Affordable$$Audio October Issue

markmarc
markmarc Posts: 2,309
edited April 2 in Clubhouse Archives
The October issue of Affordable$$Audio is now available for download with 25% more content, including the first winner of the Audio Rig Cover contest. Photos are being accepting for the November cover.

Thanks for supporting this all-volunteer venture!

http://www.affordableaudio.org
Review Site_ (((AudioPursuit)))
Founder/Publisher Affordable$$Audio 2006-13.
Former Staff Member TONEAudio
2 Ch. System
Amplifiers: Parasound Halo P6 pre, Vista Audio i34, Peachtree amp500, Adcom GFP-565 GFA-535ii, 545ii, 555ii
Digital: SimAudio HAD230 DAC, iMac 20in/Amarra,
Speakers: Paradigm Performa F75, Magnepan .7, Totem Model 1's, ACI Emerald XL, Celestion Si Stands. Totem Dreamcatcher sub
Analog: Technics SL-J2 w/Pickering 3000D, SimAudio LP5.3 phono pre
Cable/Wires: Cardas, AudioArt, Shunyata Venom 3
Post edited by RyanC_Masimo on
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  • Schris22
    Schris22 Posts: 983
    edited October 2006
    Hey Just read the headroom review and was hoping that you wouldn't put anything too raving on it. I just love my mp3 player for the go, and if you have the room for lossless then this might be good, but anything with a substantial amt of music and less then 10 gigs might not be worth it. I'm glad you did it professionally and I enjoyed reading the manufacturer’s response to it. I’m looking forward to the aperion and Tyler reviews.
    Receiver: Onkyo TX-SR502-S
    DVD Player: Pioneer DV-578A-S
    Left and Right: R50
    Center: CS1
    Rear Center: R15
    Surrounds: R30
    Subwoofer: 10'' Dayton 100 Watt
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  • jdhdiggs
    jdhdiggs Posts: 4,305
    edited October 2006
    One suggestion: In the future, it might be really cool to focus on, or create a running column on <$200 components that are a bit more mass market. THat could get you more readers that aren't so esoteric. Just a thought...
    There is no genuine justice in any scheme of feeding and coddling the loafer whose only ponderable energies are devoted wholly to reproduction. Nine-tenths of the rights he bellows for are really privileges and he does nothing to deserve them. We not only acquired a vast population of morons, we have inculcated all morons, old or young, with the doctrine that the decent and industrious people of the country are bound to support them for all time.-Menkin
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  • zombie boy 2000
    zombie boy 2000 Posts: 6,641
    edited October 2006
    Awesome stuff... thanks for putting this together!

    btw jdhdiggs... are you saying Totem Beaks aren't "mass-market"?:p
    I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
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  • jdhdiggs
    jdhdiggs Posts: 4,305
    edited October 2006
    Well, what I'm saying is that for something called "affordable audio", never reviewing a piece that joe blow can go down to a BB store and buy for under $500 isn't exactly living up to its name. Now I agree that $500-$3,000 is a lot more affordable than $2,000-$100,000 that some mags review, but not exactly "stereo on a college students budget" if you know what I mean...

    Adding a tweak like the beaks is something only serious audiophiles with large budgets tend to do. Seems a bit out of the scope of the original intent. I understand you gotta review what you can and that high end / esoteric stuff is more fun. However, I would find an article on tweaking an RTi4 or what receiver to match with klipsch bookshelfs as more useful/interesting to the larger market and living up to the magezines name.
    There is no genuine justice in any scheme of feeding and coddling the loafer whose only ponderable energies are devoted wholly to reproduction. Nine-tenths of the rights he bellows for are really privileges and he does nothing to deserve them. We not only acquired a vast population of morons, we have inculcated all morons, old or young, with the doctrine that the decent and industrious people of the country are bound to support them for all time.-Menkin
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  • zombie boy 2000
    zombie boy 2000 Posts: 6,641
    edited October 2006
    All good points, but I hope you gathered that I was being completely "tongue in cheek" in reference to the Beaks...
    I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
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  • jdhdiggs
    jdhdiggs Posts: 4,305
    edited October 2006
    Yeah, I figured but sometimes it doesn't pay to assume around here... ;)

    Also, I felt that I was clarifying more for others...
    There is no genuine justice in any scheme of feeding and coddling the loafer whose only ponderable energies are devoted wholly to reproduction. Nine-tenths of the rights he bellows for are really privileges and he does nothing to deserve them. We not only acquired a vast population of morons, we have inculcated all morons, old or young, with the doctrine that the decent and industrious people of the country are bound to support them for all time.-Menkin
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited October 2006
    markmarc wrote:
    The October issue of Affordable$$Audio is now available for download with 25% more content, including the first winner of the Audio Rig Cover contest. Photos are being accepting for the November cover.

    Thanks for supporting this all-volunteer venture!

    http://www.affordableaudio.org

    Thanks for informing us of this entity.

    I've read every issue starting with January and especially like the DIY secton. I actually used one of the suggestions (Variac . . . slowly waking up old equipment) to wake up my Spectral DMC 10. Reading the article snowballed into me meeting and becoming friends with another Polker . . . LibertyC who by the way is a great guy. We had dinner together and really talked some audio stuff and he lent me his Variac.

    Can't wait to read the new issue.

    Thanks again,
    Joe
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited October 2006
    jdhdiggs wrote:
    Well, what I'm saying is that for something called "affordable audio", never reviewing a piece that joe blow can go down to a BB store and buy for under $500 isn't exactly living up to its name. Now I agree that $500-$3,000 is a lot more affordable than $2,000-$100,000 that some mags review, but not exactly "stereo on a college students budget" if you know what I mean...

    This ezine obviosly is not designed for the BB and CC consumer. It's for folks who love buying high quality audio gear at "reasonable" prices. The term, "affordable" is very subjective. From the cost perspective of true high end audio, "affordable" is a good term for this ezine.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • jdhdiggs
    jdhdiggs Posts: 4,305
    edited October 2006
    Early B. wrote:
    This ezine obviosly is not designed for the BB and CC consumer. It's for folks who love buying high quality audio gear at "reasonable" prices. The term, "affordable" is very subjective. From the cost perspective of true high end audio, "affordable" is a good term for this ezine.

    Not much in this E-zine is that different from others (6-moons and others) in regards to the cost of what's reviewed or its esoteric nature. Yes, affordable is relative but if you look at the earlier copies to what they are writing now, you'll see the cost and esoteric nature has gone up. And, as I said, it would be a nice thought for a column and truly make it AA. As AA has grown, I see it moving more and more towards the typical review sights and away from it's intended goal.

    Did you intend the elitist attitude?
    There is no genuine justice in any scheme of feeding and coddling the loafer whose only ponderable energies are devoted wholly to reproduction. Nine-tenths of the rights he bellows for are really privileges and he does nothing to deserve them. We not only acquired a vast population of morons, we have inculcated all morons, old or young, with the doctrine that the decent and industrious people of the country are bound to support them for all time.-Menkin
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  • markmarc
    markmarc Posts: 2,309
    edited October 2006
    Earl B. & JDHiggs:

    The mass market builders, i.e. Sony, Technics, JVC, etc. don't respond to our inquiries for product samples. When those pieces are reviewed it's because the writer already owns them. I hope that these manufacturers will change their tune, but I have some serious doubts that they will. They got burned in the 1980's-90's by reviewers for putting out far more junk than quality. My theory is that staying silent was better than opening themselves up for potentially bad news.

    Another thing to consider with BB & CC is that they stick with home theater design, something that I currently don't have a staffer interested in locking onto. We did have an article on the BB $50 Insignia's, the Onix x-ls, and the NeoSpeak Tetras, all very affordable brand new.

    Speaker manufacturers such as Polk are more willing. I'm actually awaiting a pair of Polks from Paul DiComo to review (I'm keeping the model a secret for right now).

    In the meantime, the products we do review can be found used in the price point you suggest, giving the buyer more bang for the buck.

    My goal with A$$A has and always will be, affordable equipment that 95% of audio affectionados can afford. The general rule is that the equipment can be bought for less than $1K either new or used. But just as important, is that it puts out a quality sound. I thoroughly enjoy reading 6Moons, but to compare the overall price point of what they review to A$$A, it isn't even close. They are several $k's above A$$A. But I'm flattered by the comparison as the writing is terrific. Yes, we have been reviewing smaller manufacturers such as Monarchy, but they fit the price point. I think it's important to realize the best equipment at any price are coming from the little guy, in all honesty. If their smart enough to support us by providing review product while the big guns ignore us, so be it.

    As for tweeking a pair of RTi-4's, a couple of quick suggestions include good stands that can be filled with sand or lead shot. Using Blue-Tak as isolators, and some quality wires, such as Zebra cable. Finally, room placement. It amazes me how different speakers require different placements from walls. I would definitely look at those choices before voiding the warranty by upgrading the crossover.

    Understand that my writers are just like you and I, limited in budget so that tweeking a crossover would only happen if they owned a pair. However, if that does interest you, I would contact Danny Richie of GR Research, a legend in the speaker community about such upgrades.

    Finally, I do need to let everyone know, this e-zine is not a money-maker, it actually costs me financially due to bandwidth costs from the amount of downloads. i'm not complaining, it's a hobby, and like all hobbies it cost $$. Most of the ads are free in return for offering us product for review, (usually 1 ad placed the month before a review).

    I hope that helps understand what we review.

    Thanks for asking!
    Mark
    Review Site_ (((AudioPursuit)))
    Founder/Publisher Affordable$$Audio 2006-13.
    Former Staff Member TONEAudio
    2 Ch. System
    Amplifiers: Parasound Halo P6 pre, Vista Audio i34, Peachtree amp500, Adcom GFP-565 GFA-535ii, 545ii, 555ii
    Digital: SimAudio HAD230 DAC, iMac 20in/Amarra,
    Speakers: Paradigm Performa F75, Magnepan .7, Totem Model 1's, ACI Emerald XL, Celestion Si Stands. Totem Dreamcatcher sub
    Analog: Technics SL-J2 w/Pickering 3000D, SimAudio LP5.3 phono pre
    Cable/Wires: Cardas, AudioArt, Shunyata Venom 3
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  • jdhdiggs
    jdhdiggs Posts: 4,305
    edited October 2006
    Mark:

    I wasn't asking for suggestions for me, I was just thinking that not everybody who is "hard core" about audio has a couple grand to drop on a rig and a running "budget" corner column would be a very nice addition. I'd just hate to see this e-zine keep getting more and more esoteric.

    BTW: I'm trying to motivate myself to write an article for you. Just can't get it in gear. Hopefully I'll send you a rough draft for the Jan issue. Topic: something a little controversial. ;)
    There is no genuine justice in any scheme of feeding and coddling the loafer whose only ponderable energies are devoted wholly to reproduction. Nine-tenths of the rights he bellows for are really privileges and he does nothing to deserve them. We not only acquired a vast population of morons, we have inculcated all morons, old or young, with the doctrine that the decent and industrious people of the country are bound to support them for all time.-Menkin
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited October 2006
    Mark I love your ezine. I like reading about guys just like me who love audio and want to share the love and enthusiasm. I really appreciate what you do and have benifited from it. I also love to read about the totally out of my league equipment (just to keep me jonesing) that is why I have subscriptions to Stereophile and TAS. I wouldn't mind paying for your subscriptions either.

    The last week of June 06 I had after a 15+ years absence from this obsession found that high end audio and (a big surprise to me) analog was very much alive and kicking. Since then I've been reading and studying up on everything to do with 2 ch rigging. I had my own audio business in the 80s & early 90s but had to go a different route. So I am really going crazy trying to catch up and get a complete rig going .. . ..big problem I am renting with my wife and can't get the rig going until we find our "dream house" as she puts it. In the mean time I'm getting my jollys out of reading material such as yours.

    Thanks,
    Joe

    PS: What is BB & CC???
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  • jdhdiggs
    jdhdiggs Posts: 4,305
    edited October 2006
    BB can be big box store or Best Buy. CC is generally Circuit city.
    There is no genuine justice in any scheme of feeding and coddling the loafer whose only ponderable energies are devoted wholly to reproduction. Nine-tenths of the rights he bellows for are really privileges and he does nothing to deserve them. We not only acquired a vast population of morons, we have inculcated all morons, old or young, with the doctrine that the decent and industrious people of the country are bound to support them for all time.-Menkin
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited October 2006
    jdhdiggs wrote:
    BB can be big box store or Best Buy. CC is generally Circuit city.

    Thanks!

    All these internet acronyms can be very confusing. I always have to google them to find out what they mean. The most recent, today I had to google, ROFLMREO. Rolling On The Floor Laughing My Rear End Off. . . the site also said that ROFLMAO was a "more vulgar" version.
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  • audiobliss
    audiobliss Posts: 12,518
    edited October 2006
    Haha, I've never seen anyone but myself use 'ROFLMREO'. I thought I coined that one, lol. I decided to use that in my effort to avoid the alternative, and I first used 'ROFLMRRO' a few times until Sid pointed out I was saying "rolling on the floor laughing my rear's rear off". I think I got it right, now. :p
    George Grand wrote: »
    Jstas wrote: »
    Simple question. If you had a cool million bucks, what would you do with it?
    Wonder WTF happened to the rest of my money.
    In Use
    PS3, Yamaha CDR-HD1300, Plex, Amazon Fire TV Gen 2
    Pioneer Elite VSX-52, Parasound HCA-1000A
    Klipsch RF-82ii, RC-62ii, RS-42ii, RW-10d
    Epson 8700UB
    In Storage
    [Home Audio]
    Rotel RCD-02, Yamaha KX-W900U, Sony ST-S500ES, Denon DP-7F
    Pro-Ject Phono Box MKII, Parasound P/HP-850, ASL Wave 20 monoblocks
    Klipsch RF-35, RB-51ii
    [Car Audio]
    Pioneer Premier DEH-P860MP, Memphis 16-MCA3004, Boston Acoustic RC520
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  • markmarc
    markmarc Posts: 2,309
    edited October 2006
    JDHiggs:
    By all means finish it up and submit it. All I ask is that your opinions can be backed up with either facts or consistent listenable observations.

    One of the writers, Stew Nelles, is working on a budget system piece. I'm kind of hoping that he makes it a regular feature. It's also one of the reasons I have Michael Jarve on staff. He is a very knowledgeable source on big brands. But There is always room for more writers, not like I have salary constraints!!
    Review Site_ (((AudioPursuit)))
    Founder/Publisher Affordable$$Audio 2006-13.
    Former Staff Member TONEAudio
    2 Ch. System
    Amplifiers: Parasound Halo P6 pre, Vista Audio i34, Peachtree amp500, Adcom GFP-565 GFA-535ii, 545ii, 555ii
    Digital: SimAudio HAD230 DAC, iMac 20in/Amarra,
    Speakers: Paradigm Performa F75, Magnepan .7, Totem Model 1's, ACI Emerald XL, Celestion Si Stands. Totem Dreamcatcher sub
    Analog: Technics SL-J2 w/Pickering 3000D, SimAudio LP5.3 phono pre
    Cable/Wires: Cardas, AudioArt, Shunyata Venom 3
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited October 2006
    audiobliss wrote:
    Haha, I've never seen anyone but myself use 'ROFLMREO'. I thought I coined that one, lol. I decided to use that in my effort to avoid the alternative, and I first used 'ROFLMRRO' a few times until Sid pointed out I was saying "rolling on the floor laughing my rear's rear off". I think I got it right, now. :p


    Dude you are the guy I needed to google ROFLMREO for. You responded to a joke I posted in the Joke thread and I tried every which way to figure it out and finally had to say eff it and google it.
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  • ND13
    ND13 Posts: 7,601
    edited October 2006
    Early B, get on wich yo bad self....Great review!!!!
    "SOME PEOPLE CALL ME MAURICE,
    CAUSE I SPEAK OF THE POMPITIOUS OF LOVE"
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  • audiobliss
    audiobliss Posts: 12,518
    edited October 2006
    hearingimpared wrote:
    Dude you are the guy I needed to google ROFLMREO for. You responded to a joke I posted in the Joke thread and I tried every which way to figure it out and finally had to say eff it and google it.
    Hahahaha. Sorry for the confusion. :p
    George Grand wrote: »
    Jstas wrote: »
    Simple question. If you had a cool million bucks, what would you do with it?
    Wonder WTF happened to the rest of my money.
    In Use
    PS3, Yamaha CDR-HD1300, Plex, Amazon Fire TV Gen 2
    Pioneer Elite VSX-52, Parasound HCA-1000A
    Klipsch RF-82ii, RC-62ii, RS-42ii, RW-10d
    Epson 8700UB
    In Storage
    [Home Audio]
    Rotel RCD-02, Yamaha KX-W900U, Sony ST-S500ES, Denon DP-7F
    Pro-Ject Phono Box MKII, Parasound P/HP-850, ASL Wave 20 monoblocks
    Klipsch RF-35, RB-51ii
    [Car Audio]
    Pioneer Premier DEH-P860MP, Memphis 16-MCA3004, Boston Acoustic RC520
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter