Jump to content

Leaderboard

Popular Content

Showing content with the highest reputation on 02/01/2021 in all areas

  1. I promised this a while back, and actually completed it in October with my audio buddy Travis. The initial question - What sounds better, SACD or DVD Audio? I happen to have three (3) different albums in both formats, AND I have all three on CD (FLAC) as well. I will start by saying that this sounds like a fun challenge, but I assure you, it was anything but. I found it difficult, annoying, and frustrating AND it had the added bonus of pretty much burning me out on these albums. In fact, I was so annoyed with the whole challenge that I neglected to even write it up here. Then a couple days ago, @MLB111 kindly inquires about the results. Shit. I suppose I should publish them, if for no other reason that to dissuade anyone else from venturing down this path. To make matters worse, I cannot locate my original notes - but I can remember a lot of it, so I enlisted my son’s help (he’s just getting in to the hobby, and starting to learn the ins and outs of high quality audio). I’m going to break it up into 3 parts - one for each album, mainly because it’s tedious and exhausting, as you’ll soon see. The system - Oppo 105 to BillD C1 to Silver 9t pair, to NHT 2.9 speakers. Kimber and MIT ICs, and MIT Terminator 4 speaker cables. The album - The Nightfly, by Donald Fagen - SACD, DVDA, FLAC. Whenever I do something like this, with media OR gear, I tend to listen to the overall presentation of course, but for the real substantive measures, I tend to focus in on the smallest, most subtle details I can find in the recording, and compare those details - wether it be between speakers, amps, or in this case, SACD and DVDA. * I cannot stress this point enough before I continue - the differences between these discs (SACD & DVDA) are so subtle and so slight that even identifying them was exceedingly painstaking. Further, these differences would most likely NEVER manifest in normal listening and comparison * For Nightfly, I found the most differences in two tracks: Track #1, I.G.Y., and track #5, New Frontier. #1, I.G.Y. = at the 52 second mark, right as the intro ends, and the trumpet fades and the vocals start, there is a very slight cymbal that is completely different that the prior cymbal cadence. It’s one strike, slightly left of center and a couple feet behind the speaker plane. The same cymbal strike happens again at 1:25, 2:10, and a few more times later in the track (sorry, I didn’t feel like listing them all). This cymbal is more prominent in the DVDA. It is a bit more “buried” in the SACD version, and not as defined. At the 2:08 mark, there is a snappy bass “flurry”. The SACD presents this with a tiny bit more “pop”, and a better “edge” the the string plucks. As I listened to this track for perhaps the 20th time in this sitting (ugh), I turned to my son half way through and said “is that a tambourine ?” I have listened to this track many times in the past, and I don’t EVER remember a tambourine. Back to the start of the track, and sure enough, no tambourine. It actually comes in at the 1:28 mark. It’s subtle, and EASILY mistaken for a cymbal. The DVDA does a better (slightly) job of defining the individual cymbal-ettes (?) around the circumference of the tambourine than does the SACD. #5, New Frontier = At 1:30 (and again at 2:40) there is a distinctly different guitar sound solid.y in the left channel. It’s tone is so different that it is almost distracting. The SACD did a better job of blending this into the overall presentation - However I’m not positive that’s a good thing, so take it for what it’s worth. In the intro, there is a cowbell in the percussion. On the DVDA, it sounds more like a cowbell - on the SACD, it lacks some of the “metallic” overtones, rendering it almost more like a wood block, than a cowbell. There is also a harmonica solidly in the right channel in the intro. On the DVDA, this harmonica is considerably more forward and distinguishable. On the SACD, it is markedly buried in the mix of other sounds in the right side of the soundstage - THIS is the most significant difference in the two discs. Overall, the edge here goes to the DVDA - the subtleties noted above, and a very slight edge in overall clarity and separation of the many instruments is the reason I feel the SACD comes up ever so slightly short. Again, I cannot stress the small measures here - it literally took hours to determine the differences. As for CD and/or FLAC, the differences there are significant - width of sound stage, detail in the specifics listed above, and overall dynamics give a clear edge the either of the high res formats over CD or FLAC.
    3 points
  2. Welcome! My M-1.0t is playing right now! Great amp, well worth the effort to get it running!
    2 points
  3. I was a dumbass in my late teens/early 20’s with my car stereo, and I know I don’t hear as much now as I could be hearing, had I listened to people 30 years ago that were telling me I was damaging my hearing. That’s why I cringe and gently try to enlighten people I see making the same mistakes now that I made so long ago. Ultimately though, everyone gets to make their own decisions... even with damaged hearing, Id venture a guess that you can still hear quite a bit...
    2 points
  4. It took me 6 months to find my C-16. As soon as I got it, I sent it to Nelion for a complete service. They don't show up often, so you need to grab one when you see it. Are you aware that the C-6 is identical to the C-16 except for the color of the faceplate? When I opened up my C-16, I noticed that the mainboard is stenciled C-6. C-1's and C-11's are also great preamps. You can get faceplates for these to change the color (either anthracite or black). Pricing is dynamic, my guess on price for units in nice or better condition are: C-1 : $250 to $350 C-6 : $350 to $450 C-11 : $350 to $450 C-16 : $500 to $900 C-19 : $1200 to $2000 When I was looking, I bid on one at $1,000. I didn't get it, it sold for $1,100. However; one month later I found a nicer unit for $600. Guys - thoughts on pricing - think I'm off base? I troll eBay alot, but again these units don't show up often and it depends who you're in competition with. Good luck on your search!
    2 points
  5. I can understand this completely! I chased Yamaha gear from the 80’s until 2010. Then I decided I wanted some Carver gear. I purchased new Paradigm speakers and started collecting gear. My problem all these years until about a month ago, was speaker placement. I have never set my speakers up correctly for the last 40 years. Gear was always hooked up right. Since my speakers are setup correctly, I am hearing things in the music I haven’t heard before. I guess an old dog can learn new tricks.......😀
    2 points
  6. Mark I think you are right. I will not be able to hear everything, but feel with the right speakers and setup I will enjoy it.
    1 point
  7. Those prices are “in line” w/what my tech told me. Plus what he told me re: finding a C 16 or C 19: “It’ s gonna take awhile”. Outta curiosity what years were they made? Late ‘80s? Oh yeah, I meant to say sent amp off for re-cap, etc. Not Bill D. upgrade.
    1 point
  8. I have both! My C-16 was an eBay purchase over 12 years ago. Paid over $300 for it (with shipping), so, Will Meyer. I don't think your prices aren't off base. Now I've been working on a C-19 that I acquired from someone I know at a reasonable price, but have had to do a bit of work to get it where it is at. So it depends on what you are looking for as to how much you will have to pay! A unit that is in great shape and can sing right out of the gate, C-16 around $450 to $550; C-19 around $1,100 to $1,500. If you are willing to settle for one that is not museum quality or might need some TLC, take a few hundred off the price for the C-19. A hundred or so less for the C-16. Having both units, I have to say it is a toss up for the most part. Both are incredible units, but I have to admit, I've been wanting the -C19 ever since I heard one 15 years ago, but could never afford one. Now that I have been able to learn enough (to be dangerous), my skills are such that I felt like I could take on a unit that needed some TLC. And now that I've been working on it (almost ready to go) I have to admit, the C-19 wins out in my mind. Others feel differently! The C1-9 is going to take the place of my trusty C-16 in the main setup and the C-16 will move to my bedroom setup! Sorry for the ramble. Welcome aboard. There is no turning back now! Neil
    1 point
  9. David, the BillD upgrade is for a preamplifier, C-1 or C-11.
    1 point
  10. Greetings @David brinkmeyer Good luck on your quest!
    1 point
  11. Hi-Fi Shark appears to be like soooo many websites: they don’t delete sold or expired listings. Aggravating. That C 19 on E-bay . . . foregt it. Thanks guys.
    1 point
  12. Avoid anything that is purple. Once they go purple, they don't come back.
    1 point
  13. Welcome @David brinkmeyer. Love your target system. What amp? Be patient. save your money, until the "right" unit in the condition you desire comes along. Love my C-19, too.
    1 point
  14. I revisited this one the other night with my son, after everyone else had gone to bed. I had forgotten how great a movie Jacob’s Ladder is. Not a horror movie exactly, not a war movie exactly, and not a thriller exactly. It’s a little bit of everything, and it works rather well. A great performance by a young Tim Robbins, and an equally great performance by the late Elizabeth Peña - but the one that really steals the show is Danny Aiello. Some downright creepy moments, but no cheap jump-scares. The cinematography is absolutely amazing, and the score mirrors the film to a “T”. Also one of the greatest twists of an ending, and I’ll for warn you - this is one if the 5 or so movies that actually makes me cry a bit at the end... Emotionally powerful stuff, and a timeless message.
    1 point
  15. My system was actually ok. However, my speaker placement sucked. So when I could hear (lo those many years ago) I missed everything because I was a dumbass. Now even with good speaker placement (when/if I get things up and running) I will miss everything because my hearing is shot. O well spending money on stereo stuff is better than another wife. At least you can turn it off.
    0 points
  16. I’ve given up on speakers - I just use big resistors now. I can hear the current flowing through them...
    0 points
  17. TFM 35 I’ve sent off to be Bill D upgraded.
    0 points
×
×
  • Create New...