September 29, 2000
Subject: CD player
I’m in the middle of buying my hi-fi setup. And when I
say "middle" I mean exactly that: I started with the amplification -- a
Conrad-Johnson PV-12 preamplifier and MV2250 power amplifier. Now for the CD player and
the speakers:
What "kind" of CD player should I buy?
- CD only?
- DVD-CD?
- SACD?
- DVD-A?
- A CD transport and a DAC with "upsampling"?
- Keep my aging Marantz CD 52 and wait till the dust settles?
I¹d like your advice for the "category" as well
as for the specific model within that "category."
As far as speakers go, I have two problems: a wall and a
dog. I need to place them very, very close to a wall. And they shouldn't be easily brought
down by my lovely but restless setter.
Can you help me with suggestions not for the best speaker
for my amplification, but for the best speaker for my amplification, that will be placed
close to a wall and endure the restlessness of my big setter?
My room is about 6m x 7m and I listen mostly to simple
vocal music -- jazz, folk and rock.
Thanks in advance.
Joćo Carlos Cabral
Hi Joao:
Your CD question is a toughie. I like the way my
Pioneer DVD-525/Bel Canto DAC1 combo handles the 96/24 DADs from Chesky and Classic,
although I’m less happy about it for CDs -- there I prefer my Musical Fidelity
A3CD/Bel Canto combo. And although I like the attention being paid to sound quality in the
DVD-A specs, I’m not at all convinced it will ever be a real presence -- as much as I
would like for it to be. SACD seems to sound great and the hardware so far has been an
audiophile’s dream (despite their prices, don’t you find the Sonys and the
Marantz droolworthy?). But even Sony has had market failures. So my answer isn’t as
specific as you’ve requested: Why not buy a DAC you like the sound of and wait it
out? Notice that I didn’t necessarily say an upsampling DAC -- "upsampling"
has gotten thrown around so indiscriminately recently that I starting to feel it’s as
pointless in assigning quality as the word "digital" was in 1984. Some
upsampling DACs really interpolate and upsample and others don’t.
My current take on this is similar to my take on
the differences between audio cables -- I listen to them all and choose based on what I
hear -- but I never believe the "backstory" for a minute. Everybody’s got
the "one true answer" and, as Art Dudley, the editor of The Listener put
it, it’s closer to religion than science since its heavily based upon belief.
Speakers are easier -- both Linn and Naim have
numerous models that are designed for near-wall placement. Give ‘em a listen, and you
probably will find a model you can live with and that Fido won’t knock over.
ATB...Wes
September 22, 2000
Subject: Bi-amp setup
As a project I'm re-constructing a system I lived with back
in the '80s. It's the system that hooked me on audio. I want to go back in time and see if
it can still give me those goose bumps. I'm trying to remember the correct setup and
placement of the various pieces. There are a lot of interconnects in this setup. What
would you suggest for the individual piece placement to achieve the optimum performance (i.e.,
amp stands, all-in-one rack, length of interconnects)? I will be using Harmonic Technology
interconnects and speaker wire (the only items not in the original setup).
The system consists of:
- Original Wheaton Triplaner arm
- Thorens TD???? turntable
- ???? low-output MC cartridge (can't seem to remember)
- Audio Research MCP-2 head amp
- Audio Research SP-8 Mk II rev.7 preamp
- Audio Research EC-21 crossover
- Audio Research D350B amp for bass panels
- Audio Research D90B amp for mid and tweeter panels
- Magnepan Tympani 1D speakers
Thanks in advance,
Tim
Hi Tim:
That’s a system that brings back memories! I
bought my much-loved ARC SP-6C from a guy who was upgrading to an SP-8, so I have always
felt beholden to that model. I’d suggest you keep all the front-end electronics in a
single rack, using 1m interconnects between them -- and put the head amp and TT on a
second two-tier stand right next to it. The amps can go near the speakers on low amp
stands or maple cutting boards spiked through any carpet to the floor -- this will keep
your speaker cable short. The SP-8 should have no problem driving most cables up to about
5m.
Have fun!
ATB...Wes
September 20, 2000
Subject: Which tap?
What can I expect in terms of sound when connecting my 1.6
QR Maggies from either the 4-ohm or 8-ohm tap of the ARC VT60? Is it automatic that as the
speakers are rated at 4 ohms I should only use the 4-ohm tap? Or is it (like most things
in audio) a such-it-and-see situation? Lastly, I was absolutely gobsmacked (UK expression
meaning "'bowled over") when I inserted Siltech flat ribbon SCs in my system
from the previous Cardas/Harmonic Technology product. Silver is just amazing, especially
so done the Siltech way.
Best regards,
Feroz Karmali
Hi Feroz:
‘Fraid it really is "suck it and
see." You’ll probably have the best bass control using the 4-ohm tap, but you
might actually prefer the sound from the 8-ohm connection. You won’t be risking
either speaker or amplifier by choosing "wrong," so there’s no reason not
to experiment. That said, do turn off the power amp before switching taps -- I know
it’s tempting to try for the "on the fly" switchover, but take from an
"expert" who has blown up a few amplifiers that way: Don’t!
ATB...Wes
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