Philips' Immutable Cd Recorder

FIRST TEST! PHILIPS' IMMUTABLE CD RECORDER

THE WORLD'S #1 AlII MAGAZINE ri ea

,0;otAl el T C-7 IC?

Lf-IL -11 I I 11D3_11 _11.D _f3,11 r

a JJIlib,'Diver 6

's Q&A TP *

DA90 SONY DIGITAL SIGNAL

OW F'E

.40E02 VUE04 Futu k HomeRecordi he New nium

JANUARY 1998 US S3.50 CANADA 54.50 UK £2.20 :PRT1461'60;1711ritItt;;*********5-DAT91102i5 EQUIPM 1.1,,I I I,,,,,I.11.111,11.1.1.1..1.1..11..1.1m1,1.1 1 B&W SMCRIERMY5569 2(1917495° CI O CAMBRI 272 1 DVX8000 MULTIMEDIA HOME THEATER Experience DVD movies, DVD-ROM gaming, even the Internet with intense sound and graphics. DVX8000 manages and enhances your entire home theater set-up. Video line doubler, 3-D graphics accelerator and audio technology

Dolby Digital Is a trademark of Dolby Laboratories licensing Coro DVX8000

by Marantz® (including Dolby Digital""). All integrated with powerful multimedia PC functionality. It's entertainment to the extreme. Available at select dealers. For more info on Philips Extreme Home Entertainment call 1-888-486-6272 or visit us at www.mmhometheater.com

Dolby Digital Decoding

Dual-Room/Dual Source Operation

5 Video Inputs/S-Video Connection

K-STAT Discrete Audio Amplifier

Radio Data System

Graphical On -Screen Interface

Cool glowy buttons

47 1997 Kenwood GREAT. WE DESIGN ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST SOPHISTICATED RECEIVERS AND THE REMOTE GETS ALL THE ATTENTION.

r-NIV Four years creating a perfect receiver, and for wha:?' Introducing the FutureSet remove. It comes with all of Kenwood's top AV receivers and, as hard as it is for us to admit, it is pretty remarkable. Besides having its famous red buttons, FutureSet can actually download operating codes for new components, like a new CD player or a DVD player, directly from a touch tone phone, eliminating the possibility of it beccming obsolete. So go ahead and buy our receivers for the remote. We just don't want to hear about it. For more information, visit the Kenwood website at www.kenwoodusa.com or call I-800-KENWOOD.

KENWOOD

44 ^.

CIRCLE NO. 54 ON READER SERVICE CARD As you begin your search for the ideal home theater audio system, ask yourself what's important:

41111111111111111111\

It has long been assumed that bigger equipment means better sound. Not anymore. Bose® Lifestyle® systems allow you to enjoy better sound with less clutter, less equipment and less complication. Unlike conventional "components',' every part of a Lifestyle® system is engineered to work together as a whole. For performance, each element is acoustically matched. For 4403' simplicity, many controls are automatic, which means you can do just about anything by pressing only one button. And everything is smaller A single, 2X" high music center replaces an entire rack of electronics and includes a built-in CD player and AM/FM tuner Tiny Jewel Cube' speakers are about the size of a computer mouse. And hidden away out of view is the Acoustimass® module for purer, more natural bass. Your favorite music, movies and sports programs will come to life in a way you simply cannot imagine. Home Theater Technologysummed it up by saying, "Everything is included and carefully thought out.... The performance is awesome."* Please call for your complimentary guide to our Lifestyle* music and home theater systems, and for Bose dealers near you. Then compare the size of Bose sound to the sound of the biggest equipment you can find. Is it the size of the equipment?

-: 4

Or is it the size of the sound?

-"-Better sound through researcho I-800-444-BOSE Ext. 583 www.bose.com

orroratum1N114 10-(.1 romrevte..ol the111,4,1, I2 home theaterVSICIII

CIRCLE NO. 41 ON READER SERVICE CARD BY BOB ANKOSKO & WILLIAM LIVINGSTONE a/v digest jazz pianist Jelly Roll Morton Encouraged by brisk sales of its will also be honored as an early MiniDisc (MD) products in influence on rock. Ceremonies at Europe and Japan, Kenwood has New York's Waldorf-Astoria introduced a line of MD compo- Hotel on January 12 will be nents here that includes portable taped for broadcast January 19 and home recorders ($400 each), on VH1.... The Recording a pocket-size player ($250) with Industry Association of America an 8 -hour battery, and a six -disc has certified Elton John's tribute car changer ($600).... Yamaha to the late Princess Diana, will roll out a new flagship "Candle in the Wind 1997," as home -theater processor/amp this the best-selling single in history, spring to replace the DSP- enthusiasts rail against pay -per -view DVD with sales of over 11 million. A3090. The $2,800 DSP-Al Rarely if ever in the history of consumer electronics has the performs both Dolby Digital and mere announcement of a new technology generated such an out of this world DTS 5.1 -channel decoding and From Sage Industries of Garden immediate - and negative - reaction. A/V enthusiasts ap- boasts 39 sound -field modes. Grove, CA, comes the Ultimate including a new one based on pear united against Divx, the pay -per -view offshoot of the Field Optimizer (U.F.O.), a samples taken at the famous DVD format slated for release this summer (see "Technology "unique tool" that's said to New York club the Bottom Update," December). In bulletin -board postings at Stereo improve the sound quality of Line.... The Consumer Elec- Review's America Online site and around the Web, the anti- CDs, laserdiscs, and DVDs by tronics Manufacturers Associa- eliminating "paramagnetic tion (CEMA), which just started Divx fervor has reached a fever pitch, with buffs railing fields ... that adversely affect tracking sales of DVD players, about everything from having to pay a fee every time you the accuracy of [a player's] is projecting that sales to dealers play a Divx disc after the initial 48 -hour viewing period to the optical pickup." The device, will hit 400,000 in 1997.... format's incompatibility with current DVD players. An E/Town which looks like a travel iron, is Dolby Labs reports that 92 regu- (www.e-town.com) survey found that 96.8 percent of the 786 also claimed to improve the larly scheduled broadcast and performance of electronic respondents answered "No" to the question, "Do you like cable TV shows are now components. The Sage news encoded in Dolby Surround. the Divx concept?" Among the more colorful comments: "It's release concludes, "U.F.O. is like buying a lollipop, and every time you lick it you have to habit-forming inasmuch [sic] as reverse crossover pay again" and "I purchase DVDs, but not with Big Brother a dependency on ... cleaner, In the record biz, "crossover" keeping a watch on what I view!" more articulate sound." Another usually means an opera singer case for The X -Files? doing Broadway show tunes, a Surf long enough and you'll find a few positive com- classical guitarist playing the ments. One page that's linked to the "Anti-Divx Page" (www. hard copy Beatles, or, lately, concert dvdresource.com/divx) lists three "good things," such as not Without You: The Tragic Story of pianists recording tangos. Now having to return the disc like a rental tape, and 33 "bad Badfinger ($19.95), the inside the tide is shifting. Flamenco things." For instance, "Imagine if the babysitter [took] a peek story of the band championed by guitarist Ottmar Liebert has the Beatles, has just been at 50 movies in your collection that you do not yet 'own.'" made his debut on Sony Clas- released by Frances Glover sical with Leaning into the Books of San Mateo, CA.... Night, and the same label has first rewritable DVD DVD-ROM and DVD-R Barry Kemfeld's What to Listen released Joe Jackson's Heaven For computers, that is: Pana- computer discs as well as DVD for in Jazz, now available from and Hell, an interpretation of sonic's LF-D101 DVD-RAM movie discs and any kind of CD. Yale University Press in hard- the seven deadly sins that unites drive, the first of its kind, is However, DVD-RAM discs cover ($45) or paperback pop and classical stars. The slated to hit store shelves this recorded on the LF-D101 will ($22.50), includes a CD with Piano Man himself, Billy Joel, month with a $799 price tag. not play in current DVD players classic examples of the has stunned fans with the decla- The drive can read and write to a or DVD-ROM drives. music.... Knopf has published ration that he will work only new kind of double -sided DVD Memoirs by Sir Georg Solti in the classical vein from now with a 5.2 -gigabyte capacity music journal ($29.95), completed just before on. And founding Beatle ($40) or a single -sided disc with The 1998 inductees to the Rock - his death at age 84 in September. Paul McCartney, co -composer a 2.6 -gigabyte capacity ($25). and -Roll Hall of Fame include One of the twentieth century's of the Liverpool Oratorio, is at Both discs are erasable and the Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, the greatest conductors and a it again - this time with housed in a plastic cartridge, Mamas and the Papas, Santana, prolific recording artist, Solti a symphonic poem called which is removable for single - Lloyd Price, Gene Vincent, and received more Grammy Awards Standing Stone (EMI). sided discs. The drive can read producer Allen Toussaint. The (30) than any other musician.

6 STEREO REVIEW JANUARY 1998 ILLUSTRATION BY MIKE LEE Everything you hear is true. Audio: SuperZero SuperOne 1.5 2.5 i 3.3 Home Theater: VT -2 VS -2 VT -1.2 VS -1.2

60 .e.- C LsT175 ..- ,t10 C/I ..--C E ,../ = 0 . o Id) 411 'I, r- 1,... ,:a 17 tri '-to / i ,g C 1.- AI he n0I 1 0 0MI 0 u v, 1.-114 11:11/-, G 11 . II. f- >IL.;gyf.- .- ; I ?0 '0.4 10 0 Iss 7 IiiIP i. , , - - 1../0 1C1 2 1..1 r '1 /...1 . w 9.0 ,r- 11 wo ,_, 4-1.)/ 12 i 11 V.I-1 111 1!: 1- hr MI '- r...Ils E r ./31 , Pn , 0.1 v so oas t-i. to ,., 's wc ...... 2.i .. 11) ,C1 77 L1:.. s, fri v w h 1/1 C ECI) 4_, ..- 1 s- 1.1,tri ,-r : ,! -:-. co 0. V)VIE 4-, 4.. ,c, I- ,1 .1 4 . - C 0to 4.) s-- r- 4.., = to 4- C'0 0 (.7 E ..-- '4- 0 C ii I cr7ii I, : tn.-, ...IU3. W . T Iii(Of 0 > W ( I yr- r- 12 4.57t S 61 4) 111 M ii .14'.- 3 00 "0 I - - a 4 .1-1 ::iiii"->11:ig 6-7.1;7' 2 10 = 0 4/7 ..0C C. CU I- I.-... W JC al CL0 >6. if- 1°1 imC F : :: .0 SONY

hailed as alreadybeen playerhas Digital DVP-S7000 with The Sony Digital ESreceiver Dolby even thanks toour S7000delivers PERFORMFIFICENow, the performance. videotechnology, experience. LEGO-WRAY for DVD withcomponent homeentertainment standard" television ultimate "thereference XBR up tothe and aTrinitron quality. Itall adds SoundTM sound Cinema andstunning happen. colorclarity greatthings greater Sonymakes another way It's just

. .

111100 d.100.1

OM NI .111111.1114 1... 111111111wwwwellew. dege 111111111111111011111111111.

r.: dP SON-1( as.

polo

Sony TELEVISIOn,OnLy Fnom MFIXI(TIUM Taivision) MAXIMUMN./

on DVD of Sorry. lel now amiable are trademarksImelda of the Maximum Televisionfight reserved. Radon XBR and Pictures, Inc. AN Cinema Sound. ©1994 TnStar Sary, Nal of the FaN rights reserved. Bede:nos ix All CaTorabon. Legends Ltaataxes Ix:easing ©1997 Saw of Dolby Doty is a bademark JANUARY 1998 Stereo Review

Fourteenth Annual Sound & Fury 30Rodrigues Caption Contest 72New Yorkers turn down the ON THE COVER Here's the cartoon, now write the caption! volume on noise pollution The Kenwood 1090VR BY DANIEL MANU and Sony DA9OESG are just two of the many new Dolby Digital Inside DVD A/V receivers to choose from. See page 58 77How the newdisc for some tips on how to got its (very tiny) spots narrow the field. BY DAVID RANADA C Photograph O -7; ; by Dave Slagle Systems A/V Receivers Respite from the workadayworld The top 20 questions to ask when 84 STEREO REVIEW 58 BY BRIAN FENTON ou go shopping for a system control center ONLINE Y DANIEL KUMIN

JOIN US Best at our site on America Recordings The Future of 87 Online and link up with of the Month thousands of other Home Recording 67 The Bottle Rockets' people who are interested What will be tomorrow's dominant recording in the same good stuff 24 Hours a Day, format? BY RICH WARREN you read about in Stereo Mackerras conducts Review. Browse our message boards and put Brahms, Patty in your 2c worth ... or Loveless'sLong Stretch ask for opinions about equipment or a special of Lonesome,and CD. Search our archives Hilary Hahn plays Bach and find a test report from last year. Somebody swiped the October issue before you could get to it? You can find lots of the information EQUIPMENT REPORTS you missed on Stereo Review Online. PHILIPS CDR87O CD-R/RW Recorder 33

ADCOM GCD-750 CD Player 40 ALL YOU NEED is a computer, a modem, B&W DM305 Speaker 46 and America Online software. To sign up, call TOSHIBA SD -3107 DVD Player 48 America Online at BULLETIN 6 1-800-603-8181 for a free CAMBRIDGE SOUNDWORKS 52 startup kit. Our keyword LETTERS 12 MovieWorks 5.1 Home Theater Speaker System is STEREO REVIEW. TIME DELAY 16

SEE YOU IN NEW PRODUCTS 17 CYBERSPACE! AUDIO Q&A 23

SIGNALS 28

POPULAR MUSIC 90

Stereo Review. Stereo, Hi Fi, High CLASSICAL MUSIC 101 Fidelity. and Backbeat are registered trademarks of Hachette F,lipacchl Magazines. Inc. THE HIGH END 112

PRINTED IN THE U.S.A. JANUARY 1998 STEREO REVIEW 9 Stereo Review Vice President, Editor in Chief LOUISE BOUNDAS Executive Editor BOB ANKOSKO Art Director ANDREW THOMPSON Technical Editor Senior Editor DAVID RANADA BRIAN FENTON Director, Hirsch -Houck Laboratories JULIAN HIRSCH Managing Editor DAVID STEIN Popular Music EditorClassical Music Editor hI-\ It I(II \ R DSON ROBERT RIPPS Assistant Art Director DAN FLINT Not just big, but full, rich, and lifelike. It's the Bose® Wave® radio. Small enough Assistant Editors DANIEL MANU, JAE SEGARRA to fit just about anywhere, yet its patented acoustic waveguide speaker technology Database Coordinator enables it to fill your room with high-fidelity stereo sound. There's a credit card- SANTIAGO PIZZINI sized remote control, too. You truly have to hear the Wave radio to believe it. Editor at Large It's available directly from Bose for just $349. WILLIAM LIVINGSTONE Simply call the toll -free number to learn more about Contributors: Chris Albertson, Francis Davis. _17151HAE-' Rebecca Day. Richard Freed. Will Friedwald, our in -home trial and satisfaction guarantee. Better sound through research. Phyl Garland, Ron Givens, Corey Greenberg. David Hall, Bryan Harrell (Tokyo), Jamie James, George Jellinek. Please specify your color choice for the Wave radio: 1_, Imperial White a (aaphite (,ray Daniel Kumin. Ian Masters, Brett Milano. Alanna Nash. Ask about Tom Nousaine, Henry Pleasants (London).

NameMjMPleasei'.Print I Dayme( n 'Telephone Evening Telephone Ken Pohlmann, Parke Puterbaugh, Charles Rodrigues. our interest -free Eric Salzman, Craig Stark, Rich Warren six-month Vice President, Group Publisher payment plan. 1.11e Z.p TONY CATALANO Call 1-800-845-BOSE, ext. R6677 Consumer Electronics Group Advertising Or mail to: Bose Corporanon. Dept. CDR.R6677. The Mountatn, Framingham- MA 01,01.911.8. or tax to 1-1100.862.11()SE 11.1100.862.26,11. VP/Associate Publisher Ask about FedEx® delivery service. Installment payment plan not to be combined with any miser oiler and available on soda card orders only. Price does non include applicabk sales tax. Price and/or payment plan sublet:, to change without non.e. FedFx semi, mark, used by permi,ston. Scott Constantine Regional VP/Ad Director, East Coast: Charles L. P. Watson. (212) 767-6038 Regional Account Managers. East Coast: Christine B. Forhez. (212) 767-6025 Paul C. Smith, (212) 767-6077 Midwest Ad Manager: Jerry Stoeckigt. (312) 923-4804 Regional VP/Ad Director. West Coast: TONIGHT, Robert Meth, (213) 954-4831 Western Ad Manager: Paula Mayeri. (213) 954-4830 National Record Label Sales Representatives: The Mitchell Advertising Group (MAG Inc.) Mitch Herskowitz, (212) 490-1715 TUNE IN Steve Gross. (212) 490-1895 Assistant to the Publisher: Aline J. Pulley Promotions Manager: Adele Ferraioli-Kalter Operations Mgr./Ad Coordinator: Linda Neuweiler Sales Assistant: Yvonne Telesford TOME Classified Advertising: (800) 445-6066 Production Manager: Mary M. Lewis Production Assistant: Denise Conlon Production Director: Michael Esposito Business Manager: Jonathan J. Bigham WORLD'S General Manager: Greg Roperti Subscription information: 303-604-1464

Stereo Review is published pchetheby Hachette Filipacchi Magazines. Inc. Vjlipacei MOST POPULAR latzines Chairman: Daniel Filipacchi President and CEO: David J. Pecker Executive VP and Editorial Director: Jean-Louis Ginibre Senior Vice President. COO: John Fennell President. Hachette Filipacchi New Media: James P. Docheny INTERNET ONLINE Senior VP. Director of Corporate Sales: Nicholas Matarazzo Senior VP. CFO. & Treasurer: John T. O'Connor Senior VP. Manufacturing & Distribution: Anthony R. Romano Senior VP, General Counsel: Catherine Flickinger Call 1-800-827-6364 and VP. Circulation: David W. Leckey see how easy it can be to VP. Communications & Special Projects: Keith Estabrook SERVICE! VP. Dir. Marketing and Sales Development: Lynn Chaiken VP. Financial Operations: Margaret Carroll experience the Internet. VP. Corporate Compliance: Carlo A. Boccia Availability may be limited, especially during peak times. 1997 America Online. Inc Ae) EVERY BREATH, v r y wti is p e r. Passionately Delivered

realm, And. astonishingly real. Klipsch first began its romance with big theater sound in 1946 w h the unveiling the plitelted Klipschorrr and the introduction of horn technology. This technology zoltinues today as the hallmark of Klipsch speaker design. delivering the most intimate sound reproduction possible. Fall in love with professional theater sound that embraces your seises. The Klipsch Synergy Premiere Home Theater System." gives you the best seat in the house. Visityour Klipsch audio retailer to hear. feel and experience the distinctive Klipsch difference. It s Alive. Learn more about the heart and science of the Klipsch sound by calling 1-800-K'IPSCH. or for the surfing savvy, visit us online at www.klipsch.com.

L L KlipschC A LEGEND IN SOUND - 'r 997ION h rights rc.zr.cd. LETTERS

rolling your own CDs near -zero budgets for new equipment or the computer is quickly becoming as im- What is the lowdown on CD recorders? I've maintenance are all commonplace. Remem- portant as stereo gear to today's musician been waiting for years for an affordable ta- ber, too, that any radio broadcast's frequen- and audiophile. However, by ignoring the bletop CD recorder, and now recordable - cy response is cut off sharply above 15 industry's preferred platform, he is keeping CD drives for computers are becoming kHz. I have had the pleasure of listening to his students from learning about the best more common. Should I try to do my audio recordings made at a 96 -kHz sampling rate, tools available. Tom Clark recording with my computer, or can I hope and believe me. there is an awesome sonic San Jose, CA I'll soon be able to add a moderately priced difference. Klay Anderson component to my stereo system designed Klay Anderson Audio, Inc. Ken Pohlmann replies:m a huge fan of specifically for audio recording on CD? Salt Lake City, UT any computer that can do binary arithmetic Fred Johnson faster than I can, and that includes Macs. Virginia Beach, VA However, the reality is that most people use "wintel" bias Windows machines, so the articles focused Is $649 reasonable enough? That's the list For years I've enjoyed Ken Pohlmann's on that platform. I agree with Mr Clark that price of the Philips CDR870 recorder tested "Signals" column. In the past few months, many artists and studios still use Macs. but in this issue (see page 33). however, it's becoming increasingly diffi- just as the Windows juggernaut won the cult because of his concentration on the home market, it is increasingly winning the "Wintel" (Windows -Intel) computer plat- hearts (and souls) of audio professionals. resampling for the birds form. If he were discussing spreadsheet David Shere said, in November "Letters" software, that would be one thing, but he's ("Sampling for the Birds"), that in his work writing about audio. And, contrary to what basic repertory on CD at a radio station, he has been unable to hear his music -engineering students may tell Years ago you published a booklet suggest- differences between digital recordings made him (November "Signals"), the platform of ing records for a well-rounded classical - at various sampling rates. From my thirty- choice for audio is Macintosh. Abbey Road music collection. Do you publish one like it eight years of dealing with radio stations as Studios is completely Macintosh -based, as for CDs? E. Claude Cook a supplier and consultant, I know that, with is Reprise Records. Artists from Herbie Mullens, WV very few exceptions, they are the last places Hancock to Todd Rundgren to the Dust on earth to find a concern for audio quality. Brothers all swear by Macintosh for the Yes, we do! Richard Freed's survey of re- Compression, expansion, 10 dB of dynamic creation and performance of their music. I corded symphonic music. "The Basic Rep- range, distortion in the double digits. and agree completely with Mr. Pohlmann that ertory on CD," has just been updated, and

B & K's AVP4090 Home Theater Preamp/Processor features today's most advanced surround sound systems including Dolby Pro Logic®, Dolby Digital® (AC -3®) and Digital Theater Systems® (DTS). If and when new systems are developed, it can be upgraded at the factory at a nominal cost. So your choice of buying the right home theater component is quite simple. B & K. Great today. Upgradable tomorrow. It's that simple.

B & K Components, Ltd. 2100 Old Union Rd., Buffalo, NY 14227 1-800-543-5252 FAX: 716-656-1291 Web Site: http://www.bkcomp.com Dolby Pro Logic*, Dolby Digital' and AC -3 are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation, DTS is a registered trademark of Digital Theater Systems, L.L.C.

CIRCLE NO. 49 ON READER SERVICE CARD Take Complete Control withHome Theater Master

The only remote control" you will ever need! Leel

Guaranteed to operate all xtrlur Audio/ViciPn equipment

Convenient Features Include: Eight Component Operation DSS, SAT, TV, VCR, Cable, Audio, CD, Tape, LD, DVD and Home Automation devices. Full Equipment Control Contains all the secondary functions of your original remote controls. Memory Buttons 'AA Turn on/off up to five devices or select eVIOE04i, your favorite channels with one button.! 1,0 GPRRAIT Punch Through Controls AWARD ,V Adjust your audio receiver volume while watching a video program. LCD Display Continuous display of LCD assists Formore information or to order, please contact you in all operations. your Iccal A/V retai er, or call Bright Backlit Buttons 1-800-901-0800 Energy saving "EL" technology.

SL -8000 \ISRP Preprogrammed.

SL -9000 ti,SRP $1 3?9s ...,Preprogrammed with Learning.}

"...the SL -8000 was immediately able ta control every component in my system." II Griffin, Home Theatcr Buyer's .3ulde, Far 1997 "...extremely versatile and user friendly. It is destined to be a glowing success." Karl Fincke, Satelfte Choice, Octobvr 197

Universal Remote Control, Inc. Ncrth Avenue New Rochelle New York, 10801 CIRCLE NO 42 ON READEF SERVICE CARD q.)

611441111 11 lit aV.111 J._

°P A Technica 111,1%WIN):'V' ^0111) 11 114,-1 -1 - Knockout 1;111 1 1 Superior SU bwoofer performance requires superior amplification. Sadly. most

active subwoofers typically feature "off -the -shelf" integrated electronics that

degrade the entire system's performance as well as the bass. B&W has taken

the high road in electronics by employing discrete power amplifier designs that

have won dozens of international awards for audiophile grade components.

Further, these designs are augmented by 13&W's world-renowned driver

technology and include our proprietary -Flow Port- venting system. An ISII2000 rear clew featuringhigh innovative tuning port that virtually eliminates air drag to reduce distortion current toroidal power supply and discrete 175 watt amplifier while increasing bass extension and output sensitivity over closed box designs.

The result of all this zealous attention to detail? Bass that's visceral. accurate.

and above all. musical. Anything less wouldn't be 13&W.

B&W Loudspeakers of America, 54 Concord Street, North Reading, MA 01864-2699 978-664-2870 tel978-664-4109 fax Listen and You'll See

CIRCLE NO 39 ON READER SERVICE CARD the new, 1998 edition is available. Send a subs 1 tested. providing a perfect example of set contains five CDs. not four. The suggest- self-addressed business -size (#10) envelope, the limitations of smaller speakers. ed retail price remains $70. stamped with 55p postage, and a check for Moreover, efficiency is not a trivial con- We printed an incorrect telephone num- $3 payable to Stereo Review (no cash, please) cern. Adequate clean output below 40 11: is ber for Sony Electronics in our November to The Basic Repertory. Stereo Review, /633 the major challenge for suhwoofers. Bigger test report on the DVP-S3000 DVD player Broadway, New York, NY 10019. is almost always better unless you do not and SDP -E800 digital surround processor.

require Dolby -calibrated listening levels or The correct number is 800-222-7669. do not use program material with extended recording database low -frequency content. We welcome your letters. Please address cor- October "Systems" mentions that the owner respondence to Editor, Stereo Review, 1633 of the system shown, Chuck Currie, used a Broadway, New York, NY 10019. You should database program called Sound Librarian corrections include your address and telephone number made by Five Points Technology to catalog Contrary to what was stated in "Bring Home for verification. Letters may be edited for his recordings. How can I get in touch with the Boxes" in December, AC/DC's Bonfire clarity and length. this company? Dallas Holston Suffolk, VA Nor,. Five Points Technology, Dept. SR. 1884 407 roues Longview Dr.. Fairborn, OH 45324: tele- To phone. 800-456-0800 or 937-879-0343: Web. www.fivepointstech.com. subwoofer size Take advantage of Many thanks to Stereo Review and Tom Nousaine for "Subwoofers: How Big Is Big Enough?" in September. He did not prove, however, that a speaker with a smaller cone thenewIRA laws cannot produce as much high -quality sound as a larger -coned speaker. In fact, given Let the new T. Rowe Price IRA Analyzer' show you how. freedom in design and with no limits on the input power available, the ability to produce The T. Rowe Price IRA Analyzer software provides you with a high output levels to the limits of low -fre- detailed description of the new IRA rules in plain, straightforward quency audibility is not dependent on cone language. Easy to use, this sophisticated tool helps you assess: size; a larger radiator is simply more efficient in producing bass output, and efficien- Which type of IRA could maximize your after-tax retirement cy is not necessarily of much importance. income; For a small speaker to match the perfor- The amount you can contribute to each type of IRA; mance of a larger speaker, it must employ (1) some form of equalization to increase If you should convert your existing IRA to the Roth IRA. its cone excursion and (2) a design that will Our Analyzer does it all on your PC-making your analysis allow these large excursions to be produced more accurate and rapid. The software includes advanced features in a linear manner. An example is Bob Car- ver's Sunfire True Subwoofer, which uses that will calculate your maximum eligible contributions to each drivers smaller than any of those in Mr. type of IRA, incorporate the impact of required distributions at age Nousaine's tests but has 2.700 watts of peak 702, and allow for full or partial conversions to the Roth IRA. power available to move them. And if the frequency response of the two speakers is equal and appropriate equaliza- To order your IRA Analyzer for only S9.95, call tion is employed to make the output levels equal, the low -frequency acoustic power of 1-800-250-7558 the smaller speaker may be entirely adequate Visit our Web site for free interactive IRA worksheets. in an average listening room; the larger cone's www.troweprice.corn greater potential level is superfluous. Norman S. Cromwell Software available on both CD and diskette. Available for PCs only. Lynchburg, VA

Tom Nousaine replies: Mr. Cromwell is basically correct that it is theoretically possi- Invest With Confidence ble for a smaller suhwoofer to have output equal to a larger one. However, there are several practical limitations. Getting ex- TRowePrice tended linear excursion from smaller driv- To run the T. Rowe Price IRA Analyzer, you ilvcd an IBM -compatible PC running Windows 3.1 or above. A 486 processor ers is limited by the geometry of small bas- or greater is recommended. You also need MB free space and 8 MB of RAM. A VGA monitor with 256 -color or better kets. Although the Sunfire suhwoofer uses video card is required. For more complete information about T. Rowe Price funds, including charges and expenses, call for a prospectus. Read it several clever techniques to extend the ex- carefully before investing. T. Rowe Price is a registered trademark of T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc., and all other cursion of its 10 -inch drivers, it still falls far trademarks are property of their respective owners. T. Rowe Price Investment Services, Inc., Distributor. IRA039655 short of the output capabilities of the larger

CIRCLE NO 7 ON READER SERV! 7,E CARD and Signet going head -to -head. Deemed the best buy was timedelay Denon's DL -I60 moving -coil at $115. The best trackers were Audio-Technica's ATI6OML preamplifier, the PAT -4 kit ($295) and Signet's MR5.0m1 litPI/Stereo Review ($90), which was judged to be ($350), both moving -magnets. tt Imes' Outdo to QIN, Clupro, sal "an excellent example of Tern Arms A lade Mary of.ftri and what can be achieved by Among new products was the Western Mule* Iddylroold and Mir Mu competent engineering and Symmetric Sound Systems design integrity." PS -I Audio Pulse Swallower ($130), a scratch eliminator for playing old records. Julian Rank Hi Fi speaker, 1978 Hirsch tested Ohm's Sound Cylinder speaker system ($549 notices, then we can confidently say that the best is yet to come."

New products included the Empire Static Eliminator for LPs ($40) and the Rank Hi Fi 30 yearsag o Leak 3050 speaker ($600 Crown -Corder a pair), a "time -delay compen- Introducing special coverage answering machine, 1968 sated" system with two woofers of country music as an oppor- mounted several inches in tunity "to see through someone Critic Paul Kresh, reviewing front of a dome tweeter. One of else's window," editor William the albumBill Cosby Sings, the day's most expensive FM Anderson wrote in January didn't mince words: "This tuners, the $2,000 Micro/CPU 1968 that "it is not a window affable and talented fellow ... I (X) from Sherwood, was that most professional critics cannot sing at all, and I wish reviewed by Hirsch -Houck look through with any ... he wouldn't try." Labs. "It is risky ... to refer to sympathy or understanding. It any product as 'the best,' " strikes me, however, that they the report summed up. "Never- a pair) as well as Sharp's com- are soon going to be forced theless, our reaction to the bination CD player/receiver, to." Articles included profiles Sherwood is that, as of now, it the SA-CD800 CDver ($900), of Eddy Arnold and, fresh isthe best available FM tuner." which he described as from SRO shows in Greenwich "a product with genuine value Village, Buck Owens. "I'm sure that I would have despite its strange name!" bottomed out a few times had An early model of an answering it not been for Carly," said Bruce Springsteen'sTunnel of machine, Crown-Corder's James Taylor in an interview, Loreand Sting'sNothing Telephone Valet CTA4000 referring to his then wife, Like the Sunappeared in Best ($100), was featured in new Carly Simon. In other music of the Month, as did Esa- products. The accessory relayed coverage, Pete Townshend Pekka Salonen conducting the messages to an outboard open - and Ronnie Lane earned kudos Sibelius Fifth Symphony reel or cassette tape recorder. in Best of the Month for on CBS and pianist Emanuel Hirsch -Houck Laboratories RoughMix,and 90 -year -old Ax playing Schumann cham- tested Dynaco's first solid-state Artur Rubinstein was cited for his RCA recordings of Bee- 20years jo thoven's Piano Sonata No. 18 and Schumann'sFantasie- Carbon fibers, magnetic fluid, stficke.And editor William "high-class" amplifier designs, Anderson praised "Texas Girl phase -coherent speakers. at the Funeral of Her Father," and time -delay devices were from Randy Newman'sLittle Sharp CDver, 1988 among the "Audio Break- Criminals,as "my kind of throughs" covered in a January Mozart, and I'm not kidding." her music with the Cleveland 1978 article. "As for tomor- Quartet on RCA. Far from row," wrote Peter Sutheim, the best was the Smiths' "a few innovations - Strangeways, Here We Come. Hall -effect tape heads, pure - 10years Wrote reviewer Mark Peel, metal tape coatings, digital "For Morrissey it's no longer recording (and other) tech- "The Great Cartridge Compe- a question of sexual alienation niques - are already peeping tition" referred to on the or ambiguity. of socialism over the horizon. Their intro- cover of the January 1988 issue or vegetarianism. This guy is Buck Owens, 1968 ductions cannot be far off, and saw entries from Audio-Tech- just plain nuts." if they live up to their advance nica, Denon, Kiseki, Ortofon, - Ken Richardson

18 STEREO REVIEW JANUARY 1998 We =yoke The Rules Finally! A music club that won't hassle you with those annoying reply cards, and those unwanted shipments! No itlogEC.405 Tv RE-rIAIWNo AurromAriciHIPmENrs!

L41 The Mighty Mighty Matchbox 20 Mary J. Blige Sublime Jewel Bosstones Shore My Word Let s Fore It (MCA) (Big Ri8a 4q/Mer y) 16.8658 13.7463 1328cur 19.4563 19.4483 16.8161

NEW & NOTEWORTHY ALTERNA-FAVES Third Eye Blind (Elelorol 18.8151 n Natalie Merchant- bgerldy (Elektro) 13.0971 Robyn -Robyn Is Here (RCA) 21.3488 CDs 311 (Copro xn) 13.5335 SWV-Release Some Tension (RCA) 21.5210 The Verve ripe -Villains (RCA) 15.1472 Sister Naxel- Somewhere More Familiar (Unow.eso 21.5376 Stone Temple Pilots -Tiny MUSIC (Atlantic) 15.3882 Mr. President (Warner Bros ) 21.6093 For The Hootie at 7.1e Blowfish -Fairweather Johnson (Atlantic) 15.4229 Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott -Saps Dupe Fly Rage Agailst The Machine -Evil Empire (Epic) A 156695 (Gold Mind/eastwest) 21.6119 Dave Man-wws Bond -Crash (RCA) 15.6703 Price Of the cranbioviess- To The Faithful Deported (Island) 15.6992 Rampage -Scarp Honor By Way 01 Blood (E I 'keel 21.6143 Alice In Chains -Unplugged (Columbia) 15.7008 Maxwell -Maxwell Unplugged (Columbia) 21.6564 No Doubt- Tragic Kingdom (Trauma Records) 16.3436 Stevie Ray Vaughan 8 Double Trouble - Live At Carnegie Hall (Epr) 21.7166 The Wallflowers -Bringing Down The Horse (Interuope) 16.3477 See details. Pearl Jam -No Code (Epic) 16.4707 Toby Koith-Oream Walkin (Mercury) 21.7950 Tonle-Lernon Parade (A&M/Polydor) 16.5654 Pantera-Official Live (Fleknal 21.9287 Sheryl Craw -Sheryl Crow (ABM) 16.5969 98 Degrees (Molowo) 22.1259 Cardigans -First Bond On The Moon (Mercury) 16.6298 Kenny Chesney -1 Will Stand (BNA/Records 22.1267 SOFT SPOT Shawn Covin-A Few Small Repairs (Columbia) 16.7593 God's Property From Kirk Franklin's Nu Nation "Pulp Fktion" -Ong Sndtrk )MCA) A 10.:151 Paula Cole -This Fire (Imago/Warner Bros 17.0035 (B -Rite Mum) 21.1425 Sado-The Best Of Soce (Epic) 11.0379 Phish-B,11; Breathes (Elektra) 17.0076 Sting-F.1.dd, OT Gold 'he Best OF Sting )ABM) 11;555 "Romeo 8 Juliet"-Or(g Sndirk (Enhanced CD) (CopOol) 17.0985 Mariah Carey -Daydream (Columbia) 13.7786 Barenaked Ladies -Rock Spectacle (Enhonced CD) (Reprise) 17.1397 E nye, The Memory 0 Trees (Reprise) 14.::800 Marilyn Manson -Antichrist Superstar (Nothing/1(1.0..9e) A 17.1579 URBAN JAM Z Kenny G The Mome st (Aristo) 16..704 Bush-Raarbrode Surtcose (Trauma Records) 17.3518 Toni Braxton -Secrets )Lafacel 15.9202 Elton John -love Sorg, (MCA) 16.5625 Duncan Sheik (Manful 17.7436 112 (Rod Boy/Arun) 16.5431 Phil Collins -DoneWOThe Light )Atlanhc) 16.e326 Silverchoi- -Freak Show (Enhanced CD) (Epic) 18.1099 BLACKYInetif-Another Level (Interscope) 16.5688 Simply Red-Greote8 Hits (eostwest) 17.4100 Luscious Jackson -Fever In Fever Out (Capitol/Grand Royal)18.1503 Ginuwine- The Bachelor 1550 Music) 16.7635 Rod Stewart -if We Foll In Love (Warner Bros ) 17. 454 Ben Folds Five -Whatever And Ever Amen (550 Music) 18.5371 LL Cool 1 -All World (Greatest Hos) (Del Jam) 16.8914 "Star Wars"'" --A New Hope -Orig Sndtrk Depeche Mode -Ultra (Mute/Reprise) 18.9266 1PLA tor) 18.3S®/39. 1504 "Space Jam"-Ong.Srichri Indigo Girls -Shaming Of The Sun (Epic) 19.4555 (Warner Sunset/Atlantic) 17.0142 Kenny Loggins- The Greatest Hos Of (Columbia) 18 8819 toad the wet sprocket -Cod (Columbia) 211110 Lir Kim -Hord Core (Big Beat/Atlantic) 17.0167 Bee GeesStill Wale, (Polydor) 18.5619 k.d. long-Drog (Warner Brost 21.2423 Tony) Tonil Toni) -House Of Mow (Mercury) 17.3732 James Taylor -Hoar Gloss (Columbia) 21.1128 Michael Prenn-Resgned (57 Records/Epic) 21.2431 Foxy Brown -OH Na Na (Del Jam) 17.3757 Fourplay The Best Of fourplay (Warner Bros I 21.1320 "Batman 6 Robin"-Orig Sndtrk (Warne. Bros) 212886 2PAC-All Eyes On Me {Death Row) 17.6651 My Best Friend's Welding -Ong Sndlrk (Work) 21.1759 Del Amitr-Sane Other Sucker's Parade (ABM) 21.3538 Snoop Doggy Dogg-lho Dogglather (Decyh Row) A 17.6669 Bob Carlisle-Burterify Kisses (Shades Of Grace) (Diodem) 21.5442 Artificial by Club -Melt (Crunchy/Interuope) 21.7463 Gipsy Kings -Co pmt (Nonesuch) 21.4818 Jamiroguai- Trawdling Without Moving (55( Mmic) 17.8400 Morrissey-Molodiusted (Mercury) 21.8198 Billy Jos18-Greatex Hits Volume Ill (Columbia) 21.9626 "Funkmaster Flex Presents, The Mix Tape Smash Mouth -Fasts To Mong (Interscope) 21.8396 Volume II" -Various Artists (RCA/Loud Records) A 17.8707 UB4OI ahoiii Of Lai. )ABM) 32.5472 Dog's Eye View-Dony (Enhanced CD) (Columbia) 21.9642 Warren G -Take A Look Over Year Shoulder Paul McCartney -All The Best (Copotoll 45.9776 Nine Inc- Nails -The Downward Spiral (*VT 111tP,C,,e' A 47.6739 (0 Funk Music/Del Jam) A 18.3736 Wu -Tang Clan -Wu -Tong Forever (RCA/Loud Records) A IS. 3920/39.3926 Allure (Crave) 19.4514 Heavy D. -Waterbed Hey (Uptown/Universe') 19.4571 NO POSTAGE Changing Faces -All Day Ali Night NECESSARY IF (Big Beot/Atlanhc) 21.0377 Patti LaBelle- Flame (MCA) 21.3397 MAILED IN THE Lost (Loyz-Love Peace B Nappiness (Unive sal) 21.3413 UNITED STATES WycW Jean -The Comiyal (Rulthouse/Cols.mbic) 21.5244 Joe --All That 1 Am (live) 21.6614 Vanessa Williams -Next (Mercury) 21.7919

-1..raxned BUSINESS REPLY MAIL FIRS --CLASS MAIL PERMIT NC. 900 BLOOMINJGTON IN

POSTAGE WILL BE PAID BY ADDRESSEE Fleetwood Mac &igen Ray TheDome (Repine) Floore I (Lent/Atlantic) 21.7869 21.2852 CDHQ 555 Daniels Wcy Bloomington IN 47404-980. %go li WE BREAK THE RULES

1.1..11...1.1 .111, ...1..11.1..1..1. 11 11111111 ill 11CDs Aerosmith Fiona Apple Collin Raye None Loves (Enhonceo Tidal (Work The Elea Of Collor, CD) (Cdurnba) Records /Columh.o) Roye (Enhanced CDI 18.3905 16.3584 (Epic! 22.0988 For The FROM THE ARCHIVES Price Of Eris Claptort- The Cream Of (Polydor) 1261665 The Beach Boys -Greaten Hots (Capitol) 12.2903 Elvis Presley -The Number One Has (RCA) 1/.5591 Styx -Greatest HotsTime Surds 5011 (ABM( 13.6721 War- The Best Of WarAnd More (Avenue Records) 15.8527 CAR.ps Joni Mikluell -Hits (Reprise) 14.9052 REMEMBER:No flogs The Who -My Generator -The Very Best Of (MCA) 1'04169 No Ayr-cm/roc_ KEEP ON ROCKIN' Sall..aGarfunkel -Greatest Hos (Columbia) 2 .9477 rogErtARNI R.F.M.-Monstei (Warner Bros I 10.3929 Janis Joplin -Greatest Hon (Columbia) 23.1670 SHIPricNrsi Jimmy Page & Robert Plant -No Quarter !Atlantic) 10.8977 Santana Coeolest Hots (Columbia) 24.4459 Son Jeri- -Cross Road (Greatest Hosl (Mercury) 11.0395 Boston Lt..c) 26.9209 COUNTRY ROADS Elvis Costello A The Aerations -The Very Best OfIRykodiscl 11.8968 Meat Loaf --for Oar Of Mei/1E1541 27.9133 BcrrembBringshsen--Greatest Has Featuring The E Street Bona Shan. Twain -The Woman In Me (Mercury/Noshvillel 11.9768 11.9354 Eagles --Poor Greatest Has 1971 1975 (Asylum) 28.7003 Garth Brooks -Fresh Horses (Capool/Noshvilk) 14.1952 AC/DC-Bock In Block (Remastered) (Alto) 12.0337 The Steve Miller Band-Greotest His 1974 78 (Coo.) 2..0171 Mindy McCready- Ten Thousand Angels (BNA/Records) 15.5473 Collective Soul (A/kinhcl 12.2192 Earth, Wind & Fire- The Best Of forth, Wind & Fore. Trove Adkins-Dreornin' Out Loud ICapitol/Nasholle) 15.9582 Bob Dylan -Unplugged (Columbia) Volume I (Coluwbia/Acc) 29.0916 12.6037 Derma Carter-Dd I Shove My Legs For Thos:Kocoal/Noshvollel 16.6397 Ozzy Osboume-Blizzard Of Ozz (Epic) 13.6424 America -Greatest Has (Warner Bros / 29 1385 John Michael Mentspireery-arbor I Do The Best lAilantlahtash.4, 16.6603 The Policeivory Breath You Take The Classics (Rem./ I (ABM! 13.9675 Grateful Dood-The Best 01 What A Long, Strange Trip It's Been (Warner Bros ) Vince GillHigh Looesawe 5.4d (MCA/Nosiwillel E urythmic s-Greatest Hos (Arista) 14.0160 291633/391631 16.8567 Kenny Wayne Shepherd -Ledbetter Heights (Giontt 14.0442 Creedence Clearwater Revival -Chronicle Reba McEntire -What Il Ws You (MCA) 17.2973 Stevie Roy Vaughan & Double Trouble --Gtr Hots (Epic) 14.0939 The 7C Greatest Has lEcalasy) 3C 8049 Kevin Sharp -Measure Of A Man (Asylum) 17.3641 Melissa Etheridge -Your Little Secret (Island) 14.0954 Jimmy Buffett -Songs You Know By Heart (MCA) 3269911 Clay Walker -Rumor Has It (Giant) 18.6692 John Mellencamp-Mr Hoppy Go Lucky (Mercury) 16.5662 The Doors --The Best Of The Doors (Elekval 35.7616/39 7612 Alabama -Donor' On The Boulevard (RCA/Noshville) 18.7153 KornLole Is Peachy (Enhanced CD) Ilmmortol/Epicl 16.7726 Roy Orbison- The All nine Has VolsI & 2 (CSP) 37.7945 Alison Krauss & Union Station -So Long So Wrong (Rounder18.8524 John Lennon -The John Lennon Collection (Capitol) Huey Lewis And TIse News -The Best (Eklitro) 17.0290 40.5308 Aaron Tippin-Grt HitsAnd Then Some IRCA/Noshville) 18.8532 "Jerry Maguire"- Ong Sncle-ii(Epic Souncitcav) 17.5414 David Bowie-- Changesbowo (Rykodoul 41.2247 Joe DiffieTwice Upon A iffIl! (Epic) 18.8607 Howard Stern -"Private Ports" -Ong Sndirli (WS) 17.8624 Bachman Turner Overdrive -Greatest Hits (Mercury) 42.3657 Lee Ann Womack (Den. Noslwilk) 21 1383 Jonny Long - Lie To Me (A8M) Greatest (Polydor) 17.9135 Bee Gees 42.3665/39.3660 Lila McCann -Lola (Asylum) 21.3611 Collective Soul-Doscophnecl Breakdown lAtIontic) 18.3723 Ovog Sndtrk (Polydor) "Grease" 42.4721 Michael Petersen (Reprise) 21 4544 Robert Cray -Sweet Potato Pie (Mercury) 18.6452 The Allman Brothers Band -A Decode Of Hits 69 '79 (Polydor', 43.0439 Kiss -Greatest Kiss (Mercury) 18 8110 Lonestar Crazy Nights (BNA/Raords) 21.4676 ABBA ... ()incites? Hits (Polydor) 45.8406 Cinderella -Looking Bock 1Mercury) 21.0740 Trisha Yeorwood--Songbook-A CoihdoonCe HOS (MCA/N.1.0v 21.9436 Elton John r woes, Has (Polydor) 47.1011 Patsy Cline Suicidal Tendencies -Prune Cuts The Best Of (Epic) 21 1870 "Forrest Gump" -Ong Sod.) IE.< Sound. ( 48.7249/39.7240 ..reatest Hos (MCA) 36.5924 Jon Bon Jovi--Destination Any...fore (Mercury) 21 2407 Neil Young IL Crory Horse -Year Of The Horse HERE'S HOWTOJOIN CDHQ... 'Reortset 21.2415/39.2415 DANCIN' MACHINE Bruce Springsteen- -Plugged (Columbia) 21.9303 IT'SNEVER BEEN EASIER! Van Halen tWa-ner Bras I 28.6807 Janet Jackson -Design Of A Decode 1986 1996 IA8M) 13.9501 Choose 8 CDs now from this ad. What's it gonna cost you? Pretenders TM Sigler (Sire/ 36.2541 "Saturday Night Fever" -Ong Sndtrk (Rernost)(Polyclor) 14.8551 Duran Duran -Decode (Capitol) 40.1869 OMC --How Bizarre (Mercury) 18.1305 Zero. Zilch. We're talking free here Just mail back the postage - Cheap Trick -Toe Greatest Has (Epic) 42.8656 Real McCoy --One More Time (Arab) 18 4051 paid card provided and we'll send you the CDs and our Music U2Achrung Baby (Island) 43.1213 Savage Garden (Columbia) 18 6601 Magazine- all FREE! (A shipping and handling charge will be added to each selection I ZZ Top-Grecoett Hos (Warner Bros I 43.8010 Michael Jackson -Blood On The Dance Floor (Epc) 21 1136 Violent Femmes - Add It Up (1981 1993) (Reprise/Slosh) 46.6656 "Purple Rain" -Oro Sndtoli (Warner Bros ) 32 8435 2 More FREE Later! As soon as you buy lust 1 CD at the regu- Bryan Adams Sc Far So Good (The Hits) (A8M1 46.7738 K.C. 8 The Sunshine Band -The Best Of (Rhino) 41 3419 lar Club price, you're entitled to get 2 more CDs FREE! Add 'em Tons Petty & The Heartbreakers -Greaten Hits (MCA( 47.4411 Madonna /he immaculate Collecton (Sire/Warner Br. I 41.4557 up --that's II CDs for the price of I, as promised' Plus 1 More FREE now! Want even more music right now? LAUGH IN Take an additional CD for lust 56 98 and we'll throw in a FREE Hanna -Barber's Cartoon Sound FX-Various Arnsts bonus CDI Rboo) 11.0544 As a CDHQ member You'll receive free catalogs, roughly once Richard Pryor-ls It Something I Said? every three weeks )about 13 times a year), packed with the lat- (Wainer Archives/Wainer Bros .l 11.8513 est and greatest artists. You'll also receive special selection Gilds Rodney -hoe From New York (Warner Archives/WB) 11.8521 mailings up to 6 times a year, for a total of up to 19 buying Steve Martin-..et's Get Small (Warner Archives/WEI) 11.8547 opportunities a year Adorn Sandler -They're All Gonna laugh At You ) 12.1749 Over 10.000 titles! As a Club member, you'll have over 10,000 Adam Sandler- Who The Hell tlups.woe../ To Me (WB) 14.7512 selections to choose from! All you need to do is buy only 5 Bill Engvoll Here s YOUI Sign (Warner Bros ) 15..5945 Backstreet Boys Erykah Bade more at the regular Club prices (currently $12.98 to 516.98) and

George Carlin -Boil In Lawn (Eardrum Records/All 16.5324 I t.honced CD) Boduizm you have the next 2 years in which to buy them' It goes without Ellen DeCvenenss- TOO! NS (Enhanced CDI (Soda Jerk/Lam/NI 16.8179 live) roll saying that you can cancel your membership anytime after Jeff Fosiworthy-You Might Be A Redneck if (WB) 47.4833 21.7273 1 7 *9606 you've bought these 5 additional selections 1 Every catalog featuresbest-selling disc -the CDHQ PICK YOUR PICK YOUR FAVORITE MUSIC: CDHQ 1 8 FREE CDs: Check onlyo too, but yoi, moo, choose yore Colis from any cateyocy. 555 Daniels Way country Bloomington, IN 1 Titles with 2 numbers unfair, 2 CDs 7.t ALTERNATIVE HARD ROCK .R8,13 L COUNTRY e and Count as 2 se/echoes 47404-9801 1 No Doubt Amosnorth Babyface George Strait re Wrote each number in a :federate box Sub:me The Wallflowers Mary .1 Bose Reba McEntore Rease acc=ept my I least

HARD MUSICL. SOFT ROCK iJAll I_RAP/HIP HOP membership in CDH D - I and ,-iit..1.111.1111/ 004 Osbourn Manah Carey Fouopley Fugees CD Headquarters, ard Korn lames Tayka Deed Swann, IL Cool .1 I our expo e send me the 8 FREE Great Savings Opportunities: From the moment you become a . !DANCE/POP __LIGHT SOUNDS :EASY LISTENING selections indicated c n En Vogue Badva Stremeral Ray Connat member, you'll have lots of opportunities to get your favorite Savage Cowden Ned DOarnOnd Frask Sinatra this form under the te-ms music at special low prices, which allows you to indulge in lots outlined in this advert se - of music without sacrificing - say - food Do you have a telephone'? (01) J Yes_I No nerd. I'm entitled to 2 So take advantage of our 14 -day risk -free trial. Flip through more CDs FREE as moon the catalog and scan the membership info. If you decide you're If yes, write in the number: (05) ( as I buy my first regular not interested, lust return everything to us at our expense - Club pnce selection - P there's no further obligation. Have you ever bought anything by mail in the past? (27) Yes J No wig me a total of 11 fc r the CO 1998 CDHQ / CO Headquarters price of 1, After that. I How have you paid for your purchases? (Check all that apply): need buy only 5 morn CDHQ/CD Headquarters is a service mark CDs at regular Club All unauthorized useISprohibited J Cash (28) J Credit Card (29) J Check (301 J Money Order (311 paces within the next 2 Contains explicit lyrics which may be oblectionable to some years (A shipping an( members _I MR J MRS J MS handling charge is added to each shipment I Rutt.£51 ONLY rI.ErvotNrr-re- ea -AK -n -0c Note: This application you WAN! THE REpa CARD IF PRINT FIRST NAME INITIAL LAST NAME AGEO9i must be used to redeem dz. ANY armck Bonus CDs: this special offer. We Jso -5ParLI64r 5EcEc_rfoNHAPPENS IF rag Savo are our adolotxxoal CD ore., for Mash reserve the nght to re{ nest CDs. AND wH,4r wiZt.e 444 $644 plan shoppong and hart additional information, rHE REPLYcis.P? ADDRESS APT PON'r P.ErvIZN deog n,n cooties mo. to a 1197E Norris CD' reject any application or Atorribvai ruAes eccAusr caravel any membership. Assouo-ra SHIP/vENr5"- This offer not available in we mAvic NO"ArromArtc. CITY STATE III' CODE APO. FPO. Alaska IF yoo DON'T-ORPCI, ANYTHING, Hawaii, Puerto Rico or ANyri-obva. poNsr SEND .15.1-EW-EX WVIS98 Canada. Applicable sues tax added to all orders Marantz The Marantz CC -38 five -disc CD changer uses the same holographic laser and digital servo control as the company's top -of -the -hie models. Its bidirectional carousel is said to provide the shortest possible disc -access time, and it allows three CDs to be changed while another disc is playing. A Quick Play feature provides instant single -disc playback. Other feature:. include peak -search for locating a CD's loudest point and a fade-in/fade-out function. Price: S250. Marantz, Dept. SR. 440 Medinah Rd., Roselle, IL 60172. JBL The FILS Series of speakers from JBL consists of two Phone, 630-307-3100. Ci-cle 120 on reader service card. bookshelf and three floor -standing models plus an acoustically matched center -channel spaaker. All are magnetically shielded and feature JBL's proprietary Constant Directivity uniumnnimmin8 ++1O 4511 I high -frequency horn, which s said to deliver the same frequency respor se off -axis as on -axis. All woofers are co -injec- tion -molded polypropylene Tf e standard finish is black brushed satinPrices for the bookshelf and floor -standing speakers rang a from $330 to $6150 a pair; the center -channel speaker is $230. JBL, Dept. ER, 80 Crossways Park W., Mission The Mission 750LE is a limited -edition -ose- Woodbury, N11. 11797. Phone, 516-496-3400. Circle 121 on wood-finished speaker that measures 13 x 7 x 11 inchas. It reader service card. has a 51/4 -inch Aerogel-can= woofer and a 1 -inch fabric -dome tweeter. The tweeter is housed within the front baffle, wh ch is said to virtually elimina-e unwanted mechanical interaction between the drivers. Price $500 a pair. Mission, distributed ammo by Denon, Dept. SR, 222 New Rd., Parsippany, NJ 07045. - - - NM = , Phone, 201-575-7810. Circle 122 on reader service card. a VIDEO -7

0 0 o c o

Onkyo The TX-DS747 Dalby Digital A/V receiver from Onkyo features Lucasfilm Cinema Re-EQ and Timbre -Match- ing circuitry. It is rated to delrver 80 watts to each of the three front speaker:, 40 warts each to the left and right surround speakers. Thee are twelve surround modes, one optical and two coax al digital inputs, five A/V inputs, and two AN outputs. Two tape loops, a CD i 1pu:, and a phono input are also provided. A front-panal jog dia simplifies system settings. Price: $1,J00. Onkyo, Dept. SR, 200 Williams Dr., Ramsey, NJ 07446. Phone, 201-825-7950.

JAYUARY 1998 STEREO REVIEW 17 NEWPRODUCTS

Citation The Citation 5.0 Dolby Digital ANpreamp provides four coaxial and two optical digital inputs, six stereo audio inputs, and three composite -video and two S -video inputs.It includes the company's 6 -Axis surround mode and has outputs for two "side" and two "back" surround speakers. An optional plug-in card adds DTS decoding. Price: $2,995 l$3,495 with DTS). Citation Division, Madrigal Audio Labs, Dept. SR, P.O. Box 781, Middletown, CT 06547. Phone, 860-346-0896. Circle 123 on reader service card. Dahlquist The Dahlquist DQ-86.3CS floor-standing speaker is a three-way bass -reflex design featuring an 8 -inch Productnv woofer, a 61/2 -inch midrange, and a 1 -inch dome tweeter. Its The Zero -G CD Manage- sensitivity is rated as 90 dB, its impedance as 6 ohms, and its ment System 18 from power -handling as 160 watts. The speaker measures 40 x 10 Productnv uses magnets x 121/2 incies and is finished in black ash vinyl veneer ($991 a and magnetic clips that pair) or high -gloss black or rosewood ($1,250 a pair). Dahl- attach to jewel boxes to quist, Dept. SR 25 Esna Park Dr., Markham, Ontario L3R 1C9. hold CDs in place. The free- Phone, 800-361-2192. Circle 125 on reader service card. standing or wall -mountable system is available in four sizes holding from 48 CDs ($125, shown) to 384 CDs ($575). Productnv, Dept. SR, 30-10 41st Ave., 4th fl., Long Island City, NY 11101. Phone, 718-786-9611. Circle 124 on reader service card.

Denon Denon's AVD-2000 Dolby Digitaldecoder has one RF, two optical, and two coaxial digital inputs plus a six - channel analog input. It features Denon's Cinema EQ circuit (omega !omega's Buzcan make audio and video sig- and Dynamic Discrete Surround Circuit system. Price: S599. nals and digital photos available to a Windows 95 and Macin- Denon, Dept. SR, 222 New Rd., Parsippany, NJ 07054. Phone, tosh personal computer for multimedia editing and produc- 201-575-7810. Circle 126 on reader service card. tion. It consists of a plug-in Ultra SCSI controller attached to a Buz box video -capture module that accepts input from camcorders, CD/DVD/laserdisc players, and digital cameras through its S -v deo, composite -video, or stereo audio jacks. Buz is bur dled with software for producing multimedia. Price: $200. !omega, Dept. SR, 1821 W. !omega Way, Roy, UT 84067. Phone, 801-778-1000. Circle 127 on reader service card.

18 STEREO REVIEW JANUARY 1998 "a true world -class surround speaker" "one of the most versatile products in the history of home theater" Audio Video Shopper

Winner of an Audio*Ng Video Interiors Excellence In Design award, the revolutionary 5S-1501Fix Tripole is the ideal surround channel speaker for any system. Designed for 5.1 multichannel Dolby Digital and DTS, this THX surround speaker is also superb for Pro -Logic and surround music Modes. Dozens of pro studios use it to mix multichannel sound. Its grourdbreaking Tripole mode combines the diffused, spacious sound of dipole speakers with the immediacy and imaging of the best direct radiators-for an unprecedented consistency of sound in the suround channels. It delivers good imag ng and spatiality to every listener, regardless of room location. How does it work? It operates as two separate speakers: one a point source direct radiator with a 5 1/4" woofer and 1" tweeter, and the other a dipole with two 3 1/4" poly mid -tweeters. It has two main user -selectable modes: THX dipole or Tripole, plus six custom modes to suit the needs of any program material or Visit your nearest M&K dealer to room. You can even alternate be- hear the ultimate surrounc speaker. tween modes with a remote switched Find out why M&K is cons stently Using M&K's exclusive Phase - rated number one in head--o-head Focused crossover (designed for 5.1 competition and is rapidly becoming multichannel's unique requirements), the standard for professional multi- the Tripole produces true unrormity channel sound recording. of surround channel sound throughout Contact us by telephone mail, the 10391 Jefferson Boulevard the room, due to its extremely web, or our toll -free fax back for more Culver City, California 90232 (310) 204-2854, Fax (310) 202-8782 coherent response over a wice and information and the location of the Faxback (800) 414-7744 tall listening window. nearest authorized M&K dealer. http://wwv.'.mksound.com FiI p Moms Inc 1997

_a *"'"- -`

S...RGEON GENERAL'S IAARNING: Smoking Causes Lung Cancer, Heart Disease, Emphysema, And May Ccmplicate Pregnancy. jrhurlurn Mirage NEWPRODUCTS The Mirage 0M-12, a two- way, four -driver speaker with a rated frequency Kenwood Kenwood DPC-885 portable CD response of 38 Hz to 23 kH player, designed for use outdoors or at the gym, features a ±3 dB, features Omn polar rugged, rubberized case. positive -locking closure, and mois- sound -a driver and ture -resistant jack corers. Other features include a twenty cabinet design that is said four -track programmable memory, bass boost, auto -of' power to produce a spherical radi- conservation for longer tattery life, and a 20 -second antiskip ation pattern. The 40 -inch - buffer. Price: $180. Kellwood, Dept. SR, P.O. Box 22745, Long tall cabinet has a black ash Beach, CA 90801. Phone 800-536-9663. Circle 128 on reader vinyl finish. Price: $930 a service card. pair. Mirage, Dept. SR, 3641 McNicoll Ave., Scarborough, Ontario M1X 1G5. Phone, 416-321-1800. Circle 129 on reader service card.

Esprit Esprit's C.D. Repair is a CD C.D. REPAIR polishing compound designed to remove scratches that hamper playback. The 11/2 -ounce bottle contains enough fluid to repair about thirty discs. Price: $15 plus $3 shipping. Esprit, Dept. ATI The AT1505 pcwer amplifier from ATI is rated to deliv- SR, P.O. Box 579, Flem- ington, NJ 08822. Phone, er 150 watts each to five channels, all channels driven. Fre- ALL kA quency response at 1 watt output is rated as 20 Hz to 20 kHz s 908-284-0426. Circle 131 {FACTION ±0.1 dB. The amplifier weighs 73 pounds and measures 17 x on reader service card. 7 x 16 inches; an optional 19 -inch rack -mount panel Is available. All audio input and output connectors are gold-plated. Price: $1,695. Amplifier Technologies, Inc., Dept. SR 19528 Ventura Blvd., #318, Tarzana, CA 91356. Phone, 838-777- 8507. Circle 130 on reader service card.

Parsec The Model 2416 Wavefinder from Parsec is a passive FM antenna that is designed to be easy to use. When the circular antenna element is standing on its edge, the antenna is directional; when the ring is parallel to the floor, the antenna becomes omnidiectional. Price: $12.99. Recoton, Dept. SR, 2950 Lake Emma Rd., Lake Mary, FL 32746. Phone, 800-231-0031. Circle 132 on reader service card.

MONTH 1998 STEREO REVIEW 21 R WORLD OF CHOICE The Digital Satellite System (DSS) from Sonyopens up a world of over 200 channels of digital -rich entertainment with the touch of a button. You'll find what you're looking for faster with a powerful 32 -bit microprocessor and custom menus that easily guide you to your favorite programming. It's just another way Sony makes great things happen.

(moo Haviston)

©1997 Sony Elecrronics Inc All rights reserved. Sony and Maximum Television are trademarks of Sony. DSS is a registered trademark of DIRECT)/ Inc., a unitof Hughes Electronics Corporation AUDIO Q&A IAN G. MASTERS THI1165 HRPPEI7 At New Acoustics swer - and even a few inches might be eh we recently moved from a small enough. %go apartment to a house with a larger Or it may be that the sound is causing the living room, and now my stereo system just discs themsek es to vibrate inside the play- doesn't sound right. Would some firm of er. In that case, again, moving the machine equalization solve the problcui' might deal with standing -wave problems. Doug Baldwin But if it's the brute force of the sound mov- Connersville, IN ing the disc around, there's not much you can do but lower the level or isolate the play- AIt might, depending on the specific er inside a cabinet. nature of the sound change. If. for 5RVR 5PERMER5 example. the audio seems more muffled than before, some boosting of the upper oc- Carpets and Subwoofers taves might help, although that can often be IN My system includes a downward - accomplished just as easily by a judicious %am firing subwoofer that is shooting adjustment of your amplifier's treble con- straight into thick. padded carpeting. Am I trol. If your bass has disappeared. that, too. losing any of the bass with this arrange- could be boosted, although doing so might ment. or should I position the speaker on a make excessive power demands on your hardwood floor? Dick E. Blessing amplifier. In any event, the use of an equal- Oakland, OR izer should be subtle, and too often it isn't. POWER Canemn Before you invest in one, I'd try experi- AThe carpet should have little or no ef- menting with speaker positioning: you m feet on your suhwoofer's output. might also consider a subwoofer if the bass Manufacturers of down -tiring subwoofers problems are intractable. don't expect them to be used on concrete It's not at all surprising that you hear a and so take carpet into account. Check, significant alteration in sound quality: what though. to make sure that the pile isn't so a system sounds like is at least as depen- high that the speaker cone bumps into it at dent on its environment as on the equip- its farthest excursion: that would certainly ment itself. The new sound may not he affect the sound. If so, simply raising the DOLBY DIGITRL worse, just different, and maybe it will just speaker a touch should do the trick. RECEIVER take you some time to get used to it. Or it may be that some of your equipment. especially the speakers. that was suitable for the ABCs of A -B Switches old room is unsuitable for the new one, and Qmy sieien re( en-cr put.) out 40 watts you'll have to start over. limper channel. It has an A -B speaker - selector switch. but I have only one pair of speakers. Could / connect them to both Skipping CDs pairs of outputs to get nuwe power? IN When / play music at loud volumes. Alexander Osorio Put these %AN the discs in my CD changer tend to Las Vegas, NV Sony Maximum skip. The discs don't appear to be damaged. Is there any way I can position the player to AFirst, there would be no point, as the Television products eliminate the problem? Gavin Keiner terminals are simply connected to- together any way you Orlando, FL gether through the switch inside the cabinet. Having two outputs doesn't mean you choose, for the ultimate A may be that the force of the soundA have 40 watts for each, but 40 watts shared in home entertainment. isavesl.vIt is causing your whole player between them. to shake (and I'm assuming we're talking But there are other reasons you shouldn't really loud here). That would definitely be do it. There's always a chance, for instance, aggravated if the player happened to be lo- that the polarity could be reversed on one or cated where room modes were making the another of the connections, which would low -frequency waves reinforce one another. cause a short circuit and inevitably damage Feel the top of the player for vibrations the amplifier :f you hooked both outputs to when the problem is occurring: simply one speaker. Taking due care could prevent placing something heavy on top might cure that, but it's not always obvious how the in- it. Also put your ear close to the machine ternal connection is made. and that could MilX1111LIM TEIDISID11 to see if the sound is unusually boomy cause problems. In many inexpensive re- there. If a standing wave is making things ceivers. the speakers are wired in series, OnlyFROMSony worse, moving the player could be the an- rather than in parallel, when both speaker

JANUARY 1998 STEREO REVIEW 23 "THE FINEST IN -WALL outputs are switched in. If yours is one of those, and you wire the outputs in parallel SPEAKERS IN THE WORLD!" externally, you'll also cause a short circuit. (You can tell how your receiver is wired by switching both outputs on with only one set of speakers attached. If they continue to play, the connection is in parallel; if not, it's in series.) GRAND PRIX Audio/Video AWARD I have encountered listeners who do, in nom AudioNida International fact, use both speaker taps as a convenient means of biwiring their speakers (running Grand Prix separate wires from the amplifier to the Product of the Year woofer and to the mid/treble drivers). This seems to me a risky business as the inadver- tent switching off of the woofer output would send the full amplifier power to the midrange/tweeter combination, which may well damage it. SoundEAlsion Sound&Vision Critics' Choice True Theater Surround AWAR D r%In movie theaters, surround speakers Award Ws are placed down both sides and across the back of the auditorium. yet in every home -theater setup I have seen, there are only two surround speakers. Wouldn't more speakers recreate the theater experience more closely? Fred Harms Consumers Naperville, IL Digest AMovie theaters use multiple surround .speakers both because they have a Best Buy Award big space to fill and because the multiple path lengths from speakers to listeners give a diffuse quality to the surround information. At home, the distances are much smaller, and diffusion is promoted by the use of dipole surround speakers. With short distances to the speakers, multiple surround Allin -wall speakers are not created equal! Although they may look similar, most often beauty is only speakers would likely cause some unpleas- skin deep. Paradigm's extraordinary AMS in -walls, on the other hand, are designed from the inside ant comb -filter effects as well, so two sur- out to provide stunning state-of-the-art performance that sets the standard for high -end in -wall sound! rounds is usually considered both minimal and optimal.

Foggy Notions The extreme seasonal changes in tem- perature and humidity where I live have caused the display on my receiver to fog up. I would rather not open up the cabi- . . net to clear the mist. Is there an easier way to fix this? Kevin Jardine What does it take to build the world's finest in -wall speakers? Nothing short of better design execution Montreal, Quebec and better materials. Paradigm's advanced AMS in -walls use an aluminum diecasting that combines the main chassis, mid/bass driver chassis and tweeter faceplate into a single ultra -rigid unit. And, to ensure A Definitely don't open up the box. It a solid high -strength installation, we use an ultra -rigid diecast aluminum mounting bracket. M. could be dangerous, and you might not be able to get at the rear of the display Add Paradigm's world-renowned driver technology and seamless dividing networks, and the result is anyway. I'd suggest heating the display dramatically superior in -wall sound for both music and home theater. window with a hair dryer (set on low) until the mist evaporates. You might have to do We invite you to visit your nearest AUTHORIZED PARADIGM DEALER and experience these sensational in -wall this every so often if the fogginess returns. marvels today The difference is... simply better sound'

Ifyou have a question about audio, send 1111111k it to Q&A, Stereo Review, 1633 Broad- way, New York, NY 10019. Sorry, only questions chosen for publication can be F., mom flOnsaneno Ane flow Amer war n eau p. went At WK. PAX.. answered. Deus or WV` A 100.514.r. MPO 8., 2410 Nur,. A. AY 14302 '9751 632-0180 THE ULTIMATE IN HIGH-PERFORMANCE SOVIW I. Coml. P1 .111,,M. 101 roadirtIge. OE 141 311 19051 850.1889 0 Pokair Ekrt.oun Inc &In Corp website: www.paradigm.ea

CIRCLE NO. 45 ON READER SERVICE CARD Paradigm® Reference Wins The Best of 1997 Awards!

lirimmiii.VIDE°11, Video Magazine's MET

few Home Theater System of the Year 4001

HI-FI AudioVideo International GRAND PRIX AWARD NOY Grand Prix Product of the Year AudioMda

"...combines solid bass with uncoloured midrange, fine soundstaging, and a detailed, open top end... definitely give the Studio/100 a listen." bind Sip ton, Stereophile 601. 10, Ao. 8 "...state-of-the-art performance." CIO mak Sensible Sound "...an acoustically crisp, credibly realistic, and untiringly musical performance." - Don Iii-le. ludio Magazine "Phenomenal...Highly Recommended!" - Don Ke-le, Audio Magazine "Skin Tingling...Truly Topnotch." - Julian Hirsch, Stereo Review "Outstanding...I Surrender..." - Greg Pean, Audio Adventure "Extraordinary...Bravo Paradigm!" - Andreu Marshall, Audio Ideas Guide

tOith years of design expertise and a state-of-the-art in-house R&D facility, And, while this stunning performance heightens the sheer enjoyment of music, it Paradigm engineers and acousticians set out to build the world's finest is equally important for the best in home theater sound, especially now with the speakers, regardless of cost! The result is Paradigm Reference...electrifying and arrival of digital AC -3 and DTS. eminently satisfying high -end speaker systems that bring you closer than ever to We invite you to visit your nearest Authorized Paradigm Reference Dealer and the live event! experience this astonishing new reference standard in music and home theater sound for yourselfl

PARADIGM® REFERENCE THE ULTIMATE IN HIGH.END SOUND FOR MUSIC AND HOME THEATER"'

For won inyorrnerson MU 1010, worn, Alalarard Powdogn: !Wpm, Deal, or 1,0. AndloS:rram, SILO Rot 2410 .Notar., tall-. NY 14102 (905)632-0W 1 In Canada Poro,logrn. 101 14,11.01141116nd0rid1e. ON 14111'5 (905)850,7189 kudmi20 .100L o1611 Stu helitiO .tteitoi1011 hprreltl' I( R-450 ADP 460 rn,I5 &polar itpolar 1 dainterlRight C.iran Unread Somounol SuEtroofi, Website: www.paraeligm.ra

CIRCLE NO. 43 ON READER SERVICE CARD Before you buy an expensive power amplifier, read the fine print.

Adcom's dedicationtouncompromising sonic reproduction,innovativecircuitdesign, and thehighest quality electronic parts guarantee that, dollar for dollar, you're getting the best value in the audio world. At 300 watts per

The GE4-5802 channel into 8 ohms and 450 watts per channel into ohms*, is the culmination our new GFA-5802 combines innovative all MOSFEI circuitry of years of auvrd-winning with a tremendous power supply to out perform the so-called experience in the 'super amps' retailing for two to three times the price. design and manufacture of To produce this remarkable amplifier, Adcom started affordable high with an enormous toroidal power transformer. Totally separate performance components. seconckiry windings and independent ground connections assure each channel is completely isolated from crosstalk and AC line interference. Lots The GFA-5802 comes with versatile binding posts of clean power for lots of for easy speaker hook-ups. Accepting either standard clear and powerful sound. stripped or 'tinned' wires, single or dual banana plugs or Even theneighborswill spade lug connectors, the GFA-5802 is a great match for any enjoy it. system. And since it can drive virtually any speaker system In addition to the GFA- regardless of its impedance, even the most demanding speak- 5802's main toroidal trans- ers will sing beautiful music. Additionally, the GFA-5802 also former, a separate front end comes equipped with two sets of binding posts for each chan- transformer isused. This nel. These extra binding posts allow the GFA-5802 to accom- additional device isolates the modate speaker systems that have 'hi -wire' capability. front end input stages from Adcom makes sure that the sound created by your the main output section so other components can be flawlesslytransferredto the any peak demands from GFA-5802's balanced power and optimum circuit technology. the output stages will not The GFA-5802 is equipped with two types of input connec- decreasetheoperating tors for complete compatibility, 'Tiffany style', gold-plated voltages for the input sec- RCA jacks and XLR jacks. The GFA-5802's professional grade tions. This design also con- three pin XLR jacks provide both positive, negative, and tributes to improved sepa- shield properties. The result is a balanced line connection ration at the inputs for pecise between the GFA-5802 and your other components. This con- soundstaging and imaging. nection is essentially immune to electromagnetic and radio Adcom's new GFA-5802 frequencyinterferenceandprovides a significant power amplifier also has reduction in 'common mode noise'. exceptionally large capaci- Dependable technology and efficient use of the tors to store large amounts highest quality parts make the GFA-5802 one of the most of DC current for supply to sought after audiophile products in recent years. And because the speakers. it's an Adcom component it will benefit from a high resale This large storage value and an outstanding dealer service network. After you capacity means thatthe hear the GFA-5802 you'll agree that it's an incredible value in amp won't he starved for high end audio. power when you're driving The most important detail to look for before you lowimpedanceand/or buy your next amplifier is the Adcom name. Adcom audio inefficient speaker systems. and audio/video components are designed to be second to Now your speakers and none. It's this driving passion for accurate, musical sound and your music can sound the performance that has made Adcom components sought after way you expect them to. by the discriminating audiophile. Through a combination of All the time. technology and innovative engineering techniques,the The well organized Adcom GFA-5802 is quite possibly the best amplifier you may and simple design of the everhear.Fromitstoroidaltransformer andgiant GFA-5802's glass epoxy capacitors to its reference grade Hexfet circuitry, the Adcom circuithoardsassures GFA-5802 is built to be the best amplifier money can buy. outstanding and reliable To listen to all the GFA-5802 has to offer,call operation.Usingonly 1-800-882-9296for the Adcom dealer nearest you. single -ended Class 'A' circuitry in the front end, the Adcom Your ears will thank you. GFA-5802 delivers the pure sound that other amplifiers can only And so will what's between them. talk alxxit. All devices are precision matched for maximum performance, negligible distortion, and higher output currents. We use only International Rectifier Hexfets transistors in the signal path of the Adcom GFA-5802. These Hexfet circuits are reference grade, hybrid MOSFET transistors which ADCOMDesigned for your ears. reproduce all the punch and muscle of bipolar devices but with And what's between them. the musical sound of tube amps. And since the GFA-5802 11 Elkins Road East Brunswick, N.I. 08816 U.S.A has only three gain stages it out performs comparable amps Tel: 732-390-1130 Fax 732 -390 -X5 - Web: http://www.adcom.com which usually have five stages or more. The shorter the path of power resistance, the better the sound. *20 to 20,000 Hz with both channels driven at less than 0.18 THD

CIRCLE NO. 28 ON READER SERVICE CARD way to stereo in the 1960s. Older recordings will be remixed, and new recordings Cruising Altitude will be made specifically for surround - sound playback. That means consumers will replace many old titles and increas- HERE I AM AGAIN, strapped in, my gence, while important. doesn't give us ingly buy 5.1 -channel music. tray table up, taking off from some airport any clues to help us predict audio's next Perhaps the most far-reaching implica- bound for some other airport in my quest step. A better indicator is television. After tions of 5.1 -channel music will occur out to cover the world of audio - and single- decades of plateau -existence, color televi- of sight of consumers. Specifically, the handedly make this the most profitable sion is ratcheting up to a much higher al- entire music -recording industry will have decade in the history of American avia- titude. The advent of HDTV will make our to retool for 5.1 channels. Much has been tion. The upside is that all of my fre- television windows on the world even written about the tremendous cost for quent -flyer cards are the color of precious clearer. Moreover, HDTV shows the mi- television stations to upgrade to HDTV; metals. The downside is the state of in- gration path for audio.Inparticular, similar sums will be spent in professional flight audio, which makes a dentist's drill HDTV's chosen audio format will make and home recording studios. Today's mix- sound musical. multichannel sound the de facto standard ing consoles, for example, designed to As we pass through 10,000 feet I am for allfuture audio formats. In other remix multiple independent tracks to ste- once again allowed access to my traveling words, we'll leave behind the two -channel reo, will have to be replaced. However, collection of consumer -electronics de- stereo plateau and move up to the even technology aside, perhaps the most diffi- vices (I am also doing my personal best smoother ride at 5.1 channels. cult (and interesting) adjustments will be to prop up the battery industry), and soon That prediction isn't especially star- purely artistic ones. Recording engineers, we reach our cruising altitude of 33,000 tling. However, the implications of that producers, and artists must quickly invent feet. Air travel and altitude strike me as more rarefied air are just now starting to and refine a new grammar for music re- perfect analogies for the ascent of audio settle in. For consumers, the most visible cording and production to take advantage technology. As with any new technology, impact will be the collection of new hard - of surround -sound music playback. the early days of audio were tumultuous. The first fifty years started with men bel- lowing into horns and ended with electri- cal recording and reproduction. The audio The miarationto 5.1 channels industry was still flying at low altitude, but climbing steadily. The advent of the will be the biggest transition in music stereo LP might be likened to the introduction of transatlantic airplane passen- recording since mono gave way to stereo. ger service; prop planes were slow, but days faster than ocean liners. The inven- tion of digital audio can only be com- ware in our living rooms.I lonie-tlicalei The recording experiments of the quad- pared to the introduction of commercial enthusiasts have a head start, but even raphonic era of the 1970s were never very jet service. The modern era had arrived. they will have to breathe hard to survive convincing. Now, all those aesthetic ques- Today, although you can travel at low in this thinner, more expensive air. You tions of how to place the listener within a altitudes with boom boxes and rack sys- see, home -theater systems are designed to music sound field must be confronted and tems, most people don't enjoy the bumpy reproduce the dialogue, special effects, resolved. Similarly, because video will in- ride of those puddle -jumpers. We prefer and music of films. While music is an im- creasingly accompany music recordings, to cruise at higher altitudes where the air portant audio component, it is only one of producers must invent ways to aurally po- is smoother. The paradox and problem of three and arguably ranks second or third sition instruments in the context of their flying at 33,000 feet is that it seems to be inimportance. Home -theater systems varying positions on the screen. When we entirely satisfactory for most people's generally are not designed for high-fideli- see a performer near or far, from front or travel needs. Similarly, a CD player and ty music reproduction. back, we naturally accept the change in decent downstream components provide The advent of 5.1 -channel music will perspective; we are not disoriented by entirely pleasant results for most listeners, necessitate a complete upgrade of the au- video editing. But how should the sound and there might appear to be little incen- dio signal path so that each of the six of the instrument change to reflect the tive to rise above that plateau. However, channelsis independently capable of change in visual perspective? when it comes to technology, plateaus are high-fidelity music playback. This will Only a few years ago, many audio peo- merely pauses before an ascent to an even mean that each speaker must be capable ple were insisting that audio was a dead higher level. The question is, where does of reproducing much more than mere am- end and a profitless market. That was a audio go from here? bience or fill, and it may mean the addi- classic case of plateau -thinking. The near Much has been written about "conver- tion of more bass amplifiers and speakers. future of audio will make its past seem gence" and how computers will merge Of course, consumers will also see a big positively dull. Personally, I can hardly with other consumer technologies. This change in their software collections as wait for supersonic, rocket -powered space - merely restates the obvious, that digitized music recordings migrate from stereo to planes and 4 -hour flights to Tokyo. Now signals have a lot in common and are best 5.1 channels. This will be the biggest tran- if only in-flight audio can get off the

manipulated by microprocessors. Conver- sition in music recording since mono gave ground, too. 28 STEREO REVIEW JANUARY 1998 Boston Acoustics "...by a wide and clearly Home Theater Options Micro Reference audible margin, the Micro9Ot Big theater sound from small, sculpted satellites. Compact Reference is the best small -satellite Incredible sound from compact speakers. home theater speaker system Lynnfield VW" Audiophile sound with the full impact of Dolby' Digital. I have ever reviewed." Boston Acoustics THX° -David Ranada, Stereo Review, February 1997 Dubbing -studio -quality sound.

The experts at Sterec Review listen to literally hundreds of home theater speakers each year. So it stands to reason that the Micro9Ot must be pretty special to warrant such praise.

The reason for this erthusiasm? Good old-fashioned engireering know-how. Take the Micro90 satellites, for example. They feature a die-cast aluminum housing of incredible strength and rigidity. So the crivers' energy is projected as pure, clean acoustic output instead of being wasted as cabinet vibration. The result: a satellite that can fit in the palm of your hand, arid still fill a room with astonishing sound. Its anodized aluminum tweeter with AMD handles lots of power, yet reproduces highs with virtually zero distortion. And its swivel -mount pedestals make for simple shelf or wall mounting. The Micro90 powered subwoofer, with its clean 75 -watt amp and 8 -inch DCD'' bass unit, produces ample amounts of deep, tight, powerful bass. Add the tonally matched Micro90 center channel and either direct or diffuse -field surrounds and you've got a system that beats all other satellite home theaters "by a wide and clearly audible margin." You can test -listen the Micro9Ot at your local Boston dealer. But rest II assured, you won't be the first to listen with a critical ear. This Micro9Ot home theater system includes. Two Micro90 satellites, sonically matched BostonAcoustics center channel, powered subwoofer, and a 300 Jubilee Drive, Peabody, MA 01960 (508) 538-5000. www.bostonacoustics.com/boston pair of VRS Micro diffuse -field surrounds Dolby is a registered trademark of Dolby Laboratories, Inc. THX is a registered trademark of Lucasfilm Ltd. (available separately). Lynnfield VR and DCD are trademarks of Boston Acoustics, Inc. CALL FOR ENTRIES The 14th annual Rodrigues cartoon caption contest

Can you believe it? This ing, US$500, and the inevitable celebrity In addition to Charles Rodrigues himself, is our fourteenth annual that comes with having his or her name the transcontinental panel of judges will in- Cartoon Caption Contest. printed with the winning caption when the clude members of Stereo Review's editorial How timeflieswhen contest results are announced in the June or staff and the winners of the thirteen previous you're having fun! Once (more likely) July issue. contests. The decision of the judges will be again Stereo Review's veteran funnyman, Anyone may enter, and there is no limit to final, and the devil take the hindmost. We artist Charles Rodrigues, has submitted a the number of times you may enter, but each will show no sympathy for dissenters. devilishly clever drawing without a caption, caption submitted must be on a separate Enter today! Sharpen your wits. Put on and the editors of this magazine invite you to sheet of paper that also contains the clearly your thinking cap. No experience is neces- enter the contest by submitting impishly legible name and address of the person who sary. Be devil may care. What is Frank clever captions for the cartoon below. sends it in. Entries that have more than one Faustino saying to his lovely wife Marguer- The person who sends in the caption that caption per sheet will be disqualified. All ite about the deal he made to get this killer is judged to be the funniest will win valuable entries must be received no later than March home -theater system? Be original. Be funny. prizes: the signed original Rodrigues draw- 1, 1998. to be eligible. Be a winner.

No purchase is necessary. Anyone may enter except the staff of Stereo Review and its parent SEND ENTRIES TO: company (Hachette Filipacchi Magazines, Inc.) and their immediate families. All entries become Rodrigues Contest the property of Stereo Review, and none will be returned. If you wish to be notified of the results of the contest by mail, send a stamped self-addressed envelope to the address at left. In the likely Stereo Review event of duplicate entries, the one received first will be considered the winning entry. The names 1633 Broadway of the winner and a few runners-up will be published in Stereo Review and may appear in promo- New York, NY 10019 tional literature for the magazine. Submitting an entry will be deemed consent for such use. Stereo Review will arrange the delivery of the prize; any tax on it will be the responsibility of the winner.

30 STEREO REVIEW JANUARY 1998 Boston Acoustics Home Theater Options

Micro Reference Series Big theater sound from small, sculpted satellites. Ace Ventura, Aladdin, Compact Reference Series Incredible sound from compact speakers. Night of the Living Dead. Lynnfield VR Series Audiophile sound with the full impact of Dolby" Digital. Boston Acoustics THX System This is serious stuff. Dubbing studio quality sound.

THE BOSTON CR HOME THEATER PACKAGE. A SERIOUS SYSTEM FOR $999.

If you take your movies seriously, this is for you: the Compact Reference Home Theater Package. It features our much -touted CR7 main speake,s. They impressed Audio magazine enough to call them "Great Performers." Plus, they said, "[The CRTs] sound is smooth and well balanced, and their bass competes with that of larger speakers." In the center: the CR1 center channel. Its tweeter is identical to the CR7's, and both speakers' bass units are tonally matched. Sc left/right pans are seamless, tonal balance is smooth and dispersion is broad. For surrounds, choose between our compact, flexible CR6 monitor with swivel -mount bracket or our award -winning CRX diffuse -field surround. Finally, there's the newest CR family addition: the CR400 powered subwoofer. It's a serious subwoofer in a compact package. The CR400's 75 -watt amp and 8 -inch DCD bass unit produce remarkable bass effects down -o 35Hz (-3dB). And it offers volume control, a variable crossover and a polarity switch- 11: s. features you'd only expect to find in larger, more expensive subs. Test -listen the CR Home Theater Package at your local Boston dealer. You won't hear anything else like rt. Seriously. Our $999 CR Home Theater Package includes: a pair of CR7 mains, a CR1 center channel speaker, CR6 surrounds with brackets and a CR400 powered BostonAcoustics subwoofer. 300 Jubilee Drive, Peabody, MA 01969 (508) 538-5000. www.bostonacoustics.com Dolby is a registered trademark of Dolby Laborato"ies, Inc. THX is a registered trademark of Lucasfilm Ltd. THE FIRST RECEIVER SPEAK SURROUND IN THREE DIFFERENT LANGUAGES.

Introducing the R-945 with Dolby' Pro Logic, Dolby) Digital and Phono. Add an array of user friendly featuresdts and DTS-surround. Quite possibly the most advanced receiver and all that's left is the surprise of what it costs. Do Isaw vow= r 1.1101.0IC in the world. It comes with "S" video inputs and outputs, 00. If you're passionate about performance, experience 1:1101Tl illuminated universal remote control, advanced FM tuner the R-945 in person. Because whatever language you choose. and more. Precision crafted in the UK, the R-945 satisfies you'll find this powerhouse loses nothing in the translation. all your playback needs-DVD, Laserdisc, VHS, CD, Tape Find us at www.sherwoodusa.com or 800-962-3203.

Sherwood®IEWCASTI-E In tl Perfo r licewithPu r p o 5 e

All Trademarks, Registered Trademarks and logos are of their respective holders. CIRCLE NO. 40 ON READER SERVICE CARD testreport

with the Serial Copy Management Sys- tem (SCMS), meaning that you cannot Philips CDR870 digitally copy recordings of copyrighted material you've made on it, nor will it make a copy of a copy through its CD-R/RW Recorder digital inputs. DAVID RANADA, TECHNICAL EDITOR Aside from basic differences in eras - ability. the CDR870 treats CD -R and CD-RW discs the same. For example, Back in the 1980s, whenever In the Philips CDR870, the CD-RW hitting the pause button while recording someone was first introduced format's "editability" is limited to the automatically starts a new track with to one of the then newfangled ability to erase the last track recorded the next number on both types of disc. CD players, the first two ques- on a disc. If you need to clear more The track number is also changed auto- tions asked were invariably, "Does it re- space than that, you have to start at the matically in any digital audio program cord?" and "How much does it cost?" last track and delete tracks one at a time you are recording through the digital Now, a decade and a half later, the Phil- back toward the first. If you want to input (at least it worked on the bit - ips CDR870 answers the first question reuse an entire disc, the CDR870 has a streams I tried from CDs, CD -Rs, and with a resounding "Yes!" and the sec- helpful "erase all tracks" feature. DATs). and you can manually change ond with a tempting "only $649!" Not You have to pay a premium for even track numbers during recording. How- only does the CDR870 record on write - that limited editability: the list price of ever, if the recorder detects a period of once, nonerasable CD -R discs (R stand- a 74 -minute blank CD-RW from Phil- "silence" of more than about 20 sec- ing for recordable), the medium that ips is $30, compared to $6 for a blank onds, it will automatically stop record- previous CD recorders have employed, CD -R. Note also that as a nonprofes- ing. That can interrupt dubs containing but also on the now newfangled CD- sional, consumer device, the CDR870 extended passages of low-level sound, RW discs. The RW stands for "rewrit- will record only on discs of either type as in classical music and other genres able," indicating that the discs can be that are specifically designated for "con- where long periods of silence are used erased and recorded over. sumer" recording. It won't record on so separate different sections of a pro- CD-RW discs operate on different the slightly less expensive blanks made gram. In such cases, you should push optical -recording principles from CD - for use in computer drives. Further- the recorder's front -panel auto/manual Rs, and, unlike CD -Rs, which play in more, the CDR870 is fully compliant button to turn the automatic -stop func- regular CD players and some DVD tion off before you start recording, and players, the new discs are not playable FAST FACTS then make sure to stop the recorder as in currently available CD or DVD ma- soon as you've copied what you want. chines - nor in earlier CD -R decks, al- DIMENSIONS 17 inches wide, 3 irches Related to the track -marking system is though Philips is promising future CD high, 121/4 nches deep the recorder's ability to start digital -to - players that will include CD-RW play- WEIGHT 83/4 pounds digital dubbing when the play button on back capability. However, the CDR870 PRICE $64 a connected digital source is pressed will play audio -only CD -Rs and CD- MANUFACTURER Philips Electroncs, (CDsync). RWs made on other disc recorders (in- Dept. SR, 64 Perimeter Center E., Atlanta, Other useful features of the CDR870 cluding computer -based recorders) as GA 30346; telephone, 770-821-24C0 include a built-in sampling -rate con- well as conventional audio CDs. verter attached to the digital inputs.

PHOTOS BY DAVE SLAGLE JANUARY 1998 STEREO REVIEW 33 The Advanced Technology Inside Definitive's BP2000

Piano gloss black or gloss cherry endcaps

Low frequency 1" thick rear tuned column It medite baffle

High definition pure copper wire

25 mm pure aluminum Multi -layered dampening dome, aperiodic pads line entire cabinet transmission -line tweeter

Low diffraction driver 17 cm mineral -filled baffle interface polymer high -definition bass/midrange drivers Complex Linkwitz Riley crossover network Rear mirror -imaged D'Appolito bipolar array in non -resonant chamber Front mirror -imaged D'Appolito bipolar array in non -resonant chamber

15" high -power long -throw bi-laminate polymer subwoofer driver Massive subwoofer magnet structure

Complete built-in powered subwoofer system

Gold-plated low-level subwoofer input (for optional use) Electronic crossover Gold-plated tri-wirable speaker level inputs Accelerometer optimized cabinet braces High current 300 -watt RMS subwoofer amplifier

1" thick high density medite front baffle Torroidal transformer

Sonopure'' fiber

internal dampening 1 1 /4" thick high -density medite cabinet sidewall

"...I would choose these speakers for myself." -Julian Hirsch, Stereo Review Definitive's Amazing BP 2000 & 2002 Are The World's Most Highly Acclaimed Loudspeakers! " The first speaker I have been able to audition in my own familiar surroundings that has given me that special thrill that usually costs ten or more times its price to obtain." -Julian Hirsch, Stereo Review, USA

"Literally Staggering" "Amazing Music and Home Theater... - Home Theater, USA Most Spectacular Speakers Ever" Top reviewers around the world -HifiReview, Hong Kong agree that Definitive's amazing BP 2000s In addition to being an audiophile's & BP 2002s combine highly advanced dream, the BP 2000s & BP 2002s are technology and superior build quality also the main speakers in Definitive's in order to achieve unsurpassed sonic Ultimate Home Theater Systems. These performance plus unequalled value. astonishing systems are absolutely the finest sounding available. They recreate "Astounding...The Stuff of Dreams" a "you are there" virtual reality that - Home Cinema Choice, England Definitive's revolutionary BP 2000 & actually puts you into the sound -space BP 2002 combine our incredible bipolar of the original cinematic action. technology with dual built-in high- "The Best Performance You Can Get" powered subwoofers (BP 2000: 15"/300 -V T V , England watts ea., BP2002: 12.7125 watts ea.) Experts agree these complete Dolby for extraordinary sound quality Digital AC -3* ready systems deliver the beyond anything you've ever heard. ultimate listening experience. They combine BP 2000s or BP 2002s with "Absolutely Unsurpassed" perfectly matched center and rear - Prestige HER. France Both music and movies are reproduced surround speakers. Dual powered with outstanding purity, transparency subwoofers are already built into the and life -like realism. And the astounding sleek towers. Experience them today! high resolution imaging, magnificent 43P 2000 - $149Thecr HP2U1?-$944.0. soundstaging, awesome bass and nitiveTech explosive dynamic impact totally envelop Definitive's Grand Prix award -winning BP .,?000 and BP 2trO2 The Leader in High -Performance Loudspeakers. combine our revolutionary bipolar technology with awesome 11105 Valks Ills. Dr. Baltimore. MD 21117 .1410) 363-7148 you in sonic ecstacy. It is simply amazing! built-in powered subwoofers for unsurpassed perfomrance. Visit tr. at http://v.v..%,..detinitivetecli.eom See our dealer list on page 38 CIRCLE NO. 15 ON READER SERVICE CARD testreport

This allows digital dubbing of material ly one digital input (you can't reliably recorded on other digital machines at Y -connect a coaxial digital output). sampling rates of 32 or 48 kHz, as well The front panel has no such com- as normal digital copying of CDs at the plications, looking and operating very standard 44.1 -kHz sampling rate. The much like a standard CD player. In ad- 32 -kHz rate is found principally on dition there's a large knob, used to ad- DATs recorded in that format's long - just recording levels from the analog play mode, while 48 kHz is the stan- input, and various buttons related to re- dard professional -studio sampling rate. cording functions (auto/manual track Using a digital filtering operation, the increment, record, disc/track erase, and recorder converts digital data flowing at so on). Selecting play modes like repeat these alternate sampling rates to the track/disc or programmed playback of 44.1 -kHz CD sampling rate before the up to twenty tracks is done via the signals are recorded on disc. supplied remote control. The display Playback from the CDR870's digital contains various timing readouts and outputs is always at the 44.1 -kHz rate. function indicators as well as a record- Precisely following the dictates of sam- ing -level meter. Finally, there is a head- pling theory, when you record from a phone output with its own small vol- 32 -kHz source the audio bandwidth of ume knob. the resulting CD is limited to 16 kHz; With two very interesting exceptions, when you record from a 48 -kHz source, the CDR870 tested extremely well, and the CD's audio bandwidth is limited to riety. You cannot hook a CD player's recordings both to CD -R and CD-RW a little over 20 kHz. digital output to the CDR870 and have discs (which produced identical mea- Depending on your system, hookup that data appear at the recorder's digital sured performance) sounded excellent. could be simple. The rear panel has one output unless you put the CDR870 into Listening to typical music recordings, as set of analog inputs and outputs, and record or record -pause, which requires opposed to test tones, I was never able to one set each of optical and coaxial digi- the insertion of a disc. This will com- hear a difference between a dub made tal inputs and outputs. The digital con- plicate life if your CD player has only on the CDR870 and the original re- nections are not of the pass -through va- one digital output or your amplifier on - cording, regardless of whether I used the analog or digital inputs. The CDR870 was sonically superior to any MiniDisc MEASUREMENTS machine we have tested, and I'd be willing to bet that it's superior to any ANALOG -INPUT RECORDING EXCESS NOISE possible MiniDisc recorder. I've also PERFORMANCE (digital output, without/with signal, see text) found that optical recordings, such as All measurements made from the player's 16 -bit (EN16) 0/0 dB digital output. quasi -20 -bit (EN20) +12.3/+12.3 dB those made on the CDR870, offer considerably more robust storage of audio INPUT SENSITIVITY DISTORTION (THD+N, 1 kHz) (to produce a 0-dBPS* level) at 0 -dB input level 0.0021% data than DAT. record volume full -up 0.8 volt at -20-dB input level 0.021%. The most important problem I found FREQUENCY RESPONSE LINEARITY ERROR with the CDR870 showed up in all the 20 Hz to 20 kHz +0. -0.2 dB at -90 dB input level 0 dB tests involving de -emphasis. It seems to NOISE LEVEL (A-wtd) -96.7 dB totally screw up in recording and play- CD PLAYBACK PERFORMANCE ing back any material that incorporates EXCESS NOISE All measurements from the player's analog (analog output, without/with signal) the standard digital audio pre -emphasis output, all test signals from Stereo Review's 16 -bit (EN16) +0.7/+0.7 dB curve, a high -frequency boost found test CD -R. DISTORTION (THD+N. 1 kHz) primarily on some older CDs and de- MAXIMUM OUTPUT 1.9 volts at 0 -dB input level 0.014% signed to be rolled off in playback to at -20-dB input level 0.03% FREQUENCY RESPONSE (20 Hz to 20 kHz) reduce noise. An incoming digital au- de -emphasis off +0.1, -0.1 dE LINEARITY ERROR dio signal that has been pre -emphasized de -emphasis on (see text) +0.4, -8.8 dB at -90-dB input level -1.5 dB normally carries a "flag" in the data NOISE LEVEL (A-wtd) stream that tells the receiving device ' decibels referred to digital full-scale normal (de -emphasis off) -94.9 dB (here, the CDR870) that the signal has de -emphasis on (see text) -97.3 dB been pre -emphasized and should be DIGITAL -INPUT RECORDING EXCESS NOISE (without/with signal) handled accordingly. When recording PERFORMANCE 16 -bit (EN16) +0.6/+0.6 dB All measurements made from the player's quasi -20 -bit (EN20) +12.1/+11.7 dE such a signal, however, the CDR870 ig- digital output. all test signals at a 44.1 -kHz nores the pre -emphasis flag and records DISTORTION (THD+N, 1 kHz) sampling rate and dithered, which limits at 0 -dB input level 0.006% the data, pre -emphasis and all. This measured performance for noise level and at -20-dB input level 0.028% would be the right thing to do only if distortion. LINEARITY ERROR the resulting copy on disc also carried FREQUENCY RESPONSE (20 Hz to 20 kHz) at -90-dB input level -0.1 dB the pre -emphasis flag, but it doesn't! normal(Liuemphasisoft) +0. -0.01 dB de -emphasis on (see text).... +9 07, -0.36 dB DEFECT TRACKING Playing back such a recording on the (Pierre Veraily test disc) 1,500 pm CDR870 or any other CD-RW machine NOISE LEVEL (A-wtd) -96 dB will produce a signal with the highs boosted by a quite audible 9 dB at 16 36 STEREO REVIEW JANUARY 1998 "All Definitive's New Bipolar Towers Deliver Astoundin Sound for Music Movie Perfection" The extraordinary new BP30, 10B, 8B and 6B (from $299) now have BP2000 Series technology for dramatically superior sonic performance!

"Truly Outstanding" "Music and Movie Sound - Stereo Review was Stunning" -Video Magazine Absolute sonic superiority and Combine the BP6B, 8B, 10B or 30 unexcelled value have made with our matching centers, bipolar Definitive the leader in high-perfor- surrounds and optional PowerField mance loudspeakers. We are now subwoofers for the most lifelike, pleased to introduce a new series of spectacular "you are there" music incredible -sounding bipolar towers and home theater available. All are which incorporate drivers, pure completely Dolby Digital AC -3* ready. aluminum dome tweeters, crossovers Award after Award Confirms and cabinet technology developed Definitive's Sonic Superiority for our flagship BP2000 Series. Stereo Review"Dream System" These exquisitely styled, Amer- Video MagazineProduct -of -the -Year ican -made, bipolar (front and rear Audio VideoSpeaker -of -the -Year radiating) systems totally envelop CES Design & Engineering Awards you in a symphony of sonic perfec- Sound & VisionCritic's Choice. tion. They combine lush, spacious Inner Ear ReportEditor's Choice sound -staging, lifelike depth -of -field, You owe it to yourself to hear these razor-sharp resolution, pinpoint 3-D 1 remarkable speakers today. imaging, powerful subwoofer-quality 111111 I bass (to below 20 Hz), high efficiency BP1OB 111'30 fiNtlt nitiveTechnoloRy

,e,,P) and ultra -wide dynamic range for S4941 ca. .1 '209 ca The Leader in High -Performance Loudspeakers

unsurpassed reproduction of music The breathtaking performance of our award -winning bipolar I1 IBS Valley Fits. Dr. Baltimore. MD 21117 14101363-7148 and movies in your home. speakers makes your music and movies really come alive. Visit us at http/hk-,Av..deti nitivelech.com Tego,hred Trrldeenttr4 CIRCLE NO. 15 ON READER SERVICE CARD See our dealer list on page 38 testreport DefinitiveTechnok) The Leader in High -Performance Loudspeakers* kHz and an even more audible 4.5 dB ther an encoded DTS or a Dolby Digi- Authorized Dealers at 5 kHz. tal signal through any sampling -rate Ki- Alaska Audio: Juneau. Pyramid: Anchorage. - Cohen's Electronics: Montgomery. Kincaid's TV: Tuscaloosa. Furthermore, when the CDR870 converter will generate a meaningless is Audio Birmingham, Homewood. Palm Audio Video: Huntsville. Custom Audio Video Little Rock. plays a regular CD carrying pre -em- stream of bits. - Jerry's Audio Video: Phoenix, Tucson. Scottsdale - Access to Music Larkspur. Accurate AN: S. Lake Tahoe* phasized material (or a CD -R recorded I must emphasize (pre -emphasize?) cad Stereo. Los Angeles. Audio Concepts Long Beach, on a different machine that managed that few people will ever run into such San Gabriel. Bay Area Audio San JoseBoots Camera Fresno. Christopher Hansen: West LA Coast Home Ent. Atascadero to include the pre -emphasis flag), the digital -dubbing esoterica. Only those Creative Stereo: Santa BarbaraDavid Rutledge Audio Palm Desert. DB Audio Berkeley. Digital Ear Tustin. Dow Stereo Video San Diego CDR870 seemingly performs two de - who need bit -accurate recording (like 8. Suburbs, La Jolla, El Cajon, Chula Vista. Escondido. Dynamic Entertainment: Danville. Lee's Home Theater. Visalia. Monterey emphasis operations in series.It pro- me) - for example, for lab testing us- Stereo: Monterey. Paradyme: SacrameitoPerlormance Audio San Francisco. Replay Multimedia Modesto. Systems Design Redondo duces a de -emphasis -on frequency re- ing CD -Rs to store test signals - need Beach. Videotek Westminster. Wilson Home Theater Woodland Hills sponse that is essentially the exact in- be disturbed by such behavior. Such cQ-Listen Up:Denver, Boulder, Colorado Springs. Soundtrack: Denver & Suburbs, Boulder, Ft. Collins, Colorado Springs. verse of the pre -emphasis curve, instead users need a computer -based solution. CI- Al Franklin's Greenwich. Audio Etc Orange. Cantons StereoNideo Danbury. Roberts Audio Video New London. The Sound Room of the nearly flat response it is supposed Most users will encounter pre -empha- Westport. Stereo Shop: Hartford - Myer-Emco to generate in such a situation. As a re- sis -flag problems only when trying to Soundtoio i mington. sult, the highs will be distinctly dulled. Absolute Sound: Winter Park. Audio Advisors West Palm Beach. copy or play pre -emphasized commer- udio Center Deerfield Beach. Audio Video Stores Tallahassee. Perhaps the recording part of the pre- cial CDs. Although the use of pre -em- The Audiohouse Vero Beach. Cooper for Stereo: Clearwater. Hoyt Stereo Jacksonville. Palm Audio Destine Sound Components: emphasis/de-emphasis problem arises phasis has almost disappeared with the Coral Gables. Sound Ideas: Gainesville. Sound Insights: Ft. Pierce. Stereotypes: Daytona Beach. Stuart AN: Stuart. through the actions of the CDR870's improvement in quality of analog -to - fitl- Laser Disc Enterprises. Atlanta. Merit TV: Columbus. Stereo Connections: Valdosta. Stereo Festival: Atlanta. digital sampling -rate converter. This is digital (A/D) conversion circuits - and tll- Sam Sung Electronics: Honolulu, Waipahu - Audio King Cedar Rapids, Des Moines* Archer Audio Video: tDodge. Audio Video Logic: Des Moines* Audio Visions Sioux City. Hawkeye Audio Iowa City, Cedar Falls TUltimate Electronics: Boise. Wise Buy Idaho Falls. - Absolute Audio Rockford. United Audio Centers: Chicago & uburbs. Good Vibes- Champaign. Jon's Home Ctr.: Quincy. With typicalmusic recordings, Sound Forum Crystal Lake. Sundown AN. Springfield. ''NN - Classic Stereo Ft. Wayne, Mishawaka. Kings Great Buys: Evansville. Ovation Audio: Clarksville, Indianapolis, Lafayette I was never able to hear a difference between a .10- Accent Sound:Overland Park. Advance Audio Wichita. Audio Junction Junction City, Manhattan Ovation Audio: Lexington, Louisville Alterman Audio Metairie. Mike's Audio Baton Rouge. dub made on the CDR870 and the original. Wright's Sound Gallery: Shreveport. {- Cookin' Chestnut Hill, Saugus. Goodwins Audio Boston Shrewsbury. Nantucket Sound: Hyannis. Northampton Audio: Northampton. Pittsfield Radio Pittsfield. MR- Gramophone: Baltimore. Ellicott City. Myer-Emco: Gaithersburg, certainly where the recorder's other the A/D stages attached tothe analog Beltsville, Rockville. Sight & Sounds: Easton. Soundscape Baltimore. [if- Cookin' Portland problem occurs: the sampling -rate con- inputs of the CDR870 are a superb ex- Pecar's Troy. Classical JarL Holland. Sound Nodh Iron MM tereo Center FRAV: FlintCourt SI. Listening Room Saginaw. verter is used even when it doesn't have ample - there's no easy way to tell MN- Audio King: Minneapolis & Suburbs, Rochester, St. Cloud* Audio Designs Winona. to be. Specifically, even when the in- whether a CD has been pre -emphasized. MD- Independence AN: Independence. Reference Audio: Sedalia* coming data is at 44.1 kHz, the CDR870 A word about the front -panel level Sound Central: St Louis. RS- Ideal Acoustics Starkville. McLelland TV. Hattiesburg. still runs it through a digital filter. The meters, which are really only relevant Players AN Ridgeland - Avitel: Bozeman. Rocky Mt. Hi Fl Great Falls. result is that you cannot get a bit -accu- for recording through the analog inputs ttO- Audio Video Systems Charlotte. Audio Visions- Wilmington. Audio Lab Wilmington. Now AudioVideo Durham, Greensboro, rate recording with the CDR870 even (you can ignore them during digital Raleigh, Winston Salem. Tri City Electronics: Conover. when digitally dubbing from a CD play- dubbing). On our test sample at least, - Custom Electronics Omaha, Lincoln -Cookin': Nashua. Manchester, Newington, Salem, S. Nashua. er; cloning a CD is impossible. (So why the 0 -dB indicator came on only 0.2 dB If.?- Hal's Stereo:Trenton. Monmouth Stereo: Shrewsbury. Sound Waves orthfield. Woodbridge Stereo:West Caldwell. Woodbridge does it have SCMS? Don't get me start- below the point where actual clipping Ultimate Elect. Albuquerque. Sound Ideas Albuquerque - Ultimate Elect. Las Vegas. Upper Ear Las Vegas. ed!) In most situations you'll never hear started. This means that by the time the F-.Audio Breakthroughs Manhasset. Audio Den Lake Grove. lark Music: Albany, Syracu e. Stereo Exchange Manhattan. the difference, but when you copy qua- overload indicator lights up, you are Hart Elect. Vestal. Innovative Audio Brooklyn. Listening Room: si -20 -bit CDs, whose principal theoreti- well into clipping. I'd advise never let- Scarsdale. Rowe Camera: Rochester. Speaker Shop: Amherst Q14- Audio Craft Akron, Clev land, Mayfield Hts , WestlakeAudio Etc. cal benefit is completely inaudible back- ting the signal peaks light up even the 0 - Dayton. Classic Stereo Lim Ohio Valley Audio: Cincinnati. Paragon Sound Toledo. St rev Visions: Columbus. ground noise, the CDR870's dubbing dB indicator when using the CDR870's Threshold Audio. Heath. Un que Home System: Cincinnati. QA- Audio Dimensions Okl homa City. Photo World: Stillwater. process will raise the noise to possibly analog inputs. Also, with steady sine - Saawnee. Ultimate Electronics Tulsa audible levels because of the sampling - wave test tones, all the indicators below of Bradford's HiFi: Eugen Chelsea AN: Portland, Beaverton. Kelly's Home Ctr.: Salem. Magnolia HiFi (Portland,) Beaverton, rate -converter processing, and it will re- 0 dB showed too low a level. Clackamas. Stereo Plant B nd PA - Audio Junction Pittsbu gh. Gary's Elect.: State College. main permanently raised on the copy To sum up, the Philips CDR870 is a GNT Stereo: Lancaster. Had Elect. Blakely. Hi Fi House: Abington, Broomall. HI Fi LIlimited: Camp Hill, Harrisburg. regardless of where itis played back. fine machine for its primary intended Listening Post: Pittsburgh. Palmer Audio: Allentown. Pro Audio: Bloomsburg. Stereo ShoppSelinsgrove, Williamsport* This effect was (barely) audible at nor- use, which is making digital dubs of Stereoland' Natrona Height The Stereoshop Greensburg mal playback levels with specially de- CDs either in toto or as compilations of pStereo Discount Ctr.: Pr yidence AN Design Charleston Custom Theater & Audio: Myrtle Beach. signed test tones and shows up in our favorite tracks. It will also do an excel- stairs Audio:Columbia Audio King Sioux Falls Sound Pro Rapid City. digital -input EN20 excess -noise mea- lent job of copying such analog sources - College HiFi Chattanooga. Hi Fi Buys Nashville. Now Audio Video 0noxville. Modern Music. Memphis. Sound Room Johnson City surement, which would have been a per- as LPs or cassettes as long as you care- ig- Home Entertainment: Da lax, Houston, Plano. Audio Tech: Temple. fect 0 dB with bit -accurate recording. Audio Video. College Statio Bunkley's Sound Systems: Abilene. fully monitor the input level (recording Biorn's San Antonio. High Fidelity: Austin. Krystal Clear Dallas. The CDR870's sampling -rate con- "into the red" doesn't work for digital Marvin Electronics. Ft. Worth. Sound Ouest El Paso. Sound Systems Amarillo. Sound Towne: Texarkana verter will thus disrupt any system that media). For more elaborate editing fa- 1,11- AudioWorks Salt Lake City. Crazy Bob's St. George. Stokes Bros; Logan. Ultimate ElectLayton, Murray. Orem. Salt Lake City. encodes nonaudio data within digital cilities we must still turn to the Mini - VA- Myer-Emco Falls Church. Tyson's Corner, FairtarAudio Connection rginia Beach. Audiotronics: Roanoke. Home Media Store:Richmond. audio bit patterns that require bit -accu- Disc system, to computer -based disc re- +:- Magnolia Hifi Seattle & Suburbs, Tacoma, Silverdale, Spokane. racy for correct reproduction. For ex- Pacific Sight & Sound: Wenatchee. Tin Ear Kennewick. corders, or (hint to Philips) to a possi- A- Sound Post: Prince! n. ample, dubs of HDCD-encoded CDs ble future CD recorder withabuilt-in - Audio Emporium Milwa tree. Absolute Sound & Vision Sheboygan. anner's NV: Milwaukee. Hi-Fi Heaven Appleton, Green Bay made on the CDR870 are not HDCD- hard -disk drive for editing before re- Sound World Wausau. Precision Aud o. Rio Piedras. decodable on playback. And feeding ei- cording to CD -R. B Sound. Calg iy, Edmonton, Kelowna, Vancouver & uur s, Victoria. Advance Electronics: Winnipeg. Bay Bloor Radio. Toronto. Canadian Sound rampton, Ont Digital Dynamics 38 STEREO REVIEW JANUARY 1998 Clearbrook. Harrington Au io. Peterborough, Ont Kebecson Montreal. Lipton's New Ma ket, Ont. Sound Decisions Duncan, B C . Sound Room: Vancouver. S ereoLand Windsor. Treble Clel Ottawa. Melia- Contact Grupo Vol men: Mexico City. "Ifyouwant truly incredible speakers atanunbelievable price, runand get this system:' -Jeff Chervil, Home Theater Magazine Definitive 's remarkable $799 ProCinewa sat/sat system features: Absolute State -of -the -Art Performance fur Music and Home Theater Perfection 125 -Watt Powered 10" Subwoofer Cast -Basket Drivers and Aluminum Tweeters Optional Timbre -Matched Center and Rears Dolby AC -3* Ready Ir. Black or White

Home Theater Magazine raves7 "Truly awesome.. close to perfection...clearly sets a new standard for sub/sat systems" See our dealer list on the tieing page

DefinitiveTechizi9gyg' The Leader in High -Performance Lcuaspeakers

I I lit..)r. Baltimore, MD 211170(410) 363-714 Registered Trademark

Dolby Laixtratories Lire -gong \ us hI): /AN N1 11.de n11IIiv-Nech.com CIRCLE MO. 15 ON READER SEFRICE CARD 11"!' .'1"90416,-.,.-'1.-- test eport

button selects normal or inverted signal polarity; an embedded LED lights when Adcom GCD-750 CD Player the polarity is inverted (in the digital domain). Two buttons select random KEN C. POHLMANN, HAMMER LABORATORIES (track) and repeat (track or disc) playback modes. Four other buttons control ne of the intriguing aspects equipped the player with a beefy pow- fast-forward/reverse of our society is the vast dy- er supply, precision digital -to -analog reverse track access, and two more fa- namic range of consumer (D/A) converters, digital filters with miliar buttons engage the play and pricing. Things like automo- HDCD (High Definition Compatible pause modes. A memory button can be 0biles, homes, clothes, and jewelry can Digital) decoding, unique analog out- used to save a preferred track sequence. be priced very affordably, very expen- put stages, and a few surprises. When pressed once, the player's stop/ sively, or anywhere in between. For ex- Although the black metal of the clear button halts playback; press it ample, for $5,000 you can buy a car GCD-750's front panel is fairly unas- twice and it clears the player's memory. that will get you from point A to point suming, at its center there is one sign of To power up the GCD-750, you flip the B, but for $200,000 you can buy a car the player's high -end aspirations - a toggle switch, and one of three tiny that will give you a good shot at win- shiny gold plate with a toggle power LEDs on the gold plate behind it lights. ning LeMans. The question is, aside switch. Classy -looking or ostentatious? The second LED lights when the D/A from consumer vanity, what advantages You be the judge. converters lock onto an incoming digi- do higher -end products really provide? As with most single -disc CD players, tal bitstream (from a loaded CD or an The same question runs throughout the a plastic drawer is used to load and un- external source), and the third LED audio world. You can buy a new CD load discs. Itis operated by a single lights when an HDCD-encoded CD is player for $100 (or less) or you can buy open/close button. A Digital In button playing. one for $5,000 (or more). The question switches between normal CD playback The LCD window shows the total is, is the latter player really fifty times and playback from an external digital number of tracks on a disc, the number better than the former? source; an LED embedded in the button and elapsed time of the currently play- The Adcom GCD-750 doesn't cost lights when an external signal is present ing track, and whether the random and $5,000. In fact, it costs a mere $1,250. (more on that in a moment). A polarity repeat modes are engaged. A wireless Still, at that price the GCD-750 must remote control with twenty-one keys is deliver performance that is demonstra- FAST FACTS supplied with the GCD-750. In addition bly better than average CD players. In- to duplicating the player's front -panel deed, because the performance curve DIMENSIONS 17 inches wide, 43/4 controls, the remote has a ten -button between modest and great is not linear, inches high, 151/2 inches deep keypad and buttons for controlling an it must approach the performance of WEIGHT 201/2 pounds Adcom preamplifier. the most expensive CD players. In oth- PRICE $1,250 The player's rear panel differs some- er words, to be truly successful, the MANUFACTURER Adcom, Dept. SR, what from the norm. Two gold-plated GCD-750 must provide high -end per- 11 Elkins Rd., East Brunswick, NJ RCA jacks provide unbalanced line - formance at moderate cost. In an at- 08816; telephone, 732-390-1130 level output, and two professional -style tempt to meet that goal, Adcom has XLR connectors provide balanced line - 40 STEREO REVIEW JANUARY 1998 PHOTOS BY JOOK P. LEUNG WU-810 A PRO AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING PRO GROUP RETAILERS: ANDERSON'S. N. California AUDIO KING. Minnesota BRYN MAWR, Mid Atlantic KEN CRANE'S. S. California FLANNER'S AUDIO VIDEO. Wisconsin HI Fl BUYS, Georgia HOME ENTERTAINMENT. Texas MAGNOLIA HI FI, Washington/Oregon NOW! AUDIO VIDEO. North Carolina/Tennessee OVATION, Indiana, Kentucky SOUND ADVICE. Florida SOUNDTRACK/ULTIMATE ELECTRONICS, Rocky Mountain States TWEETER. New England UNITED AUDIO CENTERS. Illinois ...And at Other Fine Retailers Across the Country

WU-870 A BELL'OGGEIT HOME THEATER DESIGNS FOR LIVING 711 Ginesi Drive. Morganville, NJ 07751, Telephone: 732-972-1333. Telefax: 732-536-6482 web site: http://www.belloggetti.com

CIRCLE NO. 50 ON READER SERVICE CARD testreport level output; both pairs deliver an ana- over -engineered. This one uses a "dual log signal. Interestingly, although there mono" implementation, with two trans- is no digital output, there is a digital in- formers independently providing volt- put. A coaxial connector accepts a 75 - ages for each channel's digital and ana- ohm cable delivering an SPDIF digital log stages. The transformers are backed audio bitstream, which allows you to up by high -current regulators and cause the GCD-750's D/A converters to pacitors to insure correct and stable op- process the digital output from an ex- erating voltages. Moreover, the power ternal source component. Finally, there supply is physically separated from the is a recessed three -prong plug for con- audio circuitry, which should help de- necting the supplied AC power cable. crease interference. A peek inside the GCD-750's metal The player uses an eight -times -over - chassis reveals a single large epoxy cir- sampling digital filter, which is part of cuit board that covers the entire foot- a Pacific Microsonics PMD-100 chip print. The disc transport uses a three - that provides HDCD decoding also. beam laser pickup and is attached di- This bitstream is applied to differential rectly to this circuit board. The trans- pairs (one pair of chips per audio chan- port is largely made of plastic, and nel) of 20 -bit linear Burr -Brown PCM although its chassis is designed with 1702 D/A converters. These are good mechanical isolation and damping, it is converters and should perform well in the least impressive component under this application. The converters' analog the hood of this player. Some audio signals are applied to an output stage critics feel that CD transport perfor- implemented with FET (field-effect mance directly affects sound quality.I transistor) devices, which are said to disagree (and attribute that supposition provide low -distortion performance. to inapplicable conceptions lingering All measurements in the accompanying performance. Many amplifiers to which from the days of turntables). Instead, I box were made through the unbalanced it may be connected will actually de- believe that with proper downstream outputs. grade its output. signal processing (including appropri- I was not surprised that the GCD-750 Unlike other components containing ate buffers and reclocking), transport fared well on the test bench. The fre- 20 -bit converters and digital inputs that quality is less important than other con- quency response was very flat, and D/A we have tested, the GCD-750 is fully siderations, such as D/A conversion. linearity was extremely good: the play- capable of reproducing true 20 -bit sig- Nevertheless, at this premium price, I er showed an error of only 0.03 dB at nals fed in through its digital input, as would have liked to see a higher -quality -90 dBFS and maintained this perfor- rare as these may be. At low signal lev- transport. mance down to below -115 dBFS. The els the signal doesn't become distorted As with other Adcom products, the output voltage was a healthy 3.1 volts, a by truncation to 16 -bit precision, and power supply of the GCD-750 is nicely full 3.8 dB above the de facto standard its noise floor is close to that expected CD -player output level of 2 volts. Such for a 20 -bit signal (some 24 dB lower a high output level calls for careful lev- than 16 -bit noise levels). The only MEASUREMENTS el matching since it can overload the anomaly we found with 20 -bit signals inputs of downstream components, es- was relatively high (but still inaudibly Tests performed by David Ranada; all but pecially those that contain surround - low) distortion at high signal levels. defect tracking and impact resistance sound processing but do not offer ad- From a numbers standpoint, this is used Stereo Review's CD -player test disc. justable input attenuation. The trans- clearly an excellent player. However, MAXIMUM OUTPUT 3.1 volts port's pickup was able to negotiate a although those figures may make an FREQUENCY RESPONSE 1,500 -micrometer defect on the Pierre Audio Precision test set happy, there is (20 Hz to 20 kHz, re 1 kHz) Verany test disc. still the question of the human listener. norma +0.33, -0 dB de-em3hasis on +0.34, -0 dB With the dithered 16 -bit test signals, It isn't often that a device measures ex- most of the other measurements pro- tremely well, and sounds poor, but it NOISE (A-wtd) norma -94.9 dB duced results close to the theoretical can happen. I installed the GCD-750 in de-emohasis on -97.7 dB limits of the CD format. Both excess - my listening room and settled in for an EXCESS NOISE (without/with signal) noise results were among the best half audition. I played my usual routine of 16 -bit (EN16) +0.55/+0.55 dB dozen we have ever seen. The balanced tunes, working my way from solo piano quasi 20 -bit (EN20) +7.46/+7.75 dB outputs. with maximum output voltage to symphony orchestra to hard -driving DISTORTION levels twice as high as the line outputs, rock. Each type of music presents its at 0 dBFS' 0.007% produced even better noise and distor- own reproduction complexities. For ex- at -20 dBFS* 0.031% tion figures, which are referenced to the ample, playback of a solo -piano record- LINEARITY at -90 dBFS') -0.03 dB player's maximum output level. The ing demands the ability to convey the DEFECT TRACKING Adcom GCD-750 is one clean CD massive transient energy of hammers (Pierre Vi test disc) 1,500 pm player - it adds minute and always in- striking taut metal strings, to provide IMPACT RESISTANCE top, A; sides, B audible amounts of noise and distortion a mellow sense of resonance of the to a recording - and demonstrates that soundboard, and also to convey the ' decibels referred to digital full-scale it may take the use of 20 -bit D/A con- proper room ambience. The balance of verters to obtain near -perfect 16 -bit power versus subtlety must be exactly 42 STEREO REVIEW JANUARY 1998 How Do You Improve On Two Of The Most Highly Acclaimed Speaker Systems Of All Time?

Believe us, it isn't easy mdels employ even more robust construction, with New Industry -Best 10 -Year Warranty. OurEnsembleandEnsemble 11are among the a resulting increased ability to he used with today's We feel this ne\' design sets new standards for most popular - and most critically acclaimed - modern high -current amplifiers.New Ensembleand reliability :n our industly. We're hacking it up with an speaker systems of all time. Designed by our co- ,VewEnsemble IIcan safely he used with any industry -hest 10 -year limited pans and labor founder. Audio Hall of Fame member Henry Kloss amplifier designed for home use. warranty: (founder of AR, KH-I & Advent 1. they deliver veil. The Same Factory -DirectPrices. realistic, wide -range sound...without filling your We're able to offer these new improved models at Irving room with huge boxes. And because we sell What critics said about tha the same, factory -direct prices 'as the originals. them direct to you, the consume; with no expensive original Ensemble and Ensemble 11 New EnsembleFactory -direct price: $599.99 middlemen, they offer an unprecedented New bumble llFactory -direct price: $499.99 combination of high performanceandhigh value. Ensemble has "...crisp balanced sound...stereo imaging is phenomenally sharp - some of rie best After almost 10 successful years, we are now Satisfaction Guaranteed I've heard..thE dynamics are stunning... sone of the introducing new improved versions of these classic Like allour productsjewEnsembleandNew speakers I'm comparing it to cost $1900 to 62800." Ensemble IIare backed by our 30 -Day Total speakers. - High Pertosmance Review Satisfaction Guarantee. Listen in your home, with New Ensemble & New Ensemble II. Ensemble may be the best value in the world...a your music. If you aren't happy with them, return In the new Fmk's, much remains the same . winner" -Auoio them for a full refund. There's vinually no risk. Ensemble'sdual subwoofers and Ensemble /1's single subluder haven't changed. In fact the overall tonal "Ensemble deivered a smoother output than many To Order, For A Free Catalog, Or For balance, dispersion and frequency range of the new larger and mo e expensive speakers. It' hart to imagine goinc wrong with Ensemble." models is essentially identical to the original The Nearest Store Location, Call -Stereo ReOew speakers. And we've kept our affordable, factory - direct prices. Here's what's new: "Ensemble cam provide big -speaker performance 1-800-FORHIFI t:sl -;o-- I from a package that takes up little more root - or New Satellite Design. money -than mini speakers...another hi -ti The satellites for ,Veit. andNew Ensemble mi lestone " -CD Review CAMBRIDGE Ensemble// future a new tweeter. redesigned crossover and a stylish new cabinet with tapered "Ensemble II,ike its companions in the Cambridge SOUNDWORKS walls and a Nextel-coated grille. Acoustically identical SoundWorks lneup, performs so far beyon I its Critically Acclaimed. Factory -Direct. price and size class that it can be compared only to the original satellites, the new designs look letter; with much larger speakers at substantially t igher feature improved ixiwer handling and offer increased prices. Enserrole !I is appreciably cheaper ban its Canada: t \tut\ flexibility in mounting options. Outside I ..s. Iv(:51 1 a I,I --332--193,, competition, yet in our opinion it can hold i:s own 1,-- ,4111,1,Xwk. . against any of them in overall performance. an Broil II I mcr 111 In unproved Power Handling. KIJI tr 1.v.tml While the original Ensemble andEnsemble IIhad outstanding value." -Stereo Review AI %. formidable pmer handling capability the new reT CIRCLE NO 6 ON READER SERVICE CARD testreport correct, or the piano sound suffers. In nals, and selection of different filter my non-HDCD reference player, the this case, I was extremely happy with characteristics according to signal level differences were subtle, but audible. the signal provided by the GCD-750 and content. Control words denoting In the end, it is my opinion that the from the piano tracks as well as the these alterations are encoded in the HDCD adds an unwanted layer of proc- other tracks I auditioned. I felt that the least -significant bit as a pseudo -random essing to the recording. It is true that in player came very close to achieving noise signal and are recovered by the some music contexts the HDCD sound transparency - the true role of a source decoder when the processing is re- seemed richer and more dynamic, but component. The only notable inaccura- versed during playback. in other cases it seemed too soft and cies I heard, aside from those contrib- I auditioned a number of commer- occasionally colored, adding a slight uted by the downstream system compo- cially available HDCD discs (about 600 nasal quality to female vocals, for ex- nents, can be ascribed to limitations of HDCD titles are currently available ample. Most important, pros and cons the recordings themselves. The GCD- 750 did a great job with non-HDCD recordings. Next I turned my attention to the Adcom'sGCD-750 CD player did a HDCD decoder. Many words, and a little blood, have been shed on the ques- great job with non-HDCD recordings, but I felt tion of HDCD processing. First, a few facts: HDCD is a technology developed that HDCD added unwanted processing. by Pacific Microsonics, which licenses it to both software and hardware manufacturers. It is an encode/decode proc- from 150 labels, according to Pacific aside, I could not escape the sense that ess intended to reduce subjective distor- Microsonics); the GCD-750's illumi- with HDCD I was hearing an exaggera- tion in digital recordings; the signal is nated front -panel LED verified the au- tion of the original recording, as op- processed during encoding and decod- tomatic HDCD decoding. The discs posed to a more accurate portrayal. My ed on playback to subjectively enhance were supplied to me by Pacific Micro- puritan aesthetic compels me to prefer fidelity. Only CD players (or D/A con- sonics as examples of HDCD at its best, the sound quality of the original record- verters) equipped with HDCD circuitry but some of the recordings were quite ing over a processed, "enhanced" sound. can properly decode HDCD-encoded mediocre; for example, some had very Even if the HDCD circuit in the GCD- discs and realize the intended benefits. obtrusive analog tape hiss. Neverthe- 750 overcomes some limitations of the HDCD-encoded discs can be played on less, I persevered and spent some time CD medium, it adds its own limitations. regular CD players, however, and al- listening to the discs with the HDCD I wish Adcom had provided a switch to though the HDCD information is not decoding in the GCD-750. It was diffi- defeat the HDCD decoding. decoded, the inventors claim that the re- cult, because I was unable to make A/B Listening chores completed, I noted cordings will still enjoy improved son- comparisons of these HDCD record- two minor player drawbacks, strictly of ics. Moreover, the inventors claim that ings with non-HDCD versions. After a a nonaudio nature. First, the viewing an HDCD chip can also "significantly while, however, I became concerned angle of the LCD window is somewhat improve" the reproduction of non- about a slight coloration in the record- narrow. If you are not looking at it fair- HDCD recordings. ings. For a more exact reference.I ly directly, you can see the blanked -out The HDCD processing itself is com- turned to a test disc with both HDCD parts of the alphanumeric characters, plex, but it includes limiting of signal and non-HDCD piano tracks. When I obscuring the illuminated ones. If you peaks, compression of low-level sig- played them in both the GCD-750 and are going to place this player high up or low down on a shelf, beware. Second, the disc transport is sluggish in moving from track to track. And you have to press the track -skip buttons fairly slowly and deliberately to move across a disc's surface. Minor gripes aside, I was generally pleased with the GCD-750. Its no-nonsense, spartan front panel appeals to my minimalist sense of aesthetics (although the gold plate violates it), and its balanced outputs and digital input provide flexibility. Aside from a ho - hum disc transport, its internal engineering is robust both from a construction and parts -quality standpoint. In terms of sound quality, I very much liked the performance of the PMD digital filter and Burr -Brown D/A converters when playing back non-HDCD This promises to be a winter storm of catastrophic proportions, discs. All in all, the GCD-750 is a very

with even outdoor speakers subject to severe damage or possible destruction!" fine CD player. 44 STEREO REVIEW JANUARY 1998 PaRok,rs"ByHenryKloss

"Fantastic-Soundin ers... An Amazing )) 1 I Was Stunned By TheQuail PC Magazine

PC Works multimedia speaker Take it anywhere. system by Henry Klos.s. What critics say about PC Works. Because it works On 110 or 12 volts, PCWoks PCWorks .s our newest and most aftOrd- can go literally anywhere - on vacation, on your able amplified multimedia speaker system. "A speaker sys em for $100 that should make some boat, or (with optional rechargeable battery) to $250 systems iervous...The shape of thincs to Designed by Audio Hall of Fame member the beach. come: A set of speakers for your PC that w II more Henry Kloss (founder of AR, KLH & Advent), than fill the bill, and not crimp your budge Satisfaction Guaranteed. PC Works is the most affordable audio system -Computer Gaming World If you're not perfeoly happy with PCWbrks, we know of that produces very accurate, very "PCWorks satellites deliver superior upper -band return it within 30days for a full refund. There's realistic, wide -range sound - including response, with crystal-clear highs and great virtually 11; ) risk. midrange...bas response within the 60Hz to terrific bass. 100Hz bandwidth is pure acoustic heaven. You'll Plug it into anything be hard-pressed to find a better set of speakers for To Order, For A Free Catalog, Or For will a headphone jack. twice the price " -Boot magazine The Nearest Store Location, Call Connect PCIVOrks to a computer, TV, "Not many speaker systems come close to the Tape/CD player or boom box - anything with marvelous oubut of this system. And at $997 1 -800 -FOR HIFI Forget it. Costa less than $100 and sound--; - it's ) II1). 3o-- I1.-; a headphone jack - for beautiful, realistic worth $500." -c/net GameCenter stereo sound. It uses subwixier satellite CAMBRIDGF design, elecr-onically contoured amplifiers "Great sound hr under $100...a true and biamplification to create breath -taking -Computer Shopper' SOUNDWORKS sound fromvery compact, very Atm-able "Sounds belle than some speakers that sell for Critically Acclaimed. Factory -Direct. package. It has been carefully fine-tuned to twice the price...Cambridge SondWorks has broken 311 V3)3111.011 Street. Suite 11)2 Nos lint PI 11)211)1 V( 144110-3C-4434 l'.15 (1-332-929 produce the natural, accurate, wide -range a price/perfornance barrier...an excellent system." (.1[1.1th: 1-8.0-529-1-134 aea.hiPxunn -PC Gamer ohitsulel'.S. or Canada: 6 I --332-C936

sound normally associated with high -quality 1`,1 1141, 1, I, 4., it.t ind I, .1. HA In component stereo systems. Frankly we are n1 II 1111, n1, 51,cnt ArL .1,1,111.1t 11.1,1.$1.1 1,,1i 11,...ollhntlg. I111: AI II Ill SO amazed at how good such a small system 1-Repunied horn PC Magazine. Nov 4. 1997 .01997 Ziff Davis Publishing Company 2-Repi inted trom Compute) Shope!. Oclober. 1597 ©1997 Ziff Call SM.111(1. Davis Publishing Company n911. 'SS

CIRCLE NC. 6 ON READER SERVICE CARD testreport price and greater size and weight than a conventional (unpowered) tower speaker system. However, there are other alternatives, as illustrated by the subject of this report. B&W Loudspeakers, which was headed for many years by its co- founder, the late John Bowers, has earned an enviable reputation for high - quality loudspeakers spanning a wide range of sizes and prices. The new DM305 is a relatively small and affordable two-way tower speaker whose performance belies its size, weight, and cost. At the top of the enclosure, 31 inches above the floor, is a ferrofluid- cooled 1 -inch soft -dome tweeter that crosses over at 3 kHz to a 6'/2 -inch cone woofer located just below it. The center of the woofer cone has a rigid conical dome, and both drivers are normally concealed by a removable plastic -framed grille. The woofer's enclosure occupies the entire lower half of the cabinet. In addition to a conventional circular bass duct whose vent is on the rear of the cabinet, there is also a narrow ducted vent across the front of the cabinet below the woofer. The rear of the cabinet presents an It resembles an egg -crate, with more than fifty square openings. At the center are the input connectors. The manufacturer states that this patented "Prism System," designed to mimic the interior of an anechoic chamber, helps to break up the B&W DM305 Speaker internal cabinet volume, which might otherwise support internal standing JULIAN HIRSCH, HIRSCH-HOUCK LABORATORIES waves. The input connectors are two sets of Asregular readers of STEREO considerable as compared with the use recessed binding posts, normally paral- REVIEWare probably aware, of a separate powered subwoofer. The leled by removable metal jumpers. an increasingly popular loud- tall, slim enclosure is relatively incon- They allow the system to be biwired or speaker format is the tower spicuous, and the internal subwoofer is biamplified, and apparently they are de- system, basically a relatively narrow not only invisible but is acoustically signed for use only with stripped wire floor -standing enclosure whose mid- and electrically matched with the rest ends, which must be passed through range and high -frequency drivers occu- of the system. The downside of this for- holes in the posts and then screwed py the upper portion of the cabinet. mat (assuming that it otherwise meets down; dual banana plugs cannot be This places the primary sound source your needs) isits inevitably higher used, and even single plugs are ex- close to the listener's ear level and tremely awkward to install because of eliminates the need for a separate sup- FAST FACTS the limited visibility and finger access porting stand. to the connections. The deep -bass frequencies are typi- DIMENSIONS 33 inches high, 8,v8 Because the DM305 is a floor -stand- cally propagated by a driver whose inches wide, 11'/e inches deep ing system,itisnot magnetically functional volume occupies the lower WEIGHT 24 pounds shielded. This should pose no problems portion of the enclosure. In the larger FINISH black ash vinyl, black cloth grille in A/V installations, since the speakers and more expensive tower speakers, the PRICE $450 a pair should be placed at least a foot or so driver for the bass frequencies is some- MANUFACTURER B&W Loudspeakers, from a TV between them. Our mea- times driven by a built-in amplifier and Dept SR, 54 Concord St., North surement of the external magnetic -field can legitimately be described as an in- Reading, MA 01864-2699; telephone, strength at 4 inches from the front pan- tegral subwoofer. 800-370-3740 el of the speaker showed a safe flux The advantages of such a design are level of less than 2 gauss, indicating

46 STEREO REVIEW JANUARY 1998 PHOTO BY JOOK P. LEUNG that the DM305s could be placed fairly close to a TV if necessary. POWER, PERFORMANCE, The system's impedance is rated at 8 ohms (nominal) or 4.2 ohms (minimum). We measured a maximum of 26 PERFECTION...PERIOD! ohms at 65 Hz and a minimum of just Value without compromise. At $1,695, the 73 -pound AT1505 5 -channel power amplifier over 4 ohms at 1.8 kHz. The measured has no equal. FTC power output is 150 watts per channel into 8 ohms from 20Hz to 20kHz sensitivity was a respectable 90 dB at no more than 0.03% THD with all channels driven simultaneously! ATI engineers have sound -pressure level (SPL) atImeter been designing and manufacturirg power amplifiers fn over 30 years. All ATI amplifiers with a 2.83 -volt input (rated 91 dB). are built with the finest parts available...we The averaged room response of the invite you to compare our amplifiers to any left and right speakers, placed 8 feet other makes, no matter what the price! ATI apart and a couple of feet in front of a power amplifiers have received critical wall, was an excellent ±3.5 dB from 50 acclaim from reviewers and from Hz to 15 kHz. In quasi-anechoic (MLS) audio enthusiasts worldwide. response measurements at distances of All ATI amplifiers are I, 2, and 3 meters from the micro- backed by a 7 -year phone, the response was (possibly coin- warranty and are cidentally) also ±3.5 dB from 300 Hz made in the USA. to 15 kHz. For more information It is worth noting that the manufac- on the AT1505 or our turer's specifications for the speaker are other models, or to reasonable and believable, in contrast order, please call to the somewhat optimistic ratings we 1-888-777-8507. encounter on occasion. As an example, the DM305's frequency response on - axis is given as 55 Hz to 20 kHz ±3 dB, Amplifier Technologies, Inc. which was essentially confirmed by our htip:1www.ati-amp.com room -response measurement though it ATI EMAIL: [email protected] was made under very different (and Distributed in Canada by Artech Electronics Ltd.. 514-631-64.is

nonstandard) conditions. CIRCLE NO. 22 ON READER SERVICE CARD Unlike a tower system with either a built-in powered subwoofer or one or two large woofers, the B&W DM305 generates its entire bass output with a single unaided 61/2 -inch driver - and with impressive results. In spite of this, our close-miked measurement of the "WOW, I can't woofer output, combining the outputs of separate microphones at the woofer cone and at the rear vent, showed a response variation of only ±3 dB between believeyouhave 40 and 150 Hz. Except for its Prism System bass enclosure, the identifiable design features of the B&W DM305 seem quite con- that CD!" ventional. Nevertheless, there appears 1 -800 -EVERY -CD is a wholesale music club. Members receive a 950 to be considerably more to this loud- page catalog offering virtually every CD in print. All CD's are offered at speaker than can be inferred from its wholesale, which is guaranteed to be the lowest price you can find. We plain exterior and modest price - in do not send unsolicited CD's, and there is no min mum required to order. fact, it must be inferred, since the man- Can today or search our catalog now online at http://www.everycd.com. Whatever CD you last bought, chances are we'll have it, too, for less. ual is surprisingly reticent about techni- Well also have the items you've been wanting to buy but couldn't find. cal details of its design. However, the speaker's specifications are presented in Good music selection is hard to find. We're not. considerable detail and, judging from our experience, with considerable con- servatism. appEVERY CO Fortunately. the speaker speaks for it- immus. self with an eloquence rarely associated www.everycd.com with products inits price and size range. The B&W line includes some very refined and costly loudspeakers, and the modest DM305 clearly reflects music for the serious collector

its pedigree. Outside the U S . pease call (20.3) 9-2-1752 or tax 12031 972-1129

CIRCLE NO. 52 ON READER SERVICE CARD testreport

low-level details will turn to black, making for a picture with way too Toshiba SD -3107 much contrast. More useful is the SD -3 I 07's adjustable Spatializer processing on the DVD Player analog audio outputs. This is a "3-D" DAVID RANADA, TECHNICAL EDITOR sound technique that generates a quasi - surround -sound effect from two -speaker playback of stereo or surround -en- The DVD format is still new both directions and is the only way to coded material. The Spatializer circuit enough that player manufac- step the player in reverse, as repeated in the SD -3107 performs very much turers haven't had time to presses of the remote's pause button like the Spatializer HTMS-2510 out- come out with true second - only step the player forward. board processor we reviewed in detail generation products. These would be An interesting new addition to the in August 1996. Though it "cannot be characterized both by lower prices and player's setup menu - which includes considered a replacement for a true by highly optimized sets of operating such things as screen proportions (as- multispeaker surround -sound system," features even as audio and video per- pect ratio), menu language, Dolby Dig- we said then, itis a useful stopgap formance is maintained or improved. ital dynamic -range control, and parent- while you save for an upgrade to full Toshiba's SD -3107, which replaces the al lockout - is called Black Level by Dolby Digital playback capability. At company's first DVD player, the SD - Toshiba and "setup level" in our mea- least on first hearing, the effects it pro- 3006 (tested in July 1997), holds Gen- surement results. This control, which duced on soundtracks were as interest- eration 1.5 status. It differs only a little affects all of the player's video outputs, ing as those it generated with music. from the earlier player. The universal sets the video voltage the player gener- My favorite feature - and it's proba- preprogrammed remote control is near- ates when reproducing black. To sim- bly one that could excite only multime- ly identical, as is the list of features, but plify a complicated story, if you are go- dia crazies like me - was the remote's the SD -3107 does have a few useful ing to use the SD -3107 primarily to Zoom button, which switches on a new controls as well as notably better play DVD movies made or mastered in four -times enlargement of a selected video quality. the U.S. (which is just about all that the area of the picture. The selected region Among the new features is a front - DVD system's country codes will allow is movable over the original image via panel jog/shuttle control. The outer you to see), you should keep the Black the cursor controls. Like the Spatializer shuttle ring activates variable -speed Level setting on "normal" Otherwise, process, this is an interesting gimmick. playback according to how far itis It has little practical value with most turned. Not all speeds are available in FAST FACTS program material, but I liked it because both directions: forward play is provid- it can be used to help separate good ed at normal speed and 1/26, 1/x, 1/2, 2, 8, DIMENSIONS 16'/8 inches wide, 31/8 DVD software from bad. and 30 times normal; reverse play inches high, 12 inches deep The MPEG-encoded video supplied omits the two slowest speeds. This PRICE $799 by the DVD system is optimized for asymmetry reflects the forward -orient- WEIGHT 73/4 pounds normal -size viewing at normal speed. ed MPEG video -encoding process used MANUFACTURER Toshiba America, Enlarge a portion of a picture with the by the DVD system, which makes re- Dept. SR, 82 Totowa Rd., Wayne, NJ Zoom button and slow it down with the verse -direction operations difficult. The 07470; telephone, 973-628-8000 player's slow-motion or still -step con- inner jog dial controls still -stepping in trols, and MPEG encoding artifacts can

48 STEREO REVIEW JANUARY 1998 PHOTO BY JOOK P LEUNG "Five high tech speakers for $500? Believe it! Their remarkable value for this price class makes the Take5 an AVS No-Brainer." Anthony Chiarella Audio Video Shopper, May 1997

63/4" "For the bucks, you simply can't do small! better." "...if you want a system that delivers the absolute best home -theater and music performance for less than $1,000, you owe it to yourself to hunt down the Energy Take5 system at your local specialty audio dealer." Corey Greenberg, Stereo Review, September 1997

You've never heard sound this big from a home theater surround system so small. It's the "Take5TM" home theater system. Designed to be fashionable, and engineered to deliver sound quality unheard of in speakers twice their size.

The basics are five high performance shielded speakers; a "Takel" center channel, and four "Take2" satellites. Add an "Energy®" ES Series powered subwoofer, and treat yourself to the ultimate in full range surround performance. The "Take5" system is compact and fully integrated, with a sound so big, your eyes won't believe your ears. TA Kkmi 3641 McNicoll Avenue, Scarborough, "EISZG).7 Ontario, Canada M1X 1G5 LOUDSPEAKERS HOME THEATER Tel. (416) 321-1800 Fax (416) 321-1500 N11.4SICAL 11211114'" SYSTEM

CIRCLE NO 26 ON READER SERVICE CARP testreport become quite visible. These artifacts gram material except in direct compari- are principally an indication of the son with an undistorted picture. And quality of the MPEG-encoding of the even in a split-screen comparison of the software, not the MPEG-decoding of SD -3107's test -pattern playback with the SD -3107, which normally produced that of a DVD player that performed images equal to those of the best DVD better in these two tests, I was unable to players we'vetried. I lookedfor see a difference. (Differential phase and breakup of the picture into a multitude gain measure, respectively, how much a of small blocks or vertical strips and for color shifts with changes in picture "fringing" around the sharp edges of brightness and how much the picture rapidly moving objects. The more visi- brightness shifts with changes in color.) ble these artifacts are, the poorer the In all other video respects, the Toshi- encoding, although with only a little ba player's measured and on -screen practice you can start seeing artifacts in performance was excellent, little differ- virtually every scene. ent from our lab's professional -grade Hookup of the player should pose no video test -pattern generator. In particu- major problems. There are two sets of lar, the video frequency response was line -level, stereo analog audio outputs quite flat and extended, which led to and two digital audio SPDIF outputs, very good results with resolution test one optical and one coaxial, both of patterns. The on -screen image with which carry Dolby Digital data when movies was superb. The SD -3107's an- you're playing a DVD. Video outputs alog -output audio performance was number three: composite -video, S -vid- comparably above par, with excess eo, and component -video. You must noise that would be low for a CD player choose in the setup menu whether the of similar price, much less a DVD play- pause the player when playing a CD, S -video or the component -video outer, and excellent linearity performance. the digital outputs go to zero while the puts are to be used, as they cannot be The player's only significant fault player is moving to the next track or is turned on simultaneously; the compos- had nothing to do with audio or video in pause. Mind you, not to an encoded ite -video outputs are always on. quality. Nor, for that matter, with the digital -data zero, which would be cor- In lab tests of the composite -video remote control or menu usage or setup rect and is what most other players do, output, the player's "worst" video per- procedure, which are the places we but to zero voltage on the coaxial out- formance showed up in the differential - usually find operational difficulties but put and to zero light on the optical phase and differential -gain numbers, which here posed no major problems. output. which are among the least impressive The fault had to do with the digital au- This behavior can drive any attached we have seen from a DVD player dio outputs, of all things, which are digital audio decoding circuitry hay- (they'd be typical for a laserdisc play- usually so innocuous that they barely wire. You're likely to get short periods er). However, the problems they repre- deserve mention. of no sound as a downstream digital au- sent are difficult to see with most pro- If you skip from track to track or dio decoder mutes its audio output while attempting to resynchronize itself with the on-again/off-again bitstream MEASUREMENTS from the DVD player. That muting period may last more than a second, and DVD VIDEO PERFORMANCE CD AUDIO PERFORMANCE you may consequently miss the first Test patterns from Sony test/demo DVD and Except where noted. all measurements made notes or words of a CD track. Further- Imaging Science Foundation's Video with the Spatializer function turned off; all test Essentials DVD; composite -video output used signals dithered, which limits measured more, the output zeroing occurs with throughout. performance for noise level and distortion. programmed CD playback and may SETUP LEVEL (see text 7.5 or 0 IRE' MAXIMUM OUTPUT 1.98 volts thus interfere with digital -to -digital dubbing. Caveat auditor. 100°° -WHITE -LEVEL ERROR <+2 IRE* FREQUENCY RESPONSE (20 Hz to 20 kHz) Fortunately, the problem seems to af- de-emphai,1 If +0.05, -0.13 dB DIFFERENTIAL PHASE 3° de -emphasis on +0.17, -0.13 dB fect CD playback only - with DVDs DIFFERENTIAL GAIN 7% NOISE LEVEL (A-wtd) the digital audio outputs seem always CHROMINANCE NONLINEAR PHASE.. <2° normal (de -emphasis off) -93 dB to be on, as are the player's analog au- CHROMINANCE NONLINEAR GAIN 1% EXCESS NOISE (without/with signal) dio outputs regardless of the disc type. 16 -bit (EN16) If you already have a CD player you're HORIZONTAL LUMINANCE FREQUENCY +2.45/+2.45 dB RESPONSE DISTORTION (THD+N, 1 kHz) happy with and plan to use the SD - at 4 MHz -0.2 dB at 0 dBFS" 0.005% 3107 primarily for DVD playback, at 5 MHz -0.9 dB at -20 dBFS" 0.030% you'll rarely run into this problem. Giv- at 6 MHz -4.4 dB LINEARITY ERROR en its ease of use, the terrific video im- EQUIVALENT ON -SCREEN at -90 cIBFS- +0.3 dB age it produces - in video quality RESOLUTION 480 lines DEFECT TRACKING alone the SD -3I07 ranks among the top (Pierre Verany test disc) ' an IRE is a standardized unit of contrast 1,250 pm three DVD players we've tested - and, for the pathologically ultra -critical, that decibels referred to digital full-scale Zoom button, chances are you'll be

happy with the Toshiba SD -3107. F1 50 STEREO REVIEW JANUARY 1998 Digital Sigaia-Delta Modulation

Conventional subwoofers convert as little as 10% of their input energy into soulci. The rest becomes heat. But, Energy ES -series sabwoofers, featuring our proprietary Digital Sigma - Delta Modilation MCSFET amplifiers, convert virtLally all of the input criergy into sound. Not heat. For more pcwer and maximum SPL. Cool! Less distortion, interfeience and hum. And to improve the sou -id even mo-e, we've isolated the power supply module from the amplifier, delivering tighter bass and eien better fidelity. Innovative engineering and highest quality components are carefully c )mbined and individually tested to meet rigid quality and performance standards. It's the difference you can hear and feel in an Energy ES -series powered subwoofer. The result is earth shakwig Musical TruthTm. Bass you can believe in. No matter w-lere you are, you're there.

Visit your Energy dealer today, andDlungeinto a new dimension of thunderoLs sound. Fr pm 8" to 18", there's a high-powered ES-serizs subwoofer beady to perform for you.

LOUDSPEAKERS ES-18XL, 4004V MUSIC AII121 -J-1' 18' Subwoojer

3641 McNicoll Ave., Scarborough, Ontario, Canada MI X 1G5 Tel (416) 321-1800 Fax (416) 321-1500 CIRCLENO. 3 ON READER SERVICECARD user'sreport is essentially a very compact dipolar arrangement. But the Multipole 5.1's front surface includes a large rocker switch marked Dipolar/Bipolar that toggles its two treble drivers between in -phase and out -of -phase operation. According to CSW - and I agree - dipolar operation is preferable except for those Dolby Digital soundtracks with "...lots of lateral positioning crafted into the rear channels . . .." (in other words, lots of discrete sound effects). The MovieWorks 5.1's powered sub - woofer is a plain, atypically upright black box (about 27 inches high, 16 inches wide, and 11 inches deep), with a single round, perforated -metal grille covering the 12 -inch driver mounted toward the bottom of its front side. On the opposite side is a panel with signal connections, controls, and heat sinks for the built-in amplifier, rated to deliver up to 140 watts. One knob controls the continuously variable subwoofer output level; another sets the low-pass frequency at 55, 80, 100, or 140 Hz. There are two mini toggle switches, one to invert the subwoofer's phase, to help match it with the satellites, and the other an auto/manual switch for the signal -sensing power on/off circuit. Unlike many such circuits I've encountered, this one seemed to work fairly reliably, without cutting off during soft passages. A pair of RCA jacks accept line -level input (the right one is also marked Mono), while speaker -level connections are provided by three sets of good, heavy dual banana -plug terminals. Two of the speaker -level connections Cambridge SoundWorks accept amplified input from an amp or receiver's front left/right speaker outputs in conventional fashion. A bit sur- MovieWorks 5.1 System prisingly, the subwoofer does not provide pass -through, high -pass -filtered DANIEL KUMIN, START LABORATORIES outputs for the front left/right satellites; instead, the CSW manual says that in Cambridge SoundWorksis 13/4 -inch paper-cone/dome tweeter. The speaker -level setups you should wire one of only two loudspeaker system's unusually wide center speaker cables in parallel to the satellites and makers I can think of whose uses the same tweeter flanked by dual the subwoofer from the main system's very genesis was the "sub/ 51/4 -inch drivers in an enclosure vented amplifier or receiver speaker outputs sat" design concept of combining small by two front -firing ports. It, too, is (or the sub's speaker -level inputs). The satellite speakers with one or more magnetically shielded, and its dimen- manual advises setting the receiver/proc- separate subwoofers or bass modules. sions - about 25 inches wide, 8 inches essor's crossovers (if any) for "large" MovieWorks 5.1, CSW's latest evolu- high, and 6 inches deep - let it rest (full -range) speakers across the front tion of the sub/sat concept, is a six - comfortably on top of the typical di- and "small" surround speakers. piece, $1,800 suite of "no -compro- rect -view TV. The unusual third set of dual banana mise" home -theater speakers. The surround speakers, which have jacks, marked Slave Subwoofer Output, The system's front left/right satellites the same profile as the front left/rights is provided in case you want to add a are conventional minispeakers. Each but a little over an inch more depth, are second, passive subwoofer to be driven tiny (about 5 inches wide, 8 inches dubbed Multipoles because a single by the powered sub's amplifier. CSW high, and 4 inches deep), magnetically front -firing, 4 -inch driver is joined by a offers its own Slave Subwoofer, a pas- shielded, two-way acoustic -suspension pair of 21/2 -inch cone treble drivers, one sive version of the MovieWorks 5.1 speaker contains a 4 -inch driver and a on either side of the enclosure, in what sub, for $300.

52 STEREO REVIEW JANUARY 1998 PHOTO BY JOOK P. LEUNG SL RGEON GENERAL S WARNING: Smoking By Pregnant Women fV ay ResultinFetal 11 m tar", 0.9 mg nicotine Injiry, Pre -nature BirthAnd Low Birth Weight. ay. per cigErette by FTC method. Before you buy stereo for user'sreport your home, get this catalog! The MovieWorks satellite cabinets 40 -Hz region, such as jazz double -bass are all made out of a composite materi- and large orchestral bass drum, I will al and finished in a rather nice textured cheerfully forgive that euphonic col- CRtaliC111 114110. to .100 timai. Inside charcoal -gray paint. The corners are oration for its ability to go way down The rounded, and pressure -fit, perforated - and play loud. In fact, the CSW system Perfect metal grilles protect the drivers. The produced quite powerful, balanced out- Home satellites are equipped with gold-plated put well below 30 Hz, by no means an Theater multiway binding -post connectors and everyday occurrence among affordable have both keyhole slots and standard sub/sat setups. Your 1/4 -inch threaded mounts for wall hang- At very high levels the subwoofer COMPLETE ing. The center speaker sports a more produced some rather rude noises, but Guide TV -like black vinyl, square -cornered these were at settings that, if balanced exterior, with a black knit grille, but it with the full speaker system, would also has dual banana connectors. The yield overall sound levels considerably center and sub enclosures are made of louder than a rational user is likely to conventional fiberboard, and all six seek. One front left/right satellite, but speakers have substantial internal brac- not the other, also delivered some an- ing and multi -element crossovers. Ov- noying scratching sounds at moderately erall fit and finish are good to very good. high levels (well within the linear range FREE I set up the MovieWorks system in a 50 -watt receiver could achieve). These my 20 x 16 -foot studio, placing the were wholly inaudible with nearly all front trio almost dead even horizontally program material, but certain sources Stereo Catalog and the surrounds 7 feet above the floor - specifically large, exposed low -mid Looking for the latest in and about a foot behind my listening transients such as timpani and orches- audio/video components? position. I connected the front left/right tral bass drum - revealed them rather The Crutchfield catalog brings you hundreds satellites and the subwoofer via speak- starkly. I heard a similar flaw with simi- of top, brand -name components and er -level connections from my amp's lar material in one surround -channel makes it easy to compare left/right outputs, to match the most satellite - again, from one speaker on- them feature for common real -world setup. Following ly, and it was only noticeable with ex- feature. Infor- the manual's advice, I used the highest posed program material, in this case mative articles, subwoofer crossover frequency, 140 while auditioning the surround channel helpful tips and Hz. I connected the center and surround alone. In both cases, I satisfied myself exclusive comparison speakers directly to the appropriate am- that the offenses originated in the charts guide you through plifier outputs. My system amplifier mid/bass drivers and that the amplifiers the maze of buzzwords. provided 125 watts each to all five were well short of clipping. You'll find exactly channels. Otherwise, MovieWorks 5.1's musi- what you need without New! See why DVD Finding the best subwoofer location cal reproduction displayed hardly any paying for more than means movies at home was the usual exercise in practical distinguishing tonal characteristics, by VOU55,int' will never be the same! acoustics -a bit like trying to squeeze which I intend high praise. Singing and Discover the convenience of the last air bubble out of a water bal- speaking voices sounded uniformly shopping from home loon. Bass was clearly the most power- open, natural, and clear, with just the Part catalog, part shopper's guide, the ful with the sub in the corner behind barest hint of a "cupped" or "narrowed" Crutchfield catalog makes it a pleasure to the front sound stage (as you'd expect), quality - unusually good, in my expe- shop from home. You can call our well- but some midbass "bloat" was evident rience, for a sub/sat system with such informed sales - and when I reduced the subwoofer's small satellites. Dense but exposed mid- advisors toll -free, level to correct that, an excessive re- 7 days a week with range material, such as string quartet any of your product sponse "hole" appeared between the and a cappella choral recordings, re- questions. Plus, sub and the satellites. Moving the sub tained very good definition and detail, you'll get your order rather radically out into the room, about and transparency and tonal integrity re- 1111in 2 days or less! 4 feet from any wall, produced the best mained equally satisfactory up to a very So what are you upper -bass sub/sat blend, but - pre- loud level; beyond that the satellites be- Sony, Kenwood, Pioneer, JVC. Bose. Harman Kardon, waiting for? Get dictably - the deep bass suffered dis- gan sounding a bit congested. Infinity, Technics, Polk, your copy on its cernibly. My ultimate compromise spot- Stereo imaging was solidly arrayed Carver, Yamaha, and more! way today! ted the sub 6 inches from the wall and and quite stable, and transient sounds directly behind the right front satellite, such as trap drums and brass attacks Call now for your free copy! some 4 feet from the corner. were quite crisp and generally free from In two -channel music playback, my edginess. The only complaints I have first impression of the MovieWorks 5.1 are about a slightly dry quality to the 1.800-955-9009 system was of open, detailed, rather top -octave "air" and a vestigial discon- 8 a rrto Midnight (Eastern time), 7 days a week "up front" sound with an unexpectedly tinuity (despite all my setup tweaking) or visit our Web site at sumptuous bottom end. The CSW sub - between subwoofer and satellites on http://www.crutchfield.com woofer is an extremely capable bass male vocals, cello tones, and the like. box, and although its sound was just a The MovieWorks 5.1 system ab- CRUTCHFIELD touch "warm" on material rich in the sorbed more than 100 watts per channel 1 Crutchlield Park, Dept. SR, Charlottesville, VA 22906 5 4 FEREO REVIEW JANUARY 1998

CIRCLE NO. 17 ON READER SERVICE CARD in two -channel playback without suf- number of 12 -inch powered subwoofers for, perhaps, a different kind of buyer. fering damage or emitting any severe in the MovieWorks 5.1 class for $500 The Cambridge SoundWorks Movie - complaint, though dynamic compres- or $600, and for another $400 you'll Works 5.1 system definitely delivers sion of the left/right satellites became find a similar selection of excellent di- the goods: genuinely full -range, legiti- audible at the highest levels, primarily pole surrounds with 5- to 6 -inch woof- mately cinematic home -theater sur- as an intensification of the "hole -in -the - ers. That leaves $800 or more for a round sound. bass" discontinuity (the sats could not front -stage trio, which opens up a "keep up" with the sub at extreme lev- world of possibilities, small, medium, Cambridge SoundWorks, Dept. SR, els). They also sounded a bit coarser and large. That kind of mix -and -mach 311 Needham St., Newton, MA 02164; over the last 10 dB or so of useful am- approach, however, is a different story telephone, 800-367-4434 plifier level - very loud indeed. In surround -sound operation, the MovieWorks 5.1 system's performance was very good, with a cohesive, focused character. Ambience with the surrounds in dipolar mode was spa- Makeyour cious and nicely "spread," with only a shade of the hollowness that nearly always haunts such bantam -weight sur- entertainment system rounds (I'm used to much beefier surround -channel speakers). The tonal match between center and left/right sat- unstoppable. ellites was quite good but not perfect. Lateral pans tended to "point" just a bit toward the center, which I attribute to the center speaker's audibly stronger a. midrange sound. Placing the sats side- ways - technically, "wrong" - helped noticeably, presumably by matching their dispersion patterns better with that of the horizontal center speaker. The MovieWorks 5.1 was impressive with movie soundtracks. It played plenty loud enough even when powered by an A/V receiver with 85 watts per channel, and the subwoofer delivered thun- St derous yet defined underpinnings. Pre- dictably, switching the surround satellites to bipolar operation created a less Back-up Power Supply, Surge Protector, diffuse, more focused sound field. In discrete Dolby Digital recordings this and Power Control Center in one. delivered more tightly imaged rear - channel effects, but it corresponding- Uninterruptible Surge ProtectorComplete ly reduced the enveloping ambience Power Supply Not even a lightning bolt Control (which is what surround is for about 95 Every little d sturbance in the power gets past Strata. lrou get The detachable percent of the time). It also increased lines can damage ycur valuable 570 joules of transient control panel provides midrange output at the normal listening electron cs equipment. Protect your voltage supp-ession with on/off control of position by a decibel or two, which is investment with Strata's constant the best clamp rating in 5 connected devices, enough for compulsive types like me to supply of clean, regulated, bat:ery- the industry - 330 volts plus a dynamic display want to rebalance the system. I suspect supported power. You'll r ever agair on all 6 AC oJt.le. Strata with continuous most listeners would be better off leav- have to reset programs and clocks a evenrotect your cable information about ing the surrounds in dipolar mode most lose a timed VCR taping due to a power TV DSS, and phrne lines. your power of the time. outage. And you'll protect your $30,000 conditions, back-up Price aside, the Cambridge Sound - electron cs from ongoing damage Repair or Replacement time, surge events, Works MovieWorks 5.1 is clearly one caused by power fluctuations, too. Guarantee! and more. of the best one -box home -theater speaker systems I've heard. It has its flaws, of rct your home electronics investment! course, but these are balanced by outstanding low -bass performance, decent AVAILABLE FROM YOUR ELECTRONICS DEALER. dynamic potential, and generally accu- moo, Also availa3le in "computer beim!' Rack mount option available. rate, neutral overall tonality. Anyone echrwiogies. 1 -888-XSTiCH1 (1-888-973-3241) Caaoda (407) 89S-6174 who seeks excellent performance from com 1520 an unobtrusive setup should be pleased. CIRCLE NC. 64 ON READER SERVICE CARD On the other hand, you can buy any Special Advertising Section SPECI LTY AUDI/

The classic is a full range LEGACY 42" tower speaker system CHECKPOINT designed to deliver incredible CHECKPOINT Laser Tools impact with remarkable clarity. will quite possibly revolution- Dedicating 28 lbs. of motor ize the way audio alignment is structure for optimum driver approached. SA -S truly allows control, a sophisticated four- quantifiable certificationof way crossover controls the six sound systems, home theater driver 110 lb. system. component placement and the Highs are sweetly articulated directional efficiency by a 1.25" woven dome which of any profes- hands off to an ultra -fast ribbon supertweeter. Vocals seem to float from the 7" KEVLAR sional or home audio Hexacone midrange while lows system. The new SA -S allows emerge deep and tight thanks exact laser directional place- to the dual 10" long throw ment of any speaker/monitor woofers. component to the exact listen- The Classic ($2,650/pr) is ing or recording position available in oak, walnut, ribbon 7with one quick, efficient, mahogany and rosewood professional tool system. (shown). The intro- For information call For information call: duction of the new, CH ECKPOINT/SA-S today: 1-800-283-4644 or visit patented SA -S (Sound (310) 793-5500 http.//www.legacy-audio.com Alignment System) from Circle No. 55on Reader Service Card Circle No. 58 on Reader Service Card psb Lexicon SPEAKERS Adzammumw Building on the unique performance -maximizing interface found in all PSB subwoofers, the Stratus SubSonic 3i is a radically new subwoofer with The DC -1 combines the digital domain, with true 300 watts steady-state Lexicon's legendary signal 20 -bit digital -to -analog and 700 watts peak power processing capabilities with converters providing superb energizing a heavily-mag- the latest in home theater performance. The DC -1is neted 15 -inch driver. Its technology. Eight analog available in four versions: power, dynamic lead - inputs can be programmed Base, THX®, Dolby Digital® room, and effective over- design. for any digital and video (AC -3) and DTS® with easy load protection add up to Listen to this speaker sail source, while four digital upgrades available. tremendous impact on both with unforgettable power, inputs can be assigned to any For more information call: home theater and music. And ease, and musicality through input combination. All signal (781)280-0300 or visit its new "BASH" amplification passages that audibly over- processing is performed in www. lexicon .com . circuitry combines the solidly load competitors. More info Circle ,\'o. 57 on Reader Service Card musical performance of Class from: www.psbspeakers.com AB circuitry and the very high or (888)772-0000. efficiency of Class D digital Circle No. 61 on Reader Service Carr! Special Advertising Section VI EO SHO CASE

for performance and C2-1 V_ value. The award winning TimeFrames are LO Si'LEP,LIE.i. no exception. High gloss black tops and bottoms grace each speaker, providing an elegance matched only by its sound. The sound is dynamic, spacious and exciting. TimeFrame technolo- A "must have" for every theater and satellite systems. gies will breathe new audio video system! Panamax AllPath® modules life into your favorite Joining MAX® 1000+ and can be added for additional recordings or home MAX 500 DBS, MAX 1500 signal line protection. theater experience. The MAX 1500 carries a It's the ultimate in is the latest addition to the "Visual Listening" from award -winning Panamax lifetime product guarantee DCM Loudspeakers. family of component -style and $5 million connected DCM TimeFrames-Audio & For more information: surge protectors. equipment warranty. Home Theater Loudspeakers call 1-800-878-8463 or visit The unit provides AC Panamax: 1-800-472-5555, Since 1974, DCM www.dcmspeakers.com/ protection and line condi- www.panamax.com. Loudspeakers have earned Circle No. 56 on Reader Service Card Circle No. 59 on Reader Service Card an international reputation tioning for high -end home

omfort, freedom of movement and audiophile quality are combined in Sennheiser's iew RS 4, RS 6 and RS 8 wireless RF 900 mHz headphone systems. Consisting of a transmitter and receiver/ headphone, these new systems offer 250 feet of range andxcerional signal -tuning capacity. The RS 8 useproprietary "HiDyn Plus" noise reduction ciritry to achieve CD player-quality signal -to -nise characteristics. All are sold with a o year parts and labor warranty. For more o: 860-434-9190 or visit www.senheiserusa.com GIVE YOUR MUSIC A Foundations® by Sanus Circle No. 63 oncoder Service Card SOUND FOUNDATION! Systems. With over 30 Did you know that your models available, there is audio video system's a Speaker Foundation® sound quality depends that is ideal for virtually on proper speaker every loudspeaker and mounting and room listening environment. placement? Many of the For more information roa best known loudspeaker call: 1-800-359-5520 or sennhe manufacturers specifical-visit www.sanus.com ly recommend Speaker Circle No. 62 on Reader Service Card 24) OUES WHAT TO ASKWHEN LOOKING FOR THEPERFECT A/VRECEIVER BY DANIELKUMIN If programminga VCR ranks high on thelist of thingsthat confound the Americanpublic, heaven helpthe poor soul whohas just de- cided toreplace his 1970s -erastereo receiver with one oftoday's AN models. Whatwas once a simple component withtwo big knobs and a handfulof buttons has evolvedinto an audio/videocontrol center with adazzling no, make that - bewildering - array ofop- tions, controls,and features. The varietyof inputs andoutputs alone on today's A/Vre- ceivers is enough tomake an inexperienced shopper's headspin. Even if youalready own an A/Vreceiver and want to upgradeto a model offering state-of-the-artDolby Digi- tal processing, you'll have The Kenwood a wholenew 1090VR Dolby range of features features an Digital receve and options RDS-capabletune- and to consider. each of itsfive channels. delivers 150 watts for 58 STEREO receiver ($1,600) Sony's DA9OESGDolby REVIEW JANUARY1998 delivers 100watts each to fivechanleis. DIMMER

INPUT MODE ""\.

DA9OESG J.G1-4L S GNATPr.CESSING While we can't weigh the pros and mance and superb value. Besides sav- cons of every single feature or option ing some money, the key benefit of go- WHAT ABOUT THX? - that would take a year's worth of ing the DD -ready route is that you get a 4DO I NEED THAT? Stereo Reviewcover to cover! - we receiver that can be upgraded to Dolby The basic goal of Lucasfilm's THX can lay out a shorthand list of the most Digital whenever it makes sense to do program is to insure that movie sound- important questions to ask when you go so (like when you finally break down tracks are reproduced as accurately as shopping for your new home -theater and buy a DVD player). The downside possible in the home -theater environ- centerpiece. So here's our Top 20 ques- is that outboard DD decoders may not ment. To that end, receivers that bear tions, grouped by general topic but not offer as much setup flexibility as re- the THX logo must meet very specific necessarily in order of importance since ceivers that have onboard DD decoding standards for amplifier power and sur- your priorities will vary according to - and you'll need to make room for round performance, and they must in- your individual needs, taste, and system yet another component. clude a THX Home Cinema surround layout. As always, asking the right It's important to note that there are mode, an elaboration of Dolby Pro questions is half the battle. still dozens of Pro Logic -based A/V re- Logic that performs three key enhance- ceivers on store shelves thataren'tDD - ments:re -equalization,which subtly ready. They cannot be easily adapted to rolls off top -octave response to com- SURROUND SOUND Dolby Digital because they have nei- pensate for the overemphasized treble ther a dedicated six -channel input nor of movie soundtracks;decorrelation, preamp-out/main-amp-in jacks forall which "stereo-izes" Dolby Surround's 1 DOES IT DO channels. monaural surround channel to create DOLBY DIGITAL? more spacious and convincing ambi- This should be one of the first questions ence; andtimbre matching,which equal- to ask if you're interested in topnotch 3HOW DO izes the sound from the surround speak- home -theater performance. Demonstra- SURROUNDMEOODSHEERSOUND? ers on the sides or rear of the room bly superior sonically to the Dolby Sur- Most A/V receivers include at least a for a better tonal match with the front round format used in VHS Hi-Fi video- few additional surround modes. Those speakers. The THX 5.1 designation cassettes, most laserdiscs, and many with names like Hall or Jazz Club are found on a handful of topflight DD re- TV shows, the Dolby Digital (DD) sur- intended for music playback from ste- ceivers denotes the same enhancements, round -sound format is the standard for reo sources such as CDs, while others except that since the Dolby Digital for- DVD movies and the digital TV (DTV) may be designed to enhance movie mat provides for discrete, stereo sur- system that is slated for introduction soundtracks. Most fall into one of two round channels, surround decorrelation late this year. classes: those that use digital signal is activated (automatically) only when What sets a Dolby Digital -equipped processing (DSP) to synthesize "new" the surround signal is mono. A/V receiver apart from its run-of-the- reverberations and delays, and those mill Dolby Pro Logic (DPL) counter- that merely "extract" and redirect the part is the addition of one or more digi- reverberant content that already exists IS THE SURROUND SETUP tal inputs and a built-in DD decoder in a recording. 5FLEXIBLE AND EASY? that converts the digital bitstream from Some surround modes do a credible Many experienced listeners find that a DVD or DD -compatible laserdisc in- job of sonically transforming your lis- stereo music recordings often sound to 5.1 channels of glorious surround tening room into a small jazz club or more cohesive in surround -sound play- sound. The front left, center, and right some other venue, but others are just back when the center speaker is defeat- channels familiar from DPL are joined plain lousy. The worst examples impose ed and Dolby Pro Logic is in its phan- by discreteleft and right surround artificial, swimming -pool -like echoes tom -center mode. Switching modes is channels and a low -frequency -effects on the music. The only way to get a fix no big dealifthe controls are accessi- (LFE) channel - the ".1" in "5.1" - on how these extra modes sound is to ble. But some receivers force you into a that is designed to help carry deep -bass cycle through them with source materi- labyrinth of setup -menu layers, which action sounds like explosions. Most DD al you know well, and listen. is aggravating. Another setup conve- receivers automatically switch between Dolby Digital and Pro Logic processing depending on the incoming signal, but a few require the user to select modes manually, which can be annoying.

(1) 410 . rue WHAT DOES "DOLBY = " ..1111.1Mmn DIGITAL -READY" MEAN? 2 ninon 'Winn' DolbyDigital -readyA/V receivers, which typically cost perhaps one-third less than comparable receivers with a built-in DD processor, have a special 11 WW1 10 it six -channel input for connecting an outboardDolby Digital (or DTS) sur- The Technics SA-AX710 Dolby Pro Logic receiver (S450) has a special set of round decoder. Many such models offer inputs for connecting an outboard Dolby Digital decoder. It can deliver 100 outstanding Dolby Pro Logic perfor- watts each to five channels and has three A/V inputs and four audio inputs. 60 STEREO REVIEW JANUARY 1998 nience to watch for is the ability to save channel -level settings independently for each surround mode so that you can switch between modes without having to recalibrate the system. Having a sub - woofer -level adjuster on the remote control also simplifies system setup and makes it easy to adjust bass on the fly, such as when you switch between music and movies.

THE INS AND OUTS

ARE THERE ENOUGH AUDIO 6AND A/V INPUTS? Most A/V receivers provide three or The Onkyo Integra TX-DS939 Dolby Digital receiver (S2,800) features four audio -only inputs and two or more Onkyo's proprietary no -negative -feedback amplifiers. It is THX-certified sets of A/V jacks for VCRs, DVD play- and can deliver 100 watts to each of five chanrels. ers, satellite -TV receivers, and other video components. The challenge is to map out your system's future so that er, ordigital recorder (like MiniDisc or One quick note: Most AN receivers you don't wind up with a shortage of DAT). Unfortunately, many compo- cannot translate between composite and inputs, which could prove a serious nents supply one or the other type of S -video formats, which means that if limitation. If you have more than one output, but not both. Unless you know you use an S -video connection between VCR or camcorder that you use regu- in advance what type of digital input your TV and receiver, the TV will dis- larly to dub video programs in both di- you'll need, you'd be wise to select a play video only from source compo- rections (8mm to VHS and back, for receiver that has at least one of each nents that are connected using S -video example), be sure to note how many of type. jacks - the same goes for composite - the A/V inputs include corresponding Playing Dolby Digital laserdiscs re- video connections. So if you want to record -output jacks - many A/V requires a special AC-3/RF input because switch between a VCR (the vast major- ceivers have only one A/V recording laserdisc players don't deliver DD (AC - ity of which do not have S -video con- loop. (You'll have to check the rear 3) data in standard digital format. The nectors) and an S -video -connected DVD panel to find out since the "VCR2" po- input is an RCA -style jack that feeds player, you would have to connect the sitions on some receivers are inputs on- the RF (radio -frequency) signal from receiver to the TV using both compos- ly.) Other inputs to look for are a front - the player to an RF demodulator inside ite- and S -video connections. panel A/V jack for a camcorder and a the receiver that extracts the AC -3 data. phono input (an increasingly rare fea- Not all A/V receivers have an AC-3/RF ture) if you still play vinyl records. jack, however. Those that don't have IS THE VIDEO SWITCHING one require the use of an outboard de- 9FLEXIBLE ENOUGH? modulator, available from several com- Many, but not all, A/V receivers let you 7 DOES IT HAVE THE RIGHT paniesstartingat around $100. choose a videosource independently of KIND OF DIGITAL INPUTS? the selected audio source for multime- This one can get a little confusing. Dol- dia recording or simulcast viewing/lis- by Digital A/V receivers must have at ARE THERE ANY S -VIDEO tening - though the implementation least one digital input, and most have 8JACKS (DO YOU CARE)? can be confusing. You may have no use two or more. Right now, DVD is the In addition to the common RCA -style for this particular feature, but most re- only direct -digital DD source available; composite -video jacks, many A/V receivers offering this level of switching DD -capable laserdisc players don't use ceivers also provide S -video jacks, round flexibility also include another feature a standard digital output (see below). receptacles that mate with a four -pin that many people do find valuable: the However, as noted earlier, digital TV is miniplug. S -video connections segre- ability to route the signal from one A/V coming soon, and satellite -TV systems gate the luminance (black and white) (or audio -only) source to a recorder like DSS may eventually join the Dolby and chrominance (color) components while you're listening to or viewing an- Digital parade. So consider two digital of a video signal. While an S -video con- other program. inputs the minimum. nection is entirely worthwhile for DVD There are two common types of stan- and DSS sources, using one with a la- dard digital input/output connections: serdisc player will produce a small im- DOES IT HAVE MULTI - coaxial, which uses a standard RCA provement in picture quality only if the ROOM FACILITIES? jack, and the Toslink optical format, player's color -separating filter is superi- A growing number of A/V receivers in- which uses a squarish jack (usually or to the one inside your TV. And that clude some form of multiroom capabil- with a plastic dust plug); either jack. raises another point: if you have an old- ity so that you can pipe music (and will also accept a standard PCM stereo er TV without an S -video input, all of sometimes video) to a different room. signal from a CD player, laserdisc play - this is moot. The simplest version of this feature is a JANUARY 1998 STEREO REVIEW 81 several areas close scrutiny can pay handsome dividends, so don't be afraid to ask the sales person if the store has a loaner model you can try at home or if it offers a home -trial period or flexible return policy.

1 3ir,TmisrT sTI(1.9 Whileitis impossible toeradicate noise completely, most recent -model The Sherwood Newcastle R-945 Dolby Digital receiver ($1,299) also A/V receivers are sufficiently quiet dur- incorporates a built-in DTS decoder. It can deliver 100 watts to each of five ing surround -sound playback. To judge channels and has a thermostat -controlled cooling fan. for yourself, set the master volume to the highest level you are likely to use and play a laserdisc known for its ex- pair of speaker outputs for the remote cellent sound (make sure that the re- room with a separate volume control. IS THE ceiver/system is properly set up and Some receivers also provide indepen- 12/kvfLEXIBLECROSSOVER? balanced). Now, pause the disc and lis- dent source selection so that you can Some A/V receivers provide a choice of ten carefully from the main seating po- listen, say, to the tuner in the bedroom two or more crossover frequencies (in sition. If you can just detect a slight while a CD is playing in the main lis- addition to the full -range "none" op- hiss, that's no real problem. But if a tening room. Power for the remote out- tion) to help achieve the best "splice" constant hissing, wooshing, or faint air- put is sometimes "borrowed" from the between the outputs of your subwoofer plane -propeller droning is plainly audi- receiver's surround -channel amplifiers, and main speakers; 80, 120, 150, and ble, audition another receiver, if only to which means that you can't have sur- 200 Hz are some typical options. How- provide a basis for comparison. Then round sound in the main room while ever, such flexibility is usually not walk around the room and listen. If you tunes are cranking in the second room. available in entry-level models, where don't hear any obvious hiss or other Some A/V receivers have multiroom the crossover tends to be fixed at 100 or noise at a distance of about 3 feet from line -level audio outputs with indepen- 120 Hz. And on some models I've re- any speaker, the receiver has passed dent volume control and source selec- viewed, you can't defeat the surround - the test. tion, which will let you have surround channel crossover, which prevents full - sound in the main room simultaneously range sound from being reproduced by with stereo in the remote location, as the surround speakers - a bit surpris- HOW'S THE PRO LOGIC the speakers in the remote room are ing considering that a key talking point PERFORMANCE? powered by their own "local" amplifer. of Dolby Digital is that the surround Nearly all of today's A/V receivers, in- Finally, a few receivers add a multi - channels can be full -range stereo. cluding entry-level models, do an ex- room video output, creating a fully in- cellent job of decoding Dolby Surround dependent, second -room A/V "feed." soundtracks. Evaluating DPL perfor- PERFORMANCE mance takes practice, but there are a couple of quick listening tests that you 11HOW FLEXIBLE IS THE Judging the performance of an A/V re- might try. BASS MANAGEMENT? ceiver in a retail showroom can be Test 1: Set the volume control to a A line -level subwoofer output for a tricky, to say the least. Nevertheless, in reasonably loud level and play some powered subwoofer is a virtually universal home -theater item. Most A/V receivers provide a low-pass crossover that removes high frequencies from the sub - woofer output, and many models can also "redirect" all deep bass to the sub - woofer and away from other speakers that can't handle it. In Dolby Digital receivers, the digital mode's low -frequency -effects signal is also mixed into the subwoofer output. The most flexible bass -management scenario is one in which you are permitted to select "small" speakers (high-pass filtered/ bass -redirected) or "large" speakers (full -range signals) individually for each of the front left/right, center, and HarmanKardon's AVR85 Dolby Digital receiver ($1,699) delivers surround channels. Not all receivers are 85 watts to each of five channels. It has an AC-3/RF input and one optical this flexible. digital input. A learning remote control is included. 62 STEREO REVIEW JANUARY 1998 Dolby Surround -encoded music. (I like to use the Delos Surround Spectacular CD, DE 3179, for this test.) Disconnect the three front speakers and the sub - woofer, and listen to the surrounds alone. What you're listening foris clear, stable sound that's free of obvious distortion, excessively "lumpy" dynamics, and audible pumping - listen to a few different A/V receivers and music selections to develop an ear for the differences. Test 2: Disconnect the center speaker and subwoofer, and listento male The Pioneer Elite VSX-07TX Dolby Digital receiver ($1,450) delivers speech in mono - talk radio with the 100 watts to each of five channels. It is THX-certified and has an on -screen tuner set to mono works fine. Listen for display system and multiroom capability. Five AN inputs are provided. leakage of the voice from the center channel into the front left/right and surround speakers. The amount of leakage probably most important, but also is not a good sign; a major loss of detail isn't so important, although the voice check out a few weak signals as well - is a bad one. should sound dramatically softer than perhaps a public -radio broadcast or two Another often -overlookedfactor: with the center speaker connected. In- in the 88- to 91 -MHz region. A good some A/V receivers actually modulate stead, focus on the stability of the tuner will deliver sound that is relative- the video slightly when the volume is leaked signal. The sound should be free ly free of noise and clean dynamically. cranked way up. With the video signal of harsh sibilance and excessive "pop- And if you're into sports, news, or talk looped through the AN receiver, cue ping" on p's and t's, and it shouldn't radio, don't forget to give the AM tuner up a still frame on a laserdisc or DVD fade in and out. If they are very faint, a whirl. Unfortunately, finding a receiv- (a resolution test pattern works great even these no -no's won't make much of er with a good AM section is tough here). Now, using the receiver's A/V a difference. these days - but there are a few of dubbing selector, select the CD audio them out there. input while the video is on screen and fire up a bass -heavy rock or disco track DOES THE TUNER as loud as you can stand it. (Make sure 1 SECTION DELIVER? DOES THE RECEIVER you try this with Pro Logic engaged.) It's easy to overlook the tuner in so DEGRADE THE VIDEO? You may see the TV picture pulsating complex a component as an A/V re- Usually the answer is no, but there are subtly in time to the music. That's ceiver, even though most of us still exceptions. Play a top-quality laserdisc okay, but now that you know what to spend plenty of time listening to the or DVD movie and use a Y -connector look for, see if the same artifact is visi- radio. Typical in-store setups preclude to feed the player's video output direct- ble while a big -sound movie is rolling realistic radio -reception tests - and, of ly to the TV's Video -I input and indi- at a more rational but still high volume. course, every geographical location (and rectly (looped through one of the re- If you still notice pulsating, there's a antenna) is different. If you can get ceiver's A/V inputs) to its Video -2 in- problem. your hands on a loaner model or ar- put. Now use the TV's input selector to range for a home trial, hook up the re- compare video quality between the two ceiver at home and cruise your favorite inputs. A subtle change in brightness or ERGONOMIC ISSUES FM stations. contrast is okay, but an obvious shift in Sound quality on strong stations is color saturation, clarity, or black level In the long run, questions bearing on ease of use will prove to be the most important of all. Again, don't be shy about asking to try things out in the showroom.

WHAT SORT OF REMOTE 1 CONTROL DO YOU GET? Nowadays most A/V receivers come with a remote that also controls same - brand source components; many are al- - -or- . 1/4.) 000 so preprogrammed with codes for operating other -brand gear. Others supply so-called universal (learning) remotes that you can program to control what- Yamaha's RX-V793 Dolby Digital receiver (S799) can deliver 80 watts ever gear you have. Finally, some re- per channel to all five channels. It offers one optical and two coaxial digital ceivers come with remotes that com- inputs and has thirteen different music and movie surround modes. bine the two, including both prepro- JANUARY 1998 STEREO REVIEW 83 grammed control codes and learning a hands-on demo is the only way to tell capabilities. which is which. Don't be fooled by HEY...WHAT ABOUT POWER? Also check out the remote's ergo- flashy, colorful graphics: some of the nomics. A handset that has dozens of best schemes employ plain text. Among Observant readers will note that the same -size, same -shape, same -color keys some of the more useful displays are question "How much power do I need?" in neat rows and columns will prove those that clearly show channel levels is not in our Top 20. Power needs vary hard to use by feel - remember, you'll and crossover/bass-redirection settings enormously depending on speaker sen- be usingitin dim -light conditions while you're setting up the system, sitivity, room size and furnishings, and much of the time. Back -lighting can be those that tell you which surround mode listening habits. For example, 60 watts a real boon, but at the very least, look is engaged when you switch inputs or for each front channel and 20 watts for for lettering that's bright and easy to modes, and those that permit you to each surround may prove ample for read. Handsets designed for comfort- configure how much operating -status most listeners with most loudspeakers able, one -handed operation are also ad- detail is presented on the screen, and in most rooms. But switching to speak- vantageous. when it's displayed. Watch out for un- ers that are only a bit less sensitive (87 Of course, it's also worthwhile to try defeatable volume -indicator graphics dB, say, instead of 89 or 90 dB), moving and get some idea of how a receiver's that come up every time you touch the to a moderately larger room, or develop- remote works since you'll probably use volume keys, displays that seem to take ing a taste for big-bang action flicks at it to control your entire system. Once forever to disappear, and ridiculously movie -theater levels willall demand again, the best investigative tool here is complex "graphical user interface" men- more wattage - much more. the home trial. Using itin a real -life us for selecting modes and making sim- Doubling amplifier power yields only a setting will inevitably uncover some ple adjustments. 3 dB increase in loudness, a noticeable features you missed in the showroom but far from dramatic change. In short, - some useful, some maddening. (Ask go for as much power as your budget any reviewer!) DOES THE FRONT permits. Your speakers are far more Here are a few of the handset fea- PANEL DO ITS JOB? likely to be damaged by a distorted tures that I've grown to love - or hate: Many A/V-receiver faceplates sport a (clipped) signal - which is what hap- I love remotes that provide direct, one - perplexing array of pushbuttons and pens when an amplifier is pushed be- button access to source components. tiny, gold -on -black lettering that's utter- yond its limits - than by being fed too Ditto for surround modes. I hate re- ly impossible to read at any distance. much clean power. motes that make you sequence through While you're at it, check out the front - But remember, in home theater you all available sources using a single key. panel readout. It should be legible from have four or five channels of amplifica- Ditto for surround modes. I love re- a typical listening/viewing distance but tion to think about. Virtually all NV remotes that let you customize presets not so bright that it's distracting in a ceivers today deliver equal power to the that link selection of the source, sur- darkened room. three front channels, as they should. round mode, and relative channel levels Considering that most on -screen action to one button. I hate remotes with vol- - dialogue and otherwise - occurs ume controls that work either too fast IS IT COOL -LOOKING? front and center, the center speaker is or too slow. NICE TO TOUCH? 2 actually more important than the speak- Is the construction robust? Does it ers flanking it. In perusing power specs, make you happy to operate it? Feeling you'll notice that front -channel power in DOES IT HAVE A USEFUL good about your purchase is, in all hon- surround mode is usually slightly lower 18ON -SCREEN DISPLAY? esty, what's most important. And you than in stereo mode. That's because the On -screen display systems range from don't need our help with this one. Trust receiver's power supply has to feed five indispensable to irritating. Once more, your feelings, Luke .. channels instead of two. Many AN receivers deliver from one- third to one-half the power potential of their front channels to each surround output, which is usually adequate for Dolby Pro Logic playback. However, if your surround speakers have unusually low sensitivity or your listening room is larger than average, higher surround - channel power will be useful - especially when you play action -packed Dol- by Digital soundtracks. Most Dolby Dig- ital receivers nowadays deliver equal power to all five speakers when in surround mode, with about 100 or so watts per channel being typical. That should be plenty of power for most home Denon's AVR-1400 Dolby Pro Logic receiver (S549) has a six -channel inpu-. theaters. - D.K. for an outboard 5.1 -channel decoder. It has four audio and four A/V inputs and delivers 60 watts each to the front speakers, 30 watts to the surrounds. 64 STEREO REVIEW JANUARY 1998 MovieWorks" 5.1 By Hem), K1ass

150 Watt, 12' Powered Subwooler

MultiPote Surrobrid Speakers For Bipdle/Dipoe Operation

Shielded Two -Way Main Speakers

tide -Range, High-Outpu Center Speaker

Introducin MovieWorks 51. The Surround Sound peaker System Of The Future.

.VlotieWorks 5 1 is for people who want the ultimate With the growing popularity of Dolby The MultiPole switch lets you choose surround sound listening experience. It is a no - Digital® 5.1 surround, which sends discrete either dipole (indirect radiating) or compromise speaker system with high-perfonnance, signals to the left and right rear speakers, bipole (direct radiating) sound patterns. high -output main, center and surround speakers - and there has been controversy bout what an awesome "room -shaking" powered subwoofer. kind of radiating characteristic is best for package for you. Because we sell factory - MorieWorks 51 is the first surround sound speaker surround speakers. For virtually all of direct, with no expensive middlemen, it system to include Mu ltiPole-sunuund speakers that todav's movie soundtracks, we recom- sells for hundreds less than competing can switch between dipole and bipole radiation, mend dipole radiator designs because they systems. And it's backed by our 30 -Day depending on the music or movie sound track being do a superb job reproducing surround effects so Total Satisfaction Guarantee. Try it in your home for played. It is. we helieve. the system of the future. everyone in the mom hears them correctly. a month - there's virtually no risk High-performance main speakers. For some 5.1 channel mixes, however - those with Factory -Direct Price: $1,799.99 The main speakers in MorieWorks 5/ are a two- signals spread between the two surround speakers in Unlike seemingly similar systems, our MultiPole speakers, when true stereo - bipolar direct radiators can be advanta- switched from dipole to bipok operation, affect a very broad range way, shielded design with excellent tonal balance, wide of sound -not just very high frequencies. This difference is crucial to geous. In particular, music recordings with vocal'rs.s.: dispersion and pinpoint stereo imaging - everything proper performance. tNew Industry -Best 10 -Year Warranty applies directed to sunuund channels sound better with our to all speakers except The Powered Subwoofers amplifier which has you'd want in a high -quality speaker to reproduce both a 2 -Year Warranty. MultiPole speakers set to their bipole position. music and sound effects. They will fill even a large room with accurate, natural sound...without filling the room As Dolby Digital 5.1 technology becomes more For A Free Catalog, Or For The familiar to studios, it's difficult to predict what mixing with big speaker lx Ines. Nearest Store Location, Call... approaches will be used. But with the MultiPole High -output center speaker. surround speakers, you're literally ready for anything. The center speaker is a new high -output, wide - 1-800-FOR-HIFI range design with natural tonal balance and superb Awesome powered subwoofer. 1-810-30---1-13-1 dispersion. It has two 51/-" midrangemidbass drivers MorieWoiis 5.1's powered subwoofer is amazing - CAMBRIDGE and a tweeter identical to that in the main speakers. it's the one evenbody likes. It has a heavy -qty, latg- Bass reach is lower than most center speakers. Its throw 12" woofer and a robust 140 -watt amplifier with dynamic range can handle even demanding electronic crossover. Boot says it "is an aural al omic SOUNDWORKS soundtracks, and dispersion is broad enough to olvy bomb...gracefully played frequencies down :o an Critically Acclaimed. Factory -Direct. Needium Street. sutte 102. New ton, M.1 02 6 cover all listening positions. , awe-inspiring 21 Hz!...whing short of Tel: 1-800-36--H34 Fax: 61--332-9229 MultiPole surround speakers. n*phenomenal." Canada: 1-800-525-H34 www.hifi.com s 0 Outside 1..S. or Canada: 61--332-5936 The sumiund speakers.110cielViA51 Factory -direct savings. No risk. Lind 104, .onA t w notes,0.14. Jrul Mulith k Arc trmlunurlo ot,Lndlodgt. ork, In,I>,dl,, 1,Ign.11 rtvteral trAtlemalt .4 Doh are a high -output design using MultiPole '^""- If you want a no -compromise surround comma; (1 technology that allows you to choose between dipole sound system that can deal with all present and ft VIM (diffuse radiating) and bipole (direct radiating) sound.* future software, MorieWorks 5.1 is the speaker 41) CIRCLE NO. 6 ON READER SERVICE CARD ONKYO PRESENTS A HOME THEATER PRODUCTION

When there's no where to turn, turn it up.

-"' PRO LOGIC TM% m VIDEO -5 DVD

VIDF0-1 VCR IRON ONKYOPRESENTSA HOME THEATER PRODUCTION 'SURROUNDED' STARRINGTHE NEW ONKYO FAMILY OF SURROUND SOUND RECEIVERS Num DOLBY DIGITAL LUCASFILM THX, CINEMA RE-EQ, & TIMBRE MATCHING SMART SCAN HIGH DEFINITION DSP 3D BASS SPECIAL APPEARANCES BYONKYO DVD PLAYERS ONKYO PERSONAL THEATER SYSTEMS ONKYO THX SPEAKERS

NOW PLAYING AT AUTHORIZED MN DEALERS EVERYWHERE

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT ONKYO USA CORPORATION 200 WILLIAMS DRIVE DEPT SRV RAMSEY, NJ 07446 201 8251950 www °ay° co ipE mail srofaultputcso

Dolby Digital is a tradoinalk of Dolby LalwralorRo Licensmp CO004111011 LOX Gine. lie.1-0.11vahon Tollbfe PAJICh111{) are Iodeinaihs of LOCASLILM LLD ONICYCk CIRCLE NO 38 ON READER SERVICE CARD MIK II MIME ITN 11711MIIIIMIE MI HOME RECORDING

Krapp's Last Tape,by the cated audio recorder and Nobel laureate Samuel Beck- store sound on your com- ett,is a play that revolves puter's hard disk. You can around home recording. Beck- even record your own compact ett spins a tale of a man and his discs at home. tapes, with these lines played from But all of these choices and a tape near the end: "Here I end this technologies seem to barely excite the reel. Box -three, spool -five. Perhaps my Popular imagination. Sales of analog best years are gone." Can the same sen- audio tapes and recorders continue to timent now be applied to fall, while newer formats the tapes themselves - such as digital audio tape and, by extension, to other Whatwill be tomorrow's (DAT) and MiniDisc (MD) recordable media? have failed to make signifi- Simon Zreczny, founder dominant recording format?cant inroads in the U.S. and owner of Audio Con- consumer market. Digital sultants, a successful four -store chain in used to make cassette tapes for their Compact Cassette (DCC) vanished the Chicago area for thirty years, has cars now have CD changers in their without a trace shortly after its introduc- always carried a wide array of record- trunks." tion in the early 1990s, sharing the same ing equipment in his stores. But that's Technology provides an ever increas- ignoble fate as the elcaset, which was changing. "Home recording is not going array of ways to record at home, on introduced in the late 1970s. ing to grow that much," he told me. "A tape or disc. Anyone can now record a Only the write -once recordable CD lot of the people who used to record did professional -quality tape on a modestly (CD -R) format seems to spark any real so out of necessity. They don't record priced machine. You can forsake a dedi- interest. Rerecordable CD (CD-RW for anymore, because they can buy what "rewritable") drives for computers are they want to listen to. The people who by Rich Warren available from a number of manufactur-

ILLUSTRATION BY PAMELA HOBBS JANUARY 1998 STEREO REVIEW 67 the future0 f o m erecording

ers, and Philips recently introduced the the first truly portable music -storage ing tape -recorder sales in 1990, when first home -audio CD recorder that medium. People taped their decidedly almost 19 million machines were sold. works with both CD -R and CD-RW unportable LPs for playback in their The EIA projects sales of only 10 mil- discs. But because a CD-RW disc has a cars and on their headphone portables. lion tape recorders in 1997. lower reflectivity than a conventional Some people taped each other's LPs However, Lisa Fasold, staff director CD or CD-ROM, it's not compatible because blank cassettes were cheap of communications for the Consumer with most existing CD players and CD- and LPs, and subsequently CDs, were Electronics Manufacturers Association ROM drives (see "Recyclable CDs" on comparatively expensive. (So were pre- (CEMA, a subsidiary of the EIA), page 71). recorded cassettes, despite their quali- notes: "Consumers like to be able to Zreczny sees one growth area: "The ty, which was often worse than what put together collections of their favorite only [recording] product category that could be achieved by making a tape of songs, and the average prices of analog is growing," he said, "is CD recorders, the LP at home.) cassettes keep falling, making them which allows people to customize their Cassettes surpassed the LP as the even better entertainment values. Ap- own CDs [meaning they can make compilations of their favorite music, just as on cassette]. We sell a reason- Consumers see little need to record able number of the [write -once CD -R decks] because you can buy one for far music from the radio or to less than $2,000, which used to be the price of the Nakamichi Dragon." Many copy their friends' CDs - plenty of audiophiles considered the Dragon the ultimate analog cassette deck. music is available for sale on Marc Finer, director of Communica- tion Research, Inc.. an electronics -in- compact disc at an affordable price. dustry consulting firm, explained the situation differently. "Consumers, in reality, are buying the new digital record- sales leader in recorded music in 1983, proximately 70 percent of U.S. house- ing media," he said. "But what's hap- when the CD was just a blip on the holds own at least some type of home pened is that the market has become far map. It wasn't until 1992 that the CD tape player/recorder, and more than more fragmented than it was a number pulled ahead of the prerecorded cas- half of them make recordings on blank of years ago. The question is, how big sette in unit sales. As more people be- audio cassettes. About two-thirds use is each of those fragments? The prima- came accustomed to the sound and con- new tapes for their recordings instead ry choice in the analog era was either venience of CDs, the cassette's lustre of reusing an old tape." open -reel or cassette tape. Since then a began to dull. The CD, of course, Tim Sullivan, TDK's marketing vice whole new wave of digital recording proved itself to be more than a home president, admitted that 1997 cassette applications has been created, some medium. Sales of car and portable CD sales were down about 7 or 8 percent based on tape, some on optical technol- players have skyrocketed in recent compared with the year before, but he ogy, and others based on computer hard years, reducing the significance of cas- does not find that surprising. He attrib- disks. As a result the market has a wide settes even further. utes the decline to "competing lifestyle variety of options, and most consumers Another factor that has bolstered the choices," explaining that "the previous are examining their recording options sales of CDs is that their retail prices generation primarily had music as its more critically to get the best fit for have remained steady, or even declined No.1 hobby or interest. Now that we their needs." slightly in real, inflation -adjusted dol- have the Internet and so many other en- lars, since they were introduced. The tertainment choices vying for atten- Changing Formats cost of producing CDs has also come tion," he said, "music is not necessarily The recording goals of consumers vary, way down, allowing record companies as strong as it used to be with the 15- to and they change over time as well. In to flood the market with reissues. Thus, 24 -year -old age group, which histori- the 1950s and 1960s, people recorded consumers see less need to record from cally has been the mainstay of audio to enhance their music collections. the radio or copy friends' CDs; plenty cassette purchasing." They taped live performances and radio of music is available on CD at an af- In an unusual twist, Pioneer intro- broadcasts, and sometimes they trans- fordable price. duced a series of revolutionary dual - ferred old 78 -rpm records to tape for According to data from the Interna- well cassette decks this year. priced safekeeping. Open -reel tape was expen- tional Tape/Disc Association, sales of from $350 to $600, that are totally digi- sive, clumsy, and often hissy, however, blank cassettes peaked in 1994 at 439 tal between the input jacks and just be- so not much was accomplished by million cassettes and fell off to an esti- fore the record head, and just after the transferring LP records to that medium. mated 401 million in 1996, just a bit playback head to just before the output The 1970s and 1980s witnessed the more than in 1988. The Electronic In- jacks. The use of digital noise -reduc- ascendancy of the compact cassette, dustries Association (EIA) began track - tion circuitry dramatically increases 68 STEREO REVIEW JANUARY 1998 the futureof .---t.- --- omerecordingI cassette performance quality, especially able, and inaudible Serial Copy Man- Meanwhile, Sony continues support- on playback. Could digital technology agement System (SCMS) that is now ingMDand has been joined by Sharp give added life to the analog cassette? standard in consumer digital recorders. and Kenwood. Rick Clancy, Sony's se- (Professional digital recorders are ex- nior vice president of corporate com- Digital Recording empt.) But as Ruth Rogers, director of munications, explained: "In Japan, From the day the CD made its debut, the Home Recording Rights Coalition Sony MD sales have surpassed cassette people wanted a recordable version. (HRRC), sees it, "It took so long to get Walkman sales, and there's an acceler- The industry attempted to placate them the AHRA passedthatthere was ated growth rate of MD as the format of with digital audio tape, to replace the tremendous consumer confusion." Al- choice for audio recording. It made a analog cassette, and by the mid -1980s though several companies introduced significant contribution to our bottom DAT was ready for sale. But the record- DAT decks in 1992 and 1993, today online in the last fiscal year. This year, ing industry howled in protest over the ly Sony markets consumer models. we're starting to see significant growth prospect of consumers making direct As soon as the ink dried on the in Europe. The U.S. has been slower to digital copies from CD to DAT. Deliv- AHRA, Sony rolled out MiniDisc and adopt the format, but we continue to ery dates for DAT equipment slipped Philips delivered Digital Compact Cas- pursue it here, with some positive re- repeatedly. No electronics company sette. While the 2V2 -inch MD per- sults, and we expect the U.S. to take to seemed willing to buck the recording formed a lot like CD, it wouldn't play MD in the next few years." In response industry, and the new format became in a CD player. A DCC deck, in addi- to those who consider MD a failure, mired in political skirmishing. After a tion to recording and playing digital Clancy noted that, year for year, the great deal of initial industry hype, the tapes, could play ordinary analog cas- growth rate of MD is slightly ahead of public, confused by the battle between settes, but it couldn't record them. And the growth rate of CD. the recording and electronics industries, the DCC format was vulnerable to most TDK's Sullivan concurred: "This is lost interest in DAT. Besides, every of the physical and mechanical prob- looking like a pretty positive Christmas year one company or another would an- lems of analog tape. Hot on the heels of for MD. Our MD media sales are very nounce that a recordable CD was just a the DAT bust, the public shied away strong in Japan. I talk to a lot of U.S. year or two away. The public seemed from new systems. Besides, announce- retailers who are planning special pro- so enamored of the small, shiny discs ments continued that recordable CD motions around MD this Christmas, that even digital tape lost its appeal. would arrive "next year." and TDK is gearing up in the U.S. with The DAT debacle set an important It finally did arrive in 1992, in the inventory." precedent for the future of home re- form of a $7,000 Marantz write -once cording. For the first time, the electron- (CD -R) recorder. Discs cost about $50 What's Next? ics companies capitulated to the record - each. Mainly a technology statement, Now, back to the future. All of the experts with whom we spoke agreed that in the digital -recording realm, discs The DAT debacle set an important will supplant tape. However, they offered a complete alphabet soup of precedent for the future of possibilities, including CD -R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD-RAM (an erasable/re- home recording. For the first time, writable DVD), and even computer hard disks. Derek Davis, operations the electronics companies vice president for Nakamichi America, predicted: "The worldwide picture goes capitulated to the recording industry. to recordable discs. Ultimately, DVD is intended to be the melding of CDs and laserdiscs, so a machine that records as ing industry, agreeing to the Audio the recorder sold in limited numbers to well as plays DVD is where things will Home Recording Act (AHRA), which those who desired price -no -object CD go." And Sony's Clancy said, "We are was signed into law in October 1992 recording. In 1995 Pioneer introduced studying the future opportunities for after years of negotiations. The AHRA the PDR-09 CD -R deck atabout other kinds of media going beyond confirms your right to use all analog $4,000 - still not a mass -market item. packaged media, conceivably the abili- and digital recording formats, and re- The following year came the PDR-99 at ty to record from electronic sources tailers' right to sell them. In return, all $2,000, and in 1997 the PDR-04 at such as the Internet." consumer digital audio recording de- about $1,000. As we went to press, Pioneer currently markets three mod- vices must include a system to prohibit Philips announced that its CDR870, the els of stand-alone CD -R decks and was digital serial copying, and manufactur- first CD recorder that is capable of re- recently joined by Philips and its CD- ers or importers must pay a small royal- cording both CD -R and CD-RW discs, R/CD-RW deck. Philips also sells CD- ty on all digital recorders and media. would hit the market in November with R drives for home PCs under its own Philips developed the efficient, afford - a $650 price tag. name and supplies them to such com- JANUARY 1998 STEREO REVIEW 66 the future of home recording '` panies as Hewlett-Packard. Meanwhile, will be equipped with CD -recordable CDs for compilation tapes (or discs), he Panasonic is scheduled to deliver a drives, and they will copy discs at replied, "If it's for personal use only, $799 5.2 -gigabyte (GB) DVD-RAM greater than real-time speed, allowing without authorization, we don't give drive for computers by the end of Janu- CDs to be duplicated quickly and easi- away that right, but we are mute in re- ary 1998. ly. Couple that with the fact that you gard to taking any action against any- Because of AHRA, Pioneer encoun- can buy blank discs for less than $4 or body who does that. We don't necessar- tered no difficulty in launching its CD- $5, and it becomes quite a difficult situ- ily agree that the making of compila- R decks, which incorporate the SCMS ation. Recordable CDs are a real prob- tion tapes is a fundamental right or copy -protection circuit. Matt Dever, Pi- lem for us. principle." oneer's senior brand manager for home "SCMS has not been a success," Stebbings expressed concern about electronics, declined to discuss sales Stebbings continued. "There have been technology even further into the future: figures, but he noted that Pioneer's only 220,000 SCMS-type recorders "Another problem is that one day, peo- sales of single -play CD units, which sold in the U.S. The AHRA is a law ple will have 10-terabyte removable consist mainly of CD -R decks, were without teeth because conventional and hard -disk drives, and you'll have your up, while for the rest of the industry computer recorders aren't regulated. complete CD collection on your hard sales of single -play decks were down. There are a lot of general-purpose disc disk. That's a big issue because a hard "CD -R sales are exceeding our expec- recorders coming out now that have no drive is something very difficult to con- tations," he said. "We have been happi- SCMS circuitry. Computer platforms trol. The Internet is a big problem for ly impressed by the support from both don't have copy management, and they us at the moment because of the gener- dealers and consumers. Our greatest don't pay royalties." al philosophy that all Internet content competition is the PC CD -R drive, The RIAA may influence the future should be free. However, about 95 per- which has an average price of about of home recording more than any hard- cent of what goes over the Internet is $600. We need to point out that a high - ware or blank -media manufacturer. Its copyrighted. It would be possible, in quality audio board with digital inputs members provide the music that people principle, for the copyright owner of a and outputs is needed in the PC and seem to like to record. Not entirely sat- recording to download a key to some- isfied with SCMS for digital audio, the one who has downloaded an encrypted on that computer board are. There is an RIAA is seeking greater copy protec- copy of a recording in exchange for audible difference between discs made tion and control for future recording some form of payment. Then one could on our CD -R deck and those made on a technologies. make that CD -R or DVD-R noncopy- computer's CD-ROM drive." Dever added that one of the main uses of CD- R is making compilation discs of favor- The Recording Industry Association ite tunes. According to TDK's Sullivan, "Of all of America (RIAA) does not the formats, recordable CD has the best potential because of the installed base necessarily agree that the making of CD players out there. Home CD recording had some problems when it of compilation tapes is a was first introduced; it was expensive, and there were some big quirks that fundamental right or principle. made it a difficult -to -use format. A lot of that has been overcome." You trade flexibility for ease of operation when Stebbings expressed the RIAA's viable from there on." However, he con- choosing a PC CD -R recorder over a sion of the future: "We're very much tinued, "We know that anything eventu- dedicated stand-alone model. Even involved with DVD already. We are ally would be hackable, of course. with the best software, creating a CD thinking in terms of encryption for the We're realistic." on your PC is more difficult than sim- audio to control security. We'd like an Cary Sherman, senior executive vice ply pushing the record button on one of anti -circumvention law. We can't pre- president and general counsel of the the Pioneer decks. vent the introduction of recordable RIAA, added: "Our definite preference The Recording Industry Association DVD because it has legitimate uses - is for a system that would allow the of America (RIAA) keeps tabs on all that's one of the problems. We're hope- copyright owner to control reproduc- consumer recording. When asked for a ful that encryption will work so that tion. With the merger of all the different view of the future, David Stebbings, the even if you make a copy of an encrypt- technologies, we're no longer able to RIAA's senior vice president for tech- ed disc, you won't be able to decrypt distinguish what level of copying ought nology, stated: "I think CD -R on the the key, and therefore the disc wouldn't to be permitted and what should not, computer platform is really going to be playable." the way we could with SCMS in 'the take off, and that's a great concern to When I asked Stebbings if the RIAA old days' when there really were sepa- us. More and more off -the -shelf PCs objected to people copying their own rate kinds of machines for music versus 70 STEREO REVIEW JANUARY 1998 the future of o m erecordingill

everything else. We now have machines we will converge on a single. all -en- writable discs, but most manufacturers that don't distinguish between video, compassing DVD format for audio, for have pledged to the multiread standard, audio, and computer data, and the In- data, and for home video. Recordable which was just announced and which ternet doesn't distinguish between any DVD formats, both write -once and guarantees backward compatibility. So of them either. If you don't have some rewritable, are being demonstrated now. a DVD drive with the multiread logo is kind of protection built into the music Write -once DVD-R discs and rewrit- also capable of reading a CD -R or a itself, then you're potentially making it able DVD-RAM discs are scheduled to CD-RW disc." available to a worldwide audience with- ship very shortly. TDK has already sup- If Beckett were to rewrite his famous out restriction." plied sample recordable DVD discs to play today, it might be calledKrapp's TDK's Sullivan expressed his ulti- the hardware manufacturers. There are Last Disc. Or wouldit beKrapp's Last mate home -recording goal: "Hopefully some competing formulations for re - Hard Disk?

by Ken C. Pohlman naryform: computer programs, cies. In the case of CD-RW, disc text, pictures, video, or audio. capacity is 650 megabytes. Drive It may come as a surprise to The advantages of rewritability manufacturers include Ricoh, some audiophiles that rewritable are undeniable, and, in fact, some Philips, Yamaha, Sony, Philips, compact discs are available. In companies plan to discontinue and Hewlett-Packard. fact, the CD-RW format (codified production of write -once CD -R If you're an audiophile, per- as the Orange Book Part III) was drives and replace those offer- haps you're thinking of buying a finalized by Philips in 1996, and ings with universal CD-R/CD-RW CD-RW drive for your computer, today sales of CD-RW drives for models. and then using it to make audio PCs are accelerating. In its earli- A CD-RW disc looks some- discs for playback in your home est incarnations, CD-RW was a what like a "regular" CD; it has or car system. Well, think again. computer peripheral only. How- an embedded aluminum reflec- The minimum reflectivity of a ever, Philips has now announced tive layer, and the recording lay- standard CD is about 70 percent, its CDR870 CD-RW recorder for er appears blue -gray. Altogether, while that of a CD -R discis the consumer audio market. This there are five layers built on the about 65 percent, so both are stand-alone, user-friendly audio polycarbonate substrate: a di- readableinconventional CD recorder can record and erase electric layer, a recording layer, players. But the reflectivity of CD-RW discs, record CD -R discs another dielectric layer, a reflec- CD-RW discs is only about 15 and play back any audio CD. tive aluminum layer, and a top and 25 percent, respectively, for With a price tag of S649, and acrylic protective layer. As in the amorphous and crystalline high -quality record/playback spe- CD -R, the writing and reading states. These discs cannot be cifications, this recorder threat- laser follows a spiral pre -groove. played by conventional CD play- ens to render other CD -R decks However, whereas CD -R uses a ers. You need a CD-RW drive, or obsolete, and emphatically puts heat -sensitive dye in the record- one of the recently introduced CD-RW into the consumer audio ing layer, the CD-RW recording MultiRead CD-ROM drives capa- mainstream. layer is a heat -sensitive alloy of ble of reading the lower reflec- In the computer world, where silver, ind Arm, antimony, and tel- tivity.It's interesting to note, data -copying is seen as an in- lurium. When it is heated by the however, that it is entirely possi- alienable right, CD-RW appears writing laser, the alloy changes ble that future DVD-Audio play- to be gaining momentum fast. from its relatively reflective crys- ers tray be able to read CD-RW Drives sell for around S500, and talline state to a less reflective discs. because CD-RW's phase - blank discs are about S25, with amorphous state. Ifit's heated change technology will also ap- both prices heading down. When again (at a slightly lower power), pear in the DVD-RAM format, connected to a PC and directed the alloy returns to its crystalline and future CD players will have by the appropriate software, CD- state, providing rewritability. A CD-RW capability, too. In that re- RW drives can read, write, and very low -power laser is used to spect, although CD-RW is a far rewrite CD-RWs, read and write read data. This phase -change re- cry from the original audio CD, CD -Rs, and read CD-ROMs and cording technology has been and is probably the last CD for- regular CDs. Moreover, the data widely used for many years and mat that will be introduced, it can be anything encoded in bi- allows thousands of rewrite cy- may well have a bright future.

JANUARY 1998 STEREO REVIEW 71 BY DANIEL MANU NEW YORKERS TURN DOWN THE The Manhattan Center was rocking one night last summer as enthusiastic fans they read that punk rocker lggy Pop banged their heads to the sonic assault of speed -metal icons Megadeth. Across the was scheduled to play at the Center, they immediately made arrangements street. James Paltridge and Michael Kalmen were also shaking their heads - inds- to spend that evening at a friend's may. Ever since the Center, formerly used only as a recording studio, began hosting house (the concert was later canceled). As New Yorkers under attack from rock shows late last spring in its Hammerstein Ballroom, the two men have been excessive sound, they are hardly alone. forced to listen to rumbling bass and muffled singing emanating from the concerts. From the blaring of car alarms to the wailing of sirens, from stereo systems plus the steady chugging of the facili- engraver, produces scores for perform- rattling apartment walls to helicopters ty's large external air-conditioning unit. ers. Kalmen transcribes television pro- whirring overhead, the intrusion of un- That's because the apartment they've grams for closed -captioning services. wanted sound appears to have finally lived in for fifteen years is directly But when the Manhattan Center is in brought some of the Big Apple's resi- across the street from the rear of the full swing, sometimes twice a week, dents to the breaking point. "New York Manhattan Center. No matter where Paltridge notes. "you can't do anything is one of the loudest cities.- says Nancy they are in their home, no matter if the that requires very close listening." And Nadler, director of the Noise Center at windows are open or closed, they can't though they can still watch TV when New York's League for the Hard of escape the noise. "It's not so loud that it concerts are held at the Center. their Hearing. "Noise has escalated. Every- immediately makes you want to scream," collection of jazz and classical records thing needs to be louder in order to be Kalmen says, "but when it's constant like remains on the shelf, rendered unlisten- heard over all the other ambient noise." that . . .. You try to shake it off, but it's able by the commotion not just from In response, fed -up citizens are in- like having a ringing in your ear." the hands playing but also from roadies creasingly making their voices heard. The noise has affected all areas of lugging equipment and fans gathering Since the New York Police Department their lives. Both work at home doing at the backstage door. It's gotten to the set up a "Quality of Life" hotline in jobs that require careful listening and point where Paltridge and Kalmen September 1996, over 50 percent of the steady concentration. Paltridge edits cringe when they open up the listings calls received have been about exces- musical compositions and, as a music sections of local newspapers. And when sive noise, making it the No. I subject

72 STEREO REVIEW JANUARY 1998 MEGADETH BY ROBERT ZUCKERMAN CAPITOL. ALL OTHERS BY DAN WAGNER. DIGITAL IMAGING BY CHRIS GOULD

An17.11:1111114441ZSAI of complaints accordingto Tie es, are the norm. "I find life in New York Times. New York to be extremely un- But people in the city can be pleasant because of the noise, bombarded with dangerously loud andit'sgotten worse," ob- sounds even without realizing it. serves long-time resident Tom To demonstrate, one day last sum- Bernardin. "For me, it's an mer Nadler took me on a stroll emotional strain." outside her not -for-profit organiza- In the past when his up- tion's Manhattan offices with a t stairsneighbors made too sound -pressure level (SPL) meter JAMES much noise, Bernardin was MICHAEL KALMEN(LEFT) AND in hand. Initially, she found that the TO NOISEFROM forced to bang a broomstick background noise produced a read- PALTRIEDG REACT against the ceiling. But now ing of about 85 dB SPL on the me-THE MANHATTANCENTER. he has a more productive way ter - the equivalent of an alarm to campaign against the city's cacopho- clock or kitchen blender. Minutes later, the apartment complexes of New York, ny. As the founder of the advocacy however, the combination of traffic they have largely been on their own. group Friends Against Noisy New York rumbling past and two pedestrians ar- In the past year or so, however, that's (FANNY), he produces a quarterly guing nearby caused the reading to begun to change. Last April, Nadler's newsletter alerting readers to the health shoot up to 123 dB, or almost eight group sponsored its second annual In- problems associated with noise as well times louder, which is typical for a rock ternational Noise Awareness Day, a se- as listing city agencies and private concert and loud enough to cause dam- ries of educational activities that in- groups that can offer support. "Noise is age over time from only 15 minutes of cluded free hearing tests throughout the exciting, it gets the adrenaline going," exposure every day. Another 15 dB and city, the distribution of 50,000 free he says. "But it's bad for you, ultimate- the sound would have matched that of a earplugs, and a presumably quiet rally ly. My feeling is that you should keep jet taking off. (Remember, because the at New York's City Hall. Similar events your noise to yourself. The minute it in- decibel scale increases logarithmically, were held across the U.S. and in Cana- trudes upon somebody else's life, it's the level of perceived loudness doubles da, garnering media coverage from as just not fair." every 10 dB.) far away as Finland and South Africa. At least among some city leaders, the The strong likelihood of severe hear- The events were all part of the Noise concerns of New Yorkers like Bernar- ing loss after exposure to such high Center's mission to inform the public din no longer go unheeded, especially sound levels is why the federal Occupa- not only about noise's impact on hear- on the neighborhood level. Among the tional Safety and Health Administration ing but also its physiological effects. local representative bodies, few groups (OSHA) has developed national guide - "Research is showing that noise causes have been as proactive in dealing with VOLUME ON NOISE POLLUTION lines indicating how long workers can a lot of stress -related disorders, such as the issue of noise as Community Board be safely, and legally, exposed to vari- increased hypertension," Nadler says. 2, which mainly covers Greenwich Vil- ous volumes without ear protection. At "There are also more cardiovascular lage and SoHo, home to some of the 90 dB SPL, for example, the agency problems, sleep disorders, and difficulty city's most popular - and loudest - considers exposure safe for up to 8 with digestion when there's constant nightclubs. In 1993 the board formed a hours per day. Above 110 dB, OSHA noise in the background." noise subcommittee, the first of its kind limits exposure to just 30 minutes a While that's a problem in many in the city, to deal expressly with the day. People are protected by those lim- cities, it's particularly exacerbated for noise -related concerns of area resi- its at their jobs, but on the streets and in New York's huge population because dents. "We feel that it's a basic human few areas are strictly residential and need to have quiet where you live, es- apartment buildings, not detached hous- pecially during the nonworking hours," explains Alan Jay Gerson, a private at- SPEED-METAL BAND MEGADETH. torney who chairs the board. "New mow York's never going to be one of the earth's quieter spots. We just want to restore decent limits." In theory, New York City law supports that sentiment: it prohibits "unrea- sonable noise," defined as "any excessive or unusually loud sound that dis- turbs the peace, comfort, or repose of a reasonable person of normal sensitivi- ties." But in practice, according to Ger- son, the code hasn't been as effective as it could be because responsibility for enforcement is divided among several bodies, including the Department of En - JANUARY 1998 STEREO REVIEW 73 vironmental Protection (DEP), the State front to keep noise Liquor Authority, and the police. Justice fromreachingthe has also been hampered by budget cuts street. "This is what at the DEP, resulting in fewer staffers you have to do if you being available to conduct sound -level want to open a club readings when a noise complaint is in the city," says Still- made. At night, when bars and clubs are man. Unfortunately, in full roar, the agency has only two INSPECTOR M HOKHAR he notes, most estab- pairs of inspectors available to cover all WITH LEVEL METER. lishmentsprobably five New York boroughs. couldn't afford simi- In response to that situation, a pilot ersagainstthe lar efforts. program has begun in several police city's noise code. As for the Man- precincts, including Community Board At press time, the hattan Center, Paltridge and Kalmen 2's, giving the police in each precinct measure was ex- filed a complaint about the noise with an SPL meter and the responsibility for pected to be signed into law by Mayor the DEP last June. A subsequent in- issuing summonses against alleged Rudolph W. Giuliani. spection found that the air conditioner noisemakers. The Noise Center has In addition, not all city nightspots alone was loud enough to warrant a vi- done its part to help law enforcement have been oblivious to how disturbing olation, says Paltridge. But according by conducting training sessions on the their clientele, sound systems, and per- to Peter Ross, president of the club, dangers of noise last summer for two forming acts can be to neighbors. When "There have been no violations written hundred NYPD sergeants, who then Roy Stillman, president of the club up and presented to us." Six weeks after presumably went on to educate the offi- Life, was planning the construction of the initial complaint, with the Center as cers in their respective stations. his downtown nightspot on the former loud as ever, a second call was made to Progress has also been made on the site of the Village Gate, for example, he the DEP. That brought inspector Mo- legislative front. The State Assembly consulted with both his local communi- hammad Khokhar over to Paltridge and passed the "Rowdy Bar Bill" into law in ty board and the police. "I figured, let's Kalmen's apartment the night of the 1997, giving the Liquor Authority the get this right from the beginning," he Megadeth show. By law, Khokhar said, right to take into account a bar or club's says. From the NYPD's point of view, commercial establishments cannot cre- record of noise -code violations when Stillman was told, the worst thing about ate sound levels of more than 45 dB out- deciding whether to renew or revoke its the old club was the noise it generated side their doors. Violators could be fined liquor license. "Because we live so in the ten -story apartment building di- between $4,000 and $24,000 under the close to each other in New York City, rectly above it. With that in mind, Still- City Council's proposed penalties. we have to learn to be good neighbors," man included specific soundproofing Using a sound -level meter fitted with says Manhattan -based State Senator measures in his $12 million renovation. a windscreen device, Khokhar found Catherine M. Abate, who co -sponsored "We undertook what was probably the that with the windows open, the noise both the bar bill and a law enacted in most extensive noise -attenuation effort level in the apartment was 65 dB. "It is 1996 that prohibits car stereos from proof any club," he claims. very loud," he said. "It's not normal for ducing more than 70 dB SPL measured By the time Life opened its doors in a person to listen to this all night." The 25 feet away. Under that law, police December 1996, featuring both live and next step would have been to do a read- have the power to seize the violators' recorded music, its ceiling had no less ing with the Manhattan Center's air vehicles. In addition, last October the than eight layers of insulation to reduce conditioner turned off and issue a viola- New York City Council voted over- the transmission of sound to the resi- tion notice if the result indicated that whelmingly in favor of doubling and dents above. In addition, all the air the air conditioner was responsible for tripling the fines given to repeat offend - ducts in the club were insulated, and the high noise level. But with sweaty three large, heavy doors were put in concert -goers still in mid -frenzy, the Center refused to shut off the air condi- KALMEN (BELOW)AND PALTRIDGE tioner that night, forcing the DEP to NAVE PILED come back another day. SEVERAL COMPLAINTSABOUT THE MANHATTAN CENTER'S AIR CONDITIONER More than six weeks later, Paltridge (RIGHT and Kalmen had still not heard back from the agency, and the noise had gotten even worse, they said. But an end to their noise woes may be in sight. Con- struction at the Manhattan Center has been under way to replace the temporary external air-conditioning system with a permanent internal one as well as to install an insulated vestibule and door in the back of the building. "Our interest is in cutting down on any noise seep- age," says Ross. "It will be a sound- proof building by the beginning of 1998." For the Center's neighbors, that

will be better late than never. 74 STEREO REVIEW JANUARY 1998 "Ensemble N Sounds Much Better Than The Other Sub/Sat Systems We've Tried -At Half

The Price Of ManyNome Theater

"This system is one of the top bargains in today's market. Hearing is believing!" -Stereo Review

This Powerful Home Theater "Ensemble IV produces a level of sound quality Sony STRDE315 that is so much bigger and better than what you'd Dolby Pro Logic Receiver System With 5 Satellites, Subwockr expect from such a tiny, inexpensive system that it's and Ensemble IV Home Theater almost ridiculous. There's a coherence and rightness & Sony Dolby Pre Logic Receiver to the sound tha we just haven't heard from anything Speaker System. this affordable. VI tact, we've heard far more Will Change How You Watch 1V expensive home theater speakers that don't hold Forever! It's The Country's Best a candle to this rig." Home Theater Value In Surround Sound. The Sony STRDE315 Receiver. 999 Just a few years ago. this receiver would have cost You Can Spend Less. hundnxls more. It featuirs even power output (60 watts But You'll Get Less. each to left, center, right & surround channels). There are lots of stereo stores that can sell you a Reg. $59999- Save $100 discrete output amplifier design for clean sound, cheap Pro Logic sound system - or sell you a receiver Dolby Surround Pro Logic, simulated surround for with "free" home theater speakers. non -Dolby sources. 5 audio inputs, 1 video input, I To Order Factory -Direct, But do yourself a favor, and listen before you leap. video output and a system remote control. It can be Or For A Free Catalog Call Mast systems in this price range don't anprnach this the heart of a complete AV system. one's perforniance. Factory -Direct Savings. 1-800-FOR-HIFI 1/41-800-367-44391 Ensemble' N Home Theater Cambridge SoundWorks is the country's largest Speaker System By Henry Noss. factors -direct audio company. lire. magazine says, CAMBRIDGE The Cambridge SoundW(wks.Disemb/e /V Home "Selling direct allows Cambridge SoundW(rks to price Theater system was designed by Emmy Award winner speakers hundreds of dollars below the competition." OUNDWORKS Henry Klass (founder of AR, KLH & Advent). It .And Audio magazine says we may have "the best value Critically Acclaimed. Factory -Direct. consists of 5 magnetically shielded satellite speakers in the world." We sell a critically -acclaimed line of over ill Nectilum \: and a compact suNoofer. It has a natural, wide - 30 speaker models - along with components from top Vok e: 1-8110.36-A43 I Fax: Si- _ _ range. accurate sound with very smtioth octave -to - brands like Sony. ?ioneer, Harman Kardon and others. 0:fisiele l S. or Canada:0 I -.332.i93() L,.in octave tonal balance and praise stereo imaging. It Every purchase is hacked by our 30 -Day Taal sounds terrific playing music or playing movie Satisfaction Guarantee. If you want great components,

soundtracks. And it will fit into any room. great prices and no risk, give us a call, 365 days a year. 1 --

CIRCLE NO. 6 ON READER SERVICE CARD F-1800RII World's Best Subwoofer Technology...

Patented True Accelerometer -Based High Gain Servo Control Low distortion, dean, accurate sound that Velodyne is famous for. Smo3thest freqrency response of any subwoofer. Revolutionary New Energy Recovery Switching Amplifier Design Transfor-nerless direct -line power switching creates the most powerful amplifier in any subwoofer (1000 watts RMS/3000 peak). Patent pending design eliminates shoot-thru current for the highest amplifier efficiency ever achieved. Tandem Voice Coil in Push -Pull "The Velodyne's performance here was Motor Structure breathtaking. In fact, it may very well have High linear excursion capability threatened the room's structural integrity had 1 114" peak to peak, 2" max. not hacked off the volume a bit..." Four times the heat dissipation Al Griffin, Home Theater, December for high power handling and long life. "This is bass that doesn't end, in frequency or ii Less than 1/2 the distortion level! It u bass that is literally felt as much as of conventional motor heard -on occasion, more felt than heard." designs. Edward J. Foster, Audio, March '97

"Bring on the challengers. They won't have an easy job .. the Velodyne F-1800RII is the best subwoofer I have yet had in my home theater." Thomas J. Norton, Stereophile Guide to Home Theater, Fall '97

New! ...ULTRA SMALL PACKAGE

All of the best features of the world famous F -1800R11 have been put a smaller cabinet. Response down to 20 Hz for audiophiles with output levels to satisfy all home theater systems. Now you don't have to sacrifice sound quality for a compact, easy to place subwoofer. HGS-10 Velodyne (actual size: 11.25"H x I 1"W xI 1"D) Velodyne Acoustics, Inc.. 1070 Commercial Street, Suite 101, San Jose, CA 95112 Phone: 408-436-7270 Fax: 408-436-7276 Web Site: www.velodyne.com E-mail: [email protected] Literature Requests: 1-800-VELODYNE byDavid R a n a d a How the new disc got its (very tiny) spots

A DVD looks like a CD. It has the same diameter, thickness, jacent pit tracks) in what is called a "scaling" operation. But the equations and center -hole size. It is made of the same plastic and has governing the scanning of optical discs dictate that scaling down the pit size a similar iridescent -silver appearance. And yet a DVD can and track pitch requires first scaling other disc characteristics so that optical hold a feature movie with leading -edge video quality, a mul- readout of the smaller, more tightly spaced pits will be effective. tichannel digital soundtrack, and more. How that's accom- The primary thing that must be scaled is the wavelength of the scan- plished is by a reversal of an old adage: the more things ning laser, which means changing its "color" so that the size of the spot the stay the same, the more things change. laser makes on the disc can be reduced. From the 780-nanometer (nm), or bil- An ordinary audio CD would be eo. The combination led to the present lionths of a meter, wavelength of the completely impracticalfor holding DVD system, in which high -quality CD system's invisible infrared laser, the high -quality digital video. A CD's data video, a discrete multichannel sound- DVD laser wavelength has been short- rate, the rate at which audio flows from track, multiple matrixed soundtracks, ened to 650 or 635 nm (the DVD stan- a CD player's SPDIF digital output and multiple subtitle texts can coexist dard supports two wavelengths), a visi- connector, is approximately 1.4 mega- happily on a CD -sized chunk of poly - ble red. bits per second. A movie mastered on carbonate. The jump from 780 to 635 nm poses professional digital videotape has a vid- no great technological problems. Inex- eo data rate of around 166 megabits per Incredible Shrinking Pits pensive solid-state lasers operating at second, or 117.7 times higher than a The expansion of the CD's data capa- the shorter wavelengths have been CD. A 75 -minute CD could hold only city is the easier path to understand, available for some time: they are used 38 seconds of digital video - without mainly because it's less of a break- in laserdisc machines! In a nice histori- any audio - and would have to spin at through. That's because the data capac- cal -technological irony, the DVD sys- a maximum speed 117.7 times that of a ity of any optical -disc system is actual- tem's laser wavelength is practically CD, around 58,850 rpm! Clearly, to ly dependent on very few things. And identical to that of the 630-nm laser create the DVD out of the CD, a great those basic parameters were worked wavelength first used by the laserdisc many things had to change. out by Philips, Sony, and other compa- system. The laserdisc system is being The challenge was met by a simulta- nies long ago in fundamental work on blasted - Star Wars style - by its neous attack from two different direc- optical recording that culminated with own laser. tions, both of which will be retraced the laserdisc system in the 1970s. But going from 780 to 635 nm and here: 1) an expansion of the data capac- The easiest way to get more data on- changing the pit and pitch dimensions ity of the optical -disc system, and 2) an to an optical disc is to reduce the size accordingly will only get you a 50 -per- even larger reduction in the amount of of both the molded pits and the pit - cent increase in data capacity. By CD data required to store high -quality vid- track "pitch" (the distance between ad- standards that is pretty impressive, but

PHOTO BY LEN LAGRUA JANUARY 1998 STEREO REVIEW 77 the pit/pitch dimensions are not scaled thickness of the disc, so that any disc proportionally to the reduction in spot tilt deflects the beam less. That's the so- size. They are made even smaller, pro- lution that was chosen for the DVD, ducing a considerable further increase which is half the thickness of a CD, or in data density of 75 percent. 0.6 millimeter. So just by changing the fundamental In order for DVD machines to be parameters of an optical disc - resiz- playback -compatible with CDs, a sin- ing the pits and their spacing, changing gle mechanism must be able to handle the laser color, and employing a tighter - both. So a DVD has to be 1.2 mm thick. focusing lens - a CD's data capacity This offers some unusual opportunities, can be increased by 467 percent (1.5 x such as the various sandwiched disc 1.78 x 1.75). This produces a disc sur- structures shown on page 79. At the top itis still not nearly enough for digital face like those shown at the bottom of of the illustration is a single -sided DVD video. The scanning spot can be further this page. While not drawn precisely to in which the half containing the molded reduced in diameter, while keeping the scale (with this degree of magnifica- data pits is glued to a piece of blank laser wavelength at 635 nm, by focus- tion, the pits and the tracks should both ing it more sharply. appear straight, not curved), the draw- The ability of a lens to focus a laser ing gives some idea of the increase in tilt compensation beam is characterized by its "numerical disc data density from the CD (left) to aperture" (NA), a number somewhat the DVD (right) caused by the change DISC like the bandwidth -characterizing "Q" in pit size and track spacing, while also of an audio filter. The higher the NA, showing the change in laser -spot size. the tighter the focus and the smaller a laser's scanning spot. The DVD sys- Don't Tilt the Disc tem's NA is 0.6, compared to the CD The smaller pit sizes and, especially, LENS C. system's 0.45 and laserdisc's 0.4. A the tighter track spacing have some im- higher -NA lens is more difficult to man- portant implications for the construc- ufacture, but that hasn't proved to be a tion of a DVD. They are so important ik major impediment, given the wealth of that we're going to make a temporary experience accumulated by lensmakers diversion from the data -density path A laser reading a DVD (right) has working with the CD system. we've been following. to go through half as much Scaling a CD's NA to 0.6 and adjust- Smaller pits and a tighter track pitch plastic as on a CD (left), so slight ing the pit/pitch dimensions proportion- make any disc defects far more critical tilts in the disc surface don't ally yields a data -density increase of 78 to correct DVD tracking than with the affect its aim as much. percent, a better result than from reduc- CD. Specifically, any disc tilt away from ing just the laser wavelength. When perfect perpendicularity to the incom- wavelength and NA are both scaled to- ing laser beam can divert the focused plastic 0.6 mm thick. This is the format gether with the pit/pitch dimensions, laser spot away from the recorded track commonly used for DVD movies that the spot size shrinks down from the as the small diagram above right shows. are supplied in only one aspect ratio. CD's 1.4 micrometers (pm), or mil- Tilt can come from disc -molding er- The sandwich construction of all lionths of a meter, to the DVD's final rors, warpage, motor-spindle/laser mis- DVDs finally solves a problem that 0.9 pm, and the disc's data density in- alignment, improper disc/spindle seat- CDs have always had: their data layer creases by 267 percent over the CD ing, and other sources. Even a tiny tilt is very close to the outside of the disc, system. Now we're getting somewhere! can produce a beam deflection of many protected by only a thin layer of ultra- As it turns out, in the DVD system tracks. One solution is to reduce the violet -cured laquer and the label print - CD to DVD first steps in increasing disc data density

CD track pitch: 1.6 urn DVD - track pitch: 0.74 pm

1 TO.4 pm

0.83 pm beam spot: 0.9 um beam spot: 1.4 um minimum pit length: minimum pit length: DVD's data "pits" are smaller, closer together, and read with a smaller laser -beam "spot."

78 STEREO REVIEW JANUARY 1998 ILLUSTRATIONS BY SONY, EMBELLISHED BY JARED SCHNEIDMAN DESIGN DVD side/layer formats ing. Scratches that penetrate these lay- the scaled -down pits. There are only ers can easily reach the underlying data three more steps to get to DVD data layer, physically destroying bits and density: making the label side of a CD the Anew modulation system.On nei- more fragile one. With the DVD, the ther the CD nor the DVD does a digital data are always protected by being bur- 1 in the data automatically appearasa ied halfway into the thickness of the pit on the disc, nor does a digital 0 nec- disc, protected on both sides by 0.6 essarily appear as "land" between pits. mm of plastic. The translation is considerably more Second down from the top is the complicated in order to prevent a long single -sided, double -layer construction series of I s and Os in the data from used for some DVD movies provided in turning into (relatively) long areas of Version 1 both letterbox and full -screen versions. land or extremely elongated pits that One side of the disc is a blank, but the would be difficult to track. CD's 8- to single -sided, single -layer other contains two layers of data at two 14 -bit modulation (EFM) system has different lens -focus depths. This struc- been slightly modified to EFM-Plus for ture can also be used for seamless play- DVD. At the expense of more compli- back of very long movies: when the cated translation tables held in a DVD laser gets to the outside of the disc player's decoder chips, the new modu- while playing the outermost layer, the lation scheme requires 6 percent fewer lens focus switches quickly to the deep- pits and lands to convey the same er layer, and the laser starts moving amount of data. back toward the center. Clever, no? Anew error -correction system.The Any DVD containing a double -layer DVD utilizes an error -correction sys- construction is made by the same "pho- tem that is far more powerful than the topolymerization" techniques that are one used by CDs, although the mathe- used to make laserdiscs. The data side matical principles behind both are very ..14114-7" of a freshly molded single -layer DVD similar. This increased error -correction Version 2 is first coated with a semitransparent power is necessary because the thinner 0 layer of aluminum. This ultrathin layer DVD disc makes surface blemishes or single -sided, double -layer lets the scanning laser focus on the damage less out -of -focus at the level of soon -to -be -made inner layer. Then a the buried pits than they are with CDs. dollop of liquid plastic is poured on top Blemishes are thus more likely to com- of the aluminum. While the plastic is pletely obscure a DVD's data pits. The still liquid, a second disc stamper con- new system (called the "Reed -Solomon taining the data for the inner layer is product code") can fully correct bursts lowered onto it. The entire assembly is of data errors occupying a single track then exposed to ultraviolet light, which along a length- of 6 mm, compared solidifies the liquid plastic. The stamper to the CD system's correctable burst is pulled off, and the new, innermost length of 2.5 mm. It is even more pow- layer is coated with a fully reflective erful than the error -correction system layer of aluminum; it's then ready for used by CD-ROMs, and it works while bonding to another disc side. occupying considerably less space on The third sandwich is a double -sided the disc, thus increasing DVD disc data construction formed by gluing two sin- density by another 16 percent. gle -layer discs back-to-back. This is the More efficient data storage.This most common format for DVD movies involves several improvements, among double -sided, single -layer supplied in both letterbox and full - them an increase in the usable area of (on each side) screen versions. Very rare so far is the thedisc (the data on a DVD starts 2 final (fourth) version of the DVD sand- mm closer to its center than on a CD), wich, a double-sided/double-layer con- theremoval of the under-utilized CD struction. subcode data (whose functions have The data capacities of these various been subsumed by other portions of the disc formats are not simple multiples of DVD data stream), and removal of CD- a single -sided, single -layer construc- ROM's third layer of error correction. tion. The buried layers are less densely This last is important because DVD da- packed with data, reducing double -lay- ta is stored in files within directories, er playing time by some 19 percent as on a CD-ROM and other computer compared to two single layers. disks, so DVD data density is more fairly compared to that of a CD-ROM New Coding Techniques than to the relatively unstructured data Version 4 Now let's quickly finish up the disc - of an audio CD. Together these stor- density path by looking at changes in age -efficiency changes produce a fur- double -sided, double -layer the way information is encoded onto ther increase in data capacity of a DVD (rarely used so far) JANUARY 1998 STEREO REVIEW 79 inside standardized methods of reducing vid- simple experiment. Hold up a magnify- eo -signal data rates. The first MPEG ing glass to a 35 -inch TV screen dis- standard, conveniently called MPEG-1, playing a freeze -framed image. For a EIVD came out in 1991 and was used in the great deal of the area of most images, Video -CD format. While that system any1 -mm -wide point you choose is bombed in the U.S., it is apparently still likely to be very close in appearance, or a big hit in China (where even a tiny even identical, to a point next to it, per- success can mean big business). MPEG- haps to many points nearby, and even

1 video compression has also found a to multitudes of points far away ("far" happy niche in many home computers. meaning an inch). A 1 -mm point on a Video clips are often MPEG-1-encoded 35- or 36 -inch screen approximates the (with filenames ending in .MPG) and size of a basic DVD picture element- over a CD-ROM of around 26 percent. sent through the Internet. MPEG-1 was pixelin computer talk,pelin MPEG All of these factors - from the scal- also used in the first videoencodersfor parlance. For most video images, changing of laser wavelength, numerical ap- Digital Satellite System (DSS) broad- es occur slowly from pixel to pixel. In erture, and pit and pitch dimensions casts to small -dish receivers. audio, a slow change of a waveform through the new modulation and error - DSS transmissions now use MPEG-2 means that it contains low sonic fre- correction systems to several data -stor- video compression, a system that can quencies. The same holds for video: age efficiency gains - leading to in- produce images of much higher quality slight changes from pixel to pixel mean creased disc data density are summa- than MPEG-1. This required no change that the image is composed of lowspa- rized in the "graph" below. The various of DSS decoders, however, because they tialfrequencies in that direction. Tiny factors multiply together to give the have always had the capability to de- details, on the other hand, translate into DVD around seven times the data ca- code MPEG-2 signals. This dual capa- rapid pixel -to -pixel variations and thus pacity of a CD or CD-ROM. And that's bility exists because MPEG-2 is an high spatial frequencies. only for a single -sided, single -layer elaborate extension of MPEG-1, so that Before MPEG data compression, a disc! Still, even a disc with seven times nearly the same circuitry can be used to digital video image contains spatial re- the CD's data capacity would play for decode both. MPEG-1 is still compli- dundancy because every pixel in the less than 5 minutes at original video cated, and MPEG-2 is worse. But it's image is recorded as if it were part of a data rates. The video data rate must al- worth making an effort to understand high -detail area, whereas most are not, so come down. MPEG-2 encoding since it's used not and as if neighboring pixels could each only in the DVD system but also in the have any characteristics whatsoever, al- MPEG to the Rescue upcoming HDTV system. though the differences among them are MPEG stands for Moving Pictures Ex- Simply put, MPEG-2 video compres- likely to be small. To reduce this spa- perts Group, an organization of engi- sion works by removing image "redun- tial redundancy, MPEG-2 encoding ex- neers and scientists that was formed in dancy" in three dimensions - picture ploits a special mathematical technique 1988 by the International Standards height, picture width, and time. Spatial called the discrete cosine transform Organization (ISO) in order to create redundancy is best demonstrated by a (DCT), a procedure closely related to CD to DVD steps to a sevenfold increase in disc data density

A whole variety of changes from the CD system were made to achieve the vastly greater data density of DVD, amounting to about a sevenfold increase. But even all of this was still not enough to allow a DVD to store a useful amount of uncompressed digital video! 00 00 a

ORIGINAL CD LASER LENS PIT I MODULATION I ERROR I STORAGE DATA DENSITY COLOR DESIGN SPACING SYSTEM CORRECTION EFFICIENCY

80 STEREO REVIEW JANUARY 1998 UBL

Just add a TV to JBL's Simply Cinema ESC550 and you'll have superb surrood sound for N, CD, FM and AM. ES(.550 includes The Source'

(left), a splendid DolbyPr.)

Logicprocessor with CD player and tuner; as well as five se f - powered speakers, subwoofer and remote. ES(550 is 250 watts of home audio at its best and most versatile. For literature/deahr locations: 1-800-336-4JBL

Just add O'

SUPERB SOUND IN EIGHT

is one of the great braids of Harman International H HEAR US EVERYWHERE. inside demonstrated simply. While still look- chors, depending on whether that frame ing at a fixed point on the screen, slow- is derived from only the previous an- DVD ly step through a video sequence con- chor or from both the previous anchor taining some motion. For many image and the following one. An intermediate sequences many pixels don't change frame also contains data called "motion much, if at all, from frame to frame. If vectors." The encoder looks for areas of they do change, the change is likely to the present frame that are identical to come from the movement in the image, areas of the anchor frame(s) that have which consists of a cluster of pixels merely moved. It then records the dis- moving together in the same direction. tance and direction of this movement as In a talk show, the only things that usu- a set of motion "vectors" for that frame. ally move are the host and guests, and Drawn as arrows, a typical set of motion the fast Fourier transform (FFT) used in for substantial periods (say, a second or vectors might look like the figure below. audio signal analysis. In fact, the DCT two, which is a long time in video) it Calculation of motion vectors is dif- is used by the Dolby Digital (AC -3) au- may be only their mouths that move. ficult for an encoder - it is "computa- dio compression scheme in a way simi- There's a lot of "temporal redundancy" tionally intensive." To do its job well, lar to how it is used in MPEG-2. After here: one frame looks pretty much like an encoder has to know the past and fu- DCT calculation on the signal, both the next. ture of the image, and it has to examine systems preserve only those results, Here, too, you can save a lot of data every part of every frame to find por- called "coefficients," that embody visi- space by, say, recording the visible tions that have moved, or that will ble or audible details, and eliminate DCT contents of one full frame, and move. Difficult as it may be, motion those coefficients that are zero or invisi- then, for the next few frames, recording compensation is essential, for it can re- ble/inaudible. Large areas of most im- only the changes that occur, which duce the digital video data rate by an- ages contain little or no high spatial fre- most of the time are likely to be small. other 50 percent. quencies, and eliminating their coeffi- In MPEG-2, full -frame DCT-processed Since the MPEG-2 standard only cients from the rest of the encoding recording is done only intermittently - nails down how a decoder should work process produces a proportionally huge or when absolutely necessary, such as and leaves nearly everything else about reduction of the data rate with little at instantaneous scene changes - to the encoder up to the designer, motion- effect on the picture - on average, produce what are sometimes referred to compensation processing is an area in MPEG-2 achieves a 90 percent video as "anchor" frames. which MPEG-encoder manufacturers data reduction through the use of the A frame occurring between anchor offer different approaches to the prob- DCT alone! frames is filled with data about how it lem. In some cases the differences in en- Temporal redundancy can also be differs from its closest anchor or an- coding quality noticeable among DVD movies stem from different approaches to motion compensation. video motion vectors But the most common MPEG encoding artifacts, which can sometimes be seen by freeze -framing and magnifying an image, are related to the system's operation not directly on pixels but on t groups of pixels, called blocks, which t are eight pixels wide and eight pixels tall. Since the blocks form a regular array on the screen, sometimes the boun- ; daries between blocks can be seen as a I tiling effect or in the appearance of sub- I /rI\ tle vertical or horizontal stripes. Other t I , I17// MPEG artifacts include fringing effects around very sharp edges and false con- t t t .- .--" touring, which can show up as weird effects in larger areas of plain colors (as I t .-" in animated movies). Keep in mind during this discussion / .-" of motion compensation, and indeed throughout any discussion of MPEG- I / or MPEG-2 encoding, that neither system "knows" about "objects" when it is performing its calculations. The motion vectors represent only moving bit patterns, which, as people see them, .11- I - I I1 can belong to whole objects, parts of To reduce redundancy in video data, the encoder maps the an object, parts of several objects, or ways that picture elements ("pixels") move from one frame to even combinations of objects and back- the next as "vectors" like those above. ground. 82 STEREO REVIEW JANUARY 1998 Far less up -in -the -air than motion MPEG-2 steps in compressing video data compensation is the final methodology of reducing the digital video bit rate for DVD: Huffman or "entropy" coding. It is a purely mathematical process operating on the data produced by the DCT and motion compensation, removing any mathematical redundancies in the data - in total ignorance, as it were, that the data represents video information. Entropy coding is lossless - the original data can be recovered completely and exactly - and for this rea- I son it has also found use in compress- A B C D ing large computer data files, in which a single erroneous bit can be significant. Screen Arepresents the original digital video bit rate of 166 Entropy coding operates like a spy's megabits per second. Screen B represents the data code book. It assigns small numbers to after motion compensation, Screen C after use of the DCT bit patterns that occur frequently in the function, and Screen D after entropy cDding - DVD's final data, and large numbers to rare bit pat- digital video data rate of around 4.2 megabits per second. terns. It's these code numbers, and not the original bit patterns, that finally get recorded in the pits on a DVD. Entropy megabits per second. MPEG-2 video FOR MORE INFORMATION coding produces another 50 percent re- will fit! duction in video data rate. It could have And not only MPEG-2 video, but For row, the best place to also 5.1 channels of Dolby Digital AC - been used to increase the audio CD's start looking for more technical data capacity, but it would have re- 3 audio, two channels of fully CD -qual- details on the DVD system is quired a more complicated CD -decod- ity stereo, multiple matrixed-surround ing circuit at a time when the required soundtracks (for foreign languages), the Internet. A good Web site to integrated circuits were relatively costly. multiple superimposable subtitles (re- start with is the main one Let's review the main steps an corded as low -quality video), and pos- devoted to MPEG systems MPEG-2 encoder performs on digital sibly even multiple camera angles as (www.mpeg.org/-tristan/MPEG/ video data, with the diagram on this well. All of these and more will fit on a DVD;. Recent issues of the IEEE page giving a graphic impression of the single -layer, single -sided DVD, thanks Spectrum have covered both effectiveness of each step. to evolutionary advances in optical re- the history of the MPEG Screen A in the diagram represents cording and playback and to the revolu- committee (September 1997) the original digital video bit rate, that tionary advances of the MPEG video - and he use of MPEG encoding 166 megabits per second that was im- encoding system. in 114 studios and HDTV (October possible to record on a CD. Screen B, with an area reduced by half, represents The Future 1997). The latter article has a the video data rate after motion com- Remember the round of disc -density gooc, two -page technical pensation. We're down to 83.7 mega- scaling that was touched off by chang- description of how MPEG-2 bits per second. ing the laser color from infrared to red? works. Far more verbose are Screen C, representing the biggest Imagine what can happen to data densi- two excellent books that deserve jump, shows how use of the discrete ty by going from red to an even shorter to be included in any engineering cosine transform (DCT) can produce a blue laser wavelength. That's why re- libra -y, both written by MPEG further 90 percent reduction in data search into blue semiconductor lasers is merr bers and published by rate. Now were down to 8.37 megabits at such a fever pitch, with the main en- Chapman and Hall, MPEG Video gineering problem being the develop- per second. Almost there. Compression Standard Screen D, half the size of Screen D, ment of a cheap blue laser that doesn't (ISBN 0-412-08771-5) and Digital shows the 50 percent compression of burn itself out too quickly. data rate by the use of entropy coding. The problem with any future blue - Video: An Introduction to The video data rate at this point is laser disc system is how to make a MPEG-2 (ISBN 0-412-08411-2). around 4.2 megabits per second, a re- player compatible with earlier discs op- Another useful reference is duction by a factor of forty from the timized for lasers operating in the in- the second edition of Video original bit rate, with little visible pic- frared region (CDs) or red region (pre- Demystified by Keith Jack (High ture degradation (provided the encoder sent-day DVDs). This is a difficult Text Publications, ISBN 1- did its job well). problem, and it may be impossible to 878707-23-X). Unfortunately, With a disc that has seven times the solve without a multiple-laser/multiple- all three books are at a rather data capacity of a CD but plays for 21/4 lens optical system. But if you wait for high technical level. Explaining hours, versus the CD's 11/4 hours, an manufacturers to solve it, you'll miss MPEG isn't easy. - D.R. average data rate of 3.9 times the CD out on the hundreds of DVD releases can be supported. That works out to 5.5 that are even now pouring into stores. o JANUARY 1998 ;TEREO REVIEW 83 SYSTEMS

Respite from The Real World

WHEN YOU ENTER Jose Gutierrez's CDs on wall -mounted racks. Look a lit- small apartment in the New York City tle closer, and it's easy to find more evi- borough of Queens, it's immediately dence of his A/V passion in every nook obvious that he enjoys audio and video. of his home. The first thing that catches your eye is Gutierrez, who "changes his gear as the 46 -inch rear -projection Hitachi TV often as his underwear," he says, has flanked by a pair of ProAc Response 3 trouble estimating how much he's in- floor -standing speakers. Then you no- vested in equipment and software over tice the Standesign equipment rack the last fifteen years, but judging from chock full of gear, and the hundreds of his equipment list, $50,000 seems like a reasonable starting point. Everything is high -end throughout. Put itall together and Gutierrez's A/V gear takes up more space in his 22 x 16 -foot living room than his extermination business, which he runs out of his apartment with the help of his wife, Maria, and seven crew members who work in the field. Nevertheless, his work and his system are related - he uses his gear to escape from the frustra- tions that inevitably arise from running any business. Listening to a couple of hours of jazz or bossa nova each day makes him able to face the next one. After some particularly grueling weeks, however, he's been known to relax himself by dismantling and "re -installing" his system. It's not to get the bugs out, which he does during the work week, but to perform a little preventive main- cludes a Model T1000 CD transport tenance and cleaning - and to forget from Enlightened Audio Designs cou- about his problems for a while. pled to a DSP-7000 Series Two digital All the time and money Gutierrez processor and digital -to -analog (D/A) spends on his system might bother converter. An Audio Alchemy DTI - some wives, but not Maria. He admits PRO digital transmission interface is that "sometimes she thinks I'm going also in the mix. crazy." But Maria says, "He doesn't Not all of Gutierrez's music sources smoke, he doesn't drink .. .this is his are digital, of course. He has a Sota diversion. The only thing that bothers Comet turntable with a Sumiko FT -3 me is when he's reading about it - tonearm and Sumiko Blue Point Spe- then you can't talk to him." cial moving -coil phono cartridge. He For music listening, Gutierrez uses also uses a Magnum Dynalab FT-10IA a vacuum -tube -based Conrad -Johnson FM tuner - interestingly, it has a digi- MV125 power amplifier. He prefers tal frequency display but uses analog tubes because "they sound sweeter and tuning circuits, not digital frequency - more natural and create a bigger sound - synthesis. Gutierrez notes that the tun- stage." His preamplifier, a Convergent er's selectivity is good enough to deal Audio Technology SL- ISignature, is with New York's crowded airwaves, but also tube -based. Source equipment in- he admits that he doesn't listen to the 84 STEREO REVIEW JANUARY 1998 radio all that much, preferring to play 600 D/A converter, and a DIP digital tems. He doesn't know what he's going his CDs and LPs. interface processor from Monarchy Au- to add to his system next, but, as al- For home :heater, Gutierrez beefs up dio. He enjoys watching his collection ways, he'll be sure that he can try it at the music system with a Citation 7.0 of about 300 laserdiscs, but he's not en- home for up to thirty days before decid- surround preamp/controller and a B&K amored of DVD - at least not the ing to keep it. TX4430 three -channel power amplifier. discs he has seen so far. "The colors are Reflecting on what got him interest- He uses the F'roAc Response 3 speakers all wrong," he says, adding that he's ed in high -end audio, Gutierrez says he for the front right and left channels and "pretty sure it's not the format itself, caught the hi-fi bug more than fifteen an Aerial Acoustics CC3 for the center just that they haven't learned how to years ago. "I used to love to go danc- channel. His surround speakers are De- transfer films to DVD yet." He also ad- ing, and I'd always end up talking to finitive Technology BP2 bipolars, which mits that while he prefers laserdiscs, the DJs about their gear.I wanted to are mounted up near the ceiling, flank- "some of those aren't as good as they have the same sound at home." One ing the rear of the main viewing couch. should be. either." thing seems certain: that hi-fi bug has Home -theater bass is provided by the For cabling and interconnects. Gu- nothing to fear from Jose Gutierrez or combination of an NHT SW2 subwoof- tierrez stays at the high end, with Mari - his extermination crews. er and an MA -I mono amplifier, also go digital cables. Kimber Kable speak- -Brian C. Fenton from NHT. er cables, and Transparent Ultra inter- When he watches movies, Gutierrez connects. A pair of Adcom ACE -515 Tell us about your system and what makes starts up a Pioneer Elite DVL-90 DVD/la- AC enhancers cleans up the power that it special. Write: Systems, Stereo Review, serdisc combi-player, an Adcom GDA- feeds his audio and home -theater sys- 1633 Broadway, New York, NY 10019.

JANUARY 1998 STEREO REVIEW 85 ...IF CELESTION HADN'T BEATEN ME TO IT." -D.B. Keele, Jr. on the new Celestion A3, Audio August 1997

As more and more sophisticated technologies arrive that are capable of reproducing music with unbelievable detail and nuance, the performance bar is inevitably raised for loudspeaker manufacturers.

And no company has set the bar higher than Celestion with our new A Series loudspeakers. A fact clearly noticed by D.B. Keele, Jr. in the August issue of Audio magazine.

No matter what source materials he selected, "WILL THEA3PLAY LOUD from Mozart symphonies AND CLEAN? IN SPADES! ITS BASS OUTPUT to movie soundtracks, SURPASSES EVEN THAT Keele was amazed by the OF SOME SUBWOOFERS." A3's performance. He wrote that "their dynamic range and effortlessness border on the best I have ever heard" and that "their imaging and localization could not be faulted."

There is so much advanced technology in our new A Series loudspeakers it fills a White Paper. Call us and we'll send you a free copy as well as full literature on the speakers and copies of the Audio review.

Once you've read the Celestion story and heard the Celestion sound, you'll see why D.B. Keele, Jr. and Audio gave us an A. And why it's time for other speaker companies to go back to school.

DELESTIOn 11 Elkins Roe.c East Brunswick N.J. 08816 USA Phone .32.390.1130 Fax 732.393.5657 CIRCLE NO. 23 ON READER SERVICE CARD only to become part of your day, week, and life for a pleasurable while. These guys are sly foxes, too, like backwoods characters who don't crack a smile the whole time they're putting you on. The title track is about a guy who moves in with his girl, hiding a motive of laziness behind a guise of commitment: "I quit my job / No time to work / Gonna spend 24 hours a day loving you." Better still is the scene down at "Slo Toms," a OF THE MONT. . "crappy little place at the end of the block" that's a lot closer to the sort of hangouts where real folks drink than the OUR CRITICS CHOOSE THE OUTSTANDING CURRENT RELEASES glass -and -brass yuppie meet -markets in suburban malls. The song waddles along like a drunk as Henneman sings, "We could watch Kerry play 'Sweet Home Al- abama' on his Peavey guitar / We could watch them fools fall offa them stools while they're gettin' drunk at the bar." "Indianapolis," an ode to a broken- down van, is another knee -slapping slice of life: "Can't go west, can't go east / I'm stuck in Indianapolis with a fuel pump that's deceased," Henneman plaintively wails as the band plays beside him in a bouncy folk -country style. Mixed in with all the levity are more serious moments. "Smokin' 100's Alone" shows Henne- man's gift for empathy, while Parr's phil- osophical "Things You Didn't Know" is brooding and wise. All in all, the record strikes a nice balance between laughter and tears, march- ing to the indomitable cadences of real life. In its recognizable, homespun ordi- nariness, 24 Hours a Day is downright exceptional. Parke Puterbaugh

THE BOTTLE ROCKETS 24 Hours a Day Kit Kat Clock; When I Was Dumb; 24 Hours a Day; Smokin' 100's Alone; Slo Toms; Indianapolis; Things You Didn't Know; One of Bottle Rockets: Lightin' Fuses You; Perfect Far Away; Waitin' on a Train; Dohack Joe; Rich Man; Turn for the Worse They're not pretty to look at, un- The Rockets' sound is characterized by (Atlantic, 41 min) less your taste in musicians runs the Missouri twang of singer Brian Hen- to the Kentucky Headhunters, neman and the Gretsch/Gibson guitar tan- and they're not going to win any dem of Henneman and Tom Parr, who are awards for originality, but the Bottle given rock -solid support by bassist Tom Fat -Free Rockets are damn near the closest thing V. Ray and drummer Mark Ortmann. The around to a pure, unadulterated rock-and- secret weapon in the mix is producer Brahms from roll band. Like all great rootsy rock, 24 Eric "Roscoe" Ambel, who contributes a Hours a Day takes the familiar and makes little something - guitar here, percussion Mackerras it fresh again. The band generously spices there, harmony vocals everywhere - to its songs with wit, wisdom, and the com- all but one of the album's thirteen tracks. Dissatisfied with the standard mon touch, studiously avoiding any hint On first hearing, the songs sound almost published editions of Brahms, of pretension. Without descending into the too basic and too simple to bear up, but Charles Mackerras turned to sort of mindless celebrations or weepy they turn out to be as unshakable as oak. original source materials for bathos of which country music is alto- Take Henneman's "When I Was Dumb." his new Telarc set of the symphonies, as gether too capable, the Bottle Rockets The lyrics are straightforward, the strum- he had done earlier for his Mozart record- vividly depict the ups and downs of an or- ming unfancy, the beat uncomplicated, ings. The aim was to recreate the sound dinary life. In so doing, they honor the the vocal conversational. You hear the of Hans von Billow's celebrated Meinin- everyday and, as Bob Dylan once put it, song once and you think, "Nice, but so gen Court Orchestra, whose performances bring it all back home. what?" And then it lodges in your head, of the Brahms works during the 1880s JANUARY 1998 STEREO REVIEW 87 under Billow and the composer himself third movement. The finaleis amply were said to be virtually ideal realiza- fierce in its developmental episodes, infi- tions. Mackerras also consulted annotated nitely poignant in the coda. scores and accounts of performances The first movement of the Symphony from that period, including those of Fritz No. 4 is magisterial, and the slow move- Steinbach, a close friend of Brahms who ment is of more than usual interest for the succeeded Billow at Meiningen. way the texture is thinned out to chamber Mackerras recorded the set with the dimensions at the return of the main Scottish Chamber Orchestra, whose sixty theme in divided violas - one of those players are closer to the Meiningen com- hints from Steinbach. The scherzo is as plement of forty-nine than, say, the hun- virile as can be, although the triangle dred players of the 1885 Vienna Philhar- seems a bit reticent. The great finale is monic. The first and second violins are di- magnificently brazen at beginning and vided and placed to the left and right of end, with ample breathing room for the the conductor in Classical mode. Gut E - intervening variations. strings are used, along with rotary -valve Charles Mackerras As for the shorter works that fill out the trumpets, Vienna -style single horns, and set, the Haydn Variations gets a thorough- narrow -bore trombones. The result is a ly exhilarating reading, the best I've very clean and lean orchestral texture, ductory pages of the finale. Here and heard since the Toscanini-New York Phil- sparing with the vibrato, but the recorded throughout the series, the clarity of articu- harmonic performance of hallowed mem- sound from Edinburgh's Usher Hall is not lation lends rhythmic impetus to the per- ory, and the Academic Festival Overture a bit undernourished. Mackerras's tempos formance. is as straightforwardly satisfying as Bru- and phrasing are flexible yet remain well The Symphony No. 2 pursues an es- no Walter's. Instead of the expected Trag- within the parameters set by the pre - sentially similar course and profits from ic Overture, Mackerras gives us a fasci- World War II conductors for whom Brahms inclusion of the first -movement repeat nating reconstruction of an early version was close to living memory. He does not with its significant transitional passage. of the slow movement of the First Sym- equate "authenticity" with rigidity. Mackerras's view of the slow movement phony, and there is a bonus disc on which The opening of the Symphony No. Iis is on the dark side, but this only serves to the conductor is interviewed. As a whole, a no-nonsense affair that recalled the first highlight the Scottish orchestra's superb I found these performances enormously recording of itI owned, the one by Felix execution of the Allegretto grazioso third stimulating - a genuine contribution to Weingartner and the Royal Philharmonic movement, notably a dazzlingly skittery the Brahms symphonic discography. The back in the early 1930s. Except for the in- central episode. The finale comes off with recorded sound is consistently clean and clusion of the exposition repeat, the tremendous dash. well focused. David Hall Mackerras reading is very similar, high- Mackerras elects for a headlong ap- lighted by a movingly affectionate slow proach, a la Toscanini, to the opening of BRAHMS movement. The flexibility of tempo and the Symphony No. 3. The middle move- Symphonies Nos. 1-4; Academic Festival phrase is singularly effective in the intro - ments are graced by a haunting slow - Overture; Haydn Variations movement coda and lovely horn work in Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Charles Mackerras the famous solo toward the end of the cond. (Telarc 80450, three CDs. 199 min) Fine Stretch of Loveless

patty Loveless has built her career bonds with her audience when she digs on twin pillars: tuneful, rhyth- deep into the troubled chambers of the mic pop that serves her well on heart. Jim Lauderdale's "You Don't Seem the radio, and hurt -to -the -bone to Miss Me," with mournful harmony vo- songs about the difficulties of life, love, cals by George Jones, gets a killer Ap- and loss that serve as a form of musical palachian Mountain treatment as Loveless healing. Long Stretch of Lonesome, her eerily emulates Loretta Lynn's distinctive fourth Epic album, is her first record in a phrasing and timbre. She's equally good long spell that rests equally on both in Stephen Bruton's "Too Many Memo- strengths. Several of its upbeat songs, ries," a Bonnie Raitt-style pop -blues bal- particularly "The Party Ain't Over Yet" lad that proves to be transporting. (which takes a Celtic/country approach) Unlike the majority of mainstream fe- and "High on Love," hark back to her male country artists (Kathy Mattea ex- "Timber (I'm Falling in Love)" era of the cepted), Loveless often takes chances 1980s. Yet husband/producer Emory Gor- with her material in skating the rim of dy, Jr., has taken pains to update her the humanistic/spiritual arena. This time, sound. "To Have You Back Again" emerg- she rounds out her album with two es as a big anthemic ballad with a soaring songs that bolster faith in the face of chorus that recalls both Roy Orbison and adversity. "Long Stretch of Lonesome," Amy Grant, and the Gretchen Peters song though marred by the overuse of strings, "Like Water into Wine" works well as offers a lighted path out of darkness. adult MOR. And the closing "Where I'm Bound" is Loveless makes stronger emotional a comforting, uplifting, even hymnlike 88 STEREO REVIEW JANUARY 1998 song about dignity in death. Like the PATTY LOVELESS singer's signature song, "How Can I Help Long Stretch of Lonesome You Say Goodbye," it will probably be The Party Ain't Over Yet; To Have You Back Again; played at funerals for many years to I Don't Want to Feel Like That; High on Love; come. Meanwhile, onLong Stretch of Like Water into Wine; That's Exactly What I Mean; Lonesome,Patty Loveless also does a fine You Don't Seem to Miss Me; Too Many Memories; job of looking after the living. Long Stretch of Lonesome; Where I'm Bound Alanna Nash (Epic, 40 min) Hilary Hahn's Stunning Debut Iremember when the venerable Alex- Even amidst the clamor of the hordes ander Schneider used to play the cha- of classical prodigies that seem to sur- conne from Bach's Partita in D Mi- round us these days, this young woman nor in a New York City church every stands out. Listen to the way she spins out year at midnight on New Year's Eve. It and clarifies contrapuntal voices in that was always a very moving experience, chaconne or in the fugue from the Sonata but the truth is, the teenage violinist Hi- in C Major, another triumphant, exquisite lary Hahn plays it better! performance of an equally impossible In fact, I would go so far as to say that piece of music. Just listen to how she I've never heard this legendary, impossi- phrases all those contrapuntal musical ble piece of music played on a higher lev- lines. I would call this easily the best per- el, technically and musically, than it is on formance of the sonata I've ever heard. Hahn's debut CD. This is simply a mag- I haven't even mentioned tone. Hahn nificent performance, completely true in plays a Vuillaume 'del Geste with a sound I've heard in quite a while. Forget the all its parts and possessed of a depth and that is distinguished not only for its firm, word "prodigy"; listening to this CD, you wisdom that belie the performer's age. appealing quality but also for its strength won't think for an instant about Hahn's Unlike most of the violinists who play and variety. Underneath is a feeling for age. It is an overwhelming triumph of mu- this music, she is truly its master, and that the musical and dramatic structure of a sicianship, a natural gift, and feelings that frees her to play it with soul. work like the chaconne that makes it - have been freed to express deeper things Hahn was born in Baltimore in 1980 and the entire partita of which it is an in- through musical intelligence and aston- and studied at the Curtis Institute in Phil- tegral part - a truly satisfying whole. It ishing technical mastery. Eric Salzman adelphia. She has been appearing with is something that almost never happens, major U.S. orchestras since the age of 11 but it happens here. Ditto for the C Major BACH Partita No. 3, in E Major and in Europe since she was 15. For her Sonata and the (slightly) less rigorous E (BWV 1006) Partita No. 2, first recording, on Sony Classical, she has Major Partita. in D Minor IBWV 1004); Sonata No. 3, chosen to play two of Bach's partitas and This is the most impressive debut re- in C Major IBWV 1005) one sonata for unaccompanied violin. cording and the biggest violin talent that Hilar)I Id ho, violin (Sony 62793, 79 min)

New Wave classic from 1980 Moving Finger (Sundazed) LISZT gathers tracks from both the U.K. Archive Alive! (Archive) Hungarian Rhapsodies Nos. now on and U.S. versions, adds the single The first, Graham Nash's swan 2, 6, 9, and 12-15 "Yesterday's Love." and includes song with the group, is from 1967. Georges Cziffra, piano(EMI liner notes by Clive Gregson. the second is from 1970, and each 56228)"The celebrated Second contains four bonus tracks.Archive Rhapsody fares notably well, JOHN ENTWISTLE Alive!,recorded in 1983, documents as does No. 6, which is marked by Smash Your Head Against the one-off reunion tour with Nash. truly dazzling passagework.... the Wall (Sundazed) The piano sound is excellent" Whistle Rymes (Sundazed) THE RESIDENTS (November 1976). SELECT REISSUES King Biscuit Flower Hour Our Tired, Our Poor, (King Biscuit Flower Hour) Our Huddled Masses MESSIAEN The first two are the solo albums (Rykodisc, two CDs)Marking the Turangalila Symphony AMBROSIA Anthology from 1971 and 1972;Smashoffers enigmatic band's "twenty-five POULENC (Warner Bros.)First compilation two bonus tracks, and each booklet years of eyeball excellence," this Concert Champetre; of the 1970s L.A. group known for has a new interview with the Who retrospective includes rarities and Organ Concerto "Nice, Nice, Very Nice," "Holdin' bassist. A short audio interview is extensive liner notes. Michel Beroff, piano; Jeanne On to Yesterday," "How Much on theKing Biscuitdisc; the music Loriod, Ondes Martenot; Simon I Feel;' and "Biggest Part of Me." is from a radio broadcast taped live VIRGIL FOX Preston, organ; London Symphony, Features three new songs. in 1975 with Entwistle's band, Ox. Heavy Organ at Carnegie Hall Andre Previn cond.(EMI 69752) (RCA Victor 68816)A heavily "The sonic grandeur and variety ANY TROUBLE THE HOLLIES Bach program recorded live in lof Messiaen'sTurangalila Where Are All the Nice Girls? Dear Eloise/King Midas 1973, now encoded in four -channel Symphony] are simply (Compass) Reissueof pub/pop/ in Reverse (Sundazed) Dolby Surround sound. overwhelming" (September 1978).

JANUARY1998 STEREO REVIEW 89 NEW RECORDINGS REVIEWED BY CHRIS ALBERTSON, FRANCIS DAVIS, WILL FRIEDWALD, PHYL GARLAND, RON GIVENS, BRETT MILANO, ALANNA NASH, PARKE PUTERBAUGH, KEN RICHARDSON, AND STEVE SIMELS

JAMIE BLAKE Sinners; he produces here, and the two han- slinger Jim Babjak aboard, however, Di- (A&M, 39 min) dle nearly every instrument. The material Nizio and producer Don Dixon (who did * * * * is quite impressive, from the eccentric "To the best Smithereens albums) opt for a qui- ELAINE SUMMERS Transplanting Be Mine" to the exquisitely heart -tugging eter sound that leaves more space around (Loosegroove, 38 min) "Gone to Stay." DiNizio's rhythm strumming, and the horns * * * * The Blake and Summers discs may seem and keyboards add a New York film-noir KIM FOX Moon Hut short, but Kim Fox's Moon Hut suffers a bit ambience. The biggest stretch is "Liza," (DreamWorks, 50 min) from having three midtempo numbers too where his overdubbed high -and -low har- * * * many. Still, most of the record is catchy monies create an unusually eerie lullaby. ANOTHER GIRL In the Galaxy piano -based balladry distilled from Laura Pat DiNizio's return is long overdue - as (RCA, 36 min) Nyro and Tori Amos, working best in the is the news that the Smithereens are making * * breezy "I Wanna Be a Witch" and "Could a brand-new album for release on Velvet I t was another banner year for women in Have Been a Saint." Fox has a sweet voice, next year. B.M. the music business. As always, however, but she's believable when singing, "All yes- for every star there was a slew of hopefuls. terday I imagined that I was a whore / GREEN DAY Nimrod Here are the debut records of four artists Parading around in garters and hot pink (Reprise. 49 min) you may not have noticed. pumps." Not so with Lynne Kellman, alias * * * Another Girl, when she sings, "I wish that EVERCLEAR So Much for the Afterglow I could feel some more / Then maybe I (Capitol. 49 min) would feel less like a whore." Kellman's * * * * persona is too wispy for those lines; simi- I n three years, the Beatles progressed from larly, guitar outbursts like "Favorite" and Please Please Me to Revolver. In the "Holiday" ring false. The fact that she basi- same timespan, Green Day has gone from cally self -recorded In the Galaxy in her loft Dookie to Nimrod. To be fair, the Berkeley proves she does have talent, but while she trio attempts to stretch a bit here: a twelve - reaches for Lilith/Phair heights, the end re- string chimes amid the deliberate unfolding sult sounds too much like a rough demo for of "Redundant," and "Good Riddance (Time her to court danger by calling herself just of Your Life)" is arranged for acoustic gui- Another Girl. K.R. tar and strings. Such changes of pace in an eighteen -song program are not only wel- PAT DINIZIO Songs and Sounds come but necessary, counterbalancing the (Velvel. 44 min) semiautomatic pop -punk onslaughts. No * * * * one since the Ramones has married the two Mark my words: the time is going to disputant genres better, and Green Day come when the Smithereens are rec- shines in nuggets like "Scattered" and "All ognized as one of the great overlooked pop the Time." On the downside, guitarist Billie groups of the past ten years. Their profile Joe Armstrong's adenoidal whine becomes Jamie Blake: dragstrip girl has slipped a lot recently, but you'd be hard wearying after a while, the lyrics vacillate pressed to find many weak songs on their between F -word crassness and self-pity, albums. Same goes for singer/songwriter and "Hitchin' a Ride" blatantly cops from Jamie Blake may recall Alanis Moris- Pat DiNizio's solo debut, which is and isn't "Stray Cat Strut" (by another punk trio of sette and Meredith Brooks, but she delivers a Smithereens -type album. older vintage from the opposite coast). But her guitar -charged rock with finesse - and There's no mistaking his material: he the playing on Nimrod is solid, balancing although she loves to wail, one of her most still works wonders with the simple formula control and abandon, and two tracks in par- spirited performances, "Yell," is a ballad. of downhearted lyrics and British Invasion - ticular, "Worry Rock" and "Walking Alone," Listen to "Dragstrip Girl" and marvel at inspired tunes. Songs and Sounds boasts the how this young, careening voice can also be usual supply of world -class hooks, with so sure of itself. Jamie Blake is bracing nods to the Who in "Running, Jumping, STAR SYSTEM stuff. Sharing the same stripped -down sen- Standing Still" and to George Jones in Excellent* * * * * sibility if not the same style is Transplant- "Everyday World." And his voice still has a Very good**** ing by Elaine Summers, whose alterna-folk regular -guy appeal that belies the high level Good*** could qualify as Americana if it weren't for of craftsmanship; in "No Love Lost" he Fair all the gleaming pop hooks she favors. manages to make "I still dig you" an emo- ** She's a member of Pete Droge's band, the tionally resonant statement. Without guitar Poor*

90 STEREO REVIEW JANUARY 1998 sound like the early Beatles. Whether you JANIS IAN Hunger neered the Lilith Fair generation of alterna- view that as progress or regress, Green Day (Windham Hill. 62 min) tive female musicians. Here's hoping a new clearly intends the comparison. * * * * audience awaits her. A.N. As Green Day continues to write songs Janis Ian is back in fine form on her first of punky innocence, Everclear speaks like album for Windham Hill. Artfully and ELTON JOHN The Big Picture the subculture's voice of experience. That deftly produced by Jeff Balding and Ian (Rocket, .52 min) experience mainly belongs to guitarist, herself - with one track, "Searching for * * * singer, chief songwriter, and wizened sur- America," produced by Ani Difranco- If you're waiting for Elton John to make vivor Art Alexakis.So Much for the After- Hungertraces the universal search for con- another rock-and-roll album, keep wait- glowopens with the explosive title track, nection and a sense of belonging. In Ian's ing. The slightly harder pop sound of his the closest thing to an anthem of genera- view, the journey takes many forms, from last record,Made in England,was the clos- tional distress since Nirvana's "Smells Like the importance of family ("Honor Them est he'd come in a decade, but it was a rela- Teen Spirit." Every word, note, and beat of All") to romantic and sexual craving ("Get- tive flop, and he's back to a ballad -heavy this temperamental classic perfectly encap- ting Over You") to societal and racial inte- format forThe Big Picture.The mega -suc- sulates the dimming Zeitgeist: "We never gration and equality ("Black & White"). On cess of "Candle in the Wind 1997" (not in- ask ourselves the questions to the answers this jazzy acoustic album, Ian employs her cluded here, though its flipside, "Something that nobody even wants to know / I guess core backup of percussionist Cyro Baptista, About the Way You Look Tonight," is) only the honeymoon is over / So much for the af- guitarist Kevin Breit, and upright bassist proved that the public at large wants a sen- terglow." Throughout the record, Alexakis David Piltch the way a gourmet cooks with timental Elton. Those of us who preferred knows whereof he rages, and moments of fine wine: with verve and daring. Yet she al- the flamboyant, socially irresponsible Elton lucid profundity emerge when he sorts out so delivers her sure vocals in a soothing who did "The Bitch Is Back" are pretty the confusions that nearly led him to a whisper, which gives gravity to her words. much out of luck. drugged -out early grave. Most of all, what Hungeris fine. mature songwriting and per- That said,The Big Picture isstill one of comes across is the will to persevere almost formance from a woman who, in part, pio- his better latter-day efforts, a lushly crafted as an act of defiance, which is where the punk ethic at its most affecting finds its spiritual center. Emotionally acute and musically insistent,Afterglowcan't be denied 1997The Year in Headlines and shouldn't be missed. P.P.

THE HONEYDOGS Seen a Ghost And what a year it was for rock follies pot smokers and wore bandanas and (DehrislMewury, 48 min) in the print media. Back in April, bell-bottoms, but it's part of Amer- * * * * Connecticut governor John G. Row- ican culture, whether we like it or Seen a Ghostis the Honeydogs' third al- land, at 39 the youngest gov in the not." Meanwhile, Courtney Love spent bum, after a pair of indie releases. It's nation, was fined $2,000 for much of 1997 grabbing also this decade's freshest -sounding blast of accepting concert tickets not just headlines but entire folk-rock neoclassicism. The group has a "from a lobbyist and oth- magazine covers. The canny, wiser -than -his -years songwriter in ers," according to The New alleged Woman of Rock singer/guitarist Adam Levy; anyone who in- York Times. The article said was actually a woman corporates Yeats's apocalyptic lines "Things he was "driven by a passion of Ralph Lauren on the fall apart / The center cannot hold" into a to hear the music that he cover of lyric ("Into Thin Air") is okay in my book. loves" - specifically, the Harper's Moreover, unlike many bands in this mish- Eagles, James Taylor, Carly Bazaar, not to mashed, post -postmodern age, the Honey - Simon, Reba McEntire, Ce- mention a dogs have a focused and unapologetically line Dion, and Jimmy Buf- woman of both melodic sound. fett. The same month, the Times Ralph Lauren That sound calls to mind the mid -Sixties reported that "wealthy businessman" and Giorgio moment when Bob Dylan let loose with a Alan Gerry "has bought the site of Armani on US. plugged -in wonder like "I Want You" and a the fabled 1969 Woodstock festival But the year's spate of bands followed his lead. And who and plans to turn it into a theme Grand Prize should turn up onSeen a Ghostplaying pi- park." Gerry said he realizes that for Affronts to ano and Hammond organ but Al Kooper, some people say the festival - Rock - and all other arts - goes to Dylan's keyboard ace -in -the -hole circa goers "were a bunch of House majority leader Dick Armey Blonde on Blonde.But that's just window of Texas. In the midst of Congres- dressing in the solid edifice of song erected sional attacks on the National Endow- by Levy and performed with surehanded, ti ment for the Arts that ultimately playful panache by the band (which in- resulted in the slashing of the agency's cludes Adam Levy's brother, drummer No- Says budget and the resignation of dis- ah). There's also a hint of the Replace- heartened chairman Jane Alexander, ments' bash -and -pop, most overtly in the Rowland Armey declared: "The NEA has been pop-punky "Twitch," and a strain of tradi- the single most visible and deplorable tional countrya lathe Mavericks and BR5- HeViolated black mark on the arts in America 49 blows through the jaunty "Mainline." that I have seen in my lifetime." Basically,Seen a Ghost is afeast of well - Phew, it sure is good to know that the composed, well -performed songs that honor Ethics Law blacklists weren't so bad after all. and extend a continuum that began with vernor - Ken Richardson Dylan and the Byrds. P.P. AChagrined Go-Roll Rock-and Blames JANUARY 1998 STEREO REVIEW 91 RASINOViTIortg. BYJONATHAN Rovecian..cti;emotiesrstt John .? theState's

nov Technics SA-EX110 Sony STR-G3 A/V Receiver VisionTouch' A/V Receiver 100 watts per channel Digital MUS1C® 110wx2;100wx3+50wx tuner with 3C AM/FM presets WORLD, 2 Logic LAR Dolby Pro Digital *4-audial -VCR audio signal Signal Processing 1 -button inputs A/V remote control point & click remote & graphic Jazz Classic CD Box Sets - Call To Order Music Reviewed la This Issue! o -screen displ (TEC SAEX1101 $14999 Paul Desmond: Complete RCA Vida Rewritings 519999 (SON STRG3) TEAC AG -360 Bill Evans Yamaha R -V701 RCA 68687 I -(Dr S56.49

*50 wc- -el, 24 AM/FM station presets SOi x 3 15w x 2, Cinema DSP LCD disp '49" Complete Bill Herbie Nichols: Complete Blue Note 50 OFF Mfr. Sug. Retail of 5399 95 '199" Sherwood RV -5050R Evans on Verve Recordings Denon AVR-900 A/V, 81. . /0 watts lc 3.25 watts 3(D $38.99 A 0, 85w x 2 or 60w x 3 15w x 2, 021.12y Dear), Di Logic Surround, remote '149'. Pro logic, 5 surround modes, remote '399" Stan Getz: Complete Roost Recordings Harmon Kardon AVR20 MKII NC RX318 S28.99 110 watts/ channel, 43-AA/FM presets, dap$233!9 .60w x 2 oi 50w x 3 + 20w x 2, high -orient 4 -speaker surround, AA remote '159 John Coltrane: Complete 1961 Village design, Dolby Pro Logic '299" Technics SA-EX310 Vanguard Recordings Sony STR-DE715 *Horne Theater, 70w x 2 or 70w x 4, Dolby Pro -n $37.99 :, Pro loge, Logk, Dolby 3 stereo, AA1 remote '179 Sound' CALL Sherwood RV -7050R Sonny Rollins: Complete RCA Victor Sony STR-DE915 Recordings in DorO, 40,110 mots x 2 080 worts 30wan.u. VER 527953 x 2, Dolby Pro Logic, 5-1SP modes '199. $ 71.99 : r CALL 3"ter CD Players CD Changers CD Mega Changers Cassette Decks MINSONY lbchniss TEAC '11:173=1=7 Dynan) CDV-2 Sony CDP-CE215 Technics SL-MC410 TEAC V-80305 TEAC W -518R Vacuum Tube CD Player 5 -Disc CD Changer 110 + 1 Disc Mewl CD Changer Stereo Cassette Deck Dual Cassette Deck 16 -bit Sigma Delta D/A Carousel design with play 1 Group play With14 preset 3-heads/motors Dolby S/B/ With Auto Reverse converter with 8x oversamplipg exchange 4 feature Jog dial musical genre names lOwick C/HX-Pro *Quartz lock OD dual Deck #1 features auto -reverse Tube -driven output stage 20 Digital servo control 32 -track disc change mechanism 32 - capstan drive CD direct input playback Dolby B High-speed track programming *Remote programming Music calendar track programming Remote Remote 110/ 220 volts dubbing Continuous playback control 99 $7999 $59999 (DY0 CDV2) $14999 (SON CDPCE2151 $249 (TEC suncate) $69999 (TEA V80305) (TEA W51812) TEAC CD -P1100 TEAC PD -D2400 Technics SL-MC60 TEAC V-377 TEAC W -780R 16-tioni :rramming, 3 -way repeat, 5 -disc changer, 32-nock programming, . k programming, Dolby 8, Hooch record, peak -level meters, Dual auto -reverse, auto -rev. record/ploy hecdplic. toth volcrne control, remote '99" remote control, 110/220y '129" remote60 '220v '69" on deck Dolby B/C 01Y -Pro .'129" Sony CDP-XE500 Technics SL-PD787 Sony CDP-CX55 TEAC V-615 Yamaha K-902

, .,romming, 5 -disc 12 -track programming, programming, HO -Pro, IC logk controls CALL remote ic '139"" CALL '149" '149" JVC XL -V282 Yamaha CDC -501 Sony CDP-CX205 JVC TDR462 Sony TC WE6055

sr stabilizer, mefici,iyo 8 -category Mack File, . tot B 8 (, Dolby HO -Pro, remote '149°' '149 - Sal, 32 -track -programming, remote CALL cool, cassette stabilizer 179" CALL Luxman D-357 Technics SL-PD887 JVC XLMC222 Sony TC-KE500S Technics RS-TR373

,,p;mmIng, tow-rey " resonont cobinet,_ °- h-ik programming, . - Dolty HI -Pro Jxny ES, 1./ He -Pro, 24 -track mote control '299' 'e control 959' CALL stabilize' CALL '179" Dynaco CDV-PRO JVC XL-M418BK Sony CDP-CX255 TEAC V-1050 JVC TD -W354

put stage CD player ngle play, 'Nei, Custom File line bias control e/ 99 11X -Pro, :mote control . ,mote control '219' , '101, remote CALL '2Y9" '179" Bose Speakers Speakers YAMAHA

JBL LXSOO Bose' Acoustimass' 10 Yamaha NSA -636 JVC MX-D7T Yamaha GX-50 3 -Way Speakers Home Theater Speaker System 3 -Way Bookshelf Speakers Micro Component System Mini Audio System 8" woofer 5midrange 5 tiny cube speaker arrays & a Acousfic suspension design 100watts/channel .3 -CD 4.5 watts/ channel 3 -disc CD 1" titanium dome tweeter hideaway Acoustimass'bass Shielded 8' woofer Ferro - triple -tray CD changer *Active changer 40 AM/FM presets 10-1 50 watts suggested power module add excitement to sur- fluid cooled midrange & tweet- BassExtension 40 AM/FM 5 -band EQ Dual auto -reverse range 8 ohms *Slack cabinet round sound movies & stereo er 10-140 watts Black presets Dual auto -reverse cas- cassette3 -way activeservo I clo aioirosItee cabinet Mfr. Sug. Retail $175.00 sette Remote speakers Remote99 (805 AMIO-BK) $9999/pr. (JBL LX5001 NSA6361 (JVC MXD7T) $24 998/p' (BOS AMID -We $2 9" 53 99 JBL SC305 Bose' 301* -IV Technics SB-U(90 Aiwa LCX-110 Panasonic SC-AK20

Diren/Tieflecting-, Er woofer, my, 15' woofer 700 watts dual 5' woofers, dome -1.,11,1( programmable CD player, cassette Notts, n:

black or rosewood grained cabinet shielded, block ..'99" ... pr.'3111" zwer lure i pr '199°' presets, (0, remote '149" ,ote, 24 AM/HS presets `229" JBL PS1 20 Bose Acoustimass*6 Advent AV570-BK Aiwa NSX-A22 Panasonic SC-PM1 5

Home Theater, S cube speakers . Acoustimass' woofer, 100 watts, " ' CD player, dual

REG 5649, SAVE 550 NI 1/11/98 -1599' a -75619 ,,, '199" wooferpr '249' Ate, 3. .' remote _999" 299" JBL Pro III Plus Bose' Acoustimass' 7 TDL NEM I -BK Aiwa NSX-A72 Sony MHC-RX 100AV

Home Theater, 3 cube arrays + Acoustmass ..11 speakers plus s, 2 -way, 00 vocr 'anger, dual A/R 20w REG 5199, SAVE 5100 all 1/11/98 Retail 5679 . . "699`' wood '199" pr. '299°' ,,erne. AS' kern remote 349" rssette, S s. CALL JBL 4312BK Bose* 701- Advent JADE JVC FS -2000 Denon D -C1 Direct/Reflecfing-, floorstanding, 8' woofer 12' woofer, front Alex :0 -track player, 15-FM/15-AM scittstchennel 6 -CD changer, auto -reverse 10-400 watts, black pr '838" i Rem/15900 pr '499" .pr '299- r,sets, cher.. rs remote '349" " remote CALL JBL SCS120 Bose' Lifestyles 12 Cerwin-Vega HT -S12 Sony MHC-F100 BoseLifestyle3-11 .)-PE,t, Horns kinenic Speaker Package with 1-11n, Meister NZ TPA .(0 etoostiMOI 150 wort poweied subynoler CALL " '1799 359', 399"" 799" CALL US TOLL FREE FOR ITEMS NOT LISTED IN THIS AD SE HABLAESPANOL SHOP BY PHONE For PHONE ORDERS LIPS 24 HOURS A DA ,,,,,, i2.e4 011e:7147711:ONLY iMPIUS1C' 7 DAYS AWEEKY 1400.221.8180 WORLD FROM ANYWHERE IN THE USA J&R Music World, 59-50 Queens -Midtown Expressway, Maspeth N.Y. 11378 Order Code SR801 FAX 1 -800-232-443 2 lE=3=1 Panasonic

Panasonic PV -7451 Samsung TXG2548 VH Hi-Fi Stereo VCR 25" Stereo Color TV 4 heads VCR Plus+ Digital Dark tint picture tube Comb auto tracking 1-month/8-event filter Contrast enhancement cir- timer Auto clock -set Universal cuitry CaptionvisionSAP remote control Universal remote

(PAN PV7451) (SAM TXG2548) $19999 Austin Powe's $29999 Sharp VC-H972U DVD 519.99 Sharp 251-5100

ire tube. , ,Liper Tress," Terminator 2 Fifth Element DVD 524.99 '249" Samsung VR8806 Men In Block DVD 524.99 Panasonic CT -20G12

Head' AO lines '159" The Rock ovo 524.99 '249" $2 9" Panasonic CT-27SF12 Sony SLV-675HF Hard Day's Night ovo 519.99 ,,iytultlear freeze -.Ire tube

...__..'219 '499" JVC HR-VP638 Sony KV-32XBR48 V(R With We stock an outstanding of TV/Mentor, , -1 wool'279" "n&;Fc I selection of titles on DVD. cture CALL Panasonic PV -S7670 9GMIENT EWA SonvydeoVII:0L;ItiiV, 400Q LIVE. 41' to 300' S VHS Stereo th-Fi, 4 heads, Spotrolizer', I9A-CCE Call for information. V(R Plus, with cable/DSS bon control '399" 3 & 16 9 aspect ro CALL Separates Sony Digital Technology A/ V Accessories Headphones Sony MiniDisc AudioSource SONY tION;;;I5SONY MA Mb SIM AudioSource AMP Two Sony MDS-JE510 One -For -All Koss ESP/950 Sony MZ-R30 Power Amplifier MiniDisc Recorder homeDirector" 8 Electrostatic Heacbhones Portable MiniDisc Player/Recorder 80 watts per channel, switch - 14) to 74 minutes stereo/148 Universal IR/RF Remote System Audiophile referen:e quality Vertical jog dial for easy edit- able to 200 watts mono Auto - minutes mono recording Un-do Operates any combination of 8 Includesamplifier,carrying ing Track name search/select on signal sensing A/B speaker gditiigfunctionA -Berase devices Works through walls, case & externalbuttery pack with jog dial Full editing fea- switching tunct on 25 -step programming from anywhere up to 100' away Straight-linerespcnsefrom tures Date/time stamp Re9999mote 8Hz to 35,000Hz Remote controller headphones $ $29999(ASO AMPTWO) (SON MDSJE510) $7999 10FA URC8090) '49999 KOS ESP950) $37999 (SON mZE301 AudioSource AMP Three Sony INT-W100 Web TV Sony RM-V8 Sony MDR-IF125RK Sony MDW74/3PK .Po, .. .0 Amp, 150 watts/channel, Demote, 19. Marso, 14 minutes recording io 400 watts mono '399" .S.15 5329 99 '199" to 23', rechaqeable '59" ity 3-pk '19" Dynaco Stereo 200 Son) MDS-S38 Standcnign SSB Koss HB/500 Sony POC15A

watts/channel, *finiDi c Recoan hockcesistont memory, Refs, for wall or cerlinA System, SOO gum foot 'cal digit, PArniDN transfer

I. tor '399" log dial, 25 roil q, remote CALL s bs each..pr. '29 '89" '24" Harman Kardon PA5800 Son) MDBUNDLE4 Elite EL -143 Sennheiser RS4 Sony MZ-E40

er, 10-see.shod resistant Theater Power Amp, Home N s o portable player, -Aker, adrustable V(R shelf, 951H; loll° es,

Fc 1., :nigh -current dogn Ines 8 A( adaptor '199" '599" includes 2 CALL asters, cho' '69" Beale '1 29" Harman Kardon PT2500 Son DTC-ZE700 Recoton P1800 Sennheiser RS8 Sony MZ-F40

P o MiniDisc Player, , 'neater A/V Tuner -Controller, Dolby 3 Stereo DAT "toping' technology, s',. bmenna, m-depho es, Loge, 3041/FM presets '299" optical CALL 'or VHF/UHF '69" Ton, rechargeible '279" eadphones '329" Dynaco PAS -4 Som. DHR-1000 Terk AM-FMQ Koss JR900 Sony MZ-B3 Vacuum Tube Noma, WA phone preomp, *Digital Video Cassette Recorder, over 500 lines *Powered Isdoor Stereo 1CM/f M Antenna, eRf Wireless Headphones, 5-chonne stereo Mingisc Business Recorder, stereo/mono wording 1.7 9 50"0 OFF Mfr. Sug. Retail (5999) '499" horizons) resolutron, remote CALL with selectole waleband/nartow modes . transmitter, closed ear, rechargeable '29900 (74/148 nee -operated '699"

Nome Theater/DVD Computer Notebook For a more complete Appie` selection of Audio, Video, lbchnics NEW LOW TOSHIBA Macintosh PRICK! Computers & more, PowerBooks ALL AT DISCOUNT PRICES 1400cs/133 Call For FREE catalogue! 16/1.33B/8x-CD 133MHz PowerPC 603 AI IMO % IMO Technics SH-AC300 Thorens TD1 80 processor 11.3" DSTN col Nlnlin 11144 Digital Surround Processor 3 -Speed Belt Drive Turntable screen 16MB RAM 1.3GB H OVII DI 1 ll I Decodes the Dolby Digital (AC - 33, 45, 78 r.p m Automatic 8x CD-ROM MUSIC 3) input signal from DVD player shut-otf & auto -refract Al Al 0104.111.11, tosendtoselectreceivers Syr chronous motor External $19999APP m.560.5/ A) CINEMA Re -Equalizercircuit pow -r supply Includes Stanton * Dual digital inputs "Remote cartridge Apple Power ;'} Macintosh' 6500/250 Toshibe $29999 (TEC SHAC300) $29999 (THN TD I 80) 32/4GE/24x-CD/ Zip' -.- Libretto 5 OCT Sony SDP -E800 Aiwa PX-E850 The Hone Compact Notebook wth 75MHz 10 -In phono cider, 24 -bit processing, decodes $99.9 Macintosh' Computer' Inter Pentium* Processor )))), Pro Loge Surround ..CALL Powe -PC " 603e THEFIRST FULL -FUNCTION Panasonic DVD-A300 TEAC PA -400 250MHz proces- WINDOWS95MINI-MOTEBOOK! . . haTtie Dolby Nail decoder *Mini See Tumtabie n phone peeamp sor 32MB ' el:T..1n `TT Lightweight, only 1.35 pounds karooke functions, remote '549°' ,,ItArm, includes carriage '119" RAM *4.0GB HD 16MB EDO RAM expandable .. -.... - ...-...... - NC XV-1000BK Son. PS-LX300H 24x CD-ROM iomega' to 32MB 810Mf3lard drive 00 -aEl -MOO 09 Player, On -screen Graphical User drive Up to 56Kbps modem External 1.44MB foppy disk --. - 'emote '599' CALL Monihr sold separately drive 6.1" color acive matrix Toshiba SD -3107 Thorens TD280 Mk IV display 640 x 480 -es PCM- 01.1111 Lou -Nu, 21 News, 7 Dm 1 W1111 ;,tai (A(3) audio $199999PPM6189U/A) CI type IIslotLi -an battery ,e '699°' '369" PociserPC & he PowerPC logo ore no1emorks of inremohow AccuPoint pointingdevice 800-221-8180 Sony DVP-S7000 Technics SL -120011 Business Mot nes (moon. trtel mitt kense ?Wean Windows 95 pre-irsTalled Pee is t) nod mark ot 'omega Cortertmon Apple. the Apple kor vim MVO& AT

mt., CALL '47^ '14 9 99009sk.4,1249U T2A( 31 PARK Row, NY, NY ASK ABOUT OUR EXTENDED WARRANTY TO ORDER BY MAIL: SEND MONEY ORDER, CERTIFIED OR CASHIER'S CHECK, MASTERCARD, VISA, AMERICAN EXPRESS or DISCOVER CARD linducks Interbank No., expiration date & signature) la: J&R Music World, 59-50 Queens Midtown Expwy, Maspeth, Queens, NY 11378. Personal & bushess checks must clear our Authorization Center before processing. Shipping, handling & Insurarce Charge (Continental US) is 5% of the total order with a $4.95 minimum for orders up to $500; 4% for orders over $500 to SIOW; 3% for orders over $1000 to $1500; 2% for orders over $1500to $2000; 1 5 for orders over $2000. For heavyweight/over-sized items, shipment by air, or to Canada Hawaii, Alaska, Virgin Islands & Puerto Rico, please call for information. DO NOT SEND CASH. Sorry, no C.O.D.'s. NY residents please add sales tax. ORDERS SlillECT TO VERIFICATION & ACCEPTANCE. NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR IMMIX WORLD TYPOGRAPHICAL OR PICTORIAL ERRORS. A -L MERCHANDISE SHIPPED BRAND NEW, FACTORY FRESH & 100% GUARANTEED. Some quantit es may be limited. Copyright 1997 J&R Music World. Cry of N.Y. Dept. of Consumer Affairs License Numb.° 0900310/0900615/0900616, 0900617 CIRCLE NO8 ON READER SERVICE CARD popularmusic

collection that harks back toMadman Across the Waterif you don't pay too much QUICK FIXES attention. True, Bernie Taupin's lyrics are on the sweet side and can't resist the occa- JOE BECK AND ALI RYERSON Alto LETTERS TO CLEO Go! sional clunky metaphor, but Elton's melodic (dmp, 52 min) * * (Revolution, 35 min)* * * * knack is the strongest it's been in years, Alto is asgentle on the earsas thecom- If Elvis Costello hadn't already used the with "Long Way from Happiness" and the bination of Beck's guitar and Ryerson's title, this could have been calledGet title track recalling his Seventies heyday. flute promises. The problem is that not Happy!! Few pop albums try so hard to His voice is sounding remarkably supple much happens in the fourteen selections. shake the listener out of a bad mood. again, and the arrangements are uncluttered On other occasions these skilled musi- Fewer still succeed as well asGo!B.M. for a change, with a welcome shift back to cians have let loose, but here everything acoustic piano and guitar. Still, the token seems carved in stone. C.A. KEVIN MAHOGANY rocker, the finale "Wicked Dreams," is an Another Time Another Place unqualified delight, with a randy feel that (Warner Bros., 49 min)* * * * undercuts the rest of the disc's tenderness. Knowing that singer Mahogany was Too bad it takes him the whole album to born and raised (and still lives) in Kan- work up the steam. B.M. sas City should tell you something about where he's coming from musically. With LED ZEPPELIN BBC Sessions his full-bodied, deeply masculine voice, (Atlantic, two CDs. 153 min) he makes the past come alive again by * * * * * drawing from the rich traditions of blues, I t's 1969 and Led Zeppelin is firing off R&B, and jazz. P.C. I the blues. It's 1971 and Led Zeppelin is storming through tracks from its first three BURNING SPEAR MARTINA McBRIDE Evolution albums and previewing material from its Appointment with His Majesty (RCA. 48 min)* * fourth, seven months before release. And in (Heartbeat. 57 min)* * * McBride is a pop singer trapped in the both scenarios,you are there. Winston "Burning Spear" Rodney re- country format. Well intentioned, she So it seems from the raw immediacy of mains a quietly persuasive singer with nonetheless employs little nuance in her the thrillingBBC Sessions.Often boot- often overlooked knacks for melody and all-out vocal style. She occasionally legged but never officially released, the re- topical bite; "Commercial Development" goes for edgy material, but I wish she cordings have been compiled and mastered and "Don't Sell Out" strike back at the would use more space to step out with by Jimmy Page, and the resulting package industrialization of both Jamaica and something that would really bring vi- is indispensable. Disc Icovers four ses- reggae. The disc suffers only from an brant color to her palette. A.N. sions from March and June 1969, with most overlong running time. B.M. of the repertoire paying homage to the likes of Willie Dixon and Robert Johnson. In two ERROLL GARNER versions of "You Shook Me," it's a wonder Closeup in Swing/A New Kind of Love to hear the song grow from 5 to 10 minutes (leiurc Archive, 76 min) * * * * * in just three months. Also included are two Closeup in Swing isa 1961 trio set, and covers new to any official Zeppelin disc, A New Kind of Love isa 1963 studio "Somethin' Else" and "The Girl I Love She "recreation" of Gamer's first film score, Got Long Black Wavy Hair." featuring a big band and strings. Those Disc 2, containing a single session from strings may be too much for purists, but April 1971, demonstrates how much the Garner shines even in the most commer- band had matured in a mere two years. cial of contexts. A generous twofer, with SUZZY ROCHE Holy Smokes Among the highlights are a tough "Heart- authoritative notes by Martha Glaser, his (Red House, 43 min)* * * breaker," a lithe "Black Dog," and a no- long-time friend and producer. C.A. Some twenty years after her debut with nonsense "Immigrant Song" that is much sisters Maggie and Terre, youngest sib- sharper than the studio version. And four GLADHANDS La Di Da ling Suzzy steps out for a solo album numbers were never aired by the BBC: (Big Deal, 49 min)* * * * that sounds, well, a lot like the Roches. "Going to California" (part of a mini - The ambitious Gladhands get close to She sometimes gets a bit far out in her acoustic set with "That's the Way"), a 14 - the brass ring withLa Di Da,a twelve - amusing twist of words, but mostly she minute "Whole Lotta Love"/blues medley, track smorgasbord of gorgeous hooks, offers plenty of tasty and easily di- a 20 -minute "Dazed and Confused," and an keening harmonies, scintillating arrange- gestible food for thought. A.N. early "Stairway to Heaven" that makes the ments, and great songs. You like pop? out -to -pasture warhorse sound fresh again. You need this record. HORACE SILVER BBC Sessionswill shiver your timbers A Prescription for the Blues for many reasons, from Robert Plant's un- BILL KIRCHEN Hot Rod Lincoln Live! (Impulse!, 52 nun)* * believably young vocals to the band's ex- (HighTone, 42 min)* * * At age 69, Silver delivers a set with the quisite interplay. But in the end, the real The former Commander Cody guitarist Brecker Brothers up front and the rhythm draw is Page's guitar. Eric Clapton may roars back with this fun live set that section completed by bassist Ron Caner have been the era's virtuoso, and Jimi Hen- combines Cody songs, solo favorites, and drummer Louis Hayes. Together, they drix its prestidigitator, but Page was the and new material. With Kirchen's flashy generate a typical Sixties quintet sound, best damnrockguitarist we ever had. The single -note rockabilly solos, this is a vir- but the excitement of the old Blue Note evidence here is irrefutable - and it sure tual twangfest. A.N. recordings is missing. CA. has been a long time since we rock -and - rolled like this. K.R.

94 STEREO REVIEW JANUARY 1998 MARILLION This Strange Engine a rare invitation to visit a mesmerizing cul- pity, because what gets overlooked is just (Intactl EagleRockl Velvel, 70 moo ture but stands on its own as a genuine how fine a singer she is. Her expansive, * * * thing of beauty. A.N. husky alto is, in fact, the high point of FISH Sunsets on Empire Shakin' Things Up, an uneven offering of (Viceroyl Lightyear, 61 min, enhanced CD) LORRIE MORGANShakin' Things Up rhythm numbers and ballads. That voice is * * (BNA, 38 min) showcased particularly well in the album's I nitially pegged as a second -division Gen - * * * closer, "In a Perfect World," where Morgan I esis, Marillion has become a legitimate Daughter of George Morgan, widow of also displays her ample ability to convey art -rock band in its own right. And unlike Keith Whitley, and current wife of Jon contained heartache. She likewise shines in Genesis, Marillion has improved steadily Randall, Louie Morgan has always been the quasi-rockabilly teaser "Go Away," a since splitting from its original lead singer. identified by the men in her life. That's a dusted -off version of the honky-tonk ballad This Strange Engine is a high-class, sometimes gorgeous pop record. Current front - man Steve Hogarth doesn't share the epic pretensions of the departed Fish, but he's got the more appealing voice. Although the album lacks the darker drama of recent Marillion records, it wisely stresses song - writing over instrumental heroics. Even the 15 -minute title track has a strong melodic base for its autobiographical musings. Meanwhile, Fish is moving in his former band's song -oriented direction, but on Sun- sets on Empire he doesn't pull it off as well. His current outfit, led by keyboardist/writer Steven Wilson, is too much of a mainstream rock group, and the metallized setting makes Fish's vocals sound even more overstated than usual. The rap -influenced "Brother 52," about a fan killed by police gunfire, is AUDIO by far the zippiest number, but its pro -mili- tia sentiments are harder to swallow. And VIDEO the song's video - included as the multi- FROM A media portion of this enhanced CD - Znroo shows the singer as a shaven -headed street TO dude, very much a Fish out of water. B.M. CALL US FOR PRICE AND ADVE\T MIRABAL ADVICE, WE'RE VERY NICE! (Warner Western, 48 min) * * * * The more New Age -y fans of flutist/singer Robert Mirabal may be shocked at 800097806253 the sound of his current album for Warner CALL 8AM - MIDNIGHT 7 DAYS A WEEK Western, but newcomers will likely be thrilled by his contemporary mix of rock- and-roll and Native American spirituality. Mirabal, who is also a published author, grew up in Taos Pueblo, as influenced by Elvis Presley and the Fifties poets as by the FUTURA sounds of his own culture - a powerful combination, as this album testifies. "Hope" AVR20 MKII 200 WATT FLOORSTANDING has the lyrical cadence of Beat poetry, yet it 190 WATT PROLOGIC RECEIVER SPEAKERS makes references to Mirabal's world of High Current Discrete Amp Front, Center, corn dancers and kachinas, all set to a swirl Rear Sub Pre -Amp Outputs 5 Audio 9 of electric guitars, heavy percussion, and 3 Video InputsNCR Dubbing Remote Control the lighter, traditional sounds of flutes and AFFORDABLE PRICES'1 1/2" FM 692 Tweeter chants. Mirabal reaches his zenith in the 8" Shielded Woofer soulful, sad "The Dance" and in "Medicine FOR TODAY'S ECONOMY Aluminum Voice Coil Solid Oak Accent Man," a pretty meditation on failed love: PRICE SELECTION SERVICE Regular Price....$299 the tribal doctor can "razzle-dazzle ghosts" for others, but the enchanter is hopeless in SMILE! WE LOVE YA! matters of his own heart. UNCLE'S STEREO In the world of Western musicmaking, 216 W 72ND ST., NEW YORK, NY 10023 where nearly any cowpoke with a guitar is STORE HOURS: MON-SAT 10:30-7:30 SUN 11:00-5:30 welcome, Mirabal arrives as a mature and FAX 21 2-721 -7587 NYC 21 2-721 -7500 inventive artist, devoid of gimmickry and N.Y. CONSUMER AFFAIRS LIC. #0904418 sentimentality. His album not only extends popularmusic

"I've Enjoyed as Much of This as I Can bum is more grounded in an earthy emo- NEW WORLD Stand," and the emotional "You'd Think tionality than its predecessor,Gone Again, He'd Know Me Better." which was an enchanting collection of ethe- In her overall choice of material and pro- real farewells.Peace and Noise,by con- duction, however, Morgan doesn't move a trast, is unafraid to get dirty, plug in, and AUDIO finger toward living up to the album's title. even rock a little. In that sense, it recalls CAR AUDIO That means she's now being defined by yet Smith's second album,Radio Ethiopia, in another man, co -producer James Stroud, its willful experimentation and varied pac- HOME ELECTRONICS who has her settle for the bland no man's ing. With artful, heartfelt strokes, Smith land of radio -dominated country music in- evokes a broad landscape of beat poets and stead of listening to the beat of her own rock stars idealistically striving to reshape rhinestone heart. Pity No. 2. A.N. the American dream, and of voices fallen silent but dreams that endure as prayers and DAVID OLNEY Real Lies possibilities among the survivors. (Philo, 55 min) * * * SWEET 75 roger/songwriter David Olney is always (DGC, 50 min) lOat his best when he worms his way inside the brain of a killer, a gigolo, or a I f you used to be in Nirvana, you probably fallen idol, for he likes to walk the dark have an easier time than most people try- side of the street and dare the shadows. ing to sell a band built around a street sing- That he does to perfection in the nervous er you met at your birthday party. Although rocker "House Rules," a chilling look at the it's good to see Krist Novoselic back in ac- underbelly of big-time gambling, driven by tion,Sweet 75amounts to a premature demo three steaming electric guitars, one with the by a group that's nowhere near ready for undervalued Mike Henderson behind it. prime time. And he's impressive in "Thirty Coins of Novoselic's current partner is the pun- BUY Gold," an 0. Henry -like story about Leo- ningly named Yva Las Vegas, a spiky - nardo da Vinci trying to find a model for Ju- haired Caracas native who's clearly uncom- das forThe Last Supper. fortable in the studio. Her voice is unusu- Real Lies isso bleak, however, that it be- ally low and earthy for alternative pop; WHOLESALE comes a bit of a chore to endure. Olney at- she's got promise but at the moment sounds tempts to lighten things up, but two back- about as green as her hair dye. The next 1.1 111 to-back songs about sports ("Basketball," problem is that she and Novoselic are both "Baseball") quickly turn tedious. He is right bassists, so he switched to guitar for the ADS MB QUART to try to occasionally push himself past the project. The other problems are that she ALPINE MARANTZ film-noir style of songwriting that has ob- isn't much of a bassist, he isn't much of a sessed him for more than a decade, but he guitarist, and neither is much of a song- ATL. TECH. NAK needs to push harder. One fascinating thing writer. Otherwise, everything's fine. B.M. B & 0 NILES about the production: Olney is into using a BOSE NHT sort of spirit -world female choir (it shows TEENAGE FANCLUB up on three cuts) as well as a moody clar- Songs from Northern Britain CARVER ONKYO inet and a chamber -of -horrors organ ("Sun- (CreationlColumbia, 43 min) DENON SONANCE set on Sunset Boulevard"). Melodramatic? * * * Yes. Effective? You betcha. A.N. I n the past, Teenage Fanclub has had a bit HK SONY ES of an identity crisis. Its breakthrough al- INFINITY VELODYNE PATTI SMITH Peace and Noise bum,Bandwagonesque,had grunge over- KENWOOD YAMAHA (Arista, 53 min) tones. The follow-up,Thirteen,was surpris- * * * ingly bitter. AndGrand Prixsported a M & K AND MORE From the first hesitant guitar chords and cleaner and countryish sound. ButSongs dripping piano notes of "Waiting Un- from Northern Britain isa straight -down - derground" to the free -form racket of the the -middle power -pop album, with no sub- 10 -minute "Memento Mori,"Peace and versive touches other than an occasional Noisereturns Patti Smith to the edge. Ele- prog-rock keyboard. And the band has out- giac in tone but forceful in elocution, it grown its early cynicism enough to write 800- is a collection of what Allen Ginsberg or the opening "Start Again," a timeless bit of Jack Kerouac - two beat -generation touch- romantic giddiness. stones cited here - might have called death The production (guitar -based, of course) songs. Death is the omnipresent specter is sparkling enough to keep the album from 311-0392 Smith still seeks to understand (following sounding thoroughly retro, but Teenage the recent passing of both her husband and Fanclub still wears its Sixties influences her brother), and the weight of her ob- proudly. The "Tomorrow Never Knows" WE BEAT THEIR PRICES session is evident right down to the song drum lick in "Ain't That Enough," the Yard - WE DELIVER AS PROMISED titles: "Waiting Underground," "Dead City," birds fuzz guitar in "Can't Feel My Soul," "Death Singing," "Memento Mori" (Latin the Byrds harmonies in "Take the Long DO THEY? for "Reminders of Death"), and the final Way Round," and the final -verse modula- Products come with manufacturers track, "Last Call." At the same time, the al - tion in "I Don't Want Control of You" are warranty or NWA warranty 96 STEREO REVIEW JANUARY 1998

CIRCLE NO. 60 ON READER SERVICE CARD Ono GETS IT ALL! PRICE DELIVERY SERVICE

a1,4 MI usorPat

Alega-Site%oco

11/vvw.ocA-

Developed together with Microsoft' & the V E R I O Group Orderbyaes. Dec. 23rd Receive for Christmas VIDEO DVD * DSS * Camcorders AUDIO Digital VCR's * VCR's AC -3 AV Receivers * Separates TV's * Home Theater * Projection Speakers * CD's * Book Shelf * Car Laser * Videonics Portable * AC3-THX Processors Interconnects * Phones 1-800-540-0900

FAX: (509) 838-4387 /'r our One c'all era/ eard am( yet 90 DAYS, NO PAYMENT, NO INTEREST.O.A.C.

AMERICA. E.0.1165501101 One

[email protected] tIUNI.y5

www.onecall.com 1234 567 890 123 MasterCard VISA 1/99 7 Days a Week - 6:30am to 7pm PST Preferred Customer 418 W. Riverside - Spokane, WA 99201 PO.'s ACCEPTED CIRCLE NO. 9 ON READER SERVICE CARD popularmusic

tricks that you've probably fallen for hundreds of times. But Teenage Fanclub makes you enjoy falling for them again. B.M. JAll DIANA KRALL Love Scenes (Impulse', 55 nun) * * * ANN HAMPTON CALLAWAY After Ours (Denon. 60 mini * * * * or here's a lot to applaud about pianist/ 1 singer Diana Kral!, who has steadily improved over the course of her three American albums. It's heartening to know that her audience has extended beyond the small market for jazz and standards. Just the same, Krall's ability (as opposed to her talent, which is surely there) has yet to keep pace with her popularity: she continually tries to project herself as a sultry jazz chanteuse, but she isn't quite there yet. Her ballads give the impression she's almost reluctant to sound sexy (deipite CD booklet photos that place her beautiful, if very serious -looking, image in Gothic -novel settings), and her lighter fare, like "Peel Me a Grape," comes off as icily stiff. Even so, her use of the Nat King Cole Trio format CIRCLE NO. 51 ON READER SERA is commendable, and her ace sidemen, bassist Christian McBride and guitarist Russell Malone, are very easy to love. Just as echoes of Cole permeate Krall's Love Scenes, Ann Hampton Callaway's Af- ter Ours is informed by the spirit of Miles _AMA; 1111110 Davis. In addition to sticking to his long- Tomorrow's Technology established patterns for "All Blues" and "It in Toat,/ Never Entered My Mind" (which Davis ac- Usingher tually based on Frank Sinatra's 1947 version), Callaway is the first singer to follow cZeeff2 keW tWO-iet _ffzed Davis's lead in his recasting of pop artist Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time" as a At Sound & Cinema we're proud to be the Technical Leader in jazz ballad. Atypically of Callaway's per- ;IA Design and Custom Installation of Superior Quality Audio, Video formances, here she relinquishes her piano and Digital Theater Components. seat to the masterly Kenny Barron, and the Going beyond competent performance, our ensemble of strong soloists and supporting systems bring Hollywood, with all it's amazing players also includes bassist Jay Leonhart realism, right into your living room! and mutedly Milesian trumpeter Randy REE Brecker. She strikes precisely the right note We have 4 finely appointed, state-of-the-art f HEE DEUVERY emotionally, neither holding back too much Audio/Video Rooms and when you IF PEI BASIC SETUP ON HOME THEATER SYSTEMS nor going overboard. With her dark, bur- consider that we offer practi- FIF33 DAY NOME TRIAL ON nished sound, Callaway already is where THEATER SYSTEMS cally every major brand at Krall would like to be. W.F. greatly reduced pricing, why call anywhere else? CHRISTIAN McBRIDE/ NICHOLAS PAYTON/MARK WHITFIELD Everythin Fingerpainting: Electronic The Music of Herbie Hancock FREE (t erre. 67 min) CATALO * * * A d Video Home Theater 71/s Projection 11/s Laser Disc DVD VCR's assist Christian McBride, trumpeter Multimedia Subwoofers Speakers CD Players/Changer Signal Processors I6P Nicholas Payton, and guitarist Mark You Aiwa s Do Better at Sound & Cinema Whitfield belong to a new generation of Hunterdon Shopping Center jazz artists following the bop trail blazed by Route 202/31 South F=1-888-862-8600Flemington, NJ 08822 colonelvideo. Art Blakey disciples in the 1980s. Although stressful that it is a wonder he was able to Payton is from New Orleans and has in the give performances of the quality heard on past demonstrated that he can be quite at the club dates of Bemsha Swing. In 1986, corn home in that city's traditional jazz environ- when these performances were recorded at ment, he is also an eloquent bopper, which Baker's Keyboard Lounge in Detroit, Shaw he demonstrates on Fingerpainting, a pro- was still evolving from a Freddie Hubbard 1-800-277-5632 gram of fourteen Herbie Hancock composi- style to a more personal approach. He is tions. Whitfield is a bit too laid-back here; backed by pianist Geri Allen, bassist Robert comping chords behind Payton in "The Hurst, and drummer Roy Brooks. Allen Kiss," a duo track, he sounds almost lethar- contributes mightily; she was fairly new on gic. McBride, meanwhile, remains one of the scene at the time, but two albums al- Factory the most interesting bass players around, ready offered proof that here was someone which is why he seems to be everywhere with a bright future. Bemsha Swing is well these days. The three artists have frequently recorded and well worth preserving. C.A. performed together in different contexts - Authorized and here they're capable of taking off on a MATTHEW SHIPP "STRING" TRIO merry romp, as in "The Eye of the Hurri- By the Law of Music for cane" and "One Finger Snap" - but the (hat ART. 6/ min, distributed by North Country) trio still needs a little work. I hope they * TOP NAME BRANDS stick with it and grow as a unit. C.A. MATTHEW SHIPP QUARTET The Flow of X T.S. MONK Monk on Monk (2 /3 61 Records/Thirsty Ear, 49 min) AUDIO & VIDEO (N2K Encoded Music. 53 min. enhanced CD) * * * * * * * a tillin his thirties, pianist Matthew Monk on Monk is an ambitious tribute 10Shipp is one of the rising stars of what Receivers, Speakers, CD Changers to Thelonious Monk for which his might be called Indie Jazz or Alternative Audio Accessories, Audio Separates Improvisation. His "string" trio consists of drummer son has gathered a number of ex- Subwoofers, Digital Video Disc, traordinary players. The arrangements by himself, violinist Mat Maneri, and bassist trumpeter Don Sickler (who also co -pro- William Parker. The band's name implies Dolby Digital Receivers, duced the CD) are not outstanding, but with that Shipp reaches under the lid to hammer Satellite Dish Systems one exception they're listenable. The excep- the piano's wires like Cecil Taylor occa- Home Theater, Projection TV's, tion is "Ugly Beauty," which plods along at sionally still does, but that's not the case. a deadly pace and seems to have the players Shipp's similarity to early Taylor is in his Camcorders and Accessories moaning. And "Suddenly" has Nnenna Free - ringing attack, his nervous playfulness, and Ion and Dianne Reeves scatting in some sort his fine sense of thematic development. But ALL MAJOR BRANDS LIKE of Sarah/Ella emulation that doesn't work; despite the lineage, Shipp is an original, I have heard Freelon sing rather nicely, but and By the Law of Music (on hat ART, a Reeves is someone who makes me want to Swiss label) is his strongest effort to date SONY QInfinity use a vocal eliminator. on several counts. The slight tentativeness On the positive side: "Jackie-ing" includes that was noticeable in his earlier work has KENWOOD harman/kardon good statements from Wallace Roney, Bob- given way to an almost ferocious sense of by Watson, and Dave Holland. Pianist Dan- certainty. In Maneri and Parker, Shipp has psb PIONEER ilo Perez has something interesting to say the advantage of sidemen with whom he The An of Enterfainmenr in "Little Rootie Tootie," and the solo by has a rapport that borders on the telepathic. Grover Washington, Jr., gives me second The biggest plus of all may be the forceful- (favorable) thoughts about his musician- ness and concentration of the thirteen UNBEATABLE ship. And "Dear Ruby" benefits from Roy tracks, the longest of which hardly wears Hargrove's flugelhom. out its welcome at just under 8 minutes. over 1,500,000 served! The multimedia program includes video This is one of the year's very best releases, 17 Yrs in Houston, TX footage from the sessions and photos of an outstanding example of tough-minded major participants. The ECD also has com- modem chamber jazz that culminates in a ments from T.S. Monk, Ron Carter, Wayne deliciously off -kilter rendition of Duke Shorter, Jimmy Heath, and others. C.A. Ellington's "Solitude." On The Flow of X, Shipp's most recent WOODY SHAW Bemsha Swing domestic release (on 2 13 61, Henry Rol- (Blue Note. two CDs, 109 mini lins's label), the focus is a little more dif- * * * * fuse partly because of the addition of Whit At the suggestion of Miles Davis, Co- Dickey's drums, which occasionally push lumbia signed Woody Shaw in the late Shipp and the string players in the direction 1970s, but the label did little to promote of free -jazz conventions. Even so, "Flow of his albums. Then came Wynton Marsalis, a X." a fragmented blues whose title doesn't lesser trumpeter with a more charismatic do it justice, is as heady a performance as personality and a flair for dressing right. If any on the hat ART disc, and the quality of music had mattered most, Columbia would Shipp's compositions is again uniformly have kept Shaw and helped develop his tal- high. He is one of the most provocative fig- all major credit cards C.O.D. & P.O.'s Welcome ent. Instead, he veered off his career path ures at work in jazz today, someone whose non-thurs 9-9 fri-sat 9-7 sun 10-6 CST and went through a meandering period so music is worth following closely. F.D. Fax (713) 910-5868 e-mail: [email protected] see our web site for policies & procedures JANUARY 1998 STEREO REVIEW 99 Harris County TX is jurisdiction for all transactions.

CIRCLE NO 10 ON READER SERVICE CARD euLLL1 on on on Come visit " as seon ournew:,ei:aigl n se store located NO OS at (MALL 89 Route 46East'''. Since986 Denville, NJr- S ILI' ound 07834 rt Liu EXCEEDING YOUR EXPECTATIONS. '0,1 Sound City is one of the country's leading full -service dealers of high performance Audio/Video and Custom Home Theater products. From an entry level set-up to an audiophile -grade stereo system, all the way up to a full blown state-of-the-art Home Theater, Sound City has unmatched selection, service and expertise. In addition, our huge buyingpower allows us to offer excellent savings on select manufacturer closeouts on first -quality audio, video and car stereo products

JBL L5 Atlantic Technology 254SR Velodyne Tower Speaker 4 -Way speaker system On-Wall/In-Wall Surround Speakers VA-810XII Unmatchea 350 Watt power handling placement PO We' 8" Low frequency driver flexibility Subw: 6.1/2- Midbass driver Spatially 5" Midrange driver JBL SC305 enhanced 1" Pure titanium high Center Channel Speaker Angled baffle 'requency driver 2-d/a, ha: //rioter center channel for maximum 90dB Sensitivity isz 14mm titanium dome high frequency transducer dispersion ER 35Hz-27kHz 5 High polymer laminate low frequency transducers Dual 312 °ia ,.cod finish Video shielded midrange drivers Orig LI M ITEES 87 dB sensitivity 4" Long throw woofer 129 s SUPPLY!659913r . 100 Watts power handling '169599 Available in black or white 159PR _aservim,e,s Chase Technologies RLC-1 Soundstream SA244 Orig Sonance 52000 Remote Line 4/3/2 Ch. Amplifier '479 In -wall Speakers Controller 60W x 4 4st 180W x 2 4sz 5 8Polycarbonate Adds remote Spatializer HTMS-2510 Bass FO (45Hz) dome, lerrolluid control to older. efig Stereo Surround Sound System Selectable 12dB/octave damped tweeter non -remote equippestereo systems ygg 3-D Stereo technology simulates full surround sound crossover built in 6-t/2" Polypropylene Enables user to control power on/off, volume from only two stereo speakers, Discrete Darlington transistors woofer balance. bass/ treble controls input switching for Patented FlexBar Compatible with THX®. Dolby® Pro Logic and 2 Ohm rated and mixed mono capable 4 line level sources or fade between two amplifiers other surround systems Dual Class A discrete drive stages bracketing syste- 4 -Way protection without current limit- FR 5014z-20kHz Orig ' PLC1 cc' Advanced directional positioning Impedance 801 UMW 559 Bass equalization Multiple inputs Drive delay muting 6279 349 61491"

Sony INT-W100 Brand Name Changer Internet Terminal 10 Disc Changer & TV/Web TV Remote Combining the new WebTV:s TV -based interne 10 disc changer with service consists of a com- an RF modulator pact terminal box and its simple to add a Orig the WebTV on-line changer to virtually Harman/Kardon AVR25 MINI Denon AVR-2500 serviceIt's the easy any existing car 11000 A/V Receiver A/V Receiver affordable way to surf the web or e-mail friends systemSome of the High current design ,vitt, au discrete amplitie, Dolby® Pro Logic Receiver or relatives. All you need is a TV. a phone line and main features include Ong Dolby9)r Pro Logic. Theater. Stadium and Doll 85W x 3 for front UR. and center 25W x 2 for rear WebTVAt lust 19 95/month- for unlin,,J 8X Oversampling. 1 -bit D/A convene' 55W Ch 399 3 for front L P "5.': ' 11 Surround modes Digital signal processing WebTV is competitive with the other bi East change mechanism -: ustable digital dela', IrOr .11 Dual center channel design .v00...0 POO ,ebee o 8orizontal or vertical mounting ' R rear and sub pre vean utd as 'm lo act,. Won/ seNte Jimensions 10.516" x 3.5/8- x RDS Radio Data Systems 06110(0 06000 Cropes .11 SO.! are, 699, $279 mole control 6399

11 C Atlantis Atlantis !moan Classic II T lovan Classic ll Orig Harmony audm I' Reference Rack - 459 The Harmony has :Ms rack consists of sne,es a, ,eate,,e Internal clearance Orig brought the beaty "Olbs of heavy metal dth =2025 depth . 17 25 durability of titanium tubing. decoupling tr - width = 2025" 549 ',eight from floor 0 4 75 0.47 5 depth =17 25" 8 rosewood to level each shelf. sandfilla:. Atlantis from 1st shelf , height b/w shelves that's affordable for pillars. a bulls eye sp Reference A/V Rack heightfrom 2nd shelf r ' everyone. Shelves :evel and even exquisite NOW 8,479 height from 3rd shelf = availavle in rosewood rosewood finish Also a, NOW AA 5179 or dark grey 8525 available in 5 shelf unit of the 4,.410.',;,err MAU I 8379 LOVAN COMPLETE Atlantic Technology 150HT PACKAGE Shopping for an Audio or Home Theater Speaker System 1 a 'd e ,redot 5 - speakers and as399 Home Theater m? Is : -or a pc., ,.ter for extended ass reproduct-onIts diminutive size belies its musically Call for Sound City's FREE A/V catalog before investing atisfying sonic qualities. something that most other "small - in your next system! Our newest catalog features: OVO °Li .stems cannot duplicate The system's placement flexibility 8

',obtrusive appearance allow an e blend with most decors 151 l.12 Front Channel Speaker 154SR Rear Surround Speaker 220.2501.&350THX SELECTION 153C Center Channel Speaker 162PBM Powered Subwoofer Systems Available We carry over 150 brands of the finest Audio/Video products in the industry. Panamax MAX 1500 AC Line INFORMATION Conditioner/ Find out all you NEED to know about the latest in high Surge Protecto tech gear BEFORE you buy. Brand Name 10 Industrial grade DVD Player 011,FD orm AC outlets (4 -always on. 549 4 -switch 8 trigger controlled and 2 delayed) 3 Sets of coax protectors (2-CATV. 1-DBS). 1 ph, Sound City specializes in products that have an especially good price/perfor- . voltage levet lights 8 under/over regulation '399 mance ratio. We believe that high performance need not mean high price! Call Dan I Sony .;anasontc. RCA Samsung. ProScar MAX 000 AVAILABLE toll free 1-800-432-0007 and order, or e-mail us at soundctOlx.netcom.com CALL TOLL FREE: 1 -800-542-7283 FOR INFORMATION & WE SHIP MAIL ORDER H IR CUSTOMER SERVICE Mon - Fri Mon - Fri W4RLDWIDE 10am - 9pm EST 8am - 10pm EST No Credit Card Surcharges Sat 9am - 6pm EST Sat 9am - 5pm EST 973-263-6060 Sun 11am - 5pm EST Sun 10am - 5pm EST

Factory hitionzed ix al brvids we sell Not reegnstle fu tgiocraphical ll.'s '',C eurx r .acien ca' stereo products I4Day lelectrveacterge Inc dated recect AI returns must be made wean 14 As Source al redept merdwxise and are Riled to a regain lee Items rut be in acre condition and pacxaging Wong and honing not refundable TheS adand its di:dents supercede all other rnsgatne prong CoderISR98 , CIRCLE NO. 46 ON READER SERVICE CARD cassicalmusicil

NEW RECORDINGS REVIEWED BY RICHARD FREED, DAVID HALL, JAMIE JAMES, GEORGE JELLINEK, AND ERIC SALZMAN

W. F. BACH Sinfonias in D Major, 1967 version with the London Symphony the Country breathes more naturally. and D Minor, and F Major; Harpsichord for Columbia (available now on Sony). In the March to the Scaffold, which seemed Concerto in D Major; Suite in G Minor respect to pacing and phrasing. hardly any- slow to the point of immobility before, now Charlotte Nediger, harpsichord; Tafelmusik. thing has changed: what has changed is that gives off an air of inevitability, of inexor- Jeanne Lamon dir. (Sony 62720. 72 min) Boulez has developed an expressive warmth able, driving malignity, even though the * * * to accompany the X-ray precision that dis- new timing is actually a full minute longer. onsidered by his contemporaries as the tinguished his earlier reading. The Witches' Sabbath finale is tightened up 1/ most talented of J. S. Bach's offspring. The Cleveland remake is ablaze with a bit, and very effectively, providing not just Wilhelm Friedemann is today less well dramatic flow and visceral excitment. The a conclusion but a sizzling, operatic climax known than a couple of his brothers. Part of overall approach is still a fairly expansive to the symphony. the reason is that his musical personality is one, but itis demonstrably more cohesive The three choral pieces Berlioz pub- obscured by misattributed works such as and in subtle ways more animated and more lished under the collective title Tristia have the Suite in G Minor and neo-Baroque evocative. There is an uncanny nocturnal been offered as filler with several of his pieces like the D Minor Sinfonia also per- glow to the waltz movement. the Scene in larger works, but they have never seemed formed here. On the other hand, the Sinfo- nia in D Major and the Harpsichord Con- certo in the same key (written at the same time as his father's harpsichord concertos) Building for theFuturdall show him as a quirky and quite original composer in a vigorous and witty early Clas- sical style. A number of new or newly renovated $110 million renovation of Orchestra These period -instrument performances concert halls have opened this Hall (opened in 1904) included by the Canadian group Tafelmusik are well season. The New Jersey Performing reshaping the auditorium walls, deep- played and colorful but perhaps just a bit Arts Center in Newark was inaLgu- ening the stage, raising the roof to too well behaved. Still, a nice recording of rated last October, and in the same increase reverberation time, and music that is far enough off the beaten track month the Kennedy Center in Wash- adding an acoustical canopy. The new to sound quite fresh. ington, DC, unveiled a redesigned and space p-ovided in the Symphony reportedly acoustically improved Center complex includes a permanent concert hail for its resident National studio for radio broadcasts and BERt100 SYMPh011!E FANISTIOUE Symphony Orchestra. recordirgs as well as a state-of-the- - logic But Chicago can boast not oily of art interactive music learning center improvements to its Lyric Opera that opens to the public in January. House but also of the opening of its This fall Teldec will release the first new Chicago Symphony Orchestra CD by Barenboim and the CSO Symphony Center, celebrated October recorded in the renovated Orchestra 4 with a gala concert led by CSO Hall, featuring the Brahms Violin music director Daniel Barenboim. The Concerto with Maxim Vengerov.

BERLIOZ Symphonie Fantastique; Tristia Dan el Barenboim and the Chicago Symphony in their renovated hall Cleveland Orchestra and Chorus. Pierre Boulez cond. (Deutsche Gramniophon 453 432. 72 min) * * * * * nierre Boulez's new recording of Ber- r' lioz's Symphonie Fantastique with the Cleveland Orchestra makes an altogether more positive impression than his earlier.

STAR SYSTEM Excellent * * * * * Very good * * * * Good * * * Fair * * Poor * classicalmusic

more aptly matched than they do here. They, too, seem to have a sequential logic Steve Reich in a Box of their own in Boulez's compelling exposition. Fortunately, the sound throughout is as embracing and vivid as the performances teve Reich gets to make history once edged. Instead of blending the ensemble themselves. R.F. 10again: at age 60, he becomes the into a sensuous whole, the individual first classical composer to witness the lines are sharply etched, allowing parts CHOPIr Piano Sonata No. 3; release on CD of his entire creative that once were nearly inaudible (such as Fantasy in F Minor; Ecossaises; output, in the form of a ten -disc boxed the wordless female voices) to stand out Impromptu in A -flat Major; Three set from Nonesuch. Thirty years of in relief. This clarity of line puts the Etudes; Three Waltzes composition have resulted in a body of emphasis less on color and more on Mikhail Pletnev. piano (Deutsche Grationophon work of extraordinary originality and structure. And ultimately that's what will 453 456,77 min) beauty. Whether you find Reich's music make Music for 18 Musicians live: not * * * * exhilarating or maddening, it has not its obvious gamelanlike sonority, but its One of the most striking recordings of faded with age. If you listen, marathon - intricate multilayered structure. (None- Chopin's last and grandest solo sonata such kindly provides some musical was made about twenty years ago by anoth- analysis by assigning a new track er Russian pianist, the unforgettable Emil number to each section of this uninter- Gilels. Mikhail Pletnev, neither tradition - rupted work.) bound nor eccentric, takes the first move- Four Organs (1970) is minimalism's ment even more broadly and freely than most radical slap in the face: a single Gilels did, allowing himself still more chord, played by four Farfisa organs and space for greater expressiveness. The play- underpinned by a relentless maraca ing is never less than exceptionally beauti- pulse, gradually expands in length. ful, and if the momentum is stretched to its Reich (along with Michael Tilson limit, it never really sags. The scherzo is Thomas) played in the original 1973 more than agreeable in both its glittering Angel recording, which clocked in at 24 outer sections and its tiny introspective minutes. In the new one, the Bang on a middle one, and the largo suggests poetic Can All -Stars blast through the chordal repose in a Classical frame, virtually float- process in a mere 15 minutes, but the ing on air. The finale is brilliantly effective z frenetic pace is right for their exuber- at a wholly conventional pace that seems antly raucous interpretation. Not without unarguably right - there is a sense of im- O reason was Four Organs once called mense energy held judiciously in reserve Reich's "punk piece," and that's exactly and allowed to expand as the movement how they play it. proceeds.

[7, C New York Counterpoint, for solo The sonata comes last on the well -filled multitracked clarinet, is played by Evan disc. The performance of the F Minor Fan- Ziproyn with a jazzy swing that Richard tasy that starts it off is every bit as deliber- style, to this set, you can only be Stoltzman (who was heard in the 1987 ate as the sonata's first movement, at least impressed by the music's freshness and RCA Victor version) never could muster. in the introductory march section, in which resilience - and that sturdy backbone Eight Lines is Reich's orchestral momentum is again put to the test. But has enabled it to stand the test of time. arrangement of Octet. I've always been again there is no question of mere eccen- Reich has had an exclusive contract partial to the leaner chamber version, tricity: Pletnev simply responds on a level with Nonesuch for more than a decade, recorded by ECM in 1980, but now I'm of poetry and subtlety instead of underscor- so most of these pieces have already not so sure. As played here by the SPIT ing the obvious. Similarly thoughtful ver- been issued individually. But there are Orchestra, an offshoot of Bang on a Can, sions of three of the late waltzes, three of four brand-new recordings, and they are Eight Lines is so fierce in its attack, so the etudes, the A -flat Major Impromptu, gems. Each replaces an older recording. crisp in its articulations, and so down- and the three sparkling Ecossaises light the Reich's masterpiece, Music for 18 right nasty in its attitude that it seems way between the big works that frame the Musicians (1974-76), marked a turning viable after all. program, and the excellent recording catch- point in his life. An exquisitely woven There's no space to comment on the es every nuance to the full. R.F. sonic tapestry inspired by his study of reissues except to mention a few the Balinese gamelan, it was his first favorites: Tehillim, a setting of Hebrew GRAINGER In a Nutshell; Train Music; work to reject the austerity of mini- psalms; Different Trains, a harrowing Country Gardens; Lincolnshire Posy; malism and look toward a more eclectic Holocaust narrative; and the recent work The Warriors; arrangements of Ravel and future. In its original 1978 ECM Proverb, an astonishing foray into Debussy recording, it was also his first work to neomedievalism that reminds us how City of Birmingham Symphony. Simon Rattle sell more than 100,000 copies - taking many more surprises Reich has up his cond. (EMI 56412,70 min) minimalism from the eccentric fringe to sleeve. - K. Robert Schwarz * * * * * the commercial center. Forget about the Percy Grainger of the Today that recording sounds a bit STEVE REICH Works 1965-1995 folky lollipops and prepare your ears softly focused, even blurred, its sheer Steve Reich and Musicians; Kronos Quartet: for an amazing array of instrumental color, prettiness occasionally bordering on a London Symphony; Sch6nberg Ensemble; especially from tuned percussion, as well as New Age sonic wash. The new recording Theatre of Voices; others (Nonesuch 79451, harmonic coloration and offbeat rhythmic is longer, but far more biting and hard - ten CDs, 91/2 hours). * * * * * juxtapositions. And don't let the title In a Nutshell fool 102 STEREO REVIEW JANUARY 1998 you: this suite's four movements are not lar composer of the day. His C Major Con- words and music, notably by the twelfth - mere tidbits. The lead piece, "Arrival Plat- certo is no masterpiece but a serviceable century German nun, abbess, poet, compos- form Humlet," began life in 1912 scored for piece of music. er, and mystic, Hildegard of Bingen, whose solo viola, but in 1916 Grainger expanded it Monighetti writes his own cadenzas, and work has undergone an astonishing redis- for full orchestra augmented by a bevy of that brings up some intriguing questions. covery in recent years. The Anonymous 4, a mallet instruments. "Gay but Wistful" has a How did the Marseillaise get into the first - not -so -anonymous group of four American movement cadenza of the Haydn D Major? women singers, has undertaken the recon-

EMI And why the cadential quotation from The struction of a liturgical service celebrating A,, Own,,. Marriage of Figaro in the Pleyel? The per- the feast of St. Ursula as it might have been formances are uniformly outstanding in any performed at Hildegard's convent near Co- e case, but the CD sound, clear and even logne. They alternate traditional chants and CUM Volk Ivor transparent, is also a bit cold and edgy and hymns with her remarkable cycle of pieces may not be to every listener's taste. E.S. dedicated to St. Ursula taken from the collection titled Symphony of the Harmony of HILDEGARD OF BINGEN Celestial Revelations. In spite of the title, 11,000 Virgins (Chants for the Feast this is unaccompanied vocal music whose of St. Ursula) single -line melodies were intended to be fetching London music -hall flavor, the ru- Anonymous 4 (Harmonia Mundi 907200. sung without harmony or instruments. minative "Pastoral" is a wonderful example 72 min) The exquisite performances on this CD of harmonic coloration combined with free * * * * * evoke the intensity of a mystical belief that rhythm, and the jaunty rhythm and mallet A ccording to medieval legend, St. Ursu- regarded the love of God as comparable to work in the concluding "Gum Suckers Vila was a Christian princess from Brit- sexual passion but on a higher, more exalt- March" recall Grainger's homeland of Aus- ain who refused to go through with her ar- ed plane - no conflict here between the tralia (the gum being eucalyptus). ranged marriage to a pagan German prince spiritual and the sensual! Most of the per- The old chestnut Country Gardens is in- and was martyred for her obstinacy along formances adhere to the strictly one -voiced cluded, but in an orchestration Grainger with her eleven companions - later ampli- form, but occasionally the singers add other prepared for Leopold Stokowski's 1952 fied in medieval legend to 11,000. She was pans in the form of drones or simple coun- RCA Victor LP. The performance of Lin- a popular subject in medieval and Renais- termelodies. The recording, which thankful- colnshire Posy, a wind -band classic, comes sance art, but she was also celebrated in ly avoids churchy or cathedral acoustics, is close to matching Frederick Fennell's unsurpassed Mercury Living Presence version but lets us down a bit in the ferocious Lord Melhourne movement. Earquake! The Warriors (1916), Grainger's major orchestral tour de force, calls for a regiment of "phones and spiels" plus three pianos ubtitled "An Explosive Collection of programmed as a long prelude to this and an offstage band. The arrangements of Ilg1 Great Tunes, Driving Rhythms and erupting musical volcano, heard here for Ravel's La Vallee des Cloches and Debus- Sonic Thrills," Earquake on Ondine the first time on CD. Described as "the sy's Pagodes are prismatically gorgeous, en- arrives with (1) the statement that it is an loudest single piece of music ever hanced by glittering percussion. Simon Rat- attempt "to assemble the LOUDEST written," Hekla cetainly frightened the tle and his fine Birmingham orchestra have MUSIC EVER WRITTEN onto a single wits out of my dog. Truly a megamelo- come through with knockout performances CD" and (2) a pair of earplugs. monster, it is scored for 140 musicians all the way, and EMI's recording is abso- If you haven't already turned the page, including a full chorus and 22 percus- lutely top of the line - this is a great demo let me add quickly that this recording by sionists performing on metal chains, disc as well as a musical delight. D.H. the Helsinki Philharmonic rocks and hammers, under Leif Segerstam is anvils, steel plates, sirens, HAYDN Cello Concertos Nos. 1 and 2 not without artistic merit and cannons. Not bad, but PLEYEL Cello Concerto in C Major - and, of course, you can it still doesn't have a patch Ivan Monighetti, cello; Akademie fiir Alte play it as loudly or as qui- on real heavy-metal rock Musik, Berlin (Harmonia Mundi 901599. etly as you wish. The con- music for sheer volume. 68 min) tents are, not surprisingly, Segerstam, also repre- * * * all from the twentieth cen- sented here as a composer, One of the mysteries of Haydn's career tury, and five of the com- seems to be a kind of is why he produced so few concertos. posers represented (Han- Finnish Leonard Bern- Posterity tried to increase the number: as son, Druckman, Bolcom, stein, with all the gifts, many as eight cello concertos were at one Revueltas, and Ginastera) come i ium the some 01 the quirks, and a lot of the time attributed to the master, but only two Americas. Another half -dozen pieces showmanship. Despite all the hype, this have withstood the scrutiny of scholars. (by Khachaturian, Prokofiev, Nielsen, is a fun recording, an outgoing orchestral Both of them, the exquisite late D Major Shostakovich, and Rautavaara) are from spectacular, more outstanding for its and the fine middle -period C Major, are Russia and Scandinavia, including the energy than its decibels. Eric Salzman performed here on a 1693 Cremona cello only truly large-scale, ear-splitting work by Ivan Monighetti, an early -music conduc- on the album, Hekla - named for EARCILAKE tor and a performer of great skill and Iceland's major active volcano - by the Finnish Philharmonic Choir; Helsinki charm. Monighetti was a pupil of Mstislav Icelandic composer Jon Leifs. The first Philharmonic, Leif Segerstam cond. Rostropovich; Ignaz Joseph Pleyel, best re- fifteen selections, mostly quite short and (Ondine ODE 894.59 min) membered as a publisher and piano manu- catchy, seem to have been artfully * * * * facturer, was a pupil of Haydn and a popu- JANUARY 1998 STEREO REVIEW 103 classicalmusic as simple as the music, with just enough that auspicious beginning with a virtuosic RAVEL Piano Concerto in G Major; space around the voices to frame the clarity execution of the aria itself as well as of her Concerto for the Left Hand and intensity of expression. E.S. other exacting aria,"Non mi dir,"unfazed FRANOAIX Concertino by its florid hurdles. In the Act 11 sextet HONEGGER Concertino MOZART Don Giovanni ("So/a in buoio loco"),which Solti leads Jean -Yves Thibaudet, piano; Montreal Bryn Terfel (Don Giovanni), Renee Fleming with transparency and great dramatic force, Symphony, Charles Dutoit cond. (Donna Anna), Ann Murray (Donna Elvira), Fleming's singing of the top melodic line (London 452 448.6/ min) Michele Pertusi (Leporello), Herbert Lippert shines like a beacon. * * * (Don Ottavio), Monica Groop (Zerlina), Michele Pertusi's lively Leporello enter- Ican -Yves Thibaudet takes an urbane, others; London Voices; London Philharmonic. tainingly captures the character's wide range Jgenteel approach to both of the Ravel Georg Solti cond. of emotional reactions. Herbert Lippert is a concertos, maintaining a smooth, unruffled (London 455 500, three CDs. 164 min) nonvirtuosic but altogether satisfying Don surface and resisting every hint of anything * * * Ottavio. Monica Groop also sings engag- more demonstrative or impassioned. It is all The valedictory opera recording by Georg ingly, though without revealing much of impeccable, well co-ordinated, but curious- Solti, who died last September, this Zerlina's personality, while Roberto Scal- ly unengaged, as if the usually more assert- Don Giovanniis enhanced by several valu- triti emerges as a solid, sympathetic Maset- ive Thibaudet were reluctant to call atten- able vocal contributions and reflects the late to. Mario Luperi's Commendatore is not tion to himself - he even seems to keep the maestro's characteristically energetic ap- particularly intimidating but smoothly and jazz element at arm's length in both concer- proach to Mozart. Bryn Terfel's Don Gio- impressively sung. tos, particularly surprising for a pianist who vanni is still in the process of evolution. He And that leaves the Donna Elvira of Ann has recorded a Bill Evans collection - and clearly relishes the dangerous aspects of Murray. Her performance is full of passion Charles Dutoit, always the sympathetic as- this multilayered character, but he tends to and good intentions, but she is somewhat sociate, can only respond in kind. overact (as in the Act II trio) and to lose overcautious in the aria"Mi tradi,"and she But don't write off this CD without con- tonal focus whenever he applies undue pres- is severely afflicted throughout with a wide sidering the filler pieces, which are imagi- sure. Although his vocal production ranges vibrato, which, alas, calls the wrong atten- natively chosen and downright enchanting- from a dulcetmezza voceto stentorian out- tion to her singing in the ensembles. ly performed. The tiny concertinos of Ar- bursts, he somehow misses the elegance Part of the Act I finale seems rushed, as thur Honegger and lean Francaix are in no that is essential to the Don's makeup. does the Don's aria,"Finch' han dal vino," danger of being overexposed, and they seem Renee Fleming brings the right mixture even though Terfel is able to cope with the to have inspired all the wholehearted in- of shock and fear to the recitative ("Don tempo. Nonetheless, the high drama Solti volvement on Thibaudet's part that is miss- Ottavio son morta")leading to her Revenge brings to the appropriate episodes of this ing in the Ravel concertos. The concertinos Aria("Or sai chi l'onore"),and she follows complex opera commands admiration. GJ. are, in fact, such utter delights (the Francaix

CALL US LAST"- WE WILL BEAT ANY PRICE% printed in this magazine on HOME ELECTRONICS & CAR AUDIO 9eradvi A:taxa/toed DeateSince 197

ADS ALPINE ATLANTIC TECHNOLOGY BOSE HK CARVER

DENON INFINITY KENWOOD KLIPSCH MB QUART NAKAMICHI NILES ONKYO SONANCE SONY ES VELODYNE THE plus many more. SOUND APPROACH 6067 JERICHO TPKE., COMMACK, NY 11725 800.368-2341k,

CIRCLE Na 44 ON READER SERVICE CARD in particular) that you might not feel short- final version, it appears on this CD as part She still possesses one of the most silvery changed buying the CD for them alone. R.F. of the complete Sibelius symphony cycle of voices and commands a notable vocal by Osma Vanska with his admirable Lahti technique, only occasionally showing effort SIBELIUS Symphony No. 5 (original and Symphony Orchestra, recorded in the near- or a spreading tone on high notes. Interpre- final versions) ly perfect acoustic surround of Lahti's tively, she communicates nothing new; dif- Lahti Symphony, Osmo Vanska cond. Church of the Cross. ferences in the characters' personalities or (Bis 863.68 min) Hearing the original version is rather like states of feeling are secondary to musical * * * * experiencing a rough cut of a major film. execution. If you missed this recording of the original The principal characters are quite recogniz- The best selections are "Se come vol," an version of the most popular of Sibelius's able, but they are not in their expected aria from the lesser known Le Villi, and late symphonies when it was issued a year places, and every once in a while they come "Sole e amore," from which the CD takes or so ago, along with the first version of En up with unexpected speeches. For all the its title, 3 piano -accompanied song based Saga, here's another chance to gain insight fascinating episodes that turn up, the sense on Mimi's airs in La Boheme. And the Act into the composer's struggles with it. The of inevitability that informs the final ver- 11 orchestral interlude from Madama But- Fifth Symphony actually had three pre- sion of the work is missing. Both perfor- terfly, one of Puccini's most affecting in- mières, beginning in 1915, when Sibelius mances display the utmost conviction, how- strumental passages, is very well conducted himself conducted. That version had four ever, and save for sheer heft they can stand h) Kent Nagano. Robert Aekart movements instead of the three we know with any of those by world -class orchestras today. A year later, the composer offered a and conductors. D.H. ARCADI VOLODOS Piano Transcriptions revised version, this time with the first two Arcadi Volodos, piano (Sony 6269/. 6/ min) movements joined and the famous opening * * * * horn motive added by way of beginning as COLLECTIONS A rcadi Volodos, the 25 -year -old son of well as twenty-three bars added to the fi- "lathe eponymous Russian basso, makes nale. Sibelius found himself still dissatis- KIRI TE KANAWA Sole e Amore his recording debut in this collection of fied - back to the drawing board. The Kiri Te Kanawa. soprano: Roger Vignoles. fourteen transcriptions of pieces by nine symphony finally achieved its premiere in piano; Lyons Opera Orchestra, Kent Nagano composers, ranging from Bach and Mozart definitive form in 1919, with the composer cond. (Erato 17071.63 min) to Rachmaninoff and Prokofiev. It's quite a again conducting. * * * calling card, because Volodos seems to have The orchestral parts from the 1915 per- Soprano Kiri Te Kanawa is in good vo- a gift for preserving the intrinsic character formance survived, however, and a recon- cal form in this enjoyable CD of Pucci- of each individual piece - and its musical struction of the original version was per- ni's music, comprising twelve familiar ari- values - while exploiting it for maximum formed in Helsinki in 1970. Along with the as, three songs. and two orchestral excerpts. visceral impact. In other words, he pursues

pPRO SOUND Pro Audio Recording DJ Gear PA Systems Stage Lighting )& STAGE LIGHTING Effects Lighting Keyboards Software Accessories 1.800-945-9300 AX 1-888-PSSL-FAX (777-5329) gcmini Telephone Outside USA 1.714.891.5914 Turntables DJ Mixers CD & MD Players Speakers Or fox your name, address, TECHNICS SL1200MKII GEMINI PMX2001 NUMARK DUAL CD PLAYER LBC PRO AUDIO LBC-12 and telephone a for a free catalog Fax Outside USA: 714-891-6375

$59999 '129" '479" '209" Open 7 Days a Week GEMINI XL -BD I 0 GEMINI PMX 16 BST CUM 100 CERWIN VEG A V I52 (Hours are PST -Calif, time): Monday through Friday born - 8pm 129" .109" '199" '325" NUMARK TT -1700 MTX MX750 GEMINI DUAL CD PLAYERELECTRO VO CE S I 5 Saturday 8. Sunday 8am - 5pm

Authorized Dealer for All Listed Products 129" '159" '649" 459" GEMINI PTI 000 NUMARK DM 1190 SONY MD RECORDER JBL MR925 Over 6000 Items Available . 30 Day Trial Exchange Period 1299" . '549" '299" '279" 30 Day Price Protection ANVIL TURNTABLE CASENUMARK DM1885X PIONEER CD RECORDER MTX PWRSIS SUB Get Toll Free Help From a Pro '1,699" '279" Order By Phone, Mail, Fax or Internet '679" '148" Ness cop :HEMS ON-LINE CATALOG http://www.pssl.com Over 6,000 items Used gear bulletin 1i1:001 board Secure credit card ordering PA & Recording MIDI Gear Lighting Effects Amps & EQs Daily specials Online catalog requests KUSTOM COMPLETE PA ALESIS SR16 AMERICAN -DJ AVENGER QSC USA400 FREE 72 PAGE

5299" '249" '139" '399" ho '480 : COLOR CATALOG TASCAM PCIRTA03MKII ROLAND XP- 1 0 KEYBOARD AM DJSHADOW FOGGERALESIS. MONITOR AMP Name:

. '259" Add: '219" '599" '99" MACKIE MS-1202VLZ ROLAND XP -50 KEYBOARDAM DJ12" MIRROR BALL CROWN PB-2 City:_ St: Zip: . . '39" '639" '349" '1,299" Phone:( ) ROLAND VS880v2 AKAI 5-20 SAMPLER AM DJ45WATT STROBE ALESIS M-EQ230 Fax:( )_ '199" '1,699" '559" '69" Send to: SHURE SM58 MIC AKAI MPC-2000 SAMPLER AM DJMINI LASER RANEMOJO .4Q302 Pro Sound i Stage Lighting

11711 Monarch St. '99" '1,299" '119" '319" Garth, Crone, CA 92841 CIRCLE NO 37 ON READER SERVICE CARD classical

the Romantic ideal of virtuoso pianism on a QUICK FIXES very high level. The point is registered powerfully in two of Vladimir Horowitz's famous pieces, the Carmen Fantasy and the BEETHOVEN Overtures cal central section. The rest, with its de- transcription of Liszt's Hungarian Rhap- Atlanta Symphony, Yoel Levi cond. piction of a cyclonic Hell, remains noisy sody No. 2. Since Horowitz never pub- (Telarc 80358.63 min)* * * * claptrap. D.H. lished them (or even wrote them down, it Yoel Levi has his Atlanta players in peak seems). Volodos had to transcribe them form in vibrant statements of the seven PALLADIAN ENSEMBLE Trios for 4 himself from listening to Horowitz's own most popular overtures: Egmont, Corio- (Linn/Honest HON 5050.63 nun) * * * recordings. What is more impressive, though, lan, Prometheus, Fidelio, and the three The Palladian Ensemble is an elegant than the patience required for such an un- Leonores. There have been more studied English group that specializes in Ba- dertaking is that there is absolutely nothing or more individualized readings, and cer- roque pops. Their music, based on the in the performances to suggest that Volodos tainly fussier ones, but very few are old trio -sonata (which always involved is imitating Horowitz. He brings his own more directly appealing, and the rich, four players), is arranged from various personality to the music while preserving beautifully balanced recording is quite a sources by and for the ensemble's re- the character Horowitz created for it. boost. R.F. corder, violin, guitar/lute, and viola da That is the impression I received as well gamba players. The arrangements and from his playing of the Liszt transcriptions PAGANINI Caprices for Solo Violin performances here - encompassing of three Schubert songs. Prokofiev's own Mariko Senju, violin works by Handel, Telemann, Leclair, piano settings of three dances from his bal- (JVC/WEA 6504.74 min) * * * and Quantz - are unfailingly sweet and let Cinderella, and even Gyorgy Cziffra's A former child prodigy from Japan, the gracious. E.S. incredible arrangement of Rimsky-Korsa- multifaceted Mariko Senju (now grown) kov's Flight of the Bumblebee. Volodos also makes an impressive bow to the Ameri- PIFFARO Los Ministriles plays his own transcriptions of two of can public with this virtuosic recording. (Archiv 453 441 , 67 nun) * * * Rachmaninoff's songs, his Lisztian "con- She is especially effective in the most A lively program of early instrumental cert paraphrase" on the famous Rondo alla technically demanding passages, and for music, Los Ministriles ("the minstrels") Tura from Mozart's A Major Sonata, and the darker caprices she produces an as- mixes sacred motets with secular songs two absolutely stunning items by his com- tringent tone to bring out their mystery. and dances, learned compositions with patriot Samuel Feinberg (1890-1962). a su- She is very well recorded, too. perb pianist. It's all a great show, truly mu- William Livingstone sical in every bar, very vividly recorded. and provided with valuable annotation. R.F. SHOSTAKOVICH Violin Concertos Nos. 1 and 2 Ilya Kaler, violin; Polish National Radio COPYRIGHT © 1997 BY HACHETTE FILIPAC- Symphony, Antoni Wit cond. CHI MAGAZINES, INC. All rights reserved. Ste- reo Review. January 1998, Volume 63, Number (Naxos 8.550814.7/ min) * * * * I. Stereo Review (ISSN 0039-1220) is published The 34 -year -old Ilya Kaler has shown an monthly by Hachette Filipacchi Magazines. Inc. impressive balance of brilliance and taste- at 1633 Broadway. Ncw York. NY 10019; telephone (212) 767-6000. One-year subscription fulness in several other violin concertos rate for the United States and its possessions, on Naxos, and he seems to have a spe- folk music, sophisticated shawms and $19.94: Canada. $29.34 (Canadian Business Number 126018209RT, IPN Sales Agreement cial feeling for the Shostakovich pair, on sweet recorders with rude pipes and bag- Number 99236); all other countries. $27.94; both musical and emotional levels. The pipes, plucked strings with winds, Indi- cash orders only, payable in U.S. currency. Peri- strong case he makes for the Second Con- an -sounding (!) Mexican, Portuguese, and odical postage paid at New York. NY 10001, and at additional mailing offices. Authorized as peri- certo in particular, with fine support from Italian music with Spanish music, and a odical mail by the Post Office Department. Ot- Antoni Wit and first-rate sonics, all at bit of early Baroque with the Renaissance. tawa. Canada. and for payment of postage in budget price, might well help to speed it cash. POSTMASTER/SUBSCRIPTION SER- Piffaro's aim is good and vivid program VICE: Please send change -of -address forms and to a place beside its well -regarded prede- making, not historical or musicological all subscription correspondence to Stereo Re- cessor in the standard repertory. R.F. purity. There's some curious intonation view, P.O. Box 55627. Boulder. CO 80322- 5627. Please allow at least eight weeks for the in the singing, but the performances al- change of address to become effective. Include TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 1 most invariably hit the mark. E.S. both your old and your new address, enclosing, ("Winter Dreams"); Francesca da if possible, an address label from a recent issue. If you have a subscription problem, write to the Rimini GIL SHAHAM The Fiddler of the above address or call (303) 604-1464; fax (303) St. Louis Symphony. Leonard Slatkin cond. Opera 604-7455. PERMISSIONS: Material in this pub- (RCA Victor 68662, 70 min) * * * lication may not he reproduced in any form Gil Shaham, violin; Akira Eguchi, piano without permission. Requests for permission Tchaikovsky's charming "Winter Dreams" (Deutsche Grammophon 447 640.66 mitt) should be directed to: The Editor, Stereo Re- Symphony fares well under Leonard * * * * view. 1633 Broadway. New York, NY 10019. Slatkin's baton. The first movement is a BACK ISSUES are available. Write to ISI/Stereo Great violin virtuosos of the past, such Review, 30 Montgomery Street, Jersey City. NJ bit slow, but the following adagio can- as Fritz Kreisler and Pablo de Sarasate, 07302. For each copy ordered, enclose a check tabile is beautifully molded - the re- transformed familiar operatic melodies or money order for $5.95 in U.S. funds ($7.25 for orders sent to Canada, $12.95 for other for- prise of its second theme is the high into brilliant showpieces for their own eign locations): add $2 to those prices for each point of the work - and the scherzo is performances. Today these transcriptions copy of the 1997 Store" Buyer's Guide annual. wholly delectable. After its brooding in- find an ideal interpreter in young Gil For telephone credit-card orders, call (201) 451- 9420. EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS must be troduction, the finale is a real rouser. Shaham, thanks to his technical prowess accompanied by return postage and will he han- Francesca da Rimini gets a full -out, im- and his romantic temperament. Lush and dled with reasonable care. but the publisher as- passioned treatment in the extended lyri- sumes no responsibility for the return or safety lovely playing and sound. W.L. of unsolicited manuscripts, art. or photographs.

100 STEREO REVIEW JANUARY 1998 CD/VHS CASE oaf Tall

$119" (HOUDAY SALEI) v- Furniture Quality Oak Construction I- Fully Adjustable Shelves Hand Rubbed Danish Oil Finish Immediate Delivery In Oak or Black 0C. A.Free Collor Photos We offer 0 COMOKO hr. of coOduC/1 300 won ma Stores JO Day Unconclitiono, case 250 $4,11 dna 'ans.,' Money Back Guanan. rnpre frs O. ond 01.0 306 CD's `.upemb Dmoy,u Quality l_turkponems VVide SvIestum The Cube a any combination 1-800-878-7458 Buy Dues and Save Call for FREE catalog by Lorentz Design ot CD's. CD-ROM .VHS. Cassettes. etc [4= StudicTech Inc. 800487-8834 Featuring our patented ALLSTOP STORAGE SYSTEM. no slots. .a -O I orerofoes 14040 Mend Sr ton-oenent CO 00504 .I1 wee Olrfflaff(1114011 no plastic molds, no wasted space FuII-estemion drawer slides From high quality oak veneers and hardwood 23" H x 19 B" W x 17 tc' D Fully assembled Slack:ibis, 0 csxx 800-933-0403 to order or for a free, color brochure detailing The Shelving Shaped V all our disc, tape & component storage CUBES. 11)1. Inc. P.O. Box 277 Laneshoro, MN 55949 ByYour Needs. Fax: 507-467-2468 Or e-mail us your brochure request at lorentz @ polaristel.net Archetype Systeme feature; mcdula- elements that you combine and, as needs change, reconfigure. Shelves are rigid, neo- fw prene isolators damp vibraTion, and solid steel threaded support posts p"ovide infinite Copies of articles from this vertical adju stability. Optior s include publication ore now available from UMI acoustic mo Jnting spikes,arge-capacity Article Clearinghouse. drawer, bookends and section-tridging U -M -I shelves. In solid hardwood or fiberboard. 800-521-0600 toll -free Call or fax for our free colo- brochure. 313-761-4700 collect from Alaska and Michigan 800-343-5299 toll -free from Canada Salamander Designs Ltd. 800.201.6533 Fax: 860.313.0526 Visit our web site: www.mande-.com

1ComponentStorage

+ Quick, no tool fissembly. + Solid steel support system. + 15 standard models. -1- Custom units available. + Flexible shelf spacing. + Solid oak, walnut, cherry or black MDF shelves. Imagine 270 CDs in one drawer. Then, imagine modular media cabinetry." Now, let your imagination run wild...

+ Please cull to receive a catalog on 4 I :filk Combo41: storage cabinets you can't outgrow. r,tun In ,rfumlion kit ttid,ts PO Box 747-71 L soRiceNutley, NI 07110 Fax: 905-475-1154 www.can-am.ca Call: 800-432-8005 Fax: 201-667-8688 e-mail: [email protected] Stereo Review CLASSIFIED For Advertising Information Call 1-800-445-6066, 9am-5pm EST

AUTHORIZED AUTHORIZED PLEASE NOTE: It is impossible for us to verifyallof the claims of advertisers, OUR 22ND YEAR! CALL 1(800) 826-0520. * including product availability and exis- NAD * SONY ES * ONKYO * CARVER * KEF * tence of warranties. To confirm that an advertiser is authorized to sell a product, HARMAN KARDON * LEXICON * ADCOM * NA- we suggest you contact the manufacturer KAMICHI * AMC * POLK AUDIO * SUNFIP.E * directly. Please review our Tips for Mail Order Purchasers in this section. ATLANTIC TECHNOLOGY * PROAC * TARGET * VELODYNE * PSB * PANAMAX * MONSTER CABLE * JAMO * GRADO * AUDIOCONTROL * RECORDS a/d/s * THORENS * SANUS SYSTEMS * NILES LV/CD/RECORD COLLECTOR'S SUPPLIES. Jewel boxes, jockets, AUDIO * OMNIMOUNT * SOUNDSTREAM * sleeves, etc. CABCO-663, BOX 8212, COLUMBUS, OH 43201. ROCKFORD FOSGATE * SOUND SELLER, BOX (614) 267-8468. [email protected] 224, 2808 CAHILL, MARINETTE, WI NEEDLES/CARTRIDGES 8 Begs --Expert Consultations, AN Major Brands, One a' Largest Stocks in Country including Old/ 54143-0224. Obsolete Models. NEEDLE EXPRESS. 1-800-982-2620. www.needieexpfess.com AUTHORIZED the FRIENDLY ADVICE! FREE SHIPPING! MIRAGE. KINERGETICS, NAD, PARASOUND, h EF, AUDIOQUEST, KIMBER, STRAIGHTWIRE, ' POWER TO THE PEOPLE- UMBRA 12002008 1-803-536-3691. MORE!! READ BROTHERS, 593-B KING, CHARLESTON, SOUTH Sound Seller MENISCUS AUDIO GROUP, 4669 S. Division Ave Wyoming. MI CAROUNA 294E3. (803)723-7276. [email protected] 49548. rneniscusCiserv.net Authorized Dealer For: ADCOM *JOAO PftAc WANTED TO BUY 11-.14.1,111 I 3)1..n, Lclis KEF PSB SPEAKERS McIntosh and Marantz tube type Hi-Fi, and old JBL. Altec. AMC *LEXICON SANUS FURNITURE Tannoy, EV Patncian and Western Electric speakers. David MARC rEaraoGy MONSTER CABLE 1-800-356-4434 "One of America's Finest sow,' AuDocotana RAD CASH for USED AUDIO & VIDEO EQUIP BUYING and SELLING by SCNYHF PHONE. CALL for HIGHEST QUOTE (215)886-1650 Ext. SR Since Audio/Video Stores" BELLES NAIWAICHi 1984 The Stereo Trading Outlet. 320 Old York Road. *SOUND ANCHORS 'CARVER NILES AUDIO Jenkintown, PA 19046 WEB SITE Catalog www tsto corn *TARGET STANDS We stock106 Brandsof Audio. CELESTION NITTY GRITTY LP's & CD's. BOUGHT & SOLD: Classical, Rock, Asa, Audiophile, THORENS Video and Car Stereo. Only a few CM FURNITURE OMNIMOUNT Etc. PRINCETON RECORD EXCHANGE, 20 Tulane St., Princeton, NJ 08542. (609) 921-0881. http://vAw.i.prex.corn stores in America can make this GRADO LABS PANAMAX TICE AUDIO statement and virtually all HARMAN KARDON FOY AUDIO VELODYNE LASER VIDEO of usa are located in 2808 Cahill Road, P.O. Box 224 towns adjacent to Marinette, WI 54143 (715) 735-9002 WIDE hi -tech Universities. SCREEN -University of Kansas - 1-800-826-0520 MOVIESonLAgERDISC AUTHORIZED DEALER 800-893-0390 215-721-8688 for LASERTOWN VIDEO DISCS Floor Tower Speakers 50 SCHOOL HOUSERDwww.i laserdisc.com Ctr Channel Speakers SAVE 40% ON HIGH -END home speakers, sub KULPSVILLE PA 19443FREE CATALOG Subwoofer Speakers - Bookshelf Speakers woofers, amplifiers. FREE CATALOG! RTRD,3023 Receivers / Audio E. Sangamon Ave., Springfield, IL 62702. MISCELLANEOUS Video / TVs / VCRs 1-800-283-4644. CLASSICAL MUSIC LOVERS' EXCHANGE. Nationwide link Projection TVs /DV D between unattached music lovers. Write CMLE, Box 31. CD Players / Changers Pelham, NY 10803 (803) 233-CMLS. Laser Disc / Tape Decks 114% LOUDSPEAKERS HomeTheater Systems ARCNITECURAL AUDIO FIELD RECORDERS 'DA' the .as Visitour 14 Showrooms SONY DST eBRA14 Featuring 106 Quality Manufacturers .0ALLIBAND RADIO Happy - DUSTOVINSTALLATi:', 0 KIEF'S AUDIO/VIDEO PRO IIAN NOME 'kEATEP 2429 Iowa SL, Lawrence, KS 66046 M -T -W -T 10am-lipm, Medium 1:: F -S 10am-6pm www.HappyMedium.com awet.coitS http://www.kiefsay.corn/ ADS NAD wv,v4,0h," Pe AMC NAKAMICHI ATLANTIC TECHNOLOGY NILES AUDIO Service, upgrades, trades and new speakers. Factory direct At ii)1()/vii)v() BANG 6 OLUFSEN PANAMAX from Ohm Acoustics, 241 Toatte Place, Brooklyn NY 11205 'CARVER POLK AUDIO (718) 783-1555; FAX (718) 857-2472; email 785-842- 11 S I 11 CELESTION PSB SPEAKERS OhmSpeaker@AOLcom GRADO SANUS SYSTEMS HARMAN KARDON SUNFIRE REPAIR FOAM ROT ELECTRONICS JVC SONY YOURSELF! HOME THEATER DVD KEF SONY HiFi LEXICON TARGET 1,1> lu I,Iti, 1 y,p1,1 1,121 A 1..,11 AR. JBL. MONSTER CABLE THORENS Bose, Infinity. EV. etc 800-359-8200 Surrounds. adhesive 8 instructions AUTHORIZED DEALER .13: State Street Madison 8153733 FAX 1 gill 255.442i MC 'VISA/Discover-no CODs FOR EVERY COMPONENT SOLD! Call with make 8 model for best price Phone 24 hrs 1585 ROUTE 46 EAST ,LITTLE FALLS, NJ 07424 704-697-9001 TEL: 973 256-1 122 - FAX: 973 256-5388 1/4 1-800-906 HI-FI (4434). or Toll Free 800-747-3692 STEPP vv vs, kv..tviili tint AUDIO TECHNOLOGIES LOUDSPEAKERS CABLE TV CABLE TV Crazy Don's Price War! CABLE BOXES PRICES SO LOW YOU WON'T BELIEVE R. Dan The Cableman 1-1388-429-4369 CABLE T.V. SATELLITE TV Mins SPEAKER Converters & Equipment CATALOG FREE DSS T1.7 CARD information package. Works with new Lowest prices guaranteed! system. Write SIGNAL SOLUTIONS, 2711 Buford Rd., Suite 180. The Parts Express catalog is a must Richmond, '0A 23235. for the serious speaker enthusiast' We are a nationally known electronics dis- BLANK TAPES tributor that takes pride in our huge 30 -Da) Mom.) Back selection of products and our first rate Guarantee I -year warranty customer service. We stock a dizzy- 1 -8)0 -TARE WORLD or 1-800 245-6:00 ing array of audio related components 595 SHIPPVT-; PREPCAT including raw loudspeaker drivers for Well teat any price' home and car, home theatre products, SONY IZAXELI. TDK FUJI PLEASE RAVE NAME & DAT 20 fe 9. Ei 74 1 99SVH57120 6 49 connectors, wire, test equipment, plus DAT-I24 ==: I 99 S 9O 99D 90, 79HI 8 120 599 numerous accessories. So what are MODEL NUMBER READY.. 11-' T 120V 69T 120 NG%2 49SA.90 1 49DRI.90 .69 CodeSRM you waiting for.. call for your FREE L-750BING r 49ST 120 699SAX90 199JVCST120 5.99 244 page catalog today' ST -I60 99DAT 124 ex 7.99SAX100 249XEII-30 Cl: 99 VISA, MC, C.O.D. MOW 74 3 99UD35-90 8 99T120 ERG 249CDRXG74 6.99 Parts Express 1-800-338-0531 TDKDVC60 13 99UR9C -9DA-'"' = 40 T 4 2 4 0 340 E. First Street, Dayton. Ohio 45402-1257 VEGA ELECTRONICS Phone: 937/222-0173 Far 937/222-4644 TAPE WORLD 220 smear's! 'unarm 16061 401).X/2.11273 E-mail: salesOparts.express corn (800) 888-5585 Fr III/P/N1 SAME hAv SHIPPING M -F 8-5

PANASONIC 2 -PIECE DIGITAL COMBO, $95. 10 FOR SALE Read about the famous NEW -FOAM Repair LOT ONLY. Q-TRONICS. WHOLESALE ONLY!! process in Stereo Review June 1996 888-228-8269. Standard and Deluxe NEW -FOAM Kits CALL 1(800) -72 -BOXES FOR UNBEATABLE PLEASE NOTE: one PRICES ON CABLE CONVERTERS & A * AFTER A PRODUCT INDICATES nogt-L011wro NEWFOAM DESCRAMBLERS. MONEY -BACK GUARANTEE. Satisfaction Guaranteed Se Habla Espanol THE ADVERTISER IS AN AUTHO- Speaker Repair 8r_ Replacement Parts DEALERS WELCOME. VISA/MASTERCARD/ Worldwide Service Since 1979 DISCOVER/C.0.D QUALITY ENTERTAINMENT. WE RIZED DEALER FOR THAT PRODUCT. WON'T BE UNDERSOLD!' 1 -800 -NEW -FOAM = 1-800-487-2349 CABLE DESCRAMBLER KIT. Only $1495! See all premium and WORLDWIDE SPEAKER REPAIR, PARTS, AND pay -per -view channels. Why pay hundreds more? For more ACCESSORIES. Call us with your speaker prob- information, call 1-800-752-1389. CABLE TV CONVERTERS. DESCRAMBLERS. Great Price (800) 451-5851 lems. VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC. www.NEW- and Quality Service, Satisfaction Guaranteed. EAGLE ENTERPRISES NY (7113) 438,1027 FOAM.com ELECTRONICS INC: 1-800-259-1187. Visa/MC/Amex/Disc E=11 EE11:1=MZE=3:MMI New technology Ribbon loudspeakers ideal for both rxrne accepted. JVC SON V (.; 0il 94 II/ theater and pure audio Factory direct from Newform TEST CHIPS FOR All CABLE BOXES! From $50 to $40. IN 119 Research (705) 8:15-9030 www bannt on Cainewf arm/ Guaranteed Qt Y. Qtiontily Discounb. Dealers Welcome. 1/I 15 Cal 1ELECHIP 1-800-793-7567. /IN 119 ROTTEN FOAM? CABLE TV CONVERTEPS & DESCRAMBLERS. FREE 30 DAY TRIAL .119 209 Simply Speakers - Factory FREE ONE-YEAR WARRANTY, QUALITY EQUIPMENT VISA/MC/ ALPINE Authorized Service - All Brands AMEX/COD. PC ELECTRONICS: 1-800-675-7125. :: I JBL. Bose. Advent, EPI, CV. AR. ININ Infinity 8 More QUALITY CABLE TV EQUIPMENT: Includes V)PIONEER 1.9 Clarion Worldwide Service - Reconing IN 91 440094' 01.11111$ 30 1919 Relearning. Warranty, Techni;a1 Support, Money -Back Guar- 199 30 : Huge selection of DIV. Foam MMM RLAUPUNNT Kits - We Ship Daily! antee. Quantity Discounts. J&D ELECTRONICS: 749 349 2I9 Foam Rot Preventative Kits. 339 IN IN I/9 1-800-851-9083, 9:OOam-7:OOpm E3T. 144 CALL TOLL FREE TODAY ! msc100119 14C(1814., I IN 1 Sr I DEL C/511, 91[119 1 -888 -FOAM ROT (1-688-362-6768) SIMPLY SPEAKERS, 1/9 IP-TV " 13/ 11203 49TH STREET N CLEARWATER, FL 33762 www Link your TV-Descrambler-Computer into one s,stem. 11,1-11,1CS CO9 speakers. corn. WE CAN SOLVE YOUR SPEAKER PROBLEMS. SAT- Experience the possibilities or surfing the NET using O 11,14 union ISFACTION GUARANTEED!! VISA/MC/DISC/AMEX. your cable box remote. SS9 0 AIWA Financing available. /19 IN .117r31, HOME THEATER 169 . 549 WHISILER FREE cable TV decoder included with eery purchase. CD LENS

ED ALL BRANDS ELECTRONICS 800-835-2330 HOME SPEAKERS I AUDIOI VIDEO IMP =El MI= 81111WCOM I RECEIVERS, AMPS WS/DVO S THEATER SAVE FOR ;ASIAN! PRICING AND WNW SPECIALS VISIT OUR WEI SITE Cable order2save ,aol.com ConvertersIDescramblers www.avhts.com/allbrands 1euydirect from the wholesaler AUDIO VIDEO CENTER I We will beat any advertised price I 1 -888 -312 -SAVE De I CD463.40c k° WI= I The Best Audio & Video Equipment CD VIDEO PROJECTORS - GIANT 5'- 25' ULTRA -BRIGHT 1 1 - 8 0 08 4 296cs.conelcd 0 From All Major Manufacturers HIGH RESOLUTION PICTURES!!! SEAMLESS SCREENS TO 25"!!! . hUplwww.delect7c- roni- 'DEPIXELATION PROCESSORS", UNBEATABLE PRICES!!! FREE CATALOGIIIPOU-VISION (717) 489-3292 VISA MC AMEX C.O.D. DEMON NAKAMACHI NAD CABLE TV CABLETV SONY ES BOSE *YAMAHA CONVERTERS & EQUIPMENT CARVER POLK A.R. VISA 30 day money back PSB 4 JBL INFINITY CABLE CONVERTER guarantee MON-FRI DIAGNOSTIC TEST CHIPSSAT 10AM. 8AM.7PM 2PM EST * Quantity discount AND MORE! SALE 53) TOLL FREE TECH. SUPPORT 1888.5 9 -TECH 1 -year warranty Slecialists in Home Theatre 1 Dealers welcome! Systems & High -End Audio

CABLE DESCRAMBLERNIDEO OUTLET. 30 490.161 -end Vali Mkt., .inithionpron, i'il18966 DAY TRIAL -1 YEAR WARRANTY. ALL NEW (800)739-2253 EQUIPMENT. MOST CREDIT CARDS & C.O.D. inter ::www.tekview.com CALL NOW: 1-800-586-9920. FOR SALE FRIENDLY PEOPLE, EXPERT ADVICE, and THE LOWEST PRICES! I HOME THEATER SPECIALISTS L THX - AC -3Consultants WHOLESALE CONNECTION Forinfo & customer To order call:1-800-226-2800 service call www.wholesaleconnection.com 732-780-6600 112211:1:1,122137 r Fax orders JVC AIWA American Buyer's Club International 732-294-7480 RX662 CALL R0882 CALL NSX.130 CALL IISKA50 CALL N5KA72 RX992 CALL CALL 1158092 CALL NS XMT 70 CALL NSKIAT90 CALL VISIT OUR WEBSITE TECHNICS XEIMIO CALL IIRM30A CALL SAAX710 CALL MINT100..CALL 2VM27 CALL 1-8011-354-1324 SAAX910 CALL SHAC300 CALL J VC 130 Highway 33 Englishtown, NJ 07726 WWW.STEREOABC.COM .CALL PIONEER CALL VSX49 CALL VSXD506 CALL IIND761.. CALL VSX59 CALL 000D606 CALL PANASONIC SCAK20 CALL SCAKDO CALL VSX79 CALL VSX0906 CALL KENWOOD aMME=111111. 1070VR CALL 108000 CALL Portable 8 Horne Call P.11#041 10900R CALL KFIV990D CALL HARMAN/KARDON Portable 8 Horne Cali TOSHIBA DYNACO SD3 102 60R40 CALL AVMS CALL YAMAHA CALL CDV-2 TOP RATED 001175 CALL M11185 CALL 381 RX-V992 ...AC -3 799 PIONEER DENON ONKYO H I. S610 CALL 015010 CALL DVL700 DVD/LDICD TXSV535...CALL TXDS838. CALL 1015820 CALL ESC550 CALL RX-V2092 CALL DCM460 339 TXS11636 ..CALL 1000939 CALL SCSI15 CALL SCSI20 CALL KEF SONY INFINITY HARMAN/KARDON NAKAMICHI CARVER Q70 CALL DVP-S5000 11S2000 1..CALL SM65 CALL AVR85 CALL CALL ALL MODELS CALL FITR880 CALLAV7t5X CALL RS2000 2 CALL ONUS CALL MODEL THREE CALL YAMAHA RS2000 3. CALL SM105 CALL AVR25 MK II 439 YAMAHA RS2000 &CALL StatIS CALL PSB DVDI000 AC -3 IIMIEC=117:111 002000 5..CALL SMIZS CALL DENON CDC665 239 PIONEER RS2000 6. CALL SMISS CALL STRATUS GOLD ....CALL PANASONIC MINUETTE.CALL OUTRIGGER AVR2600 CALL PDF79 CALL PDF906 CALL CALL BIC STRATUS MINI NEW DVD-A300 1-1EDIMEMMI PDF59 CALL PDF606 AVR3200 AC -3 ....AC -3 CALL 0504....CALL 45251 CALL WHARFDALE KENWOOD 06134 ..CALL 06201 CALL AVR5600 THX DEN ON 1802.....611 0081 10 HITACHI .. AUTHORIZED 1070CD CALL 106000 CALL CALL DIAMOND 7.2 CALL DVD-2000 CALL RODE PIONEER TOSHIBA DEALER 15180 CALL ATLANTIC DXC330 CALL D00530 CALL VSX-D906 CALL 100011 CALL 899 SONY CALL HARMAN/KARDON TECHNOLOGY 1-11ZBEEZIZE1522Z11 Powered Subwoaloys VSX-D606 CALL MITSUBISHI 618300 CALL 6L8150 CALL 350.1 THX CALL TECHNICS INFINITY BU1 CALL 250.1 SLP0887CALL SLMC400 CALL INFINITY 8U2 CALL AC -3 810000 CALL SONY CINEPRO BOSE _HOME- BIC V120OR COPCX200 CALL CDPCX250 CALL CALL 3K6 CALL AM 10 MIX PS12 .CALL .NEW LOW PRICE k olyntaca PS15 CALL NAD AM 7 II ....LOWEST PRICE SM071Y .SAW101 .CALL JVC 700662 CALL 2I6THX AMP AIWA TSW10 CALL AUDES LOWEST PRICES! (v)ploNcen JVC 1022718 CALL AIWA TSW50 CALL PARASOUND GOLD025 ..TOWER .1799 VELODYNE FSR- I 2 HARMAN/KARCION 00520 CALL P/SP-I000 PRO -LOGIC KRIX MAK SONY PIONEER._.CT W605 . CALL q1a1=3:=3:1/ MX -125 INFINITY HCA 1206 VIDFOI CALL AMP EQUINOX ..Award Winner KLIPSCH KSW-200 INFINITY SMVIDEO TECHNICS CALL APEX TOWER BIC 1152CLR CALL ADCOM YAMAHA .YST-SW ISO.299 YAMAHA SONY TCWE605.- .CALL BIC GTP 600 PRE AMP VE.2CLR CALL KLIPSCH BIC . 1200R SONY ICY/EROS CALL GFA7000 Velodyne 4LirtE221/ AMP KLF20 CALL AUDES SWI01 PIONEER la=a21:121/ KEHP515 CALL DF11613 CALL MILLION DOLLAR INVENTORY WOMB CALL 0015900 PIONEER 00500 CALL S CALL C00EM629 CALL DE HR85 CALL YEAR WARRANTIES AVAILABLE ON ALL PRODUCTS VISA COA0M1227CALL ISO All prod,tf 3,e rte* USA oror clrandoe corcryd by the marrulauorers war r arrry or PIONEER DVL700 CALL O IIR5000 CALL COXP6265....CALL ABC s homed *manly MEMBER OF THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU TOSHIBA S02107.. CALL PANASONIC COOPGSSO CALL COOPX95...... CALL TOSHIBA SD3107 _ CALL SONY PANASONIC OVDA100 __CALL XRCA50 CALL COI1C460.....CALL ARC550 CALL PANASONIC 0000300 .CALL C118505118 CALL CD)1705 CALL Components that Systems that VIDEO PLUS AUDIO PIONEER LASER CL00406 CALL JVC PIONEER LASER CL 059 CALL KI/G0720. CALL define the 6533Roosevelt Blvd.,Philadelphia, PA19049 ' KIM CALLe KOGS920 ..CALL anticipate the IMIECE=IM KOMKBBRE CALL KOMIUNI .CALL If you don't see what you're KENWOOD KFIC703 CALL KDC6005 CALL PRESEINTT Future looking for. please rail KRC903 CALL 0007005 CALL JVC K OCC601 CALL 80081105 CALL SPEWERS & SUBS AUDIO COMPONENTS GRAXM25 CALL GRAX920 CALL GROVM1 CALL aillE222:2==. 8(1 PANASONIC PV1857... CALL P01657 CALL sassri CALL P001/210..CALL WHISTLER 1565220 CALL 1575W0 CANON CALL 00100 CALL 00400.... ES6000 CALL 1806499 CALL 1006599 CALL OPIUM CALL 1802200 CALL 112:121:130qliZ1:171==11.1/ VIDEO SONY SONY /\III III SPINEMIG \ CALL 0368 CALL 6465 SPPM920..CALL EQUIPMENT CALL SPPS8960 CALL It'4411:oerence DM805 CALL DE307CM CALL PANASONIC KENWOOD RXTCC902 CALL XXTCC912 .CALL Acoustic Research OPC671 CALL OPC971 CALL IdaCC912 CALL HOME DINER PACKAGES PANASONIC KTTCS970 CALL MX1CM940...CALL Atlantic Technology SL 13210 CALL SLS651C CALL TOSHIBA (800) 947 - 4434 Bose. Canon 010986 CALL 8E8006 CALL Call for Grinds 8 Models Not Listed harmon/kardon (310) 517- 1700 so. cal. Jamo. JBL. 24 HR. Fax (516)564-9593 PO's Welcome (310) 517-1732 fax JVC. Kenwood. We accdat61; Visa, AmesDiscover 6 COD We ship FEDEX Monster Cable. NAD WHOLLSALt CONNECTION 361 Charles SL West Hempstead. NY 11552 Sony. Toshiba. Infinity and much more! EXPERT ADVICE * * * AUDIONIDEO DEALS. www.leshoppe.com * * * COURTEOUS SERVICE or call us for door ho dew,'del COMPETITIVE PRICES r 800.226-6784 AUDIO 1 02 1 4 Dalton Ave.. Dept. SR VISUAL Xpress Gardena. CA 90248 800-419-2323 Audio Home Video visit our web site: www.reference-ay.com Classified Advertisers... Receivers Speakers DVD CD Players Subwoofers DSS ADA ....A/411 Millions of your prime prospects Mini Disc Center Channels VCR ATLANTIC TECH. CREEK can be found in the industry Tape Decks MERIDIAN SON1 Car Stereo Camcorders 020I0EAS1 NM Dat Recorders MIRAGE SPECTRON leading titles of Hachette Fili- Car Amplifiers TV's AUDIBLE ILLUSIONS DENON Mini Systems Radar Detectors Laser Discs MITSUBISHI S1RAIGHTWIRI pacchi Magazines, Inc. AUDIO CONTROL FANFARE NAD 1ARGE1 AUDIO POWER GRADO A NE5100001( THORENS To place a classified ad, simply AC01001161 HOUR NILES IKE call toll -free and reserve your \1l lirancls from A to 7. and Nlore BAG END HARMAN KARDON NITTY GRITTY TOSHIBA space today! BALANCED AUDIO INFINITY 00(10 TOWNSHENE Audio Xpress 3550Oceanside.Lawson Ifsrfl1 SW 8015100 JAMO PIONEER ELITE TRIAE 1-800-445-6066 CAL AUDIO LABS JBL SYNTHESIS PROM VON SCHWEIKER1 (9am - 5pm EST) CARITAS KEE PSB VRI Or We accept MC. Visa. Amex. Discover 8 COO1-800-419-2323 CARVER KINDER KABLE ROONTUNE WIREWORLE Fax your order to 212-767-5624 CARS LINN SHARP ALL CELESTION LU100N SHE . . . and more r AUDIO/VIDEO STORAGE INDEX TO ADVERTISERS JANUARY Stereo Review SILLY Reader Page SUBSCRIBER SERVICE Service No. Advertiser Number AUDICI,VIDECI FURNITURE 28 Adcom 26-27 - America Online 10 E-30 S - Amplifier Technologies, Inc 47 "We'll even design a piece to, our exact specifications!" Our CUSTOM design department 49 B&K 12 is fast and affordable. We also offer over 39 B&W 14 100 stock designs of unequaled quality 50 Bell'Oggetti 41 41 Bose 4-5 - Bose-Acoustic Wave 10 - Boston Acoustics 29,31

PLACE 6 Cambridge SoundWorks ..43, 45, 65, 75 LABEL - Camel 53 HERE 23 Celestion 86

PR01000 Holds 1000 CDs PR034 Audio/Yideo lad 55 Checkpoint 56 The Wave CD Seaee 10 Colonel Video 99 17 Crutchfield 54

56 DCM 57 15 Definitive Technology ....34-35, 37, 38,39

26 Energy 49 3 Energy 51 The Audio Duster MO-- Now AonTyur19.95 - Harman International 81 MOVING?Please give us Call us today for your local dealer and a copy 8 J&R Music World 92-93 of our detailed Newsletter with product photos 8 weeks advance notice. Attach and specifications. label with your old address, and 27 KEF C4 4I47 -A Transport St. Ventura, CA 93003 write in new address below. 54 Kenwood 2-3 805/644-2185 - Klipsch 11 Fax: 805/644-0434 RENEWING?Check 56 http://sombillybags.com 58 Legacy Audio box below and attach label with 57 Lexicon 56 corrections marked, if any. - M&K 19 - Magnavox C2-1 Check - Ma. lboro 20 SUBSCRIBING? 51 MC1v1 98 box and fill in coupon. For gift - Monsoon C3 Reach proven subscriptions attach a separate 60 New World Audio 96 mail order buyers! sheet. - NHT 7 They turn to us when they Send STEREO REVIEW 9 One Call 97 66 are looking for purchasing infor 1 year at $17.94 38 Onkyo formation and advise.Advertise 59 Panamax 57 111 Renewal I= New Subscription 24 your products and services in El Payment enclosed E Bill me 45 Paradigm 43 Paradigm 25 a low-cost environment Canadian and foreign orders 28 Phase Technology 12 that sells. add $8 per year. 37 Prc Sound & Stage Lighting 105 61 PS8/Lenbrook 56 Millions of your prime prospects can be found in the 62 Sanus 57 52 Seneca Media 47 industry leading titles of 63 Sennheiser 57 Hachette Filipacchi 40 Sherwood 32 Magazines, Inc. - Sony 8, 22, 23 - Sound & Cinema 98 To place a classified ad, 44 Sound Approach 104 46 Sound City 100 simply call toll -free and reserve your space today! 7 T. Row Price 15 1-800-445-6066 1(303) 604-1464 - Uncle's Stereo 95 FAX 1(303) 604-7455 42 Universal Remote 13 (9am - 5pm EST) - Velodyne 76 or FAX: 212-767-5624 STEREO REVIEW P.O. Box 55627, Boulder CO 80322 64 XS Technologies 55 THE HIGH END COREY GREENBERG

cept that it plays only in registered Divx players. Perhaps the coolest feature of Divx Is a Divx is that you can take a disc over to a friend's house, pop it into his Divx player, andhegets billed. Excellent! Four -Letter Word Divx discs are mastered differently from DVDs, and they use a different encryption system, which is what prevents WHEN YOU COVER the world of con- like Divx - they think it's a monumen- them from being played on regular DVD sumer electronics for a living as I do, it's tally stupid, all -but -certain flop cooked up players. This means that some of the hard not to grow cynical. I see so many by the most brain -dead retail chain in valuable data space on the disc that would awful products foisted on the public by America to confuse innocent DVD-hun- normally be used for the audio and video evil, greed -driven swine that sometimes I gry consumers right before the Christmas signals is stolen away and used for en- wonder if it's even possible for good peo- buying season. In fact,I heard one nor- cryption duty. So the picture and sound ple to bring smart technology to market mally conservative editor refer to Divx as quality of a Divx disc may not be quite as anymore. "Dumb Ignorant Vile Xcrement," and good as a DVD. Awesome! But every now and then a ray of hope then his face turned beet red and he As this issue is just hitting the stands in pierces through the darkness, restoring cursed Circuit City with the kind of lan- mid -December, I'd love to be able to tell my faith that thereisa God, and that this guage I thought only Redd Foxx and Ma- you to go to Circuit City right now and God is agoodGod. Of course, I'm refer- donna used. buy yourself a Divx player and discs for ring to the most important, brilliant, Well, Grumpy Guss and Naysay Nellie your lucky family this Christmas. But I downright sexy product of this century or are certainly entitled to their opinions, but can't. You see, Circuit City doesn't plan any other: Divx! Good God a'mighty, all it takes is a cheekful of lithium and a to sell Divx players or discs till the sum- people,say it again! Divx!Hallelujah! 500 -pound weight crashing down on top mer of 1998! A cynic might suggest that Haven't you heard about Divx yet? It's of your head to see that Divx is a good Circuit City is hyping Divx now so that a Circuit City scam - did I say scam? thing. For starters, you know Divx is spe- you and I will put off the purchase of a Goodness me, I meant to sayplan -to cial when you can't even use the player DVD player this holiday season and wait sell you an extra -expensive DVD player right away when you get it home. First, instead for Divx. That cynic might go ($100 to $200 more) with special circuit- you have to call Divx's home office to even further and call for a boycott of Cir- ry that plays a new kind of $5 DVD. Un- like a regular DVD that costs $20 or $25 and can be played an unnecessarily infinite number of times on any DVD player Perhaps the coolestfeature in the world, a way -better Divx disc can only be played in a Divx player, and then of Divx is that you can take a disc over your $5 investment is only good for 48 hours from the first time you press the to a friend's house, pop it into his Divx player, play button. Then you can just throw it away like a spent coffee filter! and he gets billed. Excellent! Wow! I bet a spent Divx disc lying on top of a landfill lasts abillion yearsbe- fore it starts to break down! Isn't that the register your name and credit-card infor- cult City this Christmas season. Finally, coolest thing you ever heard? I'm so in mation with them, and then connect your that cynic might call on every reader of love with the idea I can barely type this! phone line to a jack on the back of the this magazine to forget about Divx, be- You should see me right now, because Divx player. Neat! cause it's a cheap, ill-conceived attempt I've got this huge crazy smile on my face Why does the player need to be con- to horn in on the DVD market and con- and I'm dancing around the room like nected to your phone line at all times? fuse innocent consumers into thinking Michael Jackson inThe Wiz! Because it's got a little modem inside that they're buying something that's somehow You can file the story of how Divx was periodically calls Divx Central to tell better than DVD, and not a monstrously born under "Heartwanners." It seems that them what movies you've been watching dumb and incompatible format that's al- a couple of nice Hollywood entertainment so they can bill you for any extra plays. ready meeting with such widespread dis- lawyers approached Circuit City a few See, the only thing your five bucks buys gust that its quick market death is all but years ago with the idea of a pay -per -view you is a 48 -hour viewing period that be- certain. DVD that could be played only on expen- gins the moment you hit play. Every time But I love Divx! And Circuit City! And sive, specially equipped players. Smart, you watch a Divx disc after the initial 48 the lawyers who thought this whole thing caring Circuit City loved the idea so hours, Divx Central adds a $3 charge to up in the first place! Fine people, all of much it became the majority shareholder your credit card. Of course, if you like the them. And right after Dr. Markowitz in Digital Video Express, which devel- idea of being able to watch a Divx movie comes by with my medication, I'm going oped the Divx discs and the special cir- as many times as you want without being to march right down to my local Circuit cuitry required to play them. billed, you can pay $25 and buy a "Divx City and wait in line for this great new Some of my journalist colleagues don't Gold" disc. It's like a regular DVD, ex - product. See you there! 112 STEREO REVIEW JANUARY 1998

KEFSOUNDRAVES

I-

, Some notable quotes from Edward M. Long in Audio's September issue:

"...KEF has gained an enviable reputation for producing excellent KEF loudspeakers."

RDMone "...clear, precise imaging."

SPEAKER "The RDM one reminds me of the As reviewed in classic BBC LS3/5a, but with deeper bass and higher output."

"...the KEF RDM ones are an AUDIO excellent value-and very good September 1997 looking, too."

Designed by the same engineers as our legendary Reference Series, the RDM one features KEF's patented Uni-Cr technology. Uni-Q places the tweeter at the exact acoustic center of the woofer cone to create a single point source for the entire frequency range-the ideal to which all speakers aspire-producing a flawless soundstage over a much wider listening area. Whether on a bookshelf or stand, the RDM one no longer confines you to sitting in a central sweet spot to enjoy exceptional performance. Audition them for yourself by contacting us for the name of the authorized KEF dealer nearest you. Ask for a full reprint of the RDM one review when you call.

® 11 Elkins Rd, East Brunswick, NJ 08816 Phone: 732-390-1130 Fax: 732-390-5657

CIRCLE NO. 27 ON READER SERVICE CARD