Energy Owners Thread - Page 1471

Haha Now I am definitely going to use that scene once I actually get a sub with super low extension AND high output. (My dream Outlaw LFM-1 EX)

Also you've gotta check out the mine explosion scene. Quite a treat and it lasts quite a while. I like to skip chapters after that to the fishtank tapping but be aware that it happens the instant that scene starts. No chance to hit the volume! I'll never forget diving for the remote at the beginning of the DSOTM CD. My new RC-10's were still set on Large and they got hammered!

Same with the DSOTM SACD.

Yup, the mine explosion, fish tank tapping and also when the sunken sub falls of the ledge are 3 of the scenes I use to test/demo bass.

I have a Sony DVD player with SACD reading capability, just need a 12 foot long coaxial cable for it. It doesn't have HDMI but I'm assuming I can still get some decent sound by using SACDs right? At some point I want to switch it up and buy one that has HDMI out.

SACD multi channel or stereo can't be sent through optical or coax connections. It has to be sent via HDMI (1.2 I think), or analog outs if decoding at the player. You will get sound through it, but only if you play the embedded two channel CD quality stereo, which is the equivalent of using a CD.

It's due to legal copyright issues, so it's something inherent in SACD and DVD-A.
Edited by hernanu - 2/13/13 at 6:40am

Are you saying no SACD player can output to a digital coax or optical link? I know nothing about SACD but...

To get the best of what SACD offers, you need to use the multichannel analog outs of the player or if HDMI equipped, it needs to be connected to a receiver or pre/pro that accepts the DSD or Direct Stream Digital format. I would say the easiest solution if you can use the HDMI DSD format is to pick up any used Sony Blu ray players that have been released the last couple years (ex. BDP-S370, 470, etc) that offer SACD playing capability built in and are readily available cheap on Ebay.....

Yes.

The best in the business (IMO) Oppos are not able to because they are constrained due to copyright considerations. It applies to everyone else as well.

From Oppo's website (A bit old, it was talking about their DVD players, but the same applies to blu):

Q: Why is there no audio output from the coaxial or optical digital audio port when I play DVD-Audio or SACD discs?
A: The copyright protection feature of the DVD-Audio and Super Audio CD (SACD) disc format prohibits unprotected digital audio output. Since the coaxial or optical digital audio output has no copy-protection ability (i.e. pure audio stream without encryption and authentication), audio from DVD-Audio or SACD cannot be output via these interfaces. To enjoy high resolution digital audio from DVD-Audio or SACD discs, please use the 5.1-channel analogue audio output. If your A/V receiver supports HDMI 1.1 (or above) digital audio, you may also use the HDMI port, which has the required copyright protection mechanism (HDCP).

Source: http://www.oppodigital.com/dv970hd/dv970hd_support.asp#B12

I love and have both DVD-A's and SACD's, but have everything connected either through HDMI or analog. IMO it is the best way to hear multi channel music, and I was hooked after my first (The Beatle's 'Love' DVD-A). It is the only way right now to get recording studio quality multi channel music on disk, since the bluray music discs, as good as they are ( Adele, Diana Krall, Joe Bonamassa) are all concert recordings, with their weaknesses.
Edited by hernanu - 2/13/13 at 8:08am

But but... SACD begain in 1999 while HDMI devices entered production in 2003. So that gives a few years where SACD players could *not* use HDMI outputs. Are those players only outputting analog signals? Or can *those* use non-HDMI digital outputs?

The limitation was put in right from the start by Sony and Philips, who developed the standard. The only players that I know of that could take the lossless DSD signal and convert it to lossy DTS 5.1 over coax were actually the first few versions of the PS3 up until version 2.0 of the system software, which removed the feature.

All other manufacturers are enjoined from offering SACD or DVD-A playback on unsecured outputs, which means coax or digital.

Thanks for the precisions -- their precaution did work as I've never came across pirated SACD content. That being said, I never came across a SACD to begin with either.

I have about twenty. When it's good, it's excellent - nothing like hearing really good music in that format to me.

There is a real lack of titles, though - the bulk that are available are classical, some jazz and some classic rock. Other areas that I'm interested in - some new age, pop, world music, latin music, rap and punk are just not represented and will not be.

I'm hoping FLAC and other lossless electronic formats don't follow suit and only stay in those genres; it would be nice to have lossless multi channel or stereo music without those limits.

My point was simply that over-restrictive platforms (SACD players) self-destroy (while still existing, nobody can honestly say that SACD wasn't a commercial failure). There's a lack of SACD content because there's a lack of installed base, and the installed base is lacking partly because of the hassle (also because of lack of compelling reason to upgrade from CD).

Now that music files are so tiny compared to our available bandwidth, there's no reason we couldn't have lossless multi-channel music. Concerts use the Blu-Ray format and use multi-channel mainly for the "live" aspect (crowd noise). But there's a lack of actual multi-channel music right now even though it's technologically possible.

I agree. I don't doubt that it played a part in the demise of SACD and DVD-A, but also the switch to electronic formats (MP3, WMA,etc.) probably killed them as well as making CDs less important in the marketplace. I have a NAS drive on my network with over 2000 titles in MP3, FLAC formats that I play through DLNA to my Oppo, then out to my Energy speakers.

Huge convenience, and with the FLAC titles, I get lossless performance. Obviously the MP3's are a step down, but still not bad background sound if I'm just listening to music without sitting and enjoying it. The convenience and portability (all of the music is synchronized with my phone, which will play FLACS) are real advantages.

I've also got DSOTM on SACD. Some others I have that I also highly recommend:


The Allman Brothers Band Live at the Fillmore East [Hybrid SACD - DSD]

Blue Man Group [DVD Audio]

Steely Dan - Gaucho [DVD Audio]

Jeff Beck Live at Ronnie Scotts - everybody needs this one!


Either you love or hate Bjork but these are remastered to actually play different instruments in all 5 channels:


Bjork: Debut - Surrounded [Dual Disc]

DVD side features videos of 5 songs. Features the original CD in remastered stereo on Side 1 and on Side 2, the entire album in Advanced Resolution 5.1 Surround Sound.


Bjork: Post - [Dual Disc].

Includes bonus DVD featuring the album in DTS Surround Sound & 6 bonus film clips.


Bjork: Homogenic - Surrounded [Dual Disc]

DVD side features videos of 5 songs. Features the original CD in remastered stereo on Side 1 and on Side 2, the entire album in Advanced Resolution 5.1 Surround Sound.

She just may be the most important and certainly one of the most unique artists since Led Zep, and that's not just my opinion!

SACD can output 5.1 via HDMI either PCM or straight DSD if your receiver supports it. My Onkyo 609 takes the straight DSD signal and converts it to analog. Audyssey can't be used in my case due to fact it doesn't get transcoded into PCM. 2 channel SACD can be output via optical although I don't think all players support this. My Pioneer BDP 140 does. Older SACD players used 6 analog rca connections to connect to a receiver. The format isn't dead yet. Many titles are being released in Japan. Check out http://www.ps3sacd.com for hardware and software releases. I've got about 20 discs myself. Most are fantastic. Some are 5.1 others are straight stereo. Stones and Dire Straits on SACD is great and Dark Side of the Moon gave the new sub a workout and me a smile.

BTW -- durhambird, forgot to say CONGRATS on the new sub!! I'm so pumped that you were able to get that monster. If the wife is pissed, just remind her that you got a $500 sub for $150, and if you sell the e:XL-S10 for $100 you essentially spent only 50 bucks out of pocket for a monster upgrade (not that she cares about the upgrade, but the 50 bucks part will probably help ).

Did you figure out if it's the ISD or NSD version of the PB-10?

Thank you for seeing it on Kijiji. I had been looking every couple of days but didn't come across this one. It is the PB 10 NSD. What is the difference? The ad said "mint" condition. It wasn't. Some minor flaws in the veneer and a small dent on the driver. I emailed SVS today and they replied right away. I was impressed with the service on a product I bought used. They said it wouldn't effect the performance. Ran Audyssey today and double checked everything with the Radio Shock meter. Bumped it up a couple of dB after checking the meter. My Onkyo 609 doesn't eq the sub so I plan on running some test tones and adjusting the phase to tweak a bit more. Any suggestions on adjustments with no ability to eq the sub? Sub is behind the couch to satisfy the wife. There is no back wall behind it. The stereo area opens to a open plan basement. Sounds great so far. It dwarfs the old energy sub.

excellent deal!! as far as phase, you can play with the distance set on the receiver. the pb is ported the sb is sealed. use your meter to find the best location in the room. it might be different than where you had the other sub.

They will not ship the replacements to Canada, but I found a place near the border that can receive the shipment and then forward them to my Canadian address for about $15 so hopefully everything falls into place.

Ok, I have narrowed it down to the Hsu stf 2, bic pl 200, polk dsw 600, and polk 505, for my 7.1 rc micro setup in the living room. The sub is going to go in the cabinet, living room is open to the kitchen.

"Jeff Beck Live at Ronnie Scotts - everybody needs this one!"

If for no other reason than seeing the very hot Tal Wilkenfeld on Bass.


http://anymusic.wordpress.com/2011/10/17/tal-wilkenfeld-jazz-relax/

I'd hesitate between the Hsu (a well-reputed ID sub maker) and the Polk 505, which is cheaper, has a larger driver and a bigger amp. The 505 is also listed by Gorilla83 in his Subwoofer by PricePoint List. Then again the most often recommend subs int the $200 to $300 price ranges are the BIC F12 (and PL200) around $200, and the Klipsch RW-12d at $300. I never saw the STF-2 mentioned as a good bargain; typically Hsu subs appear in those lists at a higher price point with the VTF-3 Mk4 and VTF-15H.

I got the stf2 before I got the rw12. It is a bedroom sub. I could barely hear it in my living room so I got the rw and it is way better. Beware because it cost me $110 in shipping to find that out. $43 to get it shipped to me and $67 to ship it back.

WorldWideStereo currently has a sale on the Veritas Mini 5.0 package for $379.88 with Coupon code SDVERITAS. Free shipping too.

http://www.wwstereo.com/Energy/VMINI5.0R

OK...I didn't want to come right out and say that but yeah. I mean YEAH!! Even my wife enjoyed watching her. She is just a joy to watch. And SO talented! But that DVD is a great recording of a great night, Entertaining on so many levels. I'm watching it right now on my new Veritas V2.3's! Saw Spectrum Road featuring Cindy Blackman-Santana (Carlos' wife from Lenny Kravitz' band), Jack Bruce, John Medeski & Vernon Reid in Seattle last year. She was also a lot of fun to watch and SO talented. Also Love "Sade - Lovers Live" DVD. Very smooth and sexy.

Thanks for tip about T. Wilkenfeld. I actually got interested in Jazz because of Esperanza Spalding's performances.

She's a Boston girl (at least through Berklee college and living here, originally from Portland, I think). I've seen her live several times, really talented both in the bass and singing.

Thanks Just pull the trigger, I was waiting for a sale like this.