Marakanetz, if you win, will you use it or sell it right away? Either way, good luck. |
Marakanetz, can you be more specific as to the abberations you heard via the Tact? I do believe that a turntable requires some "correction" (RIAA) to restore the original sound. Edle, I believe it is possible to keep the signal in the digital domain with out converting to analog. I also believe that most new recordings are mostly digital requiring analog conversion on most home systems. Blind prejudice is not going to further the development of our hobby. Call me a heretic, but I prefer digital to the scraping of stone against plastic at varying speeds with little opportunity to reconcile the unavoidable inconsistentcies of differing speaker /room interactions. |
Albert, am I correct in my assumption, that you are dissapointed so far by digital amplification? If so, could you elaborate? What needs to be improved upon? I'm very sure that I am not alone in respecting your opinion. |
Rockhead has a good point, just as in other technologies people will prefer one appraoch more than another. This is even more of an issue with what a new (in the big picture of things) approach. While it may not be perfect (what is?) I can't help but believe that there is great promise here (perhaps more so than in any other approach). Next digital cross-overs. Marakanetz, thank you for your explanation, your opionion is valued. |
Seantaylor99, the Tact and Spectron web sites have rudimentary explanations of how thier specific gear works, as is usually the case there is more than one way to skin a cat. In the not too distant future your price point may be met on the used market. Like all new technology the first products tend to carry more of the R&D costs. |
I hope all of you appreciated my reference to analog for the sarcastic rhetoric that it was. While it's true that I do in the end prefer digital to analog, I am not deaf to the charms of analog. I was just trying to reflect how ugly prejudice can be. Marakanetz, I'm not sure I'm following you. Why critcize digital for not being able to produce 8 Hz. I doubt many cartridges could stay in the groove at that frequency. I can't imagine many (any?) recordings having that information. I have to wonder how you can acurately play back vinyl with a passive pre-amp (I am under the impression that you use the Marchand?). I don't understand your reference to algebra. Are the zero's nothing or digits ($?)? Are you suggesting that digital will never add up to the totality of analog? You have obviously made the comparisons, and I have to respect your right to opinions, but I'm still confused by them. |
Marakanetz, are you suggesting that analog is a better investment because it might be able to reproduce inaudible sub-sonic information that no musical instrument or human voice (that I am aware of) can produce (and if such information were available might cuase nausea in some individuals)? Ironicaly the only place where these sounds ((?) perhaps tactile sensation is a better phrase)might be available is on video sound tracks which is only practical on digital video and usually unavailable on vinyl. |
Dinos, I agree with you, digital amps will be much more common sooner rather latter. No, I don't think they will replace the majority of the amps out there right away. Many manufacturers and dealers are loath to invest large sums of money on R&D and marketing that might risk an established customer base. Why should they? Perhaps to avoid being left behind and loose there share of the customer base? Unfortunately many can not forgive the hype of "perfect sound forever" and carry a strong aversion to anything digital. In my limited auditions of digital amps I found them more in common with tubes than solid state. They exhibited a liquidity that tubes are known for. They presented the solid bass without the "electronic off flavoring" sometimes found on some solid state amps (especially on the "silent" parts). I think it's the upper end that is going to divide many listeners. I find them to be accurate and extended, other who have been with me at the same auditions found them "bright". I for one am excited by the promise of digital. I don't think we can go much further with current technologies. Whether digital amps are a step forwards,backwards or sideways, only time will tell. I'm optimistic that it will forward us into a better "audio" future. |
Marakanetz, I believe that the TacT in it's basic form is pure digital in and out, the only conversion being that of PCM to PWM. Digital crossovers are standard. AD input and DA output are options. By the way the designer states that the room correction offers the most improvement. |
I think, I'm finally beginning to understand you.I do believe that the Tact approach is revolutionary and as such be forgiven for not making typical components. Their attempt to tackle what many belive to be the final frontier, room correction has opened other possabilities as demonstrated by thier system approach. With digital crossovers that allow for proper time and phase, minimal driver overlap, minial lobing, super light drivers and flexibility of placement not only as a convience but for better perfomance. Thier amplifiers are part of this concept and allows for super fast control with little smearing. Maybe, I'm missing something but it all makes a lot of sense to me, and what I've heard suggests thier on the right track. Considering the R&D costs and the results I think we are looking at something that is closer to a bargain than not. Perhaps we need to let go of our previous concepts and allow for a different appraoch. |
P.S. as this thread was started re: digital amps, I should point out that in theory the TacT should be able to play with the same resolution regardless of volume and never clip (Tube lovers rejoice, forget pleasent (even order) vs. unpleasant (odd order)how about none?). |
Touche, Albert. I have not heard claims that grand, yet. I hope you understand that I was merely pointing out that at least in theory, there is promise here. I'm hoping that infamous qoute won't prejudice all future digital pioneering. |
On many levels I agree with you. I think you will agree that records made 50 years ago might be challanged by a new CD. CD's are now almost 30 years old now. A 30 year old CD is still viable ( vile ?). CD has been a disapointment, considering the promise ( hyperbole? ) Despite all the technological draw backs of LP's, on sheer sound quality it may very well be the best available source. When conviences such as recording (when not perverted by the powers that be),mobility and reduced maintance are put into the equation (never mind my pet hopes of room correction,crossovers and amplification) CD does gain quite a bit of ground. Thank you for contribution. Hope you can share your thoughts about other digital technology in the near future. |
