focker said:

Nice! You won't regret it. 

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Unfortunately, I wont be getting it next week. My Audio Engine D1 arrived today! Talking about the fastest shipping experience in my life!

I ordered it through Bestbuy online (Magnolia)last night at around 7:30pm 11/15 and it arrived here the next day at noon 11/16 . I only paid $2 for the expidited shipping.

I had to get it from best buy since I had an old gift certificate from them so I paid the tax for $9, but it is not bad! I will try it tonight.

What is the best optical cable to buy from D1 to iMac desktop? The desktop has optical connection , but it has a 3.5mm size....

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awgd8 said:

Unfortunately, I wont be getting it next week. My Audio Engine D1 arrived today! Talking about the fastest shipping experience in my life!
I ordered it through Bestbuy online (Magnolia)last night at around 7:30pm 11/15 and it arrived here the next day at noon 11/16 . I only paid $2 for the expidited shipping.
I had to get it from best buy since I had an old gift certificate from them so I paid the tax for $9, but it is not bad! I will try it tonight.
What is the best optical cable to buy from D1 to iMac desktop? The desktop has optical connection , but it has a 3.5mm size....

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wow, that's awesome! 
 
As for cables, I usually find the cheapest one that fits my needs and then buy the one right above that one in price lol. So hopefully others will chime in on better options. The  majority of my cables are from Bluejeanscable.com, but my last opticals came from Amazon....I think both were Amazon's own store brand (re-badged)

Quote:

awgd8 said:

Unfortunately, I wont be getting it next week. My Audio Engine D1 arrived today! Talking about the fastest shipping experience in my life!
I ordered it through Bestbuy online (Magnolia)last night at around 7:30pm 11/15 and it arrived here the next day at noon 11/16 . I only paid $2 for the expidited shipping.
I had to get it from best buy since I had an old gift certificate from them so I paid the tax for $9, but it is not bad! I will try it tonight.
What is the best optical cable to buy from D1 to iMac desktop? The desktop has optical connection , but it has a 3.5mm size....

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I would use the usb cable that comes with the D1. It's good and free.
I prefer USB to the optical option from my Mac and use the optical only when connecting to a CD or DVD or TV.
Plus you need to use the USB cable anyway to power the D1, so why use another cable?

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parbaked said:

I would use the usb cable that comes with the D1. It's good and free.
I prefer USB to the optical option from my Mac and use the optical only when connecting to a CD or DVD or TV.
Plus you need to use the USB cable anyway to power the D1, so why use another cable?

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I would like to see the difference with USB 96KS/s vs   Optical 192KS/s .   We all know these are  just  specs and our ears would not be able to tell the difference.   

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focker said:

 
wow, that's awesome! 
 
As for cables, I usually find the cheapest one that fits my needs and then buy the one right above that one in price lol. So hopefully others will chime in on better options. The  majority of my cables are from Bluejeanscable.com, but my last opticals came from Amazon....I think both were Amazon's own store brand (re-badged)

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My impression with the D1 seems to have a better separation and better soundstage. The iMac is not bad at all if I were to compare both.  My later model 2009 iMac still has bass punch, good mids and higs, but it is a bit congested over all.  
 
So far , I am very happy with the Audio Engine D1 using the provided USB cable. It frees up the congested sound of my iMac.  The built in amp of the D1 is enough for me so far.  I would say the Audio Engine D1 is a great match for the PS500s.  For the money ($169) and peace of mind (3 year warranty) it is a great buy!  
 
Focker, thanks again for recommending the Audio Engine D1.  Is it true there is a burn in period with the D1 too?
 
 
 

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awgd8 said:

 
My impression with the D1 seems to have a better separation and better soundstage. The iMac is not bad at all if I were to compare both.  My later model 2009 iMac still has bass punch, good mids and higs, but it is a bit congested over all.  
 
So far , I am very happy with the Audio Engine D1 using the provided USB cable. It frees up the congested sound of my iMac.  The built in amp of the D1 is enough for me so far.  I would say the Audio Engine D1 is a great match for the PS500s.  For the money ($169) and peace of mind (3 year warranty) it is a great buy!  
 
Focker, thanks again for recommending the Audio Engine D1.  Is it true there is a burn in period with the D1 too?
 
 
 

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I have to give Parbaked the props for the suggestion since he brought it up...I just tend to jump on board when I see someone mentioning it lol. It's one of my favorite little pieces of gear and further proof that you can get some very satisfying performances without spending much at all. As for break-in, I honestly put that thing through its paces and  used it in so many configurations when I first got it that there wasn't any way I could have even noticed it. I used it with my Dell laptop, out from the Oppo, out from the AEX, with my tube buffer, without the tube buffer, etc, etc. I didn't really give it a chance to settle down and compare the same configuration over time, if that makes sense. I had a $700 tube dac just prior to picking up this one, and I honestly felt the D1 had an edge in some areas and was its equal in others. That's a big reason why I promote it so much, cause I honestly didn't miss the tube DAC (TDAC from Tube Audio Design) at all. I've had the D1 for nearly a year and I have zero interest in upgrading it. It's not my "backup" dac or an "extra" piece, either....it's my primary dac. I really can't say enough about it. (That much is obvious lol.)
 
You'll get a lot of use out of that little thing! 

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focker said:

 
 
I have to give Parbaked the props for the suggestion since he brought it up...I just tend to jump on board when I see someone mentioning it lol. It's one of my favorite little pieces of gear and further proof that you can get some very satisfying performances without spending much at all. As for break-in, I honestly put that thing through its paces and  used it in so many configurations when I first got it that there wasn't any way I could have even noticed it. I used it with my Dell laptop, out from the Oppo, out from the AEX, with my tube buffer, without the tube buffer, etc, etc. I didn't really give it a chance to settle down and compare the same configuration over time, if that makes sense. I had a $700 tube dac just prior to picking up this one, and I honestly felt the D1 had an edge in some areas and was its equal in others. That's a big reason why I promote it so much, cause I honestly didn't miss the tube DAC (TDAC from Tube Audio Design) at all. I've had the D1 for nearly a year and I have zero interest in upgrading it. It's not my "backup" dac or an "extra" piece, either....it's my primary dac. I really can't say enough about it. (That much is obvious lol.)
 
You'll get a lot of use out of that little thing! 

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I'm not surprised that you don't miss your tube DAC, your PS500s, are tube sounding on their own. 

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stacker45 said:

 
I'm not surprised that you don't miss your tube DAC, your PS500s, are tube sounding on their own. 

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You know, that's probably why I am just as happy with the 500s plugged into a simple headphone Jack or out of my Meier amp as I am with the LD amp. I love the LD, and with the 325s it was a magical combo...but I dont feel I NEED to use it with the 500s as much as the 80s and the 325s. 
 
BTW, Martin said he shipped my gimbals and rodblocks today....I've been joking around with a couple head-fi buds saying that my GS1ks look like C3PO after those little guys took him apart in Empire Strikes Back....hoping I don't put the head on backwards!

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focker said:

BTW, Martin said he shipped my gimbals and rodblocks today....I've been joking around with a couple head-fi buds saying that my GS1ks look like C3PO after those little guys took him apart in Empire Strikes Back....hoping I don't put the head on backwards!

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lol! - classic scene

Audio Engine D1 + PS500s =  AWESOME!  Clean crisp tube-like sound signature!  Without the D1, the sound source is about 8 rows back, now it is perfectly in between...  
 
 
 
 
I just can`t help posting her pic!   
 
 
 

Wow, that looks better than the pics on the AudioEngine website! lol
 
 
talisman: definitely! When I had my GS1ks apart I just started laughing at how it looked...had mental images of chewbacca walking through the door and freaking out that his grados were all disassembled...lol  (Yes, I really am 40 years old...I promise!)

hey guys,
 
does anyone know if its possible to buy the grado gimbals and headbands separately? i want to build my own set of grados with wooden cups, leather headband, and symphones drivers from turbulent labs, so all id need in addition to these parts would be the gimbals, the headband, earpads, and a cable. i could buy a used set of sr60i's to use as donors, but id prefer not to ruin a perfectly good set of cans if i don't have to.
 
this is just something i though would be an enjoyable project. has anyone done something like this?

Focker:    LOL!    

Nice vocal, guitar and violin combo....  This is why I love Grado!   
 
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2eSkKXoOd0

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awgd8 said:

Nice vocal, guitar and violin combo....  This is why I love Grado!   

 
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2eSkKXoOd0

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Wow, like a smoother version of Arnel Pineda....very nice! 
 
 
kchapdaily: You may want to contact Grado directly and ask them if they'd consider selling you the parts you need. If you want something nicer than that, many of us have sent money to Martin Custom Audio and Headphone Lounge. I'm sure others will have more ideas.