muel
-
Posts
3070 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Forums
Events
Gallery
Posts posted by muel
-
-
I think the single coat of walnut and the rest clear sounds like a great plan! Nice work! For birch that can appear splotchy I'd consider applying sanding sealer prior.
-
1 hour ago, CECAA850 said:
Mac and Cheese (from a box)
Ramen Noodles
Baked Beans
Fried Bologna sandwiches
If it was a good week I'd have hamburger helper.
All favorites!
There was also the generic store version of hamburger helper... I use half the meat called for or I'd add a bunch of spaghetti noodles and extra water to make it go farther. In fact, that's what I cooked just a couple of nights ago and it was good for 2 meals for 6 of us. We lived it up with ACTUAL hamburger helper and Oldtimer's hotsauce.
-
3
-
-
On 3/7/2020 at 7:53 AM, DizRotus said:
I had a similar experience. I downloaded a DSD file on accident—as Millennials say—and it would not play on any of three Pono players, despite the purported capacity to play DSD files. I contacted the vendor and was permitted to download the intended FLAC file. All was then good.
Personally, I have no experience with DSD, and do not know why the format exists. By saying that, I’m not implying that it doesn’t have advantages, I’m just saying I don’t know what they are. I welcome an education.
Since Pono support has vanished, and because I’m perfectly happy playing FLAC files in balanced mode into my class D chip amps, I’ve got no plans to implement DSD, DSF, or WTF files.
Yeah, those WTF files are hard to deal with!
On 3/7/2020 at 10:58 AM, Chris A said:I think foobar2000 will handle DSD files if you add the SACD decoder plugin. I've never had the ability to rip SACDs from my PS3s and Oppo BDP103 since the manufacturers of both units prevented this ability in their firmware updates (which were then made non-reversible), but I do have the SACD decoder loaded in foobar2000 if I have the same "accident" that you had. I haven't had that accident yet.
SACDs (of which I own about 100 of these discs, including and most importantly multichannel SACDs) have a bit higher fidelity than Redbook 44.1/16 bit CDs, and the multichannel SACDs that I own are superb on the 5.1 setup.
DSD is a delta-sigma modulation format instead of the regular pulse-code modulated (PCM) of all other discs, and has been around for as long as PCM (early 1980s for audio via the Direct Stream Digital [DSD] company). It was invented to be an archiving format, not a released disc format. As such, has really no way to edit the tracks without first converting the tracks to PCM first, doing the edits, then converting back to DSD format (i.e., you've destroyed the reason for having DSD when the tracks are edited). I have some SACDs that respected the DSD format and the recording/mixing/mastering chain respected that "no editing" edict of DSD, and I have to say that these discs (especially the multichannel versions) are perhaps the best that I own--because the bass line EQ hasn't been tampered with. There are three Yellowjackets multichannel SACDs which are like listening to the original downmix tracks, and they're absolutely superb--reference quality sound--like being there.
Chris
Foobar2000 with the SACD plugin is exactly how I played my DSF files for years. I'm using ROON which isn't as perfect as I'd like but it is way beyond anything else I've used. If you don't have a player that can play DSD, Roon will convert to PCM. Roon will also combine multichannel files to 2 channels if you need.
Playing DSD files takes more processing power... If your server (wherever it is getting decoded) isn't up to the task you might actually hear a degradation in sound quality. Just my experience... there are a lot of variables. The DSD vs FLAC versions I have are not an apples to apples comparison.
-
1
-
-
These kind of lists always leave me wondering, "Who's left?!"
-
It's been a while since we've seen any "smurf" blue speakers.
...just kidding! Please don't!
on the other hand...
Through the years, we have seen interesting examples of formica or shag carpet covered speakers... urp!
-
1
-
-
Looks nice!
Instead of screws I just laid a sheet of this on the slant risers:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GJWL9PT
Non slip liner did the trick but it seems the price now is higher than what I paid.
-
1
-
-
44 minutes ago, dtr20 said:
I picked this up a couple of weeks ago. It's a Pioneer SX-1980. It needs a bunch of work. I'm currently waiting to get in to get it restored with a local tech. I can't wait to listen to it after it's restored.
Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
Are the knobs missing or did you remove them?
-
Here's what I did:
Don't forget diffusion!
-
1
-
-
I don't care about over producing at all... I'm just offsetting my electric bill by around 18,000 KWh per year I hope. We currently use anywhere from 30,000 to 40,000 +
Yeah, it's a lot! All electric with multiple heat pumps and kids with lots of clothes to wash. Maybe it is more economical to heat with tube amps?
I already got an estimate of removal of equipment for roofing replacement when that time comes... that will run about $2,500 which is a little less than a year of solar production.
-
We have LED lights almost everywhere now. My first try with those was a total waste as they quickly failed. My more recent buys have been more reliable. I have one fixture and 2 flood lights still with incandescent bulbs. The incandescents are all over 22 years old now and counting.
My cost for the panels now is less than half what it was 5 or so years ago when I looked. Maybe it was longer... I have little sense of time anymore it seems. A conservative estimate of the production per year and I should be able to pay for them in about 6.5 years but with a 25 year warranty (assuming the company we choose sticks around) I should be OK. Things happen so it could turn out to be a worse deal... roof leak and have to remove panels or company goes bust right before all the microinverters start to fail. If the electric company never raises their rates (yeah right!) it could take almost 8 years for pay back. It would be interesting to see if I have it better or worse than their predictions (which is really close to the NREL estimation)
Hmmm
-
Yeah, I'd still be on the grid... just producing enough to have no bill once or twice a year and lower bills the rest of the year. I'm not planning on any batteries at this time. I know I have noise now... just wondering how much worse it would be.
Still no subs at my house... seems like it takes forever for me to make progress on "elective" projects.
-
So, I'm considering solar panels (photovoltaic with microinverters) at my house. Anybody have experience with any negative effects on their sound system? Interference or noise? Seems I recall @Edgar mentioning something about this a year or so ago. Any problem that a power filter or nice sinewave producing power supply (or PS Audio's power plants) would correct?
The return on investment is looking really good to me and I have to do something about those growing electric bills which are averaging almost a 4 1/2% increase every year for the last 9 years I've been tracking.
-
Don't give up!
-
14 hours ago, Chief bonehead said:
Question. What about the reflection of the horn off the top of the panel?
I was concerned with that too... my configuration was similar to Marvel's. I placed a couple of layers of felt on the top in front of the tweeter. I tried thicker egg crate foam but didn't like the result (don't remember why).
The way I play with audio setup is like playing darts blindfolded... I throw the dart in the general direction and hope for the best. Sometimes I'm pleasantly surprised and other times it's like I've impaled a cat.
-
1
-
2
-
-
Yes, don't ask for trouble!
Have your vintage SS equipment rebuilt by @paul79 of Many Moons Audio
He will do it right and stand behind his work. It will also likely sound better than new as well.
Other favorite vintage receivers would be Marantz 2330, Yamaha CR-2040 or CR2020. I really like the 2040 but the sx-1250 wins.
-
The Pioneer SX1250 is one of the best sounding receivers there is... there you are... search over.
Worrying about how many watts you need or don't need is not necessary.
-
1
-
-
On 10/17/2019 at 1:07 AM, Islander said:
HDBRbuilder, I installed the H3 kit in one of my 1989 Heresy IIs, and I'm really happy with the improvements. I was using it as a front centre speaker, so I only upgraded the one speaker. It's now serving as rear centre, for 6.1 listening.
Just for curiosity, do you mean it costs only $500USD to do both speakers? It used to be around $300CAD for just one. That was back in 2008. You do know the Heresy IIs should be the square connector pocket models, right, like 1986 and later? If they have the earlier round pocket, some woodworking will be required.
The result should sound exactly like a Heresy III, since everything in the cabinet is replaced, except for the plastic squawker horn. You reuse that. The new woofer is clearly better, the new crossover is much more complex, and everything fits right in. I had to slightly open up the hole for the squawker, but that may have been unnecessary. It was a small job, anyway.
I could hear the improvements immediately: deeper bass, louder sound/higher efficiency, and clearer vocals. I was totally happy with the improvements, and now they integrate with the La Scalas a bit better.
I've heard this multiple times about the mid horn not being included but my III upgrade kit came with the driver mounted to the horn. It was all complete... just needed the old HII boxes. It was a little over 500 including shipping for the parts for both speakers.
-
1
-
-
Klipschorns for sure... but I'd also have to add a new house to the list as well because I don't have appropriate corners anywhere. My wife and I looked at a nice and big place not long ago. It was tempting as it checked a lot of boxes but it didn't have the corners where I'd want. I didn't mention that to my wife but when she hesitated I was quick to say forget it.
-
I'm always surprised when I look in the mirror... who's THAT!? I used to blame the light in the bathroom for the white showing up in my hair. The phone contact pictures of my kids are also 5 to 10 years old. I never did quite look like my avatar.
Embrace the change and enjoy!
-
1
-
-
Years ago, I took a decibel meter into the kids room to see exactly how loud I could get in the cave without being able to hear anything in the bedrooms. With all the doors closed the tipping point was around 74-75 db which I felt was pretty decent considering how close we were. I could push it to 80+ but then I was taking a chance on them waking up. That was when I had Cornwalls but I might compare now that I have La Scalas. Placement in the room makes a difference to the neighbors but there is only one best location in my room and I'm not going to make placement decisions based on how it sounds outside the room. 😜
-
40 minutes ago, glens said:
Just drill holes and use twine.
Oh here we go! Cotton? Nylon? Polypropylene? Jute? Wait, I've got it... hemp surely sounds best.
-
I've used a lot of RTV sealant for some NEMA enclosure situations. This was to seal circuit boards from exposure to dust and water. I've been curious about the long term effect of RTV on the boards but they have usually been damaged within a couple of years by other causes before I could see any harm from the sealants. Thoughts on RTV?
I've been using Dow Corning 732 since this was a gasket type use but 738 might be more appropriate.
https://www.modusadvanced.com/hubfs/Brochures-Guides/Dow-Corning-Silicone-Sealants.pdf
-
13 hours ago, dtel said:
When you first posted this I thought you were talking about to offroad kind, the fun ones not the van kind........always wanted one of those.
That looks WAAAYYY more fun than a minivan!
-
2 minutes ago, DizRotus said:
Donate it to a worthy charity.
It's a good idea! At least I'd get to feel a little better about it
-
1
-
How to play DSD or DSF files?! Noob question
in 2-Channel Home Audio
Posted
Excellent work, Chris!
I decided to finish backing up the rest of my SACD's and have good success using a Sony BDP-BX510 to grab both the stereo and multi channel files from SACD's. I also have a working process to pull the DTS and PCM audio (or sometimes AC3 is all you get) from my concert DVD's which a lot of the time sound better than the CD editions. There is something very satisfying about that process! I'd be glad to help anybody who wants to try... just send me a PM. I'd do them for you for that matter if you needed.