Computer Audio Asylum

Posted by Presto (A) on December 12, 2007 at 12:24:50

I have a habit, from time to time, of buying a really cheap component just to see how "bad" it really is. I need to confirm this, but I think these units may behave in true D2D amplification mode (like the Panasonics do) when fed a digital input. They COULD be hybrid A2D amps, which of course require an intial D->A conversion, which kind of makes getting into a low-end digital amp sort-of pointless if you ask me! Some high-end digital amps DO use A2D amplification, but I imagine they use much better DACs than a unit of this price range would afford.

The JVC RX-D205S was a factory refurbished unit that I picked up from ecost.com for a whopping $75 + shipping.

--------------------------------- Mini Review -----------------------

SETUP:
Many reviewers report an obfuscated manual setup procedure. They need a new career. Setup is a snap -> press one of the two settings group buttons (settings or levels), wheel to the desired setpoint, press set to edit, wheel to scroll through available settings, press set when on desired setting.

USB DRIVER:
It seems to use a generic USB driver, giving only 2 channels of audio, 16 bit, 32-48khz. USB driver install was a snap, but playing tracks from my USB hard drive caused the occasional dropout. I copied some tracks to my C: and played them from there and sure enough, dropouts disappeared.

7-CHANNEL STEREO:
There is an interesting mode called "7 channel stereo". You can use it to essentially "map" stereo information to surround channels. Trouble is, it reduces volume to the rear surround channels by -6db and -10db for the sides. (Based on voltage readings I took at the outputs). But one can use the individual channel level controls to compensate, and run up to three channels per side for tri-amp operation. The 7th channel is somewhat useless for 2-channel audio, since it's a center channel mix of L+R, but who knows - someone might find this useful.

SUB INTEGRATION:
Of course, it's easy to integrate a sub, since when the sub is enabled and all speakers are set to "small", LFE (low frequency effect) is directed to the sub. Crossover frequency is selectable from 80 - 200 Hz. Nice touch!

THE SETUP:
I ran my two-way mini-monitors in true bi-amp mode (not bi-wired) since I split the crossover when I built it just for this reason. I added in two Focal 12" woofs for everything under 80Hz. I did this using the 7-channel stereo DSP mode, but turned the center channel speaker OFF. I reduced the main FL/FR channels by 6db to match them to the rear channels, and bi-amped my mini monitors. I used the subout to a 250W Parts Express plate amp to drive the two Focal woofs (8ohms x 2 in parallel = 4 ohms - perfect). I liked the bass better with main speakers set to large and LFE set to "LFE + MAIN". The monitors have a natural rolloff starting at 90Hz anyways, since they're a sealed box design.

LISTENING IMPRESSIONS:
The sound is very engaging. There seems to be an almost tube-like immediacy to the sound - very good PRAT, high-end resolving power, rising edge detail and impact. Percussion sounds are very realistic. Imaging is as good as my other setups, but may be even a bit more holographic. It sounds like I am describing a $75 panacea but this is not the case. I found the sound to be detailed and very engaging at first, but started to feel premature listening fatigue. There was something "there" that made my ears "perk up" - and I can't quite place it. I am torn - I love the immediacy and transparency, but there is something telling my ears that there might be some NOISE in there somewhere that's detracting from the experience... I was quite tired when I finally started to listen, so I plan to post more listening impressions as this new little system settles in.

NEXT EXPERIMENT:
SPDIF passthrough. I doubt the generic USB driver has this. I think it must be stereo only. You can get pro-logic from stereo, but not DD or DTS. Did not buy it for this, but if it works, that would be a bonus.

DIGITAL INPUTS:
Also on the list of things to try is to confirm the digital input resolution - which is supposedly only 16/48 for ALL units regardless of price range - even the $800 flagship RX-D702!. This is VERY disappointing and inexcusable especially for the higher priced models. There is no reason for new equipment to have any less than 24/96 capable digital ins! Grrrrr... Oh well. So - don't spend $800 on the flagship model yet - if you're hellbent on a digital receiver, Panasonic might still be your best bet - it lacks the USB input, but has 24/96 capable inputs. Thank DRM for this - perhaps the fine folks at JVC don't think that there is just cause anymore for 24/96 over SPDIF, especially when hi-def audio is now transmitted over HDMI. HMDI.... audio... Hmmmmmm... he he he. Now I have some experiments to try!!

WORD OF CAUTION:
Reviews that said this thing gets hot are not exaggerating. This unit probably should have ventilated top but it has an internal midget PC fan and side vents. (Probably someone's idea of forced-air cooling). I had better idea - remove dumb top cover and let the thing convection cool. Do this at your own risk to health, home and warranty. I plan to cut out the top and replace with a grille - let's see how long this thing lasts. Apparently there were QA/QC and possibly design issues with these (overheating?).

SUMMARY:
Is this a USB (or PC audio interface) giant killer? Probably not. But for $75 (including amps) you're not going to get better SQ or technology!

The only way to get more fun for $75 is to go to a _ _ _ _ _ house.

Opera. Opera house. You guys are sick.

Cheers,
Presto