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tmfidelis

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  1. The screen capture was taken to disseminate to the wire supplier of the blue trace. In an attempt to calibrate left - right volume we ran into a resolution issue. There was excessive noise using unshielded wire. The yellow trace is from a basic shielded interconnect wire. I've also had the privilege to have some the industry's best recording / component level design engineers measure the electromagnetic field in my system to correlate the objective system noise floor with the subjective interpretation. Results using unshielded interconnecting wire will vary. Here's a question for thought; see how large the blue trace is vs. the yellow trace, think there is music being masked using the wire from the blue trace? Other methods to consider may be the ground architecture and ground reference. When the two are optimized one may telescope the shield. You may be surprised how many systems rely on the interconning wire shield to serve as a ground.
  2. Tomorrow, Monday August 24 @ 11:30 am, PST Bill will speak "live" on pureMix Live. Best,
  3. I met the author quite some time ago when a recording artist sent a power amp i sold to him to the studio. The amp was one of the worst he'd heard but the friendship grew. There are many stories the audience may enjoy reading. Below is a link to pre-order the book. https://www.amazon.com/Chairman-Board-Recording-Soundtrack-Generation/dp/1493056131/ref=sr_1_8?dchild=1&keywords=chairman+at+the+board&qid=1589336410&sr=8-8 Regards, Tim Marutani
  4. I hope the readership allows me to share a story. We delivered a 1:0.7 image of vinyl record albums stored in crates to a master picture framer a gave them total design freedom and displayed the framed image in a warehouse room. The illusion from the famed image triggers visitors the urge to remove an album from the crate in the image. Audio playback systems are very similar. In the case of the image, there was a master photographer and master framer. Each step of the process was carefully implemented to create the illusion. The requisites of an excellent power source for audio are: broadband low noise out to radio frequencies. common ground architecture providing a low impedance physical ground. robust system ground reference that places all components at the same potential. ample instantaneous and sustained current delivery. excellent component noise isolation. When requisites are compromised results are compromised. One may have quiet power delivery into a room and compromise the outcome using multiple outlet strips that may restrict current delivery or minimize component isolation. Good system engineering in power distribution is a requisite for a system to yield a similar illusion. It allows the system to translate the intent of the recording artist and music producer; the reason we continue to refine our systems. CREDITS: Original photograph by Mark Dubovoy captured using a 100 Megapixel PhaseOne Trichromatic Medium Format back mounted on a PhaseOne XF Camera System with a 150 mm Schneider Kreuanach Blue Ring lens. https://photoaesthetics.com/photographer/mark-dubovoy/ Frame design by Barbara Anderson using a solid backing and museum glass. https://www.barbaraandersongallery.com/ Regards, Tim Marutani
  5. Let's say another area to raise one's attention. Everyone develops a system to different degrees for different reasons. This said, perhaps at some point paying attention to the quality of power, ground, and system ground reference may bring much value. It's not a glamorous purchase but when accomplished with engineering may be extremely rewarding. Regards, Tim Marutani
  6. Installations have specific requirements unique to each room and playback or production system. Recently, we worked with an electrician that provided a 120v 30A outlet, (NEMA 5-30). The outlet is approximately 30 ft. from the sub panel using 6-gauge wire with a twist at minimum of one turn every 1.0 ft. The isolation transformer in this application is local with the electronics and provides power for everything in the system. (Each isolation transformer outlet is wired directly to the transformer.) One should note that in room installations using existing electrical outlets may provide benchmark results providing there is ample current. A practical application for dedicated lines from the main panel with an isolation transformer may be for cinema rooms that have a plethora of active and passive speakers. Regards, Tim Marutani
  7. First, I wish everyone well. Second, please note I am associated with the product in discussion and sincerely hope readers are not offend that I comment. Thinking back when we outlined the product description as being "100% proprietary design", we were simply trying to state the main component is not an off the shelf part. As with many manufacturers, the design process begins with extensive computer modeling. In this case, data was entered into MATLAB, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MATLAB. After data analysis, manufacturing specifications were submitted to build samples for testing. The manufacturing specifications included: Transformer core shape. Transformer core input, (primary). Transformer core output, (secondary). Transformer core metallurgy. Transformer wire gauge and wire shape. How the wire is wound. Naturally, all is meaningless if the results yield poor measurements and bad sounding playback systems. Respectfully, Tim Marutani
  8. Thank you for the information. What cast of hardware I/O do you use to make the comparisons? Do you implement USB, Firewire, S/PDIF, AES, Ethernet, or perhaps all when making these judgments? If I may inquire, which DAC(s) do you use? Perhaps there are procedures I ignored when conducting similar comparisons. If you can share your reference digital front end I wish to implement your ideas into systems out here on the west coast noting, at this time, RME and Lynx are the only two AES hardware I/Os ready to go using Linux. Regards, Tim Marutani Emeryville, CA
  9. "....nothing on a PC will sound as good as a Mac or a Linux set up." Dear Dynobot: If your time permits, please share the methods used to arrive at your conclusion. Regards, Tim Marutani Emeryville, CA
  10. Firstly, the majority of observations made are the results from my environment, (component level digital and analogue engineers, software developers, mastering engineers, and computer experts). This is like professors assigning students homework and the students turning in the work for further review. This being said, the end objective is to have the sound field make the speakers disappear in the room. What remains is a sound stage of a recorded performance. This is not easy to accomplish. A few of many factors concerns how the wires interact with the specific system, phase accuracy and low noise. Regarding linear power supplies, may I share a story: I can operate the system using batteries from a large on-line UPS followed by a high frequency isolation transformer. The other day, an engineer stopped by to measure the resistance to ground. Once the proper grounding solution was identified, we measured the noise on the electrical lines and observed what looked like a nipple. It was the NAS drive. I then turned on the G5 to the clean line and the nipple turned into a nipple and breast. Switch mode power supplies? I've been contemplating linear supplies for quite some time but other concerns have taken a priority at this time. Recently a colleague built a work station for live recording. It was a task to mount the supply externally. Regarding the externally mounted supply used in the Zalman TNN300, I suspect it is not the Achilles heal in most systems. Regards, Tim Marutani Emeryville, CA
  11. A brief note for users trying to refine G5 setup: 1. Approx. 7x >common mode noise from the power supply as compared to Zalman TNN300. The noise measured at the digital wire. A resolve may be to insert electrical isolation with high frequency filtering between the G5 and the electrical outlet. 2. Setup of loudspeaker position may vary depending on the hardware I/O, (computer audio interface). For example, when a Lynx AES16 PCI card is used, one may wish to revisit the speaker setup if one changes to a USB DAC that many use. 3. If one cannot afford solid state drives, consider using 2.5" note book drives. Notebook drives require less power and produce less heat. 4. If possible, do not use lossless formats. Greater resolving systems identify compromises in detail and transparency. 5. Install just enough RAM as required. There is a threshold point that clearly improves SQ. Beyond the point, one may argue excessive RAM may actually be detrimental to SQ. 6. Select the appropriate high bandwidth with minimal phase shift digital wire. Regards, Tim Marutani Emeryville, CA Amarra/SoundBlade, Sequioa Digital, Merging Techonolgies Media Monkey, J. River, xxHighEnd Sonic Studio Model 4 / Metric Halo UNL8, Berkeley Audio Design Pacific Microsonics Model 2 ATR100 and Technics RS1500 tape machines.
  12. as in the "subjective quality of conscious experience." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qualia Regards, Tim Marutani Emeryville, CA
  13. Dear Mani and Clay:<br /> <br /> Happy new year and hope you are well. English is not my first language and many times my thoughts are far too rapid than my ability to communicate.<br /> <br /> What I was trying to say was the odds of a Pacific Microsonics owner coming to a similar conclusion as I are far greater as the DAC issue is on same playing field. In other words. it greatly reduces variables.<br /> <br /> I have conducted listening tests at three different locations using three different loudspeakers and electronics compliments and have consistent results. I use the term consistent as at one location 176.4k playback was questionable but when I returned to my facility revisited the files transferred into my DAW using a G5 - Lynx - Amarra I found only iTunes would play the file and the HDCD flag disappeared. Oh yes, three different Model Twos. Btw, really enjoy the G5 - Lynx - Amarra rig as well.<br /> <br /> What I hear using the Model Two and Merging hardware are spacial cues that are exceptional. As I compare digital playback to analogue I begin to recognize similarities between the two formats.<br /> <br /> There is a sense or relaxation when listening, even for 10 continuous hours. As we all know, nothing is even close to perfect. I do believe I may be able to identify the sound of DSP but who knows.....? I can identity the sound of digital halo within a heart beat.<br /> <br /> The playback does have similarities of the presentation of an orchestra in a good sounding venue. Which row in the venue is another story. As in attending a live performance, I do not find myself fidgeting searching for another track or riding the volume control. I suspect it is a result of lowering noise or at least redistributing the noise.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> I hope this helps.<br /> <br /> Best regards,<br /> <br /> Tim Marutani<br /> Emeryville, CA<br /> <br /> <br /> <br />
  14. After installing and listening using the Merging Technologies hardware I/O, I said to myself from day one and disseminated to everyone around me, the challenge will be to identify how much can be translated using alternative digital configurations. As I have customers that own Pacific Microsonics Model Ones and Twos, there is no translation loss.<br /> <br /> This is not the answer to cancer but certainly may be considered an excellent reference point along with attending a performance of the Berlin Philharmonic @ Disney Hall and referencing to the sound of a 1/2", 1/2 track analogue tape machine.<br /> <br /> There was no time available to undergo experiments other than to amass re-clocking devices, word clock DAs, master word clocks, and other digital distribution systems in an attempt to reduce noise. Most of my gear is now in transit to the show. This being said, the TAD room will be using a main stream SACD player/DAC along with one of the four computers housing Merging Technologies hardware. Thus an example of the "real world". <br /> <br /> A completely other mission will be testing using alternative and mainstream DACs. For those individuals I have the pleasure to know and happen to live near my facility, the testing will begin in there home using their system and their reference points.<br /> <br /> Who really knows where this will go but there are brilliant programmers willing to take the ball from this point forward and I do believe the hardware is stellar and the playback I am experiencing is very good. <br /> <br /> I truly hope this information helps place things into a more proper perspective.<br /> <br /> Respectfully,<br /> <br /> Tim Marutani<br /> Emeryville, CA<br /> <br />
  15. Dear Clay:<br /> <br /> Thank you very much taking time out to give me a background! If we do have the pleasure of meeting, please remember everything I do here comes from the perspective of playback.<br /> <br /> Hopefully our paths can cross sooner than later as time passes by very quickly in this day and age.<br /> <br /> Best regards,<br /> <br /> Tim Marutani<br /> PS I hope you are not allergic to cat hair or dander.<br /> <br />
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