Hi Everyone. First post here but I’ve been around the av forums for awhile.
I’ve been an audiophile since about 7. I first had a suit case 45 record player and used to walk downtown to the music store for new 45s. I had quite a collection; the one I remember most was Smokin in the Boys Room by Brownsville Station. From there I had 4 speakers and a Realistic receiver/8 track/ phono combo. I used to play albums and jam in my room as a kid and also I remember staying up late with headphones and trying to dial in a distant rock station. It was the best when it came in nice and strong and the “Stereo light lit“. From then on it hasn’t wained a bit and I remember when my older brother came back from Germany with an SAE system and Klipsch Heresys in circa 1985 and I simply had to have it.
I had friends and older brother/siblings who played guitar and I tried to emulate and did learn to play some but haven’t kept up with it like I should have.
From then in audio I have evolved based on my ability to purchase but I always have tried to get the best for my money.
I‘m 53 now and in some ways I still can touch that time when the Stereo light lit on my Realistic.
Don‘t lose it y’all. Remember to always hear the sound when the shiny reindeer bell rings.
I recently upgraded my DAC after about 8 yrs from an Audionote Kits 4.1 to a LampizatOr Big 7. I like the sound of tubes. I don’t change equipment very often. I have a >20 yr old amp and speakers, as well as other various stuff 7-20+ yrs vintage.
I married the love of my life in 1997 and she hasn’t decided to change me either- thanks be to God.
Anyway, it took six weeks for delivery, and great patience required, as my brand new and very expensive DAC was finally extricated from customs/UPS in Warsaw, Poland -so I was understandably anxious and excited for the new arrival.
Everything was great initially, except for a VERY annoying ground loop hum. I investigated as usual-have been around this block before-USB input from PC (via long 30 ft run and USB extender cable) was the culprit after process of elimination. I tried everything , believe me. I even moved the PC near the system for diagnostics and even via 6 ft cable still no change. I went back to my USB/SPDIF converter and , temporarily, ground loop minimized while I researched what to do next.
My search brought me here and, well, not much love around here for Iso Regen, that’s for sure.
In spite of what I read though, I went on in faith (and on the 30 day guarantee that Uptone Audio offers).
Well, I order on Monday and after 2 days, no shipping confirmation/tracking #. I want it by Friday ( don’t we always want this !) and email back to this effect. Alex from Uptone emails me, and says they were on short Vacay and will upgrade me to 2 day air free of charge to get it here by Friday. Nice!
I get it today and simply plug it in, hook it up to my Teddy Pardo 9V power supply (7 yrs old) and boom! —silent— nothing but tube hissssss. Problem solved. Back to enjoying the Stereo Light.
Charles