Suggestions for technical articles

[Ampdog]

There is probably a fair percentage of the AVSA readership represented here, so:

As is probably known, I have made some technical-popular contributions to the magazine over the last 14 years, hopefully in a way that was understandable for most readers. But lately ideas for like topics have dwindled as most hi-fi aspects had been covered with time; also the accent shifted to home theatre where technical aspects seem less likely to be of interest. (In this respect I must laude the explanatory series currently managed by Nigel Hesk.)

Just wondering then, if any topics likely to be of interest could be raised here as food for the future ....?

[AV]

The effect of cables on a sound system?   

[GearSlave]

Hehe, It might be worthwhile noting that there may not be that many subscribers that has had their subscription for 14 years (Me being one). Would it be out of the question to revisit some of those articles again, sprucing up and maybe bringing it a little more in line with contemporary thinking?

[Shonver]

The effect of cables on a sound system?   

Ja. Call it "The Case for Cables". Should be interesting.

Another suggestion: an article on what level of performance and satisfaction can be obtained/attained from/by various audio formats.

'nuther: "How Good was Vintage Gear?" Reason: I have two sets of vintage equipment that have amazed me that they are by today's standards technologically still quite advanced: 1. Optonica SX-9100 power amp & SO-9100 preamp 2. Technics SU-V4 New Class A power amp. (Not to mention my Technics SP10 direct drive turntable and Yamaha NS1000's with beryllium mids & tweets).

[DRNB]

Ampdog, I have not seen all your articles and might mention things that were discussed before.

But how about?
- CD's, the whole thing about PCM, incl different quantization principles, (u-law, a-law and what is used in CD's) etc.
Maybe a bit about other formats like SACD and DVD-A. A bit about compression?

- Vinyl. I don't know too much about it but since vinyl is becoming more popular I'm sure there are a lot of technical stuff you can write about

- Cables. Much of the technology we're using has its origen in the telcom or military industry. It might be interresting even to Audiophiles to know a little more about the technical aspects around cables. Keeping perception about the possible influence on sound out of the article. 
But for example, difference between twisted, parralel, coaxial etc. Why are lan cables twisted? Why is coax better to use in High frequency and twisted balanced better at low frequencies. How is a signal tranfered through coax at radio frequencies for example. And and and..........

- Optic fibre technology. Why the big hype about fibre. Different types of fibre, and the differences.
Many people knows about multimode and single mode, but thinks that multi-mode refers to multi-wavelength transmission, how about explaining the difference. Even a bit on Dense Wave Devision Multiplexing  Could be interresting for the general user of a medium to see what a medium is really capable off

- Many gadgets has enterred our life in the AV world like mp3 for instance. The Cell phone one of those used by everyone, with its GPRS capability, HSPA, video and audio steaming etc. How about a little technical article about how it works and what is GSM, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA and HSUPA?

Just some thoughts Mr. Ampdog
 

[Scrat]

Something I've been wondering about, the physics behind decent speaker-stands, what makes some better than others?

[Family_Dog]

What about an Article describing the Wonderful Warmth of ye Olde Valve Amplifiers! 

(And why we luv 'em so!)


-F_D

[Andrew]

The effect of cables on a sound system?   

No, no, no! A thousand times, I say, NO!    Ye gods, I'd rather drink a cup of warm vomit than have that argument erupt again. 

[chipwelder]

As it seems I am a fairly long time reader of AVSA... my word, I'm getting old it seems

1. The improbability of cables making sound better via the usual V=IR uF and mH routes has been done... but maybe an experiment like Norval did with drivers and the change in  Q and an explananing why it differs is a way to spruce it up.
2. The valves what they do and how they do it has been done (several)
3. Negative Feedback has been done, maybe as part of Class A AB article...
4. Class A and AB has been done...
5. Stands was done by I think Schalk Havenga
6. Acoustics by Ivan Linn
7. Principles in car audio has been done, lately some by Joel too.
8. Not too sure think loudspeaker sensitivity has been done as well...

That's about as far as I can remember...
CD/SACD/DVD/A gets my vote...
DSP's get my vote.
Power conditioning / filtering in amp psu-design and add-on boxes seem nice.
T-S Parameters explained would be nice, two or three part first basics, then how it relates to sound...
Series and parallel x-o's

[Ampdog]

As an interim, many thanks thusfar! Please keep going.

I am making notes; folks will understand that in this thread I am not going to react to topics; this is an info-gathering effort only. But yes, some topics are sure to at least get me in serious trouble with the editorship, if not thrown out on me - er - well, whatever part of my anatomy will hit real estate first.

Chipwelder, Norval,
There does seem to be (re)interest in topics done many moons ago. An (updated) repeat could be merited; on the other hand you guys wouldn't want to pay for the same bleat a second time round! (...and I wouldn't receive another fee for ditto). I will discuss with the powers-who-be.   

[jamster]

Johan. I would make the following suggestions:

1. Keep it simple. Even the most technical among us sometimes struggle to keep up with stories on in-depth subjects

2. Lots of pictures. I am ADD, what can I say

3. A mixture of theory only, combined with practical applications.

Specific stories that would REALLY go down well IMO, are:

- Materials technology and how the advancement of everything from resins and polymers to adhesives has benefited audio.
- Acoustics and room placement (this could be a six-part story)
- Digital - where to from here - what do better sources do for good amps?
- Back to basics - advancements in analogue. This has been very interesting for me.
- Stands, supports and equipment isolation - why and how?

Give me a shout if you want to discuss further - will gladly assist.

S

[Ampdog]

Thanks Sean,

Points (1) - (3) aimed at before, hopefully with some success. Difficult to be a judge of; should perhaps have a preview by someone else, although it was done in the past.

For the rest, gratefully noted, and I will certainly make use of your offer.

(Only I notice you do not include cables .... oops, sorry  )
Must save Andrew from having to drink warm vomit.

[kay]

Very good suggestions so far!

Perhaps try something with a practical application - i.e. how a reader can make their own system better by perusing your articles. Guaranteed to increase readership In particular room acoustics, what affects sound in digital sources and modern amps, how to listen for problems. One thing that I find amazing is how a room full of experienced listeners will pick up specific issues with a speaker/amp/source, while others (myself included) haven't a clue what they're talking about.

[ODUODU]

could we have something on how topend trends find their way into low end equipment?
is this something that happens in general or is it only the companies who really care about sound quailty that does this? this is probably why some companies wait for these guys to do all the hard work, buys the latest cd player, takes it back to the lab and copies all the top-end design traits.

eish......

such is life i suppose

this is why good companies close down or get sold out to another

it seems the tougher the times, the less good stereo components seems to avail.

how much does patents play in all of this ( if any )?

maybe this is a moral rather than a technical dillemma

so tune me what you think

see ya

[Ampdog]

could we have something on how topend trends find their way into low end equipment?

ODUODU,
Since I started this enquiry (and as said, the purpose was not to reply here, just compile a list), perhaps briefly:

At first glace I thought I would ask: Do you mean how low end trends find their way into top end equipment! That also sadly happens. (Perhaps "top" and "low" needs defining; in itself an ongoing debate. From my angle I would mean as in proper designs that have a real bearing on the music, not snake oil.)

That would be interesting - to the extent that all the hidden agendas will ever be known. From what little I know there is no end to the 'politics' involved; one is even told not to long-term invest in high-cost replay stuff (CD and DVD players and such) because that has already been superceded by non-mechanical moving parts devices as we already have and better; they are only waiting to regain the present investment before putting it on the market!

Such research might be a joint effort (why must I do all the work, Joel and Nigel ...)