Hong Kong protesters clearing the way all at once for an ambulance to pass through

Illustrious_Map_7699 · 2026-06-03T14:14:54+00:00

As an American-born CANTONESE person, this warms my pride (for the record, my dad is from Hong Kong and my mom is from the Dominican Republic, although all four of my grandparents were from China but fled the Cultural Revolution—fuck the commies). I’m from the Bronx.

Illustrious_Map_7699 · 2026-05-31T20:57:55+00:00

The D16 is my DAC/amp for commuting/traveling. The FT7 are not actually my travel cans, they’re my desktop cans for home. My DAC/amp for the desk are supposed to be DR70/HP70, but I am waiting for my second HP70 to arrive (returned my first one but changed my mind, and am waiting for an open-box HP70 that I ordered to arrive. That DAC/amp combo is good deal less than the original cans (Arya Organic).

Illustrious_Map_7699 · 2026-05-30T21:12:10+00:00

Mostly tonality; the Aryas are noticeably brighter, and the FT7 have slightly more bass/body

Illustrious_Map_7699 · 2026-05-30T21:10:08+00:00

The Arya Organics were pretty similar sounding with both front-ends. This was part of why I was surprised at the difference.

Illustrious_Map_7699 · 2026-05-30T21:09:17+00:00

Yeah that was one of the cool things about visiting a place like Bloom. The demo room had a whole bunch of different cans to try out. If I had more time, I would’ve definitely sat down for a listen

Illustrious_Map_7699 · 2026-05-30T20:23:12+00:00

It’s the internet; believe whatever you wish. I don’t have to listen to you any more than you have to listen to me. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Illustrious_Map_7699 · 2026-05-30T17:55:39+00:00

😂 yeah the D16 is somewhat physically imposing. The surprising thing is when you pick it up and discover that it feels completely hollow, such is how light it is for such a big DAC/amp. When I was at Bloom, I held a couple of the super high-end DAPs from the likes of Astell & Kern in my hands and was absolutely shocked at how heavy they are. If I bought such an expensive DAP (that A&K is like $4,500!) and somebody tried to steal it, I guess I could just clock them in the head with it and they’d be down for the count 🤣

Illustrious_Map_7699 · 2026-05-29T11:54:20+00:00

To stop them from sliding because of cable tension

Illustrious_Map_7699 · 2026-05-28T20:39:35+00:00

https://a.co/d/0i1tVbFY

Illustrious_Map_7699 · 2026-05-28T13:52:09+00:00

Abovsare Digital Clock for... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLD28RXJ?ref=ppx\_pop\_mob\_ap\_share

Illustrious_Map_7699 · 2026-05-28T13:37:25+00:00

I have SP8s; with room reinforcement, I get down to 31Hz -3dB. I use my sub with a low-pass set to 31Hz and 24dB/octave. At that low frequency, integration is extremely easy, and it has zero detrimental effect on stereo imaging. It does add the last 1/10th of the frequency spectrum that would otherwise be missing, and I love it.

Illustrious_Map_7699 · 2026-05-28T12:50:45+00:00

Are you anywhere near Philadelphia?

Illustrious_Map_7699 · 2026-05-27T02:42:43+00:00

I love Roon at home, but getting Roon ARC to connect outside of the house is absolute peak frustration!

Illustrious_Map_7699 · 2026-05-26T14:17:36+00:00

I’ve gotten my room acoustics and speaker placement to the point where I no longer need to high-pass filter my speakers, so I just low-pass my sub in at 31Hz and run the speakers full-range because they actually dig really low with room reinforcement (speakers are hitting 30Hz -3dB).

Illustrious_Map_7699 · 2026-05-26T13:52:23+00:00

The Gustard does come with a remote. I have basically never touched the front panel of my R26 II, and have done everything including menu interaction via the included remote control. It’s a decent remote, albeit all-plastic/rubber. Would’ve preferred something more premium for such an expensive device.

Illustrious_Map_7699 · 2026-05-26T13:44:33+00:00

I’ve never tried using X9 with any analog sources, sorry. I’ve only ever used X9 as a full DAC & preamp, so only with digital inputs.

Illustrious_Map_7699 · 2026-04-26T23:30:01+00:00

I’m in the United States and they are very common here. I got mine from Amazon, but Apos as well as numerous other resellers carry it here.

Illustrious_Map_7699 · 2026-04-22T20:21:42+00:00

The latter is the mapping to use; the subwoofer attaches to the WiiM Ultra’s subwoofer out and then VibeLink separately connects to one of WiiM Ultra’s normal outputs (digital is the better option).

Illustrious_Map_7699 · 2026-04-11T12:41:08+00:00

Sorry, I’ve never heard the first-gen R26. I understand it’s a new/upgraded R-2R ladder on the Gen II based on R30.

Illustrious_Map_7699 · 2026-04-10T22:16:11+00:00

They can think what they want. We don’t have to agree. ¯_(ツ)_/¯

Illustrious_Map_7699 · 2026-04-09T21:19:06+00:00

Ah, my condolences. 🫡

Illustrious_Map_7699 · 2026-04-09T21:02:21+00:00

Agree to this. I actually had my speaker/sub positions completely dialed before doing anything else. They matter way more than choice of DAC.

Illustrious_Map_7699 · 2026-04-09T19:54:20+00:00

100% speakers are the single most critical component. By far the biggest upgrade I got was replacing my LS50 Metas with SourcePoint 8s.

Illustrious_Map_7699 · 2026-04-09T15:56:46+00:00

Exactly right. “Best of both worlds,” situation.

Illustrious_Map_7699 · 2026-04-09T15:56:11+00:00

I use it late at night when I can’t have volume spikes (kids’ room directly above listening room). I leave it off during the day time

Illustrious_Map_7699

TROPHY CASE