novisnick
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Post by novisnick on Apr 26, 2015 17:24:35 GMT -5
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novisnick
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Post by novisnick on Apr 26, 2015 17:25:35 GMT -5
Let me know if it helped anyone. Good luck!!
Nick
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novisnick
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Post by novisnick on Apr 26, 2015 17:38:30 GMT -5
Another thing: Is Dirac calibrated 2-channel stereo audio noticeably better sounding than Dirac-less Reference Stereo or 2-channel in Direct mode? I have not had time to mess with any Dirac Full cal or settings yet (I confess I am a little intimidated), but I am really wondering about that--how much better Dirac-tweaked 2 channel audio might sound... I won't say that it's better then the other ways of listening to two channel, I will say that it's different, depending on how you set up your gear, settings toe, ( in Or out ). It depends on how you like your music to sound and weather you want to physically move speakers and sound treatment or assist the Dirac program and adjust the settings on it. Dirac, in my opinion, is another tool for our box to fine tune what we each like in music. if your happy with slapping down a set of speakers and throwing up some treatments, Dirac will get you pretty good sound, but if your picky,,,,,,like most all of us are here on any audio forum, then it's just another very good tool to get us where we want to go as quick as possible. Yes,,,,,,you can play with it till the cows come home and make unending adjustments,,,,,like moving speakers and room treatments, but in the end, it's what puts a smile on our faces that counts. Dont play with it too much,,,,,,,,,,it'll make you go blind,,,,,he,,,,he,,,,,he,,,,,,
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novisnick
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Post by novisnick on Apr 26, 2015 17:51:32 GMT -5
Quick note concerning the Oppo 103 and XMC-1, coaxial out of the Oppo to the Coaxial 1 input to the XMC-1 triggers my XPA-5 to shut down when I'm using just two channel.
For movies the XMC-1 is input HDMI 1 which triggers both XPR-1s and XPA-5 amps on.
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Post by sahmen on Apr 26, 2015 17:53:57 GMT -5
Another thing: Is Dirac calibrated 2-channel stereo audio noticeably better sounding than Dirac-less Reference Stereo or 2-channel in Direct mode? I have not had time to mess with any Dirac Full cal or settings yet (I confess I am a little intimidated), but I am really wondering about that--how much better Dirac-tweaked 2 channel audio might sound... I won't say that it's better then the other ways of listening to two channel, I will say that it's different, depending on how you set up your gear, settings toe, ( in Or out ). It depends on how you like your music to sound and weather you want to physically move speakers and sound treatment or assist the Dirac program and adjust the settings on it. Dirac, in my opinion, is another tool for our box to fine tune what we each like in music. if your happy with slapping down a set of speakers and throwing up some treatments, Dirac will get you pretty good sound, but if your picky,,,,,,like most all of us are here on any audio forum, then it's just another very good tool to get us where we want to go as quick as possible. Yes,,,,,,you can play with it till the cows come home and make unending adjustments,,,,,like moving speakers and room treatments, but in the end, it's what puts a smile on our faces that counts. Dont play with it too much,,,,,,,,,,it'll make you go blind,,,,,he,,,,he,,,,,he,,,,,, Nice! Well so far, I have been enjoying my two-channel in Direct mode so much that I am feeling too lazy to get myself mired in Dirac settings and headaches. However, I shall eventually have to get to it, for movies, at least. I also paid the extra $99 for that software, so I might as well use it, sooner rather than later, I guess.
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novisnick
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Post by novisnick on Apr 26, 2015 18:08:33 GMT -5
I won't say that it's better then the other ways of listening to two channel, I will say that it's different, depending on how you set up your gear, settings toe, ( in Or out ). It depends on how you like your music to sound and weather you want to physically move speakers and sound treatment or assist the Dirac program and adjust the settings on it. Dirac, in my opinion, is another tool for our box to fine tune what we each like in music. if your happy with slapping down a set of speakers and throwing up some treatments, Dirac will get you pretty good sound, but if your picky,,,,,,like most all of us are here on any audio forum, then it's just another very good tool to get us where we want to go as quick as possible. Yes,,,,,,you can play with it till the cows come home and make unending adjustments,,,,,like moving speakers and room treatments, but in the end, it's what puts a smile on our faces that counts. Dont play with it too much,,,,,,,,,,it'll make you go blind,,,,,he,,,,he,,,,,he,,,,,, Nice! Well so far, I have been enjoying my two-channel in Direct mode so much that I am not feeling too lazy to get myself mired in Dirac settings and headaches. However, I shall eventually have to get to it, for movies, at least. I also paid the extra $99 for that software, so I might as well use it, sooner rather than later, I guess. Yep! Boys and our toys,,,,,,no offense to you ladies.
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novisnick
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Post by novisnick on May 3, 2015 14:30:32 GMT -5
And now I've gone an done it,,,,,,,,,,,,garbulky ,,,,,,,,all your fault!!! I've toed in my speakers about 1/4" do ha think I need to rerun Dirac Full for this little adjustment?? Sounds a little Itsie bitsie bit better!! For two channel, don't know about HT yet,,,,,and now I'm considering bringing the Yamaha back to the cave one more time to consider its Two channel,,,,,,,,,nope, too much work!!! The gear in system two is great but the sound,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,sucks, to be blunt. I know it's not the gear, it's the room,,,,a much bigger room and where to start. Speakers are OK but not great!!! Too much bass in the room with a set of CF-120 JBLs. i have two more subs in the room but not using them. Center and sorround safe Klipsch RC-62 II and a set of RB-61 II. I MAY TREY THE RB-61 II s up front and find out what they sound like as main speakers and plug in one of the subs. any short term and long term suggestions would be appreciated. Sorry for the rambling thoughts,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Oh, forgot to mention, there is no monitor or screen for viewing movies at this time, so till I/We decide what to put in that room it'll be a 7" Portable DVD display. That's all I have to see what's on the Yamaha 3020. so for now, it's two channel or 5.1 sorround music. Lets build something together!! Till I hear back I'll set up and run Dirac in the cave.
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novisnick
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Post by novisnick on May 3, 2015 16:27:51 GMT -5
A/B 'd this,,,,,,,here we go,,,,,he,,,,he,,,,,,, Mac Mini to; XMC-1 via HDMI, MUCH MORE SHALLOW SOUND,,,,,,dang caps!! DC-1 balanced in to XMC-1, no processing,,,,I think! How would I do this,,,,,,,fuller , deeper and wider soundstage. is it my imagination?? I think not!!
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Post by sahmen on May 3, 2015 16:57:32 GMT -5
A/B 'd this,,,,,,,here we go,,,,,he,,,,he,,,,,,, Mac Mini to; XMC-1 via HDMI, MUCH MORE SHALLOW SOUND,,,,,,dang caps!! DC-1 balanced in to XMC-1, no processing,,,,I think! How would I do this,,,,,,,fuller , deeper and wider soundstage. is it my imagination?? I think not!! Nick: If this is for 2-channel listening, have you also tried the Mac mini ==>>XMC-1 via the USB connection? I think that would yield a fairer comparison, especially, for two-channel listening. The Mac Mini==>>HDMI==>>XMC-1 connection would compare more favorably in 5.1 and/or other multi-channel modes, but that wouldn't seem to be the strongest suit of the DC-1... Sounds like apples and oranges.
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on May 5, 2015 5:09:58 GMT -5
Another thing: Is Dirac calibrated 2-channel stereo audio noticeably better sounding than Dirac-less Reference Stereo or 2-channel in Direct mode? I have not had time to mess with any Dirac Full cal or settings yet (I confess I am a little intimidated), but I am really wondering about that--how much better Dirac-tweaked 2 channel audio might sound... I have found I prefer my 2 channel with Dirac over any of the other options. YMMV. Mark
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novisnick
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Post by novisnick on May 5, 2015 5:15:01 GMT -5
Another thing: Is Dirac calibrated 2-channel stereo audio noticeably better sounding than Dirac-less Reference Stereo or 2-channel in Direct mode? I have not had time to mess with any Dirac Full cal or settings yet (I confess I am a little intimidated), but I am really wondering about that--how much better Dirac-tweaked 2 channel audio might sound... I have found I prefer my 2 channel with Dirac over any of the other options. YMMV. Mark I do prefer Dirac with two channel for digital but I've set up a different setting for vinyl. Just my presence, pure analog for me .
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novisnick
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Post by novisnick on May 10, 2015 19:15:47 GMT -5
A half day in the large room. Been working off and on for a bit here. Bits and pieces but a beautiful thing just the same. Moved the Yamaha 3020 down here along with the XSP-1, DC-1 a set of XPA-1Ls and three Sherbourn C-12's. I had added a vintage 1968 Dual 1219 TT some time back along with an older portable DVD player that has analog in/out, this came in handy as there is no TV or monitor in the room and doing anything with today's AVRs is almost impossible without one!!! These together with a Samsung 3D BluRay player that also has analog/HDMI outs all play nicely together. So this room has access to all things Internet. Streaming such as Pandora ! CDs and the like. Today's work was centered around a 10 year old Lenovo Netbook running Windows XP, my challenge which I accepted was to bring my 1.3 TB music collection to the room. The Netbook just didn't have enough UMPH to go with Windows 7, I made due with XP. Installed JRiver Media Center, took some work and that's another long story to activate it,,,,,,,,I will save you from the painfully long story!!,,,,he,,,,he,,,,,,sometimes not sharing can bring joy to your friends,,,,,, Installed the external hard drive and the Netbook was scratching its head,,,, ( USB 3 ,,,,,,,,,what's that? ?? ) Next, installing drivers for the DC-1 and configuring MC,,,,,,,it would have helped that when I brought the DAC into the room a week ago that I had installed it completely,,, got distracted and that's another story,,,,,he,,,,he,,,,,, I'll save you from,,,,,,,,well, too late to make this long story short, but after cooking for mom and all those festivities and remembering to turn the amps back on,,,, 8(,,,,,, I'm sitting here enjoying the big room ,, the music and lots of glowing blue lights.,,,,,,,,,AH!!!,,,,if only I drank adult beverages, this would be a very good time,,,,,,maybe a nice cigar,,,,,,,,gave them up years ago as wel,,,,,,,,,dang!!!!,,,,,,,,where's Mrs. novis? Now that all of my bitc%}^*{ing,,,,,,,,crying,,,,,,,,,,and moaning,,,,,,,,and stuff is done. I'm listening to the rather large JBL C-120 s right now,,,, maybe in a bit change out to a set of Klipsch Reference RB 61 II Still waiting on the deal for a TV, not sure I want to go projector,,,,,,,, to make biggie , clickie. 8)
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Post by boomzilla on May 10, 2015 19:46:48 GMT -5
May I recommend two things: The Epson projectors have WIRELESS video ability. The RF transmitter sits on top of my center channel speaker, the Epson is mounted from the ceiling in the back of the room. The full 1080p video stream flows wirelessly from the transmitter to the projector with NO HDMI cable needed. Makes the projector easy to situate... An inexpensive manual-return 110 to 130 inch screen makes a HUGE picture with excellent resolution. I strongly recommend "high contrast" (grey) screens rather than "high gain" (reflective white) ones. Black level is better and in a darkened room, the picture is unbeatable. These are very inexpensive things that are out of the way and relatively inconspicuous when not in use. This allows the room to be "multi-purpose" while still maintaining high performance for movies. Beats the heck out of any flat-screen monitor you can get and for far less $$$. Before you do any more equipment shuffling, consider "doing the Gar" and dancing your speakers around (a LOT). Everything matters - closer to the back wall - farther away. Closer to the side walls - farther away. Toed in - perpendicular to the back wall - even toed OUT a smidgen. You'll be AMAZED at the differences! I predict that you'll find not one but several "favorite" positions that do different things best. garbulky dropped by tonight and auditioned the PSB 4 speakers in my system. At first, he thought they were out of phase (they weren't), but after a few minutes, the music was so good he couldn't sit still. Some Gar air-guitar and serious knee / foot movement ensued. And by the way, may I recommend this album: It's a mash up of various music from different decades by "The Mixmasters." Infectious stuff! So dance with the speakers - It'll pay off! Boom
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novisnick
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Post by novisnick on May 10, 2015 21:17:06 GMT -5
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novisnick
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Post by novisnick on May 11, 2015 22:27:30 GMT -5
I can't find the *bleep* and moan thread , dang it!!
Again my XMC-1 has video dropout, when first starting and again 55 minutes into the movie. All readings on the unit appear correct. This is a PITA! And I'm not discussing animals,,,,he,,,,he,,,,he,,,,,,
Now back to the movie.
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Post by boomzilla on May 12, 2015 5:31:06 GMT -5
A video dropout is a DEFECT - period. I'd call the Emotiva folks for some help pronto. My Oppo (even with the wireless connection to the Epson @ 1080p) NEVER has dropouts. Don't tolerate this. Get it fixed.
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novisnick
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Post by novisnick on May 17, 2015 23:41:49 GMT -5
Today was my day to rerun Dirac again, I've moved a few of my traps around in the cave and removed the guitar and stand. Got drug to the store to purchase a lawnmower and ended up working at the restaurant,,,,,oh joy!! That's what I wanted to do on my only day off for the next two weeks!!,,, 8(
Instead of waking the house now I've programmed my Harmony 700. The XMC-1 and ERC-2 were both there, as well as my other gear. I'll soon see how it all works, then I can give the two weapons tread remotes to the Mrs so she will feel safer at night,,,,he,,,,he,,,,,he,,,,,,,
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novisnick
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Post by novisnick on May 17, 2015 23:43:09 GMT -5
A video dropout is a DEFECT - period. I'd call the Emotiva folks for some help pronto. My Oppo (even with the wireless connection to the Epson @ 1080p) NEVER has dropouts. Don't tolerate this. Get it fixed. Yep! Just haven't had time. After the Little Walter Festival I'll be able to focus a little more.
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novisnick
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Post by novisnick on May 19, 2015 22:22:10 GMT -5
After over the 100 hours of recommend viewing of my new screen I've had it recalibrated. just viewed Batman with the dark blacks and my screen looks great. All the colors are true to life. Here are the side by side before and after readings.
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Post by boomzilla on May 20, 2015 1:42:17 GMT -5
Calibration DOES make a difference, doesn't it!
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