Inoculator
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Feb 20, 1988 (Age: 36)
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Inoculator

Friend, Male, 36, from Tacoma, WA

Pyrate

First time trying Chord(Qutest). Sounds like nothing else I have heard. In someways what I expected and someways not at all what I expected. Feb 20, 2024

Inoculator was last seen:
Viewing forum list, Mar 19, 2024 at 5:35 AM
    1. Inoculator
      Inoculator
      Have the week off of work so continuing to tweak Forte IVs. Herbies Fat Dot Gliders more pronounced difference/improvement than DIRAC.
      1. DigMe likes this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. Inoculator
        Inoculator
        Mar 15, 2022
      4. Inoculator
        Inoculator
        I do think the changes these gave was a bit extra dramatic because I have engineered/fake wood floors. Really cleaned up the sound of these a ton though. All makes me wonder how these could sound removing the afterthought pedestal and putting on stands. Upscale recommended isoacoustics which I suppose you could get big huge threaded feet and unscrew the pedestal, would be super ugly though.
        Mar 15, 2022
      5. Boops
        Boops
        I've thought about the possibility of replacing the stock "stand" with something much more isolating. But I wouldn't want it to be ugly ;-) Thanks for the pic!
        Mar 16, 2022
        Inoculator likes this.
    2. Inoculator
      Inoculator
      Finally had empty house and time to try out DIRAC with Forte IV/NAD M33. Not quite the game changer I expected. Lots of experimenting ahead.
      1. Cryptowolf likes this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. Inoculator
        Inoculator
        @Poleepkwa I tried to be pretty precise with the microphone. My room and couch are fairly large, I may try to go a bit less tight to the couch in next round of measurements, but open to suggestion there. Bought the DIRAC recommended minidsp mic, which said to point at speakers/straight forward, but I saw there might be advantage to pointing at center regardless of position
        Mar 14, 2022
        Cryptowolf likes this.
      4. Poleepkwa
        Poleepkwa
        Since you are doing 2 channel you could point the microphone forward. 90 degrees are usually for multichannel. Try all 3 microphone layouts and see which sounds best. In my room, a too tight spacing always becomes to dry.
        Mar 14, 2022
      5. Inoculator
        Inoculator
        @Poleepkwa thanks for the tips! Will give another measurement a try. In an awkward spot now where DIRAC does not sounds quite right, but going back to no DIRAC sounds like trash and I am hyper aware of the issues with my room/placement.
        Mar 15, 2022
    3. Inoculator
      Inoculator
      Just got a notification the Monolith Cavalli Balanced DAC is in stock...what? Assumed that project was dead, still lists AKM 4499 in it.
      1. rhythmdevils, sheldaze and Ksorota like this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. netforce
        netforce
        I know the company making the stuff for Monolith, probably what might have happened was they ordered the parts forever ago and just finally received the last parts that were backordered. Or stuck on a ship for the last few months crossing over the ocean
        Mar 10, 2022
        Inoculator likes this.
      4. Inoculator
        Inoculator
        @netforce Very interesting. Do you think it actually has AKM 4499 in it, or has monoprice just not updated the listing?
        Mar 10, 2022
      5. netforce
        netforce
        Could entirely be possible that it does have the AKM chips inside if they bought a ton in advance. Knowing Monoprice, they do have the capital to have made that happen. But could entirely be possible it was swapped to ESS and hasn't been updated.

        Talking with some manufacturing partners about AKM, some said they had supply to last a few months and others at least a year.
        Mar 10, 2022
        Inoculator likes this.
    4. Inoculator
      Inoculator
      New Schiit silver components have matte buttons/knobs and an actually visible indicator on the knob. Glorious: https://bit.ly/3Ku9TAR
      1. View previous comments...
      2. crenca
        crenca
        The pics do make it look as if it could be plastic. However the visibility of the indicator on the knob(s) would win out for me, but I'm a very 'substance over style' sort.
        Mar 8, 2022
        Inoculator likes this.
      3. rlow
        rlow
        Probably looks worse in pics than in reality. I’m willing to give Schiit the benefit of the doubt, since like 3/4 of the gear I own is Schiit, I believe they make smart choices (most of the time, Jot 1 not withstanding haha).
        Mar 8, 2022
        Inoculator likes this.
      4. Azimuth
        Azimuth
        So not polished aluminum like the case or their other knobs. Even no more shiny buttons.
        Mar 8, 2022
    5. Inoculator
      Inoculator
      Just when I thought I was largely out of the headphone game in favor of 2 channel, the DSHA-3F comes along and has me throwing on my cans.
      1. Jinxy245, sheldaze, Merrick and 3 others like this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. Ksorota
        Ksorota
        That’s supposed to be a great pairing! Auteur. Clear is fantastic. ESX900 also.
        Mar 4, 2022
        dematted and Inoculator like this.
      4. rhythmdevils
        rhythmdevils
        You're never out of the headphone game!
        Mar 4, 2022
        Jinxy245 and Inoculator like this.
      5. Merrick
        Merrick
        I love speakers but sometimes headphones hit just right in a way speakers don’t, and vice versa.
        Mar 4, 2022
        Jinxy245 and Inoculator like this.
    6. Inoculator
      Inoculator
      Thinking about trying a Focal (for the 1st time) with my DSHA-3F. As a HD600/Auteur guy, what Focal model should I be trying to snag? Elex?
      1. dematted and Cryptowolf like this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. Inoculator
        Inoculator
        @ColtMrFire thanks for the heads up. I saw that, might have to chat price with him. @loadexfa pointed out the final sale price on headphones.com, which in addition they are giving a $100 gift card with purchase right now. Mighty tempting to give it a whirl.
        Mar 3, 2022
      4. loadexfa
        loadexfa
        @Inoculator I'd also be willing to do a personal loaner at some point but I'm unsure about timing. I need to make sure I have these around for some upcoming loaners and they were also offered to Earnmyturns so he's first in line. The gift card offer does sound like a good deal so it may make more sense to jump on that.
        Mar 3, 2022
        Inoculator likes this.
      5. zottel
        zottel
        That "metallic" sound: Is it more in the highs or mids? In my Clear OG simulation by EQ with my Ananda, there is some tinny quality, a bit as if a loudspeaker was placed inside a tin can, but not unpleasant. More in the mids than in cymbal sounds, e.g., where I would have expected it from descriptions. Is that correct? (Trying to figure out if such simulations are worthwhile or not.)
        Mar 4, 2022
    7. Inoculator
      Inoculator
      Treating my Pi2AES to an iFi iPower Elite and a VHAudio Symmetry/Furutech AES cable. Slowly removing the weak links.
      1. View previous comments...
      2. Soups
        Soups
        Again, if I were to try to quantify the improvements, I'd put it in the +10% range, which I realize is enough to bankrupt some of us.
        Feb 23, 2022
        RestoredSparda likes this.
      3. Inoculator
        Inoculator
        @zonto @Soups mine is arriving today, I will go ahead and put together a short playlist to round out my listening today with stock, then compare same playlist when I swap it and see what I think.
        Feb 23, 2022
        Soups, zonto and RestoredSparda like this.
      4. famish99
        famish99
        I've compared both Sbooster 24V (bought one since my previous phono also uses the rail) vs Allo Shanti with 5V mod. While minor, the Shanti still had a noticeable improvement in sound quality, both from noise and staging/imaging/etc standpoints. I only migrated off the solution when I got Crystek based DDC which further improved the previous areas.
        Feb 25, 2022
    8. Inoculator
      Inoculator
      First Watt F7+Freya S maybe just misses the magic of the Sugden A21SE with LS3/5a, but overall is stunning. Dead quiet also, a first for me.
      1. View previous comments...
      2. Inoculator
        Inoculator
        @rhythmdevils yeah, it is my understanding though that they are not the same. I think 1X for freya S is still nexus but "behaves like a differential buffer" and for the Freya+ it is a differential buffer. Unless I am mistaken, I think folks around here feel the Freya+ 1X is the more transparent buffer.
        Feb 14, 2022
        rhythmdevils likes this.
      3. Koth Ganesh
        Koth Ganesh
        I have the Freya S. The 1x buffer is definitely more transparent. The 4x has its sins of commission but can be enjoyable.
        Feb 14, 2022
        Inoculator likes this.
      4. Inoculator
        Inoculator
        @Koth Ganesh oh yeah for sure the 4x nexus has it place in certain setups. I have loved with the HD600 how it is like a secret bass boost switch. Just not jiving with this particular setup.
        Feb 14, 2022
        Koth Ganesh likes this.
    9. Inoculator
      Inoculator
      Recent purchases have required some notable sacrifices from my collection, but having fun trying new stuff. First Watt F7 up next.
      1. hikergrl and Cryptowolf like this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. Inoculator
        Inoculator
        @E_Schaaf After the Sugden A21SE I knew I had to try some other true class A stuff. Had my eye on the F8, but the DSHA-3F wrecked my budget. I figured trying the more relaxed F7 first might be worthwhile.
        Feb 9, 2022
      4. E_Schaaf
        E_Schaaf
        The F7 sounds a lot like a super DSHA1 when I've A/Bd with headphones, which could also be said of the 3F, though maybe branching off in different directions relative to one another. Of course you probably won't use the F7 with headphones, and 3F isn't a speaker amp so apples and oranges, but all of the above are exceptional amps.
        Feb 9, 2022
        Inoculator likes this.
      5. Inoculator
        Inoculator
        Yeah I will be using F7 as a speaker amp only, so maybe different impressions a bit. I am feeling intrigued at the idea of trying to find something like the DSHA-3f and see how it would sound with my speakers/ You could almost call it ruthlessly clean, but still oozes musicality. Have just never heard anything like it.
        Feb 9, 2022
    10. Inoculator
      Inoculator
      DSHA-3F is here, my first "big boy" headamp. Flabbergasted from the get go. Auteur+LIM+amorphous transformers. Absolute auditory bliss.
      1. View previous comments...
      2. ckhirnigs
        ckhirnigs
        I need me a 3F! Really enjoying the Quicksilver + Auteur, but all this synergy talk is tempting me big time. Probably for the best these amps are so hard come by.
        Feb 8, 2022
        Inoculator likes this.
      3. pure5152
        pure5152
        Doug is apparently collaborating with CEE_TEE to manufacture the 3F at a more affordable price point sometime in the future, so that may be something to look forward to :O
        Feb 8, 2022
      4. Cryptowolf
        Cryptowolf
        That sounds like a great combo. I enjoy the Auteur and consider it one of my endgame headphones. i hope you enjoy the pairing for years to come.
        Feb 9, 2022
        Inoculator likes this.
    11. Inoculator
      Inoculator
      Props to the folks at Nitty Gritty, still kicking and sticking by their products. Just got a 30+ year old unit back refurbished like new.
      1. atomicbob, Case and Thad E Ginathom like this.
      2. Inoculator
        Inoculator
        I was going to kick this old used Nitty Gritty to the curb and get a new record cleaning machine. But turns out they will refurbish your old unit. They fixed lots of stuff, put a new switch plate on, and even cleaned up and oiled the wood on it before returning it. Feel like I am unboxing a brand new product.
        Feb 4, 2022
        Soups, atomicbob, Qildail and 6 others like this.
    12. Inoculator
      Inoculator
      Tavish Adagio phono with JT-347-AXT SUT and upgraded power supply officially paid for/being built. Ouch my wallet, yay phono endgame.
      1. Cspirou
        Cspirou
        How long were you on the waiting list?
        Feb 2, 2022
      2. Inoculator
        Inoculator
        @Cspirou about 5 months. Aready was a long waitlist, and facing supply chain woes like everyone else. Would have had to wait even longer if I did not go for the upgraded SUT.
        Feb 2, 2022
    13. Inoculator
      Inoculator
      Mojo 2 another missed opportunity for my dream product. All I want is a Wi-Fi portable DAC/amp that is Roon Ready.
      1. Cryptowolf likes this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. SoupRKnowva
        SoupRKnowva
        I’d never really paid attention to Chord, but that Poly thing is pretty neat, price not with standing. Throwing an sd-card in there and using mpd would be cool
        Jan 31, 2022
        sheldaze and Inoculator like this.
      4. dubharmonic
        dubharmonic
        Does an iPad not count?
        Jan 31, 2022
      5. Inoculator
        Inoculator
        @dubharmonic I am not an apple guy so I had never considered it. Android products are plagued by not being able to bypass their audio mixer with Roon. I suppose if an iPad can do lossless Roon that would work with some sort of dongle. My ideal world would be something like the iFi portable dac/amps but with wifi built in/roon ready. Seems Mojo+Poly is the only product out there that fits the bill.
        Jan 31, 2022
        SoupRKnowva likes this.
    14. Inoculator
      Inoculator
      Just found out my Tavish Adagio will be ready soon! Folks interested in a loaner tour of my Tavish Vintage phono before I offload it?
      1. sfoclt likes this.
      2. Gazny
        Jan 26, 2022
        gaspasser likes this.
      3. gaspasser
        gaspasser
        Yeah, great idea! I’m game!
        Jan 27, 2022
        Inoculator likes this.
    15. Inoculator
      Inoculator
      Having to work late after kids bedtime, but listening to Yggdrasil LIM/SW51+/HD600...so hard to complain.
      1. Qildail, fraggler, dematted and 5 others like this.
      2. ChaChaRealSmooth
        ChaChaRealSmooth
        ...you can focus on work while listening to that system?
        Jan 10, 2022
        Inoculator likes this.
    16. Inoculator
      Inoculator
      Anyone that is LS3/5A or Brit minimonitor curious at all owes it to themselves to jump on the Vanguard loaner. Really special project.
      1. Sqveak and Gazny like this.
      2. Inoculator
        Inoculator
        No major spoilers for my full write-up that will come late next week (that is the plan at least), but I will say that these nail the LS3/5A DNA. Some pros/cons, that should be presented more as synergy/preference tradeoffs. Great speaker at any price, but getting something that so closly nails the LS3/5A vibe for under $1k is incredible.
        Jan 6, 2022
    17. Inoculator
      Inoculator
      Enjoying the Forte IV, 1st real intro to horns and I see the appeal. Reviewers did not overhype how ruthless they are with poor recordings.
      1. View previous comments...
      2. wbass
        wbass
        I tried the following: Peachtree Decco 2 (brittle), Nuforce STA-200 (?) (flat and hard), PrimaLuna Dialogue integrated (good but not worth the $$).
        Dec 22, 2021
        Inoculator likes this.
      3. wbass
        wbass
        Ended up with Quicksilver SET monos with an old AES (Cary) tube pre. Given my experience, I’d be hesitant pairing with the NAD (as great as it probably is). I’m curious to try something First Watt
        Dec 22, 2021
        Inoculator likes this.
      4. crazychile
        crazychile
        I’ve heard Klipsch on class AB amps that were tolerable, (some Mac and Bryston) but many more class AB amps that were a bad match. I think you’d be really impressed with some Class A or tubes.
        Dec 22, 2021
        PsiPhi and Inoculator like this.
    18. Inoculator
      Inoculator
      Stupid spotify/android/digital volume control. Was turning volume down via phone and spotify jumped to 100%. Ringing ears and crying babies
      1. View previous comments...
      2. JayC
        JayC
        I liked a lot about it but i found the "wall of sound" presentation hit or miss. The depth of staging was lacking and width was limited to within the speakers. This worked for some music but disappointed with other stuff, and the bass was very room dependent
        Dec 17, 2021
        Inoculator likes this.
      3. Inoculator
        Inoculator
        @JayC yeah not a super deep stage for me, but otherwise stage is not bugging me too much. So far I have only tried about 6 inches from the wall and no toe-in. I briefly did try like 1.5ft into the room and stage depth got way better, but that is not what I can get away with in this room so didn't spend too long basking in it.
        Dec 17, 2021
      4. Inoculator
        Inoculator
        I will add that I do find as they get loud (like threshold of my tolerance) I don't like the presentation as much, at least in their current position. Get more of that wall of sound effect. I do mostly lower level listening, sub 70db stuff though, and I am finding they really excel at that level.
        Dec 17, 2021
    19. Inoculator
      Inoculator
      Biwiring sounds like snakeoil, but no harm in doing it if my existing amp/speakers/cable supports it right?
      1. View previous comments...
      2. k4rstar
        k4rstar
        I suggest to not waste time with this
        Dec 9, 2021
        Inoculator likes this.
      3. bixby
        bixby
        Actually in many cases I have not noticed a difference, but there are some unicorn speakers or ones with two sets of binding posts yet strapped with some metal of ill repute that do sound a bit better bi-wired, ymmv
        Dec 9, 2021
        Inoculator likes this.
      4. Riotvan
        Riotvan
        Just get rid of that jumper plate and strip your wire further so it connects to both binding posts. If not using bare wire get a quality jumper.
        Dec 10, 2021
        Inoculator likes this.
    20. Inoculator
      Inoculator
      My tour of internet hyped speakers continues, Klipsch Forte IV on order. Will I be a Klipsch guy? Lets find out.
      1. Soups, Cryptowolf, yotacowboy and 3 others like this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. rlow
        rlow
        If I had the space, I would give these or the Cornwalls a try. Good luck with em! Which color combo did you go with?
        Dec 7, 2021
      4. E_Schaaf
        E_Schaaf
        Forte has been the best sounding Klipsch model for a while now. Great choice.
        Dec 7, 2021
        Inoculator and Azimuth like this.
      5. Inoculator
        Inoculator
        @rlow I opted to go for the Walnut and added the white lambswool grills. Really all the finishes could have worked in my space, a tough call. If the oak was a bit less weathered I would have had to go that route, too matchy with my current floors though. I have mix of oak/walnut in the space. Music Hall 9.3 on order will be walnut. Photo of the LS6F where the Fortes will be https://i.imgur.com/dLadfBL.jpg
        Dec 7, 2021
        rlow likes this.
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  • About

    Gender:
    Male
    Birthday:
    Feb 20, 1988 (Age: 36)
    Location:
    Tacoma, WA