Quote: Originally Posted by esuko Hello again Now i got the new stylus installed and checked alignment. But still i get slight distortion on loud passages. But usually instruments playing completely right or left there is no distortion. Is this problem of record wear or is my...

Quote: Originally Posted by soloz2 get a used Marantz CD5001 How does the Marantz compare to your Zhaolu? I heard people saying that the older 6000 was better.. Any comment on that?

Unfortunately, none of the Marantz machines I saw passed the test. Hiss, noise, hum, slow reading time and mechanical clicks, the 52 had one channel louder than the other....sigh..... I guess they were dug up from someone's cold and damp attic, cleaned a bit then put on sale. Second opinion...

I guess I'll be pulling the trigger soon... Should I check some specific technical issues in order to ensure I'm not buying a lemon?

In fact I'm leaning towards a cd-52 mkII SE which should be better built. Anyone who could describe the way it sounds?

Hi! As I was looking for a good bargain red book reader, I came across some old Marantz cd players from late 80's, early 90's. I know that some have the Philips CDM4/19 transport and the SAA7350 DAC. The price is good, around 60-70 $ and they are still working. Anyway, if the DAC is no good...

I'm looking forward to hearing your opinions on the newest Beresford DAC. I might get one for myself, since my second-hand 0404 started to produce strange parasite sizzle on left channel... yak! A good excuse for trying out another yummy piece of equipment, isn't it?

I've just noticed in your signature that you already have the HD 580's, so why bother with some overpriced inferior siblings???

Yeah, it's a decent Senn headphone, nice soundstage, detail & co. and built like a tank, but you could do MUCH better gettting a HD 580 while they're still around. Especially at the price you're mentioning....ahem...I payed less than 100$ mint in Germany. High impedance cans, need some...

Quote: Originally Posted by grinchy I haven't had any humming with my Uly -b's but I've only tried two of the six still with me. RIght now I'm so happy with the amp, it is totally quiet (and has been). x 2. Never had any hum, pop or hiss issues with this little amp. Tried it...

Don't forget that the 0404 USB has got a built-in headphone amp. As far as I know, upgraditis is a nasty disease...you will want to try a different flavour of sound in no time, and then the money spent on the USB version may drill holes in your pocket (it depends on the size of your pocket...

I also got pops and clicks on the X-fi platinum. Got rid of that sound card (don't get me wrong, it's a nice one, but soundwise it doesn't cut the mustard, and I don't need its gaming proficiency) and installed EMU-0404. No problem on it until, one cursed day, I reactivated the onboard sound...

I had the PA2V2 some time ago and I thought it was a good match to some Philips and Sennheiser earbuds. Bass became a little fuller, highs crisper, dynamics more entertaining. We're not talking about dramatic changes, though, since hi-fi is all about subtleties, right? The dark side of that...

I did the same thing (dumped the X-FI). I owned a sound card which - in my opinion - was just too expensive for its sound quality. Its gaming capabilities being irrelevant to me, the lack of a proper line-out and its bland headphone amp performance made me look elsewhere. Currently I'm...

In fact, the question is: is it a good buy at under 90$ (shipping included)? It should work as main source for the Senheiser hd595 phones amplified through LD2++.

Ok, so I finally got my silver Little dot2++. First impressions on stock tubes are positive. Nice build quality overall, it seems to work all right. It gets hot, hotter than any amp I 've ever had, but I am ready to cope with it provided it gave me the sound quality I expect. Given my poor...

Quote: Originally Posted by lini sm68: Any good sources for the Audiotrak Prodigy 7.1 HiFi in France? Over here it's ~ 100 Euro, available for example from Alternate(www.alternate.de). I'd suggest to check out that one - imo, it's the most interesting priceworthy hifi-oriented pci...

Quote: Originally Posted by terrymx take a look at the esi juli@ also i think it has rca output, and as well as 5.3mm. Yes, but it is over 200$ around here...

Quote: Originally Posted by infinitesymphony What about the E-MU 0404 USB? I suppose it is double the price, though. Ahem, that would be a problem indeed. Any other suggestions?

Quote: Originally Posted by rb67 Does it have to be an internal soundcard? How about a USB DAC which is pretty much an external soundcard except with a more specialized role. I have one, and whenever I want to use my internal soundcard (for games and when I want to use speakers) i just...

Ok, let's say I buy the E-mu 0404, what kind type of adapter do I need in order to use it on a regular, 2 x stereo RCA input headphone amp?

Quote: Originally Posted by jmmtn4aj Tough challenge? Pfft. Onkyo SE150/200 PCI soundcard. Gee, thanks, that was quick...But I would appreciate one which would be a little bit easier to find over here... I find no seller whatsoever for Onkyo souncards...

I need a nice soundcard with RCA outputs. Why that? Because I plan to use it on my LIttle Dot2++ headphone amp, and 'Ive got plenty of decent quality RCA cables. I'm in no mood for hunting esoteric interconnects (as for emu 0404 PCI). I was thinking of M-audiophile 2496...anybody who already...

Even if you did change so many parts and provided the drivers were in pristine condition, I wouldn't expect them to sound better than brand new HD580's! If I were you, I would stack up euro upon euro and get the new ones. Let's not forget that the 580's were the top of the line Sennheiser...

I'm still waiting for my LD2++ amp. In the meantime, I got some unbranded "Mullard"M8161 and some Svetlana 6S19P tubes. I hope that at least one combination will sound pleasing to my ears.