[rckyosho]

When it comes to investing to in the audio chain I like to refer to the article from this http://en.goldenears.net/index.php?mid=KB_Columns&document_srl=1921&m=0

Read the article and see the figure below then decide for yourself which you think is the better....a dac or earphones or for that matter cables and as you can see the end of the chain is the most benificial to invest your time and money in.


Figure 2. The approximate range of distortion in sound reproduction in dB scale (FR only)

 

[jseaber]

Quote:

and my C5 actually has a few non-anodised bare spots on the inside of the aluminum enclosure (these was here when I first opened it up but I never mentioned it since it's not a big deal to me):
 
 

 
That's one of the first batch cases. The anodizer didn't consider the inside important; that appearance is caused by placement of their clamp. They've since improved the process, so clamp marks are no longer visible.
 
We'll be adding bare cases to the store soon. Here's a photo taken last week:
 

 

[kerrys30]

Interesting read rckyosho. Thanks.

 

[rckyosho]

That's one of the first batch cases. The anodizer didn't consider the inside important; that appearance is caused by placement of their clamp. They've since improved the process, so clamp marks are no longer visible.


We'll be adding bare cases to the store soon. Here's a photo taken last week:

I've always thought that those areas missing the anodising in the inside were cause by the battery hitting it slightly when the board is slided in and out of the case but I guess I was wrong.
Anyway good to hear your offering the case as a separate item. How about the front and back panel, Are those going to be available too?

 

[miceblue]

Quote:

Quote:

That's one of the first batch cases. The anodizer didn't consider the inside important; that appearance is caused by placement of their clamp. They've since improved the process, so clamp marks are no longer visible.


We'll be adding bare cases to the store soon. Here's a photo taken last week:

I've always thought that those areas missing the anodising in the inside were cause by the battery hitting it slightly when the board is slided in and out of the case but I guess I was wrong.
Anyway good to hear your offering the case as a separate item. How about the front and back panel, Are those going to be available too?

@ jseaber
Ah that's good to hear. I figured it might be a clamp of some sort since the bare spots are similar in size and shape.
 
@ rckyosho
Yeah I'm curious too. Black looks mighty fancy:

 
 
@ jseaber again
Is the bright-dipping technique adding a gloss finish to the anodised aluminum or does it still have the "chalkboard" texture? I was actually going to write on my review of the C5 that its texture reminds me of a chalkboard, and I really like that feeling, hahaha.

 
^ both images were from JDS Labs aluminium blog entry
 
The red bright-dipped C5 in particular reminds me of the Product Red line of Apple products in-person (online photos make the products look brighter than they actually are).

 

[jseaber]

Quote:

Anyway good to hear your offering the case as a separate item. How about the front and back panel, Are those going to be available too?

 
Sure!
 

@ jseaber again
Is the bright-dipping technique adding a gloss finish to the anodised aluminum or does it still have the "chalkboard" texture? I was actually going to write on my review of the C5 that its texture reminds me of a chalkboard, and I really like that feeling, hahaha.

 
^ both images were from JDS Labs aluminium blog entry
 
The red bright-dipped C5 in particular reminds me of the Product Red line of Apple products in-person (online photos make the products look brighter than they actually are).

 

That was our goal. Glad you can see the resemblance.

 

[ostewart]

I may buy the red enclosure with black faceplates... We'll see

 

[miceblue]

About the black plates, do scratches easily show up on it?
With the silver panels I have on the O2, ODAC, and C5, there are definite signs of scratches from me missing the audio jacks when trying to put a cable in, ahaha.

 

[jseaber]

Quote:

About the black plates, do scratches easily show up on it?
With the silver panels I have on the O2, ODAC, and C5, there are definite signs of scratches from me missing the audio jacks when trying to put a cable in, ahaha.

 
Black is much more scratch resistant.

 

[luisdent]

Quote:

About the black plates, do scratches easily show up on it?
With the silver panels I have on the O2, ODAC, and C5, there are definite signs of scratches from me missing the audio jacks when trying to put a cable in, ahaha.

 
I'm not sure if I have the newest revision of anodizing, etc., but here is my black amp after a few months of use.  I use it every single day probably about 3-4 hours on average.  I don't see any "noticeable" scratches, but there are some small ones if you look at the right angle with the light.  Also, it seems to wear the most around the rounded edges.
 
Overall, I'd say it's reasonable wear for how much I use it.  I do try to care for it and placed four rubber sticky bumpers on both sides so nothing rubs it, but it does sit in a plastic container with some cables and adapters.  While it's fairly snug in the case, it's possible it's getting wear from rubbing the cables.  The scratches look worse in the photos because of the lighting though...
 
 

 

 

[akhyar]

Quote:

 
Black is much more scratch resistant.

Do you have any plan of making leather case for the C5? 
Something like those made by Headamp for their portable amp/DAC.

 

[illusioned]

Do you have any plan of making leather case for the C5? 
Something like those made by Headamp for their portable amp/DAC.

"like" this idea too, got a few scratches on my red on now its hiding in a portable charger's sleeve.

 

[thor777]

I brought mine on a flight to Hawaii.  Didn't run into any issues.  I've also brought my CMoyBB on a flight to Taiwan.
Quote:

I'm going to be flying from boston to dallas in July.  Does anyone know if I can bring my C5 on the plane with me? I would be really upset if they confiscated it at the gate or something.  I know it's just an amplifier, but would they know and allow it?  Anyone have any experience with this?

 

[gkanai]

I fly with my C5 regularly. No problems.
 
I keep it in a case that is designed for laptop hard drives. Works well for me.
 

 

[jseaber]

Quote:

"like" this idea too, got a few scratches on my red on

now its hiding in a portable charger's sleeve.

 
The bright dipped finishes are much tougher, although no aluminum surface is 100% scratch resistant.
 
Cases and endplates are now available: