Dusty Chalk

Work system: Sony CDP-CE525 (as transport) -> MSB Link DAC III (w/upsampling to 24/96 & HDCD options) -> Radii HAP-02 -> Beyer headphones (usually DT770, but I brought the DT990's and the DT831's to work with me today). Interconnects vary -- currently using some Straightwire blue somethings. Computer work system: stock soundcard -> Rat Shack Gold series mini-RCA adapter/interconnect -> Radii HAP-03 -> same headphones Home system (winter): Sony SCD-CE775 (as transport, and as SACD player) -> GW Labs DSP (upsampler) -> Muxical Fidelity X-24K DAC -> Wheatfield HA-02 -> different Beyer headphones. Interconnects vary, currently using some Silver Sound somethings. (summer): substitute the Wheatfield for the Singlepower Supra/SDS/somewhere-between-the-two Also use Cardas Neutral refs and Outlaw Audio PCA's. Just some regular old Hosa digital cables, and stock power cords. The only upgrade headphone cable I have are several different ones for my Senn HD600, which I rarely use (I have a distaste for most open headphones). Also have a Stax SRS-3010 (SR-202 + SRM-310) system lying around somewhere, and a Grado HP-2.

WTF, O? 'splain it to me, Lucy.

Awesome! I spent a great deal of time in the late 90's listening to a lot of goth, industrial, and EBM. I was even in an EBM band (no-one you're likely to have heard of -- Black Chamber) as part of their live touring ensemble for a small bit. We're definitely going to have to trade recommendations. The new Android Lust is definitely different than her previous effort (I don't have the first album yet), I'm not sure it's a blank recommendation even for you -- try to hear it first. One that I'd recommend a little bit more quickly is the new Rotersand, Welcome to Goodbye -- they make it sound so effortless, you forget you're listening to such an excellent example of the genre. I also have been really digging into the Project Pitchfork lately. Especially the Nun trilogy.

Can we have a "misc" or "synergy" forum? I wouldn't know where to put something like an Audio Analogue Enigma/K1000 thread (AAE is an all-in-one system...with tubes!) or a Stax system (both amp and speakers) or a "how does this system sound" thread. I think "Miscellaneous" would be fine for these purposes. ...or maybe a "master gear" forum.

What is this? My view on balancing headphones -- I think there is a fundamental problem with the three-conductor approach, so anything that separates out the two signal paths is a good thing.

I thought Granite Audio had speakers, but I'm not finding anything. How about Reference 3a L'Integral Nouveau? Sloped front, drivers are rather high up, and front panel is made out of Corian. link regarding electrostats: tee hee

So, I figured my first post should be in the music forum, since that is what interests me the most, and I was disappointed that there is only one thread. Oh well, perhaps once we get more people in here, that'll change. So, what dark music (metal, goth, industrial, noise, experimental, etc.) have you been listening to lately? I'm really enjoying the new Android Lust release, Devour, Rise, and Take Flight. Technically in the goth/industrial vein, but not really sticking with any one genre. This is more of a ensemble sounding release than The Dividing -- the drums, in particular, sound more live than usual. It also goes off on some seriously weird tangents (which, to my ears, is a good thing), yet without eschewing Shikhee's unique sound. Recommended for fans of Nine Inch Nails, Stabbing Westward, etc. I've also been listening to Canvas Solaris lately -- instrumental metal, very hard, but occasionally progging out. Highly recommended if you want to try metal, but are turned off by the growling vocals. PS: Yo, all.