XM-out ..DAC-in

[SEAWOLF97]

I've had the XM radio service for almost 4 years...they've raised rates 50 percent , but my real problem with them was the inane DJ's ...would end up surfing the favorite channels just to get away from the jerks. Since quitting in June, I've fought with customer service as they keep billing my VISA and then giving reduced credits...

In these days of internet radio, there is no need to put up with XM.

Acquired a really deluxe laptop this year (19 in RGB screen, SACD, fingerprint security etc etc) and had plugged it into the main system (BGW 750D, 250Ti's) but using the headphone jack did not produce good quality sound. Did notice that it has a mini-Toslink optical port tho.

This week I went out on a CL ad for an Adcom preamp , noticed the seller was also offering an Adcom DAC , so I bought that too. OK..you are already guessing the end of this story.

Plugged the Toslink from the laptop into the DAC (and it is an older Burr-Brown chip) , but WOW !! ...the laptop has mostly FLAC/WAV's/hbr MP3's ....the sound now is VERY smooth and good detail (tho I'm sure the new ones are much more so) and very dynamic..its abt the best that I've head the 250Ti's sound ...beats the HELL out of XM and it will take less than 2 months of NO satellite charges to recoup the DAC cost.....WIN/WIN

[scott fitlin]

Like I have been saying now for quite some time, the digital technologies have come a long way from just a few years ago. File based formats, CD, and whatever is coming in the future is getting really good.

I agree about XM, as just a few years back, maybe two or three, XM was really good. This summer I also noticed that XM was becoming too laden with idiotic commercials, and the programming of music was not good anymore as it really had been up until pretty recently. XM has become CHEESEY! I guess this is the price of success?

In any event, you seem to be getting something good with your laptop and some ADCOM gear, so IT'S ALL GOOD!

[SEAWOLF97]

I agree about XM, as just a few years back, maybe two or three, XM was really good. This summer I also noticed that XM was becoming too laden with idiotic commercials, and the programming of music was not good anymore as it really had been up until pretty recently. XM has become CHEESEY! I guess this is the price of success?

You are right there, Scotty .....$9.95/mo , decent programming , pretty good sound (despite Mr.W's experiences) when it started , BUT now its $15/mo , the 60's channel is mostly a guy named "Motor Mouth" ..its like a bad AM top 40's station from 1965. My fav was "Deep Tracks" , but the main guy there has seemed to tap in to my subconscious "do not play" list and follows it to the tee. He tries to act cool, but comes off as a 40 something trying to be accepted by teens.

XM has billed my VISA every month since I canceled in early June , I call CS and then they partially refund the bad charge...then the same thing is repeated the next month and next... I THINK , that now, late September , it MAY finally be fixed..

Anyone want to buy a used XM receiver ???

__________________________________________________ _____________________

I've been enjoying Pandora , sound is nice.....any recommendations on net radio stations ??

[scott fitlin]

Here is what I would do, and have done in the past when I couldn't get whatever I cancelled to STOP CHARGING MY CARD. Destroy your current CC, report it lost, then cancel out that account, and get a new CC with a NEW number. When XM goes to charge you, they just can't! And since you have cancelled, you aren't doing anything wrong. It works.

[SEAWOLF97]

Here is what I would do, and have done in the past when I couldn't get whatever I cancelled to STOP CHARGING MY CARD. Destroy your current CC, report it lost, then cancel out that account, and get a new CC with a NEW number. When XM goes to charge you, they just can't! And since you have cancelled, you aren't doing anything wrong. It works.

Ah , yes...the nuclear option. I did a similar to stop that GD Paypal . My primary funding source was a small checking account..absolutly DESPISED the fact that they could put or take from that acct ..AT WILL.

Now using the visa as primary and they dont know yet that I've closed the bank account.

Oh, XM claimed that their CSR didnt cancel my subscription when I called June 5, tho they have the record and can also tell that I hadnt received the service since that date. I had considered calling visa and trying a chargeback & bar of any future XM charges.

[scott fitlin]

Ah , yes...the nuclear option. I did a similar to stop that GD Paypal . My primary funding source was a small checking account..absolutly DESPISED the fact that they could put or take from that acct ..AT WILL.

Now using the visa as primary and they dont know yet that I've closed the bank account.

Oh, XM claimed that their CSR didnt cancel my subscription when I called June 5, tho they have the record and can also tell that I hadnt received the service since that date. I had considered calling visa and trying a chargeback & bar of any future XM charges.

Yeah, BULLSHIT they don't know! They ABSOLUTELY do know, and what they do, is they just keep trying to charge you and figure you will eventually stop bitching and they get away with it, for a decent amount of payments. And, funny that you mention GD Paypal, that IS exactly what I did mine over, too! They upgraded my acc't, and THEN I couldn't change it back, and when I tried, that screwed everything up. I nuked that CC, never again went back to Paypal, and because of NO Paypal, it became almost, if not completely impossible to use ebay. Maybe that wasn't such a bad thing though, as the last few ebay deals I did, I got burned!

And then, of course, like just about everyone else, I can't be without internet, and internet purchasing power, either! My music, If I want music, I HAVE TO PURCHASE OVER THE INTERNET! But, I watch my CC statements like a hawk, IF I see charges that shouldn't be there, I am on it right away, that has happened to me, too.

You dispute it, and eventually they have to do what is correct, after all, they do have a record of the fact that you haven't received XM service since a certain date. It just sucks that you have to fight them this hard to make them correct their own misdoings and charge errors. THIS is why the Gov't NEEDS to step in and force certain things, even though I am not usually a big fan of Gov't stepping in. Same thing with the ebay/paypal thing.

And then, after all is said and done, and laid to rest, you STILL cancel out that CC acc't, and open a NEW one.

Kind of sad, just the fact that business has become so what sometimes seems seedy and tawdry. As well as the fact that when XM first started it WAS REALLY GOOD! It sounded better than FM, IMO, and the programing was good, everything that FM wasn't!

Welcome to the 21st Century I suppose!

[scott fitlin]

You are right there, Scotty .....$9.95/mo , decent programming , pretty good sound (despite Mr.W's experiences) when it started , BUT now its $15/mo , the 60's channel is mostly a guy named "Motor Mouth" ..its like a bad AM top 40's station from 1965. My fav was "Deep Tracks" , but the main guy there has seemed to tap in to my subconscious "do not play" list and follows it to the tee. He tries to act cool, but comes off as a 40 something trying to be accepted by teens.

XM has billed my VISA every month since I canceled in early June , I call CS and then they partially refund the bad charge...then the same thing is repeated the next month and next... I THINK , that now, late September , it MAY finally be fixed..

Anyone want to buy a used XM receiver ???

__________________________________________________ _____________________

I've been enjoying Pandora , sound is nice.....any recommendations on net radio stations ??

For me, with the advent of iPod docking stations in todays premium sound systems in cars, that IS what I do. And when I fly, or am going somewhere I know won't have the music I want to listen to, I bring my 8in Sony Vaio laptop, Grado RS1i phones, and Grado RA1 battery powered headphone amp. I have all my current libraries of music in my Vaio as I do my bigger Macbooks, and it all fits in a nice carrying case that isn't too big. BUT I have what I like listening to, and HIGH QUALITY sound at that! The Grado phones have GREAT bass! The battery powered amp makes em rock! And besides my own enjoyment, I have caught the attention of others too, in a positive way. I have what I like, and both FM and XM for me are no longer about music. AM radio for traffic reports, and news, FM for some talk show radio, that's about it! Have LAPTOP WILL TRAVEL!

[SEAWOLF97]

For me, with the advent of iPod docking stations in todays premium sound systems in cars, that IS what I do. And when I fly, or am going somewhere I know won't have the music I want to listen to, I bring my 8in Sony Vaio laptop, Grado RS1i phones, and Grado RA1 battery powered headphone amp. I have all my current libraries of music in my Vaio as I do my bigger Macbooks, and it all fits in a nice carrying case that isn't too big. BUT I have what I like listening to, and HIGH QUALITY sound at that! The Grado phones have GREAT bass! The battery powered amp makes em rock! And besides my own enjoyment, I have caught the attention of others too, in a positive way. I have what I like, and both FM and XM for me are no longer about music. AM radio for traffic reports, and news, FM for some talk show radio, that's about it! Have LAPTOP WILL TRAVEL!

sounds like a good plan.

my Vaio is billed as a "desktop replacement" / "photographers special" . it is so big that I can't find a case for it and had to custom fab one. It has 6 speaker Dolby , SACD drive, fingerprint scanner, usb, firewire, takes all kinds of mem cards. 320gb drive and dual core 2.66's. with W7 premium. its a great machine, but too heavy to lug around (which kinda defeats the purpose of a laptop ) ...the mini-toslink sure does make for great source to the DAC and on to the BGW/JBL's ...