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Best bang for the buck purchase so far...

71.20.178.127
Posted on April 9, 2015 at 14:29:35
excelit
Audiophile

Posts: 111
Joined: September 6, 2000
 I got an Arcam Rblink a couple of months ago,ebay refurbished $200.
I'm not really into computer audio and all, but this blue tooth device's convenience helped me enjoy music so much more.
I can listen to any music from my iphone 6 from across the room and never have to change CD, or bend my neck choosing my vertically stored Cds.
I can scan hundreds of music with my fingers and be reminded of what I have as I scroll.
Plus, that itune library is a kick, I found long lost music from the cobwebs of my memory (Nature's way by Spirit,Brandy by Looking Glass etc,)
and it opened up alternate rock music (Phoenix, Zero 7) which I must say is as enjoyable as my classic rock.
But most importantly, I can relax and enjoy the music because the fidelity expectation is low to begin with, it's blue tooth, what can I expect.
But connected to a dac (PS Audio Nuwave OR Cal Alpha tube Dac), the thing sounds decent. Not bad really and quite surprisingly better than I expected.
For those of you who like me, is way behind the computer audio curve, I highly recommend it. It's a trip.

 

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My iPod..., posted on April 9, 2015 at 15:59:42
mkuller
Audiophile

Posts: 38130
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: April 22, 2003
 ...with 6300 songs all recorded from CDs in Lossless. (Including songs by Spirit and Looking Glass as well as Mumford and Jamestown Revival.)

CD quality - can listen at the gym, on a plane, in the car or in my family room (through aux input on 7.1 surround sound receiver)and patio.

Sometimes while I read I listen to the Comcast blues channel and always discover new stuff.

 

Ah, my poor iPod, posted on April 9, 2015 at 17:07:14
SamA
Audiophile

Posts: 2902
Location: Washington, D.C.
Joined: February 12, 2004
 Five weeks and counting since my beloved 160GB iPod went into the shop for a new hard drive. And I wait.

They say they may not be able to get a new hard drive. They cannot give me an ETA for part delivery/repair.

And I wait.

 

Deezer Elite on the sonos, posted on April 9, 2015 at 17:14:51
bullethead
 i don't need to rip any more CDs.

 

There is a better answer, posted on April 9, 2015 at 17:22:11
E-Stat
Audiophile

Posts: 37607
Joined: May 12, 2000
Contributor
  Since: April 5, 2002
 there are SSDs available specifically designed for your iPod. Faster, lower power consumption, no wear to speak of.

 

Emotiva Control Freak, posted on April 9, 2015 at 17:35:08
marc g.
Audiophile

Posts: 3330
Location: New Orleans
Joined: October 14, 1999
 Emotiva Control Freak passive attenuater for $60. Mainly got it to tie me over until I get my preamp repaired. If my phonostage wasn't built in my preamp, I wouldn't miss the preamp - or so I think...

voolston - audiophile by day, music lover by night!

 

Who is fixing it?, posted on April 9, 2015 at 17:47:08
Rod M
Web Geek

Posts: 16242
Location: So. California
Joined: March 1, 1999
Contributor
  Since: March 1, 1999
 I found a place that replaces iPod batteries some time ago when my wife's died. At the $400 cost for a new one, a new battery was a steal, like $25 and $20 for them to do it, now on special with $35 plus shipping both ways. They'd sent it with instructions, but I figured that I'd likely take 2 hours doing it with a high possibility of breaking it in the process.

I got it back in maybe a week with confirmation emails when they received it and when it was shipped. I was quite happy.


-Rod

 

Squeezebox Touch player hands down, posted on April 9, 2015 at 17:51:38
E-Stat
Audiophile

Posts: 37607
Joined: May 12, 2000
Contributor
  Since: April 5, 2002
 Have three, but got one new for $270. They have completely changed the way I listen to music and have helped expose me to new content as well as rediscovering what I already had.

It's a shame Logitech killed it.

 

RE: Who is fixing it?, posted on April 9, 2015 at 19:30:03
AbeCollins
Audiophile

Posts: 46280
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
Contributor
  Since: February 2, 2002
 I posted a source in the Denver area that would have replaced his iPod HDD for $109 including parts / labor. They had the part in stock. Not sure who he sent his unit off to.

 

RE: There is a better answer, posted on April 9, 2015 at 19:30:47
AbeCollins
Audiophile

Posts: 46280
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
Contributor
  Since: February 2, 2002
 I think OWC Mac Sales has those SSDs to retrofit older HDD based iPods.


 

Please describe 'bang' ;-), posted on April 9, 2015 at 19:41:22
AbeCollins
Audiophile

Posts: 46280
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
Contributor
  Since: February 2, 2002
Bang for buck features -or- bang for buck sonics?

Features: Oppo HA-1 headphone amp/DAC/preamp with full-function remote

Sonics: Rogue Cronus Magnum Integrated Amp with KT120 power tubes

Sonics: KAB modified Technics SL1200mkII TT & Dyna 20XH cartridge

Features Portable: My iPhone with Sennheiser Momentum 2 headphones

Features Multimedia TV, Audio, Services: AppleTV & Amazon Fire TV Stick

 

For Computer Audio....., posted on April 9, 2015 at 20:12:46
Todd Krieger
Audiophile

Posts: 37333
Location: SW United States
Joined: November 2, 2000

Hsu Audio HB-1 MK2 speakers..... Somewhat large for computer speakers, have them on stands behind the desk. Work great with an 8417 SET (8 watt) amplifier. (The pic was taken in August 2013, still using amp/speaker combo today.)

A new pair in black costs roughly $370, incl. shipping.

 

In this case, posted on April 9, 2015 at 21:44:30
excelit
Audiophile

Posts: 111
Joined: September 6, 2000
 1. sonics - in the sense that it exceeded my expectation of blue tooth.
2. Total experience - in the sense that it made me enjoy music more because of the lowered expectation and that it opened doors to other music genre, not to mention the convenience.
All for 200 bucks

 

RE: Who is fixing it?, posted on April 10, 2015 at 05:14:11
SamA
Audiophile

Posts: 2902
Location: Washington, D.C.
Joined: February 12, 2004
 DigiExpress in Pennsylvania. As of last night, they advised via email they are still waiting for the part.

I asked them last month if they could install the SSD mentioned by Abe and they replied that they couldn't do that work.

 

ATS and GIK acoustics, Mogami Gold Neglex Quad XLR cables, posted on April 10, 2015 at 05:54:57
Dave_K
 The biggest bang for the buck so far has been DIY built-in acoustic treatments. But I don't think DIY was in the spirit of your post, so I'm going to vote for acoustic treatments from ATS Acoustics and GIK Acoustics. I have products from both companies in multiple rooms of my house, and they both represent awesome value. I cringe when I see pictures of expensive systems in shitty rooms with egg crate foam on the walls and other half-assed attempts at room treatment. ATS and GIK are the most economical suppliers of effective off the shelf acoustic treatments that I know of.

My #2 answer is the relatively inexpensive Mogami star-quad XLR cables. These are marketed as microphone cables, but are really good as interconnects, especially over longer runs. In my systems, these have bettered mid-priced interconnects from Cardas, Kimber, Audioquest, Luminous Audio, and Tellurium Q. I use them in my HT system, and I've used them on and off in my 2ch system.

 

RE: Deezer Elite on the sonos, posted on April 10, 2015 at 06:11:32
gadio4533
Audiophile

Posts: 460
Location: FL
Joined: May 28, 2007
 Couldn't agree more. I love the'similar assist radio' feature. It never ceases to amaze me with artists I've never heard of.

 

RE: Please describe 'bang' ;-), posted on April 10, 2015 at 06:49:31
genungo
 It would be nice if he could describe "buck" too...

 

RE: Who is fixing it?, posted on April 10, 2015 at 07:36:59
Inmate51
 So much for the "express" part of their name.

Waiting this long for a common part is just the first problem. Sounds like they don't do much of this kind of work, which is another red flag.

Apparently, they're ordering parts from a supplier which doesn't have the part and has to order it from *their* supplier, which won't send out "onesy-twosey" parts, 'cause they're a volume wholesale house.

The next problem will be after they install the drive and it doesn't work right. That'll be another two months to fix.

Another possibility is that they've lost track of your unit and are afraid to tell you.

I'd call and tell them to send it back NOW.

Then, take it somewhere else.

:)

 

RE: ATS and GIK acoustics, Mogami Gold Neglex Quad XLR cables, posted on April 10, 2015 at 07:58:58
Mick Wolfe
Audiophile

Posts: 3364
Location: AZ
Joined: October 10, 1999
Contributor
  Since: September 4, 2000
 +1 for ATS Acoustics for the very reasons you mention.

 

FYI..., posted on April 10, 2015 at 09:22:55
marc g.
Audiophile

Posts: 3330
Location: New Orleans
Joined: October 14, 1999
 I'd be all over one of the many bluetooth solutions available if I didn't live in the boonies with a limited cellular internet plan :-( I sure do miss my Pandora radio. I can see these as a great bang for the buck addition.

voolston - audiophile by day, music lover by night!

 

I agree..., posted on April 10, 2015 at 09:48:57
rlw
Audiophile

Posts: 3347
Location: Near West Palm Bch, FL
Joined: August 29, 2006
 Get the unit back and have an SSD installed. Faster, *much* more reliable, and able to take a hard fall to pavement. And prices nowadaze are doggone cheap, you could probably get 256GB for about $125...

-RW-

 

Acoustat 1+1s in perfect working condition for $120, posted on April 10, 2015 at 13:16:43
morricab
Distributor or Rep

Posts: 9178
Location: switzerland
Joined: April 1, 2005
 Second, An Audio Aero Prima DAC for $500.

 

RE: ATS and GIK acoustics, Mogami Gold Neglex Quad XLR cables, posted on April 10, 2015 at 18:50:04
Cameraman
Audiophile

Posts: 396
Location: 33701
Joined: September 25, 2011
 I too use GIK and Mogami but the better mogami agree great suff and bang for the buck
Thanx

 

agree -nt, posted on April 10, 2015 at 19:48:43
Green Lantern
Audiophile

Posts: 16952
Location: San Diego, Ca
Joined: November 12, 2002
Contributor
  Since: June 17, 2003









 

RE: Please describe 'bang' ;-), posted on April 11, 2015 at 14:45:29
Awe-d-o-file
Dealer

Posts: 21037
Location: 50 miles west of DC
Joined: January 10, 2004
 Buck= male deer often with antlers

E
T

yes I am a clown!
ET

"If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking till you do suck seed" - Curly Howard 1936

 

Best deal ever?, posted on April 12, 2015 at 06:37:10
Todd A.
 A guy down in Minneapolis had advertised a Heathkit tube tester for $25 on Craigslist. I wasn't cautious enough, and handed him the money as he handed me the box. He then scuttled off into his trailer, and I found a filthy tester with a broken bulb wrapped up in the box. For $25, I just chalked it up to education, and went home.

Three weeks later, I got the tester out and cleaned it up, but I also found four power tubes in the box. They turned out to be a matched quad of NOS EL34-XF1s.

 

From Jan -13, posted on April 12, 2015 at 08:26:28
Ross
Audiophile

Posts: 1814
Joined: January 24, 2000
 Audible Illusions Mod3
Cary 40m monoblocks

$300

Best, Ross

 

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