Q) How many watts is the JVC RX 550 V?
A) About 40 to 50 watts of average power. The amplifier is infact designed like Adcom or other real HiFi amps. I have sold a lot of JVC product. It is a very reliable era of product, but it is important to get low use time machines so that buttons and switches are nice....Read Full Article
Q) I have a pair of ads 810 series 2 a tweeter went out and I got a replacement. Not the stock 3/4 inch softdome though. Do you have any of those available? And I have a curiosity mabe you wouldnt mind answering this for me.(I know its personal preference) If you had only two choices between a/d/s 810 & Polk audio monitor 10 which would you pick? Kinda like Mustang vs Camaro, apples against oranges.
A) I've owned ADS which I prefer (if they are modified), and bought and sold Polk many times. These typically are just OK speakers. Their design and use of "passive bass" radiator is a cheap way out and not a properly designed speaker....Read Full Article
Q) What is different about the dbx 3bx pro... is it the ds series?
A) DBX expanders are all conceptually the same. User controlled capability of creating more dynamics and lessening the noise floor (of vinyl and tape) by "expanding" the music's dynamic range, leaving the noise floor further down in level. Old 3bx, big knobs and LED's in 2 rack space box, are discreet circuit 3 bands of VCA
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It seems people are constantly asking about modifying machines by changing out op amps. Most recently on a TNE 7000 Noise Reduction unit which we do modify (see Services section) but not by changing out the op amps for more updated, better paper-rated versions. Ironically, "better" op amps will actually work worse in the circuit due to the need for correct DC offset and time phase, delay required at 4 stage all pass filter. In fact, the incorrect op amp running in the circuit will ruin the FET/switch of the high filter operation. What I am changing is the way and how the circuit can switch out the transients more inaudibly. This is done by installing precise calibratin trimmers and more clever filters at the FET switching. Also, a special circuit which gain rides the possible ticks so as not to fool the click suppression. I spent about 6 months picking the circuit apart to reduce the modification to about 8 parts. The modification is $140 plus the cost to return ship. I have done many of these mods and everyone has been impressed with the results. ...Read Full Article
Read Full ArticleThe DBX Sub Harmonic Synthesizer was truly an amazing unit, though they are getting hard to find. I owned one years ago, then used an 'expounder'. Did 4 bands of dynamic EQ as well. Clever auto filter effect and 4 bands of parametric EQ. Now I use a Behringer DEQ-2496 multiband adjustable dynamic EQ, compressor or expander and 5 band digital parametric and 11 band EQ, and real time high sensitivity spectrum analyzer and digital converters the quality of Apogee and image, latency correction and… $300!! I still like analog EQ's, but this Behringer is so accurate, dead quiet, can do tricks like a finalizer, etc. It's hard to look back. No doubt older EQ's have a sound character...Read Full Article
Read Full ArticleI have a love/hate relationship with these Nakamichi models. These units unfortunately suffer in performance with age and use. They use a sophisticated and complicated power supply and computer chip, but the audio circuitry is very basic, standard Japanese design used in many better quality designs like Adcom, Rotel, JVC, Denon, and Yamaha. Some people are under the impression that it's a special class A design or STASIS circuitry....Read Full Article
Read Full ArticleQ) Shielding is crappy. I hear radio all the time. Is there anything I can do to improve this?
A) It's not exactly the shielding. Some studios have troubles, some not. The problem is endemic to most powered monitors due to difficult ground, 120v ground loops and troublesome incorrect balanced cables and other situations between devices....Read Full Article
Many years ago I was asked to review and critique Audio equipment by a popular local music magazine, but they assumed I would say nice things about products obviously because some were their advertisers. It's obvious to see the conflict here. Today with the internet, the average guy or a BSEE fellow can make comments without too much repercussion. It's a curse and a blessing. The average guy has his stubborn prejudices and some brilliant insights too. The engineer type can be a little cold hearted and may have higher standards which most consumer equipment will never match. Now the situation is sometimes well done and apparently simple equipment may not get a fair review by either due to name appeal or design criteria....Read Full Article
Read Full ArticleWow, new cutting edge construction designed ribbon mics are now here. Although the wave of quality, large plate condenser mics has saturated the market and for many recordists who have an open mind, great benefits of cost to performance are welcome. Ribbon mics however will not be easy to make inexpensively and correctly. This is because the design criteria for ribbons are ironically more archaic and tough to build with consistency. It requires more hand assembly and more QC testing....Read Full Article
Read Full ArticleQ) First: I like your web site and I like that it is important to you that you express yourself. When running my own video production biz, once upon a time, I had many of the same feelings about quality and customer relations, etc.. I wish I was the guy who could work with you. I recently puchased a used Odyssey Khatago ampifier. Got a very nice deal. This replaced an Adcom 535. My current Speakers are old (re-edged) Boston Acoustics A-100 series II, and my preamp is a Carver c-1. I am a vinyl fan. With the new amp I hear a wonderful new clarity and presence in my CDs, but I do not consistently hear quite the improvement from the records. So I am questioning the Carver's phono stage. Could the C-1 be the issue?...Read Full Article
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