KEF & Ecler Pro Audio are here!

KEF in store !

KEF is here in Kuching!!!

The new KEF Q-Series is in store. Please visit or schedule for an audition. Accepting phone appointment now.

Plex 0.9.2.7 released

Here is a link to the new features in 0.9.2.7 with the post below.

ow that the latest iOS version has made it into the store (and thank you so much for your feedback on it, you are all very kind!!), we’ve turned our attention to fixing a few issues with Plex. The new releases are available on the Plex home page, and we will enable auto-update shortly.

• NEW: We display the warning icon on shows/seasons/episodes and artist/album/tracks so that you can see more clearly which media is missing. Also note that if you dislike this feature, you can always disable it in the Library preferences by enabling “Empty trash automatically”. We enable it by default because we never want to delete any of your data without you knowing about it first.
  

• FIX: We’ve updated the transcoding engine to fix a number of issues, including 3G video playback being audio only (thanks, Chris!), improvements in threading (1080p content should work more smoothly), and according to one tester, DTS-MA now mixes down correctly. Thanks also to mitch969 and others on the forums for all their help testing!
• FIX: A few fixes for for the web-based media manager, including a fix for changes to collections not saving, sections not disappearing from clients when deleted via the web manager, and fixes for the “Match using” and un-match functionality.
• FIX: When an episode is renamed, make sure we reload metadata if the episode or season number changed.
• FIX: If a slideshow screensaver is active, playing content via the iOS or Android remotes turns the screensaver off (thanks to Man for bring this to our attention).
• FIX: A fix for Turbo Scanning where if you edited a library section (to add a new directory, or when moving media, for example), you would need to perform a deep scan to pick up the changes.

We’ve also been hard at work at improving the music functionality. Besides support for FLAC, we’ve also added and fixed lots of other things. The really nice part is that the changes were to the scanner and agents, which means that they could be pushed out automatically in micro-increments. I love the thought of our users waking up to new features and bug-fixes without the need to download a whole new version!

• NEW: Support for scanning OGG.
• NEW: Improved and enhanced poster gathering from tags in all supported file formats.
• NEW: Music lacking tags is scanned in as “unknown” artist/album.
• FIX: Tons of fixes and improvements around reading tags.
• NEW: Parse track numbers out of filename if they’re not in the tags.
• FIX: Folders with more than 50 files are scanned.

Barkley is here displaying his affinity for human beds and pillows. Who says dogs don’t have a sense of ergonomics?

And finally a link to my main site, Vesic Photography.

Update on Re-Equalization

Why Re-EQ?

Re-Equalization (Re-EQ) is a feature found only in THX Certified AV Receivers and Pre/Pros.  The problem it's addressing is one of correcting the overall sound quality of a film soundtrack that was mixed for a large theater to the home environment.  Large theaters are equalized following the "X-Curve", a standardized response curve.  Oddly, the curve itself was developed to solve the same issue, but in reverse.  Material mixed in small rooms sounded too bright in large theaters, so using the technology of the time (early 1970s), the X-curve was created to correct the issue. Theoretically, the vary existence of the X-curve should have made Re-EQ unnecessary.  But it didn't work that way.

Original data collected to develop the X-curve was limited in resolution, and therefore, accuracy.  It turns out, there is a small but noticeable error, which creates the same problem in reverse: material mixed on a large X-Curve dub stage sounds too bright in the home.  Tom Holman, developer of THX for theaters and homes, described the Re-EQ curve in the original Home THX specs. Some of us early home theater adopters had already noticed the problem, and were very relieved that Re-EQ made those bright-sounding Laser Discs sound smooth and natural.  It worked.

THX Re-EQ is on whenever you pick the THX Surround mode of your receiver.  If you don't have a THX Certifice AVR, you may also find something like CinemaEQ (Denon), or the like.  That's intended to be a similar curve, but is not exactly the same.

So why, then, in 2011, is the Re-EQ function more and more ignored?  It has to do with how soundtracks are handled for home video.  In the early days, the only choice was to take the original masters and do a straight transfer to the home formats.  Nothing was changed at all, in fact, the more accurate the transfer, the better.  That started to change when DVDs came along.  The film industry started to think it might be a good idea to re-master those theater-centric soundtracks for the home.  So, what did they do? Rather than send the material off to a mastering lab with a reference home theater, the material was sent to music mastering labs.  Now, while that might sound like a good idea, in fact the music industry is remarkably un-standardized when it comes to the monitoring environments used.  What came out of that is re-mastered tracks that not only no longer required Re-EQ, but also had changes made in overall equalization and dynamics that now made it impossible for people with calibrated home theater systems to duplicate the theater experience. 

Is there any hope?

Actually, yes!  The folks at DTS made sure that the new Blu-ray audio spec included DTS Master Audio along with Dolby TrueHD.  Yes, it's competition.  We could debate technical advantages of one over the other all day, but what it gets down to is which company positioned itself where it could work with content producers in a way that was helpful and beneficial.  DTS did that.  What's coming out of their efforts is really good mixes intended for the home.  And since they knew that's where it was going, they took care of Re-EQ in the re-mastering stage.  Get your BD player going, and pick the DTS track, then turn off THX Re-EQ (usually, just turn off the THX Surround mode).

But is that an universal fix? Sadly, not yet.  In the mass of legacy DVDs it's pretty wild. You have to listen to make the choice.  Is it too bright?  Then kick on THX Surround.  Is it too dull? Turn THX off.  And, listen carefully to those Blu-ray discs.  It's not 100% by any means.  But at least it's a start.

Rythmik Audio Subwoofers

Having trouble searching for a good quality audiophile sub without breaking a hole in your pocket? We at Sound Fusion proudly present you Rythmik Audio Sub - articulate bass for the the discerning audiophile.

Model: F12 - Fits in most rooms and provide clean bass.

Model: F15 - When Power & Bass Acurracy is your concern.

Model: S15SE - For music lovers who likes something stylist and classy.

Model: FV15HP - For serious movie loves who really need to shake their walls.

For all other models, please refer to : http://www.rythmikaudio.com/

Ordering info: Please contact +6 017 8089020 (Mr. Tan) or email us at soundfusion.com.my@gmail.com

Latest Proac Response D38

Finally, my long awaited Proac Response D38 has arrived. I have chosen the Ebony finish for better contrast and texture (but have to pay a few more K).

However, the only amplifier that can drive the Proac Response D38 is my Denon POA power amplifier (can support down to 4Ohms). The pre-amp is my Denon AVC-A1HDA connected to Denon POA via Van Den Hul D102 MK III interconnect (made in EU). Power cords are top of the line from Van Den Hul, the mainstream terminated with wattgate IEC plugs. Look how tiny Proac Studio 140 MKII stands next to the Proac Response D38!! Proac D38 weighs a massive 40 over KGs each!!

Connection from the Denon POA to Proac response D38 is a pair of Van Den Hul MC Magnum Hybrid speaker cables (terminated with WBT banana plugs) for the lower end. Higher end is connected using Van Den Hul CS122 Hybrid speaker cable (terminated with QED banana plugs).

Noticed from the previous post, everything now sits on a new hifi rack. It's a custom made rack with multi-layers plywood being laminated with precision. I have chosen not to laminate the surface for a more natural look and feel.

The center speaker is Proac Response D Center, weighing a massive 25KG; a lot heavier than the Proac Studio 140 MKII floor stand speaker. Finishing is Ebony that matches well with the pair of Proac reponse D38.

Currently, I'm using the Proac response D38 and Proac response D center for both movie and music. Will bring in a higher end 2 channels system in later stage. All Proac response D series speakers are connected to the Denon POA power amp. Feeding the media and music to Denon AVC-A1HDA via Van Den Hul Orchid interconnect is the Oppo-BDP83 Special Edition that comes with 8 pieces of Sabre DAC.

Notice that is a set of Naim setup on the left. From top to bottom is Naim DAC, Naim XS intergrated Amplifier, Naim Flatcap power supply. While still waiting to restock my Naim CD XS, I am currently using Marantz KI Pearl SA CD Player as the transport feed via Van Den Hul digiCoupler 75ohm digital cable to the 4th connection on the Naim DAC. While Oppo is also connected via optical cable to Naim DAC on the 3rd input. So we can choose to listen on the following two setups:

1) Oppo BDP83SE -> VDH Orchid -> AVC-A1HDA-> POA -> Proac Response D38

2) Oppo BDP83SE -> VDH Digicoupler -> Naim DAC -> Van Den Hul D102 MKIII -> AVC-A1HDA -> POA -> Proac Response D38.

The backend filter is PS Audio Quintet (Still waiting for the release of PS Audio 5000 series power condition for the 220-240v market)

More acoustic treatment being applied to trap the bass at both upper corners. On the middle section, small pyramid has been used. Since my last post, I've treated the inner part of the ceiling with fiber glue to solve the internal rattering issue that I was facing all the while. It has since reduce the rattering sound down to 99.99% (quite happy with it).

I am confident this room can handle bigger speakers like the Proac Response D80 series with a powerful amplifier.

Another viewing angle of the new setup.

For Audition, please drop by Sound Fusion @ Level 1 Crown Square, Kuching, Sarawak. Malaysia or call +6 082 338020 / +6 017 808 9020. Email: soundfusion.com.my@gmail.com

Bring your collection of CDs and Blurays for testing if you want.

Plex - on the new Apple TV??

Just saw this from Engadget - wow, if this will work, that's going to be really interesting. Right off the bat, you've just beat Boxee by $150. I've played with the new ATV, and the unit is SO small, so simple - anyway - check out the post directly here, or ready below:

http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/04/plex-arrives-on-jailbroken-apple-tvs-video/

Software, HD Set Tops

Plex arrives on jailbroken Apple TVs (video)

By Thomas Ricker posted Nov 4th 2010 5:32AM

Boxee might get all the attention but Plex is without a doubt one of our favorite Mac media center apps. So it's with wide-eyed interest that we tell you about the Plex client making its first tentative steps onto the second generation Apple TV platform. Naturally, Cupertino's not behind the initiative to replace Apple's own "Lowtide" 10-foot user interface -- this work is being done by the Apple TV jailbreak community. The ATV2 build is still just a proof of concept so it's buggy and limited to video playback (no music, images, or app management) for now. But hey, it's another iOS app for ATV2 and it does work as evidenced by the video after the break. Man, we're getting all tingly at the thought of scattering a few $99 boxes around the house to serve up the wide variety of codecs supported by Plex in addition to Apple's more limited AirPlay.