Stereo SACD and DVD-A?
May 31, 2004
I'm very interested in DVD-A and SACD sound formats, but I
haven't yet invested in a full surround-sound speaker system. (I have two wonderful
floorstanding speakers, and I am using an Onkyo TX-DS787 A/V receiver.) Would I get any
benefit from DVD-A or SACD playback in a two-speaker system?
Richard Boulton
There are two aspects of both DVD-A and SACD that are
appealing to audiophiles. The first is the multichannel capability, which, obviously,
you're not set up to enjoy yet with just two speakers (you need five for that). The other
is the higher-resolution capabilities of both formats, which can be enjoyed in stereo
playback. Red Book CD uses 16-bit word length and has a sampling rate of 44.1kHz. DVD-A
can go up to 24-bit/192kHz -- resolution and dynamic range are significantly enhanced.
SACD uses Sony's proprietary DSD encoding scheme, which is purported to offer far superior
resolution compared to standard CD, too. In theory, then, DVD-A and SACD are both capable
of sounding better than CD.
Do size and weight matter?
May 28, 2004
I definitely need your advice. Which one to choose: Rotel
RX-1050 or Denon PMA2000R? I will run a pair of B&W DM602 speakers plus my CD player
-- that's it. The Rotel has a tuner, but I won't use that. Why this model? I found an
awesome deal for it! The Denon looks bigger -- is huge -- and weighs twice as much. Do
these things matter? I don't know.
Eduardo
Size matters, but sometimes it doesn't. There could
well be a reason the Denon weighs more -- thicker chassis, or a more robust power supply
for the amplifier section. There's more to good audio equipment than weight, though, and
weight shouldn't be the determining factor for your purchase decision -- you don't buy
audio by the pound. The real keys are how a unit sounds, whether it's reliable, if it will
work well in your system, and if you can afford it. If you can't afford the Denon but the
Rotel is priced right, then your decision is easier. If you can afford both, then your
only choice is to listen to both and determine which you like better.
Adapter for MP3 player
May 24, 2004
I would like to build a modest stereo system that uses a
Creative Labs NOMAD Jukebox 3 40GB Portable MP3 player as the source. My amplifier of
choice would be the Blue Circle CS integrated. Speakers would be the Axiom M22ti SE. The
NOMAD can store .wav files (uncompressed digital files ripped from my CDs to my computer
and then transferred to the portable). It has a line-out that supports a 1/8" stereo
mini plug. Now to connect from the line-out of the NOMAD to the line-in of the Blue Circle
CS I need a special adapter cable. Can you suggest where I might find a top-quality cable
that may be terminated at one end with a 1/8" stereo mini plug (male) and at the
other end with two RCA phono plugs (male)? I would be willing to pay in the neighborhood
of $250 USD for such a cable.
Thank you for your advice and please comment on the
resulting system.
Ian Scott
A variety of cable companies can configure a cable to
suit your needs, but the first that comes to mind would be Analysis Plus. They do quite a
lot with the professional industry so would likely have 1/4" and 1/8" adapters
available. They also provide high-quality products at a reasonable cost. Regarding your
system choice, it seems like a fine setup, although I can't comment on that specific
pairing. Again, the companies you mention are solid, in my experience, and their products
excellent.
Next review
May 21, 2004
Can you tell me what will be your next review? I'm hoping
to have some more choices when shopping next week and have come to rely on your reviews.
Thanks for a great site.
Francis P.
Our next review will be a combined article on the Anthem
TLP 1 and PVA 2 preamp-tuner/stereo amplifier pairing. We also have reviews in the works
of some cool headphone gear, integrated amps, and more excellent-sounding speakers. Keep
checkin' in!
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