willland

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?dgtlconv&1281904407&/Cambridge-Audio-DAC-Magic-usb- http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?dgtlconv&1282753096&/Cambridge-Audio-dacmagic--usb/ Bill

Use your PS3 as a digital transport and hook that DacMagic up with a digital rca cable and you should notice an immediate difference in sound quality. The DAC's(twin Wolfson WM8740's) in the Cambridge are far superior to either the PS3, your Marantz or your Pioneer. JMO. Bill

I am not an electrical or electronic engineer but I do know that a high current amp has a much easier time driving low impedence speakers, and handling the peaks and demands of music and HT. This may explain better explain things. B & K Components, Ltd. 2100 Old Union Road • Buffalo, New York 14227 • 716-656-0026 • Fax: 716-656-1291 email: info@bkcomp.com www.bkcomp.com July 30, 2004 Question: “What is a ‘high-current’ amplifier and why is it better?” A “high-current” amplifier is capable of delivering power into low impedance loads (speakers) without going into protection and/or shutting down. Ideally, an amplifier’s output power would double every time the load presented at its output is halved. For example, an “ideal” amplifier rated 250 Watts @ 8 Ohms would deliver 500 Watts @ 4 Ohms, noting that the load has halved and the power has doubled. In actuality, a “real-world” high-current amplifier capable of 250 Watts @ 8 Ohms might be delivering about 425 Watts @ 4 Ohms. An easy way to identify a “high-current” amplifier for use with home consumer electronics is to look at what happens to the power rating as the impedance of its load (speakers) drops. The closer the amplifier comes to approaching the “ideal” amplifier scenario, the more current the amplifier is capable of delivering and the better the sound reproduced by the speaker. In a typical amplifier-speaker circuit, voltage and current are delivered to a very complex load consisting of speaker drivers, resistors, inductors, and capacitors. Voltage may be thought of as the potential to do work, and current as what actually flows to do the work. Although basic power may be calculated by the simple multiplication of voltage and current, it is the delivery of the power from the amplifier to the complex speaker load that accounts for why two amplifiers may have the same power rating into identical impedances (speaker loads), but still be significantly different from one another in sound quality. Some of these sound quality differences may include perceived loudness, depth, and clarity. Amplifiers that are designed to operate with high voltage as opposed to high current are typically much better suited to high impedance loads, typically 8 Ohms and higher. Lower current rated amplifiers have been said to sound dynamically limited and “harsh” at high listening levels. High quality “audiophile” speakers can have nominal impedances from 8 – 2 Ohms, and during very dynamic passages in source material can easily dip below 2 Ohms. These super low impedance drops can easily choke a high voltage amplifier with limited power storage capacity. For a high-voltage amplifier, this will likely cause problems and trigger its protection, not to mention the less than nice sound it may produce. A high-current amplifier operates with much less effort and typically does not have any problem with these types of speakers. B & K amplifiers employ a high-current design with large amounts of capacitive power storage. Modern B & K amplifiers can handle nominal impedance of 4 Ohms, as well as dips below 1 Ohm while remaining stable, loud and clear with deep bass and good three-dimensionality. A good example of a “real-world” situation being very close to an “ideal” situation would be our Reference 200.1 mono amplifier. Rated 250 Watts @ 8 Ohms with 150 peak-peak Amps of current, it is quite the powerhouse. When used with a 4 Ohm load the Reference 200.1 kicks out a cool 425 Watts! That’s about as close to perfect as one could expect. So, what’s the bottom line? For use with lower impedance speakers, high-current amplifiers sound louder, cleaner, and provide more depth than their high-voltage counterparts. High-current amplifiers will not shut down when the speaker presents a difficult load due to varying dynamics in source material. I think the only drawback to leaving your amp on is that it will draw current and waste energy. Watch out for the green police. Bill

Alkemyst, I sent you a PM. Bill

Reference 200.2 Power Rating @ 8 ? 225 W Power Rating @ 4 ? 375 W Number of Channels 2 Current (Peak to Peak) 75 Dynamic Head Room 1.2 dB Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) 0.09% Signal to Noise (S/N) 95dB Input Impedance 33.2 kΩ Damping Factor (50Hz) 450 Frequency Response 5 Hz to 45 kHz Slew Rate 14 V / µsec Input Sensitivity (RCA) Unbalanced 1.4 V Input Sensitivity (XLR) Balanced 2.8 V Gain 28.3AV or 28dB AC Line Voltage 120/220/240VDC Level Controls No Binding Post Maximum Wire Gauge 4 AWG Balanced Inputs Yes Control Input 5 - 24 VDC Control Output 10 - 12VDC 200mA Dimensions in Inches (Cutout Dimensions) (Width/Height/Depth) 17 (17 1/8) W 5 13/16 (5 15/16) H 15 3/4 (16 1/2) D Shipping Weight 42 lbs. Max Power Consumption 875 Watts Max Current Draw 9 Amps With these specs, you will have no trouble feeding your RF-7's with plenty of current(75 amps peak to peak). Bill Click image(s) for larger view Brochure

Well for starters, the Elite weighs about 17.5 lbs more. Which usually equates to a larger power supply and transformer. The Elite uses Wolfson WM8740 DAC's which are their top of the line. I believe the overall sound quality and the ability to drive the speakers without any strain or hiccups, the Elite is the right choice. With that in mind, it also comes with a huge premium($$$) over the 1020. If $$$ is not an issue, get the Elite. If $$$ is an issue, there are better choices out there for a little more than the 1020 but a lot less than the Elite. I believe a mid priced Marantz receiver will give him the musicality he wants and plenty of features also. Bill

Usmcsoldriver, Congratulations on your amp purchase. You should/will be pleased with your B&K for a long time. Rock solid build quality with a neutral/warmness that you would have to spend a ton more elsewhere to duplicate. Great price. Bill

Here is a pair of maple RF-7's just a swim across the pond. http://cgi.ebay.com/Klipsch-RF-7-Speakers-Maple-/200493497947?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item2eae57fe5b Victoria/Vancouver Island area is the most beautiful place I have ever visited. My wife and I honeymooned on the island back in October 2001. Bill

Inder19, Welcome to the forum. Nice setup you are trying to piece together. The RT-12d is discontinued from most merchants but I found one used on C-list. Where is your location? If you don't have to have a Klipsch sub, there are many choices out there with the same or better performance for less $$$. HSU, SVS, Velodyne, are a few suggestions that offer good performance/price subs. http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/ele/1823447009.html Also, forum member Jtubbs(Jeff) has a nice Paradigm for sale. http://community.klipsch.com/forums/t/137062.aspx Onkyo's higher end receivers are stuffed full of features and bring it pretty good with the amp section also. I think at first you will be fine but to fully realize the potential of those speakers, you may want to ad a multichannel amp in the future and use the receiver as a pre/pro. Bill

Michael, Is there a delay in powering the amp when you power on the receiver? Wouldn't want to overload with ampage. Bill I

My bad. Either one of your two choices are your best bet from Newegg. I have had Onkyo's and find them to be very reliable, great HT, good for music, very user friendly. I have no personal experience with Yamaha but Youthman loves his RX-V1800 and Clermontcop loves his RX-V2700. For what it is worth, clermontcop likes his Yamaha RX-V2700 better than the Onkyo TX-SR806 he had before. I do not think the non-elite Pioneer receivers are on the same level as the Onkyo or Yamaha you are considering. Bill

Zippty2001, What is your budget? I take it that you want a very musical receiver. I just moved my Onkyo TX-SR705 to my bedroom because I found a NAD T-773 which is a more musical receiver. Very neutral/warmish with plenty of low end slam and great detail. Marantz receivers also can be described that way. For the price of the Yamaha or the Onkyo(which by the way are great also) you could get one of these: http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/MARSR8002/Marantz/Sr8002-Receiver-Thx-125w-X-7ch-Hdmi-Home-Theater-Surround/1.html The 8002 is the current Marantz flagship receiver which the msrp is $2000.00. http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/MARSR7002A/Marantz/Sr7002-Receiver-Thx-110w-X-7ch-Hdmi-Home-Theater-Surround/1.html They also sell the Onkyo TX-SR807 for a great price if these are too much. Bill

Omero, Welcome Italian brother, welcome. Your English is much better than my Italian and most of the members Italian. There are many skilled and technically inclined members on the forum who should offer good advice. The Heresy's are great aren't they? Bill

Miamijay, I don't know if you reside in Miami, FL but here is an ad for a great HT receiver for a good price. http://orlando.craigslist.org/ele/1828929610.html If you want me to check it out for you send me a PM. Bill

Ravi, Your Yamaha RX-V3900 will work just fine. I don't think the Reference IV speakers are bright at all. Not what would be considered warm but more neutral with lots of detail for two way speakers. Forum member Youthman has the RX-V1800 and is very pleased with it matched up to his RF-83 system. Bill

Reluctant PM sent. Bill

Ravinathan, Welcome to the forum. First is either one of the setups in your $$$ budget? If $$$ is not an issue, I think the choice #2 is your best bet. Your room is pretty large and the RF-62 system will not fill the room the way #2 and #3 will. The RSW-10d is a great sounding more compact sub that is very musical and does well for HT. I have the RSW-10d in a 16' x 32' room(kitchen/FR) and it does not struggle to keep up. One day I might add another sub just for more impact. Again if $$$ is not a problem, consider getting the RC-64 center channel instead of the RC-62. With such a large room you don't want your guests saying "What did they say?" "Back up I did not hear that." Good luck, Bill

Those seem like good choices. Slim line HT receivers are few and far between. What is your budget? Cambridge Audio has a well reviewwd HT receiver that comes in under 6 inches high. http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/specifications.php?PID=493&Title=Specifications Bill

Yes, The SR5004/6004 receivers will do all that you are asking. The PM8003 may have a slightly better 2 channel preamp section but your options would be limited. Bill

Steve, Got this from the Marantz website: "In the PM8003, even the pre-out/main-in terminals serve an additional purpose. A convenient front panel switch optimizes the main-in terminals for use with a separate surround processor and disables the PM8003’s front panel controls (input selection, volume, balance, etc.). Another three-second push on the Power Amp Direct button restores the PM8003 to normal stereo operation." You could still get the PM8003 and find an outboard surround processor to matrix from 2 channel to multichannel. Just a thought if your heart is dead set on the PM8003. http://us.marantz.com/Products/2570.asp You might just want to purchase the Marantz SR5004(or any other up the line) receiver which has 90w/channel and is capable from the start to grow with your systems growth. The Marantz home theater receivers have very good preamp sections for 2 channel playback. In the long run this way will be lighter on the wallet. Bill

I have the RF-63's and I think they are the best thing since sliced bread. With that said, the RF-83's are better, marginally though, but better. I say sell the RS-7 and get the RC-64, or save for it. Or maybe get another RS-7 and move to surrounds. Bill

Michael, I am truly sorry for your loss. You will blame yourself for a while but eventually the feeling of guilt will be replaced with the joy of knowing that your cat was well loved and did not want for anything. You gave Gypsy a good life and in return she gave you bounds of joy and comfort. Bill

Getty Lee can't quite hit the high notes but can still pound the bass. Alex Lifeson is as good as ever. Neil Peart, one word, master. Pick up Rush:Snakes and Arrows on bluray as a tuneup before you go. Excellant concert disc. Bill

As a teen in the late 70's and early 80's, Kansas,Styx,Journey,Foreigner, and REO Speedwagon(in that order), were by far my favorite bands. Steve Walsh in his prime was in total command of his vocals but overextending and hard living has destroyed his voice. Okay maybe not destroyed but has severly affected the quality. All these bands were really known for their lead singers with Steve Perry probably topping that list. It is nice to see most of the members of these groups involved somehow but really would kill to see Journey with Perry belting it out. Bill

The specs on the website indicate the riser will hold a TV up to 120 pounds. I am sure the legs are secured properly to do so. Bill