JovialSodium

joined 2 years ago
[–] JovialSodium@lemmy.sdf.org 12 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Here's what looks like a good quality source I found from a reverse image search.

https://imgur.com/NdSsvqZ

[–] JovialSodium@lemmy.sdf.org 5 points 1 day ago (7 children)

I've hated tofu every one of the few times I've tried to prepare it. Undoubtedly because I'm doing something wrong. And it's just OK when I have it at a restaurant. But this looks and sounds pretty good and straightforward. I'll give it a shot!

[–] JovialSodium@lemmy.sdf.org 11 points 4 days ago (1 children)

I hope they pull through. Not because of any loyalty. I'll buy whatever is providing the best value for performance at the time. But I don't want to see a monopoly in the x86 market.

[–] JovialSodium@lemmy.sdf.org 9 points 6 days ago (2 children)

Their relationship never felt like it clicked to me.

[–] JovialSodium@lemmy.sdf.org 32 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (2 children)

Here is a probably not at all comprehensive list of open source smart watches/OS's you can check out.

[–] JovialSodium@lemmy.sdf.org 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

It has a screen which is something I don't want, but looks like it's pretty understated, so maybe that's alright.

How long have you owned it?

[–] JovialSodium@lemmy.sdf.org 1 points 1 week ago

Taking a quick skim at his channel, it does look promising. I'll check some videos out, thanks!

[–] JovialSodium@lemmy.sdf.org 2 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

A few years without issues with Topping is a good enough endorsement for me to take a closer look at 'em. Thanks!

[–] JovialSodium@lemmy.sdf.org 1 points 1 week ago (2 children)

I can't discern what products here might be good or not. I have owned an S.M.S.L brand amp in the past, which seems to be a common listing and I was not happy with that. The LED in it went out and the volume control went scratchy after a pretty short period of ownership. Volume control was probably just a scratchy potentiometer and that's easy to fix. But the fact that it had problems so quickly made makes me not trust the brand.

If the vacuum tube amps I see here are a reasonable reflection of what kind of costs I can expect for those, I think I'll have to let go of that idea. I do dig the aesthetics of the ones they have though.

10
Good value amplifier (lemmy.sdf.org)
submitted 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) by JovialSodium@lemmy.sdf.org to c/budgetaudiophile@lemmy.world
 

I'm looking for a recommendation for an amplifier to use on my desk. And I just don't know enough about what's out there to make a good, informed decision. My current one produces an audible buzz at any volume*. I want something that sounds good of course but I don't need anything exceptionally high end. I'm probably not going to notice any difference between a good and a great amp. I'm honestly more interested in quality construction. I want something that'll last. And as budget friendly as is possible within those constraints.

Edit: I live in America. Which matters more now because tariffs. I'd still source internationally if still somewhat competitively priced after tariffs. But something that ships from within the states is probably the most realistic option.

Here's stuff I need it to do. Which is pretty basic.

  • Smallish footprint. Current amp is 10" W x 3.5" H x 9" D. (20cm W x 9cm H x 23cm D). And that's fine, but even smaller is better.
  • Drive a set of bookshelf style speakers. My current ones are 120w capacity and 6Ω. I don't need anything that can max those out though.
  • Have an RCA audio input.
  • Not "smart". Which is a bit ambiguous. It shouldn't have a screen (I can tolerate a basic character display but honestly I'd prefer not even that). It shouldn't utilize an app. That kind of thing. Hopefully that gives you an idea.

Ok/nice to have, but not needed.

  • Additional inputs. S/PDIF would be nice.
  • I would prefer it not support Bluetooth, but not a deal-breaker.
  • Surround sound support via DisplayPort/HDMI. Though TBH probably would never get around to utilizing it.
  • Something that uses vacuum tubes as part of the amplification circuit (as opposed to just as decorative lights) would be... mostly a novelty to me I admit, but a novelty I'm interested in if affordable.
  • Balance/bass/treble adjustments.

* More info related to the current buzzing, in case anyone is curious. It's pretty audible at any volume. There is kind of a sweet spot at around about 40% volume where it's less noticeable. But that's too loud. I could adjust the source audio but I prefer using volume on the amp. I think it's just this cheap amp. My outlets are grounded, but I also tried grounding the chassis of the amp. I tried using S/PDIF input instead of analog, no difference. I have short runs of wire (about 24"/60cm) to each speaker. It's not noticeable on any other audio equipment in the house either so I don't think it's anything in the environment.

[–] JovialSodium@lemmy.sdf.org 3 points 2 weeks ago

74 miles/119km.

I don't consider that specific place home. While it's not particularly far, I have no memories of it and it is different culturally. The state in general though I do consider home.

[–] JovialSodium@lemmy.sdf.org 57 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (8 children)

Use LibreWolf. Security and privacy enhanced Firefox. Also comes with uBlock origin installed.

https://librewolf.net/

 

The dryer was very noisy. Now it is not.

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