Fragile

[Polkapops]

Okay, I am mostly convinced that 2 channel is the way to listen to music, but after having a few toddies this weekend and sitting in the dark listening to Yes Fragile on DVD-A 5.1......all I can say is Effin' MAGICAL! Steely Dan's Gaucho as well! Especially during the quiet parts of the music - crank it up near reference level and it'll make the hair on your nuts stand up! Unfrigginbelieveable....Get goosebumps just Thinkin' about it.......TOO COOL!!! :cool: ;):D

Anyone else have a particular disc that tends to 'shine' more than the rest?!!

[dorokusai]

Beck - Sea Change

[Loud & Clear]

That Fragile DVD-A is a really nice sounding recording of a very good record.

And yeah, I think Sea Change is a really good record too, although I don't own the hirez version.

[Demiurge]

Originally posted by dorokusai
Beck - Sea Change

Suprised to see that one talked about here.

I procured his new album and it's simply amazing.

[Demiurge]

Beck - Hell Yes - New Video from the new album (http://boss.streamos.com/wmedia/interscope/beck/video/hell-yes/hell-yes.asx)

[Pines]

Possibly a stupid question here but what is reference level for volume?

[danger boy]

Fleetwood Mac - Say you Will on DVD-a is pretty sweet as well.

[Polkapops]

Possibly a stupid question here but what is reference level for volume?

Not at all! Not sure if I'm using it correctly but when I calibrated my system, they referred to 0.0 as 'reference', so that is where I plucked that from......And when listening to the quiet parts at that volume - It truly is Magical....... Too friggin' Cool!!!!:D ;) :p :cool:

Dan

[Pines]

I have a yamaha RX-v750 receiver and used the automatic calibration so I probably missed the need for the 0.0 reference setting. Do you ever find yourself pushing the receiver much past that point into the plus numbers or is that the safe limit.

[Polkapops]

Now possibly a stupid question from me -
Why is it when I go to quote someone, it only says 'quote'. But when I read a lot of the other posts, it says 'Originally posted by so & so'. I read the vB Code but didn't see it in there - Unless I missed it somehow (wouldn't be the first time!).....

Dan

[Polkapops]

Pines -
I have experimented some, now that I have the Outlaw amp. I've gone up to +5 on some material for very short periods, but most of the stuff I've listened to starts to reach it's limits well before then. BUT - The music that DOES allow me to get more volume from it is absolutely incredible sounding at that level! Simply kick ass! (haven't heard that phrase in awhile, can tell I'm dating myself here) :p

[Pines]

My system is very stable at 0.0 and sounds awesome but I am a bit nervous to push it much past that point just due to what I've heard about the clipping problems. I can only begin to tell you how bad I'd like to see what they can do with the current setup.

[Polkapops]

Yeah, when I first got my system I auto calibrated using the Denon mic and the 1st weekend I got to try it out, it kept going into protect mode around -2 and would shut itself down. Then when I recalibrated with an SPL meter, I could listen around -12 and it was about equal to what -2 sounded with the auto calibration. So now that I have a dedicated amp to drive the system, it's taken all the stress off the Denon receiver and I can confidently crank it without having to worry about the receiver clipping.....

[Pines]

I guess I shouldn't hold the auto calibration procedure in such high regards then. I have the rti8's csi5 and fxi5's. I have seen a lot of forums here that talk about the huge advantage of using and amp. Is a 5 channel the way to go or just try to boost up the two mains with a stereo.

[Polkapops]

I had a 2 channel Hafler amp (100w x 2) that I used for powering the fronts for about a month after the 'protect mode' incident. It definitely helped relieve some stress from the Denon. Then I broke down and bought the Outlaw (200w x 7) and couldn't be happier. But whatever your budget will allow. If you can spring for a 5 channel, by all means - but anything you can do to take some of the workload off the receiver would be greatly beneficial........IMO

[Pines]

Is 200W too much for the speaker setup I currently have? I like it loud.

[Polkapops]

Personally, I would (and have) invest in an AVIA calibration disc and a Radio Shack sound meter. I got the digital kind because that was all they had at the time, but from what I've read around here is that the analog meter is more accurate and easier to use. But I am very happy with the results from the digital meter. But the bottom line, as always, is what your ears tell you. If you're happy with the way your system sounds, that is all that matters. But I can tell you the meter/calibration disc has made an improvement, at least in my system!

[Polkapops]

Not sure what the 8's are rated at, I have the 12's which can handle 500w each - But I also own the same center channel and surrounds that you have and a pair of RTi6's for the rears- and even though they're not rated for 200w, having them set to 'small' and running the EQ flat to them, I have had nothing but stellar performance from them! Let your ears be the judge - If it sounds like the music's starting to break up, drop the volume some. But it's those moments when listening to a well mixed/engineered disc that will allow you to get those few extra db's that makes me grin the most!:D

[Pines]

Do you set all of the speakers to small to impove mid range clarity? I don't really understand that, considering people say the best setup would have all full range speakers. I've seen other people here that use them set to small also. Any clarity on that.

[Polkapops]

I have them all set to 'small' except for the front towers which I have set at 'large' - then I have the sub crossover set at 80. This is all fairly new to me, as I only got my system in November. So far everything I've learned from this site has made an improvement. I am very thankful to all those who have been here awhile and understand this stuff a lot more than I do.....

[Pines]

Yeah I agree and appreciate your input as well.