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Streaming audio from the iPhone and MacBook both seem to work quite well. I went back and read some product literature on the Belkin and I guess it has a microphone to calibrate the audio and prevent any synch issues. I did have an issue with an app on the phone where it would send audio and video to the AirPlay device, and the screen would just say that the video is being played via AirPlay. But that seems to be a developer issue as everything else worked flawlessly. Let me know if there's anything specific you want me to check. Hulu, Apple TV+, and Netflix all worked fine.

I can't say that I have, but I'll try it with video on the laptop when I get home. I was always frustrated with latency issues when trying to control audio with original AirPlay... It always seemed to lag behind the touch input. But I have none of those issues with audio streaming, and I was very pleased with the sync running the AppleTV audio to the HomePod Minis. So they may have figured it out.

I know most of the talk in the thread was implementing Roon, but since the thread has already been brought back, here's a basic option for future reference... For a simple AirPlay 2 streaming solution I use the Belkin Soundform Connect. I run the optical digital out to my DACs and am good to go. It's super convenient, especially in my home setup since I can stream from the iPhone, MacBook or when Lauren hides from the kids in my office, she can use her phone as well. I run one at the office, too. My only issue is an AirPlay issue more than Belkin's implementation... If I pause it for too long when using the phone, or multitask when paused, it reverts back to playing on the phone. I think it needs a longer time-out window. With the MacBook, it maintains that as my preferred audio output without issue.

I had a pair of HomePods, and I’ve hated the Kindle Fire TV interface, so I like picked up a 4k AppleTV, a mount for it, some HomePod brackets and some aluminum angle and miscellaneous hardware. Made a few cuts, drilled a few holes and mounted everything to the TV wall mount. Then I paired the HomePods with the AppleTV and I have a much-improved setup on the cheap.

Yes, but not as well as NOS. Not tank required.

Since I can't afford a 392 Wrangler, and really don't care for the stock Rubicon shocks, I did the next best thing... Swapped in a set of like-new take-off Jeep 392 Fox shocks. Soooooooo much better. The stock shocks were way too soft, and Jeep would rock so much when shifting, and brake dive was horrible. These are firmer and took care of those things without making the ride harsh at all. I also finally got my 1901 Maine state flag fender vent decals on. I mean, it's still not a V8 Wrangler, but stickers add more HP anyway, so I figure I must be ahead.

Thanks Nate. I thought you had gotten rid of your tester... I'd definitely like to know if they're salvageable!

Well, Nutella cost us $1,300 and counting today. Against our better judgement, we left some party decorations up for Piper’s birthday week. Found some chewed pieces of plastic streamers on the ground yesterday morning, and she didn’t finish her breakfast so I feared the worst. After multiple rounds of vomiting, including parts of streamers, she spent much of the day at the emergency vet. Long-story-short, looks like she’s going to be OK without surgery. I’ve admittedly been a bit of a mess… It was not a fun night, or enhaoyable day waiting to hear. And everyone was determined to welcome her home.

Ethel Cain - Preacher's Daughter I recognize that this is extremely on-brand for me, but holy hell this is good.

Let me know if I need to bring over the welder!

Well, not sure which one did it, but Lauren found my recently purchased matched pair of JJ ECC88 Gold Pins downstairs with the boxes torn apart. Pretty sure the newest kitty stole them from my desk and knocked them down the stairs from my office. They looked intact, so I tried them and found one or both are trashed. They weren't too expensive, but a bit of a bummer since I didn't have a chance to try them in the Valhalla 2.

AutoCAD for the Mac is somewhat limited. When I was researching it there was at least some functionality I used that was not available. Autodesk has a comparison showing what is and isn't supported between versions. That said, it may still be faster running a Windows version in Parallels.

When I left my Government position last fall, the company I went to work for ordered a new laptop for me. It was a Dell Precision 3551 Mobile Workstation. Intel i7 5.1GHz Processor, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSHD, NVIDIA 4GB Graphics Adapter, 15.6" screen. It has zero issues running AutoCAD... I use Architectural Desktop. The keyboard seems better than most I've tried. And it's pretty well put together for a Windows machine, though the cost is still staggering considering it's nowhere near the build quality of a MacBook Pro.

Finished Severance over the weekend. Really enjoyed the mind-fuck of it all. I didn't do a lot of theorizing, so a lot of the reveals in the final episodes hit plenty hard, even if there were some bread crumbs leading up. Finished Slow Horses last night. Really enjoyed that too. I forgot how much I like the British 6-episode season. The story flew by, and never felt bloated like some of the "we have to get to 10" Netflix series can. And Gary Oldman is amazing. Looking forward to second seasons of both. Need to get back on The Great.

Piper started calling her Jelly Bean and it seems to have stuck. Integration is going pretty well. Nutella seems wary of another female, but Marshmallow seems to have accepted her quickly. They play together a lot and Lauren sent me this earlier today. I’m happy to call that a win. And even though she’s still getting settled, there clearly isn’t too much drama. from yesterday…

Voidfloof is amazing!

Well, we decided to add kitty #3. Penelope never really got over losing Koshka a few years back, and while she loves our cats, they didn’t really bond with her. She’s a couple of years older and a little more cat-savvy now, so we thought it’s the right time. 8 month old just up from GA. P and the new addition (name TBD): And the requisite shot of the meezers: Yes, they’re this cute all the time So far Nutella and Marshmallow are intrigued by whatever is behind the door, but they don’t seem too put off. We’ll be patient with introductions to avoid rocking the boat too much. Edit: She’s a doll.

Got one of the cab corner repair panels welded into my father’s ’62 Willys project. As the saying goes, “a grinder and paint makes me the welder I ain’t.” Lower cowl panel in front of the door will be next, then the rocker, and finally lower door repairs. Then lather, rinse and repeat on the other side.

She has quite the varied discography, and unsurprisingly, I love it all. The iTunes Essential playlist for her gets a lot of plays. The transition she made from mysterious black metal performer to folk is pretty amazing.

I know the Ember was a game changer for my wife. With the kids running around, she was dealing with cold coffee multiple times a day, every day. I bought her the original 10 oz for her birthday a few years back, and when the 14 oz was released, I upgraded her that Christmas. 136 degree Americanos make Lauren a happy woman.

I'm receiving a lot of conflicting recommendations on what to do with my walls when I search the intrawebs, and figured I'd ask here. So, I whitewashed the pine paneling in my new office. I used a 1:1 of water and flat latex paint, applied with a brush and wiped down after 10-12 minutes. I'm really happy with the finish. Now, some folks say you have to seal whitewashed paneling because the watered down paint doesn't provide the same protection, while others only recommend it for whitewashed shelving and furniture that will see more wear and tear. Any experience/recommendations/thoughts/opinions? I'm only going to spot-sand the floor and just seal in the worn patina. The desk is going to be walnut butcherblock. Trim is going to be painted white. I'm OK with the extra effort if it's needed, but it's a lot of work to seal the walls/ceiling if it's not necessary.

Just thankful to have been keeping up with this thread. I had been getting complacent with my Breville, and had been making some admittedly mediocre espresso. As with all the other shortages out there, I had to make a change in beans. This thread inspired me to revisit grind and dose size and tamping pressure, and really got it dialed in this morning. By far the best espresso I’ve made in a long time.

Those songs, as well as Diana, were added to the Apple Music Chelsea Wolfe Essentials Playlist. I highly recommend it as it includes a number of her collaborations as well... Stuff I would've have easily found otherwise, including Russian Circles, King Dude, Myrkur and Saudade (and of course, Anhedonia with Emma Ruth Rundle). I love listening to her album-by-album, but this playlist is fantastic if you use Apple Music. https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/chelsea-wolfe-essentials/pl.b4ec95a5673a47e99d3ceff1979778f0 I tend to listen to Aventine more... I need to go back and listen to this again.

Those came out great, Nate. Well done.