The Complete Guide to High-End Audio, 6th Edition
- Length: 592 pages
- Edition: 6
- Language: English
- Publisher: Acapella Publishing
- Publication Date: 2021-10-01
- ISBN-10: 1736254502
- ISBN-13: 9781736254509
- Sales Rank: #51446 (See Top 100 Books)
In this newly updated directory, the latest in cutting-edge audio equipment is provided, including how to choose the best audio equipment on a budget, how to get the best sound for the money, and how to set up a system for maximum performance. Revised and expanded to include all the latest audio technologies, this book is packed with expert advice how to make speakers sound up to 50 percent better at no cost, avoid the most common system set-up mistakes, and how to choose the one speaker in 50 worth owning. Among the new topics covered are streaming audio, computer-based music servers, music-management apps, wireless streaming, high-resolution digital audio. A short course on listening-room acoustics is presented and additional information on audio for home theater, multichannel audio, system set-up secrets, and what each component’s specifications and measurements mean is also provided.
Cover Title Page Copyright Contents Foreword Preface to the Sixth Edition About the Author 1. What Is High-End Audio? 2. Choosing a High-End Audio System Introduction Choosing the System Best Suited to Your Needs Setting Your Budget The Complete vs. the Incremental Purchase Value vs. Luxury Components Allocating Your Budget to Specific Components Upgrading a Single Component How to Read Magazine Reviews System Matching Do’s and Don’ts of Selecting Components Your Relationship with the Retailer Used Equipment Product Upgrades Component Selection Summary 3. Becoming a Better Listener Audiophile Values Pitfalls of Becoming a Critical Listener Sonic Descriptions and their Meanings Tonal Balance Perspective The Treble The Midrange The Bass Soundstaging Dynamics Detail Pace, Rhythm, and Timing Coherence Musicality Notes on Learning Descriptive Terms Critical-Listening Setup Procedures Single-Presentation Listening—What It’s All About Critical Listening Summary Addendum: Level Matching 4. Preamplifiers and Phono Stages Introduction How to Choose a Preamplifier Balanced and Unbalanced Connections What to Listen For Tubes vs. Transistors Tube Life and Replacement Options The Line-Stage Preamplifier The Phono-Stage Preamplifier RIAA Equalization Phono-Stage Gain Cartridge Loading Balanced Phono Inputs The Transimpedance Phono Stage Non-Standard Phono Stages The Digital Preamplifier Audio/Video Controllers and Multichannel Preamplifiers How a Preamplifier Works Balanced and Unbalanced Preamplifiers 5. Power and Integrated Amplifiers Introduction How to Choose a Power Amplifier Integrated Amplifiers How Much Power Do You Need? The dBW Power Rating Why Amplifier Output Current Matters What to Look For when Comparing Power Ratings Why Amplifier Power Isn’t Everything Other Power-Amplifier Considerations Tubes vs. Transistors Balanced Inputs Bridging Bi-Amping What to Listen For A Survey of Amplifier Types Single-Ended-Triode Amplifiers Single-Ended Solid-State Amplifiers Class D (Switching) Power Amplifiers Digital Amplifiers A Unique Amplifier Output-Stage Topology and Class of Operation How a Power Amplifier Works The Power Supply Input and Driver Stages Output Stage How a Tubed Power Amplifier Works 6. Loudspeakers Introduction How to Choose a Loudspeaker Other Guidelines in Choosing Loudspeakers Finding the Right Loudspeaker—Before You Buy What to Listen For Loudspeaker Types and How They Work The Dynamic Driver The Coaxial (Concentric) Driver Dynamic Compression Problems with Dynamic Drivers The Electromagnetic Dynamic Driver The Planar-Magnetic Transducer The Heil Air-Motion Transformer The Electrostatic Driver The Dipolar Radiation Patterns of Ribbons and Electrostatics Bipolar and Omnidirectional Loudspeakers The Horn Driver Waveguides The Plasma Driver The Bending-Wave Driver The Full-Range Driver Loudspeaker Enclosures Infinite-Baffle Loading Reflex Loading Passive Radiators Transmission-Line Loading Isobaric Loading The Finite Baffle System Q Powered and Servo-Driven Woofers Enclosure Resonances Enclosure Shapes Loudspeaker Footers Crossovers Powered and Active Loudspeakers Digital Loudspeakers DSP Loudspeakers Wireless Loudspeakers and Integrated Systems Subwoofers Subwoofer Technical Overview Loudspeaker Stands 7. Digital Source Components: DACs, Music Servers, Streaming, Disc Players, Interfaces Introduction How to Choose a Digital Source—Overview What to Listen For DAC Features and Specifications Number and Type of Inputs Wireless Connection: Bluetooth, AirPlay2, and Chromecast Master Quality Authenticated (MQA) Streaming Choosing a Streaming Service Networking Capability DSD Decoding DSD over PCM (DoP) Volume Control and Source Switching Selectable Digital Filters Balanced Outputs Upsampling Internet Radio Hardware or Software Updatable DACs Music Servers Music Server Sound Quality: Better than Disc Music Server Features Music-Management App Integral DAC Roon Integral Storage External Storage and Backup: USB and NAS Drives Digital Outputs DSD Support Music Server Accessories USB Reclockers Ethernet Isolators and Switches A Music-Server Alternative: The Network Bridge Downloading Music File Formats Download Caveats Transferring an LP Collection to a Server Disc Players Super Audio Compact Disc (SACD) Universal Disc Players Blu-ray Disc Bass Management in SACD and Universal Players Extracting High-Resolution Data Streams from Disc Players Digital Interfaces S/PDIF USB Ethernet I2S Proprietary Digital Interfaces Jitter in the Digital Interface Outboard Clocks Computer-Based Music Servers The Do-It-Yourself, PC-Based Music Server The Importance of Bit Transparency Computer Requirements Operating System and Playback Software Metadata Hard-Disk and Solid-State Storage Loading Your Server with Music Getting Music from the Server to Your Playback System Networking Technical Addenda High-Resolution Digital Audio: Why 44.1kHz Sampling and 16-bit Quantization Aren’t Enough 16 Bits, 20 Bits, 24 Bits A Caveat About High-Resolution Digital Audio Direct Stream Digital How a DAC Works Custom Digital Filters Digital-to-Analog Conversion Delta-Sigma DACs Analog Stages Balanced Outputs MQA Explained Background: An End-to-End System MQA in Practice MQA Sound Quality MQA Technology Temporal Blur Rethinking the Container Encapsulation and Music Origami 8. Turntables, Tonearms, and Cartridges: The LP Playback System Introduction LP Playback Hardware Overview System Hierarchy: Why the LP Front End Is So Important How to Choose an LP Playback System What to Listen For Technical Aspects of Choosing an LP Front End The Turntable The Base and Plinth Sprung and Unsprung Turntables The Platter and Bearing Assembly Platter Mats, Record Clams, and Vacuum Hold-Down Systems The Drive System The Tonearm The Phono Cartridge Moving-Magnet and Moving-Coil Cartridges The Moving-Iron Cartridge The Strain-Gauge Cartridge The Optical Cartridge Phono Cartridges and Balanced Operation Stylus Shapes and Cantilever Materials LP Playback System Setup Record Care and Cleaning Vinyl as Art: Half-Speed Mastering, 45rpm Pressings, 180-Gram Vinyl, Mobile Fidelity’s One-Step Process, and Direct-to-Disc LPs 9. Cables and Interconnects Introduction How to Choose Cables and Interconnects How Much Should You Spend on Cables and Interconnects? What to Listen For Binding Posts and Cable Terminations Bi-Wired Loudspeaker Cables Balanced and Unbalanced Lines Cable and Interconnect Construction Conductors The Dielectric Terminations Geometry Terminated Cables and Interconnects Battery Bias in Cables and Interconnects Cable and Interconnect Specifications Cables in the Power-Amplifier/Loudspeaker Interface 10. Audio for Home Theater Introduction Overview of Home-Theater Systems Dolby Atmos and DTS:X Should You Choose a 5.1-, 7.1-, or 9.1-Channel System? Home-Theater Controllers How to Choose a Controller Inputs, Outputs, and Source Switching Automatic Calibration DSP Speaker and Room Correction Analog Bypass Modes Bass-Management Flexibility 8-Channel Analog Input Digital-to-Analog Conversion 7.1-Channel and 9.1-Channel Playback from 5.1-Channel Sources THX Certification Audio Return Channel, Network Connection, Wireless Streaming, and Multi-Zone Multichannel Power Amplifiers How to Choose a Home-Theater Power Amplifier Loudspeakers for Home Theater The Center-Channel Speaker Adding a Center Speaker to Your System Left and Right Speakers Surround Speakers Dipolar and Bipolar Surround Speakers Surround-Back Speakers Height Speakers Subwoofers Setting Up a Home Theater Basic Setup Acoustical Treatment Speaker Placement Surround Speaker Placement Center Speaker Placement Left and Right Speaker Placement Calibrating a Home Theater Bass Management Setting Individual Channel Levels Adding Home Theater without Compromising Music Performance Addendum: Surround-Sound Formats Explained 11. Multichannel Audio Introduction A Short History of Multichannel Audio Do We Want Multichannel Music Playback? How to Get Multichannel Audio in Your Home Loudspeaker Types and Placement Bass Management Calibration Multichannel Playback from 2-Channel Sources Ambisonics 12. Personal Audio: Headphones, Desktop, and Mobile Audio Introduction Headphones Earbuds, Earphones, and In-Ear Monitors Headphones Dynamic, Electrostatic, and Planar-Magnetic Headphones Headphone Enhancement Technologies Crossfeed Circuits Smyth Virtual Surround (SVS) Binaural Listening Multichannel Headphones Headphone Specifications Headphone Amplifiers Balanced and Unbalanced Drive Portable Audio Desktop Audio 13. System Setup Secrets, Part One: Loudspeaker Placement and Room Acoustics Introduction Loudspeaker Placement Loudspeaker Placement in Asymmetrical Rooms Short-Wall vs. Long-Wall Placement Dipolar and Bipolar Loudspeaker Placement Subwoofer Setup and Placement Loudspeaker Placement Summary Common Room Problems and How to Treat Them Acoustical Dos and Don’ts A Short Course in Acoustical Theory Listening-Room Resonance Modes Optimizing Dimensional Ratios Standing Waves Reverberation Building a Listening Room from Scratch Isolating the Listening Room The IsoWall Technique DSP Room Correction 14. System Setup Secrets, Part Two: Expert Tuning Techniques, Accessories, Equipment Racks, and AC Power Conditioners Introduction Accessories How to Choose Accessories Analog Accessories System Setup Techniques Equipment Placement Cables and Interconnects Tubed Equipment LP Playback Digital Playback Loudspeakers AC Power General Equipment Racks and Isolation Devices Equipment Racks Vibration-Control Accessories: Spikes, Feet, and Cones AC Power Conditioners and AC Cords AC Power Cords Dedicated AC Lines A Final Note 15. Specifications and Measurements Preamplifiers Power Amplifiers Loudspeakers Digital Components Appendix A: Sound and Hearing Introduction: What is Sound? Period and Frequency Wavelength Phase Absolute Polarity Complex Waves Comb Filtering Absorption, Reflection, and Diffusion Diffraction The Decibel (dB) Frequency, Loudness, and Equal Loudness Contours Weighting Filters The Dynamic Nature of Music Localization Other Psychoacoustic Phenomena Appendix B: Audio and Electronics Basics Introduction Voltage, Current, Resistance, and Power Ohm’s Law Series and Parallel Circuits Alternating Current (AC) Electromagnetic Induction, Inductance, and Capacitance Filters Impedance Loudspeaker Phase Angle Capacitor Types Anatomy of an Audio Product The Power Supply Amplifier Circuits Amplifier Distortion Vacuum Tube Amplifiers Operational Amplifiers Digital Electronics Appendix C: Digital Audio Basics Introduction Binary Number System Sampling and Quantization Sampling Rate, Nyquist Theorem, and Aliasing Quantization Dither Digital Audio Storage Error Correction Digital-to-Analog Conversion Jitter Explained Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Perceptual Coding Glossary
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