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This was surprise Amp Dac - Speakers package of HFV Pune meet.
Chapter 1 -
Story So Far 3-4 Months back
My Problems I sleep late in the night ,and I am not able to listen to music and it disturbs others. I have a small mezzanine space which I am planning to re arrange and use for low volume listening
Solutions Thought ( Needed in Small Space) Toppings + Matching small speakers and then thought a pair of powered speakers I was NOT able to get Audioengine demo before ,also AE5 was beyond my budget. Topping also I never heard.
Then out of the blue there was a online ad about Edirol Powered speakers Model MA- 150
Now web research showed that it has
1) small size
2) 15 Watt x 2 Amp
3) Optical and Co axial Inputs THAT MEANS IT HAS DAC ON BOARD!
4) Even a sub out ! That may be a pre out as nowhere switch was provided
5) Decent wood and metal finish
It was made by Edirol brand of Roland a Japanese manufacturer of electronic musical instruments, electronic equipment and software. Their sub brand Edirol is a line of professional video-editing and video-presentation systems, as well as portable digital audio recorders. Edirol also has Desktop Media (DTM) products, more production-oriented, and include computer audio interfaces, mixers, and speakers.
Now there were some issues
1) A number of people claimed that studio monitors are not good for home listening. Too reveling. Over neutral and dry were words associated. And this may the demand from studio equipment, it was logical
2) Now the surprising part THESE SPEAKERS HAVE DIGITAL SOUND PROCESSING CHIP !!???-Called Bass Enhancer
From Roland site
What is the Bass Enhancer?
The Bass Enhancer found in the MA-15D Stereo Monitors lets the user hear bass frequencies not normally audible through speakers this size. The Bass Enhancer is a DSP chip programmed using psychoacoustic principles that converts low frequencies into a series of overtones which the human ear cannot distinguish from the original low frequencies. This allows the listener to perceive bass frequencies outside of the normal range of the speaker cone, without over-driving the woofer. With the Bass Enhancer, the MA-15D Stereo Monitors offer a strong low-end in a very compact set of reference monitors.
THIS CLAIM SOUNDED TOO BOSE LIKE , and thinking myself as audiophile in making who wants to stay away from such PSUDO effects.
Again decided to give them a try .Found that these are owned by a person who is smalltime composer, singer and partner in a small studio. He bought it for home use ,but according to him never used much. Condition was good
Tested these with many MP3 and some Flac songs .where output was from PC WITH ONBOARD SOUND OUT. I liked the sound in such an arrangement and bought it
In my home used it for 5-6 days , tried its digital ins used keeping on my table sround laptop. At that time too liked the soundstage and deep bass for such a small size.
The room was WIP for3 months so these speakers were just lying ( Need to take out from dining table)
Chapter 2 HFV Pune Meet
Around 7 Pm when good number of equipment was auditioned , including Mubins hi end poered Adam monitors some body wanted to give these spears a try. ( I was worried about going back and must be busy pouring Lefroig single malt)
Everyone started wondering about connections as no-one expected that speakers having digital input(s). Then we decided to connect Yamaha super premium CDP ( CD - 2000 ?? ) via Monster Optical.Music started
BTW Thanks sarang for telling me dac is 24-bit/192 kHz .
The digital inputs sound was better than analougue one , I feel it has a good DAC.
Chapter 3
Everyone in 3-4 minutes audition was floored. I think we played Hotel California and Bikram Ghosh ( Pune friends Please give track list) To be honest I never though they sound so good , honestly I never gave them a proper audition! Really good thing was in Vickys big hall these small wonders holding on their own!
I will be obliged if any of the attendees will give the their impression
Conclusion
AV world always throw surprises , I am very happy to rediscover in my backyard! I am manytimes confused and that upgrade and selling bug is seriously corrupted my mind ..Ithink need to sit back ,relax and enjoy whatever I am having!
These speakers have front control Bass , Treable ,and 2 volume controls for different inputs.
Rear inputs are 3.5 mm ,pair of RCAs ,2 Digital Inputs (swichable) . Outputs are subwoofer and another RCA for left.
Chapter 4
A lot of people asked me where to buy , which is this brand , found some answers there , some later so giving these for benefit for all
This is effectively 3 In One Speakers , Amplifier and DAC
DAC DOES NOT HAVE USB IN. However planning to use following cheap chinse USB to Co axial Converter
USB to S/PDIF Digital audio signal converter Hifi | eBay
Apple and some Dell and Acer and some other laptops have digital optical out. A 3.5 mm optical cable can be used in this case.
With squeezeox, cd playes with digital out and media players with digital out
DAC Details
Sampling Rate: 32/44.1/48/96/192 kHz, D/A Converter: 24-bit
1) Currently same speakers are available as CAKEWALK MA-15 D Againg CAKEWALK IS ANOTHER BRAND OF ROLAND
2) Roland has impressive lineup of brands for musicians and production people.
3) Bajao.com showing a stock @ Rs 11000, Tax included.Again looking at past issues please confirm the stock ,to avoid hassles. Also bajaao.com has stock of Edirol ask how old the stock is!
Roland MA-15D Digital Stereo Micro Monitors - Best Buy - Studio/Recording - Buy online at the guaranteed lowest price in India - BAJAAO - India - BAJAO - Buy and Review Musical Instruments, Pro Audio, Studio, P.A. Audio Equipment
4) Amazon link
Amazon.com: Cakewalk MA-15D Digital Stereo Micro Monitors - Wood Grain: Musical Instruments
Amazon Price US$ 160. ( Converted in INR Rs 8000.)
Specifications From Site
Pair of 15 W + 15 W Powered Desktop Monitors
100 mm (4") Woofers & 50 mm (2") Tweeters with 2-Way Bass Reflex Enclosure
Genuine Wooden Cabinets
Keep pristine digital sound, up to 24-bit/192 kHz with Digital Inputs
3 Input Sources: Stereo mini phone type Line-in, RCA (L, R), and Optical and Coaxial Digital Inputs
Bass Enhancer (*)
Independent Bass, Treble, and Volume 1 & 2 Controls
1/4" Headphones Jack
Magnetically-shielded
Sub Woofer Output for Extended Low Frequencies
Chapter 1 -
Story So Far 3-4 Months back
My Problems I sleep late in the night ,and I am not able to listen to music and it disturbs others. I have a small mezzanine space which I am planning to re arrange and use for low volume listening
Solutions Thought ( Needed in Small Space) Toppings + Matching small speakers and then thought a pair of powered speakers I was NOT able to get Audioengine demo before ,also AE5 was beyond my budget. Topping also I never heard.
Then out of the blue there was a online ad about Edirol Powered speakers Model MA- 150
Now web research showed that it has
1) small size
2) 15 Watt x 2 Amp
3) Optical and Co axial Inputs THAT MEANS IT HAS DAC ON BOARD!
4) Even a sub out ! That may be a pre out as nowhere switch was provided
5) Decent wood and metal finish
It was made by Edirol brand of Roland a Japanese manufacturer of electronic musical instruments, electronic equipment and software. Their sub brand Edirol is a line of professional video-editing and video-presentation systems, as well as portable digital audio recorders. Edirol also has Desktop Media (DTM) products, more production-oriented, and include computer audio interfaces, mixers, and speakers.
Now there were some issues
1) A number of people claimed that studio monitors are not good for home listening. Too reveling. Over neutral and dry were words associated. And this may the demand from studio equipment, it was logical
2) Now the surprising part THESE SPEAKERS HAVE DIGITAL SOUND PROCESSING CHIP !!???-Called Bass Enhancer
From Roland site
What is the Bass Enhancer?
The Bass Enhancer found in the MA-15D Stereo Monitors lets the user hear bass frequencies not normally audible through speakers this size. The Bass Enhancer is a DSP chip programmed using psychoacoustic principles that converts low frequencies into a series of overtones which the human ear cannot distinguish from the original low frequencies. This allows the listener to perceive bass frequencies outside of the normal range of the speaker cone, without over-driving the woofer. With the Bass Enhancer, the MA-15D Stereo Monitors offer a strong low-end in a very compact set of reference monitors.
THIS CLAIM SOUNDED TOO BOSE LIKE , and thinking myself as audiophile in making who wants to stay away from such PSUDO effects.
Again decided to give them a try .Found that these are owned by a person who is smalltime composer, singer and partner in a small studio. He bought it for home use ,but according to him never used much. Condition was good
Tested these with many MP3 and some Flac songs .where output was from PC WITH ONBOARD SOUND OUT. I liked the sound in such an arrangement and bought it
In my home used it for 5-6 days , tried its digital ins used keeping on my table sround laptop. At that time too liked the soundstage and deep bass for such a small size.
The room was WIP for3 months so these speakers were just lying ( Need to take out from dining table)
Chapter 2 HFV Pune Meet
Around 7 Pm when good number of equipment was auditioned , including Mubins hi end poered Adam monitors some body wanted to give these spears a try. ( I was worried about going back and must be busy pouring Lefroig single malt)
Everyone started wondering about connections as no-one expected that speakers having digital input(s). Then we decided to connect Yamaha super premium CDP ( CD - 2000 ?? ) via Monster Optical.Music started
BTW Thanks sarang for telling me dac is 24-bit/192 kHz .
The digital inputs sound was better than analougue one , I feel it has a good DAC.
Chapter 3
Everyone in 3-4 minutes audition was floored. I think we played Hotel California and Bikram Ghosh ( Pune friends Please give track list) To be honest I never though they sound so good , honestly I never gave them a proper audition! Really good thing was in Vickys big hall these small wonders holding on their own!
I will be obliged if any of the attendees will give the their impression
Conclusion
AV world always throw surprises , I am very happy to rediscover in my backyard! I am manytimes confused and that upgrade and selling bug is seriously corrupted my mind ..Ithink need to sit back ,relax and enjoy whatever I am having!
These speakers have front control Bass , Treable ,and 2 volume controls for different inputs.
Rear inputs are 3.5 mm ,pair of RCAs ,2 Digital Inputs (swichable) . Outputs are subwoofer and another RCA for left.
Chapter 4
A lot of people asked me where to buy , which is this brand , found some answers there , some later so giving these for benefit for all
This is effectively 3 In One Speakers , Amplifier and DAC
DAC DOES NOT HAVE USB IN. However planning to use following cheap chinse USB to Co axial Converter
USB to S/PDIF Digital audio signal converter Hifi | eBay
Apple and some Dell and Acer and some other laptops have digital optical out. A 3.5 mm optical cable can be used in this case.
With squeezeox, cd playes with digital out and media players with digital out
DAC Details
Sampling Rate: 32/44.1/48/96/192 kHz, D/A Converter: 24-bit
1) Currently same speakers are available as CAKEWALK MA-15 D Againg CAKEWALK IS ANOTHER BRAND OF ROLAND
2) Roland has impressive lineup of brands for musicians and production people.
3) Bajao.com showing a stock @ Rs 11000, Tax included.Again looking at past issues please confirm the stock ,to avoid hassles. Also bajaao.com has stock of Edirol ask how old the stock is!
Roland MA-15D Digital Stereo Micro Monitors - Best Buy - Studio/Recording - Buy online at the guaranteed lowest price in India - BAJAAO - India - BAJAO - Buy and Review Musical Instruments, Pro Audio, Studio, P.A. Audio Equipment
4) Amazon link
Amazon.com: Cakewalk MA-15D Digital Stereo Micro Monitors - Wood Grain: Musical Instruments
Amazon Price US$ 160. ( Converted in INR Rs 8000.)
Specifications From Site
Pair of 15 W + 15 W Powered Desktop Monitors
100 mm (4") Woofers & 50 mm (2") Tweeters with 2-Way Bass Reflex Enclosure
Genuine Wooden Cabinets
Keep pristine digital sound, up to 24-bit/192 kHz with Digital Inputs
3 Input Sources: Stereo mini phone type Line-in, RCA (L, R), and Optical and Coaxial Digital Inputs
Bass Enhancer (*)
Independent Bass, Treble, and Volume 1 & 2 Controls
1/4" Headphones Jack
Magnetically-shielded
Sub Woofer Output for Extended Low Frequencies
