I purchased a used VSX 1128 Receiver on eBay. Unit functions correctly in every way. However, every 90 seconds the volume reduces by 3 db. This continues until output is muted unless you tweak the volume control.
I've looked online and found that this is a common problem with Pioneer...
It's becoming obvious that in the future our computer and entertainment center will be one unit. Now, I have the capability of storing and displaying HD content on my computer, but the 23" monitor and computer speakers are not OK for watching movies. My 57" HDTV and 7.1 surround system is...
You're right. I tried the "Standard" mode and it returns to DolbyDigital EX. Press the THX button and the readout shows THX surr EX. THX surround effects are not distinguishable to my from Dolby. THX does seem to have slightly elevated midrange. In any case, those of you that have...
I don't know if the THX surr EX is a bad thing. It sounds fine and the rear EX channels are very realistic and sound full range, not like the old Dolby Surround matrix. I was just curious as to why this new readout shows up. Could it have to do with my change from an old Pioneer DVD player to...
I have a Sony Blu-Ray player hooked to a Pioneer model 1014 Receiver. Most DVD had always shown "DolbyDigital EX" on playback, but lately shows "THX surr EX" with many DVD's. I don't remember changing any settings, but the surround effect is new. Sounds fine, but I'm puzzled by why the...
I would bet it's an overload problem. We tend to use much more volume watching DVD's than TV or radio. I've had this same thing happen with my Pioneer receiver. Maybe just backing off on the volume will solve your problem. If it does, more efficient speakers or external amps will help you out.
DVD PQ is good, but not as good as HDTV. The only way it will be is to buy one of the new HD players. The "upconverting" players will NOT make your DVD's look like HDTV. It's like expecting AM radio to sound like CD's. You can't make 480 lines look like 1080.
If you get an HD TIVO, it has meter ability for both antenna and satellite. It is relatively easy to use. There is a visual and audible signal indicator. I am referring to the HR10-250, which is what Direct TV supplied when I requested a DVR. Be careful not to accept anything but TIVO, as many...
Dick, Thanks for the info. I believe reception can be accomplished with the antenna in the attic. There is an attic in my house one story higher than the garage attic where I now have the antenna. If I use one of the UHF only units, it will be smaller and possibly more effective on digital OTA...
Whether audio or video, the quality can't be any better than the original recording. With audio, you can remove tape hiss and static pops and cracks and turntable rumble from vinly LP's. If done properly, it can make the audio more enjoyable. If there was distortion or lack of high or low...
Maybe that is IT! Various audiophiles spend tens of thousands on better turntables, bigger tube amps, and vacuum tube CD players. It's hard to believe they actually think old technology performs better than new.
I'm an avid muscle car enthusiast with two '64 GTO's which I love. The...
Yes, LD picture quality was better than VHS or Beta, but not nearly as good as DVD. My LD player very seldom gets used any more. I have about 100 LD's.
The only LD I have that has sound quality that is as good or better than the DVD is the Eagle's Hell Freezes Over--and that is in the 2.0...
There have been numerous postings about antennas, but none recently that answer my question. I use a Direct TV HR10-250 HD TIVO for satellite and OTA signals. I could write many pages praising the performance and user friendliness of the HD TIVO. Recorded HD picture quality on my Toshiba 57"...
Lance's three points in the above post are very true. There is a fourth point, also. If your room requires placement of the two main front speakers fairly close to each other (my Infinity Quantum II's are 7' apart), and your listening position is 14' from the speakers and TV screen, a center...
Speakers may be about compromise, but only in cost, size, and appearance. There is every reason to buy a speaker system that is as accurate as you can find. Since speakers are the weakest link in any sound or home theater system, differences are easily noticed. If you can, listening to them...
The criical thing for surround speakers is placement. Whatever it takes to put the tweeter/midrange drivers above furniture and with a direct path to the listener's ear needs to be done. Floor standing speakers sometimes lend themselves to this better than smaller ones--unless they are wall...
There should be no shortage of opinions here. As stated above, they are both good speaker systems. The bottom line, however, is that the Klipsch's sound brighter than most speakers. The Paradigms are very smooth and "laid back" in their sound. I believe the Paradigms are more accurate than...
What happened to Yamaha's "revolutionary" surround speaker setup? Photos showed a front-only array that could electronically set itself up for any room to use reflected sound waves to create a realistic 5.1 or 6.1 soundfield. I believe it was shown at the 2005 CES show but I haven't seen...
Yes, the quality of these portable units is far better than Walkmans and other previous portable devices. Sound quality IS important to people who use these devices. With good headphones, they rival the best home audio systems. What is puzzling is the interest in watching videos on 2" or...
I agree with John 100%. If there is a finite limit to how much you're going to spend on an audio or home theater system, spend most of it on speakers, second largest amount on the amplifier, and less on the CD or DVD player. Interconnects should cost only a fraction of any of these three main...
She certainly could take your mind off speaker wires!! Several of you commented on HTIB systems. You are right, those that buy these from Bose or Sony really believe these are great-sounding systems (these systems give new meaning to speaker wires and subwoofers). I like to watch their faces...
Chu brought up some pertinent points. To answer his comment on my post: Esoteric wires that cause the system to sound different than conventional 12 or 14 gage copper wire (Romex, zip cord, etc.) are what I was referring to. There are a limited number of characteristics that esoteric wires could...
Wayne, There is little doubt that smaller gage wire (18 or 20) would degrade the signal with long runs, espcially 4 ohm speaker systems. You didn't say anything in your post about the exotic speaker wires that, in some cases, cost hundreds of dollars and claim to make your system sound...
For those of us lucky enough to have a HD TIVO or HD receiver from Direct TV, and near enough to receive digital OTA signals, it's a no-brainer. The BEST QUALITY HD picture today is OTA, even though the major networks only broadcast HD part of the time. If you can receive a Public Television...
Mr. Lee, Thanks to many people's input, this is one of the best discussions about wires I've seen. When you heard the comparison of Cardas vs. Monster wires, didn't it seem strange that a 4'& 5' piece of wire would create a "mind boggling" effect on sound quality? At those short lengths...
Mr. Lee, Thanks for the response. The test I performed was done with vintage equipment and done informally. However, it made me believe that the blind listening tests were valid that showed no statisical differences when listeners were asked to compare various wires. I, too, have changed a...
Theories about how some wires are superior or inferior don't answer the question. There have been countless articles written and discussions like this one. What matters is what you hear!! Again, I remind you, we all have the ability to compare speaker wires in our audio or home theater...
Mr. Lee, You completely missed the point!! I had suggested that comparing the performance of different wires can be done very inexpensively and easily. All the hype over very expensive wires can be tested in your system. Or, do you just take the salesperson's word and pay your money, go home...