VDS
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Posts posted by VDS
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I’ve been using the Celestion’s and find it impossible to get any output above 10khz. I’m using Xilica to drop 800-5000hz down by about 5-10db to get to 10khz, while setting 13khz to +8db. I see a 15khz bump but it’s down another 10-15 dB. Do I really need to attenuate below 5000hz to -20db or more?
measurements are 1meter from horn mouth, mic horizontal aiming right at K402 throat.thanks, Ted
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3 hours ago, babadono said:
T9i has a Speakon for high level (amplifier output) signals and RCA for line level. The Xilica is NOT going to drive the Speakon connector. You must go XLR at Xilica to RCA at the sub.
Unless of course I am missing something. That has happened before in this life
That makes sense.
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2 minutes ago, Chris A said:
I avoid RCA whenever and wherever possible. Neutrik is a manufacturer, and are noted for their XLR and their own unique Speakon connectors. The Speakon connector is most often used for connection to non-powered loudspeakers:
For powered (signal-level) connections, XLR is typically the best to use, since they reject common mode noise (i.e., power-related noise):
This sounds like you've got passive subwoofers--not powered. To answer your question, you can go internally and bypass any passive low-pass or high pass filters, using the filters within the Xilica to limit the signal to your separate subwoofer amplifier.
Generally I wouldn't bypass an active (i.e., on-board amplifier) subwoofer's circuitry, unless you've got issues with those electronics (i.e., failures). I would simply route the signal-level connection from the Xilica to the active subwoofer--using XLR-->XLR connections, if possible.
Chris
I’ve got powered REL’s t9i. Typically I’ve used the speakon to bare wire cable provided by rel to go from amp speaker output to subs speakon input. I think your saying get a xlr to speakon cable?
the subs amp has gain and adjustable filter, I think 40-180hz?i wonder if just setting the filter on max hz level to let Xilica control EQ would work.
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I have a pair of REL subs that I may want to connect through Xilica. I’m wondering about the wire connection, xlr to neutrik? Or xlr to rca, high or low level input ?
can I bypass REL crossover somehow to use Xilica?thanks, Ted
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I hope this hasn’t been covered. I’m wondering how cabinet volume affects bass response in a 402 MEH. Has anyone explored this, either in prototypes of simulations. I’ve never really understood the relationship between cabinet volume and bass response in bass reflex, let alone MEH.
thanks, Ted
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On 6/8/2020 at 4:25 PM, seti said:
I like Syd Floyd not so much the other stuff. Yeah I know he was crazy but my fave...
“Bike” a great song!
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30 minutes ago, PrestonTom said:
have a look at Toole, he is pretty good at simplifying things for a general audience.
I’m looking forward to reading it. I’m interested to learn how to use measurements, mine, Toole’s or anybody’s, to improve my listening experience.
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2 hours ago, PrestonTom said:
VDS, Have you read Toole's book. Some of it is subtle and needs to studied.
What did you think of his overall approach and conclusions?
It is a worthwhile reference but the "what and why" is not easily summarized.
Good luck,
-Tom
I just ordered it. I’m just a big believer in the scientific method. But, as someone said, “machines only measure what they are designed to measure”. Interpreting the data is our job, turning data into valuable information.
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Selling my VRD Stereo amp. Great condition, works perfectly. Ultra linear/Triode operation
Lots of info on this forum about this amp. Lots of love. Selling it as I’m moving to solid state amps.
Comes with many tubes: Gold Lion kt77, new Mullard EL34, Art Valve 350b (with its own rectifier tube), 3 Psvane KT88 (1 blown), many 12au7.
$2200 plus shipping
Thanks, Ted
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On 11/3/2018 at 2:04 PM, PrestonTom said:
If you guys would listen to Chris, you can save yourselves a good amount of money.
Although Toole does not give all the details, he found that listeners (mostly and without going to extreme examples) preferred speakers that had 1) low frequency extension and had a 2) controlled directivity (on-axis and off-axis frequency were comparable). You should also note that Roy also emphasizes the benefits of controlled directivity.
I would suggest doing a Google search on Toole and finding some of his longer youtube videos (especially the presentation at McGill University). He will lay out the overall issues. Keep in mind there are some subtle points that need to be carefully thought about and understood.
Before some of you start bashing Toole, I will say that he was a respected auditory scientist (I know, I used to be in the field).
Good luck, -Tom
The listening vs measurements debate is so oversimplified. As some people here have stated, we should discuss which measurements give us more valuable info than others. Nobody argues wether volume is a credible measurement, or pitch, or excessive room reflections.
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I’ve had my Xilica up and running with my 2 way 402 MEH’s for about 2 weeks.
I was nervous and intimidated at first, not knowing any about software of any sort, wondering if I would be able to adapt to the active XO software.
With some help by @Chris A I got them up and running, then I moved them and changed amps! I had to redo all settings. After a few hours I started to get the hang of basic frequency flattening, after a few more hours I was able to feel confident to reach +-3db. Now a few more hours and I’m getting +-2db. Obviously I still have a lot to learn, but at least I feel confident to achieve a relatively flat FQ if I make changes to my system. And it’s a fun adventure, changing setting and seeing those changes reflected in REW graphs!
Don’t be put off by active crossovers, the learning curve is manageable, it’s fun, and it really helps you understand amp/speaker relationship.
Now I understand why people, like myself, get on the amp merry-go-round. Synergy is largely matching non adjustable crossovers to non adjustable amp EQ.
if you’re hesitant about going active, like I was, I would recommend taking the leap. It’s been a great experience for me, despite some bumps on the road.
Ill leave it to @Chris A and others to keep explaining the technical side of the advantages, I understand little of that, but I just want to reassure people that the transition to actives is manageable and interesting!
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Tried connecting signal to ground with an old rca cable, amp on, speaker cables connected, dead, super dead quiet.
As of now Monoprice cables from Xilica to Jensen, Wireworld cables, (xlr to rca) from Jenson to Pass.
better cable from Xilica to Jensen helped a little.
lowered pre amp gain from 30 to 10db, noticeable improvement.lowered high frequency gain on Xilica from 4.5 to zero, hiss almost completely gone.
So the Jensen removed the high pitch whine.
Better cables helped remove a little hiss
Reducing the preamp gain and Xilica gain took away almost all the rest.
I learned a lot from this experience, thanks for so much help! Once again you guys rallied!
Ted
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7 hours ago, Chris A said:
the sound becomes more diffuse--not like "audiophile" recordings that put one instrument/voice in one channel with the microphone positioned within a metre of the performer.
Yes, diffuse, maybe due to where I’m at in my short audiophile life I still like that up close sound.
7 hours ago, Chris A said:When played in stereo, the sound is a bit distant and diffuse sounding, although it is excellent in all other ways. However, when switched to 5.1 mode, it literally comes alive
Ive heard about a lot of people listening to blue Ray discs, even audio only. Can you listen to 5.1 mode with 2 channel set up, or only a surround system? -
On 12/8/2018 at 10:32 AM, Chris A said:
I wish that we'll all spend a lot less time on 1st and 2nd order harmonics (or even 3rd or 4th order,
Both designers seem to agree lower order harmonics are ok, odd or even, different, but not musical or non musical. Feedback should be used sparingly and not as a cure all. Low distortion is not a positive goal in and of itself.
Both are Interesting and informative -
2 hours ago, billybob said:
What is the primary source you are listening to?
Thanks!
so far only Tidal and Idagio. coming from Bluesound Node 2i
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5 hours ago, wetowne said:
The venue in which it was recorded has much to do with the sound. Not all concert halls are created equal, some are terrible (Sydney Opera House) and some are superb (Boston Symphony Hall) In order to preserve the natural dynamics and reverb of the room, recording engineers typically use only two or three carefully positioned microphones.
Look for stuff recorded in great halls. Musikverein, Concertgebouw, Boston Symphony Hall and Tokyo Opera City are all considered great.
If on the other hand you prefer close mic'd and mixed recordings (nothing wrong with that) my advice would be irrelevant. Concert halls or airplane hangars would all sound the same.
Good point, I should start paying attention to the venue. Makes sense with somewhat distant mics the venue will be more present on the recording.
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I just realized that my Xilica is set to 4 dB gain on the high frequency amp. Low FQ amp at zero. Thinking this might exacerbate the hiss from the high frequency driver. If I understand correctly this means 30db preamp gain, 20 dB amp gain, 4db Xilica gain = 54 dB total gain into high frequency driver.
I assuming this much gain will make any noise much more prominent.
I’ve only had an interest in hifi for 18 months, so go easy if this is obvious to everybody ! -
I’ve searched the forum and didn’t find a specific thread on this topic so I decided to start one.
I’m wondering if people have found good, dynamic, orchestral recordings. I’m listening to more classical music and finding a lot of good recordings of solo piano, string quartets, small ensembles, but when I try to find large orchestral works the sound changes drastically.
I feel like the close mic positioning when recording 1-4 musicians brings the sound closer to you, duh, but so many orchestra’s sound like 1 mic in the middle of the venue, distant and less dynamic, as if the mic was under a blanket.
The “dynamic range” Is the quality I love, the immediacy, the physicality. I’m looking to find some recordings that capture that “close mic” feel. Some opera achieves this, probably by recording the vocalist with her own mic and leaving it loud in the mix.
Anybody have similar experiences and found recordings that really sound alive and dynamic?thanks, Ted
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1 minute ago, mikebse2a3 said:
Caution: Shorting input with amp power on could send a signal spike into the loudspeaker.
Note: If you have a cheap RCA interconnect you can cut the wires and twist or solder them together to create a shorting plug.
Glad to hear this caution, I will use an old rca cable! Turn power on after cable is connected. Thanks
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4 minutes ago, Edgar said:
Disconnect the amp from all sources, but leave it connected to the speakers.
If the amp uses balanced XLR connections, then connect all three pins together at the amp input. (Both + and - connected to ground.)
If the amp uses unbalanced RCA connections, then connect the center to the shield at the amp input. (Short the input to ground.)
Whatever hiss you hear in this configuration is the noise floor of the amp.
I get I, with rca the center is signal the outer ring is ground. Any noise coming through speakers is the amp itself and I will never get below that noise level, only add to it? I’ll try it later today. Thanks
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6 hours ago, babadono said:
so @VDS did you get the dummy plugs?
Emailed Jensen yesterday, told them I wanted a pair.
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12 hours ago, Edgar said:
Short the amp inputs to ground. If the hiss remains, then it's the amp.
How exactly do I do this?
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@PrestonTom, Do you have a Benchmark ahb2? Or am I thinking of someone else?
if I can’t get this cleared up, and now that I’m using active XO, I’m entertaining the thought of this amp, super low distortion from a company that doesn’t seem to care about anything but engineering. And true, balanced inputs. Just a possibility.
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17 minutes ago, Edgar said:
I've lost track of what has been tried, and what hasn't.
Me too! Going to regroup know that problem has changed somewhat to hiss only, high pitch whine is gone with Jensen.
22 minutes ago, PrestonTom said:BTW, has the sloppy grounding on the "Rawson" Amplifier been cleaned up yet?
No, but trying to focus on getting Pass to work quietly. Rawson has to be sent out to get refurbished and straightened out. Going to be weeks.
Celestion Axi2050 2" compression driver on K-402 horn and Jubilee bass bin
in Technical/Restorations
Posted
Looking at Loudspeaker database’s frequency graph, it does show 15khz down about 18db