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  1. docvale

    The Law of Diminishing Returns is BS! A Video on the Magico M9 (TAS)

    While almost everyone would agree that the enjoyment of something is predominantly a subjective rather than objective experience (fine dining and wines/liquor docet), pulling in some quantitative criteria can offer valuable integration. someone used some motorsports examples, and I would...
  2. docvale

    The Law of Diminishing Returns is BS! A Video on the Magico M9 (TAS)

    100% agreed. The LDR is real and not because of an alleged stop in the audio quality improvement at a certain cost, but because those continuously existing improvements cost more and more (and require more efforts in addition to the financial one) @Lee you mentioned an asymptotic line as a...
  3. docvale

    New Linn Klimax DSM with Organik DAC

    you can find the details of my current system here: https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/docvales-new-system.32226/ The room is just warmer than in the first pictures.
  4. docvale

    New Linn Klimax DSM with Organik DAC

    Nope. Happy with the Devialet!
  5. docvale

    big new Roon happening next Tuesday Sept 20th.

    looks like Roon will follow their users during road trips :)
  6. docvale

    Reviews, Reviewers, Magazines, Internet personalities where do they rank and what is important and what isn't?

    I would assume that we all read audio magazines regardless of the current goal of purchasing new audio gear. I would think we read them for the curiosity to learn what’s out there, even if we might consider ourselves “done” in the process to assemble a system that fits into our budget. I would...
  7. docvale

    Sony's new full-frame cameras with compatibility of Canon, Nikon, etc. lenses!

    in the meantime, from Sweden...
  8. docvale

    Sony's new full-frame cameras with compatibility of Canon, Nikon, etc. lenses!

    Not to jinx it, but has anyone reported how much of the 44x33mm sensor is going to be covered by the Leica M lenses? Being designed for 35x24mm sensors, Leica lenses might give a massive vignetting (as you pointed out) but also poor corner resolution.
  9. docvale

    Sony's new full-frame cameras with compatibility of Canon, Nikon, etc. lenses!

    Not only that. Production photography and hand-held, fast paced photography differ a lot when it comes to the ancillary equipment you need (high mass tripods, remote strobe lights, reflectors…). Hence my original comment: for travel, action/kids or low light I would not change my camera with any...
  10. docvale

    Sony's new full-frame cameras with compatibility of Canon, Nikon, etc. lenses!

    It mostly depends on what you need your camera for. If you need a camera to be your partner for travel, events and similar, getting a modern iteration of a full frame mirrorless camera would give you unmatched performance when it comes to achieve image quality, portability and snappy autofocus...
  11. docvale

    SUT suggestions for Hana EL

    Echoing Solypsa's post: a SUT is placed between the MC cartridge and an MM phono stage, while an active MC phono stage would be placed between the cartridge and a line input in your amplifier. Anyway, technically you could consider both options: your HK integrated also sports an MM phono stage...
  12. docvale

    Two generations audiophile?

    Interesting thread. being my father a classical and jazz music listener only, we did not share much when it came to love for music. Oddly, it’s him that told me to attend an audio show in the mid 90s, when I was a teen, with me getting hyper about the experience. He was into audio gear when I...
  13. docvale

    It’s all so quiet at MSB DAC development…

    Thinking about a company with the reputation of MSB, fixing documented issues is a must. Rolling out new products, IMHO, not so much: in the end, we are talking about ultimate products and improving what sits at the very top of a ladder can be tough.
  14. docvale

    advice on DAC and streamer/server solution upgrade

    If you don’t mind the AD conversion for your vinyl rig, I would suggest to consider a Linn Klimax.
  15. docvale

    iFi audio ZEN Stream - The Official Thread

    thanks for your reply. I'm interested in the Zen Stream because of its USB audio output: do you think Amazon Music might be implemented in the near future or is the issue depending on the Amazon platform itself? I'm currently streaming Amazon Music via ethernet through my BluOS device, but this...
  16. docvale

    Rotel Preamp Phone Stage - Major Noise

    If you are happy with the Rotel pre, the most logical option would then be getting an external phonostage and enter into a line input. Fixing the internal phono of your pre, even if doable, might be costier.
  17. docvale

    iFi audio ZEN Stream - The Official Thread

    Hi! I have a question that is not related to the power supply upgrade. I wanted to know if the iFi app allows to stream Amazon Music HD without involving a Bluetooth transmission from a mobile device. Thanks
  18. docvale

    Rotel Preamp Phone Stage - Major Noise

    is the noise decreasing/increasing with the volume control?
  19. docvale

    Please grade a system (woofer + floorstanding speakers)

    Hi and welcome! Could you list the rest of your system, for a reference? I have the Aria 936 and have listened to the 948 several times at a friend's home. I run the 936 in a room that is larger than yours, with a Devialet 120. Personally, the bass is very rich and precise, despite there's now a...
  20. docvale

    What Did Your System Look Like 20 Years Ago???

    It looks like many members had systems to kill for today, even if 20 years ago! 20 years ago my system was in a different room and a different continent. Probably the thing that has changed the least was my musical interests. I had a Marantz CD4000, a Rega Mira integrated and ESB 40L speakers...
  21. docvale

    Changing variables in a review

    Giving my opinion here, not as an experienced audiophile (I am not), but as an experienced biomedical research scientist. if you want reviews in which a scientific principle is applied, you need: - to formulate an hypothesis (does this amplifier perform better than my reference?) - define a...
  22. docvale

    CD Transport vs Music Server

    “Going back” to CD after the sever and streaming experience is reminiscent of the vinyl resurgence after the digital boom: sacrificing the commodity of the more modern medium (physical or virtual) in favor of the sound experience. what I find interesting, though, is that at the birth of the...
  23. docvale

    Any point running vinyl on new recordings?

    Please allow me to give you an answer that is not audiophile at all. If you like owning records, the ritual of placing them on a platter and spinning them, the process of listening to an entire record (thus following the artist’s view of his/her composition) rather than skipping from song to...
  24. docvale

    Chronosonic XVX.

    Opening the review file with my wife sitting on the couch near to me: Me: "so, how about these as our next speakers?" Her: "oh my God, they're so insanely ugly!" Me: "I listened to them at Elliot's" (that would be the Innovative showroom in NYC) Her: "they look like they're supposed to be the...
  25. docvale

    Chronosonic XVX.

    Right before the pandemic begun, I listened to them at the Innovative show-room in Manhattan. Peter McGrath was running the show, this the big Wilson driven by D’Agostino preamp and monoblocks, Berkeley Ref 3 and Transparent cables. needless to say, they sounded awesome. But I also have to...
  26. docvale

    Aurender N30 - To stay competitive in 2021

    These are all factors that affect the price for sure. My question is: which component (let’s say the passive cooler) has an effect over the accuracy of the bitstream?
  27. docvale

    Aurender N30 - To stay competitive in 2021

    A question, with genuine curiosity and no intention to trigger flames: Which computer parts are expected to contribute to better sound (which, in this case, would mean the highest digital stream accuracy) and make the difference between a Mac Mini, your friend's $4K computer and the $16K Innuos...
  28. docvale

    Top of the Line Tube Amplifier Companies?

    Nagra, since you mentioned lots of Swiss brands, and VTL and Lamm for the American ones. Together with Kondo, Audio Tekne from Japan
  29. docvale

    Hana SL cartridge - suggestions for step up?

    Guys, thanks again for your suggestions. since I wanted to “play” a little, but keeping the expense limited, I started with second hand searches. I know, sometimes spending more makes you spend “less”, but I think I’ve been lucky. I spotted on eBay Japan a SUT from Denon, a AU-300LC (1:10), and...
  30. docvale

    DAC Upgrade Advice, budget $5k

    Hi and welcome to this forum! your post is extremely detailed and, I’m afraid, it might be difficult for you to get a very informative feedback because, as you stated, your choice would be based on direct comparisons with a reference that only you have. I’ve never listened to the Young, despite...

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