Won't work. The microphone you use and how you place it is more important than the recorder. In the end all you'll really be doing is recording the speaker's interaction with the room.
It could be useful if you only used it in one room and varied the speakers (or other equipment). |
Maybe I wasn't clear in my opening statement. I meant; to bring the recorder when auditioning speakers and using it as a source. This way the source is always the same and there is no variable there. |
I have always had a problem with demos at 'the dealers'. Many many speakers at 'the dealers' have far to few hrs. on them.---Case in point, my new Sophia 2's required at least 6 month's at near 24/7---not they sounded like they needed all this time---they just got better and better over this time. I would imagine a listener at month # 1 might have a different opinion than a listener at month #6;??
Then we have the room,already mentioned.---The unfamiliarity of everything else being used. That includes the components /cables / power cords / speaker wire/ bases/ they all matter and contribute.--(Oh, and are all the wires in this demo broken in ?)
I would guess many dealers run their stuff in and out the door pretty fast. |
Then why not just take a well recorded CD, DVD-A or SACD? |
Player/preamp/amp as well as the cables and room accoustics will influence -- it is difficult but the idea of using the same disc is certainly a start. |
Has anyone read the write-up on the Korg recorder?
It's in TAS. Though they say it cannot capture every fine detail and nuance found in the grooves of an lp it comes pretty close when played back through the Korg itself, which is done so in DSD format. According to the article DSD has much greater resolution than any other digital format, that if down loaded to a hard drive or computer and played back at 44khz, when compared to the playback through the Korg itself at the dsd resolution that the Korg sounded better by far.
For some of us vinyl play back represents the best format to use if in quest for the most accurate and musically pleasing sound in our homes. If we have taken our analog system to greater heights and are satisfied with the sound of our tt, we can hope to use that as a source when auditioning new speakers. But it would be quite difficult to carry a turntable from one show room to another, but the Korg itself is compact and weighs close to nothing. I thought maybe by capturing the magic found in the grooves onto something portable such as the Korg, that that would be an excellent way of having a familiar source any where we go including stereo show rooms.
Of course preamps and power amps play a major role, but it would be unreasonable to keep the pre and power amps the same. One reason for instance is some speakers sound better when matched to a particular amp or type of amp. But if the source is kept the same that will be one less thing that could be blamed for different listening presentations.
I hope this made things clearer. |
it won't 'control' the room, which is still the 'eye of the storm' aside from the basic character of the brand itself. |
Pedrillo, I understand your points, but it still would be easier to take an SACD disc to the dealer. However, if you think it's worthwhile to spend $1,200 on the recorder and are willing to take the time to do your own recordings, then let us know how it turns out. On paper, the Korg is an amazing piece of machinery. |
I've got the Korg. It's an incredible consumer-level recorder, with 130dB of dynamic range. I've recorded my own D2D recordings with it and can't tell the Korg from the vinyl. In fact, thanks to the lack of sensitivity to feedback, you can play the Korg way, way louder with no concern.
I've compared interconnects easily with the Korg. It'd also be a valid way to compare turntables and cartridges and other front end equipment. However, for comparing speakers it'll be useless, because even the very best mic technique cannot easily be replicated for two different speaker systems.
There is a problem with the Korg. The input and output stages are low quality and add noise. When there's program material the noise level is low enough that it's not a problem. I'm waiting to archive my D2D collection until after I have the input and output stages modded by Ric Schultz and some shielding added. But for this weakness, it's an amazing unit.
Dave |
Onhwy61,
I thought that vinyl is still better than SACD, wouldn't the Korg be a better source if I record vinyl onto it? |
Dcstep,
Glad to hear you are enjoying it!
Can you elaborate on what you meant when you said a valid way of comparing tt and cartridges?
On evaluating speakers I beg to differ, if you have a record that you like very much on your spectacular turntable, why wouldn't it make a good source to use in comparing speakers? There are so many pressings from 50's and 60's that sound far better than recent cd releases. Put that on your Korg and you have an excellent gauge. |
Onhwy61, I've got a great vinyl setup and plenty of good D2D recordings and hi rez vinyl, but I think that DVD-A and SACD is as good, when well done.
Pedrillo,
Maybe I misunderstood your proposed use of the Korg. If you mean that you'd record a great D2D recording and then carry the Korg around to various stores to use as a source to compare different speakers in different stores, then yes, I's fantastic for that. I recorded some great big band, organ and other high dynamic recording and took it to a dealer to hear the Vienna Acoustic Mahler speakers flap my pants leg to great effect.
My dealer had a great TT, but you didn't have to worry about that with the Korg. You simply plug it into a line pre-amp and push Play.
I thought you were talking about recording speakers. I don't think that'd work because of the difficulties of recording different speakers in different venues.
You'll be able to use LPs that you're very familiar with. OTOH, you might get a few really good SACDs (Chesky has several and then familiarize yourself at home. An Oppo universal SACD is only 20% the cost of the Kore). Any good dealer will be able to play SACD.
Dave |
