Audio-gd Reference 1 DAC (56 K warning) - Page 121

Agreed but the RE1 being out of the loop makes a determination of what is actually contributing (to what degree) a little bit more difficult to rationalize. The bad board in the RE1 ate up all the time I had hoped to be evaluating the difference the wire made with it. I had a good day to get some work done so I took advantage of it by killing two tasks in one fell swoop. I actually did not hold out much hope the RE1 board swap would work so I saved that for last and tackled the Phoenix first that day. If the RE1 board swap had failed I would have been able to judge the Phoenix wire swap on it's own and I still can if I take the RE1 out of the loop but........I'm not pulling the RE1 from the system now and I'm 4 weeks behind schedule with mods to perform on 3 amps (2 SS rebuilds, big jobs, and the completion of the tube amp mod which is also fairly large). That being said I have become very familiar with the stock sound of all three A-gd units (over the last 5-8 months) in my reference system. I listen daily for at least 2-6 hours so I am very very sure of what I'm hearing when there has been a change (regardless of how big or small that may be).......furthermore,

A General statement............

My audio memory is way above average but the method I use to evaluate anything I mod is always the same routine using the same reference recordings without exception. You know, people get blasted for submitting early impressions (because of the so called non objective viewpoint a honeymoon period creates, for everyone this applies ?) so they wait and when that impression is posted they are then told, how can you be sure since your audio memory can't remember SFA after X amount of time ?...if this isn't the definition of a no win situation/catch 22 then please direct me to a better one .....sigh.


Peete.

I posted my impressions, if you find them ridiculous then please ignore them. Fairly simple.

Peete.

I assumed you were referring to my posts since no one else has been posting info WRT to listening impressions of late.

My bad on that one Monkey.

Please accept my apologies for the goof up.

Peete.

Cool. I knew that some potential was there waiting to be tapped so I thought what the hell it's worth a shot at least but I really did expect an improvement and got it It's a pretty cost effective tweak as long as the labor part of it is free......

n3rdling : I have many years of experience in audio from both sides of the music field, professional training (which includes mandatory ear training) WRT sound engineering and years of years of playing/making and recording music as well as being a rabid audiophile throughout to present day. I've also spent loads of time tinkering with everything I can lay my hands on and it looks like that trend will continue for as long as I'm able and crazy enough to try

The two reference recordings I like to use are Sheffield Labs : Jame Newton Howard & Friends which is a superb all digital recording (contemporary jazz/soft rock genre) with the other being an excellent workout with male and female vocals The Phantom of the Opera : Colm Wilkinson and Rebecca Caine (original Canadian cast) taking the lead roles. This recording is quite dynamic and very well done with no artificial enhancements that are glaring in nature. This particular recording I can directly compare to the live event since I attended that show on a couple of occasions at that time the CD was made (same cast).

The third one I turn to is whatever happens to be my fav record of late which has to equal or surpass the 2 in SQ I just mentioned to be used in a serious way. Of 10 or 20 favorites only one measures up. Infected Mushroom : Converting Vegetarians (disc 2 or other side as they call it) with an honorable mention to Shpongle : Are You Shpongled ?

Peete.