H 3 8 3 S 081N3AON fr861 iSDNIa110331ti L 6 8 V V3H1 Sat:IVMV H0111isszo 1130Ij M3N S31D070NH331 MOH 01 130 H3d11S Al laNnos 3NNO3 3 ONII1 030IA Is oianv HV39 oisnw :S030IA SIN39 40201 KY LOUISVILLE CB ORG 2037 BX PO CAVANAUGH M DAVID LL HIF 1 024 000 (:MR 22BIN SEP85 37D90 3&&&0 2CVA5 1m STATE FOR C*************AL_ SPECTRO PEAK INDICATOR SEA PH PRESET +20 NEM +18 10 1 1 I MM 2111 +16 B +14 COMPUTER SEA +12 C f +10 MINS +8 D =MI AMP TAPE DUB 2 N.. 1 = +6 +4 E =MC aM =I VOLUME = NMIMI! = +2 0 asin NUM IEM MEI MR MIMI NMI MEN amamam 1K 2.5K 6.3K 16K dB THE ULTIMATE MACHINE JVC'S NEW R-X500B RECEIVER IS A SUPERB EXAMPLE OF HOW FAR JVC WILL GO TO BRING YOU THE ULTIMATE IN SOUND. Some hi-fi equipment delivers slightly remote equalization and unheard -of -re- higher fidelity. Especially when it's de- finements, it is virtually without equal. signed by JVC` In fact, JVC's entire line ADVANTAGE: A POWER AMP WITH INCREDIBLE POWERS The R-X500B boasts two of the highest refinements in power amp tech- nology available to- day-Dynamic Super A and Gm Driver. Dynamic Super A improves of high fidelity components is known performance in two significant ways. throughout the world for technological One, it renders music reproduction silky brilliance and painstaking craftsman- and pure by eliminating offensive ship. switching distortion. Two, it capably con- The R-X500B receiver is a case in trols speaker motion by forming an ideal point. With the technology of JVC's interface between the amplifer and the power amp, equalizer and tuner, plus speaker. HIGH FIDELITY Watch for the JVC Jazz Festival on PBS. Check local listings. DAD SIGNAL FM LEVEL -TUNER PRESET 0 rlIGH IC. 1_11_1 -1 I MHz MID I....I C ii LI I LOW EC OUT UDNESS STOP LEVE_ FM MODE FM MUTE_ JVC's newest technology, Gm Driver, degradation never enter the picture. improves actual in -use performance at ADVANTAGE: A TUNER AS SMART AS A all listening levels, high and low, by driv- COMPUTER ing the power stage at a con- SPECIFICATIONS The R-X500B puts an stant voltage. AMPLIFIER SECTION advarced microcomput- ADVANTAGE: AN EQUALIZER WITH A Output Power er in charge of the digit- 100 Watts per channel, min. RMS, both GRAPHIC DIFFERENCE channels driven into 8 ohms, from 20Hz al synthesizer tuner to 20kHz, with no more than 0.007% Since 1966, when JVC pio- total harmonic distortion. and references it to the neered equalizers for home Signal -to -Noise Ratio ('66IHF/DIN) accuracy of a quartz use, we have remained in the Phono-80dB/66dB oscillator, making it Video/Aux/DAD/Tape-100dB/67dB very forefront of equalizer highly versatile and RIAA Piono Equalization technology. ± 0.5dB (20Hz -20kHz) easy to use. The micro- The computer controlled S.E.A. SECTION computer lets you pre- graphic equalizer in the Centre Frequencies -63, 160, 400, 1k, set 15 AM and 15 FM 2.5k, 6.3k, 16kHz R-X500B is a superb example Control Range- ± 10dB frequencies, scan them of engineering to achieve an FM TUNER SECTION ('78 IHF) all for 5 seconds each. end. It combines unequalled 50dB Quieting Sensitivity read out aerial signal Mono-14.8dBf Stereo -38.3 dBf versatility with automatic capa- strength in 5dB incre- Signal to Noise Ratio (IHF-A Weighted) bilities, while maintaining sonic Mono/Stereo-82dBf73dB ments, plus much integrity. more. Five equalized responses can be ADVANTAGE: JVC memorized for instant recall at a touch. It is the attention to enginee-ing detail And an infrared wireless and craftsmanship evident in the remote control makes it R-X500B which separates every JVC possible to adjust equali- hi-fi component from all others. JVC zation from your arm- makes changes in design for the sake of chair without sacrificing improvement. Not just for the sake of sound quality. change. And the result is the difference In a further refine- between excellent and average. See, ment, JVC engineers and hear, this difference at your nearest opted for an LSI to han- JVC dealer. dle electronic switching for both channels at seven different control frequencies. The result-electrical loss and tonal JVC _ 'ME FOCA HO FxMillv Ckvemon -I Saw E Park N J 07407 JVC CANADA LTD. Sr-Wpm:ugh. OM "Sherwood products offer excellent performance atveryreasonable prices:' Leonard Feldman, Audio Magazine O MENNEN' ISMER!! MN I MIMII 11111111MENIIIMMiiI IIIIIM1111111111111111111I The occasion of Mr. Feldman's comment was his Sherwood models, yet missing from many other review of our S2680-CP top -of -the -line receiver. His brands, regardless of price. statement was sparked by the fact that, while quite Certified Performance. Sherwood is the only affordable, the S2680-CP, like all Sherwood receivers, ismanufacturer to test and certify the performance of designed and built with the care, precision and innova- each individual receiver. On the outside of every carton tion which have become Sherwood trademarks. you will find a certificate showing the measurement A tradition of affordable quality. More than threedetails of the power amp, phono preamp and FM tuner decades ago Sherwood was founded on this philoso- sections of each receiver. These are not just the rated phy: Through innovation, make quality audio equip- specs; these are the actual measured performance data ment more affordable. That philosophy has been of the individual unit, so you know exactly what nurtured throughout Sherwood's history and is the you're buying. foundation of our newest line of receivers. Find out what the experts say. Get the whole We never cut corners on sound. All five story on why Sherwood receivers-in Mr. Feldman's Sherwood receivers deliver true high-fidelity perform- words-" ...offer excellent performance at very ance. Even our budget -priced S2610-CP sounds better reasonable prices." than many separate components. And the entire group To get your own copy of his review of the is laced with features that can make significant differ- S2680-CP and to find out just how much quality and ences in your listening enjoyment. Ultra -low -bass EQ, innovation you can afford, visit your nearest Sherwood multi -deck dubbing, auto -scan digital tuning and dis- audio specialist today. To find him, call (800) 841-1412 crete phono preamp circuitry are standard on several during west coast business hours. Sherwood Quality and Innovation You Can Afford. 13845 Artesia Blvd., Cerritos, CA 90701In Canada: The Pringle Group, Don Mills, Ontario 1ll1M1111r11111111111111111-ffirl IEEE II 11111"r11 IEEE 11 I II 11.11 u In IIIII II II 1111 NI II II II 1IVIII I 11 11 VOLUME 34 NUMBER 11 NOVEMBER 1984 AUDIO CurrentsEdited by Peter Dobbin 10 Stereo TV goes on the air; A sophisticated commercial -killer for VCRs CrossTalkby Robert Long 19 Input shortage; Assessing product reliability; Speed vs. quality in dubbing The Autophileby Gary Stock 20 CDs and stereo AM: Is there merit in the new media? Basically Speakingby Michael Riggs 23 Phase shift in the digital age: Can you hear it? New Equipment Reports DBX Soundfield One loudspeaker 24 Canton CT -2000 loudspeaker 33 Marantz DR -80 loudspeaker 29 Technics SB-R200 loudspeaker 34 Innovative Techniques ITC -1 loudspeaker 30 NEW TECHNOLOGIES *The Linkby Peter W. Mitchell 37 Easy ways to get wide -range sound from broadcast or taped video progamming * The Nifty Nine.by Frank Lovece 44 A collection of TV sound enhancers and stereo TV decoders Video Lab Tests Pioneer SD -25 monitor and SD -X5 TV tuner 46 Polk VS -19 Videosound shielded loudspeaker 52 Music Reviews 56 Popular Compact Disc: "Hotel California"; "The Ballad of the Fallen"; "Born in the U.S.A." Classical Compact Disc: Beethoven's Opus 111 and Appassionata; Reich's Music for 18 Musicians New Compact Discs: More than 75 pop and classical releases arrive on dealers' shelves. 69 CLASSICAL MUSIC * Seventeenth Annual High Fidelity/International Record Critics Awardsby Theodore W. Libbey, Jr. 70 The nominees, the winners, and the story behind the judging in Granada, Spain 1985 Annual Preview of Forthcoming Recordings, Part 3: LPs 74 More than 400 expected releases from BIS, CBS Masterworks, EMI, Hungaroton, and others Reviews: Sondheim's Sunday in the Park; Bartok Divertimento from Budapest; Te Kanawa recital 80 Critics' Choice 83 The Tape Deckby R. D. Darrell 85 BACKBEAT/Popular Music * The Concert -Video Shell GameReviewed by Joyce Millman 86 Improve your chances: A guide to souvenirs, straight shoots, and statements Pop Reviews: Public Image Ltd.; Bangles; John McCormack; Neville Brothers 88 Jazz Reviews: Four percussionists on "Pieces of Time"; Heath Brothers; Roach and Taylor 90 I, James BrownReviewed by John Morthland 92 DEPARTMENTS Reader -Action Page 100 About This Issue 7 Advertising Index 100 Letters 7 *Cover Story HIGH FIDELITY (ISSN 0018-1456) is published monthly et 825 7th Ave., New York, N.Y. 10019, by ABC Leisure Magazines. Inc., a subsidiary of American BroadcastingCompanies, Inc. Copyright c 1984 by ABC Leisure Magazines, Inc. The design and contents are fully protected by copyright and must not be reproduced in any manner. Second-class postage paid at NewYork, New York, and at additional mailing offices. Authorized as second-class mail by the Post Office Department, Ottawa, and for payment of postage in cash. Yearly subscription in U.S.A. and Possessions $13.95;elsewhere $19.95 Single copies $1.95. Subscribers: Send subscriptions, inquiries, and address changes to HIGH FIDELITY, P O. Box 10759, Des Moines, Iowa 50340. Change of address: Owe old andnew addresses, including ZIP code.