Audiophile Thread

Recently got an Audioquest Cinnamon USB C cable for my DAC to complete upgrades to my system. And yes, that digital cable makes a difference. Also went through a burn in process where I didn't like the sound for a couple of days, then something "clicked" and now it sounds great. I have no idea what would burn in on a cable, so I lean toward it being "brain burn in."
 
Finally received my Western Electric 396A tube I bought on eBay. This is supposed to be the best "native" (that is, doesn't need an adapter) tube for my headphone amp. Very expensive, but I got it for a good price.

Sounds nice, just slightly warmer than the tube I had in there before.

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Meanwhile, next to this article, PMA magazine runs a number of ads for SOTA audio components.

Here is one that I noticed.

Galion-Audio-Mobile-3-scaled.jpeg

If one reads the review of Shanling CD sources, one can find this nugget:

The ET3’s focus on precision and versatility has earned it rave reviews from audiophile communities. SuperBestAudioFriends lauds it as “the best under $500,” highlighting its exceptional build quality and performance.

Now available for $799.
 
So, my system has changed since I got a new M4 Mac mini. At first, the change was bothering me, because the sound was way too bright. I was using an Audioquest Cinnamon USB cable for my DAC, and the sound was very bright and somehow over-detailed. I switched back to an ordinary Apple USB cable and the sound, while still kinda bright, is more enjoyable. Also every album I listen to I hear new things in the music.

Something I've discovered is that recordings that I thought were pristine usually have mistakes or noise that were buried in the mix before. It's taken some adjustment to get used to that.
 
So, my system has changed since I got a new M4 Mac mini. At first, the change was bothering me, because the sound was way too bright. I was using an Audioquest Cinnamon USB cable for my DAC, and the sound was very bright and somehow over-detailed. I switched back to an ordinary Apple USB cable and the sound, while still kinda bright, is more enjoyable. Also every album I listen to I hear new things in the music.

Something I've discovered is that recordings that I thought were pristine usually have mistakes or noise that were buried in the mix before. It's taken some adjustment to get used to that.
Now I'm back to using the Audioquest USB cable and I'm not hearing the bright etched sound I was hearing yesterday? This is confounding.
There is more consistency in the Weather thread.
 
Just discovered there's a setting in my music player app, Audirvana, that I had activated on my old Mac mini. When I installed the app on my new Mac mini, I thought this setting was activated by default. I was wrong. Just discovered it was turned off and turned it on.

Now the sound using my new Mac mini is the same as my old Mac mini, as far as my memory goes. The difference I can describe as to being in the fifth row at a concert, vs. being in the first row. This was what lead to the sound being perceived by me as too bright, but it's fixed now.

Whew.
 
Just discovered there's a setting in my music player app, Audirvana, that I had activated on my old Mac mini. When I installed the app on my new Mac mini, I thought this setting was activated by default. I was wrong. Just discovered it was turned off and turned it on.

Now the sound using my new Mac mini is the same as my old Mac mini, as far as my memory goes. The difference I can describe as to being in the fifth row at a concert, vs. being in the first row. This was what lead to the sound being perceived by me as too bright, but it's fixed now.

Whew.
This might be analogous to my leaving my mono switch in on my old Hafler preamp and wondering why the sound was recessed from when I had listened in stereo.

It is not akin, however, to my needing hearing aids for my sensorineural hearing loss.
 
This might be analogous to my leaving my mono switch in on my old Hafler preamp and wondering why the sound was recessed from when I had listened in stereo.

It is not akin, however, to my needing hearing aids for my sensorineural hearing loss.
I got my new Mac mini on February 26 and I discovered the setting was off on March 16. It took me 18 days to figure out why the sound was not as good as I remembered it and was almost resigned to living with it. :axo:
 
I got my new Mac mini on February 26 and I discovered the setting was off on March 16. It took me 18 days to figure out why the sound was not as good as I remembered it and was almost resigned to living with it. :axo:
During the same time, I could have fallen down a steep stairwell that would have caused immediate death.

That too was averted, and I appear before you healthy and well.

What does one have to do with the other? Not much.

But, thanks for listening to my whine. Or, is it whinge?
 
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