On May 6, 6:59 pm, Rob Tweed <rtw...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> Ah the EMU! Glad you're still liking it Codifus, cos I seem to
> remember I was originally responsible for you checking it out in the
> first place. However I started to get worried when you said it was to
> blame! For those who haven't checked it out, it's definitely worth a
> look:http://www.emu.com/products/product.asp?product=15185
>
> When I'm not using mine for live recording, it acts as a "digital
> pre-amp" connected to a Behringer A500 amp.
>
> Just don't blame me if you wear out the rest of your gear as a result
> of this little box! :-)
>
> On 13 Apr 2008 14:00:19 GMT, Codifus <codi...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>
>
>
> >Hello all,
>
> >my beloved and economic audiophile system has experienced another
> >breakdown. This is the 2nd one in 4 months.
>
> >Who is the culprit? The EMU 0404 USB. Do I blame it? No. Not at all.
>
> >Why? I've been enjoying music so much now with the 0404 USB that there
> >have been periods that I would listen for several hours on end, at or
> >near rated amplifier power, no doubt stressing all components of my
> >system. I was never able to do this before, and I love the way the way
> >the 0404 USB improved the system.
>
> >My system:
>
> >Itunes based music server feeding an Apple Air****t Express.
> >The Air****t Express optically feeds the EMU 0404 USB a 44/16 signal.
The
> >0404USB then feeds its line level output to a Yamaha AX-596 amplifier
> >rated at 100 watts/channel with a healthy abilitty to drive 4 ohms.
>
> >Speakers? Cambridge Soundworks Tower IIs. Power rating? I'm not sure.
> >Cambridge Soundworks has been very careful to keep the speaker power
> >handling spec, but from obscure data picked up here and there on the
> >web, I gather that they are rated in the 100 to 250 watt/channel range.
> >Anyhow, I have much respect for the late Henry Kloss, founder of
> >Cambridge Soundworks because I can see that he strived to produce very
> >good, audiophile type speakers at an economical cost. I've been an avid
> >fan for quite some time, starting off wiht his ensemble speakers.
>
> >Weaknesses of the Tower II? Something tells me that when Mr. Kloss
built
> >the Tower II speakers, to keep his costs low, he chose a dome tweeter
> >which does have a "hotspot." There are frequencies in which it tends to
> >respond to a little to strongly. A slight annoyance, but not enough to
> >take away the enjoyment of the music. Also, the midrange is not quite
> >flat. There are probably undulations in frequency response here and
> >there. Despite its weaknesses, though, these speakers do not fail to
> >convey the life of the music.
>
> >Still, for a pair of speakers that relay the beauty of music, the
> >ability to reproduce a frequency range from 30 Hz to 20 Khz in a
> >respectable manner, all for the cost of about $500.00, I am totally in
> >their camp. Mr. Kloss kept his eye on the true prize: presenting music
> >in a natural, realistic manner. Even with the foibles metiontioned
> >previously, these tower IIs can really sing. There would be
> >times I have my amp pumping at rated power and the music just takes me.
> > With the recent addition of the EMU 0404 USB, the music would take me
> >for hours on end. I would just keep going. Songs that come to mind are:
>
> >"Rememberances" from the Schindler's List Soundtrack
> >"Arise, Clay", from the Gods and Monsters Soundtrack
> >"Die Another Day" - Pop star Madonna's theme to the James Bond Movie
> >"Shawshanck Redemption - End title, So was Red" Shawshank redemption
> >movie soundtrack
>
> >Oh, and by the way, my Yamaha feeds the tower IIs in a bi-wire setup. A
> >single point of contact on the amp goes to 2 separate connections on
the
> >speaker. One pair of wires for the midrange/tweeter and the other pair
> >for the dual woofers.
>
> >Another thing: my amp's tone controls are always set to bypass; the
> >audio signal goes straight from the source to the amp, thru the volume
> >control, onto the speakers. That's it.
>
> >Problem: I cooked my Xovers. This is the 2nd time this has happened in
a
> >5 month period. My woofers work fine for both melt downs but the mids
> >and tweeter are SOL.
> >To verify, I dis-connected the tweeter and tested it individualy to
find
> >that it was ok, so I concluded that the problem was the xovers. Anyhow,
> >this is the 2nd time around, so I know:)
>
> >For this 2nd go round, just 1 of my speakers cooked the xovers. The
> >other one is fine. But who knows for how long the other one will last
> >given the history.
>
> >So now I'm at the point that I have to upgrade the speakers. Here's
what
> >I'm looking for:
>
> >Audiophile quality speakers with these specifications:
>
> >3 dimensional soundstage, or least speakers with some depth.
>
> >Able to produce down to 30 Hz, to reach "down below," so to speak. I
> >look at 40 Hz as the breaking point. 40 Hz and higher is the fake bass,
> >whereas anything below is bass you can feel, rock your foundations.
> >These tower IIs introduced me to 30 Hz bass and I never want to go
back:)
>
> >Economical price tag, in the $1000 to $2000 price range.
>
> >I've had my eye on the B&W range of speakers but would appreaciate if
> >anyone could point me to other options.
>
> >Thanks in advance.
>
> >I am truly hurting, here. How would you feel if 1 of your speakers lost
> >its xover, 5 months after being replaced?
>
> >Please recommend replacement speakers that will hopefully fill the
> >criteria I mentioned above.
>
> >Thanks
>
> >CD
>
> ---
>
> Rob Tweed
> Company: M/Gateway Developments Ltd
> Registered in England: No 3220901
> Registered Office: 58 Francis Road,Ashford, Kent TN23 7UR
>
> Web-site:http://www.mgateway.com
>
> SlipstreamUSA: April 2, Renaissance Hotel, Orlando
http://www.OutOfTheSlipstream.com
OK, then it's all your fault;)
No worries, I am loving that 0404 USB even if it makes me wind up
cooking my xovers. So long as my system is singing beautifully.
CD
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