 |
| Letters -- January 2008 Paradigms compared to...? January 29, 2008 Editor, I enjoy reading your reviews and comments. I waited a very long time to read your wonderful review of the new S6 v.2s from Paradigm. In your review you stated that they could compare with loudspeakers at around $8000. How would they compare to, say, B&W 803D, KEF 203/2, Von Schweikert VR-4 Jrs, or other comparative speakers? Which speakers do you personally recommend to outperform them without breaking the bank? Pat I have some limited experience with the VR-4 Jrs, and I do not think they are competitive with the current Signatures from Paradigm. I’ve never really liked the B&W Diamond models, as they always seem to be a little unforgiving, which usually leads to listener fatigue on the occasions I’ve heard them. The KEFs are garnering great reviews and several people whose ears I trust are really high on them. So I’d definitely give them a listen. As for other alternatives: The Usher speakers seem quite good. They are thoroughly up to date as far as design and materials and seem to be competing well in the marketplace. I’d also look into the Pioneer models that were derived from the more expensive TAD speakers, and at even more money, the Rockport Miras are still one of the great deals in high-end audio. There are lots of choices these days, but the Paradigm Signature S6 v.2 is an easy call to make at their price, or even above….Jeff Fritz Cables for Rockport Miras January 24, 2008 Editor, I live in Madrid, Spain and am the owner of Rockport Miras. I’m thinking of buying some new cables. I would like to know your opinion about it. What cables do you recommended? I have a valve power amp, a Trilogy 949, 50Wpc, and a valve preamp, the Hovland HP100. Jose A. Bel I have used Shunyata Research products for several years and they continue to be what I recommend. They have sounded quite good with the many different components I’ve used them. In fact, over the past couple of years my entire system has changed, except for my cables, and I have not felt the need to replace them. I strongly suggest you seek them out….Jeff Fritz Paradigm S4 v.2s? January 22, 2008 Editor, Read your article on the Paradigm Signature S6 v.2s and wondered if you also have an S4 review in the works. I'm building a new house with a dedicated sound room and buying all new equipment. I'm sold on the Paradigm sound, but I still have to stay within a budget. Have you had a listen to the Studio 60s and 100s, and Signature S4s? I watch a lot of music DVDs and like awesome guitar, jazz, vocals and interesting instrumentals. As the S6s may be at the very top of my budget, I am trying to get some input on the new S4 v.2s. Jim First off, the Signatures are worth the premium over the Studios, no question about it. They have a more refined sound and the build quality is a huge step up. As for the S4 v.2s, I’d expect them to sound very much like the S6 v.2s, just with less bass and maximum loudness. If you are going to use a subwoofer and cross over your mains to that sub, you may not lose much at all by going to the S4 v.2s as a cheaper alternative. If you are going to run them full-range without a subwoofer, I’d definitely spring for the S6 v.2s. The bass that the S6 v.2s produce will be important to your home-theater system…..Jeff Fritz Computer-based headphone setup January 14, 2008 Editor, I have been reading your reviews for the past few weeks and am greatly impressed with them. Keep up the excellent work. I've got a question for you. I really want to assemble a computer with an audio system worthy of stellar performance. To be honest, I simply cannot afford the equipment that I want in the home-audio department, so I will have to settle with doing this with headphones. At the moment I own Grado RS-1s, SR-325i's and the Grado RA-1 amp, and an old McIntosh DCD-7000 for playback. I am selling one pair of the Grados to make room for the GS-1000s, which I have ordered, so I think I should be set as far as the headphones go for a while. The question I have for you is: What components should I be looking at? And what parts make the most difference in the system? I have a Stello DA100 on the way also, but I purchased this before I found out about Ultra Audio and all the wonderful reviews that you gents are doing. I have a real passion for music with headphones, so I'm really interested in making a very serious setup, but I'm completely in the dark as to who makes the best equipment for computer use. Dave Ellis I recently went through a similar dilemma, and examined what was currently on the market in terms of computer audio. My goals were to have a great-sounding setup that also had slick user interface. I ended up with an Apple MacBook running iTunes feeding a USB DAC (Stello DA220 Mk.II). I’ve imported a fairly large number of CDs into iTunes so far using Apple Lossless, which is reportedly a bit-perfect copy of the CD. ITunes has Error Correction (that you must manually turn on), which supposedly ensures a perfect copy. I’ve had nothing but great luck with the setup and the sound quality is outstanding. There are many other reportedly excellent-sounding options out there, but for me the defining feature was the iTunes interface and the remote control that comes with the Apple products. I’m by no means an expert on computer audio -- I’m still learning myself -- but this setup has proved faultless so far. Good luck….Jeff Fritz
Ultra Audio is part of the SoundStage! Network. |
