Feb 3 Podcast#1085: Monoprice SS-Pro 8 Speaker Selector and Audio to Show Off Your Sound System
This week give you our impression of the Monoprice SS-Pro 8 Speaker Selector, take a look at the streaming scorecard for 2022, and we wrap up with our list of music to demo your sound system. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.
| Download this Episode. |
Support the show with Patreon!
Listen to the show
Today's Show:
News:
- With NextGen TV Transition `Stalled,' NAB Asks FCC for ATSC 3.0 Taskforce
- LG's new OLED TVs will get an audio upgrade to please home theater lovers
- Netflix Lets Priciest Plan Download to Extra Devices, Adds More Spatial Audio
- YouTube TV Drops MLB Network
Other:
- Netflix: secret codes to unlock scores of hidden films and TV shows | Daily Mail Online
- Ara's Woodworking
- Join the Flaviar Whisky Club and get a free bottle
Monoprice SS-Pro 8 High Power Dual Source 300 Watt 8 Pair Impedance Matching Speaker Selector
The Monoprice SS-Pro 8 ($100) is a powerful and efficient dual source, audiophile grade speaker selector for up to 8 pairs of speakers. Featuring robust transformers, the SS-Pro 8 allows you to play all 8 pairs of speakers at once without damaging the amplifier, able to withstand up to 300 watts peak of power per channel. A front panel A/B switch allows you to choose between two amplifier sources, and easily removable snap-in connectors make installation easy. A rotary switch located on the rear panel can be used to set the appropriate impedance based on the number of pair of speakers connected.
-
8-zone speaker selector that allows you to connect up to 8 pairs of speakers or 8 listening zones and control each zone with front panel push-buttons
-
Utilizes audiophile-grade impedance-matching transformers to safely distribute maximum power throughout your system
-
Easy to use front panel switch to choose between sources
-
Designed for use with either 4 ohm or 8 ohm speakers
-
Protection circuit ensures your amplifier is protected
Streaming Scorecard for 2022
Amid all the doom and gloom in the streaming industry regarding slumping stock prices and hefty losses, streaming audiences continue to grow at a significant pace, with Americans streaming more than 19 million years worth of content last year, according to new data from Nielsen.
In total, Americans streamed more than 19.4 million years of content last year, up 27% about 15 million years in 2021. The increase was driven by the breadth of new and expanded services, coupled by the depth of content—particularly streaming originals, Nielsen reported. Full article here…
Rick Beato’s Preferred AV Demo List
Instead of the typical audiophile spin, music educator Rick Beato provides a musician’s perspective on how to choose and how to listen to music. Full article here…
From the article:
Throwing my two cents into this discussion, I like that Beato had many popular recordings in his list from artists as diverse as Jay-Z, Steely Dan and Linkin Park. It’s my opinion that besides the lack of knowledge audiophiles have on the production process and mastering in particular, the lack of emotional connection to a piece of music is where system demos most often fail with consumers.
Explaining mastering in the most basic of terms, it is the process in which engineers make sure a recording sounds balanced, full and even. The problem with a lot of popular music over the past few decades has been the issue in which the dynamics of recordings have been squashed or evened out in order for it to sound better on the radio or through a set of earbuds. The problem with heavy levels of mastering, which uses tools such as compressors and limiters, is these tools can remove the musicality and dynamics from a recording. Production professionals will sometimes refer to this trend as the “loudness wars.”
Using the criteria of content that people recognize and music that is well produced, including mastering that lets the music breath, here are some of my top demo choices:
Ara’s List:
-
Diana Krall Live in Paris - Fly Me to the Moon
-
Stevie Ray Vaughn - Tin Pan Alley
-
Pearl Jam - Yellow Ledbetter
-
First 5 seconds of California Roll - Snoop Dog
-
Ennio Morricone - The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
-
Explosions in the Sky - Your Hand in Mine (Theme from Friday Night Lights Movie)
-
Madeline Edward - Mama, Dolly, Jesus
-
Michael Ray - Holy Water
-
Hailey Winters - Everything She Ain’t
Reader Comments (2)
I am a long time listener of your podcast and I hope you can keep it going. I am responding about ATSC 3.0. I do not think you are giving it the credit it deserves. Probably the best thing about ATSC 3.0 is it will have a much more stable signal than ATSC 1.0. It should be much easier to receive. I am always wanting a better picture and sound and 3.0 will provide both. It will be capable of 4k , HDR and 7.1.4 sound. It does not mean everything will be 4k but the capability will be there. I am sure 99% of consumers do not even know what ATSC 3.0 is. I am sure all new televisions will have 3.0 tuners eventually. With my satelitte and internet bill constantly getting more expensive, having free OTA tv available is very desirable. A good source of information about 3.0 is a youtube video by antennaman at CES this year. It is only about 7 minutes long and is very informative. Thanks and keep up the good work.
Just heard your podcast and request for some songs to test bass audio. I immediately thought of this as an awesome example of "musical bass." Not a favorite of my wife's but it's definitely a favorite of mine!
Marcus Miller: Blast (from the album Marcus)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1Anp9WxD30