Panasonic SA-XR50

ABEX · « **Reply #120 on:** 26 Jun 2004, 02:30 am »

Etronics shows you can still get an XR45 is that correct? Anyone try to buy one.

I thought no one had any left!

gastro54 · « **Reply #121 on:** 26 Jun 2004, 10:46 am »

Nah, it says "Item in currently unavailable" for me.

ABEX · « **Reply #122 on:** 26 Jun 2004, 03:06 pm »

How are comparisions shaping up of the 45 stock against other units that are coming out?

I take it that the 70 unit is not out yet.

I will be keeping the 45 on hand either way as it will take a place as a testing unit if something better comes along that grabs my attention or else I use it for my HT and use my Main speakers in a dedicated 2 ch. setup.

Thx!

ionyou2002 · « **Reply #123 on:** 26 Jul 2004, 09:34 pm »

I'm also in the market for a digital receiver, been looking at the JVC F10 vs. the Pan XR50 or 70 when it comes out.

The only thing stopping me from picking up the Panny 50 etronics deal is that the JVC F10 has that digital equalizer going for it.

Can anyone comment on that? Is it a useful feature to have or is it not that big a deal and /or panny has a similar useful tone control? I can't imagine not being able to tailor the sound to particular speakers/room acoustics so i'm going to need some way of doing this.

ionyou2002 · « **Reply #124 on:** 29 Jul 2004, 06:07 am »

what happened to this thread? was it something I said?

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #125 on:** 29 Jul 2004, 09:50 am »

Etronics is terrible about updating their website- they have the Sharp amp listed but response to my email indicates it's discontinued.

ABEX · « **Reply #126 on:** 29 Jul 2004, 05:01 pm »

Yeah,I want to hear more about the Sharp 150 Amp as this might be great for those who want seperates like myself!

albee · « **Reply #127 on:** 30 Jul 2004, 05:51 pm »

Why is the Panny 45 listed as a hundred bucks more than the 50? Economy of scale or does the 50 have less features?

AphileEarlyAdopter · « **Reply #128 on:** 30 Aug 2004, 01:36 am »

Folks,
I have been trying to squeeze as much performance as possible out of the XR50. I have been running with an aftermarket powercord from the beginning. I have been quite impressed with the detail/dynamics of this digital amplifier. I was told that people are using some sort of power conditioning with these devices. I tried a CyberPower AVR1200. Things did become quieter a bit, but I did not like the fan in the CyberPower and also it seemed to restrict the dynamics.
I then ordered a Blue Circle Music Ring MR1200. This is basically a balanced power transformer (of 1200w). With this, my audio seems to have moved up in performance. If you have tried to focus a picture through a camera, you would have noticed the picture looks really good, but one more last twist to the focussing ring, give you a sharper image. The Blue Circle seems to be the last twist to the tweaking in my system. The last vestiges of softness/blur is gone. The bass in tighter and the highs seem extended. The soundstage is also more apparent. Since, I have also connected my Dish receiver and TV to the power conditioner, I also noticed improved in video on my 11 year old TV. The contrast seems to have gone up. The picture is perfectly steady and there are no mosquito noise. Balanced Power conditioners like the Blue Circle surely go well and complement digital amplifiers like the Panasonic. Note, I still see the sound of the Panny change with different power cords. But the sound is surely better with the addition of the power conditioner. Even though it costs $700, I see it as a worthy accessory for music/video.

PhilNYC · « **Reply #129 on:** 30 Aug 2004, 01:59 am »

FYI:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=11019

BenF · « **Reply #130 on:** 30 Aug 2004, 05:54 pm »

I'm not yet educated enough in the pure electronics to calculate how large a power conditioner is needed for a digital XR25/45/50/70, JVC, Kenwood, etc. receiver and associated sources.

Can anyone provide a simple way to figure out how large a unit is needed based on the set of components it needs to feed?

Thanks for your help. Just planning.

Ben

AphileEarlyAdopter · « **Reply #131 on:** 30 Aug 2004, 08:23 pm »

Actually, the bigger the better. But I think, the 1200W (like the MR1200) is the minimum thing to get. $599 is a good price for the MR 1200.If PhilNYC had advertised in audiogon.com I would have saved a $100. I think this is the lowest price I have seen for a comparable size balanced power conditioner. Transcendental has something for lower price but I dont think it has the same number of output and performance like the Blue Circle.

TheChairGuy mentioned that he hears some distortion at high volumes/peaks with his 1800W BPT2.5. With the Blue Circle, I tried to run my XR50 at high volumes with demanding music like Stravinsky's FireBird. I dont think I hear any distortion. I could not tolerate the sound for more than 10 minutes, so I stopped the experiment.

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #132 on:** 30 Aug 2004, 08:33 pm »

AEA,

I THOUGHT it was the BPT (I have the BP-2, not 2.5). It turned out to be ERS sheet I had laid on top of the JVC. Big no-no on the JVC

No restriction now that I can detect with the BPT and any or all my gear on. The Music Ring, or for that matter Furman and Equitech, should work swell with the Panny's

AphileEarlyAdopter · « **Reply #133 on:** 31 Aug 2004, 06:02 pm »

ChairGuy,
Great, that you resolved this issue. Now, I also will not be obsessive about trying to check whether there is any compression any more

...
We need to do a shootout of the JVC vs Panny Xr50 or the modded XR45 of Dave's sometime.
One thing I forgot to mention, with the addition of Music Ring, female singers, who sounded thin and shrill earlier, seem to have more body in their voice now. I would say some warmth has been added in the midrange. The Music Ring also took a few days or a week to breakin.
Surely, the XR50's power supply is highly suspect. Sound changes easily and drastically with power cords and power conditioners. If this part alone is modded there seems to be so much performance to be extracted.
I am tempted by the JVC, but I am going to give the Panny digital-in mode some more shot, as I am on to transparent/uneditorialised sound (for now

).

dave_c · « **Reply #134 on:** 31 Aug 2004, 06:07 pm »

Hey I think my Panny is ready to go now. I'd love to hear your guys opinions about it. My place isn't really big enough for a shootout, but I’d be willing to bring the Panny, Monarchy and laptop anywhere. Let me know if you guys are willing to host. My ulterior motive here is to hear different speakers on the Panny.

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #135 on:** 31 Aug 2004, 06:29 pm »

Yep guys, a shootout between all would seem to be in order.

I'm not free until, likely late October, as I have biz trips and vacation planned. Where to do it would certainly be an issue...my house is goodly sized, but my listening room is my office, only 10 (or so) by 12' in size.

I am so busy that I decide to hold off on sending my JVC to Wayne/Bolder for modding. It's quite enjoyable as is, I wouldn't have time the next 6 + weeks to evaluate the modded changes.

dave_c - are you in NorCal? I'm in Marin.

AEA - I think direct digital in is the answer of the future. Tho I am very pleased with the JVC, by way of the analog ins and my modded Sony/MSB front end, I like the simplicity of the digital in technique. Tho digital in was inferior overall to analog in, there was a 'purity' or simpleness to the music that didn't exist thru analog ins. Overall it wasn't as good on the JVC, but there was something tactile and good about it.

If the Panny's, and Sonys I understand, do digital in best...I would further refine efforts there - I think there is a significant advance there for many at attractive prices.

dave_c · « **Reply #136 on:** 31 Aug 2004, 07:04 pm »

chairguy - I live in SF so I can meet up anywhere in the Bay Area.

If anyone up here has a nice listening room and wants to hear what all the fuss is about, let one of us know!

sunshinedawg · « **Reply #137 on:** 31 Aug 2004, 08:56 pm »

I would love to hear about how the Monarchy sounds with a cd player feeding it if you guys get the chance!

AphileEarlyAdopter · « **Reply #138 on:** 31 Aug 2004, 10:54 pm »

Quote from: TheChairGuy

AEA - I think direct digital in is the answer of the future. Tho I am very pleased with the JVC, by way of the analog ins and my modded Sony/MSB front end, I like the simplicity of the digital in technique. Tho digital in was inferior overall to analog in, there was a 'purity' or simpleness to the music that didn't exist thru analog ins. Overall it wasn't as good on the JVC, but there was something tactile and good about it.

If the Panny's, and Sonys I understand, do digital in best...I would further refine efforts there - I think there is a significant advance there for many at attractive prices.
dave_c - are you in NorCal? ...

ChairGuy, I think the 'purity' you seem to notice is what I am after. Usually, it is very difficult to achieve this. There is no half-way stop here. That is why I am persisting in my efforts to improve on the performance of the Panny here. Based on the mods Steve has done to Dave's XR45, I believe there is so much hidden potential in the Panny or even the JVC's digital-in. Once, done 'full-throttle' these things should recreate live music in complete high-fidelity.

I live in San Ramon. In another few weeks, after my living/listening room floor is redone with hardwood/laminate I should be able to host anybody for a listening or listening comparison. I will keep you all posted. I hope to see atleast the first 'digitally enabled mobile audiophile'

- Dave soon, if you are on vacation or until you return.

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #139 on:** 31 Aug 2004, 11:35 pm »

Hey AEA,

Great, let us know if you are able to host. I can bring a front end, a JVC, some food, libation...and lots of chairs

I played with a toslink in on my JVC just now. The results are here:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=11998.msg109057#109057&sid=1801566272f911377a7e401fccaae833

I'm kinda dumb here in Marin, and 2 years new to the area (and travel a lot on busness) , but you are awfully close to the San Rafael/Richmond bridge, right? Quite cool, if so.

Panasonic SA-XR50

BenF