User Details - OM

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Name:
  Owen
Details:
  I've been into high-fidelity audio since 1998. I bought my first (and current) SACD player in the fall of 2003. I wasted some time trying to juggle home theatre and surround audio. I recently stopped sacrificing surround audio performance to home theatre concerns. Having sold nearly my entire system, I have no display and nowhere to put one. I'll worry about the movies later, because for now I'm enjoying the surround music too much to care.

I have a Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering. I specialized in digital signal processing, digital circuits and system design.
Location:
  Victoria, BC
HiFi:
  My current system has been designed with simplicity as the guiding principle. There is no stand-alone preamplifier or processor in the circuit path. The Denon universal player handles all decoding duties and is wired straight into the unique Linar five-channel integrated amplifier (which contains only input selection, level control and power amplifiers). Another unusual feature of my system is the five identical floor standing speakers (configured according to the ITU standard). You've probably never heard a system quite like this:

- 5 x Paradigm Studio 60 v3 speakers
- Linar Audio Model 10, five-channel integrated amplifier, 5x120W @ 8Ohms
- Denon DVD-2900 Universal Player
- Cardas 300B Microtwin Interconnects (6x0.3m).
- Cardas Crosslink speaker cable (3x2m & 2x6m) internal bi-wire configuration terminated w/ Cardas GRS 9mm rhodium plated spades (15 pair).
- Vibrapod & Vibracone vibration isolation under the Denon.
- Mapleshade Heavyfeet v3 brass carpet piercing vibration isolators under the Linar.
Email:
 
Web:
 
Posts:
  7

 
 
Reviews
Found: 6 show all

Ladysmith Black Mambazo: Raise Your Spirit Higher, Wenyukela          (2 of 2 found this review helpful)
  October 23, 2005

One of the most engaging recordings I own. It's a perfect usage of the surround format. I have one small complaint: they recorded the lead performer with a nearfield microphone, while the rest of the ensemble was recorded with farfield microphones. The difference in sound is enough to pull you out ... more
Los Angeles Guitar Quartet: Guitar Heroes          (3 of 3 found this review helpful)
  October 23, 2005

The sonics on this recording are beyond reproach. The placement of a guitarist in each of the four primary channels is a fantastic usage of the surround format. Now I want all of my quartet recordings mixed like this! The music itself is a pleasure to listen to. It’s a little... soft. I’d like to ... more
Robert Lockwood, Jr.: Delta Crossroads          (1 of 1 found this review helpful)
  October 23, 2005

I’m not a big fan of most blues music that employs electric guitars or organs, so this recording pretty much embodies what I’m looking for in a blues performance. It’s a man and his guitar and he’s there in the room with you. There’s just the perfect amount of ambient sound to give the recording a ... more
Jorma Kaukonen: Blue Country Heart        (0 of 4 found this review helpful)
  October 23, 2005

This disc frustrates me. It had the potential to be one of the best surround acoustic recordings I own, yet it has a flaw that consistently pulls me out of the experience. The mix seems to have a strange effect that can't quite be described as "reverb". It's more like a subtle replication of front ... more
Richard & Linda Thompson: Shoot Out The Lights        (1 of 9 found this review helpful)
  October 23, 2005

I bought this disc on a whim recently and figured I should share my thoughts on it. This album is widely considered to be one of the great rock albums of its time and is highly recommended by many critics and fans. I can't say that I agree. I would normally at least review the sonics in this space, ... more

 
 
Latest Posts

Linar Model 10 integrated Multi channel amp
June 17, 2005
I'm at work so I can't write too much here. LC pretty much covered everything (though it was a 6B SST not 3B). The volume control is implemented using digitally controlled potentiometers, which is vastly superior to IC volume control (no integrated op-amp buffers). In terms of high-end 5-channel solutions, it's pretty tough to find a better "bang ... more
Dire Straits' "Brothers In Arms" to be released as 20th Anniversary SACD!!
June 4, 2005
Just as a matter of curiosity, how long has it been since you last attended a live rock or pop performance? If one were to follow your reasoning to its logical conclusion, we should all simply buy a multi-kilowatt PA system and all recordings should be in mono. Last I recall, the "soundstage" at a live rock or pop concert could only be described as ... more
Newbie Seeking Advices on SACD Music Appreciation
May 19, 2005
You must be mistaken. I have no idea who you are and I'd appreciate it if you'd leave me alone. I'm just an innocent newcomer to this forum and already I'm getting picked on by some overly aggressive intellectual. I know my bachelor's degree isn't very impressive but it was the best I could do! ... more
4, 5, or 6 channel preamps?
May 19, 2005
It's probably more than you want to spend, but if you can make the stretch, I'd take a look at the Linar Audio Model 10. It's a five-channel integrated amplifier. I own it and am extremely happy with its performance (check my profile). There's usually one for sale on Audiogon (new in box) and I'll bet you could have it for ~$2900 ($4250 MSRP). ... more
Newbie Seeking Advices on SACD Music Appreciation
May 18, 2005
In addition to the excellent recommendations above, here are some of my own: Bjork - Medulla (Limited Edition) Kodo - Mondo Head Dredg - El Cielo Bjork - Vespertine (also available in DVD-A, if you can't find the SACD) If you find that the surround channels on these albums don't have a big impact on the listening experience then DrOctodivx is ... more