n_maher

I have to admit that I find nothing lacking the presentation of my SS amp with Grados or otherwise.

Would something like the Bel Canto PRE3 work for you?

I run a couple of setups. (see updated sig) SB3 as a standalone (much better now with a new linear, regulated PS) or SB3 --> Denon DA500 DAC or Denon DVM 3700 Don't get me wrong, they all sound pretty damn good but I've unfortunately been spoiled by hearing a couple of really nice rigs in the last year. I'm currently working on plans for a standalone DAC to couple to both a CD transport and the SB3. I hope to have it done some time mid-summer. And for the record I'd qualify just about any of the sources I've heard in the sub-$1000 bracket as mid-fi so it's not really a dis on the Denon gear.

I love it, I just wish I had a better than Mid-Fi source for it. Soon enough, soon enough...

Grado certainly does repairs and that is probably your best bet for getting them fixed. Sorry to hear of your troubles, I can't say for sure what might have happened since you rolled all the tubes at the same time (right?). The only thing that sprang to mind is that I've heard it's a very bad idea to roll in cold tubes in combination with warm ones, but even then I'm not sure it would have caused what happened.

I nominated you ages ago (July 16th), but the powers that be haven't activated you yet. I'm sure it's just an oversight.

As far as I know the only choice in your price bracket will be Hammond enclosures (from the likes of Angela, Partsconnexion, etc.) and whether or not it qualifies as "nice" is debatable. I'm using one for my Aikdio project but it certainly won't be staying stock.

Haven't had a chance to do much in the way of comparative listening yet with the digital out but it can't hurt. There are certainly those that would claim that it helps but there are also those that say that transports don't matter at all. I can say that it definitely makes a difference with the analog output, with the stock power supply it was pretty bad. With the new supply performance seems much better and nearly on par with the DAC that I'm currently using.

When I found out that amb had designed a single-rail version of the σ22 power supply I thought it sounded just about perfect for my Squeezebox3 power supply project. Here are the preliminary results. This PS is actually for a friend but mine will be very similar with just tweaked casework. If you want more info on this PS have a look here. I did just a little testing tonight and the new PS definitely seems to have helped the anemic base that the SB3 DAC has with the stock PS. More on that later when I can back to back it with the DAC I'm currently using.

So does the above imply that you'll be giving Mr. McAlister a little public roasting? I can't imagine paying for something and then waiting as long as you did only to have to rebuild the item.

The whole site has been pretty damn flakey for me for the past couple days.

I think what postjack is looking for is a passive stage so that the only amplification would be via his headamp. Most traditional "preamps" have an active stage.

They aren't that hard to build...

Oh, I'm sure some people love them but I much prefer the clean and functional look of the Stello gear.

The aesthetics of it on the other hand leave a lot to be desired from where I sit.

If I was someone looking for a new amp and I lived in CA I'd find a way to the National Meet and have a poke around. I think there may be some new offerings that would be of interest...

I'm with you Biggie, several things about that individual's appraisal of the two dac's strike me as at least somewhat contradictory. Or should I say "messy" and "less clear"?

If I lived anywhere near Chicago I'd be all over this.

Definitely don't overspend on dampers, if you can find an agricultural/tractor supply/hardware type store odds are you can find rubber o-rings of the right diameter that will get 90% of the way home until you can get Herbie taken care of.

Glad to hear you got your amp back, Jay. Sounds like you need to put a call into Herbie and get yourself a slew of dampers for your amp.

I've used www.vacuumtubes.net before with good results, not sure how their prices rate and the only ordering interface is calling them on the phone (which doesn't bug me). I've also used "The Tube Store" and probably will again in the near future as they seem to have good prices and selection of 6V6's which I need for my next project.

Oh come on, after 6 weeks and it shows up busted?

Well if it's an 1/8" jack you need I've probably got a little Neutrik that you can have for that as well. And I'm with you, I often listen at levels that probably don't need amplification at all. DIY Parts Warehouse standing by.

Dusty, Shoot me a PM if you end up needing a plug. I think I have both the Neutrik and the Canare on hand and it would save you the hassle of trying to meet some minimum order $. Also, one more knock on the GRQ plug is that it doesn't have any sort of strain relief mechanism built in, there are things that you can do but the other two are also easier to work with in this regard.