Q&A # 152 - December 14, 1999

Staff

Q I've recently purchased a Toshiba TV and DVD player (TN50V71 and SD2109), and I am trying to fine tune the picture. I'm using the component video connections directly from the DVD player to the TV. While watching "Entrapment", I noticed that in the night scenes of Sean Connery, a white halo was produced around his head and face. It was quite distracting, almost like how your vision is when you leave your contact lenses in overnight. Are there some settings I can concentrate on for this type of problem? Another concern I have is with the anemic quality of the sound I'm getting from the DVD player. I have a Yamaha RX-V850 (still saving for a 5.1 receiver) that seems to produce better sound quality off of VHS than DVD. I'm using the LD/TV input for the DVD and I have to turn the volume up to 5 to get a decent sound level. I have the DVD player set to 2 channel analog for audio output. Am I missing something?

A The halo is an internal TV reflection. Many, if not all, RP TVs have this problem. You might want to remove the screen and make sure the inside of the TV enclosure is black. Making it black will improve things if it is not. Another option might be to place a piece of neutral density filter (window tint) behind the screen. The problem with this is that it will cut down on light output. The TV will not be watchable in the daytime. As far as DVD sound, is this on all movies? Not all DVDs have a true PCM track and must down convert the 5.1 into 2 channels on the fly. Columbia Tri-Star, for example, has the 2 channel PCM on audio 1, not audio 2. Their audio 2 is 5.1 channels. So are Fox and Paramount.

Q I am planning on buying a DVD player for Christmas. My original intention was to buy one with DD/DTS in the player itself. When I got to the store, I was told not to purchase the player with DD/DTS in the unit, but to buy the receiver with them. He said the receiver had better quality equipment to handle both DD/DTS. Is this true? He also said to spend as little money on the DVD and put the extra toward the receiver. Do you agree?

A The DD decoding in the receiver is not necessarily better than that in the player, but all DD receivers have more features with which to manage the DD sound than players do, so I agree with your salesperson about that. However, the point is almost moot since most receivers come with DD and DTS decoding built-in these days. The only reason for getting a DVD player with the 5.1 analog outputs is if you have an older receiver that has 5.1 inputs but no DD/DTS decoding. If you are not wanting to use component video, then yes, a low priced DVD player may be the way to go. They all seem to do a pretty good job.

Q I own and operate a small bar (4 m x 12 m) that caters to mostly middle-aged men so we play old tunes or contemporary pop. When the bar is full and the customers start talking simultaneously, the din drowns the music coming from my old sound system (2 sets of mass-market speakers at 120 w/channel and an old Kenwood receiver (80 w /channel). If I turn the volume higher, the sound becomes so harsh it sometimes annoys my customers. I�m bent on having it replaced with a system that offers clean sound even with the noises around. Can you help me by recommending a system that can perform well under such conditions? What is the ideal power amp and speakers for such a place? Would two amps be the best for such a setting? And should I decide to use two amps, how should I connect them to a single source (CD player)? I have a friend who is now in the US who is willing to buy the system for me that may not be available here.

A I would suggest getting some speakers with high sensitivity, like Klipsch. They are so sensitive, you will likely be able to use your old receiver with them and not have to drive the receiver to such high output. In other words, the Klipsch will play loud with only modest output voltage and current from the receiver, resulting in sound that is not harsh. The Klipsch Reference RF-3 would be a good choice at $800/pair and 98 dB/w/m. They are tower speakers, meaning they have to sit on the floor, so you could put them in opposite corners of your bar.

Q I've had a Yamaha RX-V992 Audio Video Receiver for two years now that I've had connected to an older Sony Laserdisc player (pre Dolby Digital) via an S-Video Cable. I just recently bought a Sony DVP -S530D DVD player. When I went to hook up the DVD player, I realized that the Yamaha Receiver does not have the 5.1 input jacks to receive the 5.1 outputs from the DVD player. I know the RX-V992 has DTS and Dolby Digital processors built in, but it seems to be missing the 6 discrete RCA inputs. Both the Receiver and DVD have Optical Digital, Coaxial, and S-Video Inputs/Outputs. Should I be using one of those connections instead of the 5.1 RCA jacks from the DVD player? Do they all accomplish the same things (just different methods), or do I need to buy another component to enjoy the 5.1 discrete channel output from the DVD player?

A Use the optical or coaxial digital output from your DVD player into the receiver. Even if your receiver had the 5.1 input jacks, you would be better off using the digital output from the player since the receiver has many more features that can be applied to the DD and DTS sound when you use the digital inputs.

Q I have a tactile transducer (Clark Synthesis) and a NAD 2700 Amp. Would it be possible to run my subwoofer output from a Marantz SR-18 straight to the amp (bridged) then to the Transducer? Since someone just gave me the amp w/o the manual, I have no clue if it's gonna work. It's a THX amp with gain controls (L/R) in the front. Would that control volume?

A Yes, connecting the subwoofer output from your SR-18 to the power amplifier, then to the transducer would work. However, when you bridge an amplifier, its ability to drive low impedance loads decreases. As long as your transducer is 8 Ohms, it should be OK. If it is 4 Ohms, you may have to use just one channel of the amplifier instead of bridging the two channels together.

Q My system sounds awesome on movie soundtracks but terrible on music. I have played jazz, classical and rock but they all sound horrendous. I am deeply disappointed. What could be the problem? My setup is as follows: 1. Yamaha DSP-A1 amp. 2. Pioneer DV-515 DVD player. 3. Cadence Diva front speakers (50-200 W, 8 ohms, 2-way). 4. Jamo Center 200 Center speaker (8 ohms). 5. Jamo Surround 300 surround speakers. 6. No sub-woofer. 7. Taiwan-made 99% OFC speaker cables. I will upgrade to Kimber when I can afford it. 8. Optical interconnect. I will upgrade to van den Hul when I can afford it. The front speakers are on spikes on a 2 inch stand made out of a stack of glued- together floor tiles. Will burning in the speakers make a dramatic difference in sound quality? Or could the problem be elsewhere? Maybe the DVD player is not so good for audio? It does have a twin laser pickup for DVDs and CDs. How is the DSP-A1 for 2-channel music? One question on the DSP-A1. Can you not plug in the DVD analog out directly to the Main-In terminals on the amp by removing the couplers that currently bridge the Pre-Out and Main-In terminals?

A The problem may be the DVD player. More often than not, they don't do a good job with CDs. The DSP-A1 is a superb receiver, so I don't think that is the problem. Also, if you use any of the DSP modes (e.g., 70mm Adventure, etc.) with CDs, they can sometimes sound strange. When playing regular CDs, I like to stick with just 2-channel sound, which requires that you use the "Effect Off" button on the receiver. You can use the Main-In on the receiver directly from the 2-channel analog out from your DVD player, as long as the DVD player has a way of controlling the volume. The Main-In on the receiver bypasses the volume control.

Q I have recently purchased a pair of B&W 602S2s. I am looking to build a tube amp for them. Will a 300B tube amp handle them or should I look at a larger amp. This will be my first DYI amp. I am looking at As-USA, Bottlehead, and Sonic Frontiers equipment, unless I can find a kit somewhere else.

A I have used 7 watt 300B amplifiers with modest sensitivity speakers, and they work fine. But, the volume will not be really loud, so you have to resign yourself to listening at modest volume. The good news is that the 300B sound is fantastic.

Q I have the Yamaha DSP-A1, and it's a great piece. I'm using Magepan 1.6qr front speakers. The problem comes in at high volumes where the sound is distorted and clips. I know the speakers need more power to handle the 4 ohm rating. What amplifiers do you recommend? Someone told me to buy the B&K Ref 4420 stereo amp. Have you heard of this, and do you recommend it?

A All amplifiers have a more difficult time with 4 Ohm loads than with 8 Ohm loads, but some are really designed to deal with low impedances. One way of getting around this is to buy a high power amplifier (200 watts or more per channel at 8 Ohms). That way, you tend to stay well within the amplifier's capability. The B&K reference 4420 delivers 225 watts into 8 Ohms, and 350 watts into 4 Ohms, so it should be fine for your use.

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