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My main squeeze is on the audio side of home theater and not so much focused, as of yet, on the video. I needed something other than my 35 inch (forgot the brand) tube TV to get the job done, and my DVD player was less than stellar. In other words I had the sound down but was lagging way behind in the video department.  I did a lot of digging before I finally found reviews, positive ones, which kept popping up all over about a little known company called Oppo Digital. 

The Oppo Digital - OPDV971H DVD player has got to be one of the best bang for buck DVD players on the market for under 200 clams.  

I went with this player in particular because I ended up dumping the old set for the infocus 4805 projector, which by the way kicked my 35 inch tube set off the block. Bought this for around $1300 at my local Costco, though I think now they are discontinued. The reason for mating the two units together is I would be able to run a DVI cable, (digital visual interface), from my Oppo to the projector for best video results. S-video and component were still widely used. When this projector first came out that is how everyone was saying was best to do it. I tried component cable to see if it really made that much of a difference and it did. A BIG difference,.DVI was the way to go. HDMI is another ball game, I will do a write up on that one later.

I had a couple other players prior to the Oppo 971 all costing considerably more and none came close in performance. The Infocus 4805 and Oppo by no means are top of the line, but they suite my needs quite nicely. I have not had anyone walk away unimpressed. Reviews for the Oppo can be found here and for the infocus 4805 here.

Related:

• The Luncheon and meeting the Boss

• The Gathering; Home Audio Geek Fest! YEAHHHHH!!!!

• Meeting The Boss, The Man Behind AV123

• My Favorite Preamp Combo From Emotiva

• Home Audio Beginnings

Tags: Video by James
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I finally got the chance to meet the big guy himself on Saturday at the av123 gtg. We had quite the group of people show up, close to 20 packed into one room at Chandlers Crab house for lunch and audio discussion. Not just guys mind you; we had four women show up with their hubbys which was a surprise. I doubt I could drag my wife to something like that!

So Mark Schifter the owner reveals a couple of new items coming out in the future and was able to bring along a set of computer speakers that he was using as a demo for a couple of companies locally. We were supposed to meet back at his hotel but I got lost in down town Seattle (no surprise) so didn’t get to see nor hear them in action.

Mark also let a member take home a pair of the new X towers to try out, and they have not even been released yet. That is Mr. Schifter’s style though, very kind and generous. I don’t know of any other company owner who would do something as cool as that, especially before a product is ready for release. I would have a hard time dropping a pair of speakers in some ones lap unpaid for through my company. But it’s like everyone their is family, a very loyal and trustful group of friends.

The new Rocket line up which will be called the Rocket II is self powered with separate amps for each driver, not just one for the entire speaker which was a new idea. Also a new line of X electronics including mono block digital amps, super cool!

Here is a pic of the wild bunch striking a pose. A few beers had been put away by the time this shot was taken so ignore the glazed eyes
Related:

• The Gathering; Home Audio Geek Fest! YEAHHHHH!!!!
• Meeting The Boss, The Man Behind AV123
• My Favorite Preamp Combo From Emotiva
• Home Audio Beginnings
• Welcome to the blog

Tags: Home Audio by James
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On April 28th 2007 we will be having a little audio fest at my place. John Feider from av123 will be staying with me for a few days of R&R. Of course with his audio expertise I won’t allow him to just sit around and drink beer! I am going to put him to work helping me make some minor adjustments to the theater room before the gathering.

First inspired by av123, the GTGs are a great way for folks in an immediate and not so immediate area to come together and listen to some new products they have wanted to hear. Beings’ buying online usually means you cannot demo a product before purchasing; this is sort of the extended show room for an online company to show off their goods.

I currently have 6 different speaker sets to demo and the list is growing. I purchased an HPS-6 Niles speaker selector for $250 from Crutchfield to make switching between speakers much easier and safer. I have almost knocked speakers over swapping banana plugs in the past. I also have four custom built subs to cover the bottom end powered by four QSC RMX 1850 HD amplifiers.

Anyone wanting to come by and join in the fun feel free to do so on April 28th 2007, should be great fun!

Related:

• Meeting The Boss, The Man Behind AV123
• My Favorite Preamp Combo From Emotiva
• Home Audio Beginnings
• Welcome to the blog

Tags: Home Audio by James
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This week Saturday March 24th the “BOSS” (av123’s owner Mark Schifter) is swinging through Seattle and invited a few of the local av123 followers to a luncheon at Chandlers Crabhouse in North Seattle.

This is my first opportunity to meet the man himself and the creator of the great products that have emerged from his company over the past years.

Mark Schifter has made audio affordable for all, literally all. His products are not only great sounding but visually stunning. You will, from time to time, hear me refer to AV123 products from a visual aspect and not just an audio one. Soon I will be adding pictures, but pictures will not do these speakers justice. You really need to see these things in person to fully grasp the value of what you are looking at. Don’t forget to pick them up, any of the speakers, and then it really starts to sink in.

I am very excited to meet the owner and learn more about the man behind the machine. Of course he will tell no secrets as to how he has been able to make this all come together and work as an internet direct approach to selling home audio, after all don’t you want to hear it before you buy it? That brick wall has been breached and in a large way. Av123 has become one of the most successful internet direct sellers of home audio, and the company is growing monthly.

Here is a video snippet I found over at Home Theater Hifi, an interview with Mark Schifter, and a brief description of his beginnings, what he has done, and what he has in store for av123 in the future. This video was shot some time back and a lot more products will be introduced here soon, so stay tuned!

Related:

• My Favorite Preamp Combo From Emotiva
• Home Audio Beginnings

Tags: Home Audio by James
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Emotiva is one of my favorite preamp amp combos. Not just because of what it does for my home theater system but because of what it does for my wallet!

When I made the jump from reciever land to the separates world I was really in for a big suprise. Not saying there is anything wrong with receivers at all, separates are not for everyone. But you do get what you pay for.

I went from a Denon 3805 to separates and the differences were immediate. More power, better accuracy, and better surround sound envelopment. Detail and clarity come to mind also when I think of the improvements it made for my system. Those pretty blue lights get me every time, and others who have walked in and seen this set in person.

This is the sum up by audioholics of the DMC-1 processor (preamp) and the main article can be found here.

“The Emotiva is a beautiful processor to look at - as much a piece of artwork as it is a high-performance machine for high-end audio. This product is geared towards audio enthusiasts who desire the best sound quality possible. With an MSRP of $2495 it also comes in at almost $1500 less than the Sunfire Theater Grand IV, which has nearly identical innards and the same processing core. Add an MPS-1 7-channel amplifier and you beat an equivalent Sunfire combo by almost $3000. If you want all the latest features and gadgets, or if you are trying to spend as little as possible for your home theater system then look elsewhere, this product isn’t for you. If, however, you want to enter the realm of high-end audio and experience separates at a competitive price to their peers, then the DMC-1 is a great processor to drive the reference system in your listening room.”

What’s more incredible is you can ignore that price they are quoting, that article was written some time back. The DMC-1 and MPS-1 combo can be had for $3000! When compared to Sunfire and Sherbourn, pricing and performance, you can begin to understand my excitement about this truly phenomenal set.

I am not biased, for the record I am a Sunfire and Sherbourn dealer.

Related:

• Home Audio Beginnings

Tags: Preamps by James
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I spent many years buying, selling, and trading home audio goods in my never ending search to find a receiver and speakers that fit my home audio tastes and needs. I can’t tell you how much money I went through in this quest, but it was a lot….and one wife later finally found what my ears and eyes were looking for!

My ventures finally took me to online searching, with the intent to buy that way. I must have spent months reading reviews and searching the different forums available. On these forums folks talk about different products they are interested in and or have bought, both online and not, they are not biased for the most part. The one thing that made it easier is that folks talked about and recommended things that were not foreign to me. They talked about a/v receivers that I knew and had faith in, but very few spoke of nor brought up much about speakers they bought at the local B&M.

Jackpot! That was what I needed to reassure me these products sold online were not the infamous white van specials. I did more research and dropped an order through AV123.

So began my new journey into home audio via the online world. I have since ordered a lot of speakers through AV123, Aperion audio and will soon be placing an order with Usher. As time goes by I will have mini reviews of each of the speakers I have, and demo through my audio business Sound Waves HiFi.

Tags: Home Audio by James
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Welcome to Sound Waves HiFi home theater blog. I have been in and around the music industry for a good many years now, both as a wedding entertainer, and an audio enthusiast. After years of being an audio enthusiat I decided to go into home audio sales and installs. I carry many different lines of equipment from speakers and amps to receivers and more.
Hopefully you find this blog useful and or you may want to add as we go along.

Be sure to subscribe to my blog so you can follow along.

Tags: Home Audio by James
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