Re: Is this just a gimmick or does it really work?

Bear wrote:

In article <jOGdnRN3Zs4zddnUnZ2dnUVZ8vWdnZ2d@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>, Simian
says...
Bear wrote:

http://www.logic3.com/details/?prod=581

Has anyone heard one? Are they as good as they're cracked up to
be? And, even at maximum bit rate sampling, would one even
notice the amplification when the source is just an iPod?

I suspect that the noise and distortion from the valves would help
cover up even lowish bit rates from an iPod.

So it is all marketing cobblers then? That's a shame.

The sound gets great reviews, but then my current Intempo unit gets
amazing reviews for sound, and yet I don't think it's all that. I
mean it's ok, but nothing more than that.

So what solution would you suggest? Bearing in mind:

a) I need something that fits on a mantelpiece
b) I'd like something where the remote operates the iPod fully
c) I have room for my old Arcam Alpha here, but not the sodding great
speakers (Missions - it's bad enough with the surround speakers I use
ATM), plus that wouldn't give me remote control of the iPod, plus of
course that's not a "dock" as such.

So which dock is bestest?

Dunno - I have a media player with all my music on, which is connected
to a proper amp and speaker.

As far as sound quality goes, you're just not going to get good bass.

One problem you have is that the iPod is designed as a portable music
player; the digital amp in it is only good for 80Hz-16KHz, so it's not
outputting brilliant bass in the first place.

Another problem is that unless it's connected to a proper power amp and
good pair of speakers, the bass is either going to sound tinny, or
single note, or muddy.

Finally, if your room is that small that you can't fit full size
equipment in it, then it's acoustics are going to have strong
resonances & anti-resonances at various low frequencies.

In the end, the best sound you're going to get out of a stand alone
dock is "good quality beat box" - physics just doesn't allow you to do
anything else from a small unit.

If I were in the market, I'd give the B&W unit that Pip pointed to a
listen as I've always liked their speakers (my front stereo pair are
from their mid range - i.e. 1500 quid - speakers). I'd give the Bose
one a miss because I didn't think it was any better than the cheap
portable Logitec that A. has, sound wise.

.

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