Letters to the Editor - March 2005
Good value for high resolution
March 30, 2005
Editor,
I just bought the new Beck album Guero, which was
also produced in DVD-Audio. Beck is one of the few modern artists that I listen to who
actually gives the consumer the option of high resolution. He packaged Guero in a
cool way as well -- he included a copy of the CD with the DVD-Audio package. Makes sense
to do that since we all know that CDs are really cheap to produce.
Maybe this sort of packaging could save the high-resolution
formats from dying a quick and horrible death. It was only $6 more for the DVD package,
which includes DVD-Video for people who don't have a DVD-Audio system. It has videos and
bonus songs; many people would pay $6 more for that kind of product.
I just wanted to inform your readers of this release.
Randall
5.1 or 6.1?
March 23, 2005
To Roger Kanno,
I found an old article ("Surround Speaker Confusion -- Part Two Speaker Placement")
regarding surround speaker placement. I am currently setting up my system in my new house,
and I'm wondering if I should set up for 6.1 (although I do not yet own a 6.1 system) or
if 5.1 will take care of me. My room is fairly large, but not huge. It is just a little
longer than it is wide, but it gives a square look.
Will 6.1 provide a significantly better home-theater
experience over 5.1? I have the room for the rear center, but I'm not sure if it's worth
all the trouble. What was your listening experience when you first went from 5.1 to 6.1?
Mike
When I first experimented with Dolby Digital/THX
Surround EX and DTS-ES, I found that the added back surround channel(s) did improve the
imaging behind the listening position and added to the overall home-theater experience.
However, that was only a temporary set up because although I have space behind the
listening position, that is where the dining area is in my home.
Like most people, I have to balance the requirements of
having a home-theater system with actually having to live in the same space. Thus, my
usual system consists of a 5.1-channel setup. If I could, I would choose to have back
surround speakers in my system, but they are just not practical in my current living
space.
If you are going to set up a Surround EX or ES type
system, I would recommend using two back surround speakers instead of one. This will
provide more even dispersion of sound and will allow more flexible speaker-placement
options, including experimenting with THX ASA processing if you have a THX
Ultra2-certified processor or receiver....Roger Kanno
SLS speakers
March 21, 2005
Editor,
After reading Roger
Kanno's great review of the Arcam DiVA AVR300 receiver, all I could think of was what
kind of match it would make for SLS (Superior Line Source) home-theater speakers. Finding
a review of SLS speakers is almost impossible, probably due to the fact that the company
is known primarily for its professional speaker line. But SLS does sell hybrid speakers
(ribbon tweeter and 8" polycone woofer) designed for use in home-theater systems. In
fact, there is a system that looks superb, consisting of five matched two ways and two
12" subs -- the HT1800 system. Any chance that you would consider this system for
review? I'm not sure that the Arcam receiver could do justice to these speakers, but it
sure would be interesting to find out.
I continue to feel that your equipment reviews are some of
the very best out there.
Brent Tuthill
We have not had any contact with SLS but can
certainly inquire with the company about a potential review. SLS speakers do look like
interesting designs. Thanks also for your kind comment about our reviews. We do take pride
in our work....Jeff Fritz
Replacement for Mirage OM-Series Speakers?
March 18, 2005
To Doug Schneider,
I'm very impressed with the Mirage
Omnisat speakers. They are extremely spacious-sounding, but they are too small for my
room. I listened to the Omni series, but I want more. Did you hear if Mirage will be
replacing their OM-series speakers with something based on the Omnisat? Something high
end?
Bruce Jacobson
I know that the Omnisat series has been quite a success
for Mirage. It all started with that speaker, and now Mirage has Nanosats,
the complete Omni series, and even something they call the Omnican, which is an in-ceiling
speaker. They all have Mirage's patented OmniGuide, which works remarkably well.
As for the OM series, I just looked at Mirage's website
and it appears current. I wouldn't be surprised, though, to see Mirage move the OmniGuide
into even higher-priced products given how well it works. Only time will tell....Doug
Schneider
Krell's Theater Throughput
March 2, 2005
To Roger Kanno,
Regarding the Krell KAV-300i integrated amp, you mention
that the amp has a "throughput" function allowing bypassing of the preamp
section. Does this mean I can tap into the two-channel power-amp section of the amp, and
use my own phono preamp that has its own volume control? If so, would you happen to know
what is involved? Is it just a flick of a switch, or will the amp need to be modified?
Zam
Yes, you will be able to use the volume control of your
phono preamp or any other similar device with the Krell KAV-300i's Theater Throughput
mode. Of course, you could do the same thing with any input on any integrated amplifier or
preamplifier; this would just mean that the signal would go through two preamplifier
stages (some manufacturers will state the volume level at which their preamp is set at
unity gain, so that the outgoing signal is at the same level as the incoming signal).
Setting a switch inside the KAV-300i allows one input to
bypass the preamp section and the integrated amp will now function like a power amp when
that input is utilized. Setting the switch in the other position makes that input act just
like any normal input and the signal will then go through the preamp section.
The beauty of this is that not only can you use the
built-in volume control of something like your phono stage, but also "piggy
back" a surround-sound processor or receiver onto your system without affecting the
main channels and the other source components....Roger Kanno |
