I will be abroad in Australia for the next 5 months and I'd like to take some high quality music with me!   Unfortunately bringing a whole desktop system is out of the question!   I'm currently using a MBP via optical to a DACMagic via XLR>3.5mmTRS to a RSA Protector to my DT880s.  ...

I've been the using the TC Level Pilot for quite some time now and it worked flawlessly up until recently.     In the past month or so it creates static when I'm changing volume in either direction.  It never used to do this.   Is the POT degrading already?  It's a Bourns POT, which...

I recently received my RSA Protector (Thanks RAY!), but I can not figure out how to protect it well without a lot of bulk.    The supplied rubber feet are being used as a buffer between the iPod and Protector.   I thought about just putting my rig down with the iPod down, but that's just...

I'm going to be buying an iPod Video 80gb 5.5g and I need to buy a case for it.     Is there anywhere where you can still buy cases for older iPods and any recs on a good case?  It will be matched with the RSA Protector.     Thanks!

I've been looking into power strips lately, and I'm lost.   I'm looking for a powerstrip that has at 6 plugs, and can fit larger [transformer at plug] style plugs.   Looking to spend no more than $125.   All I really care about at this point is decent surge protection and at least...

Is anybody else using this combination of Blue Jeans Cable Toslink Cable to a DACMagic?   I'm having issue with the connector being loose in the input.   It's so loose and fits so poorly that if not held in a certain position, it won't see the output signal from my computer coming...

What's the easiest way to control volume for the M-Audio BX5a Deluxe monitors?   Macbook pro - toslink - DACMagic - Balanced XLR - Balanced XLR/TRS   I hear a passive volume control?   Would that go after the XLR out from the DACMagic?     I want to keep this as cheap as...

I want to use Toslink to go from my Macbook Pro to my DAC.    The MBP uses a 3.5mm toslink and the DAC uses the standard plug.   Would a standard toslink to 3.5mm toslink adapter have any affect on the signal going though the cable if a cheaper adapter was used?    Rather than using...

I was just reading through Yahoo and saw this article about Dell.     "Dell appears to have suffered from the bad capacitors, made by a company called Nichicon, far more than its rivals"   "A study by Dell found that OptiPlex computers affected by the bad capacitors were expected to...

Do any DACs exist with TWO sets of balanced outs?  One out for speakers, and one out for a HP amp.  Or do you just buy a special XLR/TRS cable or something?

I have a Component video cable [R,G,B] of pretty good quality sitting around.  Is there any issue using it as a RCA cable for audio?  I'm currently using pretty crappy RCA cable and I thought this could be a free upgrade.    I'd obviously have to just not use one of the component cables. ...

I'm just beginning my venture into high(er)-end audio equipment, and I'm at a fork.  I currently own a pair of AV40 speakers from m-audio which have the ability for 1/4" balanced input.  I cannot decide which one to purchase.  However I would like to purchase a pair of IEMS also; the UE TF10pros...

I realize that there are a boatload of threads about DACs, but I have a few questions.    Is balanced really worth it for speakers?  From what I can tell a DAC that has balanced outputs is typically a fair amount more expensive than a non-balanced one.    I'm looking at this point just a...

I've been attempting over the past few weeks to jump into the high quality audio world.  I'm a bit lost on how things work, why components are used or not used, etc.  Hoping some of my science-y questions can be answered.   --- What exactly is volume? From what I can tell, it is how much...

Apparently buying an Acura vehicle makes more sense than buying a tube amp!   http://scaryideas.com/content/17582/   I guess nobody at Acura is an audiophile?

I'm relatively new to audio equipment and I'm trying to figure things out.  My current setup is extremely bland compared to others, however with my limited budget, and other expensive hobbies taking my money, namely photography and scuba diving, I'm trying to get the best sound with what I...