July 4, 2001
Subject: A good transport
Would a cheap Pioneer DVD make a good transport? They have
24/96 output, from the cheapest! This is for a two-channel only system, and the DVD player
won't ever see an image in its life, since TV is in a different part of the house.
Marq
Hi Marq:
I have a cheap Pioneer and it's an okay DVD player,
but I prefer CD players and transports for CD duty -- for one thing, the Pioneer unit is
mechanically noisy when spinning discs, which I can ignore for movies but not for music.
(Go figure.) Also, you need a monitor to ensure 24/96 pass through.
ATB...Wes
July 3, 2001
Subject: Active speaker technology
Tradeoffs and compromises are commonplace on the hi-rez
highway, and active speakers certainly do not escape this syndrome. Yet with their
distinct problem solving advantages in some critical areas, why do we not see active
speaker technology gaining momentum? Do audiophiles freak out at the thought of loosing
some control in their sonic kingdom?
Neal
Hi Neal:
Yes, they do -- and I have no idea why. Combining
the speaker and amplifier into a single unit makes a lot of sense and allows you to tailor
the amp to the driver, which is far more efficient (read: cheaper) than designing a
one-size-fits-all amplifier. There have been some stunningly good active speakers offered,
but none have really caught on. And now that we're seeing digital amplifiers, an active
loudspeaker with digital EQ (a la Meridian) really makes sense. But I suspect audiophiles
will manage to miss the logic of these speakers, too. But don't let that stop you from
exploring this option yourself -- there are some exciting things being done with active
speakers these days.
ATB...Wes
July 3, 2001
Subject: Tower speakers < $800
I enjoy your reviews. What are your best recommendations
for tower speakers less than $800? I would be using them mainly for jazz, classical, and
Dolby Pro Logic surround sound. I am an electronics amateur.
Thanks,
Chris Brown
Hi Chris:
At that price, you won't find a lot of tower type
speakers that I recommend, but a few companies do produce good 'uns. Paradigm actually
makes a couple interesting ones, the big difference between them being that the less
expensive model sports twin 6" woofers and the more expensive one has a pair of
8" -- the Monitor 7 ($649) and the Monitor 9 ($799). Polk offers the $800 RT-800,
which also seems like a lot of speaker for the money, while B&W has a slightly more
expensive option, the DM-603 at $1100.
Good luck,
ATB...Wes
July 2, 2001
Subject: Musical Fidelity A3CD vs. Sony SACD 333ES
I've enjoyed your reviews of both of these units,
especially since your style resembles opinion of a music lover rather that of a
"audiophile" with a fat wallet and uncontrollable instinct to praise anything
with a big price tag. I have a mid-fi audio system that mainly was designed around home
theater, although it has a great potential for music listening. I was playing with the
idea of buying quality CD player for a long time (I'm using my Toshiba DVD as a transport
in conjunction with incredible Marantz SR-7000 receiver). To me, the choice falls between
new Sony offerings, such as the SACD 333ES and 9000ES DVD player, and Music Fidelity A3CD
CD player.
I haven't had a chance to audition any of these units in
person, and had to rely on the reviews such as done by yourself. I guess you already
guessed my question of whether A3CD is superior in terms of CD playback to the Sony units.
I myself tend to stay away from anything that Sony makes, based on my experience with
their mediocre middle-range stuff. What would you suggest to a fella like me? I LOVE music
above sound, but also appreciate a detail in the music piece. Should I jump on the SACD
bandwagon, or pay similar price for CD only playback of a A3CD unit?
Thanks,
Dimintriy
P.S. I was considering Marantz's own 6000OSE player, but
reviews say it has weak midrange, so I scratched it from my list.
Hi Dimitriy:
It's a tough one. I want SACD to succeed and I like
it a lot (when it's at its best). So I want everybody to hear what I've heard and the SCD
333ES is an awful good way to do that. However, the Sony software geniuses aren't as smart
as their hardware engineers, so who knows what the outcome will be?
I ended up buying both, but if I'd auditioned the
Sony first, I might not have felt the need for a new CD player -- but I had to get an SACD
player once I heard the difference.
ATB...Wes
June 30, 2001
Subject: Speaker selection dilemma
Hi Wes,
I have following options to select a speaker (all from used
market):
- EgglestonWorks Andra (costs me $7000)
- Cello Stradivarius Master (costs me $2500 more than Andra)
- Genesis Technologies Model 200 (costs me $2000 more than
Cello)
- Genesis Technology Model 300 with some new driver and
crossover (costs me $2000 more than Model 200)
I am not able to decide which one will be the best for the
money. I have not listened to any of the above speakers, and will not have a chance to
hear them without buying. Genesis Technologies has ribbon speakers, but I don't know much
about Cello. The last three speakers have similar retail prices (~$35,000). Is the Cello
really better than Andra? Will the Model 200/Model 300 be better than Cello or Andra ? Is
the extra money for Genesis worth and will they have finest resolution and unlimited
dynamics ?
If you can give me some suggestion, it will be of great
help.
With best regards,
Basudeb
Hi Basudeb:
I can't even begin to answer this one -- sorry.
Speakers are just so personal a decision I just couldn't even begin. I loved the Andra,
but had to work hard to set it up optimally -- and if you cant sit at least 18' from it,
don't even go there. As to the rest, your room would have a huge effect on their sound --
so huge, it's hard to generalize.
ATB...Wes
June 28, 2001
Subject: How about Musical Fidelity A3CR and Adcom 750?
Hello Wes,
I have and still am a keen reader of your reviews in Stereophile
and onhifi.com. I am looking at a new preamp to match my system:
- Musical Fidelity A3CD CD player
- Muse 160 amplifier
- Seas Odin II speakers (same as BESL 2.4xl MTM).
Anyway, I have moved on from my Plinius 8200 to the Muse
and am seeking a preamp. The problem is that there is no Adcom dealer here in New Zealand
to audition one. I absolutely love the A3CD. We tried over a weekend a Meridian, Rega,
Naim and the A3CD. The A3CD had stunning soundstage, imaging and detail. Jazz such as St.
Germain, Diana Krall had a very real presence, as did CDs such as Sarah McLachlan live.
The A3CR is like that again. I love it, but it does not
have balanced outputs and a processor loop (I use my stereo as a HT front-end.). And it
looks superb!!
If I buy the Adcom, I am buying it blind, your review
compared the two favorably and it seems that the real difference were the features such as
a phono stage, passive mode, etc. I wanted a passive mode and constructed Ben Duncan's
PAS01, but it seemed to lose all bass extension and control (maybe because the Muse has a
relatively low input impedance).
I hope you can find the time to respond to my e-mail.
Judging by your comments, we have the same appreciation of Musical Fidelity products and
their sound. It is just that the Adcom also has the features I need, and if it sounds very
similar, I may have to go for it. It is a shame, because the Musical Fidelity really IS
gorgeous!!
Thanks for your time.
Regards,
Simon
Hi Simon:
You, the MF is beautiful stuff indeed. But it
sounds like you need a different subset of features. Since that's the case, I think you'll
be quite happy with the Adcom.
ATB...Wes
June 27, 2001
Subject: Musical Fidelity A3CD CD player
I read your review of the Musical Fidelity A3CD CD player
with great interest. I am always impressed when someone with a good deal of experience
spends his own money on something.
My question relates to a short review on the A3CD by Sam
Tellig (not his real name, of course). In it he suggested that the A3CD was somewhat
lacking in low-end dynamics compared to the Rotel 991. I didn't see anything in your
review suggesting that you found this area to be weak. What are your thoughts on it at
this point? Do you feel that the A3CD is as good in low-end dynamics as it is in the rest
of the spectrum?
I am trying to decide between the A3CD and the Arcam CD92,
which is $700 more. My main reason for considering the Arcam was ST's comments about the
dynamics. I know that you don't want to get into system purchase issues so we'll let that
be, but your comments on the Musical Fidelity would be most helpful.
Thanks very much,
Kevin McGowen
Hi Kevin:
I've known Tom for about a decade (and I read him
for at least ten years before I met him) and he has great ears and a great talent for
telling u exactly what he hears. So, if I were asked to believe me or him, I'd probably
choose him.
That said, we're comparing apples and oranges,
given the $700 difference between the A3CD and the Arcam. The Arcam's Ring DAC is an
amazing piece of technology and is worth the money they charge for it. You should
certainly buy the Arcam, if you can afford it. But if you can't, the A3CD ain't exactly
chopped liver and, I suspect, you won't ever even notice the "missing" dynamics.
It's about as good as you can buy for the money.
ATB...Wes
June 26, 2001
Subject: Integrated amp question
Based on your fine review (and my ears) I bought a pair of
Soliloquy 5.0s. I've been running them happily with an old Luxman integrated, but now my
circumstances require me to find an integrated with remote control and a headphone jack.
Any recommendations? Mucho appreciado,
Rich
Hi Rich:
Any of the Arcam DiVa series would fit the bill
(A65 $799, A75 $999, A85 $1499); slightly further upscale, I strongly recommend the
Meridian 551.
Happy hunting,
ATB...Wes
June 26, 2001
Subject: Passive preamps
I have read about the Placette Volume Control passive
preamp and heard many good things about it (mainly, not having the usual limitations of
passive line stages). I have a Quad 988 ESL speakers connected to an Audio Research VT-100
Mk II power amp and would like to know whether the Placette can work properly with the
system. Otherwise, I would like to spend $1400 approximately for a preamp.
Any suggestions?
Mohamad
Hi Mohamad:
I too have heard good things about the Placette and
you might want to audition it. However, I personally find passive preamps tend to blunt
the dynamic impact of my system to an extent I quickly grow weary of. Yes, the sound is
clear and uncolored. But live music has slam and punch and none of my systems based around
passive preamps did. YMMV, but the Quads tend to complicate matters -- I think you'll miss
the gain.
ATB...Wes
June 25, 2001
Subject: Which CD player
Hi Wes,
I am a novice in this arena and would like some advice on
purchasing a decent CD player to improve my system. I currently have an NAD C340 amp
driving a pair of Silverline Panatella speakers using an old and very cheap Kenwood
multi-disc player. I have about $700 to spend and was looking at the Rotel RCD-971 or the
new NAD C541. I am not averse to buying used from the audio classifieds.
Many thanks,
Stephen White
Hi Stephen:
Those are both good choices. Music Hall is also
bringing in a very inexpensive CD player (about $300), which I thought sounded great at HE
2001. While you can buy some real bargains on the used market, I tend to shy away from
buying used mid-priced mechanical units -- speakers and amps, sure. CD players and
turntables, ummmm probably not.
ATB...Wes
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