keepinitcool

I would say that the technology allows better source material and the ability to improve the signal quality of older recordings. Newer recordings use better equipment. However, most newer mixing, especially pop, rock, hip-hop use a lot of compression. If you listen at moderate to lower levels then this will sound fuller and louder, but it loses dynamics. An old Eagles CD will have a lot more dynamics than some like Interpol (which I recall looked like square waves on one song). But it will sound soft if not listened to at higher SPL. I don't know that many people listen at levels that are very dynamic. Probably around 90 and higher peaks, which is fairly high. This is where you will notice most the dynamics from soft to loud in a song. Some people have commented that the lastest Rush CDs have not sounded that good, apparently they used a fair amount of processing and compression, perhaps not in the best way.

There are some receivers, and probably some amps that limit current during operation. This is to protect the devices used in the amp, or meet some safety criteria, so for example a 100W per channel 8 ohm receiver may only output 100W at 4 ohm also, even though it's supposed to provide more power. In reference to these type of products, non-limiting amps are "high current."

There is a free program called Xlobby that is a similar type program to mainlobby/musiclobby, but free. Of course that means it has limitations, but you can play around with it to see how these computer based things are like. I've used it on a 8" touchscreen to look through CD cover art and start the music playing. I actually think the Windows Media XP system is nice, though I'm not sure if it supports FLAC (probably lossless WMA though).

I've always heard the name Escient Fireball come up for music server. It claims to support FLAC. The computer HTPC method would be less expensive. You could run it wirelessly from a Nevo remote or similar device. Or just a basic remote and a wired touchscreen. Something like Alienware's unit would fit. Although I personally prefer black. http://www.alienware.com/product_detail_pages/DHS_2/dhs_2_features.aspx?SysCode=PC-DHS2&SubCode=SKU-DEFAULT

Depends. Is there any warranty (transferrable?) or is it going to be as is. Outlaw has a pretty long warranty transferrable. Also, the most important thing is how will it sound, which you can't tell without trying it, unfortunately.

A lot of the time the theaters don't want to spend much money on the equipment so not all of them will put in the better equipment. This theater has one of the first 10.2 Klipsch systems in it with newly upgraded amps. http://www.malco.com/index.php?page=cinema_info&this_id=81

QSC is talking about the power supply. It is a switching power supply, so it works by turning on and off at various rates. Because the operating is functioning at on or off settings it could be considered "digital," but I believe they are referring to the fact that the power supply switching is controlled by digital logic. You computer power supply is also a switching power supply, it's just a lot more simple and cheaper because the market wants something simple that works and doesn't need computer control. Tripath class T is the Tripath version of class D.

I don't think there is anything wrong with blind tests. I have a "professional" ABX test box and have used it on a few amp comparisons. I was able to determine within reasonable percentage the difference between some amps, and on one comparison not so able to tell the difference in the testing. However, it is all about the setup, procedure, and the test subjects. Each person hears differently, so there is no way to say what one person hears will apply to the other person. It's like the last time I went to buy shoes, the salesperson will never know how the shoes feel to me. For fairly similar electronics, like amps of similar build and design, I would say it takes an experienced listener to tell the differences between some devices.

The Crown K series is popular for this type of application. High power and no fan. You'll have to be lucky to get in your price range, but it might be possible.

Yeah, some companies are able to do trade in upgrades and such. Klipsch might be too big for that, but it's a nice thing. The fact that they like to support users with a forum and factory visits is nice. What other audio companies do this? These are the sort of things that get people more interested.

I picked up a Carver Dominator 12" which is a sealed box design from Audio Advisor. But they are hard to get, I think I got their last demo for about $500 shipped. Onecall.com has some of the other sizes. I don't have any time or means to test them out though, but I do find it tight.

I got a Carver Dominator, and it has no ports or passives, so I guess it's acoustic suspension. It is tight and fast. Haven't really tested it, but not as boomy as the Klipsh sub I have.

There are a few ways the balanced XLR connections are used. For pro applications it is to reject noise on long runs, and the connectors are better quality and connect better. However, if you look, you will find some products that are fully balanced. Amplifiers that are fully balanced take the two hot pins and amplify both signals and have a differential output. So both speaker terminals are hot, they are just inverse of each other. Other products just convert the unbalanced to balanced as it goes out the XLR jack, or convert the balanced signal to unbalanced as it comes in the XLR jack. There is supposed to be a 6db gain in unbalanced versus balanced, since the balanced contains two signals of the same magnitude versus one signal for the unbalanced.

I've seen some dealer pricing on these, and I suspect they are still making money at this sale price. Though it seems like a good deal.

I came across these articles on the web that are along the same lines. Sorry if these have been mentioned before, if not they are a good read. I think these are OCR so the text isn't always right. http://www.audioimport.nl/heritage/reviewsHERITAGE/