HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: bradley@magic.riacs.edu (Brad Christofferson)
Subject: Acoustic studio monitors?
Organization: RIACS, NASA Ames Research Center
Date: Thu, 27 Aug 92 00:19:38 GMT


I just purchased what I thought was a great deal but now I am pretty sure I 
got ripped off.  A couple of guys were selling speakers from the back
of their van.  They had a bunch of them that they were trying to get rid of.

I thought the brand name "Acoustic" sounded like one of the popular high 
fideltiy brands.  They told me the speakers regularly sell for $849 each.
I paid $200 for the pair.  I haven't hooked them up yet.  For my ears, they
will probably sound ok.  Like about a $100 a side! :)

The specs that are printed on the outside of the box:  

	Acoustic Studio Monitor Series 3311
	Compact Disc Digital Audio

	Monitors Features:

	12" Poly Woofer
	5" Liquid cooled Midrange
	3" Liquid cooled Tweeter
	2 Frequency controls
	1 instant circuit protector
	125 Watt Program

	Driver's Feature:
	
	FerroFluid / Liquid Cooled Polypropylene
	Home or Professional use

They also have a (tuned?) port.

Is this a bunch of hogwash or what?  The polypropylene bass looks reasonable.

There is a warranty in each box.  The name and address is listed as:
AUDIO Technology
6312 E. Santa Ana Canyon Rd.
Anaheim Hills, CA 92807

I called information for Anaheim and guess what?
There is no AUDIO Technology listed... :(

I called the local Circuit City and the guy in the stereo department said,
"Acoustic, like the kind some guy sells out of the back of his van?"  He said he
wouldn't buy them but most people end up paying around $200.  They are probably
worth that much.  The manufacturer is apparently not very reputable.

-- 

B				E		Y................
  R 			L
        A         D

"People slowly accustomed themselves to the idea that the physical
states of space itself were the final physical reality"

				-Professor Albert Einstein

Newsgroups: rec.audio
From: rpt@edscom.demon.co.uk (Richard Tomlinson)
Subject: Very expensive cables
Summary: Is it worth spending money on new cables?
Keywords: CD cable interconnect 
Organization: EDS-Scicon, Milton Keynes, UK
Date: Wed, 2 Sep 1992 14:47:33 GMT

I've borrowed an Audioquest Ruby cable to connect my CD player (Arcam Alpha) to
my amp (Arcam Delta 60) to see if it's worth the 60 quid. So far, I haven't
noticed any difference. My speakers (Heybrook HB150) are still connected with
fairly ordinary cable (QED stranded I think).

Do expensive cables really make a difference?
Do I need to upgrade my speaker cable as well to hear any difference?
Are these expensive cables just a way for manufacturers to make more money
out of their gullible customers?
Or are my ears not very good?

When I was getting demos for my hifi, I could definitely tell the difference
between different speakers and different amps. For example, the Delta 60 amp
did sound better than the Alpha amp.

Final question:
Would an outboard D-A convertor help, such as the Arcam Black Box 3 (or even
the new 5)?

Please Email any answers. I'll summarise if anything interesting comes my way.

Ta, Richard.

-- 
Richard Tomlinson, EDS Scicon, Wavendon Tower, Milton Keynes, UK MK17 8LX
rpt@edscom.demon.co.uk   Tel:  +44 908 284539          Amateur radio: G4TGJ
All opinions expressed are mine, and are not necessarily those of my employer.
From: wilson@MML.NCSL.NIST.GOV (Ron Wilson)
Newsgroups: rec.audio
Subject: Help with Cassette Decks
Date: 26 Aug 92 12:48:22 GMT
Organization: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

Hello Netters,

I have some questions concerning cassette tape decks.   I have a old Pioneer 
that was top of the line in 1978.  It's one of the first (I believe) to offer 
Metal tape capability along with three tape calibrations (bias, eq, rec), 
and phase locked loop dual capstan drives, etc.  

OK, today I'm in the market for a new machine and I am thinking about getting 
a dual machine for use on tape trees.  I go to my neighborhood semi high-end 
audio store and the guy there tells me there isn't much difference between 
single and dual machines as far as the mechanism/design.  (I was wondering 
how they could be the same at the same price?)  I picked up some 
Sony info on their regular series and their ES series.  I looked at the 
specifications and noticed that 1) none of the dual machines offer closed 
loop circuitry which seems to reduce W&F from about 0.06/7 to 0.03 even 
though the single and dual machines use three motors and three heads.  
So my questions are:

1.  How important is this feature - will I here noise without it?  My old 
    machine had it.

2.  Has the technology improved so much that it's not really a problem?

3.  When I look at all the specs for the dual machines, the S/N ratio with 
    and without Dolby and metal tapes are the same for all machines, cheap 
    to expensive.  So am I just paying for features meaning the sound 
    will be all the same?  The W&F between the expensive and cheap machines 
    are from 0.08 to 0.07 to 0.06.

4.  Is it better to buy the highest end machine in the regular class or a 
    medium machine in the ES class?

5.  How important is a machine that has a super bias circuitry that operates 
    at 160kHz as compare to most machines at 105kHz?
    
6.  Since I only want a machine I can play a tape without hearing noise/hiss 
    will just about any medium level machine (~$300.) do?

7.  How important is it to have the third motor .vs. two and/or the third 
    head .vs. two?

8.  Do you recommend a particular brand or are they all about the same at 
    the same price?

I know I've asked a lot of questions but any help would be greatly appreciated.
I'm an old baby boomer who was really into audio back in the seventies and 
late sixties.  Now I pay more attention to video.  

Please help if you have time.  You can email me at wilson@mml.ncsl.nist.gov 
or post to the net.  Whichever you feel is appropriate.

Thanx,

Ron Wilson
Newsgroups: rec.audio
From: moskowit@tronsbox.xei.com (Len Moskowitz)
Subject: Re: Sub woofer kits
Organization: Xanadu Enterprises Inc.
Distribution: usa
Date: Wed, 2 Sep 1992 14:01:03 GMT

In article <BtwIoE.3M6@usenet.ucs.indiana.edu> thomasb@ucs.indiana.edu
(Barry Thomas) writes:

>My son would like to build a sub-woofer from a kit.  He has some
>carpenter skills (he didn't get them from me), so I believe he is
>interested in building a cabinet and installing the inards.  
>
>I don't normal follow this group so if there is a FAQ list please point
>me in that direction.  I would, however, appreicate any advice kits,
>sources, prices, etc.  I said I send a note on the net, but I suspect
>I'll end up making a donation to the cause.  Money _IS_ and object here!

If the T/S numbers they quote are accurate, you'd find it hard to beat
the Kicker (Stillwater Designs) "Solobaric" drivers.  Using their T/S
numbers, the S-12 will have an F3 (down 3 dB) of 36 Hertz and an F10
(down 10 dB) of 22 Hertz in a 1.5 cubic foot box!  That's a lot of
bass in a very small box.  Use some MDF for the box and veneer it so
that you can stand to look at it.

The driver's expensive though, listing at $299.  It's regularly
discounted.

If anyone has actually used the S-12, I'd like to hear your
impressions.

-- 
---

Len Moskowitz
moskowit@tronsbox.xei.com (preferred address)
moskowit@panix.com (alternate address)
Newsgroups: rec.audio
From: toh@ecf.toronto.edu (TOH CHUN-KIT)
Subject: Axiom AX-5 Reference loudspeakers.
Organization: University of Toronto, Engineering Computing Facility
Distribution: na
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1992 22:16:57 GMT

Hi there !!
	I just stumbled upon a good deal recently. I went to a shop in
downtown Toronto and I saw this huge sign which says "50% off Axiom
Loudspeakers !!" I went in an auditioned the AX-5 reference loudspeakers
and they were quite good !! The speakers are bipolar (i.e. woofer is at 
the rear of the enclosure) There is a 1.5 inch dome tweeter, 5 inch dome 
midrange and a 10 inch aluminum woofer. These speakers can be 
bi-amped or bi-wired. The impedence is 4 ohms and 2 ohms in bi-amped 
mode. Efficiency is about 87 dB/W/m. Frequency response is 32-20k Hz 
+3/-4 dB. The finish is a genuine oak veneer and the box looks quite solid.
There are stands and spikes provided. 
	My current setup includes the Acurus A250 power amp and the
Yamaha CDC-735 CD changer. I need to find out if anybody out there has 
heard of these speakers !! If you have, please give me your comments !!
E-mail is appreciated. I will post a summary.
Newsgroups: rec.audio
From: shiv@bnr.ca (Shiv Naimpally)
Subject: Re: I need advice on technics rs-tr-333...please
Reply-To: shiv@bnr.ca (Shiv Naimpally)
Organization: Bell-Northern Research Ltd.
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 92 20:31:32 GMT

I have last year's model (323), but the rest is pretty much identical
I think - B, C HX pro, both bays autoreverse (including recording).
I use mine all the time for dubbing, excellent machine. I've had it
8 months and use it quite heavily. Music copies are very good, even
at high speed.
From: electron@waikato.ac.nz
Newsgroups: rec.audio
Subject: Passive Crossover Wanted.
Date: 26 Aug 92 12:30:20 +1200
Organization: University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand

I have made a set of speakers using Vifa drivers.
My system consists of -:
a Vifa 10 inch mineral filled polycone woofer
a Vifa 3 inch dome midrange
a vifa 1 inch dome tweeter.
These are all packaged in a 55 l bass reflex cabinet.
At the moment i a running them active with a series 5000 mosfet amp on the 
bass, and for the mid and tweeter, some HY 60 amplifiers from Radio spares.
I would like to know if anaybody out there has a circuit diagram for a passive
crossover for the above drivers.  If so could you pleeeaaase e-mail me so i can
get more details from you. ie scan, uuencode and mail the circuit to me.
ta much 
Bruce Rhodes
University of Waikato
Hamilton
New Zealand.
IN%"electron@waikato.ac.nz

Newsgroups: rec.audio
From: shiv@bnr.ca (Shiv Naimpally)
Subject: Re: How are speaker impedences specified?
Reply-To: shiv@bnr.ca (Shiv Naimpally)
Organization: Bell-Northern Research Ltd.
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 92 18:15:51 GMT

Impedance varies which is why you'll see impedance charts in some
magazine reviews. Normally the speaker literature will say something
to the effect that these speakers are nominally rated at 8 ohms (or
whatever).                            ^^^^^^^^^

This means that on the impedance chart, this is the minimum impedance
the speakers have.
From: pi@sharon.isi.edu (Jen-I Pi)
Newsgroups: rec.audio
Subject: Re: HSU Research Sub woofers
Date: 29 Aug 92 04:53:03 GMT
Distribution: world
Organization: MOSIS Project, USC/ISI
Keywords: woofers

In article <collin.714964406@angelo>, collin@angelo.amd.com (Collin K. Ong) writes:
|> shiv@bnr.ca (Shiv Naimpally) writes:
|> 
|> >I don't beleive anything in reviews from Stereo Review/Audio. How
|> >many times have you heard the phrase 'compares favourably to speakers
|> >costing 2 or 3 times as much' ? 
|> 
|> I don't believe SR either but I think the HSU Research subs were mentioned
|> favorably in Stereophile.  Not a review but a positive mention in one of 
                ^^^^^^^^^^^

Does anyone know how can I subscribe the 'Stereophile' magazine?

Thanks in advance!

Jen-I pi@lepton.isi.edu :-)
Newsgroups: rec.audio
From: on@us.oracle.com (On G. Paradise)
Subject: Re: Mods for Radio Shack M7 speakers
Organization: Oracle Corp., Redwood Shores CA
Date: Thu, 3 Sep 1992 09:05:22 GMT
X-Disclaimer: This message was written by an unauthenticated user
              at Oracle Corporation.  The opinions expressed are those
              of the user and not necessarily those of Oracle.

Mr. Wang writes:
>Sometimes ago there were discussions on how to modify Radio Shack M7
>speaker, can someone repost or e-mail me the info please.

OOPS!
<<< 554 <wang@mercury.ncat.edu>...
  Cannot open /afs/ncat.edu/usr2/wang/.forward: Permission denied

The guy that designed this speaker must be deaf.  The woofer (if you
call a 4" speaker a woofer) has no crossover.  From the tweeter
crossover capacitor (4.7uF) it seems that the crossover point is near
3.5 kHz. Inserting a 0.4mH inductor in series with the woofer (6
dB/octave at 3.5 kHz) improves the sound considerably: much cleaner
midrange and deeper bass.

Inductors are available from MCM Electronics, for about $2.65 each.
Unfortunately, their minimum order is $25...

Now if only I find the time to attenuate the tweeters a little...
I have missed the discussion, so please e-mail what you get.

Good luck!

On
From: lstowell@pyrnova.mis.pyramid.com (Lon Stowell)
Newsgroups: rec.audio
Subject: Re: How are speaker impedences specified?
Date: 1 Sep 92 21:02:30 GMT
Reply-To: lstowell@pyrnova.pyramid.com (Lon Stowell)
Organization: Pyramid Technology Corp., Mountain View, CA
Originator: daemon@sword.eng.pyramid.com

In article <kJoeqB2w165w@tsoft.sf-bay.org> bbs.hew@tsoft.sf-bay.org (Harold Wheaton) writes:
>
>Hmmm...talk about some real confusion!  I was hoping it would be 
>"scientific" but maybe not! 
   
      On rec.audio?  Shirley you jest!

>Anyway, I suspect my surplus speakers are 4 
>ohmers (3.8 at DC, 8 at 1 Khz, 2 at 20 Khz!) and I know I can put a 4 ohm 
>resistor in series and that should make the receiver happy since it likes 
>8 (but can handle 6).
>
    I'd measure them at 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 Hz to get a picture
    of how bad/good they might be.  If they have low impedance at 20
    Khz, it shouldn't really hurt much, as most music has pretty low
    energy there.   (Unless you have an inherently unstable amp...)
    In the bass though, an excessively low impedance could annoy
    some low current amplifiers.

    I'd replace the amp before putting the resistor in series, the
    damping factor would become 1.00 or less and the bass would be
    muddy, tubby, underdamped, and in other ways atrocious.


>Thanks all for the help.  I am ready to get the receiver knowing things 
>should work out.
 
    Pick a different receiver, you'll be much happier.
Newsgroups: rec.audio
From: bmw@Rosie.UH.EDU
Subject: Re: Cheap CD players
Reply-To: bmw@Rosie.UH.EDU
Organization: University of Houston
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 1992 20:35:15 GMT

In the Houston area, we have a discount (sort of) store called
TARGET. They currently are selling the Sony D33  Discman for
$99.99, regular price (they recently had a "price cut" on this
model). If you have a Target store in your area, you might
check this one out. I looked at it and almost bought it, but
then decided to go for a different model (more expensive) for
purely personal reasons. I have seen ads from other stores
(Circuit City and a couple of other) with this same model for
less than $120.

Brian Walker  ---  Univ. of Houston
Newsgroups: rec.audio
From: sgccncr@citec.oz.au (Nick Russell)
Subject: Wharfedale speakesr - info needed
Organization: CITEC
Date: Thu, 3 Sep 1992 23:06:14 GMT

I'm thinking of buying a pair of Wharfedale 507.2s. Does anybody have
any info/criticisms of these speakers ?

Thanks

Nick
From: davea@hpscit.sc.hp.com (Dave Angelini)
Date: Tue, 25 Aug 1992 20:23:38 GMT
Subject: For sale Audio Gear
Organization: Hewlett-Packard, Santa Clara, CA
Newsgroups: rec.audio

Snell type Q loudspeakers with stands and cables. New $1100 sell $600

Tube Trap room accoustic treatment. (6) Beige traps for sale or trade

                         
email or call 408 225 0923

Newsgroups: rec.audio
From: kester@mte.ncsu.edu (Dan Kester)
Subject: Re: cd player
Organization: Mat. Sci. & Eng., NCSU
Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1992 13:34:13 GMT

In article <92244.142734YKWON@SLACVM.SLAC.STANFORD.EDU>
YKWON@SLACVM.SLAC.STANFORD.EDU (415) writes:
>I am in the hunt for a good single-play CD player with moderate price.
>Does anyone have an opinion on
>        ADCOM GCD 575,
>        Carver SD/A 490t
>        Rotel 965, 955
>or any other models comparable to these?
>
>Sound quality is the most important but the mechanical stability is also
>very important to me.
>
>Thank you.
>
The Rotel 955 is considered to be (by audiophile magazines, most high end
dealers) the best CD player in its price range.  Best sound, and also good
mechanical quality.  It's generally considered better than the more expensive
Rotel 965.  It lists for $450, but is normally available for about $400.  To do
better you have to go to about $800 (JVC 1050, CAL Icon, Sonograph(?)). 
Cheaper, there is an NAD unit that lists for $300 and is pretty good, but I
compared it to the Rotel and found the Rotel to sound better, and to be more
solidly built.  If you don't mind used equipment, the Rotel 855 (last years
model) is almost identical, except cosmetically, to the 955, and may be
available for around $250 or so, used.


Dan Kester
kester@mte.ncsu.edu
From: pburke@vms.macc.wisc.edu (Peter Burke, MIC, 608-263-7744)
Newsgroups: rec.audio
Subject: Sony STR-AV 1070 just DIED!
Date: 2 Sep 92 20:24:32 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: University of Wisconsin Academic Computing Center

Only a few weeks ago I was still defending this receiver as a good 
choice, but I just had to chnge my mind: something in the relais that 
switch the main power cicuitry has gone bezerk: I cannot power up 
anymore, and the power-off on the remote only causes a buzzing noise to 
come out of the main speakers.  Unplugging causes some relais to reset, 
but once plugged back in the same problem persists.  Teh receiver is 
about 4 months old!  Also, it runs WAY hot, whcih made me purchase a 
small microfan - maybe too late.  Should have bought a Denon or 
something else with less buttons and lights....


Did anyone else have a similar problem with this Sony?

Peter
From: keb@sactoh0.sac.ca.us (Ken E. Bartlett)
Newsgroups: rec.audio
Subject: HSU Research Sub woofers
Keywords: woofers
Date: 27 Aug 92 06:06:03 GMT
Organization: Sacramento Public Access Unix

I've recently glossed over the newest Stereo Review in which a pair
of HSU Research Subs were tested.  Stereo Review spoke well of them
(as well as everything they test).  I wasn't quite clear as to how the
would be hooked up.  I have a Sony receiver with Pro-Logic and am looking
for some added punch from some of the Laser Disk movies I have.
Has anyone tried a pair of these?  Will I need a separate amp to drive
them?  Are they worth the money?  Any other suggestions for Subs used
mostly for Pro-Logic movies?
 
-- 
#############################################################
#  Ken E. Bartlett           at     keb@sactoh0.SAC.CA.US   #
#  Go ahead, make my day....                                #
#############################################################
Newsgroups: rec.audio,misc.consumers
From: hkang@concho.intel.com (Hananel Kang exp 9/92~)
Subject: IMHO (was Re: DAK mail order)
Keywords: i move heavy objects
Organization: Intel Corporation
Date: Tue, 25 Aug 1992 22:29:30 GMT

In article <jpl1.714772958@Ra.MsState.Edu> jpl1@Ra.MsState.Edu (John Patrick Lestrade) writes:
>what does IMHO stand for?  I Must Have Olives?  Idiosyncracy Must Hamper
>Obfuscation?  
>patrick
>
>--
>John Patrick Lestrade, PhD        
>cnesta::lestrade
>jpl1@ra.msstate.edu


hahahaha ha ha!
Yeah, I like it!--(I Must Have Olives)

but seriously it means something less funny (IMHO).

Keeho Kang
From: scampbe1@metz.une.edu.au (Stephen Campbell)
Newsgroups: rec.audio
Subject: Re: Sticky CD player
Date: 30 Aug 92 23:58:17 GMT
Reply-To: scampbe1@metz.une.edu.au
Originator: scampbe1@metz.une.edu.au

From article <17b9tpINNhvv@matt.ksu.ksu.edu>, by scats@matt.ksu.ksu.edu (Eric Fred Brunt):
> finton@lactic.cs.wisc.edu (David J. Finton) writes:
> 
>>I'm seeking advice about my CD player, which is starting to act up on some
>>discs.  The player is 7 years old, and our local repair shop was sure that
>>the problem is either the laser or the motor wearing out.  
> 
>>My opinion was that the player probably just needed to be cleaned, 
>>especially the rails that the laser assembly slides on.  The repair person
>>said that CD players didn't really suffer from that problem.
> 
>>Here are the symptoms:
>>  (1) On some discs, the player can't find the beginning of some tracks.
>>      Usually the problem is with the first tracks on the disc. 
>>  (2) The player will set the laser several minutes into such a track,
>>      and in the pause mode.  Sometimes the player seems to have its
>>      laser stuck; going into play mode refuses to play, or advance the
>>      time on the display, until I skip the player to another track.
>>      Also, attempting to scan forward or backward from such a point
>>      affects the laser position (as evidenced by the time displayed) 
>>      unpredictably;  it skips back and forth.
>>  (3) Sometimes skipping tracks to the end of the disc and then 
>>      skipping back to the beginning several times removes the problem.
>>  (4) Some discs show no problem.

I had EXACTLY the same symptoms in my Yamaha CDX-1 (very old as far as CD's 
are concerned). I cleaned the rails etc etc to no avail. As a last resort 
I took it to the service centre expecting it to be pronounced Dead on 
arrival. However, it did turn out to be the motor.

CD's must achieve maximum rpm to read the inormation track and the first 
music track. Without this they will do all the above. If the motor does no have quite then you've got problems. Sometimes mine would read OK when it first started to play up but the it got worse over time.

One positive note is that the repair only cost $60 for a brand new motor and
overhaul. The player is as good as new.

If I were you I would clean it first, but don't be dissapointed if it
really does need that motor!


Steve

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Steve Campbell				|	Lead Analyst
scampbe1@metz.une.edu.au		|	MIS Unit
					|	University of New England
					|	Armidale, New South Wales
					|	Australia.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Newsgroups: rec.audio
From: ssr@cypress.com (Bapcha/FPGA)
Subject: Re: Bose AM-7
Organization: Cypress Semiconductor, San Jose, CA
Date: Thu, 3 Sep 1992 21:17:40 GMT

In article <1992Sep3.103026@IASTATE.EDU> milano@IASTATE.EDU (Alissa Milano) writes:
>
>	I have seen some netter gave some very good comments on Bose Am7/5.  I was

Wonder who that is ;-)

CSW is way better than the Bose stuff.

-Bapcha-
Newsgroups: rec.audio
From: DPierce@world.std.com (Richard d Pierce)
Subject: Re: How are speaker impedences specified?
Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA
Date: Wed, 2 Sep 1992 11:44:26 GMT

Peter Monta writes:
>Richard d Pierce writes:
>
>> As an aside, the concept of "4 Ohm", "8 Ohm" and other such "standard"
>> impedance values is more historical artifact based on some bogus assumptions
>> as anything else.
>
>I'm curious; what assumptions might these have been?  Is it similar
>to the situation with standard transmission line impedances (50 ohms,
>75 ohms, 93 ohms, etc.) which variously minimize loss, maximize
>power handling, etc.?
>

Well, yes and no. Way back when, when all amplifying devices were tube based
and transformer coupled, they had relatively high output impedances and thus
required somewhat closer matching of impedances for maximum power transfer.
Nowadays, with most amplifiers being essentially pure voltage sources, it's
far less critical. 

The starnge array of impedances allowed for paralleling multiple sets for
use in PA applications. You could, for example, parallel 3 48 ohm drivers
for low-level sound along with a single 16 ohm driver for, say, a lobby where
you might want more output, the whole combination being 8 ohms.

One of the bogus assumptions is that the impedance designation really meant
anything to begin with.



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