Playlist 02/20/14

IRF Search for the Best US/Canada College Radio Jockey 2014 – 20 February, 2014 by Nerdshow on Mixcloud

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This is the list of artists, albums, and songs
Artist Album Title
Nerd Show zZq (re)Presents Nerd Show Startup Sequence 2
Tourist I Can’t Keep Up – SINGLE I Can’t Keep Up (CLEAN)
Young & Sick Magnolia Willow
Sidewalk Chalk Leaves Deciduous
Sidewalk Chalk Leaves Luggage (feat. Sam Trump)
Debruit Aljawal Khartoum
Nerd Show zZq (re)Presents It’s Nerd Show
patten ESTOILE NAIANT Agen
Machinedrum Fenris District On My Mind
Deft Always Greener Emeralds
Lorca Forgive Me Love New
Nerd Show zZq (re)Presents Nerd Show Pirmary Sequence 2
Pretty Lights A Color Map of the Sun Remixes Press Pause (Free n Losh Remix)
Pretty Lights A Color Map of the Sun Remixes Yellow Bird (Michal Menert Remix)
Com Truise Wave 1 Subsonic
Com Truise Wave 1 Valis Called (Control)
Snow Ghosts Secret Garden Secret Garden (Richard Skelton Remix)
The Tower Of Light The Tower of Light Glass Body
Ohmega Watts Pieces of A Dream Ode to Brooklyn
Nerd Show zZq (re)Presents Weber FM
Tosca Odeon Cavallo
Tosca Odeon Bonjour
Paul Basic Transient Horizons Lost Sight (Co-Produced by Michal Menert)
Paul Basic Transient Horizons Cloak & Dagger
Kasim Keto Long Car Rides Who Knows
Kasim Keto Long Car Rides HisHandsUnderstand
DFRNT Patience Moon
Lee Bannon Alternate/Endings Alternate/Endings (Bonus Track)
Thomas Blondet FutureWorld Son of Fakir
Thomas Blondet FutureWorld Supreme Dub
Nerd Show zZq (re)Presents Nerd Show Archive 2
Cornelius Sensuous Breezin
Nerd Show zZq (re)Presents Nerd Show Shutdown Sequence 2

Nerd New Year 2013 Part 6 of 8

Nerd New Year 2013 – Part 6 of 8 by Nerdshow on Mixcloud

Direct Link

This is the list of artists, albums, and songs
Artist Album Title
FaltyDL Hardcourage Stay I’m Changed
Ian Pooley What I Do Over
Blondie Rob Garza Remixes Heart of Glass (Rob Garza remix)
Letherette Letherette Warstones
Rainbow Arabia F.M. Sushi Lacking Risk
Ghostpoet Meltdown EP Meltdown (Squarepusher Remix)
Lorn Debris EP Italics
House Of Black Lanterns “You, Me, Metropolis EP” Broken (_Unsubscribe_ Remix)
Diamond Version EP 4+5 The Future Of Memory
Lee Gamble Diversions 1994-1996 Razor
D33J Gravel Slow (feat. Kreyola)
Monokle Bezdna Radio Essentials 005 Warm control
Henrik Schwarz MASSE Unknown Touch
Moderat II Bad Kingdom
Boozoo Bajou Jan Mayen EP Stronsay
Little Boots Satellite Satellite (Urulu remix)
Marcel Fengler Fokus Liquid Torso
Aebeloe Manon Forma
Locked Groove HF038b Nighttime at the garage

Playlist 02/13/14

IRF Search for the Best US/Canada College Radio Jockey 2014 – 13 February, 2014 by Nerdshow on Mixcloud

Direct Link

This is the list of artists, albums, and songs
Artist Album Title
Nerd Show zZq (re)Presents Nerd Show Startup Sequence 2
Gaszia Daolith
Pretty Lights A Color Map of the Sun Remixes Color Of My Soul (Paul Basic Remix)
Pretty Lights A Color Map of the Sun Remixes My Only Hope (Blood Diamonds Remix)
Com Truise Wave 1 Wasat
Com Truise Wave 1 Mind
Snow Ghosts Secret Garden Secret Garden
Tensnake Love Sublime [Single] Love Sublime (Instrumental)
The Tower Of Light The Tower of Light Cap Grass
Ohmega Watts Pieces of A Dream Higher
Nerd Show zZq (re)Presents Nerd Show Pirmary Sequence 2
Zion I Masters Of Ceremony EP Thin Ice
Tosca Odeon Soda
Tosca Odeon Stuttgart
Illum Sphere Ghosts Of Then And Now Ghosts Of Then and Now
Illum Sphere Ghosts Of Then And Now Near The End
Nerd Show zZq (re)Presents It’s Nerd Show
Beaka IM022 – Beaka EP Subconscious
Presk Saluki EP Vigor
Paul Basic Transient Horizons Reach Higher (Co-Produced by Pretty Lights)
Paul Basic Transient Horizons Nowhere Else
Kasim Keto Long Car Rides Through
Kasim Keto Long Car Rides TellLieVision
Nerd Show zZq (re)Presents Weber FM
DFRNT Patience Boreal
Pompeya Tropical Remixed Power (Jimmy Edgar Remix)
Lee Bannon Alternate/Endings Cold/Melt
Lee Bannon Alternate/Endings Eternal/Attack
Thomas Blondet FutureWorld Curry Flava
Thomas Blondet FutureWorld Dil Da Jani (feat Tina M)
Nerd Show zZq (re)Presents Nerd Show Archive 2
Rustie Sunburst EP Dragonfly
Nerd Show zZq (re)Presents Nerd Show Shutdown Sequence 2

Nerd New Year 2013 – Part 5 of 8

Nerd New Year 2013 – Part 5 of 8 by Nerdshow on Mixcloud

Direct Link

This is the list of artists, albums, and songs
Artist Album Title
Blue Sky Black Death Glaciers II (feat. Child Actor)
Trentemoller Lost Come Undone (feat. Kazu Makino of Blonde Redhead)
Kyson Label Love Vol. 6 Missing Things
Hubie Davison I Won’t Be There EP I Won’t Be There
CLOSE Beam Me Up EP Beam Me Up (feat. Charlene Soraia & Scuba)
Lee Foss & MK Defected presents MK In The House Electricity (feat. Anabel)
Atropolis Transitions Adjust
Chancha Via Circuito Semillas EP Burkina
Protassov Best Of Remixed Gorilla (Jon Kennedy Remix)
JEL Late Pass Thnk4U
Latryx Disconnection EP Rushin Attack (clean)
Deltron 3030 Event II Talent Supercedes (feat. Black Rob)
Nightmares On Wax Feelin’ Good Eye (Can’t See)
Ancient Astronauts Best Of Remixed Green Tea Funk (DJ Ole Remix)
Standish/Carlyon Deleted Scenes Critics Multiply
Blue Sky Black Death Glaciers II (feat. Child Actor)

Sennheiser HD 280 Pro Mobius cable upgrade by Zu Audio

HD 280 Silver with rainbow sheath
HD 280 Silver with rainbow sheath

As someone who has owned a set of Sennheiser HD 280 Pro Silver headphones for several years, I consider myself well qualified to review an upgrade as simple, but as potentially influential, as the replacement of all wiring within the headset, from the plug connectors to the drivers.

This set in particular have been used several times per week for, on average, 8-12 hours, over the course of almost five years. The sound has always been impressive, but recent sampling of high-end, audiophile-grade equipment, left me curious about possibly upgrading or purchasing another set of prosumer headphones.

Initially I was incredibly impressed at the sound of the HD 280s, especially the bass qualities of the headphones, and how much more isolating the sound was compared to my other set of headphones, the open-backed Sennheiser HD 490. The increase in perceived SPL with a closed back was incredible, especially when paired to a powerful amp. It goes without saying that the sound stage was different than the HD 490s, but I never made an honest comparison of the two.

In a search for a better, more powerful and accurate headphone amplifier, I also had to come to terms with the shortcomings of the HD 280s, as I felt over time their sound stage and performance were still falling short of expectations.

As luck would have it a local company, Zu Audio, had only recently started offering an upgraded version of these headphones as a low-cost, high performance product available on their eBay page. A brother, who’d known about the headphones and had ordered a set, recommended that I speak with someone in the company and look further into what was involved in the upgrade and what I could possibly expect from the changes.

The process seemed simple: replace all wiring from the plug to the drivers with new, twisted, higher-quality and lower gauge wire, while eliminating any unnecessary connections or power-robbing distribution junctions. Seems simple, and the process is expertly executed in-house by the same hands which weave many of the company’s most incredible cabling cocktails.

The original tip, with its screw-in 1/4″ adapter threads, is kept, while a cast aluminum stress reliever and boot keep the sheathed Mobius wiring safe from pulling, twisting, and yanking. A neat customization option is the sheath color or patten, which gives the owner a slew of choices, making for dozens of combinations when considering the HD 280 Pro is available in Black or Silver.

The new Mobius wiring is stiffer, and due to its winding, its prefers to be wrapped only in certain directions. The length is variable on request, usually 1.5m, which is very close to the HD 280’s original cable length before unwinding. An extension can be made, but would only be recommended for certain uses.

At KWCR sporting the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro Silver with Zu Audio Mobius cable
At KWCR sporting the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro Silver with Zu Audio Mobius cable

The effect on sound with well-used drivers and new wiring is, in the first dozen hours, dramatic. Familiar tracks have become far more spacious, as if the sound stage depth has been cleared of furniture or baffling. Amon Tobin’s Isam impresses from track-to-track, and Phutureprimitive’s rippling synthesizers writhe. The sparse beats of TRC and S-X, once congested and confined, are let roam on the stage. The claustrophobic feeling is suddenly and mercilessly gone, and listening is new and fresh again. The vintage production ambiance of Adrian Younge finds instruments placed as intended, with panned instruments approaching from all angles clearly and without the confusion manifested previously.

Combine this setup with a quality DAC, like the FIIO E07K I acquired recently, and the dynamics change even more. It feels as though the volume control changes the SPL instead of the volume loudness. Instruments become even sharper, bass snappier, as though you blinked once or twice more and the image resolves clearer.

It really is a revelation, and even months later I remain impressed at the change in what I’m hearing in new and familiar tracks alike. So impressed was a nephew, when comparing his newly-acquired “Nakamichi” headphones, that he had three cracks at them. He’s mentioned them enough to his parents that it became his Christmas present last year. There’s hope for the Beats generation yet!

Interestingly, during an impromptu listening party with my nephew, an iPad Air, and the Fiio E07K as the USB DAC and headphone amp, we noted some differences in sound between the two sets. The E07K has two outputs, so trading headphones was a momentary change, revealing a bit punchier low end to the new set, while my older pair had freer, brighter mids and highs. We enjoyed at least thirty minutes of swapping back and forth, new and old, with a varied array of tracks and look forward to comparing them again in the next 12 months.

If any nitpicking can be leveled against the upgrade it’s that the new sheathing is noisy against clothing, and itself, transferring the noise into the left ear shell. This is only noticeable when moving, and casual listening is all but unaffected. I would also recommend that if you get a set customized, request a full 2m of cabling. The extra length will come in handy, but not seem like it’s more than can be managed. Note also that the upgraded wiring increases the impedance, so don’t be surprised if you need a bit more volume compared to other headphones.

This is an impressive upgrade, and I’m comfortable in stating that anyone who desires an affordable, well-built set of headphones with top-notch sound would be hard pressed to top the HD 280 Pro from Sennheiser with the Zu Audio Mobius cabling.

Playlist – 02/06/14

IRF Search for the Best US/Canada College Radio Jockey 2014 – 07 February, 2014 by Nerdshow on Mixcloud

Direct Link

This is the list of artists, albums, and songs
Artist Album Title
Nerd Show zZq (re)Presents Nerd Show Intro Sequence
Zion I Masters Of Ceremony EP Supreme
Orthy E.M.I.L.Y. Night Touch
Bike For Three! So Much Forever The Muse Inside Me
Bike For Three! So Much Forever Agony
Tosca Odeon Zur Guten Ambience
Tosca Odeon Heatwave
Illum Sphere Ghosts Of Then And Now Liquesce
Illum Sphere Ghosts Of Then And Now At Night (feat. Mai Nestor)
Beaka IM022 – Beaka EP InDisguise
Beaka IM022 – Beaka EP Killjoy
Presk Saluki EP Rais
Twwth Thousand Million EP Naomi XX
Paul Basic Transient Horizons Source Light
Paul Basic Transient Horizons Dark Dream
Nerd Show zZq (re)Presents Nerd Show Primary Sequence
Gaszia Dalle Ombre EP Black Note
Gaszia Dalle Ombre EP Semplat (feat. Xian)
Actress Ghettoville Contagious
Kasim Keto Long Car Rides Facing
Kasim Keto Long Car Rides Pusher
DFRNT Patience Concept 01
Pompeya Tropical Remixed Power (Dominic Pierce Remix)
Pompeya Tropical Remixed Wait (Cayce Remix)
Lee Bannon Alternate/Endings 216
Lee Bannon Alternate/Endings Perfect/Division
Thomas Blondet FutureWorld Chan Ve (feat Tina M & Monsoon)
Thomas Blondet FutureWorld Check One
Nerd Show zZq (re)Presents Nerd Show Archive
Repair Fabric 20: John Digweed Forgive & Forget (Richard Davis remix)
Nerd Show zZq (re)Presents Nerd Show Shutdown Sequence

Nerd New Year 2013 – Part 4 of 8

Nerd New Year 2013 – Part 4 of 8 by Nerdshow on Mixcloud

Direct Link

This is the list of artists, albums, and songs
Artist Album Title
AlunaGeorge Body Music Attracting Flies
Anoraak Chronotropic Living on a tape
Sébastien Tellier Confection L’amour naissant III
Carmen Rizzo Romancia The Warm Touch of the Spanish Sun
Different Marks Untitled Motor Stepper (feat. James Yuill)
Moby Innocents The Last Day (with Skylar Grey)
Bering Strait Apart Journey
Bonobo The North Borders Ten Tigers
Void Pedal Fantastic Freeriding 4 – Now Via Harbor
Fort Knox Five The Remixes – Thomas Bondet & Second Sky Bhangra Paanch (Second Sky & Thomas Blondet Dub Remix)
Raffertie Sleep Of Reason Last Train Home
Gold Panda Trust Trust
DJ SUN One Hundred Marks On The Keys (feat Mark Sound)
Kaleidoscope Jukebox Infinite Reflection Infinite Reflection
Blue Sky Black Death Euphoric Tape Just In Case The World Ends (Deniro Farrar)

Playlist – 01/30/14

IRF Search for the Best US/Canada College Radio Jockey 2014 – 30 January, 2014 by Nerdshow on Mixcloud

Direct Link

This is the list of artists, albums, and songs
Artist Album Title
Nerd Show zZq (re)Presents Nerd Show Intro Sequence
Gaszia Dalle Ombre EP Hakor
Gaszia Dalle Ombre EP See For Yourself
Gazsia & Xian Look
Actress Ghettoville Our
Actress Ghettoville Time
Nerd Show zZq (re)Presents It’s Nerd Show
Kasim Keto Long Car Rides Antseed
Kasim Keto Long Car Rides Rat Race
DFRNT Patience Sunrise
DFRNT Patience Synesthesia
Pompeya Tropical Remixed YAHTBMF (Poko Cox Remix)
Pompeya Tropical Remixed Cheenese (Clock to Midnight Remix)
Nerd Show zZq (re)Presents Nerd Show Primary Sequence
Lee Bannon Alternate/Endings Bent/Sequence
Lee Bannon Alternate/Endings Phoebe Cates
Illum Sphere Sleeprunner EP Embryonic (feat. Shadowbox)
Cross My Heart Hope To Die Cross My Heart Hope to Die – EP Lover
Cross My Heart Hope To Die Cross My Heart Hope to Die – EP Roller Coasting
Thomas Blondet FutureWorld Savo Vodo (feat Filip Novosel)
Thomas Blondet FutureWorld Beyond the Balkans
Nerd Show zZq (re)Presents Weber FM
Step Brothers Lord Steppington (Clean) Draw Something (feat. Oh No)
Step Brothers Lord Steppington (Clean) Just Step
Kid Droid Project Onyx They’re Coming For You (Original Mix)
Kid Droid Project Onyx Waves (Plexus Instruments’ Tokyo Electric Remix)
Bibio The Green E.P. A Thousand Syllables
Bibio The Green E.P. The Spinney View Of Hinkley Point.
Nerd Show zZq (re)Presents Nerd Show Archive
Meat Beat Manifesto Autoimmune Lonely Soldier
Nerd Show zZq (re)Presents Nerd Show Shutdown Sequence