CD player vs. DVD player for music
March 8, 2002
I am attempting to set up a home-theater and music system.
I am interested in purchasing either a CD player and or a better DVD player as a
single-source unit. I have read many reviews which have stated that a stand-alone CD
player is superior in sound reproduction to the DVD/CD combinations. Most reviews do not
do a direct audio comparison between these two technologies. I primarily listen to music
throughout my house and occasionally (once a week) watch a movie. I wonder if you could
shed some light on this topic and/or make some recommendations one way or the other.
Mark J. Zarzycki
The economies of scale work in favor of a DVD player as
the single source in a basic system. DVD players are sold by the tens of thousands each
day, making them far more reasonable in cost than a comparable CD player. You just simply
get more for your money with a DVD player, and unlike some of the reviews you've read, we
know they can sound very good with CDs. It's not to say you don't still have to be
selective in what you buy, and listen to as many as you can in order to make the best
decision based on your sonic priorities. The ability to watch a movie each week on the
same player is just a bonus.
Buying a complete system
March 7, 2002
I'm looking to purchase a new high-end-quality system. My
budget is between $1200 and $1500. I enjoy all different types of music, and the area in
which the stereo will be set up will definitely change while I own the system (but I know
that it will most likely be set up in an average-sized living room). Would you please
offer me some recommendations for a good system? Thanks.
Anthony M. Andreoli
The first thing you need to decide is what the system
will be used for. Do you want vinyl, tape, and DVD playback capability? Or will the system
be CD-based only? Assuming the latter for discussion, I would recommend a system built
around an integrated amplifier, a CD or DVD player as a source, and of course speakers. By
minimizing the number of components in the setup, you can be more selective and buy
higher-quality gear. I would look at integrated amplifiers from Arcam and Denon, to name
two, and CD/DVD players from those as well as Pioneer, Sony, and Panasonic. You'd be
surprised just how far your dollar will take you with a new-format digital player (such as
DVD/SACD). I'd put the lion's share of the budget into the speakers, as they will be the
largest determinant of sound quality. You have a host of choices to look at, but I would
start with Paradigm, Axiom, Athena, and NHT. They all offer a lot of speaker for the
money, and their products all sound excellent.
Speaker load
March 6, 2002
I was wondering if you could tell me if I am in for trouble
since I purchased a couple of 250W, 4-ohm hybrid speakers and plan to power them with a
Denon AVR-2802 90Wpc A/V receiver. Can you offer me any advice on how to deal with my
self-destructive audio tendencies?
Paul
The Denon AVR-2802 is rated into 6 ohms, and the manual
states that when driving a 4-ohm load at high power, the protection circuitry may
activate. If you listen at reasonable volumes in a small or medium-sized room, you may be
OK. I would imagine, though, that at some point you'll want to utilize the main
preamplifier outputs on the Denon and add a dedicated amplifier to drive your new
speakers. Just make sure you add an amp capable of driving a 4-ohm load continuously,
so you don't end up in the same boat.
Print?
March 5, 2002
I love this website. I have been impressed by the GoodSound!
site since before SoundStage!
took it over, and I am looking forward to more mini-reviews similar to the original GoodSound!
site. I was wondering if there are any print magazines that give reviews of similarly
priced equipment that the good people at GoodSound! provide. I need something to
take on the plane and carry back and forth to work that will give me information on
equipment that I can afford. I understand that this may be promoting the competition, but
do GoodSound! and SoundStage! really have any competition?
Eric Krueger
Thanks for the kind words. We at the SoundStage! Network pride
ourselves on providing information in a way that makes sense and best serves our audience.
As for competition, I can tell you that we consider ourselves our biggest competitor.
Finding ways to improve our accuracy, writing quality, substance, user interface, and
content diversity is not easy. We are always striving to improve what we do and how we do
it. There are some print magazines that cover affordable equipment, but I'm not sure there
would be a better source than our www.audiovideoreviews.com archive. We have covered gear throughout the
Network that qualifies as affordable and maybe you've missed. Just this month on SoundStage!
we cover a hot little $149 speaker from Athena, so make sure you check all of our sites.
As for print-based content, do you have a printer?
In-ceiling/in-wall speakers
March 4, 2002
I am seeking high-quality (around $600-$1000 per pair)
in-ceiling and in-wall speakers for my family room and kitchen. My research has led me to
B&W, specifically their Signature 7SE for in-wall and their CWM650 for the ceiling
speakers. What do you think? Thanks for your help.
Alan Tekerlek
I've always suggested that when looking for in-wall or
in-ceiling speakers, you should look towards the companies that simply make good speakers.
While it is true that there are unique elements a manufacturer must consider when
designing for these applications, it is also true that a company that has successfully
built conventional speakers has the driver/crossover/enclosure expertise to transfer that
into another realm. If a company has a "house" sound you like, you are likely to
find some of these same performance characteristics in their in-wall/in-ceiling models.
B&W makes good loudspeakers. I would bet this holds true for whatever the application.
Which path?
March 3, 2002
I read your most recent review on the Analysis Plus Oval
One interconnects and Clear Oval speaker cables. I was struck by a sentence in your
introductory paragraph: "As with most things, though, the truth likely lies somewhere
between the extremes." Thus, may I suggest that the path to the truth is to avoid the
two extremes?
Best regards,
Vance Chiang
There is a lot of wisdom in your observation, and it
does have a lot of relevance to a good audio system. I think achieving balance in a system
is accomplished from minimizing weaknesses, possibly a more satisfying result than would
be achieved by chasing a singular goal, especially when that goal comes at the expense of
another important area. It's why we try to put things into perspective, which is seldom
done in the audio world.
|
