Today’s Cool Hardware

Denon AVR-2807 Home Theater Receiver.  I was absolutely blown away when I saw a pre-production version of this 110 watt X 7 receiver at CES this past January.  At $1100, it’s hard to call it a bargain, but it does things never before seen at this price.  The connectivity is outstanding, in fact unprecedented for its class.  All inputs (including legacy analog) upconvert to a pristine HDMI output with up to a 1080p (double that of HDTV) resolution, so you can use the receiver to switch any A/V source easily.  Multi-source multi-zone capability for up to three zones with custom installation control features make this a good centerpiece for a whole house music system.  Denon has left nothing out, from iPod connectivity, to XM satellite radio, to their vaunted “Audyssey” room EQ system, that ensures the receiver performs at its best regardless of seating position in your home theater.  Most importantly, the receiver sounds great when matched even to high-end home theater speakers.

Today’s Cool Software

Yo-Yo Ma, Bach’s Cello Suites.  Anyone with even a passing interest in classical music should own at least one recorded version of these monumental works. I saw Yo-Yo Ma play three of these at the Kennedy Center a few weeks ago, and was struck by the power of a single unaccompanied cello in an extremely large concert hall, and by the remarkable sense of complexity and counterpoint Bach creates with a single musical instrument.  Ma’s landmark recording of all six suites was re-released by Sony yesterday in their bargain “Great Performances” series.  Wonderful performance, and great sound, particularly for the early digital recording that it is.  Recommended without reservation. 

More Cool Software

Tool, “10,000 Days.”  Half the reason I am recommending this is that it looks so funny coming after the cello suites.  But I also love this “prog-metal” band that releases a new disc only every so often.  Careful.  This is hard-edged stuff, and I’m told the lyrics reflect some weird ideas (though I can never even make them out!), but this is a wonderful disc.  Apparently, a few folks agree with me, since it debuted at number one in sales (until it was knocked off by the Red Hot Chili Peppers disc I recommended earlier).  This is not the metal of Black Sabbath or Judas Priest.  It is thoughtful, even atmospheric, and always dark.  And a wonderful recording.

5 Ways to Maximize Enjoyment of Your iPod

Have you taken the plunge into the wonderful world of Apple’s iPod?  If you haven’t, and you like music, I’ll bet you will, and soon.  The iPod has changed the way literally millions listen to music.

I am often asked if the ascendance of the iPod is a negative development for A/V specialty dealers like MyerEmco AudioVideo, most recently on NPR’s “All Things Considered.”  (See the article here: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5375728) Nothing could be further from the truth.  I am thrilled about the ascendance of the iPod and other digital music players, because they reinforce everyone’s interest and excitement about music.  And when people are excited about content, they are more apt to come into stores where they can learn more about enjoying it. 

But, if you do have an iPod, have you fully maximized your enjoyment of it?  Here are a few tips:

1. Rip your music at a high bit rate.  The default bit rate for importing CD’s into iTunes is a paltry 128 kbs.  I find the sound quality sorely lacking at that high level of compression.  Too much of what makes music special is lost when the pristine sound on your CD is reduced by that much.  It’s easy to remedy this.  Just go into iTunes and choose “Edit,” then “Preferences…” Then choose the “Advanced” Tab and the “Importing” Tab that you see below that.  Select the drop-down box marked “Setting,” then choose “Custom.”  Choose the highest bit rate, which is 320 kbs.  You will thank me.  Your music will sound dramatically better, especially when you play it through sources like the Denon receiver described above.  If you don’t know what I’m talking about (and don’t care to know!), you might also consider using the CD importing service we offer from Riptopia.  They rip all your CD’s for you at the bit rate you designate.
2.  Integrate your iPod into your home stereo system or home theater.  IPods are at their best when plugged into full range high quality sound systems.  There are various levels of integration available.  The most simple is to use the audio output available via the standard iPod dock and plug your iPod into your stereo system or home theater, using a cable that has a radio plug on one end and two stereo (RCA) connectors on the other.  Then, just plug into any available input on your receiver.  But the best choice for this is to use a receiver or system with a dedicated iPod control input.  In that scenario you can control the iPod via your receiver’s remote control, and view track, album and artist info on your TV screen.  Very cool.
3.  Integrate your iPod into your car.  You may never turn on your car’s radio again once you have access to all your favorite content on your car’s sound system.  Several auto manufacturers offer iPod solutions that are designed into the car. If you did not choose that option when you purchased your car, there are many options now being offered by the aftermarket.  The most basic solution is an FM modulator that allows you to hear your iPod over a radio frequency on your car radio.  The more advanced solutions are preferable, especially in radio-rich DC, where you may run into interference as you travel.  Via our mobile electronics division, we offer several options for iPod connectivity to car radios that offer great sound and control of your iPod.
4. Download videos, podcasts and books.  There is incredibly rich and diverse content available for the iPod that goes far beyond just music.  A lot of folks don’t realize that audiobooks are available for use on your iPod or other MP3 player.  I use www.audible.com and prefer unabridged books.  Rather than carrying around 15 or 20 CD’s or cassette tapes (remember those…?), I load several books onto a single iPod.  Podcasts are generally free and available right through iTunes.  They are news stories or other items of interest that are often available daily from a variety of sources.  Lastly, if you have a video iPod, give one of those $1.98 video downloads a shot.  Watching an episode of “Desperate Housewives” in my dentist’s waiting room is definitely preferable to reading a two-year-old magazine.
5. Upgrade the earbuds that came with your iPod.  The earbuds that came in the box with the millions of iPods out there have surprisingly poor sound quality, in my opinion.  Better solutions start as low as $30 and go as high as $300 (!), but my current favorites are the Sony MDREX71SL’s that go for $49.95.  Best of all, they are stealthy, so no one on the street or in the subway will realize you have an iPod on you.  Better safe than sorry.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 7th, 2006 at 12:08 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.