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Domingo Placido Mintz by KREISLER Delusa L'Infedelte HAYDN: Wozzeck BERG: Symphonies Four BRUCKNER: e;4101 Chloe et Daphnis RAVEL:

Crowell Rodney -Heron Scott Gil EMI McCorkle Susannah SONY McBroom Amanda Tyner McCoy Freeman Chico DeVille Mink Verlaine Tom Denver John Brothers Gatlin SPECIALS DISC System Speaker 12B RTA Polk Tuner Two FM Crown Amplifier Power M-500 and System Preamplifier C-1 Carver Speaker SS2300 ADS Cartridge Phono Astrion ADC REPORTS: TEST EQUIPMENT

best year's past some the of ROUNDUP: DISC -TECH HI

ambiance adding) (or restoring to approach box" "black The PROCESSORS SIGNAL TO GUIDE BUYER'S A

`A. "0"iiew $1.25 1982 JANUARY Aft WHOLE NEW OFALLTHESE FEATURES.

have won Pioneer acclaim throughout the also eliminates distortion caused by output high fidelity industry. trar sistors switching on and off thousands Pioneer's engineers have designedan of times a second in response to music exclusive ID MOS FET transistor for the signals. This is one of the reasons that the front end of the SX-7's tuner. It allowsyou total harmonic distortion of the SX-7 is to tune in stations with weaker signals with- no more than 0.009% (continuous average out worrying about stronger stations caus- power output of 60 watts per channel mini- ing distortion due to front end overload. mum at 8 ohms, from 20Hz to 20,000Hz). That's what keeps the SX-7 virtually free of And Pioneer's high -gain phono preamp RF intermodulation. section allows the use of either MM or low- But no matter how free a receiver is outpu: MC cartridges selectable by a front from all forms of distortion, it must be able panel switch. There's even a Subsonic filter to keep the station you select perfectly tuned you can use to do away with very low fre- for hours. Pioneer's quartz-PLL digital quer cy interference caused by record warps. synthesized tuning does this by making Now if you think all these features drift virtually impossible. sound great in print, listen to them in person Pioneer's exclusive at your nearby Pioneer dealer. He'll demon- Non-switchineamp strate the SX-7 and an entire new line of Pioneer receivers. And you'll quickly see that we've done everything humanly possible to give you more music for yourmoney. That's what made Pioneer No.1 inre- RECEIVER. ceivers. And that's what's going to keep us there.

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You'd expect a new receiver from the directly accessible via"Station Call" but- leading manufacturer of stereo receivers to tons. And you can even recall them at the be lacked with exciting features. As you preprogrammed volume level because the can see, it is. But Pioneer didn't get to be microcomputer electronically controls vol- Nc I in receivers by doing the expected and ume setting. stopping. What's more, with just the touch of a So we developed the SX-7 using a button you can search out the next station unique engineering concept we call High up (or down) the AM or FM tuning band. Fidelity for Humans. It makes the SX-7 as Stations are brought in perfectly tuned every superb to live with as it is to listen to. time. And you can se ect any station Dy At the heart of the receiver is a micro- tuning it manually or scanning the entire computer that's been programmed to oper- band automatically sampling five seconds ate controls electronically. It affords the of each station. owner of the SX-7 operating convenience But these human engineering features urlike any previously available in ccnven- aren't all that make the SX-7 such an extraor- ticcal receiver designs. dinary receiver. It also offers features that For example, the microcomputer's prodigious memory allows you to preset up to eight FM and eight AM stations and recall them instantly. Once set, all sta- INTRODUCING THE PIONEE tions are OO OO O OOOOO 5.5.1%rafIaa.S.0000NOmmOsSOCSOM OOOOOOOOOO OOOO 44SSSISSISIPsNISSDISSIROSaSIaaSISSAIVaSISSSArammessaseassemeaSSeassmSOSOSSaaSSS IAISIP .0 DOS OSSUUMUUS ffee OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ireArirISSOSIOSSISSISSISSCOSSOSsesIFISPOSISSIIIIIIIIIIISOSISISSOSSSOSISSOSSOSSSSOOSSUS SSW SOS OSSO MMUS t

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AuUI 4111. s- 11 .11 O NO OTHER RECEIVER OFFERS MLTFIESE FEATURES. Computerized Push Touch Volume: Button Controls: The SX-7 will digitally display and Pioneer recall any of 32 volume levels at the _as pro - touch of a button. :rammeda microcomputer to Eight AM presets, operate con- eight FM presets: trols electronically for improved The SX-7 accuracy, reliability and will memorize - convenience. eight of your favorite FM I I and eight of 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Quartz PLL Digital your favorite Synthesized Tuning: AM stations and retrieve them instantly. FM "Drift" is eliminated by this incredibly accurate tuner. Non -Switching Amp: Pioneer's patented amp design Station Scan: gets rid of transistor switching TUNING distortion once and fir all. AUTO.. STATION SCAN Touch this control and MANUAL- .M. STATION Se ARCM you'll hear five seconds ofevery station strong High -Gain Phono Preamp: enough to meet the mute threshold. Allows the use of either MM or low -output MC cart-idges. Station Search: Touch this control and move to he next station up, or down, the ID MOS FET Front End: and. This exclusive transistor circuitry tunes in Subsonic Filter: weak stations This control lets you do away as clearly and vith ultra low frequency distortion quickly as aused by record warps and such. strong stations. How to Step Up to Three Heads, Twin Solenoids and Full Logic

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SCT-32! Our top of the line gives you easy operation, a sensible price and exciting extras. You'll like the two-color fluorescent meters with switchable peak -hold that "remember" the highest signals for exact record -level setting. And the automatic Record Mute system that lets you edit - silently and electronically - as you record. Even pauses can be professional, because an LED flashes one per second for precise edit timing.

Separate ferrite record and play heads and independent Dolby* noise reduction systems let you monitor your tape - in Dolby - as you record. Each head hasthe optimum gap -length to do its job - either recording or playback - so there's no compromise in audio quality. A variable bias control permits "fine-tuning" for the best electronic match with any normal, chrome or metal Separate record and play cassette. With metal tape, frequency response is an amazing 30 heads in one housing for per- manent alignment to 21,000 Hz, ± 3 dB.

You get gentle and precise tape handling. Go from rewind to play to fast forward-no matter how you key the light -touch electronic controls, you're protected from tape snarls and damage. A built-in microprocessor acknowledges your commands and relays them-with full logic-to powerful solenoids that control all tape movement. Recessed LEDs display status of operation. Direct -acting solenoids for cositive, reliable operation TO / MEMORY RE WINO Want to hear a selection again? Thanks to the microprocessor OP OFF PL AY memory. allit takes is one light touch! You can also select end - of -tape Auto -Rewind to replay the entire side. Or, rewind and stop automatically. And here's something you'll really appreciate: You can add a timer for recording off -the -air when you're not at home. With all these features for only $399.95. you should Auto -rewind to the point where play button was last step up to the SCT-32 today. It's completely logical. pressed Radio ihaek A DIVISION OF TANDY CORPORATION Price may vary at individual stores and dealers 'Trademark of Dolby Laboratories, Inc FORMERLY (ISSN 0039-1220)

ewe JANUARY 1982 VOLUME 47 NUMBER 1 ?e `Equipment NEW PRODUCTS Roundup of the latest audio equipment and accessories 13 AUDIO QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Golden Ears, Signal Linkage, Amplifier/Speaker Output LARRY KLEIN 18 CAR STEREO Compatibility Problems IVAN BERGER 22 TAPE TALK Dubbing dbx. VU vs. dB, Jammed Cassette CRAIG STARK 24 TECHNICAL TALK Testing Audio Amplifiers JULIAND.HIRSCH 28 EQUIPMENT TEST REPORTS Hirsch -Houck Laboratories test results on the Polk RTA 12B speaker system, ADC Astrion phono cartridge, ADS SS2300 speaker system, Crown FM Two tuner. Carver C-1 preamplifier and M-500 power amplifier JULIAN D. HIRSCH 32 SIGNAL PROCESSORS A buyer's guide to equalizers, imagers, noise reducers, and the like IVAN BERGER 60 Z:ke Music

ROUSON'S KEYBOARDS JOHN ROUSON 68 AUDIOPHILE DISCS Some of the past year's best -sounding recordings DAVID RANADA 71 INTEREVIEW: THE GATLIN BROTHERS "Singing together comes before everything else" NOEL COPPAGE 108 BEST RECORDINGS OF THE MONTH 76 Ravel: Daphnis et Chloe 76 Shlomo Mintz Plays Fritz Kreisler 81 Placido Domingo: "Gala Opera Concert" 78 Amanda McBroom: "West of Oz" 81 Placido Domingo: "Domingo!" 78 Chico Freeman: "The Outside Within" 82 Domingo/Denver: "Perhaps Love" 78 Tom Verlaine: "Dreamtime" 83 CLASSICAL MUSIC 84 Haydn: L'Infedelta Delusa 89 Bruckner: Four Symphonies 96 Berg: Wozzeck 92 Schubert: String Quartets Nos. 8 and 10 98 POPULAR MUSIC 100 Susannah McCorkle: "Over the Rainbow" 102 Rodney Crowell 116 McCoy Tyner: "La Leyenda de la Hora" 112 Mink DeVille: "Coup de Grace" 118 Gil Scott -Heron: "Reflections" 114 Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson 122 We 'Regulars BULLETIN WILLIAM LIVINGSTONE 5 SPEAKING OF MUSIC WILLIAM ANDERSON LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 8 GOING ON RECORD JAMES GOODFRIEND 56 ADVERTISERS' INDEX 122

COVER: Design by Borys Patchowsky; photo by Bruce Pendleton. Seepage 66.

COPYRIGHT m 1981 BY ZIFF-DAVIS PUBLISHING COMPANY. All and at additional mailing offices. Authorized as second-class mail by the Post rights reserved. Stereo Review. January 1982, Volume 47. Number I. Pub- Office Department. Ottawa, Canada, and for payment of postage in cash. lehed monthly by Ziff -Davis Publishing Company. Editorial and Executive POSTMASTER: Forms 3579 and addran changes should be sent to Stereo Offices at One Park Avenue, New York, New York 10016; Telephone: 212 Review, Circulation Department. P.O. Box 2771. Boulder. Colorado 80302. 725-3500. Richard P. Friese, President; Furman Hebb, Executive Vice Pres- SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE: All subscription correspondence should be ident; Selwyn Taubman. Treasurer; Bertram A. Abrams. Secretary. Also addressed to Stereo Review, Circulation Department. P.O. Box 2771. Boul- publishers of Backpacker, Boating. Car and Driver, Cycle, Fly Fisherman, der. Colorado 80302. Please allow at least eight weeks for change of address. Flying, Popular Electronics, Popular Photography. Psychology Today, Skiing Include old address as well as new-enclosingifpossible an address StereoDirectory, and Tape Recording & Buying Guide. One-year sutecrip- label from a recent issue. PERMISSIONS: Material in this publication may tion rate for the United States and its possessions, $9.98; Canada, $10.98. All not be reproduced in any form without pr Malian. Requests for permission other countries, one-year subscription rate $14.98, cash orders only, payable should be directed to John Babcock, Rights and Permissions, Ziff -Davis in U.S. currency. Second-class postage paid at New York, New York 10016 Publishing Company, One Park Avenue, New York. New York 10016. The unique design Seriesoneresearch exampleModel 105.2and of engineering.KEF's and Model world-renowned 105.4 is just forof the the head Reference assembly 1 DESIGNEDFORenclosureradiation of selected over the dimensions operating frequency to support range, optimum and is inis housedits own Each unit ACCscientificallyformation. shaped to avoidThe unwanted outstanding secondary acclaim wave for the Model 105.2 created a URA demandfrom for a Hencesmallera system the enclosure, ofModel similar 105.4. and performance at a more affordableand accuracy price. Like all Reference Series Speaker Systems, the Model 105.4 isdesign a product approach, of KEF's where "Totaland the enclosure System" drivea targeted units, are response. filterdevelopedfeatures network togetherthe unique to achieveAnd like all Reference Series products. it also S -STOP,powereddesigned a self totalcircuit against- by protectionoverload KEF accidental for and fault conditions.ultimateis Visitin listening. criteria your KEF Of course, the 6 dealerto andReferencethe listennewModelFor Series 105.4. his name, write: Smyth Sound InEquipment Canada:KEFP.O. Washington.Electronics BoxLtd., 17414, Quebec. Ltd., D.C. Dulles c/o 20041. InternationalIntratec, Airport.

C 1981 KEF Electronics. Ltd. The Speaker EngineersCIRCLE NO KEF 29 ON READER SERVICE CARD Stereo Review er"-- BULLETIN Edited by William Livingstone

CX NOISE -REDUCTION DECODERS will be A FIXED -CARD DIGITAL AUDIO PLAYER, built into Pioneer videodisc players, still in laboratory prototype, can and the company will CX-encode future reproduce music with hi-fi quality, videodiscs, according to statements according to Digital Recording Corp., from CBS (developer of the CX system) which has patented the system. Meant and from Pioneer. RCA has adopted CX to be a home player, the system uses for its stereo videodiscs expected by a low -power laser to scan a stationary mid -1982, and other producers of video film -like record. Digital Recording hardware and software are expected to Corp., whose Soundstream subsidiary follow suit. They will join fifteen makes digital recordings, has been hi-fi equipment manufacturers who have discussing joint development of the licensed CX technology from CBS, and new product with other companies in such record companies as RCA, Teldec, the U.S. and abroad. Marketing could and the Warner-Elektra-Asylum group. begin within about two years. New CX-encoded CBS releases include a French song recital by Regine Crespin AWARDS: The Grand Prix du Disque and George Jones' latest Epic album, has been awarded to Philips' recording "Still the Same Ole Me." Thirty items of Wagner's Rheingold (part of that from the CBS catalog have been chosen label's complete digital Rinq set) and for CX encoding by early 1982, and CBS also to Philips' Pelleas et Melisande intends to encode its whole catalog. (Sibelius, Faure, and Schoenberg) played by the Rotterdam Philharmonic TODD RUNDGREN, noted pop star and conducted by David Zinman....France electronics whiz, has just become the has made Mstislav Rostropovich, music first rock musician to develop a director of the National Symphony of mass -marketed computer program. Sold Washington, D.C., an officer of the by Apple Computers, Rundgren's program, Legion of Honor.... The Prix Mondial du the Utopia Graphics Tablet System, Disque was awarded in Switzerland to makes it possible to draw pictures on the Deutsche Grammophon recording of a computer's TV screen. Replacing a Brahms' Fourth Symphony performed by system that would draw a line of only the Vienna Philharmonic under Carlos one width and texture, Rundgren's lets Kleiber....The Royal College of Music the user make lines of varied sizes, in London has selected conductor textures, and colors. Saith an Apple Lorin Maazel to become one of its spokesman: "The old system was like Fellows and has decided to bestow an trying to paint with a ball-point pen. honorary doctorate of music on cellist, ...Rundgren's program replaces the old music patron, and Columbia recording one with an enormous set of brushes artist Charles, Prince of Wales (see and a palette of paint." Price, $75. this month's "Speaking of Music"). THE CELEBRATIONS OF VIRGIL THOMSON'S TEXACO'S LIVE FROM THE MET SERIES eighty-fifth birthday, which actually on PBS continues with Puccini's La fell on November 25,1981, will go on Boheme in a new production by Franco until next September with performances, Zeffirelli to be televised January 20. conferences, festivals, and symposiums Teresa Stratas, Renata Scotto, Jose across the United States and in London, Carreras, and Richard Stillwell head England, and Caracas, Venezuela. An the cast, and James Levine conducts. anthology of the composer's prose, A The same cast will be heard in Boheme Virgil Thomson Reader, has just been on the regular Saturday afternoop Met published by Houghton Mifflin, and in radio broadcast of January 16. Other January Nonesuch will issue A Portrait Met matinees on radio this month are Album, a collection of Thomson pieces a Stravinsky triple bill on January 2, (some recorded here for the first time) Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel on played by violinist Joseph Silverstein, January 9, Verdi's Luisa Miller on pianist Paul Jacobs, and the American January 23, and Wagner's Tannhauser Brass Quintet. on January 30.

January 1982 whether owing to his incestuous liaison with his sister or the adultery of Guinevere and Lancelot, Arthur faltered inhis purpose and the kingdom fell. Speaking of music... We know all this from Tennyson, from Sir Thomas Malory's earlier Le Morte t144-14. d'Arthur, andlatelyfromLerner and By William AMIL Loewe'sCamelot(recentlyrevivedon Broadway) and John Boorman's superb Anderson movie Excalibur!, whose message, despite a fearful explicitness, was lost on unlettered critics, who thoughtita sequel to Star Wars. But we know it from current events as well: the intense excitement generated worldwide last July 29 by the nuptials of H.R.H. The Prince of Wales and the Lady I Diana Spencer at St. Paul's Cathedral had its power source in the great, sprawling web of Arthurian legend, the union of the two being seen, consciously or unconsciously, as a welcome earnest of the continuation of the realm-there'll always be an England. Whether you are moved by all that or not, I REFURBISHING CAMELOT think you'll agree that there is something spookily, mythically resonant going on in Columbia's two -disc commemorative re- tHEARD a British television commentator really a covert instrument of policy, show of cording of "The Wedding Service" and making callow sport recently of the First power, and expression of national interest. "The Royal Tribute" (C2 27655). The Lady's efforts to get some decent china on The epithet "Camelot" was first applied whole thrilling thing is there, from the Arri- the table in the White House and marveled to the White House during the Kennedy ad- val of the Bride to the Procession of the anew at the regularly demonstrated obtuse- ministration, perhaps because the incum- Bride and Bridegroom, including even Lady ness of our TV pundits. Even without the bent appeared to be, in Norman Mailer's Diana's boo-boo in scrambling her new hus- memory of the costly splendors of the Royal fatuous phrase, "our first sexually viable band's string of names-Charles Philip Ar- Wedding so fresh in mind, it ought to have president," perhaps because the First Lady thur (!) George-and his whispered "well been easy to draw a little mythic parallel: made a passable Guinevere (did she buy done." The wedding -service music is bril- our American Camelot needs stately ap- any china?), but more likely because Ken- liantly evocative (all English, except for a pointments as much as the British original nedy himself was seen as an Arthur, a sign, march by honorary Englishman G. F. Han- does. Then again, perhaps it's not so easy, symbol, and promise of the nation's return del), and that of the royal -tribute disc suit- for the shallowness, the rootlessness, the un- to greatness. In The Coming of Arthur, the ably splendiferous. It begins with God Bless connectedness of most contemporary life is first of Tennyson's Idylls of the King, the the Prince of Wales and ends with the caused, I think, by a deliberate rejection of poet states Arthur's purpose: to "Have pow- Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1(the the vital mythic dimension: when it can't be er on this dark land to lighten it." One could verse begins "Land of hope and glory," re- ignored, it is ridiculed. But how petty all the hardly be more explicit than that. Thus, member). A real collector's item. As for the partisan carping becomes when we remind though the Arthurian legend is about a lot "royalties," profits from album sales will go ourselves that the Round Table at the First of things, its principal mythic burden is to to the handicapped as part of the Interna- House simply cannot besetwithmis- establish an identity between the health of tional Year of Disabled People. Noblesse matched Melmac for a state dinner that is the king and the health of the kingdom; oblige. Now, about that baby....

LONDON EDITOR Japan: Iwai Trading Co.. Ltd. HENRY PLEASANTS J. S. Yagi Stereo Review 803 Ginza Sky Heights Building 18-13. Ginza 7-Chome CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Chuo-Ku, Tokyo. Japan 104 CHRIS ALBERTSON PAUL KRESH Telephone: (03) 588-0185.545.3908 PUBLISHER IVAN BERGER STODDARD LINCOLN J. SCOTT BRIGGS IRV COHN MARK PEEL EDITOR IN CHIEF NOEL COPPAGE LINCOLN PERRY Circulation Office WILLIAM ANDERSON RICHARD FREED PETER REILLY P.O. Box 2771. Boulder. Colorado 80302 EXECUTIVE EDITOR PHYL GARLAND EBET ROBERTS WILLIAM LIVINGSTONE DAVID HALL CHARLES RODRIGUES MANAGING EDITOR JULIAN D HIRSCH ERIC SALZMAN EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS must be accompanied by re- LOUISE GOOCH BOUNDAS GEORGE JELLINEK CRAIG STARK turn postage and will be handled with reasonable care; however, publisher assumes no responsibility for the re- ART DIRECTOR IGOR KIPNIS JOEL VANCE turn or safety of art work, photography, or manuscripts. BORYS PATCHOWSKY IRVING KOLODIN

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Member Audit Bureau of Circulations LARRY KLEIN ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER ASSOCIATE TECHNICAL EDITORS ROBERT JOHN UR, SR. ROBERT GREENE, DAVID RANADA ASSISTANT TO THE PUBLISHER -(ABC) MPA MUSIC EDITOR JEAN ANDERSON JAMES GOODFRIEND Editorial and Executive Offices. 212 725-3500 POPULAR MUSIC EDITOR Ziff -Davis Publishing Company ZIFF-DAVIS PUBLISHING COMPANY PAULETTE WEISS One Perk Avenue, New York. New York 10018 SPECIAL PROJECTS EDITOR National Advertising Manager: Richard .JHalpern President: Richard P. Fnese STEVE SIMELS Eastern Advertising Representative: Charles L. P Watson President, Consumer Magazine Division: Albert S. Train Midwestern Office. The Pettis Group 312 879-1100 Executive Vice President: Furman Hebb ASSOCIATE EDITOR 4781 West Touhy Ave.. Lincolnwood, Illinois 80848 Senior Vice Presidents. Phillip T. Heffernan, DAVID STEIN Arnold S. Hoffman, David W Palcek Sidney Holtz, Edward D. Muhlteld, Philip Sine ASSISTANT EDITOR, RESEARCH Vice Presidents: Robert Sayler, Baird Davis. Western Office: 213 387-2100 George Morrissey RICHARD SARBIN 3480 Wilshire Boulevard EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Los Angeles, California 90010 Treasurer: Selwyn Taubman BARBARA AIKEN Western Advertising Manager: Marge Doherty -Wilhite Secretary: Bertram A Abrams

6 STEREO REVIEW p

Beyond quartz, the world's most precise tun, ng system, lies a new ability to expand sound Imagine you're in a room wth Technics SA -828 receiver. synchro-bias circuitry. What it does is constantly send minute What you hear is beautiful stereo Then you activate Technics amounts of power to the amplifier t-ansistors. And since variable Dimension Control Incredibly, the sound begins they can't switch on or off, switching distortion is eliminated. to move. The stereo image widens to the point where the And when it comes to powe-, the SA -828 has plenty: music begins to surround you. You're intrigued by its richness 100 watts per channel minimum RIMS into 8 ohms from and depth. You're'enveloped by a new experience in sound. 20Hz to 20kHz with no more tha9 0.005% total harmonic That's the wonder of the patented technology in Technics distortion. Dimension Control. The SA -828 goes on to show its sophistication with a Just as wondrous is quartz synthesis, the world's most super -quiet phono equalizer, soft tcuch program selectors, 4 precise tuning system. That s how the SA -828 quartz syn- fully electronic volume control, and a Dimension Cortrol dis- thesizer eliminates FM drift as well as the hassle of tuning. play that doubles as a power level meter. You can even preset and instantly retrieve 7 FM and 7AM Technics SA -828 is part of a full line of quartz synthe- stations, all perfectly in tune. sized receivers. Hear it for yourself Beyond its quartz Another perfect exarrple of Technics technology is our synthesizer lies a new dimension n sound. Technics The science of sound CIRCLE Neig, GN READER SERVICE CARD details ..A DIFFERENT KIND OF RECORD CLUB You can now own every record or tape that

you may ever want . . . at tremendous savings and with no continuing purchase obligations. You can get valuable free dividend certificates, you can get quick service and all the 100% iron -clad guarantees you want. Now you can stop price increases that leave you with less music for your record and tape budget. You can guarantee yourself more music for less money through membership in Discount Music Club. Look at these benefits: TREMENDOUS SAVINGS on every record and tape in print- no "agree -to -purchase" obligations of any kind DISCOUNTS OF 43% TO 73% LETTERS TO THE EDITOR off mfg. suggested list special catalog features hundreds of titles and artists. ALL LABELS MAILABLE Rolling Stones Andrew Kazdin's "The Case for Multi- including most imports through special ple Miking in Recording" (November) gets custom ordering service. If we don't stock it we'll get it for you. Steve Simels' November review of the the Heifer Dust Award. All it really is tech- Rolling Stones' new "Tattoo You" was nically is multiple -mike mono mixed to two SOIWANN CATALOG nothing if not tiresomely predictable. His channels. No stereo recording can be made lists thousands of titles; classical, beloved Mick Jagger and Co. could belch this way. pop, jazz, ballet, opera, musical shows, folk, rock, vocal, instrumental, country, etc. and fart their way through an entire al- MARON HORONZAK bum-as, on occasion, I believe they have- Webster Groves, Md. DISCOUNT DIVIDEND and Mr. Simels would still rejoice in the so- CERTIFICATES cial significance and cosmic importance of Andrew Kazdin evidently thinks of re- Dividend Gifts-Every shipment carries a dividend gift or dividend certificate. it all. Thanks, Steve, you're such fun when cordings as interpretations, not preserva- Certificates redeemable immediately you pretend to be objective! tions, of musical performances. His desire for extra discounts. JON WOOLSEY to "lead [the listener] by the hand through NEWSLETTERS Burke, Va. the complexities of the music" imposes on happenings in the world of music; the listener his arbitrary judgment of what concerts, critiques, new releases ... special Steve Simels replies: Damn! And 1 was pre- is important in a piece of music. This is super -sale listings at discounts of up to 73%. tending to be subjective! analogous to a cameraman's zooming in on DISCOUNT one section of a painting, forcing viewers to ACCESSORY GUIDE Please congratulate Steve ("Mr. Green- see what he thinks is significant. The folly Diamond needles, cloths, tape cleaners, blatt died") Simels for his excellent review of this approach to art lies in its violation of etc. Discount Music Club is your complete of the Rolling Stones' "Tattoo You" album. theartist'sintentionthathis work be one stop music and accessory buying service. It was a funny review too; Steve has been viewed as a whole, with the spectator/lis- QUICK SERVICE reviewing for so long now that it's hilarious tener free to choose which aspects of it, if same day shipping on many orders ... to see him admit that he can't hear as he did any, merit closer attention. rarely later than the next several days. when he was a kid. If Mr. Kazdin wishes to record (not pro- Partial shipments always made in the DOYLE BARKER duce) classical music, then he should realize event of unforeseen delay .. . all at no extra cost to you. Colorado Springs, Colo. that his function is to capture accurately the original performance-nothing more, 100% IRON -CLAD nothing less. "Purist" recordings preserve GUARANTEES the spatial and artistic qualities of live per- on all product; and services. Miking, Over- and Under- Everything is guaranteed factory fresh and free formances without the unwanted and un- of defects or damages of any sort. It is to be hoped you were successful in needed intrusion of a producer. If Mr. Kaz- Your total satisfaction is inspiring a little soul-searching in recording din wants proof of this, he should listen not unconditionally guaranteed. studios by publishing the two articles on mi- only to Telarc discs but to those from such Discount Music Club is a no -obligation mem- crophoning in the October and November labels as Opus 3, L'Oiseau-Lyre, Harmonia bership club that guarantees tremendous dis- issues. But the principal point needs to be Mundi, Proprius, Three Blind Mice, etc. counts on all stereo records and tapes and BENJAMIN lets you buy what you want ... when you want re-emphasized: it is as easy to overmike as it H.MOREHEAD . . . or not at allif you choose. is to undermike (we have enough evidence Gainesville, Fla. of both), and the real trick is to keep out of These are just a few of the money -saving reasons to write for free details. You can't the way of the artists. Ranada's and Kaz- lose so why not fill out and mail the coupon din's parallels with painting and photogra- below for immediate information. phy therefore do not apply, for, unlike mu- Smetana Mew sic, they are not performer's arts. A better 1would like to clear up a misunder- MUSIC CLUB. INC comparison-though even there it is ratherstanding by George Jellinek (whose reviews amDISCOUNT650 Main Street DEPT 9-0182 tricky-might be with the theater, which I respect and enjoy) in his November review P.O. Box 2000 also rests upon the triangle of interdepen-of the Eurodisc recording of Smetana's The New Rochelle, N.Y. 10801 dency needed for successful communication Bartered Bride. "Friedrich" Smetana, as NAME intheperforming arts:the playwrightthe composer is referred to on the album, is (composer), the actor (musician), and the not an artificial"Germanization"of

ADDRESS audience (listener). Producers of records"Bedfich" but the name Smetana himself and directors of plays would do well to in- used when speaking and writing in German. CITY terfere with those three as little as possible. He has always been known and loved as JGOMEZ Friedrich SmetanainGerman-speaking Southampton, N.Y. (Continued on page 10) II STATE ZIP

CIRCLE NO 60 ON READER SERVICE CARD 8 STEREO REVIEW ...and thencamethe SE -9.

35 years ago, to satisfy listening analyzer, you could electronically 16 fader controls (8 per channel) to prefererces, serious music lovers adjust your system to your listening create the curve that yields precisely had to redesign their listening rooms. preference. If -that is -you didn't flat response at your preferred listen- Remove the drapes. Add a rug here. mind spending several thousand ing location. Rearrange the upholstered sofa there. dollars and a half hour adjusting and Touch another button, and the Get rid of that crystal chandelier! readjusting controls to enjoy a half curve is memorized for future, instant Bass and treble tone controls hour of listening. recall. Move to another location - came la`er, and they helped-but Then came Sansui's remarkable even another room -and the SE -9 only a little. When you needed a SE -9 Conpu-Equalizer. It takes can create and store a new cu ve - boost in that lowest bass region, you the guesswork and the frustration up to four of them. had to accept boosted upper bass out of equalization. At the touch of a At last, after 35 years, a perfect and mid -range tones as well - button, the SE -9's built-in pink noise equalization system without errors or whether you needed them or not. generator feeds its signals first to one frustration. And, at a price that makes By 1958, the first equalizers speaker, then the other. Sounds perfect equalization affordable for all appeared.They allowed you to alter picked up by the SE -9's calibrated serious music lovers. specific bands of tones to suit the microphone are then analyzed by its See the SE -9 and Sansui's truly needs of the listening room -and the microprocessor. Sit back and watch complete line of high quality compo- music program. With special mics, a in amazement, as the SE -9's nents and systems at your Sansui pink noise generator, and a real-time motorized system moves each of ' r write to us for details.

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SANSUI ELECTRONICS CORPORATION Lyndhurst, New Jersey 07071. Gardena, CA 90248 Sansui Electric Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan CIRCLE NO 4? ON READER SERVICE CARD countries, where the name flows as natural- While I'm not entirely offended at your mid thirties who gained recognition at the ly to the ear as Josef Haydn or Robert printing this, I'm curious: was it intentional 1973 Vienna Festival for his performance of Schumann. or did it slip by? the BartokFirstConcerto. In 1974 ERIKA HARGIS DAVID GLIBERT Deutsche Grammophon released an excel- Rockville, Md. Orlando, Fla. lent Francesch recital disc (2555 01 I) consisting of Schumann's Papillons, Mendels- We seldom wait in vain. sohn's Variations Serieuses, and Ravel's Tombeau de Couperin. Rude Gesture WALTER D. JONES WhileI was turning the pages of the Homero Francesch Lagrange, Ga. 'November issue, something about the picture of the Blue Oyster Cult on page 120 Eric Salzman's guess, in his review of caught my eye. (Somehow I have the feel- Bart6k piano records in the November is- "Intereview" ing you've been waiting for this.) The hap- sue, that Homero Francesch is a Rouma- py -looking fellow on the left is blessing us nian shows a surprising lack of awareness What was that word again? "Intere- readers with his extended wisdom of the concerning a very gifted younger pianist. %iew"? It appears on the front cover (of all day, or whatever he is trying to get across. Homero Francesch is a Uruguayan in his places), in the table of contents, and on page 86 of the October issue. I thought that the only words in the English language beginning with "intere" were "interest" and its derivations. May I suggest interview? HENRY FISCHBACH "Polks are vastly Mayaguez, Puerto Rico Go rightahead.Butwe'llstickwith "intereview." to indicate that these pieces superior to the are,part interview and part record review. It is, we hope, a case of one head(line) being better than two.

competition!' Eurodisc James Goodfriend concludes his Octo- ber review of a Eurodisc set of Strauss waltzes by saying that "the absence of any sort of notes at all with a full -price two - record set is not to be condoned." Perhaps this lack is a regular characteristic of Eu- rodisc releases. Recently I bought their cas- .sette recording (three tapes, full price) of Von Flotow's Martha, and although itis sung in German, there is not a trace of libretto or notes in the box. Caveat emptor. CHARLES J. SHEEDY Woodhaven, N.Y.

Missing notes and librettos for Eurodisc releases will be supplied without charge by the importer. Tioch Productions, 65 West 55th Street, New York. N.Y. 10019. ored, boxy and just plain insufficient. Polk Audio Delivers Our advice is not to buy speakers Mike Oldfield until you've heard the Polks." Incredible Sound Musician Magazine In Mark Peel's October review. Mike Oldfield's "QE2" album was labeled his Affordable Price Better sound in your home Polk seventh. I know of only six Oldfield LPs- Audio loudspeakers will give you more "Tubular Bells," "Hergest Ridge," "Om- Lab and listening tests prove listening pleasure and greater long term madawn," "Airborn," "QE2," and (with Polks measure and sound better. satisfaction from your music. your rec- Maddy Prior) "Incantations." Being a fan Experts agree Polk speakers will give ords and your hifi system. They offer you of Oldfield's,I would like to add that sev- you the highest quality sound and the the best sound for your money and are enth album to my collection. What is it? most listening pleasure for your money. affordably priced from less than $125 NADA PEN DIC They will deliver amazingly life -like, box - Chicago, Ill. each to less than $500 each. less. three dimensional sound with Simply use the free reader service breathtaking clarity and detail in your Mark Peel replies: Here's a Mike Oldfield card to receive detailed information, discography, complete to date, including listening room from your hifi system. copies of the experts rave reviews and European releases, so you can fill in those "Polk speakers are vastly the location nearest you for auditioning holes in your collection: "Tubular Bells" superior to the competition...a re- the Incredible Affordable Polks. (1973): "Hergest Ridge" (1974); "Omma- markably well integrated and coherent dawn" (1975); "Boxed" (1976, a four -disc Polk Audio. Inc. 1915 Annapolis Ed., set including "Ommadawn," remixes of sound that adapts itself ideally to all Baltimore. Md. 21230. kinds of music...the kind of open, un- "Tubular Bells" and "Hergest Ridge," plus "Collaborations," a collection of new colored, perfectly imaged sound material);"Incantations"(1978);"Ex- we thought began at twice the price... Polk posed" (1979); "Platinum" (1980): "Air - Sound quite magnificent with a The Speaker Specialists born" (1980, the U.S. release of material good mid -powered popular brand re- from "Platinum"): and "QE2" (/98/). ceiver...They make the popular speak- Subscribers -Look for full color Po k brochure in your mailbox this month! ers in their price range seem dim, col- STEREO REVIEW CIRCLE NO. 140 ON READER SERVICE CARD Inaworld where sound reachesnewlevelseveryday, ADC delivers the ultimate high.

The ultimate high is total control. plotting of d -e equalization curve. And an ADC Sound Shaper' Fre- And all A De: Sound Shapers quency Equalizer lets you control embody the tutstanding ADC tech- your sound and custom -tailor your nology thati-as made us the leaders music with the mastery of a pro. in the induslry. And no better way demoistrates To really complete your custom- the benefits of an ADC Scund tailored control -ability. our ADC Shaper than taping. Even without Real Time Spectrum Analyzer is a a studio environment, you can must. Equipped with its own pink recreate yhur personal recordings noise generator and calibrated by changing the frequency response microphone, the SA -1 provides a curve of the source material - mak- visual prese-itation of the changing ing the sound more like the original spectrum through 132 LEI) dis- and more agreeable to your ears. plays. So you can actually see Our complete ADC Sound Shaper proof of the equalized sound yhu've IC Lines has an equalizer that is right achieved. for you and your system. The SS -110 With an ADC Sound Shaper a nd ten -band full octave equalizer, a the ease and control of a graphic an ADC Red Time Spectrum step up from our SS -1, features equalizer with the precision and Analyzer, you can attain a new level LED -lit side controls and one-way versatility of a parametric. All at a of control. And ultimately, isn't tape dubbing. If you desire even price you can afford. that the musical high you've always more control, our twelve -band SS -I I All of our equalizers feature LED- wanted? and top -of -the -line SS -III include lit slide controls allowing for visual two-way tape dubbing and sub -sonic filters. Our SS -III Paragraphic' with 24 ancillary switches that enable you to control 36 bands ti Frequency Equalizers per channel combinet! and Spectrum Analyzer

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ADC Sound thinking has moved useven further ahead. BSR (USA) Ltd., Blauvelt, N.Y. 10913, BSR (Canada) Ltd., Rexdale Ontario Write for a free 24 -page booklet "Shaping Sound At Home: A Guide to Equalization" la $2.50 value I. ®Sound Shaper is a registered trademark of Audio Dynamics Corporation IC indicates new Sound Shaper* series CIRCLE NO. 71 ON READER SERVICE CARO SA -X. HIGH BIAS IS RICHER FOR IT. The greatest honor a cassette can receive is to be held in higher esteem than the one now setting the high bias standard. SA -X has already gone beyond SA in frequency response, sensitivity, and resolution. It was intended to. With its ultra refined dual layer of Super Avilyn and the Laboratory Standard Mechanism, nothing less was possible. TDK believes sound reproduction should have no set barrier. No limit. 1B11111 For us, high bias was a limit to be surpassed. SA -X has won three SAX C90 ATDK international audio awards to date. It will no doubt win others. But we take awards philosophically. They represent our continuing effort to create the machine SA-XC90 - &TM for your machine. In that, we could not be happier with SA -X. TIDK, The Machine For Your Machine

lation. The cartridge has a hyper -elliptical stylus and a telescoped stylus -shank struc- ture. To aid in precise cartridge alignment, two accessories are provided. An overhang gauge is included for minimum distortion caused by lateral tracking error. Also provided is an azimuth gauge for checking the side -to -sidetiltofthecartridge when viewed head on. Suggested tracking -force range is 3/4 to 11/4 grams. Price: $230. Mitsubishi Circle 121 on reader service card Cassette Deck Basic Turntable With Dolby -C From Mission

Mitsubishi's DT -35 cassette deck is a Mission's Model 775 turntable uses a three -head model with a two -motor trans- synchronous motor and belt to drive its plat- port and switchable Dolby -B or -C noise re- ter. The platter's effective rotational mass is duction. Transport control is via feather - inits circumference. That mass, derived touch selectors and logic circuitry. A cap- from lead placed around the edges of the stan motor driving a heavy dynamically bal- turntable, also helps to reduce platter reso- anced flywheel maintains smooth tape trav- nances. The platter and tone arm are con- el and provides a wow -and -flutter specifica- nected by "constrained -layer -damped me- tion of 0.04 per cent (wrms). Record and dium -density fibreboard" for rigidity plus playback heads are contained in a single low -resonance properties. The platter rides housing. Bias levels can be fine tuned with a on a one -point -contact thrust bearing. Floor slide control. Other features include switch- isolation is obtained by suspending the turning for four tape types, timer -start controls, table on three relatively high -compliance a bias -test switch for setting bias levels, Sorbothane feet that damp incoming vibra- mic/line switching, and a switchable multi- tions. The turntable has a tone -arm mount- plexfilter.Nineteen -segment fluorescent ing system which is said to permit easy ad- meters display peak levels. Price: $490. justment of the spindle -to -pivot distance Circle 120 on reader service card and of arm height. The picture shows the turntable with a Mission 774 tone arm installed. Prices: Model 775, $699; Model 774 tone arm, $399. Circle 123 on reader service card

Lightweight Kenwood Supra -aural Phones

Kenwood's KH-7, KH-5 (shown), and KH-3 stereo headphones are supra -aural types designed to produce a sound -pressure response tailored appropriately for human hearing. All three have pressure -molded polyester diaphragms about I inch in diameter and lightweight rare-earth magnets to give high power capability and low distortion. Each headphone set comes with an ex- The Onkyo TA -W80 cassette deck uses tra pair of snap -off foam ear cushions and a two motors to drive two transports side by comfortable headband. side on the same chassis. One transport can The top -of -the -line KH-7 has a frequency only play, the other can both record and response given as 20 to 23,000 Hz, a maxi- play tapes.Itispossible, when copying mum input power of 150 milliwatts per tapes from one transport to another, to run Shure Cartridge for channel, and an input impedance of 32 both at twice normal speed (33/4 ips) to re- SME Tone Arms ohms. The KH-5 is identical except for a duce copying time. Continuous playback of top -end frequency limit of 22,000 Hz. The both transports is also possible, allowing KH-7 and KH-5 come with 93/4 -foot cords long uninterrupted playback times. Other Exclusively designed for SME 3009 Se and weigh about 13/4 ounces (not including features include d.c.-servo-controlled mo- riesIll and IIIS tone arms, the Shure the cord). The low -price KH-3 has a fre- tors, permalloy heads, metal -tape compati- MV3OHE cartridge offers the performance quency response of 20 to 20,000 Hz, an in- bility,feather -touch controls, LED -level of Shure's VI5 Type IV design in an SME put impedance of 24 ohms, a 61/2 -foot cord, meters, a recording -mute switch, mic/line carrier arm. The unit provides reduced ef- and a weight of about 2 ounces. Prices: mixing, Dolby -B circuits, and timer -acti- fective mass, virtually eliminates headshell KH-7, $80; KH-5, $50; KH-3, $30. vated switching. resonances, and gives convenience in instal- Circle 122 on reader service card Frequency response using metal tape is

JANUARY 1982 13 STEREO flew Product/ latest audio equipment and accessories CORPORATION

OF AMERICA from 30 to 15,000 Hz ±3 dB; the corre- switches, the panel markings change. The sponding signal-to-noise ratiois 65 dB. peak -hold, auto -ranging meters utilize a Wow and flutter are 0.06 per cent (wrms). custom-made fluorescent tube for the dis- Dimensions are 161/2 x 47/8 x 105/s inches, play. The amplifier portion of the 458A has TRY & BEAT weight about 12 pounds. Price: $400. an output -power specification of 65 watts Circle 124 onreader service card per channel into an 8 -ohm load with no more than 0.03 per cent total harmonic distortion. The power -amplifier section has OUR PRICES! fully complementary output -stage circuitry. Other features include a switchable mov- OR CALL TOLL -FREE ing-coil/moving-magnet phono preamplifier, connections and switching for two tape "kill I - decks, a loudness switch, a stereo/mono 800-221-0974 switch, switchable infrasonic and high -frequency filters,bass, mid -frequency, and AND LET US BEAT ANY treble tone controls, and connections and PRICE YOU CAN FIND! Digital -synthesis switching for two pairs of speakers. The front panel also has a headphone jack and a AM / FM Tuner switch to dim the brightness of the power RECEIVERS TURNTABLES From Adcom display. Price: $349.95. PIONEER SX-7 .. 5355 TECHNICS St. 0202 $104 Circle 126 on reader service card TECHNICS SA -222 5205 TECHNICS SL DL 15224 PIONEER PL -7 5135 JVC RS -77 . . S339 LJ The quartz -referenced digital -synthesis ONKYO TX -3000 $245 DUAL CS -608 S208 tuning system of the Adcom GFT-1 tuner CASSETTE a tuning accuracyof CARTRIDGES delivers claimed DECKS 0.00025 per cent. Special precautions have TECHNICS RS-M270X 5310 SHURE V15-111 185 been taken to prevent leakage of the digital JVC KEI-1/4 5215 SHURE M95HE 532 signals into the sensitive front-end circuitry TECHNICS RS -M2401( 5217 SHORE M97HE $48 of the tuner, with a resulting reduction of AKAI GX-F6OR $333 06670 TAW -80 5252 PERSONAL and FM STEREO stations can be programmed for retrieval at BLANK TAPE the touch of a button. A five -segment LED SONY WALKMAN -I 579 BASF PRO II C90 0o110 $26 SONY WALKMAN II S139 display indicates the strength of incoming TOKSAX-C90 box olio S36 SONY WALKMAN -I115149 Three -head TOK SA -C90 boo of 10 $29 signals. A built-in record -level oscillator de- SONY TCS-310 5139 MAXELL UD-X1.2-C90 livers a 400 -Hz tone, at a level equivalent to box of 12 S39 AKAI PM -01 $149 Cassette Deck KOSS MUSIC BOX .559 50 per cent FM modulation, for setting up WRITE OR CALL AIWA CS -J1 S175 tape decks. Additionally, the unit has a From Realistic FOR PANA. RO-J6 5119 high -blendswitch andamuting -defeat LOW PRICES ON PANA RO-J5 S73 switch. PANA RF-10 .S77 SONY & SANSUI PANA RX-2700 5189 Usable mono sensitivity is given as 2 mi- 0 The Realistic SCT-32 cassette deck crovolts and stereo signal-to-noise ratio as (Radio Shack catalog number 14-624) is a VIDEO ACCESSORIES 70 dB. Total harmonic distortion in stereo is three -head,solenoid -operated,logic -con- 0.22 per cent, separation is 40 dB at I kHz, trolled unit with double Dolby -B noise -re- PANA P0-1270 $673 SONY MDR 3 529 and AM sensitivity is 25 microvolts. Di- duction circuitry for correct monitoring of JVC HR -7300 $850 SONY MDR -7 548 just -recorded signals. The light -touch push- RCA VFT-650 51075 TECHNICS SH 8030 5265 mensions are 19 x 3 x 111/2 inches; weight is PANA PK-751 $816 DISC WASHER DISKIT S33 15 pounds. Price: $375. buttonscontrollingthelogiccircuitry Circle 125 on reader service card (which in turn controls two direct -acting so- Call Toll -Free! lenoids) have recessed, color -coded LED 800-221-0974Use Our Special tape -status indicators. Electronic editing is IERN Y AK HI Night -Owl Line! available with an automatic record -mute feature that works in conjunction with the Monday -Friday Call Toll -Free! 9Am - 5:30 Pm deck's pause control. Timer recording or Thurs. til 9Pm 800-327-1531 playback is possible. eeeee The recording head (6 -micrometer gap) Sat 9Am- 5Pm EST Monday -Friday OR CALL 5:30 - 10Pm E.S.T. and the playback head (1 -micrometer) are (212) 253-8888 housed togetherto minimize alignment problems. Two fourteen -stepfluorescent Write or call for FREE catalog! level meters show either peak or peak -hold level, and a variable bias control permits AMERICA'S #1 SOUND CHOICE! Scott Amplifier With Wide -range fine tuning of the deck for best response. STEREO CORPORATION Frequency response is given as 30 to 19,000 Power Meters Hz ±3 dB with ferric tape. With metal OF AMERICA tape the response is extended to 21,000 Hz. Wow and flutter are less than 0.06 per cent Dept. 101 1629 Flatbush Avenue H. H. Scott's 458A Slimline stereo inte wrms; distortion is less than 0.8 per cent Brooklyn. New York 11210 grated amplifier has dual -range power me (total harmonic distortion at a 160 nW/m ters which automatically switch the full flux level at 400 Hz). Signal-to-noise ratio MASTERCHARGE 8 VISA ACCEPTED scale range from 0.0015 to 1 watt to 0.15 to is 69 dB (at 3 per cent total harmonic dis- CIRCLE NO 52 ON READER SERVICE CARD 80 watts as output varies. As the range (Continued on page 16)

14 STEREO REVIEW Bob Carver tells you (briefly) how Sonic Holography works. (Others tell you how it sounds.)

Q. Exactly what is Sonic Q. What do I hear when I'm and beyond the boundaries sonic illusion of space and Holography? not in the middle? of the two speakers localization than is pro- A. It's a term I use to point A. We'll let Julian Hirsch There is a clear sense of duced by normal stereo." up the similarity of the sonic describe what he heard: "still the acoustic space, and the spatial information (chase Q. Isn't Sonic Holography illusion that enables one to noticeably better than normal something like time delay? hear a stereo recording in stereo, particularly in respect and timing) of the original three dimensions, and the to a greater sense of 'warmth' performance is deployed A. Not at all. The goal of time optical holographic illusion such as is experienced in a naturally over a broad, deep delay is to recreate only the that allows one to see a flat concert hall." arc in front of you. spatial ambience of the photograph in three That's why Larry Klein original recording environ- dimensions. Q. How does Sonic described Sonic Holographyment. And to do that it Holography differ from stereo in Stereo Review as pro- requires additional amplifiers Q. What does Sonic reproduction? ducing "a far more plausible and rear speakers. Holography sound like? A. Very significantly. Q. How can I add Sonic Holography to my system? A. I'll let others answer that Simply put, in a live perform- A. Three different ways. for me. Hal Rodgers, Senior ance, each instrument is a Editor of Popular Electronics: source of sound that reaches "When the lights were turned your ears as two sound arrivals Ow= - ft.:v..... 4,-affid.aw out we could almost have -one for each ear. CAM ER sworn that we were in the pre- too. c -.coo The difference in strength ,tlia Coq. sence of a real live orchestra."and arrival times at each ear I Julian Hirsch of Hirsch - provides the primary cues that Houck Labs: "The effect your brain uses to localize and 110 ilj strains credibility-had Inot create all the sonic images. PI experienced it,I probably In stereo reproduction, four would not believe it...the sound arrivals produced by 'miracle' is that it uses only each instrument reach your The C-4000 Control Console includes the Sonic the two normal front ears-two arrivals from each Hologram Generato plus: a full -function stereo preamplifier, speakers." speaker for each ear. a time -delay system with built-in 40 watt (total) power Larry Klein, Technical That's precisely two too amplifier for time delay speakers, the Autocorrelator system Director of Stereo Review: "...itmany for accuracy. And that's that reduces noise up to 8 dB with any source material, and brings the listener substantiallywhy directionality in stereo is a peak unlimiter/downward expander that nearly closer to that elusive sonic limited by the positions of the doubles dynamic range illusion of being in the pre- speakers. sence of a live performance." Sonic Holography eliminates 111111111.., And High Fidelity put it those unwanted extra arrivals this way: "...seems to open by carefully calculatec and a curtain and reveal a controlled electronic tech- deployment of musical forcesniques, including complex extending behind, between cross -fed interference signals. The C-1 combines the Sonic Hologram Generator with and beyond the speakers... These signals combine in a full -function preamplifier terrific." space with the primary signals, Q. How many speakers are creating sonic images outside needed for Sonic Holography? 1111111111W M11111111111M1 A. Just your usual two. But - - The C-9 Sonic Hologram Generator allows you to add 1111 .1-1 M for optimum Sonic Holography, W 1111.11.1 .1.///4 Sonic Holography to any system, including one with a the speakers must be equi- receiver. distant from the listening pos- /. Q. How can I get more information? ition, and somewhat closer A. Easily. Just write to us. together than is usually required for stereo. TIME DELAY CARVER U CORPORATION PO Box 664 14034 N E 193rd Race Woodinville Washington 98072 CIRCLE NO. 11 ON READER SERVICE CARD flew Products latest audio equipment and accessories

tortion, Dolby circuits on, CCIR-weighted). and 500 mV. Special equalization for deep The deck measures 41/4x 173/16x 101/2 bass has been included in the form of a 6 -dB inches. Price: $399.95. boost at 60 Hz with a 6 -dB -per -octave roll - Circle 127 on reader service card off for lower frequencies not generally audible in car installations. The A-20IE can be used in other mobile installations such as in vans or boats, and it can also be used with Visonik'saccessory AS -2000 subwoofer amplifier and subwoofer. Output of the A- , 201 E is rated at 20 watts per channel into 4 ohms and 35 watts into 2 ohms with a frequency response of 20 to 20,000 Hz ± 0.5 dB. Measuring 27/8 x 51/4 x 63/4 inches, the unit weighs about 23/4 pounds. Price: $95. AT LAST Circle 129 on reader service card A DIFFERENCE IN SOUND YOU CAN SEE.

Most speakers give you true stereo in just one part of the room. The Cizek Model 727 speaker has an 8 - BES Speakers give you true inch heavy-duty woofer with a high -temperature long -throw voice coil and a 21/2 -inch stereo virtually cone tweeter. The crossover frequency be- everywhere. tween the drivers is 3,000 Hz. Specified frequency response is 60 to 17,000 Hz ± 3 dB. That's because Efficiency is given as 89 dB sound -pressure the heart of a level at 1 meter with a I -watt input. Nomi- Mura's Portable nal system impedance is 4 ohms. Minimum BES Speaker is recommended amplifier power is10 waits Amp for Portable not a cone, but per channel into a 4 -ohm load. Dimensions Cassette Players are 107/8 x 157/8 x 53/4 inches; weight is 15 Other spurt ken a diaphragm pounds. Price: $97 each. that vibrates much like a guitar Circle 128 on reader service card MuraCorporation's"Steppin'Out" stereo amplifier/speaker system is designed string, projecting sound in every to be used with personal stereo units, either direction simultaneously.You get cassette players or stereo FM radios. The device incorporates two1 -watt amplifiers 360 -degree sound. True omni- and two efficient 4 -inch speakers. There is a directional sound. Sound as close special "Stereo Wide" switch to enhance stereo separation. Volume is controlled by to live as you the personal stereo player just as when us- can get. ing headphones. The Steppin' Out requires Listen to four C -cell batteries. A personal stereo unit is fastened to the Steppin' Out by clipping it BES and hear to the system's attachment bar; electrical true stereo. connection is via a stereo mini phone plug. Dimensions are 17 x 7 x 3 inches, weight Everywhere. 44 ounces. Price: $80. Circle 130 on reader service card

NOTE: All product descriptions and specifications quoted in these columns are based on materials supplied by the manufacturers, who will respond directly to reader requests for further information. Visonik of America, Inc. has introduced Domestic inflation and fluctuations in the BES SPEAKERS its Model A-201 E stereo power amplifier value of the dollar overseas affect the price THE NEXT DIMENSION IN SOUND for cars. Incorporating a noise filter (with of merchandise imported into this country. on/off switch) to help eliminate alternator Bertagni Electroacoustic Systems, Inc. 345 Fischer Street, Please be aware that prices quoted in this Costa Mesa, CA 926261714) 5493833. and other electrical engine sounds, the unit issue are therefore subject to change. CIRCLE NO. 9 ON READER SERVICE CARD also has switchable input sensitivities of 180

16 STEREO REVIEW THE TAPE HEARD ROUND THE WORLD. When you buy a Sony audio tape you are buying the No wonder more than one bikion Sony tapes have been history of tape recording. Right from the start, Sony has been sold in over 140 countries. ( Now, that's real proof of quality and serious about tape, and no one knows more about making tape dependability!) -and the machines that play 't - than Sony. If you want to hear history, listen to any Sony audio tape. Sony is one of the pioneers in tape recording. It was Each one has a heritage of breakthrough technology. Each one Sony who introduced the first recording tape in Japan. Sony who will produce the finest sound you've ever heard. And in the future, introduced the first dual -coated ferrichrome tape. Sony who Sony will still be creating breakthrough state-of-the-art tapes. But developed the exclusive SP mechanism, that transports the tape that's only to be expected. After all, each with incredible smoothness arid precision, use after use. and every one is named Sony. SONY. CIRCLE NO. 47 ON READER SERVICE CARD audio Q. Inc! R. By Larry FOR Klein THE LOWEST PRICE ON SONY® 1-800-327-0596 Ext. 2 Technical Director Klein SONYColorTV's checks out the (Call for Lowest Price) cassette -tape slitting KV-4000: 3 7" color portable/Electronic search KV-4100. 3.7" color ptble./AM-FM radio/Micro- process in BASF's plant cassette recorder in Bedford, Mass. KV-5200: 5" color portable/Express tuning KV-8100: 7.7" color portable/Express tuning KV-9400. 9" color ptble./Elec tuning system KV-1207.12"color ptble 'Exptuning/30-P chassis KV-1217. 12" color/14-pushbutton elec. tuning KV-122113. 12" color/Exp. tuning/remote cont also to learn how to listen scientifically. KV-1515: 15" color/infrared remote/cble. ready Golden Ears KV-1545RS: 15" color/infrared remote/cble. Insofar as possible, avoid leaps to prema- ready n How long will it take me to develop ture conclusions, and do not commit your KV-1715R: 17" color/Exp. tuning/infrared rmte. KV-1913: 19'' color/V. R presetting/Exp. tuning %ti the "golden ears" that some audio- belief too quickly to those who have discov- KV-1923: 19" color/Exp tuning/Semi-auto pre- philes have-or at least claim to have? ered strange new sources of distortion, par- setting BARRY WESTOCK KV-1945RS.19"color/Exptuning/infrared ticularly when such distortions frequently rmte /Cable ready Kokomo, Ind. disappear if subjected to the harsh light of a KV-1946R. 19" color/infrared rmte./5-LED vol. indicator scientifically conducted listening test. And KV-2145R. 21" color/Exp tuning/scan syst / A In audio circles, golden ears are some- finally-this is the hard one-try not to be 30-P chassis KV-2145R. 21" color/Exp. tuning/Rmte /Cable times developedusing much the too ego -involved in having the "right" audio ready same procedure as governed the growth of viewpoint. When the evidence mounts con- KV-2602. 26" color, Exp. tuning/scan syst 30-P chassis Pinocchio's nose. However, the best wayI clusively against a cherished belief, feel free KV-2645RS. 26" color/10-key tun & rmte./Ma- know of to "grow" golden ears is to appren- to switch positions. (Would you believe that Rix stereo sound tice yourself to someone who knows sound even Larry Klein has been proved wrong on KV264713. 26"/Scanningsyst Exptuning/ Rmte./Cable ready quality and ask him to demonstrate and occasion?) KV-2648R: 26"/Scanning syst Matrix sound/ point out differences. Almost everyone has Heed these words, and one day your ears Rmte./Cable ready SONY Projection TV's the ability tohearthe differences between may also turn to gold. (At the time of writ- (Call for Lowest Price) good and bad sound; what they lack is the ing, that would make them worth about KP-5000. KP-7200, 50" & 72" screen/1-piece/ Infrared remote knowledge and training needed todiscrimi- $430 an ounce.) KP-5020: KP-7220: 50- & 72" screen/2-piece natebetween the two. Once that's achieved, design/Exp. tuning SONY Video Recorders you then want to be able to pinpoint exactly (Call for Lowest Price) what's wrong and where it's occurring in Signal Linkage HOME SL -5800. Betamax w/ betascan plc the audible frequency spectrum. And fur- search/Remote control PORTABLE SL -3000: Lghtwt Betamax/1-hr ther experience will ultimately make it pos- nMy system consists of an integrated recording/Cue function sible to guess the most likely source of the ..4 amplifier, digital FM tuner, and di- SONY Video Tapes (Callfor Lowest Price) offending sonic effect. (A mistracking car- rect -drive turntable. If I leave the tuner on L-500. L-250. L-750. L-830 tridge sounds different from an overloading when I'm playing a record, I can hear the We also carry a complete line of broadcast faintly in the background when SONY Audio Tapes amplifier or an overdriven speaker, but un- SONY Color Cameras fortunately there's no wayIcan illustrate the turntable shuts off A friend suggests (Can for Lowest Price) the difference in print.) that the problem is caused by a weak link HVC-2200: 6:1 power zoom lens Elecview- finder/Sophisticated features Ifind that "subtle" audible aberrations in the amplifier (his also does it). Can this are almost always caused by small measur- problem can be corrected? We Carry SONY'S CompleteLine of Products. able frequency -response jiggles despite the NICHOLASMONTEPARO We also carry tendency of some audiophiles to invest the Neptune City, N.J. PANASONIC. AKAI. SHARP. BLAUPUNKT. effect(s) with purely subjective and hence HITACHI. ATARI, SANYO. FUJI. BRAUN. JVC, ADVENT,and much more. unanalyzablequalities.For example,a AI think that what you and your friend For more information send for a free catalog slight(I dBor so) frequency -response peak are experiencing is not a "weak link" and enclose $2.00 for postage and handling. in the upper frequencies is easily corrected, but rathertoo stronga "linkage" between Order by phone or by mail, send money or certified check. Two week delay on personal but once its effect is labeled "glassiness" it the FM input and the other parts of the checks, when paying by charge include card becomes a mystical property not subject to amplifier circuit. This occurs usually be- number and expiration date. Shipping charges will be added on to credit card. objective analysis. My point is that audio cause of capacitive coupling between signal - Not responsible for typographical errors effects can be investigated scientifically, carrying wires orthe conductors on a Prices subject to change. and, infact,the only reliable road to printed -circuit board. (The same capaci- improvement is the useof verycarefully tive -coupling effectin other circuits can controlledlistening tests combined with cause loss of stereo separation.) precise measurements. For example, using Because of their higher impedances, tube only polypropylene capacitors, as advocated circuits had a much more severe leakage or by some (with or without the eye of a toadcrosstalk problem. The designers therefore OF MIAMI, INC. and the ear of a bat), may indeed provide frequently used input -selector switches that 17866 IPCO ROAD (N E 5th AVE theoreticaltechnical advantages in some shorted out the inputs from the non -selected MIAMI FL 33167 circuits, but as far as I'm concerned,careful channels. Ithink a few solid-state equip- For FREE 152 pg catalog send $2.00 tor post- listening tests have so far failed to disclose ment designers still employ such switching, age and handling. anyaudibleadvantage. but others don't believe it to be justified. In Name So my advice to any aspiring golden earany case, since you don't really have a is not only to learn to listen critically, but (Continued on page 20) Address 2j CIRCLE NO 26 ON READER SERVICE CARD 18 STEREO REVIEW YOU'VE NEVER HEARD LOUDSPEAKERS LIKE THIS BEFORE. The new Celestion ULTRA '" Tweeter, vibrating at 3kHz in perfect piston motion. Frozen in time by Celestion's unique laser interfer inneter.

dil01:11L-4 ANEMft. ZAk/4.111P.1111 mar. 1.1m AP-%-miRr Altm "1": VOVomdr-- mamb,,..1mom. - al6 -IN VI der4w10.,.:: .060.-Nrame=W

1..111111111.111111r-.4116111 -- In accuracy. Response. Power -handling capa- We've used this exciting new tool to uncover bility. And efficiency that makes even the most the problems of conventional loudspeaker de- modestly -powered receivers and amplifiers signs. Discover the secrets of critical dimensions. sound dazzling. Select the best materials. Optimize physical and All, because our engineers have accomplished electrical characteristics. To obtain maximum what no one has ever done before. Frozen vi- performance from drivers individually and as a brating drivers in time. Observed them in the total system. operating environment of an actual speaker The result is our incredible new ULTRA"* system. Then magnified the results with Ditton line, now at your Celestion dealer. You'll 36,000 -point, three-dimensional laser -plotted appreciate in an instant, what took years to computer accuracy. achieve. At prices as unbelievable as the sound. t 7tra-accurate Laser Topographic Response Analysts celestion [speakers AND PROFESSIONAL LOUDSPEAKERS You'll know...in an instant Kumholm Dtive.13oz 521. lioniston. MA 01746, (617)429-6706. In Cimada. Romko, liwynto.

©1981. Celestion Industries Inc CIRCLE NO12 ON READER SERVICE CARD "weak -link" problem, the solution is simply to turnthe tuner off when listeningto QUALITY FM STEREO records-and vice versa. FROM PERSONAL Amplifier / Speaker Output n Why isit that an amplifier's power %.4 output goes up if the speaker load is reduced from 8 to 4 ohms? Also, the rear panel of my 50 -watt -per -channel amplifier HEADSET RECEIVERS. has terminals (and front -panel switching) for two pairs of speakers. Can you tell me whether the 50 watts will be divided equal- The Mura Hi Stepper" receivers have become the ly between the pairs of speakers in each industry standard for personal FM stereo. Of course channel, or what? ARNOLD SPRINGER Mura already had tne headset technology from its Marion, Ohio Red Set" line. To the Red Set Mura added a high AIt may come as shocking news to most

sensitivity (3 pV for 30dB of Quieting), low current readers (it did to me long ago) that amplifiers don't really put out watts, they drain (30 ma from AA batteries) stereo rece_ver. Each put outvolts. A transistor amplifieris channel of the audio section is a 3 stage amplifier with essentially a constant -voltage device, meaning that a certain signal voltage applied to a push-pull output stagg-all to drive a headset its input jacks will produce a certain signal voltage at its output terminals, the amount speaker with 98dB/mW sensitivity! Overkill for only determined mostly by the gain of the ampli- a few milliwatts? Not for the Mura Hi Stepper. Even fier and not by the impedance of the load at the amplifier's speaker terminals. the Hi Stepper HI -3 (with AM) uses dual an IFT's Let's take Mr. Springer's amplifier as an example. With an input voltage of, say, 0.5 to squeeze the best frequency response possible out volt, it delivers 20 volts at the speaker ter- of the AM bind. minals. Measured across an 8 -ohm load, 20 volts is the equivalent of 50 watts. (The rel- Whether vou choose the FM Stereo I=i Stepper evant part of Ohm's Law is W = E2/R, where W is watts, E is the 20 -volt output (H I-6) or the AM /FV1 Stereo Hi Stepper (.-I I-3) you signal, and R is the 8 -ohm load.) However, get audiophile quality in a portable, personal stereo if we switch to a 4 -ohm load, the amplifier would continue to put out 20 volts, which would then be the equivalent of 100 watts- assuming that the amplifier had the capacity to do so. (Power -supply and output -transistor limitations usually reduce the maximum 4 -ohm output to something like 150 per cent of the full rated 8 -ohm output.) If the two sets of speakers Mr. Springer intends to use have identical impedance characteristics, then whatever voltage (and hence power) the amplifier is putting out would be divided evenly between them. However, no two 8 -ohm speakers of different make or model are likely to have impedance curves that match at all frequencies. So if two different speakers in each channel are connected in parallel (the usual amplifier switching arrangement), then the voltage across each channel's pair will remain constant butthe current through each would reflect the fact that its impedance- and therefore the wattage-is varying with frequency. To complicate the matter further, the impedance of a speaker has no bearing on its sensitivity (efficiency) and thus provides no guidance as to how loud the speaker will play with a given input. Further, doubling the power fed to any speaker provides only a 3 -dB increase in loudness, which is barely perceptible on any complex musical program material. 0

Becausethe number of questions we receive each monthisgreater than we can reply to individually. only those letters selected for use in this column can be answered. Sorry!

STEREO REVIEW Ci ON READER SERVICE CARD

I' 195 , fonN.cr bur,4.:Hai;iat Whyeveryrecord sounds better with Dual's exclusive ULM tonearm system.

The moment the ULM tone - "...tracked the most severely such as tie harmonic vibration arm tracks your favorite record, warped records in our collec- of unplaved strings on the dou- vou will hear a purity of tone tion, usually so well that we ble bass...overall definition that has never before emerged heard nothing wrong": and trani_ent response were from its grooves. -Stereo Review outstanding!' ULM is Dual's exclusive "Navigating the worst Stereo Buyers' Guide Ultra Low Mass tonearm sys- warps we could find, the In shcrt, ULM is not just tem with total effective mass of Dual/Ortofon combination desirable, it's essential-with all 8 grams. That's less than half the proved very agile indeed, records. mass of conventional tonearm with nary a mistrack7 If you'd like to hear the dif and cartridge combinations. -High Fidelity faience ULM can make, visit "Even a severe warp that your aucio specialist. (Bring would normally throw the your favorite record, especially pickup into the air will usually if it's badly warped.) give no more than a slight You'll also be pleased tc hear `thump'... and most warps are that the new Dual ULM turn- undetectable by ear?" tables are priced lower than vou -Popular Electronics may thick. For example, the "The Dual takes dead aim sirgle-play/multiple - play at the fiend of disc reproduc- Dual 1253 with Vario-belt drive tion-the warped record- is less thai 5150. and response to record warps For complete information, practically is eliminated at write to United Audio, 120 There's no mistaking the the source' -Stereo Sc. Columbus Ave., Dept. S, difference ULM makes in Mt. Vernon, NY 10553. One lab also listened to a fa- what you hear. Especially with vorite unwarped record played records that are warped. as so by the same ULM tonearm and Dual many are today. cartridge system. Its reaction: Here's what the independent Unit -el Audio is de :xclusive U.S. distribution agency for Dual. test labs reported about ULM "There is no way measure- CIRCLE Nom. 20 ON READER SERVICE CARD after testing it with warped records ments, or mere words, can as "real -life" test instruments: describe the acoustic presence... highs are crystalline, with a purity we haven't heard before. The bass is so clean that one can hear new sounds from records, The powerful Speakerlab Super 7 returns, now dramatically improved with an open and clear sound that's so awesome you'll soon understand why they call it Car Stereo "legendary" The 10" and 12" polypropylene/Polylam" woofers, a 6-1/2" mid-bass/mid-range and the LT 2155 Samarium Cobalt Leaf Tweeter can handle up to 200 watts of power if you can. Ava lable in lacquered oak or rosewood Clearseal® 0

COMPATIBILITY PROBLEMS

FINALLY have a new car stereo to replace ty disappointed with the sound level avail- 1the one that got ripped off last spring. able. Alternatively, a 500 -millivolt preamp This one is an Alpine system, wired so I can output connected to a power amplifier that add or substitute components from other requires only 200 millivolts input for full manufacturers. Right off the bat, I ran into output may result in a touchy or too -fast one of the common car -stereo installation volume control. problems: component incompatibility. All of these variables can be overcome. The difficulty of putting together systems Plug adaptors are a nuisance to wire, but of mixed manufacture points up one serious the principles of wiring them are straight- way in which the car -stereo industry lags forward enough-if you have diagrams of well behind the home -component one. You both plugs' pin setups. And some prefabri- can't just pick and choose car -stereo compo- cated adaptors are available. Adaptors also nents for their features and performance exist to match signal levels, and some man- and assume they'll as (Kenwood, for example) have you can with home gear. Since I intend, in variable output levels on their front-end the line of duty, to do A -B comparisons be- units and variable inputlevels on their tween my installed system and other new amps. I would assume that amplifiers with ones that come along, I needed to consider all the variables involved-variables that usually aren't problems in home systems. Variable Number One is plugs. Both my new Alpine equipment and my old Clarion use five -pin DIN plugs. But they're not wired alike; the only pin connection they use in common is ground, though the left -channel "hot" lead of one does use the same pin as the other's right -channel "hot" lead. Other manufacturers use still other types of plugs. VariableNumber Two is amplifier switching. High -power car amplifiers are usually connected directly to the car's bat- signal -actuated automatic turn -on would be tery and switched on and off by relays compatible with anyone's front end once the linked to the in -dash unit's ON/OFF switch. plugs and signal levels were matched. Unfortunately, there is no single commonly These factors didn't force me to build an accepted technique for switching on remote all -Alpine system around the Alpine equal- amplifiers,andin -dashunitslackthe izer I had, but they did make it the easiest ti switched power sockets found on home com- way to go. And it was hardly a hardship: my ponents. So some car amplifiers are de- new system has most of the features I like, signed to switch on when they receive an au- and seems to work quite nicely. dio signal, while others (including my old Clarion) switch on when they receive a THE old Ad Hoc Committee (now part of switching impulse from the in -dash part of theElectronicIndustriesAssociation), the system, sometimes through the signal which first established industry guidelines cable and sometimes through a separate for rating car -stereo specifications, has been line. This means that a Brand -X in -dash working on the compatibility problem. Ac- unit may not be able to switch on a Brand -Y cording to Pat Hart, a member of the com- remote power amplifier. mittee when he was at Kenwood, "That sit- Variable Number Three: signal levels. If uation, the lastIheard, was still a total your front-end preamp-output level is 200 mess. Everyone had too much investment in millivolts at full volume while the power doing it their own way and didn't want to amplifier is designed for a full -power output change. I think it will be a long time before with a 500 -millivolt input, you may be pret- they get it all together." 0 2

22 STEREO REVIEW "Delete the radio and I'll install Jensen. Then it will be loaded."

To some people, no car is fully equipped dealer and compare it to a Jensen stereo unless it has a Jensen° car audio system. system. He'll help you find the one that's And if you're buying a new car, you may just right for you. have an option you should know about. By exercising your de- It's called a "delete" option. Simply lete option you could have a stated, you can order your Jensen system, tailored to new car without its fac- your own taste, from the tory installed radio and beginning. Instead of speakers and their replacing factory cost is taken off the equipment later on. base price of the car. So if you're buy- Check out the ing a new car and it's quality, the features the sound that moves and what that factory you, investigate your installed equipment is "delete" option. After costing you. Then go to hearing Jensen, you'll your Jensen car audio JENSEN want to use it. (:AR AUDI() When it's the sound that moves you. 1981, Jensen Sound Laboratories, Schiller Pork, Illinois 60176 CIRCLE NO. 27 ON READER SERVICE CARD

INN( MO' 1982 23 Mai&Tape Talk TOLL FREE: (800)221-8180 ntrw rm.( CALL: 9111111M-0000 THIS MONTH'S NvE'RE No11& SUPER TO SPECIALS! Ham't AN° VIDEO RECORDER STEREO -T0-00

PN4A610.41C AV 1470 . ERN WAIDAON I 129 90 1G5 62250 099 14990 SONY 05600 91025 9779SOMY 50820 .' 969 PAMASCNIC MO.113 n6.60 sA 7490 8995 9879

1 1

HMI NU® 1106 1,9939.30 ]3490 ,110411.11 5:4=41174.... 399 90 Nee.. 109 90 0621 92216 (Tunkitlew.034 20990 OMAR T.V. 1.1AZU:DiEntr,;,.. 219 90 SOW IV ini .'44 m $449 9349 5012990.1515 13911 21990 1520 to be terribly distorted. Similarly, with your y. 1569 Dubbing dbx COEOR MOR MON 5 5E0E10 'RAliECANT 034.11FCT deck you're going to hear a lot of low-level nIsit possible to dub decoded dbx high frequencies which won't make your material from open -reel tape onto meter needles budge above the -40 -dB another open -reel machine (or a high -qual- marking. VIDEO ACCESSORIES HEADPHONES ity cassette deck) that does not have the The best way to dub a dbx disc is in its 9096190 Fla MASH 2905 SONY MDR 3 1490 1111DAR9R 19200 2995 SONY 6209 5. 4490 dbx system? encoded form. The 2:1 linear compressor VOW COvIR 14 S0 50620 .00 7 4990 VOCRAFT OVAR.ERI 189 95 2490 JOHN ERCEG 13055.13041. 2990 that is at the heart of the dbx system takes ALIDOTIOINICA A 120 Saugerties, N.Y. anoriginal90 -dB dynamic range and reduces it to 45 dB, which is a piece of cake iscertainly possible, butit may to put onto either an LP or a tape. The dbx

Aitprove a frustrating experience. Once system then expands the 45 -dB range back dbx-encoded material is decoded it has an to its original 90 dB when itis decoded, extremely wide dynamic range intended to which should be the last stage in the play- CALCULATORS ANSWERING MAC:MATES CASIO vT 60 CO09'O-ON.1550 1229 match that of the original live music. Pro- back process. By dubbing your dbx disc CANON Pm pANA1nAN NO 1130- 6 1335 RECORD...C.3 110A6. 3229 fessional digital recorders can handle this before it is decoded and then playing the 0109!949 900 : 990 PANASONIC A 6136 kind of "loud -to -soft" ratio, but the prob- tape back through the decoder you should lem you will face (especially with a cassette get a very good result. deck) is that the dynamic range of your machine is considerably less than that of the SCANNERS CLOCK RADIOS musical source. Those who, like myself, do MARCAT OM SCAN 5129SONY IC 12 34 90 VU vs. dB MARCAT ALERT 50.09 IC 15 4290 53499PANASONIC D. 68 3290 live recording have had to live with this problem for years, and we've used compres- WATCHES TELEPHONES (-1 what is the difference between VU G I 1 FINN7A9 3990 CAS/0 CA 00 ...1 3990 1919C09 727 39 90 sors, limiters, and subtle manual "gain rid- %JAI and dB meters on tape decks, and cAso 5630 3 2390 ISA 90 CARO C-001 , 5410 15000 ing" (changing the recording level as the CARO 742 2490FREEDOM 7906A TT 3500 5225 what do the two sets of numbers on the music is being performed) to try to "fit" the scale mean with respect to recording? "large" sound into a somewhat undersized JIMME QUINN Ross container. If this is skillfully done, the musi- Ballston Spa, N.Y. cians themselves can't detect that you've IN -DASH CASSETTE CAR SPEAKERS adjusted the loudness range-just as they A"VU" stands for "Volume Unit," and MONO KE-5100 ,.. 10990 A9®1190U .100

PC 1 2 54.14; ... 114 90 AMEN 41201 52 90 will have successfully faked a couple of IVolume Unit equalsIdecibel (dB). O.UOICLSANYO 130 30 10900 100 90 things in the performance that they knew A decibel is a logarithmic ratio between RADAR DETECTORS weren't right, but which you didn't catch in power, voltage, or current levels that is use- 9IZZIE011111111 119 00 900VD. 95490 1 34.0 600 MA1011 the listening. So, you can copy decoded dbx ful in measuring an audio signal because 19950 WAR .?..' material if you use the same care as you the ear's perception of loudness ("volume") would have used on the live original. isroughly logarithmic. A doubling of the power levelof agiven sound(a3 -dB Rti.43i101111 nMy deck's meters are calibrated from increase) doesn't sound twice as loud. For AUDIO,.. 01/00/ 12 TAPES RWE0 AC -40 to +10 dB-a 50 -dB dynamic one sound to be perceived as twice as loud 499 WE CARRY 910E0 TAPES Br NAPEx SAY 2 75931.11 NC. MAXUS. MEMOREX. 9ANA50941C. range. Can I make copies of dbx-encoded as another the power ratio has to be about Sur 299 RCA. SCOTCH 50919 AND TOO SCOTCH . . , 3 ALL 10 95 discs, which have a much larger range, on 10:1 (a 10 -dB increase). A decibel step was 3 25 :E"1:11:0' 12 95 14 95 my deck? rr,-v,r,,,,-:..r''77,..`":,::,' 229 50 originally found, experimentally, to closely ;54 ATARI vm.EA, ,6,9 E 3 er.3. 130 95 5090.. 24 95 J.M. KORNBLUH approximate the least change in level that 14 50 VIZ ;,7.,-::"- 2995 I. A 164 Au MATTE GAME CA12111DGIS 24.50 S'do Paulo, Brazil the ear could detect, at least with normal MK 4. r 245ALL ATARI GA141 CARIllOGES AVAXAOLEI T..:. 3. 293 ,2 DISCWASKI D4 S.,14, 995 musicor spoken material. 435 DOCWASIII: m...34 96 2. AURA .`",12 95 AMPEX . '..r995 3. RUA 'A, 13 95 NJ, 4 12 95 AThe first thing to recognize is that the Though the VU meter is based on decibel 2. WA L500 1,44 C Nor, ..,. 995 MAXMAX. 1 5. IMF E120 1-../4,./vor-",./, 1]95 decibel scale on your meters is not units, there's more to it than that. When 16. 62AX111 1C1:10 Sok, 41.3-w 16 95 intended to indicate the dynamic range of TOOT-120 1449 MK IIGE120 9995 measuring sounds that have rapidly varying WI STOCK OP COLOR TV, V15 MO SSA 9190 11103101115 APO HOW MOVES ROM All MAJOR 11OLLYNVOCO 550105 MO FOP RIFE CATALOG. which your deck is capable. The meters are levels-such as music and speech-meter there to give you a sense of the proper needles don't accurately track the complex MAWR 1119'5 POLICY 5 TO MED OR KAI ANY NOCE recording level, not to give you an instanta- waveforms. A joint venture between Bell i4' L.,VASTU/CAI31) / VISA (Inclub r3i3n0e, trop.Or C103. smEN7.405 DO NCR EDO CAM. PERSONA: N. neous measurement of the deck's signal-to- Labs, CBS, and NBC produced, in 1939, a BuRRP CRECKS WO CLEAR OEN imA9 8000E POOCESSING V..* N. F CANN,' 6 4% 51 I DIAL 909F0 op, A 1395 MINNAGON CNADGE Ni 6 noise ratio. With any tapeI know of, I can .4'Al :440:. A.: ' 40 J..55 190ALL 4700I14140151 0 NAND NOY standardized meter suitable for broadcast FACTORY WISH AND 1005 GUANA111111) guarantee that if you hit peaks of +10 dB and telephone -line measurements, and it is 23 PARK ROW, Dept SR, NEW YORK CITY, 10038 on your meters the recorded signal is going (Continued on page 26) SEND FOR FREE 200 PAGE AUDIO VIDEO CATALOG CIRCLE NO 28 ON READER SERVICE CARD 24 STEREO REVIEW BASF Chrome. The world's quietest tape is likenotape at all. Al BASF tape Today, only one high bias 'led particles cf ferric oxide. movement and consisten-. ppiia1,1 Zig vpx: tape is able to combine oit - Professional Ii :s made of :sign fidelity reproducnon. kwAPsawass.mcassettes standing sensitivity in t:ie pure chromium diox:de. With Professional II, you'll acme with a critical h.gh frequency These perfectly shaped and near all of the music and lifetime guaran ee. Should range with the lowest back- -iniformly sized particles none of the tape. And Isn't any BASF cassette ever ground r oise of any avide provide a magnetic me- :hat what you went in fail-except I or abuse or tape in tte world. dium that not only delivers a tape? mishandling-simply That tape is 3ASF's an absolute minimum of return it to 3ASF for a free Professional IL background noise but out - 1111===11Pribl replacement Professional II is like no stand ng high :requencies pin.t °tensor°, II 5..1411 IllobilionclMISeandlab. other tape pecause as well. BASF Protessioresl:Lissu superior it was made like no other tape. Like all BASF tapes. Pro- ErilanZIPAITIM030111 chosen by Mob- leF.deaty Sound Lab for OZ their Original Master RecordingHigh While ordirkary high b_as 'essional 1I carries encased .1111.-- Illi!I Fidelity Cassettes These state -of the art 31 1 63 125 315 1k 4k ik 16 - prerecorded cas-tes ore duplicated in .n the new ultra -precision Kit* tapes are made from moil - real time (I1) Hem -he Jnginal recording casse-te shell for perfect The asterence In noise :eve; bet -wee -I studio master tcpors of some of the most P7:0111 and ordinary high bias taper prominent reccrdtM g artists of our time alignment. smooth, even greatest where the humor ear is most ;ens:live ( 2 6 kHz)

Professionaibin chumPOVhoh 10uEC

BASF For the best recordings you'll ever make. BASF Systems Crory? trim. Bectiori. reawcr_husetts 01730 CIRCLE NO. i Of, READER SEP% CE CARD still used in professional sound applications. Among the meter's many defined characteristics, its needle movement will reach the "0 VU" point on the scale (about 71 per cent of full-scale deflection) within 0.3 second, with a tolerance of -1 to +1.5 per SANYO cent. The dial scales of a VU meter are calibrated from -20 to +3 VU and from 0 to 100 per cent. The percentage markings are of little interest to the tape recordist, but they are vital to the broadcaster because they indicate the legally permitted modulation percentage of the transmitter. From even this partial description of the VU meter two things should be clear. First, its tolerances (and there are many more that I haven't listed) are so highly defined that genuine VU meters are too expensive to use in all but the most costly audiophile tape decks. If your deck has "VU" meters it's probable that only the dial scale is really authentic; if the meter ballistics (needle response) are also "VU," the manufacturer will advertise that fact, and you should expect to pay for it. Second, that 0.3 -second (300 -millisecond) VU response is rather on the slow side. It may be reasonable for a WANTS general, overall estimate of perceived loudness, but it certainly is going to understate fast peaks (transients) that can drive a tape recorder into distortion. Part of the art of a professional recording engineer consists in knowing how far to trust a genuine VU YOU TO meter with different kinds of music; audiophiles with nonstandard "VU" meters are at an even worse disadvantage, for no two machines are likely to agree! Technically, a "dB meter" is not stand- KEEP IT ardized beyond the fact that its dial scale is calibrated in decibels. Nonstandard VU meters are, in fact, dB meters. In practice, however, the term has come to denote a "peak -reading" indicator, which most amateur recordists (and many professionals) CLEAN find easier to use. As their name implies, That's why SanyoTM recommends peak -reading meters register the maximum the Allsop 3 cassette deck cleaner for instantaneous electrical value of the signal-which is what drives a tape into distor- their state-of-the-art portable stereo. tion-in decibels, rather than the averages It's the Sanyo M9982F which com- registered by VU types. The electronic indicators (LED strings) used on most current bines a sensitive AM/FM stereo radio with an advanced decks are inherently "peak -reading" indica- cassette player capable of playing metal tape. So you can tors (some have a switch to slow them down listen to stunningly accurate sound anywhere. to approximate VU characteristics). The Allsop 3 is the only cassette cleaner endorsed by Sanyo and other leading manufacturers. For a good Jammed Cassette reason. Because Allsop uses a totally unique, non -friction n Help! What can 1 do about a jammed cleaning method: the wet system. It's non-abrasive. The %.4 cassette? My player is fine, but one Allsop 3's gentle cleaning action, using separate virgin of my tapessimply refuses torun. Loosen- ing itsscrews helpedalittle,but not wool pads, keeps the capstan, pinch roller and head dust enough. free and ready to sing. And virtually eliminates tape DAVID BERGERON mangling and "eating" caused by dirty capstans and pinch Columbia, S.C. rollers. A Try patting the cassette on a hard sur- Just moisten with our special cleaning solution and rN face about twenty times on each side. This might help loosen the binding tape. If insert. In 20-40 seconds it's as clean as a whistle. As Sanyo that doesn't work, you'll find that electronic says, "Keep it clean." Swab your decks with Allsop 3. parts stores, such as Radio Shack, sell replacementcassetteshellswithleader tapes attached to the hubs (known as "C- ALLS03.. Os"). These come individually or as part of a repair kit that includes splicing tape, an editing block and razor blade, etc. If your WE KEEP IT CLEAN jammed tape is valuable enough to you to ALLSOP, INC., POST OFFICE BOX 23, BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON 98227 warrant your manually winding itinto a new shell, this is the easiest method. 0 CIRCLE NO3 ON READER SERVICE CARD STEREO REVIEW THE ONLY THING MORE REVOLUTIONARY THAN AKAI'S NEW GX-77 IS THE TAPE IT PLAYS.

The new GX-77 is the an optional dustcover that's worlds first open --eel the ultimate cover-up machine with a special setting Plus a unct_e motorized for the new ultra - tape-Icading mechanism that TAPE high -density EE - . -- guaranties virtJally perfect tape- Sai_-rcpF=4EC to -head alignment. All at the touch NORMAL tapes For the uninitiated. EE of a button. simply stands for extra effi- And all for a relatively modest $775 ciency. And the innovators at suggested retail p -ice. both Maxwell and TDK are commit- Or if you prefer the benefits of EE tape ted to it. on a grander scale (inducing 101/2" reels) For some very sound reasons. consider the new AKAI GX-747 Numters don't lie. Better yet audition bath at /our AKAI dealers And what the numbers are saying is this. You soon. Or write: AKAI. P.O.Bo< E010 Compton. don't have to sacrifice performance for economy CA 90224 Not with a GX-77 and EE tape. Because at an Wed hate to start the revolu-ion without you. efficient 33% ips. you II still get the same frequency response. S/N ratio and dynamic range of con- Dvnamic Frequency S/N AKAI GX-77 with: Range Response Ratio ventional tape played at 71/2ips. But see for yourself. below. The specs are EE Tape (33/4 ips) IWO dB 25-25000 Hj63 dB spectacular at any speed. Conventional to dB 25-25000 H1163 dB There's sound engineering, too. Tape (7v2 ips) The GX-77 also features quick -reverse play- EE Tape (71/2 'psi Ille6 dB 25-33000 Hee d13_, back/record. 3 motors 4 AKAI GX heads and

Y 0 U NEVER HEAR D Technical Talk ByJulion D. Hirsch

Testing Audio Amplifiers

AUDIOamplifiers are, paradoxically, both made possible several more sophisticated follows. The amplifier is first operated for the easiest and the most difficult com- measurements. Also during those years the one hour at one-thirdits manufacturer - ponents to test. Easiest, because more or Federal Trade Commission issued its ruling rated power, with both channels driving less universally accepted standards exist to on advertised power ratings for home enter- 8 -ohm resistive loads at 1,000 Hz and with define the tests and the conditions under tainment amplifiers; this radically changed the line voltage maintained at 120 ± I volts which they are made (and most amplifier rating methods and, in fact, the actual de- throughout the entire procedure. This is fol- measurements can be made with great pre- sign of most amplifiers. lowed by five minutes of operation at rated cision and repeatability). Most difficult, be- The current standard, originally issued as power before making measurements. The cause there is a far from absolute correla- IHF-A-202 (1978), was the result of nearly purpose ofthisoverkillpreconditioning tion between the factors we measure and three years of work by an industry technical process (specified by the FTC as a prelimi- the amplifier's ultimate subjective perform- committee on which STEREO REVIEW Tech- nary to a power or distortion measurement ance. Therefore, we can measure most of an nicalDirector Larry Klein andIboth and incorporated in the EIA standard) is to amplifier's operating characteristics with served. With the recent absorption of the heat the amplifier to its maximum operat- considerable accuracy and repeatability, IHF by the Electronic Industries Associa- ing temperature; this usually (though not but we are unable to tell from these meas- tion (EIA), the standard was renamed the always) minimizes its output capability by urements whether one amplifier is audibly EIA Consumer Products Interim Standard heating the power -transformer windings superior to or is likely to last longer than CPIS-2, July 1981. and thus reducing the d.c. supply voltage. another. We then measure total harmonic distor- Amplifier -measurement standards have IN the current standard, the primary rat- tion (THD) as a function of output power existed since 1959, when the Institute of ings for power amplifiers are: continuous from 0.1 watt until the waveform clips. Al- High Fidelity's Standard IHF-A-200 was average power output, dynamic headroom, though our Hewlett-Packard 3580A spec- issued. Before then, there had been no gen- frequencyresponse,sensitivity,and A - trum analyzer is capable of reading distor- erally accepted standard, and such common weighted signal-to-noise ratio. There are tion components down to less than -90 dB ratings as power output, distortion, noise twenty-one secondary disclosures that may (0.003 per cent), many amplifiers and even level, and frequency response were (or were be specified as applicable at the discretion some receivers today have far lower distor- not) specified by each manufacturer as he of the manufacturer. In our tests, we cus- tion levels at normal power outputs. We saw fit. Making comparisons between am- tomarily limit the secondary disclosures to could simply ignore them (since distortions plifiers was therefore difficult, and judg- clipping headroom, IHF intermodulation at these levels have no audible significance), ments were unreliable. distortion, slew factor, and sometimes reac- but since our test instruments are capable of The original IHF standard was revised to tive load and transient -overload recovery going down to about -110 dB (0.0003 per meet the special requirements of multichan- time. The last measurement isnot percent) we generally try to measure the dis- nel (stereo and quadraphonic) reproduc- formed on all amplifiers (we have yet to tortion, whatever its level. This is made pos- tion, and the new IHF-A-201 (1966) served find one with an inadequate overload -recov- sible by using a Radford Series II distortion the industry for the next twelve years. Dur- ery time), and the reactive -load test is rou- analyzer between the amplifier output and ing that time, advances in amplifier and tinely performed with a load that approxi- the spectrum analyzer. It nulls the funda- semiconductor technology and the wide- mately simulates a loudspeaker but is not mental component of the signal output, re- spread use of spectrum analyzers (a rarity identical to the specified IHF load. ducing it by 40 dB or more and correspond - in the 1960s and earlier) both required and The measurement procedure is roughly as (Continued on page 30)

Tested This Month Polk RTA 12B Speaker System ADC Astrion Phono Cartridge ADS SS2300 Speaker System Crown FM Two Tuner Carver C-1 Preamplifier and M-500 Power Amplifier

28 STEREO REVIEW Shure supplies a replacement ...a sound stylus (needle) investment for virtually in record care every cartridge & listening we've ever made pleasure No -natter which Shure carlr dge you own, 'rom today's V15 Typestylus. Cartridges don't wear out-styli do. A worn or damaged IV all the way back to tie "A3D, the first true high fide ity stereostylus can cause irreparable damage to your laluable, possibly cartidge. you can get a Genuine ShLre replacement stylus thatirreplaceable record collectijn. Don't take the chance! Have your can bringitright back up toits origina performance specifi-stylus professionally inspected at ieast once a year. and replace it cations. Upgrade sty.i are available to fit some Shure cartridgesif necessary with a Genuine Shure replacement stylus. for perfcrmance beyond original specifications. Don't be faded by cheap imitations. Sophisticated equip- Even as the performance of the rest of your high fidelity systemment designed by Shure assues uniformity and unwavering can be no better than to performance of the cartridge. theadherence to specifications. Ins st on the name SHU=1 on the performance of a fine Shure cartridge can be no better than itsstylus grip.

SI--IU1=1 ShLre Brothers Inc . 222 hartrey Ave.. Evanston. IL 60204 In Canada: A. C Slmmondt & Sons Lim ted Manufacturer of high fidelity components. microphones. loudspeakers, sound systems and related circuitry. CIRCLE NO. 46 ON READER SERVICE CARD ingly extending the dynamic range of the plitude -reference voltage), converted to an Hz). Sometimes the amplifier is damaged spectrum analyzer. The signal source, an equivalent steady-state rms voltage, and by this test, and we stop when we see smoke H -P 239A sine -wave oscillator, is rated for then converted to a power level. That pow- (literally!) or when the amplifier's protec- only 0.0018 per cent distortion, but it does er, divided by the rated output of the ampli- tion system shuts it off. Only rarely do the nearly ten times better than that. Distortion fier and expressed in decibels, is the dy- requested test data or the amplifier's in- often cannot be detected at low power out- namic -headroom rating. Some amplifiers structional literature warn of the hazards of puts because it is less than the also inaudi- have dynamic -headroom ratings of 3 dB or the test, and although itis admittedly se- ble system -noise level, and we can only plot more, meaning that they can deliver twice vere and not likely to be a problem in nor- it when it becomes resolvable above the their rated power or more during a 20 -milli- mal use, it suggests at least one area of pro- noise. second burst. All else being equal, this im- tection that may have been overlooked in an This distortion measurement is also made plies a greater ability to reproduce complex amplifier design. with 4- and 2 -ohm resistive loads on the am- signals without peak clipping (compared to plifier. Many amplifiers are not rated for a similarly rated amplifier with a lower dy- THE IHF intermodulation-distortion test 4 -ohm operation (and hardly any for 2 namic -headroom rating). (IHF-IM) is another excellent measure- ohms), but we find this a convenient way to We also measure the dynamic -headroom ment of an amplifier's high -frequency lin- judge the current -output capability of an power output with 4- and 2 -ohm loads. earity. Most amplifiers exhibit higher dis- amplifier (which can be important when Sometimes this is the only way to determine tortion at high frequencies because of the driving a large capacitive speaker load at how much power an amplifier can deliver to limitations of their output transistors and a high frequencies). A further justification low -impedance loads, since fuses, thermal reduction in the amount of negative feed- for this somewhat extreme test is the fact sensors, or other protective systems may back at those frequencies. Harmonic -distor- that the impedance of many speakers drops limit its continuous power output while per - tion measurements may not revealthis, to beween 3 and 4 ohms at some frequen- since the harmonics fall above the audio cies. At each load impedance, the output is range and may not pass through the ampli- measured at the point of waveform clipping. fier (or be audible even if they do). The clipping -headroom rating is this power The IHF-IM test consists of two equal - divided by the rated output and expressed in amplitude sine waves 1,000 Hz apart in fre- decibels (the rating is applicable only for quency and usually near the upper end of load impedances at which the amplifier car- the amplifier's frequency range. The stand- ries a power rating). It is also a measure of ard allows for a choice of frequencies and the conservatism of the manufacturer's output -power levels, but we use only 19 power rating: an amplifier that just makes and 20 kHz with a combined peak level its "spec" has a 0 -dB clipping headroom, equal to that of a single sine -wave signal at while one that can deliver 25 per cent more rated power. The amplifier output is dis- than rated has a clipping headroom ofI played on a spectrum analyzer scanning dB. from 0 to 20,000 Hz, and any distortion While driving the 8 -ohm loads with a Oscilloscope photo of the IHF dy- products in that range are measured. A per- 1,000 -Hz test signal, we measure distortion namic -headroom test: the signal fect amplifier, of course, would show noth- at three power -output levels: rated power, level is increased 20 dB for 20 mil- ing but the two high -frequency tones in its half power, and one -tenth power. This is liseconds at 0.5 -second intervals. output. Usually we find some third -order done at a number of discrete frequencies be- distortion (at 18,000 and 21,000 Hz, al- tween 20 Hz and 20 kHz. Usually, even though we are concerned only with the when the distortion is barely detectable in more audible lower product) and a second - the midrange, it rises considerably at the mitting brief peaks to pass. Our load resis- order product at 1,000 Hz. There is no way extremes, particularly at the upper end of tors for these measurements are Dale 8 - of knowing how much any of these meas- the range where most amplifiers come ohm precision resistors( Iper cent toler- ured distortions contribute to audible dis- closest to reaching their rated distortion ance) rated to dissipate 250 watts each, and tortions, but the test does show how an am- (they sometimes exceed it). by combining them in series or parallel we plifier compares to others inits linearity can build up almost any desired load. Their and power -handling capability at the high- THE IHF dynamic -headroom power meas- power rating enables them to dissipate the est audio frequencies. It is not uncommon urement is an improved and valid replace- output of the largest amplifiers without sig- for all the distortion products to be less than ment for the old "music -power" ratings that nificant change of resistance. -90 dB, and sometimes they cannot be de- were used-and abused-before theis- The slew factor is a simple test of an am- tected at all (less than -96 dB). suance of the current standard. It derives plifier's continuous -power -output capability Signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) ratings for from the accepted fact that an amplifier's at ultrasonic frequencies. It is based on the power amplifiers are referenced to a 1 -watt ability to deliver large short-term power assumption that an amplifier whose high - output into 8 ohms. This simplifies compar- outputs (during the transient peaks that oc- frequency response rolls off more rapidly ing S/N figures for amplifiers of different cur in all music and speech) is important for than its power response is unlikely to gener- power ratings.If the amplifier has level natural reproduction-and these short-term ate any so-called "transient-intermodula- controls, they are set so that a 0.5 -volt input output demands can exceed an amplifier's tion distortion." Other tests proposed for produces aI -watt output. The input is ter- steady-state power capability. Many ampli- TIM measurement are either unreasonably minated in1,000 ohms, and the output fiers can deliver considerably more power time-consuming or require too much special noise is measured through an A -weighting for a short time (on the order of tens of mil- equipment to justify their use, and the slew - filter (which attenuates the low and high liseconds) than on a steady-state basis (30 factor measurement does the same job very frequencies in accordance with their rela- seconds or more) because of the stored ener- simply. tiveaudibility).Our minimum voltage gy in their power -supply filter capacitors. First, the amplifier is driven to its rated reading of 100 microvolts corresponds to The IHF dynamic -headroom test signal power output at1,000 Hz into 8 ohms. roughly -90 dB referenced to 1 watt. I re- consists of a low-level steady-state signal at Maintaining the same input voltage, the gard this as inaudible regardless of the 1,000 Hz, which is increased by ten times frequency is then increased until the output speakers used. In fact, even a -70 -dB noise (20 dB) for 20 milliseconds at intervals of waveform becomes visibly distorted or the level is unlikely to be heard under any real - 500 milliseconds. This signal is generated test is interrupted by some other effect. In world listening conditions. by a GenRad 1396-B tone -burst generator the best -designed amplifiers the output of- in combination with a low -distortion mixer. ten simply falls off, without visible wave- IN a subsequent "Technical Talk" column The output of the amplifier is viewed on an form distortion, with increasing frequency Iwill describe the application of the EIA oscilloscope while the drive is increased un- until the 500 -kHz upper limit of our signal amplifier test standard to the measurement til the peaks of the pulsed part of the wave- source is reached. In that case, the slew fac- of preamplifiers. form just begin to clip. The voltage is meas- tor is given as "greater than 25" (the ratio ured on the scope (which has a built-in am- of the highest frequency reached to 20,000 Test Reports begin on page 32

STEREO REVIEW SCOTT. The only stereotype in the family.

Michael Roberts, Vice President, Finance. "To me, Scott speakers are a sound investment." "I think in logical, practical terms. That's why I just bought Scott speakers. And why I've replaced my other components with Scott. Dollar for dollar, Scott products are the best buy. Their variety is enormous-speakers, turntables, receivers and complete systems. And Scott offers features found in products costing a great deal more. With Scott, you get the features you really want, without having to pay for those you simply don't need. To me, that's real value." Ellen Roberts, sales representative. "My Slimcom system and its 5-3-1 warranty fit my hectic lifestyle." "My Scott system is so easy. Easy to feel comfortable with. Easy to fit into a lifestyle like mine. My company moves me around quite a bit. Next year-Phoenix. So I need a system that's dependable and durable. In that regard, Scott's quality and comprehensive warranty speak for themselves. Five years assurance on speakers, three years on electronics, one year on the turntable and cassette deck. Besides a promotion, what more could I ask for?"

Doug Roberts, engineering student. "Scott means great engineering, superb sound." "You can't get more out of a stereo than the engineering that goes into it. And nobody puts more engineering experience into its products than Scott. After all, since 1947 Scott has earned over 160 patents for its best ideas. And their new auto -range power meters are the latest in engineering develop - ments. For me, Scott means great engineering and superb sound. Believe me-because no one knows engineering like I do. At least no one in the Roberts family."

Since 1947, Scott has been the only stereo type in the lives of countless families. -.401..#°'Let Scott make the difference in your life, too. For more information, contact: Dept. D, H.H. Scott, Inc., 20 Commerce Way, Woburn, MA 01888 U.S.A. (617) 933-8800 Telex 20-0177

IISCOTT. The Scott warrant y Wanaary Identiscatioa CardFive years on speakers, three years on electronics, one year on turntables and .asset to deck. SCOT T. The Name to listen to; Makers of high quality high fidelity equipment since 1947. CIRCLE NO. 44 ON READER SERVICE CARD Equipment Test Reports By Hirsch -Houck Laboratories

Polk RTA 1213 Speaker System

THE new addition to the top of the Polk with a curve showing a frequency response grille covers most of the cabinet's front. "Audio Monitor Series" lineisthe flat within ±3 dB from 50 to 20,000 Hz, The high -frequency assembly also con- Model RTA 12B, a full-size, floor -standing plus a virtually uniform phase -vs. -frequen- tains the system crossover network. Polk 4 -ohm speaker system embodying design cy characteristic. has chosen third- and fourth -order Gaus- concepts that have earned Polk speakers a The small woofer cones are located near sian filters for the low- and high-pass sec- reputation for quality and value. Polk uses a the top of the wooden cabinet, about 28 tions. There is some evidence from other pair of small (51/2 -inch) laminated -polymer inches from the floor, and the center of the sources that this type of filter (which is free cone drivers for the bass and much of the passive radiator is 17 inches from the floor. of response ripples near the cutoff frequen- midrange. The drivers, which are identical, A separate high -frequency module operat- cy) results in improved quality. Matthew operate together up to 600 Hz; one then ing above 2 kHz is mounted on top of the Polk came to the same conclusion indepen- rolls off while the other is used up to 2,000 cabinet.Itis covered by an acoustically dently and incorporated this concept in the Hz. The tv.-'rivers are in a large enclosure transparentblackgrilleassemblyand design of the Model 12B. Also mounted on withi' n. 'consisting of a 12 -inch flat - houses a 1 -inch dome driver mounted on a the crossover circuits' printed board is a diaphragm passiveradiator. The purely flat metal plate. A downward -sloping ramp 0.75 -ampere fast -blow fuse that protects acoustic crossover between the driven and beginning at the lower edge of the tweeter the tweeter against damage. passive radiators takes place at 60 Hz. dome minimizes diffractioneffectsthat The Polk 12B, including its high -frequen- The final design of the system, including its could impair the smoothness of the high - cy module, stands about 37 inches high, and rather complex crossover networks, was frequency response. With the grille in place, it is 16 inches wide and II inches deep. The done with the aid of a Fast Fourier Trans- a ramp extension in its framework contin- wood surfaces of the cabinet are finished in form (FFT) computer program developed ues the antidiffraction treatment to the rosewood- or walnut -grain vinyl veneer, and by Polk. The system supplied for test came front of the cabinet. A separate black cloth (Continued on page 36)

32 STEREO REVIEW 4 &"liff,44.0,94,

11114000,

Warning: The Surgeon General Has Determined That Cigarette Smoking Is Dangerous to Your Health. " 6 mg "tar:. 1.1 mg nicotine ay. per cigarette, FTC Report N ar:81 PIONEER LASERDISC. FIRST THE BEST PICTURE. goodness stereo. This combination of sight and sound creates a sensation you've simply never An actual freeze frame on tape. experienced at An actual freeze frame on disc. home before. The first time you see Pioneer LaserDisc'" A reality of in action, you'll know it's different. performance, a It actually puts a picture on your TV sense of "being with 40%more video resolution than homethere" that makes video tape. (Viewed side by side with tape,watching a movie Attached to your stereo, it's more the difference is staggering.) or concert at homethan a great picture, it's great sound. The first time you hear Pioneer Laser- finally worth staying home for. Disc, you'll have a tough time believing Having created all this picture and sound your ears as well. Instead of hearing monofidelity, it seemed only logical to offer pict- with that picture, you'll hear honest -to- ures and sounds worth seeing and hearing. Software that would live up to the hardware. And that's precisely what we've done. Academy Award winning movies like Ordinary People,The Godfather, Ordinary People' The Muppet Movie' King Kong' Tess, Coal Miner's Daughter. Comedies like Airplane, Animal House, Cheech and Chong. When you have the ability to play back in stereo, it makes sense that you offer music. So there are movie musicals like Grease, Saturday Urban Cowboy' The Elephant Man' The Rose' Night Fever, All That Jazz. There are Broadway shows like "Pippin." And there are concerts with Paul Simon, Liza Minnelli, Neil Sedaka, even the Opera. The sight and sound Popeye' The French Connection' The China Syndrome' experience of Pioneer LaserDisc is so remarkable, it seemed to demand a larger scale.Which led us to introduce the Pioneer 50" Projection TV.

Alien' Butch Cassidy Tess' The experience is more like and the Sundance Kid' being at the movies than like being

I-Paramount Home Video 2-Magnetic Video 3-Columbia Pictures Home Entertainment at home. In fact, for the first time 4-Pioneer Artists TM(1::. 1981 Pioneer Video. Inc. All rights reserved. seeing a concert at home offers a THEN THE BEST PICTURES. picture that's every bit as large as the nology is to see it. And we've arranged it. sound. As for the picture quality, well, just Just call us at 800-621-5199:' for the store look at the picture of Liza below. Hard to nearest you. *(In Illinois, 800-972-5855.) believe, it's an actual picture taken right off the screen. (1t0 PIONEER® But with Pioneer LaserDisc you don't We bring it back alive. just sit back and watch. For example, with the "How to Watch Pro Football"disc, Liza in Concert' you can go backwards, forwards, in fast motion, slow motion, stop motion, study it one frame at a time. There are discs that teach you golf, tennis, cooking, step-by-step. Then there's The First National Kidisc. For the first time,children learn at their own rate. Un- like television, the disc responds to them. Your kids will love it so much they won't even know they're learning. The only way to believe all this new tech- CIRCLE NO. 37 ON READER SERVICE CARD The Pioneer 50"Projection TV.

IThe Pioneer LaserDisc Player.

LM LmerIftiabs .This LaserVision mark certifies tomer...ability with other laseropti.al product. bearing Ilse it. MOOSaeS. SIMS

Opt iona I Fiernote Control. real walnut wood veneer is available. Each ance). It was between 1 and 2 per cent from Although the protective system of the speaker weighs about 75 pounds. Because of 100 to 32 Hz, rising to 2.5 per cent at 30 Polk 12B consists only of the tweeter fuse, it the staggered crossover frequencies for the Hz. Increasing the power to 10 watts re- proved to be adequate for the function. On 51/2 -inch drivers (which are mounted in sulted in much higher bass distortion, be- one occasion, when checking a CX decoder, physical symmetry), the speakers are detween 3 and 7 per cent over the same fre- we played silent grooves on an encoded disc signed to be used in mirror -image pairs and quency range. at a very high gain setting in an effort to are therefore designated as left and right The impedance of the PolkI 2B was less hear any record noise. This is not an advis- speakers. Price: $1,000 a pair. thanitsrated 4 ohms between 100 and able procedure, since the first notes of the 1,500 Hz, measuring about 3 ohms over recorded section drove our 200 -watt -per - Laboratory Measurements. We meas- much of that range. Maxima of 12 to I5 channel amplifier into hard clipping for a ured the frequency response of the Polk I 2B ohms were measured below 20 Hz as well as few seconds. The only damage, beyond the speakers in two ways, using a reverberant - at 54 and 3,500 Hz. Most amplifiers should upset to our ears, was the blown fuses on the field measurement at a distance of about 12 have no difficulty driving these speakers, I 2Bs. Nothing else was damaged in any feet and a quasi-anechoic FFT measure- but very few would be able to handle a sec- way. The speaker's power specification of ment atI meter with our IN DAC analysis ond pair (of any impedance rating) in paral- 10 to 500 watts per channel (amplifier rated system. The latter measurements were com- lel with them. The sensitivity of theI 2B output) seems to be a realistic one. pared to FFT response data run by Polk on was 87 dB sound -pressure level measured at Our first exposure to Polk speakers was the same units, and the correlation was very I meter when driven by 2.83 volts of ran- when we tested the Mini -Monitor a couple close. We found a variation of about ±4 dB dom noise in an octave band centered at of years ago (STEREO REVIEW, August from 50 to 17,000 Hz (the latter being the 1,000 Hz. In this respect theI 2B is compa- 1979.) Prior to that we had heard a number upper limit of the analysis system) in the rable to some of the less -sensitive vented of complimentary opinions of Polk speakers FFT readings. systems or the more -sensitive acoustic -sus- from others. Our initial experience with the The averaged and smoothed room -re- pension systems. Mini -Monitor showed us why that was so, sponse curves combined with a close-miked and this test of the 12B reinforces our im- swept -frequency measurement of the woof- Comment. For best results, the Polk 12B pressionthatPolk offers an uncommon er response (in which the outputs of the speakers should be mounted in the clear, amount of superior sound at a moderate driven and passive cones were combined well away from any room walls. We placed price. with corrections for their relative areas) them about 3 feet in front of the wall for our Polk is a small company, but the combi- yielded a composite response curve of ± 4 measurements andlisteningtests.The nation of good "sound sense" and a high de- dB from 20 to 20,000 Hz. The midrange sound of theI 2B was pleasingly uncolored gree of technical expertise and sophistica- and high -frequency portion of the curve and balanced. They seemed to excite fewer tion has resulted in some truly noteworthy from 500 to 20,000 Hz was very uniform. A of the room -response modes than some oth- products. Polk calls the "Real Time Array slight "bump" in the response at 250 to 300 er high -quality speakers in a roughly simi- Reference Monitor Model 12B" (to give it Hz was visible in both Polk's and our data. lar placement. Despite their very strong its full name) "the finest loudspeaker that It did not contribute in any obvious way to bass response, these speakers were never Polk manufactures and one of the best in the sound character of the speaker. heavy -sounding. The middles and highs the world." We would be inclined to agree. The high -frequency tweeter response was were as neutral as we have ever heard in our A $500 speaker is not going to make its way nearly identical when measured on axis or listening room, matching very closely the into every home, but on the other hand one some 30 degrees off axis, attesting to the sound of some of our more expensive refer- can pay several times as much and not get excellent dispersion of the dome tweeter. ence speakers. The overall effect was of an significantly better sound (or even do as The bass distortion (a close-miked measure- open, full, and effortless sound, the kind well). ment) was very low at aI -watt input (based that encourages simply listening to the mu- on the speaker's nominal 4 -ohm imped- sic and forgetting about the hardware. Circle 140 on reader service card

THE Astrion is ADC's current "top of the Pivot System" reduces the moving mass of The stylus cantilever is a laser -etched sol- line" cartridge, combining advanced the stylus system compared to that of some id -sapphirerod whose highstiffness -to - design features with hand assembly and test other designs. No armature wires or adhe- mass ratio (compared to other materials procedures.Like most other ADC car- sives are used in the Astrion pivot, which used for this purpose) minimizes flexing tridges, the Astrion is an induced -magnet employs a precision armature fitted to a problems and helps to place the stylus reso- transducer. A newly developed "Orbital compliant suspension block. (Continued on page 38)

36 STEREO REVIEW Degree in engineering? Swiss bank account? bar meters. While for the touch, Aiwa adds all - SIMPLY ADVANCED 0110. AllNow you need to getrecreating startling cassette deck per- it is. electronic soft touch controls. For easy mainte- AIWA ears,conveniencetheformance 3 there's-head is AD Aiwa's Dolbywill -3500. bedazzle C.startling SoIts youperformance your cassette hear senses. the deck... music,and For the automatically.Thedemagnetizesnance, AD try -3500 Aiwa's Aiwa'seventhe A.D.M.S. heads replays AD -3500.so Itmusic you automatically It don't does have more to. again, not theCIRCLE Aiwatape NO. For 2 introducesON the READER eyes, SERVICE 24 section, 3CARD -head tri-color and Dolby C performance with auto -demagnetizing than reproduce music. It recreates it Simply Dolby IS d traclernark ot Dolby Laboratories Aiwa Amenca Inc 35 Oxford Drive. Moonachie. New Jersey 07074 and auto -replay convenience. in Canada. Shrao (Canada) LIU taint agarunim-da

+10 4-5 TRACKING FORCE = 1.2 GRAMS 0 O

ll -s 0 J W-10 T N a 04 -15 LAJ z 0-20 U 0 -25 w2I- A.-- 1 tal mum- -30 a. OOOOO Waft. OOOOOOO...... SOOOOOOOON. SO -35 Oo 20 SO 100 500 1K 5K 10K 20K 5 10 15 20 26 30 FREQUENCY INZ (CYCLES PER SECOND) PEAK VELOCITY IN CM/SEC OF TEST DISC

In the graph at left, the upper curve represents the frequency re- ities provide a severe test of a phono cartridge's performance. The sponse of the cartridge. The distance (measured in decibels) be intermodulation-distortion (IM) readings for any given cartridge can tween it and the lower curve represents the separation between the vary widely, depending on the particular IM test record used. The two channels (anything above 15 dB is adequate). The inset oscil- actual distortion figure measured is not as important as the maxi- loscope photo shows the cartridge's response to a recorded mum recorded -signal groove velocity that the phono cartridge is 1,000 -Hz square wave, which indicates resonances and overall fre- able to track before a sudden and radical increase in distortion quency response (see text). At right is the cartridge's response to takes place. There are very few commercial phonograph discs that the intermodulation-distortion (IM) and 10.8 -kHz tone -burst test embody musical audio signals whose average recorded groove ve- bands of the TTR- 102 and TTR- 103 test records. These high veloc- locities are much higher than about 15 centimeters per second.

nance well above the audio range (25 kHz (pF). The effect of other capacitance values these tests, we conclude that 1.2 grams is a or higher). The stylus jewelisa nude - was also measured. perfectly satisfactory operating forcefor mounted diamond with a square shank for The frequency response and crosstalk this cartridge and that increasing it to 1.4 precise orientation of the shaped tip. That were measured with the CBS STR 100 test grams is unlikely to make any worthwhile shape is ADC's "line -contact" design with record. The frequency response was an al- improvement in the sound quality. hand -polished radii of 0.25 x 1.5 mils. most perfectly straight line, sloping slightly Subjective listening tests with the Shure The ADC Astrion is designed to track at downward with increasing frequency (the "Audio Obstacle Course" records (at1.2 forces betweenI and 1.4 grams (nominally 20,000 -Hz output was about 2 dB less than grams) showed that the Astrion could play 1.2 grams). The frequency response is spec- the midrange level). The peak -to -peak ir- through level four of every band on either ified as 20 to 20,000 Hz ± IdB. The chan- regularities in the response curve did not ex- the ERA III or ERA IV record without dif- nel separation rating is 30 dB at 1,000 Hz ceed about 0.5 dB, however, making the As- ficulty. However, the highest level of most and 20 dB at 10,000 Hz, and the tracking trion one of the smoothest and "flattest" of the selections on these records produced ability is stated to be 30 cm/sec from 3,000 cartridges we haveyettested.Further some audible strain-evidence of incipient to 10,000 Hz and 21 cm/sec from 400 to checks with JVC and B&K test records mistracking, although we never heard any 3,000 Hz. showed the usual differences between rec- definite "hard" mistracking. The ADC Astrion presents an unusual ords, with the former being flatter to 10,000 The tracking distortion was measured at appearance, with a gold -finished shielded Hz and falling off more rapidly above that middle frequencies with the Shure TTR- body enclosed in a clear -plastic mounting. frequency, while the latter was almost per- 102 test record (intermodulation distortion It has an integral hinged stylus guard. The fectly flat to 18,000 Hz. with frequencies of 400 and 4,000 Hz). The cartridge is packaged in a clear plastic box A lower load capacitance (170 pF) re- distortion was in the I to 2 per cent range within a velvet-like cloth bag with a draw- sulted in a very slight upward tiltin the for velocities under 20 cm/sec, increasing string closure. A similar, smaller bag con- high -end response (about + I dB at 20,000 rapidly above 22 cm/sec with a I.2 -gram tains a screwdriver, stylus cleaning brush, Hz compared to the 10,000 -Hz level), and force and above 25 cm/sec with a 1.4 -gram and mounting hardware. A cardboard over- a high load of 400 pF raised the output in force. High -frequency distortion was meas- hang gauge simplifies setting the stylus po- the midrange by about I dB and rolled it off ured with the shaped I0.8 -kHz tone bursts sition for zero tracking error at a 2.6 -inch to about -3 dB at 20,000 Hz. We judge of the Shure TTR-I03 test record. The dis- radius. that the effects of load capacitance would tortion readings rose from 0.7 to 2.7 per In addition to being individually assem- be negligible in most listening situations. cent as the velocity increased from 15 to 30 bled, each Astrion cartridge is serially num- The channel separation was 25 dB in the cm/sec. This is fairly typical performance bered, and the titles of the specific test and midrange, increasing to a maximum of 30 for a good phono cartridge. music records used inits final inspection to 35 dB at 6,000 Hz and falling to 10 or 12 The square -wave response of the car- and listening test are written in the instruc- dB in the 15,000- to 20,000 -Hz range. The tridge with the CBS STR 112 test record tion booklet, which is signed by the inspec- output of the cartridge was moderately showed a couple of cycles of low-level, well - tor. An automatic reminder to have the sty- high-about 4.25 millivolts-with the two damped ringing on the leading edge of the lus checked every 500 hours of operation is channels matched within 0.4 dB. The meas- 1,000 -Hz square wave, but its shape was sent by ADC to the registered owner of an ured vertical stylus angle was a relatively otherwise excellent. The low -frequency res- Astrion. If the cartridge is sent back to the high 30 degrees. onance in the fairly massive arm (about 26 factory for this inspection,itwill be re- In our tracking tests, the Astrion was able grams including the 5.7 grams of the car- turnedwith a newfrequency -response to play the high-level, low -bass tones on one tridge itself) was at about 8 Hz. curve. Price: $245. of our test records and the 70 -micrometer level of the German Hi Fi Institute test rec- Comment. As might be expected from its Laboratory Measurements. The ADC ord at1.2 grams. Increasing the force to ruler -flat frequency response and excellent Astrion,installedinan ADC low -mass the rated maximum of 1.4 grams improved inter -channel symmetry, the ADC Astrion magnesium headshell, was mounted in a the latter capability to 80 micrometers and was an unusuallyneutral -sounding car-

medium -mass (S-shaped) tone arm for test- enabled the cartridge to play the 30 cm/sec tridge.Some cartridges,becauseofa ing. The vertical force was set at 1.2 grams. 1,000 -Hz tones on another record without peaked or rising high -end response, may The cartridge load was the recommended visible waveform distortion (there was some have a crisp or slightly bright sound. Oth- 47,000 ohms in parallel with 300 picofarads peak clipping at the lower force). From (Continued on page 40)

38 STEREO REVIEW Yamaha givesyou the silent treatment. Yamaha's K-960 cassette deck There are also full -logic transport with dbx® gives you what you listen controls, fluorescent meters, optional for-music. All the music. With none remote of the tape noise. The highs without control the hiss. The midrange and bass with unit, nothing missing your except the noise. choice But the K-960of silver doesn't just elimi- or black nate noise. It has finish and, of course, Dolby noise the capability of reduction. reproducing a full It all adds up to a lot olconvenient 110kib of dynamic listening pleasure in one beautiful range-more than package. enough to handle But enough noise about the the latest advanced -technology soft- Yamaha K-960 cassette deck with ware-that other decks, with 50 or dbx. Just get into your music with it. 60db dynamic range, squeeze out. At selected Audio Specialty Dealers And the K-960 packs a lot more. now A pure Sendust head gives you For more information, write to increased musical clarity and excep- Yamaha Electronics Corporation, tional wear -resistance. Even with USA, P.O. Box 6660. Buena Park, metal tape. A superior -design CA 90622. two- motor transport system insures fast, smooth tape handling and reduced wow and flutter. Yamaha. For the musk In you.

il,sademarki-.1 cd of dbx Incorporated. YAMAHA amodor4101.0 CIRCLE NO. CN READER SERVICE CARD ' Dolby311a registe ofHolby 1.riboraturies.

- ers, with an elevated output in the lower A few cartridges can track higher re- flatness of frequency response, and uni- midrange, may be noted for their warmth cordedvelocitiesincertainfrequency formity of crosstalk response is noteworthy. (or "presence," if the output emphasis is at ranges than the Astrion, but we doubt that Together with its low tracking pressure (its a sufficiently high frequency). The ADC it will ever be overtaxed by any record other specialtip shape distributes the already Astrion has none of these qualities, so that than the few special test records we used for small tracking force over a wider area of the when we played the best records at our dis- the tracking tests (these records, designed groove wall than the usual elliptical stylus), posal through speakers noted for their lack to stress a cartridge beyond its normal lim- these factors make it one of today's better of coloration, the end result was the kind of its, have higher velocities than those of cartridges and one of which ADC can justi- music one can enjoy for hours on end with- commercial music pressings). The Astrion's fiably be proud. out being reminded that it originates on a combination of high output, virtual inde- record. pendence of output load conditions, extreme Circle 141 on reader service card

ALTHOUGH ADS was one of the first to crosses over at 1,500 Hz to aI -inch dome 29 inches off the floor and tilted slightly market a truly hi-fi miniature speaker tweeter. It is housed in a fine -finish wooden backward for optimum coverage of the lis- system, it is better known for its more con- cabinet (available in either oak or walnut tening area. ventional, larger systems. The company ob- veneer) withablack metalgrille. The The bass range of the SS2300 system is viously had the technological base to pro- speaker measures111/2inches high,71/2 handled by aself -powered module, the duce a "three-piece" speaker system (two inches wide, and 63/4 inches deep. PB1500. It contains a pair of 10 -inch acous- small satellite speakers and a bass module) The rated frequency response of the L400 tic -suspension woofers in acoustically iso- some time ago, but it was reluctant to rush satellites is a very impressive 60 to 20,000 lated compartments and a pair of 100 -watt to market with a product whose perform- Hz ±3 dB. Its low -frequency performance amplifiers. The amplifier rating is based on ance might be seriously compromised by in- allows a crossover to a common -bass system the 4 -ohm impedance of the bass drivers. correct installation or setup adjustments. at a frequency sufficiently low to prevent The PB1500 is large and heavy, measuring ADS has now overcome those possible ob- the bass response from appearing as a "dis- 221/2 inches wide, 231/2 inches deep, and 16 jections to its own satisfaction, and the re- embodied sound" and the bass module itself inches high. It weighs about 90 pounds and sult is the new SS2300 "SubSat" system. It from being identified as a separate sound is available in wood veneers to match those is based on the ADS L400, a "mini" speak- source. Although the size and appearance of the L400s. A black grille cloth covers the er of excellent quality that is capable of be- of the L400 permit it to be installed almost speakers, andasimilar (nonremovable) ing used as a full -range speaker system. The anywhere, a recommended placement is on grille is on the opposite side of the box for L400 is a 4 -ohm, two-way acoustic -suspen- the optional F400 floor stand. This unobtru- decorative purposes. The amplifier heat - sion system with a6 -inch woofer that sive black metal stand supports the speaker (Continued on page 44)

40 STEREO REVIEW WHY SPEND $200 MORE ON A BETTER TAPE DECK WHEN ALL YOU NEED IS $2 MORE FOR A BETTER TAPE.

CASs tpilaxid VAS 41 ItIT13P co-° 'wg 1 No matter how much you spend on a tape deck, the sound that comes out of it can only be as good as the tape you put in it. So before you invest a few hundred dollars upgrading your tape deck, invest a few extra dollars in a Maxell XLI-S or XLII-S cassette. They're the most advanced generation of oxide formulation tapes. By engineering smaller and more uniformly shaped oxide particles, we were able to pack more of these particles onto a given area of tape. Now this might not sound exactly earth -shattering, but it can help your tape deck live up to its specifications by improving output, signal-to-noise ratio and frequency response. Our XL -S cassettes also have an improved binder system, which helps keep the oxide particles exactly where they're supposed to be. On the tape's surface, not on your recording heads. As a result, you'll hear a lot more music and a lot less distortion. There's more to our XL -S tape than just great tape. We've also redesigned our cassette shells. Our Quin -Loki" Clamp/Hub Assembly holds the leader firmly in place and eliminates tape deformation. Which means you'll not only hear great music, but you'll also be able to enjoy it a lot longer. So if you'd like to get better sound out of your tape system, maxell. you don't have to put more money into it. Just put in our XL -S tape.IT'S WORTH IT 1981 R.J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO CO.

410 MEW AN.

111111..

does it better. instil This is your world. This is your Winston. Siipooth. Rich. KINGKING: 15 mg."tar", 1.1 mg. nicotine, 100's.15 mg. "tar", 1.0 mg. nicotine, ay per cigarette by FTC method. Taiste it all. Warning: The Surgeon General Has Determined That Cigarette Smoking Is Dangerous to Your Health sink fins are on the same surface as the driv- ly. When it is pressed, the satellites receive powered from any convenient a.c. socket er openings. thefullprogrambandwidthandthe and is turned on automatically when the The SS2300 would not be able to meet its PB1500 is silenced. This isa convenient control center is powered. The L400 satel- designers' goals of independence from the way to evaluate the contribution of the sub - lites are connected to the main amplifier in vagaries of room interaction and other un- woofer to the overall sound without disturb- the usual manner. The suggested crossover predictable factors without the help of the ing any of the other system adjustments. frequency between the woofer and the satel- C1500 control center furnished with the TheDYNAMIC BASS EXTENDERis controlled lites is 90 Hz, which is well within the effec- PB1500. This is a sophisticated electronic - by two buttons. One activates the circuit, tive operation range of the L400 yet low crossover network-and much more. A which boosts the lowest frequencies with a enough to prevent audible localization of knob on its front panel selects crossover fre- curve complementary to the natural bass the woofer sound. Because of the attractive quencies of 72, 90, 115, and 145 Hz with rolloff of the PB1500 woofers. This provides finish of the PB1500, it can be placed unob- I 2 -dB -per -octave slopes. ABASS LEVELcon- several decibels of additional output in the trusively almost anywhere in the room or be troladjusts the acoustic output of the frequency range from about 80 to 20 Hz used as a piece of furniture such as a lamp PB 1500 to match that of the L400 speakers (centered at about 30 Hz) together with a table or a coffee table. (which are driven from the regular system sharp infrasonic cut to eliminate rumble or On the front of the PB1500 subwoofer, amplifier). Normally the C1500 is connect- other noises that could either cause over- visible thoughitsblack grille,are four ed between the preamplifier and power am- load damage or simply sound objectionable. warning lights. One is a green pilot that in- plifier of the main system. Alternatively, it When the 22/37 -Hz button is pressed, the dicatesitis powered. A redPEAKlight can be placed in a tape -monitor loop whose maximum acoustic boost occurs at about 50 flashes when the bass amplifier is clipping; switching function is duplicated by aTAPE Hz and the low -frequency cutoff is more this action will rarely be heard as distortion MONITORswitch on the C1500.It has a rapid. This is most likely to be useful withsince the harmonics generated by overload MASTER VOLUMEcontrol which, in the pre- popular or rock music, while the 22 -Hz po- usually fall outside the woofer's operating ferred mode of connection, can be set for a sition is best with most classical music. bandwidth. TheOVERLOADlight warns of a suitable listening level with any desired set- The nomenclature of theDYNAMIC BASS possibly dangerous high temperature in the ting of the system volume control and need EXTENDERderives from its being controlled voice coils.It operates from a circuit that not be used thereafter. by the level of the bass signal. As the level constantly monitors the power input to the Two other knob controls modify the spe- increases toward the point of overdrive ofspeakers and disconnects them from the cific shape of the crossover curves, although either the bass amplifier or the speakers, amplifiers (as well as lighting the warning each has a center detented setting which the boost is progressively reduced until at light) if they are endangered. Normal oper- will be suitable in most cases. TheHI -PASS Q high volume levels ititis effectively gone. ationis automatically restored when the control is intended to compensate for the Thus, it can be left in operation at all times voice coils have cooled to a safe tempera- bass-rolloff characteristics of the satellite without risking damage to the speakers or ture. There is an amplifierPROTECTIONsys- speakers (particularly if they are not ADS any audible unpleasantness. The final con- tem with a signal light which disconnects L400s). It boosts or cuts the output slightly trol is aPHASEbutton, which reverses the the speakers in the event of a catastrophic in the crossover range to correct for either phase of the signals fed to the PBI500. In internal failure or overload condition. In ad- an overdamped or underdamped bass reso- certain rooms or with certain speaker place- dition,alinefuseprotectstheentire nance in the satellite's "woofer." With the ments, better bass performance may be ob- PBI500 module. L400s, this control can be left centered. tained with aparticular setting of this The components of the ADS SS2300 are TheBASS CONTOURcontrol is a shelving - switch; in many cases it makes no audible available separately or as a complete sys- type tone control designed to complement difference. tem. The L400 speakers are $189.95 each, the characteristics of the PB 1500 and L400 The ADS C1500 control center is finished and the optional F400 stands are $37.50 speakers. In some rooms it may be desirable in black.Itis17 inches wide, 10 inches each. The PBI500 bass module, including to modify the bass response of the SS2300 deep, and 2 inches high. It can be powered the C1500 control center,is$1,349.95. system, and this is often best done with the from a convenience outlet on the main am- The complete SS2300 "SubSat" system contour control rather than the usual ampli- plifier and switched by it if desired. Because (not including stands) is $1,649.95, a saving fier tone controls (although both have es- of the remote placement of the PB 1500 sub - of $80 over the total prices of the individual sentially similar functions). woofer, itis supplied with a 30 -foot dual components. The other C1500 controls are pushbut- shielded cable fitted with phono plugs at tons. There is aPOWERswitch with an adja- both ends. The C1500 control center will Laboratory Measurements. Initially, we cent pilot light and aTAPE MONITORbutton. normally be located near the amplifier, and measured the L400 satellites as full -range TheDEFEATswitch takes the C 1500 and the cable allows the bass module to be speakers without the C 1500 or PB 1500. Ex- PB1500 subwoofer out of the circuit entire- placed as desired in the room. It can be cept for a minor dip in the midrange (250 to 600 Hz) in the reverberant -field measurement, the output of the speaker at middle and high frequencies was very smooth and flat,varying only ±2 dB from 600 to 20,000 Hz. With the C1500 control center set for a "90 -Hz" crossover, the 110 -Hz bass -resonance peak of the L400 was completely removed and the output fell off below 150 Hz. The close-miked response of the PBI500 peaked at 70 Hz, falling off fairly steeply below that frequency and with its high -frequency rolloff being a function of the selected crossover frequency. TheBASS CONTOUR control affected the entire bass output by a maximum of about ±5 dB. TheHI -PASS Q control affected the response between 100 and 400 Hz, with a maximum range of about ±3 dB. TheDYNAMIC BASS EXTEN- DER(22 Hz) increased the woofer output by 2 to 5 dB from 20 to 70 Hz; its 37 -Hz position produced a total boost of 3 to 5 dB between 40 and 70 Hz and a much steeper

". . . No. Herstoff, this is the Libertarian Discussion Group. low -frequency cutoff. The Audiophile Club meets at 4 o'clock on Thursdays." (Continued on page 46)

44 STEREO REVIEW presents the outstanding beauty and performance of a complete FEELm"matched stereo ensemble, engineered for component compatibility. Shown here, our 45 -watt* amplifier, stereo tuner witn digital frequency THE BEAUTY readout, cassette deck with Dolby® and metal tape capability, two 3 -way speakers, quartz lcck direct -drive turntable and audio rack. See it, hear it, touch it, feel it. Purcnase the THAT IS MCScomplete MCS ensemble and save 280 ' The package 99965 CIRCLE NO. 36 ON READER SERVICE CARD

STEREO FOR THE SENSES

.45 watts RMS min ch 2 ch dri.er at 8 ohms 2020000 H2 %.0111 not more than 0 05% -HD Paces higher ,n A a -ika Hawa,, ari Puerto Rco S Se' es Audio Components sold exclusivel- a JCPenr ey 21981 TIE J C Penney :ompany he Splicing the bass -response curve to the The distortion of the PB 1500 could not be the bass module can be identified by ear or L400 room -response curve was both easier measured in the usual manner, since we had the homogeneity of the sound can be dis- and more difficult than with conventional no accesstothe drivers. We droveit turbed by "disembodied bass." This is rare. single -unit speakers. There is no definable through the C 1500 (90 -Hz crossover) with in our experience, but it does happen. The "system response." since that depends on 2 volts at 100 Hz for the C 1500 input. This 90 -Hz crossover of the SS2300 appears to the relative placements of two sets of speak- corresponds roughly to aI -watt drive to the eliminate that problem. Switching off the ers and the various adjustments on the L400s and was therefore used as an equiva- satellites leaves only a deep bass originating C 1500. On the other hand, those controls lent reference for the bass unit. The distor- from the PB1500, which is never heard as a make it possible to match the bass output to tion was an excellent 0.5 per cent or so from distinct sound source while the complete the middle- and high -frequency output al- 100 to 50 Hz, rising to 4 per cent at 30 Hz. system is operating. The bass level can be most as closely as one's hearing permits, so A 10 -dB level increase produced a room - set to the listener's taste over a very wide we felt justified in splicing the curves for shaking bass output and distortion measur- range from disco to symphonic balance. We the most uniform overall response. ing 1.5 to 2.5 per cent down to 60 Hz and 10 adjusted the various bass controls until the That response was within ± 3.5 dB from per cent at 37 Hz. music's low -bass foundation could just be 32 to 20,000 Hz. With the DYNAMIC BASS heard (or felt), but without imparting any EXTENDER (22 Hz) in use, the lows were ex- Comment. We listenedtothe ADS heaviness to male voices. Of course, more tended appreciably without changing the SS2300 system with the F400 stands about bass was readily available, to the point of overall output variation-a 27- to 20.000 - 3 feet from the facing wall of the room and rattling every loose object in the room. We Hz response within ±5 dB. Of course, the 4 feet from the sides. The PBI 500 was lo- also noted that with the DEFEAT button en- added low -frequency output in any given in- cated at one side about 5 feet in front of the gaged (the L400s operating as full -range stallation will be largely a function of the right speaker and 12 feet from the left speakers) the sound was still excellent, of- room proportions, the location of the bass speaker. The system was driven by a 200 - ten (in the absence of low -bass energy in the module, and the C1500 control settings. watt -per -channel amplifier, with the C1500 program) indistinguishable from the sound Our figures can do no more than suggest the control between the preamplifier output of the full system. added output from the BASS EXTENDER. and power -amplifier input. The installation and operating instruc- based on separate measurements of the sys- The balance, smoothness, and transpar- tions of the SS2300 are quite complete and tem components. A quasi-anechoic frequen- ency of the sound from the SS2300 system wellillustrated.Theconfirmed"knob cy -response measurement oftheL400, was superb, to say the least, and easily com- twiddler" can devote as much of his time as made at I meter using our INDAC FFT parable to what we have heard in the same he wishes to adjusting the system response. computer analyzer (see August "Technical room from some of the finest conventional but we found the center setting of most of Talk"), confirmed the essential smoothness speaker systems. The small size of the L400 the controls to be completely satisfactory. of the satellite speakers' response-a ± 3 - satellites gives them a real "imaging" ad- And our experience also suggests that the dB variation in output from 500 to 18.000 vantage over some larger systems, since subwoofer placement is extremely noncriti- H z. cabinet interference with the polar response cal, particularly remarkable considering the The system impedance of the L400 is of the speaker is minimized. This could be amount of trimming of bass response that about 3.5 ohms from 25 to 40 Hz and appreciated when we used image enhancers the CI500 control unit makes possible. around 200 Hz, with maxima of 10 ohms at such as the Carver "Sonic Hologram," As three-piece systems go,the ADS 90 Hz and 12 ohms at 1,400 Hz. The sensi- which functions best with speakers having a SS2300 definitely ranks among the best, tivity, with a 2.83 -volt input of pink noise in uniform phase response and symmetrical and possibly at the very top. It is far from an octave band centered at 1,000 Hz, was polar response in the horizontal plane. The cheap, but the visual appearance and acous- 91 dB SPL at I meter, an exceptionally ADS system worked excellently with the tic performance of the system are certainly high value for a small acoustic -suspension severalsuchsignalprocessorsthatwe commensurate with its price. For installa- speaker. The PB I 500, having a 50,000 -ohm tried. tions where the room decor cannot accom- input impedance and being driven from the We have had very good results with sev- modate large and visible speakers but where 600 -ohm output of the CI500, presents no eral other "three-piece" speaker systems no compromise with sound quality can be loading problems to the main amplifier. The that use passive crossovers between the sat- tolerated either, the ADS SS2300 may well bass distortion of the woofer in the L400 satellites and the bass module. However, most be the ideal speaker system. ellite was about 0.5 per cent over its operat- of these systems cross over at about 150 Hz, ing range as part of the SS2300 system. and under some conditions the position of Circle 142 on reader service card

crowne

0 ) 1-1

Crown FM Two Tuner

Crown FM Two is an FM tuner of the three components can be "stacked" in a tuner is 113/4 inches deep; it weighs approx- Tadvanced design whose compact di- single optional walnut cabinet to form a imately 91/2 pounds. Price: $599. mensionsandappearancecomplement "receiver" of outstanding quality. The FM The Crown FM Two is a digital -synthesis those of the company's Straight Line Two Two is only 13/4 inches high, with a satin - tuner whose reception frequency is shown preamplifier and Power Line Two power finish silver -color front panel fitted with on a large fluorescent digital display in the amplifier. Because of their unified design, handles. The panel is 19 inches wide and the (Continued on page 481

46 STEREO REVIEW Chances are, if you've never received And, instead of the conventional an engineering degree from MIT-or even tape counter, the FX6C features the most if you have-you still haven't the vaguest TO FIND useful guide to tape time ever invented- idea which of the over 200 different a computerized Linear Counter. Now you cassette decks to buy. Well, there's an easy no longer have to guess how much time way to find out. OUT HOW remains on a tape, or if you'll run out of Record absolutely nothing on each tape in the middle of a selection. one. If you hear something like a snake LAWLESS A There's no fumbling around to find, hissing in the background, that recorder play and replay a cut you want to hear is filled with ten -year -old technology. But either, because the FX6C incorporates an if you hear exactly what you recorded - SONY Automatic Music Sensor. This allows you silence- then the recorder reflects the to skip forward or backward to the se- technology of the 80's. And it does, if it's lection of your choice. You can even pre- the TC-FX6C from Sony. REALLY IS, set the deck to repeat any portion of the Sony designed the FX6C to incorpo- tape you want to hear up to nine times. rate the newest, most advanced noise Other innovations range from Sony's reduction system-Dolby C.* Dolby C TRY exclusive Sendust and Ferrite head doubles the noise reduction without pro- formulation to advanced remote -control ducing the unwanted side effects causedRECORDINGcapability. by similar systems. So when you record But what's really innovative is the music you hear only the music and not price. A price that, we assure you, will gen- an extraneous hiss. SILENCE. erate a lot of hissing from our competitors. FEATURES AND SPECIFICATiONS:2-motor tape drive/Solenoid-logic. feather -touch controls, lb -segment LLD meters/optional RM-50 remote control. RM-80 wireless remote control. RM-65 synchronizer/S/N ratio 59dB (metal. Dolby off). improved up to 20dB 2kHz with Dolby C/Wow and SONTY:Wearemusic. nutter 0.04% tWRMS)/Frequency response 30Hz- 17kHz .t 3dB (metal). 'Dolby is a trademark of Dolby Lab. CI981 Sony Corporation of America 9 West 57th St.. N.Y.. NY 10019. Sony is a registered trademark of Sony Corp. CIRCLE NO 49 ON READER SERVICE CARD _lit Reports center of the panel. The bright 1/2 -inch -high the audio -output jacks, each with its own toiled reception can be expected from any numerals are readable from a considerable level control, and a coaxial connector for stereo signal strong enough to be heard in distance and can be dimmed by a front -pan- the 75 -ohm antenna input. For installations stereo at all. The stereo 50 -dB quieting sen- el switch if desired. To the right of the dis- using a 300 -ohm antenna system, a 300- to sitivity was 35 dBf. play are two flat momentary -contact SCAN/ 75 -ohm balun matching transformer is sup- At a 65-dBf input, the total harmonic dis- TUNE buttons and a SCAN LOCK button. plied with the tuner. There is also a small tortion plus noise was 0.11 per cent in both With the latter out, holding either SCAN/ REMOTE connector whose function is not mono and stereo. The signal-to-noise ratio TUNE button down causes the tuner to scan mentioned in the otherwise complete in- at that level was 74 dB in mono and 69 dB In the selected direction (up or down in fre- struction manual. in stereo. To some extent, these figures may quency) in steps of 200 kHz, corresponding The circuitry of the Crown FM Two is represent limitations of the signal generator to North American channel assignments for unusual in several respects. The "front end" (particularly the distortion, since the gener- FM. Export versions are set up at the fac- has three cascode J-FET r.f.amplifiers ator is rated at 0.1 per cent and has an ac- tory for the channel spacings (such as 50 whose seven tuned circuits give the tuner tual residual distortion of about 0.06 per kHz) used in other parts of the world. A exceptional immunity to overloading by cent). momentary touch on a scArviruNE button strong signals plus excellent image rejec- The IHF intermodulation distortion of will cause the frequency to step by one tion. The first i.f. is at 10.7 MHz, with lin- the Crown FM Two was measured by mod- channel width. ear -phase (constant group -delay) ceramic ulating the signal generator 100 per cent with equal amplitudes of 14,000 and 15,000 Hz. A spectrum analysis of the audio output +10 showed a second -order distortion product at AUD 0 OUTPUT(0 DB.1 VOLT) ...... 1,000 Hz that was some 70 or 71 dB below O 100 per cent modulation at that frequency. The third -order distortion (at 13,000 and (.0 10 16,000 Hz) was -51 dB in mono and -54 a CROWN FM -2 dB in stereo relative to the 14,000- and -20 FM TUNER U 15,000 -Hz tone levels. As with most stereo 30 FM tuners, there were a number of low- level intermodulation products in the stereo w 40 mode, but since their levels were all be- WM.' tween -65 and -80 dB, they were certain- .4M, NOISE + DISTORTION a -SO ly not audible. 11. The tuner frequency response was per- F 60 fectly flat from 30 up to several thousand SO 4 S50-DEI QU ETING 1. a MN12 DBF (MONO hertz, rising slightly to +0.7 dB at 15,000 W -70 35 DBF (STEREO) Hz. In spite of this very flat high -end response, the 19 -kHz pilot carrier leakage in BO the audio output was at a barely measur- BO able -80 dB level. The internal hum was O 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 -64 dB (mostly 120 Hz) relative to 100 per R.F. TEST -SIGNAL INPUT IN DBF cent modulation. The channel separation was better than 40 dB over the full range of 30 to 15,000 Hz, and it was about 52 dB If the SCAN LOCK is engaged, a single filters that make possible the tuner's very over most of the midrange. The maximum touch on a SCAN/TUNE button will cause the low distortion rating of less than 0.05 per audio output from a 100 per cent modulated tuner to scan until it acquires a signal above cent for both stereo and mono. There is a signal was about 2.5 volts, and at the mini- the muting threshold, where the tuning second conversion to 1.96 MHz, the operat- mum setting of the output -level control it stops and the FM Two unmutes. At the ing frequency of the pulse -counting digital was just under 0.6 volt. right side of the panel are a MEMORY button detector, which not only eliminates any Other measured FM tuner characteristics and six PRESET buttons. A station frequency alignment or drift problems in that part of included a capture ratio of 1.6 dB at 45 dBf can be stored in any of the memory loca- the tuner but has an inherently wide band- and 1.25 dB at 65 dBf; AM rejection was 70 tions by pressing MEMORY (which lights an width that accommodates excessive trans- and 72 dB at those input levels. The alter- amber indicator above that button) and mitter deviation without a significant in- nate -channel selectivity was a very good then, within five seconds, pressing the de- crease in distortion. Although crystal -con- 81.5 dB, and the adjacent -channel selectivi- sired PRESET button. The station can be re- trolled frequency synthesizers are no longer ty was 8 dB. The image rejection was excel- called instantly at any later time by touch- a novelty in consumer -oriented tuners, the lent at 92 dB, and the muting threshold was ing that button. A constantly energized sep- circuit in the FM Two operates rapidly and 20 dBf. arate power supply in the tuner keeps the smoothly, and with no idiosyncrasies. memories "alive" when it is not in use, and Comment. Although there were some a very large internal capacitor (0.47 farad) Laboratory Measurements. The 75 -ohm minor differences between the measured retainssufficient charge to support the antenna input of the Crown FM Two was performance and the published ratings of memories for at least five days with no pow- driven through aresistive network that the Crown FM Two, most of them were eas- er available to the tuner. matched it to the 50 -ohm output impedance ily explainable by differences in test equip- To theleftof the frequency -readout of our Sound Technology 1000A signal gen- ment and setup. The Crown FM Two is window (which also reveals a five -segment erator. The "dBf " notation of the tuner test clearly a superior tuner with consistently signal -strength readout and a stereo indica- standard makes sensitivity ratings indepen- excellent performance where it really mat- tor)therearesixroundpushbutton dent of the impedance level. If one were to ters: distortion, noise, and interference re- switches. In addition to the power switch rate the tuner sensitivity in terms of micro- jection. Its wide -band digital detector not (with an adjacent red light), these include volts, the numbers would be half as much as only has very low inherent distortion but is an FM de -emphasis switch (75- or 25 -mi- for a 300 -ohm antenna input, and this also unaffected by an occasional overmodu- crosecond characteristics), a stereo -noise might give a misleading impression of the lation peak that could create a burst of dis- FILTER that blends high frequencies to re- tuner's actual sensitivity. tortion from a conventional tuner using a duce hiss on weak signals, a MUTE switch, a In mono, the usable sensitivity was 11.6 quadrature detector. STEREO/MONO switch, and the fluorescent - dBf and the 50 -dB quieting sensitivity was Although the sound quality one achieves display DIM switch. With all the buttons in an almost identical12 dBf. The stereo - in FM reception is more likely to be deter- their "out" positions, the tuner is set up for switching threshold was 25 dBf, and the dis- mined by the broadcast signal than by the normal operation. tortion was already under I per cent at that tuner, we noted that the Crown FM Two The rear of the Crown FM Two contains input level. In other words, clean and undis- (Continued on page 50)

48 STEREO REVIEW Loran' is the cassette Df the future...tape can stand up to being accidentally left Every Lorar tape comes with a full life- but it's here right now. The original and near a source of excessive heat in your time warranty. L.sten to Loran. The new only heat -esistant cassette shell and tape home or in your car. It is inceed the finest generation of cassettes is here right now. that withstands the oven temperatures of quality tape available today. a car dashboard in the sun. Testing proves Loran also has exclusive features not that even TDK or Maxell cannot take this available on any other cassette. Safety LORAN 90 kind Df punishment. Tabs'" (patent pending) prevent accidental With _oran, you'll capture a full range erasures. But unlike other cassettes, you of sound Es you've never heard it before. can restore its erase and record capabilities Tape that delivers magnificent reproduc- simply by turning the Tab screw a I/2 turn. Our Hub Lock (patent pending) secures tion cf highs and lows, along with an excep- CHROME tiona ly low background noise level. Super the tape to the hub in such a way that the Imo Mae tto.10 sensitive with an extremely high maximum harder it is pulled the tighter it's held. ecording level capability. That means you With all these features. it's no wonder can record Loran at high input levels for Loran was selected as "one of tne most in- greater clarity. As a matter cf fact, we rec- novative consumer electronics products... ommend it. by the Consumer Electronics Show Design LORAN Because of our cassette shell, Loran and Engineering Exhibition. The Design of Spectacular Sound

WHEN ALL OTHERS FAILLORAN CASSETTES ARE SAFE AND SOUND SENSATIONAL.

Loran'" is manufactured exclusively by Loranger Entertainment, 10-48 Clark Street, Warren, Pa. 16365 CIRCLE NO. 30 ON READER SERVICE CARD diPst nambeirla delivered a uniformly high -quality output pletely noise -free, the output of the tuner (which is perfectly possible, though rare) is from practically any signal we could hear in being muted until the program emerges likely to be at least as expensive as a good our suburban New York location. On one with no thumps or noise bursts. FM tuner. occasion, forty-four stations were receivable We noted with approval that Crown did The Crown FM Two, certainly a fine with an indoor folded -dipole antenna at not attempt to add AM capability to the component for any music system, is ideal ground level, and thirty-five of them were FM Two. The AM sound from combination for use with matching Crown components. heard in fully quieted stereo. Switching to tuners is so consistently mediocre (to put it The combination of elegance and perform- mono produced a fully quieted mono output charitably) thatitsinclusion could only ance of such a grouping, though hardly from eight of the remaining stations, leav- have degraded the user's perception of this inexpensive, would be difficult to match in ing only one that was still marginal under fine product. In our view, an excellent FM any other way. this deliberately extreme listening arrange- tuner should not be compromised by includ- ment. The tuning and scanning were corn- ing a poor AM tuner, and a good AM tuner Circle 143 on reader service card

Mod,. C I i.nOduedy Cantml Cawlo

Carver C-1 Preamplifier and M-500 Power Amplifier

THE Carver C -I Sonic Holography In addition to the four tone -control knobs over selectors, two TAPE MONITOR switches, preamplifier is basically a conventional on the front panel, there is a headphone and two DUB switches that cross -connect the high -quality control center, but its nomen- jack (driven by its own amplifier), an input - tape decks for copying from either one to clature gives a clue to its major point of dif- selector knob, a small BALANCE knob, and a the other. There is also an EXTERNAL PROC- ference from any competitive products: it large volume control. The program sources ESSOR button that can be used to put a incorporates the latest form of the signal - include two magnetic-phono inputs (PHONO signal -processing accessory (equalizer, ex- processing circuit introduced by Carver in I for conventional moving -magnet or mov- pander, etc.) in the signal path. the C-4000 control console. Omitted from ing -iron cartridges, and PHONO 2 with 25 dB On the rear of the C -I there are phono the C -Iare the "Autocorrelation" noise - additional gain for moving -coil cartridges). jacks for all signal inputs and outputs, in- reduction and peak-unlimiter features, as The PHONO Iinput impedance is 47,000 cluding two pairs of MAIN outputs. In addi- well as the time -delay system and its power ohms, with additional amounts of input cation to the switchable phono capacitance, amplifiers (all part of the C-4000). pacitance (0, 180, or 390 picofarads) select- there is an INFRASONIC FILTER button that The C -I, in addition to being much more able by a slide switch in the rear of the unit. inserts a I2 -dB -per -octave rolloff below 15 compact than the C-4000, is considerably This makes it easy to match the input of the Hz in the phono-preamplifier section. Three less expensive. Like the C-4000, it has sep- preamplifier to almost any phono cartridge. of thesixa.c.convenience outlets are arate bass and treble tone controls for each The PHONO 2input is terminated by 39 switched, with a total maximum rating of channel, with switchable turnover frequen- ohms. The other input sources are identified 500 watts. Price: $500. cies (8 or 2 kHz for the treble, 40 Hz or as TUNER, AUX I, and AUX 2. "loudness" for the bass). The control con- The other front -panel controls are small ANOTHER new Carver product (an ideal tours have been designed to provide maxi- rectangular pushbuttons. A group of six companion to the C -I, though not related to mum utility to the listener, with a limited controls the Sonic Hologram, silences the it) is the M-500 Magnetic Field power am- amplitude of control range and asymmetri- speakers for headphone -only listening, and plifier. Employing the same basic design as calboostand cutcharacteristics. The switches the power to the C -I. The Sonic the cube -shaped M-400 amplifier (tested in Carver C -Iis 19 inches wide, 31/2 inches Hologram controls, besides turning the cir- the October 1980 issue), itis styled more high, and 10 inches deep. It is available in cuit on and off, select different internal conventionally, with afrontpanel 1 7 3/8 two versions: in an all -black finish with the operating conditions whose significance is inches wide,41/4 inches high, and 131/2 panel edges slotted for rack mounting and explained in the instruction manual. inches deep. Optional rack -mount adaptors ina pale -goldfinishwithout the rack - The other front -panel buttons form a row are available, and these increase the width mounting provision (both units have han- below the tone -control knobs. They include of the panelto19inches. The M-500 dles). The C -I weighs 6 pounds. TONE bypass, low- and high -frequency turn- (Continued on page 52)

50 STEREO REVIEW c 1981 8& W T Co WarningThe Surgeon General Has Determined That Cigarette Smoking Is Dangerous to Your Health.

lb mg. "tar", 1 .2 mg. nicotine ay. per cigarette. FTC Report May '81.

There's only one wayto play it... Wherever the music KaDol 1 is hot, the taste is Kool. Because there's only one sensation this refreshing. 01 01 CARVER M -500 POWER AMPLIFIER CARVER M-500 .05 -REFERENCE POWER (250W) .06 POWER AMPLIFIER HALF POWER (-3 DEO N POWER(-10DB) I 0 -- -LOW .02 .02 0 if I . I- .01 .r A P 0 .., 1 rr . o W.005 . , 2 OHMS 8 OHMS/ .002\<-\.... %. .."- .002 ... .. 4 OHMS .001/ ''..- _....""f .001 20 50 100200 500 1K 2K 5K 10K 20K 2 5 10 20 50 100 200 500 FREQUENCY IN HZ (CYCLES PER SECOND) CONTINUOUS AND EQUIVALENT SINE -WAVE WATTS/CHANNEL weighs 23 pounds, more than twice as much (mV) at its high-level inputs for a reference THE Carver M-500 power amplifier is, by as the M-400, but that is still very light for output of 0.5 volt. The PHONO Isensitivity any standards, impressive. Although an amplifier of its power rating (about 25 was 0.9 mV (PHONO 2 was not measured). its top cover (over the heat sinks) became per cent greater than that of the M-400). The A -weighted output noise from any in- very hot during the preconditioning period Dominant on the all -black front panel are put was less than our measurement limit of and even hotter during full -power tests, the the two output -level meters calibrated from 100 microvolts, or 74 dB below 0.5 volt. The amplifier was able to withstand this treat- -40 to +3 dB (0 dB being the rated power phono preamplifier clipped with 93 milli- ment without the excessively frequent shut- output of 250 watts into 8 ohms). The me- volts input at 1,000 Hz, and the equivalent downs (by its protective system) that made ters are driven by a fast -acting peak -follow- clipping voltages at 20 and 20,000 Hz were testing the earlier M-400 such a frustrating ing circuit that produces an accurate and 90.5 and 81.6 mV, respectively. The PHONO experience. easily read power display. The M-500 has I input impedance was 46,000 ohms in par- With both channels driven to clipping lev- no operating controls. allel with a capacitance of 20, 175, or 370 el, even into 8 -ohm loads, the 15 -ampere The power rating of the Carver M-500 is pF, depending on the setting of the switch in line fuse of the amplifier blew (our 15 -am- 250 watts per channel from 20 to 20,000 Hz the rear of the unit. The output waveform pere benchfuseswould certainlyhave into 8 -ohm loads with no more than 0.05 from the preamplifier clipped at 5.5 volts. blown if the amplifier fuse had not blown per cent total harmonic distortion. The IHF Thepreamplifierfrequencyresponse first). As we noted in reviewing the M-400, A -weighted output noise is rated at better measured through the high-level inputs was it is characteristic of the Carver "magnetic - than 100 dB below rated power. As in the down 0.4 dB at 5 Hz and 0.5 dB at 20,000 field" amplifier design that it draws very M-400, the output stages of the M-500 op- Hz, with a -3-dB point of 50,000 Hz. The large currents from the power line at high erate out of phase so that the two speakers INFRASONIC FILTER reduced the response at power outputs. Since this current is largely cannot share a common ground. The same 20 Hz by only 0.3 dB, but it was down 2.9 90 degrees out of phase with the voltage, it feature makes it very easy to bridge the two dB at15 Hz and 21.2 dB at 5 Hz. As does not represent power consumption (the channels to make a 600 -watt mono ampli- claimed, the tone -control response curves kind you pay for!), but it can blow fuses fier when driving an 8 -ohm load; itis only were highly asymmetrical, with a maximum very easily. Because of this, we were forced necessary to connect the load between the low -frequency boost of 17.5 dB but a cut of to depart from our regular test procedure two "hot" speaker binding posts in the rear only 5 dB. At high frequencies, the maxi- and complete our high -power tests with and drive the inputs in parallel (through a mum boost was 8 to 12 dB at 20,000 Hz, only one channel driven. "Y" connector). A small slide switch in the with a maximum cut of about 5 dB. The An input of 97 mV drove the amplifier to rear varies the brightness of the meter. turnover -frequency selector buttons had the a reference output of 1 watt, and its A - Unlike the M-400, the Carver M-500 has stated effect. The LOUDNESS position of the weighted noise output was 86 dB below that separate heat sinks for its output transistors bass button enables the bass tone control to level. The 1,000 -Hz clipping power into 8 as well as a larger mass and radiating sur- give approximately correct loudness com- ohms was 288 watts. Into 4 ohms it was 400 face to dissipate their heat. Although this pensation curves unaffected by the volume - watts, but with 2 -ohm loads the protective has little effect on the maximum power out- control setting. The 40 -Hz turnover actual- relay shut the amplifier down at 85 watts. put for normal listening, it enables the am- ly gives a sliding turnover frequency affect- The 8 -ohm IHF clipping headroom was plifier to deliver higher power for a much ing the response below 200 to 400 Hz near 0.61 dB. Using the 20 -millisecond tone - longer time without overheating to the point the maximum boost setting. The tone con- burst signal of the IHF dynamic -power test, of being shut down (through overheating) trols in their cut settings provided aflat we measured a maximum output of 290 byits comprehensive protective circuits. shelf -shaped curve, with each control af- watts into 8 ohms, 403 watts into 4 ohms, Those circuits have been extensively revised fecting almost half the audio bandwidth. and 142 watts into 2 ohms, giving an 8 -ohm (compared to those of the M-400), but we The RIAA phono equalization was flat IHF dynamic -headroom rating of 0.64 dB. have no detailed information on them at within ±0.5 dB from 50 to 20,000 Hz, and (In a conversation subsequent to our test, this time. it was +1.5 dB at 20 Hz. It was barely af- Carver stated that the amplifier did have a As might be expected, the inside layout of fected by the inductance of typical phono reasonably large headroom, but the fre- the M-500 is much more open than that of cartridges, which boosted the output above quency of the test signal we used did not the M-400, and its encased "magnetic -field 12,000 Hz to about +I dB at 17,000 Hz disclose it.) coil" (taking the place of the usual power and +2 dB at 20,000 Hz. The 1,000 -Hz harmonic distortion into 8 - transformer) is less prone to emit the occa- The harmonic distortion of the C -I was ohm loads was less than 0.0004 per cent up sional buzzes and groans that were some- extremely low -well under 0.01 per cent for to 10 watts, rising smoothly to 0.0014 per times heard from the unencased coil of the outputs up to 3 volts and at frequencies up cent at 100 watts, 0.002 per cent at 200 M-400. The price of the Carver M-500 is to 10,000 Hz or even higher. It reached a watts, and 0.003 per cent at 280 watts. It $550. It carries a three-year warranty, in- maximum at 20,000 Hz, where we meas- was generally similar when driving 4 -ohm cluding parts, labor, and shipping costs one ured 0.013 per cent at 2 volts and 0.018 per loads, the distortion rising from 0.0003 per way. cent at 3 volts. Although we measured the cent (our test -equipment residual) at10 effect of the Sonic Hologram circuit on fre- watts to 0.0022 per cent at 300 watts. Al- Laboratory Measurements.The Carver quency response, it can be properly evalu- though the amplifier was obviously not C -Ipreamplifierrequired55millivolts ated only through critical listening. (Continued on page 54)

STEREO REVIEW IT'S AN UNUSUAL PERSON WHO WOULDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM CHOOSING BETWEEN SONY'S NEW HEADPHONES. Ii) state it simply, there's no othercomplete line of lightweight headphones that offers the quality. the comfort orthe value of the new Sonys. In fact, there is no other line of lightweight headphones as complete as Sony's. On this gentleman's first left ear is the secret of the Walkman'sm'great sound-the new MDR -4T. It's so incredibly advanced it can make any portable stereo sound even better. Next he's listening to the MDR -50T. The successor to the headphones that started the lightweight revolution. It has a wider frequency range than last year's model. The result: significantly better sound. Then comes the MDR -80T Its driver technology is light-years ahead of anything you've ever heard. Listen to it and it's like being inside the most esoteric hi-fi system. And they all feature Sony's exclusive "Unimatch-plug that works with any stereo unit, home or portable. Audition the whole line at your Sony dealer. Then if you still have difficulty choosing between them, we can't blame you. We had one heck of a time finding a person who didn't. SONY Professional Audio © 1981 Sony Corp. of America. 9 W. 5'th St.. New York. NY 10019. Sony is a registered trademark of the Sony Corp. CIRCLE NO. 48 ON READER SERVICE CARD _test sepoirds meant to drive 2 -ohm loads, even under that curacy). Both meters were essentially alike The effect is both impressive and exciting severe condition the distortion was only and surprisingly accurate, reading within to experience, but it is obtainable with full 0.0018 per cent at 1 watt, 0.0066 per cent at 10 per cent of the actual power output de- effect only at the price of extremely critical 50 watts, and 0.4 per cent at the clipping livered to an 8 -ohm load from their mini- speaker location and listener positioning. In point of 85 watts. mum reading of 0.01 watt to a full 200 its original form it could be heard properly At rated power, the distortion of the M- watts or more. At least as important was the by only a single person at a time, although a 500 was typically between 0.002 and 0.01 rapid response of the meters, which read diluted effect was present over much of the per cent from 20 to 5,000 Hz, rising to correctly on 20 -millisecond tone bursts with room.The"second -generation"system 0.037 per cent at 15,000 Hz and 0.11 per a 0.5 -second repetition period. Their decay used in the C-1 (and in current models of cent at 20,000 Hz. At half power and one - time was relatively slow, so the meters gave the C-4000) is not quite so critical with re- tenth rated power, the characteristic was a constant and informative display of the spect to listener location, but it still requires similar but with lower distortion readings amplifier'spower -outputvariationwith careful setup to obtain best results. We also (respectively, 0.026 and 0.013 per cent at complex -program waveforms. noted that the tendency toward bass heavi- 20,000 Hz). It should be noted that the 0.11 ness in the early Sonic Hologram has been per cent distortion reading at full power and Comment. The Carver C-1 offers the au- effectively eliminated. 20,000 Hz was made with a null -type dis- diophile an opportunity to experience the The instruction manual for the Carver tortion analyzer and includes a number of effects of the Sonic Hologram at about half C -I presents a most informative discussion low-level distortion and noise components the price of the C-4000 control center by and explanation of the Sonic Hologram. Al- above the audio -frequency range. The other sacrificing a few signal -processing abilities though the procedure to be followed in set- readings were made with a spectrum ana- (which might well be duplicated elsewhere ting up the system may seem discouragingly lyzer that allowed us to measure only the in a well-equipped system). Its general sig- complex, it is well worth the effort! Aside harmonic distortion components. Since we nal -modification abilities (the tone controls from thisfeature, the C- Iisa superb noted that the full -power, high -frequency and infrasonic filter) are relatively subtle preamplifier and controlcenter,priced operation of the amplifier generated a num- though highly effective in comparison with quite competitively even without considera- ber of ultrasonic components, we found it the sometimes heavy-handed approach tak- tion of its special features. In view of the more convenient to make a "THD + N" en by the designers of some amplifiers and growing popularity of moving -coil phono measurement at that point. receivers. Used in moderation, they can ad- cartridges, the ability to use one without a The actual high -frequency linearity of just the perceived frequency response and sizable investment in a separate head am- the M-500 was very good, as shown by its balance of a music system to one's taste plifier or transformer is a strong "plus." IHF intermodulation-distortion measure- with little risk of doing violence to the over- The M-500 power amplifier carries on ment with 19,000- and 20,000 -Hz signals. all integrity of the sound. the tradition of the original M-400 by offer- The third- and fifth -order distortion prod- In essence, the Sonic Hologram operates ing an unprecedented number of clean ucts were, respectively, 90 and 94 dB below by cross -feeding a portion of each channel's watts per dollar. The earlier unit proved to 250 watts, and the second -order (1,000 -Hz) program to the other, with appropriate time be extremely rugged and reliable in our se- distortionwascompletelyundetectable delays and phase shifting, in such a manner vere testing program, and the M-500 is, if down to our measurement "floor" of -95 that (ideally) each ear hears only the contri- anything, even better protected. It will turn dB. The I H F slew factor was 2.5 because bution of its corresponding speaker. This is itself off before any damage can occur, the amplifier's protective relay shut it off at not unlike the situation existing duringwhether due tooverdriving,insufficient 50 kHz when it was driven by a "full -pow- headphone listening, although the subjec- load impedance, high temperatures, or any er" input signal. The low-level frequency tive effect is completely different. Essential- other incorrect operating condition. Even if response was flat from 10 to 1,000 Hz, ly, it takes the form of a widening of the it is played at high levels, the M-500 is one down 0.2 dB at 20,000 Hz, and reached -3 apparent sound source so thatit extends of the coolest -running amplifiers we have dB just below 100 kHz. beyond the spatial limits set by the speakers used. Although it has no bearing on the per- (both laterally and in depth) and in some The Magnetic Field amplifier can be con- formance of the amplifier, we also checked cases causes the sound to wrap around the sidered a conventional amplifier with a very the accuracy of the power meters (on most sides of the room and extend well toward fast, smart power supply that can adjust its amplifiers a cosmetic feature of dubious ac- the rear. output voltages almost instantaneously to the requirements of the signal waveform. Since even at high home listening levels most power amplifiers are called upon only for a few watts of average power, the M-500 isvirtually "loafing along" most of the time, using very little power from the a.c. THE ALL line and dissipating almost no heat. When more power is required (usually for very COMPOSERS brief periods), it is instantly "on tap" for EXCEPT demands of up to hundreds of watts without NED R OREM the usual penalty of a large, heavy, hot, and RECORD expensive amplifier most of whose capabili- CLUB, bit. ty is hardly ever used. Although we could hear traces of buzzing from the power supply of the M-500 under certain test conditions (this is caused by vi- brations of the core laminations in its magnetic -field coil), it was never in evidence in normal use, and we doubt that it would ever be heard in an operating music system. In summary, the new Carver products reflect an evolutionary process by which a new technology is gradually applied to a variety of products, usually with cost and/or performance benefits to the consumer. They are obviously excellent values for the money, and our tests confirm that they are top performers by any standard.

Circle 144 on reader service card

54 STEREO REVIEW For over 25 years, the Harman Kardon impedance loads. Low frequency tran- Finally, the hk715 offers Digitally legend has been built on dedication to a sients, such as the beat of a kick drum, Synthesized Quartz -Locked tuning for single objective. are reproduced with their tight, solid accuracy and 8 presets for convenience. Musical truth. attack and full dynamic power com- Like all Harman Kardon components, From tape decks and turntables to pletely intact. the hk700 series achieves its extraordi- receivers and separates, Harman Kardon 2. The use of Low Negative Feedback nary openness and depth through atten- represents the ultimate in sonic quality. puts total TIM distortion at less than tion not only to bench test specs, but to And pictured above is the ultimate in .007% for noticeably smoother, dramati-how the designs sound while reproduc- Harman Kardon electronics. cally more open highs. ing music. The hk775X2 dual mono amplifiers 3. Ultrawideband frequency response Because ultimately, what must sound were created for the music lover who keeps phase shifts well outside the audi- real is the music. demands the sonic improvements that ble spectrum, for an incredibly transpar- For your nearest dealer, call toll -free, come from assigning separate high- ent, solid stereo image. 1-800-528-6050, ext. 870. powered* amplifiers to each stereo The hk725 preamplifier has an 8 -stage Or write Harman Kardon, 240 Cross- channel. Among the many leading phono section with an impressive ways Park West, Woodbury, NY 11797- design concepts they incorporate are .009% THD. It uses Ultrawideband and 2057. In Canada, Gould Marketing, three of particular note. Low Negative Feedback design and FET Montreal H4T 1E5. 1. High Current Capability allows the front ends on both low and high level hk775X2 to deliver nearly unlimited stages. *130 watts RMS per amplifier, into 8 ohms, instantaneous power under heavy, low harman/kardon 20Hz-201cHz, with less than .03% THD. ASK ANY AUDIOPHILE Your future may hinge onGoingon Record this decision!

. it you have been thinking about your future, and have decided on a career in the recording and ByJames music industry, then you oweitto yourself to investigate the career opportunities that are open Goodfriend to you through the Col lEqE FOR RECORdiNq ARTS the course of one year and up to 800 hours of oncentrated study and hands-on experience, you dl learn about the business, the laws, ethics and economics of the industry. You will learn about recording,engineering,electronics, studio maintenance, synthesizers, audio / visual produc-

tion techniques, and much more! . . . No wonder. of our graduates have found lobs within the ldustryt Call or write for full information IO: REGISTRAR, COLLEGE FOR RECORDING ARTS THE HOME MUSIC STORE 665 Harrison Str., San Francisco, Calif. 94107 SOCIAL and economic changes often come Tel.: (415) 781-6306 number and the number of the album selec- not from the invention of new technolo- tion you want to buy. The computer then Ile SCh001 is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of gies but from the joining of two or more rel- notifies your black box that it is authorized the National Association of Trade and Technical Schools. NAT 151 approved by the CantSuperintendent of Public atively recent technologies and their appli- to give you that selection (and that one nstruction. approved for Veteran Training and authorized cation to a specific field and a specific set of only) and, at a predetermined time, which is under Federal law to enroll non-immigrant alien studentsIt circumstances. The latest example is some- is also endorsed by the National Academy tor Recording listed in the catalog, the black box feeds Arts and Sciences Training institute thing called "The Home Music Store" (a that selection through one of two recording trademarked name), a creation of the Digi- channels, transmitted digitally and in ster- tal Music Company of Washington, D.C. eo, into your system. If you've remembered The Home Music Store joins the technol- to put a blank C-90 cassette into your ma- ogy of digital recording with that of satellite chine you will own a copy (up to forty-five transmission, applies them to a set of cir- minutes) of the recording. You are then CIRCLE NO14 ON READER SERVICE CARD cumstances that includes the existence of billed for this service by mail or credit card cable television lines and the ubiquity of at a price about 40 per cent lower than the SEND FOR OUR NEW cassette tape recorders, and focuses on the list price of the record album; you supply matter of selling not records, but recorded your own cassette. music. In addition to the music you have or- FREE 40 PAGE It works this way. Suppose you already dered, your cassette has also been imprinted subscribe to a cable television service; you with your serial number, inaudible to you then also subscribe to The Home Music HI-FI DISCOUNT Store, and you get, for your approximately $9 extra per month, a black box. This box CATALOG No. 60 feeds not your television set but your stereo set, and it gives you, to begin with, five stereo channels of continuous music, twenty- Lowest prices two hours per day, transmitted digitally via on audio components! satellite to your local cable company and Fast service! fed by it (still digitally) into the black box, which decodes the signal for your amplifier. Fully insured! / The five channels are, respectively, rock, In factory country-and-western, MOR pop, jazz, and sealed cartons! classical and shows, and the selections are all back -announced at lengthy intervals- but detectable with the use of special play- that is to say, you won't know what's com- back equipment. This is there so that if you ing or when so you won't be likely to tape it have any idea of running off a couple of illegally. hundred copies of your legitimatelyre- You willalso getfor your money a corded cassette, they can be traced directly monthly catalog of available records and back to you. This is meant to be a legitimate REPRODUCTION,inc. listings of when they can be sampled on a operation, not an aid to piracy. The compos- (201) 227-6720 completely separate sixth music channel. ers get paid, the artists get paid, the record CLIP 8 MAIL TODAY! This "preview" channel gives you only ex- companies get paid, the cable people get cerpts from the albums, announced in ad- paid, and The Home Music Store (theoreti- rSound Reproduction, Inc. vance with voice-overs and transmitted in cally, at the moment) makes a profit. And I7 Industrial Rd., Fairfield, N.J. 07006 I mono rather 'than stereo. Its purpose is to all this is possible because there is no phys- allow you to sample specific records but to ical product to manufacture, warehouse, IPlease rush your free Hi-Fi Discount Catalog I discourage you from taping the sample. ship, sell, and try to collect for. IName Now we have reached the crucial point. You find in the catalog an album that inter- Wu_ it work? The Digital Music Com- IAddress I ests you-perhaps you hear part of it on the pany thinks so, and a test marketing is in ICity preview channel-and youdecideyou the offing. Yes, but will it work? Ah, that's I I would like to own it. You call up the toll - a different question. If thisisto be our State_ Zip free number and talk to The Home Music brave new world, how are we going to like I J Store's computer, telling it your subscriber (Continued on page 58) CIRCLE NO51 ON READER SERVICECARD

56 STEREO REVIEW LX-5...underits beautiful satin -silver and black -matte exterior lies a recorder of true Nakamichi heritage-a full -feature monitoring "Discrete" 3 -Head machine of superlative quality. Behind its hinged panel are controls for three tape types, Dolby* B- and C -type noise reduction, memory and unattended opera - t on-even Bias Tune to elicit best performance from eachtape. And what performance! Response from 20 to 20,000 Hz, 70 -dB dynamic range with Dolby -C NR, distortion under 1°,0, and inaudible flutter! Reproduction of such incredible clarity and detail that 1- simply is unattainable with conventional technology; it demands tie perfection of Nakamichi magnetic heads and our unique Asymmetrical, Dual -Capstan, Diffused -Resonance transport- microprocessor controlled to feature Auto Play, Punch -In Recording, and remote operation. Experience the beauty of form that reflects t-ie beauty of performance- LX-5-now at your Nakamichi dealer.

Simplicity of Form Excellence of Performance

LX -5 0. ,ee...a Cr.*. De, ----

AcWee YhMter .001.

Cowes. Avow

New PILO 70

TM Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corp. NakamichiFor more information, write Nakamichi U.S A. Corp., 1101 Colorado Ave . Santa Monica, CA 9040'1 it? To begin with, those five commercial - free channels will certainly cut into the radio -listening audience, driving at least some stations to change format. Result: greater uniformity of radio programming. And one wonders how long it will be before the temp- tation to sell commercial time on those five commercial -free channels becomes just irresistible. The music -for -sale aspect of the Store will, among other things,testthe truthfulness of those who say they tape illegally on the grounds that records are shod- dily manufactured. I am skeptical about the results of that test, whatever the Music Store's good intentions. It is true that The Home Music Store will provide a large selection of music for those with little or no access to a well -stocked record store, and the company sees a major chunk of its market in those people. The total capacity of the two recording channels is estimated at about1,000 albums per month. That's alot compared with the record department of a general store, but it's not much next to Sam Goody, King Ka- rol, or Rose Records. The Home Music Store will pull new customers who have not bought records (or not bought many of Computer them) inthe past, butitwill not make record buyers of them; it will also pull old customers, who will now stop buying records. The record companies may make the same money, but for the stores it has to add ding. up to a net loss. Record retailing, though money is made in it, is a marginal and sha- ky business today. Stores that stay in business (some won't) will have to concentrate The new Kenwood computerized on beating broadcast transmissions to the punch with the latest hit albums available. AM/FM receiver and cassette deck. And then, how long will The Home Music Store abstain from direct competition on We've married two of our most sophisticated audio this front? How long will they be willing to components into one space -saving unit that makes beautiful transmit such ahit album only once a music a lot easier to make. And even easier to afford. month? How long will subscribers let them? More and more, those thousand album The KRX-7 Computerized Cassette Receiver. spaces per month are likely to get filled With all its computer controlled functions, the KRX-7 can with repeats-weekly, daily-of the most wanted product at the expense of all minor- do remarkable things with cassette tapes. Like automatically itytastes. fast forward or rewind to any cut you tell it. Play the same cut THE record business, the music business, over again. Or even the same side. As many times as you want. has always been directed toward a double It even handles metal tape. end: profits and prestige. Profits are easily calculable; prestige is something whose val- With its computerized receiver, the KRX-7 also has the ue can be appraised only by a reasonably intelligence to make AM/FM listening easier. It can automat- civilized human being, and prestige in the ically find the next station on the dial, and lock it in perfectly. record business has invariably taken the form of records whose artistic value is felt to It's even smart enough to locate your 10 favorite stations at the be high but whose commercial potential is push of a button. known to be low. Some companies have spent a lot of money on such records, hoping For great performance without a greal deal of complica- to be recompensed only to a point some- tions, see the new KRX-7 computerized cassette receiver at your where close to breaking even. It is one of the theoretical advantages of The Home Music Kenwood dealer. And ask about Store that it can transmit for recording such its matching Kenwood turn- prestigious records at no more cost than that of the transmission time, that is to say, table, 3 -way speakers and jar more cheaply than a company can issue system rack. The easy way to or reissue them as discs. But that transmission cost is precisely the same as for a best- put a stereo system together. selling album. The Store may be willing to And keep it all in the same try anything once, but if orders are few, great sounding family that album and others like it are unlikely to be made available again. Who will maintain 41. the values of prestige against the inexorable KENWOOD tabulations of the computer? More, much For the Kenwood dealer nearestyou. more than now, sales and sales alone will write Kenwood, PO. Box 6213, determine availability. And there will be no

Carson, CA 90749. cutout bins.

STEREO REVIEW "The best loudspeaker for the money."

The New York Times

Stereo Review calls the AR 9 bass "deeper, flatter and cleaner than that of any other we have tested: High Fidelity calls the AR 28s "one loudspeaker that will satisfy the discriminating listener long after the others have lost their charm:' And the American Record Guide calls the AR 18s "the best loudspeaker for the money I've found anywhere near $100:' Now hear for yourself. See your local AR dealer. The New York Times on the AR 38s. April. 1981 Stereo Review, July.1978 High Fidelity, July.1981. American Record Guide, July/August. 1981

AiHear what you've been missing

leTELECATE ACOUSTIC RESEARCH Write for information and authorized dealer locations 10 American Drive. Norwood. MA 02062 USA. High Street. Houghton Regis. Dunstable. Bedfordshire Lli5 50J England. A C Simonds and Sons Ltd . 975 Dillingham Road. Pickering. Ontario. Canada L1W-3B2. WC Wedderspoon Pty Ltd. PO Bon 21. 3-5 Ford Street. Greenacre 2190. New South Wales. Australia CIRCLE NO. 1 ON READER SERVICE CARD STEREO REVIEW Ivan Berger's Buyer's Guide to 5EN.111 PRACESSIRS How can "black -box" equalizers, imagers, noise -reducers, signal -delay units, and the like help you realize your sound ideal?

IFit weren't for several generations of dimensioning and a "staging" circuit for there's also the space of the listening audio perfectionists, we might still designed to control position and per- room to be considered. A more familiar be listening to acoustical recordings spective of the stereo image. class of add-ons-"delay" or "reverb" played through morning-glory horns. Omnisonix has an imaging device for units-works on that space, appearing But thanks to those perfectionists, we the car as well, the Omnisonic 801A to enlarge it to a sonic size more appro- listen today to (iometimes) excellent ($150).Russound's IH-1imageris priate to the musical performance by recordings played through the kind of about to hit the market too. Phase Lin - supplying the delayed echoes typical of sophisticated equipment displayed on ear's Model 180 Dimensional Sonic Lo- larger auditoriums. Today's delay sys- (practically) every other page of this calizer ($150) is designed primarily totems mostly use solid-state, "bucket - magazine. And we're still not satisfied. reduce "center -of -the -head" spatial ef- brigade" (BBD) or charge -coupled de- There's always something more that fects in headphone listening, but it also vices (CCD) which play back through can be done to make up for the record- enriches both mono and stereo speaker separate speakers at the sides or rear of ing engineer's omissions (or to correct sound. JVC's BN-5 Biphonic Processor the room for clarity and natural am- the studio's sins), to make our rooms ($280), on the other hand, promises tobiance effects. Audio Pulse and Sound sound more like concert halls, to reproduce "binaural" effects through or- Concepts were among the pioneer pro- move noise, or even just to tinker a bit dinary speakers, another way of ad-ducers of these devices, but they've with the sound so it is more to our lik- dressing the sound -localization prob-since Peen joined by ADS, Advent, ing. The means to all these laudable lem. Yamaha's latest receivers incorpo- Benchmark Acoustics,Bose,Bozak, ends are a number of "black boxes" rate spatial -image circuits too. Koss, Nikko, Phase Linear, Pioneer, (they are often anything but black) that All imaging devices work on the ster- SAE, Sansui, and Sony. you can plug into your system to get it eo "space" in which the performers are Some of these units, such as the ADS to do that "little something extra." arrayed. But that's just half the story, 10 ($1,150 with speakers) and the Koss Much of what the separate black K-4DS ($430) have built-in amplifica- boxes do can also be done by some tion for their extra speakers. That's not standard components that incorporate too costly an addition, for very little their functions. But the black -box ap- THE BLACK BOX power is required, and delayed -sound proach lets you accomplish your end levels should be kept low in any case. with your present equipment. "FAMILY TREE" But for those who already have spare amplifiers(orfour -channelsystems THEBlack Box Family Tree on the Image / Ambiance Enhancers facing page is meant only as a with rear -channel amps), most delay general conceptual guide to available units have just preamp outputs. Extra Bob Carver's "Sonic Hologram Gen- signal processors, which is why the speakers for delay systems needn't be erator" circuit, originally built into the branching stops just short of naming expensive either. Since low -bass infor- C-4000 preamplifier but now available actual products. Since the three main mationisessentially non -directional, as the C-9 black box for $279, is de- branches (frequency response, imag- the delay system's bass response is not signed to spread the stereo image out ing, and dynamic range) are all per- extremely important (some delay units beyond the confines of the plane be- ceptual,subjectivecategories, it even roll it off), making it possible to should come as no surprise that any tween the speakers and to clarify the signal processing taking place on one use inexpensive speakers or satellite - position of individual voices and instru- of the branches could result in per- type minispeakers. ments within the stereo field. ceptual changes on another. An ob- Most of the units being offered are Hard on the heels of the Carver vious example of this is the variable "delay" rather than "reverberation" preamplifier came other imaging de- high -frequency filters used as noise - systems-that is, the signals they devices designed as stand-alone "black reduction devices. They reduce noise liver to their speakers are essentially boxes." Sound Concepts and Omnison- by carefullyalteringfrequency re- the same as those coming from the ix were among the first. Sound Con- sponseaccording to the demands of front speakers, but delayed by fractions cepts' IR2100 Image Restoration Con- the program material. A more subtle of a second to simulate distant echos. example would be the changein Since most recordings already contain trol ($249) has a handheld control unit imaging caused by the use of equal- that can be adjusted from the listening ization. Such effects vary greatly with some natural reverberation from the position. The Omnisonic 801 Imager the program material and the other hall or studio in which they were re- ($199), a conventional black box de- components in the system (especially corded, that delayed signal will then signed for placement with other system speakers and listening rooms). contain many echoes of its own for a components, is now being joined by the -David Ranada natural effect. new Model 905, which offers variable Reverberation systems such as Ken -

JANUARY 1982 61 wood's RA -80 ($179), Pioneer's SR - common) to thirteen, as well as in "one- 303($195),andSansui's RA -700 third -octave" models with three bands ($190), by contrast, createmultiplede- per octave for a total of twenty-seven to lays for a denser echo pattern. So does thirty-one bands. (White Instruments Sansui's RG-7 ($260) and Technics' even makes a one -sixth -octave unit for SH-8030 ($420), both of which also in- professional use.) ADC Sound Shaper Three iC corporate equalizers (see below). And Graphic equalizers aren't the only "paragraphic" equalizer Sony's SEH-310 "HybridGraphic type available, though. There are also Equalizer"($250)combinesreverb "parametric" equalizers (from Sony with an equalizer, an image enhancer, Esprit,Superex,PhoenixSystems, and a microphone mixing input in thePhase Linear, and SAE). Instead of bargain. separate controls for each of the fre- The aborted introduction of four - quency bands, these usually have fewer, Allison Acoustics channel reproduction paved the way for Electronic Subwoofer often overlapping, bands whose width today's delay systems by familiarizing and center frequency, as well as the de- us with the idea that ambiance from ex- gree of boost or cut, can be varied. Ex- tra speakers could truly enhance a sys- amples include two -band models from tem's sound (the Nikko and Sound SAE ($300, $400, and $650, the latter Concepts units even have switching for with ten equalization -curve memories quadraphonic inputs). Owners of ma- and a port for control by a computer); a Audio Control trix -type four -channel systems (QS or $1,750 three -bander from Sony's cost - Richter Scale bass equalizer SQ) found that even ordinary stereono -object Esprit line; and four -band records were often enhanced by the ac- models from SAE ($700), Superex cidental ambiance added when they ($450), and Phoenix Systems ($99 kit, were played back through matrix de- $150 wired). Onkyo and others also of- coders. Some decoders even included fer switch -selectable center frequencies switch positions designed for optimum on their lowest and sometimes highest ambiance with non -quad recordings. bands. Four -channel discs in the SQ-matrix A third type, the "semi -parametric" format continue to trickle onto the mar- or "paragraphic" equalizer has multi- ket, but only one decoder for them isple bands with adjustable center fre- dbx Model 20/20 now available, the Audionics Space and quencies: ADC's Sound Shaper Three equalizer/analyzer Image Composer ($1,275). A decoder IC ($500), Crown's EQ-2 ($1,195), for a newer matrix system, Ambisonics, and Superex's GEM -4 ($210). Others is available from IMF Electronics for provide adjustable widthsandfrequen- $650, and about sixty Ambisonic-en-cies: Phase Linear's Model 1100 Series coded discs are available, most of them Two ($595), Sony's Esprit SE -P900 British. ($1,750),andTechnics'SH-9010 ($200). Equalizing the Environment Even the common graphic types include some surprises.For example, JVC SEA -80 If home listening rooms don't havewhile most graphic equalizers have equalizer analyzer the ambiance of concert halls, theyequally spaced control bands, Audio don't have concert -hall frequency re- Control, Cerwin-Vega, and Superex sponse either. Equalizers, today's most make models withunequalspacing. In popular sound processors, are designedCerwin-Vega's GE -3 ($550), the bands I..111a. 11111111 11111111 to compensate for that as well as for are spaced one-half octave apart at bass 11111111 11111111 frequency variations in your system'sfrequencies below 250 Hz (where lis- (usually your speakers') sound. Theytening rooms usually need equalization can also be used as super tone controls most), but are spaced an octave apart Sansui SE -9 to help rebalance recorded sound to fit above that point. Audio Control's 520B equalizer/ analyzer your tastes. ($125) has octave bands at 36, 60, and There are about forty brands and 120 Hz, plus additional controls at more than eighty models of equalizers 1,000 and 15,550 Hz, while Superex's on the market, so there's quite a varietysimilar GEM -2 has controls at 38, 68, to choose from. The most popular 240, 1,600, and 15,000 Hz. C C equalizersare ten -band"octave" The newest variant is the automated graphic types with ten individual slid- equalizer, so far sold for home use only Soundcraftsmen AS1002, ers, each controlling sound levels in aby dbx and Sansui. The dbx 20/20 Auto -Scan Alyzer frequency band one octave wide. (The ($1,500) is the more elaborate of the positions of the sliders form a rough two, with ten bands of equalization and "graph" of the frequency equalizationenough memorytostore optimum curveyou'veset,hencethe nameequalizations for each of ten listening "graphic." Some, from ADC, Akai,positions or equipment combinations. Fisher, Pioneer, and others, even have Sansui's SE -9, with four memories and LEDs set into the tip of each slider to eight bands, costs considerablyless make the "curve" visible in the dark.) ($700). MIDVector Research VQ- 100 Graphic equalizers are available with Both of these automatic equalizers equalizer any number of bands from five (fairly are built around spectrum analyzers

02 STEREO REVIEW Add t 1111th

tOY011/1Otter eittenaedJanual 91982 atPatZe frlsg daY

SYSte

A live performance has 90 or more Buy a 3BX Dynamic Range new releases by Joan Baez, The Police, decibels of dynamic range. Neil Diamond, J. Geils, Moody Blues, But you don't hear anywhere near that Expander and get a Styx, Pablo Cruise, Rita Coolidge, and from your stereo. Because your records dbx Disc Decoder free. Eric Clapton. and tapes don't have it in the first place. Just visit your participating dbx retailer So with a dbx Dynamic Range Expander, In fact, you're lucky if you hear 40 or 50 between October 1 and December 5, you can improve your existing library. decibels. Which means you're losing half and ask to listen to the 3BX Dynamic And with the Model 21, you can start the impact of your music. Range Expander, our top of the line building a new library of almost flaw- The only answer is to add a dbx model. As soon as you catch your breath, less recordings. Dynamic Range Expander. It works on offer to buy the 3BX. And you'll get a Visit your dbx retailer before Dec. 5. the same principle as the dbx noise reduc-dbx Model 21 Disc Decoder absolutely And discover the truth about your tion technology now built into 1981 tape free. Or you can buy the 1BX or 2BX stereo system. decks. Only it takes your existing recordsDynamic Range Expander, and get the For the names of participating retailers and tapes, and increases the dynamic Model 21 for half the regular price. near you, write dbx, Incorporated, range by up to 50%. The Model 21 decodes the revolution- 71 Chapel Street, Newton, Mass. 02195 It also gets rid of surface noise, so all ary dbx Discs and Digital dbx Discs, the U.S.A. Tel. 617-964-3210 you hear is the music. world's first Full Dynamic Range Record- Now, if you're wondering just how ings. And soon, we'll be introducing dramatic that sounds, there's an easy dbx cassettes. More than 150 titles are way to find out. now available to choose from. Including dbx Offer void where prohibited by law. Valid only at participating dbx U.S.authorized consumer products retailers. Quantities may be limited. CIRCLE NO. 17 ON READER SERVICE CARD Stereo Reviews 6 9

Whether you're about to buy your first high -fide ty operating guidance you won't find anywhere e se. Any component or your fifteenth, you need all the facts you questions you nave about HOW TO BUY, HOW TO SET can get your hands on if you want to insure your com-UP, HOW TO USE or HOW TO UNDERSTAND audio plete satisfaction. That's where Stereo Review can equipment are probably answered in one or more of the help you-we furnish the basic buying, installing and reprints listed below.

40896 ROOM ACOUSTICS (How to Correct Your Room Acoustics) (10,66) 40897 GUIDELINES TO SPEAKER SHOPPING (8'69) 40898 RECORD DEFECTS (Their Causes & Cures) 6/71) 40900 HOW IMPORTANT IS AUDIO -COMPONENTS COMPATIBILITY? (174) 40902 HOW TO SELECT A MICROPHONE (3 75) 40904HI -Fl TROUBLESHOOTING CHARTS (7/75) 40905 SPEAKER MYTHS (How to Avoid Bad Choices) (8/75) 40907 HOW TO SELECT AN FM TUNER (12 75) 40908HI -Fl DEMONSTRATION DISCS (4.76) 40910 CLEAN UP AND TUNE UP YOUR AUDIO SYSTEM (6 76) 40912 USING FM INTERSTATION HISS TO TEST RECORDERS AND SPEAKERS (1176) 40914 HOW TO BUY A PHONO CARTRIDGE (1/77) 40915 THE PROFESSIONAL APPROACH TO TAPE RECORDING (3 77) 40916 HOW TO ELIMINATE RADIO -FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE (5777) 40926 ALL ABOUT NOISE REDUCERS (10/77) 40961 HOW TO BUY HI -Fl (A Beginner's Guide to Hi-Fi) (12 77) 41066 HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN DEMO TAPES (Semi -Pro Recording) (3 78) 41088 HOW TO BUY A RECEIVER (5 78) 41091 DIRECT -TO -DISC RECORDINGS (7 78) 41092 LOUDSPEAKER FORUM (Answering Questions On: Electronic Crossovers, Biamplified Systems, Wide vs. Limited Dispersion, Power Ratings) (8/78) 41365 ANTENNAS (9 78) 41366 TIME -DELAY SYSTEMS (10 78) 41367HI -Fl EQUIPMENT RACKS (12 78) 41368 HOW TO UNPACK, HOOK UP, TEST AND INSTALL YOUR NEW EQUIPMENT (12 78) 41369 UNDERSTANDING PHONO CARTRIDGES (2/79) 41370 UNDERSTANDING RECORD PLAYERS (6/79) 50040 SUBWOOFERS (10;79) 50041 A DOZEN RECOMMENDED DIGITAL DEMO DISCS (180) 50043 A BASIC VOCABULARLY OF TAPE RECORDING (3/80) 50151AUDIO EQUALIZERS (Understanding and Choosing Equalizers) (4 80) 50152 BUYING GUIDE TO AUTO SOUND EQUIPMENT (6 80) 50153 LOUDSPEAKER POWER REQUIREMENTS (8 80) 50162 LOUDSPEAKER PLACEMENT (8,80) 50199 HOW TO UPGRADE YOUR EQUIPMENT (11 /80) 50265 A BUYER'S GUIDE TO CASSETTE DECKS (3,'81)

DATE FOLLOWING EACH LISTING INDICATES ISSUE IN WHICH ARTICLE APPEARED. Reprints $2 each. Minimum order $6.

fr'"'"gh CHARGE ORDERS (minimum order $10)-For your convenience CALL TOLL FREE 800-345-8112. 0 In Pennsylvania only 800-662-2444.

1-STEREO REVIEW REPRINTS [ CHARGE MY CREDIT CARD (minimum order $10) P.O. Box 278, Pratt Station American ExpressHVISA Brooklyn, NY 11205 MasterCard Diners Club Please send the reprints listed below: Card No ExpDate Reprint = Quantity Reprint = Quantity Signature Mr. Mrs. Ms (please pmt tua name) Address Pt Number of reprints ordered. City State Zip TOTAL ENCLOSED (minimum order $6) $ U.S.A.-shipped First Class, add $1 per order post & hand. Residents of CA, CO, DC, FL, IL, MA, MI, MO, NJ, NY State, L Outside U.S.A.-shipped Air Mail only, add $2 per order. OH. SC, TN, and VT add applicable sales tax. which read the system's frequency response. It also has an infrasonic filter .411111111111111111111111111W sponse through microphones placed at (found in most Audio Control equaliz- ChM - the listening position (they feed this in- ers), a circuit which sums bass from dbx Model 222 Type 1 formation both to the auto-EQ circuits both channels to reduce rumble, a low - noisy reducer and a visual display). The same sort offrequency boost (designed to be used analyzer can be used for manual fre- with the infrasonic filter to prevent quency -responsesettings,anditis speaker overload), and provisions for therefore built into such equalizers as use as a subwoofer crossover. Audio Control's C-101 ($599), JVC's Allison's Electronic Crossover ($290) SEA -80 ($600) and SEA -60 ($320), also combines low -frequency boost with and Sansui's SE -8 ($400). Separate infrasonicfiltering.Three selectable KLH Model 1201A analyzers, which can be used with al- boost curves are designed to extend the Dynamic Noise Filter most any equalizer, are available from flat response of various Allison speak- ADC ($230), Audio Control ($399),ers down to 20 Hz, but the unit also Crown ($2,295), Rotel ($400), Sound - works well with some other speakers, craftsmen ($499), Phase Linear especially acoustic -suspension types. ($670), and H.H. Scott ($620). The dbx 110 "Boom Box" ($249) is a Aids are available to help with the bass device that works on a different trickytaskof equalization. Sound -principle. Based on the fact that many Nakamichi High-Com II craftsmen'sScan-Alyzerequalizers recordings(especiallypopular ones) noise reducer have lights that can be balanced for lack true low bass, it samples signals in correctfrequency responseineach the 50- to 100 -Hz octave and adds oc- band, and Audio Control's D-11 ($229) tave -lower "subharmonics" to whatever generates octave -wide tones so you can tones it finds there. measure response in each of its ten Most of these devices are designed to bands on the built-in meter. help you hear sounds which should be Equalizers have their uses in record- audible but aren't. If your only low -fre- ing as well as in playback. If you run a quency problem is an excess of inher- signal through an equalizer en route to ently inaudible infrasonics, there are Phase Linear Model 1300 AV Series Two your recorder's inputs, you can createinfrasonic filters available from Ace, video/audio noise reducer special effects or simply tailor a tape'sVSP Labs, and Symmetric Systems. sound for special circumstances (suchAce offers four models: the 4000, with as overcoming road noise or acoustical 18 dB/octave filtering below 20 Hz problems in your car). You can connect ($99); the 4000-X24, with 24 dB/oc- AMMEM11111=k any equalizer this way, but most newtave filtering ($132); and two models models have switches to simplify thewith 12 dB/octave filtering above 20 process; if you intend to use your equal- kHz, the 4100 ($109) and the 4100- RG Dynamics X-15 izer in taping, make sure you get one X24 ($142). While the Ace filters are Dynamic Processor with this feature (a few preamplifiers no longer available as kits, Symmetric provide the necessary switching). Some System's products are, with the filter even have dual tape monitors (with unit going for $50 in kit form, $85 as- dubbing connections in many models). sembled. VSP's HPF 102 ($189) is a INIM

444 JVC's SEA -70 ($400) and SEA -60 and factory -wired, 24-db/octave filter with the Technics SH-8020 ($390) have re- switch -selectable cutoff frequencies of Sanyo Plus N33 verse -response switches so you can re- 20, 30, 40, and 60 Hz, plus a switchable Super D noise reducer cord with one frequency curve, then get boost of 6 dB at 55 Hz. its exact inverse for playback. If you're in the market for an equal- Dynamic Range and izer, decide early on whether you want Noise Reduction it for sonic correction or to use as a more elaborate tone control. The more One of the critical parameters distin- controls it has the more suitable it is for guishinghi-fi from lo-fiis dynamic the former purpose, the less suitable for range, the distance in decibels between the latter. the lowest sound that can be heard Sound Coicepts SX-8C above the noise and the loudest that can ak expander z CX decoder Bass Boxes be produced before distortion becomes audible. For those who don't find the fi Not everyone needs the full -range high enough or the dynamic range suf- frequency control an equalizer pro- ficiently wide, there are two other types vides. Many are concerned only with of add-on signal -processors: dynamic - 11111110 bass -reproduction problems, and there range expanders and noise reducers. are plenty of devices around which deal In noise reduction, the choice of sys- only with the bass. Audio Control's tems has broadened dramatically in the Benchmark Model ARU Richter Scale ($249), for example, is a past few years. For a long time, the only Ambience Access System specializedbass equalizer withfive contenders were Dolby -B and dbx, but bands spaced half an octave apart from now they've been joined by Hi -Corn, 31.5 to 125 Hz, plus a pink -noise source Super -D, Dolby -C, and CX (plus, in 4111111111MMIlt adjustable to match each control band Canada, Toshiba's "Adres" system.) Carver C-9 and a meter to show sound -system re- Dolby -B has become so universal a Sonic Hologram Generator

JANUARY1982 65 that any complementary encode/de-metric Systems's ASRU/EQ-2 ($110 SIGHRL PROCESSORS... code systems such as those discussedin kit form, $180 wired) also combine above have three common characteris- expansion with single -ended noise re- tics: (1) recordings must be made with duction. These systems deal mainly the proper encoding for decoding towith continuous noise sources such as feature in cassette recorders that it has work, (2) encoding makes them at leasttape hiss. A few years back, there was a almost disappeared as an add-on. But partially incompatible with playbackmini -boom in gadgets to eliminate tran- for Dolby -C, you can get Sony's NR - systems that can't decode them prop-sient clicks and pops as well. With 500 ($190) with simultaneous encode/ erly, and (3) the best any of these sys- KLH's and Garrard's click suppressors decode for use with three -head tape tems can do is keep noise from building at least temporarily out of production, decks. Nakamichi's NR -200 ($450) is up in recording and playback-theySAE's 5000A click and pop filter ($225) similar, but it permits Dolby -B can't remove any noise already in the seems to have the field all to itself. recording and playback as well. Also signal at the time it was recorded. Expanders (and compressors) affect available is the NR -100 ($230), de- There are, however, three systems dynamic range a bit differently. Instead signed specifically for use with Naka- which can reduce noise regardless ofof merely lowering the noise floor, ex- michi's 700ZXE, 700ZXL, and 1000- where it entered the signal path and panders make all soft sounds-signal ZXL decks, from which it gets its pow- whether or not it carries noise -reduc- and noise alike-softer and all loud er and properly calibrated levels. Ro- tion encoding (it must be decoded if it oneslouder.Sincerecordingsand tel's RN -560 accessory noise reducer does,though).KLH's DNF1201A broadcasts have been compressed some- ($250) also has both Dolby -B and -C. ($379) and Advanced Audio's DNR- what on their way to you, this can re- Decks with dbx noise reduction built store some of the excitement of live mu- in have appeared in recent years, and sical performance to your living -room for those with other decks, dbx offers a playbacks by making the dynamics you series of processors. Lowest priced of THIS MONTH'S COVER hear more of a match for those the per- these is the $109 Model 21; strictly for formers originally produced. playback, it is designed mainly for use TIHE two silver "black boxes" on our So why compression? It's handy if with dbx-encoded records. For $219, cover this month both combine you have to transmit a wide -range sig- functions commonly found in separate the Model 222 offers encoding or de- nal through a narrow -band medium- signal -processingaccessoryunits. coding, but not both at once, which Sony's SEH-310 Hybrid Graphic using high-grade audiophile discs as makes it most suitable for two -head Equalizer (top) contains a nine -band background music on your videotapes, tape decks. The Model 224 ($299) al- equalizer, a Space Sound imaging cir- for example. It's also handy if you want lows simultaneous encode/decode mon- cuit,a spring reverberation system to make tapes to be played in noisy en- itoring, and the Model 128 ($499) does (adjusted with the Echo knob), and a vironments, such as poorly insulated all of that and also provides variable microphone preamp and mike/ line cars or outdoors. If you're listening late compression and expansionfordy- mixer. Technics' SH-8030 Space Di- at night without headphones, it lets you namic -range control. mension Controller has a five -band bring soft passages up to listenable lev- equalizer, two microphone inputs (one inthe Telefunken's High-Com systemis with a pan pot), mixing between mi- els without waking everyone available in two forms here: Aiwa's crophones and line or a phono input, neighborhood. And since only a few HR -50U ($225), which uses Telefunk- and a time -delay reverberation sys- component values need be changed to en's original single -band system, and tem with an adjustable stereo imager. turn most expanders into compressors, Nakamichi'sHigh -CornII($400), this extra capability adds very little to a which divides the frequency spectrum processor's cost. into two bands and then processes each Expander/compressor units ("corn - independently. 450 ($200) work by rolling off high fre- panders," for short) are available from Both Fisher and Sanyo offer yet an- quencies when there's no appreciable dbx (four models, from $239 to $799) other system, "Super -D," which claims signal content in the treble, restoring and MXR ($160). Expander -only a whopping 40 dB of noise reduction flatresponse again when legitimate units, without compression, are made without"breathing."Fisher's$350 highs are present. Logical Systems' Dy- by MXR ($327), Pioneer ($195), RG NR500 and Sanyo's $300 Plus N55 namic Noise Filters ($129 for the Mod- Dynamics (three models, priced from have simultaneous encode/decode el 318 kit, $199 for the assembled Mod- $255 to $449, which also offer peak un- switching for three -head tape decks. el 8800) work similarly, while the com- limiting and image enhancement), and Sanyo's Plus N33 (also $300) is for use pany's Model 8801 ($289 assembled) Symmetric Systems ($60 kit, $95 as- with two -head decks, but it also incor- filters rumble as well as hiss dynamical- sembled). They are also part of the porates an input mixer. ly. Phase Linear's 1300 AV ($250) has Heathkit AD -1706,theSymmetric CBS's new "CX" noise -reduction input switching for use with both video SystemsAudioSignalRestoration system is strictly for CX-encoded disc and audio systems; thisis especially Unit, and the Sound Concepts CX de- playback. A limited number of discs are useful,for videocassette soundtracks coder mentioned previously. available now from CBS, with more to have poor signal-to-noise ratios. come from RCA, the Warner/Elektra Phase Linear also makes another THIS by no means exhausts the list of group, and others; CX-encoded video- type of after -the -fact signal cleaner, the black -box plug -ins for perfectionists, of discs will also be available in both the Model 1000 Series Two ($450). This course. But the more than one hundred LaserVision and CED (RCA) lines. uses"autocorrelation,"a systemin products referred to here should be Decoders are available from Audionics which filter gates are opened to pass the enough for an introduction to the sub- ($125), MXR ($100), Phase Linear harmonics of fundamental tones in the ject. And since even these won't make ($100), and Sound Concepts ($100). music but closed to frequencies that the sound "good enough" to satisfy The Sound Concepts unit can also be have no corresponding fundamentals everyone, you can expect whole new switched to function as an expander for (also, there's some expansion for in- categories as well as new models of the non-CX recordings. creased dynamic range).Heathkit's "usual" black -box sound processors to

Prospective buyers should be aware AD -1706 ($255 in kit form) and Sym- keep appearing.

66 STEREO REVIEW "Cover" yourself in glory!

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Here's a great way to make a fan- play on your own stand. The origi- tasy come true: put your picture- nal print or slide will of course be Stereo Review or that of a friend or relative-on a returned. Alkyl141Moans if IWIPRFV=EIA"' mom ummogon. Mlisemollion "special edition" cover of your Fotozine magazine covers 11111.111/41411111=m4.0.., 11111110..10...1110,10.104.1.1141.0 favorite magazine! make wonderful conver- -Glitter Giommy's and Glory Whether you're the sation pieces-and mar- YOUR "photographer," "car velous gifts to honor your PHOTO buff," "audiophile," friends' and relatives' tal- HERE! "skier," "runner" or ents and accomplish- "pilot" of the year, it's ments. Or just to make easy to tell the world: just them smile! send us a color snapshot To order, pick the or slide and we'll do the magazine(s) you want rest. Your picture -will be your photo to appear on, professionally enlarged and sized then fill in and mail the coupon to fit, then printed on sturdy lami- with your photo or slide and pay- nated stock to simulate an actual ment or credit-card information. cover of the magazine you select. At only $19.95 for the first framed With your cover you'll also cover, and just $14.95 for each receive a heavy Lucite® frame additional framed cover, it's easy suitable for wall mounting or dis- to order more than one! Mail coupon today! NI Ns mi No um Ns - - INN ow im im No Choose from FOTOZINES any of these Dept. SR. P.O. Box 747. Windermere, FL 32786 fine magazines! YES. put the picture(s) I've enclosed on the cover(s) of:

Psychology Today (magazine title) (magazine title) (magazine title) Popular Photography I 1 (If more than one picture. enclose instructions.) My slide/print/negative will Car and Driver be returned to me in original condition. 1 I El Stereo Review $19.95* for one cover, $14.95" for each additional cover, plus $2.00 each Cycle postage and handling. El The Runner CHECK ONE:El Check or money order for total of $ enclosed. El Skiing ECharge my: EMasterCard [II Visa El Modern Bride Card No. Exp. Date El Boating Signature TI Yachting Mr. El Flying Mrs.

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68 STEREO REVIEW ordi

JANUARY1982 69 Extended Offering: Up to $150 worth of free imported recordings. In our last ad we made the Musical Offering: Order for soandsomuch,UNTIL JANUARY 31, 1982. After that: biz as usual. This extension gives you get thatandthatmuch in free merchandise (exact figures: box below). Hell brokesome room to breathe and some time to inspect our new offers. Which are, of loose. Not only did we get mucho orders and part with mucho merchandise, butcourse, included in the offering. By the way: All our recordings are STEREO un- we also drew a little flak too. People complained heavily about our closing date less indicated otherwise. And as many of our items are available for the first for the offering (Dec. 15): Too much pressure, too close to Christmas, too littletime in the U.S.A., "not" prices are for comparison only, based on the suggested time, saw the ad too late, etc. O.k., o.k. WE EXTEND OUR MUSICAL OFFERING list price for comparable items.

Wagner. The Ring. Complete Bela Bartok: The Six StringArthur Rubinstein plays Cho-Maurice Ravel: Orchestral Edition. Rheingold. Walkuere. Quartets. "His greatest apin. Ballades 14. MazurkasWorks. First complete record. (The Musical Offering: Siegfried. Goetterdaemme chrevement lies in his 6 string1.51. Nocturnes I19, Polo- ing. Rapsodie Espagnol. Bo. rung. Herbert von Karajan con quartets." Perf by the Juilhardnaises 1-7. Scherzo 14, Im- Scheherazade. La Valse 'Order for more than $100 and get $10.00, ducts the Berl. Phil. & Opera. String Quartet CBS GERMpromptus 1.4. Sonatas 2-3.etc. Pierre Boulez cond the 'order for more than $200 and get $25.00, Gundula Janowitz. Christa 77330. Md i Germany. TextWaltzes 1.14 etc. etc. Clas- NY Philharm and the Cleve- order for more than $300 and get $40.00, Ludwig. Dietrich Fischer Dies. Engl./Fr./Ger. 3LPsic recordings from 1957-66land Orches. GERMAN CBS I order for more than $500 and get $70.00, kau. Karl Ridderbusch. etc. not $30 only 516.99 Ite29463GERMAN RCA RED SEAL MASTERWORKS 79404 Text 'order for more than $1000 and get $150.00, First -row Deutsche Gram.12740 R142234 Md Germany Text Engl /Fr /Ger. 4LP on top of it in FREE merchandise of your 240). Made in Ger. Txtbk Ger Rakhmaninor The Sympho-Ger a a a not 540 only $25.9911829563 The Who Collection: Phases nies. "The last of the color- 12 LP not 6120 only The orig. Who Albums from .choice. You can pick from each and every ful Russian masters of the Dimitri Shostakovich: Sym- * * * * * * 19LPsnot $6599 RI/29561 '65 to '78. as released in 'item from this ad for your free merchandise. 19th century." Edo de Waart 5190 only S99 99. ItI/29595 phonies 1.15. Complete. Mos-Europe. My Generation long 'This Musical Offering is good through cond the Rotterdam Symph cow Philharm..Kondraschin.Mono) A Quick One. Who OrchestraPhilips 6768148 Franz Schubert: Die =home (January 31, 1982 only. Mozart: Complete Plano Con- Muellerliz Wintstreise: Schwa-cond.; State Symph. USSR.Sell Out Tommy (2LP with Mdi Holland Txt Eng/Fr/Ger. Swetlancie cond.: etc. With certos. Daniel Barenboim & 4LP not S40 onlynengesang. And 33 selected libretti). Live at Leeds (RAR the English Chamber Orch. songs (words by Goethe, Heitexts by Rilke. ApollinaireITT: with blw photos, scrap 526.9911829560 Cited as being a masterwork ne. Schiller. Uhland. ShakeJewluschenko, Recorded inbook mat etc.) Who's Nexl by a still young interpreter. Virtuoso Guitar Duets. Idaspeare etc.). Dietrich Fisher.the USSR, PRESSED IN GER.Ouadrophenia 12LP with 44pp EMIIElectrola (1C19752249/ Presti & A. Lagoya play Bach.Dieskau,Banton.GeraldGorgeous notes, photos &photo album) The Who By 60). Made in Germany. Text Scarlatti. Debussy. GranadosMoore. piano. DGG 2720105.texts. Ariola 87623 %K. TextNumbers. Who Are You. Col- Eng./Ger. etc Philips 6768657 Made inMd.i.Germ. Comp!. texts inGer. * lector's item. Original covers 12 LPs not 5107 Holland. 2 LP OnlyGer. * 6LP not 13LP not $130 onlyplus slip case. Polydor 2675 $69 99 111/29571 only $49 99 if #29231 S9 9911429599 $60 only S35.99 111429608 216. Md dGerm All orig. Beatles LPs. No over- 11 LP onlyRolling Stones Story: The laps Collector's item- Orig Furtwingler conducts79.9911824766 good old Decca limes Stones albums as released in Eng. Brahma. A collection of im- 1. Around & ar Stones 2 Out land. ong covers' Pls. Please portant historical Mono re-The Cream Collection. A piece of musical history: theof our heads. Aftermath Got Me With Hard Day's Night cordings. Sym. No. 1, Vienna live if you want Satanic Mal- For Sale. Help Rubber Soul Philharm. rec. 11)47; No. 2. orig. Cream recordings Fresh Cream. Live Cream I Liveesty Beggar's Bang. Letit Revolver Sgt. Pepper. White Berlin Philh. rec. live 5/52; Bleed. Ya-yas Out Metamor Album (2 LP( Yellow Sub AG No. 3, Berlin Philh. rec. liveCream II. Wheels of Fire (2 12149; No. 4, Vienna Philh. recs.). Disraeli Gears. Good-phosis. Btw. The Buttons. 2 bey road. Let It Be. Rarities EMI Made in Germany. Gold - rec. live 10148. Hung. Dancesbye Original covers in a beau.historical Mono LPs. Tele- funken/Decca(&30118) Made embossed box. very limited No. 1, 3, 10; Conc. for Vn. & 11101 box RSO 2658 142. Made For the first time In the U.S.:The United Jazz & Rock En-Ian Cam's Nucleus: Awaken- Orch., Op. 77, Menuhin. rec. in Germ. by Deutsche Gramrno-inGermany Stock' The famous Europeansemble: Teamwork. Thomp-ing. With Garr, Brian Smith, 12 LPs not S95 * 14 LPs not $111 10/49. Conc. for Pno. & Orch. phone * 7LPs son, Carr, Dauner, Hiseman, "Mood" Jazz libel. 9 of the Geoff Castle, Chucho Mer Op. 83, rec. 11142. Conc. for not 549.88 only 544 99 19424214 only S74 99 19124213 only $99.9911423392 best European Jazz artistsKriegel, Mangelsdorff, Mari-than, Nic France. "Awaken Vn., Op. 102, Vienna Philh.The Star -Club Collection. got fed up with the mogulsano, VanRoyen, Weber.Mg. Midnight Oil.Mutatis rec. live Mood 22999 Made in Ger- 1152. EMI 1C149. The Star -Club started every- who produced & distributed Mutandis. White City Blues 53420/26M. Made in Germ. their music. 2 years ago Ianmany. * thing. Located in the raun- 1LP only $8.99etc." Mood 24400. Made in Text Engl./Germ. Carr (trumpet), John Mica - It #32105. Germany. * 1LP only $8,99 chiest part of Hamburg's * 7 LP not $70 only $33.99 Red Light District, it became man (percussion), Wolfgang It #32108 lt#29627 Dauner (piano, "Best ManLany Conn.!: Standing Ova - the launching pad for Euro. Tr pean Rock. The Beatles took CallTolloll Free: (800) 446.7964 on the Synthesizer 1977"),lion, Solo. "Discotexas. Ex- Tchaikovsky: The 6 Sympho- Volker Kriegel (guitar), Ackcerpt. Ravel. Wonderful Wolf-Kolbe-Illenberger-Dauner: nies & Manfred Symphony.off from here. And many Virginians, pls. call (804) 293-5197. We are van Royen (trumpet, horn) &gang. Sweet Shuffle etc."LlyeKld. Martin Kolbe & Ralf more. Now that the S. -Cis here from 9-5 EST. Ask for Bambi, or leave a Lorin Maazel conductor Vi-an Erotic Theatre, it's time Albert Mangelsdorf I ("BestMood 22888. Made in Ger-Illenberger (famous guitar & enna Philharmonic. Deutsche, message. Speedy -Gonzalez service: Most Trombone Player 1977")many.*1LP only $8.99 to look back: The Original vocals duo) and Wolfgang Schallplattenpreis. Telefunken orders leave within 24 hrs. By good old U.P.S. formed a loose group, calledINI32104 Dauner."Free Man in 1 Star -Club Record Collection Decca 6.35342.Md. Germ.contains IOLPs of The Rat. "The United Jazz & Rock En. Hartle. Colouring the Leaves. Txt Ger. sembie." While they were atJohn Lee/Gerry Brown(Eet a 61.Psties, Shorty & Them, The O.k., I'll take the offering. Get Closer. The Sycophantic not $60 only $34.99 1W9617 it, they formed their own la-Albers(Darryl Thompson:Typewriter." Mood 24000 Roadrunners, tan And The bel: "Mood Records." OverBrothers. "Uptown Express. Zodiacs, The Liverbirds, Lee Ouant. Of Item if. S each. Made in Germany. 1LP Pablo Cassis: In Memoriam. there, the artist -owned labelBrothers. Rita. Rise on. etc."only 58.99 11832107 Curtis. The Phantom Broth last became synonymousMood 24550. Made in Ger- Historic mono recording. freshers. Gave. Dee, Dozy, etc pressing. Casals (Violincello) with first -row European Jazzmany. a 1 LP only $8.99 The Rivets, The Remo 4 & (with a couple of U.S. friendsIt.32111 Zbigniew Seifert: We'll Re- and Rudolph Sefton (Piano)The Walker Brothers.Star flown in). Over here, It be- member Zbiggy.For most play Beethoven's CompleteClub Rec.lPhonogram 6685 came a sortof a secret cult - musicians, Zbigniew Seifert Works for Violincello & Pi-101. Made in Ger. object, but you needed aWolfgang Dauner: Changes.was the greatest jazz violin ano. Sonatas 41 thru 5 and 1OLP not $100 only friend in Europe willing to doSolo album. Dauner on pi.player of the seventies. He more. CBS GERMANY 77364.$59.99 It #24098 Musical Offering. My order is for more than long-distance favors.Nixano & various synthesizers.died, 33 years old, during a Made in Germany. Text Ger. The Jazz History I & II. Arm S. I'm entitled to $ of free friend, needed no more: Blue"Changes. Fur Flo. Changestour in Buffalo, N.Y. All pro * 3 LP not S30 onlyStrong at Carnegie Hall. M $19 99 It429452 merchandise. Here's what I want: Angel now is the official &2. Stuck fur piano and syn-ceeds from this record go to Jackson. Miller. Ellington. Ba exclusive importer & distrib-thesizer. Landscape. TanzAgnes Seifert, widow of sic. Goodman, Fitzgerald utor for "Mood" for the U.S.Trans." Mood 23333. MadeZbiggy. Mood 24500. Made Scott Joplin. Bechet. Jelly Here are the first albums.in Germany.a1LP onlyin Germany.*1LP only Roll Morton. Dorsey. Wallet More will arrive later. $8.99111432106 5899 It 432109 Crosby etc Usually 1 album a. J per person/orchestra. Jar: Line 31101/110 33117/126ill Jelly Roll Morton and Red Hot Keith Jarrett: Sun Bear Con- Quantities are limited. Add $3 fo postage 2 boxes. Made in Germany Peppers & Trios. 1926. 1939 certs. Piano Solo. Recorded & handling. VA residents add 4% sales tax The Saga of Mister Jelly Lord In Japan. Pressed in Ger- ***** a ** 10 day money back guarantee for unplayed Master by master in chron many. The famous collet 20 LP d steal for only 549.99 It#32110 records. order. Joker C70/7 Md. in Italy tion: Jarrett's Music. com- Bath: Complete Organ Works. * 7 LP only bined with Japanese Design Lionel Rogg. Considered byJoseph Haydn: The 12 Lon- FOREIGN ORDERS: Visa/MC, Intl. money 524 99 11.32113 & German precision. Beauti- The John Mayall Collection. don Symphonies. E. Jochum John Mayall is famous for Grammophone Mag. to be the order or cashier's check in U.S. funds only. ful thick paper jackets. box ultimate collection. EMI/Elec.cond. the London Philhar 100 Yeses of Berlin Philhap & collector's book (manygoing through musicians monic Orchestra. Deutsche Add 10% for p&h, $7.50 minimum. like others go through un- trola (1C19714101/20). Made monks. In 1882 Berlin Mu- photos, text Engl.) Made in in Germany. Text Ger. * Grammophone 2720 091 sicians rebelled, wrote a Germany by ECM (1100). derwear. So it's easy to lose Made in Ger. Text Ger. *** 17I have enclosed check/money order for track. But here is the defini- ****** democratic constitution, 10LP only 20 LPs not $179*** 6LP not 560 only (allow 3 weeks for pers. checks) elected their own conductor way 1023217 tive collection: 10 Original $34.99 ItI29630 I only $79.99111129300 7 Send it C.O.D.will pay addl. postage & named themselves "Ber- LPs of John Mayall & The and here's $10 as a deposit. liner Philharmonisches Or. Djangology. The most com- Blues Breakers. In the Origi- Dina Lipatti. (The James Dean Telemann: The 300th Birth.of Classical Music 1 Selected chester."For their100th pote collection of the most nal Covers. Plus 2 albums 7 Charge it to my f MC Visa w/rare & unreleased record- day Edition. On March 14.Works from Bach. Brater, birthday. Deutsche Grammo. famous Jazz guitarist: Dian - Georg Philipp Telemann ce- phone compiled their chron- go Reinhardt. James Jones: ings. (1) John Maya!! Plays. Chopin. Enescu. Grieg. Li szi Card 8 "He's a God." Contains 20 (2) Bluesbreakers with Eric lebrated his 300th birthday. Mozart. Ravel. Schubert. Sch. ological documentation. And look at the party which From the first recordings w/ Reinhardt LPs, including theClayton. (3) A Hard Road. mann & Scarlatti. Imponate Arthur Nikisch to the most rare '49 Rome recordings. (4) Crusade. (5) The BluesTelefunken is giving him. Hishist. More, recEMVElectroid Exp. Sig recent ones wlKarajan & 265 cuts from 1928 to 1950. Alone.(6) The Diary of a Orchestra Works (Darmstadt(IC19753780/86). Made inGer Rostropovich. 15 LPs (5 orig. Lots of first time releases, Band Vol. 1. (7) The Diary of Overtures. Overtures and ConText Germ cenos from the Banquet Mu Mono, 10 STEREO) with the unearthed in the archives of a Band Vol. 2. (8) Bare Wires. 7 LPs only $29.9911829554 B.P. pick of the century: Paths/EMI. If you area Rein- (9) Blues from Laurel Can- sic): his Chamber Music 110 Name (print) Beethoven, Bruckner, Schu- hardt collector, this box of yon. (101 So Many Roads. Trio Sonatas. 6 Trio Sonatas. mann, Wagner, Schubert, 20 LPs will leave no mum- (11)Rare Tracks,Vol. 1. Trios. Quartets. Soli and Con Strauss. A Pantheon of con- mies buried. Reinhardt with (12) Rare Tracks, Vol. 2. Ev- clusions from the Banquet Address ductors: Nikisch, Kleiber. the Quintet of the Hot Club erything in 1 collector's box.Music. and Telemann's Vocal Walter, Knappertsbusch, de France, with Stephan Made in Germany by Tele-Music (Pmpione. The Day of Plitzner, Strauss. Furtwang- Grappelli. with Joseph Rein. funken.Decca (6.30122) a* Judgement. on the original City State Zip ler, Jochum, Fricsay, Bohm, nardt. Coleman Hawkins, 12 LP not instruments) Performed by Maazel,Kubelik, Abbado. Jean Vaissade, Dicky Wells $120 only 189.99 It #24920 Concerto Amsterdam under Karajan, Karajan, Karajan. & Orchestra, Andre Ekyan, Frans Brueggen and by Con Telephone (just in case) For you collectors: This is Eddy South, Michel Warlop, Vivaldi. 82 Concerti. The mostcentus Musicus under NicTelemann: Banquet Music the first edition of this set & Benny Carter & Orch., Larry complete anthology. pert byolas Harnoncourl ExcellentCompleterei Please send me your catalogue. the first pressing (Made in Adler, Christian Wagner etc. I Musici Grand Prix du DisTelefunkenlDas Alto WerkLeonhard). Consitu Germany Fall '81)Secure Complete documenta- que Edison Award. Deutsche, 16 35554 6.355561 Made indam. F Brueggen Grand Pi 1, this unique set now. It might tion. Made in Germany by Schallplanenpreis12 hrsof Ger 3 booklets (Eng./Ger du DisqueFirstrate Teie Blue Angel, Inc. soon become a rarity. DG EMI (1C198.16001)20) a* Barog mus Philips (67470291 15 LPs in 3 volume boxes in I lunken (6.352981 Made in Ger 1738 Allied St. 2892 059. Text Ger a Md in Hot li:case Text Ger/Eng/Fr Sumptuous 15 LP. a* 20LPs, not $200. only * 18 LPs 15 LPs nothox 6 IRs not Charlottesville, VA 22901 SR01 not $150 only $7999 It829601 $9999 It 832114 not $161 only $6599111129502 $150 only 58999 11829594 S60 only $34 99 11029295 L. J CIRCLE NO. 10 ON READER SERVICE CARD 70 STEREO REVIEW lUDIOPHILE DISCS David Ranada shores his impressions ofsome of the past year's best -sounding recordings

INthe two years since our last round- the digital format at prices most studios heavy plastic sleeves supplied by Angel, up of high-technology discs ("A or artists can afford. Half -speed remas- RCA, Nonesuch, Moss Music Group, Dozen Digital Demo Discs," Janu- tered discs (at least those covered be- Nautilus,andothersunfortunately ary 1980), the so-called "audiophile" low)originatefrom analogmaster tend to grind any grit on the surface of branch of therecordindustry has tapes, some of quite ancient vintage. In the disc into the grooves.) grown considerably. For instance, a fact, the sound quality of all remastered In the evaluation of sound-as op- quick glance at the disc listings in this recordings, no matter how high theposed to pressing-quality in phono- new New Year's survey reveals that technology employed in their produc- graph discs,highly personalartistic digital recording is well on its way to tion, depends ultimately on the.quality judgments must be made, and these de- becoming the way to make a master of the original master tapes, and some pend a great deal on the type of music tape-at least in classical music andof them sound extraordinarily good. and its performance. For classical -mu- jazz, where the demand for multichan- What will you hear from this selec- sic recordings, which should bear some nel facilities (and subsequent remixing) tion of some of the past year's best - relationship to a live acoustical event, is less severe. Furthermore, some of the sounding audiophile discs? Technically, one should seek a degree of realism in large U.S. record companies, perhaps you'll hear generally lower levels of disc the recorded sound. Acoustical perspec- inspired by financial and public -rela- surface noise, lower distortion (some- tive (perceived distance to the instru- tions pressure from the audiophile com- times as a result of lower cutting lev- ments) has to be appropriate to the mu- munity, seem finally to be ready, will- els), and, from a few digitally mastered sic and to the performance, and it has to ing, and (sometimes) able to make a discs, a wider dynamic range than is be consistently realistic throughout the low -noise, defect -free pressing. usual on records. From some labelsrecording. Instruments must not ob- High -qualityanalog -mastered re- you'll also be getting better packaging trude out of the sonic fabric like lumps cording isn't dead either. Pop produc- of those delicate grooves-double jack- under the carpet. Balances between in- tions depend on multichannel (sixteen ets and plastic inner sleeves. (The best struments, if they are not perfectly real- and up) recorders and the ability to inner sleeves are the type supplied by istic, should at least be musically apt, overdub and remix, but these capabili- CBS Mastersound, MobileFidelity, and the hall ambiance should match ties are not yet generally available in VareseSarabande,and JVC. The the requirements of the music.

JANUARY1982 (Continued overleaf) -,,_ SIBELIUS A KA\ FINIAN..A aunty lir loth FiNihcrhrxiiNtn frra (lrchs,1771 DIE GROSSE SILBERMANNORGEL VtairnirAchkenaly DES DOMES ZU FREIBERG

"The digital art for now is best suited to "Stunning clarity for orchestral textures 'One of the best organ recordings I've

. . making jazz recordings. ." while maintaining realistic balances." heard in quite some time. . . ."

For most popular music, a different If you go through the list below and derson cond. VARESE SARABANDE set of criteria must be brought to bear, find that one of your favorite recent au- VCDM 1000.80 $15, dbx PS -1046 $18. principally because most of the sounds diophile recordings is missing, it may be heard have only an incidental relation- that I just didn't get a chance to listen These five recordings present some of the ship to a live acoustical event. For ex- to it. Keep in mind that not all audio-best evidence I've heard in favor of both ample, listening at the original level to phile discs pass my way, and I have a multi -microphone (London, Denon, Varese the sound pressures produced at a mi- Sarabande) and purist (Telarc) recording hard time keeping up with the ones that techniques. The London disc demonstrates crophone placed a foot in front of a do. Also keep in mind that while the multimike techniques at their best, provid- trumpet (as is typically done) could re- digitallymastered recordings are ing stunning clarity for orchestral textures sult in deafness. And an acoustic guitar marked with our identifying symbolwhile maintaining a realistic balance be- reproduced at realistic levels would be (0), they are still really analog discs tween the instruments and the acoustic am- swamped by that same trumpet. So, in- because they are played by a stylus biance. The Utah Symphony's "pops" con- stead of looking for "realism" in pop tracing an analog groove. Pure -digitalcert is less well balanced, but it has a very discs, I listened for a certain cleanliness home playback from thelaser -read wide dynamic range and a drier, clearer in the sound quality, a freedom from Compact Disc System is claimed to be ambiance than that afforded the Boston excessive artificialreverberation and Pops in their series of digital recordings for about a year away. In other words, the Philips.Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony other muddifying signal processing.I discs listed below are remarkable, but receivesitsbest -sounding recording(at also listened (usually, alas, in vain) for you ain't heard nothin' yet. least for all but the storm movement) on a some sign of exploitation of the avail- very well -pressed Denon disc. The two Tel - able dynamic range. In general I was Orchestral arc discs have been discussed in these pages disappointed at the lack of low-level before (the Stravinsky in January 1981, the sonicdetailinpopularrecordings. SIBELIUS: Symphony No. 4, in A Minor. Orff in September 1981). While this criticism can be construed as Op. 63; Luonnotar, Op. 70; Finlandia, Op. striking at the very heart of contempo- 26, No. 7. Elisabeth Sfiderstrom (soprano, Concertos inLuonnotar); Philharmonia Orchestra, rary musical styles, I think it is a justi- Vladimir Ashkenazy cond. LONDON 0 RODRIGO: Fantasia pars un Gentilbombre: fiable criterion to apply when dealing LDR 71019 $12.98. Concierto Andaluz for Four Guitars and Or- with these audiophile recordings, many STRAVINSKY: Le Sacre du Printemps. chestra. Alfonso Moreno (guitar); Minerva of which are marketed under the claim Garibay, Cecilia Lopez, and Jesus Ruiz that they provide lower noise levels. If a Cleveland Orchestra, Lorin Maazel cond. TELARC 0 DG -10054 $17.98. composer/arranger/performer is given 60 to 90 dB of dynamic range to play ORFF: Carmina Burgin& Judith Blegen (so- with (the latter figure is available with prano); William Brown (tenor); Hal= Ha- 1TheNomenclature dbx-encoded discs),it should be ex- gegbrd (baritone); Atlanta Boy Choir; At- lanta Symphony Chorus and Orchestra, Direct -to -disc records (designated ploited in the music. Robert Shaw cond. HINDEMITH: Sym- in STEREO REVIEW by the symbol 0) phonic Metamorphosis of Themes by Carl are made by feeding the output of the IALSO listened (as did our Badap Maria won Weber. Atlanta Symphony Or- recording console directly to the disc - spectrum analyzer) with particular in- chestra, Robert Shaw cond. TELARC 0 DG - cutting lathe. This process is intended terest for low frequencies. I found that 10056/56 two discs $24.95. by bypass the degradations inherent in there was very little high-level low -bass any magnetic -recording process. (below 70 Hz) information on any of BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 6, in F Ma- jor,Op. 68 ("Pastoral").Staatskapelle Half -speed remastered discs are the pop or jazz albums Iauditioned, Dresden, Otmar Suitner cond. DENON 0 with a couple of notable exceptions. cut with both the master tape and the OX -7222 -ND $15. disc lathe running at half their normal Most of the "punch" that many listen- UTAH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: Digi- speeds (this means that the lathe turns ers mistake for real bass actually lies in tal Fireworks. Bernstein (arr. Peress): West at 162/3 rpm). This is said to result in a the 70- to 80 -Hz region. Classical mu- Side Story, Overture. Sousa: The Stars and cleaner, less distorted recording since sic often doesn't go very low either, but Stripes Forever. Anderson: Fiddle Faddle. the cutting stylus has twice as much the frequency content in that case is Rose: Holiday for Strings. And five others. time to get from place to place. usually prespecified by the composer. Utah Symphony Orchestra, Robert Hen -

72 STEREO REVIEW ORIGINRL MRSTER RECORDING

FANTASIA PARA UN CENTITHOMPRE Alfonso Moreno, Guitar THE SHEFFIELD DRUM RECORD For Audio Component Testing and Evaluation

,rrproyiscbons by Jim KioNnor- Ron Tun

Enrique litiz- Orqucsta Sioldnica dcl Eqadodc Mixico "Destined to become the transient -signal "The Earl Klugh disc takes the prize for "The producer's choices are appropriate demonstration disc in hi-fi salons, . . ." the quietest surfaces . . . ." for both the music and the performance."

(guitars, in the Concierto); Orquesta Sin- Siegmund Nimsgern, Dunja Vejzovic, oth- Organ fonica del Estado de Mexico, Enrique Batiz ers; Chorus of the German Opera, Berlin; cond. VARESE SARABANDEao VCDM BerlinPhilharmonic Orchestra,Herbert J. S.BACH:Toccata and Fugue in D Minor 1000.150 $15, dbx PS -1032 $18. von Karajan cond. DEUTSCHE GRAMMO- (BWV 565); Fugue in G Minor (BWV 578k' PHON 0 2741 002 five discs $64.90. Schilbler Chorales (BWV 645-650). Five BEETHOVEN: Piano Concerto No. 5, in E - flat Major, Op. 73 ("Emperor"). Rudolf other works. Hans Otto (organ). DENON Both these recordings are superb examples OX -7I84 -ND $15. Serkin (piano); Boston Symphony Orches- of natural -sounding multimicrophone tech- tra,Seiji Ozawa cond. TELARC O DG - The superb Silbermann organ in Freiberg niques used to clarify very complex orches- cathedral receives an equally superb record- 10065 $17.98. tral and vocal textures. Wozzeck, especial- ing here, one of the best organ recordings ly, has never sounded so beautiful on rec- Here are two ways to make a concerto re- I've heard in quite some time. The sound is ords before. cording: somewhat distant, with a realistic close, but not irritatingly so, and the bass balance between soloist and orchestra (Tel - goes down to around 40 Hz. If only the per- arc), or with both orchestra and soloists up Sob Piano formances weren't so stodgy .... closefora more "analytical,"brighter RZEWSKI: Four Piano Pieces; Ballad No. sound (Varese Sarabande). The producers' 3,Which Side Are You On? Frederic Jazz choices areinboth cases quite appro- Rzewski (piano). VANGUARD al VA -25001 priate-and successful-for both the music $12.98. DAVE GRUSIN: Mountain Dance. Dave and the performances. Grusin (acoustic and electric piano, synthe- CHOPIN: Polonaise-Fantaisiein A -flat sizer); other musicians. Rag -Bag; Friends Major, Op. 61; Three Waltzes; Three Noc- and Strangers; City Nights; Mountain Opera turnes; Impromptu No. 3, in G -flat Major, Dance; Thanksong; Captain Caribe; and BERG:Wozzeck.EberhardWaechter, Op. 51.Peter Serkin(piano). RCA 0 two others. JVC 0 VIJ-6326 $16.98. ATC I -4035 $15.98. AnjaSilja,Hermann Winkler,others; EARL KLUGH:Finger Paintings.Earl Vienna State Opera Chorus; Vienna Phil- WEBER:Piano Sonata No. 2, in A -flat Ma- Klugh (guitar); other musicians. Dr. Ma- harmonic Orchestra, Christoph von Doh- jor, Op. 39. LISZT: Ballade No. 2, in B Mi- cumba; Long Ago and Far Away; Cabo ninyi cond. LONDON O LDR 72007 two nor; Nocturne ("En Rive"); Mephisto Waltz Frio: andsixothers.MOBILE FIDELITY discs $25.96. No. 1. David Bar -Man (piano). AUDIOFON SOUND LAB MFQR 1-025 $50. 2002 $11.95. WAGNER: Parsifal. Jose van Dam, Victor SHEFFIELD DRUM RECORD.Improvi- von Halem, Kurt Moll, Peter Hofmann, These three piano discs are listed in order of sations by Jim Keltner and Ron Tutt. SHEF- increasing sonic distance from the instru- FIELD LAB 0 14 $16.95. ment: close, near, and far. As the distance DON MENZA:Burnin'. Don Menza and "Digital" records, as they arepres-- increases, you'll hear an increase in "room His '80s Big Band. Burnin'; Don't You ently sold, are in truth still analog rec- sound" and ambiance, along with a rolloff Know 1 Care; New Spanish Boots; Tona- ords. Their master tapes, however, of the high frequencies and less of a "9 -foot - wanda Fats; Relaxin' Dizzyland. M & K were made on digital tape recorders. grand" effect. The Audiofon disc is from an REAL-m.4E 0 RT-301 $17, dbx PS -1064 True digital, laser -read discs are ex- analog(!)master, simply microphoned. $18. pected to hit the American market in a Only the tape hiss gives the process away. year or so. All these are "clean" recordings in the sense Guitar outlined in my introduction, with the Gru- While these three processes consti- sin and Klugh records being the cleanest tute the main high-technology or "au- JULIAN BREAM:Music of Spain, Vol. 4-The Classical Heritage. Works by Sor overall. The Klugh disc is one of Mobile Fi- diophile" categories extolled on record delity's ultra -thick, ultra -deluxe -packaged, and Aguado. Julian Bream (guitar). RCA jackets, a record is much more than ultra -expensive, Ultra -High -Quality(as ATC1-4033 $ I 5.98. the sum of the master -recording and they call it) discs. It was pressed by JVC, disc -cuttingoperations.Audiophile - This disc is much more distantly micro - and it takes the prize for the quietest sur- disc companies also usually take other phoned than are most acoustic -guitar re- faces of any disc listed in this article. The extraordinary-and costly-measures cordings. The main gain is a reduction in Menza album is aggressively close-miked in to maintain high disc quality from player -made noises (as opposed to music) a too -dry recording-studio/hi-fi showroom, master tape to finished pressing. and a pleasing sense of space surrounding but it has a wide dynamic range. The Shef- the performer. field "Drum Record," with less than ten

JANUARY 1982 73 mainly from the electrifying performance; ano and cond.); other musicians. I Love a AUDIOPHILE... the recording, though excellent for March Piano; It's Better with a Band; Remember; 1954, has a restricted high -frequency range Chant la Vie; and six others. Moss MUSIC and higher distortion (from analog tape!) GROUP 0 D/MMG 104 $10.98, dbx PS - thanmore modernrecordings.Stereo - 1045 $18. Surprisingly good live pickup, image enthusiasts, however, will be glad to but my copy was noisier than it should have minutes of playing per side, is destined to know that this is the only stereo Heldenle- been. become the transient -signal demonstration ben with the correct string seating plan: di- disc in hi-fi salons. Our spectrum analyzer vided violins, cellos on the left, violas on the THOMAS MURRAY: The Sympbonic Or- did not, however, show any substantial bass right. gan. Rossini:William Tell Overture.Wag- information below 60 Hz, and the treble ner:Grand March from Tannhauser.Sou- content sloped gently. BERLIOZ: Requiem, Op. 5.Robert Tear sa:The Stars and Stripes Forever. And five (tenor); London Philharmonic Choir; Lon- others. Thomas Murray (organ). AFKA SK - don Philharmonic Orchestra, Andre Previn 277 $9 (postpaid fromBKMAssociates, Rock cond.ANGEL 0 DSB-3907twodiscs P.O. Box 22, Wilmington, Mass. 01887). A $21.96. Clear, clean, uncolored sound from large "symphonic" organ recordedwell GENESIS:ATrickof the Tail.Genesis (vo- back in a very reverberant church. Good cals and instrumentals). Dance on a Volca- low bass. no; Entangled; Squonk; Mad Man Moon; Robbery, Assault & Battery; Ripples; A JANACEK: Sinfonietta, Op. 60; Taras Bul- Trick of the Tail; Los Endos. MOBILE FI- Sources for bs.Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir DELITY SOUND LAB MFSL 1-062, no list High-technology Discs Charles Mackerras cond. LONDON 0 LDR price. 71021 $12.98. The best -sounding commer- FLEETWOOD MAC: Rumors.Fleetwood >sT of the discs listed in this ar- cial recordings of these two works. Mac (vocals and instrumentals). Second Mticle can be obtained through Hand News; Dreams; Never Going Back your local audio salon or full -service SCHOENBERG: Pierrot Lunaire, Op. 21. Again; Don't Stop; Go Your Own Way; record store. For information about Maureen McNalley (speaker); Orchestra of Songbird; The Chain; You Make Loving dealers in your area who may carry Our Time, Joel Thome cond. Moss MUSIC Fun; and three others. NAUTILUSNR8, no the less well -distributed labels, write GROUP0 D-MMGIII $10.98. list price. to the distributors or manufacturers listed below. RAVEL: Daphnis et Chloe.Choeur et Or- LINDA RONSTADT: Simple Dreams.Lin- chestre Symphonique de Montreal, Charles da Ronstadt (vocals); other musicians. It's AUDIOFON and NIMBUS:Brills, Dutoitcond.LONDON 0 LDR 71028 So Easy; Carmelita; Simple Man, Simple Imports, 155 San Vicente Boulevard. $12.98.Somewhat restricteddynamic Dreams; Sorrow Lives Here; I Never Will Beverly Hills, Calif. 90211. range compared with Telarc's recording of Marry; Blue Bayou; and four others. NAU- the Second Suite (Telarc DG- 10052). TILUSNR26, no list price. JVC and SOUND STORAGE: AudioSource,1185ChessDrive, MAHLER: Symphony No.2,in C Minor Foster City, Calif. 94404. I found it very difficult to come up with a ("Resurrection"). IsobelBuchanan(so- M&K REALTIME: Miller & Krei- prano); Mira Zakai (contralto); Chicago enough quality to mention in this article. sel Sound Corp.,10391Jefferson Symphony Chorus andOrchestra,Sir This was not totally unexpected, since the Boulevard, Culver City, Calif. Georg Solti cond. LONDON 0LDR72006 digital art for now is best suited to making 90230. two discs$25.96. Sounds unduly com- jazz recordings, some of which require pressed at times. neither extensive multitrack facilities (un- MOBILE FIDELITY: Mobile Fideli- like pop) nor tape splicing (unlike classi- tySoundLab,21040 Nordhoff Street, Chatsworth, Calif. 91311. SHELLYMANNE JAZZ QUARTET: In- cal). So I've listed three fine -sounding half - terpretations. J. S. Bach:Violin Concerto in speed remasterings from analog originals. SHEFFIELD: Sheffield Lab, Inc., E Major; Air from the Suite in D.Mozart: (The Fleetwood Mac disc is described as P.O. Box 5332, Santa Barbara, Cal- Divertimento (K. 136); Andante from Piano being "digitally remastered," which proba- if. 93108. Concerto in C (K.467). Shelly Manne bly means only that the mixdown from the TELARC: Audio-TechnicaU.S., (drums); Mike Wofford (piano); Gary Fos- analog original was done on a digital re- ter(flute, saxophone); Chuck Domanico corder.) In contrast to the two other discs Inc., 33 Shiawassee Avenue, Fair- lawn, Ohio 44313. (bass). TREND 0 TR-525 $9.98. Bass is listed, the Genesis album has strong bass slightly overemphasized. signals (from synthesizers) down to around VARESE SARABANDE and DENON: 40 Hz, but it is otherwise a bit more com- Discwasher, Inc., 1407 North Provi- SCHUMANN: Humoreske, Op. 20; Fanta- pressed and "processed" than the Fleet- dence Road, Columbia, Mo. 65201. sia in C Major, Op. 17.Richard Goode (pi- wood Mac and Linda Ronstadt albums. ano). NONESUCH 0 D-79014 $11.98. Sur- faces on my copy were a bit noisy. Awas true in preparing the January 1980 article, quite a few high- a dry and smallish hall totally inadequate BRAHMS: Piano Trio No. Z in C Major, technology recordings fell just short of for the cathedral acoustics demanded by the Op. 87.San Francisco Trio. SOUND STOR- inclusion in the select group above. Per- composition. AGE SSR 2010 $14.98. Don't believe every- haps the pressings were a bit too noisy, thing printed on the inner sleeve. the sound a bit too distant or overrever- VERDI: FalstaffGiuseppe Taddei, Rolan- berant, the dynamic range too restric- do Panerai, Raina Kabaivanska, Francisco BEETHOVEN: DiabelliVariations,Op. Araiza, others; Vienna Philharmonic Or- 120.Bernard Roberts (piano). NIMBUS 0 ted, or perhaps I just didn't care for the chestra, Herbert van Karajan cond. PHILIPS DC906 $11.98. Encoded in the UHJ format perhrmances. In any case, the record- 0 6769 060 three discs $38.94. Like the for quad. ings listed below also deserve a listen. Berlioz disc, this one is clear, clean, and uncolored. Unlike the Berlioz, the hall (an ROSSINI/RESPIGHI: La Boutique Fan- R. STRAUSS: Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40. empty Vienna Grosse Musikvereinsaal) is tasque,Toronto Symphony Orchestra, An- Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Fritz Reiner far too reverberant for the music. You drew Davis cond. CBS MASTERSOUND cond. RCA ATLI-4100 $15.98. An exam- might like the performance (I didn't). IM 35842, no list price. The best sound of ple from what is perhaps the most musically any digital Mastersound release I've heard. distinguished series of half -speed remaster- BARBARA COOK: It's Better with a Band. Surface noise, however, is at too high a level ings. The distinctioninthis case comes Barbara Cook (vocals); Wally Harper (pi- for an audiophile pressing.

74 STEREO REVIEW Now -A Record ClubWith No Obligation! Choose Any 3 or4 Record Set For Only$298

iaig 414

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\,)\\I:\I\\ ClClit;&ACACEMVOF 111.1,1i \ 1.1111.11%Inl,,14 SIMARTININ TN( KIDS

MENDELSSOHN 5 Sym- BACH Mass in B Minor (3 phonies (4 LPs) von Kara- LPs) Marshall, Baker, a jan: Berlin PhilharmonicTear, Ramey, Marriner: Orchestra Academy of St. Martin -in - .-.0114 BRAHMS Four Symphonies (4 LPs) LPs #78;Cassettes #79 the -Fields Claudio Abbado: Vienna Philharmonic, LPs #81:Cassettes#91 Also Available Berlin Philharmonic, Dresden State and On Cassette London Symphony Orchestras No obligation to buy LPs #82;Cassettes #92 any future offerings. RI.FIHOVEN "ItHAIKOVSKY This remarkable 52.9$ offer is brought to you by The "4=lX)N International Preview Society-a highly selective music CLA1 ,610 A F? RAU GIOVANNI program that does not oblige you to buy at any time. These Doin.1...,17eaho ft. 111.0,0* multi-record/cassette selections- and many, many more su- 4.411,64 perb choices will continue to he offered to you every four weeks. Each offering highlights a Featured Selection . .. KARLIs plus an impressive variety of alternate selections (many available on cassettes). And all are well below suggested retail! You'll save even more through the Society's Half -Price BEETHOVEN The PianoTCHAIKOVSKY Sym-MOZART Don Giovanni Bonus Plan. For every regular member purchase you make. Concertos(4 LPs) Claudiophonies4, 5 and 6 (4 LPs)(4 LPs)Fischer-Dieskau you may choose a Bonus-album or multi -record set-for Arrau, Bernard Haitink:Mravinsky: Leningrad Phil-Flagello, Nilsson, Schreier only half of the members' already -low club price. That Concertgebouw Orchestra,harmonic, Sleeping BeautyArroyo,Talvela,Grist amounts to a savings of more than 0% off the suggested Amsterdam & Swan Lake. von Karajan:Marioni, Karl Bohm: Prague retail price! A postage and handling charge is added to all LPs #83; Cassettes #93 Berlin Philharmonic NationalTheatreOrchestra shipments. LPs #84; Cassettes #94 LPs #85; Cassettes#95 If you'd like to receive the Featured Selection, you need do nothing. We'll send it automatically. But if you'd prefer an alternate selection or none at all. just mail back the Noti- fication Card - enclosed with the offering -by the speci- Free Home Audition Request fied date. You'll always have at least 10 days to decide. Should you ever have less than 10 days. you will receive full credit The International Preview Society for returned merchandise. 175 Community Drive, Great Neck, N.Y. 11025

As YES! Please send me, for my free audition, the multi - Many As Four Records For Less Than The Price Of One. record or cassette set I have indicated by the number You may choose any one of these sets for just 52.98 plus a below. I may return it after 10 days and owe nothing small postage/handling charge. (Sales tax added for New ... or keep it and pay only 52.98 plus a small postage/ York residents.) Remember, each set contains either three handling charge (sales tax added for New York resi- FREE BONUS or four records (or 2 to 4 cassettes). That's a savings of as dents). This is up to 540.94 off the suggested retail much as 540.94... up to 93% off the suggested list price! Return coupon within 10 price. I will also receive, approximately every four days for valuable free Send no money. We want you to judge for yourself before weeks, an offering of the finest classical recordings. gift - TCHAIKOV- you decide to buy. If you are not delighted after ten days. Of course, I may cancel at any time. SKY's 1812 Overture, return the set. Bernard Haitink: Con-

These are superior, silent -surfaced recordings by Deutsche certgebouw Orchestra.

Amsterdam. Grammophon and Philips. They come in a handsome stor- Please print selection number here. age case with an informative. illustrated brochure.

Every recording offered by the Society must meet the rigid standards of the Carnegie Hall Selection Committee.

Only albums of the most exceptional musical interest. artis- Name tic excellence and technical quality are offered. So do take advantage of this marvelous value and mail in Address Apt. No. the coupon today. You'll also be reserving the opportunity to order other great international releases from the Society at City State Zip impressive savings. Offer limited to the connecting 48 states. Limit one membership per household. Only new members eligible. NOTE: All applications are subject to review, and we reserve the right to reject any application. 59103 P2 STEREO REVIEW'S SELECTION OF RECORDINGS OF SPECIAL MERIT BEST OF TIIE MORTII C

A Dream Performance of Ravel's Daphnis et Chloe

DETWEEN 1909 and 1912, the period The Montreal Symphony is not a newjust the alleged magic of the digital VD in which the younger Stravinskyorchestra, and it has had some notableprocess, but an ideal balancing of or- composed bothThe FirebirdandPe- conductors in the past-ZubinMehta chestra and chorus and of the various trouchkaand finished all but the or-and Rafael Friihbeck de Burgos amongsoloists and choirs within the orches- chestration ofThe Rite of Spring,thethem-but if it has made any record-tra-and Dutoit's conception of the super -perfectionist Maurice Ravel putings before this one, I don't believe they work, plus his orchestra's execution, are three years into the creation of his ownhave circulated in the United States. in every way up to the very best offered ballet masterpieceDaphnis et Chloe; (The handful of 78s Wilfred Pelletierby the most illustrious of their prede- itsconcluding "General Dance" alone,recorded for Victor forty years ago bore cessors. In this case, of course, that he said, cost him a full year's work.the identification "Montreal Festivals means the evocative performance by Ravel spoke of his score forDaphnis as Orchestra," which may or may not Pierre Monteux and the London Sym- "a vast choreographic symphony in have been the same organization.) The phony Orchestra and Chorus, circulat- three parts," and indeed it is, among all orchestra's disc debut here, if belated, ing now on London STS 15090. It was his works, the most truly symphonic as is a most auspicious one: thisDaphnis Monteux who conducted the premiere well as the most stunning. suggests that Dutoit (heretofore known of the ballet in 1912; his realization was While the justlypopular Second to most of us mainly through recordings stillfresh and enthralling when he Suite (actually the third of the "three of concerto accompaniments and a too - made his early stereo recording of the parts") contains the most sumptuously little -notedHoneggerKingDavid) complete score five years before his beautiful music Ravel ever wrote, con-must have been doing allthe right death, and the 1959 sound doesn't real- ductors and audiences in the last two orthings in Montreal since his appoint- ly show its age: the MonteuxDaphnisis three decades have come to take the ment there in 1977. Having already en - one of the genuine and perhaps indis- composer at his word and to regard the pensable bargains among orchestral entire score as a sort of symphony that recordings. may be enjoyed in full without the sup- But, in so sumptuous a score, the su- plemental allure of lavish decor or stage R VEL: Daphnis et Chloe (com- periority of the latest recording tech- action. As in the similar case of the plete).MontrealSymphony Or- nique is quite an advantage, and the completeFirebird music,which has chestra and Chorus, Charles Du- Montrealers sound as if they were born somewhat more recently taken its place toit cond. LONDON O LDR 71028 and bred for this assignment. In the fif- in the concert repertoire, it would ap- $12.98,©LDR5 71028 $12.98. ty -six -minute performance there is not pear that the whole ofDaphnisis a single phrase that is inflexible or in greater than the sum of even its gor- any way unpersuasive. The music goes geous parts. The newest recording, a with a wonderful, spontaneous -sound- digital one on the London label, makes joyed this record a half -dozen times oring sweep, accommodating shiftsin this perhaps more gloriously apparent more, I have no misgivings at all in de- rhythm and tempo without showing any than ever, and in so doing it introduces claring it the overall finest recordingseams. The sound is thoroughly Gallic, a formidable new (to most of us) per- yet offered of this music. but in an idealized form, sumptuous forming entity, the Montreal Sympho- The recorded sound itself surpassesand secure beyond what the finest or- nyOrchestra,anditsconductor, all prior entries in this work's not undis-chestras in France itself have given us. Charles Dutoit. tinguished discography-and itis not Every magical section shines with con -

"I have no misgivings in declaring it the finest recording yet offered of this music."

7(1 STEREO REVIEW Charles Dutoit (Photo courtesy the Montreal Symphony Orchestra) viction, and those with the chorus are especially magical thanks to the balance already mentioned, just distant enough to create a fairy-tale mystique without sacrificing substance. The con- cluding bacchanal is quite fast and really exciting, but at no point is excitement achieved at the price of refine- ment, or elegance at the price of vigor. It is, in short, an absolute dream performance ideally realized for the phonograph (if so modest a term can apply to the technical apparatus involved). Now that London has discovered the Montreal for us, we must hope that this is only the beginning of a long series. Perhaps we have at last found the team for that still much -needed recording of Vincent d'Indy's Second Symphony. -Richard Freed

Placido Domingo's DENVER AND DOMINGO: together again for the first time Voice and Musicality climactic note longer than necessary), ord companies dream up from time to Are Impressive on and while he does not give us the well- time in the hope of creating real profits nigh impossible morendo ending Verdi from unreal combinations.Itspeaks Three New Releases specified in "Celeste Aida," he con- well for Domingo's taste that he chose cludes the aria with a sensitively modu- popular songs of a certain quality for lated mezzoforte. I particularly recom- the program, and though critics with musicality mend the handling of the conclusion of stronger pop credentials than mine may that enhances his other pleasure - "Je crois entendre encore" to connois- disagree, it is possible that his elegant giving artistic qualities, Placido Domin- seurs of vocalism: itis technically al- tone and earnest artistry are among the go occupies a commanding position to- most incredible. better things that have happened to this day not only among tenors but among A recital disc from CBS offers not inoffensive repertoire. The title tune operatic artists in general. He has man- new recordings but excerpts from vari- combines the tenor voices of Domingo aged to make the transition from lyric ous previously recorded complete op- and John Denver in a way that will to dramatic roles with remarkable fa- eras, including selections from Le Cid neither ennoble nor embarrass their cility, losing a certain amount of light- and Adriana Lecouvreur, that are not owners, and Denver's Annie's Song is, I ness and flexibility but acquiring the easilyencounteredoutofcontext. suppose, pop music's eight -bars -going - vocal stamina to sustain the demands of There is an "Una furtiva lagrima" here nowhereanswertothePachelbel such roles as those of Otello and Sam- too, less caressingly sung than on the Canon. The session was engineered son uncompromisingly. Add to all this a Deutsche Grammophon disc but pop -style, with a rhythm section that at great deal of personal dignity, and the marked by a firmer intonation. The times comes close to obliterating Do- total package is a winning one indeed, tenor is again in stellar form, communi- mingo's voice, but it could have turned justifying this artist's simultaneous ap- cating the kind of virile ardor in which out worse in less artistic hands. What pearance on three new releases. he is unmatched today. Though I can remains to be said? Viva Domingo! The most significant of the three is recommend the disc wholeheartedly to -George Jellinek Deutsche Grammophon's "Gala Opera Domingo fans,I must add a few ca- Concert,"foritcontains newly re- veats. The familiar Butterfly duet (in PLACIDO DOMINGO: Gala Opera Con- which Renata Scotto matches Domin- cert. Donizetti: L'Elisir &Amore: Una fur- corded material (November 1980) and tivalagrima.LuciadiLammermoor: has the added allure of conductor Carlo go's excellence) fails to catch fire for Tombe degli avi miei ... Fra poco a me ri- Maria Giulini leading the Los Angeles want of ignition (by conductor Lorin covero. Verdi: Ernani: Come rugiada al Maazel). John Pritchard (in the Elisir Philharmonic.Althoughtherecital cespite . . . 0 to the Palma adora. II Trova- starts off with an "Una furtiva lagri- excerpts) isalso not incendiary, but tore: Ah si, ben mio: Di quella pira. Aida: ma" ofslightlysuspectintonation, James Levine's passionate conducting Celeste Aida. Halevy: La Juive: Rachel, Domingo pours out a generous flood of makes a strong case for the much ma- quand du Seigneur. Meyerbeer: L'Afri- gleaming tone, with securely placed B - ligned music of Adriana Lecouvreur. caine: 0 Paradis. Bizet: Carmen: Flower flats all over the place, a solid B -natural The CBS engineers perform their tasks Song. Les Pecheurs de Perles: Je crois entendre encore. Placido Domingo (tenor); skillfully, but several excerpts end with in Ernani, a "Di quella pira" confi- Los Angeles Philharmonic, Carlo Maria dently delivered in the original key, the artificial -sounding fadeoutsbecause Giulinicond.DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON whole enriched by sensitive dynamic they have been lifted directly out of 2532 009 S12.98, 0 3302 009 $12.98. gradations. Surelyhis "0 Paradis" their operatic contexts. here cannot be matched by any other "Perhaps Love," also from CBS, is PLACIDO DOMINGO: Domingo! Donizet- tenor today (though he holds on to the one of those "crossover" products rec- ti: L'Elisir &Amore: Una furtiva lagrima;

78 STEREO REVIEW WarningThat Cigarette Smoking Is Dangerous toYour Health. The Surgeon General Has Determined FILIEH. 9 mg. "tar", U.8 mg. nicotine, ay. per cigarette by FIL method. III I HA I 111111 \ mg tar 114 mg nirntma

5 mg Asan entertainer; I give the quality of Smirnoff rave reviews. Asabusinesswoman, Iraveabout its value:'

"Let me tell you my secrets for giving a great Holiday party... Pretend you're a guest-enjoy your own party. And always serve the very best. "That's why I always serve Smirnoff® vodka. It adds just the right touch of quality and elegance. "It's a sensible idea too. Because for just a little more than ordinary vodkas, I can enjoy the fine quality of Smirnoff. "So whether I'm entertaining a lot POLLY BERGEN, businesswoman of people or just a few, I always and entertainer. have Smirnoff... and I always get rave reviews." mirnoli SMIRNOFF' VODKA 80 & 100 PROOF LEAVES YOU BREATI-ILE, DISTILLED FROM GRAIN. STE. PIERRE SMIRNOFF FLS (DIVISION OF HEUBLEIN. INC ) HARTFORD, CT. -"MADE IN U.S A" There's vodka, and then there's Smimoff. Venti scudi (with Geraint Evans, baritone). mistakably that this is to be something Dols, Op. 2; Zigeuner-Capriccio; Liebesleid; Puccini: Le Villi: Roberto's Aria. Madama special, and throughout the sixteen en- Tambourin Chinois, Op. 3: Ret4tativo and Butterfly: Love Duet, Act I (with Renata suing pieces-among which are most of Scherzo -Caprice,Op.6;LaPrecieuse; Scotto, soprano); Addio, fiorito asil (with the familiar favorites and some really Syncopation;Liebesfreud.Arrangements: Ingvar Wixell, baritone). II Tabarro: Folle Albeniz: Tango in D, Op. 165, No. 2. We- lovelysurprises-thisimpressionis di gelosia (with Renata Scotto, 'soprano). ber: Larghetto. Wieniawski: Caprice in E - Gianni Schicchi: Firenze e come un albero more than sustained. It is not that this flat Major. Dvorak: Slavonic Dance in E fiorito. Massenet: Le Cid: O noble lameexcellently recorded recitaltakes us Minor. Op. 72. No. 2. Glazunov: Serenade etincelante (with Grace Bumbry, mezzo-so- back to the days of Kreisler himself and Espagnole. Shlomo Mintz (violin); Clifford prano): 0 souverain, o juge, d ',ere. Cilia: accompanist Carl Lamson: Mintz and Benson (piano). DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON Adriana Lecouvreur: La dolcissima effigie Benson, as serious artists, know that 2531 305 $10.98, © 3301 305 $10.98. (with Renata Scotto, soprano). Verdi: Re- mere imitation would be a shallow and quiem: Ingemisco. Placido Domingo (ten- insubstantial sort of homage, and in his or); various orchestras, John Pritchard, Lo- touching little note on the jacket Mintz rin Maazel, Eve Queler, James Levine, and Leonard Bernstein cond. CBS M 37207, © advises that his solution has been "to MT 37207, no list price. combine elementsofKreisler'sap- proach with my own way of playing" as PLACIDO DOMINGO/JOHN DENVER: the way to express "my sincere affec- Amanda McBroom Perhaps Love. Placido Domingo and John tion for Kreisler as composer and art- Denver (vocals); orchestra, Lee Holdridge ist."Itis an eminently successful ap- Direct to Disc: cond. He Couldn't Love You More; Some- proach, in the unaccompanied Recitati- times a Day Goes By: Annie's Song; Time vo and Scherzo -Caprice writtenfor Popular Singing with After Time: To Love; Perhaps Love; Now Eugene Ysa9e, in the tastefully propor- While I Still Remember How: Yesterday: Intelligence and Humor My Tredsure: An American Hymn. CBS tionedCaprice Viennoisinwhich 37243, © MT 37243, no list price. Gerntitlichkeit never even borders on schmalz, in the several Spanish- and Gypsy -flavored pieces, and what may Tin- $16.95 price tag may aut a new well be the most compelling perform- direct -to -disc item from Sheffield ance of Liebesleid yet recorded-not Lab out of the reach of many, but any- excluding Kreisler's own. body who does ante up the loot can at In the rosy glow left by these two en- least be certain of taking home an ex- A Treasure: the Charm chanting sides, the omission of such cellent program well performed, beau- well -loved pieces as Schott Rosmarin tifully recorded, and handsomely pack- Of Fritz Kreisler and The Old Refrain may be regarded aged. Amanda McBroom has those es- not as a disappointment, but rather as sential virtues so rare in popular sing- And the Affection an implicit promise of a Volume II to ers: a shining intelligence to illuminate come; whether that promise is eventual- the words and music of every song she Of Shlomo Mintz ly kept or not, the present discis a sings, a sense of humor, and the talent treasure. -Richard Freed to translate her understanding of a song into emotional, musical terms. WHI. \ Fritz Kreisler died in 1962, KREISLER: Polichinelle; La Gamow Rondi- The program isa mixed bag, but Zino Francescatti, Nathan Mil- no on a Theme by Beethoven; Caprice Wen - there are no lemons init. The album stein, Erica Morini, and Isaac Stern performed ina memorial concert in New York. Kreisler had named Fran- Sin omo MIN-rz: the most compelling Liebsleid e-er recorded? cescatti and Milstein as his own favorites among violinists active then, and one might have expected those artists to be the ones who would keep his charming miniatures before the public when he was no longer around to play them himself. When the revival of these pieces (as measured discographically) did get under way about ten years ago, however, it was not the violinists chronologically closesttoKreislerhimself who ac- counted forit,but members of the youngest generation of performers, and in particular the young Israeli violinists Pinchas Zukerman, on CBS, and Itz- hak Perlman, the latter giving us three Kreislercollections on Angel. Now their younger compatriot Shlomo Mintz, with the English pianist Clifford Benson, has recorded a collection on Deutsche Grammophon which may be the most Kreislerisch of all. The opening phrase of Polichinelle, at the outset of side one, announces un-

JANUARY1982 title, "West of Oz," is derived from a Hugh Prestwood song called Dorothy. It's about what's going to happen to poor Dorothy once she returns from Oz totheblack -and -white,day-to-day world of Kansas. My Father Always Promised, from the pen of Judy Col- lins,is just Amanda's meat, a wryly anecdotal, folkish story -ballad about a woman who fulfills the dream of her father, a miner in the West, to live in France-when itis too late for him to share her joys. The light -touch Gos- samer givesthisversatilesingera chance to show what she can do with just a hint of humor, and Happy End- ing is an outright comic routine about a "junior wrangler" and what transpires when he meets up with a "car -hop burger queen" one critical night on Sunset Strip. Her own song Reynosa has to do with hilarious inopportunity: "Beer and Doritos and slapping mos- quitoes/Was not my idea of romance." (Andwhilewe're on "romance," McBroom will be remembered as the writer of the memorable title song for Bette Midler's recent movie The Rose.) In addition to all the good singing of good songs, there are a couple of pleasant,purelyinstrumentalinterludes composed and conducted by the gifted Lincoln Mayorga. He also happens to have been one of the founders of Shef- field Lab, but I don't think you're going to be able to hold that against him. CHICO FREEMAN: fusing the traditional with the unorthodox -Paul Kresh AMANDA McBROOM:WestofOz. "The Outside Within": but unlike so many other saxophonists, Amanda McBroom (vocals); instrumental he does not permit the late titan's music ensemble, Lincoln Mayorga cond. Happy Ending; Only with You; Kitschicker; Rey- A New Album from to inhibit him; instead, he uses its dis- nosa; My Father Always Promised; Over tinctive facets as mirrors to reflect his the Rainbow; Dorothy; Dock of the Bay; The Most Important own ideas. Not Gonna Say I'm Sorry; The Walk to The new album features a superb Chatham Corners; Gossamer. SHEFFIELD Horn Since Coltrane quartet, pianist John Hicks, bassist Ce- LAB 0 15 $16.95. cil McBee, and drummer Jack DeJohn- ette forming a perfectly splendid back- MERE words cannot adequately de- ground for the leader's tenor saxophone AMANDA MCBROOM: an idea of romance scribe how Ifeel about Chico and bass clarinet (at times played si- Freeman's new album "The Outside multaneously through double track- Within," and in any case I have already ing). This is not music to be easily pi- exhausted, in previous reviews of his geonholed in this or that category, for work, the allotted number of superla- one of Freeman's fortes is his eclecti- tives beyond which a critic's enthu- cism; he has the wonderful ability to siasm might justifiably become suspect. fuse tradition with the unorthodox, but Simply stated, the man has all the qual- in such a subtle manner that the listen- ities of a "jazz giant," an accoladeI er may not be aware of either ingre- would like to see applied less frequently dient. What do I especially recommend than it has been in the past.I do not on "The Outside Within"? Every note, bestow that description on Mr. Free- both singly and together. man idly; the flow of his creative juices -Chris Albertson seems to accelerate with every new release, and it is about to reach flood level CHICO FREEMAN: The Outside Within. with this new one. I am now, more than Chico Freeman (bass clarinet, tenor saxophone); John Hicks (piano); Cecil McBee ever before, convinced that Chico Free- (bass); Jack DeJohnette (drums). Under- man is the most important horn player current; Luna; The Search; Ascent. INDIA to appear on the jazz scene since John NAVIGATION IN 1042 $8.98 (from JCOA/ EColtrane. Of course, there is a good NewMusicDistributionService,500 deal of Coltrane in Freeman's music, Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10012).

82 STEREO REVIEW BEST OF THE MONTH: RECENT SELECTIONS vOU MAY HAVE MISSED

CLASSICAL

J. S. Bach: Wedding Cantata. NONESUCH D-79013 'A delicate balance of for and tenderness In a prs- caue (December) Brahma: Piano Ouiskst M F Minor, Op. 34 HUNGARO- TON SLDX 12280. "A youthful), exultant, sedassertwe work compellingly performed" (December) Ferwel: Cab Souk Land of LuMeny. Cadman: A Med Empress ftegembers. MUSICAL HERITAGE SOCIETY 4348. "An imusualy satisfying disc of must* neglected Americana." (December) Renck: Organ Music. L'OISEAU-LYRE D165D3. "A tri- unph for repertoire, performer, and instrument "(October) TomVERLAINE:a lyrical, intense, and reflective guitarist Jog* .Sinfenleg rain 8va. LONDON LOA 71021. "RevetatotyWarmness . outstanding* successful digital recording." (November) Tom Verlaine's thing that recalls Dire Straits and Der- Schubert Sdtwerimgmang. DEUTSCHE GRAMMO ek and the Dominoes. Unifying all this NON 2531 325. "Remarkably well done live performance and recording." (November) is Verlaine's impressive guitar work, by "Dreamtime" May Be Seave: Symphony No 4; loonnotar; Finland*. LON- turns piercingly lyrical, gut -wrenching- DON LOR 71019. "Mystical Sibekid in superb digital sound" Last Year's Best ly intense, and calmly reflective. I don't (October) think there's an electric guitarist in the Ile Unknown Kurt Weil. NONESUCH D-79019. "An Rock Album world at the moment who so consist- *MN classic." (November) ently achieves such a human, vocal quality in his solos. You've heard it be- POPULAR YES.the fundamental objections still fore, but Verlaine is the kind of guitar- Chick Corot Three Owlets. WARNER BROS. BSK apply. Yes, his singing is impossi- ist who gives the impression that he is 3552 "Extraordinary acoustic piano." (November) bly adenoidal and mannered. Yes, de- playing on his nervous system. Kid Creole and the Coconuts: Fresh Fruit In Foreign spite the obvious intelligence displayed The back-ups, by some New Wave Pieces. SIRE SRK 3534 "Devilish musical satire served up in them, the surrealist, hallucinatory luminaries and including one of Ver- with style "(October) lyrics are as vague and mushheaded as laine's old Television bandmates, is sol- Lacy J. Dalton: Takln. It Easy. COLUMBIA FC 37327 those of any fading flower child you can id and no-nonsense, and the whole thing A spare -tinging reminder of why we sing in the first place" (November) name (although I did just manage to has been recorded with a satisfying sur- Pets. Dew: *Iwo Did the &legit Go?1.40NIAMITIC catch his drift on A Future in Noise). face sheen and sonic depth. Even if you EVERGREEN MES; 7092 "The best album yet by es convinc- But upon sober reflectionIhave de- haven't fallen for Tom Verlaine in the ing a anger as you /t ever hear "(November)

cided that none of that really bothers past, you should hear this record; if A,etha Franklin: Love AN the Hurt Away. ARISTA AL me a whit, and it shouldn't bother you, there was a better piece of rock-and-roll 9552 "A sensational album by one of the most anginal sing- either, for his new "Dreamtime" for foisted on the public in 1981, it didn't ers we have "(December) Warner Bros. is Tom Verlaine's most cross my desk. -Steve Simels A. Jwreau: Bruen' Away. WARNER BROS BSK 3576a voice beautifully designed to accomplish some consistent, fully realized recorded ef- unique musical goals "(December) fort thus far. TOM VERLAINE: Dreamtime.Tom Ver- laine (guitar,bass, vocals);Fred Smith NMI Kahl*: Deep, Down and Real. LIFESONG LS Every one of the songs is a structural (bass); Jay Dee Daugherty (drums); other 8132 'Working the interface between folk song and art delight executed in a variety of styles musicians. There's a Reason; Penetration; song "(December) ranging from his trademark modal ex- Always; The Blue Robe; Without a Word; Useless Span: Ws of Sim. TAKOMA TM 7097 cursions to soaring Byrds-like pop, to Mr. Blur; Fragile; A Future in Noise; Down "Words worth hearing mounted on shockingly pretty meta- heavy metal with brains, to psychedelic on the Farm; Mary Marie.WARNER BROS. dna. "(October) Booker T. & the M.G.'s-even some- BSK 3539 $8.98, © M5 3539 $8.98.

JANUARY1982 83 Classical music Briefs

recognizedBarge'swork in scriber (such as Chopin -Liszt), providing scholarships for butifthe name of either the Scandinavian students to Amer- composer or transcriber was ican universities. Eighteen years hyphenated,theresultwas ago,Borge, whoisJewish, compound hyphens-forex- founded Thanks to Scandina- ample, Strauss-Schulz-Evler. via, a scholarship fund, as a Wild said, "The most musi- gesture of gratitude to Scandi- cally gratifying moments of my navians who helped Jews flee- lifehave been spent playing ing Nazi persecution in World music on the piano that had War II. He has raised more than originally been written for sym- $1million thefund and phony orchestra and opera.

hopes to reach $2 million by its When I first read the Rossini- twentieth anniversary in1983. Thalberg Semiramide Fantasy, I

Having been given similar hon- felt as though I had found a ors by Denmark, Norway, and wonderful and unique pianistic Sweden,Borgecommented, antique." "Now I have enough knights for Described by Paul Kresh in two weekends." 0 these pages as "one of our na- lan Hobson Randall Hodgkinson tional treasures," Wild played Victor Borge the program with dazzling vir- may not have quite cordingcontract,andother tuosity,andtheSemiramide PIANISTSthe glamour of singers and benefits which may bring the to- Fantasy was one of the most conductors, but they seem to tal booty to $75,000. He will re- dazzling high points. Bernard have more competitions and cord American music for New Holland in the New York Times awards. The first -prize winner World Records,butdetailed said,"MrWild's power and of the 1981 Leeds International repertoire plans have not yet control were sensational and Pianoforte Competition in Eng- been announced. his five -finger technique in the land was Ian Hobson (twenty- No one of the sixty-six con- Rimsky - Korsakov - Rachmani- nine), a British -born Yale grad- testants in this season's Liszt- noff The Flight of the Bumble- uate who teaches at the Univer- BartokPiano Competitionin bee was enough to make any sity of Illinois.His winnings in- Budapest was considered wor- piano student weep with frus- clude a gold medal, $4,000, a thy of first prize. A second prize tration and envy." For the ben- Steinway piano, and concert of$1,500 was awardedto efit of those who were not in the and recordingengagements MuzaRubatskltye (twenty- audience, the concert was re- valued at $120,000. He will re- six),of the Soviet Union, who cordedbythenew Miami - cord for EMI/Angel, and his first has studied at the conservato- based company Audiofon Rec- recordings are expected to be ries of Vilna and Moscow. The ords, anditis scheduled for all the Chopin etudes and Mo- thirdprizeof$1,000went January release -W.L. zart's Piano Concertos Nos 23 to Hortense Cartier-Bresson and 24 with the English Cham- (twenty-three), of France, who ber Orchestra. has studied at the Paris Con- CELEBRATING the fiftieth anni- ONE of the fears an artist has Randall Hodgklnson (twen- servatory and the University of versary of his New York to conquer in order to be- ty-six)ofCleveland, Ohio, a IndianaSheisthe nieceof debut in November, pianist Earl come a superstar is the fear of graduate of the New England the world -famed photographer Wild played a concert in Carne- overexposure.Violinist Itzhak Conservatory, won first prize in Henri Cartier-Bresson. gie Hall titled' The Art of the Perlman seems to have put the 1981 International American The government of Finland Transcription." It was a heavily that one far behind him. He Music Competition for Pianists hasknightedDanishpianist hyphenated afternoon, for not stays busy in EMI/ Angel's stu- sponsored by CarnegieHall VictorBorge(seventy-two), only was every piece on the dios recording jazz as well as and the Rockefeller Founda- conferring on him the Order of program listedwiththejoint Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, and tion. He received $10,000, a re - the White RoseFinland thus names of composer and tran- Bart6k, he makes frequent TV

84 STEREO REVIEW appearances, and he maintains that." We wouldn't bet onit. an active concert schedule. In There are other jailers in opera, an article headlined "Needed: such as Rocco in Beethoven's More VarietyinOur Concert Fidelio, and he gets tosing Halls," New York Times critic arias. Hmmm. - Allen Hughes analyzed this season's scheduleoffifty-seven concertsinLincolnCenter's SpANisi-i guitarist Narciso Great Performersseries and Yepes has a large enough pointed out thatviolinistPin- publicin the United States to chas Zukerman, pianist Alicia justify his touring this country de Larrocha, and cellist Yo -Yo every year.This season we Ma will participate in four each chatted with him as he was and Perlman will take part in about to set forth on a string of fiveHughes added thatthis engagements from Baltimore to season Perlman will also make Los Angeles, playing solo reci- three appearances at Carnegie talsinsome cities and ap- Hall. pearing with orchestras n oth- At a New York Philharmonic ersYepes isespecially well concert telecast on PBS in Ex- known for his performances of xon's Live from Lincoln Center Joaquin Rodrigo's Concierto de dorBacarisse, whose guita *as attempting to imitate the series in January 1980, Perlman Aranjuez,which he hasre- pieces he has recorded, Yepes sound of the guitar with the or- sang the role of the Jailer in a corded three times, once for says, "It is much better for the chestra, so it seems particularly scene from Tosca with Luciano London and twice for Deutsche composer to give free rein to appropriate to transcribe that Pavarotti He dismissed that as Grammophon(allthreever- his musical imagination and lat- piece for the guitar." something he had done on a sions are still in the catalog) er make whatever adjustments In honor of the guitarist's cur- darefromconductorZubin "I have many concertos in my are necessary to fit his music to rent tour, Deutsche Grammo-

Mehta. However, Perlman has repertoire," Yepes said, "but I the guitar," phon has issued"Narciso let himself be persuaded to pre- am often asked to play the For the Archiv label Yepes Yepes's Greatest Hits," which serve his interpretation of the Concierto de Aranjuez, and this has recorded all of Bach's lute contains acoupleofBach role of the Jailer on vinyl, and yearitis on my schedule for music playing a Baroque lute, transcriptions and the Miller's he sings itin the just -released Baltimore.Rodrigo does not and for the regular DG label he Dance as well as some pieces Angel recording of Tosca with play a note on the guitar, but he has recordedallofittran- written for the guitar by Francis- RenataScottoandPlacido writes for it very well.If a com- scribed for guitar He says he co Tarrega and the Romance Domingo conducted by James poser who does not play the in- has no qualms about playing from the score Yepes wrote for Levine At Perlman's recent au- strument wants to write forit, transcriptions "because Bach the movie Forbidden Games. tographingsessionatSam the worst thing he can do is buy himself transcribed many of his Asked whether he doesn't tire Goody's in New York, we com- a guitar Then he learns a bit own compositions writtenfor of these hits, Yepes said, "No mented on the narrowness of about it and writes only within one instrument sothatthey Audiences continue to ask for his operaticrepertoire. He the narrow range of the little he could be played on another. these favorite pieces because laughed and said, "The Jailer is knows." Having worked with And when Manuel deFalla they give them pleasure. As my one role.I sang it on TV and such contemporary composers composed the Miller's Dance in long as I know that, it gives me now I'verecordedit.That's as Mauricio Ohana and Salva- The Three Cornered Hat, he pleasure to play them," -W.L.

Disc and Tape Reviews By RICHARD FREED DAVID HALL GEORGE JELLINEK PAUL KRESH STODDARD LINCOLN ERIC SALZMAN C) = stereo cassette O= digital -master recording 0 = quadraphonic disc O = eight -track stereo cartridge = direct -to -disc 8 = monophonic recording The first listing is the one reviewed: other formats, if available, follow.

Although scholars might wish for more mandier's exquisite previous album, "De- RECORDING OF SPECIAL MERIT information in the jacket notes about La- cameron" (AS 56), will surely want this ALFONSO EL SABIO:Cantigas de Santa mandier's transcriptions and added accom- one. Aid if you missed "Decameron," don't Maria.Esther Lamandier (voice, harp, por- paniments,preludes, andinterludesfor let the Cantigas go by. S.L. tativeorgan,viele).ASTREE AS 59 harp, portative organ, or viele, no one will S13.98. question the effectiveness and beauty of her RECORDINGS OF SPECIAL MERIT performances. Her light, well -focused voice Performance Fabulous isperfectfor the sinuous lines of these J. S. EACH:Hunting Cantata (BWV 208). Recording Fine haunting melodies. The Moorish influence Edith Mathis, Arleen Auger (sopranos); The four hundred or more Cantigas de San- is obvious in the supple coloratura, and the Peter Schreier (tenor); Theo Adam (bass); ta Maria collected (some probably written) Spanish dance rhythms sparkleinher Berliner Solisten; Kammerorchester Berlin, by Alfonso el Sabio during the thirteenth strong delivery. The accompaniments are Peter Schreier cond. ARCHIV 2533 364 century are considered to be a monument of bold but tasteful, making the most of drone S10.98, © 3310 364 310.98. medieval song. Written in Galician -Portu- basses. Lamandier is a fine instrumentalist Performance Fine guese, the poems recount the Virgin's mira- as well as a singer, and her prelude on the Recording Excellent cles or sing her praises. Esther Lamandier viele for "Entre Av' e Eva" is as stunning in chose nine to display the collection's aspects its imaginative setting of the melody as in J. S. BACH:Coffee Cantata (BWV 211) of grandeur, humour, and tenderness. its performance. Anyone who heard La- Peasant Cantata (BWV 212).Edith Mathis

JANUARY 1982 85 (soprano);Peter Schreier (tenor); Theo work, "Sheep may safely graze," she steals If some movements here seem a bit stud- Adam (bass);KammerorchesterBerlin, the show. The purity of her voice and the ied, thereisstill much that brings vast Peter Schreier cond. ARCHIV 2533 269 simplicity of her style lift the music to its pleasure. Right off, for instance, in Op. 31, $10.98, © 3310 269 $10.98. height. No. I, there is the elegant rendering of the Performance Superb Of all the recordings of the Bach cantatas fioriture in the aria -like slow movement. Recording Excellent being released now, Peter Schreier's are Rosen's careful observance of Beethoven's among the best, and his judicious adapta- allegretto tempo markings in the finale of In these two albums, Peter Schreier demon- tion of early -performance mannerisms for that sonata is notable, and the easy pacing strates not only that he is a superb Bach modern times makes his records especially of the main body of the work allows him to tenor but also that he is an excellent con- rewarding. S L. make the most of the humor in the last ductor. The tempos fit the music perfectly, pages. His handling of the pedal for pur- the works are beautifully paced, the balance RECORDING OF SPECIAL MERIT poses of color rather than mere tonal sus- between voices and instruments is perfect, tenance is revelatory in the first -movement and the orchestral textures are clear and BEETHOVEN: Piano Sonatas: No. 16, in G recapitulation of Op. 31, No. 2. crisp. As Endimion in the Hunting Cantata Major, Op. 31, No. 1; No. 17, in D Minor, Most striking in Rosen's reading of the Schreier pleads affectingly for Diana's af- Op. 31, No. 2 ("Tempest"); No. 18, in E -fiat Waldstein Sonata is the pedal work in the fections and then joins the noble tribute to Major, Op. 31, No. 3; No. 21, in C Major, finale and the very literal allegretto moder- Prince Christian. He is a sly narrator in the Op. 53 ("Waldstein"); No. 23, in F Minor, ato pacing, which again heightens the im- Coffee Cantata, with just the right amount Op. 57 ("Appassionata"); No. 24, in F -sharp pact of the wonderful prestissimo coda. The of tongue-in-cheek pomposity. Major, Op. 78; No. 26, in E -fiat Major, Op. familiar Appassionata gets athorough Although Edith Mathis is not convincing 81a (""Lebewohl"). Charles Rosen (piano). freshening up here. Again there is very im- in Diana's militant hunting music, she is the NONESUCH NC -78010 three discs $26.94, pressive use of the pedal, especiallyto perfect Meike in the Peasant Cantata: coy, C1-78010 $29.94. bridge the first and second movements. The politically astute, and capable of drinking Performance Scrupulous charming little Op. 78 has always been a with the rowdiest of men. Her praise of real Recording Very good special favorite of mine. The opening move- coffee's sweetness will make us give up the ment could stand more sentiment, but Ro- instant brew forever, and her longing for a Anyone who has heard Charles Rosen's per- sen does marvels with the witty Allegro vi- husband to replace her coffee nightcap is formances of the Beethoven Fourth and vace that follows. The Lebewohl (or Les endearingly expressed. Fifth Piano Concertos and Diabelli Varia- Adieux) sonata gets an unusually even-tem- Theo Adam is equally effective as Pan, a tions on Peters International knows that pered reading, but again one can take enor- country bumpkin, and as the pompous, self- Rosen is a singularly illuminating pianist mous pleasure in the atmosphere Rosen righteous Schlendrian bossing his daughter whether one agrees with his interpretations communicates in the first -movement coda. about; his blustering buffo style is appro- or not. He holds true to form in this album, The appeal of this set is heightened by the priate for these characters, and he never offering readings free of willful romantic use of a first-rate, beautifully voiced piano, sacrifices the music for comic effect. Arleen mannerism yet with ample warmth and ad- expertly recorded. D.H. Auger appears only in the Hunting Canta- hering to the musical text as faithfully as ta, but since she has the hit tune of the present-day knowledge will permit. (Continued on page 90)

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86 STEREO REVIEW 4irk earrivo- 41i'vo,.

Everyone

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Southern Comfort Corp.. 80-100 Proof Liqueur, St. Louis. Mo. 63132 C1981 Southern Comfort WarningThE Surgeoi General Has Determined Agetiiii,c,tr That Cigarette Smoking Is Dangerous toYour Health. B 'mg tar, 0.8 mg nicotine av, per cigarette by. FTC method. ro's cruelty, and the landowner's revenge aria has an edge and a range to it that are almost scary, but there is hardly anything in the action or in the characters themselves that would demand musical development of such scope. Thrilling, but confusing. Per- O haps someday someone will figure out some way of making all this work in the theater (I would try a commedia dell'arte approach with masks and a suggestively ominous undertone). In the meantime, Philips has given us a performance that is a wonderfully fresh addition to the continuing Haydn opera series by Antal Dorati. The conducting is excellent, and the cast, headed by Edith Mathis and Claes H. Ahnsjo, is good to superb. The approach is, as it should be, robust and spirited, and both Mathis and Ahnsjo have the style and dramatic oomph to give these characters some human depth. Barbara Hendricks is dramatically effective, but she is in really good voice only toward the end. EDITH MATHS CI.. .as H. Aii".sjo Both the other men, Michael Devlin and Aldo Baldin, are capable.

L'Injedelta Delusa is only afive -sided opera, and so we get for side six a bonus Ilaydn's "L'Infedelta Delusa": sampler of Haydn's operatic music. His operatic activity, still hardly surveyed, in- A Paradoxical Masterpiece cluded mounting over one hundred different operas-in all, more than 1,000 performances in ten years. Most of the great mas- FRANI JosI I HAYDN wrote his L'Infedel- owner, and all he wants is to marry the girl. ters of the day were represented at Ester- laa Delusa in 1773 for the visit of some For his trouble he is endlessly conned by the !laza, but, in true eighteenth -century style, royal personage or other to his employer's sister, who is variously disguised as an old Haydn did not hesitate to rework, rear- seat at Esterhaza in the Hungarian plain. woman, a drunken German butler, a noble- range, reorchestrate, or even recompose The opera was repeated for a visit by the man, and a lawyer (she is, no doubt, the old- many of thetas. A big scene for Orestes Empress a few weeks later, perhaps once er sister of Mozart's Despina in Cosi). ("Ah, to non senti, amico Qua! destra more the following year, and that was it. These events are set, with a great deal of omicida") was inserted at the beginning of Though the release of a new Philips record- dramatic spirit and definition, in the Italian Tommaso Traetta's Iphigenie en Tauride, ing of a performance of the whole work countryside. The rich landowner's serenade for example; whatever the original was like, must be considered a significant event mu- to the girl is an arresting, almost grotesque Haydn's added scene is undeniably power- sicologically, L'Infedelta was no more than comparison of the painted women of the ful, and itisimpressively sung here by one among many opera productions that town with the fresh, unspoiled beauty of the Ahnsjo. The other material-for Haydn's routinely occupied a great deal of Haydn's country girl, the disguise scenes are amus- own Acts and Galatea, for an opera by Giu- time in Prince Nicolaus' boondocks. Write ing, and the script is everywhere lively and seppe Sarti, and a curious and rather in- 'em, arrange 'em, rehearse 'em, perform colorful. comprehensible trio from an operatic pas- 'em, and on to the next. Haydn's music for all this is delightful, tiche-is a bit less sensational, but certainly Where Haydn got the librettos for all even glorious Almost too much so. The fa- we are privileged to hear it at all (though it these works is something of a mystery. Mar- ther, for example, sings an aria explaining is curious how weak Aldo Baldin is here af- co Coltellini was quite a respectable libret- to his daughter how to say no. It is a charm- ter his strong performance in L'Infedelta). tist of the day, but his bromidic script for ing little number endowed with suitably The Lausanne Orchestra is perhaps not L'Infedelta had very likely been knockingcharming musical ideas by Haydn. Fair the top virtuoso ensemble of Europe, but in around for some time before Haydn set it. enough-except that nothing in the scene, Dorati's capable hands it sounds good. The The story is one of those rustic comedies in the characters, or the text quite prepares us recording is excellent: mellow and clear, which the happy peasants entertain us while for the extraordinary musical development with just the right balances between the or- offering some mild moral instruction to the that then follows. Similarly, the sister, dis- chestra and vocals to give presence and fo- effect that neither virtue nor happiness are guised as an old woman, sings a burlesque cus. Despite some shortcomings of uneven- to be found in the oversophisticated deca- song (wonderfully done by Edith Mathis) ness, a delightful and treasurable recording dence of the town but in the honest simplic- about the travails of old age that inappro-of an opera that is in all its parts (if not its ity of the countryside-"Natural Man," priately achieves almost tragic dimensions. whole) a paradoxical masterpiece. back -to -nature, and all that. Don't laugh. The weight of these arias is all out of pro- -Eric Salzman Many people still believe it, and our fiction, portion to the fragile little comedy. Only in movies, and musical comedies-to say noth- the ensembles-two finales, a first -act in- HAYDN: L'Infedelta Delusa; Oreste's Reci- ing of the Moral Minority-are constantly troduction,and a shortduetto-does tative aad Aria (Ifigenia in Taurideg Nep- making the same point. Haydn provide music that responds directly tune's Aria (Acide e Galanteag The Knight's The plotis an old standby: Girl loves to the dramatic movement. Most of the time Aria (I Finti Eredi); Trio (La Circe Ossia poor -but -honest Boy, Girl's Father wants he is busy writing brilliant, highly devel- !Isola &cantata). Edith Mathis (soprano), her to marry Rich Landowner, Boy's Sister oped, even moving set pieces, with the result Vespina;BarbaraHendricks(soprano), (who wants Rich Landowner for herself) that the music seems to overpower the sim- Sandrina; Claes H. Ahnsjo (tenor), Nenci; figures out how to foil Father's plans. Why ple text with grand statements fitfor a Aldo Baldin (tenor), Filippo; Michael Dev- this little tale is called "unfaithfulness de- much more powerful drama. The father's lin (bass), Nanni; Orchestre de Chambre de ceived" is not, I think, easily discovered, for aria cursing outthe hapless landowner Lausanne, Antal Dorati cond. PHILIPS 6769 the only person deceived is the rich land - might be Rocco telling Fidelio about Pizza- 061 three discs $26.94.

JANUARY 1982 89 RECORDING OF SPECIAL MERIT one is after. If you want a triumph of digital tion in timbre of the instruments of Bee- recording technique applied to the sump- thoven's time was far more pronounced BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 3, in E -fist tuous sounds of a modern symphony orches- than it is with modern instruments. The dif- Major, Op. 55 ("Eroica"). Collegium Au- tra, then obviously you should choose Eu- ference can be clearly heard in the opening reum. PRO -ARTS PAL -1029 $9.98. gene Ormandy and the Philadelphia on of the first movement, where Beethoven de- Performance Luminous RCA. If, on the other hand, you are more lights in passing a melodic fragment around Recording Splendid interested in the orchestral sound produced the woodwinds. With the old instruments, by the instruments for which Beethoven each statement has a different color, thus BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 3, in E -flat wrote, you should go for the recording by creating a sparkling mosaic. With the mod- Major, Op. 55 ("Eroica"). Philadelphia Or- the Collegium Aureum on Pro-Arte. ern instruments, the mosaic effect is lost as chestra, Eugene Ormandy cond. RCA 0 The contrast is striking. To use visual the fragments flow smoothly into one con- ATC1-4032 $15.98. terms, the sound of the Philadelphia Or-tinuous melody. There is another telling Performance Routine chestra is opaque while that of the Colle-section in the final allegro of the last movement. Each repeated note as played by the Recording Superb gium Aureum is transparent. In musical terms. one hears orchestral detail from theolder instruments is clearly heard; the or- A choice between these two new recordings latter and a homogenized sound from the chestra bristles and surrounds the melody of Beethoven'sEroicawill depend on what former. The reason is that the differentia - with an aura of sparks. With the modern orchestra there is only a thick throbbing. Besides the differences created by the use of early and new instruments, there are in- terpretative differences as well. Ormandy fusses with detail and the pacing sags; the overall effect is rather stodgy. Under the direction of concertmaster Franzjosef Maier, the Collegium moves things right along. BUY THE Maier allowsBeethoven's detailsto be heard rather than superimposing his own ideas. With this recording, the Collegium Aureum again shows itself to be an orches- CONCERT tra of major importance. S.L. ELGAR: Cello Concerto, Op. 85. TCHAI- KOVSKY: Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op. 33; Pezzo Capriccioso. Lynn Harrell (cello); Cleveland Orchestra, Lorin Maazel HALL. cond. LONDON CS 7195 $10.98. Performance Prosaic GET THE FIRST Recording: Very good This is a long way from being one of Lynn Harrell's best records. While there are passages of real bravura in thePezzo Capric- CONCERT FREE! cioso and moments of poetry in both the other works, there is far too much merely Introducing the remarkable Sennheiser prosaic playing and there are far too many HD 222. little intonational slips. And Lorin Maazel The closed -ear headphone that offers seems to be in one of his more impatient unprecedented comfort as well as the moods, not pushing the music along too clarity and definition of the finest fast, but not doing much with it either. This concert hall. is particularly unfortunate in the Elgar con- But don't take our word. Prove it to certo, which is a better piece than it sounds yourself with our special free offer. here and not nearly as well known outside of Challenge the HD 222 with one Britain as it should be. If you want to know of the most demanding discs avail- just how good a piece it is,I strongly urge able today. Mobile Fidelity Sound you to get in touch with some dealer in Eng- Lab's Original Master Record- land and order yourself a copy of the re- ings'" Specially mastered and cording by the young British cellist Robert pressed to virtually duplicate all Cohen, released by EMI's Music for Pleas- the dynamic range of the artists' ure label, which got superlative reviews original master tapes across from the British critics and became a best the entire frequency spectrum. seller there. Angel has not yet released it Once you've tried our test, here. -James Goodfriend you'll want to enjoy the experience again and again! By FLOTOW: Martha. Lucia Popp (soprano), taking a pair of HD 222 Lady Harriet Durham; Doris Soffel (mez- home... plus a free Original zo-soprano), Nancy; Siegmund Nimsgern Master Recording' with (bass), Lord Tristan Mickleford; Siegfried our compliments. For Jerusalem (tenor), Lyonel; Karl Ridder- the first of many mem- busch (bass), Plumkett; Peter Lika (bass), orable concerts. Sheriff of Richmond; others. Bavarian Ra- dioChorus;MunichRadio Orchestra, 'Select from Heinz Wallberg cond. EURODISC 25 422 "Tchaikovsky: 18127 XGR three discs $29.94,©500-217 $29.94. Ardre Previn and the SENINHEISER London Symphony Orchestra; Performance: Good ELECTRONIC CORPORATION "Ziggy Stardust' David Bowie; or Recording. Average 10 West 37th Street, New York, N.Y. 10018 "Magical Mystery Tour:' The Beatles. (212) 239-0190 Flotow's Martha is a tuneful and agreeable Manufacturing Plant: Bissendortitlannover, West Germany light opera. It cannot be taken very seriously, butitdoes not deserve the scorn with

90 CIRCLE NO. 59 ON READER SEAVICE CARD STEREO REVIEW which it is dismissed in some quarters. I suspect that if Flotow had been a French or Italiancomposer, he would have been treated more kindly by the critics. After all, no German contemporary of Mendelssohn, Schumann, or, heaven forbid, Wagner was expected to write such fluff. And yet Mar- tha endures, and this new recording is proof of its lasting popularity in German-speaking lands. The nice, idiomatic performance pleads the opera's case effectively, but it will probably fall short of making new converts for it. The singing principals go about their tasks with considerable skill and, in the cases of Lucia Popp and Doris Soffel, ample charm. Siegfried Jerusalem is an appealing and dependable Lyonel; as his foster brother Plumkett, Karl Ridderbusch delivers his rousing Porter Song with hearty gusto but shows signs of tonal fraying here and there. The outstanding Munich orchestra is led by Heinz Wallberg with unsentimental efficiency. While there is nothing objectionable here, I still prefer the only stereo competitor IF YOU DON'T (Angel S-3753, another Munich production); even sonicallyIfind the earlier set (1970) superior, for the sound is more forward and has more warmth and body. Mul- RECOGNIZE THE tilingual annotations are supplied with the Eurodisc set, but the libretto is in German only. G.J. MUSIC ON YOUR HARTY: An Irish Symphony; Comedy Overture. Ulster Orchestra, Bryden Thom- son cond. CHANDOS O ABRD 1027 $17.98 (from Brilly Imports, 155 North San Vi-TAPES, CHECK centeBoulevard,BeverlyHills,Calif. 90211). Performance. Spirited and polished Recording Quite good THE NAME ON Sir Hamilton Harty (1879-1941), who unfortunately did not live into the age of mi- crogroove, let alone stereo, is remembered YOUR CARTRIDGE. as a brilliant conductor-surely the greatest to come from Ireland-and for his extreme- The best cassette cant make up for a bad phono cartridge. ly popular arrangements of suites from Handel's Water Music, Royal Fireworks So when you're taping from your records, start with a Music, and some other pieces, as well as a cartridge that's recognized for its high performance. lesser -known but quite ingratiating John Field Suite. Harty also composed some attractive original music; My Lagan Love and some of his other songs used to be in active circulation, but this new Chandos disc may be the first recording of his orchestral works to reach our shores. Harty apparently initiated his creative activity with the Irish Symphony, which won a prize in the 1904 annual competition of the Feis Ceoil, the Irish National Music Festival. The four movements are based on folk tunes, and each bears a descriptive title associated with parts of the land or historic events. The second movement, a scherzo headed The Fair Day, has been performed and recorded on its own with some frequency; among its three themes is The Girl I Left Behind Me, which the Irish-born Vic- torHerbertincorporatedintohis own American Fantasy in 1893. Recorded here in Harty's 1924 revision, the symphony is by no means a mere potpourri, but a well- proportioned work in which the most skill- ful and imaginative use is made of the folk materials-not an exciting discovery, perhaps, but a happy and engaging one. The Comedy Overture, composed in 1906, is a EIVPIFE PHONO CARTRIDGES bit less engaging in its basic materials but is THERE S A NEW SOUND WAITING IN YOUR SYSTEM. CIRCLE NO21 ON READER 7,ERVICE CARD JANUARY 1982 similarly well crafted and performed with similar spirit and polish by the very able orchestra. Both works are recorded (in an un- identified digital process) with abundant clarity and warmth, and they receive the most helpful explication in David Greer's annotation.I can't help noting a certain poignancy in the taping of so delightful a celebration of the Irish character in the tragic city of Belfast in 1980. R.F.

HONEGGER:Concertino for Pianoand Or- chestra (see POULENC)

KREISLER:Violin Music(see Best of the Month, page 81)

MAHLER:Lieder und Gesiinge aus der Ju- gendzeit (Lieder and Songs of Youth). Hans und Grethe; Erinnerung; Friihlingsmorgen; Ablosung im Sommer; Aus! Aus!: Zu Strassburg auf der Schanz; Es Sungen Drei Engel; Das Irdische Leben; Phantasie aus Don Juan; Selbstgefiihl; Ich Ging mit Lust durch einen Grunen Wald; Starke Einbil- dungskraft; Um Schlimme Kinder Artig zu Machen; Nicht Wiedersehen!; Wer Hat dies Liedlein Erdacht? Hanna Schaer (contralto); Christian Ivaldi (piano). MUSICAL Sketch for a production of Wozzeck by H. Heckroth. 1930 HERITAGE SOCIETY MHS 4367 $7.75 (plus $1.60 postage and handling from the Mu- sical Heritage Society, Inc., 14 Park Road, Tinton Falls, N.J. 07724). `Viennese Wozzeck" Performance Good Recording Very good THE significance of Philips' new recording The music is intense, full of color, and often When this collection was published (1885- of Alban Berg's Wozzeck lies not in its quite romantic. If its terrors have largely 1892), Mahler properly distinguished the mere arrival-this is, amazingly enough, vanished,itcan be-and itcertainlyis "Lieder" (art songs) from the "Gesange" thefourthcompleterecordingofthe here-easily absorbed into the regular rep- (songs in the folk style). Most of these early work-but in its being a Viennese Wozzeck. ertoire in a fully musical and comprehensi-songs belong in the latter group, deriving Works of the modern Viennese school- ble way. fromthe Arnim -Brentano Des Knaben Schoenberg,Berg,andWebern-were Not that this new recording is routine. Wunderhorn, a collection of poems that had played and revered all over the world before The conductor, soloists, chorus, and orches- a lasting influence on Mahler. Erinnerung they were really accepted in Vienna, a very tra are all outstanding performers totally and Friihlingsmorgen, on the other hand, conservative musical town (for that matter, absorbed in this large and engrossing struc- are lieder in the tradition of Schumann and Mozart, Schubert, and even Beethoven had ture, both dramatically and musically. I like Brahms. The entire group is not nearly as some of the same problems). This recording Christoph von Dohnanyi's leadership very unfamiliar as the otherwise informative lin- suggests that Berg at least has finally been much. His control, attention to detail, clari- er notes here suggest. There have been sev- accepted in his home town! ty, and pacing are superb and never flag. eral previous recordings, but there is always Wozzeck is generally thought of as a Some of the smaller parts have rarely been room for another performance as good as landmark of German (or,if you prefer, done more effectively, especially the Cap- this one. Austrian) expressionism-a moving twen- tain and the Doctor. Eberhard Waechter These songs are essential to an under- tieth-century landscape of alienated and and Anja Silja are outstanding in the prin-standing of Mahler because they prefigure suffering people trapped in a world they cipal roles-not vocally beautiful (if that hislater compositions (the orchestrated never made. But, modernistic asitstill could be expected in this opera) but strong, Wunderhorn songs, thefirstthree sym- seems, Wozzeck has strong roots in the past. shaped, and affecting. The recording is ex- phonies, even Das Lied von der Erde) to a It is based on a play that was written a cen- cellent, just enough weight and just enough remarkable degree. Aside from a character- tury earlier; its scenes are carefully molded transparency, with a well judged placement istic harmonic language, they exhibit such into the forms of Classical and Romantic of voices against the orchestra. There is a Mahlerian hallmarks as sounds of nature, music;itincorporatesfolksongs and libretto and translation; the program notes pictures of military life, and presentiments waltzes even as its ongoing style is a kind of are skimpy, but perhaps in this day and age of death. The piano writing also points latter-day descendent of Wagner. Wozzeck Wozzeck can speak for itself. This is a Woz- ahead with its orchestral touches, which are is Wagnerian music -drama immensely con- zeck without tears, but an effective and expertly and imaginatively realized here by densed and applied to a kind of pre -Freud- moving listening experience nonetheless. Christian Ivaldi (Das Irdische Leben is a ianpsychopathology. With apologiesto -Eric Salzman bravura example). Hanna Schaer, a Swiss Hans Sachs, the whole world and everyone artist previously unknown to me, is a singer in it is loony. Viewed in this way, Wozzeck BERG: Wozzeck.Eberhard Waechter for whom themusicallineapparently is not really so new but almost the end of (baritone), Wozzeck; Hermann Winkler counts more than verbal communication. A the old tradition. (Schoenberg used to say, (tenor), Drum -major;Horst Laubenthal certain amount of liveliness and expressivity "My music is not avant-garde, only badly (tenor),Andres; Heinz Zednik(tenor), is unavoidably sacrificed by her approach, performed.") Captain; Alexander Malta (bass), Doctor;but she compensates for that loss with the Well, we have finally arrived at the point Anja Silja (soprano), Marie; Gertrude Jahn smooth flow of her singing, the accuracy of where Berg's Wozzeck can be produced (alto), Margret; Vienna State Opera Cho- her phrasing and intonation, and, not least anywhere, even at the Vienna Opera, with- rus; Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Chris- a voice of warmth and beauty. G.J out anguish and with no more than the reg- toph von Dohnanyi cond. LONDON 0 LDR ular, required operatic dose of suffering. 72007 two discs $25.96. MOZART:Clarinet Concerto in A Major (K. 622); Bassoon Concerto in B -flat Major (K.191).Richard Stoltzman(clarinet);

92 STEREO REVIEW English Chamber Orchestra, Alexander Schneider cond. RCA ARL 1-3934 $9.98, © ARK1-3934 $9.98. Mimi/ audio :

Performance: Expansive Recording Transparent r-,

No one gets more beautiful sounds out of a

clarinet than Richard Stoltzman, and the

voluptuousness of those he produces on this

disc should be enough to turn many of his

colleagues a deep shade of green. Indeed, he

appears to be less than fully immune to his own siren song: now and then the mo-

mentum tends to slacken because of his in-

dulgence in a shower of ripe, ravishing tones. But for the most part the perform- TIME FREIGHT ance of the Clarinet Concerto is paced as SAVE MONEY

beautifully as it is played, and if it does not ON NAMEBRANDS efface memories of Louis Cahuzac with

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work that remains among the greatest of all IRK MODEL SS -110 MARK II EQUALIZER. 5190.00 OD -C-90 optimumSTD. BIAS 33.00/10 MODEL 55,2 MARK III 12 BAND EQ. 217.00 compliments to the clarinet. TUC SA -C90 SUFER AVALIN TALE 29.50/10 KM SS -3 MARK II TOP OF LINE.299.00 TUC C -.DAD NEW AIEVA TAPE 22.00/10 TheappropriatenessofStoltzman's BASF FERFUNANCE C-90 QUALITY TALE $16.00/10 transcribing the Bassoon Concerto for his 13.I.0 SPECIALS BASF C-90 PROFESSIONAL TYPE I 26.50/10 instrument is at least open to question, even BASF RIO II OR III C-90 SPECIFY 29.00/10 MODEL TAR -200 TONER IOU CEPEAKER $ 90.00 MAXELL C-90 III LOW NOISE TALE $23.50/12 MCOEL TPR-400 ICIER LOUDSPEAKER150.00

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! CALL! originally for basset horn.) While it may be MAXELL UD-35-180 SAME ON 10 I/2" 153.00/10 LA -31 NEW TURNTABLE BAFGAIN MAXELL UD-XL-35-90B BACKOATED XL 69.50/10 ImmoDEALS - WRITE POR MUER MODELS! true, as stated in the notes here, that "only MAXELL UD-XL-180B SAME ON 10 1/2 198.50/10 SOZEICH 207R-90 POLY-POSITRAK FR -609) SUPER RECEIVER DEAL. $269.00 an occasional transposition was required 55.00/10 KK -2060 TOP CASSETTE DECK DEAL430.00 since Mozart's solo part for bassoon suits SODICH 207 R-180 10 1/2 IN 170.00/10 VIDEO TARE sewnSPECIALS!! both the technique and the timbre of the 38)101 L-500 BETA TYFE $maylo 311-9300 SUPER RBCEIVER DEAL $060.00 clarinet," despite all the seductively beauti- STOKE L-750 BETA TAPE 130.00/10 520.00 SD -9300 2 -SPEED CASSETTE CECK SCOTCH T-120 VHS TYFE 140.00/10 ful playing I could not escape a persistent PICNEEER CCALS NOTE: FJJI NOW IN STO3C AT LOW PRICES awareness that this music was designed for $281.00 AUDIO TECHNICA CARTS. srmooNCARTRIDGES 9t-6 NEW SUPER RECEIVER an instrument a little weightier and less ag- wrim-T511731135707 wirlizrearzs-m-30 CT -OR NEW 3 HEAD REVERSE DECK 235.00

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A single hearing of the overture's principal 564-0020 Name subject tells us that James Levine's ap- TOLL FREE Address proach to The Magic Flute is far from the (800) City spaciously cosmic readings offered by many 621-8042 conductors of earlier generations. He keeps State Zip things moving right along, clearly realizing,

JANUARY 1982 CIRCLE NO. 24 ON READER SERVICE CARD and correctly, that sublimity, at least in knocked some royal bearing out of her as a and his measured pacing of the long phrases Mozart, should not be equated with drag- child, but interpreting the role as a sou- dispels any thought of carnal desire. ging tempos. A special feature of this per- brette (more appropriate for Susanna or Zdislawa Donat's singing of the fierce formance, then, is the pacing, and an espe- Zerlina) does not further the opera's theme arias assigned to the malevolent Queen of cially rewarding example is the way Levine of exalting noble character. Nor does Co- the Night is simply fabulous. In the first holds together the long accompanied recita- trubas' vibrato in sustained passages, slides aria she ticks off the high F effortlessly; in tive that opens the first -act finale. Splendid to high notes, and too -frequent use of half - the second she proves there are plenty more also is the orchestral coloring and the care- voice help the music. where that came from, framing the high ful dynamics and accentuation. On theplussidethere isChristian notes in a striking staccato. Her instrumen- Eric Tappy's heroic portrayal of Tamino Boesch's rough and ready Papageno. His tal -like clarity reminded me of the fabulous brings us some exquisite Mozart singing. lusty voice aloneissufficientto convey Militza Korjus. His well -focused sound is consistently no- Papageno's honest preferenceforwine, Besides the music, all the spoken dialogue ble, and his passionate addresses to Pamina food, and women rather than lofty spiritual- isfaithfullyrecited. The histrionics are are characterized by a princely restraint. ism. The essence of idealism is embodied in high, and the sound -effects engineer spares Unfortunately, Ileana Cotrubas' Pamina Martti Talvela's Sarastro. Talvela's rich, neither thunder, wind, nor the roaring of does not respond in kind. Perhaps Pamina's velvety voice is a superb instrument for Sa- lions; one could, in fact, wish for a little less. parentage,abitonthe shrewishside, rastro's message of peace and brotherhood, In all, this is a good Flute, but. . . . S.L.

RECORDING OF SPECIAL MERIT NIELSEN: Prelude and Theme Hutharia - dons for Solo Violin, Op. 48; Prelude and Presto for Solo Violin, Op. 52. Peder Elbaek Bring your music into focus... (violin). String Quintet in G Major. Carl Nielsen String Quartet; Bfdrge Mortensen (viola). DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 2531 344 ...w,the B&W DM10. $10.98. Performance Good to superb Recording: Very good This is a very kelcume release, though I If you've always admired B&W loud- question the coupling. The stylistic contrast speakers from afar because you've between the late -Romantic string quintet believed owning a pair would impose that Nielsen composed at the age of twenty- an unacceptablestrainon your three and his later, very definitely twen- budget, you'll find the DM10 a pleas- tieth-century solo violin pieces is a little antsurprise.The DM10 naturally hard to take. The opening movement of the delivers the kind of performance which quintet has some of the same vitality and has made B&W the choice of leading intensitythatmarkthecorresponding record companies around theworld, movement of the First Symphony, however, including EMI and Decca in England, EMI Pattie and just a bare hint of the musical language in France, EMI Electrola in Germany, and CBS to come. in the United States. But the reallygood news The two solo works were both written for is that it does so at an unexpectedly affordable Nielsen's son-in-law Emil Telmanyi, a for- price. midable virtuoso in his day. The Prelude The DM10 is a sophisticated, compact and Theme with Variations dates from the 2 -way loudspeaker - the product of B&W's year after the Wind Quintet (1922) and was premiered by Telmanyi in London uniquely advanced computer and laser design, when the composer was scheduled to con- measurement and manufacturing techniques.Its duct his Fourth Symphony there.(Tel- performance thus goes beyond simple spectral accuracy to manyi was not happy with the final varia- reproduce music with space, depth and focus -qualities dis- tion, so Nielsen rewrote it on the spot four tressinglyabsentfromloud- days before the performance.) Like the speakers costing many times more variations movement of the Wind Quintet, than the DM10. the eight variations and coda are based on a hymnlike tune, all preceded by a brilliant So be prepared fora bit of a shock improvisatory prelude. The shorter Prelude when you audition the DM10 at and Presto falls between the sweet -tem- your B&W Loudspeaker Dealer. pered Flute Concerto and the acerbic Clar- Write today for more information inet Concerto (1927-1928) and resembles and the name of the authorized the latter a bit more. Itis a real tour de B&W Dealer nearest you. force that uses all the tricks of the violinist's trade (Nielsen was a violin player for years in the Royal Orchestra) but is imbued with Nielsen's characteristic bite and musical substance. It has baffled me from the first day I heard these pieces why violinists have not discovered them. Peder Elbwk covers himself with glory in the solo pieces, and he and his confreres (he 1973 919 is first violinist of the Carl Nielsen Quartet) THE OUTER SAWAROFOR do a very fine job with the quintet. Excel- B&W Loudspeakers Ltd. ACHIEVEMENT lent recording throughout. D.H. Anglo American Audio Co., Inc. Dept. SR -182, P.O. Box 653. Buffalo, New York 14240 RECORDING OF SPECIAL MERIT Now at your B&W Dealer: the DM23, a compact 3 -way loudspeaker . . . also surprisingly affordable, and also unmistakably B&W. The DM10 and DM23 are available in four superb OFFENBACH: Overtures: Orpheus in the finishes: walnut, teak, black ash, and rosewood. Underworld; Bluebeard; The Grand Duchess of Gerolstein; La Belle Helene; Vert -Vert. CIRCLE NO. 6 ON READER SERVICE CARD 94 STEREO REVIEW The Tales of Hoffman: Barcarolle. Berlin Philharmonic, Herbert von Karajan cond. New Angel Digital Spectacular! DEUTSCHE GRAM MOPHON 0 2532 006 $12.98, © 3302 006 $12.98. PerformanceSparkling Bizet-Shchedrin Recording Excellent Even fortheinsulated music -lover,life THE brings its little disillusionments. For me, it came as a shock to find out that of all those lovely Offenbach overtures I had been en- CARMEN joying through the years only a couple were actually written by Offenbach himself. For his early light works, it seems, he would BALLET supply only brief, spirited introductions be- SCHWARZ fore the curtain rose. This was not enough for audiences in Germany, where they de- Los Angeles manded a full-scale orchestral piece to start Orchestra the evening off. And so Carl Binder, a col- Chamber league of Franz von Suppe, supplied the overture to Orpheus in the Underworld, while others, even less well-known, created the familiar, delicious confections that pre- cede Bluebeard and The Grand Duchess of Gerolstein, expanding on the composer's own preludes and padding them out with excerpts from the operettas. In fact, the only work on this program entirely composed by Offenbach is the overture to Vert - Vert, which is named, by the way, for a pet parrot. Even the Barcarolle from The Tales of Hoffman initsfamiliar instrumental form was arranged by Manuel Rosenthal. No matter. From start to finish here, the champagne froths and one exhilarating orchestral episode succeeds another. There have been other recordings covering this DS -37337 ground, but none, I dare say, so brilliant as this new entry from Herbert von Karajan and Deutsche Grammophon. P.K.

RECORDING OF SPECIAL MERIT POULENC: Aubade. ROUSSEL: Piano Concerto, Op. 36. HONEGGER: Concertino for Piano and Orchestra. Boris Krajny (piano); Prague Chamber Orchestra, Stanislav Macura cond. (in Roussel and Honegger). SUPRAPHON 1410 2705 $9.98 (from Qualiton Records,Ltd., 39-28 Crescent Street, Long Island City, N.Y. 11101). PerformanceFluent Recording Very good Boris Krajny, a thirty -six -year -old Czech identified in the notes to this album as a pu- pil of both Frantgek Maxian and Ivan Mo- ravec, is a formidably equipped pianist with a fine feeling for the Gallic idiom that links these works. And what an intriguing, attractive program it is, drawn entirely from the five-year period 1924-1929. The biting- ly clever Honegger concertino, one of several works first recorded by Eugene Orman- dy inhis Minneapolis days nearlyfifty The 727 Loudspeaker years ago and subsequently recorded by the Since their introduction in 1976, Cizek Audio Loudspeakers have earned a improbable team of Oscar Levant and Fritz reputation for innovation, excellence a Id value... Reiner, has been underrepresented on records for years, and so has the Roussel con- This latest addition to the Cizek line offers superb full range sound at an certo; the two fill a single side snugly, and extremely affordable price.Its performance capabilities are typical of the same conductor Stanislav Macura seems as hap- unexcelled quality people all over the world have come to expect from Cizek. pily attuned to them as Krajny does. The Its outstanding bass response, crystal clear highs, and accurate midrange Poulenc Aubade is performed without a reproduction are the result of our sophisticated driver and crossover network conductor (Pavel Prantlis credited with designs, not found in any other speaker at this price - an ideal choice for the preparing the orchestra for recording) and quality conscious purchaser. receives a somewhat earthier, more full- bodied presentation than we may be accus- tomed to; it is by no means an unsubtle one, 14C IZEK...INNOVATIOM...EXCELLEMCE...VALUE. (Continued on page 97) Cizek Audio Systems, Inc. 300 Canal St. Lawrence, MA 01840

JANUARY 1982 CIRCLE NO13 ON READER SERVICE CARD 95 FOUR recent recordings of four different Karajan's interpretation is supported by of the movement). By and large, the best Bruckner symphonies offer a mixed bag magnificent playing on the part of the Ber- playing is in the trio section of the scherzo, for fans of the Austrian master: two real lin Philharmonic. The recording job is su- but not even this together with the very fine, winners and a couple of fine -sounding but perb, one of DG's most successful digital open -sounding recording is enough to put musically disappointing also-rans. tapings yet released. The sound is rich in the release-especially at $30-in the same WithHerbertvon Karajan'ssuper- detail, with a somewhat closer than usual league as Karajan's 1978 DG album of the charged new digital recording of the Third miking resulting in a gain in total body for Seventh. (My review copy, incidentally, Symphony on Deutsche Grammophon, we the orchestra. Not the least remarkable as- lacked the English/German/French pro- start right off with the vexing problem ofpect of this release is that the three final gram notes promised on the cover-and I the text. In company with everyone else who movements, more than thirty-four minutes don't yet read Japanese!) has recorded the Third save Bernard Hai- in length, fit onto a single disc side, elimi- nating the turnover midway in the slow THAT colossus among Bruckner sympho- movement that mars other recordings of the nies, No. 8, represents pretty much the ulti- Third. (Those who want the only recorded mate challenge to the would-be Bruckner- performance of the 1878 version of the work ian. For his new DG recording of it, Daniel willfindHaitink's 1965 Concertgebouw Barenboim had, like the other conductors disc on Philips still eminently serviceable, if considered here, one of the greatest orches- lacking the fire and brimstone of Karajan's tras in the world, the Chicago Symphony, reading.) and he certainly made more of the opportunity than Blomstedt did. Barenboim's read- CONDUCTING theDresden Staatskap- ing is intensely dramatic and totally com- pelle Orchestra on Angel, veteran Bruck- mitted-even replete with audible conduc- nerian Eugen Jochum has come up with torial groans at strategic points that would what for me is the most convincing recorded do credit (?) to Glenn Gould. But Karajan performance yet of the atypical but alto- and Furtwangler are the most formidable gether fascinating Symphony No. 6. He has competitors in this work, and comparative used the original version of the score, and, listening reveals all too clearly Barenboim's in contrast, respectively, to the two fine failure to discipline his performance ade- Chicago Symphony recordings conducted quately so as to sustain the all-important by Daniel Barenboim (DG) and Sir Georg big line, which is the sine qua non for a Solti (London), he emphasizes neither its Bruckner conductor. Barenboim also misses lyrical -dramatic nor its sinewy -architectur- the boat in the scherzo in the same way Ka- al qualities. Rather, he works for a wholly rajan does (his one lapse); I have heard only natural musical flow (though disciplined Furtwangler and Bruno Walter bring off every step of the way). The final pages of this windswept, bell -haunted masterpiece to the slow movement and the marvelously bu- perfection. colic mid -section of the scherzo, with its Barenboim's accompanying reading of lovely episode for horns, are among the the wonderful Bruckner Te Deum suffers highlights of Jochum's reading, but be from many of the same faults that afflict his brings it all to a glorious head with an abso- Eighth Symphony performance, especially lutely sizzling finale. Indeed, the guise in a tendency to rush the climaxes; he also which Jochum presents the Sixth Sympho- takes rather too fast a pace at the opening. ny tempts me to call the work Bruckner's A comparison with Karajan's magnificent Sinfonia Capricciosa. Both the quality of DG recording of the Te Deum is, again, sin- the orchestral playing and the (analog) regularly instructive.I must add, however, cording are beyond criticism. that Barenboim has a superb solo vocal quartet and first-rate choral forces. The EVER sincehearing Sweden's Herbert digital recording is splendidly full-bodied Blomstedt conduct Berwald in Copenhagen and richly detailed (harp fanciers take spe- in 1957, 1 have been anticipating his achiev- cial note!). -David Hall `Bruckner: ing major status, so it is disappointing to report that his new Denon recording of the BRUCKNER:Symphony No. 3, in D Minor. most popular Bruckner symphony, No. 7, is BerlinPhilharmonic Orchestra, Herbert 3,6,7,and 8 interpretively not in the big leagues. That's von Karajan cond. DEUTSCHE GRAMM& a great shame, since Blomstedt has every- PHON 0 2532 007 $12.98, © 3302 007 thing else going for him here: a great or- $12.98. tink,Karajan has optedforBruckner's chestra (again the Dresden Staatskapelle), third revision (1889) with its chopped -up fi- Denon's superb digital mastering, and a BRUCKNER:Symphony No. 6. inA Major. nale. Although I wish he had chosen the fine recording locale(Dresden's Lukas- Dresden Staatskapelle Orchestra, Eugen Fritz Oeser edition, which restores impor- kirche). The opening of the symphony is Jochum cond. ANGEL SZ-37695 $9.98. tantmaterialfrom the secondrevision promising enough-very even phrasing and (1878) and thus gives a more equitable bal- a beautifully steady unfolding-but from BRUCKNER:Symphony No. 7, in E Major. ance to the finale, under Karajan's baton there on the reading is uniformly bland, es- Dresden Staatskapelle Orchestra, Herbert the music is really heady stuff. The "Bee- pecially in comparison to those by Karajan Blomstedt cond. DENON 0 OB-7375/76N D thoven Ninth" inspiration of the first move- and Furtwangler. There is little or no com- two discs $30. ment becomes very clear, and a rapt inten- munication of the rapt ecstasy implicit in so sity dominates in the slow movement. The much of this music, particularly in the tran- BRUCKNER:Symphony No. 8, in C Minor. scherzo is treated with a fine amalgam of sition to the recapitulation of the first move- Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Daniel Bar- vigor and grace (I suspect a tape -editing ment. The great brass lamentation over the enboim cond.Te Deum.Jessye Norman (so- lapse is responsible for the unusually long death of Wagner that Bruckner wrote into prano); Yvonne Minton (contralto); David pause between the end of the trio section the last pages of the slow movement very Rendall (tenor); Samuel Ramey (bass); and the return of the main section). In the nearly comes a cropper here because of a Chicago Symphony Chorus and Orchestra, finale, Karajan achieves maximum contrast painfully overbalanced horn entrance Daniel Barenboim cond. DEUTSCHE GRAM- between the episodes of high drama and (Blomstedt omits, by the way, the contro- MOPHON G 2741 007 two discs $25.96, those evocative of polkas and Landler. versial cymbals and triangle at the climax 3882 007 $25.96.

96 STEREO REVIEW though, or in any way less than fully con- Ortofon LM cartridces have charged the audio world. vincing.If the assortment looks inviting, both the performances and the rich, well- SLper low mass eliminates resonance distortion balanced sound can be virtually guaranteed and unwanted sigrcls from warped records, while our R.F. to please. exclusive, patentee VMS genera-ing sy;lem lets you RAVEL: Daphnis et Chloe (see Best of the hear your records .iith unprecedented clarity. Month, page 76) What in the worlc are you doing with a cartridge RECORDING OF SPECIAL MERIT other than an Ortofon LM? RODRIGO: En los Trigales; Sonata a la Es- pahola; Tiento Antiguo; Junto al Generalife; Fandango; Trois Petite Pieces; Bajando de la Meseta; Romance de Durandarte. Pepe Romero (guitar). PHILIPS 9500 915 $10.98, © 7300 915 $10.98. Performance Spanish treasure Recording Excellent It's just as you might have suspected all along-there's more to Joaquin Rodrigo than just those big guitar concertos. He also writes for solo guitar and proves just as dashing and inventive a composer in short works as in long ones. On this record Pepe Romero, one of the most nimble -fingered Spanish guitarists in the world, performs a whole program of Rodrigo's shorter works withimmense elegance andstyle.As rhythms shift and sonorities swell from the merest murmur to the dazzling finale of the Sonata a la Espanola, the breadth and fire of the music seize attention and quicken the spirit. Three cheers and an ole! P K ROUSSEL: Piano Concerto, Op. 36 (see orrofon POULENC) 122 Dupont Street, Plairwiew, New York 1- 803 CIRCLE NO35 ON READER SERVICE CARD RECORDING OF SPECIAL MERIT D. SCARLATTI: Sonatas Nos. 6. 8, 9, 10, II. 13, and 28. SOLER: Sonatas in D Mi- nor, C -sharp Minor. D Major, G Minor, F - sharp Minor. and F Major. Alicia de Lar- rocha (piano). LONDON CS 7177 $10.98. McIntosh Performance Extremely sympathetic Recording Agreeably realistic To get the obvious question out of the way: STEREO CATALOG ought these sonatas to be played on a piano? Our pre-eminent authority on Soler is and FM DIRECTORY Frederick Marvin, who performs that composer's sonatas on the piano himself. More- Get all the newest and latest information on the new over, as John Davidson points out in his lin- McIntosh catalog. In addition you will receive ar FM sta- er notes here, Fernando Valenti, who built tion directory that covers all of North America. his reputation largely on his harpsichord performances and recordings of Scarlatti's sonatas, actually dedicated his edition of them to Alicia de Larrocha-which may serve not only to settle the question of the piano's appropriateness but also to certify Larrocha's own authority as interpreter of this music. It is noted also that it is Valen- ti's numbering that is used here: since key signatures are not indicated,itbecomes troublesome to identify these works accord-. ing to their respective Longo or Kirkpatrick McIntosh Laboratory, Inc. SR numbers. In the case of the Soler sonatas, East Side Station P.O. Box 96 we are advised that the numbering of Joa- Binghamton, N.Y. 13904 quin Nin's edition is used, but there are in SEND fact no numbers indicated, only keys. In any NAME event, the performances themselves leave little to be said: Larrocha's feeling for the ADDRESS music and her ability to communicate it are TODAY! beyond question, and the recorded sound is CITY STATE _ZIP most agreeably realistic. R.F. If you are in a hurry for your catalog please send the coupon to McIntosh. (C'ontinued overleaf) For non rush service send the Reader Service Card to the magaz ne. CIRCLE NO32 ON READER SERVICE CARD JANUARY 1982 peculiar hard and blatant sound quality. How much of that stems from the digital process and how much from the recording locale is impossible to say just from hearing the recording, which seems to have been rather tightly miked. As I have noted before, the least successful digitally mastered recordings seem to have been done in situa- E E tions producing a type of acoustic overload that analog mastering can handle but which digital technology as yet cannot. D.H.

TCHAIKOVSKY: Variations on a Rococo Theme; Pezzo Capriccioso (see ELGAR)

WAGNER: Das Rheingold. Theo Adam (baritone), Wotan; Karl -Heinz Stryczek (bass), Donner; Eberhard Biichner (tenor), Froh; Peter Schreier (tenor), Loge; Sieg- mund Nimsgern(baritone),Alberich; Christian Vogel (tenor), Mime; Roland Bracht(bass),Fasolt;Matti Salminen (bass), Fafner; Yvonne Minton (mezzo-soprano), Fricka; Marita Napier (soprano), Freia; Ortrun Wenkel (contralto), Erda; LuciaPopp(soprano),Woglinde;Uta IN Schubert's music, no numbers have any bert-far-ranging modulations, dramatic Priew (mezzo-soprano), Wellgunde; Hanna chronologicalsignificanceexceptthe announcement of the second group, minor - Schwarz (contralto),Flosshilde. Dresden Deutsch numbers (abbreviated D.) from key melodies, shifts back and forth between State Orchestra, Marek Janowski cond. Eu- the thematic catalog of the works. Both the major and minor-and the lyricism, well, RODISC 0 301 137-445 three discs $29.94. works on Deutsche Grammophon's new he had that from the very beginning. Performance Acceptable Schubert release, the Quartet No. 8 and the The Amadeus Quartet has always had an Recording Excellent Quartet No. 10, are early works, and No. extraordinary sensitivity to Schubert, and if 10 was actually written a year earlier than they lack today the last degree of technical Thatgloriousrainbowbridgethrough No. 8. One might not think that a year polish that characterizes some of our other which the Nordic gods ascend to Walhalla would make much difference in a compos- contemporary ensembles, I can conceive of in the closing moments of Das Rheingold er's powers, but, though neither work is no other that could get as much real music once symbolized the dawn of the stereo age. anything like a mature masterpiece, while out of the B -flat Major score. Memory tellsSurely the London set OSA 1309, released D. 87 is a meandering, lightweight sort of me that the Vienna Philharmonic Quartet in 1959, was a stunning representation of affair, D. 112 almost from the beginning (London STS 5410) was a little tauter inwhat then seemed likea revolutionary proclaims a new and profound musical per- the E -flat work, to its advantage, but that is breakthrough in recording technique. That sonality and a coalescing world view. It is still the secondary work here. Good, slightly venerable set still makes a powerful impact, not given to very many seventeen-year olds soft -focus recording. -James Goodfrienda tribute to those who produced it, but a to tell us about life, but Schubert's B -flat glance at its distinguished cast cruelly re- Major Quartet appears to do just that-if SCHUBERT: String Quartet No. 10, in E - minds us of time's passing: the Fricka, not as well as the quartets of his maturity, flat Major, Op. posth. 125, 1 (D. 87) String Erda, Loge, Alberich, Mime, and Fasolt are strikingly enough, particularly in the first Quartet No. 8, in B -flat Major, Op. posth. no longer living, and neither is John Cul- movement, for us to feel that something of 168 (D. 112). Amadeus Quartet. DEUTSCHE shaw, the producer of the first recorded real importance is being conveyed. There GRAMMOPHON 2531 336 $10.98, © 3301 Ring. We are now at the dawn of the digital are plenty of hallmarks of the mature Schu- 336 $10.98. age. The next few years will probably bring several new complete Rings; the first one (with Boulez on Philips) is on the verge of release, and the first digital Rheingold is already with us. How should we greet this Eurodisc re- SOLER: Six Sonatas (see SCARLATTI) music on the fierce side, Riccardo Muti, lease? With two cheers, I suppose, no more. also with the Philharmonia (on Angel), de- The recordingistechnically beyond re- RECORDING OF SPECIAL MERIT livers the goods too, but Ashekenazy pro- proach: clean, well -detailed, free of exag- vides an added lyrical element, and he has a gerations and unrealistic balances. Marek TCHAIKOVSKY: Symphony No. 6, in B remarkable flairfor bringing out to the Janowski paces the music sensibly, with Minor, Op. 74 ("Pathetique"). Philharmo- highestdegree Tchaikovsky's orchestral awareness of its subtle drama but no thrills nia Orchestra, Vladimir Askenazy cond. coloration. The Stygian blackness of the fi- in the traversal. On the other hand, with the LONDON CS 7170 $10.98, CS5 7170 nal pages of the Adagio lamentoso have kind of cast Georg Solti had back in 1959, $10.98. never been better conveyed. The 5/4 move- Janowski might have given us a more mem- Performance Impassioned ment is endowed with all the requisite lilt, orable performance. Recording: Resplendent and the march movement will lift you right In several cases, the role and its interpret- out of your chair. Except for an occasional er are well matched. Siegmund Nimsgern is TCHAIKOVSKY: Symphony No. 6, in B slight overbalance in the low brass, London a powerful Alberich who dominates his Minor. Op. 74 ("Pathetique"). Los Angeles has done a first-rate recording job, with a scenes and can maintain a sinister vocal Philharmonic Orchestra, Carlo Maria Giu- somewhat close pickup but ample bloom on personality without abandoning a cantante lini cond. DEUTSCHE GRAM MOPHON 0 2532 the orchestral sonority as a whole. quality. Matti Salminen is an outstanding 013 $12.98, © 3302 013 $12.98. CarloMaria Giulini's reading on Fafner, ever -menacing with his dark and Performance: Carefully measured Deutsche Grammophon has little of the rock -solidtones.HiscolleagueRonald surge and vitality that marks Ashkenazy's. Bracht is not his equal but is adequate as Recording: Rather hard -sounding The opening movement sounds all too care- the ill-fated Fasolt. The Erda, Ortrun Wen- Vladimir Ashkenazy brings his recorded se- ful, and the 5/4 waltz lacks genuine lift. kel, is on the level of the best recorded com- ries of the mature Tchaikovsky symphonies The remainder follows the same general ap- petition, and Peter Schreier uses his lieder- to completion with a Pathetique that ranks proach, bespeaking a curious lack of in- trained voice to good advantage in portray- with the very best. For those who like this volvement in the music. Added to this is a ing a sly, calculating Loge; his performance

98 STEREO REVIEW isfull of expressive nuances yet free of exaggeration. Theo Adam, with years of experience behind him, is an impressive and commanding DON'T BLAME Wotan when he can keep his tone under control-but this happens only about half of the time. Icannot point to any modern Wotan on records who is far superior, but FriedrichSchorr's 1927 recordingof YOUR STEREO! "Abendlich strahlt" will reveal to the interested listener how this music ought to be Your stereo system may be a marvel and nuance is faithfully reproduced sung. As forthe other gods, goddesses, of advanced technology. But can you exactly as they were first recorded. gnomes, and the rest: Yvonne Minton is a The natural sound quality will amaze competent but colorless Fricka; Marita Na- say the same thing about the records pier's Freia is uneven but has some good and tapes you subject it to? you. The complete freedom from surface moments; the Mime, the Donner, and par- Yes...if you own Original Master noises will soothe you as never before. ticularly the Froh are tonally undernour- Recordings'"; state-of-the-art Lp's and Original Master Recordings'm span the ished; and the harmonizing of the three musical spectrum, from Rod Stewart, The Rhinemaidens is not irresistible. This is, in cassettes that dramatically improve short, not an auspicious beginning for a new the performance of your stereo Chicago Symphony, and The Ring, but then neither is this an age of great system. Rolling Stones to Pat Benatar Wagnerian singing. G.J. Each one is a hand-crafted and George Benson. More than 60 different Limited Edition COLLECTIONS Limited Edition, exclusively transferred by titles, available now PLACIDO DOMINGO:Gala Opera Con- Mobile F delity NEIL DIAMOND at discriminating The Jazz Singer cert; Domingo!; Perhaps Love, with John Sound Lab from the audio and record Denver(see Best of the Month, page 78) original recording stores. (AIX" KREMER. Paganini(arr.Wil- studio master tapes rinenty helmj): Violin Concerto No. 1. in D Major, of your favorite mo

1-800-638-3920 SHLOMO MINTZ:Fritz Kreisler Recital DISCOUNTERS 1111 For our catalog of the (seeBest of the Month, page 81) 6730 Santa Barbara Ct. VISA latest in Audio & Video Baltimore, MD. 21227 Equipment JANUARY 1982 Popular music Briefs

E hadn'tseen Loudon Universal Pictures, who plan a WWainwright III, the once major rerelease in the spring of eLit and future New Dylan, in a cou- 1982 The movie's original pro- Illr RPM UM lir mIMINNINIIIMI ple of years, so we checked ducer,WalterShenson,ac- Ink/ 1PUI a- IbAll him out recently at a perform- quired the rights to it two years ance at New York's Bottom ago, and before dealing with Line and got one of the bigger Universal he remastered the surprises of 1981This was a soundtrack in Dolbystereo, guy who used to be downright which should be a treat for the- weird on stage, seemingly only atergoers Unfortunately, no one step away 'rom The Real deals have yet been made for Edge at all times Now he's a home tape or discs, either au- slick,professionalentertainer dioorvideo,withthe new who relishes the spotlight and soundtrack 0 fields hecklers with the aplomb of Don RicklesHis audience has undergone a similar meta- IF rock-and-roll is really dead, morphosis Whereas in the old how come publishersare days he got the word freaks scramblingovereachother you might see at a Jackson churning out books about it? Browne show (that is, they got Cases in point three fat new eomE say that the basic sub- die (left) in a quarter -mile drag his jokes the firs! time by), he's tomes on the subject that have text of all great rock-and- race at New Jersey's famous nowinheritedthecollegiate crossed my desk this month. rollis nothing more than cars Raceway Park (Sunday! Sun- beer guzzlers who yell "Play all ThefirstisDavid Dalton's and girls (what else is new?) day!). Ms. Jett (currently enjoy- night!" They knew all his lyrics The Rolling Stones.The First Others say that ifit isn't, it ought ing a comeback of sorts as a by heart, but they take his ironic Twenty Years (Knopf, $13.95), to be Wherever you stand on solo artist) and Beadle faced misogynyabsolutelystraight. whichistheultimate Stones this burning issue, here's a pho- off in a matched pair of Chevy Loudon's songwriting remains coffee-table bookIf you're like tograph that might serve toil- stock trucks and she promptly as sharp as ever, and we had a me, which is to say a lapsed lustrateit That's ex -Runaway blew him, as they put itin the good time, but calling the even- obsessive fan, you're going to star Joan Jett, fresh from her horsepower set, "right out of ing disconcerting would be an find that a lot of the material victory over World Champion the weeds." So,ifthe career understatement -S.S collected initis familiar (some funny -car driver Raymond Bea- fizzles. --S.S. of it, in fact, is cribbed from Dal - ton's own decade -old unautho- TE BEATLES are back! Well, rized biography of the band), IF you're the type who haunts purge in the label's A&R de- at least on filmThe Fab but most of itis valuable, Bill's the import bins of your local partment, and he was told he Four's classic A Hard Day's and Keith's interviews with Gui- record store (or even it you're didn't "fit their image"(!) After Night (1964) has been sold to tar Player magazine in particu- not) keep an eye peeled for passing through an understand- larYou also get a definitive "Stories of Adventure" by Lee able dark night of the soul(it sessionography that lists every Fardon (Aura AUL 713)Far - lasted a whole year) he went to song, released and unreleased, don is a young English singer/ Aure Records, a new British in - the band has ever recorded; a songwriter working inastyle die label, they liked what they blueprint of a custom guitar built that suggests Graham Parker heard and released the album forKeithbyTed Newman and Elvis Costello without ac- "Stories" is definitelyworth Jones; hilarious reprints of old tually soundinglikeeitherof looking around for; I rate it one fan pieces from 16 magazine; a them, and his stuff packs an ex- of the most interesting things chronological listing of all their traordinaryemotionalwallop I've heard inseveral months. drug busts; and the usual stun- He was signed to Arista in the Pick hit Fast at Seventeen, the ning pictures. The perfect gift U K in 1980, but when he deliv- underside ofall those Spring- for anybody who tried to get ered the album to them it coin- steen songs equating cars with ticketsfor the recent Stones cidedwith a propinquitous freedom -S. S. tour and couldn't (that's over

100 STEREO REVIEW one million people in the New Finally,letuspraise The York area alone). Book of Rock Lists, by Dave Then there's Christgau's Marsh and Kevin Stein (Dell/ Record Guide (Ticknor & RollingStonePress,$9.95), Fields, $9,95), in which Robert rather more unabashedly sub- Christgau, self-styled "Dean of jective than you might imagine American RockCritics,"re- and perhaps the first rock book prints his Village Voice graded designed for john reading No mini -reviews of just about every bit of trivia is too small, no opin- rock and related album of the ion too outrageous for Marsh Seventies (plus a selection of and Stein. These guys have a what he considers the best rec- consistent vision for this kind of ords from theFiftiestothe thing, and while you orI might Eighties). There's no use pre- quibble with an occasional spe- tending this guy can't write, as cific,their scope is so broad a matter of fact, it was reading thatcavils are quickly blown his stuff back in the early Sev- away In short, they realize that enties that inspired me to try to rock is both sublime and ridicu- make a livinginthe criticism lous, and that these qualities game. He's almost always fair, areequallyvaluable.It'sall he has a flair for the bon mot here, from the world's shortest oflifein New York CityThe Runaway in1961,itis"well and the one-liner, and he thinks rock stars to Les Paul's favorite transplanted Londoner spends worth the wait " Then again, about black music a lot more guitar players, from a lis7ing of his Wednesday nights engaged what did you expect him to than most other white critics all the rock deaths by category in bowling (!). "A bunch say? Stitt Records threw (though one wonders fleetingly to the five songs Carl Perkins of us go once a week, from a party recently to celebrate whether this is out of liberal guilt wishes he'd written. Crammed midnight to 5 a.m.," claims Idol their new American officesin or because he really enjoys it) within-jokes,deliberatelyin- "There are some real heavy lower Manhattan Pictured Still, certain aspects of his work flammatory, and always enter- rock-and-roll teams playing above at the bash are German rankle.His politics are knee- taining, this just may be the only against each other we've punkette Nina Hagen, Stiff art- jerklefty,hisfeministcon- rockbookthatmatters In bowled with Iggy Pop and mem- iste Lena Lovich, who did a science more cloying than Alan Chnstgau's parlance, A + , bers of the Heartbreakers. Paul surpriseset,former Meatloaf

Aida's, and he has a weakness upped a notch for leaving my Cook comes along . . he's warbler and Piratesof Pen- for conceptual music that is dis- name off two of the liststhe a brilliant bowler." Idol boasts zance ingenue Karla DaVito, maying-clearly, four A ratings Ten Best and the Ten Worst he scored 140 his first game, artistand designerColette, for four Ramones albums is four Rock Critics -S.S. thus beating my all-time and singer Melinda Jones, of too many. Overall, however, af- high The long-awaited Stiff'sHurricane Jones band ter plowing through the entire Del Shannon comeback album Thismonth'sclosing book, I was surprised to discov- GRACENOTES Billy Idol, (produced by fan Tom Petty) is word comes from Elvis Costel- er how even-handed he's been formerpretty -boy lead finally out on Elektra; it's Shan- lo, who opined after hearing the over the long haul. A worthwhile singer of Generation X and now non's first new LP since a live new Styx single, "I haven't the reference work,evenifthe riding the dance charts with a record on United Artists back in first idea who thisis, and the jacket claim that Christgau is remakeof TommyJames' 1973.According totneleg- only reason I'd want to is so I "totally reliable" needs its grain Mony Mony, has discovered a endary singer,/ songwriter, who could avoid future encounters." of salt. new way to beat the boredom firstcracked the charts with I know the feeling. -S. S.

Disc and Tape Reviews By CHRIS ALBERTSON NOEl. COPPAGE PHYI. GARLAND PAUL KRESH MARK PEEL PETER REILLY STEVE SIMELS JOE1. VANCE 0 = .sterea cassette = digital -master recording - quadraphonic disc 0 = eight -track stereo cartridge 0 = direct -to -disc e = monophonic recording The first listing is the one reviewed,' other larmats, if available. 'atlas...

and nephew of Dorsey, is a wonderful re- companiment. Bet Your Lucky Star; Don't RECORDING OF SPECIAL MERIT minder of how powerful and convincing ear- Say No (to Love); Sweet and Wonderful; BILLY BURNETTE: Gimme You. Billy ly Southern rock was when Elvis Presley Love Don't Love Nobody; Mystic Stranger; Burnette (vocals, guitar); vocal and instru- was known as the "Hillbilly Cat." Listening and three others. TSOP FZ 36775, © FZT mental accompaniment. Whatcha Gonna to this album, for which Burnette wrote all 36775, OO FZA 36775, no list price. Do When the Sun Goes Down; The Bigger the songs, either alone or in collaboration, is PerformanceFirst-rate warbler the Love; Gimme You; Love Ain't Easy; to recall those halcyon days when Carl Per- Reccrding Very good Take You Around theWorld (in My kins, Dale Hawkins, and Presley were all Arms); andfiveothers. COLUMBIA FC singing "Southern." Like them-and like love Jean Carn's high, wide, and hand- 37460, © FCT 37460, no list price. his father and uncle-Burnette is earthy, some voice and admire its rare flexibility; gritty, and sentimental. If there ever was a she seems able to do anything with it, just Performance Very good "people's music," classic Southern rock is about scraping the ceiling when she wants Recording Good it. Burnette re-creates it with freshness and to. Yet I haven't cared for most of the hack- Billy Burnette's second album is, like his fervor and without frills. J.V. neyed little songs she's been singing lately. first, an invitation to "return to those thrill- Fortunately, this time around Carn has ing days of yesteryear," as they used to say JEAN CARN: Sweet and Wonderful. Jean been given a bit more to work with. The on The Lone Ranger. Billy, son of Johnny Carn (vocals); vocal and instrumental ac- production and arrangements are slick but

JANUARY 1982 101 ("But when you owe a lot of money/And they're callin' to collect/It's a long, long

distance/To get their hands around your neck"), Mr. Rock profiles a loser/poseur, (Don't Wanna) Live for a Living defies the nine -to -five life, and My Girl is a gleeful exercise in well -crafted pop. Most groups that have been around as long as Chilliwack tend to tire or rely on formulas, but Henderson, MacLeod, and bassist Ab Bryant have all their chops and still sound exuberant. J.V.

JOHN DENVER/PLACIDO DOMINGO: Perhaps Love (seeBest of the Month, page 78) THE ELEKTRICS:State of Shock. The Elektrics (vocals and instrumentals). When the Night Comes Down; 1981 Overture; Go Now; Another Knife in My Heart; and six others. CAPITOL ST -12162 $8.98, © 4XT- 12162 $8.98, 0 8XT- I 2162 $8.98. Performance: Good Recording: Good I liked the Elektrics' debut album last year, Susannah 6McCorkle and this one is a good follow-up. There's a little more attention to electronic effects NF the late E. Y. "Yip" Harburg's solecon - withoutHarburg's (re)finishing touches, this time, but they're not distracting or 1tribution to the American song book had the tribute is an enduring document per- overpowering. The Elektrics have also ap- been his lyrics for The Wizard of Oz, we formed by a fine singer who quite clearly propriated-perhaps at the suggestion of would not soon forget him, but the usually not only understands the humor and sophis- their producer, Tony Bongiovi-some less - witty, always clever word manipulations of tication of her material but cherishes it as is -more restraint. this Tin Pan Alley poet neither began nor well. Add to that the fine accompaniment of Go Now is a simple reading of the Moody ended with the yellow brick road. Whether pianist Keith Ingham and trio, some infor-Blues' original from 1964. Pretty Plastic, we know it or not, all of us have stored mative, well -written notes by Max Wilk, the Elektrics' own composition, kids artifi- somewhere in the chambers of our memory plus a personal reminiscence of Harburg by ciality and uses a background voice intoning at least one Harburg opus, but singer Su- Miss McCorkle, and you have a slice of the title in a West Indian accent (the group sannah McCorkle has a whole repertoire, Americana to be treasured for as long as the isfrom New Jersey). When the Night and itis an important part of the total of vinyl holds out. -Chris Albertson Comes Down is sung in a British accent and more than one thousand American songs contains a line that brought me up short: "I with which she has been delighting Ameri- SUSANNAH McCORKLE: Over the Rain- say I'm in love with you/You say I'm in can and European audiences for the past bow. Susannah McCorkle (vocals); instru-love with me." There are little jokes and few years. mental accompaniment. Old Devil Moon; references to other rock eras and styles scat- When planning "Over the Rainbow," a Moanin' in the Mornin'; Poor You; Napo- tered throughout the album, plus the omi- new album on which she sings fourteen leon; If / Only Had a Heart; The Begat; nous 1981 Overture, about senseless vio- Harburg lyrics (mostly written in collabora- Thrill Me; Ding, Dong the Witch Is Dead;lence, and Waiting for Love, the only real tion with composer Harold Arlen), Miss Over the Rainbow; What Is There to Say?;pop song on the album and a good one. Try McCorkle paid Harburg a visit and found Happiness Is a Thing Called Joe; The the Elektrics; they'll grow on you. J.V. him cooperative to the extent that he up- Eagle and Me; Down with Love; Here's to dated some of his songs just for her. That Your Illusions in Times Like These. INNER JOE ELY BAND:Lire Shots. Joe Ely Band should heighten interest in the set, but, even CITY IC 1131 $7.98. (vocals andinstrumentals).Fingernails; Midnight Shift; Honky Tonk Masquerade; Honky Tonkin'; Long Snake Moan; I Had My Hopes Up High; and eight others. SOUTHCOAST MCA -5262 two discs $7.98. Performance Muscular inoffensive, leaving ample room to showcase 7759$8.98, © BXK1-7759 $8.98, e Recording. Good her spectacular pipes on songs that are gen- BXS1-7759 $8.98. erallyundistinguishedbutoccasionally The LP was recorded live in England while PerformanceExcellent catchy. The best items are Love Don't Love the Joe Ely Band was on tour with the Recording.Very good Nobody, where she effectively wrings a Clash, and the four -song bonus EP was re- heap of emotion from the lyrics, and Mystic This impressive Canadian trio has been corded live in Texas. Both Ely and his band Stranger, a classy, sweetly melodic Phyllis around for quite a while, under their pres- come across better here than they have so St. James composition with the kind of ent name since 1969 and before that as the far in studio recordings. Ely seems much sharplypunched -outbackgroundvocals Collectors. Bill Henderson and Brian Mac- more relaxed and sure of himself, and that bring a smile to your face. The quality Leod write some first-rate pop melodies there'sasortof attractiverecklessness of these two alone is almost enough to carry and garnish them with intriguing chord about the way the group plays. Of course, the whole package. P.G. changes and harmonies. The album starts there's also a relentlessness about it that off with the familiar theme of cynicism may prove wearing-this isa bar band RECORDING OF SPECIAL MERIT about the music business and the perils of whaling away most of the time. Still,it being a rock musician; although Chilliwack would be good if Ely could catch this same CHILLIWACK:Wanna Be a Star. Chilli- claims the album is consistently thematic, spirit in the studio. N.C. wack(vocalsandinstrumentals).Sign after the first two cuts the songs are gener- Here; Living in Stereo; Mr. Rock; My Girl; ally independent of one another. I Believe (In (Don't Wanna) Live for a Living; Walk On; You and Me) is the standout, a straightfor- RECORDING OF SPECIAL MERIT So You Wanna Be a Star; Too Many En- ward and affecting romantic pledge. Tell It RICHARD "DIMPLES" FIELDS: Dim- emies; and two others. MILLENNIUM BXL I- to the Telephone jokes about creditors ples.Richard "Dimples" Fields (vocals);

102 STEREO REVIEW vocal and instrumental accompaniment. I Like Your Lovin'; Let Me Take You in My Arms Tonight; Lovely Lady; She's Got Pa- "From the first, pers on Me; and five others. BOARDWALK 99 NBI 33232 $8.98, © NBT 33232 $8.98. we wereimpressed.. Performance Truly refreshing Recording Very good What an unexpected delight this album STEREO REVIEW'S Julian Hirsch reports on the turned out to be. Richard Fields, dimples Dahlquist DQM-9 Studio Monitor and all,is making his debut here, and a most promising one it is. He has carved out a style that blends the easygoing tempos of .by the effortless quality of its sound with any type of program Fifties r -&-b with the spit and polish of con- material. This is one of those speakers which we could listen to temporary techniques. He wrote allthe indefinitely without the urge to switch to something else."* songs here except the r -&-b classic Earth Angel, and they are better than average, but his voice is his major asset. He sings in a The DQM-9 is the new and efficient reference loudspeakerfrom high, light, almost girlish voice, the like of Dahlquist. Its exclusive dynamic tracking gives it the ultra -wide which hasn't been heard since Smokey Rob- dynamic range and high SPL-ability which make the DQM-9 a inson, Curtis Mayfield, and Little Anthony were lads, yet tonally he sounds nothing at powerful statement -of -the -art of studio monitors. all like them. If anything, there is a touch of Sam Cooke in his sound, though itis dis- But power isn't everything- the DQM-9 is also sensitive to music's tinctively his own. Some of the songs here most delicate nuances. As Julian Hirsch describes it, should catch on, among them Let Me Take You in My Arms Tonight and Let the Lady Dance. And the humorous conclusion of ".. .anuncommonly smooth and easy sounding speaker. .. compar- She's Got Papers on Me underscores the able to the best we have heard in its balance and overall musicality. point here: Richard Fields has everything Its sound certainly would do justice to the finest home system ..." he needs to pull him out of the crowd and into the spotlight. P.G. If you'd like to learn more about this impressive loudspeaker, CRYSTAL GAYLE:Hollywood, Tennessee. please write: Crystal Gayle (vocals); instrumental accompaniment. Keepin' Power; The Woman in Me; Ain't No Sunshine; Hollywood; EDAM LQUMT Love Crazy Love; Tennessee; and four others. COLUMBIA FC 37438, FCT 37438, 601 Old Willets Path, Hauppauge, NY 11787 ® FCA 37438, no list price. Performance Mixed Recording. Very good This is a crazy, mixed-up bag of songs and of ways to sing them. Four were written or partly written by Roger Cook, the old Brit- ish rocker who has founded a sizable establishment in Nashville, and each of those is out of whack in one way or another-aver- aging, among other things, about one non sequitur per verse. For some reason, Gayle and company take a lighthearted approach to two of the few songs here that deserve to be taken seriously, Bill Withers' Ain't No Sunshine and Lean on Me. The former is actuallydoneinanaddlepatedSister Sledge manner. Gayle is at her best here in Susan Marie Thomas' The Woman in Me, which deftly outlines the genuine modern quandary of balancing the needs for freedom and close- ness to another person, and inthe old (1961), simple, straightforward, and pretty Carole King/Howard Greenfield song Cry- ing in the Rain. All in all,I find this album disappointing but not uninteresting. It's a good puzzler if you like to try to figure out why people do things. N.C.

GENESIS: ABACAB. Genesis (vocals and instrumentals).ABACAB;No Reply at All; Keep It Dark; Dodo; Lurker; and five others. ATLANTIC SD 19313 $8.98, 0 CS 19313 $8.98, TP 19313 $8.98. Performance Nondescript Recording Passable Reprinted with permission from the August, Years ago, I thought Genesis would be bet- 1981 issue of STEREO REVIEW magazine. ter off if they could shuck their silly goth- *opyright Ziff -Davis Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

JANUARY 1982 CIRCLE NO16 ON READER SERVICE CARD AKAI JENSEN CASSETTE DECK POWER AMP is um ... world-view. Lately, I'm being ing songs with her and playing guitar) as proved wrong. Dullness is turning out to be well as shorn of hair down to her dark roots, worse than silliness. On their new album the judging from the cover photo, apparently boys thrash their way through a lifeless, can't decide whether she wants to be tough styleless mess of repetition and garbage that or cute. Her ambivalence about thisis ' 1 i 111 ;Ir I makes me pine for the crazy -quilt amateur- clearer here than it has been in the past, ishness of the old songs about chopping off which makes the album take on a sopho- CSM-3 A-124 dolls' heads, etc., and they play as if they moric feel. The songs are choppy little aren't sure what they want to sound like. things with a schoolyard flavor, taunting Electronic keyboards stilldominate, but and obnoxious in an innocent, childlike way. $124. $116. here Genesis threatens to become addicted Ironically, Harry has a musical voice. It's to incredibly boring riff accompaniments. like a crisp morning not too far from the There is one song, Phil Collins' Man on the sea; the dash of salt in the clarity is remi- OVER 100 BRANDS OF HOME Corner-reminiscent of the work in his solo niscent of the great Bonnie Raitt. Too bad AND CAR STEREO EQUIPMENT album-that's an exception to the prevail- Harry isn't just a little more interested in ing dreariness, as are Collins' vocals in a music. N.C. couple of otherplaces.By andlarge, though, it sounds as if Genesis is temporarily at a loss for strong bad influences (the RECORDING OF SPECIAL MERIT band started out, you may recall, invoking BILLY JOEL: Songs in the Attic.Billy Joel CALL US TOLL FREE Bowie, Yes, T -Rex, and the Moody Blues). (vocals, piano, synthesizer, harmonica); in- Their current bad influences-they seem strumental accompaniment. Los Angelenos; tugged slightly this way by punk, slightly Streetlife Serenader; She's Got a Way; that way by commercial radio blandness- Captain Jack; You're My Home; Summer, aren't anywhere near grandiose enough to Highland Falls; and five others. COLUMBIA make much of a splash. N.C. TC 37461, © TCA 37461, 0 TCT 37461, no list price. HALL AND OATES: Private Eyes.Daryl PerformanceExcellent Hall and John Oates (vocals and instrumentals); instrumental accompaniment. Private RecordingGood Eyes; Looking for a Good Sign; Mano a Although "Piano Man" was the album that Mano; I Can't Go for That (No Can Do); established Billy Joel, it wasn't until "The Friday Let Me Down; Head Above Water; Stranger" in 1977 that his career moved and five others. RCA AFLI-4028 $8.98, © into the superstar category. All of the mate- AFKI-4028 $8.98, ® AFSI-4028 $8.98. rial on this live album predates 1977, and Performance:Professional most of it has been previously released in Recording:Loud studio recordings. These tracks were made during a 1980 tour, and they are a contin- CIRCLE NO. 43 ON READER SERVICE CARD Ihave never cared much for Hall and uous joy. Joel is a member of that small group of songwriters who are creating a new ship. They write very serviceable pop tunes Golden Age of American pop. Someday the 'C -all Toll Toll Free Lila I. for the teen market and perform them with songshere Hif i BUYS SPECIALS willbe analyzed as "early - JENSEN CASS. IN -DASH PIONEER CASS. - nervous energy and a sound that borders on works" by the musicologists, but in the wIRADIO. IN -DASH wIRADIO the strident. I can understand the stridency, meantime we can just enjoy them as the bit- R200 99 KP,500 66 0402 160 K P55130 125 since their audience is fickle and if they tersweet slices of young life that they are. 9406 193 KP6500 155 RE5,2 256 KE2100 170 don't keep coming up with hits they're fin- Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on - Speakers Priced Per Pair- 206 :3'0'20° ished. "Private Eyes is a thin collection of J10336.9Tru.II 62 214 Broadway) may or may not benefit from the 1I037 6.9 Coax II 62 Speakers Priced Per Pair - would-be hits plus filler.I prefer the filler, extra reverberation provided by recording 11065 6.9 Troy 62 TSM2 Tweeter 33 11069 6.9 Coax 42 15107 4 39 since it's not quite as frantic though still rein Madison Square Garden, andIvery 11042 5'. Coe. II 54 T TS,68 6' / away 74 11174 5'. Toa. 62 lentless; Mano a Mano here is the best of much doubt that Captain Jack absolutely 0 T5695 6.9 Tway 96 - BLAUPUNKT that lot. Teen music has improved a lot in requires the explosive treatment it receives CR3001 429 VIDEO I VIDEO TAPES - CR5001 339 -ATARI CO2600 149 the last twenty-five years, but its basic ap- here. Joel, however, says in the liner notes CR2001 239 FMATTEL Inlelliyosion 239 CR4000 259 PIONEER VP 1000 Lase/ 5I19 peal is still very limited. If Hall and Oates that these live tapes are infact "much BEA100 107 SONY SL5600 699 BEA200 ISO E SONY SL5800 1096 are trying to do something more worthy, it's closer to the sound [he] had hoped to catch - SONY ..E PANASONIC CALL not apparent here. J.V. originally." The production by Phil Ra- XR77 Cell JVC CALL xR70 c.i8SONY L500 12 mone is glitzy but good. SONY 1750 P.R. XR50 C41' A 14 FUJI 7120 Concord Visolik Sanyo n 15TDK DEBBIE HARRY: KooKoo.Debbie Harry Panasonic Grundig EPI IS (vocals); also SONY TVs CALL instrumental accompaniment. available Pe0"1.0. TVs RECORDING OF SPECIAL MERIT - PORTABLES -6- CALL Jump Jump; The Jam Was Moving; w/Headphones AUDIO SONY SIXF40 75 3PIONEER S03700 Rec 219 Chrome; Surrender; Backfired; Oasis; and GLADYS KNIGHT AND THE PIPS: SONY Walacnan WMI 62 8TECHNICS SA222 Rec 209 four others. CHRYSALIS CHR 1347 $8.98, Touch. SONY Walkman WM2 145 SONY STR 004 Rec 289 Gladys Knight and the Pips (vo- MURA HISTEPPER PIONEER P1100 Irmo! 72 © CCH 1347 $8.98, CD 8CH 1347 $8.98. cals); instrumental accompaniment. / Will AIWA TPS30 151 0 PIONEER P1200 limo! 89 AIWA CJ51 196 9 DUAL 1257150 Change, 139 Fight; If That'!! Make You Happy; A KIM SOLO CALL 3 DUAL 7264155 Changer 196 PerformanceSpoofy 159 PIONEER CTF950 Friend of Mine; God Is; I Will Survive; and TOSHIBA KT52 Recording:Good KOSS Music Bo. 64 5 Cass Deck 319 four others. COLUMBIA FC 37086, © FCT - Carlrit19961H11110phones PIONEER CTF 1250 Cass Deck SHURE V15 IV 99 315 Pauline Kael devastated the spoof genre in 37086, CD FCA 37086, no list price. SHURE M97HE 52 - AUDIO TAPE MAXELL LN90 a New Yorker essay a few years ago, expos- SHURE 1495HE 35 1.99 Performance Good to marvelous SHURE VW ED 19 MAXELL UDC90 2.49 ing the approach as one that says, in effect, AUDIO TECH ATISSLC 109 MAXELL UOXC1II C903.29 Recording. Very good AUDIO TECH ATI4OLCSS TDK 090 I.64 "We're not going to take the subject seri- KOSS PRO 4AAA 46 TDK AD90 2.49 AUDIO TECH ATI17 99 TIM SA90 2.99 ously, but neither are we going so far as to If there weren't anything else in this album, AUDIO TECH ATH3 39 SONY EHF C90 2.79 SONY MDR3 33 SONY FECR C90 269 be funny about it." Although the material the closing track, / Will Survive, a Dino Fe- SONY MDRS 46 FUJI FL90 I 99 SONY MDR7 se FUJI FXII 90 2.99 here and the approaches to it aren't always karis/Freddie Perren song recorded solo MURA RED SET 25 FUJI METAL 90 5.49 spoofs in the usual half-assed sense, they and in live performance by Gladys Knight, ALL ORDERS SHIPPED IN FACTORY SEALED CARTONS come close enough to give the album a would make ita "Recording of Special WITH FULL MANUFACTURERS' WARRANTY VISA MASTERCARD. AND COD ORDERS ACCEPTED SHIP neither -fish -nor -fowl nature and to make it Merit." It's an emotion -charged song that's PING CHARGES ARE 4% OR 93 00 MINIMUM CALL FOP EXACT QUOTES AND AVAILABILITY about as unsatisfying as all those mild,un- amazingly like one of Jacques Brel's an- funnymovies starring Tony Curtis. thems-or like something Millie Jackson Debbie Harry, shorn of the band Blondie would do in a quieter moment. The per - 1362 HOLTON LANE (although Chris Stein is still around, writ- (Continued on page 110) LANGLEY PARK MD 70701 (301) 434-5573 CIRCLE NO 23 ON READER SERVICE CARD STEREO REVIEW andupdated! 1111144 Revised SlereoReview Si OfSIEREO COMPREHENSIVE,EVER AND1104141CATES1AOSI RECORD 114E IES1 UPDAIED ED11ORS -USE 11.140 1F1E PRESEtil-1 MORE AS REV1SED OS1OG Of ROOMAND BEIM 105 14113 VERS10t4 114E ACCURAIE1111-A SRII110MAKE EAVER ORIGIN 1GtAILL CARTRIDGE AND SPEAKER PHASING. A low -frequency signal 1111. SYS1EA DEVELOPED.fROIR 101 YOUR alternates in and out of phase n the two channels to allow proper phasing of cartridge and speakers. SOP1,11S11CILIEDEVILLUA11P4G %JPAND LOW -FREQUENCY NOISE. A.very-low-level orchestral passage. SEII1E4G followed by a section of'quiet groove,- allows analysis of low - frequency noise This latest version contains everything you need to get the fullest. TURNTABLE FLUTTER. A passage of piano music is recorded three most realistic reproduction from your stereo equipment. Whether times with increasing amounts of flutterThe degree to which the you've spent thousands on your stereo system or have a more record player's fluttermasks'' the test passages indicates the modest setup, the SRT14-A is an indispensable tool for helping you severity of turntable flutter realize the full potential of your equipment. Best of all, you don't FREQUENCY -RESPONSE SWEEP, 500 Hz, TO 20,000 Hz, LEFT have to be an electronics engineer to use it. You can actually CHANNEL. A steady tone rise!. from 500 Hz to 20 kHz. allowing perform a complete stereo system checkup by ear alone. evaluation of system electrical response by instrument FREQUENCY -RESPONSE SWEEP, 500 Hz TO 20,000 Hz, RIGHT A test lab in a record jacket CHANNEL. Same as Test 10. but in right channel Employing the most advanced recording, mastering. and pressing TONE -BURST. The test signal is sixteen cycles on. same period off, techniques, the Stereo Review SRT14-A is produced to strict laboratory sweeping from 500 Hz to 20 kHz. allowing evaluation of transient standards Engraved in its grooves are a series of precisely recorded response of phono cartridges test tones. frequency sweeps, and pink noise signals that enable INTERMODULATION DISTOFTION. A phono cartridge's inter - you to accurately analyze and check your stereo system for modulation distortion can be measured directly using a standard IM Frequency response II Wow and flutter meter designed to analyze an SMPTE signal. Stereo separation II Optimum speaker placement. ANTI -SKATING ADJUSTMENT. A specially designed signal allows Cartridge tracking ability.II Cartridge Tracking Force 8. adjustment of anti -skating force for best reproduction of high-level II Channel balance. Anti -skating. passages. Hum and noise. including Musical Instrument Tuning. 1000 -Hz REFERENCE TONES Four tones with recorded velocities turntable rumble. Standards. and more much more that increase by 3 -dB steps can be used to determine (by the com- And you can do it all without any instruments...by ear alone. parison method) the recorded signal velocity on a disc recording Step-by-step instructions FLUTTER AND SPEED ACCURACY. A 3.150 -Hz tone recorded with Included with SI-4114 A is a detailed instruction manual, complete great accuracy of speed provides the standard signal for use with a with charts, tables. and diagrams. This takes you step by step flutter meter or frequency counter. through the testing processIt explains the significance of each test. STEREO SPREAD. A series of drum beats recorded out of doors It tells you what to listen for.It clearly describes any abberations in provides a guide to optimum speaker placement for a subjectively system response. And it details corrective procedures satisfying stereo effect STANDARD "A." The standard 440 -Hz tone is recorded with very for professionals too high precision for tuning instruments and for checking turntable The usefulness of the SRT14-A is not confined to the nontechnical speed. listener. Included on the record are a series of tests that call for the use of sophisticated measuring instruments. such as oscilloscopes. CHROMATIC OCTAVE. The tones of the "equal -tempered" octave chart recorders. and distortion analyzers. These tests permit the ad- from 440 Hz to 880 Hz are recorded with accuracy better than 0.1 vanced audiophile and professional to make precise measurements of per cent. transient response. recorded signal velocity, anti -skating compensa- GUITAR TUNING TONES. The six notes of standard guitar tuning tion. IM distortionand a host of other performance characte-istics. are recorded with accuracy better than 0.1 per cent. The final step SRT14-A record contents Start getting the most out of your stereo system. Make the SRT14-A CARTRIDGE TRACKING, HIGH FREQUENCY. Consists of a two- your next record purchase. Just complete the coupon and mail it tone signal (16.000 and 16.300 Hz) that repeatedly swoops a along with your remittance . today' high level and returns to a fixed low level. The level and quality of the audible 300 -Hz "difference tone" indicates pickup qualify and ITCHARGE ORDERS-tot your convenience PHONE 24 HRS. TOLL FREE 800-345-8112. IN PENNSYLVANIA ONLY 800-662-2444. mist racking FREQUENCY RESPONSE, 20 kHz to 25 Hz. Uses one-third octave Test Record, Dept. 30013. P.O. Bcx 278, Pratt Station. Brooklyn. NY 11205 bands of pink noise, centered on twenty-nine frequencies over the audio spectrum. compared with reference tones at three levels Please send SRT14-A Stereo Test Records $9.95 each ($11.95 outside U.S.A.) SEPARATION, LEFT -TO -RIGHT. Uses test tones consisting of one- third octave bands of pink noise recorded in the left channel with Enclosed is $ reference tones in the right, to check leakage from left to right CHARGE VISA MasterCard American Express SEPARATION, RIGHT -TO -LEFT. Same as Test 3. with channels Diners Club reversed Account M Exp. Date CARTRIDGE TRACKING, LOW FREQUENCY. Uses a single Signature 300 -Hz tone that repeatedly swoops to a high level. producing buzzy Print Name tones if the cartridge is misadlusted or inferior. Address CHANNEL BALANCE. Two random -phase noise signals. one in each channel. produce sounds heard separately to allow accurate City / State / Zip Residents of CA. CO. DC. FL. IL. MA. MI. MO. NJ. NY State. OH. SC. TN. and VT add setting of channel balance. applicable sales tax Intereview and I suppose that suggests to some people that they would rather spend concert inter- missions selfishly tuning their instruments and getting their throats together than sign- ing autographs. Like many country -bred acts, they recognize television as the people's medium and a good place to be more or less regularly. "We've been looking into the video disc and tape business too," Steve said. "I think there's going to be a video explo- sion," Larry said. "You can already get a disc player for 500 bucks." Rudy was not so sure people would want to play a video disc enough times to get their money's worth. "The price of software couldkeeppeoplefrombuying some things." "But we've got an advantage," Larry said, "with music being the main thing about us. People like to hear the same audio albums enough times to justify paying the price, and we've got that going for us in video discs too." Steve, Larry, and Rudy At that point, Rudy returned from an across -the -aisle conversation with a gent in gatfins a business suit and said, "Our attorney re- minds us that Video Disc is a trade name of RCA, and we have to watch what terms we use." TELEVISION addicts are familiar with the hand but of an oil driller. Working-class, Larry grabbed the microphone of my Gatlin Brothers, and those who watch yes, but townies. Their taste in music wasn't tape recorder, pulled it up close and said, "I the Tonight Show know how they came to shaped exclusively by the twang of steel want the world to know I drive a CBS car, name their new Columbia album "Not guitars and Faded Love sung in a South- sleep in a CBS bed, and put my bread in a Guilty": as a take -off on the Barbra Streis- western drawl. CBS toaster." and/Barry Gibb album title "Guilty." The "We had an uncle who played piano," way Larry Gatlin explained itto Johnny Larry told me when Ihad breakfast with THE conversation meandered amiably to Carson, it was a matter of pure whimsey, the brothers in New York between their To- various topics, including the talent of Larry but there was an undertone to the whole morrow and Tonight appearances. "He was Bird, Boston Celtics forward. "We can talk thing. So presently Carson, like several a great piano player, and he liked jazz. He'd about sports all day," Larry said. "And we talk -showhostsbeforehim,obligingly sit us down, play an Ella Fitzgerald record, will, if you don't watch out," Rudy said. All touched on that undertone with a question or Oscar Peterson. We started in gospel mu- three Gatlins make no bones about being about how the boys used to have an "image sic-we liked the Blackwood Brothers, the competitive by nature, even though their problem." Well, yes, the boys admitted, old Southern -style gospel groups-but we job, as they see it, is being harmonious. they used to be rough on hecklers and loud- were exposed at an early age to several "Singing together comes before every- mouths, because they didn't want anything kinds of music, and we still listen to everything else," Steve said. coming between their music and the people thing from country to jazz to classical." "There definitelyis something tothis who had paid to hear it against a relatively Of course the boys have become more 'family harmony' business," Larry added. quiet background. worldly through the years, Larry particu- "The best harmony singing has always been I've puzzled over why such questions keep larly. I first met him several years ago at a done by members of a family. Look at the coming up. It must have to do with a sophis- session in Nashville where someone was re- Mills Brothers, the Ames Brothers ..." tication gap between the Gatlins, especially cording one of his songs. Steve and Rudy "The Statler Brothers," Rudy said. Larry, and some of the good -old -boy Nash- were still in college then; Larry was trying "Only two of them are brothers," Steve ville establishment. A boy from West Tex- to establish himself mainly as a songwriter said. as, especially one who started out in the (he did, of course, and now writes all the "Yeah," Larry said, "only two of them snow-white purity of gospel music, is sup- songs the boys perform). He was the picture are good! No, they're good friends of ours posed to dig his toe in the sand and say, of humility, andIremember wondering and we like to kid them. But really, we nat- "Aw, shucks." But Larry, going down the how such a nice, unassuming young man urally sound a little more alike than three hallway to yet another TV appearance ( To- could avoid being eaten alive by good old people who aren't related. We have the morrow Coast to Coast), stumbles over a Music City. The Larry Gatlin I met in New same physical make-up; the sounds come linepainted on the floorand says, York was much more at ease with himself from similar sorts of places." "Choreography by Jack Daniels." Or he and other people, and quite a bit funnier. Their favorite singers now include George tells Tom Snyder, as the conversation cen- Both he and Rudy seem to look at a situ- Jones-which brings on another series of ters on the youngest of the Gatlin brothers, ation first for any joke that might be wrung asides: "Is he still on the wagon?" "Who "Rudy's elevator doesn't go all the way to from it. Steve, the bass player, the middle knows? How can you tell?" "Maybe by the the top floor." Apparently there's some- brother in age, bearded and built like a run- wake of destruction behind him"-and Roy thing a little too citified in these one-liners, ning back, is more serious and says, "I guess Orbison, who came from the Gatlins' part something a little too urbane about the Gat- I'm alittle more business -oriented than of Texas. lin boys in general for some in the good -old - Larry or Rudy." Steve is the one agents and "They used to make fun of him down boy network. These lads aren't the bump- managers depend on to have the Gatlin there," Larry said. "Didn't know what to kins -they're supposed to be. Brothers where they're supposed to be when make of him. But I'll tell you, Orbison can Probably they never were. They came they're supposed to be there. The Gatlin hu- sing tenor to a dog whistle.: from Odessa, Texas, sons not of a ranch mor, though, has very little corn pone in it, The new album, like all their music, is

108 STEREO REVIEW yw grounded in country and gospel, but its lyrical specifics seem to pertain only to the Gatlins. "We identify with country music," Rudy said. "I'd hate to see what happened to disco happen to country." ALL "Some types of music can't last the way otter onin-stociciterns. country does because the music doesn't phone, legitimate the and have a lifestyle to back it up," Steve said. Jostpiclk up sav umber, "Country music is based upon what real forbig toll-iree Quotes. people do and think and feel." .F1.I.C.E. record- dial our P.R.I.G.E. our Gall ask tor tomail you The most striking song in "Not Guilty" is cassettestereo, askk us video (Or list.) She Used to Sing on Sunday,about an erst- ingson home iswt-iat carstereo,andtape while good little girl who grew up to be a ers, an- PRIG.E. prostitute. In subject matter itis reminis- radios, portable telephonevideo want. cent ofMidnight Choir,the hit of a year or recorders, You'" so back about winos. Also in the new album machines, swering and isGood Wilbur,about a wino who was once tapes, S003/-131018Eil7)961-24001 a surgeon. "I don't know why I'm drawn to garnes, ktn Mass that theme," Larry says. "We had a lot of movies. auto - Flemerber,any belt drive, 19 reaction toMidnight Choir.A lot of people beat ...Si . .. will 506deluxeturntable. didn't like it, but if you juxtapose those with P LaserDisc. Dual totalrecord all the people whodidlike it, you can see VP-1000 shutoff Disckit ...... $34.50 Pioneer I don't want .. how we're not sorry we did it. LasetOisc S579 DiSCWaStletsystem deck, ..... SOB to make moral judgments about this sort of V-1000player .. channel careCT -4cassette Pioneerdisc per search.. thing, just expose it, get it out there. We're video 65 watt Pioneer G,music 1/31/82. angels and Dolby after allprostitutes and we'reall NR1000 torprice tochange we're all winos. There's some of that in all Nikko quartz. subject

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Also included in the new album isRain,a .1103speakers . \MS Jensencar 6 -hour song about being totally down and out and 3 -way

P\I-170 ...... $649 02368 desperate without necessarily being what MA Panasonicrecorder SO*VISA the world considers a prostitute or wino or video Randolph, 4011 ,SRE.01, angel. Larry wrote it ten years ago, sent a DriVe tape to Dotty West, and Kris Kristofferson 27Teed heard it at her house. The result was the CIRCLE NO. 41 ON READER SERVICE CARD first Gatlin recording contract, with Monu- ment Records. Beyond that, the album consists mostly of C CONSUMERS CO. love songs. Larry keeps writing them to his TAPES - DISCOUNTS -STEREO wife Janis, he says. (Both he and Steve Mal Order - 10 Audio or 5 Video Tapes or assorted Le Cube. seem happy to be happily married, while Rudy is a "carefree" bachelor who says he SAC -90 2.99 DC.45 1.09 SAC -60 2.25 DC -60 1.19 worries more than he's given credit for. Lar- ADC 90 2.39 DC -90 1.67 ADC 60 1.69 DC -120 2.25 ry and Janis have a son and a daughter, and ODC-90 3.49 DC -180 3.25 Steve and Cynthia have a daughter.) "I like SAX C.90 4.49 LX 35-90 5.59 MAC -90 6.39 Demagtzr 14.89 love," Larry said. "I think it's neat." VHS -VIDEO -VT -120 13.99- HGT.120 19.99

is not consistently the strong- SONY "UILTY- Metal C.60 4.98 EHF C.90 2.79 est writing Larry has ever done, but it has Metal C-90 6.69 EHF C.60 1.79 FECR C.90 2.89 LNX C.90 1.69 that unmistakable Gatlin way with words FECR C.60 2.49 LNX C.60 1.19 and interval, and of course those muscular, VIDEO BETA -L-500 10.69-L.750 13.75- L.830 15.95 booming harmonies. "I'm not sure why our Full -range performance is possible from stuff doesn't sound like other people's," maxell-BASF-FUJI MAX.L XL 1111C90 3.30 FUJI ME C-90 5.29 loudspeakers that can be used as bookends Larry said. "It's too complicated to ana- MAX'L LNC'90 1.89- FUJI FX II C90 2.85 on an open shelf. BASF Pro 111111 C-902.79 FUJI VT -120 13.95 lyze -jazz listening and childhood gospel BASF Per C90 1.69 M EM'X HiBi C-90 2.99 Revue du Sort,in a feature review, *said singing swished together with growing up in HOME & CAR STEREO SPECIALS "La 'petite' Allison:Six est une grande a musicalhodgepodgelikeTexas -but JENSEN SPEAKERS SANYO enceinte [loudspeaker]." No 32 (Nov. 16791 we've always had our own sound. We're J1033 TR1116uS 84.90 CAR STEREO JI041 CO II 5', 53.90 FT C-2 Mini 54.90 For literature and information call grateful for that." -Noel Coppage J1065 TRI 60 62.95 FT C.4 F.F. Rev. 64.99 (800) 225-4791 [in MA (617) 237-26701 J1069 CO 6x9 39.99 FT C.5 Auto Rev. 66.95 TECHNICS FT C-6 Auto Rev. 75.50 or :end coupon LARRY GATLIN AND THE GATLIN SA.203 licyr. 184.95 FT C.8 Vert/Hztl. 99.50 RSM-225 Cass dk 178.95 FT C.12 Digital 109.90 The Allison:Six costs $160 in walnut BROTHERS BAND: Not Guilty. ...Larry SLB 202 96.95 FT C.16 Metal 147.90 vinyl, $172 in black or white lacquer. Gatlin (vocals, guitar); Steve Gatlin (vo- PICKERING CART'G'S. FT -20 Mtl. Dgl. 142.95 XSV 4000 75.95 F7.30 Auto Rev. 179.90 cals, bass); Rudy Gatlin (vocals, guitar); in- XSV 3000 53.95 FT 482 Auto Sel. 115.90 strumental accompaniment.She Used to EMPIRE CARTRIDGES CRAIG 2000 E III 18.99 CAR STEREO LLISON Sing on Sunday; Can't Take it with You; 400 TC 23.95 T690 214.95 ATARI - Game T692 169.95 Rain; Hard Workin' Hands; My Last Love CX 2600 147.95 T619 189.95 Song; In Like with Each Other; Someone Else's Day; Good Wilbur; You Wouldn't All merchandise fresh, manufacturer guaranteed. ACOUSTICS For ORDERS ONLY, Call TOLL FREE Know Love; What Are We Doing Lone- 1800) 431-2932 Seven Tech Circle/ Natick, MA 01760.U.S.A. some.COLUMBIA FC 37464, © FCT 37464, For Customer Service Cell 0 FCA 37464, no list price. 19141 664 2909 For prompt delivery, use M.O., Cert. Check or Credit Card. Name Shpg&hdlg: add 5% of order with $3.50 min. N.Y.S. res. add sls tax. Persn'l checks 2 wk del. No. COD's. Free Catalog. CCONSUMERS CO. Address JANUARY 1982 P.O. Box 550 CIZEIMI Mt. Vernon, N.Y. 10551 City State Zip CIRCLE NO15 ON READER SERVICE CARD formance displays Gladys Knight at her by the Pips, and God Is conveys true gospel lion of rocking Baptist soul sisters, though peak of vocal majesty. The marvelous blue - fervor. P.C. her frame of reference is secular rather than velvet texture of her voice combined with sacred. Since striking out as a solo perform- her dramatic mastery of lyrics and phrasing RECORDING OF SPECIAL MERITer, she has honed her ability to handle a can send shivers down the spine. broad range of material without sacrificing The rest of the album was mostly written PATTI LABELLE: The Spirit's in It. Patti her basic incendiary quality. Here she takes and produced by Nicholas Ashford and LaBelle (vocals); vocal and instrumental on an assortment of selections extending Valerie Simpson, their second consecutive accompaniment. The Spirit's in It; Here from the lightly flavored reggae of Family recorded collaboration with Gladys Knight You Come Again: I Fe!! in Love Withoutto a version of Over the Rainbow so eccen- and the Pips. Although there are some un- Warning; and five others. PHILADELPHIA IN- tric that itis bound to send Judy Garland inspired cuts-particularly the opener, I TERNATIONAL FZ 37380, © FZT 37380, 0 fans scrambling for their earmuffs, perhaps Will Fight, and Baby, Baby Don't Waste FZA 37380, no list price. because Patti's rainbow reaches over Har- My Time-on the whole they've done a lot lem's 125th Street and has a heavy stripe of better by the group this time than on Performance: Spirited Recording: Very good funk in it. But as usual she's at her best on "About Love." If That'!! Make You Happy outrageously hot stuff, such as Rocking and A Friend of Mine both have catchy, hit - This album is aptly titled, for Patti LaBellePneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu, potential melodies and flashy choral effects exhibits as much spirit as a whole congrega- which is just as wild and wonderful as the title implies-certainly her best track in ages. Don't be fooled by the fancy dress she's wearing on the cover; this lady still knows how to get down. P.G.

LITTLE FEAT: Hoy -Hoy! Little Feat (vocals and instrumentals); other musicians. Rocket in My Pocket; Rock and Roll Doc- Do tor; SkinItBack; Easy to Slip: Red Streamliner;LonesomeWhistle;Front Page News; The Fan: Forty-four Blues; Teenage Nervous Breakdown; Two Trains; and eight others. WARNER BROS. 2BSK your records 3538 twodiscs $14.98, © 2K5 3538 $14.98. Performance Trash and treasures sound Recording. Variable This album is a tribute to the late Lowell George.Itwas produced by keyboard player Bill Payne, guitarist Paul Barrere, and George Massenburg, engineer and producer on several Little Feat albums, and it consists of previously unreleased versions of sixteen Feat and/or George tunes (there are two versions of Teenage Nervous Break- down, both rather peremptory) plus a 1969 lhisssssssss? tape of the Leiber-Stoller song Framed. The liner notes, by the producers and other associates of the band, are mostly Lowell George anecdotes. There is also a twelve - page booklet of photos, quotes, and poster When you're listening to yourbetter after one treatment reprints. Most prominent among the non - Feat performers is Linda Ronstadt singing favorite albums, nothing can with Sound Guard. Al! That You Dream, one of the best non- spoil your enjoyment as much Sound Guard makes George/Feat songs (Barrere and Payne as hiss, clicks, pops and static.products respected around wrote it), recorded during the tribute to George at the L.A. Forum in 1979. It's a bit It's dissssturbing. It's disssstract-the world, to clean, preserve, overwhelming at first, setting you up for an- ing. And it's unnecessary protect and enhance the other Elvis -style lionization, but if you lis- Because with proper quality of records. ten to the content, it comes in on a different, more human level; it's about some people handling and regular Sound So, depend on Sound who are missing and reminiscing about an Guard care, your records Guard to keep the hiss away old friend. can maintain their from Stravinsky, Streis- The other performances range from below out -take quality-down in the fooling - like -new clarity and, Kiss and any other around realm in the cases of Rocket in My and fidelity. Even record that gives you Pocket and Teenage Nervous Breakdown- sheer satisfaction. to quite good. George's rough blues singing old records soun of Rock and Roll Doctor and his delicate handling of China White-recorded with a group of studio musicians but left out of his sour solo album "Thanks I'll Eat It Here"-are, for me, the high spots. There are a few ex- The best way amples of the sophistication of the Little to prove Feat rhythm section and, of course, several how much you examples of the tough whimsey George love music. W.}V Facilities: brought to lyrics. George made a bigger im- Pompano Beach, Florida; pression on musicians and critics than he Cincinnati, Ohio; Tokyo, did on the general public, and this album Japan; Brussels, Belgium may remind you that thinking about Little Feat was sometimes better than listening to CIRCLE NO. 50 ON READER SERVICE CARD 1 10 STEREO REVIEW

at. Little Feat. You keep hearing just enough performances from the group. Novo Combo abandoning his loincloth -and -club macho - to expect great things next time. But "Hoy - is good news. J.V. caveman approach for the trappings of ten- Hoy" is much more like a "real album" derness. This is not to say that he is dissolv- than most posthumous out -take collections RECORDING OF SPECIAL MERIT ing into mush, for his basic appeal is still as are. If you were a fan, you'll have to have it; taut and magnetically attractive as ever. if not, fifteen bucks may seem pricey. N.C. TEDDY PENDERGRASS: It's Time for However, he demonstrates here that he can Lore. Teddy Pendergrass (vocals); vocal handle a ballad as sweetly as any crooner, AMANDA McBROOM: West of Oz (see andinstrumentalaccompaniment. Nine projecting a kind of breathy anticipation Best of the Month, page 81) Times Out of Ten; Keep On Lovin' Me; It's with his voice while retaining a touch of a Time for Love; and five others. PHILADEL- swagger in his style. Unlike the Pendergrass RECORDING OF SPECIAL MERIT PHIA INTERNATIONAL TZ 37491, TZT of yester-record, he even sounds sincere as 37491, e TZA 37491, no list price. he wends his way through lyrics about GEOFF MLLDAUR AND THE NITE Performance Unexpectedly tender "pure ecstasy" and the softer elements of LITES: I Ain't Drunk. Geoff Muldaur (pi- Recording Very good love. There are a few faster numbers here, ano, guitar, vocals); vocal and instrumental but even on these the mood remains inti- accompaniment. Boogie Chillen' II; Natu- In an amazing about-face, Teddy Pender- mate and embracing. The songs and ar- ral Ball; Down for the Count; As Long As grass seems to be refashioning his image, rangements appear to have been tailored I'm Moving; Caldonia; and five others HANNIRAL/ANT11.1ESHNBL 1304 $7.98. Performance Very good Recording. Good Geoff Muldaur, an old folkie and jug -band addict from the Sixties,is now selecting ADS L1230. sundry juicy items from the Chicago and Memphis blues styles. He has put together a good-time group that blows for the hell of it, and it's sheer pleasure to hear them. A STUDIO MONITOR Boogie Chillen' II is a slight update of the original by John Lee Hooker; Meanest Woman Blues is an amalgam of lyrics from several Nowlin' Wolf songs with a riff that FOR THE HOME. neatly mousetraps at the end of the cut; and Sea Sea Rider, a traditional blues from Itis no surprise to us that ourfurther advantageinstantly con- New Orleans, features background voices ADS L1230 Professional Monitorverts the price from an expenditure that lap up like waves on a beach. All these Loudspeaker, has become one ofinto an investment. The extremely featureMuldaur.Bassist Sarah Brown ourlargestsellingspeakerstoadvanced design and new tech- in L1230 purrs and slinks her way through the vocals home music enthusiasts. nology embodied the on That's How I Feel About You and As BornofADS' developmentalensures that it will not become ob- Long As I'm Moving. "Kaz" Kazanoff, who technology for professional moni-solete with today's fast -developing plays sax and harmonica, has a ball with tor speakers for the new digitalimprovements in program source Albert King's Natural Ball and sings with recording industry, the L1230 is amaterial quality. happy abandon on Caldonia, and lead gui- phenomenal performer. First,itis Itis a worthwhile experience to tarist Tom Principato chuckles his way soldand shippedinmirror -listen to a pair of L1230's. We sug- through / Ain't Drunk as well as providing symmetrical matched pairs only.gestthatyoucalltoll -free some very solid and commendable playing The two long -excursion 8" diameter1.800.8247888(inCalifornia on the instrumental Down for the Count. woofers, acoustic suspension soft -1-800-852-7777) and ask for operator You should have as good a time hearing dome midrange driver and Barium483, Dept. SR3. We'll send you this album as Muldaur and his merry mob Ferrite tweeter in each speaker aretechnical literature and a list of did in making it.I did. J.V. produced entirely within ADS underADS Dealers where you can enjoy a stringent controls. Each driver isdemonstration. hand calibrated and hand tested. RECORDING OF SPECIAL MERIT The result is exceptionally uniform NOVO COMBO. Novo Combo (vocals and extendedfrequency response, instrumentals). Up Periscope; City Bound unusuallywide dynamicrange, Analog & ("E" Train); We Need Love; Tattoo; Don't outstandingtransientaccuracy.ADSDigital Systems. Inc.. Do That; Hard to Say Goodbye; and five lowdistortion,perfect"point others. POLYDOR PD- I -6331 $8.98, CT - source"stereoimaging andWhere Technology Serves MUSIC 1 -6331 $8.98. superior driver linearity. And one One Progress Way, Wilmington, MA 01887 Performance. Very good Recording Very good This quartet plays some of the tightest and most sophisticated rock that I've heard in a long time. The singing (by Stephen Dees) is versatile, the arrangements are flexible, the execution(especiallyMichaelShrieve's drumming) is precise without being clinical, and the material is 'way above average. The guitarists in the group (Jack Griffith and Peter Hewlet) play about a quarter of what rock guitarists usually play-which is to say that they know exactly what a tune needs and give it just that much. An effective riff, carefully placed, is worth more than a dozen long solos. Chris Kimsey, who's worked with the Rolling Stones, produced this date with a balanced sound and drew some first-rate

JANUARY 1982 111 with special care, making this one of the better albums to come out of the Philly In- ternational studios in recent months.P.G.

RAMONES:Pleasant Dreams.Ramones (vocals and instrumentals); other musicians. We Want the Airwaves; The KKK Took My Baby Away; Don't Go; You Sound Like You're Sick;It's Not My Place; She's a Sensation; and six others. SIRE SRK 3571 $8.98, © MSS 3571 $8.98. Performance Okay Recording. Good When the Ramones first emerged from the bowels of the New York underground, I was defiantly unamused, butIeventually suc- cumbed when I realized that their / Wanna Be Sedated was easily the most infectious and kinetic bit of bubblegum popIhad heard in about ten years. Of course, Istill think most of the critical bushwah the band has inspired is just that: bushwah. All the MCoY TYNER is one of the most origi- Hutcherson.It'sa larger group than he yammer about the Ramones as brilliant nal and influential jazz pianists of usually employs (nine members and a small minimalist conceptual artists or humorists our time. Both an innovator and an interna- string ensemble). Driven by Tyner's inspi- in the Great American Tradition is pretty tionalist, he has explored a diversity of ration, expressed in deft, scalar arpeggios hard to take if you've ever seen these guys forms and traditions during his career- balanced against massed, percussive chords, attempt to make small talk on the Tomor- African, Middle Eastern, Oriental-recast- the musicians achieve a range of colors and row show. They're primitives, the Ohio Ex- ing each in the distinctive modal style (ac- moods from raucous to introspective, re- press of our day, and that's that. tually based on medieval harmonic con- vealing the full and sometimes unexpected Pop-meister Graham Gouldman, of 10cc, cepts) he developed with John Coltrane. expressive possibilities of Afro-Cuban jazz. produced this new effort, and he accen- "La Leyenda de la Hora," new from Co- It's a masterly album by a true contempo- tuates the Ramones' bubblegum tendencies lumbia, is Tyner's first album devoted to rary master. -Mark Peel a lot more successfully than Phil Spector Afro-Cuban music, a jazz tradition that has was able to do on their last. His production enjoyed uninterrupted popularity from Diz- isslick, ingenious, full of felicitouslittle zy Gillespie's Cuban bebop to Chick Cor- McCOY TYNER:La Leyenda de la Hora touches, and highly flattering to the band. ea's Spanish fantasies. It may be an indica- (The Legend of the Hour).McCoy Tyner There's a longer musical reach here too: action of Tyner's creative scope that he's only (piano); HubertLaws (flute);Bobby tual guitar solos, for example, and at one now gotten around to recording in this vein, Hutcherson (vibraphone, marimba); Paqui- point a really breathtaking quotation from especially since thislivelyyet evocative to D'Rivera (alto and soprano saxophones); an obscure Who song. The material, howev- genre is a perfect vehicle for his intensely Chico Freeman (tenor saxophone); Marcus er, is mostly tired, though She's a Sensation rhythmic style. On "La Leyenda de la Belgrave (trumpet,flugelhorn);Avery is a terrific bit of power pop that could be Hora" Tyner has done for Afro-Cuban mu- Sharpe (acousticbass);Ignacio Berroa the AM hitthe Ramones have always sic what he's done for every other form he's (drums); Daniel Ponce (percussion); other wanted, and a few of the other songs have worked in: enlarged it, intensified it, made musicians. La Vida Feliz (The Happy Life); their moments. S.S. it his own. Ja'Cara (A Serenade); La Habana Sol (The He's backed here by some of the leading Havana Sun); Walk Spirit, Talk Spirit; La REX SMITH:Everlasting Love.Rex Smith jazz instrumentalists on the contemporary Busca (The Search). COLUMBIA FC 37375, (vocals); vocal and instrumental accom- scene, including Hubert Laws and Bobby FCT 37375, no list price. paniment. Love Will Always Make You Cry; Still Thinking of You; Everlasting Love; Rock Me Slowly; and four others.

depends on Sonic accuracy precision - At A -T, we your stylus. best styliwith square shape our accuracy shanks tomicron ").A =0.0000393 (one micron hole isdrilled perfect mounting cantilever in theberyllium beam Another laser by laser. stylus surface checks each alignment farmore absolute anymicroscope. accurately than youuncommonly All to assure and dram low distortion imatic separation...possible stereo round -shank with ordinary Audio-Technica styli. Hearthe today' difference

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CIRCLE NO5 ON READER SERVICE CARD

112 STEREO REviEvi COLUMBIA FC 37494, © FCT 37494, e© ACT 37077, ® ACA 37077, no list STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP. MANAGEMENT FCA 37494, no list price. price. AND CIRCULATION (Required by 39 U.S.C. 3685)

Performance: Hard -breathing Performance A compromise 1. Title of Publication: Stereo Review Recording: Excellent Recording: Good a.Publication No. 00391220 Last time I saw Rex Smith he was cavorting As a Rachel Sweet fan, I was disappointed about the stage of the Uris Theatre in New with this album, her first on Columbia after 2. Date of filing: October 1, 1981 York in pirate costume playing Frederick, her two impressive, slightly zany ones on the Slave of Duty, to Linda Ronstadt's Ma-Stiff. What we have here is a compromise bel in a freewheeling production of Gilbert effort. Sweet wanted the album to be mostly 3. Frequency of issue: Monthly. and Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance. For her own material, but Columbia wanted a. No. of issues published annually: 12. his new album, he has left the rocky coast of more commercial stuff, so they split it fifty- b. Annual subscription price: $9.98 Cornwall for the rock beat that originally fifty. The big item is the very successful Ev- brought him to prominence, singing sexy,erlasting Love, a duet with Rex Smith (re- 4. Location of known office of publication (not print- double-entendre ballads. cently in the hit Broadway revival of The ers): One Park Avenue. New York. New York Smith has a strong, sweet baritone voice Pirates of Penzance). Except on her own 10016. that he pushes mercilessly to the limit. He Fool's Story, Sweet's singing here is her pants and moans like a sailor just arrived in best on the album. port through a series of songs that must be Fool's Story is a lackluster song, but it's 5. Location of the headquarters or general busi- enough to drive any susceptible young girl notable for the impressive way Sweet treats ness offices of the publishers (not printers): One crazy. There is one touching ballad called the blues. Her other material tends a bit to- Park Avenue, New York. New York 10016. Still Thinking of You that redeems the ward the macabre, as in Billy and the Gun, whole program, and when he sings Ever- a sinister thing about a boy who plays Rus- 6. Names and complete addresses of the publish- lasting Love with Rachel Sweet he provessian roulette. The commercial tracks are er,editor, and managing editor:Publisher,J. worth hearing. It's too bad, though, thatjust that-safe, sure, and dull, especially Scott Briggs, One Park Avenue, New York, New some of the Victorian restraint he displayed the Phil Spector medley Be My Baby/Then York 10016. Editor, William Anderson, One Park as Frederick didn't rub off on Smith's over- He Kissed Me, which is a waste of Sweet's Avenue, New York, New York 10016. Managing stated pop style. P.K. talent and the listener's time. It's too bad no Editor, Louise Gooch Boundas, One Park Ave- one at Columbia bothered to select better nue, New York, New York 10016. RECORDING OF SPECIAL MERIT material for a performer who's been a pro since she was six, who has acting experience 7. Owner:Ziff -Davis Publishing Company. One S.O.S. BAND: Too. S.O.S. Band (vocals and a sense of humor. But, as I said, I'm a Park Avenue, New York, New York 10016: Ziff and instrumentals); vocal and instrumental fan, so I'll wait for her next album and hope Corporation. One Park Avenue, New York, New accompaniment. It's a Long Way to the it suits her talents better. J.V. York. 10016. Top; Do It Now; There Is No Limit; You; Do You Know Where Your Children Are?; RECORDING OF SPECIAL MERIT 8. Known bondholders, mortgagees. and other se- and four others. TABU FZ 37449, FZT curity holders owning or holding 1 percent or 37449, ® FZA 37449, no list price. KOKO TAYLOR: From the Heart of a more of total amount of bonds, mortgages or oth- Woman.KokoTaylor(vocals);Chris er securities: None. Performance Imaginative Johnson, Sammy Lawhorn, Emmett Recording Very good "Maestro" Sanders (guitar); Billy Branch 10. Extent and Nature of Circulation It's best to ignore the cover of this album. (harmonica); A. C. Reed (tenorsaxo- Its long list of musicians, technicians, and phone); Bill Heid (keyboards); Cornelius Actual No. moral supporters, all given such hokey titles Boyson (bass); Vince Chappelle (drums). Average Copies of as "Executive Admiral," "Chief Communi- Something Strange Is Going On; I'd Rather No. Copies Single cations Officer," and so on down the "Duty Go Blind; Keep Your Hands Off Him; Sure Each Issue Issue Roster" inline with the band's nautical Had a Wonderful Time Last Night; Blow During Published Top Blues; If Walls Could Talk; and four PrecedingNearest to name, might lead you to expect something 12 Months Filing Date like an r -&-b version of Anchors Aweigh or others. ALLIGATOR AL 4724 $7.98. Victory at Sea. Nothing of the sort happens A. Total no. copies Performance Excellent printed (net press run) 629.969 637.592 here, thank goodness. This is genuine foot - Recording Very good stomping, joy -making, neo-disco dance mu- B.Paid Circulation sic marked by freshness and gutsy energy. Chicago is still, as the song says, "that tod- 1.Sales through dealers The S.O.S. Band, an Atlanta outfit, has dlin' town" so far as urban blues are con- and carriers, street explored a broad range of sounds beyond cerned, and Koko Taylor is one of its lead- vendors and counter the usual for r -&-b vocal -instrumental col- ing lights. She is a blues shouter par excel- sales 61.149 55,100 2. Mail subscriptions 478,092 480.703 laborations. Their offerings here range from lence, but she knows how to hold back for C.Total Paid Circulation 539,241 535.803 the high-powered opener, It's a Long Way effect before letting go full blast, and her (sum of 1081 and 1082) to the Top, and the infectious rhythms of scrappy combo is with her all the way. D. Free distribution by mail, the Earth, Wind & Fire -likeYou (my Something Strange Is Going On, about carrier or other means choice as best track) to an African -flavored skulduggery in the household, recalls Some- samples, compli- instrumental, For the Brothers That Ain't body in My Home by another great Chica- mentary, and other Here. The pace changes in two pensive se- go blues singer, the late Howlin' Wolf. free copies 18.389 16.292 lections, Do You Know Where Your Chil- Koko wrings all the tears out of I'd Rather E.Total distribution dren Are? and Unborn Child, apparently in- Go Blind, and she's mean as can be on (sum of C and 0) 557.630 552.095 spired by the long-drawn-out tragedy that Leonard Feather's Blow Top Blues, charm- F Copies not distributed has traumatized Atlanta's black communi- ingly comic with Louis Jordan's goofy Sure 1. Office use, left over, ty. The album might disconcert those who Had a Wonderful Time Last Night, and unaccounted, spoiled prefer their music neat and predictable, but worldly wise on If Walls Could Talk. after printing 1,977 2.297 Iapplaud the S.O.S. Band's vitality and Koko's a big-hearted woman with a mighty 2. Returns from news spirit of adventure. P.C. talent. She and the blues are good for each agents 70,362 83,200 other, as I think you'll agree if you hear this G. Total (sum of E. Fl. and RACHEL SWEET: ... And Then He album. J.V. 2-should equal net Kissed Me. Rachel Sweet (vocals); vocal press run shown in A) 629,969 637,592 and instrumental accompaniment. Shad- TYCOON: Turn Out the Lights. Tycoon ows of the Night; Then He Kissed Me/Be (vocals and instrumentals).This Island 11.I certify that the statements made by me above My Baby; Billy and the Gun; Party Girl; Earth; One More Try; Hang On In; Can't are correct and complete. Two Hearts Full of Love; Little Darlin'; Take That Away; Turn Out the Lights; Let WILLIAM L. PHILLIPS, and three others. COLUMBIA ARC 37077, It Down; and four others. ARISTA AL 9555 Assistant Treasurer

JANUARY 1982 113 $8.98, © ATC 9555 $8.98, 0 AT8 9555 $8.98. PerformanceGetting better Recording Good It's been a long time between albums for Tycoon, but in the interim they've polished their sound to a high gloss.I can admire them for that-it's always a pleasure to hear guys playing skillfully-but they still have to fill up the spaces left by the content of their songs, which are no more than serviceable, and to loosen up their vocals so they don't seem so calculated. They're beginning to sound classy, though. J.V.

TOM VERLAINE: Dreamtime (see Best of the Month, page 83)

VILLAGE PEOPLE: Renaissance. Village People (vocals); instrumental accompaniment. Action Man; Diet; Big Mac; and five others. RCA AFLI-4105 $8.98, © AFKI- 4105 $8.98, AFSI-4105 $8.98. Performance Burn -out Recording Good The Village People's records never did have Scott -`Heron much of a shelf life, and the group's collective talent could barely fill a Munchkin's thimble, but there was nevertheless something engaging about the way they shouted through producer Jacques Morali's simplis- AFRIEND of mine who also writes about with the moody sensuality of his own Morn- tic disco fare. Now they have a new label, a pepular music recently observed to me ing Thoughts. But though Scott -Heron's new look, and a new style. New, however, is that contemporary rhythm-and-blues has day might begin with warm moments in not necessarily better, and "Renaissance," become so limited thematically that all you bed, it moves on to more global musings and their first RCA release, is a case in point. hear are love songs or dance songs. The cur- compelling entreaties to pay attention to Having shed their familiar costumes, the rent unwillingness of artists and the music what is happening in Zimbabwe, El Salva- Village People no longer look like Christo- industry to tackle more significant subjects dor, Namibia, and Poland. pher Street denizens on a Saturday night seems strange considering that this music is Marvin Gaye's Inner City Blues intro- romp. Now they look more like the village an offshoot of the emotional ferment of the duces the second side, which consists of sev- idiots-punkish, but not put together. Their blues and has in the past been nurtured by eral extended song -poems. Abounding in music has also suffered a setback, if that's social tumult, frequently providing explicit references to persistent unemployment, ra- possible. The old VP sound successfully fol- reflections of the mood of grass -roots black cial unrest, and the need for gun control, lowed tried-and-true disco formulas, appro- America. they are the heart of the album's message. priate for the time, but the reborn group has In this climate, the searing social com- There's no mistaking Scott -Heron's target little to do with what is happening today. mentary of Gil Scott -Heron is especially when he begins one track here with the star- The Village People now appear to take striking. Unlike his peers, he is not afraid to tling comment, "Mandate my ass!," and no themselves seriously (!), and their new al- seem a throwback to more outspoken times. less startling is his observation that "The bum reflects the same poor judgment that Although protest songs are no longer in Arabs used to be in the Third World/They led them to participate so prominently in vogue, Scott -Heron remains a committed have bought the Second World and put a that dog of a film Can't Stop the Music. If wave maker, sweeping out onto the beach of firm downpayment on the First one/Con- anything can stop this music, it is the built- public awareness such disturbing matters as trolling your resources will control your in obsolescence of the group itself. C.A. drug abuse, poverty, police brutality, and world." Throughout, the toneisstonily international conflict. grim, and Scott -Heron's discourse is sup- THE WHO: Hooligans. The Who (vocals In recent years Scott -Heron has collabo- ported by a thumping, almost hypnotically and instrumentals). I Can't Explain; I Can rated with pianist -composer Brian Jackson rhythmic background that underscores the See for Miles; Pinball Wizard; Let's See to create a series of albums leaning heavily bitterness of his words. Action; Relay; Baba O'Riley; Behind Blue on popular soul -music motifs. However, his Eyes; and twelve others. MCA MCA2- new Arista album, "Reflections," features You might not agree with what Gil Scott - 12001 two discs $13.98, © MCAC2-1200I him without Jackson, backed instead by an Heron has to say, but you're bound to have $13.98, 0 MCAT2-I 2001 S 1 3.98. octet of instrumentalists oriented more to- some reaction to hearing him. He may be a Performance: Beside the point ward jazz than pop. "Reflections" is thus voice in the wilderness, a discomfiting re- musically richer than many of Scott -Her- minder of the upheavals of the Sixties and Recording: Good to excellent on's previous sets, but, as before, its greatest of current problems we'd rather ignore, but For shame, MCA Records. Including a cou- appeal lies in the lean directness of his abra- the power of his words and music makes ple of so-so Who singles previously unavail- sive, poetic lyrics. him a voice well worth listening to. able on an American LP does not make up Easing the listener into his anger, Scott - -Phyl Garland for this album's extremely misleading pro- Heron begins with an engaging reggae mel- gramming. Of thenineteentracks on ody on Storm Music, which warns of esca- GIL SCOTT -HERON:Reflections.Gil "Hooligans" only two represent the band's lating unrest and coming retribution by Scott -Heron (vocals, electric piano); instru- output before "Tommy," which is a pretty Third World countries. Backing off a bit, mentalaccompaniment.StormMusic; lopsided way of looking at the Who's career. like a skilled boxer, he suddenly shifts to Grandma's Hands; Is That Jazz?; Morning I'm not quibbling with the music, most of nostalgic reminiscence in the Bill Withers Thoughts; Inner City Blues; Gun; "B" Mo- which is great, but if you want a two -record classic about the soothing properties of vie. ARISTA AL 9566 $8.98, © ACT 9566 history of the Who, look elsewhere. Like on Grandma's Hands, then follows through $8.98, OO A8T 9566 $8.98. the 1978 English import "The Who Story," which should be available at any decent - size record shop. S.S.

114 STEREO REVIEW THERE ARE AT LEAST 10 MAIL-ORDER BEST PRICE YOU HAVE FOUND!PLUSWE COMPANIES WITH 800 TOLL -FREE WILL DEDUCT THE COST OF YOUR CALL NUMBERS INTHIS MAGAZINE. CALL FROM THE ORDER. SO, CALL OUR COM- EVERY ONE OF THEM, GET YOUR BEST PETIT'ON ON THEIR EXPENSIVE 800 PRICE, THEN MAKE ONE MORE CALL TO TOLL -FREE NUMBERS, GET ALL THE IN- DISCOUNT SOUND AT 301-881-9200. WE FORMATION YOU WANT, THEN CALL DIS- CHET BAKER: Broken Wing.Chet Baker GUARANTEE THAT WE CAN BEAT THE COUNT SOUND FOR THE BOTTOM LINE! (trumpet, vocals); Phil Markowitz (piano); Jean -Francois Jenny Clark(bass);Jeff Brillinger (drums).Oh You Crazy Moon; 0,0PIONEER Technics SONY Black Eyes;and two others.INNER CITY IC 1120$7.98.

PerformanceGentle if, I RecordingGood SX-6 AM/FM Receiver - SL -D202 Turntable- TCFX6C-Cassette Deck Chet Baker's soft horn and velvety vocals 45 watts per channel, digital DirectDrive,Semi -auto.,full Two motors, Dolby C,Auto., reached way beyond the boundaries of jazz tuner with presets CALL front controls CALL Music Sensor,Feather -touch twenty or so years ago when his was a controls CALL household name on campuses and in "hip" circles. He seemed to bridge the wide gap between what was oh -so -terribly "in" and 301-881-9200 what was just as decidedly "out." This is not to imply that Baker ever qualified for Muzak (to mention a major genre of the 12200 Parklawn Dr., Rockville, MD 20852 Allorders shipped immediately Phone lattercategory),forhisplayingnever sound orders accepted Use your VISA or Master lacked substance, but there was a prettiness Charge Call or write for price quotes on all about it that few could resist. the top audio brands Write for free catalog The gentle beat goes onin"Broken All merchandise is factory sealed cartons Wing," a 1978 album recorded in France with full manufacturer's warranty. and recently released here by Inner City. Baker, accompanied by a capable but unex- citing piano trio, caresses five tunes, run- CIRCLE NO18 ON READER SEF:VICE CARD ning his horn up, down, in, and out of melodies that will often be familiar to you. He also sings on OhYou Crazy Moon,demon- NEW -1982 strating that there has been no change in his vocal style either. The album won't make Stereo Directory you do cartwheels across the room, but it's 2Q,171n2t very comfortable. C.A. NOW YOU CAN OWN ALL& Buying Guide! RECORDING OF SPECIAL MERIT TOP BRAND Before you shop for stereo gear, get the CHARLIE BARNET: The Complete Char- new issueof Stereo Review's1982 lie Barnet, Volume II.Charlie Barnet and STEREO DIRECTORY & BUYING His Orchestra (instrumentals); Judy Elling- STEREO COMPONENTS ton, Larry Taylor (vocals).Knockin' at the AT THE SAME PRICE MANY GUIDE. Thousands of equipment list- Famous Door; The Gal from Joe's; Jump ings with full specs and prices, plus tips Session; In a Mizz; Night Song; Echoes of DEALERS PAY!, on buying and using gear. Save time, Harlem; Scotch and Soda; Class Will Tell; 120,000 CustomersCoast -to -Coast trouble and moneyorder today! Lazy Bug; Lament for a Lost Love; Chero- kee,.and twenty-one others.RCA/BLuE- CALL TODAY 9 A.M. to 9 P.M. FOR FULL COLOR BROCHURES OR BIRD AXM2-5577 two discs $11.98, O PLACE YOUR ORDER FOR Only $2.95! AXK2-5577 $11.98.

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Latest list prices Charlie Barnet's Swing Era group of young CALL Comparison Information and eager musicians played in the style of 1-800-638-8806 the great black bands of the time, and they 1 produced a confident, comfortable, and ex- OR1-301-488-9600 r Stereo Directory citing sound that few other white bands, in- & Buying Guide cluding Benny Goodman's, could equal. It OR SEND FOR BROCHURE WITH P.O. Box .340, Broomall, PA 19008 was an ensemble sound with no outstanding LINES AND PRICES AND TIPS Send me the 1982 S I ERE() 'ARIA -101(Y & soloists, and today, forty years later,itis ON BUYING BY MAIL TO BUYING GUIDE. Enclosedis $3.95' ($2.95 still very accessible while other big -name plus $1.00 post. & hand.). S5.00 outside U.S.A. big bands sound dated and stiff. INTERNATIONAL Mr. HI -Fl Mrs In 1939 the band was booked into the Fa- Ms. ipicd.c print !nil nat.:, mous Door on New York's 52nd Street, DISTRIBUTORS, Inc. Addre,. Apt MORAVIA CENTER from which nightly radio broadcasts added INDUSTRIAL PARK to their fame, morale, and record sales. The BALTIMORE MARYLAND sessions on this reissue package are from 21206 State /ip 'Residents CA.CO. IX .f II.. M -\.MI 11() \ LState. OK SC. TN and VT add appli,,N, ta, JANUARY 1982 CIRCLE NO. 25 ON READER SERVICE CARD than was necessary, reserving their energy for the jump numbers. This was a band that loved to swing, and it still shows. J.V.

DUKE ELLINGTON: Sophisticated Elling- ton. Duke Ellington (piano); various orchestras, Duke Ellington cond. Take the "A" Train; Caravan; Mood Indigo; Solitude; Hey Baby; I Got It Bad; Perdido; The Mooche; Black and Tan Fantasy; and fifteen others. RCA CPL2-4098(e) two discs $11.98, © CPK2-4098 $11.98. Performance. Very fine Recording. Variable Twenty-four of the inimitable Duke Elling- ton's performances, recorded between 1927 and 1966, are presented in this economical reissue (it is economically packaged, too- there are no liner notes, and the two discs are jammed into one sleeve). The three performances I found most interesting were a 1934 Solitude awash in a silvery Art Deco shimmer (it easily transcends the fuzzy recording sound of those days) and Creole Love Call and Black and Tan Fantasy from Rodney 1927. The latter two demonstrate clearly thattheenergy andvitalityEllington poured into his work during his long career Crowell were present right from the beginning, as was his remarkable ability to fuse so-called "race" music, mainstream American pop, and his own worldly gifts into true art. He was one of the authentic greats of American music, and we ought to be grateful that he recorded as much as he did. P.R. RODNEY CROWELL'S latest is the kind of by Emmylou Harris, by Waylon Jennings, record that makes you want to get out and by Crowell himself.) It doesn't quite fit RECORDING OF SPECIAL MERIT an instrument, a couple of spoons, or some- this particular program, perhaps, but the thing and join the fray. Mostly it exercises program is fluid and varied, forever chang- PANAMA FRANCIS & THE SAVOY the rollicking, rocking side of Crowell and ing tempo and mood. The other standout SULTANS:Volume ILPanama Francis his band, the Cherry Bombs; he knows how song is Shame on the Moon, which tells a (drums);FrancisWilliams,IryStokes to write a rock song and they know how to lot of truth in a very few words. And then (trumpet); Norris Turney (alto saxophone, play it. Stars on the Water sort of sneaks upon you, clarinet);Howard Johnson(altosaxo- It may be a little thin on material overall; too. Generally, I'd like for Crowell to aim a phone); George Kelly (tenor saxophone); Crowell uses two other people's songs, She little higher, but you've got to hand it to a Red Richards (piano); John Smith (guitar); Ain't Going Nowhere by Guy Clark, which man who can fire such a tight pattern into BillPemberton (bass). Shipyard Social is fair to middling and never sounded this the bullseye area of the viscera. Just try lis- Function; Norfolk Ferry; Second Balcony good before, and Keith Sykes' Just Wanta tening with a still foot. -Noel Coppage Jump; Looney; and three others. CLASSIC Dance, which isn't very interesting. And a JAZZ CJ 150 $7.98. couple of the new Crowell songs are pretty RODNEY CROWELL. Rodney Crowell Performance Excellent sketchy too, although they're played with (vocals, guitar); Albert Lee (guitari; Hank Recording: Wayward such a combination of zest and nuance, DeVito (steel); Emory Gordy (bass); Larrie taste and spontaneity, that it doesn't seem Londin (drums); other musicians. Stars on The original Savoy Sultans were the house to matter very much how bony they are the Water; Just Wanta Dance; She Ain't band at Harlem's great old Savoy Ball- underneath. Going Nowhere; Don't Need No Other room-"The Home of Happy Feet"- But then he includes his own exceptional Now; Shame on the Moon; Only Two which opened in 1926. The Sultans' reign reading of 'Til I Gain Control Again, the Hearts; Victim or a Fool; A!! You've Got to lasted from 1937 until 1945. They had no country song he wrote in 1976 that is, to my Do; 'Ti! I Gain Control Again; Old Pipe - solo stars, but the hard -driving arrange- mind, a bona fide classic. (There are now liner. WARNER BROS. BSK 3587 $8.98, © ments by tenor saxophonist Al Cooper gave three "definitive" versions of it, if you will: M5 3587 $8.98. the band an ensemble sound that on many occasions intimidated the alternating star bands of Count Basic, Fletcher Henderson, Lucky Millinder, and Claude Hopkins. The Sultans didn't kid around. This reincarnationof the group was that heady period, and you can hear that lection also includes his biggest hit, Chero- formed by drummer Panama Francis a few the group's spirits were high. kee, written by Ray Noble as a 5allad and years ago, using some original arrange- Barnet's principal idol as a bandleader arranged for a hot treatment by youig Billy ments by Al Cooper and by George Kelly, was Duke Ellington, and relations between May, who had recently joined Barnet. the only former Sultan in the group, as well the two bands were cordial.Ellington's As with all bands in that era, Barnet was as charts by Chick Webb, Tab Smith, trombonist, Juan Tizol, collaborated with instructed by his label to record a certain Lucky Millinder, and Francis himself. It's a Barnet on Lazy Bug; Charlie, in turn, was number of ballads from music publishers' superbly swinging outfit, blowing with an happy to record Tizol's Night Song as well stockpiles. These were meant to be dreamy infectiously happy abandon. What a won- as the Duke's Echoes of Harlem, The Gal but were mostly droopy. Singer Judy El- derment they are! This is red-hot jazz at its from Joe's, and Lament for a Lost Love. lington, who tried to sound something like best, and I am delighted that any band to- Barnet's originals, such as Knockin' at the Billie Holiday and came fairly close, makes day plays with such joy. Although the play- Famous Door and Scotch and Soda, are, as most of those here tolerable. Barnet and his ing time is nearly forty minutes, the album they used to say, "solid senders." This col- guys paid no more attention to the ballads ends too soon. Encore! J. V.

116 STEREO REVIEW CHICO FREEMAN: The Outside Within 09eVOI (see Best of the Month, page 82) the month KE-5100 Indash AM/FM Cassette 204.99 F emotes Superlonet IICoarte PitI urono IS stilton 111:1SAI & SAM ,- electronicreset leather !ouch pushbutton tuning Obbt, Cu...

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CHARLES MINGUS: Mingus at Monte- Pr, ',on,roe Head t M Aohopatts Mono Switch rey. Charles Mingus (bass); other musi- PIONEER CAR STEREO JENSEN CAR STEREO TOK BLANK TAPES OISCWASHER MEX 20 cians. Duke Ellington Medley; Orange Was 219 99 RE 518 284 99 SAC 90 299 0 4 Record Care System 10 99 KPX 9500 17999 RE 512 259 99 SA C 60 2 19 Wad ..36 99 the Color of Her Dress, Then Blue Silk; KPX 9000 15199 R-401 184 99 AO C 90 2 49 OiscOrganizer 999 ME 5100 Meditations on Integration. PRESTIGE P- 219.99 9 219 139.99 AO C 60 1 69 0 Stet 11 5 99 MP 8500 149.99 T416 9401.38811 9019 799 II0C90 169 0 4 RCM 1 oz 249 KP 7500 24100 two discs $8.98. . 19699 J-148983 Trox 11 6.9 94.99/pr 0 C 60 I 19 0 4 Relit! 6 or 799 95149 J 1037 Coax 11 6.9 6499/pr LX 35 1808 Reel to Reel 17 99 0 4 R.111116 oz 10 99 PerformanceStill fine KP 196.99 111111 Coax II 5.. 54 99/m LX 35 180 Reel to Reel 1599 11 11111, . 821.49 J 11211 tem 114 . 54.99/14 LX 35 908 Reel to Reel 6 79 ukR4200 PHONO CARTRIDGES Recording Good remote sael . 111.09 J 1065 Tnaxiel Bog 6299/pr La 35 90 Reel lo Reel 559 444-7200 1Nu sizel 15148 J 1069 Dram! 609 ao 99/pr Shure VI5 Type IV 105 99 Shure 121,111111111149 86 99 1181-5600 1/611 size! . Inn J 1101 Trucial 4110 62.99/pr MAXELL BLANK TAPES The 1964 Monterey Jazz Festival was an Shure 1497 HE 56 99 1.4 Power Asp 710964Power J 1105 Coaxial 4110 40 99/pr UOXI. II C 90 3.39 Shurs1495 HE ... 35 99 overwhelming success in terms of both the 11.9 pig J 1991 9.9 Separalee 84 99 11001. 11 C60 249 co* airier Van I C DO 339 Aw199110.194 9f-11911;.11999 11199 Au4101411Nt a AT 14Mg --6999 income it generated for its producers and AO zerthop 0499 SANYO CAR STEREO UOXL I C 60 .. 2 49 Au sa Ji 125tC er/Amp .... 14149 FT 2200 229.99 110 C 90 279 19 99 the musicit FT 30 182 99 Em 10 4199 provided the approximately ISAergC 98.118/pr UDC 60 189 Em TC4,,, TS 695 Speakers 8999, pr FT 9 140.99 UD 35 18148 Reel W Reel 18.49 N99 30,000 ticket holders. A highlight of the Empire IS 167 Speakers 46 49/pr FT CI6 149.99 U0 35 18o Reel to Reel 15 69 ME WA Pickering 209 5000 festival was a Sunday afternoon concert by TS 168 Speakers 83 99/pr FT C14 ...... _,139.99 U035 90.1 Reel to Reel 6 79 ff.119 Pickering X SV 4000 TS X9 Speakers 141 99/pr FT Cl2 114 99 UO 35 90 Reel to Reel 5 89 1199 Charles Mingus, who played with his own TS XI ISpeakers 199 99,pr FT C8 109 99 Pickering ISV 3000 54 99

FT C6 . regular group and with a larger one assem- ..... 81 99 STEREO HEADPHONES FT C4 66 99 PANASONIC CAR STEREO Koss Pro 4AAA 44.99 bled for the occasion by saxophonist Buddy cos 998 341 99 PA 6110 Power Amp 159.99 ORDERING INSTRUCTIONS Koss -LC 48.99 COS no 691 6210 Equalizer 69.99 All merchandise is Factory Fresh 266 99 Koss g399 Collette. "Mingus at Monterey" (originally COS 1110 with manufacturer s warranty. 242 99 VIDEO Sect 1X0430 15.99 COS 761 22299 Send Money Order or CANNON et released under that title on Mingus' own Mart CO -2600 Game 14999 SUNOulielf 111420 52,899Nmheiser Cashier s Check for shImdint COS 766 208 99 TOK TATO FOHS1 15.49 110400 TT.N9 Jazz Workshop label), a Prestige budget - COS 742 169.99 within 24 hoursAdd shipping 7111116 T-120 91651 1939 Tony 11011-7 . ... 59.911 COS 737 184.99 charge of $4 25. Puerto Rico price "twofer," captures the beauty and *le 7 170 IVHSI 15.4 Sony 6104140 ... 40.99 COS 700 177 99 Canada. Alaska.NIVI111add 10 studied chaos of that event. It is a glorious NOT 120 IVHSI 14.96 Sony 11104-3 12.99 01 order Persoeal Checks held 3 CRAIG CAR STEREO Wert l 75018e1a1 14.03 AudinTedwIca ATH-7 .. 105.99 weeksCustomer ServiceNot set that opens with a twenty -four -minute 1 690 214 99 Sony l 83019.1.1 1948 Audio-Teehica ATH-6 59.99 line 12121 883 9088. We carry a T 619 189.99 ROI L 500 1E11111 Audio-TedMice ATI1.2 39.99 lull lined Sherwood. Harmon Ellington medley and closes with a twenty- 210 .184.99 Feel 750 teem Kardon. Nikko. Sonus. Home six -minute masterpiece entitledMedita- A 511 149.99 bey 1181945AS Color 107.96 BONUS BONUS BONUS Stereoas well as Sony 502 69 99 Suzy KY 11141111 Cider 5671.90 II you ply by Certified or Cashier s MitsubishiCraigand Concord tions on Integration. That alone makes this A 550 74 99 Sony KV 2648RS Calor 1350 00 Check or Money Order you earn a71 Car Stereos Call for our low low release a bargain, but there is more, a tune 9 551 124.99 Son KV 1345RS Color 524 95 discount on our entire order noes with the odd title Orange Was the Color of E -T41 WRITE FOR FREE CATALOG Her Dress, Then Blue Silk that features CALL TOLL FREE strong solos by pianist Jackie Byard and Ellectionica, (800)223-2706 alto sax Charles McPherson, both of whom nn also excel on the Ellington trek (catch 1263 Broadway New York N.Y 10001 Abn+ICALL12121686-5500 Byard's stride solo on Take the "A" Train). This is the kind of album one can write CIRCLE NO4 ON READER SERVICE CARD whole articles about, but the next best thing to hearing it is reading Mingus' own notes, which have wisely been reprinted intact. Get it while you can. C.A. RECORDING OF SPECIAL MERIT CONSTANTLY RED NORVO QUINTET: The Forward Look. Red Norvo (vibraphone); Jerry Dod- gion (flute, alto saxophone); Jimmy Wyble BETTER (guitar); Red Wooten (bass); John Mark- ham (drums). Room 608; Rhee Waahnee; For Lena and Lennie; and three others. ()13101VEE.17 Clarion Indash Thchnics REFERENCE RR -8$14.95 (from Audio - The Source, 1185 Chess Drive,FosterCity, Cassette DBX Noise Reduction Calif. 94404). Ultimate 1111.11.1. f=11111151111$217 Performance A very good year $274 Recording Fine early stereo PE683 2 4 0 X PL L 800 Vibraphonist Red Norvo's illustrious career A1/4 LT EC has produced an impressive number of en- Bookshelf 9'1SONY Portable during recordings. His discography covers Speakers Light Weights Stereo the Swing period well, makes an early cross- ing into Bop territory (by way of a 1945 L $43ea. $77

$2S di.1.1111110111111eme date with Parker and Gillespie), and in- 02B MDR3 cludes Dance of the Octopus, a 1933 item that fell outside all extant musical catego- Weekdays 9-9 ries. Fortunately, Norvo's career continues TOLL FREE 800-356-9514 Saturdays 9-5 today, but this most recent album release consists of material that has been aging Over 100 Brands like: gracefully since New Year's Eve 1957. "The Forward Look" documents a live ses- Technics Maxell Sony Cerwin Acutex sion that was ostensibly taped in order to Pioneer Empire Teac Vega Craig test an early three -channel recorder, and Marantz Altec Akai Onkyo Scotch though that setupis modest by today's Kenwood Sharp Dual Audio B.I.C. standards, neither the technical nor artistic Sansui Phillips Koss Technica Stanton WISCONSIN DISCCUNT STEREO quality of the recording suffers in compari- Jensen Shure TDK Clarion Pickering2417 w badger rd madison, WI 53713 son with many contemporary efforts. Norvo had begun to perform regularly in 608 2116889

JANUARY 1982 CIRCLE NO. 56 ON READER SERVICE CARD ta, and the Fords of Detroit were discover- ing that their Edsel was about as popular as the deepening recession. But at least you could glide into the new year on the polished music of the Norvo quintet, a group whose driving swing and articulate teamwork could brighten the darkest of times. It should serve just as well to usher in the un- certainties of 1982. C.A.

RECORDING OF SPECIAL MERIT JOE PASS AND JIMMY ROWLES: Checkmate.Joe Pass(guitar);Jimmy Rowles (piano). So Rare; God Bless the Child; 'Deed / Do; T'!s Autumn; Marquita; Stardust;andfourothers.PABLo 0 D2310865 $9.98, © K10-865 $9.98. Performance Fine team Recording Excellent GuitaristJoePass andpianist Jimmy Rowles had not played together since the Sixties when they recorded "Checkmate" a year ago, but they are two fine raconteurs bursting with stories to tell and with the skill to interweave them without creating chaos. Their rapport makes them a joy to hear, and what they do is so filled with intriguing subtleties that one can listen repeatedly and still discover new tidbits. The material is varied but familiar; itis how these two superb musicians convey it that makes it seem fresh and tantalizing.C.A.

RECORDING OF SPECIAL MERIT (Mink cDeVille: Genre Art DJANGO REINHARDT:Solos/Duets/ Trios.Django Reinhardt,PierreFerret, Louis Gaste (guitar); Emmanuel Soudieux, Louis Vola, Eugene d'Hellemmes, Paul Cordonnier (bass); Stephane Grappelli, Ed- die South, Michel Warlop (violin). I'll See LIFE, my grandfather used to say, is like compelling. Granted, I am a sucker for this You in My Dreams; Improvisation; Christ- tuna fish; either you like it or you don't. kind of thing. I teethed on it, and to this day mas Swing; Bouncin' Around; Alabamy Genre art is the same way, when you think I get terminal goosebumps when I hear, oh, Bound; Tea for Two; Improvisation No. 3, aboutit;either you like, say, film noir, Ben E. King doing Stand by Me, or, on this Parts I and 2; You Rascal You; St. Louis sword -and -sorcery novels, detective or sci- album, theExhilarations'velvetyback- Blues; and four others. INNER CITY IC ence fiction, John Ford westerns, post -Joy ground vocals on Willy's remake of You 1105 $7.98. Division doom rock, or you don't, and no Better Move On. The unconverted, on the Performance. Genius amount of critical explication, however en- other hand, may hear only pastiche, Van thusiastic, is going to change your mind. Morrison or Bruce Springsteen without the Recording Good mono restoration Willy DeVille (who is, for all intents and subtexts. Like Isaid, genre art. But from Inner City's second volume of gypsy jazz purposes, Mink DeVille) is a genre artist, where Isit, art itis, and I recommend it guitarist Django Reinhardt reissues, includ- the genre being slightly updated early -Six- highly. -Steve Simels ing many sides never before released in the ties, New York City, Latin -tinged rhythm- United States,is another treasure trove. and-blues. He is also a gifted songwriter, an Django Reinhardt was, quite frankly, the excellent, idiomatic singer, and (lately) a MINK DEVILLE:Coup de Grace.Mink greatest thing since sliced bread-maybe mesmerizing performer. Plus he believes DeVille (vocals and instrumentals); vocal since breathing. every single word he sings, which means andinstrumentalaccompaniment.Just Django was at home in any musical set- that when the material is worthy, he's pret- Give Me One Good Reason; Help Me to ting, from solo sessions to big bands, and his ty much irresistible. Make It(Power of a Woman's Love); best work (while he still played acoustic "Coup de Grace," his new Atlantic al- Maybe Tomorrow; Teardrops Must Fall; guitar) was between 1934 and the begin- bum,lackstheuptemporock-and-roll You Better Move On; Love & Emotion; So ning of World War II. After the occupation punch of his earlier records, but it is, on bal- in Love Are We; Love Me Like You Did Be- of France by the Germans in 1940, word ance, the most consistent he's done so far,fore; She Was Made in Heaven; End of the went around that he was dead, but during soulful, dramatic, warmhearted in all the Line. ATLANTIC SD 19311 $8.98, © CS the liberation of Paris in 1944 he was dis- right ways-urban romanticism at its most 19311 $8.98, OO TP 19311 $8.98. covered playing in a café. Of special note in this collection is the Improvisation No. 3, recorded in 1943; it's notable not only for Reinhardt's typical brilliance but thatit was recorded at all during that period. Except for two 1939 dates, I'll See You in Las Vegas at the time, his trio and quintet side at the Inside, a second -story Palo Alto My Dreams and Echoes of Spain, all the soothing edgy gamblers'nervesatthe coffee house where a more music -minded remaining sessions are from 1937 when Tropicana and the Sands with timeless mu- crowd had gathered to usher in 1958. The Django was at the peak of his youthful pow- sic that flowed effortlessly through ripples old year hadn't been the greatest. Ameri- ers. Improvisation from that year is a tidal - of laughter and the hum of conversation. cans, having more or less slain the dragon of wave display of almost violent romanticism This album was recorded, however, at Out- McCarthyism, were about to embrace Loli- (Continued on page 121)

1 1 8 STEREO REVIEW STEREO REVIEW CLASSIFIED

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EQUIPMENT CABLE TV DESCRAMBLERS AND CONVERTERS. BEFORE YOU BUY- CHECK OUR PRICES. Send for free catalog featuring audio and video equipment and accessories DIAMOND NEEDLES and STEREO CARTRIDGES at DIS- Plans and parts. Build or buy. For information send at discount prices. House of Tape. P 0 Box 191. Mineola, NY COUNT PRICES for SHURE. PICKERING. STANTON. EM- $2.00. C&D Electronics, P.O. Box 21Jenisen. MI 11501. - - PIRE. GRADO. AUDIO TECHNICA. ORTOFON. ACUTEX 49428. WE HAVE IT ALL, Audio and Video Tape. Accessories. Re- and ADC. Write for free catalog LYLE CARTRIDGES. Dept cording Equipment. Fine Audio Components. KNOWLEDGE- S.. Box 69. Brooklyn, NY 11218 For fast COD service Toll ABLE Staff, COMPETITIVE Prices, FREE Buyers Guide, Free 800-221-0906 9AM - 8PM except Sunday. 30 CHANNEL SOUND IDEAS. Dept. SR. Box 671. Cary, NC 27511-0671 19191467-8462. WHOLESALE PRICES on stereo/esoteric components, CABLE TV CONVERTER cartridges, tonearms. tapes. Free Catalog. Audio Unlimited, 1198 Technology Drive. San Jose. CA ORDER No 200AE001 Eliminate Your Speaker 95110. (408) 279-0122 1-6 M-Th .FWQr-4.7.0:e ROUTE 9N, Switching PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. 12901 cameraCANON NIKON Tel.. 15181 561 8700. Problems PENTAX KONICA OLYMPUS ROLLE!. Of With an SPS-1 Speaker Selection System. AKAI.AR ALTECB I C BEST IN THE WEST, Heftier, Nakamichi. Dahlquist. DCM. TECHNICS PIONEER .JBL DUAL Magneplanar. Beveridge. APT, Threshold. Polk, Oracle, Har- Play any. or all Aicommodates up MARANTZKENWOODTEAC mon Kardon. B&W. Adcom. Rocky Mountain HI -Fl. 812 Cen- simultaneously to 14 gauge wire PHASE LINEAR &MANY MOREh41 tral. Great Falls. MT 59401. 1406) 761-8683. Floating (separate) Amplifier overload grounds SONY SANYO. JVC ACCURATE. QUALITY AUDIO. Reasonab e Prices. Car protection videD RCA PANASONIC -ALSO Home. Denco. P.O Box 6104-R. El Monte. CA 91734. (213) Power handling100 Accommodates4pairs MOVE & BLANK TAPE 961-6158 Evenings. Weekends. Monthly Specials. watts per channel ca A^,a Price: 579.95.Available direct or through selected MAIL ORDER high -end audio available. Hafer. B& W. dealers To order, or to obtain further information. Denon. NAD. Audio Salon. 1612 Elizabeth Ave.. Charlone. write or call Niles Audio Corporation/Dept. IA/ (800)4z1.8537 NC 28204. 1704) 333-3306 P.O. Box 160818/Miami, FL 33116/ (305) 271-9181 TIse First Low Distortion Car Spsakors. Good news travels fast and sounds great Janata PROTECT AUDIO EQUIPMENT. TV. VCR and Records when it's from Speakerlab-now with new frompops-. "buzz' andhash- caused by motors. appli- CAMERA,.1H111-1F11.VIIDECD speaker systems handmade for your car and ances. tools. Plugs into any outlet. 11250 watt -Model KW - $16 W I. Downtown L.C.... 00014 Tel 444-0141 featuring polypropylene woofers, custom 33S) $50.95 ppd. SASE for brochure ELECTRONIC SPE- crossovers, and more. If CIALI515. INC., 171 S Main. Natick. MA 01760. 1617) 655- you have quality car audio 1532. MC VISA accepted. electronics DON'T RECEIVE MICROWAVE SIGNALS in the Amateur Radio - TV WASTE MONEY band will your own Amateur Microwave Down Converter and Antenna. Complete plans fully guaranteed or full refund. Send on poor speakers. $9.95 to. Phillips -Tech Electronics. Dept 12, P.O. Box 33205. Write for our FREE Raw4. Phoenix. Arizona 85067 Speaker Catalog. HIGH MAIL ORDER PRICES'? NOT AT STEREO VILLAGE! Offering you the best prices on the top names in audio, video. television and car stereo. Call around, then call us last! STE- spealcerlab REO VILLAGE INC., 3021 Peachtree Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA Dept CSR2 I, 735 N. Northlake Way 30305. CALL TOLL FREE: 404-233-5346 (10:30AM-7PM Seattle, Washington 98103 EST). Siores in Atlanta and New Orleans. ATTEN-ION! The most extensive line of STEREO. HAFLER IN STOCK TRADES ACCEPTED Morel Electron- ics. 57 Park Place -SR. New York. NY 10007. 1212) 964-4570. VIDEO, and CAR EQUIPMENT at WHOLESALE

WOOFERS-MIDS-TWEETERS-CROSSOVERS attremen- PRICES. Campus representatives needed! THE dous savings. EV. Becker. Seas. Polydax. Peerless. Philips. AUDIO FACTORY, 42-40 BELL BOULEVARD, Mail- Emilar. Gal and many others in stock for immediate delivery. order division #203. Bayside, NY 11361. CALL SPEAKERS SAVE 50%. Build your own speaKer system. Speakers for Hi -F4 custom auto. repairs. pro -Sound and mu- Write: McGee Radio Electronics. 1901 McGee Street. Kansas sicians. Largest selection of parts and accessories in the U S (212) 939-8561. City. Misscun 64108 For speaker builders and hobbyists. Send 52.00 for the ALL NEW 81 CATALOG (refundable with first purchase) to: SRC HARMARAARDON HIGH TECHNOLOGY separates, TOP QUALITY SPEAKERS AND KITS. Send $2 00 Speaker Audio. Dept. SR3. 3238 Towerwood Dr.. Dallas. Texas receivers, cassette decks: electro-voice interface Warehouse. 801 North Route 441. Hollywood. FL 33021 75234 A,B.C,D speakers: Thorens turntables. In stock, im- USED HI Fl. Buy. Sell. Trade Broker Bob Heenan. Box 782. UNDERGROUND SOUND -Luxman. Hafler. Carver. AGI. Brookline Village, MA 02147 16171 969-2727 Warted McIn- NAD. Kef. Grado 2125 Central Ave.. Memphis, TN 38104. mediate shipment. East: (305) 462-1976: West: tosh. Marantz Western Electric Tube Equipment 19011272-1275. (213) 243-1168. 3D Acoustics, NA. D_ Mission. Amber. etc. Shipping paid. MICROWAVE TELEVISION DOWNCONVERTERS. under LL RIM Audio File. 1202 South Congress. Austin. Texas 78704 (5121 $50.00 High quality. easily assembled Catalogue: $2.00 (re- tereol 11_71 CAOWN 443-9295 fundable). NDS, Box 12652-S. Dallas 75225. xpress=e (714) 594-5749 HANDCRAFTED AUDIO CABINETS. you design. Free infor- AMATEJR MICROWAVE T.V.ANTENNAS. Receive uninter- mation. Custom Electronics Display Cabinetry, 1547 Birch- rupted movies. full guaranteed. Also in Kit form. For informa- CALL US WITH YOUR BEST PRICE ---- wood. Saint Germain. WI 54558 tion and plans send $8.00 to: MDS Specialist. P.O. Box 67-B. Most Orders Shipped Same Day Southaven, MS 38671. AUDIO HAFLER. FRIED kits. CARVER. SAE. KLIPSCH. more. In YAMAHA ADS BOSE ONKYO stock. Immediate FREE shipping, READ BROTHERS STE- ANN1S Han-D-Mag IS THE BEST Demagnetizer for magnetic SONY HAFLER H K BRAUN REO. 593-B King Street. Charleston. South Carolina 29403. tape equipment. Price is $29 70Demagnetizing Notes" and PHASE LINEAR DBX ADCOM SAE 1803) 723.7276 literature on request. Annisco. 1101 N Delaware. Indianapo- JBL AR JVC CONCORD AIWA ..... lis, Indiana 46202 SPEAKER BUILDERS: JBL. EV. AUDAX & computer de- ORTOFON TECHNICS MICRO SEIKI STILL AND MANY MORE signed plans. Catalog $2.. refundable. Gold Sound. Box THE ONE. THE ONLY DIRECT DISCOUNTS LTD VIDEO 141SR. Englewood. CO 80151 Your one -stop shopping place for mid -ti to esoteric audio SONY RCA JVC components. cartridges. video find large -screen TV) and car PHILIPS. AUDAX AND DYNAUDIO LOUDSPEAKERS in stereo. Please call us at 516-549-1211 or write to DDL. 2 Lee - VCR S CAMERAS BLANK TAPES ATARI & MATTEL VIDEO GAMES stock with good prices and competent service Crossover field Gate. Melville, N.V. 11747 We accept M C. VISA. Call Or Write For Price Quotes components also. MADISOUND SPEAKER COMPONENTS. AMEX. COD. No sales tax charged to out-of-state customers 709 Brea Canyon Rd.. Suite 9, Walnut. CA 91789 8982 Tablebluff. Box 4283. Madison. WI 53711(608) 767- (Recommended by Playboys Guide To Electronic Entertain- 2673 ment. The Best of the catalogs.fall 80) ATTENTION: OVERSEAS AUDIOPHILES AND DEALERS. WHERE ARE YOUR ALBUMS' Why not display them Western World Audio Exporters Ltd. can provide virtually all SCOTCH. AMPEX 1200' 7" TAPES (used). 10 reels brands of audi equipment (incl. esoterics) at attractive pricing. inabeautiful. hand -finished solid walnut case. $12.50 (postpaid): 25 reels $25.00. Tower. Dunkirk. Eurocard. VISA. AMEX. L C are accepted. WWA, 373 Fifth FREE brochure or send $29.95 (specify album or Ave.. Suite 1556. New York. NY 10016. MD 20154-0213. cassette) to. CARV. Box 6084, Omaha, NE 68106. CONNECTICUT: ADVENT APT -Holman. B&O. Carver. Dahl- OLD TIME RADIO at new special low price. Catalog $2.00 quist. DCM Time Windows. Polk. Haller. Mitsubishi. Nakami- Money back guarantee. BRC. 17173 Westbrook. Livonia. MI 48152. chi, °Action, Micro -Acoustics. N.A.D.. Stax. Cizek. Signet. HIGH -END RAW SPEAKERS. kits and auto systems. Audax. OED. Teac. Marcoff. Boston Acoustics, will ship prepaid. Becker, Dynaudio. Dalesford, JVC, Philips. SEAS. Peerless. Sounds Incredible. 39 Federal Road. Brookfield. Conn. GAI. Pyle. Free price list. A&S SPEAKERS. 2371 Dahlia. RECORDS 06804. Call Ira for quote (203) 775-1122. Denver, CO 80207. THE SPEAKER WORKS offers a complete line of Audiax. SAVE ON ALL AUDIOPHILE QUALITY COMPONENTS. SHOW ALBUMS. Rare, Out -of -Print LP's. 64 pg. list. $1.00. Seas, and Volt loudspeakers, speaker kits. falcon crossovers. FAST. helpful service. Call before your next purchase. Audio - King of Hearts -original cast LP $9.95. Broadway Hollywood capacitors. indictors and hard to find accessories for the World. Box 6202R, Grand Rapids, MI 49506. 16161 451-3868. Recordings. 68 Sugar Hollow (Route 7) Danbury. Conn. speaker builder. Send $2 for catalogue to: The Speaker Works. Box 303. Canaan. N.H. 03741. 802-295-1045. SATISFACTION GUARANTEED OR YOUR MONEY BACK!!! COLLECTORS' Soundtracks. Mint. 75 cents (refundable). Concord, Mitsubishi. Sony. Phone 24 hours a day. (914)343- Jemm's, P.O. Box 157, Glenview. III. 60025. 5150. Beck's Hi-Fi, One South Street. Middletown, NY 10940. A SINGER'S DREAM! OLDIES oldies. 45rpm. Also current hits. Free Catalog. Cor- ny's Record Shop, Box 166L. Mason. Ohio 45040. "1"r LOWEST PRICES. BOSE, NAKAMICHI, HAFLER, and TVE MORE. Dynamic Sound, Box 168(A), Starkville, MS RARE ORIGINAL RECORDS, all kinds. mostly mint. 5000 list $2.00. refundable. Carl, Box 828. Princeton, NC 27569. REMOVES VOCAL FROM MOST STEREO DISCS 39759. (601) 323-0750. 1 P.M.- 9 P.M. The Thompson Vocal Eliminator can actually remove most or RECORD HOUND. Box 88. Eagleville. PA 19408. Fills "want- virtually all of a solo vocalist from a standard stereo record and WE WILL NOT BE BEAT!! Lowest Prices Anywhere! Super lists"? DOGGONE RIGHT!! 33-1,3 Specialist. Fast. Friendly yet leave most of the background music untouched! Not an Selection Full Warranty - Fast Delivery. Hi Fi - Hi -End - Car Service. equalizer! We can prove it works over the phone. Write or call for a brochure and demo record below COST: $295.00 Product and Video. VISA- MAC. Call Now: (203) 934-5291 AUDIO PEOPLE. 998 Orange Avenue. West Haven. CT FREE RECORD CATALOG. New releases at discount Time Delay/Ambience 06516. Superior: prices and huge selection of classical, soundtrack, popular and jau special values. Rose Records, Realism Frequency Response TAPES & RECORDERS Versatility Dynamic Range Dept. R, 214 S. Wabash, Chicago, IL 60604. DIRECT- DISC, DIGITAL. half -speed masters, and DBX en- 1930-1962 RADIO PROGRAMS. Beats Television!! Tapes. coded discs. Free catalog. DISConnection, P.O. Box 10705. Tampa. FL 33679. 'IL.'-.7747"...:77TAD-4 $1.00 Hour! Established esteemed dealer. Informative 250 . s page catalog. $1.25. AM Treasures. Box 192SR. Babylon. N.Y. 11702. ORION'S AVAILABLE by mail! $7 record includes postage $13.2. $18,3 or more. Box 4087, Malibu. CA 90265. Time delayis new to consumer audio. Recording YESTERDAY'S RADIO ON TAPE. Reels -Cassettes. Quality Studios have been doingitfor years. They have RECORD COLLECTORS SUPPLIES plain cardboard, re- developed much more realisticsystems than are Sound. Reliable Service. Catalog $2.00. ADVENTURES. Box placement jackets 35c. Plastic lined sleeves 15c. Postage presently offered for consumer use, with One notable 4822-S. Inglewood. CA 90302. $2.00. Opera boxes, 78 sleeves. Free catalog. Cabco. 400-2, exception Our TAD -4. Box 8212. Columbus. Ohio 43201. Call or write for a 24 page brochure on our lineof18 VIENNESE LIGHT MUSIC SOCIETY - Strauss. Lanner. Etc. products. Included will be a product review of the TAD -4 and a on Dolby Cassettes. KC Company. Box 793. Augusta. Maine 2 -RECORD COLLECTION. Popular and Country songs. 30 demo record which will allow you to compare our TAD -4 with 04330 standards. Music without the words. Lyrics sheet provided. other units. At $650 we aren't cheaper We're Better, You are the singer. $12.95 ppd. FREE catalog. PLATINUM Write to: LT Sound, Dept. SR, P.O. Box 338. Stone Mountain, GA 30086, Phone (404) 493-1258 FOUR RECORDS. Box 121500. Nashville. TN 37212. PROTECT your LP's - Poly sleeves for jackets 12 cents: CROWN DISTINCTION SERIES, COMPONENTS. Best Quallol%_,JJ Tapes Round Bottom Inner Sleeves 10 cents: Square Bottom 6 cents: Poly lined paper 15 cents: white Jackets 35 cents. Post- prices - in stock - immediate shipment to any des- Quality Tapes at IATolesalo Pricsst Mann LICOLL 1 or II C.90 73.19 TDK SA C-90 13.79 age $2.00. Record House, Hillburn. N.Y. 10931. tination. (213) 467-5725. Mane UOXL 1 or II C-60 2.45 MK SA C-60 2 15 Maaeil XL 1 or 11S C-90 3.99 TDK SAY C-90 400 NOT JUST A LIST, but 350 , page catalogs. With all kinds of Macei UD L -SO 2.49 MK AD C-93 2.35 AUTOMOTIVE AUDIOPHILES TAKE NOTE: MIAH sells and Mau° UD 35-90 5.39 TDK 0 C-90 1 59 music from Bach to Rock! Free information from SQUARE installs all premium brands including ADS. Mitsubishi. Infinity, Maul UOXL 35-9013 9.99 TDK 0 C-60 1 25 Male Cass Demi° (116.441 10.11 TDK LX35-90 5 15 DEAL RECORDS. Box 1002S. San Luis Obispo. CA 93406- Concord. Dahlquist, Alpine. Sony. Altec. Lansing. JBL, Vi- Discrraslier Complete SYstem 10.50 TDK 1.335-90B 5.05 1002. Discwaslier 1)-4 16 oe rep sonik, Blaupunkt. EPI. Bose. Linear Power. Monster Cable 10.511 TDK 0X35-906 929 Disc asher D k t 35.00 1011 Cass Demag 111)-01 14 75 THOUSANDS of like new LPs and prerecorded tapes cata- and many more. Call toll free. MIAH. 6660 Busch Boulevard. Dscwasner Zerostat Gun 15.00 .VIDEO RIOT STEREOS THAT GO Scotch 1.120 011 95 logue $2.50. Records. Hillburn, New York 10931. Columbus. Ohio 43229. 800-848-7383. 614-885-5298. VISA Aka, P14-01 5164 99 nanasom1-120 12 65 MC AMEX ACCEPTED. Aiwa T PS -30 154 99 106 T-120 13 40 FREE AUCTION,Set price list 100's rare original sound- Arwa CSJ-1 197 99 Zeroth L-750 11 95 Sony Walkman ii 125.50 AUDIO DISCOUNTS offers a quality selection of audio com- 996 tracks, shows, personalities. Recorded Treasures. Box TosndunTS2 154 99 Mann FIG T-120 15.75 5872S. Buena Park, CA 90622. ponents at DISCOUNT PRICES. For speakers. receivers, Sony 596.40 64 99 Alsop Head Cleaner Beta. VHS 14.10 Order now -while supoues last' Please add correct show's; charges -53 50 TM, - cassette decks to turntables, cartridges. etc. or a new car ste- MUM Send money order or check Credit Cards add 3.s. handling send number and PLATINUM RECORDS! Unique gift idea suitable for framing. reo. Great pnces and service. Our friendly sales staff will be signature or CALL 212.4341710 Prrces solved to change without nohce Unlabeled and industry award identical. Single - $26.50. Al- DUALITY TAPES glad to assist you. For more information. Mon -Sat. please call 146 Seel 711. Street. Dept kW grotty.. MV 11230 bum $36.50 postpaid. Strocker Project. P.O.B. 4052 -SR. (301) 593-8244 301-593-8224 or write to: AUDIO DIS- Overland Park. Kansas 66204. Dealer inquiries welcome. COUNTS. 1026 McCeney Ave.. Silver Spring, MD 20901. We honor VISA, M C or C.O.D. for your convenience. OLDIES SHOP AT HOME! Anka, Beatles, Crystals, Glen Mill- OLD TIME RADIO - original broadcasts on quality tapes. er. Queen. Thousands of 45's listed in our giant 46 page cata- SHERWOOD MICRO CPU tuner CLOSE-OUT. Used -demos. Free catalog. Carl R. Froelich. Route One. New Freedom. log. We carry albums, current 45's, and collectors' items. $4004600. (Originally $2000). Limited quantity. Phone 6-8pm Pennsylvania 17349. Send $1 for oldie catalog to: AARDVARK MUSIC- S. Box weekdays. AUDIO CALIBRATION. Box 250. Westminster. 69441. Los Angeles. CA 90069. MA 01473. (617) 874-0706. TDA SA -C90 *7131( 2 89 IDA VAI 170 1799 WHILE YOU WERE LOOKING FOR "Out -of -Print" Records SAVE 60% TO 75%, BUILD YOUR OWN SPEAKER TDK SAX -C90 3 99 TDK 1 500 10 19 you should've been looking for us! DISContinued (213) 846- TDK AD -C90 239 TON 1535 9013 589 9192. SYSTEM. P/C Crossovers, Woofers, Mids, Tweeters, TOR 00 C90 2 79 TDK 0935 906 199 11:14 SA C60 219 TOIL 1X35 180BM 1695 QUALITY EQUIPMENT DEMANDS quality records. Europe- instructions. Complete selection, Hi-Fi, M.I., Pro, 1Dlt DC90 165 TDK GX35 180BM 21 99 TOR MA C90 5 99 MK HO 011Cass Head Demag 1 14 89 an. Japanese, private domestic pressings. Familiar titles and disco and auto systems. Send $2.00 for catalog. IDA Wit 110120 18 99 BASF PRO ili Of II1C90 299 the obscure. The catalogue is ready. ILLUMINATEAR. Dept. TN I.-750 12 99 Foil 5X1orlIC90 299 S. 500 North St. Ext., Winooski. VT 05404. Refundable with purchase. DKI AUDIO, Box 284, Discwasher System 10 69 SCOTCH 207-791800 519 We mll Nona any Mice in tors boa on TM WW1 BASF and Scold, Slopping 350 any Davis, IL 61019. sue min m OS (Rains COO Vim and MC 8122818621 111 8.5 GILBERT & SULLIVAN by D'Oyly Carte Opera Company. Tape World 220 Soong SI Outlet PA 16001 Choose: Pnates of Penzance Mikado HMS Pinafore Gondo- CALL TOLL FREE 1-800-826-0520 for Acoustat. Carver. liers lolanthe. Librettos included. 2 LP sets $15.96: 2 Cassette NAD. Polk. 3D. Onkyo. AudioControl. B&W. Amber. Bedini. sets $17.96. Specify. Add .95c post. FREE Complete Cata- Micro-Seiki, Dahlquist. Hafler. dbx. Tandberg. Vandersteen. FINEST SELECTION of Old Time radio! Catalog: $3.00. BRC log: MUSICAL CONCEPTS. Box 53SR1, Cedarhurst. NY DCM. Grace and more! THE SOUND SELLER. 1706 Main OTR Distributors. 17173 Westbrook. Livonia. MI 48152. 11516. St.. Marinette. WI 54143. (715) 735-9002. OPEN REEL TAPES. Prerecorded Catalogue. $1.00. Bar- TUBES AUDITION NOW IN A FRIENDLY AND COMFORTABLE AT- clay -Crocker. Room 1470-S. 11 Broadway. NYC 10004. MOSPHERE - Adcom. Allison. Alpine. Amber. Apature. Audi- ble Illusions. Audio Control. Audiopro. Beyer Dynamics. Bos- 40.000 OLD RADIO SHOWS on Tape. Jazz Big Band re- TV and Radio Tubes 49 cents. Free 48 page color catalog. ton Acoustics. Cizek. Counoisser. D.N.R.. D.C.M., Dynavec- motes. Country Western. discographies, anthologies. chro- Cornell. 4215-H University. San Diego. California 92105. tor. Fried. Grace. Isobase. L.A.S.T.. Luxman, Mobile Fidelity. nologies. Send $2 for huge catalog (refundable). McCoy's Re- Monster Cable. Mordaunt Short. N.A.D.. Nagatronics. Niles cording. Box 10695. Richland. Washington 99352. WANTED Audio. Nutty -Gritty. Plexus. Pyramid. Jim Rogers. Sound Con- nections. Spectre Audio. Spectre Acoustics. Stax. S.T.D.. 3D GOLDEN AGE RADIO - Your best source for radio tapes. GOLD. silver. platinum. mercury. tantalum wanted. Highest Acoustics. Prompt. courteous service. FREE shipping in Free catalog. Box 25215-T. Portland. Oregon 97225. prices paid by refinery. Ores assayed. Free circular. Mercury U.S.A. - Feel free to call for information. SOUND STAGE Terminal. Norwood, MA 02062. AUDIO. 84.10 Horace Harding Expressway. Fresh Meadows. AUDIOPHILE RECORDINGS AT discount prices. Write for NY 11365. (2121 762-3220 Exit 25 (Utopia Parkway) L.I.E.. tree catalog. Audiophile Record Gallery. P.O. Box 2668. La CASH FOR YOUR Unwanted LP's and Prerecorded Reel to MC VISA. Mesa. -CA 92041. Reel Tapes. Reder, Box 323S, Hillbum, NY 10931. TOP PRICES paid for: AUDIO RESEARCH. MARANTZ. VIDEOTAPES - 8MM 16MM MOVIES. TWO 72 page cata- MCINTOSH tube equipment. Box 18009. Seattle. WA 98118. logs Si 00 each. Both $1.50. Reelimages. Box 137SR, Mon- expressed with a technique equal to (but (206) 323-4987 roe. Connecticut 06468 different from) that of the best concert or flamencoguitarists.Django'slong-term BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS musical partnership with violinist Stephane STEREO REPRESENTATIVES NEEDED!!! Lowest Possible Grappelli (together they formed the Quin- Prices!! Over 100 Brands!!! Krasco-Rep SR. 998 Orange MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS HOT LINE! Incredible prices: tet of the Hot Club of France) is repre- Ave.. West Haven, Conn. 06516. Amps, PA gear. All instruments. Huge selection. Sam Ash. established 1924. 800-645-3518. NYS: (212) 347-7757. sentedonthiscollectionby Alabamy ERASE DEBTS with little-known law - CREATE wealth! De- Bound, a prime example of their interac- tails FREE - Bluepnnts. No. DD1. La Grangeville. NY 12540. FOR SALE tion. Grappelli, much more the intellectual WANT YOUR OWN RADIO STATION? Investment/ex- sophisticate and always cautious about let- BEVERIDGE SYSTEM 3 SPEAKERS! List $5,500. Sale perience unnecessary. Free information. "Broad- ting go completely, takes the plunge at the $3,750 or best offer. Perfect condition. Call Greg: casting, Box 130-R1, Paradise, CA 95969. end of the performance, spurred on by (615) 373-1271 after 5pm. Django's invincible high spirits. Michael COLLEGE DEALERS- Write for details on College Programs. STEREO.VIDEO FURNITURE OUR SPECIALTY. Gusdort. Warlop had led a band in which both Rein- Fast Shipments. Low Prices. Specify College, Sound Repro- Barzilay, Presidential. Nomadic, and several others. Bro- hardt and Grappelli played, and he is at the duction. 7 Industrial Rd.. Fairfield. NJ 07006. chures and BEST price list. $2.00. Presidential Industries. other extreme -a little too prone to exuber- BORROW BY MAIL! $500.00 - $50.000.00. No collateral, Box 2531-A, Riverside. CA 92516. bad credit no problem!!! Write: Gelco Financial Services. Box ance on Christmas Swing but toned down 34293-BJ, Indianapolis. IN 46234. BOOKS & MAGAZINES on Tea for Two. Eddie South, the black CAMPUS REPRESENTATIVES earn commissions. start a American violinist, had more depth of feel- career selling Hi-Fi equipment on campus. Large national PUBLISHERS' OVERSTOCK. BARGAIN BOOKS 2.000 ti- ing than either Grappelli or Warlop and firm. Call toll free 1-800-638-8806. 9a.m. to 9p.m. tles. all subjects! Free catalog: Hamilton s. 98-58 Clapboard. wasn't afraid to show it: Eddie's Blues and Danbury. CT 06810. COLLEGE REPS wanted: Sell Wilburn Acoustics Loudspeak- I Can't Believe That You're in Love with ers. great sound at a marketable price. For information: Wil- EVOLUTION - The Sound Magazine. Quad and audiophile Me are the best guitar -violin combinations bum Acoustics, 140 Martin Patton Avenue. Montgomery. AL software plus hardware. For information: Evolution. 23757 on the album. All these duets stem histori- 36105. (205) 288-5105. Canzonet. Woodland Hills, CA 91367. cally from the Joe Venuti/Eddie Lang re- SALES REPS WANTED: Wilburn Acoustics Audiophile cordings of the Twenties; Reinhardt played Speaker Systems. available at marketable price. For informa- EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES tion call or write: Wilburn Acoustics, 140 Martin Patton Ave- rings around Lang (as well as everybody nue, Montgomery. AL 36105. (205) 288-5105. LEARN WHILE ASLEEP. Hypnotize! Astonishing details. else since), but Venuti remained the model strange catalog free! Autosuggestion. Box 24-ZD. Olympia, for all other jazz violinists to follow. Djan- MAKE OVER $22.50 an hour. Spare time at home! Rubber Washington, 98507. Stamp industry needs small manufacturers. We furnish all go, however, went his own way, as is evident equipment and know-how! Particulars free! Write: Roberts. FOR INVENTORS from his rollicking gusto on You Rascal Room RC -374 -LA. 1512 Jarvis. Chicago, IL 60626-1997. You, Bouncin' Around, and St.Louis COLLEGE STUDENTS -EARN EXTRA MONEY SELL AUDIO Blues, all done with spare rhythm support, EQUIPMENT AT YOUR SCHOOL. No investment. Profes- sional sales help. 60 top brands. Incentive programs. Limited INVENTIONS WANTED and on his solo Parfum. positions available. Call or write: Audio Outlet. Inc., 10 Com- FREE CONSULTAT ON S NO IDEA TOO SMALL Inner City lists two more Reinhardt col- merce Court, Newark. NJ 07102. 201-622-3250. lections forthcoming, andI hope they re- FREE BOOK '2042 Unique. Proven Enterprises." Fabulous lease them soon; holding my breath for long "unknowns," second inflation income. Haylings-M, Carlsbad. AMERICAN INVENTORS CORP. periods tends to make my face turn blue. CA 92008. 59 Interstate Dr Dept SR But I'll wait. J.V. West Springfield, MA 01089 (413) 737-5376 BORROW $25,000 "OVERNIGHT." Any purpose. Keep in- A Fee Based Marketing Company definitely! Free Report! Success Research. Box 29070 -RA, Indianapolis, Indiana 46229. RECORDING OF SPECIAL MERIT PERSONALS HYPNOTISM PHIL WOODS/LEW TABACKIN. Phil MAKE FRIENDS WORLDWIDE through international corre- Woods (alto saxophone, clarinet); Lew Ta- FREE Hypnotism. Self -Hypnosis. Sleep Learning Catalog! spondence. Illustrated brochure free. Hermes-Verlag. Box backin (tenor saxophone,flute); Jimmy Drawer H400. Ruidoso. New Mexico 88345. 10660,2. 0-1000 Berlin 11, W. Germany. Rowles (piano); Michael Moore (bass); Bill Goodwin (drums). Limehouse Blues; RUBBER STAMPS PENFRIENDS - ENGLAND - USA. Through correspondence. Send age. in:Nests. Free reply. Harmony. Box 89SR, Theme of No Repeat; Sweet and Lovely; RUBBER ADDRESS STAMPS. BUSINESS CARDS. Free Brooklyn. New York 11235. and three others. OMNI SOUND JAZZ N- Catalog -- Fast Service. Jackson's. Brownsville Road -E-101. CORRESPONDENCE FOR FRIENDSHIP IN PHILIPPINES. 1033 $7.98 (from Waring Enterprises, Inc., Mt. Vernon. III. 62864. MALAYSIA. Free iNormation. AACC-(SR). Box 1542. Can- Delaware Water Gap, Pa. 18327). oga Park, CA 91304. EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION Performance Impressive CORRESPONDENCE for friendship! Mexico. Philippines. Eu- ROCKY MOUNTAIN EMPLOYMENT NEWSLETTER! Colo- rope. USA. Free information. International. Box 1716 -RV. Recording Very good rado. Idaho. Montana. Wyoming!! Current openings -all occu- Chula Vista. CA 92012. pations!! Write today for FREE details to: INTERMOUNTAIN - While Phil Woods and Lew Tabackin both W, 3506 Birch, Cheyenne. WY 82001. MISCELLANEOUS play jazz with a keen sense of history, neither simply mirrors the statements of his GOVERNMENT SURPLUS FREE! World's Leading Novelty Catalog. 1600 Jokes. Tricks, predecessors. On the other hand, neither Science. Sports. Hobbies. Johnson -Smith. C-202. Mt. has an instantly recognizable individual JEEPS. CARS. FROM $35.00! - 700.000 ITEMS! - GOVERN- Clemes. MI 48043. MENT SURPLUS - Most comprehensive directory available style. Each of them offers a prepossessing tells how, where to buy - YOUR AREA - $3 - MONEYBACK amalgam of styles developed by more indi- GUARANTEE. SURPLUS INFORMATION SERVICES, Box -RECT7IN111.-rAPF vidual players over several decades. Most 3070 -EC -30. Santa Barbara. California 93105. rNEW 1982 EDITION fitlYING7,urre important, both men play with imagination, "GOVERNMENT SURPLUS" STEREOS. JEEPS $17.00, Stereo Review's taste, and skill, and they capture the es- 900.000 Items' Complete Information Your Area. Largest Offk sence of an idiom that is far too often ap- cial Directory. Including Government Oil Lottery Report $2 00 TAPE RECORDING (Guaranteed) Government Reprints. Department 5-401 proached superficially. 4620 Wisconsin Northwest. Washington. DC 20016 & BUYING GUIDE This new album presents them together Handy product listings compare for the first time, but I hope it won't be the ELECTRONICS features. specifications, and prices for nearly every new cas- last. With a splendid rhythm section headed ELECTRONICS BARGAINS. Closeouts. Surplus! Parts. ste- sette and open reel tape deck Ordelawarcicippyshrsom by pianist Jimmy Rowles, Woods and Ta- reo. industrial. educational. Amazing values! Fascinating ...video cassette recorder... car backin sail effortlessly through a repertoire items unavailable in stores or catalogs anywhere. Unusual stereo...microphone...head- II BIM* 11111114 FREE catalog. ETCO-014. Box 762. Plattsburgh. NY 12901. phone... mixer ...signal processor PO. Box 340 of mostly familiar material. Alternately ex- ...blank tape and accessories. Ilf00111011, PA 190013 too! Plus articles on buying a uberant and laid-back, their meeting yields MOVIE FILMSNIDEO TAPES cassette deck...how to make bet- some stunning improvisations of both the ter recordings. how noise-reduc-Enclose $3.95 ($2.95* 16mm SOUND Features. Shorts. New. Used for Sale. Free lion systems can help you, andplus $1 00 postage collective and individual varieties. If you Catalog. National Cinema, P.O. Box 43. Ho-Ho-Kus. NJ shopping for a video cassetteand hondling). Outside like your jazz close to the soil, you could recorder. U.S.A. $5.00. become attached to this album. C.A. 07423. LResidents of CA, CO, DC, FL, IL. MA, MI, MO, NJ, NY State, OH, TN and VT odd opokoble sales tan. OPERA VIDEO- Magnificent performances from Europe on C BETA.VHS Videocassettes. Free listings. H.R.E.. Box 12, (Continued overleaf) Kew Gardens. NY 11415. JANUARY 1982 121 STEREO REVIEW ADS,' ERTISERS' INDEX el AMR PAGE St evict KO ADVERTISER NUMBER

1 Acoustic Research 59 ADS Ill 2 Aiwa 37 Aka! America. Ltd. 27 Allison Acoustics 109 3 Anson, Inc 26 Angel/EMI Records 95 4 Authomatic Electronics 117 5 Audio -Technics U S .Inc 112

6 B 8 W Loudspeakers 94 8 BASF 25 9 BES 16 10 Blue Angel, Inc 70 Bose Corporation Cover 3 Brown 8 Williamson Tobacco Corp 51 71 BSR (USA) Ltd 11

11 Carver Corporation 15 12 Celestion Industnes, Inc. 19 13 Cizek Audio Systems 95 14 College of Recording Arts 58 15 Consumers Company 109

16 Dahlquist, Inc 103 17 dbx, Inc 63 80 Discount Music Club 8 18 Discount Sound 115 19 Discwasher Cover 4 20 Dual 21

21 Empire Scientific 91

Harman '

24 Illinois Audio 93 25 International HIFI Dist. 116 International Preview Society 76 26 International Wholesalers 16

28 J 8 R Music World 24 27 Jensen Automotive Div. 23

29 KEF Electronics. Ltd 4 Kenwood Electronics 68 Sincere butnever outofcontrol 30 Loran 49

Marlboro 33 31 Mexell Corp. of America 41 32 McIntosh Laboratory. Inc 97 33 Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs. 99 34 Myra Corp. 20

Nakamichi 57 WHEN Iheard Count Basis's recent the finely tempered sense of irony which he 35 Ortofon 97 "Kansas City Shout" album (Pablo uses to lance a human situation that's be- D23 10859) featuring Eddie "Cleanhead" come ludicrously painful (Worried Mind 38 J C Penney 46 37 Pioneer Video Inc. 34,35 Vinson and Joe Turner asvocalists,I Blues). 38 U.S. Pioneer Cover 2 wanted a whole album by Vinson. His 140 Polk Audit) 10 phrasing, tone, and personality on Cherry INSON is also a formidable alto saxo- 41 P.R.1.C.E 109 Red and Just a Dream on My Mind were phonist. John Coltrane worked in one of Radio Shack 2 completely convincing. Vinson's bands and picked up more than a R Reynolds/Camel 88 Well, good things come to those who wait. R J. Reynolds/Vantage 79 few ideas from him. Two instrumentals R J Reynolds/Winston 42,43 Now Pablo has released a whole album by here, Oscar Pettiford's Blues in the Closet Vinson, "I Want a Little Girl," and what a andThelonious Monk'sStraight-No 42 Sansui Electronics Corp. 9 treat it is! It's certainly not the first record- Chaser, are free-for-all jams for Vinson's 43 Santa Fe Express 104 44 H. H. Scott, Inc. 31 ing he's made as a leader, just the latest, accomplished septet, with the leader com- 59 Sennheiser Electronic Corp. 90 and on it he is as close to perfection as any fortably out in front. "Cleanhead" is the 48 Shure Brothers 29 male jazz/blues singer is ever likely to be. kind of singer and musician who doesn't 47 Sony Corp 17 48 Sony Corp 63 His emotion is sincere but never out of con- just make you hungry for more-he makes 49 Sony Corp 47 trol, he never mistakes bravura for intensi- you greedy for more. -Joel Vance 50 Sound Guard Corp. 110 ty, and, like all great singers, who must be 51 Sound Reproduction. Inc. aa Southern Comfort 87 sensitive actors, he partly becomes the char- EDDIE "CLEANHEAD" VINSON:I Speakerlab 22 acter whose words he is singing and "lives" Want a Little Girl. Eddie "Cleanhead" Vin- 80 the situation the song describes. 52 Stereo Corp of Amenca 14 son (vocals, alto saxophone); Art Hillery Stereo Discounters 99 When Vinson says he wants "a little girl/ (piano, organ); Cal Green (guitar); John She doesn't have to be too special," you be- Heard(bass);Roy McCurdy (drums); 54 TDK Electronics 12 lieve he means it. Similarly, when he sings 55 Technics by Panasonic 7 Martin Banks (trumpet); Rashid Jamal Ali about a domestic situation that's coming (tenor saxophone). /Want a Little Girl; 20 United Audio 21 apart at the seams (Somebody's Got to Go) Somebody's Got to Go; Blues in theCloset; U S JVC ea or a love affair that's turned sour (No Good No Good forMe; Stormy Monday; 58 Wisconsin Discount Stereo 117 for Me), you feel you're hearing a livingStraight-NoChaser; WorriedMind drama, not just notes and lyrics tossed off as Blues.PABLO al D2310866 $9.98, © K10- 57 Yamaha International Corp 39 grist for the music mill. Then, too, there's 866 $9.98. JANUARY 1982

1 2 2 STEREO REVIEW THE OFFICIAL CHICAGk.. r.ST riKdf, INFORMATION STATION

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