Recent content by SeattleChris

This is the point...it all depends on what kind of listener you are. If you're what I call an "active" listener (like me) you sit in the sweet spot between your speakers with your eyes closed, imagining the sound stage. I do this for hours on end. When I moved from MP3's to lossless the...

Well put. A better DAC is somewhat like a good tube effect...soundstage gets wider & deeper, detail comes out and listening becomes a more enveloping, etherial experience. If that statement doesen't resonate with you (pun intended), don't waste money on expensive DACs. No judgement, not...

Thought I'd reiterate my findings from a test comparing the Schiit Bifrost 2 to the Schiit Bifrost 2/64 (newer with different components). Yes, I heard the expected differences and felt it was fairly obvious, but the interesting point is that I couldn't decide which one was better. It seemed...

Funny how the DAC debate parallels religion with "believers" and "non-believers". Believers say, "DACs convert 1's and 0's to a sound wave so how could it not affect sound?". Non-believers say, "all DACs do is convert 1's and 0's to a sound wave so how could it affect sound?". Per my prior...

Hi Witterings - Agreed. I wasn't surprised to hear the difference between the two Bifrost models, but I was surprised that each individual recording favors one or the other to the point I can't choose between the two over-all. My experience indicates a good DAC upgrade might exceed an amp...

Hi deaver - Lots of debate here as to how much different DACs affect sound, or if they even can. As nopiano suggested, expectations affect our perception so comparisons are difficult as few of us manage to do them blind. I try to keep that in mind, second guessing (and third and forth...

Might be my last post as my midlife crisis system upgrade fiasco must end now. Not sure how significant this one is but thought I'd report my findings. For streaming Amazon HD, three years ago I first moved from a Soundblaster Xfi Titanium PC sound card to a Schiit Modi DAC and heard a general...

Thanks for the comments! It seems this tube preamp/solid-state amp configuration could be the happy medium between the tube effect and proper dynamics. If only some mainstream manufacturers would jump on the bandwagon I'm sure the NAD/Rotel/Marantz price for similar performance could be half...

Thought I was done with my midlife crisis system last year, then while upgrading my headphone amp I chose the Schiit Lyr+ with tube preamp/solid-state amp. Was surprised by how much I love the tube effect, finding the sound much more mesmerizing, enveloping, almost psychedelic. After a home...

Well, in the end at least half of my 16dB bass boost is needed just to correct my headphones up to a flat bass response. I'll tolerate that because the mid/treble imaging is so wonderful. A couple more dB are needed for "loudness" since I try not to listen too loud. The remainder is what I...

Hi Vincent - Interesting comment about lowering bass so a cello sounds right...I can see the point! I don't listen too loud so to some degree this is a "loudness" adjustment, but I listen to pop/rock almost exclusively so I still stand by my bass boost.

Became a headphone enthusiast this year. Used to think amp/speakers (with subs) was the only way to listen to hi-fi but thanks to some good equipment I now enjoy headphones almost as much. I'm a card-carrying bassaholic and feel deep, tight bass should be felt in your chest (listen to...

Link below to post regarding my upgrade from a $100 DAC to a $700 DAC. My thoughts seem to be similar to most people here: if you're a casual listener you'll probably be fine with a $100 DAC, but if you're a critical listener you'll probably appreciate a more expensive DAC. However, which...

Mine was Eagles - The Last Resort. Was about 15 years old and first realized music could challenge you intellectually.

Thanks, Rui. This batch of newer songs was more my style and several added to my playlist! Wanted to call out one more missing from my list above because it's a live performance only available on Youtube: Grace Potter & Joe Satriani performing Neil Young's Cortez the Killer. That voice, and...