Very good article with the exception of a demonstrated lack of understanding of the benefits of increased amplifier power. I suppose he will learn that increased power is of more benefit to your speakers than to actual increase in sound quality on the day he blows out his speakers due to overdriving the amplifier.

Hi Jake, Be sure to republish when receivers come out with 1) Web control interface (a la Audiotron). My existing receiver is your vintage, and I use it to run whole house audio (one zone). Let's control these from our PCs.

2) DVI output to the monitor instead of component. I just got a Samsung DLP with DVI input and it's remarkable - fully digital from DVD player to display.

Jake, Another option for internet radio is to utilize your Tivo with Home Media Option. Skip Tivo's HMO PC software and install the open source JavaHMO server that includes Shoutcast streaming radio along with a few other improvements over Tivo's HMO server software.

Linksys - a Division of Cisco Systems, Inc. - Press release in 2003 Cisco Systems Announces Agreement to Acquire The Linksys Group, Inc. SAN JOSE, Calif., March 20, 2003 - Cisco Systems, Inc., today announced a definitive agreement to acquire the business of privately held The Linksys Group, Inc. of Irvine, Calif.

To address Chris's comment on amplifier power: The only time you need to worry about damaging speakers with an underpowered amplifier is when the amplifier is turned up to the point of clipping the audio. I love to listen to music at levels where I can feel bass hitting me in the chest. I have yet to increase the volume on an amplifier in any price point to a level I could both sustain listening to the output and push the amplifer to the point of clipping.

As an old engineer and audiophile/pile?, would it take so much to educate your readers and at the same time put all the device specs into your review?

In reading the responses I read, there are so many fallacies in the information given by some of the responders, you’re doing a disservice to your readers.

Why aren’t the following listed? : THD: Total Harmonic Distortion (Measured at RMS clipping point) ; IMD: Inter-Modulation Distortion [(List Frequencies used) (Measured at various input and output power levels with an attached 4 ohm load*)] RMS Power Out RootMeanSquare (Usually ~0.707 of the peak power w/sine wave input) {[(Measured @ clipping point of a Triangular and/or Sine Wave)] and [(Monitor XOVR Crossover Distortion @ Output and Input of amplifier) and (Observe any distortion of Triangular, Sine, and Square Waves: Anomalies as in wiggles in the waveform lines)

ETC: ---------------------------------- There are also some fallacies in how loudspeakers and power interact.

Setting the Stage:

Crude Theory of Operation of Woofers in Two Configurations: Most of today’s speakers are sealed, read inefficient; so that the bass of a larger/more efficient speaker can be reproduced. The ‘standing waves’** in the sealed cabinet dampens*** the woofer so that the speaker’s voice coil doesn’t jump off its suspension. I’m sure some us great unwashed out here in INet Land, have pushed on a woofer cone that scraps when pushed. You know; that raspy sounding channel? We all live with these speakers in our cars and sometimes with most of the speakers sold today. All in the name of saving space. Keep in mind that the sealed speaker is actually an air pump, and the inside of the cabinet should be lined with insulation to help absorb the reflected waves and keep the enclosure from rattling, etc.

An efficient woofer can be seen in speakers like the Klipsch Corner Horn and perhaps a rare few others. Basically the woofer is in a cavity that is made large enough to be resonant**** at about 100 Hertz. The cavity is usually vented (open) usually to the front. In a nutshell, this configuration requires less power to move the woofer cone in and out, reproducing a sound wave. You can feed these speakers with a low power source (amplifier) and still get high quality bass sound from the speaker.

How Much Power Does My Amplifier Need? : Inventory |

a) 1 - 100 Watt Amplifier with 1.0% THD b) 1 - 50 Watt Amplifier with 1.0% THD c) 1 - Sealed Woofer System d) 1 - Efficient Woofer System e) 1 - Sound Pressure Meter (Look in a Radio Shack Catalog) f) 1 - Measuring setup as above.

Now we just cut to the simplification to save time and space……..

If I measure the 100 Watt Amplifier setup with the ‘Sealed Woofer System’ at a 20 Decibel room level (on the Sound Pressure Meter), I have to turn up the amplifier to its 50 watt output level. The distortion level at half power should be one half of 1.0%; 0.5% distortion.

If I measure the 50 Watt Amplifier setup with the ‘Efficient Woofer System’ at a 20 Decibel room level (on the Sound Pressure Meter), I only have to turn up the amplifier to its 25 watt output level. Again, the distortion level at half power should be one half of 1.0%; 0.5% distortion.

If I measure the 100 Watt Amplifier setup with the ‘Efficient Woofer System’ at a 20 Decibel room level (on the Sound Pressure Meter), I only have to turn up the amplifier to its 25 watt output level. The distortion level at half power should be one quarter of 1.0%; 0.25% distortion.

I simplified the numbers, but I hope the concept is clear.

The reason I stuck with the amplifier is that I agree with the use of the computer to feed a stand alone amplifier; as opposed to a receiver. If you use a high end sound card, the input source to the amplifier, your PC, has a lot more potential usability than any receiver. All you are paying for in a receiver is the dedicated circuitry that your PC and software can easily do; usually better.

Enough for now, you’re likely all asleep by now.

Thanks for my letting me ramble. I hope this clarifies things a bit.

* with an attached 4 ohm load This is actually an reactive (AC Resistance) load, but measurements in test configurations are done with high wattage rated ceramic [(non-wire wound resistors) (non reactive resistors);

** standing waves These reflected waves that cause internal resistance to the speakers cone movement;

*** dampens Bucks/restricts the movement of the speaker cone by the internal sound pressure waves pushing against the cone;

**** large enough to be resonant The point where the speaker produces its lowest frequency, this is also the frequency that is the correct size for the speakers cavity. The reactive load should measure the speaker’s rating; such as 4 ohms.

Thanks, Duane

I enjoyed reading this article, although it did not really give an in-depth review on each of the receivers.

Reading Duane's comments really triggered me to write this. There was so much misleading information that I just could not hold but point out a few. - The distortion percentage of an amplifier is not linearly proportional to the output power. In othe words, the higher the power does not necessarily bring more distortion. - The definition of standing wave was all wrong. It should not be difficult to find the correct definition over the Internet, so I am not trying to be the professor here. - The explanation of "air suspension" and "bass reflex" types of speaker box design was also not incorrect.

Thanks, LC

The article is praticaly comparing apples&oranges, at least compare competivly priced recievers from each company or one companies range of recievers. For the price ($1199) Denon's 3805 does 90%+ of the 5803A($4000+)and is way less then half the price.Plus its available in black OR silver(really gun metal gray brushed aluminum) Blows away everything below and most recievers costing a $1000 more. With 3 room multi source, 100mh componant bandwidth(hdtv) componant bandwidth you just can't beat it. Plus it has a available mic for easy set up!

I think there are a lot of people that think they know everything, and you guys are great. The only thing I know is that if you plan of pying 4000 for a receiver make sure you do the homework .. and if you buy a 300 dollar receiver you get what you pay for. Going to Radio shack to get a measuring tool ?? what is that all about just hook it up and enjoy the people that build this stuff know what the exact specifics are and you get what you pay for.

graet article. greater commentary. love it.

So, the Sprocket actuates around the Johnson Rod. This in turn occilates the counterleaver and makes the polonoids increase their wave throughput which gives more intensitity to the ondulating bars. I got it now. I will just stick to the out of the box stuff. Well

prem karunakaran? I know you! http://www.promotionbelt.ca

Prem Karunakaran??? I know you too!! http://trewo.org/

gay azz shithead

Your Comments (required):

READER COMMENTS: We want to hear what you have to say about this article!     Acceptable Use Policy Your Comments (required): Your email is only used if our editors need to contact you. It is not used or stored for any other purpose, nor posted with your comments. Enter the text from the image below Please refresh the page if you have trouble reading this text.