Hello!

[squeezethatbuffalo]

Hi everyone, I'm Alex, a Kiwi currently based in Taiwan. What's wrong with sheep and hobbits, you say? Well, I'm here mostly because my family and our family business are on this beautiful little island.

I stumbled on this great community by sheer coincidence. Or does multiple google searches using "leo", "buffalo dac", and "mods" count as malintent? ;)

It's wonderful that the members here are so knowledgeable and friendly (though there's me who's just friendly). From my past experience, people on certain audio forums are often the other way around.

I'm relatively new to DIY, audio, and the earth in general. Please be kind and patient!

[Beechwoods]

Welcome Alex, glad you like what you've found at AOS!

[Alex_UK]

I stumbled on this great community by sheer coincidence.

Hello Alex, from another one. I too stumbled here, just over a year ago now, and haven't left since - so yes, a great community, and judging by your introductory post one you should fit in well with


Or does multiple google searches using "leo", "buffalo dac", and "mods" count as malintent? ;)

Uhmm, no, that's called "stalking" :lol: ;)

What sort of music are you into? And what gear are you using? We always love to see pictures, sometimes even hifi related ones, so feel free to post in the Gallery if you get a chance.

Welcome to AoS, and enjoy.

[John]

The DIY community is very friendly so get stuck in and enjoy

[squeezethatbuffalo]

Hello Nick, Alex, and John,

Thank you for the warm welcome!

Stalking? I'm no Stalker. Try "avid fan" instead :lol: I kid, I kid

I'm into all forms of well-conducted, well-recorded music. I do admit, however, about having trouble listening to orchestral music for an extended period of time. Other than that, it really depends on mood and atmosphere. Right now I have: Thirteenth Step, Rumors, Toto IV, Life's Rich Pageant, Blues for the Saxophone Club, Cuba Linda, Breakfast on the Morning Tram, (Sambassadeur) European, (She & Him) Volume Two, (Harry Belafonte) Live at Carnegie Hall, and A Cruel Angel's Thesis on speed dial. Oh, by that I mean Squeezebox Server's "Favorites" feature, which works alot like speed dial.

I don't have a full blown system in my rented apartment (won't be home for another year or two), but this very modest setup sounds rather decent to my ears.

Source: modded Squeezebox Touch and modded Buffalo DAC
AMP: DIY 2A3 Integrated Amplifier / Audio Refinement Integrated Amplifier
Speakers: ALR Jordan Bookshelf Speakers

I plan on upgrading to a "higher-end" power amp after getting my Buffalo II DAC and Volumite digital volume control. Preferably a tube-like amplifier in in terms of sonics, but it has to be something that I won't mind leaving on 24/7. Any recommendations?

Cheers,
Alex

[John]

Ali really likes the Hilly amp its Tripath and is quite tube like
Not heard it myself but a few others have. Best to avoid valves if leaving on 24/7

[Spectral Morn]

Welcome Alex to AOS


Regards D S D L

[leo]

Welcome to AOS Alex, hope you have fun, its all a friendly over here :)

[Techno Commander]

Welcome Alex. Where abouts in Taiwan are you? I have visited Taipei a couple of times and really enjoy it out there.

[Ali Tait]

Hi Alex,and welcome.Yes,as John says,I had a Hlly T-amp 90,using the TA2022 Tripath chip.A very nice little amp,which will give about 30w into 8 ohms,and 90 into 4.A lot more than you need,but it's a great sounding amp,and indeed the first time I switched it on,my immediate impression was how valve-like it sounded,yet with the bass grip of a good SS amp.For the money it's a steal IMO.Cool running too.

[squeezethatbuffalo]

Hi guys,

Thank you for the warm welcome!

Also, thanks to John and Ali for the amp recommendation. A low power, low cost, good sounding "valve" amp? That's definitely a steal! However, I can't find any physical distributors of Hlly in Taiwan, but I was able to locate a dealer in Taiwan who sells Topping products (with warranty) and offers local repair/replacement.

I'll probably try out the TP60 (Topping's TA2022 amp) first, since the dealer's just a couple hours away and I can return the amp within seven days free of charge. And who knows, maybe it'll turn out to be a great valve-sounding amp like the Hlly! I promise I'll post my impressions after receiving it :)

Andy, I currently live in Tai"chung". As the name implies, it's in the middle of Taiwan (and Tai"pei" is in the northern part of Taiwan). Taipei is fun, convenient, and metropolitan, but I really don't like the weather there. Ironically, Taipei feels a lot more "tropical" than the cities farther south. IMO, Taichung is a much more pleasant city to live in.

Cheers,

[Ali Tait]

Hi Alex,I bought the Hlly from ebay.I'd be interested in what the Topping sounds like.

[Techno Commander]

Taipei feels a lot more "tropical" than the cities farther south. IMO, Taichung is a much more pleasant city to live in.

Cheers,

I know what you mean. The air in Taipei has a heavy humidity to it. You step out the door at the airport and by the time you reach the taxi, you are soaked and out of breath.

I also like the town of Yingge near to the airport. Excellent shops and stalls, although it is a bit touristy. The Japanese restaurant there does a good steak. :)

[squeezethatbuffalo]

Exactly. I think the people in Taipei deserves a massive, air-conditioned, underground walkway that dwarfs Toronto's "Path".

If you are ever here again with ample time to sightsee, Hualien would be my top recommendation. The scenery there is breathtaking ;)

[squeezethatbuffalo]

Hi Alex,I bought the Hlly from ebay.I'd be interested in what the Topping sounds like.

Hi Ali,

The TP60 has arrived!

I must say that I'm very (pleasantly) surprised. The build quality and weight has far exceeded my expectations.

As for the sound, I must say that I remained somewhat skeptical until I powered up this amazing little device. :eek: Right out of the box, the TP60 sounds full, spacious, and warm. The bass is powerful and controlled, which is quite impressive considering its size.

I do have some gripes about the top end, which can be a bit fatiguing when listening to certain recordings. But I think it's unfair to draw any conclusions so early (less than three hours) in the burn-in process. :lol:

I'll leave it running for a days and report back again this weekend.

[Ali Tait]

Yes it'll need to burn in as you say,but they are very good value for money IMO.Once it's run in,have a look inside and see what's worth swapping out.

[squeezethatbuffalo]

Hi Ali,

I'm already impressed by the TA2022 amp, very good value for money indeed!

I've been thinking about bypassing the VR, and use a preamp or the volumite for volume control. I may also replace the input and power supply caps with something fancier, though the "degree of fanciness" would obviously depend on my fondness of the amp.

Right now I'm thinking along the lines of Mundorf Silver/Gold and M-Lytics :eek:

[Ali Tait]

All personal taste of course,but I find Mudorfs to be a bit "all top and bottom" with little in the middle.Prefer SCR teflons or AN coppers myself.

As for using a pre,I found this greatly improved the sound of the Hlly,I use a WAD Pre 2.To me it turned a good amp into a very good indeed amp.YMMV of course.

[Techno Commander]

Exactly. I think the people in Taipei deserves a massive, air-conditioned, underground walkway that dwarfs Toronto's "Path".

That is one of the things I liked about Hong Kong. They have plenty of air conditioned "tubes" linking shopping centres and malls.

[squeezethatbuffalo]

That is one of the things I liked about Hong Kong. They have plenty of air conditioned "tubes" linking shopping centres and malls.

"Tubes", the answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, Audio, and Everything ;)

Out of curiosity, did you get the Topping TP21 in the end?

[squeezethatbuffalo]

All personal taste of course,but I find Mudorfs to be a bit "all top and bottom" with little in the middle.Prefer SCR teflons or AN coppers myself.

As for using a pre,I found this greatly improved the sound of the Hlly,I use a WAD Pre 2.To me it turned a good amp into a very good indeed amp.YMMV of course.

Very interesting. Which Mundorf caps did you use, and in what context? My impression of Mundorf products are quite different, as I do not find them lacking in the midrange.

I think I'll hold off that pre purchase until I receive my Buffalo II and Volumite. The Volumite seems to be (at least in concept) a much better attenuation solution compared to traditional volume controls.

[Techno Commander]

Out of curiosity, did you get the Topping TP21 in the end?

Not yet. As it is for desktop PC duty and I dont have any passive speakers yet, I am not in that much of a hurry and am hanging on incase the price drops of something new comes out.

Currently, I am using a pair of Behringer MS16 powered monitors. I am still deciding what to replace them with. I seem to have narrowed in down to a pair of JBL Control 1's, or a pair of Desktop Transmission Lines (http://www.ab-system.hk/Eridanus/Eridanus.pdf).:stalks:

[Ali Tait]

Very interesting. Which Mundorf caps did you use, and in what context? My impression of Mundorf products are quite different, as I do not find them lacking in the midrange.

I think I'll hold off that pre purchase until I receive my Buffalo II and Volumite. The Volumite seems to be (at least in concept) a much better attenuation solution compared to traditional volume controls.

I used the silver/oils as coupling caps in a Mr Liang 845 amp.They were good but I found them a bit edgy at times.Fitting SCR teflons was a big improvement all round,much more detail yet a warmer sound too.I much preferred them to the Mundorfs

[squeezethatbuffalo]

Not yet. As it is for desktop PC duty and I dont have any passive speakers yet, I am not in that much of a hurry and am hanging on incase the price drops of something new comes out.

Currently, I am using a pair of Behringer MS16 powered monitors. I am still deciding what to replace them with. I seem to have narrowed in down to a pair of JBL Control 1's, or a pair of Desktop Transmission Lines (http://www.ab-system.hk/Eridanus/Eridanus.pdf).:stalks:

If the TP60 is any indication, I think you won't be disappointed with the TP21. No personal experience with the latter, but the JBL Control 1s aren't bad. One of my friends use them with his desktop PC, and they sound decent for the price. :)

[squeezethatbuffalo]

I used the silver/oils as coupling caps in a Mr Liang 845 amp.They were good but I found them a bit edgy at times.Fitting SCR teflons was a big improvement all round,much more detail yet a warmer sound too.I much preferred them to the Mundorfs

Ah, now I understand where you're coming from. The silver/gold and silver/gold/oil lines are much more balanced and musical, but even pricier.

[Techno Commander]

If the TP60 is any indication, I think you won't be disappointed with the TP21. No personal experience with the latter, but the JBL Control 1s aren't bad. One of my friends use them with his desktop PC, and they sound decent for the price. :)

Indeed, I have a couple of friends who use Control 1s. I even fitted a pair into the parcel shelf of a VW Golf for one of them.