Eik3k4iai;akik3IET44 HUTU- In ///gCR RSSCI4296 42I S3E21Z 622tc 66C4,9 JIH dW 2IW CHAU NOS12AU021 X04 4,96 1. ON SEUZ

Crossfire Copyright the in DAT-Caught RF"RTS! ""7,1AL

Camcorders and Processors, -Sound Surround VCRs, Digital Players, CD -End -High Super PIUS

SEPARATES TOP-QUALITY ON FOCUS

PREVIEW ROUT NEW '87 SPRING MN MI 1111=11111111111111011 1110USIC RTS TESTREPO VIDEO AUDIO II Ell MIN IMMINIIIIIIM111111111111.111111111MMIIIM1111 MI MIEN I NMI ME

III ill Hi 1111 III 1111 1111 __111 IN _11 sum II i III 11 6 adi 1111111111111111 1111111m1111111 NI mom_AMIN mom..10 1987 APRIL CANADA $3.50 1r USA $2.50 Matthew Polk's Magnificent Sounding New SDA 2A

SDA 22 $499.00 *a Digital Disc Ready

Matthew Polk stands proudly alongside the latest version of his Audio Video Grand Prix Award The Magnificent Sound of Matthew Polk's Extraordinary New SDA 2A Puts the Competition to Shame! "It has the ability to make your previous favorite speaker sound almost second rate" Stereo Review Magazine

atthew Polk's magnificent sound- The Most Extraordinary Value always better than would be achieved by con- ing new 3rd generation SDA 2A in High End Audio Today ventional speakers". High Fidelity said, "Mind Boggling...Astounding ... Flabbergasting...we U_incorporates many new advances The new SDA 2As, like all the current SDAs, have yet to hear any stereo program that doesn't pioneered in his top -of -the -line Signature incorporate the latest 3rd generation SDA benefit". With SDAs every instrument, vocalist Edition SRSs. It achieves stunningly life- technology developed for Matthew Polk's Sig- like musical reproduction which would nature Edition SRS and SRS -2 including 1: full be remarkable at any price but is simply complement sub -bass drive for deeper, fuller, "Mindboggling, extraordinary at $499. each. Stereo Review tighter and more dynamic bass response; 2: said, "listen at your own risk." Once you hearphase coherent time -compensated driver Astounding, them you'll never be satisfied with anything alignment for better focus, lower -coloration else! smoother, clearer, more coherent midrange Flabbergasting" and improved front -to -back depth and; 3: Higb Fidelity Magazine Polk's Revolutionary Tkue bandwidth -optimized dimensional signal for Stereo SDA Breakthrough smoother high -end and even better soundstage and sound becomes distinct, tangible and alive; The magnificent sounding new SDA 2A and image. The new SDA 2A is the finest allowing you to experience the spine tingling incorporates Polk's revolutionary True Stereo sounding and most technologically advanced excitement, majesty and pleasure of live music SDA technology. This patented, critically ac- speaker ever produced at its extraordinarily in your own home. claimed, Audio Video Grand Prix Award win- modest price. It sounds dramatically better than ning breakthrough is the most important speakers from other manufacturers that cost 4 Other Superb Sounding Polks fundamental advance in loudspeaker tech- times as much and more and is, at $499 ea., From $85. to $1395. each nology since stereo itself In fact, the design truly the speaker of your dreams at a price you No matter what your budget is there is a principles embodied in the SDAs make them can afford. superb sounding Polk speaker perfect for you. the world's first and only True Stereo speakers. Polk's incredible sounding/affordably priced Why do Polk SDAs always sound better than "Breathtaking...a new world Monitor Series loudspeakers utilize the same conventional speakers? When conventional of hi fi listening." Stereo Buyers Guidebasic components as the SDAs and begin as loudspeakers are used to reproduce stereo The spectacular sonic benefits of SDA low as $85. each. The breathtaking sonic both speakers are heard by both ears causing technology are dramatic and easily heard by benefits of Matthew Polk's revolutionary True a form of acoustic distortion called interaural virtually anyone. Reviewers, critical listeners Stereo SDA technology are available in 5 SDA crosstalk which cuts down stereo separation, and novices alike are overwhelmed by the models priced from $395. to $1395 ea. obscures detail and interferes with the proper magnitude of the sonic improvement achieved "You owe it to yourself to reproduction and perception of imaging, and by Polk's SDA technology. Stereo Review said, spaciousness. Polk SDAs are designed to elimi- "These speakers always sounded different audition them" High Fideliry nate interaural crosstalk so that each speaker isfrom conventional speakers - and, in our view, The experts agree: Polk speakers sound only heard by the one correct ear (i.e. left better - as a result of their SDA design." better. Use the reader's service card or write channel/left ear, right channel/right ear), like MI Polk's SDAs, including the new 2As to us for more information. Better yet, visit headphones. The result is dramatically im- produce a huge lifelike three dimensional sonicyour nearest Polk dealer today. Your ears proved stereo separation, detail and three- image which will amaze you. You will hear for will thank you. dimensional imaging. In order to accomplish the first time instruments, ambience and subtle this each SDA incorporates a separate set of musical nuances which are present on your drivers which radiates a special dimensional recordings but masked by the interaural cross- (difference) signal which cancels the undesir- talk distortion produced by conventional speak- able interaural crosstalk coming from the polk ers. Stereo Review said, "Spectacular...literally wrong speaker to the wrong ear. High Fidelity a new dimension in the sound...the result is The Speaker Specialists® called the results "Mind Boggling". 5601 Metro Drive, Baltimore, Md. 21215

Where to buy Polk Speakers? For your nearest dealer, see page 6 . VOL. 37 NO. 4 APRIL 1987 I N HIC HFIDELITY Test Reports 27 Meg CDB 650 Compact Disc player PPUit F9EVIEW 31 NakamichiCA -7A preamplifier 34Altec Lansing301 loudspeaker 36 SanerXL -280 power amplifier 39 NEC1)X -2000U VHS Hi-Fi videocassette recorder

Audio & Video COVER DESIGN: 44 Special CU Coverage: Products at an Exhibition ROBERT V DELEVANTE, JR., AND by Robert Long and E. Brad Meyer MICHAEL 0. DELEVANTE

The new audio and video gear you'll be seeing this spring COVER PHOTO: NICK BASILION

ON THE COVER: FROM TOP: ADS CD -4 COMPACT Music DISC PLAYER, NAKAMICHI CA -7A PREAMPLIFIER, NEC DX -2000U CLASSICAL VHS HI-FI VIDEOCASSETTE 57Carnegie Nall: A Facelift and a New Sound RECORDER by Thor Eckert, Jr. The celebrated hall looks, and sounds, better than ever. 62 What Are the French Doing in Frisco? by Paul Moor Our correspondent reports on the recording activities of Harmonia Mundi U.S.A. POPULAR/BACKBEAT 70Special CD Report: The Software Parade Mark Moses, Michael Ullman, Steve Futterman, Richard C. Walls, Terry Teachout, Ron Wynir, and Jim Bessman This month, the entireBACKBEATsection is devoted to CD reviews of the Rolling Stones, Frank Zappa, Frank Sinatra, various Impulse! jazz and Motown artists, and a selection of Rykodisc samplers.

Departments S Front Lines To tape or not to tape-DAT is the How11101UTY(15SN 0011-1455)is pub- question. lished monthly of 825 Seventh Ave., New Tod, N.Y. 10019. by ABC Consumer Mag- 6 Letters azines. Inc., o division of ABC Publishing, 11 Inc., and a subsidiory of Arnericon Brood - CurrentsDAT sparks a new drive for anticopy casting Companies, Inc. C) 1987 by ABC legislation. Consumer Magazines. Inc. The design and contents Ore fully protected by copyright 18CrosstalkEQqueries; worn-out tapes and must not be reproduced in any manner. 21 Second-class postage paid at New York. Scan LinesVHS pulls ahead with Super VHS-maybe. New York, and at additional mailing offices. 56Medley Areader assesses the Compact Disc; thy Authorized os second-class mail by the Post Office Department, Ottawa. and for pay- Rtt I monic launches its own label. ment of postage in cash. Yearly subscription in the U.S.A. and Possessions 313.95; else- 60 The CD SpreadBartok from Reiner; Vivaldi et al. where 820.95. Single copies $2.00 (Cana. from Pinnock; Rimsky from Svetlanov do 13.501. Subscribers: Send subscriptions, inquiries, and oddress changes to HIGH 63 Classical ReviewsThe Abbado/La Scala Verdi cycle Rm.,,.P.O.B.(10759,1).MoinesJowa 50340. Change of address: Give old and complete on CD; plainchant from Hildegard of Bingen; new addresses, including ZIP codes. Enclose John Zorn's The Big Gundown oddress label from last issue and allow live weeks for change to become effective. $0 Reader -Action Page POSTMASTER: Send change of address to HIGH FIDE II" P.O. Box 10759, Des $0 Advertising Index Moines, IA 50340. THINK OF IT AS THE WORLD'S SMALLEST DIGITAL PLAYER.

Now you can take the dynamics of digital performance anywhere. With TDK HX-S. It captures the purity and nuances of digital sound like no other high -bias aucio cassette. Specifically designed to record digitally -sourced materials, HX-S offers four times the magnetic storage capa- bility of cther high -bias cassettes avail- able today. PI is unmatched high frequency MCL (Maximum Output Level) fo- optimum performance. With a I this going for it. HX-S does more than stela -up your pocket -sized player. It also acts like fuel injection for your car audio system. And it can turn a boombox Imo a portable music hall. TDK HX-S. One small step for digital. One giant leap for music -kind.

THE ART OF PERFORMANCE. TDK is the world's leading manufacturer of audio & video cassettes and floppy di 1986 TDK Electronics Corp. STEREO DEMANDS THEREALSOUND OF AMERICA'S BEST-SELLING SPEAKERS

Realistic' brand speakers from Radio Shack every Realistic speaker system is engineered are the choice of music overs who know urcom- and manufactured to demanding standards. promised sound when they hear it...aid And -3 models, including two of our lowest solid -value craftsmanship when they see it. priced -mdension speakers, feature a genuine From the mighty Mach Twosystem to our wakiLt veneer finish, not vinyl. For the real widely acclaimed Minrnus® series, each and sound of stereo, millions choose Realistic.

as seen on TV

Exclusively at Radio Shack A Oil SICN OF TANDY CORPDR.ATI0f. .aaaa as

Alt as I: FPI: 11:toA It ONT LINES I. M MOO AI a sa. : 3 11 3 In . 131 3 AII I II151 IBM a B Y M I C H A EL R I G GS a

Pubi sMr/Editorial Director William Tvnan

Editor Michael Riggs Art Director DAT AT THE CROSSROADS Michael 0. Delevante Managing Editor KNOBTHE FIRST TIMEINITS HISTORY, THE from making such copies put more money in Kathleen Green recording industry is trying to hamstring the pockets of the record companies and Associate Editor Mildred Camacho the introduction of a new means of distribut- their artists? Again, I think the answer is no. Copy Editor ing its product. It is a strange turn, brim- Not many of us can afford to buy multiple Stephen Calvert ming with irony. I remember a press confer- copies of every recording we'd like to hear in Assistant Copy Editor Leslie Billig ence a few years ago at which CBS more than one setting, and very few people Assistant Managing Editor announced its CX noise reduction system who tape other people's records would actu- Jonathan Tesser for LPs. At the time, many people saw CX as ally buy the recordings if they couldn't copy Assistant Managing Editor/Special Projects Sigfredo G. Ferregur an attempt to prolong the old black disc's life them. Assistant to the Publisher in the face of competition from that shiny In the long run, copy -protecting music Darleen D. Edwards newcomer, the Compact Disc. A company will hurt the record companies as much as it TECHNICAL DEPARTMENT spokesman replied to a question along these will their customers. Most of their business Technical Editor Das id Railada lines by saying that CX was intended to im- is now in prerecorded cassettes. Yet this is Assistant Tochniced Editor prove the quality of records and that if it not a trade the record industry nurtured. Christopher" Es ,e gave the medium a few more years of vitality, The market emerged naturally from the pro- Consulting Technical Editors Edward J. Foster, Robert Long so much the better. But in the end, he said, liferation of cassette decks, which originally Contributing Editors CBS was in the music business: If someone were sold strictly on the basis of their ability Larry Klein, Jay C. Taylor to make recordings of existing material. Assistant figured out a way to record on paper plates Judith Nichols and there were enough demand for music in Even the popularity of car and Walkman - MUSIC DEPARTMENT such a format, the company would start mak- type portable cassette players is based on the Classical Music Editor ing paper. existence of home decks that can be used to Theodore W. Libbe!., Jr. make tapes for them. No one is going to buy Popular Music Editor It is therefore particularly disheartening Ken Richardson to see CBS Records among those leading the recorders that can't record. The initial effect Contributing Editors charge against DAT (digital audio tape). I'm of copy -coding will be to stop DAT dead in Robert E. Benson, Leslie Berman; Pamela Bloom, R. D. Darrell. Francis Davis, Rev. Thomas L. Dixon, disappointed. CBS invented the long-play- its tracks, but eventually, inevitably, it will Thor Eckert, Jr., Steve Futterman, Edward Greenfield, Thomas Hathaway. Paul Hume, Joyce Millman, ing record and gave it (literally) to the drag down sales of the prerecorded cassettes Paul Moor, John Morthland, Jeff Nem, Robert R. Reilly, world-a farsighted act that has benefited us that have piggybacked on the success of Thomas W. Russell III, Terry Teachout, Noah Andre Trudeau, Michael Ullman, all immeasurably. Now that same company is home recording. And it will close off the de- Richard C. Walls. James Wierzbicki seeking to cripple the most important ad-velopment of a potentially lucrative new Assistant Kim Parker -Dumont vance in home tape technology since the in- tape market. ART DEPARTMENT troduction of the compact cassette with a The record companies don't have to Design Consultant copy protection system it has invented to re- come out with prerecorded DAT cassettes Robert V. Delevante, Jr. strict access to the music it sells. What an immediately. This is an important difference Assistant Art Director Susan Zoppi amazing about-face. from the introduction of the CD, which re- Technical Art If the record industry succeeds in its quired some up -front investment from them RI I,Linda row drive to foist this system on tape deck manu- if the format was to have any chance of suc- PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT facturers and the music -buying public-a cess. They can do what they did with analog Director of Production Angelo Puleo scheme that makes neither ethical nor finan- cassettes: Stay out of the way until a large Advertising Production Manager cial sense-the damage will be incalculable. number of recorders are in use (which will Janet Cermak Is it unreasonable that I should be able to take some time), then climb on for the ride. Typesetting Systems Manager Michele Farkas make a tape copy of a record or CD (one that And once again, everyone will benefit. Un- CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT I've bought) for use in a portable player or a fortunately, that's a far cry from their cur- Vice -President, (Newsstand Sales/Consumer Magazines copy of a cassette for my year -old son, who rent strategy. For a close look at what they're Dominic Mustello has not yet mastered the fine points of tape up to now (and why), see this month's "Cur- Director, Cirmdation/Subscriptions John Rand care? I hardly think so. Will preventing me rents." Then write your legislators. National Sales Manager/Newsstand Jim Roberts Circulation Subscription Staff Ora Blackinon-DeBrown, Barbara Donlon, Charlotte Hart, William Johnson, NUM PIDEUTT is published monthly by ABC Consumer Magazines, Inc., a division of ABC Publishing, Inc., and o Andree Rittenhouse subsidiary of American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. © 1987 ABC Consumer Magazines, Inc. Member, Audit Bureau of Circulations. Indexed in Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature. Current and bock copies of HIGH Customer Service Drusilla Randolph FIDELITY are available on microfilm from University Microfilms, Ann Arbor, Mich. 48106. Microfiche copies (1973 forward) are available from Bell & Howell Micro Photo Div., Old Mansfield Rd., Wooster, Ohio 44691. ADC CONSUMER MAGAZINES, INC. ADVERTISING OPPICES James A. Casella. President Now Yorks ABC Consumer Magazines, Inc., 825 Seventh Ave., 8th fl., New York, N.Y. 10019. Tel. (212) 265- Richard). Marino, Vice -President, Advertising Lucian A. Parzialc, Vice -President, Operations 8360. Peter T. Johnsmeyer, Group Advertising Director; Andrew Eisenberg, Associate Advertising Director; Christopher M. Savine. Vice -President, Finance James R. McCallum, Advertising Director: Music/Books; Maria Manaseri, Classified Advertising Manager; Ernest G. Scarfone, Vice -President, Graphics/Production Angelo Puleo, Director of Production; Janet Cermak, Advertising Production Manager. Midwest: HIGH FIDELITY, Hitchcock Building, Wheaton, III. 60187. Tel. (312) 653-8020. Starr Lane, Midwest ONE OF THEABC PUNISHING COMPANIES Advertising Director. Robert G. Burton. President Los Amplest ABC Consumer Magazines, Inc., 1888 Century Park East, Suite 920, Los Angeles, Calif. 90067. 1330 Avenue of the Americas, New York, N.Y. 10019 Tel. (213) 557-7587. Howard Berman, Western Advertising Director. EditeeW oorrosposidosese should be addressed to The Editor, HIGH FIDELITY, 825 Seventh Ave., New York, N.Y. 10019. Editorial contributions will be welcomed, and payment for articles accepted will be arranged prior to publication. Submissions must be accompanied by return postage and will be handled with reasonable core; however, the publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited photographs or manuscripts. 31),1

ABM im11 Maga2 t no Pub' o,hr rs Ason pal ion Ulwe.--r------rWw,

L E T T ER S Polk HOW TO BE A FEISTY LETTER WRITER The member the name). The clipping occurs well The Speaker Specialists ® IN RESPONSE TO THE CARTOONPRINTED IN below maximum level on the CD, so it must your January "Medley," entitled "How to Be be the mixers, as you suggest. a Feisty Rock Critic": I am sixteen years old, Anyway, I just wanted to confirm that all an audiophile, and a subscriber to HIGH Ft- that is put on CD is not 90+ dB of digital per- Where to buy Polk Speakers DELrry for nearly three years, and I truly ap- fection. preciate all classifications of music. Of Darold A. Pohlman AUTHORIZED DEALER UST

CANADA Call Evolution Technology Toronto MS Columbus. Audio Advar ' Gulfport: course, being the age that I am, rock is my fa- Shaker Heights, Ohio for nearest dealer 1-800-263-6395 f Jackson: Walters Jefferson City. AL Auburn: Audio Warehouse Buff Joplin: Tee Ben Birmingham: Audition Gadsden: Sound Pascagoula: Empress Spnnglield: The vorite category. When I saw the cartoon, I

Performance Huntsville: CampbeHt. Sound tc Weil°, Audio ArNerriage distributors Mobile: Sound Advice MO Cape Girardeau: Stereo One was appalled by the demeaning way it pre- DAVID RANADA'S "DIGITAL SLOP" STRUCK A Montgomery: The Record Shop St, Louie: Sound Central Muldoon: Kincaid Stereo & TV MT 10011010: Thirsty Ear Great Falls: sents rock critics. responsive chord with me. I had been won- AK Anchorage: Shirnek's Fairbanks: Halts Rocky Mountain Hi Fr Missoula: Aspen AZ Flegstaff: Sound Pro Mesa: Sound For the most part, rock critics take pride dering whether those who engineer and edit Hi Fr Sales Amon: Audio Emporium N C Ashirrille: Mr. Toady Stereo Video Yuma: Warehouse Stereo Chapel Hill: Stereo Sound Grunaboro: in their work-unlike the sentiment ex- AR Little Rod: Leisure Electronrcs Stereo Sound Moorehead City: Anderson the tremendously overpriced digital discs CA Arcata: Arcata Audio Bakersfield: Audio New Bent: Anderson Audio Sound Advice Berkeley: Sounding Board Pineville: Stereo Video Raleigh: Audio pressed in the cartoon. There are a few who could hear some of the defects that are so Campbell: Sound Goods Canoga Part: Buys. Stereo Sound Rocky Mount Micro- Shelley s Concord: C & M Stereo Drag: wave Audio Wilmington: Atlantic Audio just glance at the cover and consume alco- obvious to me. I am convinced that we have World Electronics Feirtield: C & M Stereo Winston-Salem: Stereo Sound Los Angeles: Beverly Stereo MIII Valley: ND Bismarck: Pacific Sound holic beverages, but aren't there any classi- reared a generation of people deafened not World of Sound Mountain View: Sound NE Lincoln: Stereo West Norfolk: Mid City Goods Nape: Futurvition Orange: Abso- Stereo Omaha: Stereo Nest cal critics who sip wine in the midst of re- only by rock music (or any music played at a lute Audio PORIIIVOYS: Caldorma Stereo NH Concord: Audio of New England Easter Sacramento: World Electron rcs San Diego: AuloSound & Soundsations Ledo's: Audio viewing a recording? Sound Company San Francluo: Stereo of New England Salem: Cuomo's volume that tends to cause distortion), par- Store, World at Sound San Gabriel: Audio NJ East Bnertswicir Atlantic Stereo Frank- Concept Santa Berbera: Creative Stereo lin Lakes: Franklin Lakes Stereo Maple I am a "feisty rock critic" for my school ticularly when listened to via headphones, Selz Maria: Creative Stereo Santa Shade: Bryn Maw Stereo Montclair Per- Monica: Shelley's Stereo Stockton: due Radio Raabe: AC Audio Ridgewood: newspaper. Numbers 1 through 5 of the car- but also by street noises that tend to surfeit Gluskins Camera Thousand Oaks: Creative Sounding Board Shrewsbury: Monmouth Stereo 'Saab: Music Hul Ventura: CreatIve Stereo Toms River Rands Camera West toon's "Basic Exercises" are true for me. the sensitive hearing mechanism to the ex- Stereo Actorville: Laser Teen Walnut Caldwell: Perdue Radio Crest High Fidelity Shorn. N M Albuquerque: Real Time Audro Ala- Numbers 6 and 7 are not, because I don't get CO Balder Soundtrack Wavelength Stereo mogordo: D&K Electronics Carlsbad: tent that background noise on master tapes Wends Springs: Sunshine Audio Denver Beason's Soundtrack, Pueblo: Sunshine N V las Vegas: Upper Ear Reno: The Audio paid for my writing. As a matter of fact, I pur- escapes them. They learn to tolerate, either Audio Authority CT Mot Hi Fr Stereo House Danbury: NY Albany: Clark Music Batavia: Unicorn chase the selections I review out of my own physiologically or psychologically, such Carstons Fairfield: Audio Design Green- Audio Butlaio: Speaker Shop Corning: wich: Al Franklin's Groton: Roberts Chemung Elmira: Chemung Fredonia: pocket. clicks, buzzes, and the like. Even the hum of Hartford: Al Franklin Newington: Hi Fr Studio One Clefts Falls: Audio Genesis Stereo House New London: Roberts Huntington: Audio Breakthroughs Ithaca: I knew when I subscribed to HIGH FIDEL- air conditioning or the incessant drone of Norwalk Audrotronrcs Chemung Jamestown: Studio One Man- DE Wilmington: Bryn Mawr Stereo hasset: Audio Breakthroughs New York ITY that it was biased toward classical music, DC Myer Emcc City: Audio Breakthroughs. Electronic Work fluorescent lights will mask things captured FL Daytona Beach: Stereotypes FL Myers: shoo Rochester J8 Sound Scarsdale: Stereo Garage Ft. Pierce: Sound Snack Listening Room Syracuse: Clark Music but I never thought the editors would let on tape by high-powered microphones. Ft. Walton Beach: Audro International Vestal: Hart Electronics Jacksonville A Suburbs. Audio Tech OH html: Audio Craft Cleveland ih Sub- something this belittling and insulting be I am sometimes amused by what is picked Lakeland: Sound Factory Merritt island: urbs: Audio Craft Cincinnati: Stereo Lab Southern Audio Miami: Electronic Equipment Columbus: Stereo Lab Dayton: Ste. published in its pages. Maybe you should up in an otherwise superb recording. I still Co Naples: Stereo Garage Orlando Showcase Findlay: Audio Craft Lima: Suburbs: Bodo Spectrum. Pensacola: Classic Stereo Toledo: Audit, Craft consider changing the magazine's name to Fidler Hi Fi SI. Petersburg: Cooper for OK Lawton: Hi Fi Shop Indahoma City: treasure the Bach Prelude and Fugue in C Stereo Allah sssss :Stereo Store Tampa: Audio Dimensions Via: Audio Advice ENQUIRER FIDELITY. Audio Vision W. Palm Beach: Electronic OR Beaverton: Stereo Superstores Bend: played by E. Power Biggs on one of those Connection Audio Video Lab Etryearr Bradford's High GA Atlanta B Suburbs: Hr Fi Buys Ast. Fidelity Grants Pass: Sheckess MWford: Amos SOMA historic Silberman organs in some little out- guts: Stereo Cily Macon: Georgia Music Sheckells' Portland: Stereo Superstores Savannah: Audio Warenouse PA Allentewn: Bryn Mawr Stereo Altman.: Byesville, Ohio of-the-way chapel: Between the prelude and H i Honolulu: Stereo Station Sound Concepts Blakely: Hart Electronics ID Boise: Stereo Snoppe Coeur D'Alene: Bryn Mawr Bryn Mawr Stereo Cerny Hill: the fugue, you can hear the sound of birds Electracrall Pocatello: Stokes Brothers Bryn Maw Stereo Erie: Studio One Sandpoint: Erectracratt Twin Falls: Audio Johnstown' burr s Entertainment Kingston: Popular Music Editor Ken Richardson replies: I, chirping, seemingly in appreciation of Warehouse Lancaster. Gn'T Stereo IL Aurora: Stereo Systems Bloomingdale: Montgomeryville: Bryn Mawr Stereo too, was sixteen years old once, and I, too, was a Alan's Creative Stereo Buffalo Grove: Natrona Heights: Stereo Land Phila. Bach's inimitable music. Columbia Carbondale: Southern Stereo de ph la & Suburbs: Bryn Mawr Stereo ClieMetalen: Good Vibes Decatur J R P ittsburgh t., Junction Guakerlown: feisty rock critic for my school newspaper. But I also I also have a recording by Richter of Mus- Lloydb DeKalb: Audio Plus Hoffman Iv,Yin et Reading: G'n'T Stereo Estates: Simply Stereo Highland Park: Selinsgrove: Stereo Shop Williamsport: had --and still have, I hope-a sense of humor. As sorgsky'sPictures at an Exhibitionin its origi- Columbia Joliet: Stereo Systems Lansing: Robed M Sides Audio Clinic MI. Prospect: Simply Stereo PUERTO RICO Rio Piedras: Precmon Audio Ted Libbey wrote in his portion of January's "Med- nal piano version. It was recorded live dur- N aperville: Stereo Systems Normal: Glenn RI N. Providence: Eastern Audio Poor's Northbrook: Alan's Peon.: Team SC Anderson: John Brookshire's ley," "It's a good idea to step back from ourselves Electronics Riverdale: Simply Stereo Charleston: Audio Warehouse Greenville: ing what had to be one of the worst flu epi- Rocidord: Columbia Shaamberg: Hi Fi Mitchell's Stereo Groomed: Stereo Shop Hutch Springfield: Sundown One Ster- Rock Hill: Tarts Spartansburg: Stereo every now and then and not take everything so seri- demics ever to hit Moscow. The audience's ling: Midwest Hr Fr Vernon Hills: Alan's Shop Villa Park: Hi Fr Hutch Waukegan: kens SD Rapid City: Team Electronics Sioux ously." Or as David Letterman, one of my favorite coughing during the playing of this master- NI Bloomington: Hoosier Electronics Ewan - Fells: Audio King "Ale: Risley's Ft. Wayne: Classic Stereo iN Chattanooga: College HI Fr feisty rock critics, is wont to say, "It'sonlya joke." piece is at first infuriating and then amusing. Indianapolis: Ovation Lafayette: Good Cookeville: Lindsey Ward Jackson: N. Vibes Marion: Classic Stereo Muncie: Wave Electronics Johnson City: Mr. Toad's Classic Stereo South Bend: Classic Stereo Stereo Video Kingsport: Mr Toad's Stereo I would not take anything for either of these Terre Haute: Hoosier Vdeo Knoxville: Lindsey Ward McMinn- DIGITAL SLOP IA Des Moines: Audio Labs Dodge City: ville: Lindsey Ward Memphis: Opus II prime examples of extraneous noise, but in Sound World Fairfield: Golden Ear Mason Methane: HI Fi Buys City: Sound World Sioux City: Audio TX Abilene: Sound Effects Arlington: HOORAY FORYOUR EXPOSE ON DIGITAL SLOP general, I agree with Mr. Ranada: It is irritat- Emporium Sound Idea Austin: Audio Vraeo College KS Junction City: Audio Junction Over- Station: Audio Video Corpus Chridl: Tape ["Bits & Pieces," January]. I am a digital afi- ing in the extreme, especially when we have land Park: Audio [tearooms Wichita: Tam El Paso: Soundquest Ft. Worth: Audio VISMOS Topeka: Nelson's Sound Idea Galveston: Island Audio cionado and I added Magnepan MG -III paid extra to obtain the highest -quality KY Bowling Green: Audio Center Houton: Sheffield Audio Lubbock: Ultra Lexington: Stereo Shoppe, Ovation Audio Electronics Midland: Harold's Electronics speakers and Krell amplifiers shortly after Louisville: Audio Video Buy Design N acogdoches: Spinet Music Odessa: sound, to find that we got some little "bo- Owensboro, Paducah: Risley's Harold's Electronics San Antonio: Bill Case LA Lafayette: Sound Electronics Sound Sherman: Worldwide Stereo buying an early -model Yamaha Compact nuses" on our discs or tapes. kale Charles: Classic Audio Systems Temple: Audio Ten. Texerkatur Sound Opelousas: Sound Electronics Towne Waco: Audio Teen Disc player (a CD -X 1 , which has since been Meow M. Lary West Monroe: Audio West UT Logan store only: Stokes Brothers ME Bangor. Sound Source Camden: Salt Lake City: Broadway Must improved with a new analog section de- Houston, Texas Harbor Audio VT Burlington: Audio Den MD Annapolia: Spaceways Baltimore: VA Bristol: Mr Toad's Stereo Video Char- signed according to Walt Jung's no -capaci- ndscape Frederick: Evergreen lottesville: Sound Machine Fells Church: Rockville: Myer Ernco Myer Emu, Leesburg: Evergreen Audio tor philosophy). I had always chalked up Smm MYSTERY MA Boston: Waltham Camera & Stereo Richmond: Cary s Stereo Roanoke: Au- Fitchburg: Fitchburg Music N. Dartmouth: toironts Virginia Beach: D9tal Sound Creative Sound Systems WA Bellingham: OC Stereo Cheraw Music some of the sounds I heard to poor equip- IN THE EARLY DAYS OF BETA HI -FL THE VHS MI Mn Arbor Absolute Sound Birming- Store Oak Harbor OC Ste. Center ham: Aintias Hi Fi Dearborn: Alms RIcelend: To Ear Stereo Seethe di Sub- ment, but with this setup, I got out the 'scope camp realized it had a problem. Because the H iFr East Lansing: Stereo Shoppe u rbs: Northwest Audio Video Spokane: Farmington Hills: Alias Hi Fr Grand Electracralt (Halt) and started seeing what you have seen. Luck- VHS head drum was smaller and the longitu- Rapids: Classic Stereo Iron Mountain: WV Bartoumille, Beckley. Charleston. Sound North Kalamaroo: Classic Stereo Huntington: Pied Piper Piedmont: Sound ily, I have a local shop that runs a used -CD Lansing: Stereo Shoppe Royal Oak: Abso Gallery dinal tape speed was about the same, VHS lute Sound Saginaw: Audio Shoppe Court WI Appleton: Sound World Eau Claire: St Listening Room harem City: Stereo EME Audio Systems Green Bay: Sound swap bin. When I find digital slop, that's had a lower writing speed. This was not a big World Lacroue: Sound World Matilsers. 91111%lelb: Me, s TV & Audio Mankato: Happy Medium Mennen.: Sound Seller where it goes. problem for standard VHS, but it left no easy Pads King Minneapolis A Suburbs: Milwaukee: Audio Emporium Wausau: Paulo King Minnetonke: Aud.c, King Sound World A few bad discs that I've found: all four of way to make space for the FM audio carriers Ilieleslar. Audio King St. Paid: Audio WY Cluryenne: Electronics Unlimited King the Denon recordings of the Smetana String required for Hi-Fi recording, since it was not Quartet doing Beethoven and a two -disc Ni- possible to move the video carrier to a high- kolaus Harnoncourt recording (I can't re- er frequency. After a year and a half of re- The most famous knife in American history.

JIM BO'WIE'S KNIFE

First authorized replica of the blade carried by the great Western hero at the Alamo.

They called it "the Arkansas tooth- name "J. BOWIE" on pick." It became an American heir- the front. The initials "JB" loom. The very knife which the and acorn symbol on the un- courageous patriot Jim Bowie carried derside, identifying the maker. at the Alamo in 1836. The knife will be sent along Now you can own an authentic with a fascinating commentary re-creation of that famous knife. on Jim Bowie-and a Certificate Issued by The Franklin Mint of Authenticity. to mark the 150th anni- Hardwood display case included versary of the Battle of the You can display The Jim Bowie Knife in Alamo. your home or office. It will be safely protec- Re-created ted in a hardwood case, with lock and key. with original markings The price is $295, payable in convenient Every detail of the knife is accu- monthly installments. rate. The long blade, forged from To acquire this imported re-creation of a single piece of stainless steel. The a priceless relic of American history,please hand -cut serrations. The cross - 6. mail your order by April 30, 1987. guard. The hand -carved oak grip. The pommel and ring. All of these elements- perfectly hand -fitted. And the unique markings are repli- cated too. The

Shown smaller than - actual length of33/4." ORDER FORM

Please mail by April 30, 1987. The Franklin Mint Limit of one per person. Franklin Center, Pennsylvania 19091 Please enter my order for The Jim Bowie Knife, to be handcrafted individually for me. I need Mr. /Mrs. /Miss send no money now. Bill me in five equal monthly PLEASE PRINT C LLLLL Y installments of $59.* each, beginning when the knife is ready to be sent. A hardwood display case with lock Address and key will be provided at no added charge. *Plus my state sales tax City and a total of $3. for shipping and handling.

01M17 FM Signature ALL ORDERS RE SUBJECT TO ACCEPTANCE 17 LETTERS

search, they resorted to separate audio vember 1986], hoping it would shed some executives boasting of how they've cut back heads with a different azimuth from that of new light on a subject of great importance to on their fees and salaries in order to gener- the video heads so that the audio signals me. However, I was disgusted to once again ate more sales, yet the American Federation could overlap the lower video sideband see, from yet another source, the by -now -cli- of Musicians will be making concessions without interference. che recording industry explanation that mu- during negotiations in November [1986] I thought I understood this until I read sicians' fees are primarily responsible for the without any promise of future recording in "Why 8mm?" in your February issue, where decline in new recordings by American or- return. you state that the longitudinal tape speed of chestras. It has always been more expensive Why didn't Mr. Rubin mention the re- the 8mm format is only 14.5 mm per second, to record here than in Europe. I hate to think strictive contracts made between conduc- which is very close to VHS LP speed. And of the gap in my record library, to say noth- tors and recording companies that virtually one of the figures shows the diameter of the ing of my musical education, if American re- prohibit internationally knowri conductors 8mm head drum to be much smaller than cording companies years ago had done as from recording their repertoire with Ameri- that of a VHS head drum, but with the same CBS's Christine Reed advises and aban-can orchestras? Contrary to Reed's state- amount of tape wrap. So how can 8mm use a doned U.S. orchestras for European ensem- ment, interest in American orchestras is at higher video carrier frequency? bles. I was inspired to become an orchestral an all-time high both here and abroad. Wit- Robert Moffitt musician because of the phenomenal legacy ness concert attendance at home and when Paramus, N.J. of recordings by Ormandy/Philadelphia, U.S. orchestras tour Europe and the Far Reiner/Chicago, Szell/Cleveland, Munch/ East. The heads themselves and the tape formulation also Boston, Bernstein/New York, et al. U.S. recording companies have been play a role in determining the highest recordable fre- American consumers willingly pay theoverwhelmed by the Compact Disc boom, quency. In the 8mm system, the disadvantages you high prices of the best lawyers, physicians, and they clearly need to develop more ag- cite are overcome by means of narrower head gaps and psychologists, but American symphonic gressive marketing methods. Blaming the and metal tape (instead of chrome or ferricobalt). musicians of international caliber are criti- musicians is not the answer. Bravo! to those -Ed. cized because they charge too much for their American companies who have tied their services. It seems decidedly unpatriotic in fortunes to domestic ensembles. Just during BLAMING MUSICIANS IS NOT THE ANSWER these tough economic times for Reed to ad- the past year, for example, New World Rec- AS A MEMBER OF THE INDIANAPOLIS SYMPliONY vocate purchasing a foreign product that is, ords released two new recordings with John since 1970, I eagerly approached David Ru- with very few exceptions, unquestionably in- Nelson and the Indianapolis Symphony. bin's article, "Endangered Species" [No- ferior. I don't see recording engineers and I condemn those companies that have L E T T ER S

decided to ignore their obligation to our cul- sky-Korsakov and Tchaikovsky had written cord Schumann's better-known overture un- tural history in search of the fast buck. music for use in its services and had used til well into the stereo age (in October 1959). Thomas Edison must be turning in hisRussian Orthodox chant in several well- Richard Sobel, grave. known orchestral works. Springfield, Mass. Charles A. leder, Jr. Another feature specific to the Slavic lit- Indianapolis, Ind. urgy is the All -Night Vigil service. Rachma- Father Dixon replies: I stand very unhappily cor- ninoff's inclusion of the wonderful "Bo- rected. And I wish that Munch had recorded more WRONG CHURCH, WRONG PEW goroditse Devo" ("Birthgiver of God, Re- Schumann. I ENJOYED R. D. DARRELL'S INFORMATIVE joice") in his Vespers seems to indicate that review [January 1987] of the Handel Roman he intended his setting to be used as part of ORIENT SUCCESS Vespers recording very much. However, I the Vigil. I IIA E BEEN CURIOUS ABOUT THIS FOR YEARS: would like to respond to a misleading state- I suggest that readers interested in more Why do we know so little about the orches- ment regarding Rachmaninoff and his set- information about Orthodox liturgical mu- tras and conductors of Japan and other ting of the vespers. [Our reviewer had cited sic write to St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theo- countries in the Far East? Surely the stan- Rachmaninoff as an example of the many logical Seminary, 525 Scarsdale Road, dards of excellence shown by Asian instru- composers who have used Roman Catholic Crestwood-Tuckahoe, N.Y. 10707. mentalists renowned in the West are indica- vespers as a setting for their works.-Ed.] Was Me* tiveof generallyhigh performance The canonical hours, of which vespers is Dumont, N.J. standards across the Pacific. Orchestras in one, are a feature of both the Roman Catho- Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, etc. must cut lic and the Eastern Orthodox churches. PHANTOM RECORDING LPs and CDs and sell them in quantity, but I There are differences between them in both IT IS DIFFICULT TO TRUST THE OPINIONS OF don't know of one. What's the big secret? doctrine and order. For example, in the Or- reviewers who compare current issues to Jeffrey Nosh Asher thodox Church, the Magna: is not heard at nonexistent recordings of the past --a practice Montreal, P.Q., Canada vespers but at matins. becoming more frequent (and not only in Rachmaninoff wrote for the liturgy of the your pages). In the December issue, Thomas Weak brass.-Ed. Russian Orthodox Church 800 years afterL. Dixon spoke of "Charles Munch's early the Orthodox and Roman churches separat- mono LP" of Schumann's Manfred Overture. Letters should be addressed to The Editor, He.,, Flown; 825 7th ed; by then, the Russian Church had devel- Yes, it's memorable, but it's Genoveva (re- Ave., New York, N.Y. 10019. All letters are subject to editing for oped a rich musical tradition of its own. Rim- corded in January 1951). Munch did not re- brevity and clarity.

Our new UX tapes deliver higher highs, lower lows and wider dynamic range. If you're going to listen to music at all, you may as well get it all. No matter how high or low, how loud or soft Captured so faithfully that trying one of these new tapes at least once is something you owe yourself. And your music. Each of these four new UX tapes rep- resents the kind of advancement of music reproduction you've come to expect from Sony. UX-ES, for instance, offers the best frequency response of any Type II tape we've ever formulated. Yet UX-PRO actually goes one better with a ceramic tape guide that yields the most incredibly quiet tape housing Sony has ever produced. Sony UX tapes. Now when a musician really extends him- self, so will your tape.SON THE ONE AND ONLY.

U 1986 Sony Corporation of America. Sony and The One and Only are trademarks of Sony. WTELEDYNE ACOUSTIC RESEARCH 330 Turnpike Street. Canton, MA 02021

Pswe

ea crg,r Cogs

OLS

TnJJ7 "

Once again, AR reshapes the future of high fidelity. No longer do you need to live with really matter to sound quality. That's why components that look more at home in a AR amplifiers produce high current output power station than in your home. No longerfor outstanding dynamic headroom. Four - need you sacrifice sound quality for some times oversampling gives the AR Compact semblance of sound design. Disc player absolute phase linearity. And AR, the company that revolutionized AR's unified remote control adds a final loudspeakers with the Acoustic Suspensiontouch of elegance. design. now changes the face of stereo No one serious about stereo would buy components forever. By combining world - equipment without listening. Now it's no class industrial and electronic design, AR longer necessary to buy without looking. has produced the first audio components as pleasing to the eye as they are to the ear. The front fascias are gracefully angled, so controls fall readily to hand. Behind a hinged panel, infrequently -used controls are ready when you need them, out ACOUSTIC of sight when you don't. RESEARCH AR has reexamined the factors that We speak from experience. C R It Can't Happen Here EDITED THAT'S THE TITLE OF A 1936 NOVEL BY SINCLAIR sette decks. (In fact, the proposed Home Au- Lewis about the quiet rise of totalitarianism dio Recording Act already calls for a 10- to BY in America before an unsuspecting and 25 -percent royalty [tariff) on imported ana- trusting public. We tend to take our rights log decks.) And then, of course, the motion for granted, and that seems to be one of the picture industry would pursue with renewed CHRISTOPHER benefits of living in a democratic society. vigor anticopy legislation for VCRs. It is not

One of those rights is home taping. Al- unreasonable to assume that radio and TV J. E S S E though it's not directly addressed in the broadcasts (which, at the moment, are fair Constitution, we are permitted to tape ourgame) could be encoded to prevent home records, Compact Discs, prerecorded cas- recording. settes, and radio broadcasts for personal Consider what life might be like three use. We are not entitled, however, to sell years from now with an anticopy deck: In- copies or acquire them (or the program ma- stead of making a copy of your own CD for terial to make them) from someone else. your car cassette player (be it DAT or ana- For decades, record companies have log), you'd have to buy the cassette-assum- known that personal home taping goes on ing that it's available. And what about a tape and have attempted to stop it. In a 1983 mix of your favorite songs? It can't be done. study commissioned by the Recording In- And yet, RIAA spokesperson Trish Heimers dustry Association of America (RIAA), it was says that it is not the RIAA's goal to stop the estimated that home taping results in "dis- introduction of DAT, since "historically, ev- placed" revenue of approximately $1.5 bil- lion each year to the recording industry. (Contrary to what some hardware manufac- Consider what life might be like three years from now turers might like to believe, the RIAA does not consider the home tapist a "pirate" or with an anticopy deck: Instead of making a copy of your "bootlegger." Pirating is a separate prob- lem, estimated to cost $350 million annually own CD for your car cassette player, you'd have tobuy in lost revenue). Considering that the total revenue for 1986 was about $4.4 billion, it is the cassette-assuming that it's available. understandable why now, at the time digital audio tape (DAT) is about to emerge as yet another recording medium, the RIAA is de- termined to cut the record industry's pre- ery new technology has helped the record- sumed losses. ing industry." So what's going on here? Last year, an RIAA-sponsored congres- A lot has been made of the major record sional bill was introduced that proposed a companies' reluctance to offer their catalogs 35 -percent (as opposed to the usual 4 -per- for prerecorded DATs should the machines cent) tariff on any DAT machine entering become available in the U.S. before any pro- the country that did not incorporate a spe- tective legislation takes effect. The popular cial CBS -developed chip to prevent record- conception is that prerecorded DATs will ing of copy -coded material (see "Currents," endanger the continued success of CDs. But April 1986, for a description of the CBS anti - there are other, more practical consider- copy chip). On February 5, a revision of that ations. For instance, it is not known exactly bill, which would altogether prohibit the im- when high-speed DAT duplication will be portation of any DAT recorder without this available or at what price. The changeover anticopy chip, was introduced before the from LP to CD manufacturing has cost the newly formed 100th Congress. But this is record companies a good deal of money, and just the tip of the iceberg. Should this new for many of them it is likely that profits on bill be passed, another would likely follow CDs will not be realized until at least the end with similar provisions against analog cas- (CONTINUED ON PACE 15)

APRIL 1 9 8 7 11 rig INNI1-11111111111111 .6 4 ----17";:-W -7- - WI .ICE....6tig I . - . ra.771 J/9 s

O ,"4r, 44*. "r" -e, SOMETIMESall those componentsThere's in your THE one system problem MAN with having WHO HAS EVERYTHING HAS A FEW THINGS TOO MANY. TV.even Simply supervise place a Scnyit head s Trinitron to head ponents who's in control.It's time to show your com- tryingAllself-control.you those toneed findremotes it the can right inreally your oneThat's test way. when your why And General Electric's codeswithit learnsinalmcst matchingminutes, the anyrerr operating puling infraredbuttons, ote, press and the WithCentersdealer,Central the GE callremote. at Control The 800-626-2000. GE AnswerFor the name of your nearest Eventhatremote.created does if they're Onethe the Control infrared worknot GE's. of See,Central remotethree. we're not afraid will changechanges,/ your entire-fight Cpalm withDntrcsystem 1-,of Certral your in the hand.And if your system We bring good things to life. audiopowerSopetitors.to turn Control system, aoff OrPioneers a Centralturn few fast themcom- can on. Control Centralponents, with newwe reprogramrrmore present addition. the ingFor for those any with more com- forward a Fishers VCR, E kactqa6.1 Co's F.6.6.0061) Sc'-; and Tr.r.lron Ire revallerel kildsmaks SenY Corporationd 4.06.44....Peet..41 functions -model RRC6CO. (1E1, A AE G,STE D. 7FLACtE MASAO CA CANERALELECTAK CURRENTS Needle wear... By the time (CONTINUED FROM PAGE II) hardware" with an anticopy chip, insists Al- of this year. For now, prerecorded analog lan Schlosser, Staff Vice -President of Com- you hearit, cassettes are bringing in most of the profits. munications for the EIA. Indeed, one won- One reason for this lag is that when the ders how much revenue has been generated yourrecords Compact Disc was introduced, the majorfor record companies merely because the record companies were slow to support it. American public and most of the rest of the Small companies took the lead, and this so world are enchanted with recording devices. are ruined. far appears to be the case with prerecorded The ability to record compilations of favor- With record companies expected DATs as well. Mark Wexler, Director of Mar- ite songs certainly accounts to some degree to reissue less than 10% of existing keting for GRP Records, says that his com- for many people's growing collections of LP's, it's more important than ever pany has already produced some sample LPs and CDs. The EIA has strongly criti- not to let a worn needle ruin your DAT recordings even though 60 percent ofcized the methodology, statistics, and as- records. its business is in CDs. He feels that although sumptions in the RIAA's study, although it If you haven't replaced your nee- the copyright question is an important one, believes that protecting the interests of dle in the last year, there's no better the real issue is a resistance to change on the copyright holders is important to both in- way of protecting your valuable rec- part of the major labels. He expresses con- dustries. Another study, "Why Americans ord collection than by replacing it cern, however, that DAT should be intro- Tape," was commissioned by the Audio Re- with a top quality Shure V15 V car- duced "in a way that educates both the con- cording Rights Coalition (of which the EIA is tridge or stylus. sumer and the retailer to the proper rela-a member): It found that those who tape the tionship between DAT and CD"-basically, most are also the ones who buy the most rec- that DAT is to CD as the analog cassette is to ords and CDs and that very few recordists the LP record. Marcia Martin, of Reference.make use of borrowed materials for their Recordings, is taking a wait -and -see attitude taping. The RIAA's study also attempted to on prerecorded DAT. She says the company take into consideration sales stimulated by is willing to support the format but wonders the ability to record, but such a subtle symbi- if consumers will demand that the two-hour otic relationship probably defies calculation. capacity of a DAT cassette be filled. SheConsider this, however: EIA figures for notes that consumers have clamored for the 1986 show total blank cassette sales to con- full 74 minutes of playing time possible on a sumers of 265 million units. Based on the CD. RIAA's estimate of $1.5 billion, each blank - Can DAT succeed without prerecorded cassette sale would represent a loss to the re- software? Digital recording has been avail- cording industry of about $6, which is prob- able to the consumer for years via PCM ably close to the average wholesale cost per adapters combined with VCRs, yet consum- unit of record, prerecorded cassette, and CD ers haven't exactly been knocking down sales combined. So if each blank cassette doors to get to it. The DAT recorder is cer- purchase directly (or even indirectly) in- Save up to $75.00 tainly a logical and exciting development, spired the purchase of just one recording, but this alone does not guarantee its success. the record companies' "displaced" revenue on the world's best Robert Heiblim, Vice -President of Sales and would be replaced. Marketing for Denon (a company that makes The issue is complex, and emotions are LP life insurance. both hardware and software), questions running high. One electronics industry Purchase a V15 V -MR cartridge and earn a whether the DAT format is yet configured, trade journal has called the affair "DAT- $25.00 cash back rebate. A V15 V -B or V15 V -P qualifies for a $20.00 rebate. Plus, you receive at least in a marketing sense, to be of maxi- gate," although it is clear that few represen- $50.00 in coupons good on purchases of Shure mum benefit to the consumer. tatives from either front have been inclined replacement needles. Enveloping the economic issues is the to "take the fifth." A heated point was the To receive your rebate and coupons, send copyright issue. Mr. Heiblim notes that rec- possibility that some DAT machines would 1) dated sales receipt (not returnable) 2) complete outer carton 3) completed form to - ord companies "absolutely believe that they be able to make master -quality direct digital Shure LP Life Insurance are losing money every time a consumer recordings from digital -output CD players. 222 Hartrey Avenue makes a tape" of copyrighted material. As Since then, Japanese manufacturers have Evanston, IL 60202-3696 difficult as it might be to swallow this argu- stated through the Electronic Industries As- NOTE: OFFER GOOD ONLY ON PURCHASES MADE IN THE U.S.A. ment, it's even harder to refute it. Record sociation ofJapan that no such machines will companies control the music, and who's to be made, at least for the consumer market. Name say how much money is enough? The long- But that was a false alarm anyway: Every di- term concern is that unchecked copying will rect digital copy that we've tried to make Address constrain the record companies to fund only (through a digital -input PCM adapter) has proven artists, leading to stagnation of the been preempted by an already existing copy - City State creative music environment and limitation protect mechanism in the CD system (not re- of consumer choices. lated to the RIAA's proposed encoding). Zip Code Phone ( ) The Electronic Industries Association The hardware and software makers are (EIA), which represents the interests of most really two sides of the same coin. Audio Cartridge purchased (check one) HF of the American divisions of Japanese hard- manufacturers rely on a vital recording in- VI5 V -MR V15 V -B VI5 V -P ware manufacturers, as well as the majority dustry, as well as happy consumers. Record Offer valid only on purchases between March 1 and- Mac 31, 1987. Requests must be postmarked by June 15, 1987. of American manufacturers, stands firmly companies rely on a vital audio industry and See nearest Shure dealer for complete details. against the legislative action being advocat- sufficient income to invest in new artists. If ed by the RIAA. "We will not modify our their income were to be supplemented by a SHURE CURRENTS

royalty on analog cassette recorders or high- ing? Would copy -coded recordings be de- Arthur Keller of Bell Labs, who discusses, er prices on copyable (nonencoded) materi- graded by the proposed encoding process?among other things, the early (1931) experi- al, how should this money be best distribut- And how long would it take before someone ments in stereo in which he participated. ed? According to the RIAA, the money markets a kit to neutralize the anticopy chip? The June 14 program will feature binaural would be paid out by the Copyright Royalty It's hard to imagine that the current propos- recordings (wear headphones), including Tribunal (a government organization) to the al will do anyone any good. The scary thing some new ones on Compact Disc from Har- various record companies based on sales is that in its present form, the anticopy-chip monic Records (a French company) and and airplay of their copyrighted music. Air- bill comes dangerously close to being trade some recorded especially for the program. play? Keep in mind the recently publicized legislation. It would be a shame if upcoming Response to previous binaural programs has payola scandal, in which certain indepen- debates on copyright matters were influ- been outstanding, according to the show's dent record promoters were indicted for enced by protectionist sentiments. Any solu- producer and host, John Sunier, but sadly, procuring airplay of their clients' artists tion must have only one clear-cut winner: record companies don't show much support through bribery-and in some cases thumb -the consumer, whose love of music keeps for the format. twisting. If the amount of airplay becomes both sides in business. -Christopherj. Esse "Audiophile Audition" began in San even more important to the wealth of a rec- Francisco in 1980 and has been distributed ord company, one can only imagine the po- throughout the country, predominantly on tential for corruption. The home recordist ON THE RADIO National Public Radio stations, since April who has to pay for the right to copy must be "AUDIOPHILE AUDITION" IS A WEEKLY ONE - 1985. It is digitally mastered and picked up reassured that somehow his or her contribu- hour radio program that features interviews live via satellite by the majority of its 180 tion will lead to the development of new art- with leading experts in the various fields of outlets (covering 38 states) on Sundays at 2 ists and music or perhaps to lower pricing on audio, an "audio hints" segment that dis- p.m. Some stations record the program digi- prerecorded material. cusses technical matters and offers tips fortally through a PCM processor to preserve It is certainly in everyone's best interest improving an audio setup, and a selection of its fidelity for tape -delayed airing. that the record companies and hardware interesting musical material. Past shows Readers who would like to receive the list manufacturers come to an understanding. have included surround -sound broadcasts of stations carrying "Audiophile Audition" But this requires some sort of agreement on and other specialty recordings. Coming up and a program schedule should send $1 and the nature of the problem and the appropri- on April 5 is a program commemorating the a stamped, self-addressed business -size en- ateness of any proposed solution. Is the rec- 100th anniversary of disc recording. It will velope to Audiophile Audition, P.O. Box ord industry really being hurt by home tap- include a recorded interview with the late 1621S, Ross, Calif. 94957.

Giveus afoot... and we'll giveyou a concert!

We've packed more musical perfection into one square foot than you may believe possible. The three-way Design Acoustics PS.8a speaker system handles up to 200 watts of power, yet is sensitive to the most delicate sounds you can hear. Part of the secret is our Point Source design, with the smallest possible baffle to eliminate destructive sound diffraction by 40%. Plus a down -firing woofer that delivers enhanced bass response. And our Optimized Decade Crossovers" which insure clean, clear sound in the critical mid -range while improving stereo imaging. Be prepared for a delightful surprise when you hear the Design Acoustics PS8a for the first time. And another surprise when you hear the low cost. Write today for your nearest Design Acoustics dealer. Great stereo is just two square feet away. PStia Three-way Point Source Speaker System DESIGN " ACOUSTICS An Audio-Technica Company 1225 Commerce Drive, Stow, Ohio 44224 BUILD YOUR COMPACT DISC COLLECTION. LIONEL RICHIE

HUEY LEWIS THE NEWS

DANCING ON THE Join the 344721 346478 CBS Compact (FORE' Disc Club and 347955 TAKE ANY 3 COMPACT 349324 DISCS FOR $1.00..,..bersh.

343624. Wynton 257279. Bruce Spring- 321570. Beethoven: 339044. Mozart: 345553. Branford 343095. Philip Glass 341305. Robert Marsalis Plays Trumpet steen-Born to Run Symphony Na 5; Symphony Na 40 & 41 Marsalis-Romances -Songs From Liquid Palmer -Riptide (Island) Concertos. Haydn, etc. (Columbia) Schubert: Symphony (Jupiter)-Kubelik, For Saxophone. Days. (CBS) 349985. Johnny (Digital -CBS Masterworks)138586. Bob Dylan's Na 8. (Unfinished)- Bavarian Symphony Orch. (Digital -CBS Masterworks)347054. David Lee Roth Mathis/Henry 302570. Mussorgsky: Greatest Hits (Columbia) Moazel, Vienna Philharm. (Digital -CBS Masterworks)339226. Gershwin: -Eat 'Em and Smile. Mancini -The Hollywood (Digital -CBS Masterworks) Pictures At An Exhibition; 339200. Stevie 345777 Peter Gabriel - Rhapsody In Blue; (Warner Bros.) Musicals (Columbia) Ravel: La Valse-Mehta, Wonder -In Square 348706. Wynton So. (Geffen) Second Rhapsody; etc. - 263293. Bolling: Suite 348979. Tina cond. (CBS Masterworks) M. Tilson Thomas, Los Orcle(Tamla) Marsalis -J Mood. 246868. Jim Croce - For Flute & Jazz Piano. Turner -Break Every Angeles Phil. (Digital - 346015. Handel: Royal 343715. Vivaldi -Four (Digital -Columbia) Photographs And Rampal, Bolling. (CBS Rule (Capitol) CBS Masterworks) fireworks Music; other Seasons. Maazel, 347492. Glenn Miller Memories -His Greatest Masterworks) 336222. Dire Straits - works-Malgorie, cond. members Orch. NationalOrchestra -In The Digital Hits. (Sala) 326629. Bruce Spring- 219477 Simon & Brothers In Arms. (Digital -CBS Masterworks)de France (Digital -CBS Mood. (Digital-GRP) steen-Born In The Garfunkel's Greatest (Warner Bros.) 334391. Whitney U.S.A. (Columbia) 336396-396390.. Billy Masterworks) 345785. Top Gun - Houston. (Arista) Hits. (Columbia) 348649. The Pachelbel Joel's Greatest Hits, 342097 Barbra 340323. Sode-Promise.Soundtrack. (Columbia) 333286. Phil Collins -No 316604. Tchaikovsky: Canon And Other Digital Vol.1 & 2. (Columbia) (Portrait) Streisand-The 1812 Overture; Marche Delights. The Toronto 346957 Steve Winwood Jacket Required. (Atlantic) Broadway Album. 328435. Prince arid the 342105. Bangles - -Back In The High Life. Slave; Beethoven: Chamber Orchestra. Revolution-Purpfe Rain 314443. Neil Diamond's (Columbia) Wellington's Victory- (Digital -Fanfare) Different Light. (Columbia)(Island) 12 Greatest Hits, Vol. 2. (Warner Bros.) 345827 Bob James and Maazel, Vienna Philharm. 341073. Steely Dan - 350736. Rolling Stones -344622. Anita Baker - (Columbia) David Sanborn -Double (Digital -CBS Masterworks) 324822. Ravel: Bolero; Rapture. (Elektra) A Decode of Steely Dan. La Valse; Rhapsodie Rewind. (Rolling Stones 308049. Creedence Vision. (Warner Bros.) 343251. Bach: Goldberg (MCA) Espognole-Maazel, condRecords) 319996-399998. Oearwater Revival Variations. Glenn Gould. Featuring John Fogerty/ 273409. Horowitz Plays 349373. Beethoven: (Digital -CBS Masterworks) Motown's 25 #1 Hits (Digital -CBS Masterworks) 346536. The Monkees From 25 Years. (Motown) Chronicle. 20 greatest Favorite Beethoven Symphony No. 9 (Choral) 346643. Andreas Vollen--Then And Now.. The Sonatas: Appossionata, 337519. Heart. (Capitol) -Bernstein, NY. Phil. 291278. The Doobie hits. (Fantasy) weider -Down To The Best Of The Monkees. Pathetique, Moonlight. (CBS Masterworks) Brothers -Best of the 344812. Billy Ocean - Moon. (CBS) (Arista) 343582. Van Haien- (CBS Masterworks) Doobies. (Warner Bros.) 5150. (Warner Bros.) Love Zone Dive/Arista) 348110. Buddy Holly - From The Original Master Tapes. (Digitally DvOiLail-CELW Remostered-MCA) CONCERTO 348987-398982. Linda YOY0 KA Ronstadt-'Round LORIN Midnight (Asylum) MAAZEL BERLIN PHIL COMPACT

348458 347153 347039 346312 346023 345751 0110[E DIG TAL AUDIO without having 10 days to decide, you may We've built-in a wide range of r CBS COMPACT DISC CLUB, 1400 N. Fruitndae return it at our expense. 7 choices. You can select from a wide variety P.O. Box 1129, Terre Haute, Indiana 47811-11 of current hits and classical favorites. Our The CDs you order during your great introductory offer lets you choose any membership will be billed at regular Club Please accept my membership application under the terms outlined in this advertisement. Send me the 3 Compact Discs listed here and 3 CDs listed in -this ad for just $1.00. Fill in and prices, which currently are $1498 to bill me only $1.00 for all three. I agree to buy two more selections mail the application -we'll send your CDs $1598 -plus shipping and handling, and at regular Club prices in the coming year -and may cancel my and bill you for $1. You simply agree to buy 2 sales tax where applicable. (Multiple -unit membership at any time after doing so. more CDs (at regular Oub prices) in the next sets may be higher.) There will be special SEND ME THESE 3 CD& year -and you may then cancel your sales throughout your membership. After membership anytime after doing so. completing your enrollment agreement you How the Club works. About every four may cancel membership at any time. My main musical interest is (thedc one): (But I may always choose from any category) weeks (13 times a year) you'll receive the Special Bonus Plan: After you buy 2 CDs 0 ROCK/POP o aAssiou Clubs music magazine, which describes the at regular Club prices, you can build your col- Mr Selection of the Month for your musical lection quickly with our money -saving bonus Mrs. interest... plus many exciting alternates. In plan. It lets you buy one CD at half price for Miss addition, up to six times a year, you may re- each CD you buy at regular Club prices. Prim first Nome Initial Lost Nome ceive offers of Special Selections, usually at 10 -Day Free Trial: We'll send details of the Address Apt. a discount off regular Club prices, for a total Clubs operation with your introductory ship- of up to 19 buying opportunities. ment. If you are not satisfied for any reason I City If you wish to receive the Selection of the whatsoever, just return everything within 10 I Month, you need do nothing -it will be days and you will have no further obligation. State Zip 243/S87 shipped automatically. If you prefer an alter- So why not choose 3 CDs for $1 right now? I Do you have a VCR? (Check one.) 0 YesCl No Do you have a credit card? (Check one.) El Yes No nate selection, or none at all, fill in the ADVANCE BONUS OFFER: As a special response card always provided and mail it offer to new members, take one additional ADVANCE BONUS OFFER Also send me by the date specified. You will always have Compact Disc right now and pay only $695. o fourth CD right now of the super low price at least 10 days in which to make your It's a chance to get a fourth selection at of lust $6.95, which will be billed tome. decision. If you ever receive any Selection super low price! This offer is not available in APQ FPO Abska, Hawaii, Puerto Rica Please waste for details of olternahve oiler Selections with two numbers contain 2 CDs and count as 2 -so write in both numbers. I © 1987 Columbia House Note We reserve the right to request additional information X5 X/C2 C BS CONIPCT DISC CLUB:TiTre I Hite I \ 47811 L or reject any application. X5Y/C3 EQ BOOSTS plied during recording does not introduce excessive noise or I'VE NOTICED THAT FRIENDS OF MINE WHO OWN SINGLE - overload the tape. brand rack systems have a tendency to set their equal- izers with the levels boosted in all bands. It seems to RECORD VS. TAPE WEAR me that this is simply the equivalent of turning up the I HOPE YOU CAN SETTLE A BET FOR ME. I MAINTAIN THAT volume and is not how an equalizer should be used. cassettes, unlike records, don't wear out. My friends I've tiways felt it makes sense to operate an equalizer insist that both records and tapes wear out with use. with the settings averaging out to zero or flat. Who's right? Glen Nadler Jim Stoller Duluth, Nlinn. Evanston, Ill.

B Y As you imply, a "flat- boost is best supplied by a volume You lose, Jim. Wear appears differently in tapes and rec- A R R Y control. But setting all the sliders full -up on a conventional ords. When vinyl discs begin to wear, noise and distortion graphic equalizer produces a bumpy-not flat-frequency are added to the signal. Worn tapes, on the other hand, K L E IN response and a boosted overall level. A similar effect, but show their wear by losses of signal. There are momentary with much smaller boosts and dips, can be obtained by mov- dropouts that reflect damage to the tape's oxide coating ing all the sliders up only a little bit. caused by friction against the player's heads, capstan, and At one time, most equalizer instruction manuals suggest- guides, and partial erasure of the high frequencies may be ed operating the units as close to "unity gain" as possible, brought about by an accumulation of residual magnetism in meaning that the signal input and output voltages should be those metal parts. (Periodic cleaning and demagnetizing at approximately the same level. The improved headroom of help minimize the damage.) And high frequencies may be today's equalizer designs has obviated input/output match- slightly lost through magnetostrictive (induced by mechani- ing.Itstill represents good practice, however, because it cal stress) effects caused by repeated flexure of the tape. minimizes the possiblity of amplifier and speaker overload After many hours of play, there may be a marked in- at strongly boosted frequencies. crease in a cassette's wow and flutter because the tape has I've always preferred equalizers that have separate gain become warped and stretched. With newer cassettes, the controls for each channel. This facilitates A/B evaluation of symptom may indicate an overly tight winding inside the the sometimes subtle audible effect of injecting a decib,,d or cassette (assuming that the player is okay and that the cas- so of cut or boost at certain frequencies. On the other hand, sette -shell mechanism or the tape has not been damaged the equivalent alterations on both channels facilitated by through overheating on a car's dashboard). A degree of single -control units help preserve precise imaging. looseness can be restored to the tape pack by repeatedly, A properly used equalizer can be an excellent ear -train- but gently, slapping the cassette face -down against a semi - ing device that can help dispel much of the mystique sur- hard surface, such as a magazine or book. rounding certain audio products. For example, I'm convinced that the openness, airiness, transparency, inner detail, and MISTUNED FM so on that are the hallmarks of the sound of some very ex- MANY OF THE ROCK STATIONS IN MY AREA ADVERTISE pensive components con easily be duplicated on less costly that they're located at, say, "100 on the FM dial." But systems by a slight manipulation of the upper two frequency my digital tuner won't tune to even numbers-it sets controls on a ten -band equalizer. itself for 99.9 or 100.1. The stations come in clearly, but does something need adjustment? PRE/POST EQ Ray Pierce I'M PLANNING TO BUY AN EQUALIZER AND AM PUZZLED San Diego, Calif. as to how I can get the most flexibility out of it. I want to equalize all my program sources and also my tape Yes, the thinking of those who like to reduce all communica- dubs. I intend to connect the equalizer between tion to the short, punchy, and simple-minded (this includes preamp and power amp rather than use up the tape the FCC, which lets stations get away with such nonsense). in/out jacks on my preamp. What sort of switching Before digital tuning displays came about, such a practice will I need to also equalize my tape recordings? could be more easily forgiven because of the inaccuracy of Harvey A. Bryant an analog tuner's pointer. Anniston. Ala. In the U.S., all broadcast -band FM stations are assigned odd -numbered operating frequencies, spaced 0.2 MHz (200 Things would be enormously simplif ed if you did connect kHz) apart. Only those lucky stations whose true frequencies your equalizer into your preamp's rape loop (there is no end in 0.9 or 0.1 are allowed to abbreviate their frequency good reason not to). With such a connection, you could use in on -the -air announcements. Tuning to precisely 100.0 MHz the "pre/ post" switch found under a variety of names on all would give you a lot of noise and distortion. But, come to of today's best equalizers. Whatever its label, the switch is think of it, that may be a valid representation of what some designed to allow EQ to be applied to the playback of any of the stations really are broadcasting! program source or to the signal going from the equalizer's

tape output jacks to the recorder's inputs. A three -head tape lie regret that the volume of render mart a too great for us to answer all questions deck would enable you to check tha any equalization ap- individually.

IS HIGH FIDELIT, THE GREATEST COFFERREIlL

G".

GETA COMPACT DISC. If you haven't listened to the and9s.tage. No questions asked. at your participating Memorex dealer Memorex, CDX you ain't heard ilut we're so confident you'll for further details. But hurry. The deal nothing yet. And now's the time to love the CDX II, if you buy nine expires July 31st, 1987. And you by it. 'Cause we're making it part more tapes, we'll buy you a copy wouldn't want to miss out on ' of an offer you can't refuse. of your favorite compact disc or such a great sounding offer7',1. Buy one CDX-II tape and if you L.R -a savings of up to 16 bucks. IS IT LIVE OR IS IT dorit like it fir any reason, send it badc It's that simple. to us. We'll refund the purchase price Just see the in-store display c, 198/ MEMFEK 1440DUC, S Not Evolutionary, Revolutionary

pioncert 0 Pioneer's Revolutionary CD/LaserVision Player If there was ever a machine ahead of its time, it's it's one of the best -sounding CD players you can Pioneers new CID -909. The most remarkable buy. It's also fully programmable, so you can play machine ever invented to play compact discs, musicany audio or video track in any order. video discs and LaserVision discs. One viewing of Pioneer's CLD-909, and you'll Its engineering is incredibly sophisticated. Its not only be a believer, you'll s(x)n be a possessor superior benefits are really quite simple. As a video of the finest sight and sound machine modern source, it produces a 60% sharper picture than any man has ever witnessed. I or more information, VHS machine in existence. As an audio source, call 1-800-421-1404. PIONEER`"' CAT( .1I THE SPIIZIT 01; A. TRUE PIONEER.

1986Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc., Lung Beach, ( :A S C A N L IN

SUPER VHS, Fuuuy!

IN TOKYO ON SEPTEMBER 9, 1976. NO DOUBT TO THE how this is achieved remains a matter of speculation. great astonishment of Sony, JVC announced the Compared to standard VHS, the new system would first VHS (Video Home System) videocassette re- likely involve a widening of the recorded luminance corder. Adopting many of the important technical bandwidth and a wholesale upward shift in frequency innovations that made possible Sony's older (1975) of that band. The first would account for the stated Beta format (such as cyclical phase inversion to re- resolution, the second for the required new tape for- duce chrominance crosstalk and guard -band -less, mulation. New tape heads are probably also used. slanted -azimuth luminance recording), the original Unfortunately, no mention is made of a less com- VHS system had a 2 -hour maximum recording time, mercial but visually paramount specification: A poor twice that of contemporary Beta machines. This, to- video signal-to-noise ratio (especially for color) is gether with the licensing of the system by industrial one of the most apparent shortcomings of present- B Y giants Matsushita and Hitachi and RCA's widespread day home video recording. On the other hand, JVC distribution of it in this country, conspired to make has claimed that one of the four significant improve- D A V ID VHS the early leader in the Great Format War. ments accomplished by S -VHS is "reducing noise in Home -video perfectionists, however, have always the picture." (The other three advances are the high- R A N A D A viewed the Beta system affectionately, even if they er resolution, the new tape, and an elimination of in- own a VHS VCR. They could point to Beta's superior terference between luminance and chrominance sig- picture quality and to a series of technical advances nals.) We can only hope that its signal-to-noise ratio (Beta Hi-Fi, Super Beta) that have continually kept is also equivalent to that of professional 1 -inch re- Beta's overall quality ahead of VHS's-until now. corders (which, for the industry -standard 1 -inch ma- On January 8 of this year, while the Winter Con- chine-the Sony BVH-2000-is greater than 48 dB). sumer Electronics Show was in full swing-and again At the very least, S -VHS will provide a welcome over- probably to the absolute consternation of Sony- lapping of professional and consumer video quality, JVC announced in Tokyo the development of what it since it will probably be better than the 3/4 -inch U -Ma - calls Super VHS (S -VHS). The news flashed across tic professional format. "By using S -VHS," says JVC, the Pacific to fall on the eager ears of the journalists "it is possible that the quality of home video will sur- covering CES. Our attention was drawn to one claim pass that of broadcasting in the near future." for S -VHS given in the JVC press release: "[The sys- Even if S -VHS falls short of 1 -inch performance, tem] has high resolution and high picture quality its influence on the home video market will probably comparable to that of one -inch broadcast -use VTRs be immense. If nothing else, sales of both Beta and [videotape recorders]." Equally tantalizing was the 8mm home decks and camcorders will be adversely fact that S -VHS decks will be able to record in both affected by the presence in the market of a superior conventional VHS and the enhanced S -VHS mode. home video recording system, one that will undoubt- Apparently, the system is "upward compatible," edly be adopted by all the original VHS licensees (Hi- as they say in the computer business. Standard VHS tachi, Matsushita/Panasonic, Mitsubishi, and Sharp) recordings will be playable on the new S -VHS ma- and many other manufacturers as well. If the new sys- chines; standard VHS tapes made on S -VHS decks tem does not change certain geometric parameters will play back on any VHS machine; but S -VHS tapes (such as video track length and tilt angle), a compact will not be playable on standard VHS decks. S -VHS S -VHS system will be possible using VHS-C-size cas- cassettes, which will be usable in standard VHS settes, thus leading to small camcorders whose pic- decks, will have a tape length and overall dimensions ture quality will be limited only by the quality of the equivalent to that of conventional T-120 VHS cas- image pickup device. And if S -VHS picture quality is settes, for a maximum recording/playback time of 2 good enough and prerecorded S -VHS software be- hours in SP and 6 hours in EP. In one of the few tech- comes widely and inexpensively produced, the new nical details announced by JVC, it is admitted that the format could displace the laser videodisc as the pre- new tape formulation required for S -VHS recording ferred medium for high -quality playback and might is an "improved oxide magnetic material." This even discernibly change moviegoing habits. automatically rules out metal -particle and barium - All this speculation should be tempered with the ferrite formulations and implies that the new tape realization that one ofJVC's first engineering papers can be manufactured by comparatively simple alter- in English describing the original VHS system stated ations to typical high-grade cobalt -doped ferric -ox- that one of the engineers' design goals was "picture ide videocassette production processes. quality equivalent to TV broadcast programs," As of this writing, the patent applications on the something that has yet to be achieved with a standard system have not been completed, so further technical VHS machine. Furthermore, there is the question of details have not been released. The most salable how many of these claimed improvements are ac- specification, however, is known: "S -VHS has more complished by straightforward, "natural" means, than 400 lines of horizontal resolution, allowing cur- without signal "enhancement" that may produce vi- rent television broadcasting (330 lines horizontal sual side effects. I'm hoping for the best. For now, we resolution) to be recorded with almost no degrada- can only wait and watch . .. and wonder how Sony

tion." Until the system is more completely described, will respond.

APRIL1987 21 has packaged all these control circuit reduces advances into the first the intermodulation HOWALPINE RE -ENGINEERED CD pick-up small enough distortion that can to share an in -dash degrade your musical DIN -sized head unit withreception. THE CD PLAYER AND TUNER an equally advanced Throughout the FM -AM tuner. entire 7902, a unique circuit topology called SECTION TO SHARE THE SAME STAR (Signal Transit for Accurate Response) IN -DASH CHASSIS. keeps critical circuits separated to avoid inter- The Model 7902 ference. Moreover, STAR incorporates a tuner It began with the takes advantage of own 3 -beam laser pick- Silicon oil damperssection that's already computer -aided design goal of a car audio sys- up with a series of otheralso protect the CD tem able to do justice legendary for its per- to engineer the shortest advances. Together they mechanism from vibra- formance: Alpine's re- routes for signals to to the most artfully deliver exceptional sonictions and outside shocks.markable T -101I Tuner" recorded music. It led to travel. The result is accuracy while compen-And the entire CD Three Alpine inno- exceptionally clear repro- the development of a sating on the road for theassembly is mounted onvations contribute to theduction with greater Compact Disc player bumps and jars that cana rugged zinc die-cast T-10IITuner's ability to smaller and more ad- dynamic range and a vanced than any before. truly linear musical And an FM -AM tuner of output. astounding capability. It Making the 7902 resulted in Alpine's new all the more unique is a Model 7902. The first shielded, pulse -width - true single -chassis all -in - modulated power supply one design available in a designed with dual cir- standard DIN -size unit. cuitry-two discrete Throughout the power blocks that elimi- 7902, Alpine has nate high -frequency sig- nal interference. This re- blended the digital engi- Extre;r4 vibration is'eltec (yelpabsorbed A double -layered, spring. by silicon oil dampers isolating the loaded gear assembly ensures thinking and redesign of neering of CD with itransport mechanism. optimized laser tracking over rough roads. state-of-the-art analog 1 every aspect of circuitry circuitry to precisely results in improved Silicon Oil Dampe clarity and definition, control the musical sig- Zinc Die -Cast Chassis nal at all stages of its and contributes to the 3 -Beam Pick-up Servo Circuit exceptional musicality journey.A double- of the 7902. oversampling linear - DC -DC Converter /"FIRDigital Foltpr phase digital filter eli- Backlash Abiorber - gi-ctrracrtrRix. BLEND, SI)l. I MU I E L'UWE minates the distortion cIB) you hear when digital Sognel and noose Araustable Hi -Cut (10 ((FRI signals are converted Solt tote into analog form.The filter suppresses ultra- high frequency signals before their conversion to analog, while the O double -oversampling Stereo (NoiR) process improves the upper -band frequency response. The result? AnTerona thou( (dElot0

Dramatically reduced 1 High cut, blend and soft -mute circuits work together to maximize harmonic distortion in reception of weak FM stations, and your music. minimize static noise. Once the music is It all adds up to a converted to analog tuner with superb clarity form, the signal contin- cause a lesser CD playerchassis that's able to ab- make the most of your ues to pass through a and definition. In an to mistrack. sorb shock and vibration favorite radio stations. incredibly small package Butterworth analog filter. A specially de- better than a common A double balanced that, combined with This rejects the ultra- signed gear system for pressed steel or alumi- mixer removes signal Alpine's equally compact sonic noise that is the laser drive prevents num die-cast chassis. saturation from strong new CD section, makes characteristic of CDs. backlash-the loose- Alpine's 3 -beam FM broadcasts before the model 7902 a first ness that degrades laser pick-up uses a dif- it reaches the tuning for Alpine.And a first tracking accuracy. The fraction grating to split stage, so headroom is for the mobile audio 7902 uses unusual two -the laser light into a main increased. Selected industry. layered gears, with a beam and two "sub - dual -gate MOSFETS To see and hear spring placed between beams:' Constant com- reduce the noise level Alpine's new 7902 CD them to maintain tension.parison of the two in the receiver. And a Player/FM-AM Tuner, The mechanics of So the drive operates sub -beams instantly double automatic gain visit your local Alpine the 7902's CD section with absolute precision. corrects the main beam's autosound specialist. are no less innovative alignment, keeping it than its electronics. right on track. Remark- Alpine has combined its ably, Alpine engineering

1986,Alpine Electronics of America. 19145 Gramercy Place. Torrance, California 90501 (213) 326-8000 Despite what's pic- tured, technology is not on the rocks. The Mag- navox CD8-650 Com- pact Disc player (top) is full of Philips's latest advances in error cor- rection; the Honer

XL -280 power amplifier

(bottom) permits a unique distortion - reducing adjustment; and NEC's DX -2000U is the first VCR to use digital processing to ac- NICK BASILION tually improve picture REPORT PREPARATION SUPERVISED quality. Also tested is BY MICHAEL RIGGS, DAVID RANADA, Nakamichi's finest CHRISTOPHER J. ESSE, ROBERT preamp, the well-ap- LONG, AND EDWARD J. FOSTER. LABORATORY DATA (UNLESS OTHER- pointed CA -7A. And an WISE INDICATED) IS SUPPLIED BY old name is back, this DIVERSIFIED SCIENCE LABORATORIES. time as a consumer brand: Altec Lansing, whose 301 loudspeaker system is put through its paces. Reports follow. EVEN THE FINEST LOUDSPEAKERS SIFT OUT SOME OF THE MID -RANGE DETAIL.WHY?

.11 Many of today's more expensive loudspeakers polypropylene to virtually have impressive specifications that may look great on eliminate breakup, flexing paper, but do not necessarily sound great in your and distortion. home. For instance, they boast frequency ranges that The unique features extend well beyond the limits of human hearing. But like these, that make our while these loudspeakers may be sensitive to the mus- home loudspeakers so Carbon Fibers in Woofer Cone ical extremes of the spectrum they are often insensitive impressive, also extend into our automotive loud- to the subtle details in between. Details that create the speakers. In addition, our automotive loudspeakers finer musical nuances within the mid -range. have features like ThermoisolateTM construction and At Altec Lansing, on the other hand, we've high temperature resistant materials to assure last- designed our new line of loudspeakers to recreate ing performance even in the extremes of a demand- every subtlety of recorded music. To give not only ing auto environment. As a result, you'll capture the the highs and lows but everything in between. same details in your car as you do at home. The secret of Altec Lansing's extraordinary Listen to Altec Lansing loudspeakers for your- timbre, texture and detail? A polyimide mid -range self and hear how much detail you've been missing. that produces an expansive stereo image to give Call I-800-ALTEC88 for information and the Altec you pure uncolored sound. In fact, dealer nearest you (in Pennsylvania 717-296-HIFI). In Altec Lansing loudspeakers are so Canada call 416-496-0587 or write 265 Hood Road, uncompromising, so revealing, they Markham, Ontario L3R 4N3, Canada. prompted J. Gordon Holt of Stereo- phile magazine to write, "I have been hearing more going on in (the mid- range of) old, familiar recordings than I Polyimide/Titanium Mid -range have ever heard before...instrumental sections are suddenly resolved into many individual instruments rather than a mass of instruments," and they compelled him to add that Altec Lansing's speakers have "high end sweetness and openness... with astounding inner detail." What's more, our woofers provide unparalleled low frequency definition that beautifully comple- ments the flawless performance of our mid and high frequency drivers. How? With woven carbon fiber ALTEC LANSING. cones that are rigid yet lighter than paper or LOUDSPEAKERS FOR THE WELL -TRAINED EAR.

Altec Lansing Consumer Products Milford. PA 19337 World class automobiles are engineeredto Every unit has our new rotary head design for a set of uncompromising standards, criteria which superb bi-azimuth control, creatinggreater dynamic also distinguish our new DIN -chassiscar audio range and full -frequency response in either tape series. direction. Our improved MR II tuner circuitryauto- Each is built from a commitment to musical matically controls FM noise to optimize reception excellence made 100 years ago. Thesame commit- of even the weakest signal. Andour top models offer ment that has made Yamaha the world's largest an optional theft -proof removable chassis. manufacturer of musical instruments-fromcon- Visit any authorized Yamaha Car Audio dealer cert grand pianos to FM digital synthesizers. today and listen to our full line of DIN -chassis We've also drawn on our extensive experience products. Your precision -engineered automobile in professional audio equipment used inconcert deserves nothing less. halls and recording studios worldwide. And incor- Yamaha Electronics Corporation, USA, PO Box 6660, Buena Park, CA porated features from our state-of-the-art home 90622 audio components. One such feature is our unique Variable Loud- 100 ness Control. First developed for home receivers 1887-1987 and amplifiers, it ensures that low, mid and high oiVenhay opetafie:y frequencies maintain proper tonal proportion at any volume. So the sound is always well balanced. *YAMAHA T ES T REPO RTS

a navox

AINYLAllf MAW SELECTION rs Li L./ UUU OBM, Mlle MIN

Z. 1 rA;`-:

All data were obtained using the Sony YEDS-7, Technics SH-00001. Philips 410 DIMENSIONS: 16' BY 31/4 INCHES (FRONT), 111/, INCHES DEEP PLUS ton, the CDB-650 will jump back to the last 055-2. and Philips 41 056-2 test discs. Except where noted otherwise, data is for CLEARANCE FOR CONNECTIONS. PRICE: $430. WARRANTY: "LIMITED," few seconds of recorded material, making it the "unfiltered" output (see text). ONE YEAR PARTS AND LABOR. MANUFACTURER. MADE IN BELGIUM somewhat easier than usual to cue up the last FREQUENCYRESPONSE WIThOUT DRINPIMSIS BY PHILIPS FOR N.A.P. CONSUMER ELECTRONICS CORP., 1-40 AND moments of a disc. Even the control symbols DB STRAW PLAINS PIKE, KNOXVILLE, TENN. 37914. painted on each transport -control key are 0 -5 slightly different from the norm, notably the COB 850111' ALTHOUGH, OR PERHAPS BECAUSE, IT ES circle -and -triangle STOP and PAUSE symbols. HZ 20 50100200 500 1K 2K 5K 10K 20K What Magnavox has chosen to call SCAN left channel ± < 0.1 dB, 20 Hz to 20 kHz manufactured by a codeveloper of the right channel ± < 0.1 dB. 20 Hz to 20 kHz Compact Disc system (Holland -based is a function operating identically to similar- filtered output + < 0 1, -1 75 dB, 20 Hz to 20 kHz Philips), the Magnavox CDB-650 is distinct- ly named features on cassette decks. After FREQUENCY RESPCNSE WITH DE -EMPHASIS ly different from the mass of Asian CD play- you press SCAN, the first ten seconds of each

DB ers available today. But this is by no means a track are played in turn. At any time during 0 criticism. Indeed, many aspects of its this process you can shift into normal play- -5 COB 860121. uniqueness make the CDB-650 superior in back by pressing PLAY/REPLAY. HZ 20 50 100 200 500 1K 2K 5K 10K 20K operation to more run-of-the-mill players, a The CDB-650 has more "standard ex- left channel ± < 0.1 d13, 20 Hz to 20 kHz category that includes many models costing tras" than most players in its price range. right channel ± < 0.1 dB, 20 Hz to 20 kHz several times as much. For example, three cueing modes are avail- filtered output + < 0.1, -I.75 dB, 20 Hz to 20 kHz Even the CDB-650's "standard" controls able: track number, index point within a CHANNEL SEPARAI1ON (at 1 kHz) 106 3/4 dB have a unique personality. The play control track, and starting time within a track (a CHANNEL BALANCE (at 1 kHz) ± <0.1 dB (labeled PLAY/REPLAY) works as usual, but mode that until now has appeared only on SIN RATIO (re 0 dB; A -weighted) restarting a track while playing requires an- first -generation and professional players). wintered Mired other press of PLAY/REPLAY-not an illogical The same three modes are available in mak- without de-emphads 109 1/4 dB 109 dB with de-emphasIs 112dB 112 3/4 dB press of the "previous track" button as on al- ing selections for programmed playback. In

HARMONIC DISTORTION (THD + N; 40 Hz to 20 kHz) most every other player. The CDB-650's an unusual twist, the maximum capacity for a filtered unNtored previous -track button is indeed just that: programmed sequence is not given as a at0 dB <0.010% <0.010% press it while playing any track and it will number of selections but as 20 "memory at -24 dB .0019% 0.050% take you to the start of the track before (if blocks." Making a programmed selection by IMDISTORTION (70 -Hy difference, 300 Hz to 20 kHz) any). PAUSE is not released by pressing track number takes up one block, by index filtered unfiltered 0 to -10 dB <0.010% <0.010% PLAY/REPLAY but only by pressing PAUSE number takes up two, and by start/stop at-20dl 0.014% 0.017% again (most players release pause with a times takes up five. TheSCANallows the pro- at -30dB 0.047% 0.059% press of either the play or pause button). gramming of tracks by selective omission as The forward and reverse scan controls, here each track is auditioned, which is useful if sensibly called SEARCH, each have three you want to store track numbers in the same speeds, not the standard two, depending on order as they appear on the disc. how long you hold the buttons down. At the A numerical keypad for cueing or pro- two slowest speeds the music remains audi- gramming is contained on a flip -down panel ble, but after ten seconds of scanning, the at the right front of the machine, just above player switches into high gear and the sound the headphone output and its dedicated vol- is muted. If you "scan off" the end of the ume control. Nearly all the other controls disc and then release the forward search but- are duplicated on the remote handset, which

APRIL 1 9 8 7 27 UNEARITY (at 1 kHz) uses four AAA cells (supplied). The excep- The unconventionality of the CDB-650's 0 to -60 dB no measurable tool tions are the headphone volume control, the internal design does not stop with the spe- at -70 dB -0.4 dB at -80 dB -0.9 dB disc-draWer open/close button, and the cial chips retaining the FTS settings. There at -90 dB -58 dB slide switch for the four basic operating are two fixed -level line outputs, both with

TRACKING 8. ERROR CORRECTION modes: normal play, single play (which stops gold-plated pin jacks. The first of these (the maximum signal -layer gap > 900µRI the player after the current track is finished "unfiltered" output mentioned in the data maximum surface obstruction 800 µii unless it is also in the repeat mode, in which column) carries a lightly analog -filtered sig- simulated -fingerprint test case the current track is repeated indefinite- nal originating from the four -times over - MAXIMUM OUTPUT LEVEL ly), copy pause (which adds a four -second sampling digital -filtered 16 -bit digital -to - line output 2 07 volts headphone output 5 71 volts pause after each track), and auto pause analog converters. The second output is

OUTPUT IMPEDANCE (which puts the player into pause at the end labeled "Additional Filtered" and passes the line output 200 ohms of each track until released by pressing same signal, but only after it has undergone headphone output 155 ohms PAUSE). a further stage of analog filtration, this time SQUARE -WAVE RESPONSE (1 kHz) The last front -panel button left off the a bit more severe than that applied to the handset controls a feature unique to Magna- first output. There is also an AES/EBU stan- vox CD players. Favorite Track Selection dard digital output (a pin jack carrying the (FTS) makes a programmed sequence ofaudio information in digital form) "for fu- tracks, index points, or start/stop times ture CD applications such as CD-ROM or "permanent, so that you can use it each time digital signal processing," and a socket for you play a particular disc," as the well writ- connection of an optional remote control re- ten and organized manual puts it. Encoded ceiver for when the front panel is hidden among the digital information on every CD from the remote handset. is its label (brand) and number, and these Mechanically, a refined (and fairly fast - IMPULSE RESPONSE are automatically entered into the FTS cueing) version of Philips's already elegantly memory along with your programmed se- simple swinging -arm pickup mechanism is quence so that the player remembers which employed, as well as the latest version of that sequence goes with which disc. Enough company's single -beam laser pickup. The memory is provided to store a single selec- system has achieved the deserved reputation tion for 227 different discs, but the program- of being quite reliable even when playing ming rules here are similar to those for man- badly damaged or defective discs. ual programming procedure. Selections Beyond this, the digital decoding ICs delimited by index or start/stop points take used in the CDB-650 have, as far as we know, up more memory space than track numbers the most advanced digital error -correction only, and a maximum of 20 memory blocks is system of any home CD player. The CDB- allowed per memorized disc. Other maximal 650's error correction is "adaptive": It combinations include 113 discs with five in- chooses the optimum error -correction dex -point cues each and 88 discs with five scheme for the type and distribution of er- time -segment sequences apiece. Track num- rors that it is encountering at any moment, ber, index point, and time -segment cueing staving off error concealment until the last can be freely intermixed in a disc's program, possible moment. If error concealment is ul- provided the maximum of 20 memory timately required, the CDB-650's chips can blocks per program is not exceeded. Of interpolate over eight successive bad sam- course, the system permits editing or dele- ples, in contrast to most other error -correc- tion of memorized programs. tion ICs, which can interpolate only one bad Storing an FTS sequence is simple: After sample at a time. setting up a programmed sequence as de- Diversified Science Laboratories mea- scribed above, press rrs and thenSTOREon surements, unfortunately, do not show how the flip -down panel. Playing a memorized effective these chips are. The present stan- FTS sequence is also easy: Put the disc in the dard test disc for tracking and error correc- player, press rrs and thenPLAY,and a se- tion (issued by Philips several years ago) is quence memorized even years before will neither a complete nor an accurate simula- come flooding back, for the player retains tion of the range of possible disc damage FT'S information in a nonvolatile memory and bad pressings. Most-but not all-mod- even after being switched off or unplugged. ern players pass the tests on the disc with no Supplied with the CDB-650 is a set of stick - audible problems, and that goes for the on FTS program -number labels that fit neat- CDB-650. We can say, however, that the ly on CD jewel -box spines. CDB-650 is the only player of dozens we What FTS is truly useful for is, for the have tried that can successfully play a certain moment, beyond us. Maybe music teachers bad pressing we have had in our library for and amateur disc jockeys will take advantage the past two years. We feel that it would be a of the system for easy storage and recall of rare disc indeed that would play on another programmed segments. And it is the rare Compact Disc player and not on the CDB- person who has such stable tastes that he will 650. find the permanence of the FTS memory The lab's testing did uncover one (and useful. But it's there, it's unique, and it only one) interesting but not too significant doesn't seem to have added appreciably, if at performance anomaly: At the -90 dB level all, to the very reasonable price of the CDB- in the linearity test, the output level is about 650, nor does it seem to detract from the 6 dB too low, and the corresponding distor- other performance characteristics-so why tion at that level is higher than normal. This not? happened with both channels and with two

28 HinH F I D F I I T Y Digital Direct.

LIMIAAN com.ct osc PLAY. 0,00

diSE 10:LO 1131q Mr/MP 1,1LXINC.

POW. MW

it 0 0 ¶ NrWe Oft :PAD. W.WWWW

XIAAN STtiff, 1.1.1,GPATED AV,ILVEP LVVg,

0 0 0

The digital accuracy of a compact disc... directly coupled to the world's finest integrated amplifier. With Luxman's new D-109 Compact Disc converter in the LV-109. There is no analog Player and LV-109 Integrated Amplifier, the conversion prior to the transfer. digital signal is transferred directly from the It's simply the best way to maintain the D -109's digital output to the digital -to -analog sonic integrity of a compact disc.

LUXMANA Division of Alpine Electronics of America, Inc. (213) 326-8000 LEARN mYou're looking at the dish antenna ofone of the most advanced satellite communications systems around. And you can learn to work with it in some of the PREPARE THIS DISH INmost spectacular classrooms around-from the highest mountain- JUS1'30 MIN= tops to desert plains. Maybe even more impressive, you'll not only get this system set up and operating in 30 minutes, but you'll do it working side by side with just two other soldiers. Welcome to the Army Signal Corps. Your team will be responsible for transforming a spot of wilderness intoa satellite communica- tions station. One capable of sending and receiving messages anywhere in the world. Ifyou qualify, you'll be trained to work with microprocessors, troposcatter and microwave communications equip- ment, single -and multi -channel systems, and more. High tech doesn't get much higher than this. If the challenge of preparingone of our dishes gets you hungry for some exciting high-tech learning, call toll free, 1 -800 -USA -ARMY, or talk to your local Army Recruiter. ARMY. BE ALLYOU CAN BE samples of the player. Usually in this test, the just how significant the non-monotonicity is of the very first CD player issued by the oth- player output level is too high, reading -85 when playing a typical music disc: We could er CD -system codeveloper (no points for dB when it should be -90, for example, be- not hear it per se, nor could we hear any son- guessing which company that is). Otherwise, cause distortion products and noise add to ic faults attributable to what amounts to a it offers virtually identical performance to the -90 -dB 1 -kHz test tone and thus raise loss of about 1 bit of resolution (so that the that of the main output. the overall output level. We believe one of converters are essentially providing 15 - The direct digital output socket does in- the least significant bits in the CDB-650's rather than 16 -bit performance). The CDB- deed carry the audio signal in standard AES/ digital -to -analog converters (which use a650's other test results-the very flat fre- EBU form, as we confirmed by hooking it up conversion method different from most oth- quency response both with and without de - to a device with a corresponding AES/EBU ers) is "ncrn-monotonic": As the numbers emphasis switched in, the outstanding digital input. It offers a way to work around being fed to the converters increase step by channel separation and balance, the good the low-level non-monotonicity of the CDB- step, the voltage output from them does not signal-to-noise ratios, and the generally fine 650's internal digital -to -analog conversion continuously increase but stays the same or distortion measurements-serve only to system: Simply feed the digital output into even decreases for one or more steps. This confirm the very good sonic impression the a component with its own, hopefully mono- would account for the peculiar linearity mea- player makes when playing music. Ironically, tonic, digital -to -analog converters. The surement as well as the unusually distorted the "additionally filtered" response of the money and trouble you expend, however, sound of the -90 dB test sine wave when it second output rolls off the very top end (by probably will not provide any audible im- is subjected to very high amplification. 1/2 dB at 10 kHz, 1 dB at 15 kHz, and 13/4 dB provement to the sound of the CDB-650, for

This, however, should also clue you in to at 20 kHz) in a way that mimics the response that would be difficult by any means.

TEST R E P O R TS

The moving -coil phono section offers three gain options: 24, 30, and 36 dB. Where DIMENSIONS. 177, BY 33!A INCHES (FRONT), INCHES DEEP PLUS decks that had wired, dedicated remotes of the setting of the gam switch affects the measurements, all three values are given in CLEARANCE FOR CONTROLS AND CONNECTIONS. AC CONVENIENCE their own. To this end, Nakamichi packs the that order. All measurements except for impedance of the fixed -coil phono section were made at the minimum capacitance setting. OUTLETS: NONE. PRICE. $2,195. WARRANTY: "LIMITED," THREE YEARS RM-7CA wireless remote with the CA -7A,

OUTPUT AT CLIPPING (at 1 kHz) 7.2 volts PARTS AND LABOR. MANUFACTURER: NAKAMICHI CORP., JAPAN; which is fitted with a series of DIN -style U.S. DISTRIBUTOR: NAKAMICHI U.S.A. CORP., 19701 S. VERMONT AVE., HARMONIC DISTORTION (THD; 20 Hz to 20 kHz) multipin jacks on its back panel for intercon- TORRANCE, CALIF. 90502. aux input 0.01% nection to the mating remote -control jacks fixed -oil phono input <0.01% on other Nakamichi components, old or

FREQUENCY RESPONSE L,CALL IT A PREAMP. NAKAMICHI-NOT new. +0, -114 dB, <10 Hz to 30.7 kHz a company to accept the obvious, The remote includes controls for power, +0, -3 d8. <10 Hz to 117 kHz which accounts for its remarkable source selection, volume, and "mute" (20 - record of innovation-calls it a control am- dB output attenuation) for the CA -7A; band plifier, an appellation that could incorrectly (AM/FM) and preset selector (to 16 stations, suggest an integrated amp. But whatever it's in two 8 -station banks) for a tuner; play, called, you've got to marvel at the CA -7A. pause, stop, cueing, and scan controls for a With it, Nakamichi again breaks new ground CD player; and similar transport controls in both engineering and performance. plus recording, azimuth, and deck (Tape -1/ Dominating the design is the CA-7A's Tape -2) for tape decks. This means that adaptability to centralized remote control of some controls, even on the CA -7A itself (the other Nakamichi components, including recording output selector, for example), are some of Nakamichi's own early cassette inaccessible from the remote, but all those to APRIL 1987 31 INAA MONO ECIUALIZANINI which you might have recourse during a pas- representing all of the back -panel signal in- DB sive listening session (as opposed to, say, re- puts (including those for the tape decks), are 0 cording) are right there in your hand. arrayed along the bottom of the front panel -5 CA -7A To give the CA-7A's wireless remote ac- and are flanked by smaller on/off buttons HZ 20 50 100200 500 1K 2K 5K 10K20K cess to other Nakamichi components, the for "mute" and AFT (Acoustical Fine Tun- fixed -col +01-0 dB. 20 Hz to 20 kHz. -0 dBat 5Hz back panel of the preamp has control ports ing-referring to the three tone controls). inevingtel +0.1, -0 dB. 20 Hz to 20 kHz; for two Nakamichi tape decks, tuner, CD The recording selector (the leftmost knob) -0 dB at 5 Hz player, remote infrared sensor (in addition repeats the input options, but it adds OFF SENSMVITY 1. NOISE (re 0.5 volt; A -weighting) to the one built into the front panel), and re- and substitutes 1 -to -2 and 2 -to -1 dubbing sensitivity S/N rule aux input 40.3 mV 93 dB mote power on/off. Multiple remote sensors for the tape -monitoring options of the main fixed -cal phew 0.66 mV 791/2 dB can be "daisy -chained," as Nakamichi puts selector. moving -0A phone 42/21/10 50 82/83 114/ it. So the inveterate Nakamichi-phile has an To the right, past the tone controls, are 83 3/4 dB enviable array of choices at his (remote) dis- PHONO OVERLOAD (1-kliz clipping) the balance knob (a 21 -position switch se-

fixed -coil plans 325 mV posal. With non-Nakamichi components, lecting an array of precision metal -film resis- moving -coil phone 20.5/10.3/5.2 mV however, the lack of any back -panel AC tors or, when it is centered, cutting itself out INPUT IMPEDANCE convenience outlets may pose hookup prob- of the circuit altogether) and the motor -driv- aux input 15k ohms lems because other parts of the system can't en volume control. The latter is cleverly de- Seed -coil phone 51k ohms, 110/210/310 pf be turned on and off automatically without signed to have the "feel" of a manual poten- moving -coil phone 100 ohms the remote interconnects. tiometer; an illuminated index line on the OUTPUT IMPEDANCE To achieve both superior performance main output 990 ohms knob is visible at a distance as an aid in ad- tape output 195 ohms and the intended control options, Nakami- justing the volume by the remote.

CHANNEL SEPARATION (at 1 kit:) 113 1/2 dB chi isolates the switching -logic circuits from The tone controls are unlike any we've those carrying the audio. The logic has itstested before. They are narrower (that is, own toroidal power transformer, and its sig- higher -Q) in control action than we're used nals are transmitted within the CA -7A by op- to and, at ±5 dB, much gentler in available tical coupling to prevent audio interference. boost/cut range. The bass control is de- Adding to this isolation are multiple shields: signed for maximum action at 25 Hz and has between logic and audio elements, between almost no effect above 300 Hz. The mid- power supplies and other circuitry, and even range centers on 250 Hz (squarely in the mu- between audio channels. The switching it- sical midrange, though electrical midrange self is handled by relays, rather than the usu- often is conceived of as centered at least two al transistor switches, for minimum noise octaves higher) and has little effect above 3 and signal degradation. kHz. The treble control is a shelf filter with a The back -panel signal connections and turnover frequency above 20 kHz, so that its switching seem a little odd at first glance be- audible effects are finely graduated. cause of the separate circuit boards used for These controls make possible relatively each channel. All of the left -channel jacks subtle, precisely repeatable "sweetening" of run along the top of the panel, and those for already good signals. TheBASScan tame the right channel run along the bottom at a boominess due to poor miking or to a phono somewhat greater distance than usual but pickup poorly matched to the arm in use, or not far enough away to exceed the spread of add a little kick below woofer resonance if typical dual -channel cables. your speakers need it. The MIDRANGE touch- There are two pairs of output jacks (to es up the balance between the all-important feed separate power amplifiers in different musical fundamentals and the rest of the fre- ABOUT THE dBW rooms, for instance), connections for two quency range. The TREBLE can bend the up- We currently ore err a power in terms Of d814/- tape decks, and four high-level inputs: tuner, per reaches to brighten dull sound or effec- meaning power in db , - reference 10 dOWI ofI won. CD, aux 1, and aux 2. The phono section has tively soften harsh or hissy signals. With this The conversion table -table you to use the advan- tages of USW in cant,,J these products to others fOr two input pairs, which is where things really control design, Nakamichi seems to expect which you hove no dBW figures. begin to look odd, because all the cartridge - that you will either stay with signals that are matching switching for each is duplicated in WATTS dBW WATTS dBW at least good to begin with or add an out- the two channels. This isn't so you can make board equalizer if you're seeking to right se- 1.0 0 32 15 a different choice for each channel, but sim- vere sonic wrongs. And it declines to make 1.25 1 40 16 ply to keep leads to the separate circuit gross exaggerations possible. The approach 1.6 2 50 17 boards as short as possible. For the regular makes a lot of sense. moving -magnet (MM) input, there's a choice 2.0 3 63 18 The astonishing thing about these con- of capacitive loading: nominally, 100/200/ trols (and, in fact, about the entire preamp) 2.5 4 80 19 300 picofarads. For moving -coil (MC) in- is the exactitude with which the design goals 3.2 5 100 20 puts, the choice is in head -amp gain: 24/30/ have been achieved, as measured at Diversi- 4.0 6 125 21 36 dB. In addition, you can change the mov- fied Science Laboratories. The boost/cut ing -coil (MC) input impedance by adding 5.0 7 160 22 spread is within a fraction of a dB of nomi- (or, as Nakamichi advises, by having yournal; center frequencies are observed with 6.3 8 200 23 dealer add) resistors on the circuit boards comparable precision; the discrete, calibrat- 8.0 9 250 24 themselves. Appropriate resistors are sup- ed settings progress in orderly, predictable, 10.0 10 320 25 plied for changing the factory -set 100 ohms and very small steps. We can't recall ever to 50, 30, 20, 10, or 3 ohms. Yet another pair 12.5 11 400 26 testing tone controls that were better be- of back -panel switches assigns either thehaved and doubt that a careful examination 16.0 12 500 27 MM or MC input to the front -panel phono of past reports could turn up the CA-7A's 20.0 13 630 28 selector button (or recording -selector equal in this respect. 25.0 14 800 29 switch). This precision is indicative of the care The main (monitor) source selectors, that is manifest elsewhere in the design.

32 HIGH F I D E L I T Y Whitneyrgest p an LATEST ELECTRONICS! ft tire mWjo. rCid. Supplieryof. 'AutomotiveParts and Accessories 300 -watt 3 -way Radio Cassette Now! Play compact disc In -dash AM/FM STEREO RADIO, SPEAKER SYSTEM or cassette player thru OVERHEAD SPEAKER SYSTEM SECURITY LOCK Adjustable width -fits all EQUALIZER & AUTO -REVERSE your car's FM stereo! cars, trucks, vans, RVs - (even with sunroofs) CASSETTE PLAYER with Dolby

Deluxe model design in choice of 6 colors 1Z1106:100 TWO 4" woofe-s per unit for Easy to install... resounding boss as no drilling YIY 71EisV-1- TWO 2" piezoelectric direct -ra- required diating midrange speakers per unit for clean noddle tones 60 watts of power (30 per channel). Seek & scon THREE I" super tweeters per They won't steal your radio if Deluxe Console. 140 watts RMS capacity. Two 5" locks on next strongest station. 12 -station push- unit for unparalleled crispness they can't use it! Locks into cas- bass reflex speakers and two 2" cone tweeters button memory (6 AM, 6 FM). Electronic tuning Compact 13-1/4" x 4.1/2" x sette,is highly visible. Forcible with matching cross -over. Active bass port as- locks to frequencies. Illuminated digital LCD 6-1/2" deep cabinet is high. removal destroys radio... so why sures thundering bass without additional ampli- clock/station readout. Local/distance, AM/FM heat -resistant black ABS plastic. steal it? Unbreakable polymer Slim 3-1/4" wide, I" high, 3-1/2" fication. Frequency response: 70-20,000 Hz. switches. Loudness, 4 -way fader controls. Auto - Surface -mount. Frequency re- with strong individually -keyed deep adapter mounts easily un- Lightweight steel and aluminum console, nylon reverse plays both sides of tope continuously. Dol- sponse: 45-30000 Hz. Withtubular lock.2j keys, window der dash with brackets included. velour covering. Installs easily without altering in- by' noise reduction. Cassette search finds begin- hardware, wire. Reg. -599,95= sticker. Regularit4=95- All audio and power connecting terior. Dome light not included. Reg. -1-h9941.5.. ning of a song and plays from there. Fast forward, 03-9808U- ....I -Pair $79.95 03-6871N- Each $12.95 cable included. For any CD play- 03 -9841N-Black 03 -9844R-Blue rewind, eject. Built-in equalizer hos 5 slide con- er, personal cassette player or 03 -98427 -Gray 03 -9845W -Tan trols with ± 12db range. Buttons, switches backlit. other cassette player with line- 03 -9843A-Brown 03 -9846U -Red 2" high, 7" wide, 5-5/8" deep. With hardware, SUB -WOOFERS SPEAKER ENCLOSURES out or headphone jack. For all Above Numbers Each $149.95 instructions. For all 12 -volt neg. ground vehicles. Handle up to 200 Wedge -shape 12 -volt neg. ground vehicles. Standard Console (not shown). Similar to above. 03 -983IW-Reg Each $139.95 watts! Increase fits easily Compact Disc Adapter. Variable Two 5" bass reflex dual -cone speakers. Frequency bass response of where boa output and polarity selector. For response: 65-20,000Hz. Black only. any full -range on't. all portable radio, cassette or 03 -9958X -Reg 71199,95.._. Each $89.95 Pit:" EQUALIZER/AMPLIFIER system ...decrease Molded, poly CD players with 3, 6, 7.5 or 9 - midrange distor- mere actually volt requirement. Reg:124.95, tion. 1-1/2" enhance sound. Strong, light- 03-6869R- Each $19.95 aluminwium voice weight ... una fected by tem- coil th vented double layerperature, humidity, rood vibra- CD Adapter (not shown). For all In -dash CAR TELEVISION winding. Polypropylene cone. 4 - tion. Textured lacquer finish. In- radio, cassette or CD players and SOUND SYSTEM ohm impedonce. Note: Sub - clude acoustically transparent with 9 -volt requirement only. woofer low frequencies are non - grilles with Velcro' fasteners. Regular -519795- Built-in FM antenna booster. Built-in security directional; mount anywhere. 7-1/2" high (front), 5" high 03-9935N- f H 017.95 alarm hooks up to your alarm. 140 watts per chan- (rear), 10-172" wide, 6" deep. nel.7 sliding frequency controls adjust -±12db. 10" Sub -woofer. 60 -oz. magnetPre-cut Encl far 6" x 9" Ignition cutoff prevents theft. 10 -LED power out- circuit. 96db at one watt/one put display (5 per channel). Front -to -rear balanc- meter. Frequency response: speakers. Reg75'37- 15, REMOVABLE 03-9785U- 1 -Pair $19.95 ing. Illuminated power and antenna booster 30Hz-4500Hz. Reg. -54979r, switches. 60-20,000 Hz frequency response. 03-6860Y- Each $39.95 Pre-cut Encl for 5.1/4" RADIO CASE Compatible with 4 or 8 -ohm speakers. 1-3/8" 8" Sub -woofer. 20 -oz. ferrite round speakers. Reg7529-.95- DIN snap -in installation -fits most American car, high, 5-7/8" wide, 4-3/4" deep. With hardware, magnet. 83db at one waft/one03-97868- I -Pair $19.95 an, truck, RV and boat dashboards. instructions. For 12 -volt neg ground vehicles meter. Frequency response: Enclosures with blank faces. Can Black & White TV: VCR jack to record and play 03 -9914P -Reg."-$19.9S-. Each $29.95 40Hz-5KHz. Mounts in ony 6" x be cut to occept olmost any back TV programs on any video tape recorder. 9" opening. Reg. -53, peaker. Reg. 5, Nor ri Slide -on magnifier enlarges TV picture to 2". 100 -watt 10 -bond 03-9868Y- Each $29.95 03-9787P- I -Pair $19.95 Zoom enlarges picture by 30%. All -channel A - 2 -PC. DESIGN VHF/UHF vernier tuner. Contrast/bright- - ness/vertical hold controls. Sound ploys through EQUALIZER/BOOSTER High -power CAR AUDIO COMPONENTS Take radio with when you leave car stereo speakers (not included). Picture tube with IMX " Enhancer your car! Case (A) mounts on ra- disarms when ignition is "on" ... sound con still dio ...slides in/out of permanent in -dash -mount rust -resistant be played. With antenna adopter. Cl AM/FM/MPX Radio: Precision electronic tuning. ae metal case (W. Antenna and ra- LED digital frequency display can be switched to dio connections hook up auto- time display (hours/minutes) with flick of a matically when radio is inserted switch. Antenna trimmer on front panel. into dash. 14 bronze contacts for Auto -Reverse Stereo Cassette Player: Locking fast easy hook up of equalizer, forward, rewind. Tope eject. Program reversing IMX8 Dimensional Enhancement System recreates speakers, etc. Requires 7-1/2" W switch. LED tope direction indicators. live-performonce sound! Enhances AM/FM, tape x 2-3/8" H x 6-7/8" D opening Other s Separate amplifier for easy in- or compact -disc stereo. 100 -watt output (50 watts .handles radio chassis up to 7" stallation. 50 watts peak power output (25 per per channel). 10 multiple-detent slide controls ad- W x 2" H x 6-1/2" D. Available channel). Full -range boss/treble control. Balance just -±12db ...green LED on each shows equaliza- with built-in battery back-up for control. Radio/TV, FM/AM, UHF/VHF, ster- tion curve selected. Front -to -rear fader for 4 - electronically -tuned or clock ra- eo/mono switches. LED tape/radio/TV indicators. speaker systems. High and low-level inputs (with dios. Uses 9 -volt Ni-Cod battery Speaker impedance -4-8 ohm. Chassis: 2" high, adjustable sensitivity) accept stereo output of any (not included) which recharges 7" wide, 6" deep. Amplifier dimensions: 7" wide, radio or tape player. Boost/Bypass switch to by- os you drive. With hardware, in- 2" high, 2-3/4" deep. With hardware, instructions. pass equalizer/amplifier. Fully illuminated. Fre- structions. Reg. -5-1-4,-054-1.9=9.54 Some dash filing may be required for installation. quency response: 20Hz-20KHz. With hardware, For radios whight & left shafts. For all 12 -volt neg. ground vehicles. instructions. For all 12 -volt vehicles. Without battery back-up. Each $249.95 Each $69.95 OEqualize /Pea -amplifier, En - power on; status indicator lights; 03 -6843U-Reg:-$299,95-: 03 -993211-Regl-S8979-S-. buncoquality, shapesleft and right peak power indica- 03-9986Y- Eoch $12.95 sound. Use alone with your ster- tors. Protected against heat With battery bock -up. eo (compo ible with all radiosdamage, shorts, excessive vol- 03-9987W- Eoch $16.95 Electronic and tape players) or with ampli-tage. Amazing clority-less For sheftless radios. With bat- fiers below. 7 slide -bar frequencythan .05% THD at 300 watts tery bock -up. NOISE ELIMINATOR controls: 60Hz, 150Hz, 400Hz, RMS with 3db of headroom.03-9988U- Each $16.95 A must IKHz, 2.4KHz, 6KHz,I 5KHz. Switchoble to mono for 400 for highly ofse- IT Adjustable -±-12db. Ten power -watts RMS. Compact 3" W x it CHARGE output lights (5 per channel). 1-1/4" H x 4" D control box 4 -way clear Power and defeat switches.mounts under or in dash -flush free sound! Fader/volume control. High ormount kit included. Amplifier BASS REFLEX Suppressor has filter with 2 tran- low -impedance RCA input jocks.2-1/2" H x 6-1/4" W x 12" D. 12 - sistors and capacitors. Virtually High -impedance RCA outputft. cord for remote mounting. SPEAKERS eliminates all electricol noise jacks. Illuminated. 1-1/8" H x Re-5-549,53-5,- with from alternators, fan motors, ig- 4-7/8" W x 4" D. With hardware,039 6872T-.... Each $299.95 No ey b Woofers nitions, generators ...in -line to- instructions. For all 12 -volt neg. 500 -watt Amplifier. 250 watts dio frequency noise too. Easy in - ground vehicles. Reg. -559,95r per channel. Gold-plated termi- line instollotion. For systems WE ACCEPT VISAorMASTERCARD 03-9509Y- Each $39.95nal block and RCA high-level in- with up to 25 -amp 200 -watt co puts. 3" high, 10-1/4" wide, 8" pacify. Reg. -5'19,9S_ deep. Reg. -5099,95,- 03-9895A- Each $12.95 03-99120- .... Each $179.95 ORDER BY PHONE - 0 2p IlflIe'rns7.1 in cProewoesre r ume without distortion, improveI:1 350 -watt Amplifier. 175 watts FM SIGNAL BOOSTER response. Automatic on/off withper channel. Gold- lated RCA 4" sq. woofer has honeycomb (312) 431-6102 radio or tape player. Gale controlhigh-level inputs. 2-1/2" H x 10" design (see obovel for powerful Increases do" - adjustment. In -line fuse. High -W x 8-1/4" D. Reg.-$t*995, bass with low distortion. 200 - radio 24 hours -a -day -7 days -a -week impedance RCA jocks. With03-9773P- .... Each $129.95 watt capacity (100 watts per range, decreas- hardware, instructions. For all200 -watt Amplifier (oat shown). channel). Wedge -design installs es drift. Push- 12 -volt g. ground vehicles.100 watts per channel. Gold-easily...no cutting. Large 10 - button on/off. CLIP and MAIL TO: (please print) Compatible with common orplated RCA high-level inputs. oz. magnet. Aluminum voice coil "On" indicotor floating ground systems. handles high power. 2" mid- light. Amplifies weakFM signals 2-3/4" H x 8-1/4" W x 7" D. to 20 miles. Solid-state.Only E 1000 -watt Amplifier. 500Re -$89795-= range, 1-3/4" tweeter and I" 03-g.9774Y- Each $69.95 super piezo tweeter. Frequency 1-1/4" high, 3-1/2" deep, 2-1/4" ESTABLISHED 1915 watts per channel. Built-in vari- response: 40Hz-22KHz. Heavy- wide ... mounts easily in, on or J.cWHITNE'Oco. able active crossover; variable O 150 -watt Ansplifie .75 watts duty molded cabinet. With hard- under dash. With hardware,in hi/low Input; built-in cooling fan;per channel. 3-1/8" h'gh, 5-7/8" structions. 1917-19 Archer Ave. P.O. Box 8410 Chicago. IL 60680 sub-woofer/full-range switch;wide, 6-1/4" deep. R g7569-.9., ware, instructions. Reg. -5'69,95r- 03 -9983N- 1 -Pair $49.95 03-6710N- Each $6.88 stereo/mono switch; automatic03-9510W- E ch $59.95 SATISFACTION GUARANTEED Please:mean additional sheet of paper if you need more space. TOP-QUALITY SPEAKER SYSTEMS

with Heavy-duty Choice of II POLYPROPYLENE systems: 4 -way, CONES 3 -way, coaxial & dual -cone Polypropylene cones outperform, last longer than obstructed sound dispersion; long -throw, foam - For one item add 02.50 for shipping & handling. paper cones ...assure more natural response, rolled air -suspension woofer; powerful magnets; For two or more Rims add 05.00 for shipping & handling. better clarity with virtually no distortion. With- aluminum voice coils; acoustically transparent (United States, its p ions, A.P.O. and F.P.O. only.) stand humidity, moisture better ...deliver out- grilles. With wiring, hardware. 4 -ohm impedance. standing sound in ANY auto environment ANY N/A= Not Applicoble. wd= wide dispersion. Illinois residents add 7% sales tax. extreme! Bridgeless for un- Regular-r9=95.to-$49,95- Chicago residents add 8% sales tax. wattso s Typo:aMid- Frequency Send me your new catalogs free. (pair) (in inches) range Tweeter(s) Magnet Response Stk. No. I -Pair 150 4 -way 6 x 9 212" wd Two 13/4" high -flux 25l/2 oz. 40-21,000Hz03-9966P$39.95 One -YearSubscription )enclose S 110 3 -way 6 x 9 2./2" 2" ultra -hi -frequency22 oz. 30-22,000Hz03-9967Y 34.95 100 3 -way 4 x 10 13/4" I" super tweeter 11 oz. t 55-20,000Hz03-9971P 37.95 toJ.C. Whitney Catalogs Charge to my VISA or MasterCard 903 -way 61/2 13/4" I" super tweeter 14 oz. t 65-20,000Hz03-9969U 32.95 World's largest and most com- Expiration Date 100 Cooxiol 6 x 9 N/A 3" wide -dispersion 20 oz. 70-18,000Hz03-9968W 32.95 plete selection of parts and ac- 100 Coaxial 5l/4 N/A 2" U -torte 20 oz. 90-18,000Hz03-9973W 27.95 cessories, for your car, van, truck, Card Acct No 100 Cooxial 6./2 N/A 2" poly. mid -tweeter 12 oz. 40-22,000Hz03-99706 24.95 RV or motorcycle...more than 60 Coaxial 4 x 10 N/A 2" wide -dispersion 10 oz. 80-18,000Hz03-9972Y 32.95 100,000 items to choose from! Signature 60 Coaxial 4 x 6 N/A 13/4" 5.3 oz. 60-18,000Hz03-9974U 24.95 For all makes, models, years - 60 Coaxial 4 N/A I" super tweeter 5.6 oz..) 70-20,000Hz03-9975A 19.95 American and imported. Over Name 60 Duol-cone 31/2 N/A I" wizzer cone 4.2 oz. 80-18,000Hz03-99768 14.95 250 pages. New items each is- Magnet types: = Strontium cobalt, ferrofluid treated for maximum heat dispersion, t = Barium ferrite; sue, plus spectaculor sales that Address - Ceramic; A =Strontium, ferrofluid treated for maximum heat dispersion; = Strontium. _save you up to S0% or more! COPYRIGHT 01987.1988.1985.1984,1983,1982 WARSHAWSKY 8 COMPANY dba J. C. WHITNEY 8 COMPANY City State ZIP J.C. WHITNEY & CO. 1917-19 Archer Ave. P.O. Box 8410 Chicago, IL 60680 World's Largest Supplier of Automotive Parts and Accessories CodeEHNK Phono response is exceptionally flat, even It almost goes without saying that distor- sources, including CD players. down into the infrasonic range. (If the out- tion is universally below our 0.01 -percent In a nutshell, we're very impressed once put from your phono cartridge needs filter-reporting threshold. Signal-to-noise ratios again with what Nakamichi has achieved. As ing to alleviate a warp response problem, are very good as well (especially for the mov- engineering or as fresh -thinking design, the you'll have to add it outboard or, preferably, ing -coil phono input), although, in general, CA -7A has few peers among today's choose a cartridge that's better matched to they appear to have been achieved by keep- preamps. Concealed behind its unassuming, its arm.) Even the so-called muting is spot- ing headroom for peaks a little less generous traditional-Nakamichi appearance lies a on its nominal 20 -dB attenuation. While the than average. For this test, we don't docu- preamp that throws away the rulebook to phono loads don't measure equally close to ment anything beyond 10 volts, which most accomplish its ends (especially the remote - nominal values, they're still as close as we're top models pass without clipping. The CA - control interconnection) and that realizes its used to seeing in even the most carefully ex- 7A passes peaks up to 7.2 volts, however, goals with exceptional technical virtuosity ecuted designs. which should be plenty for normal signal and superb sound quality.

T ES T R E P OR TS

DIMENSIONS: 14',/, BY 27 INCHES (FRONT), 13). INCHES DEEP. PRICE: of the new Altecs, we chose the smaller of $750 PER PAIR. WARRANTY: "LIMITED," FIVE YEARS PARTS AND these two, the 301, which differs from the LABOR. MANUFACTURER: ALTEC LANSING CONSUMER PRODUCTS, other (the 401) primarily in having a 10 -inch MILFORD, PA. 18337. instead of a 12 -inch woofer. All of the 301's drivers are aligned on the ALT EC LANSING IS ONE OF THE OLDEST long central axis of the front baffle, which names in the loudspeaker business, but contributes to good imaging provided the it's a new company as far as home speakers are placed vertically. (The compa- speakers go. The brand began as a supplier ny logo on the grille further confirms that of horn -loaded movie -theater speakers dur- they are meant to be positioned this way.) ing the talkie era and was appropriately lo- The 1 -inch tweeter and 2 -inch midrange cated in Anaheim, California, near Holly- driver are both domes set into flush mount- wood. There it produced generations of ing panels. The woofer flange is likewise set Voice of the Theater speakers. Now a new flush into the baffle. The removable grille is company has bought the Altec name for supported by a rigid plastic frame that sur- home and automotive products (for the lat- prisingly (considering the care that evident- ter, it uses the slogan Voice of the Highway) ly has been taken with driver mounting) has and is developing radically different tech- no conspicuous design treatment to mini- nology in its Pennsylvania headquarters. mize diffraction. The driver diaphragms of the home All six surfaces of the enclosure are fin- speakers, in particular, are made of materials ished in oiled walnut veneer and thus pre- quite different from those of traditional de- sent an elegant appearance no matter where signs. The woofer cones are all formed from you place the speakers or whether you leave epoxy -impregnated carbon -fiber fabrics, the grille on or take it off. Heavy-duty, color - rather than paper, for increased stiffnesscoded binding posts stand vertically in a and, therefore; less uncontrolled cone flex- back -panel recess and have large, outward - ing and less distortion. The higher frequen- facing holes to accept bared wires, which, to- cies are handled by polyimide diaphragms gether with appropriately sized spade lugs, with interior surfaces covered by vacuum - can thus be attached with exceptional ease. deposited titanium. The purpose is, again, According to the generally well -prepared greater stiffness and, particularly in the re- owner's manual (which covers all models in production of transients, lower distortion. the line), banana plugs also can be used, Five acoustic suspension systems make though there isn't enough clearance at the up the present Altec home line. The laigest top of the connectors to accommodate ours. (the 501) is a dual -woofer tower. The two The frequency response, measured at smallest (the 201 and 101) are two-way sys- Diversified Science Laboratories with the tems that will fit on bookshelves. In between speaker on a 12 -inch stand and 3 inches out are two three-way systems described as from the wall, is 'exceptionally flat. As the floor -standing, although Altec recommends graph shows, it is within about +31/4, -2 dB that they be placed on stands. Neither speak- of our reference level on -axis and about er is much larger than traditional 2 -cubic - +2%, -31/s dB off -axis, both from a little foot "bookshelf" models. For our first test above 50 Hz to a little below 20 kHz. Even

34 HIGH FIDEL! T Y Digital Discrimination. BECAUSE ALL CD'S ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL, sive testing, Bob uncovered two fundamental flaws fewer and fewer CDs would require the Digital Time THE NEW CARVER DTL-200 COMPACT DISC in almost all compact discs: 1) An unpleasant, harsh Lens. But both laboratory and listening tests reveal PLAYER IS INTRIGUINGLY DIFFERENT. spectral energy balance. The overall octave -to - that the majority of even the most recently released octave energy balance was shifted on the CD CDs benefit significantly from the Digital Time Lens. The Carver DTL-200 answers the audiophile's towards more midrange above 400 Hz; 2) The demand for a CD Player which provides not only the PACKED WITH USEFUL FEATURES. The amount of L -R signal (which carries the spacial greater dynamic range and richer bass expected Carver DTL-200 makes enjoying Compact Discs a detail of the music) on the CD was inexplicably, but from compact disc technology, but also the musi- simple exercise in button pushing from your favor- substantiaN reduced when compared with the cality, spectral balance and spatial qualities of well ite listening chair. You can program any combina- amount of L -R signal found on the corresponding executed analog high fidelity recordings. tion of up to twelve tracks from a single CD, repeat a analog disc. The difference is obvious in these two The new remote control Carver DTL-200 repre- specific track or a whole Compact Disc for uninter- oscilloscope photos. sents the next logical evolutionary step towards mar- rupted enjoyment. rying the awesome technology of digital playback Along with the ability to skip forward or back- with Bob Carver's commitment to the re-creation of wards song -by -song, a touch of a key allows you to the live performance. It embodies the latest digital/ audibly review a disc backwards or forwards at analog conversion circuitry with oversampling, many times normal speed. An A -B Specific Phrase sophisticated laser system and a wealth of operating Repeat lets you carefully analyze one section of a features, And it possesses unique Carver circuitry performance or simply provide a point of reference that solves real -world sonic problems associated in a long, un-indexed symphonic movement with commercial CDs. All functions are displayed on an easy -to -read A. Lissajous pattern showing spatial detail (L -R) but subtle LCD display including programming TIME DOMAIN CORRECTION. The Carver (L+R) ratio from an LP record. sequence, current selection number, individual and DTL-200 incorporates an important new computer B. The same instant of music but taken from the CD total playing times plus indexing cues. logic innovation that monitors the incoming digital version. Note the decreased (L -R) content as signal for imperfections and "glitches" caused in shown by the narrowed trace. HEAR THE CARVER DIGITAL DIFFERENCE. recording and production. Such errors are immune Just as all CD's are not created equal, neither are Carver's circuitry corrects the ratio of L -R to L+R Compact Disc Players. Of all the models currently to conventional error -correction processes because by performing one extra, but important mathemati- available, only the new DTL-200 (and DTL-50) have they are actually data anomalies. Yet they can add cal operation on the signal stream that all other CD the innovative and exacting Bob Carver touches that overall harmonic distortion and cause audible players fail :o perform. This final operation makes can substantially enhance your enjoyment of the changes in sound quality. all the difference. digital medium. The DTL-200's Time Domain Correction circuit The result is a natural sound with more of the constantly performs a complex, 25 -bit digital calcu- Audition the new DTL-200 today at your Carver three-dimensional information'that places us in the dealer, using a variety of discs. You will be surprised lation on passing data. This high-speed error correc- same space with performers. You won't need the tion algorithm, in conjunction with a 121 -pole digital at how audibly it can improve on what is already the Digital Time Lens on all CDs. But it is there when best playback medium ever offered. filter, terminates distortion -causing high harmonics you need it as they occur in the bit stream. The result is fre- In the beginning, Carver hoped, indeed he SPECIFICATIONS. Frequency Response, 5Hz-20kHz @ OdB. al.-0.2dB. Total Harmonic Distortion, 0.007%. S/N, 100db. Channel quency response within 1/1000 of a dB of the origi- expected, that once recording artists and engineers nal, with significant reduction of distortion to less Separation, 90dB 1 kHz. Dynamic Range, 96dB. Wow & Flutter, became more experienced with CD technology unmeasurable. Programming 12 -track remote and manual. than 0.007%. PLUS THE DIGITAL TIME LENS. On top of this unerring ability to produce natural, real -sounding music from the CDs' digital bits, the Carver DTL-200 has the remarkable Digital Time Lens circuit to insure your listening enjoyment. When Bob Carver obtained his first compact disc player, he was surprised at the sound derived from most of the compact discs he purchased. The three- dimensional musical perspective which his analog system provided in lush abundance on phono discs evaporated into a flat, brittle wasteland. After exten-

CNR_WRP.O. Box 1237, Lynnwood, WA 98046 POWERFUL MUSICAL ACCURATE

evolution Distributed in Canada by: technology ROOM RESPONSE CHARACTERISTICS the floor -reflection dip that we regularly We also were pleased with what we find at around 400 Hz (depending on speak- heard. The 301's sound combines a wide fre- 5 er dimensions and placement) is no more quency range with smoothness, relatively than a vestige. 5 low coloration, and good imaging. The 10 The impedance curve is fairly typical of slight midrange prominence in our response three-way acoustic suspension systems, with graph-which coincides neatly with the lab's HZ 20 50 100 200 500 1K 2K 5K 10K 20K separate maxima for each driver. The high- near -field measurement of the midrange boundary -dependent region an -axis response est is that for the woofer, which measures 42 driver, suggesting that still flatter response off -axis (301 response ohms at a little below 50 Hz. There also are could be achieved by reducing the feed to SENSITIVITY lot 1 meter; 2.8 -volt pink noise) 92 dB SPL minima within the operating range of each this driver by 2 dB or so, perhaps via an AVERAGE IMPEDANCE (250 Hz to 6 kHz) 9.1 ohms driver, the lowest being 5.2 ohms in the mid- equalizer-apparently accounts for some range (a little below 2 kHz). The other two brightness or forwardness we noted at times drivers' minima aren't much higher. Al- during our listening tests. In any event, the though the impedance curve isn't particular- coloration was minor at worst. ly flat, it is high enough to represent an easy In addition to trying against -the -wall load (in the sense of incurring no severe cur- placement, we moved the speakers out into rent drain) for typical amplifiers. the room for some of our listening tests. Distortion is quite low, even allowing for This usually provides the best stereo imag- the fairly large size of the system and the po- ing with this type of speaker, but at some ex- tential for reduced distortion in its use of pense in deep -bass response. The 301's bass three drivers instead of two. At the lowest output is robust enough to stand up well sound pressure test level (85 dB SPL), har- when the speaker is placed away from the monic distortion averages about 1/4 percent wall, but imaging improved only marginally. over most of the frequency range; at the Naturally, we were more than a little curi- highest (100 dB SPL), it averages more than ous about what sort of speakers this oldest 1/2 percent, with some test frequencies mea- and yet newest of loudspeaker houses might suring 2 percent or more. At a peak input of produce. The very use of acoustic suspen- 63 volts, the lab discerned signs of overload, sion establishes that the new company is but this is so close to the limit of the test am- breaking with the old, despite the classic plifier that we can't be sure which compo- name. But both the listening tests and the nent was running out of steam. And since lab data encourage us to look forward to the speaker's output at that point was a with- more excellence from the Altec Lansing

ering 119 dB SPL, the point is entirely moot. brand.

T E S T R EP OR T S

RATED POWER DIMENSIONS: 17 BY 5V, INCHES (FRONT), 9', INCHES DEEP PLUS more like the Hafler XL -280 power amp. 8 -ohm load 21.6 dBW (145 watts)/channel CLEARANCE FOR CONNECTIONS. PRICE ASSEMBLED, $595; KIT VER- The XL -280, which is intended to re- 4 -ohm load 23.0 dBW (200 watts)/channel SION IS UNDER DEVELOPMENT. WARRANTY: "LIMITED," THREE YEARS place the popular Hafler DH -220 (even OUTPUT AT CLIPPING (at 1 kHz; both channels driven) PARTS, LABOR, AND RETURN SHIPPING COSTS. MANUFACTURER. THE though the latter will continue to be avail- 8 -ohm load 22.7 dBW (185 watts)/channel DAVID HAFLER CO., 5910 CRESCENT BLVD., PENNSAUKEN, N.J. 08109. 4 -shot load 24.4 dBW (275 watts)lchannel able), is the first amplifier we have encoun- 2 -ohm load 25.0 dBW (315 watts)/ channel tered with an adjustment to maximize its lin- DYNAMIC POWER (at 1 kHz) SINCE THE START OF THE HIGH FIDELITY earity, or "straight-wire-ness," when driving 8 -ohm load 23.1 dBW era, the paradigm of ideal amplifier a loudspeaker, as opposed to a test resistor. 4 -ohm load 25.3 dBW performance has been a "straight wire The adjustment, which is called the Excelin- 2 -ohm load 26.1 dBW with gain." But this utopian concept carries ear procedure, is performed with the aid of a DYNAMIC HEADROOM (re rated power) with it some unstated assumptions. The wire 8 -ohm load +1.5 de special accessory, the $50 XL -10. Using one 4 -ohm load +2.3 dB cannot be too long or else it would pick up channel of the amplifier to test the other, the HARMONIC DISTORTION (THD; 20 Hz to 20 kHz) electrical interference. To reduce interfer- XL -10 enables a sensitive null -test compari- at 21.6 dBW (145 watts) 0.082% ence pickup the wire should be shielded, but son of the amplifier input with its output into at 0 61W (1 watt) .0.010% the shield itself should not generate higha speaker. When the XL -10 is correctly parasitic capacitance. To a loudspeaker, the hooked up to the XL -280, one amplifier wire should behave like a short circuit (no channel provides a test signal at normal lis- electrical resistance), while to a preamp out- tening level to one loudspeaker. Any type of put it should act like an open circuit (infinite, signal, even music, can be used for the test, or very high, resistance). In other words, but in most cases white or pink noise will that minimalist straight wire should behaveprobably be the most sensitive indicator. 36 HIGH FIDELITY Spectacular Introductory Offer...

Take COMPACT DISCS Any oF:iyil $100 plus shipping & handling with Club membership.

INSTANT 50% -OFF BONUS PLAN Unlike other clubs, you're eligible for half-price bonus savings with the very first purchase you make at regular Club prices. The more you buy, the more you'll save! What ltzhak Perlman TINA MOZART GERSHW1N an inexpensive and fast way to build a large CD library! Violin Coneenok %Pad( In Rue TURNER Nos. 3 & 5 An Ametican In Break Pans Onterlo Every PREVIN Rule HUEY LEWIS TCHAIKOVSKY kLINDA & THE NEWS SYMPHONY NO.6 RONSTADT "Pathetique" 1 1 5 1 4 6 1 1 1 54 3 7 1 1 3 3 3 3 For 1 4 3 8 1 Handel Chicago S,,phoey WATER MUSIC nrcbeain Sentimental The Engl. Concert James Levine Reasons ROSSINI PINNOCK Overtures 1 1 5 3 0 6 1 5 4 5 7 0 1 5 3 9 3 9 1 5 4 3 8 2 Orpheus Chamber Orchestra Bruce James Galway Vivaldi Hornsby Henry Mancini WitiWOODI The Four And The Range Seasons 1 5 3 7 4 0 1 1 5 5 2 7 1 5 4 2 0 3 1 0 5 3 9 2 Eiglish tones The Way E4Ck Pinnnek In The ---,It Is In The Pink MOZART Illg"y!e Requiem 1 6 3 9 1 8 1 5 1 7 5 8 1 5 3 2 7 1 1 1 5 3 5 6 Orr,. SCHREIER James Galway PAVAROTTI Kozuhito Yamashita BOSTON MAMMA 114764 1 1 5 1 9 3 1 2 0 2 4 7 1 1 5 0 3 9 HENRY MANCINI hotYlioeno R ACHMANINOV Piano 1 1 53 1 0 173 8 24 *6h0 Concertos 173392 1 6 4 0 4 2 LED ZEPPELIN Nos.2 & 4 BEETHOVEN ASHKENAZI FREE 10 -DAY TRIAL! Listen to your 3 introductory Symphonies n s.l& C. 3 (Emir.) 71,1 selections for a full 10 days. If not satisfied, return them with no

154201 1 5 4 3 8 1 11201 4 1 2 50 7 4 further obligation. You send no money now; you risk nothing. So complete the coupon and mail it today. COMPACT TOMITA'S -YOUR SAVINGS START HERE - Greatest r -MCLUBM Mail to: Compact Disc Club Hits PO. Box 91412 Indianapolis, IN 46291 YES, please accept my membership in the Compact Disc Club and send me the three CDs I've indicated below for only $1, under the terms 1 1 4 7 3 4 2 5 3 9 5 5 1 5 4 2 6 5 1 7 0 2 2 0 outlined in this ad. I need buy as few as two more CDs at regular Club prices during the next two years...without obligation to buy anything THE ULTIMATE IN SOUND AND SAVINGS! further! (Shipping & handling added to each shipment.) Yes, take any 3 CDs for only $1 plus shipping/handling. You need RUSH ME THESE 3 SELECTIONS (Indicate By Number): buy just two more selections at regular Club prices (usually $14.98- $15.98) in the next two years. D 17)- HOW THE CLUB WORKS I am most interested in the following type l 1 El CLASSICAL of music-but am always free to choose from Approximately every four weeks, you'll receive the Club's exclu- 2 El POP/SOFT ROCK sive CD magazine highlighting the Featured Selection in your pre- both categories (check one only)J ferred musical category, plus alternate selections. You'll also receive HMR. six special sale issues during the year. In all, you'll have 19 convenient El MRS. First Name Initial Last Name shop -at-home opportunities a year. If you'd like the Featured Selec- 71 MISS (PLEASE PRINT) tion, do nothing. It will be sent to you automatically. If you'd prefer an Address alternate selection, or none at all, just return the card enclosed with each issue of your magazine by the date specified on the card. You City State Zip will have at least 10 days to decide, or you may return your Featured Telephone( Selection et our expense. Cancel your membership at any time after Area Code completing your membership agreement, simply by writing to us, or Limited to new members; continental U.S.A. only; one member- remain a member and continue to get 50% -off bonus plan savings! ship per family. We reserve the right to request additional infor- WDT33 LLnation or reject any application. Local taxes, if any, will be added. CD 649 CD Club, 6550 E. 30th St. Indianapolis, IN 46219-1194 FREQUENCY RESPONSE The inherent linearity of the first channel's and to make such changes audible absolutely ±0 dB, < 10 Hz to > 20 kHz output is unimportant, since any distortion, requires a test as sensitive as the Excelinear +3 3/4, -3 dB, <10 Hz to 723 kHz phase shift, or response errors it creates sim- nulling process. In any case, the factory Ex- S/N RATIO (re 0 dEW; A -weighted) 94 dB ply becomes part of the test signal being fed celinear setting should be close to the opti- SENSITIVITY (re 0 &8W) 140 mV into the other amplifier channel. mum for most conventional speakers. INPUT IMPEDANCE 48k ohms The input to the second channel is ad- Diversified Science Laboratories' mea- DAMPING FACTOR (at 50 Hz; re 8 ohms) 80' justed (with the XL -10) to match its output, surements certainly show why the sound CHANNEL SEPARATION (at 1 kHz) 88 dB and a loudspeaker is connected to monitor quality we heard from, in sequence, an un- 'Measured with supplied speaker fuses. the difference between the two, which will be adjusted, adjusted, and deliberately misad- very small to begin with. By turning the XL -justed XL -280 was so neutral. Undoubtedly 280's internal Excelinear adjustment (a vari- the unit's separate power supplies for driver able capacitor) with the supplied insulated and output stages, the MOS FET (metal -ox- tool inserted though a hole in the top of the ide semiconductor field-effect transistor) amplifier, a dip (null) in the monitor speaker output devices (half again as many as used in output will be found at the point at which the the DH -220), and the direct -coupled cas- output is canceling almost all of the input ex- code FET input circuit conspired to produce cept for the residual distortion and phase such fine performance. Especially note- shifts. The input level to the tested channel worthy are the high dynamic power into two is readjusted to further reduce the monitor ohms, the very flat frequency response in speaker level, and this nulling process is re- the audible range, and the excellent distor- peated until the best input/output cancella- tion figures, both at 0 dBW and at rated tion has been achieved, at which point the power. adjusted XL -280 channel is operating most Various amenities include a built-in linearly (with least possible distortion and bridging/mono switch, gold-plated pin jack phase shift) into its loudspeaker. The pro- input connectors, 2 -amp speaker fuses, and cess is then repeated for the other channel, 1/2 -inch -spaced multiway speaker output using the newly aligned amp to drive it. binding posts. These, in combination with When completed, the Excelinear process is the measurements, the fine sound, the clear- claimed to reduce all residual distortion ly written and sensible manual (which rec- products to at least 60 dB below normal out- ommends various gauges of zip cord as put level, whereas other amplifiers at best speaker cable, depending on the cable run can manage only 40 -dB figures. and the speaker impedance), and the simple Because the Excelinear adjustment is and robust construction (which should offer necessary only once (or when you change no problem to builders of the upcoming kit loudspeakers, if then), Hafler is recom- version) all indicate that the XL -280 is more mending that its dealers simply lend XL- 10 than a paradigm of contemporary amplifier

units to XL -280 purchasers. Actually, the design: It is a paragon of audio virtues. process is not necessary at all, except for ul- tracritical listeners. As the preliminary ver- sion of the owners' manual says, "This 'fine REPORT POLICY tuning' or 'tweaking' may fairly be described EQUIPMENT REPORTS ARE BASED ON LABORATORY MEASURE- as significant only to those persons often MENTS AND CONTROLLED LISTENING TESTS. UNLESS OTHER. WISE NOTED, TEST DATA ARE PROVIDED BY DIVERSIFIED SCI- said to have 'golden ears'... The rest of us ENCE LABORATORIES THE CHOICE OF EQUIPMENT TO 8E who simply wish to indulge ourselves with TESTED RESTS WITH THE EDITORS OF HIGH FIDELITY. SAMPLES fine sound need not be concerned with the NORMALLY ARE SUPPLIED ON LOAN FROM THE MANUFACTUR- consummate pursuit of perfection." Indeed, ER. MANUFACTURERS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO READ REPORTS IN ADVANCE OF PUBLICATION AND NO REPORT OR PORTION while playing music we turned the Excelin- THEREOF MAY BE REPRODUCED FOR ANY PURPOSE OR IN ANY ear controls fully from side to side and heard FORM WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE PUBLISHER. ALL no change in sound quality. This is because REPORTS SHOULD BE CONSTRUED AS APPLYING TO THE SPECIF- the effect of the control (adjusting a "shelv- IC SAMPLES TESTED HIGH FIDELITY AND DIVERSIFIED SCIENCE IABORATORIES ASSUME NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR PRODUCT ing peak" at around 300 kHz) has only a very PERFORMANCE OR QUALITY slight measurable effect in the audio band, 3$ HIGH FIDELITY TEST R E P O R TS

VCR SECTION DIMENSIONS: 11 BY4y,INCHES (FRONT), 104 INCHES DEEP. PRICE: pressing DIGITAL MEMORY on the front panel

Except where otherwise indicated, the recording data shown here apply to all three $820. WARRANTY "LIMITED," TWO YEARS PARTS (ONE YEAR ON or on the supplied infrared remote) until speeds-SP, LP, and EP (SLP). All measurements were made at the direct audio and VIDEO HEADS), 90 DAYS LABOR. MANUFACTURER: NEC CORP., you've jotted down what you want. When video outputs, with test signals injected through the direct audio and video inputs. JAPAN; U.S. DISTRIBUTOR. NEC HOME ELECTRONICS (U.S.A.), INC., The 0 -dB reference input level is 10 dB above the voltage at which the automatic pressed during recording or playback, the level control (SIC) produces 3 dB of compression at 315 Hz. The 0 -dB reference 1255 MICHAEL DR., WOOD DALE, ILL 60191. function freezes the picture while the tape output level is the output voltage from a 0 -dB input. continues to run. If it is pressed during still - VHS RKORD/PLAY RESPONSE (-20 411) N0 QUESTION ABOUT IT, WE'RE ON THE frame playback, the picture and the tape ad- DB threshold of a digital revolution in vance frame by frame. O video technology, and perhaps no In a significant innovation, the DX - -5 DX -2000p I'D home VCR is a better harbinger of that fu- 2000U also calls upon the digital memory to HZ 20 50 100200 500 1K 2K 5K 10K20K ture than the NEC DX -2000U. NEC is now reduce luminance noise ("snow") when Ibt, -1 dB, 20 Hz to 20 kHz the world's largest producer of semiconduc- playing a tape, without affecting resolution STANDARD RECORD/PLAY RESPONSE (-20 dB) tors, so it's not surprising to find that it has to as great an extent as happens when you DB DX -20000121 made good use of extensive LSI (large-scale turn down a sharpness control. The tech- 0 -5 integrated -circuit) expertise in developing nique relies upon the natural redundancy of the DX -2000U. video information and the random character HZ 20 50 100 200 500 1K 2K 5K 10K20K The VCR does not receive digital TV of noise. In a normal picture, the video sig- - SP +1 /4,-3 dB, 60 Hz to 12.5 kHz LP +1, -3 dB, 54 Hz to 9.3 kHz broadcasts, nor does it record digitized nal does not change much from one field to +1, -3 dB, 47 Hz to 6.3 kHz video in the sense that a Compact Disc stores the next. Noise, on the other hand, can be AUDIO S/N RATIO (ts 0 -dB output; R/P; A -weighted) digital audio information. These niceties are expected to be nearly random and therefore standard VHS Hi-fi for the (probably distant) future. But digital will change considerably from field to field. SP 45 dB 76 dB techniques can improve the picture quality By storing the video information of one field LP 431/2 dB 76 dB EP 44 dB 75 3/4 dB of today's TV sets and VCRs, and this is pre- and adding it to the next, the "true" video

INDICATOR CALIBRATION (315 Hz: VHS Hi -H) cisely what the NEC DX -2000U sets out to information almost doubles, increasing in for 0 -dB input +2 dB do. To that end, the unit contains video ana- level by 6 dB, while the noise, since it is apt for -10-dB input 0 dB log -to -digital and digital -to -analog convert- to cancel itself out, increases by only 3 dB. DISTORTION (THD at -10-dl input; 50 Hz to 5 kHz) ers and a large digital memory. Together, The difference results in a theoretical 3 -dB standard VHS NI -R these devices can digitize and "capture" a improvement in video signal-to-noise (S/N) SP 5 2.9% 5 1.22% ratio, a magnitude of improvement that is LP 52.9% 5 1.22% full video field in memory and then recon-

EP 5 3.0% 51.22% vert it to analog form for viewing. quite visible.

CHANNEL SEPARATION (315 Hz; VHS Hi-fi) 601/2 dB This digital memory system has obvious In the DX -2000U, this signal "averag- ing" is an ongoing process a bit more com- FLUTTER (ANSI weighted peak; RIP; average) uses in freeze-frame and slow-motion play- standard VHS HI -H back, which the DX -2000U capitalizes on plex than the one just described. Via the DX- Sr ±0.17% ± <0.01% very nicely. The system can also capture a 2000U's noise reduction knob, you can IP ±0.21% ± <0.01% still picture during a TV broadcast. For ex- change the relative proportion of "past" and EP ±0.34% ± <0.01% ample, if you want to copy an address or reci- "new" information that enters the averaging SENSITIVITY (for 0-111 output; 315 Hz) 1,450 mV pe that's flashed on the screen too briefly for process. For the maximum setting, NEC you to reach for your pad and pencil, you can claims a 9 -dB improvement in luminance store it in the digital frame memory (by signal-to-noise ratio. A switch enables you to

APRIL 1 9 8 7 39 Silent Running.

CARVER'S FAMOUS TUNING TECHNOLOGY When multipath occurs, a special "smart" circuit FACTORY-LOADED WITH EXTRAS. T he fifteen TAKES TO THE ROAD WITH THE ONLY AM/FM automatically switches (at the speed of light) to the random presets on the TX -Seven and TX -Nine are TUNER CASSETTE DECKS CAPABLE OF CUTTING other antenna, automatically correcting phase and incredibly easy to set. Just press the button marked MULTIPATH INTERFERENCE UP TO 92.9%! eliminating the multipath before you ever hear it. BEST and the logic circuitry automatically selects What little multipath distortion gets through this the fifteen strongest signals and locks them in on the smart antenna system runs headlong into the presets. Plus you can select another fifteen on your The new TX -Seven and TX -Nine audiophile remarkable tuner innovation High Fidelity Magazine own! autosound decks employ the same Asymmetrical described as distinguished (by) its ability to pull Charge -Coupled FM Stereo Detector circuitry as clean, noise -free sound out of weak or multipath- Carver's revolutionary TX -11a home tuner. They also ridden signals." ARVIR * * incorporate an ingenious automatic computer logic - Alone, without antenna diversity switching, the ,1010. controlled antenna switching system that further TX -Seven and TX -Nine's Asymmetrical Charge - NNW vanquishes multipath distortion. Coupled FM Detector Circuitry delivers a net noise In point of fact, no other autosound decks in the (WM A'n7;51 laucgocasocir--4i.-3 and distortion reduction of 93.5%! Together, they set world - regardless of price - even begin to approach a new standard for clear, clean FM autosound the TX -Seven and TX -Nine's ability to maintain a reproduction. n. hiss -free, glitch -free FM listening environment in your car. REAL WORLD CONFIRMATION. Both decks 1771 'ff) were tested on a torturous 6 -mile course near the COMPUTER LOGIC -CONTROLLED Carver factory which could regularly trigger at least Vritit rflo010 0-0'0-0' DIVERSITY ANTENNA SWITCHING DRIVES 287 separate multipath occurrences in conventional AROUND MULTIPATH. One way to get temporary autosound FM tuners. Naturally both decks are metal tape compatible relief from interference at home is to move the The TX -Seven and TX -Nine with Asymmetrical with Dolby® noise reduction and have auto -reverse antenna around slightly. Instead of physically mov- Charge Coupled FM DetectiQn and diversity antenna transports, separate bass, treble, balance and ing your car antenna, the TX -Seven and TX -Nine use system, reduced multipath ocurrences to an aver- loudness and four-way fader controls. All tuning computerized circuitry to switch between two sepa- age of two during the cqe while listening to and transport functions are signalled with a gentle antenrids, one out -of -phase, and one in -phase the same -stations--`- th incoming FM signals. "beep" that keeps your eyes on the road, not on the i compact, ergonomically -styled deck. There's even a security code system that renders the TX -Seven or TX -Nine inoperable to anyone but you, and a quick removal system so you can slip out your TX -Seven or TX -Nine in seconds for storage in trunk or house.

THE BEGINNING OF THE PERFECT AUTO - SOUND LISTENING ENVIRONMENT. Visit your Carver dealer soon and experience the TX -Seven and TX -Nine. Out of hundreds of the only tuner/ cassette models available, they are the only ones which can truly put you in the driver's seat of a unique, interference -free musical experience.

Dolby is a trademark of Dolby Licensing Corp.

VERCNR_P0. Box 1237, Lynnwood, WA 98046 POWERFUL MUSICAL ACCURATE

evolution Distributed in Canada by technology brightness) is correspondingly low. Chroma from any other medium except the CD. TV TUNER SECTION level (color saturation) is slightly high (most Flutter is below measurement limits at all All measurements were taken at the direct audio and video outputs. tuners tend to err in the opposite direction speeds in the VHS Hi-Fi mode, but perhaps AUDIO FREQUENCY RESPONSE (mono) and by a much greater degree) and quite uni- a little worse than on some decks in the lin- DB form over the color spectrum. Median chro- ear recording modes. Midband channel sep- 0 -5 ma phase (tint or hue) error is somewhat aration in the VHS Hi-Fi mode was a more DX)2000U (3) greater than average, and the spread, or un- than adequate 601/2 dB. Distortion is low for HZ 20 50100 200 500 1K 2K 5K 10K20K correctable error, is just a trifle worse than mid frequencies in both the linear and Hi-Fi + 12.-3 dB, 30 Hz to 14 kHz we're accustomed to seeing. But none ofrecording modes, but as is typical, it in- AUDIO S/N RATIO (mono; A -weighted) these errors is sufficient to seriously lower creases at lower frequencies. best case (no chrominance or luminance) 551/2 dB our opinion of the tuner. The deck's video frequency response is wont case (crosshatch pattern) 381/2 dB The tuner's audio response is very flat almost identical at all three speeds (with the RESIDUAL HORIZONTAL -SCAN COMPONENT (15.7 kHz) -88 dB from 30 Hz to 14 kHz, above which frequen- exception of a measurable increase in output AUDIO OUTPUT LEVEL (100% modulation) 0.51 volt cy the horizontal -scan notch filter causes a at the color burst frequency in the EP mode, AUDIO OUTPUT IMPEDANCE 575 ohms rapid rolloff. Essentially, you're getting all a change that is too unstable to be really use- that's being transmitted, and thanks to the ful). Response is down just over 7 dB at 1.5 VIDEO FREQUENCY RESPONSE filter, the horizontal -scan video component MHz, implying a resolution of between 100 at 500 kHz + 112 dB at 1.5 MHz +2 1/2 dB is extremely well suppressed, leading to an and 120 lines. at 2.0 MHz +31/4 dB A -weighted audio S/N ratio that is much bet- But advancing the unit's front -panel at 3.0 MHz +1 1/2 d8 ter than average. The output level and im- sharpness control can improve apparent res- at 3.58 MHz - 3/4 dB pedance seem well chosen to work with oth- olution to greater than 120 lines, and thanks at 4.2 MHz -18 3/4 d8 er equipment. to the Digital NR system, the improvement LUMINANCE LEVEL 5% high Because the DX-2000U's audio record- can be realized without greatly affecting lu- GRAY -SCALE NONLINEARITY (worst case) =5% ing level is set automatically, both in the lin- minance noise. In fact, with the repetitive CHROMA DIFFERENTIAL GAIN =45% ear and VHS Hi-Fi modes, DSL adopted a "multiburst" pattern used for testing video CHROMA DIFFERENTIAL PHASE =--±r reference level 10 dB above the point at bandwidth, DSL reports that advancing the CHROMA ERROR which the automatic level control had com- noise reduction control produces no mea- level Phow pressed the signal by 3 dB. Midband distor- surable degradation in resolution. red -t-II/4 dB +2° magenta +1 I/2dB +4° tion in both recording modes is safely under Record/playback luminance level is blue +13/4 dB +2' 3 percent (our other criterion for setting ref- close to perfect at all speeds; chroma-level cyan +11/2 dB +7' erence level), hence our choice of reference. error is negligibly low. On average, the chro- green +1 3/4 dB +6' This reference, however, results in a ma phase (tint/hue) is perfect at all speeds, yellow +11/2dB +101 median error +11/4dB +61 rather low sensitivity figure in both modes. and the chroma differential gain is negligi- uncorrectoble error ± I/4dB ±4° (Output level is virtually identical in both re- ble as well. Chroma differential phase is low cording modes and very close to the output enough that it is masked by the recorder's level when receiving a broadcast.) Suffice it chroma noise. Gray -scale nonlinearity can to say that, since the "knee" of the compres- be as much as 22 percent-a bit more than sion curve occurs with a 460 -mV input, sen- average. sitivity should be adequate for most pur- Thanks to its digital memory system, the poses. Above the knee, the compression NEC DX-2000U's still -frame and slow-mo- ratio is very "tight" (0.03 dB of increase oftion features produce a rock -steady picture, recorded level per dB increase of input), and free of noise bars, at any playback speed. it probably is wise to stay below that point The still -frame picture has a mosaic -like anyway. This will be the case when recording quality-somewhat like a pointillistic paint- a broadcast. A problem might occur, howev- ing by Seurat-but its stability and the es- er, if you try to use the DX -2000U to copy sential detail that is visible are above re- from a CD player, since most players deliver proach. a maximum level of about 2 volts. At the detented setting, the digital noise Response in the VHS Hi-Fi mode is out- reduction system produces a noticeable re- standingly flat at all speeds, and the tracking duction in luminance noise without greatly of its noise reduction system seems nearlydegrading definition. However, there does perfect. The slight level compression detect- not appear to be a corresponding improve- ed in DSL's tests is probably due to the resid- ment in chrominance S/N ratio-which fre- ual effects of the automatic level control sys- quently is the more serious offender-so the tem. Ignoring the low -frequency contour picture is not as clean as you might expect. effect ("head bumps"), response in the lin- As with open -loop audio noise reduction ear recording mode also is better than aver- systems (such as DNR), NEC's video scheme age at all three speeds, although audio per- provides the best results with material that is formance at EP is still poor by high fidelity fairly good to begin with. Nonetheless, we standards. consider the system a useful adjunct in a Signal-to-noise ratio is about what we've VCR and hope to see more of it in the future. come to expect in the linear modes, but it's a Certainly, the NEC DX -2000U is the trifle less than we've seen in the VHS Hi-Fivideo harbinger of the ongoing digital take- mode. Presumably, the 76 -dB figure for the over. Its video noise reduction system and latter would have been improved if there its ability to freeze a picture indefinitely- were some means to defeat the automaticduring recording, playback, or a broad- level control and so raise the recording level cast-bring exciting new possibilities to the to the 3 -percent distortion point-the refer- world of video. For these features alone, the ence level we normally use. But 76 -dB dy- NEC DX -2000U will find a serious follow- namic range is more than you can expect ing.

APRIL 1 9 8 7 43 PRODUCTS A Gallery of the ATAIILatest in Sight &

EXHIBITIONIF IT'S JANUARY, IT MUST BELAS Vegas; and if it's Las Vegas, itmust be the Winter Consumer ElectronicsShow. Sound from the And that's whereour reporters, Robert Long and E. Brad Meyer, didsome se- rious legwork touncover the most inter- esting new products that should befill- ing retailers' shelves aboutnow. The Electronics Show verdict is not yet inon DAT (digital audio tape) recorders: Onlyprototypes were shown, as they were at the Japan BY ROBERT LONG AND E. BRAD MEYER Audio Fair last October. Butone thing ILLUSTRATED BY MARK MATCHO is certain: Many audio manufacturers are back in a high -end mood, andwe look forward toa renewed emphasis on technical innovation and meaningful features. -Christopher J. Esse

44 H I G H FIDELITY Sansui is one company that has de-em- 24 ($600), rated at 200 and 100 watts, or 23 phasized rack systems (excepting only its and 20 dBW, respectively. The Dual Volt- top audio -video model) and rededicated it- age design, which is new, provides switch- Basic self to audio separates. In addition to a CD ing to optimize amplifier operation to the player, its Vintage Series now includes load provided by the speakers for a broader three integrated amplifiers (the $950 AU - operating range than conventional designs, Electronics X901, the $700 AU -X701, and the $500 according to the company. Discrete compo- AU -X501, carrying respective per -channel nents and low feedback are features of the THE TIMES, THEY ARE power ratings of 130, 100, and 80 watts, or Citation line; the tuner's Active Tracking a-changin', as the saying 21.1, 20.0 and 19.0 dBW) and the TU- circuit is said to deliver the fidelity of wide - goes, and it remains to be X701 AM/FM tuner ($450). Two power band IF together with the selectivity of nar- seen how long our traditional equipment amplifiers and two preamps already were row IF. categories will continue to make sense. By assigned to the series. (All power ratings Kenwood's new premium line is called "basic electronics," for instance, we mean given hereafter are per -channel.) the Digital Series. In addition to a CD play- analog audio componentry. But, while Some models don't carry the Vintage er, it includes the KT -3300D FM tuner componentry as such seems to be stronger name on the front panel, but Sansui says all ($525) and the KA-3300D integrated amp than ever this year, the lines that have sepa- will be sold as a separate line through spe- ($1,200; 150 watts, or 21.8 dBW). The tun- rated analog from digital and audio from cially selected dealers. Among the audio- er's power -supply design and layout help video grow more and more blurred. The phile design elements that set the series prevent interference between circuit ele- need for quality reproduction of the newly apart from Sansui's regular component line ments, and the Direct Linear Loop Detec- enhanced audio from stereo TV broadcasts are the latest Alpha X -Balanced amplifier tor is said to provide exceptional signal-to- and hi-fi video recorders, plus the emer- circuitry (in the new integrated amps) and noise (S/N) ratios. The amp is particularly gence of Dolby Surround in the home, has gold-plated terminals. The tuner offers 30 interesting because it accepts direct digital put a premium on the ability of current au- presets in addition to audiophile features input (from the CD player) coupled by fiber dio equipment to handle the audio signals like IF bandwidth switching. optics to a built-in digital -to -analog (D/A) from video components as well as from tra- Not included in the Vintage line-and converter. The analog circuitry, too, pulls ditional sources. Further integration of au- therefore obtainable through a wider range out all of Kenwood's technological stops. dio and video appears inevitable, even from of dealers-are two Sansui audio -video re- Luxman's top integrated amp, the LV-109 traditional audio equipment companies. ceivers. The S -X1200 ($1,000) and S -X900 ($1,500; 150 watts, or 21.8 dBW), also con- Many of the manufacturers who had re- ($700), rated at 120 and 80 watts, or 20.8 tains a built-in D/A converter for direct in- treated from audio separates in favor of so- and 19.0 dBW, respectively, are fitted with put of digital signals. With this unit and its called rack systems are changing course, two sets of VCR connections in addition to hybrid tube/transistor LV-105 (see January partly in reaction to a perceived change in two sets of audio -deck jacks. test report), Luxman can lay claim to per- consumer desires and partly in response to Harman Kardon, similarly, is concen- haps the most intriguing line-up of inte- the profit -eroding effects (particularly on trating on its prestigious Citation line this grateds. highly competitive, midprice products) of time around. Introductions include the In the monster output category is the yen's dramatic rise. By last summer Citation 23 AM/FM tuner ($650), the Cita- Soundcraftsmen's Pro -Power Eight there already were harbingers of change- tion 21 preamp ($550), and two Dual Volt- ($1,400; 375 watts, or 25.7 dBW), a MOS not so much in the disappearance of low- age power amplifiers-the 22 ($850) and FET (metal -oxide semiconductor field-ef- priced gear as in renewed emphasis on pre- mium components and lines. Pioneer prob- ably was the most obvious example: Its Ii--Tx-11-1 revamped Elite Series seeks to re-enter the glamorous superpremium market to which 14111/4 NTC.G.E ar,1,1 tr-X90.1 the company has given relatively little at- tention in recent years. It's probably the Compact Disc, above 11111411111 NM= 11111115111111111511 all, that has turned things around. This 5111111111111N41 011111111111111114 year, company after company is demon- strating a new commitment to top-quality separates and even disavowing its rack sys- tems-perhaps with the exception of the fanciest audio -video models. High-perfor- -1-11hemmill114 mance audio definitely is in once again. But SANSUI AU -X90 I look for more audio -for -video inputs and processors in receivers than ever before. Integrated amplifier

APRIL1987 45 lent sense because it keeps all the low-level circuitry together and away from the power amplification, with its necessarily hefty .011011 OW II "' 'Dant ' power supply. It thus can combine most of the advantages of separates with most of those associated with receivers. Why it has never become a way of high fidelity life is beyond me. By coincidence, Hitachi also chose this show to introduce a tuner/preamp among several additions to its component line. The HTP-120AVSW ($450) is designed specifically for use with the matching HMA-120AVSW power amp ($300; 120 ADCOM OTP-500 (TOP) AND OF A-535 watts, or 20.8 dBW) to create a two -chassis receiver that includes a five -band equalizer Tuner/preamp with matching power amp and video enhancer, as well as audio -video source switching. fect transistor) power amp that is said to be Neither model is expected before early NEC's AVR-1000E ($870) and AVR- capable of operating at full power into a summer; look for prices around $1,550 for 700E ($650) receivers (100 and 70 watts, or 1 -ohm load! That should tame even the the power amp and somewhere under 20.0 and 12.3 dBW, respectively) have most vicious speaker impedance curve. At $2,000 for the preamp. built-in Dolby Surround processors, with the other extreme, as pure muscle goes, is Among a clutch of intriguing separates additional dual back -channel amplification Denon's most affordable integrated amp to from Perreaux, the New Zealand company rated at half the power of the main stereo date, the PMA-250 ($200). Designed to whose handcrafted wares are sold here channels. These receivers, which are de- mate with the TU-450 tuner ($200), the 25 - through Signet, is a 500 -watt (27-dBW) signed for use as the central elements in re - watt (14-dBW) unit includes such high -end power amp, the PMF-5550, that runs pure features as a CD -Direct input mode and Class A to 50 watts (17 dBW). Price will be five -way speaker binding -posts. announced shortly before the model is The biggest news among the small com- ready for delivery, sometime this spring. panies that specialize in high -quality sepa- Also new is a relatively inexpensive (for rates is the reappearance of Saul Marantz- Perreaux) group known as Series 1 and who, with David Hafler, Henry Kloss, and consisting of the SX-1 preamp ($795), Roy Allison, is one of the few pioneers of TU-1 FM tuner ($650), and PMF-1050 high fidelity remaining in the business. His power amp ($1,050; 100 watts, or 20 dBW), NEC AVR-1000I new company is called Lineage; its vice- which runs Class A to 10 watts (10 dBW) president of engineering is John Curl, who and Class AB above that. Receiver with surround sound has designed for several prestigious com- Exceptionally eye-catching is the Ad - panies. Initial products are scheduled to be corn GTP-500 tuner/preamp ($500), which mote -control audio -video systems, are the the CP-100 FET control preamp and PA - is available with a black -anodized front first from the company and mark its emer- 200 100 -watt (20-dBW) power amp, which panel or, on special order (and at a slightly gence as a full -line supplier of audio elec- is designed around FETs and MOS FETs. higher price), white enamel or clear anodiz- tronics. ing with black knobs. I find this last option Dual-well known here for its turn- exceptionally handsome, but perhaps that's tables and, more recently, cassette decks- because I'm so tired of squinting at black has offered electronics as well in Germany panels in poor light. And in some environ- for many years. Ortofon, its current im- ments, the white enamel-which is less porter, is bringing in some of the electron- bold graphically but more daring conceptu- ics (last year's announced models were de- ally-should look smashing. (The matching layed) and plans to make Dual a full -line Adcom power amp is the GFA-535: 60 supplier here, too. The first models to ar- watts, or 17.8 dBW.) rive will be the CT -5040 AM/FM tuner Electronically, the news here is the re- ($250) and two integrated amps: the PA - turn to the tuner/preamp format, which 5060 ($380) and PA -5030 ($280), rated at PIIIRIAUX PIAR-5550 several companies have tried over the 60 and 30 watts, or 17.8 and 14.8 dBW, re- years, all the way back to a Radio Crafts- spectively. Power amplifier men classic of 1950 or so. It makes excel- Nikko, of those brands that have estab-

46 HIGH F !DEL lished a reputation for delivering solid per- formance at modest prices, appears to be re-emerging. Among its latest products: the AVR-65 audio -video receiver ($750; 65 watts, or 18.1 dBW) with a built-in 139 - channel TV tuner, the NA -I050 audio - video integrated amp ($400; 105 watts, or 20.2 dBW) with four -band equalizer and seven -channel audio -video mixer, and the NT -950 AM/FM tuner ($220). Many of these models include remote controls or can be used (in combination with other models from the same compa- nies) in remote -controllable systems. Ya- maha, for instance, has added two AM/FM tuners-the TX -500U ($270) and TX -400U ($220)-that can be controlled via the com- pany's Remote Series (RS) components, such as the AVC-50 amp. But I noticed less BANG & OLUFSEN BEOCORD 3 3 0 0 emphasis on remotes and more on audio - video capabilities than in recent shows. Cassette deck Even Nakamichi's latest Stasis receiver, the SR -4A ($800; 60 watts, or 17.8 dBW), has products taken over by a newly constituted NAD, for a three -prong attack on the prob- switching for video inputs, which would arm of Mitsubishi Electric Sales. This isn't lem of squashed highs. The three -head de- have been almost unthinkable only months as surprising as it sounds, because Mitsubi- sign, the company's first, includes Dolby B ago in such an ultra -tech model from what shi already owned a chunk of Akai in Japan. and C noise reduction. is generally regarded as strictly an audio Outside of revamped styling and a greater So do most of the decks now available at company. (By the way, the SR -4A also has a concentration on Akai's original calling- higher -than -entry-level prices. A few (in- remote control.) R.L. tape equipment, as opposed to general cluding all three recent additions to the componentry-the distribution change Akai line) also offer DBX noise reduction, doesn't appear to imply any particular al- though not as many as I would have expect- teration in the product line. And the brand ed by now. Dolby HX Pro headroom exten- Cassette name is still Akai. sion is alive and well, not only at B&O There is one notable item on the equip- (which developed it in conjunction with ment front, however: licensing by NAD of Dolby Labs), but at Denon and other com- Equipment Tandberg's Dyneq circuit, which dynami- panies as well. cally varies recording EQfor improved B&O has added to its systems that per- T0 BE QUITE BLUNT ABOUT IT, high -frequency headroom. NAD's new flag- mit remote control of the cassette deck there are few surprises in ship deck, the 6300 (whose price had not along with the other components. The this area. One major player been set at the show), also includes Dolby Beocord 3300 ($500) is part of the Beo- has changed: Akai America has been closed HX Pro and the Play Trim circuit jointly system 3300. Denon's latest HX Pro offer- and distribution (and servicing) of Akai developed by Dolby Laboratories and ing is the remote -controlled DR-M14HX ($375), which incorporates the company's Non -Slip Reel Drive in place of a tradition- al friction/clutch mechanism to help main- tain consistent tape tension. Yamaha has three KX-Series cassette decks ($210 to $390) that can be remotely controlled via the company's RS components or the new RS-KW5 remote control; one is a dual -well deck. Onkyo's TA -W460 ($350) is also dual -well and can be remotely controlled when connected to certain Onkyo receivers NAD 6 3 0 0 and preamplifiers. Most of the other dub- bing decks belong to rack systems and, as Cassette deck such, seem distinctly less impressive.R.L.

APRIL 1987 47 Tabletop CD Players

IN A SHOW THAT IMPRESSED journalists as a quiet one for audio generally, there were a goodly number of new CD players. Be- sides the usual mid -price and high -endsep- arates, players showed up in $350 boom boxes and even in a small AM/FM clock/ radio. Many new models use faster 16 -bit converters with fourfold "oversampling"- KINWOOD DP -3300D a term that is now firmly established even Compact Disc player though the technique involvesno addition- al samples. New 16 -by -4 decoder chipsare for both channels are going to dualcon- new integrated amplifiers that include digi- available from Philips, Burr -Brown, and verters to eliminate the usual 11 -microsec- Sony; most high -end audiophile players tal decoding. (These outboard decoders ond interchannel delay-equivalentto can also handle 48- or 32 -kHz digital data from American and British companiesuse moving one of your speakers one -seventh from RDAT recorders.) Some playerseven the Philips version, while the American and of an inch forward or back from the other! Japanese LSIs (large-scale integration transmit the digital data to the outboard More players appeared with multiple unit over fiber-optic cables. So far, though, chips) appear in the top players from the power supplies (or one supply with multi- Far East. you cannot economize by buying a player ple voltage regulators) to keep digital noise with no built-in decoder. The new decoders theoretically offer and transport servo signals from contami- somewhat better linearity at very low levels, Laser assemblies continue to get small- nating the analog signals. To thesame end, er and lighter for faster track selection and though in some early production samples more and more players now use optical this hasn't been the case. The fourfold more stable portable or automotive use. In coupling to carry the signal from the digital many new players, the disc transport and oversampling does allow effective digital to analog sections. filtering of high -frequency noise in laser pickup are mounted on a separately con- Many new high -end players-theones junction with relatively gradual analog fil- sprung subchassis similar to that found in with the fanciest decoders-haveseparate some analog turntables. ters that have less phase shift and more digital outputs that enable you to bypass consistent frequency response. Companies To get down to specifics: Sony intro- those decoders and substitutean outboard duced 16 new CD players, all with multiple that formerly used a single D/Aconverter D/A converter or directly feed one of the power supplies and the company's unilin- ear single -clock design and envelope error detection, a tracking circuit that helpspre- vent skipping by freezing the position of the laser carriage when the player detects massive errors. The simplest of thenew models is the $260 CDP-110; thenew flag- ship is the CDP-705ESD ($1,500), sporting optical signal transfer, 16 -by -4 decoding, digital and phase -corrected analog filters, dual D/A converters, digital data output, and a remote -control digital output fader. Mission's new CD players both have the Philips 16 -by -4 chip set. The PCM-4000 costs $700, while for $1,000 the PCM-7000 provides remote control of all functions, in- cluding an electronic volume control that ONKYO DX -330 works in 63 1 -dB steps. The PCM-7000 also uses four separate regulated DCsup- Compact Disc player plies (for digital audio, analog audio, trans- 411 HIGH FIDELITY port, and display). The Magnavox CDB- 465 ($260) lacks the Mission's electronic sophistication but uses the same decoder chips. It features the company's FTS pro- gramming that keeps track of your favorite selections on each disc. Other players with optical coupling in- clude the Onkyo DX -330 ($480 with re- mote control); the Kenwood DP -3300D ($850), which has 16 -by -4 decoding and both electrical and optical digital outputs (the latter to feed the decoder -equipped DEMON DCD-3300 KA-3300D integrated amplifier); and the $1,300 Sansui CD -X901, part of the com- Compact Disc player pany's new Vintage Series of components, which comes equipped with separate bal- Another vacuum -tube model comes anced Cannon -connector outputs for feed- from Analogic Design Group of North Car- ing professional audio gear or certain of olina: It contains the Philips 16 -by -4 chips the company's own Vintage Series amps. and makes extensive use of audiophile - CD Changers The ADS CD -4 ($900) has multiple grade resistors, capacitors, and internal power supplies and a unique laser -intensity wiring. The price is $1,400 with remote. THE NOTION THAT CDs MIGHT servo that raises the control voltage on Some of the most expensive new CD be sold in some kind of hard -to -track discs, as well as single -clock players from manufacturers like Stax and standard multidisc magazine design, a separate digital output, and vari- Accuphase were not at the show, but the for use in CD changers is dead, a victim of able -window error correction. The $700 new Denon DCD-3300, at $1,700, at least lack of standardization. On the positive DBX DX -5 combines 16 -by -4 decoding, reaches the lower portion of the strato- side, however, this leaves more room for dual converters, and dual power supplies; sphere. The DCD-3300 has two power innovation. Sony's alternative is the CDP- its remote control will vary the output level transformers and five independent voltage C5F ($450), which has a nonremovable and separately switch the company's regulators, separate digital and analog five -disc carousel with drop -in compart- unique impact recovery, dynamic compres- boards with optical coupling, a copper -plat- ments like a regular CD tray. The arrange- sion, and ambience enhancement analog ed chassis, a floating subchassis carrying ment also provides faster disc switching: processing circuits. E.B.M. transport and pickup, vibration -isolating Claimed maximum transfer time from disc feet, 16 -by -4 decoding with dual convert- to disc is five seconds. (The demonstrator ers, a high -torque motor, both electrical model took about eight seconds, which is and optical digital outputs, three sets of an- still faster than the old-style LP changers.) alog outputs including one with high-level Meanwhile, Technics showed the SL- High -End balanced 600 -ohm Cannon connectors, a P800C ($600), with both a six -disc maga- time -search function, 20 -selection pro- zine and a single -disc tray. The player can gramming, auto -space for cassette dub- be programmed before loading, while you CD Players bing, index search, and timer playback. A can still see the CD labels, and you can add remote control is included in the price. But a selection from a new disc to your pro- HIGH-END ENTHUSIASTS ARE can it play those old black vinyl discs? grammed sequence with a "reserve" key. slowly beginning to accept E. B. M. E.B.M. the CD now that they can buy players of satisfying complexity, quality of parts, and cost. California Audio Labs has added digital signal -conditioning cir- cuitry to its Tempest hybrid tube/transistor unit, raising the price from $1,895 to $2,095; previous owners can upgrade for $200 by adding the new PC board. The company's new $1,495 Aria uses the Philips 16 -by -4 chips and has a wave -shaping cir- cuit to correct timing errors in the digital SONY CDP-05F bit stream, a process said to improve imag- ing and low-level resolution. Compact Disc changer

APRIL1987 49 Portable CD Players

PORTABLE PLAYERS CAN'T GET much smaller, but thanks to new transports and more compact D/A converters, they are becom- ing more efficient, which means that the batteries can be lighter for equivalent play- ing times. The new models are also the first portables with oversampling and digital fil- tering. Accessories like remote control for home use and mounting hardware and cas- sette -style adapters for cars represent offi- cial acknowledgment that few portables ac- tually spend much time hanging from their carrying straps. Unfortunately, despite their smaller laser pickups, the newest por- tables do not seem any more resistant to shock than their predecessors, and all will mistrack if rotated in the plane of the disc. Sony announced its latest and smallest YAMAHA TT -1001i portable, the D-10, before the show ("Cur- Direct -drive turntable rents," January); at the show, the company revealed the DT -10 with a built-in tuner filtering and each priced at $300. The new more heavily on its high-tech production ($430). It also unveiled the larger, nonpro- Fisher PCD-100, also $300, includes re- testing equipment; and almost everyone is grammable D-3 ($250, including AC power chargeable battery pack, AC adapter, and a selling audio and video accessories. pack and rechargeable battery), which also pair of headphones. E. B.M. Ortofon and Dual are now distributed can play for five hours on four alkaline AA by a single American company. In addition cells. The tuner -equipped DT -3 is $400. to its new electronic components and CD All these models use a pulse -width -modula- players, Dual has a $220 manual belt -drive tion power supply circuit requiring only 1.8 turntable, the CS -1000, a simpler version watts. Turntables & of the well -received CS -5000 (test report, Technics and sister company Panasonic December 1986). The automatic CS -2215, also introduced their tiniest portables to which also sells for $220, includes a pitch date-the Technics SL-XP5 and the equiva- Cartridges control with a numeric LED speed readout. lent Panasonic SL-NP10-each with digital Ortofon's MC -30 moving -coil cartridge IT IS BECOMING TRADITIONAL ($450) has a stylus with a new shape. Called to open this section by the Fritz Gyger I after its inventor, the new saying that reports of stylus has a contact patch that is taller and analog's demise have been greatly exagger- narrower than that of any previous con- ated, but from the emaciated look of the sumer model, maximizing the amount of packet of literature I brought back, it ap- information that can be picked up off the pears that the analog turntable is finally en- groove walls. This shape makes alignment tering its twilight years. very critical, so the MC -30 will be sold only Cartridge manufacturers everywhere by dealers who have demonstrated their are diversifying into other fields. Signet is ability to set it up correctly in customer distributing the Perreaux line of high -end tonearms. TECHNICS SL-XPS electronics; Shure Brothers is marketing In addition, Ortofon showed two new CD players and surround -sound systems lines of moving -magnet cartridges, its first Portable Compact Disc player for home theater setups; Ortofon is relying in that category. The 300 Series is available

SO HIGH FIDELITY in conventional and P -Mount models. The additional amplification channels. Luxman 500 Series has three models with nude - combines Dolby Surround with extensive mounted styli-one elliptical, one fine -line, audio and video switching in its remote - and one that is a slightly less radical version Audio Signal controlled F-105 ($550). A similar model, of the new stylus, called the Fritz Gyger the U-100 ($350), offers the same control II-ranging in price from $75 to $300. Also and switching features without the sur- on display was a prototype of the new MC - Processors round -sound amenities. 3000, an improved version of the compa- Sansui's VX-99 ($600) is a video proces- ny's top -of -the -line MC -2000 that features UNQUESTIONABLY, THE sor with fade, mix, wipe, and color controls higher output (for use with normal moving - hottest topic in signal to delight the home videographer. Recoton coil phono inputs), lower mass, and lower processing today is Dolby has added to its line of MTS decoders for price (around $800). Surround. Promoted hesitantly at first be- stereo TV audio: FRED III, which includes Yamaha introduced three new turn- cause of the similarity to the disastrous a 12 -watt (10.8-dBW) stereo amplifier, be- tables, two belt -drive and one direct -drive, quadriphonic marketing thrust of a decade came available at the beginning of the year; at prices from $150 to $230. Two of these, ago, the multichannel approach established FRED IV, with a remote control, will ap- the fully automatic TT -500U and TT - itself first in the movie theater and has rid- pear (and be priced) later in the year. Reco- 400U, are compatible with the RS line of den into home audio on the coattails of ton also has added some switching boxes integrated remote -control components and stereo -sound Laserdiscs and videocassettes for videophiles. Geneva has added one- come with a combination disc clamp and made from theatrical films. plus a videocassette splicing/repair kit (PF- 45 -rpm adapter. Peter Scheiber, the guru of matrixed 120, $6). The British Revolver turntable has a quadriphonics and holder of several basic Astonishing by its absence this year is new injection -molded plastic platter, an im- patents in the field, has licensed Dolby Lab- the almost endless lineup of new graphic proved motor mount, and a new arm carry- oratories to apply Scheiber "logic" optimi- equalizers we've grown accustomed to see- ing the company's own name. It comes zation (originally developed for SQmatrix- ing at every show. There are some fairly ready to play with a basic -model Audio ing) to Dolby Surround. In essence, this routine models filling holes in existing Technica cartridge (the AT -70) for $400. logic circuitry looks at the relationships be- lines, but the only real grabber I noticed is The well -made but very expensive SME tween input signals and emphasizes those the DBX 14/10 ($1,300), a revised version Series V tonearm has a new and less elabo- on which the subjective perception of spa- of its computerized analyzer/equalizer-a rate brother, the Series IV. Tracking force tial values depend, effectively increasing format for which DBX has been the stan- is adjusted by moving a weight rather than separation in matrixed multichannel sys- dard-bearer. R. L. turning a dial, and vertical position is not tems. Shure Brothers, with whom Scheiber adjustable during play. The Series V's arm worked directly during development of the tube and its very rugged bearing are re- HTS-5000 home processor (see test report. tained in the new model, which sells for September 1986), has formed a separate $1,050. Shure Home Theater Sound division to de- Loudspeakers In an echo of the medium's ultimate velop and market products in this field. fate, Sota put out a press release headlined NEC's processors include an inexpen- N0 MATTER HOW QUIET THE "Sota Finishes Analog." This didn't mean sive Dolby Surround unit, the AV -250E rest of a CES may be-and that the company had delivered the coup de ($300), with two channels of amplification this one was less frantic than grace to a moribund technology; on the con- (30 watts, 14.8 dBW). For more ambitious most in recent memory-speaker designers trary, its designers feel that with their latest systems, the AV -350E ($580) and AVD- just keep on turning out new products. top -end model, the Star Sapphire Series 700E ($730) add digital delay, flexible sys- In the middle price range-from $400 III, they have solved all the major problems tem switching, and-in the AV-350E-two to $1,500 (all speaker prices given here are of LP playback to a satisfactory degree and are ready to call it "the world's first com- plete turntable." For it to be complete, you must buy both the new vacuum -clamping turntable, with its acrylic Supermat and the Reflex record clamp, and the companion Electronic Flywheel power -line condition- er. The total price of $1,900 may seem high, but when you realize you could spend over seven times as much for a competing turntable, you feel that you're getting a 1.11XMAN P-105 bargain. But can it play those newfangled silver discs? E. B. M. Surround sound and remote -control center

APRIL 5' per pair)-many companies are opting for tivity. dome midranges it calls Kappa drivers. A 2- basic two- and three-way designs housed in Snell Acoustics showed its new Type Q inch version is featured in the top RS Series tall, narrow cabinets that can stand directly ($750), a small, elegant two-way design model, the dual -woofer three-way RS -6000 on the floor. This raises the tweeters nearer with an 8 -inch woofer in a compact but very ($850). Using a similar 3 -inch midrange are to seated ear level for optimal frequency heavy wood cabinet. B&W has four new three Reference Standard Kappa Series balance and imaging, while the added cabi- 100 Improved Series speakers clad in a speakers: the three-way 7-k ($1,200), the net volume can extend the bass reach or in- rather realistic wood -grain vinyl for prices four-way 8-k ($1,800), and the five -way 9-k crease the sensitivity of the system. NAD ranging from $258 for the DM -100i to ($2,400) with a SEMIT supertweeter. has two new speakers in this category, $738 for the DM -330i. Small speakers continue to appear in a Models 200 and 300, for $500 and $750, Polk Audio has again updated its origi- wide range of prices. Koss's magnetically respectively. ADS added the two-way L-690 nal SDA-1 image -enhancing speaker. The shielded M-100 Plus ($250) combines two ($550) and the three-way L-990 ($900) to SDA-1B ($1,400) has a smaller auxiliary 41/2 -inch woofers and a 1 -inch tweeter with its Tower Series. And Boston Acoustics bass radiator and a new phase -coherent a pair of built-in 20 -watt (13-dBW) amplifi- added a three-way tower speaker, the $500 driver alignment. Yamaha, trying to gain ers that can be fed by the headphone out- T-830, to its line, and updated two earlier ground in the U.S. speaker market, has pro- put of a portable CD or cassette player as models: The A -701I ($300) has a new woof- duced a series designed with American as- well as by that from a video monitor. Reco- er, crossover, and cabinet, while the A- sistance and using European drivers. The ton has two self -powered speakers de- 15011 ($550) has all new drivers. FFT Series includes four models, the NS- signed to go with its two nonamplified Ohm Acoustics put together a multicol- A -7.2, -8.2, -10.2, and -10.3, selling for F.R.E.D. MTS stereo decoders. The ored display using many pairs of its new $218 to $518. SPI/V632 is $170, and the SPII/V633, Sound Cylinder Walsh -driver systems. A Canadian speaker designers continue with front -panel volume and tone controls, pair costs $550 in the standard walnut- to bring interesting offerings to the show. costs $200. E.B.M. Clements Audio couples its own ribbon midrange/tweeters with cone woofers in two new models, the RB-6.5 ($1,100) and RB-8 ($1,300); the model numbers are the diameters in inches of the bass drivers. De- High -End & signer Paul Barton of PSB showed a prom- ising prototype of a two-way speaker (its model number isn't fixed, but the price is Specialty expected to be $1,100) whose woofer was mounted above the tweeter, an arrange- ment intended to achieve proper response Speakers at the seated listening position. Canada's largest speaker manufacturer, THE SUBWOOFER MARKET IS Audio Products International (API), can alive arid well, a fact we boast of probably the broadest line of could verify with an organ speakers (and brands) in the world. Its flag- recording containing generous pedal fun- ship Mirage brand is topped by the M-1, a damentals between 19 and 25 Hz. Though 59 -inch -high three-way bidirectional de- some makers' frequency response claims sign. API also displayed working proto- failed to stand up to this test, one speaker types of two two-way ported models in its that did well was the separate woofer sold new Image (rhymes with mirage) line, the with the Nelson -Reed Pro system. Each floor -standing 200 ($900) and stand -mount cabinet (the setup we heard contained two) 100 ($600). Both use the company's %-inch sells for $1,200; a 62 -Hz, 48 -dB per octave SOSTON ACOUSTICS T-$30 hyperbolic dome tweeter and a heavily electronic crossover is $570. Also acquit- braced enclosure. ting itself well was the Larger VMPS Sub- Three-way tower loudspeaker The new AR TSW Series (for titanium woofer, which contains two active woofers tweeters and solid wood cabinet tops and (12 and 15 inches) plus a 15 -inch passive grain vinyl, but can be ordered in one of bottoms) includes models from $213 to radiator. Available either with a 100 -Hz seven other finishes for $76 more or in a $850. The tweeters are mounted on an un- passive crossover or with the $450 Vendet- fabric supplied by the customer-whence usually shaped diffraction -reducing metal ta Research TPC-1 variable electronic came the rainbow of speakers-for $48 ex- plate called the Tetra -Helical Constant In- crossover, the VMPS sells for $550 ($440 in tra. The company also introduced a more tensity Radiator (even though it is designed kit form). efficient version of the Walsh 3, now called not to radiate). American Acoustics' PSW-200 ($700) the Ohm 3X0 ($1,495), with 91 -dB sensi- Infinity has two new polypropylene powered subwoofer is the latest addition to S2 HIGH FIDELITY the IC -20 (IC stands for image control), and The Prince has more or less conventional has a revised price of $4,900 (see "Cur- cone drivers-two 10 -inch woofers, two 4 - rents," October 1986). inch midranges, and a 1 -inch tweeter-in a Acoustat says its new Spectra 3 is its narrow, 6 -foot -tall cabinet designed for first planar electrostatic to have effectively low diffraction. Each system weighs 121 narrower radiating areas with increasing pounds and a pair sells for $5,975. The frequency. The technique, which electrical- Sovereign can be had, depending on cabi- ly drives progressively fewer of an array of net finish, for $12,950 to $14,500, deliv- narrow vertical elements (rather than using ered. E.B.M. curved panels), is designed to improve hor- izontal dispersion and widen the area of ac- ceptable stereo imaging while retaining high -frequency time alignment. Each speaker's broad base contains a switchable Miscellaneous cone woofer that doesn't change the low - frequency cutoff but is said to expand the available dynamic range. The Spectra 3 is Accessories 65 inches tall and 32 inches wide and sells for $2,750; an upcoming narrower version KOSS HAS ADDED A SECOND, with fewer panels is expected to sell for lightweight model to its line INFINITY NS -6000 $2,000. of "Kordless" infrared An unusually large and elaborate sys- wireless headphones, introduced last sum- Dual -woofer loudspeaker tem from JBL is Project Everest, originally mer with a medium -weight model. The designed for and previously available in the JCK/100 "remote listening station" ($120) its Generation III loudspeaker series. The Japanese market. It's a three-way model consists of the headphone (similar in style glass -topped rectangular unit contains a with a ported 15 -inch woofer crossed over to the popular Koss Porta Pro), the receiver 15 -inch woofer with 2 -inch voice coil driv- at 850 Hz to a complex biradial horn; the that drives it, an infrared transmitter that en by a btilt-in 200 -watt (23-dBW) amplifi- horn is aimed to fire across the room in plugs into a stereo -system headphone jack, er. An unusual feature is the parametric front of the listener, so that as the listener and an AC adapter to power the transmit- equalizer that can contour the unit's re- moves to one side, the increasing distance ter. Controls on the receiver include vol- sponse curve to complement the bottom - from the far speaker is offset (psychoacous- ume, mono/stereo mode, and response end performance of the satellite speakers tically) by a closer approach to its main shaping similar to the feature built into used with it. axis. The tweeter, a ring radiator, takes some portable CD players. The receiver Mission Electronics introduced two new over at 7.5 kHz. The Everest has a rated can connect to other headphones, as well. two-way loudspeakers. The first is a rede- sensitivity of 100 dB and sells for just un- Other Koss additions include an upgraded sign of the company's 770, called the 770 der $10,000. "hear through" model (the company's des- Freedom or 770-F ($1,800). It has a new The German firm Canton makes three ignation for low -isolation designs), the ferrofluid.cooled tweeter firing into a shal- powered loudspeakers, each with motional HV-1A Plus ($50), and a series of light- low horn of super -elliptical cross section. feedback on all drivers. The largest of these weight models. The 780-A (also called the Argonaut) is is the 67 -inch -high four-way CA -30 Nady Systems, a company that has of- Mission's new flagship. At $3,000, it has ($15,000), which has four woofers, a lower - fered infrared wireless mike systems for the same drivers as the 770-F, but with two midrange cone driver, and a dome upper- some time, also has a wireless headphone. woofers in a larger cabinet, and boasts midrange/high-frequency driver. Each A complete system including transmitter higher sensitivity, rated at 95 dB (for 1 watt driver has its own power amplifier; the total costs $100; additional IRH-210 head- at I meter), and improved power handling. available output is 780 watts (28.9 dBW)! phone/receivers cost $60. Berkey, which Tennessee Sound Company has added The same technology is available in two already had a wireless mono headphone, a matching woofer, called the Symphony 2, smaller versions, the $10,000 four-way CA - has added a stereo -headset and micro- for its unusual Symphony 1 loudspeakers 20 with two woofers and the $5,000 three- phone line, offering various system config- (see "Currents," November 1986). The way CA -10. urations. woofers, which cost $1,200, bolt to the One of the most talked -about speakers The Yamaha MVS-1 ($150) is a passive main cabinet to provide extended bass re- at the show was from Duntech. The compa- master volume control intended primarily sponse. ny did not bring its larger Sovereign system for use with the Yamaha DSP-1 Digital Allison Acoustics showed the produc- to the show, making do instead with the Sound Field Processor (test report, Sep- tion version of the variable -image speaker somewhat smaller Crown Prince. The lis- tember 1986), which garnered HIGH FIDEL- it unveiled last June. The new system, once tening room was optimized by lining the rrv's first Product of the Year Award in De- called the Model 10, is now officially called walls with Tube Trap sound absorbers. cember. The MVS-1 can uniformly control

APRIL198 7 33 these components tend to come with these improved both the MRX-I ferric and the days. General Electric was the first to bring HB-II high -bias formulations. At the top of out a programmable remote that can be the cassette -formulation spectrum, TDK "taught" the control codes of other re- has added MA-XG metal, with a special motes. Its latest model is the Control Cen- three -layer shell construction intended to tral 3, described in the November 1986 eliminate mechanical resonances that can "Currents." Now a new company, CL -9, impinge on reproduction quality. has drawn on the same principle: CORE TDK also has gone multilayer in the (Controller of Remote Electronics) is a construction of the tape backing for its new $200 microcomputer of sorts that adds the premium videocassette, HD -X Pro. Don't ability to program complex sequences of confuse this with multilayercoatings:There remote commands so that multistep func- actually are six layers in addition to the tions can be achieved simply. For example, coating here, to promote mechanical stabil- turning on a pay-cable system to a certain ity through back -coating and special binder channel and powering up a connected layers. TDK is also one of the companies sound system all with the push of one but- that has revamped or fine-tuned its 8mm ton. In addition to a built-in timer, CORE videotape line this year. contains spare computer memory for possi- Why so little tape news? One reason, ble upgrading of its capabilities in the fu- certainly, is that everybody has been too ture. Inventor Steve Wozniak is best known absorbed with lab work-and guesswork- as a cofounder of Apple Computers; this is on the future of digital audio tape to make CORI the first project to bring him directly into up new analog products. R.L. home entertainment. R.L. Programmable remote control the volume from as many as three connect- ed stereo amplifiers. Moving on to bigger things (literally), I Blank Tape was impressed all over again by the display of Barzilay's home -entertainment furniture. THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE It's still one of the classiest acts going, and ou're likely to notice in has been for forty years. Recently acquired shopping for tape over the by WoodTek, it continues to come up with next few months is the growing availability new designs that are both solid and stylish. of formulations from Korea. Brands such as The Model 708, in walnut, sells in the $500 Goldstar and Sunkyong (SKC) are working range; prices of the more elaborate designs hard to demonstrate that they are the tech- depend on the particular combination of nological peers of the Japanese producers, modules employed. I was particularly taken to whom they have had to take a back seat by a new black lacquer finish: mostly matte, in the past. (Much the same thing is hap- AVG 13R9 but with glossy accents. pening in electronics, by the way.) It will be Acoustic traps to solve problems of somewhat of an uphill struggle, frankly, be- VHS -C camcorder standing waves are a fairly recent addition cause inferior Korean products of the past to the audio arsenal. Newer still are the have tended to jaundice international opin- various models from Acoustic Sciences ion, but there's no inherent reason why Corp.-Corner Trap, Wall Trap, Tube these products can't merit the esteem Trap, and Super Trap. All the sound ab- they're seeking. Camcorders sorbers stand vertically, varying primarily With few exceptions, the news among in cross-section profile. The heavy fabric the familiar brands centers on repackaging THE MOST INTERESTING VIDEO coverings contribute to both the acoustic more than on reformulation. Memtek (like news concerns a product deadness of the forms and to the ease with SKC, as a matter of fact) is going for a that does not yet exist. At a which they can be assimilated into the sur- splashy "now" outer wrap. Clear shells are press conference in Tokyo, JVC announced 'rounding decor. even more in evidence than last year. Multi - a new video format called Super VHS, said Once you've got your audio -video cassette packaging and special premium or to offer performance comparable to that of equipment housed and the room tuned, the rebate deals abound. So what else is new? the current one -inch professional "C" for- next step is to see what can be done to sim- Well, Memtek does have one new for- mat. Super VHS machines will be able to plify the clutter of remote controls that mulation, Memorex DBS ferric, and has play normal VHS tapes, and the two for -

541 HIGH FIDELITY mats will share the same cassette shell, but cord -only unit that works in the Beta -Is age Entertainment, announced plans to im- that's about the extent of their compatibil- mode (high-speed Super Beta) for the best port later this year a machine of similar ca- ity. (For a more complete account, see picture quality currently available in a con- pabilities manufactured by Sony. E.B.M. "Scan Lines" in this issue.) sumer camcorder of any format. One of the clearest trends at the show For those of you who think that we need was the success of the VHS -C camcorder, another video format, Korean giant Sam- which as of last June looked like a long shot sung showed a prototype 4mm camcorder. in its race with the newer 8mm camcorders. The company has adapted the RDAT cas- Large -Screen The importance to the consumer of com- sette for video use, envisioning a future in patibility with home VHS VCRs is evi- which an RDAT transport (about the size of denced by the appearance of VHS -C cam- a present-day analog cassette deck's) will Televisions corders with such brand names as RCA, handle all of our audio and video record-

GE, Magnavox, and Quasar. Panasonic ings. Availability in the U.S. is question- R,AR -PROJECTION TV IS A introduced the PV -100 VHS -C model able, although Samsung says it will begin booming category, with new ($1,800), which has two "shutter" speeds: selling the SVC-41 in Korea sometime this sets from Kloss, Mitsubishi, the usual Ygo second plus 1A000 second for summer. The projected price here would and Panasonic, among others. Despite hav- blur -free slow-motion playback and still - be $1,300. E.B.M. ing previously sworn off rear -projection de- frame analysis of fast -action scenes. The 1/2 - sign, Kloss nevertheless introduced its inch CCD sensor can record scenes as dark Model Ten ($4,295), which has an unusual- as 7 lux at the normal shutter speed, but ly large 60 -inch screen (measured diagonal- the 1/1000 speed requires considerably more ly), built-in surround -sound decoding with light and will therefore be suitable mostly Digital VCRs four power amplifiers, an RGB input, an for daylight shoots. MTS stereo tuner, and Faroudja detail -en- The $1,700 GE 9-9710 VHS -C cam- THE LONG -PROMISED hancement circuitry. (The Faroudja Image corder has a fairly typical complement of improvement in picture Processing System was described in the features: CCD imaging, autofocus, auto- quality through digital July 1986 test report on the Kloss Nova - matic exposure setting and white balance, processing has yet to be demonstrated con- power zoom, and in -camera playback. Its vincingly. So far, the technology continues weight is 3.7 pounds, including the one - to be used mostly to generate picture -in - hour rechargeable battery. A similar model picture displays and better slow-motion with HQcircuitry (9-9712) costs $1,800. and still -frame effects for videocassette RCA's $1,400 CPR -100 has a %-inch CCD recorders. An exception is NEC's digital imager; the company also supplies a line of video noise reduction circuit, introduced optional accessories, including a belt -worn earlier this year in the DX -1000U and DX - two-hour battery pack ($14 for the holder, 2000U VCRs (the latter is reviewed in this $87 for the battery), a chest brace to steady issue). the camcorder ($50), and a shoe -bracket A new appearance of digital circuits in a adapter ($40) for mounting a light, an ex- VCR is audio -related: Toshiba's DX -900 ternal microphone, or a character genera- contains a built-in PCM processor for re- tor. cording digital audio. The digital signal oc- JVC, the inventor of VHS -C, revealed cupies the video portion of the tape, so si- the smallest camcorder yet in that format, multaneous recording of digital audio and the GR-C9U ($1,150), which weighs less picture is not possible (as it is not when us- than 2.2 pounds with tape and battery. It ing an outboard PCM device in conjunction TOSHIBA CX-3077 offers one -touch, fixed -focus recording with a VCR). (but no playback), HQcircuitry, two re- Videodisc fans have reason to rejoice at Direct -view monitor/receiver cording speeds (20 or 60 minutes, maxi- the inclusion of digital frame -storage cir- mum, with a TC-20 cassette), 10 -lux light cuits in a Laserdisc player. The Pioneer beam 100 front -projection monitor.) sensitivity, and automatic white balance, LD-S1 ($1.600) is the first videodisc player Fisher and Sanyo both showed 35 -inch and it comes with battery, charger/AC that provides the special -effects capabilities direct -view sets based on the Mitsubishi adapter, full-size VHS cassette adapter, and of the CAV format for long-playing discs. picture tube. Between these and the more a shoulder strap. The unit is said to provide the highest hori- common 26 -inch sets are the 31 -inch Pana- There were also a few new camcorders zontal resolution (420 lines) of any video- sonic CTJ-3170R (reportedly to be avail- in the other formats: 8mm, Beta, and full- disc player and can play back the digital able this summer for less than $2,000) and size VHS. Of note in the second category is audio soundtrack included on many recent the 30 -inch Toshiba CX-3077 ($2,500). the Sony BMC-1000K Betamovie Pro, a re- videodisc releases. Another company, Im- E.B.M.

APRIL1987 SS M E D L E Y

COPING WITH CD RECORD ROYALTY

(N1970I BELIEVED I WAS SET FOR rIVE YEARS AGO, THE RPO WAS FLAT life:Ibought my Acoustic Won its back. We had borrowed all Research turntable, my McIntosh we could borrow, and our pros- electronics setup, and two pairs of pects were getting rather bleak. Bose loudspeakers. Those pieces Then came Hooked on Classics and are all still in my system, and even Andre Previn's appointment as though they no longer sound as music director. It was quite a wonderful as they once did, I hope smashing turnaround." Ian Mac - EDITED they last forever. But they've since lay, the Royal Philharmonic Or- EDITED been joined by two cassette decks chestra's managing director, rel-

BY and, now, a Compact Disc player. ishes the opportunity to talk about B I still buy records, but I don't the way things were before the royal-

K E N play them. Instead, I cut a tape and ties started coming into the Royal's TED then file the LP. No, I won't bor- coffers-before Hooked on Classics

RICH ARDSONrow your records, and no, I won't erased the orchestra's deficit and L I B B E Y tape mine for you: Musicians have gave it the financial clout to start its to eat, too, after all. It's simply a question of convenience: own record label. Now, in addition to recording for Telarc, No longer do I have to get up every 20 minutes to turn a Philips, CBS, and EMI, the RPO puts out six records a year record over. So cassettes serve as well as the radio for back- on its own, working with artists who have established a ground music. Through a perfectly elegant antique system. close relationship with the ensemble over the years and oc- What a waste. casionally tackling repertory the commercial labels are un- For now comes the Compact Disc. Some of the jazz se- willing to risk. The rewards are not merely artistic but fi- lections I wanted to buy last year proved to be "available" nancial as well. While the members of the orchestra, in only on CD. Because I'm a toy lover at heart, I bought a CD keeping with the cooperative spirit of the undertaking, have player six weeks ago-and once again, the way I listen to agreed to waive their usual session fees, they get to share in music has been drastically changed. The manufacturers' the royalties along with the featured artists. Since May, "hype" wasn't overdone. Dynamic range is incredible, even when the first two RPO releases hit the stalls, sales in the on 40 -year -old Thelonious Monk recordings; overall re- U.K. have been brisk, and there are growing indications production is accurate and lifelike; silences are truly empty. that the series has caught on with collectors. One of these That CDs cost twice what LPs cost isn't a problem: CDs issues offers Previn conducting Walton's Belshazzar's Feast sound better. And often they contain more music. The LP and music from the film Henry V; the other has Sir Yehudi of Lost in the Stars: The Music of Kurt Weill doesn't contain Menuhin leading Handel's Music for the Royal Fireworks and nearly the same 67 -plus minutes the CD does. And it's reas- 11 movements from his Water Music, along with Thomas suring to know that CDs allegedly retain full fidelity for Beecham's ballet suite Amaryllis, based on music by Handel. 10,000 or so plays rather than the 100 that a cautious (and (It was Sir Thomas who founded the RPO in 1946.) Recent- lucky) listener might get from LPs. But when I try to buy ly, three more releases have appeared, including a long - CDs, so is everyone else, and there's the rub: Getting soft- overdue new recording of Sir Michael Tippett's oratorio A ware is nearly impossible. I ordered ten discs the same day I Child of Our Time, conducted by Previn. ordered my player; the player came in three days, but I still "The Tippett is a good example of what we're trying to don't have the discs. I've been forced to join the throngs of accomplish," Maclay notes. "None of the big labels wanted people in the music stores fighting to buy whatever is there. to do it, but Andre felt very strongly about it. After all, there Surely, the big labels can do better by us. Hugh Foster are enough recordings of the New World Symphony out there." The orchestra has given its product a distinctive This is the first "Medley" written by one of our readers. Mr. Foster is look to go with the content-album covers are black, with from Manitowoc, Wisconsin. the RPO logo (blue R, yellow P, green 0) featured promi- Readers are reminded that this portion of "Medley" is now open nently in the upper -right-hand corner-and the technical to contributions. Send your 425 -word article to Ken Richardson, standard is formidably high. Marketing and distribution in Popular Music Editor, HIGH FIDELITY, 825 Seventh Ave., 8th the United States have been taken on by MCA, under the floor, New York, N. Y. 10019. Keep a copy; original manuscripts watchful eye of Thomas Z. Shepard, formerly president of will not be returned. We pay $100 for each published article. RCA's Red Seal division. Ted Libbey

Si HIGH FIDELITY I 1111.11111111 itIlL11111111 1 ! IIIf IIII-ICIin"

BY THOR ECKERT, JR. CARNEGE HALL: A FACELIFT AND A NEW SOUND

II WAS A WELL-KNOWN FACT THAT NEW YORK CITY'S CARNEGIE HALL WAS IN desperate need of a face-lift. Yet from the moment plans for the renovation were announced in 1982, there was worry that the famed acoustics would be altered. The worriers were correct: The sound is different. In fact, today Carnegie Hall sounds almost like Boston's Symphony Hall-for me, the highest compliment an acoustic can be paid. Every effort was made to ensure the acoustical integrity of the hall. Sound ab-

BEFORE AND AFTER. THE OLD FLOOR WITH THE SEATS RIPPED OUT (ABOVE) AND THE NEW STAGE WITH THE DOME REINSTATED (BELOW)

APRIL 198 7 57 sorption-or the lack of it-was the princi- or from anyone else. For a '50s patch job, vi- one had to make an ever -so -slight effort to pal target, and everything was tested tobe nyl tiles were laid down over the deteriorat- really hear the music, whereas in Symphony sure nothing would change. This meant, for ing auditorium floor. In the early '70s, a Hall, the sound seemed to be projected by instance, that the first set of seats was re- ghastly electronic organ was installed, with the proscenium itself into the expanse of the turned to the manufacturer because they the speakers over the stage, hidden by ugly auditorium. were more sound -absorbent than the ones suspended acoustical baffles. The first concert I heard in the new Car- already in place. The various stage and audi- But on the night of May 18, 1986, follow- negie Hall was Itzhak Perlman's ad hoc recital torium floors and subfloors were replaced ing a "farewell" performance of Beetho- the afternoon following the gala opening with the same types of wood. What was left ven's Violin Concerto by Stern and the night. (I had decided to forgo that prelimi- of the original William Burnet Tuthill archi- Cleveland Orchestra, the work crews moved nary circus in favor of a more serious, less tectural drawings of the hall was consulted in in ... and all those additions are now gone. self-consciously ostentatious event. As it the process of restoring the stage to its origi- The stage stands in stark grandeur, with only turned out, my colleagues told me, the pro- nal appearance. a peculiar "halo" hung near the top of the gram was tiresome and ran until nearly mid- The concomitant redecoration of the au- dome-looking like a hieroglyphic eye from night, the hall was chilly to compensate for ditorium was a bonus. For as long as I can re- the orchestra seats-to house the stage the TV lights, and certain celebrities who member (which is going on 20 years), the lights. One could argue that now we really had performed earlier in the evening carried hall has looked drab. The monotonous have a chance to assess the Carnegie acous- on a box -to -box conversation throughout white walls did nothing to suggest that one tics as Tuthill conceived them-the sound the Mahler finale that closed the program.) was sitting in one of the great concert halls of that Gustav Mahler and Richard Strauss Perlman came in on four hours notice to re - the world, with superb acoustics and gener- ally fine sightlines, at least for the patrons of the orchestra level and the first two tiers of boxes. Now, those walls are a gentle cream color, and all the considerable relief work and architectural detailing has been glazed Itwasclear from the and, in some instances, gold -leafed to bring out the textures and the decorative motifs. The aisle seats are now sided with cast-iron frames that suggest an 1890s look. In every first notes that something way, the attention to detail has been uncom- monly thorough, done with understatement and great taste. Finally, Carnegie has a regal new wasgoingon. look to match its august reputation as one of the finest concert halls in the world. The price tag on this phase of the proj- heard when leading orchestras on the stage, place an ailing Daniel Barenboim, so one ect-including the creation of a new, ex- that Liszt's disciple Arthur Friedheim expe- could forgive his casual way with both the panded lobby and backstage facilites-is rienced when concertizing there, the soundmusic and the programming. It was clear somewhere around $50 million. It is a large that allowed listeners to revel in the unique from the first notes that something new was sum by any standard, but imagine what gifts of a Fritz Kreisler or a Pablo Casals. The going on, that the sound projected effort- could have been done had Isaac Stern had only problem remaining is that the stage lessly, hall-fillingly, as it does in Symphony access to such monies when Carnegie was floor and both the auditorium's main floor Hall. At last, one did not sense that the hall threatened with destruction in the late '50s. and subfloor are new. Acoustically, this was too large for so intimate an instrument. In those days, it was all Stern could do to means that the wood is neither dry enough Later that day, Michael Tilson Thomas led raise sufficient funds to remove the specternor seasoned enough for the sound to reso- the Orchestra of St. Luke's in a rousing pro- of the wrecker's ball and give the interior a nate as it did in the old hall. With time, this gram that included a festive, majestic Mozart makeshift coat of paint (that dull antiseptic problem should vanish. Paris Symphony and a deeply felt Beethoven white overall, with cheap gold paint to sug- On the basis of a few concerts, most crit- Eroica. One felt the floorboards rumble, one gest gold -leafing). ics have determined the acoustic to be essen- heard a true decay to the forte concluding Carnegie was saved ... and the rest, as tially unchanged or somewhat improved. I chords of movements, and one sensed a we are so fond of saying, is history. But what spent nearly a decade covering all sorts of glow to the sound that gave it almost a tactile was saved? A compromised Carnegie at best, musical events in Boston's Symphony Hall, presence in the hall. and certainly not the hall Andrew Carnegie and its acoustic has remained in my inner ear And yet there are problems. In all the or- built and his contemporaries rated the finest the ideal one for any concert hall. Of the ven- chestral concerts I have heard at Carnegie to in the world. Nor was it the hall we can hear ues I know here and abroad-and the list date, I have had the feeling that the musi- hints of on the late '30s Toscanini perfor- does not include the Concertgebouw in Am- cians did not hear themselves as well as they mances with the New York Philharmonic or sterdam and the Musikvereinsaal in Vien- used to before the overhaul, which means on RCA's celebrated (and inexcusably out - na-only the old (and now the "new") Car- that they will now have to rely on the con- of -print) Mengelberg reading of Strauss's negie and the Berlin Philharmonic come ductor far more than they did in the past. Ein Heldenleben. Why? Because in the mid close, albeit in different ways. When the orchestra is pushed back toward '40s, Hollywood decided to make a movie, Carnegie used to be slightly dry to my the rear wall of the stage, there seems to be Carnegie Hall Tonight, and it needed to turn taste, though hardly on the order of Phila- greater clarity in the ensemble than when the celebrated stage into an elaborate sound delphia's Academy of Music (which eats up the players are seated in the more traditional studio. To make room for the lights and sound before it can reflect off a wall) or Chi- forward position. some of the cameras, the half -dome over the cago's Orchestra Hall in the mid '70s (so dry Because the stage is bare and free of baf- stage was opened up-and never resealed. one longed for a drink). When a climax came fles, sound tends to whip around the back Curtains went up around the majestic pro- in an orchestral piece, one felt the Carnegie wall and ricochet sharply into the hall, creat- scenium pillars, and suddenly, several acres Hall floor rumbling resonantly, but one did ing something of a retort, if it is coming from of brocade were altering an acoustic that had not sense the sort of reverberation that the percussion, or an echo, if it is from the been justly acclaimed. And yet, no hue and would allow for a tangible decay of the horns. Clearly, a conductor will have to be cry went up from the watchdogs of the press sound. When a solo violinist was on stage, very precise in his shaping of dynamics; oth-

511 HIGH FIDELITY erwise-particularly if the orchestra is not trous presence. Well -projected voices soar seated on a rather precise hot spot-therewith far less effort than in the past. The will likely be a muddying of textures. acoustic won't help a scrappy, dull cello Perhaps this is why all those '30s pictures tone, as Lynn Harrell found out when play- of the New York Philharmonic show the or- ing Strauss's Don Quixote; but if the real chestra seated in an acoustical shell: to elimi- goods are there, the changes that have been nate all the minor acoustical burrs that only a wrought at Carnegie will help project the ELECTRONICS music director who lived in the hall season sound into the space. ORDERS SHIPPED IN 24 HRS. FIXED SHIPPING COSTS: after season could fully understand and What has not been improved is the lob- '10 VCR/AUDIO COMP. -'15 CAMCORDER/ work around. If this was really the case, such by. Despite the removal of all the front stair- TVSIMICROWAVES-'S ALL OTHER a shell would simplify life for a hall that cases and the creation of more than double NO CREDITCARD FEES showcases an endless stream of visiting or- the original lobby space, the circulation WHYWE'RE BEST! chestras. problems are more acute than ever. And just Guaranteed lowest prices. No hidden charges. In the four weeks since the hall re- try to get to the restrooms in the basement All merchandise factory fresh U.S. goods opened, I have sat in several locations on the during the intermission! Happily, these as- All brand names with manufacture warranty at lowest price possible. main floor, and I find the sound consistently pects have nothing to do with the auditori- 38 years in the electronics business. marvelous. Loud passages sound louder um itself, which must be deemed better than 4 million sales transactions a year, over '150,000,000 sales volume. then ever, and soft moments retain a lus- ever in its new and handsome guise. Publicly traded on NASDAQ Exchange. VCR'S CAR STEREO DIGITAL von IN STOCK'Call' & SPEAKERS JVC HRD180u 'Cali' JVC HIR0470U .579ssAUDIOVOX AVX3000 '364' SANYO VHR2250 '229" AUDIOVOX AVX686 '78" PANASONIC PV1461 '389" CRAIG T508 '59' PANASONIC PV1563 '479" CRAIG 1509 '69" RCA VMT385 '299" CRAIG 1727 'I19" Will There RCA VMT630HF '649" CRAIG V506 '29" RCA VMT670 'Call' CRAIG V510 '119" RCA VMT400 ... '629" EPI ALL MODELS 'Call' SHARP VC6846U '239" JVC IGRX410 '189" SHARP VC685U '339, JVC KSRX305 '199" TOSHIBA DX7 'Can' JVC 8585605..'329" TOSHIBA M2300 Series.'279" JVC 8585710 '289" TOSHIBA M2700HIFI '389" JVC KSR12 '129" Be Recordings? 'Call' JVC KSA201 '779" HITACHI VTI450 HITACHI VT1710A 'Call' PIONEER GMI23 'Call' ..'Call' PIONEER KEIII1 'Call' SANTO VHR2350 . PIONEER KE4 'Call' CAMCORDERS PIONEER KEHI415151 'Call' 'Call' ALTHOUGH ITS ACOUSTICS-BOTH BEFORE deemed unsuited to commercial record- GE VHSC99710 1099,.. PIONEER KEH9191 HITACHI VM5000A '7299, PIONEER 151011 'Call' '7098,, PIONEER T5873 'Call' and after the alterations to the stage in ing was the amount of ambient noise that JVC GRC7U 'Call' PIONEER 4103 'Call' 1946-made Carnegie Hall one of the filtered into the hall from the street, from PANASONICJVC GRc9 1"1210.0 n- PIONEER 756940 'Call' - PIONEER 756960 PANASONIC PV220. 'Call' most celebrated concert auditoriums in the subways that run under the property, RCA CMR200 PIONEER TSX20 .'Call. RCA CMR300 TELEVISIONS the world, surprisingly few commercial and from activities elsewhere in the PANASONIC 7 .,ITACHICTI35H '.99. recordings have been attempted there, building, where there is much coming PROJECTION I v MAGNAVOXAG3/41AR '49- '349. other than for live recordings of concert BIGGEST BRAND NAMES'NO RCA PVM035E and going among studios and offices. SALES TAX IOUT MDI RCA PVMOSOE .329.'' SHARP 13LMI6 performances. With the newly complet- With the installation of high-tech sound- SHARP 98505 COMPACT DISC SONY FDIOWatchman '89" ed renovation of the main hall, some ofproof doors on the Seventh Avenue side JVC XLV220 '175, JVC XLV330 '209" ,399... the logistical and acoustical problems of the hall and the painstaking finishing JVC XLM700 TYPEWRITERS PIONEER PDM6BK '354',CASIO CWII .119" that had plagued past attempts at record- work on the corridors adjoining the audi- SHARP DX111 '109PPANASONIC RKH500 ' /699, TECHNICS SLPII0 'Call' ANASONIC KXR200 '179" ing have been eliminated, and a number torium (including the laying of new car- TECHNICS SL P330 ,nn PANASONIC RKT36 .259, of improvements have been made that pet and the application of acoustic treat- RECEIVERS VIDEO TAPES JNIVERSAL T120 Mn(l 101 JVC 8X3 should facilitate audio and video broad- ment to the ceilings), much of the noise is vHAftr .5. ) JVC RX5 MAXSIELLeBASF-SONYRebate (Mon.I 101.ea cast operations. Discussions are already gone. The telltale subway rumble has JVC RX9 7120 or L750 '4,9ea PIONEER 531000 ,al underway between record producers and also been reduced, although it can never PIONEER SXI500 'Cl,' KEYBOARDS PIONEER SXV400 '269 Carnegie Hall executives on the use ofbe eliminated completely because it is PIONEER VSXS000 'Call'CAslo >KI 99 - SHEINVOOD 52730 ,149'''CASIO MT205 '1499, the hall for studio -type recordings, and transmitted directly into the hall by the SHERWOOD 52750 '179-CASIO CT510 '349" SHERWOOD 52770 '359' YAMAHA PSRI2 '179" there is speculation that one or more ma- building's foundation. "But," said Ar- TECHNICS ALL MODELS C - YAMAHA P55570 '219" jor American labels are interested. ron, "I've talked to a couple of record CASSETTE DECKS CORDLESS PHNS JVC 10V66 PANASONIC KXT3815 '74" Judith Arron, Carnegie Hall's general producers who say you can get around it JVC TD9301 PANASONIC KXT3845 '119" JVC TDW30 manager, recently acknowledged that re- simply by doing additional takes." PIONEER II70W '186- MICROWAVES PIONEER CJ 1270W .216, EMERSON AT505 cording is "certainly something we want The foremost problem that now con- PIONEER CT1370W ,349s. LITTON 1139 '139" TECHNICS RS20 Series '169.n SANYO EM220 '1099' to think about, although we don't have fronts, and may ultimately confound, ULTRX RDC2I ,76.. SANYO EM260 '139, JVC DDVR77 ,366. SHARP 85880 '139.` any immediate plans to do records here." anyone who would like to make record- SHARP R5970 . 169, RADAR DET. TAPPAN 2077 139" She indicated that attention is focused ings in Carnegie is one of cost. As Arron TAPPAN 2276 .189°, BEL 834 "9" TAPPAN 2476 '209' for the moment on the hall's new broad- pointed out, it is "frankly very expensive BEL 837 Remote Control149., TOSHIBA ERX5300 '709" BEL 860 ,,.,., TOSHIBA ERSI710 `189n cast potential, which results from the in- from a labor standpoint" to undertake BEL 864 '' TOSHIBA ERX3610 '139" stallation of a fully equipped radio studio recording sessions in the hall. "The WALKMANS SURROUND PANASONIC RXSA70 '48" SOUND PANASONIC RXS28 '68" on the premises and the creation of back- . . ." question is whether it's worth it. SONY WMF77 q34,1 PROCESSORS stage niches and viewing ports for cam- That has not kept the hall's management SONY SRFFI '44T, NOW IN STOCK 'CALL' eras, and which gives Carnegie "the ca- from having what Arron characterized as TO ORDER: pability of doing things in-house at a very "conversations" with executives of at 1-301-799-8222 high level." There is, she said, "lots of in- least one major American label noted for If you don'tsee it here -SSCALLSS! terest in doing television here," and its philosophy of recording in good halls Monday -Friday gam-6pm Saturday 10am-3pm there have been several inquiries from with a minimum of technical interven- Sunday 12pm-Spm European orchestras "interested in tion. With Carnegie Hall sounding better '25 Minimum Order hooking up" a broadcast to their home than ever, there's every reason to hope CreditCards countries. that those conversations continue. VIS4' 7540Washington Blvd Baltimore,Md. 21227 Theodore IV Libbey, Jr. Part of the reason Carnegie Hall was Return, accepted within10 days with copy ofinvOiCe. origina packing and blank warranty cards, subject to restocking lee ,',1 sn1OO'ng Not responsible for 77,i, shipping delays Prices good until 3rd of mo TH p MINI -REVIEWS OF THE LATEST COMPACT DISCS

BY ROBERT E. BENSON, CHARLES McCARDELL, K. ROBERT SCHWARZ, TERRY TEACHOUT, JAMES WIERZBICKI, AND BILL ZAKARIASEN

sqgBARTOK ORCHESTRAL MUSIC: through in their playing. Even when I don't will no longer allow sustained phrases. To MitCHICAGO SYMPHONY, REINER agree with the Hagens, I am grateful for be sure, there are still some wonderful mo- FRITZ REIN k R'S EARL), STEREO RECORDINGS OF their stimulating, thought -provoking per- ments in these accounts of the Spring and Bart6k's Concerto for Orchestra and Music for formances. Playing time: 66:53. (Deutsche Kreutzer sonatas, particularly in the slow can- Strings, Percussion, and Celesta have now been Grammophon 419 171-2.) K. R. S. tabile themes, but they do not compensate recoupled on an hour-long RCA Compact for the technical problems. Disc. The analog originals date from 1955 VIVALDI CONCERTOS: At the piano, Jeremy Menuhin tends to- and 1958, and the very hissy sound they have OENGLISH CONCERT, PINNOCK ward overpedaled textures that rob the mu- retained does not make them logical candi- WITH NO FEVERI HAN FOLK RECORDINGS OF sic of much of its clarity, and the violin is dates for digital remastering; the quality The Four Seasons under their belts, it's about so closely recorded as to create a painfully of the performances, however, places suchtime Trevor Pinnock and his English Con- steely sonority. I, for one, would rather en- technical considerations in the shade. De- cert lent their virtuosity and flair to some ofjoy the memory of Sir Yehudi's past glories spite occasional patches of rhythmic untidi- the several hundred other concertos Vivaldi than be faced with this reminder of his pres- ness, Reiner and the Chicago Symphony wrote for various solo instruments and or- ent debilities. Playing time: 62:43. (Angel play these works with virile, idiomatic au- chestra. This is possibly the most spectacu- EMI CDC 47353.) K. R. S. thority. This is by far the best Bartok to ap- lar recording the ensemble has issued to pear on CD to date. Robert C. Marsh's notes date, simply because it adds to the group's ripgMUSSORGSKY "PICTURES": tell quite a bit about Reiner and Bartok, but reliably glorious string sound such a brilliant VIENNA PHILHARMONIC, PREVIN next to nothing about the works performed. splash of contrasting sonorities. The ANDRE PREVIN CAN BE HEARD CONDUCTING Playing time: 65:05. (RCA Red Seal 5604-2.) group's concertmaster, Simon Standage, is the Vienna Philharmonic in live concert T T joined by Elizabeth Wilcock in the Concerto recordings, made in April 1985, of Mus- for Two Violins, RV 516, and by David Rei- sorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition (in the Ravel SCHUBERT STRING QUARTETS: chenberg in the Concerto for Oboe and Vio- orchestration) and Ravel's La l'alse. It is a .A HAGEN QUARTET lin, RV 548. James Tyler and Robin Jeffrey disappointing release. Previn's interpreta- THE MEMBERS OF THE HAGENQUARTET- handle the gut -strung mandolins in the Con- tions of both works are dull and unimagina- siblings Lukas, Veronika, and Clemens certo for Two Mandolins, RV 532 (in con- tive. Pictures never gets off the ground, and Hagen, and second violinist Annette Bik- trast to the standard modern practice, they La Valse lacks the kind of energy that would range in age from 20 to 24. In one sense, pluck not with plectrums but with their fin- make sense of the piece. The Vienna Phil- they are already seasoned professionals, gertips). The diverse instruments of RV 558 harmonic is a superb ensemble and easily having concertized together for some five include pairs of theorbos, recorders, chalu- could do anything asked of it, but under Pre - years. But they have preserved the wide- meaux, and violins played "in the manneryin's prosaic direction, it fails to sound like eyed innocence of youth in their playing and of" the tromba marina. It's quite a panoply of one of the finest orchestras of the world. have refused to succumb to the sort of jaded, sound color, and all of it is delivered with The performances are not helped by the routine interpretations all too frequent on Pinnock's usual full measure of scholarly in- sound, which is veiled, lacking in presence, the chamber music circuit. sight, winning panache, and impeccable and of decidedly limited dynamic range. That said, the foursome's recording ofgood taste. The recorded sound is every bit Considering how ineffective these record- Schubert's String Quartets in E flat and Aas zesty as are the performances. Playing ings are, one wonders why the label bothers minor and of the Quartettsatz in C minor is time: 52:37. (Archly 415 674-2.) J. W to state that they are the first of both of these bound to raise hackles in some quarters. To works ever made by the Vienna Philharmon- judge from these accounts, the Hagens have IntBEETHOVEN VIOLIN SONATAS: ic. Fritz Reiner's Chicago Symphony record- rethought the standard repertory in an ex- L YEHUDI AND JEREMY MENUHIN ing of Pictures for RCA, made in 1957, is soni- ceedingly personal way. Their youthful en- TO THOSE WHO HAVE LONG REVERED YEHUDI cally far superior, as is the Telarc version thusiasm allows them to maintain an inner Menuhin's peerless artistry, the present CD with Lorin Maazel and the Cleveland Or- intensity that prevents even the most lyrical is likely to come as a disappointment. During chestra. Playing time: 46:54. (Philips 416 sections from turning flaccid. Not only is the past decade, Sir Yehudi's technique- 296-2.) R. E. B. their dynamic range broad, but their tonal particularly his bow stroke-has become in- palette is surprisingly varied, partly as a re- creasingly insecure, yet something of his old VERDI "OTELLO" sult of their careful, often sparing applica- interpretive powers has always shown ODOMINGO; LEVINE tion of vibrato. Occasionally, the Hagens through, ennobling even the roughest pas- DESPITE l Ilk STAR BILLING PLACIDO DOMINGO reach for extremes, turning tempo grada- sages. Now, however, one is conscious not gets on the cover, this 1978 Otello is James tions and dynamic juxtapositions into man- so much of the music as of the technical set- Levine's show all the way. Levine leads the nered exaggerations. Far more frequently, it backs: the rough attacks, the erratic rhythms, National Philharmonic Orchestra in a is true interpretive individuality that shines the questionable intonation, the bowing that sweepingly dramatic performance that mer-

F I D E L IT Y its comparison with Toscanini's astonishing leased by Angel. This has long been con- formance is flippant in a way unbecoming to 1947 NBC Symphony broadcast version. sidered one of the finest recordings of the "Papa." Playing time: 64:06. (Archiv 415 The singing is solid and confident but, Re- score, with sonics so outstanding that it was 518-2.) CM. nata Scotto's memorable Desdemona ex- briefly available on two LPs in Angel's 45 - cepted, rarely dramatically illuminating. rpm series. On CD, it sounds better than IONCOATES ORCHESTRAL SUITES: (Domingo's Otello and Sherrill Milnes's ever, with more definition and impact than ROYAL LIVERPOOL, GROVES Iago reflect more of a Tucker/Merrill con- before. There is no code on the CD to indi- LAST YEAR MARKED THE CENTENARY OF THE ception of Otello than, say, a Vickers/Gobbi cate whether this analog recording has been birth of Eric Coates (1886-1957), the Eng- conception.) Though the singers are occa- digitally remastered; I suspect that it has. lish composer whose tuneful, highly listen - sionally buried in the tumult of the louderPrevin's recent Telarc digital recording of able music enjoyed wide popularity during scenes, Richard Mohr's analog sound is ap- this symphony is richer in string tone, but the last three decades of his life. He was rath- pealingly bright and realistic. The singlesome listeners may prefer the sonic ap- er like an English Leroy Anderson, writing side break comes between Acts II and III, proach of the older recording, which is in no mostly in small forms and producing many and each number is banded separately. Gen- way inferior. Both of Previn's recordings are pops concert favorites. Some of Coates's erally considered one of the most satisfac- preferable to Simon Rattle's erratic Los An- best-known works can be heard on this new tory modern recordings of Otello, this is a geles Philharmonic version on Angel. I also Arabesque CD, played by the Royal Liver- welcome addition to the CD catalog. Playing prefer them to the London recording with pool Philharmonic Orchestra under the di- time: 134:14. (RCA Red Seal RCD2-2951.) Vladimir Ashkenazy conducting the Con- rection of Sir Charles Groves. Featured are T certgebouw Orchestra, which is bass -heavy the London Suite (Coates's most popular and lacks clarity. Playing time: 58:51. (Angel score), the London Again Suite, and two or- DEBUSSY ORCHESTRAL MUSIC: EMI CDC 47159.) R. E. B. chestral fantasies, The Three Bears and Cinder- LANEW PHILHARMONIA, BOULEZ ella. The performances are of exceptional THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A BETTER DEBUSSY MOZART SYMPHONIES 31, 34: merit, the transfers are excellent, and the conductor in our time than Pierre Boulez, LAENGLISH CHAMBER, McRAE overall sonic quality is more pleasing than and these 1968 performances of La Mer,Jewc, THE ENGLISH CHAMBER ORCHESTRA SOUNDS that of many recent digital recordings. Let's and the Prelude a l'apris-midi d'un faun with more boisterous under the direction of Paul hope that more of Coates's music will appear the New Philharmonia, unsurpassed in clar- Anthony McRae than it has under Daniel on CD. Suggested repertory: The Four Centu- ity and tensile strength after nearly two de- Barenboim, Jeffrey Tate, Alexander Schnei- ries Suite, The Three Elizabeths, The Selfish Giant, cades, remain the best Debussy on record der, and most of the other conductors inand more of the marches. Playing time: since Toscanini. Thomas Z. Shepard's ana- whose charge it has recorded Mozart over 54:13. (Arabesque Z 8036.) R. E. B. log sound is clean and realistic. This digitally the years. These are nonetheless good per- remastered CD is absolutely worthy of inclu- formances, in which the vitality of the read- RIMSKY SYMPHONIES: sion in CBS's Great Performances series- ings seems to demand a tonal quality a bit OU.S.S.R. NATIONAL, SVETLANOV or anybody else's, for that matter. Playing less refined than is the ECO's norm. I'm not MUCH OF RIMSKY-KORSAKOVS OUTPUT HAS time: 50:37. (CBS Masterworks MYK familiar with anything McRae has previously been eclipsed by the popularity of Schehera- 37261.) T T done; to judge from the photo on the pam- zade, Capriccio espagnol, and the Russian Easter phlet cover, he's been around for a while, Overture. Fortunately, this new two -CD set WYNTON MARSALIS: and perhaps a musically and sonically vi- issued by Le Chant du Monde offers his 0TRUMPET CONCERTOS brant release like this one-even though it's three symphonies in brilliant performances THE SKIMP REPER I OM OF QUAL! I V TKUMPE'r on a low -profile new label-is just the thing by the U.S.S.R. National Orchestra under concertos finally seems to have caught up to make listeners on this side of the Atlantic the direction of Yevgeny Svetlanov. The re- with one of today's unquestioned virtuosos aware of his considerable talents. Playing cordings date from 1977 and 1983. on that instrument: Wynton Marsalis. On a time: 45:31. (Perpetua PR 7009. Distributed Cesar Cui called Rimsky's Symphony No. new CBS CD, he is heard (accompanied by by Harmonia Mundi, U.S.A.) J.11: 1 "the first Russian symphony"; Tchaikov- the Philharmonia Orchestra under Esa- sky called his Symphony No. 3 "astonishing- Pekka Salonen) attempting to do what he BAROQUE FAVORITES: ly original, new, fantastic." But Symphony can with two negligible French examples of ENGLISH CONCERT, PINNOCK No. 2, Op. 9, which Rimsky later decided to the genre: Henri Tomasi's Concerto for ORIGINAL INSTRUMENTS SUCCUMB TO MODERN call a symphonic suite, is the only one of the Trumpet and Orchestra (1949) and Andre technology in this grab bag of Baroque hits three to have achieved any degree of popu- Jolivet's Concerto No. 2 for Trumpet and and later, lesser -known concertos. In live larity. Written in 1868, it is based on the sto- Strings (1954). Despite the fact that each performances, Trevor Pinnock and his Eng- ry of the legendary Arab warrior -poet Antar, work calls for a different accompaniment, lish Concert are rarely bashful about the a subject that gave the composer ample op- they sound alike: a lot of surface glitter pos- spirited, at times headlong manner in which portunity to write exotic music of oriental ing as wit, grateful though unimaginative they make music. That much is faithfully splendor. Debussy called it "a pure master- solo writing, and thematic material that captured, minus the natural warmth of the piece . .. with dazzling orchestrationand might pass for Sauguet-manque. It's all emi- strings and winds. Overly bright sonics rhythm." nently pleasant and eminently forgettable. bring an oppressive steeliness to the shorter Under Svetlanov's imaginative baton, all This disc is strictly for Marsalis's most devot- pieces, unfortunately misrepresenting the three works receive performances of such ed fans, but even they will probably object to keyboardist and his company. Seekers of the drama and beauty that one might think Sto- the chintzy playing time, which mirrors the definitive Pachelbel Canon and Gigue, Albi- kowski was at the helm. Sonically, the re- musical quality all too well. The CD sonics noni Concerto a cinque, Op. 9, No. 2, or Purcell cordings are a bit coarse, but the massive are up to snuff, though. Playing time: 34:11. Chacony in G minor are encouraged to lookstring sound is well captured and the brass (CBS Masterworks MK 42096.) B.Z. elsewhere. More successful is Charles Avi- has plenty of bite. Liner notes also discuss son's tuneful Concerto Grosso No. 9, de- the Russian Easter Overture, which, although RACHMANINOFF SECOND: rived from Domenico Scarlatti. Pinnock is it easily could have been accommodated, is _J1LONDON SYMPHONY, PREVIN the soloist in Haydn's Piano Concerto in D, not included in the set. Considering the ANDRE PREVIN'S ANALOG RECORDING OFHob. XVIII:11. His choice of harpsichord quality of the performances, that is unfortu- Rachmaninoff's Symphony No. 2, in E mi- rather than pianoforte (either may be used) nate. Playing time: 106:08. (Le Chant du nor, Op. 27, made with the London Sym- doesn't work with the breakneck tempos fa- Monde LDC 278.771/72. Distributed by phony Orchestra in 1973, has just been re- vored in the outer movements, and the per- Harmonia Mundi, U.S.A.) R. E. B.

APRIL 1 9 8 7 61 BY PAUL MOOR What Are the French Doing In Frisco?

ROBINA YOUNG, THE ENGLISH MUSICAL here tempeste" from Riccardo Primo. By the time director of Harmonia Mundi U.S.A., that heavenly music ended, I realized that a the American branch of the company broad smile of pleasure had spread over my founded and based in France, says of her entire face. firm, "We're a bunch of mavericks." In France-a country so centralized that travel- MANDEL: ing by train from any point A to any point B Apollo e Dafne'; Concerto for Oboe almost forces you to go via Paris with a and Orchestra, in G minor. change of trains, and probably a change of J.Nelson*, D. Thomas*, Haynes; Philhar- stations-the parent Harmonia Mundi com- 'JP monia Baroque Orchestra, McGegan. Har- pany has located not in the capital but in the monia Mundi HM 90.5157.0C) Provencal town of St. -Michel, not least be- THE CLASSICAL GREEK MYTH OF DAPHNE'S cause of the subtropical climate and the transubstantiation from the biological realm more civilized tempo of life. When Young into the botanical provided Jacopo Fri with and Rene Goiffon, Harmonia Mundi the idea for the first opera in history (1597) U.S.A.'s president, came from there to open and Heinrich Schutz with the story for the an American office in 1982, they shunned first German opera (1627). The music for the East Coast in favor of Los Angeles-not both works, alas, has vanished, and so has least because its climate resembles that of the double -length opera Der begliichte Flor- Provence. Furthermore, they sought-and indo; Die verwandelte Daphne that Handel com- found-West Coast musicians, as well as posed during his Hamburg sojourn (1704- Easterners, whom they found eminently 1706). The cantata offered here numbers worth recording. In April 1984, they record- CONDUCTOR NICHOLAS MCGEGAN among the hundred or so he tossed off for ed Handel's cantata Apollo e Dafne with solo- his ecclesiastical patrons during his Italian ists and the Philharmonia Baroque of San for somebody's little joke, but he phoned years. Francisco under its regular conductor, Nich- back anyway. A few hours later, a galvanized Harmonia Mundi's American branch has olas McGegan. They subsequently recorded Minter caught the first available connection taken a commendable interest in our West San Francisco's admirable male chorus out of New York and spent his flight time Coast musical institutions, and in this case it Chanticleer in masses by William Byrd. And (plus a maddening layover in Denver) brush- has joined forces with an outstanding San recently, they returned to San Francisco for ing up his familiarity with Senesino's florid Francisco ensemble of 20 instrumentalists more Handel sessions with the Philhar- arias from Giulio Cesare, Orlando (which had devoted to making Baroque music sound the monia Baroque-sessions that bore out the brought Minter rave reviews when he did the way it did when first performed. I could do ancient adage about the night's seeming entire opera in St. Louis), Rodelinda, Riccardo with a bit more precision of rhythm and at- darkest just before the dawn. Primo, Flavio, and Tolomeo. At 1:30 p.m., he tack in some of the faster parts, but other- The recording will eventually bear the ti- landed in San Francisco, and an hour later, wise the group distinguishes itself. tle Arias for Senesino, referring to Francesco he began rehearsing in the Lone Mountain The two vocal soloists handle their flor- Bernardi (called Senesino; c. 1680-c. 1750), College's chapel. The next three days en-id, taxing parts with ease, although they one of the two sensational castrati Handel compassed the eight recording sessions might have made more of their texts at the engaged for London. (Senesino left such an originally scheduled. In all that turmoil, point where Apollo starts pawing the indelible impression that he still rates almost Goiffon didn't think to phone me until it was ground and Daphne tells him where to get a full page in the New Grove.) The first ses- time for the very last recording hour-and off. The oboist Bruce Haynes, playing a copy sion, on a Saturday afternoon, got off to the by the time I reached the chapel, things had of a 1720 instrument, attracts attention as worst possible start, with the excellent Euro- gone so swimmingly that the musicians had early as the cantata's third movement with pean countertenor originally engaged fall- already packed up and gone home. Soon the rich beauty of his tone; his performance ing ill and, in spite of a brave try, simply hav- after my introductions to Minter and McGe- of the brief four -movement oboe concerto ing to cancel. Young, Goiffon, and McGegan gan, they also left to shop forthe feast of cel- that completes this record proves an attrac- picked up a generous supply of California's ebration slated chez McGegan that night. tive bonus. The admirable recording brings finest wines and withdrew glumly to McGe- Minter radiated the quiet self-satisfaction ofthe musicians right into the room with you. gan's apartment. There the host reminisced a mezzo-soprano canary that had unexpect- Nicholas McGegan conducts both works wistfully about some outstanding Handel edly swallowed, with gusto, a sizable cat. with verve, and his program notes have left singing he had heard by the young New York Since I had missed out on the music com- me in his debt for introducing me to Cardi- countertenor Drew Minter. After only thepletely, Young gave permission to Peter nal Ottoboni, one of Handel's Roman hosts, briefest of discussions, they called Minter's McGrath, the engineer they had brought in who "is supposed to have had his bedroom New York number-and had to leave a mes- from Florida, to make an exception to tradi- decorated with portraits of his mistresses sage on his answering machine, having no tional recording security and let me listen to disguised as saints," and to Margherita Dur- idea when he might get it. Some time later, an original-unedited-tape. Supplied with astanti, possibly the first soprano to sing to be safe, they left another message, pray- gourmet cookies and killer coffee ("We are, Handel's Dafne: "a fine artist in concert and ing he had not taken off for a long weekend. after all, a French company"), I donnedon the stage, in spite of a substantial phy- Well after midnight in Manhattan, Mint- headphones to listen, with closed eyes, to sique which earned her the unflattering er finally heard the messages and took them the cruelly taxing coloratura aria "Agitato da nickname of the Elephant." P.M.

62 HIGH FIDELITY ABBADOS VERDI: NEWLY MINTED ON CD

H 3FF DEL, L7 442(-1-11 'F5

VERDI: VERDI: Macbeth. Aida. Verrett, Domingo, Cappuccilli, Ghiaurov. Ricciarelli, Obraztsova. Domingo, ?Mucci, CLASSICAL o chestraand Chorus of the Teatro alla Scala, Ghiaurov, Raimondi. Orchestra and Chorus of Abbado. Rainer Brock, prod. Deutsche Grammo- the Teatro alla Scala, Abbado. Rainer Brock, prod. phon 415 688-2 (3, A). 0 2709-062(3). Deutsche Grammophon 410 092-2 (3, D). 0 2741- VERDI: 014 (3). Shame Deccanegra. WITH THE TRANSFER TO COMPACT DISC OF THE Freni, Carreras, Cappuccilli, Van Dam. Or- analog recordings of Verdi's Macbeth, Simon chestra and Chorus of the Teatro alla Scala, Boccanegra, Messa da Requiem, and Un balto in Abbado. Rainer Brock, prod. Deutsche Grammo- maschera and the digital recording of Aida- phon 415 692-2 (2, A). 0 2709-071 (3). following the simultaneous LP/cassette/CD VERDI: release in 1985 of Don Carlos-Deutsche Massa da Requiem. Grammophon has made the entire Claudio Ricciarelli, Verrett, Domingo, Ghiaurov. Or- Abbado/Teatro alla Scala legacy available o chestra and Chorusof the Teatro alla Scala, on CD. The recordings chronicle not only Abbado. Rainer Brock, prod. Deutsche Grammo- the progression of opera in Milan during phon 415 976-2 (2, A). 0 2707-120 (2). Abbado's tenure as music director there, but VERDI* also the artistic path he has chosen to take in GIORGIO STBEHLER'S PRODUCTION Um belle he masalsora. the past decade. In that context, listening to OF "SIMON BOCII ANEGRA " SEEN Ricciarelli, Gruberova, Obraztsova, Domingo, these performances in chronological order ABOVF, We ONE OF rHE HIGH- Bruson. Orchestra and Chorus of the Teatro is a most dispiriting affair. LIGHTS OF IA SCALA'S 1976 VISIT alla Scala, Abbado. Rainer Brock, prod. Deutsche Abbado began his affiliation with La TO THE UNITED STATES. ABBADO'S Grammophon 415 685-2 (2, A). 0 2740-251 (3) CI Scala brilliantly. Under his aegis, some of the RECORDING OP THE SCORE FOL- 3378-111 (3). great stage directors and singers were unit - LOWED IN 1977.

A PR I! 1 9 8 7 63 standard. With the recording of the Requiem in 1980, the changes in Abbado's approach to

music were becoming all too evident on rec- ord as well as in the concert hall. Gone was the passion; in its place was a cool, calculated restraint, one that focused on musical struc- ture without ever seeming to get involved with the emotional content of the work at hand. Also, Abbado was beginning to rely on Katia Ricciarelli, a singer he clearly liked working with, regardless of whether she was right for the role. She was joined in the Re- quiem by Shirley Verrett, Placido Domingo, and Nicolai Ghiaurov, all in poor form. This recording, it should be noted, was a b)) - product of the salvage operation on the failed Carlos Kleiber La Boheme sessions. While it is perhaps understandable why the reading never gels, it remains a singularly unsatisfactory listening experience. 0 In 1981, Abbado committed his views on RECORDING "BOCCANEGRA"-ABBADO (LEFT) CONFERS WITH FOIANI, VAN DAM, AND CAPPUCCILLI Ballo to posterity. This is one of those per- formances in which even the participants ed for performances that set new standards more intense for being on two handsomely one expected to do well are off form. Ab- for the works undertaken. The Scala compa- transferred CDs-I still feel it ranks with the bado is so emotionally detached as to sound ny brought four of its productions to Wash- best of Toscanini, among the handful ofvirtually uninterested; Edita Gruberova ington, D.C., and triumphed unreservedly landmark events in the Verdi discography. makes an irritatingly shrill Oscar; Elena with stunning accounts of Boccanegra, Mac- The excellent Macbeth, recorded a year earli- Obraztsova is an overbearingly booming Ul- beth, and Rossini's La Cenerentola, all led by er, did not rate quite as high in my reckon- rica; Renato Bruson's Renato is stilted and Abbado, and Puccini's La Boheme, with ing, despite the presence of Cappuccilli in congested; and as Riccardo, Placido Domin- Georges Pretre at the helm. Clearly, Abbado the title role, Ghiaurov as Banquo, and a go goes through the motions in what is was the star of the show. His conducting of fresh -voiced Placido Domingo as Macduff. usually one of his finest parts. Then there is the Verdi works, especially of Boccanegra, Abbado brought his accustomed magic to Ricciarelli's Amelia. It never was her part, created a sensation. He was able to galvanize this performance as well. But the Lady Mac- though she took it all over the opera world as orchestra, chorus, and soloists into a hair- beth of Shirley Verrett, which could be vis- if to prove her critics wrong. By this point, raising whole; anyone who heard his Boccane- cerally exciting in person, lacked real dra- the incipient shakiness in the voice was be- gra live will never forget the visceral and psy- matic profile on record. One couldn't help coming pronounced, and every ascent above chological impact of the Council Chamber noticing that Verrett needed to distend her the staff on this recording threatens disaster. scene, to cite just one memorable example. mezzo to make the voice fit the music; more- But if Ricciarelli's contributions to this un- Happily, the very elements that made over, a certain generality of intensity under - happy Ballo were shaky, worse was yet to that performance so memorable are to be come. heard on the recording as well. Abbado's Ricciarelli began her career with no tem- particular genius, in the mid '70s, was not We need the great Abbado perament and a gorgeous but unpolished only in bringing works dramatically to life lyric soprano. She was pushed vehemently but in highlighting the structural and purely back. He is a major before the public after winning the RCA/Ita- musical marvels of the scores. Since Bocca- liana prize and never took the time to polish negra is still considered by many to be mar- presence in opera. .. up the rough edges of her instrument. She ginal Verdi, Abbado's recording was a reve- also began accepting offers to perform or re- lation and proof positive that the work had cord repertory that her voice was not meant finally to be recognized as something special mined her intentions at just about every cru- for. By the time she got to DG, in the hands in the Verdi canon. cial juncture. Also, the tubbiness of sound of both Abbado and Herbert von Karajan, The cast was vintage La Scala, starting endemic to the Scala recordings under re- not only was she considerably beyond her with the eloquent, impassioned hero of view was especially pronounced here. voice type in repertory, but the instrument Piero Cappuccilli, the resounding Fiesco of The opera, of necessity, takes up three itself was coming apart. She recorded Aida Nicolai Ghiaurov, and the brash, impetuous CDs, but the folks at DG placed a needless for Abbado the same year she did Turandot Adorno of Jose Carreras. There was even a side break before the finale of the third act. for Karajan. On both recordings, the voice bit of lavish casting in the crucial but usually Perhaps they felt that a 48 -minute third CD has a huge wobble in the upper range. Ric- miscast role of Paolo-Jose van Dam's ac- would look more "generous" than a 40 -min- ciarelli cannot hold on to the high notes count of the part brought the role forward in ute side. But the whole point of CD is to cre- without drooping in pitch, and she resorts the dramatic perspective. And if Mirella ate long, uninterrupted stretches whenever all too often to a croony pianissimo that en- Freni's beautifully sung Amelia did not illu- possible. Not keeping the third act intact ervates the musical line. Her Aida is a disas- minate the part in the way she managed on a sabotages the long arch of Abbado's perfor- ter on every count. And so is the rest of this live telecast of this very production, never- mance-an arch that should have finally recording. theless the voice sounded so pretty on the been restored on the CD. This is not the first Domingo is in especially tired and sour recording that one could forgive a good time a really dumb break has been arbitrarily voice as Radames. Obraztsova, a legendary deal. made, but it is an especially annoying in- Amneris, is out of voice, as is Ghiaurov as On its release, I greeted this set as one of stance of the practice. Recording companies Ramfis. Leo Nucci is overparted by Amon- the most important Verdi performances of should be thinking in terms of listener asro, and neither Ruggero Raimondi (The the day, and ten years later-made even convenience, now that CD is the accepted King) nor Lucia Valentini-Terrani (Priest -

64 HIGH FIDELITY ess) do well. Most distressing of all, howev- DENISOV: er, is Abbado. That he would allow Riccia- La Vie en rouge*; "Colin and Chloe," relli to sing Aida at all is discouraging. from L'ecume des lourst. (Looking down the pike to the Don Carlos, Format Key Hartman*, Leet, Terentievat, Dumzevt, En- one realizes that Abbado was putting conge- 0 LP semble Kaleido-collage*, Estonian Academic niality and comfort in the studio ahead of El Cassette Chorusest;Orchestra of the Ministry of Culture of operatic common sense, and when a conduc- the U.S.S.R., Sinaiskyt. Chant du Monde LDX Compact Disc tor of Abbado's gifts and power plays that 78806 (A). (Distributed by Harmonia Mundi, U.S.A.) game, the art form suffers.) That his con- CZI Videocassette WHEN I FIRST MET EDISON DENISOV AT THE ducting continued to be so detached, so de- (?)Videodisc Warsaw Autumn festival of contemporary void of emotion and passion, is disturbing. (rDOpen reel music and he played me a tape of the 1964 The only good thing I have to say for this all - Leningrad world premiere of his impressive digital set, now on CD, is that it is well laid - RECORDING INFORMATION solo cantata The Sun of the Incas (to four po- out, with an act apiece on the first two CDs (A) analog original ems by Chile's Nobel laureate Gabriela Mis- and the last two acts on the third. (D) digital original tral), I realized at once that Soviet music had Happily, I heard a live Requiem in Chica- definitely not stood still since the cruelly re- go last November that showed generous o PO. beneath rifle ind,ates reviewed format 'pro v nttols following catalog number of reviewed for- pressive Stalinist edicts of 1948. Denisov, a signs of life and commitment, so there is ev- mat inaicate other available formats (if onyl shy, likable little burr -headed Siberian born ery hope that this phase of Abbado's artistic Catalog numbers of oil formats of a particular record in 1929, has never taken to the musical barri- ,19 usually ore identical except for differing prefixes or progression is ending. We need the great suffixes. Cotalog numbers of formats other than the re- cades or waved any dissident banners, but Abbado back. He is a major presence in op- viewed format are printed only if their basic numbers dif- neither has he followed the easier path of ubstanfially from that of the reviewed formal. era, as his earlier records prove with a ven- Arabic numeral ,n parentheses indicates number or least resistance. Instead, in his quiet way, he geance. We also need an Abbado willing to items ,,ternsetUnless otherwise tndicored,all has continued to write his own music, which put aside personal favoritism for the sake of multi-tP sees are In rtnlnua, sequence links him aesthetically to the dodecapho- the artistic integrity his performances used nists, even with the aleators, of the West. He to manifest so brilliantly. Now that he is in for quietly building up a discography of Brit- has come to enjoy a greater reputation Vienna, we can only hope that the DG opera ish orchestral music that is second to none abroad than in Moscow, but even in his recordings that are sure to emerge from that these days and to commend his performan- homeland he has attained a measure of slug- venue will recall the magic of the Scala Bocca- ces, which rival any from the past. gish, almost grudging recognition, as shown negra and Macbeth. Meanwhile, do pick up This is a release aimed at explorers with a by the recording of the second of these these two sets on CD. They sound even bet- strongly romantic spirit. So explore away; works-in maverick Estonia-by Melodiya, ter than the digital Aida (which, for the rec- the music will repay over and again! Playing the state-controlled Soviet recording enter- ord, is marred by what sounds like tape time: 54:10. Thomas L. Dixon prise. hiss-something that is not supposed to in- Both works set texts by the interesting trude on an all -digital recording). And they DELIBES: French writer Boris Vian; the second derives remind us of the greatness of Verdi and of Coppalia (complete ballet). from Denisov's 1980 opera The Spindrift of the particular splendors of Abbado at his National Philharmonic Orchestra, Bonynge. Days-finally unveiled by Paris's Opera Co- peak. Thor Eckert, fr. w London 414 502-2 (2, D). 0 (2). 0 (2). mique in 1986, an opera some enterprising RICHARD BONYNGE IS TO BE COMMENDED FOR American company ought to look into. BAX: his efforts on behalf of little-known ballet Chant du Monde, incomprehensibly, infuri- Spring Fire Symphony; Symphonic Scherzo; scores, many of which, thanks to him, have atingly, fails to provide either the original Northern Ballad No. 2. been recorded for the first time. But he is French for La Vie en rouge or the Russian Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Handley. Brian less successful as a conductor of the stan- translation sung in Colin and Chia. Even so, 0Couzens, prod. Chandos CHAN 8464 (D). 0 dard repertory. His versions of Tchaikov- this recording will fascinate anyone interest- ABRD 1180. CI ABTD 1180. sky's Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, and Swan ed in the music that a few conscientious So- ANYONE WITH A HANG-UP ABOUT MUSICAL Lake ballets are not particularly successful, viet composers, some of them richly gifted, brevity had better approach the works of Sir and this new recording of Coppeha is little continue to write largely "for their desk Arnold Bax with caution. He often wrote too more than adequate. Bonynge's approach is drawers," as the saying in that part of the loosely and too long, without sufficient in- unimaginative and lacking in both magic and world goes. Bull's-eye intonation by these ner inspiration to sustain interest. However, mystery, which surely are prerequisites for vocalists, in their lyrical but extremely de- the same can also be said of Darius Milhaud, this toyshop ballet. The results are in no way manding parts, and the complete security of Heitor Villa -Lobos, and Bohuslav Martink as satisfying as the recordings of the com- the instrumentalists, in styles ranging from not to mention a number of 20th -century plete ballet by David Zinman and Antal Do- serial through jazz to French pop, character- Germans! They all had another fault: None rati, which, unfortunately, are not yet avail- ize this LP-a genuine find for the connois- of them ever wrote a work that entered the able on Compact Disc. seur of contemporary music. Paul Moor standard repertory. At least Bela Bartok, for Bonynge and the National Philharmonic all his many, many faults (emotional sterility recorded this account late in 1984 in Wal- HAYDN: not the least among them), had the sense to thamstow Assembly Hall; the sound is rather String Quartets: Op. 71, Nob. 111: No. 69, write the Concerto for Orchestra. dry, but the production has, on the whole, in B flat; No. 70, in D; No. 71, in E flat; and One thing anyone curious enough to been well -engineered. London's packaging Op. 74, Hob. Ill: No. 72, in C; No. 73, in F; purchase this disc will not find wanting is of the ballet without filler, however, offers No. 74, in G miner. emotional warmth and sonic luxuriance. at best a limited value: The playing time for Tatra' Quartet. Zoltan Herser, prod. Hungar- Those are two qualities Bax possessed in the Act I is 35:57, while that for Act II is 54:30, 1/4. oton HCD 12246/47 (2, D). 0 SLPX 12246/8 fullest and shared with the world in abun- bringing the total playing time of the two - (3). (Distributed by Qualiton Imports.) dance. Chandos deserves tremendous credit CD set to slightly more than 90 minutes. The HAYDN'S OPUSES 71 AND 74 WERE CONCEIVED for recording these (and other) Bax compo- inclusion of additional material-or of ex-as a single set of six quartets, but they were sitions, because few of them figure in the tracts from Bonynge's fine recordings of bal- split into two groups of three upon publica- programs of major British orchestras, to say let music by Massenet and Meyerbeer- tion. According to the superbly informative nothing of orchestras anywhere else. It is might have made this set more appealing. liner notes by musicologist Laszlo Somfai, also time to congratulate Vernon Handley Robert E. Benson the six were written in Vienna in 1792-93,

APRIL 1 9 8 7 65 ECORDS/COMPACT DISCS/PRE-RECORDED CASSETTES/STEREO RECEIVERS/TAPE DE K SYSTEMS/BLANK AUDIO TAPES/AUDIO ACCESSORIES/VIDEO RECORDERS/COLOR MERAS/BLANK VIDEO TAPES/VIDEO ACCESSORIES/PERSONAL COMPUTERS/BUSINE

a A B a ,a u I / !11.I :

TEAC AUDIO COMPONENTS

1 -7---7r1 l=tires1 $27995 Audio Technica $11995 TR-425eac CD -20 Remote Control CD Player S19995 Tea°R-505 Random access programming 3 -beam Auto Reverse Cassette Deck Auto Reverse Cassette Deck laser pickup Full function wireless remote Dolby B and C noise reduction *Soft touch Dolby B & C noise reduciton 2.motor IC Double resolution digital filtering controls LED meters Black finish List $199 logic transport Bl.dlrectional record/play Headphone jack Black List $400 DIgital tape counter Blas fine adjustment Block finish LIst $449 -11.7`A.Z111 1:1

$34995 Teac $26995 Shure V -850X $149" Po -i00 SV-40 $15995 DX -620620 Three Head Cassette Deck Programmable CD Player Programmable CD Player Remote Control CD Player More Dolby B/C and dbx noise reduction 16-sWection random memory programming 17 -function wireless remote with volume features at one low price Programmable 2 -motors Full logic control Programmable Repeat Music skip Digital display control .15 track random programming music search Wireless remote control music search Memory stop/play/repeat 3 -beam laser pickup system Block finish 3 -beam laser pickup with 5.year warranty Digital display *Low profile front loading True tape monitoring List $579 List $299 Black finish List $399 design Black finish *List $279

VIDEO MOVIE SPECIALS DOUBLE CASSETTE DECKS PHONO CARTRIDGES NUMARK MIXERS

VHS ONLY EARlu "- INIt.V /:\ T- 104

_Z -

$22995W Tea° -460C Stereo Double Cassette Deck YOUR CHOICE Three motor logic controlled transport $13995 Shure $34995 Numark *Dolby B and C noise reduction V-15 Type V -MR DM -1700 ANY MOVIE ONLY Programmable dubbing and music search Micro Ridge Phono Can Normal and high speed operation List Micro ridges tylus tipExcellenttrICaecibility Pro Series Mixer/Preamp Two $499 Dynamic stabilizer Side -guard stylus phono/line and two mIc/line inputs Long $2295 protection Duo -point alignment gouge throw slider controls Cross fader 6 -band List $275 graphic equalizer *Three color LED peak level meters List $449 Top Gun '22.95 Blade Runner '22 .95 Emerald Forest '22.95 The Dirty Dozen '22.95 Year or the Dragon '22.95 A Night at the Opera '22.95 The Deer Hunter '22.95 Repo Man '22.95 slE9CAID WE OFFER YOU Scarlace '22.95 Dune '22.95 $14995 TeacD -525C TOLL -FREE TELEPHONE ORDERING - Conan the Barbarian '22.95 Dolby Double Cassette Deck You can call your order in to Conan the Destroyer '22.95 Soft touch control of high speed dubbing our Order Desk anytime Monday Weshvorld '22.95 and continuous 2 -tape playback -Auto through Saturday between 9:00 The Lion In Winter '22.95 tape selector LED meters Headphone & High Plains Drifter '22.95 A.M. to 7:30 P.M. Our friendly microphone jacks Black LIst $349 operators will gladly help with Stanton your selections. LP & CASSETTE SPECIALS TEAC GRAPHIC EQUALIZERS $4495 680EL JUMED High Performance Disco WE OFFER YOU THE .BRUCE SPRINGSMN- 6- LOWEST PRICES on 100% U.S. THEE BAND Ca Designed for heavy duty disco app*Recommended for wartantied brand name (Please Specify LP bockcueing Extra stylus is Included at no merchandise - not gray -market or Cassette) extra cost List $109 goods. Also, we will always meet 7sii 4411,- the competitions advertised price. Shure M104E Universal P.Mount $24.95 Maio Bruce Springsteen, Live 1975.85 123.99 Audio Technic., ATI32EP WE STOCK WHAT Anita Baker: Rapture '6.49 P.Mount $59.95 WE ADVERTISEOur huge $10 The Bangles: Different Light Teac Pickering 625DJ '6.49 Disco Cartridge $29.95 million dollar inventory assures Bruce Hornsby: The Way itIs .6.49 $7995 EQA-10 Audio Technica AT231LP you that you'll get what you Steve Winwood: Bock In The High We .. '6.49 10 -Band Equalizer/Analyzer 10 Universal Mount $39.95 order_when you order it! Bon Jovi: Slippery When Wet '749 individual slider:;per channel L ED Pickering 7N15/1200E Janet Jackson: Control '7.49 spectrum analyzer display Tape monitor Elliptical Stylus Madonna: True Blue '7.49 with EQ recording List $150 Stanton L500AL

Lionel RIchle: Dancing On The Ceiling 749 Heavy Duty Disco P -Mount . . . . . 99.95 Paul Simon: Graceland '7.49

SONY PORTABLE CD PLAYER SONY DIGITAL HEADPHONES AUDIO TAPE SPECIALS ®TDK.-.SSA

TDK $299" SonyD-10 Sony $169910 -Pack sA-90 $19995 Sony00-100 Portable Compact Disc Player MDR -V6 High Bias Special Purchase Advanced Personal Stereo The Random access programming ShuNle Digital Headphone This the perfect ultimate In portable sound DynamIc play LCD display -Weighs less than I headphone for portable CD players Sony UXPRO-90 '2 99 pound *Complete with battery pack/carry Enclosed ear cup for private listening Sony METAL -90 r3.39 optimum loudness bass control 'Direct drive Maxell 01.11.90 '1.99 anti -rolling system *Dolby B -High quality case. AC adaptor, connection cord Wide 5.30kHz frequency response Folding Noxell UR-90 closed ear stereo hecsdphones List $269 Included List $399 design List $129 "999 TDK SAX -90 *1.119

NOW TO ORDER BY MAIL: SEND MONEY ORDER, CERTIFIED OR CASHIER'S CHECK MASTERCARD, VISA or DISCOVER CARD (Include card number, Interbank No, expiration date and signature.) TO:JAR MUSIC WORLD, 23 PARK ROW, NEW YORK, NYOMNI,DEPT. 100487.DO NOT SEND MUM= CASH. Personal and business checks must clear our Authorization Center before processing. $25 Minimum Order. Shipping, Handling & Insurance Charge Is 5% of Total Order with a $3.95 minimum. (Canadian Orders Add 15% Shipping, with a $9.95 minimum charge.) For shipments by air, please double these charges. SORRY, NO C.O.D.'s. NEW YORK RESIDENTS PLEASE ADD SALES TAX. ALL MERCHANDISE SHIPPED BRAND guatimWORLD1 NEW, FACTORY FRESH, AND 100% GUARANTEED. WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY TYPOGRAPHICAL OR TRANSPOSITIONAL ERRORS. ' UALIZERS/HEADPHONES AMPLIFIERS/COMPACTDISCS/PRE-RECORDED CASSETTES/ SIONS/VIDEO PROCESSORS/VIDEO RECORDERS/TUNERS/RACKSYSTEMS/BLANK A TERS/PRINTERS/MONITORS/VIDEO PROCESSORS/CAMCORDERS/VIDEOCAMERA ACHINES/ ee INTERS/MONITORS COM 2

COMPACT DISC PLAYERS TECHNICS AUDIO COMPONENTS

$14995 TechnicsSL-PJ20 $15995 SASA 290 2hnics-90 92995 A DCCD -100X Midi Size Compact Disc Player Digital AM/FM Stereo Receiver Programmable CD Player TrIple *Random access programming High 50 -watts RMS per channel LED power beam laser pickup Posses the toughest resolution digital filter and fine focus single meters 16 -station preset memory Tape tracking tests 16 -track programmable beam laser in one compact player Front monitor LCD digital display 8Iack finish Metal chassis and transport Black finish drawer loadding Black finish List $249 List $249 List $299

$44995 Jvc $39995 Mognavox XL-M700B CO8650 Technics Multi -Disc CD Changer Your own Audiophile CD Player The ultimate CD jukeboxl .6 disc magazine and single memory Top rated soupquality Program $9995 SL-DD22 disc tray Program up to 15 of your favorite up to 785 selections In any order In Direct Drive Turntable 'Semi. Compact 2 -way Speakers selections from 7 discs Wireless remote permanent memory 4 times oversarripling automatic operation Stralght low moss UnIque Honeycomb disc driven provide Digital filter Large LED display Black to 176.4kHz. Dual D/A cc nverters Intrared tonearm 'Accepts P -Mount cartridge "Front wide dynamic sound hom a small cabinet List $600 remote List $430 panel controls Hinged dust cover 'Black .4.75" woofer r tweeter Handies up to 80 finish List $139 watts Nisi $259/pair

TERI< FM ANTENNA STEREO HEADPHONES STEREO RECEIVERS HI-FI STEREO VIDEO RECORDERS

$7995 Terk FM -9500 New Indoor FM Stereo AntennaEnjoybetter FM reception Adjustable gain control JVC Arnplifies incoming signal by up to 18 times AC operated One-year CALL RX-9VB $64995 Panasonic warranty List $99 Remote Digital Stereo Reciever 120 watts RMS-per channel 32 -station PV -1642 presets 'Electronic 7 -band graphic Hi-Fi Stereo Video Recorder 'HQ $ equalizer EQ memory 'Spectrum analyzer high quality video system bvideo heads 'Wireless remote 'Black finish List $719 MTS/SAP stereo cable ready tuner 2I 10995 DT780 day/8 event timer *Wireless remote Black Pro Monitoring Headphones finish List $999 Ultra wide 5-25k Hz frequency response Rare earth magnet construction Lightweight design *Great digital sound reproduction List $149 1.=2. [II -I IIr."1--," 41±1 -7.;ifilajiliu TT 47111t:fill OilirrseA SHOP WITH CONFIDENCE - We stand behind what we sell. We are the nations $35995SRMciraniz -940 $49995SScinyL-HF650 largest audio/video mail order Remote Digital Stereo Receiver SuperBeta HI -Fl Stereo VCR house and we have been in 100 watts RMper channel 'Full function M/SAP stereo cable ready tuner 7 day/ business since 1969. wireless remote control Bullt-In clock/timer 6 event timer Direct access wireless Digital display Black finish Llst $599 remote 'Variable speed slow motion Fluorescent display Ust $799 COMD OUR PROFESSIONALLY TRAINED STAFF IS READY TO ASSIST YOU - with an HI-FI VCR SPECIAL PURCHASE average of over 10 years AKG experience. They are available $7995 K -240M zz lllllllllllllllllll to take your order and answer Studio Monitoring Stereo any technical questions you Headphones Precise reproduction of may have. the full audio range inproved versiqn of the famous K-240 *Frequency response MM.] SHOP IN THE 15-20kHz Seif adjusting headband List $99 COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE OF Beyer DT990 YOUR OWN HOME Its as easy 'NewMonitor Headphone 939.95 as picking up your phone_and $46995 Shure $39995 Toshiba the call is 'free!' We accept Visa, Studio Monitor Headphone 199.95 AVC20 M-2700 Koss JCK200 VHS HI -Fl Video Recorder MasterCard, Discover Cori and Wireless Stereo Headphone 919.95 Video/HI-FI System Expander Three surround sound modes .3 video 'Outstanding audio quality 1141 high quality American Express. AKG K340 2 -Way picture system 15 -function wireless remote Electrostatic Headphone 959.95 inputs 2 video monitor outputs Complete audio/video dubbing Four 30 wort per Cable ready tuner 7-day/4-event timer Koss K4OLC r- List $799 Closect Ear Headphone 534.95 channel amps Image enhancer 17-luction wireless remote List $599

VIDEO TAPE SPECIALS RADAR DETECTORS PIONEER SPECIAL PURCHASE PIONEER LASERVISION Maxell T-120EX Video Cassette [rim' Tape New improved standard 4 grade video cassette for high performance EXJ $22495 BELsao Pioneer Pioneer $3099 Qntumua $5995 CA -100 CALL CLD-909 7 10 -Pack Compact Radar Detector Dual Tape Creating Processor A totally Video/Compact Disc Player unique product :tom Pioneer Plugs into TO* T-120 High Standard '399 conversion circuitry 'Quantum actually New compact cabinet .400 line video adjusts to your personal driving needs X your tape loop 'Auto fader between tape resolution Programmable CD playback TDK T-120EHO Extra High Grade 14.99 and source Adjustable cross point 7 -band TDK T-120ND9 Pro Grade 1699 and K band Cany case and all mounting Improved on -screen display "Wireless Merrell 7-120908 Extra High Grade .4.99 hardware Ust $329 equalizer Tape monitor "List $320 remote control 'Decodes dighal laser discs Morrell T-1200OLD Pro Grade 18.99 Illock finish List $899

IN NEW YORK, ALASKA & CANADA CALL: gea..800-221-8180(212) 693-0396 :1.14,7701 23 Park Row, Dept. HF0487, New York, NY 10038 during the respite between the composer's many) in 1098, she had noble but less than the entire disc makes it seem as though the trips to London. But their style reflects the loving parents who relegated her to the con- players are hovering in the mezzo -forte to requirements of the London concert scene: vent of Disibodenberg when she was eight. forte range almost all of the time. Playing Slashing forte openings, virtuoso passages, At fifteen, she took her vows, and by 1136, time: 46:17. James Wierzbicki and daring harmonic and formal innova- she had succeeded to the station of superior. tions lend these quartets a boldness ideally Around 1148, Hildegard founded the con- STRAVINSKY: suited to public performance. vent of Rupertsberg above Bingen (25 miles Symphony No. 1, in E flat, Op. I; The quartets of Opuses 71 and 74 are southwest of Mainz), and by 1163, she was Scherzo fantastique, Op. 3. among the jewels of the entire chamber liter- being referred to as abbess there. Scivias, her Symphony Orchestra, Dorati. London ature, but-with the exception of Opus 74, "book of visions," occupied her for ten 0Detroit414 456-2 (D).0 No. 3 in G minor ("The Rider")-they remain years. In the words of Dr. Christopher Page, THESE WORKS OF STRAVINSKY'S YOUTH SOUND surprisingly little known. Unfortunately, the this recording's spiritus mentor, "She was also more like the lesser -known music of his Tatrai Quartet is unlikely to correct this ne- involved in politics and diplomacy; her teacher, Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov, than glect, because its performances can be rec- friendship and advice were sought by popes, products of the composer of Le Sarre du prin- ommended only with grave reservations. On emperors, kings, archbishops, abbots, and temps. His first symphony is, in fact, dedicat- the positive side, the recorded sound is abbesses with whom she corresponded volu- ed to Rimsky; premiered in 1907 and revised warm and the Tatrai's tone pleasingly blend- minously." The eight selections of mostly several times in later years, it remains an in- ed. The quartet offers stylish readings, full unaccompanied plainchant recorded hereconsequential-if pleasant-work that is too of the sorts of insights into phrasing and tim- come from her collection of music and poet- long for its limited inspiration. The Scherzo bre that can be achieved only after decades ry entitled Symphonia armonie celestium revela-fantastique, which received its premiere two of familiarity with the material. Although tionum, including some of the finest songs years after the symphony, is a busy, gossa- their playing is crisp, it is rarely robust, and produced during the Middle Ages. mer -textured bit of fluff (14 minutes of it!) in their attempt to avoid anachronistic ex- This recording addresses a small, spe- suggested by Maeterlinck's essay La Vie des cesses, they sometimes end up sacrificing cialized audience, but that audience will find abeilles. The bustling character of the music strength. it cause for rejoicing. The notes include the does indeed suggest the activities of buzzing What a pity it is that the players cannot original Latin with exemplary translations, bees, and Dorati's performance proves good translate their stylistic insights into technical and the true devotee can even obtain Hilde- enough to make this the highlight of the re- achievement! Much of the blame for the gard's original manuscripts in facsimile. cording, even if it does not match the delica- problem falls on the first violinist, whoThese performances and their recording cy achieved by Boulez in his CBS recording seems to be struggling against his material come as close to perfection as makes no mat- with the New York Philharmonic, not yet on rather than communicating its bold flair. Vil- ter. Paul Moor Compact Disc. I have not heard London's mos Tatrai is unsteady in intonation and un- new CD of the Scherzo performed by Charles predictable in articulation, and often his vi- PAINE: Dutoit and the Montreal Symphony, but I brato fails and his tone turns strident. He is Sonata for Violin and Piano, Op. 24, imagine that most listeners will prefer the most successful in those slow movements in B minor; Romania and Scherzo for Cello coupling on that record (the complete Fire - and minuets that lack exposed, rapid pas- and Piano, Op. 30; Larghetto and Scherzo for bird ballet and Fireworks, Op. 4) to the Sym- sages, such as the gorgeous Largo of Opus Piano, Violin, and Cello, Op. 32, in B flat. phony No. 1. London's reproduction on this 74, No. 3. Silverstein, J. Eskin, V. Eskin. Steven Ledbetter, 1984 recording is typical of its work in De- Compact Disc buyers are hereby both 3 prod. Northeastern NR219 -CD (D). troit: remarkably clean, vivid, and wide in warned and encouraged: These quartets de- t 'sNOT LIKELY THAT JOHN KNOWLES PAINE dynamic range. Playing time: 55:52. serve better, but no other reading is likely to (1838-1906) is going to displace Brahms, Robert E. Benson materialize in the immediate future. For the Schumann, or Dvotak in the hearts of lovers sake of getting acquainted with six neglected of Romantic chamber music. But recordings ZORN: masterpieces, buy the Tatrai; but for Hay- such as this will doubtless do much to con- The Big Gundown. dn's sake, let us hope that a Tokyo, Juilliard, vince listeners that Paine was not only one of Zorn,Lindsay, Galas, Fier, others. Yale Evelev, or Guarneri set is not too far away. Playing the few Americans producing serious com- LIP prod. Nonesuch 79139-2(A).Of= time: 136:25. K. Robert Schwarz positions a hundred years ago but also-by The Big Gundown; Peur sur la ville; "Poverty" any standard-quite a solid craftsman. Of- (Once Upon a Time in America); Milano odea; HILDEGARD OF BINGEN: fered here are the 1905 revised version of "Erotico" (The Burglars); Battle of Algiers; "Giii la Symphonia armonie celestium the 1875 Violin Sonata, the 1876 Romanza testa" (Duck, You Sucker!); "Metamorfosi" (La revelationum (selections). and Scherzo for cello and piano, and the 1877 Classe operaia va intardiso); Tre nel 5000; Once 3Kirkby, Gothic Voices, Page. Martin Compton, two -movement Piano Trio. Like the yet -to - Upon a Time in the West. prod. Hyperion CDA 66039 (A).0 be -recorded String Quartet in D from 1859, JOHN ZORN HAS LONG BEEN A MOVING FORCE NOWADAYS,PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM VISUAL these are structurally and harmonically rath- within the rock -oriented new -music scene of or auditory hallucinations get diagnosed as er imitative of what was coming out of cen- New York's East Village. Working together schizophrenic and treated accordingly. In tral Europe in the mid -19th century (Paine's with a number of sympathetic performers, more innocent times, such unfortunates first teacher, in America, was the Dresden - many of whom are themselves composers, were recognized as visionaries, saints, and trained Hermann Kotzschmar, and from Zorn has created a music that relies on im- prophets-and, in a few instances, even 1858 to 1861 he studied at the Hochschule provisation within elaborate gamelike founded what by today have become major Ftir Musik in Berlin). Nevertheless, there's a schemes that lend a remarkable sense of or- world religions. The Abbess Hildegard of melodic freshness about these pieces-a der to the seeming anarchy. Bingen (1098-1179) never made it to saint- projection of spaciousness, perhaps, cou- The Big Gundown finds Zorn reworking hood, although four popes went to bat for pled with feelings of passionate urgency and the music of Italian film composer Ennio her, but this extraordinarily gifted woman heroic derring-do-that might strike someMorricone. Morricone, who collaborated did create for herself a completely unique chauvinistic listeners as uniquely American with director Sergio Leone on such immor- niche in history as a visionary, naturalist, in spirit. tal films as Once Upon a Time in the West and playwright, poet, composer, and, all in all, The performances by violinist Joseph The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, writes music the most celebrated woman of herage:"the Silverstein, cellist Jules Eskin, and pianist that is a perfect vehicle for Zorn's arrange- Sibyl of the Rhine." Virginia Eskin are brilliant, and the recorded ments. Both composers share a genuinely Born in Bemersheim (today in West Ger- sound is sparklingly clean, but the tone ofcinematic style, one that is infused with as HIGH FIDELITY quick cuts and abrupt juxtapositions of dia- while feeling her way into the material, then of the London Symphony who play on this metrically opposed materials. moved to the microphone and began a series recording do full justice to Robert Russell Zorn's approach to Morricone is some- of remarkable approaches to Bloody Mary's Bennett's inspired original orchestrations. what akin to Stravinsky's approach to Pergo- songs. Each take was a different work unto it- On the whole, though, the possibility of hav- lesi: The original music is fractured and then self-some free -wheeling, some more disci- ing the succession of the DG West Side Story recombined in cubistic fashion, resulting in plined; all knowing." Knowing 'what? Herand this CBS South Pacific develop into a a striking concoction of styles and genres. trademark style-brilliantly effective in her trend makes me a little nervous. Mary Mar- The effect is, rather than parody, more of an customary material-here turns Bloody tin, beyond any doubt, sang certain passages irreverent homage. Zorn has been influ- Mary from a rapacious old Polynesian harri- of this endearing music more effectively enced by the din of rock composers Glenn dan into a super -cool, laid-back American than Dame Kiri does. God protect us from Branca and Elliott Sharp, by ethnic music black woman, a disconcerting development money-grubbing revivals of Oklahoma!, say, ranging from Brazil to Japan, by the exuber- in light of Hammerstein's original plot. with Eva MartOn as Laurey, Dietrich Fischer- ance of jazz improvisation, by minimalist Mandy Patinkin sings Lt. Joe Cable, USMC, Dieskau as Curly, and Tatiana Troyanos as repetition, and by the discipline and disso- in an expert best -of -Broadway manner. Ado Annie, with Carlos Kleiber conducting nance of "classical" new music, but he suc- The 32 Ambrosian Singers sound au- the Berlin Philharmonic and the choir of St. ceeds in producing a collage as notable for thentically American, and the 55 members Hedwig's Cathedral. Paul Moor its integration as for its diversity. The list of participants on The Big Gun - down reads like a veritable Who's Who of New York's downtown music scene. Zorn himself provides the raucous, wailing saxo- phone, while the shrieking guitars are the work of Arto Lindsay. Diamanda Galas of- fers some of her characteristically demonic vocal cries, and Anton Fier contributes the pounding drums. Zorn turns the task of arrangement here into a brazenly creative, utterly personal statement. One can only anticipate with ex- citement the effect that The Big Gundown will have on Zorn's own musical language. K. Robert Schwarz

THEATER AND FILM RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN: South Pacific. Te Kanawa, Carreras, Vaughan, Potinkin; Am- brosian Singers, London Symphony Orchestra, Tunick. Jeremy Lubbock, prod. CBS Masterworks MK 42205 (D). 0 CI ONE MAY REASONABLY ASSUME THAT THIS undertaking owes its provenance to the suc- PhotoPayer cess (and sales) of Leonard Bernstein's Deutsche Grammophon recording of his Claudio Abbado West Side Story with a full-blown operatic cast. CBS here offers us the same great soprano BEETHOVEN: SYMPHONY No.91 Vienna Philharmonic Betlarkovii Lipoveek Winbergh Prey heard in that recording, who is much be- ABBADO VIENNA PHILHARMONIC loved all over the world for her operatic roles. Curiously, she seems at pains not to Beethoven Symphonies a sound the way we otherwise know and love her. In fact, the first time I heard her version Claudio Abbado is recording of U.S. Navy Ensign Nellie Forbush's trans- his first Beethoven Sym- vestite number, "Honey Bun," I seriously phonies cycle for Deutsche suspected CBS of having brought in anoth- Grammophon with the Vienna er, anonymous pop singer-after the man- Philharmonic. The debut of the BEETHOVEN: SYMPHONY No.3"Eroica" ner of Walter Legge, who once got his wife, series features Symphonies Nos. Coriolen Overture ABBADO VIENNA PHILHARMONIC tl Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, under tight security, 3 and 9, simultaneously released to retouch a faltering high note or two in Kir- on imported Compact Disc, LP sten Flagstad's late Tristan and Isolde record- and chrome -cassette. ing. Almost never, throughout this record- Abbado and the Vienna Phil- ing, does Kiri Te Kanawa regale us with the harmonic perform the complete glorious voice that made her famous. cycles of the Beethoven Sym- Jose Carreras fares better-but then, phonies and Piano Concertos Richard Rodgers tailored the role of Emile (with Maurizio Pollini) in the de Becque to the great operatic voice of Ezio United States this spring. DIGITAL AUDIO Pinza. (Jonathan Tunick, the conductor here, has transposed both leading roles to © 1987 Deutsche Grammophon / PolyGram Records, Inc. accommodatethesesingers.)Sarah Vaughan reportedly "sat at .. Tunick's feet BASPECIAL REPORTAT

soul,blues, pop,jazz, Rock, reggae: NewAcoustic, olk, arethe releases MultipleMultipleorder the dayas of the on. Discmarches Compact

sOf

the myth is holding up and whether it bene- and especially on their post -1972 records, THE ROLLING STONES fits from that medium. Especially for an old the self -named greatest rock 'n' roll band in fan faced with the prospect of shelling out the world has often seemed only the world's EVEN AT THIS LATE DA. --t SW A CAREER THAT $15 for a CD of music he can remember pay- laziest one, churning out thoughtless compi- seems to continue on 3. ty sheer inertia, the ing $4 for 20 years ago, two main questions lations and listless live recordings when it Rolling Stones still hate the power to pro- arise: Which Stones albums are worth own- wasn't maintaining a bored professionalism voke. The simultaneous appearance of the ing in archival form, and just how much bet- in the studio. But what is startling as we look band's London Records and Rolling Stones ter are these CDs than the LPs? In such a at the shape of the Stones' career is how they Records catalogs on Compact Disc is one ofcontext, the CD is a luxurious enhancement barely made a false move in the studio (ex- those corporate -induced events that none- of what has already been proven good art; at cepting the botched psychedelic goof of theless sparks aesthetic judgment. If the the same time, its powers of definition can- 1967's Their Satanic Majesties Request) from Stones' weighty myth deemed that this lion's not make a dull performance anything more their 1964 debut to the glorious slag -heap share of their releases be archived on such a than a well -textured dull performance. depths of 1972's Exile on Main Street. And the permanent and expensive medium, it's Over the long haul, the Stones have biggest jolt to the memory for old fans (and worth asking how the music that spawned hardly had an infallible career (who has?), revelation to the uninitiated) is the solidity 70 HIGH FIDELITY 116, #11 S tik°1itJVC AUTHORIZEDCLOSEOUTS BELOWDEALER COST!

* DOUBLE SERVO QUARTZ JVC QLA-75TURNTABLE $299 Pill * DYNAMIC DAMPING DISC PLAYER ____, *14 TAPERED TONE ARM

__,7 $99 PCW35 - * HIGH -TORQUE CORE- 0 ,JL, LESS DC MOTOR DDVR77 0 ___J um * QUICK AUTO -REVERSE $ 139 CASSETTE DECK L1 -'- -- * DOLBY B+C, 2 MOTOR * PORTABLE DOUBLE CASSETTE * 15 -TRACK RANDOM PROGRAMMING * DETACHABLE 2 -WAY SPEAKERS * INDEPENDENT SUSPENSION SYSTEM '1:' _:: * B.E.S.T. RECORDING * 5 -BAND GRAPHIC EQUALIZER *DIGITAL FILTER WITH Y SERVO u_ 1 SYSTEM

ii...... 7 - ,.____.H___

-, a aol a a is 7 ! ! 1 $169 0 469$ WITH AMP

SHERWOOD CRD301 + SCA240 GE97350

* DIGITAL AUTO -REVERSE CAR STEREO *4 -HEAD HQ HIFI * DOLBY B, BASS +TREBLE *35 FUNCTION REMOTE * 20 WATTS X 4 - LOTS OF POWER *REMOTE PROGRAMMING

.- ../....,,

11. 1 .m-m I i... $28 9 $26 9 +IP ,-- =117.1.111'0:1:47 -,V11 RCA VHS STEREO .---___ KENWOOD KRV75

* HQ CIRCUITRY _ * 70 WATT/CH WIRELESS REMOTE RECEIVER * FULL STEREO SOUND = * 20 RANDOM PRESETS WITH PRESET SCAN * WIRELESS REMOTE * 7 -BAND EQ WITH 5 MEMORIES

L,..,,Tic c ..1 VISAor COD CALL TOLL HOURS FREE 800 -356 -95'14 OR CALL 608-271-6889 9-88 D SATmFR- i * THOUSANDS OF SPECIALS-CALL! WISCONSIN DISCOUNT STEREO * OVER $30 MILLION INVENTORY 2417 W. BADGER RD. * MOST ORDERS SHIPPED WITHIN 48 HRS. MADISON, WI 53713 * WE SERVICE WHAT WE SELL!* TOLL FREE SERVICE 1-800-448-3378 * SOME ITEMS CLOSEOUTS, SOME LIMITED QUANTITIES * 1-800 SPECIAL REPORT 223-3411 of their pre -Aftermath work, especially the though a grab bag of singles and extra tracks

A NAME TRUSTED FOR OVER TWO DECADESI relative obscurities lurking between the ac- culled from British LPs, isn't far behind with For )nto a )r) N V S 04(71 8)671-7640 Send $2 for new 1987 catalogue. knowledged hits. the supersonic "She Said Yeah," the Beatific "DEMON" Although it's easy to take for granted "The SingerNot the Song," and "Get Off of DCD-700 Rmt 349.50 DCD-500 259.90 now, the band's first three albums -The My Cloud."Big Hits (High Tide and Green 0CD-1700 Top Rated CALL DCD-1500 CALL Rolling Stones(Abkco 7375-2),12 x 5 Grass)(8001-2), the band's first and maybe "YAMAHA". (7402-2), "NAKAIMCHI" CD-2000Top Rated 659.10 andHowl(7420 -2) -defined best compilation, was a revelation when it Dragon Ultimate 1499.55 C13-1000Great Deal 459.20 white rock's relationship to r&b (and black RX 506 Uni-Dire AIR... CALL CD-450Tri Beam 289.30 came out, cementing the Stones' claim to RX 202 Uni-Direr AIR CALL CD-3000ualay 249.40 culture in general) for an audience that bare- CR7A 3 Hd Rmt BCC .1189.00 "NAKAMICHI" hitmaking prowess when they were still CRSA 3 Head BCC CALL 011S7A11 CALL BX100 NAK Duality ly knew the debt existed. The Stones took thought of as anti -pop -chart slime. If you 299.00 OMS4A 799.70 130125 ...... CALL OMS3A 579.80 Chuck Berry's speed and doubled it, took own the group's first five releases, Big Hits is "PIONEER** "TECHNICS" CT1370 T.O.L. Rmt CALLSLP100 189.80 Otis Redding's pain and twisted it. 12 x 5 remarkable only for the LP appearance of CT1270 D/D AIR BAC 219.95 SLP310 239.90 CT1170 DID Highspeed 159.95 SLP510 339.00 (with "Time Is on My Side," the still as- "19th Nervous Breakdown." CT2070 AR BAC DBX 189.95 SLP500 CALL "AIWA** "SHARP" tounding "Empty Heart," and "It's All Over With 1966'sAftermath(7476-2), the ADF990 Top of Line CALLDX110Aummidarmaram9.00 ADF770 3 Hd. BCC CALL Now") and Now! (with "Heart of Stone," Stones accede to the mid -Sixties auteurism ADR550 AIR BAC HX 239.50 "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love," and ADWX220 D/D H Spd 389.50 "JVC" of the album -as -canvas, filling the LP with all ADS 15 Dolby BAC 99.50 ALA01 Straight Arm . 79.00 "Little Red Rooster") are slightly preferable originals and giving Brian Jones free rein as ADF250 250 Dual Volt 99.50 ALF05 Fully Automatic 129.00 "YAMAHA" ALL20 Linear Track MAIO to the debut. Yet all three gain power andexotic colorist. Though they always (if K-1020 Top of line . CALL "PIONEER" 6-540 HX Pro BAC CALL PL -670 ETD F.A 99.99 clarity on CD because of the use of the origi- grudgingly) exploited the tricks of the studio K-340 Two Motor BAC 249.30 CARTRIDGES 6-720 AIR CALL "PICKERING" nal mono masters in place of the repro- despite their mistaken rep for spontaneous K-420 AIR 249.20 NPAC P mount 15.50 cessed stereo on most later issues of the al- 6-142 199.90 TLC 15.50 crudity, Aftermath dispelled their ragtag son- "A.KAr. TLE 16.50 bums. As usual, the digital format unlocks ic myth for good and, as such, is among the GXA5-GX Hd BAC DBX 169.90 TLE Type 2 22.50 HXA351 DID Dolby 139.50 TL1 29.80 the expected little sonic surprises, like the Stones CDs with the greatest range and deli- HXA451 D/D BAC Prop 229.50 TL2E 39.50 "JVC" TL625 DJ Disco p Mount44.50 metallic edge of Bill Wyman's bass on "I'm a cacy. The next year'sBetween the Buttons TOW 80 D/D BAC TOL CALL XV 15/258E Hi Tech 49.60 TOW 30 D/D BCC 199.50 "AUDIO TECHNICA" King Bee," the backing vocals on "Heart of (7499-2) takes Aftermath into darker, sparser DDVR 77 Top of Line 329.50AT201P 15.50 TOM Dolby BAC 309.50AT211EP 21.50 Stone," and the acoustic guitars that propel turf: fewer blues, colder atmospheres, emp- 700301 Auto Reverse 169.75 AT216EP 34.50 the performances from behind. But the big- tier hearts. The one complaint about this CD "HAD" AT231LP 54.50 6130 209.00 ATP2XN 48.70 gest payoff -and this is the main attraction is that the bass mastering on some songs 6155 CALL CN 5625AL Am: an 14.50 "SHARP" AT3482P P Mount 12.50 of hearing the Stones on CD -is the author- (like "My Obsession") is way too high, often RT310 AR Single 89.95 PORTABLE CO PLAYERS ity of the ensemble performances, listening "SONY" shrouding the other instruments.Flowers ZOO 0.000 D7X Deluxe 259.00 to the band thinking on its feet. Just as Mick (7509-2), which shares that bass trouble es- 010 Smallest 279.00 D55 W FM 259.10 Jagger's voice on a simple blues like Jimmy pecially on the fine "Ride On, Baby," is an- -.WC" XLRIO 15 Track Reed's "Honest I Do" reveals layers of ten- IIM=1=1"PIONEER" 169.20 other grab bag in the manner of December's VSX-5000 100 Wtt AV CALL derness and playfulness when you listen Children, almost as surprisingly solid and VSX-4000 SO Wtt AN CALL VSX-2000 50 Wtt AN 199.95 close, so the band's pliant guitars and equally worthy of consideration once you SX-1600 50 Watts 159.95 SX-1100 25 Watts 129.50 AUTO AUDIO rhythms give up new textures as they rub get more important discs.Their Satanic "YAMAHA* "PANASONIC" against one another. R9 125 Watts THE BEST 599.10 COE 401 AR Dig 179.30 Majesties Request(8002-2), the band's R7 70 Watts CALL COE 302 12 Presets 159.40 Out of Our Heads R5 55 Watts .. CALL "PIONEER" (7429-2), released in parody-of/answer-to Sgt. Pepper's Lonely R3 35 Watts 249.40 KE6161 Super Tnr 111 195.50 1965, was a breakthrough for original Hearts Club Band, is neither funny, interest- "HAD" KE8181 Super Tnr 111. 249.50 7125 25 Watts P/C 269.50 KEH9191 25 Watt 299.70 Stones material with "The Last Time," ing, nor brazen enough to warrant its mean- 7175 75 Watts P/C CALL "DENON" 7250 50 Watts Digital CALL DCR 5500 AIR Dig 279.80 "Play with Fire," "The Spider and the Fly," dering -and in some ways, the CD com- "SCOTT" DCR 7500 Top 339.90 STA 500 50 Watts 159.10 Clerton-Alpine In Stock and something called "Satisfaction." Sur- pounds the sin, showing how much STA1000 100 Watts 259.20 STA1500 150 Watts w/Graph prisingly, the same year'sDecember's Chil- elaborate aural care went into the debacle. Eglrr Riot CALL WMA10111.81k. dren (and Everybody's) "JVC". (7451-2), al- With 1968'sBeggars Banquet(7539 - RX9VBK 120 WAN . CALL KEYBOARDS, RX5VBK 60 Watts AN 309.90 "YAMAHA" RX3VBK 45 Watts 199.00 DX -7 Ultimate RX500BK 100 WO AN299.00 1469.95 DX -27 569.95 "SONY" SPX -90 629.95 STRAY 680110W Rmt CALL TX -7 699.95 STRAV MO 60 Watts 309.20 STRAY 480 50 Watts CALL E11:11 STRAV 380 30 Watts 219.40 "NEC" "AKAI" 002000 Top Rated IN STOCK AAV-401 80 W Dig AN 249.50 DX1000 Digital 469.95 AAV-205 60 Watt Surr 239.60 N915 VHS Rmt HO nem AAv-201 40 Watt Dig 199.70 "TOSHIBA" DX -7 Digital NAM -MAGNAVOX" VR-9555 Top Rated 799.95 CAMCORDERS COMPACT DISC PLAYERS "TOSHIBA" FREE CD W EVERY PLAYER SK60 VHS/C - Sharpest Lens **MAGNAVOX** 6.1 Zoom Auto Focus CCD Imager Very Light - Cmpl Pkg C DB 850 HIGHEST RATEDcALL 1099.00 "MAGNAVOX" COB 580 Full, Rmt 249.90 VR-8293 VHS CCD Imager Auto CDB 460 20 Track 199.00 Focus 81 Zoom, Battery, Charger. FD 1041DigFilter 139.00 Carrying Case Included 1399.00 FD 1051 Ms. Rmt 189.10 "PIONEER" "SONY" CCDV110 Pm 8mm ea Color POMO Multi Play 309.20 Character PDM60 CALL Generator, Auto -Focus ET1 Zoom, and Time Lapse Record- PDM70 BO Track CALL "SONY" ing. Professional Editing Capabilities. Cmpl Pkg CALL CDP-203 Pro 369.30 CDP-55 Top Buy 299.40 CCDM941 Compact 8mm Camcor- der wiwater resistant shell. Great CDP-110 199.50 for outdoor s CDP-310 239.80 . 869.00 CDP-510 CALL ACCESSORIES CDP-C10 Multi Play CALL "RECOTON" "SCOTT- C.D./TO Cass Aden 19.96 95m7A Tnple Beam 139.95 F.R.E.D. 11 MTS Dec .. 12996 960DA Wns Rmt 179.95 Teeming Com OLIN FOCUS ELECTRONICS, 4523 13th Ave., Bklyn, NY 11219. Ali pmee in eye ad are roe mail order only VISA,MC.KMEX deM .8.0W COO orders OK. Scene units can an exclusive I year meanie *wanly from FOCUS. THE STONES, c. 1971 "STICKY FINGERS" RANKS WITH THE BAND'S BEST RECORDINGS IN SOUND AND CONTENT. Others my elandar0 nwrxnacturKe warranty For nicanallonOf CUMORIIK 91104011 please call (718)871-7800 SNOPKO. 140 reecooeltm lor 6.04. 2), the first self-conscious roots record in the tional Rescue(CK 40500), from 1980, has a history of rock 'n' roll, pop prankster An- SPECIAL REPORT moment or two (like Richards's pained, acid- drew Loog Oldham was superceded by lection is obvious, and its just -the -hits mania ic ballad "All About You") smothered by re- boozy rocker Jimmy Miller as producer, and shortchanges the conceptual clout of the treads of the previous LP's studied outrage. that switch, along with the musical and psy- Stones' regular -release albums. That it is Sucking in the Seventies(CK 40501) is a chological deterioration ofJones, ushered in currently the most popular Stones CD is one compilation that indicts itself from the title the Stones' mature phase. Adding countryof those depressing confluences of econom- on down. The 1981Tattoo You(CK 40502) blues to their mastery of urban styles, they ic fact and received clichés about their work. backs a side of jittery rockers (topped by got more expansive stylistically (taking in With the establishment of the group's "Start Me Up") with a wonderful side of the voodoo rhythm of the previously un- own label, analysis of the Stones' recorded soul -stirring r&b ballads and acoustic imaginable "Sympathy for the Devil") as career becomes a little too easy for comfort. plaints, and just to hear the CD unravel the well as socially (with the ironic class sympa- Surely,Sticky Fingers(Rolling Stones CK vocal tics on "No Use in Crying" and thy of "Salt of the Earth"). The following 40488) andExile on Main Street(CGK "Tops" makes it a strong, minor pleasure. year'sLet It Bleed(8004-2) may even top it,40489) rank with the band's greatest al- Still Life (American Concert 1981)(CK just by the hushed suspense of the opening bums, completing the expansion of Beggars 40503)-where do they get these incriminat- guitar figure of "Gimme Shelter," not to Banquet and Let It Bleed. On CD, Sticky Fingers ing titles?-is another "live" (yeah, sure) mention how the rest of the song manages to uncovers a few new Keith Richards rhythm document whose true purpose is to remind live out the fear implicit in that intro. With guitar strokes on "Brown Sugar" and you that the supposedly road -hungry Stones the widescreen soundscapes of vigorous gui- "Sway" as well as laying bare the gorgeous- have done their finest work in the studio. tars and Jagger's passionately detailed vo- ness of the acoustic-guitar/drum/string in- A few minor quibbles with the CD format cals, these two albums arguably represent terplay on the heroic "Moonlight Mile." Ex- should be aired: the unavoidable tape hiss the Stones' summit and are the indisputable ile, that pinnacle of murk, is a wonder on CD on the '60s and '70s recordings, packaging place to begin hearing them on CD. not because you can finally hear the buried omissions like the writing credits on the A few trivial tidbits round out the Stones' words (you still can't) but because it sharp- band's debut and the players on Black and career on London.Through the Past,ens the guitar chordings and Jagger's Blue (which was thick with sessioneers). But Darkly (Big Hits Vol. 2)(8003-2) is a per- breathtaking array of sighs, whispers, and the finest CDs in this retrospective-the stu- fectly honorable compilation, committing brays. "You've got a cutthroat crew/I'm dio London work, Sticky Fingers, the single - "Jumping Jack Flash," "Honky Tonk Wom- gonna sink under you," he sings on "Soul disc Exile-are apt reminders that the tech- en," and "Dandelion" to album form. Survivor," and hearing him sink is the chill- nology can illuminate the nuances of rock 'n' Again, the overlap makes it of relatively low ing, deadbeat thrill of this recording. roll performance with as much grace as it priority.Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out!(8005-2) After Exile's weary admission of defeat, shows off the antiseptic luster of most mod- catches the band's 1969 tour before itthe rest of the band's career seems like a ern pop productions. And because the Roll- turned bloody and apocalyptic at Altamont, cover-up of it, a dull retreat into the security ing Stones at their peak are the definitive yet this live recording has always been more of established stardom. The second-hand measure of rock 'n' roll performance (as op- of a historical document than proof of the demonism and automatic -pilot rifling of posed to pop technocracy), such a revelation Stones' vitality as a stage act (such proof has Goat's Head Soup(CK 40492) are salvaged is no small thing indeed. Mark Moses never reached official vinyl). Finally,Net only by "Winter," "Coming Down Again," Rocks 1964-1971(6667-2), London's re- and the lewd "Star Star."It's Only Rock 'a' Editor's note: The following Rolling Stones record- venge against the band leaving the label, is Roll(CK 40493) is summed up too often by ings are also available on Compact Disc: Under- the notorious token Stones album for peo- its title, except for "If You Can't Rock Me." cover (Rolling Stones CK 40504), Rewind (CK ple who own only one Stones album. Its se - Made in the Shade(CK 40494) is another 40505), and Dirty Work (CK 40250). useless compilation, taken from the previ- ous four albums.Black and Blue(CK MCA/ IMPULSE! JAZZ THE BEATLES 40495) is too scattered for its own good, yet it has more honest work, jagged rifting, and IN THE MID -SIXTIES, IMPULSE! WAS ONE OF THE ARE COMING! loving takeoffs on the black music the Stones most important and adventurous jazz labels, have always drawn from than anything since offering records by John Coltrane, Archie IN FACT, BY THE TIME YOU READ THIS, Exile. Though barely more than an audition Shepp, and others who were in the forefront they should be here. At press time, for Mick Taylor's replacement, the LP is full of the avant-garde. The label also recorded EMI announced it is issuing on CD of guitars that slam and lurch, and Jagger has more traditional jazz, such as the small - the group's first four Parlophone two grand ballad moments, "Memory Mo- group dates by Art Blakey, Count Basie, Ah- LPs-Please Please Me. With the Beatles, tel" and "Fool to Cry." This CD is worth the mad Jamal, and Sonny Rollins; these dates .1 Hard Day's Night, and Beatles for high -focus attention that the digital medium are among 12 Compact Discs recently re- Sale-which are better than their Cap- givestothe chattering, interlocking leased by MCA under the newly reactivated itol cousins. First, they are the true al- rhythms. But the double -setLove You Live Impulse! name. bums the Beatles recorded. Capitol (C2K 40496), aside from two of the tracks re- Coltrane hasn't been forgotten: He is took the same four LPs, shuffled the corded in a small club ("Crackin' Up" and represented by two of his most lyrical al- tracks, and created five shorter LPs: Muddy Waters's "Mannish Boy"), is the big- bums. One, 1965'sA Love Supreme Meet the Beatles, The Beatles' Second Al- gest waste of the band's career, mired in un- (MCA/Impulse! MCAD 5660), was his best- bum, Something New, Beatles '65, and focused rifling that even Charlie Watts can't selling record, a trend -setting work noted as The Early Beatles. (That number in- direct, as well as the most irritatingly lazy vo- much for its structural coherence as for its creases to six if you count seven of the cals that Jagger has ever committed to tape. meditative spirituality. Impressively tuneful, 11 tracks on Beatles VI.) Second, the The 1978 releaseSome Girls(CK the album has an almost impassive quality as U.K. LPs have the group's intended 40449), the last time the Stones seized the a whole, and yet it contains a striking blues in sound; Capitol altered the produc- pop moment, is their slightly overrated an- the second part, "Resolution." tion on some tracks released here. swer to punk, with still wondrous ensemble John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman The remaining Beatle LPs will be playing. The telepathic guitar conversations (MCAD 5661), from 1963, received much issued on CD in chronological order between Richards and Ron Wood, along less attention. Too bad, for it captures one during the coming months of 1987. with the spare, doomy crack of Watts's of the most sensitive collaborations between drums, are caught exquisitely on CD.Emo- singer and accompanist on record. Hartman

APRIL1987 73 had a rich baritone, which he used tastefully, SPECIAL REPORT (Freddie Hubbard, Woods) are exploited to and Coltrane was, as he proves here and on the fullest, the band is as tight as it could get, the LP he made with Duke Ellington, one of ofjohn Coltrane and his quartet. The six re- and Jones's unfortunate trademark of cloy- the greatest ballad players. On "They Say cordings under review here owe more to the ing flute voicings is kept to a minimum. His It's Wonderful," he picks up Hartman's last organizing designs of their arrangers than to charts, muscular and a bit obvious, lean to a phrase and comments gracefully, moving to the searing vision of any unfettered soloist. Basie directness that helps put over stan- the top range of his tenor, where he sounds And the sonic quality of each CD enhances dards like "Invitation" and Thelonious like a singer with a catch in his throat. the expanded size of the musical unit. Monk's "Straight No Chaser" as well as Coltrane was at his best in the mid -Six- Two sessions are downright mainstream. some swinging originals. ties. Rollins, represented here bySonny Duke Ellington Meets Coleman Hawkins Oliver Nelson'sBlues and the Abstract Rollins on impulse! (MCAD 5655), seemed (MCA/Impulse! MCAD 5650) isn't the Truth (MCAD 5659) features the original on edge during the same period, interested grand summit meeting it portends; it's more version of the stunning "Stolen Mo- in the avant-garde happenings around him a scrappy, high-spirited get-together. Haw- ments"-reason enough to own it. Nelson but unclear what to do with them. He ap- was a first-rate popularizer, and his compo- pears willing to go outside the chord sitions and arrangements took their cues changes on "Everything Happens to Me," from the prevailing hard-bop/modal no- but the traditional rhythm section makes it tions of the early Sixties. The spark behind impossible. Rollins is more at home on them is the exceptional choice of players, "Hold 'em Joe," one of his calypsos, but he vanguardists Bill Evans, Eric Dolphy, and is less fluent, less magisterial, than usual. He Hubbard next to rhythm aces Roy Haynes still shows himself to be a master at playing and Paul Chambers (Nelson himself keeps with time, however, and the'rhythm section up more than nicely on tenor). Frugal solos cooks: pianist Ray Bryant, bassist Walter and Nelson's controlling hand make this one Booker, and drummer Mickey Roker. of the great disciplined sessions of a too Count Basle and the Kansas City 7 often ego -rampant musical era. (MCAD 5656) is an attempt to remake some Charles Mingus's The Black Saint and of the great small -band sides of the Thirties. the Sinner Lady (MCAD 5649) and the Gil It begins with "Oh, Lady, Be Good," which Evans Orchestra'sOut of theCool (MCAD Basie first recorded with Lester Young, and 5653) are both highpoints of postbop or- contains two other early Basie hits, "I Want a chestral jazz, unmistakably original and ut- Little Girl" and "Shoe Shine Boy," both pre- terly different from one another. Black Saint viously Young features. The new group bristles with density, a thick brew of sounds doesn't have the balance and genius of the and rhythm. Mingus's idol Ellington hovers earlier sessions, but it does offer expressive about the corners, but that influence is offset soloing by Thad Jones, hard-hitting playing HAWKINS: FEATURED ON TWO IMPULSE! CDs by a slew of ever shifting stylistic tangents: by Frank Foster, and the peerless, bluesy pi- Spanish strains, bebop horn solos, carnival ano, recorded flawlessly, of Basie. kins jabs, stomps, and coos, but the special airs, blues changes, symphonic dissonance. I find the Blakey disc perplexing. A Jazz pleasures lie in Duke's ingenious redressing The multilayered writing presented a road - Message (MCAD 5648) is an all-star date- of his positively minimal blues -based com- not -taken alternative to the free -form blow- with McCoy Tyner, Sonny Stitt, and Art Da- positions. Aside from luscious readings ofing route then in fashion; only recently have vis-but it doesn't take off. Stitt, never less "Mood Indigo" and the ready-made hom- contemporary musicians like David Murray than supremely competent, sounds out ofage "Self Portrait (of the Bean)," the tunes begun to follow its lead. sorts and even temporarily out of tune onare little more than frames for Ellington to On Out of the Cool, Evans uses space as "Just Knock on My Door." Tyner seems to deftly manipulate the personal tonal palettes skillfully as Mingus employs solidity and be laying back, and as rhythm is his strength, of his skeleton -crew septet. Using a micro- mass. "La Nevada," the 15 -minute center- he sounds uninvolved here. Not so Blakey cosm of the orchestra-Johnny Hodges, Ray piece, is emblematic, expanding from a and Davis (he may be the star of this album), Nance, Lawrence Brown, and Harry Car- germ of a phrase to a rousing, all-out climax, yet they don't quite ignite the front line. ney-Ellington tricks the ear into hearing with room for classic solos from Ray Craw- Jamal was known early in his career for the full band. ford, Johnny Coles, and Budd Johnson. The his pearly touch and sophisticated coolness Benny Carter'sFurther Definitions eerily subtle manner in which the piece is when playing such pieces as "But Not for (MCAD 5651) is also untouched by modern- built-you're never quite certain of where Me." By 1970, however, when The Awak- ist leanings, although this masterpiece may it's heading or how it's going to get there-is ewing(MCAD 5644) was recorded, he had have gotten its creative edge from the weird as much a credit to Evans's nerve as to his become a more forceful and less interesting juxtaposition of older and younger players. structural smarts. A match for any of his col- pianist, abandoning his fragile charm with- Hawkins (again) is paired with Charlie laborations with Miles Davis, Out of the Cool out picking up much to substitute for it. So Rouse, Carter alongside Phil Woods, Jimmy still sounds radical 25 years after its initial despite a fine, inventive "Dolphin Dance," Garrison with Count Basie drummer Jo release. Steve Futterman this set is less distinctive than his early work. Jones. It all comes off with an organic beau- All of these discs have been remastered ty, owing to Carter's sumptuous and de- FRANK ZAPPA scrupulously, so they sound fresher, more tailed writing. His homage to Hawkins, the precise, and airier than ever before-and tenorist's "Body and Soul" solo adapted for RYKODISC, A CD -ONLY OUTFIT, AND FRANK with less distortion. They were recorded at a four saxes, tingles the spine; an updating ofZappa, the maestro of offense, have entered time when engineers liked exaggerated Carter's "Crazy Rhythm" and "Honeysuckle into a deal wherein the former will issue stereo effects, however, and those effects re- Rose" will give World Saxophone Quartet eight discs per year (including the occasion- main. The Coltrane is indispensable, the fans something to ponder for weeks. al double set) drawn from the latter's vast others less so. Michael Ullman Quincy Jones straddled the territory be- catalog of recordings. This arrangement will tween the older swing arrangers and his ad- continue for two or more years, contingent THE FIRST 12 CDs FROM THE REINSTATED venturous contemporaries. The Quintes- on options renewed. Impulse! remind us that the label was a lot sence (MCAD 5728) stands as one of his Of all the releases in the first batch, more than just a forum for the explorations most solid big band efforts: Familiar soloists We're Only In It for the Money/Lumpy

74 HIGH FIDELITY Gravy(Rykodisc RCD 40024), originally SPE IAL REPORT critical scrutiny. But only one of these al- two separate albums recorded in 1967 and bums, September of My Years, ranks with his now on one 70 -minute disc, will likely be the second-hand, by w e of soundtracks. best work. The rest, despite occasional mo- most controversial in terms of what the The 1984 Them or Us(RCD 40027) is ments of poise and confidence, merely serve transfer to CD has wrought. Most notably, typical of the early -Eighties Zappa albums: a to remind the listener of the bad artistic new bass and drums have been digitally re- grab bag of authoritative and intelligent patch into which Sinatra was thrown by the corded for Money, though there are also less rock guitar solos, naughty sex, alienation, growing popularity of rock. glaring alterations (e.g. a saxophone part and yucks. All this and Dweezil, too, the little By 1955, Sinatra had achieved a classic now accompanies the closing monologue on show-off. Less variegated is the same year's synthesis of American popular singing "Who Needs the Peace Corps?"). Those lis- Thing -Fish(RCD 10020/21), a double -CD styles, turning out an unbroken string of teners familiar with the cheesy ambience of operetta than runs a very long 90 minutes. flawless albums like Songs for Swingin' Lovers the original Money may find this aural enrich- It's musically indifferent and lyrically heavy- and Only the Lonely for Capitol. An artist can ment distressing-the phonographic equiv- handed, but how you respond to it may well remain at the top of his form for just so long, alent of film colorization. I found that the depend on how you feel about the targets though, and the rise of rock had the same de- new deeper -textured mix grows on you. It under attack. I found the jibes at Broadway stabilizing effect on Sinatra that it later had helps that this is peak early Zappa, a succinct shows and TV evangelists amusing and the on Miles Davis. From 1960 to 1964, he re- tweaking of both hippies and the Establish- "jokes" about gays and women business ex- corded a series of attractive but rather aim- ment, certainly a novel concept during that ecutives embarrassingly reactionary. less albums for Capitol and Reprise;The period of Us vs. Them. As for Lumpy Gravy, Finally, Frank Zappa Meets the Moth- Concert Sinatra(Reprise 1009-2), a stodgy Zappa's mixture of avant-garde orchestral ers of Prevention(RCD 10023), keeping a collection largely devoted to the lyrics of Os- music, amateur theatrics, and surreal sociol- date he only fantasized about in 1967. Thecar Hammerstein II, dates from this period. ogy is an ambitious collage that is hopelessly centerpiece of this '86 release, "Porn Wars," Then Sinatra began once more to try to fragmented. In any format. depicts the infamous Senate hearings on crack the elusive code of mass popularity. Recorded in 1972,The Grand Wazoo rock lyrics and obscenity as a babble of fool- His 1966 albumStrangers in the Night (RCD 10026) is Zappa's one sustained jazz/ ish voices; how much creativity this took on (1017-2) bears the revealing subtitle "The rock effort. Trumpeter Sal Marquez, trom-Zappa's part is debatable. For the rest, there Popular Sinatra Sings for Moderns." But he bonist Bill Byers, and keyboardist George are two not -on -the -LP cuts, plus a glimpse of invariably sounds awkward singing soft rock Duke offer solid if rather conventional solos, the future via some synclavier-generated ar- ballads like "Didn't We" and "Yesterday," frolicking amid a variety of Zappa-esquerangements-sprightly, metallic pieces that and in the worst of these albums, the 1966 compositions. The CD sound increases leave this reviewer a little cold. More gratify- That's Ufa(1020-2), he is placed in front of one's appreciation of how the composer ing are the blasts from the past, in the form Ernie Freeman's tasteless, organ -dominat- keeps his arrangement a moving landscape. of a few grand -manner guitar solos and a ed, pseudo -rock arrangements for a badly The double -CD setShut Up 'n' Play clever satirical song about, believe it or not, engineered program consisting of one Yer Guitar(RCD 10028/29), recorded hippies. Which is where we came in. throwaway after another. from 1977 to 1980 and originally released Richard C. Walls Not surprisingly, Sinatra's best record- on three LPs, is one hour and 40 minutes of ing from this period is the 1965September Zappa the prolific picker. Many of these cuts Editor's note: For more about the CD -only label of My Years (10 14-2), in which lie reassert- are from concert recordings, so the sound is Rykodisc, see "Rykodisc Samplers" below. ed his fading commitment to the formula of a little rough and guitar -heavy at times; also, his former label, Capitol: arrangements by during what amounts to a string of climactic FRANK SINATRA Gordon Jenkins, a new title song by Sammy highlights, you may start to burn out. Taken Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen, an uncom- in the proper doses, however, one can't help promisingly traditional approach to reper- but agree with the consensus that Zappa is a toire.It Might as Well Be Swing(1012-2), superior rock guitarist-and that on this in- a 1964 collaboration with Quincy Jones and strument, he achieves an eloquence and a Count Basie, shows the same confidence of depth of feeling found nowhere else in his approach but suffers from a lackluster music. choice of material.My Way(1029-2) and Apostrophe/Overnight Sensation 01' Blues Eyes Is Back(2155-2), Sinatra's (RCD 40025) is one disc combining the two 1073 "comeback- album, are damaged in albums (from '74 and '73, respectively) that varying degrees by uneven material and sty- represent Zappa's commercial peak until the listically unsure arrangements. And onSin- early -Eighties fluke of "Valley Girl." Appar- atra at the Sands(1019-2), a Las Vegas ently, the happy vulgarity, pretentiousness, concert recording with Jones and Basie, Sin- and aggressive guitar featured here fit per- atra's coarsened remakes of Fifties classics fectly into the early -Seventies AOR format. like "One for My Baby (and One More for And there is much to enjoy, with special the Road)" and "I've Got You Under My mention going to the "Yellow Snow" suite Skin" suggest for the first time the crude and "Montana"; the non -ax -grinding, self -caricature of "hipness" that came to whimsical Zappa is always less problematic dominate much of his later work. and usually more fun than the social satirist All of these albums have been compe- one. tently remastered, but the original analog The London Symphony Orchestra sound was not very satisfying in the first (RCD 10022), from 1983, is gorgeously re- FRANK SINATRA HAS FINALLY MADE HIS DEBUT place, particularly when compared with the corded and contains the 24 -minute previ- on Compact Disc with titles drawn from the high -quality early stereo that Capitol pro- ously unreleased "Bogus Pomp." To call catalog of Reprise, the label he founded in vided for Sinatra in the mid -to -late -Fifties. this the serious Zappa would be misleading: 1961. The occasion is important by defini- Sonny Burke's production style is easy to The ratio of funny to not -funny is about the tion: Sinatra is the single most important recognize: Sinatra's voice is placed dead - same as always. Anyway, much of this sounds performer in the postwar history of Ameri- center and down front, swimming in exces- like film music to me-but then I've always can popular song, and even his least satisfac- sive reverberation. And wide stereo separa- gotten my Varese and much of my Stravinsky tory recordings are worthy of the closest tion is the rule-so wide that the rhythm

APRIL1987 75 MAIL TO-.25 7th Ave., 7th floor, New York, N.Y. 10019. Phone: 1-800-ABC-MAGS. In New York call: (212) 887- 8458. GENERAL: all copy subject to publisher approval. Users of P.O. Box MUST supply permanent address and telephone number before ad can run. CLOSING DATE: 1st of second month preceding cover date. 15 Word minimum No charge for Zip Code. CLASSIFIED RATES: regular type, per word: lx -$2.75; 3x-$2.65; 6x-$2.55; 12x-$2.45. Words in caps -150 extra each. IMPERIAL type, per word: lx -53.75; 3x- $3.65; 6x-3.55; 12x-$3.45. Words In caps -150 extra each. Minimum 15 words. Box numbers: $3.00 additional per insertion to cover cost of handling and postage. Display, per inch: lx -$350; 3x-$340; 6x-$330; 12x- $315. PAYMENT WITH ORDER: Send check, M.O., MASTERCARD or VISA No. and expiration date to: Maria Manaseri, Classified Dept., HIGH FIDELITY, BANG & OLUFSEN FULL LINE, ADS, B&W 825 7th Ave., 7th Floor, New York, NY 10019. ELECTRONICS AND BOSE SPEAKERS AND OTHER "TRUELY champagne speakers for those of us on beer QUALITY PRODUCTS AT REASONABLE COMPACT DISCS budgets. Thanks AC for making such musical speakers for PRICE. SOUNDCREST, INC., (201) 756-4858 such an affordable pricer AC kits and parts satisfy "golden ears". Catalog $2. AUDIO CONCEPTS, Dept. HF, 1631 COMPACT DISC CENTER Caledonia. LaCrosse, WI 54602 (608) 781-2110. P 0 Box 616, Chilton Fmk. NY 12065 THEY DON'T DISCOUNT IT? WE DO! GET IMO) 664-2550 LOW PRICES on ALL types of audio Order Line: 800.232-3687 EQUIPMENT FOR SALE Many Discs $12.99 equipment -including high -end and even Quantity 10 and over only 111.99 esoteric products not normally discounted! 12.00 Cont. U.S. shipping CABLE TV Now we can save you money on the FREE CATALOGUE Converters / Descremblers New Toil Slate Toll Free 800-537.1303 equipment you REALLY WANT. Extensive GUARANTEED LOWEST PRICES IN U.S. selection -no need to settle for second Jerrold, Hamlin, Zenith -Many Others! Lowest Dealer COMPACT DISCS/LASER VIDEO DISCS. Prices! Orders shipped within 24 hours! Complete illus- choice. Thousands of satisfied customers Nice Prices - free lists. MC/VISA. SIGHT & trated catalog, $200 MasterCard -VISA- COD accepted. nationwide. Call us for price quotes or PACIFIC CABLE CO., INC. (800) 345-8927 SOUND, INC. 18 Bennett Street, Dept. HF, 73251/2 Reseda Blvd., Reseda, CA 91335 friendly, expert advice. Catalog S1. 616-451- Boston, MA 02135. (617) 787-4465. 3868. VISA/MC/AMEX. The AUDIO High -end and hard -to -find audio ADVISOR, INC., 225 Oakes Southwest, PRE -OWNED CD'S WANTED! Top dollar guaranteed. Free components. Low prices! AUDIO AMERICA Grand Rapids, MI 49503. info. The CD Link, 410-HF Weaver Lane, Simpsonville, S.C. 29681-8908 (Virginia). Call 1-804-797-5861. CALL THE # 1 DEALER IN THE U.S.A.!!! COMPACT DISCS -at low warehouse prices. FOR SALE Perreaux, Revox, PS Audio, Hafler, New Now in our fourth year. Over 6,000 titles DIRECT SIGHT AND SOUND, America's York Audio Labs, Oracle, Thorens, VPI, available. Free catalog plus regular updates best kept audio and video secret, continues Dual, Proton, Tandberg, Adcom, Denon, and monthly specials starting at S10.99. OZ to please.... Five years and over 40,000 Luxman, Onkyo, Kyocera, SAE, VSP Labs, Warehouse 5246H Memorial Drive, Stone customers later, we still offer the best in Sony, Apt -Holman, Infinity, ADS, Klipsch, Mountain, GA. 30083 (404) 292-5451 audio, video, and auto sound including Dahlquist, DCM, Acoustat, OHM Acoustics, esoterics at incredible prices! We sell and Harman/Kardon, DBX Soundfield, A monthly listing for CD or LD swapping. Free sample copy service only U.S. warranty merchandise! THE CD TRADERS, 5818 Santa Cruz Ave., Richmond. CA AudioPro, Celestion, Spica, JBL, Rauna, 94804 Our staff is not only knowledgeable, but Bose, Nitty Gritty, Audioquest, Stax, Grado, helpful and courteous in choosing the right Koetsu, Talisman, AKG and More! CD IMPORTS -INTERNATIONAL component for you. Become one of the Gorgeous laquer and wood Stereo/Video WHOLESALER your HOTLINE to RARE ELITE! Call 404-351-6772. Direct Sight and Cabinets. AUTOMOTIVE: Sony, Proton, DISCS. Also players/Accessories, SEND for Sound, 3095 Bolling Way, Dept. H, Atlanta. Concord, Harman/Kardon, Zapco, Ungo monthly catalogue. 12862 Via Aventura, Ga. 30305. MC/VISA/AMEX. COD with Box, More! CD EXPERTS! FRIENDLY, Santa Ana, CA. 92705 deposit. Free catalog. EXPERT CONSULTATION. FAST FREE EXCEPTIONAL AUDIO REPRODUCTION SHIPPING! MC/VISA/AMEX. REFERENCE SYSTEMS ... REASONABLY PRICED!! AUDIO SYSTEMS: 18214 Dalton Avenue, IIMPNVHS M I AU E.A.R.S, P.O. BOX 658-H, WEST COVINA, Gardena, CA 90248. (213) 398-4205, (213) DIGITAL AUDIO AMERICAN DIGITAL OFFERS AN EXTENSIVE CA 91790. 818/961-6158, EVENINGS, 391-2679. Hours: M -F. 9-6 PDT. Sat. 10-2. LINE OF HOME VIDEOS AND COMPACT DISCS WEEKENDS. STAMP BRINGS MONTHLY *MEMBER -BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU* AT DISCOUNT PRICES. SPECIALS. MC/VISA. WRITE FOR FREE CATALOG P.0.130% 3 154 SAT1SFACTION GUARANTEED ROCKEFELLER CENTER EXPERIENCE, INTEGRITY AND THE LOWEST PRICE N.Y., N.Y., 10 185 SAVE 50% BUILD YOUR OWN SPEAKER SYSTEM. Write anywhere. Authorized dealers for Yamaha, Denon, KEF, McGee Radio Electronics, 1901 McGee Street, Kansas Carver, Canton, Tandberg, Perreaux, Sumo, Luxman, City, Missouri 64108 Call Toll Free 1-800-346-2433 Infinity and many more. Audio/Video Exchange, 57 Park WHERE WAS THAT REVIEW? What did it say? Annotated Place, NY 10017. Call 212-964-4570. Index of Classical CD Reviews: A Guide to recommended performances. Covers HIGH FIDELITY and ten other CALL US LAST ititmititittitimmtwititilimmm CALL TOLL FREE 1-800-826-0520 FOR magazines. 120+ pages of references to over 6000 Shop around, Get your best price, ACOUSTAT, DAHLQUIST, NAD, HAFLER, reviews of more than 2000 compact discs. Revised Then call THE SOUND APPROACH. DENON, dbx, 3D, PROTON, TANDBERG, quarterly. $3.75/issue, $12.50/year. KEN'S BELLES, ORACLE, M&K, GRADO, NITTY KOMPENDIUM, 2400 Hawthorne Dr., Atlanta, GA 30345 Guaranteed LOWEST PRICES on all HOME and CAR STEREO. Factory fresh, GRITTY, AUDIOQUEST, NEC, DUNTEC, LOW CD PRICES -HIGH CLASSICAL fill -super catalogue Fully warranteed. For FAST FREE MONSTER, SUMIKO PERREAUX, CWD, $2.00-Duwars, P.O. Box 6662-F, Greenville, S.C. 29606. DELIVERY and GUARANTEED LOWEST SNELL, B& W, DEM, THORENS, VSP, STAX, SOTA, GRACE, ASTATIC, DYNAVECTOR. USED CD's WANTED! WE PAY $6-$12. Prompt payment. PRICES, call THE SOUND APPROACH, 6067 Media Exchange, Box 14778 Chicago, IL 60614-0778 Jericho Tpke., Commack, New York, 11725 THE SOUND SELLER, 1706 MAIN STREET, (312) 477-7337. (516) 499-7680. Visa/MC/Amex. MARINETTE, WI 54143, (715) 735-9002. TAPES 8, RECORDS

3.95 SHIPPING ANY SIZE ORDER, UPS 1-800-245-6000

MR OM TEM AM 40NY US6.10 INS ME143 TDAMOPPIO - SA SONY UXESMI SLIIS90 MEM 119 MASELL SONY kME.P110-26 ZAP /11.11.90 POHIS MASELL GOLD - 99 SONY EASE 3 PO 69 FUJI SONY AM BS:CRNIMO 1.10311.90 St AREA. I RI [17 L16,126 SO N-90 1.116 9A-66 I IM 1.111.441 /40-90 UR.60 11111 0.10 SLISS908 0410 SAIISO U., 90 4S BASnir111. .w WE WILL RIFT NY PRICE Of THE TOTAL ORDER M -F 8:30-500 48 HR INCLUDING ALL SHIPPING HANDLING CHM.. 8V I°.412/28 3.8621 SHIPPING 96 SHIPPING NY Sat ORDER C 0.0 A00 I SS ALL TAPES HAVE US WARRANTIES 800/245-6000 CLASSIFIED TAPE WORLD PM SPAM ST. MJELIER. PA ISOM COMPLETE LINE OF TOO AND MARCELL IN STOCK

EXPERIENCED FRIENDLY ADVICE! SHOW ALBUMS-Rare, out -of -print Ips. 64 -page list $1.00. A SINGER'S DREAM! ACOUSTAT, SAE, HAFLER, SONY, Broadway -Hollywood Recordings. Georgetown, CT. 06829. KLIPSCH, THORENS, FRIED, GRADO, MONSTER CABLE, PS, PROTON, CD LIVE OPERA TAPES, CASSETTES. Incredible selection. Free Catalogue, Live Opera, Box 3141. Steinway Station, ett-11:1 PLAYERS, more. Immediate, FREE L.I.C., NY 11103. Shipping! READ BROTHERS STEREO,

593-C King Street, Charleston, South 1 ,14\411111k!IN SOUNDTRACKS, SHOW, NOSTALGIA & JAZZ-FREE Carolina 29403. (803) 723-7276. Catalog & Offering List-A-1 Record Finders, P.O. Box 75071-H, L.A. CAL. 90075.

CAUTION, YAMAHA BUYERS!! Some SEARCHING FOR OUT -OF -PRINTS? Try for Discontinued dealers are offering Yamaha products for Records, 444 South Victory, Burbank, California 91502 REMOVES VOCALS FROM RECORDS! sale that are not designed for use or sale in (213) 849-4791. Now You can sing with the world's best bands! the U.S.A. These units may not carry the UL The Thompson Vocal Eliminator can remove RARE CLASSICAL AND JAZZ. 150,000 LP's. The Record most or virtually all of a lead vocal from a standard approval for safety nor are they designed stereo record and leave most of the background for usage on 110 volt U.S. current. YAMAHA Collector, 1158 N. Highland, Los Angeles, CA 90038. (213) 467-2875. untouched! Record with your voice or perform live ELECTRONICS CORPORATION, USA with the back3rounds. Used in Professional Perfor- mance yet connects easily to a home component CANNOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR FREE RECORD, CASSETTE AND COMPACT DISC stereo system. Not an equalizer! We can prove it THESE UNITS MEETING U.S. works over the phone. Write or call for a Free CATALOG: Features a tremendous selection of Brochure anc Demo Record. PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS NOR remaindered LP and cassette values in all musical LT Sound, Dept. HF-3, P.O. Box 338, ARE WE RESPONSIBLE FOR WARRANTY categories. Compact disc, cassette and LP new releases at Stone Mountein, GA 30086 (404) 493-1258 SERVICING. For the name and location of discount prices. Many imports and smaller labels offered. 24 HOUR PHONE DEMO LINE: (404) 493-6879 Prompt delivery. Rose Records, Dept. H, 214 South your nearest authorized Yamaha dealer, Wabash Avenue, Chicago, IL 60604. "VAST, RARE COLLECTION OF CLASSICAL & JAZZ music call 1-800-854-3264. Or write Yamaha on reel to reel tape for sale. 212-863-1105." Electronics Corporation, USA, P.O. Box OPEN REEL TAPE-AMPEX 641/671, USED 6660, Buena Park, CA 90622. WE SELL SECOND HAND HIGH QUALITY AUDIO -VIDEO ONCE, UNSPLICED, UNBOXED. 7" 1800' or with money bact guarantee! Send your name and address 2400' REELS; 30 for $35.00. SAMPLE: $2.00 for FREE monthly inventory. Ross Stereo, 4912 Naples INVENTIONS TEN 3600' 101/2" REELS; $39. SAMPLE: Place, San Diego, CA 92110. 1 (619) 560-5500. $3.75. NEW, PREMIUM HIGH -BIAS Inventors! AIM wants-Ideas, Inventions, New Products. CASSETTES; SAMPLE: $1.00. AUDIO LOWEST POSSIBLE PRICES ANYWHERE! Improvements on existing products. We present ideas to manufacturers. Confidentiality Guaranteed. Call Toll Free 1- TAPES, BOX 9584-J, ALEXANDRIA, VA FULL WARRANTY - Most Audio Brands!! 800-225-5800 for information kit. 22304. (703) 370-5555 VISA/MC CD Players -Car Products -Computers & Peripherals Your One Stop Electronics MISCELLANEOUS CASSETTES (1:1 Real-time), RECORDS (DMM) AND Supply Headquarters!! ELECTRIFIED COMPACT DISCS. Classical only. Free catalog. Gasparo Co., P.O. Box 120069, Nashville, TN 37212. (615) 254- DISCOUNTERS, 996 ORANGE AVENUE, IS IT TRUE ... JEEPS FOR $44 THROUGH THE P.O. Box 151, WEST HAVEN, CT 06516, MC/ GOVERNMENT? Call for facts! 1-312-742-1142 Ext. 4671 8460. VISA/AMEX (203) 937-0106. FROM EDISON TO ELVIS (AND BEYOND) LP's, 78's, 45's, OPERA, CLASSICAL, & LIVE SHOWS. REEL TO REEL etc. Visit or mail in wants. The Olde Tyme Music Scene, 915 FACTORY ORIGINAL DIAMOND NEEDLES cassette, 8 -track, & VHS only video. Send $2.50 for Main Street, Boonton, NJ 07005. 201/335-5040-Tuesday catalogue. Deducted from first order. K. Lohan Tapes, P.O. & PHONO CARTRIDGES. MOST POPULAR thru Sunday. Box 50, Mastic Beach, N.Y. 11951. LINES AT DISCOUNT PRICES. FOR FREE CATALOG SEND SELF ADDRESSED PROTECT YOUR LPS TERMPAPER ASSISTANCE. 15,278 papers Poly sleeves for jackets ------130 STAMPED ENVELOPE. LYLE CARTRIDGES, available! 306 -page catalog-rush $2.00. Poly sleeves for records------80 DEPT. H, BOX 158, VALLEY STREAM, NY Research, 11322 Idaho # 206HE, Los Polylined paper 170 11582. CALL TOLL FREE (800) 221-0906, Cardboard Jackets- -500 Angeles 90025. TOLL FREE HOTLINE: 800- N.Y. (516) 559-1112. VISA/MC. Postage $2.50 351-0222 (California: 213-477-8226) House of Records P.O. Box 323, Hillburn, New York 10931

CARVER, NAKAMICHI, BANG & OLUFSEN, SOUNDTRACKS & ORIGINAL CASTS. A.D.S., CRO,NN, REVOX, HAFLER, ADCOM, RECEIVE LOTS OF MAIL! Largest selection of in print, out of print, MISSION, MERIDIAN, N.A.D., HARMAN/ Save Postage. For a limited time only foreign and domestic records. In business KARDON, KYOCERA, YAMAHA, LUXMAN, we'll list you with 100's of publishers, 14 years. Discount and free bonus records DENON, KLIPSCH, B & W, POLK, KEF, drop -shippers, firms wanting home available. Send for free catalog. D.C.M., E -V, J.B.L., INFINITY, D.B.X., AKG, workers,mailers,etc.Details, Send Soundtrack Album Retailers, Dept. HF4, BEST PRICES PROFESSIONAL CONSUL- $1.00, Promotions, 8050 So. Main, Box 487, New Holland, PA 17557. (717) 284- TATION, AMERISOUND SALES, INC. EAST: #2, Houston, TX 77025. 2573. (904) 262-4000; WEST (818) 243-1168. HIGH FIDELITY CLASSIFIED SPECIAL REPORT sectionis frequentlysplitup and panned to piercing choruses and deft opening refrain WEDDING MARCHES; BAROQUE MUSIC. oppositecorners. The resulting sound is of "Baby I Need Your Loving" have greater Trumpets, Organ. CD $16.95, record/ shallow, unblended, and harshly lit.Even definition here, and the richness of Levi cassette $9.98. Shipping $1.50. FREE though Sinatra consistently recorded "live" Stubbs's tone can be truly distinguished. catalogue! Crystal Records, Sedro-Woolley, with a studio orchestra, the different audio Likewise, the incisive vocal exchanges of the WA 98284. environments applied to singer and instru-Temptations onCloud Nine/Puzzle Pee - IN PRINT & OUT OF PRINT RECORDS ALL CATEGORIES & mentalists make it seem as if he had been plot (Gordy CORD 8016) are overwhelming NOSTALGIA VIDEO TAPES. Spectacular Catalog!! $2.00 tracked in after the fact. Digital remastering on CD. The argument that "Cloud Nine" USA $3.00 Foreign. Serendipity Records, 4775 Durham brings out the inherent weaknesses of this isn't a drug song is more convincing when Road, Guilford, CT 06437 USA. production approach with disturbing clarity. you focus on the overlayered voices and the OPERA -HISTORICAL PERFORMANCES ON By contrast, the digitally remastered Sin- clashing of tinny guitar and rumbling bass, VIDEO AND DISC. Most comprehensive atra albums that Capitol/EMI released in now fully clear in the mix. Puzzle People was a selection. Send $1.00 for catalog. LYRIC, Great Britain a couple of years ago sound thoroughly underrated LP in its time; listen P.O. BOX 235, ROSLYN HEIGHTS, NY warmer and more natural than ever. These especially to the spirited nationalist anthem 11577. albums have not yet appeared on Compact "Message from a Black Man." These Four

OLDTIME RADIO PROGRAMS . . . Classic broadcasts on Disc because of the same difficulties that are Tops and Temptations sets alone will proba- high quality tapes. Mystery! Adventure! Comedy! Music! keeping the Beatles off the format. One can bly inspire sale of the others. Free catalogue. Carl Froelich, 2-H Heritage Farm, New only hope that these difficulties are resolved The big disappointment is Mary Wells's Freedom, Pennsylvania 17349. as soon as possible. [At press time, Capitol Two Lovers/My Goy (Motown MOTD AUDIO/VIDEO SPECIALTY SHOPS announced it is releasing four of its Sinatra 8024). The title track of the latter LP has a recordings on CD: In the Wee Small Hours, disturbing dropout at the peak of Wells's vo- AUDIOPHILES/VIDEOPHILES! We have the widest selection of audio/video equipment available. Adcom, Songs for Swingin' Lovers, Close to You and More, cal, and there are several songs on Two Lovers Infinity, Harmon Kardon, Kyocera, JVC Video, Canton, and Sinatra's Swingin' Session and More. As for that are muddy and lifeless. It's disquieting Klipsch, Luxman, Sony ES, Yamaha, NEC. Call for the Fab Four, see "The Beatles Are Com- that allegedly superior sound -reproduction information. CONTINENTAL SOUND, 98-77 Queens Blvd., ing!" elsewhere in this section.-Ed.] Sina- technology wasn't able to display the boom- Rego Park, NY 11374. (718) 459-7507. Immediate delivery. MC/VISA/AMEX/DISCOVER tra's recordings for Capitol are essential ing soprano that was such a part of Wells's documents of American popular song at its charm. Every Great Motown Song, The SOCIAL CLUBS peak. His recordings for Reprise, with one First 25 Years, Vol. 1: The 1960s/Vol.

CLASSICAL MUSIC LOVERS' EXCHANGE. Nationwide Link or two notable exceptions, are simply not on 2: The 1970s(Motown MOTD 8034) also Between Unattached Music Lovers. CMLE, Box 31, Pelham, that level. Terry Teachout fails to convey anything beyond the expect- NY 10803. ed, although here the problems may further Editor's note: Also available on Compact Disc from derive from the song selection (no Stevie M O N E Y M A K I N G Reprise is Sinatra: A Man and His Music Wonder track at all strikes me as absurd). HIGH FIDELITY ( 1016-2), a two -disc compilation. And the '70s material does show how Mo- Attn: M. Manaseri, 7th Floor town started slipping in compositional G825 7th Avenue B MOTOWN TWOFERS clout: Not one track holds up against the N.Y., N.Y. 10019 E body of work from the '60s. 212-887-8458 U MOTOWN SURPRISED MANY RECORD -INDUSTRY My favorite CD here-though not the N1-800-ABC-MAGS observers when it announced this past fall peak in musical efficiency-is Marvin Gaye's S E that its midline titles on vinyl would be com- What's Going On/Let's GetIt On(Tamla pletely phased out and replaced by a series I'AMD 8013).Gaye's masterful ebullience, RName of Compact Discs combining two full LPs on sultry flamboyance, and steamy eroticism A one CD. The company had already intro- are sizzling on Let's Get It On, while his sense Add. N T duced a host of special CD lines, including of frustration and indignation, coupled with City St. E the acclaimed "Compact Command Perfor- some epic lyric -writing and production, E mances" slate featuring the best music of se- make What's Going On a landmark of pop pro- Zip Tel S lect artists on extended discs, and the new test. This CD doesn't have any glaring prob- Y series of 42 twofers is further evidence of the lems, and the sonorous, splendid Gaye tenor Payment- Check S label's wholesale adoption of and expansion comes across magnificently in digital. You into the digital format. can hear him hitting the cliffs of "Save the M 0 Visa U Motown is unashamedly targeting these Children," and the grunts and groans of twofers at the yuppie market, reasoning that "Let's Get It On" could be in your own bed- RMastercharge H the same people who took to heart the music room. Similarly, the engaging innocence of Card # E of The Big Chill will jump at the chance to get Michael Jackson makes for unforgettable lis- a pair of classic albums for a bargain price tening to Diana Ross Presents the Jack- R and enjoy the enhanced fidelity ensured by son S/ABC (Motown MOTD 8019). That W exp. digital remastering. Sadly, though, not all of innocence, coupled with Michael's stagger- Nrun ad copy for the E these twofers deliver that "ensured" en- ing vocal talent and the group cohesion that hancement-if the six titles I sampled are in- was too natural to be slick at the time, ren- issue - dicative. Indeed, sound -level fluctuations ders these recordings essential, and none of and dropouts are the norm on at least two ofthe electricity has been sacrificed on CD. them. It was a master stroke of Motown to in- The most impressive sets are the ones troduce these twofers. However, despite the devoted to groups. Four Tops/Four Tops' fact that the original recordings ate 20 years Second Album (Motown Nit) 11) 8027) fi- old, some of the twofers have such disap- nallybrings out the submerged harmonies pointing fidelity that it even sounds as if and elaborate production that can't be heard first -generation tapes weren't used for re - adequately on the analog versions. The mastering. And if this disappointing sound is the rule, the demanding expectations of Gregory Isaacs and with a progression to CD consumers may eventually undermine SPECIAL REPORT poppy, horn -charted material, the beat and the good will that the company has generat- Burke. New Acoustic Mum- offers top musi- the melody necessarily stay within genre ed with the series. Ron Wynn cians of that genre-sort of an outgrowth of confines. But fans will surely appreciate the instrumental folk and bluegrass in the New sound of both CDs, especially that of the RYKODISC SAMPLERS Age direction, though banjoists Tony percussion on Heartbeat Reggae. Trischka and Bela Fleck, mandolinists David As mentioned before, onlyThe Cruisin' THE JAPANESE WORD "RYKO" MEANS "SOUND Grisman and Sam Bush, dobro ace Jerry Mbar'(RCD 40032), a 15 -song set of vin- from a flash of light," so it's fitting thatDouglas, and guitarists Tony Rice and tage rock 'n' roll plus period advertising and Rykodisc, a CD -only label based in Salem, Pierre Bensusan would undoubtedly object chatter by the era's top deejays, suffers in the Massachusetts, borrowed the word in estab- to such categorization. This disc may wear sound department, but with warhorses like lishing its identity. According to the compa- thin on the uninitiated-a problem also pos- "Maybelline" and "Duke of Earl," that's to ny, releases are geared specifically to the CD sible with Heartbeat Reggae, since even with be expected. Besides, these are classics, so buyer, with acoustic and "atmospheric" mu-such stars as Burning Spear, Mutabaruka, who cares if they don't sound any better than sic, jazz, and progressive rock being espe- Black Uhuru, the Mighty Diamonds, and they originally did. Jim Bessman cially well cataloged. [That last category in- cludes Frank Zappa, whose first Rykodisc CDs are reviewed above in this section.- DIMENSIONAL PURITY VANDERSTEEN AUDIO Ed.] Additionally, Rykodisc claims to take Vandersteen Audio was founded in 1977 special care in digitally remastering source with the commitment to offer always the tapes, reconfiguring LP jackets to jewel -box finest in music reproduction for the dollar. booklet dimensions, and adding extra tracks Toward this goal there will always be a where appropriate. high degree of pride, love, and personal The sound quality of the five Rykodisc satisfaction involved in each piece before it compilations under review here is indeed leaves our facilities. Your Vandersteen dealer high, except for that of The Cruisin' Years, shares in this commitment, and has been which is a product of '50s and '60s recording carefully selected for his ability to deal with technique. Unfortunately, though, the infor- the complex task of assembling a musically mative 28 -page booklet provided with this satisfying system. Although sometimes disc, while offering far more than necessary hard to find, he is well worth seeking out. for most releases, stands way out compared Write or call for a brochure and the with the basic track listings that accompany name of your nearest dealer. the other discs. But at least there are refer- VANDERSTEEN AUDIO ences to the albums where the selected 0 116 WEST FOURTH STREET tracks originated: It's hard to think of one HANFORD, CALIFORNIA 93230 USA artist who is not worthy of a fuller hearing. C) (209) 582-0324 This is especially true ofRounder Folk (Rykodisc RCD 20018), which beautifully showcases the Rounder label's depth in con- temporary as well as traditional folk music. SAVEup to $24 Beginning with Mary McCaslin's wondrous- ly unaffected version of the Beatles' "Black- bird," the vitality of current folk in all its va- by subscribing today to riety is explored, with crystalline sound reproduction highlighting acoustic instru- MUSICAL AMERICA mentation and, more important, individual vocal attributes. Not meaning to slight any of the 20 other deserving artists, I must spot- light Hazel Dickens for her pure country - Lively! Informative! Entertaining! Au- ballad twang in "Beyond the River Bend," thoritative! MUSICAL AMERICA, Bob Brozman for his steel -guitar -driven America's premier classical music "Twelfth Street Rag," and the Johnson magazine, brings you news and re- Mountain Boys for their sweetly rendered views from around the U.S. and the youthful bluegrass of "Waves on the Sea." world on liveclassical music and The compilation also includes stellar contri- dance. And you can SAVE UP TO $24 off butions from Nanci Griffith, John Fahey, Since 1898, MUSICAL AMERICAthe single -copy price by entering your Mimi Farina, Christine Lavin, and Riders in has set the standard for authoritativeRISK -FREE SUBSCRIPTION now. the Sky and has a playing time of more than coverage of the performing arts. AndSimply call 1-800-247-5470 toll -free. now it's once again available as a Charge your subscription to Mas- 60 minutes (as do the other four discs). separate magazine. This excitingterCard or Visa, or we'll be glad to Two more Rounder packages.Out of "new" bi-monthly carries the samebill you later.If you're not entirely the Blue(RCD 20003) andNew Acoustic stimulating columnists,critics, andsatisfied with the new MUSICAL Music(RCD 20002), and the Heartbeat la- writers as in the past. But you'll findAMERICA, we'll refund the unused bel'sHeartbeat Reggae (RCD 20019) much, much more! More pages!portion of your subscription. If you're equal Rounder Folk in sound quality. Out of the More coverage! Classical record re-serious about music, you owe it to Blue draws from Rounder's wide range of views! New columnists! yourself to SUBSCRIBE TODAY! blues -related artists and includes offerings from the Buckwheat Zydeco Band, George CALL 1-800-247-5470 TO SUBSCRIBE Thorogood and the Destroyers, the Night- hawks, Marcia Ball, John Hammond, J.B. 1 Year (6 issues) $30 (Save $6 off $36 2 Years (12 issues) $48 (Save $24 off Hutto and the New Hawks, and Solomon newsstand price) $72 newsstand price) CANADIAN & FOREIGN: 1 Year $36.00, 2 Years $60 gH47 READER -ACTION PAGE

Many manufacturers who advertise inHIGHFIDELITYoffer additional litera- Advertising ture on their products free of charge to our readers. For more information on specific products advertised in this issue, drop a postcard, care of Dept. HF-487 unless otherwise noted, to the addresses listed below. If an address Index does not appear, literature is available through the company's dealers only.

Acoustic Research 10 Acoustic Research Memtek Products TDK Electronics Corp. 330 Turnpike St. 2155 S. Bascom Ave., 2nd Fl. 12 Harbor Park Drive Alpine 22 Canton, MA 02021 Campbell;CA 95008 Port Washington, NY 10050 617/821-2300 408/559-2900 516/625-0100 Altec Lansing 24, 25 ATTN: Dept. HF 4/87 ATTN: Dept. HF 4/87 ATTN: Dept. HF 4/87 Alpine Pioneer Electronics, Inc. Vandersteen Army 30 19145 Gramercy Place 5000 Airport Plaza Dr. 116 W. Fourth Street Torrance, CA 90501 Long Beach, CA 90815 Hanford, CA 93230 Blaupunkt 12, 13 213/326-8000 213/420-5700 209/582-0324 ATTN: Dept. HF 4/87 ATTN: Dept. HF 4/87 ATTN: Dept. HF 4/87 Carver Corp. 35, 42 Altec Lansing Polk Audio WE R Electronics CBS Compact Disc Club 17 Altec Lansing Consumer Products 1915 Anapolis Rood 7540 Washington Blvd. Milford, PA 18337 Baltimore, MD 21230 Baltimore, MD 21227 Design Acoustics 16 717/296-4434 301/837-4300 ATTN: Dept. HF 4/87 ATTN: Dept. HF 4/87 ATTN: Dept. HF 4/87 Wisconsin Discount Focus 72 Blaupunkt Polygram Records Inc. 2417 W. Badger Rood 2800 S. 25th Ave. 810 Seventh Ave., 12th Floor Madison, WI 53713 Franklin Mint 7 Broadview, IL 60153 New York, NY 10019 800/356-9514 312/865-5200 ATTN: Dept. HF 4/87 ATTN: Dept. HF 4/87 General Electric 14 ATTN: Dept. HF 4/87 Radio Shack Yamaha JAR Music World 66, 67 Carver Corporation 300 One Tandy Center 660 Orangethorpe Avenue 20121 48th Ave., West Ft. Worth, TX 76102 Buena Park, CA 90620 J.C. Whitney 33 PO Box 1237 ATTN: Dept. HF 4/87 714/522-9105 Lynnwood, WA 98036 Sansui Electronics Corp. ATTN: Dept. HF 4/87 206/775-1202 Luxman 29 1250 Valley Brook Ave. ATTN: Dept. HF 4/87 Lyndgurst, NJ 07071 Memtek 19 Focus Electronics 201/460-9710 1225 39th St. ATTN: Dept. HF 4/87 Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. 20 Brooklyn, NY Shure Brothers Inc. ATTN: Dept. HF 4/87 222 Hartrey Ave. Polk Audio Cover II,1, 6 General Electric Company Evanston, IL 60202-3696 600 N. Sherman Drive 312/866-2200 Polygram Records Inc. 69 Indianapolis, IN 46206 ATTN: Dept. HF 4/87 317/267-5000 Radio Shack 4 Sony Corp. of America ATTN: Dept. HF 4/87 Sony Drive RCA Music Service 37 JAR Music World Pork Ridge, NJ 07656 23 Park Row ATTN: Dept. HF 4/87 Sony Corp. of America 8, 9 New York, NY 10038 Customer Service Dept. Sansui Electronics Corp. III ATTN: Dept. HF 4/87

Shure Brothers, Inc. 15

TDK Electronics Corp. Cover IV

Vandersteen Audio 79

WE R Electronics 59 Advertising Offices Wisconsin Discount 71 New Yorks ABC Consumer Magazines, Inc., 825 Ith Ave., 8th Floor, New York, NY 10019. Tel: (2121265-8360. Peter T. Johnsmeyer, Group Advertising Director; Andrew Eisenberg, Associate Advertising Director; James R. McCollum, Record Advertis- ing Manager; Maria Manoseria, Classified Advertising Manager; Angelo Puleo, Director of Production; Janet Cermak, Advertising Yamaha 26 Production Manager. ilkhvests Hon FIDELITY, Hitchcock Building, Wheaten, III. 60187. Tel; (3121653-8020. Starr Lone, Midwest Advertising Manager. Les Angelina ABC Consumer Magazines, Inc., 1888 Century Park East, Suite 920, Century City, Calif. 90067. Tel: (213) 557-7587. Howard Berman, Western Advertising Director. %Aye: Japan Advertising Communications, Inc., New Ginza Building, 7-3-13 Ginza Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104, Japan. Tel.: (03) 571-8748, Shingeru Kobayashi, President. Sansui's SX-700 is the most intelligent choice for upgrading your system or beginning a new one. Sansei takes performance to heart. That's why our new SK -700 AM -FM stereo receiver belongs at the heart of your system. With solid power,* it easily handles the surges and dynamic highs of digitally - sourced music.

Engineered for performance and designed for durability, the SX-700 has a metal chassis, cover and faceplate, not plastic like some of our com- petitors. It also features solid feel knobs and but- tons, which let you know at first touch that the SX-700 is a first class performer. Put Sansui's SX-700 at the heart of your system and get pure performance without missing a bea The idea is just as smart as it sounds. 40 walls aer channel, minimum RMS, both channels driven into 8 ohms at 20-20.000 Hz, with no more than 0.0410/0 THD. tart smart with this ureperformance receiver.

gransuiPlectronics Corp., Lyndhurst, NJ 07071, Carson, CA 90746 Backw.i on !our %olleys is Bert. Backspin on your music snot -hat's why TDK developed a series of ugh- Dias audio cassettes that give you a power -sera cf Dure fet rr e performance TDK EA delive-s an unmatched high end with extra sensitvity for all of yoJr nos: sophist catd MJS favcrities For m JSC that's al over the court, we've developed an imo-eoed TDK SA -X, which is now the Aorld's owest-noise tape. It rEaches high anc lc w to Jeliwer crisp, clear soLnd withou-. c And fcr error--mefollow-T.hrough in recording from ccnpact dscs we offer TDKHKS. It captures ai the .iyiarnic purity of tie original digital sand like rocther. TDK hog i-bias aupo cassettes. -he -ill sure improve th 3 way you play-yot_ r music.

TDK also manufactures a quality line of video cassettes and floppy disk produc e