Letters - August 2006
Transport noise
August 23, 2006
To Randall Smith,
I’m sorry to intrude on you, but I just
read a review
of yours of the Onkyo DV-SP502 DVD player (March 2006) and I was hoping to get your
opinion on something. I also have a Denon DVD-2910 and during audio playback -- when
silence is as important as sound -- I find the transport noise very loud. I was wondering
if you found the same thing. I used to have a Denon DVD-1920 DVD player and when it played
it had a definite "tweedling" sound from the transport. I upgraded to a '2910
and, while quieter, the noise is definitely there. When I play my Miles Davis Sketches
of Spain SACD, which starts with a very quiet lead-in, the transport is all I can hear
for a while. The sound is so annoying that I have been looking for another DVD-A/SACD
universal player -- with a quieter transport -- just for the audio side of my life.
I’d keep the 2910 for the video.
I sit in a 16’ x 10’ room, about 11’ from
the player. The room is fairly live but has pretty good acoustics. I would be interested
in your comment on noise from the '2910 (and the SP502) or for any recommendation for
another universal player with a quiet transport in the sub-$1000 range.
Ken
To answer your first question, no I have never noticed
the transport noise you are speaking of. In fact, I have never noticed such a noise with
any source player I have owned or reviewed other than the new Toshiba HD-AX1 player. The
noise of that machine comes from the cooling fan, and I only notice it when the player is
starting up. Once the disc is loaded, I simply do not notice it.
To answer your second question, I have since given up on
universal players. With no new music being released in the DVD-Audio or SACD formats, at
least that interests me, I bought the Toshiba HD player to serve my two-channel and video
needs. I was very happy with my '2910; it was a big improvement from the Pioneer universal
player that I owned before its purchase. For the money, it is the best universal player I
have owned. Perhaps you have the hearing of a cat, or perhaps there is a problem with your
'2910. Here is a link to a long list of source players that have been reviewed by our
writers over the last ten years. In the end, you may be able to buy a superior universal
player for less on the used market. But be careful!...Randall Smith
Choosing a receiver
August 9, 2006
To Randall Smith,
I am installing a new home-audio/theater system and have
chosen all of my products with the exception of the receiver. I am using Artison LCRs,
Sonance Symphony in-ceiling speakers, a Martin Logan Dynamo subwoofer, a Sony ES DVD
player and a Universal MX 950 remote. I am not an audiophile by any means, but I’m
definitely looking for something nice. In the sub-$1000 range my dealer is pushing the
Integra DTR 4.6 or 5.6, but the Pioneer Elite VSX-80TXV and VSX-81TXV seem to provide more
bang for the buck. They sell Marantz too, but for some reason they aren’t pushing
those models. I am using Sonance speakers in other rooms too, but those will be powered by
my old NAD 2600 amplifier, which still works great. Any advice or suggestion concerning
the receivers would be most appreciated as it can be difficult to get unbiased advice from
dealers sometimes.
Scott Govenar
Sometimes it is tough to get a good unbiased opinion
from a dealer. Do they have your best interest in mind or are they trying to sell a
product that has been in stock for too long? You never know their motives, and that is why
it is important to research the products they sell before you step into the store. Just
the other day I caught the owner of one of the bigger audio stores in town trying to feed
me a line of bull. He doesn’t know what I do, so I simply corrected everything he
said and then took my business somewhere else.
To get to the point of your question, the first feature
I looked for when researching the four receivers you listed was the video connections.
With high-def DVD formats battling it out as we speak, the focus of new products over the
next year or so will be on home-theater video rather than audio. Both the Pioneer Elite
receivers have HDMI connections: two in and one out. Make no mistake, HDMI will become the
norm and almost every TV will have that connection. The power of the Pioneer’s
amplifier section is also rated higher than the Integra's, so that is a plus. So, if I
were making the choice, I would choose from one of the Pioneer Elite receivers. From
there, you will have to decide if the extra features of the VSX-81TXV are worth the extra
$300 bucks….Randall Smith
Upgrade time?
August 2, 2006
Editor,
I am currently using a Lexicon DC1 processor (Pro Logic
only); Audio Design Associate PTM650 50W amp; and B&W 703 (front), HTM (center), and
B&W 603 (rear) speakers. I am considering an upgrade to my surround-sound processor
and amp. There are a few that I have considered: Krell Showcase processor, Arcam AVP700
and P1000.
I am not sure whether these processors and amps will sound
significantly better than my current Lexicon and ADA. I know for sure I will get better
sound effects for home theater, but I am not too sure about music. I use 90% for music and
10% for home theater. I would appreciate very much for your advice.
Ian Goh
An upgrade of the internal DACs within your processor
will yield sonic improvements with your music collection. Something like the Anthem
Statement D2 and the matching amplifier would no doubt be an upgrade. The D2 has
cutting-edge DACs and the P or A-series amps offer more power and more robust construction
than your ADA. I also think that switching to balanced connections would be beneficial.
The Anthem products, as well as the Krells, would allow you to make that move. And
you’ve hit the nail on the head with respect to better home-theater processing. The
latest DTS and Dolby Digital formats are miles better than what you have now. Across the
board, I think an upgrade is a wise idea….Jeff Fritz |
