Audiophile with 20+ years of experience. 35+ years of experience in technology that includes hardware, firmware, and software design and development.

I’ve had a small listening room for the last 10 years (11’ x 17’ x 10’), which required me to learn room acoustics. I treated the room with absorption only and I use JRiver and REW to fine tune it. I have to sweep the room and create a new convolution filter anytime I change equipment, move speakers, etc.

I recently modified my Directstream DAC using information from PS Audio forums and really enjoyed the experience. I have many years of soldering experience but I haven’t soldered on a regular basis since 1992. I shook off the rust by replacing the Directstream output transformers with XS4400s. I purchased a vacuum de-soldering station to help and I used my 40 year old 33 watt Ungar to solder in the new ones. It was the first time I used lead free solder.

I had the most fun with the VOCM mod. I watched several YouTube videos to learn how to solder SMD components. I then bought an AmScope microscope for $110. What a deal and what an amazing piece of equipment. I practiced on an old thermostat that wasn’t being used with my 25 year old 25-watt Hexacon. After successfully removing and re-inserting 2 805 resistors, I was ready to go, or so I thought. It didn’t take long to figure out that working with a single 805 resistor was easier than piggybacking a 805 cap on top of a 805 resistor x 8. With a lot of patience I got it done. What a great experience and what a great PSA forum.

My system consists of Philharmonic BMR monitor speakers, Pass X150.8 amp, Dodd battery tube preamp, Topping Pre90 solid-state preamp (very low input impedance), Matrix SPDIF-2 DDC with a 6V LiFePo4 external power supply, and the modified Directstream DAC.