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Almost Perfect – The iFi Audio NEO iDSD DAC/AMP/PREAMP
Quite frankly, the DAC/Analog Output section is the main highlight of the NEO iDSD in my setup and test configuration. I hooked everything I could possibly to the NEO iDSD from my Intel NUC and Raspberry Pi to my NAD and TEAC CD Players.
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Black Friday Sale 2020 – Synology DS220j + Seagate Ironwolf 6TB
The Synology DS220j replaces a used 4-bay Buffalo LinkStation LS-QVL/E-AP. Slow, bulky and occasionally noisy, I never seemed to be able to get the Buffalo to work in my network properly. It was my first introduction to setting up a home NAS and an important one – software and GUI on the backend matters. In my research for a replacement NAS, it came down to either Synology or QNAP while considering ASUSTOR from time to time.
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Battle of the Giant Killers – iFi Audio Zen Phono vs. Schiit Audio Mani
For anyone familiar the Schiit Audio and their range of product offerings, their budget DAC & AMP combination such as the Modi 3 & Magni 3 are well reviewed and often recommended as starter combinations. For folks who are into LP, Records or Vinyl playback, the Schiit Mani is something they would have come across […]
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11.11 Singles Day 2020 – Grab #1: Audio-Technica M40x Professional Monitor Headphones
Decide what holds priority for you. I really do not think you can go wrong with either of these 2. For flat frequency response for mixing or tracking and detachable cables go with the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x. For comfort over extended periods and almost as stellar frequency response, the Sony MDR-7506 are trusted by professionals for more than 40 years
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Budget Kings – Philips SHP-9500 and Sony MDR-7506 Headphones
In the meantime, I’m relying on my Cooler Master MH751 at $89 USD and a separate UGREEN USB External Sound Card for $15 USD; both of which I picked up for work calls to bridge the gap of no available headphones at the moment.
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[DIY] Chinese Single-Ended Tube Preamp (6J4, 6P6P, 6Z5P)
![[DIY] Chinese Single-Ended Tube Preamp (6J4, 6P6P, 6Z5P)](https://nimophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/102972972_10221501834751750_6018540186688639110_n-640x640.jpg)
In January this year, I finally decided to change out my home stereo setup and experience my music differently. In doing so, I sold my NAD C162 Stereo Preamplifier. That piece of kit was a full featured solid state preamplifier and a component I have come to adore. It did pretty much everything I asked […]
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iFi Zen Dac + Intel NUC 7PJYH
With the current work from home arrangements most of us are familiar with, I moved my desk from the Master to the Music Room. My main stereo setup is in the same room on the wall to the right of my desk. Undoubtedly, it would be simpler to have just one setup for my music, […]
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Change of Stereo (and Desktop) Setup
A few months have past since my last post. My current stereo setup is 75% new and still evolving. While I would have loved to post some of those changes as they happened, the lack of a personal PC kind of got in the way. I finally got a mini PC up and running; the […]
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[FIX] EMI/RFI SOLVED – DIY ICEpower 200ASC/AC Dual Monaural Class D Power Amplifier
![[FIX] EMI/RFI SOLVED – DIY ICEpower 200ASC/AC Dual Monaural Class D Power Amplifier](https://nimophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/img_9103-1200x900.jpg)
For less than $10 SGD and about 45mins of work, this is a great fix; short of building a faraday cage around my entire setup. If you are having to deal with similar intermittent high pitch frequencies while listening to your music, give this fix a go…
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THE BUILD – DIY ICEpower 200ASC/AC Dual Monaural Class D Power Amplifier
Here is where my gripe with GhentAudio begins. The cable insulation colors of included wiring harness do not match up. You could trim/splice solder them together in the middle as they are. Or if you are OCD as I am, you might unpin them using a tiny flat head screwdriver and repin them correctly.