Letters to the Editor - February
2002
February 22, 2002
Editor,
I am struggling to set up my home-theater system for the
best bass response. I have a MTX ps12 sub that seems to have two line-level inputs. My JVC
mid-line receiver has just one line-level sub output. What is the best way to hook this
up? Split the output to both sub inputs? Use only one? Just leave it as it is? Thank you.
Scott Annette
Use the LFE line-level output from the receiver to one
of the sub's inputs. The two inputs would be used if you were summing the stereo outs
(preamp outputs). Using the LFE output enables the correct channel to be routed to the
subwoofer, and likely some processing modes where it can be utilized for music playback
too....Jeff Fritz
February 21, 2002
To Doug Blackburn,
Great article on the Onkyo TX-DS989 upgrade! I have the
Integra DTR-9.1 and I am planning on purchasing the upgrade software. Therefore I am very
pleased to hear how smoothly everything went. I was actually going to e-mail Integra with
a question I had, but you have answered it for me! I was wondering if/when I did the
upgrade, will it show up on the display. For example, instead of reading Pro Logic, will
it read Pro Logic II? When I am playing the DTS track of a disc and engage the THX
surround EX processing, will it read DTS-ES or still THX surround EX? If I am playing a
DTS-Discrete-encoded disc ( I believe there is still only two or three ) will it read
DTS-Discrete; Neo6, etc.? I look forward to next month's article on the performance.
Thanks for your time.
Dave Best
I just packed the TX-DS989 up to be returned, but as I
recall the display changes. You see Pro Logic II Music or Pro Logic II Movie in the
display. You can't select THX Surround EX while listening to the DTS soundtrack. If you
want center surround with DTS, the upgrade gives you both DTS-ES Matrix (already there)
and DTS-ES Discrete (added). DTS-ES Matrix is the same thing as THX Surround EX, only for
DTS soundtracks. You have to pick THX Surround EX or DTS-ES at the DVD player; whichever
bitstream you select, the receiver will present only the available options to you. For
example, if you play a THX Surround EX track on the DVD player, you can't pick DTS on the
receiver -- it just isn't available to be selected.
Yes, the display will read DTS-ES Discrete for 6.1
discrete discs. When you play stereo sources, DTSNeo6 will be one of the mode choices, and
once in Neo6, you can toggle between Music or Cinema -- so you get more than just DTSNeo6
in the display....Doug Blackburn
February 20, 2002
To Wes Marshall,
I wanted to write you and thank you for your help again. I
let the Bohlender Graebener Radia speakers burn-in for another 100 hours or so and they
really opened up. Messing around with switching my components helped out a lot too. Great review,
by the way.
Phil Cambio
February 19, 2002
Editor,
I was wondering how you think that the Krell HTS2 would
mate with my current Theta Dreadnaught driving my B&W Nautilus 805s(4) and Nautilus
HTM2. Also, what benefits are there to be had by connecting these two pieces via the
balanced inputs/outputs? What cables do you recommend for this pair. My speaker cable is
currently MIT T2 biwired.
Thanks,
Chris Fitzgerald
Krell is shipping the new HTS2 7.1 now, which is an
upgrade over the model I reviewed on Home Theater & Sound. I would suspect the
match with a Theta Dreadnaught to be excellent, though I have not actually heard the
combination. Regarding the balanced connections, they generally are able to reject noise
better than their RCA counterparts, especially with longer runs of cable. As well, if the
amplifier is truly a balanced design, there may be some inherent advantages to having it
driven with balanced cables. Check with Theta on this. I am typically inclined to choose
interconnects/speaker cables from the same manufacturer, so I would recommend looking at
the MIT brand first....Jeff Fritz
February 18, 2002
I just read your
review on the Anthem AVM 20. As always, it was a thoughtful and informative piece of
work. I have one issue, however. One of the reasons your site is among the best is that
your reviews give it to us straight and make the tough judgments. Here, however, you
compare the Anthem to a B&K AVR307, which seems a bit unfair. Isn't the better and
more informative comparison to the B&K Reference 30 processor, which you reviewed late
last year and gave a stellar recommendation? I suspect that those of us in the market for
an excellent processor are having the greatest trouble choosing between the Reference 30
and the Anthem -- can you give us the pros and cons of both as they compare to each other?
Thanks.
Doug Franklin
It's great to have such perceptive readers! Regarding
your questions, I did not have the B&K Reference 30 here, as it was reviewed
by John Potis. Therefore, it was not possible for me to make this comparison, even
though it is the most apples-to-apples situation. Now for the tricky part. The B&K
AVR307's processor section is very similar to a Reference 30. I think the 307 represents
such a great deal because at the price, you get a seven-channel amp built in, along with
the excellent processor! Having said that though, the Anthem is just a notch above it,
which is saying a lot....Jeff Fritz
February 16, 2002
Editor,
I noticed a few weeks ago it was
stated on the Home Theater & Sound that a review of the Outlaw 1050 was
coming. For some reason, I thought you were doing the review. Any news on this? Great review on
the Anthem AVM 20! You need to get Outlaw's new 950 preamp/processor in house. Thanks.
Bob McKinnon
Thanks for the kind words. The Outlaw 1050 review will
appear on March 1, and we have a request in for the 950 processor. So stay tuned....Jeff
Fritz
February 15, 2002
To Doug Blackburn
I have two subwoofer outputs on my receiver. I would like
to know if by having two outputs, will the receiver split the LFE signal between the
outputs, or will it be equal signal flow to both subs?
Terence Miller
The two subwoofer outputs have the same signal on them.
That's inconsequential though. You should be using a sound-pressure-level meter ($35 at
Radio Shack) to set the levels of all the speakers and the subwoofers. When you use the
SPL meter, you will set the output to the subwoofer back by 3dB to make up for having two
subwoofers connected -- the SPL meter will show you that you are running 3dB too loud with
two subs set to the same level as one sub.
Unless you have a pretty weak subwoofer, having two LFE
subs is not great value for your dollar. You would get better sound by getting a dedicated
subwoofer to connect to your main speakers (and perhaps the center channel too), so you
can set all of them to "large" and get full-range bass for all of those channels
and have the LFE bass go to the LFE subwoofer....Doug Blackburn
February 14, 2002
Editor,
Seems that every hi-fi store carries the Classé and
B&W range as first recommendations for stereo and home-theater use. I've been to
Barcelona, Scotland, England and New York to a number of shops and I can't seem to escape
the match. Any chance you can offer an objective review of the two as combined and
separate units? Thank you.
Terry Monk
From my experience. Classé and B&W both
offer fine gear at a variety of price ranges. I know they tend to show together at hi-fi
expos and consumer-electronics shows, so it doesn't surprise me that you notice them
populating many of the same dealers. As always, it is advisable to find a good dealer with
a variety of equipment that you can listen to and compare. If you liked what you heard,
they are within your budget, and sold by a dealer that you would like to have earn your
business, I know nothing that would suggest you won't be quite happy with purchasing a
Classé/B&W system....Jeff Fritz
February 11, 2002
Editor,
I have a situation with my Denon receiver and the digital
outputs of my CD player and DVD player. I understand that the digital coaxial cable is a
better way than the digital optical cable to transmit the audio signal from the CD player
or DVD player to the receiver. My Denon receiver has only one (1) digital coaxial input
and three (3) digital optical inputs.
Having only one digital coaxial input in my receiver, what
equipment should I connect to the receiver, the CD player or the DVD player? Is it logical
to think that the output of my CD player is only stereo and the output of my DVD player is
more than stereo? This would mean using the digital optical output from my CD player (more
than sufficient for the type of signal created by the CD player) and using the digital
coaxial input of the receiver for the more complex signal of the DVD player. Thank you.
Miguel Rios
I would be inclined to try your CD player in two
possible configurations. First, you can try the optical output and get a good handle on
the sound quality using this method of connection. It sounds as if you have already done
this. Second, your CD player's DACs may be of sufficient quality to use the analog outputs
(RCA) straight into the receiver's analog inputs. If you use the CD player for two-channel
playback only, this may be the optimum connection method, especially if the receiver has
an "analog direct" mode of operation.
I would also take an honest listen to your DVD player as
a two-channel source, compared with your CD player. If your CD player is older, it may
just be that your DVD player will outperform it anyway. Either way, this will give you a
pretty good handle on which connection method works best....Jeff Fritz
February 6, 2002
To Doug Blackburn,
It looks like you may be the person to answer my question,
if you please. I have the following: Sony XBR-450 TV (with component connections), Replay
TV, Yamaha HTR-5280 receiver (with component), Dish Network Satellite 300, and Apex 7701
DVD player (with component). I would appreciate it if you can tell me how to make the
component video work. Thanks.
Melanie Lewis
Your problem most likely comes from the Yamaha receiver
not switching video from one format to another. You must use all S-video or all component
video -- you cannot mix both kinds of connections. There are some receivers available that
will connect to your monitor using component connections and convert every input
(composite or S-video) to component so you can connect anything to the receiver and have
only one connection to the video monitor. These receivers tend to be the more expensive
models, but eventually, you will see this feature migrate down to lower-cost
models....Doug Blackburn
February 4, 2002
To Wes Marshall,
I don't usually write this sort of letter, but I just want
to commend you on your "Collector's
Corner" article on Apocalypse Now Redux. Like yourself, I have always
greatly enjoyed the former and current version of this movie with a sort of fascination
that doesn't wane with repeated viewings. However, I have never been able to articulate
accurately all the elements that make the movie so compelling. Thank you for finding all
the right words in your very insightful article.
I look forward to reading future articles in
"Collector's Corner."
Sincerely,
Paul Rennie
February 4, 2002
Editor,
I have lived with the Denon AVR-5800 and Definitive
Technology speakers for over a year now. In most reviews (good ones) I've read, I've found
some common points, such as the 80Hz crossover for the sub. A little while ago Denon
announced an $800 upgrade to the receiver. They upgrade one of the boards and in the
process offer some more options, such as a variable crossover frequency and many other
interesting upgrades. Have you taken a look at a AVR-5800 that has been upgraded? I am
toying with the idea, but I have not found enough push to do it. Your input will help.
Thank you and regards.
Kshitsh Soman
I have looked at what Denon offers as an upgrade, and the
list is quite extensive. By going with a hardware upgrade instead of a software upgrade,
they have been able to incorporate some pretty amazing features. In essence, you are
getting a new receiver. The new 32-bit Hammerhead SHARCs, 16 (!) Burr-Brown 24-bit/192kHz
DACs, and enough new features that I can't even begin to list them here. For $800, I can
say with confidence, consumers are getting their money's worth. Denon did take a little
longer to implement the upgrade than some other manufacturers, but they upgraded the
product in a much more comprehensive way too. Although I have not had the newest version
here to try, I'd like to....Jeff Fritz
February 3, 2002
To John Potis,
Thanks for the great review of the ACI Titan II LE! I had just about given up my search for a
sub until I read your review.
I understand a review is about to come out on Von Schweikert's new line of speakers.
I'll be very interested. I've been very happy with his original home-theater system. I can
imagine what his new system is like.
By the way, I greatly enjoy visiting your website. It's the
best online source for home theater there is. Please tell Jeff I said so. Thanks.
Brent Tuthill
February 2, 2002
Editor,
I am planning to have a home-theater setup in my home.
First, I want to buy a DVD player to be used as a source. And sometime later, I would like
to add an A/V receiver and home-theater speakers to complete the home theater. So, my
question is, what does a DVD player need to basically have to become a source for the home
theater? I mean, does the DVD player need to have a Dolby and DTS decoder and 5.1 output,
or is it enough that the DVD player have a digital/optical output so that this is decoded
by the receiver with its decoders? Thank you.
Sumanth Inabathini
The vast majority of home theaters use a DVD player with
a digital output routed directly into a receiver with on-board processing. This makes use
of the receiver's internal processing and DACs. If you have interest in either of the
high-resolution audio formats such as SACD or DVD-A, then you would want to take the
approach of having the decoders built in to the player itself. You could then use the
multichannel analog outputs on the player for Dolby Digital, DTS, and the aforementioned
audio formats. You would simply need a six-channel analog input on your receiver. See this
month's "Cinema Cynergy" for details on this connection method....Jeff Fritz |
