Looking for a DAC with XLR-outs (nuforce is out), independent volume controls for the pre- and headphone-outs.  Something along the lines, maybe, of the Asus Xonar One, but not as giant... and cheaper than the Zodiac offerings.    USB is neither here nor there, I'd be using spdif.     ...

I'm planning on back-lighting my volume knob, and while I am very familiar with wiring LEDs, I have no idea what would be an appropriate brightness level for the common 4-led setup.    I'd like to avoid spending time experimenting (does that make me a bad diy-er?) - if anyone has...

The police evacuated our apartment complex on Saturday night.  Being that the nearby Raritan River hit its crest this morning at 9am, I gave my apartment management company a phone call today to find out how we were doing, and if I could move back in.  Apparently, I cannot - water has risen to...

PRESENTS ARRIVED TODAY!!!!     http://www.alps.com/WebObjects/catalog.woa/E/HTML/Potentiometer/RotaryPotentiometers/RK501/RK50114A0001.html   Can anyone help me out here?      My best guess is that the first and second columns of pins are both inputs, the third and fourth...

I've gotten this a few times, seemingly randomly, while trying to post responses in threads.  No rhyme or reason to why it is showing up

Besides the convoluted workaround of putting this http://www.alliedelec.com/search/productdetail.aspx?SKU=7194043 on a lathe, is there any good alternative for a Stax jack (5 or 6 pin, will be used for pro bias)?    Any source, any price, doesn't really matter.  I'd prefer not having to buy...

I see a selection box next to the message, however there is no "return to inbox" function or anything of the sort.  I cannot afford to lose a certain PM conversation, which somehow got moved into this new feature. 

There are so many amps on the market... and while synergy is indeed an important aspect from a "matching of sound signatures" perspective, there must be an option for avoiding amp coloration altogether.  I want an amp that:    - Will provide all the current and voltage I need - Will do so...

My right ear feels like there is a pound of pressure coming from behind my eardrum, and everything sounds like it is being filtered through a wad of cotton.  Doc says it should drain itself in ~2 weeks, maybe longer!    I tried listening to headphones this evening, and it brought tears to my...

Samsung has put up a new demonstration of the marvels of 3D technology. It has me 100% convinced, beyond a shred of a doubt, that this is the wave of the future!!! + YouTube Video ERROR: If you can see this, then YouTube is down or you don't have Flash installed.

One man's half-broken junk is another man's pure-playback treasure!!! I just scored an Otari MX 5050 BII for $75 - the recording head is all but destroyed, and the internal repro amp is busted, along with one of the vu meters. there is also a ton of cosmetic damage. However, the mechanics...

It's a funny thing just how hard insurance companies try to find ways to weasel out of coverage. Here's my story from today: As a grad student, I have access to cheaper health care through my school. As it turns out, adding my wife to my plan was cheaper for her than getting health insurance...

'Tis the season! Those girls will be the death of me. 2 boxes thin mints, 2 boxes tagalongs, 1 box samoas

Such a fantastic movie! I cannot recommend it enough, even if you did not care for Gilliam's other work Anyone else partake in this film?

And I never thought we'd have anything in common

Well worth the wait! Serial #1009001 has arrived Behold the 80 pound crate! The FedEx guy appreciated my help in lugging this into my apartment. In the future, WES's will be shipped in 2 separate crates. Feet, feet discs, acrylic panels, and a whole mess of tubes PSU and Amp...

Assuming in this case a 12AU7, which characteristics of a tube make for the best performance AS A PHASE SPLITTER ONLY? I assume I can forgo the most interesting NOS examples - or should I still consider them, even though they would not be working driver duty? Am I correct in assuming the...

Title says it all. I am very interested in an SACD player that will also function as a DAC for other peripherals such as my DVD player and computer. Why not separates? Because if I am paying top dollar for an SACD player with superb quality, I do not want to have to also pay once again...

I left this poll anonymous so that everyone with an ego will still (hopefully) poll honestly. I - and I'm sure the bulk of many of you - would love to get a feel for just how much of a difference FLAC makes to the bulk of digital listeners. Piece of mind is, imho, definitely worth using...

Finally getting the last delivery from Mouser, I was able to finish stuffing my sigma 22 board tonight. I did a power-on, and was happy to see the LED light up. However, I only saw 300 or so millivolts dc on v-out. All of the sudden, Q15 sparked crackled and puffed. it smelled quite a bit...

On the e24, pins J2A1 and J2A2 serve to connect an LED indicator. However, as I do not comprehend even this ridiculously simple circuit, I cannot tell which goes to the LED "+" terminal, and which goes to the "-" terminal I have a hunch that J2A1 goes to "+", though I do not trust...

Having a bit of trouble here, wouldnt mind being pointed in the right direction I'm working on my B22 enclosure, with a black aluminum case from Hifi2000. I'd like the front panel to be black aluminum as well. However, both FPE and Cam-Expert's offerings have anodized fronts, while the edges...

has anyone had any experience with this beauty? i feel like i should have a single-ended amp around, to test headphones that may be lent to me, without the need for a 4-pin adapter. i am open to any other suggestions

Following Tangent's guide nearly 100%, let's say I wanted to run the amp strictly off of the wall, never planning to use a battery (and thus skipping any circuitry for switching). I realize I would need a linear, regulated ac/dc brick. However, regulated ones are few and far between, large, and...

Having heard the MDR-R10's at the last NYC meet, though I only experienced them for 10 minutes in rather loud conditions, I can't stop thinking about their absolutely amazing signature. Lush doesn't even begin to describe the warmth, depth, and silkiness that seemed, to me, to span the entire...