Audiophile Thread

[Unsomnambulist]

After starting to listen to All Them Witches' latest on Spotify (it was released in September, but it passed me by), I decided to buy it from Bandcamp. Only to find that the FLAC version is 24 bit and a useless 1.12GB in size. I find Hi-Res to be a waste of time, it doesn't sound any better than 16 bit/44.1 and just takes up more hard drive space for no good reason.

Fortunately, I noticed the ALAC (also lossless) version was much smaller, therefore 16 bit. I downloaded that and converted it to FLAC, as is my preference.

 

[axolotl]

^ A man's got to know his audio preferences.

 

[Unsomnambulist]

Why Schiit Audio decided to stop putting the label "Made In USA" on their products.

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/sch...bable-start-up.701900/page-2884#post-14735246

TL;DR It's not because they outsourced their production, but rather legal reasons.

 

[Old Uncle Toe]

Why Schiit Audio decided to stop putting the label "Made In USA" on their products.

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/sch...bable-start-up.701900/page-2884#post-14735246

TL;DR It's not because they outsourced their production, but rather legal reasons.

"Made in America" is a long-used phrase that promotes a sense of pride in both product and country. For the FTC to split hairs and ruin that long-term institution is, ironically, short-sighted.

 

[axolotl]

"Made in America" is a long-used phrase that promotes a sense of pride in both product and country. For the FTC to split hairs and ruin that long-term institution is, ironically, short-sighted.

I'm sure the men in white hats (them legal guys) had good reason.

 

[Unsomnambulist]

I've noticed lately that indie albums have generally gotten a lot better in sound quality. Much different from the early 2000s.

My current audio equipment may be playing a part in the perceived improved sound quality, though.

 

[Unsomnambulist]

@axolotl upgraded his system; he wanted me to share it with you all.

 

[axolotl]

View attachment 2228

@axolotl upgraded his system; he wanted me to share it with you all.

It was just wasting away in my '72 Vega.

 

[Unsomnambulist]

 

[Unsomnambulist]

I bought some new Beets headphones.

 

[axolotl]

View attachment 2253

I bought some new Beets headphones.

Nice cans.

P. S. I won't let beets get that close to my face.

 

[Unsomnambulist]

This is supposed to be Schiit's turntable, Sol. I think it is very ugly. Almost a Brutalist version of a turntable.

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/sch...bable-start-up.701900/page-2910#post-14768743

 

[Unsomnambulist]

Fake vinyl record pressing plant busted in UK.

https://www.securingindustry.com/fa...g-plant-busted-in-uk/s112/a8989/#.XF7Fpy2ZM8Z

A counterfeiting operation that tapped into the growing appetite for music on vinyl has been taken down after a four-year investigation.

Working with the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), South Wales Police discovered an illicit vinyl pressing facility, specialising in Northern Soul records, that is thought to have distributed “tens of thousands” of unauthorised represses, mainly through eBay and Amazon.

 

[Unsomnambulist]

The Audiophile's Wife.

https://www.theaudiophileswife.com

 

[Old Uncle Toe]

So maybe this is a little below audiophile level, but I'm not proud. Is there a good reasonable DAC to hang on my laptop's USB port for $50-75?

 

[Unsomnambulist]

So maybe this is a little below audiophile level, but I'm not proud. Is there a good reasonable DAC to hang on my laptop's USB port for $50-75?

If you can stretch to $99, this has gotten a good response on Head-Fi, but I have personally not heard it.

https://www.schiit.com/products/modi-1

Edit: I guess you expect it to have an amp as well? This is one, though again, I have not heard it.

https://www.schiit.com/products/fulla-1

Edit 2: This is popular:

https://www.amazon.com/AudioQuest-D...dragonfly+dac&qid=1549931658&s=gateway&sr=8-4

 

[Old Uncle Toe]

If you can stretch to $99, this has gotten a good response on Head-Fi, but I have personally not heard it.

https://www.schiit.com/products/modi-1

Edit: I guess you expect it to have an amp as well? This is one, though again, I have not heard it.

https://www.schiit.com/products/fulla-1

Edit 2: This is popular:

https://www.amazon.com/AudioQuest-D...dragonfly+dac&qid=1549931658&s=gateway&sr=8-4

I've noticed you like your Schiit. That second one with the amp looks like the ticket. I'm willing to pay a little more for quality. Is that Schiit pretty durable? It will needs to travel in a backpack with the laptop and cables and stuff. It won't get abused, but it won't be sitting on a desk all its life either.

 

[Unsomnambulist]

I've noticed you like your Schiit. That second one with the amp looks like the ticket. I'm willing to pay a little more for quality. Is that Schiit pretty durable? It will needs to travel in a backpack with the laptop and cables and stuff. It won't get abused, but it won't be sitting on a desk all its life either.

Schiit products generally have good build quality, but I can't say for sure on the Fulla as I have never owned it. It does come with a 2 year warranty and their customer service is good.

 

[Old Uncle Toe]

Schiit products generally have good build quality, but I can't say for sure on the Fulla as I have never owned it. It does come with a 2 year warranty and their customer service is good.

I've been reading reviews and people like the Schiit you recommended. The other that comes up with as many positive comments is the dragonfly. Any thoughts on that device? I feel like I'd have to buy the red, as I'm inputting to a sound board and I'm not sure the black would have enough output power. Googling the v to mW conversion next, as the two brands measure output in different standards. Harumph.

https://www.audioquest.com/dacs/dragonfly/dragonfly-red

 

[Unsomnambulist]

I've been reading reviews and people like the Schiit you recommended. The other that comes up with as many positive comments is the dragonfly. Any thoughts on that device? I feel like I'd have to buy the red, as I'm inputting to a sound board and I'm not sure the black would have enough output power. Googling the v to mW conversion next, as the two brands measure output in different standards. Harumph.

https://www.audioquest.com/dacs/dragonfly/dragonfly-red

I've never bought or heard any of their products. But the owner of the Computer Audiophile website (now Audiophile Style) was using the Red a few years ago when traveling.

https://audiophilestyle.com/ca/reviews/AudioQuest-DragonFly-Red-DragonFly-Black-Review/