Articles Index
Introduction to Audio Components
A description of the different types of stereo and audio components including receivers, integrated amplifiers, pre-amp/processors and power amplifiers
What is the Difference Between Analog and Digital?
Analog and digital are terms used in many fields including audio. They can also be difficult to understand. Before describing analog and digital audio technology, a few definitions and examples are helpful.
2.1 Channel Home Theater Speaker Systems
A 2.1 Channel System is a great way to enjoy home theater sound without hassling with surround sound speakers. A 2.1 Channel system uses two stereo speakers and a subwoofer combined with special decoding to create enveloping surround sound effects.
How to Connect to an iPod to Your Home Stereo System
Using your iPod as music source - The iPod makes it possible to store all of your favorite music and take it with you almost anywhere. Why not use it as a music source for your home audio system as well? Learn the best ways to connect your iPod to your home stereo and use it as a music source.
How to Quickly Test Speaker Wires and Speaker Connections
Here's a quick and easy way to test speaker wires and speaker connections for stereo and home theater systems.
What is Kleer Wireless Technology?
Kleer technology is the only system that permits wireless streaming of CD quality audio. Kleer is used for wireless headphones and other portable audio products and is superior to Bluetooth in power consumption and resistance to interference.
How to Connect Speakers to a Receiver or Amplifier
Connecting a speaker to a receiver or amp is simple because there are only two wires, positive and negative, or plus and minus. Still, there is a 50% chance of getting it wrong, which can seriously affect system performance, so it pays to make sure the connections are correct.
How to Digitize Vinyl Records and Tapes
The process of converting vinyl LP records and tapes from analog to digital is known as 'digitizing'. Digitizing analog music requires three things: an analog to digital converter, a software application to process and save your music, and a computer hard disk drive to store it on.
Why Analog Audio Lives On...
A digital audio recording is an exact bit-for-bit recreation of the original created by taking analog sound and parsing it into pieces called samples. On the other hand, an analog recording takes a sound and turns it into a smooth flowing electronic wave. Most people rightfully consider digital audio superior to analog audio. This is certainly true, but there are some recordings that simply sound better in analog, particularly vinyl records.
Music Server Basics
Organizing and managing a large music collection is the task of a music server. As the term suggests, a music server 'serves up' music on demand. A server makes it quick and easy to access any tune or group of tunes when they are organized by song, artist, genre, playlist, etc.
How to Make Your AV Components Future-Resistant
Many AV components have features that allow upgrading the 'operating system' or the brains of the component, a process that adds features, corrects bugs in the system and enhances overall performance.
Questions & Answers About External Digital to Analog Converters
A DAC, or digital to analog converter, converts digital signals into analog signals. The DAC has one of the most important jobs for sound quality: it creates an analog signal from the digital pulses stored on a disc and its accuracy determines the sound quality of the music we hear.
Whole House Music Distribution Systems
Whole house music distribution systems send music from a central component to multiple zones or rooms. This article discusses the various types of whole house music distribution systems.
Sending Audio Over Existing Home Wiring
How to use your home's existing wiring to send music to any room in your home.
Wireless Music Adapters
wireless music adapters
Music Over a Wireless Home Network
How to use a wireless home network to distribute music throughout your home.
Using CAT-5 Network Wiring to Distribute Audio
If you own a home with network wiring, you have a huge advantage. Network wiring is known as CAT-5e or CAT-6 and is used to connect a computer network or can distribute line level audio signals to remote zones.
Multiroom & Multisource Systems Using a Receiver
Many receivers have multiroom and multisource features with built-in amplifiers and as many as four zones.
Building a Multiroom System with a Receiver
Most stereo and home theater receivers have multiroom speaker outputs. This article shows how to use your receiver to create a multiroom music system and enjoy music throughout your home.
Speaker Stands are Important for Appearance and Sound Quality
Speaker stands serve many important purposes for bookshelf speakers. They come in a variety of sizes, styles, colors and finishes and should be used whenever possible. This article discusses the benefits of using speaker stands for placing bookshelf speakers and includes suggestions for selecting speakers stands and price comparisons.
NuVo Technologies Previews Renovia Multiroom Audio System
NuVo Technologies has previewed its new Renovia multiroom audio system that uses HomePlug Powerline Carrier technology (PLC) to distribute audio and metadata over the existing electrical wiring in a home.
How to Select, Install and Connect Outdoor Speakers
Outdoor speakers can be installed under the eaves in plain sight, concealed among the flowers and shrubs in your garden or disguised to look like a tree stump, a large rock, a fountain or a garden bench. Depending on where you want to put outdoor speakers and how many, they're easy to install.
The Most Significant Technologies & Trends of the Last Decade
The features and technologies in home entertainment electronics grow at a rapid pace. New devices and capabilities are introduced almost daily and while some thrive, others barely survive. I've chosen five of the most significant technologies and trends from the last decade and summarized them in this article.
Demystifying Surge Suppression and AC Power Line Conditioning
The vast infrastructure known as the power grid that delivers power to our homes and offices is subject to disturbances, interruption and other anomalies that can cause serious damage to all electronic components. This article examines the potential problems with the electrical power grid and the best ways to protect your valuable electronic components.
How to Use a Speaker Switcher to Power Multiple Speakers in Your Home
If you want to use your stereo or AV receiver to power multiple speakers throughout your home, a speaker switcher is necessary. This article discusses the reasons speaker switchers are required and how to use them.