Wait… what? Clearly I missed something.
You’re not kidding there!
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Is not about staff, IMO. Where did you get that idea?
Best aim for what you do want and leave all the rest behind. Be a happy camper.
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man i’d love to sit in front of those systems (or borrow your ears) where it’s clear that roon sounds noticeably worse than some other software
not speaking as a roon fanboy (although I have a lifetime membership, and like Al i find it indispensable), it’s just that I would love to hear what you’re hearing
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In my experience the difference was subtle, but apparent, once you know what to listen for.
It is not that Roon sounds bad, only that there are better sounding options.
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the one thing that did make a positive (and not-so-subtle) difference, which I was proud of myself for noticing, was the addition of HQPlayer to the roon chain.
anyway, back to the Pulse chat
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Though I have zero experience with Roon with my Auralic Altair G1 (I cancelled Roon back in January), I can say I hear obvious improvements running Auralic’s Lightning DS app vs Linn Kazoo and Lumin app.
Oddly enough, the Lumin app only worked once for about 15 minutes, then it crashed and never worked again. Even after I uninstalled and reinstalled it. It doesn’t even recognize the G1 anymore.
But to my point, the Lightning DS app is much much better sounding. More open, more pure sounding.
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Re-Tales #33: Darren Myers joins Parasound | Stereophile.com
IMO: Seems like his expertise would be a big loss with significant ripple effects when you are trying to engineer and launch a new piece of equipment.
My understanding is the design has been locked down after an adjustment to the power supply following Axpona. Not sure how Darrell could expedite the Roon certification. Still two significant losses for PSA, Bascom and Darren. I’d anticipate some new thinking from PSA in future amplifier and preamplifier designs.
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I can tell you one thing, if PSA built amps without tubes in them (besides the M700s), I’d possibly purchase one or two. But since they all have tubes in them, I won’t buy them.
So what would you purchase if not from PSA and why. My most recent was the Pass Labs XA-25. 
Thanks for linking that video.
I doubt that has any effect on the Air Lens. It’s not like they’re building the space station. It’s an add-on streaming box that seems to be fully cooked, waiting on third-party certification. If there were a “best time” to lose Darren in the last ten years, this is probably it.
That said, it’s been an impressive development cycle for PS Audio. New amps, new DACs, new speakers, and I’m sure I’ve missed something along the way. Darren, Bob Stadther, Paul and the rest of the PS Audio team have performed exceptionally well in my opinion.
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Interesting. I specifically chose the M1200s over the M700s because of that little tube in each one. I figured it allows me some measure of “tuning” to my preference, without the multi-kilobuck requirements for retubing a number of the “tube amps” on the market.
Not too sure yet on that one. I know I’ll want an amp that is comfortable powering Magnepan’s fullrange at pretty much any volume I want, and being powered up 24/7.
Luckily for me in my “older” years, I don’t play my system nowhere near as loud as I used to. Typical peaks these days reach around 92 - 95 dB at most, and on really rare occasions, just touching over 100 dB.
Been eyeing a few, but that purchase won’t be for a while still…
Sanders Magtech
Bryston 4B Cubed
Pass Labs X150.8
Something within those lines. No tubes, no Class D, no hybrids of any kind. Just good ole’ fashion Class A/B operation.
May be worth a wait to see what comes of Parasound.
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I’ve had my fair share of tube gear over the years. I’m just over them these days, and all of the fiddling with tubes and tubes flaking out and being inconsistent, etc, etc, Plus the fact, like I mentioned above, leaving my system up and running literally 24/7, even when we’re asleep or at work.
Possibly. They haven’t produced anything lately that’s caught my attention.
I can totally understand that. I have tubes in the M1200s and my DAC. I’m sticking with SS for an upcoming preamp purchase.
Being in California, I can’t justify leaving everything on 24/7. Our electric rates here are insane. Once I go with a solar installation, I can leave it all on…
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Well, that’s about to change.
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