Reader "dr.d" asks: "Is it better to have a decent system that allows all recordings to sound good, or to have a system that might make some not-so-hot recordings no fun to listen to?" What's your preference, a system that always creates beauty or one that can reveal the ugly truth?
I would like to get some input from fellow audiophiles on the iPod for an article that I am writing for my Website (www.hifirotation.com). I have seen two camps for the iPod: those that think any form of compressed music is garbage and others that think by using additional ad ons can make iPod music acceptable. I would like to know what you think?
There's a 128kbps (blind!) MP3 listening test going on there:
http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=66564
This is not a rant, rave or complaint but a suggestion. I have my system set up in a rather small room. I listen nearfield, actually about 5-6 feet from the speakers. As a result I listen at modest volumn levels.
I was reading a competing magazine the other day and read something I had not seen before. The reviewer noted how the system sounded when played at low levels.
I own a 20 year old Sony SA-W30 powered subwoofer. Ths thing has an automatic on/off switch that activates when it receives a signal. I have two problems with it. One, in the half dozen moves from country to country and state to state I have made with it, I have lost the manual. Second, unless the video receiver is playing at a loud level, this sub turns itself on and off with a loud thump a half dozen times a song. I have played with the reveivers crossover settings and have played with every adjustment on the sub. Is there a way to simply turn the thing on and leave it on.
Continuing with the theme started with last week's question: Which single composer or performer would you recommend to introduce someone to jazz music? And why?
When does a forum open for this edition? The As We See It column is quite a read, and its perspective will likely have me renewing my subscription.