Why Stop?
Audio toys are to be enjoyed, they are not masters to be served. A notion to the contrary is preposterous, so long as no harm is being inflicted on others by one's pursuit of acoustical nirvana. WHG
Audio toys are to be enjoyed, they are not masters to be served. A notion to the contrary is preposterous, so long as no harm is being inflicted on others by one's pursuit of acoustical nirvana. WHG
i gave much too much weight and importance to audio for a period of time.
I never became addicted, but i know of cases...... The problem is when you are never satisfied with what you hear, and want always more, and rather than enjoy what you have, you keep dreaming about what you don't have, and what you think should change to get fullfillment and joy.
I consider it insane to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars for audio anyway. Of course, anyone can do with the money what pleases.... but
just saying....
I never became addicted, but i know of cases...... The problem is when you are never satisfied with what you hear, and want always more, and rather than enjoy what you have, you keep dreaming about what you don't have, and what you think should change to get fullfillment and joy.
I consider it insane to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars for audio anyway. Of course, anyone can do with the money what pleases.... but
just saying....
Persuit of Perfection
is like any other notion of optimality, its asymptotic; i.e., it can be approached but never achieved. The only insanity here would be not understanding that concept and doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome. There is nothing wrong with a well funded, inquiring mind. And to suggest that insanity is a prerequisite to the inquiry, due to funding level, remains a preposterous assertion. WHG
is like any other notion of optimality, its asymptotic; i.e., it can be approached but never achieved. The only insanity here would be not understanding that concept and doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome. There is nothing wrong with a well funded, inquiring mind. And to suggest that insanity is a prerequisite to the inquiry, due to funding level, remains a preposterous assertion. WHG
I'm totally happy with my current setup. I'm not looking for more anymore.
Yes, it took more than a year, but I got what I looked for.
Every time I switch on my system, I can't believe to my ears. I'm really happy with sound I got. So, your assumption that this road is endless is false.
During last months I only experiment with vinyl, because I got a lot of music I love on vinyl and want to get maximum from it!
Yes, it took more than a year, but I got what I looked for.
Every time I switch on my system, I can't believe to my ears. I'm really happy with sound I got. So, your assumption that this road is endless is false.
During last months I only experiment with vinyl, because I got a lot of music I love on vinyl and want to get maximum from it!
There is always room for improvement,
but the fact you choose not to pursue it does not make my statement false.
Your point of diminishing returns for the moment has been reached. Good for you! Nevertheless, I suspect as new technologies emerge in the future you will be trying them out. I find that use of a second Velodyne unit (mine are HGS18s) significantly improves low bass response while mitigating the effects of room modes. I suspect keeping the speech range intact as you have with the use if the AERs has a lot to do with the level of satisfaction you are enjoying at the moment. WHG
but the fact you choose not to pursue it does not make my statement false.
Your point of diminishing returns for the moment has been reached. Good for you! Nevertheless, I suspect as new technologies emerge in the future you will be trying them out. I find that use of a second Velodyne unit (mine are HGS18s) significantly improves low bass response while mitigating the effects of room modes. I suspect keeping the speech range intact as you have with the use if the AERs has a lot to do with the level of satisfaction you are enjoying at the moment. WHG
Quite the thread you inspired, SM! I just happened to bump into it.
I share your affinity for horns, but I think I read enough to realize my approach may be quite different. My angle is to use equipment that is as 'affordable' as possible, and that makes my entire source/preamp level digital, and my physical DSPs desktops and soundcards. With many remarkably inexpensive (or even free) apps available, the computers become bastions of FIR filters that not only have linear phase but also remarkably steep slopes. That enables me to, e.g., run a set of EV/University Cobreflex horns ($150 each) with Atlas PD-5VH drivers (again $150 each) very effectively from 280hz to 2400hz (much higher if desired; no lower). The output sounds and scopes beautifully through the range. Amplitude variations, which are few, can easily be smoothed with the FIRs if necessary. I cross them over at 66db (low) and 90db (high). I never used a DSP until a couple of years ago; now I use nothing else.
For bass (70hz-280hz), alas, I have no horns (yet) but use Altec 421a's and impart hornlike dynamics via software expanders. It is very effective. The system is ultimately 4-way.
The drivers are so efficient that I can use small class D (or "T", with higher (better) switching frequencies) amplifiers and never worry about audible distortion or lack of headroom.
The point is that I'm never satisfied because I don't want to be. Music and DIY both give me enjoyment, and the flexibility in trying different approaches with this setup philosophy is almost infinite. I can indulge my engineering urges while always having superb musical reproduction (typically a free stream of recent BSO recordings) to help me think of new ways to experiment. For me, that's the best of both worlds.
I confess to spending some time also on such things as tone burst tests (how I fine-tune my delays for driver phasing), along with other rather unpleasing sounds.
But to each his own, and more power to you. Your setup must sound very good!
I share your affinity for horns, but I think I read enough to realize my approach may be quite different. My angle is to use equipment that is as 'affordable' as possible, and that makes my entire source/preamp level digital, and my physical DSPs desktops and soundcards. With many remarkably inexpensive (or even free) apps available, the computers become bastions of FIR filters that not only have linear phase but also remarkably steep slopes. That enables me to, e.g., run a set of EV/University Cobreflex horns ($150 each) with Atlas PD-5VH drivers (again $150 each) very effectively from 280hz to 2400hz (much higher if desired; no lower). The output sounds and scopes beautifully through the range. Amplitude variations, which are few, can easily be smoothed with the FIRs if necessary. I cross them over at 66db (low) and 90db (high). I never used a DSP until a couple of years ago; now I use nothing else.
For bass (70hz-280hz), alas, I have no horns (yet) but use Altec 421a's and impart hornlike dynamics via software expanders. It is very effective. The system is ultimately 4-way.
The drivers are so efficient that I can use small class D (or "T", with higher (better) switching frequencies) amplifiers and never worry about audible distortion or lack of headroom.
The point is that I'm never satisfied because I don't want to be. Music and DIY both give me enjoyment, and the flexibility in trying different approaches with this setup philosophy is almost infinite. I can indulge my engineering urges while always having superb musical reproduction (typically a free stream of recent BSO recordings) to help me think of new ways to experiment. For me, that's the best of both worlds.
I confess to spending some time also on such things as tone burst tests (how I fine-tune my delays for driver phasing), along with other rather unpleasing sounds.
But to each his own, and more power to you. Your setup must sound very good!
Hi I really interest
AER bd 3 vs bd4 cmpair .
Plan to build BD design open baffle oris horn 150 withBD 3.
Best
Nice...Atlas PD-5VH was my first compression driver
For low mid it is really good! I also had an idea to implement much more affordable setup "for friends", but after AER I can't commit for less.
I'm doing crazy experiment now with my vinyl setup!
After evaluation of different RIAA preamps, I came to an idea not to use active RIAA preamp, but to reconfigure crossover and all amp's volume levels to get anti-RIAA frequency response of my acoustic system!
First experiment shows that quality of sound increases dramatically!!!
After evaluation of different RIAA preamps, I came to an idea not to use active RIAA preamp, but to reconfigure crossover and all amp's volume levels to get anti-RIAA frequency response of my acoustic system!
First experiment shows that quality of sound increases dramatically!!!
Last edited:
After all I've finished with experiments to adjust frequency response curve to RIAA.
The problem is that HF is too high level and amplifier starts clipping.
So, I'm back to conventional RIAA preamp.
Now going to choose the best one!
Some comparisons are coming soon!
And I got Lyra Atlas cartridge! Very impressive sound! Much much better that any other Lyra.
Typical Lyra is too bright sounding...kind of hi-fi...Atlas is different! It is full of body and texture and resolution is further greater!
So, now I have 3 from top and my favorite is topmost!
The problem is that HF is too high level and amplifier starts clipping.
So, I'm back to conventional RIAA preamp.
Now going to choose the best one!
Some comparisons are coming soon!
And I got Lyra Atlas cartridge! Very impressive sound! Much much better that any other Lyra.
Typical Lyra is too bright sounding...kind of hi-fi...Atlas is different! It is full of body and texture and resolution is further greater!
So, now I have 3 from top and my favorite is topmost!
I was lucky to get AER Jazz for audition at my home.
This is incredible! One driver in box sounded almost like my 4-way horn system! Just a bit less scale, but the whole range is full of everything!
Listen to it:
https://youtu.be/g83vBKoecLQ
https://youtu.be/ltHYSAZHbHE
This is incredible! One driver in box sounded almost like my 4-way horn system! Just a bit less scale, but the whole range is full of everything!
Listen to it:
https://youtu.be/g83vBKoecLQ
https://youtu.be/ltHYSAZHbHE
What about using all drivers at once? I bet the AER can fill in where the crossover points messes thing up. I will eventually try this but with an electrostatic panel. Also, I use two ported JBL woofers as midrange after trying JBL woofers in a horn. I would prefer to use all configurations at once.
Interesting thread and I can see why Romy was not "excited" about the process. His is very well documented and not for everybody.
I am happy that Murata and Angelo both have found bliss. That is all that counts. My experiments lead me away from any AMT driver and AER/Feastrex/Fostex Rullit "full range" drivers. I understand why some are attracted.
I am happy that Murata and Angelo both have found bliss. That is all that counts. My experiments lead me away from any AMT driver and AER/Feastrex/Fostex Rullit "full range" drivers. I understand why some are attracted.
Just read the thread from start to finish, with an interesting side tour of Romy the Cat's website.
Interesting journey you have taken over the past year or so. The horn loaded AER was a surprising turn of events, but one that makes sense if you like the results.
The floor firing photo you posted in the thread looks interesting. I am in planning process of a new build and am intrigued. How high can you crossover a down firing bass horn? I am looking at building a 223 Hz tractrix horn (300 Hz XO) and am struggling with the bass from 80 to 300 Hz.
Interesting journey you have taken over the past year or so. The horn loaded AER was a surprising turn of events, but one that makes sense if you like the results.
The floor firing photo you posted in the thread looks interesting. I am in planning process of a new build and am intrigued. How high can you crossover a down firing bass horn? I am looking at building a 223 Hz tractrix horn (300 Hz XO) and am struggling with the bass from 80 to 300 Hz.