[TheeeChosenOne]

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue7/apple.htm

[DVV]

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue7/apple.htm

Ever since 1986, I have been saying that one day in the not too distant future, audio as we know it today will be just one chip inside a computer. The number of semiconductors people pack into just one chip is well above 30 million even today, and I would think in the next 10 years or so they will add another zero after the 30.

The only problem they still face is the problem of power - you simply cannot get enough of it from the PC's measily power supply. So, in the end, only the power amps and the speakers will still live on outside the PC.

Need I add this is my worst nightmare?

Cheers,
DVV

[eric the red]

If you could store all your music on your PC, tailor the sound coming out of the speakers to your personal preferences, deal with room problems plus be able to rid yourself of racks of expensive audio boxes all by using the same inexpensive PC then yes, I'm all for it. If I like what I hear coming out of my speakers, I don't care what the source is if it makes me listen to music more. But then the arguments of course would begin as to which computer sounds best, PC PC's, PC isolation, tweaks etc etc etc. The hobby may change but the disease will never be cured.

[JLM]

We're already seeing chip amps and digital amps popping up everywhere.

With so much music available for sale via internet, keeping up with it all would be a full time job, let alone a hobby, let alone having time to enjoy it.  It's really just another variation of radio, but instead of picking your favorite station from an ever increasing list, you'll pick the songs themselves.  At some point it'll be too much work for most folks and for them, there will still be radio.

Perhaps a bigger effect on music has already been seen.  A hundred years ago virtually everyone was "musical" (they could make music).  Before radio or phonograph people sang, or played something, anything.  Now with pre-recorded music, music itself is almost entirely a spectator event.  Now we're embrassed to sing in public, like at church or in the car.  Amateur civic bands have all but died out.

An even bigger trend in modern Western culture is the overwhelming amount of entertainment that available.  We have 500 TV channels where once there was 3.  Plus we have VCR tapes, DVD's, and all the pay per view movies.  Radio was once just AM, now we have FM, XM, and cable.  Used to be we played sports, now we watch multiple channels of all sorts of games.  Kids used to play with a couple of balls, now they have a variety of game machines, PC's, internet, and TV (and they're still bored).  The average adult doesn't just drive a car, he/she has to listen to the radio and eat/drink or more.  And who reads without the TV or music on?

We've become addicted to passive stimulation.

And we've become information sponges, with no room left to think creatively.

jeff

[Bill Baker]

There is a small campaign that has just been started to support "Real Stereo". If you are behind this thinking, please go to my website and click on the icon for more information.
  I, for one, would like to preserve 2-channel audio.

[JohnR]

What do they plan to do once they've collected everybody's email address?

[DVV]

There is a small campaign that has just been started to support "Real Stereo". If you are behind this thinking, please go to my website and click on the icon for more information.
  I, for one, would like to preserve 2-channel audio.

Add "quality" before the 2 (I know you meant it, but just for the record), and I'm all for it. I'll go seek out my gas mask and sharpen my bayonet, let's make Verdunne, with just 600,000 dead, look like a walk in the park in glory of 2 channel audio.

Seriously though, after 5 years of comparing decent 2 channel audio to home theater installations, I find a good 2 channel setup will end up sounding better than a so-so HT setup, which will invariably cost more, and take up more of premium living space.

Cheers,
DVV

[JohnR]

Hey Dejan, you say good 2 ch is better than so-so HT. Any experience with "good" *multi-channel* audio?

Now that you mention it, I'm wondering what the purpose of this campaign is really. What's wrong with trying to make multi-channel recording work well?

[Bill Baker]

"Now that you mention it, I'm wondering what the purpose of this campaign is really. What's wrong with trying to make multi-channel recording work well?"

  May I step in here? I don't believe it is a matter of making a Multi-Channel work well as I feel they already can and many already do.
  My feeling in this whole matter is not loosing track or forgetting what brought us to this point in the beginning.....STEREO.

  I think the MC bandwagon came upon us so hard, it overwhelmed people's curiousity (at least in the beginning). From there, how many people have sat back, analized their audio experiences and decided they miss their quality 2-channel system. I hear these type of stories everyday. I am not one to "push" poeple back to 2-channel but would like to see more people giving it a chance before counting it out.

  Multi-channel is obviously here to stay.

[JohnR]

I still don't understand what exactly this campaign is about, or what it's supposed to achieve  

[Kishore]

If you listen to well set-up Meridian Trifield-you will try NOT to go back to 2 Ch/stereo. But $$ required is naturally more

I think Multi-Channel Music is here to stay -thanks to DVD and is getting a lot more footprint in the market.  2 Ch is well surviving...but a campaign for what-less noise and better fidelity?-let the market decide

BTW if I am not mistaken, the first recording was done in 3 Ch- I wish we could revert to that

Cheers,
Kishore

[Bill Baker]

I would have to say it just to bring awareness. Technology has come very far. Maybe to fast for consumers to keep up. Are consumers purchasing the latest & greatest just to keep up with times? Or just because they can afford to?

  I have nothing against the fact that everyone has there own preferences and many people obviuosly prefer MC. But I do believe many are not choosing there systems for the right reasons.

  It's obviously not my job to or even my campaign but I do support it. There are a lot of options in audio and it can sometimes be overwhelming for those getting exposed for the first time. I would just like to see these people explore the many options available before jumping in. At least they would not look back and wonder. Thats all!

  By the way JohnR, Love that Ducati. My wife wants me to buy one (or a CBR 900RR) and I have been seriously considering it. Maybe I can sell my 64 Nova for a down payment.

[eric the red]

Bill-DBT's have shown that many cyclophiles prefer the warm analog deep V-Twin rumble of the Honda VTR-1000 over the Ducati's slightly more mechanically detailed analytical presentation. I myself think it has a lot to do with the acoustics of your garage .  Plus the VTR-1000 is a little cheaper on the used market than a comparable Duck, is easy to fix and never breaks (it's a Honda afer all). Another great sounding bike I would check out if I were you is the Triumph Daytona. Before I bought my VTR, I'd go over to the Triumph dealer in town just to start up the Daytona and listen to that wonderful motor. Suzuki SV-650's also are nice bikes as are Triumph Speed Triples. Let us know what you decide.

[JohnR]

Actually, I don't have a preference for MC, I don't even have it! I'm just confused about the campaign.

Ah, now Bill, to me this bike is a modern classic. This one is a great all rounder, been to a bunch of track days (5 years ago, I think it's a bit too far out of date for that now), as well as touring/camping (Bay Area to Seattle and back, twice). However, if your wife is going to be on back, you better take her on the test ride, I've not gotten too many compliments from passengers on ride comfort! If I had a steady who wanted to sit on back for hundred of miles I'd probably get an ST2 or ST4 in a flash. Keep it in the family and all

What's a 64 Nova?  

[DVV]

...
BTW if I am not mistaken, the first recording was done in 3 Ch- I wish we could revert to that

Cheers,
Kishore

No, you are not mistaken.

Paul Klipsh wishes we could go back to it as well, as he explained in 1949.

So do I.

Cheers,
DVV

[DVV]

...
  It's obviously not my job to or even my campaign but I do support it. There are a lot of ...

Amen to that!

Cheers,
DVV

[DVV]

...
What's a 64 Nova?

A 1964 Chevy Nova?

I never caught on to the bike thing. It's probably exciting to have like 100 horsepower between your legs, but somehow, I miss the thrill.

I prefer my 2 litre, twin cam, 16 valve engine, especially how it snarls like an angry cat when I put the pedal to the metal and starts biting that road. It cruises at 100 mph easily. True, I get to break a hell of a lot of speed limits at that speed (local speed limit is 120 kph, about 80 mph), and the cops sometimes do stop me, but the fine is low (1,000 dinars, or about $17.50) so who cares. On the open highway only, of course.

Cheers,
DVV

[JohnR]

Plus the VTR-1000 is a little cheaper on the used market than a comparable Duck.

Meaning, the Duc holds its value better!  

Heh heh

Mine has never given me a problem (that I didn't cause myself )

[Bill Baker]

I don't want to get off the main topic here....Audio. But for more details about Chevy's little muscle car, I have a page dedicated to it on my website.

[nathanm]

Of course that is the direction things will take in the future on the larger scale.  I've often wondered if it would be practical to have every piece of data you ever needed in your life to fit on one piece of storage media that was readable on a single device.  All your albums, movies, personal information, photographs etc.  all one one encrypted disc.  Theoretically, it would seem to be extremely convenient.

But the audiophiles don't have anything to worry about because they are a cult following and they are gonna stick with the gear they like.  I mean, vinyl is dead to the average joe but people here still think it's the greatest.  Likewise there will be manufacturers dedicated to making that "old fashioned" gear for this small group of luddites.    I fully support the idea that newer isn't always better and I think there will always be people like that around who will not let a certain technology die utterly just because the mainstream says it is outdated.  Modern technology moves quicker than human evolution can keep up if you ask me.

The only real problem I have with cramming tons of data into one small, extremely dense area is the demise of album cover art, something near and dear to my heart.  Maybe if they perfect 600ppi paper-thin displays that can display the artist's cover when you pull it up on your iPod that would be cool.  But personally, I still like paper.

And let me say once again: 99 cents per song is NO bargain.  This is not much cheaper than the already overpriced CDs.  And ideally, the selection should be the most enormous in the world.  To have the ability to search for ANY recording ever made no matter how obscure would be amazing.  I haven't used iTunes much (my mom's Mac has it, but she has a modem, so forget about downloading - anything!) but the software is moderately annoying. (as is most brushed-metal Mac software )