Need some help from audiophiles (home stereo)

the FooL · Post by **the FooL** » Fri Mar 30, 2001 8:21 pm

Ok, I want to get a shelf system with dual cassette recorders (yeah yeah, I still use cassettes sometimes).

Now, a lot of the main companies love to advertise their stuff at 10%THD.
The more expensive makers seem to either not place the THD, or will advertise < 1%THD (normally about 0.8%).
Which is weird, considering how for home stereo components, they place the THD all the time.

Anyways, is there a kind of generic formula to say that a system's power output _might_ be normally rated at based on their 10% THD?
Like a 80W @ 10% == 20W@1%?

I'm thinking about getting the Sony DHC-ZX50MD, since I saw one for $200, new.
Thought the MD component might be a nice in case I ever get one.

Anyone see the Aiwa NSX-AJ310? it was for $150, and I'm Wondering if it's a colourful as the stuff I see at Best Buy, so that I don't go and make the mistake of buying it.

Thanks...
this sale ends this weekend, so I hope to get some help before then.

Solstice · Post by **Solstice** » Fri Mar 30, 2001 10:22 pm

It's not just a matter of THD ratings. It also depends upon S/N (signal-to-noise) ratio, power, and whether or not they quote RMS (root-mean-square) or nominal values. Surprisingly, Banandtech has a decent article on this stuff that sums it up well - http://www.anandtech.com/showdoc.html?i=1317

Viperoni · Post by **Viperoni** » Fri Mar 30, 2001 11:03 pm

[q] Sub woofers are use to reproduce the lowest frequencies, usually up to 500 Hz [/q]

Yeah.......that's it.

If you want to push any kinda decent speakers (more than a 6.5 and a tweet), you really shouldn't be looking into a built in kinda system.

Frankly, you get what you pay for.
My dual cassette deck cost me $150 3 years ago.
My 100x5 RMS receiver $400 1.5 years ago.
My DVD player $300 1.5 years ago.

bitSLAP · Post by **bitSLAP** » Sat Mar 31, 2001 2:20 am

Power on hi end audio is really irrelevent. Some of the best amps on the market are 3 watts. Especially when not much power is required to drive good speakers, since they have a high sensitivity.

Viperoni is right about the shelf systems. How much money do you want to spend, and how much space can it take up?

Hipnotic_Tranz · Post by **Hipnotic_Tranz** » Sat Mar 31, 2001 9:57 am

If you're cheap like me you can get an "all-in-one" system, heh. I picked up the Midiland 8200's (5.1 DD) for $225 on the boards and will soon have 'em running to my T.V. so I can watch DVD's in surround sound and all that jazz.

Of course, it'll probably never even compare to any actual home theater components. But hey, its cheap

the FooL · Post by **the FooL** » Sat Mar 31, 2001 1:27 pm

Well, this is for my really small one bedroom (I live in San Francisco).

Space is one issue that I have.
Pretty much, I'm just looking for a all-in-one set that is a decent bargain for the price.

The Denon's were nice, except they didn't have any
dual cassette decks that fit with their bookshelf systems.
I'd have to buy two and hope they are made to operate as a dual-deck.
Plus... they carry a $500 price tag.

I'm not looking for a component system, as I have one that's really nice for a starter already.
I gave it up to the living room, being the only one with a DVD player.
Yamaha 5150 (cheap basic receiver)
Denon 3700 (5 Disc DVD/CD changer)
NHT 1.5's
PSB sub (roommates, since the neighbor would complain if it was in his room)

bitSLAP · Post by **bitSLAP** » Sat Mar 31, 2001 2:42 pm

If you can get the ZX50MD for $200, then go for it I guess, but I'd consider doing something about the tapes. That'll greatly expand your buying options.

Have you considered just putting speakers and a volume control in your bedroom, and running them off your reciever? The Yamaha should be able to handle the extra load.

Here are some other forums that might be able to help you more:
http://www.decware.com/forums/General/
http://www.avsforum.com/ubbcgi/Ultimate.cgi

Hipnotic_Tranz · Post by **Hipnotic_Tranz** » Sat Mar 31, 2001 4:44 pm

Well, if all you are looking for is an all-in-one setup then check out the Midilands. It's a good start. They aren't the best "home theater" speakers by any means, but they sound great for PC/DVD's/whatever. You can hook 'em right up to your playstation, DVD-player, T.V., anything really.

Slugbait · Post by **Slugbait** » Sun Apr 01, 2001 1:35 am

Sorry dude, can't comment on dual-well tape decks as an audiophile. As you will probably notice there are few single-wells out there, and among same-manufacturers, the singles are more expensive than the duals. Very good reason for this, which is why I can't comment as an audiophile...

However, I could comment as a college dorm roommate, but then I'd have to charge you for streaming video, etc...