Daddyjt

Yes - let it die…

I prefer the sound of the ESS (Oppo). some criticize it as “clinical”, and perhaps that’s true. I’ve also had significant experience with Wolfson (Cambridge Audio), and found it very pleasing as well….

congrats! I knew going in that the ported model (PB 4000) has a bit lower end and more prodigious output, but for me, there’s really no substitute for the accuracy of the sealed (SB) version. I also really enjoy their app - its very intuitive, and it’s nice not to have another remote to keep track of. Mine is usually set at -14 for music. How about you?

@Sk1Bum

I’d say $1,000 for BOTH is a fair price. That is an older model, but near the top of the line at the time they were in the lineup. I recently became an SVS owner, as one of my beloved Velodyne DD18 subs was damaged in the flood, and Velodyne doesn’t seem committed to the sub market any longer. I snagged a SB 4000 (SB= sealed box) for $700 on the local classifieds. It’s a beast with a 13” driver and something like 800 rms. my initial impressions of the SVS are very positive. I’m using it in my 2ch setup right now (I know, sacrilege), as I haven’t started rebuilding the HT yet. It blends quite well with the NhTs, and the Bluetooth app is the bomb for controlling it.

I’ll have to check that out - I don’t think I’ve listened to anything but the original… I know what you mean about narrowing it down to one… I could easily go with Private Investigations by Dire Straits, anything by Alison Krauss, etc…

What track (and format) would it be? Mine would be Sandman by America on SACD.

Thanks Nick - you are correct, the process definitely soured me on The Nightfly for a while (a couple of years, to be honest). I’m just now getting back to where I can enjoy it…

You need to test TP 1 to TP 2 - NOT to ground… same with 3 & 4.

Full disclosure, I have NOT listened to this yet (hopefully this weekend), BUT everything I am hearing about it suggests it will be a new reference recording for me….

^^This. I’ve been using it for 10-12 years as well. Added to what Wayne said, it’s also pretty quick on the rips - about 90-120 seconds per CD. It will also downconvert too - I’ve ripped a couple of my FLAC files to mp3 so my daughter could add them to her MP3 player.

In my experience, scratches tend to negatively impact vinyl records far more than they do CDs. Further, the CD surface is repairable…

Agreed - recording quality and mastering are KEY. Case in point - a couple weeks ago I bought an SACD of Bon Jovi’s greatest hits. I was dubious going in, but I figured what the hell - it’s worth a shot. WRONG - it’s so “brick walled” that’s its virtually un-listenable.

No.

One of the more frustrating things about this hobby of ours is when I revisit the music of my childhood and find that no matter how much I love the music, it’s recorded so poorly that it’s just not listenable on the 2ch rig. Sadly, many of my childhood and teen favorites are relegated to car or earbud listening. Thats why it’s such a treat to find music of that particular fond memory track that FAR exceeds expectation, and wows sonically, as well as being some of the stuff that I just love listening to. Such is the case with The Carpenters — singles 1969-1981. The 21 tracks on this SACD are a veritable hit-parade, with most indelibly etched into the memories of my childhood. The recording is so well done, it defies belief - both for the age, but also the genre (easy listening is not known for particularly accurate sound, lol). Sound stage, clarity, dynamics and just plain presence are spectacular… This is one of those discs that you drop in to listen to a track or two, and then an hour is gone….

This is Little Earthquakes - perhaps her best known album https://www.amazon.com/Little-Earthquakes-180-Gram-Vinyl/dp/B00DX88F8K/ref=sr_1_2?crid=19QNNH1W0D4GQ&keywords=tori+amos+crucify+vinyl+records&qid=1692481018&sprefix=tori+amos+crucify+vinyl+records%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-2 This is Under The Pink - another collection of great songs… https://www.amazon.com/Under-Pink-180-Gram-Vinyl/dp/B00SSL4EM8/ref=sr_1_1?crid=19QNNH1W0D4GQ&keywords=tori+amos+crucify+vinyl+records&qid=1692481018&sprefix=tori+amos+crucify+vinyl+records%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1 The cover of Smells Like Teen Spirit posted above appears not to be available on vinyl. It is part of a five song cd that also includes her renditions of Angie (Stones) and Thank You (Zepplin) - I especially like the Thank You rendition (below) https://www.amazon.com/Crucify-Tori-Amos/dp/B000002ITU/ref=sr_1_1?crid=EH34VAON7G6N&keywords=tori+amos+crucify&qid=1692487108&sprefix=tori+amos+crucify+%2Caps%2C206&sr=8-1

This one blows me away. First time I heard it, I remember thinking it was the first time I’d ever understood the lyrics to “Smells Like Teen Spirit”. Also, I find Tori’s version much darker - which I like - a lot.

@compwaco @Sk1Bum - pls remove this post for political content….

I would like to recommend The Sound Of Freedom as a fantastic film that is well worth your time. As the film has somehow become “political” (How opposition to child trafficking can become a political issue is beyond my comprehension), I will unfortunately have to refrain from any details or trailers - but I reiterate that it is well worth your time….

Try “fu@k That” by Skryllix - I’d love to see the movement on that track…;-)

I always counted on my man Roger - I did not agree with him ALL the time, but I’d say a solid 85%. Gene on the other hand…:-( Rest In Peace Mr Ebert - the balcony is as always, reserved for you…

Anyone remember deciding what movie/what time based on the movie page in the newspaper? From 1983….

Welcome Duncan - always nice to have another tech-minded member on board. I'm sure you've discovered that working on Carver (and Sunfire) gear is quite a bit different that traditional gear. Don't be afraid to ask when things don't make sense. Enjoy!

Correct - I’m running an Oppo 105. I’m a big fan of the ESS Saber DAC chipset they use. I also use it to play all my FLAC files off of a portable HDD plugged in to one of the back USB ports.

I recently had the good fortune to snag a collection of SACDs from someone thinning their collection. Of particular note is America (self titled debut) MOFI SACD - This disc contains one of my top 3 reference tracks now, Sandman. This track has it all - unbelievably wide and deep soundstage, crystal clarity, solid distortion free bass and beautiful harmonics. The track opens with one of the trio singing to acoustic guitar and it sounds great. Then the other two singers join in, and the soundstage just explodes out from the speakers, along with some almost psychedelic guitar sounds from stage left. Then the bass comes in, and its a thing of beauty - deep and adorative, but not a hint of boom or bloat.