sfbp Posted October 26, 2009 Report Share Posted October 26, 2009 "Vinyl releases" - surely you're kidding, now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darrencouch Posted October 26, 2009 Report Share Posted October 26, 2009 Wow-that soared over my head! So, how does one find out which labels put out decently sounding cd's? This makes the hunt for quality music that much harder. And now, in the downloaded content era, how does one guarantee that the company you're d/l your tracks from aren't simply applying the same limitations and bad mastering the previous media distributors did? I think I need a beer now. "Vinyl releases" - surely you're kidding, now. Actually, there are a lot of albums coming out these days. Many on 180gram vinyl, 45rpm issues, Non LP style (wider grooves, etc). I pick most of my Gogol Bordello on vinyl. http://store.acousticsounds.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avrin Posted October 26, 2009 Report Share Posted October 26, 2009 Why would the ear even hear the difference between -120 and -121 dB? Trouble with digitizing is that the presence of even a low level high frequency component makes the signal unsuitable for analog-to-digital conversion. I.e., non-compliant with the requirements of the Nyquist theorem. And noone can predict, which parts of the signal will be affected as a result. The presence of a low level high frequency component may easily affect perfectly hearable sounds. So, how does one find out which labels put out decently sounding cd's? Well, the big four certainly do not. And even an indie label is not a guarantee, since the material will usually still be overcompressed and clipped at the factory. And now, in the downloaded content era, how does one guarantee that the company you're d/l your tracks from aren't simply applying the same limitations and bad mastering the previous media distributors did? Most downloads are overcompressed and mostly clipped. And don't forget the simple fact that most of them are nothing but CD rips. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfbp Posted November 11, 2009 Report Share Posted November 11, 2009 Can anyone help? I just had a horrible experience with a third-party phono preamp. It's not close to specifications: the channels are mismatched (and it changes as you vary the gain), there is terrible hum, and the sound is basically awful. I compared with the existing sound from my Kenwood, and there's no way I would ever trade in the latter now until I find a replacement. (To make matters worse the Ebay seller is acting all dishonest and saying that they only accept "defective* returns, hahaha, so yelling and screaming ensued as they claim it's not defective). The problem arose because I am getting a new receiver that doesn't have phono input. I guess I should have been patient until finding one with all the other things I wanted in a receiver AND phono input too, but I wasn't...... So I need to know if there exists a properly balanced, hum-free, high-quality RIAA-corrected preamp for a moving magnet cartridge for not too much money. Clearly an alternative is to lug the Kenwood, the turntable and one MD deck down to the basement to use until such time as I run out of vinyl to convert. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darrencouch Posted November 11, 2009 Report Share Posted November 11, 2009 Can anyone help? I just had a horrible experience with a third-party phono preamp. It's not close to specifications: the channels are mismatched (and it changes as you vary the gain), there is terrible hum, and the sound is basically awful. I compared with the existing sound from my Kenwood, and there's no way I would ever trade in the latter now until I find a replacement. (To make matters worse the Ebay seller is acting all dishonest and saying that they only accept "defective* returns, hahaha, so yelling and screaming ensued as they claim it's not defective). The problem arose because I am getting a new receiver that doesn't have phono input. I guess I should have been patient until finding one with all the other things I wanted in a receiver AND phono input too, but I wasn't...... So I need to know if there exists a properly balanced, hum-free, high-quality RIAA-corrected preamp for a moving magnet cartridge for not too much money. Clearly an alternative is to lug the Kenwood, the turntable and one MD deck down to the basement to use until such time as I run out of vinyl to convert. Is this the one you bought? http://bit.ly/42HMfr If not, it might be worth a shot. I was planning on getting it myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfbp Posted November 12, 2009 Report Share Posted November 12, 2009 No, I got something that claims "Its quality easily matches or exceeds that of the phono preamps found built into older stereo components". Load of ***p. No names, I don't want a flame war. PM me for the real details. I'll give the one you show here serious consideration. Thank you. Edit: Well my enthusiasm for that didn't last long, the review (Amazon, I am sure you can find it) read like a carbon copy of my complaint to the makers of the other one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfbp Posted November 12, 2009 Report Share Posted November 12, 2009 What about this one? http://www.mclellandmusic.com/en/showpro.asp?id=331&lb=18 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avrin Posted November 12, 2009 Report Share Posted November 12, 2009 Clearly an alternative is to lug the Kenwood, the turntable and one MD deck down to the basement to use until such time as I run out of vinyl to convert. Something tells me that this is the best solution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfbp Posted November 12, 2009 Report Share Posted November 12, 2009 Really? So finding a new standalone decent phonopreamp is a hopeless quest then.... There's a guy on ebay selling an NAD PP-2, would that be any good? Do those NEW units that still have a PP included use decent circuitry or not? One unit I looked at was the Sony STR-DG1000 (and 900 too) but I really haven't much idea whether reading the circuit diagram will tell me anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobt Posted November 12, 2009 Report Share Posted November 12, 2009 Really? So finding a new standalone decent phonopreamp is a hopeless quest then.... There's a guy on ebay selling an NAD PP-2, would that be any good? Do those NEW units that still have a PP included use decent circuitry or not? One unit I looked at was the Sony STR-DG1000 (and 900 too) but I really haven't much idea whether reading the circuit diagram will tell me anything. NAD products have always been a good choice, have you looked through pawn shops etc to see what people may have bought in and forgot about? That would be my first start if I was in an area that had them. Good luck and happy hunting Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfbp Posted November 12, 2009 Report Share Posted November 12, 2009 The review on the PP-2 was fantastic. Sounds like the ticket. But for now maybe I take Avrin's advice (what's new???) unless I can get it for cheap or trade in my new receiver for one with phono after all. Thanks Stephen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darrencouch Posted November 13, 2009 Report Share Posted November 13, 2009 Bummer about the one I posted-was hoping it was worth the (small) amount of money they were asking for it. Sigh. I think I'll just save the scratch to make myself a nice tube amp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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