The One and Only Big D Thread

@Wilson
I considered them...
Then on Amazon.... some complained on them breaking...
But then there are people that should not ever been born....
You know what I mean... they are just morons....

 

@Wilson
I love my Koss Electrostatics....
I paid $530 on Amazon for them.....
@Skippy let me know that they were on Sale.....

 

Any of you people have an Ultra HDR 4K TV......
They seem to be the latest and greatest....
And they went on Sale in the month of May like gangbusters.....

I seem to have Radar for Sales....
So there is.....
Well you know....
Let me know..
And I will let the "Cat out of the Bag"....

 

@Wilson
I use a Chinese Tube amplifier in the signal chain from my Computer that has a Asus Sonar D1 Sound Card...
What I do is put the Chinese Tube Amp in the output of the Asus Sound Card to increase the Gain to the Koss headphone...
I can turn up the Chinese amp about a third before clipping....
But the sound improvement is dramatic....
To the point of Jaw Dropping improvement....

The DSP settings with the Asus Sound Card helps as well...
There is a Dolby Headphone Reference Setting that adds lower Midrange to the Koss headphone....
Wow.... that is all I can say....
It is very close to my Martin Logan setup...
But not really.... the Martin Logans are just freakin' incredible....
They are the Montis model with the DSP chip....
With the 2 REL S3 Subwoofers..... the sound is sublime.....
Not in 30 years.... have I heard a sound system that brings everything to the table like my latest build...
But I am constantly improving the system.... so this month there will be a couple of more notches reached...
What a Party it will be....
Tidal Dance mixes... they tell how much power the system can handle...
Can't wait till a weekend... couple of cocktails.... and turn it up....
Last time I did it.... my skin started to peel back... no lie....

Wilson.... hope you are exploring the sound world and enjoying life...
Cheers....

 

Thanks man! My next audio move will be to upgrade the Micca MB42Xs running out of the NAD 3125, my work setup. Debating between ELAC B5s or Philarmonic Audio Affordable Accuracy Monitors.

 

A turntable is looking more and more like a part of Big D Labs.....
I have whittled it down to two turntables......

One is just at the $1,000.00 Price Point.....
The other is at.... Well it's more.....

 

@Wilson
I'm doing a Cheapo Audiophile sound reviews setups this month....
Good luck in your travels...
It is all in the matching of components...
Some match better than others...
Years of experience tell this tale...
On paper some things look good...
In execution... not always works...
Look for stores that offer returns...
This helps if the shit sucks..
You have an out....

 

U2 is Live on Jimmy Kimmel....
Damn Good... how the Hell do they still make songs that sound that good still....
They do... some how.... go U2.... not as hard edged as years ago... but still a great listen....
Me like a lot...

 

Lately I have been listening to Tool and Mozart. Sometimes a bit of KLF...

 

@Deep Funk
Well since I had to get a Jeep to go onto the Beach here since Hurricane Matthew devastated the area's beaches......
I have been stocking up on Camping Equipment and all kinds of stuff to go out and explore with my new friend "BUGGY"....

Yesterday I bought a Second Set of Throwing Knives... Real Good top of the line ones....
Three Days before... a Ten Man Tent that goes up in just 2 Minutes... how is that for speed...
I have an 11' x 11' Eating Area that has zippered Bug Screens for Lunchtime... and some refreshments in the Deep Woods...
I have all kinds of Camo... and lots of it....
I can hide from all... and you could not find me...
I have all kinds of cool Camping things... too much to list....
Lots of Knives.... lots....... and they are all cool as shit......

Fishin'...... oh... you bet I have the fishin' stuff......
Waders for the Swamps.... Oh yes.... 2 Pair... one for me.... and one for a guest.....
"BUGGY" CAN CLIMB JUST ABOUT ANYTHING ANY OTHER CHALLENGER JEEP CAN......
I wouldn't bet against "BUGGY".....He is a Monster of a JEEP.... and he is very friendly.....
But put him to a toughness challenge... and LOOK OUT!!!

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So @Deep Funk
The Music I have been listening to lately is Country.....
It is all about the Back Woods feeling and getting ready to do some Camping with my new JEEP and my Son......
Should be a whole lot of fun....
We will play War Games.... Stealth Techniques that I have learned.... Tactical Training for Terrorism..... I have 7 years under my belt...
Unfortunately, my Son got sent home from the ARMY with a Exercise Induced Asthma Disqualification......
So he only had 5 weeks in the Military Training.... and he wants to know more of the Elite Tactics that I have been taught by specialists......
And I am not at liberty to divulge over the web too much more.... it would not be proper.....
Let's just say that I have training... and boatloads of protection for important people experience......
Artists....
Luke Bryan
Dylan Scott
Florida Georgia Line
Bonnie Raitt
Chris Cornell
Coldplay
Collective Soul
Creed
Eric Church
Dire Straits
Faith Hill
Flo Rida
FogHat
Garth Brooks
Girl on Top
HelloGoodbye
INXS
James Taylor
Jamey Johnson
Joe Cocker
Journey
Kelly Clarkson
Lil' John and the Eastside Boyz
Little Big Town
Living Colour
Love & Rockets
Men without Hats
Nickelback
Peter Tosh
Pink Floyd
Prince
Puddle of Mudd
Randy Travis
Rascal Flatts
Rhianna
Smash Mouth
Split Enz
Stone Temple Pilots
Sublime
Talking Heads
Black Crowes
Beatles
Rolling Stones
Mick Jagger
Jimi Hendrix
Bob Marley
Last night...
Blake Sheton.... 20 greatest hits.... great stuff

Most of these artists in the last 30 days have hit my ears.....
I just love all kinds of music....
As long as it hits me in the right way.....
Right now I'm listening to SUM 41......

 

Looks like I may have secured a winner DAC....
The Audio Alchemy DDP1 and it's P5 Upgrade Power Supply...
Holy Moly....
I have wanted this DAC forever....
Monday I will know if I have it in the mail for sure...
Taking the money out of the Bank on Monday and securing it...
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!

The sound from this unit can be tailored to a few different ways...
That's what I like about it...
My Martin Logans should eat this DAC up...
I really don't think the NuPrime DAC-9 has a chance against this unit.....

But you never know....
Sometimes testing is the only way to find out....
Component matching is not a given...
It is a hit or miss proposition...
I should know..... 45 years of matching stereo equipment experience....
That ought to be some kind of skills... what do you think?......

Anyway... I am "Over the Moon" with the Audio Alchemy DDP1 buy....
It won a Product of the Year Award... as it should....
Peter Madnick is genius.. he has created circuits for many years that are cutting edge...
Why shouldn't his latest creations show us some moxy in the Audio World..
I sure think so.... and I would bet my bottom Dollars on it....
And that is what I am doing.....
I am kind of in a state of shock that I am finally getting something that I would sit in the bathroom and look at the catalog page of it all the time.... and dream....

 

I will reveal my Turntable choices....
I have whittled it down to 2 Turntables....
Drumroll please.......

The New VPI Scout 2017 $2,199.00
The New Rega PL3 Planar 3 $945.00

I don't have the cash flow at this point to get the VPI Scout 2017 and it would be a stretch to get the Rega PL3 Planar 3. So I get the notion that I should wait and get the VPI Scout 2017 in the future, or get a VPI Scout used that is an ever better VPI Scout model in the future. I'm talking about 2018. That seems like a good time to sort out all the equipment that I have already, and get my Business Venture off the ground. I think I should focus on making some MONEY.

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Spent a boatload this last year. I attribute some of it to joining SBAF. You members got my juices flowing. You don't want to do that. I am a human sparkplug. 0-100 in 3 seconds flat. When I get excited about something, I give it my all. I am very competitive. Always have been that way. I come from the NYC Metro Area. You were taught to be very competitive from an early age. That was said... that if you do not be assertive... you would be run over by everyone....

And I think in that New York Metro Area.... you would be run over....
Only the strong survive in the Big City... and the smart ones make the MONEY...
The Jewish have a hold on many Business Stores in NYC and they sell a lot of product....
The Italians sell a lot of product as well, and have many other businesses....
Other Ethnic groups sell a lot of Clothing.... from all other the world in the Garment District....

This is where I learned to be competitive...
I lived 20 minutes away from the Melting Pot of NYC....
And I was trained and learned all the tricks each Ethnic Group used to be successful....
The Asians owned many Convenience Stores and Restaurants..... Families would give each other Money to startup a Business....
Asians worked every day... there were no days off for most... just mornings... that's just how it was.... one day you could vacation back in your home of origin...
That was your Day Off... it was your Trip Home to see Family that you might not have seen in 20 years.... then it's time to fly back and get back to work...
I could go on... but everyone got along.... none of this Racism.... we don't have time for that crap.... we have to all get along... otherwise our NYC system would implode....

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Back to the Turntable. The VPI Turntables seem to be the best out there for the money. There are better ones, but I don't think at the VPI price points....
that any are actually better than a VPI Turntable....

When it comes to Moving Coil Cartridges.....
Oh My.....
I think it comes down to what I can get the best DEAL on....
The best ones are mostly really good ones.....
So branding...... I don't think matters that much....
I think a top of the line Moving Coil Cartridge from a major brand will be fine regardless of which one...
So I would look at who is going to give me the BEST DEAL FOR THEIR BEST MOVING COIL CARTRIDGE
Makes sense.... to me at least.... if I save $500 with one company on a Moving Coil.... what the Hell do I care about the Brand??
Enough Said....

 

Listening to a new Artist to me.... Maren Morris...
Damn... She is Hot Stuff....
The Album is called "Hero"....
So far every song is Rockin'....
The girl has some life in her bones... that's for sho'.....
Can I get a hall le lu ya...

I'm trying to lure someone to lower their price on a REL Sub that is brand new in the box. This is one of the ones made before the sale of the company....
Haven't heard back from the Seller yet. It is a S Series.... which is the wanted collectable ones... It is the REL S2.... the little Baby.....
If the price is right... I'm biting..... knaw knaw...

I'm also looking at an Amplifier Deal too....
Could be a good buy.... I'll see if it is still there after I go to fill up at the Banks...
The amp has an interesting design...
There was another Award Wining Tube Amp but it had a bigger Brother that just stopped my interest in the Deal...
The bigger Brother was a Tube Amp with 180wpc.... now that's a Tube Amp.... HOLY CRAP.....
There is some headroom with that much tube power.... and it was a Mono Block Separates Design....
Of Course.... it costs Mega Bucks... what do you expect... Used prices still are about over 5K.....
But what a nice Design... I say what a Nice Design.... I could say it all day long...
The best Tube Amp Design I have yet seen..... I mean the best yet... and for a reasonable amount of cash....
Made in the old US of A.... with the parts you want... and I want those damn parts.... give them to me now!!!!

I am just going to downshift.... after seeing something like the best Tube Amplifier Design I have seen that is actually in a price range of reality....
Man.... isn't High End Audio something...
It just never stops... you get sick in the head... really you do....
The endless loop of improvement of sound....
You know you think about it.... don't lie to me.... or to yourself.....
It is a given.... I don't care who you are....
If you are an Audiophile... sound improvements are just a part of the equation...

Man this Maren Morris Hero Album just keeps giving one good song after another... check this sheet out.... seriously...
She is part here and now.... and part Old School..... Just great shit.... Wow with the energy of her pace and her voice is mesmerizing....
Why did I not hear of her before?

That's all for now... Peace....
Stay Positive... Listen to Da Music... and stay mellow....

 

Wish me luck.... I'm going to lift a LG ultra HDR 4K 55" up over a Krell Amp onto a JBL Subwoofer on top of the Fireplace.....

 

Success... just lifted it over my head.... not that heavy.... weeee!!!!!
A 65" is going in it's place hanging from the ceiling.... just a temporary fix for the Labs...
Need to make some room.... I have so much stuff and I thought it would be a nice nesting place for the 55" till it gets hung in the Dining Room next to the Sony 55"....
Yea.... it's kind of TV City..... the darn things were so cheap in the month of May.... I swear.... I paid $786 for a 55" LG.... now that is crazy sauce.... and it was the 2nd model down from the top model.... just was a year old leftover.... who the hell cares.... we're talking HDR 4K ULTRA..... What???? ...... That's right!!!
So don't think that it was a bad move.... they were selling out all their old stock.... both Sony and LG.... I took advantage of it.....
I'm retired... and have retirement money..... These are great TVs and I wish I got more Sonys... but I have to live with what I got.....
My budget is depleted.... and the party is over with spending till my new Business Venture bears some fruit......
And that is going to be some time from now...... no big thing.... I need a freakin' rest anyway..... to catch my breath.......

I still have 4 TVs to hang.... OMG... I still have 3 Computers to build.... The House to Paint.....
Is there more.... Oh Yes.... But that is in the Future....
Time to have a BEER.......
AND TURN ON THE NEW LG 55" 4K ULTRA HDR TV...
SOUNDS LIKE A PLAN.... EH.... SE YA!!

 

Ordered another Amplifier...
NuForce STA-200 Class AB Amplifier...... 90watts/ch....
It's a Goldmund Design from days of old.... Supposedly it is quite the amplifier...
It will go perfectely with the "Cheapo Sound Systems" testing this Month.....

I have Mid-Month another Unit coming from Martin Logan... it is their Martin Logan Vision Soundbar....
I will be hooking it up to my 65" 4K ULTRA HDR TV & Sony ULTRA Blu-Ray Player.....
A Martin Logan Dynamo 1000 Subwoofer with be hooked up to it wirelessly as well. 500watts RMS 100watts Peak...
I have been waiting for a good price on a used Martin Logan Vison unit..... I have finally found one.... it has some nicks and scratches...
Who give a shit... the price is right... I can doctor up the scratches with my furniture repair products and the dings.... oh well.... I'm so worried that it will damage the sound..... sheesh... it is all about the sound.... isn't it.... so I should be good to go... for $395 shipped!!! I had the Sub lying around.... Nice to have stock laying around to complete one of the best soundbars out there.... at least a real good one.... very happy boy, I am today.... it just keeps getting better here around the Labs.....

Now I just have to find a way to pay the Bills..... (laugh..... laugh......)...

 

Listening to the Main System once again.... took some time to find all the components... and get it all turned on....

Right now I'm using this....

Krell KSA-200S Amplifier Morrow Audio Reference 4 XLR Cables from NuPrime DAC-9 DAC/Preamp with Remote Control
Martin Logan Montis Speakers with DSP Chip and 200watt RMS Subwoofers
2 REL S2 Subwoofers 400watt RMS Each... one has Morrow Audio Speakon Cable.... Speaker Covers Off
NuPrime DAC-9 DAC/Preamp with AES input AudioQuest Carbon Cable from SingXer USB Bridge and AudioQuest Cinnamon 15ft USB Cable from my Acer Stylus Win10 Tablet FLAC and TIDAL
TASCAM CD Transport with Morrow Audio Reference 5 CoAxial Cable to NuPrime DAC-9.....
Dedicated 20 Amp Curcuit for Krell Amplifier
Another 20 Amp Curcuit for rest of System... with 2 APC Voltage Regulators with EFI/EMF Regulation....
Heady Duty Power Wires for all components....
Units are suspended 2" Above Krell Amplifier for now with fancy Gold pointy things...

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Well.... I have a few new CDs..... and I have been playing them... and I have done a few songs off of TIDAL.... I am just getting used to good stereo equipment again... it's been 5 weeks, I think since I have heard my system.... been a while.... so my judgement is not there yet.... at all...

I like the NuPrime.... the Volume Control is no where as good as the Schiit Freya Control.... The NuPrime takes multiple presses to increase the Volume.... where as the Freya.... all you have to do is hold down the button.... and the Volume increases.... also the granularity of the Schiit Freya Volume Control just blows away the NuPrime DAC-9 in terms of little adjustments to get the sound just right...
Let's face it....
The Freya is a Preamp that has been in my mind for several years.... Schiit built what I have always wanted in a Preamp... and I just love that thing...
I plan on putting it back into the chain of sound... just to see what it brings to the table...
Because the NuPrime is a Preamp also.. the Freya is not needed in the signal chain.... but I am going to put it into the chain anyway to see what gives... and you never know what it wil do.... until you try it... will you?

I have another DAC on the way to the LABS......

This is the Audio Alchemy DDP-1 with the Upgrad P5 Power Supply also.... Peter Madnick and his cohorts have made something that I want to sink my teeth into and test out... for a very long time, I have you know.... If you read my earlier post... I used to dream about this DAC on a daily basis.... OMG.... this is technically the DAC that I feel is totally worth every damn red cent it costs. Peter Madnick is genius. I really have liked this guy's work. That is not knock the Schiit guys now, they are much accomplished as well. And many others out there in the circuit design world. Audio Alchemy was just such a part of my dreams when I was younger.... I would just sit and this cloud would form above my head... and Audio Alchemy equipment was in the cloud... and I was using it in my Living Room with these Giant Speakers with the finest speaker wire... and the finest turntable that was $19,000 and had a stand that was 5 feet tall... you get the picture... I can dream, can't I? Peter Madnick and Audio Alchemy made some of the most costly shit of yesteryear and I thought about owning some of that stuff. I still do, to this day. I love Vintage. It's too bad the Mark Levinson No.23 that I bought, that was Mint Mint just couldn't drive my Martin Logans to Ecstasy. That was the best looking amplifier that I have ever owned. PEROID. It just about killed me to sell it. I still have nightmares about selling a stone perfect Mark Levinson No.23 Amplifier with New Capacitors and not a scratch on it. (*LOUD SCREAM COMES RIGHT HERE*). WHY. WHY. Sometimes you can hate your choices in life. But the reality is that the Krell KSA-200S that I bought as a replacement.... BLOWS THE LIVING JESUS OUT OF THE MARK LEVINSON NO.23 AMPLIFIER.... TIMES TEN.....

Now I feel better....
Wew....
I was upset for a minute there..
I just loved the look of that Mark Levinson No.23 Amplifer...
And with the right transducer... it kicks butt....
Just not with the Martin Logan Brand....
Quad ESLs..... now that's a totally different story altogether...
The Quads sound best with the Mark Levinson...
I have not heard a better amplifier... only a match.. and that was a Roland Amplifier... and it was a very expensive Roland...

That's all for now...
I have not hooked up all my external hard drives to my Computers yet.....
That's why you are not seeing pics...
Very Soon.... OK...
SEE YA.....

d

 

@Thad E Ginathom
Haven't heard from you in a while....
How are things on the other side of the world?
I got a nap for the second time today in the last 5 months...
It is nice to finally find time to relax again and say hi to others...
What a long strange trip it's been the last 8 weeks....
$110K later and my life will never be the same again...
It is time to start a new chapter in the Big D Volume 2 side of my life...
TV Star....
I have wanted to come out of the closet for over 40 years and let the public see my acting skills once and for all...
I have wanted to be involved all along.... just don't like the locations that you are harnessed to live in with the mainstream acting crowd...
I want it on MY TERMS.... where I am in FULL CONTROL......

I expect to GO LIVE WITH MY NEWS SHOW IN AUGUST....
I have many backers... and the there is lots of cash behind the show, if more is needed....
The response down in the South of the USA is more than Positive.... it is astounding... and heavily pushed that I do it right from the 1st show that goes LIVE....

So every dot must be crossed and T must be signed....
I can do this... it is just another day in the life of the Big D....
No worries here... I have been ready for my debut for 30 years... no FEAR....
The level of production is going to be stellar... just as good as any TV Station.....

I hope you are well....
And having a peaceful time on your side of the world..
My stereo system is now running again... and I get the solace of good sound in my life.... what a relief...
Wew..... life without good sound is life..... without AIR......

I am sorting out all the nice little CHEAPO EQUIPMENT that I bought for June's Reviews of Audiophile Systems that sound good..... for LESS...
And they are good choices that I made.... and they sound absolutely great!!!

Looking foward to posting full reviews of stuff that most have not realized..... Sounded that FREAKIN' GREAT......

 

Well the Big D Labs are running "Full Steam Ahead" for the last 24 Hours....

I have tested 3 New DACs and the results are in...

The news is good for one... and the other 2 have not made the cut for keeping them in the stable...

A swift kick out the door they are going... The Schiit Modi Multi-Bit put them to shame with the Freya Preamp in Tube Mode....
I expected more from the these DACs compared to the inexpensive Modi Multi-Bit.... but the clarity and heft of the Bass that the Modi Multi-Bit brings to the table is real and I just like the tonal balance of every song I play. I would spend 2 hours with each DAC, and then switch to the Schiit Modi Multi-Bit and it was quite clear to me,,,,
Shiit wins.... Oh Wait... there is something in the Front of My Door....... It is a bunch of Large Boxes... that darn FedEx never rings the Bell... here is 3 Thousand Dollars worth of equipment sitting out there and no Doorbell Ring.... Stangle the Fu##$kin' Guy for me please.... Out there in my protected Foyer (thank God it's kind of protected) is two boxes all in straps, and another with my Dell Touchscreen Monitor that I had ordered like 2 weeks ago. Did they have a Turtle Truck deliver it? What gives with that?
But the Dell Touchscreen is their Family One, I already have the Business 24" Touch Screen, and I just love it. It needs some bracing, IMO, but what a useful tool for getting stuff done faster. This Dell Touch Screen is a 22" and has a Glass Screen, instead of a Matte Screen. I had a $100 Gift Card from buying the 24" Model 6 Weeks ago that I had to use for something from Dell. So I picked out another Touch Screen Monitor. Now I have 4. I have 2 Viewsonic Touch Screen Monitors as well in 24". Those are very expensive, and they are made like Tanks. Totally amazing Color as well. Worth every cent I spent on them. One is still in the box yet. Busy man I am.

Let's get back to this story of the DAC testing...

What made the cut.......



Audio Alchemy DDP-1.....
But I have something that I got with it....



Audio Alchemy P5 Power Supply Upgrade....

These things look small in the Pic don't they?
WELL THEY ARE FREAKIN' HUGE....

AND THEY ARE BUILT LIKE A TANK...
They weigh like Gold Bricks... I'm not kidding...
I went to pick up the boxes outside and went, WHAT?????
The parts inside must be of high quality....
Peter Madnick of Audio Alchemy is the Creator of many Digital Circuits as we know now...
This guy is genius... so I would expect nothing less than a great build with him coming out and opening up Audio Alchemy again....
I got this unit from the Owner of Audio Advisor.... Wayne... so I got it for much less than you would imagine....
I think that it would be a waste not to get the P5 Upgrade Power Supply.... it is one Beefy Unit.... has to weigh 15 Pounds....
That is some Meat... put that damn thing on the Grill why don't ya....

Here is a pic of them both together.....



And let's take a look at the extensive connectivity of this unit.... Oh My.....



I'm running an AudioQuest Carbon AES Cable from my SingXer USB Bridge to this unit.... and am running a Morrow Audio Reference 5 Coax Cable from my Tascam CD Transport to the Audio Alchemy DDP-1.... Boy O' Boy..... the sound is quite good with both mediums.... we are talking quite a few notches better than the Modi Multi-Bit.... Holy Moly...

I will run you some specs.... but I think it is time for a small intermission...
Back Soon will more...
Stay Tuned.....

 

Oh here is a Sneak Peek at something I may be driving down to Miami for...