Cones under components

September 30, 2009

I have a system I'm pretty happy with: Cambridge Audio CD player, Musical Fidelity integrated amp, and KEF speakers. My cables are all from DH Labs. Since I don't want to upgrade my main components, a local dealer recommended that I try to upgrade my system by putting cone footers under my electronics. He said they can improve the sound a lot. Have you tried these? Do they help?

Brian Alves

I've tried cones, wooden blocks, rubber feet, you name it. Sometimes the sound improved, most of the time nothing happened. From my experience, components that benefited the most were ones susceptible to vibration, such as CD players. What I suggest is asking your dealer for a loaner set to try in your own system. If he's confident that they'll improve the sound as much as he says, he knows you'll come back to buy a set for yourself.

Double the power, double the sound?

September 24, 2009

I have an amplifier that's rated at 100Wpc. My friend told me that even if I get an amp that's 200Wpc, it won't play much louder. That doesn't make sense to me. Is that true?

Keith Donovan

Your friend is actually correct. A doubling of power output from your amplifier only results in 3dB more output from your speakers. So, if you go from 50W to 100W, that's 3dB. If you go from 100W to 200W, that's still only another 3dB. To get a perceived doubling of volume level, you have to increase the volume by about 10dB! Therefore, to get significantly more output, you have to get a much more powerful amp.

Cassette decks

September 19, 2009

One of my father's friends gave us his old Nakamichi cassette deck. He says it still works perfectly. I was wondering, do people use cassettes anymore? Is it possible to find new music on cassette?

Jacob Williams

Nakamichi used to make some of the best cassette decks out there. If it's still in perfect working order, it's probably a very good one. I'm sure there are people who use cassettes, but not that many. You're also not going to find any new music on cassette -- that went away years ago. You can still buy blank cassettes, though. I just looked at Amazon.com and they have all kinds. Have fun!

More NAD

September 15, 2009

Why aren't more NAD products reviewed in your publication? To me, they seem to make the most "affordable" stuff out there. Do you agree?

Trevor Dukes

It's interesting that you mention NAD right now. NAD's newest products were covered in the AV Tour 2009 CEDIA Expo show report that the SoundStage! Network team produced (GoodSound! is part of the SoundStage! Network), and we arranged for reviews of a number of items, some for GoodSound! and some for other publications that are part of the Network. One item that is definitely going to be reviewed here is the $599 C 326BEE integrated amplifier -- in fact, it just arrived at our door.

Failing CD player

September 10, 2009

My CD player is no longer working properly. I put a disc in and sometimes it reads it, but most times not. It seems to be getting worse all the time. Is it worth repairing?

Fred Alles

It's not uncommon for the transport and/or laser mechanismson in CD players to fail over time. If you look at CD player warranties, they're usually very short, mostly for that reason. Worse yet, if the mechanism isn't being made anymore, it's nearly impossible to get them repaired. So if you're really in love with your player, you might want to take it to a repair shop. If not, very good, brand-new CD players are inexpensive these days.

Still Hot?

September 5, 2009

I read the review of the Paradigm Studio 10 v.5. Are you guys still as hot on this speaker today?

Tony Brano

Usually, products that receive high praise don't fall out of favor in just a few months -- they're the kind of products that can normally be recommended for some time. So, yes, we're just as hot on the speaker as when we reviewed it near the beginning of the year.