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| Letters -- July 2008 Wilson versus B&W July 28, 2008 Editor, I just read your review of the Wilson WATT/Puppy 8 speakers and was very impressed by it. I’ve not heard these speakers before, but I have been considering the purchase of a pair of B&W 800s -- they cost about $4000 less, but that is a pretty small difference for such an important system component. How would you rate the two of them for a jazz/classical listener and what do you think of the Classé amps and preamps? Alan Generally speaking, I’ve always preferred the Wilsons to the B&Ws. To me, the Wilson speakers sound more natural, particularly in the highs, and have a dynamic ease about them that serves pretty much any music you play on them. Though I’ve liked some of the less expensive B&Ws, I’ve never been really fond of the 800 series. I’ve just never been able to sit down and completely relax with them. Their top end can be described as “ruthlessly revealing,” which may be a blessing to some and a curse to others. Your mileage may vary. As for the Classé gear, look for a review of their top-of-the-line preamp coming very soon....Jeff Fritz Update on 24-bit/176.4kHz computer audio? July 23, 2008 Editor, I think you hit most of the nails on the heads with your article “24-bit/176.4kHz Computer Audio: Can’t Get There from Here.” Do you have any answers to the questions you raised that you’ve learned since that article was published? I am debating what to do right now -- go PC or Mac. You advice would be much appreciated. Stephen Brewbaker I do have one important update: The Apple MacBook will definitely output 24-bit/176.4kHz digital audio via its FireWire output. I have the Weiss Minerva DAC in presently and it will accept up to 24/192. I’m now able to play the Reference Recordings HRx-series files in their native resolution. Remember that iTunes will store high-resolution .wav files and output them if you have a device that will accept them. So in many ways I think if you have a MacBook and a Minerva you have an almost future-proof setup. In fact, the MacBook shows that it has the capability to output up to 32 bits, though that is just a pipe dream right now....Jeff Fritz MacBook, etc. July 9, 2008 Editor, I see in the July issue of Ultra Audio a review of the Boulder equipment and that you are using a MacBook and Stello DAC or Blue Circle USB Thingee. Did you try the Thingee as a USB converter and then into an external DAC, and how is this set up (MacBook to DAC) as a front-end to your system? I just bought a Logitech Duet and will use that as a transport to my Theta Gen. VIII DAC/preamp, but I was also contemplating a MacBook to a Thingee or Trends Audio converter and then to the Theta Gen. VIII. I previously had a Transporter, but I felt it was overkill and needed money to pay for the Theta, which is a statement piece and matches my Theta Enterprise amps. Is there any magic to using a MacBook directly to the DAC versus streaming WI-FI and into a DAC that you’ve found? Bill The Apple MacBook is a very simple and non-tweaky device to use. To get the best from it the only real keys are to turn off all processing functions such as the equalizer and keep the volume control at its highest setting. Importing your music is a snap and only requires that you use Apple Lossless with Error Correction turned on. As to the sound quality, it’s fantastic. You could use the USB Thingee to convert the USB output of the Mac to the Theta’s AES/EBU connection. With 16-bit-44.1kHz software this will be about as good as it gets. If you want to play higher-resolution music, you can read about my trials and tribulations in this month’s "Opinion" titled “24-bit/176.4kHz Computer Audio: Can’t Get There from Here.” Lastly, although I have not directly compared a wireless connection to a wired one, I know people who have and they prefer the wired connection hands down....Jeff Fritz “Searching for the Extreme” July 3, 2008 Editor, Your last “Searching for the Extreme” was back in March -- a really nice piece on Nelson Pass, I might add. I was wondering when the next article would appear and what company or designer would be featured. I would like to suggest a profile of Charles van Oosterum of Kharma. He makes wonderful speakers for the music connoisseur. Pablo The latest “Searching for the Extreme” appeared on July 1, so you’re in luck. The article is the first of two parts on Gilbert Yeung of Blue Circle Audio. We break the news on some new products that he is releasing, and also there is a detailed discussion of power supplies and what makes the Blue Circle products different from most everything else out there….Jeff Fritz
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