Hi All.
I've read the audio faq I got from rtfm.mit.edu, and now I've got some 
questions. For example, what's the matter with pre-amplifiers AND 
amplifiers?. Why so much hassle?. I have a JVC amplifier w/equalizer and 
other stuff that works like an amplifier and a pre-amplifier to me, and I 
wouldn't change it for anything I've heard!. It can feed 4 speakers at 80W 
each, and has many inputs. It's rated as Super-A (like, better than class A 
amplifiers), and so it eats lots of power. Not that I mind or anything, just 
to mention the fact. On the other hand, I've seen that many people here use 
amplifiers (the ones that simply amplify some analog signal) and 
pre-amplifiers (equalizers, filters and so), but usually the result with 
their hardware is much worse than my JVC, because they sound like plastic 
(besides, they tend to equalize sound in such a way that the hi-freqs kill 
your ears). And they are dj's or know lots more than I do, and I can't accept 
that those results come from MUCH EXPENSIVE hardware. And if split 
amps/pre-amps were so bad, why so much effort in developing them in different 
boxes?. What's going wrong in here?. Another issue is the power. Why is that 
everyone here runs for huge amplifiers?. 200 watts means lots of *noise*!. 
The JVC has a peak indicator with a wattage scale. When I really want to make 
everyone wake up I only use 5 watts at most, and usually I hear music at 1 
watt or less. So?. Even 80 watts per channel is an exaggeration (although it 
has something to do with dynamic response. The Jvc's manual mentions it has 
144db of dynamic response). So why run for 200?. And usually they don't get 
better speakers so they continue using the Brutal(TM) Noise Force Speakers 
that are great for the parties they go to, but are unacceptable because they 
are not designed for sound clarity (let's say). And when they finally get 
their 200W amplifier, they tell me it amplifies with integrated circuits or 
some other class Z amplifier system as described in the Audio FAQ!. Ok, I 
could simply ignore them all, but it's not the first time people tell me my 
theories are all wrong!.
On the other hand, I've been looking for new headphones. The ones I've heard 
simply suck because the phones (properly) are too small, so they don't cover 
the ear completely, so noise comes from the sides and so you have to turn up 
the volume to kill the noise and so you get fried ears. I'd like something 
better than what I have, with the same characteristics. That is, an Aiwa set, 
rather old and can't tell what model it is (gotta have 10 years at least), 
but has flat metal transductors. The phones I saw also dissapointed me 
because the Aiwa set has some kind of leathery cloth that prevents the 
horrible scratching of plastic (YUCK!) and screeching of plastic cloth 
against your ear. Although some headphones I tested had a nice feeling, the 
"phone" diameter was rather small. Is it like fashion or something?. Bass 
response on the other hand simply can't be compared to the Aiwa. To give you 
an idea, the phones' diameter is a bit above 9cm (32 ohm impedance, if it is 
of any use to you), against the average 5cm I tested. And most important: are 
there any killer headphones that should be considered?.
avalloud@dc.uba.ar.
SqR!.
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