The All Purpose Advice Thread

Discussion in 'Advice Threads' started by purr1n, Sep 26, 2015.

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  1. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    So I asked a question regarding amplifier needed for a pair of surround speakers...

    I just found this resource and I thought I would share:

    https://myhometheater.homestead.com/splcalculator.html

    You can enter speaker sensitivity, amp power, distance from speaker, number of speakers, and placement and it will do the math calculation for you to reach a certain db level. Play with the amp numbers and you will not see the upper end db change that much. However, remember there are peaks as well as higher distortion in smaller amps as you reach that higher RMS.

    This calculator helped me realize that with higher sensitivy rears as well as closer placement to the listening position, I can get away with a 60w amp and still have the same dynamic power as my main 400w amp. Crazy.

    PS - peak THX ratings is 115db :eek:. I am only at 110, but I probably listen to movies way lower than that.
     
  2. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    That calculator is a bit odd because it mashes out an amp gain from the wattage which is not how that works.

    Amplifier gain is usually fixed. The amplifier power rating is the max it can put out.
    If you increase the signal feeding the amp until you get double the wattage output, you get +3 dB.
    If you increase the signal feeding the amp until you get double the voltage swing output (which equals x4 wattage output), you get +6 dB.
    For every doubling of distance from your ears to the speakers, you get -6 dB.
    If the speaker is near a wall, +3 dB (ish).
    If the speaker is near a corner, +6 dB (ish).

    Combine all together to figure out what you need, or just get a separate preamp or simple volume control on the amp for the surrounds and fiddle until you like what you hear.
     
  3. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    That calculator is based on the 1W/m sensitivity of a speaker and the wattage of the amplifier. It is based on max output before clipping at unity gain. If you enter 90db sensitivity and 1 watt at 3.2 feet, in a free field, output will say 90db and gain is 0.

    All surround sound receivers have level adjustment controls for all channels to bump up and down levels in +/-12 or +/-16 db swings. Many amps will have a max input before clipping and speakers of course will have a max SPL rating as well.
     
  4. Inoculator

    Inoculator Friend

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    Kind of an odd advice request, but I trust you guys more than anyone else with this sort of questions.

    My wife has a private therapy practice, and with COVID rates spiking again, and her being pregnant, she is going back to fully remote sessions. I think it is time to get her a better setup rather than just her thinkpad camera/microphone. Looking to set her up with a dock for her laptop that connects to a monitor, speakers, webcam, and microphone. I have docks and monitors around, but looking for advice on speakers/webcam/microphone setup. Not looking to spend a ton of money (although willing to invest in quality), but want something reliable that will make her virtual sessions a bit more professional feeling.

    Obviously, there are lots of 2 channel desktop speakers that would probably do the trick, but I am completely ignorant when it comes to quality webcam/microphone setups. Any advice would be appreciated on all of the associated equipment would be appreciated. I looked through the podcast thread for advice, but I don't think she is probably down for something with that big of a footprint, but maybe I am just a bit lost on best setup. She has a 5-6foot wide desk that is a few feet deep. Needs to be a setup that is plug and play/no fuss for her for running 8-10 sessions a day, I can't be there to troubleshoot beyond the initial setup.
     
  5. Climber

    Climber Facebook Friend

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    I think the biggest thing is probably just lighting and composing the look of the shot. I work in video production for a living, and a bunch of times this year was able to coach people through angle and lighting tweaks to a point where it was good enough to go on national television using their laptops without any additional equipment.

    If you want, you could get a ringlight for cheap, or even a softbox, but that's where real bang-for-buck improvements end. For most streaming videoconferencing apps -- Zoom, Facetime, etc -- going a lot farther with webcams and mics isn't going to get you anything down the line. Most of her end users probably aren't equipped to receive 1080p over Zoom, much less send it.

    So look up some Zoom background and lighting tips and play around, and you'll get 90% of the way there.
     
  6. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

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    There is a thread that might help: https://superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/podcasting-equipment-best-practices.5739/ It started off as podcasting, but ended up being remote video call type stuff.
     
  7. wormcycle

    wormcycle Friend

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    @Tchoupitoulas advice is I think excellent. I heard Arya only briefly but I listen daily to HEKv2 and HD800S. For instrumental music I prefer HEKv2 in almost every category, except for the sound stage, particularly for life recordings.
    I have a recording done in a cathedral and with HEKv2 the sound is wonderful and natural, but with HD800S it's like you are right there. So my vote goes to HD800S
     
  8. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

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    So slowly, but surely, my firm's office is closing in on completion and I will be moving my iFi Micro iDSD BL there and will need a modest rig for home use. The theoretical issue I need to deal with is that I primarily listen to an HD800SDRSBAF, but am a couple months away from getting a Verite Closed. Thinnish and analytical vs darkish and lush? Wondering if there is a budget (less than $500 total, maybe stretch to $750) combo that could do well with both. I tend to prefer bassier, lushier stuff and have an aversion to overly trebly stuff, but I don't necessarily want warmpoo and appreciate 3Dness and immediacy. For DACs, I am thinking either getting a Modi Multibit (for the 3rd time), an iFi Signature Zen DAC (or possibly the new NEO AIO). For amps, I have an Asgard 3, a borrowed Bachelor, and now considering the Vali 2+. Anything else I should consider? Any ideal combo out of all these? Thanks!
     
  9. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    Is there a DAC of similar cost ($300 ish) to the Airist RDAC that is of similar quality but more neutral? I find the RDAC to be a bit bassy but like everything else about it.
     
  10. johnnypaddock

    johnnypaddock Facebook Friend

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    You might want to consider the ZMF Auteur as well. I can’t compare it with the others on your research list, but in my experience it had much better bass response than the HD-650. It leans towards the warm end of the spectrum but nothing too crazy. It’s also easy to tweak to your preferences by swapping pads, all of which are available in suede. The “hybrid” pads are leather on the body with suede at the top where they contact your head.
     
  11. YMO

    YMO Chief Fun Officer

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    Anyone has a list of semi-popular to popular up to $300 USD DACs that doesn't have trash USB, and play nicely with something like a SW51+ with stock tubes?

    I had a pre-order for the iFi Zen Signature from Drop, but Drop can't meet their own deadlines, so I'm canceling that order.
     
  12. dematted

    dematted Friend

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    I'm enjoying my Soekris 1321, which I got used from a fellow member here for $375. It's a good option, and I enjoy the way it plays with my SW51+. Modi Multibit is the other one that comes to mind.
     
  13. dncnexus

    dncnexus Friend

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    Haven't tried with SW51+ but Modius might do okay as well.
     
  14. YMO

    YMO Chief Fun Officer

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    Modius discussion of its SE output is a minor turnoff from me. I have a stupid idea, let me make a WTB post.
     
  15. HotRatSalad

    HotRatSalad Friend

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    Are you set on multiBUT ? The modius is pretty kick ass for 2 bills guy.. Don't let the SE turn you off, it mates up well with SW51+ IMO. On my liquid platinum XLR was better though.
     
  16. YMO

    YMO Chief Fun Officer

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    As I posted above, I'm reading mixed things about it via SE.

    Doing that WTB thread right now, I'm curious on something different that isn't a Schiit....
     
  17. HotRatSalad

    HotRatSalad Friend

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    The "trash" usb becomes an issue then maybe, unless you use SPDIF/COAX
     
  18. Friday

    Friday Friend

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    Why not wait for iFi to release it themselves? I'm in the exact same boat as you, ordered a Zen Dac Signature to go witht the SW51+ then cancelled because of their stock problems. Now I'm just waiting for it to be released next year. Don't plan to go multibit since it would be my secondary rig and I don't want to deal with warm up time. Already got a BF2 in my main system anyway
     
  19. YMO

    YMO Chief Fun Officer

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    I'm a man with flaws, a millennial who breaks his vow on waiting for junk.
     
  20. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    Lol I asked the exact same question two posts above. I guess you got moar clout around here!
     
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