I haven’t tried the helix one yet. I’ve just been using a cheap twisted pair with shielding from Partsconnexion for the data and experimenting with the power and ground runs and shielding.
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I think this year is going to be more about focused effort for me - understanding where I want to go, the sounds signature I most value and small tweaks like cabling
- Consolidate and sell the gear that is not part of my main chain
- Listen to more iems and different daps - picked up the an N7 as well as the hyla sarda / MMR Thummim and have loved it so far
- Go to an event - NYC Canjam '24 most likely
- Keep an eye out for more rare equipment that has nice synergy with my preferred headphones like a Studio T and try to tell myself to be patient and not order an Re Leaf amplifier instead haha
Learning about iems and enjoy the current headphones I settled on is the overall goal
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Still have the 1266, I might have used it for a whole 2 or 3 weeks in the year, too lazy to take pictures and list it. Anyone looking for a 1266?
Picked up the TotalDAC Unity at the start of the year.
Ended up listing the WA33, opportunistically picking up the Viva Egoista 845, which if anything has rekindled some of my appreciation of the Susvara.
Did this, got a killer deal on one without the Amp Box or Jot, already had a TI-1B for the CA-1A
It’s a headphone I like a lot, but the inconvenience of swapping in the filters prevents me from using it more, though I’ve been doing baffle compensation with EQ more recently.
Did this, I consider it a win for the year.
I also upgraded the Pacific to Pacific 2, and randomly picked up an HD800S.
Not sure what I intend this year, I’m always looking for something interesting, I’d like to pick up an AIC, Genus or a Primavera, but that requires them to be available and I’ll wait until after the Wa33 moves. There are only so many components I can have in there boxes in the middle of the living room before my wife raises objections.
Short of 2 Channel or Electrostatics, I really don’t have an itch at this point.
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Is this quietly the new go-to SA amp?
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It’s been one of them for a long time, the current new price is insane ~$26K (it was closer to $15K at one point) I believe, and they rarely show up used.
The fact there were 2 of them on Headfi at the same time recently has probably just generated more talk about them of late.
There are probably 4 amps I know of I’d like to try, it’s just a question of what turns up used.
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Yes that is. Weren’t a few spotted used under $10k over the years, I hope the new price doesnt kill that (probably will) because that puts it in a whole different tier of accessibility.
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The SE ones used to go between 8 and 10.
The Balanced ones I’ve seen so few of to guess, but the last couple have been listed 10-12.
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2023 was one of the most surreal years overall, audio and otherwise. Here is a summary of my journey:
DAC - Bought a Unity which ended up with Polygon that I still kinda regret but I will likely upgrade my d1-six to triunity in 2024 or 2025. Got a Mojo Mystique X SE which is now with Soul and then ended with Archer’s d1-six which is serving me well.
Streamer - Went from a pi4 and Zen streamer to Rockna WD NET which now serves as a Roon Core and end point. I’m fairly happy with that and have no real intentions of moving away from it in near future.
Headphones - I don’t even remember what I bought this year but I do know that I basically sold off everything and now I only have an Eikon, Auteur OG, GS3000x and HD600. I could be happy with just Eikon and HD600 but haven’t had the impetus to list the other 2. I rarely listen to headphones anymore unless playing my bass at night.
Speakers - This was a big one, my first real foray into 2ch with Devore O/96 and this has been a transformative experience. I want to try Spatials at some point or estats but not sure if my room is optimal for those or if I even have space so perhaps when I move. I am extremely happy that I bought these and they bring me great joy every day.
Turntable and stuff - Another big one and something I always wanted but unplanned. This took a lot of research but I ended up with Kuzma Stabi R with a Kuzma arm and a Dynavector cart. Super awesome combo that shows why analogue competes with digital.
Amps - Lucky enough to stumble upon a Shindo Monbrison pre which is paired with a Leben CS600X (tons of tube rolling to finally settle of NOS Tung Sol 6550 and a bunch of 12AU7 that I change depending on mood). Monbrison is MM only so also got a EM/IA Ag 1:20 SUT.
Power/Cables - All Shindo ICs, green snake digital AES, mostly Audience power, PowerPlant P15 (a lot of power cables and power plant thanks to Veritas)
Phew, that was a lot! 2024 will be very slow. I have an order for Shindo Mr T conditioner for the amps and if anything I’ll pick up a Cortese or upgrade to triunity and maybe some cable upgrades but that’s it. Mostly it’ll be just growing record collections. Just going to live vicariously through the community 
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are you sure that’s right? MSRP in May this year was $18500, perhaps you saw a CAD or AUD pricing?
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Indeed, Canadian $…
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I hope so too atleast for the SE versions
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Here, I helped your memory a bit. 
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Curious to hear how much of a qualitative step up from your previous streaming set up this was.
This was diving into the deep end of the pool!
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I require or need nothing, nada, nunka for 2024. I’m incapable of sticking to any one item or sound signature, I’m like an ADHD riddled monkey jumping from one tree to another chasing after jungle squirrels 
I need nothing, require nothing, and barely have any more room for the next pair of speakers or amps.
I do plan on moving some speakers around in the main listening space and possibly trying a very old school HiFi center channel set-up for a little while. 
Which will require I make some long speaker cables to make the run.
Maybe I will re-wire the outlets this winter while moving speakers and stuff around, make sure connections are fresh and tight. And I keep telling myself I will practice playing the piano more often, twinkle-twinkle little star is getting old, I need a new diddy✨
And this year I promise myself that I will label my tubes, sort them, and maybe consolidate them in one area of the house so that I stop forgetting what I own, duplicating items and in general having a clue of what’s on hand in a nice organized fashion.
Oh yeah, before I forget, this may be the year I actually let go of some old boxes that I have been saving for years because they were, “nice strong boxes that I might need some day to ship something.”
Lastly, I need to fix a speaker I blew months ago, so I should clear some room on one of the workbenches in one of the workshops so that I can pull out my trusty soldering irons and some woodworking tools etc. Yeah, I gotta get hands on again, it’s been too long of fat and lazy on the music chair.
It’s gonna be a great year as long as I don’t drop dead 
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@don is back right before the Canadian winter clobbers him and forces him to his listening chair. Whatcha listening to lately @don? Anything fun, interesting or new make its way into your living room the past year? I have not seen you in a while and was just thinking of you a few weeks ago buddy 
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Got right out of hifi actually 
so my update here is going to be disappointing. Well over a year ago now I sold everything and only recently dipped my toe back in purchasing a Bathys. Reading about 2 channel stuff and considering getting back in but haven’t decided yet.
I do creep around here from time to time just to see what everyone is up to… hello again and hope everyone is doing well 
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Hey @don ! Happy to see youre still doing well. What else have you been up to? Btw the LCD-2s are still doing great.
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Hey @Souldriver thanks! Been good not much has changed. Went to see Tool last month. Hadn’t been to a concert in awhile. I had a feeling those pf’s found a long-term home with you so glad to hear they’re treating you well
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Sweet! I am looking into going to the APC, Puscifer, Primus tour when it gets here in May. I need a good Maynard band concert, it been a loooong time.
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