Can I use the Neutron Five 2.1 Sub with any speakers?
The Neutron Five 2.1 Sub contains what is essentially an integrated amplifier with standard loudspeaker output teminals, however, we only recommend that it is used with 2-way AVI speakers. This is because we cannot guarantee the end result with anything but AVI speakers, which are well-designed with good impedance characteristics. Many other loudspeakers present terrible loads to amplifiers, which explains enormous variations in sound quality.
Why don't you use metal woofers?
Because paper is better damped and less coloured.
Wouldn't ribbon tweeters be better?
No and they need horns to make them sensitive enough, which add even more distortion.
What about preamps? Is yours any good? And how would I know?
These days a 4 pence Op Amp makes a perfect preamp and for a pound you get one that's even better, though you won't hear it. Both are a thousand times better than tubes.
Aren't Class D amps more efficient? Why don't you use them?
Because they have nearly one thousand times more distortion than the best Class B and cost more as well as being potentially less reliable.
Is your gear 'green'?
Yes, very green. Each ADM9.1 only uses a tiny bit more power than a Mac Mini.
I don't know what 'active' means. Please help.
It means one amp per driver connected directly to the driver giving 2-300 times better control. Active crossovers cost far less than passive ones, are considerably more accurate and have a fraction of the distortion.
Lets face it, passive speakers would have died years ago if Hi Fi people weren't convinced ( by vendors?) that to work best it must all be in separate boxes, when the opposite is true.
Aren't three-way towers better than two-way monitors?
They would be if crossovers weren't so intrusive. Most people find Two-Way more pleasant to live with, though big three ways can be okay if you're a long way from them.
I want the best DAC money can buy, and low jitter too. What DAC do you use?
In truth all DACs are within spitting distance of each other although ours might be slightly ahead at the moment. Jitter isn't an issue though we use SRC to eliminate it completely.
How can your kit be so inexpensive, if in fact it is any good?
Simply because the boxes are the most expensive bits in a system and because Active Amps are only driving drive units, so don't need high current, only high voltage, which means much less distortion and no need for big power supplies and heatsinks.
Isn't Toslink, like, so, yesterday? Why don't you use USB instead?
Because in the real world everyone uses Toslink. It’s the International Standard for a digital audio interface. USB requires that the computer be within three metres, making a noise and ruining the look of a listening room. Who wants that?
From the outset S/PDIF was designed as a high performance digital audio interface and has been universally accepted as such. It is especially beneficial that there is no electrical connection between the source and DAC. Who wants to risk connecting a noisy computer to his prized DAC?
Do I have to use an Apple computer with ADM9.1s?
No, you can use anything with an optical output. Our customers get very good results with a range of sources, including Sonos, PS3s, Squeezeboxes, set-top boxes, CD/DVD players, and many other things. However, many make a switch to Apple computers because the whole family can use them with ease, and because they are small and quiet enough for a modern living room. Many customers get results with Windows computers too, but these tend to be IT professionals.
Do I need a Subwoofer?
Most people buy one because it gives ADM9.1s bass extension normally only possible from large three way floor standers. However not everyone wants/needs this and the speakers work perfectly without it. They have exactly the same extension as any other 6.5" Two-way but with 200-300 times better control, and for this reason we recommend that you buy them and give yourself a few weeks to realise that it is all there, but more accurate, more detailed and more punchy (in other words less distorted) than old fashioned passive speakers. If you still feel you need more Bass, you can buy the Sub then.
