Letters to the Editor - April 2002
Adding Dolby Digital and DTS
April 30, 2002
To Doug Blackburn,
I'm having a problem finding a way to add DTS and Dolby
Digital to my system. I want to keep my front channels but add a center and two rear
speakers. I must be able to use my preamp and all other components from my two-channel
system.
James Johnson
You get a surround-sound processor and three channels of
amplification and three speakers that sound something like your existing speakers, perhaps
a smaller model in the same series.
When you get the surround processor, you connect the output
for the front left channel to the left input on your existing preamp -- use the Video
input if there is one, if not, Tuner or Aux will also work fine. Same thing for the front
right output of the surround processor. Connect the other outputs of the surround
processor to the new amps for the added speakers. You will need to establish a
"reference" volume level on your preamp for video and surround music. It is most
convenient to select a volume setting you often use for your other music listening. If
your preamp has no "steps" to the volume control or no numeric readout you can
reset to easily, you will need to place small tape markers on the front panel to remind
you where to set the volume control for movies or surround music. You will only use the
surround processor to set volume levels when listening to movies or surround music -- the
only way that will work is if you always remember to set the preamp to the same volume
setting each time you sit down for movies or surround music. Failing to do that will mean
the front left and right channels will be too loud or too soft compared to the other
channels.
Once you have made these connections, just treat your
system like any surround-sound system: You have to calibrate the listening level of all
five channels, and that is best done with the $35 Radio Shack sound-pressure-level meter.
There are books and DVDs like the AVIA disc that will walk you through lots of
setup stuff that's quite helpful....Doug Blackburn
Where to buy the PLUS Piano?
April 27, 2002
Editor,
I just had a demo of the PLUS HE-3100 Piano DLP
projector. It looked great in spite of what seemed to be inferior specs. Can you
suggest some websites from which to buy the unit? Thanks.
Randy Leach
You can buy the PLUS Piano directly from the manufacturer. Good luck....Jeff
Fritz
Denon, KEF, and Yamaha?
April 26, 2002
Editor,
I intend to buy a Denon AVR-1802 receiver and speakers from
KEF (Q5/Q1/Q9c) plus a subwoofer (Yamaha YST-SW105). Do you think this is a good choice
for a home-theater system (quality versus price)?
Manuel
They're all reputable manufacturers, and I do know the
Denon is a good piece. Beyond that, it is really difficult to draw any conclusions.
Truthfully, there are so many combinations possible that it is next to impossible to know
how any given system will sound. Sorry we can't be of more help....Jeff Fritz
Bang & Olufsen
April 25, 2002
Editor,
I am not sure if I am barking up the correct proverbial
tree here, but I am trying to get an honest opinion, and from reading your reviews, your
wealth of knowledge in your field of expertise is immense and could provide such a
response, or possibly point me in the direction of the right forest of information.
I have recently ventured into the world of what I would
consider high-end home-theater/listening components (moderate to others, I am sure) and
have been officially stamped with a question mark across my forehead as I am discovering I
have a lot to learn about this hi-fi world. The base of my question lies with one company
that I cannot seem to find any review on -- Bang & Olufsen. So before I throw down
$30,000 and shed a few tears (I am sure both in physical joy and monetary pains) I want to
be clear in my mind with what I am purchasing. Living in a condo does put some parameters
on my listening/viewing pleasure; for example, as much as I like to hear and feel the
bass, I am sure my neighbors don t share the same feelings. Now, is B&O all smoke and
mirrors or are their products worth as much as they ask for them? Otherwise I would listen
to you experts and invest in a component system as outlined in your Reviewers' Choice list -- for
example the B&K products. So to make a long-winded question even longer: Are B&O
products worth the sticker price?
Michael Cormier
The age-old question: Is it worth it? The age-old answer:
I'm not sure, or that depends. Thirty-thousand dollars is a ton of money, and you could
build an incredible system based on some outstanding products. I'm sure you could be quite
happy with the sound/video quality easily attainable at that price point, from a variety
of manufacturers. However, is B&O more than just "performance" to you? Are
you enamored with the look? Do you think it fits your lifestyle perfectly? These are
questions you must ask (and answer!) to determine if the system you are considering is
"worth it." One thing I would recommend is that you pay very close attention to
the performance of the B&O system and compare it with a few others you can audition at
local dealers. If after that you are still leaning towards the B&O system, then I
think you have your answer....Jeff Fritz
Anthem or Krell?
April 22, 2002
Editor,
I had the pleasure of reading your
review of the Anthem AVM 20. It was very informative and has helped me hone down on my
choices for the new HT system I am putting together.
Since you have so much more experience reviewing A/V
equipment than I, I was hoping you would take a few minutes of your time to read the rest
of this e-mail and respond to a few questions I have about the AVM 20 and the associated
equipment utilized in your review.
Where I have been debating is between the Anthem AVM 20 and
the Krell HTS 7.1, along with the Anthem MCA 50 and Krell
TAS. My gut feeling is to go with the Anthem AVM 20 and Krell TAS. I hope you would be
so kind as to answer a question about these pieces. What were your experiences with these
two pieces together? Were these a better, equal, or worse match than the two Anthem
products together?
Joe
I like your thinking Joe. I absolutely loved the Anthem
AVM 20, and consider it a steal in the state-of-the-art processing world. It does so much
right and sounds so good, I can't imagine you not being thrilled with it. I'm also a big
proponent of Krell amplification. The TAS is a monster, and sounds better than any other
multichannel amp I've ever heard. In fact, it sounds better than most amps I've heard,
period. The Anthem/Krell combo is stellar in all respects and would be the combo I'd
choose if I were in your shoes....Jeff Fritz
Upgrade receiver?
April 19, 2002
Editor,
I have been reading your many interesting articles at Home
Theater & Sound. Great site! I currently have a Yamaha A/V receiver, which gives
great sound from DVDs, but it has 20-bit/48kHz chips. Do you think it's worth upgrading to
one of the newer amps that support 24/96? I guess my basic question is do these
differences in the converters play a major part when decoding Dolby Digital 5.1 sound from
DVD video? Many thanks for your response.
Chandan Gurusinghe
There have certainly been advances in the quality of
component parts in receivers. DACs are one area that tremendous progress has been made. So
I'd say that yes, it is worth the upgrade in general. However, without knowing your
system, there is no way to tell if that is the first thing I would change. You may get
more for your money upgrading your speakers, for example, then the receiver later. Look at
the whole picture, and start with the weakest link....Jeff Fritz
Amplifier power for Paradigm speaker system
April 18, 2002
To Roger Kanno,
I just read your September 1999 review of a Paradigm speaker system. The system reviewed consisted of
Paradigm Monitor 9, CC-350, ADP-350 and PW-2200. I have the same system, except for the
ADP-350. I have the Mini Monitors for my rears.
I would like your expert opinion on whether the Carver
AV-705x amp (125W x 5) used in the tests provided adequate power for these speakers. I'm
going to upgrade to separates, and I am trying to decide between amplifier powers of 125W
x 5 and 200W x 5. Would the 200W x 5 be worth the extra money with this speaker system?
Ron Duca
The 125Wpc Carver provided more than enough power for the
Paradigm system under most conditions. The Paradigms are fairly easy to drive and will
also do well with a good receiver of lower power. Keep in mind that power ratings are for
continuous power, and there are other factors such as headroom that determine how much
power an amplifier can provide for short periods of time during peak levels of a recording
-- not to mention the amp's distortion. More power and less distortion are desirable
measurable qualities in an amplifier, but they don t tell you how it will actually sound.
While a 200Wpc amplifier may be able to play louder than a 125Wpc amplifier, it might not
subjectively sound as good to you, which should be the more important
consideration....Roger Kanno
Praise for the Ultimate Outlet
April 12, 2002
To Doug Schneider,
Just a note of thanks for reviewing such a great -- not to mention affordable -- product [PS
Audio's Ultimate Outlet]. I ordered one on the strength of your review, and it did wonders
for my aging Pioneer Elite 60" RPTV. I do need to recalibrate with Video
Essentials, but the improvements were amazing right out of the box. So much
improvement for such a reasonable cost makes it, at least in my opinion, one of the
greatest video upgrades out there.
Brent Tuthill
Matching speakers or upgrade?
April 5, 2002
Editor,
I am just wondering how important it is to have a matching
set of speakers in a home-theater setup. Currently, I have the B&W 602 S2 for the main
front, the B&W CC6 for the center, the B&W ASW1000 sub, and I am using my
12-year-old Wharfedale 2180s (which are still functional) for the surrounds.
I am asking because I have the opportunity to upgrade. I
have talked to my dealer, and I can upgrade my 602 S2 to the new 603 S3 and the CC6 to the
new LCR600. Should I upgrade my 602 S2 or would I be better off replacing my Wharfedales
with 601s for the surrounds? How important is it have all five speakers from the same
family or line? Is the difference sonically noticeable?
Most of the time, the speakers are used in a home-theater
setup, but I do get a chance to listen to some music about 25% of the time. Thanks.
Sanjay
It is advisable to have all of your home-theater
speakers from the same family, or at least chosen so that they are closely matched in
timbre. It's the most sure-fire way to attain seamless surround performance. It may be,
though, that the increase in sound quality you would gain from upgraded main and
center-channel speakers would be greater. I would ask your dealer to borrow a set of 601s
to try in your theater setup. You can then weigh the improvement versus replacing the
front three channels and make the decision based on what you observe to be the most
significant step forward...Jeff Fritz
Polk for review?
April 2, 2002
Editor,
Just wondering if you have a review on the Polk Audio
RM6600 home-theater package? Thanks.
Jim Cassidy
Although we don't have a review of the RM6600 in the
works, we do have the larger DS7200 just around the reviewing corner. Look for it and
other Polk Audio products in our pages over the next few months....Jeff Fritz |
