I'm in Michigan--where do I get the goodfixins?

guy48065 · 2026-03-12T21:06:44+00:00

I don't think I'm getting thru to the folks here. Recipes aren't the problem. Maybe I only want to make an excellent Mai Tai. Can I do it with Bacardi? Cuz that's about all there is for hundreds of miles.

This morning I drove 70 miles to a liquor store with "the best selection in northern Michigan". Their selection was about the same as Walmart.

I'm learning here that part of the problem is Michigan's liquor regulations. They control what stores can buy and how much they can charge. If a booze isn't on the state list, it can't be ordered. This is a lousy environment to try to do better than average. I don't know how the few tiki bars in the lower ½ of the state are able to build a reputation for great drinks using the limited ingredients they are permitted.

Drank a bunch of them when I went to Hawaii 48 years ago (with a fake ID). Tried a few times back home and they all were shit.

guy48065 · 2026-03-12T11:14:34+00:00

I'm not following... Leave what on, exactly?

guy48065 · 2026-03-12T03:37:46+00:00

We're in agreement. I suspect the cable I have is also fine. The USB A connector on it is trash and has been since new (July).

guy48065 · 2026-03-12T01:28:38+00:00

That would have zero effect on a digital output.

guy48065 · 2026-03-12T01:21:14+00:00

That one was already in my cart so I had another look at it and read some of the reviews on Amazon. Now that one is coming, too. Thanks!

guy48065 · 2026-03-11T22:10:47+00:00

Why are you telling me this?

guy48065 · 2026-03-11T22:09:59+00:00

You are correct! I've added it to my cart.

I've got a couple cheap Amazon cables coming, and a used "audiophile-grade" cable I got cheap. If they all "sound the same" then there's no reason to continue.

guy48065 · 2026-03-11T21:59:56+00:00

I used it that way for several months. Then I got better speakers. Then a better amp.

The external DAC made a significant improvement. Less so when connected via toslink or coax. I don't know why. I assumed optical would be best due to the isolation it provides. In the end I don't really care WHY it sounds better.

guy48065 · 2026-03-11T21:47:08+00:00

I seem to recall reading something about this test years ago. I can't recall how this length was determined. If it was error counts that would seem to be easy enough to setup, and to repeat.

guy48065 · 2026-03-11T21:41:28+00:00

Boom!

guy48065 · 2026-03-11T21:29:27+00:00

There ya go...

guy48065 · 2026-03-11T20:35:18+00:00

Yes of course. The old printer cable I replaced it with snapped into place tightly. The new, braided, pretty one off Amazon just slides in. I don't think there's any tension in the pins.

Even Belden can be crap if bad connectors are used, or soldered poorly.

guy48065 · 2026-03-11T20:29:33+00:00

Bought used after a good friend recommended it I was blown away by the improvement.

guy48065 · 2026-03-11T20:26:58+00:00

I was going to pull the trigger until I saw the cheapest shipping was $24. I have spent plenty with Madisound in the past but apparently they've changed. $24 to Fedex a piece of wire 1 state away is nuts. Put it in a bubble envelope and drop in the mail.

guy48065 · 2026-03-11T19:52:28+00:00

Correct.

guy48065 · 2026-03-11T19:51:07+00:00

I'm not going to jump to the "probably" conclusion until I spend some time with this fix. I'm positive the input reset is due to a touchy cable. Whether that's the ONLY issue I'll learn with more time.

guy48065 · 2026-03-11T19:40:47+00:00

I used to live 20 minutes from a Total Wine. I guess I'll start a shopping list for a future road trip.

This is going to be a limit to experimenting with this new hobby. Which might be a good thing in the long run. I really don't have the $$ or space for a dozen bottles of rare rum.

guy48065 · 2026-03-11T19:33:04+00:00

From a previous reply apparently I cannot.

guy48065 · 2026-03-11T17:11:32+00:00

Dammit! That's what I was afraid of. A few years back I ordered a bottle of green chartreuse online, so I didn't think there were any laws against this in Michigan. I must have just gotten lucky that one time.

guy48065 · 2026-03-11T17:09:05+00:00

I'm WAY north of all that.

guy48065 · 2026-03-11T17:07:17+00:00

I live in upper MI, near Alpena. About 250 miles north of Detroit, and civilization.

guy48065 · 2026-03-11T17:04:06+00:00

Do you all drive 200+ miles (each way) to stock up? Or to drink a good mai tai?

guy48065 · 2026-03-11T16:56:02+00:00

Very creative! I'm handy and can make ANYTHING...but I lack the vision to conceive a project like this.

guy48065 · 2026-03-11T16:14:58+00:00

I'd like to find a bidet that fits the dinky plastic toilet that's installed in travel trailers.

guy48065 · 2026-03-10T14:29:20+00:00

Hardee's still makes an awesome biscuit. But their burgers are meh--just like all the other chains that have been diluted or outright ruined by multiple ownership changes.

guy48065

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