Rowuks Playback

[Paul Barker]

I could probably make a brass tube arm being a gas fitter. that's on the to do list.

[rowuk]

I could probably make a brass tube arm being a gas fitter. that's on the to do list.

Let me know how it turns out. I already have some suspicions.......

[ed]

awesome !

[rowuk]

The MacMini has an external SSD disk, the Focusrite Saffire 10 channel DAC and BitPerfect plugin for iTunes (well not exactly a plugin, but close enough)
Currently the Focusrite DAC feeds an Alps 100K poti which feeds the amps at each speaker. The interconnects are studio quality balanced cable with the shield connected at the source side. I am experimenting with buffers. Alex Kitic' RPa buffer is doing a fine job (even although it is only free wired with alligator clips......). I notice it most at very low level playback after midnight. I seems to be able to keep the quality of resolution at very low levels. I have a MOSFET and an opamp buffer that don't work as well for those "in head" sessions.

Bit perfect was a very BIG improvement as it switches resolution to match the recording. I really believe in playing back 44.1 at 44.1, 48 at 48, 88.2 at 88.2 and 96 at 96. resampling or upsampling really does not help anything as far as my ears go. BitPerfect can be set to use the original resolution, upsample evenly or upsample to the greatest resolution. My Focusrite only supports 96/24 so everything that I want is covered. The Focusrite blows my M-Audio Fast Track Pro away. The space around the instruments, extension at the top and bottom, the timbre of the instruments is simply "better". Even good internet radio sounds decent.

I am planning to disable a bunch of services in the MacMini to squeeze more thickness/density of sound out. Here are the links to the concepts helping me:
http://www.co-bw.com/Audio_OSX_Optimal_Audio.htm
http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f8-ge ... ers-18159/
http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f8-ge ... ers-18108/

[Alex Kitic]

I was too busy discussing filaments and theory, and I missed this interesting thread... well, not that I did not know most details.

On the turntable front, this reminds me a little of the "picker" situation in the USA as compared to what we have in Serbia, for instance. In the USA they scrap entire railroad locomotives, because they are old and outdated: on the other hand, we have so few of those (not to mention railroad cars!) that locomotives are virtually never scrapped (I used to work in the metals industry, so I know first hand). When it comes to "picking", there is little to be picked - a clear sign of underdeveloped consumer market and related industry.

What have locomotives or picking in common with the turntables issue? Well, I guess you can pick a nice Garrard 301 or 401 in the UK for a reasonable (maybe even unreasonably low) amount - depending on the condition (virtually mint, or trashed). On the other hand, in our country one of the legacies of socialism is the fact that Garrard are nowhere to be seen (maybe there are a few in collectors hands), and the only turntables that make sense are Thorens - imported "en masse" during a good period. But a lot of those are not in the best condition overall.

I was always interested in a Garrard, and would opt for making or ordering a plinth out of MDF. Alas, that is Sci-Fi...

PS
Sorry to hear about Paul's foot...

[Paul Barker]

Slowly hobbling around on two feet now.

Enjoying the 301.

[rowuk]

Switched woofers. These are 3dB more sensitive and much better behaved above 1KHz than the Eminence. As far as the Sound goes, it is like a fresh ground cup of fine coffee compared to a Starbucks. Perhaps a bit less "absolute" flavour but everything fits harmoniously doesn't attack the tongue (ears) and leaves a wonderful aftertaste.

[rowuk]

New Focusrite Forte DAC/ADC. When used with BitPerfect software on the MacMini, there is no desire to change anything. The initial tests with the Forte were with a well designed, regulated analog power supply. I didn't even bother to test anything else. This thing just WORKS!

Turntable now has a glass tube for the linear tracker.

[Cressy Snr]

Interesting,
I am currently investigating pro DAC/ADC solutions for my own system.
I've been looking at the RME Babyface and the Apogee Duet.
I had not considered the Focusrite Forte so thanks for mentioning it
The balanced line-outs on TRS jacks look to be just the job for feeding the Barbarik.
Will just need some TRS to Male XLR plug cables.

My Musical Fidelity M1 DAC is now way behind the curve and could do with replacing.

[rowuk]

I did audition the Apogee Duet for 2 weeks and decided that it was not as "good" as the Forte. It sounded fine, but plugging the Forte in just seemed to relieve tension. They are about equal with "soundstage", extension on the top and bottom, transparency, imaging and all of the other audiophile parameters. I just noticed that with the Apogee, I was zapping between musical selections and with the Forte was listening to entire works, often opening a bottle of wine and getting some cheese.

In Germany, Thomann has an excellent return policy and that makes trying stuff out easier. There are also some pro audio companies that do the same. This is how I tried.

[Cressy Snr]

Thanks

[rowuk]

The second pair of woofers/midbass drivers has arrived. Will be doubling up the Fanes. I want to try them parallel, series and the bottom one low passed at around 200Hz. No space for mid/upper bass horns, so I want to reduce excursion and increase radiating area.

[rowuk]

Glass tube instead of Aluminium. Tracks a bit better, LF more solid. Presentation more "bubbly".

[rowuk]

Current status now with a second LF driver (crossover 6dB/8va at 150 Hz).

Soundwise many things simply are more relaxed. LF is better coupled to the room, one resonance in the room (46 Hz) is a bigger problem now. Will have to experiment with placement again.