HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: tradsick@jarthur.claremont.edu (Tim Radsick)
Subject: Re: Help! Where to buy tweeters?
Keywords: speakers, tweeters, Dana Audio
Organization: Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, CA 91711
Date: Wed, 30 Dec 1992 17:58:09 GMT

In article <1992Dec30.020613.13830@vicorp.com> jesse@vicorp.com (Jesse Shiah) writes:
>Hello!
>
>I have a pair of Monitor Audio Model R352 speakers which was purchased
>in England before Monitor Audio started marketing their speakers in
>States not too long ago. The tweeters( 3/4" soft-dome type) are now 
>broken. I know Monitor Audio now has a distributor in States but I 
>doubt they have parts for Model R352 since it is quite old now. I am
>thinking to buy a pair of third-party soft-dome tweeters to replace 
>the broken ones but have no idea where to look for. Also, I would like
>to make sure the new tweeters are good quality ones. I know some people
>build their own speakers so there must be some where you can purchase
>the teweeters. I called up one guy who advertise in StereoPhile magazine
>and build customerized speakers, He suggested me to use soft-dome tweeter
>from Dana Audio for about $35/each(if purchase from him). 
>
>Does any one have any comments?

I'll throw my two cents in

>1. Where can I get quality tweeters? 
The best place to purchase speaker components is from one of the many 
speaker part supply houses -- places such as Madisound, Meniscus, A&S,
Zalytron, etc.  I don't have their phone numbers handy but you can find them
in the back of Audio or Stereo Review or I can send them to you.

>2. Is the person's statement that Dana Audio has the best soft-dome 
>   tweeters true or not? Is the price he is asking a fair price?

No, his statement is misleading and wrong.  First thing, Dana Audio doesn't
make tweeters, they buy them!  The Dana Audio speakers that I have seen use
the Audax 1/4" tweeter line -- these you can buy for around $5, a little
more for the titanium ones.  Other Dana Audio speakers might use other
tweeter.  At any rate, the BEST tweeter doesn't exist! It's all a trade-off
between price, performance, power handling, etc.  In your case you also
want to match it to your speaker.

>3. Do you have any other suggestions?

I personally don't like the Audax tweeter line.  I have had good success
designing with the peerless and Vifa tweeters -- the Vifa tweeters are
a great value and are used extensively in the speakers you see on
store shelves. My current favorite tweeters are the Morel MDT 30 tweeters
(I think that is their designation).  They sound great, handle tons of
power and they are fairly easy to design crossovers for. They cost
about $30 -- the Vifa and Peerless tweets about $15-$20.

The most important thing for you to do is match the tweeter to your 
speaker.  You can't just plug in a new tweeter and expect great sound.
You need to look at sensitivity, impedance, freq response, power handling
and even sunch mundane things as size and appearence.
>Please help! Life is difficult without musi

If you need any more help, drop me a note

-Tim
RadsickT@Pl-Edwards.AF.mil
Tradsick@jarthur.claremont.edu
From: ereiss@ocf.berkeley.edu (Edward Reiss)
Newsgroups: rec.audio
Subject: Re: Vandersteens and Stereophile
Date: 28 Dec 1992 22:03:55 GMT
Organization: U.C. Berkeley Open Computing Facility
Distribution: world
NNTP-Posting-Host: maelstrom.berkeley.edu

Thanks to everyone who replied to my initial post asking if 
Vandersteen was ever reviewed in Stereophile.  It turns out
that the old 2's were reviewed and received a class c/ borderline
class B rating.  When the new 2CEs came out, the reccomendation
was pulled until the new models could be reviewed.  They are actually
listed in the most recent "Reccomended Components" issue of Stereophile
under class K - which means that they have not yet been reviewed (or
are in the process of being reviewed).

Ed

Newsgroups: rec.audio
From: joe@avs.com (Joe Peterson)
Subject: More Sony MZ-1 weirdness
Organization: Advanced Visual Systems Inc.
Date: Wed, 30 Dec 1992 14:36:18 GMT
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1 PL8]
X-Posted-From: hal.avs.com
NNTP-Posting-Host: sol.ctr.columbia.edu

Twice I have seen (heard) a problem on my Sony MZ-1 MD machine.  While
scanning through a disc, suddenly the audio output changed from nice music
to a terrible load buzzing noise.  It was like the output signal just got
in an infinite loop!  I could still advance to different tracks (the display
lookes normal), but the audio was trashed.  Power cycling brought the unit
back to normal.  I assume this is some bug in the digital decoding or
something.  Anyone else happened upon this?  I wonder if my unit is defective,
or it is just a bug...

						Joe
From: bower@pecan.cns.udel.edu (Ty Bower)
Subject: Re: Carver and the FAQ
Organization: University of Delaware, Newark
Date: Wed, 23 Dec 1992 03:55:05 GMT

Many of Bob Carver's techniques are "questionable" and his involvement
with Phase Linear quite some time ago produced some equipment
which would not help a person build a good reputation.

Many netters have heard his equipment and simply did not like it.
This seems to be a general consenus.

He often tends to use techno-babble and often seems to be making
things up to make his equipment sound impressive.  More often
than not, he will "spare" the listener the details of how and
why he has achieved whatever engineering marvel he has achieved
and give it a "cool name."  (Magnetic field power amps come to
mind... what the hell is a magnetic field power amp, anyway?)

Then again, he has much to be praised for.  Most of his stuff
is, in my opinion, reasonably priced for what it does (/claims
to do.)  A 375 watt per channel amp for ~$1000 is not a bad deal,
especially when it is as small and light as it is (I'm talking
about the TFM-45, aren't I?  I always get the model numbers
confused...)  

A friend of mine does some DJ work, and a few summers ago he
started using new Carver amps.  He has been surprised at how
clean and powerful they were (much better than the old amps
he was using.)  There are many other satisfied Carver owners
out there.

So, although I myself can't condemn Carver equipment, I would
never recommend it to anyone, much less purchase it myself.
It's kinda like Bose -  either you love it or hate it.  
Bob Carver and Amar Bose are almost the "religion & politics"
of the audio world.  You just don't bring the subjects up
at the dinner table....

Newsgroups: rec.audio
From: dbarker@spang.Camosun.BC.CA (Deryk Barker)
Subject: Re: Europe power vs US Power
Organization: Camosun College, Victoria B.C, Canada
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL4
Date: Tue, 22 Dec 1992 21:51:30 GMT

kurt@dna.lth.se (Kurt Swanson) writes:
: Ryan Scott <RSCOTT@auvm.american.edu> writes:
: >I a I am planning on buying a portable CD player nad battery powered speakers.
: > Now the trick is that I am going to Europe next semester and I do
: >not necessar 
: >ily want to use batteries.  Now can I buy a DC converter over there that would
: >provide the same voltage as a US adaptor?  Can I neglect the cycles difference
: >and no have to worry about the  DC voltage being any different?????
: 
: You absolutely don't want to use batteries!  They are SO expensive
: here...
: 
: You can buy universal adapters here, or you can use your US adapter
: connected to a voltage transformer.  You need not worry about cycle
: differences.  If you plan on the former, consider that many CD makers
: use special plugs on their adapters so that you have to buy theirs!
: (YES, I'M SPEAKING ABOUT SONY!)  You can, snip the plug from the US
: adapter they sell you in the US (as I did), or pay through the nose
: and buy a European adapter from the same company, or buy a CD player
: that uses STANDARD plugs...  The choice is yours...

Really? I hjave a Sony D11 discman, and a Sony WM6 Walkman Pro
cassette and they both have absolutely standard adapters. Have Sony
changed things in the last year since I bought the discman?

--
Real:  Deryk Barker, Computer Science Dept., Camosun College, Victoria B.C.
Email: (dbarker@spang.camosun.bc.ca)
Phone: +1 604 370 4452
Newsgroups: rec.audio
From: DPierce@world.std.com (Richard D Pierce)
Subject: Re: Port Frequencies
Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA
Date: Tue, 22 Dec 1992 23:23:32 GMT

In article <19921222.131250.27@almaden.ibm.com> BARRON@RHQVM14.VNET.IBM.COM writes:
>A rather simple question....
>Could someone explain the formula that describes the relationship
>between a ports tuning frequency and the diameter and length of the port.
>
>This would be for a 4th order bass reflex enclosure (single port, single
>driver)

The port does not have a frequency in and of itself. It provides the
acoustic mass that, together with the compliance of the air in the box,
forms a resonant system with a specific frequency. It is this "tuning"
that you are looking for. So in order to answer your question, it's
necessary to know what the volume of the enclosure is.

|                Dick Pierce                |
|    Loudspeaker and Software Consulting    |
| 17 Sartelle Street   Pepperell, MA  01463 |
|       (508) 433-9183 (Voice and FAX)      |

-- 
|                Dick Pierce                |
|    Loudspeaker and Software Consulting    |
| 17 Sartelle Street   Pepperell, MA  01463 |
|       (508) 433-9183 (Voice and FAX)      |
From: ihm@cs.purdue.edu (Insung Ihm)
Newsgroups: rec.audio
Subject: Any experience with a Hafler power amp?
Date: 23 Dec 92 17:54:40 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: Department of Computer Sciences, Purdue University
NNTP-Posting-Host: ector.cs.purdue.edu

I remember there has been a posting with a similar theme, but ...
Recencly, I hooked a Hafler 9270 power amp (200W for 4 ohms speaker)
to my Kef 104/2 speaker (4 ohms). They sound more than nice, however when
I turn off the amp, there is a stroke sound one second after I press
the switch. The Hafler manual reads that the amp has a "Soft Turn On/Off"
facility that removes a spurious noise while turn on/off.
Is the beat sound normal even considering the "Soft Turn On/Off" thing? 
If my memory serves right, there was no such a beat with my previous 
Carver amp.
Any comments would be appreciated.
Thanks.

Insung Ihm (ihm@cs.purdue.edu)
Newsgroups: rec.audio
From: phr@telebit.com (Paul Rubin)
Subject: Re: questions on new digital formats
Organization: Telebit Corporation; Sunnyvale, CA, USA
	<28963@oasys.dt.navy.mil>
Date: 25 Dec 92 15:40:56

In article <28963@oasys.dt.navy.mil> curt@oasys.dt.navy.mil (Curt Welch) writes:

   Why would anyone buy DCC?  The decks are currently on sale for $999 at
   my local Circuit City.  For that much money, you can buy a DAT deck, A
   CD player, a cassette deck, and a Sony walkman.   Or, you could buy the
   MD player/recorder and a $300 cassette deck.  What does DCC give you
   that you can't get with these other units for the same price?
   Nothing.

Do you have to pay a copyright tax when you buy blank DCC tape?
I have sometimes wondered whether the DAT tape tax is an effort
to kill off DAT altogether. 

   And I think MD will not only beat out DCC, but it will also replace
   ACC, and in about 3 years, I think MD sales will even pass CD sales.
   MD will never replace CD, but I think MD will replace CD as the primary
   audio distribution format.

In some parts of the world, cassettes have been pretty much the only
medium in use for over a decade (very little vinyl or CD's, even back
when vinyl was the dominant medium here).  Even in the US, I believe
ACC, not CD, is still the "dominant" distribution medium.

I don't think MD can ever compete with ACC in the low-fi market, which
is where I think is what most ACC's are (portable recorders, small boom
boxes, etc.).  I can get an AM/FM/ACC boom box or walkman for $20,
decent quality blank tapes for 75 cents, or crappy tapes for 25 cents.
I'd love to see MD's in that price range but just don't think it's
going to happen.  I'd also like to see MD's (which store 128 megabytes
of digital data) replace floppy discs (i.e. drive cost < $100, blank
disk cost <$2) but I'm not holding my breath.
From: eric@prodigal.psych.rochester.edu (Eric Hansen)
Newsgroups: rec.audio
Subject: Re: Is an expensive CD player worth the money?
Date: 24 Dec 92 16:55:31 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: University of Rochester - Rochester, New York

In <BzrtBr.78M@gpu.utcs.utoronto.ca> georgen@gpu.utcs.utoronto.ca (G. Ng) writes:

>In article <1992Dec24.005619.22320@newstand.syr.edu> evan@top.cis.syr.edu (Evan Cheng) writes:
>>...
>>Claude,
>>...
>>Even if you still think that the NAD player is a bad news, don't declare
>>their other products dead. Just about every audio company out there had
>>made something less than perfect sometime along the line. But most of
>>them still have good products (otherwise they won't be in business.)
>>
>>Evan Cheng
>>evan@top.cis.syr.edu

>Well said.

>I'm not sure what the original thread was all about really but for my two
>cents worth, I'm happy with my NAD 505 player and 705 receiver.  Looks great
>too.  Had a few skipping problems with the first 505, but the audio shop
>replaced it with one from a newer shipment.

>happy holidays and CD listening,
>gn

I've had an NAD 5000 CD player for about 6 monthes now, and don't have any
complaints at all.  Not only do I think it sounds very good (especially
for the $450 I paid for it, and I've seen it as low as $389), but it has
gotten very good reviews in the respectable mags such as Stereophile.  I
can't see how anyone would have a problem with this player unless the
rest of their system was not up to par.  Even if you don't think the D/A
section is great, it would make an excellent transport.  I'm just using it
stand-alone until I can afford an outboard DAC.  As far as the Rotel is
concerned, I think the NAD is better.

- Eric

"just my opinion"


--
* Eric J. Hansen                       |    Center for Clinical Computing   *
|  eric@binoc.bih.harvard.edu          |   350 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA  |
*  eric@prodigal.psych.rochester.edu   |            (617) 732-5925          *
Newsgroups: rec.audio
From: daniel@netcom.com (Sam Daniel)
Subject: Re: Rotdl & Merdian CDP
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  (408 241-9760 guest) 
Date: Sun, 3 Jan 1993 21:01:13 GMT

pohsk@ecst.csuchico.edu (Lee Kuan Yew) writes:

>Hi fellow audiophiles, 

>Is there any significant difference in sound quality between the 
>Rotel RCD965BX and the Meridian 200/203 CD players?  Is it worth
>paying $1000 more for the Meridian 200/203?

IMHO, the Meridian combo is at least an order of magnitude better than
the Rotel.  Both use 1-bit converters, but the Meridian is far more
musical and listenable.
-- 
*
Sam Daniel          *   UUCP (Smart):  daniel@netcom.com
Paramax Systems     *         (Dumb):  {...}!uunet!netcom!daniel
1001 W. Maude Ave.  *          Voice:  1-408-235-2661
Sunnyvale, CA 95131 *     Disclaimer:  It's only my opinion, but it's
                                       a DAMN good one...
Newsgroups: rec.audio
From: jeh@cmkrnl.com
Newsgroups: rec.audio
Subject: Re: Sony
Date: 24 Dec 92 18:06:02 GMT
Organization: Kernel Mode Consulting, San Diego, CA

In article <BP.92Dec23180651@swamp.cs.brown.edu>, bp@cs.brown.edu (Boris Putanec) writes:
> In article <1992Dec23.113904.994@cmkrnl.com> jeh@cmkrnl.com writes:
> 
>    Nor did I mention the Sony XBR tv sets, 27" and larger, which are
>    among the highest priced in each size category but which can
>    apparently absolutely NOT be adjusted to eliminate pincushion
>    distortion.  (ask on rec.video)
> 
> Ask for a recommended 27" or 31" TV on rec.video and probably
> something like 70% of the respondands will say Sony. 

And a bunch of other folks will tell you about problems getting the set
adjusted so that straight lines appear to be straight. 

> Bashing Sony TV's is stupid.  They have flaws, but as far as overall package
> (picture, features, look, etc) they are really hard to beat. 

I'm not "bashing Sony tvs", I'm pointing out that they are not perfect and that
some of them have problems which cannot be corrected on the service bench. They
are "hard to beat" only if you can put up with geometric distortion:  Lines
that are supposed to be horizontal, aren't, if they extend across the full
width of the tube and are near the top or bottom of the raster.  There are
electronic adjustments in the XBR sets which can correct for this distortion in
vertical lines, but horizontal lines are adjusted by moving small magnets about
on the back of the CRT.  These same magnets also affect convergence.  It
appears to be impossible to set the thing up to eliminate the geometric
distortion *and* get the convergence right at the same time. 

The annoying thing is that this is NOT impossible to fix, even in this screen
size. Other large-screen sets have this problem too, but not all of them.  Sony
could have done it right, but they chose to cut corners in this aspect of the
design, because most people don't notice this problem that much.  I would 
expect cost-cutting of that sort in a Samsung or other low-cost set, but not
in the XBR's price range. 

> Sony has become like BMW and Mercedes. A brand name. They can charge
> more than the competition and get away with it. Sometimes they have a
> truely superlative product, like the Sony's TVs/Camcorders/Recording Walkmans 

Oh, yes, like the camcorders with autofocus circuits that constantly "hunt".  
(Fixed in some of the current models.)

	--- Jamie Hanrahan, Kernel Mode Consulting, San Diego CA
Internet:  jeh@cmkrnl.com, hanrahan@eisner.decus.org, or jeh@crash.cts.com
Uucp:  ...{crash,eisner,uunet}!cmkrnl!jeh
Newsgroups: rec.audio,rec.video
From: DPierce@world.std.com (Richard D Pierce)
Subject: Re: Radio Shack garbage
Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA
Date: Sun, 3 Jan 1993 12:40:07 GMT

In article <C09GL2.E4@ccu.umanitoba.ca> umhaugh0@ccu.umanitoba.ca (Bruce A. Haugh) writes:
>
>I've noticed as well that they are selling less parts and shifting more
>the selling of products. (I wonder what that's going to do for them)
>They sell some speakers by the name of Genexxa which is actually made
>by Pioneer and ofcourse their Optimus speakers are made by Bose.  I'm
>just wondering if these are low end stuff that they rename and let a 
>"low-end" store sell.
>

The notion that Optimus speakers are made by Bose is pure hogwash. While
they may utilize vendors that also supply Bose and that there may be
tweeter used in a Bose loudspeaker that may also be used in an Optimus
speaker, how you make the leap of faith to your conclusion is something
of a mystery.

Radio Shack obtains their speakers from a variety of sources domestic and
foreign. Bose ain't one of them.

-- 
|                Dick Pierce                |
|    Loudspeaker and Software Consulting    |
| 17 Sartelle Street   Pepperell, MA  01463 |
|       (508) 433-9183 (Voice and FAX)      |
Newsgroups: rec.audio
From: Dave Jensen <djensen@claven.idbsu.edu>
Subject: Re: polarity inversion
Organization: Morrison Center for the Performing Arts
Date: Sun, 3 Jan 1993 06:44:02 GMT

In article <1992Dec31.235858.22059@mnemosyne.cs.du.edu> tlode@nyx.cs.du.edu
(trygve lode) writes:
>In article <1hvai7INNt2c@transfer.stratus.com> rsud@sw.stratus.com (Rajiv Sud)
writes:
>
>>	Absolute phase does matter and is easy to hear. You and other
>>non-belivers might try it for yourself on something better than a mass
>>market system. Better than mass market is the key (but spare me the
>>arguements about not being able to afford $2000 components. If mass
>>consumers weren't so complacent and demanded better they'd get it).
>
>Can you perhaps suggest a few recordings on which absolute phase is easy
>to hear?  I have several stereos, ranging from a Rotel 955 driving a 
>Musical Fidelity A-1 20WPC pure class A integrated amp with a pair of
>Chartwell LS3/5a speakers to one that includes the latest revision models
>of EAD transport & processor, Threshold amp, and Apogee Stage speakers
>(this week, anyway) and several others, including ones where I have designed
>the speakers and some of the electronics.  I can hear the difference when
>moving a tweeter forward or backwards an inch or two when making
>an enclosure, the (frequently dramatic) difference between two high-end
>amplifiers, the effects of changing speaker or listener position by an inch
>or so, and the differences between different op-amps, but I've never been
>able to detect absolute phase, even on the Stereophile test disks that are
>specifically designed for testing this ability.
>
>Trygve 
>

The audibility of absolute polarity (which, by the way, is not a function of
time, as is phase) will be most noticeable with a high-transient, low-frequency
signal (below 60 Hz). The impact of a prominent, well recorded kick drum will
be weaker if the speaker polarity is opposite that of the assumed correct
recording polarity where a positive pressure produced a positive voltage at the
microphone.

A very simple test to satisfy your curiosity would be to listen to the
difference in woofer sound quality as you apply a battery across the terminals
of your speaker cabinet. I believe you'll find the compression wave produced by
a positive voltage on the positive terminal (pushing the speaker outward) will
yield the more satisfying thump.
From: jbradley@bbn.com (John Bradley)
Newsgroups: bbn.bboard,rec.audio
Subject: WANTED: Portable CD repair (power)
Keywords: power connection, Kenwood, portable CD
Date: 29 Dec 92 22:06:48 GMT
Distribution: ne
NNTP-Posting-Host: ryker.bbn.com

Hi,

Anyone have a good repair shop in the Boston area.  I need to have
the power connection re-soldered and/or reseated on a circuit
board for a Kenwood portable/rechargable CD player.

I may try and do this myself as I see what needs to be done.  I need
the small circuit board that holds the power connections and screws
to anchor the barrel connector so you may plug and unplug the portable
CD to an AC/DC 6-9 volt converter.

I know that I will run into trouble so I looking for:

 - A person/shop that can do this cheaply (in the Boston area)
 - A number to contact Kenwood to inquire about parts/service.

Thanks,
John
From: cal@gsbux1.uchicago.edu (Cal Lott)
Newsgroups: rec.audio
Subject: Re: Why would tapes squeak?
Date: 2 Jan 93 03:20:26 GMT
Organization: University of Chicago Computing Organizations

greg@zaphod.uchicago.edu (Greg Kuperberg) writes:

>My wife has an long-standing collection of cassette tapes and over
>time many of them have begun to squeak.  Typically the tape starts
>in good shape and at some point faint metallic mosquito noises appear
>and then go away.  Then they get more persistent and louder.  I can
>tell you that you don't need much of this to ruin a good musical
>piece.

>Why do the tapes do this?  Have they been played too often?  Is the
>tape deck ruining them?  Is there any way to salvage the tapes or
>should they go to the trash?  Please send a copy of your reply by mail.
>Thanks.

	In my opinion, the analog cassette format is a seriously
flawed medium. Any cassette tape that you own will steadily and
inexorably degrade over time, epecially if you play it very often.

	Having said that, there are a few things that you can do:

	If the tape in question is a manufacturer-recorded one
that you bought in a store, transfer the tape to a higher quality
shell. Even the low-end TDKs, Maxells, Denons, and Sonys have much
better shells. These can usually be taken apart with a small Phillips-
head screwdriver. You can then transfer the store-bought tape into
the TDK (or any other manufacturers') shell. This should make your
tape sound a little better and last longer, due to decreased
vibration and friction. 

	If you must buy new cassettes, consider an archival dub to
an inexpensive cassette. Then play the dub to keep the original
from degrading too severely.

	Again, the problems of cassettes are legion. I would buy
cpoies of these albums on CD, if possible. (If you don't have a CD
player, then buy one. It is a much better value in the long run.)

					-Cal
--
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Cal Lott          "Oh, I see-- I thought 'no' meant 'spoon'!" --Dan
Email me, baby!   cal@gsbux1.uchicago.edu   cjl1@midway.uchicago.edu
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Newsgroups: rec.audio