound with a linear PS. "I have viewed this as an exercise in revealing the full potential of the amplifier. The SMPS that is part of the kit does a good job and will make some (or most) amp builders very happy. It is a cost effective solution. It does not let the amp perform at its very best. The only way to find this out is to build an alternative PSU and listen carefully to the results. The discussion of alternate linear PSU designs is a way of exploring different ways of letting this VFET amp sound its very best."
    1 point
  32. I don't know what your intentions are here, but if you just want to to refresh a black lacquer finish, then save yourself all of this trouble and start with this product here. Otherwise follow below... Those instructions in your OP sound like something I use after returning home from an auction with some primitive furniture having multiple coats of lead paint I needed to remove. If your finely veneered speakers are truly painted and not stained, and it is an original factory finish, then they are almost certainly painted with lacquer. However, there are lacquer topcoats, and these can be applied over stained, or dyed, veneers, so know the differences first. There are several varieties of lacquer, but your removal steps should remain the same. If your speakers are indeed lacquer, you will know this instantly simply by touching the finish with a rag dampened with lacquer thinner. Never do this test, unless you are intent to ruin the existing finish and are prepared to refinish the product anyways. Does not apply here, but it is the same thing with shellac, never allow contact with alcohol. Did you know that Ash is about 33% softer than Oak? Regardless, do not jump right in and start using #3 course steel wool as per your OP instructions provide. Avoid anything steel, as this will leave some steel fibers behind, which can oxidize regardless of whether the final finish is water or not. There are non-steel varieties of almost everything. Purchase and use synthetic. Again, work your way up as necessary, using the most aggressive components for last, ie; choice of stiff natural brushes. I would prefer that you do not use gently use a putty knife, as this will certainly mar the now moistened veneer, which will appear in your final product, and the veneer is possibly too thin to work out the damage you may have just caused. Do not go directly to 220 grit. Find the grit that is compatible with the coarsest wool, or whatever you used, and work up in grade to finish with 220. Read the directions of the finish you intend to use, as certain finishes require a certain grit in your prep. You do not need to sand down, other than to remove isolated damages deeper in the veneer. You could use wood putty very sparingly to fix those, but there are other methods as well. Sand that out evenly. Use an air compressor to blow off any dust. Followed by mineral spirits. Tack cloth last. Do not stain until you have tested you entire finish process on a raw piece of wood, preferably ash, but oak would work better for testing than pine. If you don't like that finish, easier to start with new test piece than a new pair of speakers. When you are prepared, start with the bottom first for all of your steps, both in prep and in finish. Even a seasoned pro gets better with each stroke......🤭 That's what she said. 🤣
    1 point
  33. Once you go heritage you’ll never go back. Replaced my RF-63’s with La Scala Ii’s, then upgraded to AL5’s last summer. Just replaced RS-62 II’s with Fortee IV’s and have a third La Scala AL5 on the way to replace my RC-64 III center. Best move I’ve ever made.
    1 point
  34. Watch the movie The Dig about amateur archeologist Basil Brown where he unearthed the richest medieval burial mound ever found in Europe - Sutton Hoo.
    1 point
  35. 1 point
  36. Nice work. You did those speakers a solid.
    1 point
  37. Very cool shirt but you missed an important memo.
    1 point
  38. I will do a mini review of SQ and overall listening pleasure The cost was $140 AU - and could not resist ( Brand new sealed )
    1 point
  39. I also use this amp, with balanced cables. It's been years so I paid a lot more for mine. It still works just fine. Killer deal people! You don't find specs this one has for this cheap. Made in USA before the company sold as well.
    1 point
  40. Thanks for the responses; I've updated the firmware and done and reset and no HDMI, but I'm starting to think you guys are right and that PC's/laptop's HDMI port are not designed to output sound to these speakers. I've tried 2 different Win 10 laptops, my HTPC, and a Chromebook and none of them register or can output to HDMI. I had a bad experience with my Klipsch RP-15 where after 3 good years of use all of the inputs died, and it seemed to me the catalyst was USB input. I sent them in Klipsch for re-conditioning and it's been 6 months of me not having speakers (apparently that model is on backorder). I gave up waiting for them to send me a new pair of my old speakers so I bought the Fives and built a new home theater but not it's been two weeks of no audio and I have to say it's pretty frustrating. It's for that reason I am trying to do everything but use a USB cable, but I could be convinced if someone gives me a good reason. I bought a 32ft SPDIF cable, anyone mind telling me what the differences between Optical and USB will be? Will I miss out on features? Many thanks!
    1 point
  41. Guys - I seem to have run out of “likes” for the day. I appreciate all the info and guidance you’ve sent my way.
    1 point
  42. My thoughts? Ha! Know your budget, become a frequent member in here spending time LEARNING and enjoying the banter while watching the "garage sale" section. You want to know what something sounds like? This is the place. You want something that cranks the tunes? Keep your eyes open here. Most here shoot totally straight and they're great guys who'll help you in a heart beat. Questions? Just ask openly or if your confused send someone a pvt msg w/your question. Once I mentioned I needed a lil pair of rubber gaskets to seal my LS driver to the horn. Sure I could get them but one of the guys stepped up and mailed me two extras he had. Who wants to buy 10 for $10 when ya only need 2? Newbies don't forget those guys and that's what makes this place work. Buy a membership and support the Museum in Hope. Many do but it's not a requirement. You want to expand yourself this is the place to do it. We don't bite too hard it's just that first bite when you're building your system. Then a second bite as you slide deeper into the rabbit hole. hahaha It's on you now! Just my $.02..
    1 point
  43. John Siau, I did not know who he was, is pitching his product and of course he is going to sing praises of using a cheaper alternative to the more expensive linear PS that is superior in many more ways technically. Those with an electronic background understand this statement purely from a technical understanding of components and circuitry. But hey, it works and has a reputation of dependability. The latest diy product of Nelson Pass, of which I have but not completed because to health issues, uses a switching power supply and the ones that have completed this product, a SE V-fet amplifier, say how quiet the noise level is. Many though that have completed the project have made the comment that they are going to build a linear supply for the project at some time in the future because they know the benefits of a linear supply. Face it a big expensive transformer with expensive capacitors is required for a linear supply vs the light weight switching supply used in the project and also in the Benchmark. Most all I have said on this subject, linear vs switching doesn't really matter if both work as intended and are dependable. I use to also be one of them that was searching for straight wire with gain in an amplifier but now that I am old my attitude has changed to the camp of Passlabs and First Watt. The designer of the company is Nelson Pass and he has stated that for years he built amplifiers with the goal of straight wire with gain with low distortion numbers. But now he designs amplifiers that sound great to him and hopes others hear the difference and buys enough of his products for his companies to survive. From all appearances he has achieved his goal in that he has a loyal following that purchases his products. In case you do not know much about Nelson he is considered a legend in audio amplification in a class all his own. There was a designer many years ago, his name escapes me right now, that said the best sounding amplification had a certain amount of 2nd harmonics and a touch of 3rd. Nelson has intentionally introduced some 2nd harmonics in his amplifiers along with designing amplifiers that naturally have a touch of 2nd harmonics. As Nelson has stated many times he is in the entertainment business and not scientific products. All this talk of straight wire with gain is for the young audiophiles trying to say do not chase numbers as I once did 40 years ago. I bought an expensive pre amplifier years ago in my youth with numbers lower than the equipment used to test it. It is now considered by most as not that great sounding and I can agree. Lasted 30 years without a problem as did the same brand amplifier so they were well made but not the best sounding. If I had it to do over again I would have bought a tube McIntosh which was about the same price and is now worth more than the cost back then. To me a SET tube amplifier is what I listen with most of time with plenty of the sweet 2nd harmonics many of use just love. It is like magic to my ears. Holographic is how many describe the sound. As if a singer is in the room with you. PS: Jean Hiraga is who is quoted as saying some 2nd harmonics with a touch of 3rd sound best to him. A legend also in sound. Had to do some googling to remember his name. I have got way off the OP topic of Benchmark amplifiers. I am almost positive, because of it's loyal following that praises it's sound, that it was not designed to be straight wire with gain. From all that I have heard over the years it has to be an excellent sounding amplifier worthy of consideration. There are many members on this site that have had many different amplifiers that consider it their choice in amplification There is no one amplifier that fits all.
    1 point
  44. Big shout out too WestCoastDrums for putting up with me the last couple of days. He shared his Knowledge for Klipsch speakers and was patience with my indecision. I really like these Klipsch Forte but it didn't work out for me.
    1 point
  45. When Edmund G. Brown (Jerry Brown's father) was governor of California, in the early '60s, they issued an advisory to the DMV that most cars were unsuitable after 60,000 miles. Mechanics kept some going to beyond 100K, though. A friend of mine drove around with a hole in the floorboard of his car, you could see the road speeding by through the floor. Of course, he had one door tied closed with a rope. A cloud of bright white/gray smoke &/or steam would shoot out of his car's exhaust pipe when he started up.
    1 point
  46. Having lost loved ones to cancer, I totally get where she is coming from. Try to make every day a happy one even when it ain't easy.
    1 point
  47. 1 point
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