austinpop

Rounding out the evening with another new release out today. Can’t go wrong with a Suzuki Bach album!

A very worthy Mahler 7th. I’ll definitely be buying it as soon as It hits eClassical and has the new release discount. Impressions purely on first listen... It does manifest what I like to think of as Vänskä’s Nordic reserve, so it doesn’t have the passion of more ardent Mahlerian conductors. Some may actually find that refreshing. Recording quality is up to BIS high standards. FYI - @bissie

Just released! Listening now on Qobuz...

I didn’t have a MkIII for my review, but I’d be surprised if this were the case.

Will be interested to know how the "SR1a + HSA-1a" combo compares to a "SR1a + interface box + summit-fi amp" combo.

View Classified FS: Ayre Codex DAC / Pre / Headphone Amp This DAC was the first component to set me on my high-end journey, and I still love it as much today as I did when I bought it. I'm selling it to fund other purchases. It's in perfect working condition, although has a couple of minor surface blemishes as shown in the pictures. https://www.audiostream.com/content/ayre-acoustics-codex-usb-dac-headphone-amp-digital-preamp MSRP: $1795 Asking: $900, which covers free shipping and PP fees within continental US. NOTE for overseas buyers: you will have to pay actual shipping and international PP fees. Any customs charges triggered are the buyer's responsibility. Contents in package: Original box quick start guide software driver CD power cable USB cable Seller austinpop Date 06/03/20 Price 900.00 USD Category Digital to Analog Converters  

OK, just wanted to alert you that for the source <-> PhonenixUSB link, an unpowered cable (i.e. with no 5v) may not work. It didn't for me, in my review.

I’m trying to parse this. I assume you only mean the cable from the Phoenix to the DAC? This is indeed DAC-dependent. However, I can definitely confirm the cable between the source and the Phoenix needs to have 5V active. In the parlance of the cable I was using, the Sablon 2020 USB, it needs to be a powered cable. I know this because I also had on hand an unpowered cable, which did not work.

Sorry, I was being facetious! I feel your pain.

Is it too much to ask for a clear path from speakers to ears (without furniture in the way), or is that one of the non-negotiables? If so, you may be looking at mental health treatment before room treatments!

Ok great. As OP, it’s your thread. I’ll go back to read-only mode.

This is exactly the discussion that can derail this thread. Can we just take the above as a good enough reason? Remember, this thread started with Peter observing that people attempting such extreme builds could benefit from his access to customization resources. Let’s focus on that. If we get into the “why on earth would you want that?” discussion... well, we know how those threads end up.

Another great Naxos purchase while the sale is on at eClassical.

@Peter Avgeris Thanks for starting this fantastic thread! What I am loving is the level of civility and collaboration from disparate groups in this forum. This, along with the other DIY threads started by @Nenon and @StreamFidelity are required reading for cutting-edge DIY computer audio. You guys have already surpassed my rudimentary DIY inclinations, but I hope to watch and learn. We're split in this community between people who value different things: Software: HQPlayer and CPU-intensive upsampling vs. extremely low-CPU utilization, native sample rate servers, like Roon Topology: single server/player vs. distributed server+endpoint Design philosophy for servers: extremely powerful CPUs (frequency, no. of CPUs/cores, large cache) vs. low-power units — even for low CPU utilization use cases. I know my own experience is leading me down the path similar to @Nenon: native sample rate extremely low-CPU utilization software single server/player extremely powerful CPUs, but others want something different. People hold strong views around these approaches, and I'm already seeing some debate/skepticism creeping into the thread. My sincere advice would be that you as the OP focus the design goals around common ground between multiple camps, while leaving flexibility around mobos, CPUs, and PSUs to satisfy all camps. I would hate to see this turn into a debate thread.