ChaChaRealSmooth
Last Activity:
May 30, 2025
Joined:
Dec 6, 2018
Messages:
1,121
Trophy Points:
113
Positive ratings received:
12,341
Neutral ratings received:
8
Negative ratings received:
12

Post Ratings

Received: Given:
Like 11,648 4,964
Dislike 9 25
Respectfully Disagree 8 24
heart 66 31
Miss Information 3 11
Epic 450 123
Agreed, ditto, +1 177 159
Gender:
Male
Birthday:
January 8
Location:
The Complex
Occupation:
Golf teacher

Share This Page

ChaChaRealSmooth

SBAF's Mr. Bean, Male, from The Complex

Staff Member Pyrate Gearmaster

I don't follow basketball nearly as avidly as in the past, but wow I would not have traded AD for Doncic. Crazy Feb 5, 2025

ChaChaRealSmooth was last seen:
May 30, 2025
    1. ChaChaRealSmooth
      ChaChaRealSmooth
      Loaner Verite (coutesy of @Elnrik) in the house. I'd like tickets to the ZMF hype train please.
      1. Vtory, Syzygy, gaspasser and 2 others like this.
      2. Lyander
        Lyander
        Authorised Philippine dealer when :((

        Haha, kidding. Impressions please! No rush, definitely be thorough in the write-up :P
        Jul 1, 2019
        Jinxy245 likes this.
      3. ChaChaRealSmooth
        ChaChaRealSmooth
        I'll try to be as thorough and honest in my write-up as possible. I'm actually waiting on some other stuff as well, so it might be a while. I wouldn't hold my breath.
        Jul 1, 2019
        Jinxy245 and Lyander like this.
      4. ChaChaRealSmooth
        ChaChaRealSmooth
        I'll say this: immediate thought upon listening to 1 song was "time to sell the LCD-3 to some schmuck on HF."
        Jul 1, 2019
        Jinxy245 and tommytakis like this.
    2. ChaChaRealSmooth
      ChaChaRealSmooth
      Trying something not audio related: baking! Hope this ends better than the last time I tried.
      1. hikergrl, Ash1412, Deep Funk and 4 others like this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. bixby
        bixby
        you just inspired me to make one of those microwave in a cup chocolate cakes.
        Jun 28, 2019
        ChaChaRealSmooth likes this.
      4. StageOne
        StageOne
        Cooking is an Art, Baking is a science, I did't care for baking until I got a scale and used it!! Since then, my pizza dough has been much more consistent and much less... cursing
        Jun 28, 2019
        ChaChaRealSmooth and Lyander like this.
      5. ChaChaRealSmooth
        ChaChaRealSmooth
        I'm much more of a cook than a baker. But today's brownies were met with success. See mom; I'm a big boy!
        Jun 28, 2019
    3. ChaChaRealSmooth
      ChaChaRealSmooth
      Realized I've been in this hobby for less than a year. Life sure does strange things. I'm very fortunate. Also, am still an audio noob.
      1. Cryptowolf, Soups, Lyander and 6 others like this.
      2. Jinxy245
        Jinxy245
        Most of us are comparatively I think. It takes real skill & dedication to unravel the complexities of audio minutia. I really don't think it's a fun process either...Kudos to those that can and do.
        Jun 26, 2019
        Soups, Lyander and FallingObjects like this.
      3. FallingObjects
        FallingObjects
        I've been here for years and I still basically know nothing tbh.
        Jun 26, 2019
        Soups, Jinxy245, dark_energy and 2 others like this.
      4. Ringingears
        Ringingears
        What century did I start in this hobby?? Well, it wasn’t the 19th. I’d rather not think about it.
        Jun 26, 2019
        Soups, Lyander and Jinxy245 like this.
    4. ChaChaRealSmooth
      ChaChaRealSmooth
      Looking forward to future SBAF mini-meets. About 5% of my time there was actually listening to stuff.
      1. AdvanTech, elguapo, Case and 11 others like this.
      2. JK47
        JK47
        Yup, socializing is what it's all about. Sure, listen to gear you are interested in, but don't stress too much, and have fun.
        Jun 22, 2019
    5. ChaChaRealSmooth
      ChaChaRealSmooth
      Ruined another one of my friends with my audio system. First Order: +3, Resistance: 0
      1. View previous comments...
      2. Ringingears
        Ringingears
        And the next thing you know your friend will be calling his Vali2 “my precious”!
        Jun 20, 2019
        Deep Funk likes this.
      3. ChaChaRealSmooth
        ChaChaRealSmooth
        This is a good idea. I'm going to watch the B-stock list on the Schiit site like a hawk.
        Jun 20, 2019
        Deep Funk likes this.
      4. ChaChaRealSmooth
        ChaChaRealSmooth
        Ended up letting him borrow my SDAC, Wyrd, and Magni 3 (he had nothing except a ATH-M40X). Figured that the gear might as well be used instead of collecting dust.
        Jun 20, 2019
    6. ChaChaRealSmooth
      ChaChaRealSmooth
      Absolutely no idea what these knobs on this Furman do. But what I do know is that stuff plugs into it and electricity comes out.
      1. View previous comments...
      2. ChaChaRealSmooth
        ChaChaRealSmooth
        @spwath I am the dumbest person on the planet. Herp dee durrrrp
        Jun 18, 2019
        Thad E Ginathom and spwath like this.
      3. bixby
        bixby
        you mean the lights? Unless the bulbs are burned out they should light up downward when you pull them out. Kinda like a nightlight for equipment below it in your rack.
        Jun 21, 2019
      4. ChaChaRealSmooth
        ChaChaRealSmooth
        @bixby Yeah I figured it out. Hence why I felt really dumb.
        Jun 21, 2019
    7. ChaChaRealSmooth
      ChaChaRealSmooth
      Trying to teach myself more about audio measurements, electricity and circuits, etc. Gawd dam I am dumb.
      1. JustAnotherRando
        JustAnotherRando
        In the same boat. I thought that building my first crossover circuit from a kit would make things clearer. It didn't.
        Jun 18, 2019
        Jinxy245 likes this.
      2. Lyander
        Lyander
        Fish climbing trees etc. Passing your exams will hopefully prove otherwise. Good luck!

        - Someone who knows jack shit about DACs and amplifiers compared to 99% of present company.
        Jun 18, 2019
        Jinxy245 likes this.
      3. Deep Funk
        Deep Funk
        Same here. I should have paid more attention in Physics when I had the time. Good thing nerds like sharing. You pick up a few things here.
        Jun 19, 2019
    8. ChaChaRealSmooth
      ChaChaRealSmooth
      One of those nights when I love this hobby. Scotch in hand, music playing, appreciating the current system.
      1. Case, hikergrl, Jinxy245 and 3 others like this.
    9. ChaChaRealSmooth
      ChaChaRealSmooth
      Someone with my level of patience probably shouldn't have ordered a ZMF. Wait time is killing me.
      1. YMO likes this.
      2. Lyander
        Lyander
        Lemme guess: Vibro? :P
        Jun 14, 2019
      3. Taverius
        Taverius
        Everytime I order I star the order gdoc and then check it on my phone like 12 times a DAY >_>
        Jun 14, 2019
        ChaChaRealSmooth and Jinxy245 like this.
      4. DigMe
        DigMe
        If you need to get it all out you could always go post your tracking updates in an HF thread.
        Jun 14, 2019
    10. ChaChaRealSmooth
      ChaChaRealSmooth
      iFi Audio Pro iDSD is legit. Perhaps it's (partly) the Burr Brown chips? More to come when I collect my thoughts.
      1. rlow, gaspasser, Jinxy245 and 3 others like this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. m17xr2b
        m17xr2b
        Comparisons with Yggrasil, Pavane, Sonic Frontier etc. is mandatory for this statement and price point. The chip has little to do with it, implementation trumps everything.
        Jun 12, 2019
        Jinxy245 likes this.
      4. Lyander
        Lyander
        ^may be subject to debate. I don't think I've heard anything of it myself but just ask @Psalmanazar about AKM Velvet Sound.

        :3

        (As for me there does seem to be a warmth of tone to BB179x that I like, but I'm enough of a DAC noob that I'm abstaining from making definitive comments until I hear more shit)
        Jun 12, 2019
      5. ChaChaRealSmooth
        ChaChaRealSmooth
        @m17xr2b I do need more time to collect thoughts and don't want to say too much at the moment. I will say that I do think it belongs in the group of good DACs that came through recently. Your point about comparisons being mandatory is completely relevant and understood :)
        Jun 12, 2019
        gaspasser and Jinxy245 like this.
    11. ChaChaRealSmooth
      ChaChaRealSmooth
      Absolutely lovely trip to Ireland and Scotland. Now back to the real world.
      1. atomicbob, hikergrl, Syzygy and 9 others like this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. ChaChaRealSmooth
        ChaChaRealSmooth
        Food in Ireland was not bad. Scotland, not so much. But the trip itself was mega fun.
        Jun 10, 2019
      4. Lou Casadonte
        Lou Casadonte
        Just got back from Ireland and England myself. Weather was perfect. Hope you had a great trip!
        Jun 11, 2019
        ChaChaRealSmooth likes this.
      5. MisterRogers
        MisterRogers
        Spend a bunch of time all around Scotland in 2018; loved every minute - culinary offerings be damned.
        Jun 11, 2019
        ChaChaRealSmooth likes this.
    12. ChaChaRealSmooth
      ChaChaRealSmooth
      PSA: I'm leaving for a family vacation starting 6/1. Loaner programs in progress will continue. New programs suspended until I return.
      1. ChaChaRealSmooth
        ChaChaRealSmooth
        I will be back at June 11. Any questions about the loaners should be directed to the other staff members here.
        May 31, 2019
        Elnrik likes this.
      2. Elnrik
        Elnrik
        Enjoy!
        May 31, 2019
    13. ChaChaRealSmooth
      ChaChaRealSmooth
      Is there a way to hide the "For Sale" part of SBAF? Temptations galore.
      1. Elnrik, OldDude04 and Jinxy245 like this.
    14. ChaChaRealSmooth
      ChaChaRealSmooth
      Listened to a coworker's Beats Studio 3 today. Ironically, not that much bass. Still sucks big time.
      1. View previous comments...
      2. rott
        rott
        May 29, 2019
      3. Serious
        Serious
        I thought the Solo 2 was decent, but sadly the Solo 3 doesn't sound the same to me (mids more sucked out and wonky). Dunno about the Studio 3.
        May 29, 2019
      4. ChaChaRealSmooth
        ChaChaRealSmooth
        Studio 3 sounded lifeless, dull, and seemed to have wonky FR. Needed more time to analyze, but I hated them so I didn't bother.
        May 29, 2019
    15. ChaChaRealSmooth
      ChaChaRealSmooth
      I'm no longer even sure my brain uses my right ear normally. First listen on headphones always makes me think balance is way off.
      1. Ash1412 and Cakecake like this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. atomicbob
        atomicbob
        Yes, get to an audiologist ASAP, do not delay. Ounce of prevention vs pound of cure.
        May 27, 2019
      4. atomicbob
        atomicbob
        If there is wax build up be very wary of any extrication method other than manual. I had a colleague have one ear destroyed by using a high pressure air cleaning method. That was criminal; the victim was recording engineer Frank Laico.
        May 27, 2019
        BenjaminBore likes this.
      5. BenjaminBore
        BenjaminBore
        I’ve read some horror stories about untrained nurses using something like this and people ending up permanent tinnitus. Better to try some olive oil in there first if it is wax, it’ll break it down gently.
        May 27, 2019
    16. ChaChaRealSmooth
      ChaChaRealSmooth
      Realized that I have to rethink my headphone storage system. Too many headphones incoming.
      1. Vtory
        Vtory
        Sometimes it's very sad that we have only one head and two ears..
        May 22, 2019
      2. ChaChaRealSmooth
        ChaChaRealSmooth
        I'm also sad that I don't seem to be able to be happy with what I have.
        May 23, 2019
        rott, Thad E Ginathom and Vtory like this.
      3. Vtory
        Vtory
        Well, that's the definition of "audiophile" in my book :)
        May 23, 2019
        Thad E Ginathom and dubharmonic like this.
    17. ChaChaRealSmooth
      ChaChaRealSmooth
      Late on the train, but the Verum 1 is frickin legit. Can't wait to get a balanced cable for it to use with my Liquid Platinum.
      1. ufospls2, DigMe, cskippy and 4 others like this.
      2. JK47
        JK47
        May 21, 2019
      3. JustAnotherRando
        JustAnotherRando
        Because of a very crowded apartment and travel, the few bits of listening I've done recently were done with the Verum 1s out of a smartphone. I liked... them.

        Late last night I finally hooked them up to a BW and instead of comparing them to anything else, ended up dancing around the living room instead. Thankfully the rest of the family was asleep and nobody walked in.
        May 21, 2019
      4. Soups
        Soups
        SE ain't bad at all, as you know, but I think you'll be quite pleased once you run them balanced off the LP. I even sold my Elex because of this. Now I just need to get around to soldering a longer balanced cable for more boogie room like JustAnotherRando.
        May 21, 2019
        ChaChaRealSmooth likes this.
    18. ChaChaRealSmooth
      ChaChaRealSmooth
      I shouldn't have auditioned the ZMF Auteur/Verite. At least not until I saved more money.
      1. Syzygy, hikergrl, Lyander and 5 others like this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. ufospls2
        ufospls2
        Awesome!!! Verite or Auteur?
        May 20, 2019
      4. ChaChaRealSmooth
        ChaChaRealSmooth
        Cocobolo Auteur. Don't know why I forgot to mention that. I like the Auteur better than Verite personally. But both are fan-f'ing-tastic.
        May 20, 2019
      5. ufospls2
        ufospls2
        Cocobolo Auteur? https://i.imgur.com/vPOfVUX.jpg

        I've only heard the Eikon and Verite so far, but if they are anything to go off of, the Auteur should be epic. Enjoy it my man!
        May 20, 2019
        ChaChaRealSmooth likes this.
    19. ChaChaRealSmooth
      ChaChaRealSmooth
      Those moments when you're listening to a song you've heard many times, but it moves you into tears....I mean, fly in eye.
      1. hikergrl, OldDude04, Riotvan and 7 others like this.
      2. Thad E Ginathom
        Thad E Ginathom
        Great moments indeed.
        May 18, 2019
    20. ChaChaRealSmooth
      ChaChaRealSmooth
      First time I'm going to roll tubes. Hopefully my Liquid Platinum doesn't explode.
      1. hikergrl, Deep Funk, Ash1412 and 4 others like this.
      2. JK47
        JK47
        May the force be with you.
        May 16, 2019
      3. Elnrik
        Elnrik
        Remember, smoking is only good when it's after sex.
        May 16, 2019
      4. Deep Funk
        Deep Funk
        When the tubes get hot, you can light your cigarette with it. Chances are that you will get addicted to at least one...
        May 18, 2019
  • Loading...
  • Loading...
  • About

    Gender:
    Male
    Birthday:
    January 8
    Location:
    The Complex
    Occupation:
    Golf teacher
    Gear List:
    Circumaural Headphones:
    Beyerdynamic DT990 (250 ohm, vintage 1990s)
    Focal Clear (stolen by family)
    Focal Utopia
    Raal Requisite SR1a
    Sennheiser HD 250 Linear 1 (600 ohm)
    Sennheiser HD 599 (stolen by family)
    Sennheiser HD 600 (JAR mod)
    Sennheiser HD 6XX
    ZMF Atrium (mango)
    ZMF Verite (cocobolo)

    Supraaural Headphones:
    ThinkSound On2

    IEMs:
    Drop x JVC HA-FDX1 (given away to family)
    Gaudio Nair

    Headphone Amps:
    DNA Supernaut
    EC Ultralinear
    Feliks Euforia
    Nitsch x Schiit Magni Piety
    Schiit Jotunheim R
    Zampotech Bachelor
    Zampotech SW51+

    Speaker Amps:
    Schiit Aegir

    Speakers:
    Klipsch Heresy III

    Preamps:
    Feliks Euforia
    Schiit Freya S

    DACs:
    Schiit Yggdrasil GS
    Rockna Wavedream Edition XLR

    Turntables:
    Audio Technica x Drop Carbon VTA w/ Audio Technica Red cart
    Literally a person on the internet.

    Signature

    Exposition spouter of epically skinny proportions who posts audio opinions on the internet cosplaying as someone who actually matters.