Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] What is a Transporter SE?
andyg;598003 Wrote: The SE version has no knob, because the knob part is no longer made I believe. So no knob-for-navigation vs. knob-for-volume debate here! -- peterw http://www.tux.org/~peterw/ Free plugins: 'AllQuiet' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/AllQuiet.html) 'Auto Dim/AutoDisplay' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/AutoDisplay.html) 'BlankSaver' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/BlankSaver.html) 'ContextMenu' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/ContextMenu.html) 'DenonSerial' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/DenonSerial.html) 'FuzzyTime' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/FuzzyTime.html) 'KidsPlay' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/KidsPlay.html) 'KitchenTimer' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/KitchenTimer.html) 'PlayLog' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/PlayLog.html) 'PowerCenter/BottleRocket' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/PowerCenter.html) 'SaverSwitcher' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/SaverSwitcher.html) 'SettingsManager' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/SettingsManager.html) 'SleepFade' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/SleepFade.html) 'StatusFirst' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/StatusFirst.html) 'SyncOptions' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/SyncOptions.html) 'VolumeLock' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/VolumeLock.html) peterw's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2107 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=84281 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Hard facts supporting the quality of Touch digital out.
pfarrell;546934 Wrote: The SB3 is just a SB2 in a better looking case. Its an ancient design using ancient DAC chips. If the Touch was not a lot better, I'd be gobsmacked. Even the digital outs? Sean made some serious claims about the SB2 digital out quality (jitter and all that). What's happened in the last 5 years to so dramatically improve *digital* outputs? I'm just honestly curious. It's been 10 years since I've spent any time in boutique hifi shops and while I can always DAC and analog improvements, it's hard to imagine how there could be significant differences in the digital output. -- peterw http://www.tux.org/~peterw/ Free plugins: 'AllQuiet' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/AllQuiet.html) 'Auto Dim/AutoDisplay' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/AutoDisplay.html) 'BlankSaver' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/BlankSaver.html) 'ContextMenu' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/ContextMenu.html) 'DenonSerial' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/DenonSerial.html) 'FuzzyTime' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/FuzzyTime.html) 'KidsPlay' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/KidsPlay.html) 'KitchenTimer' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/KitchenTimer.html) 'PlayLog' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/PlayLog.html) 'PowerCenter/BottleRocket' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/PowerCenter.html) 'SaverSwitcher' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/SaverSwitcher.html) 'SettingsManager' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/SettingsManager.html) 'SleepFade' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/SleepFade.html) 'StatusFirst' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/StatusFirst.html) 'SyncOptions' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/SyncOptions.html) 'VolumeLock' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/VolumeLock.html) peterw's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2107 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=78736 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Tranporter Volume Concrol cant be deafeated?
It's a hacked workaround, but you might try installing my VolumeLock plugin and locking the Transporter volume at 100%. I don't know if that will work, and don't have a Transporter to test with. Good luck. -- peterw http://www.tux.org/~peterw/ Free plugins: 'AllQuiet' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/AllQuiet.html) 'Auto Dim/AutoDisplay' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/AutoDisplay.html) 'BlankSaver' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/BlankSaver.html) 'ContextMenu' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/ContextMenu.html) 'DenonSerial' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/DenonSerial.html) 'FuzzyTime' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/FuzzyTime.html) 'KidsPlay' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/KidsPlay.html) 'KitchenTimer' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/KitchenTimer.html) 'PlayLog' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/PlayLog.html) 'PowerCenter/BottleRocket' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/PowerCenter.html) 'SaverSwitcher' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/SaverSwitcher.html) 'SettingsManager' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/SettingsManager.html) 'SleepFade' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/SleepFade.html) 'StatusFirst' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/StatusFirst.html) 'SyncOptions' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/SyncOptions.html) 'VolumeLock' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/VolumeLock.html) peterw's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2107 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=76701 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Nakamichi Amp 1 any good?
I haven't looked at prices for the gear you mention, but I think you should consider amps with rs232 or ethernet ports (and well-documented, well-designed protocols -- Cambridge being one example of good physical ports but IMO poor protocols). Newer gear like that from Denon makes it easier to have the same sort of remote/computer control over your amp that we're accustomed to having over our Squeezeboxes. -- peterw http://www.tux.org/~peterw/ Free plugins: 'AllQuiet' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/AllQuiet.html) 'Auto Dim/AutoDisplay' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/AutoDisplay.html) 'BlankSaver' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/BlankSaver.html) 'ContextMenu' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/ContextMenu.html) 'DenonSerial' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/DenonSerial.html) 'FuzzyTime' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/FuzzyTime.html) 'KidsPlay' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/KidsPlay.html) 'KitchenTimer' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/KitchenTimer.html) 'PlayLog' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/PlayLog.html) 'PowerCenter/BottleRocket' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/PowerCenter.html) 'SaverSwitcher' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/SaverSwitcher.html) 'SettingsManager' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/SettingsManager.html) 'SleepFade' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/SleepFade.html) 'StatusFirst' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/StatusFirst.html) 'SyncOptions' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/SyncOptions.html) 'VolumeLock' (http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/VolumeLock.html) peterw's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2107 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=76083 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] just got new transporter, very disappointed with sound
earwaxer;446765 Wrote: I tend to think that the programmers put a defeat button in because it offered something more than what you would get at %100. One thing more that this option provides: plugins like Chris' Denon AVP TCP control and my Denon RS232 serial control can allow Squeezebox Controller, IR, Web, and button control to affect the *amp* volume, and have the Squeezebox displays (web, VFD, Controller) show the *amp* volume while the Logitech gear is fixed at full output level. I've been too lazy to test, but might it be that ReplayGain is handled differently at fixed output? If fixed applied no RG, in most cases that'd mean a number of dB of extra volume (negative RG not applied), and louder always sounds better, right? -- peterw http://www.tux.org/~peterw/ free plugins: http://www.tux.org/~peterw/#slim AllQuiet BlankSaver ContextMenu FuzzyTime KidsPlay KitchenTimer PlayLog PowerCenter/BottleRocket SaverSwitcher SettingsManager SleepFade StatusFirst SyncOptions VolumeLock peterw's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2107 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=66347 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] just got new transporter, very disappointed with sound
earwaxer;447067 Wrote: It would be cool if Sean could explain how the volume control still works when it is bypassed - the volume level changes on the player screen and in squeezecenter but it seems to be out of the circuit See my post. I don't know if it was the intention, but this fictional volume behavior makes it very nice for controlling the volume on amps that feature RS232 or Ethernet/TCPIP control options. If you read the Perl source, I believe the difference is merely that when output is fixed, Squeezecenter doesn't send SlimProto volume commands to the player when the volume changes. If the fictional volume bugs you, install my VolumeLock plugin and lock the fictional volume at 100%. -- peterw http://www.tux.org/~peterw/ free plugins: http://www.tux.org/~peterw/#slim AllQuiet BlankSaver ContextMenu FuzzyTime KidsPlay KitchenTimer PlayLog PowerCenter/BottleRocket SaverSwitcher SettingsManager SleepFade StatusFirst SyncOptions VolumeLock peterw's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2107 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=66347 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] old gear, speaker level volume control - advice wanted
Thanks, Sean and mooblie. Good read on VR301 Sean -- indeed, that's at the edge of the circuit board right by the balance knob. The only pots that look promising on the board are the yellow 5k ohm VR305 and VR306. In the schematic, VR306 is to the right of the motor for the volume knob, in horizontal section 5. On the PCB and in the schematic, it looks like each of the VR305/VR306 pots is part of a group of circuits that mirror each other. On the schematic you can see these groupings anchored by the Bass EQ switch. Obviously I figure that one group of circuits is for L and the other is for R. This has become somewhat academic as I picked up a new Denon AVR receiver -- with an RS232 port that's just begging to be integrated with SqueezeCenter. :-) Since it's academic, I felt more comfortable fiddling with those pots without waiting for any suggestions from folks like Sean who can actually read schematics. 1/8 turn clockwise did nothing discernible (I should pick up an SPL meter and rip that test LP, so I could quantify this sort of work). 1/4 turn clockwise, still no significant change in the volume knob behavior -- but I could feel that heat sink radiating after only a minute or so at low volume. Not good. (Wish I'd had it plugged in to the Kill-A-Watt to see if it was pulling more than the customary ~23 watts.) So, counterclockwise. 1/8 turn, nothing. 1/4 turn, seems like nothing. And that's as far counterclockwise as I could easily turn VR306. So, a little bit of fun w/ screwdrivers, but not the outcome I hoped for. :-/ -- peterw http://www.tux.org/~peterw/ free plugins: http://www.tux.org/~peterw/#slim AllQuiet BlankSaver ContextMenu FuzzyTime KidsPlay KitchenTimer PlayLog PowerCenter/BottleRocket SaverSwitcher SettingsManager SleepFade StatusFirst SyncOptions VolumeLock peterw's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2107 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=62792 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] old gear, speaker level volume control - advice wanted
mooblie;418860 Wrote: 4 out of 40?? :eek: Peter, that mis-match in levels is SO extreme, I'm wondering if you've got your SB3 plugged into the phono or cartridge or turntable inputs on your old Denon receiver? Your SB3 should be connected to something labelled line or tape or aux? Nope, the phono input hosts an Audio Technica cartridge mounted on an even older direct drive Denon DP-11F turntable. The SB3 is on a tape input, running at about -5 dB to better match the output level of the other sources. The receiver is a Denon DRA-435R, vintage 1992 or so. I'm intrigued by the idea that there might be internal pots I could tweak. I'll have to search for schematics -- few things are more tedious than moving a receiver that has a lot of gear connected to it. :-) -- peterw http://www.tux.org/~peterw/ free plugins: http://www.tux.org/~peterw/#slim AllQuiet BlankSaver ContextMenu FuzzyTime KidsPlay KitchenTimer PlayLog PowerCenter/BottleRocket SaverSwitcher SettingsManager SleepFade StatusFirst SyncOptions VolumeLock peterw's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2107 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=62792 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] old gear, speaker level volume control - advice wanted
My AV setup includes an SB3 as one of several sources. All sources are analog, and one's a phonograph. The setup uses a 20-year-old low-end Denon receiver that I'm pretty happy with, except for the volume control. It's got a motor-driven knob that that's marked for volume levels 0-40. I never have it higher than 10 or 12 (and that's *very* rare -- only when nobody else is home, etc.), and usually don't get past 4. Yes, 4 out of 40. One consequence of never turning the knob much above minimum is that it's very difficult to get the volume just right with the IR remote -- very low WAF. So I end up using the junky speakers in the TV more often than I'd like. :-( What I'd like to do is effectively recalibrate the volume so that my normal listening volume would be much higher than 4 / 40. Since the SB3 isn't the only source, I have to change volume on the receiver. Since the receiver doesn't have preamp-out / main-in RCA jacks, I can't do line-level attenuation. So I'm tempted to buy a speaker-level volume control, maybe something like one of these from Madisound build an external volume control box. (Descant 43dB impedance matching control, designed for in-wall, multi-zone type setups): http://www.madisound.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=404_83products_id=244 I can solder big items (resistors, not IC chips), but I'm not at all qualified to actually design circuits. Could I trust something like http://www.webervst.com/lpad.htm to help me design a fixed attenuator? I know this isn't really an audiophile question, but I don't think it belongs in General, either. I'd appreciate any advice. Will adding one of these attenuators cause undue stress on my old receiver? How do you all deal with gear whose volume curves are such that you can barely turn the volume knob before it's entirely too loud? Do new low-/mid- fi stereo receivers / integrated amps ($250-$600 USD, Denon, Yamaha, etc.) have better volume curves? I just tried to figure out how much attenuation I'd need by tweaking my SB3 volume. I had to drop the volume about 70 steps (35 dB) before I could get anywhere near the speaker volume I wanted. Sure, my speakers are old Polks rated at 4 ohms, but that shouldn't explain but a few dB. I expected I'd want maybe 20 dB, so I'm pretty shocked that I really need my receiver 35+ dB quieter... does this really mean I oughta open up my receiver and replace the caps or something? TIA, Peter -- peterw http://www.tux.org/~peterw/ free plugins: http://www.tux.org/~peterw/#slim AllQuiet BlankSaver ContextMenu FuzzyTime KidsPlay KitchenTimer PlayLog PowerCenter/BottleRocket SaverSwitcher SettingsManager SleepFade StatusFirst SyncOptions VolumeLock peterw's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2107 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=62792 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] old gear, speaker level volume control - advice wanted
Goodsounds;418794 Wrote: I would say you've gotten your money's worth out of it. Why screw around with a jury rigged, half-assed solution to try to continue using something that was inexpensive and low end 20 years ago? Reduce, reuse, recycle. Seems a waste to let it go if the only problem I have is adjusting the volume from the couch. One judges volume with ears, not eyes, so the volume is what your ears tell you. Who cares what the knob says? Believe me, I don't care what the knob says. The problem is that a very brief tap on the IR remote can jump the volume from not loud enough to way too loud. -- peterw http://www.tux.org/~peterw/ free plugins: http://www.tux.org/~peterw/#slim AllQuiet BlankSaver ContextMenu FuzzyTime KidsPlay KitchenTimer PlayLog PowerCenter/BottleRocket SaverSwitcher SettingsManager SleepFade StatusFirst SyncOptions VolumeLock peterw's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2107 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=62792 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Missing a positive pre-amp setting
jasell;391824 Wrote: My setup is far from extreme, I'm using my old Denon reciever (10-15 years old), with CD, Tape, RDS tuner and record player (all Denon). All separate units but bought at the same time. In another setup I use a Techics mid-size system, the integrated type with tape, CD, and tuner. (have the same problem here). Its just annoying when you forget to reduce the volume when switching back to the other inputs after listening to the Squeeze-source. Like when I set the wake up tuner on my technics (always late) and I have to switch to tuner to do this, then I have the radio blasting out!!! Your Squeezebox should have about the same level of output as the other sources when the Squeezebox volume is set around 90-100%. My Denon receiver is older than yours, and I usually have it turned pretty low, too. Anyway, if you're switching between inputs as you describe, you want to keep the Squeezebox volume pretty high. For my gear, I switched between my CD source and Squeezebox, playing the same music, and tweaked the SB volume til it was just right; I think it was about 93 or so. I then locked its output with my VolumeLock plugin, and I don't have to worry about large volume changes when switching sources. I also can't use the Squeezebox remote/Controller/web interfaces to change the volume, but that's just how it is with a multiple-source audio setup. -Peter -- peterw http://www.tux.org/~peterw/ free plugins: http://www.tux.org/~peterw/#slim AllQuiet BlankSaver ContextMenu FuzzyTime KidsPlay KitchenTimer PlayLog PowerCenter/BottleRocket SaverSwitcher SettingsManager SleepFade StatusFirst SyncOptions VolumeLock peterw's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2107 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=59149 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Missing a positive pre-amp setting
jasell;391988 Wrote: That is one way of doing it. But as you said the draw back is that you have a fixed SC volume. So far I apriciate the synchronized playing and ability to control the volume of all players from one location than I suffer from the radio blasting out too loud every now and then. For me, my problem should be solved if I could increase the volume with the pre-amp as well. I don't know how well your preamp suggestion would work. If you had a positive preamp gain, you'd run the risk of clipping. Preamp gain of +12 dB + track peak of -3 dB + volume of 83 (-8.5 dB) = clipping, no matter what the receiver volume is set at. If your receiver could be precisely controlled (source, volume, etc.) over the network or by some means within a plugin's control, then you might get your wish. -- peterw http://www.tux.org/~peterw/ free plugins: http://www.tux.org/~peterw/#slim AllQuiet BlankSaver ContextMenu FuzzyTime KidsPlay KitchenTimer PlayLog PowerCenter/BottleRocket SaverSwitcher SettingsManager SleepFade StatusFirst SyncOptions VolumeLock peterw's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2107 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=59149 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] SB3 Volume setting
chill;306841 Wrote: Not as such, but there is a way to remap the remote keys so that the volume keys are ignored. I've done that on my own setup to ensure that the volume going to the preamp is always 100%, and so that the volume can only be controlled via the preamp. Regardless of sound quality issues, that seemed like a 'safe' option Even with the remote control keys re-mapped, you could still change the volume with the Web interface or a Squeezebox Controller (or a CLI-using app like Moose). You might want to look at my VolumeLock plugin for an (IMO) easier and more effective way at fixing the analog out level at 100, 91, or whatever level you desire. The web page is outdated, but I'm still using and maintaining the plugin, and the alpha release works well on SqueezeCenter 7. http://www.tux.org/~peterw/slim/VolumeLock.html -- peterw http://www.tux.org/~peterw/ free plugins: http://www.tux.org/~peterw/#slim AllQuiet BlankSaver FuzzyTime PlayLog PowerCenter/BottleRocket SaverSwitcher SettingsManager SleepFade StatusFirst SyncOptions VolumeLock peterw's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2107 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=48290 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] THIS is how to do a tube mod...
Now we know what Sean's been up to... ...introducing Transporter v2, with no transistors... -- peterw http://www.tux.org/~peterw/ free plugins: http://www.tux.org/~peterw/#slim AllQuiet BlankSaver BottleRocket FuzzyTime SaverSwitcher SleepFade StatusFirst SyncOptions VolumeLock peterw's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2107 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=41957 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Track/volume leveling
highknees69;227320 Wrote: Thanks for the response. This is where I was looking, but I don't see the option under the audio configuration for my player. I downloaded 6.5.4 and am going to install. Maybe something is just screwy with my setup. You're not using a Squeezebox v1 or SliMP3, are you? ReplayGain requires a Squeezebox2, Squeezebox v3, or Transporter, I believe. -- peterw http://www.tux.org/~peterw/ free plugins: http://www.tux.org/~peterw/#slim AllQuiet BlankSaver BottleRocket FuzzyTime SaverSwitcher SleepFade StatusFirst VolumeLock peterw's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2107 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=38409 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Here is why no FF/RW
flipflip;211357 Wrote: the need for jumping forward and backward in a stream is critical to me. I listen to lots of podcasts (downloaded separately [1]) and audio books (e.g. language courses). And in this case I need to skip backwards a few seconds all the time to listen to a sentence I did not understand again. And here the FW/RW which is available is not suitable. So I wrote a small plugin that offers a function to skip forward or backward a certain amount of time [2] and mapped that function to buttons I don't need otherwise. This works great, apart from the playtime display which gets out of sync and the inaccuracy of the skipping, but that doesn't bother me. [2] http://oinkzwurgl.org/skipper Have you looked at the Song Scanner plugin? Like lanierb, I've been using Song Scanner to move through longer recordings like podcasts and radio shows. One reason I mention this is that Song Scanner doesn't seem to cause problems with the playtime display. I think your skip forward/back sounds really good. That's something I've become accustomed to having for video recordings with my MythTV setup, and I think it'd be nice on the Squeezebox. While I've said before that I think the overloaded/modal button behavior is problematic, I wonder about an intelligent all-software (no map file edit) solution like a plugin that would provide two modes for Fwd/Rew: jumping seconds forward/back within a track; and skipping to the beginning/end of tracks (current behavior). Default behavior would be that jumping would require you to press some button on the remote like Now Playing and then within a second or so, press Fwd or Rew to jump. Subsequent Fwd/Rew presses (within the 1 second of the last Fwd/Rew/Now Playing press) would be interpreted as jump. The plugin should allow users 1) the ability to reverse the behavior (i.e, treat plain Fwd/Rew as Jump, and require a Now Playing button press to get the Skip behavior that the buttons have out-of-the-box now) 2) the ability to have the plugin always treat Fwd/Rew as Jump if there's only one item in the playlist, since Skip only makes sense with multiple items in the playlist (my typical podcast usage; probably not as helpful for language lessons where you probably queue up multiple tracks) 3) the ability to specify how many seconds to jump, and allow different Fwd and Rew timings (normally I'd expect Fwd to jump more seconds than Rew) -Peter P.S. I don't use the built-in podcast support, either. I've been much happier setting up a third-party app to download selected podcasts to my Slimserver music directory. -- peterw http://www.tux.org/~peterw/ free plugins: http://www.tux.org/~peterw/#slim BlankSaver BottleRocket FuzzyTime SaverSwitcher SleepFade StatusFirst VolumeLock peterw's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2107 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=36446 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Nice feature on why modern music sounds bad
Mark Lanctot;211718 Wrote: Besides, it would be better to get them to stop doing this stupid stuff in the first place. If they won't stop that, why would they ever put RG correction data on the CD? They would add RG values indicating that amplification was needed -- and still compress the dynamic range, because music with RG amplification *and* compressed dynamics would sound louder (and, in noisy environments, *better*) than music that only had RG amplification. If CD players started reading using RG data on audio CDs, the problem would only get worse. It would be much better for audio standards to include compression recommendations. Record full-range tracks on the CD and use metadata to indicate the recommended amount of dynamic range compression. And add compression controls to music players that could be applied to music that lacked compression metadata so they can make full-range music sound better in worse listening environments. It's a shame that Sony Philips didn't build this into the audio CD standard from the get-go -- I don't know if they failed to foresee the problem, or if this seemed unthinkably demanding on the 1980s era playback gear. -Peter -- peterw http://www.tux.org/~peterw/ free plugins: http://www.tux.org/~peterw/#slim BlankSaver BottleRocket FuzzyTime SaverSwitcher SleepFade StatusFirst VolumeLock peterw's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2107 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=36476 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Sb4 ?
funkstar;207981 Wrote: In fact while they are at it, why not include the ability to stream photos and perhaps videos to the screen? There are loads of digital photo frames out there that play MP3s and videos, but I've yet to see any network-able ones. So you still need to copy your photos a memory card before using them. I've seen some that will periodically poll the Internet for new pictures, which would be fine for screenshow use, but not adequate for having something like cover art that changes when music changes, or when you scroll through Browse items or Search results. At this point, that sort of tightly-coupled album art changes seems to require building a custom digital pitcure frame from either an old laptop (pretty common among hardware hackers) or building a solid state frame from something like a Gumstix device and LCD screen. It's worth noting that many people over the years have advanced the position that VFD displays such as those used in the Squeezebox and Transporter are much more readable than LCD displays in typical across-the-room scenarios. My Squeezeboxes serve as audio and information devices, and I'd rather have the current clear VFD than a less readable LCD, even if the LCD could do more. -Peter -- peterw http://www.tux.org/~peterw/ free plugins: http://www.tux.org/~peterw/#slim BlankSaver BottleRocket FuzzyTime SaverSwitcher SleepFade StatusFirst VolumeLock peterw's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2107 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=35881 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] How does the volume control work ??
cliveb;204211 Wrote: Since the SB/TP digital volume control operates at 24 bit accuracy, and is carefully configured to avoid any loss of digital bits (when the source is 16 bit) until the attenuation is greater than 30dB, the only downside to using it is the reduction in S/N ratio. But since the TP's starting S/N ratio is about 130dB, losing even as much as 30db or 40dB isn't going to be an issue for normal listening. Not sure what the SB's S/N ratio is, but it's probably pretty good. More reading for the curious: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=30916 -Peter -- peterw http://www.tux.org/~peterw/ free plugins: http://www.tux.org/~peterw/#slim BlankSaver BottleRocket FuzzyTime SaverSwitcher SleepFade StatusFirst VolumeLock peterw's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2107 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=35528 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] How does the volume control work ??
matthijskoopmans;204097 Wrote: So, if that is the case, then why is the volume set to a significantly lower level when you use IR-BLASTER? Is that necessary, and if not, can that be changed? Why? I don't know. Can that be changed? Yes. http://wiki.slimdevices.com/index.cgi?IRBlaster -Peter -- peterw http://www.tux.org/~peterw/ free plugins: http://www.tux.org/~peterw/#slim BlankSaver BottleRocket FuzzyTime SaverSwitcher SleepFade StatusFirst VolumeLock peterw's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2107 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=35528 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Loony politicians want to ban linear PSU!
amcluesent;203259 Wrote: http://sound.westhost.com/articles/external-psu.htm Australian politicians are planning to ban sales of external PSU unless they meet 'efficiency' targets that are only achievable with switched-mode devices. No doubt the EU will be jumping on the bandwagon, as they did with a timetable to ban sales in incandescent lights. Fools. I believe the EU already has efficiency rules for power supplies and EU supplies typically have much better Power Factor profiles than US supplies for that reason. According to Wikipedia, the EU regulation only applies to switching supplies. As I understand it, efficiency isn't just good green (lower energy demand) design, it's also better for the power utilities' gear. Given the same actual power demand, the utilities would rather have a larger more efficient device on the grid than a smaller, less effcient one. With switchers being lighter, cheaper, and more efficient, I don't expect any typical electronics vendors would bother with linear supplies, so legislators could achieve 99.99% of their objectives by leaving an exemption for power-hungry linear supplies. -- peterw http://www.tux.org/~peterw/ free plugins: http://www.tux.org/~peterw/#slim BlankSaver BottleRocket FuzzyTime SaverSwitcher SleepFade StatusFirst VolumeLock peterw's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2107 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=35430 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Amplifier suggestions on low budget...
Ron1;202503 Wrote: I've just sent an email off to Emotiva to see if the BPA-1 is available in the UK. Hopefully there is somewhere I can go and listen to one. It seems like just the thing I'm looking for. Are there any other amplifiers similar to this that anybody can recommend? Something that has one pair of dedicated inputs that can be used solely for the SB3... Have you searched the forums? Many folks here are happy with Class T amps, from the $30 USD Sonic Impact to the $130 USD Trend Audio TA-10 to more expensive models. -- peterw http://www.tux.org/~peterw/ free plugins: http://www.tux.org/~peterw/#slim BlankSaver BottleRocket FuzzyTime SaverSwitcher SleepFade StatusFirst VolumeLock peterw's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2107 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=35341 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] What's better?
325xi;189770 Wrote: Why do you think merely having optical out guarantees quality of that mini sound card feeding that out? Or the Airport Express, for that matter. This serious review of the AEX digital out -- http://www.stereophile.com/budgetcomponents/505apple/ -- sounds upbeat, but sections like the following seem a little disconcerting: One operational glitch that didn't affect my system to any significant extent but did do so for some readers was the fact that, as the AE doesn't have a local clock circuit, when the incoming data is interrupted, as it is when you change songs in iTunes, there is no longer a digital output to feed the DAC, which loses lock as a result. Both the Levinson and the Benchmark DACs that I use deal gracefully with the lost lock ... I therefore missed the fact that with some other DACs, the first seconds of a song might be cut off. AE ... is limited to ... 16-bit data only. ... It is also important to note that the AE functions only at a 44.1kHz sample rate. When you play 32kHz or 48kHz data, iTunes sample-rate-converts the data in real time before sending it to the AE. (The SB handles 44.1 and 48; the Transporter can also handle 96k. Both can handle 24-bit recordings, according to http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=32951) Since Apple doesn't prominently post the sort of technical detail that you can get on Slim's hardware (http://wiki.slimdevices.com/index.cgi?HardwareComparison), I think you should seek out such reviews. I get the feeling that Apple included the digital output because of the prevalence of digital inputs in mid-fi AV receivers -- not for high-end gear. Certainly Apple's marketing this as hi-fi doesn't help their hi-fi credibility: http://www.apple.com/ipodhifi/ ...but the widespread praise of the cheap T-amps makes it clear that you shouldn't rule Apple's hardware out just because their gear is not expensive enough! Sonos: a quick search in these forums will turn up hours' worth of reading. Here's one place you might start: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=23490 -Peter -- peterw http://www.tux.org/~peterw/ free plugins: http://www.tux.org/~peterw/#slim BlankSaver BottleRocket FuzzyTime SaverSwitcher SleepFade StatusFirst VolumeLock peterw's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2107 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=33836 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
