[net.audio] audio questionnaire

rob@hhb.UUCP (Robert R Stegmann) (08/21/84)

[this space for rent]

Hello, Netland!

I have recently become interested in aquiring more
discriminating tastes in audio equipment, and I was hoping
the readers of net.audio would be able to assist.

I have prepared a generalized questionnaire (see
below) to aid in organizing my thoughts.  Replies are
hereby solicited, and any succinct enlargements upon the
basic ideas are encouraged.

If there is enough interest, I will post a summary
of the results eventually.

My questions (first easy ones, then harder ones):

As I understand it, a home audio playback system consists
basically of the three components:
	source -> amplifier -> speakers
where the sources currently in vogue include:
	phonograph, cassette, radio tuner, and CD player.

Of course, phonos can be direct or belt drive, straight or curved
arm or linear tracking, and cartridges can be moving magnets,
electret, etc.  What about separates vs an integrated amp or a
receiver?  What about (gasp) equalizers and ambience generators
or `sonic holography'?  How about metal tape and dbx?  What companies
make the best of each component?

Basically, I am interested in obtaining a list of criteria
(both technical and subjective) for each component, and
actual value ranges for each criterion, corresponding to
the 5 categories:
	junk - `this spec is so bad, never buy this'
	budget - `ok for high school people with summer jobs'
	good - `quality, good sound, reasonable price'
	exceptional - `more bucks, audiophile sound'
	state-of-the-art (sota) - `big bucks, nitpicky sound'

An example of the format would be (bear in mind I don't know if the
value ranges given are meaningful):

------------------------------------
component: power amp
	technical criteria:		junk	budget	good	excep	sota
		wattage/channel rms:	5	35	75	200	1200
		THD:			90%	1.0%	.5%	.1%	0.003%
		weight:			300lbs.	20lbs.	18lbs.	16lbs.	10oz.
		.
		.
		.
	subjective criteria:
		dynamic range - lower lows and higher highs
		spatial imaging - original positions apparent
		instrument definition - cymbals and snare drums distinct
		.
		.
		.
	notable manufacturers/models/~prices:
		yamaha/b6/500
		carver/1.5t/1000
		.
		.
		.
------------------------------------
in general:

component
	tech criteria	junk	budget	good	excep	sota
		name		values ...
	subj criteria
		name - what to listen for
	models
		manufacturer/model/price


You get the idea.  Don't go to too much trouble, but I would appreciate
any replies.  I'm confused by all the numbers on the typical
spec sheet, and I'd like to make some sense out of them.  Other people
here have expressed interest, and perhaps there are other readers
who could benefit from some expert advice.	

Thanks for your time.
Please mail replies to me at:

{decvax,ihnp4,allegra}!philabs!hhb!rob