Any recommendations for a (step-down) power regulator? I need a clean / linear output of 220V, from an input of 235V - slightly inflated from EU mains voltage of 230V.

I am considering buying this AD Converter. It has no USB output, but it has Toslink, Spdif, AES, and Dante/Ethernet. My intended input is a Mac Powerbook laptop, which has USB-C inputs only. What would be the best way of connecting the two? I am considering maybe finding a good AES–to–USB-C, if...

Which technologies have progressed, and which have stood still. In the chip corner, I hear little news about anything new and revolutionising, and even “older” model from a few years back remain top models. TI’s best chip is a Burr-Brown from … 2008, I think, and improvements from other...

Like so many, I sometimes watch movies with headphones on. To keep family peace while everyone else is sleeping and so on. That usually mandates a longer cable, like 5 meters. Now, the question ... if you are really into good cabling in the 3-4 digit class, which is the better option if you will...

Just a quick and possibly silly question from a guy who knows little more about cables than that he loves silver because it keeps the vampires away: I have a portable player with mini-jack out, and it is also my main source. Lootoo PAW Gold. Pretty good. I have two amps with nearly anything...

Just a simple question I've been wondering about: when an amp is said to have a "flat" frequency response, does that mean it is flat when played out into nothing but an oscilloscpe, or is it also (still) flat when played into a pair of headphones? That is, does the presence of the headphones...

I have a dream of planars, maybe just because of the technology itself. But I also take great joy in just being a damn bass head for an hour, turning on Röyksopp and Bounty Hunter for an experience of bass all the way down. Then again, I am a vocal afficionado, and will listen to pure a...

I've been pondering about this thing about us having to "balance" between bass extension, non-recessed mids, and clear highs. Or between "warmth" and "precision". The real world itself doesn't have this problem! A voice (mid) doesn't get recessed just because you strike a deep note on the cello...

I'm pondering the best system set-up for me, and trying to make precise what I am looking for. It's something that will optimize voice AND the warm bassy surround feeling. Though I listen to many genres, I think this YouTube piece shows what I want to optimize. What kind of characteristics...

I was wondering if there were any non-foam pads for grados. I have the RS-1, and by all means enjoy the a lot, but the pads don't quite agree with me. Are there other pads that work well for Grado RS-1 and family? Leather ones, for instance? I could probably have them made, but impression from...

Hi, I wondered how you guys deal with mini-jacks that just don't fit right, so they go single-channel unless you push them to one side or the other.

I just reinstalled Windows XP on my work PC, and in the process I did of course lose the driver for the apogee mini-dac. Now the mini-DAC is discontinued, and the drivers seem a bit harder to get a hold of. Old links are gone, etc.   Option #1: Any workable tips? Which precise drivers work...

They sent me into outer space ... ... and all they sent with me was this lousy Bose headset:

Has anyone here tried DFX to tweak sound originally intended for speakers so that it fits headphones? FXsound.com - DFX Audio Enhancer Features

One of the wonders of human perception is that half of what's there - isn't. Or rather: Half of what we perceive to be there is simply filled in by our expectations. I have found that I am completely and utterly unable to look at a word in a normal, western font without seeing those shapes as...

YouTube - Virtual Barber Shop (Audio...use headphones, close ur eyes)

Ouch: Dude Takes a Tennis Ball to the Crotch at 50MPH for 'Science'

I am now ready to build a sigma-11, after having checked with a friendly colleague who is a pro (and who will help me build where it's needed), and what I now need is somewhere to buy all the parts, preferrably as a kit. The transformer will be from 230V, but aside from that it will all be...

Given otherwise reasonable sound quality, of course ... What do you put most emphasis on when deciding what sounds good to you? Rank by order of importance in the poll.

I just bought a pair of Denon AH-D5000 modified by marlk, but won't be seeing them for almost two months since I shipped them to my US in-laws to avoid big extra costs ... but though I can't enjoy the sound, I still have bragging rights! So I start this thread for owners of markl-modded D5000's...

My X5 has died on me, and I am looking for its replacement. My eyes have been cast on iAudio 7 and D2. Are there any reviews comparing the two, aside from the very obvious touch screen vs non-touch? Esp. interested in if there is any noticeable difference in SQ or emphasis. Will be used to...

In a thread over best Pink Floyd album, someone (whistle) came up with the idea of polling for the best setup (amp/cans) for Pink Floyd, and someone else agreed. For Pink Floyd only, and not for anything else whatsoever. So the poll / question for this thread is: If you should build your...

I am buying an Apogee mini-DAC while in the US this summer, and have been advised to upgrade the PSU to sigma 11. But living in Europe, I need 220V in, not 110V. What mods must I make to the original design? Or is there some other design that delivers 12 clean volts with lots of amperes to...

Afficionados of the ancient Asian game of Go know that one of the essential characteristics of a good Go board is the sound it produces when a piece is placed on it. The best Go boards are made from kaya, and cost ... well, when people see the price tag, they won't think head-fiers are nutters...