Owner Impressions, Delivery Times and Things to Do While You Wait

Nuance · « **Reply #220 on:** 5 Sep 2009, 05:59 am »

Quote from: oneinthepipe on 5 Sep 2009, 03:02 am

Quote from: Kokishin on 5 Sep 2009, 12:04 am
Nuance is OK. ... I know he operates a hair salon in Tokyo.

There is a rumor that massage is also available.

Oh dear...

srb · « **Reply #221 on:** 5 Sep 2009, 06:24 am »

Quote from: K Shep on 4 Sep 2009, 01:32 pm

I plan to use the USB out [of the Airport Express] to a integrated amp with USB, like the Peachtree Nova.

I could be wrong, but I think the only things you can do with the USB port on an Airport Express is either share a USB printer or connect a third-party Airport Express remote. I don't think you get get a USB audio stream out of it. (?)

Steve

K Shep · « **Reply #222 on:** 5 Sep 2009, 05:19 pm »

Thanks Steve,

I am planning to utilize the Express in a distributed audio application. I have a Mac Mini that lives in my listening room. So I would locate the Express in a different part of the house and connect it to a receiver or integrated amp.

I just did a bit of follow up and you are correct. The connection for audio is a "Mini-stereo-to-RCA-cable" or a "Toslink-to-mini digital fiber optic cable". I favor the RCA cable for sound quality. I also have to keep in mind that this little system is back ground music, but I still will try to achieve the best available sound. I was chatting with a friend who suggested powered speakers.

Perhaps this exercise calls for a new thread? More to learn.

Kirk

srb · « **Reply #223 on:** 5 Sep 2009, 05:50 pm »

Kirk,

I am using an Airport Express in the bedroom with analog out to a pair of remote-controlled Kanto powered speakers, and it sounds OK.

If I were going into an amp or receiver that had a better integrated DAC (how good can the DAC be in a $99 Airport Express?), I would probably want to try the Toslink output.

One of the few third-party Airport Express remotes I've seen, the Tripp Lite URM-17A (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16880109001&Tpk=airport%20express%20remote) doesn't support Vista 64 (!) which is what I have, but would work with the MAC Mini and give full iTunes control.

So, in my case, I'm glad I have remote controlled speakers, but if I had a MAC setup or a 32bit Windows and wanted the simplicity of powered speakers, I would get one of those remotes and my speaker choice would most likely be a pair of the Audioengine A5 powered speakers at an MSRP of $350. They also have a version in solid bamboo enclosures (A5N) for $100 more.

Steve

oneinthepipe · « **Reply #224 on:** 5 Sep 2009, 07:23 pm »

For those interested in an external DAC:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350248996989&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1123

I don't know the details, but the seller is an established AVA forum member. Notwithstanding, if anyone were interested in the DAC, they might want to contact Frank.

nocrapman · « **Reply #225 on:** 8 Sep 2009, 07:44 pm »

I have been a long time lurker...
I didnt want to start a separate thread about this but I am very excited as I finally ordered a pair of Song towers in maple on friday! Now the long and painful wait. I am very tempted to just buy the cherry that became available for immediate sale. But something tells me that the wait might be worth it.
I will initially be powering these with a Primaluna Prolouge 1 Int-amp and a Rotel pre and NAD 272 combo. I will keep whatever sounds better and sell the other system.
Thanks for reading guys!!!

Nuance · « **Reply #226 on:** 8 Sep 2009, 08:25 pm »

Hey, congrats and welcome to the Salk family!

You've got a nice backbone system there, so I look forward to which pieces(s) you keep. Keep us posted.

vintagebob · « **Reply #227 on:** 8 Sep 2009, 09:27 pm »

Quote from: nocrapman on 8 Sep 2009, 07:44 pm

I have been a long time lurker...
I didnt want to start a separate thread about this but I am very excited as I finally ordered a pair of Song towers in maple on friday! Now the long and painful wait. I am very tempted to just buy the cherry that became available for immediate sale. But something tells me that the wait might be worth it.
I will initially be powering these with a Primaluna Prolouge 1 Int-amp and a Rotel pre and NAD 272 combo. I will keep whatever sounds better and sell the other system.
Thanks for reading guys!!!

Hey, welcome aboard! Did you get your SongTowers with the dome or ribbon tweeter?

stc4life · « **Reply #228 on:** 8 Sep 2009, 09:47 pm »

Tomorrow is 09/09/09 and will be my "day 90." Fingers crossed for good luck... aa

vintagebob · « **Reply #229 on:** 8 Sep 2009, 11:40 pm »

Quote from: stc4life on 8 Sep 2009, 09:47 pm

Tomorrow is 09/09/09 and will be my "day 90." Fingers crossed for good luck... aa

OK, I'm pulling for you! Maybe I can ride your coat tails. I'm hoping for some good news soon as well.

floresjc · « **Reply #230 on:** 9 Sep 2009, 06:46 am »

I've got about 2 weeks left. The ST and SongCenter are pretty much done, and the HT2-TL's are not far behind. The drivers and amp from Rythmik are on the way to Jim now, so realistically it'll be 2-3 weeks before they are in my house. Not too bad!

vintagebob · « **Reply #231 on:** 9 Sep 2009, 02:28 pm »

Quote from: floresjc on 9 Sep 2009, 06:46 am

I've got about 2 weeks left. The ST and SongCenter are pretty much done, and the HT2-TL's are not far behind. The drivers and amp from Rythmik are on the way to Jim now, so realistically it'll be 2-3 weeks before they are in my house. Not too bad!

Sounds like everything is coming together nicely. You probably need a spreadsheet to keep track of all of the Salk and AVA gear and their delivery dates. ; )

It should be a great homecoming!

floresjc · « **Reply #232 on:** 9 Sep 2009, 02:54 pm »

Nah, no spreadsheet. But my gmail makes it look like I work for UPS. All the AVA gear is home, just waiting on the speakers!

nocrapman · « **Reply #233 on:** 9 Sep 2009, 05:50 pm »

Quote from: vintagebob on 8 Sep 2009, 09:27 pm

Quote from: nocrapman on 8 Sep 2009, 07:44 pm
I have been a long time lurker...
I didnt want to start a separate thread about this but I am very excited as I finally ordered a pair of Song towers in maple on friday! Now the long and painful wait. I am very tempted to just buy the cherry that became available for immediate sale. But something tells me that the wait might be worth it.

Thanks for reading guys!!!

Hey, welcome aboard! Did you get your SongTowers with the dome or ribbon tweeter?

Thanks!
I got the standard options with the dome tweeter!

nocrapman · « **Reply #234 on:** 9 Sep 2009, 05:52 pm »

Quote from: Nuance on 8 Sep 2009, 08:25 pm

Hey, congrats and welcome to the Salk family!

You've got a nice backbone system there, so I look forward to which pieces(s) you keep. Keep us posted.

Thanks!
Cant wait to hear how the ST sound on those very different systems - Tube vs SS!!
Did you ever get to compare the STs with the WAF-1s?

vintagebob · « **Reply #235 on:** 12 Sep 2009, 02:13 pm »

UPDATE

So I ordered an AVA Insight DAC as well as an AVA Insight Preamp (EC) to handle the Airport Express, turntable and probably the OPPO as a CD transport. I have an old Panasonic RP-91 DVD player that I may use as the CD transport instead. Shoot, I could even use my old Panasonic LaserDisc player. It always sounded good with CDs.

I've also been ripping my CD collection to AIFF and I'm about 70% done. When I got my Beatles Mono set I just ripped all of the CDs and put it away. The convenience of the Airport Express/iPhone setup is seductive!

stc4life, how did your 9/9/09 plan work out? I didn't get any news...

oneinthepipe · « **Reply #236 on:** 12 Sep 2009, 05:01 pm »

vintageb:

You are going to like the Insight DAC and the Insight preamp combination. The detail is extraordinary, and the low end output is phenomenal. In my system, I have better sound quality using my iMac as a source than using a CDP as a transport. I run a toslink cable from the iMac's 3.5mm optical jack to an Inday switcher, which converts the toslink output to a digital coax output that runs into the Insight DAC's digital coax input.

I think that you will need a toslink to coax adapter between your Airport Express' optical output and the Insight DAC's coax input. If so, a member posted an Inday switcher for a great price on the AVA forum.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=71000.0

Otherwise, I have a spare adapter, an inexpensive monoprice version, that I would be happy to send you gratis.

vintagebob · « **Reply #237 on:** 12 Sep 2009, 10:08 pm »

Quote from: oneinthepipe on 12 Sep 2009, 05:01 pm

vintageb:

You are going to like the Insight DAC and the Insight preamp combination. The detail is extraordinary, and the low end output is phenomenal. In my system, I have better sound quality using my iMac as a source than using a CDP as a transport. I run a toslink cable from the iMac's 3.5mm optical jack to an Inday switcher, which converts the toslink output to a digital coax output that runs into the Insight DAC's digital coax input.

I think that you will need a toslink to coax adapter between your Airport Express' optical output and the Insight DAC's coax input. If so, a member posted an Inday switcher for a great price on the AVA forum.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=71000.0

Otherwise, I have a spare adapter, an inexpensive monoprice version, that I would be happy to send you gratis.

Wow, thanks! That is amazingly kind of you.

But...I have already ordered one of the Monoprice adapters.

Do you think that the Inday is a better way to go?

Thanks for your feedback on the Insight DAC & preamp. I'm looking forward to listening to the entire AVA Insight setup.

oneinthepipe · « **Reply #238 on:** 12 Sep 2009, 11:55 pm »

I couldn't hear any difference with either the monoprice adapter or the Inday switcher. I opted for the Inday switcher because I was feeding both a computer's output and a CDP's output into the same DAC.

stc4life · « **Reply #239 on:** 13 Sep 2009, 04:29 am »

Quote from: vintagebob on 12 Sep 2009, 02:13 pm

UPDATE

So I ordered an AVA Insight DAC as well as an AVA Insight Preamp (EC) to handle the Airport Express, turntable and probably the OPPO as a CD transport. I have an old Panasonic RP-91 DVD player that I may use as the CD transport instead. Shoot, I could even use my old Panasonic LaserDisc player. It always sounded good with CDs.

I've also been ripping my CD collection to AIFF and I'm about 70% done. When I got my Beatles Mono set I just ripped all of the CDs and put it away. The convenience of the Airport Express/iPhone setup is seductive!

stc4life, how did your 9/9/09 plan work out? I didn't get any news...

Unfortunately, I guess 9 is not my lucky number...

I did get a great deal on a used Rythmik F12SE today thought - Too bad I don't have any other speakers to use it with. I will need to get a SPL meter and set it up, so i guess that will keep me busy for a little while.

Anyone else heard anything?