Matt's HiFi - Bringing You
…British HiFi at it's best
Frequently Asked Questions
Analog versus Digital. - What it
is that makes Vinyl special
VINYL RECORDS Vinyl records are able to capture the purest quality
of recorded music in true form. This is possible because the initial
recording is captured on an analog source (usually tape) for the
ultimate in High Fidelity sound, it is then pressed onto virgin
vinyl. Analog recordings capture the bottom end (or bass) while
adding sweetness to the high end (or treble) better than any digital
recording ever could. Analog systems are still commonly used before
they are digitally transferred to CD. This means that the sound then
is altered in the transfer process when CD's are produced. The word
fidelity means accuracy and faithfulness. High Fidelity sound is
faithful to the original sound made by the artist, capturing maximum
accuracy of what was intended for the listener to hear. Vinyl
records capture those sounds for the ultimate High Fidelity
listening experience!
180/200 GRAM Vinyl LP These vinyl records are produced with 180 or
200 grams of high definition premium grade virgin vinyl. This is a
higher quality audiophile pressing than the typical vinyl record of
100-120 grams. These limited edition LP's are manufactured with the
hi-fi enthusiast in mind. A 180 or 200 gram LP is sometimes also
referred to as an audiophile pressing, there is a higher bass
response and an even warmer High Fidelity sound. 180 or 200 grams
LP's are typically manufactured in limited amounts and are
considered collectables, commanding a higher price.
VINYL REISSUES Typically, a vinyl reissue is a repressing of an
original LP, usually extracted from the recording's master-tapes. In
some cases, reissues are remastered to lower surface noise and
improve overall sonics. Reissues help preserve the music of an
original recording, especially when original LPs become unavailable
or can no longer be found. Reissues can be pressed on a variety of
thickness from 150 gram to 200 gram and offer a great opportunity
for records collectors to own many classic recordings.
My HiFi Just does not sound right.
Will
my choice of cables and power supply make that much of a difference?
Yes; they will. It is a good idea to either try your setup with
alternative cables and hear the difference for yourself. It is
important to seek good advice in this area as the type of system you
buy will dictate the cabling you require. For example Leema
Acoustics recommend the use of copper based cables for their systems
- because it has been designed to work with them. As a result silver
based cables tend to make the sound too bright and distort the
'image' of the sound.
Should I isolate my PS3?
Yes indeed a PS3 is a CD/DVD player pre amp and AV source all in
one. You need to isolate it from environmental vibration and also
stabilise it to optimise playback. CD players too need to be kept
level and isolated. We tend to find the use of a RDC cones is
the cheapest most effective option. For those with bigger budgets
use an isolation platform.
to consider...
- Balancing your system. Crap in Crap out... the oldest HiFi saying there is and as true today as ever before. A system will only be as good as it's weakest link... so get the basics right and enjoy!
- HiFi equipment being mechanical is susceptible to mechanical and environmental sourced vibration. Hence the need to balance your system to to optimise it's musicality potential
Matt's HiFi provides solutions to optimise your equipment and also to minimise the impact of the environment upon it. Any advice we provide is based upon our own experience where ever possible.