View Profile: TheOctopus - AudioShark Forums

Yesterday, 04:56 PM

Mike replied to a thread Classe Delta good enough? in Classe’ Audio

Yes, the Classe is very underrated, but a much better pairing with Kharma is Block Audio. Talk to Craig on the forum here and give me a call. We handle US and Canada. I’m waiting on our new MSB Cascade, so I’ll let you know. Are you in...

4 replies | 278 view(s)

May 18, 2024, 03:06 PM

Mike replied to a thread RIP: Anthony H. Cordesman in The Absolute Sound

Sorry to hear. RIP. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

3 replies | 374 view(s)

May 18, 2024, 07:48 AM

Mike replied to a thread Still dialing in Avantgarde’s for customers and friends (on a Saturday night no less) in Avantgarde

It did take the better part of 5 hours. But when we left, it was sounding fabulous and frankly, given the constraints of his giant motorized theater screen, positioned about as good as they could be. Now, knowing Charles, he’s probably gone...

13 replies | 1522 view(s)

May 17, 2024, 04:03 PM

Puma Cat replied to a thread Humble comparison of U1 with Kenneth Lay psu vs Lumin X1 psu vs Lumia standard PSU in Lumin

The Lumin U2 supports LC/LC optical fiber connectivity with an upstream music server/NAS/network router, which in my experience, is superior-sounding (no low-and high-source leakage impedance current & threshold noise components) to "copper...

9 replies | 1428 view(s)

May 16, 2024, 10:46 AM

Mike replied to a thread Still dialing in Avantgarde’s for customers and friends (on a Saturday night no less) in Avantgarde

Alan, it probably won’t tell you much as it was particular for his setup with 8 subs (!!), four towering bass horns, 2 x 231’s and 2 x additional subs at the rear for his room and HIS type of music (classical). For one thing, we had to start with...

13 replies | 1522 view(s)

May 16, 2024, 10:41 AM

Mike replied to a thread Munich High End 2024 in Other Shows

You do have to often wonder how people listen…especially at shows. That one guy who liked the Aries Cerat also liked the Linn. I’ve heard from numerous people these were the two worst sounding rooms (with the third being the new Vivid’s). Shows...

16 replies | 1599 view(s)

May 16, 2024, 09:34 AM

Mike replied to a thread Munich High End 2024 in Other Shows

Yes. Seems like the Wilson/CH room didn’t fair well either. Frankly, that’s a pairing I just don’t see. I mean, on paper it should make a lot of sense: speaker with a lot of lower mid bass energy and a slightly lean in the bass set of...

16 replies | 1599 view(s)

May 15, 2024, 08:07 PM

Mike replied to a thread Munich High End 2024 in Other Shows

Munich High-End 2024 - Page 4 of 4 - Gy8 Wow. Aries Cerat didn’t fair well. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

16 replies | 1599 view(s)

May 15, 2024, 05:29 PM

Puma Cat replied to a thread Lumin U2 Mini in Lumin

It does. A lot of customers still do it, though. Lot of U2 Mini owners also use the LHY LPS mod kit, also.

148 replies | 22775 view(s)

May 15, 2024, 02:27 PM

Puma Cat replied to a thread Lumin P1 Mini in Lumin

Very cool! Nice to see that Angus was there, I met him at AXPONA last year (2023); great guy and truly a gifted audio engineer and designer. Also, it's so cool that the P1 Mini supports optical...in my experience, that is the best way to go to...

7 replies | 744 view(s)

May 15, 2024, 11:21 AM

Mike replied to a thread Delivery Day in Magico

Wow! Looks awesome Sean. Big congrats! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

15 replies | 872 view(s)

May 15, 2024, 01:44 AM

Puma Cat started a thread Challenging Chat-GPT with respect to some "scientific questions" in General Off Topic Forums

Here’s what I asked Chat-GPT 4.0 tonight...:P Sorry, this is pretty frickin’ technical, but you know what they say: Scientists gotta do what…scientists gotta do. ;) Q1: What would be the best DOE model to characterize a response surface? ...

2 replies | 212 view(s)

May 14, 2024, 06:38 PM

Mike replied to a thread Charleston, SC in General Off Topic Forums

Would love to! But this trip is about supporting my daughter. I can sneak away a few hours during the day, but that’s about it. I’ll come back and visit for a special trip to see you. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

7 replies | 609 view(s)

May 14, 2024, 05:28 PM

Mike replied to a thread Charleston, SC in General Off Topic Forums

Ping me if you want to catch a beverage. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

7 replies | 609 view(s)

May 14, 2024, 08:29 AM

Mike started a thread Charleston, SC in General Off Topic Forums

Do we have any members in the Charleston, SC area? I’m going to be there Wednesday May 15 - May 22 accompanying my daughter who’s taking some training. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

7 replies | 609 view(s)

May 13, 2024, 01:52 PM

Mike replied to a thread Still dialing in Avantgarde’s for customers and friends (on a Saturday night no less) in Avantgarde

It’s from Avantgarde. When I had mine all those years, I took the time to really learn the software. Other than the folks in Germany, I’m not sure of anyone else state side who knows it as well. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

13 replies | 1522 view(s)

May 13, 2024, 01:22 PM

Mike replied to a thread Still dialing in Avantgarde’s for customers and friends (on a Saturday night no less) in Avantgarde

Yes. Tampa. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

13 replies | 1522 view(s)

May 13, 2024, 01:14 PM

Mike replied to a thread David Sanborn Dies in Music Forum

Me too. As a sax player myself, his technique and skill on the live studio album, “Straight To The Heart” is second to none. A benchmark. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

11 replies | 716 view(s)

May 13, 2024, 12:32 PM

Mike started a thread David Sanborn Dies in Music Forum

تسجيل الدخول إلى فيسبوك Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

11 replies | 716 view(s)

May 13, 2024, 11:30 AM

Mike replied to a thread Psi avaa c20 in Acoustic Treatments & Digital Room Correction

Active bass traps like AVAA’s are great, Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

4 replies | 690 view(s)

May 12, 2024, 04:59 PM

Mike replied to a thread Munich High End 2024 in Other Shows

Thank you for the wonderful coverage and photos. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

16 replies | 1599 view(s)

May 12, 2024, 11:33 AM

Mike replied to a thread N20, n30sa, mc10 in Aurender

Gotcha. We clock the aurender off the MSB DAC. You could do a N-01XD SE with Aurender and Aurender clock. Both benefit. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

4 replies | 816 view(s)

May 11, 2024, 07:53 PM

Mike started a thread Still dialing in Avantgarde’s for customers and friends (on a Saturday night no less) in Avantgarde

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

13 replies | 1522 view(s)

May 11, 2024, 02:20 PM

Mike replied to a thread My experience with the K-03XD in Esoteric

Yes! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

28 replies | 5108 view(s)

May 11, 2024, 11:15 AM

Mike replied to a thread Jackson Brown - Running on Empty (Max) in Music Forum

Yes, that’s why I was shocked by the Max. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

9 replies | 1054 view(s)

May 11, 2024, 10:02 AM

Mike replied to a thread Jackson Brown - Running on Empty (Max) in Music Forum

Didn’t pay attention. The version won’t matter because the Tidal MAX beats the QoBuz by a lot. I have both. This Tidal MAX version is wow. Tidal has upped their game. They had to. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

9 replies | 1054 view(s)

May 11, 2024, 09:41 AM

Mike replied to a thread Jackson Brown - Running on Empty (Max) in Music Forum

Tidal Max. Just make sure it’s the Tidal Max (yellow logo). Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

9 replies | 1054 view(s)

May 10, 2024, 02:19 PM

Puma Cat replied to a thread Streamer selection in Computer/Digital Audio

Yes, so do I. The power supplies in particular can have a notable effect, as well as low- and high-source leakage impedance current. And, this carries over to Ethernet switches and routers, as well. The negative influence of leakage current and the...

50 replies | 2633 view(s)

May 9, 2024, 02:45 PM

Puma Cat replied to a thread Lumin U2 Mini in Lumin

It's a "mastering" thing. Same reason you will often notice the playback volume of TV commercials are quite a bit louder than the actual TV program.

148 replies | 22775 view(s)

May 9, 2024, 02:19 PM

Puma Cat replied to a thread Lumin P1 Mini in Lumin

Yup! As I tell my audio buddies: "Lumin has got it...GOIN' ON."

7 replies | 744 view(s)

May 9, 2024, 02:17 PM

Puma Cat replied to a thread Lumin P1 Mini in Lumin

Just read the landing page describing the P1 Mini's product design, functionality and features. Wow! Key standouts for me: Main features Five inputs including USB, HDMI, SPDIF and Analogue HDMI with stereo input + AV Passthrough & ARC...

7 replies | 744 view(s)

May 9, 2024, 01:45 PM

Puma Cat replied to a thread Streamer selection in Computer/Digital Audio

Yes, it does. The irony is, Dave, as you well know, is we have to "suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune*" to get to that point in life where we finally obtain some wisdom. :P :D * - William Shakespeare, Hamlet

50 replies | 2633 view(s)

May 9, 2024, 01:36 PM

Puma Cat replied to a thread Streamer selection in Computer/Digital Audio

Roon and Qobuz are excellent "third party apps", and I really like them. Roon has been great integration for it's integration with Qobuz, for just sitting back and discovering new content, including all the playlists from various companies and...

50 replies | 2633 view(s)

May 9, 2024, 07:03 AM

Mike replied to a thread Shunyata Theta and Gamma Series Announced in Shunyata Research

Music Direct tranships Shunyata product to Australia in clear violation of their dealer agreement? Interesting. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

29 replies | 3651 view(s)

May 8, 2024, 11:39 PM

Puma Cat replied to a thread Streamer selection in Computer/Digital Audio

Yes, lots of options available these days. Personally, I think Lumin does this best, but they're in the higher price tier, and there are number of other very good value propositions at lower price tiers. If it were me looking in Dave's price range,...

50 replies | 2633 view(s)

May 8, 2024, 11:34 PM

Puma Cat replied to a thread Streamer selection in Computer/Digital Audio

Agreed on both points, power supply and chassis. Also, ground-plane noise reduction for these devices is very important as well. Connecting them to an Altaira or Gemini's GP-NR system pays big dividends in sound quality.

50 replies | 2633 view(s)

May 8, 2024, 09:46 AM

Mike started a thread Jackson Brown - Running on Empty (Max) in Music Forum

Occasionally you come across and album that you cannot believe how good it sounds (remastered). I stumbled on this on Tidal Max, and even though I’m a QoBuz guy, whatever tidal has done for this particular album, sounds better than QoBuz, CD,...

9 replies | 1054 view(s)

May 7, 2024, 10:31 PM

Puma Cat replied to a thread Streamer selection in Computer/Digital Audio

Dave, another choice may be the Cambridge Audio MXN 10. $499 on Amazon. High-level specs: StreamMagic Gen 4 Module – fast music retrieval & high-quality sound ESS SABRE ES9033Q DAC – for the latest streaming capabilities High-quality Internet...

50 replies | 2633 view(s)

May 7, 2024, 10:10 PM

Puma Cat replied to a thread Streamer selection in Computer/Digital Audio

Darko's fairly recent review of the Wiim Pro Plus:

50 replies | 2633 view(s)

May 7, 2024, 10:08 PM

Puma Cat replied to a thread Streamer selection in Computer/Digital Audio

The EtherREGEN is a product of UpTone Audio, not Sonore. IIRC, Sonore may have been a reseller of EtherREGEN for a time; I don't know if they still are. John Swenson does the design for both companies' products. Knowing first-hand how good a EE John...

50 replies | 2633 view(s)

May 7, 2024, 10:04 PM

Puma Cat replied to a thread Streamer selection in Computer/Digital Audio

Yes, it seems to be a very good value proposition.

50 replies | 2633 view(s)

May 7, 2024, 07:23 PM

Mike replied to a thread N20, n30sa, mc10 in Aurender

The MC10 will work brilliantly with the N20 and say an Esoteric K-01XD SE. Then both the Esoteric and N20 clock off the same clock Another option is take the DAC and clock funds and put it into an MSB DAC which have clock sync options so you...

4 replies | 816 view(s)

May 7, 2024, 03:50 PM

Puma Cat replied to a thread Streamer selection in Computer/Digital Audio

The Eversolo is an excellent choice at it's price point. Here's some others at different price points worth consideration: Wiim Pro ($149) and Wiim Pro Plus ($219): WiiM Pro and Plus | Versatile Audiophile Streaming: Unleash the Brilliance ...

50 replies | 2633 view(s)

May 6, 2024, 03:56 PM

Mike replied to a thread Streamer selection in Computer/Digital Audio

Didn’t even know there was such a neighborhood. Haven’t heard the Eversolo. Heard the name though. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

50 replies | 2633 view(s)

May 6, 2024, 03:35 PM

Mike replied to a thread Streamer selection in Computer/Digital Audio

Depends on budget. The Aurender A15 and Lumin T3 are both excellent. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

50 replies | 2633 view(s)

May 5, 2024, 09:41 AM

Mike replied to a thread Esoteric announce new model N-01XD SE in Esoteric

Yes, that’s the plan. Right now the focus is getting the new SE’s out the door. Then I think they will formulate the upgrade program. But the plan is for it to be done in-house in the USA. Esoteric sure is busy! SE models and tone arm...

14 replies | 2910 view(s)

May 4, 2024, 12:23 PM

Mike replied to a thread 54 Years Ago Today ....... in General Off Topic Forums

That’s just crazy. So sad. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

19 replies | 1522 view(s)

May 4, 2024, 12:15 AM

Puma Cat replied to a thread New Everest, Omega XC and Block Audio C-Lock in Shunyata Research

Congrats on your Everest & Omega XC PC. In my experience, they are true "game-changers" to use an over-used phrase. Not surprised that your Everest also sounds better on the Symposium than the piece of granite; it likely sounds better because...

3 replies | 741 view(s)

May 3, 2024, 06:06 PM

Mike replied to a thread New Cascade DAC in MSB

Discrete - Premier - Ref - Cascade No more select Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

21 replies | 2967 view(s)

May 3, 2024, 04:15 PM

Mike replied to a thread New Cascade DAC in MSB

Replaces select 2 Premier plus DD closes the gap. That’s the thinking. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

21 replies | 2967 view(s)

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