American Audio an American Dream System Maxine Sullivan, an American Classic Lab Tests: Harman Kardon Cassette Deck Acoustat Speaker Koss Headphones ...And More

JUNE 1985 S1.95 Ne\ SPECIAL REPORT: AMERICAN AUDIO AN AMERICAN DREAM SYSTEM MAXINE SULLIVAN, AN AMERICAN CLASSIC LAB TESTS: HARMAN KARDON CASSETTE DECK ACOUSTAT SPEAKER KOSS HEADPHONES ...AND MORE

azaop A4 311IASI1101 ID H13:11,4110 bOTE WZ*90 NUNUHDI18 OIA80 8W 06NUf 1-TP4 S600VOTE HD8 26P0£* EE20t, IIDIC-S**********036G20 SOUND HANSFANTEL SpeakerIdea AnEnduring Concertsof the thecapabilities From stretching compensate by to Cue properresponse it's easier of thespeak- a to get We think properties innovation, materials.mechanical Takes speaker for the box are soar- compulsive more lives by What is electronically the single which news.audio isthe structuralelements."speakers in rearward to In anindustrymerely newis hardlyfield of er's separate sound the -changing its meritover The nine of fourradiates rearward to somethingin thefast proving that a group of fourradiates According remarkable old concept ranged forward. of an makes aclassic. the another groupspeakerfaces soundfield persistence That's what column on oneside,and asingle results in a While again. noted in arecent other side, and overclassics, as and theOhm/Walsh Bose, thisconfigurationa liveperformance.feeling of a Such turntable updated ver- to Dr. experienced at the AR up inbasically true that sound creates speaker AcousticResearchhave a wayof poppingbut similar to rearward forward-facing technologies reflected the theimaginary loudspeakers, changing One oldacquaintance the sonicambiance,musicians on "stereo adapted to selves. the Bose901 loud- generous of the is called sions,former andfamiliar guise is and owes thelocations to what thespeakers to their to 1968 pinpoints contributing wall inmodernizeddates back Dr. Amar stage,thuseffective inthis manner,from the nowreappearingbasicdesign ideas of stereo To be foot distant for this whose theseminalInstituteof Tech- imaging." least one available speaker, lifespan to positioned at pedestals arefrom theceiling, itsremarkable theMassachusetts must be Attractive be hung professor at achieve- rear. speakers may unobtru- Bose, a basic tocreative at theiror the beingvisually(21 x 12 x13 feats ofengi- purpose, floorspace atall and nology. ofimaginationworks ofart or no compactness The kind they be distinctive taking upto theuncommon V springboard-throwing a away sive thanks the Series requires abegan by 901-calledprecursors Dr. Bose Recogniz- inches). version ofthe Bose from its neering-usuallydeparture. loudspeakers.perform- The new pair anddiffers against the point of notionsaboutheard at alive $1,400 per fortify thespeaker has been established the sound from thesound sells for intended to dynamic range most most of directly of re- - The thanenough ing thefact that listener not by way byalterationschallenges. the fashioned a digital 106decibels-moreDespitetheir ancereaches instruments-butBose rigors of staggering laserdisks. musicians' ceiling, Dr.similar way.In extended to a from thesespeakers source-the walls and in a onslaughts fortissimi, with equal from the the sound of itssound not tobrave sonic laserized of music flections todisperseradiates most the with aspects fullness and 901 wall inback of masterly way the subtler loudspeakerthe Bosetoward the rear- treat theircharacteristicvolumelevels. consequence, but Where the nonetheless not lose low may ap- listener sides ofthe room. reflects as and do atmoderate or toward thetoward the walls, it aplomb of sound scattered, onefeeling speaker and hits the the apparent spaciousness is broadly without ever sidewayssoundthischanges the sound closely ward and And since speakersquite mirror.Surprisingly, by anal- these from a understood proach listening room. easily yourself in a blasted. size of the effect is more look at then sonically speakers to Thiscurious Suppose you reflection these reflections. feet. Your rather, your allows mod- ogy tolight of five itself; efficiencylevels fromrelativelydigi- from adistanceof themirror mirror. Theirhigh volume for the mirror the plane behind the -filling alsosignificant re- not in five feet by theBose 901 produce room This is theamplifier or appears to bestanding produced wattage. it allows and avoid image seems frombehind the estamplifier future, for capacity the soundreflectionswall but in alarger and rated power sonic peaks Likewise, notfrom the of sitting tal present within its spectacular be coming impression listening room. ceiver tostay at the Yet thespeakers seem to to the of the of distortion even powerful gives rise dimensions to theillusion overload digitalrecordings.the most wall. This actual for which manyunfazed byeven of power- spacethan the contributesambiance of typical ofremain 1,000 watts spatialenlargementof acoustic this is true themselves handle asmuch as Such music inthe kind degrec,Bose seems can 901 rankswith To somebut the signals and is nomisprint!the Bose From hearingmusic wasintended. enlarged third zero veracity, music. most loudspeakers,to suggestan and that of musical with anytype of its ability In terms scores,everything allmultidirectionaleffective in and isconvincing of stringshas the finest symphonicthe sound particularly no tomassive from There arc solo piano Especially this stems open. Part of environment. other ways. by nine airy and uniquedesign. unusual in isgenerated sounds auraPofroundedness.by this the ulti- Thespeaker is The sound chambered apleasing achieved tweeters. eachseparately sound dispersiontoward theaccomplishingbelievable woofers and full -range the sound way orchestra four -inchspeakers,To produce the a long making an identical connected to which goes task of overallenclosure.equalizeris the ampli- impossible within thearray, aspecial modifying matelyliving room. from this device, of thespeaker. in the anexternal requirementsdesigners try amplifier asto tailorit to the speaker fier's output explains,"Most As a Boseengineer happensFutureMany speakers if :here's Perfect. today something are suposed fond to digital? be digital rea iy. 3ut what mentsBoserealismready 901for to and thedigital Series impac* origin3I's ba.-3k V system never inlegerdary 1963. before brings because performance. heardsome from350it reprodJced des.gn a speaker.:hillThe -Tilted imp-oye-orginal music Todais power Bosewith 901 Direct/Reflecting speaker was handlingsoundwhattheideal digital thefor betterand listeningaudio compact very on fulure nightt ;-oe disc.Bose effic-envythehas best And901in store, whilethatsystem. make audioone no the Hearonething ct.rrently Series canthe is certa,n: precictgegendary V hasspeake- toexac*lyit willoffer- speaker that New York Times. audio. critic Hans Fantel says Bosefamousthesic"" nameat Corporation. your MIT of author:zed yourlecture nearest Dept. Sound Bose SP901,dealer Recording dealer and 10 Speenasoon copy and For St.,Reproductionofranks D-more Framingham, Amar with'nfcrmalion, BOS9 the write: finest 's and is conyincirg with any type of mu- MA 01701. Better sound through rEsear:h. -]474u LIS -2.11:10 olorTAL SYNTI-Olaarr- orunc= nee-Avei 116 11I T "FrTiT1177171- ;1'171 171 InlinMI UM WS mom we= = Is Is I I 1/18, NJ/ 4111:1.1.1

no.1011. 11101.1.111. ARM I , ME ME miNimmos mom=

AWESOME POWER It's The First Thing That Strikes You.

The second thing you'll d scover is rue puri-y o: Now, checK the features we've designed in so that power. Because this new Radio Shack stereo ycu can control that power. Monitoring and dubbi-ig receiver delivers 100 watts pe- shame mininurr fo- two -ape decks. Pushbutton selectors for com- rms into 8 ohms, from 20 to 20,C00 Hz, yet produceE paci disc, video sound, turntable, main and remcte no more than 0.05% total harmonic distortion. ThE speakers. Digital -synthesized tuning with 12 mem- is the combination of high pcwer and CIN disto-t or ori 3reEets and automatic search mode. Stepped you need to enjoy the wide cyramic ge of cc m - bass, treble and midrange controls. Deluxe me -al pact discs, LaserVision discs and hi -E vdeotaDas erc osLre with real -wood end panels. Triple- pntectexi power amplifies Backed by our Tw3-Year Send for Your FREE 1986 Catalog Limited Warranty and nationwide service. Fact is, there's only one thing that's not awesome Mail to: Radio Shack, Department 86-A-071, 300 One Tandy Center, Fort North, T( 76102 atcut our new Realistic' STA-2600. It's or ly $499.95 or as low as S23 per month with Racio Name Sf ack/C itiLine credit! Street City State ZIP Rath. Thaeg Prices apply at participating Radio Shack stones end dealers. CISLine is ar cpen ended credit plan tram Citibank. Actual payment nay vary depenling on blaice. A 'DIVISION OF TA JD1 CORPORATION Stereo Review

BULLETIN 5 TECHNICAL TALK 30 EDITORIAL 8 POPULAR MUSIC 113 LETTERS 10 CLASSICAL MUSIC 123 NEW PRODUCTS 16 VIDEO REVIEWS 131 AUDIO Q&A 20 THE HIGH END 144 EQUIPMENT CAR STEREO 24 In the lab and on the road with the Kenwood KRC-999 tuner/cassette player by Julian Hirsch and Christopher Greenleaf HIRSCH-HOUCK LABS EQUIPMENT TEST REPORTS 37 Harman Kardon TD392 Cassette Deck, page 37 American Acoustics D8500 Speaker System, page 40 Vector Research V-5000 VHS Hi-Fi VCR, page 49 Koss SST/7 Headphones, page 59 Acoustat One + One Speaker System, page 60 SPECIAL REPORT: THE STATE OF THE NATION'S AUDIO 64 Innovative design and superb craftsmanship keep America at the forefront of audio technology by Steve Birchall SYSTEMS 7-I An American dream by Michael Smolen AMERICAN AUDIO COMPANIES 78 A directory to hi-fi equipment manufacturers based in the U.S. by William Burton and staff HEADPHONES 95 How to make an informed choice for good sound and comfortable listening by E. Brad Meyer THE GENERAL ELECTRIC CONTROL CENTRAL 104 A user's evaluation by Chris Albertson MUSIC MAXINE SULLIVAN: AN AMERICAN CLASSIC 99 Still swinging after fifty years by Chris Albertson BEST RECORDINGS OF THE MONTH 107 Rossini's Il viaggio a Reims, Philip Glass, Beethoven's Piano Concertos Nos. 3 and 4, the Bangles RECORD MAKERS 140 The latest from Bob Dylan, Leonard Bernstein, Air Supply, Spyro Gyra, and more Vol.. 51 No. 6 fu.vE 1986 (ISSN 0039-1220) COVER: DESIGN BY SUE LLEWELLYN, PHOTO ROBERTO BROSAN COPYRIGHT SD 1986 BY CBS MAGAZINES, A DIVISION OF CBS INC. All rights reserved. Stereo Review, June 1986, Volume 51, Number 6. Publishedmonthly by CBS Magazines at 3807 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angtles, CA 90010. Editorial and Executive Offices at 1515 Broadway, New York. NY 10036; Telephone (212) 719-6000.Also pub- lishers of Stereo Buyers' Guide, Car Stereo Buyers' Guide, Tape Recording Buyers' Guide, and Video Buyers' Guide. One-year subscription rate for the United Statesand its possessions, $9.98: Canada. $10.98; all other countries, $14.98. cash orders only, payable in U.S. currency. Second-class postage paid at Los Angeles, CA 90052,and at additional mailing offices. Authorized as second-class mail by the Post Office Department, Ottawa. Canada, and for payment of postage in rash.POSTMASTER /SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE: Please send change -of -address forms and all subscription correspondence to Stereo Review, P.O. Box 2771, Boulder, CO 80302. Please allow at least eightweeks for the change of address to become effective. Include both your old and your new address, enclosing, if possible, an address label from a recent issue. If you havea subscription problem, write to the above address or call (800) 525-0643; in Colorado, call (303) 447-9330.PERMISSIONS:Material in this publication may not be reproduced in any form without permission. Requests for permission should be directed to William S. Bunchuck, Rights and Permissions, CBS Magazines. One Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016. Linear Power, once again on the leading edg. of the American Revolution in car audio, intro.ices the coolest 250 watts per channel avai able. Oily Linear Power recognizes your need for an acoustically -based cctr_-_ct on amp ner And with our Proprietary Processing Circuity, the 5002 provides you with the best slew and danTing with a low THD. The Mod= 5002 joins our sophisticated family of American - made amplifiers and audio :omponents adapt- able :o any mobile 7 system. Your music >'A may hot, but

MODEL 5002 500 WATTS RMS

?OER

CAR AUDIO MADE IN AIVIERICA

*val.:zoo American -made amplifiers and audio components OASHBOARU since 1975. OE MO CHAD

11545 0 Avenue, Auburn, California, 95603 (8001538 8911/in California Call Co:lect (916) 823-7891

CIRCLE NO 7 ON READER SERVICE CARD BULLETIN

by Christie Barter and Gordon Sell by SR eliminates the audible di- vent has introduced a line of hi -fl viding line between analog and and video cabinets that match the THE NEW CARVER SPEAKER digital [recordings ]." style and finish of the company's Bob Carver, of Carver Corpora- speakers. . .. Japan Industry tion, has developed a full -range MUSIC NOTES Newsletter reports that Alps Elec- ribbon panel speaker with built- Capitol Records has released a tronics will be producing 10,000 in Sonic Holography that works set of twelve albums under the R-DAT (rotary digital audio tape) in the vertical plane as well as overall title "Rock of Ages," en- heads each month by this fall. the horizontal plane. According to compassing a quarter -century Those heads are going to have to Carver, it "romps and stomps like (1950-1974) of rock, pop, and go somewhere, so it seems safe to vintage JBL, has the midrange of soul.... MGM/UA has introduced assume that consumer digital au- a Quad, hits like a K -horn [Klip- a "Musicals Great Musicals" se- dio tape decks will be appearing schorn], has the high end of an ries of a dozen videocassette titles in the not -too -distant future... . Ionovac, images like none other, drawn from MGM's archives and Sharp has developed a VCR that and is flat from 20 [Hz] to 20 specially priced at $29.95. In- can play tapes at twice the nor- [kHz]." He plans to sell the cluded are film classics like Kiss mal speed without the high- speaker this fall for $1,275 a pair. Me Kate, An American in Paris, pitched "chipmunk" effect that Brigadoon, and (for the first time normally occurs when you speed up a tape.. .. Madisound Speaker in stereo) Meet Me in St. Louis .. . EMI has contracted with La Scala, Components in Madison, Wiscon- Milan, for five opera recordings to sin, has set up a computer bulle- be produced over a period of five tin board for audio hobbyists. If years. The first, with sessions you have a 300- or 1200 -baud . scheduled to begin next month modem, just tell your computer to under the direction of Riccardo call 608-767-2585. Muti, will be Verdi's La Forza del HANDS ACROSS AMERICA Destine. ... Dunhill is being re- HONORS The organization known as USA vived as a CD -only label under the The Welsh dramatic soprano for Africa (United Support of Art- Dunhill Compact Classics logo. Gwyneth Jones, recently heard ists for Africa), which has raised The initial release includes titles nationally as the Marschallin in a over $44 million for hunger relief by Dionne Warwick, Judy Gar- Metropolitan Opera broadcast of overseas-most of it from royal- land, Jerry Lee Lewis, Sam Cooke, Strauss's Der Rosenkavalier, has ties earned by the hit record We John Coltrane, Lionel Hampton, been made a Dame of the British Are the World-has set its sights and Lena Horne. Empire.... The Academie du on hunger here at home. The new Disque Francais has awarded the project, called Hands Across STING FOR PEACE AND LIFE American conductor James Con- America and scheduled for Sun- The video version of Sting's hit lon its Grand Prix for his Erato day, May 25, envisions a human single Russians on A&M is being recordings of music by Poulenc... chain 4,000 miles long stretching released in the appropriate over- Winners of the Arturo Toscanini from the Statue of Liberty in New seas markets with subtitles in Artistic Achievement Awards, giv- York to the Pacific Ocean at Los French, German, Dutch, Portu- en for the first time this year, Angeles. For information call guese-and Russian. According to were James Levine (conducting), 800 -USA -9000. Record buyers can a spokesman for the label, A&M Jon Vickers (vocal/male), Mari- contribute by picking up the sin- is "attempting to make one art- lyn Horne (vocal/female), Nathan gle Hands Across America recent- ist's personal message of hope for Milstein (violin), Rudolf Serkin ly released by EMI America. world peace available to an inter- (piano), Janos Starker (cello), national audience.".. . Sting is and the Juilliard String Quartet . . The Berklee DOLBY SR-AS GOOD AS also featured in I.R.S. Records' (chamber group). . DIGITAL? "Live! For Life," a charity album College of Music in Boston is Dolby Labs has announced a whose proceeds are earmarked awarding honorary degrees of new system, called Dolby SR, for for the AMC Cancer Research Doctor of Music to jazz pianist professional analog master re- Foundation. A compilation of pre- Herbie Hancock and to rock star cordings. The SR stands for "spec- viously unreleased live and studio Paul Simon. tral. recording," the company ex- recordings, the album also in- pla ns, and "the system employs a cludes tracks by the Bangles, powerful coding algorithm sensi- R.E.M., Bob Marley, Squeeze, and tive to variations in signal Stewart Copeland. spectrum as well as to level changes...." Dolby claims that TECH NOTES the system can "give professional Acoustic Research is introduc- analog recorders a useful dying "Powered Partners," a pow- namic range equal to or greater ered speaker system intended for than that of 16 -bit digital record- use with video components and ing systems." Director of special portable CD players as well as for projects Bill Mead says that "Dol- surround -sound systems... . Ad- Polk's RevolutionarySDAs

SDA 2 $625.00 SDA SRS hirob395.004.a SDA CRS $395.00 ea

It is always better than would be achievedby conventional "Stereo Review Magazine "The Genius of Matthew Polk Brings You the Breathtaking Sound of the SDAs"

"Breathtaking...a new world of hi fi listening" Stereo Buyers Guide

"Literally a new dimension in sound" Stereo Review Magazine

"Mindboggling...Astounding...Flabbergasting" High Fidelity Magazine

he experts agree: Polk's revolu- What is the difference between a mono You will hear instruments, ambience and tionaryTRUE STEREOSDAs* and stereo speaker? It's quite simple: the subtle musical nuances (normally masked - sound dramaticallybetter than fundamental and basic concept of mono is by conventional mono speakers), revealed conventional loudspeakers! that you have one signal (and speaker) for your enjoyment by the SDAs. This benefit meant to be heard by both ears at once. is accurately described by Julian Hirsch in However, the fundamental and basic conceptStereo Review, "...the sense of discovery "They truly represent a breakthrough" of stereo is that a much more lifelike three- experienced when playing an old favorite Rolling Stone Magazinedimensional sound is achieved by having 2 stereo record and hearing, quite literally, a Matthew Polk's critically acclaimed, Audiodifferent signals, each played back through new dimension in the sound is a most Video Grand Prix Award winning SDA tech- a separate speaker and each meant to be attractive bonus..." Records, CD's, tapes, nology is the most important fundamental heard by only one ear apiece (L orR). So video and FM all benefit equally as dramat- advance in loudspeaker technology since quite simply, conventional mono loud- ically. SDAs allow you to experience the stereo itself Listeners are amazed when they speakers are designed to be heard by two spine tingling excitement, majesty and plea- hear the huge, lifelike, three-dimensional ears at once while true stereo loudspeakers sure of live music in your own home. sonic image produced by Polk's SDA speak- should each be heard by only one ear apiece ers. The nation's top audio experts agree that(like headphones). The revolutionary Polk "You owe it to yourself to audition them" Polk SDA loudspeakers always sound better SDAs are the onlyTRUE STEREOspeakers High Fidelity Magazine than conventional loudspeakers. Stereo Re- engineered to accomplish this and fully You mast hear the remarkable sonic view said, "Spectacular ...the result is alwaysrealize the astonishingly lifelike three-dimen-benefits of SDA technology for yourself You better than would be achieved by conven- sional imaging capabilities of the too will agree with Stereo Review's dramatic tional speakers." High Fidelity said, stereophonic sound medium. conclusion: "the result is always better than "Mindboggling...Astounding...Flabbergast- would be achieved by conventional speaking...We have yet to hear any stereo program"An amazing experience." ers...it does indeed add a new dimension to High Fidelity Magazine that doesn't benefit." Now the dramatic reproduced sound." audible benefits of Polk's exclusiveTRUE Words alone cannot fully describe how STEREOSDA technology are available in 4 much more lifelikeTRUE STEREOreproduc-Other Superb Polk Speakers from $85 uniquely superb loudspeaker systems, the tion is. Reviewers, critical listeners and The experts agree: Polk speakers sound SDA-lA, SDA-2, SDACRSand the incredible novices alike are usually overwhelmed by better. Hear them for yourself! Visit your new SDASRS. the magnitude of the sonic improvement nearest Polk Dealer today. achieved by Polk's Stereo/Dimensional Tech- "Spectacular... Impressive Achievement "nology. You will hear a huge sound stage Digital )isc Ready Stereo Review Magazinewhich extends not only beyond thespeakers. The design principles embodied in the but beyond the walls of your listening room SDAs make them the world's first true stereo itself The lifelike ambience revealed by the speakers. When the big switch was made SDAs makes it sound as though you have from mono to stereo, the basic concept of been transported to the acoustic environ- polk audio speaker design was never modified to take ment of the original sonic event. Every into account the fundamental difference instrument, vocalist and sound becomes The Speaker Specialists8 between a mono and stereo signal. tangible, distinct, alive and firmly placed in its own natural spatial position. 1915 Annapolis Road. Baltimore, Maryland 21230 'U.s Patent Nos 4.489432 and 4.497.064 Other patents penchng In Caned. Dist by Ovekdlon Technology, Toronto

Where to buy Polk Speakers? For your nearest dealer, see page 134. CIRCLE NO 37 ON READER SERVICE CARD SPEAKING MY PIECE Stereo Review

WILLIAM LIVINGSTONE Editor in Chief by William Livingstone tic Research, and big names in the LOUISE GOOCH BOUNDAS field were such American brands as Managing Editor Bozak, Fisher, and Scott. Transis- SUE LLEWELLYN torized equipment was new and Art Director controversial, and Norelco had just MICHAEL SMOLEN introduced the cassette. European Senior Editor products that were highly regarded GORDON SELL, WILLIAM BURTON here included Garrard turntables Technical Editors from England. Japanese companies CHRISTIE BARTER were just entering the market. Music Editor At my first lunch with Avery DAVID STEIN Fisher in 1965 he said, "The era of Assistant Managing Editor MARGARET BRUEN the audiophile is over." Mr. Fisher, Assistant Art Director the founder and president of Fisher Radio Corporation, was one of the BARBARA AIKEN,RoccoMATTERA With Ron Fone (left), president of SAM BENNETT, WENDY SCHAUB most important manufacturers in RICHARD KRUEGER Acoustic Research in Canton, MA. the industry, so I had to believe Editorial Assistants what he said, but I wasn't sure what HENRY PLEASANTS Audio in America he meant. London Editor I think he was telling me that Contributing Editors audio had become a mass -market ROBERT ACKART LOUIS MEREDITH CHRISALBERTSON ALANNA NASH FROMtime to time a readerphenomenon and no longer had the RICHARD FREED MARK PEEL writes in to request a list ofdo-it-yourself excitement it had had PHYL GARLAND LINCOLN PERRY CHRIS GREENLEAF PETERREILLY American audio equipmentwhen he was a professional book DAVID HALL CHARLES RODRIGUES manufacturers so that he can designer who pursued good sound JULIAN D. HIRSCH ERIC SALZMAN RALPH HODGES STEVE SIMELS "buy American." We've never sup-as an audiophile hobbyist. In 1965 LARRYKLEIN CRAIG STARK plied such a list because "buyingwe still had a lot of readers who STODDARDLINCOLN JOEL VANCE American" is tricky. Do you givefound excitement in building com- ROMAN BEYER more support to the labor force and ponents from kits sold by such com- Vice President and Publisher overall economy of the Unitedpanies as Acoustech, Dynaco, Eico, States by buying a component man- and Heath, but kit -building soon Advertising Director: Winston A..johnson ufactured in Hong Kong for anwent the way of the hula hoop. (212) 719-6039 American company or by buying Many founder -operated companies, National Manager: Richard J. Halpern one made by American hands in aincluding Fisher Radio and Acous- (212) 719-6037 Japanese -owned factory in Califor- tic Research, were sold to conglom- Eastern Manager: Charles L. P. Watson nia or Tennessee? erates from this country or abroad, (212) 719-6038 Account Manager: Mary Anne Holley We don't have an answer to that and the face of the American audio (212) 719-6008 question and have never based our industry changed. Classified Advertising: (212) 503-5999 buying advice on the country of ori- The love of music, however, con- Midwestern Managers: Arnold S. Hoffman gin of equipment. Like the vast ma- tinues to turn people into audio- Dirk Barenbrugge jority of our readers, we are most philes. Some of them, like Mr. Fish- (312) 679-1100 interested in what a componenter, also become equipment manu- Western Director: William J. Curtis does, how well it does it, and wheth- facturers. Acoustic Research is still Regional Manager: Charles D. Bieber er it represents good value at its in the front line of speaker manufac- (818) 784-0700 Tokyo Office, lwai Trading Co., Ltd. price. turers, but its competitors today in- 603 Ginza Sky Heights Building, 18-13, Still, there is so much talk about clude some founder -operated com- Ginza 7-Chome, Chuo-Ku, Tokyo, Japan 104 technological agendas, balance ofpanies that did not exist twenty Account Manager: J. S. Yagi, (03) 545-3908 EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTIONSmust be accompa- payments,the"hollowing"ofyears ago. Few of today's American nied by return postage and will be handled with reason- American industry, and so forth audiophiles are soldering their own able care, but the publisher assumes no responsibility that we have decided to focus three components, but new audio tech- for return or safety of art, photos, or manuscripts. issues on the state of audio in thenology excites them in other ways. Member Audit Bureau of Circulations United States, in Japan, and in Eu- For a look at the face of American rope. We are beginning in this issue audio today, read Steve Birchall's 3PA by examining our own nation's au-article on page 64. A system com- dio. Reflecting the interests of ourposed entirely (well, almost entire- readers, we are leaning more heavily) of American -made components STEREO REVIEW IS PUBLISHED BY CBS MAGAZINES, A DIVISION OF CBS INC. ly on technology and products than is described by Michael Smolen on President: Peter G. Diamandis on manufacturing and marketing. page 74, and finally, a list of Ameri- Vice President, Editorial Director: Carey Winfrey Senior Vice President, Publishing: Robert F. Spillane When I joined the staff of this can equipmentmanufacturers, Senior Vice President, Circulation: Robert Alexander Senior Vice President, Operations & Administration: magazine in 1965, hi-fi was largely drawn up by William Burton and Robert J. Granata zz an American business. By common other members of the staff, begins 2 Vice President, Finance, Arthur Sukel; Vice President, consent,thestandardreferenceon page 78. Subscription Circulation, Bernard P. Lacy: Vice Presi- 0 dent, Manufacturing & Distribution, Murray M. Rom-

speaker was the AR -3 from Acous- Next month, Japan! er; President, CBS Magazine Marketing, Carl Kopf

8 STEREOREVIEW JUNE 1986 FOR LIFE'S GREAT PERFORMANCES

1 Ill LW

The most beautiful music in the To hear, for example, tracks 1 is flawless. Thanks to an advanced world begins will! three simple thru 9, while skipping 3 and 5, 3 -beam laser pick -1p. 16 -track words: To. Without. And. you simply enter the following: memory. A Random Play System. 1 To 9 Without 3 And 5. - Digital filter. Subcode terminal. These three simple commands It's fast, simple and foolproof. Plus an insulated floating make the new AKAI CD -A70 the And the full -function wireless mechanism and special cabinet to most easily programmed CD player remote control lets you manage the eliminate resonance. you can buy. At any price. CD-A70's talents from a more cnmfy The AKAI CD -A70. AKAI calls it Natural Logic command center. Like yo Jr couch. Nobody makes great perfor- Operation. And here's how it works. Best of all, the performance mances easier to enjoy.

Visit your AKAI dealer soon for an audition. Or write to: AKAI Ain -mica, P.O. Box 6010, Compt-in, CA 90224.6010. CIRCLE NO 46 ON READER SEFVICE :AND LETTERS

10 to 20 percent. This is a slap in the supplied the photo, that although Solti is CD Buying Woes face and also an insult to my intelli- right-handed, he does occasionally hold As the owner of two Compact Disc gence. There is no reason for a price the baton in his left hand as shown. players and 355 discs, I am extremely increase except for supply and demand. bitter about the worsening availability Well, my demand just stopped until of CD releases. Since spring 1985, the prices fall. The Bangles selection, prices, availability, and fre- STANLEY ADAMS I must take exception to the mini - quency of new CD releases have been Texarkana, AR review of the Bangles' new album in worsening, and one record -store owner April's "Record Makers." Especially I spoke to said the situation won't "bot- Isn'tsupplyanddemandreason disturbing is the line, "Yes, the greatest tom out" until late this year. enough? all -girlbandsinceIna RaeHut - I have no intention of tolerating any ton's . . . ." How about the Go-Go's? further worsening in the situation. If I Not only did the Go-Go's record three don't see substantial improvement in Lefty Conductors critically acclaimed albums, but they the CD crisis by mid fall, I will buy no Having once had the occasion to con- also wrote almost all of their songs. The more Compact Discs ever again. Con- duct our local symphony orchestra in a Bangles cannot begin to compare with ventional records may have surface selection at a pops concert, I created an the Go-Go's until they write quality noise, but at least you can buy the hits uproar when I picked up the baton with songs themselves. The Go-Go's were while they're still new. At the present my left hand! "Scandal!" said the pur- the greatest all -girl band in rock during rate, don't expect Arcadia's album to ists. So I was somewhat relieved and thepastdecade.Baltimore thanks appear on CD until Simon le Bon is well vindicated to see on page 69 of the April drummer Gina Schock for her work into his mid thirties (around 1994). issue a photo of Sir Georg Solti con- with the Go-Go's. PHIL COHEN ducting left-handed. Can this be? Am I BRIAN J. HOJNACIU Bay Harbor, FL truly not an exception? Or was the pho- Baltimore, MD to reversed? Last June I purchased a CD player VICTOR G. SONNINO and by year's end had bought thirty- Midland, MD The Sound of Video eight CD's, with the expectation that Iwanted to express how much I prices would fall in 1986. With 1986 The photograph was not reversed. We enjoyed April's feature on "The Sound barely begun, CD prices have jumped are assured by London Records, which of Video." I did, however, have difficul-

The weatherproof Bose 101 speaker plays true high fidelity sound almost anywhere. Optional mounting accessories and colored decorator grilles make the Stereo Everywhere101 system a perfect match for any environment- indoors and out. Hear it now at your authorized Bose dealer. For more information, write: Bose Corporation, Dept. SR, 10 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.

Better sound through research.

10STEREO REVIEW JUNE1986 c 1986 MaarII Corporation of America. 60 0ford ot 1985 Gratitude Sky Murk and Poloround', Mask

"Knew you'd be a vsion in white Nord you get those pants so tight' Don't know what wdre doin Re you must be livin' right _ We lot some places to see I !sought all the maps with tie ,11 Solurnp right irAin't no sir Take a ride in my ',whine Cif y traffic inovii way too sbw Dry the pedal and go...go...lo ridin'on the -leeway ofbve Winds against our back Gob' ridin on tf. e 'leeway of rove In my pink Cadillac" FREEWAY OF LOVE Aretha Franklin

_37

..,--'''' I 4410° o, ,%;.° ' ''' yr ters.°0 vor,..e. Trio_...r.,:fise-- 11.0. 1:: --.0 """.....:"...... "j; 7. .0., ======''''' " := ..,s_nr...... m.t, .."/-.--0;, 0 ...... =====16E6. ..1.6

441111111111111 MAXELL. THE TAPE THAT LASTS AS LONG AS THE LEGEND. She's traveled the highway from gospel singing sister to the reigning Queen of Soul. Fueled by a big powerful voice and a big joyous heart. Maxell audio tapes are Illn X created so that you can have a permanent record of that long journey, now and in the years to come. At Maxell every tape is manufactured to standards 60% higher than the industry calls for. So even after 500 plays the genius that is Aretha will thrill you just like it did maxim, when you first heard it, tooling down your very own freeway of love. LETTERS

ty finding mention of any differences in the identity of source X is known only performance relating to the speed at to a semiconductor memory, so a listen- Buying Guide which the material was copied. ing test using the comparator remains When we provided informationto JONNIE SANTOS "double-blind" even when a single lis- STEREO REVIEWon the forthcoming San Diego, CA tener is working entirely alone. There- H. H. Scott 959DA Compact Disc fore, the Saturday results were as con- player,it was slated to have a head- Technical Editor Gordon Sell replies: All trolled, convincing, and powerful as phone jack, a sampling rate of 88.2 kHz, three of the VCR's were tested at their Friday's. and random-access programming for up highest speeds only. Some experienced DAVID CARLSTROM to ninety-nine selections. These specifi- listeners claim to hear a very slight deg- Director,ABX Company cations were accurately reported in the radation of sound quality when hi-fi Huntington Woods, MI 1986Stereo Buyers' Guideand in the soundtracks are recorded and played excerpts from the guide in the February back at the slower speeds, but the differ- The cover of the AprilSTEREO RE- STEREO REVIEW. ence is nothing like what is audible VIEWpictured three videotape record- Unfortunately, when the 959DA fi- when the linear audio track is switched ers. I think it should be clear to you that nally went into production, it did not from standard to slow speed. ifSTEREO REVIEWreaders were inter- have the headphone jack, the sampling ested in videotape recorders-or, for rate was the standard 44.1 kHz, and At the risk of seeming pedantic,I that matter, anything to do with vid- programming was limited to fifteen se- would like to correct the one inaccurate eo-we would buy video magazines. An lections. On the positive side, extra statement in April's "The Sound of Vid- article on video equipment inSTEREO steps were taken to enhance the player's eo." It was noted that in the tests done REVIEW isa waste of paper. I am into resistancetomechanicalvibrations. on Saturday, "David Clark operated the stereo to get as far away from TV as I and a combination digital and analog machines and instructed the listeners, possibly can. I for one vote against vid- filter was added to improve the high- so these tests were technically blind but eo, but if a survey of your subscribers frequency response and minimize phase not double-blind (which implies that shows otherwise, I'll concede. shift. But by this time the out-of-date neither the tester nor the listener knows JOHNL.MILEWSKI information was already in circulation. the identity of the sources being com- Milwaukee, WI Itis unfortunate that one of your pared)." readers chose to buy the 959DA based One of the innovations of the ABX Concede, Mr. Milewski. We treat video on the printed information alone.I comparator used for these tests is that from an audiophile's point of view. offer our sincere apologies, and we will

possible Was 0e990s this chassis like sd3 turntable suspend a be9000 a06co0Jeoe"cebe ammost 1/sel'sdes"Ae10tmr_ce Ptocess0 thought00tati\es Peiwith a0,00 never eaVes9a9 tet`Nee0 d0a\01 1e9- best50009 bridged 0.035 s000d 0 k0e areyou V'e s0P00 TA are d Oak 6esk9fis\NktkicmktPe0a\le \\02,01.9 ve00-000k\I om Dual PuOk Prod a00\00e Ma00a\ a WO ala\e iste0\1 And Chances collbOes ?NotMc0tds sup 02Ascile 090ateVkBPS0000eccentric G theB\acVV0Tesk k0e,CS51300SetNandcalled of ko0 However tracPed 020, *TO Ho\n:Jklerdtlske\esa\lIet;a\A'beece°01Z-LmeOese0a0\1sO\P\et0 don produced0\1 0tsa00 01. CS5000 Oak 5 1.1)CatttOge dea\o \Iikk0k0e, e0tyce\\I k00ea0.0 POdocedpcle, \tra\cok Dua\ a002,0\e ahy ViaV, PAVIA ec\kte\ 001'000Angle 0C ant*00d a0k0007-ed 'NV/vied vesOko9 000akes \As \k\1301. eakuves `11\k0 sYste, also De99 \lethca\lrackog P0s90\e dole CS'3000 Wass the 10e \-011 Pe0q0a0e00090k Di\OW ackd 0000e standavd ire k0e03f0tak0 lied090tec000\9`iatoNt headstOGe030 00k r00Te 105 10Od

Dual 11111111 orroion DUAL ORTOFON 122 Dupont St. Plainview. N.Y.11803

CIRCLE NO 16 ON READER SERVICE CARD AN -C

B OPEN + dB 4 12 CLOSE 0

5 12 -dB

Takenonface value alone, this is the most remarkable COMP_STER CON'RO

car stereoin the world. 250Hz

TAPE REMAIN [DOLBY NR POWER d6). BI -AZIMUTH HEA i C AUTO K RC- 999 B LOCAL METAL ABBS

BAND

Introducing the phenomenal a track anywhere on a side. than skin deep. It represents the Kenwood KRC-999 cassette And scan the first five culmination of 25 years of tuner. If the face plate isn't seconds of every cut. superior audio technology from enough to make your jaw drop, And take stations with the Kenwood. Consider it wait you hear the way the 999 strongest signal and automatic- our anniversary sounds. And performs. ally program them into memory. present to the world It's the most advanced car Heard enough? of music. stereo ever made. How about the lowest signal For the Kenwood dealer nearest Period. to noise ratio available. Metal you, call 1 -800 -CAR SOUND. "Sure," you say, "I've heard tape frequency response of that before:' But how many car 20 - 22.5k (± 3dB). A 7 -band KENWOOD stereos have you heard that are graphic equalizer that instantly STEREO FOR YOUR CAR driven by a 16K ROM computer? converts to a spectrum analyzer. A computer that lets you Or an automatic azimuth - customize the sound to suit your adjusting hyperbolic - car's environment. contour tape head. And And pre-set electronic three drive motors. volume levels. Yes. The beauty of And automatically seek out the KRC-999 is more

CIRCLE NO. 29 ON READER SERVICE CARD LETTERS

make every effort to prevent situations Broadway with Love" and Peggy Lee's originate from the conductor or soloist. like this from happening again. "Latin d la Lee," I take exception to It would be of value to your readers if In any case, the 959DA is a compe- your choice of Barbra Streisand's "The reviewers would indicate the presence tent performer and compares well with Broadway Album" as one of April's of such noises. similarly priced machines on the mar- "Best of the Month." But perhaps this is BOB PRESTIANO ket. I am confident that it will provide Streisand's "finest" recording, consider- San Angelo, TX years of excellent service. ing all those earlier albums revealing BARRY ROSSEN her thin upper register and high-pitched David Hall's April review of Giu- Marketing Services Manager tones. seppe Sinopoli's recording of Mahler's H. H. Scott, Inc. Streisand has become such a cult icon Fifth Symphony was right on target. It's Woburn, MA thatitis most sacrilegious for any "first -choice" to my ears too! reviewer to point out her many weak- I'm puzzled, however, by his sole crit- I was certainly glad to see that you nesses. Since she is now ahead of Frank icism of the CD, namely, "the conduc- incorporated the "Equipment Buying Sinatra for "the longest span of No. 1 tor's vocal embellishments." What ex- Guide" in your February issue. I have albums," she has become the new Pop actly was he referring to?Ihear no looked over each page several times, Emperor. "The Broadway Album" is vocalizing of any kind throughout the however, but could find no reports or the emperor's new clothes. entire recording, though in some of the guidance on reel-to-reel tape recorders. GINO FALZARANO more vehement passagesoccasional This is my type of recording, and I hope Staten Island, NY "thumps" are audible, perhaps from a you aren't saying reel-to-reelis out- foot stomping on the podium. Is that dated. what Mr. Hall meant? GEORGE EAGLIN CD Thumps and Groans A. E. GASPARAITIS Hermitage, TN Ihave become veryenthusiastic Oak Park, IL about Compact Discs, and I really don't Well, somebody had to tell you. mind the greater clarity the medium David Hall reports that the "vocal em- provides for such brief noises as the bellishments" he heard on the Sinopoli turning of music pages. I have become CD were precisely the sort of moans and Barbra's Broadway aware of a more disturbing distraction groans that Mr. Prestiano objects to- Considering such other "Broadway" on some classical discs, however-very and thatMr.Gasparaitisislucky albums asNancy Wilson's "From audible moans and groans that seem to enough not to notice.

Tandberg's remarkable T1A 3012 Amplifier and TPT 3001A Programable Tuner arc individualh considered to be among the world's finest music reproduction equipment. Together, they become the most extraordinary stereo receiver. CIRCLE NO. 21 ON READER SERVICE CARD

TANDBERG OF AMERICA One Labnola Court Armonk. NY 10504 (914) 273-9150 . the IntintOSII has the best sound yet of any COMPACT DISC PLAYER onlysound.technologicalMc 111011 ntosh When TECHNOLOGYhas youcontributiors earned buy a worldMc teat forntosh relown leadsimp-oved ycu to -orbuy its not . . ." evideiceForMcIntoshtecinologicalsuperior more of informationsound CcmpactMcIntosh integrity -eproduction, Discon techrological thepraven Plzyer Mclr youtoshby is thetime. integrity.buyMCD newest The7000 BINGDAM1ON.P.O.McINTOSHMcIntoshCompact B Discproducts LABORATORY PlayerNY 13904-009Ewrite: and INC. othcr industry leading 96 EAST SIDE STATIC N, A105

s' by dedicated, highly trained craftspeople. HandcraftedEnter with No 22 pride cn Raw* in Service the CaulInited NEW PRODUCTS

KEF The KEF Model 107 speaker system comes with KEFs UniversalBass Equalizer (K-UBE), a separate signal processor that enables a user to adjust bass rolloff frequency (from 20 to 50 Hz), rolloff damping, and contour. The K-UBE'sequalizationmodulealso creates an inverse of the 107's low -frequency response. The speaker has two 10 -inchpolypropylenewoofersthat drive a common bass cavity vented at the top of the cabinet. The movable midrange/tweeter subenclosure is rounded to reduce diffraction effects. Pivoting the subenclosure alters the stereo image even when the cabinet is flat against a wall. Overall system frequency response is rated as 20 to 20,000 Hz ±2 dB. The KEF 107 can be used with amplifiers rated between 50 and 300 watts into 4 ohms. Price: $3,900 per pair, including the K-UBE. KEF, Dept. SR, 14120-K Sullyfield Circle, Chantil- ly, VA 22021. Circle 120 on reader service card Celestion An improved version of the Celestion SL6, the SL6S speaker system has a 61/2 - inch dual -surround woofer that crosses over toits11/4 -inch aluminum -dome tweeter at 2,800 Hz. For better bass Bostoit Acoushcs transient response, the woofer has a The A40 Series 11 acoustic -suspension soft, bonded -rubber outer ring and a speaker from Boston Acoustics has a firmer PVC inner ring. The voice coil 61/2 -inch woofer and a V4 -inch tweeter. has been redesigned to reduce induc- The woofer's polymer diaphragm is said tance. The lighter -weight tweeter (the to be more resistant to cone breakup for SL6 used a copper dome) is said to a smoother response. The ferrofluid- improve system sensitivity, which is cooled tweeter is mounted flush with rated as a sound -pressure level of 84 dB the baffle to eliminate diffraction. The measured at 1 meter with an input of 1 thin, contoured grille is said to elimi- watt. Frequency response is rated as 75 nate earlyreflectionsthat can blur to 20,000 Hz -3 dB. imaging. Frequency response is rated as The cabinet's Medite panels have 65 to 20,000 Hz ± 3 dB and sensitivity been made thinner to reduce energy as 89 dB sound -pressure level at 1 meter storage, and a figure -eight bracing panel with a 1 -watt input. Rated power -han- is used to improve rigidity. Dimensions dling capability is 40 watts. The speaker are approximately 104 inches high, 8 is finished in simulated -rosewood or inches wide, and 101/2inches deep. black vinyl and measures 131/2 inches Price: $899 per pair. Stands designed for high, 81/4 inches wide, and 71/2 inches the SL6S are $120 per pair in wood, deep.Price: $160 perpair.Boston $180 per pair in metal. Celestion, Dept. Acoustics, Dept. SR, 247 Lynnfield St., SR, Kuniholm Dr., P.O. Box 521, Hol- Peabody, MA 01960. liston, MA 01746. Circle 123 on reader service card Circle 124 on reader service card

coverissmoke -grayplastic.Price: Dennesen $19.95, plus $9.95 for the connecting The compact Gamma -Loop FM an- cable and transformer. Dennesen Elec- tenna from Dennesen is designed to trostatic, Dept. SR, 715 Hale St., Bever- receive radio signals from all directions ly, MA 01915. when placed on its wooden base, but it Circle 123 on reader service card can be made directional by placing it on any of its three usable sides. When it is on its side, the plane of the loop determines its sensitivity, so it can be rotated to aim in any desired direction. The

16 STEREO REVIEW JUNE 1986 The Equalizers

These new equalizer amplifiers from Coustic 15 Khz by 2 or 3 dB and enter the setting into add a new dimension to car audio. By including memory 2 for recall. either the model EQ-1010 or the model EQ-1020 The EQ-1010 and EQ-1020 have built-in in your mobile audio system you can program 4 spectrum displays, to indicate the music's different spectral settings into memory for spectral density for easy identification of instant recall. You no longer need to fumble with frequencies needing a boost or a cut. Both the mechanical sliders until you discover the best EQ-1010 and EQ-1020 have an auxilliary input settings for each musical style. With a Coustic for digital compact disc players. The EQ-1020 equalizer, if you are listening to your favDrite also has dbx* noise reduction, which is 100 classical FM station and you need 1 or 2 dB of tirres more effective than Dolby** when bass boost while leaving all other functions flat, listenirg to dbx-recorded music. you can program memory 1 for recall by a All of these features, plus built-in high power simple touch of a button. If your prized jazz makes Coustic.. a sound investment. cassette recording has too much noise, just cut

41111114260 Charter coustic S'reet Vernon, CA 90058-2596 213 582-2832

moot

101 ait

614 _

Nip _

Mai _ ' -

to Available at fine dealers such as - Ev Riverside San Bernardino Co., CA AL tosound r 714 369-6000

Albuquerque, NM West Coast Sound Systems 5C5 884-8713 Salt Lake City, UT Car Concepts 8C1 268-2604 Durham, NC Charleston, SC Dashboard Stereo 919 493-5473803 556-8676

- - - dbx isa registered trademark of dbx Inc. - -___,-___.-_,--__.-L)01try is a registered trademark of Dolby Laboratories,------_ __Cr Coustic1981, __-- ....- - --- ...... _., ...... '------__91.1 .ar2.1071 -oN AtA EER e ---CE C -A RD ...... _ ....., ...> .-.-...... - .--..-- ...-....,-...... , , ...... - . ..-- ..-. e...... d...... - =. NEW PRODUCTS

used to select inputs, balance and volume settings (preset volume levels can be saved in memory), and muting. A record control allows recording from one source while you are listening to

MC T 1M, another. All functions are performed by electronic components controlled by NMI 4, o. the microprocessor, with no mechanical switches or attenuators. The line -level input jacks use Cannon connectors. An INN LK I PRE AMP infrared remote control is optional. The LK I measures 101/2 x 101/2 x 31/2 inches. Price: $725; remote control, $75. Au- diophile Systems, Ltd., Dept. SR, 8709 Lznn from moving -magnet and moving -coil CastleParkDr.,Indianapolis,IN Linn's LK I microprocessor -con- cartridges, a tuner, two tape decks, and 46256. trolledpreamplifierswitchesinputs an auxiliary source. Pushbuttons are Circle 125 on reader service card

Rotel Rotel's RX-870 AM/FM receiver is rated for 60 watts per channel minimum continuous rms output per channel into 8 ohms, both channels driven, from 20 to 20,000 Hz with less than 0.03 percent total harmonic distortion. It can also be used together with Rotel's RB-870 power amplifier in bridged - mono mode for a total of 180 watts per channel. The power -supply and output transistors in the RX-870 are designed for high current and high voltage, en- abling it to be used with speakers pre- senting difficult loads, according to the manufacturer. Thepreamplifiersectionhasa "straight-line" design that is said to minimize noise and distortion. It can switch inputs from a CD player, one video sound source, either a moving - magnet or moving -coil cartridge, and The digital -synthesis tuner can store America, Dept. SR, P.O. Box 653, Buf- two audio tape decks, which can be con- eight AM and eight FM stations in falo, NY 14240. nected for dubbing in either direction. memory. Price: $499. Rotel Audio of Circle 126 on reader service card

indicator. The slide -out unit has 22 watts of power, twenty station presets, preset scan, a five -band graphic equalizer, automatic FM noise suppression, a local/dx switch, and autoreverse in the tape player. Balanced, transformerless circuitry is said to increase power output and dynamic range while minimiz- CI C:1 ing distortion. Price: $479.95. The KS-RX305 is a 22 -watt receiver similar to the RX605 but without the equalizer and the theft protection of slide -out mounting. Price: $349.95. The 8 -watt KS -R22 has fifteen station presets,fader, music scan, autoreverse, LCD display, and separate bass and treble controls. Price: $269.95. JVC, Dept. JVC have PLL quartz -synthesis tuning and SR, 41 Slater Dr., Elmwood Park, NJ JVC's KS-RX605, KS-RX305, and Dolby B noise reduction. The CD -ready 07407. KS -R22 car stereo cassette receivers KS-RX605 (shown) includes a "disc in" Circle 127 on reader service card

18 STEREO REVIEW JUNE 1986 The Boston Acoustics polyamide dome.

So the hig'i notes won't fade awa

Cor ventional 'abric tweeter doves are usually sea ed by a coating. Trouble is, the coating can vary in quantity and uniform tv. Worse, it can migrate, leaving pores :hat leak air. And it can age, changing dome stiffness. The resu t? A si3nificant loss of high 'requenc es - and distortio- of overall speaker frecuency response. At Boston Acoustics, we don't _IS?, ccated fabric The Boson Acoustics polyamide dome is an im- doves. Insteed, our popular A15D three-way portant factor behind oar reputet c.n for accurate, spea

by Larry Klein APerhaps ten to fifteen years ago, wet playing was briefly popular in Europe. In fact, Lenco, a Swiss company, even made a pivoted, tubular -arm water dispenser that wetted down the groove ahead of the stylus. The theory was that the water both cooled and lubricated the groove during play.I tried out the Lenco device with one of my favorite records, and it did seem to make the sound marginally quieter and smoother. To my dismay, however, on a subsequent dry play the record had acquired an unacceptably high noise level. It seems that the liquid turned the normal microscopic groove debris into Lowest Prices Ever vinyl mud and distributedit on the groove walls. If I had dried the record properly after the wet play, the problem You?! find the most helpful shopping informa- might not have occurred. tion in the Crutchfield catalog. In any case, for normal play with today's cartridges, the wet -play process seems risky while providing little or no benefit.It could be, however, that if FREE your friend's purpose is to make one clean dub of a noisy, worn disc, wet play Stereo & Video CaroeriPolk Compatibility might be helpful. QAre Carver's Sonic Holography Catalog technology and Polk's Stereo Di- Tape Squeal Looking for honest answers to your car mension Array technology compatible? QI often hear a high-pitched inter- and home stereo, telephone, and video In other words, can I use Polk SDA mittent or continuous chirping or shopping questions? For 12 years, speakers with a Carver Sonic Hologra- squealing noise on both prerecorded and millions of people have referred to the phy preamplifier or other component? home -dubbed cassettes.What isthe unique Crutchfield catalog before making a JIM JENNINGS cause, and is there a solution? consumer electronics purchase. That's Chicago, IL JOSEPH WASIELEWSKI because its in-depth articles, installation Hilo, HI charts, technical tips, detailed product AI'venever trieda Carver/Polk features and specifications are the most combination, but I was sure that ATapes have been squealing since helpful. both the Carver and Polk companies longbeforecassetteswerein- had, so I gave them a call. Although the vented. In the old days, when open -reel And save money too! Plus, the 108 -page Carver circuit cancels interaural cross- tape recorders all had built-in pressure Crutchfield catalog offers you hundreds of talk electronically and Polk SDA speak- pads, oxide buildup on the pads or quality, name -brand products at the lowest ers do it acoustically, both companies heads createdfriction.Cleaning the discount prices from dozens of manufac- agreed that using them together pro- pads and heads often solved the prob- turers like Sony, Pioneer, Jensen, Clarion, vides an extended but somewhat exag- lem. But tape squeal sometimes oc- A/R, Sherwood, Infinity, EPI, Akai, Teac, gerated stereo sound stage. It was sug- curred even in the newer machines with Advent, Concord, JVC and Canon. gested that listeners to classical music no pressure pads and even when the r 1 might not find the effect realistic but heads were clean. Excessive friction was Call or write now for your that rock listeners might relish the total stillthe culprit, usually because the FREE Catalog acoustic immersion and pseudo -psy- lubricants added to the tape's oxide chedelic effects produced with some re- binder during manufacturing had dried Use the coupon below or call toll -free: cordings. Ultimately, the question of up or deteriorated. "compatibility" betweenthe Carver In my own more recent struggles with and Polk approaches seems to depend squeaking cassette tapes, I have discov- 800-336-5566 on the kind of music you listen to and ered an additional squeal source. Some- In Virginia, call 800-552-3961 how you like to hear it rather than the times the cassette's internal hubs will We now serve CANADA! technologies themselves. squeal at certain points during their Please enclose $1.00 for catalog rotation. This can frequently be cured postage to Canada. by a touch of silicone lubrication (ap- Be sure to mention Stereo Review when calling. Wet Playing LP's plied with a toothpick) at places where Rush me your FREE Catalog. QI recently visited a friend who was the rotating hubs touch the shell. dubbing some record albums onto Your problem may lieelsewhere, cassettes. Before he played each disc, he however. AfterIlubricated the hubs Name would cover its surface with a film of and cleaned the internal pressure pad of water, using a sponge. Is there a sound the problem tape you sent to me, it still Address Apt. reason for doing this, or has my friend squealed on two different tape decks. I been given some bad advice at some City State Zip suspect that the noise reflects a lack of point? tape -surface lubrication and is inherent JOE MICHAEL MOORE in the tape itself. Assuming that my CRUTCHFIELD Clarkston, GA diagnosis is correct, I would neverthe- Crutchfield Park, Dept. SR, Charlottesville, VA 22906.

20 STEREO REVIEW JUNE 1986 "How Big An Amp Do I ReallyNeed?" Contraryto popular belief, Compared tothe KLIPSCH As thesecharacteristics be- lots of amplifier power isn't necessarily model, the other speakers required at come higher priorities to your musical the solution to getting lots of dynamic least 30 times more power to achieve taste, we encourage you to compare range from your system. a normal listening level. Andregard- KLIPSCH to any other less of the total power consumed by speaker mated to any Fact is, amplifier power alone Decide has little effect on the dynamic range theother speakers,the KLIPSCH sizeamplifier. we hear in compact discs and other model still had 20 dB higher output. for yourself what gives modern recordings. Your speakers Are we suggesting KLIPSCH you the most for your have far more effect on dynamic range Loudspeakers have the widest dynamic money. than the amplifier or any other com- rangein the industry? You bet.In For your near - ponent in your system. most cases, the addition of KLIPSCH est KLIPSCH dealer, inthe Yellow We compared a KLIPSCH® Loudspeakers will be the most effec- look Loudspeaker with four other models tive and efficient way to widen the Pages. Or call toll free, 1-800-223-3527. from various makers. (The KLIPSCH dynamic range of your system. Our the model was not the most expensive.) special compression drivers are KLIPSCH FORTES PICTURED ABOVE Doubling, even tripling the power to reason why. They give you more con- the speakers had little effect on their trolledimaging,greaterclarityarid ]kIipS dynamic range. wider dynamic range. N SOUND P0. BOX 688 li00E, ARKANSAS USA 71801 CIRCLE NO. 2 ON READER SERVICE CARD AUDIO Q. AND A.

less resist the temptation to apply lubri- ponent's own internally generated heat that is no longer in business, whose only cation to the tape surface; there's too is reinforced by external heating, pre- listed addressisinTokyo, or that high a risk that it would get into the mature deteriorationofitsinternal doesn't answer its mail, and I'm pleased machine's drive mechanism. parts is likely to result. If any compo- to do what I can under such circum- nent installed close to a radiator or heat- stances. But unfortunately, there are al- Hot Wiring ing duct feels warmer than room tem- ways problems that I don't have ready perature when itis not turned on, it solutions to. Because of the layout of my system should be relocated. I have to run its connecting cables close to a cast-iron radiator. Will that CD Hiss have any long- or short-term effects on The Proper Recourse Why do some of my Compact the wires or my components? Is there My car stereo cassette deck prefers Discs have considerable hiss and anything I can do to protect them? to eat my tapes rather than play others abnost none? Is the hiss from the DAVID DRUCKER them. I've cleaned and recleaned the original studio master tape? Watertown, MA heads and rollers to no avail. Before I JIM PORTER spend a fortune getting my player re- Olympia, WA The worst that could happen, in paired. are there any other measures I k the long term, is that the heat could should take? Yes, it is. The hiss varies with the dry out and crack the outer insulation DAVE REGARN quality of the master recording, on the wires. If you are worried about St. Paul, MN and many older analog masters have a such a possibility, you can take protec- lot of hiss. But I'm puzzled as to why tive measures using insulating foam Yes, why not visit the dealer who hiss is apparently so obtrusive on your tubing normally installed on hot-water sold you the unit or write to the system. Check to see that your treble pipes to prevent heat loss. You can manufacturer and ask him for his sug- level is not boosted too high and that insulate in reverse, so to speak, by gestions? When there are questions the tweeter -level controls (if any) on threading your cables through foam sec- about the behavior or misbehavior of your speakers are not turned up too tions cut to appropriate lengths. specific units, the manufacturer or the high. Although the hiss level can be Electronic components themselves, dealer is always the best source of (andis)audible on some Compact however, should never be installed close answers. Irealize, of course, that itis Discs, rarely should it reach a level of to or above a heat source. When a corn- difficult to get help from a company annoyance.

KRAVFM cleans its valuable library of compact discs with Discwasher". They must know something. With one of the largest compact disc collections in the country, Radio Station KRAV knows it has to clean CDs because it can't afford playback tracking problems. And a dirty compact disc will distort the sound by blocking or scattering the CD player's laser beam. Station KRAV also knows that the new Discwasher Compact Disc Cleaner provides true radial cleaning-the only right way to clean a CD according to manufacturers. You'd expect a superior product from Discwasher, the leader in audio care. To keep the near perfect sound of your CDs, take your cue from the experts: clean them with the Discwasher Compact Disc Cleaner. Get Discwasher's Guide to Compact Disc Care from your dealer or by writing to Discwasher.

Charlie Derek, Station KRAV-FM. New discwashere Rsmcpgetaner The only right way to cleana compact disc. c 1985 Discwasher A DIVISION OF INTERNATIONAL JENSEN INC 4309 Transworld Road, Schiller Park, IL 60176

CIRCLE NO10 ON READER SERVICE CARD

22 STEREO REVIEW JUNE 1986 ANNOUNCING THE CBS COMPACT DISC CLUB ANY 2 COMPACT DISCS FOR

DIRE STRAITS WyhTTOIN VIAR'SAU 11-1. rriper ConcertOS

.-11;`,ME

NA'

340323 336222 343624 334391 TCHAIKOVSKY VIVALDI 1812 OVERTURE FOUR SEASONS IIECTNLNER wELLN,CZOLI C T., MAAZflw

Barbra Streisand The Broadway Album LORIN MAAZEL CONCOCTING NONIERSwTM CHOOSE STATE-OF-THE-ART SOUND °RCN OIARONAL CE MANCE 336396-396390 (2C)Dx1 316604 IN THE LATEST CD RELEASES. 336669 343715 THE MANHATTAN GERSHWIN BOLUNG: SUITE RHAPSODY ON BLUE FOR FLUTE AND TRANSFER ORIGINAL VERSION JAZZ PIANO -- .,

, RAMPAL-BOLLING rriVOCALESE 339226 263293 331645 337402 324822 340414

' BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN

BORN IN THE U.S.A. 337519 326629 333112 339200 321570 333286 338616. Miami Vice-Music323261. Lionel Richie- 343160. Beethoven: 341073. Steely Don- 336578-396572. Bach: 328740. Mozart Piano Con- From The Television Series. Can't Slow Down. Symphony No. 9 (Choral). A Decode of Steely Dan. Flute Sonatas -Rompal, certo No. 26 (Coronation); G. Frey: ml You Belong To The All Night Long; Stuck On Bruno Walter, Columbia Reeling In The Years; Hey flute; oinnock, harpsichord, Rondos. Murray Perahia and City; many more. (MCA) You; Hello; etc. (Motown) Sym (CBS Masterworks) Nineteen; more. (MCA) etc. (Counts as 2-Digital- English Chamber Orchestra. (Digital -CBS Masterworks) 339903. The Cars- 340182 Philip Glass- 318089. Michael Jackson-337279. Placid° Domingo-CBS Masterworks) Greatest Hits. Tonight She Mishima. Original music Thriller. Billy ,eon; The Girl Is Save Your Nights For Me. 314443. Neil Diamond's 12 219477 Simon & Garfunkers Comes; Drive; more. (Elektra) from the film. (Nonesuch) Mine; etc. (Epic) love songs. (CBS) Greatest Hits, Vol. 2. You Greatest Hits. El Condor 273409. Beethoven: Piano288670-398677 Barry Doric Bong Me Flowers (with Paso, Bridge Over Troubled 341263. Enoch Light & The 335547 Berlioz: Waters; etc. (Columbia) Light Brigade-Big Bands Symphonic Fontastigue. Sonatas. Vladimir Horowitz Manilow-Greatest Hits. Barbra Streisand); etc. 01 The Thirties. Begin The Barenboim, Berlin Phil. plays: Appossionata; Moon- It's A Miracle; AAondy; etc. (Columbia) COMPACT Begone; more. (Protect 3) (Digital-CBS Masterworks) light; Pothetigue. (Columbia) (Counts as 2-Arista) 340760. Stevie Nicks- 322008. Linda Ronstodt & 331264. Bryan Adorns- 320499. The Police-Syn- 322024. Huey Lewis & The Rock A Little. Top 10 Talk The Nelson Riddle Orch Reckless. #1 hit: Heaven; Run chronicity. Winner of three News-Sports. Bad Is Bad; b Mr; i Cant Watt; title cut, etc. (Modern) What's New. (Asylum) To You, etc (A&M) Grammy Awards! (A&M) Heart & Soul; etc. (Chrysalis) k[ED DIG TAL AUDIO have at least 10 days in which to make The age of CD sound is here-and 7 CBS COMPACT DISC CLUB

you have a practical new way to find the your decision. If you ever receive any I P.O. Box 1130, Terre Haute, Indiana 47811 CDs you want. As your introduction to the Selection without having 10 days to Please accept my membership application under the terms outlined CBS Compact Disc Club, you con choose decde, you may return it at our expense. I in this advertisement. Send me the 2 Compact Discs listed hereand any 2 CDs listed in this ad for just $1.00. The CDs you order during your I bill me only $1.00 for both. agree to buy two more selections at Fill in and moil the application-we'll send membership will be billed at regular Club regular Club prices in the coming year-and may cancel my I membership at any time after doing so. your CDs and bill you for $1. You simply prices, which currently are $14.98 to $15.98-plus shipping and handling. agree to buy 2 more CDs (at regular Send me Club prices) in the next year-and you (Multiple -unit sets may be somewhat these 2 may then cancel your membership anytime higher.) After completing your enrollment CDs after doing so. agreement you may cancel membership My main musical interest is (check one). at any time; if you decide to continue as a Out I mar always choose from ether category) How the Club works. About every 0 ROCK/POP 0 CLASSICAL four weeks (13 times a year) you'll receive member, you 11 be eligible for our money- Mr the Clubs music magazine, which saving bonus plan. It lets you buy one CD Mrs. describes the Selection of the Month for at half price for each CD you buy at Miss your musical interest...plus many exciting regular Club prices. Apt alternates. 10 -Day Free Trial: We send details Address If you wish to receive the Selection of of the Club's operation with your City the Month, you need do nothing-it will introductory shipment. If you are not be shipped automatically. If you prefer on satisfied for any reason whatsoever, just State Zip alternate selection, or none at all, fill in the return everythrng within 10 days and you Do you have a VCR? (Check one.) 0 Yes 0 No 708/F86 will hove no further obligation. So why Do you have a credit card? (Check one.) 0 Yes 0 No response card always provided and mail The offer is not avertable in APO FPQ Alaska, HONOR. Puerto Rico please write for it by the dote specified. You will always not choose 2 CDs for $1 right now. debits otallemotwe otter Selections with two numbers contain 2 CDs and count as 2-so write in both numbers. Note All applications are subject to review. The CBS Comport CBS COMPACT DISC CLUB Terre Haute, IN 47811 L Disc Ckib reserves the right to reject any application. 1 TH/NZi CAR STEREO

Blank Skip function: after 15 sec- KENW000 fast - I onds of silence the tape is 1.1 I I Gar...... 112.1. ....1,0,..... iWo I I II -I In I wound to the next selection, or, if WA=ww.m NEAP 11111. I the silent portion comes at the end of the tape, the transport automati- ... cally reverses direction and plays the first selection on the other side OS.ULM. =OM MM. IMININ I, 0,..2, of the tape. According to Kenwood, the 'CRC -999's "bi-azimuth, hyperbolic -curve tape head" provides optimum performance in both directions of tape travel by automatically KENWOOD KRC-999 re -aligning the head with each change in direction. by Julian Hirsch and Christopher Greenleaf The memory system of the 'CRC - 999 stores selected balance (left- right) and fader (front -rear) settings as well as two different volume set- /0(ENwOOD'S description of Memory, which at the touch of a tings, either of which can be recalled the new 'CRC -999car button causes the tuner to scan the instantly. Instead of tone controls, stereo AM/FM tuner and selected band and automatically there is a seven -band graphic equal- autoreverse cassette deck store the frequencies of the first five izer operated by small toggle as "uniquely versatile" is something stationsthat exceeditsmuting switches on the front edge of the of an understatement. In fact, the threshold.Afterwards,thesesta- slide -out drawer. The center fre- wealth of circuit and control fea- tions can be recalled by touching the quencies are 60,120,250,500, tures in the KRC-999 would be corresponding preset buttons. Each 1,000, 3,500, and 10,000 Hz, and noteworthyinthe most deluxe of the five preset buttons can be the gain of each band can be home stereo receiver. An incredible assigned to four different frequen- adjusted ± 12 dB in 4 -dB steps. number of controlshave been cies (three FM channels and one Three different user -set frequency- squeezed onto the 2 x 7 -inch front AM channel), for a total of twenty response curves can be stored in panel, and many more are con- presets, and the feature is further memory for instant recall at the tained in a motorized drawer that enhanced by a 5 -second Preset -Scan touch of a button. In addition, three slides in and out at the touch of a function. factory -set response curves are al- button. Most of the buttons in the When a cassette is loaded edge- ways available. One is a "loudness" drawer and on the front panel serve wise into the slot at the top of the contour that moderately boosts at least two functions, depending on panel, most of the control markings both low and high frequencies inde- whether the radio or cassette section change to represent cassette func- pendently of the volume setting, an- isbeingused.The illuminated tions. The tape transport is solenoid other supplies a midrange response markings change with the unit's controlled and silent during opera- modification to improve the sound operating status to show the current tion. Although the 'CRC -999 does of vocal music, and the third gives a function of each control. not have a tape index counter, it has flat response. A spectrum -analyzer All the controls of the knobless something even more useful-a row mode converts the graphic equalizer 'CRC -999 are soft -touch pushbut- of seven lights that show the ap- into a real-time display of the pro- tons. Operation of its digital -synthe- proximate playing time left on a gram level at each center frequency, sis tuner is aided by a full comple- tape (with a resolution of one -eighth with a 0.5 -second peak -hold func- ment of tuning indicators. Other of its total time). The tape sensor tion for easy recognition. displays show the status of the works even in fast forward or re- Fitting all these functions into the unit's special switchable operating wind. Illuminated arrows show the KRC-999's 14 square inches of pan- modes, including the Automatic direction of tape motion and blink el space certainly represents an engi- Broadcast Sensor System (ABSS), when the deck is in a high-speed neering tour de force. Kenwood's which responds to a loss of signal mode. Other indicators show the designers were not quite able to strength by scanning up until anoth- selected noise -reduction system duplicate this achievement in pack- er receivable signal is found, and the (Dolby B, Dolby C, or dbx) and aging the receiver's electronic cir- Automatic Noise Reduction Circuit playback equalization (normal or cuits, however. Although the KRC- (ANRC), which blends the stereo metal/chrome). 999 has standard DIN dimensions channels at high frequencies on The 'CRC -999 has a number of and will fit into most modern dash- weak FM signals to reduce noise convenient programmable tape boards, there is an additional "con- while retaining some degree of ster- functions, among them Index Scan, trol unit" attached by several inte- eo separation. which samples the first 10 seconds gral cables. This unit has no operat- Like many other car radios, the of each recorded selection, and ing controls, so it can be installed 'CRC -999 provides both manual Tape Advance, which skips to the beneath a car seat or under the and automatic tuning, but it also next selection or repeats the current dashboard. Since the front and rear has an unusual feature called Auto track. And there is an Automatic audio outputs of the KRC-999 are

24STEREO REVIEW JUNE 1986 Find out in Stereo Review.

Subscribing to Stereo Review makes sense. Whether you're Haff Price shopping for your first stereo system, upgrading your Subscription Certificate present one, looking for maintenance tips or trying to sort through the hundreds of new recordings released every r month, Stereo Review has answers you can rely on. 2 Our world-famous Equipment Test Reports help you Stereo Reviewp.oBoulder,Colorado 8C322 select new audio equipment. Explanations of features, YES! Please enter my subscription Stereo laboratory test results and comments from our expert tech- Review at 50% off (based on the full one-year nicians make it easy for you to select components for a great subscription pr ce of $9.96). audio system. If you already have a terrific sound system, Stereo 0 One year (12 issues) for $4.99 Review can help you care for it and upgrade it. Witi hints on El Two years for $9 98 getting four -channel sound from your stereo discs...how to 0 Three years for $14.97 care for your tape deck's heads... how to handle records to CHECK ONE: 0 Payment enclosed. 0 Bill me later. preserve them ...and much more. Mr./Mrs./Ms. Stereo Review also helps you select the music to play (please pmt ful, name) 81-199 over your sound system. We cover every category of record- Address Apt. ing on disc or tape, to help you steer away from uninspired performances or mediocre recordings. City Stereo Review. When you subscribe you'll join the Zip group of people who enjoy music on their own terms-and State truly know what to buy. Foreign postage: Add $1 a year for Canada. Add $5 a year (cash payment in U.S. currency only) to, other countries outside U.S. and Use the coupon to subscribe possessions. Please allow 30 to 60 days for delivery of first issue -and save 50%! THE SILENT '111E11111k1E111:

WHY BOB CARVER'S MINIATURE after we explain why the quartz -synthesized "Separation was still there; only the back- RADIO STATION LEFT THE AUDIO TX -11a Stereo AM -FM Tuner will impress you in ground noise had been diminished, and with your own listening environment) PRESS SPEECHLESS AND HOW IT LED it, much of the sibilance and hissy edginess so characteristic of multi -path interference." TO THE MOST COMPLETE STEREO A CLEANER, WIDER FM WINDOW ON TUNER EVER OFFERED. THE WORLD. WHY THE ASYMMETRICAL CHARGE- The new Carver TX -11a Stereo AM -FM Tuner COUPLED FM STEREO DETECTOR GIVES is a technical tour -de -force which further dis- NOISE THE SILENT TREATMENT. tances Bob Carver's unique products from tra- Thirty years ago, the FCC turned clear mono ditional electronic components-and which FM into a substandard stereo medium (with can vastly enhance your musical enjoyment. fifteen times poorer signal-to-noise ratio) by TWO TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS. approving a broadcast system that is extraordinarily prone to multipath and The performance of the legendary TX -11 Asymmetrical Charge Coupled FM Stereo distant -station -noise. Detector Tuner is increased by the addition of This system separates stereo into two differ- Ultra High Frequency Wide Band AM Stereo cir- Because of the TX -1 la's Charge -Coupling ent bands. Unfortunately, the bands aren't pure cuitry. With the new TX -11a, AM stereo sounds and Leading Edge Detection technology, own- Left and Right. Instead, one band is comprised as good as FM. ership may very well change your listening hab- of those parts of a stereo signal that are common to both channels, (L+R, or mono). The Yes, contrary to popular belief, most AM its. Right now, you probably confine your FM other signal, far more fragile and prone to inter- stereo stations have frequency response listening to those stations which are strong ference, is the difference between the left and (20Hz-15kHz), separation (35dB) and signal- and relatively interference -free, avoiding weak right sign ]l (L -R). It bounces off buildings, hills to-noise ratios (70dB) audibly indistinguish- stations and those filled with distortion. Your and other objects, and wreaks havoc when able from FM stations of equal strength. It's options are therefore limited. The TX -11a can just that only Carver offers the technology significantly expand your choices by recover- to appreciate this hidden performance. ing stations previously buried in hiss or prone As for FM stereo, the TX -11a virtually elimi- to sudden tantrums of noise. nates multipath and distant station noise while Ovation Magazine observed that the circuit, providing fully -separated stereo reception with "...may well mean the difference between space, depth and ambience! marginal reception of the station signals you've been yearning to hear and truly noise - Bob Carver's Asymmetrical Charge Coupled free reception of those same signals, permit- FM Stereo Detector removes (without affect- ting you to enjoy the music and forget about ing stereo imaging, frequency response or noise and distortion." dynamic range) the hiss, clicks, pops, "picket In Audio Magazine, Len Feldman said fencing" and the myriad other unpredictable "The significance of its design can only be fully noises which all too often disturb FM listening. appreciated by setting up the unit, tuning to (Still interested in the story of the miniature the weakest, most unacceptable stereo sig- radio station and how it impressed hard -to- nals you can find, then pushing those two impress audio critics? Read on. We'll get to it magic buttons."

CARVER POWERFUL

Carver Corporation P O. Box 1237 Lynnwood, WA 98046 recombired with the strong mono signal. THE LITTLEST AM RADIO STATION. Think of it. Compact Disc frequency response and freedom from noise with AM Bob Caves Chow -Coupling circuit takes Before we describe the remarkable stereo and the TX -11a. Only Carver could pull attantage of he fact that almost all noise and attributes of the TX -11a, we owe you the story it off. But then only Carver could do the same distortior is exactly 130 degrees out o' phase that proves just how far performance can for FM too with toe signal its part of. The TX -11a Stereo be extended when a component comes Nvl-FM Tuner cancels these "dirty mirror" from Carver. images before they can ream your ears. That HUMAN -ENGINEERED FEATURES AND eliminates up to 85% of the potential noise At a recent press conference, Bob Carver CONVENIENCE. unveiled a small antenna connected to a very found in distant or noisy sTatons. Many tuners with far less exclusive circuitry low powered AM stereo broadcast transmitter But Boo wasn't satisfied and knew you than the TX -11a have far more complicated (C-QUAM format). Dubbed "Station CRVR,' it wouldn't be either. Sc another circuit, the Lead- exteriors. Bob Carver wanted to make tuning sat next to a Carver Compact Disc Player and ing Edge Detector, goes a step further by tak- stations easy, not impress you with flashing the same TX -11a that's on your dealers shelves ing advantage of a little-oopreciated R4 lights or complex programming. phenomenon:Just 5% of the L -R signal actu- right now. So Thirteen presets, wide/narrow band Bob Carver routed the Compact Disc's sig- ally contributes to the stereo experience. The selectors, automatic/ manual scanning and rest simply gets in the way of skyscrapers and nal to the antenna for reception by the TX -I la, the buttons which activate the remarkable and also directly to a preamplifier. mountains. Charge -Coupled circuits (Multipath and The Ccrver leading Edge Detector operates In front of America's top stereo writers, Bob Noise Reduction) are all tastefully inset switched back and forth between the trans- only on his crtical 5% of the L -R signal, filter- into the burnished anthracite metal face. mitted signal (as received by the TX -11a) and ing out noise and restoring just that part of the Full estrumentation inoluding digital station the direct CD signal. All listeners had difficulty signal needec by our ears and brain to con- frequency readout, 6 -step 10dB-interval signal distinguishing between the outputs of the CD st-uct stereo imaging. strength LED's and other monitor functions is player and the TX -11a Stereo AM -FM -uner Blended back into the mono (L+R;: signal reces4.dbehind a panel, visible but not garish. matnx, a net reduction of 93% - or better than Most could tell no difference at all! 20dB of noisE reductior - isachieved All The result is performance without theatri- ambiant and ocalizing information is recov- cality. Access without complication. ered. On y hiss and distortion are left behind. HOWAM STEREO GETS A tuner High Fidelity Magazine called, as High Fidelity Magazine put THE SILENT "By far the best tuner we have tested .." it, "...clean, noise -free scund out of weak or multi-path-riaden sig- TREATMENT WITH THE CLEAR THE AIR BY VISITING YOUR nals that would have you li.nging TX -11a. NEAREST CARVER DEALER. t r the mono switch on any other \I, * Unique de -emphasis curve Ask to hear the most expensive tuner they 7unEr." * Whistle Stop cancelling circuit sell. (It won't be the Carver TX -110). Now tune * Pilot Signal cancelling circuit a multi -path -ravaged, hiss -filled FM station. Tune the same statior on the TX -11a Stereo * Ultra -low noise balanced station AM -FM Tuner and press the Multipath and detector Noise Reduction buttons. You'll see why no * Very wide band minimum phase other FM tuner can approach it. And why no intermediate frequency amplifiers. other AM stereo tuner this good exists anywhere!

MUSICAL ACCURATE

CIRCLE NO. 49 ON READER SERVICE CARD Distributed in Canada by Evolution Technology CAR STEREO

- LABORATORY MEASUREMENTS at line level, at least one and prefer- ably two separate power amplifiers FM mono usable sensitivity 70-µs EQ, 50 to 18,000 Hz are required to drive the speakers (75 -ohm input): 15.2 dBf (1.6 µV) forward or reverse used with it.Price: $1,300. Ken - FM mono 50 -dB quieting Tape signal-to-noise ratio wood Electronics, Dept. SR, 1315 E. sensitivity (75 -ohm input): 16 (referred to 250 nWb/m at 315 Watsoncenter Rd., Carson, CA dBf (1.75 µV) Hz, 120-µs EQ, A -weighted): no Tuner signal-to-noise ratio at 65 noise reduction, 53 dB; Dolby B, 90745. dBf: 75.3 dB 62 dB; Dolby C, 70 dB; dbx, Tuner distortion at 65 dBf: 0.7% 79.5 dB Lab Tests FM frequency response (-3-dB Flutter (same in both directions): We tested the FM tuner section of limits): 30 to 12,500 Hz ±0.15% CCIR-weighted peak; the Kenwood 'CRC -999 withits Stereo separation (at 65 dBf) at 0.08% JIS-weighted rms 100, 1,000, and 10,000 Hz: 33.5, Tape speed accuracy: +0.1% error ABSS and ANRC systems disabled. 40, and 30.5 dB at start, +0.05% at end of C-60 Its50 -dB quieting sensitivityin Capture ratio at 65 dBf: 2 dB cassette both mono and stereo was very AM rejection at 65 dBf: 43 dB Fast rewind time (C-60): 187 close to the respective usable -sensi- Selectivity: alternate -channel, 57 seconds tivity measurements. The digital- dB; adjacent -channel, 2.5 dB Equalizer adjustment range: synthesis tuner had a 23 -kHz fre- Image rejection: 65 dB approximately ± 12 dB at center AM frequency response: 45 to frequencies of 60, 120, 250, 500, quency error on the FM band, 3,250 liz +0, -6 dB 1,000, 3,500, and 10,000 Hz which was not sufficient to affect Tape -playback frequency response 1,000 -Hz clipping output into most of our other measurements (IEC-standard BASF test tapes, EIA-standard load (10,000 ohms but did slightly degrade the usable -3 -dB limits): 120-µs EQ, 60 to in parallel with 1,000 picofarads): sensitivity (this improved by 1 or 2 18,000 Hz forward or reverse; 0.42 volt (NORM), 1.3 volts (HIGH) dB when the signal generator was detuned for minimum distortion). Like most car radios, the 'CRC- 999's FM distortion was not partic- same for both Type I and Type II dB. For the most part, however, the ularly low, but its noise levels were tape (120- and 70 -microsecond volume changes seemed smooth comparable to those of typical equalization, respectively). The dif- and imperceptible. home stereo receivers. The frequen- ferences between the forward and We connected the KRC-999's cy response, after a smooth rise to reverse responses were minor and outputs to our home music system +2 dB at 6,000 Hz, rolled off to did not appear to be caused by azi- using a short wire antenna, and we about -4 dB at 15,000 Hz. Stereo muth errors. The two curves di- tried as many of its features as were separation exceeded 26 dB from 30 verged slightly above 1,000 Hz and applicable to a home installation. In to 15,000 Hz and was a very good maintained a nearly constant differ- general its sound was indistinguish- 40 dB at 1,000 Hz. The AM tuner ence from 6,000 Hz to the 18,000 - able from that of our regular tuner, section's frequency response was Hz upper limit of the test tapes. and the results were equally good down 6 dB from its 1,000 -Hz level With Type Itape, the maximum when we played prerecorded cas- at 45 and 3,250 Hz. Maximum out- difference between the two direc- settes using either Dolby system as put voltage into an EIA-standard tions of play was about 3 dB, and well as dbx. Several other car stereo load was 0.38 volt at the NORM(al) with Type II it was under 2 dB. units we have used in this manner 300 -mV setting of the output switch The audio equalizer's response have delivered satisfactory listening on the side of the control unit, and it was essentially as claimed. The cen- quality, but this is the first one we was 1.2 volts with the HIGH setting ter -frequency calibrations were ac- have tested that also surpasses the of 1 volt. curate, and the interaction between vast majority of home systems in THE ABSS signal -search adjacent bands was about what one operating versatility and control function went into action would expect from the 6 -dB -per - features. when the input level octave slopes of the equalizer filters. As might be expected, it is not dropped to 24 dBf (4.35 The preset loudness -compensation always easy to see and operate some microvolts across 75 ohms) for a curve boosted both low and high of the controls-particularly those few seconds, and the automatic fre- frequencies by about 6 or 7 dB at in the slide -out drawer. Most of the quency scan was announced by a 100 and 6,000 Hz (relative to the KRC-999's controls, in fact, cannot short tone. The ANRC feature re- 700 -Hz level). The preset "vocal" be operated by the driver of a car (at duced FM audio level, noise, and curve was reasonably flat below 250 least not while driving!) and proba- channel separation as the received Hz and above 500 Hz, with a boost bly should be considered as setup signal fell below 55 dBf (150 µV); of about 6 dB between those fre- adjustments rather than operating below 45 dBf (50µV) the output was quencies. controls. essentially monophonic. The three The KRC-999 changes the vol- The Kenwood KRC-999 is a re- signal -strength lights came on at in- ume level in steps when the UP or markable car stereo component that puts of 28, 42, and 54 dBf (about 7, DOWN button is pressed. Over much almost defies description in a lim- 35, and 135 AV, respectively). of the control's range, the volume ited space. Its instruction manual is The tape player's frequency re- changed about 2 dB per step, but at extensive and in almost all respects sponse, measured with IEC-stand- some points the steps were less than it is complete, but it must be read if ard test cassettes, was almost the 1 dB, and at others they were 3 to 4 you expect to be able to use the sys-

28 STEREO REVIEW JUNE 1986 The last word tern. Although we found a number tapes with prolonged quiet passages of the manufacturer's ratings to be or very brief interband pauses will overly optimistic,the KRC-999 not work satisfactorily with the non- in measured up as one of the best car defeatable Automatic Blank Skip stereo units we have ever tested. circuit, but I'm not sure I would stereo- Moreover, it is one of the few we want to resign myself to listening have tested on the bench that later only to music whose characteristics received extensive listeningtests are compatible with this circuit. phones with home components, andit The unit's FM sound was trans- more than held its own in several parent, full, and rich, and the dial A/B comparisons. With the right was well -supplied with receivable amplifiers and speakers, the KRC- stations. Although the ANRC sys- 999 should be close to the ultimate tem works fairly imperceptibly until mobile audio component. J.H. signal strength drops into the nois- ier regions,Istill missed a mono Road Tests button. In listening to a program We generally receive car stereo with a lot of talk, the effect of a equipment in the same packaging a mono button is almost always pref- consumer gets it in, so we undergo erable to a shifting stereo signal, and the same orientation process a pur- it would be nice to have the choice. chaser would. With the Kenwood The numerous programmed -tuning KRC-999 this was especially time- possibilities, however, will be very consuming, because a thorough welcome to most owners of the reading of the forty -page owner's KRC-999. Kenwood seems to have manual is required to begin to grasp anticipated the huge differences in its numerous control functions. consumer driving/listening habits Kenwood also includes a well-done very well. audio -technics. demo cassette that provides a logi- Radio sound quality in the nas- cal and helpfulfingertip walk- tiest portions of my test route was CIRCLE NO. 20 ON READER SERVICE CARD through of the controls. always listenable, even in those im- Although the KRC-999's control possible spots at the foot of the panel and slide -out drawer are fairly Brooklyn Bridge. Multipath mani- cluttered, all the functions are clear- fested itself more as a modestly ly labeled, and only the necessary impolite noise than a complete in- The labels are illuminated at any given terruption of the signal. time. The clutter can be a little In the AM radio, the designers of bothersome when driving, but most the KRC-999 evidently gave more last word of the controls that require close weight to quieting and midrange in- inspection are infrequently set and telligibility than to the dubious ad- can be adjusted before starting out vantages of a full -range frequency in on a drive. I ended up relying on my response. AM programs sounded memory to find my way around the clear and fairly quiet, though lack- faceplate, satisfied that the main ing in bass and treble. Voices were record control buttons were similar enough better defined than usual, and the to those on other models. dial was well filled with listenable care I was very impressed with the stations. tape -handling functions of the Sonically, the Kenwood KRC-999 KRC-999. Even under a barrage of is a superb performer. At its price I adverse road conditions, or with a would expect no less. Although I did stupefying series of programming not find the preset "loudness" and commands, the transport never "vocal" response curves to my failed to perform well. All three taste, most of the special features noise -reduction systems performed are nicely conceived and well exe- well too, and dbx and Dolby C pro- cuted. The rpain tradeoff in the vided the extraordinary quieting for design seems to be the tiny control which they are so justly treasured by buttons-you just can't have that home recording enthusiasts. many without making them very As I expected, the myriad tape small-and it takes a while to learn programming functions worked to use them all. But the KRC-999's well with standard popular material great flexibility and completeness of but were essentially useless with control should make the extended most of my classical music cas- learning curve worth enduring for settes. The manual does warn that many music lovers. C.G. audio-technica.

CIRCLE NO 23 ON READER SERVICE CARD TECHNICAL TALK aissOINIE

by Julian Hirsch ments. Since a sine wave consists of can be used, but when we wish to a single frequency component, pass- establish how much power a speaking it through a device and analyzer can handle without distortion (as ing the frequency spectrum of the distinguished from destruction), ap- output is a simple, direct method of plying a steady high-level sine -wave measuring the component's har- signal would be a sure invitation to monic distortion (harmonic distor- disaster. tion being the creation of harmon- Suppose that the speaker in ques- ics, or multiples, of the input fre- tion requires an input of 640 watts quency). before its acoustic output distorts Consider the power represented appreciably (analogous to clipping by a sine -wave signal. It is equal to in an amplifier). If we use a pulsed the square of the rms voltage (its signal equivalent to that power lev- "root -mean -square" value, or 0.707 el, applied for 1 cycle and turned off times the peak value), divided by for128 cycles, and observe the the resistance across which the volt- acoustic waveform on an oscillo- age appears. This equation applies scope, the onset of clipping or other only for the duration of the signal; if distortion can be viewed easily. But the signal lasts much longer than since the signal is on for only 4128 of one cycle (the reciprocal of the fre- the total time, the average power quency), its power can be consid- applied to the speaker is a safe 5 ered as a steady-state value for that watts. time period. The reason I have cautioned In the case of speaker testing, sup- against assuming that a speaker that pose a voltage of 10 volts is applied can absorb hundreds of watts in a to a 4 -ohm speaker. This input rep- pulsed -signal test can safely be driv- resents a power of 25 watts, presum- en to comparable levels with pro- ably not beyond the capabilities of gram material is that there is no many home speakers. But most of assurance that the average power, Watts and Waveform ,c the power that we supply to our over a period of seconds or longer, speakers-all but the 1 or 2 percent will not reach a dangerous level. that is transformed into acoustic en- The reader who wrote to me on this Two questions posed to me ergy,or sound-is directly con- subject suggested testing a speaker recently in letters from dif- vertedtoheat.(Indeed,precise by playing music through it and ferentreaders seemed at power measurements have tradi- increasing the volume gradually un- first to have little in com- tionally been made by measuring til "undesirable effects on the speak- mon. As I read them over, however, the temperature rise of the load as a er became apparent." Very likely, a common factor emerged: each function of time.) The large voice the "undesirable effect" would be a question involved the differences coil of a woofer can absorb high - sudden dulling of the high frequen- between sine -wave test signals and power inputs for long periods, al- cies heralding the demise of a tweet- the complex waveforms of music or though even a woofer can literally er or two! speech-and the apparent inconsis- burn up in high -power operation, The "simple signal" I use is under tency between laboratory measure- but a delicate tweeter coil can easily my control, yet it simulates a real - ments and real -world music repro- be burned out by the application of world conditioninwhich mo- duction. 5 or 10 watts for even a few seconds. mentary signal peaks of hundreds of One writer questioned my use of This is not a problem in frequency - watts may occur unexpectedly along single -cycle bursts for speaker test- response testing, where a low power with a high average power level. My ing, since I had stated that such a test is not (intentionally) destruc- tone burst was "a simple signal tive, but if this test signal were unlikely to be found in real musical Tested This Month added to a real music background, it program material." That statement might well be. is accurate, and the objection is The other reader whose letter I even more applicable to the sine - Harman Kardon TD392 cited above complained about an wave signalsalmostuniversally Cassette Deck apparentlyverydifferent"real used for audio testing. Any signal American Acoustics D8500 world" problem thatisactually waveform can be expressed as the closely related to the one just dis- sum of one or more discrete fre- Speaker System cussed. He wondered what, if any- quency components having specific Vector Research V-5000 thing, can be done about the exces- amplitude and phase relationships. sive loudness of the announcer's A sine wave is the simplest wave- VHS Hi-FiVCR voice between music selections on form, the building block from which Koss SST I 7 Headphones FM radio. I suspect that he and I lis- all our music is formed, and is thus Acoustat One + One ten to the same New York classical idealfor many audio measure- music station (WNCN), which ap- Speaker System

30 STEREO REVIEW JUNE 1986 1-111111111111111110111111111111INIMER11111 speakersystems. component BostonAcoustics

become Your carcculd listeningroom. yourfavorite

Boston world-renowned can enjoy in your car. Now, you reproduction music makes i-possible. , Acoiktics *.c : approach ,"," ,,,,, , ,,,,,, is 3ccurately ,, .- -.--N. z;;;. ' ' . Our component audio raige i i .5 i z '. - - o- the as it our . Each portion driver, ji.st ''' ' by aseparate component ;',`, ' EEch :, .. " ' ' "' :: reproduced home systems. where it s',' \. ,,,, ' regarded iii,','s:,'"""""';;,-;N ,, .,., highli mounted 1ii ) beunobtrusive y Dili,.,,,,,, speacer can best. ; ; ; , 1 1 ; And sounds 1,1414)44411 1 .4.;it; O; ;, f is best. ,..) )).),:r ) 1 .1 .... ) wawa'..,.,,..i:i ikivtiktkAiv Bcstonconporent ,,) )::)1:;) five dif-erent that's ) )4P))411.1.41.11144i We'vecesigned choose one ' )4) )1011111101VIIVt4Netli,tt systems, soyoJ cEn nost -)s1')))0101))"""'41444.41,111!t''Y''''\''' '' speaker car.From our for youand your three-way )t),R)Illi''')''''''' just light system, toourfinest I)0).))))).).4)4.4)=41411..%.1%' octavesof )40+)441...,',":.I;)) )!).14))0414)4441ook';14' corn )acttwo-way full ten )) hear tie ) ) )ifie44),440.1.1.1).:.41; ) 41)04») )i . that lets you )) VarimoLnr" ) 3 AO')) ) 1 1,4)s)0,4444401,444..1.144,404140.4444,4, system Exclusive POO .) )) our for ) 1 All five use 1 1 » ) oil)4).)4444449.4.1,. mus c. can aim )141), )) )410» )i which you ) ) ) 1.441111.1.44444444,11 CFT dometweeter, I ) ))).)01,..) 110,11441.444,44444,11 stereoimaging. r..40101)40110,04,041.44414,100 I) 1 40044,4,04,0,0_,,,,,,,..,.$, optimum ) .) r)) 0 LA , the nE meof wour 0 ) ) ) ) 0 0.0040101)01)411)4,0,CZT.if,,,,,, and to: 0 .).) » detailed3rochure and address 00-.000.000010,40,..tk Ford your name 01)00) dealer send 7S 10).)0)494,) %f nearest Department 00)04)0)410)10.0.0400011,12tra)ye!.,.).00)0) ; Acoustics,Inc., MA 01960. 0).).)00)0)400101A-tp$14°A,,,g.,07;:4;;;.001,0; Boston Street,Peabody, 247Lynnfield .617)532-21' 1. gipOgOitorig' 7.,;; , , up your . to,/ 4 i ,. of picking ) )9, g if 0 g ,, the habit , , get into real y se-ious gir, 00",, ;, '0, You ust may do so-ne ,.;10, ))1;i A, 0 wart to i ,i :.ar keyswhen you iste-ing.

BostonAccusucs The Speakers That Are TECHNICAL TALK

Taking Europe By Storm Have plies no compression or limiting to its music programs and thus has to set the average modulation level Just Landed In The U.S. quite low to keep the peaks within acceptable limits. The announcers' voicesare(apparently)notso Magnasphere-loudspeakers are unlike any others in existence. Where treated and often come through at ear -shattering levels if the music is conventional speakers use cones or domes for midrange and tweeter played at a reasonable volume. drivers, Magnaspheres use revolutionary new ball -shaped, baffle -free FM broadcasts, like the outputs of transducers that emanate uniform sound waves in all directions. They speakers and amplifiers, are often radiate music omnidirectionally. pushed to their limits by a pro- Just like the sun radiates light. gram's dynamic range, a situation Just like a violin radiates music. that is further complicated by the The sonic performance of Magnaspheres is so close to real, so uncannily growing use of CD's. Traditionally, radio transmissions have been com- natural, they have already accomplished something no other product has pressed to keep the average level ever done-they've won a record three "Decibel d'honneurs' France's high while avoiding overmodula- most prestigious audio award. And the Magnaspheres' unprecedented tion on peaks. "High average level" ability to exploit the capabilities of compact discs is already the talk of the in FM broadcasting translates di- European audio community. Right now the Magnasphere rectly to "louder received signals," a Delta, Gamma and Beta are available through a small, matter that is of considerable im- portancetoradio -station owners carefully selected network of dealers in the United States. and advertisers. Visit one soon and hear the new standard in loudspeaker Compression may not be objec- dispersion, imaging and tionable to pop and rock listeners, three -dimensionality. but itis anathema to any serious The Magnasphere Series. classical -musiclover.Compared From Magnat. with a compressed signal, however, Germany's number one with unmodified dynamics is likely to sound much weaker, with one loudspeaker background noise possibly masking manufacturer. the softer passages. If the playing volume is turned up, restoring some or all of the dynamic range, the hiss may be increased to an audible lev- MaGnat el. Many people still prefer to listen Box 808 Marblehead, MA 01945 that way, possibly using a noise - (617) 639-1400 reduction device to remove some of the hiss. When the announcer's voice re- The Magnasphere speakers have places the music, it is usually at a won an unprecedented three 'Decibel 0 honneurs Frances much higheraveragelevel, thanks most prestigious audio award to compression, although the peaks

Maui are probably no higher than those of

trade, - GMB" the music program. Since it is the average level that determines subjective loudness, the announcer's voice soundsloud!The effectis analogous to the case I cited earlier, in which a loudspeaker that can handle very high peak levels might be disastrously overloaded by the simultaneous application of considerably lower average levels. As for what a listener candoabout those loud announcers, I'm afraid I have no good answer. Besides lowering the volume, about the only sugges- tion I have is to write or phone the broadcast station to complain-not about the uncompressed music, just the too -loud announcers! 0

Distributed in Canada by Evolution Technology IncToronto In Canada 1-800-263-6395 CIRCLE NO. 55 ON READER SERVICE CARD It's called the AVG 50. You can use it to control just about everN-th ng in your audio/video system. It has a total of fot r video and six audic Yamaha inputs. And the included remote can be used to :on- trol other Yamaha interactive audio components. So you can turn on your entire system, select audio is introducy and video source, control ailume and playback of tuner, turntable, cassette deck, even a CD player. The AVC-50 s als ) a full -featured inte- anaudio/video grated amplifier with 45 watts of po.ver pe: channel. That's enough power to use it as the primary source of amplification in your A, V system. Or as a supple- controlamp, ment to your present source of amplification, you can use it to drive a pair of rear channel speakers. Either way, the AVC-30 can decode the Dclby' Sur- a rear-channel round signals. And when ised with a rear speaker setup, you'll enjoy the full surround sound effect of movies that are encoded with this special sound- stereo power amp, track feature. But many stereo movies don', have surround sound. Which is wr.y the AVC-50 has a special avideo enhancer, feature called the Yamaha Natural Surround mode. This unique circuit creates the same thrilling effect by feeding the appropriate background and ambient amulti -mode sounds through the -rear speakers. The AVC-50 can even simulate stereo and surround sound from a mono source. And sirwe surround sound most network and cable TV programs as well as many movies on cassette are mono, you should get a lot of use out of this feature. arnA You should also appreciate the video enhancement features built into the AVC-50_Thn-,e front panel controls give you continuously variable con- andaninteractive trol over picture detail, sharpness and video level. Meaning you can not only improve the quality of the video signal during -he recording process, but you audio/video systemcan also improve the picture qualiy during playback. There is one thing the AVC-E0 can't do, how- remote controller ever, and that is usher you to your seat. But once you are seated, with one of these at your command, you may never have to get up agaii. Or want to. This is it. YAMAHA '45 wits RMS per channel, both shauucls calven into 8 ohms. from 20-20.000 H. x no mom than 0.05.. Total Harmonic Distorticn. .*Dolb). is a trademark of Dolby Labs. Inc. Yam 4ha Electronics Corporation, USA. ...k> P.O. Box 6660. Buena Park, CA 9(622. CIRCLE NO14 ON READER SEF1 ICE CARD

-mat -.11 wie MAb

""""111111111111111111 ThePerrha art of IIA reproducing art. oftosicservePerreaux detail-fromtransistors is thethe finestaudioart of to the music. available.componentsthe hand corrosion Their selection The arereproduction proofmeticulous handcrafted and and matching high attentionof tomu- sensesaudioThepreservesconductivity creation component of sightevery of24 and eachdetailkarat is feel. an limited ofgold art the in plated originalproductionitself. circuit A musical tribute Perreaux board- event.to the

MercedeswasIn a voteawarded of -like audio the construction." Hi critics Fi Grand and retailers, Prix for "itsPerreaux Hifinish."velvety"Peter Fi & Perreaux's Electronikin sound Magazine,as masterpiece its graceful Denmark is front as smooth panel isand in Hibecome"The Fi ForPerreaux a physical has theentity talent within for makingthe room." music finish"Perreaux of the electronics finest Swiss have machinery." all the appearance and Steret,fectly"... the accomplished." synthesis of all you could demand, per- Germany Sonto"...due be Hi the Fi to Magazine,best Perreaux's value Canada purchase verifiable in quality,audio." it is likely The bestaudio investment in the world...Perreaux amplifiers havea built in 80% trade-in value.*

An interview with Anthony Federici, Director of Perreaux International

Q. . do Perreaux such a hitch trade-in valve? The trade-in value of Perreaux components have and exceptional value when new. To further increase always been far higher than average. This is proba- trade-in value, Perreaux is now giving a one-year bly due to several factors: Engineering that is at the limited parts and labor warranty on pre -owned leading edge of technology... hand crafted, limited Series 2 that is traded toward Series 3. production...simple, elegant, non -trendy styling...

Q. How long do you anticipate that Perreaux will retain this exceptional trade-in value? Probably indefinitely, because the resale value is factory. In other words, the trade-in -deal" simply intrinsic to the product. Given Perreaux's reliabil- reflects the real world value of Perreaux. I would ity and longevity, a 1 -year warranty on pre -owned expect both new and used Perreaux's to continue to equipment is not an expensive commitment for the retain the world's highest trade-in value.

Q.1111y du %(illI 1)C.fpaNIIApay as much or more for a used Perreaux as for a new product from another manufacturer? Because they are already doing so with Perreaux. new cars. However, because essentially there are no A used Porsche or Mercedes costs more than many mechanical parts, it won't deteriorate like a car.

Q. Will this lead the way for audio components other than Perreaux to increase their trade-in %altie' I hope so. Because it will allow more people to value toward a new PerreaLx. This means that the enjoy quality audio. As an example: The new consumer will have been enjoying Perreaux quality Perreaux Series I system. consisting of a tuner, and performance for about $500. That's only the preamp and power amp, retails for about $2000. cost of a moderate receiver. I would expect it to retain about a $1500 trade-in

Amplifiers Techport Ltd. Preaniplifiers [111,, Westbury, NY Tuners I -800-TECPORT or 516-683-3000 Perrelux

CIRCLE NO. 60 ON READER SERVICE CARD *At participating dealers up to 80% of original amplifier purchase price and 70% of original preamplifier purchase price will be offered for trade up of Series 2 toward Series 3. PERFORMANCE COUNTS. THE THRILL OF REAL CIGARETTE TASTE IN A LOW TAR.

VANTAGE loos "tarQ.I rig nicotine av per cigarette, FTC Report JAN. '85.

SURGEON GENERAL'S WARNING: Quitting Smoking Now Greatly Reduces Serious Risks to Your Health. TEST REPORTS

reading LED indicators. The display has a switch that selects either a HARMAN KARDON TD392 normal (flat) measurement or one that is weighted to reflect the lower CASSETTE DECK treble -saturationpoints of audio cassettes. Craig Stark Hirsch -Houck Laboratories A small fold -down panel conceals the controls for playback output, NE of the oldest compa- illuminated, though its clear door input balance, and user bias adjust- niesinaudio, Harman offers good label visibility and is ment. To optimize the bias for dif- Kardon has long stressed easily removed for head cleaning ferent brands of the same tape type, the importance of an ex- and demagnetizing. the user presses a button that causes 0tremely wide frequency range in its The TD392's sendust/ferrite re- the deck to record a low -frequency products. In keeping with that poli- cord and playback heads are housed tone on one channel and a high -fre- cy, the TD392 cassette deck is spec- in a common casing but are electri- quency tone on the other, then ad- ified for a ± 3 -dB response all the cally separate, which enables you to justs a bias control until the two way up to 22,000 Hz. The deck also check the recorded quality of your tones show the same level reading. uses special playback circuitry to tapes as you make them. Separate While this is not as refined a bias - minimizehigh -frequency phase record and playback head elements adjustment technique as found in shifts and incorporates the treble: are also all but mandatory if full some higher -priced recorders, it is extending Dolby HX Pro system. response at the very highest audible far superior to the usual practice of Separaterecordandplayback frequencies is to be maintained. providing no tone generators at all, heads, both Dolby B and Dolby C The Dolby HX Pro system oper- leaving the user to try to determine noise reduction, and a user -adjusta- ates automatically while the deck is the correct amount of bias current ble bias control are among the recording, instantaneously varying by ear. The concealed panel also deck's other attractions. the record bias in response to the contains the switch for the FM -mul- Thetransportsectionof the varying treble content of the music. tiplex filter, which eliminates any TD392 is fairly conventional. The When the music has little high -fre- residualsubcarriersignalsthat single capstan is belt -driven by a quency content, full bias is used to might leak through from a tuner. single motor, which also turns the minimize low -frequency distortion. The simplicity of the deck's elec- reel hubs. Solenoids (rather than a When the music has a lot of high - tronicsprecludeselaboratepro- motor/cam system) are used to op- frequency content, the bias is slight- gramming options; the only provi- erate the head gate and brakes, and ly lowered, permitting more treble sion of this type is for indefinite rep- even the three -digit tape counter is energy to be stored on the tape. HX etition of a whole side of a cassette. mechanical. In contrast to most Pro is used only in recording, and No microphone jacks are provided, contemporary decks, the TD392 re- the tapes made with the process can an omission that has almost become quires manual switching to select be played on any deck. standard on today's home cassette bias and equalization for the three Signallevels are displayed on decks. The Harman Kardon TD392 tape types. The cassette well is not twelve -segment -per -channel,peak - measures 173/8incheswide,43/4

STEREO REVIEW JUNE 1986 37 TEST REPORTS

of the TD392 using factory -selected, FEA LURES center -of -the -line samples of TDK AD (ferric), TDK SA (chrome - O Separate record and playback from -20 to +8 (lb, %%1E11 equivalent),and TDK MA -R heads twelve segments per channel and (metal) cassettes. The effects of Har- O Dolby HX Pro treble extension switchable weighting scale O DolbyBand Dolby C noise O Solenoid -operated transport man Kardon's "ultrawideband, lin- reduction O Output -level control ear -phase" design principles were O User -adjustable bias optimization O Defeatable FM -multiplex filter much in evidence here. While most O LED level indicators, calibrated O Front -panel headphone jack decks in this price class permit the response to fall off sharply below 50 HARMAN ICARDOKI TD392 Hz and above 17,000 Hz at the RECORD -PLAYBACK RESPONSES -20-dB level, the TD392 measured - within +2, -1 dB from 20 to pe.--- 20,000 Hz with all three tapes. The effect of the HX Pro system in -TEX AINTYPE 11 -TX SA (TYPEfil reducing tape saturation at the up- ICI -TEX AAA-RfT YPE IV) permost frequencies, thoughless dramatic, is also apparent from the 0 -dB -level curves, which do not fall 2) c.."---...... - ...... ____C:747' off until a point several kilohertz _2 higher than one would expect.

PIAERACK-OtslY RESPONSES /ECSTAADARDRASFTEST TAPES) The signal-to-noise ratios

0 were extremely high, -120,5 1 AND IV) -s -70,.s (TYPE 11 comparable only with those of so 100 500 I k Ifi 201 FREOLIENCY INHERTZ decks costing far more. LABORATORY MEASURES The measured signal-to-noise ra- Fast -forward time(C-60): 129 seconds O Tape: TDK SA (Type II,Cr02- tios were extremely high, compara- Rewind time(C-60): 130 seconds type) IEC 0 -dB distortion:1.5% ble only with those of decks costing Speed error:none measurable Meter indication at 3% third -har- far more or equipped with the dbx Dolby tracking error:DolbyB, monic distortion: +2.6dB noise -reduction system. On the oth- +0,-1.5 dB;Dolby C, +0,-2.5dB Signal-to-noise ratios (in decibels): er hand, the deck's wow -and -flutter Wow -and -flutter: 0.044%wrms, Unwtd. A-u'ld. CCIR 0.066% DIN peak -weighted NRoff 55.3 59.6 57.0 figures were only fair, reflecting the Line input for indicated 0 dB: 64 mV Dolby B 60.0 67.5 67.0 cost-cutting decision to use a single - Line output at indicated 0 dB:0.58 Dolby C 62.7 75.2 76.6 motor, single -capstan drive. Dolby volt tracking error was low; sensitivity Meter indication at IEC-standard 0 O Ta:pe TDK MA -R (Type IV, and output levels were normal. dB: 0 dB metal) IEC 0 -dB distortion:0.77% Meter indication at 3% third -har- O Tape: TDK AD (Type I, ferric) monic distortion: +6.8 dB Comments IEC 0 -dB distortion:0.77% Signal-to-noise ratios(in decibels): To the state-of-the-art oriented Meter indication at 3% third -har- Unwtd. A-u'td. CCIR tester, the Harman Kardon TD392 monic distortion: +3.4 dB NRoff 59.0 62.9 60.0 Signal-to-noise ratios(in decibels): Dolby B 64.3 71.3 70.0 had a slightly old-fashioned, though Unwtd. A-u'td. CCIR Dolby C 66.6 78.8 79.4 comfortable, feeltoit,largely a NRoff 53.0 57.7 55.1 result of its solenoid -activated rath- Dolby B 59.3 66.3 65.2 er than motor -controlled transport Dolby C 62.2 73.2 74.6 functions. The electronics were capable of making superb copies of both plaster -shattering and delicate- inches high, and 124'8 inches deep. It to approximately 4,000 Hz. Above ly nuanced music. In blind compar- weighs about 12*4 pounds. Price: 4,000 Hz there was a slight treble isons with our more expensive ref- $550. Harman Kardon, Dept. SR, rolloff, reaching approximately -5 erence deck, the greater wow -and - 240 Crossways Park West, Wood- dB at 18,000 Hz. Since the record - flutter of the TD392 was evident, bury, NY 11797. playback results do not reflect the though I suspect that very few lis- same pattern,the azimuth -align- teners would find it objectionable. Lab Tests ment tape that Harman Kardon For theserious home recordist, Measured with our IEC calibrated used to set up our test sample must then, if not, perhaps, for the purist, playback tapes, the playback fre- differ slightly from our BASF -pro- the Harman Kardon TD392 repre- quency response of the TD392 was duced test tapes. sents solid value in its price class. extremely flat:±0.5dB from 31.5 We tested the frequency response Circle 140 on reader service card

38STEREO REVIEWPNE1986 Tea Connact Disc. in ourselvesing.mentofTeac building Rather, isfor not the toaurfioin we undiscern-thosethe commit habitequip- few recordinglesstentedindividuals than with theand discon- arythiny finest sound thereproduction mentremarkab'e money equip- Teac can buyBefore you stands" AhastheZD-5000 machine purest compactyet expertenced. Perhaps embodiment with tI isc a playerlistthc of tionsfeaturesaudiophile.impressso so advanced numerous,and the specifica- A mostas machine to jaded 24kitjacksso gold.comes refined are And to plated its remotewhen output with control'edremotelynobody furctions,comes close.The Teac ZD-5000 compactany"Fr just disc doesn't playe- get higtler.

CIRCLE NO 66 ON READER SERVICE CARD TEST REPORTS

on the front board. Two spring - loaded clips for the stripped ends of the speaker wires are in the rear of the cabinet. Each unit weighs approximately 55 pounds. Price: $978 per pair. American Acoustics, Dept. SR, One Mitek Plaza, Winslow, IL 61089. Lab Tests The sensitivity of the American Acoustics D8500 was exactly as rated when measured with an octave band of pink -noise centered at 1,000Hz.Withbothspeakers placed approximately as recommended, but facing directly forward and 8 feet apart, the averaged room response was uniform within ± 3 dB from 100 to 20,000 Hz. The close-miked woofer response, when combined with its port radiation, reached its maximum at 70 Hz. The output was substantially lower in the 100- to 300 -Hz range, and the close-miked midrange driver's output decreased rapidly below 400 Hz, but there was no evidence of a AMERICAN ACOUSTICS reduced overall system output in thatregion,either inthe room D8500 SPEAKER SYSTEM response or in an FFT response measurement at 1 meter. Splicing Julian Hirsch, Hirsch -Houck Laboratories the room curve to the woofer curve produced a composite response that varied ± 3 dB from 85 to 20,000 Hz, THE D8500 is a recent addi- second -order (12 -dB -per -octave) rose about 4 dB at 70 Hz, and tion to the American Acous- low-pass and high-pass filters, and dropped sharply below 50 Hz. tics D -Series line of "digital the high end of the midrange driv- Our measurements indicated that ready"loudspeaker sys- er's response is allowed to roll off the crossover frequencies of the tems. Rated for above -average sen- naturally.Anothersecond -order sitivity and designed to handle the high-pass filter channels only the wide dynamic range of digital audio high frequencies to the tweeter. The D8 500's octave -to -octave without distortion or damage, the The D8500 has no external level frequency balance-one of the D -Series speakers are also said to be or balance controls. Recommended key factors affecting a speaker's suitable for video applications be- for use with amplifiers delivering up cause of their low external magnetic to 205 watts of output, the system sound quality-was field. has a rated sensitivity of 93 dB exceptionally un_iform and A three-way system in a fairly (sound -pressure level measured at 1 large floor -standing vented enclo- meter with 2.83 volts of pink noise smooth, with a slight but sure, the D8500 has a 15 -inch poly- from 20 to 20,000 Hz). Its frequency definite brightness. propylene -cone woofer with a 2 - response is specified as 37 to 20,000 inch voice coil wound in two layers Hz. The manufacturer recommends on an aluminum bobbin. The mid- placing the speakers atleast16 drivers were approximately 400 and dle frequencies are handled by a 5 - inches from rear walls and 12 inches 4,000 Hz. The acoustic crossover inch polypropylene -cone driver that from side walls. Angling the cabi- between the port and the woofer is damped with ferrofluid and iso- nets inward about 10 to 15 degrees cone was at 60 Hz. In an FFT meas- lated by a sealed back from pressure is also said to improve imaging in urement, the speaker's response 30 created behind the woofer. The high the center of the soundstage. degrees off axis differed from its frequencies are radiated by a 1 -inch The walnut -veneered cabinet of axial response by about 6 dB above soft -dome tweeter, also ferrofluid the D8500 is 30 inches high, 181/2 10,000 Hz and in the region of 3,000

damped. . inches wide, and 141/2 inches deep. to 4,000 Hz, apparently because of The crossover network from the Its grille is easily removed, reveal- different polar responses from the woofer to the midrange driver uses ing the drivers and the woofer port midrange and high -frequency driv-

40STEREO REVIEW JUNE 1986 Radio Shack's Linear -Tracking No "Extras" to Buy. This turntable is noused Front -Loading System in an a:tractive metal cabinet and includes a factory -aligned Realistic'Audic Technica dual- Our Realistic' LAB -1600 belt -drive turntable rracnet cartridge. Briig in your favorite LP and plays your records with a linear -tracking arm. "test -p ay" it on our LAB -1600 Ycu'll agree this The stylus is always at the correct angle, a ma- is a major acvance in turntable design, and c-ne jor advance that g ves you two major benefits: you cal enjoy withou: a major expenditure. Cleaner sound and reduced disc wear. Take home tie front -loading, I near -track ng LAB -1600 tocay for only $159.95. Use your Radio Goes Where Others Can't. Since this front - Shack/CitiLine or other credit card. loading design fits in spaces only six inches high, it's ideal for audio racks and between shelves-that's another Radio !'hack major advance. And it The Technology Store' couldn't be easier to use. A DIVISION OF TANDy CORP°, AT1ON Press a soft -touch control FREE 1986 CATALOG! and the drawer glides out Mail to Radio Shack. Department SE -A-961, for disc loading. Press 300 One Tand Centr. Forl Worth, TX 76102 again and the drawer re- NAME tracts, ready for automatic ADDRESS play. Electronic logic lets you raise, lower and posi- STATE Z'P tion the arm precisely. L nnn, applies at partopannp Radio Snack stn. es and deaets Lots of new companies make speakers forcars. AR has made speakers since thiscar was new.

X TELEDYNE ACOUSTIC RESEARC' 330 Turnpike Street, Canton. MA 02021 In 195the Dodgers were in Brooklyn, Br ndo wasoi the waterfront, and Elvis wa in Sun Studios. In September 5r-, a classic -_wo-seater ca led the F d Tiundedbird went into production. That sae year, Acoustic Research invented the co.istic Sispension principle an used it to create another classic: the f rst high ficelity bookshelf speaker. Soo ,AR products beimmethe most revered most sought-aftet most imitated spe ke-s in h story.

Now, Ac ustic Research pLts its years of loud pecker experience on the road. With th sophisticated new GCS Speakers. M st car speakers aim their tweeters at y ur rear w ndov4 nct at your ears. AR's G s -130 system lassepe-ate component iers, midraivesand tweeters. So ou .-;an rnicunt thetweeters up front, wh e you can 'ear them. And the GCS -30C, alassie 5 x 9, tits the tweeter towards tie frcnt. Whilernary car speakers lava no c-cssover Et all. these AR speakers have :rue electror c crossovers foe minimum IM distortior And while ott-ersuse flimsy paper canes, AR uses ultratrigid polipropilere. Ultimately, inakirgcar speakers is easy. The hard pa -t is nicking speake-s sound good. And that's precisely, who: AR has been cloirg for 32 years.

Al ACOUSTIC RESEARCH We speak from experience. C;RCLE NOlcOE. NEAD:F SERVICE CARD TEST REPORTS

ers. The impedance of the D8500 probably has something to do with tiveness one might expect of a large, was about 4.5 ohms from 20 to 30 this effect. With most program ma- floor -standing system such as the Hz and reached its minimum of 4.2 terial, however, there was no audi- D8500. Much of the time, no weak- ohms between 80 and 100 Hz and ble sign of such resonance at reason- ness would be noticed because of from 10,000 to 12,000 Hz. Its maxi- able listening levels. the speaker's excellent overall fre- mum was 16 ohms at 63 Hz. The The D8500 sounded very much quency balance, especially if the markings on the speaker cabinet in- the way its response curves looked, program lacks a strong deep -bass dicate a 4- to 8 -ohm impedance rat- which is actually quite rare among content. But don't expect the D8500 speakers we have tested. The sys- to massage your skin or untie your Because of their at response tem'soctave -to -octavefrequency shoelaces with its bass output. balance-one of the key factors af- The designers of the D8500 opted, in the lower m range, the fecting a speaker's sound quality- probably wisely, for high sensitivity American Acoustics D8500's wasexceptionallyuniformand rather than extended bass response. smooth, with a slight but definite Given the dynamic range of CD's, were relatively free of the brightness. Because of their flat re- this is a strong point in its favor. artificial "chestiness" sponse in the lower midrange, the Used with a moderate -power ampli- imparted to male voices by D8500's were relatively free of the fier -30 watts per channel, say- artificial "chestiness" imparted to the D8500 should be able to do jus- many speaker .cystems. male voices by many speaker sys- tice to digitally recorded and repro- tems. And thanks to its moderate duced program material that might amplitude and relatively low fre- require upwards of 100 or 150 watts ing, which seems justified by our quency, the bass peak at 70 Hz did with speakers of average sensitivity. measurements. not introduce audible coloration. But if you do have a few hundred The woofer distortion was meas- On the other hand, the low -bass watts on tap, the speakers can han- ured with a constant input of 2 frequencies (under 40 or 50 Hz) dle the power safely and easily. volts, corresponding to a 90 -dB were not reproduced with the effec- Circle 141 on reader service card sound -pressure level (SPL) at 1 meter in the midrange. Distortion was very low (0.4 percent or less) from 100 to 60 Hz and increased gradually to 2.5 percent at 40 Hz and 5 percent at 30 Hz. The system's phase response was quite linear over the range from 1,000 to 20,000 Hz, with a group -delay variation of about 0.3 millisecond. Peak -power tests with low -duty -cycle pulsed signals showed that the speaker could handle the maximum output of our amplifier, which clippedat580 watts (into 4.3 ohms) at 100 Hz, 380 watts (into 9 ohms) at 1,000 Hz, and 650 watts (into 4.3 ohms) at 10,000 Hz. The acoustic SPL from the speaker during these measurements was also impressively high, about 120 dB. Comments We encountered only one ques- tionable property of the American Acoustics D8500 during our testing. Its cabinet tends to vibrate when the speakers are driven at moderately high levels in the range of 100 to 300 Hz or so. The vibration showed up in our close-miked woofer -response curves as a sharp resonant peak and dip at about 250 Hz, but it could not be seen in the room -response or FFT measurements. The relatively ". . . Attention. K -Mart shoppers! On sale in our record department, two terrific light weight of the speaker, in view Bach cantatas! lch steh mit einem Fuss im Grabe' and Bisher habt ihr nichts of its size and driver complement, gebeten in meinem Namen "-just $4.39 each, or both for $7.49!"

44 STEREO REVIEW JUNE 1986 AN AMERICAN HERO

America's new LeBaron GTS outperforms significantly quicker and stops reassuringly shorter Germany's BMW 528e and Mercedes190E. than both the Mercedes Benz 190E and the BMW 528e. (Results of United States Auto Club tests.) For a long time, the legendary BMW and There's one more event the GTS dominates: Mercedes had no competition in America. the bottom line. GTS is priced under S12,000.- Now they've got rrore than they can handle: And for good measure, it's backed by the Chrysler

0 TO 50 SLALOM CORNERING BRAKING 5 -year or 50,000 -mile Protection Plan.t I- you've been holding out for an American LEBARON GTS 5.63 secs. 6.20 secs. .861 G's 136.25 ft. hero, it's here. MERCEDES 190E 613 secs. 6.35 secs. .829 G's 137.87 ft. Buy or lease at your Chrysler -Plymouth deale-. BMW 5211e 7.14sacs. 6.56 secs. .814 G's 140.18 ft. Buckle up for safety.

Chrysler LeBaron GIS overwhelms the German cars when you equ p it with turbo, sports handling a suspension and fifteen -inch wheels view a WNW Chrysler The GTS accele-ates convincingly faster, corners comfortably better, handles the slalom THE COMPETITION IS GOOD. WE HAD TO BE BETTER.

CA/flail results of f1 SAC tests vs..itanclard equipped competitive test models Sticker prie as !muted warranty Restrictions apply Err We. leases See copy at dealer Choice : No matter what Canton speaker you choose, quality To help you choose the right Canton speaker, visit better German craftsmanship comes from within. audio/video retailers across the country. Come. Discover. Whether it be our mini -speakers to our floorstanding Explore the vast array of quality audio components speakers, our home or automotive speakers, satellite/ Canton has to offer. subwoofer combinations or active and passive "Choice" Hi-Fi. From Canton. speakers-Canton offers choice. Choice in size, finish and technology...The only choice Canton North America, Inc. we don't offer is choice in quality-Canton speakers 254 First Avenue NorthMinneapolis, MN 55401 are offered only in uncompromising "top quality:' 612/333-1150

Circle No. 33 on Reader Service Card

/NM GiNroti High fidelity evIcde in W German r taleTDK Electronics Corp.

TDK BRINGS OUT THE RECORDING ARTIST IN YOU. Backspin o 1 your volleys is great. Backspin :n your MLSIC lot. That's why TDK developed Ei series of higl-toes audit cassettes that give oeu a power-s&.e of pure I fetime performance. TDK SA deivcrs an unmatched high end with extra sen 31t My for a I of your most sophisticated mcsical favorites For muse that s a I over the court, we've oesteloped an ii -proved TDK SA X, which is now the worldE I )west -nose tape. It reaches hgt- and low celiver criso, clear sound Dut distort or - AndA for errcr flee follow through in recording tort compact discs we o-fer TDK HX-S. It captures at, the cynamic purity of the original chgital sound Ike no other 'DK high-btas audio caettes They'll sure hprove the w9y you play-your music.

TDK also manufactures a quality line of video cassettes and floppy disk products &TDK.THEART OF PERFORMANCE. CiscLE NO 48 ON READER SERVICE CAR) TEST REPORTS

new

gezzr 01111C.11.111111-11 "WPM.

its ability to use its fluorescent dis- VECTOR RESEARCH V-5000 play to monitor the playback tracking of tapes made on other ma- VHS HI -FT VCR chines.OnmostVCR'ssuch monitoring must be done by eye- and ear, in the case of a VHS Hi-Fi Julian Hirsch, Hirsch Houck Laboratories recording-but the lighted bars of the V-5000 serve as a sensitive indi- THE Vector Research V-5000 number of soft -touch pushbuttons cator to facilitate optimum tracking is a four -head dual -azimuth or keys on its front panel along with adjustment. VHS Hi-Fi videocassette re- dual horizontal sliders to set record- The remote controlduplicates corder that is equipped to ing levels for the hi-fi audio chan- most of the recorder's front -panel receive and decode stereo MTS nels (the longitudinal track is re- controls, including those required to (multichanneltelevisionsound) corded through an automatic level - program it for unattended recording and SAP (secondary audio pro- control circuit). The keys control of up to eight events in a twenty- gram) transmissionsaswellas the usual VCR functions: recording, one -day period. The remote also has standard mono TV signals. It can playback, fast forward and rewind, a CM SKIP button, not on the VCR record TV/FM simulcasts with full - freeze-frame, and slow-motion play- itself, that simplifies skipping com- fidelity audio, taking the video por- back at a fifth, a tenth, or a thirtieth tion of the program from its own of normal speed. In addition to the receiving circuits and the audio single -touch RECORDING key, there Novel features o f the V-5000 from the output of an FM stereo is a SEGMENT RECORDING key that include the ability to use its receiver. sets the VCR to record in segments Like all hi-fi VCR's, the V-5000 of 30 minutes for up to 5 hoursfluorescent display to monitor also records (and plays back) a lon- total. The tuner of the V-5000 is fac- playback tracking of tapes gitudinal mono audio trackfor tory -set for 140 channels-twelve made on other machines and compatibilitywithconventional VHF, seventy UHF, and fifty-eight VHS machines. The mono program cable. Unwanted channels can be a button on the remote control can be processed by a built-in Dolby deleted from its memory. that simplifies skipping TV B noise -reduction circuit during re- Ayellowfluorescentdisplay cording and playback. The V-5000 shows the day, time, channel, tape commercials. comes with a wireless remote con- speed, program source, and various trol that can be used for some func- symbols that indicate the machine's tions (such as volume) of a Vector operating status. The four -digit in- mercialsduringplayback.Each Research VTM-25 video monitor. dex counter can be switched to touch of the button fast -forwards The video recording quality of the show the remaining time on a tape. the tape for 30 seconds of playing V-5000 is enhanced by its VHS HQ Two horizontal, multiple -segment time, after which it returns to nor- (High Quality) circuits, which pro- audio levelindicators cover the mal play. Some of the recorder's vide sharper image edges and re- range from -40 to + 10 dB, with a controls (including a headphone duce video noise. peak -hold feature. volume control) are concealed be- The V-5000 is controlled by a A novel feature of the V-5000 is hind a narrow hinged door that

STEREO REviEwfuNE198649 Vir . 0 NIL 1,.st

l?:r4 Afts,' 44), ' 1.1^

k ra , 44 *6 "11.7,

6. 06. 1 ! t` itt .. ',Yklpre if. kl, ILt. :. 1 I.. Ili . 141, 7. 1 r tial ,ilks..,. 'II i I, 1/10. :-'

SUF LEONGENERAL'S LNARNING: Cuitting Smoking 4. , / 14 r c464A.. lilv , - ..., . a e : NOM GrealliiSect.ces Serious Risks to Your Flea -. Lights Kings 1C mg tar.' 0.7 mg9 nicotine= 47 Kings & 100 2: 16 mg "tar': 1.0 mg nicotine ay. per ciga -tie, FTC Report Feh'85 et twt

I , 117:144, , 4,_...,.kv, 4: "4 al. rikAbefi- )

111111111/ ZqLCIP;1 Marlboro I ighls,Luiillorn 11111's aildlainotin-am %labor° Red-you Beta tot fo like.

C Rollo Mors Inc 1985 TEST REPORTS

erallevels at frequencies of 20, FEATURES 1,000, and 5,000 Hz (the last was chosen so that its harmonics would O Receives and decodes stereo tape tracking for easy lie within the audio band). MTS and SAP transmissions adjustment The 20 -Hz playback signal was O Records and plays back at all O Instant segment recording with three VHS speeds (SP, LP, EP) separate internal timer visiblydistorted on theoscillo- O Records from TV broadcast, Video HQ (High Quality) scope, with a measured total har- TV/FM simulcast, or any circuits for improved picture monic distortion (THD) of 0.2 per- external high-level audio source O Program search finds cent-second, third, and fourth har- O Timer control permits preselected points on tape unattended recording of up to O Commercial -skip function monics werepredominant.The eight events over twenty-one O Digital quartz -controlled servo 5,000 -Hz distortion consisted of the days system to maintain tape same three major components but O Electronic four -digit index synchronization at a much lower level, 0.56 percent. counter/clock/remaining-time O Single -frame picture advance indicator O Slow -speed playback at one -fifth, To reach the 3 -percent distortion O Twin -slider audio one -tenth, or one -thirtieth used to establish the maximum lev- recording -level controls normal speed el in analog tape recording, we had O Automatic level control (ALC) O Picture sharpness control to record a 1,000 -Hz signal at +15 for longitudinal (mono) 1=1 Stereo headphone jack (1/4 inch) soundtracks with volume control to +16 dB, well off the scale of the Switchable Dolby B noise O 140 -channel tuner receives all fluorescent level display. The sig- reduction for longitudinal tracks VHF and UHF broadcast O Separate peak-readin channels and 58 cable channels fluorescent audio -level indicators O Switchable audio output for The playback from recordings for each channel, marked from selection of stereo, left -channel, -20 to +10 dB (red above right -channel, mono, or SAP of LP's, CD's, and FM 0 dB) programs O Switchable level indicator shows O Wireless infrared remote control broadcasts was so close to the sound of the originals LABORATORY MEASUREMENTS that onthe most carefully Record -playback frequency Record -playback flutter: hi-fi controlled and critical response (referred to 1,000 -Hz mode, 0.005% 111S -weighted rms, level): hi-fi mode, 20 to 20,000 ± 0.009% CCIR-weighted peak; listening could have Hz +1, -2 dB; normal mode, 55 normal mode, SP speed, 0.16% distinguished between them. to 13,000 Hz +0, -5 dB at SP JIS-weighted rms, ±2.3% speed, 50 to 3,100 Hz at EP CCIR-weighted peak; normal speed mode, EP speed, 0.22% Harmonic distortion (THD JIS-weighted rms, ±3.5% nal-to-noise ratio (S/N) relative to noise) at 1,000 Hz: hi-fi mode, CCIR-weighted peak 0.12% at 0 dB, 0.14% at +10 Input sensitivity for 0 -dB that level was about 90 dB un- dB; normal mode, 2.5% with recorded level: 110 mV with weighted and about 95 dB with A - 0.1 -volt input level maximum recording -level setting weighting. Si al -to -noise ratio: hi-fi mode Input overload level: 3 volts We measured the record -playback (A-weighted,greferred to +15 -dB Playback level at 1,000 Hz from frequency response at levels of +10, signal level), 95 dB; normal mode 0 -dB signal: 0.43 volt 0, and -20 dB. It was nearly the (A -weighted, with Dolby B, Rewind time for T-120 cassette: referred to output from 0.1 -volt 207 seconds same for the two lower levels, vary- input signal), 51.5 dB at SP Stereo channel separation in hi-fi ing about ± 2 dB or slightly less speed, 50.5 dB at EP speed mode: 58 dB at 1,000 Hz; 52 dB from 20 to 20,000 Hz. Even at +10 at 10,000 Hz dB the± 1.5 -dBvariationwas maintained from 20 to 12,000 Hz, and response was down 3.5 dB at spans almost the full width of the tern, as measured through the audio 20,000 Hz. front panel. (line) inputs and outputs. We also measured the perform- The Vector ResearchV-5000, The input signal required for a 0 - ance of the longitudinal (standard) which is finished in black, measures dB level -indicatorreading,ata mono audio track of the V-5000. 17 inches wide, 14N inches deep, maximum recording -levelsetting, Since in this mode the recording and 4 inches high. It weighs just was 110 millivolts (mV). The input levelisset automatically by an over 19 pounds. Price: $995. Vector circuits could be overloaded by sig- internal ALC circuit, we arbitrarily Research, Dept. SR, 20600 Nord- nal levels exceeding 3 volts. A 0 -dB set the input level at 1 volt initially hoff St., Chatsworth, CA 91311. recording at 1,000 Hz played back and then repeated the tests at 0.1 at a level of 0.43 volt into a standard volt. The 1,000 -Hz playback output Lab Tests EIA load (10,000 ohms in parallel from a 1 -volt input was 0.63 volt, Many of the V -5000's features in- with 1,000 picofarads). The play- with 5 percent harmonic distortion. volveitsvideo performance, of back distortion was between 0.12 Reducing the input to0.1volt course, but our tests dealt only with and 0.16 percent for recorded levels resulted in a 0.45 -volt playback lev- its audio operation, specifically with between 0 and +10 dB. We meas- el and 2.5 percent distortion. the operation of the VHS Hi-Fi sys- ured the playback distortion at sev- The noise level in the playback of

52 STEREO REVIEW JUNE 1986 BEYOND CONVENTIONAL AUDIO

Thee high speed ONKYO Opto-Coupling Modules allow transfer of uFra high frequency digial audio data, word clock and tit clock signals which rcnge r frecuency from 176.4 kilol-z up to 4.32 megcHz. The module incorporomis an optical fiber, between a prisicri LED ligH source and The DX -320 is divided focusinc ler 3, and a receiving phoid-diode and into two secticns, with cou- lens aki-embly. Three additional cpto-isolators pling between the digital and are u- lized for tra-isfe- of left/richt clock. de- analog stages of the player via emp-asiE and !riding signals. Tcgether, hese Opto-Coipling Modules. In add - spedal components eliminate NI. tion, power supply interference is prevented by using seporate power supplies for he analog and cigital sections, as well as for the trcnsport mechanism.

OPTO-COUPLING FOR ACCURATE DIGITAL REPRCDUCT ON In addition to the digital audio data signals that must be converted into or aloc, CD players must also process ncn-ciudio digital dicta. During this conversion Digital Signal Interference (DSI) occurs due to noise transfer between the various digital and unclog stages, through xintec circuit board wiring, and common ground lines. These non -audio data signals car actLally interfere wits the digital to mblog :onversion. res.ilting n Digital Signal Interference. This noise contributes to the 'ars, sound characteristics often attributed to cigital reproduction. In orcer to prevent DSI from appearing at the player'; outputs along with the n -us c signal, we fount thc+ it was necesscry to completely isolate the digitcl and anabg blocks of circuitry from each otl-er electricclly. was made possible by the de"elopment of ONKYD's ex.:lusive Opto-CoLpling Module. This new technology prevents DSI by utilizing specially designed high speed finer optics that convert the digitcl data signals intc beams of light. This elimincrteE the transfer of noise between tne digital and ana og stages.The result is honest, Artstry In Sound accurate mi_sical reproduction with none of the harsh characteristics often attributed tc conventional CD players. ONKYO 200 Whams Drise, Ramsey, NJ. 07445 C,CL_ NO 45 ON READER SER'.ICE TEST REPORTS

the longitudinal track with Dolby B how much tape remains to be panying these programs were also in was measured with A -weighting and played or recorded. Another thing stereo, although we heard little evi- unweighted at the fastest and the we appreciate about this VCR is the dence of the left -right manipulation slowest tape speeds (SP and EP) and ability of the clock and program- we expected to find in transmis- at the 1 -volt and 0.1 -volt input lev- ming circuits to retain their memo- sions designed to attract a viewer's els. There was little difference in ries for as much as seven days with- attention. noise level, which measured be- out power-it won't have to be Overall, we found the Vector Re- tween - 50.5 and - 53.5 dB with A - reprogrammed if itis accidentally search V-5000 to be a remarkably weighting and between -45.5 and unplugged or in the event of a pow- versatile VCR, able to do just about -48.5 dB without weighting. The er failure. anything that other machines can record -playback flutter at the higher In our area, only the local NBC do as well as a number of things (SP) speed was ± 2.3 percent in a outlettransmitsanappreciable unique to itself. Paradoxically, its CCIR-weighted peak measurement amount of MTS stereo TV pro- versatility may also be its major and 0.16 percent with JIS rms gramming (as well as an SAP sub - weakness. There is little likelihood weighting. As expected, flutter was channel carrying the programs of an that anyone-especially a layman- somewhat higher at the lower (EP) NBC FM station). We watched and could use this machine to full effec- speed, with readings of ± 3.5 and listened to a number of programs tiveness without extensive study of 0.22 percent. (and their commercials) that had the manual and a lot of hands-on Because of the effective action of stereo sound, and we soon realized practice. Although the manual ap- the automatic level -control circuit, that regardless of the relevance of pears to be reasonably complete, it the record -playback frequency re- stereo sound to their content, the is not easy reading and sometimes sponse was not affected by level. At overall sound quality of these trans- fails to explain in sufficient detail the SP speed, the overall response missions was distinctly superior to the effects and limitations of some variation was 5 dB from 55 to most other TV broadcasts. Aside of the controls and features. If you 13,000 Hz, and at the EP speed the from this, stereo sound (even with are willing to spend a little time range was 50 to 3,100 Hz. daytime soap operas) often lent the learning how to use it, however, the Measuring the stereo MTS per- programs a sense of immediacy that V-5000 looks like a superb addition formance of a VCR requires a spe- was lacking from a mono sound- to any high -quality home entertain- cial modulator or signal generator track. It was surprising to find that ment system. designed to produce a test signal in many of the commercials accom- Circle 142 on reader service card the standard MTS format. As this type of professional test equipment is not yet available, we were able to evaluate the MTS performance of the V-5000 only by listening to the stereo broadcasts in our area. Comments Comparing the hi-fi audio performance of the Vector Research V- 5000 with that of the numerous VHS Hi-Fi VCR's we have previously tested,itis clear thatit ranks close to the top of the group in most respects. The playback from recordings of LP's, CD's, and FM broadcasts was so close to the sound of the originals that only the most carefully controlled and critical listening could have distinguished between them. Recording levels are not critical; as long as the indicators remain on the scale, there is little chance of overloading the recording circuits. As with other hi-fi VCR's, noise and flutter are negligible. One useful feature of the V-5000 (especially if it is installed at or near eye level) is its transparent cassette - "Sir, today begins the second year-approximately 365 days, minus Sundays and well door. The cassette is illumi- holidays and the two weeks you were out recovering from an appendectomy-that nated and can be identified by read- you've been coming in here, unable to decide on which speaker to buy. I'm going to ing its clearly visible edge label. The have to ask you to make a decision, one way or another, before 6 o'clock closing supply hub is also visible, showing time today, or you will not be permitted to come into this store again."

54 STEREO REVIEW JUNE 1986 BEYOND CONVENTIONAL AUD 0

THE ONKYO INTEGRA DX -320 VVITH OPTO-COUPLING THE SOUND IS NO ILLUSION The Integra DX -320 Compact Disc playe- is the first of ONKYO's new geie -ation cf CD players tc incorporate °Jr inique Opto-Coualing cigitolsigncl processir g system. Conventional 'CD players transmit d gita data internally via printed cicuit board winr g, which inte -acts with ana og

©1986 Pioneer Electronics (USA). Inc. All rights reserved. and two videocassette recorders, one 54 -function System Remote in addition to 139 cable - control (which will also control capable channels with 10 -key Pioneer LaserDisc' and VCRs direct access. There's an MTS bearing the SR symbol). decoder for stereo/SAP broad- We could go on and on. casts, and a simulated -stereo Suffice it to say, all you have to processor. There's a built-in do is see the Pioneer SD -P40 high-powered 12W+ 12W Conventional Our seating once, and you will suddenly amplifier, with two built-in seating Finally, you can sit anywhere. understand the difference 65/I6 -inch speakers. There's a monitor output, between the world of projection televisions and a TV output. There's even a variable audio and the only projection monitor in the world. output that lets you control volume through your hi-fi system by remote control. In fact, the entire system is controlled by PIONEER CIRCLE NO. 25 ON READER SERVICE CARO 411111ih. FINALLY, A SECURITY SYSTEM THAT WON'T SOUND OFF FOR ALL 'Ft 1E WRONG MASONS. Our secret is something the engineers on -board computer. And no one, not call a Computer Servo Motion Sensor. even you with your own key, can start This remarkable piece of tech- the engine until the touch pad is nology (pictured above) rotates like a touched again. gyroscope, correcting the things that We make five mobile security sys- make an alarm sound when you don't tems, with varying degrees of pro- want it to-a nosy cat, a steep incline, tection. All are superb examples of even a gust of wind. the applied technology "gym But the relief from false alarms is you nothing compared to the relief you feel expect when you're protected by Alpine. from When you leave your vehicle, you Alpine. push an electronic touch pad on your key ring, and all the doors lock. 11111111,1111.,11,11111 Then a red warning light flashes on your door or dash. Sensors that are built, into the trunk, hood and To find the dealer nearest you, just doors feed infor- give us a call at 1 -800 -ALPINE -I. mation constantly And remember, we also make bril- to an liantly engineered car audio systems and cellular telephones. All, we are proud to say, are standard equipment on Lamborghini. Enough said.

mobileALPINE. electronics systems CIRCLE NO. 53 ON READER SERVICE CARD TEST REPORTS

Hz range. We measured the harmonic distortion at 100 and 1,000 Hz with drive levels from 0.34 to 1.9 volts (corresponding to acoustic outputs of 100 to 115 dB at 1,000 Hz). The 1,000 -Hz distortion was 032 percent at 100 dB, 0.42 percent at 110 dB, and 2.55 percent at 115 dB. At 100 Hz the distortion was higher, about 1.5 percent up to 110 dB and 2.75 percent at 115 dB. The water distortion at this low frequency is a result of the larger diaphragm movement at a given input level, an effect directly analogous to the typical increase in speaker dis- Koss SST/7 HEADPHONES tortion at low frequencies. Comments Julian Hirsch, Hirsch -Houck Laboratories Although the overall sound of the Koss SST/7 was by no means dull, it THE Model SST/7 heads a quency) is given as less than 0.2 per- lacked some of the brilliance of oth- new line of "Super Sonic cent at 100 dB SPL. Price: $69.95. er headphones we have tested. On Technology" headphones Koss Corporation, Dept. SR, 4129 the other hand, the bass response of from Koss. The SST/7 is a N. Port Washington Ave., Milwau- these phones was outstanding, both lightweight (5 -ounce) circumaural kee, WI 53212. deep and powerful. To some extent, headset whose soft -foam ear cush- the strength of the bass may have ions surround the wearer's ears to Lab Tests contributed to the perception that exclude external sounds. According Measured on a standard head- the high frequencies were subdued. to the manufacturer, the SST/7 uses phone coupler, the sensitivity of the In listening to certain CD's, we felt a very thin diaphragm in combina- Koss SST/7 at 1,000 Hz was exactly that the sound of the SST/7 was not tion with a powerful rare-earth (pre- as rated. The frequency response as sharply defined as that of other, sumably samarium -cobalt) magnet. was exceptionally flat and smooth considerably more expensive head- The earpieces are connected by a through the midrange and upper phones we compared them with, single piece of metal spring materi- bass, varying only ± 1.5 dB from 55 but there was never any doubt as to al, but a separate, adjustable, soft - to 1,600 Hz. Between 75 and 860 the SST/7's superior bass response. leather inner band is the only part Hz, the overall output variation was We would expect a user with a taste that touches the wearer's head. also only ± 1.5 dB. The low -fre- for rock music to find the Koss The earpieces are mounted with quency output fell off at 12 dB per SST/7 preferable to phones whose what Koss calls a multi -pivoted sys- octave, and at 30 Hz it was 10 dB response characteristics favor the tem. The bright chrome -finished below the average midrange level. middle and upper frequencies. plastic mounts are pivoted to allow At higher frequencies, the SST/7's Our chief criticism of the Koss a limited degree of vertical and hor- response curve had the kind of fluc- SST/7 is not related to sound but to izontal adjustment, and the earpiece tuations, caused by internal stand- wearing comfort. We do not think itself is joined to the mount by a ing waves within the air space en- that the multi -pivoted earpiece de- second vertical pivot. A single thin closed by the earpiece and micro- sign allows sufficient vertical move- rubber -covered cable emerging phone diaphragm, that are typical of ment for the ear cushions to fit flat from the left earpiece carries the sig- headphone coupler measurements. against the ears for all head shapes. nals to both ears. Roughly 20 inches There were sharp dips at about Like any item of wearing apparel, from the earpiece, the cable enters a 4,500 and 9,000 Hz (the harmonic headphones should be tried on for small plastic box that has two slider relationship of these frequencies is a wearing comfort before purchase. controls for adjusting the volume confirmation that the dips originate The Koss SST/7's are sensitive for each earpiece individually. A in internal volume resonances), a phones whose low impedance per- coiled cord, which extends to 20 peak at 7,500 Hz, and an overall mits them to deliver more power feet, emerges from the control box response extending beyond 15,000 from low -voltage output sources and terminates in a molded plug. Hz.Ignoring thecoupler -related such as portable cassette radios and The specifications for the Koss anomalies, the averaged frequency portable CD players. Driving the SST/7 claim a frequency range of 15 response of the SST/7 was ± 8 dB phones from a preamplifier head- to 30,000 Hz. Its sensitivity is given from 40 to 18,000 Hz. phone output, we were able to as100d13 sound -pressurelevel The impedance of the phones was achieve extremely high sound lev- (SPL) with an input of 0.34 volt rms the rated 60 ohms over most of the els, well beyond what is possible and its impedance as 60 ohms. The audio frequency range, with a maxi- with higher -impedance phones. distortion (at an unspecified fre- mum of 75 ohms in the 60- to 80 - Circle 143 on reader service card

STEREO REVIEW JUNE 1986 59 TEST REPORTS

The Acoustat One + One is one of the few relatively inexpensive full -range electrostatic speaker systems currentlyavailabletothe American audiophile. Its plastic diaphragm, only 0.65 mil thick,is damped by a number of specially shaped V4 -inch -thick felt blocks attached to the rear of the speaker panels and has a natural resonant frequency of 32 Hz. Like all other full -range electrostatic speakers, the Acoustat is a dipole radiator, delivering the same acoustic output to the front and rear, with nulls at its sides.The manufacturer recommends placing the speakers at least 3 feet from the rear wall and 2 feet from a side wall for optimum performance. Although the speaker itself is a full -range radiator, the One + One system's interface unit contains separate matching transformers for low and high frequencies, each with its own crossover network. The two transformers allow the amplifier to "see" a reasonably constant 4 -ohm impedance over the full audio range even though the impedance of the electrostatic elements themselves is almost purely capacitive and varies widely with frequency. The transformers effectively cross over at 1,500 Hz, with a broad overlap cov- ering more than one-third of the audio spectrum. The rated frequency response of the Acoustat One + One is 30 to 20,000 Hz ± 2 dB. Its minimum power requirement is 70 watts per channel into 4 ohms, and it can be driven safely by amplifiers rated at 200 watts or more. Acoustat claims that in a 14 x 22 -foot room a pair of One + One speakers can produce a ACOUSTAT ONE peak sound -pressure level (SPL) of + ONE 110 dB at 18 feet. SPEAKER SYSTEM The One + One is a freestanding column that measures11inches wide, 93 inches high, and 316 inches Julian Hirsch, Hirsch -Houck Laboratories deep. It is covered completely with a beige grille cloth and sits on a 16 x /N many respects, a full -range mostinternalmechanicalreso- 17 -inch teak and Formica -finished electrostatic speaker seems to nances. Its large radiating surface base that also holds the interface be the ideal solution to many of enablesitto produce substantial unit. Each complete speaker weighs the problems of conventional low -frequency power with a small 72 pounds. The interfaces contain dynamic loudspeakers. An electro- diaphragm displacement and low therequiredhigh -voltage power staticspeaker'sextremelythin, distortion. Unfortunately, electros- supplies, which should be left con- lightweight plastic diaphragm, driv- tatic speakers are usually expensive, stantly energized (each speaker con- en uniformly over its entire surface large, and low in efficiency, and sumes about 5 watts from the 120 - by an electrostatic force, is inherent- many of them have had reliability volt power line). ly free of crossover problems and problems. The Acoustat One + One system

60STEREO REVIEW JUNE 1986 Hear What You've Been Missing Introducing DPDTM from Proton anti If you're running that terrific new CD player off an .1023o. ' ' ' mini amplifier or receiver that's three to five years old, you're missing out on a great deal of clean, uncompromising sound.Most amps of that vintage just can't create the extra headroom that's necessary for accurate digital reproduction. Every time the music hits a peak, your amp

-..amt zas.ams Memo will be gasping for breath. And you'll defmitely hear about it. Unless you have a Proton 40 Series amplifier or receiver with our exclusive, patented DPD circuitry. Reserve power in an instant DPD stands for Dynamic Power on DemandTm. Designed for the increased demands of today's digital audio discs and hi-fi video sound, it utilizes a sophisticated, dual power supply which acts as a power reserve. During musical peaks, it delivers up to four times the amplifier's Prelim's DPW. mp rated power for an ..slams power PC limes longer amazing six dB of headroom. And DPD handles these boosts

ComptIllive much more smoothly. hiIs c.irronl irhpslisrs Plus, DPD sustains that dynamic power up to 400 milliseconds. More Proton's acclaimed 40 Series Audio Components top to than enough time for you to hear all the crisp, clean bottom: D940 Stereo Receiver with DPD'*', 440 Stereo Tuner, D540 Stereo Amplifier with DPDTm, 740 Stereo transient response you've been missing. From the pluck of Cassette Deck and the 830R Compact Disc Player. a cello. To the crash of a cymbal. As faithfully as if they were being performed live. Best of all, DPD gives you all of this extra power without your having to pay the extra price for a much larger amplifier. So if you want totally uncompromising digital sound, you can't afford to compromise with your system. That's why you need Proton with DPD. With anything else, you'll be missing out. For the Proton Audio/Video Dealer nearest you, call (800) 772-0172In California, (800) 428-1006 PROTON 14.(' 737 West Artesia Blvd., Compton, Calif. 90220 TEST REPORTS

carries a limited lifetime warranty. from 200 to 10,000 Hz. It rose at response measurements. Since they Price: $1,549 per pair. Extra -cost lower frequencies, to a maximum of were mostly made on the speaker's options include a black grille cloth 45 ohms at 25 Hz, and dropped at axis,theresultingfrequency -re- and base finishes in oak, walnut, or higher frequencies, reaching a mini- sponse curves looked flatter than mum of approximately 1.9 ohms at our sloping room curves (which to The Acoustat One + One is 20,000 Hz. some extent reflect the total power Ourroom -responsemeasure- output of the speaker as well as its one of the few relatively ments, at about 3 meters distance, axial response). In fact, the meas- inexpensive full -range showed the usual peaks and dips in ured axial response at 1 meter, 180 the 50- to 500 -Hz range, the result to 20,000 Hz ± 3.5 dB, would do electrostatic speaker systems of reflected signals from the front credit to any speaker. The group now available in the U.S. and rear radiation of the speaker delay varied ± 0.4 millisecond from panels. Above 500 Hz, theleft about 500 to 20,000 Hz. Our room speaker delivered an impressively data were also confirmed by FFT rosewood veneers or in gloss black. flat output on axis, varying only ± 3 horizontaldirectivity measure- Acoustat, Dept. SR, 3101 Southwest dB from 500 to 15,000 Hz. The out- ments on axis and at 30 degrees off FirstTerr.,Ft.Lauderdale, FL put dropped sharply at higher fre- the speaker's axis. The One + One 33315. quencies,fallingto - 12 dB at is extremely directional above 2,000 20,000 Hz. The output of the right Hz or so, with a 10- to 20 -dB differ- Lab Tests speaker, however, measured 30 de- ence between the two axes of meas- Acoustic measurements of a large grees off axis, sloped down steadily urement. panel speaker such as the Acoustat above 1,500 Hz and was at least 10 In our peak -power -handling tests, One + One are not easily compared dB below the axial response over at 1,000 Hz the amplifier's protec- with those made on most dynamic most of the high -frequency range. tion relay tripped at an output of 50 speakers. According to its manufac- The only way we could measure volts into the speaker's 3.4 -ohm im- turer, the One + One behaves like a thespeaker'slow -frequencyre- pedance (equivalent to 735 watts combination of a line source and a sponse was with close miking. The input). At 10,000 Hz the amplifier's planar radiator; consequently, there output was at its maximum in the output became visibly distorted at should be a considerable difference 40- to 70 -Hz range, falling off at 35 volts (383 watts into 3.2 ohms). between close-miked measurements about 24 dB per octave below 40 Only at 100 Hz did the speaker dis- and those taken at a distance of sev- Hz. Above 70 Hz the response tort before the amplifier gave up, at eral meters. Although we recognize sloped downward at about 12 to 15 17 volts into 6 ohms (48 watts). thisdistinction,thesize of the dB per octave. Above 500 Hz the These data indicate that the One + speakers prevented us from measur- microphone was responding to sig- ing them under ideal conditions. nals emanating from different por- They are so large that we had little tions of the diaphragm, and the The speakers sounded just room to maneuver in our 15 x 20 - resulting cancellations produced an fine-slightly warm, with a foot listening room. irregular curve. The bass curve and very healthy bass and the Almost as soon as we started to the room curve spliced reasonably listen to the Acoustat One + One, it well, however, and the resulting smooth, spacious quality became apparent that itis not a composite curve was a fair approxi- characteristic of good dipole high -efficiency speaker. Even using mation of what we heard from the several amplifiers in the 200- to system.Essentially, the speaker's radiators. The entire back 400 -watt -per -channel range, we output decreased as frequency in- wall came alive with sound. could not produce a listening vol- creased over the full audio range ume thatprecluded comfortable from about 50 to 20,000 Hz. The conversation. Measurements made total change in level was about 12 One can be driven into nonlinearity at a1 -meter distance revealed a dB, equivalent to a slope of perhaps at low frequencies with a relatively sound -pressure level of 74 dB with a 1.5 dB per octave. low -power source and that over 2.83 -volt input signal-about 15 dB The distortion of the speaker's much of the audio range it will pre- less than with typical small dynamic acoustic output was about 2 to 3 sent a rather difficult load to some speakers and 10 dB less than with percent from 100 to 50 Hz, rising to amplifiers. low -efficiency dynamic speakers. 8 to 9 percent at 30 to 40 Hz. Keep Our standard 90 -dB reference lev- in mind, however, that these close- Comments el for bass -distortion measurements miked measurements cannot be We found the Acoustat One + required an input of 17.9 volts, cor- compareddirectlywithsimilar One prodigiously hard to drive. As responding to a power level of 15 to measurements made on dynamic we said earlier, 200- to 400 -watt 50 watts into a speaker impedance speakers with smaller radiating sur- amplifiers could produce no more of 6 to 20 ohms in the low -bass faces. than a comfortably loud level from range, or 80 watts into the speaker's Our quasi-anechoic FFT response them, a volume that did not prevent nominal 4 -ohm impedance. The measurements, made at distances of ordinary conversation in the room. measured impedance was surpris- 1 and 3 meters, were less affected by Some powerful amplifiers have a ingly uniform, 3.5to3.8 ohms, room interaction than our room - limited current -delivering capacity

62 STEREO REVIEW JUNE 1986 at the highest frequencies, and their protection circuits will be triggered by the low (and possibly reactive) impedance of the Acoustat speakers in the highest audible octave. With a 65 -watt receiver, we were limited to background -music levels. On the other hand, our measurements cannot be translated directly to the room environment in which Acou- stat says the speakers will generate a 1 10 -dB SPL. Despite our less -than -ideal listening room, however, the speakers sounded just fine! They were slightly warm, with a very healthy bass and the smooth, spacious quality characteristic of good dipole radiators. The rear radiation caused the entire back wall to come alive with sound. The directivity of the front radiation was never perceptible in normal use, possibly because the rear radiation was fillinginthe reduced portions of the frequency range. Compared with several dynamic speakers we had on hand, the Acoustat One + One sometimes seemed to have even more high -end output, although our measurements contradicted this impression. In our overall listening, however, we found the sound neither bright nor dull- perhaps only a bit soft. This reac- tion undoubtedly reflects our personal listening taste. If you prefer , crisp, sizzling highs, you might find these speakers a little too subdued. Compact disc clarity. The Acoustat One + One speakers surprised us by being virtually The ultimate expression invisible, not only acoustically (a common characteristic of dipole or The purest, most accurate di zital audio possible in a compact omnidirectional radiators), but vis- disc player. ExatIlenee that combines th. finest features. Per- ually as well. How could a pair of formance features like ri-bit proceming, with oversampling, sep- 8 -foot columns go unnoticed in a 15 arate digital and analog filtering syswnos, and LuigIlëTM 3 -beam x 20 -foot room? Our best guess is laser tracking Conven ence leature-; like wireless remote con- that they looked somewhat like dec- orative structural columns and were trol. Just sit back anc experievce the incredible trinsparency and therefore accepted as part of the sur- dynamic range only lawless digital dcsig,n can offer. roundings by several people who were exposedtothem without knowing it. The D5000 The Acoustat One + One is a very listenable and attractive speaker at a reasonable price. If your ceiling height and bank account will accommodate a pair of these speak- Otlfre ers, and if you have a really husky power amplifier and do not expect SHURE to listen at live levels, try to audition them. They are well worth I 1, uyrotarh Shemin:IVA Gump.. calcry hearing. 1.1 ih. nuiK mu! loy.11 yuy ,1 your nraresi mcalerJeall (M2) 1441, 21Y1IN Circle 144 on reader service card

CIRCLE NO. 41 ON READER SERVICE CARD STEREO REVIEW JUNE 1986 63 OE'`

1 11 I 0 In novativedes1andign superb craftsmanship keep America 1 at the for&ant of technology

by Steve Birchall (

AMERICANaudiois I enjoying a new surge of growth, stimulated by a surprisingly rich selection of new hi-fi consumerproducts. Many product categories, such as Compact Disc players, audio -video receivers, and hi-fi VCR's, have come into existence only recently. New technologies, interacting with changing trends in music and allied arts, are leading to new forms of entertainment such as music videos, interactive CD's, and the illus- trated CD. Some television programs have hi-fi sound now, as stereo broadcasts become available to more and more people. As a result, the demand for good audio equipment is also increasing. Excitement is in the air, because audio is on the move again. The Compact Disc and stereo TV are playing a major role in generating excitement about hi-fi. Sudden- ly, audiophiles are appreciating the sheer joy oflistening tomusic more than ever, and untapped audiences for hi-fi are being awakened for the first time. The clean, clear sound of a CD immediately wins over first- time listeners through its audible excellence. And imagine how enjoy- able this year's miniseries extrava- ganzas will be in hi-fi stereo.

But where does the American au- 4 dio industryfitinto all of this?

64 STEREO REVIEW JUNE 1986 Pi.. i _(pAr , , ,_ , 1 \

, 0 ,

k,- . [TI ,' ,

,oT

()\

0. t

uahio.ir"aatiaa4,441ALiatkiitiolwitig64asidak.-

- : STEREO REVIEW JUNE 198665 Paul Klipsch's fa- While much of theequipment mous Klipschorn, a seems to be made in Japan, and you fully horn -loaded can't buy a receiver made in Pitts- speaker made in burgh, or a tape recorder made in Hope, Arkansas, is Albuquerque, American manufac- one of the few indi- turershavecarvedimpressive rect -radiator sys- niches for themselves in the audio tems on the market. marketplace, especially in the areas The folded -horn drivers in Klipsch of psychoacoustics (speakers) and speakers provide a high -end equipment. They are do- more efficient cou- ing what the European auto indus- pling of the dia- try did in response to American suc- phragm to the sur- cess in mass-producing of cars: con- rounding air mass centrating on quality, not quantity. than do ordinary Many American audio companies speakers that move are small, with only a handful of the air directly with employees led by a senior engineer, cones or domes. a "master craftsman" of audio technology with a strong personality, who watches over every stage of production. The sophisticated equipment made in these shops always has the special touches and style of the man behind it, a tradition that began with men like Avery Fisher and H. H. Scott and is flour- ishing today in the work of people like Matthew Polk and Bob Carver. The result? Innovatively designed, superblycrafted equipment that places Americans at the forefront of audio technology. In contrast, most manufacturers in the Far East concentrate on mass producing audio equipment at low Matthew Polk of cost. From them, we get the basic Polk Audio in Balti- Fords, Plymouths, and Chevrolets more, Maryland, is of audio. But in response to the prominent among question of how American compa- the American de- nies compete with the Japanese, signers who consid- Threshold's Nelson Pass replied, "I er psychoacoustics a path to greater real- don't consider them competition. ism in reproduced In fact, they make better customers sound. Polk's flag- than competitors." Affluent Japa- ship speaker system, nese who value good sound buy the SDA-SRS, uses Threshold amplifiers for the same the Stereo Dimen- reasonsaffluentAmericans buy sion Array configu- Mercedes automobiles. ration to improve stereo imaging. The Present Accomplishments four main bass/midrange drivers in Currently, some of the most excit- each speaker are ing and innovative developments in combined with a set American audio technology are con- of identical drivers centrated in broadcasting-an in- that reproduce the dustry where audio advances are opposite channel's slow to take shape. Multichannel signal in reversed television sound (MTS) has given polarity to cancel TV a stereo audio signal with hi-fi interaural crosstalk. quality. As a result producers are The speaker's four tweeters are in the paying close attention to the dra- center of the upper matic effects of sound in TV pro- panel, and its 20 - ductions. Even played through an inch bass passive average hi-fi system, a TV show radiator is at the with a good soundtrack can be very bottom. exciting. Heading the group responsible for the development of stereo TV was Les Tyler, vice-president of engi- 66 STEREO REVIEW JUNE 1986 RN. neering for the American company dbx. Like the established system for broadcasting stereo FM programs, the new stereo TV system involves two separate signals, which are de- coded in appropriately equipped receivers. One signal represents the sum of the left and right channels (L+ R), and is thus equivalent to mono, and the other represents the difference between them (L- R). The MTS system broadcasts the mono signal using frequency modulation but the difference signal with amplitude modulation, and dbx noisereductionkeepsreception quiet. Several designers have developed circuits to reduce the noise of FM stereo at the receiver. Larry Schotz of LS Research has developed a circuit-which he keeps improving- that reduces noise by blending the stereo channels in a dynamic fashion. The blending is controlled by the program's moment -to -moment frequency content and modulation level and by the strength of the received signal. Although this sys- Allison Acoustics speakers (above) are The Bow 901 (below) was the first com- tem reducesseparationtogether designed by acoustician Roy Allison in mercial speaker using the Direct/Reflect- with noise, the effect of the blending Natick. Massachusetts, so as to couple ing design of MIT's Dr. Anrar Bose. is inaudible except in its hiss reduc- bass energy to the listening room with- Bose loudspeakers are intended to simu- tion. Schotz circuitry is included in out the upper -bass and lower -midrange late a concert hall, where much of what variations in power response that affect we hear has been reflected by walls and products from Proton, NAD, and many installations. other surfaces before reaching our ears. others. Bob Carver of the Carver Corpo- ration has designed receivers and tuners featuring a circuit that uses program information in the relatively quiet mono FM signal to syn- thesize a low -noise difference signal with compatible frequency and amplitude characteristics. Under noisy conditions the synthesized difference signal smoothly and automatically replaces the actual broadcast difference signal. The latest approach to the problem of making the noise level and range of FM stereo equal to mono reception is FMX, the brainchild of Emil Torick at CBS Technology Center. Like most noise -reduction systems, FMX is a companding process that compresses the difference signal at the transmitter and then expands it at the receiver, restoring the original information together with a 20 -dB noise reduction. Un- like other noise -reduction systems, FMX is entirely compatible with the existing stereo broadcast system and will not interfere with reception by existing receivers. FMX decoders are inexpensive to manufacture, so the prices of new receivers should not increase dramatically. Accord- ing to Julian Hirsch and others who STERFA REVIEW JUNE 198667 havehearddemonstrationsof ationalamplifierinto producing FMX, the results are excellent. transientintermodulationdistor- Digitaltechniquesarefinding tion (TIM). They replace the inte- broadcast applications too. In Bos- grated -circuit (IC) op amp with one ton, WGBH uses the dbx 700 digital made from discretecircuitry to audio processor for live broadcasts eliminate that source of distortion of the Boston Symphony. The pro- completely. The entire audio circuit cessor serves as a noise -reduction has no capacitors in the signal system in the microwave link from path. Symphony Hall to the transmitter, McIntosh is building CD players and the improvements in clarity using Philips transports and digital and detail are substantial. Recently circuits. But the rest is all McIntosh, the dbx 700 was used for the first rather than a rebuilt Philips player. nationwide live digital broadcast on According to Gordon Gow, the National Public Radio. The occa- company was concerned that, in The Shure V-15 cartridge,a classic sion was an all -Ravel concert by the comparison with a good turntable, American audio product made in Evans- Swiss Romande Orchestra at MIT's tonearm, and cartridge system, a ton, Illinois, is widely considered the Kresge Auditorium. The digitally CD player's high end was a bit too quintessential moving -magnet design. encoded signal went by microwave harsh. To combat this problem, en- to the NPR satellite uplink and was gineer Sidney Corderman designed receivedacrossthecountry by an analog filter to remove ultrasonic At Magnepan in White Bear Lake, about a dozen stations equipped intermodulation products. Minnesota, Jim Winey makes Magne- with dbx 700 decoders. (As with dig- The work of both these compa- planar speakers with large, thin plastic ital tape recording, broadcasting the nies exemplifies what many U.S. au- diaphragms that are descendants of his digital audio signalrequires the early ribbon designs like the one below. dio manufacturers are doing. They bandwidth of a TV channel.) For are very particular about the quality the stations not equipped with de- of the parts they use, and they are coders, NPR used the regular audio finicky about refinements of circuit channels on the satellite. design. They don't use an IC chip This high -quality audio transmis- simply because it's expedient. They sion technique will become impor- use it with knowledge of its charac- tant for TV broadcasting too. Com- teristic distortion-and how to bined with the MTS stereo audio overcome it. They use capacitors signal, it could make music on tele- where they help and keep them out vision sound spectacularly realistic of the signal path. That kind of in your home. Programs such as approach to design and construc- Live from Lincoln Center would tion leads to the excellent sound of have incredible clarity, as would American audio equipment. any imaginablemusic program, from a live Christmas Eve concert Speakers or the Grammy Awards Show to the Perhaps the single most signifi- The Ohm Walsh 4,a classic omnidi- rededication ceremonies for the Sta- cant American contributions to au- rectional speaker made in Brooklyn, tue of Liberty with the Boston Pops dio technology have been in the New York, is designed according to the on the Fourth of July. area of speaker design and the study acoustic theories of Lincoln Walsh. of psychoacoustics. It's difficult to American CD Players forget the work of men like Edgar Through Philips in the Nether- Villchur (Acoustic Research),in- lands and Sony in Japan, other ventor of the acoustic -suspension countries got a head start in making system and the dome tweeter, Amar Compact Disc players, but Ameri- Bose,withhisDirect/Reflecting can companies are contributing in speaker system, and Paul Klipsch, this field by refining the technology with his horn -loaded speakers. Pio- and manufacturing procedures. neering work also came from com- Paul McGowan, president of PS panies such as Advent,Infinity, Audio,criticizedJapanese CD JBL, Ohm, Theil, and Allison. players in a New York Times article American researchinpsycho - (January 30, 1986): "The real prob- acoustics has led to products like lem is that they've surrounded all Matthew Polk's Stereo Dimension this Buck Rogers technology with Array (SDA) speakers, Mark Dav- parts no better than you find in a is's dbx Soundfield speakers, Jim Japanese transistor radio." McGo- Thiel's time- and phase -coherent wan's company modifies a stock speakers, and Ken Kantor's Acous- Philips 2040 CD player by replacing tic Research Magic speaker with its all the analog circuits and beefing delayed ambience subsystem. Other up the power supply. PS Audio advanced designs have come from inserts a passive analog pre -filter to Acoustat, Snell, Dahlquist, Fried, remove the high -amplitude spikes and Boston Acoustics. at 176 kHz that can trigger an oper- American speakers have also ben - 68STEREO REVIEWil:NE 1986 siorm Flow efitted from advanced construction techniques. New materials including high -temperature glues and a variety of lightweight cone materials such as titanium and polypropylene have helped to improve speaker performance. ADS, for example, uses more thanthirtydifferent kinds of adhesives, each for a different purpose, according to marketing vice president Larry Daywitt. The dbx Soundfield speaker gives special attention to the problems of off -axisradiation;alistener can walk around the room and the stereo image will remain stable. Mat- thew Polk created speakers with lifelike three-dimensional imaging by giving attention to details of cabinet -edge reflections and phase in- Designed by J. Richard Aylward at From its U.S. base in Norwood. Massa formation. Jim Thiel achieved a dbx, in Newton, Massachusetts. the chusetts, N -1D markets receivers, like the dbx DX3 Compact Disc player (above) Model 7140 below, that combine high time- and phase -coherent speaker stands out from the crowd with its Dig- output -current capability, wide dynamic through sloping baffles and synthe- ital Audio Impact Restoration circuit, headroom, and a Dynamic Separation sizedfirst -ordercrossovernet- variable compression. and variable am- tuner circuit designed by Larry Schott works. Ohm speakers incorporate bience control. that reduces noise on stereo FM. the work of the late Lincoln Walsh, who theorized that a speaker's radiating surface does not really be- have like a piston, nor can it be made to. Rather, he said, it behaves like a perfect wave transmission line. Timothy Holl-now at Bose, previously at Wharfedale and Acoustic Research-observes that speakers are converging on the same kind of sound. According toHoll, "The search for the neutral speaker inevi- tably leads to the same results." The world market for speakers also has caused some of the uniformity, because a good speaker sellswell everywhere. In the United States, the old distinction between East Thepure Class A power amplifiers from Threshold, in Sacramento, California, utilize Nelson Pass's Coast and West Coast speakers is Stasis technology-which is also licensed to Nakamichi nearly gone. As speaker design be- in Japan. Stasis amplifiers, like the Threshold Model comes more rational, everyone is S/500 shown below, use no negative feedback, and their able to approach that elusive ideal: performance is virtually independent of load character- neutral sound quality. istics, signal dynamics, and spectral content. Yankee Ingenuity The basic technology for digital audio is essentially American in origin. Philips and Sony applied that knowledge to develop the Compact Disc, but they could not have done it without American computer technology. Bell Labs has been a fountain of key developments, including the work of Claude Shannon, who founded the science of information theory, and John Nyquist, whose famous theoremestablishedthe minimum sampling rate needed to define a frequency. Another contribution from Bell Labs was the transistor. Without the benefits of the transistor's low pow -

STEREO REviEw JuNF 198669 c111111111111

er consumption, small size, and cooler operation, most of the elec- tronicproducts we now enjoy would not exist. Try building an all - tube CD player, if you don't believe that! The next development up the solid-state ladder was the integrated circuit, developed by Fairchild and TexasInstruments.Without IC chips, CD players would be the size of refrigerators. The laser, too, is the product of many American researchers (even Alexander Graham Bell proposed transmitting sound on modulated light waves). The cross -interleave Reed -Solomon error -correction The Carver receiver, made inLynn- Larry Scholz designed Recoton's code used by CD's was originally wood, Washington, unites two of Bob V622 TV Stereo Decoder (below), Carver's proprietary designs in one pack- which picks up the stray rf signals intended for telemetry data from age: a Magnetic Field power amplifier that leak out of almost any TV set and deep -space probes. The spectacular and the Asymmetrical Charge -Coupled decodes the stereo audio if any is pres- pictures we've received from Uran- Detector, which reduces noise on weak ent. It also provides Dynamic Noise us, Saturn, and Jupiter are good stereo FM signals. Reduction and stereo synthesis. examples of that technology in a visual application. In short, American audio technology has made the digital revolution in audio possible. Without Ameri- can scientists' driving curiosity and enterprising spirit, audio in every country around the world would be quite different today.

"Not with a Bang . . . But there is a dark side to all of this success, past and present. In the view of many observers, including Sony chairmanandco-founder Akio Morita, America is losing its ability to manufacture consumer goods. Morita, quoted in the March Some audiophiles feel that William Johnson'stube 3, 1986, issue of Business Week, amplifiers for Audio Research in Minneapolis pro- calls this a "hollowing of American duce a softer, warmer, and more musical sound industry."TomlinsonHolman, than amps with transistor output stages. who was chief audio engineer at Advent, was a co-founder of Apt, and now is conjuring audio effects at Lucasfilms, pointed to the "re- treat into the high end" and observed that American investors are not interested in hi-fi equipment manufacturing. Andy Petite, of Boston Acoustics, echoed this point of view, citing the "demise of support industries," particularly chip makers, in the U.S., and the "gradual shift of electrical manufacturing in general" to other countries. Threshold's Nelson Pass noted that the same amount of sili- con goes into one of Motorola's output transistors as its 68020 computer chip. Because the demand for the 68020 is greater, and the profits are greater, Motorola doesn't make as many output transistors. The tendency of American companies to market imported goods has led to an erosion of audio design

70 STEREO REVIEW JUNE 1986 go work in the U.S. Les Tyler of dbx observed that his company is one of the few that still maintain a large design staff. When the practice of foreign manufacturing first began, Made in Binghamton, New York, since 1949, an American company would de- McIntosh components sign the equipment and have it have always been regarded made to its specifications. Today, by some as the "ultimate" an American company is likely to in high -end American au- buy existing equipment, already de- dio products. Their reputa- signed by a foreign manufacturer, tion for durability is such and simply put its own logo on the that there are audiophiles product. The function of the Ameri- who actually take pride in can company is little more than to how old their working McIntosh components are! market the product. The company's recent in- Newcommunicationsmedia, troductions include (top to from Edison's cylinder and silent bottom) the MR 510 FM movies, to the telegraph and tele- tuner, with six station pre- phone, to radio, television, and sat- sets and a headphone ellites, have tied nations and people jack; the C34V Audio/Vid- togetherinincreasingly complex eo Control Center, with ways. As a result, manufacturing built-in equalizer and com- and consumption tend to spread ev- panding noise reducer; and the 270 -watt -per -channel enly around the planet. MC 7270 power amplifier. At ADS, speakers contain parts from all over the world-American drivers, Japanese crossover coils, and German cabinets. The Univer- sity of Michigan is making a study of ADS to see how and why the company has been so successful with its international approach. But ADS is not alone in the idea of a "world speaker." If you look inside just about any piece of audio equipment, you'll find parts from all over the world. Another way that business and industry disperse internationally is through reinvestment. Japanese and German companies are building cars in America, Sony builds TV sets in San Diego, TDK has a blank - tape plant in Irvine, California, and Sony operates a CD pressing plant in Terre Haute, Indiana. Philips and DuPont recently signed an agreement to build CD pressing plants in several countries. The first will be in the U.S., in North Carolina. Many American companies are licensing their inventions to foreign manufac- Designed by Leo Spiegel and built deep in the great turers. For example, Yamaha uses American "speaker range," Carver circuits in its power sup- in Randolph, Massachu- plies. Nakamichi uses Nelson Pass's setts, Apogee speakers use Stasiscircuitsinitsamplifiers. ribbon drivers instead of Many cassette decks contain both conventional cones or Dolby and dbx noise -reduction cir- domes as woofers, mid- cuits made under license. ranges, and tweeters. Sus- pended in a strong mag- The Future netic field, the lightweight metallic ribbons replace The American audio industry has both the magnetic voice had its ups and downs in the last coil and the diaphragm couple of decades and has had to of an ordinary driver. make a variety of adjustments to changing market conditions. But American audiotechnologyhas never wavered. It is now moving

STEREO REVIEW JUNE 1986 71 beyond the hi-fi industry and into are receiving a lot of attention. Dig- developing18 -bitconvertersfor some completely new fields. ital signal processors will lead to greater resolution. Current research involves artifi- new speakers with much more real- In amplifiers, Threshold's Nelson cial intelligence, voice recognition, istic spatial illusions than present Pass is moving on from his critically speech synthesis, and, most impor- speakers produce. Bob Carver is acclaimed Stasis amplifier and is tant, new applications of psycho - about to introduce a new speaker, working on a pulse -width -modula- acoustics made possible by digital only two inches thick, with holo- tion power amp and digital -switch- signal processors. graphic imaging capabilities ing power supplies. Bob Carver is Ray Kurzweil of Kurzweil Music (though not using the same circuit usinghisproprietaryMagnetic Systems,Inc.,speakingatthe as his Sonic Hologram Generator). Field circuitry to develop new light- Boston Computer Society, demon- In electronics, too, many meas- weight, high -power amplifiers. Wil- strated an advanced music synthe- urements are becoming obsolete, liam Johnson of Audio Research is sizer, a voice -activated word pro- and new specifications will replace constantly improving his all -tube cessor, and a voice -activated data- some of the current ones. Parame- designs, and innovations can always base manager. Imagine talking to ters are being more closely defined, be expected from people like Larry your typewriter and watching the and it will become harder for care- Schotz, Tomlinson Holman, Ralph words appear on the paper. Some of less designers to measure only what Yeomans (Soundcraftsmen), David these products may reach the mar- isconvenient to measure while Hafler, Mark Levinson, and compa- ket before the end of the year! overlookingcharacteristicsthat nies such as Crown, Adcom, Coun- Kurzweil'smusic synthesizer controlactualperformance. The terpoint, and Acoustat. storesinstrumentdefinitionsin search for rational definitions of A few years ago, Acoustic Re- largeread -only -memory (ROM) performance is an important contri- search demonstrated the Adaptive chips and uses artificial intelligence bution to the high quality of Ameri- Digital Signal Processor, which ana- toturnthedataintorealistic can equipment. lyzed the colorations created by the sounds. The "bite" of the bow Other engineers are looking for interactions of a speaker with a against the strings is hair-raisingly better digital -to -analog (D/A) con- room. Unlike some of today's self- real. The piano sounds better than verters. The successive -approxima- adjusting graphic equalizers, it in- some conventional pianos, and it is tion method now used is not neces- cluded the reflections in the room cheaper to make. But the real prize sarily the best. The design group at and even from the cabinet edges in of the synthesizer is the intelligent dbx is developing new types of D/A its analysis. It then created an in- sequencer (on -board digital record- converters with lower distortion. verse filter to undo these effects. In er). At the BCS meeting, a musician They are also looking for better- those days, it was too expensive to used it to create a lively Dixieland sounding anti-aliasingfilters and be a practical product, but, as Les combo for the audience. Tyler recently observed, Voice -activated remote On thecover this month are five prime examples of Ameri- it could become a practi- controls will become can excellence in loudspeaker technology. Clockwise from calconsumerproduct quite common asthe lower left: Klipsch Fortes (from Hope, Arkansas); the Bose now. And once you re- technology is refined and 10.2 (Framingham, Massachusetts); Boston Acoustics' A40 move the walls of the lis- putonto microchips. (Peabody. Massachusetts); Polk Audio's SDA Compact (Balti- tening room, what's to Combine this with speech mnre Marvlandl and AR :c MGC-I ICantnn Adaccarhucancl stop you from putting in synthesis, and your sys- the walls of any other tem could respond in var- room? If you don't like iousways. Of course, the acoustic ambience of manufacturers would give a recording, you could their equipment "person- take the orchestra out of alities"tomake them Carnegie Hall and put it more user-friendly. Some into the Amsterdam Con- day soon you might say, certgebouw. "Murphy, turn on the An audiophile of the VCR at 8:30 on Channel not -too -distant future 25, and stop it at 10:30." might say to his voice- The system would an- recognition controller, swer, "Okay, Bill, but the "Murphy, this perform- tape in the machine only ance is terrible. Put that has thirty minutes left, so orchestra into a hockey you need to put in a new arena." The system might answer back, "Okay, Bill. New work in psycho - Do you prefer the arena acoustics will lead to bet- in Minneapolis or the one ter speakers. Current tests in Montreal?" and measurements don't tell enough about how speakersreallysound. Steve Birchall is former edi- Phaseresponseinthe tor -in -chief ofDigital Audio crossover region, power magazine and a partner in the computer and publish- radiationintoareal ing consulting firm Kottwitz room, and other related & Associates in Merrimack, characteristicscurrently New Hampshire. 72 STEREO REVIEW JUNE 1986 VflDEINCNNflDN Audio north of the border

HI -Flenthusiasts in the arm dynamics, RIAA equalization net- U.S. are often surprised works, digital audio, amplifier design, to learn that our large, and loudspeaker crossover networks, to sparsely populated mention a few. Another Canadian who northern neighbor is a has contributed to loudspeaker research hotbed of audio enthu- is Gilbert Hobrough of Vancouver, siasm. A lot of Canadians love hi-fi British Columbia, who has devoted the and take it very seriously. past thirty years to developing a viable It's easy to attribute the Canadian ribbon loudspeaker. enthusiasm to the long, cold winters, Canada has its high -end contingent but Alan Lofft, editor of the Canadian too.Son Hi-Fi Videois the only magazineSound and Vision,thinks French -language hi-fi magazine in (editor), Mi- there is more to it than that. "There is Canada. and itsdirecteur Classe Audio's DR -3 a certain pride and independence of chel Prin, gives his readers a healthy Class A power amplifier is spirit among Canadian audiophiles," dose of high -end philosophy and prod- rated for 25 watts per chan- he says. "We have a small but vigorous ucts in each issue. Indeed, some of nel into 8 ohms with 7 db Canada's most respected high -end au- audio industry, and some important dynamic headroom. Price: research on loudspeakers is being done dio companies are located in Quebec. $2,895 (U.S.), not including The Oracle turntable has long been a in Canada." the $299 "brick- shown sit- high -end favorite in the U.S., and al- The research Let refers to has been ting on top. going on for more than fifteen years at though the company fell on hard times the National Research Council (NRC) a few years ago, it is now back in busi- in Ottawa under the guidance of Dr. ness. Chasse is a new company on the Floyd E. Toole. The NRC, a govern- American scene, but its current Class A ment organization that provides scien- amplifier has been well received by the tific and technical research to support "underground" audio press. Another Canadian industry, recently gained small Quebec company, Meitner, also world-wide attention for developing the makes amplifiers, but the products robot manipulator arms used on have yet to find their way south. Magnum-Dynalab's F7'- NASA's space shuttles. Bryston, an Ontario -based profes- 101 is an audiophile analog According to Dr. Toole, the goal of sional audio company, makes ampli- FM tuner with a digital his research is "to develop a cookbook fiers that have earned a good reputa- readout $549. for producing and interpreting loud- tion in the U.S. high -end market. Mag- speaker technical data in a way that num/Dynalab, which makes the popu- corresponds to the results of subjective lar FM Sleuth antenna, is also in On- listening evaluations." Apparently the tario. The company recently introduced research has begun to bear fruit. "We its FT -101 tuner, and marketing man- can now (use measurements to] identi- ager Mary Southcott says that it is fy loudspeakers that are in the top 5 making 2,000 of the tuners a year. as percent of listener preference," said well as manufacturing tuner circuit Toole in a telephone interview. boards for other companies. Several Canadian loudspeaker man- In terms of overall size, however, the ufacturers have been using the NRC's biggest hi-fi operation in Canada is facilities and standardized measure- Audio Products International (API). ment and evaluation techniques to de- This Markham, Ontario, company sign speakers for the home hi-fi mar- manufactures Mirage, Paisley, Energy, ket. The first commercial successes to Sound Dynamics, and dB Plus speak- come out of this collaboration were the ers, each brand maintaining a separate PSB 50R and 70R speakers. NAD will identity and separate design goals. API start distributing PSB products in the has its own research laboratories, but U.S. later this year. Products from Energy and Paisley work with Lipshitz Paradigm, Rega/Camber, and others and Vanderkooy at the University of have also been developed with the Waterloo, while Mirage products are NRC, and the NRC's loudspeaker facil- designed by Kevin Voecks, whose lab is ities aren't limited to Canadians. in Los Angeles. "We're open to companies around the As more and more Canadian audio world," Toole said. products find their way into U.S. This Mirage subwoofer/sat- Two other Canadians highly re- homes. Canada's reputation for re- ellite system ($670) is one of spected in international audio circles search and development will spread. the many systems made un- are Dr. Stanley P. Lipshitz and Dr. It's time we recognized south of the der different brand names John Vanderkooy, both of the Universi- border that Canadians have made by Audio Products Interna- ty of Waterloo, Ontario. They have col- some significant contributions to audio tional (4P1). laborated on research papers on tone - technology. -Gordon Sell

STEREo REVIEW JUNE 1986 73 SYS-I- AN AMERICAN DREAMMS by Michael Smclen

1Fromsimple belt - ing in its class. It is dramatically driveturntablesto lighter, smaller, and less costly than phase -array speaker other amps of similar capabilities. systems, American hi- The 350 -watt (8 -ohm) M -1.5t amp fimanufacturers en- weighs just 16 pounds and fits into a joy a position at the double EIA standard rack space. forefront of audio technology. They The preamplifier in our system is have a reputation for quality con- Threshold's FET Two SeriesII struction, and they have the advan- ($1,290). The FET Two is a two- tage of numerous service centers. channel, noninverting, field -effect- For some American audiophiles, at transistor preamp that combines a least, there is a certain satisfaction massive power supply, active and in listening to Bruce Springsteen passive equalization, and precision records through components that metal -filmresistors and polysty- were born in the U.S.A. rene -film capacitors. When the editors of STEREO RE- The Hafler name has long been VIEW set out to assemble a true red, synonymous with audio quality, white, and blue hi-fi system, howev- and the quartz -controlled, digital- er, we found that it required a little synthesis DH -330 FM tuner ($460) searching. Tossing aside the con- upholds that tradition. Its front end straint of price and the subjective- utilizes a triple -tuned circuit be- ness of the term "high end," we tween the r.f. stage and the mixer, in selected a group of components that addition to a tuned antenna circuit. representadvanced technology The r.f.-stage and mixer semicon- from fifteen American companies ductors are dual -gate MOSFET's, and put them together in a dream which have excellent signal -han- system that I, for one, would love to dling capability and good rejection come home to. of spurious signals. It is also avail- In some areas, such as speakers, able in kit form ($385). we had an embarrassment of riches While most of the components in to choose from. In others, such as our system don't really need any cassette decks, we had to fudge a bit sonic assistance, no true audiophile and choose units that were manu- is completely satisfied with any- factured abroad for American com- thing he owns. For those who think panies. We are prepared to defend they can analyze and correct for rec- the quality of all the components tangular steel -frame and wallboard included here, but this shouldn't be living -room construction or insist interpreted to mean that there are on running a 32 -Hz slider up to not equally good units available +15 dB, we've included Audio from other manufacturers. Control's C-101 equalizer/analyzer The backbone of any component ($429). hi-fi system isits amplifier, and Although CD's have captured the Carver's M -1.5tMagneticField hearts of many hi-fi enthusiasts, few power amplifier ($799) is outstand- audiophiles have thrown away their

Custom Woodwork & Design's Magic Low- boy cabinet opens by remote control to reveal the entire system. Photos by Tohru Na- kamura. Alpha table and chair courtesy Bieffe; ceramics courtesy Dapy.

74 STEREO REVIEW JUNE 1986 STEREo REVIEWf UNE 1986 75 E turntables, and some are convinced that the LP still delivers a truer reproduction of sound than the CD. If you'd like to make the comparison yourself with a state-of-the-art turntable, AR's ETL-1 ($700) is an excellent choice. Inside the hand -rubbed cherry- finish base, there's an optical -quality sapphire thrust bearing and a self - centeringtungsten -carbideball, electronic speed control, and three- point dual -spring suspension. 0 go with the AR turntable, we chose the Well - Tempered Lab's tonearm 7($500). Its arm tube is connected by a short rod at the pivot point to a small disc suspended in a tub of vis- cous silicone fluid. The tube assem- blyis suspended from above by short monofilament lines attached to the disc and skewed slightly to apply antiskating pressure. In the tonearm we -installed Stan- ton's Epoch Series HZ9S moving- magnet cartridge ($250), which has an advanced low -mass design (4 grams). The tubular cantilever has a sapphire overlay for strength and resistance to environmental con- taminants. Frequency response is rated as 10 to 30,000 Hz. Harman Kardon's TD392 Ultra- wideband Linear Phasecassette deck ($550) was designed in Japan with input from Harman America. Featuring an ultrawidebandfre- quency response of 20 to 22,000 Hz ± 3 dB, the three -head TD392 has Dolby B and Dolby C noise -reduction systems and Dolby HX Pro headroom -extension circuitry. (See the test report on the TD392 in this issue.) McIntosh audio equipmentis something of an American tradition, and it has never been cheap. At $1,399, McIntosh's MCD 7000 is near the top of the price scale for CD players. The MCD 7000 has a full complement of programming features and 16 -bit equivalent D/A conversion through quadruple oversampling (176.4 kHz). A couple of years ago, dbx shook the speaker world with its Sound- fieldimaging technology.Loud- speakers using this dbx-developed phase -array technology offer a significant improvement in the spatial perspective of music reproduction in the home. The system creates a sonic image with a realistic breadth and depth of field that is identical for virtually any listening position. The flagship speaker for dbx was the Soundfield One, recently updated to the Soundfield 1A ($2,950).

76Si EREO REVIEW JUNE 1986 While many video components are "born in the U.S.A." in terms of design, they are manufactured elsewhere. On the other hand, some companies, such as Sony, are making foreign -designed video components in the U.S. The video equipment in our system is as close to Old Glory as we could come. From RCA's line of Full -Spec- trum black -matrix TV monitors we chose a 27 -inch Colortrak 2000 ($1,200). Its features include stereo multichannel television sound (MTS) and secondary audio program (SAP) capability, RCA's 110 - degree picture tube with square corners and a flatter surface, and programmable/automaticeverything! For a complete description of the Vector Research V-5000 videocassette recorder ($995), read the test report on the unit elsewhere in this issue. In the meantime, however, let me tease you with some of the V - 5000's on -board goodies: HQ video circuitry, VHS Hi-Fi sound, four- head/dual-azimuthconfiguration, MTS/SAP capability, dbx and Dol- by noise reduction, audio level meters, and, my favorite, a 30 -second commercial -skip function on the remote control. SYSTEM of this caliber requires a unit to decode DolbySurroundpro- grams. Shure's HTS 5000 Surround Audio Processor ($599) provides up to six channels of audio output when it is combined with an auxiliary amp and a secondary pair of speakers. The HTS 5000 features special decoder circuitry (Shure's Acra Vector system) for directional accuracy and an Acoustic Space Generator to create the illusion of being totally immersed in sound. For secondary speakers in the video system we've chosen Realistic's Minimus 7W ($100 a pair in an unobtrusivewalnut -veneercabi- net), which can handle 40 watts and has a frequency response of 95 to The AR ETL-I turntable, top Hailer's DH -330 FM tuner, with five - 20,000 Hz, just right for a surround left, has a twenty -four -pole station nonvolatile memory, Thresh- system's auxiliary speaker. synchronous a.c. motor. It old's FET Two Series II preamplifier. So what do you do with a system has been fitted with the Well -Tempered and Carver's 350 -watt M -1.5t Magnetic Tonearm, which has a skewed bifilar Field power amplifier. that's worth $14,221? You put it convergent -ligament suspension, and a Our selected audio/video compo- into one of the nicest high-tech cab- Stanton HZ9S cartridge with a Stereo- nents, above, include Realistic Mini- inets you can find-Custom Wood- hedron II diamond stylus. Grouped mus 7W speakers, which hare 4 -inch work & Design's Magic Lowboy. It center left are McIntosh's MCD 7000 high -compliance woofers and 1 -inch can house a large number of compo- CD player, with quadruple oversam- extended -range dome tweeters, Vector nents in a variety of configurations. pling; Harmon Kardon's TD392 cas- Research's feature -laden V-5000 VHS When the cabinetisclosed, the sette deck, with three sendust/ferrite Hi-Fi VCR, Shure's HTS 5000 Sur- entire system is concealed. Activat- heads; and Audio Control's C-101 round Audio Processor, and RCA's 27 - graphic equalizer/analyzer (center inch Colortrak 2000 stereo monitor, ing the remote control raises the points at 32, 60. 120, 480, 960, 1,920. which processes a broadcast signal with components out of the cabinet for 3,840. 7,680, and 15.500 Hz). At bot- up to three times the color resolution complete access. The Magic Low- tom left is the heart of our system: required by the NTSC standard. boy costs $2,000 in oak and $2,300 inAmericanwalnut. 0

STEREO RonEwfuNE 198677 AMERI('A\ 41)10 COlIPAIES IT isn't always easy to say which audio compa- design or manufacture here. This directory is nies are American and which aren't. Compo- based on addresses of companies that responded nents manufactured in the U.S. may have been to information requests for STEREO REVIEW'S designed by overseas companies, and vice ver- Buyers' Guides, so those that did not respond sa. For this directory, we have selected companies may not be listed here. Only home -audio compa- that are primarily American owned as well as nies are listed; a directory of car stereo manufac- companies that are partly American owned and turers appeared in our May issue.

BY WILLIAM BURTON AND STAFF

AAL (American Acoustics Labs-Mitek), Apt, 148 Sidney St., Cambridge, MA Bose, 100 The Mountain Rd., Framing- One Mitek Plaza, Winslow, IL 61089. 02139. Power amplifiers, preamplifiers, ham, MA 01701. Speakers. Speakers. tuners. Boston Acoustics, 247 Lynnfield St., Pea- Ace Audio, 532 5th St., East Northport, Astatic, Harbor & Jackson Sts., body, MA 01960. Speakers. NY 11731. Accessories, signal processors. Conneaut, OH 44030. Cartridges. Bozak, 68 Holmes Rd., Newington, CT Acoustat (David Hailer Co.), 5910 Cres- Audio Concepts, 1631 Caledonia St., La 06111. Speakers. cent Blvd., Pennsauken, NJ 08109. Power Cross, WI 54603. Speakers, signal amplifiers, preamplifiers, speakers. processors. Brown Electronic Labs, 1233 Somerset Dr., San Jose, CA 95132. Power Acoustic Interface, P.O. Box 6632, Santa Audio Control, 6520 212th St. SW, Lynn- amplifiers. Barbara, CA 93160. Speakers. wood, WA 98036. Signal processors. Bush Industries, 342 Fair Oak St., Little Acoustic Research, 330 Turnpike St., Audionics, P.O. Box 969, University Sta., Valley, NY 14755. Audio furniture. Canton, MA 02021. Turntables, accesso- Portland, OR 97207. Power amplifiers, ries, speakers. preamplifiers, accessories, signal Carver, P.O. Box 1237, 19210 33rd Ave. processors. W., Lynnwood, WA 98036. Receivers, ADA (Audio Design Associates), 602-610 power amplifiers, preamplifiers, tuners, Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains, NY Audio Research, 6801 Shingle Creek accessories, signal processors, CD players. 10605. Power amplifiers, accessories. Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55430. Power amplifiers, preamplifiers, accessories, sig- Certron, 1701 S. State College Blvd., Ana- ADC (Division of BSR), 71 Chapel St., heim, CA 91331. Blank tape, accessories. Newton, MA 02195. Turntables, car- nal processors. tridges, signal processors. AudioSource, 1185 Chess Dr., Suite G, Cerwin-Vega, 12250 Montague St., Foster City, CA 94404. Accessories, speak- Arleta, CA 91331. Signal processors, Adcom, 11 Elkins Rd., New Brunswick, speakers. NJ 08816. Power amplifiers, preamplifiers, signal processors. ers, tuners, cartridges, accessories, Com- Audio Technology, P.O. Box 94487, Chapman Sound, P.O. Box 140, Vashon, pact Disc players. Schaumburg, IL 60195. Accessories. WA 98070. Speakers. ADS, One Progress Way, Wilmington, Clements Audio Systems, 4354 Spring MA 01887. Receivers, integrated amplifi- Babb Audio, 3230-A Towerwood, Farm- Valley Rd., Dallas, TX 75244. Speakers. ers Branch, TX 75234. Speakers. ers, tuners, turntables, cassette decks, ac- CompuSonics, 1355 S. Colorado Blvd., cessories, speakers, Compact Disc players. Barcus-Berry Electronics, 5381 Produc- Suite 607, Denver, CO 80222. Digital Advent (Division of Int'l. Jensen, an tion Dr., Huntington Beach, CA 92649. audio. Signal processors. Esmark Co.), 4136 N. United Parkway, Conrad -Johnson Design, 1474 Pathfinder Schiller Park, IL 60176. Speakers. Bedini Electronics, 13000 San Fernando Lane, McLean, VA 22101. Power amplifi- Alaron, 185 Park St., P.O. Box 550, Troy, Rd., #9, Sylmar, CA 91342. Power ampli- ers, preamplifiers. fiers, preamplifiers, accessories. MI 48099. Pocket stereo. Counterpoint, 10635 Roselle St., San Die- Allison Acoustics, 7 Tech Circle, Natick, Belles Research, A-1 Country Club Rd., go, CA 92121-1399. Power amplifiers, pre- MA 01760. Speakers, signal processors. P.O. Box 307, E. Rochester, NY 14445. amplifiers, accessories. Power amplifiers, preamplifiers, tuners. Allsop, 191 Calle Magdalena, #215, Crown, 1718 W. Mishawaka Rd., Elkhart, Encinitas, CA 92024. Accessories. Benjamin Music Systems, 232 Sherwood IN 46514. Power amplifiers, preamplifiers, Ave., Farmingdale, NY 11735. Cassette tuners, accessories. Alphasonik, 701 Heinz Ave., Berkeley, decks, speakers. CA 94710. Speakers. Custom Woodwork & Design, 7447 S. Berning, 1107 Candlelight Lane, Poto- Sayer, Bedford Park, IL 60638. Furniture. R. B. Annis, 1101 N. Delaware St., India- mac, MD 20854. Power amplifiers, napolis, IN 46202. Accessories. preamplifiers. Dahlquist, 601 Old Willets Path, Hauppauge, NY 11787. Speakers, signal Apature Products, RFD #1, Route #2, BES, 345 Fischer St., Costa Mesa, CA processors. Preston, CT 06360. Accessories, speakers. 92626. Speakers. DB Systems, Main St., Rindge Center, Aphex Systems, 13340 Saticoy St., N. Beveridge Loudspeakers, 8141 E. 2nd St., NH 03461. Power amplifiers, preamplifi- Hollywood, CA 91605. Signal processors. Ste. 515, Downey, CA 90241. Speakers. ers, accessories, signal processors.

78STEREO REVIEW JUNE 1986 dbx (Division of BSR), 71 Chapel St., GLI Integrated Sound Systems, 1227 Kinergetics, 6029 Reseda Blvd., Tarzana, Newton, MA 02195. Accessories, speakers, Walt Whitman Rd., Melville, NY 11747. CA 91356. Power amplifiers, preamplifi- signal processors, Compact Disc players. Turntables, speakers, headphones, signal ers, tuners, Compact Disc players. DCM, 670 Airport Blvd., Ann Arbor, MI processors. Kinetic Audio, P.O. Box 2147, Des 48104. Speakers. GNP Loudspeakers, 1244 E. Colorado Plaines, IL 60018. Accessories, speakers, Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91106. Speakers. signal processors. Dennesen Electrostatics, P.O. Box 51, Beverly, MA 01915. Power amplifiers, Goldbug Labs by RMI, 6074 Corte Del Klipsch, P.O. Box 688, Hope, AR 71801. preamplifiers, cartridges, tonearms, acces- Cedre, Carlsbad, CA 92008. Cartridges. Speakers. sories, speakers, signal processors. Gold Sound, P.O. Box 141, Englewood, Klyne Audio Arts, 721 Howard Ave., Desktop Loudspeaker Systems, P.O. Box CO 80151. Power amplifiers, speakers, sig- Olympia, WA 98506. Preamplifiers, 398, Simi Valley, CA 93062. Speakers. nal processors. accessories. Discwasher, 4309 Transworld Rd., Schil- Grado Laboratories, 4614 Seventh Ave., Koss, 4129 N. Port Washington Ave., ler Park, IL 60176. Accessories. Brooklyn, NY 11220. Cartridges. Milwaukee, WI 53212. Headphones, accessories. DLK Acoustical Products, 1405 Mendota Grafyx, 2201 S. Ford, Chicago, IL 60616. Heights Rd., St. Paul, MN 55120. Speakers. Krell Industries, 20 Higgins Dr., Speakers. Milford, CT 06460. Power amplifiers, Gusdorf, 11440 Lackland Rd., St. Louis, preamplifiers. Domus, 1405 Mendota Heights Rd., St. MO 63146. Audio furniture. Paul, MN 55120. Speakers. The Last Factory, P.O. Box 41, Liver- Guss Speaker Systems, 215 W. 92nd St., more, CA 94550. Accessories. Dynaco by ESS, 9613 Oates Dr., Sacra- New York, NY 10025. Speakers. mento, CA 95827. Speakers. Light Supply, 2265 Westwood Blvd. Hafler, 5910 Crescent Blvd., Pennsauken, #415, Los Angeles, CA 90064. Blank tape. Dynamic Acoustics, P.O. Box 646, San NJ 08109. Power amplifiers, preamplifi- Ramon, CA 94583. Speakers. ers, tuners, signal processors. LT Sound, P.O. Box 338, Stone Moun- tain, GA 30086. Signal processors. Dynavector, 1721 Newport Circle, Santa Harman Kardon, 240 Crossways Park Ana, CA 92705. Cartridges, tonearms. West, Woodbury, NY 11797. Receivers, Madrigal Laboratories, P.O. Box 781, power amplifiers, preamplifiers, integrat- Middletown CT 06457. Compact Disc Ego Systems, 23 Pleasant St., #2, North- players. ampton, MA 01060. Speakers. ed amplifiers, tuners, turntables, cassette decks, signal processors, Compact Disc Magnat America, P.O. Box 808, Marble- Emerson Radio, One Emerson Lane, N. players. head, MA 01945. Speakers. Bergen, NJ 07047. Turntables, speakers, Compact Disc players. Hartley Products, 620 Island Rd., Ram- Magnavox (North American Philips), sey, NJ 07446. Speakers. 1-40 & Straw Plains Pike, Knoxville, Eminent Technology, P.O. Box 6894, Tal- TN 37914. Compact Disc players. lahassee, FL 32301. Cartridges, tonearms. Heath, Benton Harbor, MI 49022. Re- ceivers, power amplifiers, accessories, sig- Magnepan, 1645 9th St., White Bear Empire Scientific, P.O. Box 486, 55 nal processors. Lake, MN 55110. Speakers. Bloomingdale Rd., Hicksville, NY 11802. Cartridges, speakers. HiFonics, 845 Broad Ave., Ridgefield, NJ Man, 6301 Riggs Pl., Los Angeles, CA 07657. Speakers, accessories. 90045. Preamplifiers, speakers. Epicure Products (EPI), 25 Hale St., Newburyport, MA 01950. Speakers. Induced Magnet Systems, 115 Henry St., Mark Levinson Audio, P.O. Box 781, Freeport, NY 11520. Cartridges. Middletown, CT 06457. Power amplifiers, Epoch by Stanton, Terminal Drive, Plain- preamplifiers, signal processors. view, NY 11803. Cartridges. Infinity Systems, 7930 Deering Ave., Canoga Park, CA 91304. Speakers, signal Martin -Logan, Box 741, 320 NE Industri- ESS, 9613 Oates Dr., Sacramento, CA processors. al Lane, Lawrence, KS 66044. Speakers. 95827. Speakers. Innovative Techniques, 703 Revere Dr., McIntosh Laboratory, 2 Chambers St., Fanfare Acoustics, 4650 Arrow Hwy. #4, Herbertsville, NJ 08723. Speakers. Binghamton, NY 13903. Receivers, ampli- Montclair, CA 91763. Speakers. Interaudio by Bose, 100 The Mountain fiers, tuners, speakers, Compact Disc Fosgate, P.O. Box 70, Heber City, UT Rd., Framingham, MA 01701. Speakers. players. 84032. Power amplifiers, signal Memtek Products, 2155 S. Bascom Ave., processors. Intraclean by American Recorder Tech- nologies, 4395 Valley Fair St., Simi Val- Campbell, CA 95008. Memorex blank Fostex, 15431 Blackburn Ave., Norwalk, ley, CA 63063. Accessories. tape, Memorex accessories. CA 90650. Cassette decks, open -reel decks, Mitek Group (MTX, AAL, Magnum), signal processors, headphones, Irish Magnetic Tape, 270-78 Newtown Rd., Plainview, NY 11803. Blank tape. One Mitek Plaza, Winslow, IL 61089. accessories. Speakers. Fried Products, 7616 City Line Ave., Jannis by John Marouskis Audio, 2889 Monster Cable, 101 Townsend St., San Philadelphia, PA 19151. Speakers. Roebling Ave., Bronx, NY 10461. Signal Francisco, CA 94107. Cartridges, accesso- Gale Electronics, 875 Merrick Ave., processors. ries. Westbury, NY 11590. Speakers. JBL (Harman America), 240 Crossways Motif by Conrad -Johnson, 1474 Path- Park West, Woodbury, NY 11797. General Electric, Electronics Park, Syra- finder Lane, McLean, VA 22101. Power cuse, NY 13221. Pocket stereo, Compact Speakers. amplifiers, preamplifiers. Disc players, accessories. Jensen Sound Labs, 4136 N. United M & K (Miller & Kreisel Sound), 10391 Pkwy., Schiller Park, IL 60176. Speakers. Genesis Physics, 225 Heritage Ave., Jefferson Blvd., Culver City, CA 90230. Portsmouth, NH 03801. Speakers. JSE, 519 East Middle Turnpike, Man- Speakers, signal processors. chester, CT 06040. Speakers. Geneva Group (Nortronics), 7255 Flying NAD, 675 Canton St., Norwood, MA Cloud Dr., Eden Prairie, MN 55344. Kindel Audio, 1710 Newport Circle, Suite 02062. Receivers, power amplifiers, pre- Accessories. 0, Santa Ana, CA 92705. Speakers. amplifiers, integrated amplifiers, tuners,

STEREO REVIEW JUNE 1986 79 turntables, cassette decks, speakers, Com- Rich Acoustic Labs, 2401 Ross Clark Cir- #1187, Gardena, CA 90248.Laser brand pact Disc players. cle, Dothan, AL 36301.Speakers. blank tape, Laser accessories. Nady Systems, 1145 65th St., Oakland, Robertson Audio, P.O. Box 8449, Van Switchcraft, 5555 N. Elston Ave., Chica- CA94608. Speakers. Nuys, CA 91409.Power amplifiers, pre- go, IL 60630.Accessories. amplifiers, speakers. Nelson -Reed, 15810 Blossom Hill Rd., Sylvania (North American Philips), 1-40 Los Gatos, CA 95030.Speakers. Russound/FMP, P.O. Box 2369, Wo- & Straw Plains Pike, P.O. Box 6950, Niles Audio, 13824 SW 142nd Ave., Mi- burn, MA 01888.Accessories. Knoxville, TN 37914.Compact Disc ami, FL 33116.Accessories. SAC, 6844 Vineland Ave., N. Hollywood, players. Nitty Gritty, 4650 Arrow Hwy., F4, Mon- CA 91605.Accessories. Symdex Audio Systems, P.O. Box 8037, rovia, CA 91763.Accessories. SAE, 1734 Gage Rd., Montebello, CA Boston, MA 02114.Preamplifiers, accessories, speakers. Nova Electro-Acoustics, P.O. Box 25488, 90640. Receivers, power amplifiers, pre- Los Angeles, CA 90025.Power amplifiers, amplifiers, integrated amplifiers, tuners. Synthesis, 2817M Dorr Ave., Fairfax, VA preamplifiers. cassette decks, signal processors, 22031.Speakers. accessories. Novak Loudspeaker, Merritts Island Rd., Talwar, 311 West Point Terrace, W. Hart- Pine Island, NY 10969.Speakers. Scotch (3M Corp.), 3M Center, St. Paul, ford, CT 06107.Audio furniture. MN 55101.Blank tape, accessories. Numark Electronics, 503 Raritan Center, Tandberg, Labriola Court, Armonk, NY Edison, NJ 08837.Amplifiers, turntables, Scott, 20 Commerce Way, Woburn, MA 10504.Power amplifiers, preamplifiers, in- accessories, speakers, headphones, signal 01888. Receivers, integrated amplifiers, tegrated amplifiers, tuners, cassette decks, processors, Compact Disc players. tuners, turntables, cassette decks, speak- open -reel tape decks. ers, Compact Disc players. Ohm Acoustics, 241 Taffe Pl., Brooklyn, Terk, 740 Broadway, New York, NY Sears, Roebuck and Co., Sears Tower, 40- NY 11205.Speakers. 10003.Antennas. 15, Chicago, IL 60684.Cassette decks, Omega Audio Systems, P.O. Box 119, Compact Disc players. Thiel Audio, 1042 Nandino Blvd., Lex- Leominster, MA 01453.Speakers. ington, KY 40511.Speakers. Shure Brothers, 222 Hartrey Ave., Evans- O'Sullivan Industries, 19th & Gulf Sts., ton, IL 60204.Cartridges, accessories, sig- 3D Acoustics, 652 Glenbrook Rd., Stam- Lamar, MO 64759.Audio furniture. nal processors, Compact Disc players. ford, CT 06906.Speakers. Threshold, 1832 Tribute Rd., Suite E, Parasound, Wharfside, 680 Beach St., Snell Acoustics, 143 Essex St., Haverhill, MA 01830.Speakers. Sacramento, CA 95815.Power amplifiers, #400, San Francisco, CA 94109.Receiv- preamplifiers, signal processors. ers, amplifiers, preamplifiers, tuners, turn- Sonex by Illbruck, 3800 Washington tables, cartridges, cassette decks, speakers, Ave., N. Minneapolis, MN 55412. Triad (Harman America), 5000 Brush headphones, signal processors, Compact Accessories. Hollow Rd., Westbury, NY 11590.Blank Disc players. tape. Sonrise, 13622 NE 20th, Ste. F, Bellevue, Parsec, 540 Madison Ave., New York, WA 98005.Accessories. Triad Design, 1629 E. Deloves Way, Car- NY 10022.Antennas. bondale, CO 81623.Speakers. Sonus by Sonic Research, 27 Sugar Hol- Pentagram, 207-19 35th Ave., Bayside, low Rd., Danbury, CT 06810.Cartridges. Tweek by Sumiko, P.O. Box 5046, Berke- NY 11361.Speakers. ley, CA 94705.Accessories. Sota Industries, P.O. Box 7075, Berkeley, Phase Technology, 6400 Youngerman CA 94707.Turntables, accessories. Vandersteen Audio, 116 West 4th St., Circle, Jacksonville, FL 32244.Speakers. Hanford, CA 93230.Preamplifiers, Sound Associates, N 65 W5730 Colom- speakers. Phoenix Systems, P.O. Box 1316, Hwy. bia, Cedarburg, WS 53012.Speakers. 99 East, Columbia, TN 38402.Signal Vector Research, 20600 Nordhoff St., Sound Concepts, P.O. Box 135, Brook- processors. Chatsworth, CA 91311.Receivers, power line, MA 02146.Signal processors. Pickering, 101 Sunnyside Blvd., Plain- amplifiers, integrated amplifiers, tuners, view, NY 11803.Cartridges, accessories, Soundcraftsmen, 2200 S. Ritchey, Santa turntables, cassette decks, signal proces- headphones. Ana, CA 92705.Power amplifiers, pream- sors, Compact Disc players. plifiers, tuners, signal processors. Polk Audio, 1915 Annapolis Rd., Balti- Velodyne Acoustics, 2565 Scott Blvd., more, MD 21230.Speakers. Souther Engineering, 429 York St., Can- Santa Clara, CA 95050.Speakers. ton, MA 02021.Tonearms, accessories. PS Audio, 4145 Santa Fe, RD #2, San Vibe Acoustics, 107 Manchester Dr., Stat- Luis Obispo, CA 93401.Power amplifiers, Speakerlab, 735 N. Northlake Way, Seat- en Island, NY 10312.Speakers. tle, WA 98103. preamplifiers, tuners, accessories. Speakers. Visa -International Electronics, 5601 NW RCA, 600 N. Sherman Dr., Indianapolis, Spectral Audio Associates, P.O. Box 78th Ave., Miami, FL 33166.Blank tape. IN 46201.Receivers, integrated amplifi- 4475, Mountain View, CA 94042.Power VSP Labs, 670 Airport Rd., Suite 1, Ann amplifiers, preamplifiers. ers, tuners, turntables, cassette decks, Arbor, MI 48104.Power amplifiers, speakers, signal processors, Compact Disc Spectrum Loudspeakers, P.O. Box 2774, preamplifiers. players. Toledo, OH 43606.Speakers. Well -Tempered Lab, 3108 McKinley Realistic by Radio Shack (Tandy Corp.), Spica, 1601 Paseo de Peralta, Santa Fe, Way, Costa Mesa, CA 92626.Tonearms, 1300 One Tandy Center, Fort Worth, TX NM 87501.Speakers. turntables. 76102. Receivers, turntables, cartridges, cassette decks, speakers, headphones. Stanton Magnetics, Terminal Dr., Plain- Wilson Audio, 2 Sinaloa Ct., Novato, CA pocket stereo, signal processors, Compact view, NY 11803.Cartridges, accessories. 94947.Speakers. Disc players. Sumo, 31316 Via Colinas, #103, Westlake Wingate Audio, 1904 Rustic Rd., John- Recoton, 46-23 Crane St., Long Island Village, CA 91362.Power amplifiers, pre- sonCity,TN 37601.Power amplifiers. amplifiers, tuners, speakers. City, NY 11101.Accessories, headphones, Yale Audio, 2702 Azeele St., Tampa, FL signal processors. Swire Magnetics, 301 E Alondra Blvd., 33609.Accessories.

80 STEREO REVIEW JUNE 1986 A SPECIAL ADVERTISING SUPPLEM ENT

4( 4( 4( 4( A CELEBR A TION OF AMERICANTECHNOLOGY

HARRIS -ATLANTIS LOUDSPEAKERS

F AND [I11 r" IN Aby

Mike Harris sits behind a desk that looks like it belongs in a picture entitled "The Busy Executive." Along with the souped -up Apple computer, the pile of schematics, and the Wall Street Journal, there is a small battery -operated box called a Decision Maker-push the button and a light comes on next to a 'Yes," No; or 'Try Again.' Whether Harris actually uses the box or not is unclear, but there's certainly no shortage of decisions to be made here at Harris -Atlantis Ltd. President of the company at 27, Harris is working like a man possessed, trying to get his new Lolly loudspeakers out into the living rooms of America. He's convinced the speaker will establish the reputation of his fledgling company, here in Burnsville, Minnesota. Harris began operations in August of 1985, after buying out the Atlantis company, and has been putting in 18 hour days ever since. He doesn't like to waste time. Talking to him, you get the sense a Mike Harris: "Our speakers are unique-naturally." part of his brain is hard at work on other, as a buyer work ng for both Team Centralschool radio club, that sort of thing." more pressing matters. and Atlantis. Unfortunately, Team CentralSomewhere along the line, he also found began running into problems. While the time to become a first degree black belt in individual Team stores have a history of Tae Kwon Do. success, and many are still thriving, Team While playing in a band in college, he Central went out of business in the sum- began experimenting with speaker de- mer of 1985. Both Harris and Atlantis sign Soon, the phone calls started com- suddenly found themselves out of work. ing in, asking if his custom-made speakers When Atlantis came up for sale, Harris were for sale. Never one to pass up a seized the day (with a little help from his good thing, Harris turned into Harris family and the bank), added his name toAcoustics and started building speakers the company, and promoted himself to fo- friends, musicians, and sound studios President. around the state. His rapid rise through the ranks at The phone is ringing now, too, and no Team, no doubt a result of his perpetual one s answering it. Harris looks at the hustle, had actually taken Harris in a newphone with a pained expression, and Lollys use solid oak and walnut, 3/4" thick. direction; his original interest was in engi-finally picks it up. Everyone at Harris- neering and music. In fact, he was some-At.antis is busy these days. One of the first Till Harris came along, Atlantis had thing of a wunderkind in the electronics things Harris did when he took over the been owned by Team Central, a large department. company was hire managers who, as he electronics store franchise operation. "I was the kind of kid that took every- puts it, could manage themselves. Coin- Atlantis built a respectable line of speakersthing apart," he says. Judging from the cidentally, Harris adds, "They just hap- and sold them almost exclusively to Team half pieces of disk drives, circuit boards, pened to be my brothers." That put electronics stores around the Midwest. and crossover networks strewn around 25 -year -old brother Steve in charge of After attending the University of Wiscon-the room, it appears to be an ongoing Sales and Marketing. Brad, 22, became sin, Harris went to work for Team, first as a hobby. "I was into stereos, computers, operations manager. They all spend so salesman, then as a store manager, then repairing N's, president of the high much time together, and understand each

See us at C.E.S. CIRCLE NO. 58 ON READER SERVICE CARD other so well, that they've developed theireach frequency as a separate speaker, own private language. Being in a room then develop the frequencies that will with the three at once is like being in a respond as naturally as possible.' foreign country where everyone has ESP In keeping with the natural philosophy, Now Harris is off the phone and he Harris is building Lolly cabinets out of solid wants to talk about his favorite topic: loud- oak and walnut, three quarters of an inch speakers. "When I took over from Atlantis,thick. "It's something no other company is I went through the schematics of the doing," Harris explains. "Solid wood has a speakers they were building, the Award natural resonance that helps achieve the line, and I brought them up to date. I sound we're after. And cosmetically, hard- couldn't resist throwing in a few of my ownwood has a rich, solid look and feel that ideas," he adds with a smile. The new can't be imitated. For all of that, though, speaker, the Lolly, gave Harris the chancethey're still not spendy." to start from a fresh design. It contains Ultimately, of course, the sound is the many of the innovations he developed in thing, so we go into the listening area his earlier work. where a pair of oak Lollys have been Harris is the first to admit, however, that hooked up. Harris turns on the Macintosh there's a big difference between building amp and the CD player. "What do you Workbenzt anc craftsman in 3d campaign a good speaker and building a good want to listen to? We've got everything." will portra) Loliy as f ne musical instrument. speaker company. The experience he His two brothers drop what they're doing gained at Team, learning about market- and join us for the demonstration. They short of plans. "Well, two larger speakers ing, distribution, and sales, has been at stand around like proud parents, waiting will follow the n the new Atlantean least as important as his technical know- to hear baby's first words. line," he says. "Then we'll build the Oracle how. It's given him a feel for what people The music, a little Presto from the Bach -line of professional monitors." And after are looking for. "The average public isn't Busters CD, comes through with a stun- that? average anymore;' he says. "People are ning clarity that does indeed sound Harris looks at the ceiling anc ponders becoming very educated as to what they natural. What's unnatural is the position offor a moment "I suppose t would be nice the Lolly drivers-the woofer is on top to have a hundred million dollar company, of the tweeter. but I doll tiink it would be too practical at "Actually, it's the other way around," this time, the way vie build everything by Harris explains, over the music. "We put hand. Right now I'd sertle !or a coupe the tweeters below the woofers, then more staff so I wouldn't have to work so focus them up into the woofer so the highshard." blend more naturally with the lows. It gives Speaking of which, he dons a rare better imaging and dispersion. The highsjacket and and heads for the door. don't get lost up in the air, and it keeps theWhere to novel? Off to a bank meeting? bass from reflecting off the ground-it An advertising pow-wovi? comes right out at you. Sound studios flip "No, rry daughter's geting baptized their monitors over all the time for the this weekend and I'm running late." The Award Line: 1240d, 1030d, 820d. same reason." "You're married?" want to listen to, and how they want to To further achieve the natural sound, "Sure, I have a wife and two kids'' listen to it. They want more quality, but it Harris chose to go with textile domes for And with that he's out the door. It's nice to still has to be worth the money they're his tweeters, rather than a polycarbonate see that. lie isn't all work and no play for spending." or metal. Textile responds more softly to Mike Harris. According to Harris, the rock'n'rollers ofthe higher frequencies. For the same 11950 Riverwood Drive the '60s and '70s who wanted a big boomreason, he avoided a ferro-fluid cooled Burnsv Ile, v1N 55337 box that makes all kinds of noise have tweeter. Harris thought they sounded a 612 894-8348 now grown up. What they're looking for little too harsh, a little too raspy for his now is a more natural sound. This led taste. Harris to his new design. So what's next for Harris? A guy who's "What we've tried to do is perceive come this far this fast isn't likely to run Quality today. Quality tomorrow. Signature offers the best of both worlds: Europear :haractr and American drinkability. Its heritage spans over 200 years, beginning in Kit n, (lemony, when Johann Peter Stroh first established the uncompromising x naking s-andards that were to become the Stroh family hallmark. This endmiig commitmeit to excellence has encompassed nearly a century of bresuin, ir. Eraro9e, and oven a century here in America. Signature, made in America Iron- the finest ingredierts, ii:luding00)/0 imported hops, is perfectly suited to American taste. It hasa 4..stinct cha-acter and is remarkably smooth and light. It is for all these reasons we say Signature is as fire a beer as can be produced. We make it for everyone who thirsts for something cdra.

NEUSCHWANSTrin CASTLE. BAVARIA. WEST GERMANY .THE STROH BREWERY COMPANY. LEHIGH VALLEY. PA. MOBILE MUSICALITY. THE CARVER CAR AMPLIFIER introduces INTELLIGENT POWER. A hallmark of all filter which removes inaudible power -robbing Magnetic Field Amplifier technology to auto- Carver amplifiers is the careful integration of infrasonics before they can tax the amplifier motive high fidelity. Finally, the traditional weak sophisticated speaker and amplifier protection and speakers. Finally, a delayed turn -on circuit link between car stereo decks and modern circuitry. The Carver Car Amplifier is no exception. activates the Carver Car Amplifier after your speaker design has been replaced with Carver Speakers are protected with a DC offset head -end unit has powered up, to eliminate technology. Into 1/10th of a cubic foot, Bob internal fault protection design which turns off starting pops and thumps. Carver has engineered a complete 120 watts the power supply at first hint of overload. An ACCURATE POWER. It goes almost without RMS per channel amplification system with the overcurrent detector mutes audio within micro- saying that a product Bob Carver designs for fidelity, accuracy and musicality demanded by seconds of a short circuit, as does an output the road carries the same superb electronic the most critical reviewers and audiophiles. short circuit monitoring circuit. Together, these specifications that his home audio products ESSENTIAL POWER. Even before the excit- three circuits eliminate the potential need to are known for. ing advent of car Compact Disc players, an replace fuses, revisit your autosound installer, The Carver Car Amplifier is flat from 20Hz abundance of power has been necessary to or worse yet, replace expensive speakers due to 20kHz, down -3dB at 16Hz and 30kHz. Not reproduce, without distortion, the frequency to a moment's indiscretion with your deck's coincidentally, the usual specifications given and dynamic range produced by modem decks. volume control. for Compact Discs. A signal-to-noise ratio of Unfortunately, conventional amplifier tech- ASSIGNABLE POWER. Integrated bi- over 100dB means that, in even the most quiet nology is particularly unsuited to delivering this amplification and bridging circuits, along with luxury sedan, you will never be annoyed by hiss. needed power to the specialized car interior The Carver Car Amplifiers compact configura- The other specifications are equally as impec- environment. Like their home stereo counter- tion make it ideal for multiple -amplifier cable. You may peruse them in our literature or parts, traditional car designs produce a con- installations. in independent reviews soon to appear. stant high voltage level at all times, irrespective The built-in l&IB/octave electronic cross- ACQUIRABLE POWER. The remarkable of the demands of the ever-changing audio over allows use of two amplifiers in a pure bi- Carver Car Amplifier is currently available for signal -even those times when there is no amplification mode without addition of extra audition at Carver dealers across the country. audio signal at all! Because automotive ampli- electronics. Or, at the touch of a button, one It is worth the journey. Whether you have fiers must, obviously, derive their power from Carver Car Amplifier can become a mono ampli- a car system in need of the sonic excitement the host vehicle, such an approach results in fier for subwoofers while the other Carver possible with abundant power, or are in search substantial drain to delicately balanced auto- Amplifier handles full range. Or, for astonishing of the perfect complement to a new high- mobile electrical systems. dynamic and frequency response, two Carver performance automobile, you owe it to Car Amplifiers may be operated in mono mode yourself to experience the logical extension into 8 ohms for a 240 watt per channel car sys- of Carver technology-The Carver Car tem which will truly do justice to digital without Amplifier M-240. taxing your car's electrical generation system. INNOVATIVE POWER. Can 1/10th of a cubic Power Output Stereo Mode. (continuous RMS power output per chan- foot of space hold yet more innovations? Yes. nel, Ooth channels driven, at 13.8 VDC input). 120 W into 4 ohms. 20 Hz to 20 kHz with no more than 0.15% THD. .0% Carver has addressed the ongoing problem Conventional power amplifier Magnetic field amplifier of head-end/power amplifier level matching: Pamr Output Bridged Mono Mode (Referenced to 13.8 VDC input) Output of current car decks varies widely from 240 W into 8 ohms. 20 Hz to 20kHz with no more than .15% THD. Solid line: audio output signal. Broken line power supply voltage. Shaded area: wasted power. Vertical lines: power to speakers. brand to brand and model to model. The result Input Sensitivity. Variable 250mV to 4V

can be a less than perfect match. The Carver Signal to Noise Ratio: (Referenced to 120 W. A weighted into 4 ohms) The Carver Magnetic Field Car Amplifier is Car Amplifier incorporates circuitry which com- Greater than 100 db signal responsive. Highly efficient, it produces pensates for variations in head -end output, Crossover 115 Hz, 18 dB/octave only the exact amount of power needed to reducing noise and optimizing signal-to-noise Weight: 41 lb. deliver each musical impulse with complete ratio. In addition, Carver has added a subsonic accuracy and fidelity. Thus the Carver Car Ampli- CIRCLE NO 49 ON READER SERVICE CARD fier not only reduces overall long-term power demands, but produces the large amount of The Carver Car Amplifier power necessary for reproduction of music at realistic listening levels without the need for oversize power supply components: Important considerations in the minuscule spaces which quality car design allocates to add-on electronics.

CARVER POWERFUL MUSICAL

Carver Corporation, P.O. Box 1237, Lynnwood, WA 98036

Distributed in Canada by Evolution Audio LIGHT YEARS CLOSER TO REALITY. SONIC HOLOGRAPHY TRANSFORMS These are not exaggerations of how much Conventional stereo tries to duplicate this EXCITING NEW PROGRAM SOURCES more dimensional and realistic Sonic Hologra- process by using two speakers to send a dif- AS WELL AS FAMILIAR OLD ONES INTO phy is than conventional stereo. The most ferent version of the same sound occurrence experienced and knowledgeable experts in the TRULY LIFELIKE EXPERIENCES. to each ear. In theory, this should "trick" your audio industry have concurred. Julian Hirsch brain's psychoacoustic center into placing the When Bob Carver set out to redefine the wrote in Stereo Review. "The effect strains musician on a limited sound stage between stereo listening experience through Sonic credibility-had I not experienced it,I probably your speakers. If - and only if - each speaker Holography, he was really rebelling against the would not believe it." High Fidelity magazine can be only heard by one ear. limitations of the stereo phonograph record. At noted that "... it seems to open a curtain and the time his remarkable invention first started reveal a deployment of musical forces extend- astounding audio critics and music lovers, vinyl ing behind, between and beyond the speak- discs were the musical standard. ers." According to Larry Klein of Stereo If Sonic Holography can breathe life into Review, "It brings the listener substantially even your oldest records, imagine what it will closer to that elusive sonic illusion of being in do for CD's, VHS Hi-Fi and other exciting new the presence of a live performance." Conventional stereo: The sound is heard, more or less. on stereo sources. a flat curtain of sound between the two speakers. Iblume differences only. The timing cues are gone Now there are at least five major audio/video HOW SONIC HOLOGRAPHY WORKS. breakthroughs which further expand Sonic When a musician plays a note, the sound Holography's potential to bring more excite- occurrence arrives separately at your left and ment and realism into your life. right ears. Your brain analyzes the difference in These innovations include the Compact these sound arrivals and tells you exactly where the sound is. Audio Disc, noise -free stereo FM, AM Stereo, Stereo television broadcasts and stereo Hi-Fi video formats. Each provides the Sonic Hologram Genera- tor in selected Carver preamplifiers and receiv- Sonk Holography: With SO%7C HOLOGRAPHY the sound ers with a chance to redefine the width, is reproduced much like that of a concert performance. complete with timing. phase and amplitude cues Three breadth and depth of the traditional stereo dimensional! sound field - while using your existing The problem is, these different versions of speakers. the same sound also cross in the middle of your listening room, so left and right ears get WHAT SONIC HOLOGRAPHY DOES. both left and right sound arrivals a split sec- Watch a 13" black and white TV. Now see a ond apart. Stereo imaging and separation are movie in 70 millimeter. reduced because both speakers are heard by Listen to your favorite musicians on a tran- L. Reallife sonic event results in two sound arrivals: me at both ears, confusing your spacial perception. sistor radio. Now sit three rows back from the your left ear one at your right ear R. Stereo playback of that sonic event results in four sound The Sonic Hologram Generator in the Carver stage at a live concert. arrivals 71vo per speaker per ear = (our 4000t, C-9, C-1 and Carver Receiver 2000 solve this muddling of sound arrivals by actu- can take on an astonishing presence and Add the steady emergence of stereo ally creating another "sound." This special dimension through Sonic Holography. TV broadcasts by all three major networks of impulse cancels the objectionable second prime time programming and special broad- The new Carver TX -11a AM/FM tuner deliv- sound arrival, leaving only the original sound casts, and you have fertile ground for the ers AM stereo broadcasts with the same from each loudspeaker. added realism that only Sonic Holography dynamics and fidelity as FM. A perfect source The result is a vast sound field extending not can deliver. for the Sonic Hologram Generator. Think of it only wider than your speakers, but higher than Unlike so-called "surround sound" a Sonic your speakers as well. Sounds will occasion- AM can cctually become a three-dimensional Hologram Generator puts you into the middle phenomenon through Carver Technology! ally even seem to come from behind you! It is of any stereo soundtrack, (stereo, Hi-Fi stereo, as if a dense fog has lifted and you suddenly broadcast stereo or even simulcasts). It find yourself in the midst of the musical experi- psychoacoustically expands the visual experience. Or, as the Senior Editor of a major elec- ence with life -like sound that envelops you in tronics magazine put it, "When the lights were the action. turned out, we could almost have sworn we Once you've heard Sonic Holography with a were in the presence of a live orchestra" good video tape or LaserDisc, you'll never go back to mere stereo again. CARVER CD AND TUNER INNOVATIONS EXTEND THE ENHANCE YOUR SPACIAL AWARENESS POSSIBILITIES. WITH FOUR CARVER COMPONENTS. SONIC HOLOGRAPHY PUTS YOU Any stereo source can be transformed from the patented Carver Sonic Hologram gener- monochromatic flatness into vibrant three- INSIDE THE VIDEO EXPERIENCE. ator circuit is available on two preamplifiers, our largest receiver and as an add-on compo- dimensional reality with Sonic Holography. More cnd more people are discovering wlia' nent. Each can transcend the limits of your lis- theaters discovered some time ago: Audio tening (and viewing) room. Each can add the Compact discs afford vastly increased makes a huge contribution to the realism of breathtaking, spine -tingling excitement that dynamics, frequency response and freedom video. Still, it has taken the incredible, near - comes from being transported directly into the from background noise. Yet their potential is digital quality of VHS and Beta Hi-Fi to make midst of the musical experience. trapped in the 2 -dimensionality of conven- the marrage of audic and video truly reward- Before you purchase any component, con- tional stereo. Sonic Holography can surround ing. Now even rental movies fairly exploct sider just how much more Carver can enrich you with the drama and impact of digital. wide frequency range, dynamic impact and your audio and video enjoyment. And then visit (And the Carver Compact Disc Player with conventional stereo imaging. Digital Time Lens sound correction circuitry your nearest Carver dealer soon. can enhance your listening experience even further). Thanks to the Carver Asymmetrical Charge - Coupled FM Stereo Detector, FM stereo broac- casts can be received with vastly increased ...11 411 111 fidelity. Hiss and interference -free, any signal, 411414111 from chamber music to live rock concerts,

The Carver Sonic Holography quartet. Pictured from left to right a the 40001 Preamplifier. the C-9 sonic Hologram Generator. the Receiver 2000 with remote control and the C-1 Preamplifier CARVER POWERFUL MUSICAL

Carver Corporation P.O. Box 1237 Lynnwood, WA 98046 Distributed in Canada by Evolution Technology CIRCLE NO. 49 ON READER SERVICE CARD DYNAMIC IMPACT. IT'S WHAT THE "POWER/TIME ENVELOPE" IS ABOUT.

Live music has a satisfying dynamic impact 5004115 of music -not just sine -wave test tones. The that goes beyond mere loudness. It's the feel- 250 - Power/Time Envelope is a new way to illustrate y 200 ing of the sound -pressure waves on your skin. 150- now any amplifier's performance relates to the 3 TOO- the musical beat resonating throughout your 60- needs of music. Figure 4 shows the power/ 30- body, the sense that the music has power to fillp15-- time envelope of two amplifiers, one using 4. the vast space of a concert hall. It's that same ALL conventional amplifier technology and another open, unstressed quality that you hear when an using I\ AD's new Power Envelope design. This amplifier has the power reserves which enable FIGURE 1. BEE GEES. "PARADISE." graph shows how much power each amplifier itto reproduce every nuance of any sound 450r/15 can deliver as a function of time. Even the without straining the limits of its capacity 250 best conventional amplifiers have only 2 to 3 dB 200 You need power to reproduce the dynamic 150 - of dynamic headroom when measured with a impact in today's digital recordings. If an ampli- TOO - ei 60- 20 -millisecond tone burst, and even less for the fier has 2 or 3 dB of dynamic headroom, it can p3 1530 - longer lone -bursts that are common in music. produce up to twice its continuous rated powerG _ With Power Envelope technology NAD's new 0 - in short bursts (transients). But if that extra amplifiers deliver triple their rated power (or dynamic power is available only for the 0.02 FIGURE 2. CHOPIN. 'POLONAISE." more), for 25-30 times longer than the brief 20 second period (20 milliseconds) of the IHF 2 50°15 milliseconds of the IHF headroom test! Power headroom test, it may not be enough to restore 250 Envelope technology is the difference between the dynamic impact of live music. The bursts of having 2 dB of dynamic headroom (as in most EISOM power in music last far longer than 20 millisec-3100 of today's amplifiers) and having the full 6 dB of onds. They last for hundreds of milliseconds. i; 306° dynamic headroom in NAD's new amplifiers as these oscilloscope screens show (Fig. 1, 2 and receivers. Power Envelope technology re- and 3). gai defines the meaning of dynamic power. These figures show actual power/time enve- FIGURE 3. BRUCKNER SYMPHONY NO 4. Case inpoint: NAD's new 7175PE stereo lopes of several two -second segments of mu- receiver, rated at 75 watts per channel con- FIG. 4: POWER ENVELOPE TECHNOLOGY sic. As you can see, musical sound involves VS. CONVENTIONAL TECHNOLOGY. tinuous power. It is similar in size, weight, and large bursts of power, often several hundred It cost to other "75 -watt" receivers, but milliseconds in length. its Power Envelope technology pro- The key to dynamic impact is both duces over 300 watts per channel power and time -high power reserves - of tone -burst power, providing the that are available for the fulllength - same dynamic impact as a much of time required by the dynamics of 7 larger and much more expensive the music. power amplifier. At NAD, we design amplifiers for, Compare, and discover for yourself music. NAD's amplifiers have always - the surprisingly modest cost and been designed, first and the dynamic impact foremost, to reproduce of NAD's new the dynamically Power Envelope varying content amplifiers.

THE NEW NAD 7175PE RECEIVER NAD(USA) INC. 675 CANTON STREET NORWOOD, MA 02062, U.S.A. NAD

AN UNCOMMON COMPANY. CIRCLE NO. 31 ON READER SERVICE CARD If you aspire to owning the famous Energy 22 NO M Dnhor b Jt can't qt. ite afford it, hear the EM -2. With size and performa ice approach rig the 22, it is "both a f ne loudspeaker and an excellent vak.e" Or pertlaps tie mere compact ESM-3 will better suit you - it i; ''definitely an excellent vak.e." On a stuJell kudget! ry the new ESM-4 aocksiell - very affordable! Audilon any cf the BM monitors. We think you'll agnee w.th whatStereo Review; High Fideiii-yandAudio Ideas say below.

ALL ESL1 MODELS CCM E in. MIRROR -IMAGED PAIRS A VD ARE MAILABLE IN EITHER WALNUT GRAIN OR BLACK ASH. "AMAZING AT THE PRICE"

"response varied only ± 1.5 dB from 180 to 18,000 Hz which is unquestionably one of the smoothest rep, rilsr s .re nave vetencountered from a speaker... dispersion on a par with response flatness ... phase shift highly linear... excellent peak power -handling ability ...only at 100 Hz did we manage to reach the speaker's (power handling) limits: with 990 watts (using single cycle bursts followedby 128 cycles of silence)...smooth midrange and high frequency response, excellent dispersion and group delay, and exceptional short-term power - handling ability ... definitely an excellent value" Stereo ReviewFebruary 1986, on the ESM-3 'a fine loudspeaker and an excellent value ... very smooth and quite flat, tailing within ± 31/2 dB on -axis throughout the rangeabove the 50 Hz band ... in the lab's 300 Hz pulse test the ESM-2 accepted without noticeable complaint the full output of the testamplifier... (470 watts, peak into 8 ohms), for a calculated SPL (Sound Pressure Level) of 114 3/4 dB. Loud transients thus should be handledwell ... bass sounds more extended than the response curves might suggest, with surprising heft at the verybottom ... Stereo imaging, too is very good ... Even if your budgetcan accommodate twice the ESM-2's price-you owe it to yourself to audition Energy's latest design." High FidelityJanuary 1986, on the ESM-2 'exceptional overtone balance ... imaging was just about the best I've heard ... excellent dynamic range ... it sounds great ... noreal compromises in its design ... anyone looking fora $1, 50000 to $2,000.00 system would be foolish not to carefully auditionthe Energy ESM- 2 ... amazing at the price." AudioIdeas, 1985 edition, on the ESM-2 = = Copyright API 1986. Energy toudpeakeh, THE #1 CHOICE CICeiCTSYSTEAANIOIMT0i by t.)2t1a)d Energy Loudspeakers. 135 Torbay Road. Markham. Ontario L3R 1G7 -(416)475-0050 TLX 06-986689 CIRCLE NC 47 ON REACER SERVICE CARO L

ADCOM AN AMERICAN COMPANY THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE SEVERAL IN FACT.

In an industry with hundreds of companies, domestic and foreign, who manufacture scores of products in every category it's not easy for any one company to stand out. This is especially true of one company that's relatively small when compared to the Asian giants. However, this company is one of the larger American specialty manufacturers, and thereby enjoys the ability to influence the market. That company is Adcom.

EMPHASIS ON AMPLIFIERS. EMPHASIS ON MUSICAL WAVE FORMS. What's more, these tests were con- One way Adcom has accomplished its Adcom's amplifiers are perfect exam- ducted in part with some troublesome goals has been by being consistently in- ples of this design philosophy, and are speakers whose impedance falls as low novative in the type of components it based entirely on what is needed to dea as 1 ohm. What this demonstrated was chooses to create. Adcom is primarily a with musical waveform rather than with the amplifier's ability to interface easily company known for its separate preamps test signals. The circuit diagrams reveal and accurately with virtually any speaker and amplifiers, although its products also very simple gain paths from input to out- system available today. include tuners, phono cartridges and re- put, and there's nothing in the way to in- cently, CD players. terfere with the desired end results. OUTPERFORMING THE ESOTERICS. The company doesn't produce receiv- To achieve these results, exceptionally For example, a test report by Anthony ers, not even integrated amplifiers. This is high capacity power supplies and mas- H. Cordesman, in Stereophile, a very ra- consistent with its conviction that high - sive power transformers are necessary. tional and conservative publication, sum- voltage, high -current power supplies Adcom's higher power amplifiers feature med up the GFA-555 in these words: should not be on the same chassis with toroidal transformers, and their GFA-555 . this kind of soundstage has pre- tuner and preamplifier circuits. That's be- has a complement of 16 high -current out- viously cost at least $2000 . . it rivals cause amplifier circuits generate heat and put transistors, capable of delivering awe- any transistor amplifier in its power class hum fields, which interact with the low some power into low impedance loads for thatI have ever heard . . . voltage/low current preamplifier and tuner extended periods-not just milliseconds. at any price. "It is so clearly superior to past ampli- components. The 200 -watt -per -channel GFA-555 and fiers in the low -to -mid -priced range-not to mention most amplifiers two to three times its price-that I can unhesitatingly recommend it for even the most demanding high end system." (Complete reprints of this report are available from Adcom on request.) Subsequently a new lower -powered version of the GFA-555 was made available-the GFA-545. This new product uses the same highly acclaimed audio circuits and design features of the GFA-555 with few essential differences: lower power, as noted above, and a correspondingly lower price. However, nothing is sacrificed when it comes to its ability to interface with those same troublesome speaker systems.

HIGH PERFORMANCE, HIGH VALUE. 100 -watt -per -channel GFA-545 are their ADCOM© Adcom intentionally avoids the use of proudest achievements to date. Although 11 Elkins Road, E. Brunswick, NJ "trick power supplies," gimmicky features their prices were intended to be modest, 08816 USA 201-390-1130 and flashing lights-none of which con- their sonic performance has been deliber-Distributed in Canada by PRO tribute to lasting musical enjoyment-the ately conceived and designed to be com- ACOUSTICS INC., Pointe Claire, Quebec most important reason for buying any au- parable to any of the "esoteric" price -no - 49R4X5 dio product. Although Adcom does not at- object amplifiers. tempt to compete in the astronomical Extensive comparative listening tests Note: All power specifications refer to price range of multi-kilobuck components, by experienced audiophiles under blind continuous power, both channels driven it has always encouraged direct perform- conditions indicated that Adcom's design into 8 ohms, 20 Hz -20 kHz. 0.09% THD. ance comparisons with the highest priced and performance goals had been products on the market. achieved. ©ADCOM 1986 CIRCLE NO. 32 ON READER SERVICE CARD JUST UN -PROFESSIONAL ANYTHING ELSE IS ralaaiikt--rt VC 'VON MINIM/ AM/ . 4=0 'AP= r Leirrig.,--segmorstrat saw-- ar--+ - ilIMPAPMEarwwo Ink 1

tcpF-om studio Live producers,Aid to _incoln JBL Center, has teen top theten artists#- choice to pyleneHich polymer low frequency laminated transducers, anc mi-teral in filec tie T"polipro- and Rugged,audio,areNowin professional star the too. ofreliableJBL stage "T loudspeakers automotive'screen and "TL" and series versions s:u:dio,for more promise ofthe thar JI31.!s star 40to of make years.pro- car castles:You'lltheSul bassautomobile's roads,frames get response. T1."that too. resist respectively,smooth Cast acousticalt twisting They're aluminum JBL and -ernarkably-esponsedeliver hostile Duckling, mountiligs smooth, envin.nment on reEistamt theewen ancuncolored, bump- whendie- to powe-- samefrequencydesigned"T"fessional titaniumseriesattention by transcucers equipment,theloudsreakers domes to same qual that acousticty made theand arefeature "T" usedo -a pureani enginee-shigh in "TL" J13.2stitanium-the and series mid withprofes- -high arethe performance. sThemusicacoilsmounted pea JBL are ke reoroduc-ion "T"tightly-st uneven Onceand a "TL" ignedyou've surfacers. andseries for headhigh consistently automotive Cones Dower tie professbnals, and nandling accuratelo voioe u c - yoi weights onal"TL"getlistener thestudio ratioseries' benefitsfatigue. ensures monitors. titanium Andz1 clear, titanium Titanium'snow,laminatec powe-ful for at the highidomes. ower first sighs strength time. cos: without youwith -to - canthe Crossways-oilwon't=or free want more 1-800-633-2252 Parkanything information West, else Wood and Ext byour153 orneares write _BL.dealer 240 call -y, New Ycrk 11797. a. Pctured above left to non! are The 195 155 TEE, and. tie TL906. TL500, TL600 .1 Harman Interrationa Company UBL TELARC THE HIGHEST STATE OF THE NEWEST ART

TELARC

YMPHONY NO. 9

The Cleveland Orchestra & Chorus Christophvon Dohnanyi

Carol Vaness, SopranoJanice Taylor, Mezzo -Soprano

Siegfried Jerusalem,TenorRobert Lloyd, Bass

COMPACT DISC (CD -80120) Fountain pen, ballpoint, pencil, or phone. "For my own personal system, humble or magnificent. Every application Pick up any one of them and you will soon it was the answer to problems is an improvement. In short, it makes any hear all the sound you've never heard. that I had been trying to solve speaker sound better. with a graphic equalizer. The The BBE 2002 also has the virtue of A marriage made in hell. system has never sounded so being able to fit into any audio system. The sad truth of the matter is that your good!" -Jim Thomas, MIX Mapuinr It measures only 16"x 71/2"x Andallyou amp and speakers were never made for need to make it work is tc plug it into a each other. No matter how hard manu- And your system will produce sound much regular wall socket, and plug it into your facturers have tried to match them, their closer to true "live" sound than you've standard tape loop.Then sit back and get differences have remained irreconcilable. ever heard from it or any other system comfortable, because from now on, you're As in all bad marriages, it's a communi- before. Which means you'll be able to going to be using your system a lot more. cation problem.They just don't talk to one increase your enjoyment of everything you And enjoying it more. another. The amp cannot anticipate re- listen to through your stereo system-your quirements of the speaker, nor can the albums, cassettes, videos, televison, radio What price glory? speaker tell the amp what it needs. The and even your compact discs-all as they $250. result is phase and amplitude distor- We believe in the BBE 2002 so strongly tion not measurable in the indi- that we're

Revolutionize your giving you an iron -clad 30 -day, your $250 back, no questions asked, guarantee. And we'll sound system in one stroke. even give you a full year's warranty on all parts and labor. vidual components. So whether you're were really meant to be heard. The phone is mightier listening to Mozart or 'IWisted Sister, But be forewarned. It's an extraordin- than the pen. something is always lost in the translation. ary sensation at first, because you're There are several ways. you can fax your What your amp and speakers need to hearing your sound system deliver better sound system. You can call us toll free at live in harmony is something that under- sound than you've ever heard before. It's 1-800-453-5700. In Utah, 1-800-662-2500. stands them. the best thing this side of live. It's as if We've got those famous operators standing by 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Not just another black box. Or you can fill out our coupon with the Though the BBE 2002 may make some pretty familiar promises, it goes about '7 can't imagine working on another fulfilling them in a very different way. album without BBE" Everyone wants their sound as close to - Steve Levine, producer of ( ulture "live" as possible. At Barcus Berry Elec- Club,The Beach Boys, and 1984 tronics, Inc. we're no different. We con- BPI Producer of the \tar. sider ourselves very knowledgeable in the area of live sound since we've been you always listened to your speakers with writing instrument of your choice and making the world's most popular musical old army blankets over them and suddenly order your BBE 2002. Credit cards, money instrument transducer microphones for took them off. And it'll spoil you for any- orders, bank checks, certified checks the past 20 years. thing less. and wire transfers will be processed im- But over the past 10 years, we've also mediately. Personal checks require 18 been perfecting a brand new technology Even engineers and days to clear. And, if you're in a particular that will finally let you get as close to true producers need HUE. hurry and order by credit card, you can "live" sound as man-made components The BBE 2002 employs the same circuit get your BBE rushed to you for a small will allow. utilized in our professional model which is additional charge. So, ten years and 42 patent claims ap- being used in recording studios, radio You can also write or call us for a free plied for and granted later, we've come stations, movie theatres and concert halls brochure to learn more about the up with something close to a miracle. We throughout the world. This professional BBE 2002. call it the BBE 2002. model has exceeded the expectations of The BBE 2002 has a "brain" that knows the most demanding engineers, produc- how speakers work. It continually com- ers and performers. pares the original sound program or signal What the BBE 2002 represents is the solution to the amp/speaker interface problem:ay as they might with the most "Everything we heard from it advanced acoustic technologies, com- sounded good, and it had no ponent manufacturers have never been discernable flaws. Not too many able to make all their equipment work But that will only delay the inevitable. products we test can justify the together efficiently. Sooner or later, you're going to ha"e your same conclusion." And the BBE 2002 works wonders with own BBE 2002. Be the first on your block. - Julian Hirsch, Stereo Resiew any system you connect it to, however You always have been. Haven't you? with the likely output at the speakers- all the while anticipating the myriad prob- 1-800 All the sound you've never heard:- lems caused by the inherent imperfec- Barcus-Berry Electronics, Inc. tions of the speaker/amp interface. 453-5700 :r1 Utahl SIX) 662 2500 IsLEncicsed is a check for $ _ . Orplease charge to my: A true musical genius. I want my BM. The BBE 2002 is not only smart, it's fast. Send me BBE 2002 Visa MasterCard American Express It corrects the signal, as needed, more unit(s) at $250 each than 50,000 times a second. (CAresidents add appli Card a ap. date cable tax US currency The results are dramatic to say the least. only Additional charge for Signature Thlephone ( Some say they're revolutionary. The highs rush shipping determined have greater clarity. There's a remark- by destination Canadian Name (print) residents should write for able increase in presence. Separation is additional information ) Address extraordinary. Harshness is diminished (Please allow 4.6 weeks so you'll experience less "ear fatigue:' for delivery ) City/State/Zip SR6 CIRCLE NO. 26 ON READER SERVICE CARD TO FIND OUT WHAT NORMAL HANDLING COULD DO TO YOUR CDs,

SCRATCH HERE:

You may not see anything wrong, but you'll quickly hear it. Even ordinary handling can result in scratches on the "print" surface of your compact discs, producing dropouts which cause skipping-rendering them unplayable. But there's a way out of this scrape. No other cleaner in the world beats Recoton's CD -11 Compact Disc Radial Cleaner-winner of the1985 Audio/ Video International Grand Prix Award for Design and Engineering. It cleans your compact discs the way manufacturers recommend: in a straight line-across the radius- from the center of the disc to the outer edge. By removing dirt, dust and film across the surface with an ultrasoft chamois pad, Recoton's true radial cleaning action significantly reduces the causes of distortion and dropouts. The results are pure sound and error -free reading of digitally encoded music information. And to ensure longer lasting pleasure from your compact discs, ask your dealer about the complete line of Recoton accessories. Like our superb non -corrosive cleaning solution and unique surface restoring scratch filler solution. Plus protective shields for permanent safeguard- ing of your compact discs. Before you get into a real scrape with ordinary compact disc cleaners, get the award winning performance of Recoton.

RECO-TON' 46-23 CRANE STREET, LONG ISLAND CITY. NY 11101. CIRCLE NO. 38 ON READER SERVICE CARD p

PNL

HOW TO MAKE AN INFORMED CHCCE FCR GOO: SOUND AND COMFORTABLE LISTEN:NG BY E BRAD MEYER

Nthe past four years there has been an explosion in the head- - phone market as millions of people have discovered the joys of portablemusic.Buthi-fihead- phones have been around for thirty years, and the small, lightweight models meant for use with portable radios and tape players represent only one of several distinct kinds A good pair of headphones can have wider frequency response and lower distortion-and can reveal more sonic detail-than loudspeakers costing from ten to a hundred times its price. Although loudspeakers will always have certain sonic advantages, if you're serious about listening to music you should own at Fast one pair of headphones. Which kind is best for you depends on your tastes and listening habits. Circumaural Phones Thefirstheadphones soldfor high-fidelity listening were the direct descendants of military hard- ware used for communication in- sideairplanes,tanks, and ships wtere background noise was high. Tc

oss's K/40 LC Plus is a su- praK- -auralheadphone that has variable volume - level controls for each earpiece. Price: $44.95 type have cushions that completely sealed -back models. Accordingly, in or driver from the outside world surround the ear, forming a tight most modern circumaural head- could prove fatal; in many states seal with the side of the head. The phones the back of the transducer is wearing headphones while driving back of the headphone shell is solid, open to the outside. The open - is illegal.) creating a closed cavity bounded by backed shell is lighter, and the rela- The transducer in an open-air 'he driver element at the outside tively unimpeded diaphragm gives heaaphone is designed to operate and the ear drum on the inside. good bass response withcut depend- about half an inch away from the The sealed -cavity circumaural de- ing on a tight seal-but it also lets outer ear. The correct distance is sign has advantages for music lis- the background no.se in and the maintained by a small piece of tening. The isolationit provides music out. open -cell plastic roam that sits com- keeps the background noise out There is one application where fortably on the ear. In contrast to while sealing the music in, so that the weight and pressure of sealed - the wide headbands used o a cir- even in a quiet room others nearby cavitycircumauralphonesare cumaural headphones to distribute can't hear it. Furthermore, it takes worthenduring:liverecording. their weight over a greater area, relativelylittle diaphragm move- Whether you are in the performing most portables have narrow springy ment to generate good low bass space or backstage,onlysealed bands with rubber inserts to keep inside a small enclosed volume. headphones can keep out the live them from slipping. In some models But the sealed -cavity design has bass frequencies and hall reverbera- the band goes under the chin, which its drawbacks too. The ear cushions tion so that you can evaluate what is slightly less secure than over the must seal tightly for good bass per- you're getting on the tape. head but also na,lch less visible. formance. If the fit is incorrect, or if The early open-air headphones the listener has long hair or wears Open -Air Headphones that came with portable radios and glasses, bass response will suffer. It was the portable tuner/cassette tape players were distinctly inferior The headphones must be clamped player that trans5arn-eC headphones totheirlarger cousins,suffering to the sides of the head with a fairly from a specialty item into a major from attenuated bass, large frequen- strong spring, and the closed plastic fad. Portable headphones must be cy -responseirregularitiesinthe shell and cushion are bulky and light and comfortable, and unlike midrange, and high distortion. The heavy. The pressure and the weight units made strictly for home use same faults still plague many of the become bothersome after a while. they must be fairly transparent to cheaper models, but for those will- While members of the armed external sound_ ITo :solace the city - ing to pay a little more there are forces can be ordered to wear al- dwelling pedestrian, bicycle rider, open-air headphones that rival the most anything, most consumers re - best full-size motels. Else to tolerate the discomfort of

Azden's DSR-38 open-airhead-4 phones feature samarium -cobalt magnets. large -diameter diaphragms. and aluminum voice coils. Price: $99.95.

96STEREO REVIEW JUNE 1986 able to merely adequate, but if you are two reasons. The first has to do Supra -Aural Phones have long hair no one need ever with the stereo image. Although In between the two previous types know you're wearing them. headphones give you more detail are supra -aural headphones with than loudspeakers, the instruments soft, nonpermeable cushions that sit Electrostatics will seem to be located inside your directly over the ears. Smaller, light- Many audiophiles like electrostat- head no: out in front of you. We er, and more comfortable than most ic loudspeakers for their wonderful derive mDst of our directional cues circumauralmodels,supra -aural midrange clarity and sweet, airy top from the physical effects of the head phones are capable of both good iso- end. But electrostatic speakers cost and ears on the arr wing sound, but lation and good bass, but their effec- a lot, they are inefficient, their dis- headphones inject the sound direct- tiveness depends strongly on the tortion is high at loud levels, and ly into the entrance to the ear canal, sha pe of the individual ear. On pro- the low -frequency radiation from bypassing these mechanisms. A few truding or deeply wrinkled ears this the rear cancels the sound from the designers have tried to overcome des gn doesn't work as well as it front, rolling off the bass. this by mounting headphone trans- does on smoother ears. The best All four problems vanish when ducers in large frames that position supra -aural phones are equal to oth- theelectrostatictransducer is them forward and away from the er top designs in midrange and tre- adapted for headphone use. A small ears, a partial solution at best. ble performance, but their low bass diaphragm in close proximity to the The second reason concerns bass is both less prominent and less pre- ear need not move very far to sound response. We perceive frequencies dictable. loud,so distortion remains low below abput 50 Hz not just with our even at high levels, and a small ears but with our todies, especially In -tie -Ear Pnones amplifier is adequate. With the ear the soft parts in the abdominal cav- The term "headphones" doesn't so close to the transducer, the effect ity. Headphones can have flat re- really apply to some models since of rearward radiation is negligible. sponse extending well below the they don't touch the head anywhere. Electrostatic headphones can pro- range of most loudspeakers, but the These button -sized transducers nes- duce some of the most gorgeously visceralimpactismissing. You tle within the entrance to the ear detailed and natural sound avail- could, of course, supplement your canal; there is no external band. able anywhere for a smail fraction headphone listening with a very Bassperformanceofin -the -ear of the cost of any remotely compa- large subwoofer-or with one of phones isseverely compromised, rable loudspeakers. those "hi-fi chairs" that have low - ano comfort varies from unaccept- So why shouldn't we all abandon frequency transducers mounted in our search for the perfect speaker the seat and back cushions. and buy headphones instead^ There Comparedwithotherhead -

he AKG K T15 (center) is a two-way electret electrostatic/dynamic headphone-no external power supplyis needed. Price: $85.

he Audio-Tech- nica ATH-20 (near left) has a variable damping control that adjusts the bass response to a listener's taste. Price: $54.95. HIGHSOUND L E IT is easy to make very loud Standing next to the measurement lyrics to a song from several feet away sounds with headphones. You microphone, I put on some popular in a jet airliner, clear evidence of can listen all evening at levels music of limited dynamic range and hearing damage in progress. that would bring the neighbors donned a pair of open -back head- Some manufacturers have respond- down on you in no time if you were phones, then turned up the music un- ed to this problem with portable tape using loudspeakers. Away from home til I could hear it reasonably clearly. I players, radios, or accessories that ei- the temptation to turn up the volume then turned off the background noise ther warn you of high sound levels is even greater. That many people are and measured the sound levels at the with a flashing LED or prevent them using portable music systems with entrance to the ear canal under the outright by interrupting the music if it headphones instead of speakers is a headphones. gets too loud. These circuits are a development for which bus and sub- The music did not seem particularly good idea, and those producing them way riders everywhere are grateful. loud with the background noise on, deserve praise for their social responsi- But when you are using open-air and to hear the soft parts clearly I bility. The problem is that headphones headphones in a noisy environment, would have had to turn up the gain differ widely in sensitivity, thus chang- there is a natural tendency to turn up another 10 dB or so. But against a ing the level at which the protection the volume enough to drown out the background of silence it was almost takes place according to how well background noise. Some pretty high- painful. In this difference in percep- your headphones match the ones used even dangerous-levels can be gener- tion under the two conditions lies the in designing the protective circuitry. ated in this fashion, as I proved with danger that inattentive headphone us- Moreover, manufacturers differ in a laboratory test. ers may damage their hearing without their definitions of safe levels. I wanted to see what levels would be some kind of protective device. For instance, the Koss Safelite necessary for the music to be audible Federal laws governing safety in the flashes an LED when the sound level from a portable system while driving workplace imply that there is no dan- exceeds 95 dBA, but the more conser- on a highway with the windows open. ger from exposure to sound levels up vatively rated Ameritech Earsaver Rejecting such an actual experiment to 90 dB as measured with a sound - adaptor cuts off headphone sound as hazardous, I chose instead to dupli- level meter using the standard A - when the level exceeds 85 dBA. The cate some earlier automobile -noise weighting network, which reduces sen- levels I encountered during my experi- measurements by re-creating the sitivity to frequencies below 1 kHz ment fall between these two values, sound field of a car in the lab. and to the highest frequencies. With meaning that Safelite-equipped Koss Using a pink -noise generator and the microphone inside an earpiece in portables would not have warned me some frequency -shaping filters, I was my experiment, the sound -level meter while the Earsaver would have pre- able to reproduce the curve of sound frequently exceeded 90 dBA, and vented me from turning the music up level vs. frequency occurring in a car switching to "peak" response yielded as far as I wanted. with the windows open moving at readings of over 102 dBA. The music Despite the uncertainties involved, about.50 mph. (Duplicating the prodi- was clearly audible through the back either device can provide valuable cali- gious low -frequency levels generated of the headphones from several feet bration for your ears. Once you've by the turbulent wind took almost all away in a quiet room. Even so, it was been made aware of what 85 or 95 the available power from an amplifier not nearly as loud as some sound I dBA sounds like, you are better pre- capable of putting out several hundred have heard coming out of headphones. pared to safeguard your hearing with watts per channel.) In one case I could understand the your own hand on the volume control. phones, instead of speakers, electro- models. Put on a pair of phones, much more obvious with head- statics have just two disadvantages. adjusting the headband until they fit phones-will confuse your judg- One is cost; they range from about as comfortably as possible, and find ment. $100 to almost $800 a pair, and out which of the nearby receivers Try an assortment of stations most are between $200 and $400. you are connected to. With the vol- with several different headphones, The other is inefficiency. Electrosta- ume at a moderate level, tune to dif- noticing how the overall sound tics can require up to a few watts of ferent stations to hear how the changes with size, type, and price. input, many times the few hundred phones sound with different kinds As with loudspeakers, the most ex- milliwattsit takes to drive dynamic of music. Look for a classical station pensive model won't always sound headphones. This means that you that uses littlesignal processing, the best. Listen especially for peaks must use a power amplifier with since the heavy compression and in the frequency response; if all mu- electrostatic phones. The normal equalization used by most rock sta- sical sources come out having a sim- headphone output of a preamplifier, tions-signal processing becomes ilar tonal quality, you'll quickly tire receiver, or cassette deck won't do of that sound. the job. Unless they come with their The Stax SR -Lambda (Professional) Now turnthe volume down, own power amplifier, electrostatic electrostatics and SRM-1/Mk-2 Class A switch off the receiver's muting, and headphones are usually fed by an drive unit are considered by many to tune it between stations. The steady adaptor box (which also contains make up the ultimate headphone sys- roar you hear contains all audio fre- therequiredhigh -voltage power tem. Price: $799.95. quencies and is very revealing both supply) connected to the amplifier's of overall frequency balance and of normal speaker terminals. A switch peaks in the response. The noise on the adaptor box selects either the should be even in quality, without phones or the loudspeakers. very much bass, and you should not hear any identifiable musical note Selecting Headphones within it. If you do, the phones' fre- Theonly wayto choose head- quency response has a strong peak. phones is to go to a store, try some You can only learn so much from on, and listen. Most hi-fi specialty listening to FM. As in testing loud - shops have a rack with a selection of (Continued on page 132) 98STEREO REVIEW jUNE 1986 SULLIVAN /\"NAVII :ICAN CLASSIC

by Chris Albartscir,

Iou have to come up to the house thirty years ago. "They used to and hear Maxine," the late stride have jam sessions there, and I saw pianist Cliff Jackson often said to this girl play a trumpet, but I knew me, but I never made it. That was that this was not an instrument for some twenty-five years ago, and me, because playing those high what he wanted me to do was go notes would probably wipe me to the Bronx to hear his wife, out. Then I thought of Billy Eck- Maxine Sullivan, render Wolverine stine, who sang and played trom- Blues on the valve trombone. The bone, and I asked Cliff to see if he thought of the diminutive former could find a used one." Swing Era singing star taking such Soon thereafter, armed with a a robust instrument in hand in- $65 valve trombone, Maxine be- trigued me, but when you live in gan to take lessons from Vic Dick- Manhattan the Bronx can seem enson, one of the greatest jazz ever so far away. trombonists of any era. "I played The idea of taking up an instru- it in public a few times, but the re- ment came to Maxine Sullivan views were not the best," she ad- during an engagement in Honolulu mits. "I knew all along that I

STEREO REVIEW JUNE 1986 99 wasn't meant to be a great mu- have actually been celebrating for sician, but I just wanted to have the past three years, but just get- Singing better than ever after more some fun, and I did." That was ting up and singing doesn't put than fifty years in show business, 1956, and the following year Max- you in show business, so I Maxine Sullivan is making some of ine retired from show business. the best vocal recordings around. knocked a few years off. Fifty is a One she made last year, on the She finished raising her daughter, nice round figure, don't you Stash label, featured the songs of Paula, studied "some light nurs- think?" Burton Lane, shown with Sullivan ing," and turned the remainder of Having flourished during Prohi- above. Earlier this year she played her attention to community affairs, bition, the Benjamin Harrison Lit- a live date at the Vine Street Bar climbing to the chairman's seat of erary Club was an after-hours gath- and Grill in Hollywood (photo on her local school board. For a while ering place for fun -loving Pitts- facing page) and appeared on the she also continued to play the burghers. It was a place where they nationwide Grammy Awards tele- trombone, but only as a diversion. could mingle with musicians and cast. She doesn't look or sound her Now that is all water under the age today, and she didn't look like touring performers. "I worked in a sixty -year -old when the photo be- bridge. Maxine became a widow the back room on the second floor, low was taken a few years after she sixteen years ago, Paula is a prac- which only had eight tables," Sulli- came out of semiretirement. ticing nurse, and the trombone has van recalls, "and all the great mu- long been a dust -gathering relic. "I sicians, black and white, came had to give it up," she explains there to unwind after a night of with a giggle, "because the longer I hard work in the clubs." played it, the bigger it seemed to In 1934, members of the Chick become." Now it is Maxine Sulli- Webb band breezed through there van who is getting bigger, not in and gave the young singer their au- size but in stature as a singer. tographs. Maxine-who was then Singing was always what she did called Marietta Williams-was best, and now-as the seventy- eventually to marry two of the five -year -old veteran celebrates her men whose signatures she collected fiftieth year in show business-she that night, Cliff Jackson and bas- is doing it even better. sist John Kirby. s. Sullivan is not shy "Musicians from New York used about her age, and she is to encourage me to go there, so I quick to point out that fif- finally did," she says. The success- ty years is a conservative ful persuader was Gladys Mosier, figure, which relates back pianist of Ina Ray Hutton's popu- to a time when she began to attract lar all -girl band, but Maxine did attention singing to piano accom- not just pack up and leave Pitts- paniment at a Pittsburgh establish- burgh for good. She decided to test ment with a most misleading the waters first by taking a Sunday name: the Benjamin Harrison Lit- excursion to the Big Apple, as mu- erary Club. "I had been singing sicians were already calling New long before 1936," she says, recall- York. "I didn't have any plan, but ing early jobs with her uncle's it so happened that Ina Ray Hut- band, the Red Hot Peppers, "and I ton's band was at the Paramount, 100STEREO REVIEW JUNE 1986 so I looked up Gladys Mosier, who a divorce in 1944. Toward the end talked me into staying." of their marriage, the Kirbys con- Later that week, Ms. Mosier in- tinued to perform together, and troduced Maxine to Claude Thorn- they could be heard each Sunday hill, an arranger and budding on their own CBS radio show, bandleader who apparently recog- Flow Gently, Sweet Afton. nized her potential and took her "We both had a good thing go- on a trek through Swing Street, a ing with that traditional material," block of West 52nd Street between she recalls, alluding to the fact that Fifth and Sixth Avenues that was Kirby made a specialty of swinging strewn with hot spots featuring the the classics, "because the ASCAP greatest Swing Era musicians and ban was on and the stuff we did bands. "They took me up and was in the public domain. Still, I down the street, stopping in just must admit that I got tired of be- A SELECTIVE about every club for an audition," ing called the 'Loch Lomond Lady' she recalls. It was guitarist Carl and having to sing that song and DISCOGRAPHY Kress who finally hired her to sing things like If I Had a Ribbon Bow Good Morning, Life! at the Onyx Club with a group led and Barbara Allen all the time. I With Loonis McGlohon by John Kirby. was doing a lot of vaudeville in (piano). Recorded in AVING secured a job for those days, and there you only get 1983. AUDIOPHILE her, Thornhill began guid- to sing three or four songs, so you AP -193. ing her career with the skill really long to do something differ- The Great Songs from the of a professional image ent, but 99 percent of the people Cotton Club by Harold maker. First he advised her knew me as 'the lady who sings Arlen and Ted Koehler. Loch Lomond,' and I guess that With the Keith Ingham to change her name to avoid being Quintet. Recorded in confused with Midge Williams, a hasn't changed." 1984. STASH ST -244. "A popular vocalist of the day. Hav- Perhaps not, but today more and gem. Great songs elevated ing given her an Irish -sounding more people are discovering and to new heights" (February name, Maxine Sullivan, Thornhill rediscovering the Loch Lomond 1986). launched her recording career by Lady, and what they are hearing is Maxine.With Ted featuring her on two of his own a smooth, wonderfully mature bal- Easton's Jazz Band. debut sides. Then he wrote for her lad singer whose scope runs way Recorded in 1975. an airy swing arrangement of a beyond the folk fringe. In 1967, af- AUDIOPHILE AP -167. Scottish folk song with which she ter ten years of semiretirement, "Her voice, her swinging would forever remain identified. Maxine Sullivan let clarinetist vitality, and her matchless Loch Lomond, recorded for Vocal - Tommy Gwaltney talk her into ap- phrasing are still among ion in 1937, became an enormous pearing at his Washington, D.C. the wonders of the jazz hit and put the young singer from club, Blues Alley. "That got me world" (December 1983). Pittsburgh on a high road along back into the business, little by lit- Maxine Sullivan Sings the which she still travels. tle," she says, "and it seems like Music of Burton Lane. Said to have been requested as things have picked up lately." With Keith Ingham many as thirty times in one night, Today's new and improved (piano). Recorded in Loch Lomond also caused some Maxine Sullivan has a series of 1985. STASH ST -257. controversy. "Some people thought wonderful albums on the Concord, Maxine Sullivan with the it was sacrilege io swing a song Stash, and Audiophile labels. Not Ike Isaacs Quartet. like that," she recalls. "I sang it on only do these recent recordings be- Recorded in 1979. AUDIOPHILE AP -154. a show called Saturday Night lie her age, they are simply among "Singing golden -age Swing Club, which was a radio the best vocal albums made by standards in her hookup from New York, and the anyone in recent years. If I may be inimitable voice and manager of the Detroit station cut allowed to quote from a liner note uniquely relaxed, glowing us off the air as soon as he heard I recently had the privilege to style" (November 1982). what I was singing. But I guess write, "Her smooth, perfectly Uptown. With theScott more people liked it." Indeed they timed delivery reflects years of ex- Hamilton Quintet. did. The charm of this cultural perience and there is no hint of Recorded in 1985. blend struck the fancy of people that hesitancy one so often detects CONCORD JAZZ CJ -288. throughout the world, even when in singers who try to recapture We Just Couldn't Say she performed it at Loch Lomond what once was theirs. Maxine is Goodbye.Recorded in itself. not recapturing, but rather deliver- 1979. AUDIOPHILE John Kirby's pickup band soon ing the essence of an artistry that AP -I28. "Like reading took on the shape that would for- obviously first now is reaching its ripe Colette" (November ever assure it a sizable niche in peak." 1979). jazz history, and by 1938 Maxine Had she wanted to get back into had become his wife as well as his the business? I asked. "No, not vocalist. As the Thirties drew to a particularly, but I guess I'll keep close, the Kirbys both rose to going until I drop." And to what fame, but Maxine was clearly the does she attribute the fact that she more popular. When she decided sounds at least forty years younger to seek a separate career, their than her chronological age? "I had

marriage began to falter, leading to a good rest." wasin loudspeakers. the most significantIn innovation1.9540 our Acoustic Suspension A...4 ...... - - - A...O."' - AO Al Ai Al y .... - - .11112 a JO .As-4 -4 - - 2 a rK migJO.Altji..3c .4"ail .6.4...... 10 ...... -, .... :- --. .. '24all 4,4-'. _-...... ,--'.....,, ....., ..--- v .-. . AO AO 1.1i ...a:....:, ..t- ....4 .011 Mil MO .2,5,...,: as_ ...... , ...... 4.4 a4 a 2 .44 :NI -7, -- - - ' - ..,.....1 ....1...., ":. '4 .... .1I1 ..14 .14 .....14 ak AS Alo A. ... A6414 ,a124 -.1. --:""' .... -... -4 ...% MI 1114 . ....,7: ... -...." -..1 ...... * AILAII4.14 Ail Al at Ay 411111 44 44 me z 5.: ZAN i al AN ;...... : : . -- .,b4 .001 :..., : ..- - ,_ . -- ...... m4 a. AliNII Mt -...... 4 ,A .4 .4 1 AN AM .... : -' . --- % *A 4114 Z11 2 IN A :2- ... .10. 11 Aak All4At asAir ..a.i. .1* 24.... ------...._...... --- -.4 co Ao 1/44 so - .... .4,...... I., .014 .....r of .....Ala AA -.4 AO AO Al .126 ...m. : *112 .11411A14"4 :-:. ------..., - - i ...... I 7 330 Turnpikele TELEDYNE Street. ACOUSTIC Car'-^ MA RESEARCH0202! If you warted good sound in the early days of hi-fi, you cut a hole in your wai, and mounted the woofer inside. Jr you built a Flared Horn the size of a refrigerator. Or bigger. In 1954, a man named Edgar Yillchurfound E better way. In building the wor d's lowest -distortion low- 'requency speaker he replaced crude rrechar cal suspeisions and giant cabinets with a cushion of air in a small, tightly sealed box. Called 'Acoustic Suspension," the new cudspeaker reduced distortion by a 'actx cf 10. And it was the first high 'delay speaker you could f t on a

To build h s Acoustic Suspen- sion speakers, Villchur founded a new :om Jany: Acousti: Research. Over - light, AR prodjcts became the most -evered most sought-after, most imitate: speakers in history. In fact, Dyer 7C differeit speaker manufacturers are using AR's Acoustic Sus- pension desigr today. Since 19E4, 4R has substantially improved the original Acoustic Suspersion speaker. By inventing the dor-e tweeter, introducing magnetic fl_id coo inE, building 3/4" high -density enclosures, eliminating cabinet diffraction, and solving the protler of speaker/room interface. AR's new BXi Series Loud- speEke-s for 198 are the most highly refined ;peckers on today's marcet. And they should be. It took us 32 years to make them.

ACOUSTIC RESEARCH We speak from experience. F ;LE NO. 18 ON F EADER SERVICE CARD \V S At Home Wzth The GENERAL ELECTRIC CONTROL CENTRAL

by Chris Albertson s the sophistication of audio RCA components. But what about LCD (liquid -crystal display) win- and video technologyin- the majority of us, the consumers dow. Following the flashing direc- Accreases and the prices de- whose loyalty does not lie with a tions, you use the SOURCE key to crease, more and more of single manufacturer? General Elec- select the type of control unit you us are finding our homes filled with tric apparently had us in mind when want the Control Central to emulate little buttons to push.Irecently its engineers designed the Control (TV, VCR, cable, or auxiliary), then counted over three hundred control Central. align the two control units head to buttons in my apartment-not to The GE Control Central (Model head and 2 to 5 inches apart. To mention about a hundred LED's RRC600, $149.95) is a program- "teach" a function code to the Con- (light -emitting diodes)-andthat mable remote system that measures trol Central, you press a key on the does not include the total of five about 3 x 8 x 3/4 inches, weighs just old unit and then press the match- hundred keys on my computers. over half a pound, and is capable of ing key on the Control Central. The distinction between buttons "learning" the functions of four dif- To program the Control Central and keys is vague, so let us just say ferent, mutually incompatible infor my Quasar VH5846XE video- that I have close to a thousand little frared remote units. Not only can its cassette recorder, for example, I set "activators" in my relatively small thirty-six buttons be programmed its source to VCR and placed it fac- apartment. Of these, about one to duplicate virtually any function ing the Quasar's remote control. hundred reside on five hand-held of up to four component -specific The display window flashed, remote -control units; there is one remote controls, but it can also out- READY/PRESS MATCHING KEYS, SO I for the television set in my living perform the units it emulates. You simultaneously pressed the POWER room, one for the videodisc player, don't have to point it right at the key on each unit until the word another for the TV Cable box in my component you want to activate, RELEASE was flashed, followed by bedroom, and one for each of my either. The Control Central trans- DO AGAIN. Repeating the procedure two VCR's. Each remote controls its mits a broader, more powerful sig- produced the message FUNCTION respective component by transmit- nal than any of the remote units I LEARNED, and I moved on to the ting infrared signals in its own code, had been using, and it even enabled other keys, one by one. so each one works only with the me tooperate my VCR from To keep the number of keys on component for which it was de- around a corner. That required a lit- the Control Central manageable, signed. The result is a coffee table tle bit of searching for the right spot, only frequently used functions were cluttered with calculator -likede- but it would have been impossible assigned corresponding keys. Addi- vices. with the VCR's own remote con- tional functions are selected from RCA solved the problem of multi- trol. options displayed in the window. In ple remotes in a limited fashion The learning process is simple. the VCR mode, these additional with its Digital Command System, You flip a switch on the Control functions number twenty-five and but the integrated control unit is Central's side to LEARN, and step- include many that are found only rather large and works only with by-step instructions appear in the on the most advanced models (my

104STEREO REVIEW JUNE 1986 New Pyle Driver' Pounders

Quasar required just a few of them). The GE unit is designed to display only the functions that have been learned. It is hard to imagine a function that this neat little remote control cannot handle. Among its thirty- two additional TV functions are such rare commands as PHONE, HELP, SOUND +, BILING(ual), ZOOM, ANT(enna), AUT(omatic) DIAL, and RADIO. Similarly, the twenty-seven auxiliaryfunctions include RAN- DOM ACC(ess), INDEX, RUBOUT, CHP SRCH (chapter search), DISC, BAL- ANCE, and H(ome) MINDER. The Pound for Pound the Best auxiliary source is, of course, the one to select for remote -controlled Speaker System you can buy! Compact Disc andvideodisc players. Powerful new speaker systems for pickups, Notsurprisingly,theControl hatchbacks, sports cars, vans and 4 x 4's. Central is preprogrammed to han- PoL nd for pound, the most dyna-nic dle most GE components, and there speaker systems on or ol the road. is even a PROG/LOCK switch for programming (adding and deleting) TV channels by remote control. When you enter your own commands you override the preprogrammed GE commands, but they remain in permanent memory, so pressing the PYLE DRIVER RESET button (securely tucked away SPEAKERS in the battery compartment) will Pyle Industries. Inc 5C1 Center St. always bring them back. Huntington. IN 46750 (219) 356-1200 I mentioned at the beginning that CIRCLE NO. 35 ON READER SERVICE CARD I have five remote -controlled components, but the GE unit is designed to emulate only four at a time. In WINNER'S Great Mjsic and Humor Highlight some cases, it is possible to combine two sets of component commands ; VIDEOCASSETTES from under asinglesourceselection, CIRCLE %I Video Arts International though it requires more memory and could result in an OVERLOAD message. But Isuccessfully combined my Jerrold cable -box commands with the most common functions of my Magnavox VR8345 videocassette recorder. As you may have gathered, I am impressed with the performance of 111.1...1111111. .W4 st001111. 1111M the GE Control Central. It is pow- INImmor MOO. 10.111, ered by four AAA alkaline batteries and also features a LOW BATTERY /Me indicator (which you will see every six months to a year), automatic RATA .IA MAKAROVA :IN A HEIFETZhe greatest violinist of ANNA RUSSELL: THE (FIRST) THE ABJUCTION OF fIGARO At shut-off, and a nonvolatile memory CLASS OF HER OWN s a,' one,. Century n performance FAREWELL cONCERT The ton lash .,,,eooasseOe tionate and candid portrait of one of with Brooks Smith piano anc the t "le world's He firslull ienr operaas (which means that you can change pallet E br ghtest stars in class and Pena National Orchestra Ja!:cha lu nisrecital disccvered doNely edited. and xi thereation of Roland Petits The Heifeli made only one 1V special. featuresMiEs snow anducti d by Ms only champion. the batteries without having to re- Slue Aage' Makarova demonstrates and VAI presents i here with two int imous analysis ofWagner's Frol Peier Schickele Taped at its program). Accompanied by a well - basic classroom technique with adOhonal selections not seen on the Arc?' Cycle ;IA may other of her world premiere in for mance renowned pedagogue Irma Yacob OriginaltelecastIncludes two hilarious 'es 'Bestofthe ScreaininglvFunny ' (The designed, easy -to -follow instruction son and discusses the interprelahor sgrave piecesBag's year . ...ng.017 PoSOCoor. Wastang,o1 Pa:0 Colo'. stereo Hi of some of her greatest roles. in ' 7 $59'.5Fr booklet, the GE Control Central is a Swan Lake and Grseee Ape 69019 VHS 291119 Beta 61027 VHS29927 Beta cinch to master, and it is as attrac- for all icy trs of ballet Color Hr Fr 69026 VHS29926 Beta tive as it is functional. 0 S49 9 r 69028 VHS 29028 Beta VAI also brings you superb ballet vidrocasseres JAI cassettes we distributed exckswely by RCA;Ariola Interna For more information on the General 10001 and are available at selectec stores To order try phone or Electric Control Central. see a General featuring such artists as Maya Plisetskaya, Galina nail CALL TOLL -FREE 1400-431-9003 Fa order by mail Electric dealer or write to General Elec- Ulanova and Vladimir Vasiliev plus stars of the 3eld check. money order. Visa or Mastocard so olu; expiration tric Company, Dept. SR, Consumer Bolshoi and Kirov Ballets; PLUS II operas from the dare Inc,ude $; 75 shipping and handling to first title and 1 75 Electronics Business Operations, Ports- Glyndeboume Festival; Elisabeth Schwarzkopf in Ike tdr each aocktional title N Y. resiclen1s include appropia:e tax Make checks payable and mail to mouth, VA 23705. Rosenkamlier, Maria Callas as Medea. Moffo as Lucia di Lammermoor and Menotti's The Medium with Video Arts Intonational. Dept R. Box 153. rana Stator. Marie Powers. Call or write for our free catalog. Vkl New York. N Y 100123 CIRCLE NO. 67 ON READER SERVICE CARD THE ONE HIGH -END AUDIO SYSTEM GOOD ENOUGH TO PLAY IN EVERY ROOM.

The finer your audio system, the more you should enjoy it. So why confine your listening pleasure to just one room? Now Kyocera's Full System Remote components let one system drive up to three sets of speakers in different rooms - and let you control everything from any room! With up to three remote sensors and a wireless controller, you can adjust volume, choose hacks on the Compact Disc player, tune AM or FM stations, even record cassettes without ever leaving your chair. Just as important, Kyocera Full System Remote components are greatly improved versions of the same Receivers, Cassette Decks, and CD Player that earned Kyocera its high -end reputation. So don't settle for an audiophile system that only plays in one' room when you can own the one audiophile system that plays in three. KYOCER2

CIRCLE NO. 72 ON READER SERVICE CARD Built right from the ground up.

Kyocera International Inc7 Rawder Horn Dnve. Warren. NJ 07060-0227.1-800-922-1080 BEST OF THE MONTH

Stereo Review's critics choose the outstanding current releases ROSSINI'S WITTY "JOURNEY To RHEIMS"

ROSSINI'SThe Journey to Rheims, or The Hotel Gold- enLily, was writtenin 1825 as a piece d'occasion celebratingthe coronationof Charles X of France. It might have turned out a pompous bore (such confections frequently are); instead, in its first recording, by Deutsche Grammophon, it proves to be an ingenious and very funny comedy, The cast of the first modern production of Rossini'sII "iaggio a Reims. bubbling with high spirits and over- flowing with musical invention. utes. And Rossini also regales us Prague Philharmonic Chorus; Chamber The plot, such as there is, con- with some of his most ravishing Orchestra of Europe, Claudio Abbado cerns nine travelers from different melodies and inventive orchestra- cond. DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 0 415 countries and walks of life who stop tion. The scintillating score is so 498-1 three discs $29.94, © 415 498-4 two cassettes $29.94, 0 415 498-2 two at an inn en route to Rheims to wit- imbued with the sense of fun that I CD's no lest price. ness the king's coronation. The mis- laughed aloud as I listened. tress of the inn is unable to procure Though its life on stage was at horses; her guests cannot proceed, first short, 11 viaggio was recently so instead they order a fine dinner reassembled and edited for the Ros- PHILIP GLASS: preparatory to going the following sini Foundation in Pesaro, where HE WROTE day to Paris, where the celebrations this live performance was recorded. promise to be even more enticing Every member of the cast is musi- THE SONGS than those at Rheims. cally strong, negotiating Rossini's The whole "action" of the opera fioratura, leaps, and roulades not lies in the intriguing interplay of the only easily and accurately but with AFTER three operas, "Songs ten personalities: an improvising obvious enjoyment. There is some from Liquid Days" is Philip poetess, an amorous widow, a fash- very beautiful pianissimo singing as Glass's first attempt at com- ion -mad Parisienne, a French dan- well. Each artist brings to his or her posingsongs,andhe dy, a jealous Russian officer, a seri- assignment both musical proficien- didn't take any chances. He ap- ous-minded English lord, an anti- cy and a strong sense of character. proached David Byrne, Suzanne quary pedant, a German music lov- Claudio Abbado conductsthe Vega, Paul Simon, and Laurie An- er, a Spanish grandee, and their hos- opera crisply, delicately, wittily, and derson to write lyrics that he then tess, a Tyrolean inn keeper. Mud- con amore. The recorded sound is set to music. Each lyricist produced dled love affairs and other doings first-rate. To Charles X, then, duly something quite different: Simon a work out happily before the final honored by this delicious perform- clever, Kafkaesque episode; Vega curtain, and in the meantime we ance: Vive le roi! Robert Ackart two love poems; Byrne, in the title smile at the characters' foibles and piece, an odd coupling of the mun- delight in their happiness. ROSSINI: II viaggio a Reims. Cecilia dane and the mystical. But set into The lively libretto was merely Gasdia (soprano), Corinna; Lucia Val- Glass's distinctive framework, the Rossini's point of departure for entini Terrani (mezzo-soprano), Mar- lyric differences recede. It is Glass's what surely must be the wittiest of chesa Melibea; Lella Cuberli (soprano), own ideas you hear most clearly. his scores. Parodies of current mu- Contessa di Folleville; Katia Ricciarelli Even the performers-if anything, (soprano), Madama Cortese; Edoardo an even more disparate group than sical styles, spoofs of national mu- Gimenez (tenor),Belfiore; Francisco sical idioms, and musical character- Araiza (tenor), Count Libenskof; Samu- the writers-yield to Glass's circu- izations of the varied personalities el Ramey (bass), Lord Sidney; Ruggero lar rhythms and counterpoint. lend special fascination to this one - Raimondi (bass), Don Profondo; Enzo All the same, Glass was inspired act opera, which takes six LP sides Dara (bass), Baron Trombonok; Leo by the company. Paul Simon's con- but seems to last only a few min - Nucci (baritone), Don Alvaro; others. tribution, Changing Opinion, is the

STEREO REVIEW JUNE 1986 107 BEST OF THE MONTH

most direct, accessible, and entertaining lyric on "Liquid Days"-an PERAHIA'S existential puzzle about a roomful of people trying to identify the FORMIDABLE source of a mysterious humming BEETHOVEN noise-and Glass's music is at its most playful. His arrangement calls for trombone fanfares, rhapsodic HAVING completed a splen- flute and piano figures, and pulsing did Mozart concerto cycle bass. Against this jumpy backdrop, for CBS, pianist Murray Bernard Fowler's unhurried, soulful Perahia has begun a Bee- tenor seems innocent and credu- thoven cycle for the same label with lous-you want to help him search a coupling of the Piano Concertos the apartment to find that hum. No. 3 and 4. Interpretively, this first Glass extends the basic rhythmic installment must be classed with the ground of Changing Opinion into most select handful of earlier re- Suzanne Vega's Lightning, but he cordings of each of these works, steps it up to double time. For Vega, and, not surprisingly, it surpasses lightning is a metaphor for cataclys- them all in terms of sound quality. mic change, and Glass's agitated, It surpasses just about all of them, whiperacksynthesizedkeyboard too, in terms of the orchestral con- and percussion create enormous tribution, a more critical element in tension and electricity set against a these concertos than in any com- vocal by the husky -toned Janice posed before them, and in the ex- Pendarvis. As hypercharged a set- ceptional thoroughness with which ting as Glass gives Lightning, he Glass: a distinctive framework the solo and orchestral elements are treats Vega's second contribution, integrated. Freezing, in the most serene man- the lyricist, composer, and singer of The orchestra in this case is the ner imaginable. Gone is the wild any song; you may even feel you're ConcertgebouwofAmsterdam, counterpoint; inits place, Linda listening with new ears. But you'll with Bernard Haitink conducting. Ronstadt's pure, bell -like soprano know you'relisteningtoPhilip This is Haitink's third Beethoven carries Glass's simple melody with Glass. Mark Peel concerto cycle, following an earlier an almost spooky detachment. one in Amsterdam with Claudio Ar- Glass changes gears again in scor- PHILIP GLASS: Songs from Liquid rau and one in London with Alfred ing David Byrne's two-part Liquid Days. Linda Ronstadt, Janice Pendar- Brendel.Idon't think any other Days. In Part I, where Byrne gives vis, Bernard Fowler, Douglas Perry, the conductor has made so many re- us a characteristically paradoxical Roches (vocals); Kronos Quartet; the cordings of these concertos. Pera- conjunction of the obscure and the Philip Glass Ensemble, Michael Ries- man cond.Changing Opinion; Light- hia, of course, was his own conduc- commonplace, the Roche sisters' ning; Freezing; Liquid Days (Part I), tor throughout the Mozart cycle, girlish voices bob and weave cheer- Open the Kingdom (Liquid Days, Part but he has stated that he also enjoys fully up and down with the sing- II); Forgetting.CBS FM 39564, C) FMT playing those concertos with other song rhythms. Part II is the hymn- 39564, 0 MK 39564, no list price. conductors. You sense that he and like Open the Kingdom, which Glass Haitink must have felt special plea- raises from a rather conventional Perahia: patrician self-effacement sure in this Beethoven collabora- processional march to something tion, which suggests not a first en- spectacular simply by having tenor counter but a lifetime of joint explo- Douglas Perry do the singing. Perry ration. is truly an awesome presence, out of The pianist whom Perahia most scale with all the other vocalists. He resembles in these performances is seems especially larger than life fol- Solomon, the mid-century English lowed by Ronstadt and the Roches, performerknownprofessionally who come together like clinking only by his first name. Solomon's champagne glassesin Forgetting, solo playing was characterized by with a lyric by Laurie Anderson. the same sort of fastidiousness, of By the time "Liquid Days" has patricianself-effacementinre- come full circle, you've heard Paul sponse to the music's own charac- Simon, David Byrne, Linda Ron- ter, that Perahia displays here. That stadt, and the Roches as you've nev- approach is especially well suited to er heard them before. It's almost the G Major Concerto, in which the enough to make you wonder wheth- dramatic and playful moments are er it really was Simon, Byrne, and 0 tempered by an aristocratic, even Ronstadt.Italso forces you to Olympian sense of serenity and re- rethink the relationships between straint, the very qualities that have

108 STEREO REVIEW JUNE 1986 SURGEON GENERAL'S WARNING: Smoking By Pregnant Women May Result inFetal Injury. Premature Birth, And Low Birth Weight.

inston LIGHTS

-'41111C -simo

c 1988 R.J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO CO. 0 mg. "tar", 0.8 mg. nicotine ay. per cigarette by FIC meth oi BEST OF THE MONTH

always markedPerahia'smusic the Mamas without the Papas, were making. so lush it was almost shocking. On With each concerto fitting snugly this latest effort, the Bangles have NOW ON CD on a single side and a total playing relaxed a bit. The songs aren't as Compact Discs of time just under seventy minutes, compulsively hook -laden, and the the beautifully recorded LP isa influencesseembetterdigested. previously released LP's wonderful value. It's very good val- You may not catch, say, the won- ue even on CD, and the sound derful Cool Jerk bass line thatpro- POPULAR should be even more impressive in pelstheirWalking Down Your that format. While Perahia and Hai- Street except on a subconscious lev- SAM COOKE: The Man and His tink-and CBS-have set a formid- el, but the quote works like Music. RCA RCDI-7172. A welcome able standard for themselves in gang- retrospective (digitally remastered). busters anyway. DIRE STRAITS: Making Movies. completing the cycle, this release is Producer David Kahne has dis- WARNER BROS.3480-2. "Big, gutsy, and treasurable inits own right-the cretelymodernizedtheband's dramatic" (February 1981). sort of thing that makes compari- sound with keyboard flourishes and FIDDLER ON THE ROOF sons rather meaningless and dupli- the occasional sound effect. Sixties (Sheldon Harnick-Jerry Bock). RCA cations fascinating.Richard Freed purists may be offended, but since RCDI-7060. Original Broadway cast (1964) with Zero Mostel. Includes two the band's trademark jingle -jangle previously unreleased tracks. BEETHOVEN: Piano Concerto No. 3, guitars and four-part harmonies re- in C Minor, Op. 37; Piano Concerto No. ARETHA FRANKLIN: Aretha 4, in G Major, Op. 58. Murray Perahia main prominently displayed, I, for Sings the Blues.COLUMBIACK 40105. (piano); Concertgebouw Orchestra, Ber- one, can let that pass. The songs Recordings from the early Sixties, with nard Haitink cond. CBS 0 IM 39814, 0 themselves, meanwhile, range from four bonus tracks on CD only. IMT 39814, MK 39814, nolist the gorgeous to the merely memora- GEORGE JONES: Who's Gonna price. ble. High points are Jules Shears's If Fill Their Shoes.EPICEK 39598. She Knew What She Wants, a stun- "Affecting nuggets" (February 1986). ningly crafted look at the difficulty CAROLE KING: Tapestry.ODEEK of loving someone whose emotional 34946. King's best-selling album of the THE BANGLES development is a tad arrested; the early Seventies. band's own Let It Go, a seamless SUNSET BOULEVARD. RCA COME INTO RCDI-7017. Rerecordings of the music mixture of instrumental grit and vo- written by Franz Waxman for over a THEIR OWN cal sweetness; and bassist Michael dozen of Hollywood's finest ("60+" Steele's version of September Gurls, series). which actually improves on Alex THE Bangles, four photogenic Chilton's legendary original. JAZZ young women who sing like As for the rest, including Manic angels and write (and play) KENNY DREW TRIO.RIVERSIDE Monday, the infectious hit single by 631-224. Recorded in 1956. impeccably melodic, tough- Prince (who wrote it under a pseu- minded Sixties -derivedpop,are donym), only a total churl could put BILL EVANS TRIO: Sunday at the Village Vanguard.RIVERSIDE645-9376. such a great idea for a group that if up any resistance. "Different Light" Recorded in 1961. they didn't already exist somebody is an absolutely wonderful album, would probably have to RED GARLAND QUINTET: Soul invent one of the must -haves of 1986. Junction.PRESTIGE645-7181. Recorded them. But what their new album, Steve Simels in 1957. "Different Light," proves is that COLEMAN HAWKINS: The they're also very much for real, very THE BANGLES: Different Light. The Genius of Coleman Hawkins.VERVE much their own band. Bangles(vocalsandinstrumentals); 825 673-2. Recorded in 1957. In last year's "All Over the Place" other musicians. Manic Monday; Ina the group was wearing its influences Different Light; Walking Down Your CLASSICAL on their collective sleeve. The songs Street; Walk Like an Egyptian; Stand- were almost collage -like in their ap- ing in the Hallway; Return Post; If She BEETHOVEN: Piano Concertos propriation of bits and fragments Knew What She Wants; Let It Go; Sep- Nos. 1-5. Schnabel, Sargent.ARABESQUE tember Gurls; Angels Don't Fall in Love; Z6549-50-51 (three CD's). Classic from Beatles, Byrds, and Buffalo Schnabel, recorded 1932-1935. Following; Not Like You.COLUMBIA Springfield records, and the vocals, FC 40039, © FCT 40039, ©CK 40039 MARIA CALLAS: Mad Scenes and which someone aptly describedas no list price. Bel Canto Arias.ANGELCDC 47283. Arias by Donizetti, Thomas, and The Bangles: from the gorgeous to the merely memorable Bellini, recorded 1965-1972. MAHLER: Symphony No. 6; Wayfarer Songs. Minton, Solti. LONDON414 674-2 (two CD's). "A reading of enormous strength" (February 1971). PUCCINI: Tosca. Caballe; C. Davis.PHILIPS412 885-2 (two CD's). A Tosca sung with "lovely tone and passionate conviction" (June 1977). Pictwr this: Tao new audio -video wireless remote control. superior audio/video playback. standouts with talents seamd-to-none. The CTA261's square effect The VS -616 features a 7 -head 26" tube and Comb filter c:eliver design for optimized record/playback Performance second -to -none. a cleaner picture with much Eigher functions and full VHS Hi-Fi stereo. That's precisely what you get resolution. You also get On -Screen 8 -event/ with AKAI's new CT -A261 26" There's even a built-in stereo 23 -day programmability. An integral Monitor/ReceiVer and VS -616 VHS amplifier with plenty of power Comb filter for a clearer picture. Hi-Fi VCR. to drive its pair of built-in speakers Plus the extra reLability of AKAI's Both are endowed with a 142 - or an external set of your own. beltless, (Erect-dr ve system. channel MTS-SAP stereo tuner In back, conveniern input:output The AKAI CT -A261 26" Stereo to make the most of today's stereo jacks allow the "direct" connection Monitor and VS -616 VHS Hi-Fi VCR. broadcasts. Plus a full -function of all your other components for When performance comes first. Visit your AKAI dealer soon for an audition. Or write to: AKAI America. P O. Box 60:0, Corrpto-i. CA 90224-6010. CIRCLE NO. 06 ON READER SERVICE CARD IF YOU HAVE WHATIT TAKES TOFLY, WE'LL HELP YOUEARN YOUR WINGS.

In the Army's Warrant Officer of what it takes to earnyour wings. Flight Training Program, we'll trainyou It also takes discipline, self-confidence to fly from the ground up. and the ability to perform under It all begins at Army flight school,pressure. Three things every Army where you'll learn take -off, in-flight pilot needs. and landing techniques. Once you've Check into the Army's Warrant mastered the basics on the ground, Officer Flight Training Program. Ifyou an Army flight instructor will show you qualify, your future could endup how to apply them in the air. exactly where you want it-in the air. Before long, you'll be ready for For more information, contact your first solo flight. That's when thingsyour local Army Recruiter today. Or really take off. call toll free 1 -800 -USA -ARMY. We'll teach you to hidea 10,000 - pound helicopter behinda tree as gracefully as a hummingbird. You'll learn how to fly through total darkness to sneak up on a target. And how to skim treetops at 100 MPH. ARMY. But the desire to fly is only part BE ALLYOU CAN BE. POPULAR MUSIC

Discs and tapes reviewed by Chris Albertson Phyl Garland Alaiina Nash Mark Peel Peter Reilly Steve Simels

THE BANGLES: Different Light (see Best of the Month, page 110) PHILIP GLASS: Songs from Liquid Days (see Best of the Month, page 107) MARK GRAY: That Feeling Inside. Mark Gray (vocals); vocal and instrumentalaccompaniment. PleaseBe Love; She Will;You're the Reason; Dance with Me; I Need You Again;and five others.COLUMBIAFC 40126, C) FCT 40126, no list price. Performance:Ready for stardom Recording:Good Mark Gray wants to be a star. He's tried about everything in the last few years. "KING OF AMERICA" First he was a member of Exile, but he LVIS COSTELLOonce told an in- on -sleeve weeper that could be covered left the band just before it broke into the terviewer that he didn't plan to without difficulty by Bobby Short on a big time. Then he went solo and wore a be around to witness his artistic crying jag. big gray fedora and sat at the piano. It decline, but you couldn't have Musically,the albumisstripped - made him look different, all right, but it provedthatbyhislastcouple of down and raw -edged inall the best also made him look like Eliot Ness. albums. They were fussy, wildly over- ways. The backing on several tracks is Then he cut a duet with Tammy Wy- produced, and, in general, too clever by by the stars of the other Elvis's touring nette, which probably evenhedoesn't half. His new "King of America," while band, including the great James Burton remember. And now here he is with his not exactly a return to the transcendent on guitar, and the result is a sort of third Columbia LP, still looking for a form of "This Year's Model," contains modernized Sun Records sound that corner, as Rosanne Cash might say. the most interesting music he has made nudges Costello into the most unpre- Gray has pipes that run somewhere in a long time, and the fact thatit dictable and emotive singing of his along the lines of David Clayton Thom- sounds like hardly anything else on the career. as,Lee Greenwood, andEngelbert radio at the moment is merely icing on Add to all this some inspired cov- Humperdinck. That leaves alot of the cake. "King of America" is also the ers-J. B.Lenoir'sEisenhower Blues room, you might say, but then Gray's first release to reflect Costello's rever- (not bad for white boys) and the Ani- album does too. This is one of those sion to his original name, Declan Pat- mals'Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood,a "let's try a little of everything and see if rick MacManus. Transitionally, the per- perfect choice for a man who's been any of 'em go" LP's, which means he formance is credited to "The Costello misunderstood constantly-and a fine even takes a shot at Patsy Cline'sWalk- Show (Featuring Elvis Costello)," while guest appearance by his old back-up in' After Midnight.It takes guts for a MacManus is credited for songwriting band, the Attractions, onSuit of Lights. male singer to cut this song, and Gray and co -production. What you get is, if not the Elvis Costello does a credible, if slightly jive, job. He's Lyrically, Costello/MacManus hasn't album of your dreams, certainly one of a talented singer, though, with plenty of changed much. He remains obsessed the most unexpectedly rewarding al- feeling for a lyric, even if the tunes are with the detritus of romantic relation- bums of the last several months. As usually a little overdressed-and over- ships and the ways people manipulate Harry Golden used to say in an alto- blown. If Gray could ever decide what each other-"emotional fascism," he gether different context, Enjoy! he wanted to be-besides a star, that calls it. But other targets are skewered Steve Simels is-he'd probably be a hit. A.N. too, and his gift for wordplay remains intact. In the title song, for example, he THE COSTELLO SHOW: King of LEVEL 42:World Machine. Mark meets agirl "working for the ABC America. Elvis Costello (vocals, guitar); King(bass, vocals);Phil Gould News" and observes, "It was as much of othermusicians. Brilliant Mistake; Lov- (drums); Mike Lindup (keyboards, vo- the alphabet as she knew how to use." able; Our Little Angel; Don't Let Me Be There is also a bit of social commentary Misunderstood; Glitter Gulch; Indoor inLittle Palaces,about "the sedated Fireworks; Little Palaces; I'll Wear It EXPLANA I ION OF SYMBOLS: homes of England," and a new empha- Proudly; American Without Tears; Ei- senhower Blues; Poisoned Rose; The Big = DIGIT AL -MAST FR ANALOGLP sis on what can only be described as cabaret/torchsongs-Poisoned Rose, Light; Jack of All Parades; Suit of = S EnFoCAssFi-rF for example, which features jazz bassist Lights; Sleep of the Just. COLUMBIAFC = I ALCOMPACI DISC Ray Brown, is a literate, urbane, heart - 40173, © FCT 40173, no list price. = MONOPHONIC RECORDING

STEREO REVIEW JUNE1986 113 cals); Boon (guitars); vocal and instru- and five others. MCA CI MCA -5625 mentalaccompaniment.Something $8.98, MCAC-5625 $8.98. About You; World Machine; Physical Presence; Leaving Me Now;and four Performance:The real thing others.POLYDOR827 487-1 $8.98, Recording:Digital 827 487-4 $8.98, © 827 487-2 no list Three years ago, Bill Monroe recorded price. an album called "Bill Monroe and Performance:Inoffensive Friends" that paired him with ten of the Recording:Good biggest names in contemporary country music. It was a disaster, to put it mild- Level 42's third American LP is nice, ly-stiff and artificial from top to bot- agreeable, airport -lounge music,soft tom. Monroe is trying basically the funk played with a quasi jazz and Eu- same format here, but with ten of the rodisco feel, very atmospheric and non- oldest and most respected names in threatening. This isn't to suggest that bluegrass. That makes more sense, of the musicians in Level 42 are second- course, since Monroe, the Father of rate. Bassist Mark King is a perennial Bluegrass, basically started the whole winner in British music polls, the rest of genre to begin with. You can even get a the band is as tight as a drum, and the quick history of the music just from the vocals are consistently strong. In fact, I songs he's selected-all of which he found myself wishing these guys would wrote. hita sour note just to inject a little Murphey: back to grass roots There are some bone -chilling per- excitement. The problem is that "World formances on this LP, and not a clinker Machine" is flat-out bland. From the vocally in a way that shows off her in the bunch. The emphasis is more on first track it settles into a slow, lounge - range, though still not at the expense of vocal harmony and ensemble work than chair groove that's too slow to dance to any of the words. flashy instrumental work, and Mon - and too cool to engage you emotionally, All twelve of the songs on this West roe'simpassioned duet with Ralph and it never budges. Recommended German -recorded album are familiar Stanley,Can't You Hear Me Callan', only in small doses. M.P. from Broadway shows or Hollywood will positively raise the hair on your movies. The arrangements (by Gershon arms. The Jim and Jesse (and Bill) ver- JULIA MIGENES-JOHNSON: Kingsley, Peter Knight, Hans Ham- sion ofI'm on My Way Back to the Old Love.Julia Migenes-Johnson (vocals); merschmid, and Arno for) are in the Homeisn't far behind, and the way instrumental accompaniment.Tonight; understated, middle-of-the-road, Euro- Monroe and the Country Gentlemen do So in Love; People; I Love Paris; My pean style of the past twenty years, Lord, Protect My Soulwill start you Funny Valentine; Don't Cry for Me which is a plus for this repertoire. If thinking about getting your worldly Argentina; Getting to Know You;and Migenes-Johnson keeps up this stand- goods in order. five others. RCA ARL1-7034 $9.98, © ard, she may give "crossover" a good As a bonus, this album was recorded ARK1-7034 $9.98, © RCDI-7034 no name again. Roy Hemming digitally, without any overdubs or even list price. the use of earphones, so what you get Performance:Delightful STEPHANIE MILLS. Stephanie Mills here is the real thing-the bluebloods of Recording:Very good (vocals); instrumental accompaniment. bluegrass hunkered over a microphone Stand Back: Automatic Passion: Rising together, pickin' and singin' front -porch Classical artists crossing over into pop Desire; Time of Your Life; Hold On style. If you don't own any bluegrass repertoire usually fall into two catego- to Midnight;and three others. MCA records and think you might buyone, ries: exciting or embarrassing. Most, MCA -5669$8.98,© MCAC-5669 this isit.If you're already into blue- unfortunately, end up in the latter cate- $8.98. grass-or you're lucky enough to have gory. But not Julia Migenes-Johnson- Performance:Full of life this LP-then you know they just don't the soprano many moviegoers know get any better than this. A.N. from Rosi'sCarmen,TV audiences Recording:Very good from the Met telecast of Berg'sLulu Although at times producer George MICHAEL MARTIN MURPHEY: several seasons ago, and some of us Duke horns in on her act with too much Tonight We Ride.Michael Martin Mur- from a 1968 Vienna Volksoper record- synthesized clutter, Stephanie Mills is phey (vocals, guitar, banjo); instrumen- ing ofWest Side Story.In fact, I'd go so in such full command of her vocal tal accompaniment.Tonight We Ride; far as to say that, among operatically resources here that she manages to Rollin' Nowhere: Innocent Hearts; Face - trained singers, she is easily the one who override it and to endow some rather to -Face with the Night; Building Bridg- sounds most "at home" in pop reper- undistinctive material with a rare and es;andsixothers.WARNER BROS. toire since Dorothy Kirsten gave up welcome expressiveness. There is con- 25369-I $8.98, C 25369-4 $8.98. splitting her time between opera stages viction in every word she sings, and her and warbling radio duets with Frank delivery is unflaggingly energetic. One Performance:Back to basics Sinatra and Bing Crosby in the Forties outstanding selection is worth the price Recording:Good and Fifties. of the entire album: /Have Learned to MichaelMartin Murphey has been The secret is that Migenes-Johnson Respect the Power of Loveshimmers around a long time, of course, scoring a knows how to make the lyrics come with gospel flavor, and Mills hits some big pop hit withWildfirein 1975. It first, and then to express those lyrics high notes that tug at the guts. This is wasn't until the last few years, however, without distorting the musicalline. Stephanie Mills at her best. that his country roots finally took com- When she sings the Gershwins'Love Is mercial hold with a series of glossy Here to Stayor Rodgers and Hart'sMy BILL MONROE:Bill Monroe and country -pop hits, includingWhat's For- FunnyValentine,for example,she Stars of the Bluegrass Hall of Fame. ever For, Don't Count the Rainy Days, scales her voice down to an intimate Bill Monroe (vocals, mandolin); Jim andDisenchanted,all of which he re- purr that convinces you she means and Jesse, Ralph Stanley, the Country corded for Capitol. every word she's singing-and that Gentlemen, Bobby Hicks, Mac Wise- Now, on his first Warner Bros. al- she's singing directly to you, not to man, Del McCoury, the Osborne Broth- bum, the Texas -born Murphey has re- some anonymous shadow in the top ers, others (vocals and instrumentals). turned to his grass -roots influences- balcony. Yet with the more operetta - I'm on My Way Back to the Old Home: western-swing, honky-tonk, rock-and- likeAnd This Is My BelovedfromKis- Can't You Hear Me Callan: Travelin' roll, fiddle tunes, cowboy songs in the metor /Could Have Danced All Night This Lonesome Road; I'm Going Back Mexican/Marty Robbins style, and ro- fromMy Fair Lady,sheletsloose to Old Kentucky; Remember the Cross: mantic ballads-all done in a more

114 STEREO REVIEW JUNE1986 understated andtraditional manner broader range of emotions. With this ANTHONYPHILLIPS:Ivory Moon than his string of Capitol hits. The album, the second released since his (Piano Pieces1971-1985).Anthony thinking,Isuppose, was to nab the accident, the shift seems to be complete. Phillips (piano). Sea -Dogs Motoring, people who listen to country radio and Here is a far more mellow Teddy Pen- Suite; Tara's Theme (from Masquer- buy country records with the commer- dergrass than we usually encountered in ade); Winter's Thaw; The Old House; cial cuts, then expose them to the music the past, with more moderately paced Moonfall; Rapids. PVC/PASSPORT Murphey loves-and writes-best. numbers, though he can still generate PVC -8946 $8.98, © PVCC-8946 $8.98. Murphey says there's a thread that ample excitement on rockers like Never Performance: Exposed runs through this album-one of oper- Felt Like Dancin'. The best tracks here, Recording: Very good ating outside the system, with a sub- Love 4/2 and One of Us Fell in Love, theme of facing up to your mistakes. come at the beginning of side one, and it Genesis fans know Anthony Phillips as Whether that's a commentary on the was hard for me to get past them. But a founding member of that group. After direction his records have taken in the everything, really, is on the high level he parted company with Peter Gabriel past years, I don't know. But this is a that is characteristic of Pendergrass's et al. in 1971, Phillips began a relatively thoroughly decent little album, a bit too current work. P.G. obscure solo career that has produced a calculated and well rounded, perhaps, with a couple of songs that try too hard, especially Building Bridges, a duet with Pam Tillis, Mel's daughter, and Santa Fe Cantina, which has our protagonist imagining that a shopping -mall bar is really a you -know -what. On the other How some of you hand, Murphey has a couple of wistful winners here, notably The One That Got Away. And whenever his songwrit- delayed this Revox ing turns up a line that reads slightly out of kilter, at least his sweet Texas tenor speaker ad. goes a long way toward bailing it out. Hang in there, Michael. A.N. Sharp ears heard it before we had a chance to tell it. ROBERT PALMER: Riptide.Robert Palmer (vocals); vocal and instrumental accompaniment. Riptide; Hyperactive; Last year, when we first heard our new Piccolo/Bass speaker Addicted to Love; Trick Bag; Discipline combination, we thought, "Wow, these sound great, and we can of Love; and threeothers.ISLAND price them quite affordably. Let's run an ad!" 90471-1 $8.98, 90471-4 $8.98. Alas, the word spread too quickly. A few demos by a few percep- Performance: Spotty tive dealers and we were sold out. Then we were seriously back- Recording: Good ordered. We thought it prudent not to advertise speakers we On his new album, Robert Palmer trots could not deliver. out all his familiar trademarks-high- tensionblue-eyedsoulunderscored But now, thanks to diligence and overtime at our speaker plant here and there by traces of reggae and in Germany's Black Forest, we have Piccolo/Bass systems instock. the considerableinfluence of Little (At least we did on the day this copy was written.) Feat. The eight tracks are bookended by opening and reprise versions of the old So if you would.like to hear why your fellow audio enthusiasts Gus Kahn -Walter Donaldson Riptide, kept this ad out of print, hustle on down to your Revox dealer and the program bears out the title and listen to the astounding musi- song's confusion about love. But the cal realism of the Revox Piccolo/ only real grabber is Addicted to Love, which comes across as more than a Bass. Then marvel at the modest mildly horny listen. Discipline of Love price your dealer will ask for them. and I Didn't Mean to Turn You On do You may help toss this ad out of get the blood rushing, although nowhere print for another year or so. in particular. Alas, most of the other tunes just idle in place when you find Introducing (to the public at large) yourself dying to rev. Too bad. A.N. the compact Piccolo / Bass satellite and subwoofer speaker TEDDY PENDERGRASS: Workin' It system. Proof positive that Back.Teddy Pendergrass (vocals); vocal and instrumental accompaniment. great speakers should be Love 4/2; One of Us Fell in Love; Never heard and not (necessarily) Felt Like Dancin'; Let Me Be Closer; seen. andfourothers.ASYLUM 60447-1 $8.98, © 60447-4 $8.98. Performance: Excellent Recording: Very good Sometimes tragedy has a way of forcing =DD ER REVOX an artist to seek greater depths within Studer Revox America, Inc himself. That was certainly the case 1425 Elm Hill Pike with Teddy Pendergrass. Yet, even be- Nashville, TN 37210 fore he was seriously injured in an auto- 1615) 254-5651 mobile accident, Pendergrass seemed to Also available in black finish. be abandoning the ridiculously exaggerated macho posturing of his early re- CIRCLE NO. 43 ON READER SERVICE CARD cordings and was beginning to address a

STEREO REVIEW JUNE 1986 115 with all the warmth of a teen contestant simply for articulating issues. This is, on Star Search. As if the English didn't after all, such a politically debased peri- already think we were heathens. od that the MTV jock who introduced Having said that, let me quickly add the premiere broadcast of the video of that this is a pretty terrific album once For America, the lead song of the Ricky cuts the cornpone. He never does album, felt compelled to reassure the learn how to speak to an audience, and audience that it "isn't propaganda." he comes up short in tossing off any dia- The lyrics do present a rather pointed logue you'd want to take home with critique, but the message is blunted you. But then talking is not what Skaggs because the music by which it is carried does best. Once he picks up his axe of is fairly tepid. Browne has never been the moment-assisted by the band of terribly convincing when he's tried to the hour-he moves into your head and rock out, and since his melodic gift has starts rearranging the furniture. There been somewhat undernourished of late, are some terrific new songs here, Peter he doesn't have much else to fall back Rowan's You Make Me Feel Like a on. On other tracks here he tries riffs Man and Jim Rushing's Rockin' the looted from Bruce Springsteen (Lawless Boat foremost among them. The old Avenue), ersatz Latinisms (ditto), and standbys, too, like Country Boy and even a sort of affected tough -guy bluesi- Heartbroke, have new vigor in the live ness (Till I Go Down), but none of it renditions. But where Skaggs proves he quite jells. deserved his recent CMA Award is on On the better songs, the title track and the concept for Don't Get Above Your Black and White, Browne does sound as Raising, originally a nice, low-key Flatt if he's groping for a new and more con- and Scruggs country -bluegrasstune. vincing style. And you can't help but be Skaggs has revved up the tempo with a charmed, a little, by the spectacle of a stunning synthesis of rock, r -&-b, jazz, very rich corporate pop singer bemoan- and progressive country. Despite his ing the status quo and risking the loss of strong and expressive mountain tenor, his Yuppie audience in the process. picking has always seemed to receive "Lives in the Balance" is hardly a more attention from Skaggs than emo- BROWNE'S great work of art, but it's a respectable tive vocals. On this song he tosses off effort.It will be interesting to see if the vocal in an offhand manner, but he BALANCING ACT Browne continues in this vein or reverts squeezes stuff out of that guitar that to type. Steve Simels most pickers don't even know exists. Certainly Elvis Costello, who joins him ailACKSON BROWNE'S new "Lives in JACKSON BROWNE:Lives in the here, looks pathetic when he goes to the Balance" is his first explicitly Balance.Jackson Browne (vocals, gui- trade off guitar licks. But Elvis wins in political work, unless you count tar);vocal and instrumental accom- the vocal department, infusing his stan- hiscontributionstothe "No paniment. For America; Soldier of Plen- zas with urgency, hostility, and under- Nukes" album. While it's tempting to ty; In the Shape of a Heart; Candy; Law- dog desperation. It only makes Skaggs dismiss him as one of those privileged less Avenue; Lives in the Balance; Till I seem all the more like poor Gomer, lost California tofu liberals, I don't doubt Go Down; Black and White. ASYLUM in the big time sha-zammm! of playing that he's sincere in his Reagan -era quea- 60457-I$8.98, © 60457-4 $8.98, jolly old England. A.N. siness. And you have to give him credit 60457-2 no list price. ZZ TOP:Afterburner.ZZ Top (vocals andinstrumentals).SleepingBag; long succession of one-man projects. Theme to big, swelling pieces, like Rap- Stages; Work Up with Wood; Rough "Ivory Moon" is the sixth album in a ids, that could almost be Broadway Boy; Can't Stop Rockin; and five oth- series called "Private Parts and Pieces." show tunes. Call it Lite Piano, but if you ers. WARNER BROS. 25342-1 $9.98, What distinguishes this one from the don't mind a frank display of naked 25342-4 $9.98. rest of Phillips's work is its instrumen- emotion, you may like it. M.P. tation: solo piano. Now, a guitarist who Performance: Unfeeling blues records an album of solo piano is either RICKY SKAGGS:Live in London. Recording: Gorgeous very much his own man or very foolish. Ricky Skaggs (vocals, guitars, mando- Listening to "Afterburner" you can't I think both apply in the case of "Ivory caster, mandolin, fiddle); Elvis Costello help marveling at how flexible a form Moon," a bad album that sounds (vocals, guitar); the Ricky Skaggs Band the blues is and how cleverly the boys in good-flawed, but quite entertaining (vocals and instrumentals). Uncle Pen; ZZ Top dress it up. No matter how nevertheless. Cajun Moon; Country Boy; You Make technopoppy their rhythms get or how Phillips isn't afraid to expose his tech- Me Feel Like a Man; Rockin' the Boat; much electronic glitz they dump on top nical shortcomings, mainly a heavy- Don't Get Above Your Raising-, and four of those three basic blue chords, howev- handed sense of dynamics that's fre- others. EPIC 0 FE 40103, © FET 40103, er, this isstill recognizably the same quently at odds with the material. To no list price. music this band has been grinding out his credit, he has the good sense to keep since their days playing Texas road- his writing, particularly the harmony Performance: Ricky struts his stuff Recording: Lovely houses. That says a lot for the consisten- parts, well within his comfort zone; cy of their vision, but unfortunately unfortunately, this leaves you with the For all his dazzling musicianship and consistency is all this particular effort feeling that something is missing. Yet, almost singlehandedresurrectionof has to recommend it, since the rowdy despite these limitations, I found myself true country music, there are times charm and humor of ZZ Top's recent liking the record for its robust, uncom- when Ricky Skaggs appears embarrass- efforts is replaced here by a sort of staid promising melodies and unapologetic ingly like the Gomer Pyle of country professionalism. It sounds like a million romanticism. The compositions range music-so sincere, so pure of heart, so bucks, of course, and Billy Gibbons's from short introspections that sound hillbilly rube. Like when he allows actor ten -wheeler -in -outer -space guitar work almost like the Lyric Pieces of Grieg Charles Haid (Andy Renko on Hill remainscompelling.Butmostlyit (thoughPhillips'shammeringrobs Street Blues) to introduce him with all comes off as a contractual obligation them of much of their lyricism) and fan- the panache of a backwoods carnival album, and it confirms an old blues ciful,childlike melodies likeTara's barker, then runs through Cajun Moon truism: you can't fake the feeling.S.S.

116 STEREO REVIEW JUNE 1986 Andrae Crouch and a handful of robust Sixties "cool" romanticism-all of it FILM & THEATER vocals by one Tata Vega. The greatness musically routine and uninspired. comes from the past, in the form of vin- Roy Hemming tage recordings by Sidney Bechet, Louis Armstrong's Hot Five, and Coleman TROUBLE IN MIND (Mark Isham). Hawkins. C.A. Original -soundtrackrecording.Mar- ianne Faithful,(vocals);orchestra, DOWN AND OUT IN BEVERLY Mark !sham cond.ISLAND 90501-1 HILLS.Original -soundtrack recording. $8.98, © 90501-4 $8.98, © 90501-2 no Little Richard: Great Gash A'mighty; list price. Tuna Frutti. David Lee Roth: Califor- Performance: Moody nia Girls. Randy Newman: I Love L.A. Recording: Lush The Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan: El tecalitleco. And six others. MCA MCA - Trouble in Mind is the latest film from THE COLOR PURPLE(Quincy 6160 $9 98. © MCAC-6160 $9.98, © RobertAltman's protege AlanRu- Jones). Original -soundtrack recording. MCAD-6160 no list price. dolph, a director whose output has Tata Vega, Andrae Crouch, Sonny Ter- been, shall we say, uneven (his Wel- Performance: A mixed hag come to L.A. was one of the great stink- ry (vocals); members of the Christ Me- Recording: Good morial Church of God in Christ Choir; eroos of the Seventies). The soundtrack Coleman Hawkins (tenor saxophone); If anyone needs any proof that movie album, though, masterminded by com- Louis Armstrong (cornet, trumpet); Je- music is going through a crisis period poser Mark Isham, makes for highly rome Richardson (soprano saxophone); these days, here itis.Eclectic is one evocative listening, a moody mixture of Bobby Scott (piano); other musicians. thing, but this mishmash is down and Bernard Herrmann in his Taxi Driver QWEST 25389-1 two discs $17.98, © out in much more than Beverly Hills. phase and lush, Windham Hill -style 25389-4 two cassettes $17.98. It all starts out promisingly with Little jazz -pop fusion. The standout is the Richard's versionofGreatGosh title track, an old blues standard ren- Performance: Hill and dale A 'mighty and comes alive again briefly dered by Marianne Faithfull in her pat- Recording: Quite good with his Tutti Frutti and Randy New - ented whiskey -soaked rasp. The rest, all There is good, even great music in this man's / Love L.A. But most of the instrumental except for Faithfull's com- two -record set, but only when you make album (mainly by Andy Summers, lead pelling reading of a new Kris Kristoffer- it past the trite film score, which sounds guitarist of the Police) drifts aimlessly son song, 7'he Hawk, strikes my ears as like a number of things we have all through some mariachimaterial,a a highly effective contemporary equiva- heard many times before and have little trendy stab at rhythmic minimalism, lent of all those Fifties jazz scores out of need to hear again. On the good side, and a main theme that owes more than the Naked City school. Definitely worth thereis the rousing gospel sound of a little debt to Henry Mancini's early - a listen. S.S.

NEW MAGIC FROM THE DIGITAL MASTER COMPANY

Thunderous Bass Install In Minutes-without cutting holes Fit all Trucks, Vans, Hatchbacks, RVs and Boats Carpeted Enclosures Convenient Handles Exceptional 10 -Year Limited Warranty Install them with extra wire and you can easily use these rugged, durable speakers outside your vehicle at the park, ball games, tailgate parties, the beach, etc. Heavy-duty carpeting can be dyed to match color of vehicle interior. The Chick Ceres Elektric Band Quintessentia keyboard Road Thunder Speakers are portable and easy to master Chick Corea presents a GRP debut bearing a I the ear- place just where you want them. Such dynamic sound that people use them with their home stereo marks of a new Corea ;lassie. Featuring heavyweights Dave system. Weckl on drums, John Patitucci on bass, and guitarists Carlos Rios and Scott Henderson; The Elektric Band takes its place as ROAD THUNDER SPEAKERS one of the hottest releases of the year. Available on GRP for wherever you like to hear great sound records, cassettes, and compact discs. THE MC Loudspeakers-a Mitek company 1010IT AI. we One Mitek Plaza Winslow, IL 61089 COIMPANV

Phone (815) 367-3811 For a ttet color catalog write te 'SRP Records. Dept. C. 555 W 57th Street. New York. N.Y. 10019 CIRCLE NO.free ON READER SERVICE CARD CIRCLE NO61 ON READER SERVICE CARD STEREO REVIEW JUNE 1986 117 JAZZ Jersey-to a tumultuous reception. Fol- Rock Me to Sleep; This Love of Mine; lowing more rehearsals, the band taped Sad Feeling; Helen's Advice; and seven a TV special for PBS before an invited others.SAVOYSJL 1159 $8.98, SJK audience. That special was aired this 1159 $8.98. past March, and the soundtrack is on this new album. None of the foregoing Performance: Impeccable is related in Harlan Ellison's warmly Recording: From fair to good nostalgic liner notes, and that's too bad, The album notes here are a stale rehash for unless you're familiar with Good- of previously printed facts mixed with man's personnel over the years, you misguided observations, but thereis wouldn't know that this is essentially a nothing stale about Helen Humes's per- new band of mostly unknown, young formances. The set consists of record- musical swingers. And swing they do, ings made for Savoy and Discovery TERENCE BLANCHARD AND proving that, with the right leadership, between 1944 and 1950, when Humes DONALD HARRISON: Discernment. there are still good young musicians out had carved out a wide reputation as a Terence Blanchard (trumpet); Donald there who can dig into some of the now - vocalist with Count Basie's band and Harrison (alto saxophone); Mulgrew classic Big Band charts as excitingly as was taking full advantage of her blues Miller(piano);PhilBowler(bass); any old-timers. background to make her mark with the Ralph Peterson, Jr. (drums). When the Of course, Goodman did bring a few postwar rhythm-and-blues generation. Saints Go Marching In; Directions; Aki- oldsters in for the date too-such as Four sessions are represented, and all ra; Dorchester House; and four others. drummer Louis Bellson, pianist Dick have engaging qualities. The first set CONCORD JAZZGW-3008 $8.98. Hyman, trumpeter Paul Cohen, and was arranged and produced by Leonard Performance: Choice trombonist Bobby Pring-and several Feather, who also took over the piano Recording: Excellent of them shine in solo spots. But it's the chair. Despite these handicaps, Humes band as a whole that really shines, as if and a group of excellent musicians turn I used to think that Marion Williams's they'd all been playing for months at the out four enduring sides. Better material recording of When theSaints Go Capitol or the Paramount. and less archaic arrangements, howev- Marching In was the only digestible one Actually, the taping took place in er, give the second session, a 1950 West around, but now there is another. It's in New York City's glittering new Marriott Coast date with Marshall Royal, an this new album by the young New Marquis Hotel in Times Square, in an edge. The album's most vigorous track Orleans -born team of Terence Blan- obvious attempt to re-create the atmo- is E-Baba-Le-Ba. which is heard in the chard and Donald Harrison. Harrison's sphere of a Thirties hotel -room dance celebrated recording from the Los An- arrangement of Saints takes the old war date. On TV, the invited audience geles Shrine Auditorium with Roy Mil- horse seriously but imbuesitwith seemed too staid and sedate, casting a ton's band. Energetic and full of double enough whimsey to make it palatable. pall over much of the show. But hearing entendres, it was clearly written for the And what follows is even better. "Dis- just the music itself on this recording is gallery and became the most popular cernment" is a superb album by a group anotherexperiencealtogether.The item in the Helen Humes repertoire. of young musicians who are dedicated Fletcher Henderson arrangements have Finally, there are four more 1950 to the jazz tradition, and I hope they a good deal of bounce and bite and ben- selections, this time with more modern will remain so. The popularity of Wyn- efit greatly from the well -engineered accompaniments by tenor saxophonist ton Marsalis's traditional music has stereo sound. As for Goodman's own Dexter Gordon and a sextet. A sugges- proved a point jazz people have been silky -smooth solo in Gordon Jenkins's tive bit of fun from this session is Hel- trying to make for years. Let's keep a Goodbye, it certainly belies his years- en's Advice. a variation of which also good thing going. C.A. and makes us reluctant to take the song appearedasMillionDollarSecret. title literally in any way, shape, or form. There is a certain natural sameness to BENNY GOODMAN:Let's Dance. I want to hear more from this band. this music, but the honks, riffs, and Benny Goodman and His Orchestra. Roy Hemming shouts nevertheless add up to a good Let's Dance; Don't Be That Way; You half-hour of nostalgic fun. C.A. Brought a New Kind of Love to Me; HELEN HUMES:E-Baba-Le-Ba- King Porter Stomp; (I Would Do Most) The Rhythm and Blues Years.Helen BOBBY HUTCHERSON: GoodBait. Anything for You; and four others. Mu - Humes (vocals); instrumental accom- Bobby Hutcherson (vibraphone); Bran- SIC MASTERS0 20112 $8.98, © 40112 paniment. If I Could Be with You; ford Marsalis (soprano and tenor saxo- $8.98, © 60112 $12.99. Knockin' Myself Out; Airplane Blues; phones); George Cables (piano); Ray Drummond (bass);Philly Joe Jones Performance: Bright and swinging Helen Humes: engaging, nostalgic fun Recording: Crisp and clean (drums). Love Samba: Montgomery; In Walked Bud: Highway One; and three Rumor has it that Benny Goodman, others.LANDMARK0 501 $8.98, © 5- seventy-six, decided he couldn't stay 501 $8.98, FCD 640-501 $16.98. inactive after all the attention Artie Shaw, seventy-five, got last year when Performance: Excellent he fronted a dance band bearing his Recording: Excellent name for the first time in nearly thirty When it was first released on vinyl last years. And so, early last fall, there was year, Bobby Hutcherson's "Good Bait" B.G. back on stage too, leading a band album served to launch Orrin Keep- for the first time since long before he news's Landmark label. Now it is also was hospitalized with a heart ailment in available on a Compact Disc imported late 1982. from Japan. Either way you spin it, it is Instead of organizing an all-star band a worthwhile set. of old-timers, Goodman took over the Hutcherson has not exactlybeen existing orchestra of twenty -six -year -old shunned by the recording industry, but Loren Schoenberg. It was primarily a he has never gotten the public recogni- rehearsal and studio band that per- tion his talent deserves. Here he shows formed publicly off and on and only in his mettle as he leads a quintet com- the New York area. After several weeks pleted by saxophonist Branford Marsal- of rehearsals with Goodman's charts, is, the superb pianist George Cables, the band made its first appearance at bassist Ray Drummond, and the late the Waterloo Village Festival in New drummer Philly Joe Jones. Together

118 STEREO REVIEW JUNE 1986 B. ORDER TOLL -FREE 23 PARK ROW

800.221.8180 NEW YORK CITY U IN NEW YORK. ALASKA NEW YORK 6 CANADA CALL: 10038 (212) 693-0396 LL.WR Win% U Shop at home and save 10% to 50% and more. .. onquality merchandise -fully guaranteed 0110111501100111411111111111-114-111 'TOP 10 RECENING imamRenvissignie 00101.1. Technic, *ft Panasonc VA -8120 SA -190 7BA.SF lolaimooss°11.5110 541.1 35 Watts Per Channel Receive, Dignal AM/FM Tuning $729 BONUS PACK $4495 1 6-Presef Stations Black Finish $11995 CHROME CASSETTE CASE A t5 95 Value Free With In. Pi,rchase Of 4 CR F090 s Chrome Cassettes Style line Telephone firth SHERWOOD $2660 SOW/Chiop Rated '15995 13. Memory Hold & Radial AKAI AAV201 40W/Ch. Black OR Silver '13995 T120 On Your Choice 01 Red Toast Or While AKAI AAV301 60W/Ch.Black Or Silver '19095 Chrome Video Tape loch 4E49 AKAI AAV4OI SOW/Ch Black OK Silver '24995 AT&T NOMAD 4400 CordlessPhone lonePulse '99 95 MARANTZ SR940 100W/Ch.Dig.Rernofellock '33995 .0/ FREEDOM PHONE 4000X Cordless.15001nler '16995 NIKKO 10750 4W/Ch.Di9.28PresetkIlock '19995 PANASONIC KXT3F31 Coidle010 Tone/Pulse '$995 NIKKO N1265011 65w /ch DigRernote Black '35995 TOP 10' "TOPTEM" PANASONICXT7320 Phone 30. Tone /Pulse'4005 IN TECHNICS 56290 50. /chAM&FM Stereo '13995 ANSWERING MACHINES TECHNICS SAI3O 35W /C hAncrlog une r Black'9995 VIDEO f1035SIM6 VIDEOS orecoTon CODE A-PWWIE 3530BeeisenepReni M'o roC ass`119 95 'TOP 10' SUMMER SAVINGS PANASONIC KXT1415 Remote VOX C °aro' '79 95 V-622 PANASONIC K XT2421 Phone & AnsMoch & 30'13095 CASSETTE DECKS EXPLOSION! r PANASONIC K0T2425 Phone & Rem Answer'164.95 M PHONEMATE 5060 Phone & Rem AnsMochme WOOS 111 A KAI GXR-60 1175700'.' our oice Univertal Decoder 'TOP 10' Works On AllMIS Ns VCR'S $11995 52295 CAR STEREOS $22495 -II Fven Wrtttout MP% Jacks EACH 5011Touch Cont., Cassette Deck Dolby B/C & Obit Noise Reduction UDIOSOURCI mn A /V SeleclorProc '29995 OilFor 559.95 0 49".....1 CRD-350 Record Mule Timer Stand By D1SCWASHER HIMOCLEAMER Beta Or .HS '995 Digirol AM Stereo /FM Stereo 111 GENEVA NEADCLIANIR VHS Or Belo '11 95 Aulo Reverse Dolby B & C AKAI NXA2OI Dolby e & Chock Or Saver '6495 RIDOTON V604A babilizer/Enhancer W/RF Moo91195 12 Watts Per/Ch RMS DIN Chassis $18995 AKM HOMO A/R.Dolby B/C Music Search '13995 RHOADES SWSX4 Pt Synlcher & Distributer '14999 American GraPh AMMO! House Big Col Slues NIKKO ND750 A/R Dolby B/C Block '19995 SSI M360 Surround Sound Decoder '26995 Brolhers Smoker Moront Drocula Immonuelle JENSEN 10135 A/R Dig APC.Fader '159.95

TEAC 1999 A/R.Dolby B/C dbx1Heoas '54995 VIDTECN 101390 Wireless Remote AddOn '12005 Fronkension Funny Gel Jaws Mmecry Monte CLARION 9500 Dolby.I3 SW X 4/ChDigrtal 139.95 '29095 Pie Sling DOUlLE CASSETTE DECKS VIDICRAFT A/V-PROCESSOR Ain/Out Python Tom Diner The Natural CLARION $900 AMStereo/FM-PereoDolby B/C129.96 VID1CRAFT RETAILER III Detoim '19995 The Way We Where AKAI HM301 Dolby B/C Hi Speed Dubbing '12995 CONCORD HPL12212 Quartz Digrtol.Dolby 979.95 IM CONCORD 101.520 M912 5W/Ch.Dolby B/C.249.95 NIKKO ND$50 A/R Dolby 11 /C.HiSpa Relay Play'279 95 'TOP 11AC W440 Dolby B/C High Speed Dubbing '19995 10' 70f' 10' PANASONIC C11$535 A/ROrg 14W/Ch.Foder 979.95 m TECHNICS R5T20 Dolby II/CM-Speed Dubbing 949 95 AUDIO ACCEESSORN5 LADED RECORDERS ILAUPLIMET TUCSON DcLfro-ArnpDanA/RAMS,299.95 TECHNICS 15T60 A/olby B/CM-SpeedAlS '25995 SHERWOOD C10210 A/E1260/C.12W/Ch 179.99 Tin., FM -11403 SONY SLHF-400 SONY ES -1110 Dr9A/RAMSFoderAuloScon 939.95 We Carry A Complete SUPER BETA .1. ReconTle Indoof Omnidirectional Ski Antenna SIe,eo Tuner We Carry A Complete Selection Of Adrustoble 0 24de Goa Selection Of CD PIONEER' Wheless Remote CAR STEREO, AUDIO S. VIDEO 44995 SONY® PRODUCTS. PLEASE CALL OR IN STOCK! ITS PRODUCTS PLEASE CALL OR WRITE FOR INFORMATION SONY SLI0550 Super Bela Ht tiSloMo '5499! WRITE FOR OUR PRICES ALISOP 71300 rape Heap Cleaner 195 SONY 51.HFR70 HrIl Ready Super Bela '36991 'TOP 10' AUDIO TECHNICA ATAOS insuknoi Feet '1.95 VHS 'TOP 10' DISCWASHER DISCKIT TolcoCore Kit '3295 HITACHI 1:11400A HO Ste. 2 Dolby Cooks '39995 CAR SPEAKERS CARTRIDGES & TIARKTAIR.6 LAST 51500 Sinus Treatment Kit '13.95 HITACHI VTBAA Hi FiCable.Remote '47995 simems V-15 TYPE VmR MAXELL HE44 Cassette Head Dernog 92.95 JVC 11110140 Mead 10-Furetion Remote '339.9S JENSFA yT MONSTER CABLE INTSRUNK'4I Meter pok 12.95 PANASONIC PV1360 HG1.2 Head Wirele s Rem '321195 Micro Bodge Stylus MONSTER CABLE INTIRUNKA -Mete- poly 9995 PANASONIC 14560 KI.4Hd.9emote Cable '449.05 JTX-300 $6666 TECHNICS 51/F101 0.1 Electronic Wing Antenna '69 95 PANASONIC 881740 F1212/11Ev.4Hd 14995 O' X 9'Trios Speakers (0-D, $13995 TOO HIT31 Cassette Head Dernog '1295 RCA VLT395 Slereo.DolbyharnoleCoble t369.99 150 Watts Max per Channel 'TOP 1G' CLARION SIM 6"X 9" 3Way80Wans '59 95 AUDIO TICHNIC 152MLP P Mour, '139 95 'TOP 10' PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS JENSEN 13003 4Coax Pun -Mount '4795 PICKERING TLC P Mount '1495 STEREO -TOGO JENSEN 13013 6" Coos ThirtMount '49 95 AUDIO TECHNICA 140ML P Mauro '5995 Panasonic ES -862 JENSEN 23023 6 ; Inas ThrnMount '6995 SHURE V15-1VMR Micro Ridge Sinus '7095 SONYWMF100 JENSEN 1CO24.3 4 i" Coa170Walts '4495 STANTON 6600L Disco Fri Stylus '4495 WORLD'S SMALLEST MR. WHISK 141"X 069 6' X 9' WalerprOcal COOpoi '749S ARM APA201 Semi Auto Dnve '5095 RECHARGEABLE WALKMAN. SONY ES592 6" X 9" Coastal '3995 NUMMI( 111600 Disco TobleOuarILDO-Monuolt279 95 VISONIK 06001 LITTLE DAVID Su,,oce Mo.,' .15995 TECHNICS SL.J3 Auto UnTrILDI02rishog '13995 $4495 0150111K 05200 SLIM DAVID 2 Way '13005 TECHNICS ILLS Auto linTrILRanclornAccen '14995 $12995 veet & Dry R-schargeab e Shover 70P 10' 'TOP 10' Dolby.AM/ FM Auto/Reverse Totally Submersible PopDp Timmer Rechorgable Bahenes W/Cnarger RADAR DETIECTORS & CAR SECURITY HEADPHONES Includes AC Recharger/Storage Holder PANASONIC MI AM/FM Radio.] Position FO '29.95 MilS1 LEH SPECTRUM ..CLOSEOUT' '74.95 VONAHM 200 Portable Uhasonic Hurnidiher'1995 KOSS 4AAA PANASONIC inns FM /CaskDolby Metal IIONAJBB BIOTECH 1000 Ail Pallet '18995 Quadrodyne Radar Defect°, Studio Monitoring Headphone TOSPNBA 0E4085 AM/FMA/RRecorcer '11099 '74.95 IRAUN 3512 Recharge Shover Multi Umfrage 'MOS Pneumalne Farcushrans SONY Whf75 Water Resistant DolbyA,'R NORELCO HP1320 Recharge Mead :haver '2705 SONY WIADOC Pro Walkman.Dolby B Rec '249.95 SONY WMDC2 Quart:Dolby B & C hR '14995 HONIG° SP35 Elecfnc Shoe Polisher 17.5 $17495 SONY WM100 A/R.Dolby Rechorgcble 1095 NORELCO HP132111 RototrockRecnorceabie '5095 AUTO PAGE 4600 Keyless Rem Mown w/Page,999 95 PANASONIC 1S343 Titanium Head Redhorge '0995 $3888 SONY WWII AM /FMA /R DoK,y311a FO '6995 &EL 834SUPE1 Superset Visor/Dash '17095 SONY WMWIOO Dubbing Rec Wooman Dolby 19 95 SHARP M$371 Blood Pressure MonitorPnnts '9995 BEL 870 Micro Eye Visor/Dosn '13005 MYER DT330M101 Semi Open Av lightweight1.95 SHARP MT206 lCD Dpitat Thermometer COBRA 103110 NEW Srnoll.SuPer Net '12095

KOSS 4AAA NEW Nodal Ready '51.05 2. A( "SPECIAL'SPECIALCASSETTE PURCHASE" FOX MICOOPDX Ulna Small Super Het - 24995 KOSS PRO4X Digital Ready '579S V-11500 3-Neod PAGE ALERT PA4444 Deluxe Pager $995 KOSS PORTAPRO Light Weight '3495 V-3000 Sof:Touch Castello Deck UNGO 114000 Remote Alarm System '20995 SENNHEISER 40430 Open An '79 95 Cassette Deck 36925 UNIDEN BANDIT 95 Rem Super Het '129 95 SENNHEISER MSIOO Micro Extra Lightweight '49$ - Dolby B/C db. Nose Reduchon 2 -Moron xisto UNIDEN RO9 Ultra Small Super Het '21995 SONY MDRCD5 Suitable For Nadal MUSK '6995 $7r5 Tope Selector Musw Search Intro Check SONY MDRI265 Micro Sue Water Resistant '2995 Dolby S 6 C Norse Reduction LED Peak Meter 'TOP 10' Tenn Standby List Rice '24995 UP Price '51 95 SONY MDRA477 11egnoiReadY '5995 AUDIO TAPES V 750 3 Head MAC R9118X 3 Head Cosset,. Deck .7 10' Cassette Deck EQUAL1111/01 & MIXERS $41995 !own xLIIS-90 $2499s Hign Boy ADC 581120 1011d/ChFQ LEDS TAPE '6995 Auto revers. Dolby e C ms Nate Reduction. '19995 Dolby 11 C Nose Reduction 2-Molors,lias Adjust 1Mohars Music Search Auto Tape Selector ADC 553180 1011d/Ch IQ Spec MU Mum Search Record Muie Psi Pnce '399 95 ADC SS425X 128d/ChAMernonesDisplay '29995 Memory Stop LIP Rice 599 95 $2f1! AUDIO SOURCE 1011 10bc1/ch.AnUr '9095 700 AUDIOSOURCI 10141 105.2/Ch FOAM/ . '24995 MAXELL UR-90(2 Pack) Low Nom HUMAN DM1150 Miser6 inputs/outputs '12495 MAXELL UDS'60(2 Pack) Una DYnern, 7 69 NUMARK DM1650 Mixer/Pre Arnpitia.. '20995 SONY UCSIC.90 High Bms 109 NUMARK D041800 Disco Mixer/Pre Amp/10 '31995 ALL PRODUCTS CARRY FULL MANUFACTURERS WARRANTIES SONY 10-90(2 Pack) Normal Boos 2 19 TEAC MAIO 100d/Ch Spec Chsploy '70 95 TDK 0'60 Dynamic Normal Bias 891 NUMARK 060390 DtscaMixer/N: Arno '14995 TOO SA'CO Super Awlyn '180 ' " ' '" TIM Super HrBias '210 'TOP10' TIAC COC'90 Normal Reello Reel Cassette '290 COMPACI. 05C PLAYERS TEAC Cl/C-90 Hi bas Reel To Reel Coperte '320 Teich n SL -P300 $27995 'TOP 10' *Wireless Remote VIDEO TAPES ...c Sc on 1 $77.1W111V4-7. AUDIO/ VIDEO COMPUTER MAXELL L-7501-100 High Grade '599 Programmable ELECTRONICS CATALOG Block Finish - MAXELL T.120f0 NEW .449 RECORD. CASSETTE MAXELL 11201100 High Grade '599 IY ADC CD1OOX Programmable Black '1609S AND CD CATALOG SCOTCH 1-12010 Mal, Grade 09 TECHNICS SLP100 Frog Finer '219 95 VIDEO MOM CATALOG SONY 1100 4 39 AUDIO TECHNICA C010 Programmable '2299S SONY ?SOLING unto Nigh Grade '5 59 PANASONIC SLNP3 Ponable NI AC Elk '199 95 itv. .0 11.1 15,1 Al AM N11115111 OUR' I Al 111 ,11,1 I 4,1 1IL t 0'5 SONY 1.120 4140 SHARP DX100 Programmable '15905 %Nil MCI 5 I.11 11111I 1.0114E114027 AN11551 I I SI II -110W 01511 11.1*111 SONY T 120USIG Unto High Grade 159 TECHNICS SLP.111 Progammoble Black '19995 1,51. III cm 11.1110-1 CAIN OGS t1131.1 11,AfIr EDO L 750ENG High Grade '549 SONY D75 Horne/Port W/BonerY AC & Coke '23095 TOO F170 OR 1x50 A 49 TEAC PD500 Remote Prog'ommable Block'34905 I, YIDlO 1 TECHNICS SUM] Port & Horne Progrommoble '229 OS !1=?Pi. NOTE:W EA ICJADRI gY A ViLELOL I N EA ,(J)DF

23 PARK ROW DEPT. SR -6 NEW YORK, NY 10038 COMPUTERS IN EVERY MAJOR BRAND DO NOT .40 CM,. THIS LISTING IS JUST A SMALL SAMPLE IN

Si'.iNiMulla 05011 NAME: OUR '10 000.000 INVENTORY PLEASE I 51, CALL US TOLL FREE OR US FOR

ADDRESS: PRICES ON ITEMS NOTLISWTEDRITE INTO THISAD I 501 NO r 0 P s DEALERS /INSTITUTIONAL il MFSICHANOli. 50010 eenhia i I V: i CITY: STATE: INQUIRIES CALI 18001 221-3191 PLILAW. 11 MD 11 00 101111111411, ANDII ,,,, ,i, 4/BIMIMINIMMMINIIMMMM41110..111.1....1."'.""""''inininii...111111MIIMMMMINIIMIIIIIIMMIIIIMINIMII. CIRCLE NO39 ON READER SERVICE CARD CAADEUSA the STORY Soundcraftsmen Celebrates it's 17th Year of Manufacturing Audio Components for the Discriminating Audiophile... Right Here in Santa Ana, California From the introduction of our first Equalizer in 1969, through to our More Importantly, EVERY completed unit is final Q -C Tested 3 present-day product line of 26 models of U.S. Made Amplifiers, Pre- TIMES! ...First, EVERY unit is electronically tested for specifica- amps, Equalizers, and Analyzers, all made right here in Santa Ana, tion accuracy... and Second, EVERY unit is connected to a High our goal has been to Design and Manufacture very affordable State - Fidelity system and listened to-just like you would at home.. and of -the Art "SEPARATES," with all of the unique and necessary fea- Third, if your unit meets or exceeds the critical standards set forth on tures that audiophiles demand...and to assure the highest level of these tests, it is then hooked up and tested again on the final packing performance, 35% of Soundcraftsmen's Production Staff is involved line, before it is packaged for shipment. EVERY unit, absolutely no in Quality Control procedures...100% Quality Control is seen on exceptions, is FINAL -TESTED 3 SEPARATE TIMES, in 3 SEPA- EVERY unit manufactured, and EVERY transistor and EVERY cir- RATE DEPARTMENTS, to assure you unsurpassed Reliability as cuit board is put through an individual test. well as superb Performance.

PRODUCTION AREA, MAIN PLANT PRECISION COIL -WINDING HAND-CRAFTED COMPONENTS

CIRCUIT BOARD LAYOUT ENGINEERING AND DESIGN QUALITY CONTROL #1 Meet Paul Rolfes, Chief Engineer, V.P., and inventor of Soundcraftsmen's many "FIRSTS" in amplifier technology... His inventions in electronic power circuitry have resulted in more than a dozen original patents,plus all of the following Audio industry "FIRSTS": FIRST-withsignal -tracking multiple -rail power supplies. FIRST-withfully electronic automatic resetting crowbar circuitry. FIRST-withPhase -Control -Regulation power supplies. FIRST-withautomatic low -impedance power supply selection. The Audio Industry's Most Complete line of Power Amplifiers- 16 Models of Power Mosfet and Class H Amplifiers, from 125 Watts p/c to 375 Watts p/c @ 8 ohms, 20-20kHz, <0.05% THD.

Our newest Power Mosfet Amplifier is the PM840, a phenominal value in High -Current and High-Power...205 watts per channel output at 8 ohms, 20Hz to 20kHz with less than 0.05% THD, and with a Performance/Value ratio that is unmatched... a total of 410 watts RMS at 8 ohms, over 600 watts RMS at 4 ohms, and over 900 watts RMS at 2 ohms $499. Shown above A2502 Power Mosfet 125 Watts per Channel

17es, rush me the name of my nearest dealer. 1986 Buyer's Guide, and info or71 IFREE 16 -page color Brochure and 12" LP Test Record System Evaluation Kit. I Mail to Soundcraftsmen. 2200 S. Ritchey. Santa Ana, CA 92705 FREE! 16 -PAGE FULL COLOR BROCHURE. AND Name $19.95 SYSTEM EVALUATION KIT: 1--2" LP IAddress Spectrum Analysts Test Record.2 -setsof Computone Charts,1 -Connector Catlefor City comparison test.1 -instruction folder hr use State Zip with your present stereo system. Send cou- 1- pon for FREE SPECIAL OFFER DETALS.

CIRCLE NO0 ON READER SERVICE CARD Canada: Tri-Tel Assoc. Ontario M2H2S5 details A DIFFERENT KIND OF RECORD CLUB they produce a tightly knit sound that though a synthesizer sometimes re- EE places the sturdy old organ of yester- TREMENDOUS SAVINGS will give both body and mind a work- INCLUDING COMPACT DISCS... out, and one track, Thelonious Monk's year, the overall effect is true. The crew in every record and tape in print- In Walked Bud, isworth the entire price is at its best on bouncy, bluesy numbers no "agree -to -purchase- oblication of any kind. of admission. C.A. like Next Time You See MeandBlood- DISCOUNTS OF 20% TO 73% shot Eyes,all guaranteed to take you off mgf. suggested list... special catalog ESTHER PHILLIPS: AWay to Say back at least twenty years. P.G. features hundreds of titles and artists MOST LABELS AVAILABLE Goodbye.Esther Phillips (vocals); in- including most imports through special custom strumental accompaniment.It's All in LEE WILEY:The Songs of George and ordering service-guarantees satisfaction the Game; Mr. Bojangles; Shake This Ira Gershwin and Cole Porter.Lee Wi- SCHWANN CATALOG Off Nowhere to Run; Goin' in Circles; ley (vocals); the orchestras of Joe Bush- lists thousands of titles. We Were Through; A Way to Say Good- kin and Max Kaminsky, with Fats DISCOUNT DIVIDEND COUPONS bye; Mama Said; Fa Fa Fa Fa.MUSE Waller, Bunny Berigan, others.How ,edeemable immediately for extra discounts Long Has This Been Going On?; My NEWSLETTERS MR 5302 $8.98. informational news and happenings in the One and Only; Sweet and Low Down; 'S world 3I music ... special super sale listings Performance:Dependable Wonderful; I've Got a Crush on You; Recording:Good DISCOUNT NEEDLE GUIDE Someone to Watch Over Me;and ten most mfg. replacements available In August 1984, just five months before others. AUDIOPHILE 0 AP -1 $7.98. QUICK SERVICE her death, Esther Phillips capped her same day shipping on many orders.. Performance:Not to be missed rarely later than the next several days recording career with an album that in Recording:Smooth and mellow 100% IRON -CLAD GUARANTEES many ways sums up her life. Its eerily on all products and services-your total prophetic title is taken from one of the You can say one thing about the record- satisfaction is unconditionally guaranteed songs, and its program reflects the many ing business today compared with fifty Discount Music Club is a no -obligation membership pop -music styles she had seen come and years ago: it's a lot easier for the most chi) that guarantees tremendous discounts onall go in her three and a half decades of per- talentedperformerstogetrecords stereo records, tapes and CD's and let you buy what made, if not by the best-known labels you want...when you want.. or not at all if you choose. forming. Phillips had roots in rhythm- These are just a few of the money -saving reasons to and-blues, but as she matured "Little then at least by the myriad small inde- wrde for tree details. You can't lose so why not fill out Esther" began to win over jazz au- pendents around. In the Thirties, how- and mail the coupon below for immediate information diences with a nasal vocal style reminis- ever, the handful of existing record cent of Dinah Washington. That nasal companies limited their rosters to a few dins DISCOUNT MUSIC CLUB, INC 009-0686 quality became more pronounced to- names. As a result, we have very small 481 Main Street. New Rochelle. N.Y. 10801 ward the end, but Phillips's own virtues recorded legacies from such fine, dis- Name always shone through. These final state- tinctive singers, well-known to radio Address _ ments do not compare favorably with and club audiences, as Lee Wiley, Helen City Morgan,Annette Hanshaw,Ilomay her work in the Seventies, but they are Stile Lin definitely worth hearing. C.A. Bailey, and Shirley Ross. k_ _4 Wiley, in particular, surely influenced CIRCLE NO71 ON READER SERVICE CARD ARTHUR PRYSOCK:A Rockin' Good more singers who straddled the jazz/ Way.Arthur Prysock (vocals); Red Pry - pop line in the Thirties and Forties than sock Band (instrumentals). Baby just about any other white singer be- -Shelf Conscious? (You've Got What It Takes); I Want to sides Mildred Bailey. Yet all that to- Now you can organize your copies of ThankYou,Girl;BloodshotEyes; day's listeners have are some of Wiley's Teach Me Tonight; Every Morning old radio shows (possibly pirated) that have turned up on discs in recent years Stereo Review Baby; Passing Strangers; Next Time Now your magazines can be a handsome You See Me; A Rockin' Good Way. to supplement a couple of LPs compiled addition to your decor, well organized, and easy MILESTONE M-9139 $8.98. from Columbia 78's. Now comes this to find, thanks to these durable library -quality gem, which anyone who cares about the Performance:Mellow cases or binders. They're made of luxury -look artof the American popular song leatherette over high -quality binders board. And Very good Recording: shouldn't be without. both styles are custom -designed for this or any Arthur Prysock is one of the most dura- The eight Gershwin and eight Porter magazine you save, with size, color, and imprint ble veterans of a bygone era, and the songs here were originally recorded in selected by the publisher. FREE transfer foil years have treated him well. While he 1939 and 1940, respectively, for two 78 - included for marking dates and volumes. once stood in the shadow of Billy Eck - rpm albums issued by New York City's Magazine binders hold a year's Liberty Music Shops for its knowing issues on individual snap -in rods. stifle, whom he resembles in voice and combining them into one volume. appearance, he later came into his own clientele in an age when such independ- $7.95 each; 3 for $22.50; 6 for $42.95. with an abundance of recordings. This ent ventures were rare indeed. Wiley's Mixed titles OK for quantity prices. new set offers vintage interpretations of small back-up groups included some of Open -back casesstore your songs ideally suited to his warm person- the town's best jazz musicians-Fats issues for individual reference. al approach. Waller, Bunny Berigan, and Pee Wee '6.95 each; 3 for $19.75; Several selections strike a nostalgic Russell among them-who sat in with- 6 for $37.50. Mixed response, especiallyTeach Me Tonight, out billing because of contractual con- titles OK for which Prysock sings as though it had flicts with major complanies. The arran- quantity prices. been written yesterday. There are some gers, including Paul Wetstein (then with choice duetson Baby (You've Got What Tommy Dorsey but soon to go out on Stereo Review. P.O. Box 5120 It Takes),which was a hit for Dinah his own as Paul Weston), tailored each Philadelphia, PA 19141 song to complement Wiley's alternately Please send: Cases Binders Quantity Washington and Brook Benton, and Stereo Review: Passing Strangers,previously done by sultry and lightly swinging vocalism. (Other titles). Sarah Vaughan and Eckstine. Prysock's This latest LP transfer has generally ENCLOSED IS $ 'Add $1.00 per order partner on these tracks, Betty Joplin, is quiet surfaces and ungimmicky sound, for post. & handling. Outside USA add $2.50 per unit ordered. Send U.S. funds only. CHARGE ORDERS avirtual unknown, with a vocal style without the added echo and electronic accepted for American Express. VISA, or MC. PHONE reminiscent of the young Nancy Wil- "enhancement" that plague some reis- TOLL FREE 800-526-0790. In NJ only 201- son, and she complements Prysock with sues. The excellent liner notes include a 540.0445. BY MAIL include credit card name. . ease and grace. marvelous essay on Wiley by singer - and exp. date. MINIMUM CHARGE ORDER $10 Part of the nostalgic glow here is author Larry Carr and detailed informa- Print Name created by the instrumental accompani- tion about the recording sessions and Address ment of tenor saxophonist Red Prysock personnel. In all, a prize package. City/State/Zip (Arthur's brother) and his band. Al- Roy Hemming 'PA residents add 6% sales tax.

STEREOREVIEW JUNE 1986 121 a/17--//177v 1CN CBS MASTERWORKS CASSETTES! M A S T E

Whether you're at the beach, on your bike, offon a picnic or out for a drive, nothing refreshes your spirit like the stimulating sound of Masterworkscassettes. Only Masterworks gives you four distinctively differentways to bring the very best in classical R music to your active summer lifestyle!

MOZART

The 10,11 *rat Performances %Win 'oelerrAft 4a, MOZART EINE NACHIMUSE ?44,11111,110 1111114 OYU MN SIM 141rIll MINICOMPO Noss maven ISIC hillisk Ow*, &client MEL 11W1110111 WALTER CUR Riff 0 ORCHESTRA 11,1444441150,41411111,7190' colartm Lola* Nam era.. 1,164 Peet

.;$ 4 Tulle OVERTURE SidlM!e TI I ..E ,AROOVEFRIAt Th R Pram. rt IMT 42096 YT 39779 MC, I 39;99 MYT 37774 Masterworks: Odyssey Cassettes: Classical 90's: Great Performances: Our state -of -the -arts Masterworks at major Ourclassicdouble The Top -100 recordings on chromium dioxide savings! Legendary re- play. A full 90 minutes of of the basic classical cassettes; from world- cordings digitally remas- thebest-sellingreper- repertoire including: renowned classical per- K tered from the original toire from our most out- Ravel's Bolero, Tchaikov- formances to the newest session tapes. standingartists.Twice sky's 1812 Overture, Vi- adventures ofavant- themusicat asingle valdi's The Four Seasons, garde. great price! and more, all at a clas- sically modest price! S Look for ten great new releaseson Odyssey Cassettes and Classical 90's later thisyear. Quench your thirst for classical musicon the go with CBS Masterworks Cassettes!

IRS CI, Odyssey" It are trademarks of CBS Inc 1986 CBS In, CIRCLE NO5 ON READER SERVICE CARD CLASSICAL MUSIC

Discs and tapes reviewed by TACCHINO'S Robert Ac kart INSPIRED POULENC Richard Freed IANISTGabriel Tacchino's happy identification with the music David Hall of Poulenc goes back to the very Stoddard Lincoln beginning of his career, and it has often been stunningly confirmed in his recordings. EMI/France has now re- BEETHOVEN: Piano Concertos Nos. 3 leased the fourth and final volume in and 4 (see Best of the Month, page Tacchino's survey of Poulenc's solo - 108) piano works, and you may be sure that he takes nothing for granted in the BELLINI: I Capuleti e i Montecchi. music. There is no relaxation of the Agnes Baltsa (mezzo-soprano), Romeo; total commitment that has so vivified Edita Gruberova (soprano), Giulietta; all of the previous volumes in the series, Gwynne Howell (bass), Capellio; Dino which Tacchino began in 1966. Raffanti (tenor), Tebaldo; John Tom- The tiniest pieces here-such as the linson (bass), Lorenzo. Chorus and Or- five Impromptus, with their faint pre - chestra of the Royal Opera, Covent echoes of the Double Concerto, or En Garden, Riccardo Muti cond. ANGEL 0 bateau and En chemin defer among the DSB-3969 two discs $23.98, 4D2S- Promenades-yieldunexpectedsub- 3969 two cassettes $23.98. stance, and the three movements of the Napoli suite fairly blaze with the flush Performance: Lyrical, graceful of inspiration that must have produced Recording: Clear, well balanced them. And, speaking of inspiration, To characterize this performance of what an inspired touch it was to save Bellini's treatment of the Romeo and the deliciously warmhearted and exu- Juliet story as "lyrical" and "graceful" berant Boutee au pavilion d'Auvergne might seem like a put-down, but it is for the final item on this disc, and in the not. Riccardo Muti and his assembled series. forces capture the composer's limpid, Why don't these pieces turn up on fluent melodic style, and their execu- recital programs? Perhaps because no tion is accurate and expressive. The one else has Tacchino's singular affinity truthis,though, that the opera just for them. But what a joy this whole doesn't have much dramatic thrust. It series has been, particularly with the was written in only six weeks, using outstanding sonics the performances POULENC: Feuillets d'album; Five material borrowed from Bellini's earlier deserve. This final installment, Direct Impromptus; Napoli; Promenades; Ba- and unsuccessful opera Zaira and with Metal Mastered, is simply one of the dinage; Bow& au pavilion d'Auvergne. a libretto relying heavily on the crude finest -sounding piano recordings you Gabriel Tacchino (piano). LA VOIX DE source from which Shakespeare drew are likely to hear in any format. It is also SON MAITRE/EMI 0 173196-1 $12.98 his play. A tale of sweethearts, not pas- one of the most appealing packages of (from International Book and Record sionate young lovers, I Capuleti e i music you are not likely to hear from Distributors, 40-11 24th St., Long Is- Montecchi adheres to such a gentle level any other source. Richard Freed land City, NY 11101). of intensity that what has been limpid becomes languid, and what has been tender turns melancholy. Yet the opera strained on the top; otherwise, he sings Luciano Berio's Sinfonia, composed for teems with seductive melodies that are well and with conviction. Gwynne the New York Philharmonic and re- beautifully sung and played here. Howell and John Tomlinson, as Capel- corded by that orchestra under the com- Agnes Baltsa's voice, while not large, lio and Lorenzo, respectively, acquit poser's direction just after its premiere is well placed, clear, and expressive, and themselves commendably. in 1968, was an intriguing and provoca- she captures the impetuosity of the The chorus sings well too, and the tive work, butit somehow left an boyish Romeo very well. Edita Grube- Royal Opera House Orchestra reacts impression of being unresolved. Berio rova is perhaps without rival in her sympathetically to Bellini's long mu- advised that by the time the first record- chosen repertoire. Her pitch is pure, her sical line, playing elegantly and with ing was made, he was already sketching voice has a shimmering silvery quality, intensity. As we have come to expect of a fifth movement that would bring all her fioratura is sure, and she produces him, Muti has sure control of his forces the elements together. It has taken till effortless pianissimos that are truly rav- yet allows the music its identity and the now to get the completed work re- ishing. She brings to this paper -doll singers their style. R.A. corded, and the added finale does work; Juliet as much characterization as the it has the effect, I think, of illuminating libretto allows. Dino Raffanti's bright - BERIO: Sinfonia;Eindrecke.Regis what has gone before in instantaneous voicedtenorsoundsoccasionally Pasquier (violin); New Swingle Singers; retrospect. Orchestre National de France, Pierre The performance under Pierre Boulez Boulez cond. ERATO/RCA 0 NUM is all one might hope for-enlivening, EXPLANATION OF SYMBOLS: 75198 $10.98, 0 MCE 75198 $10.98, 0 clarifying,intensifying-and yet not necessarily superior to Berio's own in = DIGITAL -MASTERANALOGLP ECD 88158 no list price. © =S FERE° CASSEITE the parts recorded earlier. In the long Performance: Splendid movement based on the scherzo of = DIGITAL COMPACT DISC Recording: Very good MONOPHONIC RECORDING Mahler's Second Symphony (now quite = The original four -movement version of literallythe work's centerpiece), the STEREO REVIEW JUNE1986 128 words spoken by the tenor are so very the two Mendelssohn quartet move- clear, and thrust into such prominence ments, a gentle theme -and -variations by the recorded focus, that for a bit one and alithesome scherzo,thatthe almost has the feeling of a recitation players do full honor to their group's with background music; in the earlier namesake. Here is lyrical warmth, ele- recording the speech fragments were gance, rhythmic address, and the sense gratifyingly less clear, blending in as of organic flow I remember from their part of the general musical effect rather concerts. Even whatl feel to be an over- than standing out from it. I don't want ly close microphone setup cannot hin- to overstate this particular effect, and der the communicative ardor of the overall Iprefer the Boulez recording, playing. D.H. not only for its being complete, but for thefineexecution,the marvelously LALO:Symphonie espagnole, Op. 21. clear and (mostly) well-balanced record- SARASATE:Zigeunerweisen, Op. 20. ing, and the excellent choice of the pre- Anne -Sophie Mutter (violin); Orchestre viously unrecordedEindrtIckeof 1974 National de France, Seiji Ozawa cond. as coupler. ANGEL al DS -38191 $11.98, 4DS- Eindrtickewould ordinarly be trans- 38191 $11.98, 47318-2 no list price. lated as Impressions, but what Berio had in mind, he has said, was Traces, Performance:Songful because in this powerful ten-minute Recording:Good piece thereare"traces" ofBewegung The legendary Spanish violin virtuoso and Still, the two orchestral pieces that Pablo de Sarasate was the dedicatee of immediately preceded it. Personally, I Frederica von Stade: a joy Lalo'sSymphonie espagnoleas well as find Eindrticke more than a "filler." To the composer of the dazzling gypsy -style me it is an absorbing piece, more highly There is in the songs themselves an Zigeunerweisen. While Lalo work is not concentrated and certainly no less ac- affecting underlying melancholy that a profound masterpiece, it is surely the cessible than Sinfonia, in which the Frederica von Stade captures perfectly. most substantial French contribution to forces of a large orchestra are used in a Her limpid, golden voice, admirably the nineteenth-century repertoire for straightforwardbuthighlypersonal handled, draws from each selection its violin and orchestra. There is vivid way. Overall, it is the intensity, more full share of musical beauty and poetic Iberian coloration in three of its five than any technical device, that gives the meaning. She is a joy to listen to. Anto- movements, and a somber undercur- piece its character and its appeal. High- nio de Almeida conducts sensitively rent in the dramatic intermezzo and ly recommended. R.F. and with more involvement than is slow movement seizes the attention. sometimes characteristic of his work. It is to the intensely lyrical aspects of BOCCHERINI:Cello Concerto in D The Triptyque that fills out the disc is a theSymphonie espagnolethat Anne - Major (G. 479).VIVALDI:Concerto setting of three poems by Roger Frtne Sophie Mutter seems to respond most for Two Cellos in G Minor (RV. 531); in praise of summer, moonlight, and convincingly. While technical hurdles Cello Concertos in B Minor (RV. 424) dawn. They are performed with an present no problems for her, she lacks and G Major (RV. 413).Yuli Turovsky, utterly seductive tonal and stylistic vo- the panache of a Perlman or a Heifetz. Alain Aubut(cellos);IMusici de luptuousness. R.A. Better she should stick to the Austro- Montreal, Yuli Turovsky cond. CHAN- German classics where her mastery re- DOS 0 ABRD 1145 $12.98, © ABTD DVORAK: String Quartet No. 11, in C mains peerless. Seiji Ozawa and the 1145 $12.98. major, Op. 61.MENDELSSOHN:An- Orchestre National. de France contrib- Performance:Robust dante in E Major, Op. 81, No. I; Scher- ute solid support throughout. Balances Recording:Splendid zo in A Major, Op. 81, No. 2.Mendels- favor the soloist, though not obtrusively sohn String Quartet. MUSICMASTERS so, and the sonics are full-bodied and Here is a feast of sturdy cello playing MMD 20102H $8.98. pleasingly spacious. D.H. and robust Baroque performances. The same vigor that makes the Vivaldi con- Performance:Fine Mendelssohn Recording:A bit cramped MAHLER:Symphony No. 4, in G Ma- certos exciting is applied to the Boc- jor.Irmgard Seefried (soprano); Vienna cherini concerto, giving it a masculine In late January I heard the gifted Men- Philharmonic Orchestra, Bruno Walter quality that it usually lacks. Under the delssohn String Quartet-Laurie Smuk- cond. VARESE SARABANDE VCD direction of cello soloist Yuli Turovsky, ler, Nicholas Mann, Ira Weller, and 47228 no list price. I Musici de Montreal combines the joy Marcy Rosen-in a concert of Haydn, of fine technique with the celebration of Schubert, and Ives in Blue Hill, Maine. Performance:Historic music. Recommended. S.L. Having also heard them last season Recording:Not bad playing Haydn, Mendelssohn, and Sme- The 1945 New York Philharmonic re- CANTELOUBE:Chants d'Auvergne, tana, I asked myself, "When do we get a cording of Mahler's Fourth Symphony Volume Two; Triptyque.Frederica von recording from these folks?" And lo, the conducted by the composer's friend and Stade (mezzo-soprano); Royal Philhar- very next day, this debut disc showed disciple Bruno Walter is a classic read- monic Orchestra, Antonio de Almeida up in my review package. ing still available on LP, and the sound cond. CBS 0 IM 37837, © IMT 37837 Alas, neither the choice of the main is good with or without stereo enhance- no list price. work nor the quality of the recording ment. This new CD offers us essentially Performance:Glowing matches what I have heard the group do the same reading, unique in its warmth Recording:Excellent in concert. Of the major Dvotak quar- and total command of structure, in an tets, the C Major, for at least its first two unenhanced mono recording of a live My single reservation about this disc movements, is the least obviously in- performance by the Vienna Philhar- does not concern the performers' inter- gratiating. The two final movements are monic at the 1950 Salzburg Festival. pretations of the Auvergne songs but quite another matter, offering the amal- For me the main point of interest in the composer's arrangements of them, gam of Slavonic flavoring and main- this release, over and above its docu- which may suggest the sonorities of old stream Romanticism combined with mentary value, is the chance to hear instruments but are sometimes so high- melodic invention that we associate Irmgard Seefried, one of the finest oper- ly sophisticated as to belie the folk qual- with Dvotek. atic and lieder singers of her generation, ity of the lyrics. They are beautiful The Mendelssohn Quartet's perform- inthelast -movement soprano solo, arrangements, nonetheless, and the in- ance of the Dvotak piece is elegant and "Die himmlische Freuden."To the best tricate rhythms are delightful. conscientious throughout, but it is in of my knowledge, this is the only corn -

124 STEREO REVIEW JUNE 1986 WDS RATED #1 WDS WISCONSIN DISCOUNT STEREO COMPARE SERVICE! 2417 W. BADGER RD. MADISON, WIS. 53713 TOP NAME BRANDS Hours M -T FRI 9-8 AT WHOLESALE PRICES! or COD SAT 9-5 CALL TOLL FREE WE CARRY MOST MAJOR BRANDS EXAMPLES OF SOME OF OUR SUPER SPECIALS! $369 $149 $269

CALL TEAC R888X CONCORD HPL 518 Reverse, 3 -Head PROTON 544) & 440 NIKKO NR750 Digital, Auto -Reverse wih 48 Aatt/CH Digital Do by B & C & dbx Integ-ated Amp & TLner. CD Input Special Purchase $129 $179

$359 NIKKO ND750 CLARION 8800 Oil Auto -Re\ erse 12 FM Presets Bloc-., JVC PC -30 SONY CFD5 Dolby B & C Auto-RaNerse Au o -Reverse, 5 -Band EQ, Porteb e w th Disc =layer De:achable Speakers $149 S44 pr. $109 TOSHIBA XRV11 $229 JENSEN JTX20 0 SANSUI LINEAR 3-3eam B-Tra:3k Program -nab e CD 6 x 9 2 -Way, TRACKER 150 Watt/Charnel SONY D-7 With Cartridge Po -table Disc Man AMP $189 $4S HITACHI DA500 0 KENWOOD GE 35 rogra-m r g $369 1E Track INFINITY RSA692 MMT/ 7 -Bard Equal zer 6 x 9 2 -Way, dbx 3bx III Special Purchase Spec al Purchase SANSUI $99 ea $469 $129 SON If SLH =450 Far ro-Flu Super Beta Hi =i, Rancom 150 Watt Tweeter Access Floor -Standing -,4400,/ DUAL 505 Floo- Standing 3 -Way Wrth Accoustic Mat and ULM Arm Reasons Why WDS Rated #f1; $59 TAPES AND ACC. *AII Orders DTccessed H ithir 12 Hours. TOTE VISION AC/DC *95% of All Orders Shipped Wit lin 48 Ho irs. Maxell 1L1190 $ 1.89 5 Inc- TV *AII Jnits Factory Sealed With Full Warranty. Maxell XLIIS90 $ 2.29 VHS Maxell MX -90 $ 3.59 *No Extra Charge for Mas-.ercard or Visa. Scny UCXS90 $ 1.79 *WE.Car Ship Complete COD (Only $2 00 Extra). Quasar 5442 .. . S349 Maxell T-120EX $ 4.99 *Buyer Protection Plan Included With E vary It.3rn Portable Dec k 8 -u per Hitacii VT -87 . . $679 Ortokm OMP30 . . $89.01 - Free. 5,2 Had HiF RADAR DETECTORS *7 -Day Service Guaranteed Brand \lew HC Ur idan RD -95 $12! *No Extra Hidden Charges Camccrders CALL Ur id -an RD -9 $199 *No Inflated Shipping Charges Bel 864 $ 79 *Establishec 1954 - Our S aleE Representatives SOME TEMS CLOSEOUTS. Bel 850 Mirror $174 SOME _IMITED QUANTITIES. Whistler Spectrum. . $179 Hay 3 °ye' 5 Years of Training. NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR Bel 8:34 $16! *Extended Warranties Available TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS. CIRCLE P. 56 ON READER SERVICE CARE mercially available recording of See- By way of prelude to the symphony, fried as a Mahler interpreter. Where this album offers a magical perform- Desi Halban in Walter's New York ance of Nielsen's imaginative, humor- Philharmonic recording is very much ous little tone poem based on the Pan the naYve little girl, Seefried sings the and Syrinx legend. In both works the role as a mature woman, telling a delect- playing by the Birmingham (England) able fairy tale with great warmth, ten- orchestra is distinguished by the utmost derness, and impeccable enunciation. conviction and intensity, and the re- The sound is not quite as good as that corded sound isastonishingly vivid achieved in the 1945 recording, made in throughout. Carnegie Hall under controlled condi- D.H. tions rather than in a live performance, SARASATE: Zigeunerweisen (see and I don't feel that the Vienna Philhar- LALO) monic in 1950 had quite regained its prewar burnished tonalquality,let SCHOENBERG: Cello Concerto in D alone the polish it now possesses. But Major (see R. STRAUSS) there is a definite advantage in having Walter's Mahler reading uninterrupted ROSSINI: 11 viaggio a Reims (see Best on CD, and Seefried's lovely soprano is of the Month, page 107) certainly worth hearing. D. H . SCHUMANN: Dichterliebe, Op. 48; MENDELSSOHN:Andantein E Ma- Liederkreis, Op. 24; Der arme Peter, jor, Op. 81, No. 1; Scherzo in A Major, Op. 53, No. 3; Myrten, Op. 25, Nos. 7, Op. 81, No. 2 (see DVORAK) 21, and 24; Dein Angesicht, Op. 127, No. 2. Hermann Prey (baritone); Leon- MONTEVERDI: Orfeo. Gino Quilico ardHokanson(piano).DENON 0 (baritone), Orfeo; Audrey Michael (so- Simon Rattle: conviction and intensity 35C37-7720 no list price. prano), Euridice, La Speranza, and Eco; Colette Alliot-Lugaz (soprano), La Mu- authentic sound. But the authenticity Performance:Distinguished sics; Carolyn Watkinson (contralto), La never interferes with his dramatic pac- Recording:Excellent Messaggieria; Eric Tappy (tenor), Apol- ing, which keeps this performance firm- It was a fine idea and, in the event, a lo; Guy de Mey (tenor) and Francois le ly on the operatic stage as a living expe- superbly realized one to have Hermann Roux (baritone),Pastori; Frangiskos rience. Purists will have bones to pick, Preyfilla Compact Disc nearly to Voutsinos (bass), Pluto; others. Ensem- of course, but operabuffswillbe ble Vocal de la Chapelle Royale; Or- capacity with Schumann's settings of delightedtohearthismasterpiece Heine verses. The Op. 24Liederkreis chestre de l'Opera de Lyon, Michel Cor- treated for what it is: opera. S.L. gets much less circulation, in the recital boz cond. ERATO/RCA 0 NUM 75212 room as well as on records, than the Op. two discs $21.96, C) MCE 75212 two NIELSEN: Symphony No. 4, Op. 29 39 cycle of the same title on verses by cassettes $21.96, ECD 88133 two ("The Inextinguishable"); Pan and Syr- Eichendorff, and the set of three Der CD's no list price. inx, Op. 49. City of Birmingham Sym- arme Petersongs have been even more Performance:Vital phony Orchestra, Simon Rattle cond. neglected. The latter, in fact, may well Recording:Excellent ANGEL 0 DS -38237 $11.98, © 4DS- represent a discovery for many listen- 38237 $11.98. ers, and how fortunate they are to be So many performances of Monteverdi's introduced to it by such sympathetic Orfeosound like reconstructions. No Performance:Intense Recording: Superb and committed artists as Prey and matter how beautifully performed, they Leonard Hokanson. It is not so much still seem to be motivated more by Simon Rattle's fascinating new reading authority one senses as what might be musicology than by musical drama. of Nielsen's Fourth Symphony opens in called "total immersion" in the particu- This one, however, conducted by Mi- a more deliberate way than most others. larsong -worldof Schumannand chel Corboz for stage performances at Instead of hurling the listener into tonal Heine. thefestivalatAix-en-Provencein turmoil, Rattle lets you gain your bear- Prey still commands a surprisingly France last summer, brings out, like no ings, and as the first movement pro- youthful flexibility of voice and the other, the truly operatic qualities of the ceeds there is more of a sense of gran- ability to evoke the deepest poignancy score. The singing is robust and full deur than of the usual near -manic con- with a freedom from histrionics. The throated, and the performers attain a flict. The result of this approach is to meanings of the words are obviously as real dramatic thrust in their suberb dic- place the idyllic second movement in a important to him as the music, and tion and projection of the poetry. From more meaningful perspective, so it does every subtle undercurrent of irony or the opening words of La Musica to the not seem a letdown between the dra- joy or bitterness or nostalgia is superbly final appearance of Apollo, the air is matic opening movement and the high- caught and projected. There is really lit- charged with drama. ly charged second half of the work. tle one can say about performances on The show really belongs to Gino Qui- "Searing" is the only word to describe this level except that they are treasur- lico as the omnipresent Orfeo. His fresh Rattle's attack in the great violin pas- able to the connoisseur and have the young baritone and superb artistry take sage that opens the adagio third move- power to convert the most steadfast usthroughOrfeo'sinitialecstatic ment, and his workup of the woodwind hold -outs into enthusiastic devotees of joy to the double tragedy of losing his chant figure in the second half is over- GermanLieder. R.F. bride a second time. If Quilico struggles whelming in its cumulative power. The a bit with the convolutions of"Possente lead-in to the finale goes like lightning, SCHUMANN: Symphony No. 1, in B - spirito,"his projection of the role far and the famous timpani duel, superbly fiat Major, Op. 38 ("Spring"); Sympho- exceeds any vocal problems that arise recorded here,is a true blockbuster. ny No. 4, in D Minor, Op. 120. Vienna from singing Monteverdi in a full oper- What I look for most, however, in per- Philharmonic Orchestra, Leonard Bern- atic voice. The same is true of the fine formances of this movement is the great stein cond. DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON work of the many supporting singers. A Major outburst midway through- 0 415 272-1$10.98, © 415 272-4 Using a combination of modern and like sun in the midst of a thunder- $10.98, © 415 272-2 no list price. early instruments and a marvelous - storm-followed by the hushed canon sounding continuo of lutes, chitarrones, for strings leading to the cataclysmic Performance:Mixed theorbos, guitars, harp, organ, and harp- final pages. Rattle brings it all off mag- Recording:Very good sichord, Corboz evokes a convincing nificently in this recording. My favorite in the Schumann sympho-

126 STEREO REVIEW JUNE 1986 ny cycle that Leonard Bernstein re- Minor, whereanaudibly premature from his joust with the windmills in corded for Columbia in the early Sixties violin entrance mars the start of the Variation I to his final pathetic defeat has remained theSpringsymphony, final dash for home in the coda of the and touching farewell. The barbed sa- which was performed with just the right finale. The sound throughout is rich tire in the score takes a back seat in this amalgam of Romantic solemnity and and detailed, though, making for an performance to lyricism and nostalgia. youthful impetuosity. Deutsche Gram- extraordinarily transparent orchestral Redoubtable virtuoso and musician mophon has now released thefirst texture. D.H. that he is, Ma plays ravishingly in the installment in a new Bernstein Schu- lyrical variations and does a superb job mann cycle recorded live with the Vien- R. STRAUSS:Don Quixote. Op. 35. of characterization in depicting the poor na Philharmonic, and again, of the two SCHOENBERG:Cello Concerto in D Don picking himself up from the mud works here, I prefer theSpringSympho- Major.Yo -Yo Ma (cello); Malcolm after his charge against the windmills. ny. The opening summons of the first Lowe (violin); Burton Lane (viola); In terms of tone painting, the ride movement sounds forth even more Boston Symphony Orchestra, Seiji Oza- through the air in Variation VII is most broadly than in the 1964 recording, but wa cond. CBS 0 IM 38963, © IMT impressive for sheer weight of sound the balance of the movement is en- 38963, MK 38963, no list price. and the wonderful wind -machine ef- dowed with the same infectious exuber- fects, and the bleating sheep in Varia- Performance:Lyrical tion II are extraordinarily vivid. The ance. The slow movement is warm in Superb sentiment without becoming cloying, Recording: engineering, by Telarc's Jack Renner, is and the forthright scherzo leads to a While the other five early Strauss tone right on a par with the best that Telarc lithesome finale. poems have been getting plenty of itself has done in Boston's Symphony Bernstein's performance of the D Mi- attention on CD's recently,Don Qui- Hall. nor Symphony, however, seems lacking xote,the most humane and compas- The filler piece is a curiosity, the last in drive through most of the first move- sionate of the lot, has had to wait until music that Arnold Schoenberg worked ment, and the pacing is generally on the now even for a digitally mastered LP. on in Europe before exiling himself to heavy side. The slow movement is han- Another notable aspect of this release is the U.S. (the premiere was in London in dled rather freely in terms of small tem- that it appears to be the Boston Sym- 1935). It is an elaboration for cello and po fluctuations, not always to the mu- phony's first recording for CBS since orchestra of a harpsichord concerto by sic's advantage. Matters improve with a the Thirties. the pre -Classical Viennese composer well -paced scherzo and finale. As in the Theusualperformancetimefor Matthias Georg Monn. I don't find the SpringSymphony, exposition repeats Strauss'sFantasticVariations on a solo -cello part particularly grateful, but are taken in the first and last move- Theme of Knightly Character,as the in some respects Schoenberg's scoring is ments. work is subtitled, averages around forty delightfully outrageous, with a xylo- I find more polish and sureness, too, minutes. Yo -Yo Ma and Seiji Ozawa phone, bass drum, snare drum, and in the Vienna Philharmonic's playing of here take an additional five minutes to what have you. Flying in the face of our theSpringSymphony than in the D letthe hero wend his eerily mad way current fad for "authenticity" in per - Brio SAVE MONEY I TIME FREIGHT ON NAME BRAND STEREO COMPONENTS VIDEO RECORDER AKAI GXR-66B AUTO -REV. DOLBY B.0 & dbx CASS. DK $209.95 SONY SLHF-400B BETA STEREO HI-FI W M TS. 8. REMOTE CALL 1.0 AK AI GX-R7OB NEW AUTO -REV. DOLBY B.C. & dbx CASS DK CALL SANSUI SVR-9700 HE VHS STEREO HIFI W M.T.S & REMOTE CALL KENWOOD KVR-A7ORB (55x2) AUDIO -VIDEO RCVR W REMOTE CALL HEADPHONES 1.1 SHARP RT-320S AUTO -REV. DOLBY B&C. 1 -TOUCH REC 79.00 KOSS PRO 4X PLUS NEW. IMPROVED' DIGITAL READY . 49 50 I ADC SS -415X 12BD PERCH. EQ. W COMPUTER MEMORY .. 255.00 SONY MDR -M-77 NEW SONY MONITOR HEADPHONES 59.95 SANSUI DW-10 SANSUI'S BEST DOUBLE CASSETTE DECK . CALL SENNHEISER HD-414SL OPEN AIR. LIGHT WEIGHT 45 00 SANSUI SX-1130 HIGH POWERED. TOP RECEIVER W AM STEREO CALL 1,1 TAPE -AUDIO & VIDEO . 85.00 TEAC ECIA-20B 10BD. PERCH. EO. W SPECTRUM ANALYZER BASF CRE 11-90 NEW CHROMDIOXID EXTRA II 16.90 10 70.00 TEAC V -360C DOLBY B&C SOFT TOUCH CASS DK. SONY UCXS-90 HIGH BIAS CASSETTE 18.00 10 CALL TEAC V-750 New PROGRAMMABLE CASS. DK w DOLBY B & C TDK SA -90 SUPER AVILYN CASSETTE TAPE 17.00 10 CALL 1.1 TEAC R -888X AUTO -REV CASS. W DOLBY B. C & dbx TDK SAX -90 DOUBLE COATED 'SA TYPE CASSETTE 25.00 1011 CALL TEAC V -450X DOLBY B. C & dbx CASS. w SOFT TOUCH CONTROL TDK HXS-90 HIGH BIAS. METAL PARTICLE CASSETTE 33.00 10 79.95 JENSEN 123012" 3 -WAY (EACH) FUJI M-90 METAL CASSETTE 30.00 101.1 199.00 TECHNICS SA -460 (50x2) TV. AM. FM STEREO RECEIVER MAXELL XL 'S' 90 TYPE I OR II (PLEASE SPECIFY) 22 90 10 179.00 11 TECHNICS RSB-33W DOLBY B. C. AND dbx DUBBING CASS MAXELL MX -90 METAL CASSETTES 3700 101.1 145.00 TECHNICS SL -J3 QUARTZ PROG. LINEAR TURNTABLE MAXELL XL -90 TYPE I OR TYPE II (PLEASE SPECIFY) 17.90 10 111 TECHNICS RSB-78R AUTO -REV. DOLBY B.C. & dbx CASS.DK CALL 1.1 TECHNICS RS-B11W 2-SPD. DBL CASS W AUTO TAPE SELECT 129.95 CARTRIDGES 137.00 1.1 SONY We Have a Complete Selection of SONY Products CALL SHURE V-15 TYPE 5 MR 111 SHURE V-15 VP TYPE 5 P MOUNT. CALL 1.1 PORTABLES AUDIO-TECHNICA AT-132EP P MOUNT 59.9511 99.95 SONY WM-F75 AM -FM SPORTS WALKMAN CASS W DOLBY AUDIO-TECHNICA AT-122EP "P- MOUNT 27.95 1.1 SONY CFS-W600 3 -PC.. DUBBING CASS. W EQUALIZER.. 187.00 11 SONY CFD-5 AM -FM: DOLBY B CASS. W AUTO -REV &CD PLAYER CALL COMPACT DISC PLAYERS ADC CD -100X 3 -BEAM. 16 TR PROGRAMMABLE 167.00 1.1 JVC PCW-88JBK 3 -PIECE PORT SYSTEM W dubbing CASS . 178.00 1.1 TOSHIBA XR-P9 PORT 16 TR PROG w REMOTE. BTY PKACASE. 259.00 AUTOMOTIVE TECHN'CS SL -P300 NEW PROGRAMMABLE CD PLAYER w REMOTE .CALL 149.95 1.1 SONY ES -R10 DIGITAL CASS W AUTO -REV & FADER. SONY D -7S PORT 16 TR PROG w CASE & A.C. ADAPTOR CALL 56.00 11 SONY ES -S93 6x9 TRI-AX (PAIR) 10 OTHER BRANDS IN STOCK NOW CALL1.1 JENSEN RE -980 AM -FM DIGITAL CASSETTE 159.00 JENSEN J-3033 6x9 TRIAX SPEAKERS (PAIR) 75.00 SEE A BETTER PRICE? CALL US! WE WANT YOUR BUSINESS!! 1.1 JENSEN ECIA-5000 7 BD EQUALIZER AMP 120x21 89.95 UPS rale, apply on these units Prices and Availability Subject to Change - send forfree price list - MestocCord Name 111 Mimi/ audio Illy 12 E. Delaware Pl., Chicago 60611 Address 1.1 VISA City Phone Now Hours: TOLL FREE 1.1 1-312-664-0020 10:00-5:00 1-800-621-8042 State Zip oio Price Lists & Quotes Mon. thru Sat. Orders & Quotes op use your address label rttINDIGIII:IMPIMIMalall:01111111:=1.11 MD OM dB I= =I GM GM =PIM 11111,1111110:MAMINDIMINI:M:IMMIMPIM GO OM IM I= I= I= MD ODam aso. ami):4NoW

S I-EREO REVIEW JUNE1986 127 formances of early music, the work is "LISTEN TO THE MOCKING BIRD" odd but fascinating, and this reading is certainly a vital one. D.H. R. STRAUSS:Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40. Cleveland Orchestra, Vladimir Ashkenazy cond. LONDON 0 414 292-1 $10.98, ©414 292-4 $10.98, 0 414 292- 2 no list price. Performance: Beautiful Recording: Gorgeous Vladimir Ashkenazy shuns extrovert bombast and heavyhanded Teutonic in- trospection in his reading of Richard Strauss's autobiographical tone poem. Instead, he makes the most of the music's many fine lyrical pages. The portrait of the Hero at the opening is swiftlylimned, anditiswith the entrance of the "Helpmate," delectably portrayed by concertmaster Daniel Ma- ai jeske, that the performance begins to take on shape and character, working up to a splendidly lush climax before the transition to the battle scene. The 5 battle scene is prefaced by a flawlessly placed offstage fanfare and pursues its course with almost Kodachrome clari- The New York Vocal Arts Ensemble ty. The final pages, with violin and horn set against a glowing orchestral back- WHEN the phonograph re- ment, which would quickly reduce these ground, are richly fulfilling. placed the piano as the songs to tiresome campiness, neither is There may have been more exciting principal source of music there any effort to magnify their artistic and searching readings of Ein Helden- inAmerican homes,a importance. This is music designed to leben on record but seldom any as sen- large repertoire of parlor music fell into give simple pleasure, and the approach suously beautiful as this. D.H. disuse. It included traditional songs like of the performers is,Ithink, exactly The Last Rose of Summer and those right. Their haunting rendition of Lis- TCHAIKOVSKY:Symphony No. 5, in written by such composers as Stephen ten to the Mocking Bird, which Beegle's E Minor, Op. 64; Voyevode, Op. 78. Foster and Henry Clay Work for home liner notes describe as Abraham Lin- Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Claudio performance. They were often arranged coln'sfavoritesong,isparticularly Abbado cond. CBS 0 IM 42094, © IMT as solos, duets, or quartets with accom- memorable. 42094, © MK 42094, no list price. paniment by piano and whatever other Technically the album is impeccable. instruments might be at hand. Digitalrecording captureswellthe Performance: Swift, no-nonsense The New York Vocal Arts Ensemble's freshness and beauty of the young sing- Recording: Very good new recital "Listen to the Mocking ers' voices. This is music that could eas- As in his 1972 recording with the Lon- Bird," their first recording on the Ara- ily be performed in average -sized listen- don Symphony (still listed in Schwann), besque label, makes this music sound so ing rooms, and close microphone place- Claudio Abbado takes a clear-eyed, no- appealing that its long neglect is hard to ment contributes to the illusion that the nonsense approach in his new recording understand. The well-chosen program artists are right there in the room with of the Tchaikovsky Fifth, and this one includes such familiar items as the title you. The album was mastered and benefits from fine digital sound. There song and Home! Sweet Home! as well as pressed in Germany, and its silent sur- is an Italianate volatility to the perform- things like Crossing the Grand Sierras faces indicate that there's a lot of life in ance that suggests how Toscanini might and the amusing Horticultural Wife, the LP yet. The Compact Disc, not yet have played the work if he had ever which I had never heard before. available at press time, should sound included it in his repertoire. Doubtless All are performed here by a quartet of fabulous. William Livingstone some will feel that the pacing of the young singers with attractive voices ac- slow movement and the finale is on the companied principally by artistic direc- NEW YORK VOCAL ARTS ENSEM- fast side, but others will welcome a tor Raymond Beegle at the piano. The BLE:Listen to the Mocking Bird.She's Tchaikovsky free of sentimental hand- arrangements, which also call for flute, the Sweetest of Them All; The Kerry wringing. cello, and harp, are either the original Dance; The Horticultural Wife; Home! The symphony is coupled with the ones or the earliest that could be found, Sweet Home!; Crossing the Grand Sier- rarelyheard and even more rarely and the effect is one of considerable ras; I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now; recorded symphonic ballad Voyevode, charm as well as period authenticity. The "Rag Time Dance"; Listen to the composedwhileTchaikovsky was The New York Vocal Arts Ensemble Mocking Bird; Some Folks; The Last working on the opera Yolanta and the was formed in the early 1970's not for Rose of Summer; I Took Her to the Ball; Nutcracker ballet. Based on Pushkin's this particular repertoire in English but The AshGrove; My Old Kentucky translation of a Polish ballad, Voyevode to help revive vocal chamber music of Home, Good -Night! Lise Messier (so- deals with illicitlove, jealousy, and all periods, and their specialty is the prano); Mary Ann Hart (mezzo-so- murder. The music offers more gesture vocal -quartet literature of the great Eu- prano); Gregory Mercer (tenor); Paul (a persistent galloping motif) than sub- ropean Romantic composers. To this Rowe (baritone); Katherine Hoover stance, but the performance is as good album they bring the same sincerity, (flute); Barbara Chapman (harp); Theo- as we arelikelyto hear on or off' respect, and musicianship they would dore Mook (cello); Raymond Beegle (pi- records. D.H. lavish on music of Schubert, Mendels- ano). ARABESQUE 0 ABQ 6555 $10.98, sohn, or Brahms. Just as there is here no © ABQC 6555 $10.98, ©Z 6555 no list VIVALDI:Concerto for Two Cellos in hint of parody or exaggerated senti- price. G Minor; Cello Concertos in B Minor and G Major(see BOCCHERINI) 128 STEREO REVIEW JUNE1986 CELEBRATING LABELLE S NEWEST STORE IN BAY F IDGE. EROOKLYNNEW YORK OPEN SUNDAYS LABELLEPBO E55 10 to 8 GRAND CLOSED SATURDAY visa AMERICAN CAMERA & STEREO OF MAINE OPENING EXPRESS L.I. NEW YORK L.I. NEM. YORK SEND ALL MAI.. ORDERS Tr MASTER CAMERA DEPARTMENT AUDIO VIDEO BROOKLYN LAWRENCE 50 INIP DRIVE CARD BAY HARKkg MALL DINERS BAY RIDGE SYOSSETT INWOOD. NEW YORK 11696 1-800-341-0783 1-800-443-1927 538 86th STREET224 W JERICHO TPK 345.65 ROCK AWAY -PK CLUB CALL FOR SHIPPING AND HANDLING CHARGES. ASK ABC UT DETAILS BROOKLYN. NY LI NEW YORK L I NEV 1,0111K 516-371-2800 516-37 -1321' ON COD ORDERS. MONEY ORDERS ACCEPTED. ALLOW 4 WEEKS 515-596-2235 IN MAINE. these items may also b. purchased at CLEARANCE ON PERSONAL CHECKS. PRICES AND PRODUCTS IN LaMere of Maine, 155 Main St. Eliddetxrd, ME 04005 Call Toll Free Anywhere in Continental USA 8 Hawaii. Virgin Islands. Puerto Rico. EFFECT MAY 25 THRU JUNE 24 Call (207)283-3627

to m TECHNICSTECHNICS SL-P30C AKAIAA -V401 TachnicsRsa-33W Technics SL -J1Ort0fOn1r;':' *5995 New Programmable Disc Plame- .1 with remote control C') Dolby* B. C. 8 DBX LINEAR TRACKING Frequency response 20 b 20.000 24995 Dubbing Cassette TURNTABLE Elk()) cal styles 7995 fits aN P-moun 80 watts per channel 4995 torntahles . z Quartz lock digital tuning I. CP ORTOF ON TM -7 Cartridge 39.95 Technics SL-PJ11 1114.95 AA Technics SL P-100 Technics RS -812 69.95 SHURE Technics SL -P500 Cell z Technics Rs -814 89.95 - Technics SL-XP7 919.45 Technics RS -818 119.95 DT -15P 39 95 JVC XL -V2008 "99.95 SPECIAL LOW PRICES ON: Technics RS-B24W 19,95 ethnics SLBD 1 54.95 DT -25P 59.95 JVC XL -V4006 ro9.95 Technics SLBD-2 59.95 DT -35P 79.95 JVC XL -V50013 189.95 Akai AA -V201 140 watts, 149.95 Technics RS-B11W 129.95 149.95 Technics SLBD-3 67.95 199.95 Akai AA -V301 160 watts) 199.95 Technics RS-B28R Sony D-5 Technics SLOD-2 74.95 audio- technica 941.95 JVC RX-220 (40 watts).... 149.95 Technics RS-B49W 189.95 Sony D-7 O Technics RS-B78R .. 254.95 TechrvCS SL -0D3 84.95 1-1R-131 EU 39.95 Akai CD -A30 211.95 JVC RX-330VB (55 watts). 219.95 Techrcs SL -J2 . 10995 HR -201 EU 59.95 Technics RS -B100 . 479.95 ADC CD -100X . 169.95 JVC RX-370116 (55 watts) . 249.95 69.95 Techrics SL -J3 129.95 HR -301 EU 74.96 Hitachi DA -501 . 973.95 CJVC RX-400B (70 watts) ... 309.95 Aka. HX-A101 Mai HX-A201 94.95 Techrics SL -L2 119.95 HR -431 EU 89.95 Scott DA 959 JVC RX-500B (100 watts) .. 399.95 989.95 33 Mai HX-A301 144.95 Techrics SL -L3 139.95 Technics SA -150 (25 watts) 119.95 Technics LLD 500 149.95 Technics SA -360 (40 watts) Mai HX-A3X 144.95 sl'(iNTO4 169.95 167.00 Technics SL-1200MKII 269.95 PRO 3000 TECHNICS Technics SA -460 (50 watts) 199.95 Akai HX-R40 29 95 IT JVC KD-VR320 159.95 JVC LFX4 79.95 PRO 4000 ,, 59.96 SL -1200 MK Technics SA -560 (70 watts) 349.95 JVC OLFXSB 99.95 IT JVC KD-VR5 199.95 PRO 5000 . . 78.95 Pioneer SXV-90 1125 watts) 419.95 JVC OLL 2013 139.95 PRO DISCO TURNTABLE 229.95 Pro 96 ...... 299.95 JVC KD-W55 89.95 JVC KD-V6 229.95 Akai AP -X1 54.95 Marantz SR -940 (103 watts) 349.95 JVC DD-VR77 339.95 AKaI AP -A201 69.95 $26995 v:Marantz SR -840 (70 watts) 299.95 rr 2 CVIDEOS - VIDEOS - VIDEOS - VIDEOS - VIDEOS - VIDEOS - VIDEOS - 1:1ADMI DETECTORS PORTABLES CAMCORDERS BEST BUY! W-IISTLER BEL 834-S C3BRA PORTABLE vIDEO PACKAGE SPECTRUS. 111 3-4100 VIDEO PACKAGES FAMOUS MAKER 817495 514995 RCA VLP 900(CLE0 20 1299.95 PVR 1100PORTABLE 174" . RCA VKP 900/CLEO 20 1199.95 STEREO 5 HEAD . voectrum II . 215.95 Bel -834S 174.95 Cobra RD -3100.. 99.95 r Whistler SpeCtrur, Remote 179.95 Be 820 159.95 PANASONIC PV9600/959 1479.95 VIDEO RECORDER ii Cobra RD -4100 . .. 149.95 PANASONIC W8500/452 1199.95 witn K510 AUTO FOCUS *i Linden Bandit 109.95 Be 861 99.95 OLYMPUS 106/208/308 CALL tot. View Camera 69...95 Uniden RD -9 22195 Be NO 134.95 Be WA 89.95 SEND Si FOR OLYMPUS 105/208/307 CALL :i V Be 834 149 95 LaSELLES CA -A LOGUE m Panasonic Cok ACCESSORIES PV200 s999 TELECINE CONVERTER 31, HCA SONY CMR 200 HG ESR-10 CAR STEREO 4995 KE-A880 )10 IN STOCK 10 wars 25 FOOT EXTENSION Auto reverse Separate bass & treble Fader Dolby 88C FaderIMEN161 0 CABLE 10 PIN VH 806 299.98 Digital scar, 20 watts per Separate bass 0 VH 816 31995 11995 CAMCORDERS auto reverse 8 treble 22995 3995 PANASONIC VH 822 379 15 !II Panasonic PV200 99900 FVH 825 44995 CONCORD CONCORD HPL 550 6 5 HR BATTER Ouasar VM10 999 95V 1340 299.95 FVH 839 569.95 CAR STEREOS 12 VOLT AC/DC LITE GE 6060 1029.95PV 1545 529.95 Top of the Line PACKAGE RCA VM 2000 CALLPV 1740 799.95 ZENITH HPL-1229 10 -watts per Dolby B&C 8 DBX Zenith VM200 109995PV 8600 599.95 VR 1805 28995 channel digital qualz. Dolby - digital tuner 9995 Olympus 402 In StockPV 9600i CALL VR 2100 379.95 separate base treble, metal 15c-.95 pre set stations Minolta HO In StockPK 959 729.95 VR 3250 81915 tape etc 2 way/4 way AMD BRANDY T120 Pentax HO In StockPK 452 479.95 VR 4100 CALL 359.95 Kyocera &lin 299 In Stock VR/5100 CALL JENSEN 1111E911 PV 111 OR 269 95 CAI Atom BLAUPUNKTgamaii XK-962 149" TUCSON digital auto reverse 'ban AM -FM digital stereo WALKABOUTS VIDEO sepa ate bass Z. treble ader cont o TAPE SPECIALS button tuner auto reverse TECHNICS SU-V6X tape aqualizabol Doiby noise reductionlea - 309.95 Famous Maker 100 Watts per channel AM -FM CAR STEREOS Computer °Roe Class A AMP AM -FM CAR STEREOS VHS T-120 AR -300 206.95 RE -9110 1116.95 6 Hour Tat, 2.99 ea A TZ-200 179.95 RE -960 169.95 Frankfort 119.95Sacrament.. . 259.95 24995 EOA-5003 9915 RE -9.0 13915 Seattle 149.95 Washingto Sq .389.95 Technics SU-V4X EOA-250] 6995 RE -960 69.95 Richmond . 18915 New Yorke Sq .439.95 Sony WMF-12 39.95 BLANK (65 watts) 199.95 Manhattan 219.16 BPA-415 89.95 Sony WMF-18 79.95 AUDIO TAPES Technics SU-V70 Aspen SOR 24 219.95BPA-430 209.95 Sony WMF-75 10.95 (100 watts) 289.95 SA N Sea Aiwa HSJ-500 139.95 Technics SU-V1CX Maxell XL -11. C-90 1.79 ea 379.95 FTE-50 Aiwa HST -200 79.95 Maxell XL -II. S-90 2.29 ea (120 watts) nniletconsz Akai AM -A401 (80 watts' 224.95 c All night Ilummation Dolby. 3 Z. OCIarion Sanyo MGR -60 39.95 Maxell 1.120. HGX 5.99 ea . 309.95 C AM SS 9 5 watts per chanr el. Panasonic RX-1930 49.95 TKD SA -90 1.69 ea JVC A -X 500 VB 8400R 379.95 fader cloak. auto reverse AM SS Panasonic RXS-35 74.95 TKD SAX -90 2.29 ea JVC A -X 900 B 1120 warts! 18995 Digital AM -FM sterea Toshiba KT -4075. 99.95 TUNERS music search CT TKO T-120 479 ea tuner auto -reverse tape 13995 Toshiba RPS-33 49.95 TKO T-120 EHG .. 5.99 ea Technics ST -G3 129.95 FTE-15 129.95 FTL-4S ' 19.95 separate base and treble r- MINIMUM OF 10 TAPES Technics ST -GOT 169.95 FTE-20 14935 FTL-55 29.95 an Toshiba RP-KSI 11995 8925RT 239.95 8400RT 139.9! 249.95 FTE-30 139.95 FTL-42 .'19.95 Sharp JC11 64.95 229.95 129:34 144 95 FTE-40 160.95 FTL-52 8900RT 8300R Sharp JC22 89.95 &BOORT 189.95 8200R 119.95 O FTE-60 229.95 PAED50 99.95 Eggss 6300R FTE-D4 19695EOZ-6210 7995 872593 11995 FTE-D6 169.95 PAE110 '39.95 862593 179.95 900EOA 139.95 )911721,4m171,Y,ftm;1 8600R T 15995 700 EOA TYPEWRITERS ANSWERING FTE-D7 19495 99.95 iD 111111 MACHINES zSMITH -CORONA -100 ADC AUTOMOTIVE SPEAKERS, AUTOMOTIVE SPEAKERS ADC SS -412X 21995 PHILLIPS'PIONEER ADS CALL 10 Band E O w Spectrum JENSEN Analyzer .9 Tres t50 Walt 3 Way CLARION ADC SS -425X 249 95 Speaker ADC SS -117E X 149 95 SE -980 69 3 way 80 watts 64.95 pr. JENSEk 564" SE -990 69 4 way 120 watts'9.95 pr. Jr 1116i Teac EOA 10 8995 Pars),. iii. KXT 1410D . 59.95 SE -631 6 3 way 60 watts 64.95 pr. Smith Corona 55-100.17995 Technics SH-6044 13995 Panasonic KXT 1415 . 74.95 030 5 .trots 65W 49 Pr SE -625 6 coax 40 watts Smith Corona SE -200. 239.95 Technics SH-8055 229 95 Panasonic KXT 1421 . 86.95 $620 5 .coax 55W 44 re 39.95 pr. Smith Corona SE -300.339.95 Technics SH-8066 299 95 Panasonic KXT 1730 199.95 55 U S420 4" coax 35. 37.95 pr. SE -530 5Multi -Axial 40 wait 44.95 pr. -n Smith Corona SE -2005(4289.95 SE -521 5 Coax 40 watt 36.95 pr. Akai EA -A2 119 95 Panasonic KXT 2425 169.95 JCX-200 6x9" coax 150w 54.3 BLAUPUNKT Smith Corona SE-300SR399.95 NUMARK DISCO MIXERS Code -a -Phone 2150...109.95 J3033 6.3* Inas 100w 74 pr. DL 3530 3'" 30 watts Panasonic RKP-200C 199.95 DM -500 Code -a -Phone 2530...11995 55: J3023 6" Max 75w 69.45 pr. 39.95 pr. 1) Panasonic RKP.35 199.95 DM -1550 17995 Sony 11A-500 ... , 149.95 55 J3013 6" coax 75w 44.15 pir. CL 4635 4"x6' Coax 35w 69.96 pr. 17 Panasonic RKT40 249.95 DM -1800 28995 Sony ITA-603 J3003 4'" coax 50* 49 pr. CL 5050 5' ." Coax 50w . 69.95 pr. Canon Typestar 5 Deluxe135.95 DM -1150 13995 Record -a -call 690 1891493965 DL 4145 4410" 50 watts 69.95 ex Canon Typestar 6 199.95 DM -1650 209 95 Sanyo TAS-3100 9995 SONY DL 4145 4-x10" dual Canon MX 66 CALL OM Itimi 259 95 Phonemate MD -5000 79.95 ES -S92 f Coax 80 watts59.95 Pr ::one 45w 49.95 pr. 20 day return policy All returns must be phoned in for prior aulhorization and must be recewed within 20 days from recept of original shipmentAll rroductsmusl be returned in original factory packaging clean and unscratched. and blank warranty card Do not tape or deface manufacturers original cartons Shippinc and handing charges not reundable. Pictures are lot illustrationonlyand do not represent the roduct exact'as shown. Rainchecks available u n r oast Please call and reserveour purchases itou an to pick Jo at stor 3uanfities are limited and subject to availabil. Dealerscope Merchandising Products of theMonth

Froehlich Fotovideo Samsung VT290T VCR Offers Transfer System Hi-Fi Stereo Own your own business, 60% net profit, no inventory, fora market just starting to grow-Video Transfer. Froehlich Video Transfer Center transfers 8mm, 16mm, prints, slides, negatives, with A 4 head video system and a titles, special effects and music 2 head hi-fi stereo audio system backgrounds on VHS or Beta tape. make the Samsung VT290T VHS Make pictures and film "come format VCR a high quality audio/ alive" for home TV. For full details, video tape deck. Its onscreen call or write Froehlich Fotovideo, command system displays oper- 6 Depot Way West, Larchmont, NY ating instructions on the TV 10538 (914) 834-5411. screen, indicates which buttons to - ' V1DEO TRANSFER CENTER push, confirms the commands and memorizes them. Other features the VT290T offers include: 139 channel cable -compatible tuner with 16 present channels, 4 week/ 8 program timer, quartz clock, auto date and time recording.

Savoy Video Cassette Storage System This is Savoy model #782 video cassette storage system. This unit will hold 24 Betaor VHS cassettes, 12 in each drawer. The Savoy#782 is currently being sold atmost department store chains andvideo stores. Savoy customer service number is 1-800-343-8140. Dealerscope Merchandisingis the Marketing Magazine for Consumer Electronics and Major ApplianceRetailing Editorial Offices: North American Building. -1111 North Broad Street. Philadelphia.l'A 19111! (215) 235-5300 VIDEO REVIEWS

Discs and tapes TOWNSHEND'S reviewed by Robert Ackart VISION Chris Albertson pETE TOWNSHEND'S White City is one of those multimedia pack- Louis Meredith ages much beloved by the enter- Alanna Nash tainment industry these days: See the movie! Buy the book! Buy the record! Buy the lunch box! But don't BLUES ALIVE. John Mayall's Origi- hold that against it, especially Vestron's nal Bluesbreakers; John McVie, Albert "Music Movie" version, because it's King, Etta James, Buddy Guy, Sippie ratherinterestingstuff.Townshend, Wallace, Junior Wells (vocals); others. still the Thinking Man's Rock Star, has The Dark Side of Midnight; C. C. Rider; here concocted another of his medita- Baby What Ya Want Me to Do; Call It tions on the Decline of the Empire, the Stormy Monday; Room to Move; Don't British class system, the generation gap, Start Me Talkin;and eight others. PIO- and the meaning of rock-and-roll. If it NEER PA -85-143 LaserDisc $24.95. reminds you of his earlierQuadrophe- nia,that's probably not accidental, and Performance:Earthy whileWhite City is farless ambitious, it Recording:Very good is intelligent, often moving, and quite The sound of popular music is ever obviously Townshend's own. changing,butsomethingsnever The story is slight. Townshend plays a change, and with apologies to Gertrude minor-league rock star who returns to Stein, a blues is a blues is a blues. There his old neighborhood, the White City (a are many shades of blues, though, and real -life English housing project and ob- quite a few were evident at the Capitol viously a metaphor). There he encount- Theatre in Newark, New Jersey, on a ers two friends who stayed behind: Jim, All in all,White City isthe kind of June night in 1982. That was a tour stop played by Andrew Wilde, who looks highly personal, nonlinear, avant-garde for JohnMayall'sBluesbreakers,a like a degenerate Alexander Goudonov, film that used to be the province of Hol- group of white musicians who made and his ex-wife Alice, played by Francis lywood mavericks like John Cassavetes. their mark in the rock world, and they Barber, a radiantly real actress. In short, How odd to find it (like Ray Davies's were joined for the occasion by some boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets generically similarReturn to Waterloo) prominent black guests of the very pur- girl back But Townshend fleshes out now the province of musicians looking est blues lineage. this familiar material with sharply ob- to branch out. Definitely worth a look, Despite rough spots here and there, served character vignettes,elegantly and Vestron's hi-fi soundtrack on cas- "Blues Alive" is on the whole a satisfy- shot and at times surreal flashbacks, sette and the CX-encoded stereo on ing set. Of the guests, Buddy Guy and and musical numbers that comment, LaserDisc are satisfactorily vivid. Junior Wells are the most genuinely fairly cleverly, on the action. It may not Louis Meredith spirited. Albert King is wonderful as he be epochal drama, but as a kitchen -sink renders Born Under a Bad Sign,the realist mood pieceit succeeds rather PETE TOWNSHEND:White City- song that originally established him. nicely. If Townshend isn't careful, he The Music Movie.With Pete Town- Etta James is a bit too forceful, and Sip - may be remembered one day not as the shend, Andrew Wilde, Francis Barber. pie Wallace, who made superb record- architect of one of the greatest rock VESIRONMA -1025 VHS Hi-Fi $29.95, ings in the Twenties (sometimes accom- bands ever but as a less -angry Sixties MB -1025 Beta Hi-Fi $29.98, VL-I 025 panied by a fiery, young Louis Arm- version of John Osborne. LaserDisc $34.95. strong),isstilldelightful as she approaches eighty-five. Since music of this kind rarely appears on videodiscs, this greeting royalty, Domingo acknowledg- six others.SONY96W50128 VHS Hi-Fi LaserDisc from Pioneer is especially ing applause (thunderous, of course), $29.95, 96W00127 Beta Hi-Fi $29.95. welcome, and the stereo audio track is Domingo being idolized by Hollywood Performance:Fascinating very good indeed. C.A. celebrities, and Domingo at play. This Eccentric elaborate publicity gimmick would be Recording: PLACIDO DOMINGO:Placido.Placi- worth the105 minutes required to As the only extant full-length, post -Bea- do Domingo (tenor).KULTUR1119 watch it if Domingo were allowed to tles performance document of John VHS Hi-Fi and Beta Hi-Fi $39.95. revealanything of realsignificance WinstonLennon,rockerextraordi- about his art. He is not. It is all very pat naire,this video perhaps generated un- Performance:Ingratiating and superficial, and in the long run it reasonable expectations when its release Recording:Satisfactory seems merely self-serving. Still, some- was announced. Shot at a 1972 benefit This video cassette, subtitled "A Year how the tenor emerges from it all as an concert, it catches Lennon at the height in the Life of Placido Domingo," does attractive and likable fellow. R.A. of his explicitly political period, which, indeed show the tenor to be ingratiat- from all accounts, was not a happy time ing-warm,outgoing,andhumble. JOHN LENNON:Live in New York for him. What we see here, in fact, is an Humble! Indeed, Uriah Heep could not City. John Lennon (vocals,guitar); artist who is noticeably angry about have been more 'umble. We are allowed Yoko Ono (vocals, keyboards); Ele- something, though whether it's his im- glimpsesof the singer in various roles, phant's Memory (vocals and instru- migration status, his marriage, the role but no segment is ever brought to its mentals).Power to the People; New of women in society, the Vietnam war, musical conclusion. And we have vi- York City; It's So Hard; Woman Is the or his declining commercial prospects gnettes of Domingo learning new parts, Nigger of the World; Sisters Oh; Well remains unclear. Domingo the family man, Domingo Well Well; Instant Karma; Mother;and Musically it is an extremely uneven

STEREO REVIEW JUNE 1986 131 package. The major revelation (if that is HEADPHONES the word) is Elephant's Memory, the back-up group. At the time, they had Continued from page 98 parlayed their association with the ex- speakers,it's important to bring Beatle into a still -surviving reputation your own music, whether on LP, as a quintessential hard -rock outfit, a CD, or cassette. If you're buying sort of fire -breathing Greenwich Village your first pair of headphones you equivalent of the Band. Unfortunately, what becomes obvious within the first may be amazed at the amount of few minutes of this program is that, in detail you'll hear in sources you fact, they were utterly mediocre-a ran- thought were familiar. cid bunch of burnt -out hippies who When you think you have made couldn't have cut it doing Top -40 cov- your choice, leave your preferred ers at a Jersey Shore bar, let alone at phones on for at least five minutes Madison Square Garden, where this to check their fit and comfort. If you was filmed. Long on cliche licks, they plan to wear them for jogging, you'll are almost painful to observe. have to suffer the mild embarrass- John, on the other hand, simply reeks presence and raw talent, although in ment of running around in the store this company even Sonny Bono would to see if they'll stay on. have looked good. He sings and plays While playing music with both with passionate commitment (Come strong bass and high -treble content, Together, Mother, Well Well Well), he movetheheadphonesaround chews gum with more panache than any slightly and vary the horizontal rock star in memory, and the camera pressure,noting how much the clearly loves him. Ignore, if you can, the Newton -John: hot-blooded sound changes.Different models routine direction, the intrusive presence vary widely in their sensitivity to of Yoko Ono (whose piano work, when Kiss; Culture Shock; Emotional Tangle; position and pressure. If a pair of audible,isunlikelytogive Linda Toughen Up; The Right Moment. MCA phones sounds good only when McCartney the jitters), and a somewhat 80346 VHS Hi-Fi and BetaHi-Fi eccentric audio mix, and what you get is $19.95. you're pressing them to your ears an utterly fascinating glimpse of a genu- with your hands, they won't do. ine pop genius/primitive, a man who Performance: Kinkyfied While you don't have to audition obviously would have made his mark Recording: Excellent headphones in your own listening on the Sixties in some form even if he Olivia Newton -John has always been a room as you do with loudspeakers, hadn't hooked up with three ideal col- much better pop singer than she's got- it is very important to try them with laborators in Liverpool. This is hardly ten credit for, largely because her girl - your own associated equipment. one of the classic rock concert videos, next -door image obscured the notion Aretheconnectors compatible? but it makes for remarkable viewing that there might be some real sensibility Small open-air headphones have nonetheless. L.M. there. Through the years, that implied miniature wholesomeness has become a bit shop- stereoplugs,though MOZART: Cosi fan tulle. Helena Dose worn, too, a problem Newton -John ap- usually there's an adaptor for the (soprano),Fiordiligi;Sylvia Linden - parently hopes to eliminate by turning larger1/4 -inch plug,requiring an strand(mezzo-soprano),Dorabella; hot-blooded on her new video. adaptor for portable use. Danitle Perriers (soprano), Despina; Three of the five segments here- Unfortunately,evenwiththe Anson Austin (tenor), Ferrando; Thom- Soul Kiss, Culture Shock, and Toughen right connectors all may not be well. as Allen (baritone), Guglielmo; Franz Up-attempt to show that our Livvy There is no such thing as a "stan- Petri (baritone), Don Alfonso. Glynde- has gotten more than just physical. She dard" headphone driver circuit, and bourne Festival Chorus; London Phil- seems to have developed a taste for the receivers, harmonic Orchestra, John Pritchard more, well, nefarious arts. In the video preamplifiers, and cas- cond. VIDEO ARTS INTERNATIONAL for the title song, she comes across look- sette players differ widely in their 69024 VHS Hi-Fi $69.95, 29024 Beta ing kinkier than the glass-boothed Nas- ability to match the impedances and Hi-Fi $69.95. tassia Kinski in Paris, Texas, writhing sensitivitiesofdifferenthead- Performance: Lackluster around on a red satin bed a la Marilyn phones. Some outputs may be Recording: Good Monroe-albeit clothed-inherfa- loaded incorrectly by low -imped- mous calender shot. In Toughen Up, she ance phones, resulting in weak bass This videocassette of the 1975 Glynde- takes riding crop in hand to teach the or audible distortion at high levels. bourne Festival production of Mozart's innocents of a posh girls'boarding sparkling comedy is a no-nonsense af- Circuits that sound fine with low- school how to get tough with their men. sensitivity headphones may be too fair, which is a pity. Despite a current And in Culture Shock, she asks her boy trend to embellishitwith Freudian friend if her lover can move in, inton- noisy at the low volume settings interpretations, the opera is supreme ing, "Why can't the three of us live required for high -sensitivity mod- nonsense that should be enjoyed as a together?" Of course, it's all in fun. Just els. Even some very expensive por- masquerade. But thereis not much when things get their steamiest in Soul table cassette decks have this prob- laughter here. The singing is accurate Kiss, we're treated to grainy restagings lem. If you'll be using the head- enough but unexciting, with the notable of famous movies kisses. And to tone phones mainly at home, make sure exception of Helene DOse in Fiordiligi's down the decadent sexual sparks in you can return them if they don't second long aria, and there is no sense Toughen Up, director David Mallet work properly with your system. of Mozart's ironic commentaries on the turns the man -hating fantasy segments Finally, one word of warning music of his contemporaries. On the into goofy cartoon comedy. credit side, however, is John Pritchard's All five videos here have their mo- about your new headphones: they conducting, which is precise and well ments-more tease than sleaze-but in- can play havoc with your schedule. paced. R.A. stead of serving to present Newton - After you bring them home, you John as a mature and serious pop sty- may well find yourself listening to OLIVIA NEWTON -JOHN: Soul Kiss. list, they reinforce her lightweight per- your record and tape collection all Olivia Newton -John (vocals); vocal and sona. At $19.95, though, the price is over again just for the new things instrumentalaccompaniment.Soul right, I suppose. A. N. you can hear in it!

132 STEREO REVIEW JUNE 1986 STEREO REVIEW GUIDE TO AUTHORIZED RETAILERS

N( )il] II-. \

ANNOUNCINGOURGRAND OPENINGIN MERRICK LONG ISLAND,N.Y.

Dear Music Lover. changes, certain things will remain the same. Performance Audlo/VIdeo will After five years of service to our customers. Performance Audio/ Video has feature the same knowledgeable personnel. the best products and the most outgrown our present facility in Freeport. We wish to thank our loyal amiable atmosphere. We will move, we will grow, but we will not change our customers who have made this possible. basic philosophy, which is to provide the best to our customers. We will still Our new store is a larger facility with five soundrooms. We feel this facility offer personalized attention and great value. will be among the finest in the tri-state area. however no matter what Come join the celebration now through May 31st. a

We are offering special prices, free gifts, prizes and surprises. Nersid Made Mapievr

FeatUrinp: Denon ADS Adcom Kyocera KEF Celestion SL & DL Series McIntosh Sony ES Tandberg Energy D M Time Window & Time Frame Dual Harman/Kardon JBL Ti & L Series Proton Audio & Video Bang & Olufsen Quad Bose Grado Soundcraftsmen Robertson VPI Signet Systemdek Thorens Wharfedale VSP AR Monster Cable Rauna & other fine lines

Retail MC Mail Order performance VISA Export CALL (516)-378-4389 audio/video Showroom hours Mon & Thuis 10am-9pm 2064 Sunrise Highway Merrick, Long Island, Wed. Fri 10am - 7prnSat 10am -6pm New York 11556 (opposite Merrick Station LIRR) WELL WORTH A TRIP FROM ANYWHERE

SAVE audio den ltd. Leonard ON STEREO AT THREE AUDITIONING ROOMS PERDUE'S Authorized Sales and Service Radio FOR 01 ER SO 1 EARS polk audio AUDIO AND VIDEO COMPONENTS USTOMERS WORLDWIDE-BEST PRICs d6x.McIntosh MOST KNOWLEDGEABLE SALES STAFF ACCUPHASL RAF LEH PROTON Tandberg

ACOUSTAT J H MICHELL HO, ,L S A E AUTHORIZED DISTRIBUTOR ADCOM KLIPSCH ADCOM DUAL OHM K E N WOO D s-raNTon A R TURNTABLES KOETSU STAX/SUMIKC ADS DYNAVECTOR ORTOFON CLASSE MAGNEPAN SOTA ALPINE GRACE PROTON CONRAD JOHNSON MAGNE PLANAR SYSTEMDEK B&O GRADO REVOX Bang&Olufsen niNakarnichi DUAL MONSTER CABLE THORENS B&W HARMON- SOUND- DYNAVECTOR NAKAMICHI V P I ( ROWN KARDON CRAFTSMEN GRACE NEC YAMAHA DAYTON JB STAX-SUMIKO CWD JENSEN OHM ZETA WRIGHT LUXMAN TANDBERG GRAD() PEARL CORDER DBX McINTOSH THORENS MaanarCona DENON NAKAMICHI ) ITELARd RENTALS TRADE-INS DISCS 8 TAPES 55 WEST 44TH ST. NYC (212) 840-2025 SMITH HAVEN PLAZA 69-34 51ST AVE. WOODSIDE, QUEENS, Is PERDUE RADIO CO. 2021 NESCONSET HWY. (RT. 3471 (718) 803-1111 LAKE GROVE. N.Y. 11755 LEONARD RADIO OF NJ INC. SALES & SERVICE SINCE 1922 (ADJ TO SMITH HAVEN MALL 160 ROUTE 17, PARAMUS, NJ (201) 261-5525 10 South Park St.. Montclair, NJ 'Available in Paramus only 1201) 744-4343 VISIT OUR SHOWROOMS FOR 1103 Bloomfield Ave., W Caldwell, NJ (516) 360-1990 LOWEST POSSIBLE PRICES (2011 575-8264 STEREOREVIEW Polk GUIDETO AUTHORIZED RETAILERS The Speaker Specialists ® NORTHEAST

Where to buy Polk Speakers? I he I est Irk e 11 SI 1111111,1(hi4 AUTHORIZED DEALER LIST

ALABAMA Auburn s MISSISSIPPI Gullporr Jackson

Birmingham tHomewoodl ' Pascagoula III r Huntsville . MISSOURI Cape Girardeau Mobile Montgomery Columbia s'' Lebanon , Known by the company we keep. Tuscaloosa s SILouis ALASKA Anchorage Fairbanks MONTANA Boreman Great MAJOR AUDIO Mission Thiel fAal 444 ARIZONA Flagstan Mow: NEBRASKA Lincoln t. Omaha Acoustat MIT Threshold At SOUNDSTAGE you can ialk-tb-d Gluon ' s NEVADA las Vegas Reno ADS NAD Vandersteer knowledgeablesalesperson who will advise ARKANSAS Little Rock Boston AcousticsNakamichi Velodyne you on the best audio or video equipment Seamy NEW HAMPSHIRE Concord

CALIFORNIA Arcata I , Laconia '. Bryston Nelson Reed VPI that meets your needs and budget. From BakersIleid . Berkeley Near London Carver Oracle Yamaha our large selection you can compare Campbell Salem Chico NEW JERSEY East Brunswick CWD Robertson VIDEO Performance specifications and prices Fairfield Franklin Lakes . Fresno Los Maple Shade Sr - DCM Signet NAD ALL SOUND STAGE equipment includes: Angeles Mill Valley Montclair Raritan Denon Snell NEC 30 -day best price protection Orange Ridgewood Penngrove Sacramento Shrewsbury V Toms Grado Signature SOTA Pioneer free3 -year warranty with parts & labor San Diego River West Cardwell free delivery San Francisco Magnepan Stax Proton San Gabriel Santa NEW MEXICO Albuquerque Martin Logan Tandberg Sony PLEASE. NO MAIL ORDER Barbara ' Santa Cruz - Carlsbad NEC ALPINE INERGY TALISMAN THE LINGO BOX - Santa Marta NEW YORK Albany .' Batavia Modern Demo Facility. Specialty Records, ADS SIGNET LUXMAN AUDIO -PRO AUDIOCONTROL - Santa Monica . Beall, DCM RAPIER ALLISON CJ WALKER BEVER DYNABAC Thousand Oaks Ventura Corning Elmira Accessories and CDs. In-store Service. NIFTY GR0-19 Visalia Fredonia Custom Cabinetry. No Mall Orders Please STAX GRACE PROTON OBK SOUNDOELD F05111( DUNTECH JENSEN VIDEO BANG & OLUFSEN Walnut Creek 'r ..., Glens Falls Huntington KLOSS Woodland Hills '', t '.,treo AL - Ithaca AMBER DENON CLIFFORD 30 ACOUSTICS SORROW/ SOUND

CANADA . lechnOlogy Toronto E r Jamestown Manhasset Call for storehours COLORADO Arvada ''. Aurora' Newburgh New York (718) 961-9888 City ' Colorado Springs sr Rochester Scarsdale 173 Broadway

Denver LIffleton Syracuse 't NYC. NY 10007 ''Pueblo Vestal Wappingers Falls 105 Whitney Ave.. New Haven. CT (NW Corner of CONNECTICUT Avon . l's Away & Cortland) Brooklield Fairfield NORTH CAROLINA Ashevilles' Mon .Tue .Wed ,Fn..10-6.Thurs .10-8.Sat.. 10-5. EMS, On COMOnCe Greenwich Chanel Hill Grotun Charlotte Greensboro MC/VISA/AMEX /TAKE 5 Charge One flight cup Nartlo A' Jacksonville OR

t Pineville New Haven Newington 184 /0 Horace Hording EnOve New London Raleigh Wilmington Fresh Mecdcor NY 1+36500251.1E

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA':. Winston Salem FLORIDA Altamonte Springs NORTH DAKOTA Bismarck

Boca Raton . Clear soL"ri I CENTRAL water ' Daytona Beach OHIO Cleveland . Cincinnati FtLauderdale ". Columbus Dayton

FtMyers Fl Pierce,rid Fairlawn

FtWalton Beach Findlay Erma

Jacksonville . Mayfield Hetghts .

lakeworth Merrill Island Toledo Westlake Miami . OKLAHOMA Lannon Tulsa BCD mt.., Orange Part OREGON Beaverton BOSTON COMPACT DISC Demme Ar. Pensacola Eugene Klamath T nkI, I Tallahassee . Falls Pendleton

Tampa c . W Palm Beach r Portland PENNSYLVANIA Allentown GEORGIA Atlanta ' Augusta Altoona Blakely

' Duluth ,. Morrow Bryn Mawr . a ....1 a Erie . Savannah actenuLsk ,; -Campyl.H;ell, No records. Smyrna Tucker Stereo Indiana Jenkintown HOUSTON'S home for qu 'lily HAWAII Honolulu ..a Kingston No tapes. IDAHO Boise Pocatello Lancaster Montgomery stereo and video components by: Sandpoint Hale..' Natrona Heights ADS, Alpine, Bang & Olufsen, ILLINOIS Aurora r, Sy',' Bloom- t Pittsburgh All kinds of music. ingdale Yr steer.' Bullalo Quakertown . Reading Boston Acoustics, dbx Soundfield, Uwe ,trIer Champaign- . Selinsgrove Deltalb Holtman Williamsport Windber Klipsch, Kyocera, McIntosh, NAD,

Estates - Ifighland Park ' Lansing RHODE ISLAND N Providence Nakamichi, NEC, PhaseTech, Signet,

Mt Prospect Normal Northbrook SOUTH CAROLINA Charleston OrTAI Thorens, and Yamaha. DIGITAL AUDIO Peoria Wt Columbra Riverdale Rocklord Greenwood Spartansburg Shaumberg s ( uklom Media Svstenik Division 524-2823 Springfield: SOUTH DAKOTA Rapid Cry

Stall. Falls t, Vernon Hillseiat Villa TENNESSEE Chattanooga 5310 Kirby 526-4317 Part .tcn Waukegan Cookeville a 54 b JFK St Johnson City-; Harvard Square 7543 Westheimer 781-1013

INDIANA Bloomington Kingsport Cambridge, MA 02138 7123 Southwest freeway 777-0353 Bluffton - rr TVG Sryr Greenwood Knoxville s McMinnville Memphis 17776 FM149 al FM1960 (Willowbrook CourlI 955-06I Lafayette I lick- Marion Nashville 16171 576-1111. Telex 4996804 /15)0 STOP. IF 535 (area c Ode 'I Br Muncie . South Bend TEXAS Austin Beaumont

. Terre Haute fir College Station Dallas '. El Paso HOME ENTERTAINMENT, INC. IOWA Des Moines Fairfield: .; Gatveslon Garland e . - Houston Slow. City

Longview Lubbock

KANSAS Emporia . Junction Odessa

City San Angelo S Overland Park1...0.0 )l I I An II ,R Wichita Temple Texarkana

Topeka S T Waco Wichita Falls KENTUCKY Lexington

Louisville Owensboro Y UTAH Logan store only

Salt Lake City Vernal LOUISIANA Baton Rouge

Gretna . leavene VERMONT Burlington

Le Menne New VIRGINIA Ansel

Orleans Opelousas Charlottesville Falls lir Shreveport Church.... Franklin YOU CAN AFFORD West Monroe t. ' r Leesburg . MAINE Bangor Camden R1011110114 Roanoke Virginia Beach MARYLAND Annapolis they: Soud SOMETHING BETTER lafftmore Frederik*: WASHINGTON Bellevue

Sr Rockswile :revEno , Bellingham . lynnwoOd MASSACHUSETTS Gloucester. Glass Sao-

,buys . N Dartmouth 'sound SyS- Richland

Waltham tBostont 4,^arn Camera Seattle . AT HI Fl BUYS r. Worcester . Spokane MICHIGAN Ann Arbor WE CARRY THEBESTSTEREO & VIDEO AT THEBESTPRICE! Birmingham Dearborn WEST VIRGINIA Barboursville

East Lansing Beckley Huntington ADS Dynavector Nakamichi Sherwood Farmington Hills Grand Morgantown Ffiedmonr Rapids Iron Mountain Bang & Olufsen Hafler Ohm Sony '. Lansing WISCONSIN Appleton

Portage Royal Oak , hole Lacrosse Green Bay. Belles Infinity Perraux Systemdek saving. A Melts. Traverse City Marinette Milwaukee Carver InterAudio by Bose PS Audio Thiel i Rhinelander MINNESOTA Brooklyn Center r ng Wausau Denon Kenwood Robertson Thorens Burnsville Duluth sr WYOMING Cheyenne - Edina Mark ota Riverton Desktop Speakers Mission Sharp NEC Minneapolis Minnetonka Rochester Mitsubishi Quasar Minolta AND MORE, t. Roseville 10 ATLANTA LOCATIONS (404) 261-4434 STEREO REVIEW CLASSIFIED

EQUIPMENT UNPRESSUREG. PERSONALIZED CONSULTAT ON and lowest prices on a variety of superb components. A SINGER'S DREAM! audio-technica ^t.I N1,11 COMMUNITY AUDIO, 318 West Duval. Philadelphia, PA 19144. (215) 843-9918. ,..--

DIAMONDS ARE NOT FOREVER' .-, < When was thelast time you Audio. Video changed your stylus? If you cant remember, then it may already $6\ tAN' t 11 Car Stereo be too late!! PE e Lowest P -ices on All Major Brands O of Audio, Video & Car Stereo We specializeinphono cartridges.I actory original replace- FULLY WARRANTEED I -ment styli & record care items REMOVES VOCALS FROM RECORDS! GET IT FREE! Now You can sing with the world's best bands! only!! Free Delivery Anywhere in the U.S. The Thompson Vocal Eliminator can remove Major Credit Cards Accepted most or virtually all of a lead vocal from a standard stereo recorc and leave most of the background (800) 221-0906 The SOUND Approach untouched! itcord with your voce or perform live 0 6067 Jericho Tpke., Commack, NY 11725 with the backgrounds. Used in Professional Perfor- CALL TOLL -FREE FOR mance yet cc nnects easily to a home component FREE PRICE QUOTES "Call us" (516) 499-7680 stereo system. Not an equalize-! We can pnve it VISAIMCIC.O.D. ORDERS works over fie phone. Write or call for a Free N.Y. State (516) 599.1112 Brochure arc Deno Record. SEND SELF ADDRESSED CARVER, NAKAMICHI, BANG & OLUFSEN, A.D.S., LT Sound, Dept. SR.P.c. Box 338, STAMPED ENVELOPE FOR CROWN, REVOX, HAFLER, ADCOM, MISSION, ME- Stone Moun:ain, GA 30086 (404) 493-1258 OUR FREE CATALOG. 24 HOUR WOVE DEMO UNE' 14041493 61179 RIDIAN,N.A.D., HARMAN/KARDON, KYOCERA, YAMAHA, LUXMAN, DENON, KLIPSCH, B&W, POLK, EXPERIENCED FRIENDLY ADVICE! ACOUSTAT, PS, LYLE CARTRIDGES KEF, D.C.M., E -V, 1.B.L., INFINITY, D.B.X., AKG, AND tillIFLER, SAE, QUAD, KLIPSCH, THORENS. PRO- Dept. SR, Box 158 OTHER QUALITY COMPONENTS. BEST PRICES- Valley Stream, N.Y. 11582 TON, FRIED, ADCOM, MONSTER CABLE, CD F PROFESSIONAL CONSULTATION. ALL PRODLICTS PLAYERS, more. IMMEDIATE, FREE shipping! COVERED BY MANUFACTURERS' U.S.A. WAR- Phones Open Mon.Sat. gam - 8pm READ BROTHERS STEREO, 593-B King St., RANTY. AMERISOUND SALES, INC., EAST: (904) Charleston, South Carolina 29403. (803) 723- STaNT011 262-4000; WEST; (818) 243-1168. orroion'MUM 7276. SPEAKERKIT CATALOG -30 proven designs for FREE CATALOG-LOWEST DISCOUNT PRICES on home, cars 8 (and) pro. JBL, Audax, Haller, polypro- CONCERT SOUND HAS MOVED. Linn Soldek- Stereo/esoteric components and accessories for the pylene drivers. 8 crossovers. $2. Gold Sound, Box Naim-NAD-REGA-Mordaunt Short-Grado- 141SR, Englewood, CO 80151. Magnepan. 7103 B anco (NW Corner loop 410). San home and car: Sony, Bose, JVC, AR, SAE, other Antonio. 340-1224. SAVE UP TO 75%i Esoteric loudspeaker kits, acoustic "high quality" brands. AUDIO UNLIMITED, 1203'/2D foam, drivers, enclosures, capacitors etc. Catalog RCA - MVC- MAGNAVOX - PIONEER - VCR'S - Adams Ave, La Grande, Oregon 97850. (503) 963- 52.00. Refundable. Audio Concepts. 1631 Caledonia CAM -ERAS - CAMCORDERS - MONITORS - Home St.. LaCrosse. Wisconsin 54602.(608) 781-2110 & Car Audio The Stereo Factory. 1010 Tenth 5:.. Hun- 5731, 10-6, M-Th, 10-4 Pacific Time. tington, WV 25701. 1(800) GET-VCRS orders only. THEY DON'T DISCOUNT IT? WE DO! GET LOW '1304) 526-0132 Information. Stereo PII!M CALL NE PRICES on ALL types of audio equipment-includ- I -I OWN ing high -end and even esoteric products not nor- (714) 594-5749 mally discounted! Now we can save you money on Ifoal cPRICES xpress7 BESTNow CALL FOR PRICE the equipment you REALLY WANT. Extensive selec- FOR THE tion-no need to settle for second choice. Thou- ALLI111107 11()Sigir()NtPRICES ON CLOSE FAST & FRIENDLY SERVICE ARE AS sands of satisfied customers nationwide. Call us for CIV1414ES I TRIBUTOR Most Orders Shipped Within 48 Hours THE LOW MEELECTRONICS Al BUYING price quotes or friendly, expert advice. Catalog $1. RANDs OfHOME OUR NAT1ON DEO, TV, HOME AUDIO PHON1E1PUT YOO,Nowtv I DISC IN YAMAHA. ADS. BOSE. HAF LER, HARMAN KARDCN AS YOUR WORK FOR COMPACT (616) 451-3868. VISA/MC/AMEX. THE AUDIO AD- POW ER TO STEREO, DISKS, INFINITY. AR. ALTEC SONY. DBX. JBL JVC, AIWA PORTABLE TERS, FLOPPY TECHNICS. AKM, SAE. MICRO SEW ADCOM VISOR, INC., 225 Oakes Southwest, Grand Rapids, '!,AUDIO,TAPE, COMPL PRNTERS TEAC. STAX. ADVENT AUDIO SOURCE e _AY ERS, ACCESSORIES, ALL. AND MANY MORE PAPER, WE HAVE IS Michigan 49503. ...,..--11MPUTER ALL CAR AUDIO MONITORS...SLECTION, mi BEAT THE PRICE FIXERS with low discount prices on. TREMENDOUSMANUFACTURERS ADS ALPINE. BLAUPUNKT CONCORD SONY THE MAIOR CALL AWAY" KENWOOD PIONEER CLIFFORD ALARMS Carver. ADS, Bang & Olufsen. Revox. Nakamichi. Hal- ARE ONE LOWEST PRItE VIDEO ler, Kyocera. Tandberg, Luxman, H.K. Manufacturers &i.ND TriE SONY JVC RCA PANASONIC U.S.A.warranty on all. ISLAND AUDIO. INC.. (904; 253- 11100.22.5.8656 ORDERS OKI 709 Brea Canyon Rd., Suite 9. Walnut. CA 91789 3456 J.S.AUDIO offers home, car. digital. & esoteric audio BANG & OLUFSEN, ADS, Luxman, NAD, Thotens, components at extremely competitive prices. Call (301) Kyocera. Reasonable prices. Soundcrest, Inc., (201) 890-3232 or wrte to: J.S. AUDIO, One Childress Court. DEWAROVs Laurel. MD 20707. MC -VISA. 756-4858. MA001801 Ave.,Woburn. c-reck :tend certitied No HAFLER, YAMAHA. BOSE. MCINTOSH. etcin stock. ORDER TOLL FREE 1(800) 222.3465. AR * ACOUS- 5Commcnweetthrapid servicecask discoun... ORVE.R: For checks recie Trades welcomed. Audio Exchange. 57 Park Place -SR, TAT AMBER B&W * BOSE * GRADO' HARMAN tit AIL prices reflectPer ;on at 3 der ikii shipprnp&ha.dling NY, NY 10007. (212) 964-4570 or money an WIVISA!Add Sol over S100NO KARDON HAFLER * JVC KENWOOD NITTY cash discountJays 1Df clearingfor orcers apProx 'IA Si 00, 7% gdes tax orderE ender add GRITTY PREMIER * SONY * TALISMAN * AND MASS residents Orders(6171863-1440 PAY DEALER COST C 0 D M On Home & Car Stereo....Video Equipment also MORE. HCM AUDIO, 1600 BX MANGROVE, CHICO, Satellite T.V. All top brands. No deposit, same day CA 95926. (916) 345-1341. shipping, no lemon guarantee. Full lifetime se -- LOWEST PRICES ON BRAND NAME LOUD S°EAKER vice. Call 9am to 9pm daily, 'til 5pm Saturday. DRIVERS. Crossovers, parts and kits. Quantity dis- 1.301-488-9600 SAVINGS TO 40%. Nakamichi: Revox, NAD, KEF, INTERNATIONAL HI Fl DISTRIBUTORS B&W, Yamaha, Mission, Tanberg, Kyocera, Sony, plus counts available. Send $1.00 for catalogue (refund- Moravia Center Industrial Park 100 others East 1(202) 723.7404; West 1(206) 325- able with order). KDS ELECTRONICS, Dept. SR 686, Baltimore, Maryland 21206 7601. POB 907, Rye, NY 10580. ELECTRACRAFT: Authorized dealer for Bang & 01- YOUR ONLY AUTHORIZED WEST COAST service for WE SELL SECOND HAND high quality audio -video with ufsen, Dahlquist, DCM, Denon Entec, Grado, Haler, ADS ADCOM 1380 B&S Canton H/K Kyocera money back guarantee! Send your name and address KEF, Klipsch, MAK, Monster Cable, PS. Audio, Re - ' Mission Revak. Save more. pay check or money or- for FREE monthly inventory. Ross Stereo. 4912 Na- vox, Signet. Soto. Tandberg and many more hi -end der. STANAL SOUND. (818) 764-5200. Ext. 8. ples Place. San Diego. CA 92110. (619) 275-3632. audio products. including mobile sound. M/C, VISA, AMEX. ELECTRACRAFT, 400 Cedar St., Sandpoint, ID JPW LOUDSPEAKERS LTD OF PLYMOUTH DEVON SONY COMPACT DISC PLAYERS. All models in stoc-*. 83864. (208) 263-9516. ENGLAND is proud that our P1 loudspeaker was rated FAST FREE DELIVERY. Call (516) 499-7680. "Best Budget Loudspeaker" in 1985 by British Audio Dealers Association. See our "musical loudspeaker" CABLE TV CONVERTERS/DESCRAMBLERS Guar- . LUX MICRO SEIKI KENIN000 TECHNICS STAx ENME at CES. Suite 449. Americana Congress Hotel. For ap- anteed lowest prices in U.S. Jerrold Hamlin. Zenith - ALL JAPANESE HIGH -END pointment. contact. POWER AUDIO DISTRIBUTORS. many others! Lowest dealer prices! Order's shipped DISCOUNTED INC., 4632 Crossroads Park Drive. Liverpool. NY within 24 hours! MasterCard-VISA-C.O.D. ac- America's Largest Selection cepted. Free catalog -call (800) 345-8927 only! Pa- UVLR .0(JeAk4IRIULA:, 13088. (315) 451-5721. 50 TONEARMS 30 TURNTABLES cific Cable Co..Inc.. 7325'/r Reseda Blvd #1303. 100 ACCESSORIES 6 MORT LOUDSPEAKER ENCLOSURES by ENCORE. Real Reseda. CA 91335. All other information, call (818) 716- CATALOG $3 00 Rosewood and Teak veneers. Mensicus. 3275 Gladi- 5914. JAPANESE STEREO ola. Wyoming, Michigan 40509. (616) 534-9121 2711 Makin SM. HAND-CRAFTED FOLDED CORNER HORNS. Highly &Ma Wise CA 10403 STEREO CITY ATLANTA MAIL ORDER DIVISION. efficient. finished or unfinished. Thomas & Associ-

YAMAHA ovNAvECTOR HIGHPHONIC ates. 527 West Burke St.. Martinsburg. W. VA 25401. We carry everything in electronics. Yamaha, Al- (304) 267-4118. pine, Denon. (404) 264-9378. CALL TOLL FREE! 1(800) 826-0520 for DAN, Haf- YAMAHA R-3 $199. R-5 $269. R-7 $419. R-8 $529 R-9 ler, Denon, Dahlquist, Tandberg, dbx, 3D, Pro- "LOWEST PRICES JBL. ADS. Bose. Crown, DBX. $699. R 1000 $549. GE60 $299 Synthesizer DX7 $1599. B&O & More DYNAMIC SOUND. Box 168, Stark. K-1020 $529. CDX3 $349. Nakamichi Bx 300 $599. CD ton, Nittygritty, B&W, VSP, Thorens, Grace, CWD, ville, MS 39759 (601) 323-0750 M -F 2-8 pm. 1000 $649. RX 202 $529. RX 505 $949, Dragon $1499. Monster, M&K, Grado, Belles, Oracle, Talisman, OMS5 $779. OMS7 $1099. Not an authorized Nakam- AUDIOVISION Authorized dealer for ADS, B&O. Carver. ichi dealer. Direct importer. International Model avail- Duntech, Stax, Snell, Tiptoes, Audioquest, DCM, Dahlquist. Denon. Klipsch. Monster Cable. Nakami- able. New USA Warranty. Sony TCD5M $549. Tascam Proac, Dynavector, Fried, Moscode. SOUND chi. NEC. Polk. Signet. Yamaha. Audiovision. 507 South M30 $899. 38 $2499. Denon DRA 555 $349, DRA 755 Main. Moscow. ID 83843. (208) 882-3505. SELLER, 1706 Main, Marinette, WI 54143. (715) $429. DRM44HX $499. POA 1500 $569. DP61 $399. CHADWICK MODIFIC. TIONS UPGRADES FOR Technics. Onkyo. Luxman. Please call.Visa. MC. 735-9002. THORENS TURNTABLES- -GRADO PICK UPS. Mats, AMEX. Diners. COD's. Taskamichi Audio (206) 221- ARE YOU INTERESTED in Quality Preowned Audio speaker cables, and oche' products. Info -catalog 2977. (206) 361-2455. P.O. Box 25583, Seattle. WA Equipment? Subscribe to -The Sound Trek." pub- $3.00 refundable. Chadwick Modifications, Dept. SR 98125. Prices subject to change. lished 6x annually, your listings of items for sale or 205, Rindge Ave., Cambridge, MA 02140. ACOUSTIC CONTROL FOR BETTER HOME SOUND. wanted. $10/yr. Call or write: Play It Again Sam. 12611- 50°. REQUESTING OUR CATALOG order from us' Free Now you can get the same acoustic material working R Madison Avenue, Lakewood, Ohio 44107, (2161228- catalog. $1.00 off first purchase' AAA Audiophile Ac- for your home sound system that's used in recording 0040. MC/VISA. cessories. Box 1204SR. Elgin, IL 60121 (312) 695- studios and broadcast booths all over the world. SO- 6092 NEX a patented. professional acoustic foam ... will DIRECT SIGHT AND SOUND, America's best kept tune your room so you get the best possible sound. audio and video secret, continues to please... ATTENTION HAFLER, DYNA, CROWN OWNERS, We Send $2.00 for a sample of SONEX and a full color build new higher performance circuits in Haller, Dyna, brochure: Illbruck. 3800 Washington Ave. N Dept. SJ. Five years and over 40,000 customers later, we Crown audio components. Not "modifications", but Minneapolis. MN 55412 still offer the best in audio, video, and auto sound new PC cards and stable. non-slewing circuits that drive real world loads with music signals. Write or LOWEST POSSIBLE PRICES ANYWHERE! Full war- including esoterics at incredible prices! We sell call for free catalog and sample of Audio Basics, our ranty -Most Audio brands!! C.D's-Car Prod- and service only U.S. warranty merchandise! Our monthly newsletter. Jensens Stereo Shop, 2202 River Hills Dr., Burnsville, Minn. 55337. (612) 890-3517. ucts -Computers (Handware-Software)-Most staff is not only knowledgeable, but helpful and Video Brands!! ELECTRIFIED DISCOUNTERS, 996 courteous in choosing the right component for PHILIPS. AUDAX. PEERLESS. FOCAL. AND DYNAU- DIO LOUDSPEAKERS in stock with good prices and Orange Ave., West Haven, CT 06516, MC/VISA (203) you. Become one of the ELITE! Call (404) 351- competent services. Crossover components also 937-0106. 6772. Direct Sight and Sound, 3095 Bolling Way, MADISOUND SPEAKER COMPONENTS. 8982 Table Bluff. Box 4283. Madison, WI 53711 (608) 767-2673 Dept. S, Atlanta, GA 30305. MC/VISA/AMEX. COD TAPES with deposit. FREE catalog. 1930-1962 RADIO PROGRAMS. Beats Television', In- HIGH -END SPEAKER KITS. raw drivers and auto expensive Recordings. 275 page catalog. $1 25. AM speaker systems form the worlds finest manufactur- EXTEND YOUR TREASURES. Box 192SR. Babylon, NY 11702. ers. For beginners and audiophiles. Audax. Becker. AMPEX PROFESSIONAL SERIES AUDIO TAPE SALE. Dynaudio. Dalesford. Jordan. JVC. SEAS. Morel Siare. MFR'S WARRANTY High quality open reel 1800' or 2400' on 7" reels. used Peerless. Focal. Scan -Speak. Free price list. A&S once. Case o140. $45.00. 101/2 v 3600' and cassettes. SPEAKERS. Box 74625. Denver. CO 80207. (303) 399- on home entertainment & MC/VISA. Valtech Electronics. Box 6 -SR. Richboro. PA 8609. consumer electronic 18954. (215) 322-4866. CASH FOR ALL OF USED STEREO EQUIPMENT. We FREE CASSETTE CATALOG. BE AMAZED, Top bands. buy by phone . STEREO TRADING OUTLET. 320 Old products. Not on vinyl! ROIR. Dept. S. #611 Broadway, New York. York Rd.. Jenkintown. PA 19046. (215) 886-1650. NY 10012. If product was purchased within 30 days, contact us for the best TAPE WORLD 1-800-245-6000 1Di I 110 1750 CALL US! prices on service contracts. 'Dv 00 01,0 SOW v[03 IV 0 108 NOIVIO 0 SOW 00 10 81 WE ARE THE BEST IN THE U.S. Covers all parts and labor. .11.10 301 ttttt 0 1.02iPsi. 00 I SI 3100 31 W.& GOl0 1U1P111011 00)21 FRIENDLY EXPERT SERVICE. FAST Backed by a major, worldwide 301 SO 200 11121 SOW al. 8030 3011411..203. FREE SHIPPING. VISA MC insurance group. AO la Conrad - Johnson, ADS, Hatler, PS Audio, Perreaux, Service centers coast -to -coast. o 00 NO fiI HA o 00 CHARGI Proton, Revox, Crown, Klipsch, Dahlquist, Duntech, SO.101310 Oracle, MAK, Celestion, Technics, Professional APT Vlf MU 11181 0.00.. Of 1141 W. 08018

100CIUPNGALL SNIPPING& N0.00131.PPOG CNAING1SWI Holman, Audio Pro, dbx, Ohm Acoustics, Infinity, CALL TOLL FREE I OSSNIV0ING8.0.21 0001. C. 00 ADO *93 Mt 'APIS MAW, u 3t Pt3 Bose, Monster Cable, SAE, Stax, Amber, Denon, VSP 220 SFS.. st sott Labs, Adcom, DCM, Tandberg, Thorens, Kyocera, COMPS( 0F LINI OF 117,111ND 3,111311.1 IN STOCK Grace, Grado, Dynavector, Nitty Gritty, VPI, NY Audio 800 -DIAL -FIX Labs, Moscodes, Fosgate, and more. AUTOMOTIVE SPEAK EASY ARCHIVES OLD TIME RADIO PRO- Concord, Sony, Proton, Zapco, Ungo Box and more. GRAMS. at affordable prices. Excellent quality. Send WARRANTECH 52.50 with $2.50 rebate first order. Large selection. PO MEMBER BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU MC/VISA. Service Extension' Plan Box 22141. Oklahoma City. OK 73123. REFERENCE AUDIO SYSTEMS, 18214 Dalton Ave., Gardena CA 90248. AUDIO ACCESSORIES (213)398.4205 (213)391-2679 SAVE 40% ON HIGH -END home speakers. car audio. RTRD. 2105 Claremont. Springfield. IL 62703. (217) POLYACOUSTIC FOAM RUBBER SPEAKER 529-8793. GRILLES -custom, replacement, OEM. Informa- hon-22C stamp. CUSTOM SOUND. 8460 Marsh. Al- 4onac. Ml 48001 AMERICAN STEREO STEREO TV AUDIOSPECIALTY SHOP AMERICA'S PREMIER DISCOUNTER OF SOUND FOR YOUR TV OR VCR CAR and HOME STEREO Stereo Decoders & Adapters Audio & Video AUDIOPHILES/VIDEOPHILES! We have the widest Sony CDXR7 $475Becker 10"Woofer $24 each signal processors* From 519 to $195 U.S. made selection of audio/video equipment available. Ky- Concord HPL.550 $425Sanyo FTE-50 $64 quality Exciting entertainment at home ocera, Allison, Adcom, Infinity, NEC, Thorens, Har- Call us for the lowest price quotes in America ma n -Ka rdon, Soundcraftsman, Canton. Haller, Nationwide Toll Free California CALL OR WRITE FOR FREE CATALOG Klipsch, Luxman. VHS Hi -Fit Call for information. 1-800-882-8787 209-221-8787 P.0 Box 1316Dept. 420 CONTINENTAL SOUND, 98-77 Queens Blvd., Rego RNompeFF'OColumbia. TN 38402(615) 381.9001 Park, NY 11374. (718) 459-7507. Immediate delivery. MC/VISA/AMEX. ANTIQUE DISC LATHE -PRESTO 8N, 4 speeds - COMPACT DISC CATALOG. Send $2.00 to: Wil-Sean LEARN WHILE ASLEEP. Hypnotize! Astonishing de- 16.33.45.78 Call Donald (301) 593-6544, after 7:30. Enterprise, 256 So. Robertson Blvd., Suite 9546, tails. strange catalog free! Autosuggestion, Box 24- Beverly Hills, CA 90211. ZD. Olympia. Washington 98507. RECORDS ANNOTATED INDEX of CLASSICAL CD REVIEWS: A ENHANCE YOUR LISTINING PLEASURE thru music appreciation FREE information. THE OTHER STAVE. COLLECTORS' Soundtracks, Mint. List $1 (refund- guide to recommended performances. 'Stereo Re- view' and eight other major audiophile magazines ref- Box 773397, Dept. S, Houston, Texas 77215-3397. able). Jemm's. P.O. Box 157. Glenview, III. 60025. erenced. Kept current by computer. 4000+ references. OPERA -HISTORICAL PERFORMANCES. VIDEO & 100+ pages. $7.50. KEN'S KOMPENDIUM. 2400 Haw- CLUBS DISC. Most comprehensive selection. Catalog $1.00. thorne Dr., Atlanta, GA 30345. LYRIC. Box 622. Merrick, NY 11566. CLASSICAL 'MUSIC LOVERS' EXCHANGE. Nation- NEW luxurious COMPACT DISC STORAGE CASE. Ac- wide Link between unattached music lovers. Write: RECORD COLLECTORS SUPPLIES. REPLACEMENT commodates 40 discs. $29.95 plus $4.00 shipping. CD CMLE. Box 31sr, Pelham, NY 10803. JACKETS, inner sleeves, 78 RPM sleeves, opera CARRYING CASES INC., 1925 Pine Ave. Niagara Falls, boxes, etc. COMPLETE CATALOG. Cabco. Box 8212, NY 14301. FOR INVENTORS Room 640. Columbus, Ohio 43201. $8.95-$11.95 Jsed & new CD's. Sell your CD's $6.00- JAZZ. BLUES. ROCK. Below list. VISA. MC. Free cat- $8.00. Free membership, catalog. Weekly StocKlists. INVENTORS' Can you profit from your idea? Call alog. RUTABAGA RECORDS. 437 North 5th St., Audio Club, 1105 Webster Drive, *46. Sandy. Utah AMERICAN INVENTORS CORPORATION for free in- Stroudsburg, PA 18360. 84070-3151. (801) 571-9767. formaion. Over a decade of service. 1(800) 338-5656. In Massachusetts call (413) 568-3753. PROTECT YOUR LP'S-Poly sleeves 136, Polylined CANADIANS -AMERICANS: CLASSICAL COMPACT paper 176. Cardboard jackets 506. Postage $2.50. DISC CLUB. Borrow. Buy or Both. Charter member- GOVERNMENT SURPLUS Record House. Box 323, Hillburn, NY 10931. ships being accepted. PEAK. Box 266, Port Hope, On- tario LIA 3W4. (416) 885-6239. Compuserve 72 335. IS IT TRUE you can buy jeeps for $44 through the US FREE RECORD, CASSETTE AND COMPACT DISC 566. CATALOG: Features a tremendous selection of re- government? Get the facts today! Call (312) 742-1143. maindered LP and cassette values in all musical cat- TELARC CD's $12.99. For listings send SASE to: MSM Ext. 4760. egories. Compact disc, cassette and LP new releases AUDIO. P.O. Box 1231, Forney, TX 75125. at discount prices. Many imports and smaller labels PUBLICATIONS offered. Prompt delivery. Rose Records. Dept SR. 214 DUWARS, BOX 6662D. GREENVILLE. SC 29606 -CD SO. Wabash Avenue, Chicago, IL 60604. Classical music from $9 up -monthly specials -cat- FREE promotional albums, concert tickets, stereos, alog listing, 2,500 titles $1. etc., Information: BARRY PUBLICATIONS, 477 82ND LARGEST COLLECTOR RECORD SHOP IN U.S.A. Stree;. Brooklyn, NY 11209. 70.000 titles. Classical, rock, oldies, SR/LSC. etc. TOP BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES DOLLAR PAID: LP. cassette, CD collections. Prince- SATELLITE TV ton Record Exchange. 20 Tulane Street, Princeton, NJ GROWTH INDUSTRY DISTRIBUTORSHIPS -Satel- 08542. (609)921-0881. lite dishes. security systems. drinkirg water treat- UNCYPHERS American and Canadian Satellite or ment systems. Merida, Harmony, PA 16037-9717. (412) USED RECORDS ARE VALUABLE! Are yours? Free 452-8623. cable_ Latest technology available. Plans and information. Collectors Clearinghouse, P.O. Box 135 N. Syracuse, NY 13212. YOUR OWN RADIO STATION! AM, FM, cable, 1,, boards, kits or complete. Send $5.00 for cata- tensed/unlicensed. transmitters! Broadcasting: Boy logue, refundable on order, to: PILGRIM VIDEO LIQUIDATING THE LARGEST PRIVATE RECORD 130-R6. Paracise, CA 95969. COLLECTION --movie, stage sound -track and PROC UCTS P.O. Box 33255, Plymouth Center, MA classical long play. ALICE'S RECORDS, RT 1, Lake MAIL ORDER OPPORTUNITY! Start profitable home 02361. Summerset 300, Davis, IL 61019. business without experience or capital. Information free. Mail Order Associates, Inc., Dept. 509, Mont- COMPACT DISCS vale. NJ 07645. $10-$360 WEEKLY/Up, Mailing Circulars! Home -Op- COMPACT DISCS! Most $12.99-$14.99. 4000 plus ti- erated. Sincerely Interested rush Self -Addressed En- tles. Free catalog plus regular updates. OZ REC- velope: Headquarters-MGG, POB 870, Woodstock, ORDS, 5246 Memorial Drive, Stone Mountain. Georgia To place a response generating IL 60098. 2 30083. (404) 292-5452. money -making ad LIFETIME OF HOMEWORK! Successful 48 years! Re- call us collect COMPACT DISCS & ACCESSORIES. Call TOLL FREE tiring. Secret can now be yours! PUBLICO-265, Car- or lsbad. CA 92C08. send your copy to: 1(800) -ALL -DISC. (in CT. 1 452-0203), for FREE 2 CATALOG M -F 10-8, Saturday 10-6. ALL DISC MU- ELECTRONIC REPRESENTATIVES NEEDED! Lowest Stereo Review possible prices!! Over 100 brands! Audio, Video, Car SIC INC., 41 Monroe Tpke., Trumbull, CT 06611. Classified Advertising Stereo, Computers, Electronic Experts, 1000 Orange 5 1 Park Avenue, 5th Floor RETAILER PRICES AVAILABLE. Ave., West Haven, CT 06516. New York, NY 10016 COMPACT DISC/AUDIOPHILE AND IMPORT AL- INSTRUCTIONS BUMS. Large selection, fair prices, fast service, de- Rates: 3 Regular Classified -$4.95 per tailed monthly BULLETIN. New low pricing. For FREE BE A RECORDING ENGINEER! New cl quar- catalog write: The Essentials Marketing, Dept. SR86. terly. Institute of Audio/Video Engineering, 1831 Hy- word, minimum 15 words or $74.25 POB 3366. Lynnwood, WA 98046. perion, Dept. L, Hollywood, CA 90027, (213) 666-3003 Display -$595 per inch, 5 3 inch maximum MOVIE FILM/VIDEOTAPES 9 Frequency discounts and other VIDEO STOPES save $25.00 per movie. Latest re- exciting options available. Call COMPACT DISC CENTER leases. We buy & sell used and new factory original 9 collect for information. P.O. Box 616S Clifton Park, NY 12065 video tapes. Best Horror, Science Fiction, Western NY (516)664-2550 Drama Comedy, War. Adult, Disney. Karate. PATS' 9 Charge your ad to American Outside NY -To Order Only Express, Diners Club, MC, Visa Gal I-800-232-3687 VIDEO WAREHOUSE. 1-(912) 382-0404. Many Discs 912.99 Quantity 10 and over only $1199 BOOKS & MAGAZINES 82.00 Cont. U.S shipping FREE CATALOGUE Complete Satellite Listings Send $1 for sample copy, or call COMPACT DISCS AND LASER VIDEO DISCS. Nice 800-358-9997in U.S.800-556-8787in Ca. prices -free lists. MC/VISA. SIGHT & SOUND INC.. 707-725-2476 all others 18 Bennett St., Boston, MA 02135. (617) 787-4465. RENT THIS SPACE "THE MOSTLY CLASSICAL SALE" -featuring satiteriarAME In Stereo Review's Deutsche Grammophone, Archive, London and Phil- P O. Box 308ZFORTUNA. CA 95540 Classified section. ips CD's all at $12.95 each. The CD Deli, 5706 7th Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11220. (718) 439-3324. "We carry all CD You'll reach over 575,000 labels." EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES prime prospects for your COMPACT DISCS!! 100's at $11.99! Over 3000 titles! Quantity discounts! Send $2.00 (refundable on first mail-order products and order) LASERSOUNDS UNLIMITED, 1111 West El services -at affordable Camino Real. Suite 109-284. Sunnyvale, CA 94087. FREE EVALUATION, (415) 964-1148. Thanks. and ADVISORY SERVICE low rates. To place your ad, For priftssIonilelectronictechnicians or for further information, CD SUPERMARKET -PRICES SLASHED. Prompt de- by prestigious non-profit organization. livery. Large selection. For information or phone or- Earn University Degree (Bachelors or call Lois Price collect at: ders call TOLL FREE 1(800) 382-1985. CA. residents Masters) through Home Study! Credit call (213) 543-1991. CD SUPERMARKET, 1525 Avia- givenforpreviousschoolingand (212) 503-5999 tion Blvd. Suite 13210, Redondo Beach. CA 90278 professional experience. Upgrade your earning power Free Details! COMPACT DISCS AT DISCOUNT PRICES. Send $2 for A NON PROFIT CONTINENTAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATES a quality, up-to-date catalog to: Cat's Compact Discs, ORGANIZATION Dept. SR. POB 22773, Nashville, TN 37202. P.O. Box 1197 - Champlain. NY 12919-1197 STEREO REVIEW REGIONALMAIL ORDER MART

LOWEST PRICES On over125Brands

STEREO/ESOTERIC COMPONENTS, VIDEO, CAR STEREO, ACCESS.

Call or 14 rite for free price lot tOclil\! AUDIO UNLIMITED UNBEATABLE PRICES PROFESSIONAL SERVICE 12031/2E Adorns Avenue FLEXIBLE PAYMENT PLANS IMMEDIATE DELIVERY La Grande, Oregon 97850 CAR STEREO CAR AMPLIFIERS/EO'S HIFI/STEREO (503) 963-5731 IN -DASH RADIO CASSETTE CARVER M240 $ 275 00 MONSTER INTERLINE 29 00 ALPINE 7272 $ 296 00 DENON DCA3250 168 00 CANTON KARAT 200 S 266 00 catalog hotline (BOO) 233-8375 KENWOOD KRC4199 879 00 KEN WOOD NACEI200 229 00 CELESTIONDL8 S 387 00 pr SONY XR740 S 179 00 NAKAMICHI PA,50 163 00 B&W DM330 $ 499 00 Pr YAMAHA YCI450 S288 00 ALPINE 3519 149 00 TECHNICS SA956 $ 328 00 DENON DCR7600 $ 468 DO YAMAHA S 399 00 NAKAMICHI TD700 $ 631 00 ONKYO TA2056 278.00 PIONEER KEBIB1 $ 219 DO CAR SPEAKERS PER PR. AIWA ADW20 409 00 1041 p m 30131, 10.3 Fri. (Noise Timel JVC KSRX250 $ 169 00 DEM 3131111 425 00 SHERWOOD CRD165 108 00 JENSEN 6.9 TRIAXIAL JVC RX330VB 188 00 BLAUPUNK T ASPEN S 229 00 S 59 00 DENON DRM441.1% 199 00 Call or a. r1le for free price list toda' r CONCORD HPL520 5 259 00 PYLE 6929 S 118 00 NAKAMICHI SP300 5 295 00 ALPINE 6393 S 135 00 BOSTON SPECIAL SALE RADAR DETECTORS ACOUSTICS C700 S 139 00 INFINITY 8SA52 79 00 DENON DCD1000 299.00 UNIDEN RD9 186 00 JBL 1545 S 169 00 DENON DP59F 399.00 BEL 860 119.00 DENON PRA1000 399.00 WHISTLER SPECTRUM 129.00 DENON P0A1500 459 00 FOX VIXEN II 159.00 VIDEO/T.V. DENON DRA7559 429 00 COBRA TRAPSFICN7FR II 149.00 YAMAHA C10 229 00 YAMAHA M40 288 00 PANASONIC P01545 569 00 YAMAHA JVC 680566 M60 449 00 699 00 YAMAHA 7320 99 00 WALKMANS/ RCA VLT600HF 533 00 YAMAHA Now Pure Smoke SONY T520 159 00 PORTABLE STEREO & TV SLHF550 529 00 YAMAHA 1720 189 00 SHARP VHS -111.F1 119 00 YAMAHA Speaker Keepers FISHER K320 159 DO AIWA FVH960 581 00 YAMAHA PFI000 HSJ500 129.00 699 00 388 00 Beautiful smoke acrylic blends SONY WMF100 124.00 All camcorders in Bock - VHS. Bela 6 8 mm SONY WMD6C 239.00 Call for Des? price with any decorFour vibra- PANASONIC RXF 11 98.00 sorbers on top isolate your SONY FD2A 111.00 speakers from everything. Tilt NO MEMBERSHIP FEE REQUIRED, design keeps more sound in the Friendly. knowledgeable sales people air. 612' high Beveled edge on All products brand new and carry U.S.A warranties base Supports up to 50 lbs HOURS: 9AM-7PM EST. FOR FASTEST Pure smoke - pure beauty Monday -Saturday $38 50 (pr )- $3.00 shipping. SERVICE CALL (212) 684-6363 or Write Direct: 2 PARK AVENUE, DEPT. 12. New York. N.Y. 10016

_7 We ,ese.,e.^0 9- ' Hold Your Phones! Headphones are an important component ofyour stereo systemInsteadofputting them -someplace" or -where?", now you can proudly display and safely store NIK 141( REVOX CARVER ADS

a yours on our Headphone Holder The cord stows in 1030 AVE ER the base for that neat. "no cords" look Pure smoke NY 10018 (BET 38th Stereo Review body with wood front, your headphones will finally look & 39th STS like they belong to your stereo system $1350 $2.45 totitikvitlui 212.391.2777 MAIL ORDER MART shipping ELECTRONICS REVOLUTION! IMMEDIATE DELIVERY OVER 130 BRANDS Romeo Engineering, Inc. SPECIALS THIS MONTH! lets you turnup Box 7175 Bloomfield Hills. MI 48302-7175 AUDIO VIDEO & TV the volume where YAMAHA K-720 $359 00 NEC N961V $759 00 DENON DRA355 $23900 PANASONIC PV 6 d W DM -330$26500 13300 $279 00 your customers are... 2SONY CDP-302 $37900 SONY SLH'F400 $42700 CARVER 2000 $1087 00 SONY 20 XEIR $688.00 MISSION 737R $22500 SONY CCDVEI-AFV$1169 00 Want to beam your mall order message If you can't live without music. you ought to know ZENITH VR1800 PIONEER PD -M6 $36900 $319.00 about The Absolute Sound. It takes home music RCA VIT-600HF where the customers are? Sell surplus HARE? DH -500 $519 00 $499 00 GE VCR -6004 systems seriously and uses therealthing - THORENS TO $297.00 inventory? STEREO REVIEW's new re- SONY FD -40A 166MKII $159.00 $131.00 unamplif ied music in a real space -as the stan- FISHER FVH-960 HO HI-FI gional Mail Order Mart was designed dard to judge the truth, without fear or favor, in a SAE 8-102 $379.00 $579 00 with your marketing needs in mind. LUXMAN 13.405 $309.00 KYOCERA- H-0 magazine where cussed independence is the style. TECHNIC SLP CAMCORDER CALL And this flexible new medium isso 100 $199.00 For six issues, send $33 ($55 US outside North ADS CD -3 SPECIALS budget -wise, you can't afford not to America). Or Call (516) 671-6342 and order The HER 10.W use it! Absolute Sound withVisa,MasterCard.or CAR AUDIO RACK SYSTEM $349 00 DENON 5500 $38700 PIONEER 140W To place your Mail Order Mart ad, American Express. A sample issue is $7.50. SONY XR-740 $18700 AMP $15900 XENWOOD EEC 838$409 00 UNIDEN RD 9 $18900 call COLLECT, today: Return to: The Absolute Sound NAKAMICHI TD -500$462 00 BEL 834 $149.00 ALPHINE 7273 $467.00 MM.DORE 128 239 00 Box 3000. Dept. CC 1s66, MDAY- TURDAY 10-6 (212) 503-5999 Denville, NY 07834 I ITY SOWER TO CANIIII STEREO REVIEW ADVERTISERS' INDEX READER PAGE. MANUFACTURERS' DIRECTORY SERVICE NO. ADVERTISER NUMBER 18 Acoustic Research 42-43 18 Acoustic Research 102-103 32 Adcom 90 46Akai 9 46Akai 111 53 Alpine Elect. of America, Inc 58 MIRAGE ACOUSTICS 12 Altec Lansing 143 47 Audio Products International 89 20Audio-Technica U.S., Inc. 29 23Audio-Technica U.S., Inc. 29

26Barcus-Berry Electronics 93 Bose Corporation C2-1 Bose Corporation 10 Boston Acoustics 19 Boston Acoustics 31

33Canton 46-47 49Carver Corporation 26-27 49Carver Corporation 85-87 5 CBS Records 122 Chrysler Corporation 45 Columbia House 23 68Coustic 17 Crutchfield Corporation 20 Dealerscope 130 71 Discount Music Club 121 10 Discwasher 22 64 GRP Records 117 Harman America C3 SPEA YOU CAN AFFORD 58Harris Atlantis 82-83 THAT SO D LIKE YOU CAN'T Illinois Audio 127 How often have you listened to a pair of Rom our Mirage 200 bookshelf Teakets to 39 J&R Music World 119 loudspeakers and wished you could afford our mirror -imaged Mirage 750 IlInte-wa7 JBL 91 them? speakers, tie magic of Mirage la cleerly 29Kenwood 13 Now you can make your wish come true. evicent. You can actually see the music. 2Klipsch & Associates 21 The new line of Mirage loudspeakers gives Vsit you- nearest Mirage dealer and 52Koss C4 what we mean. You'll find we have a sound 72Kyocera 106 dynamic range and faithful sound reproduction you can't afford to do without. you'd expect from more expensive models. At a 30 Labelle Camera & Stereo 129 price that's so-prisingly modest. 7 Linear Power 4 Mirage Acoustics, 135 Torbay Road, Manthan., 22McIntosh Laboratory, Inc. 15 Magnat Electronik, Inc. 32 SEETHE MUSIC. Ontaeo L3R :C7 Canada (416) 475430E0 55 Marlboro 50-51 Maxell Corp. of America 11 50Mission Electronics 141 61 MTX 117

31 NAD USA 88

45Onkyo 53 MARICETERS' ALERT! 45 Onkyo 55 16 Ortofon 12 NEW STEREO REVIEW 60Perreaux International 34-35 25Pioneer Video 56 37Polk Audio 6-7 Proton 61 REGIONAL HOTLINE! 35Pyle Industries 105 Are there regions where you want totoday's crowded, competitive stereo Radio Shack 2 Radio Shack 41 add new dealers or distributors? An-market. And at new low regional 38 Recoton 94 nounce new products? ReinforceManufacturers' Directory rates, you R. J. Reynolds -Vantage 36 just can't afford not to be heard, by R. J. Reynolds -Winston 109 I brand recognition for better market penetration? Now STEREO REVIEWtrade and consumers alike. Advertise 41 Shure Brothers 63 4 Soundcraftsmen 120 has a new advertising medium thatin multiple regions and get special dis- Stroh's 84 will help you do it with ads from 1/3counts, too. 43Studer Revox 115 page to 1" in size. At new, low-cost re- 21 Tandberg of America 14 48 TDK Electronics 48 gional rates! 66 Teac Corp. of America 39 Get on the Telarc 92 Use the power of STEREO REVIEW STEREO REVIEW hotline, now. at minimal cost in U.S. Army 112 To place your ad, call COLLECT Manufacturers'Directory! 67Video Arts International 105 Whatever the size of your audio or au- (212) 503-5999 56Wisconsin Discount Stereo 125 dio -related business, regular exposure 14 Yamaha 33 in STEREO REVIEW is a must in JUNE RECORD/ MAKERS

by Christie Barter What's next? Dylan, whipture and the Serenade in A recently toldErtertainment Major, and in those that fol- & Steve Simels Tonightthat twer ty years ago low he will be dealing with he didn't even expect to be the Violin Concerto (May 30) clarinetist Richard here now, is not saying. WeandtheFirstSymphony THEStoltzman,forty-three,is won't venture tc guess, but (June 6). . . . Laterthis the first wind player to re- we do know there'll be anmonth PBS is scheduled to ceive the prestigious Avery HBO special of the Australian broadcast a performance of Fisher Prize. It was awarded shows, some of which fea- Stephen Sondheim'sSunday to him this season at a gala tured Mark Knopfler and concert celebrating the tenth Stevie Nicks, and probably a anniversary of the prize and home video versi 3n too. CI the eightieth birthday of the man who donated the funds Now that punk -rock stan- to make itpossible, Avery dard bearers The Clash Fisher, an audio -equipment have split into two less than manufacturer turned philan- cordial (and less than memo- thropist. Dylan: on the move rable) factions, it's worth re- Performers at the concert calling that in their late -Sev- tion was held at the Hard enties heyday Joe Strummer, Rock Café in New York City. Paul Simonon, Mick Jones, Among the donated works to and Topper Headon formed be sold were various paint- one of the most charismatic ings, photographs, and sculp- bandsevertotreadthe tures of such musicians asboards. But don't take our Paul McCartney, John Len- word for it. Instead, check out non and Yoko Ono, Chuck "This Is Video Clash!" Just Berry, and Elvis Presley as releasedby CBS/Fox,the well as several works by other thirty -one -minutecollection musicians who are also paint- of Clash videos, most of them ers.Alltold,theauction concert clips, includes incen- Patinkin and Peters: on TV raised $400,000. A self-por- diary performances ofLon- trait by Joni Mitchell went don Calling, The Call Up,and in the Park with George,vid- for $3,700, and a charcoal thepreviouslysuppressed eotaped at the Booth Theatre sketch by Bob Dylan brought Tommy Gun.If there's been ajustbefore itendedits $4,200. better synthesis of agit-prop, Broadway run there toward loud guitars, and old-fash- the end of last year. Featured a flurry of Bob Dy- ioned glamorous rock-and- are the show's original stars, SUCHlan activity lately!First, roll image -mongering, we Bernadette Peters and Man- the formerly enigmatic min-haven't seenit. A stealat dy Patinkin. The original -cast

$19.95. strel teamed up with noted recordingis on RCA. . . . fans TomPettyandthe On May 25 Columbia Rec- Stoltzman (left) and Fisher Heartbreakers for a tour of of Leonard Bern - ords' Neil Diamond stars in Australia, where one reviewer ONEstein'smajor rolesin his first television special in werethesevenprevious said ecstatically, "Close yourAmerican musicallifehas nineyears, Neil Diamond- winners of the Avery Fisher eyes and it was like the Sunset beenthatof an educator, Hello Again.The CBS Net- Prize: violinist Elmar Olivei- Strip in 1965, watching the mostly through the medium work show features guest ap- ra, cellists Lynn Harrell and newly electric Dylan backedof television, and he's return- pearances by Carol Burnett Yo -YoMa,andpianists by the Byrds!" Then Colum- ing to the air in a three-part and Stevie Wonder. 0 Emanuel Ax, Richard Goode, bia's magnificent retrospec- PBS series titledBernstein on Horacio Gutierrez, and Mur- tive set, "Biograph," was re- Brahms,beginningFriday, U.S.Army'sdaily ray Perahia. It took place, fit- leased. And now comes word May 23. In the initial pro-THEnewspaper, Stars and tingly, at Avery Fisher Hall at that Dylan and Petty enjoyed gram Bernstein's subjects are Stripes,recentlypolledits Lincoln Center in New York. collaborating Down Under so the Academic FestivalOver- readership of servicemen and =. Stoltzman collaborated much that they're bringing with Goode in an RCA re- the show to these shores. Strummer, Simonon, Jones, and Headon of the Clash cording of Brahms's two clar- inet sonatas, which won a Grammy Awardin1983. More recently Stoltzman has been dabbling in jazz fusion. Hisalbum"BeginSweet World" is featured in RCA's new Skylark series. 0 worlds of art and music /HEcontinue to overlap in such events as the recent Art Aid auction to raise money for African famine relief. Super- vised by Sotheby's, the auc-

140 STEREO REVIEWJUNE1986 ffi LECTROFIICS

European tecinology at affordable prices

mOr. MMM.' rME <'

Mission Elec Tonics Corp. of Ame-ica 5985 Atlan:i: Drive. Unit 6, Missi3sauga, Ontario L4111S4 Phc ne (416) 67:::-3777 CIRCLE NO50 ON READER SEF VICE CARD RECORD MAKERS

their families stationed in Eu- starredwithgreat Hitchcock and his part- come the first music video rope for their musical favor- successinmajor operaticner, Graham Russell, wereever to "ship Gold," with ites. Bruce Springsteen's films-Stratas in Franco Zef- busy recording their new Ar- enough advance orders to cer- "Born in the U.S.A." was the firelli'sversionof Verdi's ista album in Los Angeles last tify Gold status even before it album they liked best. DireLa Traviata and Migenes- month under the professional reached the stores. Whether Straits' Money for Nothing Johnson in Francesco Rosi's eye of Bernard Edwards, pro - the Capitol soundtrack LP was their favorite single and film of Bizet's Carmen. willdoaswellremains a -ha their favorite new act. Now Migenes-Johnson and an open questionatthis Madonna scored as the top Stratas are reaching out for point, but according to in-

female performer. what might be called an industry insiders, one result of creased audience share. Mi- continuing commercial in- hard to maintain the genes-Johnson has recorded terest in John Lennon will be /stereotype'stereotype view of opera an album of pop classics for a rush to settle the licensing singers as corseted, old-fash- RCA under thetitle"In snafus that have prevented ioned fatladies when you Love"(reviewedonpage release of the Beatles' catalog lookatsopranosTeresa 114), and she recently ap- on CD. We are also informed Stratas and Julia Migenes- peared as a rock singer in a that when these CD's finally Johnson. Slender and sexy, French film called L'Unique. materialize,theywillcon- both are skilled singing ac- Stratas will soon be head- Russell and Hitchcock form to the British LP config- tresses who have reached the lining in a Broadway musical of Air Supply urations, which will thus be- top of their profession in the called Rags with music by come the de facto interna- opera world and have also Charles Strouse and lyrics by ducer of Power Station, Rob- tional standard-sort of like a branched out into other areas Stephen Schwartz. The show ert Palmer, and Duran Du- of show business. opens at the Mark Hellinger ran. Playing on the album There are various parallels Theater in New York in Au- (untitledatpress time)is in their careers. They have gust. For Nonesuch, Stratas Power Station drummer has recorded an album of hit TonyThompson,guitarist songsfromtheGerman, Eddie Martinez (noted for his French, and American mu- work with Mick Jagger), and sicals of Kurt Weill.Itis keyboardist Jeff Bova. scheduled for release in Sep- AccordingtoHitchcock, tember. 0the new Air Supply album will merge the group's trade- Air Supply's Russell mark sound with "some ex- Hitchcock, who recently citing new textures." 0 married aflightattendant, takes a fairly practical view of THE follow-uptoSpyro his new status. "In show busi- Gyra's recenthit album, ness," he says, "it pays to "AlternatingCurrents," is Beckenstein of Spyro Gyra have someone around who due from MCA Records this can show you where the exits month.Tentativelytitled Merseybeat equivalent of the are." "Break Out," the new album Mozart Kochel listings. Also enliststheservices of theexpect a Pioneer LaserDisc group's newest player, Mano- version of the Lennon con-

lo Badrena, who was pre-cert tape momentarily. viouslyWeatherReport's percussionist. The album also aRACENOTES: Richard features Synclavier program- layderman, the cocktail ming by Eddie Jobson, anpianist and CBS recording alumnus of Roxy Music. artistwhomsomehave Spyro Gyra's founder, sax-dubbed the Yuppie Liberace, ophonistJayBeckenstein, was recently named Roman- speaks of the advantages oftic Man of the Year by Ro- recording in the group's own mantic Times magazine.. . . studioinsuburbanNew Notedwithoutcomment: York: "If you want craziness, New World Video's Godzilla then record in Manhattan. 1985, the film that marks the Stratas (above) as Lulu, But our place has got every- return of everybody's favorite Migenes-Johnson as rocker thing that the best studios in Japanese man in a monster Manhattan have, and it's also suit, has at this writing sold sung in many of the same got a beautiful farm, a swim-over 90,000 copies at opera houses in Europe and ming pool, and a really gor- $79.95. . . . Blue Velvet, the North America, and both geous atmosphere. We can't 1963 schlock ballad hit by the have been especially success- give 'em sushi at 3:00 a.m., Polish Prince, aka Bobby Vin- ful in the demanding title role but other than that . . .." 0ton, is now the title song of a of Alban Berg's opera Lulu. new movie by Dino de Laur- In fact, once at the Metropoli- WHOsays Beatlemania isentiis, aka the King of the tan Opera, Migenes-Johnson ead? Certainly not theClinkers. Proving conclusive- stepped in as Lulu to replace people at Sony Video. Theirly that there is no justice, the Stratas, who was ill. recent "John Lennon Live intrack will again be sung by Vl Bothsingershavealso New York City" has just beiVinton himself. 0

42STEREO REVIEW JUNE 1986 A LIT a c LANSING

THE LEGEND CONTINUES.

Altec Lansing, the standard of high fidelity fog everyone from the Acadeiry of Motion Picnic Arts andScimces to the 1984 XXIII Winter Olympic Gam, has just pioneered nine nod breakthrcughs in loudsreaker techmplogy. For the Altec Lansing de Ilex nearest you, call 1-800-ALTEC88, (.n Pennsylvania 1-'17-296-H17D. Altec Laming Consumer Products Milford, Pennsylvania 18337.

CIRCLE NO ON READER SERVICE CARD THE HIGH END

by Ralph Hodges bolts are an official part of the logo. make it through the outputs. Some AllKrell amplifiers operate in amplifier circuits literally run out of pure Class A mode, no ifs, ands, or electronsandareincapableof buts, and the power amps are huge, sounding the way music sounds." hot,andheavy.Designer Dan Krell opened its doors in 1980 D'Agostinoclaimsthathe can with a 100 -watt stereo power ampli- demonstrate, to anybody's satisfac- fier, received its first serious recog- tion, the pernicious effects of cross- nition in Europe and the Far East, over distortion, which is, of course, and only later became known at what Class A operation eliminates. home in the U.S., and that entirely He also says that he finds evidence by word of mouth (the company has of transient intermodulation distor- never advertised domestically). The tion (TIM) in numerous amplifier Krell line now includes nearly a designs, but that it is without conse- dozen amplifiers and preamplifiers, quence, because as far as Krell can ranging in price from $1,500 to determine, TIM is not audible. $15,000, and the company has al- More conventionaldistortions ready moved twice for the sake of are not usually heard either, certain- expansion, with a third move immi- ly not in amounts of 0.1 percent or nent. New products on the way are a less, says D'Agostino, and he dis- CD player and an 8mm VCR with counts the role of distortion prod- Krell -refined audio and video elec- ucts in impairing the sound quality tronics. of amplifiers. "Tube amplifiers oc- Asked why the introduction of Krell aild Cultural casionally find themselves operat- just another amplifier has led to Immorktlitv ing with 5 to 8 percent distortion, such manic growth, D'Agostino ex- which is certainly audible. Yet mod- plains that he was able to offer a ern-day tube enthusiasts listen with high -power amplifierwith good pleasure notwithstanding. Certainly sound and utter unbreakability- THE first piece of literature our amplifiers are not designed with something he believes did not exist on a Krell amplifier I ever low distortion as a primary criteri- before. The first Krell model was saw explained that the com- on, although they happen to have deliberately simple, but the ampli- pany,basedinMilford, turned out more than acceptably fiers are now in their third genera- Connecticut, took its name from an low in that department. However, if tion of development. Their com- extinctAmericanIndiannation I were to sit down and modify one plexity and sophistication have in- whose technological and cultural ac- of our products-installinglocal creased geometrically, he says, as complishments had, for a brief gold- and global feedback and allthe have worthwhile improvements in en age, overshadowed anything else rest-to minimize distortion delib- sound.Thedesignprocessis to be found on earth. False! I raged. erately,I'mabsolutelysurethe cloaked in a bit of mystery. D'Agos- As any follower of B movies knows, soundqualityof theamplifier tino prefers to state only that con- the Krell were an extraterrestrial would deteriorate." ventional test instruments and pro- race in the Fifties science -fiction Well, legends rarely come with cedures are not used. Instead, Krell classic Forbidden Planet."Well," orthodox views attached, but it's creates its own gear and routines, acknowledged Krell president Ron - fair to ask at this point why reduced with emphasis on instantaneous im- di D'Agostino in her best so -what - distortion would hurt rather than pulse responses, phase, and current else -is -newmanner,"wedidn't help and what relevant criteria for and voltage gain. With these data, want to step on any copyrighted sound quality exist other than fre- says D'Agostino, he is able to adjust toes, so we devised our own source quency response, noise, and distor- the sonic "signature" of an ampli- for the name." tion. To the first question, D'Agos- fier design to achieve a sound that is This anecdote speaks eloquently tino replies that a feedback -con- warmer (more musical) than usual for Krell's mission as a company, trolled low -distortion amplifier is so from transistors, but cleaner and and perhaps for the intent of high - occupied in comparing itself to itself more incisive than what is available end audio as a whole. Krell has a and wringing out spurious residues from tubes. high and sophisticated conscious- that it does not properly attend to What this sort of adjustment im- ness of legends, and wants to become the real business at hand, that of plies relative to the idealized high- one, but at the same time it wants to behaving as an unobstructed and fidelity goal of pure, unvarnished be apart from the crowd, with dis- unobtrusive conduit for power. truth is something every audiophile tinct recognition for its special de- To the second, he answers: "As to must work out for himself. But it's signand marketingphilosophy. why some amplifiers sound un- obvious that Krell means to exert And, like the cinematic Krell,it pleasantly bright or dull, or wide- an influence on the way sound en- builds for eternity. The company's band or constricted, there are a lot thusiasts listen to music that will product logo is its name engraved of theories, but I tend to believe in confer upon its efforts a certain cul- on a thick slab of brass that is held phase integrity and such matters as tural immortality. The way things in place by six oversized bolts. The how many electrons manage to are going it just might succeed.E

144STEREO REVIEW JUNE 1986 BECAUSE TOO MUCH PERFORMANCE IS NEVER ENOUGH

Harman Kcrdon's drive for sonic excel'ence has Our competitors must feel that High instantan- elevated The standarat of high fide'ity -or over 30 eous Current Capabil ty, Low Negative Feed - years. Our striving for The ideal is bock and discrete ccmponentry constitute "too much pe-for- often considered "toc much" by 93r 6 our competitors. Now the pleasu-e mance" in automotive amplif ers. of "too mush performance" is All of our mcbile crnps, from the brought to the automotive Shown the new CH161 DIN-moint n dash 3.5 Wattcrannel CA205 to the environment. casseneltuner and CA260 automotive amph set 60 Wctt/char nel CA26G, are "over Our competitors must desigied" to in- feel that 20-20,000Hz clude -hese superior ±3dB is "too much ces gn criteria. performance" to expect from Dn in -dash Automotive high cassette/tuner, or fidelity perfor- they woulc offer it. mance f-om We believe it the minimum necessary for true high Harman Kardon. It's too much. fidelity reproduction. Even cur least expensive For mere information and ;ou- nearest °eater ca Itoll model offers this and other "cver design" distinc- free 1-8)0-633-2252 Ext. 25C or write 2L0 Crossways Fbrk tions:Dolby*, dual gate MOSFET front ends, West, Woodbury. New York 11797. superior tuning sections, hcnd selected tape heads and heavy duty transoort. harman / kardon 'Dolby is the regi tered trademark of Dolby lab stores. Inc High F-to-mance Necessities for the Mob le Audiophile. Some companies make theirheadphones digital -ready by designingnewstickers.

Koss designednewstereophones.

7 0,37- 4t ,4 0

There's an easy way and a hard way to create digital -ready stereophones. The easy way is just to design a new label for your old phones and hope nobody notices. The hard way is to do what Koss did with their new line of SST stereophones. They started by inventing a new element specifically designed to faithfully reproduce the wider dynamic range of today's recordings. Then they incorporated this Super Sonic Technology into four of the sleekest, most comfortable phones ever designed. Naturally, the Koss SSTs have digital -ready stickers just like those other headphones. But one listen will convince you that the Koss stickers mean something. CIRCLE NO 52 ON READER SERVICE CARD NKOSS"SST SUPER SONIC TECHNOLOGY TM Koss Stereophones. 4129 North Port Washington Road, Milwaukee, WI 53212. Koss Limited, 4112 South Service Road, Burlington, Ontario I.71.4X5. Koss -Europe: 01-6855, Stabio-Switzerland. 1986 Koss Corporation.