Matt Nadler
2004-12-27, 15:27
I agree with this approach -- there often bigger
targets for improvement in a stereo system that get
lost in these theoretical or purely subjective
debates.
One thing to add to the priority list:
Have you checked the position of your speakers
relative to where you listen most often?
Speaker placement is super critical for getting a good
stereo image. I think it's cute when people spend a
huge wad on equipment but don't care too much about
how it's set up.
There are many Internet "how-to's" on speaker
placement including some spreadsheet utilities. You
might also want to invest in, or borrow a good sound
meter to test your system in your home before you
spend a lot more on other equipment.
--Matt
ps. I have an expensive stereo system with crappy
speaker placement and I know it. An unavoidable
consequence of moving to New York City. No DAC can
make up for that (although an expensive environmental
DSP system might).
From: "thnmnt" <thnmnt (AT) hotmail (DOT) com>
my take on external DACs.
if you're not happy with the sound of your system...by
new speakers.
if you're still not happy - buy a new amp/receiver
if you're still not happy consider that you made the
wrong choice of amps
and speakers and repeat.
if you are absolutely positive that that that is not
the problem - buy the
ART DIO dac for 120 bucks (check the net for all the
mods on this thing) and
be happy that you've bought a dac that sounds like it
costs 10 times the
price.
if you're complaining about the sb's dac quality while
listening to
compressed audio..smack yourself in the face and say
"i am a moron, my ears
are not that good" into the mirror 3 times.
--t
ps. i have an external DAC - i listen to compressed
audio - i am a moron.
in my defense, i had this thing lying around anyway so
i just hooked it up
for kicks. i've kidded myself into thinking the sound
is *slightly*
improved. and...uh, i think i'm right.
targets for improvement in a stereo system that get
lost in these theoretical or purely subjective
debates.
One thing to add to the priority list:
Have you checked the position of your speakers
relative to where you listen most often?
Speaker placement is super critical for getting a good
stereo image. I think it's cute when people spend a
huge wad on equipment but don't care too much about
how it's set up.
There are many Internet "how-to's" on speaker
placement including some spreadsheet utilities. You
might also want to invest in, or borrow a good sound
meter to test your system in your home before you
spend a lot more on other equipment.
--Matt
ps. I have an expensive stereo system with crappy
speaker placement and I know it. An unavoidable
consequence of moving to New York City. No DAC can
make up for that (although an expensive environmental
DSP system might).
From: "thnmnt" <thnmnt (AT) hotmail (DOT) com>
my take on external DACs.
if you're not happy with the sound of your system...by
new speakers.
if you're still not happy - buy a new amp/receiver
if you're still not happy consider that you made the
wrong choice of amps
and speakers and repeat.
if you are absolutely positive that that that is not
the problem - buy the
ART DIO dac for 120 bucks (check the net for all the
mods on this thing) and
be happy that you've bought a dac that sounds like it
costs 10 times the
price.
if you're complaining about the sb's dac quality while
listening to
compressed audio..smack yourself in the face and say
"i am a moron, my ears
are not that good" into the mirror 3 times.
--t
ps. i have an external DAC - i listen to compressed
audio - i am a moron.
in my defense, i had this thing lying around anyway so
i just hooked it up
for kicks. i've kidded myself into thinking the sound
is *slightly*
improved. and...uh, i think i'm right.