[Bonehead7171]

I'd love to hear more on the Bimby 2/64 to Gumby comparison. Differences in tonal balance and low level detail interest me most. I'm still planning upgrading my Gungnir to Gumby status, and don't want a DAC that's too forward. That would be over the top with my Martin Logans.

Thanks.

Immediately I felt the Gumby more lifelike and realistic than the BF 2/64. The BF seemed somewhat digital or hard in my system.

The Gumby seems LESS forward than the Denafrips. I was so focused on the digital/realistic divide on the BF 2 I do not remember noticing any difference with the forwardness.

 

[StimpyWan]

Immediately I felt the Gumby more lifelike and realistic than the BF 2/64. The BF seemed somewhat digital or hard in my system.

The Gumby seems LESS forward than the Denafrips. I was so focused on the digital/realistic divide on the BF 2 I do not remember noticing any difference with the forwardness.

Exactly what I was hoping to hear. I'll continue my Gungnir upgrade quest. Thanks again...!

 

[DougD]

I am listening to Rhiannon Giddens. I like her voice very much but prefer her more when she is with "The Carolina Chocolate Drops". Which, by mere coinkydink, are up next.

Vinyl. It ain't just fer car wraps...'n' Schiit.

ORT

Yeah. Rhiannon Giddens is a real talent. (Everyone on The Carolina Chocolate Drops was/is. An extremely well-balanced ensemble.) Everything she's done that I've heard, I like.

And she scales well. The better your gear, the better she sounds.

I think I may queue some of that up tonight too ... thanks for the thought!

 

[bcowen]

Thanks @bcowen .
I trust that the DIY ‘formula’ won’t result in a depletion of my dwindling stock of single malts

Not to worry. No alcoholic indulgences are harmed in the process.

 

[bcowen]

Is it vinegar based...? After you clean records, do you pour it over a pork shoulder...?

No, no no....the used solution is poured down the drain which goes directly into the sewer and after comingling with the other effluents goes directly into TX BBQ. It's all on Wikipedia.

 

[bcowen]

Thanks again to @bcowen, @DACattack and others, who recommended trying a record cleaning machine to reduce surface noise on old vinyl.

My new Project VC-S2 ALU was delivered today, and this evening I cleaned the used copy of CSN&Y’s Deja Vu which I bought recently.

The results were astonishing!

Almost all surface noise has now gone.

I must admit I was very sceptical, so it has been a very pleasant surprise; even more remarkable as it was achieved without @bcowen’s ‘secret sauce’

Great advice.

Cool beans! Did you do a rinse step after the detergent scrub/vacuum using only distilled water? Some say it doesn't make a difference, but it does to my ears. Maybe it just removes any last traces of cleaning solution and or tiny particles that missed getting vacuumed up on the first go 'round. Or maybe it's just the voices in my head.

And I'll make no claims that any DIY solution is better (or worse) than a commercially produced one. Just cheaper.

 

[bcowen]

And yet you use commercially made tubes?

Well, yeah. The last DIY attempt failed because I couldn't get a good enough vacuum. My friends told me I just don't suck enough.

 

[bcowen]

Intredasting...The company name "Tung-Sol" was created by taking the first 4 letters of the word "Tungsten" and the Latin word for Sun, i.e. "Sol".

Cool.

Not as cool as Vali 2++ but still cool. Okay...It is a LOT cooler than Vali 2++.

ORT

I think TungstenSol would have been even cooler. TungSol still sounds like some kind of mouthwash.

 

[US Blues]

I'd love to hear more on the Bimby 2/64 to Gumby comparison. Differences in tonal balance and low level detail interest me most. I'm still planning on upgrading my Gungnir to Gumby status, and don't want a DAC that's too forward. That would be over the top with my Martin Logans.

Thanks.

I upgraded my Gungnir (early production) to a Gumby. Do not hesitate to make this upgrade, the world of music will not be the same to you in terms of spatial dimensionality, timbre, and natural presentation. I did not find the Gumby more forward, in fact I'd say with the other qualities of the upgrade it will sound more laid back. But natural is the word that shines through.

 

[bcowen]

As Jason said, it’s a side grade. But… If you order the 5670 and adapter from tubedepot, you’ll have the same tube as the ++. I don’t think you need to have any fomo…

And not only the 5670, but the 2C51, the 6CC42, and the aforementioned 396A which are all direct substitutes for each other. Other than the 396A (which was a Western Electric specific number and is quite expensive), NOS 5670's and 2C51's can still be found for decent prices.

 

[StimpyWan]

Well, yeah. The last DIY attempt failed because I couldn't get a good enough vacuum. My friends told me I just don't suck enough.

Don't sell yourself short. We all know you suck big time...!

 

[StimpyWan]

I upgraded my Gungnir (early production) to a Gumby. Do not hesitate to make this upgrade, the world of music will not be the same to you in terms of spatial dimensionality, timbre, and natural presentation. I did not find the Gumby more forward, in fact I'd say with the other qualities of the upgrade it will sound more laid back. But natural is the word that shines through.

Thanks for that. A single "Like" isn't enough of an expression of my gratitude.

 

[JamminVMI]

I have an EH 6CG7 and two spares (plus some other tubes), so I'm set for the next 6 years at least.

I have the EH 6CG7 as well, great tube! Do give a 5670 a shot, you might well have a new fave

 

[33na3rd]

And I'll make no claims that any DIY solution is better (or worse) than a commercially produced one. Just cheaper.

Is your DIY fluid similar to the London Jazz Collector fluid?
https://londonjazzcollector.wordpress.com/for-audiophiles/home-brew-cleaner-for-vacuum-rcms/

I use a variety of fluids, but my favorite "cheap" fluid from Audio Advisor makes a gallon for $19.99.
https://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=RDRXLP

 

[chronoso]

Well, I finally had to send my 07 Subaru Outback to the shop. The head gaskets had deteriorated to the point that the car was barely running. The oil and anti-freeze were still clean, so it wasn't an internal gasket rupture, which prompted me to go ahead with the rebuild.

Oh, the correct 3-layer metal head gaskets too. So, no more head issues.

Actually, it just tripped 230K. And this was the 2nd head gasket replacement. I guess the 1st shop used stock gaskets, when doing that repair, and not the better 3 layer design?

Yeah, those 3 layer metal head gaskets will cure you, shouldn't have leaky heads anymore. The low COG is nice on the boxer engines, but changing spark plugs/coil packs and doing that head gasket job sure would be a lot easier on a vertically oriented inline engine!

My own tale of woe is that the coolant system repair on my old Miata has exceeded my shade-tree capabilities and I'm forced to tuck my tail between my legs and tow it to the local specialist shop. Good thing we have such a reliable electric vehicle as main transportation, freeing me to fiddle with project toy cars