RE: FLAC Files was Time To Purchase FLAC?

2014-12-21 Thread John Gurd
I wish I could rebuild my audio collection to a lossless one. I ripped
hundreds of CDs to high-bitrate variable MP3s and then gave most of the CDs
away. 

I'm getting interested in 24-bit hi definition audio. Can anyone recommend
accessible sites. Also I'm wondering if they would be copy-protected. I'm
assuming they would. Trouble is my experience with copy protected files in
the past suggests what you can do with the audio becomes very restricted

John
. 

-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Steve
Matzura
Sent: 20 December 2014 16:40
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: FLAC Files was Time To Purchase FLAC?

I had OPlayer on an Android tablet once and it was pretty darn neat.
Didn't know it was available for iOS.

Re VLC, it's a fine product, but its accessibility leaves more than a little
to be desired, in my unhumble opinion.

On Wed, 8 Oct 2014 08:46:07 +1100, you wrote:

You're not mistaken and that's just one App of at least half a dozen I can
think of, I haven't played around with VLC lately so must have a look and
see what improvements or changes have been made.

Another of my favourite players for IOS is something called oPlayer which
is available in 2 versions, the free Light and the HD purchased version.

Speaking of VLC, if you're a Windows user then you're in for a real treat
with this player, I use it both on Mac and Windows.
On 8 Oct 2014, at 8:36 am, Anders Holmberg and...@pipkrokodil.se wrote:

 Hi!
 Vlc for Iphone supports flac if i'm not misstaken.
 Its also quite easy to use with voiceover.
 /A

**

Dane Trethowan
grtd...@internode.on.net
Skype: grtdane12
Phone US (213) 438-9741
Phone U.K. 01245 79 0598
Phone Australia (03) 9005 8589
Mobile: +61400494862
faceTime +61400494862
Fax +61397437954
Twitter: @grtdane









RE: I need help with a headphone model.

2014-12-21 Thread John Gurd
Aw now, I won't hear anything against the Koss Porta pros (smiles). I've had
so many of them fall apart over the years since my first pair in the
eighties and somehow, despite the lifetime guarantee, I usually ended up
buying another pair. And don't get me started on how they could snag
painfully in your hair. And yet, I still like them because they are light
over-the-ear and sound better to me than most cheaper headphones. I bought a
pair of high-end Bowers and Wilkins P7s which sound much superior with the
iPhone, but they are heavier, tighter and because they are enclosed mean you
can't listen out for stops when travelling, I tend to use them for serious
sit-down listening and still use the Porta Pros for convenience when
travelling. In fact, I just bought a headset version with mike and MFI
control for the iPhone. 

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Steve
Matzura
Sent: 20 December 2014 17:33
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: I need help with a headphone model.

I didn't even think the double-A's were made any more. Heavy? Sure were! But
oh, the sound! Best the 70's had to offer, in my unhumble opinion, as they
say.

What are the AKG's like? Tell me about their fit, their performance,
durability, anything at all.

On Sat, 20 Dec 2014 12:23:05 -0500, you wrote:

Oh dear God, the Pro4AA. I actually got the Pro4AAT headphones a while 
back, the titanium model. To say I was unhappy with them would be a 
serious understatement.
They were heavy, uncomfortable, and the cord end died in a year. I 
ended up replacing them with Sennheiser HD280PROs, which too had their 
relyability problems, but sounded a whole lot better. For construction, 
to me, you can't beat the AKG stuff, as it's built to adapt to the user 
instead of being totally ridged.
On 12/20/2014 11:40 AM, Steve Matzura wrote:
 Anyone try the Koss ones? I have a pair on order and will let you 
 know how they are. A bit pricey, but I generally am very well 
 satisfied with Koss' approach to headphones, way back to those 
 ultra-heavy headache-generators, the Pro 4AA's. The replacements, the 
 Pro 4AAA's, didn't pack the punch and have the oomph that the 
 original and much heavier double-A's did, but for higher-end 'phones, 
 I think Koss makes a nice product. Stay away from the cheap stuff, 
 like the wired Porta-Pros, because they fall apart eventually and 
 don't sound like much.

 On Sun, 28 Sep 2014 23:15:08 +0200, you wrote:

 Hi!
 I think i will go with some bose headphones.
 But i have to go and listen to them first.
 /A
 28 sep 2014 kl. 21:10 skrev Dane Trethowan grtd...@internode.on.net:

 The Logitech is a good performer for its price but build quality is
awful, if this headset had the build quality of the Plantronics Audio 995
then it would be near perfect and a truly value for money product.

 On 29 Sep 2014, at 5:06 am, cov...@ccs.covici.com wrote:

 I have found the legend quite nice, audio is not as good as the 
 Bose, but it stays on!

 Anders Holmberg and...@pipkrokodil.se wrote:

 Hi!
 Ok, thanks.
 But what can you reccomend for an iphone?
 I really need a around ear or on ear bluetooth headphones.
 No in ear.
 I can't stand in ear headphones.
 /A
 28 sep 2014 kl. 18:45 skrev Dane Trethowan
grtd...@internode.on.net:

 The model of Plantronics Wireless headset I mentioned is this on 
 http://www.plantronics.com/au/product/audio-995

 Its not a Bluetooth headset, rather its a Wireless headset designed
to be used with a computer.

 The Headset comes with a USB dongle which plugs into your computer.

 When the Operating System is launched it detects the Dongle thus
your Plantronics Headset becomes another sound device which software such as
Skype can access.

 The Headset is build well and design is excellent without a doubt,
if you buy one of these models then it should last you for quite some time.

 Its not a top of the line model but for chats and casual music
listening its perfectly fine.

 Also bare in mind that the Headset is a closed type rather than an
open type, - the ears fit into cuffs instead of the Headset sitting on the
ears -.

 I got rid of the Plantronics model actually, not because of any 
 fault of the Headset but rather because the cuffs around the ears
didn't really suit my hearing requirements with my hearing instruments.
 On 29 Sep 2014, at 1:57 am, Anders Holmberg and...@pipkrokodil.se
wrote:

 Hi!
 I think it was Dane that mentioned a pair of highquality
plantronics bluetooth headset some time ago.
 Though i don't remember the model name.
 I guess it was something wit m95 or something like that.
 Any help appreciated.
 I really need a good wireless headset for my iphone.
 Not inear just over ear or around ear.
 /A
 **

 Dane Trethowan
 grtd...@internode.on.net
 Skype: grtdane12
 Phone US (213) 438-9741
 Phone U.K. 01245 79 0598
 Phone Australia (03) 9005 8589
 Mobile: +61400494862
 faceTime +61400494862
 Fax +61397437954
 

Dragonfly DAC 1.2

2014-12-21 Thread John Gurd
Hi list

 

Due to an earlier discussion on this list I recently researched portable
digital to analogue converters. As a result I just bought a Dragonfly 1.2
USB DAC from Audioquest and I am really blown away with the sound. 

 

At £130 it’s not particularly cheap although it would not be considered
expensive for DACs. It’s really a mini high-quality sound USB card - hardly
bigger than a USB stick. All it has is a standard USB connection at one end
and a 3.5 headphone/line-in jack at the other. It’s designed primarily with
portable computers like Macs, laptops, etc, in mind. It plays files up to 24
bit 9600khz. It is simple to use and has no controls at all. Its job is just
to pass the purest source audio from your digital files to your analogue
headphones or speakers and what a difference it makes!

 

I tried it with an old Samsung netbook and played high-quality MP3s and
M4As. For test listening I used a pair of Bowers and Wilkins P7 headphones
which are at the audiofile end of the portable spectrum and retail in the UK
at around £260. I’ve never heard them sound so good. As you would expect the
detail and transparency were superb but what really struck me was how
incredibly natural the sound was. I tried everything from Hugh Laurie and
The Hot Club of Cowtown to various rock and a range of electronica. The
music was always vibrant and precise with a real feeling of solidity and
presence. From bass to treble the reproduction was amazing. I tried it with
my Koss Porta Pros too which are a relatively cheap headphone and while
nothing like the P7s there was a massive improvement to their normal sound.
I can’t wait to try it with some 24-bit files. 

 

The only regret is that they don’t work with iPhones or a lot of android
devices as the USB power draw is too high for such devices. Still, the
difference it makes is stunning, and I’m much more likely to drag out that
old netbook just for sheer listening pleasure. I honestly never thought
MP3’s could sound so good.

 

John

 

 

 



talking microwave

2014-12-21 Thread Bud Schwab
I hope this isn't considered off topic, I'm not sure where to ask my 
question.  I am going to move soon and am going to be looking for a 
talking microwave.  It looks like there are several out there and I 
was wondering what might be the best and what experiences anybody has 
had with any of them.  Thanks and sorry if it's considered off topic.



Bud Schwab
W 6 Z Y P
Malibu, California