MARCH 1986 $1.95 I E C=I.Rci SPECIAL TAPE ISSUE THREE TOP TAPE DECKS POCKET STEREO ROUND -UP GUIDE to BLANK TAPE SONY's NEW CAR CD CHANGER JONI MITCHELL

MARCH 1986 $1.95 I E c=i.rci SPECIAL TAPE ISSUE THREE TOP TAPE DECKS POCKET STEREO ROUND -UP GUIDE TO BLANK TAPE SONY'S NEW CAR CD CHANGER JONI MITCHELL

HEAD TO HEAD LAB TESTS: TEAC V-750 NAKAMICHI CR-7A YAMAHA K-1020

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. 4.jtAtiltititAILUA111111111M1111141044114)*WilWt !t lt (Lit '.tittititillitiallUMMUUMUNIUMIlinkt4ii:-IIIMILL11111111111MRU.1. UtIMULLUMUJIMALLIUMUllakkith 61,0141 !MitY'YtkisittliiitilittitillAAA11111141111111111146 WHIM HIM!! 1,111111111.1111111111/111t!Stt1 Lt El Witi.1111111131111liiY:,yiAstittiliiiikilklitlittiliiii01111111111111111S111/11111' 11.111111111114 16,tiliki 1/11441w,, tittkilititIVIII1VIWIlkikttik111-o,tiltiv t'It&LtliiiltikIIkllll.11I1illIktilikklitikkikttill1ntiaktkkkkOtt5t 1)1 1. l' you wanted good sound it the early days a' ii-fi, you cut a hole in your wall and mounted the woofer inside. 0- you built a Flared Horn the size o: a refs gerator Or bigger. I i 1954 a man named Edgar VilIctur found a better way. In bui ding the world's lowest -distortion low- freqJency smaker, he replaced crude mechanical suspensions and giant cabinets wish a cushion of air in a small tightly sealed box. Called "Acoustic S Jspension," the new loucsoeaker reduced distortion by a factor of 10. 4nd it was the first high fide ity speaker you could fit on a bookshelf. lO build his Acoustic Suspen- sion speakers, Villchur founded a new company: Acoustic Research. 0 \.er- nigt-t, AR pcducts became the most revered, most sought-after, most imitated speakers in history. In fact, over 70 different speaker manufac- ture's are using AR's Acoustic Sus- pension design today. Since :954, AR has substan- mproved the original Acoustic Suspension speaker. By inventing the dome tweeter, introducing mag- neti: fluid ccoling building 3/4" hie -density enclosures, eliminating cab net diffraction, and solving the problem of speaker/room interface. AR's new BXi Series Loud- speakers fo- 1986 are tie most high lv refined speakers on today's market. And they should be. It took us L'.2- years to make them.

111 ACOUSTIC RESEARCH We speak from experience. CIF C_E NO13 ON READER SERVICE CARD

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- ' A MAJOR ADVANCE IN TURNTABLE DESIGN.

Radio Shack's Linear -Tracking NO "Extras" to Buy. This turntable is housed Front -Loading System in an attractive metal cabinet and includes a factory -aligned Realistic/Audio Technica dual - Our Realistic® LAB -1600 belt -drive turntable magnet cartridge. Bring in your favorite LP and plays your records with a linear -tracking arm. "test -play" it on our LAB -1600. You'll agree this The stylus is always at the correct angle, 'a ma- is a major advance in turntable design, and one jor advance that gives you two major benefits: you can enjoy without a major expenditure. Cleaner sound and reduced disc wear. Take home the front -loading, linear -tracking LAB -1600 today 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 Rae he lhaeK shelves-that's another TM major advance. And it The Technology Store A DIVISION OF TANDY CORPORATION couldn't be easier to use. Press a soft -touch control FREE 1986 CATALOG! and the drawer glides out Mall to Radio Shack, Department 86-A-066. for disc loading. Press 300 One Tandy Center, Fort Worth, TX 76102 again and the drawer re- NAME tracts, ready for automatic ADDRESS play. Electronic logic lets CITY you raise, lower and posi- STATE ZIP tion the arm precisely. Price applies at narnanating Radio Shacstoic, and dealers Stereo Review BULLETIN 5 TECHNICAL TALK 27 EDITORIAL 8 CLASSICAL MUSIC 79 LETTERS 10 POPULAR MUSIC 89 NEW PRODUCTS 15 ADVERTISERS' INDEX 107 AUDIO Q&A 18 THE HIGH END 112 page ..)() EQUIPMENT CAR STEREO On the road with the Ford/JBL sound system in the 1986 Lincoln Continental-a user's evaluation by Christopher Greenleaf HIRSCH-HOUCK LABS EQUIPMENT TEST REPORTS Realistic CD -2000 Compact Disc Player, page 35 Denon AVC-500 Audio/Video Control Center, page 38 B.E.S. SM 80 Speaker System, page 43 Kenwood KVR-A90R AM/FM Receiver, page 47 Terk FM 8403 Antenna, page 52 page 110 THREE TOP TAPE DECKS 54 Do laboratory measurements and listening tests reveal a correlation between price and performance?

POCKET STEREO 60 page 15 A round -up of personal portable cassette decks and radios by Fred Petras BLANK TAPE BUYING GUIDE 65 i Features and prices of tape for recording enthusiasts by William Burton with Richard Krueger and Wendy Schaub MUSIC JONI MITCHELL 69 After a decade of commercial decline, the singer has decided to resurrect her career by Alanna Nash BEST RECORDINGS OF THE MONTH 73 Johnny Cash, Respighi's The Pines of Rome, The Fountains of Rome, and Roman Festivals, Bob Dylan, and Verdi's Rigoletto RECORD MAKERS 109 The latest from Benny Goodman, Sheena Easton, The Teac V-750, Nakamicki CR-7A, Claudio Abbado, Peter, Paul, and Mary, a couple of and Yamaha K-1020 cassette decks shown on our cover went head to head unlikely twosomes, and more in lab and listening tests. See page 54 for the results.

VOL. 51 No. 3 MARCH 1986 (ISSN 0039-1220) COVER: DESIGN BY SUE LLEWELLYN, PHOTO MICHAEL CHAN COPYRIGHT 0 1986 BY CBS MAGAZINES. A DIVISION OF CBS INC Allrights reserved. Stereo Review. March 1986, Volume 51, Number 3. Published monthly by CBS Magazines at 3460 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles. CA 90010. Editorial and Executive Offices at 1515 Broadway. New York. NI 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 States andits 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 atadditional mailing offices. Authorized as second-class mail by the Post Office Department, Ottawa. Canada. and for payment of postage in cash. SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE: Forms 3579 and all subscription correspondence must be addressed to Stereo Review. P.O. Box 2771, Boulder, CO 80302. Please allow as least eight weeks for the change ofaddress to become effective. Include both your old and your new address, enclosing, if possible, an address label from a recent issue. If you have a subscription problem,please 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. Requestsfor permission should be directed to William S. Bunchuck. Rights and Permissions, CBS Magazines, One Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016.

STEREO REVIEW MARCH1986 3 AK * FOR LIFE'S GREAT RFORMANCES

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Picture this: Tux) new audio -video wireless remote 1. superior audio/video playback. standouts with talents second -to -none The CTA261's square effect The VS -616 features a 7 -head 26" tube and Comb filter deliver design for optimized record/playback Performance second -to -none. a cleaner picture with much higher 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 28 -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 reliability of AKAI's Both are endowed with a 142 - or an external set of your own. beltless, direct -drive system. channel MTS-SAP stereo tuner In back, convenient 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 6010, Compton, CA 90224-6010. BULLETIN

by Christie Barter and Gordon Sell nessee.... The National Associa- 26 will be Wagner's Lohengrin tion of Broadcasters (NAB) is de- with Eva Marton, Leonie Rysanek, veloping new AM broadcast an- and Peter Hofmann. James Levine tenna technology aimed at im- conducts.... Philips Records is proving AM reception.... Motoro- honoring the current tour of the la's C-QUAM system for AM stereo Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra has now been adopted by twenty- conducted by Kurt Mazur by one manufacturers and 320 releasing the orchestra's record- broadcast stations. Toshiba, ings of the Beethoven symphonies OPTICAL DISC VENTURE Sprague, and Toko are shipping on six LP's, cassettes, and CD's. The Du Pont Company and N.V. more than 300,000 C-QUAM de- The CD's are promotionally priced Philips have formed a joint ven- coder chips a month. at six for the price of five.... MCA ture aimed at becoming the is reviving the old Impulse label, world's largest supplier of optical NEW U.S. CD PLANT for years the creative home of discs. By 1990 it is expected to Capitol has announced that it such jazz greats as Duke Elling- generate $1 billion in sales of will open a Compact Disc manu- ton, Gil Evans, and John Coltrane. Compact Discs, laser -read video facturing plant in Jacksonville, Il- ... Herbert Kupferberg, a STEREO discs, and CD-ROM computer data linois. Production is scheduled to REVIEW contributor, has written discs. The two companies plan to begin in the fall of this year with The Book of Classical Music Lists invest heavily in the development an initial annual capacity of (Facts on File, $17.95), an enter- of record/erase optical discs that 7 million CD's. Angel Records, taining source of material for a would make possible home CD re- Capitol's classical division, will musical game along the lines of corders, video -disc recorders, and get a portion of its CD's from the Trivial Pursuit. high -capacity computer data stor- new plant. The CD plant in Swin- age and retrieval systems. With don, England, recently opened by THE PRICE OF SUCCESS Du Pont's experience in materials EMI (with which Capitol is affil- Two years ago representatives technology and Philips's experi- iated) will begin production early of CD -player manufacturers and a ence in electronics and laser op- this year. number of record companies tics, these two companies make a formed the Compact Disc Group to formidable pair. MUSICAL MISCELLANY promote the development of the The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, CD format. They succeeded at the TECH NOTES which has sold more records than job so well that they have now Onkyo has demonstrated a pre- any other choir in the world, has voted the group out of existence. production prototype digital -au- extended its exclusive contract dio -tape recorder that uses the ro- with CBS Masterworks. In its A FIRST FOR CANADA tary -head format (R-DAT), but it thirty -six -year relationship with Rock singer Bryan Adams has won't be in stores until late in the CBS the choir has made more set a record with his album year, after several key integrated than one hundred recordings and "Reckless." He is the first Canadi- circuits become available.... The won five gold records.... Riccardo an recording artist to sell a mil- rights to use the "Altec-Lansing" Muti and the Philadelphia Orches- lion copies of an album in his and "Voice of the Highway" trade- tra have received Japan's Record own country. "Reckless" has sold marks have been acquired by Academy Award for their record- well over a million copies in the Sparkomatic.... The Delco-GM/ ing of The Pines of Rome (re- United States, too, and was climb- Bose music system has been viewed in the "Best of the Month" ing into the Top Twenty at the be- added as an option on five addi- section in this issue).... Ameri- ginning of the year. tional car models: Cadillac Cimar- can composer David Diamond has ron, Buick LeSabre and Somerset received Columbia University's Regal, and Oldsmobile Delta 88 William Schuman Award, a and Calais.... Ford, which intro- $50,000 prize for lifetime achieve- duced the Ford/JBL sound system ment in American musical com- in the 1986 Lincoln Continental position.... The G. Schirmer mu- (see page 21), will include a CD sic -publishing firm is celebrating player option when it makes the its 125th anniversary this year. system available in the Lincoln ... Celebrating his seventieth Town Car this summer.... Alpine birthday this season, pianist Earl is rumored to be introducing a Wild is giving all -Liszt recitals in trunk -mounted six -cassette American 3ities to celebrate the changer that is linked to the in - hundredth anniversary of that dash control panel by a fiber-optic composer's death. In February cable.... Phoenix Systems prod- and March, Wild plays at Carnegie ucts will henceforth be manufac- Hall in New York and Orchestra tured and distributed by Rhoades Hall in Chicago.... The Live from National Corp. of Columbia, Ten- the Met telecast on PBS on March

STEREO REVIEW MARCH 19865 Matthew Polk's Extraordinary New SDA SRS

#111110111101Mtv ry new SDA SRS won the 1985 Audio Video Grand Prix Speakerof the Year Awar "The Genius of Matthew Polk Creates the Ultimate Loudspeaker tor You" "Spectewular ...it is quite an experience Stereo Review Magazine

or the last four years, Matthew Polk has been driven The SDA SRS coupled to the large 15" sub -bass radiator results in extraordinarily by an all consuming passion: to develop the ultimate SDA loud- Matthew Polk's tight, quick and three dimensional mid and upper bass combined speaker which fully realized the sonic potential of his revolutionary Own Dream Speaker with low and sub -bass capabilities which are staggering (clean SDA TRUE STEREO technology.* Thousands of man hours and Can Now Be Yours output at 25Hz exceeds 100db!) An elaborate monocoque cabinet hundreds of thousands of dollars have been spent in his single- and bracing system results in a remarkably rigid cabinet which minded pursuit of this goal. The extraordinary result of his quest "At the CES (Consumer virtually eliminates coloration due to panel resonances. Separate is now available in handcrafted limited quantities, for those Electronics Show) among the inputs for high and low frequency sections of the system allows bi- discerning listeners who seek the absolute crate -of -the -an in crop of new and often wire or bi-amp operation without the need for a separate crossover. musical and sonic reproduction. innovative speaker systems, The speakers are beautifully finished, for an elegant loudspeaker probably the most impressive TbeJoy of Owning the Ultimate which looks as good as it sounds. was the Polk SDA Signature The SDA Signature Reference System is Matthew Polk's own Reference System, which The Exquisite Pleasure of Listening dream speaker. You too can share and experience his dream. He to the SDA Signature Reference System shook the walls of the is so proud of the SRS that each one bears his signature, engraved Awesome is the word most often heard to describe the sound. Americana Congress Hotel." on a solid brass name plaque. The joy of owning an ultimate The extraordinarily lifelike three-dimensional imaging surrounds Stereo Review ,,tagazIne loudspeaker knows no bounds. Music lovers who are privileged to the listener in 360' panorama of sonic splendor. The awe inspiring own a pair of SRSs will share Matthew Polk's pride every time they An Extraordinary Combination bass performance and dynamic range will astound you. The high sit down and enjoy the unparalleled experience of listening to their of Features and Benefits definition clarity of the SRS allows you to hear every detail of the favorite music through these extraordinary loudspeakers, or when Exclusive, Patented SDA TRUE original musical performance; while the exceptionally smooth, STEREO Technology they demonstrate them to their admiring friends. natural, low distortion reproduction encourages you to totally for unequaled three-dimensional The SDA Signature ReferenceSystem: imaging and a huge, lifelike indulge and immerse yourself rn your favorite recordings for hours. soundstage A Significant Advance in Loudspeaker Technology and SonicPerformance Effective Bass Radiating Area "Exceptional Equivalent to a 40' Woofer The SDA-SRS is the extraonimar) flagship model of Polk s for breathtakingly full. deep. tight. performance no mailer critically acclaimed SDA Series which is comprised of the SDA-1, more well controlled bass and sub - Sassresponse. how you look at if" SDA-2, SDA-CRS and the new SDA-SRS. This remarkable Stereo Rei lett. Magazine Multiple Driver Line -Source Topology sounding, 3rd generation SDA speaker combines, for the first time, for ideally focused wave propagation Julian Hirsch of Stereo Review summed it up well in his rave the latest refinements in Polk's exclusive and patented TRUE which minimizes floor and ceiling review: 'The Signature Reference System, Polk's no -compromise STEREO technology with time -compensated, phase -coherent reflections combined with greater clarity. lower distortion. higher power flagship loudspeaker offers new refinements on the Stereo multiple driver vertical line -source topology. The result is a high handling and increased dynamic Dimensional Any design...The composite frequency response was efficiency system of awesome and seemingly limitless dynamic range exceptional...The SDA system works...The effect can be quite range and bass capability which reproduces music with a precise Phase -Coherent, Time -Compensated spectacular...' e heard the sound to our sides, a full 90 degrees Driver Aligment lifelike, three dimensional soundstage which is unequaled. for better focus. lower coloration and away from the speakers...As good as the SDA feature is, we were

Each 63W' x 21" x 13" cabinet contains 8 Polk Eh" a srn)other. more coherent midrange. even more impressed by the overall quality of the Polk SDA-SRS. trilarninate-polymer drivers, a planar 15" sub -bass radiator, 4 Polk Progressive Point -Source Tweeter .The sound is superbly balanced and totally effortless. 1" Silver Coil polyamide dome tweeters and an incredibly complex Array Exceptional low bass. We have never measured a low bass for g 'eater vertical high frequelcy and sophisticated Isophase Crossover System. One of the unique dispersion, achieved by eliminating distortion level as low as that of the SDA-SRS...lt is quite an features of the crossover is the progressive variation of the high multiple tweeter high frequency experience! Furthermore, with the SDA-SRS, it is not necessary to frequency high-pass circuitry which maintains virtual point source cancellations play the music loud to enjoy the tactile qualities of deep bass... operation resulting in wide horizontal and vertical dispersion. Bi-Wire Bi-Amp Capability for greater clarity. greater dynamic Exceptional performance no matter how you look at it". Words Power handling is nominally rated at 1000 watts per channel. range and lower IM. distortion alone can not express the experience of listening to this ultimate although the high efficiency of the system allows superb perform- Monocoque Cabinet Construction loudspeaker system. You simply must hear them for yourself. ance to be realized with the most moderately powered receiver. Basseliminates extraneous cabinet resonances and colorations. performance, is in a word, breathtaking. The use of 8 small drivers Polk Audio 1915 Annapolis Road, Baltimore, Md. 21230

S ft/ So (489,62 OtIerpatents /why Icrook. In Canada Dietributec by Evolution Tecnnology Toronto CIRCLE NO. 37 ON READER SERVICE CARD SPEAKING MY PIECE Stereo Review

WILLIAM LIVINGSTONE Editor in Chief by William Livingstone "You are going to get a lot of LOUISE GOOCH BOUNDAS pleasure from moving up to Com- Managing Editor pactDiscs,"the salesmansaid, SUE LLEWELLYN "and you will be surprised at the Art Director quality of sound the CD's can coax MICHAEL SMOLEN from your old speakers. Spend the Senior Editor next few months enjoying that and GORDON SELL, WILLIAM BURTON building up a collection of CD's. Technical Editors Then when the novelty wears off, CHRISTIE BARTER you can upgrade the rest of your Music Editor equipment and get another surge of DAVID STEIN pleasure." Assistant Managing Editor MARGARET BRUEN What a smart salesman! I'm al- Assistant Art Director ways glad to hear stories of people BARBARA AIKEN,ROCCOMATTERA like that in the retail end of consum- SAM BENNETT, WENDY SCHAUB er electronics, people who are in the RICHARD KRUEGER business to make a living, not a kill- Editorial Assistants ing. I know a number of such sales- HENRY PLEASANTS Professionals men, and I meet others every year at London Editor the Consumer Electronics Shows. Contributing Editors ROBERT ACKART LOUIS MEREDITH Some of them belong to an organi- CHRIS ALBERTSON ALANNA NASH zation called the Professional Audio RICHARD FREED MARK PEEL WHENI am old andRetailers Association. PHYL GARLAND LINCOLN PERRY CHRIS GREENLEAF PETER REILLY wise and the secrets Several audio/video salespeople DAVID HALL CHARLES RODRIGUES of life have been re-have written to me to say that they JULIAN D. HIRSCH ERIC SALZMAN RALPH HODGES STEVE SIMELS vealed to me, per-were offended by some buying ad- LARRY KLEIN CRAIG STARK haps I will understand all the con-vice Chris Albertson gave in our STODDARD LINCOLN JOEL VANCE nections between music and medi-"Video Basics" column lastfall. ROMAN BEYER cine. For centuries poets have dweltThey were stung by his use of the Vice President and Publisher on the soothing qualities of music,word "clerk" and reacted as a doc- and present-day physicians seem totor might on hearing a colleague Advertising Director: Winston A. Johnson be using it to heal themselves be-described as a "quack."Ithink (212) 503-5067 cause there is a surprisingly highAlbertson made it clear that he was National Manager: Richard J. Halpern (212) 503-5070 percentage of doctors among thenot referring to responsible, well- Eastern Manager: Charles L. P. Watson readers of STEREO REVIEW. informedsalesmen,becausehe (212) 503-5071 I often send the magazine to doc-wrote such things as: "I speak here Account Manager: Mary Anne Holley tors I know socially and to those Inot of respectable list -price outlets (212) 719-6172 see professionally. When one of the . . . but rather of the discount mer- Assistant to the Publisher: Pamela J. Rude latter decided to include a CDchants. Never approach a cut-rate Classified Advertising: (212) 503-5999 player among the gifts to his wife video store without first doing some Midwestern Managers: Arnold S. Hoffman Dirk Barenbrugge and childrenlastChristmas,it homework." (312) 679-1100 pleased me to think he had been Anybody who finds an audio or Western Director: William J. Curtis influenced by our enthusiastic ar-video salesman he likes and trusts Regional Manager: Meg Roberts ticles on the Compact Disc system. should hang onto him. The West (818) 784-0700 Tokyo Office, Iwai Trading Co., Ltd. When we discussed the matter, I Side salesman gave my doctor good 603 Ginza Sky Heights Building, 18-13, gave the doctor some general buy-advice. Like most new owners of Ginza 7-Chome, Chuo-Ku, Tokyo, Japan 104 ing advice and, considering his fees, CD players, the doctor finds that he Account Manager: J. S. Yagi, (03)45-3908 EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS must be accompa- suggested that he should junk all his is spending a lot more time listening nied by return postage and will be handled with reason- other equipment and start overto music than he used to. able care, but the publisher assumes no responsibility from scratch. (I don't think he has I don't think I have to tell you for return or safety of art, photos, or manuscripts. upgraded that stuff since he was a where the doctor will go and whom Member Audit Bureau of Circulations poor intern.) But he went to an he will consult when the novelty has .. audio store in his neighborhood on worn off and he wants his Compact the Upper West Side in New YorkDiscs to sound better still. He is 31)A City and got different advice. already referring friends and pa- He found a congenial salesman at tients to his neighborhood audio STEREO REVIEW IS PUBLISHED BY CBS MAGAZINES, A DIVISION OF CBS INC. thestore,describedhispresentsalesman, and although I have nev- President: Peter G. Diamandis equipment, and explained what heer met the man, I've sent a friend to Vice President, Editorial Director: Carey Winfrey Senior Vice President, Publishing: Robert F. Spillane wanted. The salesman steered himhim on my doctor's recommenda- Senior Vice President, Circulation: Robert Alexander Senior Vice President, Operations & Administration: to a Compact Disc player thatI tion. It sounds to me as though the Robert J. Granata agree was a good choice, but hesalesman is a wise man to whom Vice President, Finance, Arthur Sukel; Vice President, Subscription Circulation, Bernard P. Lacy; Vice Presi- advised the doctor not to replace his some of the secrets of life have dent, Manufacturing & Distributuion, Murray M. Rom-

other components just yet. already been revealed. er: President, CBS Magazine Marketing, Carl Kopf

8 STEREO REVIEW MARCH 1986 GET THEATRE SOUND WITHOUT GOING TO THE THEATRE.

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For your nearest dealer, wale: Sansui Electronics CorT , Box 62E ,CFG, Lyndhurst, NJ 07071, orcall 1-800 E26-1297 Mon -Fri 9 am -3 pm (EST)n NJ Z1-4619710 CINCLF NO 44 ON READER SEPACE CAFO LETTERS

excluded, leaving only music test data, serious audio constructors to know that CD Player Listening Tests the correct choices drop to 49.4 percent. they may write to us at P.O. Box 1464, "Do All CD Players Soundthe The deviation from an exact 50 percent Berkley, MI 48072-0464. Same?" in January is a superb example is probably due more to the relatively Second, neither David L. Clark nor of the kind of technical reports that small sample base of listeners and tests his DLC Design company alone devel- audiophiles and music lovers alike ex- than to any significant perception of oped the ABX comparator. It was co - pect and deserve to see in leading indus- sonic differences. designed and co -developed by all six try journals. It's about time that some- In thefinalanalysis,purists who directors of the ABX Company (includ- one has stepped forward to do some insist that double-blind testing is inval- ing Mr. Clark) and would not exist really meaningful research rather than id because the differences are only ap- without the contributions of every sin- simply repeating rhetoric born of specu- parent in extended listening will never gle one of them. Finally, DLC Design is lation. be satisfied that any two of anything not located in Ann Arbor but in Far- Publishingthedetailedlisteners' sound alike. But for those of us who are mington Hills, which is about 35 min- scores was especially useful, because it inclined to a more analytical, albeit less utes from Ann Arbor or downtown De- allows the reader to draw his own con- emotional,approach,your editorial troit. clusions. For instance, if one excludes coverage is much appreciated. DAVID CARLSTROM the data from the Carver test with the DENNIS R. CIAPURA Secretary/Treasurer, SMWTMS Time Lens on and the data from the test San Diego, CA Berkley, MI with the inadvertent 0.2 -dB level error, so that only normal CD -player opera- Thank you for the kind and accurate tion is compared, a somewhat different description of the Southwestern Michi- LP's Are Not Dead! conclusion may be reached than the one gan Woofer and Tweeter Marching So- Although I did not use my record stated in the article. ciety (SMWTMS) in the January article player much this past year, I did note Tabulation of the remaining data on CD -player listening tests by Ian what seemed to be a slight deterioration yields only 365 correct choices out of Masters. We would like, however, to in its sound. I had the stylus checked, 683 total, or 53.4 percent, which ap- correct a few minor errors that crept and it appeared to be in good shape, but proaches the 50 percent statistical result into the article and William Living - I was still not satisfied, so I returned the to be expected if there were no audible stone's editorial in that issue. cartridge to the manufacturer (Shure). differences between the units.If the First, SMWTMS does not conceal its While the diamond stylus itself was not white -noise and impulse tests are also location or address, and we would like worn, apparently the mounting had de -

By the time she arrived after work, I was ready: Something soft and sexy on the Kenwood, champagne on ice. After dinner, when I lit a fire and put `A Man and a Woman" on the VCR, I think she got a little suspicious. But there was no turning back. So I turned down the sound and fumbled around in my pocket and pulled out the ring. She said yes before I got ,-141111111 the words out of my mouth. - teriorated just enough toaffectthe ago, however, I heard a CD player at a Also, I have noted a very ominous sound adversely. The cartridge was re- friend's house for the first time. When I trend for CD's to have more or different turned to me with a new stylus-and returned home and turned on my music than the LP or cassette releases. I what sound! The difference was just equipment. I was crushed. My records feel that the LP and cassette buyers are incredible.DigitallymasteredLP's sounded lifeless! being shortchanged when there's more sounded . . . well, like digital record- Since then I have purchased a Sony on the CD version, and I urge readers to ings! LP's are not dead! CD player and new Cerwin-Vega speak- let the record companies know how I wanted to pass this good news on to ers. It is once again exciting to listen to they feel. other readers. Have your stylusandits music, especially the lush Romantics WILLIAM I. WHITTEN mounting checked, and if a replacement and the Baroque organ works thatI Birmingham, AL is necessary, go for it. The difference in enjoy. Yes, the sound is different, and I sound may make your LP's as satisfying sometimes wish I couldn't hear music The best audio news since the CD as CD's or tapes. sheets turning or chairs shifting. But itself is that at least one company, Delos DAVID E. LICHT the closest thing to being there, and I (November "Bulletin"), is committed Jackson Heights, NY love it! to prod icing discs that utilize the fill WALTER JOHNSON potential running time. So farI've CD Convert Red Bank, NJ restricted my purchases tc items that arecheaperin CD than LP, such as two - Although I am a charter subscriber to disc versions of operas that take three STEREO REVIEW (back when it wasHi- Digital Issues regular LP's. Fi Review),I have never before written Ilike the idea of the Compact Disc When will the manufacturers realize a letter to the editor. But the pro -and - system, and the few CD's I have heard that they can't go on cheating us by put- con discussion of Compact Discs in the sound just fine. But until I can buy the ting a single LP onto a single CD? Sure- "Letters" columns finally got to me. kind of music I like on CD, mostly folk ly it doesn't cost any more to produce a I have thousands of analog recordings and traditional music, I have no inten- 74 -minute disc than a 50 -minute one. and some fairly decent equipment. Al- tion of buying a CD player. CD's are The premium price entitles us to three though I had listened to broadcasts of fine for the classical or popular -music Mozart piano concertos on one Com- CD's,Idid not plan to purchase a fan, but those who favor the small inde- pact Disc. player for at least another year. After all, pendent labels are left out in the cold PETER T. DANIELS my records sounded great. Six weeks and probably will be for years. Chicago, IL

Orchestrating speciEl moments in life requires a certai 1 amount of freedom Wit KEnwoods full rage of Hone Enterain- ment Systems you can chose from a spec:rim of performarce- matched systems, or cieate your own from Kenwoodline of superior components. The system pick rec is fully remcte controllec and invudes a 26" cable -ready c Dlor montor A 70W' per :hannel integrated audio/video receiver. A -iFi VHS stereo video recorder with 14 -day, 8 -event programming. Aenwood's lull logic a Jto-reverse cassette deck. A linear tracking, filly automatic turnable. And a pair o - 150W 3 -waytowerspea

For the Kenwood dealer -leareSt yo.l. dial 1-8004-KERMOOD. RMS8ohnn2011zio2C kHzrTno ma than

KENWOOD CIRCLE NO. 29 ON READER SEvy ICE CARD "CARVER CD PLAYER: SUPERB SOUND PLUS THE DIGITAL TIME LENS" ATDIO MAGAZINE

`Leave it to Bob Carver to come up with filtering technology and, very importantly, nal is passed through a shift register which a CD player designed to please both those Carver's unique distortion reducing dither sig- delays the samples, so that the weighted aver- who love CDs and those who still have nal that effectively removes the low level quanti- age of a large number of signals is generated. reservations about their sound quality." zation distortion existing in all other CD players. Through a complicated process, frequency -Leonard Feldman Except for features like display and pro- bands are suppressed between 20kHz and AUDIO MAGAZINE gramming, the real determining factor in CD 160kHz, eliminating harmonic distortion prob- player quality is its ability to reconstruct music lems early on before the complicated D/A 16 from digital information bits. And that is not an bit translation. easy job nor one that can be effectively achieved The same oversampling process also dis- while skimping on circuitry. tributes the same amount of noise over twice as wide a frequency range, resulting in half as IMPROVED TRACKING much noise in the final signal. Then after trans- The Carver Compact Disc Player reads discs lation to analog, the signal is once again fil- with more precisely focused laser power than tered for a gentle roll -off above 20kHz. This The Carver Compact Disc Player answers most other models, resulting in improved track- yields a marvelously natural musical sound to the audiophile's demand for o CD Player which ing and less chance of drop -outs when dust or the final output. smudges are encountered on a CD. provides not only the greater dynamic range ABSENCE OF PHASE ERROR and richer bass expected from compact disc technology, but also the musicality, spectral One of the important tests applied to deter- balance and spatial qualities of well executed mine the effectiveness of digital -to -analog analog high fidelity recordings. translation circuitry is the reproduction of a square wave. LOGICAL How logical it is for a physicist dedicated to delivering music with maximum dynamic impact to offer a state-of-the-art CD player. The Digital Time Lens circuity restores Anyone who ever wondered why Carver makes the octave -to -octave balance originally intended by the musician and record- amplifiers capable of delivering hundreds of ing engineer. wattsof power needwonderno longer after they have heard the Carver Compact Disc Player as DIGITAL FILTERING a sound source. Along with a potentially audible signal There are dozens of models of compact ranging up to 20kHz, there are endless images disc players now available, manyof them demon- of the signal at 40kHz, 80kHz and 160kHz. strating little regard for the finer points of dig- While they are above the range of human ital playback technology. Bob Carver was in no hearing, they must be removed from the signal hurry. He wanted to do digital right. And he did. to prevent harmonic problems which could turn The state of the art has advanced consid- into audible distortion. Earlier CD models erably since the first players appeared several placed an anti -imaging filter after the digital/ years ago. The Carver Compact Disc Player analog converter stage. Carver uses DIGITAL fil- makes use of the latest triple laser beam pick- tering ahead of the D/A converter through a ups, sophisticated oversampling, digital process called multiple oversampling. The sig- woe CARVER POWERFUL

Corporation, PO Box 1237, Lynnwood, WA 98046 "Reproduction of a I kHz digitally gen- when compared with the amount of L -R signal With the Carver Compact Disc Player's erated signal was as close to a true square found on the corresponding analog disc Programmable Random Access Playback Sys- awe as I hale ever seen from a CI) player tem, ticck search and programming of differ- that used digital filtering. (The Carver ent se a;tions is a snap, as is automatic repeat Digital Disc Player) shous a virtual ab- of a previous selection or an entire CD. For clas- sence of phase error" sical music lovers, the Carver Compact Disc AUDIO MAGAZINE P.ayer r as complete indexing capabilities as well.

The large, easy -to -use feather -touch con- A. Lissajous pattern showing spatial d_lall trols include pause, fast forward and reverse. IL -R111.4- Riratio nom an LI' record You con even monitor music at high speed to B. The same instant of music but taken find a certain portion of a selection. from the CD version. .Vote the decreased We know you really enjoy music so, you IL -11') content. as shown ha the nor - owe it yourself to begin your digital experi- n It'd trace. A. Square-tvave reproduction. I kHz. ence th he only full feature CD player that B. 7im-lone phase test signal 1200Hz and Carver's circuitry corrects the ratio Gf L -R has the Carver touch. The only CD player that 2k11.z)wi th Diyital Time Lens oft: to L+R by performing one extra, but impor- can actually improve on what is already the best tant mathematical operation on the signal playback medum ever offered. stream that all other CD players fail to perfcrm. Audition the Carver Compact Disc Player PLUS THE DIGITAL TIME LENS This final operation makes all the difference. with Digital Tme Lens at your Carver Dealer. On top of this unerring ability to produce The result is a natural sound with more of natural, real -sounding music from the CD's the three-dimensional information that places d'gital bits, the Carver Compact Disc Player has us in the same space with performers. Yo J won't the remarkable Digital Time Lers circuit to in- need the Digital Time Lens on all CDs. But it is sure your listening enjoyment. there when you need it. The Carver Compact Disc Player is the In the beginning, Carver hoped, indeed he world's only compact disc player to address expected, that once recording artis-s and engi- the problem of the bright, hot, harsh sounding neers became more experienced with CD tech- midrange and a lack of ambierce and spatial nology fewer and fewer CDs would require the A.atra-low4evel (1 significant bits)] kHz cetail characteristic of the majority of com- Digital Time Lens. But both laboratory and lis- sign( as reproduced by conventional pact discs currently available. tening tests reveal that the great major ty of CD players. When Bob Carver obtained his first com- even the most recently released CDs benefits B same signal with dither added before pact disc player, he was surprised at the sound significantly from the Digital -ime Lens DIA conversion by Caner CD player derived from most of the compact discs he pur- Vote that dither has caused the distorted EASY TO USE chased. The three-dimensional musical per- step-aise appr ovimation of the 1 kHz spective which his analog system provided in Ease of operation is a hallmark of Carver ?one virtually to tunish. Quantization distortion has hem reduced to insignificance lush abundance on phono discs evaporated components and the Carver Compact Disc into a flat, brittle wasteland. After extensive Player is no exception. A subtle but easy -to -read testing, Bob uncovered two furdamental flaws LCD display not only shows selection number, IF YOU ALREADY HAVE A CD PLAYER in almost all compact discs' 1) An unpleasant, elapsed time and total time of the DD, but also By buying a CI) Player you made a harsh spectral energy balance. The overall "talks" to the user. Turn on the Canter Compact convritment to vastly improve your sound octave -to -octave energy balance was shifted Disc Player and the display asks fora disc.When soupce. now you can go the short extra step on the CD towards more midrange above the disc tray is open, the display rernincs you that lets digital realizeitstrue potential 400Hz; 2) The amount of L -R signal (which with an OPEN readout. When a CD has com- That step is the CARVER Digital Time carries the spacial detail of the music) on the pleted playing, the multi -function display Lens. Simply connect it betum? your CD CD was inexplicably, but substantially, reduced reads END. player and your preamplifier or receiver.

int

ACCURATE

DIS-F IBUTED IN CANADA BY EVOLUTION TECHNOLOGY CIRCLE NO 19 ON READER SERVICE CARD arlboro

Famous Marlboro Red and Marlboro Lights- either way you get a lot to like.

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.1- SURGEON GENERAL'S WARNING:Smoking Nt7- L ghts 10 me-tie.' 0.7 mg nicotine- Causes Lung Cancer, Heart Disease, i / 7. Kings: 16 mg "MC 1.0 mg nicotine Emphysema, And May Complicate Pregnancy. ' a - I . ,. ,tie Philip Mr- IOW , i 0 'Cy. per cigme-le, FTC Report Feb.'85 , .1 . '. . ..,-.- -4,t . 1 i, /.- ',, .0.," \,ho f 4 .. . of . .sr. '..4.44 4. . 14,- , I- IP - ..

pia 4''... ' 4 -1-. NEW PRODUCTS

Sony Sony has taken a new approach to car stereo with the CDX-A10 DiscJockey, a ten -CD player/changerwithremote control and an optional digital -synthesis AM/FM tuner module. The player/ changer is designed to be mounted in the trunk or rear compartment of a vehicle, where itis isolated from road shocks by a free-floating subsuspension and protected from dust and moisture by a rugged outer case that opens for insertion of the disc magazine (right rear in photo). Outputs from the CDX- A10 connect to one or two external stereo power amplifiers. Allcontrolfunctions forthe CD player and tuner module are handled by a remote "commander" (right front in photo) whose DIN -standard height and range of a program so that the quiet pas- Music. Sensor for automatic playback or width (7 inches wide, 2 inches high) sages are audible over the noise of a repetition of up to five tracks selected at enable it to be mounted in a normal moving car-or boat, plane, or recrea- random; direct access to individual se- dashboard opening. But at only 1 inch tional vehicle. Other features include a lections by disc and track number; and deep, the control unit can also be left switchableSurround Soundcircuit, audible search in either direction. unmounted so it can be hidden under a which feeds an L- R signal to the rear Prices: CDX-A10 DiscJockey with re- seat or in the glove compartment when channels for enhanced ambience; promote commander, connecting cables, not in use. An LCD (liquid -crystal dis- gramming of up to ten tracks from any and one XA-10 disc magazine, $999.95; play) panel on the commander shows of the discs in the magazine in any XT -I0tunerpack,$129.95;extra the operating status of the CDX-A10 or order, with no more than 10 seconds XA-10 magazines, $19.95 each. Sony the XT- 1 0 tuner. access time between discs; an Automat- Corporation of America,Dept. SR, A three -positionDynamic Range ic Music Sensor to skip from track to Sony Dr., Park Ridge, NJ 07656. can reduce the dynamic track in either direction; a Random

The VHS Hi-Fi circuitry records and vsr plays the audio signals through separate nom* ...mom heads on the rotating video head drum. Dolby circuits reduce noise on conven- 4-----77:5;f:-- --um - 1 tional longitudinal stereo soundtracks. The HQ circuitry decreases video noise and increases resolution and contrast compared wish conventional VHS recordings; the system is playback -compatible with non -HQ tapes and VCR's. The 140 -channel quartz -synthesis Marantz broadcast, the MTS decoder allows ei- tuner in the VR550HQ can be pro- The VR550HQ VHS Hi-Fi VCR ther soundtrack to be recorded on video grammed to record eight events over a from Marantz has a decoder for stereo tape or played through a separate ampli- three-week period. Price: $949.95. Ma- TV sound and HQ (High Quality) cir- fier and speakers. There are input -level rantz, Dept. SR, 20525 Nordhoff St., cuitry for a better picture. When stereo controls and an LED level display for Chatsworth, CA 93111. sound or a separate audio program is each audio channel. Circle 121 on reader service card

Sansui Sansui's two -motor, three -head D-705 cassette deck has dual capstans to eliminate variations in tape speed. Features include Dolby B and Dolby C noise reduction, record pause, automatic tape -type selection, memory stop and rewind,AutomaticMusicProgram Search for up to fifteen selections, and timer record/play. Frequency response wrms. Signal-to-noise ratio is rated as tronics Corp., Dept. SR. 1250 Valley with metal tape is given as 20 to 20,000 60 dB with no noise reduction, 80 dB Brook Ave., Lyndhurst, NJ 07071. Hz, wow -and -flutter as 0.035 percent with Dolby C. Price: $400. Sansui Elec- Circle 122 on reader service card

STEREO REVIEW MARCH 1986 15 What other audio tapes fail to hear.

One audio tape is so sensitive it can hear a pin drop. Or the fun crash of a cymbal. To no cne's surprise, it's made by Sony. Designed with our widest dynamic range ever, the UCX-S can pick up the soft- est softs you've never heard. Or the loudest louds. Without distortion:' And sir.ce we pack smaller, more uniform particles on oLr tape, you can pack more music in it. And go from one extreme to the other. So pick Sony. And hear what you've been missing. LACSONIC

0 1985 Sony Corp of America Sony .... registered trademark of Sony Corp -The One and SONY® OnOnly'. a regtatered trademark of Sony..,vga of America (Third harmonic distortion at 0 dfil THE ONE AND ONLY. CIRCLE NO. 53 ON READER SERVICE CARD NEW PRODUCTS

Pioneer Pioneer's VE-D70 two -speed, remote- control 8mm video recorder can record four hours of picture and sound or twenty-four hours of digital audio with no picture on six separate tracks. There are separate audio level controls and recording -level meters for each channel on the front panel. An MTS decoder is included for recording stereo broadcasts. The cable -ready video tuner receives 181 channels, anditcan be programmed for unattended recording of six events over three weeks. Other fea- 0 tures include a remaining -time counter, high-speed picture search, and noiseless freeze-frame and slow motion.Fre- dynamic range as greater than 88 dB. ics (USA), Inc.. Dept. SR, P.O. Box quency response of the digital sound- Wow -and -flutter is said to be unmeas- 1720, Long Beach, CA 90801. track is given as 20 to 15,000 Hz, the urable. Price: $1,500. Pioneer Electron- Circle 123 on reader service card

quality of video dubs. Other features Mitsubishi include abuilt-infive -band graphic The DA -R56 digital -synthesis AM/ equalizer and a switchable synthesized- FM receiver from Mitsubishi includes a stereo circuit for mono sound sources. circuit to decode AM stereo (Motorola The amplifier section is rated to de- system) and extensive video switching liver 70 watts per channel (rms) into 8 facilities. There are four video inputs ohms from 20 to 20,000 Hz with no and three video outputs in the rear, more than 0.015 percent total harmonic along with the usual audio connections, distortion. There are tuner presets for and a combined front -panel set of au- seven AM and seven FM stations. dio/video input and output jacks. The Price: $450. Mitsubishi Electric Sales receiverpermitsdubbingbetween America, Inc., Dept. SR, 5757 Plaza VCR's with audio added from another Dr., P.O. Box 6007, Cypress, CA 90630- source, and there is a video enhance- 0007. ment circuit to improve the picture Circle 125 on reader service card

Bose The Models 10.2 and 8.2 (shown) floor -standing Stereo Everywhere speakers from Bose are designed to produce full stereo imaging in all parts of a room. Both systems feature a pair of 3 - inch tweeters pointed in different directions in front of a ported front -mounted woofer so that the speaker produces its greatest output at angles of about 45 degrees off axis. Interactive crossovers and special cabinetry designs contribute to the imaging effects. The 10.2 has two 8 -inch woofers, and the 8.2 has one 10- inch woofer. Both enclosures have contemporary styling with rounded corners. The 10.2 is finished in wood veneer,the8.2in wood -grainvinyl. Prices: Model 10.2, $1,199 per pair; Model 8.2, $949 per pair. Bose Corpora- tion,Dept. SR, 100 The Mountain Road, Framingham, MA 01701. Circle 124 on reader service card

STEREO REVIEW MARCH 1986 17 O AUDIO Q. AND A. T

Get all the newest andlatest informa- by Larry Klein wire). Converting the 16 -gauge zip cord tion on McIntosh stereoequipment to a single cable would halve the single - from McIntosh Laboratory. conductorresistance,yielding0.02 ohm, which is the equivalent of a 13 - gauge wire. Doubling up 18 -gauge lamp XL I Speakers cord would provide the equivalent of a 15 -gauge cable, with 0.03 ohm per 10 - foot length. I would say that as long as the total wire resistance in series with a speaker system is kept below 0.2 ohm or so, it is unlikely to cause problems. ; \ Polypropylene Cones lilt There seems to be considerable 0controversy over the relative advan- - - - tages of polypropylene and paper speaker cones. I was once told that a 12 -inch .. .e, .... polypropylene -cone woofer could move as much air as a 15 -inch paper -cone woofer. Is this claim true, or am I woof- ing up the wrong tree? MATTHEW Z. DRURY St.-Sauveur, Quebec

,... -.... '''''' .:.-:. , O I Double Speaker Wire ACertain plastics are said to have ---.--1 .ZheY1 QSince heavier -gauge speaker wire is advantages as a cone material, but NR 500 loner not always readily available at a pushing more air isn't one of them. In a %If 502 Amplifier reasonable price, I wonder about the fea- direct -radiator loudspeaker. the amount C 504 Preamplifier sibility of doubling up standard 18- or of air moved by a cone is determined by 16 -gauge two -conductorzipcord.I the diaphragm's effective surface area would like to convert each pair of con- and the distance it moves, not by the ductors to a single conductor by strip- material (or shape) of the cone. .. -7452111"111"011-1111 i ping the wires at each end, twisting them Compared with paper cones, the ma- 2 tf.7 Z .e r..r e -- together, and soldering them. Is there jor advantages claimed for plastic cones 0 0 0 ID 0 anything wrong with my plan? What is a greater resistance to flexing and .- :s.., ... 7- ,...- -___ equivalent gauge would I achieve? modal resonances (cone breakup), high- RUSSELL JOSEPH er sensitivity because of plastic's rela- Bella Vista, AR tively lighter weight, and better internal C 33 Stereo Preamplifier damping to resist unwanted vibrations AYour idea is a good one, and in traveling through the cone material it- case it's not clear to other readers self. Proponents of paper claim that all what you mean, we've provided an these properties can be realized for less illustration below. As far as I'm con- cost and trouble with properly designed cerned, when you are dealing with rea- and treated paper cones. Incidentally, sonable lengths of speaker wire, the only paper cones are seldom made of pure important electrical factor is resistance. wood pulp but rather of a mixture of Wire resistance must be kept low in materials designed to provide the de- order to avoid power loss, damping -fac- sired physical properties. And there is a tor reduction, and, most important, fre- wide variety of cone materials other quency -response aberrations caused by than paper and plastic in use, all of which have their own advocates. Amplifier the wire's resistance interacting with the MC 2255 Stereo Power speaker's normal impedance variation If asked for my opinion about the with frequency. best cone/dome/diaphragm material, I Send For Your Stereo Information A standard American Wire Gauge ta- would fall back on something I've said ble shows that 16 -gauge copper wire has before: You should judge a speaker sys- McIntosh Laboratory Inc. SR about 0.04 ohm of resistance for every tem (and every other component) by East Side Station P.O. Box 96 10 -foot length; 10 feet of two -conductor the sound that comes out of it rather Binghamton, N.Y. 13904-0096 zip cord connected to a speaker would than by the special elements its manu- thus have a total series resistance of facturer may have put into it. Keep in

Name 0.08 ohm (0.04 ohm in each leg of the mind that a properly designed product

Address

City State

Zip

Phone Area Code L J CIRCLE NO. 22 ON READER SERVICE CARD

18 STEREO REVIEW MARCH 1986 ARE THESE THE WORLD'S BEST-SELLING HEADPHONES?

without special circuitry or parts is likely to sound better than a poorly executed product that features all the latest concepts and materials.

Bottom Woofers QWhy do you almost always see speakers with the woofer at the bottom? After much experimentation, I installed my speakers with the woofers on top because they sound much cleaner to me that way. BRIAN MACILROY St. Petersburg, FL

ASound, like light, can be reflected, refracted, absorbed, and directed by the surfaces encountered during its propagation. The location of the drivers in a speaker system helps to determine the way the sound waves it produces interactwith the boundaries (walls, floor, and ceiling) of the room itis installed in. These boundary interac- Over 5,000,000 music lovers worldwide hm made our patented tions, in turn, affect the perceived fre- Open -Aire,* design a legend. Hear the remons at you Sennheiser dealer. quency balance and stereo imaging. Low -frequencycancellationsresult Sennheiser Electronic Corporalic.n ,N Y) 48 West 38th &reel New York N 110018 (212) 944-9440 when a speaker's bass frequencies are Manufactur ro Pi3ol D-3:902 Weth-rark West Ge,r-anv reflected out of phase with the original CIRCLE NO 54 ON READER SERVICE CARD sound by nearby floor and wall surfaces. This effect can be minimized or elimi- Nevi DigitalDemand Car Stereo Amplifiers nated by designing the speaker system so that its woofer is either as close as possible to the wall or floor surfaces or adequately distant from them. Powerful camel; Aside from possible cancellations in the mid to upper bass, there is also a to be Pyle reinforcement of the lower bass brought Five NEW models xl.per about by installation in corners and at wall/floor junctions. Whether this low- packed and distortion tee for er -bass reinforcement has a positive or pure erolosive sound Pyle negative effect depends very much on Digital Demand arD11-s. whether the speaker was designed to preamp.EQ and e Ectr:nrc make use of it in achieving its desired crossolAer are Arrerican made balance between the high and low fre- and fine tuned by cver 30 years E quencies. For example, a bookshelf - expeneice Perfecty Pylel Pyle Industnei.11-. 931 ::entef St sized speaker installed on the floor is -luntingtonIN 34-5.0 219 356-1200 likely to have a somewhat bass -heavy, muddy sound quality both because of excessive bass reinforcement and because the kneecap -high location of its tweeter causes much of its high -frequency energy to be lost before it reaches the ears of the listener. It is the interaction of these and other acoustic variables in listening rooms that makes setting up speakers for optimum performance such a hit-and- miss, trial -and -error proposition-even when the speaker designer has done his part of the job well. Isuspect that your speakers sound cleaner because your upside-down in- stallationhaseliminated some unwanted bass reinforcement. However, if the tweeters are devoting most of their energy to stirring up the dust in your carpet, it is probable that your speakers' high -to -low frequency balances are not all that they could be. CIRCLE NO. 35 ON READER SERVICE CARD

STEREO REVIEW MARCH 1986 19 With so many inexpensive CD players around, what tOt*644 makes the CD -100X from ADC such an exceptional value? Quality. And a company name known for quality in the audio industry. Features. And a suggested retail price of only $299. This is no lightweight.With its triple -beam pickup and advanced circuitry, it can track the most demanding passage on the most demanding CD. Metal chassis-not plastic. Metal transport, too. And 16 -track programmability. If you listen to other low-priced CD players, you quickly discover they don't match this one for quality. And if you check out other name -brand players with comparable features, you find they don't sport such a low price. For the most value in a CD player, there's no contest

ADCThe winner: CD -100X

BSR

A division of BSR North America Ltd. CIRCLE NO. 74 ON READER SERVICE CARD ©1986 AK Products Division of dbx 71 Chapel Street, Newton, MA 02)95 (017 )964 3210 41:1. _On The Road With The FORD/JBL CAR STEREO SYSTEM

AST fall, the Ford Motor Co. The goal was simple but technically and JBL introduced a high - by Christopher Greenleaf challenging: to provide the 1986 quality sound system for the Continental, and other Ford models 1986 Lincoln Continental the speakers, perhaps the most im- to follow, with as accurate, un- that combined Ford's experience portant factors in the performance colored, and full -range a sound sys- with automotive electronics and of a car stereo system, have been tem as possible. Achieving this goal JBL's expertiseinspeakers and carried out with an unusual degree required a high degree of coordina- acoustics. Design of the system- of refinement. Coming about two tion among the differentdesign which includes a radio,cassette years after the much -praised Delco- teams that were responsible for the player, amplifier, and speakers- GM/Bose system,the Ford/JBL various parts of the sound system was begun while the car itself was system can reasonably be seen as a and the car. still on the drawing board. Aesthetic different approach to high -quality The designers of the Ford/JBL and acoustic issues were addressed manufacturer -installed car stereo system used a total of six omnidi- at the same time, and the result is a Ford's part in the project was to rectional microphones in different package that is substantially more provide the in -dash radio/cassette locations in the car in order to aver- unified and less obtrusive in appear- player from its Canadian electronics age out the wildly uneven readings ance than all but the most costly division, the facilities for computer - from different parts of the -normal" after -market car stereo installations aided acoustic modeling at its Dear- listening areas in the two front seats. tend to be. born, Michigan, headquarters, and, The microphone readings were used The overall approach in designing of course, the car. JBL provided the to devise individual equalization the Ford/JBL system was fairly con- speakers-front and rear pairs of curves for the front and rear speaker ventional-no radically new tech- tweeters,midrangedrivers,and arrays. Besides flattening out the car nology is involved-but the place- woofers-andatrunk -mounted, interior's effect on the speakers' out- ment, equalization, and powering of four -channel,140 -wattamplifier. put,the equalization includes a

STEREO REVIEW MARCH 198621 THE SILENT TREATMENT. 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 D( -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 distant -station -noise. Asymmetrical Charge Coupled FM Stereo This system separates stereo into two differ- Detector Tuner is increased by the addition of ent bands. Unfortunately, the bands aren't pure Ultra High Frequency Wide Band AM Stereo cir- Because of the TX-11a's Charge -Coupling Left and Right. Instead, one band is comprised cuitry. With the new TX -11a, AM stereo sounds and Leading Edge Detection technology, own- of those parts of a stereo signal that are com- as good as FM. ership may very well change your listening hab- mon to both channels, (L+R, or mono). The its. Right now, you probably confine your FM Yes, contrary to popular belief, most AM other signal, far more fragile and prone to inter- listening to those stations which are strong stereo stations have frequency response ference, is the difference between the left and and relatively interference -free, avoiding weak (20Hz-15kHz), separation (35dB) and signal- right signal (L -R). It bounces off buildings, hills stations and those filled with distortion. Your to-noise ratios (70dB) audibly indistinguish- 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 recombined with the strong mono signal. THE LITTLEST AM RADIO STATION. Think of it. Compact Disc frequency Bob Carver's Charge -Coupling circuit takes Before vie describe the remarkable respcn and freedom from noise with AM advantage of the fact that almost all noise and attributes of the TX -11a, we owe you the stay stereo land the TX -11a. Only Carver could pull distortion is exactly IlEi0 degrees out of phase that prove; just how far performance can it of. BA then only Carver could do the same with tie signal it's part o'. The -X-11 a Stereo be extended when a component comes for FM too AM -FM Tuner canoes these "dirty mirror" from Carver images before they can reach lour ears. That HUMAN -ENGINEERED FEATURES AND At a recent press conference, Bob Carver elimir.ates up to 85% of 'he potential noise CONVENIENCE. found in distant or riciGy stations. unveiled a small antenna connected 'o a very low powered AM stereo broadcast transmitter Many tunerswith far less exclusive circuitry Bu' Bob wasn't satisfied and knew you tha i the TX -1 a have far more complicated wouldn't be either. So another circuit, the Lead- (C-QUAM 'ormat). Dubbed "Station CRVR,'" it extenors. Bob Carver wanted to make tuning ing Edge Detector, goes a step further by tak- sat next tc. a Carver Compact Disc Plower and the same TX -11a that's on your dealer's shelves stators easy, not impress you with flashing ing advantage of a Ile -appreciated FM lights or complex programming. phenomenon: Just 5% of the L -R signal actu- right now. ally contributes to the stereo e

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MUSICAL ACCURATE CIRCLE NO. 49 ON READER SERVICE CARD

Distributed in Canada by Evolution Technology variable loudness -compensation sounded little short of hair-raising. tenuation of the noise -prone treble. curve that also introduces a re- The midrange was even more im- I missed a mono button on princi- sponse "bump" in the middle bass pressive considering that it is the ple, but I didn't really need it. The and lower midrange to overcome most difficult part of the spectrum four presets each for AM and FM the masking effect of the car's very to reproduce accurately in a car. are probably inadequate for the lis- low but irreducible interior noise. String quartets and female vocalists tening habits of most urban drivers, The circuit boosts both the lower show up problems in this area very and the 8 -second audition period region and the high treble at low quickly. With the Ford/JBL system, during scanning provided a more volume settings and approaches the leanness I had sensed in other leisurely perusal of the broadcast flatness as the volume is increased. music became a vibrant tautness in spectrum than I prefer. The manual Before the Ford/JBL system was some Haydn quartets and made tuning buttons did speed things up, officially introduced, I had a chance Joni Mitchell's light soprano sound however. to audition itin several cars on startlingly vivid. Ford's Dearborn test track, and I The system also provided good, at The tuner's AM reception was heard enough music of different times surprising, localization of in- types to be very impressed with struments with stereo recordings of a revelation, dean and quiet. what the engineering had achieved. acoustic ensembles such as orches- FM too was very quiet, with But it was not until JBL's senior tras or jazz combos. The synthetic director of research, John Eargle, imaging of studio -recorded rock or only occasional low-pitched, handed me the keys to a new Conti- electronic music was reproduced unobjectionable multipath nental in front of his New York transparently and unambiguously. hotel that I was able to try out the Dry or poorly recorded sound was noise -performance rare system on our own grueling urban notprettified. The system's au- enough to cheer about! "test track."I returned from the thoritative support of strong tran- rough streets of my familiar route sients, the deepest bass, and clear through the shabbier industrial sec- treble appeared to be similar at all tions of Brooklyn unshaken, unruf- listening levels from background to The bass and treble tone controls fled, and thoroughly sold on what ear -shattering. affected a bit too wide a range. The I'd heard. Besides impressive sound quality, bass control boost or cuts not only the system's autoreverse cassette the low bass but also the upper bass player and tuner have plenty of fea- and even some of the midrange. With the engine qtf, the sound tures. The tape deck has Dolby B, Similarly, the treble control dipped of the Ford I JBL system was music search, and-wonder of won- into the upper midrange, which can ders-automatic equalizationset- be a problem if you'd like to tone slightly heavy in the bass and ting for the tape type used. (Why down an overly bright recording lower midrange, but as soon as more companies have not adopted without affecting other vital areas. the car was in motion it this simple and useful feature is a The DNR (Dynamic Noise Reduc- mystery to me!) The sound in both tion) circuit worked on both radio became bewitchingly lean and forward and reverse play was identi- and tape playback. It wasn't much tonally honest. cal-firm, steady in pitch, with all help with good Dolby B tapes, but it the treble clearly audible. The usual could really save old or poor non - caveat about music search applied: Dolby tapes by appreciably cutting it worked well with constant -level high -frequency noise. With the engine off, the nonde- recordings, like most popular -music Overall, the Ford/JBL system is featableloudnesscompensation tapes, but failed to be useful for clas- outstanding. The styling of the tun- gave a slight heaviness to the sound sical music because it cannot distin- er/tape unit's faceplate is unlike that in the upper bass and lower mid- guish between the breaks between of traditional car stereos because it range, but as soon as the engine was selections and quiet passages in a is matched to the interior of Ford's running and the car in motion, the selection. The cobblestone streets luxury cars. The system is a success- effect was transformed to a bewitch- and granite -block alleys of our test ful example of integrated car/audio ingly lean, tonally honest sound. route failed to make the transport engineering. The speakers, electron- The Lincoln Continental is among burble even once. ics, and acoustical treatment com- the very quietest vehicles on the The AM section of the tuner was a binethelatesttechnology with road, so I had the pleasure of listen- revelation. The sound was clean proven car stereo applications. In a ing to music at low volumes with- and quiet, with as nicely calculated vehicle as beguilingly shaped to the out sacrificing its intelligibility. The a compromise betweeneffective owner's comfort as the Continental, tonal balance did not appear to hash filtering and a full musical and in other models in the years to favor any one region of the musical bandwidth as I've heard. FM too come, the Ford/JBL audio system frequency spectrum nor to add any was very quiet, with unobjection- should be a strong additional entice- coloration not already in the pro- able, low-pitched multipath noise ment to buyers. 0 gram signal. In other words, the sys- only in the worst reception areas at tem performed very much like a either end of the Brooklyn Bridge. For more information about the good home stereo system. Such performance is rare enough to Ford/JBL audio system, write to Although there was no overem- cheer about! Ford Motor Co., Audio Products phasis, the Ford/JBL system clearly The tuner's automatic blending to Group-EED, Dept. SR, 17000 Ro- excelled in the deep bass. Programs mono in poor signal conditions was tunda Dr., P.O. Box 6010, Dear- withstrongdeep -basscontent unobtrusive, with nicely judged at- born, MI 48121-6010. 24STEREO REvirw MARCH 1986 The New KLIPSCH kg4; Unconventional Thinking At Its Best it'snever been the habit of anyone tweeter. Good, conventional tweeters may describes as "truly excellent." And one you at KLIPSCH to be conventional. Take, for deliversimilar bandwidth and smoothness. can likely afford. example, the pillar of the organization, Paul But nowhere near the detail or dynamic range Of course, a visit to your nearest Klipsch. How many 80 -year -olds swim in that so well characterize the KLIPSCH "sound?' the buff everyday? Or keep two grand pianos KLIPSCH dealer would be a most conventional in their living room? Then therearethe woofers.It's way to hear the new kg4.But since you not conventional to put two in one speaker. would be in the pursuit of sonic excellence, Then there's Gary Gillum, one of Yet, Gary found that two 8" (20 cm) drivers the people of KLIPSCH would likely forgive the design engineers. He drives an immaculate operating in unison sound musically superior your behavior. BMW 528i, grows his own vegetables, and to one larger driver in the kg4 cabinet. And lives in a log cabin. Not just any log cabin don't require as much room. For your nearest authorized dealer, mind you, but quite an elaborate one he lookin the Yellow Pages or calltollfree Finally, there's the passive radiator l-800-223-3527. built himself from trees he cleared off his for low bass. Conventional thinking would land. mount it on the front of the cabinet. KLIPSCH The people of KLIPSCH have never mounted it on the rear. Measurements and professed to be conventional. Or create listening tests proveditdidn't matter. And speakers thatare. The new KLIPSCH kg4, withit on the rear, the kg4 delivers a big pictured above, is Gary's latest creation and sound without a big cabinet. serves as an excellent example. All of this unconventional thinking A Legend In Sound: Consider the KL1PSCH designed resultsina speaker which Stereo Review P.O. box 688 Hope, Arkansas 71801 CIRCLE NO. 2 ON READER SERVICE CARD "Great and important" Juian Hirsch, Stereo Review

"Tour de force" -Hans Fantel, New York Times

"Glorious -David Ranada, Stereo Review

"Breakthro - Peter Mitchell, Boston Phoenix

ONE revolutionary speaker technology-and the unique musical experience it evokes -has inspired unprecedented critical acclaim. But with all their superla- tives, the audio reviewers have not succeeded in putting that musical phenomenon into words. You must

experience it. You must hear

T H E d h x 0 N E

"Incredible:" Len Feldman Wherever you go. Even stereo image throughout the exclaimed in Ovation. within 8 ION of either speaker listening area?" asked Julian Hirsch. The acoustic achievement Hans Fantel said, "Always "The answer is yes, definitely." dbx® that aroused such enthusiasm is the sound was everywhere ...but About the overall sound

Beyond stereo patented Soundfield' technology. with every detail (List where it ought Hirsch wrote, "We car not recall It takes you beyond stereo. to be!' Precisely so. ever measuring as flat a high -

Into the dbx zone. The dbx One takes you be- frequency room response ...it is a Into an era in which every yond stereo. Beyond what other sound I can listen to for hours on end" NN listener is freed forever from the kinds of speakers-even the recent If you are serious about BSR 1=11=1111 "stereo sweet spot" in front of a pair imitators - promise, much less music, you must hear them. For the A division of BSA North America Ltd. of conventional speakers. deliver. location of the dbx speaker dealer c 1986 dbe dbx One speakers deliver a And now there's the more nearest you, call us directly, at 71 Chapel Street musically accurate, balanced stereo affordable dbx Ten. (617) 964-3210. Newton. Massachusetts 02195

16171 964-3210 image throughout the room. "Does it produce a stable

CIRCLE NO. 58 ON READER SERVICE CARD TECHNICAL TALK

by Julian Hirsch The principal reason for the high- conditions the synthesized differ- er noise level of a stereo signal is ence signal smoothly and automati- that the noise energy in an FM cally replaces the actual difference transmissionincreaseswiththe signal. The resulting sound is audi- modulation frequency at a rate of 6 bly stereo, and even if not exactly dB per octave. A mono program is the same as the original program, it modulated in the frequency band islistenable and often nearly as from 0 to 15,000 Hz, but the stereo quiet as mono reception. information-in the form of a sig- Another approach, developed by nal representing the difference be- Larry Schotz and available in some tween the left and right channels, or products from NAD, Nakamichi, L - R-is transmitted in the band Proton, and others, blends the ster- from 23,000 to 53,000 Hz. The eo channels in a dynamic fashion noise present in the demodulated controlled by the frequency content L -R program is added to that in and modulation level of the pro- the mono program, which repre- gram and the strength of the signal. sents the sum of the two channels, Although the Schotz system reduces or L + R, when the two signals are separation together with noise, the combined for stereo playback. As a blending is inaudible except in its result, the final stereo program is hiss reduction. Not quite in the invariably noisier than the corre- same category is the application of sponding mono program. Dolby B noise reduction to FM By partially blending the higher broadcasting,whichwasnever audio frequencies in the difference widely accepted by consumers and signal, the noise can be reduced-at broadcasters. a price. As stereo channel separation is reduced, the L -R component becomes smaller and the noise FMX is the latest approach level drops, but the stereo proper- to the problem ofmaking FMX: A Major ties of the resulting program are also the noise level and range of FM Improvement reduced. When the noise level is equal to that of a mono program, FM stereo equal that of mono. it's because the program is mono! Many car radios, and a few home THEREhave been few signifi- receivers, have automatic (signal - The latest approach to the prob- canttechnicalimprove- controlled)channel -blendingcir- lem of reducing the noise level and ments in FM broadcasting cuits that maintain acceptable noise increasing the range of stereo FM sincestereotransmission levels over a wide range of signal broadcasts so as to equal those of was authorized more than twenty strengths, but often the resultis mono transmissions is FMX, a pro- yearsago.Althoughthestereo basically mono, not quieter stereo. cess developed by Emil Torick at broadcast system approved by the There are some other, more effec- CBS Technology Center. While an FCC does allow reasonably good re- tive solutions. Carver tuners and FMX-processed broadcast must be ception quality, as well as compati- receivers feature a circuit that uses decoded at the receiver to realize its bility with mono receivers, it exacts program information in the rela- potential,the systemisentirely a severe penalty from both the lis- tively quiet main signal to synthe- compatible with the existing stereo tener, in the form of a reduced ster- size a low -noise difference signal broadcast system and will not inter- eo signal-to-noise ratio (S/N), and with compatible frequency and am- fere with reception by existing re- from the broadcaster, in the form of plitude characteristics. Under noisy ceivers. The additional decoding a substantial reduction of the ser- circuits for FMX are expected to vice area compared with mono cov- have little effect on the cost of new erage. Tested This Month receivers, especially as the econo- Most of us are aware that switch- mies of mass production are real- ing an FM tuner or receiver from ized.Another advantage of the stereo to mono mode usually makes Realistic CD -2000 FMX system, and a very important a very audible reduction in noise Compact Disc Player one, is that because it does not affect (hiss) level. Except for very strong the frequency spectrum of a broad- signals, the difference in S/N is Denon AVC-500 A /V cast, it requires no lengthy process about 23 dB, and a signal that is Control Center of FCC approval. acceptably quiet in mono can often Like most noise -reduction sys- be unlistenable in stereo because of B.E.S. SM 80 Speaker tems, FMX is a companding pro- the added hiss. Multipath distortion Kenwood KVR-A9OR cess. The stereo difference signal is effects are also more severe on ster- AM /FM Receiver compressed at the transmitter and eo signals. then expanded at the receiver, re - Terk FM 8403 Antenna

STEREO REVIEW MARCH 198627 LIGHT YEARS CLOSER TO REALITY. SONIC HOLOGRAPHY TRANSFORMS These are not exaggerations of how much brain's psychoacoustic center into placing the EXCITING NEW PROGRAM SOURCES more dimensional and realistic Sonic Hologra- musician on a limited souna stage between AS WELL AS FAMILIAR OLD ONES INTO phy is than conventional stereo. The most your speakers. If -and only it - each speaker experienced and knowledgeable experts in the can be only heard by one ear. TRULY LIFELIKE EXPERIENCES. audio industry have concurred. Julian Hirsch When Bob Carver set out to redefine the wrote in Stereo Review. "The effect strains stereo listening experience through Sonic credibility -had I not experienced it, I probably Holography, he was really rebelling against the would not believe it." High Fidelity magazine 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" stereo sources. HOW SONIC HOLOGRAPHY WORKS. Now there are at least five major audio/video The problem is, these different versions of breakthroughs which further expand Sonic When a musician plays a note, the sound occurrence arrives separately at your left and the same sound also cross it the middle of Holography's potential to bring more excite- your listening room, so left ar d right ears get ment and realism into your life. right ears. Your brain analyzes the difference in these sound arrivals and tells you exactly both left and right sound arrivals a split sec- These innovations include the Compact where the sound is. ond apart. Stereo imaging and separation are Audio Disc, noise -free stereo FM, AM Stereo, reduced because both speakers are heard by Stereo television broadcasts and stereo both ears, confusing your spacial perception. Hi-Fi video formats. Each provides the Sonic Hologram Genera- tor in selected Carver preamplifiers and receivers with a chance to redefine the width, breadth and depth of the traditional stereo sound field -while using your existing speakers.

WHAT SONIC HOLOGRAPHY DOES. Watch a 13" black and white TV Now see a movie in 70 millimeter. Conventional stereo tries to duplicate this Listen to your favorite musicians on a tran- process by using two speakers to send a dif- sistor radio. Now sit three rows back from the ferent version of the same sound occurrence The Sonic Hologram Generator in the Carver stage at a live concert. to each ear. In theory, this should "trick" your 4000t, C-9, C-1 and Carver Receiver 2000

CIRCLE NO. 49 ON READER SERVICE CARD solve this muddling of sound arrivals by actu- can take on an astonishing presence and Add t ie 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 -1 la AM/FM tuner celiv- sound arrival, leaving only the original sound casts, and you have fertile ground for the from each loudspeaker. ers AM stereo broadcasts with the same added realism that only Sonic Holography The result is a vast sound field extending not dynamics and fidelity as FM. A perlect source can delver. for the Sonic Hologram Generator. Think of it: only wider than your speakers, but higher than Unl ke so-called "surround sound" a Sonic AM ca i actually became a three -d mensional your speakers as well. Sounds will occasion- Hologram Generator puts you into the middle phenomenon through Carver 7ech iology! 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 o' a major elec- ence with life -like sound mat envelops you in tronics magazine put it, "When the lights were the acton. turned out, we could almost have sworn we Once you've heard Soric Holography with a were in the presence of a live orcrestra." good video tape or LaserDisc, you'll never go bad, tr mere srereo (min 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, dimensional reality with Sonic Holography. Mo.e onu snore people are discorerlig what our largest receiver and as an add-on compo- theaters discovered some time ago: Audio nent. Each car transcerd the limits of your lis- Compact discs afford vastly increased makes a huge contribution tc the realism of tening (and viewing) room. Each can add the dynamics, frequency response and freedom video. Still, it has taken the incredible, "ear- bream taking, spine -tingling excitement that from background noise. Yet their potential is digito' quality of VHS and Beta to make comes from being transported directly into the trapped in the 2 -dimensionality of conven- the marriage of audio and video truly reward- midst of the musical experience. tional stereo. Sonic Holography can surround ing. Now even rentci movies fairy explode with Before you purchase c ny component, con- you with the drama and impact of digital. wide frequency range, dynarr ic impact and sider just how much more Carver can enrich (And the Carver Compact Disc PI yer with conventional stereo ,maging. your a Ai° and video enjoyment. And then visit Digital Time Lens sound correction circuitry your n3arest Carver dealer soon. can enhance your listening experience even further). Thanks to the Carver Asymmetrical Charge - Coupled FM Stereo Detector, FM stereo broadcasts can be received with vastly increased Ili NI fidelity. Hiss and interference -free, any signal, alQS from chamber music to live rock concerts,

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

Carver Corporation P.O.Box 1237 Lynnwood, WA 98045 Dtstribuied in Canada by Evolution Technology TECHNICAL TALK

storing the original information to- urements made along ten routes ex- tions the improvement with FMX gether with a 20 -dB noise reduction. tending radially from the transmit- was, as expected, slight, but it was The result is full stereo, but with a ter showed that the reception area of usually audible in careful listening. noise level essentially the same as in stereo signals with a 60 -dB S/N was When we simulated a weak signal mono. increased from about 1,200 square withtrulyunlistenablestereo Since the sound produced by a miles to 4,800 square miles with (mono was acceptable but hissy), non-FMX tuner would be seriously FMX. By the time you read this, it FMX produced usable stereo quali- degraded if the transmission were is expected that stations in Boston ty. An interesting simulation of car received without expansion,itis and Phoenix will also be transmit- stereo "picket fencing" was created necessary also to transmit the nor- ting with FMX. Until now, CBS has by modulating the signal level at an mal, uncompressed difference sig- been modifying standard FM tuners infrasonic rate. The familiar "swish- nal, exactly asit presently exists for the tests, but an FMX-equipped swish" effect was set to the point without FMX, for full compatibility receiverwillbe introducedthis where there was little listening en- with receivers lacking FMX decod- spring by NAD. It is probable that joyment, but FMX reduced it to a ing. The uncompressed difference otherbroadcastersandreceiver slight annoyance that most people signal is also needed to regulate the manufacturers will join the FMX could easily accept in their cars. In expansion process in the FMX tun- camp in the near future. every case stereo reception with er circuit. In order to transmit both the normal and compressed difference signals without altering the 60 a RECEPTION CONTOURS transmission bandwidth, they are SPRINGFIELD

separately modulated and transmitted inquadrature,that is, 90 degrees N.Y. MASS out of phase. CONN R.I. In addition, an identification (ID) pilot signal of 10 Hz is added to the TORRINGTON compressed difference signal at a PROVIDENCE

very low modulation level, 1 per- HARTFORD LITCHFIELD cent versus 9 percent for the 19 -kHz multiplex pilot signal added to the POUGHKEEPSIE uncompressed signal. Just as the 19 - WATERBURY NORWICH kHz pilot is processed in the receiv- MERIDEN er to switch on the stereo multiplex DANBURY NEW LONDON. circuits and light the stereo indica- BREWSTER tor, the FMX ID tone switches the NEW HAVEN receiver to the appropriate decoding PEEKSKILL A mode and can also activate an FMX A STEREO N indicator light. All these signals are MONO MILES STAMFORD COMPANDED STEREO summed and used along with the WHITE . 0 10 program to modulate the FM car- PLAINS rier frequency. Tests showed that the reception range for noise -free FM stereo using the FMX Space does not permit a descrip- companding system was close to mono-and double that of ordinary stereo. tion of how the novel FMX companding system works, butitis On a recent visit to CBS Technol- FMX was subjectively clean, undis- worth mentioning thatit avoids ogy Center,Iheard an in-house torted, true stereo. many of the disadvantages of more demonstration of the FMX system Although FMX has not yet been conventional companding systems. using a laboratory transmitter (the establishedin the marketplace- The FMX techniqueminimizes program source was a CD player) indeed, most of the public has not "tracking errors" (analogous to Dol- and a modified FM tuner. The sig- even heard of it-it seems highly by tracking errors in tape recording) nal strength of the transmission probable thatits acceptance will when the compressed difference sig- could be adjusted over a wide range, grow rapidly as it reaches a wider nal is expanded at the receiver; such and FMX could be switched on or audience. FMX involves only a errors can severely reduce stereo off. The demonstration was most modest costtothe broadcaster, channel separation. Moreover, impressive, and the results were ex- much less than the conversion to broadcasters using the system will actly as claimed for the system. stereo did, and ultimately a negligi- not have to reduce their program With the signal level set so that the ble cost-a few dollars at most-to modulation level to accommodate program was listenable in stereo but the consumer, and it provides sub- the extra quadrature information. with audible hiss, switching to FMX stantial benefits to both parties with CBS Technology Center has been resulted in essentially noise -free re- no disadvantages that I am aware testing the FMX system for over a ception, and there was no discerni- of. I predict a successful future for year with the cooperation of public blefurther improvement inthe what may be the most important radio station WKRT in Meriden, noise level when we switched to advance in FM broadcasting since Connecticut. Signal -quality meas- mono. Under strong signal condi- the introduction of stereo. 1:1

30STEREO REVIEW MARCH 1986 Buyinga newcar?

6 6 .theoneoptionno one shouldgowithout ..." Motor Trend .. .their extraordinary Delco-GM/Bose Music System ..." Stereo Review "The results arefantastic." Popular Science

Our experience has convinced us that, regardless of your interest in music, you will require less than one minute of listening to know that you want the Delco-GM/Bose Music System in your next General Motors car.*

elm) GM Sound so real, it will change how you feel about driving.

*Available on selected models of Cadillac, Buick, Oldsmobile and Chevrolet. THERE'S NEVER BEEN A BETTER 400 horizontal lines and 450 vertical lines HOME MONITOR. of video resolution. With the introduction of the Pioneer® BOTHA TINTED FACEPLATE SD -25A monitor/receiver, many of the AND A TINTED CRT. classic, previously unsolved problems Some manufacturers tint their face- of video image reproduction have plate to increase contrast. Others tint the suddenly disappeared. front panel on their CRT On the Pioneer ALL MONITORS ARE BETTER THAN TELEVISIONS. BUT SOME MONITORS ARE BETTER THAN OTHERS. You merely have to see it side -by -side SD -25A, we dramatically enhance contrast with other sets, and the difference is by tinting both. Every bit as important, a immediately obvious to your eyes. Since highly regulated switching power supply we can't offer you that comparison on theand black -level stabilizer create a dramat- printed page, the facts will have to suffice.ically wider video -dynamic range. A UNIQUE RED PHOSPHOR CRT. MORE DETAIL, LESS DISTORTION. Red has historically been a particularly A unique velocity modulation circuit difficult color for television to realize well.assures far better transient response. And With the introduction of Pioneer's pro- a high -quality deflection yoke combined prietary Red Phosphor CRT red achieves with a highly regulated power supply a color accuracy never before possible. deliver exceptional geometric linearity. Because it is not accomplished at the In all, the edges are crisper, the shapes expense of other colors. Simply put, at lasttruer, the depth -of -field greater than true red can exist in the video company ofyou've probably ever seen in video before. true green. AUDIO THAT'S IN A LEAGUE AN EXCEPTIONAL BANDWIDTH WITH THE VIDEO. OF 5.0 MHZ. As you would expect with a monitor/ Today we hear much of comb filters. receiver of this quality, the audio is quite The presence of one, however, does not accomplished. A robust power supply pro- assure exceptional detail. Great resolutionduces a stereo/audio output 3 times that of requires a comb filter that delivers wide conventional television. But what may be video bandwidth. The Pioneer comb filterparticularly meaningful to many of you is produces a remarkable luminance band- that there are 5 separate audio outputs width of 5.0 MHz. Which in turn results inthat allow it to become part of the most

CIRCLE NO. 25 ON READER SERVICE CARD sophisticated hi-fi system. There'sa fixed YOU SIMPLY HAVE TO SEE IT. output for recording; a Surround Sound Now that you understand what makes the output; and for your hi-fi there's a fixed Pioneer SD 5A perform so well, you should output, a variable output for remote see it perform. Your eyes will understand volume control, and there's even a sepa-instantly. It's the not -so -subtle difference rate sub -woofer output. between a monitor and a great monitor. IT'S MORE THAN A MONITOR. LaserDisc brand videodisc player is a trademark of Pioneer Electronics Corp. IT'S AN EXPANDABLE RECEIVER. 01986 Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. All rights reserved. Using a series of modules that are loaded into a port at the front of the set, CD PIONEER® the SD -25A is built to grow and improve Video for those who really care about audio. with video's ever-changing technology. A stereo TV tuner pack with built-in MTS decoder that's 139- channel cable capable, delivers the best of both cable and broadcast TV. (There are even 2 separate RF inputs) And there's a video- enhancer pack that increases the quality of transfers onto your VCR; an RGB control module; there's even a sing -along "Karaoke" module. A REMOTE THAT EVEN CONTROLS LASERDISC:m Given a monitor of this resolution and detail, it's not surprising that we've provided for the source that delivers the greatest resolution and detail: LaserDisc. Pioneer LaserDisc can be operated by the remote control, as can the Pioneer Super Beta Hi-Fi and 8 mm PCM VCRs. Perreaux

The Art of Reproducing Art Perreaux audio components are handcrafted to serve the art of music. Their reproduction of music is the finest available. The meticulous attention to detail -from the hand selection and matching of transistors to the corrosion proof and high conductivity 24 karat gold plated circuit board - preserves every detail of the original musical event. The creation of each limited production Perreaux audio component is an art in itself. A tribute to the sense of sight and feel. In a vote by audio critics Perreaux was awarded the Hi Fi Grand Prix for "its Mercedes -like construction".

TECH PORT LTD., Westbury, NY 1-800-TECPORT In New York State Call 516-683-3000 PerreauxAmplifiers, Preamplifiers, Tuners

CIRCLE NO61 ON READER SERVICE CARD TEST REPORTS

at 20,000 Hz. The phase shift be- REALISTIC CD -2000 tween channels was 5 degrees at low frequencies and rose to 90 degrees at COMPACT DISC PLAYER 20,000 Hz, indicating the use of a multiplexed D/A converter shared Julian Hirsch, Hirsch -Houck Laboratories between the channels. The ringing on a square -wave output showed that the low-pass filters were of ana- RADM SHACK'SRealistic gramming. The REPEAT button can log form. The small differences be- CD -2000 is an inexpensive be used to replay an entire disc, a tween the left- and right -channel fil- CD player with most of the programmed sequence, or a defined ters were evidently responsible for operating features of more segment. The CD -2000 can be oper- our measured frequency -response expensive models. The light, com- ated by an external timer. Price: differences between the channels. pact CD -2000 measures about 125/8 $259.95. Radio Shack, Dept. SR, The A -weighted noise level from the inches wide, 12 inches deep, and 31/4 1500 One TandyCenter,Fort CD -2000 was'a low -98.8 dB rela- inches high, and it weighs only 8.6 Worth, TX 76102. tive to a 0 -dB output, and its har- pounds.Itsfront -loading, motor - monic distortion was a constant operated disc drawer opens and Lab Tests 0.0032 percent at levels from 0 to closes at the touch of a button. The audio output from the 0 -dB -20 dB. Operating controls are conventional (maximum -level)1,000 -Hz bands positive -action pushbuttons. of our test records was 2.12 volts, Any part of a disc can be When a disc is loaded, the bright with the channel levels matched white status display can be switched within 0.1 dB. The frequency re- reached in a few seconds, to show its total number of tracks or sponse was slightly different in each up to fifteen tracks can total playing time. Once the PLAY/ channel. In the left it dipped 0.4 dB PAUSE button is pressed, the display in the 8,000- to 10,000 -Hz range be programmed forplayback shows either the current track num- and rose 0.4 dB at 17,000 Hz. The in any order, and the ber (and index number, if any) or right -channel response dropped to a entire disc, a programmed elapsed playing time of the track. In plateau of -0.7 dB between 8,000 the pause mode, two red rectangles and 14,000 Hz and fell to -1.8 dB sequence, or a defined appear in the display. at 20,000 Hz. Although these figures segment can be repeated. Any part of a disc can be reached do not represent as flat a response as in a few seconds by pressing the from most CD players we have track and index buttons until the used, the worst overall variation OurcalibratedPhilipserror - desired numbers appear in the dis- was a mere + 0.4, -1.8 dB from 20 tracking test disc showed that the play window. Up to fifteen tracks to 20,000 Hz. CD -2000 could playthelargest can be programmed for playback in The channel separation ranged (800 -micrometer) black dots on the any order, but there is no index pro- from 94.5 dB at 100 Hz to 72.5 dB surface layer of the disc without

STEREO REVIEW MARCH 198635 TEST REPORTS

The audible equivalent of FEATURES much more expensive CD 0 Front-loading CD player with 0 Skip to start of current or next players in all the most motorizeddisc drawer track 0 Atstart-up, switchable display 0 Audible fast scan in either important respects, the showstotal number of tracks or direction playingtime of disc; during play, 0 Programming of up to fifteen Realistic CD -2000 also displayshows track and index tracks in random order has just about all the numbersor elapsed time of track 0 Repeat track, defined phrase, or 0 Usablewith external timer entire disc operating features most people l ever want. RFAI1871C CD -2000 FRECXENCY RESPONSE +2

+1 .-, The slew time of the laser tracking system was very fast: the 2 seconds it required to travel from Track 1 to I RIGHT CHANNEL Track 15 of the Philips TS3 sampler -2 LEFT CHANNEL \ disc was very close to the fastest we 20 50 100 500 1k 5k 10k 20k FREQUENCY IN HERTZ have measured. The transition from Track 17 to Track 18 of the same disc, which have no interval be- LABORATORY MEASUREMENTS tween them, was handled perfectly. 11.111.111.1W , The CD -2000 did not do quite so Maximum outputlevel: 2.12volts Channel separation: 90dB at well inits resistance to physical Total harmonicdistortionat 1,000Hz;72.5 dB at 20,000H. 1,000 Hz:0.0032% at 0, -10, Impact resistance:sides, C; top,C impacts. Moderate taps with the fin- and -20dB Cueing accuracy: A gertips were sufficient to cause skip- Frequency response:+0.4, -1.8 Defect tracking:tracked largest ping or loss of tracking by the laser dB from 20to 20,000 Hz (see surface -level defect (black dots) pickup. Since casual contact with text) on Philips TS4A test disc; the unit during its operation had no Si al -to -noiseratio: 98.8dB tracked '700 -micrometer (A-weighted)g information-layer damage; ill effect on it, we gave it a C grade Cueing time:2 seconds simulated fingerprint, pass in this respect. --m,, Comments audible mistracking, and, like every only be played up to the 700 -mi- Even though some of the mea- other player we know of, it had no crometer level. At 800 micrometers sured characteristics of the Realistic problems with the simulated finger- there were a few brief drop -outs, CD -2000 do not quite match those print. However, the information - and at the maximum level (900 of the best, and considerably more layer defect section, consisting of micrometers) the machine stuttered expensive, CD players we have wedge-shaped damaged areas, could and hung up. tested, they must be interpreted with an appreciation of their significance. In all of the most important COTTON SWABS1k. respects-noise, distortion,cross- FOR THE talk, and flutter-this player is the audible equivalent of others whose MAINTENANCE measurements appear to surpass it. ofthePHiL C The CD -2000 is not a "stripped - AUDJOis down" model. It has just about all the operating features most people lEAR will ever want, and the information display tells you all you need to know about a disc and what the player is doing, although you won't get it all simultaneously. The absence of a wireless remote control is another difference between the CD - 2000 and many more expensive players, though it's a nicety that many of us are capable of living without. The Realistic CD -2000 is a very practical CD player at a most attractive price. Circk 140 on reader service card

36STEREO REVIEW MARCH1986 Me Sound of Perfedion.

-41*-

0,"

.1,444461 BASF 9C

. precision c 141"' h

a elBASF (EC II chromdioxid maxima hifl stereo cassette 2 x 45 min 132m

HI- ECELLHIKE

Secret is BASF Chrome.

Pure Chrome! It's the secret! Pure Chrome! It's the reason! Pure Chrome BASF Chromdioxid Maxima H. It's producing the sound that every other tape in the world wants to sound just like. Because it's the only tape in the world that delivers pure sound in all its brilliance. The only tape in the world made of perfectly shaped chromium dioxide particles in an exclusive formulation Mat aelivers exuemely tow utickground noise. 65 60 It all adds up to unbelievable sound reproduction. Unbelievable sensitivity in the critical high frequency range. In fact, it's the improved formulation of g 55 50 Chromdioxid Extra II, the official world E Chrome Substitute Tape A standard for Type II high bias tapes. 2 45 Chrome Substitute Tape B 40 Now that you've heard the rea- 4 35 sons why it's the sound of perfection, 31,5 63 125 315 1k I k 10k 16k hear the sound of perfection. Chrome Audio & Video Tapes 1(Hz) Measured according IEC 94 BASF Chromdioxid Maxima III CIRCLENO. 15 ON READERSERVICE CARD The qualitynever fades. TEST REPORTS

at 26 watts per channel at 1,000 liz DENON AVC-500 AUDIO/VIDEO into 8 ohms, 29.5 watts into 6 ohms, and 27.6 watts into 4 ohms. CONTROL CENTER Under the same test conditions, 111111. 411111114 the distortion measured less than 0.15 percent up to the clipping point Julian Hirsch, Hirsch -Houck Laboratories and was almost completely inde- pendent of frequency. At the rated DENON'S AVC-500 A/V 250, 1,000, 4,000, and 16,000 Hz, 25 watts into 6 ohms, it was typi- control center provides a with control ranges of ± 10 dB. The cally 0.06 percent from 50 to 8,000 number of control func- AVC-500 makes it convenient to Hz, rising only to about 0.15 per- tions analogous to those replace the audio portion of a video cent at 20 and 20,000 Hz. At half found in stereo integrated ampli- program while dubbing it, substitut- power the distortion was about half fiers.It has input/output connec- ing the audio input from the TAPE/ as much, and at one -tenth rated tions and switching, dubbing, and CD jacks. And its sound -processing power it was roughly the same as at signal -processing facilities for up to features can be used to modify full power (a small crossover notch three VCR's, or two VCR's and a either the original audio program, caused the relative percentage of video -disc player, as well as one or its replacement, while listening to distortion to increase as the power high-level mono or stereo audio - or copying a tape. decreased). The 8 -ohm performance only source such as a cassette deck The Denon AVC-500 is finished was quite similar, with slightly high- or a CD player. It can deliver the in black and resembles a typical er distortion readings, and the pow- selected video program to an exter- integratedstereoamplifier,with er amplifiers did quite well with the nal monitor and line -level audio sig- pushbutton input selectors, knobs 20 -millisecond tone bursts of the nals to external amplifiers or pow- for volume and most other adjust- dynamic power test. ered speakers. The AVC-500 also ments, and vertical sliders for the The graphic equalizer matched its includes a built-in power amplifier graphic equalizer. The front -panel ratings exactly in respect to center rated to deliver 25 watts per channel headphone jack is connected to a frequencies and maximum control into 6 -ohm loads from 20 to 20,000 circuit that automatically silences range. The dynamic -range expand- Hz with no more than 1 percent the speaker outputs when phones er's properties were not as clearly total harmonic distortion. The am- are plugged in. The control center defined in the ratings, and in any plifier can be used to power either measures about 171/8 inches wide, 11 case its effect was slight, principally normal (front) stereo speakers or inches deep, and 3114 inches high. It an overall level increase of about 2 rear -channel ambience speakers. weighs 12 pounds, 6 ounces. Price: dB when it was switched in and an Signal -processing capabilities in- $375. Denon America, Inc., Dept. expansion of about 2.5 dB over a clude a video enhancer to sharpen SR,27 Law Dr.,Fairfield, NJ 30 -dB range of input levels. picture details, a dynamic -range ex- 07006. We examined the effects of the pander, stereo -simulation circuitry surround mode by driving one for use with mono programs, and a Lab Tests channel with a single cycle of 1,000 surround -sound feature for adding Although the Denon AVC-500 is Hz, followed by a long "off" period, ambience to stereo programs. In ad- rated only for driving 6 -ohm loads, and displaying the outputs of both dition, the AVC-500 has a five -band we also used our standard 8- and 4 - channels on an oscilloscope. In the graphic equalizer to vary the audio ohm load resistors for testing its surround mode, the result was two frequency response as desired. The power -amplifier section. After pre- equal and identical outputs, except nominal center frequencies are 63, conditioning, the amplifiers clipped that one was 180 degrees out of

38 STEREO REVIEW MARCH 1986 Simplicity: The most difficult form to achieve. Thanks to German craftsmansl-ip and engineering, Canton brings you audio components of exceptional caliber. See them. Hear them. A wide range of Canton audic products await your audition at better stores across the country. Canton North America, Inc. 254 First Avenue North Minneapolis, MN 55401 612/333-1150

Circle No. 33 on Reader Service Corc

GelltON ti Ftdty Made in W Se -many. TEST REPORTS

maximum setting, the internal cir- FEATURES cuits overloaded at1.6volts, as indicated by the flashing LED next to the knob.If overload occurs, Controls playback from up to Front -panel PROCESSOR COP \ three video sources (VCR's and switch inserts or bypasses turning down the control will enable video -disc player) and one signal-processingg circuits for the unit to withstand input signals high-level audio source (cassette payback or dubbing deck or CD player) Built-in audio amplifier rated at of any level. Connections for dubbing audio 25 watts per channel into 6 -ohm and video in either direction loads can drive one pair of Comments between two VCR's and from either rear or main speakers In general, the Denon AVC-500 third video source to either or Balance and volume controls met or surpassed its performance both VCR's Input level control, with LED Input from audio cassette or CD indicator, prevents amplifier specifications. The performance of can be dubbed onto video tapes overload a product like this is best judged along with video program Headphone jack subjectively,however.Therefore, Mono/stereo mode switch Rear apron contains audio and we connected it between a VCR and Video ENHANCER switch video input jacks for three video optimizes picture quality during sources, output jacks for two; a monitor, with a pair of 8 -ohm playback or dubbing one video -monitor output; bookshelf speakers driven by its

Audio EXPANDER switch high-level (tape/CD) audio amplifiers. increases dynamic range of audio inputs; stereo and mono audio line outputs for use with The video ENHANCER control did signals improve the apparent crispness of Switchable surround -sound external amplifier; enhancement for stereo audio -recorder line outputs; the picture, and without the unnatu- programs using rear speakers or PROCESSOR OUT switch to rally high contrast that sometimes simulated stereo sound for mono connect processing circuits accompanies this process. The au- programs; WIDE control adjusts either to the speaker or the signal processing in both modes line -level outputs; one pair of dio EXPANDER produced a consider- Five -band graphic equalizer speaker terminals; two able volume increase, subjectively unswitched a.c. outlets much greater than the couple of decibels we measured, but it did not LABORATORY MEASUREMENTS seem to affect the dynamics to any significant degree. The simulated - Audio Amplifier Dynamic headroom: 2.45 dB (6 stereo effect was like most phase - 1,000 -Hz output power at clipping: ohms) shifting systems we have heard; it 26 watts into 8 ohms; 29.5 watts Frequency response: +0, -2 dB can make a mono signal more inter- into 6 ohms; 27.6 watts into 4 from 20 to 20,000 Hz esting to listen to, but it is not likely ohms Maximum distortion from 20 to to be mistaken for stereo by anyone Dynamic power output: 39 watts 20,000 Hz at 25 watts output into 8 ohms; 44 watts into 6 into 6 ohms: 0.15% who has heard the real thing. ohms; 50 watts into 4 ohms Sensitivity (1 -watt output): The surround -sound feature was Clipping headroom: 0.72 dB (6 Tape/CD, 92 mV more satisfactory, especially with ohms) Output noise referred to 1 -watt surround -sound -encoded programs. output (A -weighted): -81 dB Used in moderation, it lent a sense of ambience to the sound, with enough "liveness" to distinguish the phase with the other. According to output from each channel was the result from the simulated stereo Denon, the surround -sound circuit amplified pulse, followed after a sound and even from the unmodi- consists of an L -R matrix, with short interval by another of the fied stereo program. The graphic variable mixing of the original left same shape. In this case the WIDE equalizer seemed to be as effective and right front -channel signals into control varied the level of the de- as any five -band equalizer can be their respective rear channels and layed signal, relative to the original and probably more so than a two- or also a 30 -millisecond time delay. one, in a range from - 22.5 to +11 three -range tone -control system. Turning the WIDE knob clockwise dB. However, in the left channel the The Denon AVC-500 can make decreases the amount of front -chan- delayed signal was in phase with the things easier for the audio/video en- nel signals mixed into the rear - main signal, while in the right chan- thusiast who does a significant channeloutput.Thesurround - nel its polarity was reversed. The amount of video-tape copying, if sound effect was most noticeable at delay was from 1.3 to 1.4 millisec- only by eliminating the tedious the maximum setting. The sur- onds. The processing is intended to changing of cable connections in- round -processed output can be fed enhance mono signals heard from volved in using two or three VCR's. either to an external rear -channel the regular front speakers. And if you do audio dubbing on amplifier or to the AVC-500's own The AVC-500's audio sensitivity, your video tapes, this unit can also amplifier section with an external measured through the TAPE/CD in- simplify your task. It is a versatile amplifier for the front speakers. put, was 92 millivolts for a reference component whose ultimate utility is The operation of the simulated - output of 1 watt into 8 ohms, and likely to be determined largely by stereo feature was quite different. the A -weighted noise level relative the ingenuity and particular needs To test it we drove both channels to that output was -81 dB. With of the user. with the single 1,000 -Hz pulse. The the INPUT LEVEL knob at its normal Circle 141 on reader service card

40 STEREO REVIEW MARCH 1986 When you putsatellite in orbit, you want every possible assurance that it will o2rform. That's w1-9 corporations and go%ernments all over the world ask NEC to build their satellites. Even if you don't launch objects into outer space, it's comfcrting to

NIA 11,11,1 11,111, (IItiA I. In, I I , I I E,IS/Ii/ We bring igh technology home. CIRCLE NO. 19 04 READER SERVICE CAFD 3 FM 1 B OPEN +dB 12 V13FEQTUN; CLOSE 0 E/A BALFAD C 12 -dB

Takenonface value alone, this is the most remarkable COMPUTER CONTROL

car stereoin the world. 250Hz 500Hz

TAPE REMAIN - [DOLBY NR POWER LOADING ERSE DoDOLBY B BI -AZIMUTH HEAD AUTO KRC- 99( LOCAL METAL ABSS TUNIN

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 TEST REPORTS

crossover between the woofer and tweeter takes place at 1,500 Hz. The SM 80 stands upright on an oak -veneered wooden base that is 14 inches wide and 9 inches deep. The speaker proper is15 inches wide, 24 inches high, and 4 inches deep. Its front and rear are covered with dark -brown cloth, and the sides are finished in simulated -oak vinylveneer. Each speaker unit weighs about 181/4 pounds. Price: $330 per pair. B.E.S., Inc., Dept. SR, 12753 Moore St., Cerritos, CA 90701. Lab Tests We placed theB.E.S. SM 80 speakers about 3 feet from the wall behind them and 6 to 8 feet apart, though their locations did not seem to be atallcritical. The room - response curve was somewhat irreg- ular in the lower midrange, and the bass output dropped off rapidly below 76 Hz. Although the response curves from the left and right speakers (measured on axis and 30 degrees off axis, respectively) differed by 7 to 10 dB over much of the audio range above 1,000 Hz, they had similar shapes. For our close- miked woofer -responsemeasure- ment we placed the microphone at B.E.S. SM 80 the center of the lower grille. The bass response sharply peaked SPEAKER SYSTEM at 76 Hz and dropped to a plateau about 10 dB lower in the 130- to 400 -Hz range. Above 400 Hz it Julian Hirsch, Hirsch -Houck Laboratories became very ragged, possibly be- causeofinterferencebetween THE SM 80 is the latest addi- the woofer diaphragm), but the soundwave components radiating tion to the line of hi-fi loud- magnetstructureswerevisible from different parts of the large bass speakers made by Bertagni through the rear grille. Electroacoustic Systems, Because it uses the radiation from Inc. (B.E.S.). The SM 80, the least - both sides of the diaphragms to The high end of the B.E.S. expensive B.E.S. speaker, employs create a "wrap -around sound" qual- the same unique construction as the ity, the B.E.S. SM 80 should be SM 80 sounded strong, with a company's other models. Its princi- installed a few feet in front of a wall. tendency toward brightness, pal radiating surface appears to be The manufacturer suggests experi- and the bass was surpri an almost flat plastic diaphragm, menting, however, with unorthodox roughly oval in shape and measur- positioning such as having one or Overall, the speaker sounded ing about 81/2 x 14 inches, mounted both speakers at right angles to the larger than it is, obably on a rigid cast -metal frame. The listener. The SM 80's planar dia- driving voice coil and magnet as- phragms radiate equally from both because ofits dispersion sembly are suspended over the cen- front and back. In its normal free- characteristics. ter of the diaphragm on a metal standing position, it has a nearly bridge. A similar magnet/voice-coil omnidirectionalhorizontalpolar structure for the tweeter is mounted pattern (actually, a figure -8) with diaphragm. The bass output fell pre- at the upper left of the frame. Since output nulls at each side. The sys- cipitously-about 30 dB per oc- the front grille is opaque and not tem's frequency response is rated as tave-below 76 Hz. The bass and removable, we could not see the 60 to 19,000 Hz ± 3 dB, and its room -response curves spliced eas- tweeter diaphragm (or the front of nominal impedance is 8 ohms. The ily, with some guidance from our

STEREO REVIEW MARCH 198643 TEST REPORTS

quasi-anechoic FFT response meas- Pulse tests of the speaker's power - urements. The speaker also had a FEATURES handling ability revealed that it dis- distinct peak between 200 and 300 torted with inputs of 223 watts (into Hz that showed up in both the FFT 5.5 ohms) at 100 Hz and 600 watts Wu -Hay speaker system with and room -response measurements. 1,500 -Hz crossover (into 6 ohms) at 1,000 Hz. Our B.E.S. supplied us with response O Planar, polymer diaphragms amplifier clipped at 640 watts (into radiate in all directions 3.9 ohms) before the speaker's out- curves run on our test samples, and O Rated for use with amplifiers in spite of the very different test delivering from 5 to 75 watts put showed any significant distor- conditions,theymatchedours channel tion at 10,000 Hz. Clearly, the SM closely. From our composite curve, Orak -veneer base, vinyl trim 80'sratedmaximum/minimum- O Dark -brown grille cloths on power recommendations (75 and 5 the response was ±4 dB from 270 front and rear to 18,000 Hz, with peaks of 10 or 11 watts, respectively) are very conser- dB at 250 and 76 Hz. The speaker's -111111111==l1M1111n7 vative, especially since it is fuse pro- effectivebass -response limit was tected. about 50 Hz. The SM 80 was quite sensitive- The FFT measurements not only our 91 -dB measurement surpassed Comments confirmed the validity of the room - its rated value by 3 dB. When we Any speaker that radiates over a response measurements but also drove it with 2.5 volts (which corre- wide angle is likely to produce irreg- showed the same polar -response sponds to a 90 -dB sound -pressure ular frequency -response curves in changes, with relatively little differ- level at 1,000 Hz), the bass distor- our FFT quasi-anechoic measure- ence in frequency response between tion was very low from 100 down to ments because of interference from the on -axis and 45 -degree off -axis 50 Hz, increasing from 0.28 to 2 late -arriving boundary reflections measurements butasubstantial percent over that range. The output (analogous to the multipath recep- change, typically about 10 dB, in fell off so rapidly below 50 Hz, how- tion of FM signals). Nevertheless, overall outputlevel. The phase ever, that we could not make meas- such speakers usually sound much characteristics of the speaker were urements at lower frequencies. The better than one might expect from quite good, with a group -delay vari- speaker'simpedancecurvewas looking at the response curves. The ation of ± 0.4millisecond over among the flattest we have meas- B.E.S. SM 80 was no exception. For most of the range from 1,500 to ured, between 5 and 6 ohms from the most part it sounded much like 23,000 Hz. The response irregulari- 20 to 1,000 Hz except for a rise to 10 the contours of its room -response ties that we found at several fre- ohms at 76 Hz and to 6 ohms at 250 curve would suggest, with an addi- quencies showed up, however, in Hz-the latter coinciding with the tional sense of spaciousness derived the group -delay readings as sharp sizable resonant output rise at that from its dipolar radiation pattern. peaks of at least 2 milliseconds at frequency. Impedance dipped to a There was a noticeable "chesti- 14,000 to 15,000 Hz, 9,000 Hz, and minimum of 3.1 ohms at 5,000 Hz, ness" in the sound of this speaker below 1,000 Hz. returning to 5 ohms at 20,000 Hz. corresponding toitsaccentuated lower -midrange output. Its high end was strong, with a tendency toward brightness consistent with its some- whatraggedhigh -endresponse measurements. The bass was surprising:it seemed much stronger than one would expect from a speaker with a 50- or 60 -Hz cutoff, but this was probably an effect of the strong peak at 76 Hz. Overall, theB.E.S. SM 80 sounded larger than it is, probably because of its wide dispersion characteristics. After a short period of listening to it, it was easy to accept its colorations as normal since they were never overbearing or unpleasant. Undoubtedly, some people will like the sound of the SM 80 and others will not, but that can be said about almost any speaker, regardless of price. My advice is the same as usual:listen before you buy. Among speakers selling for $330 a pair, the B.E.S. SM 80 holds its own very well. . . I'm just finishing my paper on the 'Big Bang' theory of creation, and then I'm beginning research on whether special speaker cable improves the sound." Circle 142 on reader service card

44STEREO REVIEW MARCH 1986 ttnttr7 moppt TV -SoundRadb-Shack's Receiver New AddiTruewithTVtuvCome -100this two in comple-mstereo Minimue-2.5now ani receiver save system! speakers. $19.90comesStereo Our corrapletewhen Fealistie 33 youyou to addedmingingbroadcasting stereo all dimension the and time. in second stereo, ofCome stereo languageand in andTV. more Lowdiscover program- are as 3dd- $20 the Any TV cansecondcramstereo here control TVall language thebroadcasts. eta fabulous you when hear A sound it'sSpecia the broadcast ofsound Audio the new in Pro a - per month on Radio Shack/CitiLine credit*. speakersnosources.stereosoThere's youspecial tromcan even Thein, hookup enjot regularattach areceiver bult- high required.a TV standardn -quality stereoworksand othe Just simulatedsyithesizerwkiTV monaural plug antennaany theTV- Complete System A DIVISION OF TANDY CORPORATION tem'splaycrleveland 39.95 listen. TV outputsspeakers. soundalone), That even through asMarrya all alet separatethere youstations your useis stereo to toner aretie it! receiver-ine-already sys-and Reg. Separate Items 169.85 cadsFIXES plan apply troll a parOcIpatin)Citibank. Actua Rar oarmeno Shack maystores vary and depending dealers *Cmlim... is an open-ended n trainee Absolutely not. There are It helps capture the quality of certain areas in life where sound your system was designed you can't skimp on quality. to deliver. That's why there's Maxell XLS Use Maxell XLS for all your tape. It's engineered to achieve a taping needs. lower distortion and wider Because there's simply no sub- dynamic range. XLS frequency stitute for quality. response extends to the widest possible limits, with greater maxell sensitivity throughout the tonal THE 'JAPE FOR SOPHISTICATED EQUIPMENT. range. 1915 Mxell I. of pocal.un &merit 11100....a Move.nt.n.hoe 4 .1 0'0,

t WOULD YOU BUY CHEAP PERFUME FOR YOUR GIRLFRIEND? TEST REPORTS

KENWCKX) 1.11110 PINOVVIOR .V. AMOK - A 9 a 9 - V

keys at the left of the panel. Initially the equalizer display consists of sev- KENWOOD KVR-A9OR en short horizontal line segments joined at the center of an amplitude AM/FM STEREO RECEIVER scale spanning a range of ± 12 dB in 2 -dB steps. Each line segment corre- Julian Hirsch, Hirsch -Houck Laboratories sponds tothecenter frequency marked belowit -60,150,400, KENWOOD'S new KVR- can be stored in one of twenty preset 1.000, 2,400, 6,000, and 15,000 Hz. A90R stereo receiver offers memories (there are ten membrane Membrane keys are used to select a some video controlfea- keys, each switchable to either of frequency bandforadjustment. tures in addition to its digi- two memory banks). Each preset Pressing a key causesitscorre- tal -synthesis AM and FM tuners also recalls the appropriate AM or sponding line segment to blink on and extensive audio control facili- FM band. and off, and two additional keys are ties. The amplifier section is rated The blue -white and red fluores- used to boost or cut the response, to deliver 70 watts per channel into cent indicators on the large display moving the line up or down, by 8 -ohm loads from 20 to 20,000 Hz panel show most aspects of the 2 dB at a time. Each band can be set with no more than 0.007 percent receiver'soperatingstatusata separately to form the desired re- total harmonic distortion.It also glance. In the tuner mode, the fre- sponse "shape." carries a secondary rating of 80 quency is displayed in large numer- The selected equalization can be watts per channel into 8 ohms from als together with the band, the pre- inserted into the program signal 40 to 20,000 Hz with no more than set number (if applicable), the FM path, stored in one of three pre- 0.03 percent distortion. The receiv- mode (stereo or mono), and wheth- set memories, or channeled to the er comes with the RC -90 forty -two - er manual or automatic tuning has Tape 2 recording outputs. In addi- function remote control. beenselected.If anotherinput tion to the three user -selectable EQ Perhaps the most strikingly un- source is selected, its name replaces characteristics, there are two inter- usual aspect of the Kenwood KVR- the frequency readout. Symbolic nally set curves identified as LOUD- A9OR isitsfront control panel, graphs show the relative settings of NESS and PRESENCE. The EQ display which uses membrane keys, like the volume and balance controls. can also be switched to function as a those found on some calculators, When one of the volume buttons is seven -band real-time spectrum ana- instead of buttons for most of its pressed. the tuned frequency or in- lyzer with approximately two -oc- control functions. Pushplates are put identificationisreplaced by tave filter bandwidths. A switchable used for the input selectors and the numbers showing the amount of at- peak -hold mode briefly retains the volume adjustments, which step in tenuation. highest reading in each band. 2 -dB increments. A direct tuning The display also indicates the One or two VCR's can be con- feature, supplementing the usual operating status of the KVR-A9OR's nected to jacks in the rear of the scanning mode, allows any station built-in seven -band digital graphic receiver. A small button marked to be selected by simply keying in its equalizer and spectrum analyzer, VIDEO selects which VCR's output frequency. If desired, the frequency controlled by a group of membrane will be switched through the receiv-

STEREO REVIEW MARCH 198647 TEST REPORTS

er when the video input selector is pressed. The video output goes to FEATURES an external monitor, and the stereo or mono audio component of the O Digital -synthesis A NI,I. NI stet co L Input -selector keys for CD/aux, signal is channeled through the re- tuner tuner, phono, tape 1, tape 2, O Direct -access tuning with keypad video ceiver's audio circuits. A small slide and automatic or manual Video button selects one of two switch on the rear apron can be set pushbutton scan tuning VCR's for audio input, video for stereo or mono playback, and O Twenty station presets, each output to external monitor mono programs can be enhanced by usable for AM or FM, with Switches two VCR's for dubbing preset scan in either direction, viewing, a Synthetic Stereo feature. A sepa- O Digital volume and balance listening, or audio recording rate audio program from one of the controls O Switchable stereo synthesis for receiver's other sources can be re- E3 Digital seven -band graphic mono video programs corded on a VCR if it is designed for equalizer/real-time spectrum Front -panel button selects MM analyzer with peak hold or MCphono-preamplifier audio dubbing, and both video and O Equalizer switchable for operation audio can be dubbed from either program, recording, or bypass O Switchable 20 -dB audio muting VCR to the other. O Memories for three user -selected O Stereo headphone jack The Kenwood KVR-A9OR is fin- equalization contours O Speaker -selector switches for one O Preset LOUDNESS and PRESENCE or two pairs ished in black with its membrane contours O Full -function RC -90 remote keys in two shades of gray. The rear O Multifunction fluorescent display control supplied; can also apron contains phono jacks for the shows tuner frequency, volume operate compatible Kenwood various inputs and outputs, screw - and balance settings, status of all turntables, CD player, and preset functions, equalizer cassette deck if these are binding posts for AM and FM an- settings, spectrum -analyzer connected in rear of receiver tennas, a clip for the supplied pivot- readout ing AM loop antenna, insulated connectors for two pairs of speakers, remote -control jacks for com- LABORATORY MEASUREMENTS patible Kenwood cassette, CD, and record players, and three switched El Audio Amplifier Reactive load factor: 0.8 dB at a.c. outlets. The receiver measures 1,000 -Hz output power at clipping: 63 Hz 161/2 inches wide, 125/8 inches deep, 90 watts into 8 ohms; 85 watts into 4 ohms; 128 watts into 2 El FM Tuner Section and 548 inches high, and it weighs ohms Usable sensitivity (mono): 12.5 about 20 pounds. Price: $490. Ken - Clipping headroom (relative to dBf (2.3 µV) wood Electronics, Dept. SR, 1315 rated output): 1.08 dB (8 ohms) 50 -dB quieting sensitivity: mono, WatsoncenterRd.,Carson, CA Dynamic power output: 105 watts 14 dBf (2.8 µV); stereo, 36 dBf into 8 ohms; 170 watts into 4 (34.7 µV) 90745. ohms; 182 watts into 2 ohms Si al -to -noise ratio at 65 dBf Dynamic headroom: 1.76 dB (8 (1,gn000 µV): mono, 83 dB; stereo, Lab Tests ohms) 76 dB The Kenwood KVR-A9OR's heat Harmonic distortion (THD + THD + noise at 65 dBf (1,000 sinks are located inside its cabinet, noise) at 1,000 Hz into 8 ohms: 1 µV): mono, 0.145%; stereo, and the cover above them became watt, 0.015%; 80 watts, 0.0125% 0.14% Slew factor: greater than 25 Capture ratio at 65 dBf: 0.8 dB quite warm during the hour-long Sensitivity (1 -watt output into 8 AM rejection at 65 dBf: 75 dB preconditioning at one-third rated ohms): MM phono, 0.3 mV; MC Selectivity: alternate -channel, 60 power, though it became only slight- phono, 0.024 mV; CD/aux, 19.5 dB; adjacent -channel, 4.5 dB ly warm in normal operation. With mV (at maximum gain) Image rejection: 38 dB both channels driving 8 -ohm loads Phono-input overload level: 127 Stereo threshold: 14 dBF (2.8 µV) mV at 1,000 Hz; 115 mV at 19 -kHz leakage: -70 dB at 1,000 Hz, the output waveform 20,000 Hz clipped at 90 watts per channel. The Hum: <-80 dB (below noise) A -weighted noise (referred to a Stereo channel separation: 37 dB 4 -ohm power output was 85 watts, 1 -watt output): MM phono, -80 at 100 Hz; 38.5 dB at 1,000 Hz; and the output into 2 ohms was 128 dB; MC phono, -71 dB; 37.5 dB at 10,000 Hz watts (a protective relay turned off CD/aux, -83 dB Phono-input impedance: 47,000 O AM Tuner Section the amplifier before it clipped in the ohms in parallel with 225 pF last measurement). RIAA phono-equalization error: Frequency response (-6-dB As usual, we based our tests on +0, -0.5 dB from 20 to points): 32 to 2,400 Hz the EIA amplifier test standard, us- `20,000 Hi ing the prescribed gain settings. Our distortionreadings wereslightly higher than the rated 0.007 percent 0.002 to 0.005percent. Lower dis- The1,000 -Hzdistortioninto at most frequencies and power out- tortion at high gain is a common 8 ohms decreased from about 0.05 puts. Kenwood's test data for our effect with electronic volume con- percent at 0.1 watt to about 0.007 sample actually showed much lower trols. Our higher distortion read- percent in the 7- to I5 -watt range, distortion readings, and when we ings, evidently caused by nonlinear- rising to 0.0125 percent at 80 watts set the receiver's gain to maximum, ity in the preamp, had little to do before the amplifier clipped. The the distortion was typically from with the receiver's power output. distortion curves with 4- and 2 -ohm

48 STEREO REVIEW MARCH 1986 Koss has transported sound and beauty to a higher plane with four new SST stereophones. They're the sleekest, most advanced, most comfortable phones ever created. And they're perfect complements to today's digital technology. Test pilot the new Koss SST's today. They'll take you wherever you want to go - at the speed of the Sound of Koss. Suggested retail price: $29.95 to "9.95. OKOSS' SST SUPER SONIC TECHNOLOGYTM Koss Corporation, 4129 North Port Washington Road, Milwaukee, WI 53212 In Canada: Koss Ltd., 4112 South Service Road, Burlington, Ontario L7L4X5 :f;1986 Koss Corp CIRCLE NO 52 ON READER SERVICE CARD TEST REPORTS

loads weresimilar.Into8 -ohm from 50 to 15,000 Hz. The 0.8 -dB able job in that respect as well. The loads at the rated 70 watts as well as capture ratio was outstanding, as utility of the graphic equalizer de- at half and one -tenth rated power, was the 75 -dB AM rejection. Al- pends on your own listening habits the distortion was a constant 0.01 to though we were disappointed in the and preferences. It is certainly capa- 0.013 percent from 20 to 5,000 Hz, image -rejectionmeasurementof ble of creating a wide variety of risingto only 0.035 percent at only 38 dB, it matched the manu- response curves, and the EQ-memo- 20,000 Hz. facturer's rating. Selectivity, though ry feature could be a great conve- The equalizer's control range was only fair, also met spec. nience. Even the LOUDNESS and approximately ± 12 dB, with center PRESENCE contours are reasonably frequencies as indicated. Though Comments chosen. the system is not as convenient to The Kenwood KVR-A9ORis The spectrum analyzer conveys use as standard tone controls, the moderately priced and replete with little more information than your ability to store three sets of response unusual features, many of them po- own ears can provide, but it does no curves for instant recall is a strong tentially very useful. The RC -90 re- harm. We noted, incidentally, that advantage. The LOUDNESS contour mote control is convenient, too, es- the analyzer's sensitivityis fixed was very moderate in its effects-a pecially if you have or are consider- and not necessarily related to any boost of about 5 dB at 60 to 70 Hz ing other Kenwood components. signal level under the user's control. and 2 dB at 20,000 Hz-and did not About 30 percent of the remote is In other words, it can easily be driv- vary with the volume setting. It pro- devoted to functions of the compat- en to the top of the scale (and off duced pleasingresults,however, ible Kenwood turntables, cassette scale) at modest levels, making its and never created an unnatural deck, and CD player that can be value questionable. sound quality. The PRESENCE con- integrated with this receiver. The FM tuner section's perform- tour was even more subtle, increas- To Kenwood's credit, the KVR- ance, though generally quite good- ing the overall gain by about 1.5 dB A9OR is not advertised as an audio/ and nothing less than outstanding across the frequency spectrum, with video receiver, as we have seen in capture ratio and AM rejection- an additional 2.5 dB in the 1,000- to done for other products with very ismarginal in respect to image 3,000 -Hz range. It added a percepti- similar features. Its video capability rejection, but unless you live close ble but listenable "forwardness" to is strictly limited to signal switching to a major airport, this might not be the sound. between a couple of VCR's and a a real problem. The AM tuner's The phono section's RIAA equal- monitor, enhancing a VCR's mono quality is typical of that provided by ization was among the most accu- sound with the Synthetic Stereo cir- stereo receivers. rate we have measured, with an cuit,andamplifyingavideo - In short, the overall performance overall variation of about 0.5 dB derived audio signal for playback of the KVR-A9OR, though not ex- from 20 to 20,000 Hz. We also through a stereo audio system. actly outstanding, is certainly ade- made limited measurements on the The audio section is actually very quate. Any criticisms of the receiver stereo synthesizer, which is usable good, andcertainly powerful should be viewed in relation to its only with mono inputs through the enough for most reasonable needs price. While not inexpensive, it is VCR jacks. The response of the left in an audio/video system. Also, not a high-priced component by to- channel was unchanged, down 1.5 even though the amplifier is not day's standards, and it is attractive, dB at 20 Hz and 3 dB at 20,000 Hz, rated for use with very low speaker functional, and versatile.

and the right -channel output varied impedances, it does a very credit- i Circle 143 on reader service card smoothly from about +1 to -5 dB over the same frequency range. The phase relationship between the two channels varied continuously with frequency, however, from being in phase to 90 degrees out of phase to reverse phase and so on through several complete cycles between 20 and 20,000 Hz. Although the FM tuner section fellslightly short of meeting its usable -sensitivityrating,itdid achieve the more important 50 -dB quieting specification in both mono and stereo. The tuner noise level was very low in mono for inputs above 45 dBf (100µV) and in stereo above 65 dBf (1,000 AV), at which levels the distortion readings were

very similar for both modes. The . . Go down w that booth with the 'state of the art' speakers, go left until you channel separation was unusually get to some 'real state of the art' speakers, and directly across from the 'absolute- uniform, between 35 and 38 dB ly state of the art' speakers, you'll find the 'positively state of the art' speakers."

50STEREO REVIEW MARCH 1986 Becauseyouhave twoeyes and twoears,it has six heads. We're talking about the new Yamaha with is obsolescence. YV-1000 HQ VHS Hi-Fi video deck. And the It's equipped with Multichannel Television six heads are no laughing matter. Sound (MTh) to play back stereo broadcasts, Four are built just to take care of the picture.and a Separate Audio Program (SAP) channel to And two are built just to take care of the sound.monitor programs broadcast in two languages. It So both picture and sound also has 12 VHF channels, 56 are uncompromised. UHF channels, and 113 cable - And the same high ready channels. And the capa- tracking speed that's used bility to record a simulcast to record the video is used stereo signal from an FM tuner to record the audio. along with the video signal. Which means you get So whatever's on tonight frequency response from or on the drawing board 20Hz to 20kHz. Dynamic for tomorrow, the YV-1000 range of 80dB. Channel is ready for it. separation of 60dB. And wowand flutter that All this advanced technology might be a are virtually unmeasurable. little scary if the YV-1000 didn't have so many And that means sound so dramatic it makesuser-friendly features. you a part of the picture. The tape counter, for instance, doubles as Of course, the picture itself is as extra- a remaining time indicator. So you won't run out ordinary as the sound. of tape before you run out of program. The video heads in the YV-1000 are a When the end of the tape is reached, the 4 -head double -azimuth configuration for excep-YV-1000 automatically rewinds it for you. tionally high clarity in both the standard play And the infrared remote lets you operate and extended play modes. And newly devel- the YV-1000 from your easy chair. oped HQ video circuitry further improves pic- But now it's time to get up from your chair ture quality, especially in the EP mode. to visit your Yamaha dealer. And see what But hold it, what about noise lines in theamazing things the six -headed YV-1000 video freeze-frame mode? A special circuit in the deck can do for your eyes and ears. YV-1000 heads even does away with them. Yamaha Electronics Corporation, USA, P.O. Box 6660, Buena Park, CA 90622 So you get a still picture that's as sharp as CIRCLE NO14 ON READER SERVICE CARD a photograph. Another thing the YV-1000 does away )YAMAHA°

I 'LAY f»).,"

PAUSE/ STILL

-7r...7 y1 NC ' --. 8100,.12,,...n.±...-, 0 M.M1)17 rill.pnv,, -It 0 7 -IL 17101Kimm. U KKONA L.A./1,17( 7 UV,, -. ._ I I TEST REPORTS

erratic or even impossible. The dif- warranty and sells for $79.95. Terk ficulty of orienting such an antenna Technologies Corp., Dept. SR, 740 is obvious. Broadway, New York, NY 10003. A number of indoor antennas have been offered to the public, Lab Tests ranging from "rabbit ears" to tuned Lacking the highly specialized fa- and folded loops that are packaged cilities required for making accurate to harmonize more readily with antenna gain and bandwidth meas- their surroundings. Most of these urements, we tried to estimate the antennas are directional and tun- gain of the Terk FM 8403, relative able to the specific frequency being to a folded dipole, by transmitting a received. In general, their gain rela- testsignalacross the laboratory tive to a dipole is negative; that is, from our signal generator to the they supply the receiver with a antenna. The FM tuner output was weaker signal than a simple dipole connected to our distortion analyz- would deliver. The convenience of er. We used the "usable sensitivity" using such antennas usually com- level of 3.2 percent distortion plus pensatesfortherelativesignal noise in the tuner output as a refer- weakness, and in reasonably strong ence point for our measurements. signal areas they can be a perfectly We compared the Terk antenna to satisfactory substitute for a dipole. two folded dipoles, one horizontal To the extent that they are direc- and the other vertical.All three tional, they may also be able to antennas were within 3 feet of each reduce multipath distortion. other. The Terk was mounted on a The Terk FM 8403 is physically stand that let us position it either unlike other indoor antennas we vertically or in any horizontal orien- have seen. A tapered, black -plastic tation. The transmitting antenna obelisk, 16N inches high with a 21/4 was ahorizontalfoldeddipole x 31/2 -inch base, it has an integral 75 - about 12 feet from the receiving ohm coaxial signal cable, about 53 antennas (much too close for totally inches long, that terminates in an F valid measurements at these fre- connector. A supplied 75- to 300 - quencies). TERK ohm transformer has output lugs At approximately 88 and108 that can be connected to the regular MHz (the only reasonably clear fre- FM 8403 antenna terminals of any receiver quencies at our location), we meas- lacking a 75 -ohm F connector. The ured the generator output needed to ANTENNA antenna also has an integral 6 -foot produce thereferencedistortion £1111111111111111111111101 a.c. line cord (it can be left energized level in the tuner output with each at all times if desired). Under the of the receiving antennas. Although Julian Hirsch, base is an adjustment shaft for the these measurements clearly showed Hirsch -Houck Laboratories internal amplifier, the gain of which that the Terk FM 8403 (at its maxi- can be varied from unity (0 dB) to mum gain setting) was not as good THE Terk FM 8403, imported 24 dB. According to Terk, the an- as either of the dipoles, the readings from Italy, is an active in- tenna has a 0 -dB bandwidth of 50 to were so scattered that we decided to door FM antenna whose 150 MHz and is optimized for the use a more practical criterion for built-in amplifier is said to FM band. evaluation. boost received signals by up to 24 The FM 8403 is omnidirectional Using each antenna in turn, we dB (sixteen times) before they reach when standing vertically on its base. tuned across the entire FM band a receiver or tuner. Most people The product announcement and in- and counted the number of stations who either cannot or do not wish to struction sheet say that this auto- that lit the tuner's light (showing install a good outdoor FM antenna matically eliminates multipatk inthat the received signal was greater use the twin -lead folded dipoles that terference. Actually, the reverse is than the tuner's muting threshold). are furnished with many receivers true: an omnidirectional antenna is This test left no doubt about the and tuners. Although these can be ordinarily a poor choice for a multi - relative effectiveness of the three reasonably effective-if you are for- path -reception problem. The litera- antennas. The horizontal dipole re- tunate enough to be able to place ture does point out, however, that ceived forty-five stations, the verti- them in the optimum location for the antenna ishighly directional cal dipole received forty stations, your favorite station-they are dif- when itis placed on its side and and the Terk FM 8403 was able to ficult to conceal, and proximity to oriented horizontally like a dipole, pull in only thirty-two stations. Al- other objects and even people mov- suggesting that in weak signal areas though Terk supplies various per- ing around the room alters their the best results can be obtained in formance ratings for the antenna, directional pattern and often makes this manner. they are not readily interpreted for reception of some stations poor or The Terk FM 8403 has a one-year real -worldconditions.Sincewe

52STEREO REVIEW MARCH 1986 have no facilities for measuring its from several objects, causing multi- of the antenna. A human body can intermodulation distortion or noise, ple arrivals at the receiving site at actlikean antenna element or we based our judgment on the prag- different times. A highly directional reflector and induce multipath-like matic criterion of how many sta- antenna can sometimes help by dis- distortion effects. Many hi-fi instal- tions it received. criminating against some of the un- lations suffer from such problems, wanted signals. To the extent that and the Terk FM 8403 may help to Comments the Terk FM 8403 is directional, it minimize or eliminate them. Past experience with indoor an- might help, and we confirmed that Although we do not consider the tennas, or any form of undersized it becomes quite directional when Terk FM 8403anappropriate antenna, has not led us to expect choice for a weak -signal location, it miracles from them, and we were The Terk FM 8403 does a does a very creditable job in areas not surprised by the results of this served by reasonably strong FM sig- test. An antenna whose element is yen , creditable job in nals. We tried it with a tuner outside not large enough to be tuned to the areas served by reasonably the lab and found it to be superior frequency of the signal is simply not strong FM signals. to the B.I.C. Beam Box antenna (a as efficient as a full-sized tunable popular model a few years ago, now antenna in supplying an intercepted discontinuedandnotgenerally signal to a tuner's antenna input. mounted in a horizontal position. available) that we had been using in Built-in gain helps, but it is certainly Unfortunately, the antenna's design that location. And, of course, it will no panacea. does not really lend itself to conven- get rid of the tangle of antenna wire Also, we must admit to being put ient horizontal orientation. found behind many FM tuners and off by the claim that an omnidi- We suspect that the real benefit of receivers. In any case, it is certainly rectional antenna is inherently free the Terk antenna's omnidirection- more attractive than a folded dipole of multipath effects. Multipath dis- ality is its apparent lessened suscep- tacked to the wall or to the back of a tortion arises from external tibilitytointerferencewithina piece of furniture. causes-the reflection of a signal room from people walking in front Circle 144 on reader service card Finally,stereo can come out and play. Bose 101 Environmental Speaker The weatherproof Bose 101 speaker plays true high fidelity sound almost anywhere. Optional mo_intirg accessories and colored decorator grit es make the Stereo Everiwheren' 101 system a perfect mach for any environment-

'k. indDors and out. Hear it now at yoLr authorized Bose dealer. For more information, write: Bose Corporation, Dept. SR, 10 Speen St. Framingt- am, MA 01701 -.....119111111!

..41747-5" Beret- sound through research.

STEREO REVIEW MARCH 1986 53 akamichi's CR-7A J with is a three-head deck four motorsand a closed -loop dualapstan drive. It hasautomatic bias circuitsand variable azimuth. Price:$1,350.

4111 '4111111 1"+O TAPE 1=0 BY CRAIG I ARK Do lab measurements and listening tests reveal a correlation between price and performance?

54STEREO REVIEW MARCH 1986 FRENCOS often come its features and how useful I found the differences among the various up to me and say, "I saw your them. Using both prerecorded cas- brands of cassettes. All three in- reviews of the X and Y cassette settes and those I have recorded clude both Dolby B and Dolby C decks, and they both look good to myself, I try to assess the deck's lis- noise -reduction circuitry, electronic me. But tell me, honestly, is there tening qualities, basing my assess- rather than mechanical tape count- really a $250 difference between the ments on my general experience ers and levelindicators, switch - X and the Y, and is your Z reference with other units and, as an overall selectable FM -multiplex filters, deck really worth twice what the Y check, with my reference deck (a switchprovisions for timer -acti- costs?" Nakamichi ZX-9). But when several vated recording and playback, and Such questions canultimately units are tested months apart, sub- separate left, right, and master re- have only highly personal answers, jective reactions to the sound of one cord -level controls. All three are of course, for beyond certain essen- deck or another are generally much front -loading decks with easily re- tials,with audio components as harder to recall than numbers or moved cassette -well covers that fa- with houses and cars, worth is an tables are to look up. cilitate periodic head cleaning and intangible that only an individual For this reason, I very much wel- demagnetizing. And all three decks can translate into a dollar figure. comed the task of comparing three have sepa-ate playback -level con- Still, my questioners' meaning cassette decks at the same time, trols, a feature too often omitted on is clear enough. head to head, as it were. The three cassette decks and one that proved WhenItesta com- decks selected for this review of- almost indispensable for my com- ponentImeasure fered a particular challenge, for de- parative listening tests. its objective per- spite a wide price range, with the The most expensive of the decks formance and most expensive being more than tested,theNakamichiCR-7A report three times the price of the least ($1.350), clearly exemplifies a "pur- on costly, they have remarkably simi- ist" design approach, as the descrip- lar features and, as I found, meas- tion of its features in the box on the urements. All are three -head decks, next page makes clear. Direct -cou- which permit instant compari- pled amplifiers are used in its elec- son betweentheincoming tronics, as is an unusually low -noise signal anditsrecorded head preamplifier. Noise reduction result, and allthree is limited to the classic Dolby B and - ..../ decks enable user Dolby C circuits. jeac 's V-750, a three -head deck with adjustments The Yamaha K-1020 ($699) is the three motors and a sin- to elimi- only one of the three to include the gle -capstan transport, nate dbx noise -reduction system in addi- has manual bias control, tion to Dolby B and Dolby C. It also ,Dolby B and Dolby C, includes the Dolby HX Professional and microphone inputs. servo -bias system to extend the Trice: $399. tape's high -frequency capacity. Like the Nakamichi, the Yamaha does not include microphone jacks,solive recording

R.1.110 CAKIMIKKR CM.

Yamaha'sK-1020 has three heeds,three motors, and dual -cap- skin drive. Itis the only me of the threedecks with dbx noisereauction arrd Dolby HX Pro. Price:5699.

STEREO REVIEW MARCH 1986 55 would require the use of an external mixer. The Teac V-750 ($399) is the lower -priced of two similar models in that company's line.(The other model includes more features- such as an elapsed -time indicator, dbx noisereduction, and more memory functions-and is comparable in features and cost to the Yamaha.) The V-750 has a single - AKAMICHIwas the first on duplicators (or other decks) are not capstan drive system and is also the company to produce a always perfectly aligned, a small de- only one of the three decks to three -head cassette deck, gree of azimuth error is present in include microphone inputs. More- and the CR-7A continues in Nakami- most recorded cassettes. Azimuth er- over, despite its modest price, its chi's tradition of innovation. A four - ror-a deviation from exact perpendic- performance indicated thatitis motor deck with closed -loop dual -cap- ularity between the tape edge and the very properly included in a review stan drive, the CR-7A has such addi- magnetic head gap-can cause sub- of high -quality decks. tional refinements as user -adjustable stantial high -frequency losses during playback azimuth alignment and a six- playback. An error of only one -sixth of ty -four -step tape -optimization system a degree can cause a 10 -dB loss at 20 Lab Tests controlled by a 6 -bit microprocessor. kHz, for example. To offset the effects The playback frequency response The record and playback heads in of azimuth error in recordings, the Na- of all three decks was measured the Nakamichi CR-7A are not merely kamichi CR-7A has a playback -head using our IEC-standard calibrated separate elements in a common case azimuth adjustment. The adjustment BASF test tapes, which cover the but physically distinct units, eliminat- can be performed at any time using a range from 31.5 to 18,000 Hz. As ing the possibility of electromagnetic front -panel control or a pair of buttons the graph on page 00 shows, all interaction between them (bias leaking on the deck's wireless remote control. from the record head into the playback Relative changes in azimuth are shown three decks were flat within1 dB head, for example). Each Crystalloy visibly on the front panel display, and through the low and mid frequen- head has its own complete set of azi- the user adjusts the control by ear dur- cies. At the high end, the response of muth, zenith, and height adjustments, ing playback for the audibly best treble the Teac deck remained flat, drop- insuring that the head gaps can be performance. ping off only about 2 dB at the high- magnetically and physically aligned. Automatic playback -head azimuth est frequency. When the playback The 0.8 -micrometer playback gap and adjustment is also the first step in the azimuth control of the Nakamichi the 3.5 -micrometer record gap are op- microprocessor -controlled calibration was optimized for best treble,it timum for the tape speed. process designed to eliminate brand -to- showed a slight rise (again, about 2 Unique to the Nakamichi design is a brand (or batch -to -batch) differences dB) in the extreme high frequencies. pressure -pad lifter that pushes the felt among individual cassettes. Other steps pressure pad in the cassette shell out of include optimization of recording bias Results for both decks were com- the way entirely. Pressure pads are re- and equalization and compensation for pletely within normal tolerances. quired by most cassette decks to insure the different overall sensitivity of vari- that the tape and heads remain in inti- ous tape formulations. The entire auto - Using Dolby C, I judged all mate contact. Nalcamichi's transports calibration process takes about 15 sec- are designed to do without this assist- onds, after which the tape is rewound three decks to be capable of ance and thereby eliminate a possible to the point where the process began. source of modulation noise. The optimized settings for each tape making dubs of Compact The take-up capstan of the CR-7A is type are stored in memory until you Discs that were virtually direct -driven by a noncogging d.c. ser- decide to repeat the process. vomotor. The supply capstan is belt - Like most cassette decks today, the indistinguishable from the coupled, and it is slightly smaller (2.3 CR-7A will also automatically select orgginals at a reasonably rather than 2.5 millimeters in diame- the proper bias/equalization settings by ter) than the primary (take-up) cap- tape type for each cassette you insert. normal listening level. stan, which creates a closed loop that Unlike most, however, a manual over- simultaneously supplies tape tension to ride is also provided, which permits, for hold the tape against the heads and example, proper playback (or record- As received, however, the Yama- isolates any irregularities arising from ing) of some recent "audiophile" cas- ha K-1020 had a treble rolloff of 6 to the take-up and supply reel hubs. In settes that use Cr02-type tape but are 8 dB, a clear result either of jolting addition, differences in the size and designed for playback with ferric -type mass of the flywheels and the use of equalization. during shipping or of factory mis- dissimilar materials in the transport The electronic counter display on the alignment. A knowledgeable user mechanism prevent the development of CR-7A can be set to show elapsed time, with a collection of top-quality pre- reinforcing resonances that would be remaining time on the side, or conven- recorded tapes would suspect some- heard as wow -and -flutter. tional tape -counter units. Its level indi- thing was amiss and take it in for A second d.c. motor is used for the cators have twenty-four segments per service. But the average user would reel hubs. A third motor turns a cam channel, calibrated from -40 to + 10 probably dismiss that degree of system that applies or releases the dB, and the peak value can be held in loss-on playback of prerecorded brakes and engages or disengages the view for 2 seconds if desired. In addi- drive system without the customary tion to the regular record -level controls, tapes only-as "the limits of what noise and shock of solenoids. Finally, a a two -speed auto fade-in/fade-out sys- you can expect from mass-produced fourth motor is used for the automatic tem is provided, as are memory re- cassettes." Having a collection of playback -head azimuth adjustments. wind/play options, a record -mute but- calibrated tapes, properly demagne- Since cassette housings are generally ton, and a switch -selected infrasonic tized tiny screwdrivers, and long ex- not perfect, and since the record heads filter. perience,I took only minutes to realign the head and bring the deck

56 STEREO REVIEW MARCH 1986 back into specification (indeed, better than spec). This difficulty with the Yamaha unit, however, gave in- direct support for the value of the Nakamichi'suser -adjustableazi- HE Yamaha K-1020 is a three -head, three -motor muth, a feature that permits you to cassette deck that adds optimize playbackinstantly and the Dolby HX Professional and dbx easilyforallrecordedcassettes systems to the usual Dolby B and Dol- without need of any technical para- by C noise -reduction systems. It also phernalia. provides such advanced features as To provide a uniform basis for user -optimization of recording bias, an comparing the record -playback per- elapsed -time tape counter, and dual - formance of the three decks,all speed fast -forward and rewind modes. The switch -selectable noise -reduction were tested using exactly the same Made of long -wearing Sendust, the systems offered by the K-1020 include record and playback heads in the Dolby B, Dolby C, and dbx. The dbx cassettes, which were bulk erased K-1020 are electrically separate though system eliminates the last vestige of between each series of tests. The housed in a common physical casing. hiss from recordings. The deck also in- cassettesusedwerefactory -pro- The tape transport uses a closed -loop cludes Dolby HX Professional, a sys- vided "center of the line" samples dual -capstan system. A d.c. servomotor tem that extends the high -frequency ca- of TDK AD (ferric), TDK SA is used for the capstan drive. pacity of cassettes by dynamically vary- (chrome -type),and TDK MA A second d.c. motor is used for the ing the recording bias. (metal). The overall record -play- reel hubs themselves. The K-1020 is The electronic tape counter on the back responses, both at the IEC 0 - unusual in having a dual -speed fast - Yamaha K-1020 reads elapsed time di- dB level and at the customary test- forward and rewind transport. Pressing rectly in minutes and seconds. The re and then releasing either high-speed cord -level indicators, also electronic, ing level of -20 dB, are shown in button causes normal fast winding, but use eighteen segments per channel, cal- the graphs. At both levels, the Na- if the user holds the button down, the ibrated from -30 to + 20 dB. The un- kamichi deck was flat within 2 dB winding speed is increased by approxi- usually high upper limit reflects the inall the way down to 20 Hz. The mately 50 percent until the end of the clusion of the dbx system, which ex- Yamaha was down between 3 and 5 reel is near. At that point the transport tends the permissible input range. dB,stillvery good performance, automatically slows down to permit a The user -operated bias -optimization and the Teac from 5 to 6 dB, about gentle stop. Used with the mum/ system (which Yamaha calls ORBiT) what one expects at its price. Since SEARCH button, the fast -winding modes contains its own tone generator and in- few speakers reproduce the lowest automatically search for pauses be- dicator. In addition to left- and right - tween selections, at which the machine channel record -level controls, the K- musical octave, and few recordings will stop and commence playback. The 1020 includes a master fader, a play- include it anyway, the bass rolloff is K-1020 also contains a third d.c. motor back level control, a switched MPX fil- not audible in most cases, though to operate the brakes and the head ter, and the usual memory repeat/re- the differences among the three gate. wind options. decks are characteristic. At the high -frequency end, the contribution of Dolby HX Pro is evident in the top performance of the Yamaha unit at the 0 -dB level. HE Teac V-750 is a With TDK SA, slight tweaking of three -head, three -motor the bias controls of the Teac and cassette deck with Dolby Yamaha would have resulted in B and Dolby C noise reduction, user - flatter curves at -20 dB, but the operated bias optimization, and, in- deviations shown in the graph were creasingly rare these days, front -panel not judged sufficient to warrant ad- microphone inputs. The record and justments. With metal tape, the fre- playback heads are separate units in a common case with head gaps optimal override the factory settings. Since no quency responses of all three decks for their functions. tone generator or metering are pro- were essentially identical and al- A d.c. servomotor is used to drive the vided, however, the user must gauge most perfectlyflatfrom 60 to single capstan in the V-750. In order to the optimum -bias point by ear. 20,000 Hz. reduce wow -and -flutter, a separate mo- In addition to the normal pause con- The signal-to-noise measure- tor is used for reel take-up and fast trol, the V-750 includes a record -mute ments on the three decks are shown winding. A third d.c. motor-once a button that permits the user to record a inthe accompanying chart(the hallmark only of the most expensive silent space of 4 seconds or longer be- A -weightedandCCIR-weighted decks-is used instead of solenoids to tween selections. Such spaces are used operate the reel brakes and the head- by the V -750's program -counter feature measurements are the significant gate/pinch-roller assembly. to find the start of recorded selections ones). With Dolby B and Dolby C As with most of today's decks, cas- during fast winding. A memory -re the Nakamichi had a slight advan- settes are inserted into slides on the wind/replay feature is also included. tage over the other two units, but rear of the V -750's cassette -well door. The four -digit tape counter of the the differences (typically 1 to 3 dB) The well itself is illuminated, and the V-750 is electronic rather than me were hardly startling. The Yamaha's clear door cover makes for excellent la- chanical, but it indicates hub revolu- dbx circuitry, however, yielded an bel visibility. Sensors within the cas- tions only, not elapsed or remaining average 12 -dB improvement, clear- sette well detect the tape type of the time. The level indicator registers peak loaded cassette (ferric, chrome, or levels on a twelve -segment -per -channel ly far more of an edge. display that is calibrated from -20 to Similarly,the measured wow - metal) and switch the deck's equalization and bias circuitry accordingly. In +8 dB. Dolby B and Dolby C noise re- and -flutter figures, all good, speak addition, the V-750 provides a manual duction systems are switch selectable, more eloquently of the decks' simi- bias control that allows the user to as is the FM -multiplex filter. larity than their differences. The STEREO REVIEW MARCH 198657 C=:)F-2/N7T-1::::DF=2Y

NAKAMICHI YAMAHA TEAC Fast -forward time (C-60, seconds) 69 69/46* 73 Rewind time (C-60, seconds) 69 69/47* 75 Speed error +0.6% -0.6% +1.5% Wowand flutter (wrms/DIN peak - .028%/.048% .02%/.055% .022%/.049% weighted)

Line inputfor indicated 0 dB 45 37 77 (millivolts) Line output at indicated0 dB 900 330 540 (millivolts) Meter indication at IEC-standard +3 +4 +1 0 dB

TAPE: TDK AD (TYPE I, FERRIC) NAKAMICHI YAMAHA TEAC Distortion(third -harmonic) at IEC 0.8% 0.66%/0.04%** 1.25% 0 dB Meter indication at 3% distortion +6 + 7.2/ + 14.65* +2.8 Signal-to-noise ratios (decibels) unwtd. A-wtd. CCIR unwtd. A-wtd. CCIR unwtd. A-wtd. CCIR No noise reduction 52.2 57.0 54.5 49.5 56.7 54.2 51.0 55.7 52.9 Dolby B on 60.5 66.5 64.8 53.5 66.0 64.0 59.8 65.6 63.3 Dolby C on 63.4 72.6 74.0 54.0 72.0 72.2 62.6 71.4 72.5 dbx on 74.4 87.6 85.2

TAPE: TDK SA (TYPE II, CRO2-TYPE) NAKAMICHI YAMAHA TEAC Distortion(third -harmonic) at IEC 0.77% 1.25%/0.25%** 1.15% 0 dB Meter indication at 3% distortion +6.4 +6.2/+13.1** +3.6 Signal-to-noise ratios (decibels) unwtd. A-wtd. CCIR unwtd. A-wtd. CCIR unwtd. A-wtd. CCIR No noise reduction 55.4 59.9 57.4 49.5 57.9 55.5 54.4 58.4 55.6 Dolby B on 62.1 68.6 67.6 52.5 66.1 65.3 61.6 67.6 65.8 Dolby C on 65.0 75.3 76.4 53.5 73.0 73.3 63.8 74.5 74.7 dbx on 73.9 86.9 84.5

TAPE: TDK MA (TYPE IV, METAL) NAKAMICHI YAMAHA TEAC Distortion(third -harmonic) at IEC 0.45% 1.1%/0.26%** 1.05% 0 dB Meter indication at 3% distortion +8.7 + 7.0/ + 13.8** +4.3 Signal-to-noise ratios (decibels) unwtd. A-wtd. CCIR unwtd. A-wtd. CCIR unwtd. A-wtd. CCIR No noise reduction 56.8 61.4 59.0 49.5 58.5 55.9 54.9 58.7 55.7 DolbyB on 64.2 70.6 69.1 53.5 67.5 65.9 62.5 68.0 66.1 Dolby C on 67.2 76.9 78.2 54.5 73.8 74.1 65.0 74.9 75.1 dbx on 78.6 88.4 86.0

'with In31-11.111d button held in isee text) "with dbx at 'physical output level

Teac was atypically good for a sin- tape comparisons were relatively a reasonably normal listening level, gle -capstan deck in this respect; the easy to make. All analog copying you would be unaware that you Nakamichi, though well within its involves some loss of quality, so were listening to a tape copy rather specs, was a surprise in that it did none of the decks could make abso- than the CD original. not stand out in this measurement. lutely identical copies of wide -range To comparethethreedecks The Yamaha's measurements were Compact Discs. Nonetheless, using against each other I employed an about what I would have expected Dolby C noise reduction, I judged ABX blind -comparator switching from a well -designed dual -capstan all three units capable of making system. With this system you com- cassette deck. what I would call "virtually indis- pare two components, A and B, by tinguishable" dubs of theorigi- determining which sounds identical Listening Tests nals -close enough, in other words, to component X. The identity of X, Because all three decks are three - that if you entered the room with either A or B, is randomly deter- head units, individual source -vs. - the music playing and the volume at mined each time by a microproces-

58 STEREO REVIEW MARCH 1986 frequency responses with metal tape about this if you look at the frequen- were virtually identical from 60 to cy -response curves of the three ma- 20,000 Hz. chines below about 60 Hz-that is, The three decks were tested in in the bottom two musical octaves. P1,3114CXEINCHE OEMS ECSTAP/340 001 ST FATS pairs, simultaneously recording and Whether this difference could be 3 )20...,1f5 rIJ0 0 playing back various musical selec- heard withlessthan extremely -5 tions, including parts of the Schu- wide -range speakers (I use AR9's) is 50 100 500 It 55 a 3 bert Trout Quintet (Philips), the questionable, however. 0 Pachelbel Canon (L'Oiseau-Lyre), -3 F- Bach selections from "The Great EREOIIFEKY N lifREZ rr A 0 I Ct7A Organ at Methuen" (Telarc), the The Nakamichi consistently r 10.12 Yrk,441,1R 1020890EALM1005VOGAMNI opening of Strauss's Also sprach Za- produced less intrusive tape rathustra (Philips, on the Technics hiss, and it had a relative lack RE-CM/DANT/CR RESPONSE S "Digital Inspection" sampler), and 15 IINA0111ff I the finale, with cannon fire and of modulation noise and more 0 _,..". bells, of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Over- powerful bass response. 5 -N1,04.01 CI 7A ture (Telarc). _..411014 1020 0 % MACY 750 Using Dolby C,I could distin- '5 -X a guish no consistent sonic differences between the Yamaha and the On the other hand, in terms of 7570 So lob soo 3 51 10k 30. producing a dead -silent background MOVENCY IS MENU Teac decks. Each time I thought I could, I'd find I had guessed wrong at very high volume levels, the Ya- as often as right. Again, using Dol- maha's dbx system took top honors RECOIL PlAYPIC, RESPONSES 7.013ElS 5.1/nPf I by C, there was a consistently audi- hands down. Dolby C reduces hiss : & 25;^3E3, to the point where most people can ...... , ble, though not a startlingly large, 0.- sr. difference between either of these notice it distinctly only during the 5 NACAWC010 7. - VANY4.1020 decks and the Nakamichi. The dif- silent periods between musical se- PO RAC V730 ferencesIheard involved several lections, but only dbx can entirely 15 TO-....-..,_.__..._...-2 0 0 factors. eliminate hiss as an audible factor. 231. For one thing (as our measure- When listening to music with a .1b F70 500 II 5E A 20I FRECUERCV IN MERTZ ments confirmed), there were differ- percussive character (piano or tym- ences both in the level and frequen- pani, for example), it was some- cy distribution of the decks' residual times possible to hear slight varia- RECOR0,,WENO, RESPONSES WM. PREM noise. The character of the tape hiss tions in the background noise level 0, 0 (250.4.1 seemed less intrusive with the Na- created by the operation of the dbx 51M11.1 kamichi, both because it was quieter system itself. Known as "breathing" NAGMCNC11).--Wan - - KW.. 2010 or "pumping," the effect is more 10 MIoverall and because it had propor- WC 0.7.50 apparent to some listeners than to 15 tionately more bass content and -20a thus sounded less "hissy." others. Current dbx systems like the -MIMI r, - Second, with the Nakamichi unit one in the Yamaha are very nearly 20 HEOLFX.YN IOU solo -piano notes seemed to have a immune to audible "pumping," and clearer, more bell -likering, and I was able to detect it only in direct The playback frequency response (top small -ensemble strings seemed to comparisons with the Teac and Na- graph) of all three decks was flat within retain their individual identity and kamichi decks using Dolby C- I dB through the low and mid frequen- definition slightly better.I would which allowed ordinary hiss to be cies, with slight deviations by the Na- relate this effect to the relative lack perceptible. kamichi and Teac at the highest fre- of what iscalled "modulation" quencies. The Nakamichi had the flat- noise. Unlike tape hiss, modulation Still a Personal Choice test record -playback response in the lowest octave with all three tape types, noise (often called "noise behind Among so-called "purist" audio- but the three decks all had virtually flat the signal") varies in intensity with philes, it is axiomatic that any audi- response at -20 dB from 60 to 20,000 the recorded sound itself. Its pres- ble difference carries with it an infi- Hz with metal tape (bottom graph). ence tends to diminish the clarity of nite worth-a propositionIfind the reproduced sound or to add a plain silly. Despite the subtle differ- sonic character often characterized ences Iheard among these three as "graininess" or "grittiness." We decks, I would not hesitate to rec- have known since the days of open - ommend any of them. Each is of sor, which also records your correct reel that felt pressure pads used to excellent quality and worth a seri- and incorrect choices. hold the moving tape against the ous audiophile's consideration. In comparisons like these, level heads are prime causes of modula- As for whether there is really a differences must be (and were) scru- tion noise, and of the three decks $300 difference between the Yama- pulously avoided: only a few tenths tested the Nakamichi is the only ha and the Teac, or whether the of a decibel difference almost in- one that does without the pressure Nakamichi is worth almost twice variably make the louder unit ap- pad normally used with cassettes. the price of the Yamaha, that's up to pear to sound better. Levels were set The final difference I consistently you. It depends on how much value so that the playback outputs from found with Dolby C was more pow- you place on the differences in fea- the three decks were matched for erful bass response, as in organ tures and performance. As I'd have each channel within less than 0.1 pedals and canon shots, from the to say to my inquiring friends, dB. Identical metal tape cassettes Nakamichi than the Teac or the therefore, "You pays your money were used since the decks' measured Yamaha. There islittlemystery and you takes your choice." El

STEREO REVIEW MARCH 1986 59 Itersonal portable," "headphonegraphic equalizer, and an AM/FM stereo,"or"pocketstereo" stereo radio. Prices range from as equipment, callit what youlittle as $20 up to around $350, will, has come a long way sinceincludingtheheadphones.Dis- Sony introduced the first Walkmancounting is widespread, and the about six years ago. Its popularityprice break can be substantial in and wide acceptance are based on large metropolitan areas where re- an ability to produce eminently lis- tail competition is strong. tenable stereo sound in an excep- High -quality personal portables tionally convenient, affordable, and come from about a dozen major usually reliable format. manufacturers, who compete heavi- The current selection of personal ly at the lower end of the price portables is somewhat broader than range. Thus, you'll see many look - when STEREO REVIEW last surveyed alike models priced only a dollar or the marketplace in September 1983. two apart. But most suppliers also A round -up of the The equipment also comes in ahave one or two higher -perform- greater variety of sizes, with some- ance models that are more distinc- portable cauette decks thing to fit any shirt, jacket, or coattive and merit attention by audio- and radios that have pocket, and thepricerangeis philes. It's best to avoid unknown revolutionized listening broader, with models to fit any bud-brand names, especially those that get. Configurations range from FM - seem intended to suggest reputable, habits across the country only stereo radios barely larger than nationally advertised brands such a credit card to units that have dual as Panasonic, Toshiba, JVC, Aiwa, by Fred Petras autoreverse cassette player/record- or Sony(forinstance,"Pan-O- ers with Dolby noise reduction, a Sonique"). The major brands have service networks to tack up theircredible deg-ce of miniaturization, products; the unknowns generally wh ch seems c ver advancing to new don't. levels of compactness, as in today's The audio industry is noted for"credit -ca -d- radios and cassette introducing technolog cal advancesplayers little bigger than :he cas- on a "trickle -down" Dasis, first in settes thernsetves. high-priced home components, then in mid -priced equipment, and final-C(.ssetfe Dales ly in mass -market gear. That's why A majcr trend in personal -size we're now seeing in the personal -cassette players and recorders _n stereo category more and more of191;6 is the increasing -Ise of built- n such familiar home -component fea- graphic ecualzers. The inital offer- tures as graphic equalizers, Dolby B,ings we -e limited to thrce frequency 7-veh.bei'.- KT -4075 raai%a'- autoreverse, dynamic -range expan-bands-lcw, midrange, and high-sete er (5elow, far left, sion,andmetal -tapeplayback butth.-ee:vmpaniei now have and Aora's HS -G500 equalization (even metal recording -mcdels w.th lye -bane Equalizers. cc...539te play.n (center, $110) bias settings in a few models). Tosh ba's KT -407 ($130),an leer hcndy fite-band graphic The latest wrinkles that may soonAM/FM ste-E o radiorcasse:te play- e4i.a.izt-rs, an.l Panasonic's 3c-HD/9ccsiette vlayer/re- be widely adopted are remote con-er, offers ± 10 dB of tone adjust-ccrdu 'right, 5200) ha:: an trol (available in two Aiwa models),ment c nterei at 100, 300, 1,0130, AM/71111ziwr pack and twin solar -power operation (in a radio3,300 and 10,000 Hz. The autore- ccssete well-. All three have from Nlura), and dual transports (in verse deck also includes Dolby B, issiteneverse cr d a wick range cassette players from Panasonic and anan-i-rol iigmechanism,and Yeatures-the Aiwa Sony). Of course, inherent inall awo stop, anc_ there are LED indica- even has a remote .7ontroL pocket -stereo equipment is an in-tors for tape direction and FM ster- HOPPINGfor a personal stereo also namic headphones, such as those means shopping for a store with a meant for home use, to determine how wide product selection and patient well a player reproduces the full tonal salespeople willing to let you per- SUPPING SIO OTER range. Be sure you are totally familiar form certain tests on the equipment be- with how the cassette sounds on a fore you buy. home audio system so you'll have a The ideal cassette player/recorder valid listening reference. After connect- has a stable tape -drive system and ing the headphones (you may need an minimal wow -and -flutter. With a por- adaptor plug), listen carefully and com- table, it's easy to check for these in a pare what you hear with your aural store. Just shake, twist, and turn the cies. The players most likely to pass memory of the music as played on the player while it's playing a cassette, first your "torture" tests are those with so- home system. The closer it comes to gently and slowly, then vigorously. If called "anti -rolling" mechanisms, a the reference sound, the better. the sound wavers significantly when feature well worth its extra cost. A test to determine the inherent sig- the player is handled gently, avoid that Even if you don't listen to music at nal-to-noise ratio of a portable player unit. To insure that a set will function loud levels, your cassette player's am- can be conducted with a blank tape well while you're jogging, hold it at plifier should be able to handle the that has a nonmagnetic leader. The your side as you briefly run in place on brief peaks on well -recorded cassettes background noise level of the tape is the sales floor. If the sound fades in without distortion. To evaluate this the reference noise level to which you and out or "wobbles" in any way, quality, use fresh batteries (four AA will compare the noise levels of players don't buy. and four AAA alkaline cells will cover under consideration. Fast -wind the Even the highest -priced portables most needs) and a cassette recorded blank cassette so that only about a may exhibit some sound degradation with various test tones or solo flute, minute of tape is left.to play, then when handled roughly, but they will clarinet, or similar music. With the press the play button and turn the vol- play properly under ordinary circum- headphones positioned off your ears to ume level up high. The hiss you will stances. Essentially, choose a player protect them against high volume lev- hear is a combination of the player's that is least affected by motion when els, slowly turn up the player's level noise level and the background noise of playing on the go. Ideal for such test- control until you hear the music dis- the tape. As the magnetic tape changes ing are cassettes recorded with music tort. The sound level should be very to nonmagnetic leader, the noise level that is totally familiar to you. The best loud before any distortion is audible. will drop noticeably. The greater the music for a test tape is solo piano since You'll need a high -quality cassette drop, the lower the inherent playback it quickly reveals transport inadequa- recording and a set of high -quality dy- noise level of the player.

eo. The headphones are collapsible review of speech recordings. Other Deck 1 is for playback only, but for easy carrying. personal portables in various con- Deck 2 can either play tapes or Aiwa's HS -G500 cassette player figurations feature three bands of record from the tuner pack or a cas- ($110) offers equalization in the equalization, includingSanyo's sette in Deck1. A single -motor same five bands as the Toshiba MGR80, MGR70, and MGP30, drive system insures the same tape along with Dolby B, autoreverse, Panasonic's RF-11, RF-110, and speed in both transports, and they anti -rolling, rewind/auto play, and RX-I 930, General Electric's 3-5435, can be synchronized with a Synchro metal -tape capability. In addition, it Dubbing Start feature. In the dub- is said to be the first personal porta- bing mode, the motor shuts off ble to have a wired remote control, automatically when the tapein a feature of particular value to jog- Pocket stereo prices Deck 1 comes to an end. gers and those who carry their rangefrom as little as Both decks in the Panasonic RX- players in a closed bag. Another HDIO have Dolby B and metal -tape Aiwa model with remote control is $20 to around $350, playback capability. Deck 2 has au- the HS -J500 ($170), an autoreverse including, headphones. toreversealso, and thereverse - player/recorder with Dolby B, anti - Discounting is mode selector enables sides A and B rolling, an AM/FM stereo radio, either to be played consecutively and twin headphone jacks. widespread, and the onceorrepeatedcontinuously. The third model to offer five - price break can be large. Sony's dual -transport portable, the bandequalizationisUnitech's WM-W800 ($180), is also equipped Mini -2010 cassette player with AM/ with Dolby B and has a playback FM stereo tuner pack ($60). deck on one side, a playback/record Sharp has three models with four - and Sony's WM-F18. deck on the other. It can be used for band equalization providing up to In the deluxe, multi -use category regular recording or playback, as a 10 dB of boost or cut centered at is Panasonic's RX-HDIO ($200), a dubbing deck, or to play sides con- 100, 500, 2,000, and 10,000 Hz. The dual -transportcassetteplayer/re- secutively from separate tapes in its top -of -the -line JC-790 ($149.99) is corder with an AM/FM stereo tuner two wells. an autoreverse cassette player with pack. It features an ingenious fold- Audiophiles seeking component - a built-in AM/FM stereo tuner, ing design in which the two cassette level sound quality in a personal Dolby B, and a fast -playback system wells open out like flaps for inser- portable should consider Sony's de- (1.3 times normal speed) for quick tion of cassettes or the tuner pack. luxe WM-D6C Professional cassette

62 STEREO REVIEW MARCH 1986 When conducting this test, use the In your evaluations, check for smooth, and rechargeable nickel -cadmium bat- same blank tape and headphones for hassle -free movement of the controls, teries If you usually use your portable all players, and set the volume at the paying particular attention to the tun- at ho.'ne. in the office, or in other sta- same subjective level while the magnet- ing knob. Can you zero in on a station tionary applications, the most economic part of the tape is playing. Be sure precisely without breaking a fingernail? ical way to operate it is with an a.c. that the player's equalization switch (if If you can't, reject that model. Also power adaptor, available as an option it has one) is in the correct position to look for models that can easily be oper- for virtually all models. match the test tape, and if the set has ated with one hand, a mark of good Dolby noise reduction, turn it off for human engineering. the test. To check the Dolby circuits, If you intend to "wear" your person- play a properly encoded tape with the al portable using a belt clip, carrying Dolby switch alternately on and off case or cradle, or an arm hand, make The background noise should be sub- sure that its orientation is sensible and stantially less when the switch is on. that it fits your body contours. Be care- Most portable FM radios use the ful of models that clip to your belt hori- headphone cord as an antenna. To test zontally,- they may protrude awkwardly reception quality under varying signal compared with vertically oriented sets. conditions, move around in the store Make sure that the carrying or attach- while listening to the radio. Orient the ment devices do not obstruct controls headphone cord in various directions and operation. and note whether reception quality suf- If you use your personal portable offers. Compare the models you're con- ten or for long listening sessions and sidering in terms of how many stations have a choice of battery types, buy the they can receive clearly with minimum alkaline. They'll cost substantially distortion. A good feature is a stereo/ more than standard or carbon -zinc bat- mono control that automatically teries, but they'll last far longer and de- switches to mono when stereo reception liver a more consistent power level over is poor, but make sure that when the a longer period. To get the freshest bat- set switches to mono the background teries possible, buy them at a store that noise drops noticeably. does a brisk business. For the utmost Ease of operation is important to in operating economy for on -the -go your enjoyment of a personal portable. use, consider buying a battery charger recorder. Its many features include Called"theworld'ssmallest market today which is powered by Dolby C as well as Dolby B, a Walkman," Sony's SRF-201 ($75 the sun and requires no batteries." quartz -lock transport speed control, with battery charger) is an FM -only The AM/FM radio comes with two an LED record -level indicator, a radio the height and width of a cred- brightly colored removable jogging pitch control, and bias/EQ selection it card but slightly thicker at 48 Inch. straps and a shirt -pocket clip to for normal, chrome, and metal tape. It weighs only 1.2 ounces including accommodate active users such as It lists for $350, possibly the highest its two Ni-Cad batteries. Like most joggers and bicyclists. price for any personal -stereo prod- Music lovers who want to hear uct on the market. their favorite sounds outdoors no matter what willappreciate the Radio Anywhere It's best to avoid weather -resistant personal portables There's a trend toward smaller unknown brands and from Toshiba and Sony. While not and smaller one-piece, combination totally waterproof, the headsets will radio/headphone portables. For ex- stick with reputable, defy moisture if you wear them ample, Toshiba's FM -only RP -2030 nationally advertised while jogging in the rain, skiing, ($60) weighs a mere1.7 ounces ones, which have service shooting rapids, or engaging in oth- without the single AAA battery it er open-air activities (don't take needs to operate. A folding head- networks to back up them scuba -diving, though). Toshi- band makes it easy to slip into a their products. ba's RT-KS1 ($150) is a deluxe AM/ pocket. Panasonic's FM -only RF- FM/cassette player thatfeatures H5A ($63) weighs 1.9 ounces with- Dolby B, autoreverse, anti -rolling, out the two AAA batteries it needs, auto shutoff, metal/chrome-tape ca- and it also comes with a collapsible pocket radios, its antenna is built pability, and folding headphones. headband. Sony's SRF-FM2 ($40) is into the headphone cord. Panason- Sony offers the WM-75 Walkman a 3.6 -ounce FM radio that sports a ic's near credit -card -size radio is the Sports ($130), the tape -only WM-75 flexible whip antenna. It can oper- AM/FM stereo SoundCard RF- ($100), and the FM -only shirt -pock- ate for 17 hours on one pair of AA H25, which plays for 5 hours on one et -sized SRF-5 ($65). batteries.Othertrulyminiature charge of its built-in Ni-Cad battery models are the Toshiba RP -2020, ($100 including charger). Accessories the General Electric 7-1285, and the Mura's Sun Stepper ($40) is said While most personal portables of- Sanyo RP80. to be "the only stereo radio on the fer good sound through their sup -

STEREOREviewMARCH 1986 63 Sony's WM-D6C ($350)features DolbyB, Dolby C, quartz -lock transport speed control, an LED record -level indicator, pitch control, and bias I EQ selection for normal, chrome, and metal tape.

plied headphones, you can often get sonic's RX-S38 ($120) comes with similar system is available for the even better sound by using better - twodetachablebattery -powered same price under the Unitech brand quality headphones from manufac- minispeakers, enabling the AM/ name. turers who specialize in these prod- FM/cassette player/recorder to Bose's RM-1 RoomMate ampli- ucts. You may experience "price -tag function both as a portable with the fied speaker systems ($260 per pair) shock" when you learn that some supplied headphones and also as the are designed to make personal por- models cost more than the radio/ center of a micro home audio sys- tables operate somewhat like full- cassette player you plan to use them tem. Each speaker has a 21/2 -inch size audio systems when they're not with, but extended listening will re- driver and an LED power/battery being carried around. The speakers veal the advantages of the pricier indicator. Four AA batteries power each contain a 41/2 -inch full -range headsets. the speakers, and two AA's operate driver and measure 6 x 6 x 9 inches. You can listento high -quality the radio/cassette deck. Other fea- One of them contains an equalized headphones for several hours with- tures include one -touch recording, stereo amplifier that operates on out experiencing "sound fatigue," autoreverse,metal -tape playback, house current; the inputs connect to an effect that may occur after only chrome/normal-tape recording and the headphone jack of any personal an hour or so with the headphones playback,cue -and -review,pause portable. The speakers can sit on a suppliedwithmostportables. control, and a stereo microphone shelf or table, or optional mounting You'll also hear nuances, especially input. arms can be used to clamp them to a in classical music, that may not Other manufacturers offer acces- desk, the headboard of a bed, or the have been apparent from listening sory speakers that can be used with top of a bookcase. with the set's original headphones. anypersonalportable.Mura's Deluxe stereo headphones are also Sound Stepper ($40) is a compact Music to Go generally more solidly constructed, portable speaker outfit that consists Even with just the supplied head- with headbands that are easier to of two powered mini -speakers in a phones, name -brand personal por- adjust, earpieces that fit better, and nylon carrying case with shoulder tables produce surprisingly good connectors that are less likely to strap. There's a center compartment sound from increasingly small pack- break or loosen. for a personal portable and room for ages. Audiophiles may belittle the Another way to expand your lis- some cassettes. The two-way speak- sound as "mid-fi" (or worse), but it tening pleasure from a personal por- ers have 31/2 -inch woofers and 1 I/4 - seems certain that people will con- table is with miniature loudspeakers inch tweeters, and they operate ei- tinue to enjoy hearing what they that attach to the radio/cassette ther on four C cells or with an want, when they want it, wherever

player for a "big" sound. Pana- optional a.c. adaptor. An essentially they happen to be.

64STEREO REVIEW MARCH 1986 BILA)K TAPE MI\G GLIDE

BY WILLIAM BURTON WITH RICHARD KRUEGER AND WENDY SCHAUB

CASSErTEtape is the primary audio recording manufacturers. Because of the competitiveness medium, much more popular than the larg- of the blank -tape market and the shifting rela- er open -reel and the smaller microcassette tionship of the dollar and the Japanese yen, the formats. This guide includes the three main prices given are subject to change. The actual formats of audio tape -cassette, open -reel, and prices in the stores are set by the dealers, but the microcassette-plus the odd minicassette and manufacturers' suggested prices can serve as eight -track cartridge. guidelines for making comparisons. All the information given here, including the The names and addresses of blank -tape manu- suggested retail prices, was provided by the facturers can be found on page 68.

Microcassette FR (C-60). 60 min $6.35 BASF $ 3.99 FR (C-90). 90 min $8.60 Metal IV Cassettes M-60. 60min Metal -particle tape for Type 1V/metal settings. FR -H Series Cassettes ME -IV C-120 $7.79 UX I Cassette Normal -bias premium tape. Chromium -dioxide cassettes with tensilized $3.99 polyester base; designed for Type 11/Cr02 bias. LH Maxima I Cassettes UX-90. 90min Ferric tape with high MOL for increased S/N 70 -,&sec EQ; packaged in hinged plastic box. DENON FR -II (C-46). 46 min $3.95 and low distortion. HDM Metal Cassettes FR -II (C-60). 60 min $4.35 90 min $2.79 Featuring ultra -fine pure metal particles. an ul- FR -II (C-90). 90min $5.95 60 min $2.19 tra -wide window, and cleaning leader. HDM-90. 90min $6.50 FR -I Series Cassettes Chromdioxid Maxima H Cassettes HDM-60. 60min S5.00 Ferric formulation with tensilized polyester base; High -densitychrome formulation,precision designed for ferric/normal/Type I bias, shell. HD8 High -Bias Type H Cassettes 1.20-asec EQ; packaged in hinged plastic box. min $4.79 C-90. 90 All HD tapes feature a hybrid of metal particles FR -I (C-46). 46min $3.95 C-60. 60 min $4.59 and cobalt -doped ferric. Includes an ultra -wide FR -I (C-60). 60min 54.35 Chromdioxid Extra H Cassettes window. FR -I (C-90). 90min $5.95 Pure chrome for lowest noise, high output HD8-90. 90 min $4.75 $3.75 90 min $3.59 HD8-60. 60min DR Series Cassettes DR (C-46). 46 mm $2.35 60 min $2.89 HD7 High -Bias Cassettes DR (C-60). 60 mm $/75 Cobalt -doped ferric Type 11 cassettes with ultra - LH Extra I Cassettes DR (C-90). 90 mm $3.80 Ferric position. Extended S/N over entire fre- wide window. DR (C-120). 120min $5.30 HD7-90. 90 min $4.00 quency range. HD7-60. 60min $3.00 GT-II Series Cassettes 90 min $1.89 High -bias, 70-#1.sec EQ. Heat -resistanttape. 60 min $1.59 HD6 High -Bias Cassettes shell, and plastic case. Dual -spring pressure pad. High -biasType IIcassetteswithultra -wide Ferro LH Open -Reel Tape C-46. $4.95 window. $5.45 Open -reel ferric tape for general recording. C-40. $7.45 7' Reel. 1,800 ft $9.I9 HD6-90. 90 min $3.25 C-90. HD6-60. 60 min $2.50 GT-I Series Cassettes Ferro Super LH Open -Reel Tape DX4 Ferric Normal Cassettes Normal -bias.120-tisec EQ car audio cassette Back -coated, clear leader ferric tape. Normal -bias cobalt -doped ferric Type I tape with with heat -resistant tape, shell, and clear plastic 7' Reel. 1,800 ft $11.99 ultra -wide window. case; tensilized polyester backing. DX4-90. 90 min. $4.00 min $4.45 Chrome EE Open -Reel Tape GT (C-46). 46 DX4-60. 60min. $3.00 min $4.95 Back -coated chrome tape for EE -capable decks. GT (C-60). 60 GT (C-90). 90min $6.95 7' Reel. 1,800 ft $19.69 FUJI FRSeries Metal Cassettes IRISH CERTRON Metal -coated tape with tensilized polyester base; HighOutput Cassettes Endless Cassette designed for metal bias, 70 -user EQ; packaged in Precision shell, ferric cassette in Norelco box. 30 -sec endless cassette. hinged plastic box. XR-90. 90 min $2.70 EC -30 $4.99 FR (C-46). 46 min $5.75 XI -60. 60 min $2.10

STEREO REVIEW MARCH 198665 BLANK TAPE Low -Noise Cassettes LIGHT SUPPLY Accessories Precision shell, ferrous cassette in Norelco box. MR -10.10.5"precisionmetalreel, NAB LN-90. 90 min Ferric Cassettes $2.15 hub $13.49 LN-60. 60 min Ferric cassettes with 120-nsec EQ. Digital ready SI.75 with NR. Said to have very high resolution of MR -7M. 7'precisionmetalreel,standard LN-30. 30 min $1.50 treble. hub $8.29 C-120 Concert Length. I 20 -minute cassette$5 PR -7. 7' plastic reel, standard hub $3.09 JVC Four C-120 Cassettes $15 ME -PH Cassette Tape MEMOREX BY MEMTEK .Metal -particle tape with high magnetic density MAXELL CDX H High -Bias Cassettes and high particle acicularity for high MOL. Metal Cassettes Metal tape for high -bias (Type II) setting. Supe- C-90.90 min $16.95 Metal bias/EQ. rior tape for recording CD's or other digital MX -46. 46 min $3.79 sources at high -bias. DA7 High -Bias Cassette Tape 70-nsec setting. Greater MX -60. 60 min $4.39 headroom for distortion -free reproduction at sig- Tape combines two layers of high-energy cobalt - MX -90. 90 min $5.89 nificantly higher recording levels than conven- treated particles. tional high -bias tapes. New permanent reference C-90. 90 min - $7.45 XLII-S Epitaxial Cassettes cassette mechanism shell. C-60. 60 min $5.25 High-level bias; 70-nsec EQ. C-90 $4.99 XLII-S60.60 min $3.59 DA3 Normal -Bias Cassette Tape XLII-S90.90 min $4.59 HBX H High -Bias Cassettes ,Vormal-bias tape, designed for recording music; has two layers of magnetic coating; one with High-performance .ferric/cobalt tape for use at XLI-S Epitaxial Cassettes high -bias 70-n.sec setting. Higher MOL's, greater high coercivity and one with high magnetic flux Normal bias; I20-nsec F.Q. sensitivity compared to standard high bias and density. Requires 120-Asec EQ. XLI-S60. 60 min $3.59 C-90. 90 min Cr02 tapes. New permanent reference -cassette $6.95 XLI-S90. 90 min $4.59 mechanism. C-60. 60 min $4.75 HBX II High Bias C-90 $3.79 XL -I Epitaxial Cassettes HBX II (1)pe II) C-60 $2.99 Fl Cassette Tape Normal bias; l20-usec EQ. Popular series. Low noise, normal bias. XLI-60. 60 min $2.99 NB H High -Bias Cassettes C-90. 90 min $3.95 XL1-90. 90 min $3.69 Premium tape for high -bias 70-p.sec EQ position. C-60. 60 min $2.95 Improved low -end MOL, greater sensitivity, per- XL -II Epitaxial Cassettes manent reference cassette mechanism. KONICA Chrome type; high-level bias; 70-usec EQ. HBII High -Bias C-90 $3.29 Metal Cassette Tapes XL11-46. 46 min 52.99 HB II (Type II) C-60 $2.59 60 min $5.49 XLII-60. 60 min $3.09 90 min $6.79 XL11-90. 90 min $3.69 MRX I Normal -Bias Cassettes Premium normal -bias tape. Full lifetime GM -II High -Bias Cassette Tapes UHD-I Normal -Bias Cassettes warranty. 6n $2.99 Features phase accuracy shell, frictionless slip C-120 $3.99 0 min $3.59 sheets. Quin-Lok hubs, cleaning leader. C-90 $2.99 UDS-I-46 $2.19 C-60 $2.39 GM -I Normal -Bias Cassette Tapes UDS-1-60 $2.39 C-45 $2.19 60 min $2.99 UDS-I-90 $3.09 C-30 $2.09 90 min $3.59 UDS-H Higb-Bias CrOi Cassettes db Series Cassettes ML Normal -Bias Cassette Tapes Features phase -accuracy shell, frictionless slip Quality normal -bias tape for general recording 60 min $1.89 sheets, Quin-Lok hubs, cleaning leader. of voice or music. Full lifetime warranty. 90 min $2.59 UDS-II-46 $2.I9 C-90 $2.49 120 min $3.29 UDS-II-60 $2.39 C-60 SI.99 UDS-11-90 $3.09 Metal IV Cassettes LASER BY SWIRE MAGNETICS UR Normal -Bias Cassettes Pure metal formulation for better high -frequency Laser XL Cassettes UR-46.46 min $1.39 performance. Normal -bias ferric cassettes with extra low noise. UR-60. 60 min SI.49 C-90 $6.39 For voice or music. UR-90.90 min $1.72 C-120. 120 mm $2.49 UR-120. 120 min $2.59 Mkrocassettes C-90. 90 min $1.89 MC -60 Metal Music -Micro.Pure metal tape C-60. 60 min $1.49 .Mkrocassettes formulation. 60 min. $7.19 C-45. 45 min $1.39 .Vormal bias. MC -60 MRX Music -Micro. For recording mu- MC-46UD2PK(2 per card) $5.59 sic at 'normal"setting. 60 min. $3.99 Laser UHD-I Cassettes MC-60UD2PK (2 per card) $5.89 MC -60 MMC Dictation -Micro. Dictation Normal -bias ferric cassettes with high-energy, microcassette for general-purpose recording. 2 high -density formulation. Open -Reel Tapes cassettes per card $3.72 C-90.90 min $2.59 C-60. 60 min $1.99 XLII Open -Reel Tapes Designed for use with EE -tape -capable decks. NAKAMICHI Laser UHD-II Cassettes XLII 35-90. 1,800 ft $15.89 ZX Reference Cassette Tape High -biasferric cassettes with high-energy, ex- XLII35-180. 3,600 ft $43.39 Metalloy (metal -particle) formulation forrecord- tended frequency response. ing on metal -compatibledecks only: features ul- C-90.90 min $2.59 XLI Back -Coated Open -Reel Tapes tra -high coercivity and retentivity for improved C-60.60 min $1.99 XLI 50-60B. 1,200 ft,r reel $10.19 distortion and MOL; 70-psec EQ. XLI 50-120B. 2,500 ft,10.5'reel $30.89 ZX-C60. 60 min S6.50 XLI 35-90B. 1,800 ft, 7" reel $11.99 ZX-C90.90 min $9.00 XLI 35-180B. 3,600 ft, 10.5" reel $33.49 SX II Reference Cassette Tape Ultra -Dynamic Open -Reel Tapes Double -coated ionized cobalt and ferric -oxide UDSO-60. 1,200 ft, T' reel $8.29 formulation. Cr02 bias and EQ (70 ;ism). UD50-120. 2,500 ft, 10.5' reel $26.29 SX1I-C60. 60 min $5.85 UD35-90. 1,800 ft, 7' reel $8.59 SXII-C90. 90 min $8.00 UD35-180. 3,600 ft, 10.5' reel $26.59 UD25-120. 2,500 ft, 10.5" reel $10.79 SX ReferenceCassette Tape UDI8-180. 3,600 ft, 10.5' reel $11.69 Single -coated ionized cobalt and ferric oxide formulation; high coercivity permits use of Cr0,11 proved low frequency output and clarity. 5 -screw bias and EQ (70 µsec) for 4-5 dB better signal -to- high -impact polymer shell houses an inner as- noise ratio. sembly with specially made low -friction roller SX-C60. 60 min $4.00 guides: album package. SX-C90. 90 min $5.85 60 min $2.40 90 min $2.99 EX II Reference Cassette Tape Single -coated ferricobalt formulation; same bias BX Cassettes and EQ (120 µsec) as EX tape; extra -low noise. 44-602. 60 min $1.99 Ferric -oxide formulation for all-purpose cassette high output. 44-601. 30 min $1.59 use; polyester base. 5 -screw high -impact polymer EXII-C60. 60 min $3.70 shell featuring low -friction roller guides. New FXII-C90. 90 min $5.40 Concertape Cassettes: 3 -Packs global packaging. 44-614. 120 min $4.99 ea. 60 min $1.69 44-613. 90 min $3.59 ea. 90 min $1.95 PDMAGNETICS 44-606. 30 min $1.99 ea. High -Grade Line 44-607. 60 min $2.59 ea. Audio cassette line with choice of three particle SONY formulations;clear 5 -screwshell.Recording Concertape Cassettes: Singles ES Metal Cassette specs as compared (+ or -) to appropriate /EC 44-620. 90 min $1.25 ea. Type 11/ position (70 -µsec EQ) reference tape. 44-605. 60 min $88 ea. ES -90. 90 min $11.50 500 Crolyn HG Cassettes Chromium dioxide. Type II. MOL + 1.5 dB, Open -Reel Tape UCX-S Series Cassettes sens +0.5 dB, S/N +2.5 dB at 315 Hz; S/N 44-1880. 7 -inch reel, 3,600 ft $11.49 Type II position (Cr°, high bias. 70 -µsec EQ) + 2.5 dB at 10,000 Hz. Coercivity 500 oersteds: 44-1877. 7 -inch reel, 1,800 ft $6.49 UCX-S 60. 60 rein $5.00 retentivity 1.900 Gauss; squareness ratio .85. 44-1878. 7 -inch reel, 1,200 ft $5.79 UCX-S 90. 9(1 rein $7.00 90 min. Overall thickness 12 microns $3.99 44-1872. 5 -inch reel, 900 ft $3.99

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68STEREO REVIEW MARCH 1986 1 MITCHELL BY ALANNA NASH

I'Msure you can't say that all handicaps can be overcome by spirit, but I really believe that a lot of them can."

ROBERTA JOAN ANDERSONwas an called on to perform another near miracle athleticnine -year -old when the :ast year, when, after a decade of low -to - polio epidemic hit western Canada moderate sales and quirky, avant-garde ex- in 1952. By the time she got out of perimentalism, the singer decided to resur- the hospital, her spine "looked like rect her career with an all-out, Big Business a freeway after an earthquake," and the push, alaTina Turner. Predictably, most muscles in her back and right leg were so of the record industry had about the same withered that the doctors said she'd never prognosis for her success as the long -ago walk again. The nine -year -old, however, doctors had for her dancing. had other plans. But Mitchell ignored industry doubts, the "The fact of the matter is that I was, I same way she'd discounted the effects of am, crippled from it, bu: I just pretended polio, and went on to produce "Dog Eat like it wasn't there," says Anderson, who Dog," a beautifully crafted and intelligent grew up to become Joni Mitchell, one of appraisal of American culture in decline. popular music's most significant singer - Released toward the end of last year, the songwriters. "I got through my youth and album had critics somewhat divided. Some my teens without any real problem-never put it on their "year's best" lists, while oth- missed a dance. I'm sure you can't say that ers, expecting perhaps her acoustic or jazz - allhandicaps can be overcome by spirit," pop formats cf old, quarreled with its mod- she adds, chain-smoking her third Camel of ern, synth -rock, audio -effect framework. the interview, "but I really believe that a lot Most reviewers, however, see it as a relent- of them can." lessly inventive collage of sound, rhythm, Mitchell'sindomitable"spirit"was and lyrics and an album that ranks with

STEREO REVIEW MARCH 1986 69 JONI MITCHELL "Blue" and "Court and Spark" as a with each album, and her singing From her most widely hailed ef- milestoneinMitchell'seighteen likewise grew confident and daring. fort,however,Mitchellspiraled years of recording. By the time of "Blue" (released on down with "The Hissing of Summer As a result, Mitchell, at forty-two, the Reprise labelin1971),her Lawns" (1975), in retrospect a bril- is doing something she's always re- fourth album, Mitchell had devel- liant album but ahead of its time. fused to do, and that is to go out and oped into a startlingly mature writ- Universally drubbed for its use of personally hawk an album. In the er, fusing intensely intimate lyrics polyrhythms, Burundi drums, mo- flesh, she is something of a surprise. with emotional melodies in the con- dality, and unconventional song Her blond hair is no longer folkie- temporary folk tradition. structure, the album began a com- long and straight but medium -short It was her fifth album, "Court and mercial decline from which Mitch- and curly. Wearing a black beret, a ell is only now recovering. black jumpsuit with purple stripes, Mitchell surveys the general "Hissing" was followed by "Heji- and short, black, lace -up boots, she state of things and finds ra" (1976), a jazz -laced album of is both beatnik and brainy, charm- romantic introspection; "Don ing and offbeat, with a strong Cana- rampant moral decay: Juan's Reckless Daughter" (1977), a dian accent. She is also quicksilve- government intervention in wandering collection of formless ry-open, giddy, polite, even vul- jazz; and "Mingus" (1979), a tribute nerable one moment, and very, very private lives, Yu ' to jazz great Charlie Mingus, which cool the next as she stands with her materialism, and the brought her scorn and ridicule from arms folded, smoke -smoke -smok- htening symbiosis of both jazz and pop circles. ing that Camel and watching the Three years ago, Mitchell tried video for Good Friends, her first politics and religion. again,with "Wild Things Run single off "Dog Eat Dog." Fast." The album won back some of The funny thing, she says, sipping the old fans with a pop, rock, and black coffee at the Warners Bros. Spark" (1974), however, that really jazz orientation that was reminis- Records office in New York, is that showed what she could do. No long- cent of her early Seventies work. after all these years of invisibility er content to stay within the narrow But if anyone thought she was about she finds she loves talking to people, confines of acousticfolk music, to repeat herself, they did not know even the press-doing as many as Mitchell ferreted out a complemen- Joni Mitchell very well. Her next ten interviews in a row on one ban- tary clutch of jazz -pop musicians album would take a180 -degree ner day. "I'm in promo mode," she (led by Tom Scott) who understood turn, from musings on love and explains with a wide smile. "I want the unorthodox chords she em- romance to Mitchell's most overtly peopleto know therecordis ployed in her open tunings on the political statement yet. there." guitar. Full of emotional rushes, ro- "Dog Eat Dog" is an angry album, With her first album, in 1968, mantic surges, and tight but well - one that fairly seethes with outrage twenty -five -year -old Joni Mitchell paced music, "Court and Spark" as Mitchell surveys the general state appeared to be a bell-bottomed (on Asylum) was a thrilling synthe- of things and finds rampant moral folkie with a poetic eye and a sure sis of rock, pop, and jazz, an album decay: government intervention in knack for storytelling. Her songs that assured Mitchell's position in private lives, Yuppie materialism, grewmusically more ambitious the annals of popular music. Moral Majority censorship,Star Wars sensibility, and the frightening Mitchell, shown here with singer Richie Havens, is both charming and offbeat. symbiosis of politics and religion. These subjects may seem light years away from Mitchell'sbest -loved work-confessional, highly personal songs of romance, self -obsession, and delusion-but in truth all of the new songs do have autobiographical roots. The tone of the album comes from two experiences. The first involves an "unfair" California state tax levied in 1982 against Mitchell and nine other musicians who had artistic -control clauses in their recording contracts. The levy de- manded 15 percent of Mitchell's in- come between 1972 and 1976 in back taxes. "Now I know firsthand what it is to be dealt an injustice by the government," saysMitchell, who has retained her Canadian citi- zenship. "I got my advance [on a new five-year Geffen recording contract], and the state of California 70STEREO REVIEW MARCH 1986 said, 'Thank you very much. That's power in the industry, pressured her exactly what you owe us.' I'm telling to bring in a co-producer-some- you, it was like finding out that thing she had not had to do since Daddy goes to hookers." her debut album. At about the same time, Mitchell In the end, British electronics wiz- married bassist Larry Klein (she ard Thomas Dolby came in as a was divorced from Detroit folk "color assistant," sharing produc- singer Chuck Mitchell in the late er's credit with Mitchell, Klein, and Sixties) and settled in for a "normal engineer Mike Shipley on all but American year, spending a lot of three songs. The recording sessions, for the album lasted from February "Writing is very confronting to September. "This was one of the most diffi- work. A misunderstanding cult albums I ever had to make," or a need to comprehend she says, knitting her eyebrows. "I something within yourself had never done any kind of work with a committee where, instead of drives you to sit up all night. just going with my natural enthu- It's only rewarding when siasm for something, there were four strong opinions to consider- the muse coughs up and a lot of opposition. But fre- something right." quently. because of the delay and irritation, just like sand in an oyster, a pearl was born." time at home, watching a lot of tele- Some of the shiny, austere sounds vision." In fact, Mitchell says, she on the album-the percussive whir not another job in the world you would have called the album "Songs of a cigarette machine on Smokin' would want. of a Couch Potato" except for the (Empty, Try Another) or the street "Sometimes I start to feel that the seriousness of her message. Believ- ambience of a burglar alarm on The gods are smiling," she says, sounding now that "the government is Three Great Stimulants-have been ing a lot like Roberta Joan Ander- crooked," she was horrified at what criticized as "aural flash." But there son from Saskatchewan. "To a cer- she saw on her screen: an undeni- is an appropriate uneasiness to this tain degree I have to feel that there able swing from the liberal, progres- music, the effects lending the lyrics are forces at work beyond me." sive Sixties and Seventies to a de- a power they would not have on cade of right-wing conservatism and their own. Better still, the electron- repression, best exemplified by the ics never diminish Mitchell or her televised sermons of Jerry Falwell material. and Jimmy Swaggert. "The govern- So far, with "Dog Eat Dog" sell- ment," she concluded, "is now in ing well and bringing her back to league with the fundamentalists." center stage, the rest of Mitchell's When it came time to record, life is on track too. "Marriage frees however, Mitchell worried that the me up in a lot of ways.Ifeel times were too superficial for such mated," she says, pointing out that an album. "In a way," she said, "I "Dog Eat Dog," for all its forebod- don't blame people. It's a period of ing, is bookended by songs about escape, like the early Fifties were, friendship and love, a continuing althoughforadifferentreason. source of optimism for her. "Rela- Even the cause -mindedness, to me, tionship," she deems, "is every- has a more frivolous nature now thing." "Dog Eat Dog" than it did in the Sixties. I mean, Just the same, she says she still JoniMitchell(vocals,Fairlight with the causes this time you've got finds it difficult to express happi- CMI, keyboards); Larry Klein (Fair - albums for them flashing on the ness in her music. "I'm a melan- light CMI, keyboards, basses, syn- screen," she says, laughing. "So on choly Nordic, you know. Midnight thesizerprogramming);Thomas one level, it's just a great party time. Sun in all the genes. Writing is very Dolby (Fairlight CMI, keyboards, Like my manager said,'Idon't confronting work. A strong emo- synthesizerprogramming);Mike know aboutthesesongs,Joan. tion-either a misunderstanding or Landau (guitars); Vinnie Colaiuta Don't you have anything about sex a need to comprehend something (drums); MichaelFisher (percus- within yourself-drives you to sit sion); other musicians. Good and parties?' " Friends; Fiction; The Three Great Mitchell left her long-time man- up all night to plumb the depth of Stimulants;TaxFree;Smokin' ager, Elliot Roberts, toward the end your being.It'sonly rewarding (Empty, Try Another); Dog Eat Dog: of the project and signed with Peter when the muse coughs up some- Shiny Toys; Ethiopia; Impossible Asher because Roberts was "too thing that has the right sound, as Dreamer;Lucky Girl. GEFFEN busy" with his enormous stable of well as confirmation and content. 24074-1 58.98, 0 24074-4 $8.98, 0 clients. But she also admits that When that happens, or when you 24074-2 no list price. Roberts, concerned with her loss of get lucky in the studio, man, there's STEREO REVIEW MARCH 1986 71 DIGITAL SOUND GOES ONE STEP FURTHER. TDK HX-S excels in bringing compact disc performance wherever you go. That's because only TDK HX-S audio cassettes are specifically designed to record digitally sourced materials. With four times the magnetic storage capability of other high -bias cassettes, HX-S is better able to capture all the dynamics and purity of digital performance on any cassette deck with a high -bias switch. EXTENDED HIGH END HIGH MOL HIGH OUTPUT Additionally, HX-S is unmatched in retention of high frequency MOL LABORATORY STANDARD CASSETTE MECHANISM (Maximum Output Level). That means 90 your Rock won't turn to rubble and Swan Lake won't swan dive. And to maintain this digitally dynamic performance, TDK HX-S is housed in our specially engineered, trouble -free Laboratory Standard mechanism for unerring reliability and durability, backed by a Lifetime Warranty. Get optimum results reproducing compact disc sound with TDK HX-S, the ideal cassette for digital recordings. You'll feel more at home with it whenever you step out. WHERE GREAT ENTERTAINMENT BEGINS

Stereo Review's critics. album, and any listener would be knows, the characters in the songs, hard put to find a finer passel of he hovers slightly above them, like choose the outstanding songs. A number of them have lain the narrator in Thornton Wilder's current releases around awhile, mellowing with age Our Town, so as not to block our and becoming classics even though own connections with them. For an they haven't been heard all that album about solemn subjects, there much. One of the two Cash origi- is an abundance of humor here too, JOHNNY CASH: nals, You Beat All I Ever Saw, dates both inherent in several of the songs back twenty years, to when he and and in Cash's appreciation for the WEATHERING Waylon Jennings shared a Nash- ironythat weavesits way into THE STORM ville apartment;They're All the almost any situation. With the mu- '.1111111111M11111.,44, Same is a tune Willie Nelson wrote sic, then, comes a portrait of the art-

ist as . . . well, if not a young dog, a middle-aged one who doesn't pre- tend to understand life, but who accepts it as it comes, with splendor and squalor, justice and inequity, and, certainly, rain and rainbows. Alanna Nash JOHNNY CASH: Rainbow. Johnny Cash (vocals, guitar); June Carter Cash, Waylon Jennings, Paul Davis, (background vocals); Marty Stuart (guitar, mandolin); vocal and instrumental accompaniment. I'm Leaving Now; Here Comes That Rainbow Again; They're All the Same; Easy Street; Have you Ever Seen the Rain?: You Beat All I Ever Saw; Unwed Fathers; Love Me Like You Used To; Casey's Last Ride; Borderline (A Musical Whodunit). COLUMBIA FC 39951, © FCT 39951, no list price.

SPECTACULAR RESPIGHI FROM Cash: shelter from the rain, hope for the rainbows RICCARDO MUTI

THE problem with rainbows, for Cash back in the 1960's; and of course, is that you have Casey's Last Ride comes from the RICCARDO MUTI has gone all to wait out a thunderstorm box of songs KrisKristofferson out for drama and a "big to get one, and even then dropped in Cash's yard by helicop- sound" in his new Phila- there's no guarantee it'll show up. ter fifteen years ago. delphia Orchestra record- On his new album, "Rainbow," Musically,"Rainbow" covers ing, for Angel, of the three famous Johnny Cash, who has seen his everything from Cash's trademark symphonic poems in Respighi's Ro- share of rain and rainbows alike, ticky-tack guitar/rockabilly sound man cycle: The Pines of Rome, The takes shelter with a varied assort- to the show -tune underpinnings of Fountains of Rome, and Roman ment of pent-up characters who've Easy Street, the folk stylings of John been weathering the storm so long Prine (who contributes Unwed Fa- Mutt: in his element they've nearly forgotten what it's thers), and the country -rock of John like when it's clear but hold out Fogerty's Have You Seen the Rain? hope for rainbows just the same. It presents Cash as an artist who's There's the truck -stop waitress above categorizationinpopular who turns surly when someone music and, surprisingly, as a singer points up her small act of kindness, who has improved so much through the unwed father who can't be both- the years in intonation and in the ered, the lonely mistress who puts nuances of expressionthat you on new stockingsforhersad, could chart his growth on paper. shamed lover, and the devastated Still, there is a decidedly detached executive who finds that it's hard on point of view at work in this album. Easy Street sometimes. While we never doubt for a moment This is, in effect, a songwriter's that Cash understands, or even BEST OF THE MONTH

Festivals. And the producers have London is still a formidable com- bert Hall bootleg. But there isn't a backed him up with awesome re- petitor. It, too, is blessed with excel- cut here that is less than interesting, corded sound from Memorial Hall lent sonics, and Dutoit responds either as a window into Dylan's inPhiladelphia's Fairmont Park. more fully than Muti to the poetic compositional method or simply as They have even managed to get all aspects of the music, especially in music. three pieces on a single LP without The Fountains, where Muti's read - The more familiar above -ground interruptions for turnover-Pines seems a bit perfunctory-for exam- material has been chosen with ex- and Fountains fit on one side, and ple, in the haunting sunset finale. emplary care. The performances the second side is allotted to the Nevertheless, the Angel LP is a real span Dylan's entire recording ca- Festivals. demo -quality recording, and the CD reer, from a spectacular solo blues With The Pines and Festivals, version, when it is released, should version of Baby Let Me Follow You Muti is wholly in his element, and be spectacular. David Hall Down-you can almost hear the ex- the orchestra players give their ut- traordinary young talent bursting most. The readings are marked by RESPIGHI: The Fountains of Rome; out of him-to overlooked selec- fine details as well as plaster -crack- The Pines of Rome; Roman Festivals. tions from Dylan's Born Again peri- ing dynamics, especially aided by Philadelphia Orchestra, Riccardo Muti od that it may be time to reassess. the pedal register of the Memorial cond. ANGEL 0 DS -38219 $11.98, 0 The set is intended, of course, to Hall organ. The climactic moments 4DS-38219 $11.98. reaffirm Dylan's status as a major of the sections "Pines Near a Cata- pop auteur, a status that his admit- comb" and "Pines on the Appian tedly spotty work of the last several Way" are standouts. My only criti- SUMMING UP years has tended to obscure. Some cism of the Pines recording is that may seeinitsreleaseatacit the opening of "Pines Near a Cata- BOB DYLAN: acknowledgment of the artist's de- comb" virtually cuts into the clos- AN IMPRESSIVE cline. On the basis of the contents, ing reverberations of "Pines of the however, such speculation is pretty Villa Borghese." "BIOGRAPH" much irrelevant. "Biograph" clearly The more spectacular episodes of represents as substantial a body of Roman Festivals can only be de- work as anybody working in or scribed as mind -boggling in this per- BOB DYLAN'S "Biograph" is around rock-and-roll has ever pro- formance. Never have I heard the the kind of career retrospec- duced. If Dylan never records an- "Circenses" section, with its evocative you'd expect to be de- other note, his contribution, on the tion of the Roman mob and of voted to somebody who was evidence of what's here, will likely Christians being throwntothe already dead-an almost daunting endure for as long as people listen to lions, realized in more gruesomely five -recordcollectionof greatest pop music. And though five records graphic fashion. There is an almost hits, rarities, and legendary unre- of anybody's musical output may feverish exaltation in the "Il giubi- leased material packaged to a fare - seem like a lot to digest, you'll prob- leo" section as the pilgrims catch thee -well with a gorgeous illustrated ably have no trouble at all. Is it too sight of the Holy City. And while I booklet that includes terrific notes early to declare this 1986's Record would have liked more poetry in by Cameron Crowe and comments of the Year? Steve Simels Muti's treatment of the echoing from Dylan himself about nearly horn calls and jingling processional every track. Dylan is, of course, BOB DYLAN: Biograph. Bob Dylan bells in "L'ottobrata," the conclud- very much alive and kicking, but (vocals, guitar, harmonica, piano); oth- ing "La befana" with its evocation despite the memorial air that hangs er musicians. Lay Lady Lay: Baby, Let of Epiphany festivities at the Piazza over the project, it's a nearly flaw- Me Follow You Down; If Not for You; Navona is one gorgeous riot of color less tribute to an artist who deserves I'll Be Your Baby Tonight; I'll Keep It from startto finish-a dazzling no less. withMine;The TimesThey Are demonstration of orchestral and The meat of the anthology is the A-Changin'; Blowin' in the Wind; Mas- sonic virtuosity. previously unreleased songs, most ters of War; Lonesome Death of Hattie Charles Dutoit's Montreal Sym- of which are already known to fans Carroll; Percy's Song; Mixed- Up Confu- phony recording of these works on sion; Tombstone Blues; Groom's Still from bootlegs, though they have Waiting at the Altar; Most Likely You rarely sounded as good as they do Go Your Way; Like a Rolling Stone; Jet Dylan: enduring contributions here thanks to a swell digital remas- Pilot; Lay Down Your Weary Tune; tering job. It's all but impossible to Subterranean Homesick Blues; I Don't pick favorites among them. Some Believe You (She Acts Like We Never will favor the acoustic tracks-a Have Met); Visions of Johanna; Every haunted solo version of Visions of Grain of Sand; Quinn the Eskimo; Mr. Johanna, a gorgeously controlled Tambourine Man; Dear Landlord; It reading of the poignant Percy's Ain't Me, Babe; You Angel You; Million Dollar Bash; To Ramona; You're a Big Song-while others, like me, will Girl Now; Abandoned Love; Tangled Up gravitate to the rockers, particularly in Blue; It's All Over Now, Baby Blue; the numbers recorded live in Eng- Can You Please Crawl Out Your Win- land with the Band during the same dow? Positively 4th Street; Isis; Carib- tour that produced the famous Al- bean Wind; Up to Me; Baby, I'm in the The Sound of Nakarnichi

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Mood for You; I Wanna Be Your Lover; The other three stars of thisRigo- I Want You; Heart of Mine; On a Night lettoare the three principal singers, Like This; Just Like a Woman; Ro- led by Renato Bruson in the title NOW ON CD mance in Durango; Senor (Tales of Yan- role. His big, warm voice pours out Compact Discs of kee Power); Gotta Serve Somebody; I with seemingly endless technical re- Believe in You; Time Passes Slowly; I previously released LP's Shall Be Released; Knockin' on Heav- source and committed emotional en's Door; All Along the Watchtower; identifiation with his character. Edi- Solid Rock; Forever Young.COLUMBIA taGruberovacapturesGilda's C5X 38830 five discs, © C3K 38830 guilelessness with unusual purity of POPULAR three CD's, no list price. tone. Her ravishing floated pianissi- CAMELOT (Frederick Loewe -Alan mos and effortless coloratura help Jay Lerner).COLUMBIACK 32602. to make the duet between Gilda and Original Broadway cast (1961), with SINOPOLI'S Rigoletto in Act I, Scene 2, a high Julie Andrews, Richard Burton. point of the performance. And Neil COMPANY (Stephen Sondheim). SPLENDID NEW COLUMBIACK 03550. Original Shicoff makes an appealing Duke- Broadway cast (1970), with Dean Jones, "RIGOLETTO" if, indeed, the Duke can ever really Elaine Stritch, Barbara Barrie. be appealing-singing the role with FUNNY GIRL (Jule Styne-Bob a smooth style and a suave sense of Merrill).COLUMBIACK 03220. THERE are four stars in the character. Original -soundtrack recording, with new Philips recording of Of the other solo performances, Barbara Streisand ("Best of the Verdi'sRigoletto.Conduc- Robert Lloyd's richly sung and Month," December 1968). tor Giuseppe Sinopoliis menacing Sparafucile, Brigitte Fass- JAZZ AT THE PAWNSHOP. one of them. The orchestral playing baender's convincing Maddalena, PROPRIUSPRO7778/9 (two CD's). A under his exact direction is one of and Kurt Rydl's stentorian, fateful cult -status demo record for high -enders. THE JUDDS: Rockin' with the the special pleasures of the perform- Monterone deserve special men- Rhythm. RCA PCDI-7042. "Utterly ance, revealing many subtleties of tion, but the cast is strong through- unique" ("Best of the Month," out. The chorus sings withfine February 1986). accuracy and expression. The piano BARRY MANILOW: Manilow. choral passages suggest real con- RCA PCDI-7044. His first for the label. spiratorial evil, and thebocca chiu- PREFAB SPROUT: Two Wheels sahumming in Act III eerily evokes Good.EPICEK 40100. "Atmospheric, the malevolence of the storm on tuneful pop" ("Best of the Month," this murderous night. January 1986). In all, then, this is a carefully pre- THE SWINGLE SINGERS: Jazz Sebastian Bach.PHILIPS 824703-2. pared new performance of a master- Originally released on LP in 1983 as piece we have come to take for "Bach's Greatest Hits." granted. It respects the genius of the composer; itis movingly sung by artists who bring technical mastery CLASSICAL and dramatic conviction to their VLADIMIR HOROWITZ IN roles; and it is conducted by a man LONDON. RCA RCDI-4572. Taped who can faultlessly juggle its highly live at the Royal Festival Hall in varied, you might even say Gothic, May 1982. range of passions-lust, greed, ten- JANACEK: Lachlan Dances; Idyll. derness, and hate. The accompany- Conlon.ERATOECD-88095. "Charmers" (September 1985). Gruherova:a ravishing Gilda ing notes incude an interesting essay on the opera, and the libretto is LEHAR: The Merry Widow. Schwarzkopf;MatatiC. ANGEL the score. Rarely, in fact, do you offered in four languages. Enthu- CDCB-47177 (two CD's). A welcome hear aRigolettoin which Verdi's siastically recommended. update of the lovable 1953 recording. markings are so carefully observed. Robert Ackart LEONCAVALLO: Pagliacci. That is not to say that the perform- Domingo, Stratas, Pons; Pretre.PHILIPS ance lacks intensity. Sinopoli is an VERDI:Rigoletto.Renato Bruson (bar- 411 484-2. Original soundtrack of the artist with considerable powers of itone), Rigoletto; Edita Gruberova (so- Zeffirelli film. prano),Gilda;NeilShicoff (tenor), concentration, but he allows this SCHUBERT: Symphony No. 9. opera to "breathe" on its own in a Duke of Mantua; Robert Lloyd (bass), Furtwangler. DG 415 660-2. One of Sparafucile; Brigitte Fassbaender (mez- several treasurable reissues from the finely molded reading informed by zo-soprano), Maddalena; Kurt Rydl Fifties, including a Brahms First and a keen observation of the characters (bass), Monterone; others. Chorus and Bruckner Fourth. and dramatic situations. Everything Orchestra of the Accademia Nazionale VERDI: La Traviata. Cotrubas, we need to know or feel is right di Santa Cecilia, Giuseppe Sinopoli Domingo, Milnes; C. Kleiber. DG 415 there in the music, and the oom- cond. PHILIPS 0 412 592-1 three discs 132-2 (two CD's). "Undoubtedly one pah-pah rhythms cease to be "hur- $29.94, © 412 592-4 three cassettes of the best of all recorded versions" dy-gurdy Verdi" and become the $29.94, 0 412 592-2 two CD's no list (May 1978). life pulse of the whole opera. price.

76 STEREO REVIEW MARCH1986 The computer mon tor: the most critical of all picture tune applications It mist be sharp enough for extended viewing from inchesaway. That's why demanding computer professionals demand monitors from NEC. Ever if you don't nn a mainframe computer installation, it's comforting to know that NEC puts much of our computer rnonitcr technology into TV Receiver/Monitors for the home. Consider the NEC C -2613A. It uses a full square 26" picture tube for an undistorted image, and 3 comb filter for picture resolution that's even betr than TV broadcasting itself. The CT-261CA mceives stereo TV tunes in 142 channels, and gives you enough inputs and outputs to start your own TV network. You see, building h ghly Ecclaimed :omput.r monitors is not enough or NEC. We fed obligated to take the world's most acvanced technology one step further. Irto your home.

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CIRCLE NO 19 ON PEADEF SERVICE CARD IJOHN WILLIAMS-THE MASTER OF GUITAR 'BRINGS ECHOES OF LONDON TOAMERICA! M John Williams has set the stage A for two very special events this spring! First, the release of his briliar t new album, "Echoes Of Londor ','a S spirited collection of classical and popular music celebrat ng the .:ity of London. Second, the amounce-nent T of John Williams' first U.S. tots in more than a decade! Asa consummate Masterworks E artist for nearly twenty years, John Williams has recorded %iirtuosic performances of every major composition for R the classical guitar. His contemporary and experimental adventures. also on Masterworks, extend his range. of repertoire to thoroughly enhance h s status as the modern master of the gLitar. We are extremely proud the' an artist 0 of such legendary stature has entrusted this extraordinary wealth of recorded music to the performance of 2 single R creative partner...CBS Masterworks! "Echoes Of London:' Ncw ava lab along with all the guitar treasu K John Will rns, exclusively on CBS Masterworks,

FM 42119 \\ S JOHN WILLIAMS ECHOES OF LONDON

4111 SE79 JOHN NILLIAMS -MOOR GO- CONCIERT, JE -RAMBLE il.T MEM ON NI. ,1111 PH LNARP.0 Pi A MOO Sr RA LOUIS FRICMAUZ

ON CBS AND CBS MASTERWORKS RECORDS, CASSETTES AND COMPACT DISCS.

"CBS,- "Masterworks:* S are trademarks of CBS Inc < 1986 CBS Inc. CIRCLE NO. 5 ON READER SERVICE CARD CLASSICAL MUSIC

Discs and tapes reviewed Robert A n Richard Freed David Hall Stoddard Lincoln

ADAMS: Harmonielehre. San Francis- co Symphony Orchestra, Edo de Waart cond. NONESUCH 0 79115-1 $10.98, C) 79115-4 $10.98. Performance: Expressive, heartfelt Recording:Spacious New music that is enjoyable to hear is a rarity. New music with depth of expression is still harder to find. John Adams has taken minimalist 'techniques to a new level of sophistication and shaped them into a highly personal musical language. With itsappealing orchestral colors, Mahlerian expressive range, and impressionisticdelicacy,Harmonie- lehreis the most significant new orchestral piece by an American composer in recent years. Edo de Waart conducts the San Fran- cisco Symphony in an insightful performance. The first -desk musicians play their solos with lyrical warmth, and HAITINK'S VAUGHAN WILLIAMS Adams's carefully polished orchestral BERNARD HAITINKis recording tic spiritual response-the very sort of colors receive elaborate attention from with the London Philharmonic thing so often missing in Haitink's un- all of the players. The entire orchestra again, this time for Angel and arguably committed but by no means has a wonderful sense of ensemble that in unexpected repertoire-the consistently convincing Shostakovich enables them to execute Adams's effects Stnfbnia antarticaof Ralph Vaughan cy-ie on London. Whether you accept not only with a high degree of accuracy Williams. This is, in fact, a work we the ,!ntartica as a symphony or insist it but also with the emotional effects he would hardly "expect" from any con- is really a symphonic poem, its drama, intended. For example, in the slow ductor except one involved in a com- poignancy, and overall noble and origi- movement Adams makes masses of plete cycle of the Vaughan Williams nal character add up to fascinating lis- sound emerge from a misty background symphonies. The power and conviction tening, and each time one is drawn back and recede while other masses also in Haitink's performance must make to it by this extraordinarily sympathetic emerge and fade away. Each block of anyone who hears it hope that Angel account the fascination deepens rather sound uses a different ensemble with a will decide to go for the whole cycle, for than thins out. different set of colors, so the performers it certainly leaves no doubt about the Haitink of course draws first-rate must jump quickly from one grouping suitability of the conductor and the playing and singing from his forces; to another. music to one another. they are recorded with exceptional viv- The LP came with a coating of finely If theAntarticawould seem an odd idness and great care as to balances. powdered paper clinging to it, but after choice with which to launch such a proj- Sheila Armstrong and the fine chorus a thorough cleaning it was surprisingly ect, it seems an even stranger one to are positioned in such as way as to pro- free of surface noise on the first play. stand as the sole representative of this ject the most convincingly otherworldly Robert Hurwitz produced the album, composer's symphonies in the discogra- effect. Direct Metal Mastering is a fur- and engineer John Newton recorded the phy of any conductor. This seventh of ther enhancement for the LP, and I work with a wonderfully open, mini- Vaughan Williams's nine symphonies expect that the CD, when it appears, mal -mike style. The orchestral image is has not been among the most favored of will quickly become a demonstration spacious and has an unusually strong his works in concert performances. To item. Whether it leads to a full cycle or sense of stage depth. Despite its seduc- some commentators, it represents a fall- not, this superb recording can only tive quality, however, the recording ing -off in quality after the imposing make the composer's admirers exul- technique doesn't capture all the detail I heights (and depths) attained in its three tant -and it may well increase their would have liked to hear. The overlap- immediate predecessors. Haitink's re- number. Richard Freed ping loops of rhythmic and melodic fig - cording could change all that, for he makes an astonishingly strong case for VAUGHAN WILLIAMS:Sinfonin the work, stronger even than the late Sir antartica (Symphony No.7).Sheila F \PLANATION OF SYMBOLS: Adrian Boult managed in either of his Armstrong (soprano); London Philhar-

DIGITAL -MASTER ANALOG LP two recordings of it. monic Choir; London Philharmonic AN- STEREO CASSETTE What an experience Haitink makes of Orchestra, Bernard Haitink cond.

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CIRCLE NO 61 ON READER SERVICE CARD ures pyramided on top of each other (harpsichord). HARMONIA MUNDI recorded accounts of the Brahms cello need to be clearly audible.I want to HMC 1144/46 three discs $38.94, 0 sonatas can stand beside the finest pre- hear those cross -currents of conflicting HMC 40.1144/46threecassettes vious recordings. R.F. rhythms. They are intrinsically beauti- $38.94. ful, and I would sacrifice some of the Performance: Thoughtful BRAHMS: Violin Sonatas: No. 1, in spaciousness of the hall sound to hear Recording: Fine G Major, Op. 78; No. 2, in A Major, more of the score's details. Op. 100; No. 3, in D Minor, Op. 108. Harmonielehre captures the spirit of An adherent of authentic performance Scherzo in C Minor; Hungarian Dances our times with poetic expression. The practice, Kenneth Gilbert offers a read- Nos. 1, 2, 7, and 9 (arr. Joachim). Itzhak anxiety provoked by the possibility of ing of the magnificent Bach partitas that Perlman (violin); Vladimir Ashkenazy nuclear doom is an important part of is scrupulous in all things-articulation, (piano). ANGEL 0 DSB-3952 two discs the work, but so too are hope and the ornamentation, rhythmic alterations, $23.98, © 4DSB-3952 two cassettes triumph of the human spirit. Adams registration, observance of repeats, and $23.98. conveys these thoughts with the most order of movements. He eschews bril- pleasing palette of orchestral sounds liance and focuses on the structure of Performance: Burnished gold I've heard in a long time. Harmonie- the music, which is illuminated by a Recording: Excellent lehre is a work that should find a wel- keen use of rubato at key points. These Vladimir Ashkenazy and Itzhak Perl- come place in the symphonic reper- arethoughtfulperformances of the man have givenus some splendid toire. Steve Birchall highest integrity. S.L. chamber -music recordings on various labelssincetheirfirstcollaboration BACH: Brandenburg Concerto No. 2, BRAHMS: Cello Sonatas: No. 1. in some sixteen years ago. These two in F Major. TELEMANN: Concerto for E Minor, Op. 38; No. 2, in F Major, Op. strong personalities seem to find plea- Trumpet in D Major. TORELLI: Con- 99. Yo -Yo Ma (cello); Emanuel Ax (pi- sure in adapting to each other's style- certoforTrumpetin D Major. ano). RCA 0 ARCI-7022 $10.98. © never in terms of bigger and better vir- HAYDN: Concerto for Trumpet in E - ARE1-7022 $10.98, RCDI-7022 no tuoso effects but always in pursuit of the fiat Major. Maurice Andre (trumpet); list price. fullest realization of the music at hand. Philharmonia Orchestra, Riccardo Their new Brahms set strikes me as the Performance: Distinguished most treasurable entry in their joint dis- Muti cond. ANGEL 0 DS -38220 $11.98, Recording: Excellent C) 4DS-38220 $11.98. cography so far, and probably the most The opening of Brahms's E Minor So- persuasive integral set of the three vio- Performance: Brilliant nata in this recording by Yo -Yo Ma and lin sonatas from any source. The more Recording: Splendid Emanuel Ax suggests an abundance of inward and contemplative passages are There are certain performers one ad- gorgeous sound but a shortage of liveli- explored with the most affecting poi- mires for the way they handle their ness. This impression is soon corrected, gnancy, and there is certainly no want instruments,theirsheervirtuosity, however. The natural momentum may of fire or drive in the more spirited sec- overlooking all questions of musical not be discernible in the opening bars, tions. The overall impression is the style. Maurice Andre is such a perform- more ruminative here than in some oth- aural equivalent of burnished gold-an er. His playing is so dazzling throughout er performances, but it is tellingly evi- impression enhanced by the rich, beau- this album of concertos that it really dent throughout the remainder of the tifully balanced recording. doesn't matter what he plays or whether movement-as it is, indeed, throughout Side four brings some enchanting fill- he makes much distinction between the both sonatas. Along with all that gor- ers in the form of the C Minor Scherzo Baroque and Classical idioms. Andre's geous sound, there's as much drama and Joseph Joachim's piquant trans- approach fits the Haydn best, as you here as Brahms put into these works, criptions of four of the Hungarian can see in the cadenza to the first move- with "no color added," a quality that Dances. Charming as these are, though, ment. Riccardo Muti's support is of- gives this issue more appeal than the they add up to a very short side. The fered in the same spirit, giving a consist- same duo's Beethoven recordings on three sonatas alone would fill a single ent style to the collection. S.L. CBS. Here we get both a thoroughly CD, and I hope that's how Angel will developed mutuality of approach and a package them in that format. R.F. BACH: Six Partitas for Harpsichord sense of vivid spontaneity. In short, (BWV 825-830).KennethGilbert these distinguished, very handsomely (Continued on page 84)

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CIRCLE NO20 ON READER SERVICE CARD STEREO REVIEW MARCH 198681 COG Why the Carver M -500t Magnetic Field Power Amplifier has helped beginanindustry trend and how it has stayed ahead of its inspired imitators. And yet its Federal Trade Commission Con- RMS of long term power for demands lasting tinuous Average Power Rating is 250 watts per up to several seconds. The M -500t provides channel into 8 ohms. more power, more current and more voltage The gulf between the two power ratings rep- than any comparably priced amplifier ever resents Bob Carver's insistence that amplifier offered. design should fit the problem at hand. That THE MAGNETIC FIELD AMPLIFIER problem is reproducing music with stunning impact, not simply satisfying a sine -wove test VS. CONVENTION. Twice in the last decade, Bob Carver has which doesn't even include speakers or sound Audiophiles, critics and ultimately other taught the high fidelity industry how to make sources. Hence the seeming gulf between the manufacturers have each accepted the wis- amplifiers that give you better performance two ratings. dom of Bob Carver's fresh approach to deliver- and value. Both times his bold lead has Bob reasoned that since music is composed ing power in musical terms. Yet only Carver has attracted followers. Still, as evidenced by the of three basic types of power waveforms, so elegantly translated theory into practice. current release of the M -500t, Carver sets those types of waveforms are what an ampli- Rather than increase cost, size and heat standards yet unequaled in the audio fier should be designed to satisfy. output with huge storage circuits, Magnetic community. NAMUR POWER °UMW OF TIE MOM Field Amplification delivers instantaneous high With its astonishingly high voltage/high out- INTO A OM LOAD peak and longterm power from a small but 1000 PEAK POWER FOR TRAMENTS put current and exclusive operation features, it GREATER THAN 000 WATTS powerful Magnetic Field Coil. The result is an is a pnme example 700 amplifier capable ofsimultaneoushigh cur- designer to emulate: POWE 480 WATTS PM rent and high voltage that can do sonic justice Continuous FTC sine -wave output conserva- to the dynamics of Compact Discs and audio- tively rated at 250 watts per channel. POWSRFOR TEST TOMES 350 MUTTS RIM phile records in a compact, cool -running Produces 600 to 1000 watts per channel design. An amplifier costing considerably less of dynamic power for music (depending on than the ultra -esoteric models which figured impedance). 200 significantly into the genesis of its circuitry. For Bridging mode delivers 700 watts continu- 0.02 a reprint of the full story of its development as TINE (SECONDS) ous sine -wave output at 8 ohms. well as a catalog of Carver high fidelity audio The Canmtl-500t delivers massive components please call or write to us. High current Magnetic Field power supply power at three important output levels. provides peak currents up to ± 100 amps for Figure 1 precise control of voice -coil motion. First there are instantaneous peak transi- Designed to handle unintended 1 ohm ents-the sudden smash of cymbals, drums, speaker loads without shutting down. or the individual leading edge attack of each Equipped with infinite resolution VU meters. musical note. While these waveforms last less than 1/100 of a second, they form the keen edge of musical reality which must be present ..., if you are to realize high fidelity. Though momentary, they also demand a tremendous amount of amplifier power. Directly following instantaneous transients are combinant musical crests of demand that come from multiple instruments and their har- Conventional .1mplifier ilagnetic Field Amplifier. monics. These long term power demands may This SZOOtt pair of esoteric amplifiers figure significantly into the heri- Solid line: audio output signal last up to several seconds but usually come tage of the M-50117" version circuitry. Broken line: power supply voltage. and go in less than a second. And yet they can Shaded area: misted pout': tax anything but an exceptionally powerful Figure 1 above shows a $7,000 pair of ultra - l'ertical lines: power to speakers. amplifier. esoteric mono amplifiers. No expense was The third type of power demand is repre- spared on their admittedly magnificent but still POWER EXPRESSED BY THE sented by the average power contained in the conventional design and construction. DEMANDS OF MUSIC. music, and is approximately one third to one Figure 2 shows the massive toroid output The Carver M -500t Power Amplifier respondshalf of the FTC continuous power rating. transformers contained in these presitgious to musical transients with better than 600 At extremely high output current levels, the audiophile designs. At 10% regulation, their watts per channel of instantaneous peak Carver M -500t not only delivers over 700 watts output current is ± 50 amperes. power through 8 ohm speakers. Well over 900 of instantaneous peak power for instantan- All conventional amplifiers are condemned watts per channel into 4 ohm speakers. eous transients, but can deliver over 600 watts to using this type of design. Figure 2 also shows the patented Magnetic The M -500t is quiet Inside and out Its But we are sure that your final judgment will Field Coil employed in the Carver M -500t. Its circuitry has the best signal-to-noise ratio be based on musicality. It is here that the output current is ± 100 amps at 10% of any production amplifier. Better than M -500t again distinguishes itself. regulation!!!! -120dB. And, in spite of its massive out- Bob Carver has carefully designed the Figure 2 put capability, the M -500t does not require M -500t to have a completely neutral signal a noisy fan to dissipate heat Thanks to path that is utterly transparent in sonic char- the cool running Magnetic FieldAmplifier acter. The result is more than just musical circuitry. accuracy. It means a total lack of listener No other amplifier in the M -500n price fatigue caused by subtle colorations some- or power ranges is capable of handling times exhibited by conventional amplifier problematic speaker loads as low as 1 designs; regardless of their power rating. ohm. Whether required by certain brands It means a veil is lifted between you and your of speakers, or inadvertently derived by muscal source as the most detailed nuances pairing too many low impedance speak- ore revealed with realism, believability and Over 40 pounds of toroid coils put delivered with stunning impact. out half the current of a single six pound ers at one set of output terminals, all con- four ounce Magnetic Field Coil ventional amplifiers simply shut down or VISIT YOUR CARVER DEALER FOR A blow their fuses when faced with this SURPRISING AUDITION. DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF condition. THE CARVER M -500t. We invite you to audition the Carver M -500t In stereo use, both channels of the Power is mandatory for dynamic impact and soon. Against any and all competition. Includ- M -500t can actually borrow from each ing those who are only now embracing the musical realism. And yet power requires con- other during unequal output demands. trol and finesse. While the Carver M-5001 isn't pnnciples which Bob Carver has refined over In addition, Carver amplifiers have pio- the last several years. the only amplifier to deliver adequate output, it neered phase inversion circuitry which is one of the few that tempers force with pro- We doubt that you will be surprised when takes advantage of the in -phase (mono) the M -500t lives up to the claims made in this tection circuits beneficial to both the amplifier characteristics of bass to essentially dou- and your loudspeaker system. advertisement. What will surprise you is just ble available power supply current at low howaffordablethis much power, musicality These include DC offset short circuit frequencies. and accuracy can be. power interrupt as well as two special Finally, the Carver M -500t can be used computer -controlled speaker monitor cir- SPEC RCAT1ONS: Power, 251 watts per channel into in a bridged mode as a 700 watt RMS per 8 ohms 20Hz to 20kHz, both channels driven with no more cuits which protect against excessive highchannel mono amplifier without any than 0.15% THD. Instantaneous Peak Power, 1000 frequency tweeter input and an overall switching or modification. wotts into 2 ohms, 950 watts into 4 ohms, 600 watts into thermal overload 8 ohms. Longterm RMS Power for Music, 500 into 2 chms, 450 into 4 ohms, 300 into 8 ohms, 1000 watts The Carver M -500t continuously dis- MUSIC IS THE FINAL PROOF. bridged mono into 4 ohms, 900 watts bridged mono into 8 plays power output through dual lighted Were iou to buy a power amplifier sclely on ohms. Kr*dged Mono RMS Continuous Power, 700 warts corrinuous into 8 ohms. Noise -120dB IHF Weighted. infinite resolution VU -ballistic meters. features and performance specificatio is, Frequency Response, ± 0-3dB 1Hz- 100kHz. Slew Meters which can react to musical tran- painstaking comparison would inevitably lead Facor, 2C0. IVeight, 25 lb. Finish, light brushed anthracite, sients as brief as 1 millisecond you to the Carver M -500t. baked enamel, block anodized.

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P 0 Box 1237 Lynnwood WA 98036 CIRCLE NO 49 ON READER SERVICE CARD Distributed in Canada by Evolution Technology CRUTCHFIELD CAVALLI: Xerse. Rene Jacobs (coun- drawn in bold, brilliant strokes-and CAR STEREO, AUDION1DEO, TELEPHONE tertenor), CATALOG Xerse; Judith Nelson (so- yet so cleanly etched and with so much FaN/WInter prano), Amastre; Jeffrey Gall (counter- subtle detail that they are never wanting tenor) Arsamene; Isabelle Poulenard in intimacy or poetry. It is not raw pow- (soprano), Romilda; Jill Feldman (so- er that gives the playing its dramatic prano), Adelanta; John Elwes (tenor), edge but its remarkable momentum, su- Ariodate; Dominique Visse (counterte- perbly attuned to emotional content. nor), Elviro; Agnes Mellon (soprano), Spontaneity is suggested without a hint Clito; others. Concerto Vocale, Rene of breathlessness, and depth without Jacobs cond.HARMONIA MUNDIHMC self-consciousness. 1175/78 four discs $51.92, © HMC The unlabored dignity of the sonata's 40.1175/78 four cassettes $51.92, much -abused Funeral March is espe- HMC 90.1175/78 four CD's no list cially striking here. Gavrilov makes no price. attempt at understatement but seems Performance: Superb instinctively to avoid excess. The quiet, Recording: Superb reflective middle sections of the G Mi- nor and A -flat Ballades are really ca- The plots of early Venetian operas are ressed with warmth and poignancy, but so complex that they are best explained the caress is at the same time elegant, by charts. But try to imagine Xerse, even aristocratic, for this is the mixture King of Persia, and his brother, Arsa- of qualities that gives the music its mene, both in love with Romilda, who peculiar character and power. Gavri- is only in love with Arsamene. Then lov's response toit seems fully and add You'll find the most helpful shopping inlorma- Amastre,Xerse'sdetermined unfailingly convincing throughout the tion in the Crutchfield catalog. fiancée, and Adelanta, who will do any- program. While his way may not be the thing to secure either of the brothers as only way to play these familiar works, a husband. To this mélange throw in a there is not a single bar in any of these roomful of comic servants, tutors, con- performances that does not command FREE fidants, ambassadors, and generals as the most rapt attention-and reward it well as a saucy page boy and whirl them handsomely. The piano sound is crisp all through a plot that ranges from com- and clean, ideally focused, and set off to Stereo & Video media dell'arte to serious drama, pro- optimum advantage by DMM. R.F. viding marvelous entertainment along Catalog the way. FRANCAIX: Piano Concerto; Piano Francesco Cavalli, the master of Ve- Concertino.SAINT-SAENS:Piano Looking for honest answers to your car netian opera, was inspired by Nicolo Concerto No. 2, in G Minor. Ian Hob- and home stereo, telephone, and video Minato's wonderful libretto to write shopping questions? For 12 years, son (piano); Sinfonia da Camera of Illi- one of his finest scores. With pacing like nois, Ian Hobson cond.ARABESQUE 0 millions of people have referred to the a spoken drama, the music moves swift- 6541 $8.98, © 7541 $8.98, ©CDZ 6541 unique Crutchfield catalog before making a ly as recitatives, arias, and ariosos flow no list price. consumer electronics purchase. That's into each other,perfectly capturing because its in-depth articles, installation everysituation,whether seriousor Performance: Neat charts, technical tips, detailed product comic. Recording: Good features and specifications are the most Rent Jacobs has accomplished a bril- More thanfifty years after thefirst helpful. liant restoration of Cavalli's score, and recording of Jean Francaix's Piano Con- he leads a performance that is excellent certino-on Telefunken, with the com- And save money too! Plus, the 108 -page in every respect. Jacobs himself is su- poser at the piano-this four -move- Crutchfield catalog offers you hundreds of perb as Xerse, and Jeffrey Gall is his ment piece lasting under eight minutes quality, name -brand products at the lowest match as the brother, Amastre. Domi- remains a delectable bit of Gallic fluff. discount prices from dozens of manufac- nique Visse is a true comic in the Lepo- The somewhat more extended Piano turers like Sony, Pioneer, Jensen, Clarion, rello-like part of Elviro-his flower - Concerto, which also had its first re- A/R, Sherwood, Infinity, EPI, Akai, Teac, vending scene is not to be missed. cording with Francaix as soloist (Nadia Advent, Concord, JVC and Canon. Judith Nelson and Isabelle Poulenard Boulanger conducting), seems a bit long r turn in some excellent singing, and Jill for its content at times, but it is none- Call or write now for your Feldman shows Adelanta for the bitch theless debonair and tender by turn and FREE Catalog she is. Particularly felicitous is Agnes makes for very enjoyable listening. Brit- Mellon as Clito, the Cherubino of the ish pianist Ian Hobson, doubling as Use the coupon below or call toll -free: piece, tossing off the coloratura effort- conductor, delivers neatly turned per- lessly and charmingly throughout. formances of both works, with digital 800-336-5566 Xerse is perhaps the best introduction sound to match. In Virginia, call800-552-3961 there can be to the delights of Venetian The Saint -Satins side offers fine pian- opera, and this spirited performance, in ism but also the rather thin string tone We now serve CANADA! authentic style, presents the work in the you'd expect from an orchestra totaling Please enclose $1.00 for catalog very best light. The recorded sound, postage to Canada. only thirty-three instruments. Tiny en- too, is absolutely first-rate. S. L. semble imperfectionsinthetricky Be sure to mention Stereo Review when calling. scherzo make me question the wisdom Rush me your FREE Buyer's Guide. CHOPIN: Piano Sonata No. 2, in B -flat of having the soloist conduct in this Minor, Op. 35; Ballades Nos. 1-4. An- work. There are at least three superior Name drei Gavrilov (piano).ANGEL0 DS - recorded versions of the Saint -Satins, 37669 $11.98, C) 4DS-37669 $11.98. including the one by Cecile Ousset with Address Apt a Performance: Eloquent the City of Birmingham Symphony un- Recording: Crisp and clean der Simon Rattle on Angel, but this City State Zip Arabesque recording is well worth buy- This record brought me my first experi- ing for the Francaix pieces alone. D. H. ence of Andrei Gavrilov's Chopin, and CRUTCHFIELD it is vastly impressive. These are large - HAYDN: Trumpet Concerto in E -flat I Crutchfield Park, Dept. SR, Charlottesville. VA 22906. scaled, high-tension presentations, Major (see BACH) L 84 STEREOREVIEW MARCH1986 KHACHATURIAN: Violin Concerto added two more Yeats poems and one recording locale. The sound has bite, (arr. Rampal); Spartacus, Adagio (arr. by William Heffernan, then superbly body, and wide range. An outstanding Galway); Masquerade, Waltz (arr. Gal- orchestrated the whole sequence. Three production in every way. D. H . way); Gayne, Sabre Dance (an. Gal- of the wonderful settings were pre- way). James Galway(flute);Royal miered in 1922 by John McCormack MAHLER: Symphony No. 9, in D Ma- Philharmonic Orchestra, Myung-Whun with the Boston Symphony. Tenor Neil jor; Symphony No. 10, in F -sharp Ma- Chung cond. RCA 0 HRCI-7010 $9.98, Rosenshein projects all of them here to jor, Adagio. Vienna Philharmonic Or- © HREI-7010 $9.98. brilliant effect, and his genuine Irish chestra, Lorin Maazel cond. CBS 0 I2M timbre fits the songs, imbued with an 39721 two discs, © I2T 39721 two cas- Performance: Dazzling settes, no list price. Recording: Mostly excellent authentic flavor worthy of Arnold Bax or Peter Warlock. Performance: Coolly controlled With the composer's blessing, Jean- The Indianapolis Symphony plays Recording: Very good Pierre Rampal arranged Khachaturian's with great spirit and passion under John lush Violin Concerto as a virtuoso flute Nelson'sdirection,andtheCircle At least half of the dozen recordings vehicle, then recorded it in 1970 with Theatre in that city makes for an ideal of the Mahler Ninth in the current Jean Martinon conducting (the recording isstillavailable, on the budget - priced Odyssey label). The flamboyant James Galway, a pupil of Rampal, has taken on the piece, touching up the solo part here and there and adding his own arrangements of three Khachaturian ballet encores into the bargain. Sonical- ly and in terms of instrumental wizard- ry, the results are dazzling, particularly in the concerto's finale. Korean -born conductor Myung-Whun Chung provides strong orchestral support with the Royal Philharmonic, which was splendidly recorded in the concerto at the Town Hall in Watford, England. The encore pieces, recorded at CBS studios in London, are less well balanced soni- cally, with Galway's flute rather glaring- ly spotlighted at the expense of the orchestra. D. H. LOEFFLER: The Death of Tintagiles; Five Irish Fantasies. Jennie Hansen (viola d'amore); Neil Rosenshein (ten- or); Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, John Nelson cond.NEW WORLD 0NW 332 $9.98. Performance: Top-drawer When Frank Serafine sampled our NCD-600, he instantly realized he Recording: Superlative could cut his research time by 75%. Without doubt the most sophisticated player/changer on the market, Though born and trained in Europe, Charles Martin Loeffler spent most of the NCD-600 is a research/editing system unto itself. Accesses 5 his life in America, where between 1891 selections, in any order, from 60 stored compact discs. Or add 3 units, and his death in 1935 he produced a fas- expanding storage to 240 CDs. And, it'll interface any computer, to cinating body of work. His composi- extend programmability infinitely. tions ranged stylistically from post- Best of all, it has pitch and tempo controls. Music selections can be Franckian pieces like the Poem for digitally edited to match keys and rhythms between selections simul- orchestra to the quasi jazz writing in the taneously...unlike with tapes or records, where modifying speed to Partita for Violin and Piano, making it change the key will also change rhythm. Makes programming in deejay all but impossible to nail down a dis- situations an absolute dream. tinctive Loeffler style. But the best of But, when you create sound effects like Fra -11, your problem is time. his music makes for fascinating listening, and he had few peers in handling Research time: Thumb through the files, the resources of the orchestra. pull a disc, load it up to listen, over and We can be grateful to New World over again. So Frank converted his massive Records for these first recordings of two sound effects library to compact discs, of Loeffler's major works. The Death of storing it all in our NCD-600. Tintagiles (1900) is scored for orchestra Now, Frank just touches -in index with viola d'amore obbligato, the plan- numbers, listening to one selection while . gent sonority of which is effectively set loading up others. We made his life a lot off against the orchestral fabric. The piece is based on a little puppet play by simpler, allowing him to focus energies on Maeterlinck, and the narrative element the one thing he likes best: Creating. is easy to follow in this performance, Imagine what Nikko technology will do especially with the help of Philip Hale's for your audio system. annotation. Frank SerafincMotion Picture The Five Irish Fantasies had their Sound Designer/Musician NIKKO. Ali 010 Credits: Tron, Star nek I and III, beginning in 1906-1907 when Loeffler The powerultechnology Brainstorm, Ice Pirates set two poems by Yeats for piano and 5830 South Triangle Drive, Commerce, CA 90040 voice. In 1920, possibly stirred by the establishment of the Irish Free State, he Nikko Audio systems and components are available exclusively through Authorized Nikko Audio dealers. CIRCLE NO. 17 ON READER SERVICE CARD STEREO REVIEW MARCH198685 Schwann could be ranked as "distin- allows for expansive lyricism, taut his- guished," and whether this new one by trionics, or rollicking farce as appro- Lorin Maazel and the Vienna Philhar- priate. The sound of the authentic monic should be admitted to that ex- instruments, combined with the singers' alted company depends on your taste. authentic, eighteenth -century vocal pro- Do you want the work played with duction and articulation, is striking in superheated passion? Or do you prefer a its clarity. It's wonderful to hear Mo- cooler approach, one that marks the zart's subtle and ingenious touches of symphony as a precursor, in many orchestration and the delicate balance respects, of the more intellectual works he achieved between his vocal and of Alban Berg? Maazel's reading falls instrumental forces. Recorded at the into the latter category. Drottningholm Court Theatre, a small You could virtually copy out the hall that has a pit for thirty musicians score as you listen to the superb Vien- and an auditorium that seats only 450 nese players under Maazel's direction in people, this is a true chamber perform- the first movement of the Ninth, which ance in a perfect ambience. S.L. also bespeaks a remarkable recording job on the part of the CBS production RESPIGHI:The Fountains of Rome; crew. No locale is specified, but the airy The Pines of Rome; Roman Festivals ambience of the upper orchestral regis- (see Best of the Month, page 73) ter suggests the Konzertverein rather than the Sofiensaal. The Liindler sec- SAINT-SAENS:Piano Concerto No. 2 ond movement is brisk and precise, (see FRANCAIX) with a minimum of tempo contrasts. Yakar: wonderful Mozart The savage Rondo-Burleske seems a bit TELEMANN:TrumpetConcertoin D tame here, but the weirdly atmospheric brings to the performance the same flair Major(see BACH) sonorities and thematic transforma- for Mendelssohn's romantic ardor and tions of its later portions are superbly delicacy of musical utterance that he TORELLI:Trumpet Concerto in D Ma- carried off. The great final slow move- did in1957. The recorded sound is jor(see BACH) ment is the most effective, with glorious excellent and atmospheric. D.H. string playing and a very careful work- VERDI:Rigoletto(see Best of the up to the major climax, which is shat- MOZART:Cosi fan tutte.Rachel Ya- Month, page 76) tering in its impact. The chamber -music kar (soprano), Fiordiligi; Alicia Nafe textures at the close are perfection. (mezzo-soprano), Dorabella; Gosta WAGNER:Tannhauser.Klaus KOnig The remarkable first movement of Winbergh(tenor),Ferrando;Tom (tenor), Tannhauser; Lucia Popp (so- the Tenth Symphony, the only part of Kraus(bass),Guglielmo;Georgine prano), Elisabeth; Waltraud Meier (so- the work that Mahler himself brought to Resick (soprano), Despina; Carlos Fell- prano), Venus; Kurt Moll (bass), Her- substantial completion, gets a some- er (baritone), Don Alphonso. Chorus mann; Bernd Weikl (baritone), Wol- what more impassioned reading here and Orchestra of the Drottningholm fram; others. Chorus and Orchestra of than the Ninth. Unexpected, however, Court Theatre, Arnold Ostman cond. the Bavarian Radio, Bernard Haitink is Maazel's handling of the two mighty L'OISEAU-LYRE 0 414 316-1 three discs cond. ANGEL 61 DSC-3982 three discs dissonant chords that make up the cli- $29.94, © 414 316-4 three cassettes $35.98, 0 4D3S-3982 three cassettes max. I hear no shriek of agony here but $29.94, 0 414 316-2 three CD's no list $35.98, © CDCC-47295 three CD's no something rather more solemn, herald- price. list price. ing the inexorable approach of Death after the manner of the "death knell" Performance: Stunning Performance: Low-keyed climax in the first movement of Bruck- Recording: Great Recording: Good ner's Eighth. All in all, this release offers The miracle of Mozart's Cosi fan tutte is This latest recording of the so-called a different and provocative view of the ensemble writing, and the strength original Dresden version of Wagner's Mahler that should certainly stimulate of this recording's cast lies in its ensem- much -altered opera Tannhauser, while some healthy rethinking of the Mahler ble singing. Each voice, too, suits its musically sensitive, seems too small aesthetic. D.H. characterperfectly.RachelYakar's scaled. The climaxes are not impulsive spintoeasilyencompasses Mozart's enough, and the work's dramatic sweep MENDELSSOHN: A Midsummer cruelly wide leaps and is capable of a is incompletely realized. Most curious, Night's Dream: Overture, Op. 21; Inci- superb legato. Alicia Nafe's rich mezzo- however, is the casting. Why did Lucia dental Musk, Op. 61.Kiyomi Toyoda, soprano supplies just the right amount Popp even consider undertaking the Yukie Ohkura (soprano); Tokyo Metro- of contrast to differentiate the two sis- role of Elisabeth? Although she does politan Symphony Chorus and Orches- ters. Georgine Resick, a fine light sou- convey the youthful purity of Wagner's tra, Peter Maag cond. DENON 33C37- brette, wisely refrains from the kind of heroine, she turns in a vocally bland 7564 no list price. vocal distortion in her playing of the performance. Performance: Poetic mock doctor and lawyer that would Klaus KOnig fares somewhat better as Recording: Excellent make repeated hearings of the recording Tannhauser, but though his account is painful. Gosta Winbergh's tenor is wide musically accurate, it is not stirring. I Peter Maag's 1957 recording of the open and fresh sounding, Tom Kraus remained unconvinced of his passion- overture and half a dozen numbers supplies the contrasting virile bass for a ate involvement with Venus or his emo- from Mendelssohn's magical score was forceful Guglielmo, and Carlos Feller is tional conflicts with regard to Elisabeth. outstanding in its day and is still listed the perfect foil for Resick's Despina. In As Venus, Waltraud Meier is more con- in Schwann, but a new recording has the ensembles they all sing like instru- vincing, but she has an unsettling vibra- come from an unexpected source-with mentalists, with razor-sharp rhythmic to at the top of her range. Both Kurt surprisingly good results. The Tokyo precision and a sense of balance and Moll and Bernd Weikl are more than Metropolitan Symphony seems to be a interplay that creates a fine blend but at equal to their assignments. much more polished body of players the same time affords individuality to Despite these reservations, the re- here than in some of its early Denon each character. Above all, the perform- cording has merit. Bernard Haitink's recordings, and the Japanese sopranos ance is spirited, and the recitatives fair- conducting issensitive and detailed are altogether surprising in their felicity ly bubble. without being fussy, and he imbues the of phrasingandnicelyintelligible Conductor Arnold Ostman paces the performance with a satisfying unity. English pronunciation. Maag himself music with a sensitivity that always The recorded sound is good too.R.A. 86 STEREO REVIEW MARCH 1986 i ORDER TOLL -FREE 23 PARK ROW 1 1 800.2214180 NEW YORK CITY 1 IN NEW YORK, ALASKA NEW YORK I & CANADA CALL: WORW10038 i (212) 693-0396 MMUS1C iiiia.. Shop at home and save 10% to 50 asa 1 -ftivivialirapia. will01111.5 I -.4111118/.... and more. quality merchandis I IIII=:=llimiallaeeiarane....._-fully guaranteed 4-3.0.---- 1 ....111.lara . AKAI AAV-301 left11/41/1011.1111011191111.111111111.1111". Penmen& KXT2425 60 Won, Per Channel Rec.., $19995 7,113ASF C ombnohan Telephone . A,Icho/Video Switching & Beeperess Remote

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S, WNW urro Osor NAME: OUR '10,000,000 INVENTORY PLEASE CALL US TOLL FREE OR WRITE TO US FOR 111 ADDRESS: PRICES ON ITEMS NOT LISTEDIN THIS AD 111 tOrfur NO 0 0 s DEALERS/INSTITUTIONAL 1.4. Mil/CH.0M SroMWO CITY: STATE: ZIP: w7 ..:074=1111.1rOSTrir r.POLPAPMHu MOWS INQUIRIES CALL 18001 221-3191 *simmomm 4110ME1111EMMIEca,pt t I ND SI 00 SON SHIPPING AND HANDLING e 11 HO 30 ON READER sigma CARD In New York Carnet. Department Syosset 224 W. Jericho Tpk. BOUT L.I. New York LA BEL LE, _ 1-800-341-0783 516-496-2235 Audio Video Lawrence Bay Harbor Mall 345-65 Rockaway Tpk. 1-800-443-1927 L.I. New York CAMERA & STEREO OF MAINE Call Toll Free anywhere in continental USA & Hawaii. 516-371-1320 Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Send all mail orders to' IN MAINE, these items may also be Prices and products in ettect thru Feb- 50 INIP Drive ruary 25th thru March 26th. Open Mon. - Celtic', shipping & handling charges. Ask about C.O.D. orders. purchased at La Ma're of Maine Money orders accepted. Allow 4 weeks clearance on personal Inwood. New York 11696 155 Main St. Biddeford. ME 04005 Fri. Open Sundays 10-8. Closed Satur- 516-371-2800 day. checks. Visa/Mester card American Express Diners Club. it AM -FM RECEIVERS' CASSETTE DECKS ILTURNTABLES Cartridge of the Month 41LC2Mpact Disc Playerll

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Discs and tapes reviewed by MIAMI VICE, THE MUSIC Chris Albertson Phyl Garland Alanna Nash Mark Peel Peter Reilly Steve Simels

ASIA:Astra.Asia (vocals and instrumentals).Go; Voice of America; Hard on Me; Wishing; Rock and Roll Dream; Countdown to Zero;and four others. GEFFEN 24072-1$8.98, 0 24072-4 $8.98. Performance:100% recycled Recording:Good If you seek safety and security when buying records,you'll love "Astra." Every note has been pretested and proved effective on albums by Toto, Journey,Loverboy,orthe Moody Glenn Frey (center) with Don Johnson and Phillip Michael -Thomas Blues. From the lyric sheet, it seems thathalf the songs on this deeply ALTHOUGH cop shows are not my best are Glenn Frey'sYou Belong to the mediocre record are about nuclear Ar- favorite TV fare, the splendid Citywith its stalking, insistent pace, mageddon, and half are about love. I MCA album of music from Phil Collins's hauntingIn the Air To- challenge anyone to listen to the album Miami Vicemakes it easy to night,which builds to an eruptive cli- blindfolded andtellme which are see why that series has become such a max, and Grandmaster Melle Mel's which. Okay, so Asia isn't the most hit. Indeed, the music is one of the stars thunder -voiced recitation ofVice. Mel original band in the world-but the of the show, accompanying every calcu- isa master of the staccato cadences of guys play their guts out for their fans, lated action, underscoring every snippet rap, and there is a lot of heavy meaning right? Then what does John Wetton of laconic dialogue. While the particular in his rhythmically accented allusions mean when he sings,in Rock and Roll vocal artists featured on the album- to prostitution, mob extortion, and the Dream,"When I see the faces from the Phil Collins, Tina Turner, Glenn Frey, failures of our criminal justice _system. limousine, no chance of our survival." Chaka Khan, and Grandmaster Melle For those who have ignored rap, this Hey, fans, that'syou. M.P. Mel-were nowhere in evidence the few track would be an ideal place to begin times I tuned in toMiami Vice,they developing an appreciation of it as an BIG DADDY:Meanwhile ... Back come across louder and more impres- art form. in the States.Big Daddy (vocals and sive than life on the album. Moreover, I also cannot pass over the contribu- instrumentals).I Want to Know What the recording lets us hear them in glo- tion of Tina Turner, whose perform- Love Is; Always on My Mind; Sussudio; riousstereosound,somethingfar ancein Better Be Good to Me isfully Dancing in the Dark; I Just Called to beyond the capabilities of most televi- equal to her hitPrivate Dancer.Overall Say I Love You; Girls Just Wanna Have sion sets. "Miami Vice"isnot only a good Fun;and eight others. RHINO RNLP- The unifying musical thread on the album-it's probably the best compila- 854 $8.98, © RNC-854 $8.98. album and the series is the work of Jan tion of its type since the soundtrack Hammer, who composed and performs fromSaturday Night Feverhelped to Performance:Priceless the theme music and connective instru- breathe new life into the record industry Recording:Very good mental material. His five tracks here a few years ago. Phyl Garland "Meanwhile . . . Back in the States" weave a sonic tapestry that throbs with continues the charming conceit of Big excitement. This is music that could not MIAMI VICE. Music from the televi- Daddy's first album-that the band is have been created before the advent of sion series. Jan Hammer.Miami Vice an authentic bunch of Fifties rockers, synthesizers and heavily amplified elec- Theme; Miami Vice; Flashback; Chase; imprisoned for twenty-four years by tronic effects. It is the music of "now" Evan.Glenn Frey:Smuggler's Blues: Communist rebels, who now play con- at the peak of its intensity. yet itis You Belong w the City.Chaka Khan: temporary songs in the only style they steeped in such a solid musicality that Own the Night.Phil Collins:In the Air Vice. know. It may be a one joke act, but it the effects always seem to serve some Tonight.Grandmaster Melle Mel: S has a surprising resonance. In fact, the fundamental aesthetic purpose. Tina Turner.Better Be Good to Me. group's demolition jobs on such recent The same level of excellence is main- MCA MCA -6150 $8.98, 0 MCAC-6150 8 hits as Prince'sPurple Rainor Foreign- tained in the vocal tracks. Among the $8.98, (1) MCAD-6150 no list price. er's /Want to Know What Love Is man- z ageto show just how slight these songs are and at the same time make them far Fun,but I'm also much taken with the F.XPLANA'I'ION OF SYMBOLS: moreexcitingthantheoriginals. Eddie Cochranesque runthrough of the O = DicriAL-MASTER ANALOG LP Whether you call it art, satire, or even a Pointer Sisters'Jumpandthe Be-Bop- = S I ERE° CASSFI-IT. taxi, this is very funny stuff. Exhibit A is a-Lulatreatment of Michael Jackson's = DIGrl'AL COMPACT Disc the Duke of Earltreatment given to Billie Jean.In fact, there isn't a dull 9 = MONOPHONIC RECORDING Cyndi Lauper'sGirls Just Want to Have moment or a misfire gag on the whole

STEREO REVIEW MARCH 198689 record. I hope these guys keep turning smith has lingered through the years, out albums like this forever. S.S. making him the self-appointed "spokes- man for the bald -spot generation," his ANGELA BOFILL:Tell Me Tomor- new album shows him capable of a full row.Angela Bofill (vocals); vocal and range of emotions, the second half instrumental accompaniment. Generate revealing the tender, wistful side of the Love; Tell Me Tomorrow; Midnight devilish rogue at work on side one. Shine; I Don't Wanna Come Down Some of the songs are overlong, such (from Love); First Time; and four oth- as Gypsies in the Palace, about how the ers. ARISTA AL8-8396 $8.98, AC8- housesitters tear up the place while the 8396 $8.98. boss is out on the road. Others, such as Performance: Quality pop Please Bypass This Heart, a country Recording: Satisfactory takeoff on ticker surgery, strain the patience. None, however, fails in the Whether or not you care for the songs way of charm, and several, including she sings, you have to credit Angela Desperation Samba (Halloween in Ti- Bofill for a consistently high level of juana), quietly stir the soul. Altogether, performance and the distinctive way a lively and lovely little offering.A.N. she uses her voice-a lusty, full-bodied instrument that she projects in a direct, JOHNNY CASH: Rainbow(seeBest of vibratoless manner. The best songs are the Month, page 73) usually the ones she writes herself; the only trouble with this album is that DJAVAN.Djavan (vocals); instrumen- there aren't enough Bofill originals. The tal accompaniment. Lilas (Lilacs); Luz outstanding cut is one she wrote with 0 (Light); Esquinas (Corners); Sina (Fate); Alan Palanker, the simply magnificent I and five others. COLUMBIA FC 39973, Don't Want to Come Down (from Love). Djavan: Brazilian bittersweets FCT 39973, no list price. It is marked by the interesting modula- tions that characterize Bofill's writing "Hundreds and Thousands" is essen- Performance: Appealing style, and she sings it from the depths of tially an alternative version of "Age of Recording: Very good her soul. Second place goes to the Consent" made up of remixes and pre- The Brazilian composer -singer -guitarist catchy title track, Tell Me Tomorrow. viously unreleased tracks. Fully repre- Djavan made his North American de- The rest is forgettable apart from her sentative of Bronski Beat's strengths but two years ago at the Kool Jazz Fes- meticulous performances. and weaknesses, the music has remark- tival in New York City, and I recall how able rhythmic verve and displays an he ignited his audience in Avery Fisher BRONSKI BEAT:Hundredsand imaginative shuffling of styles, from Hall. He stood onstage in a blue light- Thousands.Bronski Beat (vocals and Jazz Age swing to machine -age Giorgio a lean, handsome, brown figure in white instrumentals). Heat Wave; Why; Run Moroder dance music to African drum with dreadlocks cascading over his from Love; Hard Rain; Small Town music. There's also a melodramatic in- shoulders-and sang music rich with Boy; Junk;Infatuation/Memories*: clination that leads the group to stretch the bittersweet melodies and African - Close to the Edge; I Feel Love Medley*: some of its tunes way beyond anyone's derived rhythms of Brazil, with instru- Cadillac Car* (*on cassette only). MCA normal attention span. mental textures that hinted of U.S. pop. MCA -39038$6.98, MCAC-5678 The remixes-of Heat Wave, Why. Djavan's particular brand of fusion had $8.98. Smalltown Boy, and Junk-aren't radi- already, in fact, won him star status in Performance: Bright, lively cally different. Heat Wave now has an his own country. Recording: Very good annoying tape of an aerobics class as an Much of Djavan's instant appeal introduction, and the other tunes are comes across on this album, his first Anyone old enough to remember the elongated with added instrumentals and U.S. release. A great deal of that appeal first British Invasion may be unable or dub effects. But the effect is brighter and stems from the plaintive quality of his unwilling to admit it, but pop music is livelier than on "Consent." voice, which seems to convey the mean- nearing the end of another British - The new tracks-Infatuation/Memo- ing of his Portuguese lyrics even if we inspired era, one of pop's most interest- ries and Close to the Edge-don't add are unable to understand a word. Fortu- ing, important eras-the age of club much luster to the Bronski legacy. nately, translations are provided, and music. With virtually no airplay, synth - There's really too much music and not they reveal the lyrics to be sensitive, pop and New Romantic groups like the enough interesting material on the cas- imaginative, and laced with irony. Un- Human League, OMD, Flock of Sea- sette, and most of the second side drags. fortunately, the arrangements, some by gulls, Haircut 100, Spandau Ballet, Soft Still, either the LP or the tape makes a Djavan himself, are at times so heavily Cell, Heaven 17, and others set the cool nice memento of what night life was laden with pop cliches that the distinc- tone and kinetic rhythms that have like at its best in the first half of the tiveness of his style is diluted. dominated urban night life for nearly Eighties. M.P. Djavan is at his best here on Sina five years. As creative forces in pop (Fate), which has a sweet Caribbean lilt music, however, these groups are losing JIMMY BUFFETT: Last Mango in to its rhythms; Luz (Light), where he some of their influence. Paris.Jimmy Buffett (vocals, guitar); engages in some quite effective scatting; Bronski Beat was a late arrival. The vocal and instrumentalaccompani- and Liberdade (Freedom), which is af- group's 1985 debut album, "The Age of ment. Everybody's on the Run; Frank fectingly lovely in a classic, haunting Consent," brought together some of the and Lola; The Perfect Partner; Please Brazilian style. And there are a few main strands of the club sound-layers Bypass This Heart; Gypsies in the Pal- unexpectedtreatstuckedintothe of contrapuntal synth over a strong dis- ace; and five others. MCA 0 MCA -5600 grooves, including an earnest alto -saxo- co beat, Latin and African rhythmic $7.98, © MCAC-5600 $7.98. phone solo by Ernie Watts on Iris and embellishments, and a campy sense of the expressive harmonica of Stevie swing and drama.Vocalist Jimmy Performance: Full spectrum Recording: Very good Wonder on Samurai. Somerville was the emotional center of While the album fails to convey all Bronski Beat, but he has now left to Jimmy Buffett long ago forged his repu- the excitement of Djavan in concert, it form a duo called the Communards. tation as the Ultimate Party Animal, should serve to introduce him to the The group's sudden breakup thus be- permanently anchored off the hazy American market, where his almost - comes something of a symbolic mile- coast of Margaritaville. While the image new sound will undoubtedly attract stone. of Buffett the witty, whimsical tune - many fans. P.C.

90 STEREO REVIEW MARCH 1986 BOB DYLAN: Biograph (see Best of though, with all due respect, Mick Jag- whole, this album will appeal mostly to the Month, page 74) ger could have done this better). And the perpetual -motion crowd. P.G. Tell Me What the Papers Sayhits a nice ELTON JOHN: Ice on Fire.Elton groove somewhere between the Doobie PETERROWAN: The First Whip- John (vocals, piano); vocal and instru- Brothers and the Pointer Sisters. The poorwill. Peter Rowan (vocals, guitar); mental accompaniment.This Town; rest of "Ice on Fire" is about as much Alan O'Bryant (guitar, tenor vocals); Cry to Heaven; Soul Glove; Nikita; Too fun as divorce court. M.P. Sam Bush (mandolin,vocals);Bill Young;and five others.GEFFEN24077- Keith (banjo); Richard Greene (lead fid- I $8.98, © 24077-4 $8.98. RAY PARKER JR.: Sex and the Single dle, vocals); Buddy Spicher (harmony Man. Ray Parker Jr. (vocals, drums, fiddle); Roy Huskey, Jr. (bass).I'm Just Performance:Eltonic bass, guitar, keyboards); vocal and in- a Used to Be; I Believed in You Darling; Recording:Sterile strumental accompaniment.Girls Are Sweetheart You Done Me Wrong; I Was After fifteen years of his singular brand More Fun; Good Time Baby; Everybody Left on the Street; Goodbye Old Pal;and of rocking,it'stoo much to expect WantsSomeone; One -Sided Love Affair; seven others.SUGAR HILLSH-3749 something new from Elton John. "Ice I'm in Love;and three others.ARISTA $8.98, SH-C-3749 $8.98. AL8-8280 $8.98, © AC8-8280 $8.98. on Fire" is filled with everything but Performance:Lovely surprises. Bernie Taupin (or just "Tau - Performance:Heavier on rock Recording:Nice pin," as the liner notes and label credits now refer to him) has been writing Recording:Good Before his long -ago days with Sea Train lyrics again, and, as usual, he sounds Inrecent years Ray Parker Jr.has and Earth Opera, Peter Rowan spent annoyed. Everyone is out of work, and veered away from the subtle and me- two years as one of Bill Monroe's Blue there's not a faithful woman on the lodic r-&-b-based style that brought him Grass Boys. Today, some twenty years planet. I wish he'd cheer up. to prominence as a producer as well as later, Rowan has established himself as Elton John's ability to attach a tune performer. These days he relies more on one of the leaders of the New Acoustic effortlesslytowhatever Taupin has songs with heavy-handed rhythms that Music scene in Nashville, and his cur- written remains intact. Fortunately, the are finefor dancing but often leave rent album is both a celebration of the tunes Elton zings off are inappropriately something to be desired when heard in a contemporary revitalization of blue- cheerful and energetic now and then. quieter setting. "Sex and the Single grass music and a tribute to the man Still, there are too many maudlin bal- Man" is cut from that pattern, and it who gave Rowan his start, since almost lads and too few ivory -bangers here for has lots of good-natured hijinks like I'm all of the twelve tunes are Monroe origi- my liking. One bright spotisThis a Dog,which is exactly what it says it is. nals. Joining Rowan on the vocals and Town,which inexplicably cranks up a Parker is careful to change the pace instrumentals are other former Monroe rousing horn section for a song about a occasionally, asinthe buoyant and "pupils," tow big -name instrumental- dying mill town. Another is a ribald, catchyGirls Are More Funand the soft- ists on their own. The picking, done barroom rocker calledWrap Her Up(al- erOne -Sided Love Affair,but on the mostly in the classic Monroe style, is

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STEREO REVIEW MARCH 1986 91 beyond criticism, and the vocals are "Diamond Life" it was frequently mul- Charles Burchill backs him with slicing expressive, soaring, and, on the title cut titracked to add depth. There's less of rhythm riffs, while Michael MacNeil's especially, highly evocative.I would that on "Promise," which settles into a piano is frequently called on to restore have preferred more driving energy in slower, less demanding tempo early on order. the lead vocals, where Rowan has occa- and pretty much stays there.It's a Strong, anthemic melodies and a sional trouble staying clean, and a little moodier record and has a tendency to driving, layered rhythm section make at more of a contemporary fcel overall. drift, but these are minor quibbles with least five songs from "Once Upon a But that is nitpicking. The old man what is an altogether pleasant listening Time" candidates for the charts, includ- should be proud. A.N. experience. It may even be safe for me ing Sanctify Yourself Alive and Kicking. to pull my Jackie Cain and Roy Kral Oh Jungleland, All the Things She Said, SADE:Promise.Sade Adu (vocals); in- records out of hiding. M.P. and Ghost Dancing. Here's betting all strumental accompaniment.IsIta five make it. M.P. Crime?: The Sweetest Taboo; War of the SIMPLE MINDS:Once Upon a Time. Hearts; Jezebel; Maureen; and four oth- Simple Minds (vocals and instrumen- SPANDAU BALLET:The Singles ers. PORTRAIT FR 40263, ©FRT 40263, tals).Once Upon a Time; All The Collection.Spandau Ballet (vocals and no list price. Things She Said; Ghost Dancing; Alive instrumentals). Gold; Lifeline; Round Performance: Classy and Kicking; and four others. A&M and Round; Only When You Leave; Recording: Very good VIRGIN SP 5092 $8.98, © CS 5092 Instinction; Highly Strung; True; and $8.98, CD 5092 no list price. eight others. CHRYSALIS FV 41498, © If there hadn't been a Sade, pop music FVT 41498, no list price. would have had to invent her. The Performance: Hard-hitting remarkable, meteoric success of her first Recording: Excellent Performance: Uneven album, "Diamond Life," had a lot to do "Once Upon a Time" is one of the best Recording: Squeezed a bit with our desperate need to bese- power -rock albums since Billy Idol's If you were British, this collection of duced-not by the terrifying video -age "Rebel Yell." After toiling in relative charted singles by England's second -big- eroticism of Madonna or Annie Lennox obscurity (atleast toAmericans) gest -selling band (behind Duran Duran) or the derelict charm of Cyndi Lauper, through ten albums without making a would be a great gift for your fourteen - but by a woman with . . . well, class. dent in the U.S. charts, Simple Minds year -old sister. In any case, it's a pretty "Promise" doesn't have quite the edge stumbled into the No. 1 slot with a song good sampler of songs by a group that "Diamond Life" had, but it's likely to they didn't even write, Don't You (For- has kept getting better, even if its New win new devotees nonetheless, chiefly get About Me) from the filmed atrocity Romantic sound is on the outs. I'm not because it's very much like that debut- The Breakfast Club. Their last two sureIunderstand the song sequence a collection of cushiony, soft -focus soul, records, hailed by the critics, were pro- here, which jumps around from year to jazz, and Latin settings for Sade Adu's duced by Britain's Steve Lillywhite, but year and album to album, but if your translucent, expressive, fragile vocals. it's taken Jimmy !ovine (Bob Seger, systemis equipped to play selected Only a transcendent performer can Tom Petty) and Bob Clearmountain to tracks, you can trace Spandau Ballet's reinvent the familiar and make an au- get Simple Minds' focused yet fiery development in order from the over- dience feel as though it's experiencing sound on record. wrought early hits, like To Cut a Long something for the first time. Ten years Ironically, under Iovine's direction Story Short and She Loved Me Like a ago Sade's kind of pop -jazz was the sig- Simple Minds sounds remarkably like a Diamond, to the arch sophistication of nature of Creed Taylor's CTI jazz somewhat more disciplined, less stri- Round and Round and Highly Strung. label-andten yearsagoit was dent version of U2, Lillywhite's best- There's also an astonishing sixty-eight unforgivably unhip. Now here we are in known project. In fact, "Once Upon a minutes of music on the LP, with no 1986, thrilling to the muted trumpet Time" so strongly suggests both U2 and significant distortion. M.P. and cocktail -piano -and -bassaccom- Idol that it comes as a bit of a revela- paniment as Sade shifts back and forth tion-the two groups are hardly soul - 10,000MANIACS: TheWishing between the timid, vulnerable phrasing mates. The difference is that Simple Chair.10,000 Maniacs (vocals and in- of Is It a Crime? and the aching, girl- Minds makes technically polished, gut - strumentals). Can't Ignore the Train; from-Ipanema-on-a-suicide-jag cry of wrenching power rock without striking Just As the Tide Was A -flowing; Scorpio War of the Hearts. apose-political,pornographic,or Rising; Lilydale; Everyone a Puzzle While Sade's voiceisa soothing otherwise. Vocalist Jim Kerr comes off Lover; andeightothers. ELEKTRA instrument, it's no powerhouse, and on as a Glaswegian tough, and guitarist 60428-1 $8.98, © 60428-4 $8.98. Simple Minds: technically polished, gut -wrenching power rock Performance: Haunting Recording: Excellent Here's a quirky, at times haunting little album by what appears to be an uncom- monly smart little band fronted by Na- talie Merchant. Merchant has an en- chantingly pure voice that will remind you of Sandy Denny, as well as a nicely poetic way with words ("Pardon the drapery languageIchose," she says wistfully in one song). The Maniacs are difficulttopigeonholestylistically, veering among New Wave eccentricity, the neo-Byrdsian stylings of R.E.M., and a Celtic folk sound that recalls Fair- port Convention. Their songs are personal,thoughtful,and uncommon, dealing with such noncommercial subjects as walking in cemeteries, escaping small-town life, and the Cherokee In- dian perspective on President Andrew Jackson. Yet none of it seems at all pre- cious. Produced by Joe Boyd with a lovely

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SPEAKERS 10 Competitive Prices with SANSUI Z -7000X UNCOMPARABLE SERVICE. 100 watt/ch $329 THE "TOWER" by Sansui $119 ea JVC PC -50 VIDEO CAR STEREO SANSUI S-520 Auto -Reverse, 12" 3 -way $89Dolby, and 5 -Band Eq. $118JVC HRD142 JENSEN Call for other specials AUDIO SOURCE EQ 111 Head iar RE980 with Analyzer $225WirelessRemotelliiiiii D gital $159 DISC PLAYERS SONY CFD5 HO Circuitry MARANTZ CAR 360 Below Cost $109 SHARP Portable with Disc (super VHS) CALL Player $359QUASAR MITSUBISHI RX909 DX110 Wireless Remote Loaded with Features $119 Programmable $159 SANSUI M-500 2 Event.'14 Day $279CONCORD 122R SONY D-7 MIDI SYSTEM SANSUI SVR9700 Digital with Dolby $189 Brand New CALL MTS Tuner CLARION 8200 AKAI CDA7 Was $750 now $349HQ Circuitry Digital $115 16 Tracks inRandom 179 Channel CALLCONCORD HPL540 Order $295 RECOTON V622 (FRED) Brand New CALL SANSUI PCV750 TURNTABLES Universal MTS SANSUI RX-3000 Programmable $219 Decoder Bass & Treble & Auto - TECHNICS SLP100 $109 SANSUI SVL1000 Reverse $149 Brand New CALL Combination CD and Laser JENSEN JTX300 TECHNICS SLP300 DUAL CS616 Disc $799TRIAXLES Brand New CALLDirect Drive $94 SONY CCDV8AFU 150 watt $64 TECHNICS SLP500 TECHNICS SLB921 8 mm Auto Focus Camcorder EPI LS 60 Brand New CALLSemi -automatic $68 $1249Below Cost $59 TOSHIBA XRZ50 SANSUI PL -55 SONY SLHF400 Programmable $179Linear Tracking $139 SOME ITEMS CLOSEOUTS. Super Beta Hi-fi $469 TOSHIBA XRV22 SHERWOOD ST -903 SOME LIMITED QUANTITIES. SONY KV1365 Dual Disc Player $319Linear Tracking $89 NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR 13" Color TV $259 SANSUI PCV500 $199KENWOOD KD21 $59 TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS. CIRCLE NO. 56 ON READER SERVICE CARD 343 CANAL ST., NEW YORK,NY 10013 sonic sheen that never becomes obtru- comes across as an easygoing, folksy CALL TOLL- FREE sive, "The Wishing Chair" is one of the hillbilly boy instead of a stiff and dis- 800-622-2340 nicer surprises to have crossed my turn- tanced legend. People who remember table this year, and you should hear it. attending his concerts say Williams NY,AK,HI call (212) 226-7229 Picks to click: the atypical near -metallic completely demolished his audiences, rocker My Mother the War and a simply and the energy he pumped into his live WE SHC.O.D.! gorgeous version of an obscure tradi- radio performances, plus the personali- AUDIO SONY CAR STEREOS tional tune called Just As the Tide Was ty at work as he jovially introduces wMF10MKII RECEIVERS 99 A -flowing. S.S. most of these cuts, offers a hint of what WMF 5 89 CLARION AKAI WMF75 99 those concerts-and Williams-were AAV201 8200RT 106 138WMFI8 67 8400RT AAV301 192 135 JANE WEIDLIN. Jane Weidlin (vo- really like. Overall, a delightful LP, and, 8625RT 156 AAV401 260 AUDIO 8600RT 149 cals, guitar); other musicians. Blue Kiss; with two previously unissued perform- JVC 169 RX110 99 CARTRIDGES 8800RT Goodbye Cruel World; Sometimes You ances of Moanin' the Blues and Wed- 8900RT 199 FIX400 289 700E(1A 89 Really Get on My Nerves; Somebody's ding Bells, a treasure for true Hank Wil- RX500 379 SHURE 800A11 69 6X330 189 M104E 24 Going to Get into This House; and sev- liams fans. A.N. 900E0A 125 RX220 139 M105 32 RX370 MI1OHE 39 5E420 29Pr en others. I.R.S. 5638 $8.95. 219 8E520 TECHNICS V15TypeVEI 99 28Pr 5E620 32Pr. WINDJAMMER: Windjammer 111. SA150 109 V 15TypeVMR 139 Performance: Too slick VI5TypeVP 109 SE970 45Pr Windjammer (vocals and instrumen- SA380 179 5E980 Recording: Very good SA946 STANTON 59Pr 199 SE990 71Pr tals); other musicians. You're the One; SA936 189 680EL 49 500AL 35 CONCORD Jane Weidlin was the cutest of the Go- HPLIO2 159 So Hard; I Thought It Was You; It's AUDIO HPL117 223 Go's, and on the basis of the inner - Too Late; She's a Dance Machine; and CASSETTE AUDIO HPL520 282 sleeve photo included on this debut solo five others. MCA MCA -5614 $8.98, O DECKS TECHNICA HPL540 349 HPL550 425 album, she has grown into her looks to MCAC-5614 $8.98. AKAI ATI20E 25 HPA51 119 the point where she is now almost drop - HXA101 66 AT122EP 24 HPA54 159 Performance: Familiar HXA301 119 49 HPA71 169 dead gorgeous. A similar metamorpho- HXR40 AT14OLC 146 AT216EP 26 HPL518 279 sis has affected her music in a less fortu- Recording: Very good JVC AT221EP 32 JENSEN KCIV120 74 ORTOFON J1283 24Pr. nate way, however. Whereas her Go- From their nautical outfits to the sound KDV200 104OMIO 29 31405 42Pr. KDV300 129 0M20 55 J3023 65Pr. Go's work was adorably rough -edged of their music, the vocal -instrumental KDV400 189 ONI30 89 JCX200 46Pr. (Our Lips Are Sealed, for example), soul quartet called Windjammer ob- KDV456 179 AKG JTX300 60Pr. KDW110 169 P5ED 39 33033 72Pr. these new songs have a case of terminal viously has borrowed some of its inspi- TEAC P1OED 69 US420 32Pr. 6566 119 US620 38Pr. glamour. Produced to a fare -thee -well ration from the Commodores, especial- V800% 279 SHERWOOD by several hands (including ex -Psyche- ly now that the wind has been taken out V900% 319 AUDIO CRD130 102 28000 629 EQUALIZERS CR0150 109 delic Fur Vince Ely) and overdressed in of the sails of that veteran group with 23440 946 CRDI80 144 Tamer all the usual state-of-the-art electronic the departure of Lionel Ritchie. Wind- JVC CR0301 179 PorteOn 425 SEA11 SB ECIA260 51 stylings, Weidlin's songs now address jammer is a closely knit group that's TECHNICS TECHNICS SCA2100 118 RS811 such weighty subjects as nuclear war. capable of generating a great deal of 129 SH8055 199 SCA240 49 SH8026 75 BLAUPUNKT But since they are rendered in her trade- funky energy as well as some listenable RSB28 139 Richmond 169 RSB33 156 mark Betty Boop-as-Valley Girl voice, music when AUDIO Sacramento 269 65849 179 Frankfurt 109 the effect is often unintentionally fun- mer III" mostly offers pleasant but un- RS878 249 HEADPHONES Tuscon 299 RSB933 186 Washington 369 ny. There are some attractive pop distinguished dance music in the cur- AKG Berlin 1349 noises here (Blue Kiss among them), but COMPACT K1 27 rent style, but the lovely ballad So Hard DISC K4 66 mostly it's a disappointing release. S.S. is given such a shimmering rendition K130 4435 PLAYERS K141 that it redeems the album. K240 75 RADAR HANK WILLIAMS: On the Air. Hank TECHNICS K340 129 SLPJ11 209 SONY DETECTORS Williams (vocals, guitar); instrumental BOBBY WOMACK: So Many Rivers. SLP100 229 MDRO3L 10 BELTRONICS accompaniment. Moanin' the Blues; I SLP300 280MDRIOT 13 821 56 Bobby Womack (vocals); vocal and in- JVC MDFI20T 18 834 163 Can't Help It (If I'm Still in Love with xLv200 strumental accompaniment. I Wish He 179MDRE22 21 8345 192 You); 'Neath a Cold Gray Tomb of xLv300 289MDRE22 21 837 173 Didn't Trust Me So Much; Oh Baby, X L v400 269MORA25L 850 188 Stone; I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry; Don't Leave Home Without It; Got to AKAI MDRS30 1921 860 129 CDA7 309MDRM55 49 861 96 and eight others.POLYDOR 0827 531-1 Be with You Tonight; Whatever Hap- SONY NICORM77 59 864 78 $8.98, C 827 531-4 $8.98. pened to the Times; Only Survivor; and CDP30 219MORE242 18 870 138 CDP70 289MDRCD5 85 COBRA Performance: Spirited five others. MCA MCA -5617 $8.98, PortableC05199 3100 102 MCAC-5617 $8.98. TEAC VIDEO 4100 138 Recording: Excellent restoration PD500 349 UNIDEN AIWA RECORDERS Bandit55 103 Hank Williams has been dead for thir- Performance: Wonderful LXI500 299 RD9 209 Recording: Very good PANASONIC RD35 84 ty-three years now, but lately he's had PV1340 329 60300 263 TURNTABLES PV1545 575 RD400 236 the kind of exposure most living artists Bobby Womack is undoubtedly the old PV1740 829 R (3400S 262 would die for. The latest entry in a TECHNICS JVC R1395 142 smoothy of rhythm-and-blues. While so SL1200MKII 279 HRD566 749 PC33 42 series of "new" Williams releasesis many veteran singers have buried their SLBD3 79HRDI50 339 WHISTLER "On the Air," a compilation of live SLBD2 80 HITACHI Spectrum 179 talents under a barrage of electronic SLC1X300 149 VT94A 499SciectrumRem 179 radio appearances Williams made from SLOX200 129VT76 429 effects and faddish noise, Womack has SLL3 149 AUDIO TAPES 1949 to 1952. As on the 1984 compan- remained true to his art, emphasizing PIONEER LASER DISCS MAXELL PL750 79 XLII90 1.99 ion album, "Rare Takes and Radio sweet melody and deep expressiveness. PL460 59 PIONEER XLI IS90 249 Cuts," the recordings were lovingly re- "So Many Rivers" shows how he's PLL50 119 L0700 445 TDK stored by Alan Stoker of the Country PLL30 99 LD900 924 SA90 1.59 lasted for so many years. Sometimes SA X90 209 Music Foundation, who cleaned up the you can detect in his style the get -down, SOUNDABOUTS COMPUTERS VIDEO TAPES sound from the sixteen -inch transcrip- gut -tugging qualities of an Otis Red- ARIA COMMODORE HSPO5MKII TOK tions and original 78 -rpm lateral -cut ding, especially when the rhythms are 42 128 259 1120 449 HSG500 89 1571 269 HST120 4139 discs without imposing any artificial strutting, as on the title cut, but even HSJ400MKII 109 Monitor1902 309 HST500 T120EHG 5.79 "enhancements" or fake -stereo rechan- when the tempo cools Womack can 109 ATARI MAXELL TOSHIBA 130XE 149 EX T120 449 neling. The fidelity, which varies from seize the emotions, as on a soul ballad KT4015 39 Printer 1027 129 HGX T120 5.79 cut to cut, is surprisingly superior to the KT4075 95 Disc drive 159 like Got to Be with You Tonight. His Gold T120 725 earlier release, but the real thrill is both lyrics are adult, in the positive sense of No credit cords. Please remit by money order, cashiers or cos -Wiwi check. Personal checks will be held 3 weeks for the intimacy and the raw emotional the word, as in the ironic I Wish He bank clearance. We will ship COD (cash or certified check intensity the live -radio format affords. Didn't Trust Me So Much, and the only). Continental U.S add 5% of order for shipping & handling (min $4.00)Shipments by air -double these "On the Air" gives us a relaxed and arrangements offer sophisticated sup- charges. Prices subject to change without notice. All sales close-upportraitof Williams, who port without being intrusive. P.G. are final. N.Y. Residents must add sales tax. Wholesele- cell for details. 94 STEREO REVIEW MARCH1986 CIRCLE NO 65 ON READER SERVICE CARD WINNER'S Great Music aid Humor Highlight JAZZ VIDEOCASSETTES from CIRCLE VIMjVideo Arts International cus,aarnm scHwARMOPF DER ROSENKAVAUER Mawr VON KARAIAN

v.... SEIM Ominell JOHNBLAKE: Twinkling of an Eye. M..win/rrrMM. John Blake (violin); vocal and instru- mentalaccompaniment.DatDere; ....= *am. Ocean Walking; La Verdad; Con Alma; and three others. GRAMAVISION 18- THE ABDUCTION OF FIGARO At 8501-1 $9.98, © 18-8501-4 $9.98. DER ROSENKAVAUER Elisabeth HEIFETZ gre2te51 ANNA RUSSELL: THE (FIRST) Scnwarzkopf. Sena Junnac. and Ot the 20th Century it (Rrtormarce FARBWELL CONCERT Ire Ion last, P D 0 Bach or videocassette to EdeInanc recreate their all star with Brooks Smith piano and the Cc ' -es calls 'he world's Hisfirstfull lengthopera as discovered. doggedly edred and Performance: Mixed strokes rolesin Straussmost popular French National Orchestra Jascna turn. stwoman Tars recital conducted by his only champion. Recording: Excellent opera,filmtdatthe Salzburg Heiletz made only one TV special. lealuces Miss Russell's now Festival under the baton of Herbert and VAI )resents it here with two infamous analysisofWagner's Prof Peter Schickele Taped at its von Karalan 'Pride of place belongs additional selections not seen on the "Ring' DO plus mary other of her world premiere performance Violins seem to be "in" again. They Funny" (The to this classic (Time) 2 cassettes. originaltelecastIncludes two hilarius sketches 'Best ofthe Screamingly have been on the jazz scene since the color. Hi Fi 189 95 Heal sgnalure piecesBachs year -{The Ms:1mph PEW,- Color. WashingtonPost) Color S:ereo Hi 69001 VHS 21001 Beta Chaconne and Bructis Scottish Fan Hi Fi $5995 Fi $5995 early days in New Orleans, when rag- tasy Color Stereo HI Fr 559 95 69019 VHS29019 Bets 69027 VHS29027 Beta time bands employed them, but only a 69026 VHS29026 Beta handful of players have made their mark playing jazz violin. Now it appears that this old instrument is enjoy- VAI also brings you superb ballet videocasset- VA cassettes are iistnbuted exclusively by RCAlAriola Interna- tes featuring such artists as Maya Plisetskaya, tional and are avai able at selected stores. To order by phone or ing a new life in jazz as a voice of mail CALL TOLL -FREE 1-800-431-9003 To order by mail fusion, which may be because its sound Galina Ulanova and Vladimir Vasiliev plus stars send check morey order, Visa or Mastercard no plus expiration is often emulated on synthesizers or of the Bolshoi and Kirov Ballets; PLUS 11 Oak nclude $2 75 shipping and handling for first title and 1 75 because today's violinists often plug . operasfrom the Glyndebourne Festival; Maria for each additional title N Y. residents include appropriate tax. Make their instruments into synthesizers. Callas as Medea, Moffo as Lucia di Lammer- chicks payable and mail to' John Blake's violin has been heard moor and Menotti's The Medium with Marie Video Arts International, Der. R. Box 153, Station. with saxophonists as diverse as Archie Powers. Call or write for our free catalog. New York. NY 10023 Shepp and Grover Washington, Jr., but he has been at his best with higher -cali- CIRCLE NO 73 ON READER SERVICE CARD ber musicians like Jay Hoggard and Cecil McBee. "Twinkling of an Eye" is his own album, and it's an unabashedly -Shelf Conscious? - A DIFFERENT KIND commercial effortthat blends some Nowyou can organize your copiesof horrid numbers in the Les Baxter vein FREEOF RECORD CLUB (like Blake's own Genesis) with per- TREMENDOUS SAVINGS formances that show him to be a mu- Stereo Review INCLUDING COMPACT DISCS... sician deserving of better material. Con 'low your magazines can be a handsome on every record and tape in print- Alma, a hauntingly beautiful Dizzy Gil- addition to your decor, well organized, and easy no "agree -lo -purchase" oblication of any kind. lespie composition, falls in the latter to find. thanks to these durable library -quality DISCOUNTS OF 20% TO 73% really cases or binders. They're made of luxury -look off mgt. suggested list ... special catalog category.Here Blake's talent leatherette over high -quality binders board. And features hundreds of titles and artists. shines through the veil of blandness both styles are custom -designed for this or any MOST LABELS AVAILABLE that mars this album. C.A. magazine you save, with size, color, and imprint including most imports through special custom selected by the publisher. FREE vansfer foil ordering service-guarantees satisfaction CHARLES MINGUS:The Complete included for marking dates and volumes. SCHWANN CATALOG Candid Recordings.Charles Mingus Magazine binders hold a year's ists thousands of titles. (bass); other musicians. Folk Forms No. issues on individual snap -in rods. DISCOUNT DIVIDEND COUPONS combining them into one volume. redeemable immediately for extra discounts. 1;Original Faubus Fables; Stormy NEWSLETTERS Weather; Vasserlean; Body and Soul; $7.95 each: 3 for $22.50; 6 for $42 95. Mixed titles OK for quantity prices. informational news and happenings in the Mysterious Blues; Lock "Em Up; and ten world of manic ... special super sale listings. others. MOSAIC MR4-111 four discs $37 Open -back cases store your DISCOUNT NEEDLE GUIDE (postpaid from Mosaic Records, 197 issues for individual reference. most mfg. replacements available. Strawberry Hill Ave., Stamford, CT $6.95 each; 3 for $19.75: QUICK SERVICE 6 for $37.50. Mixed same cay shipping on many orders.. 06902). titles OK for rarely later than the next several days. Performance: Vital jazz quantity prices. 100% IRON -CLAD GUARANTEES on all products and services-your total Recording: Excellent satisfaction is unconditionally guaranteed Stereo Review, P.O. Box 5120 The Candid label was a short-lived ven- Philadelphia, PA 19141 Discount Musi: Club isa no -obligation membership ture over which Nat Hentoff reigned Please send: Cases 0 Binders Quantity clubthat guarantees tremendous discounts onall

1 stereo recordstapes and CO's and let you buy what twenty-five years ago. For about a year, Stereo Review: you want .when you want_ or not at all it you choose. Hentoff used his recording budget care- (Other titles). ENCLOSED IS $ 'Add $1.00 per order . These are just a few of the money -saving reasons to fully and wisely to capture some ex- for post. & handling. Outside USA add $2.50 per unit write for tree detailsYou can't lose so why rot fill out traordinary sessions, among them two ordered. Send U.S. funds only. CHARGE ORDERS and mail the c:.upon below for immediate information. days of recording activityfeaturing acceptec for American Express. VISA, or MC. PHONE TOLL FREE 800.526.0790. In NJ only 201 dim DISCOUNT MUSIC CLUB INC 009 ,) 180 bassist Charles Mingus. If you are a 540.0445. BY MAIL include credit card name, ". 481 Main Street. New Rochelle. N Y 10801 Mingus fan or a devotee of modern jazz, and exp. date. MINIMUM CHARGE ORDER $10. you probably have the original albums Print Name Name released on Candid, or the Barnaby reis- Address Address

sues, but don't let that deter you from City/State/Zip City _ State Zip 'PA residents add 6% sales tan.

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THE NEXT TIME AN AD TURNS YOU ON, TURN TO A FREE INFORMATION CARD! Cuscuna along with reprints of Nat SWING REUNION Hentoffs original notes. C.A. JACK WALRATH: At Umbria Jazz IT was a year ago that they assem- Book -of -the -Month Recordsrelease Festival, Volumes 1 and 2. Jack Walrath bled in New York's Town Hall, sev- that splendidly captures the event. Ev- (trumpet); other musicians. Two in en musicians whose names are sy- erybody gets a chance to shine. In fact, One; John Agar; Blue Moves; Feel No nonymous with jazz of the unla- it's hard to pick out any highlights from Evil;andthreeothers.REDREC- bored,fiercely swinging kind. There what I can only describe as a perfect ORD/PSIVPA 182, 186 $9.98 each. was Benny Carter, the urbane alto saxo- concert. The album itself could be a highlight of any record collection. Performance: Solid Chris Albertson Recording: Fair remote Composer/trumpeter Jack Walrath is SWING REUNION. Benny Carter probably best known for his three and a (alto saxophone); Teddy Wilson (pi- half years with Charles Mingus, but he ano); Red Norvo (vibraphone); Freddie has led numerous groups of his own Green, Remo Palmier (guitar); George too. His background also includes a Duvivier (bass); Louis Bellson (drums). year with Ray Charles and considerable Rosetta; There'll Never Be Another You; experience with Preston Love's Mo- Here's That Rainy Day; Swing Re- town band. Perhaps itis the rhythm- union; Evening Star; "Porgy and Bess" and-blues experience that gives Wal- Medley;Undecided; How Highthe rath's music its unpretentiousness and Moon; Exactly Like You; Star Dust; All drive. That Jazz; I Surrender Dear; E.K.E.'s These two albums on the imported Blues; On Green Dolphin Street; Body Red Record labelfeature Walrath's and Soul; AfterYou've Gone; How quintet at the 1983 Umbria Jazz Festi- About You; Polka Dots and Moon- val-more specifically, I presume from beams; Dancers in Love; What Is This the sound, at the Teatro Pavone in Thing Called Love?; Town Mill To- Perugia. One could not ask for a more night; I Can't Get Started; Lush Life/ idyllic setting than this eighteenth -cen- Take the "A" Train; Avalon. BOOK -OF - tury miniature opera house, which odd- THE -MONTH 071-7627 three discs, C) ly enough provides a perfect frame for Red Norvo 21-7630 two cassettes, © 31-7631 two these relatively modern sounds. The CD's, no list price. theater has the intimacy of a club, with phonist-composer-arranger, who that tiers of boxes forming an arc in front of night would record his first vocal in for- Benny Carter the small stage and acoustics that allow ty-eight years; the suave Teddy Wilson, a whisper to be heard from every seat. whose smooth piano style has for years Lacking the stamp of originality that been a hallmark of relaxed swing; Red makes music memorable, these per- Norvo, whose mallets in the Thirties formances are not the stuff of which heralded sounds to come; guitarists legends are made, but they constitute an Remo Palmier and Freddie Green, the hour and forty-one minutes of solid z former playing an amplified instrument jazz, richly endowed with admirable so- and the latter propelling the rhythm sec- los by all five men. I only wish Wal- tion with the bounce and grace he rath's horn had been recorded more in brought to the Basie band. Add George balance with the rest of the group. It is, Duvivier's full-bodied bass and former at times, a bit too prominent. C.A. Ellington drummer Louis Bellson's lim- ber percussive work, and you have a NANCY WILSON: Keep You Satis- stellar septet, a swing band with roots fied. Nancy Wilson (vocals); vocal and that go deep into the original soil. instrumental accompaniment. Ameri- From the moment they kicked off can Wedding Song; Early Morning; with Earl Hines's Rosetta, thislittle We've Got Love; Careless Whisper; and bundle of swing was a hit with the six others.DENON INTERFACE 7597 audience, and so it ought to be with all no list price. who have the good fortune to hear "Swing Reunion," a digitally recorded Performance: Good Recording: Excellent When I recently sat down to review a looking into this four -record set on Mo- One asset of this collection is that it Nancy Wilson video cassette,I could saic. It not only offers all the music on reflects so many of Mingus's moods, not believe what I heard-her tasteless the Candid albums, with superb sound from hysteria to romance, from vio- screams could have turned a hog -caller and annotation, but also includes five lencetotenderness, and everything green with envy. I am happy to report previously unreleased tracks. bears his mark. His fertile mind also that Wilson is her old self on "Keep Mingus was a musical rebel, but he showed imagination when it came to You Satisfied," a Denon CD recorded had a deep appreciation for and sense of picking his collaborators. These tracks in Tokyo last year. Except for input the past. Music was an outlet for his contain memorable performances by from veteran Belgian harmonica vir- anger and frustration, both of which he Ted Curson,EricDolphy,Charles tuoso Toots Thielmans, the heavily had in abundance. His compositions McPherson, Lonnie Hillyer, and Book- synthesized accompaniments areby were often forceful personal expressions er Ervin as well as distinguished mem- Japanese instrumentalists and vocalists. of outrage, as in his Original Faubus bers of an earlier jazz generation. When Superbly recorded, this polite program Fables, but sometimes he chose to regis- Mingus mingled with the geniuses of consists for the most part of uncommon ter his protest with gentle sarcasm, as in jazz past, he showed his respect by ballads that would go well with candle- Vasserlean, inspired by a slumming de- bending their way. light and wine, but Wilson's delivery butante. Mingus crisscrossed musical This is a box full of exciting jazz, con- doesn't give me the goose bumps I so boundaries in wonderful, flagrant viola- siderately packaged with well -written, often get when I listen to Sarah, Billie, tion of purist laws. informativeannotationbyMichael and Aretha. C.A.

98SlERR) REVIEW MARCH1986 STERE1)11.EVIE\\' MANUFACTUREIIS'IXRECII)1{V

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Get on the STEREO REVIEW hotline, now. To place your ad, call COLLECT (212) 503-5999. Or fill in the coupon below and we'll call you. rStereo Review Classified Advertising Department ( up. Park Avenue. New York. NY 10016 YES! Call and tell me more about advertising in STEREO REVIEW Manufacturers' Directory.

111ININFIti NAME

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SIATF AP for theDigitalAge. (Ali MI NII IIINI MRF Sonic excellence For xoductIlfornatiOn .111 ti 1=1 MIN I= Mil MB 1 800-4;6-7736 grEuEoREviEw REGIONAL MAIL ORDER MART

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At Performance Audio/Video, we recognize the importance of speakers in any audio or video system. With this in mind, we have collected several of the world's audio den ltd. best sounding speakers in all categories for you to audition. THREE AUDITIONING ROOMS Now, you no longer need to shuttle from store to store to audition speakers while Authorized Sales and Service attempting to remember the sound you heard two hours or two days earlier. It is very rare to find an audio dealer who gives you the opportunity to audition AUDIO AND VIDEO COMPONENTS so many fine products in one store. Why not take advantage of this? Also. see how ACCUPHASE HAFLER PROTON ACOUSTAT J.M.MICHELL ROGERS much easier the selection of fine components can be in the presence of great speakers. ADCOM KLIPSCH S.A.E. STOP CHASING SOUND. FIND IT AT PERFORMANCE AUDIO/VIDEO A.R. TURNTABLES KOETSU STAX/SUMIKO CLASSE MAGNEPAN SOTA ALSO FEATURING CONRAD JOHNSON MAGNE PLANAR SYSTEMDEK DUAL MONSTER CABLE THORENS Denon Tandberg Kyocera Proton -Audio & Video Systemdek HarmaniKardon DYNAVECTOR NAKAMICHI V.P I Dual Soundcraftsmen Thorens VSP Alphason VPI Robertson Audioquest GRACE N.E.C. YAMAHA JENSEN OHM ZETA Grado JBL Sony Signet Advent Bose Monster Cable Triad Discrete Technology GRADO PEARL CORDER AR Amber Adcom Tiptoes C. J. Walker DCM Time Window and Time Frame. & other fine lines ... RENTALS TRADE-INS DISCS & TAPES SMITH HAVEN PLAZA Call Harold Minto. Proprietor 2021 NESCONSET HWY. (RT. 347) LAKE GROVE. N.Y. 11755 (AOJ TO SMITH HAVEN MALL) (516) 360-1990 (516) 378-4389 365 South Bayview Ave. (Corner Atlantic Ave.). Freeport. Long Island. New York 11520 M/C Showroom Hours. Mon -Fri12 Noon to 7 p m Sat11 a.m. to 6 p.m. VISA WELL WORTH A TRIP FROM ANYWHERE AMEX SAVE ON STEREO AT RETAILERS' EXCLUSIVE! PERDUE'S Network with proven customers in your region polk audiodbx.McIntosh via Stereo Review TandbergFostex Now for the first time. Stereo Review helps you An effective, exclusive regional beam your sales message to pn wen, read) buy network-at reasonable cost. KENWOOD sraN-ron customers in your region With no "interfer, once" from mail order advertising This ideal new medium is open only to autho- Bang&Olufsen rikNakamichi rized retailers. 83% of Stereo Review subscribers And unlike ads in local media, your message in VISA plan to buy in the next 12 months. Memo Review's new GUIDE TO AUTHORIZED CWD Over four -fifths of Stereo Review's young. afflu- RETAILERS is virtually guaranteed to tune in the .LI)6711R_ ent. educated subscribers plan to buy equipment proven customers in your region. So you target ) in the next 12 months.' And your advertising can your true market as never before-at very rea- connect you with these desirable customers sonable cost, 160(1 per 1/9 page regional inser- every month in Stereo Rellell'S 61,11)F.F0 tion (minimum size), additional inches $2011 PERDUE RADIO CO. AVEDORIZED RETAILERS each Discounted rale for 6 insertions, $575. SALES & SERVICE SINCE 1922 Call Collect: (212) 503-5999 10 South Park St., Montclair, NJ To place your ad or for more information, call today. We're waiting to connect you! (Mil 744-4343 198i Rt, lc% subscriber survey 1103 Bloomfield Ave., W Caldwell, NJ (201) 575-8264 STEREO GUIDE TOAUTHORIZED RETAILERS

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111Siunditilvi4e Leonard BCD Radio BOSTON COMPACT DISC At SOUND STAGE you can talk to a FOR OVER 50 YEARS knowledgeable salesperson who will advise CUSTOMERS WORLDWIDE- BEST PRICES MOST KNOWLEDGEABLE SALES STAFF you on the best audio or video equipment No records. that meets your needs and budget From AUTHORIZED DISTRIBUTOR our large selection you con compare ADCOM DUAL OHM performance specifications and prices ADS DYNAVECTOR ORTOFON No tapes. AU. SOUND STAGE equipment includes: ALPINE GRACE PROTON 30 -day best price protection B&O GRADO REVOX All kinds of music. B&W HARMON- SOUND - free 3 -year warranty with ports & labor CROWN KAR DON CRAFTSMEN free delivery DAYTON JEI STAX.SU MI KO PLEASE_NO MAIL ORDER WRIGHT LUXMAN TAN CBERG Mc NNW ENERGY 1AUSF.W4 THE Box DBX Mcl NTOSH THOR ENS ADS SIGNET ROMAN AUDO-PRO ALOCCONTROL DENON NAKAMICHI YAMAHA DCM HASLER ALLISONCJ WAILER BEYER DYNAMO 55 WEST 44TH ST. NYC (212) 840-2025 SW( GRACE FICOION PEW GINDY DBX SOUNDIIIRD &CGS FOSIEX DIJAITECH JENSEN VDEO SANG & OLUFSEN 69-34 51ST AVE. WOODSIDE, QUEENS, NY MADER DEMON CLIFFORD 30 ACOUSTICS SURROUND SOUND (718) 803-1111 Call for store hours LEONARD RADIO OF NJ INC. (718) 961-9888 160 ROUTE 17, PARAMUS, NJ 173 Ekooaskoy (201) 261-5525 Canibndge, MA 02138 NYC. NY 10007 'Available in Paramus only (NW comer of VISIT OUR SHOWROOMS FOR (6 71576-2211. Telex 4996804 Sway & Cortioncn Eisler on Cortiondl LOWEST POSSIBLE PRICES One 11ig61 up ) OR is Homes Honing Expiry Fresh Maxim NY 11365d 251 If

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THEY DON'T DISCOUNT IT? WE DO! GET LOW NEEDLE 1 CORPORATION OFFERS THE LOWEST PRICES on ALL types of audio equipment -includ- PRICING ON ALL GENUINE NEEDLES (STYLI) & ing high -end and even esoteric products not nor- CARTRIDGES BY MOST MAJOR BRANDS. ONE mally discounted! Now we can save you money on DOLLAR BILL FOR CATALOGUE. PRICES & TO OR- the equipment you REALLY WANT. Extensive selec- DER: 1-800-N.E.E.D.L.E.1 (am/ex) OUR ADDRESS: tion -no need to settle for second choice. Thou- When was thelasttime you P.O.B. 431, BROOKLYN, NY 11219. sands of satisfied customers nationwide. Call us for changed your stylus? If you cant $100 REWARD IF WE CAN'T BEAT ANY PRICE IN price quotes or friendly, expert advice. Catalog $1. remember, then it may already THIS MAGAZINE. Merchandise must be in stock. be too late!! (616) 451-3868. VISA/MC/AMEX. THE AUDIO AD- Huge product selection. Mid-Fi to state-of-the- VISOR, INC., 225 Oakes Southwest, Grand Rapids, art. This month's special. Sony Disc Players. 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QuaIlrg Tapes net, Sofa, Spike, Sumiko, Tandberg, ELECTRA- WE ARE THE BEST IN THE U.S. CRAFT, 400 Cedar St., Sandpoint, 1D, 83884 (208)283- EftowWHOLSSALS PRICES VIDEO %18. FRIENDLY EXPERT SERVICE. FAST TOE MAXELL ODE T-120 4 59 FREE SHIPPING. 0 60 85 UR 60 95 TEMT-120 ENG 5139 90 99 UR 90 109 TON120 ND Pro899 Conrad - Johnson, ADS. Hailer, PS Audio, Perreaux, D 120 189 UR 120 1 89 MAXELL Ti120 469 AD 60 1 39 UDiS 111901 59 MAX T120 NC% 589 You may be damaging every Proton, Revox, Crown, Klipsch, Dahlquist, Duntech, AD 90 149 XI.II 60 1 59 MAX T-120 GOLD7E9 Oracle, M&K, Celeshon, Technics, Professional APT SA 60 139 XL N 90 169 SONY 1120 469 record you play... Holman. Audio Pro, dbx, Ohm Acoustics, Infinity, 1 SS 199 SA 90 XL 16 60 SONY 1750 469 ...if you haven't replaced your stylus Bose Monster Cable. SAE. Stax, Amber. Denon, VSP *DX 90 1 95 XL MS 90 2 19 SONY L750 U146 595 SAX 60 2 19 MX 60 3 39 SCOTCH /120 499 (needle) in the past year. Labs. Adcom, DCM, Tandberg, Thorens, Kyocera, SAX 93 229 MX 90 3 69 SCOTCH rue HG599 Finding the proper Shure replacement Grace. Grado, Dynavector, Nitty Gritty, VPI, NY Audio 111(S 60 339 UD 35.90 489 FUJI Labs. Moscodes, Fosgate, and more. AUTOMOTIVE 5x590 389 XL 3590(1 639 FR METAL 90 3 39 styli is easy. Call toll -free 1-80257-4873 MA 60 329 SONY Concord. Sony, Proton, Zapco, Ungo Box and more. 379 FR1190 1 69 MA 90 118 60 75 (Illinois residents call 1-800-624-8522) MAR 60 4 39 MEMBER BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU MC/VISA. 148 93 95 DISCWASHIR MAR 90 for the location of your nearest Shure REFERENCE AUDIO SYSTEMS, 549 MF 120 1 59 DISIUT 29 95 HD el Cin'ag 1 - UCXS 6 0 1 65 CD Cleaner is 99 Stylus Replacement Center. Your dealer 18214 Dalton Ave., Gardena CA 90248. TEAC ((COS 90 1 75 CFMAC 12 49 will show you a stylus that's precision (213)398-4205 (213)391-2679 CRC 90 1010 2.99 ES93Metal 4 59 TAPE CARE 9 49 CALL NOW 7 II 5-413A- SA 7 OR RRRRR IV MAIL designed to maximize the sound of 51411.011115 COST 6 ONLY54 SO FOR ANY ORDER IN USA your system. INSTITUTIONAL ORDERS WELCOME 60 EXTRA CHARcE FOR VISA MC Call today. Don't let a great record ATTENTION KEF CUSTOMERS KEF'S five year war- OUWLITY collection go to ruin. renty applies to the original purchaser only. Speakers 864 East 754 Street. Dept R.Brootlyn.NY11230 imported by non -authorized dealers and resold are not SHURE® covered under this or any other warranty. Technically. such equipment is second-hand. which both voids the RCA -JVC-MAGNAVOX -PIONEER -VCR'S-CAM- warranty and reduces its value. For your nearest au- ERAS-CAMCORDERS-MONITORS-Home & Car DIRECT SIGHT AND SOUND, America's best kept thorized KEF dealer call: 1-18001533-035. Audio. The Stereo Factory, 1010 Tenth St., Hunting- ton. W.V. 25701. 1-800-GET-VCRS orders only. 1-304- audio and video secret, continues to please.. five WE SELL SECOND HAND high quality audio -video with 526-0132 Information. money back guarantee! Send your name and address years and over 40,000 customers later, we still for FREE monthly inventory. Ross Stereo. 4912 Na- CONCERT SOUND HAS MOVED. Linn Sondek offer the bes7 in audio, video, and auto sound ples Place, San Diego. CA 92110. (619) 275-3632. Naim-NAD-REGA-Mordaunt Short-Grado- Magnepan. 7103 Blanco (NW Corner loop 410) San including esoterics at incredible prices! We sell J.P.W LOUDSPEAKERS LTD OF PLYMOUTH DEVON Antonio. 340-1224. and service only U.S. warranty merciandise! Our ENGLAND seeks agressive reps. and HiFi dealers that adhere to the "profit line concept." Contact: Power Au- staff is not only knowledgeable, but helpful and dio Distributors, 4632 Crossroads Park Drive. Liver- NAKAMICHI KUE IOU ACCUPHASE LUX MICRO SEIKI courteous in choosing the right component for pool, hY 13088. (315) 451-5721.

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SAES HIGHPI-KDNIC SONY ES ESPRIT ENTRE STA 0. TCD5M $549, WMD6C $249. We import, direct, from LOWEST PRICES ON BRAND NAME LOUD SPEAKER Japan. International Model Available. Not an autho- DRIVERS. Crossovers, parts and kits. Quantity dis- ATTENTION HAFLER, DYNA, CROWN OWNERS, We rized Nakamichi Dealer.Visa, MC, Amex, Diners, COD build new higher performance circuits in Hefter, Dyne, (206) 221-2977 or 24 hrs. (206) 361-2455. Taskamichi counts available. Send $1.00 for catalogue (refund- Crown audio components. Not "modifications", but Audio, POB 25583 Seattle, WA 98125. able with order). KDS ELECTRONICS, Dept. SR 386, new PC cards and stable, non -stewing circuits that drive real world loads with music signals. Write or CALL TOLL FREE! 14800) 826.0520 for NAD, Hal- POB 907, Rye, NY 10580. call for free catalog and sample of Audio Basics, our ler, Denon, Dahlquist, Tandberg, dbx, 3D, Pro- monthly newsletter. Jensen. Stereo Shop, 2202 River Hills Dr., Burnsville, Minn. 55337. (612) 890-3517. ton, Nittygritty, B&W, VSP, Thorens, Grace, CWD, TAPES Monster, M&K, Grado, Belles, Oracle, Talisman, OLD TIME RADIO-original broadcasts on quality Duntech, Stax, Astatic, Tiptoes, Audioquest, DCM, tapes Free catalog. Carl Froelich. 2R Heritage Farm, Poicts Proac, Dynavector, Fried, Moscode. SOUND New Freedom, Pennsylvania 17349. Vook SELLER, 1706 Main, Marinette, WI 54143. (715) BESTMt* 1930-'962 RADIO PROGRAMS. Beats Television!! In- FogTht 735.9002. expensive Recordings. 275 page catalog. $1.25. AM Sitte. It TREASURES, Box 192SR. Babylon, NY 11702. COP,10.0,M Rime, ARE YOU INTERESTED in Quality Preowned Audio rc, v200v,og,,,,,stO Equipment? Subscribe to "The Sound Trek: pub- ltE 1309 Siee7. lished 6x annually, your listings of items for sale or TAPE WORLD I -800-245-6000 In O SWIM wanted. $10/yr. Call or write: Play It Again Sam. 12611- T. 4 S4 1JC GS 40 146 ms ITs Head WA 104 f. 144.00 071 1.4.10 20 sumSG 224 . R Madison Avenue, Lakewood, Ohio 44107, (216) 228- INARMITL MG 04 4. YAM. 444 S SO (1.1.1410411 SO T. 111.4 144 Cosset,. 0040. MC/VISA. G. DS 4)1 YAMS 00.0- T SO 4001441.0. 114 111.1140 1GS 144,44 1104 Pticr,,onVol. SM. 2011 1,14014,401 GO .41 Wm se es 1:',7,nre.Z"USY'sTjsCITAO..on S3A9 ,ange HIGH -END SPEAKER KITS, raw drivers and auto SA 1. LLD-na .'P4rv51 PC POM,,oc 0,0 140 L SA ML GO 1111 SA 03 es speaker systems form the world's finest manufactur- AO-. 1411 .,,:,s,-**!:!!-th D. 44 IMO. $00 640 ers. For begirners and audiophiles. Audax, Becker, ARfi $169 17. ...CALL fOi Dynaudio. Dalesford. Jordan, JVC, SEAS. More! Siare, :4:41 X 444 CALI! MO( WS . NAT MO, AKE Of 044o,..0(11 1APE auAIMS Peerless. Focal. Scan -Speak. Free price list. A&S MC1,0010 AU r11I0 00401.11C0.044 1. Mr 830.500 11S 101.1. WS 04$31111 OD ADO 141 .312 2F3-8621 SPEAKERS, Box 74625. Denver, CO 80207. (303) 399- 01.1.1,1011144. Ll 8609. 2204401100 41, SWUM HImee, COMPLETE LIME OS TIN AMP MAULPeSTOCK 0 ELECTRO-VOICE, ALTEC. Speakers, components. JBL monitors. components. Revox. Crown Profes- sional amps. E -V, Shore microphones. AHCO. (201) AMPEX PROFESSIONAL SERIES AUDIO TAPE SALE. 561-8123. High quality open reel 1800' or 2400' on 7" reels. used once_ Case of 40, $45.00. 101/2 x 3600' and cassettes. SAVE 40% ON HIGH -END home speakers, subwoof- MC/VISA, Valtech Electronics. Box 6 -SR, Richboro, PA ers, 100 -watt ear amps and decks. no decks, no -holes - installation car speakers. Full warranties. RTRD, 2105 18954.1215) 322-4866. Claremont. Springfield, IL 62703. (217) 529-8793. SPEAK EASY ARCHIVES OLD TIME RADIO PRO- CASH FOR ALL OF USED STEREO EQUIPMENT. We GRAMS at affordable prices. Excellent quality. Send buy by phone STEREO TRADING OLTLET. 320 Old 55.00 w th $3.00 rebate first order. Large selection. P.O. York Rd., Jenkintown, PA 19046. (215) 866-1650. Box 22141, Oklahoma City, Okla 73123. AUDIO SPECIALTY SHOP COMPACT DISCS -Classical, Opera, Jazz -over SERIOUS ABOUT CLASSICAL MUSIC? ABOUT 1,700 titles IN STOCK -detailed catalog $1.00- COMPACT DISCS/ Now in our 4th year. Ethel Enter- UNDERGROUND SOUND -Audiophile Stereo serv- prises is serious about both and invites you to sub- ing the Mid -South for over 10 years. 2125 Central Av- ETHEL ENTERPRISES, P.O.B. 3301. Dept. SR, Fails scribe to our 100 + page catalog detailing more than enue. Memphis. TN 38104. (901) 272-1275. Church, VA 22043 1700 titles in stock. Annual subscription $5.00 (RE- FUNDABLE WITH ORDER). ETHEL ENTERPRISES. AUDIOPHILES/VIDEOPHILES! We have the widest selection of audio/video equipment available. Ky- COMPACT DISCS! Most $11.99-$13.99. 3000 plus ti- P 0.B 3301, Dept. SR, Falls Church, VA 22043. ocera, Allison, Adcom, Infinity, NEC. Thorens, Har- tles in stock. Free catalog plus monthly updates. OZ ms n -Ka rdon, Soundcraftsman. Canton. Haller, RECORDS, 5246 Memorial Drive, Stone Mounta n, BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES Klipsch, Luxman. VHS Hi-Fi! Call for information. Georgia 30083. (404) 292-5452. CONTINENTAL SOUND. 98-77 Queens Blvd., Rego COMPACT DISC/AUDIOPHILE AND IMPORT AL- ERASE DEBTS with little-known law -CREATE wealth, Park, NY 11374. (718) 459-7507. Immediate delivery. BUMS. Large selection, fair prices, fast service, de- Details FR EE-WealthK it, No. DD3, Billings, N.Y MC/VISA/AMEX. tailed monthly BULLETIN. New low pricing. Call 1-800- 12510. 525-2514 for FREE catalog, or write The Essentials POCKET HUNDREDS Mailing Circulars! Spare/full AUDIO ACCESSORIES Marketing, Dept. SR86, POB 3366, Lynnwood, WA time. Sincerely Interested rush self-addressed enve- 98046. lope: Headquarters-MGG, P.O. Box 870, Woodstock. STUCK IN A GROOVE ABOUT ANTI -SKATING? The COMPACT DISCS AND LASER VIDEO DISCS. Nice IL 60098 SKATEPLATE is a 12 inch grooveless vinyl disc that's prices -free lists. MC/VISA. SIGHT & SOUND INC.. easy to use, accurate, and affordable. Send $4.95 plus 18 Bennett StBoston, MA 02135. (617) 787-4465. ELECTRONIC REPRESENTATIVES NEEDED! Low- $2.50 for shipping to: Momori International, 1750 Ka- lakauna Avenue, Suite 3-653, Honolulu, HI 96826. est possible prices!! Over 100 brands! Audio, POLYACOUSTIC FOAM RUBBER SPEAKER CLASSICAL CD's Video, Car Stereo, Computers, ElectronicEx- GRILLES -custom, replacement, OEM. Informa- 2 perts, 1000 Orange Ave., West Haven, CT 06516. tion -22' stamp. Custom Sound, 8460 Marsh, Al- from $11.00 gonac, MI 48801 SATELLITE DISH DISTRIBUTORSHIPS AVAILABLE 60.000 Industry sales monthly are making fortunes. RECORDS MERIDA, Harmony. PA 10637-9717. POP/JAZZ/ YOUR OWN RADIO STATION! AM, FM, cable, li- COLLECTORS' Soundtracks, Mint. List $1 (refund- censed/unlicensed, transmitters! Broadcasting: Box able). Jemm's, P.O. Box 157, Glenview, III. 60025. COUNTRY CD's 130-R3, Paradise. CA 95969. OPERA -HISTORICAL PERFORMANCES. VIDEO 8 from $10.00 HOW YOU CAN MAKE 5220-$745/WEEKEND. Na- DISC. Most comprehensive selection. Catalog $1.00. tional network Television advertising will proclaim LYRIC, Box 622, Merrick, NY 11566. sensational new product. You supervise weekend RECORD COLLECTORS SUPPLIES. REPLACEMENT ORDERS ONLY demonstration sales in local stores. Write: J8R Lim- JACKETS, inner sleeves. 78 RPM sleeves. opera ited, Suite 238, 1471 S. Main. N. Canton, OH 44720. boxes, etc. COMPLETE CATALOG. Cabco, Box 8212, TOLL FREE MAIL ORDER OPPORTUNITY! Start profitable home room 640, Columbus, Ohio 43201. business without experience or capital. Information FROM EDISON TO ELVIS (AND BEYOND) LP'S 78's free. Mail Order Associates. Inc., Dept. 438, Mont- 1. bOU zo i 5811 vale, NJ 07645. 45's etc. Inquiries, The Olde Tyme Music Scene, 915 FOR COMPACT DISCS AND CASSETTES Main Street, Boonton, NJ 07005. (201) 335-5040. $10-$360 WEEKLY/Up, Mailing Circulars! Home -Op- Tuesday - Sunday. 1.800.382.2242 erated. Sincerely Interested rush Self -Addressed En- PROTECT YOUR LP'S-Poly sleeves 13C, Polylined FOR COMPACT DisCs. CASSETTE& velope: Headquarters-MGG, POB 870, Woodstock, IL 60098. paper 176. Cardboard jackets 50e. Postage $2.50. COMPUTER SOFINRRFAARDWARE Record House, Box 323, Hillburn, NY 10931. HOW TO MAKE MONEY PHOTOGRAPHING airplanes. JAZZ. BLUES, ROCK. Below list. VISA, MC. Free cat- (203)452.1490 Free information for SASE. K.B. Brown. 3015-312 E. alog. RUTABAGA RECORDS, 437 North 5th St., FOR INOUIRI S AND CONNECTICUT ORDERS Bayshore Rd.. Redwood City. CA 94063. Stroudsburg, PA 18360. EXTENSIVE DOMESTIC MOVIE FILM/VIDEOTAPES FREE RECORD, CASSETTE AND COMPACT DISC CATALOG: Features a tremendous selection of re- AND IMPORTED SELECTION maindered LP and cassette values in all musical cat- o WRITE OR CALL WE CONVERT OVERSEAS VIDEOTAPES to American egories. Compact disc, cassette and LP new releases FOR A FREE CATALOGUE standards, Visa -Versa. lowest prices. Appel Audio, 74- at discount prices. Many imports and smaller labels (3 18 37 Ave., NY. NY 11372. (718) 507-5800. , in, east Down send casnrei s owl, united cw. SD offered. Prompt delivery. Rose Records. Dept SR, 214 or Personal and compare theca*. 3 VIDEO MOVIE TAPES. Everything imaginable! All rat- SO. Wabash Avenue, Chicago, IL 60604. aawia to dear siatenne -at rnewnern) C 0 D Q an addelsonal $1 IXI Alaska Hare. Canada. PO APO ings. VHS. Beta. Giant catalog $2.00. Tower, Dunkirk. and FPO.5 CO intrarnom Mastercard & Wm nclinle MD 20754-0213. MFS. BEATLES SETS -unopened, #98,295 and 296. Cant no and went= dal, Connet-Ocut residents add Best offer over $500 each. Greg, 3625 Stancrest Drive, 75a1 sales tax .re step sacnnp to nmooer.... mKe POSTER GALLERY. ORIGINAL movie posters, '30.000' Glendale, CA 91208. star photos. 1986 catalog. 2,500 illustrations. $2 (re- Cl sales rebut YOU'VE got the best audio equipment -now buy the fundable). Box 2745 SR, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. VISA/ finest records: Japanese imports. jazz and rock LP's. COMPACT DISCS AT DISCOUNT PRICES. Send $2 for MASTERCARD phone orders: (313) 665-3151. Catalog 61.00, CHOICE NOISE, P.O.B. 158X, White- a quality, up-to-date catalog to: Cat's Compact Discs. hall, PA 18052. Dept. SR. POB 22773, Nashville, TN 37202. BOOKS & MAGAZINES $8.98 LIST LP'S/TAPES $5.17. Compact discs $11.43. "THE GREAT JAZZ CD SALE" -Featuring Delos Catalogs $1.00. NU LITE, 3277 Roswell Rd. N.E., #348. ($9.95), Windham Hill ($10.95), GRP ($11.95). DMP Atlanta, GA 30305 ($12.95). The CD Deli, 5706 7th Ave.. Brooklyn, NY 11220. (718) 439-3324. "We carry all CD labels." USED RECORDS ARE VALUABLE! Are yours? Free Complete Satellite Listings information. Collectors Clearinghouse, P.O Box 135, COMPACT DISCS!! 100's at $11.99! Over 3000 titles! N. Syracuse, NY 13212. Quantity discounts! Send $2.00 (refundable on firs/ Send $1 for sample copy, or call order) LASERSOUNDS UNLIMITED. 1111 West El 800-358-9997 in U.S. 800-556-8787 in Ca. ATTENTION SERIOUS RECORD COLLECTORS un- Camino Real, Suite 109-284, Sunnyvale, CA 94087 707-725-2476 all others usual records, audiophiles, and imports. Free cata- (415) 964-1148. Thanks. log. Records Limited. 5800 Kirkpatrick Road, Charlotte. NC 28211 CD SUPERMARKET -PRICES SLASHED. Most com- satlitererwMek pact discs $12.49. Prompt delivery. Large selection P.O. Box 308ZFORTUNA. CA 95540 COMPACT DISCS For information or phone orders call TOLL FREE 1 (8001 382-1985. CA. residents call 1 (800) 322-1985. CD SU PERMARKET, 12525 Aviation Blvd. Suite 8210, Re- COMPACT DISCS & ACCESSORIES. Call TOLL FREE dondo Beach, CA 90278. EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES 1(800) -ALL -DISC, (in CT. 1 452.0203), for FREE LOWERING COST -$9.95 year membership. Pur CATALOG M -F 10-8. Saturday 10-6 ALL DISC MU- chase all CD's at wholesale cost for year. Prices star: SIC INC . $6.95 classical, Jazz, Popular. imports. $3.00 catalog 41 Monroe Tpke., Trumbull, CT 06611. and further details. Tivoli Entertainment, 725 South FREE EVALUATION Gilbert, Iowa City, Iowa 52240. (319) 338-5738. and ADVISORY SERVICE DUWARS, BOX 6662D, GREENVILLE. SC 29606 -CD For professional electronictechnicians Classical music from $9 up -monthly specials - by prestigious non-profit organization COMPACT DISC CENTER catalog listing. 2,500 titles $1. Earn University Degree (Bachelors or P 0 Box 616S Clifton Park. NY 12065 Masters) through Home Study' Credit NY (5181664.2550 CD'S! TAKE THEM WITH YOU. DISCWALLET. Soft givenforpreviousschooling and Outside NY -To Order Only protection, easy access for 10 without jewel boxes professional experience Upgrade your Call 1-800-2323687 Fanatically designed. $16.95. Oak rack. Stores 20 earning power Free Details Many Discs $1299 $24.95. Discwallet Dept. 5. POB 444, Stn, 2, Toronto. A NON PROFIT CONTINENTAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATES Quantity 10 and over only $1199 Ont, Canada M5N 2Z5. 1-(416)-651-3716. ORGANIZATION P.O. Box 1197 Champlain. NY 12919.1197 00 Cont U S snipping FREE CATALOGUE USED CD'S $8.95-$10.95. Sell your unwanted CD's $6.00-$8.00. Audio Club, 1105 Webster Dept. #436. LEARN WHILE ASLEEP. Hypnotize! Astonishing de- Sandy, Utah. 84070. (801) 571-9767. We'll pay $25.00 tails. strange catalog free! Autosuggestion. Box 24- for BOSTON CD's. ZD, Olympia, Washington 98507. LEARN HOW TO BE A RECORDING ENGINEER at the world's foremost school of audio technology. Nine month program in Multi -track Recording Technology re place a response generating at the INSTITUTE OF AUDIO RESEARCH. Learn re- 2 money -making ad cording, mixing, "Aiming,. editing, digital circuits. 1 call us collect ADVERTISERS' INDEX systems design, and more at the INSTITUTE's fabu- or READER PAGE lous Greenwich Village facility including classes, labs send your copy to. SERVICE NO. ADVERTISERNUMBER and two fully equipped control rooms (including MCI 24-tk automated console) and studio complex. Stereo Review Professional internships at recording studios Classified Advertising 18 Acoustic Research C2, 1 throughout -The Big Apple." Lifetime lob placement. 5 1 Park Avenue, 5th Fkor 74ADC 20 Classes start quarterly. Call or write today. INSTI- New York, NY 10016 Akai 4 TUTE OF AUDIO RESEARCH. 64 University Place, O 20 Audio-Technica 81 Dept. S.R.. Greenwich Village. New York City, NY Rates: 10003. (212) 677-7580. 3 Regular Classified-- $4.95 per word, minimum 15 words or $74.25 15 BASF 37 Display-$595 per inch, Bose Corporation 53 LASER VIDEO DISCS 5 3 inch maximum 9 Frequency discounts and other 33 Canton 39 exciting options available Call 49Carver Corporation 12-13 9 collect for inlormaticn. Laser Video Discs 49Carver Corporation 22-23 Charge your ad to American 49Carver Corporation 28-29 Largest seleclon In tie U.S., with over 1,400 MK 9 49Carver Corporation 82-83 We STOCK whet otherstrat Net. 10% discount anal Express, Diners Club. MC, Visa

ekes. C.O.D.-personel check VISA, MASTER 5 CBS Records 78 CHARGE. and telephone orders accepled. No lime Crutchfield Corporation 84 limit on warranty returns. FOR FREE CATALOG.

write: SteriMp Industries, 605 Utlertseck Store Road. Greet Fait VA 22066. Or call (703) 430-8692 58dbx, Inc 26 or (703) 450-5780. Deco Electronics 3I LASER DISC HOTUNE 71 Discount Music Club 95 Recorded message oil new laser disc releases ATTENTION available 24 hours a day (703) 430-0330 CLASSIFIED 12 Epicure Products, Inc. C4 Illinois Audio 91 1 oweimilligro I ourimalgeo100.11710 e111*)%ft. Iva% seseiorwe sr ram sokeiwiwe ADVERTISERS: 39J & R Music World 87 2i (y) PIONEERIDIt 29Kenwood Electronics 10-11 L! fg; LASER What's the best way 29Kenwood Electronics 42 2 Klipsch & Associates 25 qi VIDEO DISCS 1.4. to reach over 52Koss 49 4) Ken Crane's has one of the 1011 Largest selections in the U.S. 575,000 audiophiles Over 1,000 Titles Available. -prime prospects 30Labelle Camera and Stereo 88 10% OFF on ANY Regular Priced Laser Disc for your mail-order 32McIntosh Laboratory, Inc 18 Prices starting at $9 98-C 0 D Marlboro 14 MasterCard, VISA, or Personal products and services? Maxell Corp. of America 46 Check. Call or write today for a Free 50Mission Electronics 111 Sales Catalog, ('Please specify Through a low-cost ad "Laser Catalog") We Ship Anywhere! Phone #1-800-624-3078 in Stereo Review's Nakamichi 75 In California #1-800-626-1768 or 19 NEC 41 (213) 973-7373 Classified section! 19NEC 77 4900 West 17 Nikko Audio 85 147th St To place your ad, or for Hawthorne CA 90250 further information 61 Perreaux International 34 61 Perreaux International 80 (including rates, 25 Pioneer Video 32-33 37 Polk Audio 6-7 ad styles and sizes), 35 Pyle Industries 19 CLUBS call Lois Price Radio Shack 2 CLASSICAL' MUSIC LOVERS' EXCHANGE. Nation- collect at: Radio Shack 45 wide Link between unattached music lovers. Write: R. J. Reynolds -Winston C3 CMLE, Box 31sr. Pelham, NY 10803. (212) 503-5999 FOR INVENTORS 54Sennheiser Electronics Corp 19 53Sony Tape 16 INVENTORS! AIM wants-Ideas, Inventions. New 4 Soundcraftsmen 96 Products, improvements on exisiting products. We r Stereo Review's 1 present ideas to manufacturers. Confidentiality guar. anteed. Call toll FREE 1-800-225-5800. 1986 TAPE RECORDING 48TUK Electronics 72 INVENTORS! Can you profit from your idea? Call AMERICAN INVENTORS CORPORATION for tree in- BUYERS GUIDE 65Uncle Steve 94 formation. Over a decade of service. 1-800-338-5656. Before you buy tape equipment or acces- In Massachusetts call (413) 568-3753. sories, get some sound advice from Amer- ica's foremost authority on audio/video 73Video Arts International 95 GOVERNMENT SURPLUS recording! Send your name, address and payment to: 56Wisconsin Discount Stereo 93 IS IT TRUE you can buy jeeps for $44 through the US government/ Get the facts today! Call (312) 742-1143 TAPE RECORDING BUYERS GUIDE P.O. Box 603, I loimes, PA 191)43 14 Yamaha International Corp. 51 PUBLICATIONS Enclose $4.95 ($3.95* + SI postage/handling). MARCH FREE promotional albums, concert tickets. stereos. 'Please add your applicable sales tax. Price outside USA etc., Information: BARRY PUBLICATIONS, 477 82ND $6.00 Street, Brooklyn, NY 11209. STEREO REVIEW MARCH 1986 107 0

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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 tracks 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. rPKYOCER8 CIRCLE NO. 72 ON READER SERVICE CARD Built right from the ground up.

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atthe Vienna State by Christie Barter Opera House. The program will spotlight a number of & Steve Simels leading opera singers, among them Kathleen Battle, Mirel- laFreni,Edita Gruberova, Alfredo Kraus, Chrsta Lud- wig, Hermann Prey, Margar- etPrice,LeonieRysanek, ElisabethStIderstrom,and Anna Tomowa-Sintow. A special segment will feature an interview with Elisabeth Schwarzkopf conducted by Beverly Sills, who, as usual, serves as host. Music director is James Levine. 0

ALTHOUGHthe liner notes Peter, Paul, end Mary: silver-winlersary special don't say so, the four chamberworksassembled this year with the release, on a harmonies in the service of under the title "Private Col- series of Compact Discs, ofsuch period classicsas Blow- lection" in a new Musicmas- material from the company ing in the WindandPuff the ters album featuring Benny vaults dating back to the For- Magic Dragon,the program Goodman are drawn from ties and early Fifties. Kicking will be based on their recent Goodman's own collection it off, though, is an even ear- performances at the Tennes- and have never before been lier recording-of the famous see Arts Center in Nashville. available commercially. concert that Goodman and A home -video release will fol- Goodman's mastery of the his band played at Carnegielow, probably from MGM/ classical clarinet repertoire is Hall .n January 1938, which United Artists. 0 often overlooked, especially made historyasthefirst by his jazz fans, but his inter- event of its kind ever booked D0N'Tpoint those things est in music of all kinds and there. The orginal, privately at us, Miami Steve Van Goodman: special collection the consummate musician- recorded tapes have been dig- Zandt and KissauteurGene ship and joy he has shown in itally remastered and are be- Simmons seem to be saying, yHEPublicBroadcasting ing released on two CD's. but inreality, the two are 1 Service has a triple treat Following these will be sin- merely having a friendly dis- lined up for mid -March. On gle CD's by smaller Good-cussion during a taping of co- March 14 PBS will air Ste- man combos and a classicalmedian Richard Belzer's syn- phenSondheim'smusical CD compilation containing dicatedradioshow. What Folliesin a concert perform- works that Goodman corn - united the seemingly incom- ance given under the aegis of missioned from Bart6k, Bern- patible E Street Band star the New York Philharmonic stein, Copland, and Gould as turned protest singer ("Sun at Lincoln Center just after well as Stravinsky'sEbonyCity")withtheapolitical Labor Day last year. The all- Concerto(written for Woody heavy-metal maniac? Music, star cast includes, in alphabe- Herman). 0 of course, in this case an all- tical order, Licia Albanese, star guitar version of the old Carol Burnett, Barbara Cook, LDfolkiesneverdie. soulclassicThe Midnight George Hearn, ErieMills, OThey just get specials on Hour.No commercial release Phyllis Newman, Mandy Pa- PBS. Yes, that's the famed is planned, however, and ac- tinkin,LeeRemick,and Sixties folk trio Peter (Yar-cording to our spy who at- Elaine Stritch. If you want to row),Paul(Stookey),and tendedthetaping,"None prepare yourself in advance, Mary (Travers), whose up- should be." We suspect you you might pick up the RCA coming twenty-fifth anniver- had to be there. 0 recording produced by sary will be saluted in a nine- Thomas Z. Shepard, who was ty -minute PBS show sched- ANDhere's another un- also responsible for organiz- uled to air en March 8. Fea- likely all-star twosome: ing the concert performance turing the group's inimitable baldingguitarhero Mark The following night, March Mills: special Sondheim 15, PBS pays tribute to Benny Van Zandt end Simmons: an unlikely soul classic Goodman with a two-hour playingitearned him our special covering his sixty -year 1982 Mabel Mercer Award. career. Assisting artists on the Included in the two -record program include Red Norvo Musicmasters set are tne clar- on vibes, Louis Bellson on inet quintets of Brahms and drums,Dick Hyman and Weber and the clarinet trios Teddy Wilson on piano, and of Brahms and Beethoven. Slam Stewart on bass. Assisting artists are the pian- Then on March 16 PBSist Leon Pommers and the rolls out its annual Gala ofBerkshire Quartet. Stars, taped earlier this year CBS is honoring Goodman RECORD MAKERS

Knopfler of Dire Straits and has justsignedan ElainePaige pugnacious piano man Billy wasn't 1HEoperas of Rossini, cur- agreement with Angel Rec- washingdisheseither-or rently enjoying a revival Joel. The occasion? A sur- ords as well. The first release takingbetsprofessionally. priseguest on discs as well as in opera appearance byunder the new contract will She was touring the U.K. at houses here and abroad, have Joel during the finale of the feature the music of Aaron Straits' recent stand at New always attracted Claudio Ab- Copland.... LeonardBern- bado. Performances of The York's Madison Square Gar- stein has signed a new long- Barber of Seville that Ab- den. What did the collabora- term,exclusiverecording tion sound like? According to bado conductedatthe contract with Deutsche Salzburg Festival in 1968 one ear witness, "like a cross Grammophon. Foremost between Dylan's 'Highway 61 virtually launched his in- among the projects DG has ternational Revisited' and Mery Griffin's lined up for Bernstein is a career. They 'A Tinkling Piano in the Next were so successful that he new Mahler symphony cycle was invited to preside over a Room.' " Again, you proba- involving three orchestras bly had to be there. Rossini cycle at La Scala in 0 with which the composer, Milan, which in turn led to a as conductor, was closely coupleofrecordingsfor OICES FROM THE PAST: associated-the Vienna V The so-called Mapleson Deutsche Grammophon. Philharmonic, the Concert- Abbado returns to DG and Cylinders,treasures of the gebouw of Amsterdam, and New York Public Library's to Rossini with the current the New York Philharmonic. release of the composer's II Rodgers and Hammerstein . . . Riccardo Muti and the viaggio a Reims (The Journey Philadelphia Orchestra have to Rheims). Written for the received Japan's 1985 Record coronation of France's King Academy Award, the coun- Charles X at Rheims in 1825, try'smostprestigious,for the opera was ignored for their Angel recording of Re- over a hundred andfifty spighi'sthree Roman tone years-until1984, whenit poems. ... Finnishconduc- was revived under Abbado's tor Esa-Pekka Salonen, prin- direction. cipal conductor of the Swe- IIviaggio has been de- dish Radio Symphony, will scribed as a sort of Franco- be recording a Nielsen sym- Italian Canterbury Tales.It phony cycle for CBS Mas- has no plot but has to do sim- terworks... . SemyonBych- ply with a bunch of well- kov, currently based in the heeled travelers, on their way Knopfler and Joel: surprise U.S. as music director of the to Rheims for the coronation, BuffaloPhilharmonic,has who find themselves stranded signed a contract with Philips without horses and nothing Archives, have been released Records. His first recording Easton (top) and Paige: much to do but flirt, squab- S on LP. Edited and transferred for the label will be Shostako- no dishwashing ble, and telltales (or sing to discs under the supervision vich's Fifth with the Berlin songs) until fresh horses ar- of the Archives' recently re- Philharmonic. 0 the age of sixteen in the mu- tired curator (and rive. Three hours of glorious STEREO RE- sical The Roar of the Grease- music later, of course, they're VIEW ContributingEditor) NOTall rock stars startpaint-theSmellofthe David Hall, these early re- out as dishwashers and Crowd. cordings made at the Metro- waitresses. Sheena Easton's Paige is best known today, politan Opera House at the first job was taking bets at an of course, for creating the turn of the century capture off-trackbookingofficein roles of Eva Peron in Andrew 44 live performances by such Glasgow. And standards of Lloyd Webber's musical Evi- legendary singers as Nellie conduct on the premises were ta and Grizabella in his more 47. Melba, Emma Calve, Lillian apparently high. "The men recent hit Cats. (Grizabella's Nordica, and Jean de Reszke. hadtobewellbehaved main song is Memory, the The originals were cut on wax around the young ladies,"show's big hit.) Her record- by the Met's librarian at the Easton recalls. "Anyone who time, Lionel Mapleson. ings to date, including the came in drunk or used bad original -castrecordingsof The six -record set, on the language was thrown out!" these two shows, have there- library's own label, is avail- And now she is a rock star. fore mostly drawn on her ca- able for $100 in the shops at Easton's latest album, "Do reer in the theater. She's aim- Lincoln Center or from the You," her sixth for Capitol ing to change all that now Metropolitan Opera Guild, and EMI America, is her fast- with therelease of "Love 1865 Broadway, New York, est -selling album yet. It went Hurts," an album of ballads NY 10023. If you order by Gold in its first two weeks ofon the WEA label. mail, add $3.50 for postage release and has yielded two "Thisisacollection of and handling, and New York singles-DoItforLove, State some of my favorite love residents should add which has enjoyed a healthy songs," Paige says, "old and Abbado: Rossini champion $8.25 sales tax as well. life on the pop charts, and the new, well known and not so more recently released Magicwell known.... Iguarantee THE St.Louis Symphony, still waiting. Abbado has an- of Love. it's not an album. of doom conducted byLeonard other analogy. "It's more like and gloom, but it's a fact that an operatic Waiting for Go - Slatkin, has been recording nYthe time she was eligi- for RCA in recent years but D ble for working papers most songwriters are at theirdot," he says. "Rheims never best when hurting a little." 0 comes." 0

110 STEREO REVIEW MARCH1986 CARD SERVICE READER ON SO NO CIRCLE 673-3777 (416) Phone: 1S4 L4W Ontario Mississauga, 6, Unit Drive, Atlantic 5985 America of Corp. Electronics Mission

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by Ralph Hodges running the master tape to be cop- lifted up away from the tape surface ied from the end instead of the as they leave the field of the coating beginning. The people at Mobile Fi- machine's orientation magnet. delity Sound Labs tell me that there Professional studio tape, intended is an advantage to backward dupli- to be recorded in one direction only, cation in that, rather than challeng- isinvariably supplied so thatit ing the rise time of the recording comes off the reel or hub in the system with the sharp leading edges same direction it traveled through of transients, one attacks each tran- the coating machine. Thus, tape sient"frombehind,"beginning with its gradually rising reverberant tail. Once the copy has been made, Some audiophiles believe in a of course, the tape is arranged in the "velour effect" that makes tape cassette shell so that the music will "feel" subtly different to heads come out forward when played on the consumer's machine. and guides depending on As is usual in these cases, the nov- which way it was coated. el technique has its opponents. A source at TDK points out that any recording system unavoidably motion will always be "with the "rings" (oscillates) a bit when stim- grain." But consumer tape formats ulated by a signal, and if a tape is tend to be used in both directions, Tape Reversals? copied backwards, this ringing will making all of us easy marks for the wind up being recordedaheadof a velour effect on perhaps half of the transient's onset, right out in the taped material we record or listen open where there is no reverberant to. Worse, while the "right" direc- TAPE as an analog audio me- tail of sound to mask it. When the tionforstudiotapeisalways diumhasbeenalittle tape is played, the effect is said to be known, either by convention or by eclipsed recently by tape for that of a spurious pre -echo disfigur- actual markings, with a cassette- digital and video applica- ing what should be a clean attack. especially a prerecorded one-there tions, and for the first time in mem- The middle ground in the contro- is no sure way of knowing which ory there are no detectible foreshad- versy is taken by, among many oth- side runs with the grain and which owings of "fabulous new" (mean- ers, Richard Clark of Concept In- against. A tape pancake taken di- ing, usually, a little bit better) cas- dustries, an innovative duplicating rectly from the slitting operation setteformulationsintheoffing. outfit that tries to operate right on and loaded on a high-speed duplica- This temporary lull doesn't mean the hairy edge of serious audiophile torshouldget bothitssides re- that your Walkman and Nakamichi concerns. Clark reports that, after corded with the tape traveling in the are candidates for the attic, howev- many agonizing appraisals, he has optimum direction.Ironically,a er. In the first place, the frenzied "never beenabletodetermine painstakingly made audiophile work being done on super -short - whether it makes a whole lot of dif- prerecorded cassette duplicated in wavelength technologies can only ference whether you record forward the shell in real time won't, as a assist, never impede, the analog or backward." This should cheer the rule. And neither will the cassette cause.Inthesecond,intensive high-speed duplicators, whose you painstakingly record at home. equipment is invariably set up to Catastrophe? Well, not unless you Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs record both forward (for one cas- are now bothered by audible velour sette side)andbackward (for the effect, which should take the form sees an advantage in dupli- other) in a single pass. of an increase in modulation noise cating tapes "backwards," Should this conclusion quiet our on one side of cassette recordings. If running the master from the panicky wondering about how we you are not, you might give some can modify our home gear to make credence to the belief of tape manu- end instead of the beginning backwards tape copies? Not if we facturers that with improved binder choose, as all true high -end audio- materialsandproductiontech- philes should, to worry about the niques they have put any audible work, much speculative and some velour effect.Some believe that, like artifacts from velour effect perma- highly imaginative, is being done on velvet and velour fabrics, which nently behind us. If you are both- the audio cassette by the high -vol- tend to look and feel different de- ered by theveloureffect,then ume tape duplicators, who are rid- pending on which way they are rub- you've acquired another high -end ing the cresting popularity of prere- bed, tape can "feel" subtly different concern to worry about. Take heart, corded product. They have provoc- to heads and transport guides de- however, because others are worry- ative things to report, some of high - pending onwhich wayitwas ing along with you, and some of end interest. coated. The effect presumably arises them have sufficient influence to For example, there is the matter because the magnetic particles in forceredress, or bringitabout of duplicating tapes "backwards," the coating have had their rear ends themselves.

112STEREO REVIEW MARCH 1986 SURGEON GENERAL'S WARNING: Quitting Smoking Nov CrEatly Reduces Serious Risks to Your Health.

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