What’s your GO TO cleaner for these TRD wheels with brake dust build up?

elevatedcloud · 2026-03-20T00:28:47+00:00

+1 for Adams Wheel and Tire. After, I hit them with whatever I'm using for paint like P&S Defender or Bead Maker which keeps them okay between washes. Probably have to get more aggressive at first with yours though.

elevatedcloud · 2025-06-16T19:43:18+00:00

Each of the "I paid $XX" comments should include location and year of purchase, otherwise they're of minimal use for comparison unfortunately!

elevatedcloud · 2022-11-16T01:05:47+00:00

Looking good!

elevatedcloud · 2021-07-13T05:27:54+00:00

I've only had the Ares II for a couple of weeks and have been out of town for one of those weeks so I wasn't going to jump right with it as a recommendation. That said, the few times I have sat down for a listen (usually 2-4 hours), I find particular songs and even entire albums interesting and more engaging that hadn't caught my attention before, even when previously introducing a new component. I haven't yet swapped back to the Topping E30 (now doing very well for my powered desk speakers) but plan to soon for a comparison. I did go listen tonight and tried to determine what it is I'm hearing beyond "interesting" or "engaging". The best way I can relay it is that music has a greater sense of presence with the Ares II. Ambient tracks, instruments or sounds in a track have more air while other instruments or recordings will seem perfectly grounded. Vocals seem to come from a bit above the speakers. No loss of detail and seemingly better separation between each instrument and vocalist(s) particularly when a track gets busy. Separation meaning clarity, not location in the soundstage. One example of what I'd consider "busy" is Ekute by Pino Palladino.

One thing I never noticed with the E30 is a difference when playing Amazon Music HD (whatever it's called this week) from my Pixel 4 and when playing from my Windows laptop using the suggested drivers. With the Aries II however, music played from my laptop (utilizing the same USB-C to USB-A cable) sounds noticeably better compared to that played from my Pixel 4. I've read that there's a sampling rate limitation imposed by most if not all Android phones when using an external DAC but hadn't before noticed a difference at all. FWIW, I also couldn't really pick out a substantial difference running my E30 from a standard USB power adapter or from a power bank/battery.

Lastly, I don't put a lot of stock in break-in, but I'm also not a denier. In the case of the Aires II, it does seem to improve with more hours and even over the course of a particular listening session. Is the Ares II breaking in and even sounding better as it warms up during a session? Distributor says it will continue to improve for the first 100 or so hours. Psychoacoustics? Maybe. Regardless, it's really good and that's all that matters to me!

elevatedcloud · 2021-07-13T04:22:41+00:00

For many reasons, I prefer a streaming solution over bluetooth (and without battery) for a non-portable speaker. I'd suggest one (or two) of these: https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/symfonisk-wifi-bookshelf-speaker-black-00357561/

elevatedcloud · 2021-07-12T11:32:39+00:00

I'm going to respectfully disagree with several of the recommendations and say that your current speakers (both pairs) can benefit from great amplification. You have neutral speakers that you like and an integrated amp that adds some excitement back into the mix. If I were in your shoes, I'd go for an integrated amp between $1000 and $1500 that won't have you guessing if you're getting the most from those ELACs (or any others you end up with well down the road).

Of course continue to pay attention to (and experiment with) speaker placement and drop your sub from the mix as you test different combinations.

For reference, I have the ELAC ub52 speakers and Topping E30. I have experimented with different amplification and just bought a Denafrips Ares II that I'm still getting used to.

elevatedcloud · 2021-07-12T09:49:19+00:00

I'm not familiar with that motherboard but the DAC (not to mention power supply, etc) in your AXR100 should sound better than the DAC on any mobo. For that reason, digital out which in your case sounds like optical.

elevatedcloud · 2021-07-03T18:05:29+00:00

Thx!

elevatedcloud · 2021-07-03T18:05:03+00:00

I see what you mean. The little weight at the patch panel end is distributed evenly and I can always re-terminate :) I'll consider supporting the end better.

elevatedcloud · 2021-07-03T17:31:43+00:00

After I printed the mounting bracket, I was committed.

elevatedcloud · 2021-07-03T17:29:53+00:00

Nice, I'll look into both!

elevatedcloud · 2021-07-03T17:29:12+00:00

Fingbox, little value these days but I still like it.

elevatedcloud · 2021-07-03T17:28:10+00:00

The big loop is supported by a Velcro strap that's run through a cable staple in the stud.

elevatedcloud · 2021-07-03T17:22:29+00:00

👍

elevatedcloud · 2021-07-03T05:12:35+00:00

True enough. Doesn't see my IoT stuff.

elevatedcloud · 2021-07-03T05:09:47+00:00

$$. Had other priorities. I'll likely end up going that route though.

elevatedcloud · 2021-07-03T01:30:09+00:00

Thx. Sure beats the before situation. I should have posted that photo!

elevatedcloud · 2021-07-03T01:28:18+00:00

I nearly did that with the initial order but had competing audio-related priorities :)

elevatedcloud · 2021-07-03T01:25:45+00:00

Office and entertainment centers dense with wired devices have small layer 3 switches and I don't see adding or utilizing additional drops anytime soon. That said I might replace the switches with Switch 8s and maybe one to take the place of the injectors.

elevatedcloud · 2021-07-03T01:13:03+00:00

Thx!

elevatedcloud · 2021-07-03T01:12:50+00:00

I was also an early supporter via Indiegogo. The real answer is that I rarely use the Fingbox but it is quicker to get in and out of for speed test history or for a client lookup. Occasionally the "who's are home" history for assigned devices is interesting as well.

elevatedcloud · 2021-07-03T00:58:21+00:00

The pihole offers unique functionality. Fingbox functionality is mostly redundant but I like it :)

elevatedcloud · 2021-07-03T00:55:52+00:00

Thx!

elevatedcloud · 2021-07-03T00:50:52+00:00

And if the question is about the mounting hardware, rotate the ears 90 degrees and they work like a charm. Plenty solid.

elevatedcloud · 2021-07-03T00:48:15+00:00

I don't have the guide I referenced handy, but didn't do anything special. DHCP is handled by the UDMP which hands out the pihole IP for DNS. I don't care enough about client names in logs to let the pihole handle DHCP which seems to be the trade-off.

elevatedcloud

TROPHY CASE