iPod hi-fi

March 31, 2009

I don't want to buy a CD player, and I don't want to use my computer, either. Instead, I want to use my iPod for playing music. What do you recommend to hook it up to my system to get the best sound quality?

Derrick Jones

I recommend two things. First, don't use MP3s. Instead, use a full-resolution encoding scheme like Apple Lossless. This way, you'll have the higher-quality music files on your iPod than if you go MP3. Second, consider using the Wadia 170iTransport and a high-quality digital-to-analog converter (DAC). The 170iTransport extracts the digital bitstream directly from your iPod, and there are many high-quality DACs that will outperform the DAC section of your iPod. Colin Smith wrote about the 170iTransport over on SoundStage! in the "Digital Domain" section in February.

Forte 1A?

March 27, 2009

My brother gave me an amplifier made by a company called Forte, the model 1A. Do you know about it? Is it any good?

Trent Wilson

Yes, I do know about it, and it's very good. I used to own the Forte 3. Here's the history: Back in the '80s, the very well-respected high-end electronics maker Threshold started a new, lower-priced line called Forte. In that line were a preamp and two amplifiers, called 3 and 1A. The 3 and 1A looked identical and, from what I was told, were not just the same outside, but inside too. The difference was that the 3 was a class-AB design that put out 200Wpc and the 1A was biased to be pure class A and only put out 50Wpc. Many people, myself included, bought the 3 because it was higher powered. But the pure-class-A 1A sounded better. In particular, the midrange was smoother and the highs were cleaner. Frankly, I wish I would have bought the 1A instead. Now you know how good a thing you've got.

DAC for music

March 24, 2008

I am less an audiophile than a music obsessive, and I'm looking for DAC advice, as I am ripping all my CDs to FLAC and plan to get rid of my CD player.

My system is a Unico Unison integrated amp, Monitor Audio RS6 speakers, and (for now) an NAD C545BEE CD player. As I say, I'm not really an audiophile, so I don't know how well synergized this system is, but I love the sound for the most part. If I can find a DAC that gets more low-end bass definition, that would be great (though I'm guessing this is largely a limitation of the speakers).

More than specific recommendations (though I'd welcome those as well), I'd be eager for general advice about what kind of DAC technology would be best for me. I find all the info about oversampling vs. upsampling (or are those synonyms?) vs. non-oversampling, different bit rates, etc., pretty bewildering. I listen mostly to rock, with a little bit of everything else thrown in. So pace, rhythm, and dynamics are more important to me than neutrality, harmonic resolution, etc. I'm pretty happy with the soundstaging and imaging of my system, so improving those is not a huge priority.

What do these preferences (and my current equipment) dictate about what kind of DAC I should look for?

I'd spend up to $1000, though I'd rather keep it around $600 (and it seems like there are a lot of good options at that price point.) Also, my computer has a coax digital out, so I don't need a USB input (though it might be nice for the flexibility).

Many thanks for any advice!

Mike

That's good that you're more concerned with music than the components themselves. I fear many audiophiles treat their equipment like a trophy, more concerned with having it and showing it off than what it's really intended for: playing music.

First, the bass definition part. You're right -- your speakers will have more to do with it than the CD player or DAC. However, your speakers, the Monitor Audio RS6, seem pretty "full-rangey" already, so perhaps you can coax a slightly different presentation if you change up the front-end. It won't be as significant as changing speakers, but it can help some.

I'm glad you're not asking me for specific recommendations since there are just too many to list. You're wise to ask about the technology, though. Here's the thing: much is made about the digital technology employed, but there's more to any DAC than just that. For example, the design of the analog section has a lot to do with the resulting sound, as does the implementation of whatever digital technology the company goes with. Although many audiophiles, even some reviewers, like to give generalizations on oversampling, upsampling, non-sampling and the like, they don't hold water when it comes to the sound. Basically, you have to use your ears to see what it is you like.

New NAD?

March 20, 2009

I have an NAD 3140 integrated amp that just died. I really liked it. I'd like to hear your recommendation on what to replace it with.

Tom Terlington

An NAD 3140! If you bought it new, then it must have been about 25 years old when it died. You certainly got your money's worth with it.

If you want a replacement, you can look to NAD again. They're still designing products with the same philosophy that they always have -- high value with bare-bones cosmetics -- and all the models I've heard sound very good. The other hot product to look at now is the Anthem Integrated 225 that Philip Beaudette just reviewed. In fact, in the review, he compared it to an NAD integrated amp he owns and thought it was quite a bit better. Those are the two companies I'd start with.

New speaker cables?

March 18, 2009

I bought a new pair of Paradigm Atom speakers, the same ones that were reviewed here a couple of years ago. The salesman wasn't about to let me out of the door until I bought new speaker cables, too. He said I needed the new cables to really hear what these speakers can do. I am using some Monster Cable, and I thought that was pretty good. What do you think?

Matt Wilson

Speaker cables can certainly make a bit of a difference; however, in your case, it sounds like the salesman wasn't so much concerned with getting you the best sound as he was with causing you to spend more money. We know the Atoms well and feel they'll perform quite well with the Monster Cable speaker cables you have. If, in the future, you wish to experiment with new speaker cables, by all means try them and determine if you can hear a difference. Just don't rush into it.

Too little power?

March 12, 2009

My amp is only rated at 30 watts per channel and my speakers say to use a minimum of 50 watts. Will this be a problem?

Kyle Williams

Perhaps. Your amp will likely be fine at low or moderate volume levels, but as you push it more and more to play louder, you might find that it runs out of power and starts clipping, resulting in a very harsh sound that could damage your speakers. It's often been said that it's safer to use an amplifier that's rated to deliver much more power than the speakers can take, because all of that power is clean, than to use an underpowered one that might start clipping.

So I can't say with certainty that it won't work, or that it will be damaging to your speakers, but I do think that it's prudent to warm you that you might run into problems and that you should be careful when you try it out. Start out with the volume fairly low and work up from there.

Paradigm Studio series

March 10, 2009

I read that Paradigm's Studio 10 speaker will be reviewed here. Will there be any other Studio speakers reviewed?

Charles Wickley

Colin Smith is also reviewing the Studio 60 -- he currently has them in his system -- but it won't be for GoodSound!? That will review will be published in the "On HiFi" section of SoundStage! A/V, which is also a part of the SoundStage! Network.

Bryston?

March 6, 2009

I read your editorial and am really happy to see GoodSound! taking this direction, reviewing what's relevant. One question: Will you be reviewing any Bryston gear? You haven't in the past.

Todd Matthews

You're right. We haven't reviewed any Bryston equipment on GoodSound! -- ever. Right now, we still don't have any in, but it's something we really should have here. Plenty of people are interested. I'm going to put a call into the company and see what comes of it. Thanks for your input.

Too much power?

March 2, 2009

Philip Beaudette wrote a great review on the Anthem Integrated 225. I'm definitely going to check it out. Do you really think someone needs all that much power? Even Philip said that he didn't need it all.

Tom Faras

Probably not. But think about it this way: When it comes to amplifiers, it's better to have too much power than too little, providing the sound quality hasn't suffered any to deliver all of it. Based on what Philip says about the Integrated 225, Anthem appears to have delivered it all without compromise.