[cddc]

@carlman14 You really should get something better than those entry level headphones in your pic

Honestly, I logged on to post a pic of the stain job that I didnt horribly botch, and find myself humbled by what an amazing job you did. Everything from the tone board to the new sockets just looks fantastic. I tip my hat to you, sir.

Here is the new stain I put on the custom wood base that allows the KZK caps to fit:

Well done on the stain job!

Anyone knows how to stain the wood and make it look like chestnut (as in the pic below)?

I saw the beautiful samples in Home Depot, not sure if they use stain or paint to achieve the dark chestnut finish...

 

[attmci]

@carlman14 You really should get something better than those entry level headphones in your pic

Honestly, I logged on to post a pic of the stain job that I didnt horribly botch, and find myself humbled by what an amazing job you did. Everything from the tone board to the new sockets just looks fantastic. I tip my hat to you, sir.

Here is the new stain I put on the custom wood base that allows the KZK caps to fit:

What are those "cheap" headphones?? Looks better than mine.

 

[Little Bear]

Well done on the stain job!

Anyone knows how to stain the wood and make it look like chestnut (as in the pic below)?

I saw the beautiful samples in Home Depot, not sure if they use stain or paint to achieve the dark chestnut finish...

You might be able to match the color, but the alder wood just doesn't have anywhere near the grain of that example in the picture. How a finished board looks depends as much or more on the type of wood as the stain you put on it.

 

[HiFiHawaii808]

I finally signed up for Tidal and I love it. What is the best way to stream Tidal to my BHC? I am currently using my iPad going USB into my Schitt Modi Multibit. Are there any products that can improve the sound over USB-C from my iPad?

 

[chrisdrop]

I finally signed up for Tidal and I love it. What is the best way to stream Tidal to my BHC? I am currently using my iPad going USB into my Schitt Modi Multibit. Are there any products that can improve the sound over USB-C from my iPad?

Probably just enjoy where you are. That is good enough.
You could go for a dedicated streamer, even one without USB (i.e.; SPDIF>DAC>BHC). You will spend > the BHC cost most likely, however!

 

[HiFiHawaii808]

Probably just enjoy where you are. That is good enough.
You could go for a dedicated streamer, even one without USB (i.e.; SPDIF>DAC>BHC). You will spend > the BHC cost most likely, however!

Thanks. Do you think it is worth chasing MQA? I am getting mixed signals in what I am reading about it.

I listened to some MQA recordings on my iPhone with my DragonFly Red and it sounded great. I haven't done the A/B comparison, but from what I heard it seemed to make a noticeable difference in sound quality. Could be the placebo effect though, I'll admit.

 

[JamieMcC]

I finally signed up for Tidal and I love it. What is the best way to stream Tidal to my BHC? I am currently using my iPad going USB into my Schitt Modi Multibit. Are there any products that can improve the sound over USB-C from my iPad?

Probably not a replacement in DAC capability to the Modi but the $99 new hiby R2 looks a interesting product with Tidal, MQA, WiFi & Bluetooth. Looks like potentially two ways to connect to a amp analogue out via trs to RCA adaptor from the R2 direct to Crack or usb digital out to Modi onto Crack. Hiby have a app so looks like you can use iPad or mobile to control remotely via WiFi that might make for a simple wire free streaming option with the ability to control volume as well if your amp was not within reach.

I'm guessing a bit here that when used as a portable device it uses your mobile phone signal to connect with tidal if out and about when your travelling.


https://darko.audio/2020/10/hibys-r2-puts-tidal-mqa-into-the-smallest-of-pockets-for-99/

 

[chrisdrop]

Thanks. Do you think it is worth chasing MQA? I am getting mixed signals in what I am reading about it.
I listened to some MQA recordings on my iPhone with my DragonFly Red and it sounded great. I haven't done the A/B comparison, but from what I heard it seemed to make a noticeable difference in sound quality. Could be the placebo effect though, I'll admit.

MQA - no. IMO it is a digital copyright (and other things) scheme, not really a quality scheme. You might find this interesting.
I am on Roon w/ flac for my favourites, Tidal for breadth. A good streamer does make a difference, but you need a pretty beefy system before it makes a material difference.
Here is an old post on my streamer journey.
Headphones matter most - spend there if you are not already on ZMF !

 

[chrisdrop]

And here is today at the office: Fivre 6J5GT via @Deyan adapter. I really like these in the Crack.

 

[bagwell359]

I use Tidal/UAPP for MQA. If some of the music I'm listening isn't MQA then: I get dig parametric EQ, balance (amp doesn't have one, but my ears not even), crossfeed. It also seems in some cases w/ MQA I can still add the other features and lose bit-perfect, but still have some of the MQA increases in fidelity.

MQA is easy to hear on HEX v2, HE6se, HE-500, HD-600 - on Rag 1/Gumby 1. And for the HD-600 on BHC - this combo is of course seductive, liquid, etc. and anything that gets more definition into that mix w/o any spikiness (like say a DAC "upgrade" using SABRE chips) allows for even more enjoyment of the the 600/BHC combo.

BTW, my cost of MQA is: $200 for a used mint LG v40, $20 cable, $20/month for TIDAL MQA - and its level of fidelity is the same or better than my last analog rig (very high end).

BTW, I do not agree with many fans of the v40, the sound direct into my HEX v2 or HD-600 (set to high output) is too bright, and continually changes emphasis on treble details which is annoying).

 

[HiFiHawaii808]

My new box of tubes just arrived today. I've been listening all afternoon and the sound is glorious. I am listening with TS 5998 and CBS Hytron 5814a. The bass is amazing now with HD600s. Deep, clean and clear. Getting a nice halo effect with classical music. This is just so good. I am going to have to try this set up with some HD800S or 820s. I am guessing it will pair fine.

 

[HiFiHawaii808]

Probably not a replacement in DAC capability to the Modi but the $99 new hiby R2 looks a interesting product with Tidal, MQA, WiFi & Bluetooth. Looks like potentially two ways to connect to a amp analogue out via trs to RCA adaptor from the R2 direct to Crack or usb digital out to Modi onto Crack. Hiby have a app so looks like you can use iPad or mobile to control remotely via WiFi that might make for a simple wire free streaming option with the ability to control volume as well if your amp was not within reach.

I'm guessing a bit here that when used as a portable device it uses your mobile phone signal to connect with tidal if out and about when your travelling.


https://darko.audio/2020/10/hibys-r2-puts-tidal-mqa-into-the-smallest-of-pockets-for-99/

that does look interesting. I like that it supports 5G wifi. It's cheap so maybe worth a try. I could also try something similar with my Dragonfly Red since it does support MQA, but I think I may be chasing a unicorn that doesn't exist. I may be better off just upgrading my DAC from a Modi to a Bimby.

 

[HiFiHawaii808]

What's really weird is that the tubes cost more than my headphones and the tubes are 50 years old.

 

[PsilocybinCube]

What's really weird is that the tubes cost more than my headphones and the tubes are 50 years old.

Bro, get that HD800. It pairs nicely with the BHC. I came from the HD650 and the HD800 is a monumental step up.

 

[GreenNeedle]

Well done on the stain job!

Anyone knows how to stain the wood and make it look like chestnut (as in the pic below)?

I saw the beautiful samples in Home Depot, not sure if they use stain or paint to achieve the dark chestnut finish...

You could try a similar method to how they make the grain stand out on guitar veneers. Stain the top, let it dry, sand back until only the grain is dark, stain again over the top.

With guitars you would tend to use dye instead of stain. black dye, sand back, do it again if required, then put the colour dye on top, let it dry then clear lacquer over the top, let it set for at least a couple of weeks then fine sand/rub for that piano gloss finish.

Or just buy dark walnut (real wood) veneer and glue it on. Veneer is cheaper in the US than Europe, especially walnut.