Have been working my way through this thread, at 191 pages it is an epic saga.
So, my 5c worth on a number of topics.
1. HD Tracks, have bought some. A lot of the product seems to be CD standard - that to me is arguably misrepresentation.
I bought Graceland by Paul Simon. I remember really loving it on vinyl (yes I know).
The HD version seems to have been remastered for loudness. It is now really "in your face" and I cannot listen to it, until I get my LP12 back. There was nothing wrong with the original. Might digitise it myself as:
a. I have a high quality source (Vinyl!). My LPs are in really good nick.
b. I have a home recording studio.
Which brings me to:
2. ADC.
I have an 8 channel pro-sumer AD/DA.
Am going to try Gungnir as the DA for my monitors...
When the XLR cables I ordered a week and a half ago from Sydney (I live in Melbourne, OZ) arrive.
...and they don't answer e-mails.
I also ordered some SPDIF cable from Blue jeans Cables in the US. They arrived in 5 days and were cheaper.
So I would love to have 8 channels of Schiit or 2 in 6 out or something. But I can understand Schiit not dipping a toe in that water as there are so many ADC out there. For example:
Lynx, Lavry, Mytek, Weiss, Apogee, Antelope and Focusrite and.... and that's just some of the professional ones. So, I recently bought a 2 channel Mytek ADC - waiting for the box to arrive...
Cost about the same as Gungnir and has very good rep. That leaves me with the issue of "How am I going to get the SPDIF into the PC?"
Mytek do a very nice (I assume) 8 channels in and out SPDIF / PCIE interface. Great. Only $800. (Damn)
So, if Mike still thinks SPDIF is better than USB. How about a 1(+) in, 1(+) out SPDIF/PCIE card?
3. EQ
It might be nice to have a "tilt" EQ to go between the Gungnir / Mjolnir.
This might be able to tame those headphones with the upwards tilt in the frequency response at bass end or top end. You know, the "too bright" or "Very detailed ones" or "light on bass" depending on your bias.
Yes those, the ones ending in -6 or 800 (perhaps).
HOWEVER.
There is a lot of discussion in the Pro-audio forums about the detrimental effects of EQ.
Like non-linear phase response . Unless you go for a linear-phase eq.
Which introduces other problems - like smearing of transients.
So, probably a bad idea and maybe the reason why the Schiit amps don't have it.
4. Did I mention I have vinyl?
So a nice Schiit phono preamp so that I can sell my existing VTL pre-amp and monoblocks so that I can get Ragnarok would be great. Yes, I know I'm dreaming. Would be better than shelling out for the music all over again though. Or spending an insane amount of time copying LPs to digital.
To close, I appreciate the Schiit ethic. As they say down this way "Goodonya (mate)"
Michael.