Better Than ABX?
"Sander deWaal" wrote in message
...
"Harry Lavo" said:
Also, don't forget that I'm using dipole speakers.
Sander, are you aware that Harry Pearson's reference surround system uses
large Maggies in the front, and the center and wall-mounted little Maggies
specifically designed for surround? He claims he's never heard a better
surround system. If you've got the space, and can set up the proper
configuration of speakers (ITU) and seating, I suspect you would surprise
yourself with a similar setup.
I didn' t know that about HP (in fact, I haven't kept track of any
home- audio magazine or their editors/reviewers since a long time).
But it seems like a nice enough setup.
I have 4 MG1 improved speakers in the main system, mounted together
like some weird kind of Tympani. ;-)
2 SMGA-s are used in a second stereo system.
All I'd need is a Magneplanar center to finish a complete surround
set. (no subwoofers, please. There's plenty off bass in 4 big
Maggies).
Hmmm........I'm tempted to try this out.
I can buy a DTS/Dolby soundcard and use it as a source to supply 3
badass stereo tube amps.
I'm just afraid the dispersion pattern of a SMGA mounted vertically as
a center speaker, won't be satisfying .
I went that route when adjusting the sound with the big Maggies, with
disappointing results.
I tried to imitate the stacked Quad setup that ML introduced, but with
the radiation pattern and size of the MG1i, this can't be successfull.
I don't know about a soundcard, but many SACD players and DVD-A players
allow you to configure with no center channel, keeping the virtual center
channel you currently have. Only problem I can see with that is that you
can't do it without switching into the PCM mode, which tends to choke off
the extremely fine ambience hearable in straight DSD decoding. But since
your soundcard would be PCM to begin with, if it allows you to configure
that way, you'd have a solution. 'Course, the used Sony C2000ES available
on Audiogon for $225 would do it a lot better.
|