Torq
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Torq

MOT: Headphone.com, Male, from Seattle, WA

Pyrate

When I see audio sites getting all frothed-up about phrases like "PTSD", I can only assume they mean "Post Tequila-Shots-Disorder" ... Oct 4, 2018

    1. Torq
      Torq
      Spending some time "dead" for "tax purposes" ...
      1. ButtUglyJeff likes this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. DigMe
        DigMe
        What does this mean? You are really staying out of the country for a while because it helps with US taxes somehow or what?
        Sep 5, 2017
      4. Torq
        Torq
        No, the "dead for tax purposes" is a HHGTTG reference, and just supposed to be humorous. I'm just doing some late, extended, vacationing and won't be online much, if at all, for a while.
        Sep 5, 2017
      5. mscott58
        mscott58
        Totally got the HHGTTG reference. Well played!
        Sep 5, 2017
    2. Torq
      Torq
      PulseLocker, DDJ-RZX, MPK225 and something of a clue is a lot of fun.
      1. Melvillian likes this.
      2. Melvillian
        Melvillian
        That does sound like a good time. Didn't know about PulseLocker until your post. What a great service for DJ's. I remember paying $7 for domestic and $11 for import vinyl every Thursday (new release day)
        Aug 26, 2017
    3. Torq
      Torq
      DENAFRIPS Pontus listening complete.
      1. alvin1118 and msommers like this.
      2. BenjaminBore
        BenjaminBore
        You're a machine, Torq. A DAC listening mean machine of digital to analogue goodness.
        Aug 23, 2017
    4. Torq
      Torq
      Two pairs of Beyer DT770 Pro (LE) in a row with the badges peeling off the ear-cups; either piss-poor QC or a shitty product.
      1. dark_energy likes this.
      2. Torq
        Torq
        Not the vendor. They seem to have a bad batch of these. Many units with the same issue. So much for that experiment, back to Sennheisers and Shure for my closed, tracking, cans.
        Aug 22, 2017
    5. Torq
      Torq
      1. Melvillian, Dino and Luckbad like this.
    6. Torq
      Torq
      Ares review/impressions will be later this weekend/Monday. Writing when I'm cranky does no one any favors.
      1. Ringingears
        Ringingears
        I agree. I was cranky when I posted my impressions of the M1060. I'll try again when I am in the mood.
        Aug 18, 2017
        Torq and Dino like this.
    7. TwoEars
      TwoEars
      Anyone who considers liquidating and living on a sailboat is all right in my book. Just wanted to get that off my chest.
      1. Torq likes this.
      2. Lou Casadonte
        Lou Casadonte
        Aug 22, 2017
    8. Torq
      Torq
      Can't find specs anywhere, but if this AudioFuse thing isn't using AKM chipsets on both AD and DA sides I'll eat ... well ... not my hat.
    9. Torq
      Torq
      Halfway through a major post and one realizes that, well, I just don't care anymore.
      1. Lasollor, Luckbad and Scott Kramer like this.
      2. Scott Kramer
        Scott Kramer
        Where's my dislike button? ;)
        Aug 18, 2017
        Torq likes this.
      3. Luckbad
        Luckbad
        Maybe worth just doing a concise review. You don't owe us thousands of words or, frankly, anything.
        Aug 18, 2017
        a44100Hz and Pyruvate like this.
      4. Torq
        Torq
        Oh, it's not about writing a proper review.

        I'm just tired of endless, ill-informed, hype-cycles and the resultant nonsense when it can't be sustained. This does no one any good ... not customers and not vendors/manufacturers.

        I don't have "golden ears" ... but I'm still increasingly of the opinion that half of what I read, at least on other sites, is posted by people that are, and I mean this, clinically deaf.
        Aug 18, 2017
        kukur9, Cryptowolf, dmckean44 and 5 others like this.
    10. Torq
      Torq
      Auditioning DACs is *much* easier (and more fun) than the resultant review/write-up process ...
      1. bengo
        bengo
        You should try @Hands style photo review, for the bad stuff at least :D
        Aug 18, 2017
        Torq likes this.
      2. Torq
        Torq
        If I ever have another experience like that I had with the S19, then I'm sending someone a bill ...

        And I might need $12M for my sprained ears ...
        Aug 18, 2017
      3. msommers
        msommers
        I always look forward to reading your reviews on dacs. Just a no-bullshit approach that's enjoyable!
        Aug 18, 2017
        a44100Hz and Merrick like this.
    11. bixby
      bixby
      Or just not as experienced. Lots of stuff out there to hear. The more you hear, rather than read, the more knowledge you gain.
      1. kukur9, Cryptowolf and elguapo like this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. Melvillian
        Melvillian
        If they lack the experience, then they should have some humility and accept it. The problem is that they dont know or don't care, and that leads to creating hype for crap that ends up costing people a lot of money. I don't get how they can live with that.
        Aug 18, 2017
        Dino and bixby like this.
      4. GanGreinke
        GanGreinke
        My dad's favorite phrase seems to fit perfectly here: people don't know what they don't know. I feel like someone with a wealth of knowledge and experience often understands well what he or she knows and also how much more there is to learn, while someone who has a little bit of experience often thinks he or she has it all figured out.
        Aug 18, 2017
        Dino and dmckean44 like this.
      5. Thad E Ginathom
        Thad E Ginathom
        Duning and Krugger.

        And I say that as a guy who is top class at spelling names. First rate. *Never* been known to make a mistake.
        Aug 19, 2017
    12. Torq
      Torq
      The more gear I review, and the more I read impressions on other sites, the more I'm convinced that "they" are just deafies. Or delusional.
      1. kukur9, JayC, a44100Hz and 5 others like this.
    13. Torq
      Torq
      Denafrips Ares formal listening begins.
      1. Luckbad, Smitty and ilcg1 like this.
    14. Torq
      Torq
      Quite impressed with the AudioFuse. Ton of functionality/connectivity in a box taking less space than a Scarlett 2i2 - sounds decent too.
      1. Torq
        Torq
        (Just something I'm playing around with while I give the Ares and Pontus my standard 72-hour warm-up period).
        Aug 14, 2017
      2. Thad E Ginathom
        Thad E Ginathom
        Even includes phono preamp!

        This is the sort of thing that makes me wish I still made odd noises into a microphone ...or even digitised LPs.
        Aug 15, 2017
        Torq likes this.
      3. Torq
        Torq
        It's very feature rich. The compactness is appreciated. It's a shade warmer than some interfaces I've used. Wouldn't be surprised to find an AKM AD/DA chipset in the thing. Will be interested to use it for some basic measurement tests and compare it against a 2i2 and the ADI-2 Pro.
        Aug 15, 2017
        Thad E Ginathom likes this.
    15. Torq
      Torq
      Not sure where to put threads on things like the AudioFuse (if there's interest) and RME ADI-2 Pro ... since they're ADCs + DACs + HPA etc.
      1. insidious meme
      2. insidious meme
        insidious meme
        The Audiofuse would interest me as a usb audio interface if the windows drivers were more advanced.
        Aug 13, 2017
      3. Thad E Ginathom
        Thad E Ginathom
        @insidious meme
        Haha... the only thing I look for is works with Linux :). And it is there.

        But is there any problem with the Windows drivers?
        Aug 15, 2017
    16. Torq
      Torq
      Arturia AudioFuse just landed. RME ADI-2 Pro also on its way. Going to be a very busy few weeks ... (Ares & Pontus are still up next).
      1. elguapo and insidious meme like this.
      2. Jokko
        Jokko
        Torq, did you ever get your ears on the RME unit (sorry if I missed something) ?
        Sep 28, 2017
      3. Torq
        Torq
        I did. I bought one (looking for an anniversary edition now, since I prefer the look on that). It's excellent.

        Not sure I'd recommend it as just a DAC/amp at it's price, but it's feature set is extremely useful, and if you're using the ADC and the EQ/other functions as well then it's very good value.
        Sep 28, 2017
        Jokko likes this.
    17. Torq
      Torq
      Denafrips Ares & Pontus in hand.
      1. Grahad2 likes this.
      2. Grahad2
        Grahad2
        Planning a SoC style or more final impressions dump style?
        Aug 13, 2017
      3. Torq
        Torq
        My initial plan is to just do them as the "final review" entries for "Life after Yggdrasil". The SoC I did for the Soekris was partly because it's a DAC/amp and partly because there was a short-term discount available that I wanted to get impressions out ahead of.
        Aug 13, 2017
    18. Torq
      Torq
      Abyss AB-1266 vs. Abyss AB-1266 Phi direct, side-by-side, comparison coming in the next few days ...
      1. Torq
        Torq
        ... would be rude to do the upgrade without actually hearing the new units next to my originals.
        Aug 11, 2017
        A1Gear likes this.
    19. Torq
      Torq
      Someone sell me something GOOD (and, preferably, interesting) ...
      1. View previous comments...
      2. Luckbad
        Luckbad
        At some point I'll probably send you an MHDT DAC to try out but I ain't currently sellin' it.
        Aug 8, 2017
        Torq likes this.
      3. Torq
        Torq
        I had a Stockholm V2 for a while. In fact you sold me a set of nice tubes for it (which I think was my first Head-Fi trade). I like their stuff.
        Aug 8, 2017
        Luckbad likes this.
      4. Luckbad
        Luckbad
        That explains why I knew your name. About 1.5 years ago you bought a bunch o' tubes!
        Aug 8, 2017
    20. Torq
      Torq
      1. A1Gear and dmckean44 like this.
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  • About

    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Seattle, WA
    Gear List:
    Headphones:

    Abyss AB-1266 Phi & Phi CC, Focal Utopia (x2), Audeze LCD-4, Sennheiser HD800S, Sennheiser HD820, Sennheiser HD650, Sennheiser HD660S, Sony MDR-Z1R, Focal Clear, Focal Elear, Fostex TH900 Mk2 (EG), ZMF Eikon (Paduak), Fostex TR-X00 (Ebony), AKG/Massdrop K7XX (Red), Focal Elex, Focal Clear, Massdrop HD6XX

    IEMs (etc):

    Empire Ears Zeus XR (ADEL), Etymotic ER4-XR, Bose QC20i, 1More Triple Driver (Lightning)

    Wireless:

    Sony MDR-1000X, Jaybird BlueBuds X, Apple AirPods

    Headphone Amps:

    Woo Audio WA234 MONO Mk2 [WE 300B NOS/Takatsuki 274B, RCA 13EM7 CB NOS, SPL Phonitor x (w/ DAC), iFi Audio Pro iCAN, Massdrop x Cavalli Tube Hybrid, Massdrop Cavalli Liquid Carbon X

    Sources:

    Chord DAVE, Linn Akurate DSM/2 (Katalyst), Schiit Yggdrasil Analog 2, Chord Hugo 2, Meridian Explorer 2, AudioQuest Dragonfly Red, Sony NW-WM1Z, Massdrop x Airist Audio R-2R DAC, RME ADI-2 DAC

    Streamers/Audio Interfaces:

    Raspberry Pi w/ Digi+, RME ADI 2.0-Pro FS, Arturia AudioFuse, Schiit Eitr, Schiit Jil, Focusrite 2i2 (2nd Gen)

    Speaker & Vinyl Rig:

    Linn Akurate DSM/2 (Katalyst), Project RPM 9.2 Evo w/ Dynavector 10x5, Linn Exakt Akudorik (Katalyst) speakers, JL-Audio Dominion D108

    Office Turntable:

    Rega Planar 3 (2016)/Elys 2, Groovetracer Reference Subplatter + Clamp

    Cables/Power:

    AudioQuest Wind, AudioQuest Colorado, Radioaktiv Isotope Protium, Radioaktiv Fusion, Synergistic Research Alpha Sterling, Maze Audio Ref4 Carbon Alloy AC Power Cord (10 Ga/Furutech), Emotiva CMX-2, Furutech E-TP60 Audiophile Power Distribution Block, Akiko Mk2 AC Tuning Stick*

    Retired & Sold (but familiar with for reference):

    Linn Akurate DS/1, Linn Akurate Kontrol/1, Linn Majik Isobarik (Aktiv), Linn Akurate 4200, Peachtree iDecco, Meridian 506.20, Schiit Bifrost "4490", Schiit Bifrost MB, Schiit Modi MB, MHDT Stockholm 2, ALO Audio International+ Optical Edition, RSA Intruder, Schiit Lyr, Schiit Lyr 2, Schiit Vali 2, Schiit Jotunheim (w/ phono board), Schiit Saga, Woo Audio WA6, iFi Audio Micro iDSD Black Label, LH Labs GOV2+ Infinity, Chord Mojo, AK120, HiFiMAN HE-500, AKG Q701, AKG K7XX, Etymotic ER-6, Etymotic HF-2, Fostex TH-X00 Purpleheart, HeadRoom Supreme, HeadRoom AirHead, Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 - Circumnaural, Focusrite RedNet 3, Focusrite RedNet D16AES, Sony WM1A, FiiO X5 (3rd gen), Empire Ears Zeus R (non ADEL), Audeze LCD-2.2c, Shure SE846, Schiit Gungnir MB, Holo Audio Spring DAC L3/KTE, Auralic Aries, Schiit Ragnarok, Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 Digital, Singxer SU-1, Abyss AB-1266, AAW W900, Sonore Sonicorbiter SE, Woo Audio WA5LE Mk2 (w/ parts upgrade)