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deviant. posted:Pull a single hair from your head. Now split it. I can't disagree with the majority of your arguments; all things being equal, there are many easier ways to improve sound quality than to upgrade to SA-CD or DVDA. However, there is one major improvement to the new formats that CD can't match, and that is multi-channel capability. While some MC mixes are gimmicky and not necessarily an improvement over redbook CD, when implemented correctly, multi channel music can far surpass its two channel counterpart. This is of course a moot point if one does not already have a multi channel setup for home theater. But there are already many people that have 5.1 setups to listen to movies, and would probably enjoy listening to music in multichannel simply by owning a universal player and playing a hybrid (or dual) disk. In these cases, there is no extra money spent for being able to access either SA-CD or DVDA, but there can be a great improvement in the listening experience. On the other hand, if you are going for an all out assault on state of the art, and cost is no object, SA-CD and DVDA can offer significant improvements over redbook CD. This is true in two channel, and even moreso when comparing a state of the art 2 channel playback system to a SOTA multi channel playback system.
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# ¿ Mar 23, 2007 17:05 |
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# ¿ May 4, 2024 12:54 |
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deviant. posted:No it isn't. You'll also note that I never said there isn't a differnece. It's just that the most audible differences are likely due to the different mixes and masters and are really not worht the asking price. I do agree that mastering can make as big a difference as the increased resolution that SA-CD and DVDA offer. But if you take a remastered CD, and listen to the redbook and hi rez on a revealing system with a revealing player, there are audible differences, and I have been able to discern the two in a ABX situation.
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# ¿ Mar 26, 2007 15:18 |
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BAN ME PLEASE posted:Anybody? You could get this. It should solve the problem.
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# ¿ Jul 20, 2007 17:59 |
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shrike82 posted:Do USB/DACs have a big impact on the listening experience? I listen to my iTunes collection through my Macbook and Grado SR80s. Browsing through head-fi and seeing them rave about USB/DACs, I wonder if I'm missing out on something. I would say no. I have owned two USB DACs. An apogee mini dac (app. $1k) and I currently use a bel canto USB DAC (app. $2.5k). The difference between going straight from my HP laptop, using itunes with apple lossless files to my Etymotics ER4Ps is not a huge difference from using them with the USB DACS. There certainly is a difference, and a discernable one, but I dont see the $200-500 jobs making a big difference in sound quality. I notice more of a difference going from 128kb MP3 to apple lossless than from using internal to external DACs via headphones.
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# ¿ Aug 24, 2009 19:40 |
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Thermopyle posted:I'm planning out a home theater system and I have some questions about in-wall speakers. Dollar for dollar speakers in a cabinet are a better value than in-ceiling speakers. A pair of $200 bookshelf speakers will usually be much better than a pair of $200 in-wall/ceiling speakers. People use in-wall/ceiling so they (or their significant others more likely) don't have to look at speakers in their living rooms. Considering your budget, I would do all bookshelf type speakers. I am allowed to say all this, because I normally hate in-wall speakers, and think it's ridiculous to sacrifice sound quality for aesthetics. My main setup at home now includes 6 in ceiling speakers. I am a huge pussy. Of course I spent a ridiculous amount on in ceiling speakers to get something decent, but I could have spent the same amount and had some REALLY good speakers if I mounted book shelf speakers, but the wires were pre run to the ceilings and the wife wanted a clean look, so we compromised. I think. At least I tell myself we compromised even though I really think I just gave in.
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# ¿ Sep 17, 2009 14:47 |
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TenementFunster posted:i bet she made you put the TV over the fireplace, too That's a low blow! Luckily, there is a dedicated space next to the fireplace, a dedicated niche that houses the TV and cabinet. Here is a crappy picture!
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# ¿ Sep 17, 2009 22:14 |
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And here is another crappy picture of the in ceiling speakers. They are mordaunt-short. You will see they have no grills on them, I think she took some pity on me and allowed me to leave them off. They actually sound pretty good for in ceiling, like I said, but if they were bookshelves instead....
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# ¿ Sep 17, 2009 22:18 |
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Narwhale posted:At first I thought you had either a really tiny tv or a huge Bose Soundwave radio. Hah! Nah, it is a 62" LG. Looks great, but took a little getting used to since my last tv was a projector with a 102" screen. The little box on top is a Wadia iPod transport, that thing is fun!
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# ¿ Sep 17, 2009 22:19 |
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Narwhale posted:I meant that your table thing looked like a giant one of these: Yeah I know, I just wanted to point out the Wadia.
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# ¿ Sep 17, 2009 22:29 |
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Thermopyle posted:Well...poo poo. I can't talk the wife into standalone speakers for my home theater. It's got to be in-wall/ceiling. Many questions: What is your budget?
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# ¿ Sep 25, 2009 16:47 |
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Thermopyle posted:Since no one had any suggestions for in-wall speakers, can anyone recommend a good site I can find some people who have some recommendations? I have experience with two in ceiling speakers, and they are both good speakers. They take a while to break in. Energy and mordaunt short are both nice. I use the mordaunt short as my L/R/C and the energys for all of my surrounds. The mordaunts are nice since you can aim the tweeter, and it gives you a little better soundstage. I know Linn also makes some very nice in wall/ceiling, but they are also very pricey.
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# ¿ Sep 28, 2009 16:11 |
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illcendiary posted:Hey guys, got some questions for you. First of all, dont use the white van stuff. Second if you are happy with what you curently have, don't change it, enjoy it.
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# ¿ Oct 2, 2009 19:28 |
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johndis posted:I'm looking to get a pair of portable USB-powered speakers to carry around with my laptop, making it easier to watch movies on the go! I saw these on Amazon and Newegg (they were well rated) and thought they could be pretty nice: http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-970155-0403-Notebook-Speakers-Black/dp/B0009WKBGC/ref=sr_1_24?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1255620621&sr=1-24 Just curious, but why these instead of headphones?
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# ¿ Oct 15, 2009 16:59 |
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vanilla slimfast posted:General consensus around here is that Bose is crap. Someone else asked a similar question a little earlier in the thread and some other brand/models were suggested Bose isn't crap, it's just way overpriced. If you average out the people who don't know any better and think Bose is the best stereo equipment ever made with the people who say it is worthless because they are aware of better stuff that is cheaper and go on and on about how horrible it is, you probably have a pretty decent hold of what Bose actually is.
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# ¿ Dec 11, 2009 18:10 |
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Agreed posted:I have a multi-thousand tuned monitoring rig hooked up to my studio PC. I have Sennheiser HD-650s and a nice headphone amp to power them. I know what audio is supposed to sound like. Hell, I even started the headphone thread sticky, in a past life I think you are certainly on the right track. I have always been a big fan of Sony, from their flagship stuff on down to the mid-fi stuff. The only recommendation I would give would be to look at a multi-channel receiver if your budget allows for it. That gives you the ability to upgrade to multi-channel fairly easily; all you have to do is add speakers. This looks like the 7.1 companion to the receiver you linked, and is $80 more, and seems like a better value than the 2 channel model. It seems to have a similar power rating (105 Watts @ 1.0% THD), plus it does all your decoding and video switching. Video switching is very handy for simplicity if you plan on using multiple sources. Plus if you have a PS3 you have a built in 2 channel SACD player. More info on the 7.1 receiver
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# ¿ Dec 15, 2009 16:57 |
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Salvor_Hardin posted:Here goes: I want to get a nice sound system going to compliment my HDTV and PS3. In my present situation I can probably only accommodate a 3.1 set up with tower speakers on either side of the TV. But I want the possibility of upgrading to 5.1 or 7.1 later when I get a bigger living room. See post before yours. Add a sub and center channel, preferably from the same "family" of speakers. There are links to the center channel and sub that "match" the towers Agreed listed.
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# ¿ Dec 15, 2009 17:09 |
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Agreed posted:If I were in the area I'd take you up on it. As it is, I decided to go with the higher end one in the same series (the $80 more one that has similar THD and output specs, but with 3 HDMI inputs that carry audio, 4 optical inputs, etc.). It looks like it has some features that specifically interface well with the PS3, too, which as the heart of my DVD/Blu-Ray experience should make it a good fit. Sorry, this is what I was trying to point out in my original post; the need for video switching, native PS3 interface, etc. Since the higher model has all that and for only $80 more, I felt it was a better value. Or alternately, TOLD YOU!
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# ¿ Dec 15, 2009 20:34 |
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Agreed posted:Indeed. Apologies for having doubted you in the slightest. Looking forward to hearing how it sounds, would love to hear more about your studio setup, have you already posted it somewhere? My brother had a crazy setup at one point. He had two channel and multi channel in the same room, running through different pre amps for the different setups. And he was using the very top gear for each. But he is also a little insane.
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# ¿ Dec 15, 2009 20:54 |
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Agreed posted:Don't have to convince me, I use ATC active monitors.
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# ¿ Dec 17, 2009 21:19 |
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Pibborando San posted:From all the research I've done, I think this 4-ohm fear is not as cut and dry as you're making it out to be. Firstly, many speakers that are rated at 8-ohm nominal do drop down to 4-ohm and below at certain frequencies. Secondly, I've read many reports of people using their Emotiva speakers with Onkyo receivers without any problems. This is all true, and honestly, the amps should cut out if they are overheating anyway. If it starts shutting down, then you know you are playing them too loudly.
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# ¿ Dec 17, 2009 21:20 |
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Agreed posted:Nice review, thanks! Glad you are enjoying.
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# ¿ Dec 18, 2009 15:34 |
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DrBouvenstein posted:I've got an iPhone, but I have a small problem. When I have it anywhere near my desk (like, on the desk or within 3') I get interference in my speakers. Not all the time, only when the phone is getting data. But that means every call, every text, every email, etc... causes the interference. It sounds like this: It should only happen when the phone is using "Edge". And only with powered speakers. Just keep you phone away from your speakers or get a 3G.
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# ¿ Dec 28, 2009 19:08 |
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Siliziumleben posted:All the CMOY and PA2V2 results on ebay run on batteries, which is out of the question since I wear my headphones pretty much all day. If you want a headphone amp that plugs in, I have a pretty nice one I never use. PM me for details.
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# ¿ Dec 30, 2009 23:05 |
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andy17null posted:I'm setting up a college recording studio. I have (inactive? non-active? they aren't powered) monitors that I would like to hook up. Can I use a Behringer Powerplay Pro-8 headphone amp to power them? If not, what should I use? Seconding Saukkis. But mainly posting to say that your speakers are passive as opposed to active.
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# ¿ Jan 6, 2010 05:11 |
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Sjurygg posted:I'm in the market for an LP player, finally, and right now my choices narrow down to a nicely used Technics 1210 Mk2, and a demo-used Nad C555i for approximately the same price. Which one should I go for? I've never bought my own vinyl player, but based on my own limited technical insight I'm inclined towards the 1210. I'll play a wide range of music on it, but I'll definitely enjoy it most if it works well with noisy music. Suggestions welcome! The Turntable/Vinyl/2-channel Stereo/Vintage thread is the place for you.
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# ¿ Jan 13, 2010 20:49 |
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Creature posted:I'm pretty sure I saw something posted about this somewhere on SA, but as I can't remember what it was called or where I read about it, searching is somewhat difficult. That would be the Wadia 170iTransport.
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# ¿ Feb 11, 2010 16:14 |
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thehandtruck posted:I moved my speakers around and I'm somewhat sure they sound different than before. I've heard that mixing up the + wire and - wire can make things sound different, is this true? (Checking is difficult because of where they're located so I'd rather not if it doesn't matter.) Very true, when you reverse the polarity and the speakers are out of phase they can sound funky.
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# ¿ Feb 14, 2010 06:10 |
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Bigass Moth posted:My wife has an XM receiver in her car and she wants to use XM service in the office. What are some good portable receivers that she can share service with? I looked at Squeezeboxes, are they worth it? You can also stream it online, I am pretty sure it is included in the service.
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# ¿ Mar 30, 2010 22:51 |
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# ¿ May 4, 2024 12:54 |
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vanilla slimfast posted:The problem is that you're converting between analog and digital. A cable adaptor alone won't do it. Well that would technically be an ADC (Analog to Digital converter).
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# ¿ Apr 2, 2010 18:08 |