What New Stuff Have You Bought? If You Care To Share Thead! :)

[3db]

I notice in your signature that you are running cassettes in all three systems!
I assume you never stopped using them, so wonder how you manage your cassettes over decades. Do you find the old ones failing? If so, what type of lifespan do you experience with a cassette.
I ask because I have a ton of cassettes from the early 80's in storage that I suspect are trash. I assume the tape has become somewhat brittle and there would be oxidation of the magnetic particles.

There was a point where I stopped using them for about 10 years. I got rid of the orginal deck as it was a POS. I ended up throwing most of teh cassettes out because I could not get the KX800 to bias them properly..I tried to record over them just to see if the KX800 was being picky but there were dropouts. Some people on Tapeheads.net claimed that they are still using their 70s recorded tapes without issue. I thought I had stored mine properly ...cool place away from direct sunlight but they still ended up biting it. You will have to go check for yourself they work.

 

[panteragstk]

This came yesterday in the mail:
https://www.zidoo.tv/Product/index/model/Z9S/target/2INlOr7QH+1KKmVViAFMcQ==.html

Will post my thoughts/review of it soon. The first impression - the aluminum case is nice

You planning to use the OS that came with it or something else? Curious to see what you find with this one.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

You planning to use the OS that came with it or something else? Curious to see what you find with this one.

It's running Android 7.x and some custom software on top.
Some of my thought here. https://forums.audioholics.com/forums/threads/my-thoughts-on-zidoo-z9s-android-htpc-media-client.113880/
Full disclosure: Company gave me the unit for free for review.

 

[adk highlander]

I have made the jump to use Roon for my music library front end. Still going to just buy the yearly and did not pay for the lifetime. Great metadata and interface. Also fully integrates with my vortexbox so I get all the control of my zones and now am not limited to 5. I have a core at work and one at home and the software lets met move my license from one to the other with just a click. Works really well. Picked up a cheap 8" tablet to use in the kitchen for zone control.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Picked up a cheap 8" tablet to use in the kitchen for zone control.

A few years ago I've picked up a couple of 7" Amazon Fire 7 tablets. Still in use, after reflashing the OS to stock android. I wish there was a way to do same to newer and larger Amazon tablets

 

[davidscott]

There was a point where I stopped using them for about 10 years. I got rid of the orginal deck as it was a POS. I ended up throwing most of teh cassettes out because I could not get the KX800 to bias them properly..I tried to record over them just to see if the KX800 was being picky but there were dropouts. Some people on Tapeheads.net claimed that they are still using their 70s recorded tapes without issue. I thought I had stored mine properly ...cool place away from direct sunlight but they still ended up biting it. You will have to go check for yourself they work.

Wow still using cassettes in 2019. I finally gave up the format in 2012 when I moved and my AIWA 2 head deck started to have issues. By then the car I owned had a CD player so a cassette deck was no longer needed. But I have checked on EBAY for a high end NAK from time to time but don't really know what Id use it for...

 

[3db]

Wow still using cassettes in 2019. I finally gave up the format in 2012 when I moved and my AIWA 2 head deck started to have issues. By then the car I owned had a CD player so a cassette deck was no longer needed. But I have checked on EBAY for a high end NAK from time to time but don't really know what Id use it for...

I have albums that I cannnot find digitally or are prohibitvely expensive on CD so I record those to cassette so I can listen to these albums on anyone of my systems or on my commute to work. I take public transportation. Its a litte weird pulling a walkman out of your backpack.

 

[adk highlander]

A few years ago I've picked up a couple of 7" Amazon Fire 7 tablets. Still in use, after reflashing the OS to stock android. I wish there was a way to do same to newer and larger Amazon tablets

I had not looked up rooting it yet. I did find instructions on how to add the play store so I can set up the apps I want. Good to know it is not possible yet so I don't waste time or brick it.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I had not looked up rooting it yet. I did find instructions on how to add the play store so I can set up the apps I want. Good to know it is not possible yet so I don't waste time or brick it.

Yes, you could add relatively simply a play store, maybe even root some of the new models, but after experiencing the terrible, laggy and annoying (mostly due to ads) Android skin, I'd only take stock Android or nothing. If you find a decent 9-10" Android tablet under $100 let me know.

 

[adk highlander]

Yes, you could add relatively simply a play store, maybe even root some of the new models, but after experiencing the terrible, laggy and annoying (mostly due to ads) Android skin, I'd only take stock Android or nothing. If you find a decent 9-10" Android tablet under $100 let me know.

There is a woot off today. Only an 8" but a good price: https://computers.woot.com/offers/samsung-galaxy-tab-a-8-16gb-tablet-1?ref=w_cnt_wp_0_8

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

There is a woot off today. Only an 8" but a good price: https://computers.woot.com/offers/samsung-galaxy-tab-a-8-16gb-tablet-1?ref=w_cnt_wp_0_8

Thanks, BUT it

• Sold out
• 1024x768 - booo
• very Slow vs my current (and already very slow Nexus 10):
  • TAB A: https://www.notebookcheck.net/Qualcomm-Snapdragon-410-APQ8016-Benchmarks-and-Specs.142822.0.html
  • Nexus 10: https://www.notebookcheck.net/Samsung-Exynos-5250-Dual-SoC.86886.0.html

 

[fuzz092888]

My streak of having not smooth transactions with Outlaw continues..............

 

[adk highlander]

My streak of having not smooth transactions with Outlaw continues..............

Oh man. Damaged product or sales mess up?

 

[afterlife2]

I finally broke down and ordered these: Sennheiser HD 58X Jubilee
I hope I like em.

Breaking them in. I like what I hear so far. No ear piercing treble, just right. Great mids and bass. I removed the foam to get a better soundstage.

 

[KEW]

My streak of having not smooth transactions with Outlaw continues..............

I rated your post "informative", but you got more 'splaining to do or I'm taking it back!
I've only had two transactions with them, but everything was smooth!
Well, I did have one of two subs that got shipped at the same time get routed through LA (from Washington state) and it arrived 4 days after the other, but that was the carrier's fault - the labels had the right address on them.
I don't remember if they use UPS or FedEx!

 

[ryanosaur]

I rated your post "informative", but you got more 'splaining to do or I'm taking it back!
I've only had two transactions with them, but everything was smooth!
Well, I did have one of two subs that got shipped at the same time get routed through LA (from Washington state) and it arrived 4 days after the other, but that was the carrier's fault - the labels had the right address on them.
I don't remember if they use UPS or FedEx!

Fedex. My Outlaw orders were fine, but they shipped my philharmonic orders a litlle... well... Lets just say it involved dogs and unlawful carnal knowledge.

 

[3db]

I got this in yesterday from Amazon.

 

[fuzz092888]

Oh man. Damaged product or sales mess up?

I rated your post "informative", but you got more 'splaining to do or I'm taking it back!
I've only had two transactions with them, but everything was smooth!
Well, I did have one of two subs that got shipped at the same time get routed through LA (from Washington state) and it arrived 4 days after the other, but that was the carrier's fault - the labels had the right address on them.
I don't remember if they use UPS or FedEx!

Well, the first one was awhile back and it had to do with a warranty thing. I had an Outlaw amp have a pair of channels die on me and they refused to answer any questions to try and troubleshoot the issue and only wanted it sent back to them at a cost of $100 shipping each way plus whatever the cost to fix the amp. I declined, cracked the amp open and found a blown fuse that I replaced and the amp worked great for the rest of the time I owned it.

The next time I made several requests in their little box when ordering and they ignored them and never even contacted me to explain why they couldn't comply with my requests.

This last one, wasn't too bad, but was more annoying than anything. I ordered the amp with just enough time to get it by the end of my long weekend so I would have time to get it and set it up before I went back to work. However, when they tried to run my card they said the billing address didn't match and I couldn't get a hold of anyone except via their "support" ticket system which is slow as sh!t. Anyways, I got them to confirm my billing address and resent it, mind you this is a card I use all the time with exactly no issues both online and in person. Anyways, we finally got it sorted out and the amp is on its way, but a few days later than I hoped it would.

None of this is earth shattering, but it always seems to be something when I order or deal with Outlaw. Awesome products (or ATI products I should say), but their online ordering system could use a little work IMO.

 

[MR.MAGOO]

Cambridge Audio Duo phono pre-amp.

 

[Audiosaur]

Just picked up a pair of Polk LSiM 705s for a 2.1 rig during the Adorama sale.