mwb@umcp-cs.UUCP (Michael Blanks) (08/23/84)
I would like to hear from anyone who has a recommendation or opinion on the use of time delay and/or ambience systems with stereo systems. A prototypical unit would be one sold by Koss and available through several discounters for approximately $250. I have also seen a unit made by Sony. 1) Do these systems enhance the feeling of realism? 2) What has your experience been with individual units? Thanks in advance.
fish@ihu1g.UUCP (Bob Fishell) (08/31/84)
I've been using the Advent SoundSpace control, which uses PCM and
RAM storage for the delay effect. The unit is no longer in
production, but a few outfits still make time delay systems, like
the Koss. I haven't heard the Koss myself, but from what I
understand, it could benefit from a better set of speakers than
the ones supplied with the unit.
I use a separate, 20-w/ch amplifier and a pair of EPI-100 speakers
for the rear channels. As Advent recommended that the rear channels
be driven at about -6dB below the primaries, this is pretty well
matched to my 80-w/ch main unit.
The effect you get varies considerably with the type of music
you are listening to. It does a great deal to enhance the
realism of live recordings and classical orchestral recordings,
as well as some studio-produced stuff that ordinarily has an
airy quality (e.g., Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon").
Most delay systems allow for user-variable reverberance and
delay, so you can create many effects to suit your tastes. I
find that I can no longer listen to music without it, as
ordinary stereo sounds rather flat and lifeless without it.
Unfortunately, a good delay system requires a substantial
investment. I guess that's why they never caught on.
--
Bob Fishell
ihnp4!ihu1g!fish