CD Player / DAC Advice

Forums
The Entry Level
Submitted by vman on

Pretty new to all this. I have a Cayin tube amp (50T) and Dali Ikon 6 loudspeakers. My source input is some vinyl but mostly music streamed from iTunes over an Airport Express (encoded as Apple Lossless).

At a friends house (he uses an Airport Express as well) we tested his CD player against Lossless over the Airport Express (same CD) - big difference in quality in favor of the CD player.

I am assuming this is due to the cheap DAC in the Airport Express. Is this a correct assumption?

Linn Basik

Forums
Analog Sources
Submitted by Jabberwock on

I am considering buying a used Linn Basik Turntable, with the Linn Basik LVX arm and a Nagaoka MK-II cartridge.

I was wondering if anyone had any info on this table, what little I found said the only downside is isolation. Would that be a problem to a newcomer to vinyl (installing isolation devices). He is asking for $480 CAD, wondering if that is a good price or should I haggle.

my other options include.

Music hall 2.1 dealer demo $300.
a new Project Debut 3 $350.
used Rega Planar 3 - RB250! Shelter 201 MM $575
Would the Rega be worth the extra money?

cheap efficient speakers

Forums
The Entry Level
Submitted by dgiff on

I'm in the process of building my first tube amp approx 20watt . After hours of research I come to understand my bose speakers are not that efficient or of the quality to match my amp. Any suggestions? I'm handy with a rule and wood so construction is not ruled out. I have been trawling ebay for vintage speakers and I am overwhelmed by the number and verity available any help speak or cabinet would be appreciated thanx

Quad 2905

Forums
Loudspeakers
Submitted by Shaman on

Hello!

Can't seem to find a review of the Quad 2905's on Stereophile.
Was there a review of them on Stereophile - and if not, is it planned for the future?

Any listening impressions are more than welcome!

Cheers!

Grammy'd

Grammy'd

Feb 11, 2008

Writing about the idiocy known as the Grammy Awards Show just isn't that much fun anymore. I used to take great glee is slicing and dicing them but they’ve been so dumb for so long that, to quote Mr. King (as in B.B.): the thrill is gone. That said, I now look at it as live comedy, of the squirm in your seat variety. It's always mildly amusing to see the U.S/U.K. music business make an ass of itself for the entire world to see. In no particular order here's a few Grammy 2007 observations.

On one of those occasions when the camera whirled down and across the crowd, I saw Jeff Tweedy of Wilco, looking very adult-like, and his wife sitting in a coveted aisle seat. He's come up in the world. His band's <I>Sky Blue Sky</I> was nominated for Best Rock Album but lost out to the Foo Fighters.

Sinatra and Keys? A tragic mistake for her. Showed how limited her talent is, but then anyone would come up short against Frank. That little sound/image synch problem did not help. A bad idea gone wrong.

Tina and Beyonce. Tina looked spectacular at 69 and sounded even better. She is a wonder of nature. And plastic surgery. Beyonce? Damn, the woman has dancer thighs doesn't she? She looked and sounded very nervous. Of course again, she was matched, not to her advantage, with a masterful singer. Maybe the whole young/old thing needs a rethink.

Liked the commercials for Garth Brooks Greatest Hits records.

The Jerry Lee Lewis/Little Richard/John Fogerty segment was fairly amazing. The Killer, who has been rumored to be on death's door for at least the last decade, looked jowly as hell but was still having fun. Little Richard, on the other hand, was oddly waxen looking (yes, more than normal) and was downright grim when he played. It did occur to me that that performance could well be Jerry Lee's final television appearance, the last glimpse America will ever get, of one of the more unforgettable creators of rock ‘n ‘roll.

Thank God Michael Jackson <I>didn’t</I> show up to pay tribute to <I>Thriller</I>. The freak quotient was off the map to begin with.

Seeing and hearing Keely Smith was great. Kid Rock however is the same untalented dope he's always been. His only redeeming quality is his respect for rock's elders, which still ain't enough to make me say anything but: why does this man have a music career?

Loved the look on people's faces when Doris Day’s name was mentioned. Ooohh was that a LONG time ago.

Andy Williams looked like Andy Williams if he were one hundred and ten years old. It’s testament to what performing in Branson, Mo. ad nauseum will do to ya. And poor squinting Tony Bennett did not a whole lot better.

Great choice on Herbie Hancock. Blew everyone's mind. In a good way.

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