I am very new to this technology. We have just bought a Denon RCD-M39 with Q Acoustic speakers. Everything works okay but does anyone know how to alter the sound or do we just have what we have or do we have to buy something else?
dalwen said:Hi Matthew, i've noticed that You have a new stereo reciever-cd-player (instead of the PMA720!)
did You lose in terms of soundquality? Or is there not much between them?
the record spot said:Matthew, isn't htere just the same danger you might go from upgradeitis with the actives as you're doing with traditional gear? The Yamahas start from around £350 a pair, then the AVI's are around £1300. I know everyone raves about them for the most part, but actives vary as much as passive speakers do. Ca' canny and all that else you'll still be on a merry-go-round.
matthewpiano said:Well, I understand your point RS and there is a small danger of that happening. Realistically though, it will take me some time to save up for something like the ADMs and the Yamahas would give me the chance to see how I get on with actives without the more significant outlay. If I do end up progressing to the ADMs I won't be able to afford to upgrade them again. It is as simple as that.
cse said:matthewpiano said:Well, I understand your point RS and there is a small danger of that happening. Realistically though, it will take me some time to save up for something like the ADMs and the Yamahas would give me the chance to see how I get on with actives without the more significant outlay. If I do end up progressing to the ADMs I won't be able to afford to upgrade them again. It is as simple as that.
Rather than save, why not just repay them interest free? The only way to really get out of endless upgrading/experimenting is to buy the complete mid-range system upfront in one go. You'll notice people that have done that don't return to the 'debates/individual merits of components' for 10 years (often more) at least, as highlighted by many prevoius posts. They then only return to thinking about their HIFI when something fails.
matthewpiano said:the record spot said:Matthew, isn't htere just the same danger you might go from upgradeitis with the actives as you're doing with traditional gear? The Yamahas start from around £350 a pair, then the AVI's are around £1300. I know everyone raves about them for the most part, but actives vary as much as passive speakers do. Ca' canny and all that else you'll still be on a merry-go-round.
Well, I understand your point RS and there is a small danger of that happening. Realistically though, it will take me some time to save up for something like the ADMs and the Yamahas would give me the chance to see how I get on with actives without the more significant outlay. If I do end up progressing to the ADMs I won't be able to afford to upgrade them again. It is as simple as that.
plastic penguin said:matthewpiano said:the record spot said:Matthew, isn't htere just the same danger you might go from upgradeitis with the actives as you're doing with traditional gear? The Yamahas start from around £350 a pair, then the AVI's are around £1300. I know everyone raves about them for the most part, but actives vary as much as passive speakers do. Ca' canny and all that else you'll still be on a merry-go-round.
Well, I understand your point RS and there is a small danger of that happening. Realistically though, it will take me some time to save up for something like the ADMs and the Yamahas would give me the chance to see how I get on with actives without the more significant outlay. If I do end up progressing to the ADMs I won't be able to afford to upgrade them again. It is as simple as that.
This is something I mentioned a few days ago (most seemed to have missed). With respect, Matthew, I think upgraditis or box swapping is in your DNA. I think even after the AVIs, regardless of how good they maybe, you'll start hankering for the old system, and if you still have them, you'll be going thru "I wonder" scenario.
FWIW I have no problem with box swappers but there'll always be lingering doubts.
Are there any passive brands below the £1000 mark you haven't heard?
matthewpiano said:The thought of actives is quite attractive if they really can give so much greater performance per pound than a passive set-up. I do still need to be convinced of that by extended listenin and I won't be going down that route until I am, particularly as the more affordable actives like the Yamahas would need some logistical thinking to make them a practical proposition.
plastic penguin said:There is also another realistic problem: Managing expectations. Everyone tries to shuffle nearer to hi-fi utopia, yet, like the end of the perverbial rainbow, when you think you're closer, it moves.
Hi-fi has always been and will always remain a tantalising conundrum.
matthewpiano said:On the passive system front, I do like Denon electronics. I've still got the PMA720AE and won't be moving it on any time soon, and I'm really enjoying my music through the little RCD-M39DAB. My biggest regret in hi-fi is not sticking with the PMA1500AE and DCD1500AE I had. Its only since I parted with them and heard so much other stuff that I realise how good they were, and that I'd probably struggle to get better within reasonable financial constraints. Coming back to Denon has got me closer again, although I think if I were to continue building my system around the '720AE I'd need to be getting the matching CD player. I honestly don't think the Roksan suits me. If I had the funds I'd be sorely tempted to get the 1510AE combination now it is on run-out, but I don't at present and the replacement 1520AEs have been priced out of my league.
The thought of actives is quite attractive if they really can give so much greater performance per pound than a passive set-up. I do still need to be convinced of that by extended listenin and I won't be going down that route until I am, particularly as the more affordable actives like the Yamahas would need some logistical thinking to make them a practical proposition.
cse said:matthewpiano said:On the passive system front, I do like Denon electronics. I've still got the PMA720AE and won't be moving it on any time soon, and I'm really enjoying my music through the little RCD-M39DAB. My biggest regret in hi-fi is not sticking with the PMA1500AE and DCD1500AE I had. Its only since I parted with them and heard so much other stuff that I realise how good they were, and that I'd probably struggle to get better within reasonable financial constraints. Coming back to Denon has got me closer again, although I think if I were to continue building my system around the '720AE I'd need to be getting the matching CD player. I honestly don't think the Roksan suits me. If I had the funds I'd be sorely tempted to get the 1510AE combination now it is on run-out, but I don't at present and the replacement 1520AEs have been priced out of my league.
The thought of actives is quite attractive if they really can give so much greater performance per pound than a passive set-up. I do still need to be convinced of that by extended listenin and I won't be going down that route until I am, particularly as the more affordable actives like the Yamahas would need some logistical thinking to make them a practical proposition.
Why did you sell the Denon package? It had SACD playback as well, so good for classical, pretty unbeatable at the price,but deserves high quality revealing speakers.