Re: advice on receivers
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,786
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,786 |
player (CD, DVD or BR) merely "transfers" the digital info (the ones and zeros) to the AVR, why do some CD players cost in the thousands of dollars? Dumb question?? Because thats what some people will pay.
Fred
------- Blujays1: Spending Fred's money one bottle at a time, no two... Oh crap!
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Re: advice on receivers
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 9
regular
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OP
regular
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 9 |
Yes, Sir, the AVR has test tones and I had to set by ear. The AVR also has settings to set distance of each speaker from the sitting position. Maybe I'll try fiddling around some more with the balance. The sound I'm particularly trying to improve is for music cd's -- as I mentioned earlier, for some reason I like the sound from the cd player, which uses analogue connections, over the DVD player or the Xbox360, both of which use digital connections.
Sony Grand Wega Sony AVR Sony DVD Technics CD M60's VP150 Nuance SAT 1's Sound Dynamics THS-10 sub
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Re: advice on receivers
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,843 Likes: 13
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,843 Likes: 13 |
I noticed with my older Sony CD player, which has analog and optical digital connections, that the analog seems to give me a better sound. I'm guessing my Denon is doing a better job converting the analog signal to digital.
M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350 AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85
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Re: advice on receivers
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 9
regular
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OP
regular
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 9 |
Murph, thanks for the advice on the DM & TR DVD -- I'll have to check it out, as DMB has been one of my fav's for years.
And Fred, yes the debut ELP album would be awesome I'm sure. I know I still have the debut vinyl kicking around somewhere, and have some of the tunes on the ELP 4 disc box set. Haven't played it for quite some time, so will have to check it out with the new speakers.
Sony Grand Wega Sony AVR Sony DVD Technics CD M60's VP150 Nuance SAT 1's Sound Dynamics THS-10 sub
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Re: advice on receivers
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,898
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,898 |
For the ULTIMATE audio experience, you owe it to yourself to buy the "Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds - Live at Radio City Hall" Bluray (or DVD minimum) and play it through your new player via to the M60s. It will be a religious experience in audio unlike anything you could imagine via your current CDs and setup. Could not agree more. This is my favorite demo Blu-Ray for showing the 'awesomeness' of my Axiom setup for musical reproduction.
Epic 80-800: HG Cherry
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Re: advice on receivers
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,270
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,270 |
Hi Mav,
You may simply prefer the slighlty "softer" sound (slightly rolled off treble) of analog connections over optical or coaxial digital connections. That is typically the most pronounced difference you'll hear going from an analog to a digital connection from any CD or DVD player(digital audio).
At the risk of raising the ire of JohnK, I'll have to side with Zimm on his suggestion that you think about upgrading the Sony AVR. As a former AV magazine editor in Toronto and New York, I've found that Sony AVRs somehow always have problems of one kind or another, including really weak amp sections that do not meet spec. That does not mean your Sony is defective; it may be quite alright.
However, there is no reason to believe the "sound" from your old Technics CD changer will be improved by switching to a newer player. In years of A/B testing of CD players at many different price levels, I have yet to detect a particle of difference in sound quality using musical programming as a source. Yes, there are measurable differences but at such residual levels they are inaudible with music. If an analog preamp output from a CD player is defective or poorly designed, or uses vaccuum tubes (!) it may introduce audible differences, although quite honestly I don't recall ever finding one that didn't measure well.
Just in passing, Nuance speakers were not terrible at all; they were designed by a competent US speaker engineer, Win Burhoe, who designed the original Energy 22 and some good speakers decades ago from Genesis. It's just that Nuance were sold with a lot of magic dust dreamed up by the late George Baker, a kind of PT Barnum figure in Canadian audio history, who for years was the marketing guru behind Energy, Mirage and Sound Dynamics. He later started Nuance.
Regards,
Alan
Alan Lofft, Axiom Resident Expert (Retired)
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Re: advice on receivers
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,843 Likes: 13
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,843 Likes: 13 |
I was going to say the same think about the Sony Alan, I've never been a fan and have found the same problems you mention with an older unit I used to own. Since I've owned Denon products, never had an issue and the sound is awesome.
All receivers are not created equal, they can't be.
M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350 AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85
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Re: advice on receivers
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,420
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,420 |
I would suggest, as I said earlier, get a new receiver and try it out against the Sony. I did notice a difference going to a Denon from a Sony. I would also suggest you get an SPL Meter so you can properly calibrate the system, this helps immensely with sound stage and blending etc. especially with your sub. Don't worry about not knowing how to use it, we can help you out, it really isn't hard, use your test tones and adjust each speaker/sub so they all read the same on the meter at your main listening position. I would then suggest a new sub, the newer subs reach lower and offer more power for better HT rumble .
Jason M80 v2 VP160 v3 QS8 v2 PB13 Ultra Denon 3808 Samsung 85" Q70
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Re: advice on receivers
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 9
regular
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OP
regular
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 9 |
Thanks very much to all of you who have taken the time to provide your advice and feedback. All the comments have been very helpful, and I guess based on the comments I'm leaning toward upgrading AVR at some point.
I find my sub can be overpowering if it is cranked up beyond fairly low volume (cranked up only about 30%). The sub I have has the following specs:
Discrete MOSFET 100 Watts RMS at 0.04% THD, 400 Watts peak 35hz-150hz +/- 3db low pass filter 50hz-150hz (18db/Octave) high pass filter approx. 85hz
As I said, I find the sub quite powerful, but based on specs how does it compare to the newer subs?
Also, there have been a number of suggestions to calibrate my system with an SPL meter. I've done some searching, and they appear to be quite expensive -- any suggestions?
Sony Grand Wega Sony AVR Sony DVD Technics CD M60's VP150 Nuance SAT 1's Sound Dynamics THS-10 sub
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Re: advice on receivers
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,843 Likes: 13
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,843 Likes: 13 |
They are only $40-50 in the states at Radio Shack, not expensive in my book, not sure about Canada.
M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350 AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85
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