bhjazz

I'm not sure what your timetable would be for this, but I might be able to get it in line. I've currently got two repair projects right now and two builds, but let's chat. Could you describe what the RAM mods were to the unit? What did it sound like before the mods? Between the two, we might be able to come up with a fix. Difficult to say at this point... Also, have you talked to RAM about your lack of satisfaction? Brian

Rik at EVS (twekaudio.com) has recently changed his options for the Oppo in a major way. I am concerned because all the original options for these units look like they are no longer available. (I check the internet wayback machine to find the older versions) So whether these new mods with the 32 bit AKM 4397 DAC are truly a big step up, or whether Rik is just enjoying his job remains to be heard. I was considering the exact same thing you are doing: a second machine that plays everytghing that my big rig downstairs does. Then I considered doing the upgrade work myself, but found that much of what these guys do is undocumented, so that would mean I would get maybe 50 or 75% of the upgrade benefits. Hm. Anyway, ramblings aside (aside my morning coffee) I'm sure the Oppo has gained it's status for a good reason. But Denon has been making players for years, really, so I would add that in as a serious contender. Plus there are some tweak shops that upgrade the Denon. Between the two costs (player + mods), that would get your costs up to $1K pretty easily. Also, I had not considered mods before I heard a Modwright unit. It changed my mind. Wow.

I could take in some of that. Likely lots of abandoned units out there somewhere...

/drools Somebody asked for pictures?

First off, what do you like? How about colors? Do you like wood, metal? How about styling? Retro? Cool? Spacey? Get an idea in your head of what your likes and dislikes are first. Browse through as many photos as you can stomach of DIY heapdhone gear. Some are amazing, some are not. Find some similar ideas then go to work changing it the way you would rather have it look. Once you have roughted out the idea, and you can draw it too, if that helps, get back to the photos you've seen and find out what case was used and where it might be available. Lots of people ask about cases so be sure to read through the thread linearly. You are likely to find the answer. If you can't find the answer, ask around or ask the builder. Shop online. Lots of crazy cool ideas out there, some not even sold in electronics stores. Shop locally. As you begin to rough it out, begin matching what knobs and jacks might look good. There are hundreds of posts about knobs on these forums, so just search and search for them. They are there. Once you have parts, decide how they could be mounted. In a straight line? Around a curve? Design it on paper before drilling. Tools: Pencil, paper. Drill. Eyeballs (for viewing and searching). You can drill plastic as well as metal, but the drill speed needs to be slower with plastic ) or it will melt while you work. Read, read, read through the DIY forums. There is honestly so much already here. I'll try to keep feeding ideas.

Consider the CK2III. Far more musical than I had expected, mildly challenging build and good cavalli design. Parts are fairly easy to source, and I understand that swapping parts doesn't make a huge difference so you can stick with the standard bom. What's not to like about that!

Chekhonte, sorry to disappoint. We've tried to negotiate some day other than Saturday, but it doesn't work as well. But hey - this is in the future. Could you ask for the day off this far in advance? maybe....

Xcelite 170M nippers. Sharp as hell, nice clean cuts. Tweezers: two sizes, could use more. One holds items vertically, one holds them horiz. In combination they are...well, they're still tweezers. But since they stay closed instead of opened, they can hold stuff while I wait for the iron to get hot, or while I get another glass of Merlot. I don't know about my favorite wire stripper. I acquired one of these recently. Not a bad tool. However, but the gripper portion can sometimes leave tooth marks on the wire casing and I think that looks tacky. I should get a different one.

Had a girlfriend like that once.

Hey Nenso, you're certainly welcome to come on down. the list I posted on the Fi includes a few Vancouverites (roastpuff being one). If you have a userid over there you might pm them and hitch a ride down. As for the rain, well, yeah. But that just means you get to spend more time inside with your headphone rig!

Seattle Spring meet: 3.22.08!!! I like the numerology of it (3*2) +2=8. The next two meets should be doozies. Spring will begin our push to get more vendor participation, and at least one summer meet will be hosted by Gil who is donating his garage space and two-barrel barbecue. So March...June...September...December...and maybe more. Last weekend's mini meet was a lot of fun, but I hope in the future we can have mini meets as well as "last minute" meets so that everyone can participate. I also want to give some thought (with all of you, as well) to building up some themed meets. Yeah, that's right. No challenge in just bringing all of your gear. How about a Desert Island gear meet? A "cheap and dirty" meet with voting? Maybe an analog-only challenge... Lots and lots of ideas to consider. Date 3.22.2008 Location: Broadview Library Seattle 12755 Greenwood Ave. N. Seattle, WA 98133 12755 Greenwood Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98133 - Google Maps Time 11:00 am to 5:45 pm. More time than ever! (we can move to LWTC in Kirkland if the group grows) 1.9.2008 At our previous meet in November, we had five new members show up. If you're reading this now, c'mon down! If you wish to attend, but do not want to join here just to post, send email to seattle.headfi at gmail.com which was created for this purpose. If our group grows into the low 20s, we'll move to LWTC in Kirkland. It should be fairly affordable, and the rooms look nice. Who Will Be There? 1. bhjazz 2. socrates63 3. Big Poppa 4. Joshatdot 5. WittyzTH 6. xtreme4099 7. Mr. Tadashi 8. iamoneagain 9. Thesrot 10. smeggy 11. mthsuperior (hopefully! Vancouver Island) 12. roastpuff (Vancouver BC) 13. AudioCats 14. crewchief 15. bigsojoe 16. mochimon 17. dgbiker 18. Optional 19. Steniacho 20. FooTemps Yes, this thread also appears on the much slower other site, but just wanted to get the word out over here.

france?

That's a right beautiful photo.

I'll throw in another voteee for Cardas. Once I learned to drill part of them for a nice isolated ground (if'n you should need it) they were great. 45 minutes left at work. \/\/00t!

Sagean DT-220V AM/FM radio. Portable, sortof. It's a bit larger than a typical 'pod classic, but does a great job grabbing the few stations I need. At work it actually gets these stations, and in my office, that's a pretty tall order. Mix it with an amp and SE310s, and my day can go by pretty fast.

Egad! Vintage TT means vinyl. Vinyl means cleaning machine. Cleaning machine means more finyl. More vinyl means better stylus and hotrod tt-pre. Mua-ha-ha-ha-ha.........

I knew you were a Capricorn! W00t~Cap's rule THE WORLD!!! Happy Birthday. We'll have to chat sometime about how weird it is to have a birthday like this. I mean, isn't it weird to you that you'll only be this age for one day this year? After a few beers, doing the math gets harder. Maybe I'm just getting old.

Thank you, my friends. And special thanks to boo for noticing! Yes, at my age, I've listened to the Original Sennheiser HD0001, the Grado SR-1, and the AKG Model 1. Many of these early models were quite costly at $1 when first introduced, and the headphone amps for them were incredibly large. RCA's first headphone amp was quite an affair with 743 tubes. We'd really warm up the old castle with that one, and in fact, my grandfather would leave the fireplace and boiler off when music night was upon us. We soon fashioned a 50 foot headphone cable so that we could leave the amplifier in the next room and listen without getting burned from the intense heat. To all: Have an unsafe and wild New Year's Eve, and a new year filled with electronics, headphones, DIY projects and great music.

She's a real winner, ah yes. I honestly shouldn't have posted this the day I did, but we had just spent the evening with the family and there she was. Maybe I should have had some extra-heavy-duty spiked eggnog to rid my brain of the pain! Truly, my life would be complete if she disappeared forever. Poof....YAY! (looking up Harry Potter's phone number now)

X2. I pretty much stay away from eBay these days. Deals might look good, but they often go haywire. As for Audiogon, I've had just handful of transactions, and only had to deal with one lowball sob. The rest were superb.

Background checks are quite necessary these days. It's very easy to find documents online and photoshop words or...names... of your choice anywhere. Somebody needs to shore up the other end, and I see that our fine government did NOT. haha. In that case, I may do some sleuthing...I would really love to find something!

It's all essential. That's why you probably bought it in the first place. I keep putting a few dollars away here and there for a vinyl rig, apparently just like everyone else. I need a house first. No room in this stupid apartment.

Camera/photo bag. Kiwi used to make photo bags and they have the typical velcro inserts so you can make the compartments any size you like. I can't seem to find them on the web just now, but head ot the loca photo place (or B&H online). Nice idea. I need something better for my commuting. I spend more time getting stuff in and out for the short trip, and sometimes opt not to bring it. Sacrilege!

Yeah, I might do some research to see if she ever really received the degree. Masters my ass. Sure would be awesome to reveal that it never happened!

My mom came through as well! editted to add img tags