paulwp

Responses from paulwp

What's the most important speaker attribute...and
Tonal accuracy, as most say in one way or another, and especially in the midrange, as Scott says, is certainly the first thing to get right. For me, though, low distortion is more important. Almost all speakers make a lot of noise and have much hi... 
Should I use MM or MC input?
Ouch. The MC input is for a low output cartridge. A high output cartridge will overload it, whether a MM cartridge or a high output MC cartridge. Essentially, the MC input applies more gain to the signal from the cartridge, which is necessary for ... 
Opinions on Sunfire, Carver Lightstar amps
The Lightstar II, which was designed by a team headed by someone other than Bob Carver (Jim Croft) was reviewed in TAS a few years ago by Robert E Greene. REG called it "perfect." I don't know what the Sunfire amps have in common with the Lightsta... 
Totem's "Hawk" and "Forrest":How Hi-End Are They?
I was browsing in a hifi store some years ago, listening to small speakers. Most were just noisemakers. Then I heard a pair of Totems. Their high-end perpective was immediately evident. Relatively accurate frequency response, low distortion and no... 
Should reviewers post their hearing test results?
Oh no. That's true for hearing real life sounds. But stereo doesnt have height unless it's on the recording somehow. As I said, so say JG Holt, Robert Harley, REGreene, and a host of experts who have been involved with hifi for over 40 years. Real... 
Should reviewers post their hearing test results?
Very interesting, kr4. I knew the hard of hearing had uneven sensitivity, but I hadn't thought about loss of sensitivity in specific ranges due to trauma. Maybe reviewers should have their hearing tested and disclose anything unusual. 
Should reviewers post their hearing test results?
Well, Ernie, I am not an md or audiologist, but I wasnt aware there was much variance in hearing acuity between 100 hz and 10 khz. If people have varying degrees of sensitivity to parts of the frequency range that just about everybody hears, that ... 
Should reviewers post their hearing test results?
No. More important that they publish their qualifications, education, training and experience. Also important that they describe their listening rooms (which few do). A lot of these guys have no idea what they're talking about. What's more appalli... 
Does the Meridian 508.24 invert absolute phase?
The meridian cdp offers the user the opportunity to reverse phase if the user wants to do that, in case he thinks a cd is out of phase. Some preamp manufacturers, e.g., CJ and AI, make preamps without the extra gain stage required to bring them in... 
Best Component Ever, for the money
The NAD 3020 has had multiple votes. A popular choice. I think the $13 Grado cartridge has to win hands down if it was a high-end component. (I never owned one.) Since I dont think amps matter so much compared to sources and speakers, I am incline... 
Does the Meridian 508.24 invert absolute phase?
This is a Cool Hand Luke moment. Mshan, if you have a meridian cdp and want to know the answer to your question, call meridian tech support in Atlanta, at 404-344-7111. They will tell you what I said above. I have a 508, and I know what it does.Wh... 
Does the Meridian 508.24 invert absolute phase?
This is pretty silly. He asked a question, which was answered. The meridian manuals say "you can use the remote to change the absolute phase of the analogue output signal. . . ." That's the same as reversing the speaker cables. The first pulse wil... 
Does the Meridian 508.24 invert absolute phase?
It doesn't unless you use the remote control for that purpose (Func. + record). If you do that and the display says "+" then it is not inverting phase (if that is even the right word). I have never heard of a cd player that does, just some preamps... 
Pre-amp suggestions
The CJ PV-10 is fine. Other choices not mentioned above might be an Anthem Pre1, Pre1L, or Pre2L if you want tubes, or a CJ solid state. You won't lose any bass or air with the Anthems. Very extended frequency response, very dynamic, very nice. Sa... 
What was your biggest priority?
Congratulations, Nrchy. Enjoy your new home. Whether the listening room should be your biggest priority now is an interesting question. Perhaps so. Depends on how much of a problem it is. Obviously, you failed to make your purchase contingent upon...