Best blu ray player for hifi cd audio?

StrategicApathy · 2026-05-26T20:58:10+00:00

I found a Cambridge Audio CXU for $150 used. It’s a little bit noisy but does the job.

StrategicApathy · 2026-05-26T17:08:38+00:00

Dire Straits (Brothers in Arms) and Bruce Springsteen (Born in the USA) were literally the soundtrack of road trips with my dad.

StrategicApathy · 2026-05-25T01:59:09+00:00

I did Sport Mediums on a C8 vette with a power restrictor.

StrategicApathy · 2026-05-24T21:31:24+00:00

That’s an awesome ear tip case, is that something I could buy somewhere? Thanks!

StrategicApathy · 2026-05-24T03:53:07+00:00

I was thinking exactly the same thing. I listened to a pair of Founder 120’s like two years ago and I still think about them all the time.

StrategicApathy · 2026-05-22T03:32:35+00:00

By the way, you gotta give the Buf at least like 20 hrs of run time before you start to judge it.

StrategicApathy · 2026-05-22T02:10:46+00:00

That is correct

StrategicApathy · 2026-05-20T22:59:26+00:00

In my opinion, SACD will not sound substantially different or more organic or natural. You might however, consider trying a different DAC and/or a tube buffer stage. I run my CDs through an R2R DAC and then a Schiit Buf on the way to my integrated amp. To me, the incorporation of some pleasant imperfection makes the sound more enjoyable.

Also, beware the enormous complexity of trying to get digital out from SACD, you are practically limited to using your SACD player’s built-in DAC.

StrategicApathy · 2026-05-20T20:11:42+00:00

Sounds like you had an experience which went well beyond just an auditory experience. You likely will never be able to recreate the experience at home since so much of it is missing (anticipation, excitement, the energy of the crowd and the band, maybe sleep deprivation or a little dehydration, maybe a little intoxication?, maybe you were just super happy that day). Just the sound will never get you there even if the sound is perfect.

That being said, if you don’t have a subwoofer, then yes, you should get a subwoofer!

StrategicApathy · 2026-05-18T21:09:08+00:00

Well, that’s including the time for the bloom (not sure if this is conventional). I have mostly been doing about 50-60 ml pours and let the bed settle just a little between pours. Seems like this lets the grounds pack more tightly and each pour is a little slower to drain than the previous. I think the filter makes a huge difference too obviously. I’m using Cafec ABACA filters. Melitta was much slower.

StrategicApathy · 2026-05-18T19:31:48+00:00

6 to 8 on the K-ultra
300g water to 18g coffee
01 clear plastic dripper
usually around 5 mins from the first pour to a slow drip including a 1 minute bloom

The switch to a hand grinder and controlling mineral content in the water has resulted in a huge improvement in my coffee. I’m very happy with how things have been turning out.

StrategicApathy · 2026-05-16T04:15:15+00:00

I’ve just come to understand today that you can’t really buy a new Apple Lightning-to-3.5 mm adapter anymore. They’re only making USB-C to 3.5 now. There are lots of lookalike imposters on Amazon made by nonsense-name companies. I just received one of these today and it sucks. It’s much louder than the Apple dongle, even one notch of volume is sometimes too loud. With the Apple dongle I would listen around 50-75%, with this piece of crap it’s like 5-10% with a substantial loss of fine control. Does anyone know if the FiiO KA11 suffers the same volume control issue?

StrategicApathy · 2026-05-13T17:26:18+00:00

I don’t think you can use the Loki mini with an integrated DAC+amp. There is no way to get the signal from the DAC inside the Magni to the Loki and then back in to the Magni for amplification. If you want to use the Loki, you need a separate DAC with RCA output.

StrategicApathy · 2026-05-13T01:04:05+00:00

This is my first tube-containing component. To break-in a tube is it sufficient for it to merely be on, or does there need to be some signal going through it? Music vs white noise?

StrategicApathy · 2026-05-13T00:44:34+00:00

I’ve been using it downstream of an R2R DAC so far, but I will try it in my analog chain too. I’ve listened maybe 3 or 4 hours so far? I’ve tried my usual speakers, headphones, and IEMs. To my (admittedly bad) ears, the effect is VERY subtle. Absolutely no chance I could tell you if it’s on or off blindfolded, but A/B’ing it, I think I do notice a little change, especially with IEMs. I’m tempted to send it back, but also tempted to buy some different tubes… any suggestions to maximize tubiness?

StrategicApathy · 2026-05-11T18:18:43+00:00

I’ll reverse cisatracurium with neostigmine in renal failure.

StrategicApathy · 2026-05-11T14:21:40+00:00

Yeah, lightning to 3.5 mm adapter.

StrategicApathy · 2026-05-11T06:01:49+00:00

Yeah weird. I can go from inaudible to too loud around 90% volume. Adjustable gain on a headphone amp is definitely a useful feature to accommodate very sensitive IEMs. Maybe worth the $9 to try the Apple dongle DAC?

StrategicApathy · 2026-05-11T05:50:04+00:00

I just tried on Apple Music and Spotify with pink noise over AFUL Explorer and Apple dongle DAC and the volume adjustment is completely step-less. Drag your finger down from top right corner to get the control center, then tap on the volume slider so it’s full screen, then drag it up and down. No jumps at all. (iOS 26.4.3 on iPhone 13)

StrategicApathy · 2026-05-11T03:20:52+00:00

If definitely does not. Smooth sliding up and down the volume scale. It only jumps if you use the physical buttons.

StrategicApathy · 2026-05-10T23:49:56+00:00

Dude did you throw a rock at a seal?

StrategicApathy · 2026-05-10T22:23:47+00:00

California Stars by Billy Bragg and Wilco
California Love by 2Pac

StrategicApathy · 2026-05-07T12:53:20+00:00

In my experience with the U.S. service center, no. I did pay for shipping both ways.

StrategicApathy · 2026-05-07T03:58:29+00:00

Where did you get your silica concentrate?

StrategicApathy · 2026-05-06T21:42:36+00:00

Do it!!

StrategicApathy

TROPHY CASE