USB from your lap to DAC. Just make sure to change your laptop sound settings to output the max sample rate and bit depth of the DAC that you decide on. (ex. 24 bit, 192kHZ). Nice to see some old heads posting!
Have you checked with Primetime A/V in Rockford? I know they have had them in the showroom before; I'm not sure if they currently do. I haven't been in since before Christmas. Try to connect with Will, he is great to work with.
Jeremy
I think the way you are doing the mods on one speaker to compare with stock, is very smart. Measurements of any difference would be great as you stated, but at least you have listening proof and not just placebo or confirmation bias!
Awesome stack! You could heat a house with those if they were all on at the same time. I'm a J2 owner and would like to try some others (SIT3), but don't want to give up my balanced input.
I like adding the volume pot when possible because I mess around with bi-amping a lot and it helps with level matching. It can also be useful on mono blocks in a case where your tubes aren't perfectly matched.
Hopefully adding my opinion won't hurt. I have 4 of these I've used in various configurations. I think this is the best available of these type of products. I currently use them in between the out put of my Xilica DSP and the input of my tube amps in a two way set up. They do not add or amplify any noise into my 105 db Oris horn Lowther top end. Definitely worth a try for $60.
I have been subscribed to the Mr Carlson and xray tony for a while. I just checked out some videos from elam 1894 and I really like how he does it! Very well done videos that make me want to go to the bench and start slinging solder! Your description is spot on!
I agree, there is an obvious trend in the Hi-fi market to simplify and cater to new tech. Lots of all-in-one units combining amps into streaming and storage with nice interface and even phono input in some applications. It makes me feel old that I like separate gear and lots of it. It was nice to see the amount of headphone equipment available. It's great to be able to demo $5K headphones. You can buy a car for what some of the hi end headphone rigs go for. I guess it's all about resources and priorities.