Lowyat.NET: Latest topics by mikapoh

DENON AVR V2.0

mikapoh — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 22:58:01 +0800

Finally, Denon deserves V2.0 thread. Congratulations on its ever growing popular reputation.

And I also figure out how to close & open new thread

Lets continue another milestone for Denon.

Surround Speaker Cables

mikapoh — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:09:51 +0800

Lets talk about surround speakers cables. Most of us have been concentrating on front channels cables.

What type of surround speakers cables do you use? I am using QED classic normal type. Do you think by using a sliver type will improve the rear sound significantly?
What's your view?

AV Receiver Run-In Issue

mikapoh — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 09:13:17 +0800

Ok, we have heard many times that all new speakers need time to run in in order to unleash its full potential.

What about new set of AV Receiver, does it need to run-in a certain period to realize its best performance? Some have even said that cables or even power cords need to burn-in to achieve its best result but do electronic parts work in the same principle? Will we able to tell the Receiver improved performance after certain period of run-in?

Mordaunt-Short Speakers Owners Thread

mikapoh — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 23:45:41 +0800

As one of the world's highly-regarded speaker brands, I would like to know how many owners out there are enjoying the Mordaunt-Short Sound. P/s come to join in so that to keep this thread as alive as the MS sound.

I have just bought a pair of Mordaunt Short Avant 906i floorstanders to pair with my reliable MS Avant 905i Center. I thought that these 3 combos have integrated with one another pretty well while maintaining a very dynamic sound field across the front of your favourite movies. Spinning CD into stereo mode of the 906i and they immediately eager wanted to show you that they can sing many songs too. They get 2 thumbs up from me.

Now that Mordaunt short has introduced new product line of Aviano series, which is a level between Mezzo and Avant.

[attachmentid=1188059]

Any comments?

DENON AVR Discussion Thread

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 07:30:00 +0800

DENON AVR Discussion Thread

mikapoh — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 14:24:49 +0800

DENON AVR-1909 IN COMPARISON TO 2309:-

Due to some curiousity from some forumers, I have extracted below post from AVForums & hope it helps,

Q. I noticed that the AVR 2309ci/889 is only a couple hundred more. Is it worth it to step up to the higher model?

A. The primary benefit of the 2309/889 vs the 1909/789 is the addition of the fourth HDMI input.

Both 1909/789 and 2309/889 have identical audio decoding capability, identical video processing capability, identical multizone functionality, and identical Audyssey feature sets.

This is a list of features you gain stepping up from 1909/789 to 2309/889:

1. 2 lbs heavier, and slightly more power (100Wx7 instead of 90Wx7)
2. A fourth rear HDMI input
3. A fourth rear S-video input
4. S-video and optical audio inputs on front auxilliary input
5. Dedicated phono input with pre-amp stage
6. Component video bandwidth is rated at 100MHz (up from 60MHz on 1909/789)
7. Slightly better DAC
8. Detachable power cord
9. RS232 and 12V Trigger ports (2309ci only)

Only you can decide if these features are "worth it", please do not ask

Q: I’m afraid to buy a Yamaha because it clips the HDMI video signal, and I’m afraid to buy a Harman Kardon because of all the problems with the PS3. Please tell me the Denon works?

A: Denon seems to get HDMI implementation correct.

At this point, there are no known bugs at all with the 1909/789 and the PS3. Enjoy!

The Denon 1909/789 will also correctly pass BTB/WTW signals over HDMI (no video clipping), and test patterns have confirmed that it does not touch digital video while passing it through.

The only thing generally wrong with Denons is the sucky manual!

Q. Does the AVR 1909/789 screw up the video at all?

A. Not that we know of. As noted above, all Denon AVR’s correctly pass BTB/WTW.

The 1909/789 will not do ANY processing to HDMI video. The only thing it will do is pass the video through. There is NO processing and NO degrading/clipping of HDMI video at all.

The only video processing available is analog-to-digital transcoding and scaling. The analog>digital transcode may soften the picture slightly, although you probably will never notice it. If you leave all the video settings at the defaults, the Denon will take any analog signal you input and output it via HDMI at the highest resolution setting your TV accepts.

The Faroudja scaler in the Denon does a good job in general with standard definition material (as it was specifically designed for 480i deinterlacing in progressive DVD players), but it is no great shakes in terms of scaling and HD processing (especially 1080i deinterlacing).

However, it may still be better than the video processing in your TV. You will have to test this out yourself and see which does a better job.

If you would like to disable the video processing on an analog source, set “i/p Scaler” to OFF under MENU > INPUT SETUP > VIDEO. When the scaler is set to OFF, it will just pass through analog signals to the HDMI output at the same resolution they came in, with no processing or scaling.

Q: I'm afraid to buy an Onkyo because people say it runs so hot. Does the 1909/789 run hot?

A: The 1909/789 does not run very hot. AVS member Bugs has graciously tested this out for us, his results are pasted below:

Temperature

The 1909 is a relatively cool-running component. Installed in a 5.1 system, on an open shelf, with 8" of clearance on the sides and 5" of clearance on the top and back, the 1909 had a temperature rise of 26F -28F (14C - 15C) after running for 2 hours at a volume of -18dB.

For a comparison, an Onkyo TX-SR606 installed in the same system had a temperature rise of 50F - 52 F (28C - 29C) under the same conditions.

Anyone owned a DENON AVR currently? Which model do you think is BEST value for money?

Any potential buyer, please share your view.......

Enjoy Audyssey Features

mikapoh — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 10:03:13 +0800

Hey Guys,

I would like to know what's your opinion on this highly researched product, Audyssey's Dynamic EQ & Dynamic Volume? Can you share your exprience on pros and cons side of it?

Well, I am using Denon avr-1909 that comes along with this feature. It is a product developed independently from all the av receiver manufactures. I feel that it is very useful particularly at nite time movie watching. At softer volume, you can still feel the sound very involving especially the surround sound. However, my wife still finds it disturbing when comes to loud scence where bass & surround are in higher mode. So, I switch to Dynamic Volume and she has no complaint finishing the whole movie as all speakers are maintaining at same level. The cons side is by using Dynamic Volume, you will feel dull after a short while as we expect explosion usually be louder and not under strict control. I find Dynamic EQ still acceptable to us, whereas Dynamic Volume is more suitable to wives, or non HT enthusiastics.............

What yours? Do you consider it as a must-feature in choosing your next AVR?
I am great to have it to use the EQ at nite but not the Dynamic Volume.

Best Way To Improve Astro Sound? 5.1?

mikapoh — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 09:26:43 +0800

Any sharings to get the best audio signal from astro when watching movie channels, MTV etc ? Do you people get the 5.1 audio ?

I have changed from the normal red and white RCA cables to better brand interconnects and found that the sound becomes louder than usual. Any other interconnects cable brand to recommend ?

DVD Empty Cases

mikapoh — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 00:28:07 +0800

Hi guys,

I would like to know where I can buy DVD empty cases online? How much? Or where can I find a shop that can ship them to Kuching, Sarawak.
Please notify me soon. I need your help.
Thanks in advance.

The best surround speakers & position

mikapoh — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 21:16:47 +0800

Hey guys,

Can we discuss about what is the best position for a pair of rear surround speakers so that we can enjoy the full benefit of them. Some hanging high while other at ear level behind seat position. Any Pictures to share?

What do you think are the best surround speakers? Do you think a bigger speaker box produce a better surround field ?