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Thanks Mackie.. how about swapping them for some of your S.E.S. cds? Anyway.. I managed to rip both CDs properly using my Pioneer A05 DVD writer drive with EAC. No special settings required.

http://trinja.cryptek.org/robin/showBlog.p....php?BlogID=452 Tried to use EAC to rip the CD.. EAC reports no errors, but the clicks are present in the rip. As mentioned in the article above, a hidden data portion is indeed present, which presumably contains a wma version of the CD. I personally confirm that playing the CD using their software player gives a sucky version of the songs.

Bought 2 Lisa Ono's CDs today... which had the label 'Copy Control CD' on it. To my dismay, I found that the CD wouldnt play on my portable player (iRiver IMP) It would skip after a few seconds of play on each track. I believe it is due to the electronic skip protection on the player (the ESP feature cannot be switched off) To get the CD to work on the PC, you will have to install and use their software CD player application. Using any other player will result in clicks thoughout each track. Needless to say, I'm quite pissed with it.. and will certainly avoid CDs with 'Copy Control' technology on them. To think that I bought these CDs and now I have to crack the protection and burn it on another CD so I can listen to it... makes me wonder why I didnt just download the tracks from kazaa

I got it online from http://www.teamdigital.net at their listed price, and a little more for delivery. I needed a digital out, so there wasnt many options for me and I didnt really do much research b4 choosing the iriver. But like I said, I'm quite happy with the sound quality. It is also very light, hence it doenst have a robust feel to it...

I have this unit, the line-out volume can indeed be adjustable. But my advice is not to worry about it. The sound quality of this unit is very good, and that's whats most important. Besides, I would think it is a digital volume controller so just leave it at 100% if you fear degration.

I'll try to drop by for a while (got something on that day actually) Will bring along my portable setup (irivier slimx, portable dac)

"Nice and smooth with long shaft" LOL

You can ask w3cube to ship to you direct, you can pay via your POSB/DBS internet banking. But I believe $13 per 4 pieces is a special price only if you bought the charger or their PCDP. Otherwise you pay $14 for 4 pieces. (If you order, look for raymond tell him Eric Koh recommended you, he may give you a better price )

I think you need special software to use your soundcard DAC to play audio CDs. Most players will just use the analogue wire, mix it with the rest and output using the soundcard jacks. You can confirm by muting the CD audio. If it mutes, then your software player is using the cdrom drive DAC.

Are you guys getting the ELPAC despite antness not being able to procure the 240V version? I am just wondering if there is another equally good PS that's available locally. (Do tell if anyone knows) As for batteries.. antness suggested using 24xAA batteries. I was thinking the gilmore lite is able to take from 15V to a little more than 24V

How about a gain of 8? I'm comfortable with that number Antness mentioned he's fine with selling the gilmore lite w/o the ELPAC PS. I personally find it cumbersome to use a step down into a 120V ELPAC. I'd rather use it with sealed lead acid batteries and charger. Should be quite maintenance free.

EAC plus LAME I use the following switches for LAME to compress: -q0 -V0 -mj --lowpass 19.5 --scale 0.99 --cwlimit 10.7 -b96 Wortel: You may need to download a wnaspi32.dll and use external ASPI interface (if you cant find the file PM me with your email)

I encode my mp3s using LAME, VBR mode. At about 192k the mp3 is indistinguishable from the original CD. (Check my sig)

Are you female and pretty?

M-Audio Sonica! Ok, I havent used it before, but there are only a few other USB solutions.. but the Sonica is most reputable and not too expensive.

Like.. if you listen to mp3s a lot, and have a strong preference for well encoded mp3s.. Not those 128kbps you download over kazaa etc. Can I have a show of hands?

My PDAC is powered using 10xAA batteries. The amp circuit does have very good power regulation, and with the EL2001 buffers and AD8620 opamps it should certainly outperform the default revo. The DAC chip of the sostenuto is also better rated and operate in a cleaner electronic environment than the CPU casing. But sadly, I must admit the improvement in sound quality from using the PDAC as opposed to just the m-revo does not justify its price tag

Hi Gryph, I didn't quote any prices :? The revo is S$195, other prices can be found here: http://www.sinamex.com/Store/M-Audio.htm Just give them a call to see if the product you're looking for is in stock. Ablaze, the m-revo analog outs are excellent. Good enough to match it with my hifi setup. However, it didnt seem to have enough 'ummph' to drive my DT880s. Revo digital out to my PDAC to DT880 certainly sound better (less muddy bass is obvious). Still, the revo is very quiet, and I think they will match well with the less demanding headphones like the grados. (havent tried it with mine yet though)

Actually, I think one will know 'it' when good sound hits you. Good headphone sound happened to me when I heard mackies dt880 in his system. I havent been able to reproduce it yet.. Sometimes, if you're happy with your current system.. just stick with it for as long as you can... try looking for more and you end up being disatisfied, and afflicted with upgratitis / audiophilia nervosa etc... PS. Damn you Mackie, wish I never heard your system....

Hi ablaze, Actually I'm not that kind of tweaks... switching soundcard parts is really like hardcore porn... The most I'll go is maybe blue tack some coins on the sound card to absorb the vibration/resonance (no offence! hehe) But all the best with your hardcore modding... I'll follow your progress with great curiosity... If you burnt your card though, look for me.. I need another digital card..

Looks like we've got quite a few drinkers here... Wortel, take care though

What about using sealed lead acid batteries to power car amplifiers into regular home hifi speakers? Does that even make sense? (I'm not trying to be funny, just really curious )

I have some servers running the old mysql 3.2x Ablaze, are u paying much for the server?

cool work ablaze... Are you going to bypass the 3 elyt caps too? And upgrade the power supply caps?

Uh.. you want me to train your nephew in programming, or at playing the XBOX? I'm a PS2 person, but I'm quite good at Dead or Alive (did you get this game for him? they have a pretty decent physics model for the bouncing breasts) Also, count me in when you're ready to re-realise your dreams and open the game company... Tee - Coolest uncle in the world