#1
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SPL Meter 101
We need a thread for community input regarding the use of an SPL meter in the setup,testing and troubleshooting of our systems. Often these threads get into the esoterics of the topic in no time flat. Maybe we could keep this thread to the 101 level and start another one for advanced techniques.
My first question is what setup and test discs do you recommend for new users. My second question, is a digital analog meter as useful as an analog?
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Speakers: Magnepan 1.7 Accuphase: E-408 180 watt integrated amp. DAC & phono boards. Accuphase DP-55V CD/DAC MacMini music server, Ipad remote. PS Audio PPP. Kimber Hero, Kimber 8TC. Halide Bridge |
#2
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I prefer digital, I can put this somewhere & stick it.
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Ivan FLORIDA MX136, MC1.2KW(10) MC2KW(2), MCD1100, MS750(2) MVP881, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, HT-2 SUBS(2) HT3F(2) WS350(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) XCS350(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" MOTORIZED SCREEN, CINEMA-TECH SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES Reference System: ACCUPHASE A300 AMPS, C3900 PRE-AMP, DP1000 CD/SACD TRANSPORT, DC1000 DIGITAL PROCESSOR, DG-68 DIGITAL EQUALIZER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, PS1230 POWER SUPPLY, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, WW PLATINUM CABLES CAPE COD MX150, MC501(2) MC1.2KW(10) MC2301(2) MR88, MVP881, MCD1100, MDA1000, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, ESOTERIC K-01X 30th ANNIVERSARY (BLACK) SACD/CD PLAYER, G02-X CLOCK, HT3F(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(4) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) KALEIDESCAPE STRATO & TERRA SERVERS 80-TB, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" SCREEN, SONUS FABER STRADIVARI, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, FORTRESS SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES Analog Rig: CLEARAUDIO INNOVATION WOOD, UNIVERSAL ARM w/ Da VINCI' CART, 2nd UNIVERSAL ARM w/ GOLDFINGER STATEMENT CART, HRS-MXR REFERENCE RACK-GLOSS BLACK w/ M3X SHELVES, AESTHETIX RHEA SIG PHONO-PRE, BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, WW PLATINUM CABLES Reference System: BURMESTER 911MK3 AMP(3), 088 PRE-AMP, 089 CD PLAYER, 100 PHONO PRE-AMP, 948 POWER CONDITIONER, ACCUPHASE DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, AVID ACUTUS REFERENCE SP TT, GRAHAM PHANTOM II SUPREME ARM, BENZ MICRO LP-S CART, GRANDIOSO P1X/D1X STACK, G1X RUBIDIUM MASTER CLOCK, N05 NETWORK PLAYER, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, SONUS FABER AIDA SPEAKERS, JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(2) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) WW PLATINUM CABLES Library System: GRANDIOSO M1 MONOBLOCK AMPS, C1 LINESTAGE PRE-AMP, K1X CD/SACD PLAYER, G1 MASTER RUBIDIUM CLOCK, E02 PHONO-PRE, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, AERIAL ACOUSTICS 20T V2, AERIAL SW12 SUBS(2), CANTON REF K1’s, VPI HRX TT w/ SDS POWER SUPPLY, ORTOFON CADENZA BLACK CART, KLAUDIO RCM, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2, SHUNYATA OMEGA QR’s, WW PLATINUM CABLES Esoteric/Bryston System: ESOTERIC C02-X PRE-AMP, P-02X TRANSPORT, D02-X DAC, G02-X CLOCK, BRYSTON 28B3 CUBED MONOBLOCK AMPS(4), BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2(2) EVEREST 8000 POWER CONDITIONER(2) ALTAIRA CG & SG HUBS, AMR-DP777-SE DAC, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, QUADRASPIRE RACK, WW PLATINUM CABLES Accuphase/Canton System: ACCUPHASE E800 INTEGRATED, DP570 CD/SACD PLAYER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, PS530 POWER SUPPLY, CANTON REF K3’s, CANTON REF K5’s, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS MXR REFERENCE MAHOGHANY RACK w/ M3X2 SHELVES, WW GOLD CABLES |
#3
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I find the Stereophile Test CD2 very useful. The record music is enjoyable, but the signals for testing loudspeakers and rooms, plus a number of other distortion and jitter demo tracks. Stereophile now has a Test CD3 out as well. All three Stereophile Test CD's can purchased as a package or individually here: http://ssl.blueearth.net/primedia/home.php?cat=2
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Dan STUDIO - McIntosh C1000C/P, MC2301 (2), MR88, Aurender N10, Esoteric K-01X, Shunyata Sigma spdif digital cable, Sonos Connect, PurePower 2000, Stillpoints, Furutech Flux 50, Michell Gyro SE, Michell HR Power Supply, SME 309, Ortofon Cadenza Black, Wireworld, Sonus faber Amati Anniversario LIVING ROOM - McIntosh C2300, MC75 (2), MR85, Magnum Dynalab 205, Simaudio MOON Neo 260D-T, Schiit Audio Yggdrasil, Aurender N100H, Shunyata Sigma USB cable, Micro Seiki DD40, Ortofon Cadenza Blue, Nakamichi BX-300, Sony 60ES DAT, PS Audio P10, Furutech Flux 50, Sonos Connect, Stillpoints, Wireworld, Kimber, PMC EB1i, JL Audio f113 VINTAGE - McIntosh MA230, Tandberg 3011A tuner, Olive 04HD, Sony DTC-59ES DAT, McIntosh 4300V, JBL 4312A Last edited by jdandy; 05-17-2009 at 08:29 PM. |
#4
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I just call my Linn dealer- it's part of their service to me anyway.
Others may want to have a go at it themselves. |
#5
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So a SPL meter and Stereophile or Rives discs are required. Then what?
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Speakers: Magnepan 1.7 Accuphase: E-408 180 watt integrated amp. DAC & phono boards. Accuphase DP-55V CD/DAC MacMini music server, Ipad remote. PS Audio PPP. Kimber Hero, Kimber 8TC. Halide Bridge |
#6
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Quote:
-Gregory
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McIntosh MR80, MR77, MCD7007, C33, C26, MC2205, MC2505, MQ104, XR6, Sonos, Thiel CS3.5 |
#7
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Brad,
What happened the McIntosh CD didn't cut it for you, or did it get you thinking you needed more tweaks?
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Chuck McIntosh, PMC, Bryston, Olive, Rega, Ortofon 2M Black, JL Audio, PS Audio, Alan Maher, Aural Harmony, Black Mountain, Wireworld, Symposium, DIY amp switch box, P Millett DIY headphone amp. [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] |
#8
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Chuck, I posted this long before I borrowed your SACD. I've never owned a test disc or an SPL meter and I'm quite curious about their use in "setting up" a system. I've read about it but don't fully "get" what the methodology is. I now have the Rives disc and an Radio Shack digital SPL meter and I'll begin to experiment. I'll let you know what I learn and if it's worthwhile I'll lend you the Rives disc and SPL meter when I return the SACD. Thanks for the loaner.
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Speakers: Magnepan 1.7 Accuphase: E-408 180 watt integrated amp. DAC & phono boards. Accuphase DP-55V CD/DAC MacMini music server, Ipad remote. PS Audio PPP. Kimber Hero, Kimber 8TC. Halide Bridge |
#9
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Quote:
http://rsk.imageg.net/graphics/uc/rs...2055_PM_EN.pdf Do you have a tripod? When mounting the SPL meter as such, you can set it at ear level, or lower in front of your speaker(s) at some distance such as 1 meter, or even in front of an individual driver. Here's a scanned photo from ~1988 of a RadioShack sound meter in use. One experiment would be to measure the "near field" level and then move back into various listening positions. That equalizer also has a noise generator, microphone and spectrum analyzer display for real-time full band measurements. I don't recall if the SPL meter was purchase before or after my left ear was blown!! BTW.. that's a classic Tiltall tripod. -Gregory
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McIntosh MR80, MR77, MCD7007, C33, C26, MC2205, MC2505, MQ104, XR6, Sonos, Thiel CS3.5 Last edited by Gregory; 06-27-2009 at 12:24 PM. |
#10
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I use a Phonic PAA2 hand held
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