Coming February 14th: ..Jerry Pomeroy presents the latest Blu-ray Disc sound quality.... AudioletterAudioletter A PUBLICATION OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST AUDIO SOCIETY • FEBRUARY 2008

JANUARY 10th MEETING RECAP Text and Photos by Bruce Brown ince CES fell on the date Dick and Renan played that evening. about ALL genres of music is as- that our meeting was being I have known Dick for quite a few tounding. He was pulling out all held, our own Jazz Journal years and had been trying to open kinds of CD’s and LP’s of people S writer, Dick Mueller, held my schedule up to get over to his that I had never heard of. the meeting. place. I’m a jazz aficionado and I sat in the sweet spot and the hairs With the help of Renan, Dick pre- really thought I knew quite a bit on the back of my neck and down sented us with some great Jazz bands about the genre. Hey, I even saw my arms would stand up like little of the past 50 years. It’s not often Woody Herman play at my college toy soldiers. How was such great that we just sit and listen to some in ’78 and have his autograph! music coming from these big Snell great music at our meetings, with all Right before the January meeting I speakers? Dick has done a fine job of the politics and stuff. This was cer- had the opportunity to hang out with tweaking his system to get the tainly a treat for every jazz lover out Dick for an extended afternoon. To last .5% out of it. As the afternoon there and would encourage everyone say I was humbled is an understate- went on, I tried so hard to remember to track down some of the music that ment. His wealth of knowledge (Continued on page 2)

Pacific Northwest Audio Society, P.O. Box 435, Mercer Island, WA 98040 www.audiosociety.org

some of the recordings that I had gen at a later date, if he could give a Woody Herman Central heard. I’m just glad it’s Dick that’s demonstration of his speakers and Park West Concord writing the Jazz Journal and that I’m tell us more about its design. Heritage Series/1993 sure on behalf of the other members would encourage him to keep writing The music played for the evening and teaching us about the great musi- was: BREAK cians of our past and present. There might just be a little Mr. Mueller in Gerald Wilson Dave McMurdo all of us. Out of This World With A Song in My Heart Everywhere/1969 Live/1992 At the end of the meeting we had a Maynard Ferguson Bob Brookmeyer little treat. One of our newest mem- Round Midnight Lovely bers approached a couple of the offi- MF Horn 3/1973 Get Well Soon/2003 cers and asked if he would demon- Carl Saunders Charlie Smith Circle strate his speakers. Well since most Never Always Ahead and Behind of our meetings have been planned Bebop Big Band/1999 Ahead and Behind/2003 well in advance, the only opportunity Rob Parton Kim Richmond we have sometimes is either before How Deep is the Ocean Variations or after the meeting. Two Different Refractions/2003 Peigen Jiang has a startup company Days/2004Rob McConnell Kenny Wheeler Winter (www.eficion.com) developing loud- Embraceable You Sweet Siren’s speakers. The unique feature about Brassy & Song/1997 these speakers is that they utilize a Sassy/1992 Jim Knapp honeycomb structured ribbon One O’Clock Lab Band This On Going Home Desk tweeter. LAB On Going Home/1995 Under less than optimal listening 2002/2002 „ conditions, they actually sounded pretty good. I would encourage Pei-

2 Pacific Northwest Audio Society Audioletter February 2008

By Jerry Pomeroy

t’s the beginning of February, tion please let one of the officers days are considerably longer know. Members may nominate and animals are starting to themselves for any office at the loose there winter-coats, March meeting. Isounds like late winter in Seattle. It The position of editor is not an is time to start planning for summer elected position but is recognized as projects. What will it be? a hot tub, a committee head, so the person hold- music Server, paint the house. How ing this position is also a member of about changing the acoustical signa- the Executive committee. Joe ture in your listening room, new fur- Pittman has served faithfully as Edi- nace, water-heater and potentially tor for the last couple of years. His the best thing will be a new electrical business occupies more and more of service. Maybe I will go for a new his time and would like to pass this phono cartridge rather than the hot position on to someone else wanting tub it’s less maintenance. Now you to develop their desktop publishing know what I’ll be up to this spring skills. and summer. As much as I have en- Deal with the administrative joyed serving the club over the last 5 ramblings, without it the club would- years I think my house remodel will n’t continue to present it’s all-star comprise the better part of my time meeting line up. If you haven’t and feel it best to announce I will not looked at the calendar yet the Febru- be available to serve as an officer ary meeting falls on Valentines day. over the next year. Dr Bottlehead was available to do We will be having elections for the Feburary meeting but we decided officers in March. Over the last sev- it best to slide till April 10th allowing eral years a reasonable sized execu- for PR and better attendance, this tive committee has been developed will probably be one of the best to share the load. Comprised of the sounding meeting this year. If you elected officers, the Editor and heads think this last statement to be bold, of committees, the executive com- try a Google search and see what mittee actually runs the club. people say that have heard the tapes. There are three elected offices; More info http:// President, VP and Treasure. The www.tapeproject.com/ primary responsibility of the officers The Feb 14 meeting will center are: the President keeps the club go- around video, material will be ing, VP keeps the notes from the sourced from DVD and Blu-ray meetings and historically has written Disc. I also plan to demonstrate the articles for the newsletter recapping difference between a compressed the last meeting, The Treasure is Dolby digital soundtrack and the responsible for the club finances and 24/48 linear PCM soundtrack avail- keeps membership records. These able on several HD disc. We will be people teamed with the committee using 3-channel audio this meeting. heads and the Editor set the schedule The March 13th meeting we’ll have for upcoming meetings and club several sets of speakers for you to activities. If you would like to have evaluate, all under $3K, you be the more input as to meeting subjects or judge. See Ya. „ have a vision for the club you need to convey this to the executive com- P.s. I just found out Holly Cole will mittee member or run for office. If be at Jazz Alley March 3rd. you are interested in running for an office or would like more informa-

Pacific Northwest Audio Society Audioletter February 2008 3

by Jerry Pomeroy

Tech Stuff from CES DVD. offer is still available. Panasonic: unveiled a 11’x 6.25’ Major studios in the different camps plasma TV, that is 150” diagonal. are: Kaleidescape; manufacture of the One of the best things about this HD-DVD Camp high-end video server system an- display is the resolution 4,096 x ♦ Universal, nounced it will bring to market a BD 2,160 known as 4K, that is twice as ♦ DreamWorks, capable machine in 2009. many vertical and horizontal lines as ♦ Paramount 1920x1080. Sony also displayed a ♦ Nickelodeon 3D TV at CES 4K set, just not as big. ♦ MTV Over the last 4 years at CES I have seen numerous versions of 3D video HD disc Blu-ray Disc Camp displays. Like usual most mfg have The HD disc format war isn’t over ♦ Buena Vista (Disney, claimed their system would make it yet but it looks like the Sony’s Blu- Touchstone, , to market. Samsung showed their ray Disc (BD) may win this round. ) polarized plasma display requiring Toshiba, Microsoft and the DVD glasses. Source for the system were 2 ♦ Fox Forum have not thrown in the towel games, Need for speed Pro-street and ♦ Warner yet. In the wake of Warner’s an- NFL Madden 2008. nouncement that in May they would ♦ Mitsubishi demonstrated a ver- no longer support HD-DVD and will ♦ Sony (Columbia/Tristar, sion of 3D that doesn’t require any exclusively release on BD the HD- MGM) glasses, to acquire the video they DVD promotions group canceled ♦ used 16 cameras, during playback their press conference at CES. The projectors were mounted in the same spokesman for Warner sited lower BD Players configuration. This system utilizes a Denon is shipping a BD transport than expect sales in both HD formats st special lenticular screen. This system and that having two HD formats has DVD2500BCTI, and by March 1 is obviously cost prohibitive for compounded the fear/reluctance of we should see a BD player DVD- home use but may be feasible in consumers not wanting to end up 3800BDCI; MSRP $999 & $1,999 commercial displays. A really boring with the next generation of a Be- respectively. Before you rush out video on the Mitsu system; http:// tamax machine. Warner claimed and purchase a transport you should www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/04/ sales of HD disc 60/40 BluRay/HD- know it is designed to work with a mitsubishi-shows-off-3d-tv- DVD. Denon processor, I am not sure what technology-no-glasses-needed/ There is a rumor that Warner is proprietary about it’s data stream. received a large chunk of cash for The other part of D&M marketing; Miscellaneous News this exclusive offering but both par- Marantz will release their BD player Pass Lab has new integrated amp the ties deny such deal. In the Fall of in April for $2K. These are the first INT-150. It is based on the X-150.5. 2007 Viacom (parent Co. of Para- HD-Disc players targeted for Video- mount) signed an exclusive deal with philes, At 4 times the cost of current Shanling MC-30 3 watt SET inte- the HD-DVD group and they BD players, the Consumer Electron- grated with AM/FM/CD player. stopped releasing movies on BD. ics industry will await sales figures. The exact details of the contract Adire Audio has closed its’ doors weren’t released but both parties HD-DVD Xbox 360 there is a short note on there web site acknowledge there was about $150 Microsoft lowered the price on the http://www.adireaudio.com/ „ million in cash and promotion going accessory HD-DVD transport for the to Viacom. Sales of Paramount HD Xbox360 by $50 to $130. As far as I disc had been almost 2:1, BD to HD- know the 5 movies with the purchase

4 Pacific Northwest Audio Society Audioletter February 2008

C o m I n g A t t r a c t I o n s February 6, 2008 presentation is Saturday, March 15 at MUSIC MATTERS 4:00 pm. There will also be wine tasting. Definitive Audio will host this event, it will See www.nutsabouthifi.com for more be held at the 6206 Roosevelt Way NE info. showroom in Seattle as in the past. The May 24-26, 2008 event will consist of numerous demos in VSAC different rooms with the focus on music. Looks like VSAC (Vacuum State of the February 8, 2008 Art Convention) is back! It will still be in PNWAS Meeting the Northwest but it may not be in Silver- Jerry Pomeroy presents the latest Blu- dale. There isn’t a web site yet but we ray Disc sound quality. will post more details as they become available. March 15, 2008 Nuts About HiFi in Silverdale is hosting a presentation by Dominic Baker from France. Dominic is the creative mind behind Focal’s Utopia speakers. The

C l a s s I f I e d A d s 1 pr. Absorption Panels 18x48 List $390, Sell $185 1 pr. Absorption Panels 24x48 List $470, Sell $225 Ads are free to members and will run for three consecutive 1 pr. Diffusion Panels 18x48 List $530, Sell $250 issues unless renewed. Please limit ads to make, model, short All in excellent condition. No other improvement compares description, condition, MSRP, asking price, contact informa- with the bargain of treating your room. Buy these and I’ll help tion. you plan it out. ********************************************************* Dick Mueller - [email protected] I have been remodeling my Theater/listening room and have 425-450-4070 some things for sale and will pass on a even better deal to any club member. I have 60" x 80" wall mounted Stewart Studio Tech 1.30 screen. The studio tech 1.30 was developed for Joe C l u b D I s c o u n t s Kane as a color neutral reference screen to evaluate projec- tors on, it still is the standard in the industry and Joe Kanes Northwest Sinfonietta favorite screen for evaluation. This is 1.33:1 aspect ratio The Northwest Sinfonietta (classical chamber or- screen not a 1.78:1 widescreen. The screen material is in chestra) provides discounts to members of our club excellent condition, the frame has a rub spot in the black felt. for performances of the 2007-2008 season. The The screen is still on the wall but have all the original packag- regular single ticket price of $38 will be only $20 ing. $325 non club members. I have a matched set of Target B per person per performance at the door (or by series five shelf steel equipment racks, current model is HF- phone or mail). Just tell them or note on your order 570 MSRP of $399 each. These are very solid the shelf that you are a member of the Pacific Northwest frames are welded to the corner post with carpet spikes on the Audio Society. Information and order forms are bottom and black wooden shelves. These are in good shape also available at their website: with a few abrasion marks but none go through the black www.nwsinfonietta.org. powder coating. None member price $300 for the set. I also First Impression Music have a Target Pro turntable wall shelf, this has a 22 x 24" www.firstimpression.com shelf, it has never been installed $100 non member price. order through club president Jerry Pomeroy. Denon DVD-3910 with silver finish, like new aprox 100 hours on it, I was going to modify this but bought another exemplar KOSMIC already modified so it has been setting in the box. This is a www.kosmic.us highly rated DVD player with very good scaling and audio Contact Joe Pittman DACs, Non members $550. 206-878-3833 Jerry Pomeroy 253-350-3916 Pro Sound and Vision [email protected] Contact George H. Pro ******************************************************** 425-889-9499 Echo Buster’s Room Treatment 425-445-3308 (cell)

Pacific Northwest Audio Society Audioletter February 2008 5 Visitors Welcome! 3. Give members opportunities to be- Music Committee Chair: Renan Jef- Meetings are held on the second come familiar with the techniques of fereis Thursday of every month at 7:30 audio manufacturing, testing, repair, Volunteer: Leo Hrechanyk p.m. at 4545 Island Crest Way, Mer- recording, broadcasting, etc. Editorial cer Island, WA 98040. 4. Explore related avenues as the membership deems appropriate. Editorial submissions are welcome. PNWAS Mission Statement Content must be audio-related or of > To bring together people with a Club website general interest to the club. We common interest in hearing music www.audiosociety.org reserve the right to edit for style, reproduced at its best, for their mu- content, and length. E-mail tual edification and pleasure. E-mail Editorial deadline: two weeks before [email protected] > To facilitate the exchange and dis- meeting date. semination of accurate data con- U.S. Mail U.S. Mail Publishing any editorial material is cerning audio equipment and musi- Pacific Northwest Audio Society, P.O. contingent upon the approval of the cal recordings. Box 435, Mercer Island, WA 98040 Executive Committee. > To promote, sponsor, and cultivate Annual dues Editor: Joe Pittman 206-878-3833 the highest quality reproduction of email: [email protected] music in the home. $60 due each January. New members pay a prorated $5 per month for Disclaimer > To encourage maintenance of high remainder of year. Opinions in this Audioletter are those standards in the performance, re- of their authors; the Pacific Northwest cording and transmission of music. Executive Committee Audio Society itself does not endorse President: Jerry Pomeroy 253-350- or criticize products. © Copyright 2008 PNWAS Objectives 3916 by the Pacific Northwest Audio Society 1. Provide a forum for meeting other Vice-President: Bruce Brown except as noted; all rights reserved. audiophiles and exchanging infor- No part of this publication may be re- Treasurer: Andrew Kosobutsky mation on musical recordings and printed or otherwise reproduced with- audio equipment. Editor: Joe Pittman out the written permission of the Ex- ecutive Committee. 2. Demonstrate and compare such Equipment Committee Chair: Dick equipment and recordings. Mueller

P.O. Box 435 Mercer Island, WA 98040