ibanezhater

Two questions: In regards to the Peach, just what exactly is a "HT bypass?" and Would a tube set up run through Heresys be a good set up for heavy metal music? Cornwalls would be better, I assume, since there's more bass response, but would tubes be the way to go if you're a metal fan. It's 50% metal, and 50% Grateful Dead shows - and I know that tubes and horns make a kick *** combo for listening to Dead shows. I got a bunch of used vinyl, and lots of 70s metal, a la Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Rush, Scorpions, NWOBHM, etc., and I think this would sound great through a tubed system, like a Blueberry matched with VRDs. Maybe the newer, more extreme metal might not be a good fit with tubes? Sorry, didn't mean to take this thread off course.

How does the Mac Airport compare to the Roku Soundbridge? Are both "compatible" with a Blueberry preamp? The AirPort is simply a small wireless hub that also serves as a remote audio feed and range extender. BUT... I was presuming you are setting up a wireless network. The easiest thing for you to do is just run a line from your Audio Line-Out (headphone) jack on the iMac to the AUX inputs on you Blueberry. If you have your computer less than 12' feet away from you preamp, this will work great. Less than $15.00. Thank you! See, sometimes the easiest answer is the best! The iMac comes with the Airport, so I was under the impression that the Airport was NEEDED in order to play music from one's Mac to his or her stereo set up. I guess not, eh? Hey, leave me alone, I was a philosophy major in college![*-)] I also did not know the iMac had a headphone jack. Yeah, I know...don't make fun...I am new at this stuff. Nope, I am not ready for a wireless system...yet! What would you recommend about a CD player? I can play CDs and DVDs through the Mac. Could I use the Mac's CD player with an external DAC to sweeten the sound, or is this even necessary. Will the DAC make an audible difference? Should I hold off on a Rega or Arcam player if I had a DAC installed? Of course, I don't know how to install a DAC, but that's to be expected!

How does the Mac Airport compare to the Roku Soundbridge? Are both "compatible" with a Blueberry preamp?

I am just interested in plain old 2 channel listening. I would have the iMac in the same room as the stereo, so all I would have to do is go from my listening spot (the comfy chair) to the desk right behind it where the computer is when making playlists, going to the Pandora website, etc.

I lack hacking skills. Wouldn't the Airport within the iMac do the same thing with music files - get music to play through my stereo? Is Leopard an update of OS X? Sorry if that was a dumb question!

Nah, I only use the TV sparringly - South Park, football, and the occasional DVD. I just want to be able to hear "computer audio,", ie., MP3s, etc., through the system I plan on buying. I see it as the old school (tubes, horns, and vinyl) meets the new (Macs,MP3, iTunes, Pandora, etc.).

Would you hold off on buying a Mac right now?

For what I want to do with the Mac, I don't see myself NEEDING Windows or Vista. Music, digital photos, surfing the net, Quiken (Mac version), writing documents, and that's about it. BTW, I heard that Vista blows.

I stream iTunes/Pandora/BBC Radio 3/etc to my system using an AirPort Express and Airfoil from Rouge Amoeba. The AirPort Express has a line-out that I run to my AUX input on the amp with a mimi-to-RCA cable. What kind of software is Airfoil? The iMac I want has Airport built in, so would that line-out be located somewhere on the Mac itself? And if so, would the line-out be able to be connected to a Blueberry, which is very "old school?"

Lots of stuff on the shopping list: iMac computer with Airport and iTunes installed, and a tube based system (tubed preamp, tubed power amp) with Heresy IIIs. This system will be used to listen to primarily vinyl. However, I would like to be able to listen to MP3s, along with streaming audio (Pandora, Music Match, etc.) through my system. Is this possible? Do I plug the computer into the RCA jacks on the preamp? Will I need to buy a Squeezebox? A separate DAC? If so, does this negate the need for a high end CD player? Should I go wireless? Would a tube based and horn system, in addition to a separate DAC improve the compressed digital media? Warm it up a bit? All help is greatly appreciated! --Mike

Thanks for the reply. I will check out the computer forum.

Uh, anybody? C'mon folks! [:'(]

So far, 32 dead. Unfreakinbelievable.

OK, I do not keep up with current technology, so this is new to me. I am planning on buying a iMac desktop with built-in Airport. My shopping list also includes some old-school stuff: Blueberry, VRD stereo power amp, Heresys, etc. I see the convenience of being able to copy all my CDs onto the computer's hard drive, and being able to play streaming audio (Pandora, live Grateful Dead, Music Match, etc.), but I would like to hear it through my system and my future Heresys. I know this is possible, but I am not sure how to do it. What do I need? The Mac will have preinstalled iTunes, plus the Airport? Do I just plug the computer into the Blueberry via the RCA jacks? Is this even possible? Will I need a separate DAC to hear these tunes? If I got a separate DAC, would it nullify the need for a high end CD player (Arcam, Rega, etc.)? The system I plan on buying and building will be mainly for listening to records, with a CD player thrown in to listen to what CDs I currently own. I need to buy a new computer for home office work, and I was thinking about combining them. So am I on the right track? Will I need to buy a SqueezeBox, or will the Airport be sufficient? Can the Blueberry allow either a Mac or a DAC to be plugged in? Won't I need an optical connection - and if I did, I guess I'd have to look at something solid state? Jeez, this is becoming confusing!

An iMac desktop with a 17" monitor. Is it possible to buy a Mac without the Microsoft software installed? Why have it when I won't need it? Plus, I always hated that damn company!

Thank you for this resource. I am a novice, so simplicity and affordability is what I am looking at. I have a small listening room for now, and my anticipated system will be: -Klipsch Heresy IIIs -Prima luna Prologue II integrated tube amp -CD player TBD, nothing too expensive -Rega or Music Hall turntable with a MM cartridge For the phono preamp, do you recommend the built-in one in the Prima Luna or something else. Maybe the Bellari or EAR?

I hope to get a decent turntable in the near future - maybe used, who knows? Any suggestions from anyone about learning more about TT set up online? Cartridges and tonearms? Basically, I'd like to learn more before buying one. Thanks, y'all.

I read on the Audio Critic's website where he said there was absolutely no need for bi-wiring. It kind of implies that the speaker cable companies just want you to buy more speaker cable.

I though Oris made expensive watches?

And after listing all of those, you still don't include Steve Morse? Oops. Forgot about him, along with Robin Trower, Billy Gibbons, BB King, Dick Dale, Duke Robillard, Jimmie Vaughan, Steve Lukather, Larry Carlton, Albert Collins, Allan Holdsworth, Bill Frisell, Steve Hackett, Arlen Roth, Charlie Hunter, Stanley Jordan, Duane Eddy, Les Paul, Chet Atkins, James Burton, Steve Cropper, Vito Bratta, Reb Beach, Dave Murray, Adrian Smith, Joe Walsh, Tommy Bolin, Adrian Vandenburg, The Great Kat, Matthias Jabs, and whoever else I forgot to add. Notice I did not add Slash...because he is NOT a great guitarist (but was in a great band).

There is no single greatest guitar player, but the following players make the hall of fame: Eddie Van Halen, Randy Rhoads, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jeff Beck, Al DiMeola, Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Eric Johnson, Jimi Hendrix, Prince, Mike Stern, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Carlos Santana, Django Rheinhardt, Jerry Garcia, Alex Lifeson, John McLaughlin, Joe Pass, George Benson, Wes Montgomery, Charlie Christian, Danny Gatton, Trey Anastasio, Jason Becker, Marty Friedman, Jake E. Lee, Dimebag, Yngwie Malmsteen, Paul Gilbert, Vinnie Moore, Tony MacAlpine, Vernon Reid, Paco De Lucia, Andres Segovia ("THE MASTER!"), J. Mascis, Ritchie Blackmore, George Lynch, Uli Jon Roth, Jerry Reed, Howard Roberts, Pat Metheny, Pat Martino, Rik Emmett, Robben Ford, Tony Iommi, John Scofield, Birelli Lagrene, James Mankey, Michael Schenker, Michael Hedges, John Petrucci, Robert Fripp, Alvin Lee, Steve Howe, Angus Young, Mark Knopfler, Kaki King, Mike Bloomfield, Peter Green, Brian May, KK Downing, Glenn Tipton, Alex Skolnick, Zakk Wylde, Albert King, Roy Buchanon, David Gilmour, Roy Clark, Warren DiMartini, Kevin Eubanks, John Sykes, Vivian Campbell, Joe Perry, Kirk Hammett, Ry Cooder, Lindsey Buckingham, Frank Zappa, etc.

Nope. Not even close. Even for country music, Garth Brooks is awful, and as a guitarist? There are some awesome country players. Garth Brooks is not one of them. Try Jerry Reed or Roy Clark. All-time greatest? What genre? How can you compare Wes Montgomery to Eddie Van Halen? Both are/were friggin' awesome, but it's apples and oranges.

OK, here's what I plan on buying fairly soon: Klipsch Heresy III speakers - don't have room for anything else in the Heritage line. Listening room is small. Juicy Music Blueberry preamp - also looking at the Peach, but want a built-in phono connection. power amp: TBD. Leaning towards tubes, but not familiar with what's available. Looking at NosValves website - maybe they can help me out? Would like a stereo, tubed power amp. Not sure on wattage. Can spend up to $2,000-/+. CD player: TBD. The Ah Njoeb Tjoeb (?) 4000 got a lot of good reviews, but so did Rega's Apollo. Both must be able to play CDRs because I plan on copying CDs and downloading. Turntable: yeah, it's about time. Most, if not all, my future music purchases will be vinyl. My dad gave me all of his records, and it's a shame I can't listen to them on a proper system. I have no idea what's considered "good." Can spend up to maybe $1,500+. How much does a new Linn LP12 go for these days? Music Hall? Rega? Interconnects: Not sure. Is it even worth the extra money? If so, don't know where to begin! Cables: 10 guage cable, bare wire attachments. Blue Jeans or Dayton. Also looking at Anti-Cables. Belkin power strips (the cheap ones) Stock power cords - duh! Walnut component rack custom made by my buddy Dan Brody in Harvey's Lake, PA Later: for office - Linn Classik or Arcam Solo with my old Klipsch 2.2kgs!

Thanks for the reply, my fellow Dead fan. You said stereo, eh? Which mean no mono blocks? I don't have a lot of space, so a stereo power tube amp looks like a great idea. I checked out the website, and bookmarked it. Would a SS power amp match well with a Blueberry (or Peach)?