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I'm also considering a Zodiac dac. I don't need the features of the Gold and it seems the Plus version would be just fine. Anyone got one I can audition? I'd hate to part ways with my EE dac prematurely.Probably appropriate I called this the system change thread.
Can't wait to see the new speakers. I think I might swing by the new shop and grab a Salkstream/player if all goes well talking to the boss this week.Pete,Let me know when you have time to talk about room design/construction. If you have time to talk at the shop around these new SS8's that would be great! As you may or may not know, we are building a home in Oakland Twp and we are getting the basement finished. I will have a dedicated room that is 15' W X 19' D x 9' H. Plan is to have isolation clips and DD. Questions would be around the diffraction and and absorption that you found most effective and what you found was needed for power. What would you have done different/change in your current system from a room perspective. I have a sub-panel being added to power the future theater and the audio portion of my audio room. Do you have your sump or other mechanicals in you audio room?
any of the top right 3
what dye would you have chosen?
That's great to be able to see various dyes on your veneer. Do you know what the two in the upper right are called (the silver gray and dark gray)? I assume the one below is "black"?It will be interesting to see photos of the finished speaker and compare to the samples - gives more of a sense what happens once you pick one.
Ahh, I thought they were standard colors. I'm debating between using a light veneer with distinctive grain (like you) and using a gray dye or a medium toned wood finished natural. The leading contender for the latter so far is Tineo - like this:http://www.salksound.com/home_htm_files/642.jpgLooking forward to seeing yours.
Didn't Zybar have a GTG last year in which the Bryston DAC and music streamer was compared to the Zodiac Gold? If I recall, the Bryston was better hands down, and I believe Zybar picked up the Bryston combo. I just thought I'd throw that out there for you to consider too. You could order from Audio Advisor and get a 30-day trial if you were so inclined.
You are correct on the GTG and the fact that I (and others) preferred the Bryston DAC to the Zodiac Gold. I was able to do further comparisons after the GTG (a friend owns the Zodiac Gold) in my system and another system and my opinion hasn't changed. The Bryston combo is great sounding, easy to use, and is backed by a great company. Keep in mind that this viewpoint is within the context of my system and others may (and will) feel differently. What I am confident in saying is that the Bryston DAC is darn good and a very good value.Enjoy those new speakers Pete. George
So the USB limitations are not a concern for you? Or is it a moot point if you use the BDP server with it?I'm kicking around the Metrum Octave, Bryston, Zodiac+, and PS Audio PWD right now. I see TomS has the Bryston as well.
I'm not sure I would dy Tineo. It has variations in color already that givve it great interest. I almost went clear on mine but it wasn't sexy enough as the color was either tan or the darker grain - no color to speak of. Wait til you see the next pair of speakers coming up - out of this world veneer looks like a sheet of marble or patina'd copper!!
I didn't write very clearly. If I went with Tineo, it would be natural finish. The other possibility is to get a light wood with interesting grain and use a gray dye."next pair of speakers coming up" - do you mean yours? I'm looking forward to seeing some other finishes in the SS8. I've only seen the red paint finish so far. I'm sure the appearance will be of a vastly different character.
The BDP1 uses S/PDIF into the BDA1 so USB isn't needed there. I use an Audiophilleo 1 USB to S/PDIF converter into the my BDA1 via BNC so I have full 24/192 USB capability with Linux, OSX, or W7 if I want. No special software or switching is needed with native support in Linux. I use MPad on iPad as the controller for MPD server. It is all very seamless.One of the really nice features of the BDA1 is multiple inputs (2 coax, 2 bnc, 2 optical, 1 usb) with remote switching if you want. I have an Apple Airport Express on one of my optical inputs to stream internet radio, Spotify, Pandora, low bit rate stuff using Airplay/Airfoil wireless from any of the Macs/iPods/iPads in the house.I'm looking forward to seeing those speakers. I'd pick the dark gray second from the right on top It's a good look with the Samsons.
I'm thinking SalkStream unit so USB would be important, although one of those devices out front would suffice nicely.Did you happen to audition any other dacs Tom? I have another set of opamps coming to try in my EE dac but with new speakers, a new PC unit, and op amps, I will be overloading with too many changes.
Building new cables with these very cool Bocchino B19 connectors. These are very easy to work with. A pass through to fed the center pin and separate cavity for the shell connections, each with their own set screws.Solid copper - the write-up on them:Both the center pin and body are machined from 100% pure solid C110 copper billet on a CNC lathe.The center pin is plated with 3 microns of silver and then 3 microns of gold then fully polished and the body is plated with 3 microns of silver and then another 3 microns of silver and it too is fully polished. The silver sub-plating prevents the copper from leaching through to the outer plating. This is an extremely time consuming and expensive process and basically makes these connectors fine jewelry.No solder - all done with stainless steel non-magnetic set screws.The sound combines the body of copper, the color and texture of gold and the speed, detail and air of silver.
