skullguise

Pretty much spot on IMO. I have one of these, got it used (opened, but unused; someone got it as a throw-in to a speaker deal from AV123). A CK2III I had sounded a lot better, for not much more $....

I'd second Odyssey (based on brief listening in someone else's system, plus what I've read) and Belles as well (based on 2 pre's and integrated I've owned). Especially Belles; there is something VERY right about his equipment that I've heard. Personally, I haven't been impressed with the Musical Fidelity gear I've heard or owned. I had an amp and integrated from them, I want to say in the A3x series IIRC. Somewhat neutral mids that impressed me at first, but bass-weak, and highs seemed too artificial sounding for me. It did not sound like music to me, and not even very good hi-fi. Same thing at a dealers, when TRYING to drive some Totem's unsuccessfully; power was there, but music was not. We moved to Plinius and it was a world of difference. YMMV, different systems and component interactions.....

One of my cats loves it when I pick him up and cradle him a bit like a baby. His paw WILL come around my neck, and as I scratch his neck and sides of his face, he'll kneed a bit, digging his claws into my neck. Sometimes hurts a bit, but too cool to stop. Great guy....but he's the first cat of mine/ours NOT named after stereo equipment

Didn't even know about this until today. I got to met him briefly in the mid-80's as well, he still seemed pretty much "destructed" then. But the news of his passing seemed to hit a little harder and sadder than some of the recent celebs' deaths. Not sure why.....

I heard an older pair of the floor standers (before they went to ribbon tweeters) a couple years ago. I agree with jp#'s in that they do smaller scale well, but don't quiote do bigger or harder music as well. Also, we had to toy with placement a bit to get best sound.....they sounded even worse until they "snapped in"

It's been a while, but I owned an RS-1 and had good fun with Eddie Current's EC/SS amp. The EC/SS also sounded good with some Beyer 880's I had (and I didn't love the Beyers with much else). IIRC, the EC/SS runs off a wall wart, and it may be fine with NZ voltage. They don't come up used too often, but I think they could be a good deal despite the opamps.... In my brief audition with other phones, though, the EC/SS didn't fair as well (AKG 701's were kind of plain and lifeless, as I recall). Otherwise, I'd probably vote for the M^3 as well.

I've noticed this too, Nate. We have I think 8 different iPods in the house, for 3 people (don't ask). I used to be able to connect any to any machine, and any NEW song would be able to be loaded to that iPod. Anything already loaded to another could not be put on the new one. Now, on my iTouch (haven't tried it with others) I get the "delete" message. Oddly, I haven't updated the firmware on it (it's still 1.x!), nor updated iTunes from version 7.1 (IIRC)..... For simple song movement, you may be better off trying one of the 3rd party proggies that can move songs back and forth.

I added a Diamond 7.1 PCI card on my PC. Coax SPDIF I and O, 24/96 capable. About $30. I got some native 24/96 WAV's, there was a noticable improvement for the hi-rez playback compared to 16/44. Not sure if it fits all your needs, but if you have slot space, a nice cheap alternative to USB options. EDIT: I see you want 24/192. I'm sure there are cards that support this as well..... EDIT2: Argh! Just read your "external" requirement. Curious as to why, though.....

Cool, didn't think many others knew/liked her. I love "Walk And Talk Like Angels" a lot, too.

One more name to throw in the mix: Silverline. They make great-sounding speakers, are easy to drive, have decent bass for their size, and you can get them used for nice prices. Heck, even their little Minuet is $400, allowing for a sub if you want (need) it. FWIW, I own a pair of their floor-standing Preludes. They are rated to mid-to-high 30's in Hz bass output. 6"W x 8/5"D (bit more for bases), they are easy to move around.

I like a lot of what's already been said here, and others will have to check out for sure. My additions, MOST off the top of my head: * Mary Black - Song For Ireland * Loreena McKennitt - Snow * Husker Du - I Apolagize * Tool - Sober * Joy Division - Decades * Bauhaus - Bela Lugosi's Dead * Nick Cave - The Ship Song, The Mercy Seat (from Live Seeds album) * Einsturzende Neubauten - Headcleaner * Iggy Pop - Lust for Life * (many singers do this well) - Night And Day * Heather Nova - Heal, Heart and Shoulder * The Damned - Sanctum Sanctorum * The Cramps - Goo Goo Muck * Wall of Voodoo - Call of the West * Alison Moyet - The First Time (Ever I Saw Your Face) * The Blue Nile - A Walk Across The Rooftops * Cocteau Twins - Blue Bell Knoll

Have never really got into her, though I had often heard OF her; but checked out the latest, and it's pretty nice....any order of recommendation for prior material?

I got some 12" x 12" x 16" H granite blocks from a stone dealer in NH. $50 a pair, he used a mini-forklift to put them in my car, and my neighbor and I lugged them upstairs to my room. Back in the day, I had a pair of VMPS Ribbon Monitors (taller than avg. "monitors") on them, driven by a Pathos Twin Towers integrated. Used a Symposium-like shelf under the VMPS's. Some of the best sound in my house ever (especially before the room became my wife's "office," and now I can't get much of anything to sound really good here). I also used a smaller piece of granite, maybe 14" x 14" x 5-6" tall, and sat a Carver Sub Jr/ on it. Crossed it over at ~40Hz, and it extended my system quite nicely. The granite base seemed to help with the one-note quality of the bass.

Guy I used to work with bought an NHT Power 2 when they were being cleared out. I BRIEFLY got to listen to them, after they had been playing in his home off and on for a week. My impressions, on a less-than-familiar system, was that they were actually kind of bright. Slight - very slight- glare in the upper mids, made female vox a little less enjoyable. Of everything, that's what stood out in my memory. I haven't heard a lot of ICE amps, but I like what I've heard from Hypex chips/amps better. Smoother top to bottom so it seems, with good detail, and pretty musical. I told a friend about it, he built his own amp (UCD180HG modules IIRC) with a tube pre built in, and loves it.....

The Babylon Rising series by Tim Lahaye. On book 3 of 4 now. Religious Adventure/Mystery

Mark Burgess, ex of the Chemeleons UK, with a great local Boston-area band, The Curtain Society, backing him. Got to meet and chat with Mark, and the show was quite intense and emotional.

Slightly OT, but Niagara-on-the-Lake is a beautiful place! My wife and I vacationed there in May, and loved it! A nice downtown without any "brand name" stores, the theaters, wineries, restaurants, etc. The Old Mill Tavern quickly became a favorite of ours on the visit! Lots of luck in the venture. I've personally never quite loved the Grado's, despite trying most of them. But the process here looks great.

But I'm an Audiophool! I have to have the FOTM....even in my gin!

Bumping this ol' thread.....doesn't look like Blackwoods is even available in the USA (?) I'd be surprised if any of the UK online stores would ship to USA, or even if they do if it's worth the $. Any suggestions? Anyone coming over to the USA (Northeast) for a visit? I'll actually keep an eye out for a local who is going there, too.....

I remember Arlington....almost got some Ayre gear there years ago, but couldn't quite afford. Weren't they even their own entity for a while (IE, not partnered with Ensemble)? Sorry to hear of your issues with Ensemble. There were several folks there (Mark M., Mark P., and Brad come to mind) who left to do their own things. John is running the show now and they are seemingly doing well. I haven't paid too much attention to Sam recently, so don't know what kind of praise he's lauded on them. But I have definitely enjoyed what I heard.

I still subscribe to Stereophile....I like it for the pictures I would avoid this DAC at its price. Everything I've heard in the past from MH is better than average but in dire need of updates/upgrades, and just not worth the price of admission new. Dan Wright did a very nice mod job on one of their CD players, but he replaced the whole output stage to start (though yes, with tubes). Cheaper parts, and as dsavitsk points out, some questions on implementation. All adds up for overpriced in my book.....

Loved Darby Crash....."Gimme a fuckin' beeeeeer" And their version of Grand Ol' Flag is priceless! I saw Ani Difranco Saturday night, a sometimes quirky but very talented lady. Not even as familiar with her newer work, but was highly enjoyable. Outdoor concert, JUST escaped the rain!

Do you know if this is build 7600? I have seen reference to that as being the RTM, but not sure if I should believe it or not.

I have a 4.0 DAC, and love it. I don't find it too bright, could be system dependencies or interactions. At list price, there's a heck of a lot more competition these days. But used, around the $400-450 mark, it's pretty tough to beat IMO. Detail/resolution, spacious sounding, extended highs (again, not too bright IMO though) are strengths. Deep quality bass is the main weakness. I haven't heard the Buffalo DAC except for a brief listening in an unfamiliar system. But the ESS DAC's and a good implementation look like they are winners. You'll pay more, maybe up to double what the OMZ costs used. That could be worth it if you have the money. If not, I don't think the OMZ will disappoint by any means.