Search found 38 matches

by LostHighway
Mon Feb 01, 2016 7:15 am
Forum: Cases and Damping
Topic: Define Mini or ?
Replies: 8
Views: 7458

Re: Define Mini or ?

I have the Define Mini and as noted it is both big and heavy for a mATX case. However, on the plus side it is easy to work (big pays off in that regard), quiet and seems to ventilate well. I'm not thrilled about the way Fractal has implemented the dust filters (the rear access for the PSU filter is ...
by LostHighway
Fri Jan 15, 2016 2:53 am
Forum: Audio Crafts
Topic: Loudness etc: Tempest in a Teapot
Replies: 22
Views: 36858

Re: Loudness etc: Tempest in a Teapot

I have been wearing ear plugs at most amplified concerts - you actually can hear better, and avoid the ringing ears, too. look at the people working at the shows and playing onstage. 99%+ have hearing protection. shoot, i even make a habit to wear plugs when im working in the server room. (wait, th...
by LostHighway
Thu Jan 14, 2016 2:51 am
Forum: Audio Crafts
Topic: DAC
Replies: 7
Views: 17341

Re: DAC

I seem to have failed to address the question of which data transmission standard to recommend. The short answer is that you can build a theoretical case for almost any of the standards but implementation tends to trump theory in audio design especially given real world cost constraints. Asynchronou...
by LostHighway
Wed Jan 13, 2016 2:26 pm
Forum: Audio Crafts
Topic: DAC
Replies: 7
Views: 17341

Re: DAC

Here is my take with my personal biases noted. There are a bunch of inexpensive DACs made in HK or the PRC that may or may not be good. Personally I would not buy them because almost none of these companies have a real North American presence with a service center. If you have a problem it is ship i...
by LostHighway
Sat Dec 19, 2015 1:40 am
Forum: Audio Crafts
Topic: What are you listening through? speaker systems & headphones
Replies: 29
Views: 85997

Re: What are you listening through? speaker systems & headph

LostHighway The woofer for your Continuum 1.5 speakers is now available again!... Roy Johnson Designer Green Mountain Audio Interesting you found LH's post here so fast! This section didn't exist at SPCR a week or so ago. It is interesting (and gratifying) but I can assure you I'm not shilling for ...
by LostHighway
Fri Dec 18, 2015 5:10 pm
Forum: Audio Crafts
Topic: What are you listening through? speaker systems & headphones
Replies: 29
Views: 85997

Re: What are you listening through? speaker systems & headph

What are other good brands for headphones? Start here: www.innerfidelity.com/content/innerfidelitys-wall-fame There is a great deal of personal preference in play so without knowing your budget ( and assuming headphones rather than in-ear phones) my personal short list for brands would include Stax...
by LostHighway
Fri Dec 18, 2015 4:49 pm
Forum: Audio Crafts
Topic: What are you listening through? speaker systems & headphones
Replies: 29
Views: 85997

Re: What are you listening through? speaker systems & headph

LostHighway The woofer for your Continuum 1.5 speakers is now available again! I recommend you order it directly from Madisound. Audax #PR240Z0 (two-forty Zee Zero). A few tips: You may have to 'tug' your old woofer free of the cabinet, grabbing hold of its frame with a pair of flatnose pliers into...
by LostHighway
Fri Dec 18, 2015 2:57 am
Forum: Audio Crafts
Topic: Two Amp Projects: 8x100W DIY & H/K 770 Restoration
Replies: 16
Views: 35499

Re: Two Amp Projects: 8x100W DIY & H/K 770 Restoration

One minor correction with regard to Harmon Kardon, the companion preamp to the Citation Twelve was the Citation Eleven not the Seventeen. For someone looking for a 1970s receiver to restore they could do far worse than the HK 330c, 430 or 730. Higher power SS gear from the 1970s and 1980s typically ...
by LostHighway
Wed Dec 16, 2015 1:01 pm
Forum: Audio Crafts
Topic: What are you listening through? speaker systems & headphones
Replies: 29
Views: 85997

Re: What are you listening through? speaker systems & headph

LostHighway, I'm glad you asked about what's being used. Going through the old, idle gear is definitely a back-burner project... Living Room Foobar2000 -> optical -> Benchmark DAC1 -> ATI AT602 -> Dunlavy SC-IVs For better sound here, the 1st priority should be measurements & acoustic treatment. Up...
by LostHighway
Tue Dec 15, 2015 3:23 am
Forum: Audio Crafts
Topic: What are you listening through? speaker systems & headphones
Replies: 29
Views: 85997

Re: What are you listening through? speaker systems & headph

Aside from my full-blown Orion - JRiver system, I also have a system dedicated almost entirely to video on a TV room (converted bedroom, 11x12'): * 59" Samsung plasma (energy hog keeps room warm in winter) Energy hog or not I'm jealous of the plasma. A good television wasn't even on my radar when t...
by LostHighway
Tue Dec 15, 2015 3:00 am
Forum: CPUs and Motherboards
Topic: Z170 mATX mobos
Replies: 7
Views: 8031

Re: Z170 mATX mobos

for me, the quality of the power and durability claims are most important as well as the ability to have full speed pci 3.0 slots. New pci-e SSD drives, all sorts of things one can put there for future. The other thing I demand on them is the new 3.1 USB slots. I am not sure the lower Asus models h...
by LostHighway
Mon Dec 14, 2015 7:38 am
Forum: Audio Crafts
Topic: What are you listening through? speaker systems & headphones
Replies: 29
Views: 85997

Re: What are you listening through? speaker systems & headph

Beyerdynamic DT880 250 ohms with a Soundblaster E5. I prefer speakers to headphones given the option but sometimes headphones are necessity. I sometimes entertain the idea of getting a better set of headphones for myself and I'd probably be looking at the Philips X2/Beyer DT880/Sennheiser HD598 or ...
by LostHighway
Mon Dec 14, 2015 7:29 am
Forum: Audio Crafts
Topic: Linkwitz Orion speaker project
Replies: 32
Views: 74860

Re: Linkwitz Orion speaker project

If we are talking ultimate music reproduction, then ya gotta have all or most of the bottom octave! 20-40Hz is not crazy difficult to do - it is the subsonic stuff below 20Hz that takes a LOT of effort. I'm not sure what "ultimate music reproduction" means to you but IME it usually means really ser...
by LostHighway
Mon Dec 14, 2015 6:08 am
Forum: Audio Crafts
Topic: Linkwitz Orion speaker project
Replies: 32
Views: 74860

Re: Linkwitz Orion speaker project

So our conclusion is that the best, practical-though-expensive approach would be Kiis combined with a time-aligned, infinite-baffle, DBA sub? If I hit the lottery... I haven't heard the Kii Three and I've seen a ton of exotic speakers designs that both looked good on paper and garnered one or more ...
by LostHighway
Mon Dec 14, 2015 5:23 am
Forum: Audio Crafts
Topic: What are you listening through? speaker systems & headphones
Replies: 29
Views: 85997

What are you listening through? speaker systems & headphones

I don't want this to turn into "mine's bigger than yours" nonsense but I am genuinely curious as to what reproducers people are using. For my part I have: Emotiva Airmotiv 4s powered desktop speakers for my PC Green Mountain Audio Continuum 1.5i in my main system (currently out of commission with a ...
by LostHighway
Sun Dec 13, 2015 5:15 pm
Forum: Audio Crafts
Topic: Linkwitz Orion speaker project
Replies: 32
Views: 74860

Re: Linkwitz Orion speaker project

You are one of the few audiophiles who is equipped to try this. Just borrow absorbers from the chamber & pile them up behind the Orions. Is your wife planning any trips out of town? :D :lol: :lol: She'd kill me & lever leave me alone in the house again! (Or leave me alone in the house for good. :sh...
by LostHighway
Sun Dec 13, 2015 3:45 pm
Forum: Audio Crafts
Topic: Linkwitz Orion speaker project
Replies: 32
Views: 74860

Re: Linkwitz Orion speaker project

Also, this: An aside: After a lifetime of listening to both live and canned music, I've come to the realization that authentic reproduction of music cannot ignore volume. There is simply no way that even a single violin or singer can sound authentic when played at 70 dB for background music in a li...
by LostHighway
Fri Dec 11, 2015 3:28 am
Forum: Audio Crafts
Topic: Subjective vs Objective? Audible differences in hifi
Replies: 12
Views: 23207

Re: MikeC's Audio Craft: An Introduction

This is awesome. Also loved the presentation on audio myths. The second reference to good science versus bad science is one of approach. If you start by thinking, "We've got this dialed, we know exactly how it works and we can measure everything that matters" you've either picked an incredibly simp...
by LostHighway
Thu Dec 10, 2015 4:51 pm
Forum: Audio Crafts
Topic: Subjective vs Objective? Audible differences in hifi
Replies: 12
Views: 23207

Re: MikeC's Audio Craft: An Introduction

Apologies if this is taking things off-topic, but I am a little curious (and enjoying the discussion). You make a similar reference a couple of times with regards to what you consider to be an incorrect use (or understanding) of science in certain circles, but I don't get your meaning I'm afraid. W...
by LostHighway
Thu Dec 10, 2015 1:58 pm
Forum: Audio Crafts
Topic: MikeC's Audio Craft: An Introduction
Replies: 29
Views: 66674

Re: MikeC's Audio Craft: An Introduction

While I can't say I'd tell the difference with ultra high end audio like this it definitely all looks nice. Reminds me of an old hifi we have in the family which has a custom wooden enclosure for a mono record deck and a mighty 10W valve amp. Kind of looking for a new home for it right now as it ha...
by LostHighway
Thu Dec 10, 2015 1:47 pm
Forum: SPCR Article Discussion
Topic: Streacom F12C All-Aluminum Multimedia Chassis
Replies: 2
Views: 8963

Re: Streacom F12C All-Aluminum Multimedia Chassis

Thanks for the review. I hope the case looks better in the flesh than it does in photos, relative to some of the other HTPC cases out there this doesn't seem like a candidate to win any beauty contests.
I'm shallow, what can I say?
by LostHighway
Thu Dec 10, 2015 2:55 am
Forum: Audio Crafts
Topic: Subjective vs Objective? Audible differences in hifi
Replies: 12
Views: 23207

Re: MikeC's Audio Craft: An Introduction

When I see discussions of high end audio equipment, I can't help but be reminded of the commentary from Ethan Winer and Co with regards to subjective A/B test of related equipment, and the information bias of human perception when it comes to audio 'preferences'. The part at the beginning about the...
by LostHighway
Wed Dec 09, 2015 2:56 am
Forum: Audio Crafts
Topic: Subjective vs Objective? Audible differences in hifi
Replies: 12
Views: 23207

Re: MikeC's Audio Craft: An Introduction

OK, it's true that I have had occasion to hear significant differences between "good amps", but in retrospect, I can't be certain what external factors were involved. It was, as you admit, never as big as the difference between source components or speakers. And while I might have had a preference ...
by LostHighway
Tue Dec 08, 2015 6:22 pm
Forum: Audio Crafts
Topic: Subjective vs Objective? Audible differences in hifi
Replies: 12
Views: 23207

Re: MikeC's Audio Craft: An Introduction

Let me begin by agreeing with MikeC: good amps exhibit only minor audible differences. This is not a magic technology. Not to get too Bill Clinton but that all depends on what you mean by "good amps" and "minor". I am probably close to a decade out of date on amp technology but my own experience do...
by LostHighway
Tue Dec 08, 2015 2:55 am
Forum: Audio Crafts
Topic: Linkwitz Orion speaker project
Replies: 32
Views: 74860

Re: MikeC's Audio Craft: An Introduction

Again, beautiful work Mike! I still haven't heard any of the Linkwitz designs but when spring rolls around I'll probably make arrangements to go listen to the pair of Orions available for audition in my state. If I like the Orions I might go for the LX521 since the parts cost is about the same but m...
by LostHighway
Mon Dec 07, 2015 6:49 am
Forum: Audio Crafts
Topic: MikeC's Audio Craft: An Introduction
Replies: 29
Views: 66674

Re: MikeC's Audio Craft: An Introduction

And for that succinct summary of the challenges for a turntable, LostHighway . After I posted I wan't particularly happy with my too succinct summary but rather than try to roll out a longer and more complete explanation i thought I'd link to this short video which is only partially about vinyl rec...
by LostHighway
Sun Dec 06, 2015 2:11 pm
Forum: Audio Crafts
Topic: MikeC's Audio Craft: An Introduction
Replies: 29
Views: 66674

Re: MikeC's Audio Craft: An Introduction

Very nice work Mike! For those in community without much background in analogue audio it presents some very difficult engineering problems. On one hand great rigidity is required between the bearing/platter through to the pivot point(s) of the arm and on to the cartridge mount but since records aren...
by LostHighway
Sun Dec 06, 2015 3:33 am
Forum: The Silent Front
Topic: Passive Cooling vs Silent Cooling for my purposes
Replies: 25
Views: 22069

Re: Passive Cooling vs Silent Cooling for my purposes

Given the parts the OP has/wants to work with a "silent" PC with fans seems like the obvious answer to his/her question. When we depart from the OP's basic question I think the waters quickly become far murkier. Putting the fan electrical noise question aside, the following post from CA Steve I gene...
by LostHighway
Wed Nov 25, 2015 2:59 am
Forum: CPUs and Motherboards
Topic: Z170 mATX mobos
Replies: 7
Views: 8031

Z170 mATX mobos

This is primarily a question about mobo fan controls and BIOS but as a novice builder I welcome all the advice I can get. As the subject line suggests I'm looking at Z170 mATX mobos for a non-gaming, quiet build. I'm familiar with ASUS reputation as arguably having the best software and UI but that ...
by LostHighway
Thu Nov 19, 2015 1:45 pm
Forum: Power Supplies
Topic: The mysteries of ≤550W ATX PSUs
Replies: 14
Views: 11023

Re: The mysteries of ≤550W ATX PSUs

Luca, thank you for your kind reply, that was very helpful. It would appear that short of going down the road of PSU fan replacement I have three choices: Pay a premium for PSU with a high efficiency and a quiet fan, e.g. BeQuiet!, Enermax Platimax, etc. or live with more noise, e.g EVGA 550 G2 or a...