Thingee versus other DACs
December 16, 2008
I enjoyed your
May 15, 2008 article on the Blue Circle Audio USB Thingee digital converter. You
compared it with the DIY Paradise Enhanced USB Monica. Have you had a chance to compare
with the Trends product? If so, how do they compare? Additionally, have you come across
any other inexpensive DACs that compare with the Thingee, such as Fubar DAC USB?
David
My experience is with the first-generation Trends
UD-10, and that was very limited. Unfortunately, I couldn't get my laptop to recognize it
when powered by its optional external power supply, so it went back to Trends. That
company's products have a good reputation, though, and from what I've seen, excellent
build quality at their price points. I'm also not familiar with the Fubar -- sorry I can't
be of help there. However, many months after I reviewed the Thingee I still believe that
it is a remarkable performer, and not just for an inexpensive product. Even on a pricey
reference system the Thingee sounds fantastic and for me it was the product that once and
for all doomed the CD player in my listening room. Good luck on your search.
“...I got the itch”
December 8, 2008
I am now 30 and have realized that it may be time to
upgrade my high school-era system. The push came because the right channel of my receiver
going out, and I subsequently saw an NAD C320BEE on Craigslist. Then I got the itch. I
would like to assemble a two-channel stereo system without breaking the bank, a budget
hi-fi experience. Is there such a thing? Here is what I have. Not sure what to keep. I'm a
bit attached to the speakers, and I'm not sure they are worth the little money I would get
for them on Craigslist or eBay.
Pioneer VSX-454 receiver (right channel out)
Pioneer DV-C503 DVD player
Cerwin-Vega RE-30 speakers
What should I do?
Troy
My advice on what system to buy would depend largely on
what kind of music you listen to. If you are inclined toward hard rock, hip-hop, or
electronica, then keeping the Cerwin-Vega speakers is probably the best thing to do. If
you’re on a strict budget I don’t think you’ll be able to replace them with
a speaker that serves those genres of music better unless you spend a few hundred more
than you can get for them -- at least. If, on the other hand, you lean more toward jazz,
classical or new age, then a more refined speaker might be a better match. In this case
looking for some used PSBs, Paradigms, or Axioms would be wise. These speakers can rock,
but they also excel at the subtleties of music. As for electronics, the NAD you mention
would be a perfect match for any of the latter three brands I mentioned, but it would also
serve well the highly efficient Cerwin-Vegas. I’d stick with the DVD player you have
now as your source and spend your available budget primarily on the speaker upgrade and a
new amp if that’s the way you choose to go.
"Things to Come, Part Three:
Loudspeakers"
December 5, 2008
The prices of components in this hobby are beyond
ludicrous. It is really stupid, elitist and insulting. You seem to be the only reviewer
who even comments on this lunacy. If someone wants to spend $150,000 on some Wilsons, that
is their prerogative and more power to them. It is just that when components get this
expensive it becomes arbitrary and subjective.
I have become numb and rather bored even looking at this
hobby, and if you are stupid and have deep pockets, go for it. Considering the sad state
of the economy in this country, I for the life of me cannot even comprehend how these
companies can stay in business. I am getting bored even writing this and will sound off. I
have more important things to do, like using the head. Just my humble opinion, but I am
sticking to it.
Tim Emons
When it comes to expensive components, I really have no
problem with them -- as you said, if have deep pockets, go for it. What I do have a
problem with is people believe that many of these ultra-expensive components represent the
state of the art. In many (most) instances, it's hardly the case. It's often rather
conventional technology dressed up in a very fancy box. You really don't need to spend
that much to get great sound. In fact, if you spend less, you'll often get better, which
is exactly what GoodSound! is about. Thanks for taking the time to write directly
to me....Doug Schneider
320kbps good enough?
December 3, 2008
I am listening to music that I have stored on my hard drive
at 320kbps. I have heard that this is better than MP3s encoded at 128kbps. They still don’t
sound as good as my CDs. What’s up with that?
Jose
If you are storing your music in the MP3 format at
320kbps you are using the highest specification that you can with the MP3 format. So
basically, you’re getting the best that MP3 has to offer with what you are doing.
Unfortunately, MP3 is a lossy format, meaning that musical information is being lost even
at that higher bit rate. By comparison, CD-quality music is stored using a bit rate of
1411.2kbps. If you want CD quality from your stored music you’ll need to import it
into your computer using a lossless audio format and leave MP3 behind. It will take up
more space on your hard drive, but it will sound much, much better.
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