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