Quote: No disagreement there, the K-x is a wonderful camera and unless the focus indicators are a big thing I wouldn't spend the premium on the K-r. and yes, the K-5 is making me drool - I plan on picking that and the DA70mm up soon.  

Between the Nikon D3100 and the Canon T1i, I'd personally go with the Nikon since I prefer smaller bodies. I also find that the lower-end consumer glass Nikon offers is better than Canon's entry level offerings. At the pro-grade levels I don't see much in difference either way from either...

I use a Kata 3N1-20 as my hiking bag: I can cross the shoulder straps so I get the weight distibution benefits of a backpack but can still use the sling bag-quick access.  There are a few tradoffs but I find its the best so far for me.  For everyday use I just carry a Lowepro Rezo140 AW with my...

There's a benefit to having an old dog that remains fairly stationary these days: he's easy to take pictures of.  

My dog Harley.  At 12 years old all he really does these days is sleep and eat.  He's also had an eye problem for the last few months the vet can't figure out.  Poor guy.    

Like I noted above, Sabian AAX are pretty hot sounding and fairly aggressive in terms of attack, probably the brightest series in Sabian's lineup that isn't lower end tin/bronze mix, though the older Pro (NOT B8 Pro) line has some seriously bright sounding stuff.  I haven't tried the newer APX...

I'm not sure about your Meinls, but I always tend to find that Meinls play a little hot on the attack with less sizzle than other hats.  If thats the case I suggest some of the Sabian AAX line to fill things out - very nice hot attack.

I've been interested in testing the A55 just to see how it stacks up to a lot of the EVIL/m4-3 systems out there and I've seen it get some pretty positive reviews.    When it comes down to it though I'm pretty happy with how compact the K-x is, though I want to get a K-5 .

I'm coming up on 11 years drumming on Jan 7, 2011.  Unfortunately, the last 4-5 years have been marred by being away from home or university consuming my soul, so my actual experience should probably be closer to 5 or 6.   My set is pretty simple: Yamaha Stage Custom (10, 12, 16, 22...

The Practical Devices XM5 has a DAC, li-ion battery option and switchable bass boost (note: not variable bass boost, just a push-pull switch)

The KICAS/Caliente both had a run as FOTMs a year or two ago if I recall correctly.  Seemed like everyone and their mother had the amp.  Of course many people still do and I ended up buying one at least a year after the fact...   The Audio-gd Compass was also pretty hyped upon release, my...

My friend who has a degree in supply chain management started out as a delivery truck driver for UPS and landed a head of operations/planning job out of it.  A friend heading that way was in warehouse receiving at some point (don't know if that helps though).

Bringing this back to life out of personal interest.  I've seen it on ebay and I'm currently debating picking one up as a new dac.  The guys over at diyaudio have a small thread going on it with some opamp options.  If I decide to purchase in the next week or so I'll post impressions.  

Skylab did a review some time ago comparing the whole line and said the Cantate and the Arietta (the Swing's predecessor) were surprisingly close in capability, if I recall correctly.

Unfortunately the lack of anythign other than random chinese sites makes me a little weary, but once I get my paycheck I may dive in.  I figure its got to be better than my current DAC, and since I haven't heard anything in the same price range (V-dac, Valab NOS dac, Keces, etc.) I should be...