Home Entertainment Center

I've ordered the PCB for a phono preamp. The kit is for a high quality circuit with options for adding RIAA standards versions from assorted manufacturers of 78rpm disks. The RIAA equalization was not entirely standardized until latter in the 78rpm period. The Alesis is an approximation, at best, and a temporary substitute until I have a full fledged phono preamp. The designer/producer is in Australia, so the shipment won't arrive for a couple of weeks. I still have toe order the parts for the board and decide on a case to contain the unit. The connections to the board are made with wire connectors and need to be replaced by RCA or banana jacks. I have some Nakamichi banana plugs left over from bi-amping the Vaencia speakers. I can use those since the receiver has 5-way connectors that accept banana jacks/plugs. This is the assembled preamp: The assembled case is shown here, with RCA jacks installed: The assembled case from a different perspective: ...

The VSX-42 now plays the LG TV audio using the LG ARC dedicated HDMI port. The appropriate settings change was made on the VSX-42 using the remote.  The VSX-42 remote control is going back. The tuner preset controls do not work. I'm replacing the off-brand remote with a genuine Pioneer remote made for the unit.  I've ordered another HDMI cable, shorter, and LAN cable. Both, the TV and the receiver, have LAN connectors. The receiver accesses Pandora and internet radio using the LAN connection. The TV uses the LAN connection to access the Xumo Channels+ network of TV stations, the internet using the WebOS browser, and LG related data. The SX-255R receiver is paired with the Cerwin Vega speakers on the other end of the room (24'x12'). There are, I think, too many options and settings in the TV. They can be useful for those who are prepared for a long learning curve. Knowledge of cinema formats and technology is a must. Overall, both systems are done ...

I spoke too soon regarding the equalizer as a phono preamp. The Alesis has only +/-12db gain available. The RIAA equalization curve is +/-20db. I re-adjusted the bands on the Alesis for a more accurate reflection of the RIAA standards. There is an improvement in the audio of my vinyl disks. I may settle for what I've got, but I'm remaining open to the acquisition of a phono preamp. I'm looking for inexpensive phono preamps. Phono preamps range in cost from $25 to $2,500. The gains and losses of an inexpensive phono preamp will determne my choices. The RIAA decoding frequency response curve: .

The Alesis has +/- 12db gain per channel.  I have a total gain range of 24db-36db for compensation. I examined the RIAA curve and adjusted the 30 bands in each channel to reflect the RIAA curve. The result compensates for the deficiencies in the recording process as described by the curve. No need to build/buy a phono preamp. I examined the data for the B&O MMC4 cartridge and found the type to be a moving iron cartridge instead of a moving coil cartridge. The latter requires more compensation where the former is more like the moving magnet and requires approximately 10 times less gain with a designed in 47kOhm output impedence. I can use the AV receiver to bi-amp my horns and woofers but doing so will make some playback options unavailable. I may revert to standard AV 5.1 for video and maintain a separate audiophile system, using the Sansui amps and/or the SX255R, later.

I've given some thought to the system and had a couple of ideas. One of the problems I face is : what to do with the turntable's phono outputs. The AV receiver was designed for Surround 5.1, 7.1 and not audiophile listening. I still have the Alesis two channel 30+ band equalizer. Turntable output needs equalization following RIAA standards. I may be able to do this with the Alesis. Problem number two: If I want to omit the SX255R and use the AV (VSX42), I can route the horns through the 5.1 Surround-Back speakers and the woofers through the Surround 5.1 front speakers. The unit has an on-screen(TV) setup program run using the remote controller. The speaker distance can be entered as well as one or two other variables. This may allow me to adjust the horn/woofer volume ratio. The major drawback is not having access to the Surround 5.1/7.1 capabilities. I may just use the original plan and have separate AV Surround and audiophile systems. I have three pairs of speak...

I won a Pioneer VSX-42 Elite AV Receiver at an online auction. The unit arrives nest Tuesday, 7-16-2019. The unit is designed to provide 7.1 channel surround sound for the home. Currently, there are four audio options for room layout: 1.) traditional stereo 2.) traditional stereo with a subwoofer 3.) 5.1 surround 4.) 7.1 surround The unit is fairly sophisticated. Input 520Watts Output 7(speakers)x80Watts 20Hz-20kHz supportd Apple AirPlay iTunes, Internet Rafio, and YouTube compatible Dolby and DTS audio support HDMI support Multi-Zone support (to be continued)

Received a broken Sansui AU-505 in the mail today. I had found the piece on eBay as a parts unit (US $28.77/Shipping: $32.61). There was no description of issues other than 'no audio', and fuse holder issues. I decided to take a chance. I had learned from working with my unit the switches oxidize and can cause all kinds of issues. Besides that, I specialized in power supplies and no audio, in either channel, hinted of power supply problems. I opened the unit up and found a fuse holder had come loose and a couple of wires needed to be soldered to the loose fuse holder. After that, I fiddled around with the thing. I began to hear a faint signal from the outputs. I toggled a couple of switches and heard a popping noise. I closed in and vigorously toggled the Tape Monitor switch several times. I got some of the audio back. I push, moderately on that switch's paddle and toggled some more. I have gotten full audio back. The switch had become oxidized from disuse. Done. ...

I cleaned the potentiometers and circuit breakers with contact cleaner. Where the 'pots' were difficult to turn and sticking before, they now turn smoothly. The breaker contacts do not work perfectly, but a few presses of the reset button fix the problem. The binding posts spring action is rough due, I think, to oxidation over decades. I've binding posts left over from the Valencia project. I may find a way to install new 5-way binding posts. Someone on eBay was selling a Cerwin Vega U123 crossover panel for $15.95. Two were available. I offered $26 for both. The seller accepted my offer. Those will be here in a couple of days. I ran across a webpage mentioning speaker re-foam and re-cone. I read more on the subject then examined my speakers. The Cerwin Vegas could use a re-foam, though their functioning is not affected. I ordered a re-foam kit for them. One of the Altec Lansing Valencia woofers has a small hole in the cone. There's not much too the hole. Sma...

This morning, I visited one of several second-hand stores I have frequented in the past. I haven't been shopping in a while. When I arrived, I drifted over to the electronics area. I was trained and employed as an electronics engineering technician, so technology is in my arena. I browsed and spotted several items of interested. I kept shopping, all the while keeping in mind the list of items of interest. When I was done, I went around and gathered up the items I wanted, after checking the price of one item with the clerks. What did I get of interest in this blog? A pair of vintage Cerwin-Vega HED floor speakers. The speakers are in excellent condition. There was a problem with the tweeter in one, but I discovered the problem. A resetable circuit breaker is attached to each speaker cabinet. The breaker on one was causing intermittent transmission to the tweeter in that cabinet. A loose connection was at fault. I have the option of repairing the breaker or replacing the brea...