Just goes to show how nude a pic can be around this here ultra-uptight prude parts, without provoking countermeasures. 
(in BT Part III, Mr C. could divulge in why CTC owners would, or would not, shell out for a Constellation Vega/Altair preamp)
(in BT Part III, Mr C. could divulge in why CTC owners would, or would not, shell out for a Constellation Vega/Altair preamp)
From dictionary.com
"5.to leave out of account; disregard"
As in "I discount 99.9% of what I read here. The rest I hold in obeyance until proven true." 😀
Well, back to work.
First, I want to make a few brief comments about my experiences at CES.
I must agree with many here that Hi End Audio has grown too expensive for the vast majority of audio listeners. Most of the loudspeakers that I thought worthwhile, cost $10,000 to $150,000, with electronics extra. However, some of the 'rooms' sounded pretty darn good, in fact some set-ups were wonderful to listen to.
I found that single ended tube circuits usually sounded best, for whatever reason. No solid state electronics seemed to me to sound as pleasant, and often, as accurate.
Vinyl records were used in most of the 'best' rooms, as well.
Take it or leave it, just my professional opinion. If you weren't there, I don't care to argue why.
First, I want to make a few brief comments about my experiences at CES.
I must agree with many here that Hi End Audio has grown too expensive for the vast majority of audio listeners. Most of the loudspeakers that I thought worthwhile, cost $10,000 to $150,000, with electronics extra. However, some of the 'rooms' sounded pretty darn good, in fact some set-ups were wonderful to listen to.
I found that single ended tube circuits usually sounded best, for whatever reason. No solid state electronics seemed to me to sound as pleasant, and often, as accurate.
Vinyl records were used in most of the 'best' rooms, as well.
Take it or leave it, just my professional opinion. If you weren't there, I don't care to argue why.
I don't think that I can effectively comment further on loudspeaker design, in general. The CES gave examples of a number of design approaches, and if I had to chose from the CES examples, I might well consider horns, as well as direct radiators for a reference system. They were just more 'alive' sounding.
However, for those disposed to listening, I might sum up that while horns can be almost effortless to drive, they are constantly being compromised by path length and horn cut-off phase problems. On the other hand, direct radiators have Doppler distortion in relatively large amounts, by comparison. You have to pick your 'poison'.
For the record, audio 'marketing' works both ways: Sometimes overselling a feature, and sometimes 'forgiving' a flaw. Only you can decide for yourself what is the best trade-off for you and your listening room. I think that this finishes up my attempts to update interested people on loudspeakers.
However, for those disposed to listening, I might sum up that while horns can be almost effortless to drive, they are constantly being compromised by path length and horn cut-off phase problems. On the other hand, direct radiators have Doppler distortion in relatively large amounts, by comparison. You have to pick your 'poison'.
For the record, audio 'marketing' works both ways: Sometimes overselling a feature, and sometimes 'forgiving' a flaw. Only you can decide for yourself what is the best trade-off for you and your listening room. I think that this finishes up my attempts to update interested people on loudspeakers.
I just remove a power entry filter because of an audible hum from the filter itself. (Sounds better to me.)
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We used our own measures to do what the commercial RFI filter does, so we did NOT just let RFI into the power supply. This should be noted, before just removing such filters.
I have sometimes found when a filter makes noise it is because the AC line is very dirty!
I tried a second filter (same make and model) and still a noticeable hum/buzz heard a few inches away with the top cover off.
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"if I had to chose from the CES examples, I might well consider horns, as well as direct radiators for a reference system. They were just more 'alive' sounding."
Reminded you of the Grateful Dead then? I guess if that's your idea of high fidelity, to each his own I suppose. Did it make it to 130 db? Ah, those were the good old days. 😛
At the CES McIntosh had the largest photograph of the Grateful Dead 'Wall of Sound' speaker system in their room, on display, that I have ever seen. I should have ordered one from them. I am rather proud of that effort, compared to what was being made by others at the time, almost 40 years ago. We attempted to minimize both AM and FM distortion, AND do a degree of dispersion control.
Even today, the mix engineer of the GD, misses it, and says that JBL and Meyersound are just 'better' than they used to be.
Even today, the mix engineer of the GD, misses it, and says that JBL and Meyersound are just 'better' than they used to be.
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