Bought the Cayin
March 18, 2004
Thanks in part to your response to my query regarding the Cayin
integrated amp reviewed earlier this month, I borrowed a TA-30 from my local dealer
for an audition. I LOVED IT. My wife and I spent a few hours listening to countless tracks
on the Cayin and my NAD. We both preferred the tube amp, and picked it out on almost
every cut when doing a blind A/B (the exception being my wife while listening to a Mariah
Carey song -- my two-year-old daughter loves dancing to her #1's CD). To answer my
original question posed to you, yes, the Cayin will help me get lost in the music.
Thanks for the advice. I've been the proud owner of a TA-30 for three days now!
Dan
Congrats and enjoy. Getting lost in the music is what
this hobby is all about!
Subwoofer output level
March 17, 2004
I recently purchased the Pioneer DV-563A DVD player. When I
try to connect the analog 5.1 outputs from the DVD player to my receiver, I can barely
hear the LFE channel from my subwoofer. I was wondering if I have a defective unit or if
there are certain settings that I need to perform in order to get the problem fixed.
Marclive
There are several things you can do. First, set the gain
level on your subwoofer to about three quarters. This will insure that you have enough
output available from the subwoofer to begin with; you will be able to fine-tune the level
with your receiver in the next step. Next, adjust all of your speakers, including the
subwoofer, to output the same level. Your receiver will likely have trim levels and test
tones for each channel so this can be done individually for each speaker (look at your
owner's manual for instructions). It's best to use a sound-pressure-level meter, but you
can balance the levels by ear, too. And most obviously, make sure that you have your
subwoofer turned on within your receiver's bass-management menu.
Lastly, the bass level contained on the LFE channel of
both DVD-Audio and SACD can vary greatly from disc to disc, so you will not hear high
levels of bass from each disc. You can't assume that your sub is malfunctioning without
knowing exactly what you're feeding it.
Thanks for "How To"
March 15, 2004
I just landed on your website because I was looking for
information that would help me understand what all those specifications mean when I set
out to purchase a receiver. Your "How To" page is fantastic! Thanks so much for going the extra
mile for folks. You certainly didn't have to, but it's great that you did!
Laurie Kozuba
That's what we're here for! Let us know if you have any
questions when you get ready to buy that receiver.
Adcom bass
March 11, 2004
I was wondering if you were familiar with the sound of the
Adcom GFA-555 II power amplifier? I am looking for more bass from my floorstanding
speakers (Cerwin Vega V-12s) and was wondering if this would be a suitable amplifier.
Stephen
I am familiar with that particular Adcom and can tell
you that it is a fine bass amplifier. In fact, it's always been heralded as a great
component for driving passive subwoofers due to its high power output and ability to drive
tough speaker loads. The 555 II is quite old, though, so make sure the unit you are
looking at is in good condition and has been well taken care of. A number of these
amplifiers have been used in bars and night clubs -- you'll want to stay away from these.
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