22 Tips for Getting the Best Sound System in a High End Audio
22 Tips for Getting the Best Sound System in a High End Audio
Özhan Atalay
Email: ozhan@atalay.biz Web: http://www.nonamehifi.com
Introduction
Basically common in the audiophile world that is almost impossible to get the best sound by just combining only the best equipment. Much less expensive, but well chosen and a twisted May sounds better than its expensive brothers. It is This is called system synergy in audiophile world. System synergy is not only combines the best equipment, but it is a kind long and enjoyable way to maximize their performance.
The precautions and principles may be considered absurd and meaningless for someone who does not understand what the hi-end is.
Within the past twenty years, I spent considerable time, money and effort to achieve the best sound (.. Or what is still the best). I wrote some important points of my own perspective. Most of these points may be known by audiophiles anyway if not implemented. More importantly, the points below consists of only my own observations. There are so many tweaks and learn different techniques. I have not avoided here, including items I have not tried and / or items not working well with me. I think the points mentioned below will increase someone's system to a higher level using the same equipment.
I apologize for my English level. I am appreciated if someone I warned against the main language errors anywhere in the website.
The only certain truth, I learned after twenty years is that "there is no absolute truth in Hi-End" Most truths in High-End can not be proven by scientific measurements. Very sensitive human ear hears often, interpret, evaluate and decide. In a listening session of three audiophiles, what will probably happen is one of those find the bass inadequate, another may find it so much and excessive, but the system owner will think it is beautiful, not less, not more. This phenomenon is called "reference brain. (See for more details) Brain Reference is a kind of prejudice out of our own timbre and tonality. This sometimes causes conflict with someone who compares better equipment from its own material and may not like the sound of the other, although both were significantly better.
Most points specified below depend on the ability of the system but more importantly, depend on the experience of the audiophile. A system poor will not differentiate between points or less experienced ears may not get them either. Therefore some of the points below May can be seen by everyone. I'll be more comfortable if someone who reads this article takes one or two points.
1 – Listening at Night; critical listening or test equipment must be made within hours of night. This obviously applies also to the who lives in a big city. No city noise significantly affects our audience and we are fundamentally unable to hear what our system gives us in day.
Due to noise of the city is several times lower in the night all the hidden aspects in Hi end appear in the night and the system deliver its full potential. For more information, please check the noise (see for details)
2 — heat and moisture, humidity and heat have a serious impact on the sound. Systems can not produce their best sound, power and dynamics in a hot and humid. I do not know why this happens but it happens. There may be two reasons: Moist air is heavier in such circumstances, so the speakers are not able to draw enough air into the room. Or materials loudspeaker May soften and behave differently in warm weather. To cool the environment listening before listening session eliminates this effect.
3 – Darkness, The music must be played in a room dark. In particular, the speakers and the system should be kept in the dark and the place of original registration must be imagined while listening.
Hi The main objective of a good quality of the final system is to move away from hardware and go into the recording environment. Listen to music while viewing the material would be physiologically demolish the virtual environment that we we intend to be in. The most convenient system of hi-end is the lack of visual imagery. The sense of reality is so different when attending a live concert or listening / watching of a DVD player through a surround system.
If the listening environment is not dark, the speakers will be perceived as the source of its origin.
4 – Finding the correct viewing distance the sound travels in waves or frequency. The volume of each frequency will be different in the context of the distance between fora. In terms of volume, frequencies will be up and down when the distance is changed. Especially mid-range and treble sections ranging from 20-5 cm. The peak frequency can be easily recognized by listening.
a – Play a CD that contains test frequencies different test. By example, start with mono 1000 Hz at the listening chair. Then get up and walk very slowly through your system. (Preferably with eyes closed). You will immediately realize that the signal will have ups and downs in the volume while you are moving, as if someone was and turn off the volume control.
b – the main frequency of the music and that which is closest to human sound is 1000 Hz. 1000 Hz is your departure. 1000 Hz will be at its vertices so often in relation to distance from your listening chair. Find the minimum distance to your listening presiding currently is the 1000 Hz peak. The ups and downs in this band must be changed around 50-70 centimeters. This is the best place to hear frequencies medium, but it is not the best place is to get the best spectrum. This is just the starting point.
c – Paste a rope to the wall which may come across your shoulders. Now, close your eyes and listen to different frequencies, as 300-500-1000-2000-5000-10.000 etc. Hz, top of body movements (sitting) in front and rear. Marked points each peak frequency you heard on the rope. Our goal is to find a particular point that most frequencies are at their peak. If you do not succeed, and these points are not closer to each other, move your speakers from 10 cm to the front (or your chair while listening to 10 cm forward or backward) and repeat the same exercises until you will find a point that most frequencies are at their peak.
This is not an easy task, much time, but free. A Once you have a point, you'll be very surprised by the sound enhancement to your existing system.
5 – Room acoustics, acoustic rooms is the best known but least considered part of Hi-End. A conventional loudspeaker may throw 40% of the sound directly to the listener is Sound is through the walls by reflections. Reflection: the difference in timing of the original signal, where an additional noise that does not exist in the original. Within such a complex reflection, part of the original signal delayed because of the front wall or ceiling or ETC, a part of the original signal produced by the left speaker will be coming in from the right speaker and vice versa. Such a complex listening environment will demolish the stereo and the channel separation.
Some audiophiles are happy with this case because speakers seem to have gone better and wider soundstage and deeper. Some producers add more midrange / treble units to the rear speakers (dipole) to highlight such effects.
One thing must be considered that such thoughts do not exist in the original. If something is produced by the system / room in addition to its original color should be appointed.
If the goal of a good system for hi end is to reproduce the sound original, such reflections should be avoided whenever possible. In particular speaker ribbon and electrostatic suffer greatly from such reflections.
Carpet on the floor is a must to reduce reflections (standing waves) between the floor and ceiling. Thick curtains will help to reduce glare windows. Glass and furniture covered with stiff photos should be avoided.
This article is not intended to provide recommendations how to make a room tuning, lots, but much information may be found on the Internet. But it is fair to stress the importance of acoustic part.
6 – Focus precise speaker placement, which is also the other less known but considered part of Hi-End. It is extremely important to locate the two speakers on exactly the same distance to achieve accurate focus. Distances must be measured carefully and the two speakers should be placed at exactly the same distance through the listener.
OK, but why is so important!
Sound signals are distributed in the waves as explained in section five. People who have tried the settings in the fifth section will realize that the peak frequency varies in relation to distance from the speakers. In particular frequencies vary greatly in one centimeter change. In such cases, if a speaker is just an inch closer to the listener, some frequencies will be heard many a speaker, but will not hear the other speaker. If the higher harmonics of the human voice consists of these higher frequencies (it is!) This is obvious the sound moves from the middle left or right. In addition, in this case, certain frequencies will be collided in the complete phase and will be exaggerated others collide by reversed phase so destroyed.
This is exactly the same effect of releasing the bass when connecting a speaker out of phase.
7 – Mechanical vibration of electronic units; Not bad feet to absorb vibration and platform types exist on the market. They must be placed in the electronics / speakers. These materials have two intentions;
a-To eliminate extraneous vibrations coming through the unit
b-To eliminate the vibration of the unit itself (CD engine vibration cone speakers, etc.)
The most popular ones are the cones (spikes). I think the proper use of crampons do not know very well. Rather than being a vibration damper, Spike is a kind of transmission equipment that transmits the vibration of one point the other point. In other ways, vibration is condensed into a point and mechanically raised to another platform by the rising but not eliminated. If the connection surface is rigid (eg marble, granite, etc.) these vibrations are passed to the surface. Below such a rigid platform (marble, MDF, glass, granite) must be covered by an elastic material such as cork, mouse pad, neoprene rubber or similar.
The vibration can pass a rigid platform to platform elastic and will be transferred to the heat between the two.
Branch Cone is also critical. Management should be done jointly with the intention of the transmission of vibrations.
May be the last thing on the cone is the cone should be in contact with the chassis of the direct component. If a kind of rubber, double sided tape, Tack blue or such elastic material is placed between the cone and the unit that the equipment will try to translate the vibration and the cone will not work.
8 – marble through the speakers: A platform of marble under the speakers to eliminate most unwanted resonances of the speaker. The thickness the ball must be at least 3 cm and the size should be at least 10 inches bigger then the edges. Below the ball shall be covered by an elastic material such as cork, mouse pad, neoprene, etc.
How does it effect the sound, you have more powerful but more clear and serious tight, relaxation to the intermediate frequency and higher.
He has to be connected to the platform via a cone, not by a rubber foot. The abrupt end of the membrane to direct the marble, but not the speaker.
9 — Grounding the metal to static electricity, especially in wet weather and listening environments fully carpeted, electricity Static become a problem. The carpet is charged with static electricity that can be passed through the electronic equipment via the media and / or human contact. Static electricity on the carpet is so powerful that when checked in the morning before someone walking on it can be clearly seen by simple tools sold at Radio Shack
To eliminate the effect, the speaker stands and equipment racks should be connected to the mainland by a thin wire. In addition, the speaker cables and interconnects must be raised soil due to the same effect.
May what benefits you expect from this tweak is that I do not know why, but less fuzzy and low tide weak.
10 – Speaker distance from the front wall, the producer speaker usually recommend the speaker distance the front wall (the wall behind the speakers). Generally, the speaker should be located as far as possible from the front wall. (Walls side as well) If they are so close to the wall, the waves will be enhanced bass (explained in section five) and mid / treble band is compressed because of the low excess energy.
Some audiophiles find the desired bass volume by placing them closer to the front wall which is not correct. One thing must be considered that this increase is low due to the original, but it is the consequence of the room response called color.
11 – Former Auto / Transformer Passive line stages, new technologies developed in the hi-end industry made the pre-amps questionable.
Before the end, the result of a preamplifier has been stipulated in the four bases;
a-To connect more than one whole
bL'enregistrement tape from some sources
c-low output volume and reversed polarity plates (as the only source component)
D-Bass, requirements treble adjustment
Nowadays, CD, SACD units can provide 5-8 Volts products that are more than sufficient to power amplifiers. Audiophiles are not interested in your adjustments, but more focused on simplicity. Dedicated phono stages are common, therefore, most requirements are no longer valid.
The largest and only basic work of a modern pre-amplifier is to lower the volume level, not step!
Try to imagine a pure signal from a CD or DAC power amplifier, then cut the link, add four cards, four sockets, a pair of interconnections, many resistors, capacitors, tubes, transistors, and everything in the link. How can we keep signal purity and can do something better then the original!
An active line stage destroys the neutrality and the purity of his original. Such a corruption may not be so obvious in most systems of lower resolution or misunderstood by some people on purpose. Each active phase line has its own tone and color. In fact, audiophiles generally use online steps to balance their problems Tone in systems. For example, a subway line stage is used to calm a polling firm power amplifier solid state or high treble stage Online is used to compensate the power amplifier of acute poverty and vice versa. If this is the case in a system, the stage all-natural line and lack of staining is not regarded by audiophiles.
Follow me, consideration should be to change the amplifier power to find the sound you want instead to play on pre-amplifier. In other words, to treat the original problem rather trying to hide the problem.
It is almost in consensus that using a very simple volume pot adds so neutrality and purity of sound. But in such cases, other problems appear. A pot of volume, which is either a potentiometer or a book alternator with enhanced resistance principals. Each stage lends different volume resistive path signal, thus lowers the volume. Because of the complexity music signal (20 Hz-20 kHz), such a resistive load will act as a barrier to different frequencies. For example, when lowering the volume level, the treble is reduced and the bass is condensed or when you increase the volume, mids are excessive or vice versa. Do not forget to mention is the lack of dynamic range as well. A line stage eliminates these problems.
Given these facts, the pot volume control or volume controlled analogue CDs can be used only as steps in line
For new technologies, new steps in old-line car and a processors are developed for passive volume control.
These units do not work with the directors of resistance and does not add resistance crossing signal. The resistance of a single amp for example, is about 200 ohms due to cable in the windings.
Steps Online passive transformer consists of two processors, one for the left channel and one for the right. They have a primary winding and multiple (12-24 steps) of secondary windings. Their capital is the lover the volume by changing the volts, then adding a little resistance. Up to my knowledge, there only three producers of these steps online. I used two of them. Both provide additional sounds natural, ordinary, quiet and undistorted.
I heavily modified the Antique Sound Lab myself which is very good product and cheap too (do not underestimate its price), but Audio Consulting's Silver Rock made of pure silver is something else.
It should also be mentioned that Such steps online liability may not be suitable for all systems. In such cases, the input impedance of the power amp should be driven directly by the output stage of DAC or CD player. Input impedance of the power amplifier must be as small as possible. The best way to learn this case is to write the impedance values to the producers and ask for help before you buy.
12 – Good Tubes (NOS tubes), is it logical to pay 100? In and old tube while the new costs 10? I think it is. A tube of good can change the characteristics an electronic tube as if you replaced the whole unit. Our tubes are not easy to find, quite expensive but interesting use. In particular, the upper frequency hiss is much lower tubes Our.
13 – Very easy Polarity Find method generally speaking, European (German) standard electrical outlet did not signal direction. United States, United Kingdom, Switzerland has a outlet means to connect to AC, thus + and – phases can not. Thus, in such cases it is not easy to find the correct polarity.
Electronic components can function properly regardless of polarity. Our televisions, refrigerators, light bulbs, computers, everything. Why AC polarity is very important in Hi-Fi!
The electricity comes from (+) goes to the electronic version circuit and starting from (-) In general the current network reaches the power of the first unit then reduces the voltage desired by electronic circuits. In this case, power is automatically filtered by the feed section. The transformer section Food behaves as electrical isolation transformer, input and output currents are physically separated. If the polarity is incorrect, the network will arrive directly in the back door and all the pollution is acting as RFI / EMI in the unit. Due to the fact, it is important to find the correct polarity.
Most of the electronic polarity is similar. If the unit has detachable power cord IEC and nature of the contribution, the hole should be the right (+) outlet you watch the front connecting the front (as seen below)
Another simple method is to check the fuse area. If the device is equipped with an external protection fuse, release the fuse and checked by a pen to check the electricity while the device was connected to the network. It should be (+) signal. In Otherwise, reverse the AC plug from the wall
14 – Level of listening volume is for sure nobody's business to tell you what the proper volume adjustment is listening. Some audiophiles like very low listening level, some are turning up the volume windows are broken.
If the result is to achieve the ambiance of the room was registered, the volume level should be adjusted accordingly, but no more, no less. This case is applicable to acoustic instruments, but not limited to electronic music, jazz or disco etc.
What ever listened to the tape is the correct volume setting should be one that did not enlarge or shrink the original instrument. Higher volumes of May, for example a guitar should be played at the original volume of the guitar through the correct volume. If the volume level is increased, body of the guitar will become more important in terms of obsolescence, on the other hand, the full body of a Mormon choir will not be realistic low volume
15 – The warming of the speakers and cables before critical listening; Apart from the theory that "Solid State Electronics provide their best sound for a few minutes until the transistors become hot. "every single audio equipment requires a preheat time. This time is at least 1 / 2 hours or 1 hours despite manufacturers recommend less. To my knowledge, the reason behind this is the specification resistors, capacitors, tubes and other things differ if they are cold or warm. Manufacturers make the final adjustments when the units are warm, otherwise they would be perfect to play the first half hour and worse after warmed up.
The principal is applied by all audiophiles for electronics but not always for the speakers and cables.
The speakers are very important because their components liabilities should be heated such as resistance breeding. Their voice coils should also be warmed. The cables are also important. Warm up term may not qualify for the cables but the cables must be run for a while until their dielectric are charged.
Consequently, the warming time should be finished playing (may not be listening), the entire system.
16 – Selecting appropriate speaker for listening room, speakers should be chosen in conjunction with listening dimensions of the room. Unfortunately, the general trend in audiophiles particularly in the United States is "bigger is better"
It's like some new starting skiers who choose the best ski equipment prior to learning and facing so many problems thereafter.
Big speakers are difficult to position, difficult to drive, has affected more compared to the room boundaries. If he is greater for the room, the energy decrease is too low sounds. He means more to more serious problems. Driving requires large speakers challenge, experience, sources, time and money.
17 – PS Audio Power Plant; Principally I avoid giving specific brands in my non-commercial website. But PS Audio Power Plant is such a special product that similar components are not comparable. It is a kind of regenerative power powered by electricity. P300 actually regenerates new AC for audio gear. This regenerated AC is much better that filtered AC because voltage stable and close to the perfection of AC waveform. It also removes 70dB of EMI and RFI noise from the AC line!
Not all friends agree with me but I believe it is a very special team that throws the whole system to a more high.
What do you expect from it is much more relaxed sound, more layered soundstage wide and deep, sharp details of crystalline and more inward. Improvements are immediately apparent. Be careful to use with power hungry amplifiers. (I'm not sure about this current rating: 2005)
18 – Surface Treatments CD, There are several types of surface treatment of CD in the market. They shine the surface of the CD, Laser and captures more information. What can you expect from a surface treatment is the high frequencies are cleaner and wider. The simplest and least CD expensive method of surface treatment is used by amateur pipe. This oil on human facial skin.
I apologize for this tweak ugly, but our systems are personal and private they do not anyway. The man has the viscosity of the oil thin perfect and can be absorbed by the surface of CDs very easily and effectively. Play your first CD, CD smears throughout your forehead and the spread of oil with your finger and listen again.
Remember to spread the oil with your finger each time before listening this CD.
19 – Goal of the third dimension, the goal of a stereo system is to achieve scale through 3.rd two channels. All hi-end hi-fi equipment or have a character, timbre and tone. For example, a titanium tweeter will have a different tone silk dome tweeter. Two different brands of speakers have different tones, as if they use the same drive units. Tonality equipment premium depends mainly listening preferences of the designer. We will probably not like to hear tones different from our own equipment, even if the other system sounds much better. This case is so often faced: most audiophiles dislike no sound system from someone else, although it is a better system. This case is also evident in the purchase or testing new equipment in homes. We test some better equipment at home but feel something is missing from our own equipment.
I remember very well when Sony introduced the first 20-bit CD player, most people find the shrill, nervous and colorful. People used to listen to the actors sounding CD dark until then and to hear more details Inland bother.
I remember as well that when I changed my old B & W 801 Matrix II and studio monitors have canceled their protection units, the new sound has bothered me a lot. I was so unhappy with the new sound and could have listened to my system for several days. At that time, the manufacturer has expressed that "the protection units are needed because the speakers were designed mainly for recording studios. "They also told me that the new sound should be much better because of cross-resistance that affects especially the lower and upper mid bass has been lowered fairly. After several days of listening to them, the sound became better and better. Finally, the sound was surprisingly perfect after a few weeks. In fact, the sound was the same but the perception is changing. (My brain was changing reference)
If this happens often, how can we distinguish the unit better listening! There are many ways for him but for me the main method is the ability third dimension. This is not the case only for you but so Generally, if two units are compared, the better is the largest audio book, more dept and a greater height.
It is also the theory Peter Quodrup from Audio Note UK and I am one hundred percent agree with him.
The deformation of an electronic device is affecting not the tone of the equipment, but primarily effects the internal details. Soundstage dept and height are the hidden factors in the internal details that they will be affected first. If the unit provide lower distortion, more accurate sound stage, especially more dept will be provided.
20 – Less powerful ring chain, Hi-Fi is a kind of chain. Strength of a chain depends on the ring the less powerful. Suppose a water pipe is composed of various wideness. Water capacity will be derived in accordance with the thinnest part.
A system should be composed of the same level of equipment. If you add the best CD transport to a standard level of system, there will be some changes, but not as expected. Digital cable also compress the poor sound quality over a very good system.
A long-term plan should be drafted before the establishment of a system and parts must be purchased in time. Hurried purchases came in May as an expense of replacing one or two years.
21 – Do not judge a cell immediately, given a chance, each system may well be his time. System synergy is a sort of time-dependent factor which sometimes takes months or years. Sometimes we fast decisions and prejudices fast for good products and immediately make unfair comments. I think the main element of the chain of hi-end is the speaker. If the tone and characteristics of the speaker is generally pleasant, or if the overall tone of the whole system is generally used, the system can be made for several steps further by playing with cables, tweaks, places, tubes, etc.
22 – Adjustments criticism should be done by listening music Music Symphony and Chorus; Once we decided on the major components of our system, we play with cables, tubes, accessories and other tweaks to find the desired tone. Adjusting the tonal balance of a system to listen simple instruments or jazz trios May mislead us.
Middle class and upper bands treble of sound is easily lost if someone is far from the original signal. This is the case, if we listen to a live concert or listening to a system of hi-end. If this is the cases, such instruments as the saxophone, guitar, violin, even a human voice is darker and far, if we listen to a record live very well. Whenever we increase the mid / treble band of the system tweaks, such instruments has become more open, detailed and dynamic. But something must be in mind that we add mai amount of subtle color to the blind. If a system is cut by listening trios or small simple instruments, monkey voices, this risk is really great. Such a system may not play a classical music is played by a full orchestra. If symphonic music is heard, the system may reveal the hardness and brightness.
It is often said that the system of someone playing well in the classics but sounds quite dark in jazz, or someone else's system is very revealing in jazz but very clear and glaze classical music. I think this is the main reason for these phenomena;
END
Hi-end is such a passion that so many opportunistic enterprises and individuals are added each year despite Hi-End Community does not grow enough. Prices are multiplied by 3, 5, 10s each year. Each manufacturer claims to be one of the best in the world or at least in the price level in particular. Manufacturers review reports prepared by certain ones!
No test equipment technology today can prove that their claims are true or not the test equipment may invalidate their claims are false. In any case, the equipment can compare two units of the other and prove that it sounds better then the other. Seeming best in the world of equipment / cables often aspire tests blind. If this happens, it's easy to pretend to be the best in the world because nobody can prove otherwise.
The price of the equipment value as low as 1 / 3 of the purchase price within a few years by the addition of MK-II MK-III Publishing, Specials, and Signature Versions
While the best speaker in the world has been sold by 7000? Twenty years ago, the best speaker is today more than 200,000? A step Online poor, which is used to reduce the volume sold by 40,000.?
Hi-end technology does not grow for years. Most producers of hi-end are very small family business that targeting niche very rich years. They did not search properly called and development labs. Design and aesthetic properties are priorities.
I have the impression that Hi-End is digging its own grave with that pricing policy. We will see what will happen to hi-end after 30 years.
There is a deep hole below. My humble recommendations for starters is just going with the used goods market and through equipment at reasonable prices to minimize the loss of years. Never look for the perfect sound that is not in money. Keep in mind that 300,000? Amplifier worth 2-3% may be better then a 5000? Value of his little brother.
Best regards with great music ..
Ozhan Atalay
THE FIRST commercially produced AMPLIFIER 1905
