3 Conrad-Johnson Acoustics More

IIDICI-5***********96SZS ZZI:1 *L60A0068H38 Z6h0Ch H38 1.60A0069 ri.w. oedivr

21W ClIAV9 S NVMVHOnfl 33in 0068 MOT13A 900M 1d 311IASI1101 AN zhzoh

GIFTS HOLIDAY HI-FI

MORE... SYSTEM, SPEAKER ACOUSTICS DESIGN PLAYER, CD CONRAD-JOHNSON

RECEIVER, ONKYO REPORTS: TEST 1

LISTENING FOR DESIGN

TESTS LAB VIDEO AND AUDIO COMBI-PLAYERS: TOP 3

FIDELITY' HIGH I'44=ZIRPORATING If you've vowed not to compromise this time around, necessary to achieving musical realism from digital sources. consider the rich rewards of owning Carver. Each compo- Accuracy and musicality through Transfer nent includes unique innovations designed to confront and Function Modification. Over the past two decades, Bob solve real -world sonic problems. Carver has worked on the problem of replicating one power Power unleashed: Simultaneous high current/ amplifier's sonic signature in another dissimilar design. high voltage output. The TFM-25 is capable of deliver- Through thousands of hours of painstaking tests and mod- ing more simultaneous current, power and voltage into a ifications, he has been able to closely match the TFM-25's wider range of speaker loads than any other competitively transfer function with that of his highly acclaimed priced design: 225 watts per channel into 8 ohms $17,500.00 Silver Seven vacuum tube reference power 20-20kHz with no more than 0.5% THD. Its patentedamplifier. When you hear the warm, natural sound of the Magnetic Field Power Supply can draw up to 200% more TFM-25, you'll know that Transfer Function Modifica- line current, store more joules of energy in its unique dis- tion is an audible reality. tributed capacitance system, and then deliver up to 500% New flexibility in a classic preamplifier design. more current during musical peaks. With the right speakers,The Carver C-16 is at once a purist, "straight -wire -with- this kind of serious power can achieve a full restoration of gain" design and a wonderful wealth of sonic options. the robust percussive attacks and lightning transients so Including individual left/right tone controls with variable POWERFUL MUSICAL ACCURATE

BE THE MASTER OF YOUR OWN SONIC DESTINY 410

turnover, full -band Spectral Tilt. Hear why we stack up ahead of and of course Sonic Holography the competition. The TFM-25, C-16 with a new Blend control that fur- and TX -I2 are just three of over a dozen ther extends the remarkable spacial resto- new Carver designs. Each.is designed to ration abilities of this exclusive Carver technology. rekindle your sense of musical wonder. It all ACCD turns "dirty" FM into fresh air. Unlike any begins with a visit to your nearest Carver dealer. competitive tuner model, the Carver TX -12 can actually To receive White Papers on Simultaneous High Current High transform a noisy, multipath distortion -ravaged FM signal Voltage Transfer Function Modification and Sonic Holography.' details into clean, hiss -free music with full stereo separation. The of Spectral Tilt and the name of your nearest Carver Dealer, key is the TX -12's Asymmetrical Charge -Coupled FM call 1-800-443-CAVR, 8-5 PM Pacific time. Detection circuitry. A lengthy name for a wonderfully fast solution to expanding your listening possibilities. When you experience ACCD's effect, you may consider the TX -12's full remote control, 20 FM/AM presets with preview scan, stereo/mono switch and dual antenna inputs, CARVER CORPORATION, LYNNWOOD, WASHINGTON, U.S.A. mere icing on the cake. Distributed in Canada by EvoLur N AUDIO INC. 144161847-8888 High Fidelity Meet High Styr?.

For ti-fi thet makes its stat ment im sight

as well cs sound, hang it up: JAM.) AR: uania- 425 Huen Rd.Eicig 3A Northbrock.I16&52 312 498 A548

CIRCLE AO 115 ON READER SERV CE CARD Stereo Review Incorporating High Fidelity®

BULLETIN 5 TECHNICAL TALK 48 LFI'TERS 8 POPULAR MUSIC 129 NEW PRODUCTS 13 CLASSICAL MUSIC 147 SIGNALS 22 1989 EDITORIAL INDEX164 AUDIO Q&A 24 THE. HIGH END 172 EQUIPMENT THE BASICS 39 Magnets and music by Ian G. Masters PAGE 113 HIRSCH-HOUCK LABS EQUIPMENT TEST REPORTS 57 Onkyo TX -890 AM/FM Receiver. page 57 Hafler IRIS Preamplifier, page 65 Design Acoustics PS -3 Micro -Monitor Speaker System, page 69 Conrad -Johnson DF1 Compact Disc Player, page 72 Pioneer SP -91D Digital Sound Processor, page 82 THREE. TOP COMBI-PLAYERS 94 How leading players measure up in audio and video performance by Ed Foster DESIGN FOR LISTENING 102 PAGE 94 When great looks and great sound go together by Warren Berger SIGNAL PROCESSORS 107 Should you add one to your system? by David Simon HOLIDAY GIFTS 113 Suggestions for audiophiles and music lovers by William Livingstone MUSIC Tom Tom CLUB 100 PA( iE 144 "Whatever we do always has a strong beat" b) Ron Givens BESI' RECORDINGS OF THE MONTH 123 Linda Ronstadt, Strauss's Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Martial's piano music RECORD MAKERS 144 The latest from David Byrne, Liza Minnelli, Kyung-Wha Chung, Jefferson Airplane, Tears for Fears, and more

Corers The Pioneer PLD-3070 combi-player (see page 94). Design hr Sue Llewellyn. photo hr Roberto Brosan.

4') 1989 BY Ill.\ 1.% \ DI SOS1111 \ It 110 \S I\( ll rights reserved. Stereo Review. December 1989, 'plume 54. Number 12 Stint Hest t.

(ISSN. 0039-1220) is published iiimithls I,, 1.111111111111.11.1, III( . at 1633 Broadway, New York. NY 10019: telephone (212) 767-6000. Al.." in11,11shur Car Stereo Review. Stereo BM, ( ;1161, (1111111/:11 t DIM 1)11\11`: ( ;111111. Mid Video Buyers' Guide. One -sear subscription rate tor the United States and its p,ssessiims. $13.94: Canada. $18.94: all of hett 1)111111 its. $21.91. s Is. 1,..s.11)1e in U.S. currency. Second-class postage paid at New York, NY 10001, anti at aultlir Iliaililig 1,111itvs. Printed in the I.S. A. hi ori/ed as set .01,1-, lass mad In the Kra Office Department, Ottawa, Canada. and for payment of postage in cash. /1).5 ASTF I? I SI HIP 110.5. %/.e17( rirase seed change-1/1-a(lirt, II11111and all subscription correspondenc-e to Stereo Review, P.O. Box 55627, Boulder, CO 80322-5627. Please allow al least eight weeks for the change of :whirs:, to become effective. Include both your 4,1,1 and your new address, enclosing. ifpossible, an address label Dom a lei cot issue. II sou have a subscription problem. write to the :drove address or call (800) 876-9011 PkkAf/SS/ONS.- Material inthis publication mar not be rept-411,1m ed in am 140 tit without permission. Requests perm ii should be directed to: The Ed' . Stereo Res 1)iamandis Communications Inc., 1633 BrliadwasSiew Turk. NY 10019. I.:1)111M! ..11. '110.Ymust be .144 ompanied by return postage and will be handled with reasonable care. but the publisher as , nu responsibilits lor return or salt -is ol unsolicited art, photos. or manuscripts.

Vol.. 54 No. 12 STEREO RI V1EAA' DEC:EMBER1989 3 The most remarkable breakthrough in digital technology since the introduction of compact disc players. That's 3D Bit Stream. Exclusively from 33,868,800Harman Kardon. 3D Bit Stream turns digital data into musical experience at 33,868,800 times per second. timespersecond.(100 times faster than conventional CD players.)

That's .DBITSTREAM new 111 The 3D Bit Stream CD players offer unsurpassed linearity, low-level accuracy, and freedom from technolo phase irregularities. Or, quite simply, 3D Bit Stream lets the music flow.

HOMO°Capser Plpr, paw /Worm Sena low.9111.....mmr, "'TT UM NE n fl ("I fl U LI. L/ nor etv

Apr ow

harman/kardon

Rryo vIr org/ to oteirom k "f ,, ,

From the delicate sound of a classical Spanish guitar to the driving rhythm of a bass, 3D Bit AmoreStream captures all the dynamics, dimension, and drama of a live performance. Harman Kardon has a history of firsts: musicalfrom the world's first high fidelity receiver. The first cassette deck to incorporate Dolby*. The introduction of the active tracking tuner. experience.And now, bit stream technology with totally discrete analog circuitry in compact disc players. That's Harman Kardon. Pioneering technology for people who love music. That'sTake your favorite CD to your Harman Kardon dealer. Listen. And experience the music as you never have before. Harman Kardon,Also ask for a detailed explanation of 3D Bit Stream, or write: Harman Kardon, Engineering Dept., 240 Crossways Park West, Woodbury, NY 11797. harman kardon H A Harman International Company

CIRCLE NO40 ON READER SERVICE CARD BULLETIN

by Christie Barter in a performance by Cleveland of the year.... Italian conductor and Rebecca Day Opera, which gave the work its Claudio Abbado is the new music world premiere earlier this fall. director of the Berlin BETTER AM SOUND Philharmonic, succeeding the late

The Electronic Industries PRODUCT NOTES Herbert von Karajan. .. Finnish Association and the National Thomson Consumer Electronics conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen, an Association of Broadcasters have has announced plans to exclusive Sony Classics/CBS agreed to join in promoting resuscitate the RCA audio brand Masterworks artist, becomes high -quality AM sound by name in 1990 with a line of mid - music director of the Los Angeles developing a certification mark or price to high -end components.... Philharmonic as of the 1991-1992 logo to be used on the faceplates Denon America has reduced the season.... The composer William of high-performance AM receivers prices of its high -bias audio Schuman is scheduled to receive and tuners. Under the plan, cassettes by 4 to 12 percent.... Kennedy Center Honors in receiver manufacturers who have BASF has added the 100 -minute Washington on December 3.... designed their products in length to its Chrome Extra II and The National Academy of accordance with National Radio Ferro Extra audio cassette lines. Recording Arts and Sciences has Systems Committee (NRSC) ... Pioneer's two new digital fixed February 21 for its next guidelines may use the trademark. sound -field processors-the Grammy Awards presentation The program relies on new NRSC SP -91D ($1,000) and the SP -700D and telecast (on CBS). standards that 1) limit the ($700)-employ the company's bandwidth of Am broadcasts to 10 digital signal processing (DsP) HI-FI PHONE CALLS kHz, enabling manufacturers to circuit. Pioneer has also A new digital coding method extend the AM response of their introduced a new audio/video developed by Bellcore, a research receivers up to 10 kHz without receiver line, led by the VSX- and. engineering consortium of suffering interference, and 2) 9500S ($1,050) with Dolby Pro regional telephone companies, specify the amount of high - Logic.... Standard on the new may pave the way for high-fidelity frequency boost that broadcasters 1990 Nissan 300ZX ($28,000) are phone calls. The technology can should add to audio signals. a five -enclosure Bose speaker transmit stereo audio signals Complementary equalization in system and a Clarion cassette with a 7 -kHz bandwidth over a the receiver restores flat receiver modified with Bose audio single Integrated Services Digital response and reduces noise. circuitry.... Infinity is using Network channel, more than Monster Cable only for the doubling the bandwidth (3 kHz) FLASH FROM TOKYO internal wiring of its new RS now used for telephone sound. Digital audio tape (DAT) series of loudspeakers ($85 to Stereo speakerphones were recorders were shown $529 each). demonstrated at a recent Bellcore prominently at this fall's Japan technical forum, along with hi-fi Audio Fair, some with the circuits FIVE -FORMAT RELEASES telephone news reports by that are said to make possible PolyGram is the first record reporters on location. Also direct digital copies from CD'S or company to release albums demonstrated was a device that DAT'S (but not copies of those simultaneously in all five popular would enable consumers to call copies). Despite the international formats-LP, audio cassette, CD, up a music store to audition a agreement on DAT announced last VHS videotape, and videodisc. recording through their home July, there is still record -company These initial entries in the new hi -ft systems. opposition to the format in some Jazz Visions series include such countries, and the time of titles as "The Many Faces of Bird," worldwide introduction of DAT with Bobby McFerrin, Lee Konitz, decks is still uncertain. U.S. and Bud Shank; "Rio Revisited" introduction by the end of 1990, with Antonio Carlos Jobim and however, seems quite possible. Gal Costa; and "Jump the Blues Away," with Etta James, Joe ON THE AIRWAVES Walsh, and Albert Collins. No Newport Jazz '89, featuring plans have been announced for performances by Herbie Mann, release in the DAT format. Wynton Marsalis, George Shearing, and Spyro Gyra, is being MUSIC NOTES aired by the PBS television The summer's superhit film, network on November 22.... On Batman, from which Prince November 25, National Public derived (in part) his superhit Radio will broadcast the opera "soundtrack" album, has just been Holy Blood and Crescent Moon by released on videotape by Warner Stewart Copeland, one of the Home Video. The videodisc founding members of the Police, version is due soon after the first

I FRI.() RI W DF :F \111FR 1989 5 The NA Series

"They provide smooth, fast and incredibly well detailed sound:" polk audio The Speaker Specialists'

"Polk's RTA Tower Loudspeakers Combine Legendary Polk Performance with Contemporary Style." Big speaker performance with an efficient use of space.

RTA 11t Both Polk RTA series loudspeakers achieve the extremely rare combination of good looks and state- The RTA Ill is the finest conventional (non-SDA)of-the-art performance. The tall, elegantly slender and deep "tower" design cabinets allow for speaker that Polk Audio manufacturers. Its ex- substantial internal volume for high efficiency and powerful bass, but only require less than one tremely high power handling (250 watts) and highsquare foot of floor space! The small baffle surface area around each driver minimizes diffraction efficiency (90dB) provide remarkable dynamic (sonic reflections), thereby insuring outstanding imaging and low coloration. range from both large and small amplifiers. The !LTA llt utilizes the same technologically advanced Positioning the 1" silver -coil dome tweeter between the two 61/2" trilaminate polymer bass/midrange fluid -coupled subwoofer design found in Polk'sdrivers achieves what is called "coincident radiation." This means that both the mid- and high - flagship model. Dual 8" sub -bass radiators are cou- frequencies appear to radiate from the same place on the baffle resulting in perfect blending at the pled to two 6'/2" mid/bass drivers, resulting in a fast, critical crossover point. (See illustration, below). powerful. deep. and ultra -accurate bass response, Polk RTA speakers have an uncanny ability to perfectly reproduce the human voice, pianos, guitars, without the boomy, undetailed sound of large woofer sstems. and every other instrument whose faithful reproduction demands superlative midrange and high - frequency performance. Bass and percussion instruments are accurately reproduced with full visceral power and realism, without the heaviness, boominess, or lack of detail that plague RTA 8t lesser designs. In a slightly smaller package, the RTA 8t offers the The discriminating listener who seeks state- same driver complement as the larger, more expen- of-the-art performance and design will find sive RTA llt, and thus shares its benefits of superior the quintessential combination of both in imaging, musical* and detail. Polk's RTA series loudspeakers.

THE PRINCIPLES OF COINCIDENT RADIATION

__acoustic center

Polt. Audio's KTA St and KIA III High Performance Tower Speakers

The perceived source of sound In the Polk RR loudspeaker, Drivers and tweeter appear to of two identical drivers is the tweeter is positioned at the operate together as an ideal centered in the area be- acoustic center of the drivers. point source resulting in pre- tween them. cise imaging, uniform dispersion and startling midrange accuracy.

Where to buy Polk Speakers? For your nearest dealer, see page 166. CIRCLE NO 90 ON READER SERVICE CARD LETTERS Stereo Review LOUISE BOUNDAS Editor in Chief and I travel to dozens of studios a year. Digital Differences In ny experience, most rock engineers MICHAEL SMOLEN In his September "High End" col- continue to nonitor at levels 20 to 40 dB Executive Editor umn, Ralph Hodges concludes that the higher than home listening levels. I cer- SUE LLEWELLYN days when digital reproduction was de- tainly cannot condone these high levels, Art Director scribed as "perfect" and having "no which do fatigue the ear and can cause CHRISTIE BARTER WILLIAM WOLFE audible differences"are behindus. permanent hearing damage. Incidental- Music Editor Technical Editor People who have selectedCDplayers on ly, the Fletcher -Munson curves, reflect- DAVID STEIN the basis of features rather than sound ing work done in the 1930's, are no long- Managing Editor quality don't realize what they could be er used, having been replaced by newer REBECCA DAY, WILLIAM GOLDMAN missing. data from Robinson and Dadson. ROBERT ANKOSKO Four years ago I purchased what was Senior Editors then astate-of-the-art (according to STEREO REVIEWtests) CD player. Two The Basics ARINDA J. SEGARRA Assistant Editor and a half years ago I purchased a newer I am a charter subscriber toSTEREO model that exhibited significantly better REVIEW.I built my first hi-fi system in CATHERINE FLEMING sound. Recently, on the basis of STEREO the late Forties from individual parts I Assistant Art Director REvIEw's December 1988 study by Ken bought from an Allied Radio catalog, BARBARA AIKEN, ROCCO MATTERA Pohlmann, I purchased another topCD using a diagram a fellow engineering MARYANN SALTSER player, andIwas astounded by the student at Cornell drew for me. Many Editorial Assistants improvement in sound.It was like systems later, I find that although vari- MICHAEL RIGGS changing fromLP'StoCD'S.Both the ous responsibilities and activities have WILLIAM LIVINGS -TONE bass andtreble seemtohave an prevented me from keeping up with the Editors at Large extended range, the bass more volumi- technical aspects of hi-fi, I am enjoying nous and better defined,thetreble my system more than ever because of Contributing Editors: Robert Ackart, sweeter and more open. The increased technical advances, especiallyCD'S. Chris Albertson, Richard Freed, Phyl definition has enabled me to hear many The point of all this is to commend Garland, David Hall, Ron Givens, Bryan Harrell (Tokyo), Roy Hemming, instruments that were previously muf- you on the series "The Basics" by Ian Julian Hirsch, Ralph Hodges, Stoddard fled, and discs I rarely listened to be- Masters that started in October. This Lincoln, Ian Masters, Louis Meredith, cause oftheir harshness now sound great. will bring me up to date at long last. Alanna Nash, Mark Peel, Henry ARTHUR M.WELLS PHILIP F.SEARLE Pleasants (London), Ken Pohlmann, Gainesville, FL Naples, FL Parke Puterbaugh, Charles Rodrigues, Eric Salzman, Steve Simels, Craig Stark, David Patrick Stearns Gershwin and Sullivan Loudspeaker Sound Production Director: Karen L. Rosen Eric Salzman incorrectly stated, in his "How to Buy Speakers" by Ian G. Production Manager: Michele Lee October review of the latest recording of Masters (September) left out a vital con- Gershwin'sPorgy and Bess,that this sideration: Speaker buyers need to con- WINSTON A. JOHNSON opera established a record for contin- sider whether they want units that Vice President and Publisher uous performances of a new opera. The createorre-createmusic. In most re- ADVERTISING present world's record is held by Sir cordings of pop and rock and electronic Advertising Director: Nick Matarazzo Arthur Sullivan'sIvanhoe,which had instruments, the speakers are part and National Manager: Charles L. P. Watson more than 155 performances in its ini- parcel of the creative process. "Loud- (212) 719-6038 tial run in 1891.Ivanhoe'ssecond full speaker sound" may make an affirma- Consultant: Richard J. Halpern recording will soon be released by Pearl tive contribution, and may even be (212) 719-6940 Account Manager: Sharon Dube Records. counted upon by musicians and pro- (212) 719.6037 BRUCEGREENGART ducers to supply a coloristic touch and Corporate Account Manager: Tom McMahon Brooklyn, NY panache. To realize what the musicians (212) 719-6025 Assistant to the Publisher: Nadine L. Goody and producers intended, then, you must Classified Advertising: (800) 445-6066 use loudspeakers (and acoustics, if pos- Midwestern Managers: Arnold S. Hoffman, Recording Rock sible) similar to the ones they used for Jeffrey M. Plaster, (708) 679-1100 in studio sound checks. Western Managers: Robert Meth, Ken Pohlmann states October Paula Borgida Mayeri, (213) 739-5130 "Signals"that "aprofessionalrock But a re -creative loudspeaker isnot Tokyo Office: Iwai Trading Co., Ltd. monitor must provide very high sound - part of the creative process. It has a 603 Ginza Sky Heights Building, 18-13, pressure levels." That's totally untrue. tougher job to do. The music and sound Ginza 7-Chome, Chuo-Ku, Tokyo, Japan 104 Way back in the dark ages of the Seven- it may be called upon to reproduce is Japan Representative: J. S. Yagi, (03) 545-3908 ties, rock engineers thought that ex- not disciplined by the speaker's own 3pA treme volume was good. Today the characteristics and limitations.Ina STEREO REVIEW is published by Diamandis thinking engineer knows that because of re -creative loudspeaker, "loudspeaker Communications Inc.. a subsidiary of Hachette the Fletcher -Munson curve, a recording sound" is anathema. Such a loudspeak- Publications, Inc. will sound terrible at low volume if it is er may seem bland playing pop, rock, President & CEO: Peter G. Diamandis Executive Vice President: Robert F. Spillane mixed at high volume. Moreover, in the and electronic material, but it may be Senior Vice President. Finance. & CFO: Arthur Sukel just the thing for re-creation of the deli- Senior Vice President. Manufacturing & Distribution: studio the ear will quickly become very Murray Romer fatigued, and thus useless, under such cacy and balance of a Baroque chamber Senior Vice President. Operations& Administration: circumstances. orchestra. Robert J. Granata Vice President, Controller: David Pecker CRAIG PAT TERSON You can'tselect goodre -creative Vice President, General Counsel: Catherine Flickinger Evergreen, CO loudspeakers by comparing them with Vice President, Circulation. Leon Rosenfield one another to hear which sounds "bet- Vice President. Communications, Phyllis Crawley Gates Vice President. Marketing, Anthony F. Incalcatera Ken Pohlmann replies: My office ad- ter." You've got to compare them with Vice President. Research, Bruce Gershfield joins a professional recording studio. fresh aural memory of the real thing.

8 STEREOREVIEW DECEMBER1989 ( LEAVING A SYMPHONY UNFINISHED SHOULD BE UP TO THE COMPOSER. NOT YOUR TAPE.

Schubert had a pretty good POSITION HIGH (CrO. lEc TYPE reason for not completing music.

CassetteMechanism Accuracy LOW NOISE He died. -Phase EXCELLENT Super DYNAMIC RANGE k.xi E.4DEU But abrupt endings while tap- \ NI WSW ing CDs are not so excusable. POSiTION.41GM .APOO.O.ON Which is why Maxell now offers maxell 100 -minute cassettes designed axel specifically for digital sources. PheseAccwecv SuperGuamMechanism Silent With superior frequency DYNAMIC ORANGE EXTENDED N EXCELLENT LOW 100 response and noise reduction, 1 5001/ 490ft. they actually rival CDs in sound quality. And with an extra ten minutes of recording time, they do the same in sound quantity. Instead of being frustrated by the shortcomings of other tapes, try our new XLII100 and XLII-S 100. And you may never have to settle for Vivaldi's "Three -And -A -Half Seasons" again. 0 1989 MaxellCorporanon of America. 22.08 Route 208, Fairlawn. N.J. 07410 maxell

CIRCLE NO. 25 ON READER SERVICE CARD SONY

2:1 50/SC Adrownc asc La.ate, sysitm

fFIrPtr IMO MI t The latest development in carousel CD changers from the people who developed them first.

Sony's invention of the world's first compact disc compact cEscs can provide. player set the world on its ear by bringing unheard-of But beyond the innovative technology you'd clarity and accuracy to recorded music. Then, on the expect from the Leader in Digital Audio,' the theory that you can't get too much of a great thing, CDP-C800 gives you convenience features like 32 -track Sony developed the world's first 5 -disc carousel CD programrning,"Shuffle Play"and our exclusive changer and multiplied the stunning advantages of Custom File' that memorizes titles and playback digital sound fivefold. instructions for up to 227 discs. What's more, Sony's Now, while others strive to imitate our carousel CD changers even play 3 -inch discs design, Sony introduces a new generation of 5 -disc carouselwithout adapters. And with the fastest disc -to- carousel CD changers. Each with the benefits of our disc access time available today, you'll spend unsurpassed experience plus the latest advances more time listening to music and less time and refinements in digital technology. wait -rig for discs to change. The Sony CDP-C800 DisciockeyCD changer, That's just the beginning of Sony's complete for example, has an 8x oversampling digital filter, line of 5 -disc carousel CD changers. Take one for a Dual 18 -bit Digital -to -Analog converters and Sony's spin. You'll see why our CD changers have the com- patented noise shaping circuitry. All of which allows petition going around in circles. you to enjoy the full dynamic range that your SONY 9,Copvnght 1989 Sony Corrnrar.n of Amer.. All rwhrs reserved Sonv. Disciockev.Custont hk. and The Leader In rhga al Audn are trademarks of Sony THE LEADER IN DIGITAL AUDIO"' CIRCLE NO. 77 ON READER SERVICE CARD LETTERS The latest You have to be a frequent concert, reci- Holy Grailof listening enjoyment. development tal, opera, or folk -festival attender, or True, a changer involves added ex- become one. pense, but consider the a4untages of JOHN WITHEY storing your music perriilnentlyin from Sony and Wimberley,TX changer cartridges. Besides a major saving in space, you never have to touch 9 your recordings to play them; that alone CBS Records: "Elektra justifies the expense, for repeated han- Robert Ackart's August review of the dlingisthecurseof everyother new recording of Strauss'sElektrahas recorded -music format. 5 free CDs. me utterly mystified. Mr. Ackart says To anyone who listens to popular that conductor Seiji Ozawa's previous music, having a hundred selections by Buy any Sony home DiscJockey 5 or 10 -disc readings have sometimes struck him as millions of dollars of musical talent at changer between September 1,1989 and "polite, correct, perhaps a bit too 'civil- your fingertips from the comfort of an December 31,1989 and receive a package of four ized.' " 1 abandoned Boston Symphony easy chair is as good as it gets. 5 -inch CD album titles from those listed below, performances and recordings a few JOHN NAGY years ago, sated with strings that climb Sequim, WA plus o bonus CD -3 featuring top artists like in pitch whenever they get louder and The Bangles, Chicago and Sade. Just fill in the with coarse, swamping brass. coupon below and list your preferred package How can you tout the power, accessi- Having seen or heard bits of Hilde- bility, and utility of aCDchanger in this choice in order (1 through 6) and mail it with gard Behrens elsewhere, I was reluctant day and age when each record manufac- a copy of the dated sales receipt for your Sony to give in to Mr. Ackart's advice to hear turer's CD's are so intensely different? I CD changer. her "precise delination of the complex recently went to a single -play machine character" of Elektra. I found that it was for my upgrade player because of the Package A Package D the same as always with Behrens: The time I spent adjusting my system be- Paul Young: Between The Hooters: One Way role of a courageous, determined wom- tween discs. I had to get up anyway, so Iwo f oes Home Loverboy: Wildscde Various: folkways an is sung with a dramatic bellow each why use a changer? Various: Ruthless People Dolly Parton: Rainbow time an emotion is to be shown by THOMASL.FARNEY Soundtrack Various: Ruthless People either a highor a Europe: Our Of This World Soundtrock low note. And Mr. Hermiston, OR Bonus CD -3 Bonus CD -3 Ackart says not a word about thecuts, in particular the enormous slab hacked Package B Package E Bob Dylan: Down To The Bob James: lucky Seven from-what else?-the difficultlong Finding Videodiscs Groove Various: (II Jazz Sampler solo from Elektra to Klytamnestra. The laser videodisc is a very exciting Judas Priest: Born It Claude Bolling: Ploys RICHARD SEBOLT I Down Ellington medium, but have been very frus- Europe: Out Of This World Boz Skaggs: Other Roods Springfield, MA trated in trying to obtain discs. Local Loverboy: Wildside Bonus CD -3 dealers will not order classical -music Bonus CD -3 discs or claim they are unavailable. The Package C Package F Analog Deficiencies Voyager Co. has videodiscs of movies Europe: Our Of This World Gregory Abbott:Shake Earth Wind 8 Fire: YouDown Ken Pohlmann's claim, in the August only. The only places I have been able Touch The World Henry Lee Summer: "Signals," that analog tape cassettes are to buy classical videodiscs are Tower Don Johnson: HenryleeSU111111e1 even remotely close to digital record- Heartbeat O.J. Jones: GTO Records stores in Boston and New York The Hooters: One Way Boz Skaggs: Other Roods ings in terms of sonic clarity is outright City. Do other readers have as much of Home Bonus CD -3 wrong!Anymusicwithdynamic a problem in locating discs as I do? Bonus CD -3 changes (loud to soft) will immediately DONALD W. RICHMAN show the flaws in analog tapes. Though Martinsville, VA SRI I must admit that Dolby SRimproves Mail this coupon and a copy of your dated sales receipt to the usual sound quality of analog tapes, You are not alone. The medium is rela- Sony Free CD Offer, P.O. Box 114Z let us not forget that the system was tively new, and there are not as many Terre Haute, Indiana 47811 designed to cover up deficiencies in retail outlets as there surely will be as I've enclosed a copy of my dated soles receipt for my analog sound reproduction. more and more people are converted. Sony CD changer. Here ore my package preferences listed Digital audio tape cassettes are too Meanwhile, try these two mail-order from 1 to 6. (Sony reserves the right to expensive for consumers today, but au- substitute any package or title based sources LaserDisc Fan Club,1-800- on supply or availability.) dio professionals know that DAT is a 322-2285, and U.S.Video Source,1- major technological breakthrough. 800 -USA -DISC (1-800-872-3472). Package A Package B Package DELFEAYO MARSALIS New Orleans, LA Package D Package E Package F Corrections Ken Pohlmann replies:While music A last-minute addition to the "Sys- Nome with a wide dynamic range reveals the tems" ensemble featured in October

Address analog noise floor, most recordings have was art Audio Control Phase Coupled a very narrow range, and for these ana- Activator. It appears in the photo on (ay Store Zip log technology works quite well. Digital pages 100-101 but was not mentioned (D (hanger Model a Dare Purchased _ audio will eventually triumph, but for in the text. Offer limited to one per household or address. A copy of your sales receipt must be dated between September 1. now, analog isn't bad. The review of Leonard Bernstein's 1989 and December 31,1989 All request forms must be Deutsche Grammophon recording of postmarked by January 31,1990. Void where prohibited the Mahler Symphony No.1 on page by law. Offer valid only M Continental US (excluding CD Changers 145 in September gave the wrong cata- Alosko and Hawaii). Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery The article onCDchangers by Ian log numbers. TheLP,cassette, andCD Masters in July barely scratched the sur- versions are 427 303-I, 427 303-4, and SONY face of features that make changers the 427 303-2, respectively. 0 THE LEADER IN DIGITAL AUDIO' For music purists For music purists withanunlimited budget. with limitedspace. In the relentless pursuit of musi- Now Infinity introduces another spacious, extremely accurate stereo cal perfection, Infinity has created Reference Standard for people sound, but without imposing on your some of the world's best whose passion for music environment. sounding speakers. Includ- must be in harmony with Audition the phenomenal ERS ing one for the decidedly their living space: the Series speakers and pick up your copy well-heeled: the 71/2 foot, Environmental Reference of "Infinity Answers Your Questions $50,000 Infinity Reference Standard Series. On Environmental Sound" Only at Standard V. Acclaimed inter- Infinity ERS environ- a selected Infinity ERS dealer. nationally as the most sonic- mental in -wall speakers use ally -accurate speaker ever no floor or shelf space, and made. (With unlimited space they can be painted to match and budget you might choose or accent your room's decor. the imposing sound-and imposing In short, they offer the best of both Infinity presence-of the IRS V.) worlds-filling your rooms with We gut you bait to what ith all about. Music.

For literature and the name of your nearest Infinity dealer, call (800) 765-5556. In Canada, call (416) 294-4833, H. Roy (;ray, I,td. ©1989 Infinity Systems, Inc. H A Harman International Company. NEW PRODUCTS

DISCWASHER The FG 1620 is the top model in Discwasher's SpikeMaster line of surge suppressors. Approved by Underwriters Laboratories and carrying a lifetime warranty, it was designed to protect all types of electronic equipment from excess voltage, noise interference, spikes, and other power -line irregularities that CARVER can cause equipment problems such as The CT -17 preamplifier/tuner incor- audio inputs, three-way tone controls, a loss of data and shortened useful life. It porates Dolby Pro Logic surround - high -cut filter, separate input selectors has an illuminated power indicator and sound processing as well as Carver's for listening and recording, and a sec- four outlets. Price: $114.95. Discwash- proprietary Sonic Holography Genera- ond volume control for multiroom and er, Dept. SR, 4310 Transworld Rd., tor and Asymmetrical Charge -Coupled room -to -room applications. The CT -17 Schiller Park, IL 60176. FM Detector circuits. Other features in- comes with a full -function wireless re- Circle 120 on reader service card clude "stadium" and "hall" synthesized mote control. Price: $799. Carver Cor- rear -channel surround modes, twenty poration, Dept. SR, P.O. Box 1237, station presets forAMorFM,seven Lynnwood, WA 98036.

INFINITY Infinity's Reference Standard 5 Kap- pa loudspeaker is a two-way system that's said to incorporate many of the technological features of the more expensive Kappa models. Its 61/2 -inch, in- jection -molded woofer cone uses poly- propylene for low coloration and graph- ite fibers for rigidity and superior transient response. The EMIT K tweeter is an improved version of Infinity's pla- GOODMANS nar -magnetic tweeter, which is said to The Maxamp Remote powered mini - extend frequency response to 45,000 Hz. speaker from Goodmans of England The crossover uses Solen polypropy- was designed to provide a secondary lene -film capacitors and high -quality music system when used with a portable inductors. The cabinet measures 17 x CDor cassette player. A remote sensor is 101/2 x 9 inches. Price: $399 each. Infin- built into one of the speaker cabinets so ity Systems, Dept. SR, 9409 Owens - that a user can control muting, balance, mouth Ave., Chatsworth, CA 91311. and tone from an infrared handset. The Circle 122 on reader service card amplifier is rated at 25 watts per channel. Dimensions are101/4x6314 x 8 inches. Price: $425 a pair. Goodmans of England, Dept. SR, 1225 17th St., Suite 1430, Denver, CO 80202. Circle 121 on reader service card

JVC The JVC RX-701V surround -sound The Am/Fm tuner section has forty pre- receiver features JVC's Compu Link sets. The front -channel amplifier sec- Source Related Preset for one -touch option is rated for 80 watts per channel eration of a stereo system. Users can into 8 ohms in stereo mode, 70 watts in program the volume, equalization, sur- surround mode; the rear channels are round -sound mode, balance, and loud- rated at12 watts. Price: $540. JVC, ness contour for each source into mem- Dept SR, 41 Slater Dr., Elmwood Park. ory; whenever a source is selected the NJ 07407. parameters are adjusted automatically. Circle 123 on reader service card

SiREO REVIEW DECEMBER 1989 13 A video receiver designed for audiophiles.

INFL OCR 1 (11FROUND DOLBY

I NETT I HFUT

Until now, video receivers have overlookeda distinct segment of the Nielsen population. Those people who listen to TVas well as watch it. Which is why Mitsubishi engineers developed the M-AV1. A video receiver inspired from the philosophy that a soap opera should soundevery bit as good as an Italian opera.At the heart of the system isa powerful amplifier with Dolby Surround" sound. It boasts 125 -watts per channel'Y With a generous dose of 25 -watts per channel in therear for surround sound. A time delay of 20 milliseconds has also been encoded into therear channels to increase depth perception and maintain separation from the front speakers. And with our Dynamic Delay Line, weve expanded the dynamic range ofour rear channels by as much as 40 dB over other conventional designs.It also offers four video inputs (two of whichare Super - VHS compatible). And comes complete with an award -winning remote that'seasy -to -use and capable of controlling all functions via on -screen displays. Soyou never have to get up from your recliner on our account.But now that you've gota great video receiver, as an audiophile, you might be in the market for an audio receiver. In which case read the other side of the page. An audio receiver designed for videophiles.

INPUT -1%7.- INPUT

If like most peopleyou read this ad from left to right, you know by now that the M-AV1 distinguishes itself as a superb video receiverBut what makes the M-AV1 a rare species in the A/V receiver jungle is that it also makes an equally superb audio receiver. For start- ers, it's so full of technical goodies that it makes the average audio receiver, much less the average AN receiver, blush. You'll find our dual J -I -E preamp provides low- noise and minimum distortion characteristics to the output amplifiers. Weve utilized discrete components instead of integrated circuits for the output devices for maximum headroom and separation. Our own Multi -Feedback Servo system faithfully reproduces low frequency music with a minimum of distortion while projecting your loudspeakers from potentially damaging DC signal components.Arid theres also a remote- operated motorized volume control that provides smooth attenuation while avoiding distortion. Of course, if you decide you're still a hard-core videophile and only :are about obtaining a great video receiver, we have a small suggestion. Buy the receiver on the other side of the page. "125 -watts per channel minimum RMS, both channels driven into 8 ohms from 20Hz - 20kHz with no more than 00.5°;, total larmoni.: distortion. Forthe name of roar authorized Mitsubishi dealer, call (800) 527-8888 ext. 145 © 1989 Mitsubishi Electric Sales America, Inc Dolby Surround Ie a tradem,.rk of Dolby Laboratoric, Ci,rti

mtMITSUBISHI ELECTRONICS TECHNICALLY ANYTHING ISPOSSIBLE

CIRCLE NO. 22 ON READER SERVICE CARD NEW PRODUCTS

YAMAHA The Yamaha CDX-920 compact disc player uses the company's Super Hi -bit technology, in which series -loaded 18 - bitdigital -to -analog converters with four "floating" bits are said to achieve the effective linearity of a 22 -bit system. The CDX-920 also has eight-times- oversampling digital filters and a digital de -emphasis circuit. Convenience fea- turesincludetwenty -four -trackran- dom-access programming, five -way repeat, direct track access, and an infrared remote control. It is available in black or titanium finish. Price: $699. Yamaha Electronics, Dept. SR, 6722 Orange- thorpe Ave., Buena Park, CA 90620. Circle 124 on reader service card

SOUNDCRAFI'SMEN RAINBOW RAX The Soundcraftsmen Pro -PT Two er/satellite system. The digital -synthesis Rainbow Rax modular rack units can "Pre-ceiver," a preamplifier/tuner, in- quartz-PLLAM/FMtuner section has au- be set up in a wide variety of configura- corporates complementary metal -oxide tomatic scanning and thirty-two station tions and sizes. Maximum width and semiconductor (cmos) switching. The presets. The rear panel has threeACcon- depth for a single bay are 30 inches, and source inputs includeCD/DAT,phono, venience outlets, one unswitched and each tempered -steel shelf is designed to two tape decks, and one audio/video two switched. Price: $449. Soundcrafts- hold as much as 200 pounds of equip- source. There are tape -dubbing facilities men, Dept. SR, 2200 S. Ritchey, Santa ment. The racks are sold by the piece and an extra pair of line outputs for sur- Ana, CA 92705. directly by the company and come with round -sound applications or a subwoof- Circle 125 on reader service card the necessary wrenches and a rubber mallet for assembly. Users can expand the racks later as needed. Price: between $250 and $275 for a four -shelf unit, depending on shelf size. Rainbox Rax, Dept. SR, 2704 Manhattan Ave., Suite A, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266. Circle 127 on reader service card

TRACKMATE The patented brush system in Track - mate's TM 451 record cleaner does not require that the user put pressure on a spinning record, which the company says can harm a turntable's bearings, belt, and motor. Instead, the cleaning brush is mounted onto the platter's center spindle and rotated by hand around a stationary record. The brush has different types of fibers to lift surface dust, to break up and absorb debris in the grooves, and to reduce static charge. The record brush, a stylus brush, and a supply of cleaning solution in an appli- cator are housed in a clamshell storage box. Price: $19.95. Trackmate, Dept. SR, I.D.A., East Wall Rd., Dublin 3, Ireland. Circle 126 on reader service card DEUTSCHE GRAMMC'PHON RCA PHILIPS ARCHIV L OISEAL -LYRE ANGEL NEWPORT CLASSIC Wcagng Amadvas Moan NFONIA 03NCERTANTE K.364 CONCEr

.arc Or Chent, a Lubin Meht

COMPAC

ASSETTES plus shipping and handling FOR JUST with Club membership

Perlman. Mozart. With No Obligation Sinfonia Concer tante 4 25032 To Buy Anything -Ever!

Vivaldi, Concerto "L'Amoroso;" 5 more Barry Douglas: Brahms, Piano Concerto Ute Lemper Sings Kurt Weill Mack The Stravinsky, Petrouchka; Song Of The The English Concert 'Pinnock. 'Luscious No. 1 London Symphony Orchestra Knife. Speak Low, I m A Stranger Here Myself, Nightingale; 4 Studies Montreal Symphony (sound). -Billboard Archly 25187* Skrowaczewski. RCA 00732 11 more. London 15163 Orchestra Dutoit. London 15331

Helfetz: The Decca Masters, Vol. 1 Copland, Billy The Kid; Rodeo (Complete Into The Woods Bernadette Peters & Humoreske. Clair de lune, Golliwog's Andrea Segovia Plays Bach Chaconne, Ballets) St. Louis Symphony Station original castTitle song, No One Is Alone, Siciliano, 3 Pieces For Lute. Gavotte en Ron- Cakewalk, many more. MCA 00604 -Brilliant."-Gramophone Angel 41491 many more. RCA deau. more. MCA 63600 61656 Respighl: The Pines Of Rome; The Foun- Amazing Grace-All tains Of Rome; Roman Festivals The Salerno -Sonnenberg. kilendelsso In, Violin Time Bagpipe Favorites Cliburn. Philadelphia Orch. Muti. Angel 34443 Concerto; Saint-Saens. Rondo capriccios° Title song, 16 more. Loir Liszt 8 Grieg Rachmaninov, Symphony No. 1 Con- Angel 34670 Pro Arte, Fanfa -e 24616' Piano Concertos certgebouw Orchestra, Ashkenazy Krystian Zimerman: Chopin, The 4 Prokofiev, Peter And The 00606' of churning, driving energy."-Fanfare Ballades Plus Barca,olle 8 Faniasie in F Wolf; Tchaikovsky, London 15347*Minor "Dramatic." -Gramophone DG 15332 Nutcracker Suite Dud- The Academy-By Request Academy of ley Moore, narrator. St. Martin -in -the -Fields Marnner. Sheep May Ravel, Bolero; La Valse; Rapsode Espag- Boston Pops Williams. Safely Graze, more. Angel 54094 note; Alborada del Gracioso Montreal Philips 15137 Symphony Orch Dutoit. London 15199 Beethoven, Symphonies Nos. 2 & 8 Lon- Handel, Music For The don Classical Players Norrington"Brilliantly -- Jascha Heifetz.Bruch,Violin CorcertoNo. Royal Fireworks; ConcertiaDim CodNos. executed."-Opus Angel 00466 1 8 Scottish Fantasy; Vieuxtemps. Concer- 2 & 3 English Concert Pinnock. Archly 25375 Rhapsody In Electric Blue Jeffrey Reid to No. 5 RCA 44363*Classic Marches St. Louis Sym. Station. Strauss, Don Quixote; Burleske Janigro, Baker, synthesizers. Rhapsody In Blue. 3 Rakoczy March. Turkish March. Weddingcello, Janis. piano. Chicago Symphony Preludes, more. Newport Classic 34647 Ravel, Piano Concerto; Concerto For The Orchestra Reiner. RCA 63643' Lett Hand Argench 8 Beroff. pianos. London March, Radetzky March, more. RCA Emanuel Ax: Beethoven, Piano Conc. Nos. Symphony Abbado DG 15468 Ashkenazy:Rachmaninov. Piano Concerto 16 2 Previn, cond RCA 83469 Adams, The Chairman Dances Plus Chris- tian Zeal And Activity, more. San Francisco No. 3 Concertgebouw Orchestra Haitink. Beethoven, Symphony Pavarotti At Carnegie Hall Symphony deWaart. Nonesuch 00491 "Fabulous."-Hi-Fi News London 25157 No. 6 (Pastorale); Songs and arias by Schubert, Beethoven, Symphony No. 6 (Pastoralel; 2 Gregorian Chant Schola of the more Royal Phil Verdi. Flotow. Liszt, Scarlatti. Hofburgkapelle. Philips 15434 Previn. RCA 43612 others. London 15311 Overtures Academy of Ancient Music Flog- D. Scarlatti, 7 Sonatas; wood .L Oiseau.Lyre 25397 Nazareth, Brazilian Waltzes & Tangos Larghetto; more Nar- Arthur Lima, piano. "Record of the Year, Dvorak. Mozart, Clair. Conc.; Horn Conc. 1 & 4 -Stereo Review Pro Arte cis o Yepes. guitar. New World Nedich. Jolley. Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. 83731* DG 15497 Sym DG 15481 Handel, Water Music The English Concert Tchaikovsky, Cleveland Van Cliburn: Rachmaninoff, Piano Sonata Pinnock "The playing is everywhere fresh and Symphony No. 4 Dohnanyi No. 2; Prokofiev, Piano Sonata No 6; vital. --Ovation Archly 15306 Chicago Symphony 15018 more RCA 00607*Stravinsky, Petrouchka; Song Of The OrchestraSolti. Nightingale; more Montreal Symphony, London 25038* Dutoit. London 15331 Hoist, The Planets Montreal Symphony Orchestra Dutoit. London 15448 Dvorak, Sym. No. 8; more Dohnanyi Cleveland Orch. London 15042

Rossini, Overtures Barber Of Seville. more. COMPLETE AND MAIL THIS CARD TODAY! Orpheus Chamber Orch. DG 15527 Mahler, Symphony No. 4 Concertgebouw Orchestra, Bernstein DG 15526*

Vivaldi, 9 Concerti a Quattro I Music! -A must.'- Fanfare Philips 15313 1 YES! Please accept my membership in The International Preview Society and send me, for 10 Saint-Saens, Symphony No. 3 (Organ) days FREE examination. the 3 selections I have indicated below, under the terms of this offer. I Montreal Symphony, Dutoit. London 15529 may return them after 10 days and owe nothing, or keep them and pay only $1 (shipping and Bach, Brandenburg Concertos Nos. 4-6 handling added to each shipment).I understand that I'm not obligated to buy anything...ever! The English Concert Pinnock Archly25417' Please send selections on: Compact Disc[ J Cassette * Berlioz, Symphonic Fantastique The Philadelphia Orchestra Muti. Angel 54244 Write Selection Accardo: Bach, Violin Conc. Chamb. Orch Numbers He -e' of Europe. Philips 25162

Vivaldi, 4 Seasons Simon Standage, ' Mr. English Concert Pinnock. Archly 15356 Mrs. Perlman; Brahma, Sonatas for Violin 8 Miss First Name Initial Last Name (PLEASE PRINT) Piano; more Angel 33760 Mozart, Piano Concertos Nos. 20 8 21 Address Apt Malcolm Bilson, fortepiano. Archly 25208 Tomita's Greatest Hits The Planets, Bolero, Pachelbel Canon, more. RCA 53955 City State Zip Suppe, Overtures Light Cavalry, more. Montreal Sym. 'Dutoit London 25219 Telephone ( Ashkenazy: Mozart, Piano Concertos Area Code Nos. 8 (Lutzow) & 9 (Jeunehomme) London 15418 Signature Beethoven, Triple Concerto Mutter. Ma. Zeltser. Karaian conducts. DG 05319* Members who choose CDs will be serviced by the BMG Compact Disc Club and will receive CD Discovery 19 times a Newman; Bach, Organ Works Prelude year (about every 3 weeks). Full membership details will follow with the same 10 -Day. no -obligation, no -minimum Fugue in C, more. Newport Classic 34604 purchase privilege. Current BMG CD Club members not eligible for this offer. Limited to new members. continental U S A only. one membership per family. /de reserve the PE7 BF YMPE7 PJ IPS 6550 E 30th St. Indianapolis, IN 46219 right to request acditional information or rerect any appication Local taxes't any. will be added IPS 536.14,31e7 Selections marked) are available on CD only. DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON RCA PHILIPS ARCHIV L'OISEAU-LYRE ANGEL NEWPORT CLASSIC

HeMrt.P.114L-- CAL )1#/ePwalti/g//)?ft'/?//' JK,Et?/ff 00 tf,,na

Horowitz Plays COMPACT Mozart 15436* DISCSon

CASSETTES plus shipping and handling Pictures At FOR JUST with Club An Exhibition membership Montreal Sym. Dutoit Tchaikovsky 25314 1812 Overture With No Obligation To Buy Anything...Ever! Solti 251

James Galway 8 Kazuhito Yamashita: Itzheit Perlman: Brahma, Violin Concerto Italian Serenade Charming pieces by Chicago Symphony Orch. Giulini. A Grammy Paganini, Rossini, Bazzini, others. RCA 73824 Award Winner' Angel 63343 The Movies Go To The Opera Great Opera Mozart, Serenade No. 3; more Academy of themes from Moonstruck, Fatal Attraction, Ancient Music Hogwood. 'Played with. Beethoven, Sympholy No. 9 (Choral) Raging Bull, more. Angel 14806 Kenny. Walker. Power. Salomaa. London Kira to Kanawa Sings Gershwin Somebody style.'-Fanfare L Oiseau-Lyre 15000*Classical Players Norrington Angel 00467 Dvotik, Symphony No. 7 Loves Me. I Got Rhythm. The Man ILove. The Cleveland Orchestra Syncopated Clock & Other Leroy Anderson Summertime, more. Angel 70258 Dohnanyi "One of the Favorites Fiddle Faddle, more. Kunzel Viennese Rochester Pops. Pro Arte 24767*Michael Feinstein: Pure Gershwin S'Won- finest.'-Digital Audio Bonbons Maazel der f ul, Embraceable You, Liza, more. London 15018 15287'Ravel, Mother Goose (Complete); Le Tom - Elektra. 54173 Strauss, Also sprach beau de Couperin; Pavane: more Montreal Zarathustra; Der Rosen- Symphony Orch. Dutoit _ondon 25197 Mozart, Eine kleine Nachtmusik Plus kavaller Waltzes; more. The Pearl Fishers Golden Age perfor- Pachelbel. Canon. more. Academy of St. Mar- Chicago Symphony mances by Jussi Bloerling with Robert Merrill. tin Marriner. Philips 15530 Orchestra Reiner RCA 63627* Licia Albanese, others. RCA 00992 ltzhak Perlman: French Violin Rags And Riches David Canadian Brass: More Greatest Hits Showpieces N Phil. Mehta. Carmen -Fan- Dusing Singers Bill Bailey Barber, Adagio, Bach. Wachet Auf. more by tasy, Tzigane. Havanaise, more. DG 15457 Wont You Please Come Home, many more. Gershwin, Bizet, others. RCA 64348 Newport Classic 01036 Anything Goes Broadway revival cast. Title Andres Segovia Plays Rodrigo, Ponce 8 Ashkenazy, Rachmaninov, Piano Concerto Vladimir Ashkenazy: Mozart, Piano Con- song. I Get A Kick Out Of You. Friendship. Torroba Fantasia pare un Gentilhombre, No.1; Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini many more. RCA 43950 certos Nos.11 814 Philharmonia Orchestra Castles Of Spain, more. RCA 63579 Haitink conducts. London 25153 Ashkenazy. London 25424 Bach, Brandenburg Concertos Nos. 1-3 Andrew Lloyd Webber, Variations; William The Mystery Of Bulgarian Voices Simon Rattle: The Jazz Album Rhapsody Lloyd Webber, Aurora Julian Lloyd Webber. In Blue. Ebony Concerto, more. London Sin- English Concert Pinnock "Among the best Bulgarian State Radio 8 TV Female sounding CDs."- -Fanfare Archly cello. Maazel cond. Philips 15473 Choir -Absorbinghaunting "-Fanfare fonietta. others. Angel 72226 15541* Nonesuch -UMW The Legendary Enrico Caruso 21 favorite The Digital Fox Organist Virgil Fox plays Me I la Fronyaise Montreal Symphony By Request The Boston Pops Williams arias including Vest, la giubba, La donna e Toccata 8 Fugue in D Minor, Ardor. Toccata. Orchestra/Dutoit. The Sorcerer's Apprentice. Olympic Fanfare, many more. Philips 25360 mobile, more. RCA 34274*more. Bainbridge 62889 more. London 25235 Itzhak Perlman: Mozart, Violin Concertos World's Greatest Overtures 1812. Poet 8 Nos. 3 5 Vienna Phil., Levine. "Extraordi Peasant. Die Fledermaus, Egmont. Academic. nerdy rich."-Fanfare DG 15146 Flying Dutchman, more Pro Arte 24789* INSTANT HALF-PRICE BONUS PLAN Rachmaninoff, Piano Concerto No. 2; James Galway's Greatest Hits The Man 6 Etudes -tableaux Evgeny Kissin. piano With The Golden Flute plays Memory, Angel London Sym Gergiev. RCA 00915 Unlike other clubs, you get Of Music. Greensleeves. more RCA 73233 Copeland, Appalachian Spring (Complete), 50SAVE Cortege macabre (from Grohg); more St 50% off Bonus Savings with Louis Sym Slatkin. Angel 54176 This remarkable S1 offer is being Mozart, Overtures Magic Flute. Marriage Of every CD you buy at regular made to introduce you to an Fgaro, Don Giovanni, more. Academy of St prices, effective with your first outstanding classical music Martin Marriner Angel 34267 membership-with never any Gershwin, Catfish Row: An American in %full -price purchase! Paris, Cuban Overtures, more Slatkin obligation to buy. St. Louis Symphony Angel 14877 IPS 536 You'll find hundreds of outstanding albums in each issue of the Society's magazine, which will be sent to you approximately 1 every 4 weeks. That gives you 13 convenient, shop -at-home opportunities a year. NO POSTAGE but there is no obligation to accept any NECESSARY offering at any time. IF MAILED You choose only the music you want! IN THE If you'd like to accept the Main Selection, UNITED STATES you need not do a thing.Itwill be sent automatically. If you'd prefer an alternate BUSINESS REPLY MAIL selection or none at all, just mail back the FIRST CLASS PERMIT NO. 5071 INDIANAPOLIS, IN Notification Card by the specified date. You'll always have at least 10 days to POSTAGE WILL BE PAID BY ADDRESSEE decide. But if you don't, you may return your Main Selection at our expense. You may cancel your membership whenever you wish, simply by writing to us. Or, re- 6,AeOlidel~441a, main a member and take advantage of future money -saving bargains. e/J13 78 4C14 3 Compact Discs or Cassettes for just Si' PO. BOX 91406 Begin your membership now by choosing INDIANAPOLIS IN46209-9755 any 3 albums shown here for just $1. plus shipping and handling. Send no money now. We want you to judge for yourself before you decide to buy. If not delighted, return your 3 albums at the end 01 10 days without obligation (Shipping and handling added to each shipment.) 1,1..1,111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 NEW PRODUCTS

VELODYNE The VA -1012 subwoofer, Velodyne's least -expensive model, has a rated frequency response of 23 to 48 Hz. It utilizes -anti-brucking" circuitry, which is said to reduce output slightly at the onset of significant harmonic distortion. Its Class A/B amplifier, rated to deliver 60 watts of continuous power, SHERWOOD drives a 10 -inch polyurethane, forward - The Sherwood CD -I I82R is the com- space, and sixteen -track programming. firingactivedriver and a12 -inch, pany's top -of -the -linesingle -disc co The CD -1182R comes with a ten -key downward -firing passive radiator. Fin- player. It has an eight-times-oversam- remote control and can be controlled by ished in black -ash woodgrain vinyl, the pling digital filter and dual digital -to - a Sherwood DigiLink receiver or ampli- analog converters. Features include a fier.Price: $269.95. Sherwood, Dept. headphone jack with volume control, SR, 13845 Artesia Blvd., Cerritos, CA repeat of a track, disc, programmed 90701. sequence, or random sequence, auto Circle 128 on reader service card

WRIGHT AUDIO All of the components in Wright Au- dio's P-75 vacuum -tube power amplifier sit on top of its 11h -inch -thick red - oak base. No circuit boards are used, and all the parts are hand -wired. Sensi- tivity is rated as 1.3 volts input for 35 watts per channel output. The solid- state power supply has a 1,000-microfa- rad capacitor bank that is said to insure cabinet measures 161/4 x181/4 x18V4 tight bass response. The P-75 comes inches and weighs 40 pounds. Price: with a one-year warranty. Price: $850. $645. Velodyne Acoustics, Dept. SR, Wright Audio, Dept. SR, 308 N. New 1746 JunctionAve., San Jose, CA St., Staunton, VA 24401. 95112. Circle 129 on reader service card Circle 130 on reader service card

DISCONCEPTS Disconcepts' CD -40 hardwood compact disc holder has an adjustable divid- er to accommodate from one to forty discs. The stackable unit can hold both single discs and multiple -disc sets. It is made of solid walnut and measures 171/2 inches wide, 6 inches high, and 5 inches deep.Price: $36. Disconcepts, Dept. SR, 7536 Parkdale, No. 6. St. Louis, MO 63105. Circle 131 on reader service card

TATUNG The Tatung VRH- I 85U is a front - loaded. An infrared remote control is loading VHS Hi-Fi VCR with HQ cir- included. Price: $299. Tatung Company cuitry, automatic rewind, repeat play- of America, Dept. SR, 2850 El Presidio back, three speeds (sP, EP, and LP), and St., Long Beach, CA 90810. an indicator light to show when a tape is Circle 132 on reader service card

S IR E0 RFviEw D EC ENIRF:R 1989 17 NEW PRODUCTS

BANG & OLUFSEN The Bang & Olufsen Cona subwoofer, shown here with B&O's CX100 compact speakers, uses a single 8 -inch driver with two voice coils in its bass -reflex cabinet. This design is said to enable the subwoofer to reproduce low frequencies from both channels without interference or phasing problems. Rated frequency response is 40 to 195 Hz, power handling is 60 watts, and nominal impedance is 6 ohms. The Cona is available in white, black, and gray and comes with matching speaker cables. Dimen- sions are 101/2 inches high and 17 inches in diameter. Price: $395. Bang & Oluf- sen, Dept. SR, 1150 Feehanville Dr., Mt. Prospect, IL 60056. Circle 133 on reader service card

JAMO The satellite speakers in the Jamo SW2 subwoofer/satellite speaker system are designed either for free-standing placement or for wall mounting in a custominstallation.The subwoofer module, which has two 61/2 -inch woofers, can be hidden from view. Each satellite speaker has a 4 -inch midrange and a 2 -inch tweeter. System frequency response is rated as 35 to 20,000 Hz, nominal impedance as 8 ohms, sensitivity as 90 dB, and power handling as 80 watts continuous,140 watts peak. Dimen- sions are 19 x 131/2 x 8 inches for the subwoofer and 61/2 x 4 x 62/3 inches for the satellites. Prices: $499 for the three- ATLANTIC TECHNOLOGY piece speaker system, $149 a pair for the The Pattern three-piece speaker sys- optional chrome -plated, cast-iron satel- GOLDMUND tem is the debut product from Atlantic lite stands shown. Dubbed the "heaviest amplifier ever Technology, a part of Lincolnwood, Circle 135 on reader service card built" by its manufacturer, the 220 - Ltd., the parent company of NAD. The pound Goldmund Mimesis 9 has a case Pattern is a powered satellite/subwoofer made of V4 -inchsteel, damped with system with three separate channels of shock -absorbing material and decou- amplification. The subwoofer's ampli- pled from the electronics and the unit's fier uses a recently patented contouring three conical feet by Teflon isolators. circuit that continuously monitors the The power transformer and output level and frequency of the incoming sig- stages are mounted rigidly to the feet to nal and adjusts the equalization for minimize vibration. Rated to deliver optimum performance. The dual -mode 200 watts per channel, the Mimesis 9 system can be driven by virtually any was designed for use with low -efficiency line -level source, including a portable speakers. Price: $8,990. Goldmund SA, CD or tape player or a stereo television Dept. SR, 5 Rue Du Cardinal-Journet, set, and it can also be driven conven- 1217, Meyrin-Geneve, Switzerland. tionally by a receiver or an external Circle 136 on reader service card amplifier. Frequency response is rated as 38 to 20,000 Hz ±3 dB, with a maximum sound -pressure level of 110 dB. The All product information is provided subwoofer's cabinet measures193/4 x by the manufacturersand does not 121/4 x 834 inches, and the satellites are 4 represent the results of tests or x 8 x 3114 inches. Price: $499. Atlantic evaluations by STEREO REVIEW. Technology, Dept. SR, 575 University Suggested retail prices were current Ave., P.O. Box 9124, Norwood, MA as of press time but are subject to 02062. change without notice. Circle 134 on reader service card

18 STEiti.:(3 RFA'i FAV DECEMBER 1989 NEW FROM B&W THE 200 SERIES

The technology,

the innovations,

the sound.

It all comes together in

B&W's affordable

200 Series monitors. MODE, 201 MODEL 202 1111141111FiliV11 fIB 41 Orel I Innovations in driver technology, combiled with the highest quality

crossover networks, create musical realism which is typical of B&W, and extraordinary in the price range.

Here is superlative soundreproduction throughout the whole spectrum of musical tastes -jazz, rock, pop, classical - without the need fcr a large amplifier

The result is unparalleled value. ACOUSTI TUNE SUBWOOFER

N D Yn B&W have

designed a most

ingenious subwoofer system

to transform the bass

SELECTABLE PORT LENGTHS performance of your small ADJUST OUTPUT FOR COMPATIBILITY WITH speaker system. Outstanding NEARLY ALL SMALL SPEAKERS low frequency extension and

low distortion are

accomplished by dual drivers housed in a unique double chamber,double ported enclosure. Four separate port tubes allow you to select just the right sensitivity

to compliment almost any small speaker, and thus, realize

a remarkable listening experience.

B&W LOUDSPEAKERS OF AMERICA PO BOX 653 BUFFALO NEW YORK 14240 CANADA 104 CARNFORTH ROAD TORONTO ONTARIO fM4A 2K 7

CIRCLE NO 49 ON READER SERVICE CARD C 1989 Philips Consumer Electronics CompanyA oNow, PHILIPS LHH1000. THE PREMIER CD PLAYER FROM THE COMPANYTHAT PREMIERED CD TECHNOLOGY 1111114141/111.11016...,

/0/./.*:. ,--(4,W"

This limited edition Reference Series LHH 1000 is a For example, Philips' top CDM-1 transport and all direct descendant of Philips' broadcast -standard CD critical chassis components are made of solid diecast recording and mastering equipment. In fact, it's the first aluminum zinc alloy. consumer model with the professional LHH designation. Further, the LHHI000 features Philips' premier With this breeding, no wonder the LHH 1000 is of creation -16 -bit, four times oversampling. And exceptional quality, inside and out. For complete the heart of the separate digital -to -analog converter is isolation, the transport and D/A converter are housed Philips' Special Select Grade TDA-1541A-S1 chip, separately. This dual -chassis design virtually eliminates widely regarded as the premier DAC technology. inter -component interference and thoroughly The LHH 1000 delivers a high degree of sonic accuracy. dampens vibration. And with coaxial or optical fiber In fact, it has been "recommended...in Class A of cable connecters between the two units, you get virtually Stereophile's 'Recommended Components' listing:'* error -free transmission. The result is pure sound with Experience firsthand the outstanding stereo absolutely no distortion. imaging, the articulation and resonance of this As a fitting complement to this elegant architecture, remarkable instrument and our complete line of CD its construction is uncompromised. No expense was players. Call 1-800-223-7772 for your nearest Philips spared in utilizing the materials best suited for sound. audio specialist.'Srereopoi/e, Vol12, No 6, June 1989

WORLD -CLASS TECHNOLOGY. EUROPEAN EXCELLENCE.

PHILIPS PHILIPS CIRCLE NO. 86 ON READER SERVICE CARD SIGNALS

confusestheissuesof electrical ty of Waterloo, Ontario, is fond of "JUST THE shielding and grounding with that of pointing out that "simple" stereo magnetic flux. The two are not reproduction isn't so simple after FACTS, PLEASE" related. all. Stereo sound comes from two Or are they? Who's to say that loudspeakers, reaching our two ears. by Ken C. Pohlmann good magnetic shielding might not You would expect that level differ- somehow alter the electron flow, or ences between the speakers would /WOULDlike to describe an in- thatvery weak magneticfields manifest themselves as level differ- novative audio reproduction might not cause interference? When ences between the ears and that technique that I have recently is a new idea nonsense, and when is phasedifferencesbetweenthe developed.Itisadmittedly it a fact that has yet to be recog- speakers would result in phase dif- unorthodox, but I have worked out nized? One test might be its relation ferences between the ears. That's the math, and 1 have testimony to existing facts. If it doesn't fit with how we localize sounds in the stereo from listeners who support my the- the rest of our knowledge, surely it plane, right? ories. With all due modesty, I think would be suspect. But knowledge is Well, actually, at low frequencies you'll agree that the improvement ever changing,particularlyina it's pretty much the opposite: Loud- in signal clarity is astonishing. technology -driven field like audio. speaker level differences produce Although much too complex to What we take for fact changes all time differences between the ears, detail here, the basis of my tech- the time, often dramatically. For and that's how we localize sounds. nique is the interaction between the example, every audio engineer is Time differences between the loud- earth's magnetic field and the elec- acquainted with the Fourier series; speakers produce very unnatural tricalsignals in conductors. The it has ramifications in almost all polarity differences at the ears that strength of the earth's magnetic aspects of audio theory. It's a fact just confuse things. The heart of the field (easily strong enough to move that a periodic function, such as an matter is this: In natural hearing, a compass needle) can influence the acoustical waveform, can be repre- each ear hears sounds from the flow of electrons in a wire and hence sented as a series of harmonically source to be localized. But in stereo the nature of the audio signal repre- related sines and cosines. But when reproduction, a completely artificial sented by that flow. I have carefully the idea was first proposed, in 1811, kind of listening, each ear hears analyzedtheeffect and devised it met with great skepticism. sounds from both loudspeakers. If practical steps that you can take to Perhapsthebiggestproblem, you think about that, and draw a minimize the problem in your au- quite frankly, was Jean Baptiste Jo- diagram or two, you'll see that ster- dio system. seph Fourier himself. He was a eo listening is, in fact, quite com- First, orient all the electrical wires strange guy, even as mathemati- plex. But sometimes even the facts in your system so that they are cians go. His passion was the math- aren't interpreted correctly. parallel to magnetic north (use a ematics of heat, and he pursued his What can we make of this? When compass, but make sure that no studies so enthusiastically that he someone suggests a strange idea audio signal is running through a kept the temperature in his rooms about audio, should we believe it or wire when you are aligning it). Sec- unbelievably high, and even then he not? Is the idea ahead of its time, or ond, wrap the wires with thin cop- always kept himself bundled in a is it just crazy? If other facts imply per sheets, making sure thatall heavyovercoat.Anyway,while otherwise, can you really trust those seams areelectrically connected. studying the conduction of heat, he facts? Is the idea valid but its impli- Third, join all the copper sheets casually tossed off this new idea cations so negligible that it can safe- together at the power amplifier and about representing periodic func- ly be ignored? connect them to a ground-ideally, tions as a harmonic series. Acousti- Unfortunately, there's really no a cold -water pipe. cians,scientists, and even fellow absolute way to answer any of those Throughthese modifications, mathematicians thought the idea questions. It's been estimated that your audio signals will no longer be was absolutely goofy. Eighteen years at its current rate of growth, human affected by the earth's magnetic elapsed before another mathemati- knowledge doubles every twenty field. The electrons will be free to cian, Peter Dirichlet, succeeded in months. I don't know at what tem- move linearly through the conduc- proving the theorem. The theorem perature modern audio researchers tor without interference from extra- became a fact and completely over- keep their thermostats, or exactly neous magnetic flux. As a result, I turned scientific convention. whateffectthathasontheir believe, you will hear new clarity Clearly, scientists have a nasty thought, but at any time one of and transparency. habit of discovering that what they them could notice something, like had believed to be true is actually Fourier's theorem, that redefines That was fun. Now let's return to completely wrong. And it doesn't audio as we know it. reality. Let me make clear thatI take a scientific revolution to puzzle On the other hand, some things have absolutely no idea whether the people. In many cases, established are certain. If you set your thermo- earth's magnetic field affects audio facts simply aren't understood very stat too high, your heating bill will signals. Intuitively, I would say that well. Stanley Lipshitz, a contempo- be astronomical. No one has yet it almost certainly does not. At any rary professor of mathematics and managed to perfect a perpetual -

rate,thesuggestedmodification an audio researcher at the Universi- motion engine.

22 STEREO REVIEW DECEMBER 1989 Most audiophiles think of CD changers as the station wagons of the digital world. Convenient to be sure. But certainly not exciting. Until now. Because Onkyo's new DX -C300 and DX -0500 CD changers will c`iange your mind as well as your discs. And they'll put an end to the risk of sacrificing musical enjoyment THE for the ease of multi -disc operation. END

Optional magazines allow your choice of single disc simplicity or multi -disc convenience.

Onkyo's AccuBit technology is the reason. AccuBit insures that even the quietest musical passages and OF subtle nuances are reprocuced with stunning clarity. How? AccuBit starts with high precision Digital -to -Analog converters. And individually calibrates each one for maximum accuracy. This critical adjustment allows all the music on your discs to reach your ears. And not get lost in the distortions that plague conventional CD changers. Until the DX -C300 and DX -0500, THE only the finest single disc players could claim such extraordinary sophistication. But that's just what you expect from Onkyo, the company with an unparalleled reputation for making high end sound affordable. COMPACT Onkyo. The End Of The Compact Risk. ONIKVO 1 RISING ABOVE THE CD JUNGLE R SK. 200 Williams Drive, Ramsey, NJ 07446

In Canada: H. Roy Gray Ltd. 14 Laidlaw Blvd., Markham, Ontario L3P 1W7

so 4 Pick up your Sony Metal" at all these locations: AU DIO&A

EAST reach 20kHz; CDplayers intentionally BJ's by Ian G. Masters filter out signals above that frequency, J&R Music World andFMtuners cut off above 15 kHz. Nevertheless, there are a couple of rea- Record World sons why hi-fi manufacturers design ex- Square Circle tended high -frequency response into their equipment. The Wiz One is the belief-disputed by some Tower engineers-that this extra margin im- Trader Horn provestransientperformance.Also, most equipment's response tends to Wall to Wall taper off slightly as it reaches its upper limit; by placing this limit well above SOUTHEAST the audible range, the designers are able to maintain flat response in the part of Brendles the spectrum wecanhear. Burdine's Jordan Marsh Listening and Taping Record Bar QWith my present A/I' receiver I can Rich's watch the program from one l'CR while recording on another, but I can't Spec's Music do the same with the audio sources. I Turtles would like to he able to feed any input to any recorder while listening to a difkr- The Wiz ent source. Is this possible? Waxie Maxie TARIQ NAZIR Owings Mills. MD WEST AProbably not with your present Eber Electronics Tracking Force fir Dubbing equipment. A number of manufac- Fred Meyer turers do configure their preamplifiers QWhen I am making a tape copy of and receivers so that any input can be HiFi Sales a treasured LP that is in good con- fed to the tape-recording circuits inde- Listen Up dition hut starting to show signs of wear, pendently of what is playing through is it better to increase or decrease the sty- the system, but this is a facility that The Good Guys lus tracking force or to use the normal must be designed into the system; it Tower Records setting? would be difficult to add it on after the JOHN MCCARTHY fact. There are, however, several exter- Wherehouse Entertainment Carbondale, PA nal audio/video switchers on the mar- Whole Earth Access ket thatmightallow you to do what you A Decreasing tracking force is usual - want by routing the signals before they MIDWEST 1ly unwise because it can lead to even reach your receiver, which then mistracking, which not only sounds ter- becomes primarily an amplifier. Best Buy rible but will almost certainly damage your records. Increasing it. on the other Camelot hand, is unlikely to improve the sound Bulk Erasure Highland Appliance unless your normal setting is so light have a bulk eraser that works Kohls Department Stores that mistracking is already occurring, in Vlbeautifully on open -reel tapes, but which case you should increase the with cassettes it always leaves some sig- Montgomery Ward force for all playing. Check the range nal. Am I doing something wrong? (selected locations) specified by your cartridge manufactur- JOHN KELLNER er and set the force toward the top end East Walpole. MA Music Craft of the range. Musicland A No, the tape makers have been Pi doing something "right." Tapes Osco (Chicago only) Ultrasonic Response vary quite widely in the amount of ener- Walgreens QIoften see audio equipment fre- gyittakes to record them, and this quency -response specifications that applies to erasing them as well. As high- SOUTHWEST reach 40 or 50 kitz. Why would they er and higher levels of performance need to go this high when humans can have been squeezed out of the cassette, Camera & Video Center only hear up to 20 kHz? one of the tradeoffs has been coercivi- Columbia Photo & Video GURPREET DHALIWAL ty-the amount of energy required to Racine, WI reduce the magnetic flux on the tape to Creve Couer Camera & Video zero. Chrome tape, or its equivalent, is ANot only can we not hear such high harder to erase than "normal" (Type I) frequencies-or even as high as 20 ferric -oxide; metal tape is harder still. kHz in most cases-but there's nothing The same advances in magnetic tech- up there for the equipment to repro- nology have not generally been applied SONY. duce. Both tape and vinyl strain to (Continued on page 28) (-01989 Sony Corporation of America. Sony Metal is a trademark of Sony. 24 STEREOREviEWDECEMBER 1989 THE METAL AGE NM IS HERE

enous recording enthusi,ist, know that in today's S.:ridof digital audio, conventional cassettes just won t do. Their formulations don't meet higher recording requirements. So now there's Sony Metal'," the first complete line of advanced metal particle audiocassettes. Li,. Sony Metal tape offers a level Recording of performance that's ideal lot digital source material like will never be the compact disc. otorftwollit the same. To begin with, there's Metal -ES, the most highly ace lai incd metal cassette currently available. That's accocJi-g .Audio. High Fidelity and the leading consumer reporting publications. For most manufac- rtirer;, Metal -ES would be enough. Not for Sony. So,Ts. it traduces Metal Master,TM the preeminent tape .n the Soil \ Metal line. Based upon years of Sony advanced research into high density metal Illatorals, it zombines ultratme Lxtralloy® magnetic parti_ a new high polymertrafrig; to achL.:,.c. superh linearity and the highest rated output ever. Plus Its unique one-piece ceramic shell and tape guiee are desig m en reduce modula-

tion noise. - Sony also introduces Metal -SR. The first of priced pure metal cassette that offers

S greater dynamic range performance. Because, like every Sony Metal cassette, the Metal -SR has three times the magnetic energy of any Type II cassette. And it's iiYailable in both 90 and 100 minute lengths. Each Amy Metal cassette is the ultimate in analog reconlinu technology. So look for Sony Metal. Because recording will never he the same. For tore information write: Sony Metal, Sony Magnetic Products Company, Sony Drive, Park Ridge, NJ 07656. 4.1...<,N

SONY

.01989 Sony Co rpk ,1" ,it Metal -ES, Met., I\1 r CIRCLE NO. 179 ON READER SERVICE CARD LIMITED EDITION CD Free With Purchase Of Any Car CD Player Or Home 6 -Disc Multi -CD Player By 12/31/89.

Thanks to Pioneer's CD Changersystem, this is

Before you buy a CD changer, there are two things you should consider. Your home. And your car. is Pioneer's ingenious 6 -disc magazine, Because Pioneer makes a compatible which works in all Pioneer home and car 6 -disc CD changer system for both, CD changers. It's the most convenient now you can enjoy your favorite music way to load, store and catalog your CDs. wherever you go. All of Pioneer's home CD changers The key to home and car compatibilityfeature the latest innovations in digital the only place you'll be without your music.

technology, as well as multiplestereo, using one of four advanced CD 16a)programming capability and controller units. random play. Of course, there are still some places As for versatility, you simply won't find where you won't be able to enjoy a better car CD changer system. A Pioneer's 6 -disc CD Changer system. Pioneer car CD changer can either But we're working on it.

replace or be added 1.r more information and the name - of your nearest Pioneer Dealer. rall 7--'-- on to your current car PIONEER toll -free 1-800-421-1404. CIRCLE NO 31 ON READER SERVICE CARD AuithooRrized dealers: BEST HEADPHONE- st. F NIA OUR FrysiVernonCa7-Veir TV. Fresno Ahead Stens°. LA-Ceakecraft RwersAle-Down To Eanh SI., eo. AUDIOO&A Mad Jacks. Pacific Wit 6cnwd. EVER! San Dego-Wongs. SF-Shelleys. Santa/1E Monca-ys. Sunnyvale Nothing in our past listening experience prepared us 994 pri_ston for our first audition of the new DM -90 Digital -Monitor c0"="n7c..0,udoSP.NS' to open -reel tapes, however, because it oundrack, Denver headphones. We were absolutely stunned. We then sound Co. Grand Junct. has not been needed; open -reel tapes Soundironis Pueblo took the sample to our "golden ear" dealers, and they MTER4C.Lfi: COLUMBIA perform well even with the old-style, FLORIDA low-coercivity formulations. So while too were amazed! BrandsMart. Mums IDAHO your bulk eraser may be strong enough The verdict: THE DM -90 AT $99.95 IS EQUAL TO, Sound Pro. Base -Inkier. Idaho Falls-Mel.tioi Owl.. Twin to clear the open -reel tapes (and proba- OR BETTER THAN ANY OTHER DYNAMIC HEAD- ails Musacraft, all lo.hons- Audio bly Type I cassettes as well), it hasn't PHONE ON THE MARKET, AT ANY PRICE! Enterprise. Chicago Hts -Stereo Systems, Aurora..lotiet. Naperville enough power to erase the more ad- The Shoppe. Kankakee- Laserlane. Some headphones can be said to have extended Westmont -Hear Here. Watseka vanced -formula cassettes. INDIANA deep bass, others smooth midrange, some, trans- All-ironics MASEMishawaka parent highs and superior dynamic range. Our new CamerSaAs InCHUSTTSArlington MONTANA Multiple Crossovers DM -90 has all of this, and more. It is unquestionably New Flonzons. Wings Sound Pro, Thrsty Ear, Bozeman .. Sound West. Missoula system consists of a pair of sub - our best headphone-ever! NEVADA KX'.--'' Avon Premiums. Las Vegas woofers and a pair of satellite NEW JERSEY speakers powered by two stereo amplifi- .t. Rands Camera Toms River s. Samm Sound. W Caldwell

. - ers through four separate crossover net- - \\ NEW MEXICO Town Cner Cows NEW YORK works. For each side, one set of amplifier PC Richard. all locations FOCUS Electronics. Brooklyn outputs is connected to one of the cross- J & R Music World. Jem Sound. High Voltage, S A S Sound City. overs, which is in turn connected to the 6th AvenueIO Electron.. Manhattan OH high and midrange drivers in the satel- Aiktrongs. Canton -Play It Again Sam. Lakewood lite speaker, the woofer output being Stereo Ltd. Zanesville PENNSYLVANIA unconnected. 7'he other amplifier is con- AZDEN Sound Ad... Doylestown -Studs nected to another crossover, the low -fre- QUALITY YOU CAN HEAR One. Ene- Worldwide Stereo quency output of which drives the sub - 147 New Hyde Park Road D'o'scn TunZatg1:177" l Sounds Good to Me. Sharon woofer. Is this a practical way to set Franklin Square. NY 11010 UTAH Insleys all locations LakeCity things up, or will leaving the various W'Atl;Z'a crossover outputs unconnected degrade nAudEvergree s me 1 Stereo Shoppe Tacoma WISCONSIN the sound quality in some fashion? Reimer Photo. Milwaukee RANDOLPH TELLERIA ORTECIA WYOMING New Music Boa. Laramie CANADA La Paz, Bolivia The CD Bar Toronto CIRCLE NO 164 ON READER SERVICE CARD What you have accomplished is a sortof passivebiamplification. Normally, using separate amplifiers to power different parts of the audio spectrum requires the use of an active elec- "Shure's most recent tronic crossover network inserted in the version of its top model, systembeforethe amplifier stage;in your case, you have separated the sig- the V15 Type V -MR... LaserDisc" nalsafteramplification. strikes this listener But one of the main reasons for biam- plifying is to maximize amplifier power as perhaps the most by making available to each part of the musical -sounding audio spectrum the total power capability of the amplifier driving it. An elec- phono cartridge Direct. tronic crossover will insure that the ever made!" amplifierdriving,say,thesatellite speakers will not have to deal with the Hans Fantel power-hungry bass signals and so will be able to deliver its whole output to the The New York Times higher frequencies. In your setup, on the other hand, all the amplifiers arc WE handling the full audio spectrum, so they are not able to provide much more COULDN'T MAKE power to the speakers than they would LASERDISC BETTER, SO if a single amplifier were used. Certain- WE MADE IT MORE CONVENIENT. ly, since the high -frequency amplifier will not actually be driving a woofer, it Join the LaserDisc Fan Club will produce less heat, but the voltage Your choice of hit movies, concerts swings will be the same, as will the and operas amplifier's clipping level. In addition, a crossover network with At low discount prices only some of the intended speakers con- Plus free shipping nected toit may representafairly strange load that your amplifiers may And free monthly catalogs have difficulty driving. That depends For more information, call 1-800-322-2285. largely on the amps themselves and the SHURE ® design of the crossovers, but in some For product literature, cal11-800-257-4873 circumstances you could damage the (In Illinois,1-800-624-8522) LaserDisc Fan Club output stages of your amplifiers. 0

01989 LaserDisc Fan Club CIRCLE NO. 104 ON READER SERVICE CARD CIRCLE NO. 173 ON READER SERVICE CARD 28 S t'ERE() RIVIEWDECE MI* R1989 ADVERTISEMENT "..."Superb side bysound side and with virtual speakers invisibility." costing three to five thetimes more as much, exciting the and AM tistenable -5 consistently sound produced..." -Stereo Review Julian Misch upsidespeakerturning"Bose continuesdown. theworld It frontiersresearchingcompaniesofqualifies the handful asof onethe of speakeracoustics design:' and -Cnicag,o Tribune, Rich Warren standout." . a-The New York Times, sonic Hans Fame! ADVERTISEMENT

TAKING A "BUILDING BLOCK "APPROACH TO A HOME ENTERTAINMENT THE MOST SYSTEM LETS YOU BUILD EXCITING PART YOUR SYSTEM GRADUALLY OR ALL AT ONCE, AND OF YOUR VIDEO COULD ENJOY IT AT EVERY BE THE AUDIO! STAGE! k Tim Holl

The videotape movie you rent this fidelity. I remember the excitement I felt several years weekend may offer more entertain- ago when I took home an early model laser disc ment than you thought passible. player, hooked it up to my sound system, placed my If itis recent, it probably has a television midway between the speakers and settled hi-fi soundtrack rivaling the sound back to watch "Raiders of the Lost Ark That excite- of compact discs. From the thun- ment was fully justified, and I soon became totally

dering bass of jet aircraft in Top Gun to the emo- absorbed in the entertainment...until I was jarred tional impact of Amadeus, home video soundtracks out of the world of Indiana Jones by the sound of his have come a long way. Watching them on a voice somewhere off -screen, even though I saw him normal television with its built-in sound system is obviously speaking on -screen. Audio for video was rather like listening to modem albums on a wind-up apparently not as simple as the "audio only" material phonograph. to which I had been accustomed. In the world of Enjoying this new dimension of sound and motion audio for video, spatial cues our eyes receive must can be accomplished in different ways and at different match the assnriated audio cues our ears receive, and levels. By just combining your current audio system that was the missing element. with your television you can begin to unleash the The area of high fidelity audio for home video is so excitement built into today's videos and broadcasts. new that misconceptions about what is appropriate And don't forget that many video soundtracks are abound. While much work has been done over the also "surround" encoded. By making a modest yearson high quality audio associated with video, this upgrade to your current system, you can be on a path work has almost exclusively been in the realm of toward a full surround sound system with as many as cinema sound-a situation that is very different from six speakers that will rival the sound heard in some of your home. In the cinema, the listening space is the best cinemas, and exceed that heard in most others. But if you find the thought of six speakers in a room daunting, forget the bulky multi -channel systems of the past -today such a system can be virtually invisible. The path you take to achieve the full performance locked in today's software and off -air program material is up to you. Regardless of approach, the key to really recreating the cinema experience in your WIDE NARROW home and building a true home entertainment system is understanding the performance requirements and (Wide) Speakers too far to either side of the TV screen may prodwe an unnatural sounding phantom center image. Speech will not be localized potential pitfalls of such a system, and knowing on -screen as the eye and ear expect to hear. what's available to build it. (Narrow) By moving the speakers closer to the TV screen, a more pleasant and natural on -screen speech effect is created. Be sure the Does "audio for video" impose additional speakers you use are magnetically shielded to prevent picture inter- requirements? ference. High -quality audio soundtracks on laser disc and videotape are a relative newcomer in the field of high ADVERTISEMENT

The cinema sound stage is much larger and wider than even the Largest home TV screen, with loudspeakers behind the full width of the screen. exactly matching the size of the sound stage. By building toward the ultimate home sound system, you get closer to a cinema experience with each "building block" step taken.

obviously much larger than that in the home. But soundtrack. In addition, if the speakers can produce more importantly, the screen is also much larger and deep bass, you will hear another benefit. In movies, matches exactly the size of the sound stage (the deep bass is often used to provide essential clues to the loudspeakers ate behind the screen). In the home, overall atmosphere of a scene. A deep, continuous even large rear -projection televisions provide small - bass note is often used to impart unease or danger, screen viewing by comparison. The TV screen is such as when "enemy" space ships come into view A much smaller than the size of the audio image loudspeaker without good bass performance will liter- delivered by a normal stereo system with 6 to 8 feet of ally not produce such separation between the loudspeakers. notes, and the effect Taking all this into account, let's take a "building will be totally lost.If block" approach to a home entertainment system. your speakers lack ade- Starting from the simplest utilization of a current quate bass response, you stereo system, to a full multi -channel system, let's may wish to consider examine the benefits and drawbacks of each upgrading them. Here, approach. knowing what's new 4 can help a great deal. If _ANE A first step. space is at a premium, or The first step is to connect your video sound to if you simply object to the negative cosmetic impactThe "Building Block" your stereo system and place your TV screen midway larger speakers might impose on your decor, Bose® Approach between the speakers. Make sure to use the stereo Acoustimass° speaker systems could provide an Start with your TV and hi-fi VCR (block1). Add powered audio outputs of your VCR or laser disc player. excellent solution. In these systems, the stereo image speakers or a PmLogic® receiver (The most common mistake is connecting the is provided by enclosures that are so small, they and a pair of hi-fi speakers (blocks signal from the RF output [Antenna Out] of a hi-fi virtually disappear into the room. A patented Bose 2&3). Put blocks 2 and 3 VCR or laser disc player to the TV, then connecting design allows you to conceal a third piece, the together and add rear speakers (block 4) and you've built the audio outputs from the TV to the hi-fi Acoustimass bass module, anywhere in the room, "ultimate" surround systemthe system. This kind of RF output connection does where it produces full, deep bass without giving any while enjoying it one piece at a not transmit stereo sound to the television, and you audible hint as to its location. time. will end up with monophonic playback of stereo All hooked up, where else to go? sources!) With your current stereo system properly con- Properly connected, this setup will provide an nected, the benefits are better sound, wider image immediate improvement in the tonal balance com- and deep bass. However, there is also a localization pared with just about any television's built-in speaker. problem to overcome. Unlike typical audio software, In addition, the audio image will be wide, extending much of the sound on a television is speech, most of it to at least the width of the space between the coupled to an image on the screen of the person speakers. (Vocal localization will not be as strongly on talking. We expect that speech to be strongly local- screen as you are used to with your television, but this ized on the TV screen. However, the phantom center compromise may be acceptable to you-if not, I will image produced by the pair of wide -spaced speakers show you how to improve matters later.) The improve- just does not provide enough on -screen localization. ment will definitely be considered worthwhile, Thus, if such a system is used, a sense of dissatisfaction particularly on video material with a musical ADVERTISEMENT

with the result frequently appears with time, even if Rear channel... the final frontier. the viewer cannot quite put his finger on what So far,I have only covered what the surround actually is wrong. A degree of on -screen localization system can achieve in the front of the room. Indeed, can frequently be retrieved by slightly turning up the this is probably the most important function of it. volume on the television speaker, but a better answer However, a complete audio -video system should also is to move the speakers adjacent to either side of the include rear channel speakers as well. screen. This will give a narrower sound stage, but will It is normally desirable to select inconspicuous retain all the higher quality sound with excellent on-speakers, since there now will be many of them in the screen localization. To do this requires that the speak- room. It is also desirable to place them such that ers be magnetically shielded so that the televisionfurniture is not positioned directly between them and picture is not adversely affected. (Once again, the the viewer (such as the back of the favorite armchair Bose® Acoustimass° speaker systems are ideal for being used). Such placement is most easily achieved discreet placement adjacent to the TV. They are if they are positioned relatively high on the rear wall. exceptionally small, and are magnetically shielded.) If deep bass were not needed, this Would allow the use of any number of models of small speakers. However, Moving onward toward the home cinema. investigation has shown that in about 50% of sur- Looking at slightly more complex audio -video round encoded movies, bass is deliberately included systems, it becomes possible to enjoy on -screen in d -.e surround channel. To get the full impact of vocal localization with a wide stereo image. To do such movies, it is desirable to reproduce that bass. this, a steering logic surround decoder is included Once again, Bose Acoustimass systems are an excel- in the system. However, the important part of what lent solution, providing deep bass, and very small this decoder does isin the front of the room, stereo speakers that can be easily wall -mounted. not in the rear as might be expected. It assures If a full surround system is used as described, the that speech is directed to a speaker close todesired effects in the rear will only be heard on the screen. In most video material, surround encoded material (which includes almost speech is recorded monophon- all modem movies). However, the left -right -center ically to assure that good on- steering produced by the decoder will, as stated screen localization can be obtained. earlier, be effective on most material, surround A steering logic surround decoder encoded or not. It is therefore a good idea, if possible, has right, left and center outputs to only switch the rear speakers on or off for encoded for the front of the room. Its logicor non -encoded material respectively, leaving the will direct the monophonic con- decoder itself active at all times. tent of the program, including speech, to the center channel only, Now playing ... The total cinema experience. and not to the right or left chan- The ultimate system described is an audio system nels. (Simpler surround decoders that can be used as a "home theater" and will rival without steering logic will not pro- sound heard in some of the best cinemas. However, it vide the same benefit, even if they is not necessary to take an "all or nothing" approach. have a center channel, since mono- Remember that I built up to this system, showing just phonic signals will be fed equally to what each addition added. In just the same way, you Adding a pair of quality high therightand left channels in such decoders.) It can build a system all at once, or one step at a time. fidelity loudspeakers adds to the should be noted that the front channel "steering" to The addition of just a pair of quality speakers and excitement and enjoyment of give the on -screen vocal localization will be effective watclUngtelevision and videotape suitable amplification can be a tremendous improve- moies. on most material, even if non -surround encoded ment, and the start of your dream audio -video system. material. Addition of a steering logic surround decoder for a With full bandwidth stereo speakers widely spaced full -width sound image together with on -screen to either side of the television screen for a normal vocals brings you closer to a true cinema experience. wide stereo image, the center channel speaker(s) Finally, if you add rear channel speakers to the system, should be placed on top of or adjacent to the televi-surround encoded material fills your room with sion. You now, of course, need those center channel sound. There is no question that at each stage the loudspeakers, but they do not have to produce deep improvement is very noticeable, but the most notice- bass, as their real purpose is to localize speech. Once able improvement will be when you take that first again, they must be magnetically shielded since they step. You may wonder how you ever put up with are close to the TV screen, and amplification must be ordinary TV sound, and find yourself renting those provided for them. Steering logic decoders can be old favorites again to hear what you missed the first purchased as separate pieces of equipment or as time. To find out where to audition a system like the features incorporated into a receiver. Such equip- one described in the article, call I-800-444-BOSE. ment may well provide power amplification for any rear surround channel speakers, but can fail to provide amplification for the center channel. This requires a separate amplifier or, more conveniently, About the author: Tim Holl has spent 24 years in the audio business as a Senior Engineer the use of magnetically shielded self -powered speakers and VP/ Technical Director. Tim is currently Manager of Research in such as the Bose Video RoomMate° speaker system. Acoustics at Bose Corporation, USA. ADVERTISEMENT

A MORE LIFELIKE EXPERIENCE IS JUST CHOOSING THE RIGHT WAITING TO BE UNLEASHED, BUT ONLY COMPONENTS. IF YOU KNOW HOW, AND ONLY IF YOU PLAN TODAY FOR YOUR NEEDS TOMORROW.

f you haven't yet read the article on the last components in terms of total Home Entertainment. three pages you could be cheating yourself, Even if your current video activities are simply watch- because the information it contains could ing sporting events or standard network broadcasts literally change the way you enjoy your on your TV, you will be amazed at how much more music system forever. Some new-found lifelike the experience of your entertainment selec- excitement may be available in your home tion will be when delivered in real high fidelity today, hidden in the hi-fi tracks of your video soft- sound. With the purchase of the right components, ware, or in the television airways. A more lifelike particularly speakers, you can enhance your enjoy- home entertainment experience is just waiting to be ment today and protect your investment from becom- unleashed, but only if you know how, and plan today ing obsolete. In the following pages we will introduce for your needs tomortow. With the information con- you to Bose speaker systems that use unique tained in this article you can greatly enhance the patented technologies to achieve a standard of design investment you have already made or are about to and performance that until recently was not possible. make. Planning your audio system should not be Just starting your entertainment adventure? limited to just music, rather you should view your If you have nothing more than a television set the best way to begin the development of your home entertainment system is with the Bose Video Room - A11111111111111110111111\, Mate® speaker system. The Video RoomMate system will provide full -range, high fidelity sound with crisp, clear stereo separation that will enhance your viewing and listening enjoyment. The Bose Video RoomMate system is afuUy- integrated system. This eliminates the need to purchase or co- inect separate amplifiers or electronics. In addition to high performance stereo amplification, the system incorporates magnetically shielded patented Helical Voice Coil drivers which increase the performance, efficiency and durability of the system, while protecting against video interference. The Video RoomMate system also includes active equalization circuitry which balances the tone automatically and is optimized for video broadcasts. Addi- tional limiting circuitry virtually eliminates distortion even when played at maximum volume. As your system grows, the Video RoomMate system can be utilized as an ideal center channel speaker in a ww1111111111111111111111111PIIIIIIIIIIIMM1111111111111111111 multi -channel system, allowing you to add the Video RoomMate system now with confidence that it will The Bos! Video RoontMate speaker system's integrated design inciudes shielded stereo speakers, stereo not become obsolete as you continue to build your amplifier, limiting circuits and active equalizer, all m one package. home entertainment system. ADVERTISEMENT

"SUPERB SOUND AND VIRTUAL INVISIBILITY." "...SIDE BY SIDE WITH SPEAKERS COSTING INTRODUCING BOSE THREE TO FIVE TIMES "VIRTUALLY INVISIBLE" AS MUCH, THE AM -5 CONSISTENTLY SPEAKER SYSTEMS. PRODUCED THE MORE EXCITING AND LISTENABLE SOUND..." -STEREO REVIEW Julian Hirsch

Bose° Acoustimass°,5 its location. The Acous- Direct/Reflecting® speaker system timass module is com- plemented by a pair of The magnetically shieldedstereo imaging cube Acoustimass-5 speaker system isspeaker arrays-each the result of years of research dedi- measuring only slightly cated to providing room -filling, high -quality sound over Tin./17 cm high. A One of two stereo imaging cube reproduction. A pair of tiny stereo imaging cube product of the Bose Acoustimass bass Direct/ Acoustimass-5 system. module are "virtually invisi- Reflecting° speaker ble" in a room, yet capable technology, their design of powerful bass and is based on over 20 years exceptional spatial of research dedicated to qualities. The perfor-recreating sound that manceofthe approaches the exper- Acoustimass-5 surpasses ience of a live even that of much larger, performance. more expensive speak - Additionally this One of two en. This level of perfor- unique Bose design also stereo speaker arrays mance is the result ofdelivers the benefit of included in Acoustimass-SE5 patented Bose Acousti-Stereo Everywhere° styling alternative. mass technology. Unlike sound regardless of where you sit in the listening room conventional speakers, (see diagram). Acoustimass speakers Each cube array can be conveniently mounted launch sound into the on a wall, ceiling, or shelf with available Bose mount- room by two masses ofing accessories, which can provide for a "virtually air, rather than by a invisible" installation in your room. vibrating surface. This results in purer bass response with virtually no distortion. Its small size and distortion - free per- Conventional speakers (left) reproduce mainly direct sound. formance They miss much of music's realism and impact-and let you hear full allow the mod- stereo only in a narrow spot. Bose Direct/Reflectine speakers ule to be hidden (right) accurately reproduce the balance of direct and reflected sound, providing greater realism in full stereo throughout the listening room, anywhere in a room wherever you at. without any audible hint of ADVERTISEMENT

WHATEVER YOUR BUDGET, DECOR OR PURER SOUND AND LISTENING REQUIREMENTS"VIRTUAL INVISIBILITY" BOSE SPEAKER SYSTEMS COMBINE SURPRISINGLY FROM BOSE SMALL SIZE WITH TECHNOLOGY. HIGH PERFORMANCE.

ose Acoustimass()-3 Direct/Reflecting® speaker system

Offering much of the performance of the AcoustimassQ5 speaker system but at lower cost, is the new Acoustimass-3 speaker system, the world's smallest speaker system offering purer sound and virtual invisibility. Unique wedge-shaped, magnetically shielded cubes, each about the size of a softball, are coupled with a patented Acoustimass bass module only slightly larger than a shoe box. As with all BoseBose® Freestyle' speaker Acoustimass systems, the bass module can be hidden One of two stereo imaging cubes anywhere in your room yet all the bass still seems to Although not an Acoustimass system, included in Acoustimass-3 come from the imaging cubes. patented Bose technology in the Freestyle system system. The system produces life- provides maximum performance in a small, inexpen- like stereo sound with all the sive bookshelf speaker. Surprisingly small size com- bass, power handling andbined with high performance qualify the Freestyle dynamic range you would system as a Bose "virtually invisible" speaker system. expect only from a much larger At the heart of the Freestyle speaker system is and more expensive system. the Bose Helical Voice Coil driver. After 11 years of The extremely small sizecontinued Bose research in the performance areas of of the Acoustimass-3 system accuracy, power output, efficiency and reliability, we allows placement anywhere in believe this driver is the most highly developed in the your room .. next to a'TV, or world. Used for the first time in the Bose Freestyle, any out-of-the-way location. this is the latest and most enhanced Bose HVC driver Available mounting accesso-to date. It provides exceptional power handling, and ries allow additional flexibilityextended high frequency performance. A patented of installation. curved and flared porting system, optimized just for Compare Acoustimass-3this new driver, allows the Freestyle speaker to speakersproduce low frequencies previously only thought to largerpossible from a much larger enclosure. and more The Freestyle offers performance that will expensive systems. We impress the most discriminating listener, particularly submit no system in its price classfor its size. As with the other "virtually invisible" will offer the same level of performanceBose speaker systems, mounting accessories provide and flexibility placement flexibility for the Freestyle. ADVERTISEMENT

WHAT MAKES AN ACOUSTIMASS SPEAKER DIFFERENT FROM ACOUSTIMASS ANY OTHER? TECHNOLOGY AN ACOUSTIMASS SPEAKER LAUNCHES A BENEFIT SOUND INTO THE ROOM YOU CAN HEAR BY TWO AIR MASSES, RATHER THAN BY BUT NOT SEE. A VIBRATING SURFACE.

One of two stereo imaging cube Bose Acoustimass-5 bass module speaker arrays included in (Plexiglass model for illustratim Acoustimass-5 system. purposes (mly.) ADVERTISEMENT

(top left) Bose Acoustimass- The Important Benefits SE5 speaker system. Of Bose Acoustimass Speaker Systems. (Top right) Bose Acoustimass- 5 white wall -ceiling mount acces- Purer sound sory (WC -6)intypical Sound is launched into the room by two air "surround sound" rear channel masses, rather than from a vibrating surface. Acous- application allows"virtually invisible" installation. tic filtering of distortion within the Acoustimass module means that the air masses are purer sound (Bottom left) The Bose Video Rixmimatec" speaker system can generators than mechanically vibrating cone be used to add high fidelity to surfaces. simple TV viewing. (Bottom right) Acoustimass Virtual invisibility bass MAL'S conceal easily virtu- The acoustic filtering of distortion means that ally anywhere. the compact Acoustimass module can reproduce the lower musical spectrum, yet without the audible localization of the source of the sound. The remaining upper octaves of music are reproduced by extremely small and unobtrusive stereo imaging speakers.

Wider dynamic range The reduced distortion, high efficiency and f imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, power handling design of the Acoustimass system then Bose® Acoustimass® speaker systems means that you can reliably take full advantage of the have received their due serving of praise. wide dynamic range of digital compact discs and hi-fi While many manufacturers have intro-videocassettes. duced three-piece speaker systems that look much like Bose Acoustimass speaker How An Acoustimass Module Works: systems, none can duplicate the operation or perfor- Improving speaker performance means first mance of patented Bose Acoustimass speaker reducing distortion. The design of an Acoustimass technology. system produces no discernible distortion. (See dia- Like many, you may have marveled at the grams.) This means a better sound. It is the distortion extremely small size of the Bose Acoustimass speak-in the reproduction of bass frequencies which allows ers, which can literally fit in the palm of your hand. But the listener to pinpoint the location of their source. the real secret is hidden from view, in the Acousti-This is why a conventional subwoofer must be placed mass module which allows the imaging speakers to close to its satellite speakers for optimum perfor- be so small. Only Acoustimass speaker technology mance. Unlike conventional systems, however, the can allow such speakers to be so small. Only Bose reduction in distortion from a patented Acoustimass patented Acoustimass systems achieve it all. Purerspeaker system also gives the listener an additional sound, virtual invisibility, high power handling, benefit-the ability to hear all the sound seemingly improved efficiency and wider dynamic range. originate solely from the small imaging speakers. The result is a system with better performance which can be easily concealed anywhere in your listening room. The ultimate benefits of this patented Bose speaker technology? Purer sound and virtual invisibility.

))

Acoustimass Speaker Conventional Speaker

Left:An Acoustimass speaker launches sound into the mom using two masses of air um -kinglike pistons (A&B, darker blue), rather thanbya surface vibrating directly into the mom. The sound launched into the mom by the Acoustimass speaker's air pistons is the purest sound that Bose Acoustimass-3 bass module and one of two stereo imaging cubes can be produced by present technology. included with Acoustimass-3 system. (Plexiglass model shown for Right: A vibrating claw radiating directly into the mom (C) produces illustration purposes only.) more distorted sound. ADVERTISEMENT

AT BOSE THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE IS BOSE CORPORATION: TO PRODUCE AUDIO PRODUCTS WITH PERFORMANCE ADVANTAGES WITH CLEAR BENEFITS TO LISTENERS

EVERYWHERE. Dr Amar G. Bose, founder and Chairman of Bose Corporation.

he Bose story began in the acoustical testing, which assures that they meet research laboratories of MIT. critical performance and reliability requirements. Dr. Amar G. Bose, professor of In applications ranging from private home lis- electrical engineering at the Mass- tening to automobiles, televisions, computers or achusetts Institute of Technology large-scale concert hall reinforcement, Bose products (MIT), began wondering in the deliver sound to some of the most demanding listen- 1950's why loudspeakers with impressive published ers in the world. technical specifications failed to reproduce the full, Performance, innovation and quality combine rich subtleties of a live musical performance. to make Bose products the choice of both profession- For 12 years, Dr. Bose studied speaker design and als and consumers alike, which is why we believe: "If music is important in your life, sooner or later you will tion of sound. His findings resulted in design con- own a Bose system." cepts for radically different kinds of speaker systems. For a free Bose product brochure, or the name of the Bose dealer nearest you, call 1-800-444-BOSE. The company behind the products. Bose is the world leader in acoustics and innovative audio products for home and industry. Bose Corporation was formed in 1964. In 1968 together with a team of engineers including many of his former students, Dr. Bose entered the high fidelity music field by introducing the Bose 901® Direct/ Reflecting® loudspeaker system. With the 901 sy tem, Dr. Bose and his research team achieve, I international acclaim by setting a new standard in music reproduction. Bose Corporation designs, manufactures and markets some of the finest audio products in the world. In fact, Bose has been chosen by many of the world's leading automobile, computer and television manufacturers to provide quality sound for their products. At Bose, the primary objective is to produce audio products with performance advantages that provide clear benefits to listeners everywhere. We have produced some of our most popular models in black finish to complement today's high-technology audio/video equipment. Bose engineers have worked to assure that the product reaching the consumer is thoroughly tested for quality and durability, and will perform reliably for years. By creating and employing the Syncom® computer quality assurance program, Bose speaker com- .171511E"' ponents receive demanding and comprehensive Better sound through research.

VAR

phones can be small, light, and inex- Now the sound gets pensive, and yet they can offer true high-fidelity performance. At the other end of the cost spec- from there to here- trum is the electrostatic or condens- er microphone, which is used for the majority of professional applica- third inseries on tions. A very light,flexible diaphragm, with a thin metallic coating deposited on its rear surface, is posi- the basics of audio. tioned near a fixed metal plate so that the sound reaching the diaphragm varies its distance from the plate. These two elements act as a BV IAN G. MASTERS capacitor in an electricalcircuit, varying the characteristics of the circuit in step with the sound. Such THE task of any audio sys- microphones are capable of the fin- tem, however simple or est performance, but they require complex it may be, is to that an external voltage be applied reproduce in our listening to charge the fixed plate. A varia- rooms sounds that occurred at a dif- tion on this theme, which is much ferent place and time. Over the simpler to use and less expensive to years, some of the most ingenious produce, is the electret microphone, technological thought in any field which uses a permanently charged has gone into developing the means plate requiring no external power to get high -quality signals to the source. The majority of micro- inputs of our hi-fi systems. Some sound. To get this sound into the phones for home use are now elec- knowledge of how thisprocess audio chain requires a microphone. trets. works is basic to an understanding The resistive device used as a However they go about it, micro- of audio as a whole: Before we can microphone in early telephones did phones create the varying audio sig- begin to consider specific compo- its job well enough, andit was nals that other components require nents, we must know what itis adapted for early radio and record- to do their work. Such a signal may they're supposed to do and what ing. But it was only with the coming be sent directly to the listener, as in sort of information they have to of the electrodynamic microphone a live broadcast. Far more often, work with. that thefullaudio range could be however, itis recorded, and that captured reliably. A "dynamic" mi- usually involves magnetic tape. The First Step crophone is one that uses the dura- Practically everything we listen to ble moving -coil design, in which a Pure Magnetws starts out as live sound, from a round, more -or -less flat diaphragm It would be difficult to overstate radio announcer's dulcet tones to a is attached to a very light coil of the importance of tape recording. multitrack rock extravaganza. The wiresurrounded by aspecially Practically every record, tape, or signal may have been manipulated shaped magnet. As the diaphragm compact disc we buy was mastered and processed along the way, and it moves in and out in response to the on magnetic tape (with the sole may even have some totally artifi- sound waves hittingit,the coil exception of a few direct -to -disc au- cial elements added to it, such as moves with respect to the magnetic diophile recordings). Almost every- synthesized instruments or digital field and thereby generates a corre- thing we listen to on the radio is also delay, but its core is usually real sponding voltage. Dynamic micro- recorded, and for the past few years

SURE() RFN 11.18 DECEMBER1989 39 THE SASICS the overwhelmingly favorite me- amount of magnetism a particular cording is still the most common dium for music buyers has been the tape can hold is limited; beyond a method, several specialized types of cassette. certain level, distortion rises to an audio storage have been developed Tape recording may be the purest unacceptable amount. And yet re- that take advantage of the wide - application of electromagnetic prin- cording at too low a level, even bandwidth capability of video re- ciples in audio. A signal fed to a coil though that may still be within the corders, which have upper frequen- of wire encircling a bar of iron will linear range, makes only too ob- cy limits more than a hundred times create a strong magnetic field that vious the fact that tape is a noisy greater than that of an ordinary varies with the signal. Normally, the medium, for pianissimo passages audio tape recorder. The three main lines of magnetic force will run from are easily lost in the hiss. Noise per- video formats now provide hi-fi one pole to the other lengthwise formance depends partly on the sound by using a frequency -modu- along the metal, but if the bar is width of the track being recorded, so lated carrier for the audio signal. curved so that the ends just about professionals tendtouse wider Like the picture information, the meet, the field in the gap between tapes, or wider tracks on ordinary FMcarrier is recorded across the them will be stronger because of the tapes, to minimize noise. Profes- tape diagonally, effectively bypass- shorter distance from pole to pole. ing most of the inherent limitations Placing an object that has the abil- of the tape-recording process and ity to accept and retain magnetiza- offering quality that rivals that of tion in contact with this gap will digital recordings. Beta and 8mm vary its magnetism in step with the vat's include the hi-fi audio signal energy it receives. A thin strip of with the video information, but plastic coated with iron oxide (rust) VHS machines use a separate head drawn past such a magnetically ac- that takes advantage of the fact that tive gap-as in a tape deck's record- higher -frequency signals (the video) ing head-will cause its particles to are recorded on the surface of the be magnetized in response to the tape while lower -frequency ones varying signal. This magnetic ana- (the audio) penetrate deeper into log of the original signal is recorded the oxide layer. Video's bandwidth across the tape as a continuously also allows the recording of pure varying series of parallel magnetic digital audio signals using a normal "waves."Drawingthenow -re- VCRtogether with a digital adaptor. corded tape past the gap in the head And the new digital audio tape once again, this time with no cur- (DAT) recorders have a similarly rent in the coil, will re-create the wide bandwidth. magnetic field within the gap, which will produce an electrical signal in Physical Storage the coil that is-in theory-identi- Until very recently, the audio- cal to the original. phile medium was the vinyl record, Unfortunately, it's not so simple. sional tape recorders tend to im- in which the signal is engraved as an For one thing, no magnetic medium prove high -frequency reproduction undulating spiral groove directly is linear: Tape responds differently by the use of faster tape speeds, as analogous to the original audio sig- at different signal levels, and re- performance in this area depends nal. The recording device is the cut- sponse variations are usually most largely on the number of magnetic ter head, which contains an electro- pronounced at the lowest levels, particles passing the recording head dynamic element rather like a dy- where most of the music is. To in a given period of time. namic microphone. In this case, overcome this,ahigh -frequency To gain even more advantage, however, the moving component is bias current is added to raise the sig- severalelectronicnoise -reduction connected to a sort of chisel-the nal level overall into a region where processes, notably Dolby and dbx, stylus-rather than a diaphragm, the tape is closer to linearity. In were developed. Both operate dur- and an audio signal is fed to the effect, the positive/negative polarity ing recording by reducing the ratio head rather than being produced by of a normal audio signal, which between a signal's highest and low- it. The cutter head is mounted on an passes through the zero point,is est levels-its dynamic range-to assembly that gradually moves the convertedtoa maximum/mini- something the tape can handle, a stylus across the soft surface of a mum variation, with the minimum processcalledcompression, and master disc, cutting a spiral groove point still well above the trouble- then increasing it again during play- from the edge to the center of the some response range. Bias is also back (calledexpansion). As the disc. The shape this groove takes as fed at a considerably higher level to quieter material is reduced to its the stylus moves back and forth a deck's erase head, where it scram- proper level, the noise is reduced from the center line is an analog of bles the magnetic information on a with it. The details of the various the audio signal: the higher the fre- tape, leaving a clean medium ready Dolby systems and the dbx system quency, the more tightly spaced the to accept a new recording. are different, but the basic principle undulations; the louder the signal, Boosting the overall signal level is the same. the farther afield the stylus travels. bringsitsownproblems.The While conventional analogre- The master discitself could be

40 SIF.REO REVIEW DECEMBER 1989 Even If Your Best Friend Breaks Them,

We'll Repair Or Replace Them.

Koss Stereophones have become world- renowned for two And that's something to think about the next time things: outstanding sound and extraordinary durability. you're in the market for a pair of phones. After all, it'd But nobody's perfect. That's why Koss is pleased to pre- be a shame for a broken pair of stereophones to break sent something literally unheard of in the audio business. up a good friendship. Introducing the industry's first lifetime warranty. For more information and the name ofyour nearest From now on, if an y pair of Koss Stereophones should ever dealer, call toll free: 1-8C0-USA-KOSS Or write: Koss fail for any reason, we'll repair or replace them. No Stereophones, 412 9 North Port questions asked. From the smallest portable model right Washington Road, Milwaukee,HKOSS up through Koss' infrared Kordless' systems. WI 53212. stereophones

Hoss'No-Questions-Asked limited lifetime Warranty.

CIRCLE NO. 55 ON READER SERVICE CARD THE BASICS played, but it would soon be de- tion can be broadcast over great dis- signal received by an FM tuner is a stroyed; we buy harder copies made tances. mixture of the left and right chan- from a mold of the master. Any alternating signal has two nels (L + R), but there is also a sup- The RIAA equalization used in components, amplitude andfre- pressed subcarrier at 38 kHz-much making every vinyl record was born quency, and either can be varied to higher thananything we could of the recognition that low -frequen- carry information. The original type hear-that is amplitude -modulated cy material takes up most of the of radio was amplitude modulation, with a stereo difference signal (L - groove space. By reducing the bass or AM, in which the level of the car- R). In a stereo receiver, one channel by a specific amount in mastering rier varies in step with an audio sig- is derived by adding the difference the record and then boosting it by nal. The carrier radiates outward signal to the main signal and the the same amount on playback, the from the broadcasting antenna, in- other by subtractingit,canceling grooves can be made closer together ducing a voltage in any receiving out the unwanted channel in each and the playing time longer. At the antenna it encounters. The receiver case. To enable your tuner to per- same time, boosting the treble on itself contains a tuned circuit that form this operation, every stereo recording and reducing it by the responds only to one carrier fre- station broadcasts a stereo beacon, same amount on playback signifi- quency at a time and then detects or pilot, at 19 kHz. The beacon sig- cantly reduces surface noise. what's happening to that carrier. nal must be filtered out of the audio, The stylus that is used to record Any level variations it turns into which is one reason the upper fre- the two channels of stereo in a single sound. The AM system suffers in quency limit of FM broadcasting is groove has two driving devices that that the various forms of interfer- 15 kHz rather than 20 kHz. are mounted at right angles to each ence a broadcast signal encounters other and at 45 degrees with respect along the way are indistinguishable By the Numbers to the disc surface. Each of the ele- from desired amplitude differences, An analog signal continuously ments is fed with one channel and so static and other noises are a prob- varies over time. There is, however, translatesthisto anin -and -out lem. Also, AM operates in a frequen- only one signal level at any mo- movement; as both channels are cy range that lets it bounce off one ment, and this level can be meas- feeding the cutter head at the same level of the atmosphere, the iono- ured. If a succession of such mea- time and the two dynamic elements sphere, particularly at night. This surements were taken, the original are attached to the same stylus, the does increase the listening range, signal could be reconstructed, as stylus moves with a vertical compo- but it also increases the chance that long as the instantaneous measure- nent as well as a lateral one. Each different AM stations will interfere ments were taken often enough. wall of the groove corresponds to with each other. This is the principle of digital audio: the movement of the opposite dy- The alternative is to modulate the An analog waveform is sampled at namic element. other characteristic of the carrier, its regular intervals, and the voltages The playback device, the phono frequency. This form of radio-fre- are noted and recorded. The sam- cartridge, is constructed similarly to quency modulation, or FM-has the pling rate need be only twice the the cutter head. In playback, the potential for much quieter opera- highest frequency we wish to record record groove imparts motion to tion, as it is relatively impervious to for us to be able to reconstruct the the stylus, which is converted by the most interference. In addition, the waveform perfectly; in audio, that cartridge's dynamic elements to a FM band was set up from the begin- means roughly 40 kHz. The sam- two -channel electricalsignal. For ning with a wider audio bandwidth pling rate that was chosen for the each channel, the opposite wall of than AM, making true high-fidelity compact disc is 44.1 kHz. the groove imparts an in -and -out broadcastingpossible(while AM The individual sampling mea- motion that the cartridge element's could approach this level of fidelity, surements are recorded in binary coil can turn into electricity. The it rarely does so). The main problem notation, where all numbers are ex- groove wall on the same side as the with FM is a product of its much pressed as a series of 0's and l's, element, however, only causes a higher carrier frequencies (about a called binary digits, or bits. Any sin- pivoting motion within that coil, hundred times those of AM). Be- gle bit can indicate only whether a which is ignored. cause FM carriers tend to travel only signal is present ( I) or not (0), but in straight lines, like light, reception ifbitsareorganizedindigital Long Distance Audio is subject to distortion caused by "words," they can represent degrees Radio takes advantage of another multiple reflections from objects in of "presence"-signallevels,in electromagnetic phenomenon: If a the way, such as buildings, an effect other words. The more bits in each varyingelectricalsignalishigh called multipath. word, the greater the number of lev- enough in frequency, it radiates in Oneverydistinctadvantage, el variations it can express, hence much the same way as light. Feed- however, is that an FM carrier is the greater the dynamic range of the ing such a signal-called a carrier- capable of containing much more encoded signal. A 16 -bit word-the to an appropriate antenna allows it information than just the audio standard for the cD-can express to induce a voltage in a wire that spectrum. Subcarriers can be added 65,536 separate signal levels, which may be miles away. By using an without disturbing the audio. This corresponds to a dynamic range of audio signal as a control to modify is chiefly done to provide stereo approximately 96 dB. To obtain this the carrier in some way-to modu- reception. For the sake of compati- dynamic range, each of the 40,000- late it-music and other informa- bility with mono receivers, the main odd samples per second for each

42 STEREO REVIEW DECEMBER1989 THE MUSIC YOU WANT -NOW ON COMDACT DISCS! plus shipping and handling, TAKE ANY 8 CDs FOR 14with membership

Stones -Steel Wheels Ziggy Marley L The Paula Abdul -Forever Richard Marx -Repeat Offender(( MI) 380-915 Roc I Melody Makers -One Your Girl (Virgin) 374.837 387.738 Bright Day (Virgin) 386987

Steve Stevens Atomic The Jefferson Airplane Batman -Original Tom Petty -Full Moon The Chick Corea Kld Te Kanawa- Verdi 8 Big Audio Dynamite- Puccini Arias (CBS Master ) Megatop Phoenix Playboys (Warner Bros ) (Epic) 385.908 Soundtrack (Warner Bros ) Fever (MCA1 382.184 Akoustic Band (CHP) (Columba) 388.215 386.086 383.885 379891 343.269 ietion) The Dirty Dozen Band - Marla McKee Voodoo (Columba) Steve Relch-Different Simply Red -A New Bee Gees -One 383.844 Jean-Pierre RanipM- Yollowjackets-The Spin (Warner Bros I 386.060 381.962 Trains - Kronos Chanel / Flame (F lekt/a) 378.943 (MCA) 388.173 C PE. Bach: 5 Flute Bryan Ferry / Rosy Music Lloyd Cole 8 The Concertos (CBS Master ) The Neville Brothers - Electnc Counterpoint Pat Dave Grusin Collection Joe Satrlani-Surfing -Street Life (Reprise) Commotions-19134.1989 383-356/393.355 Yellow Moon (MM) Metheny (Nonesuch) (GRP) 378.398 With The Alien (Relativity) (Capitol) 383 778 381.889 380.071 387969 384.230 Cyntli Lauper-A Night To Anderson. Bnitord, Spyro Gyra-Point 01 Vladimir Feitsman- Branton:I Mansalle-Tno Portrait Of Yo -Yo Ma Remember (Epic) 377887 George Clinton -The Wakeman, Howe (Aosta) View (MCA) 383.73' Rachmaninoft Piano Jeepy (Columba) 381.830 (CBS Master) 379-941 Cinderella Theory Concerto No 3/ Rhapsody Gipsy Kings (Elektra) 384115 Ghostbusters 11-Ongina The Cuff -Sonic Temple Canadian Brass -The 377.812 (Paisley Park) 387134 Soundtrack (MCA) 383.711 On Theme Of Paganinr Dr. John -In A Zubin Mehta, Israel Phil (Sire/Reprise) 381.798 Gabrieli Album Eddie & The Cruisers 11 - (CBS Maslerwerks) Debbie Gibson -Electric Sentimental Mood Queen -The Miracle (CBS Master) 383315 Todd Rundgrer -Nearly Youth (Atlantic) 377.275 Original Soundtrack (Warner Bros 384040 (Capitol) 383.54 7 379.933 (Scoff! Brothers) 386813 Human (Warner Bros ) Guns N' Roses-GN'R Diana Ross -Working Grover Washington, Jr. - Roger NorrirVon- 38178') Drys -Watermark (Geffen) Paul Shaffer -Coast To 379.925 Lies (Geffen) 376.087 Overtime (Motown) Time Out 01 Mind Berlioz Symphonic Miles Davis-Arnandla Coast (Capiol) 386.276 383.984 (Columba) 383.539 Fantastoque, Op 14 Tone-loc-Loc'ed After Journey's Greatest (Wiener Bros 381.750 Hlta(Columbia) 375.279 Babyface-Tender Love Tin Machine Jean Luc Panty -In The London Classical Players Dark (Delicious Vinyl) (Epic) 386.177 (EMI America) 383.976 382.747 Joe Jackson -Blaze Of 379.875 R.E.M.-Green Fast Lane (Columbia) (Angell Glory (A&M) 381.699 RIppengtons-Tourist In Diane Schour -Collection 383.521 10,000 Maniacs -Blind Madonna -Like A Prayer (Warner Bros) 375.162 indigo Girls (E pic) 381.269 Paradise (GRP) 385.658 (GRP) 383.919 Boris Grebenehlkov- Man's Zoo (Elektra) (Sire) 379.594 .38 Special -Rock & Roll Adrian Belew-Mr. Music Pat Metheny Group - Ratko Silence (Columba) 382.077 Stevie Nicks -The Other Enrico Caruso -Opera Strategy (A5M) 375.139 Head (Allar17,C) 384.867 Letter From Home (Geffen) 383.513 L.L. Coot J -Walking Win Side Of The Mirror Arias and Songs. Milan The Traveling Wilburys- - (Modern) 381.103 David Benoit -Urban Day 383.901 A Panther 1902.1904 (Angel) 379255 Volume One (Wi(bur y) 384.628 Squeeze -Singles -45's (Del Jam I Columba) Aerosmith-Greatest Hits 375.089 Creams (GRP) Cher-Heart01 Stone And Under )ABM) 317.974 Martika (Columba) (Geffen) 383.893 381.968 (Columba) 306 225 379.149 U2 -Raffle And Hum Sony Jazz Collection - (Island) 374.017 Various Artists (Columba) Soul II Soul -Keep On Pete Townshend-The Beastie Boys -Paul's The Cure -Disintegration Skid Row (Atlantic) 386.169 Mourn' (Virgin) 386.037 Iron Man (Atlantic) 385.724 Boutique (Capitol) 383.786 (Eleklrai 382093 379602 Portrait of Wynton Mamas (CBS Master ) 373.555 FINS 113,0110 1111112. Luciano Pavarotti- Pavarotti in Concert (CBS Master) 373.548 Living Colour -Vivid FYCTIM MUNI' OOOOOOOOOO (Epic) 370.833 The Police -Every Breath You Take.The Singles (ABM) 348.318 Foreigner -Records (Atlantic) 318.055 Placid° Domingo -The Don Henley -The End Of When Harry Met Sally - Gloria Estefan-Cuts Milli Venial -Girl You Fine Young Cannibals - The Innocence (Geffen) Original Soundtrack Both Ways (Epic)382.341 Know Ifs True (Arista) The Raw And The Cooked Unknown Puccini 379.610(IRS) (CBS Master) 387829 383.802 (Columbia) 386.821 379.214 The age of CD sound is here -and you at least 10 days in which to make your ECBS COLUMBIA HOUSE, 1400 N. Fruitridge Ave. 155/590 hove o practical new way to find the CDs decision. If you ever receive any Selection P.O. Box 1129, Terre Haute, Indiana 47811-1129 Please accept my membership application under the terms outlined in this advertisement. you want. As your introduction to the Club, without having 10 days to decide, you may Send me the 8 Compact Discs listed here and bill me la plus shipping and handling for all you can choose any 8 CDs listed in this ad return it at our expense. eight.I agree to buy sin more selections at regular Club prices in the coming three for lit. Fill in and mail the application -we'll The CDs you order curing your member- years -and may cancel my membership at any time after doing so. send your CDs and bill you for IS plus ship will be billed at regular Club prices, SEND ME THESE shipping and handling. You simply agree which currently are $12.98 to $15.98 -plus 8 CDs FOR It to buy 6 more CDs (at regular Club prices) shipping and handling. (Multiple -unit sets in the next three years -and you may then may be somewhat higher.) After complet- cancel your membership anytime after ing your enrollment agreement you may doing so. cancel membership at any time; if you How the Club works. About every decide to continue as a member, you'll be My main musical interest is (check one): (But l may always choose from any co(egor y) four weeks (13 times a year) you'll receive eligible for our money -saving bonus plan. 0 Pop 0 Easy Listening 0 Heavy Metal the Club's music magazine, which It lets you buy one CD at half price for each 0 Hard Rock 0 Soft Rock Rolling Stones, Richard Marx, Barbra Srreisand, Roy Cana Great White. describes the Selection of the Month... plus CD you buy at regular Club prices. he Perry Madonna Barry Monilow Johnny Mothis White Lion new hits and old favorites from every field 10 -Day Free Trial: We'll send details of 13 Block Music CI Jazz 0 Country 0 Classical* of music. In addition, up to six times a year, the Clubs operation with your introductory l t Cool J.. Branford Mortals, Reba McEntee, Kr/ ITe Konowa. you may receive offers of Special shipment. If you are not satisfied for any Bobby Browm Spyro Gyro Honk Williams, Jr YoYo Mo Selections, usually at a discount off regular reason whatsoever, lust return everything Mr. Mrs Club prices, for a total of up to 19 buying within 10 days and you will have no further Miss Pfim F.,1 Nome lo,411 ton Nome opportunities. obligation. So why not choose 8 CDs for 16 If you wish to receive the Selection of the right now? Address Apr Month, you need do nothing -it will be ADVANCE BONUS OFFER: As a special State shipped automatically. If you prefer an offer to new members, take one additional City lip alternate selection, or none at all, fill in the Compact Disc right now and pay only De yen hove o VCR, (041 0 Vts 0 No Do you hone a credit cord? :03) Yes No response card always provided and mail it $6.95. It's a chance to get a ninth selection ADVANCE BONUS OFFER: Also send me at a super low price! LPS/F6 by the date specified. You will always have one more CD right now at the super low price LpT/F7

Howo, Pver ro Rrco..rne la, owois al otier.,..e ovudon ,esdenis seised lean teunro ApplKoble sans,, ; CBS/C01.1 NI B1 110USE: Terre 1 laute, 1 IN 4781 1 all orders .0ossoco, mambo's ser rKed b, ike CBS Cbsvcd Clue Transport 111111001111111111111 channel must be represented by 16 bits. Yourself. To record a stereo digital signal, The IRS 690 cordless therefore, we need a medium with headphone system. an upper frequency limit of at least 1.5 MHz. Once that requirement is Escape to a deeply personal satisfied, however, the method of world of sonic pleasure. The storing the signal becomes relatively Beyerdynamic IRS 690 system. unimportant. All that the playback With the warmth and intimacy mechanism need detect at any mo- that is distinctively Bever. Advanced ment is the presence or absence of a infrared technology for cordless, 360 -degree signal (a1 or a 0); distortion and movement without static or interference. And noise become irrelevant unless they the same diffuse -field design as the DT 990's- obscure thesignaltotally.Even the world's most critically -acclaimed dynamic speed irregularities-wow and flut- headphones-for superior imaging and ter-don't matter, as the bit stream startling accuracy. can be stored briefly in the playback device and then released at precisely Let the IRS 690 system transport the right sampling rate (known in you. Experience them at your this context as the clock frequency). local Beyer headphone dealer. The bits so retrieved can then be reorganized into 16 -bit words, and the voltages they correspond to can be regenerated. Some things can disrupt even digital recording and playback, howev- Ilevcrd% mimic 5-05 Burns Avenue. Hicks\ Me. NY 11801'Id. 1516)035-8000. Fax (516)935-8018 er: Tape dropouts, for instance, or flaws in a CD's surface can interrupt CIRCLE NO. 51 ON READER SERVICE CARD the data flow and cause some terrible noises. For this reason, digital recordings are encoded according to CD -BOX ,TAPE -BOX & VHS -BOX" a sophisticated scheme of error correction that allows the playback device to detect when information is missing or incorrect and then either reconstruct or simulate it. The main medium fordigital sound is the compact disc, which Introducing borrows from earlier videodisc tech- Maple nology. The string of 0's and l's in $49.95 & $59.95 the binary signal code is converted to a series of elongated pits arranged in a spiral on the disc (but without grooves; the playback device finds the proper spot on the disc electronically). In the player, a low-level laser beam is bounced off the disc's The CD -BOX, TAPE -BOX, and VHS -BOX To order call 800-247-2018. surface to a photosensitive device; are stand alone units. They fit in the CD -BOX & TAPE -BOX the pits passing through the beam space intended for LPs in audio -video Maple $49.95 alternately interrupt or reflectit, furniture and shelves. The solid hard- Light & Dark Oak 64.95 thus reproducing the binary code. wood drawer faces suit any decor. Maple Black Lacquer & Walnut 69.95 The resulting digital signal from the units offer the quality and efficiency of Teak 79.95 photocell, after error detection and our original BOXES at a lower price. VHS -BOX correction, passes through a digital - CD -BOX stores 60 discs in two drawers, to -analog converter, orDAC,where with dividers. Holds multi -CD albums. Maple $59.95 Light & Dark Oak 74.95 the original analog signalisre- TAPE -BOX, four drawers, hold 64 audio stored. From this stage on the signal and 8mm cassettes or 48 VHS -Cs. Black Lacquer & Walnut 79.95 Teak 89.95 is treated in a conventional (non - CD & TAPE : w 63/8",h 123/4",d 143/4" digital) fashion. VHS -BOX holds 24 VHS or Beta cassettesShip UPS per unit, in cont. US. $5.00 in two drawers. w 9", h 12 3/4", d 14 3/4" 30 day money -hack satisfaction guarantee. NEXT:Inputs-devices that turn re- Designed and manufactured in the USA cordings or broadcasts into signals By Hills Products Inc. 603-464-3999 the rest of your system can use. PO Box 1015, Hillsboro, NH 03244 L.19Ei3 CIRCLE NO 70 ON READER SERVICE CARD woo 1111111111.1!2-1-91'''""

Tufo. - I

KeSET

RECORD LEVEL

VrE5EIVITIMEiVi ...... !! * Woo OW*. ",r.,,L 001:1

600iLJU

9' COUNT/MOO COUNTER El REMONY INN 0

LEP,-6-

I - 1111111111111111111111011111111110- WgriiiTivatO

- MEW VOLUME

1111 PP 16 P6

PEI

1,1111141P- 30

MCOO DON'T BUY ONE OF THESE Urrn.. YOU TAKE A HEARING MST Warning: If you read this ad you'll wind up at your Sherwood dealer. Why? Well, it won't be the fact that our current line of home components is the finest we've ever built. Or because our engineers didn't cut corners to assure excellent, long lasting performance. Or because you'll have enough jacks to handle an entire home entertainment center.

No, the reason you'll see yoi, r Sherwood dealer is to listen to LEFT INPUT LEVEL RoCEIT 1 661 6 these components for yourself Because putting our sensibly priced components to tbelest is a heck of a tot more important than anything you'll find in an ad. Si(1M0011

_ If you think they sound goal now, wait until you hear them. LIVE PERFORMANCE SOUND"

13845 AATFSI ABINDCERRITOS, CA 90701 IN CANADA: NORESCO CANADA INC., TORONTO, ONTARIO 0 1989 INKELAMMON CIRCLE NO 103 ON READER SERVICE CARD UMITED EDITION CD Free With Purchase Of Any Car CD Player Or Home 6 -Disc Multi -CD Player By 12/31/89.

iac Pionee.r Fectronks (IAA) Inc. long Beach, CA Foe ructe inf imation call 1-830-421-1404. Sunday morning. Time to kick back, get comfortable, aid perfect the art of doing absolutely njthing. The ideal compan on? Pioneer's new PD -1V 710 six -disc CD player. Now you cat enjoy up to six hours of your favorite music without lifting a finger. The secret is PionEer's innovative six -disc magazine 'ormat. ft works in both Pioneer home and car multi -play systems and allows you to catalog and store your favorite CD's. And it even features Non -Repeating Random Play, whici is Ike having your own computerized disc jockey. All of whicl- mears you can spend less time changing your music and more time enjoying t. But don't wait for the weekend. (V) PIONEER We Bring The Revolution Home:"

y Carlizm ColAnchert.

4,VeZoreednd

1.11.111311:111.1.1. 4.1011CM. GOPOOR! IE sdoomm.c". cp.= PD-M71C ewer. 0. WINO =M. IN, AC. swww

CIRCLE NO31 ON READER SERVICE CARD TECHNICAL TALK

byJulian Hirsch ties of performance that they seem acoustics,andpsychoacoustics. to have lost the capacity for enjoy- Concurrent with this advance in ment. This preoccupation is often knowledge, we have seen an unend- expressed as a condescending atti- ing series of bizarre claims concern- tude toward those rank -and -file au- ing the great-never merely sub- diophiles who may be so misguided tle-audible effects of such factors as to fail to perceive the "truth" as as the design of connecting wiring in expounded by the cognoscenti. a system, the crystalline structure of Things were not always like that. various exotic materials, the dielec- In my early days as an audio hob- tric material used in capacitors, and byist, some forty years ago, most of thespecificconstructionof the us had a considerable amount of semiconductors used in a product ignorance,animperfectunder- (not necessarily in the signal path- standing of the phenomenon of power supplies too have received sound recording and reproduction, but we had many of the same feel- ings as today's audiophiles have Some people become so aboutthedistinctionsbetween involved in the minutiae of mass -market products and so-called high-fidelity components. sonic "differences" or subtle Despite the generous sprinklings qualities of performance that of nonsense in the claims made for they seem to have lost the some of those early products,I don't recall any appreciable accep- capacity for enjoyment. tance of the bizarre ideas promul- gated by people who were either (1) far ahead of their time, (2) more their share of attention from these ignorant than we were, (3) mentally quarters). disturbed, or (4) outright charlatans. I could go on and on, but these are DOES IT MAKE I think that the test of time has sep- examples of a trend in the audio A DIFFERENCE? arated these categories quite effec- world that I would find hilarious, tively, with the individuals in the except that it too often diminishes first category being the rarest and the credibility (to me, at least) of its THE people who buy and own the majority of people with strange proponents. The fact that many of high-fidelity systems come ideas falling in the other three. them are talented engineers, design- in as many shapes and de- A somewhat similar situation ex- ers, or musicians makes their utter- sign variations as their cher- ists today, with some fundamental ances more sad than funny. It is like ished audio components. None of differences. Over those four dec- finding an esteemed geographer or us came into this world as discern- ades, there have been enormous astronomersupportingtheflat - ing, golden -eared audiophiles. Like technological advances. The world earth theory. so many of life's pleasures, hi-fi is is quite literally a different place One thing seems to be common to an acquired taste that can be devel- than it was then. A great deal has all such ideas: The claims are never oped to almost any degree, from a been discovered by researchers in supported by hard evidence in the casual awareness to an intensity such fields as mathematics, physics, form of carefully conducted double- that can dominate a person's life. blind tests. The adherents to each Fortunately, our hobby (for those such belief support it with a true who consider it as such) can be Tested This Month religious fervor. Since their support enjoyed on many levels. Being total- is, without doubt, a matter of faith, ly subjective in its goals, hi-fi has any test that does not confirm the few, if any, absolutes. One man's Onkyo TX -890 AM/FM idea's validity is (to them) faulty by meat is another's poison in terms of definition. preferences for program material Receiver Well, faith can be a good thing, and the hardware that brings it into Hafler IRIS Preampii although I would prefer to see it the home. Your preferences in both Design Acoustics PS -3 applied in a more spiritual context areas may be very different from than the supposed effect of a piece mine, but thatis no reason for Micro -Monitor of wire on reproduced sound. Un- either of us to criticize or look down Speaker System fortunately, it is difficult-impossi- upon the other. Listening to music ble, in fact, unless you are facing a is supposed to be fun, right? Conrad -Johnson DF 1 potential apostate-to counter faith Nevertheless, some people be- Compact Disc Player with logic or scientific evidence. I come so involved in the minutiae of Pioneer SP -91D Digital may as well admit that in matters of sonic "differences" or subtle quali- Sound Processor (Continued on page 53)

48 STEREO REVIEW DECEMBER 1989 ES Sevenyears ago, Sony made yourturntable obsolete. Our Digital Signal Processing is abouttodo thesame to therestofyour system.

Sony proudly presents theTA-E1000ESD Preamplifier, incorporating the most advanced Digital Signal Processing in high fidelity. Seven years ago, Sony engineers astonished the world recordings for your car by raising soft passages above the road with the Compact Disc, the first giant step for digital high fidelity. noise. And DSP expansion brings your analog sources closer to Now, the Sony ES Series is pleased to introduce the second step: digital standards. bringing the digital technology of the Compact Disc to the rest Bass and treble controls of your system. were never like this. Sony's new TA-E1000ESD Preamplifier incorporates Digital Conventional tone controls tend to be inaccurate and incon- Signal Processing (DSP) to maintain the integrity of Compact Disc sistent. That's why Sony developed digital parametric equaliza- sound from input to output. This incomparable circuitry not only tion. It's simple, effective, and free from the distortion, phase shift, and noise of analog equalization. With any of 31 center frequencies and four slope settings, you have a choice of over three trillion EQ curves. Which is more than enough boosting, peaking, shelving and tweaking to overcome acoustical deficiencies.

If you don't like your listening room, change it. Ten factory preset combinations of digital soundfield-plus-equalization are at your disposal- ready to be adjusted for literally trillions of alternate settings. Because listening rooms were never designed to contain the Vienna Philharmonic, Sony's cigital surround sound places you in handles digital sources in the digital domain, it even converts your choice of symphony hall, movie theater, stadium, studio or analog sources to digital. So all your music can receive the full small club. Unprecedented digital adjustments let you choose DSP treatment, including digital expansion, digital compression, digital parametric equalization, digital reverberation, digital delay, and digital surround sound encompassing ten digital soundfield parameters. Now you can heighten sonic performance digitally, Don't settle for surround sound processors that simply give you a choice of concert halls. Sony obtaining optimum ambience and brilliance without enduring the gives you a choice of seats within each hall. veil of conventional signal processing. room depth, width, wall absorbency, reflection times-even the Unprecedented technology from the company row and number of your seal! You get acoustic environments so with a precedent for introducing it. detailed, so authentic, they have a palpable presence. And for To create the TA-E1000ESD, Sony overcame formidable Dolby Stereo' movies, our six -channel Dolby Pro Logic' Surround obstacles in high-speed conversion and computation. Our research Sound projects a more vivid soundstage than most sound stages. produced two landmark integrated circuits. One Sony IC under- WY ',AI takes equalization, compression, and expansion while the other provides the most extensive reverberation, delay, and surround sound processing ever. For the ultimate in surround sound professing of Dolby Stereo" movies, the TA-E1000ESD incorporates six-chavel Dolby Pro Logii" circuitry. Direct the Dynamics.

The numerical prowess of DSP puts you in full digital control Oh yes, it is a preamplifier.

of dynamic range, with nine discrete steps of compression or With all these digital attainments, you might forget that the TA-E1000ESD is a preamplifier. But we didn't. We included five low -noise audio inputs, three digital inputs, seven audio/video CJ elLi1 inputs and a programmable remote control to let you run your At last, you can take control of dynamic range. The TA-E1000ESD offers both digital dynamic entire A/V system from a comfortable distance. expansion and compression. All of which leads to an inevitable conclusion. The company expansion. So you can finally do a proper job of fitting live music that wrote the book on digital audio has just inaugurated a whole within the limitations of analog cassettes. You can also optimize new chapter. Sony ES. Reinventing high fidelity one component at atime.

As singular an achievement as the new Digital Signal Pro- output power in casual disregard of speaker loads that would cessing Preamplifier undoubtedly is, it has a natural place among cause a lesser amplifier distress. Then there's the ST-S730ES the singular components of Sony's ES Series. Since the inception Tuner, whose Wave Optimized Digital Stereo Detector extracts the of ES, every model has challenged long -accepted compromises, full benefit from today's improved FM broadcasts. And the defying the status quo. TC-1(130ES Cassette Deck emphatically disproves the notion that Today's ES Series components are proud inheritors of this analog recording is immune to substantial improvement. tradition of rebellion. Take, for example, the CDP-C8ESD Compact Finally, contemplate the ES three-year limited parts and Disc Changer. It embodies the Sony carousel mechanism that is labor warranty. (See your authorized ES dealer for details.) It's a now the object of fevered imitation. Incorporating generous help- ringing confirmation of the outstanding quality that brings per- ings of technology from Sony's reference standard CDP-R1, the ceptive audiophiles to their nearest ES dealer. To locate that changer is admirably fit for audiophiles. dealer and to receive a free White Paper on Sony DSP technology, Consider the TA-N55ES Power Amplifier, which produces call 201-930-1156 during East Coast business hours.

ES SONY THE LEADER IN DIGITAL AUDIO -

(8) Copyright 1989 Sony Corporation of Americo. All Rights Reserved. Sony and The Leader in Digital Audio are trademarks of Sony Dolby, Dolby Pro Logoand Dolby Stereo are trademarks of Dolby laborotories Limns ng Corp. TECHNICAL TALK audio, I am a devout agnostic. Born less.Sothecontroversyreally Here I speak for myself, although and raised in New York, I can still comes down to a question of wheth- I suspect that quite a few people lay claim to coming from Missouri, er a listener can hear a difference might feel the same. On the other the Show Me State, when it comes between two components. Obvious- hand, a lot of readers may have to accepting statements from others ly, if he hears no difference, the two much stronger preferences. But if about what I am hearing (not about are identical so far as he is con- you had tested about 3,300 different what they are hearing-everyone cerned. And except in the case of products, as I have, you might have hears what he hears). loudspeakers, the differences any- a tougher time making such a deci- Let me make it perfectly clear that one hears between hi-fi components sion. Anyway, for me most of the I do not question the sincerity of today are likely to be very subtle. reasonably competent productsI most advocates of ideas with which But suppose there is a distinct, if test would be perfectly welcome in I disagree, even if I consider them to slight, difference between two com- my music system. I am more likely ponents, which is not unusual. If the to react negatively than positively, volume level does not change dur- however, to one that is confusing to Okay-components A and B ing the comparison, they are ob- operate, or aesthetically unsuitable, viously not identical (if the volume or unreasonably expensive even if sound different. That's only changes, even by a small fraction of its sound quality is at least as good half of the decision process. a decibel, the comparison is inval- as that of any other. Since my crite- The next question to ask is, "Is id). Moreover, the two items being ria are very different from those of compared must be alike except for people to whom the finest nuances the dWerence meaningfulto the one single factor whose in- are of great importance, I try not to me?' Or, "Does the deerence fluence is being studied. That could make dogmatic pronouncements be the speaker cables, or the type of about which is the product for any- make a difference?" capacitors used in the amplifier's one to buy. signal path, or the entire amplifier. To sum up, listen for yourself. But there can be no more than one Don't let yourself be swayed by the be nonsense. I think that is being variable in such a comparison or the "expert" who points out very audi- more than fair, since I suspect that issue becomes confused. ble sound qualities (unless you agree some of these advocates fall into Okay-components A andB with him, of course). If you don't Categories 3 and 4 of my earlier sound different. That is only half of hear a difference that someone is classification. But I'll concede that the decision process. The next ques- trying to convince you exists, don't some of them unquestionably hear tion to ask is, "Is the difference be afraid to say so. Remember, the the sonic differences they claim to meaningful to me?" Or, as I prefer emperor may indeedbegoing hear. I freely admit that I don't hear to put it, "Does the difference make around in his birthday suit! And ask sonic differences ascribable to po- a difference?" Would it be enough yourself these two key questions larity, cables, types of semiconduc- to induce me to choose one over the when auditioning a component or a tors, etc., and I rather suspect that other for my listening, or would I be system: Can I hear a difference? If I the vast majority of the human pop- equally satisfied with either one? do, does it make a difference? 0 ulationsuffersfromthesame "flaw." I have often stated in equipment reports that I couldn't hear any differences between two amplifiers or to Doom -man' IT, THE iN/455C OUT- twoCDplayers. Such statements are PERFORMED. . 111E not entirely true, Imust admit. 1NE Sou)QP741, Althoughthereare some cases 15,000 AS I fffeAEAWER THE where the items being compared DX -214's RECALL FP-3,Lou?mow measure alike in every test that I THERE M5 A THE FIRST can perform on them, when there is 5PEKE R! I THINK YEAR a real frequency -response difference ERoSSED OVER AT or, just as important, a gain differ- 4700 ttz..... ence, I can generally hear it. And yet I do not comment on the difference: it is simply too trivial. Which brings me to the point of these comments. Let me start by . .. saying that since no two people hear 41,i' alike, itis ridiculous for any one person, regardless of what he hears --610+... from a music system, to claim that this is the sound of the system. It is Just another day at the Crestwood home the sound he hears, no more and no for retired audio engineers

STEREo REviEw DFCF.MBF.R 1989 53 SURGEON GENERAL'S WARNING: Cigarette Smoke Contains Carbon Monoxide. Kings: 17 mg "tar," 1.1 mg nicotine 1C0 s17 mg 'tar': 1.2 mg nicotine av per cigarette by FTC m3thod.

THE AGONYOF CHOICE! Speakers are the most important part of your stereo system. It is the speaker that turns amplifier signal into sound and so ultimately determines what you hear. If your speakers do not perform well, your stereo system will simply not sound like music. The search for musically satisfying speakers, however, cars lead to some very expensive products. And if you have already bought those high priced speakers, then you better not listen to Paradigms. But if you haven't, better not miss them. Why? Because from the time they were firstintroduced, Paradigm's sheer musicalabilityutterly amazed listeners.... but what caused even more amazement was the unprecedented low price.

So avoid the expense and the agony. Visit your authorized Paradigm dealer.... and listen to the clear choice.

The critics agree:

"... For once we wholeheartedly agree... the Paradigm is most definitely a no -compromise two-way design capable of outperforming systems costing several times as much." Hi Fidelity Magazine

"... the Paradigm is no more colored than speakers costing up to two or three times its price, and gave a consistently musical performance... Conclusion: the Paradigm offers excellent performance..." - Stereophile Magazine

AMA 41111116m m41111116.

music...above all.

In the V S.: AudioStream, MPO Box 2410, Niagara Falls, New York 14302 In Canada: Paradigm Electronics Inc., 457 Fenmar Drive, Weston, Ontaro M9L 2R6

CIRCLENO. 97 ON READER SERVICE CARD TEST REPORTS

system), with front -panel pushbutton selection. ONKYO TX -890 An interesting feature of the On- kyo TX -890 is its Automatic Preci- AM /FM RECEIVER sion Reception (APR) system for stereoFM.Depending on reception Julian Hirsch, Hirsch -Houck Laboratories conditions, the system automatically switches the tuner'sRFgain THETX -890, part of Onkyo's cording to the instruction manual, between the local and distant set- Grand Integra series of de- the Dynamic Bass Expander adds tings, turns a noise -reduction circuit luxe hi-fi components, is a an "extra feeling of power and real- on or off, turns the high -frequency full -featuredAM/FMstereo ism" to the low -frequency range, blend on or off, or, in the worst case, receiver that includes inputs, out- but there is no further explanation switches the tuner to mono. Illumi- puts, and switching for two video of this feature. The Selective Tone/ nated words in the display window sources (such as twoVCR'sor aVCR Loudness control provides a wide show the tuner's full operating sta- and a videodisc player). Lacking an range of loudness -contour charac- tus at all times. Although the APR internalRFmodulator, the TX -890 teristics independent of the volume - system can be defeated by a button, cannot supply signals directly to the control setting. there is no individual control of its antenna terminals of a standardTV Large, square buttons select the various operating parameters other set, but it has a composite -video input source. TheCD DIRECTbutton than mono/stereo mode selection. output jack for connection to a bypasses allsignal -modifying cir- For mono sources, there is a switch - monitor. Its amplifier section has a cuits and connects theCDinput able simulated -stereo circuit that continuous power rating of 125 directly to the volume control and uses phase -shift techniques to add a watts per channel into 8 ohms from amplifier stages. TheREC SELECTOR sense of breadth and spaciousness. 20 to 20,000 Hz with no more than button connects the desired source The display window shows the 0.02 percent total harmonic distor- to the recording -output jack. Ten selected source for listening and for tion (THD). buttons, switched in two banks, recording, the frequency, the preset The TX -890 has audio inputs for store up to twenty preset FM andAM channel number, and the signal a moving -magnet (MM) or moving - frequencies. In addition to the tun- strength of a tuned station, and the coil (Mc) phono cartridge, aCD ing buttons, there is a button that settings of virtually every pushbut- player, and two tape decks. Any disables the interstation muting- ton control on the panel. A head- source can be recorded while you simultaneously changing the nor- phone jack, selector buttons for two listen to any other. Most of the mal 50 -kHzFMtuning interval to 25 pairs of speakers, the cartridge (MM front -panel controls are pushbut- kHz for fine tuning-and another or nic) selector button, the main tons, but there are knobs for tone, button that switches the muting power button, and aSYSTEMPOWER volume, and balance adjustment threshold between values of 17 and button are also on the front panel. and horizontal sliders for the Dy- 27 dnf. Two 75 -ohmFMantennas As long as the main power button is namic Bass Expander and the Selec- can be connected to the receiver on, the receiver isin a standby tive Tone/Loudness control. Ac- (one can be the input from a cable mode and can be switched to full

STEREO REVIEW DECEMBER 1989 57 TEST REPORTS

operation withthe SYSTEM POWER joined by jumpers. Remote -control banana plugs. Two of the threeAC button or the remote control. connectors enable certain Onkyo outlets are switched. The rear apron of the TX -890 has turntables, cD players, and tape The TX -890 is supplied with an all the audio and video input and decks to be operated through the infrared remote control that dupli- output jacks as well as separate receiver. The speaker outputs are catesitskeyfunctions:power preamplifier outputs and main -am- insulated binding posts that accept switching,inputselection,tuner plifier inputs, which are normally stripped wire ends or single or dual preset selection, and volume adjustment (the receiver's volume knob is FEATURES turned by a motor in remote operation). The remote unit also has a Digital frequency -synthesis Independent selection of "muting" button, not present on the AM/FM tuner with twenty station program sources for listening presets and recording receiver panel, that lowers the vol- O Defeatable Automatic Precision O Selective Tone/Loudness ume 20 dB, but most of its buttons Reception (APR) system to select Control are dedicated to operating other optimum tuner modes for FM ODynamic Bass Expander Onkyo components that may be reception OVideo dubbing facilities plugged into the receiver's remote O Interstation muting level OComposite -video output to - switchable between 17 and monitor control sockets. The receiver is also 27 dBf Simulated -stereo processing for available as the TX -890M with a Tuning steps for FM switchable mono sources universal remote control that can between 50 and 25 kHz UDiscrete transistors with high O Inputs for two FM antennas, current capability in output learn and mimic the commands of switchable from front panel stage other remote controls. O Detachable wire -loop AM Pre-out/main-in jacks (joined by The Onkyo TX -890 is a large, antenna removable jumper) heavyreceiver,measuring 181/4 Logic -controlled selector buttons Connections for two pairs of inches wide (including its decora- for five audio and two video speakers with independent input sources front -panel selection tive wood -grainside panels),17

O CD DIRECT switch to bypass tone Front -panel headphone jack inches deep, and 61/4 inches high. It and balance controls UInfrared remote control, can weighs just under 33 pounds. Price: O Phono input switchable for MM operate compatible Onkyo $820 (TX -890M,$880). or MC cartridge source components through Onkyo O Bass and treble tone controls receiver U.S.A. Corp., 200 Williams Dr., Ramsey, NJ 07446. LABORATORY MEASUREMENTS Lab Tests The FM tuner section of the On-

Tuner Section (all figures for FM 0 Amplifier Section kyo TX -890 surpassed its sensitivi- only except frequency response; ty specifications handily, with usa- measurements in microvolts, or 1,000 -Hz output power at clipping: µv, referred to 75 -ohm input) 158 watts into 8 ohms, 250 watts ble -sensitivitymeasurementsof into 4 ohms, 425 watts into 2 10.7 and 13.5 dBf in mono and ster- Usable sensitivity: mono, 10.7 ohms (one channel driven) eo, respectively, and corresponding dBf (0.95 µv); stereo, 13.5 dBf Clipping headroom (relative to (1.3 µv) rated output): 1 dB 50 -du quieting readings of 11 and 34 50 -dB quieting sensitivity: mono, Dynamic power output: 265 watts dBf-all excellent figures. It is one 11 dill (1 µv); stereo, 34 dBf into 8 ohms, 340 watts into 4 of the very few tuners we have (13.8 mv) ohms, 485 watts into 2 ohms tested that allows stereo reception Signal-to-noise ratio at 65 dBf: Dynamic headroom: 3.26 dB with good separation down to ex- mono, 79 dB; stereo, 75 dB Maximum distortion (20 to 20,000 tremely low signal levels (5 dBf, or Harmonic distortion (THD + Hz into 8 ohms):0.0155%at noise) at 65 dBf: mono, 0.15%; 20,000 Hz and 125 watts output 0.5 microvolt into its 75 -ohm an- stereo, 0.28% Sensitivity (for a 1 -watt output into tenna input), even though the noise Capture ratio at 65 cliff: 2.3 dB 8 ohms): Cu, 2.15 my; phono, under such conditions is so great AM rejection: 75 dB 0.217 my (MM), 0.0125 my (MC) that listening becomes impractical. Selectivity: alternate -channel, 80 A -weighted noise (referred to a When the APR system is activated, dB; adjacent -channel, 8.5 dB 1 -watt output): CD, -75.8 dB; Stereo threshold: not measurable phono, -73.7 dB (mm), -71.5 however, the tuner will gradually (see text) dB (MC) blend the two channels as signal Pilot and subcarrier leakage: 19 Phono-input overload: MM input, strength decreases and eventually kHz, -74 dB; 38 kHz, -72- dB 168 to 175 my from 20 to switch to mono. Hum: -74 dB 20,000 Hz; MC input, 12.6 my to The tuner's noise levels at a 65- Stereo channel separation at 100, 16 my from 20 to 20,000 Hz dBf input were -79 and -75 dB in 1,000, and 10,000 Hz: 54, 62.5, Phono-input impedance: 47,000 41.5 dB ohms in parallel with 180 pF mono and stereo, respectively, with Frequency response: FM, +0.4, Tone -control range: 100 Hz, +10, corresponding distortion readings -0.75 dB from 30 to 15,000 Hz; -9 dB; 10,000 Hz, +7.5, -9 dB of 0.15 and 0.28 percent. As with AM, -6 dB at 55 and 2,200 Hz Selective Tone/Loudness range: some other tuners, there was a slight 50 Hz, +15 dB; 16,000 Hz, +8 dB additional reduction in noise and distortion at higher signal levels, 85 dB or greater, which are rarely avail-

58 STEREO REVIEW DECEMBER 1989 Old Records, New Life

Iwanteda better cassette deck. So one Saturday I dropped by a hi- fi store. The salesman took me into one of the sound rooms for a demonstration. Racks of equipment were everywhere. He started to make a recording and I immediately fell in love with the music. It was so clean, so rich, so dynamic. "What CD is that?" I asked. He didn't hear me over the music but it didn't matter because I quickly saw that I wasn't listening to a CD at all. It was a record. I made quick mental notes of the system I was hearing. I walked over to the wall of speakers and discovered that KLIPSCH® kg4s® were playing. That was the first time I had truly heard wide dynamic range. I didn't buy a cassette deck that day. I spent less money and bought a new pair of kg4s. They've put new life in my old record collection. My CDs sound simply awesome. I never heard music so clearly.

For your nearest KL1PSCH dealer, look in the Yellow Pages or call toll free, 1-800-223-3527.

kIipES IN SOUND.' P.O. BOX 688 HOPE, ARKANSAS USA 71801 CIRCLE NO. 2 ON READER SERVICE CARD TEST REPORTS

able in most locations. Stereo chan- to more than 400 watts. The slew icant audible or measurable effect nel separation was exceptional- factor of the amplifier was 4.5, with from using the Dynamic Bass Ex- between 54 and 63 dB from 30 to increased third -harmonic distortion pander. Once or twice it seemed to 3,500 Hz and a still impressive 39 appearing at about 90 kHz. add a minute amount of warmth to dB at 15,000 Hz. The capture ratio The amplifier input sensitivity for the sound, butif this was the was 2.3 dB, and image rejection was a 1 -watt reference output was 2.15 intended action,ithardly seems marginal at 48 dB, but the 75 -dB AM millivolts (mv) for a high-level in- worth the inclusion of a button and rejection and 80 -dB alternate -chan- put, 0.217 my (MM) and 0.0125 my slide control, let alone the circuitry nel selectivity were very good. The (Mc) for the phono input. The corre- associated with them. AM tuner section had the usual sponding A -weighted noise levels restricted frequency response, down were -75.8, -73.7, and -71.5 dB. Comments 6 dB from its midrange (400 -Hz) lev- The phono preamplifier overloaded The Onkyo TX -890 is a distinc- el at 55 and 2,200 Hz. at 168 to 175 my in its MM setting tively "different" stereo receiver in The TX -890'spower -amplifier and at 12.6 to 16 my when set for the fine points of what it does and section was awesome and possibly Mc cartridges. When it was over- how it does it. Superficially, the TX - unique among receivers for its tre- loaded at 20,000 Hz-a condition 890 may not look much different mendous power capabilities. Onkyo very unlikely to occur when actually from some other high -power receiv- notes that the output stages use dis- playing records-the output wave- ers, but the amount of good, clean crete devices, instead of the power form either collapsed or "motor - audio power it can deliver places it ic's often used in receivers, in order boated" (oscillated at a very low fre- pretty much in a class by itself. This to deliver their full rated power con- quency). The phono-input imped- is one receiver that should be able to sistently into low -impedance loads. ance was 47,000 ohms in parallel drive almost any speaker (or combi- Our clipping -power readings of 158 with 180 pF, and the RIAA phono nation of speakers) to the highest watts into 8 ohms, 250 watts into 4 equalization was accurate within a levels that the speakers-or listen- ohms, and 425 watts into 2 ohms remarkable ± 0.1 dB from 20 to ers-cantolerate,withouteven would seem to confirm that claim. 20,000 Hz. working up a sweat. The first two measurements were The tone -control characteristics Moreover, the TX -890 is an ob- made with both channels driven, were conventional, with a variable viously flexible control center, even but we drove only one channel into turnover frequency in the bass and with source components from dif- 2 ohms to minimize the likelihood high -frequency curves hingedat ferent manufacturers. With compat- of blowing out a line fuse (an inter- about 2,000 Hz. The Selective Tone/ ible Onkyo components it can func- nal component that is not ordinarily Loudness control provided a wide tion as a true system control, with user -replaceable). range of curves, some of which were remote operation of all units from a As with most receivers, the On- more suitable for certain forms of single hand-held controller. kyo TX -890's FTC power ratings tone -control equalization than for Most of the many features that we are limited to 8 -ohm operation. Un- loudness compensation. At its lower were able to use did their jobs effec- like most, it also carries a dynamic settings, only the bass was boosted, tively. It was not easy to judge the power rating of 380 watts per chan- by as much as 6 dB at 20 Hz, with APR tuner system with our avail- nel into 2 ohms. Our dynamic pow- less than 1 dB change at 200 Hz and able broadcast signals, since almost er measurements gave readings of higher frequencies. Near the upper all receivable stations activated the 265 watts into 8 ohms, 340 watts part of the control range, the bass same options, and without external into 4 ohms, and a staggering 485 boost was centered at 40 to 50 Hz, control over them we could not watts into 2 ohms. with a maximum amplitude of 15 judge their effectiveness. The Selec- The distortion (including noise) dB, and the highs were increased by tive Tone/Loudness control, to our was between 0.0042 and 0.0049 per- as much as 8 dB at 16,000 Hz. surprise, was an excellent means of cent from 20 to 10,000 Hz at the The simulated -stereo mode, usa- boosting low -bass response without rated 125 watts output into 8 ohms, ble only with a mono signal, intro- boominessi and seemed to have little rising to 0.0155 percent at 20,000 Hz duced a smoothly varying phase in commoh with typical loudness - because of the added noise in the shift between the outputs of the two compensation controls, which 80 -kHzmeasurementbandwidth channels. The phase shift was 90 hopelessly muddy and unbalance necessary to include the harmonics degrees at 20 and 20,000 Hz and 0 the system frequency response. of a 20 -kHz signal. The distortion degrees at 600 Hz; frequency re- Perhaps the best thing about the was almost entirely third -harmonic. sponse was not affected. Subjective- TX -890 was just that it sounded so At 1,000 Hz, the distortion into 8 ly, the circuit did a good job of good! There was a distinctive ease ohms was between 0.0042 and 0.027 expanding the width of a mono pro- and smoothness to its sound, espe- percent from 1 to 150 watts. Read- gram, which no longer sounded cially while it was playing FM broad- ings into 4 ohms were slightly high- monophonic (it might be described casts, which probably reflected the er, 0.005 to 0.036 percent between 1 as sounding like somewhat "pha- excellent qualities of its tuner sec- and 200 watts. Even into 2 ohms sey" stereo, with larger apparent dition.Whatever thereasons, we (driving only one channel),the mensionsthanthe mono profound the Onkyo TX -890's combi- 1,000 -Hz distortion was between gram). nation of features,performance, 0.0078 and 0.03 percent from 1 watt We were unable to find any signif- and sound thoroughly satisfying. El

60STEREO REVIEW DECEMBER 1989

Introducing the 300-wattmo

Adcom stereo components the design of the critically acclaimed GFA-555, have a loyal and devoted greatly extending its capabilities. Representing following, having earned brute strength, it delivers 300 watts at 8 ohms, a reputation among audiophiles, engineers and 450 watts at 4 ohms and an awesome 850 watts musicians for extraordinary performance at at 2 ohms!'' Most significantly, it will accurately affordable prices. Now Adcom introduces its newest drive even esoteric loudspeakers which ?resent amplifier, the no compromise GFA-565, for those loads as low as 1 ohm. in pursuit of absolute power and sonic perfection, Inspired by the GFA-555, the new GFA-565's but who prefer not paying a king's ransom. well -regulated, high -current power supply hasan The Evolution of Adcom's GFA-565 enormous reserve capacity to meet tremendous dynamic demands, resulting in distortion -free Adcom's new mono GFA-565 evolves from reproduction on a continuous basis. Adcom GFA-565 noamplifier.

Why Use Two Mono Amplifiers? More Sound, Less Money The ability to deliver very high power into Like the GFA-555, the new Adcom GFA-565 complex loads is a prerequisite for superior sound sounds superior to amplifiers costing two and three reproduction. Power supplies capable of delivering times as much. It is so powerful and pure that it the energy necessary for high power, high -current may be the last amplifier you ever buy, even if you amplifiers are massive. But there are practical upgrade your loudspeakers several times over the limits to the size and weight of stereo amplifiers years. And that makes the GFA-565 an extraordinary designed for home use, as well as heat dissipation bargain considering its exceptional performance. and reliability constraints. Consequently, the use *Continuous power output, 20 Hz - 20 kHz <0.02% THD, of two Adcom GFA-565 mono amplifiers offers measured in accordance with F7C specifications. optimum sound definition, detail and dynamics, (over please) satisfying even the most demanding perfectionist. The Adcom GFA-565: detailsyou canhear.

High -Current limitations. Hum, vibration Output Stage and noise, the byproducts of lesser power supplies, have More and more of also been reduced to an today's high performance absolute minimum. For loudspeakers exhibit very most home applications, low impedances and 0 0 0 0 0 the optional variable speed particularly difficult loads. cooling fan is unnecessary, Many so-called esoteric making the GFA-565 a amplifiers are incapable of silent performer despite its delivering large amounts formidable power. of undistorted power continuously into these Instantaneous complex loads thereby Distortion Alert defeating the objectives of the loudspeaker's design. Adcom components are also available with white front panels. Shown: GFA-545 with GFP-555 preamplifier A highly accurate LED on the The GFA-565's highly and GF7:555 AM/FM stereo tuner. front panel is activated by a unique advanced, triple Darlington monitor circuit if any form of output stage featuring 20 rugged, are incorporated which would distortion-THD, IM, TIM, SID, discrete output transistors is restrict the delivery of full power etc.-exceeds 1 percent. This will designed to deliver extremely output. Protection against short provide ample warning that the high -current at low impedances term overloads, short circuits or long term, excessive output music system is being operated and reactive loads. No protection beyond its design parameters. circuitry or current limiting devices is achieved by non -interfering power supply fuses and thermal circuit breakers. Ask for a Demonstration Specifications Power output, watts/channel, Well Regulated, No amount of words or continuous, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, technical specifications will <0.02% THD:8 ohms/300 High -Current Power Supply 4 ohms/450 adequately describe the experience 2 ohms/850 Advancements in CD technology of listening to a music system Signal-to-noiseratio, A -weighted, and the introduction of digital audio featuring a pair of Adcom GFA-565 full output: >106 dB tape have created opportunities to amplifiers. If you are one of those Input impedance:50-700 ohms reproduce the full dynamics and few who are seeking real power Inputsensitivity: For rated output: 2.15 V psychoacoustic experience of a and sonic perfection, please For 1 watt: 130mV live musical performance. To contact your authorized Adcom Damping factor (20 Hz - 20 kHz): realize the full potential of this dealer for a demonstration of this >1000 0 8 ohms technology, amplifiers and most remarkable audio component. Dynamic headroom (at 4 ohms): 1.6 dB loudspeakers must be capable of Voltage: 120 V/60Hz (available in delivering tremendous energy 220 V/50Hz on special order) continuously, not just for tiny Dimensions: 17" x 854" x 111/2"D fractions of a second. (432 mm x 210 mm x 292 mm D) Shipping weight: 45 lbs (20.50 kg) The massive power supply of Available options: Adcom's GFA-565, featuring 565 FAN:Top mounted, automatically 70,000 microfarads of filter variable, ventilating fan. capacitance and a huge 1.25kVA A 565 BAL:Rear mounted, symmetrical details you can hear 2 (balanced line) input circuit. toroidal power transformer, has 0 11 Elkins Road, East Brunswick, NJ 08816 RM-8 rack mount adaptors. enormous reserve power capability. 8 U.S.A. (201) 390-1130 White front panel and switch. This is a no compromise power Distributed in Canada byPRO ACOUSTICS INC. supply that eliminates all audible Pointe Claire, Quebec H9R 4X5 CIRCLE NO. 60 ON READER SERVICE CARD TEST REPORTS

8 infrared controls but 11/2 inches thick, the IRIS controller has only HAFLER IRIS PREAMPLIFIER twelve buttons and two knobs (volume and balance). The remote con- Julian Hirsch, Hirsch -Houck Laboratories trol radiates its infrared pulses from two clear LED's arranged in a V- THEHafler Infrared Remote depressed and are released by a sec- shape and protruding from the pan- Integrated System, or IRIS, ond push. These controls are used el of the remote. The signal is much consists of two audio com- to connect one or two tape decks for more powerful than from conven- ponents, a preamplifier and recording the selected source, to tional remote controls, enabling the anFMtuner, that take some un- monitor the playback from either IRIS controller to operate the sys- usual, perhaps even unique, ap- deck, to insert an external signal - tem over a considerable distance proaches to circuit design and sys- processing accessory in the signal without necessarily being aimed di- tem interconnection, particularly in path through theEPL(external -pro- rectly at the preamplifier. their remote -control facilities. The cessing -loop) jacks in the rear of the When the preamplifier is turned IRIS preamplifier can be used with preamplifier, and to parallel the two on, its volume and balance knobs any tuner and power amplifier, and stereo channels for mono operation. appear to operate conventionally. it also has inputs for a turntable, a A button at the far right of the panel They actually supply a variableDC CDplayer, two audio tape decks, the switches the power on and off. The control voltage to Hafler-developed audio from a video source, and two remaining front -panel controls are Cyber-Optic solid-state potentiome- auxiliary sources. the volume and balance knobs. tersemploying cadmium -sulfide The preamplifier's dark -blue The rear apron of the Hafler IRIS photoresistors. If either of the corre- front panel contrasts with its black preamplifier contains the signal in- sponding knobs on the remote con- cabinet. White markings above the put and output jacks (the phono trol is touched, a green light on the eight input selectors identify the op- jacks are gold-plated) and threeAC preamplifier's panel flashes rapidly tions; the one for the selected input outlets, two of them switched. A to show thatcontrolhas been isilluminatedinbright yellow - small pushbutton next to the phono passed to the remote unit. Volume green. Two similar buttons,MUTE inputs increases the phono-pream- and balance adjustments are then andNORM,activate or disable a 20 - plifier gain by 20 dB and reduces its performed from the remote posi- dB audio level reduction. These ten terminating resistance from a nomi- tion. Touching one of the front -pan- buttons have a short, positive travel nal 47,000 ohms to 100 ohms for a el knobs restores their control. andoperatethroughelectronic moving -coil(MC)cartridge. The remote control senses the po- switching circuits. One of the distinguishing charac- sitions of its knobs eight times per To the right of the input selectors teristics of the IRIS preamplifier is second and transmits the informa- and mute buttons are six round but- its remote -control unit. About the tion to the preamplifier as 32 -bit tons that engage mechanically when same length and width as most digital words, amplitude and fre-

STF.REO REVIEW DECEMBER1989 65 44Cambridge SoundWorks Vlay Have The Best Value InThe World.AWinner David Clark -Audio Magazine Sept. '89 Cambridge SoundWorks has where the speaker is placed in the created Ensemble, a speaker sys- room. If you put a conventional tem that can provide the sound speaker where the room can help the "Very much once reserved for the best speakers low bass, it may hinder the upper under laboratory conditions. It vir- ranges, or vice -versa. in the tually disappears in your room. Your listening room works Henry Kloss And because we market it directly, with Ensemble, not against it. Ensemble costs hundreds less than tradition... it would in stores. Ensemble, on the other hand, hi-fi takes advantage of your room's another acoustics. The ear can't tell where milestone:' bass comes from, which is why Ensembles bass units can be NI]Review tucked out of the way-on the floor, atop bookshelves, or under furniture. The satellites can be hung directly on the wall, or placed on windowsills or shelves. No bulky speaker boxes dominate your living Henry Kloss, creator of the dominant speaker models of the '50s (Acoustic Research), '60s space, yet Ensemble re- (KU -0 and '70s (Advent), brirgsyou Cambricke produces the deep bass Soundl4brks, a genuinely new kind of speaker that no mini speakers can. company for the '90s.

The best sound comes in Unlike seemingfr similar satellite four small packages. systems which use a single large subwoofet; Ensemble uses two Ensemble consists of four separate, compact bass units. speaker units. 'Ilvo compact low - Thg fit more gracefulfr intoyour &vitt environment, and help frequency speakers reproduce the minimize the effects of the deep bass, while two small satellite listenirtg rooms standing waves. units reproduce the rest of the music, making it possible to reproduce just the right amount of energy in each part of the musical range without turning your listening room into a stereo showroom. No matter how well a speaker performs, at home the listening room takes over. Room acoustics emphasize and de- emphasize various parts of the musical range, depending on "Ensemble & Ambia -Ice are track tk of Cambridge SoundWorks, Inc. Not all the differences are as You get to listen for hours with- obvious as our two subwoofers.out a salesman hovering nearby. Unlike seemingly similar three- If after 30 days you're not happy, piece systems, Ensemble uses pre- return Ensemble for a full refund "A listeningtest mium quality components for (we'll even reimburse the original maximum power handling, individ-UPS shipping charges in the conti- leftno doubt ual crossovers that allow several nental U.S.). wiring options and cabinets rug- At only $499 -complete with that thissystem gedly constructed for proper acous-all hardware and 100' of speaker ranks with the tical performance. V* even gold-platecable -Ensemble is the value on all connectors to prevent corrosion.today's speaker market. best in its An even bigger difference is how we sell it. price range": "You get amonth to playwith the c,rbe A-ou jlork Limes Ilarmerz(Av Auvt before baSSIIVOYM7k7U. speakers youhave toeither returnthem or keep them.But PlArnkyklor /1417/k AV Try them risk -free for 30 days. ewn MOW ALsSIia thliViSth you'll keepthem:' 'UV RillliV2177k711 Call 1-800-AKA-HIFI' fOrfilTS. "';i17114tRa.jefkli:07 ubu (1-800-252-4434) Our toll -free number connects You can put Lnsemble's low:frequency units you to a Cambridge SoundWorks exactly where they should gojor superb bass. You can't do this with conventional speakers audio expert. He or she will answer because you have to be concerned about the all your questions, take your order upperfrequencies coming fromthe same (you can use Visa, MasterCard or enclosures as the low ones. American Express) Thousands agree: the best surface shipment via UPS. Your showroom is your living room. Cambridge SoundWorks audio expert will continue as your per- Choosing a loudspeaker after a sonal contact with us. We think brief listen at a dealer's showroom is you'll like this new way of doing like deciding on a car after one quick trip around the block. So we business. 'In Canada, call 1-800-525- make it possible to audition Ensemble Introducing Ambiance 4434. Audio experts are on duty the right way -in your own home. by Henry Kloss. 9 AM to Midnight, Eastern Time, In fact, Ensemble is sold only by Ambiance- is an ultra -compactseven days a week. Fax #: 617- Cambridge SoundWorks directly speaker that proves high perfor- 332-9229. from the factory. mance, small size and low cost need not be mutually exclusive. ICANIBRIDGE SOUNDWORKS1 "They were Ambiance is ideal for bedrooms, suite 1021)154California St., Newton, MA 02158 ! to play dens, dorm rooms...or for use as ] Send more information and test reports. designed an extension speaker or in sur- H Send Ensemble risk -free for 30 days, for $499! I anmake muss c. round -sound systems. While no C Send (qty) Ambiance (Nextel), for $109 ea! ' (qty) Ambiance (Primed), for $109 ea! Itsosuirreylikdeomveusi speaker of its size can provide the 11 Send same low bass and total volume as ri Send (qty) Ambiance (Oak). for $129 ea! This I'm paying by III CheckC-1 MC II VisaIII AmEx well, Inamost our Ensemble system, Ambiance way, has more output in the 40Hz region Acct. Number Exp unobtrusive price... than any "mini speaker" we've Signature at abargain encountered. Indeed we know of hard toimagine Name it's no compact speaker that outper- Address wrong going forms Ambiance, including those City State Zip costing hundreds more. Ambiance withEnsemble': Phone (Area Code) Number is only $109 per speaker in Nextel FOR IMMEDIATE SERVICE: 1-800-AKA-HIFI StereoReview or primed for painting; $129 in solid MA residents add 5% sales tax. oak,* and comes with our 30 day *Plus height (Ensemble $7-$25, Ambiance $2-$12) lk--, 040000P money -back guarantee. L Delivery time usually 2-7 days. CIRCLE NO. 157 ON READER SERVICE CARD TEST REPORTS

quency modulated on the infrared cessed only by the line amplifier, equalization characteristic) that was carrier at frequencies of 25,000 to using eight 3-FET's per channel. essentially uniform across the full 35,000 Hz. This system can transmit TheHaflerIRISpreamplifier audio range from 20 to 20,000 Hz. as many as 65,000 possible combi- measures a compact 17 inches wide, The phono-input termination was nations of volume and balance from 81/2 inches deep, and 3 inches high, 44,000 ohms in parallel with a 200- the remote to the preamplifier. Af- and it weighs 81/2 pounds (the com- pF capacitance (the rating is 47,000 ter digital -to -analog conversion of panion tuner is the same size and ohms and 220 pF). The user can the remote signal in the preampli- weight). The IRIS remote control is change the MM shunt capacitance fier, the corresponding Cyber-Optic 74's x 234 x 11/2 inches (plus a 1/2 -inch and the 100 -ohm Mc input resist- control is electronically adjusted (in knob extension). Price: $800 with ance by plugging components of the steps of about 0.25 dB) to match the remote control, $650 without. Da- desiredvaluesintothecircuit remote knob setting. vid Hafler Co., Dept. SR, 613 S. board. The preamp does not come Eight of the remote -control but- Rockford Dr., Tempe, AZ 85281. with resistors or capacitors for that tons correspond to the front -panel purpose, however. input selectors. The others operate Lab Tests The preamplifier's frequency re- and clear the mute function and The Hafler IRIS preamplifier has sponse varied less than 0.1 dB from redefine the remote's input -selector a high signal output capability, clip- 20 to 10,000 Hz, falling off to -0.28 buttons to perform different func- ping at about 8.85 volts. Up to a 2 - dB at 20,000 Hz and -3 dB at tions for other IRIS components volt output level, its 1,000 -Hz total 80,000 Hz. The phono-equalization (currently, only the tuner). In the harmonic distortion (THD) was less response error was +0.3, -0 du tuner mode, the input selectors be- than 0.0032 percent (it was unmeas- from 20 to 20,000 Hz.

come preset station selectors and urable, less than 0.001 percent, at 1 up/down scan controls. volt). Even at 8 volts, the rated COM/11MS The Hafler engineers concluded maximum output, distortion was a Not surprisingly, in view of our that they could obtain better audio negligible 0.06 percent. test results, the Hafler IRIS pream- quality from junctionfield-effect The sensitivity, for a reference plifier performed very well. Its low transistors (J-FET's) than from con- output of 0.5 volt, was 34 millivolts noise, completefreedom from ventional bipolar transistors. Ac- (my) at a high-level input, 0.32 my switching transients, and overall cordingly, only J-FET's (thirty-two in at the phono input in its standard, smoothness of operation were ex- all) are used in the active signal moving -magnet (MM) mode, and 38 emplary. Aside from the noise lev- paths of the IRIS preamplifier. Each microvolts GM at the phono input els,the measurementsthatim- phono-preamplifierchannel uses in its Mc mode. The respective A - pressed us most were those for six J-FET's, followed by a solid-state weighted signal-to-noise ratios were phono overload,which demon- input source switch and a J-FET iso- 83.5, 77.2, and 75.2 dB. The phono- stratedidealcharacteristics. We lating buffer stage. Following the preamplifier section overloaded at cannot think of another preampli- tape-recording, tape -monitor, and 65 my in the MM mode and 6.5 my fier we have tested whose phono external -processorswitchingand in the Mc mode. Unlike most phono overload level did not show some the Cyber-Optic volume and bal- preamplifiers, this one had an over- variation with frequency: Some- ance controls, the signalispro- load level (corrected for the RIAA times the figure at 20,000 Hz is less than 50 percent of the midrange value, and there is frequently erratic or FEATU RFS unstable behavior at the point of overload.In contrast, the IRIS CI Only J-FE'l components used in Phono preamp switchaole for overloaded in an ideal fashion, with signal circuits moving -coil cartridge Cyber-Optic solid-state level 0 Infrared remote -control unit soft and symmetrical clipping, so control duplicates all front -panel that the only variable was the hu- CI Pushbutton input selection: functions, has volume and man error in estimating when the phono, Cu, tuner, video, tape I balance knobs; can also control waveform began to clip. and 2, auxiliary I and 2 (through the preamp) Hafler 111 Provision for tape monitoring, IRIS FM tuner and possible We have no way of knowing external -processor loop future IRIS components whether this feature has any direct correlation with the sound of the LABORATORY MEASUREMENTS preamplifier, which was as good as we have heard-that is,it had no Clippingoutputlevel: 8.85 volts 1,000 -Hzdistortion (THD): "sound" of its own at all, as is prop- Sensitivity (for 0.5 -volt output): 0.0032% at 2 volts er for a component that should be Cu, 34 my; phono, 0.32 my Phono-input overload(20 to totally neutral. But to us it signifies (MM) and 38 AtY (MC) 20,000 Hz): MM, 65 mV; MC, a degree of expertise thatis not A -weighted noise (referred to a 6.5my often seen in the design of consumer 0.5 -volt output): CD, -83.5 dB; Phono-input impedance:44,000 phono, -77.2 dB (MM) and ohms in parallel with 200 pF audio equipment. And the same -75.2 dB (Mc) RIAA equalization error:+0.3, skill went into the design of the -0 dB from 20 to 20,000 Hz preamplifier's control circuits and its remote -control system.

68 STEREO REVIEW DECEMBER 1989 TEST REPORTS

The IRIS controller is at least as unusual as any of the active signal circuits of the IRIS preamplifier. It is easily the most intuitive remote control we have used. A glance at the manual is enough to learn its basic operating features, after which its use is automatic, without fumbling or guessing. Better yet,itis (and presumably will continue to be) a multicomponent control. We used the IRIS FM tuner with the preamplifier and found no problems in using the same buttons on the remote unit for different functions (they are, after all, related in being selections, whether of presets or signal sources). It is not hard to see how the controller's use could be extended to a CD player or other component. The knob -operated remote volume control is another feature that sets this unit apart from the rest. True, there are many remote -control systems that adjust volume by means of up/down pushbuttons, but that cannot match the feel of turning a knob. We did note a slight time lag in the operation of the volume control, especially when the volume change was large, but that DESIGN ACOUSTICS PS -3 was easy to get used to. As Hafler claims, the level variations sound MICRO -MONITOR continuous, with no trace of "step- ping." We also confirmed that the SPEAKER SYSTEM remote control operated the pream- 1111111111 plifier regardless of where it wasJulian Hirsch, Hirsch -Houck Laboratories pointed or located in the room. If the green light on the preamplifier panel blinks rapidly when one of the THE Design Acoustics PS -3 fluid cooling that takes over above remote unit's knobs is touched, you Micro -Monitor speaker sys- 3,000 Hz. Spring -loaded connectors know that the control link is func- tem consists of two small on the back of the cabinets accept tioning. satellite speakers and a sep- stripped wire ends. Another appealing characteristic arate bass module. Although the The bass module, a black -finished of the Hafler IRIS preamplifier was manufacturer referstothe bass box measuring 21 inches wide, 13 its totally transient -free operation. module as a "subwoofer," its oper- inches deep, and 63/4 inches high, is The only result of pressing a button ating range extends to 200 Hz, well designed to be placed on the floor, was the intended one, with never a above the subwoofer range. where it may be concealed from click or thump to mar the effect. The satellites are true minispeak- view. It contains two separate 61/2 - This may not seem like an unusual ers, measuring only 74's inches high, inchdriverswithtreated -paper property, but it is surprising to find 47/s inches wide, and 41/4 inches deep cones and Kapton voice -coil how many components accompany and weighing a mere 31/2 pounds formers for increased power -han- a control operation with some sort each.Theirattractiveoak -grain dling ability. Each bass driver has of click or other extraneous sound. wooden cabinets are finished on all its own input terminals and cross- The Hafler IRIS system, as exem- sides and have rounded edges. Each over network (a 200 -Hz low-pass fil- plified by the preamplifier, is both two-way satellite contains its own ter). The drivers face downward and novel and useful, to say nothing of crossover network and has a 31/2 - radiate through a 7M -inch -wide slot delivering outstanding audio per- inch "woofer" with a compliant next to the floor around the periph- formance. We look forward to fu- rubber surround, operatingina ery of the enclosure. The bass unit ture extensions of this concept. sealed volume, and a 3/4 -inch poly - weighs 25 pounds. Circle 140 on reader service card carbonate dome tweeter with ferro- Since each speaker unit contains

SFEREO REVIEW DECEMBER 198969 TEST REPORTS

its own crossover components, sys- the nominal crossover frequency of PS -3 was able to handle consider- tem wiring is simple. You simply 200 Hz. The satellite "woofer" had able short-term input levels without connect the drivers for each channel an extremely flat, smooth response damage or serious distortion. The in parallel, taking care to maintain over much of its range, varying only bass module's woofers "bottomed" correct polarity throughout the sys- ± 1 dB from 165 to 1,400 Hz (the audibly with a 100 -Hz input of 390 tem. There is complete flexibility in close-miked measurements are not watts into the 4.8 -ohm impedance. routing the wires between the three valid at higher frequencies). The capacity of the satellite system modules and an amplifier or receiv- Combining roomcurvesand at 1,000 and 10,000 Hz exceeded the er since the sequence of connection close-mikedresponsecurvesto output capability of our amplifier, is unimportant. form a composite curve is a tricky which clipped at1,150 and 825 Speaker placement is also much process for any conventional speak- watts, respectively, into the 5.5- and more flexible than in conventional er system. It is much more difficult 8 -ohm impedance loads at those two -unit speaker installations. The for a three-piece system since the frequencies. satellites can be placed in any acous- ticallydesirable position with a Comments minimum of aesthetic compromise. Listening blind to the Design The Design Acoustics PS -3, like For example, they will fit inconspic- Acoustics PS -3 Micro -Monitor, most well -designed three-piece sys- uously on anybookshelf,even tems, sounded much better than among paperback books. The satel- without knowledge of its you might conclude from examina- lites can also be hung on walls (the components, you would never tion of its room -response curve. back panels are slotted) or placed on With any speaker, of course, there is free-standing pedestals. The bass guess that most of its sound an uncertain correlation between module can be located almost any- comes from two tiny speakers. the shape of the response curve (no where, flat on the floor or on one of matter how it was measured) and itssides tofitbehind furniture, what the speaker sounds like in the although it is desirable to have it at measurement environment. And it the end of the room containing the bass module's contribution depends is absolutely certain that the sound satellites. The bass response can be in large measure on its location, will be different again in a different adjustedforthebest sound by both in the room and relative to the listening environment. changing the position of the bass satellites. Nevertheless, the compos- Listening blind to the PS -3, with- unit relative to the room walls. ite curve we derived from our meas- out knowledge of its components, The PS -3 Micro -Monitor system urements seemed consistent with you would never guess that the bulk specifications include a frequency what we heard from the PS -3 sys- of its sound comes from two tiny response of 50 to 20,000 Hz, with no tem. The output was within ± 5 dB speakers. Even if they are in plain tolerance given, and a power -han- from 60 to 20,000 Hz. Despite the view, as they were in our installa- dling rating of 20 to 100 watts per small size of the tweeters, they be- tion, any listener would assume that channel. The rated sensitivity is 88 came directive above about 4,000 another, larger system was playing. dB sound -pressure level (sPL) at 1 Hz. From on -axis to approximately The sound in our listening room meter with aI -watt input. Price: 30 degrees off -axis, the output typi- was smooth and well balanced, and $600 for the complete system. De- cally varied 5 to 8 dB in the range even though the low bass (under 60 signAcoustics,Dept.SR,1225 between 4,000 and 18,000 Hz. The Hz) did not match that of speakers Commerce Dr., Stow, OH 44224. 31/2 -inch driver in the satellites had a much larger than the bass module, it sharp cutoff rate of about 21 dB per was by no means lacking. We did Lab Tests octave below 150 Hz. find it preferable to place the bass We placed the PS -3 satellites on The system's minimum imped- unit against the wall for our listen- 26 -inch stands about 2 feet in front ance of 4.8 ohms occurred at 100 ing since that gave the overall sound of a wall. The bass module was flat and 700 Hz, and the maximum was a more balancedcharacter.Al- on the floor, midway between them 18 ohms at 4,000 Hz. Its sensitivity, though the bass unit was close to and about the same distance from measured 1 meter from a satellite one satellite and 6 to 8 feet from the the wall. The room response had the with a pink -noise input of 2.83 other, there was no sense of a sepa- usual irregularities below 500 Hz be- volts, was a relatively high 91 -dB rate bass source. cause of boundary effects, and the SPL. The bass module's harmonic The Design Acoustics PS -3 is an speakers' output dropped off by distortion, with a constant input of excellentchoiceforinstallations roughly 10 dB between 4,000 and 2.5 volts (equivalent to a 90 -dB sPL), where larger, more visible speaker 20,000 Hz. was about 3 percent below 30 Hz, cabinets are unsuitable for any rea- The close-miked frequencyre- declining to 2 percent at 50 Hz, 0.9 son. Its price is highly competitive sponse of one of the bass drivers percent at 70 Hz, and 0.4 percent or with those of most conventional resembled the response of a reso- less between 100 and 200 Hz. The systems of comparable quality. And nant circuit tuned to 100 Hz with a overall group -delay variation was if you do place the satellites where Q of about 3.5. Relative to its maxi- 0.4millisecondfrom1,000to they are fully visible, they are attrac- mum value, the output was down 22,000 Hz. tively styled and finished. 15 dB at 50 Hz and down 12.5 dB at Despite its diminutive size, the Circle 141 on reader service card

70 STERpo REVIEW DECEMBER 1989 Tasty little number.

What we have here is an ultra light with taste. And before you say "impossible,' we'd like to point out that Merit Ultra Lights is one of America's fastest growing brands. Thanks to Enriched Flavor,' the impossible becomes possible. A tasty littlenumber,indeed. Enriched Flavor,' ultra low tar. A solution with Merit.

MERIT Ultra Lights -

Merit Ultra Lights

SURGEON GENERAL'S WARNING: Smoking Causes Lung Cancer, Heart Disease, © Philip Morris Inc. 1989 Emphysema, And May Complicate Pregiancy. Kings: 5 mg "tar,' 0.5 mg nicotine ay. per cigarette by FTC method. TEST REPORTS

gain of the preamplifier to a maxi- CONRAD-JOHNSON DF1 mum of twenty times the input. One of two pushbuttons jus: left of COMPACT DISC PLAYER the knob selects the source or the tape -monitor signal, and the other Julian Hirsch, Hirsch -Houck Laboratories supplies either an external program source or the CD player's output to an external amplifier. The four pairs ATT first sight, it is clear that the not accept cD-3's without an adap- of jacks on the rear apron of the Conrad -Johnson DFI is un- tor ring. The PROG button is used to DF1 are marked AUX (for the input like any other CD player on enter up to twenty track numbers from an externalsignalsource), the market. In spite of its forprogrammedplayback,and TAPEIN, TAPE OUT/CD DIRECT compact chassis-it measures 19 TIME/TRACK switches the display to (which feeds a tape recorder or inches wide, 12 inches deep, and 33/4 the elapsed time inthe current external amplifier with a constant - inches high-it weighs a surprising- track. Adjacent red lights identify level signal), and MAIN OUT. The ly heavy 19 pounds. The satin -gold the selected display mode. The oth- last, whose level is controlled by the front panel, slotted for rack mount- er buttons control the disc transport front -panel knob, is the normal outing, contains a single row of round, functions, track skipping (PREY and put from the DFI. If a tape deck is polished -metal control buttons and NEXT), and fast search in either not used, the tape connectors can be a large knob. The display window is direction with audible sound. In the used to insert an external signal pro- only 7/8 inch high and 25/8 inches pause mode, four small dots flash cessor or equalizer into the signal wide, and 1 inch of that width is sequentially across the bottom of path. devoted to the infrared sensor for the display window. Conrad -Johnson considers polari- the remote control. The window Between thetransport buttons ty (which the company refers to as normally displays only the current and the power switch at the right of "phase") to be an important consid- track and index numbers, although the panel are three controls unique eration and designed the DFI so the total number of tracks appears among CD players. The DF1 in- that its direct CD output is nonin- when a disc is first loaded. cludes a built-in preamplifier with a verting, but the preamplifier section One of the buttons below the high-level auxiliary input and in- inverts the signal polarity. A por- window, marked o/c, opens and put/output jacks for use with a tape tion of the instruction manual ex- closes the disc drawer, which will deck. The LEVEL knob adjusts the plains the significance of signal po-

72 STEREO RF;VIFW DR EMBER 1989 TAO

TEAC A passion for excellence.

7733 Telegraah Roac IA:lobelia CA 9D610 PROF. W. ALLAN CIRCLE NO, 180 ON READER SERVICE CARD The Mirage M-ls have garnered their fair We've extended share of raves from the industry. They've that philosophy to the invoked such comments as "...I'm completely Mirage 60 -Series loud- bonkers over this product2 and "...the best speakers as well. Each conventional loudspeaker of the decade'.' reflects an overall Upon first listen, most people are astonished concern for natu- by their sonic transparency. The speakers ralness, genuine For a free virtually seem to disappear. Inour view, that's musicality and lx)oldet of M- I reviews from seven leading audio publications, the mark of a good loudspeaker. transparency. write us or see your Mirage (lazier. Like the M-ls, they're designed for optimum Mirage 60 -Series, you simply can't do better. dispersion. The perceived sound stage is Just give them a listen. dramatically extended without compromising You'll hear what we mean. center imaging. The specially -designed woofers reproduce low frequencies with undaunted accuracy. mirage The mark that Mirage has made on the audiophile world is substantial. From the AUDIO PRODUC I S INTERNATIONAL CORP. flagship M-ls to the wide range offered by the 16411310311w Sc.irl,rouL13. Ontino. Cn.kla 10 IX 165 (416) 321 CIRCLE NO 45 ON READER SERVICE CARD TEST REPORTS

larity and suggests how to polarize a The specifications of the Conrad - level) jacks. A 0 -dB, 1,000 -Hz test systemcorrectly.Italso recom- Johnson DFI are surprisingly mod- track produced an output of 1.157 mendsexperimentingwiththe est compared with those of other volts. The frequency -response curve orientation of the power plug to current CD players. The distortion showed the "ripples" above 1,000 reduce hum and noise from system at the direct CD output is rated as Hz that used to be typical of CD ground loops and leakage paths. Fi- less than 0.25 percent, with a noise players but have become rare in the nally, because the company believes level of 85 dB below Ivolt. The past couple of years. The response that interconnect and speaker wires rated output of 1.1 volts is roughly variation, referred to a I,000 -Hz lev- have a considerable effect on the half that of most CD players. The el, was +0, - I dB from 7 to 20,000 ultimate sound, users are advised to digital -to -analog (D/A) conversion Hz. The 1,000 -Hz distortion, includ- consult their dealers for specific circuits are said to provide 16 -bit ing noise, was about 0.24 percent at connection recommendations. resolution and use four -times -over - 0 dB. Channel separation, identical The DFI is based on the well - sampling (176.4 -kHz) digital filter- for both channels, was far less than regarded Philips disc -playing mech- ing. Frequency response of the CD we have ever before measured from anism, which has apparently been section is rated as 5 to 19,000 Hz a home CD player, 60 du up to 1,000 slightly modified to suit Conrad - ±0.5 dB. Hz and decreasing gradually to 56 Johnson's requirements. The only The preamplifier section (at the dB at 20,000 Hz. obvious alteration is the addition of MAIN OUT jacks) has a rated maxi- The noise -spectrum level during a damping materialto the disc mum gain of 26 dB, with a 5 -volt an "infinity zero" test track was clamp. The analog and preamplifier maximum output. Its frequency re- between -110 and -120 dB over circuits are built on two boards, sponse is said to be from 5 Hz to most of the audio range, with a heavily populated with capacitors. more than 100 kHz, with hum and -92 -dB hum peak at 120 Hz. The The cabinet, including its base and noise in the audio band 82 dB below A -weighted noise was -99.2 dB. At top plate, is made of heavy -gauge 1 volt output. Distortion is specified a 0 -dB level, the total harmonic dis- steel, accounting for a good part of as 0.25 percent at rated output (pre- tortion (THD) plus noise was con- the unit's weight. Heat -sink fins ex- sumably 1 volt). Price: $1,595. Con- stant across the audio range up to tending from the rear apron help to rad -Johnson Design, Inc., Dept. SR, 10,000 Hz, measuring 0.18 percent cool the electronic circuitry. The 2800R Dorr Ave.,Fairfax, VA in the left channel and 0.09 percent DF1 is supplied with an infrared 22031. in the right channel. The readings remote control that duplicates its decreased at higher frequencies to basic operating controls and has a Lab Tests 0.05 percentat20,000 Hz. The repeat button that repeats only a For most tests, our outputs were 1.000 -Hz distortion was typically programmed sequence of tracks. taken from the CD DIRECT (fixed- between 0.006 and 0.01percent from -20 to -60 dB, increasing to FEATI TRES about 0.06 to 0.18 percent at 0 dB. Althoughthelinearityof the

Single -beam laser pickup Built-in preamplifier with DFI's D/A converters was good Four -t imes-oversampling front -panel gain control down to -70 dB, at - 80 dB the out- (176.4 -kHz) digital filters O Preamplifier input switchable Display of current track and between CD and external put was about 6 dB higher than it index numbers or elapsed time high-level source should have been, and at -90 dB in track: shows total tracks at O Tape recording/monitoring the error was +9 dB. Interchannel loading jacks phase shift was less than 1.2 degrees Programmable to play up to O CD output at fixed level or twenty tracks in any order variable through preamplifier over the audio range from 5,000 to re- Track skipping and fast scan O Infrared remote control for 20,000 Hz. The de -emphasis (with audible sound) in both front -panel functions and repeat sponse was accurate to within better directions of programmed sequence than 0.5 dB up to 16,000 Hz. The dynamic range (EIAJ) was 88 to 90 LABORATORY MEASUREMENTS dB (there was a slight difference between the channels). Quantiza- Maximum output level: fixed, Frequency response: +0, -1 dB tion noise was about -80 to -81 1.157 volts: variable, from 7 to 20,000 Hz dB. The frequency (speed) error was approximately 6 to 8 volts Low-level linearity error: less than a mere 0.0005 percent. Total harmonic distortion at 1 dB down to -70 dB, +6 dB at 1,000 Hz: typically less than -80 dB, +9 dB at -90 dB We also made some measure- 0.01% from -10 to -60 dB, Cueing time: 5 seconds ments on the preamplifier section about 0.1% at 0 dB Cueing accuracy: A alone. It apparently uses relatively Signal-to-noise ratio (A -weighted): Impact resistance: top, A; sides, A little global feedback, resulting in a 99.2 dB Defect tracking: tracked 1,500 - gradual overload rather than a sud- Channel separation: 60 dB below micrometer defects on Pierre den onset of clipping at some criti- 1,000 Hz, 56 dB at 20,000 Hz Verany #2 test disc Maximum phase shift (5,000 to cal level. At 2 volts output, the THD 20,000 Hz): -1.2 degrees at plus noise was 0.29 percent. increas- 20,000 Hz ing smoothly to 0.35 percent at 3 volts and 0.61 percent at the rated

76 STEREo RFvIF%v DECENIRFR 1989 PRESENTING THE SAME THING ONLY FORYOUR EARS, What 3-D did for your eyes Technics can do for your ears. the size of the room to the sound of the movie. Thanks to the virtues of our SA -R477 A/V receiver with Naturally, with 100 watts of pure power per channel (at Dolby Surround Sound.* 8 ohms, 20Hz - 20kHz with 0.008% THD) it has the power When hooked up to an extra pair of speakers and your to keep you on the edge of your seat. However, you certainly VCR, it can make moving pictures at lot more moving. For won't rave to leave it. Because this receiver comes with a instance, when the Orient Express crosses your TV screen, it remote control that can control all compatible Technics will sound like it's crossing your living room. Or when you're audio components, and many TVs and VCRs, as well. watching a great war film, it will Hear the remarkable sound scund like the bade is taking of the SA -R477 A/V receiver place around your couch. at a Technics dealer near you. This incredibly life -like You won't need a pair of sound is brought to you in those silly glasses to appreci- la '-ge part by a special digit: ate this type of 3-D. Just a delay circuit. Which allows good pair of ears. you to decode the signal on many pre-recorded video Technics tapes and acoustically shape Technics Surround Sound A/V Receiver. The science of sound

.COrnDalibte Wit, software required Dolby and the doubk-D sythba, are regmteert thyyter-at,, Dt,by LaDoratonet, te,nong Drx, thoo tet,tag, n, roovogettm i P ryerrnan otIntograph of 1 n ,Intent ,ohlesy The T,11.irc Magahno Centta.1 CIRCLE NO 175 ON READER SERVICE CARD TEST REPORTS

maximum of 5 volts. The output low channel separation, which was had similar measured performance. was visibly clipped at 8 to 9 volts. at least 30 to 40 dB worse than that But the comparison player's meas- Thepreamplifierfrequencyre- of any other homeCDplayer we urements were up to today's state of sponse was ± 0.03 dB from 20 to have tested. Fortunately, there was the art, with channel separation well 20,000 Hz. no audible penalty, since 60 dB is far over 100 dB across the audible range The Philips mechanism has al- more than is needed for full audible and distortion and noise readings ways been noted for long slewing stereo separation. far lower than those of the DF1. and access times, and this one was It is a fact, however, that we do Even the ripple -free and ruler -flat inthattradition,althoughitis not hear specifications. Surprisingly response curve of the comparison much improved over the earliest few of the measurements one can player (within a small fraction of a versions. Moving from Track 1to make on a modern audio compo- decibel up to 20,000 Hz) did not dis- Track 15 of the Philips TS4 test disc nent can be correlated successfully tinguish its sound from that of the took 5 seconds, about twice as long with its sound characteristics. In ad- DFI, with its almost 1 -dB variation as most current players and four to dition, the measurable aberrations over that range. five times as long as the fastest of of anyCDplayer (including this one) For listening, then, we would rank them. The cueing was always accu- areinfinitesimal compared with the Conrad -Johnson DFI with to- rate, however, and the player han- those of most other system compo- day's bestCDplayers. Beyond that, dled and operated smoothly. nents. In spite of its test results, we itisan uncommonly attractive In the error -correction test, the expected the DF1 to sound perfectly component, far more ruggedly built DF1 was able to track through a satisfactory. than most in its price range and bet- 1,500 -micrometerdefectwithout Well, it did that, and more. The ter than most, regardless of price, in audible problems, but the next high- sound we heard from the Conrad - dealing with external shock and disc er level (2,000 micrometers) on the Johnson DF1 was as good as we errors. Our most serious criticism of Pierre Verany #2 disc shut down the have heard from any otherCD itsdesign concerns thedisplay, player instantly. The player also player. In fact, at first we thought it which seems to carry simplicity too shut down at Track 41 of that disc, was slightly smoother and easier far. In our view, aCDplayer should which combines a 1,500 -microme- sounding than most, so we set up an show at all times at least the current terdefectwith minimum track A/B comparison between the DF1 track number and the elapsed time. pitch, and would not play any level and a measurably first-rate player. The DF1 can display both those of the track having two successive With identical discs in each, syn- items, but not simultaneously. Its dropouts. Offsetting these results chronizedintimeandexactly built-inpreamplifierwithtape - was the way the heavy cabinet iso- matched in level (the DFI's level monitor loop, however, adds a new lated the laser mechanism from me- control was invaluable for this), it dimension of versatility; this genu- chanical shock. Nothing less than a was soon apparent that their sound ine convenience also sets the DFI hard slap on the top of the player qualities were identical. apart from other players. with the palm of the hand had the That would be no surprise if both Circle 142 on reader service card slightest effect on its playback, earn- ing it an A rating in this respect. Coin melts Our measurements of the Con- rad -Johnson DFI were discouraging when compared with the performance of other currentCDplayers. In general, however, our results agreed withthespecificationsinthe player's manual. The DF1's analog circuits were apparently designed with minimal global feedback, possibly in accordance with the view that high feedback can cause transient intermodu- lation distortion. Even though the bandwidth of aCDprogram is rigidly limited to 20,000 Hz, too low to cause such distortion in any properly designed amplifier, we could accept this approach as a designer's choice in spite of the higher (but still inaudible) conventional harmonic distortion that it produces. Less easy to understand was the

78 SITAR) IR EV I FW DECEMBER 1989 OURS -DISC CD CHANGER GIVES YOU AT LEAST S HOURS OF UNINTERRUPTED PLAYING ME, At Technics, we firmly believe that wireless remote control. And a high The Technics 5 -Disc CD Changer. magnificent music should bring an speed linear access motor. Because, we think the music from your audience to their feet in a concert hall. All together, they allow you to swiftlyCD Changer should continue as long as But not in a living room. go from one track to another in a randomthe mooc does. That's why we designed our new order, as often as you want. Without FREE CD OFFER SL-PC20 5 -Disc CD Changer. Thanks to ever leaving the comfort of your sofa. Get 2 free CD's plus up to 12 more its unique top -loading rotary design, But while your mind may be with a free membership in the BMG you can change four discs while the concentrating on other matters, the Compact Disc Club, when you pur- fifth keeps playing. So you can keep the Technics CD Changer is always paying chase any Technics CD player between music going, nonstop, all night if close attention to the music. Because Sept 15 and Dec. 31, 1989. See your necessary. its quadruple oversampling digital participating Technics dealer for details. Plus, the SL-PC20 allows you to filters and two separate digital -to -analog play any combination of five 3 -inch or converters together help to deliver the Technics 5 -inch discs in a row. It has a 25 -key cleanest possible sound. The science of sound CIRCLE NO. 176 ON READER SERVICE CARD ENERGY. LOUDSPEAKER DON'T LIVE IN ANEC true performance of a loudspeaker can only be measured in the real world. Not the ideal environment of an anechoic chamber.yen though Energy loudspeakers are the result of highly -sophisticated CAD/CAM modeling and anechoic testing, we take the extra measure of fine-tuning them through an exhaustive series of real -world listening tests. That's why Energy is the preferred choice of thousands of demanding listeners. ur unique tweeter design is case -in -point. It provides ideal off -axis frequency response for superior imaging, extended sounds tage, and exquisite transparency. The "dual hyperdome" configuration dramatically increases low -frequency power candling when compared with conventional designs. It allows the low - frequency transducer to roll off naturally for a smoother transition to the tweeter. ur top -of -the -line model utilizes a triple - chamber vented woofer enclosure that greatly extends bass response and acoustically cancels output nonlin- earities between the two woofers. The 7th-orcer bandpass design provides exceptional woofer damping for flatter response across the entire woofer range. II this "technospeak" is fine-and necessary for understanding why all Energy models sound so amazing. But the real test is your ears.nergy loudspeakers are more natural no matter what the listening room is like.r where the speakers are placed.o your senses a favor. ake time to include them in your listening comparisons. You'll be immediately convinced of their sonic faithful- ness and uncanny musicality.

. AUDIO PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL CORP. .3641 tOcNicol Ave. S:arborough. Ontario. Canada M1X 1G5 (416)321-1800

CIRCLE NO. 58 ON READER SERVICE CARD TEST REPORTS

specific equalization characteristic PIONEER SP -9 1 D (easily changed as desired) stored in memory. DIGITAL SOUND PROCESSOR The surround modes include Dol- by Pro Logic with a phantom center Julian Hirsch, Hirsch -Houck Laboratories channel, 3 -CH LOGIC, which adds a separate center -channel output, two theater modes, stadium and studio p1ONEER'SSP -91 D, a recent direct sound and the first reflected modes, and two simulated surround addition to the company's sound to reach the ear), room size modes for use with mono program Elite series of audio compo- (the delay between the several early sources. Most of the parameters for nents, is a digital sound pro- reflections), liveness (the decay time surround operation are not adjusta- cessor designed to simulate a vari- of the early reflections), reverb time ble because of the specific require- ety of acoustic characteristics, or (the time required for the later mul- ments of the Dolby Pro Logic sys- sound fields, in a listening room to tiple reflections to decay), HF reverb tem. The exceptions are the initial enhance the sound of stereo repro- (the decay time of high frequencies, delay, which is normally 20 milli- duction. It also includes Dolby Pro which can be faster than the decay seconds (ms) but is adjustable from Logic circuitry for decoding the sur- of low frequencies), and equaliza- 15 to 30 ms, and the rear -channel round -sound tracks of video pro- tion (the frequency response of the equalization. grams. processed -signal channels). The SP -91D is normally connect- The SP -91D provides eight sur- Not all of these parameters are ed in a tape -monitor or external - round -soundeffectsandsixteen adjustable for each stored program. processor loop of a preamplifier or presetsound -fieldcontrolpro- For four of the programs, room size receiver. Its master volume control grams. The key parameters of all the and liveness are not adjustable, be- then becomes the system volume sound -field programs are user -ad- ing replaced by reverb-time andHF- control. There are two basic operat- justable, and a modified or newly reverb adjustments (which cannot ing modes: four -channel and six - created program can be stored in be varied in the other twelve pro- channel. Four -channel is the sim- any of sixteen user memories for grams). Equalization is separately pler to install, requiring only the later recall, giving a total memory adjustable for the front and rear addition of a pair of rear speakers capacity of thirty-two sound -field channels for all programs using a and an amplifier for the delayed and programs. built-in seven -band digital equalizer processed signals from the SP -91D. The adjustable parameters are: with a ± 12 -dB control range in each A processed program is also deliv- initial delay (the time between the band. Each preset mode has its own ered to the main (front) speakers,

82 STEREo REVIEW DECEMBER 1989 MAGNA'', Good Smoke. Great Price.

ai ..- -qoquirEiatillA lomioraP lerahow. -Igor IP/ 'MOW' SITES ISM IMI- --11044

1989 R.J. RE

LITES: 9 mg. SURGEON GENERAL'S WARNING: Smoking "tar", 0.6 mg. nicotine, FILTER BOX: 14 mg. "tar", By Pregnant Women May Result inFetal 0.9 mg nicotine, av per Injury, Premature Birth, And Low Birth Weight. cigarette by FTC me:hod. TEST REPORTS

where the delayed and modified sig- field modes the signalsfirstgo grain end plates and gold markings nals are combined with the original through analog -to -digital(A/D)con- on a glossy black panel. It measures program. The relative proportions verters, then through a digital signal 18 inches wide, 13 inches deep, and of all signals are fully adjustable, processor (DSP), a large-scale inte- 4 inches high, and it weighs 131/4 separately for theleft and right grated circuit. After processing, the pounds. The chassisiscopper - channels in both the front and rear digital signals pass through digital platedfor electricalconductivity speakers. filtersandfourdigital -to -analog and formed with a pattern of de- The six -channel mode is similar (D/A) converters whose outputs be- pressions for mechanical rigidity. except that it calls for a separate pair Price: $1,000. Pioneer Electronics of front processed -sound speakers (USA) Inc., Dept. SR, 2265 E. 220th driven by their own amplifier. The The Pioneer SP -9 ID St., Long Beach, CA 90810. main front speakers reproduce only the original, unmodified stereo pro- provides eight surround- Lab Tests gram. In either mode, additional sound effects and sixteen The maximum level of the pro- power amplifiers are required if you preset sound -field control cessed front -channel outputs was use the center -channel or subwoofer 7.36 volts at the clipping point. Our outputs. pro:rams. Users can adjust measurements were made with the The front panel of the SP -91D all parameters and store level adjustments set for unity gain contains two small knobs to adjust (0.5 volt input for 0.5 volt output at input level and balance and a larger sixteen nen, programs. 1,000 Hz). The total harmonic dis- master volume knob. Small buttons tortion was 0.008 percent at Ivolt operate the tape -monitor and au- output and 0.0018 percent at 2 dio -mute functions.. A display win- come the front processed and rear volts,allthird -harmonic, andit dow in the center of the panel shows signals. The Dolby Pro Logic por- reached 2 percent at 3 volts, where all pertinent information on the option of the unit appears to use stan- several harmonics were present in eration of the unit, including the dard analog circuits, although the the output. The A -weighted noise current surround mode, indication nominal 20 -milliseconddelayis level in the processed output was of sound -field or surround opera- presumably derived from the unit's - 90.5 dB referred to a 0.5 -volt lev- tion, status of the equalizer and digital system. el, about 12 dB lower than the rated parameter adjustments, and the set- The SP -91D is furnished with a - 90 dB referred to 2 volts output. tings of each of the equalizer bands. remote control whose keys operate Driving the SP -91 D with single - Flat keys below the window select all of its signal -processing functions, cycle tone bursts, we examined the thedigitalequalizer,surround, including setting the individual pa- processed output on an oscilloscope sound -field, or user -set modes, and rameters with the aid of the front - to verify the delay times listed in the there is a pair of up and down keys panel display. A random -noise test instruction manual. The initial de- to adjust their parameters. signal, activated from the remote lay was as specified, usually 10 or 20 The rear apron of the Pioneer SP - unit,automaticallyswitchesse- milliseconds but adjustable in 1 -ms 91D contains jacks for signal input, quentially through the frontleft, steps between 1 and 50 ms. A typi- line -level outputs (and a selector center, and right speakers, then the cal preset mode(HALL I)follows the switch) for the four- and six -channel two rear speakers, as an aid in bal- initial delay with four smaller reflec- operating modes, a center -channel ancing their levels. When the vol- tions of different amplitudes at 10 - output, and a mono output for driv- ume is controlled from the remote ms intervals.In others, such as ing a subwoofer. The tape-recording unit, the main volume knob is oper- HALL4, these later reflections are and tape -monitoring output jacks ated by a motor. accompanied by an extended low- carry only unprocessed signals. The Pioneer SP -91D is attractive- level reverberation. Highly rever- Pioneer's block diagram of the ly styled to match other Elite series berant modes, such asCHURCH, SP -91D shows that in the sound - components,withglossy wood - have negligible early -reflection signals, with most of the interval between pulses occupied by a relative- FEATURES ly large, decaying reverberation that appears on an oscilloscope like a O Sixteen factory -preset O Seven -band digital graphic random noise (as it should). sound -field programs and equalizer; independent settings memories for sixteen for front and rear processed A conventional frequency -re- user -selected programs signals sponse curve measured in any of the O Dolby Pro Logic decoding with O Motor -driven master volume sound -field modes had a ragged, eight program modes control; can serve as system irregular appearance, similar to a O Adjustable for initial delay, volume control room size, liveness, reverb time, O Display of complete system room -response curve for a loud- HFreverb, front and rear operating status speaker, and it looks that way for equalization O Infrared remote control for all the same reason: interference be- O Four -channel and six -channel adjustments tween a number of signals that have modes differentpropagationtimes. A smoothed curve, however, showed

84 STEREO REVIEW DECEMBER 1989 SUPER DIGIFINE JVCAUDIO SERIES

JVC Super Digifine Audio Series In full view of the possibilities

SUrti

Digital Technology is no longer a shimmer on some distant horizon. We are now in full view of the possibilities that the technology affords us. The Super Digifine Series from JVC turns these possibilities into reality RX-1010VTN Audio/Video System Control Center CSRP Getting controlover the possibilities Audio/Video Inputs and Outputs on Back (S -Video Terminals Included)

With technologies as advanced as Acoustics Processor - are all opti- mode and center and rear levels, are Digital Acoustics Processing, Dolby mized for the size and acoustics of automatically recalled. Pro -Logic, electronics equalization your listening room. This also holds true for all program and digital delay processing plus the Or, as you switch to video, settings sources - records, tapes anc even variables of front and rear channel you've preset for the Dolby Pro -Logic individual radio stations. S nce the levels, balance, loudness compensa- decoder, such as the center -channel RX-1010VTN accepts connection of tion and even room compensation, up to eight audio and video programs, the RX-1010VTN is an engineering Example of Fluorescent Display with CSRP Preset and provides presets of 40 FM/AM marvel. It can quite literally recreate (VCR -1 as a source) (1) Source selected stations, this means it can handle any acoustic experience, whether it customized control settings for a be a movie in your neighborhood total of 48 different program sources theater or the sound of a choir in a or stations. That's control. (2) Volume. balance. great cathedral. But how does one loudness setting control the over 10 million possible settings necessary to achieve this? CSRP - or COMPU LINK Source - (3) S.E.A. graphic EO Related Presetting - does the chore setting completely and automatically. Touch a single button and all the parameters change to a setting that is appropriate for the source you've (4) Dolby surround setting selected. Then if your listening determines that some fine tune adjustments should be made, make them. One (5) DAP setting more button updates the memory with your changes and from then on recalls all the settings everytime you return to that source. (6) Normal setting For example: When you turn on your hi-fi system and listen to a CD, you get response specially customized for CD listening. Level and channel balance are properly adjusted, a customized equalization is recalled, and parameters for JVC's sound field processor - the Digital

4%. IP DAP - Digital Acoustics Processing terns to suit the size, "liveness" and watching videos, it will make you feel In the RX-1010VTN, there's a ROM wall type of your listening room. This as if you were sitting in a first-class (Read -Only Memory) that stores the ensures that the ambience of your movie theater, especially since the sound field patterns we measured at listening room is completely com- digital acoustics processor is already famous halls and theaters all over pensated for so that you enjoy the at work. the world. Seven patterns, from reflections and reverberations of only symphony hall to movie theater, are a desired hall. The remote is a convenient LCD programmed in memory for instant touch panel. The amplifier is a state- recall. Dolby Pro -Logic of-the-art Super -A design. Our RX-1010VTN simply does SYMPHONY HALL DIGITAL AP RECTAL HALL everything and keeps everything OPERA HOUSE CHURCH PRO LOGIC simple. LNE CLUB . STADIUM MOVIE THEATER "'Dolby" and the double -D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation. Z/ WIDE SZE UVE3WAU_

With sound steering, active matrix and center channel output, Dolby Pro -Logic Surround provides you with an enhanced sense of direction And you can fine -adjust these pat- and sharply centered dialog. When

.,00UST,C.S .00ESS SYSTEM RECEWER

wr.O.Lse T- 0.01:4 MOM. Amu mom ,n 1111171:k -I LI rh POW Klual 1.,] 1.11110414 ..c LW CAI T1 =MYR. r FM WOO! THEO. Olian L ii 9BTJ-

saf OW 5 VOW. 3 - C.PIVIWI3

't I XL-Z1O1OTN Compact Disc Player K2 Interface Revealing possibilities at thesource The K2 Interface optically decoupler the digital from the analog section

Changing the digital code on a CD Providing a perfect signal to the Music seems to acquire more depth into music requires that a digital -to - D/A converter allows for accurate and width, providing clear images of analog converter choose 1 of 65,536 reproduction of all the nuances such instruments and voices. Overall, possibilities every 1/44,100th of a as sound staging and depth. sound is smoother and more natural second. As a matter of fact, in many ways across the audio spectrum. It's commonly assumed that digital both frequency range and dynamic signal is composed of l's and O's, range are expanded. High frequen- Precision D/A Converter System each represented by the presence or cies sound clearer. There is a Using Four D/A Units absence of a square -shaped pulse. heightened sense of the power in The XL-Z1010TN features two D/A But the fact of the matter is, a digital the mid- to low -frequency range. converter units for each channel - signal contains ripple -a type of four in all. There is a 16 -bit converter distortion that changes the shape of Comparison of K2 Interface and Conventional Transmission System for the most significant bits and a a waveform - and jitter, components The JVC K2 Interlace strips the transmitted signal of ripple 2 -bit converter for the two least sig- and idler as it travels from the digital to analog processing that move the timing of a pulse for- circuit nificant bits. Since the least signifi- ward or behind. Anolop-1.01 We. O.. cant bits have greatest bearing on 0,111,0 ingame....E. Roaming Snwr 1.1..cern These "non -code" components the sound quality at low level, JVC can result in a sound that differs from fill4 uses an elaborate discrete D/A the intent of the digital source. The converter system for these bits to nn9 K2 Interface solves this problem by ensure higher precision. All four completely regenerating the digital converters operate with 18 bits Data Transmission Waveforms signal. At the heart of the K2 Interface The clean shape of data transmission waveforms indicates "full time" whether the level is high is essentially an ultra -high-speed that the K2 Interface has removed ripple and fitter or low. Our "quadruple full-time linear camera with a shutter speed of 20 18 -bit combination D/A converter" nanoseconds (20 billionths of a Without KI allows you to enjoy digital sound at its second). Based on these quick snap- WayK2 most delicate and dynamic. shots, it recreates the digital signal as a perfect square wave. XP-A1O1OTN Digital Acoustics Processor Bringingnew possibilities to the

Symmetrical 6 -Point Sound Field Measurement home Microphone Set

Many of us have already invested in excessive reflections and reverber- fine audio systems for our homes. ations added by your listening room Even the best, however, sound like can be compensated for, and so can music being played in a home reverberations contained in the environment. source program. This means a pre- A new age is dawning in audio cise sense of the size and shape of a realism, thanks to the vast advance- simulated space is accurately re- ments in digital engineering. Now it created in any listening room. Acoustic Response of a Musical Space is possible to simulate the acoustic Two, the entire process, from input ambience of a live music space - to output, is performed channel by concert hall or movie theater - and channel independently. Therefore, recreate it right in your own listening critical time -related information con- room. tained in music is retained, providing The new JVC XP-A1010TN Digital a natural sound field ambience. Acoustics Processor is the key. No Three, the size of the sound source other component available today so -a point, like a solo or a spread, accurately brings concert hall ambi- like an orchestra - is precisely ence to the home. reproduced. The processor features a ROM The XP-A1010TN comes with sound (Read -Only Memory) containing a fields from 20 actual concert halls, jazz clubs, theaters and stadiums. huge amount of data on reflections CHURCI and reverberations - "sound field Sound Field Analysis Pattern You can customize an additional patterns" - our engineers measured 20 patterns of your own. With the in actual halls and theaters through- JVC's Unique Advantages of XP-A1010TN, the possibilities now out the world. Acoustics Synthesis include the recreation of the concert The JVC XP-A1010TN offers a halls around the system in your number of unique advantages. One, home.

, AX-Z1010TN High -Power Class -A Amplifier Digital Pure -A

The main signal is sent to a time New possibilities base processor where it's stored in memory for a fraction of a second for class -A before it goes to the D/A converter. The prediction signal is sent to the bias circuit to optimize bias applied There's no doubt that an amplifier Enter the Digital Pure -A Type II to the power transistors depending operating in class -A mode provides JVC has the solution - the Digital on dynamics of the upcoming signal. lower distortion and cleaner sound Pure -A Type II circuit featured in the What you get out of this is low -distor- than those in popular class -B or AX-Z1010TN "Digital" Integrated tion class -A sound with high class -AB. Their inefficiency, however, Amplifier. efficiency and high power. makes class -A amplifiers require elaborate heat sinking, and still the amps waste much of their power in www w 0 Po.. /eV 0q. Sq. the form of heat. This results in I.rodese. Cyrwoo IN= inflated cost and relatively low power Sa.ce L output. But to enjoy the dynamic Sq. Musical Output Sq. ass Ca.. Waveform - sound of digital programs, you need _ -J ona a lot of power. How to combine the low -distortion Block Diagram of Digital Pure -A Circuit Type II Operation of Digital Pure -A II sound of class -A with efficiency and power demanded by digital audio? This ingenious design takes the The AX-Z1010TN is a "digital" inte- advantage of the fact that digital grated amplifier incorporating a D/A Class -A vs. Class -B Operation signals can be stored in memory converter system complete with the With class -A, combined output from the paired transistors looks very close to that of the input. With class -B. this is temporarily without changing their K2 Interface, 8 -times oversampling not so, leading to crossover and switching distortion. frequency response or phase and quadruple D/A converters. Output Waveform response. And the amp features a special In the Digital Pure -A Type II, digital design for analog programs too- signals fed directly from digital equip- Opt Super -A, another JVC exclusive ment are split into two: the main combining low distortion and high signal and the "prediction" signal. efficiency.

Class -A Class -8 TD-V1010TN Discrete 3 -Head Cassette Deck The world's finest cassette deck?

A distinct possibility! Closed -Loop Dual -Capstan Drive Mechanism

When it comes to specifications for Taped Sound Free of Acoustic our test, we've developed solid cassette decks - such as wow & Modulation Noise mechanical designs in order to sup- flutter, frequency response and sig- Based on what we discovered from press resonance and vibration. The nal-to-noise ratio - we can safely result of our efforts is taped sound that rivals digital. say today there is only marginal room "Acoustic Modulation Noise" for further improvement. This is Moreover, there are other ways because of the steady but sure ad- we've improved clarity and purity of vances over the years in mechanical the taped sound of the TD-V1010TN. design, heads, noise reduction A "CD DIRECT" switch lets you route designs and tapes. the signal from your CD player direct We have isolated "dynamic" to the cassette deck. We've cut down response as one of the final steps in wiring to a minimum length using ensuring taped sound that's as pure remote rods and controls. We use and transparent as can be. We even the time -proven closed -loop dual - developed a new specification to capstan tape transport to suppress measure the degree of purity and Response of Conventional Deck modulation noise. "Fine" amorphous transparency a cassette deck can heads, highly pure PCOCC copper provide:acoustic modulation noise. wire and high bias frequency also In this measurement system, the enhance the purity and transparency test deck is subjected to a high of the taped sound. 100-phon sound pressure during If you think that taped sound cannot recording and playback. More rigo- compare with digital programs, you rous than conventional modulation owe yourself a listen to the noise tests, this new method better TD-V1010TN. simulates a real -world situations where the deck must operate while Response of Rigidly Built Deck speakers are playing music. )f

FX-1010TN Computer -Controlled FM/AM Tuner

computer could create to muddy sound, is cut down by the Self-adjusting to "Opticalink" system separating the digital section from the analog. the possibilities The computer is put to use for special conveniences, too. You can preset up to 40 FM/AM The FX-1010TN is a smart tuner IF bandwidth, stereo mode, etc.- stations for one -touch recall, and that adjusts itself to the endless after checking the degree of inter- give a name to each preset sta- possibilities in the capture of radio ference and the strength of the tion. You can let the tuner signals. station you're tuned to. It guaran- automatically preset all 40 FM/AM Our reception servo automati- tees you get the best reception stations for you. You can "shop" cally selects the optimum anywhere and from every station. for stations one by one. Also you operating mode - front-end gain, And yet the digital noise, which a can set the muting level to tune all stations in your area or only a few s7 powerful ones. Add circuitry designed for low Sup distortion and wide dynamic range and you'll see that the FX-1010TN is the tuner that addresses the practical world of radio reception. Flowchart of Optimum Reception Servo System

We are no longer at the threshold but have passed well into the world of digital technologies and their applications. In full view of the possibilities, we have endeavored to develop products that will endure the test of time and stand as small reminders that technology can advance while remaining sensitive to the needs of its users.

JVC COMPANY OF AMERICA DIVISION OF US JVC CORP. 41 Slater Drive, Elmwood Park, N.J.07407 TEST REPORTS that the overall frequency response range with little or no audible effect of the SP -91D was generally quite on the sound of a particular pro- flat over the full audio range. With gram. But with a different program, the sound -field processor switched or with another combination of pa- off, the front -channel response of rameters, varying the same parame- the SP -91D was down 0.2 dB at 20 ter might produce more audible re- Hz and 1 dB at 20,000 Hz. The center sults. frequencies and amplitudes of the Fortunately, the sixteen factory - equalizer response curves were as preset modes offer enough variety specified. that there should be little need for AudioNideo, Car Stereo, Telephones user modifications in most cases. AT LOW DISCOUNT PRICES! Comments Once you have a bit of practice in As we have observed in previous adjusting levels throughout the sys- Youll find themost helpful shopping infor- test reports, measurements of digi- tem, the contribution of the SP -91D mation in the 116 page Crutchfield catalog. tal signal processors like the Pioneer becomes more striking. As with all SP -91D convey little useful infor- such systems, its contribution mation about their sonic character- should never be obvious;if the istics. Listening is the true test of effect of the processing is clearly FREE such a device. audible, it is being misused. When Despiteitsdeceptivelysimple the system is operating correctly, front panel, the SP -91D is a very you should be able to walk into the Stereo complex product with far more ver- room and simply hear a natural - satility (and potential for misuse) sounding performance without au- than meets the eye. The instruction dible clues as to the speaker config- Catalog manual isquite good, especially uration or other special qualities of compared with some we have en- the system. Only when the process- Refer to the Crutchfield catalog ing is shut off (by a button on the before buying your next car stereo, countered for earlier signal -process- home stereo, or video product: ing devices, but it does require care- remote control) should the presence ful reading and hands-on practice to of the SP -91D become unmistak- 116 pages of helpful articles, consumer get the best results. able-by its absence! The resulting tips, charts, and installation guides. One characteristicthe SP -91D collapse of the sound field into the Color photos, complete descriptions shares with other sound -field pro- front speakers will be so apparent and technical specifications on cessors is that the effects of most that you will wonder how you ever hundreds of the finest brand name changes in its parameters are quite got along without sound -field en- products. subtle. In many cases a parameter hancement. You get more value shopping at can be varied throughitsentire Circle 143 on reader service card Crutchfield: lbll-free product advice, ordering, and customer service. 24 hour shipping. Absolute satisfaction guaranteed. Full 30 -day return privileges. Discount prices on Sony, Pioneer, JVC, Jensen, Proton, Advent, Clarion, Kenwood, AR, Infinity, Bose, and many more! Call or send this coupon now for your FREE Catalog 800-336-5566 Be sure to mention Stereo Review when calling

Name

Address Apt.

City State Zip Optional: Are you in the market for a personal computer, fax, or personal copier? 13 Yes No "You idiot. Igor, stopwith the bringing me brains,already-I'm doing vacuum -tube amplifier research!" CRUTCHFIELD STERFo REVIEW DF.CEMBER 1989 9:1 ICrutchfield Park, Dept. SR, Charlottesville, VA 22906 O 3 TOP COMBIILAYERS

Lab Tests: How do leading plikvers measure up in audio and video performance?

Y interest in videodiscs goes back to my involvement with the ill-fated EVR (Electronic Video Recording) system developed many years ago at CBS Laboratories. The resolution of that optically based system was so much better than you could get from tape in those days that I was spoiled for life. When I saw my first Laser - Vision demo, it was, in the immortal words of Yogi Berra, "déjà vu all over again." The picture was sharp, the colors were snappy, and video noise was noticeably lower than in the VHS and Beta VCR systems of the day. Even the sound was better: wider frequency response, greater dynamic range, and wow and flutter low enough to be inaudible. The only thing the tape formats had over LaserDisc was the ability to record. Although the videodisc format has always trailed tape in popularity, it has continued to evolve and to grow in strength. The latest development is the combi-player, which can reproduce every type of consumer optical disc-audio or video-including 3- and 5 -inch audio CD's, 8- and 12 -inch CAV (constant angular velocity) and CLV (constant linear velocity) laser videodiscs, and the gold -colored 5 -inch cp-v's that combine 5 minutes of video

BY ED FOSTER Diversified Science Laboratories

, *At:

) with an additional 20 minutes of digital audio. The three players reviewed here-the Philips CDV487 ($949),thePioneerCLD-3070 ($1,200), and the Yamaha CDV- 1600 ($899)-are among the finest examples of this new breed. Lab Tests In the early days, the soundtracks on LaserDiscs were recorded using a PHILIPS CDV487 ($949) stereofrequency -modulationsys- tem similar to those later adopted HECDV487 is one step down remote control or the front panel. On for Beta Hi-Fi and VHS Hi-Fi. from Philips's top combi- ct...v discs, you can cue to an "elapsed Shortly thereafter, a CBS -developed player, the CDV488, which was time" from the beginning of the disc, noise -reduction system called CX reviewed in the October issue. and on any kind of disc, you can was applied to improve the dy- It lacks the CDV488's video frame return to the beginning of the current namic range, which in the Laser - memory. Thus, it provides still -frame, chapter or track by pressing play a Disc system was not nearly so good bidirectional frame advance, and second time. On videodiscs recorded as it would be in hi-fi VCR'S. After multispeed playback (in nine steps with a table of contents and cp's with from 3 seconds per frame to three index points, you can skip from point the compact disc was developed, times normal speed) only forCAV to point. 16 -bit digital encoding was added to videodiscs. Since today's videodiscs are As many as twenty chapters or tracks the LaserDisc system as well. Cur- almost always recorded in the ctv can be programmed for playback in rent videodiscs are almost always mode, to increase their playing time to any desired order, and there's a repeat recorded both digitally and with the an hour per side, video special effects function that replays the programmed :CX-enhanced FM system so that won't be available for most of them sequence, the current chapter or track, they will be compatible with players with this player. the entire side of the disc, or any that don't have digital decoders. The CDV487 does give you direct portion of it that has been marked as a The three combi-players reviewed access to any video chapter or audio block. You can play the tracks of any here, of course, do have digital au- track via keypads on the main chassis CDorCD -Vin random order. In and the remote control. It also permits addition, you can use the Philips dio decoders. Each also has an FM direct access to any video frame on a Favorite Track Selection system to decoder with CX noise reduction so CAVdisc by the same means, as well as store programs for as many as 218 thatitis compatible with older bidirectional chapter/track skipping CD'S, CD -V'S,and videodiscs (if they discs. The players detect the pres- and dual -speed scanning from the have tables of contents). ence of a digital audio signal and automaticallyusethatsystem whenever they can. You can, however, force them to switch to the YAMAHA CDV-1600 ($899) analog soundtrack by pressing a selector button. HECDV-1600 is the simplest number (onCAVdiscs), or elapsed time Diversified Science Laboratories and easiest to use of the three (onCLVdiscs). You can skip across a players reviewed here. Yet it is disc a chapter or track at a time or tested the audio performance of the the only one that enables you scan it at fifteen or sixty times normal players in both modes of operation, to cue directly toCDindex points. (The speed. A "single -play" function can be using the CBS CD -1 testCDto eval- Philips CDV487 permits index set to pause the player at the end of the uate the digital systems and the Pio- skipping, but not direct access to an current track or chapter. Still -frame, neer M-1 test LaserDisc to spot- index point by number.) And in a frame -by -frame advance in either check playback of the FM tracks. In world where black seems to have direction, and multispeed playback the FM mode without CX, the Phil- become the standard high-tech color, I (bidirectionally in ten steps ranging ips CDV487 had a slightly better A - find the CDV-1600's titanium finish a from three frames per second to twelve weighted signal-to-noise ratio (s/N) welcome alternative. times normal speed) are available for For cp's and cv-v's, the Yamaha CAVvideodiscs. The CDV-1600 has a than the other players (62 dB, com- offers cueing by track number, elapsed fifteen -selection memory and can be set pared with 61 dB for the Pioneer time, or index number; on videodiscs, for repeat play of a single selection, a and 59 dB for the Yamaha), but with you can search by chapter number (on programmed sequence, an entire side, the noise -reduction system on, the discs with a table of contents), frame or a portion set off by block markers. Yamaha topped the list at 74 dB, compared with 70 dB for the Pio- neer and 70.8 dB for the Philips. Output from a signal recorded at 1111110110 0 dB was close to a half volt from all IlititSBRO flItOOPPCIfIfl three players, which should be ade- nntinanon 03 quate considering that the FM track on a videodisc can be recorded somewhat above that level. Total harmonicdistortion(THD)plus noise at 0 dB and 1,000 Hz ranged IMF from a low of 0.24 percent on the Pioneer to 0.31 percent on the Phil- ips, with the Yamaha nipping the heels of the CLD-3070 at 0.26 percent. The three figures are so close that they're not a deciding factor. Channel separation was a remarkably high 82 dB at 1,000 Hz on the Yamaha, but both the Philips and the Pioneer came in at slightly more than 70 dB, which is much greater than you need in any event. Chan- nel -imbalance figures for the Yama- ha and Pioneer players were less than a third the already negligible PIONEER CLD-3070 ($1,200) 0.23 dB of the Philips, but these are OUCH potatoes will love the ranging from fifteen frames per second not significantdifferences either. Pioneer CLD-3070. Of the (that is, every other frame) to one For FM audio performance, chalk three players covered in this frame every 3 seconds, or you can up a dead heat. review, it is the only one capture and display a single frame Undoubtedly, the digital audio capable of playingbothsides of a using its one-shot memory function. If performance of theseplayersis videodisc by itself (co's and CD-v's are you want to view a still frame while more important than that of their recorded on only one side, so there is listening to music, this is the way to do FM systems, and here there were no advantage with them). The Alpha it. Intro -scan plays the first 8 seconds Turn mechanism that Pioneer of each video chapter (the last frame of more significant differences. By the developed to rotate the laser pickup each chapter is stored and displayed by numbers, the Philips CDV487 had from one side of a disc to the other the one-shot memory while the player the smoothest frequency response, increases the player's height, but many searches for the start of the next beating out the Yamaha by a whisk- users will consider that a small price to chapter). With cD's and co-v's, er.The eight-times-oversampling pay for the convenience of almost intro -scan plays the first 8 seconds of Yamaha produced less ripple in the uninterrupted playback. each track. There's also a random -play audio band, however, and since its The CLD-3070 is also the only one feature for ars and CD -V's and response departed from perfect flat- of the three players to have a video chapter/track skip and scan to get you ness only above 15,000 Hz, I'm not frame memory. That means it can around the disc. offer video special effects on CLV as Using the player's ten -key pad, you sure that I wouldn't give it the nod. well as CAV discs. The special effects can do a direct search for any chapter The Pioneer had the most ripple, are controlled with the ioc-dial/ on a videodisc recorded with chapter and its response above 8,000 Hz sHurnE-ring combination located on numbers or for any CD track. On CAV rose gradually to a peak of 0.2 to 0.3 the front panel and replicated on the videodiscs you can search by frame dB between 14,000 and 18,000 Hz remote unit. The JOG dial enables you number as well; for CD's and CLV before dropping sharply. to control the frame rate by hand at videodiscs, this feature is replaced with Basicresponsewas measured anywhere from double speed in either a search -by -elapsed -time function. The without the slight high -frequency direction down to stop -motion. The CLD-3070 has a twenty -slot program flattenthere- SHUTTLE ring offers fast -forward or memory for rearranging chapters or rolloff needed to reverse playback at two, five, or ten tracks. It works with cD's, cD-v's, and sponse of CD's recorded with pre - times normal speed. The oG/SHUTTLE videodiscs that are encoded with emphasis, which can be used to combination also serves to zip you chapter numbers. The deck can repeat reduce noise at high frequencies. aroundCD'Sand co-v's. a programmed sequence, an entire (Most cD's are recorded without With the CLD-3070's video memory, disc, or any section you have set off - pre -emphasis.) The de -emphasis er- you can get strobe motion at rates with block markers. ror was least (no more than 0.1 dB) on the Philips player and worst (about 0.5 dB at 4,000 Hz) on the Yamaha. The Yamaha CDV-1600's digital - to -analog (D/A) converter was the most linear of the three. In fact, it had one of the most linear conversion systems that I've yet measured on a regular CD player, to say nothing of a combi-player. The CDV- 1600's linearity was within 0.1 dB at - 80 dB, 0.6 dB at - 90 dB, and 0.8 dB at -100 dB, whichistruly remarkable performance. The Phil- ips converter was also very good and suffered only by comparison with Yamaha's. It was on the money down to -70 dB and off by 0.6 The disc drawer of a dB at -80 dB; the greatest nonlin- combi-player has different earity (3.4 dB) occurred at the - 90 - indentations for dB level. The Pioneer CLD-3070 different -size discs. came in a somewhat distant third. It

STEREO REVIEW DECEMBER 1989 97 LABORATORY MEASUREMENTS PHILIPS PIONEER YAMAHA

DIGITAL AUDIO

Frequency response (20 to 20,000 Hz) +0, -0.1dB t 0.3 cla +0, -0.15dB De -emphasis error (maximum) -0.1 dB -0.2dB +0.56dB Signal-to-noise ratio (A -weighted) 111.5dB 101.3dB 108dB Distortion at 0 dB (THD + N, 20 to 20,000 Hz) s0.009% .0.085% <0.005% Linearity (at 1,000 Hz) -60 dB 0 dB -0.5dB 0 dB - 70 dB 0 dB -0.1 dB -0.1 dB - 80 dB -0.646 -0.4 dB -0.1 dB - 90 dB -3.4 dB -3.7 dB -0.6 dB - 100 da -2.4dB -4.5dB -0.8 dB Channel separation (at 1,000 Hz) >120 da 110dB 105.3 dB Channel balance (at 1,000 Hz) ±0.03 dB ±0.02 dB ±0.01 dB Lineoutput (maximum) 1.89 volts 1.95 volts 1.95 volts

FM AUDIO

Siptal4o-noise ratio (A -weighted) CX off 62 dB 61 dB 59 dB CX on 70.8 de 70 dB 74 dB Distortion at 0 dB(THD +N at 1,000 Hz) 0.31% 0.24% 0.26% Channel separation (at 1,000 Hz) 70.5 dB 72 dB a:-..82 dB Channel balance (at 1,000) Hz) ±0.12 dB ±0.04 dB ±0.03 dB Line output (at 0 dB) 0.40 volt 0.49 volt 0.45 volt

VIDEO

Video frequency response at 2.0 MHz -2dB -2dB -1.8 da at 3.0 MU/ -3.4 dB -4dB -4dB at 4.1 MHz -6dB -6.3 dB -3.8 dB Luminance level 94% 105% 96% Chroma level (low to high) -5 to -3.5dB -7 to -6 dB -4.8 to -4.5 dB Chroma phase error (low to high) +5* to +6° +5° +4° to +7° Chroma differential gain as 15% 10% as5% Chroma differential phase + <5* <°5 ± <5*

was off approximately 0.5 dB at measured tracking ability, however. units will give you an eye-opening -60 dB, 3.7 dB at -90 dB, and 4.5 The Yamaha and Philips players experience. The Pioneer and Philips dB at -100 dB. vaulted all hurdles on the Philips players had almost identical video The CLD-3070 was also the only 410 056-2 test disc, whereas the Pio- frequency responses -down about player to have measurable distor- neer stumbled on the highest -level 6 dB at the highest test frequency, tion pretty much across the board at "black dot" test (800 micrometers). 4.1 MHz. This implies a horizontal 0 dB (full level). At 10,000 Hz, its Interestingly, the Pierre Verany test resolution of about 330 lines, which second -harmonic distortion meas- disc tripped up the Yamaha first (on equals the best you could get from ured 0.065 percent, which was the the 0.55 -millimeter dropout band); an NTSC-standard broadcast. Al- high for the group. The A -weighted the Pioneer held out to the 1.00 -mm though that is perfectly adequate S/Nwas lowest on the Pioneer, at level and the Philips to 1.25 mm. performance, the Yamaha CDV- 101.3 dB, compared with 108 dB for 1600 was able to do a bit better. Its the Yamaha and 111.5 dB for the output was down only 3.8 dB at 4.1 Philips CDV487. MHz, which is as extended a video In other electrical characteristics, frequency response as I can recall the players were impeccable. Out- measuring. On the basis of viewing put voltage at 0 dB was the usual a standard wedge pattern from a test "slightly less than 2 volts," channel LL three players per- disc,Iwould estimate that the balance was well within 0.1 dB, and formed well in the video tests. If CDV-1600 is good for at least 350 channel separation was greater than you are accustomed to the picture lines of horizontal resolution. 105 dB. There were differences in quality typical of vcR's, any of these Each player delivered a lumi-

98 STEREO REVIEW DECEMBER 1989 nance level within 6 percent of standard, which is essentially per- A GLOSSARY OF VIDEO TERMS fect,anda chromadifferential City, disc: a laser vid- varies, and it is not phase(ameasure of how tint eodisc recorded at tit possible to produce changes with scene brightness) of a constant angular special effects mere- less than 5 degrees, which is as low velocity-that is, at I\ ly by stopping the as can be measured. Chroma differ- afixedrotational s. r pickup. On the other ential gain (change in color satura- speed of 1,800 rpm. hand, since none of tion with scene brightness) ranged At this rate, one vid- the track lengthis from a low of 5 percent on the eo frame is recorded .:111LLIIIIIINP0- wasted, the playing Yamaha to a maximum of 15 perfor each revolution, re. time of a12 -inch or "track," of the civ disc can be as cent on the Philips; the Pioneer split disc, making it pos- much as 60 minutes the difference at about 10 percent. sibletofreezea a side. frame by stopping the laser pickup. This great y simplifies horizontal resolution: the number of in- the creation of certain special effects, dividual vertical lines that can be dis- but the playing time of a2 -inch CAV tinguished in a monochrome picture disc is limited to 30 minutes per side. across a width equal to the height of the picture. Horizontal resolution (in lines) chrome differential gain: a measure of s is usually the case, car be no more than approximately the degree to which chroma level (color eiglty times the video bandwidth (in the chroma output from the players saturation) varies with scene brightness. wiz), and the quality of a monitor's was below standard. The Yamaha Usually the error is in the direction of CRT and focusing circuit may further and Philips units were down about reduced color saturation with increas- lin-it the resolution. Potential horizon- 4.5 dB, and the Pioneer was approx- ing scene brightness. Ideally, differen- tal resolution can be calculated from the imately 6.5 dB low, but all three fig- tial gain would be zero. video response or estimated by viewing ures are within the correction range chrome differential phase: a measure of a 'wedge" pattern. of the auto-chroma-level circuitry the degree to which chroma phase (hue) luminance level: the output level of the in modern monitors and should not varies with scene brightness. A perfect luminance(black -and -white) compo- be a cause for concern. The Yama- reading is zero. nent of a video signal for a white screen ha's output had the most nearly chrominance (chrome) leveh the output of maximum brightness. Together with constant level across the color spec- level of each chrominance :chroma, or the black level, the luminance level trum, soit may be expected to color) component of a video signal. establishes the contrast range of the pic- reproduce the various shades with level determines relative color ture. The output level for a 100 -percent - slightly more uniform saturation saturation. The maximum output for white pictureis standardized, which each hue is standardized, which enables enables us to report the measured lumi- than the other players. On the other us to report the amount of error, in nance level as a percentage of this hand, the Pioneer delivered the low- decibels, compared with the correct lev- standard level. A perfect reading is 100 est and most uniform chroma phase el. It is very common to ind chroma percent. Readings lower than that indi- error and therefore might be ex- levels ranging from -4 to -6 dB. Mod- cate that the equipment being tested pected to produce slightly more ac- ern monitors have automatic chroma- wil not drive a monitor to full bright- curate hues than the others. But in level circuits that can usually correct for newith standard control settings. It either case we're splitting hairs. low chroma output from a video source. may be necessary to turn up the moni- If color saturation is inadequate, reset tor s picture or contrast control to coin- Conclusions your monitor's color control. peasate. Readings greater than 100 per- All three of these combi-players chrominance (chroma) phase: the rela- cer t suggest the opposite condition. performed quite well, and choosing tive phase angle of each chrominance video frequency response: a measure of among them is not simple. The Pio- (chroma, or color) component of the the potential horizontal resolution of a neer CLD-3070 clearly outshines video signal with respect to the phase of mcnochrome picture. Video response is the others in features. Not only does the chroma burst. Chroma phase deter- usually measured with a "multiburst" mines hue, or tint. The phase angle for signal comprising bursts of sine waves. it play both sides of a laser video- each hue is standardized, wnich enables On a monitor, this pattern produces sets disc without human intervention, us to report the measured chroma phase of vertical bars that are spaced more but it is also the only one of the as the error, in degrees, relative to the and more closely together as the fre- three to offer video special effects standard. A perfect reading is 0 degrees. quency is increased. There is no univer- on garden-variety cLv discs. That Readings within ± 2 degrees are essen- sal y accepted rule to determine what can be an important consideration tially perfect. Errors that ar fairly con- constitutes "acceptable" signal loss. We for videodisc collectors.Philips's stant across all colors can be corrected use a very stringent criterion and estab- Favorite Track Selection (FTS) sys- by touching up the tint control on the list the video bandwidth by the fre- monitor. Therefore, the spread of the quency at which response has fallen 6 temdistinguishesthe CDV487, chroma-phase readings is more signifi- dB. Since the bursts occur only at specif- which also boasts fine audio and cant than the magnitude of the errors. ic 'requencies, it is often necessary to video performance and produced est mate the -6 -dB point. some of the best measurements of a..v disc: a videodisc recorded at constant linear velocity, such that a fixed video noise: a reference to luminance the lot. Compared with the other noise, which produces "snow" in a two players, the Yamaha CDV-1600 length cf track passes the :aser pickup each second. A CLV disc rotates at a mcnochromepicture;chroma AM is relatively plain, but I think it's the variable angular rate (from 500 to 1,800 noise, which produces a blotchy effect one I'm going to miss most when I rpm on a 12 -inch disc) depending on in color scenes; and chroma phase- have to send them all back.Its the radius where the laser pickup is mcdulation (PM) noise, which causes soundissparkling,itspictures located. The number of frames per track rardom color changes. sharp, and its colors gorgeous! El

STEREO REVIEW DECEMBER 1989 99 LITTLEover a year ago, Tom Tom Club returned to the place where Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz first started out as part of Talking Heads-the famous CBGB's on Manhat- tan s Lower East Side. It was familiar turf in another sense. Back in the summer of 1975, Weymouth and Frantz, who are Tom Tom Club, shared a loft near the same premises with Talking Heads' lead singer and songwriter, David Byrne, when they were all students. The place had no hot water and no shower. "Friends would invite us over for dinner," Frantz recalled recently in the midtown office of their manager, "and we'd all take along tow- "Whatever we do always has a strong beat." els." Thirteen years later, now married and clearly dry behind the ears, BY RON GIVENS Weymouth and Frantz could count their three-week gig at CBGB's a triumph. Today, wherever Weymouth and Frantz go, the beat follows. As the rhythm section of Talking Heads (she on bass, he on drums), as the producers of such bands as Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers, and as the studio -band -turned -touring -band Tom Tom Club,they make music with powerful rhythms, whether sly and infectious or dense and moody. Last summer Wey- mouth and Frantz released their third Tom Tom Club album, "BoomBoomChiBoom Boom" on Sire, and went on tour to promote it. The firstsingle from the album, Suboceana, went straight up the dance charts. "Our breakthroughs, in Talking Heads as well as Tom Tom Club, have been made in dance music," said Weymouth. "Whatever we do always has a strong beat." "Dance is probably what we do best," Frantz agreed. "Whenever we try to do something in a dance style, it works. We'd be fools not to take advantage of what we do best." Dance music has seldom been given such a multifaceted showcase as in Tom Tom Club's new album. Callofthe Wild, for example, is perky and syncopated. Weymouth's breathy vocals seem like a cross Backstage at CBGB's: from left, guitarist and touring -band member Mark Roule, Lou Reed, between Betty Boop and Marlene Tina Weymouth, Chris Frantz, and touring keyboardist Gary Pozner Dietrich, Kewpie-doll-like yet throaty. Suhoceana, on the otherthat they had little time for theircommercialism. "The videosall hand, is danceable despite its dense, work together. David Byrne had look exactly like commercials, and somber synthesizertextures and movie projects of his own: compos- the commercials for soda pop and slowly gliding pulse. Challengeofing music for The Last Einperor and automobiles are made to look like the Love Warriors is a percussion trying to raise money for filming a music videos," he said. festival for drums, bongos, synths, theatrical piece, The Forest, that he and heavy female breathing. created with avant-garde dramatist N. i w audiences are important.

Femme Fatale is a remake of the Robert Wilson. Jerry Harrison had . they feel, and this fall they've classic Lou Reed song, with Reed an album by his solo band, Casual been touring to parts of the himself on guitar along with the oth- Gods, and a tour of his own. And country where Talking Heads er Heads, Byrne and guitarist-key- Weymouth and Frantz were plug- hasneverperformedand boardist Jerry Harrison. ging away on "Boom Boom Chi sharing stages with bands that Boom Boom." play very different styles of music. ERSONALand professional in- When they started Tom Tom "It'llbe nice for us to gain an terruptions made for an on - Club, it was as a studio band that audience that isn't automatically a again, off -again recording pro- would give them a different kind of TalkingHeadsaudience,"said cess for "Boom Boom Chi creativesatisfactionfromtheir Frantz. BoomBoom."Weymouth work in Talking Heads. But things Strangely enough, as Tom Tom gave birth to the couple's sec- have changed. The Heads haven't Club tries to gain a wider audience, ond son, Egan, in 1986. (Their first, toured since 1982, so the couple has Weymouth and Frantz find them- Robin, is seven.) In addition to thegone on the road with Tom Tom selves competing with their older songs they wrote for the films Siesta Club. At this point, they still get selves. The push for "classic rock" and Married to the Mob, Weymouth many of their creative opportunities on radio stations today means that and Frantz also produced two al-from their affiliation with Talkingairplay frequently goes to oldies by bums for Ziggy Marley and the Mel- Heads, but it now appears that the bands like Talking Heads and Tom ody Makers. Although they enjoy Heads won't release another newTom Club instead of to newer mat- producing other musical acts, theyalbum until sometime next year-at erial. don't actively seek this work. "We the earliest. "It's a battle for us," said Frantz. get asked to produce a lot of bands Frantz believes that the band has "Everybody plays the stuff we did at this point, and we almost always lost some of its audience by not ten years ago, but they won't play say no," Frantz said. "We only wantplaying live. "Because we haven't what we've just done." In concert, to produce something if we thinktoured as Talking Heads, sales there Weymouth explained further, "they that it's terrific and that it'll be ahave gone from Platinum to mere yell for our hit, so we get it out of pleasure to produce." Gold," he said. "Making the record the way early and do Genius of Love Another major distraction wasis only half of it.Performing is second in the set." thelastTalkingHeads album, essential." What's most important to the two "Naked." The Heads recorded most "Our live audiencesfor Tom of them, however, and what makes of the music for it in Paris, and itsTom Club are great," Weymouth any aggravation worth bearing, is world -beatemphasis drew great added. "We can be very playful with the chance to perform in front of a critical praise, but sales were disap-them, and that's important because live, engaged, and appreciative au- pointing. The band didn't tour in it keeps the music alive." Frantz has dience. "There's nothing like it," support of the album and did verystrong disdain for bands that per- Frantz said. "With Tom Tom Club, little video promotion either. In a form in concert with taped backing we just want to get out and rock the sense, the individual Heads had sotracks, and he believes that the mu- house." much to do outside of the group sic -video scene has been polluted by Long may they rock. 0

"r7%'-';'" l'" `s

' a 1611111111111k

BY WARREN BERGER HERE was a time, and it wasn't long ago, when the finer points of audio equipment design-appearance, ergonomics, and the like-were regarded lightly, if at all, by hi-fi companies. It was the Age of Engineering, when style was out of style, and all that seemed to matter were the specs, the size, and the number of buttons and switches. That era has now passed, and a new age of enlightened audio design is in full swing. Blame it on style -conscious yuppie consumers (they get blamed for everything else), or credit it to a new generation of audio designers who will no longer be pushed around by

Apogee Acoustics' Diva full -range ribbon speakers are available in optional faux finishes such as the grigio perla marble shown here. The Diva systems are 73 inches high, 31 inches wide, and only 3 inches thick. A pair costs $9,450 in faux .finish.

102 p

Pearl & Oakley of Wales makes the Cerca brand of omnidirectional speakers in glazed ceramic enclosures. The Victoria 120 ($1,495 a pair) is a three-way system that stands 331/2 inches high and measures 1334 ches across. the market, and at the same time men are becoming more conscious Adcom oilers white of style. In the past people respond- and silver front ed to technology and buttons, but ONNAMME11911911rq panels as stylish that's not the case any more." alternatives to the Girod pointed to the latest line of usual black look. .41 Yamaha components, the 90 Series, "2 leftare the GFT-555 0 0 0 0 0 C tuner ($350), the as an example of how the company GFP-555 preamp is reacting to this phenomenon. The ($550), and the pieces of the new line are smaller, GFA-545 power rounded at the edges, and finished amp ($550). in dark blue. Girod and other Ya- maha marketing people refer to the look as "Euro-style." As it happens, they're not the only ones using that term lately. From the Far East to the West Coast, "Europhilia" is alive and well among audio designers. "Europe has always had a reputation for turning out the best designs, whether it's in automobiles, furniture, or hi-fi,"said Lee Adams, The Proton 600 managing director of Soundstream Series (right) Technologies, whichisbasedin combines style and Japan. According to Adams, Sound - performance in an stream's designs "combine a num- integrated amp with ber of different Europeaninflu- 6 dB dynamic ences,includingsome German headroom, a tuner touches and some Italian." with Scholz II The current popularity of Euro- circuitry, a cassette pean styling has naturally benefited deck, and a companies from that continent, and compact disc player. they're now making the most of their design savvy. It's a boomtime for Bang & Olufsen, which now feels that "the rest of the industry is moving in our direction and trying to catch up," according to John Stone, B&O's U.S. product manager. HAT won't be easy for some manufacturers. B&O has re- tweakyengineers;whoever'sre- ing" decades ago, and other Euro- fined its design approach-an sponsible, the world of hi-fi has nev- pean manufacturers have,fora attempt to create user-friendly er looked better. And more often number of years, also strived for a systems that blend into the thannot,contemporaryaudio sense of stylishness and user -friend- home-over a period of dec- equipment designs are as practical liness. Examples of these efforts ades, and not without strug- as they are pretty. could be seen over the years at gles."Good designisnot Characteristic of the new look are European audio fairs, which have 1something that's easily mas- sleek components in basic black or always focused as much on style as tered," Stone said. "Over the years, muted dark colors, with clean, un- sound, but it wasn't until recently we've worked hard to resolve the cluttered control panels and easy -to - that the audio fashion movement natural conflict between engineers use remotes. One "smart" switch began to take hold in the United and designers-and even now it's often takes the place of two single - States, traditionally known for a se- not a simple matter." function controls, and lesser -used rious, no -frills approach to audio Still,it's a challenge that many controls may be hidden behind design. And even the Japanese are companies are now prepared to un- movable panels. The pieces of a sys- now becoming stylish, fighting off dertake, perhaps out of necessity. As tem can complement each other an old enthusiasm for techno-flash. Stone pointedout,technological aestheticallyandlogically,right "It's a response to what today's differentiation is becoming harder down to the speakers. And those customer wants," explained Steve and harder to achieve. Nowadays, speakers do not resemble the plain Girod, vice president of marketing the company whose products stand brown boxes of old-they come in a at Yamaha. "People are more con- out by virtue of appearance and growingvarietyof shapesand cerned than ever about how audio functionality has a significant edge. colors, with some even resembling equipment looks in the home envi- works of art. ronment, how it fits," he told me. Purposeful Design The revolution in design didn't "Women are getting more involved How does one recognize and happen overnight. Bang & Olufsen in the purchase of hi-fi equipment judge good design in audio? At the was creating audio "designs for liv- and bringing their sensibilities into Museum of Modern Art in New

104 l'EREO REV] EM' DECEMBER 1989

Bang & Olufsen's wall -mountable Beosystem 4500 consists of a receiver ($1,098), aCD player and a cassette deck ($800 each), a turntable ($499). and a system remote control ($175). Th-' Beolab 5000 speakers are $2.055 a pair. York, associate curatorCara place in the audio world, particu- in the walls, though in some cases McCarty looks for audio designs larlywhere turntablesarecon- that has led to compromised sound that are "new and innovative, but cerned. Perhaps in response to those quality. with a purpose." Among the audio who would dismiss the turntable as Now, a number of speaker manu- products on display at MOMA are a thing of the past, a number of facturers are responding with mod- several B&O components, which manufacturers have opted for a fuels designed to "fit in" with room McCarty praises for "simplicity and turistic look. European companies decor. Pearl & Oakley Acoustics, a unobtrusiveness-they blend into a such as Grundig and Goldmund, as newcomer to the audio market, has living room like furniture." Similar- well as Canada's Museatex, create introduced a line of ceramic speak- ly, McCarty spoke of the beauty and state-of-the-art turntables that put ers with antique -porcelain finishes, practicality of a Brionvega system some or all of the complex internal suchastheVictoria,whichis designed by MarioBellini:The workings on display for a high-tech shaped to resemble an elegant vase. components are housed in an ele- appearance. The "speaker as art" approach is gantly minimal cube, which opens also in vogue at Apogee, where and closes. Remote Possibilities speakers are being hand -painted. McCarty noted that the B&O and In contrast, a /ow -tech appearance Artists create individual designs on Brionvega systems, along with other is what counts with remote controls: high -densityparticleboardexteri- hi-fi pieces on display at the mu- The more functions are concealed, ors; customers select speakers as seum, always incorporate user bene- the better. Remote control is now a they would works of art, or request fits into the stylish package. In the key element of the design process; it custom workforanadditional best designs, style and function are has, in effect, allowed designers to charge. "If these speakers are going so intertwined they are virtually in- clean up and simplify component to be the focal point in a room, they separable. faceplates, since much of the opera- need to look the part," said Sara While there are, of course, some tion is now handled by the remote Bloom, who oversees this design radical audio designs on the market unit. At the same time, however, it process for Apogee. today that could be labeled "art for has forced designers to come up HILEnot many speaker art's sake," the better ones almost with creative approaches to fitting makers are commissioning always manage to balance function all of those controls onto an even modern-day Michelangelos and form. "Inallinstances, we smaller surface. to paint speakers, many are strivefordesignthat'ssimple, The best remotes on the market expanding thevariety of understated,andergonomically are those that limit the number of finishestheyoffer.MB smart," said Soundstream's Adams. buttons, group them logically, and Quart, for example, now of- Indeed, function takes precedence provide visual aids, such as color - fers at least nine finishes for with some designers: "The main coding or varied shapes and sizes, to each model. "A customized purpose of industrial design is to cut down on confusion. As Yama- approach is very important now- make the operation of advanced ha's Girod pointed out, "Manufac- the idea is tofitin," said Andy technology easier for the consum- turers started out trying to impress Oxenhorn, the company's North er," declared Rene Weiss, who de- consumers with a hundred buttons American sales manager. signs for Proton and other audio on a remote, but consumers have Of course, there is also something companies. completely rejected that ap- to be said for speaker designs that HAT sense of balanced design proach." do stand out in a room, as MB can be seen in Weiss's work Now companies such as Mitsubi- Quart knows. One of the company's for Proton. Weiss's sleek, all - shi are concealing buttons (the re- most talked -about speakers right blackfinisheshave helped mote control for the M-AV1 receiv- now is the new Aera, which features forge the company's identity, er has a sliding cover plate over less - a pulsating sphere on top of a rhom- while his placement of con- used buttons). The a/d/s/ RC -1 re- boid -shaped box. trols has made the compo- mote uses an internal "page" sys- Another eye-catcher is the Duetto nents easier to use.In the tem, also concealed under a panel, from Revox, a one-piece, prism - 1company's new 600 Series, to provide hundred -function access shaped speaker system that pro- buttons are grouped together by without the mess. Obviously, with a duces a stereo sound stage: The function, and seldom -used controls remote, functionality is most im- speaker houses two sets of three are concealed behind motorized, ro- portant; still, a little style, perhaps drivers on opposite sides of a single tating panels. in the form of interesting color and cabinet;thesets of driversare An interesting blend of style and contours, can make the unit look acoustically coupled to each other, function can also be found in the better on the coffee table. building a stereo matrix. components of Adcom (whose cur- Whether the aim is to blend in or rent fashion statement includes the Speakers as Art to make an artistic statement, de- white look), a/d/s/, Revox, Merid- Ergonomics isless of an issue sign is of the essence in hi-fi today. ian, NAD, and others. With occa- with speakers, though style may be And as one manufacturer told me, sional exceptions, these companies particularly important considering that's good news for the family opt for subtlety in design rather that speakers tend to be the most audiophile. "What it means," said than outrageous shapes and colors. visually prominent elements of a Brian Gammon of Museatex, "is "We feel that far-out designs are a sound system. Rebelling against the that your equipment won't have to curiosity more than anything else," intrusion of speakers in interior de- be hidden in a basement recreation a/d/s/ consultantLarryDaywitt signs, a growing number of style - room any more. Stereo systems can told me. conscious consumers and installers now be brought out of the dungeon

Curiosity pieces do have their have recently been hiding speakers and into the living room."

106STEREO REVIEW DECEMBER 1989 I \ I

J SOBS WHAT DO SIGNAL PROCESSORS DO? COULD YOU GET BETTER SOUND IF YOU ADDED ONE TO YOUR SYSTEM?

BY DAVIDSIMON

Nan ideal world, hi-fi systems in-betweenones.The reproductionof would reproduce the full range acoustic space is all over the map, too. You of musical sound with perfectly can find spacious discs, dead -sounding flat frequency response. Every discs, reverberant discs, and purely studio - listening room would be of op- produced, "multi -mono" recordings that timal shape and size, with a per- make no effort whatsoever to create a con- fect balance of acoustically ab- cert -hall sound. sorptive surfaces and live, reflecting ones. Even dynamic range remains an area of All musical recordings would be mas- concern. While many CD's are essentially tered with exemplary tonal balance-not unfettered in this regard, plenty were mas- too bright, not too dull, but just right. And tered from older recordings-particularly the blend of direct, pinpoint imaging and those of historic performances from before spacious reflected sound would be equally about 1970-that cannot utilize all of the flawless, reproducing the original acoustic digital medium's potential. And analogLP space of the live performance with com- records remain strictly limited to about20 plete authenticity. dB less dynamic range than the typical Dynamic range would be no problem in compact disc. What's more, the CD's wide this ideal world. An amazing medium that dynamic range is just too much for many stores sound as digital code on a shiny plas- listening situations: Soft passages can be tic disc the size of a large coaster would be lost in a room's background noise, and able to play back music with every nuance louder ones and sudden transients may of loud to soft found in the concert hall. blow you out of your seat. One out of five isn't bad. We've got the What's a poor hi-fi fan to do? Look into CD,a digital medium whose dynamic range signal processors, that's what. approaches perfection. But the fact is, we Transducers such as microphones and do not live in an ideal world-or anything speakers change information from one me- very like one. And nearly every other link dium to another-from sound waves to in a hi-fi system's signal chain can be sub- electrical waves, and back again. Program ject to sonic compromise. sources such as phonographs, tape decks, Most loudspeakers, for example, are in tuners, and even CD players are also basi- truth limited. They don't reproduce the cally transducers, turning a recorded or entire range of deep bass or all the semi - broadcast signal into an equivalent electri- audible high -frequency overtones, they are cal audio signal that can be sent to an not perfectly evenhanded in meting out amplifier. Amplifiers take the audio signals bass, midrange, and treble sound, and they they receive and make them bigger-more interact with the listening room in unpre- voltage, more current, more watts-with- dictable, less -than -ideal ways. out, in theory, changing the essence in any Recordings-even in this digital age-do respect. not adhere to any standard of tonal bal- Almost every other audio component is a ance. There are bright ones, dull ones, and signal processor, a device that changes

BORDER ART BY BARBARA FRIEDMAN STF.REO REVIEW DECEMBER 1989 107 (processes)theaudio waveform formance. With an equalizer, you (signal) in some way. The bass and can raise the lowest -frequency band treble tone controls on a receiver are (usually centered around 30 Hz) by a the most common examples of sig- Equalizers few decibels without also boosting nal processors: They alter the bal- By far the most common signal the mid -bass "boom" region. As ance of low -frequency and high -fre- processor in home hi-fi systems is long as you maintain an overall vol- quency signal content, making the the equalizer, an apparatus that is ume setting that avoids overstress- sound brighter or duller, richer or simply an elaboration on the tone - ing either your woofers or your am- thinner. control concept. The name comes plifier, you can discover deep -bass Of course, the goal of high-fidelity from the device's ability to even capabilities in your system you may audio is to reproduce the original out, or equalize, frequency -response never have dreamed it had. sound with as little change as possi- irregularities. Where bass and treble INALLY, consider the lis- ble, so many audio hobbyists are controls provide only two bands of - tening room. The typi- aghast at the notion of adding a sig- equalization corresponding to their cal American living nal processor to their systems- names-that is, low frequencies and room is far from ideal often to the point of favoring pre- high frequencies-an equalizer pro- forhi-fireproduction. amplifiers that omit even those ba- vides more precise processing that Its dimensions usually sic bass and treble knobs. But if you usuallyextends overtheentire induce standing waves accept the idea that we live in an range of audible sound. that make almost any loudspeaker's imperfect world, and that our hi-fi There have been many types of bass reproduction less accurate than systems are forced to play imperfect equalizers over the years. Profes- its designers intended. The room is material in environments that are sional recording studios routinely usually packed with soft, acoustical- far from flawless, then plugging in a use parametric equalizers, which ly absorbent furniture, carpeting, signal processor makes sense. can be set to fine-tune either a very and draperies that swallow up a specific, narrow range of frequen- great deal of treble energy before it Hooking It Up cies or to act on a broader sonic can reach the listener's ears. Too Signal processors are often region. Graphic equalizers are the often, side walls crowd in or a sofa hooked up to a system between the type most often encounteredin blocks the way, causing reflections preamp and power amplifier. Since home hi-fi systems. Most graphic or sonic "shadows" that make the most are "unity -gain" devices-the equalizers have ten discrete bands critical midrange less than flat as signal they put out is no stronger or of operation, each one roughly cor- well.n weaker overall than the signal they responding to an octave of audible A equalizer permits you to cor- receive-when set for zero process- musical sound. They usually sport a rect-tosomedegree-eachof ing they should have no effect on slider control for each band, often theseproblems. Of course, you thesystem'sperformance.And arranged in ten pairs to permit sepa- might also want to have some plain when a processor is wired up this rate control of left and right chan- fun. Individual bands can be used way, the preamp's own controls, in- nels. The sliders operate just like the to isolate a particular instrument or cluding the all-important volume round knobs used for most tone vocalist, or to suppress one. Or you adjustment, will operate as usual. controls, but linearly. Each band might load up the low -bass and F course, many of us can be boosted or cut by as much as high -treble ends of the spectrum to use receivers or inte- 12 or 15 dB. create a "disco" effect for your next grated amplifiers in There are several advantages to party. placeofseparate having such fine control over the These days, most serious equaliz- components. In such tonal balance of music. Most worth- ers include much more than just a cases,aprocessor while is the ability to correct for fre- bunch of sliders. The most common should bepatched quency -response errors that exist in additionisa spectrum analyzer, into a tape -monitor loop, and for the program source, that are caused which provides a bar -graph display thebestsignal-to-noise perform- by the reproduction system, or that of actual response levels in each ance, processors should be inserted are caused by the listening room octave band. Some models even in- through a tape loop with separates itself. clude a calibrated microphone and a also. This way, whenever the tape - Take the first case. With a graphic built-in generator that sends pink monitor button on the receiver or equalizer, an overly bright record- noise-afull -rangetestsignal- amp is pressed, the signal proces- ing is no problem. Since you have through your system. With the mi- sor's effects will be heard, modify- control over as many as three or crophone placed at the listening po- ing whatever source-CD, tuner, fourdifferentprecise"treble" sition,you playthetestsignal tape deck, or turntable-is selected. ranges, you can adjust the top -end through your system at an average Fortunately, most signal -processor balance to taste without simulta- listening level and adjust the indi- components provide a set of tape neously modifying the upper mid- vidual sliders until the spectrum jacks, switched from the front pan- range-a crime of which many sim- analyzer shows the smoothest possi- el, to replace the loop the processor ple treble controls are guilty. bleresponse-inyourlistening fills on the receiver or amp. Many The second case: Like the vast room, with your speakers. processors also permit the signal majority of audio fans, you proba- sent to a tape deck connected to bly listen to speakers whose bottom Dynamic Range and More their jacks to be processed, which is octave is substantially rolledoff: Equalizers are only one kind of useful in making tapes for playback The very deepest bass-say, below signal processor. Another sort is the on other systems-in the car, for 40 Hz-is not as powerful in play- dynamic -rangeprocessor,which example. back as it was in the original per- controlshow wideadynamic 108 STEREO RiviEw DECEMBER 1989 Yamaha's DSP-3000 Digital Sound Field Processor ($1,899) has sophisticated built-in programs to simulate acoustic spaces ranging from a small jazz club to a cathedral.

The dbx 3BX-DS Dynamic Range Controller provides expansion or compression of as much as 50 percent in each of three frequency bands. The amount of processing is individually adjustable for each band. Price: $499.

i.- ..4N1

BBE Sound's Model 1002 Sonic Maximizer (S189) includes a dyne mic treble equalizer and a ph Ise - correction circuit tailored to the characteristics of typical loudspeakers. It is designed to increase clarity without ad ling harshness.

f,e..4.

The fully digital CP-2 is an economy version of Lexicon's superb CP-1 surround processor. ft provides Dolby Pro Logic decoding for movie soundtracks as well as some ambience -synthesis features. Price: 5995.

Two graphic equalizers from Soundcraftsmen, the company responsible for popularizing this type of component: The Pro-EQ 44 (top, 5549) has twenty-one bands for one -third -octave control; the AE2000 (bottom, $8491 is a ten - band equalizer with a spectrum analyzer.

S' FERE()REVI EW DECEM BER 1989 109 range-how much variationbe- concert hall. A well -designed pro- tween loud and soft-will be repro- cessor that's properly set up with duced by the system. There are two Carver's outboard Sonic Hologra- appropriate secondary speakers and types of dynamic -range processing: phy Generator (the same function is amps-these can make a real differ- expansionand compression. Ex- built into most Carver preamplifi- ence-will provide an astonishingly pansionincreasesthedynamic ers). This device performs some lifelike sense of transporting you to range, making loud peaks louder quite complex phase processing, in- the concert venue of your choice. and soft passages softer-an effect cluding interaural-crosstalk cancel- N the more sophisticated useful for many analogLP'S,cassette lation, to create a stereo image that units, ambience process- tapes, andFMbroadcasts since these with many recordings extends to the ing involves some very media inherently impose some re- left and right beyond the speakers. complex machinations striction of dynamic range. A fringe in the digital domain. benefit of most expansion systems Surround Sound These ambience proces- is a significant reduction in audible After equalizers, the most com- sors first transform the background noise. mon signal processors these days signal from the source into a digital Compression actually reduces dy- are surround -sound devices. These audio "bit stream." Then they per- namic range, automatically "turn- come in a bewildering variety of form a variety of digital operations: ing up" soft passages or notes, and shapes, sizes, and models. Most of- delaying the rear channels, digitally "turning down" loud ones. Why fer atleast two basic functions: synthesizing reverberations, and ap- would you want to compress music? decoding Dolby Surround informa- plying carefully tailored equaliza- One good reason is to create con- tion on video soundtracks, and syn- tion to imitate the tonal characteris- stant -level, continuallyaudible thesizing surround effects from un- tics of hall reflections. background music, as for a cocktail encoded music sources. Today, party. Another is to enable a wide - both functions are widely available Digital Signal Processing dynamic -range recording, such as as integral features of many high - The new digital ambience proces- from a compact disc, to be dubbed end receivers, integrated amps, and sors are a window on the future of onto cassettes for car listening. Judi- preamps as well. signal processing, where everything ciously applied compression can Dolby Surround is a process origi- will be accomplished wholly in the make an enormous difference in nally devised by Dolby Labs for digital domain. The secret of digital how enjoyable wide -dynamic -range film sound. It extracts a rear -chan- signal processing, orDSP,is that material, such as some classical mu- nel signal from specially encoded once an audio signal is converted to sic, will be in the noisy automotive video sources, including videodiscs, a stream of binary numbers, what environment, where road and en- hi-fivideotapes, and broadcasts. you can do to it is limited only by gine noise often blots out most mu- The rear -channel signal, which re- your imagination and taste-and by sical subtleties. quires an additional, modest pair of digital memory capacity and pro- Many signal -processing compo- speakers and amplification, repro- cessor chip speed. A new generation nents are a bit more difficult to duces ambient sound and behind - ofDSPchips will soon make the dig- pigeonhole. Subhartnonic synthesiz- you and to -the -side sound effects, ital signal processing options avail- ers, for instance, actually create new justthe way the filmmaker in- able to us all but boundless. Wheth- bass information. They can restore tended, for an immeasurably more er you want to change a signal's bottom -end impact to historic re- engrossing audio/video experience. amplitude, as with equalizers and cordings-your oldPaul Revere Dolby Pro Logic, an enhancement dynamic -range processors, or time, and the Raiders records, for exam- available in the more sophisticated as with ambience processors, or ple-andaddanearth -shaking Dolby Surround processors, adds a whether you actually want to syn- foundation to modern ones. While center -front channel to keep dia- thesize new information, as with some audiophiles may debate the loguefirmly anchored on -screen subharmonic synthesizers,DSPwill aesthetic merit of subharmonic syn- and improves the separation and be the way to go. thesizers, no one can deny their naturalness of the surround effects. TheDSPapproach has another ad- impact, which is substantial. Ambience processors (which are vantage: It can easily accept outside UDIO "sweeteners" are often included in Dolby Surround information. For instance, aDSP another processor cate- and other surround -sound proces- processor in your car might monitor gory intended to make sors) perform a different set of ma- road speed and engine noise and recorded music sound nipulations on the audio signal, spe- continually adjust its dynamic com- better than new. One cifically for music listening rather pression to compensate for a clam- product,forexample, than video sound. They, too, yield orous automotive environment. An performs a number of one or more channels beyond the ambience processor in your home subtle transformations on an audio basic stereo pair, and these outputs system might read an identifying signal, dividing it into three bands, will require one or more additional code from eachCD, DAT,or what- dynamically equalizing the treble speakers and amplifiers. The differ- ever in your library and automati- range, and applying independent ence is that ambience synthesis does cally dial up the acoustic space ap- "phase corrections"toallthree not require an encoded signal but propriate to that particular musical bands. The result can make a defi- works on any stereo audio source. performance. And those are only nite sonic difference, giving more The goal of most ambience pro- two of the more obvious examples. snap to transients, additional detail cessors is to simulate an acoustic Just turn up your imagination for to treble material, and more "air" to space like that in which the original others. And keep one eye on the the acoustic space. performance might have taken horizon and an ear to the ground-

Another hard -to -categorize box is place-in many cases, a specific it's an ongoing process.

1 10 STEREO REVIEW DECI 'OBER1989 We're makingabig dealout ofpractic no The most difficult job for a compact disc reproduce the low amplitude signals coming player is to reproduce low amplitude signals. from the disc. Fortunately, Yamaha has created a remarkable To achieve this superior sound definition, CD player that rises to the occasion. Yamaha uses four 18 -bit D/A converters, each The CDX-1120 reproduces those low with an exclusive 4 -bit Floating amplitude System to boost linearity to 22 -bits.

:1: signals that until Delivering four times greater Ns I-- now, have been resolution of low amplitude signals . distorted or lost than even fixed 20 -bit D/A converter in the noise generated by the digital -to -analog systems. conversion process in most CD players. What's more, Yamaha's exclusive Allowing you to distinguish the subtle Super Hi -Bit DAC Direct Output variations between, say, both an oboe and provides phase accuracy so close to clarinet softly playing middle C. the original recording, it's unpre- As well as enjoy improved ambiance, cedented in the industry. A full -function remote lets111 revealing the acoustic characteristics where The CDX-1120 also features control everything.With 2 1 - the performance took place. Digital DeEmphasis and Digital track random And superior imaging, clarifying the place-Volume Control to give the best access programming. ment of each instrument in an orchestra. possible signal output - - uncom- 5 -way repeat All worthy reasons to take a good, softX- promised by analog components. play and more. listen to our remarkable new CD1120. Only To fully appreciate the phenomenal CDX- then, can you truly appreciate Yamaha's Super 1120, pay a visit to your local Yamaha dealer. Hi -Bit Technology. Once you hear it for yourself, the Yamaha's exclusive Super Hi -Bit System advantages will come utilizes the additional information generated across loud - and soft by our 20 -bit digital filter to more accurately - and clear. MAMAHA®

1989. Vain:ilia Electronics Corporation. CSA. Fur tlw nearest yin! Call1-14111 n62-68011. "McIntosh... noother transistor amier is capable of reproducing as well." "All the sounds, even those different one from another, remain separated and distinctive. There results a sensation of contrast, precision, and un- common clarity. ... A close analysis of different frequencies reveals an extremely deep bass, very rich in spatial detail ... The upper bass region is very linear testifying to an extraordinary richness of information. The very structured mid -range contributes enormously to listening pleasure. The feeling of power is never refuted and instead -.of stunning the listener, the 7270 recreates an audito environment of a majesty that no other tranststor amplifier is capable of reproducing as well." Need,we say more? -REVUE rotKsori, foremost French stereo magazine. For a copy of the RE(UE DU SON and information on the.McIntosh MC 7270 Amplifier and other McInt products write: McINTOSH LABORATORY INC. P.O. Box 96 EAST SIDE STATION, T. A47 BINGHAMTON, NY 13904-0096

1111 1010511

50 ,20 -30 -20 10 3 Pf -

POWER OUTPUT

CIRCLE NO 29 ON READER SERVICE CARD - Gam-

+BY WILLIAM LIVINGSTONE+ ALE it takes to make Christ-tion Car Stereo Review also to take mas shopping funis time,part in preparing the Christmas gift Money, and ideas. The edi-list, and their thoughts on the subject tors of STEREO REVIEW canare included below along with those do nothing to increase the amount ofof STEREOREVIEW'sedit'o'rs and con - time or money at your disposal, buttflbuturs. every year we try to give you ideas for Although we don't set a price ceil- suitable 'Christmas, Hanukkah, oriRg, we try to limit our suggestions to New Year's gifts for yourself or otheraccessories records,books,and audiophiles andrecordcollectorstbys-things that cost less than a pair among your friends, business asso-of speakers or an actual electronic ciates, and family. component. Within those guidelines This year, for a wider range of holi-there are a great many things that will day gift ideas, Editor in Chief Louisemake the holidays happier for anyone Boundas invited the staffs of our buy-who enjoys music -eproduced elec- ing guides and cur associate publica-tronically in the home or car.

4. Ii. i. u s -1re\i Et+ B s'S v

' .11011110.. ,77---17. -4011101.-.7 - mPI The care and feeding Cleanliness counts for a lot in get- of compact discs are ting the most out of your audio

.-1111. on alot of people's equipment, particularly for playing minds this year. Senior LP records. Christie Barter suggests Editor Rebecca Day suggests the re- the Ortofon RC -013 record -care kit volving Diamond Tec CD holder, for anyone with an LP collection. which takes up littlespace and The kit includes a stylus cleaner and stores fifty-six cD's. It costs $21.99. a record -cleaning brush and solu- For cleaning cD's and even remov- tion to remove dirt and eliminate ing light scratches, Music Editor static. Price: $16.95. Christie Barter recommends Bib's Contributing Editor Ralph Hod- A-640 Compact Disc Polish set. It ges, who writes the "High End" col- includes a polishing cloth and a sup- umn for STEREO REVIEW, thinks a ply of spray that will clean five good present for the LP collector hundred cD's for $12.95.Italso would be the Cantosweep, a small works on laser videodiscs. record -care brush that rides ahead To take along a supply of cD's for of the cartridge, removing static use with car players or portables, charges and dirt from the grooves A set of infrared wireless headphones Assistant Editor Jae Segarra recom- during play. It is distributed by Can- will give the user,freedom of movement. mends Geneva's PF-750 leather CD ton North America for $30. Move tote, priced at $30. Before going out, fast on this one-when present sup- Kinetic's Stereo Amplifier/Speaker you remove the CD'S from their plies are sold, Canton plans to dis- Selector (also $150), which switches jewel boxes and put them in the continue the product. the outputs of two stereo amplifiers tote's clear plastic antistatic sleeves. Senior Editor Robert Ankosko into a single pair of speakers or runs It holds ten CD's along with their chooses Trackmate's TM161 castwo pairs of speakers from a single booklets. sette -deck maintenance kit ($14.95), amplifier. For maintenance of your CD whichcleansanddemagnetizes The editors of this magazine find player, you can use Discwasher's your tape deck's heads in one pass. some of the claims made for the CLD 2 laser lens cleaner, $27.95, a I've had good results with Realis- very heavy and costly interlinks and tic's head demagnetizer, which costs speaker cables unconvincing, but if $9.95 at Radio Shack stores. Assist- you know someone who thinks they ant Art Director Catherine Fleming improve sound, give that person as recommends the Nakamichi DM - much of the weighty wire as you can 10 head demagnetizer, which costs afford. David Stein says a more $38.50, and Executive Editor Mi- modest solution is Vampire Wire's chael Smolen, a strong advocate of 21000 speaker cable at $1.95 a foot. digital audio tape, points out that Another nice gift, Stein says, would Allsop has already introduced a gift be Esoteric Audio's T-Lok speaker for those happy few who own DAT connectors (with 24K gold plating players. It is the Model 7500 DAT and single banana or dual banana cleaning system (a wet/dry system construction) for only $22 a pair. that cleans both heads and tape Car Stereo Review'sAssistant Art path). Price: $29.95. Director Laura Sutcliffe and Rebec- Senior Editor William Goldman ca Day are both tired of wires and Always welcome is a gift of blank tape thinks blank audio or video tape like the freedom afforded by infor either audio or video recording. makes an excellent gift, and he men- fraredwireless headphones.Ms. tionssuchstandardbrandsas Sutcliffe says they permit you to gift suggested by Managing Editor BASF,Fuji,Maxell,Memorex, exercise to music or just listen to it David Stein. Louise Boundas's list Sony, TDK, and 3M. He finds the without disturbing your spouse or includes AudioSource's LLC One 100 -minute audio cassette length CD Laser Lens Cleaner at $29.95. particularly useful and recommends You can find a suitable book to give a Contributing Editor Craig Stark is Denon'sHD8-100orMaxell's music lover, whatever hic torte mar he. fascinated by the Pierre Verany test XLII-S100, both $4.99 each. disc (Compact Revue du Disque To make a more equipment - Laser) CDPV/2. It is a two-cD set oriented tape fan happy, Robert An- that can be used for laboratory anal- kosko says give him (or her) Niles ysis or simply to see how well your Audio's TSB -3 Tape Deck Switch compact disc player performs when Box, which makes it easy to record, faced with such faults in CD'S as play back, and dub from any of dropouts, multiple errors in a row, three tape decks. Price: $80. and so forth. The set is available Similarly thinking of thereal from Old Colony Sound Lab, P.O. equipment lover and user, Michael Box 243, Peterborough, NH 03458- Smolen suggests Kinetic Audio's 0243 for $34, plus $2.25 for ship- Stereo Amplifier/Line Level Con- ping and handling. For telephone trol ($150) for bi- and multi-amping orders with credit cards call (603) and other amplifier level adjust- 924-6371. ments. Smolen also recommends

1 14 STEREO REVIEW DECEMBER 1989 roommate.ShechoosesSony's Model 150 universal remote con- that are important to some audio- MDR-IF5K headphones, which fea- trol, which can learn and reproduce philes. Price: $149 a pair. Custom tureanarc -shapedtransmitter/ the commands of four individual Woodwork & Design's Woodmore recharger and various power and remotes. Since it has fewer keys, it is speaker stands come in 9-, 15-, and plug adaptors for $200. Ms. Day easier to operate than the more elab- 30 -inch heights, all with adjustable goes for Koss's top -of -the -line JCK/ orate models and is less forbidding. levelers. Price: $80 to $100. 300 Kordless Stereophone system Price: $49.95. Recommended by Ms. Boundas with emitter panel, modulator base, Also casting a vote for user friend- are Sound Decor's "Speaker andACadaptor for $275. liness,LouiseBoundasrecom- Chairs" in light golden oak and dark Editorial Assistant Chris Gianco- mends a gift for owners of Mitsubi- walnut oak. Each stand can be ad- la, who works on our buyers' guides shi television sets in the form of the justed to accommodate a speaker 12 and Car Stereo Review, is thinking PRM-I, a remote control the size of to 22 inches wide. The tilt angle can ofFMreception at this holiday time. a fountain pen. Compatible with be adjusted from 90 to 115 degrees. He suggests that you improve recep- MitsubishiTVsets up to four years Price: $89 a pair. Available only tion for yourself or a loved one with old, it offers the basic functions of from Sound Decor, 419 Main St. an indoor antenna, and he recom- power, volume, and channel selec- #14, Huntington Beach, CA 92648. mends Terk's top -of -the -line 9800 tion. (For more complex functions, Write or callfor shipping costs: Series powered indoorFMantenna such as timer control, the full -fea- (714) 969-1406. (with Schotz low -noise amplifier) tured remote would still be needed.) Technical Editor William Wolfe for $85. For bigger spenders Gian- Price: $24.95. is also the Editor of Car Stereo cola suggests Parsec'sAM/FManten- Ms. Boundas reminds shoppers Review, and his gift selections have na for highly directionalAMrecep- that speaker stands are not only to do with car electronics. He rection and omnidirectionalFMrecep- decorative but have an acoustic ommendsSoundquest's Model tion. Price: $149.95. function as well. Mission's Designer 2030 "Silencer," which mutes your Database CoordinatorMichael stand of tubular steel, for example, car stereo system whenever a call is Cuffe reminds us that every owner features the carpet -piercing spikes received by your cellular phone. of an audio (or audio/video) installation needs a flashlight in his tool The range of music now available on compact discs makes it possible to find a cp kitto help identifythe various to match anyone's taste-rock, pop. solo piano, opera, or Christmas music. inputs on the backs of components. Exciting new releases make excellent gills for collectors of video discs and tapes. The Panasonic Flexible Light, Mod- el BF -331 EBP, is especially versatile, Cuffe says. Its long flexible neck makes it easy to illuminate places that are ordinarily difficult to reach. Price: around $9 at hardware stores. Batteries not included. Asremotecontrols proliferate on our coffee tables, many companies have made universal remotes to coordinate the control of a number of components in one unit. Denon's RC -605, for example, which has 130 programmable keys shared by two programs, also stores the signals of other remote controls. Price: $120. William Goldman recommends the Philips AK9133GY01 "Smart One" remote control, which prompts you through a learning program and tells you when you have made an error. It can handle up to three remote -controlled units at one time. Price: $80. Editorial Assistant Barbara Aiken likes Onkyo's RC-AV20M, a universal remote that can operate audio/video components from a vari- etyofmanufacturers.Witha hundred programmable functions, it offers full control of more than ten components. Price: $100. For the smaller audio/video system, Editor at Large Michael Riggs suggests Radio Shack'sRealistic recommends Peter Gabriel's "Pas- Piano Concertos Nos. 2 and 4 with sion," the music for the filmThe the Philomusica Antigua of New Last Temptation of Christ(Geffen York under Stephen Simon (New- 24206, two LP's or cassettes or one port Classic 60081, cassette or cD). CD)."It'sincredible,"shesays. Both are exciting and make clear "I've listened to itat least once that it is not the age of the instru- every day since I got it." ments that counts, but the perform- Rock fans in the office have been ers' musicality. impressed by Lenny Kravitz's "Let CartoonistCharlesRodrigues Love Rule" (Virgin 91290), which says the five Saint -Satins piano con- tops the list ofCar Stereo Review's certos performed by Aldo Ciccolini Art Director Loren Falls. She likes with the Orchestre de Paris under the obvious influence of John Len- Serge Baudo have given him great non and notes that Kravitz's collab- pleasure on LP'S for years. He rec- orator in writing two of the songs ommends the new reissue of the set was his wife, the actress Lisa Bonet. on two CD's (Angel 69443) for a gift A pop/rock CD suggested by Wil- of musical joy. liam Wolfe is the Replacements' "Give a surprising gift," says Da- "Don't Tell a Soul" (Sire/Reprise vid Stein, "in the form of an unher- 25831). alded gem on a small label." One he Every record that comes into the endorses is "Music of Arnold Ros- office passes through the hands of ner," four orchestral works and a Editorial Assistant Maryann Salt- Magmficatby acontemporary ser, who chooses Rykodisc's David American composer who deserves Bowie package "Sound + Vision" to be better known (Laurel Record, (RCD 10120/21/22). The three -CD 2451 Nichols Canyon, Los Angeles, set includes such classic early -Bowie CA 90046-1798; $15.98). albums as "Ziggy Stardust" and Contributing Editors David Pat- "Diamond Dogs," rare singles, and rick Stearns and Eric Salzman both previously unreleasedrecordings. stand behind the new full-scale Pressed for a description, Ms. Salt- operatic recording of Gershwin's GIVe COnVelilelICewith remote controls ser responded succinctly: "Great!" such as those from Onkyo and Car Stereo Review'sAssociate Entertaining gifts for kids feature Mitsubishi (top). Panasonic's flash will Editor Michael Mettler says, "Two singer/songwriter Joe Scruggs (shown light the way to tidy connections with boxed -set retrospectives that belong with characters from his songs), Top Vampire Wire and Esoteric's T-Loks. on the holiday gift list of every seri- Cat, and Ralfi. The ROBO cassette ous fan are the Allman Brothers' player is a new model from Sanyo. You don't miss calls when you're 'Dreams' and the Rolling Stones' playing the system loudly, and you 'Singles Collection-The London don't have to look away from the Years'."The Allmancollection road to turn the system down before from Polydor (839417) comes on answering. Price: $70. six LP's or cassettes or on four cam's. As a giftfor those who have The Stones retrospective from Abk- removable car stereo head units, co (1218) is on four LP'S or cassettes Wolfe suggests Clarion's CCC-100, or three CD'S. a case that makes carrying such a Contributing Editor Chris Albert- unit easier and prevents it from get- son highly recommends the jazz ting scratched or dented. Price: $30. singer Susannah McCorkle's sub- For the same purpose Rebecca Day lime "No More Blues" on LP, cas- suggests Coast's AT -10 car stereo sette, or CD (Concord Jazz 370). tote bag, which costs $19.95. Louise Boundas is equally enthu- Contributing Editor siastic about the classical pianist

. to% 4,.. Ken Pohlmann, who Carol Rosenberger's serene recital also serves as Techni- "Night Moods" (Delos 3006), a col- cal Editor forCar Ster- lection of meditative pieces by Cho- eo Review,thinks of driver safety at pin, Faure, Granados, and others. holidaytime.He recommends Not a member of the early -music Shure's ClearVoice 800 HF Micro- cult, I would still like to throw my phone, which clips onto the shoul- considerableweightbehindtwo der strap of a driver's seat belt mak- Beethoven recordings on period in- ing it possible to talk on a cellular struments. One is the new release of phone systemconveniently and Beethoven's Fourth and Fifth Sym- safely. Price: $135. phonies by Roger Norrington con- Instead of accessories, many of ductingtheLondon Classical the gift ideas submitted by our staff Players (Angel 49656, cassette or and contributors were LP's, tapes, or CD); the other is Anthony New - cD's. Art Director Sue Llewellyn man's performance of Beethoven's

116 S'l I kt.o R Ew DECEMBER 1989 Wien one is plainly not enough ...indulge! Double FRONT AMP 105A RCA CONNECTORS OUTPUTPRE -AMP Scoop CTORS HT -602 (8.000-20000LOUDSPEAKERSTWEETER0.5 INCH H4) 4 -CHANNEL MODE 4HT INCH -604 I CROSSOVERELECTRONICAM -3 MOBILE (1.000-20.000LOUDSPEAKERSUPPER MIDRANGE H4) CROSSOVERELECTRONICEQUALIZER7E0.1100 BAND GRAPHIC PRE-AFIP 3 08 f ROHM RCA COIMECTOAS AMP 105A 5.25HT -605 INCH (OPTIONAL)CDPORTAELE PLATER 4 -CHANNEL MOD 105A ofi (400)20.000LOUDSPEAKERSMIDRANGE Hz) CROSSOVERELECTRONICKM -3 MOBILE 110040,000LOUDSPEAKERSLOWER65HT INCH-606 MIDRANGE 1141 COMPACTIN -DASH DISC A 24 013 per Ociave PLAYER DD 11COMM, DOC PRATER Il PREREAR -AMP AMP 120 AMP 260 rj3TAR. 03e:57 OD 1. I OUTPUT RCA CONNECTORS D LOUDSPEAKERSTWEETER0.5HT -602INCH OCIDEIO AMP 190 AMP 360 111,000-20.000 Hz) CAR DIGITALRURADIO -533 OUTPUTFRONT CROSSOVERELECTRONICX1143 MOBILE (640-20LOUDSPEAKERSMIDRANGE4HT INCH -604 000 H4) TURNREMOTE ON w AMP 190 AMP 360 MEMORY RCA CONNECTORS 110020.000LOUDSPEAKERSLOWER6HT 5 -606INCH MIDRANGE Hz) AMP 3843 AMP 480 CROSSOVERELECTRONICENI4 MOBILE O (40)20.000LOUDSPEAKERSMID8HT INCH -608 WOOFER 1-14) P 560 OUTPUTPRESUBWOOFER -AMP tl 15HT INCH-615 BAITER" RCA CONNECTORS ("caner =IN MIMS 56 0 (20-40LOUDSPEAKERSSUBWOOFER Hz) REMOTEPOWER 4. RIGHT CHANNEL LEFT CHANNEL 4; GROUND OUTPUTSUBWOOFER CIRCLE NO. 18 ON READER SERVICE CARD ...a sound investment.coustic'® Porgy and Bess(Angel 49568, three According to Contributing Editor + cassettes or three cp's). Opera re- Phyl Garland, a wonderfultrip viewer Robert Ackart chooses the through the greatest period of jazz is veryexciting performance of provided byMiles: the Autobiogra- Strauss'sElektrawithHildegard phyby Miles Davis with Quincy Behrens and the Boston Symphony Troupe(SimonandSchuster), conducted by Seiji Ozawa (Philips $22.45 hardbound. "After all the 422 574, two CD's). Ackart says, "It studies by others, Davis is finally is superb in every way." telling his own story with eloquence Editorial Assistant Rocco Mat- and charm and fresh insights into tera, a devoted opera fan, recom- his life and music," Garland says. mends the digitally remastered CD With so many new recordings of reissue of tenor Mario Lanza's dura- early music, Contributing Editor ble "The Great Caruso" (RCA Stoddard Lincoln says record col- 60049) and the recording debut of lectors need the background pro- soprano Susan Dunn, an aria recital vided by Harry Haskell's bookThe conductedbyRiccardoChailly Adjustable stands. such as the Speaker Early Music Revival(Thames and (London 421 420). Mattera says, Chairs from Sound Decor, make it Hudson), $29.95. Contributing Edi- "Of the new young American divas possible to position loudspeakers for tor David Hall recommends Eric A. I've heard, Dunn is the most im- the best performance they can deliver. Gordon's "boldly honest"Mark the pressive." Music: The Life and Work of Mark Contributing Editor Roy Hem- stars in a lovely collection of old Blitzstein(St. Martin's), $29.95. Ac- ming, a specialist in American the- English carols and North European cording to Hall, this biography of ater and film music, adds to the list holiday music, "Noel! Noel! Noel!" the composer tells everything you "Starring Fred Astaire," a two-cD or (RCA Victor 60060, CD or cassette). wanted to know about the Ameri- two -cassette set (Columbia 44233). Petri is accompanied by the West- can theater of the Thirties through He says the thirty-six songs here minster Abbey Choir and the Na- the Fifties but were afraid to ask. prove Astaire was a first-class singer tional Philharmonic Orchestra con- Contributing Editor Richard as well as a first-class dancer. ducted by Martin Neary. Freed waxes eloquent onFranz An original gift suggestion from Contributing Editor Alanna Nash Liszt: The Weimar Years,1848- Contributing Editor Ian Masters is recommends PeterGuralnick's 1861,the recently published second membership in the BMG Compact bookLost Highway: Journeys and volume of a Liszt biography by Disc Club (6550 E. 30th St., Indian- Arrivalsof American Musicians Alan Walker (Knopf), $39.95. Freed apolis, IN 46219-1194) or the CBS (Harper and Row), $12.95 paper- callsit "a noble, altogether out- Compact Disc Club (P.O. Box 1129, bound. It's not just about country standing achievement in behalf of a Terre Haute, IN 47811-1129). music, but Ms. Nash says it handles unique figure who could not be Loren Falls thinks this is an ap- that subject sensitively. served with less." propriate time to give the gift of hol- According to Ms. Nash, the 1990 To theLisztlist I iday music. That might be "Ricky calendar from the Country Music would like to addAn Van Shelton Sings Christmas" (Co- Hall of Fame is the best one yet, Artist's Journey,Liszt's lumbia FCT 45269), in which the with photographs of current country ownwritings from countrystar performs thebest- stars along with pictures and inter- 1835-1841, edited and translated by known Christmas songs in a pleas- esting information about those of Charles Suttoni (University of Chi- ing pop style. Similar songs and car- the past: $8.95 plus $2 postage from cago), $24.95. The New YorkTimes ols are delivered in jazz fusion style Country Music Foundation Press, 4 Book Reviewcalled it "superb." by Dave Grusin,Lee Ritenour, Music Square East, Nashville, TN New books by STEREO REVIEW'S Diane Schuur, Chick Corea, and 37203. Call 1-800-255-2357. own writers includeOpera in Crisis others on "A GRP Christmas Col- Louise Boundasrecommends by our distinguished London Editor lection" (GRD 9574). Rock On Almanac(Harper and Henry Pleasants, which is hot off Recorder player MichalaPetri Row), a chronology of the first four the press (Thames and Hudson), decades of rock-and-roll, by Norm $19.95. Also new is Ken Pohl- N. Nite. Price: $27.50 hardbound, mann'sThe Compact Disc, A Hand- $16.95 paperbound. To the book list book of Theory and Use(A -R Edi- Christie Barter addsRock Movers tions), $45.95 hardbound, $29.95 and Shakers(Billboard), an A to Z paperbound. The paperback edition of the people who made rock hap- can be ordered by mail for $29.95 pen, edited by Barry Lazell, $16.95 postpaid from A -R Editions, 801 paperbound. Deming Way, Box P, Madison, WI The Great Song Thesaurusby 53717. Phone: (608) 836-9000. Roger Lax and Frederick Smith For anybody who watches movies (OxfordUniversityPress),$75, on home video, Julian Hirsch, the strikesContributing Editor Ron director of Hirsch -Houck Laborato- Givens as a marvelous gift. "It's a ries, recommends the gift of a re - treasure trove of information," he winder for videocassettes. Ambico's says, "that is arranged in ways that V-0757, on our list last year, is still The Country .111,wc Hall qf Fame's make it a wonderful reference book available at the same price, $49.95. calendar will give pleasure for a year. but also entertaining to read." A new model, the V-0755, which

118STEREO REVIEW DECEMBER 1989 Simple Impression. Ergonomically simple, technologically impressive.

Our new 700 Series car radio/ cassettes epitomize Coustic's Tly commitment -o PRODUCT EXCELLENCE. A balanced syn- 00111111110

thesis of technology, functionality P SCAN RE and ergonomics aptly describes FR? I n 11_I _I. _I it the 700 Series, which is the best 10110 selection of car radio/cassettes available today. A full range of models boast- RX-738 CAR RADIO/CASSETTE ing the technologically Advanced and delivers a 3 -dimensional Blerding technology and sim- FM Optimizer IV Circuitry incor- "life -like" sonic performance plicity the 700 Do[DOLBY BC NR1 porating a QUASI 4 -GANG ser es feature HI -GAIN, LOW NOISE TUNED THERE IS MORE... Preset Scan, Dolby B & C Noise FRONT END This circuitry Reduct on Systems, Tape Pro- continuously monitors FM signal Cellular Phone Interrupt - You gram Search (TPS), Metal Tape strength to selectively adjust will never miss a call on your Equalization (MTL), CD/AUX Input fcr digital pro- , EJEC ON VOLUME 0 FADER gram source, Radio ARM DIGITAL AUDIO !Ilgoom Monitor (R.MON), ;..A .1tAgibp.' CIO Act ve Bass & Treble Tone

1.MTL 4 SEEK CD ,mr+ Controls, Front/Rear Pre -Amp I 1- I:11-1 LCUO oG Outputs for flexible system I LI. _II_I 3 -TED IFMIAM ML expans on and removeable e canna RS7215 chassis option. A custom oversized Liquid FIX -728 CAR RAD.O/CASSE7TE Crystal Display (LCD) provides

.12 VOLTS easy stereo separation and audio identifi- bandwidth. Automatically RELAY cation eliminating signal overload and (NOT PROVIDED) day or the picket -fencing effect of multi - light path interfere ice to produce the of fre- CALL MOBILE RX-738 LCD DISPLAY YELLOW CELLUAR best stereo performance and WIRE ALERT FEATURE PHONE quency cleanest FM reception possible. settings and each accessed

The Auto - functior such as TPS, MTL, [X], Aligned Azi- RX-738 CAR STEREO CD. etc. UNIT muth (A3),", The 700 Series - simply System is sta-idard on all 700 impressive! Series auto -reverse cassette mechanisms. This unique A3 CELLULAR PHONE INTERRUPT System employs a 2 -track (instead of mobile phone (with "Call Alert") a fixed again! Our new I-SENS,N, Cir- TAPE HEAD t RAISES & four - cuitry instantaneously mutes the COUSt LOWERS 4 track, audio system when it detects an ound investment. crosstalk incoming call. prone) tape head that shifts 4260 Charter Street 2 Vernon, CA 90058-2596 linearly (up or down) into perfect CD P SCAN BAND 8T/MD LOUD 213-582-2832 azimuth alignment whenever

pm.twN tape direction is changed. This , . peminpi minimizes high frequency loss 1 TPSDO 2 37040 4 5 Dolby is a registered trademark of Dolby Laboratories RX-738 INUU-FUNC770N CONTROLS Coustic 1989

CIRCLE NO. 113 ON READER SERVICE CARD winds tape faster and also cleans it, Riggs's son David is also a fan of + costs $69.95. Joe Scruggs, whose recordings for Our principal rock critic, Steve the young-such as "Traffic Jams," Simels, is also an avid videophile, "Abracadabra," and "Even Trolls and at the top of his list of recom- Have Moms"-have stood the tests mended videodiscs this Christmas of time and repetition with children is the carefully restored version of and adults in my family. Scruggs the 1956 science -fiction classicFor- has just released his first Christmas bidden Planet(Criterion Collection album, "Merry Christmas," a col- 53, two discs, $99.95). Presented in lection of nine standard Christmas its original wide-screen aspect ratio, songs in fresh new arrangements the disc version includes scenes de- plus four up-to-date originals. Hon- leted from the film. Simels calls it est adults confess that they play "tremendously exciting." Scruggs tapes even when the kids A more recent science - are not around. I recommend them 144141 . fiction classic isBlade all.Price: $9.95 each plus $1.50 4Runner(1982). Now shipping and handling from Educa- available in the Super tional Graphics Press,P.O. Box VHS format($59.95),itwould 180476, Austin, TX 78718. Call 1- make a tremendously exciting gift 800-274-8804 for phone orders. for the owner of an S -VHS deck. I JustintimeforChristmas, also recommend the bent fairy tale Scruggs has made his first video, ThePrincessBrideinS -VHS appropriatelytitled"Joe'sFirst ($49.95). Both are available from Video." Cleverly combining live ac- Super SourceVideo,P.O.Box tors with animated characters,it 410777, San Francisco, CA 94141; presents nine Scruggs hits, including add $4.50 shipping and handling for Late Last Nightand kids'fave Goo the first tape and 50(r for each addi- Goo Ga Ga.Price: $19.95 from Edu- tional one. For phone orders or cational Graphics. information on S -VHS videotapes Similar to the My First Sony line of the Bolshoi Ballet using Sony's of colorful audio products for chil- new D2 digital technology, callI - dren (which continues to grow), 800-331-6304; in California, (415) Sanyo's new ROBO line includes 558-8688. easy -to -operate voicerecorders, Contributing Editor Louis Mere- telephones, and atalking clock. dith recommends a video version of Louise Boundas recommends the Handel'sMessiahperformed with ROBO-01stereo cassetteplayer, great conviction by soloists, chorus, which works onACpower or bat- and the Atlanta Symphony under teries and weighs only three pounds. Robert Shaw. Video Artists Interna- Price: $79.99. tional, VHS Hi-Fi (VAI 69050, When you give accessories that clean Database Assistant Adam Herbst $49.95). Excellent sound. equipment (top), store compact discs recommends a toy for the child in There are lots of sources of video (center), or carry removable car all of us, the Rockin' Flowers by for kids, featuring Peanuts, the Dis- stereo equipment (bottom), you Takara. They are sound -sensitive, ney characters, and others.Sue are still giving the gift of music. bespectacled plastic flowers, which, Llewellyn says that when she was a when placed in front of speakers, child, her favorite cartoon character Ballet Orchestra conducted by De- will gyrate in response to music. was Top Cat, and for a video gift for nis de Coteau. Price: $11.95. Price: $30 from such toy stores as good children we recommend the The trick with musical gifts for F.A.O. Schwartz. recently released feature-lengthTop children is to find things the parents In response to the request for gift Cat and the Beverly Hills Cats(Kids can stand to hear repeated. Michael suggestions, DatabaseAssistant Klassics 6704, $9.95). Riggs, the father of a four -year -old Tommy Lau submitted a list of An audiocassettecontaining son, recommends the work of Rail, what he would like to receive him- songs for Thanksgiving and Hanuk- the Springsteen of children's music, self. "For the outdoors I'd like the kah as well as Christmas and New available in all formats from A&M. Rockustics Rocky, Jr. speakers at Year's is Francine Lancaster's beau- Riggs particularly favors Raffi's cas- $700 per pair. They camouflage well tifully arranged and performed "Fa- settes "Singable Songs" (CS 0202) with their stonelike enclosures. For vorite Holiday Songs." Price: $9.95, and "More Singable Songs" (CS the living room I'll stick with the or gift -boxed with a book, $16.95, 0204), which are available together camouflage motif with the Cerca from Lancaster Productions, P.O. on oneCD(SD 2202). A live per- Classic 120's ($1,700 a pair), which Box 7820, Berkeley, CA 94707. For formance with some participation come in ceramic vase enclosures. ordering informationcall1-800- from a young audience, "Raffi in For a listening room the size of 634-4476; in California, (415) 549- Concert with the Rise and Shine Montana, I want the Custom Moni- 7110. Lancaster also distributes a Band," is available on audio tape tor from Guss Enterprises at a mere very pretty new recording of the (CL -0235), videocassette (A&M VC $100,000 per system. I hope these fit complete score ofThe Nutcracker 61719,$19.95),andvideodisc in the sleigh."

performed by the San Francisco (A&M LV 38402, $29.98). Are you listening, Santa?

120 S'FERE() R o - :w DECEMBER 1989 Impressyoursystem. Andyoursystem will impress you!

Impress your car audio system Your power amplifier will with our Powe- Logic series of be pleasantly surprised to component speakers and your Ind that POL YMIDE DIA- system WILL impress the discrimi- PHRAGMS are built into the nating you. tweeters to ensure structural integrity and significantly minimize distortion when subjected to high power. Your system will concur with our research findings that HIGH DENSITY, POLYPRO- PYLENE -LAYERED, AIR- spoise and lower distortion. DRIED, DOUBLE -RIGID PA- -he Power Logic component PER CONE carries the lowest speaker series rigorously pro- second and third harmonic duces, in an anti -acoustic automo- distortion characteristics, tive environment, crisp high fre- manifesting Bruel 6 Kim the best Cope flopen From 15" monstrous si..bwoof sound quality. fj ION XI ers, to powerful mid/woofers, to -his cone material is ,11114W super tweeters and multi -driver -Y ETRIC-AL standard on all B5 dB E LOADING speaker systems, our Power EC NIOUE Logic component speakers are Power Logic .FF AXIS

CC dB ready for any f-equency response component TY'ICAL SPE KER and sound pressure level (SPL) speakers. 30OFF AXIS dB200 requirements with minimum Your power B00 .00 000 WOO 16000 distortion. amplifier sys- Frequency Resaonse 60 30 0 tem will certainly appreciate the combination queicy -esponse, sumptuous of HIGH TEMPERATURE ALU- mid-ange, tight and distortion -free MINUM VOICE COIL and HI -EN- low bass, superb instantaneous ERGY STRONTIUM MAGNET power handling and precise STRUCTURE built for maximum stereo imaging. In short, the illu- heat dissipation and extreme sion of lite-like musical perform- Your system will be wowed by power handling capability, with ance wilh superior clarity and our SYMMETRICAL WAVE more accurate cone displacement 3-di-nensional imaging. LOADING TECHNIQUE on the resulting in faster transient re- Our Power Logic component Power Logic cDmpo- speakers will no doubt impress nent tweeters which you- system. All it takes is for your produces crisp high system to impress YOU. frequency periorm- ance even when mounted "off -axis". 1111111 COuStiC® 4260 Charter Street Vernon. CA 90058-2596 213-582-2832

SUBWOOFEPS: HT -610, HT -615, HT -608, HT -612

CIRCLE NO. 98 ON READER SERVICE CARD Denon's LAMBDA processor . bilaterally offsets the digital waveform to eliminate the distortion that occurs when Starting with the first digital recording of low-level waveforms cmss the zero line. music in 1972, Denon has produced an unbroken string of digital audio breakthroughs.

The LAMBDA Super Linear Converter: Another significant digital audio first from the first company to record music digitally.

.... Denon's CD player innovations in- , Denons often sound better clude the Super Linear Con- than current competitors' models. verter, the 20 -bit digital filter, the And why a leading hi-fi journal real 20 -bit converter and noise -shap- found that a moderately -priced Denon ing filter circuitry. equalled or outperformed all others tested, Denon's latest digital advancement is the including machines costing over $1800. LAMBDA Real 20 -Bit Super Linear Converter in What makes Denon CD players better? Per- the DCD-1560. The LAMBDA system's digital haps it's that Denon performs every step in the offset processor and dual 20 -bit converters elimi- music chain from recording artists through press- nate the most common source of distortion in CD ing CDs. And that Denon has concentrated on players: the zero crossings of low-level signals. one thing and only one thing for 80 years. Denon's consistent leadership in digital audio Music. technology may explain why earlier generation DENONDESIGN INTEGRIT DCD-I560 shown with the optional side panels available for most Denon models. Prices quoted are manufacturers suggested retail prices and may vary. Dentin America. Inc.. 222 New Road. Parsippam. NJ 07054

CIRCLE NO27 ON READER SERVICE CARD BEST RECORDINGS OF THE MONTH

doo" album of 1982. And the Barry Stereo Reviezv's critics Mann-Cynthia Weil-Tom Snow SPIRITED STRAUSS choose the outstanding ballad Don't Know Much is an an- FROM GERARD current releases themic gem. "Cry Like a Rainstorm, Howl SCHWARZ Like the Wind" may be the first true pop -rock album. This synthesis has LINDA RONSTADT: been achieved by someone who un- ERARD SCHWARZand the derstands and loves both pop and New York Chamber Sym- ROCK WITH A rock. It took Ronstadt several years phony have just come up POP FLAVOR to make the necessary discoveries, with a wonderful record- and the trip has brought her back ing of the incidental music Richard where she belongs. Ron Givens Strauss provided for Moliere's Le FROMone point of view, Lin- Bourgeois Gentilhomme. Originally da Ronstadt's recording ca- LINDA RONSTADT: Cry Like a intended to serve as the dramatic reer during the 1980's has Rainstorm, Howl Like the Wind. Linda pretext for the first performances of been a Grand Tour of Pop. Ronstadt. Aaron Neville (vocals); other the Strauss/Hofmannsthal opera Ar- She's sung classic American tunes, musicians.Still Within the Sound of My iadne auf Naxos in 1912, the Mol- Voice: Cry Like a Rainstorm; All My iere framework was subsequently British light opera, Mexican maria- Life: I Need You; Don t Know Much: chi-but not the rock or country - Adios: Trouble Again:IKeep It Hid: So spun off and restaged as a three -act rock that made her a solid -gold art- Right. So Wrong; Shattered;H hen comedy with additional incidental ist. Now with her new album, "Cry Something Is Wrong with My Baby: music. What Schwarz gives us on Like a Rainstorm, Howl Like the Goodbye My Friend. ELEKTR60872-I, his Pro Arte disc is the complete Wind," she's come home to rock- © 60872-4, 60872-2 (42 min). scoreusedinthatproduction, and-roll, although it sounds like a much different place. VocallyRonstadt hasnever sounded better. Whether she's blast- ing a high note across several bars, or caressing an extra ounce of ten- derness out of a soft phrase, or gracefully angling toward a melis- matic throb, Ronstadt knows just how she wants to use her voice. Unquestionably, working in styles where she couldn't rely as much on lung power has given her a further education in phrasing and enuncia- tion. Not to mention confidence: Here she sounds at all times relaxed and secure. That confidence may explain why she's challenged herself by prominently featuring guest vocalist Aar- on Neville. A charter member of the Neville Brothers and the man who brought us Tell It Like It Is, Neville is a singer of breathtaking beauty. Only a self-assured artist would risk a duet with this guy-and Ronstadt does four. The blend of these two sweet, creamy voices is exquisite. And the dipping -and -swirling, two - voices -as -one ending of the Isaac Hayes-David Porter classic When Something Is Wrong with My Baby is worth the price of admission all by itself. But there are other high- lights. Ronstadt must be a long-time Paul Carrack fan, since two songs in the album come from his superb, woefully neglected "Suburban Voo- BEST RECORDINGS OF THE MONTH

with an instrumental:Travis Walk STEVIE RAY is the sort of jumping jive that bar bands routinely end sets with, leav- VAUGHAN IS ing the crowd hungry for more, but "IN STEP" Riviera Paradise isa long, drifting, bell -toned piece of guitar impres- sionism whose low-key, jazzy am- TEXAS guitar slinger Stevie biencefinds Vaughan wandering Ray Vaughan is in fine form into Wes Montgomery and Kenny inhisfifthalbum,"In Burrell territory. It's a lovely medi- Step," serving up a heaping tation, revealing a sensitive side of helping of hard -charging, roadhouse himself that this tall Texan rarely rock and blues. It's a nonstop, juke - shows. joint blowout that doesn't let up Vaughan sings and plays like a until the very end, at which point champion,pullingnopunches, Vaughan eloquently takes his leave wasting no notes, and laying down a with the reflective eight -minute in- fiery groove thatwillhave you strumentalRiviera Paradise.For dancing the blues right out of your the combustible Stevie Ray, this system. In its emotional generosity, record represents a career plateau. "In Step"recallsa quote from He has conquered his demons, a Duane Allman: "Records are really struggleforthrightlydocumented gifts from people. To think that an here in the songWall of Denial,and artist would love you enough to his clear-headed, gutsy guitar work share his music with you is a beauti- comes straight from the heart. ful thing." Amen.Parke Puterhaugh He dives right in withThe House Is Rockin',a number in which the STEVIERAY VAUGHANAND .S'cliwar.:: delightful Strauss tension between strict meter and DOUBLE TROUBLE:InStep.Stevie freneticreleaserecalls Jerry Lee Ray Vaughan (guitars, vocals); Reese which was directed by Max Rein- Lewis's irresistible call to get crazy, Wynans (keyboards); Tommy Shannon hardt in Berlin in 1918. Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On.The (bass);ChrisLayton(drums).The House Is Rockin'; Crossfire: Tightrope: Not only is it fascinating to hear next two songs,CrossfireandTight- Let Me Love You Baby; Leave My Girl Strauss's witty and colorful music rope,address, in similarly metapho- Alone: Travis Walk; Wall of Denial: presented in full and in its original rical terms, the dangerous and dis- Scratch-n-Snifk Love Me Darlin'; Riv- order, but Schwarz's elegantly spir- orientingcurrentsonecanget iera Paradise. EPIC'OE 45024, © OET ited performance is the best I have caught in after catching the rock- 45024, EK 45024 (41 min.) heard on records since the memora- and-roll wave.Crossfirehas an in- ble versions of the familiar suite fectious, Al -Green -in -Memphis soul I'aughan: roadhouse rock fromSir Thomas Beecham and groove, and by the time Vaughan Fritz Reiner (the Reiner is now takes his second solo, after the last available on CD). The excellent re- chorus, his fingers are on fire. cording has just the right degree of Vaughan plays what he means in intimacy for the chamber -orchestra "In Step." The emotions are very instrumentation. The annotation, near the surface, and they're honest however, fails to offer either a Ger- ones: a love of the blues and the man -English text for the vocal and pain that allows him to play them choral portions or a synopsis of the with authority.Wall of Denial isthe play itself, not to mention the cast- pivotal song, addressing the hard ing for the singing roles, which facts of a troubled life with naked include, among others, Jourdain candor. Gritty determination to get (the bourgeois "gentleman"), the the past behind him fuels one sat- "Mufti" in the Turkish scene, and isfying solo after another. the shepherd and shepherdess. But Mixed among all the foot -stomp- in terms of listening the disc is truly ing originals are a trio of well-cho- delightful. David Hall sen numbers by three Chicago blues giants. Vaughan and his back-up R. STRAUSS:Le Bourgeois Gentil- trio, Double Trouble, tackle a fast homme. Op.60. Kaaren Erickson (soprano); Cynthia Clarey (mezzo-sopra- blues by Willie Dixon(Let Me Love no); Roger Roloff (baritone); New York You Baby), aslow one by Buddy Chamber Chorus and Symphony Or- Guy(Leave My Girl Alone),and a chestra, Gerard Schwarz cond.PRO wicked tickler by Nowlin' Wolf ARTE CCD 448 (66 min). (Love Me Darlin').Each half closes

124 SITREO REVIEW DE.CFNIBFR 1989 SATELLITES 81.100iAlEREIO SUBWOOFERS Throughout the audio world, M&K Sound is synonymous MILLER 8, KREISEL with high performance Satellite ard Powered Subwoofer speaker systems. And while other manufacturers are SOUND CORPORATION discovering the substantial advantages of this concept, we are applying fifteen -plus years of loudspeaker design and audiophile recording experience to create a new, fifth generation of innovative products. Think of these as component speakers- speakers with the flexibility to adapt to any I stoning environm9nt, especially that of the multi -channel Surround Sound system. Although compact in size, M&K Satellites actually outperform large conventional speakers-and M&K Powered Subwoofers give you the universally recogiized super ority of a separate subwoofer for the ultimate in bass performance. With mid and high frequency drivers mounted in opti- mally shaped enclosures, M&K Satellites deliver sh-arp detail and clarity with pinpoint imaging-going far beyond the "boxy" and "canned" scund of conventional speakers. Our precise driver alignment and unique crossover design insure that sounds reproduced by both drivers reach you simultaneously-giving M&K Satelites the rare ability to produ:e the sharp transients and presence of lire musical instruments. Close your eyes and the speakers seem to disappear-the scund is live! M&K's component speaker concept perfectly meets the sonic and aesthetic needs of th-e '90s. And our newest imovations are advancing audio/video system performance with pedestal subwoofers, high-performance center channel ard other speakers optimized for Dolby Surround Sound. Nc other company has over fifteen years of experience in the design and manufacture of Satellites and Subwoofers. This experience, combined with the audio industry's only six Satellite, eight Subwoofer line makes M&K "the only choice." 10391 lefferson Boulevard. Culver City CA 90230 USA 213 204 2854 CIRCLE NO 48 ON READER SERVICECARD BEST RECORDINGS OF THE MONTH

The earliest item in this collection FIRKUgNiL" is Les Ritournelles, a set of six NOW ON CD pieces composed in 1932, just after Compact discs of PLAYS Martini's arrival in Paris; the latest MARTIN(' is his only piano sonata, composed previously released LP's in Nice in 1943. Perhaps even more personal to FirkuKnY than the Fan- POPULAR NEof those "obvious" op- taisie et toccata is the remaining OTIM BUCKLEY: Greetings from portunities that no one piece on the disc, his own arrange- L.A.ENIGMA 73506-2. "Superthroat got around to doing any- ment of a poignant excerpt from the sings again" (December 1972). thing about till now has opera Julietta, which he undertook OROSEMARY CLOONEY: just been realized splendidly by withMartini'spermission Everything's Coming Up Rosie. and CONCORD CCD-4047. "A little gem" RCA Victor: an hour's worth of played for him often in the period (April 1978). piano music by the Czech composer just following their arrival in New OBENNY GOODMAN: The Early Bohuslav Martini', played with tru- York as refugees. Years.BIOGRAPH BCD -I09. Recordings ly unique authority by his country- No one else could bring what Fir- dating from the Thirties. man Rudolf Firku§nY. Incredible as kuinY brings to this music in terms OHELLO DOLLY! (Jerry Herman). it may seem, this elegant and vital of understanding, commitment, or RCA 38I4-2-RG. Original -cast recording of the 1964 Broadway hit, pianist will be seventy-eight years execution. Each piece opens up en- with Carol Channing. old in February; he first met Mar- tirely and irresistibly to his touch. OEARL "FATHA" HINES: Way tini' before he was out of his teens RCA has done him and Martini' Down Yonder in New Orleans. and subsequently gave the first per- proud with fine sonics and really BIOGRAPH BCD -108. Recordings Hines formances of almost all of the com- thoughtful documentation, which made when he was seventy, in 1976. poser's works for piano solo. with a band of New Orleans regulars. includes a striking photograph of OFREDDIE KING: Getting Ready. One of the works on the new disc, FirklignY and Martini" together in SHELTER/DDC SRZ-8003. Recorded at the pungent Fantaisie et toccata, Marseilles in 1940 as well as the the Chess Studios in Chicago in 1970. was written for FirkuKnj% in 1940 notes by the pianist himself and by Includes two previously unreleased when both men were in southern Brian Large,thedistinguished bonus tracks. OERNEST TUBB: Lire 1965.RHINO France-Martini" having fled Paris, biographer of both Martini" and R2 70902. Recorded at Seattle's Spanish where he was on the Nazis' black Smetana. Richard Freed Castle Ballroom in 1965. list-waiting anxiously for passage ODWIGHT TWILLEY BAND: to America. In a note of his own for MARTINI: Les Ritournelles; Fantai- Sincerely.SHELTER/DDC SRZ-8002. the new recording, the pianist re- sie et toccata; Sonata No. I; Moderato Includes the 1975 hit I'm onFireand marks, "This particular work ex- from "Julietta"; Etudes and Polkas. four bonus tracks. presses the anguish of the situa- Rudolf Firlogn9 (piano). RCA 0 7987- tion-Europe was in chaos and a 2 -RC (59 min). CLASSICAL OBACH: St. Matthew Passion. return to our native country became Grimmer, HitifTgen. Dermota, an unattainable dream." The music Firkuinkelegant and vital Fischer-Dieskau, Edelmann; contains passages that evoke Mar - Furtwangler. MoviMENTO fillies feeling for his homeland. The MUSICA/KOCH 013.005 (three co's). Historic live recording made in Vienna national feeling present in his early in 1954. works had been displaced now and OKORNGOLD: Die tote Stadt. then by the influence of his French Neblett, Kollo, Prey; Leinsdorf. RCA mentor, Albert Roussel, and by his 7767-2-RG (two co's). Premiere response to jazz, but it was to be recording of this 1921 opera by a composer who later became one of prominent in one form or another Hollywood's most successful. in virtually all of his compositions ONIELSEN: Symphony No. 5; from the late Thirties to the end of Saga -Dream.Horenstein. his life, in 1959. UNICORN-KANCHANA/HARMONIA Most of the intervening years, MUNDI UKCD 2023. "An important and unique recorded performance" from 1941 to 1953, were spent in (Best of Month, July 1970). the United States. It was here that OROSSINI: Bianca e Falliero. Martini' became a symphonist and Ricciarelli, Horne, Merritt; Renzetti. here that he composed his three LEGATO LCD -I38-3 (three CD's). The books of etudes and polkas for 1986 Pesaro Festival production. piano in the summer of 1945. Brian recorded live. O SMETANA:Piano Music Large, in his portion of the annota- (complete).Repkova. CPO/KocH 999 tion,suggestsSmetana'sCzech 010-2 (four co's). Rarely performed Dances as the model for these ingra- music by the popular Czech composer, tiatingly folk -flavored pieces, and recorded for Supraphon in 1952-1953 the nine Firku§ny chose for the disc by Vera Repkova. certainly bear him out.

126 STEREO REVIEW DECEMBER 1989 RX-1130 RECEIVER

125 watts per channel into 8 ohms fmm 20-20,000 Hz at no more than 0.015% THD Low impedance drive capability pmvides 360 watts per channel into 2 ohms dynamic power Additional amplifier section for two rear channels with rear channel level contml Five digital Surround Sound modes (Dolby," Natural, Hall, Simulated Stereo, Live) Computer Servo Lock tuning MM/MC Phono Selector Banana plug compatible speaker connection terminals 24 -segment signal quality meter Continuously variable loudness control Learning -capable multi -function remote control Eight audio inputs, three video inputs Four audio outputs, three video outputs S -VHS compatible Separate fmnt and rear pre -main coupling terminals Eight -mode REC OUT selector Continuously variable delay time control CD Direct switch Motor -driven volume contml with LED indicator Sleep timer Center defeat bass/mid-range/treble tone controls 16 -station random access preset tuning with multi - status memory Absolute Linear Amplification (ALA) circuitry Preset indicators with preset number and station frequency Front panel headphone jack Tone bypass switch High -gain AM loop antenna Manual or auto IF Mode selector (wide or narrow) Auto search tuning Manual up/down tuning

It any of these features compromised its sound, this is the first thing we'd remove:YAMAHA

r 1989. Yamaha Electronics Corp., USA. Fir the dealer newest you, adl 1.800.662-6800. iMby Surround is a registered trademark of Dolby Laboratones. fah DOI Di)LBY SI;RRODND1 C. PACT DISC . . RCA VICTOR PRESENTS dr THE ALBUMTHE THATWAY YOU WILL LOOK CHANGE AT THINGS The first album ever released in TM The first album DO DOLBY SURROUND CD + G compact disc specifically programmedFfor home video use. wring film studio players) showgraphicscards video and (viatitle art equipped that will fantVes (MGM,WB, 20th, backgroundetc.) overture, music,intermission and complement all of your programming.home video selections fiomi4Os'50s films, & Weiterns monsterand music.even i-Fi There has never been anything like it. productionTheAvailable package Home on notes includesCD Video alongand extensive D with AlbumA ID a valuable-Cassette coupon 58 MINUTES. and recipes RCA Victor 60354 -2/4 -RC noon. except BMG Classms logo BMG USK © 1989, BMG Musk C L SS I C S DAADDTM:45.)nddi) .s a RegisLe:e,dr:trademark Martat,PoRefof Arnencan ctsltbyradatubos)raRCAriCe,oirponc Muhtirneska. Inc. All rights reserved POPULAR MUSIC

Discs and tapes reztiewed by Chris Albersm, Phyl Garland, CROSSROADS FOR TRACY CHAPMAN Ron Giz,ens, Roy Hemming, Alanna Nash, Parke Pilterbangh, Steve Shnels

BABYFACE:Tender Lover.Babyface (vocals); vocal and instrumental accompaniment.It's No Crime: Tender Lover; Let's Be Romantic: Can't Stop My Heart; My Kinda Girl;and five others. SoLAR/CBS FZ 45288, © FZT 45288, © ZK 45288 (49 min). Performance:Something special Recording:Very good As a singer. Babyface has an exceptionally appealing approach that combines the thrusting vigor of contemporary urban pop with the lushly melodic roman- ticism of gentler times. The result in "Tender Lover" is an album that immediately grabs your attention and holds it to the end. Although he has his own sound, Babyface has listened carefully to the giants of black popular music and incorporated the best elements of their styles into his work. InLet's Be Roman- tic, withits haunting minor mode and infectious rhythms, his model is clearly Marvin Gaye. InCan't Stop My Heart, the beatis propulsively insistent, and Babyface exudes the nervous energy of a Michael Jackson. Another jewel is THEbrilliance that Tracy Chap- album, so that the listener is free to pay Sunshine,a sweet song reminiscent of man displayed in her debut last more attention to the music. Stevie Wonder. Butallof the songs are year has been sustained in her The music itself is not so unadorned captivating,andBabyfaceperforms second album, "Crossroads." on this outing as in Chapman's debut. them with minimal accompaniment on Again she presents compelling songs of Jack Holder weaves a lively filigree of bass and percussion and back-up vocals social commentary in a plangent voice banjo notes around her strong vocal in in only two tracks. With his gift for that instantly commands attention. But Freedom Now,and throughout the set song. Babyface is a most welcome new thereis adifference this time: There are variouspercussioninstruments and talent. P.G. fewer grim pronouncements. Her edge even an occasional violin or viola add a of anger has been softened a bit, and good deal of textural richness without BEE GEES:One.Bee Gees (vocals and thereseemto be more songs about detracting from the generally lean quali- instrumentals);instrumentalaccom- love. ty of the instrumental sound. The mu- paniment.One; Ordinary Lives: Body- NotthatChapmanhaschanged sical climax is reached inBorn to Fight, guard; It's My Neighborhood; Tears; course or made compromises in the a strutting, jubilant statement of de- and five others (six others onCD). wake of success. The center of her art fiance laced with touches of jazz and the WARNER BROS. 25887-I, © 25887-4, © remains her ability to convey a sense of blues and topped off with a trumpet 25887-2 (52 min). the bitterness and despair that plague obbligato by Snooky Young. Here, de- Performance:Stayin' alive contemporary society while addressing parting from her fundamentally folkish Recording: some of the causes, all within the con- song style, Chapman recalls something Flawless straints of a carefully crafted four- or of the blues style of the young Odetta, Come home, Bee Gees, all is forgiven. five-minute pop song. And she does it suggesting another terrain she might ex- You don't have to be embarrassed with a fine poetic sensibility.Suhcity, ploreas she continuestobuilda about your disco roots any more. The which opens the second half, captures remarkable career. Phyl Garland Saturday Night Fever has broken, and the bleakness of life among the urban you can go back to work now. poor and points the finger at an uncar- TRACY CHAPMAN:Crossroads.Tra- "One" unveils an altogether cooler ingpoliticalestablishment.Material cy Chapman (vocals, guitars); instru- Worlddecries shoddy values, andAll mentalaccompaniment. Crossroads; That You Have Is Your Soulcautions Bridges; Freedom Now; Material EXPLANATION OF SYMBOLS: those who seek justice not to be seduced World; Be Careful cf My Heart; Subcity; = DIGITALLY RECORDED 1.P into selling out. The messages are clear, Born to Fight: A Hundred Years; This 0 = TAPE. CASSETTE but they're not so bluntly stated as in Time; All That You Have Is Your Soul. = COMPACT DISC (TIMINGS ARE. songs likeTalkin"bout a Revolutionor ELEkTRA 60888-I, 060888-4,© 60888- TO NEAREST MINUTE) Behind the Wallin Chapman's first 2 (43 min).

STEREO REVIEW DECEMBER 1989 129 EXCELLENCE DEFINED

CIPTINILIS® The New, Quality Name in State -of -the -Art Audie New Optimus brand audio equipment offers Built-in Do by Surround brings you thrilling you the very best combination of high technol- "movie theater" presence from encoded video ogy, innovative features and superb styling- tapes and discs. Hall Effect adds auditorium - backed by in-depth lab testing and quality style ambience to nearly any stereo source. control that's second to none. You also get wireless remote, 30 -station mem- Flagship of the new Optimus line is our ory, high-tecl alphanumeric LCD display and STAV-3200 digital -synthesized stereo receiver dubbing facilties for two VCRs and two tape with Dolby/Hall Effect Surround*. Its high - decks. For or ly $549.95. See and hear the power main amplifier is rated 100 watts per new Optimus components today.

channel at 0.05% THD, and there's a separate Price applies at palkzpatinc Radio Shack stores and dealers. 'TM, Dolby 25 -watt amplifier for the rearchannel. Laboratories Licensinc Corp Receiver power measured per FTC rules. OPT/MUS Exclusively atItathelhaelt The Technology Store A DI JISION OF TANDY CORPORATION Bee Gees, more temperate intheir rhythms, more relaxed in their vocal approach. The same age group that raptly watched John Travolta crabwalk and somersault across a Brooklyn dance floor in 1977 has grown a little older and a lot richer, and "One," like a piece of modular furniture, comfortably fits in with their life style. The Bee Gees' latest recording fills the midrange frequencies with glossy, billowy vocals nested on a cushiony featherbed of electronic keyboards and drum programs. "One" is as synthetic as Sweet 'n Low, satisfying a craving for sugary pop without piling on the calories. As always with the Bee Gees, every loose end is tucked neatly out of sight. "One" is as polished as the brasswork at Trump Tower. Peter Vettese, late of Jethro Tull, provides glossy keyboards over which the Bee Gees harmonize in their seamless, gravity -free way. Hooks come to them effortlessly. Even pro- fessed nonfans won't be able to resist the involuntarily hummable choruses of One, Ordinary Lives,Flesh and Blood, and Bodyguard, all of which are Top -40 readymades, provided radio programmers can see past their anti -Bee Gees bias. And why shouldn't they? The grating, redundant rhythms of disco have given way to a smooth, adult -rock backbeat that's sufficiently demure to let us carry on a conversation while it's playing. The vocal lines-satiny, whis- The Graces: Gia Cianthoni. ('hurl tte Colley, and Meredith Brooks pered come-ons such as, "Hold me like you know me/I'm a falling star"-will such expected tried-and-true vocal in- likable and as one of country music's provide subliminal cues to assistin fluences as Merle Haggard and George most flexible White Hats-turtleneck whatever social endeavor you're en- Jones. But as a writer, Brooks also calls shirt and all. .4.N. gaged in. on Dan Fogelberg and James Taylor for So dim the track lighting, uncork that more contemporary inspiration. THE GRACES: Perfect View.Char- specialbottle of chardonnay you've It's in the writing that Brooks dis- lotte Caffey (vocals, guitar); Meredith been saving, sidle up to your date on the tances himself from the other George Brooks (vocals, guitar); Gia Ciambotti pillowy sofa, cue up your co of "One" Strait and Randy Travis clones, with a (vocals); other musicians. Lay Down with the remote control, and get ready couple of unexpected and somewhat Your Arms; When the Sun Goes Down; for results. P.P. offbeat tunes balancing the more stan- Perfect View; Fear No Love: Time Warts dard fare. One of these, Everytime That for No One; and five others. A&M SP GARTH BROOKS. Garth Brooks (vo- It Rains, details a vertical tryst with a 5265, © CS 5265, CD 5265 (35 cals); vocal and instrumental accom- waitress in a roadside cafe, and another, min). paniment. Not Counting You; I've Got a Not Counting You, turns the tables on Good Thing Going; If Tomorrow Never the swaggering, love -'em -and -leave -'em Performance: Driving Comes; Everytime That It Rains; Alaba- macho types. Then there's the borrowed Recording: Pretty good ma Clay; and five others. CAPITOL. Cl- Nobody Gets Off inThis Town. a It may be unfair to pick apart a group 90897, © C4-90897, C2-90897 (30 delightful, jazzy tongue-in-cheek ode to and assign overriding credit to one indi- min). Nowhere. U.S.A. ("Nobody gets off in vidual member, but I can't help think- Performance: On his way thistown/Highschoolcolorsare ing that Charlotte Caffey made the Go- Recording: Good brown"),andthe Bastian-Berghoff Go's an honest -to -goodness rock band. song Cowboy Bill, which pays a sweet The resemblance between the Graces, Newcomer Garth Brooks is a twenty- and poignant tribute to a childhood for which Caffey is the principal song- six -year -old Oklahoman whose person- hero. To be sure, Cowboy Bill lacks the writer as well as a guitarist and vocalist, al creed is to "get the flag back out on depth of Guy Clark's Desperados Wait- and the rockingest work of her former the porch and God back to the supper ing for a Train, which plumbs the same band is indeed great. Of course, the oth- table." With that kind of an introduc- waters, but it's a little chancy for a er members of thatinfluentialall - tion, he would appear to be the state- debut that has to fly high and quick. female band were important, too, but of-the-art Okie from Muskogee, one As a vocalist, Brooks, the son of Col- none of their subsequent workhasthe whose taste in music never veers above leen Carroll, who recorded two LP's for same spirit as the best of the Go-Go's. the Mason-Dixon line and whose neck Capitol in the late Fifties, has an easygo- "Perfect View" isn't a Go-Go's rec- is as scarlet as tomatoes in June. That ing, lasso -throwing pace that tends to ord, though. Some of the songs-Lay image fades into the sunset, however, compensate for his lack of a distinctive Down Your Arms, for example-have with one spin of his debut album, pro- style,his big -boy timbre, and Rey- the same drive and punch, but others- ducedby AllenReynolds.Init nolds'sfairly stock arrangements. Tomorrow,foranotherexample- Brooks-who in a crazy mixed meta- Brooks isn't in the same league with aren't even close. The Go-Go's often phor wears a cowboy hat and a turtle- George Strait, and probably never will blunted their insights with goofiness or neck shirt in the cover photo-draws on be, but he comes across as immensely humor, but the Graces have a serious,

STEREO REVIEW DECEMBER 1989 131 STILL ROLLING

Stones CharlieWatts. Bill Wyman. Mick Jagger. Ron Wood, Keith Richards

III: 1989 Rolling Stones media levelthey'vesucceededsplendidly. Sad is the kind of throwaway trifle circus-newalbum,reunion "Steel Wheels" was recorded in a brief that's beyond the capabilities of a lot of tour, fan and press hysteria-is period, the way they used to work in the famous but lesser rock writers), it's clear not by any stretch of the imagi- Sixties, and it does indeed sound like that nothing crucial is being said here, nation one of the more surprising affairs the Rolling Stones in their glory days. A and that is, ultimately, dispiriting. of the decade. We knew that they'd be collection of (mostly) flat-out rockers, As I said, though, nobody today really back, notwithstanding the well -publi- with the guitars cranked up, at the very expects anybody in rock to have any- cized feud between Mick Jagger and leastitputs pathetic Stones -manqué thing crucial to say, so perhaps I'm Keith Richards. Jagger's solo career was acts like Guns n' Roses in some kind of knocking the old reprobates unfairly for going nowhere, which for a guy with his perspective. On the other hand, there's doing what we've always loved them ego was an insufferable situation, and very little subtext here, and anybody for-taking the pop trends of the day besides, it's not every year that aging looking for more than a good, profes- and making them their own. It's not rock stars can take home $65 million sional, at times viscerally exciting 1989 their fault that the prevailing trend right and make the cover of Forbes maga- rock-and-roll album is advised to search now is bread and circuses, and in an era zine. elsewhere. of diminished expectations, a better - What is peculiar about the Stones' sit- By and large, the music in "Steel than -workmanlike albumlike"Steel uation-and by conservative estimate, Wheels" is splendid, reminiscent of but Wheels" is all anybody could ask from their new "Steel Wheels" is the band's in every way richer than the idiom the Rolling Stones. fourth "comeback" album-is that for exploredinRichards's solo album, Still, the idea of an essentially mean- the very first time, the former Mod "TalkIs Cheap." There's the usual ingless Stones album is a little hard for Princes have nothing to prove beyond blues and country, with an interesting an old fan to come to terms with. I sup- the mundane issue of whether they can side trip into Middle Easternisms cour- pose what I'm really saying is that next Still Do It. After all, nobody in his right tesy of the Master Musicians of Joujou- time they come back, it would be nice if mind expects the Stones to come up ka in Continental Drift. The band's they faced a challenge more momentous with a masterpiece along the lines of instrumental interplay remains as tele- than simply impersonating the Greatest "Beggars Banquet" any more, and this pathic as ever (all together now: God Rock -and -Roll Band in the World. year, unlike the good old days of 1978 bless drummer Charlie Watts), and Steve Simels and "Some Girls," there aren't any Chris Kimsey's production has an ap- angry young punks nipping attheir parent immediacy that conceals enor- THE ROLLING STONES: Steel heels and screaming about irrelevancy. mous craft. Wheels. The Rolling Stones (vocals and In fact, with the exception of Sting and a But with the exception of Richards's instrumentals); Chuck Leavall(key- couple of hopelessly idealistic college two big showcase numbers, Slipping boards); other musicians. Sad Sad Sad; kids, you'd be hard pressed these days Away and the amusingly adulterous Mixed Emotions; Terrifying; Hold On to find a soul willing even to suggest Can't Be Seen, the center does not hold. to Your Hat; Hearts for Sale; Blinded by that any pop music might mean any- To put it bluntly, Jagger's lyrics are not Love; Rock and a Hard Place; Can't Be thing important. Well, at least with a terriblyinteresting.Again, thisisn't Seen; Almost Hear You Sigh; Continen- straight face. much of a surprise. The man is obvious- talDrift;Break the Spell; Slipping So all the Stones have to demonstrate ly bored with being a Rolling Stone, and Away.ROLLING STONES/COLUMBIA 0 with their new album is that they can while he's a vastly underrated lyricist OC 45333, ©OCT 45333, © CK 45333 still sound like themselves, and on that who's never less than facile (Sad Sad (53 min).

132 STEREORimEW DEcEmBER1989 HELP US HELP YOU! PARTICIPATE IN THE STEREO REVIEW BUYER POLL

Stereo Review wants to know more about our read- Fill in the type of equipment, manufacturer, ers. How much equipment you buy (and how model number, and price you paid. Include all the often), how much you spend on it, what sort of equipment you bought this month. Then print your product features you like. That will help us create a name and address and drop it in the mail (we pay better, more informative magazine, specially geared the postage). It's that simple! to your tastes and preferences. To gather this important information, we've created the Stereo Review Buyer Poll. And we need * ** your help to make it work. Service If you've bought any equipment FreeInformation nun'be"n"at 364 * * th;rveTuror041:VangreTSICI.1=the2:231 3,7,3 within the past 30 days. we'd like you to teralureo 2,738.1,:, 2.4 '57 Get tree 52 19268 card th g: 49 ,o participate (see instructions below). We'll 14°2 Ir.; 1692119;1923192241923512119221581%160 al 118117919290 2 ; Ii!,35 16146 117 35; ; ; 192 161319124 150151152153154155156157 746149 use the information you give us to keep 17086 1'709170 17191'44145146 147 68 69 10 77 72 73 17064 1702 143 , 3635e 102 103 104 106138139140 141142 6799 100101 BUYER POLL manufacturers up to date on the buying 97 98 Q4135136137 30131 132 133 REVIEW octal* 1291 STEREO 2 Whichtyper414eq.P", 1-16,60 611. v,e0 habits of stereo enthusiasts-the most purchased any auch0 30 daYs Car numberand make, the mode1 days. have you VCR. etc ). the knowledgeable group of audio buyers in the tome past 30 7 hanks;od CD ptayer. stereo V°70 (speaker,. car PRICE pA1D country. And in the long run, that will mean ow 01 the tYPe past 30 0,0 deworaccepurchased In Ole 3.Into 8Pacebelmv.tor each dem better service for you. the pnce paid

subsCI1PW Wel our regutar once S1.7.99) HOW TO PARTICIPATE save 50st ott yew sot:acts:Aron REVIEW tou'il NO me (Full to S EREO loc SE, 99 and InChcatet.:1.you' 0 liketo subscroe STEREO REVIEW You can participate in the Stereo Review 12 ,ssues of Pmase send me

Buyer Poll by sending in the Reader Service CLEARLY PLEASE PRINT

Card appearing next to this page. We've pro- _ _- NAME_ span vided space for you to list any equipment STA purchased in the past 30 days. Any kind of ADI)PESS--C17 NfrY audio/video equipment qualifies. 37, 7967 TOP.r:16601.4 For example: LOOK FOR THE BUYER POLL Home Audio Components EVERY MONTH Amplifier Receiver/Tuner Speakers Turntable The Stereo Review Buyer Poll will appear in every Cassette Deck Equalizer issue-just check the Table of Contents for that CD player month's location. You can participate in any month in which you purchased audio/video equipment. Portable Stereo Of course, even if you don't join our Poll, you can Portable Cassette Player still send in the Reader Service card to get informa- Portable CD Player tion about products advertised in that month's issue. Headphones We hope you'll participate regularly in the Stereo Review Buyer Poll. Your answers are impor- Car Stereo tant to us-and you'll find the resulting benefits Tuner Cassette Deck important to you. Speakers Thanks for helping us out! Home Video VCR Camcorder Videodisc Player Stereo TV Stereo Review focused intensity that isn't undercut by You Can Do About It; Satisfied;; Ange- azine "Best New Male Artist" reader the catchiness of the music. In these lia; Heart on the Line; Too Late to Say polls. Now, his second offering, "Re- songs, even the hooks have hooks. The Goodbye;and fiveothers. EMI E I - peat Offender," proves that his success three -vocalist approach lends itself to 90380, E4-90380, E2-90380 (46 was well earned. As with his debut, "Re- some involved harmonies and rounds, min). peat Offender" is chock full of potential although only two songs toss the lead - hit singles, all enormously hook -laden vocal chores back and forth among all Performance:Powerhouse and laced with emotional urgency in three members of the trio. Altogether, a Recording:Very good melody, lyrics, and delivery. Although fresh, energetic debut. R.G. Richard Marx was born to rock. His nothing here is quite as seductive as first album, "Richard Marx" in 1987, Don't Mean Nothing,his powerhouse RICHARD MARX: Repeat Offender. sold more than two million copies and single from 1987, Marx grabs hold with Richard Marx (vocals); vocal and in- earned him a Grammy nomination and the first cut,Nothin' You Can Do About strumentalaccompaniment.Nothin' the top spot in a number of music-mag- It, and never lets go. As both co -producer (with David Cole) and co -creator of all the material, Marx shows that his instincts arc usually right on the money. Aside from occasional forays into overproduction, especially inChildren of the Night,a salute to a program for teen runaways. Marx has developed just the right intensity of dramaticperformance,underscoring his stark and edgy brand of guitar -driven rock-and-roll with rollicking, good- time blues(Real World)and soulful, caring ballads(Right Here Waiting).Al- though his songs are more musically dynamic than rich with lyrical content, he is careful to distance himself from excessive braggadocio and to present himself as both the vulnerable romantic (Heart on the Line, If You Don't Want My Love)and the frustrated Angry Young Man(Satisfied),all attractive themes in the land of eternal adoles- cence. Marx is not nearly so lushly romantic as George Michael, but asIf You Don't 14'ant My Loveamply demonstrates, he has studiedMichael's performances and compositions for rhythmic twists and turns, for the harnessing of high energy, and for the proper attitudes of teen -idol anguish. All in all, he makes them work very well indeed. .4.N. JAMES McMURTRY: Too Long in the Wasteland.James McMurtry (vocals, guitar); vocal and instrumental accompaniment.Painting by Numbers; Terry; Shining Eves; Outskirts; Song.lbr a Deck Hand's Daughter; I'm Not from Here;and five others. COLUMBIA FC 45229, © FCT 45229, (D) CK 45229 (44 Jensen blasts. min). Performance:Strong The sound of a Jensen® car stereo doesn't merely blow your socks off. It's powerful Recording:Clean sound. Intense. And after it has stripped the tread from your tires and ripped your doors off their hinges, it still has the power to send you through the roof. Imagine LouReedsinging Woody Guthrie songs with John Mellencamp's JXL-693 6"x9" TRIAXIAL° LOUDSPEAKERS 175 watts peak/85 watts continuous band. That's what James McMurtry power Polycarbonate dynamic cone tweeters. Long throw woofers. CD capability. sounds like in "Too Long in the Waste- Made in the U.S.A. SJS-9000 RECEIVER 60 watts of power. Instaloc' tuning. land." The comparison may be a bit too 24 presets. Dolby!'" CD ready. Pull-out anti -theft chassis. Write for a free brochure. tidy, but at leastit will indicate how strong an impression McMurtry makes. First, the songs. McMurtry is a popu- JENSEN® list, which is to say he writes about ordinary people in anonymous small towns. The most thrilling sound on wheels. He tells of simmering frustration, re- COMPACT MSC pressed dreams, and heedless escape. 01.4 c 1989 International Jensen Inc 4136 N. United Parkway McMurtry's people don't have to cope 410 Schiller Park, IL 60176. Dept. 11 with the large political and ecological problems that faced Woody Guthrie's folks, which makes their despair all the

134 STEREORyvI EN' DECEMBER1989 Canoufind the audiophile loudspeakers in this room? This elegant interior contains true audiophile loud-assembly that makes them the easiest to install and speakers in not so plain sight. They're the Custom Seriescustom paint or cover. from KEF, the world's most respected speaker engineers. Whether you're an architect, interior designer or any- To help you find them, consider the following: the one interested in room design and sound quality, find the Custom Series begins with a two-way system, the KEF Custom Series. CR200F, whose careful design mates perfectly with the You'll find them in the upper left hand corner, on the wall's surface for the smoothest frequency response and wall directly above the standing clarinet. And also by the most unobtrusive appearance. writing to KEF Electronics The kicker is the optional addition of the world's of America for the name of first in -wall subwoofer, the CR250E This matching bass your nearest KEF Custom driver and crossover system fits into a standard wall, but dealer. its bass response extends down to 321-1z. The elegance of the KEF Custom Series includes its The Speaker Engineers. ingenious industrial design, a unique two -stage KEF Electronic, et America. Inc 14120-K Sullyf mid Circle, Chanully. VA 22021 CIRCLE NO. 69 ON READER SERVICE CARD more profound. A drifter in I'm Not BILLY HILI, from Here observes that his home town "looked like so many towns I might've been through/On my way to somewhere else." It didn't take a dust bowl, or cap- italistic union -breakers, to dull the spirit of McMurtry's people-just small- town life, harsh and infertile. Now, the singing. McMurtry doesn't have a nice voice. His singing is plain and unadorned because that's all he can do. Whenever he reaches for a high note, he sounds strained. This is all to the good, because in its straightforward- ness, his voice communicates sincerity. It also allows you to concentrate on his words-metaphors of barrenness like "a ghost of a moon in the afternoon" and details like the kind of car a status - Dennis Robbins, Martin Parker, John Scott Sherrill, Reno Kling, Bob DiPiero conscious, Jesus -loving sister drives: an Oldsmobile. jUST when you'd about given up know from their hit -making history ex- Finally, the band. It sounds like Mel- on Nashville for lack of wit, stim- actly what themes, rhythms, and melo- lencamp's for a good reason: Mellen - ulus, and deep-dish funk, along dies people like. The album's first track, camp produced the album, using mem- comesBillyHilltosetyou Too Much Month at the End of the bers of his own band. The restrained straight with "I Am Just a Rebel" Money, is a classic wage-earner's la- arrangements don't waste a note, and on Reprise. ment, and Robbins serves it up as pure they don't distract from the writing. Who exactly is Billy Hill? Well, the redneck mayhem driven by a rockabilly The sound of the album is almost iden- official bio says he was born on a moun- beat. Other tunes have a slightly more tical to that of "Big Daddy," the Mel - taintop in Tennessee, where his father familiar ring. Rollin' Dice, a full -tilt, !encamp album that came out earlier was killed in a bar when he was only slide -guitar rocker, is more than just this year, but the clarity and purposive- three. Any illusions that Hill might be thematically akin to the Rolling Stones' ness of McMurtry's recording is so viv- another Davy Crockett, however, were Tumblin' Dice, Just in Case You Want id thatIcan't help wondering who dispelled in 1964, when he was expelled to Know comes close to the George influenced whom. from elementary school for stealing a Jones of The Window Up Above, and In fact, "Too Long in the Wasteland" school bus, a tuba, and three boxes of the title track, I Am Just a Rebel, is is such a strong, coherent piece of work Necco wafers. Lynyrd Skynyrd with a sense of hu- that once you hear it you won't need "We knew it was him," the school mor-innovation as creative copying. comparisons. These are McMurtry's principal commented at the time. "He But there are other, more haunting- songs, sung by him, with a band that he was the only kid in the first grade whose and more original-offerings here too, owned, at least for this album. You feet could reach the pedals." such as the backwater, big -moon sound should hear it. R.G. But then, of course, none of that is of What's a Boy to Do and the restless true, because there is no Billy Hill-just ballad These Lonely Blues. YOUSSOU N'DOUR:The Lion.Yous- a "hill -billy" band (get it?) that reveres What is more impressive than the sou N'Dour (vocals); vocal and instru- him as its fictional inspiration. individual tunes, though, is the well- mental accompaniment.The Lion/ If Billy were real, though, he'd proba- oiled machinery of the band, the prod- Gaiende; Shakin' the Tree; Kocc Barma; bly sport a ducktail, tote his cigarettes in uct of a decade or more of informal Bamako; The Truth; and four others. the turned -up sleeve of his white T- jamming and just plain good chemistry. VIRGIN 91253-1, 91253-4, 0 91253-2 shirt, and tool around town in a rusted When Robbins lets out a scintillating (49 min). hulk of a '68 Chevy truck, rolling the moan on his slide guitar, Kling's facile radio dial from country to rock and bass throbs with shuddering after-effect. Performance: Exhilarating back again. Funkier than Southern Pa- In the end, then, "I Am Just a Rebel" Recording: Crisp cific, and far more authentic than Shen- is that odd item in the country record More Americans know of Youssou andoah or Sawyer Brown, Billy Hill bins-a disc for both trailer -park Amer- N'Dour than any other world -beat mu- makes the kind of music Levon Helm, ica and Ralph Lauren urban cowpokes. sician. Because he toured with the likes John Anderson, and J.J. Cale would But isitreally, as the promotional of Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Peter Ga- make if they got drunk together on material boasts, "the cutting edge of briel, and Tracy Chapman, he was, nat- moonshine:It'shillbilly angst on a Nashvillemusic,"athreattothe urally, heard by millions. He has since cornlikker high. puffed-up pabulum that still passes for worked again with Peter Gabriel on the Formed originally as a knock -around most of commercial country music? Ah, music for the movie The Last Tempta- band called the Wolves in Cheap Cloth- say that it's so, Billy, say that it's so. tion of Christ. "The Lion," N'Dour's ing (listen for the wolf call at the end of Alanna Nash firstsolo album sincethe Human the record), Billy Hill is made up of Rights Now! tour, furthers his accultur- songwriters John Scott Sherrill, Dennis BILLY HILL:I Am Just a Rebel.Billy ation with a more professional record- Robbins, and Bob DiPiero (responsible Hill (vocals and instrumentals); instru- ing job and a more sophisticated blend- for such hits as American Made, Wild mentalaccompaniment.Too Much ing with Western pop stylings.For A. and Blue, and Church on Cumberland Month at the End of the Money; Nickel some, his music may have lost some-

re Road) as well as bassist Reno Kling, an to My Name; I Can't Help Myself (Sug- thing in the translation. But "The Lion" alumnus of Steve Earle's band, and ar Pie Honey Bunch); These Lonely is still powerful and true to his roots Martin Parker, former drummer for Blues; Rollin' Dice; What's a Boy to Do; while offering music that will be palat- Ricky Skaggs. Just in Case You Want to Know; I Am able to American tastes. Sherrill and Robbins, who alternate Just a Rebel; Drive On By; Gettin' On A few cosmetic changes have been the album's lead vocals in a relaxed if Down the Road. REPRISE 25915-1, made to improve the sound quality. almostself-consciouslycraggystyle, 25915-4, © 25915-2 (33 min). N'Dour's previous recordings had a tendency toward brightness that made 136 STEREO REVIEW DECEMBER 1989 Two noted audio criticsree about thenew PS3 Speakerstem: Howard Blumenthal Rich Warren New York Times Chicago Tribune "The speakers that have caught my ear in the past few '...the PS3 satellites sound smooth months have been small and remarkably compact. and natural. They do their job with ..you can hear the bass evenly thrcughout clarity..:' the room regardless of where ycu "The woofer continues the put the woofer. smooth work..7 "The sound was lively, "..impressive imaging. All the full of punch and instruments and voices seem power, and extremely to be in just the right place. true on the nuances..:" "If the PS3 speaker were sold like magic elixers, I would have bought a case!" Don't choose any speaker system without first hearing and seeing the new PS -3. Visit a Design Acoustics dealer near you. Write today for dealer list, full reviews, and color brochure.

DESIGN ACOUSTICS An ALOlo Techn,co Company 1225 Commerce Drive, Stow, OH 44224 (216) 686-2600

CIRCLE NO. 32 ON READER SERVICE CARD

the

s000do beavetiycomicgt3131eeve roost beaciPbooes arten ovevated?'.c,, ucnVec,a0tee6cPecnrecTIAtI9rt SCti°41cagao\IrrVeriotMasIce \Natter\ Exterded ctWici6cti WOO audio nearby Steveopbooes Stereophonesyout today Siglet wh`hotedt.?"700 at iist oesficornioctdeaie Osinaslicoryoorsei and Sisnet ook abootsou.-id and soeniNlosiasticincsedibieiorcataiog .VJi e ien er 5*igentet dea\ A.V.24 *01-1 e Dov' 1-Wason 47(51t4

CIRCLE NO 105 ON READER SERVICE CARD them sound brittle. "The Lion," how- There are, of course, moments. Brian ever, has genuinely low lows, and this Wilson'sEightiessurfinstrumental aural bottom helps to temper the natu- Metal Beach is loopy fun, and Allen ral highs of his voice. Since N'Dour's Toussaint's New Orleans arrangement native tongue is Wolof, there's a steep of One Cup of Coffee is atmospheric language barrier for most U.S. listeners, enough that you can almost overlook but one song has English lyrics-Shak- Shaffer's anemic lead vocal. But the rest in' the Tree, a duet with Peter Ga- of "Coast to Coast" is so overproduced briel-and N'Dour slips into English and unfocused that the mind wanders for parts of a few others. Providing a lit- throughout. Adding insult to injury, tle more instrumental focus is David Shaffer actually renders what may be Sancious, a former member of the E history's first boring recorded version Street Band who solos on guitar, key- of the heretofore indestructible Louie boards, and alto saxophone, relieving Louie. the music of some of its essential repet- Postpunk theoreticians will doubtless itiveness. find the whole thing unforgivably de- This sweetening does notdetract cadent (I'm disposed to give the guy from the basic sound of N'Dour's mu- credit for trying), but one thing is cer- sic, which remains a delicious poly - tain: "Coast to Coast" will be in the bar- rhythmic stew. Drums, bass, guitars, gain bins long before the next Late keyboards-all offer fixed patterns as Night anniversary special-whichis well as tiny filigrees off the beat. Over probably where it belongs. S.S. this, N'Dour presents sweet cascading melodies. His near -countertenor deftly STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN AND leaps and prances around the melody, Don Michael Sampson: balancing act DOUBLE TROUBLE:In Step(see reminiscent at times,inits piercing Best of the Month, page 124) attack and well-rounded follow- his songs is a palpable exploration of the through, of the trumpet playing of Louis power, redemption, and freedom of the KEITH WHITLEY:I Wonder Do You Armstrong. The combination of soul and a passionate quest for the Think of Me.Keith Whitley (vocals); rhythms,counterrhythms,melodies, meaning of birth and death. vocaland instrumentalaccompani- countermelodies, and N'Dour's voice is More oftenthannot,"Crimson ment. Talk to Me Texas; Between an exhilarating, even overpowering.R.G. Winds" seems poised to make a trans- Old Memory and Me; It Ain't Nothin cendent breakthrough to a place where, I'm Over You; Turn This Thing Around; LINDA RONSTADT:Cry Like a for Sampson at least, the smallest sign and five others. RCA 9809 -I -R, (>9809- Rainstorm, Hot,Like the Rind(see will be as eloquent and buoyant as a pri- 4-R, 9809-2-R (33 min). Best of the Month, page 123) mal shout of joy. In its entirety, it is also an enriching chronicle of an artist still Performance: Masterly Recording: Very good DON MICHAEL SAMPSON:Crim- struggling to find his way. A.N. son Winds.Don Michael Sampson (vo- Keith Whitley was one of Nashville's cals,guitars,keyboards, percussion); PAUL SHAFFER:Coast to Coast. Paul most visible recovering alcoholics when instrumentalaccompaniment.Heart Shaffer (vocals, keyboards); other musi- he went on a fatal bender last May, Pumping Like Thunder; Lone Wolf' cians. When the Radio Is On; One Cup shortly before the completion of this Cherokee River; Love by Spring; Long of Coffee; What Is Soul; Coast to Coast; album. Whitley, who had spent his BlackTrain; and fiveothers. RED Metal Beach; and six others. CAPITOL. entire life in hard -country and bluegrass HORSE 0 R-103, R-103CD (52 min); C1-48288, ©C4-48288, ©C2-48288 (42 music, was one of those tortured souls from Red Horse Productions, P.O. Box min). who can't stand failure or success, and 158304, Nashville, TN 37215. Performance: Disappointing itis the final irony that this album, Performance: Finding his way Recording: Excellent fraught with spectacular material and Recording: Very good first-rate performances, would have cat- Paul Shaffer is an amusing fellow, and apulted him from impressive newcomer Don Michael Sampson (who's taken to for all the post -Las Vegas irony he dis- to real contender-a true vocal compet- using his middle name since "Coyote," plays on Late Night with David Letter- itor with George Jones, Vern Gosdin, his impressive 1983 album) is managing man, he's a considerable musician. But and Merle Haggard. As the co -producer a difficult balancing act these days. this first solo outing by the best-known (with Garth Fundis, of Don Williams Since his move from Californiato Canadian rocker (?) since Neil Young is fame), Whitley had ferreted out the Nashville several years ago, Sampson pretty much what you'd expect from a kind of songs (four about whiskey and has attempted to write commercial hit bandleaderwith a lotof famous drinking) that allowed him to deliver records for other artists and still pro- friends-a chaotic, though vaguely lika- intense, dramatic readings and to show- duce his own albums of songs that testi- ble, mess. case his fully matured vocal stylings, fy to the strength and spiritual persever- The basic concept is promising-dif- never better than in Tennessee Courage, ence of the heart. As far as his solo LP's ferent cuts reflecting the musical styles Gosdin's song about finding bravery at go, there are definitely pluses and mi- of different cities-and Lord knows the the bottom of a bottle. There are no nuses. talentlineupisimpressive; Wilson wasted shots here, and nothing is over- On the minus side, Sampson, who's Pickett, Dion, Prince's David Z., Joe played. greatly influenced by two oddly similar Satriani, the list goes on for weeks. But Uncharacteristically, Nashville took yet opposing cultures-those of the given Shaffer's (to be charitable) defi- Whitley's death hard-harder than any American Indian and the roots -rock ciencies as a singer and the Masterpiece celebrity demise since that of Hank Wil- musicians of early Sun Records-has a by Committee approach necessitated by liams-not only because of Whitley's tendency to work two or three chords to the number of strong musical personali- extraordinary talent and gentle nature death and to let his songs drag on to ties on board, it's surprising the album but because of his seeming triumph infinity, smothering the poetry of his is as mildly entertaining as it is. Basical- over addiction. "I Wonder Do You lyrics by a closed -mouthed vocal de- ly,it's a collection of cameo appear- Think of Me" is a splendid compilation livery and a heavy rhythmic beat. On ances-only the blues musicians, Koko of sinewy, hard -style country. But it is the plus side, however, he has a wonder- Taylor and the still irrepressible Eric also one of the saddest albums in the fully open and giving essence. Each of Burdon, get much solo time. history of the genre. A.N.

138 STEREO REVIEW DECEMBER 1989 The future of automotive audio is here today, with the Delco/Bose Gold Series music system.

Developed exclusively for Corvette, the Gold Series passengers with an unparalleled sensory experience music system is designed to match the unique -filled with full, rich bass and wide dynamic range. acoustic environment of the car itself. Using a The new Delco/Bose Gold Series music system also "systems approach". it is engineered as an active features Delco Electronics' Advanced Electronically and integral part of the vehicle. Tuned Radio to offer the best of both music worlds- compact disc player and cassette tape deck-a The Delco/Bose Gold Series music system incorpo- combination we believe provides an experience that rates state-of-the-art acoustic technology with great approaches the realism of a live musical performance. ease of use. A powerful digital switching amplifier in each enclosure lets you play at full volume with no dis- Experience the new Delco/Bose Gold Series music tortion. Active equalization networks, tuned enclosures system at your nearest Chevrolet dealer. Ask for it. And and new speakers work in harmony to totally surround you'll be a part of tomorrow, today.

Delco_E117_S-E- GOLD SERIES

1989 Bose Corporation. Corvette is a trademark of General Motors Corporation A new Delco Bose Gold Series music system is now also designed exclusively for the Chevrolet Camaro.- Askyour dealer for a demonstration JAZZ

JIM HALL: All Across the City. Jim givesthis albumits chameleon -like in 1988, when he was seventeen. The Hall (guitar); Gil Goldstein (piano); quality, and they're backed by bassist fact that Keezer grew up in Eau Claire, Steve La Spina (bass); Terry Clarke Steve La Spina and drummer Terry Wisconsin, which is certainly off the (drums).Belia-Floc, Beinsha Swing; Clark. The common denominators of beaten jazz path, rather than, say, New Prelude to a Kiss;Young One (for this extraordinarily cohesive quartet are Orleans, Chicago, or New York, where Debra); R.E.M. State; Jane; and five exquisite taste and musicianship.C.A. jazz thrives, is perhaps an indication of others. CONCORD CJ -384, C)CJ-384-C, the new jazz trend's penetration. © CCD-4384 (58 min). GEOFF KEEZER:'Visitinginthe With its deserved focus on the lead - Wings. Geoff Keezer (piano); Bill Mob- er's agile, surprisingly mature piano, Performance: Excellent ley (trumpet); Billy Pierce (soprano and this is a superb recording-and gener- Recording: Very good tenor saxophones); Steve Nelson (vibra- ously filled.It contains excellent per - I'd be hard put to place the music of gui- phone); Rufus Reid (bass); other musi- formances by trumpeter Bill Mobley tarist Jim Hall in a specific jazz catego- cians. The Drawing Board;Accra; and saxophonist Billy Pierce, who have ry. His experience runs the gamut of Pierce on Earth; Who Cares?; Waiting been around a few days longer than modern jazz, and he has been asso- in the Wings; Personal Space; and five Keezer, and a rhythm section that reaps ciated with some of its finest musicians. others. SUNNYSIDE © SSC-1035D (70 huge profit from the presence of Rufus His new Concord album, "All Across min). Reid, one of the finest bassists around. Seven of the eleven tunes were written the City," gives him a chance to show Performance: Potent debut off some of the many facets of his talent, by Keezer, who is at least as interesting ranging from a bit of free -form jazz RecordingVery goodg a composer as he is a pianist, so don't reflecting his work with Ornette Cole- Acoustic jazzisenjoying a healthy expect this remarkable young man to be man to hauntingly beautiful ballad in- resurgence these days, and the remark- waiting in the wings for long. C.A. terpretations and a rather contempo- able thing is that much of the impetus rary near -fusion sound. The last gets its comes from very young musicians who RAMSEY LEWIS: Urban Renewal. color from pianist Gil Goldstein, an could easily take their careers along Ramsey Lewis (piano); Kevyn Lewis alumnus of the Gil Evans big band more lucrative pop paths. One of the (keyboards); vocal and instrumental ac - whose past associates also include gui- most recent arrivals on the serious jazz companiment. Jagged Edge: Eye on tarists Pat Martino and Pat Metheny. scene is Geoff Keezer. "Waiting in the You; Dr. Ramsey; 2 -Slam; Livin' Large; Goldstein is as versatile as Hall, which Wings," his debut album, was recorded Berniece; and three others. COLUMBIA

Based on Hafler's philosophy of utilizing superior components and carefully researched designs, we are proud to announce the introduction of the SE Series. Hafler SE The SE line includes a J-FET preamplifier utilizing the circuitry based upon the critically acclaimed Hafler 0 0 0 DH 110, a reliable AM/FM digital tuner with superior MeIaiDICI1110111B interference immunity, a premium quality remote CD player which sets superlative standards of sonic purity, and a 60 watts per channel MOSFET IMIDODIIIZZIZIZ107- amplifier heralded as having an "...excellent and straightforward design!' To experience this breakthrough in affordable audio separates, call .M.111.EIMINIgtilmogamm.mmi 1-800-366-1619 for your nearest Hafler dealer.

Wale, HaflerThe Affordable High -end

CIRCLE NO 114 ON READER SERVICE CARD

140 SEEM)REVIEWDECEMBER1989 -Leonard Feather, Celebrated Jazz Critic fcr the L A Times, Washington Post News Service End Author of many books including "The Jar_ Years- Earwitness to an Era"

"BBE mademy audio system sound better than Ieverdreamed possible!"

"Listening to music has been my music sound the way that I knew it should. vocation and avocation for a lifetime. I've spent The effect is shattering!" countless hours sitting in front of bandstands DBE -Music Technology while some of the world's greatest musicians Sound Inc. mesmerized me with their artistry. BBE Really Fits In 5500 f3olsa Ave Suite 245. Huntington Beach, CA 92649. (7141897-6766 (8001233-8346 In California, "Listening to recorded music, of course, Measuring 161/2" x 9" x 13/4", BBE fits (8001558.3963 In Canada. contact Daymen Audio. 3241 falls short of the delights of listening to a live perfectly into your audio rack. Then just plug Kennedy Road. #22. Scarborough. Ontario M1V2J9 or call 14161298-9644 BBE is a trademark of BBE Sound, Inc performance. I was therefore skeptical when told it into your wall socket and standard tape loop. that BBE could make a dramatic improvement to Full Money -Back Guarantee virtually all audio systems and I had to hear it Send me BBE 1002 unitls) at $189 each. for myself. If you're not completely satisfied IU S currency only California residents add applicable tax Price incluaes UPS ground shipping charges. For UPS over- "I was amazed at how much better the with the BBE 1002, return it within 30 night shipping, add S18 For UPS 2nd day shipping, add $8.50. days. We'll refund your money. No Canadian rrsidents please write or call for additional BBE 1002 made my music system sound! There informatior I was a presence, a being there sense of excite- questions asked. ment. The rich textures of the instrumental Enclosed is a check for $ Full Warranty Or please charge to my: sounds, the subtle nuances and details in the 0 VisaU MasterCard All BBE products are backed by music come through with clarity and authenticity. LI American Express "BBE is clearly one of the most a full year's warranty on all parts and labor-and by our reputation for Card # important advances in the electronic innovation and leadership in the audio reproduction of music to come along in my Exp. Date lifetime. Bravo, BBE! Encore!" and electronics industries. The Great Professional Easy to Order Signature Music Magazines Love BBE It's as easy as one, two, or three. 1.Call us. Toll free. 1-800-233-8346. "The difference in processed audio Name 'print) In California, 1-800-558-3963. and non -processed audio is like the 2. Or, complete and send us the coupon difference between high-fidelity speakers with Vldress at right. and without pillows placed in front of them." 3.Or, if you're in New York, New Jersey, -Radio World City/State, 7,p Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware, "There was no doubt the BBE Maryland, District of Columbia, Atlanta, processor added more spatial quality, more Houston, New Orleans, Birmingham, Area CodePhone No Ito facilitate shipping) transients and more clean highs. This is the Miami or Dallas, pick up your BBE 1002 in 5500 Bolsa Ave ,Suite 245, Huntington Beach, CA first black box that actually helped make my any MACY's audio department. 92649. (7141 897-6766. (8001233-8346. In California, 18001558-3963 S R -1 2

CIRCLE NO. 62 ON READER SERVICE CARD FC 44 I 90, © FCT 44190, CK 44190 has greater jazz value than most music (49 min). that goes under that label these days. The album relies heavily on percussion Performance: Popping along nicely (CHAS Recording: Very good back-up to cushion the leader's keyboard (often a real, honest -to -goodness Pianist Ramsey Lewis'sinfectiously grand piano) and Danny Wilensky's REDUCTION rhythmic style has always managed to sometimes grating saxophone, but Mof- Software to tame stir the jazz fan even when his perform- fitt's compositions and arrangements ance bordered on pop. Hits like Hang make "Riverdance" totally appealing. your musical beast! On Sloopy and The "In" Crowd relied He writes catchy phrases and milks heavily on rhythmic patterns for their them to the utmost through interesting widespread appeal, and today, more arrangements that blend contemporary than two decades later (has itreally sounds with a joyful spirit lovingly bor- MusicArts and been that long since we snapped our fin- rowed from Rio or old New Orleans. gers to those tunes?), Lewis is still using There is a certain amount of program- MusicData Database that successful formula. The beatis ming involved, but I have heard Moffitt Programs for Custom somewhat different now, and so is the bring the same feeling to performances overall sound, but that is largely thanks ina small Greenwich Village club. Music Library Cataloging to the input from a new generation of Clearly, he's a musician who loves jazz Lewises, particularly the pianist's son, but is not tied to it. Stop scrambling to find specific Kevyn,whose keyboardsdominate I would like to hear Moffitt's group selections within your music "Urban Renewal." Much of the album with a less mannered saxophonist. Wil- library. MusicArts and MusicData is decidedly pop, with sound effects, ensky has a tendency to stomp clichés creates a Custom Catalog of your programmed drums, and back-up vo- into the ground, especially in live per- music collection. cals. It's only in the second half of the formance. Here he is more controlled, Easy to use and completely Menu program that jazz enters the picture, in as in his featured number, the Percy Driven. Berniece and There's No Easy Way, Sledge hit When a Man Loves a Wom- where the familiar gospel -tinged Ram- an. Generally speaking, this type of sey Lewis piano comes to the fore. Put it music rarely moves me, except towards FEATURING: all together, and you have an album the nearest door, but I do look forward Title, Artist, Album, Media and that appeals strongly to toe tappers and to Moffitt's next release. C.A. Category Reports. finger poppers but also serves up a bit of slightly adulterated jazz. I don't take it YELLOWJACKETS:The Spin.Yel- Immediate access to any data record. seriously, but I rather like it. C.A. lowjackets (instrumentals). Geraldine; The Spin; Storytellers; Prayer for El Sal- On -screen queries for Artist, Album, PAT METHENY:Letter from Home. vador; Whistle While You Walk; and Catalog Number, Category, Media and PatMetheny (guitars,synthesizers); three others (four others on cD). MCA Time. Have You Heard; MCA -6304, © MCAC-6304, Custom labels and print program Every Summer Night;Better Days 6304 (53 min). provided for labeling your CDs, albums Ahead; Spring Ain't Here; 45/8; 5-5-7; Dream of the Return; and five others. Performance: Substantive and tapes. Recording: Excellent GEFFEN GHS-24245, M5G-24245, Time query for composing specific 24245-2 (62 min). As I hear it, Yellowjackets is one of the length record or play schedules. Performance: Lost few current fusion groups that has any- Recording: Cavernous thing of substance to say to the jazz lis- MUSICARTS' SUPERIOR tener, and the statements made by this ENHANCEMENTS PROVIDE: While I can admire guitarist Pat Methe- quartet in "The Spin" are its most rele- ny's musicianship, itis often difficult vant so far-relevant to jazz, that is. Menu colors and three internal screen for me to admire his albums. This new The album forms a perfect bridge for sets selectable from the main menu. Geffen release plods along listlessly and anyone wanting to cross the river of becomes interesting only on those rare blandness that separates serious jazz Enhanced Reports and Printing Options. occasions when Metheny takes charge, from the trite pop fare that all too often but even thentheproceedings are passes for jazz. There is nothing bland All maintenance and utilities run from marred by excessive echo. This is true about this album, but the music does main menu. elevator music, butitdoes contain travel from a readily accessible fusion Provisions for notes, stored in related meaningful work by Metheny. Why he style to sounds that ought to satisfy the database. allows his guitar to be drowned in a serious jazz fan. Saxophonist Marc Rus- Many features not mentioned. morass of trite background vocals and so modulates from a careful Jan Gar- programmed synthesizersisbeyond barek mode into hard -driving bop with me. As it is, "Letter from Home" bor- remarkable ease, and pianist Russell MUSICARTS -$129" ders on being junk mail. C.A. Ferrante has never demonstrated his talent more effectively. Bassist Jimmy MUSICDATA-$69" PETER MOFFITT:Riverdance.Peter Haslip and drummer William Kennedy Add $5.00 Shipping & Handling Moffitt (keyboards, flute, cello, percus- are also in top form here, making this a System Requirements - IBM PC/MSDOS 2.0. sion); Danny Wilensky (saxophones); most delightful album from beginning 400k memory, floppy and hard disk other musicians. Candle Power; Talk to end. A highlight of the recording is Talk Talk Talk; Birds; Al Dente; When the title tune, in which Russo soars, but To order MusicAds or MusicData using a Man Loves a Woman; and five others. my absolute favorite is a medley that MasterCard or Visa call: Novus 3059-1-N, © 3059-4-N, 3059- combines Billy Strayhorn's A Flower Is 1-800-365-0148 2-N (51 min). a Lovesorne Thing with Bud Powell's Hallucinations. Unfortunately, the For additional Information: Performance: Very good Recording: Excellent medley-which runs eight minutes and . CHOO CHOO SOFTWARE exemplifies the high caliber of Yellow - I suppose you'd have to describe pianist jackets' musicianship-appears only on P.O. Box 4517 Peter Moffitt's music as fusion, but it the CD. C.A. Chattanooga, TN 37405 142 STEREO REVIEW DECEMBER 1989 CIRCLE NO. 17 ON READER SERVICE CARD Strap yourself in. And feel your adreflaline race. Eclipse. Truly exhilarating mcibLe

audio systems that reproduce musicS.3 pure nothing separates the sound fron its scurce. Case in point: Eclipse EQZ-200 AM/FM cassette tuner. Your experience begins with our pressure-sensitie

1 I I-1

1 _I _I

control screen, allowing you to switch from cassette to graphic equalizer tc spectrum analyzer to clock with a toucl of your finger. Then experience START"Tuner. an Eclipse exclusive with unique triple PLL circuitry. Superior 11.2dBf usable sens tivity effectively doubles FM rece ving distance. And to complete our drive for pure perfection, EQZ-200's cassette section offers an uncompromising 20-22,000 Hz ± 3dB frequency respmse. EQZ-200. Pure experience. Eclipse. 19600 S. Vermont, Torrance, CA 90502. (213) 532-3062.

MOBILEECLIPSE ELECTRON CS

CIRCLE NO 159 ON RE ADLR SERVICE CARD R O R D M A K

its new home on the by Christie Barter Place de la Bastille. & Ron Givens Kyung-Wha's next release as a soloist will be with Klaus TennstedtandtheRoyal THE Korean violinist Concertgebouw Orchestra in Kyung-WhaChung is the Beethoven concerto, making her EMI/Angel debut which she also recorded some thisfallassoloistinthe ten years ago for London/ Dvofik concertoandthe Decca. The new EMI record- same composer's Romance in ing was made in Amsterdam

F Minor, with the Philadel- last month. phia Orchestra under Riccar- do Muti. She is also joined by SURE,David Byrne has brought us a lot of music. Ten albums with Talking Heads. An album -long col- laboration with Brian Eno. Albums of musical scores for movies (The Last Emperor, True Stories, Married to the Mob,andSomething Wild), theater(The Knee Plays),and dance (Twyla Tharp'sThe Catherine Wheel).But he has never, until now, recorded a soloalbum. "Rei Momo,"Byrne's latest release, is his homage to Lat- in music, from Mexican salsa and Caribbean merengue to LL Brazilian samba. It follows a zz period in which Byrne im- 0 mersed himself in the music z and culture of Brazil. He has also compiled two albums of music by Brazilians,"Beleza Minnelli: rock reorientation Tropical"(released in Octo- her sister, the cellist Myung- ber) and"0 Samba"(due in typicalof Minnelli. it is repre- A lot of the material in that Wha Chung, and her brother, January). sentative of her new Epic re- show will undoubtedly derive pianist -conductor Myung- "Rei Momo" ("King lease, "Results." Seven of the from the program of his songs Whun Chung, in another re- Momo," the title given to theten songs in the album were Herman put together for his cording for the label, this one king of Carnival) juxtaposes written by the Boys, who co - recent appearances at a New of piano trios by Tchaikovsky Byrne's hip lyrical sensibility produced the record after be- York City night club, Rain- and Shostakovich. withavarietyofLatin ing introduced to Minnelli by bow & Stars, high above(as The three Chungs, born in rhythms andsongforms. heavy-metalrocker Gene they used to say) Rockefeller Korea and trained in New Among the well-known musi- Simmons of Kiss. The new Plaza. The program is docu- York, have frequently played cians performing in the al- orientation may surprise mented by a new live record- together professionally,but bum with Byrne are Herbert Minnelli's fans, bat she says ing on Arabesque, "Rainbow their activities as a family en- Vianna of Paralamas and rock music has appealed to & Stars: An Evening with Jer- semble are sure to be cur- Arto Lindsay. 0 her since she was a kid. "I tailed by their flourishing in- grew up with the music my Herman: Broadway again dividualcareers-especially iORallher success on parentslistenedto,"says sinceMyung-Whun'stime stage and screen,Liza Minnelli. "But in my room IPr - will be taken up as music Minnelli has never had a hit would listen to Jimi Hendrix, director of the Paris Opera at record. Even her signature Laura Nyro, Janis Joplin-all tunes,CabaretandNew York, the usual stuff. I liked all the Byrne (center): salsa to samba New York, were nothits for wild ones." 0 her. It's only now, at the age of forty-three, that Minnelli HEnews from composer has a chartbuster, and it took I Jerry Hermanis,first, a couple of dance -music stars that he's going to be teaching to help her do it. That song, a course in musical comedy at which made the Top 10 in the University of Miami and, England, isLosing My Mind, second, thathe'llstartre- from the Stephen Sondheim hearsals in February on a new musicalFollies,as produced musical show,ferry Herman, by the Pet Shop Boys. Broadway, withLeslie Ug- While the discofied Sond- gams, Kaye Ballard, and Lee helm tune is anything but Roy Reams.

144STEREO REVIEW DECEMBER 1989 0 I)

ry Herman." With assistance kickedoff onthe from Reams and Karen Mor- twentiethanniversary row, Herman plays and sings of Woodstock this summer, songs from his Broadway hits Slick was quoted (inBill- as far back asMilk and Hon- board), as saying,"The au- eyand as recent asLa Cage diences are really receptive, aux folks. 0 the demographics are really wide-it's all different. We're eORa band that has fought getting everyone from den- r and fought andfought tists to kids in tie-dyes."0 over the years, Jefferson Air- plane seems unable to stay THElast Tears for Fears broken up. Various members album, the 1985 "Songs of this legendary San Francis- from theBig Chair," sold co group have rejoined sev- more than ten million copies eral times. Their best-known and produced two No. 1sin- revival,JeffersonStarship, gles,EvervbodyWantsto actually produced the group's Ruk the WorldandShout. first No. 1 album, and it con- After touring well into 1986, tinues, with no former Air- thetwosongwriterswho plane members, as Starship. make up the group, Roland Now the major members of Orzabal and Curt Smith, took Airplane's Kantner, Balin, Kaukonen, Slick, and Casady Jefferson Airplane have made a long vacation. peace long enough to record Now, four years, three pro- Oleta Adams, a black vocalist between.They'rebackin "JeffersonAirplane,"their ducers, and two completely who is featured in two songs Geneva now, where they'll re- first album since1972, for different versions later. Tears and joins in on a third as well. cord the rest of the Schumann Epic. GraceSlick,Paul for Fears has finally finished Orzabal and Smith heard her symphonies in a cycle they Kantner, Marty Balin, Jorma "The Seeds of Love" for Fon- perform in a hotel lounge in began in September and will Kaukonen, and Jack Casady tana/PolyGram.Collaborat- Kansas City. "She got to me," complete this spring. 0 have all come aboard for the ing on the album, which has a Orzabal recalled in an inter- recording and an extensive more soulful sound and less view in the British magazine GRACENOTES.Billy Idol's tour. Kantner, for one, likes tech no -pop gloss than "Songs Melody Maker,"and, for me, new album for Chrysalis thedangerof combining from the Big Chair," are Phil if music can open you up and is titled "Charmed Life." . .. thesevolatilepersonalities Collins on drums, trumpeter reduce you to tears, then it's Jason Bonham, son of the late oncemore."That '"swhat JonHassell, and guitarist doing its job.I thought she JohnBonhamwho was rock-and-rollis,"hesaid. Robbie McIntosh (of Average was one of the best singers I'd drummer for Led Zeppelin, "You don't know what's go- White Band and Pretenders ever heard." 0 has recorded an Epic album, ing to happen." fame). But the most signifi- "Bonham,"withhisown Asforthetour,which cant guest participant may be WHEN ArminJordan band.. .. Reggae's premier took over as music di- rhythm section, Sly and Rob- Tears fir Fears: more soul less gloss rector of the Suisse Romande bie, have fused reggae with Orchestra in 1985, he became hip -hop in their latest album thefirstnative-born Swiss conductor since Ernest An- sermet to assume that post. Ansermet resignedin1968 (and died early the following year), leaving behind an impressive discography with the Geneva -based orchestra. And although a number of non - Swiss conductors succeeded him and made recordings of their own, no real partnership emerged until Jordan came along. The result so far is a series of eight widely hailed albums,mostly of FrencI music, on the Erato/Casca- Jordan in Geneva ville label, the latest being a coupling of two works by De- for Island, "Silent Assassin." bussy,ImagesandJeux. ... Actor Bruce Willis's sec- Jordan and the Suisse Ro- ond solo album for Motown mande have also just con- is called "If It Don't Kill You, cluded an American tour that It Just Makes You Stronger." began and ended with con- . . . Bon Jovi's best-selling certs at Carnegie Hall in New "New Jersey" is the first U.S. York, with stops as far south rock album to be released on as Lexington, Kentucky, and the state-owned Soviet record asfar west as Chicago in label, Melodiya. 0

SFEREO REVIEW DECEMBER 1989 145 If getting eveiTthinp,ru\re ever dreamed about b a receiver has been just, well, a dre:dn, vas message could prow to be most valuable. Becaase the ri-1340k 'Vicki Video Remote R....ceiver is the finest Sherwoot has ever bait W:th tighter eng)neeringtolerances and more high performance features ban any other component i its price range Behind its dol.b:e-th:ck blushed aluminum front-end are two discrete amplifiers and Dolby surround sound circutry. One amp sends 130 watts per diannel tc the front speakers While the second delivers a full 20 watts per channel to the rear. So you can turn on your Sherwood and twill :,,our living room into a come theater experience. The unit is deigned with MOS,FET components and fully complementary circuitry. Its video dubbing with adristable video enhancement. Andv;ith Sherwood's DIGI-LINK unified wireless remote. you'll put an ffitireShErwood system at your command To t the RV -1.34C R to the test, visit your Sherwood dealer for a thorough clew anst-ation. And discover a receiver you can look up that's within your reach.

MOST VALUABLE RECEIVER.

-, ""41- 00.11*

011rEit 00 VALIT1.1.0.,..104.T TiaMftr,

.20 144[111r1ITOMMS WWI OOMPLITCA COMM101,1[1...... 4191..C15 v nuSiny 00CT ALCID eSherwood

1111111111-7

ierwoo LIVE PERFoRMANCE SOUND'

13845 ARTESIA BLVD. CERRHOS, CA IN ADA: NORESCO CANADA INC., TORONT.). ONTARIO © 1989 INKEI, CORPORATION. Dolby is a trademark of Do by Laboratories Licen C CLE NO. 103 ON READER SERVICE CARD CLASSICAL MUSIC

Discs and tapes reviewed by Robert Acka rt, Richard Freed, THE ROMANTIC CELLO jANOS STARKER'S new Delos re- David Hall, Stoddard Lincoln, cording of music by David Pop- Eric Salzman, and per is labeled "Romantic Cello Favorites." "Favorites" may be a David Patrick Stearns bit of an exaggeration applied to twenty pieces few of us have ever heard of, let alone actually heard, but once I BEETHOVEN: Piano Sonatas: No. 14, did hear them, in these absolutely mag- in C -sharp Minor, Op.27,No. 2 ical performances, the title was more ("Moonlight"); No. 21, in C Major, Op. than acceptable. This hour -and -a -quar- 53 ("Waldstein"); No. 23, in F Minor, ter program is not a mere virtuoso reci- Op. 57 ("Appassionata".Mikhail Plet- tal but more like a confession of love- nev (piano). VIRGIN VC 90737-2 (67 for the cello and its literature, and in min). particular for the legacy of the instru- Performance: Splendid ment's greatest virtuoso prior to Pablo Recording: Well focused Casals. Popper (1843-1913) was bornin These are stimulating, satisfying, and Prague, the son of that city's Kantor. By utterly splendid performances, as fastid- the age of twenty he was playing joint ious and tasteful as they are brilliant. recitals with the legendary pianist Hans All three sonatas are demonstrably dra- von Billow. He subsequently held a maticworks, andMikhailPletnev number of prestigious appointments, brings out that quality to its full propor- toured widely as a virtuoso, and for the tions-but never beyond. This is an last seventeen years of his life was a pro- aristocratic sort of drama: direct, un- fessor at the Budapest Conservatory, cluttered, poetic. Tempos are just right, now called the Liszt Academy. He com- rhythms steady, melodic lines clean, dy- posed some didactic pieces, a few large- namics ideally scaled. Even in the most scale works, cadenzas for a number of Janos Starker rapid passages in the final movements popular concertos, some songs and of the Moonlight and Appassionata you transcriptions, and nearly six dozen formances. He has not made a record- can appreciate the beauty of the indi- brief pieces for cello and piano. ing quite like this before; perhaps no vidual notes without feeling any dimin- With the single exception of the Re- one has-expect maybe Fritz Kreisler, ution of the momentum. The power, quiem for three cellos and orchestra, with whose violin miniatures Starker the poetry, the color all seem to rise nat- Popper's big works are all forgotten compares the Popper pieces. As the urally from within the music; Pletnev now, and the Requiem itself is seldom friend listening with me remarked be- manages to bring a refreshing quality to even mentioned and almost never per- fore we were very far into the program, these familiar works without looking for formed. Those dozens of little "charac- "That's a recording a musician makes ways ,to make them different. His per- ter pieces," though, including the ones to be remembered by." formances shine with integrity and good Starker has recorded, were performed It is certainly one to remember Pop- musical sense, and the well -focused re- everywhere for nearly a hundred years. per by, and Starker did not make it cording supports them brilliantly.R.F. There could not be a cello recital with- alone. His long-time piano associate out them. They were more than a lega- Shigeo Neriki is a most eloquent part- BIZET:Symphony in C Major. RA- cy; they were what kept the Popper ner, apparently as enchanted and stimu- VEL: Ma Mere I'Oye; Pavane pour une legend alive in the most direct sense. In lated by the material as the cellist him- infante defunte.Scottish Chamber Or- the last few decades, however, these self, and he enhances our admiration chestra, Jukka-Pekka Saraste cond. VIR- endearing little gems seem to have been for Popper's craftsmanship by showing GIN © 90744-4, 90744-2 (64 min). slipping into limbo with the rest of Pop- how lovely and imaginative the accom- per's works. In coming to their rescue, paniments are. The imaginativese- Performance: Attractive Starker notes that his own teacher, quence in which the pieces are pre- Recording: Excellent Adolf Schiffer, had been pupil, assist- sented further reflects the commitment The manuscript of the Bizet Symphony ant, and eventually successor to Popper that went into this project, and the sonic in C, written in 1855, when Bizet had at the Liszt Academy, making Starker focus is as vivid, warm, and well bal- just turned seventeen, was given by the himself "Popper's so -to -speak cellistic anced as the musicmaking itself. composer Reynaldo Hahn to the Paris grandson." Richard Freed Conservatoire, where it was discovered Asthetitlesindicate-theyare in the 1930's by an English musicologist printed below in the mixture of English, POPPER: Once upon More Beautiful who gave it to Felix Weingartner, who German, French, and Italian in which Days (In Memory of My Parents); Ga- gave the first performance. What a deli- they appear on the Delos label-this is votte in D Minor; Mazurka; Vito; Fan- I cious discovery it turned out to be. musicinwhich sentiment,humor, tasiefiberkleinrussischeThemen; Bizet was just about as precocious as color, and directness are more promi- Begegnung;Papillon;Herbstblume; nent than profundity. Their common Gnomentanz;SpanischerCarneval; denominators are virtuosity (many are Nocturne; Gavotte in D Major; Chanson EXPLANATION OF SYMBOLS: a good deal more demanding than the Villageoise; Wiegenlied; Elfentanz; Ser- =DIGITALLY RECORDFID LP listener might imagine) and charm, and enade; Spinning Song; Feuillet d'album; = TAPE. CASSETTE there is an abundance of both qualities, Menuetto;Tarantelle.Janos Starker 0 = COMPACI. DISC (TIMINGS ARE as well as the customary elegance, in (cello); Shigeo Neriki (piano). DELOS "10 NEAREST MINUTE) Starker'sobviouslyaffectionateper - DE 3065 (74 min).

STEREO REVIEW DECEMBER 1989 147 I Mozart or Mendelssohn, and his only er Goose (the literal translation of the by this master orchestrator was original- symphony is a most charming and high- French title) but rather fairy tales of the ly conceived for orchestra. spirited romp. Sleeping Beauty and Beauty and the The Scottish Chamber Orchestra was Although the work has had its share Beast variety. Ravel himself extended founded in 1974 and quickly achieved a of concert performances, it is probably the original, and what we have here is lot of recognition. Its present conduc- even better known as the score for the complete ballet score-in spite of tor,the up-and-coming Jukka-Pekka George Balanchine's ballet Symphony the additions, still a marvellously com- Saraste, is Finnish, the music is French, inC.Similarly,Ravel's Ma Mere pact piece of work and a masterpiece of the record company is English, and the /'Oye-originally a children's piece for simplicity and understatement. The results of their combined efforts are piano, four hands, later orchestrated by Pavane pour une infante defunte, the highly attractive. E.S. Ravel himself-was turned into a fa- composer's best-known work after Bole- mous ballet. The stories behind the ro, was also orchestrated from a piano CORELLI: Trio Sonatas, Op. 3, Nos. 1- music are not what we would call Moth- piece; it is astonishing how little music 12.SmithsonianChamberPlayers. SMITHSONIAN COLLECTION OD ND 035 (75 min). Available by telephone order, I-800-678-2677. Performance: Ravishing Recording: Splendid Corelli's trio sonatas exerted a phenomenal influence during the Baroque period, becoming the touchstone for chamber music and inspiring works in their form by every composer in Europe. Like so many works of historic importance, however, they lie neglected today. What a shame! The twelve sonatas of Op. 3 are some of the most sophisticated and exquisite pieces of music ever written. The Smithsonian Chamber Players include Jaap Schrader and Marilyn McDonald (violin),Kenneth Slowik (cello), Konrad Junghanel (theorbo), and James Weaver (organ). Their elegant and loving performances set the ravishing sound of the two violins against various the three continuo instruments. The interplay between the violins is beautifully worked out, and the players' ornamen- tation is a true adornment to Corelli's carefullycontouredmelodies.Let's hope that the group records all of Corel- li's sonatas so that he may be esteemed HERBERT VON KARAJAN as highly today as he was in the eight- eenth century. S.L. 1908 -1989 DEBUSSY: Etudes; Suite bergamasque. Garrick Ohlsson (piano). ARABESQUE 1PIK" Z6601 (70 min). rnvrmmrnhvn Performance: Marvelous Recording: Excellent While most of Debussy's works carry titles indicating some sort of descriptive Deutsche Grammophon, Herbert von Karajan's intent, his twelve Etudes, composed in recording partner for over 50 years, is proud to 1915, seem to owe their inspiration to release his final opera and Bruckner Symphony No. 8 nothing more than his having been with the Vienna Philharmonic. involved at that time in editing the works of Chopin, to whose memory he They will be followed by Brahms, Bruckner and dedicated these pieces. If the Etudes are Schumann symphonies without programmatic titles,though, Verdi and Tchaikovsky Piano BRUCKNER KARAJAN they certainly are not without their own trosli110 INJWASCHER11 Symphony No. 8 element of fantasy, as Garrick Ohlsson Domingo Barstow Nucci Quivar to Concerto No. 1 with Vienna Philharmonic KARAJAN Vienna Philharmonic makes vividly apparent in these mar- Yevgeny Kissin next year, velous performances. The late Paul Ja- completing Mr. von Karajan's cobsleftus a very attractive account of recorded legacy. the Etudes, and it has been handsomely reissued on a Nonesuch CD, but Ohls- son finds still more in them. The tasteful vitality and exceptional feeling for © 1989 DG / PolyGram Records color in his response might even suggest that this set, still the least performed of Debussy's big piano cycles, could be -

148 STEREO REVIEW DECEMBER 1989 EVERYTHING YOU HEAR IS TRUE DELIGHT. The excitement starts with the Telarc collection. Music that lives, breathes and dazzles the ear. TELARC Pure sonic delight. Only from Telarc. '01111mIll

Erich Kunzel's sequel to the immensely popular Round Up! Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, Andre Piedn returns to jazz with good friends Gifted guitarist Angel Romero performs a Sherrill Milnes, and a herd of special effects Joe Pass and Ray Brown. Classic performances passionate program of Spanish music - add to the t of jazz scar dards. perfect for a romantic evening!

Fcem`c- ANGEL ROMERO

CIRCLE NO. 6 ON READER SERVICE C

4OTM Are you CD-literate? Do you know CD -BINDER why CDs sound better than LPs? "THE ORGANIZER" the fundamentals of digital audio? how information is encoded and stored on CDs? how oversampling chip sets improve performance? how optical pickups are used for playback? how discs are manufactured? how to choose a CD player and detect a defective disc? Ken Pohlmann's new book contains virtually everything you need to know about this revolutionary technology. Written with the clarity, expertise, and humor that has made Ken Pohlmann a favorite among Stereo Review readers, this book is the only source for people who are serious about CD technology and its applications. The Compact Disc A Handbook of Theory and Use

by Ken Pohlmann Stereo Review ContributingEditor "This book is an invaluable source for anyone - layman and professional alike The CD -Binder 401.A is the answer to jewel box clutter. No more - who wants to be fully informed about the medium that is revolutionizing the jumbled, uncooperative, and broken plastic molded boxes. Enjoy consumer electronics industry. - Michael Smolen the convenience of 40 CDs organized in an attractive, light- Stereo ReviewExecutive Editor weight arrangement. The CD -Binder stores on the shelf next to Order this book and enclose payment-well pay postage and mail it within 24 hours! your CD player or your LP collection in less than 2 inches of shelf space. Carry the CD -Binder whenever and wherever you go, in Yes! Send me copies @ $29.95 each for a total of $ (WI and CA the car, on vacation, to school, work or play. ONLY $33.95OR- residents add sales tax.) My check for full payment is enclosed. DER TODAY AND ASK ABOUT THE 2 DAY DELIVERY OPTION. CALL ... Name Address 1-800-992-8262 City State Zip UNIVEINTUR 1: Send to: P.O. Box 570 Dublin, Ohio 43017 FAX (614) 793-0202 A -R Editions, Inc., 801 Deming Way, Box P, Madison, WI 53717 (6081836-9000 CIRCLE NO. 84 ON READER SERVICE CARD come as popular as the Preludes and EMI/ANGEL. CDCB-49801 two CD's Images. (146 min). Ohlsson also offers here an especially Performance: Tidy sensitive performance of the Suite her- Recording: Excellent gamasque. Anyone who goes directly for the third movement, the famous In his comprehensive annotation for Clair de lune, may be distressed to find this set, Clifford Bartlett sensibly ob- it stretched out to nearly seven minutes, serves that "this recording ... is just with momentum barely maintained, one interpretation, a single event that but in the context of the preceding sec- would, without modern technology, be tions the approach does work. The ephemeral: a Messiah, not the Mes- labeling is not too tidy, with a typo or siah." Beyond that, we are advised that two in the list of titles, but there are the performance is "based on the ver- comprehensive notes by Dennis Roo- sion Handel used in1753, which is ney, and the beautifully focused record- close to the version that was to become ing does full justice to the sound of the normal one, but with two sopranos, Ohlsson's Bosendorfer and the exciting as in the majority of his performances." colors he draws from it. The chorus in this case comprises twenty-two singers; the orchestra includes DEBUSSY:Violin Sonata in G Minor horns as well as oboes, bassoons, and (see FAURE) trumpets. The performance itself is an agreeable one,Ithink, without being FAURE:Violin Sonata No. 1,in .4 Garrick Ohlsson: vital Debussy especially memorable. Major, Op. 13.DEBUSSY:Violin So- The pacingis admirable; thereis nata in G Minor.FRANCK:Violin So- operas and theater pieces. Metamorpho- hardly a number in which the tempo nata in A Major.Joshua Bell (violin); sis is actually a sequence of five pieces, doesn't seem to come naturally from its Jean -Yves Thibaudet (piano). LONDON derived variously from Glass's inciden- content, and momentum is well main- 421 817-4, 0 421 817-2 (65 min). tal music for a dramatization of the tained. Intimacy is stressed in the quiet Kafka story of that title and from his numbers (perhaps excessively in some Performance: Noble, but .. . more recent score for the movie The of them), and the big choruses are grat- Recording: Excellent Thin Blue Line. They form a sort of ifyingly robust. What is missing, how- This is a lovely and generous program near -symmetrical archin which the ever, is a sense of tension, the element of sonatas that make excellent sense middle piece is the most energetic and that goes beyond momentum to pro- together, and the performances arc on a the end ones provide a more quiescent vide the music with its pulse, its convic- consistently high level. The way Joshua frame. tion, its "liveness." I missed the danc- Bell and Jean -Yves Thibaudet respond To my ear, there is more variety in ing character in "For unto us a Child is to each other, the sense of impassioned the five parts of Metamorphosis, even born" and the expansive grandeur that involvement with the music, the uncon- though they are largely repetitive, than is even today still possible in the "Hal- trivedeleganceintheshapingof between that work as a whole and the lelujah" Chorus-while atthe same phrases-these are qualities one appre- two that follow it in this album. Mad time enjoying immensely the confident ciates in any chamber -music perform- Rush, used for a Lucinda Childs ballet unison trills in the latter piece and, ance. The one drawback, for me, is of that name (after having been com- indeed, the fine choral singing through- Bell's insistently "tight" and occasional- posed as an organ piece for the Dalai out the performance. ly wiry tone. It's a matter of his playing, Lama's address at the Cathedral of St. The soloists are less consistently sat- not the recording itself, which is excel- John the Divine in New York in 1981), isfying. Emma Kirkby, James Bowman, lent, and it's quite at odds with the actually sounds much like a continua- and David Thomas, all veterans of oth- voluptuous writing in the Faure and tion of Metamorphosis, and so, for that er recordings of the work, are as reliable Franck sonatas. It clashes with Thibau- matter,doesWichitaVortex Sutra here as before, but Margaret Cable det's comfortably assured, warmly ex- (composed in 1988 for Allen Ginsberg's makes a stolid, joyless statement of "0 pressive playing, too. It may have been reading of his poem of that name). The thou that tellest good tidings to Zion," Bell's idea to put a dramatic edge on persistent repetitiveness that is part of and Joseph Cornwell's opening arias of- music that can become sugary in care- Glass's style is used here for the most fer little comfort-how one longs for less hands. If that was the case, perhaps part to establish a frame of intimacy the all-out embracing radiance of a he wasn't listening to Thibaudet closely and a ruminative quality, and together Richard Crooks! On balance, a tidy per- enough, after all; his poetic expansive- with the thoroughly pianistic character formance with more assets than liabili- ness in the piano part does not mini- of the music, these assure a certain ties, handsomely recorded and pack- mize drive or get in the way of drama. degree of warmth. But the music is aged, but itis less likely than several But the musicmaking is on a high level repetitive. There are listeners to whom others to demand a second hearing. and beautifully recorded, and Bell's every Strauss waltz or every Vivaldi Trevor Pinnock's version,likePar- wiry tone may not strike every listener concerto sounds the same, and there are rott's,is accommodated on just two as it did me. R.F. surely others who will find greater vari- CD's, and it strikes me as the best buy in ety among these Glass pieces than I do. a recorded Messiah at present. R. F. FRANCK:Violin Sonata in A Major They are played with unarguable au- (see FAURE) thority and are very handsomely re- HANDEL:Concerti Grossi, Op. 3. corded. The annotation gives a good Handel &Haydn Society, Christopher GLASS:Metamorphosis; Mad Rush; deal of helpful background information, Hogwood cond. L'OisEAti-LvRE © 421 Wichita Vortex Sutra.Philip Glass (pi- but the back liner misstates the last title, 729-2 (60 min). ano). CBS © FMT 45576, © MK 45576 giving it as Wichita Sutra Vortex. R.F. Performance: Predictable (51 min). Recording: Fine HANDEL:Messiah.Emma Kirkby, Performance: Authoritative Emily van Evera (soprano); Margaret Christopher Hogwood, whose record- Recording: Very good Cable (alto); James Bowman (counter- ings often have a musicological pur- These recent piano works present a far tenor); Joseph Cornwell (tenor); David pose, here tries to patch up Handel's more intimate side of Philip Glass than Thomas (bass); Taverner Choir; Tav- already patched -together Op. 3 set of what is projected in his well -publicized erner Players, Andrew Parrott cond. (Continued on page 156)

150 S FRE() REvit %% PH:FIRER 1989 iyCardmembers love 47th Street Noto.

There are plenty of reasons why satisfied customers keep coming back to 47th Street Photo. First, you'll find a large selection of the most up-to-date electronics merchandise available. And, you'll always find great prices on every item in stock. Plus, you'll get great service from our knowledgeable sales staff. In New York call (212) 608-6934, or call toll free 1-800-221-7774. Fax orders accepted 24 hours a day-call (212) 982-0684. When you shop at 47th Street Photo, be sure to use the American Express° Card. There's no need to carry cash or a checkbook. American Express® Purchase Protection' Plan is an ideal way to protect almost anything you buy with the Card worldwide. Purchase Protection automatically covers most Cad Purchases against acci- dental loss, damage, or theft for 90 days from date of purchase, in excess of other applicable insurance. Now why would you shop with anything else?

The American Express' Purchase ProtectionsmPlan is underwritten by Insurance Company of North America, a CIGNA Company. The Plan coven most worldwide purchases made with the Card between June I, 1989 and May 31, 1990 inclusive, $50,000 maximum coverage per Cardmember. Coverage is limited to 12,500 per item per loss for jewelry, watches, and furs. Coverage is subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policy.

Membership Has Its Privileges®

OPTIMA 9-- $ .....a....k...416si P:

37120.1400 '

©1989 American Express Centurion Bank. The OptimasmCard is issued by American Express Centurion Bank SYSTEMS/BLA1NK AUDIO TAPES/AUDIO ACCESSORIES/VIDEO RECORDERS COLOR TE ERAS/BLANK VIDEO TAPES/VIDEO ACCESSORIES/PERSONAL COMPUTERS BUSINESS TER FURNITURE/CAR STEREO RADAR DETECTORS/CAR SECU

URITY PERSONAL PORTABLES CLOCK RADIOS PORTABLE ex.

receiver Specials Amplifiers & Tuners mwr"r, zikaniv

C7# =7:9:0=0=0

-14511111rwil Scott RS -250 Sherwood Al -1110 Panasonic SC -T100 Digital Receiver Stereo Integrated Amplifier Compact Stereo System 25 -wattsper channel RMS Quartz 50 -watts RMS per channel with no more than Quartz -synthesized tuner 16presets synthesized tuning with 8 -AM & 8 -FM preset 0.02$ THD Surround sound mode Input Double cassette deck with high speed memory Discrete output transistors High direct switch 1CH wider dynamic range Video editing Semi -automatic turntable 3 -band litter Auto scars or manual tuning input Slack finish graphic EQ Full range speaker system gcRe $ 99 9'5 (SCT 85250) Price$/3995 (SHE A11110) APrice $1'7995 (PAN SCT100) Tkio Mr ifttwi' Technics SA -160 Sherwood TD -1120 Panasonic SCT-105 Idwatts/ch. 24 -presets, 5 -bond EQ . . 949" AM/FM quartz PLL tuner. 24 -presets . . $119" Compact system with CD player. . $349" Teoc AG -55 Sherwood Al -1210R Panasonic SCT-305 55-watts/ch. remote, 7 -bond equalizer. $189" 100-watts/ch integrated amp, remote 5249" Rernote system with CD player - . . 5399" ormlicsn clirgrigrr'8,1nE. Teac AG -75 Nikko 5-400 Casio MS -6025 Presents 75vrotts/ch. remote. matrixsunound . $24998 Preamplther, 7.inputs, 194 rack mount. 1999s .25-yratts/ch remote, dualcauefle . $399" Technics SAR-377 Technics SUV-660 Panasonic SCT-505 MANNHEIM/STPAMROVER .80-warts/ch. remote. 7 -bond EQ. . . $299" .90.watts/ch integrated amp, 6 -inputs. '299" Rernote CD player. dual -cassette . . 5479" Technics SAR-530 Nikko A-400 Panasonic SCT-705 .100waHs/ch. surround -sound, remote.'499" 120.watts/ch power amp. 19- rack moun1$399" Compact system wan CD changer. . 5499" Tandberg 3080A Toshiba X11-1000 Technics SCS-400 Ildwatts/ch audiophile receiver . . '899" 125watts/ch A/V amp. surround -sound 5699" 110.wafts/ch, Sclisc CD -changer . . CALL

Compact Disc Players Compact Disc Players Compact Disc Chan. ers

JOG SHUTTLE DIAL

j IIRIS1511. . r"--4-47TFI LIMIT .4= 11..1 AG 19881199699 Teac PD -265 Technics SL -P555 Technics SL-PC30 Also Available For Remote Compact Disc Player Programmable Compact Disc Player Rotary 5 -Disc CD Changer 11.99 Per CD 6.99 Per Cassette 16 -bit D A converter 16 -selection random New 18 -bitsignal processing with4X. Motorizedrotaryplatter Front -loading MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER: Fresh Aire memory 2 -way repeat 4 -digit LED display oversampling for excellent low-level response operation permits disc changes even dunng 3 -beam loser r CD compatible Remote 4 D A converters Remote control Dial play 4% oversompling Dual DrA converters (AG 355) control shuttle music search Block finish 36 -step programming Wireless remote *MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER: Fresh Are II (AG 359) MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER: Fresh PSrlce 15995 (TEA PD265) .1"Price $29995 (TEC SLP555) itiRce $299'75 (TEC SLRC30) Aire III (AG 365) Sharp DX -670 Teac PD -165 Magnavox CD8-486 MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER: Fresh Aire 3 -beam laser. 20-trock programming . 919" .16 -track programming. 3 -beam pickup. 92905 .6.clisc changer, remote. 16.00 . . . $229" IV (AG 370) Scott DA -970 Sharp DXR-770 Technics SLPC-10 MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER. Interludes 19 key remote 20 -track programming .51 49s 15track programming. Index search . . 919" -sow rotarychanger 4% sampling . . $239" (AG 373) Technics SLP-102 Scott DA -980 Magnavox CD8-586 *MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER: Fresh Aire V (AG 385) 16-bd. 4X.oversamplIng. remote . . .21 -key remote 15 -track programming . 939" .6 -disc changer 40.sampling. remora . '179" . $259" MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER: Fresh Are Sherwood CD -1162R Technics SLP-101 Teac PD -700M VI (AG 386) Remote. away repeat 3 -beam pickup. 979" 16-bd. 4% sampling. music matrix . . . $164" 6.disc changer, 4X -sampling, remote . 149" MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER: Christmas Teoc PD -480 Teoc PD -440 Technics SLPC-20 1984 (AG 1984) 15 -bit. OX.oversampling. remote Remole 20 -track programming, . II . . . 999" . . 979" Sdisc rotary changer, remote . . . $269" VARIOUS ARTISTS: Sampler Vol. (Jan) Technics SLP-222 JVC XU -411 JVC XLM-701 (AG 367) 8.99 CD 4.99 CASS VARIOUS ARTISTS: SamplerVol. III 4X-ovenampling. remote . . I5 bit 4% sampling 32-trock programming CALL 6.1 changer IS . '229" 4%.sampling remote CALL (Jazz) (AG 366) 8.99 CD 499 CASS ids Double Cassette Decks Secials

IuumacocamairMai

Teoc V-285CHX Teac W -450R Technics SB-L56 Bose RM-2 RoomMate Stereo Cassette Deck Auto -Reverse Double Cassette Deck 3 -Way Linear Phase Speaker System Powered Speaker System Dolby B and C noise reduction Dolby H% High-speed dubbing Accurate rotary head Boss reflex bookshelf loudspeakers 10 -inch the small speaker with the big sound Built- Pro headroom extension system eras fine auto -reverse Continuous cassette playback woofer 4.inch midrange 2 5 -inch tweeter in stereo amp will accept output of personal tuning LED peak level meter 3 -digit tope Dolby El/C noise reduction Dolby HX.Pro Detachable front grill 120 watts maximum stereo/CD players 4 5"lullrange driver counter Slack finish headroom extension input power Active EQ AC powered

-ARce $9995 (TEA V295CHX) Price 518 9 95 (TEA W450R) Price 51299 (TEC 511156) $2999 (SOS 55.12) Teoc V-250 Scott DD -660 Technics SR -36 Pinnacle P/12+ 09995 os Dolby B. auto -stop, one -touch recording. $79" Dolby hi -speed dubbing, soft.touch . 10 2.way bass reflex speakers.Parr. 599 .2 -way micro speakers, block finish/air. 099" Teac R-445 Term W-350 Technics SIL-76 Koss M80+ Autareverse. dolby soft -touch . . 929" Dolby 5. continuous ploy. auto -stop .. 0109" ir 3 -way bass relies speakers . . pm. 949" 2 -way micro speakers. block finish. Pwo 919" Teoc 11-455CHX Teac W -370C Pinnacle PN5+ AudioSource LS1 Aulareverse. dolby 5/C & HX.Pro. . . 949" Dolby 5/C. continuous play, bias odilust 929os 5.25. 2 -way. 1001 vented port . . 1.1.5149" 2 -way rarcro speakers. black . . Pair 91995 Teac V-570 Technics RS-TR255 Technics SBL-96 lose 101 .2 -motors, dolby II/C & HX-Pro. bias-adiust 979" Dolby I & C, solenoid control . . . . 999" 15' 3 -way bass speakers . .Pair 4199" .45" micro speakers, black finish . WIr $179" Teac V-670 Technics RS-TR355 Bose AM3 Koss JCK-5000 3 -heads. 2.motors. dolby B/C & HX.Pra . '269" twin auto -reverse dolby B/C/HX-Pro . $269" Acoushrnas subwoofer & two filOdil:e3'549" Wireless 2 -way speakers Pair '179" Fostex X-26 Teac W -660R OHM Pit Bose Freestyle 4 track deck. 6 -input channels .. . '449" Real.time twin auto -reverse dolby B/C $269" Walsh speakers. walnut cabinet - p.,11199" Mini speakers, block finish . . . Pak $299"

r r Outside U.S.A. Call: ORDER TOLL -FREE1-800-221-8180 1-718-417-3737 Mall Order Hours: Monday To Friday 8 AM to 8 PM, Saturday 9 AM to 6 PM, Sunday 10 AM to 4 PM Dealer & Institutional Inquiries Call Toll -Free 1-800-221.3191 - In New York 1-718-417-3747 AR Music World, Dept. SR1289, 59-50 Queens -Midtown Expressway, Maspeth, Queens, NY 11378 SIONS/VI R EO PROCESSORS/CAMCORDERS/VIDEO CAMERAS/BLANK VID PUTERS PRINTERS MONITORS/COMPUTER SOFTWARE/FLOPPY DISKS/COMPUTER SO CHINES/TELEPHONIE BUSINESS SYSTEMS/HOME SECURITY/PE CULATORS ITERS RECORDS COMPACT DISCS PRE

Pocono Cartridges Disco Phono Cortrid es

Dual CS -5000/X3 -MC Shure V-15 Type V -MR Stanton 680EL Turntable with Orloton Cartridge Deluxe Micro Ridge Phone Cartridge High Performance Disco Cartridge Semi -automatic Quartz Inc ted belt -dove Micro ridge stylus tip Excellent trackcbility Designed lOr heavy duty disco applications system Floating subChossis High Dynamic stabilizer Side -guard-tylus Standard -mount Elliptical stylus pertormance toneorm Ortoton X3 -MC high PrOteCNOn Duo -point alignment gouge TOP Frequency response 20-18kHz tracking output moving coil cartridge rated design force 2 0 -to -5 0 gr IncludeS extra stylus

J&R et -- up en*dub! Price $4490(DUA C$5000/X3MC) Price (SHU V15-VMR) Price 554 '2' (SIA 680E1) Scott PS6OC Shure M-921 Stanton 500AL Semiouto belt -drive includes cartridge 559" Elliptical stylus universal mount . . . .$9" Spherical stylus standard mount. . . . 519" Dual CS -2110A Audio Technica AT-211EP Stanton L-SOOAL Sermouto standard -mount . . 579" slylus universal mount . . 19" 'Spherical stylus ',mount $19" Technics SLBD-22K Audio Technica AT-231LP Stanton 500ALMP The Worlds Classiest . . . *1winpack 500AL cartridges standard . Serniouto belt-driye. Amount . . .$94" Lineor contact. univenol-mount 19" $29" Jazz Label Technics SLQD-22K Shure M-111HE Audio Technic° ATP2XN .'54995 Ellipticalstylus. standard mount . . Serniouto direct drrve. Amount . . . 919" oiyperellipticol stylus universal -mount . 544" Technics SU-33K Audio Technica AT-140ML Stanton L-6806. 55495 P mount *Automatic linear hocking Amount . .$179" Microline stylus standard mount . Gemini XL -1800Q Shure VIS-VMRLI Stanton 680ELMP . . Monual direct -drive. standarernount .$32995 urnited edition standard mount . . 5189" Iwin pack 680 cartridges standard 569"

Equalizer Seciols DJ Equipment

,..5? --,'%1C,;..1 * :17

DMP 469 1299 691. team ADC SS -525X Gemini MX -9200 Terk FM -9500 Computerized Graphic Equalizer Stereo Sound Mixer/Preamp Indoor FM Electronic Antenna Also Available From DMP For 12 -bands per channel Automatic room 20 b and equalizer 4stereoinputs Pertect for the apartment or office Modern 12.99 Per CD 6.99 Per Cassette equalization for flat room response Wireless including 3-phono plus 2 -microphones Echo high tech style 24-dBs Of goon Omrudirer remote Analyzer EQ display Pink noise effect 2 -faders LED meters Talk switch lona!pick-up LED display One year MANFREDO FEST:Jungle Cat generator Microphone Block finish Rack mountable warranty Black finish (DMP WARREN BERNHARDT.Heat Of The (ADC SS525X) Price (GMI MX9200, A!. 5.3905(IRK 9500) Moment (DMP 468) It!. 359 Gemini MX -2200 Terk FM -2000 BOB MINTZER:Urban Contours Teac EilA6 579°6 Ommdirectional or directional antenna . (DMP 467) I0 bonds/ch. 110 display tape monitor.74" Mixer/Precirnp. 2 phone lalkayer . . . 19" Recoton FM -100 DMP ARTISTS:A Taste Of DMP Teac EQA22 Atus AM -100 39995 (DMP 466) 10-bands/ch. LED spectrum dispoy . .$99" Mixer. Zphono & 2Aux inputs cueing . Ornrudirectional antenna veto 2608 gain 524" JOEBECK: Back To Beck (DMP464) AudioSource EQ8/II Gemini MX-4500SE Parsec LS -3 ANDY LAVERNE:Jazz Piano Lineage 10-bonds/ch LED spectrum display . . 599" Mixer with 6 -sound enacts '179" Beambooster antenna upto 1808 gain .$29" (Sorry No Cassette) (DMP 463) FLIM & THE BB's:Further Technics SH-80511 Mrs AM -3001 Parsec Stealth -Con mount behind stereo 3208 gain .. 539" Adventures (DMP 462) 7 bonds/ch. &preset curve r11011,01105 . /79" Mixer/Preamp w/delay, =Amount .. 999" BOB MINTZER BIG BAND: ADC SS -325X Gemini MX-6500SE Parsec LS -4 Omnichlectional antenna Schott design 549" Camouflage (DMP 456) I2bonds/ch real time analyzer . . . 5279" Mixer with sound effects. 7 -band EQ . 5259" FLIM & THE BB's:Neon (DMP458) AudloSource EQ-10 We Carry A Complete Selection Terk 9800 BOB MINTZER BIG BAND:Incredible Computerized E4). remote controi . . 5349" of DiscoLights CALL 'Omnidirectional antenna upto 30d11 gain 579" Journey (DMP 451) Universal Remotes Portable CD Players Radios/Cassette Recorders11111111117.77111011.11111

4,7.!

Memorex CP-8 Sony D-2 Olympus Pearlcorder S-930 Panasonic RC -X250 Universal Programmable Remote Control LightweightPortable CD Player Microcassette Recorder AM/FM Stereo Clock Radio Cassette Controls up to 8 -wireless remote components Ultra -compact design High speed music Variable control voice actuation 2 -speeds One touch recording LED message Built in clock with live timers for unattended search 2 -way repeat LCD display LCD displaywith calendar wat.:h tape indicator 2 -alarm system Green LAD display operations Large LCD display Infrared Unifinear converter Carry belt & line-out counter Quick review Micsensitivity Doze & sleep functions 2 -step dimmer power booster cord AC adaptor Requires 4 X AA batteries Reg hies 2 X AA batteries Battery back-up Ambience stereo J&R Price (MEM CP8) Price '15 Y -- (SON D2) Price 99 95 (PEA 9930) Price 574 95 (PAN RC X250) Memorex CP-4 Teac PDP-7 Panasonic R11-1050 Sony ICF-C450 AM /FM tuning dual alarm wood kr/metal Controls A,audio/vIdeo components . . 549" 16track programming, 2-woy repeat . 5149" Micra cassette 2 speed one touch . 532" $29" Sony RM-P700E Technics SL-XP2 Grundig 210 Panasonic RC -6190 AIA/FIA tuning. FM touch N tune silver . Universol audio/video controller . . 569" 18 track progromming. MIS bass system 5179" AM/EM/LW & 7 short wave bands. compac1579" $34" One -For -All URC-4000 Sony D-15 General Electric 35324 Panasonic RCX-210 .57995 AM/FM stereo ambience black . . .$44" *Controls Ai:mho/video components . . 569" 22 -track programming. rechargeable. 5229" Cassette recorder 25 speed playback One -For -AD URC-5000 Sony DT -4 Sony TCS-2000 Sony ICF-CS950 . AM /FM stereo dual alarm settings . 549" Controls A/V and 510 components . . 589" AM/FM/CD-player 16-trock . $229" Stereo portable cassette recorder $179" JVC RMS1 Toshiba XR-9437 Panasonic RR -1190 Panasonic RCX-150

. AM /FM cassette dual 0101r11 settings. $549, 'Touch sensitiveII -program sources . . 5179" AM/FM/CD player. rechargeable . . 5249" Micracassette transcriber . . $319" Technics SHR700 Toshiba XR-9458 Marantz PMD-430 Sony ICF-CS970 A141/FM stereo Mega Bass surround -sound 589" .46 -fixed & 918learned functions . . . 5179" Wireless remote rechargeob . . . 5259" *Cassette recorder doiby B8 db.3 head s1429"

ON READER ERVICE. CARD'

TO ORDER BY MAIL. SEND MONEY ORDER, CERTIFIED OR CASHIER'S CHECK, MASTERCARD, VISA, AMERICAN EXPRESS or DISCOVER CARD (Include Interoank No, expiration date and signature.) To. JAR MUSIC WORLD, DEPT. SRI289, 59-59 QUEENS -MIDTOWN EXPRESSWAY, MASPETN, QUEENS, NY II.378. Personal and business checks must clear our Authorization Center before processing. Shipping, Handling & Insurance Charge of Total Order with a 54.95 minimum. (Canadian Orden Add 15% Shippi lg. with a $9.95 minimum charge.) For shipments by air, please double these charges. $25 MINIMUM ORDER. DO NOT SEND CASH. SORRY, NO C.O.D.'s. NEW YORK RESIDENTS PLEASE ADD SALES TAX. ALL MERCHANDISE SHIPPED BRAND NEW, FACTORY FRESH, AND 100% GUARANTEED. Man& NK AU B 10 TAPE AU B I RI/VIDEO RECORDERS/COLOR TE ERAS/BLANK VIDEO TAPES/VID 0 ACCESSORIES/PERSONAL COMPUTERS BUSINESS ." TER FURNITURE/CAR STEREO RADAR DETECTORS/CAR SECU

URITY RSONAL PORTABLES CLOCK RADIOS PORTABLE

corder Specials Hi-Fi Video Recorders Camcorder Specials

ki Gag LIBINNIttbici is- Panasonic PV -2900 Panasonic PV -4960 Sharp VL-L250 VHS HQ Video Cassette Recorder 4 -Head HI -Fl VHS Recorder Super Zoom VHS Camcorder On -screendisplay 155 -channel cable True high !delay stereo sound Outstanding 121 power zoom with macro -CCD image readytuner Onetouchrecording special effects Omnisearch Flying erase sensor HQ -circuitry High-speed shutter I -month 4 -event timer 38 -function remote head Synchro edit 1 -month 8 -event Frying erase head VHS index search Audio video muting system programoble Unified remote Date -clock display Includes. BT2I battery J&R J&R Price (PAN PV2900) T Km& Price $ 4 9 9 95 (PAN PV4960) ARce $899 9 $ (SHA V11250) Samsung VP -2309 Toshiba MP -200 Panasonic PV -500 Ispeed VHS video cassette player . . 979" Hi -Ft player remote. headphone lack. $299°5 Flyong erase head auto dale/time. . $879" RCA VR-290 General Electric VG -7980 JVC GR-40U .2head VHS on -screen programming. $249" .4 heads. MIS -tuner 44 function remote. $429" VHSC digital superimposes dote/time $899" CBS/FOX Sharp VC -6608 RCA VR-640HF Panasonic PV -520 'CREME DE LA CREME'

-4-teads, 57 -function remote. on -screen $269" Super -VHS, theads MIS/SAP tuner .$499" .3 -LUX 10 wall light. II zoom .. . 9099°5 Sony SL -390 Panasonic PV -S41164 Sony CCD470

SuperBeto Belal playback treeze-trams CALL SuperAMS theads MIS Hit, . . . $599" .8mm 4 -page digital superimposes. 4LUx CALL Panasonic PV -4920 Panasonic PV -S4980 Panasonic PV -S445 A heads bar code unified remote . $39" Super VHS. 4 heads Hi-FLbarcode .149" -Super-VHS 7 LUX hying erase head . 9199" Panasonic PV -4924 JVC HRS-8000U Panasonic PV -S160 4-heods. on -screen. unified remote . . 5379" Super VHS. Ri Fi digitoleffects, MIS . . CALL Super VHS C. HiFi. flying erase head. 9299"

Also Available... The African Queen The April Fools Big (Tom Hanks) Broadcast News Charly A Fish Called Wanda Harry & Tonto Little Big Man The Man Who Would Be King Papillon

Sony KV13TR20 Casio TV -810 JVC JX-S900 13" Trinitron Monitor/Receiver 2 -Inch Color LCD Television A/V Selector Irinitron Mirrorblack picture tube Direct Compact design with tin -angle stand makes 7 -video inputs & outputs 2 -monitor outputs video audio input Cable ready express this perfect for any desk High luminance S video on all input & output lacks Remote Id, OW tuning Sleep timer Earphone lack Remote backlight Antenna lack A Vlack control VIC seperator circuit Dual operation control Black cabinetry Earphone lack 3 -way power supply 279, allows operation of 2 -signal paths 11119161. J&R `is;)95 1110IAT Price (SON KVI3TR20-810 gc9e 7 4 995 (CASTwo) PriceSt549''(A/C JXS900) F-33 Samsung 160570 Sony FD -10A Vidicratl Detaller 101 $1.1595 -Portable AM/FM 5' black & white IV . .57995 black & white Watchman, silver finish . $99" Imoge enhancer splitscreen . . . . WY I.kwHEN(.1J Samsung TC3140 Sony FD500 Recoton V-623 OF 1H \ BI k .13" color rotary tuning guink.00 959os 4 black & white AM/FM Mega -Bass . $119" Stereo IV decoder MIS/SAP & cable .. $49" Also Available... Panasonic CIK-1351R Sony FD -230 JVS JXS-100 13" color IV 19 function remote . . $24995 2 7" block & white Watchman . . S119" AudioNideo switcher. 4 -in and 2 -out. $99" MGM/UA Sony KV-20TS30 Casio TV -500 JVC CGV-60 THE BUSBY BERKELEY 20" color stereo monitor. remote . . . CALL 2" color LCD, audio/video input . . $159" charoclernitler generator epage memory$1799$ COLLECTION Panasonic PV -M1328 Casio TV -6500 Arden WhIS-Pro Babes On Broadway Dames 2 head VCR and Y color IV . . . $529" .2 T color LCD case & earphones . . $209" Wireless microphone for camcorders. $199" Footlight Parade 42nd Street (B&W Sony KV-27TS2011K Casio TV -8500 Videonics DirectEdit + or Color) Gold Diggers Of 1933 .27' stereo monitor onscreen. black . . CALL color LCD, includes son case . . . $31995 Home editing system with graphics . . CALL Gold Diggers Of 1935 Million Dollar Mermaid *Ziegfeld Girls P (table Audio Portable CD Audio

IL-- :(56INKIRFRE4mc wick .11

Panasonic RX-SR39 Sony WM-AF604 MegaBass Panasonic RX-CS750 JVC RCX-510J "Hyper -Bass" Personal Stereo Radio Cassette Recorder AM/FM Walkman Cassette Player 3 -Piece AM/FM/Cassette Portable AM/FM Dual -Cassette CD Player AM FM stereo tuner One -touch recording AM FM stereo tuner Mega -bass system Auto -reverse playback cassette XBS extra Hyper -bass C D-ployer with 20 -track Built in speaker Built in mic Headphones Auto -reverse Dolby B Includes lightweight bass system 2-way.4-speaker system w 6 programming 3 -band E0 Hi speed bell -clip & rechargeable battery Requires 2 headphones. rechargeable battery and 1 4''woolefs 5 -band equalizer Includes AC dubbing CD-synchro start Relay play AC X AA batteries charger Requires 2 X AA batteries cord Uses 10 X D batteries cord Requires 8 X D batteries J&R Price (PAN RXSR39) j&RPrice (SON WMAF604) Price $14 9 9 (PAN RXCS750) PriceR2 9 9 9 $(NC RC X510J) Panasonic RXSA-64 Panasonic RQJ-A52 Panasonic RX-CS700 Sony CFD60 AM/FIA cassette auto -stop $29" Compacl size autoslop cassette . . . $19" .3 Piece AM/FM cassette 5 -band EL) . . $69" -AM/FM cassette, CDployer. dubbing . $179" Toshiba KT -4029 Sony WM-AF48 Panasonic RX-CT800 Panasonic RX-DT50 AM OM cassette 3 band equalizer . . $39" -AM/FM auto rev cassette, auto shutoff . $49" .3 Piece AM/FM dual -cassette . . . . $89" AM/FM dual-cossette. CD -player . . $249" Panasonic RQV-150 Sony WM-AF50 $4995 JVC PCW-100 Panasonic RX-FDS5 -AM/FM auto rev cassette 3 -band Eg. . AM/FM auto reverse cassette, Mega -Bass $57" AM/FM/SW I/2 cluol-comette. &band 10 929" AM/FM cassette, CD -player. XIS. IQ . $249°5 Toshiba RP -33 Toshiba KT -4538 $5495 JVC PCV-66 Sony CFD-454 Super small AM/FM stereo -Digital AM/FM auto -rev cassette - . S79" .3 -Piece digital AM/FM cassette, Hyper-5ess$169" -3 Piece AM/FM cassette and CD -player $279°5 JVC CXF-30 Sony WMA-602 Sony CFS-DWBO Sony CFD-DW83 AM /MA auto reverse cassette. Sbond EQ $69" Aulo reverse cassette, dolby. Mega -lass 19" AM/FM dual cassette. Mega -Bass. EQ . $199" -AM/FM dua cass. CD -player. Mega -Boss ;349" Panasonic RQV-340 Sony WMF-73 JVC PCV-88 JVC PCX-200 AM /FM auto rev cassette. ABS dolby. $1299, AM/FM COsselle wolerresistont dolby. $99" -3 Piece AM/FM duol-cossette, dolby, EQ 119" .3 -Piece AM/FM cass, CD -player. Hyper Bou$3699$

Outside U.S.A Call: ORDER TOLL -FREE1-800-221-8180 1-718-417-3737 Mail Order Hours: Monday To Friday 8 AM to 8 PM, Saturday 9 AM to 6 PM, Sunday 10 AM to 4 PM Dealer & Institutional Inquiries Call Toll -Free 1-800-221-3191 - In New York 1.718-417-3747 ILIMVISSRIFD J&R Music World, Dept. SR1289, 59.50 Queens-Midtwn Expressway, Maspeth, Queens, NY 11378 1.-" 11.701' 17 Y 1 S 'ice 1 WI ' T MPUTERS PRINTERS MONITORS/COMPUTER SOFTWARE/FLOPPY DISKS/COMPUTER SO CHINES/TELEPHONE BUSINESS SYSTEMS/HOME SECURITY/PER CULATORS RECORDS COMPACT DISCS PRE -

Ironic S ell Ch

KT.E1.41.yaz- .

i I Li Sul

Royal CBC-80 Hewlett-Packard HP -28S Franklin ES -90 Solar Powered Checkbook Calculator Advanced Scientific Calculator Elementary Spelling Ace 3 independent memory system maintains 32K of user memory flexible graphics with Phonetic spelling corrector contains 40K checkbooksavings accountcredit card storage and recall Built-in advanced moth words plus 10K rnflected forms Includes balances Protected by password number functions High level structured programming children 5 instruction guide and parent teacher Battery backup total all three memories Infrared printer interface guide Requires 4 X AAA batteries Supe)tSpetith! J&R J&R J&R Price (RYL CBC60) Price (HP HP28S) Price (FRA E590) Selecfronics WF-220 Royal EL -869 Sharp EL -509 $4495 VHS Video Movies Solar powered credit cord size calculator.$799 Sesmentarc functions 3 key memory . . $14" 100000 word vocabulary word cnecke, Famklin WM-1000 Royal MXD-10 Casio FX-3800P 57995 HBO Pocket solar powerd colculolor, lace LCD 59" Scienalic calculator7 memories . . . 429" 90K spell checker. 44.11 in games . . Casio MJ-20 Texas Instruments Ranker Selectronics WF-225 $ $1, 95 $ 5W7- Desktop 12 -digit calculator backspace . 24" Financrolilnyeslmen1 calculator . -Compact size 100 000 word checker . 89" Casio HR -8 Hewlett Packard HP -148 Hexagkzt 10 digs nand held LCD printing colc ulator $24" Firionciol 1101 unctions 4 mammas . Ser Translates 6 -languages 6800 words . . S13495 .1/1134 NICIBOU4101 Casio FX7000G Franklin LM -2000 Texas Instruments T1-2800 $^ORS Paperless printing calculator $3995 Progrommoble scientific calculator . . 40000 wore checker 4aine display .S179" Royal 912PD Sharp EL -5200 Franklin LM -4000 $ 12 alga printing calculator 1color printing4495 *Programmable scientific graphic display '84" 83K word checker speech pronounce, 12Vs

HBO Databan writers/Word Processors Phones/Answer Machines VIDEO

Also Available... -"-Ott: Amadeus The Big Easy Hannah & k;'' Her Sisters The Hitcher No Way Out One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest Raw Deal *Something Wild The Terminator Three Amigos Sharp 02.7000 "Wizard" Royal TQ720 Panasonic KX-T1450 ORION HOME VIDEO'S Electronic Organizer Portable Daisywheel Typewrite, Dual "Standard" Answering Machine SUPER HITS Calendar schedule phone Cadress book ProSpel 50K dictionary Fulllineliftoft Autologicoperation 12 -function memo pad, clock & calculator Stores up to correction memory with word correct -Bold beeperless remote MeSSage memo Quick 700 names numbers Application IC cords print 10 12pitch Selfdemonstration reuse Auto disconnect Toll saver Ring optional Keyboard cover control (2 d Auto) J&R Price (SHA WZARD) Price (RA 7Q720) Price (PAN 104E1450) Code -A -Phone 1650 Selectronics 8000C Brother AX -22 $ 5495 .Furi line correction memory word/lone out$13495 -Phone & answering machine remote . 1895 BK memory 20 character LCD display . .Sir Sharp EL -6081 Smith Corona XD -4600 PhoneMale 6600 *Stores 100 names & numbers 4 alarMS S29" OK text memory. SOK speller . $119" -Remote answering machine loll saver . 559" Sharp EL -6250 Panasonic KXR-440 PhoneMate 7210 OR:ON' Slores 400 names & numbers aurueiaier 149" 12K lee memory 63K spericheck . . '209" Remote answering machrne talking crock 18" Smith Corona PWP2000 Code -A -Phone 2650 Casio SF -4000 $ .1500 names & numbers memo fulchon 8495 Portable word processor mail merge. '359" Remote answering machine w /phone .'99°' Casio SF -7500 Panasonic KX1V-1000 Sony SPP-50 Also Available. 4644 memory 3000 names & number. 1179" Ponable worn processor SOK lest memory 54179 *Cordless telephone upright design . . 599" The Couch Trip It's Not Easy Bein' PS101112 Brother WP -85 AT&T 5310 Me Robo Cop Throw Momma .31K RAM memory 64K built in software '229" Portable word processor 240KB drrve. $69995 -Cordless phone Or memory intercom .514888 From The Train ecials Blank 157

"911'1 Koss Pro/450 Sony Metal -ES 90 Clarion 977ORT ETR Yamaha P55-280 Studio Pro Headphones Metal Bias Audio Cassettes AM/FM Stereo Cassette Receiver "PortaSound" Keyboard Precise acoustical reproduction Unique Metal particles are the secret to the quietest Guarlz locked Patuning 12 FM 6 AM 49 midsize keys 100 FM preset voices dual element dynomic driverdelivers & most dynamic recording the impact of presets Auto -reverse Dolby B 25 -walls per Dual voice function 20 PCM rhythms 8 extended low end Frequency response digital is reproduced accurately Precision Channel .4 -way balance Bass & treble note polyphonic Transposer Intro Fill- in 2 10 30kHz Foam filled earcups cassette shell Night alumInatron DIN chassis bank chord memory Requires 6 X C battenes

. J&R J&R J&R C . 10 -Pock Jiklr Pace t If' (KOS P10450) Price (SON MEIAL90) Price (CLA 9770R1) Price (YAM PSS180) Sony MDR -E434 Damn HD6/100 Sherwood CRD-210 Yamaha PSS-30 $1905 $ 44996 Ultro lightwerght in the For carry case High-bios chrome formulation . .s -pack3" CM stereo/FM slereo cast dolby 8/C .31 key mid size keyboard 529" Sennheis.zr HD -30 TDK MA -90/110 Pioneer KEH-6050QR Yamaha DO5 $2995 $ $ . Digital drum set, 4 touch sensitive pans . Opemaire diglorty compatible . . . .190 & 1110 minute melal tape . .0 -rack $3" .Quick release Supertunerril cassette 249" 88°' Koss Pro-4AAA + Sony UXPRO-90 Clarion 9971RT Casio SK.100 $3881 49 key mini size sampling keyboard . Digitai ready closed air design . Iligh.bios 90 minute cassene . to -Pock2395 Pull out 25-wans/ch dolby B & C . 1288" . $9995 Azden DM -90 TDK SAX -90 HI -Funks Odin Casio DH -1000 $5995 $ . . Digital ready monitor design Hlghbias 90 -minute cossenes . 10-padk '19" 75wons per channel power °molar°, 29995 Digrtal horn &preset tones MIDI out . '99" Yamaha ISS-380 Sennheiser HD -480 Maxell MX -90 Hi-Fonics Sonar $39995 Digital ready open air design . . $69" Melotbias 90 -minute castanet. 10.Pack527°0 100 worts per channel power arnp 49 key mid size keys 100 presets . . . $14" Sony MDR-CD6 Scotch T-160EG + Panasonic CQE-850 Yamaha PSS-480 .$7995 . Seoled ear design digital ready Iligh grade 8 hour video tape . 10 -rock $44" Pull out AM/FM/CD player preemp . s179" 19 key mid pie keys 100 sounds 958"

TO ORDER BY MAIL: SEND MONEY ORDER. CERTIFIED OR CASHIER'S CHECK MASTERCARD. VISA. AMERICAN EXPRESS or DISCOVER CARD (Include Interbcnk No. expiration date and signature.) TO JAR EAU= WORLD, DEPT. SRI289, 59-30 QUEENS -MIDTOWN EXPRESSWAY, NIASPEYN, QUEENS, NY 17378. Personal and business checks must clear our Authorization Center before processing. Shipping. Handling & Insurance Charge is 5% of Total Order with a $4.95 minimum. (Canadian Orders Add 15%Shippingf, with a $9 95 minimum charge) For shipmen,s by cur. DIOCISO double these charges. $25 MINIMUM ORDER. DO NOT SEND CASH. SORRY, NO C.O.D.'s. NEW YORK RESIDENTS PLEASE ADD SALES TAX. ALL MERCHANDISE SHIPPED BRAND NEW, FACTORY FRESH, AND 100% GUARANTEED. concerti grossi. At least two of these harmonic givesitsall-asitdoes told, and a fun -loving pair) reflected in rather short -breathed pieces, Nos. 3 and throughout the preceding five move- these performances, which are fine but 6, were assembled somewhat ineptly ments. But the close-up miking in the on good behavior. The comic -opera from previously existing Handel scores last pages, with the timpani sounding slapstick is there in the music, though by the publisher John Walsh, and Hog - like cosmic bells, again fails to match people who think Mozart is God never wood's coherent realizations of them the impact of the Carnegie Hall record- find it. E.S. here are more than usually balanced ing. All in all, I would say that the new and internally consistent. Otherwise his recording serves as a wonderful supple- ROSSINI: L'italiana in Algeri.Agnes interpretations, though characterized by ment to the 1962 version but does not Baltsa (mezzo-soprano), Isabella; Rug- springy rhythms, graceful,idiomatic replace it. D.H. gero Raimondi (bass), Mustapha; Frank phrasing, and sensible tempos, are fairly Lopardo (tenor), Lindoro; Patrizia Pace predictable. This is Hogwood's first re- MARTINU: Piano Music (see Best of (soprano), Elvira; Anna Gonda (mezzo- cording with the Handel & Haydn So- the Month, page 126) soprano), Zulma; Alessandro Corbelli ciety of Boston, but there seems little (baritone), Haly; Enzo Dara (baritone), difference between its sound and man- MOZART: Horn Concertos: No. 1, in D Taddeo. Vienna State Opera Chorus; ner of playing and those of Hogwood's Major (K. 412); No. 2, in E -fiat Major Vienna Philharmonic, Claudio Abbado London -based Academy of Ancient (K. 417); No. 3, in E -flat Major (K. cond. DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 427 Music. 447): No. 4, in F -flat Major (K. 495). 331-2 two cp's (127 min). The one thing that makes this release Rondo for Horn and Orchestra in E -flat particularly attractive is the participa- Major (K. 371).Peter Damm (horn); Performance: Delightful tion of oboist Stephen Hammer. Many Academy of St. Martin -in -the -Fields, Recording: Excellent of these pieces are oboe concertos in Neville Marriner cond. PHILIPS C) 422 Particular pleasure is afforded when a disguise, and the disc is a wonderful 330-4, 0 422 330-2 (61 min). comic opera is performed by artists who showcase for Hammer's artistry and are obviously enjoying themselves. This lyricism, which are a great source of Performance: Mellow Recording: Nice is such a performance, one in which all pleasure throughout. D.P.S. the members of the cast are very much Mozart wrote three complete horn con- "on top" of their assignments vocally MAHLER: Symphony No. 3, in D Mi- certos for one Ignaz Leutgab, a fellow and very much involved with making nor.Christa Ludwig (contralto); New Salzburger who turned up in Vienna, Rossini's bubbly nonsense as ingratia- York Choral Artists; Brooklyn Boys plus an allegro and rondo (K. 412) that ting as possible. Itis perhaps Claudio Chorus;NewYorkPhilharmonic, were completed, like the Requiem, after Abbado, however, who deserves the Leonard Bernsteincond. DEUTSCHE Mozart's death by his pupil SOssmayr. most credit for the spirit and glow that GRAMMOPHON 0 427 328-I two LP's, C) There is also a fairly complete sketch for illuminate this recording. His enthu- 427 328-4 two cassettes, 427 328-2 a playful Rondo in E -flat Major that has siasm for the score is consistently mani- two CD'S ( 106 min). been orchestrated by Erik Smith, a nice fest-inhisenergizing tempos, dy- Performance: Classic addition to a slim repertoire. namic shadings, and caressing touch Recording: Close up No heaven -storming here. Thisis with Rossini's melodies. The fact that Mozart neatly played in a quiet, mellow this studio recording was made concur- After finding a considerable measure of style by the East German hornist Peter rently with staged performances by the interpretive difference between Leon- Damm, with an elegant assist from the same cast at the Vienna State Opera in ard Bernstein's Mahler of the 1960's on world's best non -old -instrument Mo- 1987 undoubtedly contributes toits Columbia and that of the 1980's on zart orchestra and conductor. To tell the overall zest. Deutsche Grammophon, I was pleased truth, I would have liked to hear more The cast is unusually strong. Granted (and surprised) to find that his new of Mozart and Leutgab's storied she- that his voice no longer has the agility it recording of the composer's Third Sym- nanigans (they were drinking pals, we're once commanded, Ruggero Raimondi phony has essentially the same tempos as his 1962 recording. The ardor of the Ruggero Raimondi and Agnes Balt.so. joyous Rossini conductor and the orchestra, again the New York Philharmonic, are undimin- ished. Such differences as I found between the earlier recording and the new one, made in concertin November 1987, are in the direction of greater refinement of inner detail and nuance, as well as in the less spacious sonic ambience resulting from a closer microphone pickup. While the sense of detail is indeed marvelous, I missthespaceand warmth of the earlier recording, made in Carnegie Hall. The "mob scene" climax of the vast first movement comes across with more impact on DG than on Columbia, but the distance effects in the third movement, for all the lovely execution of the posthorn solo, don't quite match those in the earlier version. In the fourth movement's great Nietzsche setting for contralto, sung with great feeling by Christa Ludwig, the close-up sound dilutes the sense of profound mystery that the music needs. As before, Bernstein's reading of the twenty -five-minute closing slow movement is in a class by itself, and the Phil-

156 S.FEREO REVIEW DECEMBER 1989 C752.11.2'21+ VAIL/ COMPETITIVE PRICING CALL NOW WHOLESALERS FOR YOUR BEST DELIVERED PRIM HI -Fl STEREOCAMCORDERS CAMCORDERS AUTHORIZED Miniature DEALER for: CANON KYOCERA GE HITACHI K D -S530 JVC KYOCERA Finein6iie8 MINOLTA PANASONIC 4 HEAD OLYMPUS HI-FI RCA 1 lb 12 oz RICOH MUCH MORE! DUBBING CANON 8mm Al EDITING MOST POPULARFEATURES - $599 - $795 VHS -C 6:1 ZOOM 5LUX FLY ERASE $749 SUPER VHS 8:1 ZOOM 8mm 4 LUX ERASEHI-FI SOUND $699 SUPER VHS 8:1 ZOOM wFLYING ERASE HEAD $995 VHS FULL-SIZE CAMTIME DATE 5:1 ZOOM TIME DATE 8x ZOOM CAM TIME DATE 8xZOCM $750 SUPER VHS FULL SIZE $1 1 99 VHS FULL-SIZE ERASE w CH GEN $950 w DIGITAL EFFECTS VHS 8:1 ZOOM FLY $998 8mm SPECIAL EFFECTS420 PIX. SLOW MO. $950 w BUILT -IN LIGHT HI -Fl. 1:2000 SHUT SUPER VHSCAMCORDERS REDUCTIONS: BEST VALUE: SUPER PRICE RICOH 8850 MINOLTA881 'PANASONIC PVS5445 RCA CC320 'CANON E440 *KYOCERA XI)330 -PANASONIC PV520 JVC GRS707 CANON E80 JVC GR6OU HITACHIVP#2250 CANONH460/1660 JVC GRS77 'CANON Al RCA CC310 'OLYMPUS VXS405KU E640 *RICOH MOON GE GE9825 CANON E808 r- JVC SPECIAL EFFECT r VCR's- VHS&BETA& CHARACTERGEN. GRS707 8mm EDITING PROCESSOR TIM leset et =rem, co TV's 700 LINE 50" 20" REMOTE COLOR TV w/MTS SURROUND MTS STEREO 46" PNP SVHS -PANASONIC 4 HD VHS 5359 TOSHIBA, w FLY ERASE HD $299 al Effects Wks, Mix PIONEER -QUASAR 4+2 HD Hi-FiST MTS $349 -JVC -DIRECT ED PLUS -COLOR CALL 40" PNP RCA $469 Add Ti ties - Spec 41 iffect w Remote SONY -SUPER VHS Hi-Fi MTS HI -RESOLUTION -SUN PAK VIDEO LIGHT NP77 $49 -4+2 SUPER VHS Hi-FiMTS $569 26" SUPER JVC SUPER & FLY ERASE -CV300 AUTO $125 MTS $179$1695 INPUT -JVC CGV6OU CHO GENERATOR -4+2 SUPER VHS Hi-Fi $799 W DIGITAL w FLY ERASE 4 Page Scroll - 3 Size Typeset - B STEREO WHITE VIDEO BRAIN - niter & Daterecording - CALL Synchro Edit Feature - ShutieJog Control -SONY SBV1000 him SELECTOR BALANCE $275 SVHS HI BAND PRO SWITCHER SUPER VHS MTS -BETA DECK -NADY & AZDEN PRO $129 $198 Wireless UHF Maw 30" TV -AC DC VHS PLAYER $599-SONY P6120 8mm -8mm & STEREO PCMHi-Fi PORT. $ $349-SUPER VHS TAPE (T120) $8°°4t11 -8mm PLAYER FAXMACHINES[ LASER DISC -VIDEO CAR STEREOSTOLL FREE - - CALL TOSHIBA 3300 $1049 TOSHIBA 3700 & RADARDETECTORS 11" alworaeurtnt DISC PLAYERS r an& - PORTABLECD

-Ism 4 r . WALKMAN RECEIVERS COMPACT DISC - FOR INFO. OE II: WE WILL MATCH OR BEAT ANY LEGITIMATE PRICE- (201) 696-6531 ASK ABOUT 0 JR OPEN CREDIT LINE(up to ,10,000)

We ship within 24 hours .1,21 ,1V(otiit - Call Toll -Free:1 (800)444 6300-All paces quoted included manufacturers standard Orders: accessones & US War 1 (800)247-4654tanty All unts are factory WHOLESALERS MumC.O.D.Mulct extrasealed Shipping & ran. 1160 HAMBURG TPK., WAYNE, N.J. 07470 VISA ward Convenient FAX X : (201) 628-8

CIRCLE NO1 ON READER SERVICE CARD TOTAL brings musical style to his bumptious Mustapha. As Elvira and Zulma, Patri- INDEXTo AMER" 11SFRS MARMONVC zia Pace and Anna Gonda sing prettily and with a proper sense of comedy. READER PAGE LASTORTION FrankLopardo'sLindoroisagile, SERVICE NO. ADVERTISER NUMBER youthful, and remarkably fluid; he is by Charles Rodrigues! apparentlyunbothered byRossini's A&R Editions 149 high -altitude vocal leaps and sings with 60 Adcom 61-64 This handsome, 128 -page paper- American Express 151 real dash. Enzo Dara's Taddeo is suit- 58 API -Energy 80-81 back-with 118 classic cartoons, ably avuncular, and Alessandro Corbel- 45 API -Mirage 74-75 a foreword by William Living- li as Haly makes much of his aria on 164 A /den 28 stone, and an illustrated autobi- Italian women. 49 B&W 19 ographical sketch by Rodrigues It is, of course, Agnes Baltsa, as the 62 BBE Sound Inc 141 Italian girl, Isabella, who dominates the 51 Beyerdynamic 44 himself-is only $7.95. Enjoy Bose 29-38 your favorites again, catch the performance, and of all the people having a good time, she seems to be having 157 Cambridge Sound Works 66-67 gems you missed, and share the the best. Hers is an infectious portrayal, Carver Cover 2,I laughs with friends! CBS Columbia House -CD Club 43 and I found myself smiling or laughing 17 Choo Ch(x) Software 142 Makes a great gift! aloud at the sense of fun she brings to 18 Caustic 117 the role. She easily meets and dismisses 113Caustic- 119 98 Caustic 121 TO ORDER:Send check or money all musical hazards; the unforced flight Crutchfield 03 of her singing-the liquidity, the agility, order for $7.95 per copy, plus $1.50 Delco 139 for postage & handling to: the focus, and the warmth-are exem- 27 Dent) 122 Perfectbound Press plary. 32 Design Acou'ft( 137 Suite 4118 P Litallana in Algeriis delightful non- 71 Discount Music Club 158 1120 Avenue of the Americas sense dramatically, but itis far from 159Eclipse 143 New York, NY 10036 being absurd musically; it is one of Ros- 1 Electronic Wholesalers 157 sini's most gracious scores, and this fine 58 Energy 80-81 Type or print mailing address with recording of it, ably engineered, musi- 114 Hafler 140 order. New York State residents add cally polished, and ebulliently alive, is 40 Harman Kardon 4 Hills Products 65g sales tax per copy. Outside U.S.: warmly recommended. R.A. 70 44 add $1.75 postage & handling for Illinois Audio 163 first copy and 50¢ for each additional Infinity 12 SCHUMANN: Carnaval, Op. 9; Papil- International Jensen 134 copy (U.S. bank funds only).Allow lons,Op.2; Faschingsschnank aus six to eight weeks for U.S. delivery, Wien, Op. 26. Andrei Gavrilov (piano). 115Jam( 2 longer outside U.S. 39 &R Music World 152-155 EMI/ANGEL (§) CDC 49235 (65 min). VC 85-92

69 KEE 135 Recording:Excellent 2 Klipsch rrq 55 Koss 41 Alicia de Larrocha's recent recordings A DIFFERENT KIND 25 Maxell of Schumann'sCarnaval FREEOF RECORD CLUB andFasch- 29 McIntosh 112 ingsschwank,both more tidy than stim- 48 Miller & Kreisel 125 TREMENDOUS SAVINGS ulating, were coupled with his Allegro 45 Mirage 74-75 INCLUDING COMPACT DISCS... in B Minor, Op. 8. Andrei Gavrilov 22 Mitsubishi 14-15 on every record and tape in print- 97 no "agree -to -purchase'. oblication of any kind. here offers the same two larger works Paradigm 56 but withPapillonsin place of the Alle- Philip Morris -Marlboro 54-55 DISCOUNTS OF 20% TO 73% Philip Morris -Merit 71 oft mgt. suggested list... special catalog gro. His record is an altogether more 86 Philips 20-21 features hundreds of titles and artists. winning proposition, not only because 31 Pioneer -Home 46-47 MOST LABELS AVAILABLE Papillons is afar richer, more substan- 31 Pioneer -Car 26-27 including most imports through special custom 173Pioneer-LaserDisc Club 28 ordering service-guarantees satisfaction tial piece than the Allegro but because 90 Polk Audio 6-7 SCHWANN CATALOG all three works come irresistibly to life Pak Gram 148 lists thousands of titles. on their own terms. There is nothing 93 Proton Cover 4 DISCOUNT DIVIDEND COUPONS wanting in the way of dazzling finger - Radio Shack 130 redeemable immediately for extra discounts. work or interpretive fantasy. Gavrilov RCA-BMG Direct 16a,b NEWSLETTERS understands the Schumannesque es- 87 RCA Victor 128 informational news and happenings in the R. J. Reynolds -Camel Cover 3 world of music special super sale listings. sence of this music and responds to it R. J. Reynolds -Magna 83 DISCOUNT NEEDLE GUIDE with as much freedom as reverence; he 114Rockford-Hafler 140 most mfg. replacements available brings plenty of his own personality to 103 Sherwood 45, 146 QUICK SERVICE his playing but never allows Schu- 104 Shure Brothers 28 same day shipping on many orders... mann's to be crowded out. The various 105Signet 137 rarely later than the next several days. individual sections of each work are 184Sixth Avenue Video 159 100% IRON -CLAD GUARANTEES exquisitely realized, with an apparently Sony -Audio 49-52 on all products and services-your total 179 Sony -Blank Tape 24, 25 satisfaction is unconditionally guaranteed instinctive sense of their specific char- 77 Sony -CD Player Ill. 11 Discount Music Club is a no -obligation membership acter and emotional range-and of the 180 'Frac 73 club that guarantees tremendous discounts onall degree of flexibility appropriate to each 175 Technics -Receiver 77 stereo records, tapes and CD's and let you buy what one. Along with the sort of spontaneity 176 Technics -CD Player 79 you want_ when you want...or not at all it you choose. this music demands, there is an illumi- 6 Telarc 149 These are just a few of the money -saving reasons to write for tree details. You can't lose so why not till out nating clarity that is greatly to its bene- 84 Univenture 149 and mail the coupon below for immedixte information fit. In sum, outstanding performances Yamaha III. 127 of all three works, and they're excep- dossDISCOUNT MUSIC CLUB. INC ow( 1289 tionally well recorded, too. R.F. Wisconsin Discount Stereo 160-161 481 Main Street, New Rochelle. N.Y. 10801 Name R. STRAUSS: Le Bourgeois Gentil- Address homme(see Best of the Month, page DECEMBER 123) City

State Zip

CIRCLE NO. 71 ON READER SERVICE CARD 03Z1IJOH11Ilf tinv-aa 11111141 I1311110 1%101.02163 1E-1--///:. left Sign cpusncovNosrriv was, citna.es (102) 1,031-681y V8IFISOI 11311110 SIMON A.NOS -,4041.14 INSN0111 089-0001 C°11(3141 c'ugADCI 7111138 SHO011 U011-913:3 M3N )1110A -NOW 1118 OO:9-00:01 NOS 00:9-00:11 Jopai LoJeasaJ rigry M3N A3SN3I -NOW: 168 00'6-09:6 eii4o5s 11:2"- cricepoc 39111 391/1/11/9011 AO punos Sdnitild 11110 AV011011 =MOM uopievuewiey 1X3N AVO A113/11130 !WON 011:11111 1131N33 03 8113Alr7d 3 qv ri NOILU NUN3(1 96Es I £1001d VISA 11 Hdv-I a_u rITS/3 111)111US-Plan ,19 5 AVM Noo-u oNaurivis SZI Did 91-461,13'411 9 1191191. 01011V SAS 91 .1.111 RRINLI. Mai 113160.1 omriciNvii IO ON/1011110S CINFIOS - MANN' VAM113311 9938 101118 (/!166 11091V:4dS 021,1 310/71 1.1113110 I 0.111Y 391136311 15563 9 -10.Tcalf0C13 Vi 9191:110.1 310993661131,1/'.111 99151 1v:111 ma CID 111111/91Y1100161 4301 0021 1163 33g1d. 013d .ained AIINI/NI LOOvSel 965 441116863 1118 999 14131696.65 *A. 996 NON30 000 019 955 9.96 3 1' 01.. 9911 1431116991N -'id 9 11 9811 191666 A36531 1193 AIINI/NI 100558 989 816663 86 151 1193 0A990 598.01 981 86 d 01- 902 OANNO 00/11-9 98E 018-COO1 n111111/1 ANN AEVEI II 1163 AlINI1N1 681d99 5 1163 91630 SZE-V80 99Z CANN° 0191 9/1 moo NON30 as SVIAYla 'Yalu insNrs Liexnv mime VI0 58131906111V 9* A1191191 /115/99 9801 N0N30 szr-vba 9EE 068.51069910 995 636163 9111 52 919 NON30 0151-030 985 NON30 630 /// 1193 ANDS 05300013111 993 .16 NOS 903 /01 031* A1191191 VddV'A 6 9681 NON30 529 9Zr OANNO 6/AS-X1 961 1136893 1101 1193 30 NON 015E-000 9901 10/811361 991 - - VHNTIVA own 9EZ eV 0161AS. 9991 ler -S E -S r 1193 NON30 8518-680 959 Senold 0113-18 995 836893 113 989 H NOOtIVN 005/0H 1193 OvN 15 02 956 VHVVIVA 001-* 921 89 83M0, Se9Ni8Vd 965 ler 4181 1163 NON30 85501-6910 9Zt SE055-XSA633N0ld 919 /L13636,690 96-03 9691 693031913114.61611 968 SES L*1466 1SOE 9-3S e9, 1163 H NO111101 .n86 1163 3N01,1 83 -XSA S005/ 9E9 1:119610 994 10 965 0* 00E9 925 16019V9* 6E003 995 00110661881161 919 311631 9 1 557139005z 9ZE 105X113AI' 981 833901d 51056-9SA 969 NON30 012-684d 9IP 01010 005300 961 VHVIIVA 001-60 969 91/0016016969 9181 ' 31,1.L0S0111033s90813 096 IllS 961 AN 993 919 3A0 08 1163 ANUS 01669816 90930 oze-rne 16014D69 19/Se40 9e11 SdIlIHd 5/8.303 969 n 000EdS0 9951 E 1:7100V Oir inS 991 563139 968 Nvrani 9116 999 ANOS 8IS 1153910 951 NON30 D551-VINd 9149119A909an MONO 0021-951 981 1133N0Id AU 0.9 95Z VHVINVA 001.850 999 F 15003V Di 0E81 1163 1591EI0Sa110 9ZE Nvtani /118 996 ANDS 530190-81S 998 NON30 3AV 00/ 1163 0 OANN 00 0051 995 833NOid AU 0.9 96Z WAWA 009-03 9E1 Olisr039 0E61 995 143Sd1l9 YON 1193 CNN 3.1091.2 985 A 0095989183863S111 911 NON30 0001366 991 ANOS 0/6 99E 8338401d 3./ 919 6.161,99A 0001-93 9.93 43 NO1153133 5 413Sd119 31801 926 069 3/001/ 965 44941464VA Xld 055 915 NO0869 50119113 ANUS 539084103 9ZE ANOS 0053,103 1160 55-084611691W. / 59 -4/3 NO1151133 5110 1163 NOiSSIA 192 921 069 3d0Otg 961 **WA -* 059 915 0991 00E1 91115,,,", ANUS C53/XdO3 9051 ANOS 929 r 19849HVAVA 000 908 05383,103 )331 011H04035 0561 NOISSt 992 916 OVN 341009/ 9111 0E2-Xlf9HYWYA 96E 0* 0015 996611 DZ5-503 991 ANUS 063513,103 989 WiriVA 008-0W 909 sd NOiSSIN 191 1193 114361*6N 61-61 96Z 056 9/9 OVN V009Z 959 ANA -r d 012-503 99E 303184964VA ON 96E **MI* 05911VHVAVA 1183 11E9101 991 91-6113131116198 919 OEu mil010ZsnoSitNAIN,IN,1m 3190486M 1109084910 xkinvww, '163 CvN 061E 91E non -v r 056003 915 6-6.69A 019.303 999 11V3 031131S HILN33 3Nld'Ili P 31111S11031fEI 3111111)111N Ill El 'IV 9oGS 08EL Qiirs VE-H3 -S3 8000S 91X91 11.1d ADO 31/919,1111118 00 OZ '1V1.339 o 1"13 W91(1 -1027 rev re. aLLSSSVD ssis -1/ 98Ss 111. o o 0111903 1931SAS (1VA'11 1.3 NOISNUSOS 010O A 11 3.1.91ckcis SSON:1 ITIOU A H 1 513'.-1dS 315:111 11:911V1S ` .Nano 81 trrivtoo, 611.1.31116.1 ;4,,7 4163'19,in0 a9.6816 sd0 mleiv 7.W Held &NY .1.:10 i/3d L40! -1190(1 0 c VAAIV it 092 911 3449999 ,8 19.83 96/ WI S3 1 NI 93015 5138061 02£01 09 995 SUN- 11111 8.;90 9090-49 9!, -1113193.8- 509566910d 1163 9M19 0001 925 43163,84699N VS 1193 86 101-513 NI 9301S 89461196 0164-11 991 3N1d19 6/1/ 99Z ANOS re 08./ SCY COE 95Z -91131111d11111- 893819 ECU. 951 SCY KIZE 96E SS, 991 /01-XMOV99616 9/. I91 505-9111631699 9911 N01S1119 9330-0 NI 93015 113011111111113 3911511/ 091/ 915 S 'DM 96 SOY -Se 5 9Z1 66116 -MN 906 991 1413661/66N 62-83 9551 NO15186 NO31 NI 93015 NIOIV INA 315d 991 3Nid19 06EL 996 S 8553..993815 966 E 6011S100Y /51 394116 6811 9E9 S 41931115 9,1E31 53135539 .9/ 91/ SOY Od 01 961 WAN 6013-5.11106 985 MONO 009591 988 NO1S68/ 31801 1163 9906599 961 90 N018V13 1802/6 9ZZ WV/4W 50/.83A so..snoor 19/ 96. 506 Od OZ 995 NON30 005.8480 961 01990 06616891 9(18 bnilwensNoisitiv 1193 910301110 -1X 3W 99 Er NON30 91E 1113AVId msnoor 191 90. WI Hd 51 915 NON30 009.84910 951 Sdillud 0933 969 1.51098 98Z NO40180 EX 30 911 0/55830 NON30 0/95830 99E 5569 998 E 5311550r 061 KZ 3141,11V 1ZEE 90! NON30 1180 00/ 91E 83390181 84015-113 901 NON30 d/rd0 9135 NO10180 38450 991 MeV NON30 830 a/ 0/ 1193 3Nid3y 506/ 96e 53131039 /6/ 981 3N1d1V 1595 911 SONIC 008-1.480 9/5 833NOld 801214113 981 NON30 /SAO 999 NO10180 301103903 1163 H N008* 19163 969 3441d1V 2001 919 E sai.snoor 00/3 951 1111d19 555E 99Z N0N30 051-M80 91E 833NOrd 8016-9613 9.9 1675 LEP-S0 901 313111-15 811.91-516 91 3Af O699XYS9 96Z 3Nie1v 6061 901 49 9 A. 9153 91Z 836893 090119 991 NON30 099-880 9ZE ANDS 531188631 9E9 Ivna 998-53 981 30415 A-SLA bill 911 3Af 00959859 955 NON30 0191330 01. 39111 9 n. 956956 95. 836863 01196 999 H 111981 Ni NOOWN 01 Z9Z 9Zr **IVA 055-D 911 IMO 505-53 9ZZ NOINViS 18005 90015 000864439 999-389 995 00016939 856309 63 9 9 A. 91958 9E1 01111/13 9 0302/ 99E 14 NOOWN 56E-01 959 6144/MA 009-D 915 8334401d 0161d 96Z NOINY1S 13089 1193 000M4439 9/930 955 000MN39 0053309 '183 96 N. 930.5 H NO0899 .003 1,93 3Af 98159601 951 6HYVIVA 008-D 988 833Nold 0291d 1163 15' 1 919 1163 163149141004 90EVd '193 9311108933311 000164439 //1389 985 H43114499* 09203 996 3Af 106-M01 911 NHVIIVA 999 S31914331 55-0E115 96 000/6939 8/8-3811 1193 1H3184691/N 101303 1163 116' 506 163 1H311.60199 05EVd 991 OVN 0019 961 VH9V4VA 00/1ID 998 SOINH331 110016 991 3391* 951 99 14341099 09908 999 833NOld 00030/0/X03 9E/ IH314** 0101/5 991 NOIli0 MOH SIP OVN 00E9 989 VHVIIVA -MD 006 915 IOIW00ZI1SSOINH331 9EE 50969131 95 IH31111111/81 09501 91/ FO3NOld 991490 99E iH3184** 011/5 911 833N0ld 000E840 9ZE 1413111YON 6113 965 VHVAVA -Ain 50E 9EE 91331091 08101 OA 9/1 38019819 31393 96 00/01.1H3trI96YN 991 ANOS 628903 1193 NO1110 951XOS 911 S 1.493815 0010 98! iHOIVIY9VN 65-63 99E 669691 MD 109 1163 SNRJOHL 81E01 Oil 90E 101001069 IMI01 961 1433N0ld 1100,091439 992 ANUS 056903 1163 813N01d 51369S1 981 S 4693815 OM 961 3WOH 0301A 1131N33 WI, -rt!Kric!rii4F:i.rin PFaii:vmftr[1--- ANOS um's 31NOSVNild VIMV ,---011/18XL2-81 -Ad 096b 9bis 12 6'0131.5 SIAN d31NOSIIiAC 9 CIVAN Id 0363J5 11901 C00dS raj 6O.UN099 83A313311 N0. 91351135 0101106 91Irs T1:1:1 3.1.1S 011/. 3.LIASSva N3AN,181 sten 11141991 S Olanv /11003016 0.1.3V 511.30,1 ISV,1 6116/1104 il 3.10191341 MHN 13Vd1103 /19-00 .111011 .1./10111/6 31jh g3==7:311".. 9 1 11002 311$ -- IT" Irf9 -AY S690! 99E ANDS 055102-19 9 110Z9-0611 9LE A, vAvy ooersu 96: ANUS 95 3Af 3Af NCSVNVd 3 556/ 99e 319051/99d 010d 998 NONY3 IV 9/9. 99!6841 OAF 5652Z.69 995 ANUS OESUZ-AN 9 9 361 51098-011H 999 0069-6413INOSVN9d 962 3INOS*Vd 0596,1 9521 NONV3 0993 SOL 6/6'6 008rSH 991 ANUS 85168.466 99 961 ANDS 0411.21-6.9 9 9 366 1163 16/098111NeldroN 922 ANUS 99 lustensim 60/02S3 nose-oeu 3iNOSVNVd 0169 91E 319051/N6d 0556d 956 NONV3 8043 968 19/661 MS181161111 81/9153 992 ANUS 9111EIVZ-69 V3 1 3Af nooss-stiu 911 31NOS614* Ad 0989 96E 3t840SVN9d 0919/hd 9911 NON1N 00695 1163 21941891N 1120111 995 ANOS 99391196 92 m5186011 8509ES3 9955 ANUS 0185411569 8 9 3Af StiN noon 998 31905** 0869SAd 999 ANDS 581 1193 OAF 09-350 1193 6151NellYn 000 1163 ANUS 1901116 901 91 33N S0/0Z-13 ANOS 01115026-6.9 9 361 n00001-sim 1163 58111114d 5699-8A 969 ANDS 116033 9E11 3Ar 09389 961 0E10611196166 1163 ANDS 390666 1163 339 S0110-13 98/ ANUS 511185/5-69 03 1 1193 iuslensiiri MESH 95E VON 0991dA 969 ANDS 166033 9E91 065361 /2 960. 3iNOSVN* 95ZYS 991 ANUS 50INAA SdIlIHd 19110z 968 6916901 /92593 WU lustensim nis-sH 969 V6IHS01 9896-08 969 ANUS 9E1033 961 O/AVI1ONIW 968 *VHS 11531 98 ANOS 909/696 9E1 Sd116481 96/ YelluS01 852E53 301SNI 9 1651e0519 -Su no 9E/ V8H4S01 006-X0 999 ANUS 053033 96/ MOWN .88 193 ANUS 81916/6 9E ANOS' 845631 1193 AllISd1111141 11311I alAN0108d NO 09430 na-sH1651e051191 986 0816501 -AS 056 961 ANUS 82/033 996 9110991 099 966 ANOS E011416 9E 6816501 coy 91 ANUS 809E1'69 9/5 NOIOtle 60651A NO 08430 03N neee-N 9c. sly VOIHS01 -AS 0631 NI 90015 ANUS /415033 9611 608XAS1I61A10 968 ANDS 596841 96 vONS01 8980

III) r H14 1,i 1.1 R! Ha Ir- PIO rrrrmrrprrni r P tint NOIOdd v00£ u*ASZ d6693 841/416 038315 1193 3001138191V0 OM ID, iM 3/d d499-1441 98/ 833NOld 0L0t013 83061 08603 9.9 ANUS ZO 991 ANOS 0110 1193 ANOS PO 1193 531944331 941X15 991 NOIOdd 0£ l 95 11VM 616-113 NdS 1Y31SAS 1163 390188INVO SSd 51 OA Old IN' /AV 999 9ES ANUS 510 9EZ 98141S01 /1868% 9EZ NOIOHd rii/AV 1911010 93013 ClIC98 96 1183333NNOoldd °OLIMOZ811S 01:0033:33ssvYll 996 ANDS WO 992 *mac 999680 905 Vt4 IHOINIVN 81011 VOVIV 93013 010918 911 09091381ln 33 SL3S ,5193345//oh1dC0011dnkIlly11338ddlrIA 9945 833NOld LMO' 08603113591 996 ANOS 880 961 vonoi 651468X 9ZE IHOINIVNVN vio3ld3 139d 9510 SS93 965 SZV 0N0y/ 8111993016 966 VHYVIVA 0091A03/001LAGO '193 ANUS 0910 1163 4431110 MAU 911 , 96. IHOINIYAVN 83613338158 83993dS 99/ 33998111,19 /m05ZO'Z00°9 LE n 416959190 ON. 9/6 Sd111Hd LIIPAOZ 1160-881103 ANOS PIO 911 NV1113 ,.10641/863

£ IN3IN3ANO3 iona08.1Ni ON 8110 IV8 N 0 )103 INV8V9 33 OE SAVO NO Z AVO NOIA3nO-ON 30183 ONV tflIVAV A11118 6908,1 31V0 30 NOLIV0118nd 3A1103130 394WHOX.3 111/13H ST1V3 11V/321 SNOI1V301 Ot 3/401.1AVO VIOL. H19 311N3AV AN AN 91001. timoisno 30162138 (TOL) 9990499 '1X3 99 d3X634$ Ioutanv AN LLLZ-T6£-ETZ 0£01. H19 311N3AV AN AN 91001. NOLIVTIVISNi 0.1.1111113id Joe vu011e91snm i 9Lont/03 Alum AD3A1130 311Y1IVAV 9990-68V-TOZ KT 1H V S111111VEIVd ZS9L0 11111616 -511 /69908 9 '9Xe9190 PV fN news Selueo3od 1m AJoluanui

310810 'ON VEIL NO E130V3161 301/183S 01:1V0 II II III WISCONSIN DISCOUNT EST. 1954 STEREO WDS Rated #1 for 2417 W. Badger Road ' Guaranteed Low Price y/DS Madison, WI 53713 "A CUT ABOVE THE REST" 1-608-271-6889 * We get the BEST volume discounts SOME ITEMS CLOSEOUTS * LOW OVERHEAD-To sell at best discounts CAMCORDER VHS MTS HIFI * We shop the competition to ensure the best price Most Major Brands * THIS IS ONLY A PARTIAL LISTING * IF YOU DON'T SEE IT LISTED -CALL! CANON Al SPECIAL MTS HIFI 5349 HiBit 8 mm 7 lux 10X Zoom On Screen Program 6/21 Day 360,000 pixels FEH 122 ch Slow Motion * * * * * SONY CCDF70 . SPECIALZENITH VR300HF .. $389 FIVE STAR 8 mm 4 lux 8X Zoom On Screen Menu Slow Motion RATING 250,000 pixels FEH VHS Index 2 -Function Memory NRATEO 1.800 IF YOU FINI1 JVC GR6OU ... SPECIAL JVC HRD840U . VISA SPECIAL or COD VHS -C 360,000 pixels 4 -Head Indexing 4 HQ Circuits 8X Zoom FEH 4 -Page 181 ch 4/14 Day LCD Remote DISCMAN PORTABLE JVC GRA30 ... SPECIALJVC HRD850U . SPECIAL VHS -C 360,000 pixels 4 Head Indexing 4 HO Circuits Flying Erase Heads 8 lux Digital PIP LCD Remote OSP

RCA CC310 .. SPECIAL 4 HEAD HIFI 5389 SONY D2 $159 JVC PCV77 ... SPECIAL 5 LUX 8X Zoom On Screen Program 6/21 Day 2X Oversampling 16 bit Hyper Bass Sound Digital Tuner 300,000 pixels MOS Image 122 ch Slow Motion 3 -Way Repeat LC Display Dolby Detachable Speakers

JVC GRS77 ... SPECIALTOSHIBA M9485 .. SPECIAL MAGNAVOX D6800 .SPECIAL SHARP GFCD55 5219 Super VHS -C 360,000 pixels 4 Head On Screen Program 3"/5" CD Introscan Portable with CD Player 8 lux FEH 8X Zoom 4 HO Circuits 4/14 Day 20 Track Digital Headphones Cassette EQ Detachable Spkrs

JVC GFS550U .SPECIALJVC HRS8000 . SPECIALSONY D160 ... SPECIALJVC PCX300 ... SPECIAL Super VHS 7 lux 8X Zoom Super VHS Digital Effects Home and Car Discman Hyper Bass CD Player Portable 360,000 pixels FEH 4 Head Indexing LCD Remote Includes CPM100P +CPA1 Digital Tuner EQ Dolby Dubbing

CAMCORDERS .. CALL JVC HRS5000 . SPECIALSONY D25 .... SPECIAL SONY CFD64 5199 We carry a wide assort- Super VHS 4 Head Indexing 4X Sampling 22 Track CD Portable AMS ment of brands and models. Flying Erase Heads OSP 5 -Way Repeat BP2 Battery Cue & Review on Cassette TV'S VHS HEADPHONE HOME OFFICE

SONY KV27XBR SPECIAL JVC HRD520 ... SPECIALKOSS JCK200S .... $97 RICOH RF850 . SPECIAL High Resolution 550 Line LCD Remote On Screen Program Wireless Headphones FAX MACHINE 181 Ch Surround Sound All 4 HQ Circuits 181 ch. Closed Ear Design Top Performer

JVC AV2759S .. SPECIALZENIGH VCR .... 8229 SONY MDRV6 sr/ SMITH CORONA PWP270 SPECIAL 600 Lines Super Video Input HQ Circuitry 4/14 Day Top Rated Headphones Lap Top with Printer MTS On Screen Menu Automatic Power On Professional Quality Word Processor

JVC AV2779S .. SPECIALJVC HRD620 .. SPECIALKOSS JCK300S 8197 BROTHER FAX200 . SPECIAL 600 Lines Programmable Remote LCD Remote On Screen Program Wireless Headphones FAX Machine NV Ins and Outs MTS Indexing 4/14 Day 20-20,000 response Paper Cutter

JVC AV 2059S . SPECIAL RCA VR270 .. SPECIAL SONY MDRIF5K $149 SMITH CORONA SD650 $169 Surround Sound 180 ch 110 Ch 4/365 Day Wireless Headphones Typewriter On Screen Menu NV Ins & Outs On screen program Hi -Band Infrared Design Great Christmas Present PHONE HOURS CALL US TOLL FREE SERVICE and PRICE M -F 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. * For expert recommendations SAT 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. * For product information 10Day Return SUN 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. * TO ORDER PRODUCT * Returns accepted within 10 days (must be called in for prior Central Time Zone authorization). Products must be in original condition. Returns subject to restocking fee. Shipping and handling not refundable. DISC PLAYER CASSETTE DECK Buyer Protection PlanFREE

* 30 -DAY GUARANTEED NO LEMON DOW UUUUU * EVERY PRODUCT BRAND NEW-FULL WARRANTY MAGNAVOX CD3000 .. $199 JVC TDR421 .. SPECIAL 6 Disc Changer Dual D/A's A/R Dolby B/C/HX PRO 4X Sampling Headphone Output JVC XLZ411 .. SPECIALSAE C102 $249 Dual 18 Bit 4X Sampling Computer Direct Line 356.9514 Coaxial Digital Output Drawer Load Cassette A BETTER PRICE - CALL US TEAC PD700M .... $239JVC TDW501 . SPECIAL 6 Disc Changer 4X Sampling Twin A/R Dubbing Deck RECEIVER SEPARATE Remote 32 Track Program Dolby B/C Continuous Play JVC XLM401 .. SPECIALTEAC V570 $169 2 Motor Dolby B/C/HX PRO .Z.V.M1 6 Disc Changer Dual 18 Bit Remote Coaxial Digital Output Bias Fine Tuning

JVC RX501BK ... SPECIAL PROTON D1200 .. SPECIALSAE D102 $289 JVC TDV621 .. SPECIAL 65 Watts/Ch Remote 7 Band EQ 100 Watts/Ch Power Amp 4X Oversampling 3 speed search 3 Head Dolby B/C/HX PRO Auto Memory CSRP DPD Circuitry Output Meters Remote 20 -Track Memory Closed Loop Dual Capstan JVC XLM701 .. SPECIALTEAC V670 $259 SHERWOOD S2770 II . $225 SAE A202 $229 74 Watts/Ch Remote 7 Band EQ 100 Watts/Ch Power Amp 6 +1 Changer Dual 18 Bit 3 Head Dolby B/C/HX PRO 4 EQ Memory Spectrum Analyzer Discrete Outputs Best Changer on the Market Bias Fine Tuning Auto Spacer

. SPECIAL JVC RX701VBK .... SPECIAL SAE A502 $389 PIONEER CLD1070 ... SPECIAL JVC TDW201 80 Watts/Ch Remote 7 Band EQ 200 Watts/Ch Power Amp Combination Laser/CD Player Dubbing Deck Dolby B/C Dolby Surround Sound Peak and Average LED's Supply Limited LED Meters Headphone Output

JVC RX901VBK .. SPECIAL SOUNDCRAFTSMAN PRO POWER 4 JVC XLZ611 .. SPECIALTEAC V285CHX .... $97 100 Watts/Ch Remote 7 Band EQ 205 Watts/Ch MOSFET AMP Dual 18 Bits Digital Outputs Dolby B/C/HX PRO Dolby Surround Sound SPECIAL 4X Sampling Best CD Player Auto Tape Selector MISCELLANEOUS SPEAKERS CAR STEREO CAR STEREO MISC . o0 m=miss sal

UMW in==z3E1 UNIDEN RD9 $109 CELESTION DL 8 II.. SPECIAL CLARION 9730RT 5189 CLARION 5630CD . $429 Radar Detector British Bookshelf 8 inch Bass High Power DIN A/R AM/FM Car CD Player 2X

Top Rated 2 -Way 1 inch Metal Tweeter APC Dolby Bass + Treble High Power Intro Music Scan

UNIDEN RD9XL s148 CELESTION DUO II . SPECIAL JVC KSRX1010 .. SPECIAL ALPHASONIC PMA2050 .. SPECIAL Radar Detector Floor Standing 10 inch 3 -Way Digital Dolby A/R AUX In 50 Watts/Ch AMP .05% THD E.D.I.T. Circuitry Aluminum Dome Tweeter 4 Channel Amp Line Out Bridgeable into Mono -100 Wts

SONY WMAF604 .. $119 CELESTION DL12 II . SPECIAL CLARION 9770RT . $225 ALPHASONIC PMA2075 .. SPECIAL Super Walkman Dolby AM/FM Tall Powerful Design Removeable DIN Dolby 75 Watts/Ch AMP .05% THD Auto Reverse Dual Battery Twin 8" bass/mid Poly Drivers 4 Channel Power A/R Bridgeable into Mono -150 Wts

FREEDOM PHONE FF1700X $119 DESIGN ACCOUSTICS P510. SPECIAL CLARION 8671RT .$199CLARION 702E0A .$119 Cordless Phone 10" 3 -Way Bookshelf 200 Watts Removeable DIN APC A/R AMP/EQ 7 Bands 25 X 4 Power Best One Made Down -firing Woofer Bass + Treble RCA Line Sub Woofer Output ENCORES TI 1 E centenary of the birth of Sir some enough to make them truly com- Adrian Boult last April was gen- petitive even now. Three are devoted to erally overlooked hereabouts. Wagner, performed by the three top but several CD reissues of his London orchestras (CDM 63120, recordings that came out then will be 63121, and 63122). Almost all of the around for some time to remind us of familiar orchestral extracts are here. what a remarkable conductor he was. and Volume 3, with the relatively un- While Boult was primarily associated familiar Faust Overture and a generous with British music in the minds of helping from Parsifal, is especially per- American listeners-and justly so, for suasive. No less so are the two discs of no English conductor has been a more Russian music with the London Phil- energetic or more effective champion of harmonic. The Tchaikovsky collection his creative compatriots-his sympa- on CDM 63095 comprises a dream per- Charles Munch thies and enthusiasms were by no formance of the Suite No. 3-the one means limited by geographic, ethnic, or with the famous theme -and -variations versions. Filling out the disc now are parochialconsiderations. He was a finale-and excellent ones of the Ca- the Four Sea Interludes and Passacaglia priccio italien, the Marche slave, and from Peter Grimes. Boult gave less the Gopak from Mazeppa. On CDM attention to Britten than to other Eng- 63123 there is more Tchaikovsky, near - lish composers and made only two definitive performances of the over- recordings of his music; this one is stun- tures Romeo and Juliet and 1812, along ning, a fine companion piece for the with an account of Glinka's Russian Hoist. and Ludmilla Overture that may be Reiner's glorious recordings with the compared only with Reiner's and simi- Chicago Symphony, transferred to CD larly impressive performances of three with striking success over the last few showpieces by Rimsky-Korsakov-the years, are now being transferred from Capriccio espagnol, the "Procession of RCA Victor's full -price Red Seal label the Nobles" from Mlada, and the to the mid -price Gold Seal, which can "Dances of the Tumblers" from The only make them even more attractive. Snow Maiden. In the initial batch of five such transfers On a CD from another source we do are the monumental recording of Bar- have Boult conducting English music, tok's Concerto for Orchestra with the and here, too, the term "definitive" sug- Music for Strings. Percussion. and Cel- gests itself. Nixa, which began reissuing esta (60 I75-2-RG), the stunning collec- some of its mono recordings from the tion of Strauss waltzes (60 I 77-2-RG), mid -Fifties on co a few years ago, and music of Mahler, Debussy, Ravel, recently went back to remaster some of Prokofiev, and Glinka. Adrian Boult the material and present it on discs that Another memorable conductor of not only sound better than the earlier the Boult-Reiner generation, Charles splendid interpreter of a very broad transfers but are more generously filled. Munch (1891-1968), was, like Boult, es- repertoire, and many of his perform- Boult's classic account of Walton's Bel- pecially identified with the music of his ances of the great German and Russian shazzar's Feast was so issued last year, own country, but he was far more wide- works of the nineteenth century might and now we have his incomparable ly acknowledged in a more "interna- serve as norms against which others 1953 recording of The Planets. This, the tional" repertoire. Disques Montaigne should be measured. second of thefive recordings Boult (distributed by Harmonia Mundi USA) Boult was a contemporary of Fritz made of the Hoist suite that he was the has just issued a CD of concert perform- Reiner, whom he outlived by nearly first to perform (the last was issued in ances with the ensemble now known as twenty years. (Reiner, born in Decem- observance of his ninetieth birthday), l'Orchestre National de France in mu- ber1888, diedin November 1963; was by all means the finest perform- sic of Beethoven that show Munch at Boult died in February 1983.) While ance, and the sound has been incredibly his absolute best (MUN 2061). In the these two conductors would appear to refreshed in the new transfer (NIXCD Seventh Symphony and the Consecra- have been strikingly different in tem- 6013)-to the point of making it a via- tion of the House Overture, from the perament, their recordings show that ble consideration for first choice even inaugural concert in the Maison de la they had a great deal in common musi- among all the digitally recorded stereo Radio, Paris, in December 1963, you cally. Both, first of all, emphasized secu- feel every player must have been swept rity,precision, and clarity as prime Fritz Reiner up in Munch's Dionysiac impulse. The essentials, forming a solid base from performances are fiery without being which flexibility, brilliance, and inter- fierce, flexible yet rhythmically solid; pretive fine points could be supported. they are exceptional for vitality, color, Both were self -demanding and, in re- and spontaneity, and yet even the ap- spect to the music, self-effacing, careful parent impetuosity has an elegance not to get in its way, always insuring about it. The same characteristics, ap- that its own character was preserved. propriately scaled down to more lyric Five Boult CD'S issued in Angel's mid - proportions, are apparent in the Fourth price Studio series are more than mere Symphony, recorded the following year souvenirs of a well -loved figure; they in Stockholm. The sound quality is sur- are prime examples of the conductor's prisingly good, if a little bass -heavy. I art at its most illuminating. The per- would imagine that anyone who hears formances, mostly recorded in the early this disc is likey to find it irresistible, Seventies, arein many cases unsur- regardless of any duplications it may passed, and the sound quality is hand - create. Richard Freed

162 S. FERE° RFVI DECI.IN1BER 1989 = SAVE MONEY, TIME AND FREIGHT ON FAMOUS BRAND STEREO EQUIPMENT

illinoi, audio(800) 621-8042 / (312) 664.0020 12 E. DELAWARE PLACE CHICAGO, IL 60611 I.1 LOUDSPEAKERS CASSETTE DECKS RECEIVERS CD PLAYERS TECHNICS SBL-36 ./M1111 I' Powerful I= Ir..7:-'4- .g. I; Loudspeaker System °L1=--- I -- 1818111C1 TECHNICS SA -160 SHARP DXR-700 I s, TEAC V-285CHX Compact Disc Digital Audio Player Quartz Synthesizer 3 Beam loser pickup Random access CALL FOR PRICE Stereo Cassette Deck AM /FM Stereo Receiver programmable memory-up to 20 selec- Dolby IL C& HO PRO NR Bias 'inc Tuning 80 Watt (40x21 24 preset station file tions Cue & Review Remote Control Full Auto Slop Mech Metal lope Com- 5 Band Graphic Equalizer patible 3-Pos Tape Select 3Digit lope List 5269 95SALE: S139.95 E.P.I. CD55 Counter LIST 5209 95 SALE: $147.95

3 -Way Speaker '4995 SALE: $99.95 System 12 - Bass Driver Wide Frequency Response - Constant Dispersion TECHNICS SLP999 Design Specially De- Cu .2;221M11855910,11011ae Remote Controlled CD Player signed High Efficiency u -r With The Works! Cabinet 20 bit 32 Track programmability MO 00 eo TECHNICS SAR377 8% oversampling 4 DAC 's Peak Leve TEAC R455X SALE $99.00 ea. Quartz Synthesized Control A B Repeat Auto Level 3 CD Auto Reverse Cassette Deck Remote Controlled Receiver capable Edit guide Music Scan TECHNICS SBS407 Br -Directional record, playbock Auto AM FM Stereo Receiver 160 worts CALL FOR PRICE :averse Repeat Dolby B & CNR HX Pro 80 RMSx21 Full Remote Control 24 3 -Way Speaker Timer Rec Play System -esets 7 -Band EQ w Spectrum Analyze .19 521995 SALE: $139.95 4 Aud. Inputs plus 2 Aud VId Inputs MHO 12Woofer Horn Sup.' Station Fire Tweeter High Heat Rests tance Efficiency Bass CALL FOR PRICE Reflex Design Heavy Duty Anti -Resonance Cabinet TEAC PD -700M - . -- CALL FOR PRICE ggel4214i5118611811O1 6 -Disc CD Changer with Remote . 4X oversampling 16 bits 2 DA Convertors - 32 track random programming JENSEN 3120 TECHNICS RS-TR555 10 key remote 12", 3 -Way 12" low JVC RX-701VBK List 549995 SALE: $269.95 frequency driver 150 Double Quick Auto Reverse Surround Sound Receiver Watts peak power 60 Cassette Deck AM FM item° Digital Receiver 160 watts continuous Auto Reverse on both tape decks 24 hour ::arts (80x2) Dolby Surround Sound contin playback Hi-spd editing SynChro Barton hickory finis. - Buill.ln Synthesizer -Tuner 40 Memory start & stop& mute Dozy' HX-Pro List 513995 ea sets 7Band EQ 2 PR Speaker SALE: $74.95 ea. CALL FOR PRICE CALL FOR PRICE TECHNICS SL-PC20 Rotary Compact Disc Changer Change disCsduring play with top.loading. 5 -disc rotary design Completely pro- SONY WM-AF57 AM/FM Stereo Radio grammable. repeat and random play fOr 5 a 11311111-riniusatilla1 discs Multi -function, 25 key wireless Cassette Player remote control Quadruple oversompling Dolby B NR Auto - reverse with direction TEAC W660R JVC RX-901BVK 20 step random access programming and mode selectors Double Auto Reverse Remote Controlled Receiver CALL FOR PRICE Variable Mega Bass Cassette Deek 200 Watts (100a2) Dolby' Pro -logic Ultra -light MDR Dolby B & C t_tne touch high speed with adiustable digital delay 3 Video,i, headphones dubbing Coni,nuouS Play Memory puts Programm 7 band EQ Dig Syne, List $94 95 ploy search dubbing Full logic control Tuner 80 presets Preset Scan SALE: $62.95 :ST 551900 SALE: $299.95 CALL FOR PRICE SONY WM-AF604 Sony Super Walkman AM I M Stereo Gasser,. AUDIO TAPE CARTRIDGES Player X-tra Small Size JVCXLM701BK Auto Reverse Quick MAXELL XLII-100 SHURE M111HE CD Multi -Changer Charger Dolby B NR KOSS PR0/450 100 minutes perfec, lo Precision crafted hyper ,1 6.1 CD Changers player Remote List 516995 Sound isolating Dual CD recording Improved leptical diamond tip control Random Access program up to element dynamic driver performance hi -bias Dynamic stabilizer 32 steps 18 bit DAC 4 X oversamplings Precision performance SALE: $116.95 Side guard ' -1 Digital Filter Perfect for digital music 10 for $24.95 SONY D-25 List 514995 SALE $49.95 CALL FOR PRICE Discman Portable List $17500 SALE: $138.00 SONY SR -90 Top of the line metal AT 122LP CD Player SENNHEISER HD480 cassette tape Dual Magnet Plug -In TURNTABLES Ultra Small & LighlWt Digital Open Air Design Connector Linea, Con, 21Track Random Music. CD Perfect 10 for $20.00 Diamond Stylus Sensor 4 -Repeal Modes List $12500 SALE: $49 95 TECHNICS SU33 Unilinear Converter 599 00SALE: $69.95 TDK MA -90 Programmable or:Digital Filter Metal alloy cosset* SHURE V15VM0 SONY MDR CD6 Hi -bias Quartz Linear CALL FOR PRICE Hi coercryity Ultra Accurate Tracking Tracking Turntable : Open Ai Dynamic Stabalizer ! ;:,yirai Ready guard Protection 8 -Band random pro $22.00 arm -riming Auto high st 511995 SALE: $79.00 MAXELL MX -90 List 527500 SALE: $129.95 speed listing Rem.,t, ,..0190 mm cassette eol cap, . 10 for $28.95 CALL FOR PRICE

TECHNICS SLL25 Fully Automatic I I Linear Tracking SONY ES -S92 Mimi/ audio Turntable - 6 x 9 2 -Way Car Speakers Remote control capable w 12 E. Delaware P1.. Chicago 60611 Repeat function Front panel operotion I SALE $39.95 16 YEARS OF MEETING THE NATION'S STEREO NEEDS WITH Anti -vibration THE ABSOLUTE BEST PRICES ON TOP NAME NATIONAL BRANDS construction 000 Call Mon. thru Sat. 10 to 5 (312) 664-0020 1 (800)621-8042 CALL FOR PRICE 1.1 Prices in this ad are for mail-order only DUAL 503-1 Freight charges not included in prices All Top Class, Audiophile SHERWOOD CRD350 merchandise shipped brand new, factory Semi -Automatic Car Stereo with Cassette Deck fresh with full warranty. Not responsible for Turntable AM Stereo FM Stereo Receiver I uk Logic typographical errors. Bell driven Low Controlled Dolby B C NR Auto Re resonance onfi-vibraliori verse Built -In Amp w Balance & t ceder design Electronic speed Local DistSwitch Preset Sr Clock NOTE:This is just a partial listing of our extensive control Auto switch OR 01 Security Cover inventory, please call for quotes on additional items Gimbal mount low moss tonearrn SALE: $179.00 or to request a free price list. LIST 525' n0SALE: $129.95 Vion mo urp:mm.qm im:ms:MIMIIIIMW.rwmilmo:ww1811:1Mp:wo.IM MVO 1111W 41114111,4MII.M114141M 11.411, 4=114111 IMI) 4E1 GO IMM4M1 IMAM =1:4M14111M9,0 EDITORIAL INDEX 1989

JVC RX-801 V. Oct. 60 TECHNICAL FEATURES Prepared by Dazfrid Stein Kenwood KR -V9010, Nov. 93 American Audio Classics (Smolen). Jun. 68 Mitsubishi M-AV1. Jul. 32 The Basics (Masters): From Coding to Nakamichi TA -4A. Nov. 68 Recording, Oct. 43; Names and Numbers. EQUIPMENT TEST REPORTS Onkyo TX -890. Dec. 57 Nov. 27; Magnets and Music. Dec. 39 (Hirsch -Houck Laboratories) Sansui RZ-7000, Feb. 37 Best Seat in the House (Livingstone). Apr. 62 Car Stereo-see Hi-Fi; Traveling Amplifiers and Preamplifiers Signal Processors JVC XP -A1000 digital surround processor. CD Players. The New (Masters). Oct. 84: CD Denon AVC-2000 (integrated). Sep. 45 Changers (Masters). Jul. 58; The Making of a Grundig Fine Arts A-903 (integrated). May 59 May 38 Pioneer SP -91D digital sound processor. Dec. 82 CD Player (Wolfe). Aug. 55 Haller XL -600 (power). Apr. 48: IRIS CES Show Stoppers. (Day). Apr. 57. Sep. 95 (preamplifier), Dec. 65 Proton SD -I000 surround -sound decoder. Jun. 62 Combi-Players. Three Top (Foster). Dec. 94 Linn LK I(preamplifier) and LK280 (power). Compatibility (Masters). Nov. 98 Jan. 56 Speaker Systems Luxman TP-I 17 (tuner/preamplifier). Sep. 64 Advent Prodigy Tower. May 47 Rockford Fosgate RF200 (preamplifier) and Allison AL 120. Sep. 47 RF2000 (power). Jun. 50 Alice Lansing Model 511, Nov. 84 Sony TA-E1000ESD (preamplifier). Oct. 90 Bose 10.2 Series II. Feb. 46 Audio/Video Equipment Celestion Model 3. Jun. 42 Denon AVC-2000 integrated amplifier. Sep. 45 Design Acoustics PS -3 Micro -Monitor. Dec. 69 Kenwood KR -V9010 receiver, Nov. 93 Epicure Model I. Oct. 78 Mitsubishi M -AV Ireceiver. Jul. 32 Jamo Concert 11. Jul. 28 Philips CDV488 combi-player. Oct. 68: CDV487 Meridian D600. Sep. 108 combi-player (Foster). Dec. 94 Mission Cyrus 781. Oct. 53 Pioneer CLD-3070 combi-player (Foster). Mordaunt-Short MS35Ti. May 62 Dec. 94 Ohm CAM 16, Apr. 39 Yamaha CDV-I600 combi-player (Foster). Paradigm Export Monitor. Jul. 38 Dec. 94 Precise Monitor 5. Aug. 39 Thiel CSI.2. Jan. 53 Car Stereo (Hirsch and Pohlmann) Wharfedale Diamond 111. Mar. 43 Blaupunkt New York SCD 08. Nov. 24 Yamaha NS -I. Feb. 39 Coustic RX-728. Aug. 22 Eclipse ESD-230. Jan. 30 Other Equipment AudioSource EQ Ten equalizer/analyzer. Cassette Decks (Stark) Mar. 54 Aiwa AD -F780. Jan. 65 Beyerdynamic IRS 690 headphones. Jun. 57 NAD Model 6340. Sep. 56 Dual CT -5040 tuner. Aug. 34 Pioneer CT -S800. Mar. 41 Luxman TP-I 17 tuner/preamplifier. Sep. 64 Compact Disc Players Thorens TD280 MUl record player. Aug. 42 Adcom GCD-575. Jan. 51 Conrad -Johnson DF1 (with preamplifier). THE. HIGH END (Hodges) Dec. 72 The (Record) Dust Settles. Jan. 144 Fisher DAC-ZI (changer). Sep. 52 Save That Studer. Continued, Feb. 176 Harman Kardon HD7500, Nov. 76 The Optical Turntable. Mar. 136 Hitachi DA -C70 (changer). May 52 The Ohm/Walsh Driver. Apr. 112 DAT: Goes Video (Harrell). Sep. 36: Its a Deal The Black Hole of Bass. May 136 (Boundas). Oct. 4 The Impossible Achieved?, Jun. 136 Design for Listening (Berger), Dec. 102 Six -Inch Overachiever. Jul. 104 Digital Update (Pohlmann). Oct. 95 Work in Progress. Aug. 97 Distortion. The Audibility of (Masters). Jan. 72 MASH to the Rescue. Sep. 164 Eastern Standards (Smolen), Jul. 42 The Silver Standard. Oct. 160 Equipment Buying Guide (staff). Feb. 67 DAT: Cons and Pros. Nov. 171 European Audio: A Tradition of Excellence The Yellow Room. Dec. 172 (Smolen). Aug. 48 The Explorers: Movers and Shakers in Audio SIGNALS (Pohlmann) Technology (Berger). Jun. 84 Pursuing DAT. Mar. 32 FMX, The Noise About (Warren), Sep. 113 Sonic Solutions, Apr. 28 Get the Picture! (Kenny). Apr. 69 Chips Ahoy. May 22 Hi-Fi Hits the Road (Wolfe and Smolen). The Numbers Madness. Jun. 24 May 80 Dolby S. Aug. 20 Hi-Fi VCR Buying Guide (staff). Apr. 74 The Next Revolution(s), Sep. 28 High -Technology TV-see Get the Picture! The Speaker Gap. Oct. 24 Holiday Gifts (Livingstone), Dec. 113 Stereo to Go, Nov. 42 Japan Audio Fair 1988 (Harrell), Jan. 95; Made "Just the Facts. Please." Dec. 22 in Japan (Harrell). Jul. 49; also see Eastern Standards SYSTEMS (Day) Listening Tests-see Distortion Building on the repeat theme. Jan. 84 Psycho -What? (Pohlmann), Sep. 116 Updating an entertainment console. Mar. 96 Rodrigues Contest. Jan. 27, Jul. 18 A live-end/dead-end garage. Jun. 82 Shure Home Theater Sound-see Best Scat Marantz CDC -320 (changer). Feb. 42 Out of sight in La -La Land. Jul. 56 Signal Processors (Simon). Dec. 107 NEC CD-830DS. May 35 Designer audio: Now you see it. now you don't. Speakers. How to Buy (Masters). Sep. 100; Onkyo DX -7500. Apr. 37 Aug. 62 Speaker Design (Hirsch). Nov. 115; The Philips CDV488 (combi). Oct. 68; CDV487 Listen while you work. Oct. 100 Making of an American Speaker (Masters). (combi. Foster). Dec. 94 Bringing down the house, Nov. 112 Jun. 75; Speaker of the House (Berger), Pioneer PD -7I. Aug. 31; CLD-3070 (combi. Mar. 91 Foster). Dec. 94 TECHNICAL TALK (Hirsch) Surround Sound (Pohlmann), Nov. 106 Sansui Vintage CD -X71 I. Oct. 49 Subjective Evaluations, Jan. 42 Tape Buying Guide (staff). Mar. 87 Sherwood CD -1 160R. Mar. 46 Wanted: Car Audio Standards!. Feb. 34 Tape Deck Buying Guide (staff), May 89 Sony CDP-608ESD, Jun. 33 Component Interdependence. Mar. 36 Tape Recording (Stark). Mar. 82 Technics SL -PI 300. Jul. 23 FMX Noise, Apr. 30 Traveling: Sound Options from the Car Yamaha ('DX -I120. Nov. 61; CDV-I600 Is Polarity Audible?. May 28 Companies (Pohlmann). May 73 (combi, Foster). Dec. 94 System Integration. Jun. 28 Turntables and Cartridges (Masters). Jan. 79 Phono Cartridges Hi-Fi AM Radio. Jul. 20 Upgrading Your System (Hirsch), Feb. 50 Audio-Technica AT-MLI70. Jul. 29 Remote Controls. Aug. 26 Where's the Rot? (Day), Apr. 23 Ortofon Model 540. Apr. 42 Evolving Test Procedures. Sep. 37 Polarity Revisited. Oct. 48 BEST RECORDINGS OF THE MONTH Receivers Real Hi-Fi at the Movies?. Nov. 48 Popular Carver Model 6250. Mar. 50 Does It Make a Difference?. Dec. 48 The BoDeans: Home, Nov. 124

64 S-1 FRE() I -A%' DFCF\IRF R 1989 EDITORIAL INDEX 1989

Case. Peter: The Man with the Blue Postmodern Mutter. Anne -Sophie (Kupferberg). Jul. 63 Fragmented Neo-Traditionalist Guitar. Newman, Randy: Land of Dreams (Givens), Aug. 71 Jan. 113 Costello, Elvis: Spike. May 103 Norman. Jessye (Livingstone). Oct. 102 Crenshaw, Marshall: Good Evening, Sep. 123 Norrington, Roger (Stearns). Sep. 105 Dash Rip Rock: Ace of Clubs. Nov. 123 Orbison, Roy: Mystery Girl (Nash), May 114 Harris. Emmylou: Bluebird, Apr. 81 Oslin. K.T. (Nash). Aug. 67 Jason and the Scorchers: Thunder and Fire. Petty, Tom: Full Moon Fever (Simels). Jul. 73 Oct. 107 The Proclaimers: Sunshine on Leith Lovett, Lyle: And His Large Band, May 104 (Puterbaugh), Jun. 99 Madonna: Like a Prayer, Jul. 67 Prokofiev: War and Peace (Salzman), Aug. 93 Pere Ubu: Cloudland, Aug. 72 Record of the Year Awards, Feb. 59 The Pursuit of Happiness: Love Junk, Feb. 143 Revueltas: Gamins, Alaska para charlar. Raitt, Bonnie: Nick of Time. Jun. 93 I'entanas (Freed), Nov. 158 Reed, Lou: New York, Apr. 82 Richards, Keith: Talk Is ('heap (Simels). Roberts. Marcus: The Truth Is Spoken Here. Jan. 11)9 Jul. 68 Rock City Angels: Young Alan's Blues Ronstadt, Linda: Cry Like a Rainstorm, llonl (Puterbaugh), Feb. 151 Like the Wind, Dec. 123 The Rolling Stones: Steel II 'heels (Simels), Schuur, Diane: Talkin"Bout You. Feb. 144 Dec. 132 Shocked. Michelle: Short, Sharp, Shocked. RECORD/BACKBEAT Schiff Andras-see Bach and Mozart Mar. 104 GOING ON Shostakovich: Symphony No. 11 (Hall). Siouxsie and the Banshees: Peep Show. Jan. 101 Recording American (Livingstone). Sep. 32 Jun. 115 The Thieves: Seduced by Money, Jun. 94 Tributes (Simels), Oct. 138 Simple Minds (Karr). Nov. 103 Thompson, Richard: Amnesia, Jan. 102 Salute to France (Livingstone), Nov. 164 Snow. Phoebe: Something Real (Nash), Jul. 84 Townshend, Pete: The Iron Man. Oct. 108 Springsteen, Bruce: Yideo Anthology/1978-88 Vaughan, Stevie Ray and Double Trouble: In MUSICAL FEATURES (Meredith). Jun. 110 Step, Dec. 124 Bach: English Suites (Lincoln). Aug. 87; also see Staples. Mavis: Time Waits for No One Williams, Lucinda. Mar. 103 Brass (Garland). Oct. 116 Baker, Anita: Giving You the Best That I Got Starker, Janos: Romantic Cello Favorites Tribute to John Coltrane-Lire Under the Sky. (Garland), Mar. 108 (Freed), Dec. 147 Sep. 124 Bartok: String Quartets Nos. 1-6 (Freed), Stay Awake (Simels). Feb. 160 Classical Feb. 163 Strauss, R.: Ariadne auf Naxos (Ackart). Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 4 and 5, Jan. 104: Battle, Kathleen, and Placido Domingo: Live in Mar. 119 Piano Sonatas Nos. 28-32, Oct. 110; Tokyo 1988 (Freed), Oct. 141 Straw, Syd: Surprise (Givens). Nov. 129 Symphonies Nos. 4, 5. and 7, Egmont Batiz, Enrique-see Chavez and Revueltas Sullivan, Maxine. and Scott Hamilton Quintet: and Coriolan Overtures, Nov. 126 Beethoven: Diahelli Variations (Freed), Jul. 89; Swingin' Sweet (Garland), Jan. 124 Berlioz: Symphonic fantastique. Jul. 68 Symphonies Nos. 1-9. Overtures (Salzman), Summit Brass-see Brass Debussy: Preludes. Book II. Jul. 70 Jan. 128; Symphonies Nos. 1-9 (Salzman). Tashians. Barry and Holly: Trust in Me (Nash). Hanson: Symphonies Nos.I and 2, Elegy in May 126 Oct. 128 Memory of Serge Koussevitzky, Sep. 126 Bernstein, Leonard-see Mahler Tate, Jeffrey (Kupferberg). May 86 Haydn: Keyboard Sonatas Nos. 33, 38. 58. and Billy Hill: 1.4m Just a Rebel (Nash). Dec. 136 Teelee Toons: The Onnmercials (Simels). Bogguss, Suzy: Somewhere Between (Nash), 60. Sep. 123 Sep. 140 Liszt: Piano Concertos Nos.I and 2, Toren/wiz, Jul. 76 Mar. 105 Brass Music by Bach, Gabrieli, Frescobaldi. Mahler: Symphony No. 9, May 106 Monteverdi. et al. (Salzman). Nov. 162 Martial: Piano Music. Dec. 126 Browne. Jackson: World in Motion (Givens). Prokofiev: Violin Concertos Nos.I and 2, Jun. Oct. 113 96; Violin Concerto No. 2, Nov. 123 Budget Compact Discs (Livingstone). Jun. 122 Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2, Six Burton, Gary: Times Like These (Givens). Etudes -tableaux, Apr. 84; Symphony No. 2, Mar. 116 Jun. 93 Canadian Brass-see Brass Ravel: Piano Concertos, Fanfare for L'Eventail Chapman, Tracy: Crossroads (Garland). de Jeanne, Menuet antique. Le Tombeau de Dec. 129 Couperin, Oct. 108 Chavez: Sinfohia de Antigona, Sinfonia Rossini: La Cenerentola, Feb. 146 romantica (Freed). Nov. 158 Schubert: Symphony No. 9. Feb. 144 Clark, Guy: Old Friends (Nash), Jun. 102 Schumann: Symphonies Nos.I and 2. Apr. 82 Country, Hooked on (Nash), Jan. 86 Shostakovich: Violin Concerto No. I, Nov. 123 Empire Brass-see Brass Strauss. R.: Also sprach Zarathustra. Don Juan. Encores: CD reissues of recordings by Adrian Mar. 103: Elektra, Aug. 71; Le Bourgeois Boult, Fritz Reiner, and Charles Munch Gentilhomme, Dec. 123 (Freed), Dec. 162 Stravinsky: The Firebird, Scherzo a la russe, Fairground Attraction: The First of a Million Kisses (Givens), Mar. 107 Four Studies for Orchestra, Aug. 73 Gabrieli, G.-sec Brass Norman, Jessye: Song Recital, Jan. 101 Gershwin: Porgy and Bess (Salzman), Oct. 148 Orpheus Chamber Orchestra: Prokofiev, Britten, Haimovitz, Matt: Lalo. Bruch. and Saint -Sens and Bizet. May 104 (Freed), Oct. 152 They Might Be Giants: Lincoln (Slack). Harrison: Elegiac Symphony (Salzman). Mar. 110 Nov. 155 Throwing Muses: llunkpapa (Puterbaugh). Henley, Don: The End of the Innocence May 109 (Puterbaugh), Nov. 132 'Til Tuesday: Everything's Dillerent Now Holiday Gifts (Livingstone). Dec. 113 (Puterbaugh). Apr. 96 Horszowski, Mieczyslaw: Mozart, Chopin. and Tin Machine (Puterbaugh), Sep. 129 Schumann (Freed), Mar. 126 Tom Tom Club (Givens), Dec. 100 Jazz, The New (Albertson). Mar. 98: Classic Travis. Randy (Reilly). Jun. 90 Jazz on CD Offer, Oct. 35 Upshaw, Dawn: American Vocal Works (Freed). Hovhaness: Mysterious Mountain, Lousadzak Sep 152 (Salzman), Nov. 155 Villa -Lobos: Bachianas brasileiras, Nos. 1-9 Jarrett, Keith-see Harrison (Freed), Apr. 87 Keita, Salif: Koran (Givens). Nov. 150 Wagner: Die Walkare (Stearns). Jan. 134 tang, k.d., and the reclines: Absolute Torch and Walker, Jerry Jeff: Live at Gruen(' Hall (Nash). Twang (Nash). Aug. 75 Sep 136 Laubin Brass Ensemble-see Brass The Waterboys: Fisherman's Blues Mahler: Symphony No. I(Freed), Sep. 145 (Puterbaugh), Apr. 95 Marc V.: Too True (Garland), Jul. 80 It 'ill the Circle Be Unbroken. Volume Two Mozart: Short Piano Works (Freed). Jan. 127; (Nash), Aug. 82 Le no::e di Figaro (Lincoln). May 119 XTC: Oranges and Lemons (Simels). Jun. 108

S I ERE() REV I FAA'Dl' :F.N1B1. R 1989 165 STERB)REviEw RETAIL MART

Where to buy Polk Speakers TAKETHE AUTHORIZED HOME DEALERS CANADA Michigan City Muncie Plains Woodbury APPROACHFOR South Bend Terre OIIHD AK Anchorage Fairbanks Haute OH Akron Canton DEALERS

KS Junction City ' KansasCity Cleveland A Suburbs: As Cincinnati

AUTHORIZED AL Birmingham Dothan ' Overland Park Columbus: Sic, Dayton CARVER

Huntsville Mobile . Wichita Topeka Findlay: S Lima Montgomery Toledo A ADS DENON

Tuscaloosa KY Bowling Green Lexington OK Lawton Oklahoma City

AR Fayetteville FtSmith Little . Louisville Shawnee Stillwater ALPHASONIC TANDBERG Rock Searcy Owensboro. Paducah Tulsa ' AZ Phoenix Mesa Tucson Pikeville - OR Eugene . . Grants Pass AUDIO

HAFLER Yuma LA Alexandria Lafayette Medford Salem

CA Bakersfield ' Campbell Metairie & New Orleans

Canoga Park Carpinteria PA Allentown '.' Blakely CONTROL INFINITY Chico Corona MA Boston Bryn Mawr . ' ' Camp

Del Mar Escondido Fitchburg N Dartmouth Hill . Chambersburg BOSTON ORTOFON Eureka Pittsfield Worcesler. Erie Harrisburg

Lancaster . Longbeach Johnstown ACOUSTICS ONKYO Mountain View ME Bangor Camden Kingston Lancaster Napa Orange Portland', Longhorne . Montgomery BANG & Redondo MD Baltimore Gaithersburg ville- Natrona Heights Penngrove DUAL

Riverside Sacra- Philadelphia & Suburbs . '.'

. mento . San Diego MI Ann Arbor Birmingham Pittsburgh Quaker OLUFSEN San Francisco & Suburbs San Dearborn - Farmington Reading JP -

Gabriel San Jose Hills Flint Grand Selinsgrove State College San Luis Obispo Santa Bar Rapids Iron Mountain Stroudsburg OA bara Santa Cruz '. Kalamazoo Lansing . Wexford Williamsport APPRHN 'C1725 Santa Maria Santa Monica Midland . Petoskey " SOUNDCOMMACK Stockton Thousand Saginaw Traverse PUERTO RICO Rio Piedras THE TPKEA

Oaks Upland - Ciltk1 RI Middleton N Providence 6067JERICHO Ventura Victorville tlAlexadOria Duluth ' 516- Visalia ' Westminster Grand Rapids SC Anderson '"' Charleston

Mankato ' Minneapolis &

CO Boulder Colorado Springs Suburbs Rochester Greenville:':".' Greenwood

Denver 8 Suburbs SIPaul Spartansburg

Glenwood Springs Grand MO Cape Girardeau Columbia SD Aberdeen ' ' Rapid City

Junction Minium Kansas City .' Sioux Falls

Pueblo Springfield . St Louis TN Chattanooga s Cookeville

CT Avon Danbury Kings-

Fairfield Greenwich MS Hamburg '. Jackson port Knoxville $otirtd Seller

Hartford New Haven Pascagoula. McMinnville . .'. Memphis'. Newington New Lon- MT Billings . Bozeman Nashville . For the Musical Difference don Norwalk Water- Great Falls . *.' TO Amarillo Arlington

bury ' Kallispell ' . Missoula. Austin'.' College DE Wilmington . Station Corpus Christi .. Authorized Dealer For: -- FL Daytona Beach FtMyers NC Boone Chapel Hill: Dallas El Paso Ft

FlLauderdale Charlotte . . s Conover Worth Houston

Acoustat NAD (in store only) FtPierce Ft Walton Greensboro try! Henderson- Hurst Laredo ' '

Gainsville ville Kinston s s Longview Lubbock Audio Control Belles Jacksonville Moorehead City ' ' New Bern McAllen " - San An Nitty Gritty CWD Key West Lakeland Raleigh . Ionia'.' San Marcos . M&K dbx Mary Esther Rocky Mount:': . Wil- Sherman Temple',

Merrill Island Miami mington ' Wilson ' Texarkana .. Victoria: Nakamichi Fried

Naples Winston-Salem Waco Oracle Harman Kardon Panama City ND Bismarck Fargo UT Logan Salt Lake City Polk JBL StGeorge. Pensacola Sunrise PROAC Onkyo ' ' . SI Petersburg NE Kearney Lincoln

Tallahassee Tampa VA Bristol Charlottesville Proton Gardo

W Palm Beach NH Concord '.. Laconia Falls Church Manassas Har STAX Lexicon North Hampton risonberg '.". Richmond Thorens Celestion GA Athens . Atlanta & Suburbs Salem Roanoke Virginia Augusta Brunswick NJ East Brunswick Maple Beach Dahlquist DCM

Columbus '.' Gainsville Shade - . Montclair VT Brattleboro Essex Juno Haller Niles Macon '.' Sa- Paramus Raritan lion Rutland'' Monster Cable Kinergetics vannah Valdosta Ridgewood Shrews WA Bellingham ChelanV' Citation Duntech bury '' Toms River Oak Harbor . Seattle Bell

HI Honolulu Wall Twp ' ' West vue Lynnwood '' Spokane Velodyne IA Davenport Des Moines Caldwell Tacoma'.' Dodge City Dubuque NM Alamogordo . Albuguer WI Appleton Eau Claire

Iowa City Mason City Carlsbad . Fond Du Lac Green 1706 Main St Sioux City Water rloevis' Santa Fe .'. Bay .. Lacrosse Marinette. WI 54143 loo Madison . V' Marinette

(715) 7359002 ID Boise Moscow NV Elko Las Vegas Milwaukee . Oshkosh Sandpoint Twin Falls Reno South Shore Lake Tahoe Ripon Wausau

IL Alton Aurora . NY Albany '' Amherst WV Barboursville. Beckley, ,..harles:on

Carbondale Champaign . Batavia Buffalo . Clarksburg

Chicago & Suburbs Corning Elmira Huntington . Pied

Decatur Highland Park Forest Hills Fredonia moot: Coon . Wheeling Joliet Kankakee Glens Falls Goshen WY Cheyenne Gilletlo

Lansing Ithaca Sheridan:

Naperville Normal Jamestown Manhasset Peoria Rockford Massena Springfield Spring Newburgh New Hartford Audit) I)CIIla. Valley Sterling New York City Authorized Sales and Service IN Bloomington Bluffton polk audio Evansville Ft Plattsburgh Rochester ADCOM * NAKAMICHI* Wayne Indianapolis . Scarsdale Syracuse Lafayette Marion Vestal White ARAGON PARADIGM ARCAM ROGERS B & K SHURE ULTRA CAL SONOGRAPHE CELESTION SOTA RETAIL MARI. CONRAD JOHNSON SOUNOSTREAM HAFLER STAX AN EXCLUSIVE MEDIUM FOR ALL RETAILERS KLIPSCH THETA DIGITAL OF AUDIO AND VIDEO EQUIPMENT MAGNEPAN VAN DEN HUL MIRAGE VELODYNE The STEREO REVIEW Retail Mart is an ideal forum to reach interested audio/video enthusiast' MIT CABLES VTL MONSTER CABLES WELL TEMPERED who are active buyers themselves, and who advise others on stereo and video purchases, NAD YAMAHA* The Retail Mart is an exclusive section designed to showcase your advertising in STEREC REVIEW, and since the manufacturers of many of the brands you sell consistently advertise it IN STORE ONLY STEREO REVIEW, y,ur impart is even (renter! 2021 SMITH HAVEN PLAZA Inotit. 3471 LAKE GROVE NV 11755 CALL US TODAY TO PLACE YOUR AD

IN THE STEREO REVIEW RETAIL MART. . . (516) 360-1990 AND MAKE STEREO REVIEW READERS YOUR CUSTOMERS! Auditions By Appointment (800) 445-6066 g O L. a) .P.7"7* 7M111/ 2 1, O 0 al Q. rC 2,3 E >F g .iiii;N c)w I- 0 u ' 2 ? -2 4523 -13Th AVE., COR. 46Th ST. z m,- ffl," . 73 x .III 0 . 2 - >'c-c-Et3"'" 3 10E'Dc- Ogi TECHNICS COMPONENT SYSTEM SCS- 200 REMOTE AMP. QUARTZ DIGITAL TUNER. W 14 AUDIOPIONEER VIDEO VEX-mooS RECEIvER B'KLYN., N.Y. (718) 871-7600 (1) Wamp 2 , I Ova > C C I- a a ar, (n (f) i- i- D _,. >- 0 .2 g 8 'di OE E :C IWITH 110 WATT ELECTRONICS CL ,Cn) U - 0 = . 0Pr ICASSETTE DECCONEPRESETS. k -100W ONE WATT5 DISC AUTO ROTARY REVERSE. CD 1 (HANGER. WAY I SPEAKER HIGH SPEED W 10" EDITING SUPER SAVING SCREENCONTROLFULL109 WATT ENHANCER PC, DOM-SMART" PRO REMOTE, LOGIC SURROUND, URGE LED READOUT, AUDIONIDEO MUT SUPER MING O LLI0wpv < 5;7. N 0a) Cr 0 (1)ea ti 0 .g:( . CI IRSIXTOPMONIER DISC REMOTE POM-7T0 MAGAZINE, IMAM COMPACT LED RONOTE, DISC PLAYBI S TIMES OvERSAMPLING,SIT CONVERTORS, REMOTE PROGRAMMING, AND ARMouARTI ICHNICS 7 IOC SE KID.1/00MIL2 DIRT( 1 ("RINI MANUAI TURNTABLED.1THE i WITH TONE TURNTABLE E ° f,E > C0 >,.c 0 , C M "-- - 9 C a((. 0 NEIGH MORE SUPER SAVING ..IN STOCK 3 g 3 TL) 0- u' -I kJ ET) 3 -. C c 0 C IS WOW L1J Na D C.13 0 .- 4 ''C :,Ci ?, ,.. -02 2 C.) C5'' ! ;9 Tx ,T00 TuNlit I LOW TECHNICS .. '5 4, < 0 I) - RFC LINERS PMAP0A-6600 1527 AMPS LOW TT'4°° TURNTABLES LOWLow CTC5500CTC4500C0.8000C10-7000"" LOWLOW POCKETICFSW-i0S°NY ICF-7601 SIZE LOWESTSAVE S NEW SLXP-2 LOW 1.- u 4i.4...tincu,....,0c,0-,--- _y-00,5,2c,c;c1)..,9., 1 ISAIL-177 SA40 WATTS-160 RIOT LOW PMA 720 PMA 520 LOW COMPACT DOS( CTI5300 MKII - ALPINE - LOW ICF-7700 SAVESAVE S S E' 0VI 40 WATTS LOWEST PRE AMPS LOWCTS-1103 WISPKRS. LOW ICF-2003pou-710Pt AVERS ,r. LOW "79 LOW KFPRO-150ICF-2010 SAVESAVE S V'-, . I D'SAIL53006 KEY REMOTE A V RECEIVERSWITH REMOTE 100 WATTS PMADAPPRAi100 -5500 920 LOWICI SW15 TUNER LOW PDP451000m-610 PDM-410 LOW 321035177260 "80 GRAPHICPOWER AMPLOW EO LOW LOW 1 M_01150,16-;:::0MI_CCD-V22016CCD-v220CCD.M9U LOW 4. ,., INSAR4 77 45 KEY REMOTE 100 WATTS LOW ORM-14TU-550 NX CASSETTE DECKS LOW pcm503p0.7300 PDT -403 LOW 3530 5950 POWER CD RMTLOW AMPLOW CCD-F50CCD-F70 LOW O0L.,)-,,,Ai ISAR-37 E32 7 SAR2742 KEY 7RMT. KEY Rm 60 WATTS DCD-DCD 1420TWO LOW DCD 1110 LOW PD00-6300 -4350 - RECEIVERS - LOW 7977 SPKRS GREAT BUY wmAp.-2r" R2100-- BOSTONX ACOUSTKS - SAMSUI - LOW CsmCDcViocoilCCD F35F40 BETA LOW linSi INTEGRATEDAMPLIFIERS 90 WATTSLOW l LOW DCD 620 D 82. YAMAHA t?* 4. v1X-5500SL' iVX'7;001 LOW DCA'3500 - DELEON - WMAF-48AMIFM 10LOWESTw_,,- SAVE S KV-6ADIO N - LOW 'LIC ISLIV-460 50 WATTSLOW KX-1200ISUV-660 SPECIAL KX-200 CASSETTE DECKS LOW VSX-4500SvSX-4400 v5% 5400 LOWLOWLOW POWER AMP WDcP0A3ERmAMP L,,,mLOW MEGAWMAF-64'-' BASS WmAF-54 SAVE S Kv.,360RKV-13TR20 LOW ILI I HOLIDAY PACKAGETECHNICS Sliv-450 KX-300 KU -230 LOWLOW ysx sx.2300 3300DCR5320 STEREOLOW wmAr.56 LOW TX -548 - TOSHIBA - WmF-73 SPORTS SAVE SAVES S KV-27TX40KV-271S20KV-20TS20 LOW -ce 0MGRAPHIC 'INTEGRATED Ese4.60,7 EQUALIZER7 BAND AMP WITHwOw KXW.202 KTKX-500 w302 STEREO TUNERSUPER BUY KXR430 LOW CTW cyw.6004ciw.6,0 7 TO - CASSETTE DECKS - LOWLow TL,38 T x tr LOW WALKMANWMAF601 wmD-6CWmAF-604 PRO SAVE LOW S TADV22307TR2TKV-27HSRIO TOswi0A - LOW Aw,"--L,--,. jISLBD-20 . ESLOD-22 BELIDA! BELT DRIVE r LL06 LOW ROW TOO COMPACT DISCTURN TABLES PLAYERS K0W-500E0-1100 CDEQUALIZER PLAYER LOW CTSCTW-510 ow -BOP 405 CTS -605 LOW F1(/IXTH-3°C°D DER CASSLEOTTWE KT4568 DIGITAL LOW - JVC -- KTWALD-3 -4029 PRO3 OAND E0 LOW - TOSHIBA - 263620412028.201311-13 STEREO RMT DIGITALLOWRMT.LOW LOW V z4, mOVERSAmPLING ISLP-555 18 SIT 4 TIMES CD -3050 LOW C0-4050 LOW p53 - DESIGN ACOUSTICS - PCV-55 , 1 LOWLOW pcPCvV1;67 LOW KT -4529KT 4038 AUTO REV LOW DIGITAL LOW 3046.302778.272697-26 STEREOLOW ... ISLP-222 18 BIT 1 TIMES CD -5050 SLP-102OVERSAmPLING LOW CDX- 710 RECLINERS LOW DSO PS -6V LLgr, 1,Z wX-21.3 WICD Lig., TAPEHST.T00 Am/I'm - AIWA - LOW 3088-303078-30 STEREOLOW 11,....-,0.. - IOVERSAmPLINGLOWEST AVR-S51 SLPC-20SLP-101 5 DISC ROTARY AVA-75 WIRMI 4 TIMES AVIL35 LOW DSPS ps.io -00-30 p1.5LOW LOW CFS-20-1 SONY SAVE-LOWEST $ HST -220 LIHST20 EQUALIZER AUTO REV LOW AUTO REV LOW 2013 0 - PANASONIC - REMOTE------LOW Ce66ICHANGERW WILIKT LOW RX-1100 SLPC TO IF LOW AVC-50 POWER AMPS LOW LOWPS -SS PSLF - ADVENT - LOW CcrrsS.-90.3203CcEFS8,92:32 SAVE S HST -370 HST -800 DIGITAL DIGITALCOMPACTLOW LONvLOW 13AC/DC7 TV/VCRMONITOR WivCR LOW ,im TECHNICS CD PLAYER El MS OF MA/24600NO.1003AvX-20 000 LOW PRODLEGACYMAESTRO TOWER LOWLOWLOW CFS-1200DUAL CABS.LOWL,,EST 3 PC LOWEST CCETSSOWW4O430 LOW ...., HSI-360 DIGITAL.., WIRECliS1900 LOW COMBO20 COMBO TV/VCR LOW pl REDEMPTION COUPON RXTR-I55 ASKCASSETTE DECKS FOR FFICIALHST-280 DIGITALDUAL ONE CX-600CX-1013004X-55 PRE AMPS LOW MINI SUB WOOF RTY LOw 3 PC CFD-68CFSW-350 WICD DUAL LOWESTSAVE S 2030-2019, STEREO -COOULOARSAR - - NEC - LOW LOW _ _LOw - AIWA - Xi/SUPER INPUT RmTLOW 0 i 'AUTO REVERSE/'AUTORSTR-355DUALRSTR255 BOTH DS." REVERSEREV DUALONE LOW DSP-LOOCX-6C0SOUND PROCESSOR KE5454PORTABLE LOW KE-4444 KEW 7616 E-5656 LOW CAWCADW-7 -45-35OSDUAL DUALW/DISC 3 PC.LOWPC LOW DISC PLAYERS - SONY - 9 ,16 CO-TOIRENITH -COLOR LOW SPEAKER SYSTEMS OSA-TOODSP-3000 LOW TS -6944 545y pLOW LOWLOW DUALCADW-9DUAl wiDisc 04 SAVE. SAVE. SAVE 20. SAVE 5S 1.., L' RIOTSTEREO. Riot LOW - LOW /'AUTO SIK-250 DUAL 2 WAYSUPER BUY mvS-I LOW KEN 6660LOW 0.2KSR X 60-5 TVC - LOW DSWR-66 DUAL DDT -9-4 W/Am/Fm SAVE SAVE 5 19 COLOR T LOW /,SUSPENSIONIll is..20 SOF-2 MK2K MICRO GREAT SOUND AX -430 BEST SOUND AxAX 700300 INTIGRAFED AMPS LOW KSRX-4115 KSRXKSR 715 515 LOW RT-6036 F11.8057 - TOSHIBA - DOUBLE LOW 088 LOW p.m&D9 1325 SAVESAVE S$ 1 SAVINGS SEE OURWI ADTHEFOR CLASSIFIED ADDITIONAL W US ELECTRONICS. STO E CLOSEOUT HOTLINEh CALL1-718-854-5017 5 3 RT-7066 DPI. 3 . OR . i ISA MC.AMEX710 & COD. ACCEPTED 14 DA, .N PNILIWIELNLI&M\IILM\111\11\NLIII\M\11LNLNIkIllkILIftrAAO ILXTENDED I RETURN POLICY ALL UNITS AREITEMFOR SNIPPED INFO- COST NEW. SERVICITEMS THAT OR NY ARE ORDERS ACCEPTED CALL OR I -7115-87T-7 RETURN MAY DE CHARGEDIS A RESTOCKING FEE IF PACKAGINGNOTHOLIDAY ANDAS HEWC L HOURS- WHEN 9AM RETURNED TO 9PM OR IF RETURNED AFTER ,A DAYS DrNOT RESPONSIDLE FOR TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRCO ...I STEREO REVIEW CLASSIFIED FOR MORE ADVERTISING INFORMATION CALL 1-800-445-6066

FOR SALE

PIONEER JBL PANASONIC HIGH -ENO, LOW PRICES. ADSBANG 8 OLUFSEN REI_IABI_EAUDI 0/SLV757' 739 VSX9300S 549 L100TBO CALL CAMCORDERS CARVERDBXDENONH KNAKAMICHI AND MANY SLV555 VIDEO 499 VSX9500S629 L80780 CALL PANPVS5751599 MORE! FULL MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY. TECH ELEC- SLHF870D 739 VSX7500S 549 L60780 CALL PANPV55651669 TRONICS SYSTEMS. SINCE 1981. GAINESVILLE. FL. (904) 1-800-525-9922 U.S.A.SALES SLV70NY 659 VSX5500S 439 L20780 CALL PANPVS550 1419 SO 730-3885. VSX5400 399 ACOUSTIC RSA(M PANPVS540 1219 JVC VIDEO MARMON JVC AUDIO CAMCORDER VSX4500S 379 PROTON CALL PANPV530 1219 9X1010 STOCK HRS10000STOCK KARDON CCDF45 829 VSX4400 349 TECHNICS CALL PANPV520 989 XL.21010 STOCK HRS8000 799 FIK990 729 CCDF35 749 PDM710 399 MARANTZ CALL PANPVS1601189 ATTENTION TDV1010STOCK HRS5500 709 HK880 509 CCDF50 875 PDM610 289 INFINITY PANPVSI 401075 XPAIO1OSTOCK HRD840 459 TU920 279 CCDF70 DENON CUSTOMERS 949 PD7300 339 KAPPA9 CALL PANPV4990 1229 AXZ1010 STOCK GRS77 979 HD7600 389 CCDTR5 1029 PDT503 209 KAPPA8 CALL PANPV49430 679 Not everyone offering Denon FX1010 STOCK ADVENT TD302 329 SONY AUDIO CTW91OR 399 KAPPA] CALL RCACC320 999 RX901 549 MAESTRO 449 HK645 329 products for sale is an authorized STRAV1000 469 CTW71OR 279 KAPPA6 CALL RCACC360 1159 RX801 369 LEGACY 299 HK6900 819 CDPC700 285 CTS705 299 KAPPA5 279 RCACC280 795 Denon dealer. This has great CITATION23 449 RX701 319 PRODIGY 235 CDPC900 309 CTS605 239 RS6001 CALL RX501 86440 259 significance to you as a potential 269 TOWERS 235 STRAV2010D719 SP700D 429 RS5001 CALL QUASAR XLM701 339 BABY2 139 BOSE Denon customer. STRAV1010 469 CLD3070 839 954001 CALL CAMCORDERS XLM401 INOUTDOOR AM5 CALL 239 STRAV91O 339 CLD2070 659 953001 CALL VM25 849 Denon America's warranty applies X1.2611 289 CANON SES CALL YAMAHA CALL CLD1070 429 952001 CALL VM27-S 1029 XLG512 102 STOCK to the original purchase only. Denon 319 CAMCORDERS CERWIN VEGA LD870 359 SM150 265 VM29 849 TDV711 369 1449129 6 2 STOCK D1H PROLINE CALL SM120 149 VM34 869 products sold by non -authorized TDV621 319 A2 CALL 4.2 STOCK D2H Al179229 MINN. Inc.d. Vanufsame USA Weemmy H Dom. km14 4111 p.197 TDW901 309 460 1349 2.2 STOCK D3H 329 only7 My &MN. mchom. mem models WNW. 119pmg 90160/4 net NW.* dealers are not covered under our C O.D. chmks. 6 Dtmover Cad Siena. No Ram tax we. a MS warranty. TDW801 239 440 1049 901 STOCK D9H 519 S Imo Emended Mama, o06IcRM 44rmi 50 Pi TDW501 199 80 769 101 149 SW128 CALL RELIABLE AUDIOVIDEO 115 CONEY SLAM) AVE.. BROIL 0111210 Additionally, some of this equipment may have been designed for foreign WE SELL SECOND HAND high quality audio -video with mon- markets and therefore will not meet ey back guarantee! Send your name and address for FREE monthly inventory. Ross Stereo. 2423 Morena Blvd. San Diego, Denon America's specifications. CA 92110 (619) 275-3632 - ORDERS - So look for the Authorized Denon 1-800-223.3411 INFO, CUST. SERVICE Dealer Sticker before you buy. THE MINI AD WITH MAXI SAVINGS AHD N.Y. ORDERS 1.716-1171-7600 S.R.H. ENTEI:PRINES PHONE LINES OPEN FROM 9AM TO IPM 1678-53rd ST., BKLYN, NY 11204 MON-FRI 8-7, SUN 9-6 DURING HOLIDAY SEASON CALL 1-800-451-5851 / IN NYC 718 438-1017 COMPACT DISC - YAMAHA NEW - 407040-TA4.1s LE AvIv35 ' PRAYERS 239.95 mico . 494.55 - PIONEER NEW - 309.95DENON NC93-90 3.29 IIM=31M =CB= 1:1=111:3=1 AVR 75 469.95SONY NF -60 79' 11115 Am. PI 611(0 PDM 710 LOW 4t-900 559.95SONY EF-90 99' 16100 51. Numb. S(11111 311.(0 PDM 610 LOW 1104100 799.95SONY UX-90 1.69 15100la, NON SINN 17703 PDA1.5 10 LOW s. hymn SRN 707.97 PDM.410 LOWCLOSEOUT NOIRESONY UXS-90 209 SHERWOOD SONY UX PRO 902.69 His,. SOW 251.01 P07.503 LOW 24 NOURSIDAY ET Padawl 9271 BM PD7-403 LOW FUJI DR -90 89 To find your nearest MaEr9=1 01.!on 1171 NM PD -7300 LOW 1-718-654-5017 FU/I 0411.90 1.79 3170 R. 300 11. ..IEof 10. 117, 4, . ma P0.6300 LOW KW SISCIALS (VERY MAXELL UR-90 98' 5110 141. 3161 170 0 ISOI 01 . AUTHORIZED Denon Dealer call: mu PD -4350 LOW RN DAYS MAXELL 4011-901.79 3110 157. 4170 177. TECHNICS Der. .10E PPM - JVC NEW - MAXELL XLII-901.98 1-201-575-7810 (9:00am - 5:00pm EST) CASSETTE DECXS MAXELL XI -115-902 39 12" 1 XLZ-611 LOW - P (ER MEW - =ME=3" IN. ,TS- =11111E1 K.D-90 99 RD! NI 1113111 547. (OM IR (01 14 M. Slit1124111( 412 XLZ-411 209.99CTW-910 LOw I K SA -60 109 EDI IN. 1916AN 170. (OM 771 IN 1/0710. HIM Mt MR Pk 51/4-701 369.99CTW. 710 LOW (01 WO T.D.K.SA.90 I69 SONY (AP RADIOS /N. (0150 W. 1073S 47.1S MPH( SH XLM-401 259. LOWo 7.0.11SAX -90 2 49 (00119M. (PM M. ens NA We(712 51/4-301 249. Cclwv:560,g. (Mtn 01 (OM 050 111 IN 46 IN. 166442 MD DR XLM-211 . LOW MEMOREX (OM CTW-300 139.95D05.120 1 39 96. = 106125 10.056011(1 IN. XLV-311 189.99Cis -800 LOW 111713 M. MEMOREX - MAGNAVOX - CTS -605 LOW NOW YOU DON'T 11110 174. OM 540561 M. CD0-473 199.95 11511.90 99' 111060 IN IN ORIN 111 OMAR 711 CTS -405 LOW Fm I 611 CD0-472 155.95 MEMOREX NEED TO BUY 11171, 740. 11971510176. - IV( - 510.71112 101 70 C00-484 219.95 70W-999 MRXI.90 10135 VS ette Mt DI1405 279.99 NEW SPEAKERS IVY CD0-486 257.95 TOW -777 MN PURCHASE 00 TAPES 0971: II/ 00x+001 711 061654 711 100 70 W. 269.99 FOR YOUR CDV-474 LOW nwii, 129.99111=1:17=En_ 1111WRIIIIS 19010 PRO( PS - DEMON - 70W-901 LOW MEMOREX STEREO TV, AND... MUM= 170:11:1= 5C0-610 249.95 00,0501 icDolGsIsTA171.8 11111IMM 369.95 - AZDE- MIZE= DCI31500 11 17 1600 141. 6744 744. 1114/11 N. 2 UV P. 409.93 ADWX0(0.1400--909WA -LLOOWW 5C0-1700 589.95 ADWX-1308 YOU DON'T NEED 16.PloNeds (A 2 OH 70 If 4 4, 115 299.95 024.48 34.95 751. 04101 N.IN ma fr. - YAMAHA - ADWX-707 199.95 054.88 01S10 CDX-410 TO RUN YOUR 144. numIt 001 19.. 239.95 ADWX-505 129.99 711. HI 15 11144 N.S0 11 Y. CD -3050 449.95 ADF-780 LOW 1 JC(xlt...30020/3 STEREO TV SF IMO CDC -010 479.95111.4 ...L M7 THROUGH YOUR 1. 9 !SO 910 701 AMAHA! - W.U 6000 RECEIVERS AX.700 429.99 CAR STEREO STEREO SYSTEM' 741. XF SINS 76. - PIONEER NEW -AX -400 229.95 - ALPINE - ME=IIM =2::=111 IEF nO M. VSX-95005 LOW 279.955950 049 95 .4.; . .____ ITT ,... m. 774. " 7" VSX.7500S LOW TX -1100 4,2799:99590 7280 379.95 MtISM "' 11:1M1 VSX-55005 LOW 7160 329.95 n. Ks semIR.isstofMI. VSX-5400 LOW CX-1000 899.953530 369 95 /5177; 651 771. " 00 MP Cal vsx-45005 LOW C0.800 519.953210 86 95 M. VSX-4400 LOW CX-600 359.95 '1' PINS PIONEER, D.C. ALL YOU NEED IS 417.111. 10. MillEr vsk3300 LOW 040-1000 879.95

H, 141. - JVC - MX -800 609.99 TOSHIBA, THE SI-2! '55 OR 192 IIM=I 40.999 549.99 445-600 409.99 1111. It sse WC AIWA, Down Mt = 10 92 405X-472727 35999 MX SS .110=1111. 1111124M 4010 611. 50 770 W. IN STOCK AT RX.555 269.99 MX -35 "2199.9955 INNOm 111 179.99 DSP-3000 LOW GREAT PRICES 46 I( SIIW. 114 TM. 11.1=1= *Me 91 Mt The SI-2 is a completely automatic speaker switch o 0 161. ESN IR. NW WI.61 RE '1" FOCUS ELICIROmICS 110111. 4523 1316 AVENUE IROORLYN NY 112/9 that allows you to connect >our stereo TV and stereo MME ORDER, In5 3915 STREET IIROOILLYPI i17 11210 r059: V7tI35 1151:61: ORDERS ONLY, 1.600.223-3411 FOR 1010 COT SERVICE OR MY ORDERS CALL system to your existing pair of hi -11 speakers. You IMIMMIE IMISTIM ::5190 1.71071 7600 VISA MC AMEX 6 C 0 I) ACCEPTED 14 DAY RETURN POLICY ALL &I 71 IN.i R gm KO 2 72 don't need to buy a separate pair of speakers for your sit 011 170 IN. LIMITS ARE SNIPPED NEW ITEMS THAI ARE ACCEPTED FOR 909494 MAY II CHARGED WI 171. 075 1$7. (N A RESTOCKING FEE IF PACKAGING MOOR 1100 IS 107 AS NEW WHEN RETURNED OA TV and youdon't need to run your TV through your 1440 stereo's auxiliary input. AIN M. 51 11 771.7 57 69. 770 no. W 33 IF RETURNED AFTERITT DAYS PIKES DO NO. INCLUDE 11101104 HANDLING The SI-2 will automatically amp Ms 500.414 IMAM AM vomly .den Si ma mad ANN Sme (00 * remm INSURANCE NOT RESP0.111111 FOR TYPOS PIKES AND AVAIL AellITY WRAC, TO (NANG( 6!06000 1501101All PAKIS IN Tall AD Af RCM MALL ORDER ONLY detect which component is trying to run the speakers /1111 MTN. 014 ST SO110 10 I.M.ke UPS 114.9.2 ,nwera erd Nrder. 00 °a and lock the other out, thus preventing any damage 1141 Nymah I. 6660614.0n (ail... AN ra rtl oN to either stereo component or the speakers.The SI-2 is easily installed and its compact design allows it to behidden behind the stereo system to provide years DESK TOP STEREO-- Revolutionary Stereo Receiver installs of reliable use.Call today to order or for the name THE BEST RECORD RACK IN AMERICA. Stackable, porta- of your local dealer within IBM Compatibles. Sophisticated software for graphic ble, oak units hold LP's, CD's and tapes. Free Madorder Bro- display of all controls including digital tuning. Works in back- watts max.) chure. (please mention Stereo Review! Per Madsen Design: SI-2 (120 $49.95 ground of your application. Exceptional Sound! OPTRONICS, (415) 9284509. P.O. Box 330101. San Francisco, CA 94133. SI-3(900 watts Max.)$69.95 1450 Tyler Creek, Ashland, OR 97520. (503) 488-5040. BUY AND SELL used audion equipment through telephone CIZEK IS BACK! BRAND NEW DESIGNER SERIES SPEAK- R.F. Engineering, Inc. ER SYSTEMS. Features new innovations including patent- 9215 Lowell Bld.. Westminster. CO $101311 classified. No charge to buyer. Call (609) 927-2152 anytime. ed crossover network. Repair, modify 8 upgrade old Cizek ($(0) S69-5623 or call collect (3031 130-8181 BEST FM ANTENNA! NO DRILLING OR SOLDERING. SEE speaker systems, HTA INC., 1611 Crenshaw, Torrance. CA AUDIO, JULY 1989. $27.50. RIVERA DEPT. SR. 1845- 52ND 90501, Suite 142, Dept. SR1289. Phone (213) 539-2469 Voice ST. BROOKLYN, NY 112041718) 837-3203. Box 300 ADS., NAKAMICHI, CARVER, BANG High -end and hard -to -find audio components.

OLUFSEN, REVOX, B&W, KEF, HARMON/ Low, low prices! AUDIO AMERICA (Virginia). N, /0 . elliEllib .1 dbx 1 BX-DS KARDON, N.A.D., LUXMAN, HAFLER, TAND- Call 1-703-745-2223. A , Dynamic -Range Controller BERG, ADCOM, DENON, KLIPSCH, YAMAHA, LOW PRICES,' Yamaha, Denon. Carver. Adcom. Boston D.B.X., INFINITY, J.B.L. AND OTHER QUALI- Acoustics. Litman, Hafler, ADS. B&K, KEF. Onkyo. Proton, dbx 120X -DS Bose. Snell, DCM. M&K, P.S. Audio, Nakamichi & others', Subharmonic Synthesizer TY COMPONENTS. BEST PRICES -LIVE PRO- SOUND ADVICE: (414) 727-0071. ALSO AVAILABLE- SPEAKERS FROM dbx FESSIONAL CONSULTATION WEEKDAYS- CALL FOR PRICE AUTOMATED PRICING AND INFORMATION COUNTERPOINT- L I AVAILABLE 24 HOURS. ALL PRODUCTS COV- SERIOUS REVOX ACOUSTAT SUPER VHS 4-..._____.st ERED BY MANUFACTURER'S U.S.A. WAR- AUDIOPHILESMOP SON', ISE DANCOM'T MITSUBISHI HSU71 S -VHS MTS HI -Fl RANTY. AMERISOUND SALES INC., EAST: DESERVE JVC HRS8000U Too -Of -The -Line (904) 262-4000 WEST: (818) 243-1168. NE "Best Made" BUY SELL IN THE MONTHLY AUDIO VIDEO TRADER 515 SERIOUS Lit TOSHIBA SV930 4 -HEAD S -VHS DIGITAL

YR. SAMPLE $1 SASE. FREE ADS' 330 S MAIN. WAKE and many more ... FOREST. NC 27587 SERVIU. CALL FOR PRICE ---\ And that's what you [ WholesaleConnection will get at Reference Audio Video We offer To order -Call:718 997-6644 the best in high -end SHARP OTCD25 TC8X10 179 TERK FM CD PLAYER audio and the best in AM/FM/CASSETTE/CD ANNNAS PioneerPDM710 .439 HOME SPEAKER Per Pair friendly service by our JVC PCX300 PORTABLE PI 9600 PD61610 329 Advenl Maestro 459 Technics SLPC20 249 Legacy 339 SLP777 379 knowledgeable staff. n :.,:i.t Made" FM8500 Prodigylow r 239 SLP555 289 Baby II 149 XL2611 From the (::test CD JVC 319 Bose 102 Seem IICall PROTON CLEARLY THE BEST XLZ411 219 4.2 429 XLM701 379 4.2 339 players to the finest XLM401 269 2.2 189 489 - Sound Yamaha 000820 101 159 high -power amplifiers. '""T"'TUNER C DX720 339 CDX520 269 TURNTABLE like our surpris- --- 1100STEREO (7,i1 -,y C00500 399 Technics SL1200MKII 359 . cRE AMPLIFIER Sony C DP470 189 ingly affordable prices GDP 670 229 VCR 61200STEREO . JVC 6858000 979 -- CDPC 500 259 and fxst shipping. ---- 7.:WERAE'PURER PROTON YT2ROS CDPC 700Call 11110850 Call - CDPC 900 349 FIR 0620 349 RECEIVER/MONITOR Defoe DCD810 329 Panasonic P94970 699 THE SYSTEM 000610 269 P94960 489 Holiday Gift Kenwood DP7010 349 CAMCORDER 023010 229 JVC GR60 Cell Certificates ill:4.16010 349 GF500 Call RECEIVERS Panasonic 1.9520 Call Available NOTHING ELSE COMESREMOTELY CLOSE P9530 Call Pioneer 9SX9300 599 i VSX7300 499 1.95550 Call Technics SA11530 469 ______5AR477 369 CAR STEREO Kenwood K RC676 395 _. - /-- 5AR377 279 - 17___!--.-,.. KRC555 319 JVC 110901 629 KRC4003 264 RX801 419 -- JVC K SR X4400 299 0 MINOLTAi 80701 349 65803300 239 . Yamaha 88830 489 179 111Refeliffici,v 6511490 .. 80730 479 Blaupunkt Seethe 159 ' 110530 329 Denver 199 ' Denon DRA825 639 San Diego 179 881 DRA625 429 Porlland 264 8mm - 8X zoom Sony STRAV1010 499 Sound Stream TC308 509 Call us at (213) 517-1700 STRAV910 349 TC306 419 "Special" Call STRAV710Call TC303 329 Auto Focus - 4 Lux Kenwood KR98010 459 Defoe OCR5220 259 KR96010 289 0085520 499 18214 Dalton Ave, Dept. S, Gardeia, CA 90248 FAX SHARP VLL8OU KRA5010 239 DCR5370 334 TAPE DECK Jensen SJS8000 199 Hours: M -F 9 to 6, Sat. 9 to 1 Pacific Time Flying Erase Heads Pioneer CTW710R .309 SJS9000 229 MURATA M1600 CTW600R 249 AIWA CT X3600 199 SPECIAL PRICE Technics RSTR355 249 CTX4500 269 AVAILABLE: SHARP, RSTR255 169 CTX5400 319 JVC, OLYMPUS, GE, JVC TD9711 399 Concord CX30 289 PANASONIC, MURATA TDV621 339 0040 249 CANON, RCA, PHILIPS TOWS°. 259 C050 289 Gio.Do audiolechnica AIWA A DF780 339 CAR AMP *Available in 220 volts ADR40 159 Car Amp & Speaker Call ALL MODELS A DWX707 229 All Model 6 Brand Call Yamaha 60800 469 AVAILABLE 60500 319 RADAR DETECTOR 6X11430 289 Whistler Spectrum III 139 YOUR SEARCH IS OVER! K0W302 349 Spectrum II 189 Sony TCWR810 359 Cobra 803170 174 TCWR710 269 803120 99 THE FINEST IN HOME

HIS Mon Sol 111AM 5 PM F ST {O 1,, ,o,hoo 't. Sang, Po, AUDIO CAR STEREO , led.' ship{ong A. .larolllq Not o,,,onsiSlo 1,,1 y P,4' ,i,),,r ,o

,,,o,, aliitleCiiolV15.1 a^,1 ( :Cl D;o . 6,01,055'ro., to & VIDEO EQUIPMENT 111 '1197 1,11i/1'in (1,11(1 Wholesale Connection 63-48 '08th St h.mst H '5.NY 1' 3 :', )11147110 tr irigcsd MI iuiq iridl tepid( erfictit. styli. ALPINE DBX PROTON AUTHORIZED ADS DENON LUXMAN (800) 221-0906 -ADVENT HAFLER SAE ORDER TOLL -FREE 1(800) 222-3465. DIS- AKG INFINITY SANSUI CALL TOLL.FREE FOR COUNTS! AR AUDIOQUEST BOSE B&K FREE PRICE QUOTES OSA -ALTEC LANSING KENWOOD SONANCE ANC VISA)MC ORDERS GRADO HARMAN KARDON JBL * LAST N Y STATE 15181 599.1112 -AUDIO SOURCE KICKER SONY LIVEWIRE MONSTER CABLE NITTY- SEW) SELF ADDRESSED -AUDIO CONTROL MITSUBISHI SOUND CRAFTSMEN STAMPED ENVELOPE FOR -BANG & OLUFSEN MONSTER CABLE SOUNDSTREAM GRITTY SONY STAX STRAIGHTWIRE OUP FREECATALOG. -CARVER PARADIGM STAX PLUS MORE. HCM AUDIO, 1015 MANGROVE. LYLE CARTRIDGES CELESTION ONKYO TOSHIBA CHICO, CA 95926. (916) 345-1341. Dept. SR. Boo 158 CERWIN VEGA ORION TRIAD Valley Stream. N.Y 11582 LOUDSPEAKER COMPONENTS KITS. Eton. Dynaucho, Fo- CWD PHILIPS YAMAHA cal, Eclipse. Catalog $1. Meniscus. 2442 28th St. S.W. Wyo- ming, MI 49509. (616) 534-9121. Phones Open Mon -Sat 9 am -8 pm DCM PINNACLE LOWEST PRICES orror 51111 STaNT0111 "STEREO WORLD IS YOUR DISCOUNT MAILORDER Sound On over 150 brands SOURCE WITH SUPER DEALS ON HOME AND CAR STE- '=UIfiligiCenter REO LINES INCLUDING: KENWOOD, TECHNICS. MeadtownShopping Car-Home-Video ROCKFORD FOSGATE. PANASONIC, JVC, SONY, PYLE, Kinnelon,NJ.07405 PIONEER, SHE RVVOOD. HI-FONICS. BLAUPUNKT DENON. For Specials List -800-233-8375 PRECISION POWER. AUTOTEK, BAZOOKA. ADVENT, AND (201)838-3444 Audio Unlimited MANY OTHERS. CALL OR WRITE FOR FREE CATALOG. FREE UPS IN 48 STATES, 10AM-6PM MON-FRI. WEDNES- HIGH QUALITY BRANDS- Car. Home. Video including eso- DAY TIL 6:30PM VISAMC; COD EXTRA, "CELEBRATING availablemail order teric. Audio Unlimited. 1203D Adams Ave.. La Grande, Oregon OUR 3RD YEAR." P.O. BOX 596, MONROE, NY 10950. (914) Some brandnames not 97850 (503) 963-5731 782-6044. HIGH -END LOUDSPEAKER systems, speaker kits and the CABLE TV CONVERTERS/DESCRAMBLERS Guaranteed NEW AGE AND ELECTRONIC MUSIC COMPACT DISCS. widest selection of raw drivers from the world's finest lowest prices in U.S.. Jerrold, Hamlin, Zenith -many others! Catalog $2. LASER HOUSE, Dept -198. P.O. Box 71005, Mad- manufacturers. For beginners and audiophiles. Free catalog. Lowest dealer prices! Orders shipped within 24 hours! ison Heights, MI 48071-0005. A&S SPEAKERS. 3170 23rd St., San Francisco, CA 94110. MasterCard-Visa-C.O.D. accepted. Free catalog -call 3(415)641-4573 (800) 345-8927 only! Pacific Cable Co., Inc., 7325 1/2 Reseda TAPES Blvd., 1357, Reseda, CA 91335. All other information, call (818) 716-5914. 4.95 SHIPPING ANY SIZE ORDER. UPS B00-245-6000 0 IDE ()CYAN! SONY auri0 EXPERIENCED, FRIENDLY ADVICE! AUDIRE, PS, CWD, IS u1.14010 It II 2..90 a 1I II 10 SONY SISTAl FS. 3. 11.90 STAX, KINERGETICS, THORENS, MIRAGE, GRADO, 2 CALL US 11[11: FRIED, MONSTER CABLE, QUAD, SPICA, STRAIGHT - PASSELL SLIIS ISO 2. r,12, WIRE, more. Immediate, FREE Shipping! READ BROTH- 1SS 10 341 ERS STEREO, 593-B King Street, Charleston, South Caro- ASO' LAST TAPE lina 29403. (803) 723-7276. WORLD WE WILL le so se stir. r SSC PAVIA '6°:: CALL TOLL FREE! 1(800) 826-0520. MC., OM Mee IC010 1.1Tr11,11..0. pro[. VISA MC rns Ps. TerstO.N.sruss. MY., M -F !:30-5:00 BEAT ANY PRICE ONKYO * NAD * HARMAN KARDON * NO EXTRA prss.ps IN An SNO1.9....Ordsr COO hile rS412/2816621 CHARGE issearts. LIS IV*. harks. is Cas 000/245-15000 PRINTED IN THIS MAGAZINE ON PROTON * AUDIO CONTROL * CITATION TAPE WORLD 220 SPRING ST SUTLER PA 111001 0 DENOK nor& TRIAD. DAT CALL O AUDIO & CAR STEREO * JBL * LEXICON * HAFLER * M&K * STAX SM. * CELESTION * KINERGETICS * NITTY TEN AMPEX 1800' REELS -USED ONCE, $25.00 Sample: The SOUND Approach $2.50. Also: New MAXELL Reels Cassettes. AUDIO GRITTY * PROAC * DAHLOUIST * BELLES TAPES, Box 9584-A, Alexandria, VA 22304. (703) 370-5555 6067 Jericho Tpke, Commack, NY 11725 * dbx * FRIED * ORACLE * THORENS * CWD VISA/MC. FAST DELIVERY FULL WARRANTY(516)499-7680 * THORENS * MONSTER CABLE * DCM LASER VIDEO DISCS * GRADO * NILES * SOUND SELLER, 1706 LASERDISC NATIONWIDE! Discount Sales 1 Fast U.P.S. MAIN ST., MARINETTE, WI 54143. FAX Rentals. WIDESCREEN, IMPORT, NEWEST RELEASES. #(715) 735-5838, PHONE (715) 735-9002. Free "FRESH VIEWS" Laser Newsletter. HOLLYWOOD SINGERS! NORTH ENTERTAINMENT SERVICES. 840 Piner Rd., Santa REMOVE VOCALS RECORDS Rosa, Ca. 95403. (707) 575-1225. FROM RECORDS AND CDs! RECORD COLLECTORS' SUPPLIES. REPLACEMENT Aom. JACKETS, inner sleeves, 78 RPM sleeves, CLD boxes, etc. COMPLETE CATALOG. Cabco, Box 8212. Room 640, Co- lumbus. Ohio 43201. A.S.Q. SOUNDTRACKS/O.C. DISCOUNT PRICES. QUALITY GUARANTEED. FAST DEPENDABLE SERVICE. SEND FOR FREE MONTHLY CATALOG: A.S.O. DEPT. A, P.O. BOX 404, 1,11 rok SEELYVILLE, IN 47878. (812) 299-4154. di FREE RECORD, CASSETTE AND COMPACT DISC CATA- LOG: Features a tremendous selection of remaindered LP new 'Tr- releases at discount prices. Many imports and smaller labels & -Tr -P06: offered. Prompt delivery. Rose Records, Dept. SR, 214 SO. Wabash Avenue, Chicago, IL 60604. Huge Selection 01 Domesocilmpxt Laser Video SING WITH THE WORLD'S BEST BANDS! COLLECTORS' SOUNDTRACKS MINT. Top titles, speedy And Canoe! Disc 111100. service, list $1 (Refundable) JEMM'S, BOX 157, Glenview. II. An Unlimited supply of Backgrounds from standard Sound Used Law Disc TRADE-IN Progam. 60025. stereo records! Record with your voice or perform live Discount Prices' 15% Of! NI LV Pre -Orders) 1275 Main St with the backgrounds. Used in Professional Performance FROM EDISON 45'S NEW 1989 knpat Catalog Available. yet connects easily to a home component stereo. This etc. Visit or mail -in wants. The Olde Time Music Scene. 915 Walham,44,4 02154FREE LaserFlash MontNy Newsieker. unique product is manufactured and sold Exclusively by Main Street, Boonton. NJ 07005. (201) 335-5040. Tuesday - (617) 896-8633 Picneer Laserdisc Players 6 Otter Brands. LT Sound - Not sold through dealers. Call or mite for a Sunday. Free Brochure and Demo Record. COMPACT DISCS FOR INVENTORS LT Sound,Dept.SR-3,7980 LT Parkway Lithonia, GA 30058 (404) 482-4724 OVER 8000 USED CD's. $5.99 to $9.99. Buy Sell. 5th Year. INVENTORS! Can you patent and profit from your idea? Call Manufactured and Sold Exclusively by, LT Sound Shipping $2.50 UPS. Visa 'MC. Send $2 for sample of monthly AMERICAN INVENTORS CORPORATION for free 24 HOUR PHONE DEMO UNE: 14041482-2485 24 page catalog. Audio House CD Club, 4304 Brayan. Swartz information. Over a decade of service. 1(800) 338-5656. In Creek. Michigan 48473. (313) 655-8639. Canada call (413) 568-3753. PHILIPS, AUDAX, PEERLESS, FOCAL, AND DYNAUDIO LOUDSPEAKERS in stock with good prices and competent COMPACT DISCS -At low warehouse prices. Now in our 5th INVENTIONS WANTED services. Crossover components also. MADISOUND SPEAK- year. CATALOG: Send $2.00, OZ ENTERTAINMENT, 1575 P A NEW IDEA? Call NATIONAL IDEA CENTER of Washington ER COMPONENTS. 8608 University Green. Box 4283, Mad- Highway 29, Lawrenceville, GA 30244. D.C. FREE INFORMATION -1(800) 247-6600, Ext. 150. ison, WI 53711 (608) 831-3433 LOW COMPACT DISC prices-Schwann CD and COLOR Come see THE INVENTION STORE!! CATALOGS $7.00 -Mini -Catalogs $2.00-DUWARS. P.O. SAVE 40% ON HIGH -END home speakers, Box 6662-D, Greenville, SC 29606. INVENTIONS/NEW PRODUCTS IDEAS WANTED: Call TLCI subwoofers, amplifiers. FREE CATALOG! for free information 1-800-468-7200, 24 hours/day-USA LIKE -NEW CD'S $4.65, UP. We pay you up to $7.00! FREE CANADA. RTRD, 3021 Sangamon Ave., Springfield, IL STOCKLIST: CCM, 1105 Webster, Sandy, Utah 84094-3151. BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES 62702. (217) 529-8793. (801) 571-9767. WE'VE SLIPPED OUR DISC PRICES TO FIT YOUR BUDGET, WE SELL MORE HIGH PERFORMANCE SPEAKER KITS MAILORDER OPPORTUNITY! Start profitable home business PRICES START AT $8.991 WRITE: LASER LOCKER, BOX than anyone in the U.S. FREE CATALOG: 1 (800) 346-9183. without experience or capital. Information Free. Mail Order 8611, SOMERVILLE, NJ 08876. AUDIO CONCEPTS Dept. A, 901 S. 4th St., LaCrosse, WI Associates, Inc., Dept. 537, Montvale, NJ 07645. 54601. SAVE MONEY ON NEW CD's. Free Details. WEALTH! Millionaires teach you how to attain it! To receive additional literature, send inquiries to: IV Productions, 10701-d WILBUR TANSTAAFL COMPANY, Box 308E, 45th Everett, Wa 98208. NEW AND IMPROVED EARS BY Middlefield, CT 06455-0308. INSTRUCTION SERIOUS WANTED: TOP DOLLAR PAID FOR COMPACT DISCS! DISC: 1187-D SARATOGA-SUNNYVALE RD.. SAN JOSE, CA 95129. (408) 257-3402. FREE CATALOG. Institute of AudioNideo En- Sir 141Ppoves $24." COMPACT DISC PRICES STARTING AT $5.99. SEND $1 gineering. 1831 Hyperion (SR), Hollywood, 8E31 CLARiTy Great G.11, FOR CATALOG, REFUNDABLE WITH ORDER. HARRIS CA 90027. RECORDING SCHOOL. (800) Gips HOUSE OF MUSIC, BOX 388759. DEPT. SR, CHICAGO, IL FOCUS Wear 551-8877, (213) 666-2380. Approved for In- DYNAMIC Serious 60638. MONEY Listeners: ternational Students. Member of NATTS. CAN BUY CONIRAS1 THOUSANDS OF EUROPEAN CD's unavailable in USA AT HOME plus many more. Send $1 (refundable) for listing TIVERTON AUDIO $29.95 HOW-TO video tape shows all CONCERTS newsletter to COMPACT DISC EUROPE, P.O. BOX 8561-J; aspects of design. installation for built-in speaker systems plus Quality THEATER leather Deerfield Beach, Florida 33443-8561 or call (305) 481-8817. catalogue of products. We'll help you save up to 50%. Call Us - LECTURES 800 -234-7976. THE ORIGINAL LISTENING ENHANCEMENT TOOL ARCHITECTURALLY DESIGNED CLASSICAL STYLE CD We guarantee you will hear the difference, CABINETS, hand -made of solid oak. FREE brochure. ZEAL BE A RECORDING ENGINEER! Train at home Send check or money order for $24.95 to: HARDWOOD DESIGN CO., Dept. SR12, 4 Benjamin Road, for High Paying -Exciting Careers. FREE in- Serious Listeners P.O. Box 565 Burlingame, CA 94011 Lexington, MA 02173. (617) 861-1705. Phone Orders: 800-326-1201 Dealer inquiries welcome CLASSICAL DISCS AT DISCOUNT PRICES. KNOWLEDGE- formation. AUDIO INSTITUTE, 2174 Union ABLE, COURTEOUS PERSONNEL. STARTING PRICES AT St., Suite 22AJ, San Francisco, CA 94123. S5.99. S & B CLASSICAL COMPACT DISCS, 141 MEMORY CABLE TV DESCRAMBLERS-FREE CATALOG' MOVIE FILM VIDEO TAPE 1-800-648-7938. Jerrold, Oak. Hamlin, etc. Guaranteed Low LANE, ORANGE, MA 01364-9228. (508) 575.0317 est Prices, Warranties. Immediate Delivery. MCNISA COF CD -SINGLES, CD-EP'S CD PICTURE DISCS-EP'S AND CABLE TV CONVERTER BARGAIN HEADQUARTERS. ZE- Republic Cable Products. Inc., 4080 Paradise Road. #15. RARE CD'S. For catalog call (305) 594-1811, Music Service, NITH, TOCOM, JERROLD, HAMLIN, OAK, SCIENTIFIC AT- Dept. 701, Las Vegas, NV 89109. P.O. Box 561751, Miami, FL 33256-1751. LANTA, ETC. VISA/MG COD CALL (8001 327-8544. CABLE TV WIRELESS REMOTE CONVERTERS, DESCRAMBLERS. SALE/USE REGULATED BY FEDERAL Prices subject to LAW. T.J. SERVICES. (313) 979-8356. IFIRsCatk, Mrit/a change SERVICES jer. u--e;r1 1 1)31 Prices exclude shipping charges SPEAKER REPAIR. 4" to 18" speakers reconed. Orban Audio, 119 7th St. NW, North Canton, OH 44720. (216) 497-9932. NEW YORK WHOLESALE Not responsible for 6pm - 9pm EST. typographical errors MISCELLANEOUS FORFASTCALLEST SERVICE (212) 684-6363 °RFAX(212) 684-8046 TERMPAPER assistance. 15,278 papers available! 306 -page HOURS: MONDAY -FRIDAY, 9AM-7PM EST SATURDAY 10AM-5PM catalog-rush $2.00. Research, 11322 Idaho 206SX, Los An- geles 90025. TOLL FREE HOTLINE: (800) 351-0222 (Califor- or Write Direct: 2 PARK AVENUE, DEPT. 15, NEW YORK, N.Y. 10016 nia: (213) 477-8226). We sell authorized U S. branded merchandise and parallel importsAll producG covered by manufacturer's warranty or New York Wholesaler's exclusive limited warranty. Manufacturer's rebates may not apply Ask for full details at the time of purchase WATCH REPLICAS! LOWEST PRICES GUARANTEED! NA- if CD PLAYERS TIONWIDE! Warranty! Exact weight 8 colorf18KT Goldplated! LOUDSPEAKERS AMPS 8 TUNERS CAR STEREOS CAR STEREOS YAMAHA ADVENT CALL (404) 963-3USA. YAMAHA ALPINE INFINITY CDC500 429 MAESTRO 469 MX600 New 429 7380 New 289 054120 249 CDC610 469 LEGACY CLASSICAL MUSIC LOVERS' EXCHANGE '. Nationwide link 3'9 MX800 New 679 7269 New 259 RSDS8 '99 COX420 239 PRODIGY 249 MX1000 New 949 7168 Nev. 199 RSA626 149 between unattached music lovers. Write CMLE, Box 31, Pel- CDX520 279 PRODIGY!! MX35 229 7179 299 CS2K 289 ham, NY 10803. CDX720 329 BABY 159 MX55 479 499 CDX820 369 MINI/SUB 139 ea 5952 RS0526 '09 40900 CONFISCATED CARS, trucks, boats, 4 wheelers, mo- ;DX920 589 Outdoor 1:9 549 332' 219 RS06926 149 00700 399 350' 69 8506936 189 torhomes, by FBI, IRS, DEA. Available in your area now. Call CDX1170 989 AR AX630 369 3523 209 CS'K 299 (805) 682-7555 Ext. C-1005. DENON PARTNERS 259 CX600 New 359 3525 249 DCD520 189 ROCK PARTNERS 179 BOSTON 3-D CAMERA. 35MM. Not sold in stores. FREE BROCHURE. CX800 New 559 3528 299 DC0620 249 BOSE /03 3S To order: ASPEN DISTRIBUTOR, 114-41 QUEENS BLVD., DCD820 329 CX1000 New 949 6265 129 704 101 159 55 DCD920 389 70530 269 6394 179 SUITE 383. FOREST HILLS, NY 11375. 121 Auto 189 707 39 DCM55511 469 TX1000 449 3522 159 Roomate II 259 74' 149 649 469 RETAIL MART DCM777 901 1119 E01100 7288 399 75' 179 DCD1420 489 AM5 539 E0500 249 '909 Call 757 89 DCD1520 649 E0630 379 7903 549 76' 189 WE HAVE THE FINEST SHOWROOM in our area with the best DCD3520 1249 B&W E0330 149 3554 389 selection of audio video components available. We represent MATRTIX 311 1739 763 229 DSR100PRO SONY MATRIX 211 1179 479 SONY 767 109 Adcom, Infinity. Thorens, NAD, Polk, Yamaha, Canton, CDP270 159 MATRIX Ill 979 AVC50 439 CDXA30 449 783LF 129 CDP470 189 Luxman, Klipsch, SONY ES. and more. CONTINENTAL DM550 329 AVC70 429 CDX977 399 -90 -49 ..70P670 229 SOUND, 98-77 Queens Blvd., Forest Hills, NY 11375. (718) DM560 439 050100 559 096180 199 -97 CDP770 289 ,59 DM570 519 DSP100 519 907050 259 459-7507. 0P970 399 cao '59 DM580 729 1037400 469 I:09500 269 NAD C793 259 CAR STEREO 7700 679 006380 249 DP400 239 CANTON CONCORD CX GL260 349 2600A 679 XR6150 199 DP900 349 CX7OX New 359 KARAT20 579 2200PE 529 CDXR79 449 PIONEER CX6OX New 319 - ' "The Quick Connection" KARAT30 699 3225SPE 209 XE8 249 aD1070 449 CX5OX Nev. 279 KARAT40 1029 3240PE 329 149 L 03070 XE90 889 KARAT60 1289 3400 679 CX4OX New 239 B.J. AUDIO PDM710 439 07180 329 CT80 1349 CX3OX New 279 Q7 L' ADCOM 097280 389 3230 Vittmer Ave "DM610 329 C190 19.49 GT P400 299 ?09 .1,111,11 PDM510 269 811)160' Cincinnati, OH 45238 PLUS S 279 GT 9500 489 59 e" "DM410 239 PIONEER (513)662.3351 PLUS C 479 GFP555 449 "07100 399 90,16070906 GFA535 269 Ne4 RADAR DETECTORS PDT 503 219 CELESTION GFA545 K E H9696T R 29" SL 12SI New 1179 429 HOME ,04700 169 EH8050 339 SL600 1499 GFA555 629 Jo 4NAJLANICUI *MAD .13/K NAD KEH6040OR 299 SL6S .29 GCD575 489 COBRA3168 )325 249 KEH7676TR LUDASCARVIR OLIO n 629 DENON Call COBRA3120 5340 329 KE3434 DL8 11 389 PMA920 499 169 COBRA3'70 5100 419 KE4010OR DL6 11 299 PMA720 389 229 SPECTRUM II 5170 589 CAR 01.4 II 219 PMA520 299 KE4060 Call 5300 759 SPECTRUM 3SE Model 3 219 PMA1520 749 KEH6010 ALP INS .ADS 279 BEL 876 JVC P0A2400 549 New DAHLQUIST C003 369 BEL VECTOR 3 *BOSTON ACOUSTICS .COUSTIC P0A6600 549 x121010 Call 903 389 GMA2000 249 .BAZOOKA YLZ611 P0A800 249 BEL EXPRESS 3 ALTIC LANSING 329 905 499 DEXM3001COXM70 779 XL2411 229 PRA1200 369 UNIDEN RD9XL POLK AUDIO 907 749 xLV31I 189 T u800 389 KEN WOOD UNIDEN RD9 KRC2003 189 ROCKFORD EC/SCATS .CONCORD XLV211 169 DESIGN ACOUSTICS TU550 Call PS10 369 AVC2000 749 KRC555 319 KENWOOD Ne QUART XLM901 Cal' XLI0701 409 PS6 189 K9C777 Nea. 429 Sharp H / 'DEMON CL M301 249 PS8 '69 MOIE=M nRC3003 229 Panasonic DENON SOUNDSTREAM .SONY XL M401 279 nRC676 New 389 Canon DP59L 478 MAGNAVOX KRC353 239 Toshiba NAKAM I CH I °YAMAHA YAMAHA DP47F 349 C08583 269 KOC82 New Call Murata 601200 579 DP7F CDB482 169 158 6095003 289 KXR700 489 CDB480 139 DUAL KRC878 479 KX800 469 New =MEI Panasonic CDB610 199 CS431 139 KRC959 649 WANTED TO BUY K0630 389 Mitsui:nen CS450 199 KOC92R New Call KX500 319 NEC =MGM CS455 229 KAC820 259 YAMAHA KXR430 279 Novatez WE NEED QUALITY COLLECTIONS. "TOP DOLLAR PAID" RX330 KX300 249 CS5C5 249 239 NEWPORT Mobora for LP's, Compact Discs, and Cassettes: Classical, Rock. RX530 329 KX230 219 C55000 349 DENVER 219 Ole etc. USA's LARGEST USED AND COLLECTOR SHOP. RX730 399 KXVV900 549 CS7000 549 PORTLAND 259 RX830 489 KXVV602 419 PRINCETON RECORD EXCHANGE, 20 Tulane Street, TECHNICS LEXINGTON 419 RX930 699 KXW302 349 .3:=EMEM SL1200 II 360 LOS ANGELES 369 SONY FH808 589 Princeton, NJ 08542. (609) 921-0881. 991130 949 KXW202 279 :WRENS Call For Price. SAS FRANCISCO 319 SONY FH404 429 NAKAMIChlt DENON DALLAS 289 50119 FH606 469 299 DRM400 Call =MI:CBE= NEWPORT 199 469 NAKAMICHI SONY FH909 629 CLASSIFIED ADVERTISERS: DRM500 209 PHOENIX 239 RD260 679 DRM600 269 Nev BOSTON Call PORT. CD PLAYERS 1049 You can reach millions of prime prospects for DRM700 329 RD360 Ne, Cal HIFONICS PANASONIC DRM800 399 Nei. 481, DENON RD460 THOR Please SONY 0160 199 ORA325 279 DRM34HR 439 1041 your mail order products or services through CD760 GEMINI call SONY 09 2'9 DRA425 359 DRW750 329 76, ODIN for SONY D2 69 low-cost Marketplace Classified advertising in 439 DRR680 329 004625 T D560 769 VULCAN our DRA825 649 SONY D25 279 this or other titles of the JVC 94304 389 EUROPA low 0041025 749 SONY 015 279 TD1N201 139 74400 low 388 PLUTO TOSHIBA 9437 SONY DW301 179 249 DCI CLASSIFIED MAGNET PA350 359 CALLISTO Duces ST RAD2010 749 TDW501 229 TOSHIBA 9458 299 PA200 209 CYCLOPS STRAV1010 519 TDW801 269 90150 HERCUJS VIDEO RECORDERS To place an ad, or for further information STRAV910 369 TDW901 349 1913 SOUNDSTREAM 519AV710 319 TDX321 169 SP200 209 JVC including rates, ad styles, sizes and multi -title 5790 269 51040310 229 TDR421 209 SP10 148 HRS8000 0608 179 discounts, call Toll -Free - STRAV210 159 TDV621 349 SP40 103 HRS5000 A D1000 279 TDV1010 Call SP50 119 6110400 JVC D2000 399 85301 179 SP80 19 HRD600 (800) 445-6066 NAD TC301 269 80401 6325 149e 259 189 SP1010 TC303 339 HR0620 6340 90501 299 329 SP65 259 TC308 519 H90750 80701 6100 419 349 EC2001C200H 199ea 040 269 0 80801 429 6300 759 PANASONIC ALPINE SS10 299PR RX901 PV2900 649 AIWA 5903 459 SS510 249 801010 949 ADWX909 549 Pv4920 THIS MAGAZINE IS 7235 429 ADS PIONEER ADWX505 139 V4924 0 6205 100. 229 AVAILAILE IN MICROFORM .'XS9500S 669 ADWX808 279 P04960 6368 C411 PH1? 269 DIRECT INQUIRIES TO. .'SX7500S 569 ADF780 349 SONY 459 ADS27 99 6392 9.11 320 399 75X5500S SLVH50 MICRO PHOTO Division .5)(3300 279 ADWX707 199 6266 '9 300 279 5,01170 SX33005 329 PIONEER 3312 229 9010 389 BELL E. HOWELL 3213 159 908 189 CCD511 0(2300 199 CTS605 259 09 PH15 CCDF70 NAD CTS705 339 3501 519 4,4001,,IP T -r. 4409rF. 7289 CCOF50 Conroe, Chrrtrrue 225 279 CTW510 219 New Cull PS5 219 Col.Ton use 113C01 321 96Si 7100 629 CT W6009 249 7385 4,9 9020 589 AIWA in Ohio coil 12161 264 6666 colrec 7600 1249 CTW7109 309 7390 4,9 SB7 299 70 7409 899 00W470. 449 -131" 489 V90 THE HIGH END

sional passing truck asI plan no yellow room a rather daring experi- by Ralph Hodges serious recording work here. ment in empirical listening -room Next I consider resonant modes, acoustics. Most of the ceiling is not which small domestic spaces are parallel to anything else, and non- prone to develop at very audible fre- parallel surfaces defeat the forma- quencies. A listener experienced in tion of modes (some moneyed au- this sort of testing can often tell diophiles have actuallyinstalled much by setting up a speaker and rooms with subtly skewed walls in running pink noise through it. More their homes), so this could be good. can be told with pink noise and a Still, a quarter of the ceiling is paral- spectrum analyzer. WhenItried lel to the floor, and I suppose there's both the above, things sounded gen- a chance the space under it might erally okay, and the spectrum ana- behave something like a separate lyzer showed essentially the rever- chamber thatinteractsbizarrely berant -room response of the loud- with the main space. It might pro- speaker, whichisafairlywell- vide a huge cavity resonance, or its known quantity in this case. vertical end might create a vicious You have no pink -noise experi- slapback. For what it's worth, how- ence and no spectrum analyzer? ever, if we consider that quarter of Then it's possible to turn to some the ceiling the only legitimate one, simplemathematicstopredict and relate its 8 -foot height to the

some-certainlynot all-of the room width, out pops 1 to 1.625, modes a room may exhibit. our final magic number. Clever, eh? As most readers probably know, The yellow room has other char- the worst possible listening room is acteristics that I wonder about. The THE a perfectly cubical one, with identi- outside long wall is wallboard over YELLOW ROOM cal length, width, and height. All the cinderblock. The outside short wall, major dimensions in such a room except for a large window area, is are liable to develop a mode at the wallboard over wood frame. Un- WE callitthe yellow same frequency, so that it and its doubtedly the two inner walls are room because its overtones honk or boom at you wallboard on studs, except for a wall-to-wall carpeting unmercifully. A much better room large panel of glass brick. Such vari- is the improbable- is one in which no major dimen- ety of materials is usually not the and dirt-revealing-shade of canary sions are the same or simple multi- best thing for good listening acous- yellow.Ifind this ludicrous, but ples of each other. Modes will then tics, but some of it is hard to avoid money is too short for us to change be distributed over a range of differ- in most homes. As for the yellow it right now. ent frequencies and will be less like- room, there is mild flutter echo- The room occupies a second -floor ly to reinforce one another. Theoret- the stinging sound you hear right rear corner of a two-story house just ically, the best possible room has after a handclap in a bare room. I acquired by my wife and me. It is dimensions in the ratios of about 1 suspect wall treatment will lick it. about to become, probably to its to 1.25 to1.6. These proportions Finally, what of our friend the surprise, a combination workplace, result in the most even distribution computer? Why not turn our acous- library, and state-of-the-art (I hope) of potential modes, with a mini- tical questions over to some sophis- listening room. It is virtually empty mum of clustering. ticated program? Thinking there at this writing, however, so I am The yellow room is 161/2 feet long may have been some interesting faced again with the dilemma of and almost 13 feet wide, so one of new work along these lines, I polled anticipating what a room will sound our calculated ratios (1.27 to 1) is some acousticians, acoustical -mate- like when no sound has yet been almost right on the money. Now rials fabricators, and a few knowl- made in it except for that of my what about the height? Ahem. Yes, edgeable equipment manufacturers, fumbling around with cartons. You the height. and in their collective opinion there may be interested to learn how I Well, the ceiling looks like this: is no such animal that makes any normally go about this, because the Way down the length of the room. sense for small -room purposes. The yellow room, if it works out, will where the window casement is, it is task is a highly complex one, and loom large in future installments of almost 7 feet up. From that point it even if the computer could detect this column. angles up steeply for three-quarters the existence of a problem, it could First, and very important, is am- of the room's length, to a peak of not identify its cause. So, like most bient noise level. While no formal just over 12 feet. Then it drops 4 everyone else, the yellow room and

measurements have yet been at- feet vertically and levels off at a Iare stuck with ears,inventive tempted, the room seems quiet ex- height of 8 feet for the remainder of speaker placement, pocket calcula- cept when it rains (there are sky- the room. Yes,I know. Omigod, tor, maybe a few rudimentary test lights).I am not worried much what's that going to sound like? instruments, and dumb luck. Wish about infrasonics from the occa- You can see why I consider the us some of that. 0

172 STEREO REvi FIN DECEMBER 1989

11 mg. "tar", 0.7 mg. nicotine ay. per cigantt by FTC method.

SURGEON GENERAL'S WARNING: Gui7ting Smoking Now Greatly Reduces Serious Risks tc Your Health.

REXNDL DS TOBAC Sculpted for dramatic impact, and designed for The series includes the AM -656 Integrated ease of use, Proton's 600 Series components fit Amplifier, the AT -670 Tuner, the AV -646 AM/FM elegantly into any environment. Seldom used Receiver, the AD -630 Auto Reverse Cassette controls are concealed, yet revealed at the touch Deck, the AC -620 Compact Disc Player and the of a button. Cables, hidden by rear panel covers, matching AB600 pedestal. Each component can disappear into the pedestal of this sleek, free- be controlled with the versatile AH-681 remote, standing unit. which also controls select Proton video products. And naturally, the sound is pure Proton. With Proton's new 600 Series. A rewarding high performance technologies like Dynamic investment for the discerning listener. Power on Demand's' (DPD), the new Schotz II From every point of view. tuner circuitry and the exclusive Aphex® Aural Exciter'," 600 Series components provide absolute clarity and realistic reproduction for incomparable listening pleasure.

For a free brochure and the Proton retailer nearest you, call (800) 772-0172 In California, (800) 428-1006. Or write to 5630 Cerritos Ave., Cypress, CA. 90630. PROT° CLEARLY THE B E

Aphex and Aural Exciter arc trademarks of Aphcx Systerns,Ltd. fist Series indtrarial design-Reinhoki Weiss Design, CIRCLE NO. 93 ON READER SERVICE CARD