GoldfishX

As to why it costs more than a PS5, it's because it's a niche device from basically a one man company that is basically the ONLY option for 4k scaling on lower sources (and that is an increasing use-case, given the way the TV market is) and will likely be the only option for a few years. The expectation was that it would be over $1000 a few months ago!

I remember looking for the Framemeister! I didn't want to deal with the OSSC compatibility issues. I basically solved the problem by buying a new CRT every time I moved, eliminating the need for a scaler.

I’m old enough when I had the XRGB2 device. Those were the days. Nowadays MiSTer is super convenient.

*not LITERALLY arrived, but it's available for purchase.

The temperature's rising?

(Or am a century out of date? It happens. Often)

The 80's Shoprite ad is my second favorite.

Okay, I would die for a lossless version of those ads. Also, 5 cans for 99 cents is impressive.

I'm generally happy with mid-bass on headphones in my setup for stuff like pop or even metal or EDM, but electronic stuff that isn't really melodic grates my nerves. It needs room to breathe.

hp that are good for metal or EDM are usu good for any other genres, ime—if they can do those challenging ones, they are typically also good allrounders

Found this little gem the other day while browsing YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twBcMibg1Vs&list=LL&index=2

You can also play around with stuff like Foobar's "Ram Disk" plugin, which will sort of on the fly load tracks to RAM for playback and flush them when new tracks are sent to it. Fairly similar principles. There's other playback software that plays with loading tracks to RAM too, though, if you poke around.

PlayPcmWin is another RAM player (free).

Unapologetically copy/pasting from a few minutes ago. It seems to be the day for this...

You can play music off a CD, which must be slowest storage device on any computer that doesn't still have an antique floppy drive.

Importance of storage device? Hmmm... maybe punched cards wouldn't work too well.

Whoops... wrong place

Personally I like to strap my Yg-gy to the back of my phone.

*ROFL*

No tube, no worries

Tube sound without having to worry about tube longevity seems to be the endgame (for me, YMMV, etc)

@purr1n You'd be surprised how many people are not aware of the role of an external DAC in the system. It's probably not helped by the fact that it's impossible to find even a budget DAC on store shelves, but you're almost tripping over budget turntables in the stores. More of an awareness issue than a setup issue. Imagine if Walmart started stocking Modi's or something like that.

If you are talking regular folk, digital from an iPhone > random Numark table at Best Buy. I still think it's curiosity and novelty, especially given how modern record releases don't sound all that good. In some cases, they sound much worse than from iTunes or Spotify.

Yeah, regular folk. Ones that aren't going to be auditioning a digital rig against their Numark turntable and PC speakers, but still pay that premium for vinyl (novelty, as you say). The difference in pressings is another reason I'm far more comfortable in the digital realm. I've been very pleased with a lot of remasters of late (compared to the junk from the late 90s and early 2000s, especially on rock/metal).

Which IEMs?

I used a pair of Brainwavz B2 back in the day. Fairly bright/neutral, but paired well with the Zo's crazy warm signature and big soundstage. I stopped using IEM's because of constant ear infections.

@Thad E Ginathom - “Avoid Amir everywhere else”

He’s infected all my other audio groups. They post his measurements all the time even if they contradict other sources. Even online merchants feature an ASR stamp of approval on their products

@Cspirou

Ye Gods, that makes Amir more dangerous than Coronavirus!

So glad I don't have to view SBAF through protective goggles. I have given up other audio sites, except for checking the for-sale forum of a local one. But I don't post there. It's the opposite to ASR: full of radical subjectivist bullshit! They'd hate Amir, but for all the wrong reasons, lol.

"so much work to offer nothing of value" except this type of effort skews the marketplace significantly to appease those same, self-serving deaf ears stroking their own egos while lining pockets.

I've never read anything that explained why I should upgrade from 1 to 2. It's warm and slammy, but I struggled to find tubes that sounded good in it. Used "holy grail" Voshkods for years, but I much prefer the 396.

I upgraded from Vali 1 to Valhalla 2, but never fell in love with it either. I listen to a lot of shoegaze, a poor match. Should have held on to the Vali

I believe it was purrin that suggested 396 w/adapter, I think in a Vali 2 discussion. I stumbled on that discussion one random night on here, lol. The price was right.

Phil's daughter?