Is it the op-amp(original)? Looks like lots of people here use an Ety/Ray samuels combo without problem. I've swapped various phones in and out and there is definitely a serious hiss with the Er6i/XP-7 combo in particular. Insights? Suggestions? thank you!

When I use a mini to 1/4" adapter to plug my ER6is into my Ray Samuels XP-7 I get a loud hiss. This doesn't happen when I plug other phones into the amp and the ER6is are dead quiet straight out of my nano. I have two different but similar "nothing special" gold adapters. Anyone have this...

When is the Blue Ray v. HD-DVD war supposed to start? I'm assuming current DVD-based universal players will drop in price as a consequence...Are the new players going to be here by first quarter 2005? Don't know how long I can wait...need new SA-CD source...

In the Shanling T200 thread, Tom Hankins complimented the modwright/Sony 999es. Interested, I read robert H. Levi's review. A quote from it: "As now configured, the ModWright/Sony not only tops all other digital reproduction I've heard to date, but all analog reproduction as well. No phono...

I've been something of a lurker on these great forums for about a year. I guess I would post more if I had experience with a wider variety of gear...anyway... After having read countless posts by frequently contributing members, I can't help but wonder about some of the more...

could I feed sacd signal into an mp3 player's line in and expect it to compress it? Can iriver players do this? I've done it with redbook cd to mp3 on my friend's iriver player... Thanks, Dimitri

I'm relatively new to hi-fi and am happy with my current headphone rig (chosen carefully with information gathered here). I was planning on picking up a new source sometime this year, but then thought why not get a couple speakers (don't own any) and a power amp instead? I already have a...

My Sony ns500v is the only source i've heard through a headphone rig. I got because it was cheap ($127 shipped), and reportedly offered "good sacd performance". "Good sacd and bad redbook" seems to be the general opinion on this player (I agree), and, considering that I listen to almost...

I've read that we should see the ABB Fillmore concerts sometime soon. I've also read something (I don't remember where) about Stevie Wonder making some SACD releases. Anyone have release dates or other information? Thanks alot, Dimitri

My friend once said, "If you don't play an instrument, you can't understand the nature of music enough to have taste." While I don't agree with him completely, I think it is hard to find good taste in someone who is not a practicing musician. IMO Unlike art history, a discipline that doesn't...

I sat down last night excited to notice post burn-in improvements on my hd650s. I started with Blue Train, a disc I know very well. The first thing I noticed was a vibration in the left earpiece--a fast buzzing vibration produced only at certain pitches. Not on low bass, but accompanying...

It seems that the sacdmods sony 555es is the ultimate value in high-end sacd sources. I am considering tracking down a 555es and having the mods done. But does anyone see a better deal in sacd playback potentially emerging in the next 6 months or so? Should I just replace my ns500v with the...

The first thing I noticed when cleared away the packing peanuts was Sennheiser's beautiful silver-ribbed packaging. The hinged storage box within the packaging was wonderful as well. I remember laughing at the ridiculously lame box that my friend's SR80s came in, and laughing again when my...

I live in the bronx and need a portable phone for a subway commute. I consider my area safe, but, as in any urban setting, its best not to present yourself as someone with hundreds of dollars of gear in your bag/hanging from your body. So im looking at cheap portable phones for my pcdp--will the...

Is there a favorite for these phones yet? Equinox? Cardas? Cardas is $40 cheaper... Thanks, Dimitri

Hi Todd, I was looking to buy some vibrapods to dampen my cd player's vibrations--then I saw Sound Quest Isolation feet on your site. Can I put a few of these under my player? Are they designed to handle more than 10-15 total pounds?

Hi, I have been advised against putting anything at all into my ears, especially something like in-ear phones, which would reside within the canal for extended periods of time. My girlfriend's father, a doctor, and my girlfriend, a med student, both tell me NOT to get the etymotics I...

Hi, I had my amp on a table by the window. I noted that it got very cold--is this harmful? how does the cold affect batery life? I actually got fewer hours out of my xp-7 this very cold week. Thanks, Dimitri

Two of my sacds, Kind of Blue and Getz/Gilberto, have noticeable crackling or sizzling noises accompanying the instruments. On various Kind of Blue tracks, I can hear subtle crackling along with the musical tone coming out of the horns. On Getz/Gilberto, I hear loud crackling accompanying the...

I was talking to the owner of my local hifi shop yesterday. He was ranting about how he can't even listen to regular cds, and how the new hirez digital formats were passable but vinyl was still better. He said, "I've got a turntable (in stock) for $399 that'll sound better than a $10,000 cd...