The most overrated kit?

Rise? Me?

James, it is of course possible that a whole system based around singularly uninspiring components could somehow conspire to create a truly magical experience, as I'm sure is the case

But the only person I know who has had the chance to listen felt certain areas were sadly lacking and I'd really need to listen for myself. But it may have escaped your notice that Naim is not one of my favourite brands

 

Ah yes, the redoubtable Wadiameister didn't like it. Fair enough.

As a result of his visit I had his card marked as a bit of a salesman - he had offered to sell me some gold, frankincense, and myrrh. None of these products improved the sound, IMO, and I politely refused.

This 'salesman' allegation was hotly denied at the time, but barely a year later Omygawd Audio (proud purveyors of gold, frankincense, and myrrh) was born, with none other than Mr WM at the helm.

Funny how things turn out, isn't it?

 

Best implementation of the dCS technology appears to be the Arcam RingDAC and that can sound very good indeed. As such it represents outstanding value for money. Not so dCS's own kit it would seem.

 

I should, perhaps, have made it clear earlier on that O-my-gawd Audio's range of expensive placebos are, IMO, overrated in their effect - which is zero in my experience.

 

You forgot the word 'limited' from that last bit

WM will freely admit that these things are system dependent and don't always have the same effect in each system. You've all read about my recent experience so I won't bore you with it again. Unlike some snake oil merchants, WM is quite happy that his products won't suit everybody. When they do work, they are spellbindingly good. There is no hard sell. Either you hear a difference or you don't.

 

Yes, but if they were as good as claimed, the difference would have been readily apparant straight away.

Derren Brown selects his subjects very carefully. The effects of Derren Brown are spellbindingly good!

 

I would point out hear, James had the experiance of a Seimic sink, a 500va Stock trichord power conditioner & some Eupens, best sounds on the Day, had the Trichord on the 52 pre-amp, James 'forgot' that was still in the system when we both commented on.
The sink, brought out the middle at the scarifce of the mana leading edge definition, the eupens, make next to no difference.
James has had no sessions of any 'Oimga Audio products'.
I'm sure no Bub, has mana at level 9 or so and his 'Ninja LP12' his belief of audio imortality is now set in the stars, and feels no need for anything to be added at all
Could be you still upset that I felt your system was just 'good' rather than awe inspiring?
For that, your TT/amps and speakers will have to change

 

Who he?

 

WM, I don't mind what you think (or thought) of my system, mainly because I think you have little or no idea what you are talking about when it comes to what constitutes a good sound. I've heard a live recording, made in the same room, played back thru it, I know how good it is - objectively.

I was a bit upset that you denied the salesman thing, though. I'm not quite as stupid as I look.

DB is a popular (and vg) TV hypnotist/illusionist.

 

James,

you views are as valid as the next man

 

I am the next man and IMO no they are not WM

 

merlin, that statement is double-edged; are you saying your views are indeed not as valid as Bub's?

 

That rather depends on the subject under discussion Marcus as well as the mental health of the reader.

 

His TV show (I've watched a couple) also demonstrates just how powerful the power of suggestion can be when done well. The subjects of his "tricks", for want of a better word, are left convinced they've taken part in or witnessed something amazing and none would accept that they were remotely influenced by Derren Brown in any of the choices they made

Michael.

 

play nice!

or pick your weapons...

 

do you have a pink one Chris?
I damaged mine while dancing around it

 

Still very much open to interpretation. Oh well, enough of this.

WM, what's wrong with being a salesman?

 

........... and you are not a salesman for Mana? Sorry but it had to be said. You probably promote Mana more than anyone promotes any other product here and promote it for any given situation as the only solution. I do realsise that some of this is just to wind some people up the wrong way but this really is pot kettle black!

 

Markus,

At the time James is refering to I wasn't one, although he's is entitled to his beliefs.
These days, I'm more of a sonic consultant weather the indivdual can 'notice any difference' is down to them, and yours truely subverting them by telepathy and telekinesis as some would have you think.

 

Well I'm not anti DAC64. Its a very good DAC within its price range and it does a lot of things very well. Unfortunately there are aspects of its performance that I dont get along with meaning that I looked elsewhere when replacing my dpa kit. What I am trying to do is to provide some balance to the 'The DAC64 is the best digital source in the world, ever' argument. Whilst some may agree, its patently obvious that there are a significant numer of others who dont see it that way.

We don't really want the DAC64 to end up being the Zerogain version of the massively overhyped DAC20 on HFC do we?