turntables: what cartridges and are your …...the latest from claude bolling, hank williams, jr.,...

I

TURNTABLES: WHATARE YOUR OPTIONS?

DRIVE SYSTEMSTONE ARMSFAR-OUT FEATURES

JANUARY 1985 $1.75

CARTRIDGES ANDRECORD WEAR

JAPAN AUDIO FAIR

RODRIGUESCARTOON CONTEST

93Nor rTb9 S6C0b0TE HOB 26O0Eira.?000 II9M-S****************

VIIS Hi-Fi

0

REC PAUSE

C:1

STOP

E

harman, ikardon VCD1000 HIGH FIDELITY AUDIO / VIDEO CASSETTE DECK

EJECT

POWER

-o/TV

DEW

HEADPHONES

VCD-1000 - Having set the sonic standards for home audio,Harman Kardon now enters the world of home video by in-troducing high fidelity for your eyes! Harman Kardon appliedits 30 years of technical expertise to an extraordinary newhome entertainment product: The VCD-1000 VHS Hi-Fi.

A breathtaking audio product with high quality video, theVCD-1000 is the perfect link to an integrated audio / videosystem.

As with all renowned Harman Kardon products, the criticalissues of the quality of the circuitry, construction and layoutof components were expertly addressed. The VCD-1000utilizes an advanced record / playback system which FM en-codes the audio signal. This FM signal is recorded and playedback via high speed rotating heads (1800 rpm), resulting inwide, flat frequency response (20Hz-20kHz, ±3dB), virtuallynon-existent wow -and -flutter (0.005%), and 80dB dynamicrange.Custom -designed discrete filters are precisely tuned in pro -

stereoL

bilingual R

0 1 2 3 4 5 6

duction to extend frequency response, critically align noisereduction and reduce high frequency distortion.

Applications of Harman Kardon acclaimed amplifierphilosophies that are evident in the VCD-1000 are the use ofdiscrete components for reduced distortion and the use oflow negative feedback.

Steno° TV Tuner - The VCD-1000 incorporates a built-in 105channel cable -ready stereo TV tuner, and is capable ofreceiving, recording and playing back high fidelity stereo TVbroadcasts (with bi-lingual channel capability), even if youdon't own a stereo TV yet. There is an independent audiotuner section resulting in improved sound quality fromthese stereo broadcasts.

The video section offers 4 -event / 14 -day programming; stillframe; high speed forward and reverse picture search; fulldigital displays; slow motion and an infra -red remote controlthat duplicates all front panel functions.

Ahl/K AR DO hl.11moill mimeo'

REMOTESENSOR

cassette

coon,time

reset 111

OTR nemory

COUNTER/TIMER

nIf II ri riII If

CHANNEL

DONN

V

011111 AUDIO FIGHT LEVEL

9 10 REC LLmsnu. hied

VM-100 Video Monitor- To further refine the audio / videovista, Harman Kardon is introducing the VM-100...a 25" diagonal, high resolution video monitor. The VM-100combines exceptional linearity and superb transient responseto deliver a picture that can only compliment the high fidelitysound.

'JSH

MULTIPLEX STEREO TUNER

When incorporated with Harman Kardon's unparalleled audiocomponents, your world of high fidelity audio / video enjoy-ment becomes boundless.

Experience the Harman Kardon line of audio / video products...They're pure high fidelity for your eyes.

harman I kardon

240 Crossways Park West, Woodbury, NY 11797; In Canada, Goulc Marketing, Montreal. For more information call toll -free 1-(80C) 633-2252 ext. 853.

Simulbtect TV Pcture. b MIK MI5

Radio Shack Breaksthe Sound Barriers..

00 Ma:GILA DIVISION OF TANDY CORPORATION

I-

Lc'Y

Send for FREE 1985 CatalogMail coupon to Radio Shack, Dept. 85A-763300 One Tandy Center, Fort Worth, TX 76102

Name

Address Apt No

State Zip

Price applies at participating Radio Shack stores and dealers

With Advanced Technology . . .

Digital -Ready Mach Two :M

This high -efficiency 3 -way speaker systemis engineered to reproduce the full frequencyrange of digital audio. From the explosion ofdrums to the shimmering crash of cymbals. It'syour best buy if you own or plan to own a CD orLaserVision player. Of course, the advancedtechnology of the Mach Two also gives youspectacular sound from Beta Hi-Fi VCRs andother analog sources.

Audio wise, the first thing that strikes you isthe incredibly strong bass from the 15" woofer.You can feel it. Power capacity is 160 watts forhandling a dynamic range of 92 dB. Liquid cool-ing protects the midrange and tweeter voicecoils and cuts distortion at high power levels.

Appearance wise, the Mach Two is equally im-pressive. We gave it a hand -oiled walnut veneerfinish, because we know you want wood, not vi-nyl or plastic. So come in and discover the realsound of music. $219.95 each. Put a pair on yourRadio Shack/CitiLine or other credit card.

0BulletinEditorialLettersNew ProductsAudio Q&ATechnical Talk

EQUIPMENT

5 Rodrigues Contest 276 The High End 708 What They're Watching 74

13 Popular Music 7524 Classical Music 8726 1984 Editorial Index 101

Car StereoThe Panasonic CQ-S934 is tested in the lab and

18on the road bT Julian Hirsch and Christopher GreenleafHirsch -Houck Labs Equipment Test Reports 29Stanton Epoch II HZ9S and LZ9S cartridgesSansui TU-D99X tunerBaby Advent loudspeakerPioneer SX-V90 audio/video receiverTurntable Drive SystemsBelt drive or direct drive? Both have advantagesand disadvantages by Peter W. Mitchell

Tone ArmsReal records present real problems to pivotedand linear -tracking arms by E. Brad Meyer

Record WearIf you play your records, you can't eliminate recordwear, but you can minimize it by Julian Hirsch

What Are Your Turntable Options?Unusual features for unusua needs by William Burton

Japan Audio FairA special report from Tokyo by Bryan Harrell

MUSICRecord MakersThe latest from Claude Bolling, Hank Williams, Jr.,Simon Rattle, Dionne Warwick, and moreVideo V.I.P.'sIron Maiden, Talking Heads, violinists Stern,Zukerman, Mintz, and Perlman, and moreBest of the MonthJoseph Silverstein's Utah debut,Joe Williams's blues, and Bad Manners' ska

44

48

51

54

58

61

62

65

page 44

page 6i

Cover: Linn Sondek LP12 turntable withLinn luck tone arm and Asak cartridge

Vol. 50 No. 1 January 1985 (ISSN 0039-1220) Cover: Design by Sue Llewellyn, Photo Roberto Brosan

COPYRIGHT RD 1984 BY ZIFF-DAVIS PUBLISHING COMPANY. All rights reserved. Stereo Review, January 1985, Volume 50. Number I. Published monthly by Ziff -Davis Publishing Company ot

3460 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, Calif. 90010. Editorial and Executive Offices ot One Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10016; Telephone: 212 503-3500. Richard F'. Friess, President; Selwyn

Taubman, Treasurer; Bertram A. Abroms, Secretory. Also publishers of Booting. Car and Driver, Cycle, Flying, Popular Photography, Skiing, Stereo Buyers Guise, Tope Recoeing 8 Buying Guice,

and Yachting. One-year subscription rate for the United States and its possession:, $9.98; Conado, $10.98, of other countries, $14.98,cash orders only, payable in U.S. curtency. Second-class

postage poid ot Los Angeles, Calif. 90052 and at additional moiling offices. Au'honzed os second-class mod by the Post Office Deportment, Ottawa, Conodo, and for payment of postage it

cosh. POSTMASTER: Forms 3579 and address changes should be sent to Stereo Review, Circulation Deportment, P.O. Box 2771, Boulder, Colo. 80302. SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE: All subscr prior

correspondence should be addressed to Stereo Review, Circulation Departmen., P.O. Box 2771, Boulder, Colo. 80302. Please allow at least eight weeks ;or change of address. Include old

address as well os new-enclosing if possible an address label from a recent issue. PERMISSIONS: Moteriol in -his publication may notbe reproduced m any form without permission. Requests for

permission should be directed to Irving Benig, Rights and Permissions, Ziff -Donis Publishing Company, One Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10016.

STEREO REVIEW JANUARY 1985 3

RE TOAR PRODU

DVERTISED ITEREO REVIE

LL OUR TOL FREEUMBER.

For a demonstration of products from any of the advertisers listedbelow, call the STEREO REVIEW TOLL FREE 800 number. You'll getthe name and location of a nearby dealer who will be happy to letyou see and hear the components in action.

But call right now. The STEREO REVIEW "Where -To -Buy -It'. -

Program for this issue ends January 22. After that date you'llhave to contact the advertiser directly.

Stereo ReviewThe following advertisers are participating in the STEREO REVIEW

"Where To -Buy -It" Program. Dial 800-633-2252 and ask for theextension of the advertiser whose products interest you:

COMPANY EXTENSION COMPANY EXTENSIONADS x857AKG Acoustics x864Audio Technica x858Beyer Dynamics x850Canton North America x868Carver Corporation x859Denon America Inc. x852Harman Kardon Inc. x853Hitachi x860

Kloss VideoMission ElectronicsNAD (USA)Nikko AudioParasoundPolk AudioStuder RevoxTandberg of AmericaYamaha Electronics

x854x867x855x866x862x856x863x851x861

BULLETIN

by Gordon Sell and Christie Barter

DIGITAL DISC RECORDERNakamichi has demonstrated its newindustrial, magneto -optical, digi-tal, erasable record/playback sys-tem that can be used to record anykind of digital data, includingdigital audio. The eight -inch, CD -like discs contain a verticallypolarized magnetic material, whichreflects light differently depend-ing on which pole is "up." To re-cord, the disc is magnetized inone direction and an opposite mag-netic bias is applied that is notquite strong enough to flip thepoles. A laser writes the data onThe disc by heating the materialand reducing its resistance tochange enough for the bias fieldto flip it over. The ModelOMS-1000 recorder/player costs amere $80,000, but machines in theunder -$2,000 range can be expectedin a few years.

CENTURY NOTESThe celebration of the 400th anni-versary of the birth of HeinrichSchutz and the tricentennials ofBach, Handel, and Scarlatti in1985 should not obscure the 100thanniversaries of Viennese operacomposer Alban Berg and the Ameri-can Jerome Kern, who wrote scoresfor Show Boat, Roberta, and manyother musical shows and movies.

NEW STATUS FOR STERNCBS has honored violinist IsaacStern with the newly created titleof Artist Laureate, marking hisforty years on the Masterworkslabel. He has been granted a life-time contract, and a special sealwill be placed on his records.

CD SIGNALSPolyGram is preparing to introducea "maxi -single" CD with a playingtime of about sixteen minutes. Withsimpler packaging than the full-length Compact Disc, the new CD's

are expected to sell for under sixdollars....Columbia has begun re-leasing two -record sets from itscatalog on extended-play CD's. Thefirst artists represented in the"2 for 1" format include GeorgeJones, Journey, and Bob James....The Wagner Ring cycle on CD thathas been available as a Eurcdiscimport (reviewed in this magazinelast month) has just been releasedin the United States by RCA....ACompact Disc club offering CD's onvirtually all major labels by dir-ect mail has been launched by RCADirect Marketing. For enrollmentinformation call1-800 428-1928 orwrite c/o P.O. Box91412, Indianapolis,Ind. 46291....TheCD version of PaulMcCartney's recentrecording "GiveMy Regards to BroadStreet" is uniquein that it is thefirst new pop albumby a major artistto use the CompactDisc's capacity forlonger playing time. The McCartneyCD has two more songs than the LP.

TECH NOTESVH-1, the new MTV rock -video cableTV channel for baby boomers, willdistribute stereo sound to itsaffiliates in digital form usingDolby Labs' ADM (Adaptive DeltaModulation) system, which reducesthe bandwidth requirements....MarkLevinson Audio Systems has goneinto Chapter Seven bankruptcy, andits assets are being liquidated.But don't be too surprised if itsoperations and products becomepart of a new company under thename of Madrigal Laboratories.Mark Levinson, who founded thecompany that was named for him buthad not been involved in its man-agement for the past four years,says he is starting a new high -endaudio company called Cello Ltd.


SPEAKING MY PIECE

by William Livingstone

With cartoonist Charles Rodrigues (left)

Name Dropping

0 BVIOUSLY, my job withthis magazine has made itpossible for me to meetsome very important

people in the audio industry. Theyinclude Roy Allison, Amar Bose,Robert Carver, Avery Fisher, JohnKoss, Paul Klipsch, Saul Marantz,and Walter Stanton, founders ofcompanies that still bear theirnames.

In the music world I have beenprivileged to spend time with manyof the artists who have thrilled mewith their performances and record-ings. James Taylor came to ouroffice once, and I've met CarlySimon several times at parties. Thelate Mabel Mercer was a friend ofmine, and I once sat next to TonyBennett at dinner. In Las Vegas Iinterviewed Vikki Carr, and at Re-gine's in New York I had a drinkwith Bette Midler. I've been photo-graphed with Patti Smith, LouReed, and Wynton Marsalis.

Billions of notes had been playedby Arthur Rubinstein and VladimirHorowitz by the time I got to shakehands with them. I've been able tochat more freely with such youngerpianists as Ruth Laredo, Alicia deLarrocha, Alfred Brendel, JohnBrowning, and Jorge Bolet.

Conductors I've talked with for-mally or informally include ErichLeinsdorf, Neville Marriner, Mi-chael Tilson Thomas, Zubin Mehta,and Carlo Maria Giulini. They in-clude big maestros from Antonio deAlmeida to David Zinman.

I once ate two slices of a lemonpie baked by the Brazilian sopranoBiclit SayAo, and a couple of timesI've been treated to pasta cooked byRenata Scotto. I've visited thehome of baritone Sherrill Milnes toinspect his very impressive hi-fi in-stallation. Roberta Peters andRegine Crespin have been amongmy colleagues on the MetropolitanOpera Quiz, and the great tenorsI've talked to include both PlacidoDomingo and Luciano Pavarotti.

Who do you suppose my friendsand acquaintances ask me about themost? None of the above. Our car-toonist Charles Rodrigues is the onemost people are curious about.They want to know how he worksand how he got such insight into theworld of hi-fi.

So what can I tell you? Of Portu-guese -American descent, Rodriguesis a middle-aged World War II vet-eran who lives on Cape Cod withhis wife, two daughters, and fivecats. In private life many humoristsare melancholy souls, but Charlesmanages to smile a lot as he viewsthe decline and fall of practicallyeverything. He has never worked inan audio salon. He sleeps during theday and draws at night, usually lis-tening to classical music on FM.

Charles was represented in Vol-ume 1, Number 1, of this magazinein February 1958, and he has con-tinued to supply us with cartoons.Since February 1965 I've been themagazine's contact with him, and intwenty years I have not been able todiscover how he thinks up the situa-tions he draws or the gags he uses.But I do know that he does not workwith other people's ideas.

When readers submit suggestionsfor Charles, we pass them on tohim, but they do not result in car-toons. For those of you who wouldlike to collaborate on a Rodriguescartoon, however, we are preparedto work it the other way around. Wehave asked Charles to make a draw-ing which we are printing without acaption, and we will have a contestto see which reader can supply thefunniest gag line to go with thedrawing. To see the cartoon andread the rules of the contest turn topage 27. If you submit the winningentry, celebrity awaits you. We'll bedropping your name into the pagesOf STEREO REVIEW.

Stereo ReviewPUBLISHERWILLIAM T. LIPPE

EDITOR IN CHIEFWILLIAM LIVINGSTONE

MANAGING EDITORLOUISE GOOCH BOUNDASART DIRECTORSUE LLEWELLYN

TECHNICAL EDITORSDAVID RANADA, GORDON SELLMUSICEDITORCHRISTIE BARTER

ASSOCIATE EDITORWILLIAM BURTON

ASSISTANT ART DIRECTORBOKYOUNG KIMEDITORIAL ASSISTANTSBARBARA AIKEN, ROCCO MATTERA,WILLIAM NEC,FRAN ROSENBLATT

LONDON EDITORHENRY PLEASANTS

CONTRIBUTING EDITORSCHRIS ALBERTSON ALANNA NASHRICHARD FREED MARK PEELPHYI GARLAND IINCOIN PERRYCHRIS GREENLEAF PETER REILLYDAVID HALL CHARLES RODRIGUESJULIAN D. HIRSCH ERIC SALZMANRALPH HODGES STEVE SIMELSLARRY KLEIN CRAIG STARKSTODDARD LINCOLN JOEL VANCELOUIS MEREDITH

Editorial and Executive Offices: 212 503-3500Ziff -Davis Publishing CompanyOne Park Avenue, New York, New York 10016National Advertising Manager: Richard J. HalpernEastern Advertising Manager: Charles L. P. WatsonMidwestern Office, The Pattis Group: 312 679.11004761 West Touhy Ave., Lincolnwood, Illinois 60646Arnold S. Hoffman, Dirk E. Barenbrugge

Western Office: 213 387.21003460 Wilshire BoulevardLos Angeles, California 90010Western Advertising Manager:Marge Doherty -WilhiteJapan: lwai Trading Co., Ltd.J. S. Yagi603 Ginza Sky Heights Building18.13, Ginza 7-ChomeChuo-Ku, Tokyo, Japan 104Telephone: 103) 545.3908Circulation OfficeP.O. Box 2771, Boulder, Colorado 80302

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS -mist be accompanied byreturn postage and will be handled with reasonablecare; however, the publisher assumes no responsibilityfor the return or safety of art work, photography, ormanuscripts.

Member Audit Bureau of Circulations

ABC MF'A

ZIFF-DAVIS PUBLISHING COMPANYPresident: Richard P. Fries.President, Consumer Magazine Division:

Albert S. TrainExecutive Vice President, Marketing

and Circulation: Paul ChookSenior Vice Presidents: Philip T. Heffernan,

Sidney Holtz, Edward D. Muhlfeld, Philip SineVice Presidents: Baird Davis, George Morrissey,

Rory Parisi, William L. PhillipsTreasurer: Selwyn TaubmanSecretary: Bertram A. Abrams

6 STEREO REVIEW JANUARY 1985

Will your next AM/FM Receiveralso give you Stereoplex television sound?

Only if it's Technics.Now Technics brings you stereo receivers that are so

technologically advanced, they give you more thandramatically clean AM_ More ti -an brilliant FM. NowTechnics receivers also tune in television sound. Andelectronically expand it into Stereoplex television sound.

So with Technics Stereoplex receivers, ordinary TVshows now sound extraordinary. Special effects nowsound truly spectacular. And there's more.

Every new Technics Stereoplex receiver contains twomicroprocessors. The first controls Technics innovativeComputer -Drive circuitry. To actually stop distortionbefore it starts. For music of astonishing clarity.

The second microprocessor controls and monitorsthe quartz synthesis tuner. The most accurate tuningsystem in the world. For locked -in, drift -free reception.

In addition, there's an input to connect a CompactDisc player, a VCR or a video monitor.

The new Technics stereo receivers. Mcre t,an AM.More than FM. Even more than televisions sound.Because they're more than ordinary stereo receivers.They're Technics.

TechnicsThe science of sound

CIRCLE NO 1 ON READER SERVICE CARO

LETTERS

Supporting SzmelsIs it "Stick It to Steve" time again

(October "Letters")? I hope not. Formore than eight years I have beenenjoying the work of Steve Simels. I

haven't always agreed with his reviews,but I have always agreed with hisinsight and sense of humor. I have sore-ly missed his old column, "SimelsLive." Thanks, Steve.

DALE L. HOUSELYTorrey, Utah

Nailing NashSTEREO REVIEW seems to be suffering

from an identity crisis. Articles such asthe one in October on the band Exilehave no place in an audiophile publica-tion. It is also unfortunate that the edi-tors trust the musical taste of AlannaNash. It is invariably bad.

TROY JOHNSONBlaine, Mont.

Knifing BladesI disagree with a remark in William

Livingstone's October review of Ruben

Blades's "Buscando America." Thatcheap and vulgar piece of garbage can'tbe taken as an example of "authentical-ly Latin" music! No way, Jose!

C. SANTIAGOPonce, Puerto Rico

Digital QuadAt last someone has touched upon

something I have been asking the silentmajority for months: "What about four -channel CD's?" Out of the world ofmyriad concentric rainbows comes My-ron Berger's article "Enhancing DigitalSound" (September) with three or fourparagraphs about four -channel sound (Ican understand his reticence). But is thepublic ready for another four -channelwhite elephant? After all, once quadro-quirked, twice imaged, right? Wrong. Iknow what their devious 88K -samplingminds are up to! "You want sonic spacethat surrounds both performers and lis-teners? Well, you got it: sixteen discretechannels with additional jacks for fu-ture expansion."

Oh yes, dear reader, we've unleasheda monster. Why couldn't we havestayed in our belt -drive vs. direct -drive

euphoria? Wasn't life simpler then? Arewe destined for a world chrome short-age? Aren't you hurting your dog's earswith all that high end? Will someoneplease regulate those myopiated easternhuman silicon chips before 3D televi-sion strikes? (Nothing personal, mindyou.) It's enough to make one long for a"Mr. Microphone" commercial. Well,on second thought, maybe not.

ALAN S. PROCTORUxbridge, England

Beatles on CDI have been a subscriber to STEREO

REVIEW for almost a year and honestlywait in anticipation for the next issue,especially any news about CD's since Ihave a CD player. At present I ownabout eighty-five CD's and enjoy themall. I wonder, though, when, if ever,they will come out with the Beatles'albums on CD's. I think that wouldreally help this new medium take off.

R. LEASEAurora, Colo.

The EMI labels, including Capitol, havebeen slow to issue CD's of all types of

ANY WAY YOU PLAY IT.Compact Discs, audio or video

tapes, records or AM/FMstereo reception, any way youplay it you'll hear it better withAKG headphones.

Used by professional audioengineers around the world asrecording studio monitors, AKGheadphones help to "fine tune"the recordings that you listento.

AKG, the innovator inheadphone design for over 30years, has introduced such"firsts" as open air and passivediaphragm technology and theunmatched dynamic/electro-static two-way system.

Whether it's one of AK G'slightweight or studio models,there is one designed for you...any way you play it.

. And for the finest stereophonocartridges, ask yourdealer about the AKGTransversal SuspensionSystem.

For Dealer Nearest You Call 800-633 2252 Ext 864

77 Selleck StreetStamford. CT 06902

© AKG 1984 (FIAkusttsche and Kno-Gerate GmbH Austria

THE EXPERTS SAID THEY HEARD EXCELLENT FREQUENCY RESPONSE,A HIGHER MOL, AND GREATER DYNAMIC RANGE.

BUT NOT IN THOSE WORDS.

Wicked lows. Manic highs. Nasty passages.It all translates the same.Music sounds better when it§ recorded

on Maxell XL -S cassettes.That§ because we've improved our crys-

tallization process. So we can now producemagnetic particles that are both smallerin size and more uniform in shape. Whichallows us to pack more of these particleson the tape§ surface, in turn, making itpossible to record more information withina given area of tape.

AC bias noise is reduced by 1dB. And maximum output levels areincreased by L5dB on XLI-S and 2dB on XLII-S.

As a result, XL -S delivers a signifi-cantly expanded dynamic range. Anoticeably improved signal to noise ratio.And a fuller impact of dynamic transients.

So if you want to hear your music theway it was meant to be heard, put it onMaxell XL -S.

Because recording tapes just don'tget any better.

Or any badder.ITS WORTH IT

LETTERS

music, not just the Beatles. As far as weknow, the only Beatles CD so far is aJapanese issue, probably a pirate, of"Abbey Road."

Turntable FeedbackI was amazed to see an article on turn-

table feedback in the October issue. Itoo had a major feedback problem, sobad that at high volumes the wooferswould reverberate. I was told aboutheavier mats and isolation bases, butnone of these methods seemed to work.It was then that a fellow audiophile toldme to set the table on a pair of cinderblocks. When I did, the density of theturntable's platform increased so dra-matically that there is now no trace ofaudible feedback. Cinder blocks seem tobe the most sensible and inexpensivesolution to the problem.

RON LONDONNewark, Dela.

Jacksons' TonsRegarding Mark Peel's review of the

Jacksons' "Victory" album (October):Did the group really travel with 50,000

tons of sound equipment? That isroughly equal to the weight of the Ger-man battleship Bismarck in World WarII. Seems a bit like, uh, overkill.

CHUCK PETZELDutch Harbor, Alaska

They didn't let us put the gear on thescales, but it seemed like a good guess.

Getting the BassThanks for the article "Where's the

Bass?" by Julian Hirsch (September).I've owned a pair of good three-wayspeakers for years, and I was never hap-py with the imaging. After reading thearticle, I became fascinated with theidea of getting big sound from a sub -woofer and two small satellites. I de-cided to try it in a small way, with a 12 -inch single woofer from a mail-orderdiscount house and two mini speakersfrom Radio Shack. I hooked up my$270 do-it-yourself three-piece system,and I was amazed at the sound. Thesubwoofer provides good, deep bass,and the little speakers belie their bigsound. Best yet, the imaging is all Icould ever expect.

I sold my $1,000 three-way speakersand "upgraded" to a better system atone-fourth the cost. The money fromthe sale of the speakers will buy me aCompact Disc player.

NORM GUILBERT JR.Greenwich, Conn.

Moving -Coil ForeverIn response to Daniel Sweeney's No-

vember article on "Esoteric Phono Car-tridges": I am sated and totally boredand, more important, amazed by the so-called "experts" who still debate thepros and cons of moving -coil pickups. Icouldn't care less if a non -moving -coilmodel is made of plutonium or 24kgold, there is no comparison between acartridge and a superb moving -coil pick-up. Period!

THEODORE MEYERChapel Hill, N.C.

ErratumThrough an oversight, we failed to

credit the calligraphy on pages 46-53 ofthe December issue. It should havebeen credited to Don Grimes Design.

Please remain seated forthis performance.

When you audition the new 200 Series separates from Revox,you will enjoy a musical experience rarely encountered outsidethe concert hall.

First, listen to the new Revox 8251 Integrated Amplifier. It

offers a switching power supply for more power reserves; a newpower output stage with a faster rise time for accurate transientreproduction; and a signal-to-noise ratio at low output (better than- 80 dB at 50 mW) that makes it an ideal companion for digitaldisc players.

When you audition the B261 Digital Synthesizer FM Tuner,you'll notice how it locks in weak FM signals - even when adjacentto strong ones - that other tuners mute or mask with noise. The B261'ssignal-to-noise and distortion specs are so low that they chal-lenge the limits of test instruments. So the music youhear is the music being broadcast. No more,no less.

Finally, you may switch back and forthamong the B251's six source inputs. Choose any ofthe B261's 20 pre-set stations. Adjust the volume andbalance. Monitor the separate record -out circuit. Oroperate the Revox turntable, open reel recorder, andcassette deck. You may do so without leaving youreasy chair.

The 200 Series from Revox of Switzerland. A quan-tum leap forward in sonic accuracy. With the conven-ience of infrared remote control. Contact your Revox dealerfor an audition session.

SioxSow bito

so.

B201 remote transmmer andwood cabinet optional. Remote capabilityerofittable into most Revox turntables and lope

M[ 12R EVOX1425 Elm Hill Pike, Nashville, Tennessee 37210

CIRCLE NO 47 ON READER SERVICE CARD

For Dealer Nearest You Call TOLL -FREE 800-633-2252 E x t 86310 STEREO REVIEW JANUARY 1985

BASF Chrome.The world's quietest tape.When you buy most audio tapes, you get a little something extra whether you like it or not.

It sounds like thisssssss.Unless the tape is BASF Chrome. Because unlike ferric oxide tapes, BASF Pure Ch(orre is

made of perfectly shaped chromium dioxide particles in an exclusive formulation that delivers thelowest background noise of any tape in the world. It also deliversoutstanding sensitivity in the critical high -frequency range. In fact,it's designed especially for the Type ll Chrome Bias positicn on yourtape machine. And it's guaranteed for a lifetime.

Sc, if all you want to hear is the music you record, this littlemessage sho'ild be music to your ears. BASF Chrome. The world's Chrome Audio & Video Tapesquietest tape. The quality never fades.

CIRCLE NO. 15 ON READER SERVICE CARD

LIGHTS. 10 mg. "tar", 0.8 mg. nicotine, KING: 17 mg. "tar",1.3 mg. nicotine, ay. per cigarette by FTC method.

gjE.1.(.5 1112,:34.1J11/5 ,

Warning: The Surgeon General Has Determined

That Cigarette Smoking Is Dangerous to Your Health.

NEW PRODUCTS

TechnusTechnics has three new low-priced

Compact Disc players with varying de-grees of programming and operatingflexibility. All three have the same au-dio specs as previous Technics CDplayers.

The top model, the SL -P3, has moresophisticated cueing abilities than theother two. The remote control canchange the volume level of the player,which can also be done with a controlon the unit. A switch selects timer play,auto pause, or auto cue. Timer playallows use with a separate timer forautomatic operation, the auto -pausecontrol briefly delays the start of play atthe beginning of each selection, andauto cue locates the beginning of themusic on each track and activates a cue -standby indicator when it is ready forplay. Price: $600.

The lowest -priced model, the SL -P I ,offers fifteen -step random-access pro-gramming, direct access to any track orindex number, repeat, high- and low-sleed search, and a skip key. It has flu-orescent displays for track number, in-dex number, minutes, and seconds.Price: $400. The SL -P2 adds amenitiessuch as wireless remote control, automusic scan, more repeat functions, anda headphone jack with volume control.Price: $500.

For all three players, rated frequencyresponse is 4 to 20,000 Hz ±0.5 dB,dynamic range 96 dB, and total har-monic distortion less than 0.003 per-cent; wow -and -flutter is unmeasurable.Technics, Dept. SR, One PanasonicWay, Secaucus, N.J. 07094.Circle 120 on reader service card

KznergetzcsThe Kinergetics KBA-200 power am-

plifier has a dual -monophonic designthat is said to eliminate hysteresis dis-tortion. Each completely separate chan-nel has a complementary pair of ampli-fying stages; according to the manufac-

turer, the second stage in each pair"generates hysteresis distortion exactlyequal to that created in the first stage,but in the opposite direction," thus can-celing out the distortion overall.

The KBA-200 is rated for 200 wattsper channel. A cascode input extendsthe power bandwidth to 400 kHz. Head-room is rated at 3 dB, and the slew rateis greater than 100 volts per microsec-ond. The amplifier measures 19 incheswide, 7 inches high, and 18 inches deep.Price: $1,495. Kinergetics, Dept. SR,6029 Reseda Blvd., Tarzana, Calif.91356.Circle 121 on reader service card

FujiThe new Fuji high -bias FR II cassette

tape, which has smaller and slimmerfine-grain magnetic particles than ear-lier formulations, is said to have agreater dynamic range and increasedhigh -frequency maximum output levelfor dubbing Compact Discs and otherPCM-encoded digital material. Ratedfrequency response is 2 dB higher at10,000 Hz. The shell comes with honey-comb liner sheets, a high -precision pres-sure pad, a loop -prevention guide, anda tension -stabilizer guide. A large wind-ow makes the tape hubs easily visible.Price: C-46, $3.95; C-60, $4.35; C-90,$5.95. Fuji U.S.A., Dept. SR, 350 FifthAve., New York, N.Y. 10118.Circle 122 on reader service card

Monster CableA new moving -coil cartridge from

Monster Cable, the Alpha 2, joins theAlpha I, which was introduced lastyear. The "micro -ridge" stylus main-tains a constant tip radius that is said toresult in better inner and outer groovetracing with low distortion. The sap-phire cantilever is a hollow tube. TheAlpha 2 is said to use a "magnetic feed-back control circuit" similar to that inthe Alpha 1. Prices: Alpha 1, $475;Alpha 2, $650. Monster Cable, Dept.SR, 101 Townsend St., San Francisco,Calif. 94107.Circle 123 on reader service card

NovaThe Nova CPA -100 preamplifier uses

discrete solid-state devices instead ofintegrated circuits. It has metallizedpolypropylene capacitors and containsan oversized toroidal power transform-er for high efficiency and low radiatedfield hum. The input and output jacksare gold plated. There is an absolute -phase switch to correct out -of -phasemateral, a 20 -dB mute switch withloudness contour, and a tape -enableswitch that disconnects the tape outputswhen not in use.

Frequency response for the phono in-put is given as 20 to 20,000 Hz ±0.15dB; for the other source it is 0.1 Hz to200 kHz +0, -3 dB. Total harmonicdistortion is rated at less than 0.01 per-cent. The CPA -100 has a brushed alu-minum front panel with side panels inwalnut or oak. Price: $1,695. NovaElectro-Acoustics, Dept. SR, P.O. Box25488 Los Angeles, Calif. 90025.Circle 124 on reader service card

JensenTwo new models of car speakers from

Jensen feature an equalization circuit tocompensate for the limitations of thespeaker itself and the vagaries of caracoustics. One of three equalization set-tings can be selected. The speakers haveinput -level and thermal -overload pro-tection circuits. They can handle 100watts and are rated at 4 ohms imped-ance. Both models require 2 inches ofmounting depth.

The P/EQ- I has a rated frequencyresponse of 55 to 20,000 Hz and a sen-sitivity of 93 dB sound -pressure levelwith a 1 -watt input. Price: $134.95 perpair. The frequency response of the P/EQ-2 .s 45 to 20,000 Hz, and its ratedsensitivity is 94 dB. Price: $154.95 perpair. Jensen Car Audio, Dept. SR, 4136North United Pkwy., SchiLler Park, Ill.60176Circle 125 on reader service card


Over 1,000,000 consumers refer to thisbefore buying their car or home stereos.

FREESTEREOBuyer's GuideBefore buying any car or homestereo, you should consult thefamous Crutchfield Buyer's Guide.What you learn may save youhundreds of dollars. 92 pages of helpful articles,

shopping tips, charts, installationguides & more.

Hundreds of color photos of thefinest name brand products.

You get more value shoppingCrutchfield Low discount prices 17 toll free order & assistance

lines staffed by helpful sales& technical advisors

Your order shipped within 24hours

Huge in -stock inventories Free shipping All major credit cards accepted Confidence of dealing with the

industry's most respected mailorder retailer

Your complete satisfactionguaranteed

trCall or send this coupon for your

FREE Buyer's Guide

800-336-5566In Virginia call toll -free 800-552-3961

Be sure to mention Stereo Review when calling.

Rush me your FREE Buyer's Guide.

Name

Address

City

State Zip

CRUTCHFIELD

NEW PRODUCTS

DaliBuilt in Denmark, the Dali 11 (shown)

is the smallest of a line of four loud-speakers. Its 61/2 -inch woofer has a lam-inated -pulp and polyvinyl -acetate cone.The 1 -inch soft -polypropylene dometweeter has a ferrofluid-filled gap forcooling and centering the voice coil.The crossover is a third -order Butter-worth design. Recommended amplifierpower is 10 to 60 watts. The frequencyresponse is given as 60 to 20,000 Hz anddistortion as 0.6 percent or less. Thetweeter is placed slightly off -center forbetter imaging and depth perspective.Optimum positioning is 20 to 40 inchesabove the floor. Finished with blackfront and rear baffles, the cabinet haswalnut side and top panels. The Dali IImeasures 14 x 9 x 91/2 inches and weighs14 pounds. Price: $120 per pair, plus$IO shipping.

The top -of -the -line Dali 10 is also atwo-way speaker. The bass -reflex cabi-net contains a 61/2 -inch pulp -cone woof-er surrounded by a soft rubber gasketthat is concealed between a wood plateand the front baffle board to dampenresonances and eliminate vibration.The Xi -inch cloth -dome tweeter has aperforated magnet, and its rear output isdamped by a foam -filled chamber. Hex-agonal -shaped wire is used in the voicecoils of both drivers. The crossover is afourth -order acoustical Besse! design.Rated frequency response is 38 to20,000 Hz within 3 dB. Sensitivity isgiven as 90 dB sound -pressure levelwith a 1 -watt input measured at 1

meter. Distortion is 0.3 percent or less.The cabinet is finished with walnut ven-eer, and steel speaker stands are in-cluded. The Dali 10 is 29 inches high,161/2 inches wide, and 7 inches deep,and it weighs 50 pounds. Price: $319 perpair, plus $33 shipping. Danish Ameri-can Limited, Dept. SR, P.O. Box 55386,Valencia, Calif. 91355.Circle 128 on reader service card

-.. ^

_ 111111116

Audio ResearchThe Audio Research D-115 power

amplifier uses vacuum tubes instead ofthe more commonly used transistors toamplify the audio signal. The circuitryin the amp is cross -coupled and fullybalanced. On the front panel is the pow-er switch, with fuses for line voltage andscreen grid voltage to protect the tubesfrom burnout. The power output is giv-en as 115 watts per channel into 16ohms from 20 to 20,000 Hz with lessthan 1 percent total harmonic distor-tion. Input sensitivity is 1.1 volt rms forrated output, and noise is 90 dB belowrated power, broadband unweighted.The amplifier is 19 inches wide, 7inches high, and 16.5 inches deep. Price:$2,995. Audio Research, Dept. SR,6801 Shingle Creek Parkway, Minneap-olis, Minn. 55430.Circle 129 on reader service card

AccuphaseThe T-106 AM/FM digital synthesis

tuner from Accuphase makes use of anoptical pulse generator attached to ahefty rotary knob to preserve the "feel"of a variable capacitor knob. The tunerhas a newly developed differential gainlinear FM detector and IF filters withflat group delay. A synchronous detec-tor in the AM section is designed toreject interference and minimize distor-tion. There are fourteen station presets.Next to the signal strength meter is apeak modulation meter that also func-tions as a multipath detection meter.The stereo 50 -dB quieting sensitivity israted at 37 dBf, signal-to-noise ratio at79 dBA, and 1,000 -Hz total harmonicdistortion at 0.04 percent. The tuner is171/2 inches wide, 5 inches high, and141/2 inches deep. Price: $1,050. Madri-gal Ltd., Dept. SR, P.O. Box 781, Mid-dletown, Conn. 06457.Circle 130 on reader service card

1 Crutchfield Park, Dee. SR, Charlottesville, VA 229061

"Spectacular" "PP

AstoundmgS'eec c'eviEw Magazine Hign Fridgy Magazine

The Nat on's Top Audio Experts Agree:Polk's Revolutionary True Stereo SDAs

Alwa!,s Sound Better Than Conventions Speakers

SCA-CRS,r395

SDA-1A

"The remit is always better than would be achieved by conventional speakers:'Stare) Review 1113gazirk

`They truly repret3nt a breakttrotch."Rollim S'ervAlriga.re

30k s AudioVidece Grand PIA< ?ward nini rgSEA technology Its been called the most imp --.art fundamental :-dvance in lodct--ea:er des cnn :he last 25 yea; In fact, Po is emarkageSCIAs are the wo-d's first and 01- TUE St -E0oLdspeake-s.

F CLE NO 37 0111 READER SERVICE CARD

-tear the Remarkable sonic Benefi-s Now!

polk s exclusive True Rereo SDA tacnc logy re-sults in spectacularly Ifelike, three d nensionalsound. Stereo Reviewsid,"Literally a '-'3w dimen-sion in sound.' High .-fidelity said "Astounding. Mind -boggling Flabbergastilg An

amazing experience . You owe it to yourself toaudition them." Tne Speaker Specialists

For Cealer Nearest You Call TOLL -FREE 8X) -533-Z252 Ext 856

o <kith°, Inc.. '915AniapolisRd. Itimore, MD

Disc Ready/

AUDIO/VIDEO NEW PRODUCTS

VidicraftConnected to a compatible wireless

remote -control video -cassette recorder,the Vidicraft CCU -I20 can direct theVCR to edit out interrupting commer-cials by recording the continuing pro-gram over them. The CCU -120 com-mercial cutter and event timer uses itstwo microprocessors to scan the audioand video signals for the transitionfrom program to commercial, which issignaled by a dip to black with silentaudio. Then it orders the VCR to back -scan to the beginning of the recordedcommercial and record over it whenprogramming resumes. An average of98 percent of all commercials can beeliminated, according to the manufac-turer, with accidental program cuts, av-eraging less than 60 seconds each, onlyabout once in every 50 recording hours.The timer on the CCU -l20 allows pro-gramming twelve events over nineweeks. Price: $399. Vidicraft, Dept. SR,0704 SW Bancroft St., Portland, Ore.97201.Circle 131 on reader service card

Harman KardonCircuitry to decode stereo TV broad-

casts is included in Harman Kardon'sVCD-1000 VHS Hi-Fi audio/video-cas-sette recorder. The deck employs dis-crete, fully complementary circuitrywith wide bandwidth and low negativefeeeback in each stage. There is a four -event, fourteen -day timer. Operatingfeatures include still -frame and picturesearch in forward and reverse modes.The VCD- 1000 operates in SP, LP, andEP modes. A panel conceals secondarycontrols when they are not in use. Dis-plays show time, date, tape length, andplay time. There is an audio level meterand an audio level control. The 105 -channel cable -ready tuner uses Zenith/dbx decoding for stereo TV broadcastsand S.A.P. programming. A wireless re-mote control duplicates the front -panelcontrols and sixteen station presets.Price: $1,250. Harman Kardon, 240Crossways Park West, Woodbury, N.Y.11797.Circle 132 on reader service card


CanonCanon's VR-40A four -head VHS Hi.

Fi video -cassette recorder plugs into thetop of the Canon VT -50A tuner/timerfor home use; no cable connections arerequired, and the recorder section de-taches for portable use. Audio informa-tion is recorded by frequency modula-tion with rotating audio heads. Audicfrequency response is given as 20 to20,000 Hz. Dynamic range is betterthan 80 dB, and wow -and -flutter is0.005 percent. The deck operates in SP,LP, or SLP modes. An LCD display onthe front panel shows the selectedmode, tape speed, battery condition,

and remaining time. Horizontal resolu-tion is more than 230 lines. The VR-40A is 87/i6 inches wide, 31/16 incheshigh, and 10h inches deep. It weighs 7.3pounds with its internal battery pack.Price: $1,030.

The VT -50A frequency -synthesis vid-eo tuner is 83/16 inches wide, 47/8 incheshigh, and 14 inches deep. It can recordeight different programs over fourteendays and features one -touch recording.There are fourteen station presets.Price: $570. Canon U.S.A., Dept. SR,One Canon Plaza, Lake Success, N.Y.11042.Circle 133 on reader service card

RevoxRevox has introduced a new line of

compact speakers designed to be usedwith stereo televisions. The smallestmodel, the Piccolo, is a two-way speak-er with a 4'3'16 -inch woofer and a winchdome tweeter. The crossover frequencyis 1,800 Hz, and rated frequency re-sponse is 80 to 22,000 Hz. Nominalimpedance is 4 ohms. The Piccolo canbe used with amplifiers producing from20 to 40 watts. It measures 81 VI 6 incheshigh, 51/2 inches wide, and 54'4 inches

deep, and it is finished in flat black,with a perforated metal grille. Price:$198 per pair. Other models in the linecost up to $498 per pair. Studer RevoxAmerica, Dept. SR, 1425 Elm Hill Pike,Nashville, Tenn. 37210.Circle 134 on reader service card

ADCOne of a series of ADC video enhanc-

ers and processors, the V-400 videosound processor contains DynamicNoise Reduction to reduce tape hissand background noise. The V-400creates a stereo signal from a monoinput, and its expander is said torecreate the sound of a live perform-ance. Noise reduction is rated at -9 dBwith CCIR/ARM weighting, and har-monic distortion without synthesizer,DNR, or expansion is 0.1 percent.

The V-400 video sound processormeasures 10 inches wide, 21/8 incheshigh, and 6 inches deep. Price: $129.95.Other products in the series, all at thesame price include a video stabilizer, avideo enhancer, and a video color pro-cessor. ADC, Dept. SR, Route 303,Blauvelt, N.Y. 10913.Circle 135 on reader service card

AkaiThe Interactive Monitor System in

the Akai VS -603U VHS Hi-Fi video-cassette recorder displays operating in-structions on the TV screen. The tunerhas sixteen station presets and scanfunctions. There is an eight -event, four -week timer and a sleep timer. The VHSHi-Fi system supplements the four vid-eo heads with two rotating audio headsthat record the audio signal beneath thevideo signal on the tape. The resultingdynamic range is greater than 80 dB,and wow -and -flutter is given as 0.005percent wrms. There are two videospeeds, SP and SLP. A wireless remotecontrol is included.

The VS -603U is approximately 171/3inches wide, 4 inches high, and 141/2inches deep. It weighs 22 pounds. Price:$1,195. Akai America, Dept. SR, P.O.Box 6010, 800 West Artesia Blvd.,Compton, Calif. 90224.Circle 136 on reader service card

Consumer Information Series _17151-4-E1

Getting the most from compactdiscs.Can your system really keep pace with digital audio?

by J. Robert O'Connell

As an audio enthusiast,you've probably readmany articles on compactdiscs. Most have stressedthe dynamic range avail-

able, and the consistent sound quality, playalter play. Both of those topics areimportant. But what also must beconsidered, and is all too oftenignored, is the impact of this newformat on your present audiosystem.

DYNAMIC RANGE:THE COMPACT DISC EDGE

Peak Output. The top two curvesof the graph at right show the samepece of music played from a con-ventional LP and a compact disc.The peak output heard from a disc issubstantially greater than that avail-able from the LP, provided the rest ofyour system can reproduce it.

Noise Floor. As can be seen from thethree lines at the bottom of the graph,the noise floor of the compact disc is belowthat of a common listening room, while aconventional LP is above it. This demon-strates that compact discs are so quiet thatother factors (such as the room noise andthe quality of the rest of your audio system)limit the softest sounds you can hear.

Dynamic Range. Since the compactdisc exhibits both increased peak outputand decreased noise floor, the dynamicrange (difference between the softest andloudest sounds) is extended. But thisextended range is only experienced if therest of your audio system is physicallycapable of handling it.

Recording Engineer

IMPACT ON YOUR AUDIO SYSTEMIncreased dynamic range and

decreased noise floor places newdemands on your audio system. Remem-ber that each 3 dB of additional dynamicrange requires double the amplifier power

speaker if the result will be "blown" tweet-ers rather than a more enjoyable expe-rience. Finally, and perhaps mostimportantly the speaker must be ableto create the lifelike impact and flawlessclarity captured by the disc.

At Bose®, we've invested

120

110

100

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

DYNAMIC RANGE COMPARISONBETWEEN A COMPACT DISC AND AN LP

100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800(time. in msec)

COOMPACT DOC

CORYDON:VIALRECORDING

IF WISE FLOOR OF CONVENTIONAL RECORDER]ANENT IIGISE FLOOR OF A TYPICAL ROOMNOSE FLOOR OF COMPACT NEC

Covered by patent rights issued and/or pending0 Copyright 1984 Bose Corporation All rights reserved

to reproduce it. So, compared with conven-tional recordings, compact discs requirehigher amplifier power. But ampifier poweris only one of the criteria which de-termines the quality of compact discsound reproduction.

Extended dynamic range also placesprevidusly-unheard-of demands on yourspeakers. And, after all, speakers, morethan any other component, determine thequality of sound you actually hear from acompact disc. The higher the speaker'ssensitivity, for example, the less the neces-sary amplifier power to reproduce thepeaks in source material captured by adisc. Further, to reproduce the incredibledynamic range available from compactdiscs, a speaker must also have highpower handling capability. There's nosense feeding a higher level signal to a

20 years developing Direct/Reflecting® speaker systems todeliver spacious, lifelike sound.We've also designed them to meetthe demands of lifelike recordings,such as the compact disc. So, our901® Series V system, for example,is rated for unlimited power han-dling. But the only way to evaluateour speakers, or anyone else's, isto listen to them. For help in prop-erly evaluating speakers, we referyou to article #2 in this series, "Whydidn't they sound like that in theshowroom'?" by John Carter, ChiefEngineer.

For reprints of article #2, as well as moreinformation on Bose products, pleasewrite: Bose Corporation, Dept. SR, 10Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701.

J. Robert O'Connell is manager of BoseAudio Visual Services.

CAR STEREO

PANASONIC CQ-S934by Julian Hirsch and Christopher Greenleaf

-F.

BantamO 1121111721.11[1111111.111_17111

MI - IIMI MIN

0--FE

MI III I'M

SOMETIMES less is more in carstereo as in other areas. Oncea system has the basic fea-tures needed to operate it ef-

fectively and to adapt it to the user'sparticular listening patterns ortastes, additional specialized con-trols and winking displays may bemore distracting than helpful. Anastute music lover seeking to bal-ance cost and performance in carstereo equipment will welcome Pa-nasonic's CQ-S934, which dis-penses with unnecessary featuresand presents a well -organized con-trol panel that is very easy to use.

The CQ-S934 includes a tapeplayer, an AM/FM receiver, and asmall integral amplifier able todrive one or two pairs of speakers.The line -level preamplifier outputsalso permit use of an outboardamplifier for greater power. Thefader control does not affect theline -level outputs.

The autoreverse tape player has afixed, four -gap head rather than aflip -head setup. Tape direction canbe reversed at any time during playby tapping the tuning knob. Theback -lit LCD display panel showsthe tape direction during play butnot in either fast -winding mode. Athree -choice button selects Dolby B,dbx, or no noise reduction; indica-tor lights show which system is inuse. Another button selects eithernormal (120 -As) or metal/chrome(70 -As) playback equalization.Tapes are ejected by a firm push ona large protruding button next to thefast -wind buttons. Turning off thecar's ignition does not automati-cally eject a tape, but it does disen-gage the pinch -roller.

The electronic tuner includes apermanently engaged circuit that at-tenuates the high treble and narrowsthe stereo separation of an FM sig-nal as reception deteriorates. Thereis no mono button.

The five presets for each bandstore station frequencies in a noveland very convenient way. You tunein a desired station manually withthe tuning knob, then hold downthe chosen preset button for a fewseconds. When the frequency dis-play blinks, the button is set. Nomore dashing clumsily around thecontrol panel to find and release amemory button! In the tuner mode,the CQ-S934 always displays thetime (with a.m. and p.m. indicated)except when the FREQUENCY buttonhas just been pushed or a station hasjust been tuned in. (In the tapemode, you can select either time ortape -status display; whichever ischosen remains on view until youchange the selection.)

The fader, balance, treble, andbass controls have no detents.While this is reasonable for the firsttwo, since their optimal settings willvary considerably with the listenerposition and the placement and/orefficiency of the speakers, the trebleand bass controls really should havea nominal flat position indicated.There is no loudness button.

The one unusual feature of theCQ-S934 is its Daily Priority Sta-tion timer. You can set it to switchthe tuner automatically to a particu-lar band and frequency (the onestored on the first preset) at thesame time each day. If you are play-ing a tape at that time, the displaypanel will flash for five seconds to

alert you that your program hasbegun.

The chassis of the Panasonic CQ-S934 measures 04 inches wide, 6inches deep, and 2 inches high; thenosepiece is 4' by 15's inches. Thesuggested retail price is $429.95.Panasonic, Dept. SR, One Pana-sonic Way, Secaucus, N.J. 07094.

Lab TestsTesting the Panasonic CQ-S934

was quite easy since none of itsaudio power amplifiers are"bridged" and the speaker returnsand the chassis share a commonground. These features also tend tosimplify installation.

In the absence of detents on thetone controls, we had to make anumber of trial frequency -responsemeasurements to establish the flat-test settings. Once this was done,the radio's overall frequency re-sponse, from antenna input tospeaker outputs, measured quite flatover the audio range, within ± 1 dBfrom 45 to 18,000 Hz.

The CQ-S934 is an attractive,basic car stereo unit that'sabout as simple and easy tooperate as it could be.

The FM tuner's signal -operatedchannel -blend circuit results in es-sentially mono operation when thesignal level falls below 30 or 35 dBf(about 20 microvolts across the re-ceiver's 75 -ohm antenna input), al-though the stereo indicator comeson at much lower levels. At strongersignal levels (above 50 dBf, or 100microvolts) the separation wasquite good, typically about 27 dB.

The tape frequency response athigh frequencies was quite differentfor the two directions of play, indi-cating a head -gap alignment prob-lem or slight tape slewing. On ourtest sample, the reverse directiongave a more extended high -end re-sponse, though this may not be thecase on all production units. Inrespect to its S/N, flutter, and speedcharacteristics, the tape deck in theCQ-S934 was typical of today's au-tomobile tape players.

The AM section sounded much


tHE HAT FAY WRAY IN THE PALM OF HIS HAND Courtesy of RKO General Pictures

SR I

. ,

v. 4zi J,

NAME THIS NIOVIEAND GET IT FORIONLY $4.95

OFtilieK ANY ONE OF 41 OTHERS ""m"'"4"

Recognize the movie? If so, that showsyou know the great old classics and de-serve to belong to the CBS Video Club.

With membership, you get the movieyou named (or any other listed below) foronly $4.95, and all these benefits:

About every four weeks (up to 13times a year) we send you our CBSVideo Club Projn, reviewing ourDirector's Selection plus many alternatemovies. If you want the Selection, don'tdo a thing. It will arrive automatically. Ifyou prefer an alternate, or none at all, justreturn the card always provided by thedate specified.

SHOP -BY -MAIL CONVENIENCE

You'll have two full weeks to decide.And a toll -free number to call if you haveany questions or service requests. (Ifyou ever receive a tape that you had lessthan two weeks to consider, send it back

Soca CHILL. 1111

at our expense.)As a member, you don't have to buy a

lot of movies -just two more in the nextyear. The movies you order will be mailedand billed at regular Club prices -currently$39.95 to $79.95 for cassettes, $19.95 to$39.95 for discs -plus shipping and han-dling. Extra -long films and specials maycost a bit more. (CED Disc availability maybecome limited.)

Choose from the best, too. The BigCrazy and many more.

BONUS PLAN -SAVE 50%

After buying two movies at Club pricesin the next year, you can cancel. Or stayand save even more under our BonusPlan. With each movie you buy, the plancurrently allows you to take anothermovie of equal value or less at 50% off.

Write your answer in the coupon, andget this 1933 movie (or another, if you

PICK FROM 42 TOP MOVIES. (-Also available on CED Disc.)

TITLESELECTIONNUMBER TITLE

SELECTIONNUMBER TITLE

SELECTIONNUMBER

TOCITSIE 4 1509042 YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE* 0710192 PORKY'S* 0775112

SUPERMAN III* 6040092 THE BLACK HOLE* 5283072 FUNNY GIRL* 1511002

WARGAMES* 0828002 KRAMER VS. KRAMER* 1503182 ALL THE RIGHT MOVES* 0881042

NATIONAL LAMPOON'SVACATION* 6039022

KING KONG (Original) 5502022 EDUCATING RITA* 1593012

JANE FONDA'S WORKOUTCHALLENGE 5260042

STIR CRAZY* 1594002

STAR WARS* 0564162 NEVER CRY WOLF* 5305012

DIRTY HARRY* 6017082 OCTOPUSSY* 0856052 ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD* 0526392

CADDYSHACK* 6023022 STAR 80* 6041082 THE COMANCHEROS 0762242

CASABLANCA 0507082 NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN* 6042072 TWO OF A KIND* 0877002

RISKY BUSINESS* 6033082 IRON* 5263012 CHRISTINE* 1580062

DUMBO* 525'052 SPLASH* 5304022 THE MAN WHO LOVEDWOMEN * 1624042THE WAY WE WERE* 1529002 THE LONGEST DAY* 0577032

ON GOLDEN POND 0523082 STRIPES* 1513082 ROOSTER COGBURN 1018082

THE BIG CHILL* 1527022 ROMANCING THE STONE* 0894092 TWILIGHT ZONE The Movie* 6034072

THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN* 0534212 THE AFRICAN QUEEN 0511022 ARTHUR* 6024092

Advance Bonus:

SAVE UP TO 550 MORE!... by ordering a second :novae light now.Any movie listed in this ad -yours for$29.95 on videocassette, $15.95 on disc.See coupon below.

prefer) for just $4.95, along with details ofhow the Club works. If not satisfied,return all within 10 days for a full, promptrefund -no further obligation.

For faster service, use your creditcard and our toll -free number toorder. Just call 1-800-457-0866 (inIndiana 1-800-742-1200). Or mail coupon.

CBS VIDEO CLUB1100 N, tit FrUltridge Avenue. Terre Haute. IN 17811

CBS VIDEO CLUB,I iept.40N, P.O. Box 1111, Terre Haute, IN 47811

The movie isI'leaie enroll me in the CBS Video Club under theterms outlined in this advertisement. As a member.I nerd buy just two more movies within the nextear.

I want the movie I named above for $4.95(not available on C El) Disc).

Send instead for $4 95list ..!letupn ha numhrn

Check one: BETA [:1 VHS : CED DISC

My check is enclosed. Z54 Z5ti

Lharge my introductory movie(s) Z35 Z57and future Club purchases to:

H MasterCard . IDiners ClubAmerican Express 1- 1 VISA

Account #

Expiration Date

Signature

Also send me movie #tor $ (S29.95 or $15.95 plus $3.181,hipping and handling), which I'm adding to mypayment shown above.

Name

State

Lip Phone (

otr. CBS \ den Club resen.ats the nght ;oreiec-t any appbcauoncAncel am membership. Utter lunited U. c,mtmental t S.

I : \ t Applicable sales tax added wall order..

=MI

CAR STEREO

the same as any of the other carreceivers we have listened to. In ourbench tests, the DPS feature workedas claimed, as did the various otherfeatures of the radio. Except for thecriticisms already stated, the overallFM and tape performance of theCQ-S934 was quite satisfactory,with no areas of poor or substand-ard quality.

It is probably worth mentioningthat this was one of the very few carradios we have tested whose meas-ured usable sensitivity matched themanufacturer's ratings. It also pre-sented an attractively distinctiveand functional appearance, with theorange -lit LCD display seeming tobe more easily interpreted than theusual fluorescent readout. J.H.

Road TestsAs we have tested more and more

car stereo equipment, certain quali-ties have come to stand out in ourminds. For me, simplicity and easeof operation-or their opposites-are the first things I notice about anew piece of hardware after it'sinstalled in my car. Novel ap-proaches to the problem of fittingnumerous controls and indicatorsin a limited space abound, ofcourse, but it rarely seems that sim-plicity is valued quite as highly bythe designers as it is by those of uswho use their creations.

The Panasonic CQ-S934 is an at-tractive unit that's about as simpleas it could be. All the controls areeasy to operate, and they have justenough firmness to the touch toinspire confidence. I often try out anew model without reading the in-struction manual first just to seehow self-explanatory the controlsare. The CQ-S934 passed this test sowell I forgave the lack of a loudnessbutton.

Since my Volvo test car has abuilt-in outboard power amplifierand four speakers, I tested the Pana-sonic unit with its preamplifier out-put connected directly to the poweramp's line -level input. Although theCQ-S934 has a small built-in amp,somehow I can't imagine drivingfour speakers with a total of 6 wattsunless their sensitivity is up in theKlipschorn range, which certainlycan't be said of mine. On the otherhand, this would be a good starter

piece for a system since you couldeasily add a booster amp later.

On FM and with cassettes theCQ-S934 produced smooth, clear,and powerful sound that appearedneither to add to nor to detract fromthe original source. Tapes recordedwith no noise reduction soundedopen and clear, and using Dolby Bor the even quieter dbx system gavevirtually noiseless, accurate play-back even of tapes recorded at a lowlevel. (I'm always surprised howrelatively hissy Dolby B playbacksounds after listening to a dbx-pro-cessed tape, but the difference is aptto be more audible before you startthe motor than while you zip downthe highway.) The AM sound hadstrong though indistinct bass, but itlacked clarity and refinement in thetreble.

I'm usually able to dodge peakcommuter hours. When I do findmyself on the road at 5 p.m.,though, it's easy to miss tuning inthe start of my favorite news pro-gram, NPR's "All Things Consid-ered." So I found Panasonic's DailyPriority Station feature (oh well,they had to call it something) quiteuseful. During tape listening, how-ever, the 5 seconds of flashing onthe display panel might not beenough to get the driver's attention.A couple of beeps or a buzz toneover the speakers would work bet-ter, especially in daylight.

The FM tuner's resistance to mul-tipath, outside electrical -impulsenoise, and the constantly varyingsignals of normal mobile receptionwas a pleasant surprise. There werefew audible problems even as myVolvo lurched through the metal -

fenced streets and steel-girderedbuildings around the old BrooklynNavy Yard. All FM tuners come togrief to some degree at the foot ofthe Brooklyn Bridge, where CityHall is (appropriately) a kind ofnexus of crackling atmospherics andconfused signals. The CQ-S934 per-formed admirably here, coughing ormaking small hashy sounds only inthe very worst spots. Distant FMreception was average to good, witha nice selection of listenable stationsall along the dial. The range ofreceivable AM stations was not asgreat as it might have been, butwhat could be received soundedclear except for the rather murkytreble.

Tape handling was smooth. Themechanism was apparently incapa-ble of damaging even such fragileaudio travesties as my trusty old C-120. I've had it since 1971, and itwill undoubtedly crinkle and jamsome day, but not in the CQ-S934.High -frequency performance wasslightly better in reverse play, butthe difference was audible only withvery high -quality program materialplayed at high volume.

To label the CQ-S934 an excellentbasic car stereo is to underestimatethis well-rounded piece of equip-ment. Unless you listen mostly toAM, you should find it an accurate,very easy -to -use head unit thatplays music well and without fuss.The inclusion of dbx noise reduc-tion opens up a whole new sectionof the tape library for car use, as wellas facilitating transfer of CD's andother low -noise sources that mightotherwise stay on your listening-room shelves. C. G.

HIRSCH-HOUCK LAB MEASUREMENTSFM mono usable sensitivity (75 -ohm

input): 19 dBf (2.5 µV)Mono 50 -dB -quieting sensitivity

(75 -ohm input). 25 dBf (5 µV)Stereo 50 -dB -quieting sensitivity

(75 -ohm input). 46.5 dBf (58 µV)Tuner signal-to-noise ratio at 65 dBf: 64

dBTuner distortion at 65 dBf: 0.76%FM frequency response (-3-dB limits):

34 to 18,500 HzStereo separation at 100, 1,000, and

10,000 Hz (at 65 dBf): 24, 27, and 19dB

Capture ratio at 65 dBf: 3.7 dBAM rejection at 65 dBf. 70 dBAlternate -channel selectivity: 54 dBAdjacent -channel selectivity: 4.5 dBImage rejection: 60 dBTape -playback frequency response

(standard BASF test topes, -3 -dB limits):120.µs EQ-35 to 8,500 Hz forward,34 to 11,000 Hz reverse; 70-µsEQ-36 to 7,100 Hz forward, 34 to14,000 Hz reverse

Tape signal-to-noise ratio (referred to250 nWb/m at 315 Hz, 120-µs EQ):unweighted, 45 dB; Dolby B andCCIR/ARM weighting, 56.5 dB; dbx andCCIR/ARM weighting, 78 dB

Flutter: ± 0.2% CCIR-weighted peak;0.13% JIS-weighted rms

Tape speed accuracy: start of tape,+0.5% forward, -0.25% reverse; finishof tope, +0.3% forward, -0.1% reverse

Fast rewind time for C-60: 96 secondsTone -control range: +8.5, -11.5 dB at

100 Hz; +9.5, -13 dB at 10,000 Hz1,000 -Hz clipping power output into 4

ohms: 3.8 watts


141

The spirit of Madboroin a low tar cigarette.

4

llemenuilm

c.

MarlboroLIGHTS

1 mg "tar': 0.7 mg mot' e ay. per Cigarette FTC Report Mar.'84



AUDIO Q. AND A.

by Larry Klein

Buyer's GuidesAfter checking every newsstand inthe city, I still can't find your Ster-

eo Buyers Guide for 1985. How can I geta copy? Also, does STEREO REVIEW pub-lish other buyers' guides?

HOLLY EMMANew York, N.Y.

There will be four STEREO REVIEWbuying guides for 1985. The Stereo

Buyers Guide went on sale in Septemberand the Video Buyers Guide in Novem-ber. The Car Stereo Buyers Guide willbe out in March 1985, the Tape Record-ing Buyers Guide in June. If you can'tfind a newsstand copy, you can orderone directly. Send a check or moneyorder for $4.95 for each guide ($4.50 forthe tape edition) to Stereo ReviewGuides, Box CN 1914, Morristown,N.J. 07960. Do not order the 1985 carstereo or tape guides more than amonth in advance of the publicationdates given above.

Amorphous Tape HeadsSeveral manufacturers have beenadvertising that they use "amor-

phous" heads in their tape machines.According to my dictionary, the mean-ing of "amorphous" is "shapeless." Per-haps they meant "amorous"-signify-ing that the tape tends to hug the headsfor best response?

CARL ARMSTRONGParsippany, N.J.

Good guess, but wrong. Oddlyenough, the manufacturers mean

just what they said. In the early Sixties,researchers stumbled on a way to pro-duce metal alloys that, like glass, have ajumbled-that is, amorphous-atomicstructure (most metals have orderlycrystalline structures). These glassy,

amorphous alloys are harder, more cor-rosion -resistant, and easier to magne-tize than conventional metals, all ofwhich makes them ideal for a variety ofelectromagnetic components, particu-larly tape heads.

Amorphous alloys are still expen-sive-three to five times as expensiveas the standard metals found in trans-formers and electromagnetic transduc-ers-so components using them won'tbe taking over the marketplace in theimmediate future. In time, however, theword "amorphous" will become an or-dinary part of any audiophile's electron-ic vocabulary.

Leadout-groove playI have a fully manual turntable inmy system. It's not always conven-

ient for me to pick up the tone arm at theend of the record and the stylus contin-ues to ride the leadout groove for a time.Will this create problems with my re-cords or stylus?

BILL LAFFONDWorcester, Mass.

No problem-leadout-groove playis likely to cause far more wear and

tear on your ears than on your stylus or

five brands of semiautomatic end -of -record tone -arm lifts available thatcould be fitted to any manual turntable,but most of these seem to have gone offthe market. Perhaps those audiophileswho want total control over the record -playing process prefer to keep theirmanual players as manual as possible. Ifyou are interested in a lifter, however,it's worth checking around.

Voltage conversionI bought two components overseasthat are designed for 220 -volt a.c.

lines. I now want to operate the equip-ment on U.S. line voltage and don'tknow whether I should get a step-downtransformer or send the equipment backto the company for conversion. Whichwould be more feasible?

KEVIN D. FRANKFPO, New York, N.Y.

Some of the 220 -volt audio equip-ment manufactured in the U.S.

and overseas has dual -winding powertransformers. In such cases, conversionfrom 220- to 120 -volt operation (orback again) involves nothing more thanresoldering four wires and replacing afuse with one of a different value. Anytechnician with the proper instructionsshould be able to do the job for you in30 minutes or less. In any case, yourbest bet is to check with the manufac-turer's local authorized service centerfor further instructions. 0

Finally,compact discsat a compactprice.$799.6ony'-',Orings you a compact also otter

that's music to your ears and an ode tojoy for your wallet. Compact discs for nomore than you'd pay for an ordinary LP orcassette tape. Just $799* each.

For a limited time only, Sony in co-operation with CBS is offering 30 of themost popular titles at a great low price. Ifyou purchase any Sony home, car, orportable Compact Disc Player betweenNov. 1, 1984 and Feb. 28, 1985, you canchoose any or all of these great CBS titles:

ARTISTBruce SpringsteenThe JacksonsScandalCyndi LauperFootlooseBilly JoelWillie NelsonJourneyKenny LogginsMiles DavisJeff BeckMeatloafBruce Springsteen

Dan FogelbergELOBilly JoelTotoMen at WorkThe JacksonsJohn Williams

Yo -Yo Ma/Lorin Maazel

PinchasZukerman

Zubin Mehta

Leonard Bernstein

Placido DomingoGlenn Gould

Wynton Marsalis

Stevie Ray Vaughan

Elvis CostelloBob James &

Earl Klugh

TITLEBorn in the U.S.A.VictoryWarriorShe's So UnusualSoundtrackInnocent ManAlways on My MindEscapeHigh AdventureDecoyWiredBat out of HellDarkness on the

Edge of TownPhoenixDiscoveryGlass HousesTurn BackBusiness as UsualTriumphRodrigo: Concierto

de AranjuezLalo: Cello Concerto

Mozart: ViolinConcerti Nos.3&5

R. Strauss: EinHeldenleben

Prokofiev:Symphony No.5

Perhaps LoveBach: Goldberg

VariationsHaydn: Trumpet

ConcertoCouldn't Stand

the WeatherMy Aim Is TrueOne on One

To take advantage of this great offer, justreturn a copy of your sales receipt andowner's registration card along with thespecial order form available only at aparticipating Sony CD Dealer. Paymentmust be made by check, money order,MasterCard or Visa before April 30,1985.

SONYTHE LEADER IN DIGITAL AUDIO'"'Plus postage and handling See your participating dealer

for details. CD 1984 Sony Corp of America Sony is a regtrademark of the Sony Corp I Sony Dr.. Park Ridge. NJ07656 "CBS" is a trademark of CBS. Inc . 1984. CBS, Inc

revolu.

home compact disc players, andone thing should become abun-dantly clear:

While other companies areclaiming advanced circuits,Sony has taken a somewhat dif-ferent course.

Advanced products.SOYNT

THE LEADER IN DIGITAL AUDIO.'

disc

Sopyrevolutionizesthe compact

If there are still a fewamong you who have any linger-ing doubts as to who the leaderin digital audio really is, considerthe following:

On October 1, 1982, Sony'set the music industry on its earwith the creation of the world'sfirst compact digital audio discplayer.

Today, with over 30 compa-nies joining the revolution, Sonyis starting two others. TheCar Compact Disc Player andthe Portable Compact DiscPlayer.

Combine that with the factthat the CDP-111, shown above,represents another additicnto the world's largest family of

s.tpphes may De limited 0 1984 Sony Cr, p of America Sony is a registered trademark of the Sony Corporation : Sony Dr:ve Park F Age NJ 07656 Optional headphones and battery pack case may wary where purchased


TECHNICAL TALK

by Julian Hirsch

Can Analog RecordsMatch Digital?

ACTuALLY, the answer to thequestion of whether thesound of an LP can matchthe sound of a CD de-

pends largely on who gives it. It ishardly a secret that a segment of theaudio world, small but highly vocif-erous, is disturbed (sometimes tothe point of apoplexy) by the veryexistence of digital -audio tech-niques and media. I don't want toget too involved with the moreemotional aspects of this question,which may never be settled toeveryone's complete satisfaction.Although I have my own views (dig-ital is a giant step forward, withmany more pluses than minuses),they are not the point of this discus-sion, which concerns the results ofan interesting listening test.

I don't know how many peoplehave conducted or participated inwell -controlled A -B comparisonsbetween digital and analog soundsources originating from the samemaster recording (a critical require-ment unless you are one of thoserare individuals who claim to haveperfect recall of sounds heard in thedistant past). Until recently, I hadnot had the opportunity to makesuch a comparison, without which

almost no valid conclusions aboutthe sonic limitations of either thedigital or analog medium (as distin-guished from recording techniques,etc.) can possibly be drawn.

Not long ago, a phono-cartridgemanufacturer introduced a newproduct whose performance pre-sumably represented the currentstate of the art in analog -recordreproduction. Rather than makesuch a claim directly, the companydecided to let its cartridge speak foritself, as it were. A group of audiojournalists and reviewers was in-vited to hear an A -B comparison ofthe new cartridge and a CompactDisc player. Fortunately, the neces-sary source material was availablein the form of a Sheffield direct -to -disc LP record and a Sheffield CD,both derived from the same originalperformance (the CD having comefrom an intermediate stage of digitaltape recording).

A switching system was con-structed that channeled the outputof either the phono preamplifier orthe CD player to the power -ampli-fier section of a high -quality inte-grated amplifier. The levels of thetwo sources were matched veryclosely, and every part of the systemfollowing the input selector wascommon to both sources. Signallights identified the selected pro-gram.

It was only slightly surprising tome that the LP and the CD soundedvirtually identical-after all, thecartridge manufacturer would hard-ly have bothered with this demon-stration if it had shown his productsignificantly inferior to the digitaldisc. I expected the overall frequen-cy response and balance of the twosources to be very much alike, but Ithought I'd be able to identify theLP by what I presumed would be ahigher noise level. With one minorexception, however, I could not dif-ferentiate between the two sources

Tested This Month, '-411111111111

Stanton. Epoch II HZ9S andLZ9S Phono Cartridges

Sansui TU-D99X TunerBaby Advent LoudspeakerPioneer SX-V90

Audio I Video Receiver

because of noise level. I had alsoanticipated some difference in clari-ty as the result of the various formsof tracing distortion, IM distortion,and other nonlinear distortions thatare inherent in the analog record -playing process but are essentiallyabsent from digital recordings.Again, no such effects were audibleto me (or, I believe, to the other lis-teners) in this comparison.

I said that the analog and digitalsystems sounded virtually identical.There was a difference, sometimes(but not always) audible dependingon the program material. One of thetwo sources had what I can onlydescribe as a "warmer" sound,which I would guess to be the resultof a frequency -response emphasis inthe lower midrange or upper bass.This low -end rise was most appar-ent on vocal passages, and was veryslight. Again, purely as a guess, I

would expect a difference in fre-quency response of less than 1 dB,over an octave or two of the fre-quency range, to produce such aneffect.

The earlier reference to a noise -level difference concerns a couple ofvery faint "clicks" during the firstfew seconds of the comparison,which I heard on only one of thesources. This was a "giveaway" tothe identity of that source, whichwas (of course) the LP record. MostLP's exhibit some such noises neartheir outer diameters, no matterhow quiet their surfaces may beelsewhere (and Sheffield recordshave earned an enviable reputationfor quiet surfaces). On the otherhand, even the most ardent criticsof the CD concede its total silencewhen the disc is made from a well -recorded digital master tape.

While the "warmer" of the twosources was the LP, I would notcharacterize it as "better" or"worse" but merely as very slightlydifferent. The reason for the effect isnot easy to determine. There aresimply too many differences in theprocessing, manufacturing, andplayback stages of analog and digitaldiscs for anyone to be dogmaticabout the causes of a slight tonal dif-ference. Even the time-honoredcomparison against the master tapeis impossible here, since the LP wasa direct -to -disc recording and hadno "master tape," while the digital


disc was presumably a bit -for -bitduplicate of the digital mastertape.

Of course, the real "winner" ofthis demonstration was the car-tridge, whose sterling qualitiescould not be open to question afterthis most impressive performance.Even so, I have no way of knowingwhether other top-quality cartridgescould have done as well. I suspectthat some could have, but I do notwish to detract in any way from theachievement of this one and theconfidence of its developer in itsability.

So, what was proved by this exer-cise? First, of course, the manufac-turer demonstrated that his car-tridge is indeed excellent in respectto all the usual performance criteriaand perhaps in others less well de-fined or understood. Moreover, thelistening comparisons showed thatwhen a state-of-the-art analog rec-ord is played by a similarly ad-vanced cartridge, the result can befor all practical purposes (exceptnoise levels) indistinguishable fromthe output of a digital CompactDisc.

It was demonstrated that the vari-ous distortions inherent in the ana-log system, all of which are from tento a thousand times greater than anyof the distortions in the CD play-back process, do not seem to be asglaringly obvious as one might ex-pect, even in a careful A -B compari-son. And the supposedly deleteriouseffects of the sharp cutoff filtersused in digital recording and play-back, including their large phaseshifts, are probably no more audiblethan the many flaws in the LP -record system.

Finally (and, to me, the most im-portant point to remember), thesetests proved that the skill of therecording engineer and others in-volved in the original recording andits duplication are much more im-portant to its ultimate quality thanwhether it is ultimately produced inanalog or digital form. SheffieldLP's are good, and most of themwill sound better on any systemthan the typical mass-produced rec-ord. Still, after some years of use,wear, and dust, even they will losesome of their sonic perfection. But aCD should go on forever with nodegradation of sound quality. 0

Announcing the

RODRIGUES CARTOONCAPTION CONTEST

HAT are they talkingabout in the drawing

below? What is crotche-old Mr. Tweakingham

saying to his faithful retainer Man-chester? you decide. Our faithful art-ist Charles Rodrigues has drawn thecartoon, and Stereo Review is hold-ing a contest to discover who cansupply the funniest caption for it.

The winner will receive the origi-nal signed drawing shown here, acash prize of $100, and the glory ofseeing his or her name published inthis magazine along with thewinning caption when the results ofthe contest are announced.

Anyone may enter, and there isno limit to the number of times youmay enter, but each caption submit-ted must be on a separate sheet ofpaper that also contains the clearlylegible name and address of the per-son who enters it. Entries with more

01

than one caption per page will bedisqualified. All entries must be re-ceived by Stereo Review no laterthan March 1, 1985.

The panel of judges will includemembers of the editorial staff ofStereo Review and Rodrigues him-self. Entries will be judged on thebasis of originality, appropriateness,and humor. The decision of thejudges will be final, and we willengage in no after -the -fact discus-sions of our IQ's, ancestry, qualifi-cations, or individual and collectivesense of humor.

The winning caption (and a selec-tion of near misses) will be pub-lished in the June 1985 issue. Theusual restrictions and disclaimersare printed below. Send entries to:

Rodrigues CartoonSTEREO REVIEWOne Park AvenueNew York, N.Y. 10016

40°' ' \ ir 1jp.,......,

1kt...Iltrielf,,

... .itip

No purchase is necessary. Anyone may enter ex-cept the sniff of Stereo Review and its parent compa-ny (and their immediate families). All entries be-come the property of Stereo Review and none will bereturned. If you wish to be notified of the results ofthe contest by mail. send a stamped sell:addressedenvelope to the above address.

In the unlikely event of duplicate entries. the onefirst received will be considered the winning entry.The names of the winner and a do:en runners-up

will be published in Stereo Review and may appearin promotional literature for the magazine. Submit-ting an entry will be deemed consent for such use.

Stereo Review will arrange the delivery of theprize; any tax on it w.11 he the responsibility of thewinner. The judges have every intention of reachinga decision in time for the publication of the results inthe June 1985 issue. but Stereo Review reserves theright 'o delay the announcement until July if the re-sponse is overwhelming.


Supreme Extremwith TDK.

SUPER AVILYN CASSETTE SA x90LIT t tt--MU-

HighPosition

:tft,,TDK SA -X

INIEINA11111111MINIIIIIININgm==NI

HIGH RESOLUTION

Laboratory Standard Cassette Mechanism

no111111111111111111MIIIIIIIM

The classic problem with recordingclassical music is faithfully reproduc-ing an enormous spectrum of sounds.Some audio cassettes give you im-proved highs. Some, improved lows.Others, improved in-betweens.

Only one cassette can offer youthe best of everything. TDK SA -X.It's one of our Pro Reference Series ofaudio cassettes designed to produceunmatched performance for everystyle of music.

Surpassing all other conventionalhigh bias cassettes in its class, SA -Xhandles strong signals without distor-tion or saturation, thanks to its superwide dynamic range and higher MOL.©1984 TDK Electronics Corp.

With an exclu-sive dual coating of SuperAvilyn particles, SA -X orchestratesoptimum performance at all fre-quency levels. From rich, solid bass,to mellow cello, to the peaks of apiccolo, it reproduces the crispest,clearest, purest audio pleasure.

And to assure a standing ovationplay after play, our specially -engi-neered Laboratory Standard mecha-nism provides a smoother tapetransport and better tape -to -head con-tact for total reliability and trouble -free performance.

You'll also get incredible perform-ance from our other three TDK Pro

Reference cassettes: MA -R metal,HX-S metal particle high -bias, andAD -X Avilyn-based normal bias.

Each is designed to deliver purelistening pleasure and long-timereliability...backed by our LifetimeWarranty.

Maximize the performance ofyour musical library. Pick up TDKPro Reference cassettes today.

We go to extremes to improveyour listening pleasure.

THE MACHINE FOR YOUR MACHINE.CIRCLE NO. 48 ON READER SERVICE CARD

TEST REPORTS

STANTON EPOCH II HZ9SAND LZ9S CARTRIDGES

Julian Hirsch, Hirsch -Houck Laboratories

FEATURES Moving -magnet construction with sa-

marium -cobalt magnet (for low mass)and symmetrical coils (for greaterseparation)

User -replaceable stylus assembly Tubular aluminum cantilever coated

with sapphire for stiffness and lowmoving moss

Cantilever electrically grounded throughits stabilizing tie wire to drain off

electrostatic charges Stereohedron II line -contact stylus Recommended tracking force: 0.75

to 1.5 grams Weight: HZ9S, 4 grams; LZ9S, 3.8

grams Recommended load impedance:

HZ9S, 47,000 ohms, 275picoforods; LZ9S, greater than 100ohms, capacitance not critical

THE Epoch II series of mov-ing -magnet phono car-tridges from Stanton Mag-netics combines several

new design concepts with stylingstrikingly different from the compa-ny's previous cartridges. The EpochII cartridges have low -mass bodiesthat are ideally suited to today'slight tone arms.

Two versions of the cartridgebody are available: a conventional"high -impedance" model, designedto drive the 47,000 -ohm moving -magnet phono input of a preampli-fier, integrated amplifier, or receiv-er, and a "low -impedance" versionsuitable for use with a typical mov-ing -coil -cartridge input terminationof 100 ohms or more. In combina-tion with three different replaceable(and interchangeable) stylus assem-

blies, these options provide theEpoch II line with six models in all,covering a broad price range andsuitable for use with a variety ofmusic systems. This mix -and -matchapproach also makes it possible toupgrade any of the lower -pricedmodels simply by installing the ap-propriate replacement stylus.

The stylus used in the higher -priced Epoch II cartridges is a dia-mond with an improved Stereo-hedron II extended -line -contactshape. Its radii are 0.2 and 3 mils,and it is said to touch the groovewall over 80 percent of the groove'snominal depth. One of the lower -priced cartridges uses a Stereo-hedron I tip with 0.3- and 2.8 -milsradii, and the least -expensive EpochII model is fitted with a 0.2 x 0.7 -mil elliptical stylus.

Earlier Stanton cartridges havealso offered low -impedance, low -output coils that make them "mov-ing -coil equivalents." As the manu-facturer points out, this approachprovides the acknowledged advan-tages of a moving -coil design (prin-cipally its independence of loadinginteractions and extended high -fre-quency response thanks to the elim-ination of the low-pass filter formedby the coil inductance and loadcapacitance) without the drawbacksof a moving -coil's typical fragilityand (usually) nonreplaceable stylus.Since the Epoch II LZ models havethe low output voltage of a typicalmoving -coil cartridge, they arecompletely compatible with anyMC preamplifier input or can beused with a head amplifier or trans-former.

For this report, we tested the top -of -the -line Epoch II cartridge, theHZ9S, and we also made limitedtests of the LZ9S low -impedancemodel, which uses the same stylusas the HZ9S. Each of these car-tridges is priced at $250, with re-placement styli available for $90.The least -expensive Epoch II car-tridge, the HZ6E, is only $95, andits stylus is priced at $40. StantonMagnetics, Dept. SR, Terminal Dr.,Plainview, N.Y. 11803.

Lab TestsThe two cartridge bodies were in-

stalled in plug-in shells for a low -mass tone arm that is compatiblewith the low mass of the Epoch IIcartridges. The compliant styli res-onated at 7 to 8 Hz in this arm,which caused no problems in track-ing warped records, but it is obviousthat for best results the Epoch IIseries cartridges should not be in-stalled in massive tone arms.

We made complete tests of theHZ9S, and we measured the output,frequency response, and channelseparation of the LZ9S by installingthe stylus from the HZ9S in the oth-er body. This approach allowed usto assess differences resulting fromthe LZ's low coil impedance with-out having to allow for the effects ofnormal stylus variations. For bothmeasurements and listening testswith the low -impedance body, weused a high -quality MC transformerwhose response is very flat and


194 RJ REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMBAT,

CAMEL LIGHTS

Today'sCamel Lights,unexpectedly mild.

Warning: The Surgoin General Has NterminedThat Cigarette Smokiq Is Dangerous to four Health.

9 mg." ar", 0.8 mg. nicotine ay. per cigamtle by FTC metho4d.'"

TEST REPORTS

HIRSCH-HOUCK LAB MEASUREMENTSFrequency response (with CBS STR 100 test record): HZ9S, 40 'o 20,000 Hz +0.5, -3 dB

referred to 1,000 -Hz level; IZ9S, +0.5, -2 dBChannel separation: HZ9S, 22 dB at 1,000 Hz, 24 dB at 10,000 Hz; I.Z9S, 20 dB at 1,000

Hz, 23 dB of 10,000 HzOutput voltage la: 3.54-cm/s groove velocity, 1,000 Hz): HZ9S, 3.4 millivoks; LZ9S, 0.1.5 mVChannel imbalance: HZ9S, 0.6 dB; LZ9S, 1.28 dBVertical stylus angle: 22 degrees (both models)Optimum load: HZ9S, 47,000 ohms in parallel with 360 picofarads; LZ9S, greater than 100 ohms,

capootance not criticalTracking ability (at 300 Hz with German HuFi *2 test disc): 80 nvcrometers at 0.75 gram, 100 gm

at 1 gramIM distortion: less than 3% with groove velocity between 7 and 22.5 cm/s; 5% at 27 cm/sTone -burst distortion: less than 1% with groove velocity betweei 15 and 30 cm/s

extends well beyond the range of thecartridge and test records.

We used a 1 -gram force for mostof our tests, and frequency -responsemeasurements with different loadcapacitances showed that this wasnot a critical factor, although highervalues made a slight improvement.We used 360 picofarads.

The frequency response of theHZ9S with the CBS STR 100 testrecord had a slight, well -dampedpeak at 10,000 Hz, dropping offslightly at higher frequencies. It var-ied over a ± 2 -dB range from 40 to20,000 Hz. The two channels hadvirtually identical response andchannel -separation characteristics.Substituting the LZ9S body, wefound a similar response up to.0,000 Hz and beyond, but the out-put remained stronger above thatfrequency and did not appear to berolling off above our 20,000 -Hzmeasurement limit.

rft. .

That's right, Hal. Like you and a lot of folks out there, I know thefrustration that FM multipath causes-and what it does to our nerves andgeneral dispositions is well known. And that's why I'm glad to supportresearch to end FM multipath once and for all!"

The tracking ability of both mod-els was outstanding. At 0.75 gramthey tracked the 30-cm/s tones ofthe Fairchild 101 test record, thehigh-level 32 -Hz tones of the Cook60 record, and the 80 -micrometerlevel of the German HiFi #2 record.At 1 gram, the last disc could betracked without difficulty at itsmaximum level of 100 microme-ters, an impressive achievement forany cartridge. The only time a high-er force was needed was in themusical tracking tests of the Telarc"Omnidisc" record; at their higherlevels, the cannon shots in the 1812Overture required a force of about1.25 grams to keep the stylus in thegroove. Anyone who is familiarwith the "Omnidisc" album will ap-preciate the unusually good trackingability shown by the Epoch II car-tridges.

Conventional tracking -distortionmeasurements revealed little about

+10

+5

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

-35500

STAN1tN H29S & 129!

FREQUENCYRESPONSE(STR 100)

-- - '

...- zos

HZ9S

...............---. ..' N..', '... '.-

.... ....

AVER/Mi.'SEPARATICkl

2*R1EOLENCY 0J HZ

I0k 15k 204

the cartridge (this is becoming acommon problem, since the test rec-ords we normally use no longer taxthe tracking abilities of the best oftoday's cartridges). The response tothe 1,000 -Hz square -wave bands onthe CBS STR 112 test record

The E h H approachpr d es the acknowledgedadvantages of moving -coildesigns without thedrawback oftypicalmoving -c

showed a single low-level and well -damped overshoot cycle corre-sponding to the 10,000 -Hz responsepeak but was otherwise about asgood a square wave as we have seenfrom this disc. The LZ9S's square -wave response was so close to thatof the HZ9S that we would considerthem essentially equivalent in thisas well as all other substantiverespects.

CommentsWe played the Epoch II cartridges

in our regular music system, usingthe MC transformer when the LZ9Swas installed. The two cartridgesboth sounded excellent and, as faras we could tell, the same. This ishardly surprising, since the onlymeasurable difference in their fre-quency responses was above 15,000Hz. In any event, we cannot attri-bute any special sonic quality toeither version, since they soundabout as neutral as any cartridge weknow of. And that is how a cartridgeshould sound!Circle 140 on reader service card


Announcing

THE NATIONAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY

CIVIL WAR CHESS SETRichly detailed portrait sculptures of great American heroes

-in solid pewter, solid brass and fine enamels.A heirloom chess set to be enjoyed for generations.

Created by the world-famous craftsmen of The Franklin Mint.

THE NATIONAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY isdedicated to bringing the excitement andpower of American history-as well as itssignificance-to people in every part ofthe land.

It is in keeping with this purpose thatthe Society is about to issue its own CivilWar Chess Set. A dramatic tribute to theheroes of both North and South-and awork all the more intriguing because theplaying pieces include richly detailedthree-dimensional portrait sculptures ofthe great Generals of Union and Confed-eracy, captured for the ages in solid pew-ter, solid brass and fine enamels.

aka -

Major GeneralWilliam Tecumseh Sherman

BISHOP

General in ChiefUlysses S. Grant

KING

This extraordinary new chess set will becrafted to the highest standards of qualityand historical authenticity. The NationalHistorical Society has appointed TheFranklin Mint to create the sculptures,each of which will be a new and originaldesign. Some figures will be shown stand-ing, some seated, some kneeling, somemounted on horseback. And each figurewill be painstakingly crafted of solid pew-ter, hand -finished, then set atop a solidbrass pedestal base embellished with a cir-cular band of richly colored enamel-bluefor the soldiers of the North, gray forthose of the South.

Every sculpture, moreover, will be sorich with authentic detail that only theartists and master craftsmen of The Frank-lin Mint, steeped as they are in the tradi-tion of precision coinage, could haveachieved it. Indeed, every nuance of facialexpression, uniform and weaponry-rightdown to the buttons, braiding, sabers andcarbines-will be depicted with meticu-lous accuracy.

Thus, The National Historical SocietyCivil War Chess Set is also a magnificentcollection. A triumphant achievement ofportrait sculpture-and the ultimate inmicro -detailed miniaturization.

General in ChiefRobert E. Lee

KING

ALL FIGURES SHOWN ACTUAL SIZE.

Available only by direct subscription. Issue Price: $17.50 per sculptured chess piece.Limit: One complete set per subscriber. Please enter your subscription by February 28, 1985.

Major General

J.E.B. Stuart

KNIGHT

A dramatic showpiecefor your home or office

The chessmen themselves are scaled sothat each one will suit the function as-signed to it In the game of chess. And thehandsomely crafted, pewter -finished play-ing board has been sized with equal care.Specially fitted, to also serve as the coverfor the case which will house all 32 playingpieces, the board completes a presentationso attractive that the chess set will beplayed and displayed with pride and satis-faction. A Certificate of Authenticity, andspecially written reference materials, willalso be provided.

Exhibited on a table or cabinet in yourliving room. family room, den or office,this is a possession certain to evoke bothadmiration and respect from all who see it.A unique tribute to unique Americans. Awork of heirloom quality, that will bringyou endless pleasure through the years.And a chess set eminently worthy of beingpassed on from generation to generation.

The subscription rolls are now open.The work may be obtained only by directsubscription, with a limit of one completeset per subscriber.

This handsome pewter -finished cheaboaild and fittec presentation case will be provided as part of the set.

The chessmen will be issued to you atthe attractive price of $17.50 each, withthe specially designed playing board andprotective case provided at no additionalcharge. As a subscriber, you will receivetwo sculptured pieces every other month.You will, however, be billed for only onechessman at a time-a total of just $17.50per month. In addition, you will have theoption to complete your set earlier, if youwish-but you will be under no obligationto do so.

Here, then, is a work that will bringlasting pleasure to chess enthusiasts, his-tory buffs, collectors of military minia-tures-to anyone who appreciates ournation's heritage. Indeed, it is an unmis-takably American chess set, that will makea dramatic addition to any room. And anexciting showpiece that will be displayed,enjoyed and treasured by each succeed-ing generation.

To acquire The National Historical Soci-ety Civil War Chess Set, no advance pay-ment is required. But please note that theaccompanying Subscription Application isdated and should be returned postmarkedby February 28, 1985.

r +985 FM' SUBSCRIPTION APPLICATION'

The National Historical Society

CIVIL WAR CHESS SETPlease mail by February 28, 1985.

The National Historical Societyc/o The Franklin MintFranklin Center, Pennsylvania 19091

Please ente- my subscription for The NationalHistorical Society Civil WarChess. Set, consist-ing of 32 chessmen.

I need send no money now. I will receivetwo new playing pieces every other month,but will be billed for just one piece at a time -$17.50* per month-beginning when myfirst shipment is ready to be sent. I will receivethe fitted presentation case And pewter -finished chess board at no addit:onal charge.

'Plus my state sales tax and .5.50per chessman for shipping and handling.

Signature...,,CATION, ARE ...MC, TO ACCIETINICII

Mr. 'Mrs./ i4issPLEASE PRINT CC AAAAA

Address

City

State, Zip

Limit: One complete set per subscriber.

797

TEST REPORTS

SANSUI TU-D99X TUNERulian Hirsch, Hirsch -Houck Laboratories

FEATURESO Digital -synthesis tuningO Eight AM and eight FM station presetsO Preset scan samples memorized

stations in sequence at 4 -secondintervals

O Selectable i.f. bandwidth anddistant ocal reception

O Connectors for 300- and 75 -ohm(coaxial) FM antenna cables

O One unswitched a.c. outlet

SANSUI'S TU-D99X digital -synthesis AM/FM tuner of-fers the full array of moderntuner features, together with

good performance, in an attractive"low profile" package at an equallyattractive price. On the front panelof the all -black unit, large fluores-cent numerals show the tuned fre-quency, the frequency units (kHz orMHz), and the band (AM or FM).The desired band is selected byalternate pushes of a button to theright of the display. To the left is aset of colorful tuning and signalindicators. These indicate signalstrength, stereo reception, wide ornarrow i.f. bandwidthsettings, and local/dis-tant reception.

Each of the eight sta-tion memories of theTU-D99X can be as-signed to both an AMand an FM station. Likemost digital tuners, it istuned by pressing a but-ton that shifts the fre-quency up or down ei-ther in single steps or ina scanning mode, de-pending on whether the

switch is set for AUTO Or MANUAL.The tuning intervals are set at 100kHz for FM and 10 kHz for AM onunits sold in the U.S. Other smallbuttons control the operatingmodes of the TU-D99X. The FMMODE button selects stereo or monoFM reception (the muting is dis-abled in mono), and the NOISE CAN-CELLER blends the stereo channels athigh frequencies to reduce noise onweak signals. The REC CAL buttonreplaces the program audio with a400 -Hz tone whose level corre-sponds to 50 percent FM modula-tion (6 dB below a station's legalmaximum output level), a conve-

nience for setting tape-recordinglevels.

The Sansui TU-D99X, finished inblack to match other Sansui compo-nents, is 17 inches wide, 12 inchesdeep, and 21/4 inches high. Optionalwood side panels add 1 's inches tothe overall width. A detachable AMloop antenna is supplied. Price:$350. Sansui Electronics Corp.,Dept. SR, 1250 Valleybrook Ave.,Lyndhurst, N.J. 07071.

Lab TestsThe measured performance of the

Sansui TU-D99X ranged from fairto excellent. Although its sensitivitywas not particularly impressive, itsnoise and distortion were both low,the stereo channel separation wasexceptional, and the image rejectionof 101 dB was at the limit of ourmeasurement capability. Althoughthe AM rejection at 65 dBf was rath-er low, it improved dramatically atlower input levels (opposite to thebehavior of most FM tuners). Mostother test results could be classifiedas good to excellent.

CommentsThe Sansui TU-D99X is not only

a very compact and attractive tuner,but its actual performance in a mu-sic system is far better than some ofour test results might suggest. Ob-viously, it may not be the best tunerfor fringe -area reception where ex-treme sensitivity is needed. In ur-ban and suburban locations, howev-er, its outstanding image rejectionand choice of moderate or highselectivity (using the IF BAND con-trol), combined with more than ade-quate distortion and noise perform-

ance, should make theHIRSCH-HOUCK LAB MEASUREMENTSUsable sensitivity (mono): 17.9 dBf

(4.3 µV)50 -dB quieting sensitivity: mono,

20.8 dBf (6 AV); stereo, 42 dBf(70 µV)

Signal-to-noise ratio of 65 dBf:mono, 75 dB; stereo, 71 dB

Distortion (THD -1- noise) at 65 dBf( I ,000 µV): mono, 0.16%; stereo,0.14%

Capture ratio: 2.3 dB at 65 dBfAM rejection: 49 dB at 65 dBfImage rejection: 101 dBAlternate -channel selectivity: wide

i.f., 45 dB; narrow i.f., 79 dBAdjacent -channel selectivity: wide

i.f., 5.9 d8; narrow i.f., 13.2 dB

Stereo threshold: 27.5 dBf (13 µV)19 -kHz pilot -carrier leakage:

- 78 dBHum: -72 dBRec Cal output accuracy: -6.5 dB

(referred to 100% FM modulation at413 Hz)

Frequency response (referred to1,000 Hz): 30 to 15,000 Hz +1,-0.2 dB

Stereo channel separation: 100Hz, 44 dB; 1,000 Hz, 46 dB;10,000 Hz, 47 dB. (With noisecanceller on, 25 dB of all three testfrequencies.)

AM frequency response (-6 dBpoints): 30 to 2,800 Hz

TU-D99X not only theequal of most tunerswith more impressivenumerical ratings butquite probably superiorto many of them. And ifyour location, like ours,is in a fairly strong sig-nal area but close to ma-jor air-traffic routes, thequalities of this tunerlook very attractive.Circle 141 on readerservice card


The V

-I F 10: Aiw

a's most sophisticated, m

ost powerful alitliu syslem

ever.C

IRC

LE N

O. 12 O

N R

EA

DE

R S

ER

VIC

E C

AR

D

TH

E A

UT

OM

AT

ION

OF

MIC

RO

PRO

CE

SSOR

S

Music. T

osom

e it's just some-

thing to listen to. For others, itm

eans a lot mole. It's fur those

discrete listeners that Aiw

a engi-neers designed the V

-1100.C

onsider the symm

etry of indi-vidually designed com

ponentsthat w

ork together as one. The

result is more than the richest

musical textures you ever heard.

It's also a system that elim

inatescom

plicated wiring. A

nd lets yourecord from

up to 4 components.

including CD

(compact disc) and

video. At the touch of a button.

TH

E PE

RFO

RM

AN

CE

OF

SEPA

RA

TE

CO

MPO

NE

NT

S

Listen to the B

X-110 pow

eram

plifier and hear the kind ofpow

er that translates to power-

ful bass and plenty of dynamic

rangThee.G

X-I10 pre am

p includesa 7 -band graphic equalizer. Fortotal rnntm

l over every musical

frequency.For flaw

less FM reception

there's the TX

-110 quartz tuner.Just touch a button and theT

X -110 autom

atically searchesthe next available station orlocks any one of 12 pre-settablestations.

Perhaps the V -1100's m

ost so-phisticated elem

ents are its multi

function wireless rem

ote control,FX

-90 auto reverse cassette deck,and the L

X -110 program

mable

linear tracking turntable. Plusthere's syncro recording w

hichlets you record any selection Inany order.

Still as good as all this soundsour SX

-12 three way speaker

system w

ill make it sound even

better The A

iwa V

-1100. If you'reready for it, it's ready for you.

AA

A

SIMPL

Y A

DV

AN

CE

D35 O

xford Ur. M

oonachie, N. J . 07074

In Canada, S

hriro Wsuliula)

TEST REPORTS

BABYADVENTSPEAKERJulian Hirsch,Hirsch -Houck Laboratories

THE Baby Advent is the firstspeaker bearing the Adventname we have tested sincethe company's acquisition

by Jensen. We were pleased to findthat the qualities for which Adventspeakers have been noted in thepast are present in full measure.

As its name suggests, the BabyAdvent is a small and lightweightspeaker. Indeed, since it is only 161/2inches high, 11 inches wide, and 6416inches deep, and it weighs only 13pounds, it is smaller and lighterthan most "bookshelf"' speakers.

The Baby Advent is a two-waysystem with a newly designed 61/2 -inch acoustic -suspension wooferthat crosses over at 2,500 Hz to a1414 -inch cone tweeter. The woofer's"deep" magnet, long voice coil, andhighly compliant suspension give ita bass response and power -handlingability beyond what might be ex-pected of such a small driver. Thetweeter's magnetic gap is filled withFerrofluid, which provides dampingand improved heat transfer for op-eration at high power levels. Theefficiency of the Baby Advent is typ-ical of small acoustic -suspensionspeakers, and it can be used safelywith amplifiers capable of deliver-ing at least 50 watts of average pow-er (with peaks to 150 watts).

It is a handsome speaker, with therounded sides of its black clothsnap -on grille merging smoothlywith the black -finished fiberboardcabinet. The cabinet is symmetri-cally capped at top and bottom bywalnut -colored solid hardwoodpanels whose rounded edges har-monize with the grille contours. Thespeaker can be installed either verti-cally or horizontally without de-grading its performance or appear-ance (although the fixed nameplateon the grille cloth appears to favorvertical installation). The insulated

The Baby Advent is a small, handsome loudspeakerthat can be installed either vertically or horizontally withoutdegrading its performance or appearance.

spring -loaded input connections onthe rear of the cabinet have holes toaccept the stripped ends of speakercables. The Baby Advent is sold inpairs. Price: $198 per pair. Advent,Dept. SR, 4138 North United Park-way, Schiller Park, Ill. 60176.

Lab TestsOur IQS FFT analyzer's quasi-

anechoic response measurements ofthe Baby Advent revealed an un-

usually flat and extended responsein the middle- and high -frequencyranges. The axial output varied only+3 dB from 2,000 to beyond 20,000Hz. A sharp, deep notch was presentat 1,500 Hz under most FFT-meas-urement conditions, although atcertain angles and distances it dis-appeared, suggesting an interferenceeffect in the crossover region. Theoverall frequency -response con-tours remained fairly constantthrough a ± 45 -degree angle from


7-lte Sz7Ataxi Sot o

YOU CAN SEE AND HEARWhen you're .his good, you put your warranti:

where yol_r mouth is. That's why, overall,Hitachi probably has the finest limited warrant

protection ever offered in home electronicsproducts. Products that perform so well youmay never cet a chance to see how good our

Narranties really are.

HITACHI

NEW COMPACT DIGITAL AUDIO DISC PLAYERHitachi leads the way in compact disc performance with LaserLife, a two-year limited parts warranty, twice as long as curmajor competition. Iniroducing the DA -600. Three spot laserpick-up servo system; wireless remote control that reads.selects, repeats. skips and scans: memory programming forup to 15 selections: s:im-line. front load design.

NEW 5 + 2 HEAD HI-FI VCRWith Adjustomatic, a limited warranty superior to indus-

try standards, the exceptional VT -89A VCR frorrHitachi has brought hi-fi technology to video soundSound finer than any turntable or conventional tape

deck...far superior to ordinary VCRs, it's sound you haveto see to believe. Five video heads, two audio heads,

cable ready, wih a computer brain that guides youthrough every program function. Each step is displayed

on your TV screen.

-a-

NEW SIGNAL TRACKER COMPONENT TVBacked by Hitachi's incomparable 10/2/1 limitec war-

ranty, t pis state-of-the-art 20" diagonal flat sqLare tubereviver/monitor integrates all your home entertain-

ment f inctions. VCR, VideoDisc Player, s:erec system,wide° games. home computer and total TV reception.

Enjoy more on -screen picture and less distcrtion.And only Hitachi has Signal Tracker cortro , Dur mostachanced color control system ever. With the handy

wireless remote control and wood cabinetry yoJ get easeof operation, great sound and quality good loo

Simulated TV pictur

401 W. Artesia Blvd.. Compton. CA 9C22C. (213) 537-8383For Dealer Nearest Yoe. Call TOLL -FREE 8C0-633-2252 E xt. 860

TEST REPORTS

the forward axis up toabout 12,000 Hz, abovewhich they divergedsomewhat. This repre-sents very good polar re-sponse from a 13/4 -inch -cone tweeter.

A close-miked mea-surement of the wooferoutput also showed adeep notch at 1,500 Hz,with a smoothly rising output from700 Hz down to a maximum at 70to 80 Hz and the expected 12 -dB -per -octave drop below the latter fre-quency. The maximum output inthis measurement was 11 or 12 dBabove that of the response plateaubetween 1,000 and 2,000 Hz.

HIRSCH-HOUCK LAB MEASUREMENTSFrequency response: 46 to 20,000

Hz ±5 dBImpedance: 5.5 ohms minimum from

0 to 20,000 Hz; 21 ohms atsystem resonance (77 Hz); 35 ohmsmaximum at crossover frequency(2,500 Hz)

Sensitivity: 86 dB SPI. at 1 meter with2.83 volts input (1 won into 8 ohms)

Bass distortion (measured at input

level needed for 90 -dB SR output of1,000 Hz): 2.8% at 100 Hz; 3.3%at 50 Hz; 7.5% at 40 Hz; 22% of35 Hz

Group -delay variation: ± 1millisecond from 2,500 to 20,000Hz

Power -handling ability: 100 Hz,56 worts into 8 ohms; 1,000 Hz,177 watts into 11 ohms

The Baby Advent had quiteexceptional bass performanceconsidering its 6112 -inchwoofer and small cabinet.The bass we heard was solidand clean down to 40Hz

Averaged room -response meas-urements confirmed the speaker'ssmooth response from middle tohigh frequencies. The close-mikedwoofer response, with a sweepingsine -wave test signal, reached itsmaximum at 100 Hz, where it wasabout 10 dB above the level in thecrossover region. When this curvewas spliced to the room -responsecurve, the composite curve showed

a slight high -frequency rise and amore prominent low -frequency rise,with excellent overall smoothness(the 1,500 -Hz "hole" was barely de-tectable in this measurement). Thespeaker's impedance was exactly asrated, and its measured sensitivitywas also close to the manufacturer'srating.

We measure bass distortion at aconstant drive level correspondingto a 90 -dB SPL at 1,000 Hz, whichin this case required an input of 4.5volts, or about 2.5 watts. The BabyAdvent had quite exceptional bassperformance considering its 61/2 -

inch woofer and small cabinet. Thebass sound we heard was solid andclean down to 40 Hz.

The peak power -handling abilityof the Baby Advent was measuredwith tone -burst signals, typically afew cycles in duration, at frequen-cies of 100 and 1,000 Hz (a limitedtest was also made at 10,000 Hz,though we hesitate to push a tweeterto its limits, having burned out sev-eral in the process over the years).At 1,000 Hz the speaker's acousticoutput waveform began to shift

"No, we're not just married. Why do you ask?"

from a sinusoidal to atriangular shape atabout 177 watts input(based on the speaker's11 -ohm impedance atthat frequency). At 100Hz the maximum powerinput was set by thewoofer cone's reachingthe limits of its suspen-sion travel, at which

point a rasp could be heard at eachburst.

CommentsInitially we placed the Baby Ad-

vent speakers against the wall forour listening tests (before makingany measurements). The bass re-sponse was obviously excellent, butit seemed to dominate the rest of thespectrum, and the overall soundwas "dead" and lacking in spacious-ness. After our measurements, wetried listening again. With the ad-vantage of "20/20 hindsight," wecould correlate what we heard withwhat we had measured.

Clearly, the Baby Advent has am-ple highs, but it needs its low endtamed to give it some balance. Todo this, we placed the speakers onstands about 3 feet from the walland 2 feet from the floor. Theimprovement was dramatic. Notonly did the frequency balance im-prove, but the sound acquired thefeeling of space that was so lackingin our first trial of these speakers.Simply using a bass control willhelp in a bookshelf installation.

Advent's installation instructionsare rather general, although they doadvise the user to experiment withdifferent speaker placements. Weagree wholeheartedly since thesespeakers seem to be more affectedthan most by their relationship withroom boundaries (specifically, thewall behind them). Their sound waschanged from depressingly dull tospacious, open, and beautifully bal-anced simply by moving them a fewfeet forward. So placed, the BabyAdvent is one of the best -soundingspeakers in its price class. It can giveserious competition to some consid-erably more expensive speakers. Itis good to see the Advent nameagain, especially on such a fineproduct.Circle 142 on reader service card


NOW YOU DON'T HAVETO PAYAN ARM AND

A LEG FORYOUR EARS.Becoming an audiophile has always had its pricc

We have a way of lowering it.Introducing two of Yamaha's new high -end

separates-the M-40 power amplifier and the C-40pre -amplifier.

Both have the highest state-of-the-art circuitryand features. For the highest quality sound repro-duction possible.

But at a lower price than ever before possiblefrom Yamaha.

For pure sound combined with pure power, theM-40 uses our exclusive Auto Class A circuitry. Itautomatically switches from pure Class A opera-tion to Class AB when music peaks require highpower levels. So purity is never sacrificed for power.

To eliminate crossover distortion duringswitching, as well as transistor non -linearity dis-tortion, the M-40 has our unique Zero DistortionRule circuitry.

Sugge-'

The C-40 uses ZDR in the phono EQ section. Forthe purest phono reproduction possible.

And to effectively capture the quieter passagesthat today's digital sources are capable of, the M-40has a phenomenal 127dB S/N ratio.

The result is excep-tionally pure and accuratemusical reproductionWhich is in keeping withthe C -40's and M -40's Newly deigned speaker terminals makt

either heavy -gauge audiophile cablepurpose-basic, audio- or standard-gauge cable a snap to connect.

phile-quality sound reproduction-pure and simple.And at $350* for the C-40 and $400* for the

M-40, affordable.So visit your Yamaha dealer. And satisfy your

ears. Without having to sacrifice any other partof your anatomy. For Dealer Nearest You Call

800-633-2252 861

0 YAMAHAYamaha Elcotk,mL,( orporanon 1.:\ P.0 11(r. boot) I Park, U\ qt)022

AUDIO/VIDEO TEST REPORT

PIONEER SX-V90AUDIO/VIDEO RECEIVER

10/11/1M1/01111111111C NMI

Julian Hirsch, Hirsch -Houck Laboratories

FEATURESO Digital -synthesis AM/FM stereo tunerO All -electronic tuning, volume, and

balance controlsO Memories for ten AM and ten FM

stations plus two volume settingsO Connections and switching for two

audio tope decksO Controls for on infrasonic filter, an

external signal -processing accessory,wide/narrow FM i.f. bandwidth,moving-coil/moving-magnet phonocartridge, balance, loudness, mono,audio muting, auto/manual tuning 0

Connections and switching for twoVCR's and a video -disc playerSwitchoble DNR for one VCR'saudio signalsSimulated -stereo control for monovideo sourcesConnections and switching for twopairs of speakersAM -stereo output jock for anexternal adaptorPre-out/main-in jocks joined byremovable jumpersSwitchable FM de -emphasis (50/75 Ais1

piONEER'S SX-V90 receiver isa nearly complete controlcenter for a home audio/video entertainment sys-

tem. It is basically a conventional,full -featured AM/FM stereo receiv-er (though a rather powerful one bytoday's standards). In addition,however, it is equipped to controlthe operation and interconnectionsof several video components, in-cluding two VCR's, a video -discplayer, and a TV receiver and/orvideo monitor. Another videosource, such as a video game or ahome computer, can be substitutedfor the second VCR. About the onlyvideo -oriented features the SX-V90lacks are a TV tuner (which wouldnormally come with a VCR) andsome provision for stereo TV

broadcasts (which are perhaps bet-ter served by a separate stereo TVtuner anyway).

Audio and video signals from thevideo components are selected bythree front -panel push -plate con-trols, which switch both the videosignals and (where applicable) theVHF signals from a TV antenna.Below the video switches are twosmall buttons; one provides simu-lated stereo sound from a monosource, and the other controls anaudio Dynamic Noise Reduction(DNR) circuit that is usable withone of the VCR inputs.

The rest of the front panel isdevoted to more familiar stereo-receiver functions. Like many mod-ern digital -synthesis receivers, thePioneer SX-V90 has no rotary knob

controls. Except for two horizontal -slider tone controls (center -de -tented), all the operating controlsare pushbuttons or flat plates. Al-though there are more than forty (!)such controls on the panel, the sta-tus of each is clearly shown, eitherby a red light glowing in the centerof the button when it is engaged oron the large, colorful, and informa-tive visual display that occupiesmuch of the receiver's front panel.

Among the displays are the tun-er's digital frequency readout, agroup of illuminated line segmentsthat indicate the received signalstrength, and a rather elaborate flu-orescent audio -output display. Bothvolume and channel balance are ad-justed electronically by pressing ontheir control buttons, but a singlehorizontal row of illuminated seg-ments shows the status of both con-trols, perhaps even more clearlythan did the knob index marks for-merly used for that purpose.

The tuner section has ten station -preset buttons, each usable for oneAM and one FM station. The SX-V90's memory can also store andrecall two different volume settings,including the selected settings of themuting and loudness switches.

It is hardly possible to describefully the capabilities and features ofthis unusual receiver in a test re-port. Fortunately, the instructionmanual is comprehensive and easyto follow (the SX-V90 is sufficientlydifferent from other receivers thatfew users will be able to exploit allits capabilities without a carefulstudy of the manual). Some idea ofthe potential of the SX-V90 can begathered from its power rating: 125watts per channel into 8 -ohm loadsfrom 20 to 20,000 Hz with no morethan 0.005 percent total harmonicdistortion. This suggests a ratherlarge and heavy unit, and so it is(though smaller and lighter thanone might expect considering howfar its measured performance sur-passed its ratings in our lab tests).

The Pioneer SX-V90, finished insatin silver with dark gray accents,is about 161/2 inches wide, 171/4inches deep, and 57/8 inches high. Itweighs just over 33 pounds. Price:$799.95. Pioneer Electronics (USA),Inc., Dept. SR, 5000 Airport PlazaDr., P.O. Box 1720, Long Beach,Calif. 90801.


hillll

pi

LilVIII a)

mg To

W a)

mi1 L to? CD -13

13

11.

0 0 COwI

1

4.) o u) o a)

o.3 15 f 4-) >

= 3 CO 0 CT)

M a0§ 0 ''' lipro 9,, 130 inn (DE (DX

wr a) rt. 1J ,0 f_ c_ , u) -"

0) w ER > +),> a) 9- W 5L4-)

g1"" E 7]

0 w In3

L 4-) w 0- ID ,u 0 .. n

60 ci()C I I )(a; 007 eug 0:-

D )

<u) Ea .E(Lj 2 ( I 3` -2 oc

> o 0 w b 6

Oa 3-: or!) " -!) vli C ILL: 24 ic10E L)(115 .)x>EL cwco .

(ic- i ] _

jcl 9 I1E- nLa) t! 049 -203

C 0 u, 0 ,w' w Enci 'fa(1) m 0 w _ LCu - (0 0 (I)

tux :a) ; ; 2 (13°111 03 .93

a ul 0 .

AUDIO/VIDEO TEST REPORT

Lab TestsWe tested the audio and tuner

sections of the Pioneer SX-V90. De-spite its extensive control functions,the receiver was easy to operate andcompletely free of unwelcome sur-prises either on the test bench orwhile playing music.

The receiver's distortion specifi-cations clearly distinguish betweenits power -amplifier and preampli-fier sections. Although the two sec-tions can be separated by removingjumpers on the rear apron, we choseto test the audio section as a unitsince that is the way it would nor-mally be operated. The distortionwas typically between 0.03 and 0.1percent-a level that is inaudible,completely insignificant, and hardlyworthy of comment except for beingmany times the amplifier's rated0.005 percent! We briefly checkedthe power amplifier alone, throughits separate input jacks, and foundits distortion to be typically lessthan 0.0036 percent at outputs of125 watts or lower. Obviously, thepower -amp section's distortion rat-ing is quite conservative, thoughsomewhat unrealistic under normaloperating conditions.

The SX-V90 is not rated for usewith load impedances lower than 8ohms, but we were pleasantly sur-prised and impressed by its hugecurrent -output capability as shownby the output into 4 and2 ohms at clipping. Fur-thermore, the distortionwas not affected signifi-cantly by either frequen-cy or load impedance (afortunate by-product ofits origin in the pream-plifier section). At notime in our high -powertests did the amplifier'sprotective circuits oper-ate, nor was it damagedin any way, and it wasstable with reactiveloads.

The preamp section'stone -control responsecurves were convention-al. The loudness com-pensation boosted bothlow and high frequen-cies at reduced volumesettings, but only to amoderate degree that

did not produce an unnaturallyheavy sound quality. At a maxi-mum volume setting, the responserolled off at high and low frequen-cies (perhaps a property of the elec-tronically controlled volume cir-cuit), but it was flat at all usable set-tings. The "subsonic" filter was cer-tainly misnamed, since its -3 -dBfrequency was a definitely "sonic"90 Hz!

The FM tuner section of the SX-V90 had adequate though not un-usual sensitivity, either by the "us-able sensitivity" criterion of 3 per-cent distortion or by the 50 -dBquieting signal level. Since the i.f.bandwidth is switchable for wide ornarrow, we made most measure-ments using both settings. As ex-pected, the channel separation andselectivity were most affected bythis control, which automaticallyselects the narrow bandwidth whenthe receiver is turned on.

The FM frequency response wasalmost perfectly flat, and channelseparation was almost constantwith frequency over most of theaudible range. The AM frequencyresponse was wider and flatter thanwe have measured on most receiv-ers, but its sound quality, althoughclean and listenable, was not signifi-cantly better than that of most otherAM tuners.

The SX-V90's "simulated stereo"feature, on which we made no meas-

urements, does a convincing job ofspreading a mono program acrossthe area between the speakers sothat only a careful and critical lis-tener would be likely to detect thedeception. The DNR also workedwell, slightly reducing noise on vid-eo -derived audio signals, althoughwe would have liked to see the DNRcircuits switchable into the normalaudio signal path to reduce noisefrom audio cassettes and discs.

CommentsAt first glance, the Pioneer SX-

V90 might seem to be a bit "toomuch" of a receiver, presenting aformidable front -panel control andindicator array (matched by thenumber and variety of connectorson its rear apron). However, foranyone who wants integrated audioand video entertainment facilities,without a rat's nest of cables, con-nectors, adaptors, and switchboxes,this receiver may well be the mostcost-effective and tidy choice.

If the SX-V90 compromised anyoperational characteristic for thesake of flexibility, it might not besuch an appealing product. On thecontrary, however, it is an excellentAM/FM stereo receiver (there iseven an "AM Stereo" output jackfor driving a suitable adaptor whensuch products become available).Its power -amplifier section is note-

worthy for sheer powerHIRSCH-HOUCK LAB MEASUREMENTS

Audio Amplifier1,000 -Hz output power at clipping:

149 watts into 8 ohms, 210 wattsinto 4 ohms. 244 watts into 2 ohms

Clipping headroom (relative to ratedoutput): 0.76 dB (8 ohms)

Dynamic power output: 156 wattsinto 8 ohms, 297 worts into 4 ohms,265 watts into 2 ohms

Dynamic headroom: 0.96 dB (8ohms)

Harmonic distortion (1,000 Hz, 8ohms): 1 watt, 0.025%; 125 watts,0.086% (see text)

Slew factor: 2.7Sensitivity (I -watt output): phono

(MM), 2.6 mV; phono (MC), 18 µV;aux, 17.5 mV

Phono (MM) input overload: 136to 195 mV

A -weighted noise (referred to 1

watt): phono (MM), -78 dB; phono(MC), -63 dB; aux, -75 dB

Phono input impedance: 47,000ohms and 175 picofarads (MM)

RIAA phono equalization error:±0.5 dB from 70 to 20,000 Hz,+2 dB at 20 Hz; unaffected by

cartridge inductance

FM -Tuner SectionUsable sensitivity (mono); 16.3 dBf

(3.6 µV)50 -dB -quieting sensitivity: mono,

19 dBf (5 µV); stereo, 37 dBf (41µV)

Signal-to-noise ratio at 65 dBf:mono, 77.3 dB; sterec, 70.5 dB

THD + noise at 65 dBf (1,000 µV):mono, 0.094%; stereo, 0.125%

Capture ratio at 65 dBf: 1.1 dB(wide i.f.); 1.6 dB (narrow i.f.)

AM rejection: 80 dB at 65 dBfImage rejection: 61 dBAlternate -channel selectivity: 85

dB (narrow i.f.); 24 dB (wide i.f.)Adjacent -channel selectivity: 6.6

dB (narrow i.f.); 2.8 dB (wide i.f.)Stereo threshold: 29 dBf (15 0)19 -kHz leakage: -72 dBHum: -80 dBStereo channel separation: wide

i.1.-47 dB at 100 Hz, 46 dB at1,000 Hz, 38 dB at 10,000 Hz;norrow i.f.-34 dB at 100 Hz, 34dB at 1,000 Hz, 33.5 dB at10,000 Hz

AM frequency response (-6-dBpoints): 28 to 4,500 Hz

and low distortion.Even those people for

whom video compati-bility is unimportantmay find this receiver agood choice for a musicsystem. It is not undulyexpensive, and its oper-ation is not difficultonce the control func-tions have been learned.Use of its video -switch-ing capabilities can bereserved for future ex-pansion of your home -entertainment systemwithout in any way lim-iting its present-day au-dio usefulness. The Pio-neer SX-V90 is certainlya lot of receiver by anystandard.Circle 143 on readerservice card


9 mg "tar", O. mq. nicotine av per cigarette, FTC Report FEB '84

Alarninc: The Surgeor General Has Determined

That Gig irette Smoking s Dangerous to Your Health.

Great Tastewith Low Tar.

That's Success!

Should wni choose a.

turntable with beltdrive or direct drive?

Both slams haveadvantages anddisadzantagrs. IVE

by Peter W. MitchellN the words of the old song,"The music goes 'round and'round, and it comes out here."To play an LP, the phono car-

tridge has to follow the spiral groovearound the record from beginningto end while the stylus traces itsmicroscopic undulations. Tak:ngthis description literally, we mightimagine a record player consistingof a phono cartridge mounted in asmall toy car running on batteriesand dragging the stylus behind it.l'he stationary LP disc would beplaced on a flat surface and the car-tridge would drive around the rec-ord, following the groove like a farmtractor following the furrows in aplowed field. Implausible as it mayseem, Sony actually built a toyrecord player, the Soundwagon. thatworked this way.

We can only speculate about howwell this approach might work if itwere refined. All of the other record -playing systems in the century -longhistory of the phonograph have tak-en the opposite approach, holdingthe phono cartridge in a semi -fixedposition while causing the groove topass beneath it on a turntable. Uponcloser examination this turns out toinvolve three distinct, if interre-lated, tasks.

( I ) The cartridge must be "semi-fixed"-it must be precisely tangent

got

to the groove and rigidly fixed longi-tudinally (along the direction of thegroove), yet it must have enoughlateral freedom of motion to followthe average position of the grooveas it spirals in from the edge towardthe center of the disc, plus enoughvertical freedom to maintain a con-stant height above the disc and exerta constant downward force on thestylus despite surface irregularitiesand warps. But since the tone armand cartridge have mass and aresupported by the compliant canti-lever suspension (a spring), theyform a resonant mechanical systemthat has an unavoidable tendency tovibrate.

(2) The groove must pass beneaththe cartridge at absolutely constant(and correct) speed, despite anyvariations in driving force, drag,and so on. Most of the jargon ofturntable design is related to howthis function is performed-and,more important, to how well it isperformed.

(3) In modern microgroove rec-ords (unlike the 78 -rpm shellac

discs of yore), significant audiomodulations may involve groove -wall undulations as small as a wave-length of light. The stylus assemblymust respond to such small motionsand transform them into a usableelectrical signal. While we wouldlike the stylus to vibrate only inresponse to the engraved modula-tion in the groove walls, the car-tridge is an exquisitely sensitive de-tector of vibrations of all kinds. Anyseparate motion of either the recordor the cartridge will tend to stimu-late tone-arm/cartridge resonance.And from the point of view of thestylus, any vibration of the disc orcartridge appears to be just anotherwaveform that must be traced-onethat may intermodulate with thedesired audio signal. Therefore,control of external vibration is the"hidden agenda" that every turnta-ble designer must cope with, wheth-er he does so willingly or not.

-

SYSTEMSIn pnnciple. a turr table platter

could be rotated by any of the meth-ods tha: lave been used to pcwerclocks and mills throughout his-tory-hard cranks. foot pedals, thetension of a wound -up spring, thepressure of water falling againstpaddles, falling weights (as io a

grandfather clock), etc. In moderntimes, of course. virtually all clocksand turntables are powered by elec-tnc motors. In fact, some turntablesactually employ motors that weredesigned and mass-produced for usein clocks. The principal differencesamong turntables today have tc dowith v.hetier (and how) the motor'sspeed is regulated, how its torque iscoLpled to the platter, and whatmeans are used to suppress un-wanted vibration.

Not many years agc a turntablewas a simple product. Typically itselectrical part consisted only of ana.c. power cord, a motor, and a

switch to turn the motor on and off.The rest of the turntable was me-chanical: bearings, pulleys. a rubberbelt or idler wheel to rotate the plat-ter by friction. and an assortment ofspnngs. levers. and gears providingwhatever automation was desired.

A few turntables today-includ-ing some of the highest -perform-ance models-still fit this descrip-tion. But in recent years the greatmajority of turntables have beentransformed by a massive infusionof high technology. In today's re-cord players you can expect to en-counter such exotica as Hall -effectmagnetic sensors. phase -locked -loop feedback control. quartz -crys-tal oscillators, optical serves,CMOS logic IC's, in some cases asmuch electronic circular!, as in atypical FM tuner-all to achieve theideal of perfectly uniform and acc _I-rate rotation. And in place of thesimple materials of yesteryear (alu-minum, wood, stainless steel, and abit of rubber) you will find fiber-glass, Delrin, Teflon, calcium car-bonate, acrylic-butadiene-styrol res-ins, carbon fiber, titanium, and Iv, -

....1"

rilids

drodynamic suspensions-a I se-lected for their low friction. lowweight. high ngidi-y. or effectivesuppression of vibration.

THILE malt' means oftransferring the mo-

tor's torque tc :he plat-ter can be imagined. only

two are con- mon tcda.. In a belt -drive uoit a motor spirniog at sev-eral hundred rpm is mounted in theturntab e's base and is corrected tothe platter tr means of a ptiley anda thin rubber belt. Usually the beltruns around an inner platter or sub -platter that has a circumference pre-cisely nine times that of tie pulleythis ratio provides the requiredstep-down o= speed frcm a typical300-rpne motor to the 3313 -rpmplatter.

In a direct -drive turntable. theplatter rests directly on the motor.The turntab e's centra spindle isactually the motor's main shaft, sothe motor must run at 3313 rpm, lessthan one revolution per second.

0

-41

0

Belt drive. In a typical high -quality belt -driveturntable, the platter and tone -arm assemblies arewell isolated from the motor, the base, and the dustcover, which are sources of vibration.

DUST COVER, lye',BASE ARE INSULATI ,THE PLATTER AND

SIMPLE PADS -

FLOATING SUBCHASSIS RUBBER DRIVE BEI" DOSE, "FLOPPY" SPRINGS

---SIMPLE WOOD ORCOMPOUND BASE

The decade -long advertising bat-tle is finally over between adherentsof these two techniques for makingthe platter turn. Neither techniqueis the clear winner: excellent andmediocre turntables can be pro-duced-and have been!-using ei-ther kind of drive system. Each hasits strengths and weaknesses.

The Belt DriveThe belt drive has the advantage

of simplicity, meaning that a belt -drive unit can be made at very lowcost without having to sacrifice per-formance. Using a synchronousclock motor allows consistent, accu-rate speed without the need of anycostly speed -regulation circuitry inthe turntable; the designer simplyrelies on the fact that electric utilitycompanies maintain the averagefrequency of the a.c. power line pre-cisely at 60 Hz.

The thin rubber drive belt servesas an efficient mechanical filter toprevent the motor's vibration fromreaching the platter. Thus even abudget -priced belt -drive turntablecan have a low rumble level.

Perhaps the greatest advantage ofthe belt drive is the ease with whichgood isolation from external vibra-tion can be obtained. Since the mo-tor is coupled to the platter by a nat-urally flexible linkage (the belt),there is no need for any rigid linkagebetween the platter and the rest ofthe turntable mechanism or its base.The platter can be mounted on aseparate subchassis within the base,floating on soft springs, immunefrom whatever vibrations may bereaching the base from any source-the turntable's own motor, acousticfeedback from the speakers, etc.

A turntable's plastic dust cover(which is large, thin, and stiff) tends

to act as a sensitive microphone dia-phragm, vibrating when struck bysound waves from the speakers.This airborne acoustic feedback is asignificant source of coloration inmany turntables, but in belt -drivefloating-subchassis designs the dustcover's vibration is coupled into theturntable base and never reaches theplatter and stylus.

The belt -drive system does havesome disadvantages, however. Abelt drive has no rigid connectionbetween the motor and platter; itoperates only through the friction ofthe belt passing around the pulley.Therefore, it cannot apply the largeamount of starting torque thatwould be needed to accelerate theplatter quickly. (Attempting to ap-ply more torque, by using a largermotor in place of the usual low -power clock motor, will only resultin belt slippage.) Typically it takesfrom 2 to 10 seconds for a belt -driveturntable to get up to speed after it isturned on.

Even when operating at speed, thebelt can slip if there is any drag onthe platter. Many belt drives willimmediately stall if a record -clean-ing brush is applied to the disc whileit is turning. The friction of, the sty-lus in the groove produces a slightretarding drag that varies with themusical signal and may slow theplatter by a measurable, though notaudibly significant, degree. (Somebelt -drive turntables are designed torun about 0.2 percent fast whenunloaded, so that the drag of the sty-lus will bring them down to exactspeed when playing a record.)

It is possible to design a belt -driveturntable with a servo system thatconstantly adjusts the motor speedto maintain exact platter speed, butonly a handful of relatively expen-sive models have been built this

way. Most belt drives are "free -run-ning," relying wholly on a synchro-nous motor (running in step withthe power -line frequency) and a pre-cision -ground belt to obtain correctplatter speed.

In some floating-subchassis de-signs the frequency of the suspen-sion resonance is below 5 Hz. Whilethis provides excellent isolationfrom acoustic feedback and normalvibrations, it can make the turnta-ble more susceptible to groove -jumping when people walk or danceon a springy wood floor.

The Direct DriveNot surprisingly, some of the ad-

vantages of a direct drive are theconverse of the belt drive's disad-vantages. For example, since a di-rect -drive system doesn't have thefrictional losses of slipping belts, itcan be designed to get up to exactspeed almost instantly when it isswitched on. This (and not any pre-sumed difference in sonic perform-ance) is the reason why direct -driveturntables are almost universallyused in radio stations for air play.

Direct -drive turntables usuallyemploy electronic circuitry forspeed regulation rather than de-pending on the power -line frequen-cy. Once the speed -regulation cir-cuitry is present, further refine-ments can easily be added-such asa quartz -crystal oscillator for abso-lutely exact speed, a variable -pitchcontrol to fine-tune the speed, or aservo system to measure platterspeed and automatically correct anyvariations in speed that may occurduring play.

Since the direct drive relies main-ly on electronic rather than mechan-ical parameters to achieve correctspeed, consistently excellent per -


Direct drive. A good direct -drive turntable isolatesthe platter, motor, and tone arm on a separatesubchassis. Lower -priced units often rely only onshock -absorbing feet for platter isolation.

DIRECTDRIVE MOTOR

"TUNABLE" ISOLATING FEET FLOATING SUBCHASSIS STIFFER ISOLATORS INFFE 4D CF LOOSE SPRINGS

formance is routinely achieved inproduction with very little sample -to -sample variation. Direct -driveturntables usually have very precisespeed control and are able to main-tain it despite the drag of disc -clean-ing devices.

Perhaps the greatest practical ad-vantage of the direct drive is thedesign freedom that it accords themanufacturer-facilitating the de-velopment of record players thatstand vertically on edge, "clam-shell" record players no larger thanan LP jacket, mini -size turntableswith a slide -out platter in a drawer,and so on. And with electronic con-trol it is relatively easy (and inex-pensive) to implement additionalconvenience features such as push-button operation, wireless remotecontrol, and synchronization with atape deck for dubbing.

But a direct -drive system also hasits disadvantages. In any electricmotor the spinning rotor tends tojump from one magnetic pole to theother, delivering its torque in aseries of pulses rather than a smoothflow of power. Without a flexiblebelt to isolate the vibration from theplatter, a direct -drive motor re-quires sophisticated engineering tominimize this "cogging" and the as-sociated vibration that would bepicked up as a rumble by the stylus.In practice this means that gooddirect -drive motors are expensive tomanufacture, with their large andelaborately interleaved copperwindings, precisely machined rotor,and complex control circuitry. As aresult, direct -drive turntables tendto cost more than belt drives thathave comparable performance andfeatures.

A direct -drive turntable could bedesigned with a highly compliantsuspension to isolate it from exter-

nal vibration, but very few havebeen built this way; on the average,therefore, direct -drive turntablestend to be more susceptible toacoustic feedback than floating -sub -chassis belt -drive systems.

The Vibration ProblemRegardless of the pros and cons

discussed above, belt and directdrives both work so well that inmost turntables the platter drivesystem has no direct effect on sonicperformance. It seems likely thatthe most important practical differ-ence among turntables is not thedrive system itself but the methodstaken to control and suppress un-wanted vibration from internal andexternal sources.

Unfortunately, this aspect of per-formance is very difficult to general-ize about. For example, one popularand effective method of reducing aturntable's vibration sensitivity isto make it very heavy. But light-weight models are not necessarilyinferior; some, such as the classicAcoustic Research turntable, areamong the best ever produced.

Every turntable has a compliantsuspension that is intended to func-tion as a mechanical filter, isolatingthe platter and stylus from trouble-some external vibrations. Theoreti-cally the ideal approach is to mountthe platter and tone arm on a softly -sprung floating subchassis so as toisolate the platter and stylus fromthe motor, base, and dust cover aswell as from the outside world. Butthat makes it wobbly, and it caneven lead to groove jumping if youhave a springy floor.

In nearly all direct drives and inbudget -priced belt drives, the usualpractice is to fasten the platter andturntable mechanism solidly to a

dense base and then to support theentire system on compliant feetconsisting of springs encased in rub-ber. In principle this is less effectivethan a floating subchassis, since thenatural resonant frequency of thefeet is typically around 15 Hz in-stead of the 4 Hz of a floating sub -chassis. This implies that a broaderspectrum of vibrations will passthrough the feet into the turntable-yet some turntables made this wayhave been among the most vibra-tion -resistant on the market.

There is a relatively simple way toevaluate the vibration resistance ofany particular turntable. Set the am-plifier's volume control slightlyhigher than normal, then place thestylus in the groove, turn off theturntable to stop the rotation of therecord (in some models this can bedone only by unplugging its powercord), and lightly tap the shelf theturntable is resting on. The weakerand briefer the resulting thud fromthe speakers, the better the turnta-ble's resistance. (If you use this testto compare turntables, you reallyshould use the same cartridge ineach one, since the result is in-fluenced by arm/cartridge reso-nance.)

It may be an ear opener to try thetest on your current turntable evenif you have been totally satisfiedwith its performance. If you'veowned it for quite a few years, try tolisten with a more critical ear. Youmay be hearing things from yourturntable that aren't on the recordsyou play. And if you get a substan-tial boom from the speakers in thistest (or, worse yet, a sustained roar),then you definitely need to installmore compliant feet or an isolatingsub -base beneath the turntable. Ormaybe you just need to start shop-ping for a better turntable . . . . 0

6

9z

c


In principle, the tone arm's job is a simple one, but real recordspresent real problems to both pivoted and linear -tracking arms.

ONE ARMS0 % i R the past four years we have seen an

Increase in the number of integrated turn-tables equipped with straight -line -track-ing (SLT) tone arms. Sometimes called a

"linear" or "radial" arm, the SLT moves in astraight line across the record. The front end followsthe stylus in the groove, while the back end rideseither on a low -friction bearing or, more commonly,on a carriage driven by a servo -controlled motor.SLT arms used to be complex, delicate, and veryexpensive, and current add-on versions are stillhigh -end items, ranging in price from $600 to$2,800. But improvements in design and manufac-turing technology have made possible integratedturntables equipped with linear arms for muchless-under $300, some for as little as $110.

Even with more efficient manufacturing, though,an SLT arm still costs more than a pivoted arm ofcomparable materials and construction. Whyshould you pay extra for one? The answer is thatoften the linear arm simply sounds better, withtighter bass, a more stable stereo image, improvedtracking, and greater immunity to warps and vibra-tion. And, because the arm is controlled by a servo,it's easier to add convenience features such as pro-grammable selection of individual cuts.

There are two common explanations for the sonicmerits of SLT arms, both relating to the way inwhich they position the cartridge on the record.Except under certain unusual conditions, however,both these explanations are wrong. The SLT's realvirtue lies in the dynamic properties of the design.Other things being equal, an SLT arm is shorter,stiffer, and lighter than itspivoted counterpart.

To understand the dif-ference between SLT andpivoted arms, we mustexamine them from twoviewpoints. The first ofthese is geometrical. Thedimensions and shape ofa tone arm determine theposition of the cartridgeas it moves across a rec-ord, at least under theo-retically ideal conditions:the record is perfectly flat,

by E. Brad .1 hler

A

the grooves are concentric with the center hole, andthe entire record -playing system is free of externallyinduced vibration.

In the real world, though, records are warped,their grooves are eccentric, and vibration is always aproblem. So we must also look at the complexmechanical system formed by the arm and cartridgetogether to determine how closely the systemapproximates its theoretical performance.

Figure 1 shows a hypothetical arm constructed ofmodern materials but with the geometry of a typicalacoustical phonograph built before World War II.The stylus and the transducer that takes the place ofa modern cartridge are aligned with the axis of thearm. We would like the transducer to be tangentialto the groove at the stylus; if it isn't, the waveformpicked up from the groove will be distorted. As youcan see from the drawing, the arm's axis parallelsthe tangent to the groove at just one point, shownhere near the inside of the recorded area. At the out-side edge, there is a large horizontal tracking errorequal to the angle (0) between the axis of the armand the tangent to the groove.

Figure 2 shows a modern pivoted arm. Note thatthe stylus contacts the groove to the right of thepoint at which the arm's axis is tangential to it. Thecartridge is mounted at an angle, called the offsetangle, that makes up for the arm's extension beyondthis point of tangency. The reason for doing thingsthis way is that when the arm is bent just the rightamount and mounted at just the right distance fromthe center spindle, the stylus describes an arc thatkeeps the cartridge very nearly tangent to the groove

at all points. This decep-tively clever design, to-

= 14° gether with the equationsfor calculating the op-timum arm length, offsetangle, and mountingpoint, were first pub-lished about forty yearsago-though some of to-day's arm designers stillseem unaware of them.

Notice that we just saidthe stylus stays "verynearly" tangent to thegroove. Even with the op -

Figure I.Early tone -arm geometry

48 STEREO REVIEW

Linn Ittok LV II armwith Linn Asak cartridge

timum setup, there is some residual error in the hor-izontal tracking angle. In a properly designed armthis error is greatest near the beginning of the record(where the alignment is least critical), at which pointit amounts to about 2 degrees. It changes constantlyas the arm moves inward, actually reaching zero attwo different groove radii and finally increasing toabout 0.8 degree near the center. The horizontaltracking error can be seen in the figure.

Now look at Figure 3, which shows an SLT arm.The crucial question in any SLT design is how to getthe back of the arm to follow the stylus across therecord. One very expensive model has a tiny armtube mounted on a low -friction, zero -tolerance ballbearing; in others the arm doesn't touch its guide atall but rests on a thin cushion of air supplied by aremotely mounted pump. In all the new integratedSLT turntables the carriage is driven along a trackby a small motor.

If all records were cut with a single standardgroove spacing, or "pitch," an SLT arm's drivemotor could run at a constant speed and maintainperfect tangency all the way across the disc. But realrecords are cut with variable pitch, so that the adja-cent groove walls are close together in soft passagesand spread out to allow for greater excursion whenthe music gets loud. To make sure the back of thearm doesn't lag behind the front, the drive motormust be able to move it fast enough to follow theloudest passage on any record. But that's fastenough to overrun the stylus during soft passages, sothe motor must be able to switch itself on and off asneeded.

The result is that whilethe front end follows thegroove, the back endmoves forward in shortspurts. First it lags slightlybehind the front, then itoverspeeds briefly, then itstops and waits for thecartridge to catch up.Typically, the differencebetween where the armmotor cuts in and whereit shuts off amounts toabout 1 degree of hori-zontal angle, meaning

that instead of maintaining zero tracking error, thearm will cycle between +0.5 degree and -0.5degree. This is distinctly less than the pivoted arm'serror near the outside of the disc, but it is not reallyvery different in the crucial inner portion.

In fact, horizontal tracking error is not a source ofsignificant audible distortion in either type of arm-as long as both the designer and the cartridge install-er have done their jobs correctly. For some myste-rious reason, many mass-produced pivoted armsstill do not conform to the basic design equationsthat have been around for decades. And even in acorrectly designed arm, a carelessly installed car-tridge can double or triple the tracking error. Themounting of the cartridge is just as critical in theSLT arm. (Some recent cartridges come with specialhardware to ensure correct mounting. If yoursdidn't, you should buy or borrow a separate align-ment gauge and follow its instructions rather thanthose of the turntable manufacturer.)

One respect in which most tone arms, SLT orpivoted, are in error-and for which the equationshave also been known for decades-is the locationof the arm's vertical pivot. For the least wow, thevertical pivot point should be as close as possible tothe plane of the record. Ideally, the record and thepivot point should be at the same height from theturntable base. While this is relatively simple toachieve with a horizontally pivoted arm or a longSLT arm, almost all turntables, surprisingly, havetheir arms' vertical pivots in the wrong place (toohigh, usually). Designs employing short SLT arms,less than a record radius in length, cannot have their

vertical pivot points in

Figure 2.A modernpivoted arm.

the plane of the recordwithout some complexmechanical trickery thathas never been imple-mented in any arm I

know of.A second supposed ad-

vantage of the SLT arm isthat it generates no skat-ing force. In the pivotedarm, the offset position ofthe stylus means that theforce of the friction be-tween stylus and groove

STEREO REVIEW 49

isn't aligned with the arm's pivot point. It thereforeproduces a torque around the pivot-the skatingforce-that tends to pull the arm inward. Unless theskating force is counterbalanced, the stylus will con-sequently be deflected slightly outward, increasingdistortion. No simple mechanism can perfectly bal-ance this skating force, which varies according tothe level and frequency content of the music anddecreases steadily as the arm moves inward.

The SLT arm, tracking along one disc radius, gen-erates no skating force. And many SLT's seem to beable to track certain violently cut records better thanmost pivoted arms. But, here again, intuition mustyield to careful measurement and calculation. Theskating force on a pivoted arm varies between about7 and 15 percent of the vertical tracking force.Adjusting the antiskating compensation for equaldistortion in the loudest passages of a special testrecord-which is the best way to do it-will balancethe arm so as to produce even stylus pressure andoptimum cantilever deflection during the most dif-ficult passages. The few remaining milligrams ofimbalance during softer portions won't produce sig-nificant distortion.

The clincher in the skating -force argument is thatthe best arms of either type will track the toughestrecords about equally well, while inferior designs,linear or pivoted, have trouble. There is somethingelse afoot, and to find out what we must turn ourattention from static properties to dynamic ones.

The tone arm's job is in principle a simple one: tohold the cartridge in position over the groove withjust the right downward force on the stylus and tomove it across the recordinward spiral. Since the stylus assembly-meaningthe stylus itself and the little shaft, called the canti-lever, that holds it-is small and delicate, it makessense that the bearings that support the arm shouldhave very low friction. At first glance, it might seemthat once this requirement is met, the arm design-er's job is done.

But a closer look reveals-surprise!-variouscomplications. Since it is the relative motion of thestylus with respect to the cartridge body that pro-duces the electrical signal, we want the cartridge tohold still while the stylus moves. Since the arm hasvery low friction, it must be inertia that keeps itfrom following the motion of the stylus and cancel-ing out the signal. So the arm and cartridge need tohave a certain minimum weight-or, more accu-rately, sufficient effective mass-to do their jobproperly.

But real records and turntables suffer from warps,eccentricity, and external vibration. The grooveover which the cartridgeis supposed to remain"stationary" is doing adance of its own. Now itappears that the mass wewere counting on to keepthings under control hasbecome a liability, be-cause we want the car-tridge to follow the cen-ter -line of the groove likea skillful partner in thedance. We've got conflict-ing requirements.

To find a way out of50 STEREO REVIEW

this predicament, we must first notice that the armand cartridge form a mass that sits on a springformed by the cantilever suspension. A mass sittingon a spring will, if perturbed, tend to vibrate at acertain resonant frequency. That frequency is deter-mined by the mass and the amount of give, or com-pliance (the opposite of stiffness), in the spring. Thehigher the mass or the higher the compliance, thelower the resonant frequency; the lower the mass orcompliance (that is, the stiffer the spring), the higherthe frequency.

This is the key to the system's behavior below theresonant frequency, the cartridge, arm, and stylusmove together as a unit, producing no output; wellabove the resonance, the cartridge holds still whilethe stylus moves, producing an accurate replica ofthe musical waveform; at the resonance, the armactually moves farther than the stylus, producing apeak in the response.

Now, given that the arm and cartridge are going toresonate at some frequency, where do we want it tobe? The resonance should fall below 20 Hz, to keepthe frequency -response peak from affecting the mu-sic, and above the region from 2 to 5 Hz, whererecord warps can cause serious flutter. Of the twopossible kinds of error, too low a resonant frequencycauses more obvious problems. A rise of a few deci-bels at 20 Hz will matter little with most speakers,but flutter and groove -skipping are always audible.

Cartridges themselves often contribute almostenough mass for correct system performance, andmodern moving -magnet models tend to have veryhigh compliance for improved tracking. (Modernlow -compliance -coil cartridges are a specialcase, requiring a slightly heavier arm for bestresults.) In practice the arm designer generallywants to minimize the mass of the arm as far aspossible consistent with adequate stiffness; a metalarm tube that flexes too easily may be plagued byinternal resonances well into the midrange.

Now-finally-the straight -line -tracking arm'strue advantages emerge. Most regular arms areabout 9 inches long from stylus to pivot, but theSLT arm can be 6 inches, the radius of the record-or even shorter if the arm assembly can be loweredover the turntable after the record is in place. (Thisis one advantage of the "clamshell" type of turnta-ble that has the entire arm mechanism mounted onthe inside of the dust cover.) A shorter arm can offera better combination of low mass and high rigidity.The tracking of warps is good, the arm is free ofinternal resonances, and it is relatively immune toexternal vibration, allowing higher playback levelswithout acoustic feedback. As we noted earlier,

however, short SLT armswill have vertical pivotsthat are higher than op-timal. You can't haveeverything.

When all is said anddone, you may well findthat an SLT arm worksbest in your system-notbecause it tracks the rec-ord the way it was cut orbecause it has no offset,but because it is both lightand rigid without beingexpensive.

Figure 3.An SLT orlinear arm.

What volt need to know to minimize

RECORDWEAR

()wry or fifty years ago onlythe most dedicated disco-philes were much con-cerned with record wear. In

fact, the highly abrasive shellac 78 -rpm discs then in use could reduce asteel or sapphire stylus to a stump invery short order. Most users wereproperly more concerned with sty-lus wear than with record damage.

The introduction of the vinyl LPin 1948 changed that situation radi-cally. Since vinyl is a relatively softmaterial, even though trackingforces were lowered from severalounces to several grams, serious lis-teners began to be concerned withdisc wear too. Today, with the intro-duction of the digital Compact Discsystem, LP record wear is moreimportant than ever. Few of the per-formances now available on LP willever gain the permanence of a laser -read CD pressing. You should be

by Julian Hirsch

concerned with record wear becauseyou may not be able to buy areplacement copy for a worn ordamaged LP in the future.

There are many interrelated fac-tors in record/stylus wear. These in-clude the basic interaction betweena diamond stylus and soft vinylgrooves, the stylus shape, styluswear, stylus tracking ability, and,last but not least, tracking force.Let's take them in turn.

The basic cause of record wear isthe work that must be done by thegroove to move the stylus. The sty-lus is required to trace abruptchanges in the direction of a wildlyundulating groove, sometimes atsuch high rates that the stylus'sacceleration is on the order of sev-eral thousand times the accelerationof gravity, an acceleration compara-ble to that applied to a high -velocityshell or missile. Even the most ordi-

nary recorded material can subjectthe stylus to accelerations of tens orhundreds of "g's."

The power for this accelerationultimately comes from the turntablemotor, and the force to move thestylus must be applied through thesoft vinyl groove wall. The vinylmaterial is deformed by the pres-sure of the stylus as the disc turns,but the actual pressure on thegroove wall depends on many fac-tors. Some of the deformation dis-appears as soon as the pressure isremoved, so that one can visualizethe stylus as passing over the sur-face of a jelly -like substance, caus-ing a temporary depression that fol-lows the stylus path like a ripplealong the groove surface.

If this were the only deformation,and no permanent change resultedfrom the passage of the stylus, therewould be no record -wear problem.


Unfortunately, in practice the vinylis permanently (if only slightly) de-formed by the pressure, even if thestylus is ideally shaped and unworn.A deformed groove results in anincrease in noise and distortion.When this becomes audible, the rec-ord can be considered worn even ifit is listenable.

About thirty-five years ago, Pro-fessor F. V. Hunt of Harvard pub-lished a paper in which he con-cluded that the critical trackingforce, below which nopermanent vinyl de-formation would oc-cur, was about 0.25gram. While I do notrecall his specific as-sumptions concerningstylus shape and di-mensions, the messageis that all of today'scartridges, even themost refined, almostcertainly exceed theelastic limits of the vi-nyl and cause somepermanent deforma-tion of the groove wall.Since no cartridgeavailable will trackproperly at 0.25 gram,there's simply no wayaround record wear.

Stylus Shape

area being narrower (than that for aconical stylus) in the direction ofgroove travel. This is desirable forlow -distortion tracking of high -fre-quency signals. At the same time, anelliptical stylus extends its contactarea upward along the side of thegroove, at right angles to the direc-tion of groove travel, resulting in arelatively large overall footprint.Therefore, with an elliptical stylusthe actual force exerted per unit areacan be less than that of a conical -

contact surfaces relative to the twogroove walls is a potential problemwith any stylus shape other thanconical. If the two contact faces ofthe stylus are not aligned along thesame record radius, they do notsimultaneously trace the corre-sponding portions of the two chan-nels. The result is a phase shiftbetween the stereo outputs of a car-tridge, as well as a possible degrada-tion of frequency response andhigher distortion. This condition

can occur if the stylusis mounted incorrectly

Groove deformationis proportional not just to the track-ing force, but, more accurately, tothe total amount of pressure exertedon the groove wall in the area of itscontact with the stylus. Because of agroove's shape, the force exerted ona groove wall is about 40 percentgreater than the total tracking force.Furthermore, this force is appliedover a microscopic area whose sizeis a function of the stylus shape andthe way it contacts the groove.

A groove may actually experiencea pressure in the range of tons persquare inch, even if the cartridgetracking force is only a gram or two.This effective force is greatly multi-plied if (as is normally the case)the groove is modulated. Picture thestylus essentially "running into" theundulations of the groove; thepoints of greatest acceleration as thestylus "turns a corner" are thosereceiving the highest instantaneouspressure.

A conical or spherical stylus has aroughly circular contact patch (foot-print) on the groove wall. The popu-lar elliptical stylus shape applies anovaloid footprint, with the contact

Clean groove with one -channel test tone

shaped stylus having comparablehigh -frequency performance.

A number of stylus shapes areeven more "extreme" than the ellip-tical type. Many of these were firstdeveloped in the days of CD -4 dis-crete quadraphonic discs, which re-quired a frequency response extend-ing to 40,000 Hz or higher. Al-though these advanced styli vary intheir specific dimensions andshapes, and each carries the name ofits designer or manufacturer, theyshare the quality of being extensionsor exaggerations of the basic ellipti-cal shape. As a class they are oftenreferred to as "line -contact" styli.All of them decrease the footprintsize in the direction of groove travel(for better high -frequency perform-ance) and increase it vertically overthe groove wall (for decreased pres-sure on the groove).

Elliptical and line -contact styli,though superior from a record -wearand audible -performance stand-point, do require careful attentionto manufacturing details and tomounting in the tone arm. Theangular orientation of the stylus's

in its cantilever, if thecartridge is mountedincorrectly in the tonearm so as to producean excessive lateraltracking error, or ifthere is a significantvertical -tracking -angleerror from either de-sign or installation. Insum, for decreased rec-ord wear, use an ellip-tical or line -contactstylus, but make sure itis mounted properly inthe tone arm.

Stylus TrackingIn addition to the

shape of the stylus,other factors of car-tridge design can havea significant effect on

record wear, though in these cases itshould be called record damage.Chief among these is tracking abili-ty, the ability of the stylus to stay onand in the groove regardless of theviolence of its modulations. If thecartridge has poor tracking ability, ifthe vertical tracking force is too low,if the antiskating force is set im-properly, or if the pickup/tone-armdamping is inadequate, the stylusmay not remain in continuous con-tact with the groove. This "mis-tracking" is-aside from scratches,dust, and dirt-the most damagingthing that could happen to a recordgroove.

Bernard Jacobs of Shure Brothersmakes the distinction between twodifferent types of uncontrolled sty-lus motion during mistracking. Oneis where the stylus "bounces" frompoint to point along the groove wall.The other is where the stylus isforced up and out of the groove, butnot necessarily into a neighboringgroove, because of a disc warp or alow -frequency cartridge/tone-armresonance. Both situations candamage the groove in two ways.


First, a crashing, careening styluscan actually gouge out deformationsin the groove walls. These cansometimes be heard as a horren-dous increase in distortion as thedamage is being done and afterwardas added clicks or pops. Second, astylus going its merry way along agroove may alter the groove to suit.This can account for a "mellowing"of the sound of some records afterthey have been played several timeswith a poorly tracking stylus. All the"hard parts" havebeen smoothed out.Mistracking damage isirreversible.

The solution, ofcourse, is never to letthe stylus get out ofcontrol. Aside from us-ing a cartridge with su-perior tracking ability,the best way to keepthe stylus on and in agroove is to use theright amount of track-ing force, but not toolittle. Never operate acartridge below itsminimum recom-mended tracking forcein the mistaken beliefthat you are reducingrecord wear. You aresimply inviting mis-tracking. It's better toerr on the high side.On the other hand, youshould also choose a cartridge withas low a recommended trackingforce as possible. Below 2 grams isgood, and at or below 1.5 grams isbetter still.

Groove damage can also stemfrom a worn or chipped stylus. Thisarea also has some unexpected fac-ets. For example, a stylus that hasbeen worn down by playing onlyan "easy" unmodulated "silentgroove" is potentially more damag-ing to a normal music disc than astylus worn down by a series ofmusic recordings. The former sty-lus's "flats," the portions where thediamond has been worn off by thegroove, have sharp edges. A stylusworn by music recordings has hadits flats burnished and rounded bythe varying groove shape.

The best way to detect stylus wearis by an examination of the tipunder a microscope (a 40 X modelwill do). Unfortunately, it takes alittle training and experience to getthe stylus and light angles just rightto see any flats, and it takes evengreater experience to tell whetherthe locations and degree of wear are

significant. The second best way todetect stylus wear is to listen forincreased levels of distortion and agreater tendency to mistrack. But bythe time you might notice some-thing wrong, the damage has al-ready been done.

Preventive maintenance is thebest solution here. If you play discsfor one hour each day (a higher -than -average figure), you shouldhave your stylus checked by a com-petent technician twice a year. You

record wear: the polish of the sty-lus's diamond surface. Only under arather powerful microscope can thisbe seen, and (as with stylus shapeand orientation) there is little theconsumer can do but take the wordof the manufacturer about the carewith which his styli are polished andmounted in their cantilevers. If thestylus surface pressing into thegroove has any roughness, it is cer-tain to carve its initials (so to speak)into the grooves of every record it

plays. In the .timeneeded for vinyl to

A groove containing a complex music signal

should also consider replacing thestylus assembly (or, if necessary, theentire cartridge) after every 1,000 to2,000 hours of playing time, wheth-er you can actually hear any signs ofstylus wear or not.

Other FactorsForeign abrasive material (dust,

dirt) on the record surface can beground into the groove wall by thestylus pressures, which, as you re-call, can be enormous. Once thevinyl has acquired these foreign ob-jects-and the noise and distortionthey contribute-it may not be pos-sible to remove them by any clean-ing method; the disc can be consid-ered permanently damaged. Even ifyou can get some of the dirt out, theholes it leaves behind will be anaudible reminder of their presence.The vast number of accessoriesmarketed to clean LP's should be anindication of how important clean-liness is for disc longevity.

A number of manufacturers ofhigh -quality phono cartridges em-phasize another potential source of

wear off the imperfec-tions of the stylus,many records can beprematurely aged. Af-ter al:, one can hardlyimagine two materialsmore unlike each otherin hardness than dia-mond and vinyl!

The Bottom LineIt should be appar-

ent that if you playyour records you can'teliminate record wear.About all you can doto minimize it is to usea good cartridge froma manufacturer whotakes the trouble to fin-ish his styli properlyand mount them accu-rately. Try to choose a

cartridge that can track at a force ofless than 2 grams, but never try tooperate it below the manufacturer'srated minimum force.

Take care to install the cartridgeproperly in the tone arm to derivethe benefits of the precision stylusalignment the manufacturer haspresumably built into it (and forwhich you have paid, often consid-erably) Set the antiskating compen-sation of the tone arm correctly(failure to do this will create unnec-essary wear on one side of thegroove). Have your stylus checkedperiodically. Keep your records andyour stylus clean.

And, as a final note of optimism,think about how many times youare likely to play any given record. Iwould guess that few discs areplayed more than a couple of dozentimes, especially if you have a largecollect:on-who has the time withonly twenty-four hours in a day?That means that you are unlikely towear them out in your lifetime. Thediamond of your stylus will certain-ly wear out sooner. "Diamonds areforever" applies only to jewelry. 0


WI TAT ARE Yea" tureslturntable

specialforsiresneedS

OPTYOUR IONs_ ? by William Burton

choices when you areshopping for a turntable.You must choose be-tween belt drive and di-rect drive, a pivoted or

linear -tracking arm, and manual,semiautomatic, or automatic opera-tion. And then you must select theturntable that will work best in yoursystem, basing your selection onfeatures, specifications, and per-formance. Test reports, manufac-turers' literature, and directoriessuch as STEREO REVIEW'S StereoBuyers Guide can provide informa-tion, but they can't make any ofthese choices for you.

You don't have to do much re-search on turntables to discover thatthere are more ways to spin a recordand hold a cartridge than you might

have imagined. The options in turn-tables include a wide range of sizes,weights, tone -arm types, chassis de-signs, and unique features.

The size and weight of a turnta-ble, and particularly of the platterthat supports the record, areimportant because greater mass in-creases stability. A massive turnta-ble can resist mechanical and acous-tic feedback, and the inertia of aheavy platter smooths out speeivariations. Thus we have turntableswith names that express their solidsubstance, such as Entec's "Gran-ite" and Elite's "The Rock."

Even when the tone arm comeswith the turntable, variations on th?..basic theme exist. There are turnta-bles with two or more tone arms (soyou can shift from one cartridge toanother in seconds), and the new

he granite platter andthe granite substructure ofEntec's Granite turntablemake this a heavyweightcontender in the high -endarena. The gross weight

' of the floating substruc-ture is 110 pounds, witha total weight (includingstand) of 180 pounds.The base measures 24inches square, the turn-table itself 16 x 20inches. Price is $5,000without tone arm, dustcover, or any otheraccessories.

Yamaha turntables have twin -tubeinstead of single -tube arms. Theunique floppy tone arm on theNAD 5120 turntable is designed toflex at inaudibly low frequencies forimproved isolation.

Records are round, but the basesof most record players are rectangu-lar. As you might expect, round -chassis turntables do exist. Theseinclude the Walker 061, the Dun-lop Systemdek II, and the CanadianAriston RD40. Denon's DP -80 andDP -75 are also round, with baseswhose beveled sides make them re-semble flying saucers.

If you are overwhelmed by therange of options available in turnta-bles, don't despair. Just think of theeven larger range of options youhave when you're choosing the rec-ords to play on them.


Called a"fine, upstandingturntable," theTechnics SL -V5gives you a newangle on playingrecords. The verti-cal design lets the-----

unit stand on narrow shelves orledges where other turntables fearto track. To play a record, youopen the hinged front door, put thedisc on the platter, close the door,and press PLAY. Except for itsorientation, the turntable is not ter-ribly out of the ordinary, with auto-matic operation, linear -trackingtone arm, and compatibility withP -mount cartridges. The direct -drive motor has a combination ro-tor/platter designed for stable rota-tion, and the low -friction, low -masstone arm has a gimbal suspension.The turntable determines the cor-rect motor speed and where the car-tridge should set down automati-cally. The controls are mounted onthe slanted panel at the bottom ofthe chassis. The turntable measuresabout 120 inches wide, 145/8 incheshigh, and 714 inches deep. Price is$220.

he Sony PS -Q3 turntablemeasures only 81/2 inches wideand 24 inches high and weighs8 pounds, 3 ounces, but it playsfull-sized LP's. It is also unusualbecause it includes a phono-preamp section and a volumecontrol for use with headphones

espite its unassumingappearance, Sansui's direct -drive XP -99 is quite un-usual. Below the regulardrive motor and rotatingrecord platter there is anidentical second motor witha flywheel that has the samerotational inertia as theplatter but rotates in the op-posite direction. The twomotors are synchronized-thus the feature's name,

Silent Synchrotor System-and the effect is to cancel vi-brations caused by torquevariations as the main drivemotor's speed is changed inresponse to commands fromthe servo -control system.The tone arm is dynamical-ly balanced and controls vi-brations in the arm itselfand in the cartridge. Priceof the XP -99 is $400. TheSilent Synchrotor System isalso available in the moreelaborate XR-Q7 turntable,priced at $f 00.

or amps that have only line -levelinputs. The fully automatic belt -drive turntable is available as partof two of Sony's micro -componentsystems or separately, with mov-ing -magnet cartridge, for $150.

STEREO REVIEW JANUARv 1985 55

orks in a drawer"-slip adisc onto the platter in the slidingdrawer of this turntable, the Pio-neer PL-88FS, touch a button, andthe record and platter disappearinto the chassis. The drawer -load-ing design enables the turntable to

he SOTA Star Sapphire holdsan LP to its 11 -pound platter witha low-level adjustable vacuum toreduce the effects of warps, acousticfeedback, and resonances. Threeaccess holes provide vacuum suc-tion near the spindle to pull therecord to the platter mat. An outerlip on the mat and a small spindlecap over the center hole create aseal that maintains the differencebetween the air pressure above therecord and below it. The subchassis

be stacked with other components,so you don? have to make space onthe top of your rack. Once the discis loaded, the turntable can be pro-grammed for playback of tracks inthe order you want to hear them,with index -scan and repeat func-

tions. The turntable also features aquartz phase -locked -loop StableHanging Rotor motor for wow andflutter of 0.025 percent. Rumble israted at -78 dB (DIN -B weighted).List price is $400, which includes amoving -coil cartridge.

akamichi makes cassettedecks that turn the tape over foryou, but this turntable-the Drag-on CT-does not play the flip sideautomatically. Instead, it compen-sates for center holes that are notin the center of the record, elimi-nating wow caused by eccentric ro-tation. The turntable does this withtwo platters-an aluminum mainplatter, weighing 1.4 kilograms,and a variable -position glass platteron top of it that weighs 550 grams.After you place a record on theglass platter, pressing the CenterSearch Start switch begins thesearch for the absolute center of therecord. The Center Search Rod var-ies the position of the CenterSearch platter relative to the mainplatter while a sensor arm meas-ures groove eccentricity and deter-

mines when complete error correction has beenachieved, at which point the Absolute Center SearchIndicator lights up. The Dragon CT's price is $1,740.

weighs 22 pounds for maximumisolation. Unlike many other high-

end turntables, the Star Sapphirehangs the subchassis from the main

chassis from four, not three, sus-pension points. With an oak finish,price is 51,450; in koa wood, it's$1,600.


yocera (the name comesfrom Kyoto Ceramic) makes theplatter and base of its PL -910turntable from ceramic materialsfor stability and isolation frommechanical feedback. The dual -

suspension subchassis with the 11 -pound platter rests on four points,and the cutout for the tone arm ison the back right of the subchas-sis. The belt -drive manual turnta-ble lists for $2,000.

he two tone arms in Sharp's RP -117/C allow you to play both sidesof a record without having to re-move it from its sliding drawer andflip it over. The autoreverse linear -tracking, belt -drive turntable fea-tures an Automatic Programmable

Music Selector for up to fourteencuts on sides A and B or automaticfull play of side A, side B, orboth. The turntable changes sidesand sets the cartridges downat the right points automatic-ally. Price is $250.

JAUDIO FAIR

The recordinghead drum of

a hi-fi VCRplayed a large

role in thedisplay of oneexhibitor. Thecostume of the

model, we're told,shows "laser

consciousness "

ANA special report from Tokyo by Bryan Harrell

THE largest annual exposition of au-dio products on earth, the JapanAudio Fair is where the big swordsof the Japanese electronics indus-

try battle for the favor of consumers in oneof the world's most sophisticated audiomarkets. Despite attendance of more than300,000 people at this year's thirty-thirdannual fair, there was considerably less raz-zle and dazzle than in previous years. As ifto say, "The future is already here," exhib-its of developments in progress were rare.Instead, manufacturers played hardballwith extensive "hands-on" displays topitch their popularly priced products justappearing on the Japanese market.

Instead of the guest -of -honor status it hasenjoyed in the past, digital audio wastreated as a family member who could beexpected to help clean up after the fair. Ata special all -about -CD exhibit, CompactDisc pressing equipment was on display,and visitors could operate and listen(through headphones) to about fifty CDplayers. A huge panel that ran nearly thewidth of the pavilion displayed the coversof approximately 3,500 CD titles.

On the same scale, an exhibition of ana-log record cutting occupied one end of theopposite pavilion. A Georg Neumann rec-

ord cutter was shown in use, and anAudio-Technica T-11 professional -useturntable was on hand for auditioning thefreshly cut lacquer discs. This displayseemed to generate more interest than theCD display, which indicates the Japaneseaudiophile's continuing fascination withanalog discs of fine quality.

The Imported Audio Show, held last yearas a separate event, became part of the offi-cial schedule this year. It featured displaysof equipment by such noted manufacturersas Bose, dbx, Electro-Voice, Infinity, JBL,Klipsch, Koss, Linn, Mark Levinson,McIntosh, Nitty Gritty, Quad, Shure, Tan-noy, Thorens, and others. Demand forhigh -end audio gear in Japan is surprisinglylarge. There is also much interest in designsfrom the Fifties and Sixties..3°

CD PlayersThough there were plenty of interesting

new developments in Compact Discplayers, this year's showstopper was Sony'sD-50 [identical to the D-5 tested for De-cember's STEREO REVIEW], the world'ssmallest and lightest CD player. Nowknown as the Discman, the player is barelylarger than a CD's box and less than PA


inches high. It requires a separate batterypack or a.c.-to-d.c. adaptor for operation,however. The D-50 was made possible by aspecially developed unitized, ultra -thin las-er pickup, a floating damper said to beresistant to shock and vibration, a flatbrushless, slotless PWM drive motor, and anew IC that incorporates almost all theplayer's electronics. Its most remarkableasset was its tentative price of 50,000 yen,or about $210. The world's smallest is also(for now) the world's cheapest.

The component CD -player market seemsto be undergoing stratification into threeprice categories: low (around 80,000 yen, or$335), medium (around 140,000 yen, or$535), and high (over 180,000 yen, or$750). Price determinants are primarily thenumber of playback features, the (per-ceived) quality of the D/A (digital -to -ana-log) conversion circuitry, and the type oflaser tracking system. [Prices are approxi-mate, and we've used a rate of exchange of240 yen to the U.S. dollar.-Eds.]

Hitachi's DAD -4000 and Sharp's DX -100 were both priced at about $335 whileYamaha undercut everyone (except Sony!)with its $290 CD -X2, a compact model(131/2 inches wide) with a three -beam laserpickup. Other new low-priced models in-cluded the Pioneer P-DX700 ($375), theSony CDP-102 ($375), the Luxman D-105($410), the Technics SL-PJ2 ($415), theOnkyo DX -20 ($415), the JVC XL -U3($375), the Mitsubishi DP -105 ($415), andthe NEC CD -607 ($460).

At the other end of the scale, Nakamichiintroduced its first CD players, the OMS-70 ($1,115), with remote control and ten -key operation, and the OM -50, which hasfewer operating features. Both have thatdistinctive clean, black Nakamichi stylingand are claimed to deliver improved per-formance through the use of separate leftand right D/A converters, digital filters thatprovide quadruple oversampling, and high-ly simplified analog circuitry. Hitachi sug-gested a possible trend in high -end playerswith a prototype two -component systemconsisting of the DAP -001 player and theHDA-001 digital processor. The player hasa newly developed LSI for "5 -times (quin-tuple) error correction," which is claimedto be accurate to "one miss every 20 mil-lion years."

However, there was still considerable ac-tion in the middle price range. Sony's CDP-520ES ($625) boasts a button -studded frontpanel that includes a twenty -key trackselector, a wireless remote control (alsowith a twenty -key track selector), and a"shuffle play" function that plays the selec-tions on a disc in random order untilstopped. Teac showed its new PD -500($575) with a ten -key wireless remote con-trol. The Technics SL -P3 ($540) comeswith a wireless remote control that boaststwenty-four operation keys including vol-ume control.

Several multiple -disc CD changers wereshown this year. Toshiba's XJ-1000 was theonly one that looked something like a juke-box; the others resembled data-processingequipment. Sharp's HK -500 holds 100CD's and can be programmed to play up tonine songs at a time. (:t's a coin -operatedmachine, and the specs indicate it holdsapproximately 1,000 coins, in case youwere wondering.) Aiwa, Denon, Hitachi,and Sony also had models on display. Theyare currently gaining popularity in Japa-nese drinking places as "karaoke" (sing -along) machines.

Nearly all makers showed prototypeplayers that team the CD system with com-puters and video equipment for the displayof stationary images (such as song lyrics).There were also some car CD players ondisplay, among them Sony's CDX-5 andCDX-7 (with FM tuner) players and twonew models from Pioneer, the CDX-1 andthe smaller CDX-El (both $405). Of notewas Yamaha's new cartridge system forCompact Discs, which uses a carrier with asmall opening (much like that on computerfloppy discs) through which the player'slaser "reads" the disc. Advantages weresaid :o be ease of storage and protectionagainst dust and scratching. Alpine had aprototype car CD player on display.

Digital Audio TapeDigital audio tape recording, or DAT,

was the subject of two scheduled seminarsat the fair. Standards are being proposed,various companies are now testing anddeveloping prototypes, and insiders predictthe release of the first wave of equipment in1986. [Last year they said 1985-Eds.] Oneproposed system, S-DAT, calls for station-ary -head machines with a 48 -kHz samplingrate, 16 -bit quantization, a tape speed ofeither 4.37 or 4.76 cm/s, and twenty -trackrecording on a cassette measuring slightlylarger than a standard audio cassette. R-DAT is a system proposed for rotating -head machines. With fairly much the samespecs (except for the number of tracks), it isdesigned for use with a cassette that issomewhat smaller than a standard audiocassette. With Compact Discs and the colli-sion of high -quality audio and video repro-duction creating a multitude of new salespossibilities, it seems the manufacturersare in no hurry to confuse and fragment themarket further with DAT equipment.

A;*ri The Audio Video Revolution

The audio industry's long and persistentefforts at creating audio/video conscious-ness among Japanese consumers are finallygetting results and have already started theabacuses clicking in retail stores through-out Japan. Hundreds of new outlets spe-cializing in music -video "software" haveopened across the country. Nowadays, if


1°4

you tell an average young Japanese you'reinterested in "audio" without also sayingthe word "video," he'll darkly suspectyou're an old codger who listens to classicalmusic through a dusty tube amplifier and aset of ancient Electro-Voice speakers.

There was big news at the show in theform of a new type of player developed byPioneer that reads normal LaserDiscs, La-serDiscs recorded with digital sound, anddigital audio Compact Discs. The PioneerCLD-9000, Sony Lasermax LDP-250CD,and Teac Lasermate LU-5000DS all costabout $1,040 and look virtually identical,leading many seasoned reporters in theJapanese electronic press to "suspect" thatthe players are all made by a single entity!

They have three -beam pickup systems, afull array of playback features, wirelessremote control, and stepped loading draw-ers that accept either type of disc. Of partic-ular note are a subcode output and I/O porton the back panel which will enable a per-sonal computer to interface with theplayers. Sony and Teac have also intro-duced conventional video -disc players us-ing the Pioneer/Philips LaserDisc format:Sony's Lasermax LDP -150 and Teac's La-sermate LU-1000, priced at $835.

A newcomer to the Hi-Fi VCR categorywas Denon, which showed its new VA -75($950), a handsome VHS deck with a built-in stereo FM tuner (for simulcasts andcable stereo), two heads for sound, five forvideo, and a one-year/eight-program mem-ory. Another newcomer in the VHS factionwas Teac, with its MU -1000 ($1,240). Oth-er new VHS Hi-Fi models were the HitachiVT -87, with a built-in FM tuner and fiveheads, the Akai VS -X10 ($950), with anInteractive Monitor System that guides op-eration right on the TV screen, the NECVC -N70 ($910), the Sharp VC -F2, and thenew Matsushita NV-870HG ($915). BothMarantz and Harman Kardon of Japan dis-played prototype models that were claimedto have very high -quality audio circuits,which could mark the start of "high -end"VCR's.

On the Beta side of the ring were Aiwa'snew 13 -inch -wide AV -7M, with a built-intuner, Toshiba's V -L70, with a CCD combfilter for clearer picture quality, and Sony'sSL-HF335 ($825) and SL-HF77 ($1,245).

NI Conventional ComponentsNew developments were sparse in top -

end cassette decks, although the latest"middle -price" models received a lot ofplay. It seems that nearly every companyhas at least one deck with dual transport/head mechanisms for high-speed tape dub-bing. The king of these models was possiblythe Technics RS-B66W ($395), which hasDolby B, Dolby C, and dbx noise -reductionsystems and can copy tapes six times fasterthan normal playing time. Frightening.

Alpine/Luxman's new "Brid" series LV-


105 ($495) and LV-103 ($330) integratedamplifiers are hybrid tube/transistor de-signs. On both amplifiers, two small vacu-um tubes are visibly mounted flush on thefront panel. Sansui went to considerableexpense in producing a glossy magazine -style handout on the story of its X -balanceamplifier circuitry. And Akai's new SS -V20($499) is an advanced audio/video control-ler that has a 4.5 -inch color monitor on thefront panel and connections for threeVCR's and three other video sources inaddition to the usual audio sources.

Despite last year's big turnout of newturntables and cartridges, things were oddlyquiet in those categories this year. Amongthe exceptions were two new turntablesfrom Denon, the DP -59M ($330) and thesimilar DP -59L ($375), which have liquid -crystal speed displays, and the TechnicsSL -M3 ($415), an unorthodox (in Japan,anyway) model with a hefty wood cabinetand a linear -tracking tone arm. It's interest-ing to note that despite the company's hugelinear -tracking reputation, the top -of -the -line Technics SL -1000 MK3D ($2,710!)sports a pivoted tone arm.

There were several new phono cartridges,including the deluxe Grace F-14, a moving-magnet model that is constructed with suchmaterials as ceramic, ruby, sapphire, beryl-lium, boron, aluminum, and more, makingit an ad copywriter's dream product.

4-1-F SpeakersEach of Aiwa's new AFBS mini -speakers

has a built-in microphone that sends a cor-rective signal back to the amplifier input.Aiwa claims surprisingly rich and full bassreproduction as a result. Sony's low-pricedAPM-22ES speakers ($330 a pair) put theAPM design in what Sony calls an "acous-tically rounded enclosure" that's said todeliver better sound linearity. Sawafujishowed new flat -wave speakers with anopen -baffle design, and company chairmanTadashi Sawafuji himself proudly mannedthe display. Sawafuji also showed someexperimental SF -1 headphones, which in-corporate special etched -coil flat dia-phragms that are claimed to have aresponse from 10 to 100,000 Hz (within 5dB to 60,000 Hz).

Many of these products have alreadybeen introduced in the United States orsoon will be, although some of the features,names, and model numbers will change.There are some products, such as karaokemachines and the VHD video -disc system,that will probably remain unique to Japan,but sooner or later almost everything elsefinds its way into the U.S. marketplace. Anoverview of the Japan Audio Fair is, then,something of a glance into American au-dio's immediate future-and maybe, con-sidering the air of settling down to businessthat was evident at this year's fair, thatfuture is already here.

by Christie Barterand Steve Siinels

REUNITED in the studiofor the first time in well

over a decade, we find song-writer Burt Bacharach andsongstress Dionne Warwick.The Bacharach and Warwickteam had one of the longest(and most publicized) stringsof hits in contemporary pop,starting with 1963's Walk OnBy and including such by -now standards as Al.fie andDo You Know the Way to SanJose? (those goodies, andmore, by the way, have justbeen collected on a terrifictwo -disc "Best of" anthologyon Rhino). Here, the duo isworking on a track for

Warwick-Bacharach: back

Dionne's forthcoming Aristaalbum. That's producer Lu-ther Vandross and lyricistCarole Bayer Sager, left. 0

Mosr symphony orches-tras are lucky to have

one principal guest conduc-tor, but the Los Angeles Phil-harmonic has two: the Ameri-can Michael Tilson Thomasand his British co -principalSimon Rattle (shown at thetop of the page). Thomas hasoften been honored in hisown land, and Rattle, whohas won a following here withhis Angel recordings, is be-coming better known as hemakes more appearances eastof California.

In November, Rattle con-ducted the Cleveland Orches-tra, and in January he is con-ducting some of the Los An-geles Philharmonic's tourconcerts on the East Coast.He makes his Carnegie Halldebut on January 18, the eveof his thirtieth birthday.

Rattle: on tour and carrying the field

Rattle's repertoire on thetour includes two works withwhich he is closely associated,Mahler's Tenth Symphonyand the Sibelius Second, bothof which he has recorded forEMI/Angel. Reviewing Rat-tle's recording of the MahlerTenth with the BournemouthSymphony, David Hall wrotein these pages that it "carriesthe field in terms of dramaticimpact."

Principal conductor of theCity of Birmingham Sympho-ny since 1980, Rattle hasmolded that orchestra intoone of England's finest. Hisnew recordings with it in-clude Mahler's Das klagendeLied and Sibelius's SecondSymphony, both January re-leases from Angel Records. 0

IN November, countrysinger Hank Williams, Jr.,

celebrated his twentieth anni-versary as a recording artistby cutting his fiftieth careeralbum. A hunting expeditionin September could havestopped him with only forty-nine, however, when he sliddown the side of a 7,500 -footmountain while stalkingsheep on the Alaskan range.

Williams: lucky

Williams, 35, who had hisface literally torn off in a sim-ilar accident on Montana'sAjax Mountain in 1975, wasluckier this time, rammingthe fiberglass stock of his riflein the loose rock to break hisfall. "I was hanging from themountainside, and I thought,'Here I am again,'" Williamssays. "I panicked for aboutfive minutes, and then Iprayed for about five more."When calls for help went un-answered, Williams rescuedhimself by digging steps in thecliff with his hunting knife.Says the otherwise fearlessWilliams, "I think I'll huntswamp creatures after this."

Meanwhile, Williams con-tinues to bag gold and plati-num albums. His latest al-bum release, "Major Moves,"quickly went to number oneon the Billboard countrychart. A.N

0 PERATIC soprano Rena-ta Scotto and tenor Lu-

ciano Pavarotti have indulgeoin some monumental squab-bles, one of which, in 1979,led to a public feud in SanFrancisco when they sang to-gether in a televised perform-ance of La Gioconda.

When Pavarotti's autobi-ography, My Own Story, waspublished by Doubleday in1981, Scotto's name wasmentioned only once in thediscography. But when Dou-bleday brought out Scotto'sautobiography, More Than aDiva, in October, Pavarotti'sname was nowhere to befound.

That did not stop Scotto,however, from detailing. herdifficulties with "a certainTenor" in the San FranciscoGioconda. She also reportsthat she was given an Emmy

Award for her Gioconda. "Ilooked at that award not justas a tribute to a fine operaperformance," she wrote,"but as a reward for my pro-fessionalism, for all the suf-fering I had to put up with inorder to sing and act thatnight. I deserved thatEmmy." 0

WHO'S the best-sellingclassical recording art-

ist? Record companies tendto guard their sales figurescarefully, but if you believethe charts of best-selling rec-ords published by Billboardmagazine, you could make agood case that the top -sellingclassical instrumentalist isthe French pianist and com-poser Claude Bolling.

Billboard recently pub-lished a chart of best-sellers inthe "classical crossover" cate-gory, and the top two wereBolling albums on CBS Mas-terworks. Number I was hisrecent "Suite for Cello" onwhich he is joined by Yo YoMa. Number 2 was an albumBolling made years ago withthe flutist Jean-Pierre Ram -

Bolling: hot

pal, "Suite for Flute and JazzPiano." At the end of the yearthe cello suite had been onBillboard's regular classicalchart for more than fortyweeks, and the flute suite hadbeen there for a phenomenal464 weeks, just shy of nineyears!

Although Bolling refers tohimself as a "jazzman," inthis country he is treated as aclassical composer and per-former. And although his lat-est album is titled "Jazz d lafrancaise," it is being treatedas a classical record by CBSMasterworks. ConsideringBolling's sales records, it issure to be treated as a veryhot property. 0


by Christie Barterand Steve Simels

THE five well-manneredyoung people posed

against the simply lovelywallpaper are, of course,some of the members ofTalking Heads (that's leaderand conceptual honcho DavidByrne in the hat). The occa-sion? A party celebrating thedance -hall premiere of thegroup's new concert film StopMaking Sense at the Ritz, a

The TalkingHeads at film debut

Manhattan night club. Di-rected by Melvin and How-ard's Jonathan Demme, thefilm has already been de-scribed by more than one crit-ic as the best thing of its kindsince Scorsese's The LastWaltz. Sources close to theband declined to comment onwhen the flick will be avail-able for home viewing, butgiven the unseemly speedwith which Warner Brothersrushed out Prince's PurpleRain for home-vid formats,our spies report it may well beby spring. Stay tuned. 0

AWARD -WINNING music -video clips in the first

International Music VideoFestival held late last year inSaint-Tropez, were the Cars'"You Might Think" (Elektra/Asylum), Paul McCartneyand Michael Jackson's "SaySay Say" (Epic/Gasp! Pro-ductions), and, of course,Jackson's "Thriller" (Epic). 0

N January 8 Elvis Pres-ley would have been

fifty years old. To mark theoccasion, MGM/UA HomeVideo is releasing a "collec-tor's treasure" of Presley

films new to the home videomarket. Titles include DoubleTrouble, Harum Scarum, ItHappened at the World'sFair, and Speedway. The spe-cial suggested list price, effec-tive through March 1, is$39.95.

THE American folk singerBill Crofut and English

baritone Benjamin Luxonhave toured widely with aprogram of songs sharing An-glo-American traditions. Thepopular entertainment, underthe title Two Gentlemen Folk,will be aired as a one -hourspecial on the PBS networkon Christmas Day. 0

VIENNA'S traditional NewYear's gala, a concert of

waltzes by the Strauss familyperformed by the ViennaPhilharmonic, will again betelevised live, on January 1,on an international hookup.It will be carried in the U.S.by the PBS network. LorinMaazel will once again con-duct, despite the troubles hehas encountered with Vien-na's music establishment dur-ing the past year.

For a purely orchestral pro-gram, live or not, the V.P.O.'sNew Year's celebration onTV must set some kind ofrecord: in recent years it'sbeen known to reach an esti-mated worldwide audience of750 million viewers.

Domestic viewers can treatthemselves a couple of dayslater (January 3) to a Livefrom the Met/PBS telecast ofVerdi's .41da, with Leontyne

Price as Aida

Price in the title role andJames McCracken as Rad-ames. James Levine con-ducts. The Texaco Philan-thropic Foundation under-writes.

DO WYPOZYCZALNIBUTUW z kYZWANII

Britain's Iron Maiden on an SRO tour of Eastern Europe

NO POLISH JOKES, PLEASE.Yes, that's really Iron

Maiden, the veteran Britishheavy-metal band, in War-saw, at the beginning of theirrecent tour behind the IronCurtain (shows in Poland,Hungary, and Yugoslavia).Although all the concertswere completely sold out, invenues ranging from 10,000to 18,000 seats, the bandmade little money from theperformances because of lowticket prices controlled by thevarious governments. Still,lead singer Bruce Dickensonapparently enjoyed the expe-rience, noting, "Polish au-diences are some of the bestI've ever seen. I think it's ,,because they're so starved forWestern entertainment."Some of you may not call -what Iron Maiden does enter-tainment, but for those whodo, the entire tour was filmedfor an hour-long documenta- ,ry recently broadcast onMTV and slated for home -video release sometime thisyear. 0

THE Huberman Festivalwas a week-long series

of concerts held in Tel Avivin December 1982 to cele-brate the 100th anniversaryof the birth of the violinistBronislaw Huberman, found-er of the Israel Philharmonic."The Huberman Festival" isa series of eight cassettes, be-ing released by Pacific ArtsVideo on a month -by -monthbasis, documenting that ex-traordinary event-extraor-dinary for bringing togetherseveral of the world's leadingviolinists in performances ofrepertoire classics. The Pa-

cific Arts tapes follow the re-lease of a two -record albumproduced by Deutsche Gram-mophon and reviewed inthese pages exactly a year ago(STEREO REVIEW, January1984).

The first Huberman videowas released last fall and fea-tured as violin soloists suchgiants of the instrument as

Violinists in Tel -Aviv

Isaac Stern, Pinchas Zuker-man, Shlomo Mintz, and Itz-hak Perlman in a perform-ance of Vivaldi's The FourSeasons, with Zubin Mehtaconducting. The second re-lease, offering the Tchaikov-sky concerto and more Vival-di with Henryk Szeryng andChaim Taub as soloists, ap-pears this month. Subsequentreleases will present violinistsIda Haendel and Ivry Gitlisin works of the masters fromBach to Bartok. The cassettesare available in VHS Hi-Fiand Beta Hi-Fi utilizing PCMdigital transfer, and the sug-gested list price for each cas-sette is $39.95. 0


1.\

INTRODUCING RENAULT If you heard Renault Encore's perform -

ENCORE GS ante is impressive, get ready for a ravereview on Encore GS. A new 1.7 -litre

fuel -injected engine combined with a computer monitored ignitionand a 9.5 to 1 compression ratio turns out 41% morehorsepower and 32% more torque for '85. It's geared to a a I -3 15front wheel drive 5 -speed overdrive transaxle, sup-ported by 4 -wheel independent suspension with gas acharged pERFoRmANCEshocks,twin coaxial rear torsion bars and wide steel belted14" radials for a mad hugging discipline. And the finelytuned dual outlet exhaust system leaves behind a sporting36 MPG HWY, 29 MPG CITY.* The European born and bredRenault Encore GS. Built in America, with a price that's morethan sporting. It's affordable.Use EPA est. lorComparison Vtxs results May differBuy at LOIN& From American Motors. a Safety Belts Save Live*.

THE ONE TO W.M111*

Introducing Karat -anew generation of bookshelf

speakers from Canton.

With Karat, Canton leadsthe way into the digital eraof sound reproduction. The

result is sound so natural andfree of colorntion you must

hear them to appreciate theacoustic ach evement this

series represents.

Like the entire Canton productline, from our mini -speakers toour floor -standing speakers, theKarat bookshelf series offersvalue. Value in sound repro-duction is first and foremost:that's why every element in theKarat series is designed,engineered and manufacturedat the Canton factory in Ger-many.

Value in terms of detailinggoes into every Cantonspeaker as well. That's whywe offer our speakers in avariety of fine finishes, likewalnut and oak veneers, richblack, bronze and white lac-quers and now a premiumfinish, gloss mahogany. For atCanton, we believe speakersshould look as good asthey sound.

Visit your local Canton dealertoday and leam the value ofa sound investment: Canton'sKarat series - products ofGerman quality andcraftsmanship

Canton North America, Inc.254 First Avenue NorthMinneapolis, MN 55401

GiNroriDie reine Musik

For Dealer Nearest You Call TOLL -FREE 800-633-2252 Ext. 868CIRCLE NO. 33 ON READER SERVICE CARD

BEST OF THE MONTH

Stereo Review's criticschoose the outstandingcurrent releases

SILVERSTEIN'SUTAH DEBUT:FULFILLING

iiOSEPH SILVERSTEIN'S new re-cording of Mendelssohn's EMinor Violin Concerto is asleeper. Every top virtuoso

violinist in the business has re-corded the work, of course, but Sil-verstein, performing in the dual ca-pacity of soloist and conductor ofthe Utah Symphony in this Pro Arterelease, gives all those gilt-edgedversions a real run for the money.

For over twenty years the BostonSymphony's concertmaster and forthirteen its assistant conductor, Sil-verstein recently became the UtahSymphony's music director, and inhis first recording with the orchestrahe gives us a performance of theMendelssohn concerto that is justabout ideal. The opening theme ismeticulously articulated, leadinginto a first movement that is beauti-fully paced throughout. The same istrue for the slow movement, and thefinale, though set forth with a lighthand, has a compelling vigor andvitality.

But the attractions of this discdon't stop with the concerto. Theprogram is filled out with the over-tures to Ruy Blas and A Midsum-mer Night's Dream along with theHebridesconcert overture. And onthe evidence of Silverstein's read-ings of this familiar music, hisprowess as a conductor is considera-ble indeed. Anyone who can breathenew life into that old chestnut RuyBlas has my utmost respect. It isenough to say that Silverstein hasmatched Beecham in this regard(though Sir Thomas pulled off thefeat twice on records).

The overture to A MidsummerNight's Dream is a delight. Silver-stein does not allow the brass andtimpani to overwhelm the strings inthe expository passages for full or-chestra, and in the slow bit just

Conductor/violinist Joseph Silverstein: a nearly ideal Mendelssohn concerto

before the recapitulation he adds adelicious element of mock pathos.The Hebrides may not have thesweep here of Karajan's with theBerlin Philharmonic, but the lyri-cism of the score is set forth by Sil-verstein with the utmost poetic feel-ing, and the fanfare figures passedabout among the winds are spun outdeftly and to great dramatic effect.

Two factors seem to me to beresponsible for the astonishinglylovely musical quality of this re-cording. First, as a one-time sessionproducer myself, I sense that thiswas a situation where everything"worked," where there was the ut-most rapport between Silverstein,the Utah Symphony, and producerTom Frost-the sort of thing you

more commonly encounter in achamber -music recording. Second,there is the modest scale of therecording locale-a hall that Iwould guess from the sound to beabout the size of the Leipzig Ge-wandhaus, in which Mendelssohnhimself conducted. Add to these aflawless job of microphone place-ment and a beautiful DMM press-ing, and you have a recording that isin every way fulfilling. David Hall

MENDELSSOHN: Violin Concerto inE Minor. Overtures: Ruy Bias: A Mid-summer Night's Dream; The Hebrides.Joseph Silverstein (violin); Utah Sym-phony Orchestra, Joseph Silversteincond. PRO Min 0 PAD 187 $10.98,PCD 187 $10.98; (15) CCD 187, no I,stprice.




C Philip Moms Inc. 1984

8 mg "tar," 0.6 mg nicotine a per cigarette, by FTC method.

QEST OF THE MONTH

BLUES IN MANYSHADES FROMJOE WILLIAMS

HAVE heard Joe Williams singso badly that it made me cringe,and I have also heard him givesuperb performances. But rare-

ly have I enjoyed listening to theformer Count Basie vocalist morethan I have on a recording fromDelos called "Nothin' but theBlues." Running a generous fifty-nine minutes (on Compact Disc),the set also owes much of its successto the accompanying sextet of stel-lar players. Led by saxophonist RedHolloway, the group is magnificent-ly enhanced by the presence ofaltoist Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson(himself a superb blues vocalist),organist Jack McDuff, guitarist PhilUpchurch, Ray Brown's solidlyswinging bass, and drummer Ger-ryck King, a relative newcomer whoholds his own admirably in thisimpressive company.

Digitally recorded, presumablywith CD release in mind from thebeginning, this fine album does fulljustice to the technology, but thatwould have little meaning if thematerial weren't of equally fine cali-ber. Holloway's robust tenor is par-ticularly effective on Vinson's HoldIt Right There. The composer him-self adds the vocal on this one, buthis alto shines elsewhere on suchnumbers as Lowell Fulsome'sPlease Send Me Someone to Loveand Sent for You Yesterday, thealbum's rousing finale. Ray Brown

Williams: inspired

is, of course, featured on the RayBrown's in Town track, and guitaristPhil Upchurch hits the propergroove on Leroy Carr's In the Eve-ning. Whether playing piano or or-gan, Jack McDuff is a delightthroughout.

In short, the album is simplycrammed with a delicious assort-ment of blues, in a variety of shades,and Williams is clearly inspired byhis backing. Chris Albertson

JOE WILLIAMS: Nothin' but theBlues. Joe Williams (vocals); Red Hol-loway (tenor saxophone); Eddie "Clean -head" Vinson (alto saxophone, vocals);Jack McDuff (organ, piano); Phil Up-church (guitar); Ray Brown (bass); Ger-ryck King (drums). Who She Do; Just aDream; Hold It Right There; PleaseSend Me Someone to Love; Going toChicago Blues; Ray Brown's in Town;In the Evening/Rocks in My Bed; Al-right, OK, You Win; Sent for You Yes-terday; Mean Old World/Wee BabyBlues; The Comeback; Tell Me Whereto Scratch. DELOS 0 DMS 4001 $9.98,© DPR 4001 $9.98; DCD 4001, nolist price. (The last three titles above areomitted from the LP.)

BAD MANNERSADVANCES U.S.SKA REVIVAL

/N spite of the best efforts of theAmerican rock -music press, theSka revival has remained large-ly a British phenomenon. Of

the two-tone (mixed -race) bands,Madness has probably made thegreatest impact in the States, thougha decidedly modest one. The Spe-cials and Fun Boy Three capturedthe attention of America for abouthalf an hour back in 1981. Andthat's been it. Bad Manners, one ofthe best and funniest of the Skabands-a very amusing and enter-taining lot-hasn't even had a U.S.release until now, some four yearsafter the peak of the Ska movement.But better late than never.

"Forging Ahead," with which BadManners makes its album debuthere, is a raucous delight, a full -steam -ahead blowout. Actually areissue of the group's 1982 Britishalbum of the same name, with onenew song, That'll Do Nicely, it rep -

.4\

BadManners: rude

resents Ska at its best-a pulsingbass beat pitted against the franticcounterpoint of rhythm guitarsstroked on the upbeat, all punchedto a frenzy by a chorus of heavingsaxophones. This smoking ensem-ble is fronted by Fatty "Buster"Bloodvessel, an immense, 240 -pound mass of pink flesh whoselead vocals are cockney -inflectedbellowings of irresistible charm.

"Forging" slips and slides fromreggae to r -&-b, all delivered withmaximum verve and minimumfuss. Highlights include two racinginstrumentals-one a cover of anobscure Van Morrison oldie,What's Up Crazy Pup, and the othera Ska-style version of the themefrom the movie Exodus. Listeningto both, you'll swear you're in somevast, Fifties high-school gymnasiumscoping out the dance floor for a hotpair of bobbysox. There's also a dubversion of Millie Small's bubble -gum classic, My Boy Lollipop, and aslew of feisty originals: Got NoBrains (the band's apt theme); Sal-ad Bar, which sounds like the Ani-mals meet Sam the Sham; andThat'll Do Nicely, a sort of dubdebate on the merits of capitalismvs. socialism.

With its erratic British sense ofthe offbeat, Bad Manners is a wel-come breath of rude air you don'thave to be a skinhead to enjoy. I'llsay it one more time: Wise up,America. Mark Peel

BAD MANNERS: Forging Ahead. BadManners (vocals and instrumentals).That'll Do Nicely; Salad Bar; Tonight IsYour Night; Samson and Delilah (Bibli-cal Version); Exodus; Got No Brains;My Girl Lollipop; Falling Out of Love;Seventh Heaven; Educating Marma-lade; What's Up Crazy Pup; Your. POR-TRAIT BFR 39413, ©BFT 39413, no listprice.

6


CLASSICS on CASSETTES!

326983. Bach: OrganMasterpieces -Toccata 8Fugue in D Minor. etc Anth-ony Newman (Sine Qua Non)171504. Switched -On -Bach -Moog versions ofAir on a G String. WachetAuf; etc. -played byWendy Carlos (Columbia)317081. Bach: GoldbergVariations -Glenn Gould(Digital -CBS Masterworks)319434. Bach: Sonatas forViola De Gamba and Harp-sichord -Yo -Yo Ma, cello,Ken Cooper. harpsichord(Digital -CBS Masterworks)273409. Beethoven: 3Piano Sonatas -(Moonlight.Appassionata. Pathetique)Horowitz piano (Columbia)321299. Beethoven:Piano Sonatas Nos. 12 & 13-Glenn Gould. pianist(CBS Masterworks)232496. Beethoven:Symphony No. 3 (Eroica)-Bernstein and New YorkPhilharmonic (Columbia)323170-393173. Beethoven:Symphonies Nos. 5 and 6

astoral)-Ashkenazy andPhilharmonia Orch. (Countsas 2 -Digital -London)252874. Beethoven:Symphony No. 9 (Chorale)-Ormandy and the Phila-delphia Orch (Columbia)325654-395657. BeethovenPiano Concertos Nos. 1 & 5(Emperor)-Brendel. piano.Mehta and Boettcher. cond(Counts as 2 -Vox)263293. Bolling: Suite ForFlute and Jazz -Piano -Rampal. Bolling (Columbia)307884. Brahms: DoubleConcerto-Zukerman.violin. Harrell. cello.Mehta and New YorkPhilharmonic (Columbia)328039. Brahms: Sym-phony No. 3; Haydn Vari-ations-Mehta. New YorkPhil (CBS Masterworks)246843. Chopin: Mazurkas,Etudes, etc -VladimirHorowitz, piano (Columbia)326439. Copland: Rodeo;Dance Symphony; El SalonMexico; Fanfare for Com-mon Man -Dorati. DetroitSym (Digital -London)191874. Debussy's Great-est Hits -Clair de lune,Afternoon of a Faun,Reverie. etc Bernstein.Ormandy. etc. (Columbia)326454. Dvorak: Cello Con-certo; Bruch: Kol Nidrei -Lynn Harrell, cello, VladimirAshkenazy and PhiiharmoniaOrch (Digital -London)187112. Gershwin'sGreatest Hits- Rhapsodyin Blue (Bernstein. piano):An American in Paris(Ormandy. Phila. Orch.):many more (Columbia)318295. Gershwin Livet-Sarah Vaughan sings TheMan I Love, etc. Thomas.Los Angeles Phil (CBS)319004. Glass, Philip:The Photographer --Someof his best music to date'-Time (CBS)

ALSO AVAILABLE ON STEREO RECORDS

BOLLJNG: SUITEFOR CELLO&

JAZZ PIANO TRIO

YO-YO MA. CELLOBOW NG. PIANO

316018. Glass. Philip:Glassworks-- moving, ex -citing and profoundr:-The NY Times (CBS)

201665. Grofe: GrandCanyon Suite -Ormandy.Phila Orch (Columbia)323543. Handel: RoyalFireworks Music: OboeConcertos 1 -3 -Karl Mun-chinger. Stuttgart ChamberOrch (Digital -London)326561. Haydn: 3 FavoriteConcertos -Cello in D(Yo -Yo Ma), Violin in C(Cho-Liang Lin), Trumpetn E Flat (Wynton Mar-

sahs (CBS Masterworks)321190. Liszt: HungarianRhapsodies 1, 4.6: RakoczyMarch; etc.- Boskovsk y.Phil Hunganca (Angel)321208. Liszt: HungarianRhapsodies 2,3,5; MephistoWaltz -Willi Boskovksy.London Phil (Angel)314369. Mahler:Symphony No. 1 (Titan)-Maazel. Orch Nat I deFrance (CBS Masterworks)305730. Mendelssohn:Symphony No. 4 (Italian):Overtures -Andre Previn.London Symphony (Angel)294264. Mozart: PianoConcerto No. 21 (ElviraMadigan) and No. 17-Ashkenaz y plays, conductsPhilharmonia Orch (London)325365. Mozart: EineKleine Nachtmusik; Symph.No. 40 -Casals. MarlboroFestival Orch (CBS Portrait)309492. Mussorgsky:Pictures At An Exhibition;Night On Bald Mountain -Bernstein. New York Phil(CBS Great Performances)310698. Offenbach: GaitePa nsienne; Saint-Saens:Dan se Macabre; Dukes:Sorcerer's Apprentice -Maazel. Orch. Nationalde France (Columbia)318246. Orft CarmineBurana -Mut. PhilharmoniaOrch 8. Chorus (Angel)318691. Prokofiev: LoveFor Three Oranges Suite;U. Kiie Suite -Thomas,L A Phil (CBS Masterworks)245043. Rachmaninoff:Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2-Ashkenazy. Previn.London Symphony (London)313767. Ravel: Sonatine,La Valse, Miroirs, etc: -all played by pianist RuthLaredo (CBS Masterworks)324822. Ravel: Bolero; LaValse; others -Lorin Maazel.Orch National de France(Digital -CBS Masterworks)324533. Respighi: FesteRoman; Pines & FountainsOf Rome-Dutoit. Orch. deMontreal (Digital -London)318436. Rimsky-Korsakov:Scheherazade-Svetlanov.London Symphony (Angel)325100. Saint-Saens:Carnival of the Animals-also works by Debussy,Satie Philip Jones BrassEnsemble (Digital -London)le 1964 Columbia House

DVORAKNEW WORLDSYMPHONY

SIR GEORG SOL710CAGO 5 eePHON, ORO,

317677. Schubert: Sym-phony No. 8 (Unfinished);Rosamunde Overture andBallet Music - von Ka ajan.Berlin Philharmonic (Angel)225888. Smetana: Moldau,Bartered Bride Overture,Dances; Dvorak: CarnivalOverture -Bernstein.NY Phil (Columbia)310870-390872. JohannStrauss' Greatest WaltzesOrmandy. Szell. Bernstein(Count as 2 -Columbia)320424. Richard Strauss:Ein Heldenleben-Dicterow.violin. Mehta. NY Phil(Digital -CBS Masterworks)281493. Stravinsky: RiteOf Spnng. Zubin Meh:a.NY Phil (Columbia)308874. Tchaikovsky:Piano Concerto No. 1-Gavnlov. K it aenko cond.Moscow Radio/TV Sym.Orch (Col /Melodiya)329169. TchaikovskySymphony No. 4 -LorinMaazel. Cleveland Orch.(CBS Masterworks)245399. Tchaikovsky:

No. 6 (Pat le-tigue -Ormandy andPhil rch (Columbia)231563. Tchaikovsky:Swan Lake and SleepingBeauty Ballet Suites-Ormandy. PhiladelphiaOrchestra (Columbia)289207-399204. Tchaikov-sky: The Nutcracker(complete) -AmericanBallet Theatre Productiondirected by Baryshnikov(Counts as 2 -Columbia)293191. Tchaikovsky:Violin Concerto; Medita-tion -Stern. Rostropovich,National Sym (Columbia)321844-391847. Verdi:La ltaviate-OriginalMotion Picture Soundtrack.Stars Domingo. Stratas(Counts as 2-Elektra)326447. Verdi: Overtures-La Forza del Destino, IVespn Sicilian. Nabucco.etc. Charily. National Phil-harmonic (Digital -London)324897. Vivaldi: The FourSeasons -Lorin Maazel andOrch National de France(Digital -CBS Masterworks)324525. An Isaac StemVivaldi Gala: ConcertosFor 2 and 3 Violins; etc.Stern. Zukerman. Perlman.others (CBS Masterworks)323733. OrchestralMusic from

Wagner:"The

Ring" -Ride of the Valkyries. etc.Mehta and New York Phil(Digital -CBS Maste-works)

MISCELLANEOUSCOLLECTIONS308890-398891. Be -n-stein Conducts World'sGreatest Marches -

Pomp and Circumstance:Washington Post, more(Counts as 2 -Columbia)325886. Uona Boyd -Live in Tokyo. Works byDowland. Soler. Falls. etc.(Digital -CBS Masterworks)

ANY 11FOR 1 and handling;

it you join now and agree to buy 8 more selections(at regular Club prices) in the next 3 years

311472. Placido DomingoWith John Denver -PerhapsLove. Also, Annie's Song,Yesterday. etc (CBS)328856. Placid() Domingo-Always in My Heart.Spanish songs by LecuonaMalaguena, more (CBS)326553. Placid° Domingo-Great Love Scenes. WithKin Te Kanawa. IleanaCotrubas. Renata Scotto(CBS Masterworks)282582. Greatest Hits Of1720. Includes Pachelbel:Kamm; Mouret Rondo(Theme "MasterpieceTheater); etc. RichardKapp, Philharmonia Vir-tuosi of NY (Columbia)322347. Marilyn Home -Live At La Scala. Music byGranados. Handel. Copland,etc (CBS Masterworks)289520. Vladimir Horo-witz Encores -virtuosofireworks' Rachmaninoff,Chopin, more (Columbia)323493. Mormon TabernacleChoir -Gloria) VivaldiGloria; Faure. Sanctus, etc.(Digital -CBS Masterworks)311720. Luciano PavarottiPremieres Verdi Arias -'Lost gems from I VespriSicilian', etc (Columbia)323097. Luciano Pavarotti-Mattinata. Songs by Tosti.Bellini. Gluck, etc. (London)303453-394353. Pavarotti'sGreatest Hits. Works byBellini, Franck. Puccini.Schubert. Verdi, others(Counts as 2 -London)280610. Jean-PierreRampal Greatest Hits -Debussy 's Girl With TheFlaxen Hair: Handel'sLargo: etc (Columbia)319582. Jean-PierreRampal Plays Scott Joplin.The Entertainer etc (CBS)311647. Isaac Stem 60thAnniversary Celebration -master violinist is joinedby Zukerman, Perlman.Mehta. etc (Columbia)316570. The Tango Prject-La Cumparsita: AdiosMuchachos, etc WilliamSchimmel. accordion, etc.(Digital -Nonesuch)324772. Kin Te Kanawa-Songs of the Auvergne (byCanteloube) English ChamberOrch (Digital -London)320887. Kin Te Kanawa-Verdi and Puccini Arias.Pritchard. London Phil(Digital -CBS Masterworks)319848. Andre Watts -Livein Tokyo. Works by Ravel,Brahms. Debussy. Haydn. etc.(Digital -CBS Masterworks)320895. Portrait of JohnWilliams -Theme from -TheDeerhunter. Fool On TheHill, etc (CBS Masterworks)320085. John Williams -The Guitar Is The Song.Folksong collection. Scar-borough Fair. etc (CBS)All applications subject toreview. Columbia Housereserves the nght toreject any application.

Here's a wonderful opportunity to start or add to yourcollection of the world's greatest music -on easy -to -play. carefree tape cassettes, As a new member of theColumbia Classical Club, you can get any 11 cassettes foronly $100. plus shipping and handling. (Or you may takeyour 11 selections on stereo records) In exchange, youagree to buy lust 8 more selections in the next three years,at regular cub prices (which currently are $798 to $9.98.plus shipping and handling. multi -unit sets and DoubleSelections may be somewhat higher )How the Club works: every four weeks (13 times a year)youll receive our Music Magazine. It describes the -Clas-sical Select on of the Month" plus scores of classicalreleases. as well as selections from other fields of music.In addition. up to six times a year we may send somespecial issu.s of the Magazine with ext'a-special savings.for a total of up to 19 buying opportunitiesThere is no obligation to accept the 'Selection of theMonth" -you order only the recordings you want whenyou want them! A special response card will be enclosedwith each Magazine -mail t by the date specified to orderor reject any selection. And if you want only the "Selectionof the Month", do nothing -it will be shipped automatically.And you II have at least ten 'ull days in which to make yourdecision -if you ever have less time than that. feel free toreturn the -Selection of the Month, at our expense.You may cancel membership at any time after you'vepurchased 8 selections or continue under our money-saving bonus plan And if not satisfied fcr any reason, justreturn your introductory snipment within 10 days -yourmembership will be canceled and you w II owe nothing.Special Start -Your -Membership -Now Offer: you may alsochoose your first selection now -and well send it to you for atleast 60°0 of regular Club prices (only 52.99) This discountpurchase reduces your membership obligation immediately -you then need buy lust 7 more (instead of 8) in the next threeyears. Just check box in application anc fill in the number ofyour first selectionNote: selection.. with two numbers are 2 -record sets or double -length tapesEach of these Amble selections" counts as 2 -so write in both numbers

-COLUMBIA CLASSICAL CLUBColumbia House, Terre Haute, IN 47811Please accept my membership application under the termsoutlined in this advertisement Send me the 11 classicalselections listed here for only $1 00 plus shipping andhandling agree to buy eight more selections (at regularClub prices) in the coming three years -and may cancelmembersIiip at any time alter doing soSend my selections in this type of recording (check one):

TAPE CASSETTES STEREO RECORDS

Send me these11 selections

viClassical

Mr.MrsMiss Print F,rst Name !noel Last Name

Address Apt.

City

State ZIPDo you have a telephone? (check one) D YES ONO 661/SS5Do you have a credit card? Ocheck one) YES D NOIN, oiler ,s nor ava,latare in APQ FPO Alaska HaAA, Puerto Arco pleas,Ante Or delsels ol aireFnaave oiler

I-1 Also send my first serections for at least a 60°C discountfor which I will be billed an additional 52 99 I then need buy

only 7 more (instead of 8) at regularClub prices in the coming three years

XZJ/ME XD(/PAD

THE HIGH END

by Ralph Hodges

Back to the Source

(THIN the audio com-munity there is a his-tory of home-brewtape recorders that,

in some respects, is genuinelythought -provoking. As recently asthe 1960's many hi-fi enthusiastsbought tape recorders (open -reel, ofcourse) in kit form, and only a shorttime before that you could buynaked tape transports and combinethem with whatever electronics youliked or could put together yourself.The typical result would be embar-rassed by the meanest of today'scassette decks, but this hobbyist ac-tivity inspired a fine and fearlesstradition of setting one's own stand-ards as to how a tape recordershould work and assembling a deckaccordingly.

Some of the latest fruits of thistradition can actually be bought byconsumers, as in the case of theMark Levinson ML -5, and otherscan at least be heard on releases onseveral audiophile labels. Amongthe latter, none is as radically dis-tinctive as the brainchild of inven-tor Keith Johnson, which is usedprincipally at present for many ofthe offerings from Reference Re-cordings (P.O. Box 77225-X, SanFrancisco, Calif. 94107), an esotericrecord label that Johnson creditswith honing much of his sensitivityfor high -end concerns.

Johnson came to tape at the age of

seven, constructed a stereo machinein junior high school, learned tobuild heads at Ampex, taught atStanford, where he accrued live -recording experience, and had hisrecorder in essentially final form byabout 1960. It is a conspicuousexample of what professional -levelanalog tape machines could havebeen like today if industry thinkinghad gone a little differently duringthose critical years.

Johnson's first concern was equal-ization, to combat noise at lowrecording levels and distortion athigh ones. "As an experiment," herecalls, "we put two ordinary re-cording channels in series, operatedone at very low levels and the otherat very high ones, and listened criti-cally to the combination of the two,representing the worst of both thenoise and distortion worlds. Beingable to hear the problems clearlyand authentically, we adjustedequalization independently on thetwo channels until the combinationsuggested a single characteristic thatseemed to sound best. It turned outto be considerably different fromwhat has become the industrystandard, but it was what we electedto use in the final machine."

To optimize results using thisequalization characteristic, theJohnson team needed a hedgeagainst high -frequency tape satura-

The hobbyists' activityinspired a traditionof setting one's ownstandards as to how atape recorder shouldwork and assembling amachine accordingly.Inifil0011111111111111111111r

tion. This took the form of a specialrecord head that focuses the very -high -frequency bias (3.5 MHz atpresent) in a tight field pattern,enabling the tape to pass out of thebias -influence region before the im-pinging audio is weakened signifi-cantly. Additional benefits include amore strictly defined effective posi-tion for the record gap and vastlyreduced sensitivity of the entire re-cording system to bias -strength fluc-tuations. Focused -field technology

was neither new nor completelyunutilized even in 1960, but John-son's work appears to take it to itsmost sophisticated form.

Cleaning up the high frequenciesnaturally brought low -frequency de-ficiencies to the foreground. "Fortu-nately," says Johnson, "topologiespermitted by solid-state electronicslet us wrap feedback around the

"We adjusted equalizationindependently . . . until thecombination suggested asingle characteristic . . .

considerably differentfrom what has become theindustry standard."

-Keith Johnson

heads themselves in a way that per-mitted useful control of the dy-namic range-particularly large forlow frequencies-the electronicshad to pass. Largely for preserva-tion of phase integrity, we made thepresent machine flat within 1 or 2dB down to 3 or 4 Hz, and it is freeof noticeable head -contour effectswithout resorting to resonant cir-cuits."

There are other novelties inJohnson's recorder-such as excep-tionally narrow tape tracks ("Widertracks would bring on severe align-ment headaches for, at best, a 3 -dBS/N improvement more appro-priately obtained elsewhere") and a15-ips speed limit ("Faster only ag-gravates head -contour effects")-that have fascinating and intricateimplications. In sum, the devicebrings many old and some newideas together in a machine that, indetail, almost amounts to a newspecies of tape recorder. And thetechnology is, in general, also ap-plicable to home recorders.

Listening to what this machinecan do is the only way of determin-ing whether it represents what ana-log tape recording should havebeen. My own exposure to it hasgiven me great cause to wonder howmuch better analog recording mightbe today if it had evolved along thesame lines as Keith Johnson's ma-chine did.


T E R E 0

I-1 Gis C I-1

HIGH TECH FORUM was created so that youand the manufacturers could share the ideas,concepts and philosophies behind their mostadvanced products.

In HIGH TECH FORUM you'll get in on behind -the -scenes manufacturing processes that makefor a superior audio component or line of com-ponents. Learn from company engineers howthey achieved the desired sonic quality. Inshort, learn what makes these products meetyour high standards of music reproduction.

R E V

Advertisement

I-1 I G I.1T I. C I -I

FORUM Mission...in the service of Music.

Mission Electronics is one of thoseincreasingly rare companies whosetechnological expertise is totally dedi-cated to the service of music. It is ourintention -our mission, if you will -toraise the science of sound reproduc-tion to the highest possible level. Inworking toward that end, Mission hasin its short history become well estab-lished as a manufacturer of trulystate-of-the-art products. Based inHuntingdon, England, Mission hasachieved a formidable reputation inEurope that is only now reaching theUnited States.

DESIGN DIVERSITYMost audiophile equipment manufactur-ers have earned their reputations by con-centrating their efforts on a particularcomponent. Mission's reputation, how-ever, is based not only on our superbloudspeaker systems, our phono car-tridges, tone arms, turntables, and ampli-fiers are held in equally high esteem byknowledgeable audiophiles throughoutthe world. It should be understood that itwas not merely the urge to have ourfingers in a multiplicity of technical piesthat drove us to such a wide range ofequipment.

It is our position that without anin-depth technical and philosophicalunderstanding of the problems of musicreproduction, no single component canbe optimally designed...and in any case,components are best designed as part ofan overall system. The full explanation ofour approach, which involves stage -by -stage bandwidth optimization, imped-ance matching, elimination of interfacedistortions, and so forth, is unfortunatelymore complex than can be covered inthe limited space available.

THE 70 MIC II SYSTEM.An example of our special approach toproduct design is provided by the newMk. II version of our smallest loudspeaker,the Mission 70. Our design objective wasto produce a very compact system thatwas capable of handling the frequencyrange and dynamics of live music withoutrequiring an excessive amount of ampli-fier power. Satisfaction of that goal auto-matically assures the ability to reproducedigital master tapes, while remaining lin-ear at all listening levels.

It is not generally appreciated that, forseveral reasons, it is far more difficult todesign an excellent small speaker systemthan an excellent large one. A smallenclosure's limited internal volume andhigh internal acoustic pressures demandspecial construction techniques. Theseare needed to suppress reflections or res-onances occurring both in the air massinside the cabinet and in the cabinetwalls themselves

SPECIFICATIONSMISSION 70 MK. II

Frequency range:Frequency response:Impedance, nominal.Recommended power.SensitivityTweeter, domeWoofer, coneCrossover freq..Cabinet (hxwxd)Finish, grille

40 Hz 20kHz60 Hz-20kHz ± 3db8 ohms20-75 w/ch89d8 (1W/1m)3/4" Polymer7" Plastiflex2.2 kHz14x8'hx814"Walnut. black

RESONANCE CONTROL.If not properly controlled, enclosure reso-nances blur transients and impart a nasal,muddy, or boomy quality to upper -bassnotes and male voices. In the Mission 70,internal resonances and standing wavesare absorbed by special Mission -devel-oped open -cell acoustic -foam blocks thatoccupy most of the enclosure's internalvolume. Special construction techniqueswere employed in the 70's cabinet toachieve the desired acoustical charac-teristics without the need for heavypanels and internal bracing. We used athree -layer construction, thin panels ofhigh -density composition board sand-wiching a specially developed visco-elas-tic material. This arrangement providesan optimum combination of structural


rigidity, internal damping, and low mass.Most manufacturers take their cabinet

construction for granted -with the expec-tation that their customers will also. Wehave discussed assembly details simply toillustrate the depth of our concern forevery aspect of design that affects thesonic performance of our products. But,of course, the main determinant of aspeaker system's performance is thequality of its drivers and crossover.

THE DRIVERS.The 70 employs a 7 -inch woofer with aunique Plastiflex cone crossed over at2.2 kHz to a 3/4 -inch Ferrofluid-dampedpolymer dome tweeter. The criticallydesigned six -element crossover networkoperates in conjunction with Mission'sinverted driver geometry to provide astartlingly realistic stereo sound stage.

Among the performance parametersdetailed in the specification chart at leftthere is one whose significance is not uni-versally appreciated. A loudspeaker's sen-sitivity specification indicates its efficiencyin converting an amplifier's electricaloutput into acoustic energy. Every 3 dBincrease in speaker sensitivity halves theamplifier power needed for a givenacoustic output. The logical answer,therefore, to the wide dynamics of digitalprogram material is not more powerfulamplifiers -although Mission is preparedto supply them. Instead, we prefer todesign loudspeaker systems that candeliver digital peak levels without requir-ing enormous power inputs.

At this point, a critical listening sessionat your Mission dealer is worth far morethan anything we could add. Of course,there is much more to the Mission Elec-tronics story, and we would be pleased tomake it available to you either by mail...orbetter yet, at your nearest Mission dealer.We would very much appreciate theopportunity to demonstrate the qualitiesthat we've been telling you about.

I 115S1(111-1LECTR011ICS

For Further InformationCall 416-673-3777For Dealer Nearest You CallTOLL -FREE 800-633-2252 Ext 867

Advertiser -lent

Unique Flat Wave Speaker Systems from SFI

You may be reading about SFI for thefirst time. Actually, SFI has beeninvolved in loudspeaker driver designthrough its brother company in Japan,Sawafuji, since 1922. SFI's continuingresearch into transducer technologyhas led to a number of internationalpatents and an enviable reputationamong equipment manufacturers as ahigh -quality design and manufactur-ing source. Sawafuji-produced ribbontweeters, flat -diaphragm headphoneelements, and other transductiondevices are found in respected high -end audio components throughoutthe world.

SFI recently successfully completed aresearch program dedicated to thedevelopment of a new generation offlat wave loudspeaker transducers.The result: a series of high- and low -frequency drivers with dramaticallyimproved sound quality.

PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS.To appreciate what SFI has achieved, it'snecessary to understand the essentialproblems that have troubled conven-tional loudspeakers for almost 60 years.Conventional diaphragms tend to storeenergy, buckle, and break up into reso-nant modes under the impact of the largeforces applied in a small area by the voicecoil. This results in distortions in phase,amplitude, frequency, and dispersion -which covers just about everything thatgoes wrong in a loudspeaker.

The solution to all these problems is adriver with a very low -mass, non -resonantdiaphragm that is linearly driven over itsentire radiating surface. However, thepractical realization of such a planarspeaker system is certainly not easy -asprevious and current producers of suchdesigns have discovered. The challenge isto combine the transient response, defini-tion, and openness of an electrostatictransducer with the reliability, dynamicrange, bass performance, and non -prob-lematic drive requirements of a standardelectromagnetic cone transducer.

SFI'S DRIVERS.In 1922, Sawafuji's engineers abandonedthe conventional cone and cylindricalvoice coil. Instead they developed a flatvoice coil etched on the entire surface of

a Polysolpon'" film diaphragm. The dia-phragm, which is only a few thousandthsof an inch thick, is immersed in an intensemagnetic field. When used as a head-phone elemert, the flat -wave ribbontweeter has a smooth response extendingfrom 10 Hz to 100 kHz. And, as a tweeterin a speaker system, its performance isequally impressive.

Applying the distributed -drive, voice -coil principle to a low -frequency trans-ducer required an enormous amount ofengineering time. Bass reproductiondemands large air movements which, inturn, require large diaphragm excursions;a difficult task for a flat wave transducerSawafuji engineers perservered, and theDynapleats transducer emerged fromtheir laboratories.

SIGMA EDGE SPECIAL 'ILIA DIAPIGIAM

VOICECOIL

MAGNET

Dynapleats-front viewFLAT.WAVE SOUND

UPPED SEAM MEE

V bin vJi Li

PRAM

WOKE CO4 PERIPTE MAGNET YEE PLATE LOGIEE MONA EDGE

MACE 1011,12, POLE

Dynapleats-side view

The diaphragm of the Dynapleats, 61/4 x6'h inch, low -frequency driver utilizes aPolysolponTM diaphragm that is aerody-namically pleated with the voice coilintegrated into the entire surface of thedriver. (See side -view diagram.) An arrayof high-energy strontium bar magnets setwithin the ridges interacts with the dis-tributed voice coil, and a unique high -compliance, long -excursion Sigma edgesuspension supports the diaphragmperimeter Th.s proprietary arrangementensures thermal stability and ruggedness,wide dynamic range, and extended bassresponse.

I -I I G I -IT IE C I -I

l) t%IF

SFI SYSTEMS.The state-of-the-art SFI systems, the DigitalReference, employs an array of sixteen6'5" x 6'h", low -frequency drivers, four6i'" x 6W' midrange drivers and eight rib-bon tweeters installed on a handsome 35x 56 x 3 -inch dipolar radiating baffle. Thelow -frequency array has far more "cone"surface than an 18 -inch woofar whilesimultaneously providing the resonance -'Tee fast rise time of light -weight dia-phragms. Crossover is at 600 Hz to thefour midrange drivers arranged in a verti-cal line -source configuration for wide,out controlled, dispersion The eighttweeters, crossed over at 5,000 Hz, formanother vertical array for erhanced dis-persiol The SFI systems, with their flatwave drivers, are inherently phase accu-rate And the wide operating range ofthe Dynapleats drivers allows the use ofsimple, inductorless high-pass networksas crossovers

For a demonstration of the range of SFIsystems currently available -all using thestate-of-the-art SFI flat wave drivers -visityour SFI dealer. You will hear, for the firsttime, tne solid bass and dynamic range ofthe best of the conventional systems,combined with the open, transparentqualities and superb definition of the fin-est electrostatics. This is achieved withoutthe limitations of electrostatics, i.e., spe-cial amplifiers anc limited bass responses.For more technical information on thisspeaker and other products, along withthe address of your nearest SFI dealer,write to:

IMIN116 Sim MI41111MOWSawalupAmorkaCorp.

23440 Hawthorne BoulevardSuite I 30, Torrance, CA 90505

IF YOU'RE WHATOBSESSIVE

ABOUTDIGITAL AUDIO,

WELCOMETO THE CLUB.

It's the Sony Digital AudioClub. The world's first club dedi-cated to creating awareness andunderstanding of the remarkabletechnology behind compact discplayers-from the company mostqualified to provide it.

This year, to welcome you tothe club, you'll receive specialpromotions on compact discs; dis-counts on digital accessories; ourquarterly newsletter, "The SonyPulse"; The Sony Book of DigitalAudio Technology (over 300 pagesof facts and details); a 30"x 40"digital audio poster; a digitally -

recorded compact disc; and ex-tensive information about thelatest advances in digital prod-ucts from Sony-the leader in di-gital audio.

To become a member, sim-ply mail the coupon below, alongwith a check or money order for$15 * to Sony Digital Audio Club,PO. Box 161, Lowell, Mass. 01852."

And join the thousands of peo-ple who are already well on theirway to satisfying their obsessions.

Name

Address

City

State Zip

* $3.00 additional for postage and han-dling outside the U.S.** Please allow 4-6weeks for delivery.

SONYTHE LEADER IN DIGI . AUDIO"

SRM 1/85

THEY'RE WATCHING

ALISON AMESVice President ofPolyGramClassics; Head of DeutscheGrammophon, USA

HEN I got my SanyoBeta Hi-Fi VCR, thefirst cassettes Ibought were La Tra-

viata with Placido Domingo andTeresa Stratas and 'Horowitz inLondon,' " says Alison Ames. Shehad seen the Traviata film in amovie theater and knew the Horo-witz concert from RCA Records,but in some ways she preferred bothprograms in home video.

"In the theater some of the Tray:-ata performances seemed over-blown, but they were just right onthe smaller screen. Both Stratas andDomingo were superb. The Horo-witz concert may not have been hisgreatest performance as a pianist,but video offers a very interestingopportunity to watch this canny oldentertainer work his charm on theaudience-and on me.

"The sound on the Horowitz cas-sette is clear, sharp, and wonderful.It's very well done. Unfortunately.the sound on the Traviata is quitedisappointing. If I can be excusedfor promoting my own company,I'd like to say that sonically thesoundtrack-on both film and vid-eo-is far inferior to the Deutsche

Grammophon recording of Travia-ta, which coincidentally also starsPlacido Domingo."

Ms. Ames's job requires that shespend many evenings at the operaor at concerts, but a VCR makes itpossible for her to keep up withfilm, an art form she enjoys a greatdeal. "When I do get a free evening,I don't have the patience to stand inline for a movie, so I rent a couple atTower Video on the way home. I'mnot up for buying many new mov-ies. You take too many chances. Forexample, The Big Chill is beloved ofYuppies, but I hated it and was gladI'd spent only $2.50 to rent it."

Classic movies are somethingelse, however, and Ms. Ames isbuilding a collection that includessuch things as The African Queen,All About Eve, and Death on theNile. Recent acquisitions are RainerWerner Fassbinder's Despair andWoody Allen's Zelig. "I don't carefor Allen as a rule," she says, "but Iliked him in this picture, which Ifound subtle and entertaining.Technically it's very well done."

Instead of taping movies off theair, she prefers the commercialproduct because the quality is somuch better. She uses taping off theair toward completing her library ofthe TV series The Honeymooners("I'm about half way there") and fortimeshifting broadcast concerts("Few are interesting enough tokeep for second viewings").

Ms. Ames does not yet have a vid-eo -disc player. "Space is limited inNew York apartments," she says,"and I'm waiting for a machine thatwill earn its keep by playing bothCompact Discs and video discs."

Her next software purchase willprobably be the movie Jules et Jim,a collaboration between the actorOskar Werner and director FrancoisTruffaut, both of whom died recent-ly. "I'm curious about the sound onVideo Arts International's movie ofRosenkavalier conducted by Her-bert von Karajan. It won't be asgood as the sound of his new DGrecording of that opera, of course,but VAI thinks it's good enough torelease in Beta Hi-Fi. What I reallylong for in video is Karajan's film ofMadama Butterfly with Mirella Fre-ni and Domingo. I can't wait to getmy eyes on that-and my earstoo." William Livingstone


POPULAR

Discs and tapesChris AlbertsonLouis MeredithAlanna NashMark PeelPeter ReillySteve SinieIs

MUSIC

reviewed by

.-mummmirTHE ANIMALS: Rip It to Shreds/Greatest Hits Live! The Animals (vo-cals and instrumentals); other musi-cians. It's Too Late; House of the RisingSun; It's My Life; Don't Bring MeDown; and six others. IRS SP 70043$8.98, ©CS 70043 $8.98.

Performance: UninspiredRecording: Sloppy

Friends of mine who made it to the1983 concerts by the temporarily re-united Animals came back raving, buton the basis of "Rip It to Shreds" it'shard to understand why. Mostly thisseems like halfhearted stuff. The occa-sional updates of the arrangements arepointless, lead singer Eric Burdonshouts too much, and the band general-ly sounds weak in the knees. It's onlyfair to say, however, that this is a lousylive recording job-over-echoey andunder-miked (guitarist Hilton Valen-tine's parts could have been phonedin)-so it's at least possible that thegroup was as exciting as my pals seemedto think. Or maybe you just had to bethere. In any case, even if you're an Ani-mals fan from way back, I'd pass on thisparticular party. S.S.

BAD MANNERS: Forging Ahead (seeBest of the Month, page 68)

CHARLES COCHRAN: HauntedHeart. Charles Cochran (vocals); Rich-ard Rodney Bennett (piano); Steve La -Spina (bass); Teddy Tedesco (drums).Street of Dreams; Make Me Rainbows; ILove You Again; Maybe September; OurLove Rolls On; and seven others. Au-DIOPHILE AP 177 $7.98 (from Audio-phile Records, 3008 Wadsworth MillPlace, Atlanta, Ga. 30032).

Performance: Expertly stylishRecording: Good

Charles Cochran is a new name to me,but it is obvious that he's been aroundthe business for a while. The kind ofintelligent, direct, and graceful singingon this album doesn't just happen. It is

Explanation of symbols:

0 = Digital -master analog LPC) = Stereo cassettepo = Digital Compact Disce = Monophonic recording

TALKINGHEADS LIVE

N. one needs to tell head HeadDavid Byrne to "Stop Mak-ing Sense," which is the titleof a new concert film by the

Talking Heads and also of the group'ssecond live album. Byrne is as bizarreand energized as ever. During the"event," he gives himself up to a seriesof elaborate dances (a "duck dance," a"jogging dance," a "knock-knee dance,"a "wiggle dance," and so on) that areblocked and timed with Broadway pre-cision. He also wears a very large, stiffwhite suit. Maybe it's a spoof on Gior-gio Armani, I don't know.

Now, maybe you're getting a littletired of this kind of gratuitous oddityfrom the New Wave, but in this case,believe me, it won't matter: "Stop Mak-

,nc ing Sense" happens to be a great liveperformance. The recording is sharpand close up, the playing intense, even

...... inspired. Byrne's vocals are characteris-tically mannered, but then it wouldn'tbe the Talking Heads if they weren't.

6 The song selection is wide ranging (all,Er4 the Heads' albums are represented), yett the record manages to achieve a consist -:co ent, unified feel. I think we could have

done without one more version of TakeMe to the River, but electrifying ver-sions of Swamp, Slippery People, andBurning Down the House more thanmake up for that.

Jerry Harrison's keyboard playingshoulders a terrific amount of the musicwith virtuosic ease, and the arrange-ments are given extra muscle by theaddition of Bernie Worrel on key-boards. Alex Weir on guitar, and SteveScales on percussion. The seeminglyubiquitous Scales, in particular, givesthe music real bite.

So forget the big white suit andBryne's contrived weirdness. "StopMaking Sense" makes all the sense goodrock-and-roll has to make. It rocks.

Mark Peel

TALKING HEADS: Stop MakingSense. David Byrne (vocals, guitar);Chris Frantz (drums, vocals); TinaWeymouth (bass, vocals); Jerry Harri-son (guitar, keyboards, vocals); othermusicians. Psycho Killer; Swamp; Slip-pery People; Burning Down the House;Girlfriend Is Better; Once in a Lifetime;What a Day That Was; Life DuringWartime; Take Me to the River. SIRE25121-I $8.98, @ 25121-4 $8.98.

David Byrne:as bizarre as ever


the result of someone's studying andlearning his craft to near perfection andthen being able to relax within thatknowledge and concentrate on commu-nicating, lightly and deftly. The bestexample of this approach would have tobe Fred Astaire. Cochran's own song, ILove You Again, is of particular inter-est, but there isn't anything here thatisn't performed with enormous styleand taste. More, please. P.R.

PLACIDO DOMINGO: Always in MyHeart (Siempre en mi corazon). PlacidoDomingo (tenor); Royal Philharmonic

Orchestra, Lee Holdridge cond. Sibon-ay; Noche azul; Maria La 0; La com-parsa; Siempre en mi corazon; and fiveothers. CBS FM 38828, © FMT 38828,(§) MK 38828, no list price.

Performance: DisappointingRecording: Overdone

This recording by Placido Domingo is amajor disappointment, at least for me.I've always been an admirer of Domin-go and equally an admirer of ErnestoLecuona's music. Unfortunately, thisalbum serves neither of them well. MiltOkun's production is garish, Lee Hol-

How To Improve A Winner:The NAD 7155 Receiver,

We started with a winner: the NAD 7140. Heralded as one of thefinest receivers ever, this is the product Stereo Review ca/led"unmatched at its price."

Using the 7140 as a foundation, NAD added a newly designedphono preamp with 107 dB of dynamic range and independentlisten and record selectors. We then increased the power andcurrent delivery by more than 40%, resulting in peak poweroutput in excess of 110 watts per channel.

We packaged this formidable amplifier section with the cir-cuitry of our separate 4155 tuner, which Len Feldman of Audiomagazine has described as "outperforming competing productscosting much, much more." The result is the new NAD 7155Receiver - another winning combination from NAD.

As our toughest critic, you are invited to visit your local NADdealer and audition the 7155 for yourself. We're sure you will giveit a rave review.

For more mformation on the NAD 7155 and a list of dealers, send us the coupon below.

NADNAME

ADDRESS

CITY STATE ZIP

NAD (USA), INC., 676 Canton Street, Norwood, MA 02062

For Dealer Nearest You Call TOLL -FREE 800-633-2252 Ext 855CIRCLE NO. 31 ON READER SERVICE CARD

dridge's arrangements are needlesslygimmicky and elaborate, and Domingosings this insinuating, melody -drenchedrepertoire as if he were in training forhis recent appearances in Lohengrin.The only really satisfactory Lecuona re-cording I've ever heard remains thecomposer's piano run-through of sev-eral of his songs on an ancient RCArelease. P.R.

MARK GRAY: Magic. Mark Gray (vo-cals); vocal and instrumental accom-paniment. /t Ain't Real (If It Ain't You);Wounded Hearts; Lean on Me; 'Til theHeartache Is Over; Left Side of the Bed:If All the Magic Is Gone; and four oth-ers. COLUMBIA B6C 39143, © B6T39143, no list price.

Performance: Sleep -provokingRecording: Okay

Mark Gray is a former member of Exilewho left because he wanted to be a soloperformer. Judging from this album, I'dsay Gray apparently sees himself as asort of blue-eyed soul brother, but hisvoice isn't very natural -sounding, and ithas artificialities and colorations allthrough it. Like Exile, Gray comes froma copy -band background, but unlike hisold pals, he hasn't moved much from it.Gray was the co -writer (with Exile'sJ. P. Pennington) of Alabama's big hits,"Take Me Down" and "The Closer YouGet." But his lyrics on this album are sopredictable that you can easily guess thenext line. And as for the interpretations,well, he does nothing for Bill Withers'sLean on Me. He does hit all the notessquarely, but that's about the only thingthat rings true on this debut LP. Other-wise, "Magic" sounds more like sleight-of-hand. A.N.

TOM T. HALL: Natural Dreams. TomT. Hall (vocals); instrumental and vocalaccompaniment. Famous in Missouri;Before Jessie Died; They Captured theOutlaw Last Night; P.S. I Love You;Brand New Bartender; I See; and fourothers. MERCURY 822 425-I $8.98, ©822 425-4 $8.98.

Performance: LaconicRecording: Very good

There's something reassuring aboutmost of Tom T. Hall's albums. Maybeit's the authoritative timbre of his cor-duroy -smooth baritone, or the familiar-ity of the dobro and the jingle -jangleguitar. The thing is, such amenities-combined with Hall's folksy, yet novel-istic observations of life-tend to ob-scure the occasions when Hall is justbluffing. First, you're disarmed by thenow -I'm -going -to -tell -you -a -story tone,and then by affecting word portraits ("Alittle dog on the side of the road/Longbeen dead and long been cold"). Butwhen you start adding up the plots andthe actual stories here, you come upwith pretty slim pickings.

Every album doesn't have to be a fullharvest, of course, but Hall's also start-ing to run the risk of formula on hisalbums-a couple of sensitive, forgot-

ten -character songs, a song about get-ting drunk, and at least one or two iro-ny -filled social -commentary tunes.Even when he's only running at half -speed, though, Tom T. is far more fasci-nating than most. And that dog imagesure gets stuck in your mind. .4.N.

CHRIS HILLMAN: Desert Rose.Chris Hillman (vocals, guitar, mando-lin); vocal and instrumental accom-paniment. Why You Been Gone SoLong; Somebody's Back in Town;Rough and Rowdy Ways; Running theRoadblocks; and six others. SUGAR HILLSH-3743 $8.98, © SH-C-3743 $8.98.

Performance: Sweet and simpleRecording: Good

On first listening, Chris Hillman's"Desert Rose" sounds like a picker'salbum without much picking. The pres-ence of such sidemen as Byron Berlineon fiddle, Glen D. Hardin on piano,and James Burton on guitar suggestslong -stretch, showcase solos, but as onhis last album, "Morning Sky," Hill-man opts for ensemble sound most ofthe time, keeping the flash to a mini-mum. The record could have used a lit-tle more passion and raw energy, I

think, but in the long run Hillman prob-ably made the right choice, consideringhis mission-preserving the flavor andthe authenticity of the old style througha contemporary blend of country, coun-try/rock, and bluegrass. Overall, "Des-ert Rose" is a thoroughly satisfying mixof country and bluegrass classics andmodern tunes done up in offshootstyles. The instrumental riffs don'tstand out quite as much as I'd like, andthe vocals are a little too far back to suitme, but this is still a honey of an album,the musical equivalent of bluebird wineon a warm afternoon. A.N.

HUSKER DU: Zen Arcade. Husker Du(vocals and instrumentals). Something ILearned Today; Broken Home, BrokenHeart; Never Talking to You Again;Chartered Trips; Dreams Reoccurring;Indecision Time; Hare Krsna; Beyondthe Threshold; and fifteen others. SST027 two discs $10.

Performance: Mostly compellingRecording: Okay

Husker Du has developed a reputationas the thinking person's hard-core band,and after listening to "Zen Arcade,"which for sheer ambition and varietyrecalls nothing so much as the Beatles'"White Album" (without sounding likeit, of course), it's fairly obvious why. Alyrically bitter, instrumentally stunningcollection of songs ranging from thepolitical to the personal, the album is agenuine tour de force.

I'm unconvinced by the concludingtrack here, a fourteen -minute instru-mental that makes suitably industrial -strength noises but verges on Maha-vishnu Orchestra territory, and the al-bum's no-nonsense (read: cheapo) pro-duction comes off more as an affecta-tion than a valid aesthetic or political

decision. Still, there's an astonishingamount of superior music here, and likethe early Clash, which this stuff also insome way resembles, most of it shouldhave a genuinely cleansing effect onears polluted by the pabulum currentlydominating the American airwaves.Passionate, raucous, great stuff, andhighly recommended. S.S.

JEFFERSON STARSHIP: NuclearFurniture. Jefferson Starship (vocalsand instrumentals). Layin' It on theLine; No Way Out; Sorry Me, SorryYou; Live and Let Live; Connection;

and six others. GRUNT BXLI-4971$8.98, BXKI-4971 $8.98.

Performance: Pretty goodRecording: Very good

Nearly twenty years after forming theJefferson Airplane, Paul Kantner re-mains one of rock's great cranks, a fieryorator and passionate promoter of so-cial and political upheaval. If his partic-ular brand of proselytizing seems dated,all the more reason that I'm glad he'sstill around. "Nuclear Furniture" is byno means a great album. It is, in fact,quite standard, heavy-metal fare, a di -

1,000 0 00 on

------------------------

t:

74

r.s.,..::1

-a , sv,irrim,,77:777477.1

i1

P::II..,,,c....-

ir ie;''ilI;i1h:;,a:Zr-14114.4!--P.::11.,c"..;, ic,.

1 ....,"'-,Ic_ A'.-!,

i ii I i 4 if, .......,,

. ,.... ,1 1 I 1I ."'ka; ..1

I a vr iy,, gJ.:7.-1sI

IS SOMETHING MISSINGFROM YOUR LIFE?

1'414114110M -

If performance audio equipment stereo system.

is important to you, it stands to There simply isn't enough room

reason that you're probably fussy here to detail Henry Kloss' develop -

about your video components. ments over 15 years that resulted inEspecially with all the video options Novabeam TV, the state-of-the-art inavailable these days from tapes to projection television. It's something

cable TV. you're got to see for yourself. AndSo why are you still watching you won't know what you're missing

your tiny TV? You're missing out on until you do.

the most incredible television viewing For complete information

experience ever. Novabeam television. (including specific installation details

It's so exciting and involving, you'll on over 20 Novabeam variations) and

feel like a participant in whatever the name of your nearest Novabeamyou're watching, instead of just an dealer, call the toll -free number listed

observer. below. Or write Kloss Video Corpor-

And if it's quality you're after, ation, 640 Memorial Drive, Cambridge,

you won't find a better picture. It's MA 02139.

what Video Review magazine called"by far the most impressive projec-tion TV we have ever seen." Formatching sound, all Novabeammonitors hook up easily to your WHAT TELEVISION SHOULD HAVE BEEN ALL ALONG.

For Dealer Nearest You Call TOLL -FREE 800-633-2252 Ext. 854CIRCLE NO 3 ON READER SERVICE CARD


Kloss Video Corporation

NOVABEAK

BLESSED

CARVER M -1.5tMagnetic Field Power

Amplifier

"...the equal of any power amplifier in transparency,focus and smoothness and, of course, far ahead ofany other we tested in sheer gut -shaking power anddynamic range. We especially enjoy hearing spatialdetail, instrumental definition and completely naturaldynamics on familiar records to a degree we did notknow was extractable from the grooves when we lis-tened through lesser amplifiers. At this level of sonicperformance, the astoundingly small size and cooloperation of the M -15t become the icing on the cake,rather than the main attraction."Peter Aczel The Audio Critic Winter 1982-83

Recent advances in analog and digital disc recordingtechnology have made source material with full, real -life dynamic range a reality.

But, if you want to hear this improvement in soundquality, your high fidelity system must include anamplifier fully capable of reproducing all of the music ...the CARVER M -1.5t Magnetic Field Power Amplifier.

350 watts rms/chan. into 8 ohms, 20-20 kHz withless than 0.5% THD. And most importantly, therating that is musically significant: 600 watts/chan. Long -Time -Period Reserve Power with 750watts/chan. Dynamic Headroom. Weight: 16 lbs.

The CARVER M -1.5t ...carefully and specifically designedfor those who seek highest fidelity and musical purity.

For more information please write to.

CARVERPowerful Musical - Accurate

P.O. Box 1237 19210 33rd Avenue West Lynnwood. WA 98036

rection the Starship has followed fornearly ten years behind the histrionicguitar of Craig Chaquico. This versionof the Starship also features Europeansynthesizer maven Peter Wolf, whocontributes a couple of forgettable songsbut some powerful, end -of -the -worldelectronic fireworks.

"Nuclear Furniture" aims to be apolemic against nuclear weapons, butevery time Kantner and Grace Slickwarm up to their subject, along comesChaquico or Pete Sears to dowse it insome pedestrian, heavy-metal paean tolove. Given half a chance-or a wholeside-this could have been another"Blows Against the Empire." As it is,there are still some incendiary mo-ments, especially on side two, much ofwhich traces the entwined tales of man'snuclear destruction and of a womannamed Rose, who seems to be partflesh -and -blood heroine and part a sym-bol of the human will to survive. It'smore convincing than I would havethought possible from the Starship andcarried off with the anarchistic bra-vado-shouting, sloganeering, obsceni-ties-that marked earlier diatribes like"Blows" and "Volunteers."

Unfortunately, most of side one andbig chunks of side two are given over tothe heavy-metal part of the show and,as such, can pretty much be written off.Still, how telling now to hear the Star-ship do a song, No Way Out, a guiltyadmission of infidelity that implies realdespair and contrition, and then re-member the skewed morality of Triadfrom "Crown of Creation" ("Why can'twe go on living as three?"). Which goesto show that not only have the Star -ship's political values survived prettymuch intact, their moral ones actuallyseem to be improving. M.P.

BARBARA MANDRELL & LEEGREENWOOD: Meant for Each Oth-er. Barbara Mandrell and Lee Green-wood (vocals); vocal and instrumentalaccompaniment. To Me; I'll Never SlopLoving You; We're a Perfect Match; ItShould Have Been Love By Now; SoftShoulder; Held Over; and four others.MCA MCA -5477 $7.98, MCAC-5477$7.98.

Performance: EnergizedRecording: Good

Lately, record company executives havebeen putting duet teams together fasterthan Chicagoans have been buying lot-tery tickets, so it's not surprising thatBarbara Mandrel! and Lee Greenwoodhave decided they're "meant for eachother." Oddly enough, as a duet teamthey probably are. Greenwood may be anewcomer next to the veteran Mandrel!,but as an entertainer he's really hermale counterpart. They both have aninherent huskiness to their voices, andin concert both performers beam asouped -up kind of energy, of the sorttransferred to their performances here.

I imagine the egos involved were sobig that the two singers had trouble fit-ting into the recording booth, but what -CIRCLE NO 49 ON READER SERVICE CARD

For Dealer Nearest You Call TOLL -FREE 800-633-2252 Ext 859

ever it took to make it, this is a fairlygood, very commercial album. Man-drell and Greenwood aren't exactly incompetition here, but neither of them isabout to let the other get the upperhand. Overall, "Meant for Each Other"turns out to be something extra, andquite possibly an award winner in nextyear's CMA awards. A.N.

BOB MARLEY AND THE WAIL-ERS: Legend. Bob Marley and theWailers (vocals and instrumentals). IsThis Love; No Woman No Cry; CouldYou Be Loved; Three Little Birds; Buffa-lo Soldier; I Shot the Sheriff Exodus;and seven others. ISLAND 90169-1$12.98, © 90169-4 $12.98.

Performance: ClassicRecording: Good

I don't envy the person who has to puttogether the "best" of anybody, espe-cially someone like Bob Marley, whosecareer spanned more than a decade. Butif I were putting together such a collec-tion, this isn't the one I would havechosen. There are fourteen songs-initself an indication of how hard it was tokeep this project on a single disc-butfive are from "Exodus," by no meansMarley's best record, and there are nonefrom what arguably was his best, "NattyDread." (The version of No Woman,No Cry is from "Live.") Two othersongs-Stir It Up and I Shot the Sher-iff-were popularized by other artists(Johnny Nash and Eric Clapton, respec-tively). Altogether, I think the collectioncould have used a little more politicsand a little less romance. M.P.

HAROLD MELVIN AND THEBLUE NOTES: Talk It Up (Tell Every-body). Harold Melvin and the BlueNotes (vocals); instrumental accom-paniment. Don't Give Me Up; I ReallyLove You; I Can't Let Go; This Is theLove; and four others PHILLY WORLD90187-1 $8.98, © 90187-4 $8.98.

Performance: ShallowRecording: Very good

Harold Melvin is generally acknow-ledged to be the man who first pepperedthe acts of singing groups with danceroutines. He formed the nucleus of theBlue Notes in the late Fifties, but thegroup did not really catch on until thepre -dawn of the disco era, the early Sev-enties. "Talk It Up" bears witness to thedurability of the group that spawnedTeddy Pendergrass, but it lacks theexcitement of earlier productions. Still,sentimental fool that I am, I find it hardto resist repeated plays of Time Be MyLover and What We Both Need (IsLove), the two real tear-jerkers in thisalbum. C.A.

YOKO ONO: Every Man Has a Wom-an. John Lennon, Harry Nilsson, EddieMoney, Rosanne Cash, Roberta Flack,others (vocals and instrumentals).Every Man Has a Woman Who LovesHim; Silver Horse; I'm Moving On; No-body Sees Me Like You Do; Goodbye

A pair ofwinners

ADS present twobest-sellers.

Some facts. And asmattering of

opinion.

The ADS L1290Woven soft -dometweeter. Benefit:

extended highfrequency response

with low coloration. 1Tweeter uses high -

gravity magneticcooling fluid.

Two-inch soft -domemid -range. Benefit:

exceptionalsmoothness incritical middle

frequencies. Uniformdispersion. Crisp,

precise, stereoimaging. 2

Two 8 -inch LineaDrive® woofers fo

superb bassresponse and highoutput. Each drivemounted in its ow

acoustic suspensionenclosure.

Imported walnucabinet. Als

available it mathblack. 4

Inside the cabinet: acrossover networkbuilt of cornputer-

grade components.Below and behind:

amplifier recess builtinto cabinet so the bi-

amp option can beinstalled neatly.

Stifflite woofercones, with high

rigidity -to -mass ratioproduce quick

transient response.The bottom line:

"...unusually flat

and smooth responseover the full audiorange and half anoctave beyond,excellent dispersion...bass distortionlower than that of anycommon programsource except adigital tape or disc."

Stereo ReviewThe ADS 300Superbly compactminispeaker (ADSinvented the"mini"and while others havefollowed we have yetto be topped.)

ame soft -dometweeter technology asarger ADS speakers.5Same woofer tech-

ology incorporatingutyl rubberurround, Stifflite®roofer cone. 6ame high -accuracyrossover technology.haracteristic,ncolored ADSound... best mini-eaker I have yetard. Well worthruble the price innic excellenceone."

Audio IdeasNo short-cuts taken.No stone unturned.ADS goes toextraordinary lengthsto build fine audiocomponents forhome and car. Writefor literature andname of your nearestdealer to RitaStein tour literatureexpert) at ADS,(Analog & DigitalSystems) 541Progress Way,Wilmington, MA01887.

Audio Apart.For Dealer Nearest You Call TOLL -FREE 800-633-2252 Ext. 857

© 1984 Analog & Digital Systems Irc

Sadness; and seven others. POLYDOR823 489-1 $8.98, © 823 489-4 $8.98.

Performance: PointlessRecording: Okay

Yoko Ono's inadequacies as a songwrit-er are so deep and intractable that noteven the combined forces assembled for"Every Man Has a Woman" can sustainthe illusion that she has any business ina recording studio. Ono's music goesbeyond primitivism to simple-minded-ness. It is droning, aimless, and justplain ugly. Her lyrics are as banal andawkward as poems in a high-school lit-

erary magazine. Even an adolescentcould be expected to do better than"Today is the first day of the rest ofyour life," yet, incredibly, there it is, inWake Up. Indeed, Yoko's most persis-tent theme is "Get out of bed," a call toaction so mundane and spiritless thatyou can easily believe that getting out ofbed is a major problem in the Onohousehold.

Words and music both suffer fromOno's remarkably short attention span.Silver Horse, for instance, begins asgreeting -card self-analysis, wanders intoa fairy tale that goes absolutely no -

FOR E SI-LERLar OF V,SIC

The Linn Sondek

The master link in a delicatechain of superb sound retrieval.A turntable of such remarkabledistinction that it can transformrecorded sound, and enrichthe capabilities of your entiresystem.Linn Sondek. It must be heard.

We wish you t ')e. best

For further information contact:AUDIOPHILE SYSTEMS LTD., 6842 HAWTHORN PARK DRIVE,INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, USA 46220ALDBURN ELECTRONICS LTD., 50 ROLARK DRIVE,SCARBOROUGH, ONTARIO, CANADA MIR 4G2

CIRCLE NO 26 ON READER SERVICE CARD

where, and winds up with the resound-ingly inconclusive and unjustified "Andthat's the story of a dreamer." No, that'sthe story of an undisciplined mind thatcan't complete a thought. M.P.

RED ROCKERS: Schizophrenic Cir-cus. Red Rockers (vocals and instru-mentals); Ralph Shuckett (organ); othermusicians. Just Like You; Blood from aStone: Shades of '45; Another Day; andfive others. COLUMBIA BFC 39281, ©BFT 39281, no list price.

Performance: One great trackRecording: Suitably big

This is a modest little album by a bandthat, in Winston Churchill's phrase, hasmuch to be modest about. A perfectlyrespectable but essentially facelessmelange of everything from the Who tothe Clash to the (gasp) Grass Roots, it'sbeen beautifully produced by RickChertoff but fails to make much of animpression. There are two notable ex-ceptions: Burning Bridges, which con-tains the ultimate trite Sixties rhyme("change" and "rearrange") and thusearns points for nerve, and an absolute-ly astonishing remake of Eve of Destruc-tion, a song I had never dreamed couldbe anything more than low-grade periodcamp. Here, however, with ringing gui-tars and haunting vocals, it sounds likethe apotheosis of every great single theByrds ever made, and I could listen to itforever. S.S.

RICKY SKAGGS: Country Boy. RickySkaggs (vocals, guitars, mandolin, fid-dles); instrumental and vocal accom-paniment. Country Boy; Something inMy Heart; Patiently Waiting; TwoHighways; Wheel floss; Rendezvous;and three others. Eric FE 39410, C)FET39410, no list price.

Performance: EnergeticRecording: Good

While Ricky Skaggs's last album,"Don't Cheat in Our Hometown," re-flected his strong bluegrass background,his new LP, "Country Boy," almostshouts its musical orientation in thetitle. "Country Boy" doesn't disavowSkaggs's bluegrass heritage (Bill Monroejoins him on mandolin for a train -stop-ping version of Monroe's Wheel floss),but it is definitely played down in favorof the beehive -hairdo side of countrymusic, as were Skaggs's first two Epicalbums when he was trying to get a toe-hold in the country market.

As an album, though, or as just goodrural music, Skaggs's new LP suffers notin the least. In fact, it is, as expected, adelightful, high-energy sampler of whatsmart country music can sound like-just old -fashioned -style country musicdelivered by one of the most dignifiedbackwoods musicians going and ac-cented by some of the most imaginativeand deft pickers in the business. BruceBouton's steel playing on Baby, I'm inLove with You, for example, and GarySmith's piano -noodling on I'm Readyto Go are pure, unadulterated joy. A.N.


ollmo Immo

FREEINFORMATION

SERVICE

Here s an easy way for you to get man-ufacturer s i 'formation about productsadvertised or mentioned editorially inthis issue. Just ollow the i rectionsbelow...and the iterature wil be sentto you free of charge from :he manu-facturer.

Tear out ore of the peroratedpostage -free cards. Please print or

type your name and address where in-dicated. Use only one card per person.

- Circle the numbers on the card that--.' correspond to the key numbers at

tne bottom of the advertiservart or edi-torial mention that interests. you. (Keynumbers for advertised produ:-.'s alsoappear in the Advertisers Index.)

Simply mail ..he card. One card perperson is all that is necessary. No

postage is required.

This address is for our Free Infor-mation Service' only. Al other in-

quiries are to be directed to. StereoReview, Ore Pak Ave., Ne.r York, N.Y.10016.

FREEINFORMATION

SERVICE

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 4546 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60

61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75

76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90

91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105

106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120

121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 '33 134 135

136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 143 147 143 149 150

151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160

4 0 Please send me 12 issues of Stereo Review for $4.99 and bil' me.(Full subscription price $9.98)

PLEASE PRINT- Use only one card per person.

NAM

ADDRESS

SR1853

CITY STATE ZIP CODE(Zip Code must be included to insure delivery.) Void after March 31. 1985

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 4.3 44 4546 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60

61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75

76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 36 87 88 89 90

91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 131 102 103 104 105

106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150

151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160

4 El Please send me 12 issues of Stereo Review for $4.99 and bill me.(Full subscription price $9.98)

SR1852PLEASE PRINT - Use only one card per person.

NAME

ADDRESS

CITY STATE ZIP CODE(Zip Code must be included to insure delivery ) Void after March 31, 1985

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 3031 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 4546 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 6061 52 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 7576 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 .36 87 38 89 9091 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 131 102 133 104 105

106 137 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160

4 Please send me 12 issues of Stereo Review for $4 99 and bill me(Full subscription price $9.98)

PLEASE PRINT- Use only one card per person. SR1851

NAME

ADDRESS

CITY STATE ZIP CODE(Zip Code must be included to insure delivery.) Void after March 31, 1985

BUSINESS REPLY CARDF MST CLASS PERMIT M27346 PHILADE LPHIA, PA.

POSTAGE WILL BE PAID BY ADDRESSEE

Stereo ReviewP.O. BOX 13878PHILADELPHIA, PA. 19101

NO POSTAGENECESSARYIF MAILED

IN THEUNITED STATES

BUSINESS REPLY CARDF I RST CLASS PERMIT #27346 PHI LADE I PHIA. PA.




IN THEUNITED STATES

BUSINESS REPLY CARDFIRST CLASS PERMIT #2734P PIP I ADELPHIA, PA.




IN THEUNITED STATES

'1Revised and °Pam"'

ssiereolwe"

TEST

RECORD AFF OEvik051.

/ORS AN° -p-FIESENI ,10 EASVTV4E: Et" 0 REVIEW UATE' OPEC'-s-my:1E AcC DEvEL

C 0 trA PEPIEE"sEy R E CARD° uEp ICT FRO 1 0 P4 TO -OS vlsED NAL SIA

ORIG1

This latest version contains everything you need toget the fullest, most realistic reproduction fromyour stereo equipment. You can actually performcomplete stereo system checkup by ear alone.A test lab in a record jacket

Employing the most advanced recording, master-ing, and pressing techniques, the Stereo ReviewSRT14-A is produced to strict laboratory standards.Engraved in its grooves are a series of preciselyrecorded test tones, frequency sweeps, and pinknoise signals that enable you to accurately analyzeand check your stereo system for: Frequency response. Wow and flutter. Stereo separation. Optimum speaker Cartridge tracking placement.

ability Cartridge Trackingbalance. Force Anti -skating. Channel

Hum and noise. Musical InstrumentIncluding turntable Tuning Standards, andrumble. more . . much more.

Step-by-step instructionsIncluded with SRT14-A is a detailed Instruction

manual, complete with charts, tables, and dia-grams. It explains the significance of each test. Ittells you what to listen for. It clearly describesany abberations in system response. And it detailscorrective procedures.

For professionals tooIncluded on the record are a series of tests that

call for the use of sophisticated measuring instru-ments, such as oscilloscopes, chart recorders, anddistortion analyzers. These tests permit the ad-vanced audiophile and professional to make precisemeasurements of transient response, recorded sig-nal velocity, anti -skating compensation, IM distor-tion, and a host of other performance characteristics.

SRTI4-A record contents CARTRIDGE TRACKING. HIGH FREQUENCY FREQUENCY RESPONSE, 20 kHz to 25 Hz SEPARATION. LEFT -TO -RIGHT / RIGHT -TO -LEFT CARTRIDGE TRACKING, LOW FREQUENCY CHANNEL BALANCE LOW -FREQUENCY NOISE TURNTABLE FLUTTER TONE -BURST CARTRIDGE AND SPEAKER PHASING FREQUENCY -RESPONSE SWEEP, 500 TO 20.000

Hz, LEFT AND RIGHT CHANNELINTERMODULATION DISTORTION

ANTI -SKATING ADJUSTMENT1000 -Hz REFERENCE TONES

FLUTTER AND SPEED ACCURACY STEREO SPREAD CHROMATIC OCTAVE STANDARD "A" GUITAR TUNING TONES

The tinI stepStart getting the most out of your stereo system.Make the SRT14-A your next record purchase. Justcomplete the coupon and mall it along with yourremittance .. today!

CHARGE ORDERS-tor your convonloncoPHONE TOLL FREE 800-526-0790.IN NEW JERSEY ONLY 201-540-0445.

Test Record, Dept 30013CN 1914. Morristown. NJ 07960

Please send SRT14-A Stereo Test Records0 $9.95 each (S11 95 outside U S A )

Enclosed is0 CHARGE 0 Visa

0 MasterCard0 American Express

Account tl Exp DateSignature

Print Name

Address

City/State/Zip

'Residents of CA. CO, CT. DC, FL. IL. MA. MI, MO, NJ and NY\...State add applicable sales tax

VIDEO

HEIFETZ/PIATIGORSKY. Wien-iawski: Polonaise. Gluck: Melodic. An-ton Rubinstein: Romance. Prokofiev:Romeo and Juliet: Masques. Other se-lections. Jascha Heifetz (violin); GregorPiatigorsky (cello). KULTUR V 1101VHS and Beta $59.95 (from Kultur,1340 Ocean Ave., Sea Bright, N.J.07760).

Performance: CuriousRecording: Period black and white

"Heifetz/Piatigorsky" combines severalblack -and -white films from the late For-ties and early Fifties. The first alternatesbetween Heifetz rehearsing, perform-ing, and doing such mundane chores aschanging a tire; the second has him andpiano accompanist Emanuel Bay play-ing Wieniawski's Scherzo-Tarantelleand one of Paganini's Caprices in con-cert A third features Heifetz and Bay inan impromptu recital that forms themajor body of music on this release:compositions by Brahms, Wieniawski,Gluck, Prokofiev, and Mendelssohn,concluding with the bravura Nora Stac-cato. The film devoted to cellist GregorPiatigorsky has a perfectly awful story -line designed to accommodate severalmusical selectionsby Bach, Chopin,ProKofiev, Tchaikovsky, and others-that save this part of the release fromtotal disaster. C.A.

RUBINSTEIN. Chopin: Waltz in C -sharp Minor; Polonaise in A Major;Polonaise in A -flat Major. Mendels-

sohn: Trio in D Minor. Other selections.Arthur Rubinstein (piano); with JaschaHeifetz (violin) and Gregor Piatigorsky(cello) in Trio. KULTUR V1102 VHSand Beta $59.95 (from Kultur, 1340Ocean Ave., Sea Bright, N.J. 07760).

Performance: Dated, but . .

Recording: Period black and white

This ninety -minute collection of threefilms is at times unintentionally hilar-ious. No date is given, but they wereclearly made thirty or forty years ago,when makers of commercial short filmsseemed to aim their work at simpletons.You'll love the scene where Arthur Ru-binstein is approached by a film execu-tive who wants to make the very footageyou see here. And who can forget thedramatic moment when the man hiredto write the film throws his script onRubinstein's floor because he suddenlyrealizes that no script is needed? Unfor-tunately, his realization is but a part of aparticularly awkward script that wasn'tdiscarded on the floor.

So what are we left with? A lot of fine,if somewhat hackneyed music in acharmingly dated setting, making thismore of a historical oddity than amusical experience. I love it. C.A.

DONNA SUMMER: A Hot SummerNight with Donna. Donna Summer (vo-cals); vocal and instrumental accom-paniment. MacArthur Park; Love Is inControl (Finger on the Trigger); Uncon-ditional Love; Romeo; Don't Cry for MeArgentina; On the Radio; Forgive Me;and eight others. PIONEER ARTISTS La-serDisc EP PA -84-083 $24.95.

Performance: SlickRecording: Excellent

Originally broadcast on HBO, this 1983concert finds the Disco Diva in averageform, running through a selection of herhits with somewhat less enthusiasmthan you or 1 might give to dramaticreadings from our tax returns. Thepackage does, however, confirm that

Summer is now a certifiable Star, in theRoss/Streisand sense, which doubtlesshas something to do with the overpow-ering miasma of Big -Time Show Bizthat hangs over this disc like a shroud.Yes, Summer's a great singer, and yes,she's capable (on record, at least) ofmaking emotionally involving music.But here she seems much more inter-ested in her costume changes than inthe songs she's singing.

Some relief is offered by MusicalYouth (reggae's answer to the originalJackson Five), but "A Hot SummerNight" is mostly just the usual LasVegas Wax Museum stuff masquer-ading as entertainment. L.M.

TWISTED SISTER: Stay Hungry.Twisted Sister (vocals and instrumen-tals). Introduction; The Kids Are Back;We're Not Gonna Take It; I WannaRock; Under the Blade; and seven oth-ers. PIONEER ARTISTS LaserDisc EP PA -84 -093 $24.95.

Performance: SillyRecording: Fine

Yet another made -for -MTV rock con-cert achieves home -video immortality.This cultural event by Long Islandheavy-metal mavens Twisted Sister issure to gladden the hearts of teenageheadbangers everywhere. Splitting hairsabout the merits of heavy-metal bandsis, of course, an exercise in futility akinto bailing out the English Channel witha teaspoon, but in fairness to these guys,it should be noted that their stuff is asgood as the genre gets. They're fineplayers, with showmanship to burn,and, on the basis of the staged videosintercut with the live footage that formsthe bulk of "Stay Hungry," they have asense of humor.

The photography is nice, and theLaserDisc sound is, as usual, terrific.But, although the band goes through itsroutines with genuine aplomb, this kindof calculated adolescent silliness haslong since outlived its usefulness. L.M.

Full Ste,Soungl

Only 3.3

Ounces!

/

New ATH-20 Stereophonesw,th

more sound -per-ounce than you

can imagine.Enloy the full, r.ch

bass missingfrom the ultra -

lights. With perscoalizedbass

dampingcontro', to match

east- ear. Ounce-for -ounce the

best sound is at your Audio-

Technicadealer now.

0, write

for latest catalog today.

ATH-20$54.95

audio-technica1221 Commerce

Dr. Stow.ONL4224

For Dealer Nearest You Call TOLL -FREE 800-633-2252 Ext 858CIRCLE NO 20 ON READER SERVICE CARD

Parasound. A taste of thenew working class.

For three

years we've been

quietly redefining ideasof value with a whole new classof audio and autosound products.

A sparkling example: The ITd900, a fullyautomatic direct -drive turntable v.iith 0.1° linear -tracking accuracy. Priced under $200.

A great reason to celebrate.

Parasound. For people who pursue value. And whenyou're savvy enough to spend less - to get more -

that's working class.

Parasound"Parasound Products, Inc.

680 Beach Street, San Francisco

CA 94109 (415 ) 673-4546

For Dealer Nearest You Call TOLL -FREE B00-633-2252 Ext. 862CIRCLE NO 8 ON READER SERVICE CARD

McIntoshSTEREO CATALOG

and FM DIRECTORYGet all the newest and latest information on the newMcIntosh stereo equipment in the McIntosh catalog. Inaddition you will receive an FM station directory thatcovers all of North America.

SEND

TODAY!

rMcIntosh Laboratory Inc.East Side Station P.O. Box 96Binghamton, N.Y. 13904-0096

NAME

ADDRESS

CITY

SR

STATE ZIP

.1

JAZZ

THE GEORGIA GRINDERS: A Tri-bute to Roy Palmer. Jim Snyder (trom-bone, vocals, whistle); the GeorgiaGrinders. Nancy Jane; Sweet Feet; En-durance Stomp; Tiger Moan; Dirty Doz-en's Cousins; South African Blues;Pleasure Mad; Shanghai Honeymoon;and eight others. STOMP OFF S.O.S.1068 $9.98 (from Stomp Off Records,P.O. Box 342, Dept. L, York, Pa.17405).

Performance: EchoesRecording: Excellent

Chicago trombonist Roy Palmer neverbecame as well recognized as, say, JackTeagarden or Kid Ory, but no moldy figworth his or her copy of King Oliver's"Zulu's Ball" hasn't heard and thrilledat the sound of Palmer's earthy horn.

I won't say that I got the same thrillfrom listening to the Georgia Grinder'sStomp Off release, "A Tribute to RoyPalmer," but it is nevertheless a skillful,pleasant set of selections that are hardlyever performed. The sound, as good asyou are ever likely to find on an analogdisc, is characteristic of this small, dedi-cated label. C.A.

KEITH JARRETT: Changes. KeithJarrett (piano); Gary Peacock (bass);Jack DeJohnette (drums). Flying;Prism. ECM C.) 25007-1 $9.98, © 25007-4 $9.98, 25007-2 $15.98.

Performance: Vocal pollutionRecording: Excellent

The phenomenal success of pianistKeith Jarrett's solo improvisationsseems to have peaked, but the beat-orlack of it-goes on. Actually, there is anoccasional beat to "Changes," a newalbum in which Jarrett is joined bybassist Gary Peacock and drummerJack DeJohnette. The music is fine, butthe extraneous noises generated by Jar-rett, not unlike a pig's squeals, soonbecome annoying. The album's thirty-seven -minute running time is about ahalf-hour short of a CD's capacity, sosome buyers of this format may feelshort-changed, but there is clear com-pensation in the clean quality of thesound. Well, nearly clean. The standardvinyl issue just might obscure some ofJarrett's sound effects. C.A.

CAROL LEIGH/JIM DAPOGNY: IfYou Don't, I Know Who Will. CarolLeigh (vocals); Jim Dapogny (piano).Slow and Easy Man; St. Louis Gal; MyPapa Doesn't Two- Time No Time;Adam and Eve Had the Blues; Sweet

If you are in a hurry for your catalog please send the coupon to McIntosh.For non rush service send the Reader Service Card to the magazine.


Man; He Likes It Slow; ChangeableDaddy of Mine; and six others. STOMPOFF S.O.S. 1064 $9.98 (from Stomp OffRecords, P.O. Box 342, Dept. L, York,Pa. 17405).

Performance: ConsiderateRecording: Excellent

The so-called "classic" blues singers ofthe Twenties recorded an enormousamount of material in, roughly, a ten-year period that began in 1921. It wasn'tall blues, and not every song was worthrepeating, but many a good tune haslain more or less dormant since then. IfCarol Leigh and Jim Dapogny havetheir way-as they do on "If YouDon't, I Know Who Will"-many ofthese little gems will be polished up anddisplayed again. This album blends thetruly obscure with material that hasbeen kept alive by the mere fact thatBessie Smith recorded it, and there isnot a dull measure in the forty-three-

inute program. Leigh is appropriatelyzesty, and Dapogny, who has done sowell with Jelly Roll Morton material,p ays the way I wish Clarence Williamshad played when he accompanied thelikes of Bessie and Clara Smith. C.A.

JUNIOR MANCE/MARTIN RI-VERA: For Dancers Only. JuniorMance (piano); Martin Rivera (bass).Summertime; Harlem Lullaby; Come

On Home; Prelude to a Kiss; Run 'Em'Round; and two others. SACKVILLE3031 $9 (from Sackville Recordings,Box 87, Station J, Toronto. Ont.).

Performance: SuperbRecording: Excellent

You don't hear much from pianist Ju-nior Mance these days, at least not onrecords, so this new Sackville release iswelcome. "For Dancers Only," onwhich Mance teams up with bassistMartin Rivera, shows the pianist off togreat advantage. His playing is still arobust exercise in the ABC's of jazz, andhis blues -drenched Chicago backgroundremains an asset. To hear their tightlyinterwoven collaboration on Summer-time is to understand why Mance andMartin have proved to be so durable.Let's hope for more. C.A.

ABBEY LINCOLN: Talking to theSun. Abbey Lincoln (vocals); vocal andinstrumental accompaniment. The Riv-er; You're My Thrill; You and I; Prelude(A Wedding Song); and three others.ENJA 4060 $9.98.

Performance: DisappointingRecording: Very good

Abbey Lincoln claims full responsibilityfor "Talking to the Sun," her latestalbum. It is, she says, "finally mymusic." I am sorry to hear that because

it is a rather boring set and, more thanany other I have heard, it reveals Lin-coln's vocal limitations. You're MyThrill becomes You're My Shrill, andher own compositions are a disaster. Iwish Abbey Lincoln would concentrateon her abundant acting talent or, atleast, have someone with greater objec-tivity and musical taste supervise herrecordings. C.A.

OREGON. Oregon (instrumentals).The Rapids; Beacon; Taos; Arianna;and four others. ECM CO 23796-1 $9.98,(§) 23796-4 $9.98, 23796-2 $15.98.

Performance: DelicateRecording: Excellent

I have always found Oregon's musicpleasing, but it is not the kind of musicthat sustains my interest for much morethan a half hour. Now this carefully exe-cuted fusion of contemporary acousti-cal jazz and chamber mood -music hasfound its way onto a digitally recordedCompact Disc, and the sound is, ofcourse, sensational. This quartet is theperfect candidate for CD release, withits little tinkles and all. And, since theperformance also happens to be one ofthe group's finer sets, it can be enjoyedequally in its black -vinyl edition. C.A.

JOE WILLIAMS: Nothin' but theBlues (see Best of the Month, page 68)

Rave reviews forthe Micro -RidgeStylus."This time Shure has really come through...Whatyou get is...detail, especially at high frequencies.There's a wonderful bloom around the music, andit's natural, not hyped:' Stereophile Magazine

"The MR Stylus...should silence the nitpickers.Highs are slightly more extended; bass is tighter,better defined: distortion is lower; clarity is furtherincreased..." Sensible Sound Magazine

The world's toughest audio critics agree.Our Shure Micro -Ridge Stylus Tip sets thestandard for distortion -free sound reproduction.The MR Tip's revolutionary design gives ituncanny tracing ability in your record groove.

The MR Tip is now available as an upgradereplacement stylus for the Shure V15 Type III,IV, and V cartridges. Dollar for dollar, thereis no more effective way to improve the per-formance of your stereo system.

SHUREYou'll hear more from us.

KLIPSCH kg'' PICTURED ABOVE

One KLIPSCH® Method Of Getting Closer To Original SoundIt may surprise you that Paul

W. Klipsch, famed designer of KLIPSCHLoudspeakers, seldom listens to recordsor compact discs. But he listens to alot of music.

You see, Paul is one of thefew among us who truly practiceswhat he preaches. All of us know thereal purpose of stereo high fidelity isto come as close as absolutely possibleto the original performance. "Storebought" recordings are just a bit toofar removed from the original perfor-mance for Paul.

So when he wants to seriouslylisten and truly enjoy his music, he'llmost likely pull out a reel-to-reelrecording with dates, times and dia-

grams drawn all over the box.He'll thread the machine and

turn it on. Then he'll move to hisfavorite listening chair, sit and closehis eyes. The music, almost alwaysclassical, will begin.

He will have personally re-corded that music in one of America'ssymphony halls. It will be the mastercopy and only copy in the world.And, in theory, it will be as close aspossible to the original performance.

Some describe Paul as aneccentric. Others as a purist. Bothdescriptions are reasonably accurate.But neither is the real point.

Given that Paul Klipsch goes

to so much painstaking effort just tohave a recording to play, you canimagine the effort that goes into thedesign and making of the speakersthat bear his name.

Compare KLIPSCH Loudspeak-ers to any others at any price andyou'll discover what a true valueKLIPSCH offers. To find your nearestauthorized KLIPSCH dealer, look inthe Yellow Pages. Or call toll free,1-800-223-3527.

klipschA Legend In Sound:P.O. Box 688 Hope, Arkansas 71801


CLASSICAL MUSIC

Discs and tapesreviewed byRichard FreedDavid HallStoddard Lincoln

BARTOK: Piano Concerto No. 1. Vla-dimir Ashkenazy (piano); London Phil-harmonic Orchestra, Sir Georg Solticond. Sonata for Two Pianos and Per-cussion. Vladimir Ashkenazy, VovkaAshkenazy (pianos); David Corkhill,Andrew Smith (percussion). LONDON 0410 108-1 $11.98, 0 410 108-4 $1 1.98.

Performance: StunningRecording: Demonstration quality

A few years ago Vladimir Ashkenazyand Georg Solti gave us a wonderfulrecord of Bartbk's Second and ThirdPiano Concertos. Their cycle has nowbeen completed with an account of theFirst that is on the same high level andeven more impressively recorded. Incomparing this performance with thatof Pollini and Abbado (DG 2530 901), Ifound more steely brittleness and sheerdrive coming from the latter team,more warmth and a greater sense of folkroots from Ashkenazy and Solti, whobenefit from a digital recording that ismore vividly detailed and puts theorchestra more fully in the picture.

Still more impressive, perhaps, is theoverside sonata, in which Ashkenazy isjoined by his son. Although Solti is notlisted as a participant in the perform-ance of the sonata, he has contributed areminiscence of his own early perform-ances of the work-first as page -turnerwith Bartok and his wife as pianists andErnest Ansermet conducting, and lateras pianist with Geza Anda. In any case,this performance is one of the strongestthe work has yet received, and it isunarguably the most splendidly re-corded. It is demonstration quality onLP, and should be even more impres-sive when it appears on CD. R.F.

BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 3, in E-MU Major, Op. 55 ("Eroica"). Cleve-land Orchestra, Christoph von Doh-nanyi cond. TELARC 0 DG- I 0090$12.98; 0 CD -80090, no list price.

Performance: FleetRecording: True to life

When Christoph von Dohninyi, theCleveland Orchestra's new music direc-tor, was on hand in the early fall of1983, the Telarc team managed to slot

Explanation of symbols:= Digital -master analog LP= Stereo cassette

0 = Digital Compact Disc0 = Monophonic recording

MEDEE: REVIVAL OF A MASTERPIECE

LTHOUGHLully has

justlybeen

dubbed the "fa-ther" of Frenchopera, his unfath-erly monopolyon the genre andthe fanatical per-sonal cult he fos-tered made it next to impossible for histalented contemporaries to break intothe field. Upon his death in 1687, thedoors of the Royal Opera were finallyopened to other composers, and the sur-pressed dramatic genius of Marc -Antoine Charpentier came into fullflower with M&Ee, his only tragedielyrique.

Working with the librettist ThomasCorneille, the talented younger brotherof the more famous Pierre, Charpentierproduced an opera that is the equal ifnot the superior of any by Lully. But itwas coldly received by Lully's followers,who considered it too Italianate, and itquickly fell into oblivion. The superbrecording of this magnificent work byWilliam Christie and Les Arts Floris-sants proves how mistaken Charpen-tier's contemporaries were and affordsus the opportunity to savor its manybeauties for ourselves.

Les Arts Florissants is an ensemble ofexperienced singers who are well versedin the early French vocal style and agroup of instrumentalists who areequally experienced in the playing ofearly instruments. The result is a homo-geneity of style and ensemble that isoften breathtaking.

On first hearing Jill Feldman's lightsoprano voice in the title role, you won-der how she will manage the fury of thedenouement, but she does. Withoutforcing, she imbues the text with anunderlying passion that moves fromtenderness to rage in a slow, calculatedcrescendo of hate. The high point of theopera occurs in the last scenes of Act III,where Med& laments her fate, plots hercruel revenge, and invokes her demons.

Conductor William Christie

Equally remark-able is Gilles Ra-gon as Jason. Hisvoice is high andsupple, capableof the tenderestlove scenes withCreuse and snarl-ing taunts to Me-dee. Agnes Mel-lon, as Creuse, is

sweetness and light, seemingly innocentof the havoc she raises. Even the finalagony of her death is expressed inwhimpers rather than the shrieks onewould expect from being mortallyburned by a poisoned robe.

Rage and madness are left to Creon ashe is driven to suicide by Medee'sspells. Jacques Bona portrays this con-niving villain with all the virility andwiliness the part demands. The manylesser parts are also well handled, espe-cially Catherine Bagnalet's melting per-formance of the Italian Air in the finaldivertissement of Act II.

The many divertissements with theirdances and choral music are a repeateddelight, and the orchestra's perform-ance of the "angry" music is the em-bodiment of Baroque rage. The contin-uo of theorbos and harpsichords sup-ports the recitatives with constant in-ventiveness. Finally, leader WilliamChristie deserves the utmost praise forhis tremendous work of editing andbringing to life this masterpiece of theFrench lyric theater. Charpentier'sMed& cries out to be staged. Nothingcould be more inspiring to that end thanthis recording. Stoddard Lincoln

M. -A CHARPENTIER: Medic. JillFeldman (soprano), Medee; JacquesBona (bass), (Creon); Agnes Mellon (so-prano), Creuse; Gilles Ragon (tenor),Jason; Philippe Cantor (baritone), Or-onte; Sophie Boutin (soprano), Nerine;others. Les Arts Florissants, WilliamChristie cond. HARMONIA MUNDI HM1139/41 three discs $35.94, HM40.1139/41 three cassettes $35.94; 0HM 90.1139/41 three CD's $51.

z

6

0


ONDL -110 AND DL -160MOVING COIL CARTRIDGES.

DENON USED HIGH OUTPUT viTO LOWER THE PRICE. '',//

To make the high performance of theirMC -Series Moving Coil cartridges highly affordable,Denon took into account the other equipment in your system. Mostvalue -oriented electronics do not feature MC pre-preamp stages. The highoutput of the DL -110 and DL -160 eliminates the need for costly head ur itsor transformers and are thus compatible with virtually all phono inputs.

Now, systems of all prices can benefit from Denon MC technology(one -point suspension systems; two-piece tapered cantilever; cross -coilarmature and high density samarium cobalt magnet structure) to deliverunprecedented accuracy and inner detail.

Denon products share more than name alone.

Denon America. Inc., 27 Law Drive, Fairfield. New Jersey 07005

For Dealer Nearest You Call TOLL -FREE 800-633-2252 Ext. 852CIRCLE NO. 27 ON READER SERVICE

FREdetails

A DIFFERENT KIND

OF RECORD CLUB

TREMENDOUS SAVINGSINCLUDING COMPACT DISCS...

on every record and tape in print-no "agree -to -purchase" oblication of any kind.

DISCOUNTS OF 20% TO 73%oft mgt. suggested list ... special catalog

features hundreds of titles and artists.

MOST LABELS AVAILABLEincluding most imports through special custom

ordering service-guarantees satisfaction

SCHWANN CATALOGlists thousands of titles.

DISCOUNT DIVIDEND COUPONSredeemable immediately for extra discounts.

NEWSLETTERSinformational news and happenings in the

world of music ... special super sale listings.

DISCOUNT NEEDLE GUIDEmost mtg. replacements available.

QUICK SERVICEsame day shipping on many orders...rarely later than the next several days.

100% IRON -CLAD GUARANTEESon all products and services-your total

satisfaction is unconditionally guaranteed

Discount Music Club is a no -obligation membershipclub that guarantees tremendous discounts on allstereo records, tapes and CD's and let you buy whatyou want...when you want...or not at all if you choose.

These are just a few of the money -saving reasons towrite for free details. You can't lose so why not fill outand mail the coupon below for immediate information

DISCOUNT MUSIC CLUB, INC. DEPT. 009-0185650 Main Street, New Rochelle. N.Y. 10801

Name _

Address

i.ity

;lata

SUBSCRIBE& SAVE50%

P.O. Box 2771Boulder, Colorado 80322

Send me STEREO REVIEW for:

One year (12 issues) for $4.99-50% off!

CI Two years for $9.98-50% off!

11 Three years for $14.97-50% off!

Savings based on full one-year subscriptionprice of $9.98.

CHECK ONE: Payment enclosed. Bill me later.

Mr.Mrs.Ms.

(please print full name)

Address

City

State Zip__

Apt

Offer valid in U.S. and possessions only. Please allow30 to 60 days for delivery of first issue.

Would you like to receive special offers from qualifiedusers of our mailing he? Yes. D No.

NEW SUBSCRIBERS ONLY j

two days of recording at SeveranceHall for the Schubert Unfinished andBeethoven's Eroica and Eighth Sym-phonies. The Eroica was done on thesecond day and seems to have benefitedfrom adjustments made on the basis ofplaybacks from the earlier session.

For my taste, Dohnanyi's reading ofthe Eroica falls just short of greatness.The pacing throughout is essentially thesame as Toscanini's, but Dohnanyi failsto bring to the opening movement thepointing of crucial phrases and sharp-ness of accent that made the Italianmaestro's interpretation so revelatory.The music flows much too easily toachieve its intrinsic heroic stature. Mat-ters take a far better turn in the Mar-cia funebre. The opening pages unfoldin an atmosphere of hushed eloquence,and the later dramatic sequences arebrought into sharpest relief. The scher-zo is beautifully paced, with the hornsin the trio sounding gorgeously brazen.The very opening is marred, however,by a slight but quite audible rhythmicboggling in the strings as they set thepulse. The finale goes with brillianceand brio through its variation patterns,and in the slow peroration Dohnanyiachieves a true sense of summation.

Hearing the work uninterruptedly onCD, I was impressed by the way therecording captures the Severance Hallacoustics. The ambience is a miteplushy, but it provides impressive tran-sient impact and tonal body. D.H.

BRAHMS: Violin Concerto in D Ma-jor, Op. 77. Uto Ughi (violin); Philhar-monia Orchestra, Wolfgang Sawallischcond. RCA 0 ARC1-5185 $12.98, C)ARK1-5185 $12.98.

Performance: GoodRecording: Good

Among the eighteen or so readings ofthe Brahms Violin Concerto currentlylisted in Schwann, this one has verymuch its own character. It lies chiefly inthe contrast between the lyrical, Italian -ate tonal quality of the soloist and thedecidedly middle -European, Romanticquality of the orchestral accompani-ment. There is no fundamental incom-patibility, but Uto Ughi's luminescentfiddling is set in sharp relief against theorchestral fabric.

Ughi displays his finest musicianshipin the most lyrical passages, such as inthe first -movement coda and through-out the slow movement, which soundsas achingly lovely here as I've heard itanywhere. Not that he is lacking in vir-tuoso fire: there is plenty of that in therugged episodes of the first movementand in the dashing cadenzas.

As in the earlier RCA issues of hisMendelssohn and Bruch concerto per-formances, Ughi is spotlighted here bythe engineering, but not obtrusively so.The Philharmonia's sound is properlyfull-bodied and bright. D.H.

BRAHMS: Clarinet Trio in .4 Minor,Op. 114; Horn Trio in E -flat Major, Op.40. Peter Schmidl (clarinet); Gunter

Ho5gner (horn); Andras Schiff (piano);Erich Binder (violin); Friedrich Dolezal(cello). LONDON al 410 114-I $11.98, C)410 114-4 $11.98.

Performance: SuperbRecording: Likewise

Five or six years ago Andras Schiffrecorded the Brahms viola sonatas withPal Lukacs for Hungaroton. Thislaunch of Schiff's chamber -music activ-ity for London/Decca confirms the hap-py affinity for Brahms suggested on thatearlier disc and encourages a hope forfurther recordings with his present col-leagues, who are members of the NewVienna Octet and first -chair players inthe Philharmonic. While both of theseworks have been given some distin-guished presentations on records, I

don't think either of them has comethrough more persuasively than here.The performances themselves arebreathtakingly beautiful, in the mosttruly Brahmsian sense, and the record-ing is a model of clarity and balance. Inshort, superb on every count. R.F.

COPLAND: Our Town, Three Pieces;Rodeo. Four Episodes; Piano Varia-tions; Four Piano Blues; Danz6n Cuba -no. James Tocco (piano); Lukas Foss(piano, in DanzOn). PRO ARTE CD PAD183 $10.98, © PAC 183 $10.98.

Performance: FluentRecording: Excellent

S,nce only two titles-the Variationsand the Blues-are duplicated, thispackage might be considered a sort ofsupplement to Leo Smit's otherwisedefinitive two -disc set of Copland's"Complete Music for Solo Piano" onCBS. James Tocco, who has already giv-en us Bernstein's piano arrangement ofCopland's El Sal6n Mexico in his col-lection of Bernstein's piano music onPro Arte, fills out a whole side here withCopland's own transcriptions of otherfamiliar orchestral fare. No matter howbrilliantly played (and the playing herehas brilliance to burn), the Our Townand Rodeo excerpts seem pale substi-tutes for the well-known orchestral orig-inals. The two -piano version of theDanzOn Cubano, which happens to bethat work's original form, is given a per-suasive reading with Lukas Foss on thesecond instrument. The really lifelikerecording is further enhanced by thesuperb DMM pressing.

More for piano fans than Coplandfans, I would think, but definitely first-rate in every respect. R.F.

DEBUSSY: Chansons de Bilitis; Fetesgalantes. RAVEL: Histoires naturelles.Jan DeGaetani (mezzo-soprano); Gil-bert Kalish (piano). NONESUCH 78025-1$8.98, © 78025-4 $8.98.

Performance: ExquisiteRecording: Excellent

Jan DeGaetani and Gilbert Kalish arenoth consummate artists, and when thetwo work together, focusing on a singlebody of work, the result is perfection.

New From The Masterson CBS Masterworks.

Bringing you new music by the world's most talentedartists is one aspect of the CBS Masterworks commitment toquality.

PUCCINI3-RecordSet

TURANDOTMARTON CARRERAS

RICCIARELLIVIENNA STATE OPERA OR( H & t HOW S

MAAZEL

DIGITAL

FREDERICA VON STADEBERLIOZ: SUITS D'ETE

DEBUSSY: LA DAMOISELLE ELUESEMI OZAWA

BOSTON SYMPHONYORCHESTRA

SchubertQuintet, Op. 163, D. 956

Yo -Yo MaCleveland Quartet

Specot14,Poced 3.Record Set

GOULDBACH.4 I

GOLDBERG VARIATIONS

alai&

3M 39160*

If opera is your passion,Eva Marton's universallyacclaimed Turandot hasfinally arrived. This "LiveFrom Vienna" productionalso features Katia Ricciarelliand Jose Carreras.

1M 39098 *

There's also Frederica vonStade's exquisite perfor-mances of works by Berliozand Debussy accompanied bythe Boston SymphonyOrchestra and directed bySeiji Ozawa.

IM 39134 t

As the most exciting newcellist performing today,Yo -Yo Ma's legend continues to

grow with an inspiring newversion of Schubert'sQuintet in C Major featuringthe Cleveland Quartet.

'.1.3X 3861U

And there could be no greatertribute to any man thanGlenn Gould/Bach, Vol. I-athree -record set includingGould's legendary 1955 and1982 recordings of theGoldberg liviations.

Enjoy world -class performancesand state -of -the- artsound. Look for CBS Masterworks Records and Cassettes.

° Also available on Compact Disc I Coning soon on Compact D,sc

MASTER

0RKS

'CBS," "Masterworks," re are trademarks of CBS Inc © 1984 CBS Inc


French art songs, especially the songs ofDebussy and Ravel, require particularawareness of style and exquisite tech-nique, and this remarkable team hasboth. Here is an album to cherish. S.L.

DONIZETTI: Lucia di Lammermoor.Edita Gruberova (soprano), Lucia;Kathleen Kuhlmann (mezzo-soprano),Alisa; Alfredo Kraus (tenor), Edgardo;Renato Bruson (baritone), Enrico; Rob-ert Lloyd (bass), Raimondo; Bruno Laz-zaretti (tenor), Normanno; Bonaventu-ra Bottone (tenor), Arturo. AmbrosianOpera Chorus and Royal PhilharmonicOrchestra, Nicola Rescigno cond. AN-GEL 0 DSCX-395I three discs $35.98, C)4D3X-395 I three cassettes $35.98.

Performance: ConvincingRecording: No-nonsense

Like Joan Sutherland, Edita Gruberovapossesses a voice of stronger, more dra-matic quality than the average coloratu-ra soprano, and she throttles it downjudiciously to achieve a degree of shad-ing and an emotional palette that do notcome spontaneously with such an in-strument. Unlike Sutherland, she enun-ciates her lines in a forward enoughmanner that one can usually under-stand them, even though she is not anative Italian.

In this recording, Gruberova offers amiddle -of -the road Lucia, neither flut-

tery nor unduly hefty. Though her voicelacks natural softness and sweetness,she is able to approximate these quali-ties by using it with skill, intelligence,and insight. The phrasing and rhythmare consistently alive, and, over the longhaul, the interpretation is a very satisfy-ing one.

Alfredo Kraus remains one of thewonders of the tenor world. Stylish,noble, and personable, he delivers anEdgardo who is at once a romantic heroand a musical paragon. The perform-ance is close to the written text, withnone of the traditional cuts and few tra-ditional liberties. Nor is the final scenetransposed down from the publishedkey. Renato Bruson, more comfortablein be! canto repertoire than as a Verdibaritone, spins out Enrico's lines withhaughty aplomb, and Robert Lloyd'sample bass makes the most of the hypo-critical Raimondo, showing how so self-assured and pontifical a man can be amenace.

Nicola Rescigno surpasses his usualstandard in pacing this performance,which has an ebb and flow and an evoc-ative orchestral color that vibrantly en-liven the score. Nothing sounds per-functory; the supporting cast is as com-mitted and capable as the principals,and the choral and orchestral forceslikewise enter into the spirit.

Though there is nothing flashy or sin-

gular about it, this Lucia is one of themost solidly achieved and thoughtfullyinflected be! canto operas on records.Angel -EMI's digital sound matches itfor ease and atmosphere.

John W. Freeman

HAYDN: Quartet in F Major, Op. 74,No. 2; Quartet in G Minor, Op. 74, No.3 ("Horseman"). Salomon String Quar-tet. HYPERION 0 A66124 $13.98.

Performance: SuperbRecording: Excellent

The Salomon String Quartet is one ofthe finest ensembles performing today.Their keen sense of phrasing and theirsure tempos, use of rubato, and controlof dynamics bring a clarity and feelingof warmth to whatever they play. Thefact that they perform on authenticinstruments only heightens their uner-ring devotion to authentic style. True,you must get used to the "white" soundthose instruments produce as well aswhat seems like a lack of brilliance onthe part of the first violin, but once youdo you'll hear Haydn's music as hewould have heard it himself. Let ushope the Salomons will record all ofthese fabulous quartets. S.L.

HAYDN: Symphonies: No. 26, in DMinor ("Lamentation'); No. 41, in CMajor; No. 43, in E -flat Major ("Mer-

Do your headphonessound as good as your music?

The challenge facing "Digital Era" headphonesinvolves more than capturing the increased dynamic rangeoffered by digital recordings, Compact Discs or the latesttape formulations. Many of today's high performance audioproducts boast impressive technical specifications, yet maysound harsh or clinical. At Beyer, we believe in technologydedicated to sound, not just performance. And Beyer's dis-tinctive listenability, comfort and European craftsmanshipis available in a wide range of prices and styles.

beyerdynamic))),

Beyer Dynamic,Inc. 5-05 Burns Avenue, Hicksville, New York 11801 (516) 935.8000

LISTENTOWHAT50 YEARS OFEXPERIENCECANSOUNDLIKE . .

Tandberg's world-famousaudio products, highly regardedby musicians as well asdiscriminating consumers formore than 50 years, now includetwo of the most advanced highfidelity components availabletoday: the TIA 3012 IntegratedAmplifier & TPT 3001AProgramable Tuner.

These units, which weregiven a "rave" review by AUDIOmagazine, can be joinedtogether with their optionalrosewood sidepanels tobecome ". . . the finest 'receiver'we have ever tested" (HIGHFIDELITY) and "a receiver ofexceptional quality" (STEREOREVIEW).

It is a stereo receiver thatexceeds the demands of today's. . . and tomorrow's mostadvanced digital programmaterial.

For literature, test reportsand the name of your localdealer, contact: Tandberg ofAmerica, Labriola Court,Armonk, NY 10504.(914) 273-9150

,' L I L

For Dealer Nearest You Call 800-633-2252 Ext 850CIRCLE NO 52 ON READER SERVICE CARD

For Dealer Nearest You Call 800-633-2252 Ext 851CIRCLE NO 6 ON READER SERVICE CARD

cury"); No. 44, in E Minor ("Trauer");No. 48, in C Major ("Maria Theresa");No. 52, in C Minor. L'Estro Armonico,Derek Solomons cond. CBS 0 I3M39040 three discs, C) I3T 39040 threecassettes, no list price.

Performance: BrilliantRecording: Splendid

Here's a wonderful album exploringHaydn's Sturm and Drang period withsix powerful works that drive home themaster's forward -looking originality.This is not the mellow old "Papa"Haydn, but the titanic youth out tochange the world. Violinist Derek Solo-mons leads a group of some twentymusicians playing early instruments instrongly profiled performances that re-veal Haydn's mastery of form and de-tail and re-create the somewhat spinysound of the eighteenth -century orches-tra with its "white" strings, penetratingwoodwinds, and barking horns. Eachinstrument is strongly timbred, contrib-uting to a tonal fabric in which thethreads seem to pull in all directionsonly to prove their strength. This is real,no-nonsense Haydn, gruff, strong, andfascinating under Solomon's skillful di-rection. And the recorded sound isabsolutely first-rate. S. L.

MENDELSSOHN: Violin Concerto(see Best of the Month, page 65)

MENDELSSOHN: Symphony No. 3,in A Minor, Op. 56 ("Scottish"); AMidsummer Night's Dream, Overture,Op. 21. Bavarian Radio Symphony Or-chestra, Sir Colin Davis cond. ORFEO 0S 089841 $13.98.

Performance: ImpressiveRecording: Very good

The Mendelssohn Scottish Symphonyhas not lacked for fine recorded per-formances; I would single out those byKarajan, Maag, and Bernstein from thecurrently available crop. Also in the toprank is the new one by Sir Colin Davis,who more than anyone I have heardthus far manages to bring something ofan epic dimension to the work.

The opening pages are treated virtual-ly as ballad narrative, and this tone per-sists throughout, reaching its apogee ina singularly gripping reading of the slowmovement, followed by an Allegro guer-riero that packs tremendous muscle.The solemn processional epilogue thatconcludes the work, and which is sooften pompously anticlimactic, comesoff here with utter conviction.

Davis recorded the overture and oth-er excerpts from the MidsummerNight's Dream incidental music withthe Boston Symphony back in 1976,and that performance, paired with theItalian Symphony, is still available onPhilips. His new digitally recorded ver-

sion offers the same measure of verveand fantasy.

The recording as a whole is brilliantand full -bodied -a real asset for thesymphony. I did have a small problem,even after a careful calibration check ofmy equipment, with an over -resonanttimpani "E" in the allegro episodes ofthe overture, but this is a really minorreservation. Overall, the performanceand recording are outstanding. D.H.

MOZART: Piano Concertos No. 17, inG Major (K. 453), and No. 21, in CMajor (K. 467). Andrea Nemecz (pi-ano); Budapest Symphony Orchestra,Arpad Job cond. SEFEL 0 SEFD 5020$12.95, 0 5020 CS $12.95; 0 5020 CD,no list price

Performance: CultivatedRecording: Very good

The young Budapest -born New Yorkpianist Andrea Nemecz and conductorArpad Jo6 deserve a lot of credit forboldness and derring-do in invading theMozart piano -concerto territory stakedout for recording by the likes of MurrayPerahia, Vladimir Ashkenazy, and Ru-dolf Serkin. The musical result of theircollaboration is thoroughly creditable ifnot blazingly inspired.

The solo -piano entry at the openingof the G Major reveals Nemecz's execu-tion as elegant and precise, yet with

K.1.:61

discwosher"d1Scwasher Perfect PathCassette Head Cleaner

dISCwasher 0 MaoCassette DeckDemagnetizer

sles Imaawlme%:y wt. Am TAK9 AN AprATKNAL OMAAAI Omf

AUDIORECOVERS

NMI 44625 SD4 ch019Oe51A0A1 44635 113. In Org orehAXA 411.445 654 MEW PegTECHNICS SA120 SS* 01 Ana02TECHNICS SA150 254 C11 0918TECHNICS SA450 504 In AM FM t.TECHNKS SASSO Kw In NA FM T.SANSUr 5X1070 .055 1n 58FC

TURNTABLES

169 95219 95199 95119 95119 95199 95289 95

CALI

69 95149 95

TECHNICS 51.0300 '

TSCHNKS 91.0(1519 95

779 95TECHNICS 9.01.5 - 129 95

CARTRIDGESSHURE v15 109 95

AL/C40 rECHNKA 122.LP149 95

27 95AUDI TECHNICA 1520STANTON 6130E6 .

79 9544.95

SPEAKERSTECHNICS 581.52 6 129.95 pc'WHARFR)ALF kv10 .. 119 95 prB SR 82 6 64 95 Pe

SNIPPED FREKAIT COLLECT

HEADPHOPIES14.95

SONY MORE237 `19.95SONY 14019011 - `59.95SENNISIESER 90430 -66" L '79 95K OSS 4446 o.r . 39.95

ROSS P8045 6 6-7.' r. '59.95EQUALIZERS/ MIXERS

TECHNICS $149025 ,-Banci Cr EC 4.95TECHNKS SHWAS 1210 018000. '239.95TECHNICS 5118065 55.118d 01 El '329.95ADC 553150 ':-60 0010 MIR '239.95AUDI CONTROL C101 IMO cr, 4010299.95AudioSource sal 1ceChE0Anir '27995NUMARN 102600 '10 Cr EC Antr. 184.95NUMARK 0611650 NI., 7,3, T0 `19995

COMPACT DISC PLAYERSTECHNICS 5LP1 4,90711e00 '299.95TECHNICS SIP2 Penvte °09 '379.95TECHNICS 5LP3 oern Hog vo, 949.95SHERWOOD COP100 8-0930910 0. ,42995TEAC o011 ,-.7,7ernalPe '39995

rTACHI 043500 009rant,x,`CHI DA602 Remote P07,

FOR SERVICE & RELIABIUTY"

CALL TOLL -FREE800-221-8180

IN NEW YORK STATECALL (2121 732-8600

AKAI CX 7

MIND 23 PARK ROWNEW YORK CITYNEW YORK10038

SPECIALS OF THE MONTH

Comouter Cont,iea 3 Dead CASETTE Deck7,-,t1 I. A f Mr

*25995CASSETTE DKR

TECHNICS RSE11W . - TECHNICS RS114''TECHNICS RSI17118 6

TEAC 1/70718 6 -

TEAC V8008 '- -

MICROPHONES

AUDIO TECHIVICA AT9100

PANASONIC KX -T21 30

$799514.

TELRPHOIRSOIALERSPANASONK 6R2203 .one 39 95AT&T 0011515 TOPYRNII E.DIA 199 95danatare Youth-TOn4 dOur Chace 0,

Mao, Mum Black Rea FOR '89 95ARC MICKEY MOUSE Prone IT `54.95EICTINCI-A.PHONE ' `159.95COBRA Cr355 - '1695NORTHERN 1000404HARMONYNCO Owe or

'4495ANSWERING MACHINES

PANASONK vA9050 179.95PANASONIC 6X11420 . 109.95RECORD -A -CALL 655 3rt0,7,- '6', "9.950305-A49401.1 2530 Beeveneks 1e100139.95

159 95109 95259 95

149 95319 95579 95

79 95119 9516 95

11WASTMILEMLI

monster came monster came.nterivet A inters.

'2250 '"'"*" '31.9?

=.4r

ACCESSORIES81.1000 TKMNKA . 4.99AUDIO TECHNICA 41605 '19.95CHSCWASHER ORCSET . 14.95DISCWASHER INSOCIT 92.95OISCWASHER RCS oh.16. issOrecseA94791 MS '2De 5.re 4.95ALLSOP 71300 IX* -Inc :7 '4.95CaarTILUGN 1., Toe Orme 24.95SHURE 68G2 . 0E91.0,9 -1 ..) 7.95TOR 80-01 -. 0 Dehug 12.95NOPTRONKS 0M207 80 meat] 1,,19'17.95

NOTE. WE CARRY A HAL LINE OF AUDIO110E0 AND COMPUTERS IN EVERY MAID.BRAND THIS LISTING IS 1UST A SMAL.SAMPLE WI OUR '10 000 000 1NvErd0R7PLEASE CALL US TOLL FREE OR WRITE TOVS FOR PRICES ON ITEMS NOT LISTED or'HIS AD

23 PARK ROW DEPT. SR -1

NEW YORK, NY 10038

SANYO F7E-7 5

ANA

idalqiite

$19995CAR STEREO

SANYO FTU12 I R 950, CM MetaCLARION 85508 0.9 AR ARCCONCORD 111122111D7Cr isgrtMAL/PUNKT SEATTLE 6JENSEN AT7300 204 cr

CAR SPEAKERS

94.95`159.95229 95

979 95`279 95

rENSEN 13033 " 14.95CLARION 58520 `3A.95CONCORD MPS157 `4.95

RADAR DETECTORSWHISTLER SPECTRUM . .2. , *199.95NEW WHISTLER SPKTRUM RIOAOTI,229 95PUZ2BUSTER ES -04 SvDer, 969.95PDX XXR 6 `99.95COPRA RD4000 kdereet `149.95

SONY WM-F701

IN' C.SettE00101 B NRMetai Jp

$139"

STEREO-TOCOAIWA AS1400 ' 15995

119 95

SANYO MG4 .. 95SONY SIPSI

1 44v

6 54 9569.95

249 95SONY WMOC2 149 95SONY VIIIF5 IC - 99 95WNW WWI " 64.95

HOW TO ORDER BY MAK . -, s ' n.

DO NOY SEND CASH575 miNiMum ORDER 51 95.. , .

. .

SORRY, NO C 0.0.s Lsi ... . ,. '. ' . - ' .'. ALL MERCHANOISS SHIPPED BRAN) NEW FACTORY FRESHAND 100Ain NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY TYPOGRAPHKAL ERRORS

GARANTESO WE

FREE GIANT CATALOGS: 'LL,;(zT:c7r.3611 PAGE AUDIO VINO/021PUTM CATALOG 110 PAGE WORD M0 CASETTECATALOG 40 PAGE MOO MOW CATMCM , a s

BASF

$895ONLY OIROME TAPE VIRTUALLY MAIMATRSTAPE HISS THAT'S WHY Atta 0140805OMNI SAM FOR THE POLICE AND MOMSUPIR GROUPS,NOW YOU CAN USE THE SAME AUDIO TAPETINT THE PROS LNEI,

GET YOUR FREE CHROME CASSETTECARRYING CASE IA $6.00 DOLLAR VALUED

WITH TIM PURCHASE OF 5 PRO aCHROME 90 MOUT! CASSETTES A '79.95

Ne.%FALUN FOR ONLY 9 9S 4t0

AUDIO TAPESto« sox -op Super Av,ivr, .

U00.4/0 Or 11910940 r.,.. . 51.99PAIMMUU moor 12 ACV 7AM

MCGILL UMW 09 WAY C40 4.79AA.XMLnu unoXIAI Cir,703/1:C40 *2.89

'ISOMAMA U03590 ReNTORees '489

TOX SAM A Bus'7 TO4.80

TON 40X90 510N110.1.1 ESA

TOR MA440 Meta1479'3.99

MC 10090 Metal 897:16 ESA 11

SONY UCX390 Wow kWh Bras 9.41BASF MONO avore '1.79TEAC COCIO Soma Reer1088e cassette '3.29TEAC CACAO .1A8ee1104810 Cassette *5.49

WFFRIDERSSIC 804408 270 My Cab ato, '439.95SANYO VC4400 1-09 'Ey Reh 259.95SANYO VC7700 Rein 449 95SONY 0.90 Cab Pen SCan SIC '569.95TOSIIIRA 8549 HrF Rem CUD '669 95

AKAI 8561VMS

HITACHI vrElEA -00Re0NC HR0725 --e0Re1hNBC VCN895 1.RNT.020PANASONIC ,,16600 WON RmPANASONK ov 1550 51' 009 801RCA 009900 kenRCA 601550 Rem

VIDEO TAPESANY BRAND 1 120ANY BRAND r 160ANY BRANO L 500 -

ANY BRAND L 750 , .. -Ally BRAND 1 850ANY BRANDBRAND 120 ...ph GradeANY BRAND 1500 41911 GradeANY BRAND L 750 41911 GradeANY BRAND 1-830 aeon Grade

SPECIALSNEW TIN( 1 12011

SUPE0ROr L 750.0 1.0.F. ) 99

RCA T 120 '4.99RCA T-120 4 99

PARIALSOMC T-1296A89

SONY L4130

VIDEO

'599 95719 95

'539 95'099 95'799 95'549 95959 95'71995

5999 995 495997496996 996.99999

CIRCLE 40 39 ON READER SERVICE CARD


ample warmth of phrasing and touch.She fares best in the slow movement,where Job shapes the all-importantwind parts lovingly. The final move-ment is taken a bit deliberately for mytaste, but the concluding presto is adelight.

The C Major Concerto begins at aneasy (perhaps too easy) pace and coulduse more edge in the attacks. The slowmovement, fortunately, is not moonedover but flows with restrained elo-quence. The finale crackles with thesoloist's taut articulation of the maintheme: a shade more poise might have

been in order, but such reservations areto a large degree matters of taste.

One point on which there can be noreservations is the virtually ideal re-corded sound-clear and warm in sur-round, with flawless balance betweenpiano and orchestra. No obtrusive spot-lighting here. Kudos to producer Ha-rold Lawrence. D.H.

MOZART: Violin Concerto No. 4, in DMajor (K. 218); Rondo in C Major (K.373); Adagio in E Major (K. 261); Ron-do Concertante in B -flat Major (K. 269).Pinchas Zukerman (violin); St. Paul

THE BRYCE

To 110110CHECKLIST

Before You Buy Stereo Equipment,"Check Out" Bryce Audio for.

FijJOF RELIABILITY

33 YALLRS

jiEXPERTSPROFESSIONAL`1

AFASTEST FA IN-DEPTHDELIVERY ' INVENTORY

yl DAZZLING PRICES

JUST CALLTOLL -FREE

We Carry Top Names in State-of -the -Art Audio Equipment

Including These and Many More..

O AKAI AIWA 0 ADVENT Li SHURE 0 JVC

O TECHNICS 0 AUDIO TECHNICA 0 JENSEN

O SANSUI 0 PANASONIC 0 SONY 0 MARANTZ

O TEAC 0 TASCAM __..KOSS 0 SANYO 0 GRADO

O SENNHEISER0 NEC 0 MAXELL 0 RECOTON

All Merchandiseis Factory Sealed &

Mastercard & Visa Accepted Prices wood for mail order are

Warranteed; Shippingis Fully Insured

No Sales Tax Out -of -Statefor mail order purchases only

BRYCE AUDIOTURNING TECHNOLOGYINTO ENJOYMENT

115 West 40th Street, New York, New York 10018

IN NEW YORK CALL0

to 5:00212-575-860HOURS: Monday thru Friday 8:45 to 5:45 Saturday 10:00

In the heart of the Electronicse 1Dtri1 ct

sincis95

Chamber Orchestra, Pinchas Zukermancond. CBS M 37839, © MT 37839, nolist price.

Performance: Crisp and cleanRecording: Intimate surround

This disc completes the cycle of Mozartviolin concertos that Pinchas Zuker-man has been doing for CBS with the St.Paul Chamber Orchestra, of which hehas been director since 1980. A decadeand more ago he recorded the samerepertoire for Columbia with DanielBarenboim conducting the EnglishChamber Orchestra.

Zukerman as violinist now seems abit more chaste tonally than he did inhis earlier recordings, but the more inti-mate acoustics in St. Paul may contrib-ute to this impression. The generalatmosphere here is one of music mak-ing tailored for a spacious living roomrather than a large concert hall, and thusthe performance is in the Mozartianmanner.

As for overall interpretation, I mightquestion the deliberate pacing at theopening of the D Major Concerto'sfinale, though it could be justified as amore effective contrast in tempo be-tween the slower and faster sections ofthe movement. It is good to have thethree shorter concerted pieces laid outon the disc as a kind of miniature "con-certo." There is a bracing briskness inZukerman's pacing of the K. 373 Ron-do, and, after extracting every bit of

the K. 261 Ada-gio, he brings a joyous bounce to thebrilliant K. 269 Rondo Concertante. Asnoted, the sonics are intimate but crys-tal clear and full-bodied. D.H.

MOZART: Die Zauberfinte. MargaretPrice (soprano), Pamina; Luciana Serra(soprano), Queen of the Night; PeterSchreier (tenor), Tamino; Kurt Moll(bass), Sarastro; Mikael Melbye (bari-tone), Papageno; Robert Tear (tenor),Monostatos; Maria Venuti (soprano),Papagena; Theo Adam, Speaker; others.Rundfunkchor Leipzig; StaatskapelleDresden, Colin Davis cond. PHILIPS 0411 459-1 three discs $35.94, 411459-4 three cassettes $35.94; 411 459-2 three Compact Discs, no list price.

Performance: Beautifully moldedRecording: Crystalline

My intimate association with Mozart'sDie ZauberfiOte dates from the summerof 1955 when 1 assisted Herbert Graf instaging the work at the Salzburg Festi-val. Wilhelm Furtwangler was to haveconducted the performances, but hedied the previous fall; his place was tak-en by Georg Solti. The settings and cos-tumes were by Oskar Kokoschka.

Now, thirty years later, 1 have en-joyed the experience of studying thenew Philips recording of this lovelyscore. The purity of the music, whichilluminates the fairy-tale/allegory, is ri-valed only by certain works of Handeland Bach. You feel, somehow, that youare a bigger person for having listenedattentively to it.


,dl 1{,,,rs, II 1 ou Plan Fo flu Ind Pick t p 1t torc Quantifies Ire lamitcd Ind Nub t( I to 1%.111,1hillu

HOW TO ORDER BY CREDIT CARDSimply call us toll tree order your purchases...and glee us your credit card number name andbilling address

HOW TO ORDER BY MAILSimply write to us listing your purchases thencall us toll free for shipping 8 handlingcharges Send cashiers check or money order.Allow 4 weeks clearance on personal checks

(COD orders accepted) Call for info.

Sand $1 for our catalog

TECHNICS 36-450 $209.9550 Watts per Channel ReceiverAM/FM,TV Digital Tuning 16 Presets

InnAM -FM RECEIVERS

Scott 379RS 170 watts) $289.95Scott 359RS (45 watts) $239.95Scott 339 RS (25 wafts) $169.95Pioneer SX50 (50 watts) :CALLPioneer SX6O (80 watts) I CALLPioneer SXV90 (125 watts) !CALLTechnics SA120 (35 watts) $119.05Technics SA150 (25 watts) $139.96Technics SA350 (40 watts) $1118.115Technics SA550 (70 watts) $3311.16Marantz SR940 (100 watts) 942925Marantz SR840 (20 watts) 9729.95Marantz SR640 (45 watts) $249.95Marantz SR440 (30 watts) 1199.95Akai AA-RIS (22 watts) $inusAkai AA -A25 (32 warts) $190.95Akai AA -A35 (48 watts) 1829.69Akai AA -A45 (65 watts) $299.96JVC R -K100 (25 wafts) $119.96JVC R -K200 (40 watts) $159.16JVC R -X300 (55 watts) $219.95JVC R -X350 (55 watts) $239.96JVC R -X400 (70 warts) CALLJVC R -X500 (100 watts) CALL

CONCORD'

011D1111t$

!ABELECAMERA & STEREO OF MAI NE

PRICES AND PRODUCTS IN EFFECT DEC 26 TO JAN 25

ALL TOLL FRE E1-1300-341-07831017.clitraraiiAKAI GX-7Computer Controlled 3 HeadCassete Deck / Dolby B $25995and C NR

CASSETTE DECKSAkai HX-Al $99.95Aka, HX-A2 $109.95Akai HX-3 $149.95Aka, HX-R44 $199.95Akai GX-R803 $399.95Akai GX-R99 $519.95Scott 659 DA $169.95Scott 639 DC $139.95Pioneer CT -50R CALLPioneer CT -1040W $ CALLPioneer CT -70R $ CALLPioneer CT -90R $ CALLJVC KD-V100J 99.95JVC KD-V300J 149.95JVC KD-V6J 229.95TECHNICS RS -B12 109.95TECHNICS RS -B14 129.95TECHNICS RS -B18 139.95TECHNICS RS -B50.. 169.95TECHNICS RS -1361311 229.95TECHNICS RS-B78R 269.95TEAC V-703 295 95TEAC V -800X 37995TEAC V-909115 42995TEAC R -777X 409.96

BLAUPUNKT BLAUPUNKT

TECHNICS SH-8055 24 Band Graphic Equalizer withSpectrum Analyzers PinknoiSeGenerator $229.95

EQUALIZERS/MIXERSADC SS115 $134.95ADC SS215 $174.96ADC SS33 $249.95TEAC EOA-10 .. $99.95TEAC EOA-20 ... $139.95Pioneer SG -90 I CALLPioneer SG -60 MALLPioneer SG -50M MALLPioneer SG -540 $CALLTechnics SH-8025 09.45Technics Sh-8044 $149.95Sams SE -77X CALLSansui SE -8X $249.95Sansui SE -9 $usisNumark DM -500 $99.90Numark DM -1150 $139.95Numark DM -1550 $179.95Numark DM -1800 $299.95Akai EA -A2 . $109.95Aka, EA -A2 $179.95

PIONEER

o4

LL0z

z

111111111HPL-502HPL-516HPL-1228HPL-520..HPL-532HPL-550HPO-89HP0-90

-CLARIONCAR STEREO

169.95239.95239.95309.9S349.95479.95

59.96WOO

CAR STEREOS

06

SEATTLE 174.96RICHMOND . 219.95MANHATTAN. 219.95ASPEN SOR 24 239.95SACRAMENTO 279.95TUSCON 349.95HOUSTON . 469 95BPA-260 209 95

CAR STEREOS

MEIWashington Sqr 42996New Yorker Sqr 51996Chicago NomBEO 60 119.95BEA 40 89.95BEA BO 129.95BPA 415 89.95BPA 430 209.95

t,AR STEREOS

KPA 400 CALLKPA 500 CALLKPA 600 CALLKPA 700 CALLKPA 450 CALLKPA 750 CALLGMA 200 CALLKP 2000 CALL

PanasonicCAR STEREO

SANYOCAR STEREO

MITSUBISHI'CAR STEREOare-Ticellat

"ILA'8500R .159-958100R 139.95 _Z-757 95

COS -884 219.95,AOOR 169.95 FTE-15 159 95 RX-737 239.956.3430R 119.95 COS -934 269.95 FTE-20 179 95 RX-73511 209 954,'50R 114.96 COS -793 189.95 FTE-25 . 199 95 RX-733 179.95

z 4100R 79.95 COS -958 309.65 FTED6 199 95 RX-726 129.95'a) EOB-2 99.96 COS -747 110A6 FTED7 219 95 RX-724 . 99.958550 RIn 6700 R

164.95139.95

COS -834CYSG-100 .

20896130.95

FTU-35PA -6100

99.95119.95

GX-103RX 711 .

99.95119.95

6100 R 119.9S CYSG-50 .. 89.95 PA -6050 99.16 CV -251. 99.95

0-a4I -

U

U.

4Ua-0z

-a

SONY Walkman WMF8with stereo cassette playe

8 AM -FM reception $691.6

STEREOTO GO

Sorry WMF-10 $915.9SSony WM-10 $88.95Sony WMD-6C $259.95Sony WMD-6 $209.95Sony WMD-C2 CALLSony WMF-5 $99.95Sony WM-16 $69.95

Sony SRF-5Sony SRF-22

$59.95$44.95

Aiwa HSJ-300 . $124.95Aiwa HSJ-400 $139.95Aiwa HSF-07 $119.95Aiwa HSP-07 $99.95Aiwa HSP-06 $109.95Toshiba KTV-200 $74.96Toshiba KTAS-1 $99.95Toshiba KTRS-1 $114.95Toshiba KTAS-10 1114.95Toshiba KTV-500 $99.95Sanyo MG -41 $44.95Sanyo MG -55 $39.95Sanyo MG -80D $59.95Sanyo MG -95 $94.95Sanyo MG -98D SWANPanasonic RX1930 $4916Panasonic RX1960 $119.16Panasonic RF11 $39.96

TECHNICS N. 0200Semi -automaticdirect drive quart S76"

TURNTABLESTechnics SLB-200 WASTechnics SLO-300 $1111.95Technics SLOX200 811996Technics SLOX300 $139115Technics SLJI $99.96Technics SLJ2 $1011.95Technics SLJ3 $139.95Technics SLOL-15 $179.95

66

$154.95Akai APA 2 $67.96Aka, APD-3 $69.96Akai APM- 33S $119.86Pioneer PLS 30 IP MSSPioneer PLS-40 .

Pioneer PLS 70 9109.96Pioneer PL 707 $199115Pioneer PL -44F5 $199%Pioneer

PL-138FS $280 95Pioneer PL -L800JVC LA -200 112:5: 9595

JVC OUA-220 $74.95JVC LF-210 $79.95JVC OLF-320 $94.95JVC LE -22 $119.95JVC LL -1 910016JVC OLL-2 5129.95

Technics SLM-2Technics SL1200MKIIAkai APA-1

Cartridge of the month

PickeringXP15$59.95

Frequency response 10 tO22 000 channel separation, 32decibals Fits all P mountsConventional turntable

audio-technica

HR -101 EU $39.95MR -201 EU $59.95HR -301 EU $74.95HR -401 EU $99.95

gramronPRO 3000 $29.95PRO 4000 $59.95P110 5000 $76.95PRO 96 $8996

SHUREDT -15PDT -25PDT -35PV-15VMRM94L T

$59.96$7995

5149.95521.96

PICKERINGXP -1 $19.95XP -10 $39.95XP -25 $109.95

ZENITH VR-2000 VHS 4 head cable ready wirelessremote control 14 day sari

$399.95429.9549995

$919.95CALL7899643195

. 63995SNL9594995CALL

SONY BETA SL30 439%SONY BETA SL-SFR30 . 449 95SONY BETA SL -1-1F303 hi-fi 640.95SONY BETA SL -2300. .. 309.96T120 TAPES 6 hour 4.79 as.

VIDEO RECORDERSPanasonic PV1225 VHS $369.95Panasonic PV1231R VHS atmPanasonic PV1530 stereo VHS 56996Panasonic PV1630 stereo VHS 1648.95Panasorad PV1730 hrh

stereo VHS. 995E6Panasonic PV 6500 portable CALLPanasonic PV portableJVC HR -7100 U -VHS.JVC HRD-120-VHSNC HRD-220-VHS .

JVC HRD-225-VHSJVC HRD-725-VHSJVC HRS-100-VHS portableRCA VKT-300 VHSRCA VKT-1 portable VHSRCA VKT-170 portable VHSRCA VKT-900 portable VHSRCA VKT-950 portable

PIONEERA., sTEREu`

KEA 330 CALLKEA 430 CALLKEA 630 CALLKE-7200 CALLKEA 880 CALLGMA 120 CALLGM 5 CALLBP 720 EO CALLBP 520 CO CALL

JENSENCAR SPEAKERS

1-2001 3 -WAYBOOKSHELF

J-3033 99.95pair 79.95J-3023 pair 74.95J-3003 pair 49.95J-1045 pair 44.95J1077 pair 44.95J1365 pair 59.95J1401 parr 99.95PEO 1 pair 8915PEO 2 pair 99.95

IN MAINE 155 MAIN STBIDDEFORD. ME 04005CALL 1-207-283 1401

IN NEW YORK 220 W JERICHO TPKSYOSSETT LONG ISLAND. N.Y 1179'

SEND ALL MAIL ORDERS ANDCHECKS TO

155 Main St Biddelord. ME 04005

OPEN SUN THRU FRI10 A M TO 3 P M.

Calf for siwpong andModifies ~des

SCOTT 939 -DA $379.95compact disc player 23 trackprogrammable search system

COMPACT DISC PLAYERSTechnics SLP- t 269.95Technics SLP-2 369.95Pioneer PD -70 CallMrsubishi DP103 $309.95Sansui PCV-1000 CALLTEAC PD -11 369.95Hitachi DA -3500 399.95Marantz CD -73 549.95Marantz CD -54 CALI

maxeUDXLII-C90UDXLIIS-C90MX -90T-120T-120-HGX

TDKSA -C90SAX -C90T-120T-120EHG

$1.99$2.49$4.99$5.99$7.95

$1.99$2.49$4.99$7 95

JENSEN JENSEN.0 10 1. :rout

ATZ 500... 339.95ATZ 400 30995ATZ 300...279.95ATZ 203 .... 249.95ATZ 100 219.95EOA 5000 99.95EOA 2500. 69.95

RE 380 209.95RE 960 189.95RE 940 ' 169.95RE 920 154-95RE 900 13995R 220 149.95A-35 44.95

PIONEER

CAR SPEAKERSTS -6907 pair CALLTS -6905 pair CALLTS -1655K pair CALLTS -1635K pair CALLTS -1200K pair CALLTS -1030 pair CALLTS -X8 pair CALLTS1890K pair CALL

CAR STEREOSPEAKERS

CALL FOR OTHERS....PHILIPS/KRICKET

YAMAHAADS/EPIINFINITY

BOSTON/ACOUSTICSCERWIN VEGA

and Mon

PanasonicKXT2130

Integrated teephone withautomatic dialing, tone/pulsesettings recital 8 speakerphone$79.95

Telephones/DialersPanasonic KXT -3130 139.95Panasonic KXT-2211 74.95Panasonic KXT-2133 134.95

Panasonic KXT-3203 79.95Unidert MOO 13995Linden 4803 17995

Answering MachinesPanasonic 10(T-1415 $99.95Panasonic KXT-1420 11416Panasonic 10I7-1430 13995Panasonic KXT-2415 14996Panasonic 100%2425 19996Code -a -phone 2530 13186Code -a -phone 2570 20916Fhonemate 10-940 109.95Fhonemate 10-2845 1251.96Fhonemate 10-2646 179.95Sanyo TAS-1100Sanyo TAS-30C0Sanyo TAS-50 189.95Sanyo TAS-3 149.9SSanyo TAS-30 119.96

CANON Typestars 5dome $179.95

TYPEWRITERSCanon Typestar 6 $229.96Canon -ypernat, 10 $189.95

SMITH -CORONATYPEWRITERS

200 5279.95300 $322.95400 $309.95Electra XT $179.95Sterling Cartridge . $199.95Coronet XL $229.95Super Correct XT $239.95

CanonCALCULATORS

TP-7PIOP90P5DP21DP35DP121D

$29.95$39.95$49.95$59.95$79.95$69.95'29.96

FOX XK RadarDetector S79.95

Radar DetectorsFox Super -Het....Fuzz Buster III ..Fuzz Buster FS -04Whistle" 01200 .Whistler 02000 .Whistler SpectrumSpectrum Remote.Bell 861Bell 860..Bell 834Bell 83'

$179.95$159.95$159.95$119.95$159.95$199.9!$209.95$109.95$149.93$189.95$209.95

SONY COLOR TVKV4000 4' portable $439.95KV1222RS. 12- remoie$359.95KV1357R. 13- remote $349.95KV1515. 15" 1309.9519578. IV remote $4119.95CASH FOR OTHER MODELS

Send $1 for Labelle's220 page catalog

Name

Street

City or Town

Stale 6 Zip

155 Main St.,Biddelord, ME 04005

20 day return policy All returns must be phoned in for prior authonzabon and must be received w ihin 20 days ',urn receipt of onginal shipment Allproducts must be returned in onginal factory packaging clean and unisr ratched and blank warranty card Do not tape or deface manufacturers originalcartons Shipping 8 handling charges not refundable CIRCLE NO. 30 ON READER SERVICE CARD

Sir Colin Davis, with superior forces,has here achieved a "complete" Zauber-flOte. Each role is strongly cast, and thesinging throughout is of unusually highcalibre. German actors substitute forthe singers in the spoken dialogue, andthey deliver their lines with convictionand humor. Together the two castscreate the illusion of a live performance.The program notes are refreshingly in-formative and interesting; the Englishtranslation of the text by Robert A. Jor-dan is admirable.

Sir Colin's attention to details oforchestration, to balance, to bits of mel-ody that are sometimes glossed overmakes this performance a particularlyrewarding one. Under his sensitive di-rection, the Staatskapelle Dresden playsnot only with graceful accuracy but alsowith obvious dedication and devotionto the work at hand. The same may besaid for the Rundfunkchor of Leipzig,which sings its passages with eloquenceand fervor.

Among the fine soloists, PeterSchreier, Kurt Moll, and Mikael Melbyedeserve, I feel, special praise. LucianaSerra sings her two impossibly difficultarias with precision and bravura, but Iwonder (quibbling) if there exists todaya voice of the weight and mobility weimagine Mozart wanted for the role.Last, Margaret Price sings with a tonalpurity and an effortless line that remind

me of Elisabeth GrOmmer, the nearlyideal Pamina of the 1955 Salzburg Zau-berfldte.

By all means, for the continuing plea-sure it will give you, add this recordingto your library. Robert Ackart

OFFENBACH/ROSENTHAL: CakeParisienne. Pittsburg Symphony Or-chestra, Andre Previn cond. PHILIPS 06514 367 $11.98, © 7337 367 $11.98,411 039-2, no list price.

Performance: A little tameRecording: Smooth

OFFENBACH/ROSENTHAL: CarteParisienne. GOUNOD: Faust-BalletMusic. Montreal Symphony Orchestra,Charles Dutoit cond. LONDON 0 411708-1 $11.98, © 411 708-4 $11.98, (§)411 708-2, no list price.

Performance: FizzyRecording: Big and bright

Both of these new recordings offer GateParisienne absolutely complete. AndrePrevin is stylish and persuasive in thesections that call for an insinuating sortof charm and sheer voluptuousness, butrather underanimated in the frothyoverture (not so frothy here) and theother sections that call for sparkle andfizz. These are qualities Charles Dutoitsupplies in abundance, with no shortageof voluptuousness or polish, and Lon-

don's big, bright recording suits themusic better than Philips's clean butdryish and rathe' bottom -heavy one.Between the two, I'd certainly chooseDutoit.

The Ballet Music from Act V of Faustmay remain a gooey bore, even inDutoit's tasteful hands, but it is a sub-stantial filler. Philips offers no secondwork, but does list the headings of therespective sections of Gaitt5 Parisienne,London doesn't even indicate howmany numbers there are in eitherwork. R.F.

RACHMANINOFF: Piano ConcertoNo. 3, in D Minor, Op. 30. DimitrisSgouros (piano); Berlin PhilharmonicOrchestra, Yuri Simonov cond. ANGEL0 DS -38105 $11.98, © 4XS-38105$11.98.

Performance: A bit wildRecording: Luscious

Boy wonder Dimitris Sgouros made hisLondon debut at the age of thirteen inthis most formidable and sophisticatedof the Rachmaninoff concertos. A yearlater, at the ripe old age of fourteen, heundertook the present recording.

Speed and brilliance, verging on thehectic, characterize the opening move-ment working up to the larger of theRachmaninoff cadenzas, which youngSgouros milks for all it's worth. Given

WE DELIVER SAVINGS 1011#D6WISCONSIN DISCOUNT STEREO

241/ * badge' id madison 53/13

tl'EAC X- I 00ORBlack

it' 7 $68810"Auto -Reversewith dbx

OualCS5 I 5-64

SpecialPurchase

CALLWith ULMTone Arm

and Cartridge

TAPE SPECIALSTDK SA -90 $1.90Fugi FR -1190 $1.90SONY UCXS90 $2.50NEL L-500 $5.00JVC T-120 $5.00Call For Other Tape Specials

Stets UiS-300

New 1985Model

LARGE3 -Way Floor

StandingSpeaker $49

TEAC V-909RX

$319

Auto Reversewith dbxDisc Decoder

maim aim wierva mmi .1Mr.

SR -840 Brand New

CALL

Wireless Remote70 Watts RMS

AKAI HX-ICSpecial Christmas

Purchase

taiiikuo $98Dolby B & C

JVC RC -880

$149Dolby,

- PortableReverse

0 SANYO 4650

$289

Wireless RemoteBETA VCR

WHY YOU SHOULDBUY FROM WDS

Professional Audio and VideoConsultantsLowest DELIVERED Prices onStereo's, VCR's, TV's, Tapes,and Accessories

Over S10,000,000.00InventoryAll Factory Fresh with U.S.WarrantiesWe Ship Complete C.O.D.All Products Carry OurFamous Buyer Protection PlanWe Dare You To Compare

JENSEN J-3033

$39each

Triax100 WattsPower

SONY XR-65uncial CALL

Jrchase

Digital withPre-sets & Scan

Quasar 5041

$369

7 FunctionRemote VHS VCR

Studiocraft 3by __ElISISE-

$119Limited Quantity3 -Way FloorStanding

* These are just a few of our Monthly Specials. Call!!* One of the oldest mail orders in the country.* Best consultants in the business* Most orders shipped within 48 hours* Call about our famous Buyer Protection Plan* CALL FOR PRICES ON OTHER SPECIALS. CALL

TOLL FREE 800-356-9514

or Call 608 271-6889Weekdays 9-9 Saturdays 10-6

E9. C.O.D.CIRCLE NO 56 ON READER SERVICE CARD


Find out in Stereo Review.Subscribing to Stereo Review makes sense. Whether you'reshopping for your first stereo system, upgrading yourpresent one, looking for maintenance tips or trying to sortthrough the hundreds of new recordings released everymonth, Stereo Review has answers you can rely on.

Our world-famous Equipment Test Reports help youselect new audio equipment. Explanations of features,laboratory test results and comments from our expert tech-nicians make it easy for you to select components for a greataudio system.

If you already have a terrific sound system, StereoReview can help you care for it and upgrade it. With hints ongetting four -channel sound from your stereo discs ...how tocare for your tape deck's heads ...how to handle records topreserve them ...and much more.

Stereo Review also helps you select the music to playover your sound system. We cover every category of record-ing on disc or tape, to help you steer away from uninspiredperformances or mediocre recordings.

Stereo Review. When you subscribe you'll Oil thegroup of people who enjoy music on their own terms-andtruly know what to buy.

Use the coupon to subscribe-and save 50%!

r

Half PriceSubscription Certificate

Stereo Review P.O. Box, 27 71Colorado 80322

YES! Please emer my subscription to StereoReview at 50% off (based on the full one-yearsubscription price of $9.98).

O One year (12 issues) for $4.990 Two years for $9.98E Three yeas for $14.97

CHECK ONE : Payment erclosed Bill me later.

Mr /Mrs /Ms(please print full name)

Address

City

State Zip

Apt8H77

Foreign postage: Add $1 a year for Canada. Add $5 a year (cashpayment in U.S currency only) for other countries outside U S andpossessions Please allow 30 io 60 days for delivery of first issue

-J

this approach, it's not surprising thatthe slow movement should lack the nec-essary poise. To the finale Sgourosbrings a prickly, nervous quality ratherthan the sense of fulfillment implicit inits musical substance.

Here, then, is "wow" technique inexcelsis, fully aided and abetted by con-ductor Yuri Simonov and accorded lux-uriant, digitally recorded sound. It's afascinating record, but it will be inter-esting to see whether in ten years, say,Sgouros can match the musicianshipand poise of an Ashkenazy in this work.For the present, one thing is sure:nobody needs to worry about this lad'stechnical prowess! D. H .

RAVEL: Histoires naturelles (see DE-BUSSY)

SCHUBERT: Sonata in A Minor (D.821, "Arpeggione"); Introduction andVariations on a Theme from Die SchtineM011erin (D. 802); Serenade (D. 957).James Galway (flute); Phillip Moll(piano). RCA 0 HRC1-5303 $11.98, C)HRK1-5303 $11.98.

Performance: SuaveRecording: Good

There have been recordings of the Ar-peggione Sonata on every instrumentbut the arpeggione, and collectors cannow add a flute version to their hold-

ings. It works very well, as well itshould, because the melodies are indes-tructible. The piece based on Trock'neBlumen from the SchOne Mallerin cycleis legitimate flute music and one of thefew major nineteenth-century works forthat instrument. In both these worksand the famous serenade (Standchen),James Galway offers his usual silvertone and suppleness of line. There aremany beautiful moments, but I wouldhave preferred a little more articulationto the constant legato, which can becloying. Phillip Moll is an excellentSchubert player and shines forth in hisaccompaniments, especially when themusic allows him to take the lead. Afine album. S. L.

SCHUBERT: Winterreise, Op. 89 (D.911). Hermann Prey (baritone); Phi-lippe Bianconi (piano). DENON38C37-7240 $17.98.

Performance: ExcellentRecording: Outstanding

SCHUBERT: Winterreise, Op. 89 (D.911). Martti Talvela (bass); Ralf Go-th6ni (piano). His a/ LP -253/254 twodiscs $25.96.

Performance: Very goodRecording: Excellent

Hermann Prey's recording of Winter-reise with Karl Engel, made by Electrola

more than twenty years ago, circulatedhere briefly on Vox; the one he madelater for Philips, with Wolfgang Sawal-lisch as his pianist, was apparently nev-er issued here. His accompanist in thisnew recording, made by Denon inHamburg in April of last year, is a veryyoung French pianist, Philippe Bian-coni, whose name will not be familiar tomany of us but who has an obvious feel-ing for Schubert and proves to be asuperb partner for Prey.

For his own part, Prey gives a distin-guished account of these songs, mostlyas straightforward and unhistrionic asErnst Haefliger in his splendid recentrecording for Claves. Prey's voice is aricher instrument, and he exploits abroader range of colors, but his empha-sis, like Haefliger's, is always on mu-sical values and textual sense. The emo-tional impact of the twenty-four songsgains appreciably in the cumulative ef-fect made possible by having the entireseventy -four -minute sequence uninter-rupted on Compact Disc. The docu-mentation is especially fine, too: theCD, in its own container, shares a slip-case with a forty -four -page booklet con-taining readable texts, a substantial es-say on the music by Karl Schumann,and biographies of the artists, all in Ger-man, English, French, and Japanese.

Haefliger's pianist, JOrg EwaldDAhler, plays an 1820 Viennese instru-

TRY & BEAT OURPanasonic

RX-C45PORTABLE

am/tm cassette 2 -way speakers 3 -piece S139

T E ACR -777X

CASSETTE DECK Dobler B&C

DBX direct -drive

YOUR CHOICE

BASFSONYPRO II UC-XC90C-90

9 .69 each125 Minimum Purchase

''''N'iy.. -.,'

RINEB

.. Vit CNIiamolk

.---, Ievotta- '

1,1'

soisry,WM-10 RV

JVC R-X500BRECEIVER 100 watts/ch.

TechnicsRS-B68R

SanIgli- _BOSE-SPEAKERS! This isSystem M -900B

complete systemWALKMAN digital tuner CASSETTE DECK amp/tuner/turntable. Complete line of super -Walkman auto -reverse son

computercontrolled

auto reverse Dolby' B&C cassettes deck

& speakers.Bose speakers nowavailable sani

Dolby' N.R. aa Call for price! MX' s214 Call for price! Call for price!

11

Technics SHURE TechnicsF=r-panasonicS-X1130SONYSL -P2 wireless V15-6MR RECEIVER PV -9600 SL -J3

remote control CARTRIDGE 130 watts/ch. 4 -head VHS hi-li TURNTABLE! VIDEO TAPE programmable top -of -the -line 16 sta. presets 2 week/8 program linear -tracking 1-120 or L-750

music -scan micro -ridge video sound & portable quartz -locked OUR PRICE! FL display

stylus

'138picture circuits stacking unit direct -drive

$155 s5, 50 ea.Call for price! Call for price! Call for price! IPAInanurn purchase 4 rapes.

An merchandise brand nev.!idly warr:v,!owl Quantities limited Prices subject to change. Minimum shipping and handling charge

Go -t. 800-221-0974.:FRe Mon -Sat 9AM-5:30PM E.S.T.

In N.Y. State Call: (718) 253-8888

CEjust a smallpiing of ourTreat prices.

Cl FREEot Ctakov,a

STEREO CORPORATION OF AMERICADept. 101 1629 Flatbush Avenue Brooklyn, N.Y. 11210

MASTERCARD &VISA ACCEPTED

NIGHT -OWL LINE CALL

800-327-1531(Mon -Fri 5:30PM-10PM E.S.T.)



ment; both Bianconi and Ralf Gothoni,who accompanies Martti Talvela in theBis recording, favor modem Bttsendorf-ers and sound no less idiomatic. Talve-la's approach is in the same generalstyle as Prey's. Both are a bit moreexpansive than Haefliger, but this wasprobably determined, at least in part, bythe different nature of the voices them-selves. Talvela uses his dark bass light-ly, keeping it agile and limpid, avoidingponderousness. This is another trulydistinguished recording of Winterreise,beautifully realistic, as we would expectfrom Bis, and enhanced further by Di-rect Metal Mastering.

After listening to Prey, Talvela, andHaefliger, and sampling again the sev-eral recordings of Winterreise by Fisch-er-Dieskau and Hotter, the wonder ofthese songs is only magnified. All ofthese fine singers and pianists do honorto Schubert and draw us into his world.Consideration of sonic as well as mu-sical excellence would have to give firstplace to Prey on CD, but I should notwant to be without the unique poignan-cy of Haefliger's clearly articulated, al-most understated peformance on LP -and all the others mentioned herewould be more than welcome for alter-nate listening. R. F.

WEILL: Quartet in B Minor; QuartetNo. 1, Op. 8. Sequoia String Quartet.

NONESUCH 0 79071-1 $11.98, 79071-4 $11.98.

Performance: StrongRecording: Fine

Those familiar with Kurt Weill's Three-penny Opera, Mahagonny, or The SevenDeadly Sins will be pleasantly surprisedto hear these two early string quartets.The B Minor Quartet of 1918 reveals aWeill well versed in the late -nineteenth-century Romantic idiom. The nominalFirst Quartet, Op. 8, of 1923, is moretightly woven, more stringent in itsidiom, showing the composer's growthin mastering his craft. Both are fascinat-ing works that deserve a place in thechamber -music repertoire.

The Sequoia String Quartet turns instrong performances, dramatically con-trasting the long, sinuous chromaticlines of the music with its short, jabbingmotivic passages. A welcome additionto the catalog. S.L.

CollectionCHO-LIANG LIN: Bravura. Falla:Suite populaire espagnole; La vidabreve, Danse espagnole. Kreisler: Lieb-eslied; Liebesfreud; Tambourin chinois;Tempo di minuetto. Mozart: Serenadein D Major, Rondo. Schumann: Ro-mance in A Major. Rachmaninoff: Vo-calise. Wieniawski: Capriccio- Valse.

Sarasate: Introduction and Tarantella.Cho-Liang Lin (violin); Sandra Rivers(piano). CBS 0 IM 39133, @ IMT39133, 0 MK 39133, no list price.

Performance: BrilliantRecording: Very good

Cho-Liang Lin offers us here a widelyvaried collection of musical lollipops,with the Spanish and Polish providingthe most substance. The Falla comes offwith great elan and color, and the Sara -sate and Wieniawski pieces are playedas the true dazzlers they are. The ratherless -known Wieniawski is a consider-able piece and well above the lollipopcategory.

While Lin plays the Schumann Ro-mance with fetchingly lovely tone, thespecial magic in Fritz Kreisler's music,except the stately Tempo di minuettoand the picturesque Tambourin chinois,seems to elude him. Both Liebesleidand Liebesfreud, as well as the Mozartrondo transcription, need a kind of

tasteful schmalz" that is lacking here.That aside, Lin shows himself to be a

brilliant executant in total command ofhis technique and his instrument. Itremains to be seen whether his musi-cianship will mellow as he attains ma-ture years. The violin sound is crystal-line in clarity and brilliance, and thepiano is handsomely recorded within anappropriate perspective. D.H.

audio

ICI

Is

SAVE MONEY TIME FREIGHT ON NAME BRAND STEREO

COMPONENTSAKAI AAA -35 NEWT AM -FM DIGITAL RECEIVER (48x2) $225.00AKAI GX-7 3 HEAD DOLBY B&C CASSETTE DECK 259.00AKA1GXR-99 NEW AUTO -REVERSE 3 HD COMPUTER RECORD .. CALLAKAI GXR-66 DOLBY B&C, dbx W/AUTO. REV. CASS CALLKENWOOD KR -950B COMPUTERIZED HI -SPEED RCVR. (80x2)... 278.00KENWOOD KR -930B 60x2 DIGITAL RECEIVER SPECIAL 200.00ADC SS -315X 10 BD PER CH. EQUALIZER with ANALYZER CALLSANSUI DW-9 SANSUI'S BEST DOUBLE CASSETTE DECK CALLSANSUI Z-7000 (90x2) AM -FM DIGITAL RECEIVER 425.00TEAC EQ-A10 10 BAND/CHN. EQUALIZER W/ANALYZER 90.00TEAC EQ-A20 SAME AS ABOVE WITH MORE FEATURES 110.00TEAC V -909R X AUTO -REV. DOLBY B, C, & dbx CASSETTE DK. . 395.00TECHNICS SBL-71 12" 3 -WAY LOUDSPEAKER SYS. (PAIR).....125.00TECHNICS SA -450 'NEW' (50x2) DIGITAL RECEIVER 199.00TECHNICS SLQ-300 FULLY AUTO. QUARTZ DD TURNTABLE 86.00TECHNICS RSB-78R AUTO -REV. DOLBY B,C, & dbx CASS.DK. CALL

PORTABLESSONY WM-F10 SUPER WALKMAN CASS. WITH DOLBY & FM 88.00JVC PC -2003 -PIECE PORTABLE SYSTEM W/AUTO. REV 210.00AIWA HSP-0211 AUTO -REV. CASSETTE PLAYER 89.00AIWA HSJ-400 AM/FM AUTO -REV. CASS. RECORDER 135.00

AUTOMOTIVEJENSEN ATZ-300 NEW! AM/FM COMP CONTROLLED CASS 275.00JENSEN EQA-5000 7 BAND GRAPHIC EQUAL./40 WATT AMP 89.95JENSEN J-3033 6x9 TRIAX SPEAKERS (PAIR) 79.95

HEADPHONESKOSS PORTA PRO NEW HEADPHONE $44.95SONY MDR-CD5 NEW DIG TAL READY 65.00

1.1SENNHEISER HD -414 LIGHT WT OPEN AIR 44.00

TAPE -AUDIO & VIDEOSONY UCXS-90 NEW HIGH BIAS CASSETTE TAPE 26.00/10SONY UCX-90 TYPE! POSITION, HIGH BIAS 20.00/10TDK SA -90 SUPER AVILYN CASSETTE TAPE 19.00/10TDK SAX -90 DOUBLE COATED 'SA' TYPE CASSETTE 30.00/10TDK D-90 LOW NOISE CASSETTE TAPE 15.00/10BASF PRO 11-90 "WORLD'S QUIETEST HIGH BIAS TAPE" 20.00/10FUJI M-90 METAL CASSETTE 34.00/10MAXELL XL -90 TYPE I OR 11 (PLEASE SPECIFY) 22.00/10MAXELL XL 'S' 90 TYPE 1 OR II (PLEASE SPECIFY) 29.00/10TDK T-120 OR L-750 VIDEOCASSETTES 58.00/10BASF L-750 OR T-120 VIDEO CASSETTES 68.00/10

CARTRIDGESSHURE V-15 TYPE 5 MR NEW TYPE '5' CALLSHURE V-15 VP TYPE 5 'P" MOUNT CALLAUDIO-TECHNICA AT-132EP "P" MOUNT 34.95AUDIO-TECHNICA AT-122LP "P" MOUNT 28.95

COMPACT DISC PLAYERSSHARP DX -100B PROGRAMMABLE, LOW PRICE CALLTECHNICS SL -P1 NEW COMPACT SIZE CALLTECHNICS SL -P3 'NEW' WIRELESS REMOTE, PROGRAMMABLE CALL

SANYO FTE-D6 'NEW' AM/FM, DOLBY B, AUTO -REV. CASS 178.50 8 BRANDS OF CD PLAYERS IN STOCK CALL FOR INFORMATIONSANYO FTU-52 AM/FM CASS.W/DOLBY B&C, METAL CAPABLE 145.00

VIDEO RECORDERSANYO VCR -7200 BETA HI -Fl STEREO W WIRELESS REMOTE 500.00

Phone Nowa'a 1-312-664-0020

41:01

USAWNW

SEE A BETTER PRICE? CALL US! WE WANT YOUR BUSINESS!!UPS rates apolv on these units. Prices and Availability Subject to Change

Mina/ audio12 E. Delaware Pl., Chicago 60611

Hours:10:00-5:00 TOLL FREE

Mon. thru Sot. 1-800-621-8042

larMo.a.8.41,1WWIWIIIMM:WOIM:11.MWOM1401p:M.:W.81181WW,,i0MIMAINMA1 Ill41.4MMINMAWWWW11110,4=1,1111111111DaDIMAS,M,IMIMMMID111111,111111:11111iMal.M:=1:1=101:1M M=111.104.111.14W41.0.1011.01M4

- send for free price list -NameAddressCityState Zip

or use your address label

01II

hIOS


STEREO REVIEW CLASSIFIEDCLASSIFIED RATES: Per Word, 15 Word Minimum. COMMERCIAL: $4.95. EXPAND -AD ': $7.45. PERSONAL RATE: $2.95. Ads set in all Bold Type @ 20% Pre-mium Ads set with Background screen @ 25°'x Premium. DISPLAY: 1" x 21/4", $595.00. 2"' x 21/4", $1190.00. 3" x 21/4", $1,785.00. GENERAL INFORMATION: Fre-quency rates and prepayment discounts available. Payment must accompany order except credit card -Am. Ex., Diners. MC, VISA (include exp. date) -or accreditedad agency insertions. Copy subject to publisher's approval; must be typewritten or printed. First word set in caps. Advertisers using P.O. Boxes MUSTsupply per-manent address and telephone number. Orders not acknowledged. They will appear in next available issue after receipt. Closing date: 5th of the 2nd monthpreced-ing cover date (e.g., Mar. issue closes Jan. 5th). Send order & remittance to: Classified Advertising. STEREO REVIEW Magazine. 1 Park Avenue, New York, NY10016. To charge your ad to a major credit card. call Lois Price at (212) 503-5999. For customer service. call (212) 503-4506.

EQUIPMENT

audio -technics`'Or)

7

DIAMONDS ARE NOT FOREVER,

A

IF YOU CAN'T REMEMBER THE LAST TIMEYOU CHANGED YOUR STYLUSMAY ALREADY BE TOO LATE"

We Are The Factory Authorized OriginalCartridge & Replacement StylusSpecialists!.

D C

(800) 221-0906CALL TOLL FREE FOR

VISA/MCiC 0 D OPDERSN Y State (718) 871 3303

FREE PRICE QUOTES

SEND SELF ADDRESSEDSTAMPED ENVELOPE FOROUR FREE CATALOG

LYLE CARTRIDGESDept. SR Box 69 Brooklyn, N.Y 11218

Phones Open Mon. - Sat. 9am - 8pm

2:1

ortofon :Hum mate reoal-IVAtxpressr (714) 594 5749

CALL FOR PRICEFAST & FRIENDLY SERVICE

Most Orders Shipped Within 48 HoursHOME AUDIO

YAMAHA. ADS. BOSE. HAFLER HARMAN KARDONINFINITY, AR. ALTEC, SONY. DBX, JBL. JVC, AIWA.

TECHNICS, AKAI SAE. MICRO SEIKI. ADCOM.TEAL. STAX. ADVENT, AUDIO SOURCE.

AND MANY MORE

CAR AUDIOADS, ALPINE. BLAUPUNKT CONCORD. SONY.

KENWOOD. PIONEER. CLIFFORD ALARMS

VIDEOSONY. JVC. RCA. PANASONIC

709 Brea Canyon Rd., Suite 9, Walnut, CA 91789

FREE CATALOG -LOWEST DISCOUNT PRICES on

Stereo/esoteric components and accessories for thehome and car: Sony, Bose, JVC, AR, SAE, other"high quality" brands. AUDIO UNLIMITED, 1798ATechnology Drive, San Jose, CA 95110. (408) 279-0122,

1-6, M-Th.

QUALITY. USED AUDIO EQUIPMENT, Newsletter.hundreds of listings, items for sale, items sought, pub-lished 6X annually. $8 one year subscription. Hard to findaudiophile records! Play it Again Sam, 12611 -SR, Madi-son Avenue. Lakewood. Ohio 44107. (216) 228-0040. MC,Visa.

DISCOUNT PRICES on woofers, mtds, tweeters, cross-overs, grille cloth, plans, much more. Send $1.00 for infor-mation packed catalog. UNIVERSAL SOUND, Dept SR, P.O.Box 36052. Sarasota, FL 33583. (813) 953-5363.

HIGH -END SPEAKER KITS, raw drivers and auto speakersystems from the world's finest manufacturers. For begin-ners and audiophiles. Audax, Fried. Dynaudio, Dalesford,Jordan. JVC, SEAS. Morel. Siare, Peerless. Free price list.A&S SPEAKERS, Box 7462S, Denver, CO 80207. (303) 399-8609.

CLEARANCE SALE! FONS MARK I turntables. As Is WhereIs. $75.00 each, 2/$130 00. Lot prices available. Coloradoresidents add tax. Lord Brothers. P.O. Box 6430. Denver.CO 80206. (303) 534-7590.

FREE! 1984 CATALOGUE. 1001 bargains. Speakers -parts -

tubes -video cassettes -record changers -tape re-corders -kits. EVERYTHING IN ELECTRONICS. Write:

McGEE RADIO & ELECTRONICS, 1901 McGee Street.

Kansas City, MO 64108-1891.

AUDIO DISCOUNTS offers quality audio equipment in-cluding esotencs and car stereo at DISCOUNT PRICES'Monday thru Saturday call: (301) 593-8833. AUDIO DIS-COUNTS, 1026 McCeney, Silver Spring, MD 20901. VISA,M/C. C.O.D. for your convenience.

PEOPLE WHO KNOW STEREO BUY THEIR SOUND DI-RECT. Now YOU can buy the finest in hi -fidelity compo-nents, including esoterics and auto sound, at unheard ofprices. DIRECT SOUND MARKETING provides sensible,expert advice, INHOUSE SERVICE FACILITIES and fac-tory fresh components on an in stock basis. DiscoverAmericas best kept audio secret. Send $1.00 for our in-formative catalogue to: DIRECT SOUND MARKETING,Dept. S. 3095 Bolling Way, Atlanta, Georgia 30305 or call(404) 233-9500. M/C, VISA, AMEX accepted. Sales taxcharged to Georgia residents only.

PHILIPS, AUDAX, PEERLESS. FOCAL. AND DYNAUDIOLOUDSPEAKERS in stock with good prices and compe-tent service. Crossover components also. MADISOUNDSPEAKER COMPONENTS, 8982 Table Bluff. Box 4283,Madison, WI 53711. (608)767-2673

HARMAN/KARDON, Nakamichi, Crown, Revox, Tand-

berg, DBX, Hafler, Carver, Luxman. NAD DCM, Electro-

quality components. Best prices -Professional Consultation. East: (904) 262-4000: West:

(213) 840-0878.

BEST PRICE & IN STOCK! Perreaux, Bedini, Acoustat,ARC, Thorens, RGR, Hafler, Onkyo, Technics, B&W, Me-ridian, Vandersteen, Dynavecter, Snell, Tascam, Spen-dor. Video . . Paul Kadair's Audio Video, 11420 AirlineHighway, Baton Rouge, LA 70816 (800) 331-9853.

BANG & OLUFSEN, ADS, Luxman, NAD. Thorens, Ky-

ocera. Reasonable prices. Soundcrest Inc., (201) 756-4858.

UP TO 40% SAVINGS: Nakamichi, Denon, Grace, TeacSeries Z, Alpine, Quad, etc. VISA/MC, C.O.D. (206) 323-4987.

COMPACT DIGITAL DISCS AND PLAYERS, MITSUBISHI.SAE. HAFLER. NAKAMICHI, KLIPSCH, THORENS.GRADO, MIRAGE. FRIED, ADCOM, PROTON, more. Im-mediate, FREE shipping! READ BROTHERS STEREO, 593-B King Street, Charleston, SC 29403. (803)723-7276.

ATTENTION HAFLER, DYNA, CROWN OWNERS. We buildnew higher performance circuits in Haller, Dyne, Crownaudio components. Not "modifications", but new PCcards and stable, non-slewing circuits that drive realworld loads with music signals. Write or call for free cat-alog and sample of Audio Basics, our monthly newslet-ter. Jensens Stereo Shop, 2202 River Hills Dr., Burnsville,Minn. 55337. (612) 890-3517.

Speakerkit Catalog -45 proven designs for home. cars 8(and) pro. Over 60 pages of JBL, Audax. Hafler, polypro-pylene drivers, & (and) crossovers $2. Gold Sound. Box141 SR. Englewood. CO 80151

THEY DON'T DISCOUNT IT? WE DOI GET LOW PRICESon ALL types of audio equipment -including high -endand even esoteric products not normally discounted! Nowwe can save you money on the equipment you REALLYWANT. Extensive selection -no need to settle for sec-ond choice. Thousands of satisfied customers nation-wide. Call us for price quotes or friendly, expert advice.Catalog Si. (616) 451-3868. VISA/MC/AMEX. THE AUDIOADVISOR, INC., BOX 6202, GRAND RAPIDS, Ml 49506.

HIGH -END SPEAKERS' Save 40% on esoteric speakersystems. Time aligned. Phase coherent, Transient per-fect, Fast service. RTRD, 2105 Claremont, Springfield. IL62703

SMALL AD BIG SAVING- PLUS PROFESSIONAL ADVICE -

Fe/Wm ADS Aavew .1.vd Aopeo, AAR Arno, AR8Iaoponht Bose. Boston Cerestron DBx Denon Dual Dynayei

for Energy Grace Grundig Harmanikaroon Hitachi ALKyocera 0154.tbosho Onkyo Phase Linear Pioneer Pyramid Sal

Sherwood .Signer Sniinnrraitsrnen Sound Dynamics Sonyrhotens i'i' . is ue ViSOOlk Walker and more

RETAIL MAIL ORDER EXPORT Call or Write Harold Mnt0

PERFORMANCE AUDIO/VIDEO365 S. ElayvIew Ave, Freeport, LI, NY 11520 516-378-4389

Open. 12 noon to Tpm EST Viso MC AMEX

CONNECTICUT APT-Holman, Boston Acoustics, B&W,Carver, DCM TIME windows, Dynavector, Fourier, Hafler,Kell, KLH, Mitsubishi, Micro -Acoustics, Marcoff, Nakam-ichi, NAD, Ortofon, Panasonic, Proton, Pioneer, Quad,Robertson, Sanyo. Signet, Thorens, Walker. Pioneer Video,Mitsubishi Video. Will ship prepaid. SOUNDS INCREDI-BLE, 39 Federal Road, Brookfield. CT 06804. PHONEQUOTES ONLY CALL: IRA, (203)775-1122.

Amplifiers PreamplifiersSignal Processing

KINERGETICSINCORPORATED

6029 RESEDA BOULEVARD TARZANA. CA 91356(818) 345-2851

PAY DEALER COSTOn Home E. Car Stereo....Video Equipment alsoSatellite T.V. All top brands. No deposit, same dayshipping, no lemon guarantee. Full lifetime ser-vice. Call 9am to 9pm daily. 'til 5pm Saturday.

1.301-488-9600INTERNATIONAL HI Fl DISTRIBUTORS

Moravia Center Industrial ParkBaltimore. Maryland 21206

Visit a Shuwcasc of Audi( Nick:0Values in N.Y.C.-L.I.-Mctro Arca.SasutOCxsou CABGANI (AO MASAX01.9CaErN5NOO,,AVA,...350.AAND

5 ' .3rhAVA:1D.CAA,CS,LO000YBA AB 93. ON I )45BIOSBACOBCS

'all !ITmo?.1'2961 .Sn mai! pfd(15

NA York On. NIDi.4,1.1.301',o, NA, q "At I

SOUNDS 141C4

4

0

iz

NIANAMIC.1 AIDETBLI ACC, IRI.M.13, I. LM MICRO SEW!

ALL JAPANESE HIGH -END A

DISCOUNTEDAmerica's Largest Selection 8OVER 100 CARTRIOGES, 50 TONE...WAS,

30 TURNTABLES, 100 ACCESSORIES, & MOREAO ;MOE CATALOG - 3 00

JAPANESE STEREO930 N Le Cer.Rya Blvd.

Lon ARRelea,CA 90009 (2131889.9580ITJAC_LJTIORRRONIC RON V ER ESPRIT ENTRE .1./. XL .

NOTICE TO REVOX BUYERS: Unauthorized dealers areselling Revox products not designated for sale in the USA.STUDER REVOX AMERICA CANNOT BE RESPONSIBLEFOR ANY WARRANTY SERVICING OF PRODUCTS SOLDBY THESE DEALERS. For the location of your nearest au-thorized Revox dealer, call or write: Studer Revox Amer-ica, 1425 Elm Hill Pike. Nashville, TN 37210. (615) 254-5651.

CABLE TV CONVERTERS, Police Radar Detectors and

Scanners. Send $1.00 for catalog. Great Lakes Commu-

nications Inc., 0-2026, Chicago Drive, Jenison, MI 49428.

Ouo:3 TopesTHIS IWONITIN'S SUPER SPECIALS

TooSA 90 1 as MA 905A60 1.80 MA 60SAX 90 2.69 NA 590 NewSAX 60 2.49 110,560 NewA00 90 2.55 MAR 90AD 90 1.6$ MAR 60AD 60 1.45 LX 35-90D90 1 OS LX 35-9080 60 .95 1-120HD -010 rnag 1349 T-120 EX mg

sorniUCXS 90LNX 90LNX 60L-7501-750 MC1-120

2 251 OS

855 497 49548

PUJIFR METAL 90FR1190

4193894193895994.79&795135.117.49

3401 99

TEMICROOS On [asset

CDC 90 289CRC 90 3.19

IM X ELLUOXL 1190UOXL 1160XL 115 90MX 90UD 90UD 60LN 9015660UD 35-90AL 155-9081120

120540X

2 091 852656991 951 SS1 151 054896395 897 89

DIUD1SCIUT 33 95SYSTEM 9.99rape Care Set 11 IS16 ciz lull 9.99

CALL NOW 71/04.34-3417 OR ORDER SY WAILin Continental USA add $3 50 for snipping on orders Lip to 570 Over$70 add 5% of total circler Elsewnere in USA add $7 on orders up to$70 Over 570 add 10% Outside USA write MC VISA additional 3%

QUALITY TAPES864 East 7255 Street. Dept SP 12 Orootlyn N 11230

NAKAMICHI. BX150 $399-. RX 202 $515-, RX 303 $725-.RX 505 $889-, Z x9 $1165-. Dragon $1395. TD 1200 $995.TASCA 244 $895. 32 $899. 34 $1099. M 30 $929. M2A $349.YAMAHA: R100 $579. T 100 $259. T700 $199-, A1000 $499.A700 $349-. SONY. TCD 5M $455. WMD6C $259 CDP 501es $729- 24 hours (206)361-2455 TASKAMICHI I AUDIO.

LOWEST PRICES. BOSE, DBX, JBL. NAKAMICHI andmore. Dynamic Sound, Box 168, Starkville, MS 39739.(601) 323-0750. 2 PM -9 PM.

A SINGER'S DREAM!

4114 f .12 7

S E

REMOVES VOCALS FROM RECORDS!Now You can sing with the world's best bands!

The Thompson Vocal Eliminator can removemost or virtually all of a lead vocal from a standardstereo record and leave the background!

Write or call for a free brochure and demo record.LT Sound, Dept. SR P.O. Box 338,

Stone Mountain GA 30086 404 493.1258

CALL USI Conrad -Johnson, Hatter, Perreaux, PS Audio,Audio Pro, dbx, Ohm Acoustics, Infinity, Monster Cable,Harman/Kardon, SAE, Step, Amber, Denon, NAD, VSPLabs, Adcom. DCM, ADS, KEF, Pyramid, Tandberg, Thor -ens. Grace, Grado, Dynavector, Nitty Gritty, VPI, more.AUTOMOTIVE: Concord. Kenwood, Zapco, Ungo Box,more. Friendly expert consultation. Fast, free shipping.MC/VISA. REFERENCE AUDIO SYSTEMS, 18214 DaltonAvenue, Gardena, CA 90248. (213) 398-4205.

Ertrifini

203-937-0106Lowest Possible Prices !!

MOST MAJOR AUDIO BRANOSII

CO'S - HI -END AUDIO - CAR PRODUCT

COMPUTERS - (HARDWARE -SOFTWARE) - VIDEO

FULL WARRANTY - FAST DELIVERYSEND FOR OUR CATALOGS!'

OD 1996 ORANGE AVE

NSAWEST HAVEN, CT. 065161

HAFLER. CARVER. YAMAHA BOSE. MCINTOSH, etc., instock. Trades welcomed. Audio Exchange. 57 Park Place -SR, NY, NY 10007 (212) 964-4570.

Noise Reduction Stereo Synthesizer Ambience Four Input Stereo Switcher

Bring new life to TV or FM Audio with this fabulous pr )duct,Order yours today - comes complete with all cables irstruclion two-year warranty 30 day money back guarantee Sendcheck MO Visa or MC s to below address or call he treeliterature Also available at better dealers The TE-600 Teedap-ter $14995 4 Needed Features In One Audio Processor

Toll Free 1-800-251-8608P.O. Box 1316. Dept. 123

NATIONAL CORPORATION Columbia, TN 38402RHOADE/

LuxmanHarman KardonTandbergBoston AcousticsAudio ControlSherwoodInfinityDenonRevoxKenwood CarOrtof onHaflerThorens

Ge.1. lit

ADS eelAIWAGRACEM & K We DeliverB & 0 FreeSME AnywhereAna Morel In The U.S.

The SOUND Approach6067 Jericho Tpke , Commack, NY V 725Charge It ... CALL (516) 499-7680

SAVE UP TO 75%1 Esoteric loudspeaker kits, acousticfoam. drivers. enclosures, capicitors etc. Catalog $2.00.

Refundable Audio Concepts, 1631 Caledonia St.. LaCrosse. Wisconsin 54602 (608) 781-2110

NEW JERSEY AUDIOPHILESIII Grado, B&O, DCM. ADS,Jensen Video, Dahlquist, Denon Hailer, Signet, many more.CALL: (201) 744-0600 CSA AUDIO. 193 Bellevue. Mont-clair, New Jersey 07043.

MONSTER CABLE at LOWEST PRICES cut to ary length.We carry all Monster Cable accessories. Hatter. Ken -wood, Systemdek. Thorens, Grado, DCM. JBL, N Sty Gritty,Tweek. Maxell UDXL II C90 $1.89 each minimum of 12. Callor write for other great prices. $4 00 shipping charge MC/VISA. Trolley Stereo, 364 Trapelo Road Belmont, MA02178 (617)484-7847

$99 SPECIAL (Original retails 5250-5300): #8851 50/50Wintegrated amp: #8841 digitally synthesized tuner. #8871direct drive/auto turntable with cartridge 1 year Teknikawarranty. SCC. Box 551SR, Dublin. Ohio 43017..;614) 8892117, VISA/MC/COD.

La

model 4 000-X2 4 Im-proves bass perform-ance (2 4 dB'cctaveslope) FREE CATALOG.

lial ACE5thstAUEDalNorthport.

NY 11731-2399

New Subsonic Filter

DYNACO OWNERS: 60,000 lbs parts/manuals/tubes/drivers/accessories/kits. FREE BARGAIN CATALOG. SCC,POB 551 SR. Dublin, Ohio 43017.

,117 Pti,,nrvirapt, & Cartt

leaturtng the needles and cartridges 01

0 YAMAHASend for a free catalog.

Needle in a Haystack. Inc.P.O. Box 17435 Washington. DC 20041

Needling the World"'

CALL TOLL FREE! 1-(800) 826-0520 for NAD Dahlquist,Hafler, Denon. Proton, dbx, 3D. Tandberg, Belles, M&K,Monster Cable. Nitty Gritty, Oracle. Grado, Snell. B&W,Thorens. CWD, Sota, Duntec, Audioquest, NEC. VSP. Stax,Grace, Astatic Dynavector, DCM, Talisman. THE SOUNDSELLER, 1706 Main St., Marinette, WI 54143 (715) 735-9002

0,_D TIME RADIO -original broadcasts on quality tapesFree catalog. Carl R Froelich. Route Ore. New Freedom,Pennsylvania 17349.

OPEN REEL TAPES. Prerecorded. Cataiogue $1.00 Bar-clay-CrocXer. 313-S Mill Street, Poughkeepsie. NY 12601.

1930-1962 RADIO PROGRAMS Beats Television', Tapes.$1 00 Howl Established esteemed dealer. Informative 275page catalog. $1.25 AM Treasures, Box 192SR, Babylon,N.Y. 11702.

TAII WORLD IOU MI5 1.1062464000

NAV 0 e5 Op P1 tOy 5101750 5 SC,Cee el. 050 51SMA 10SA910

S

.2

0S. 110 TOR it109.0110 NI SONY ern010971}00 OVADELL l'110., rSp Sr101.A.1010 el10.1PS0 49

13 90SA 90

2

,OS01090 , 01 MAXI,/ 1,209 eSONOD? 39DSO ,M 100D 1.11,S0 5 no

19.15010C T,A 5.5SAS, 1,20 5 VD

SA -10AO 90

, rtui 7,94 ',ANIO Dov en 11100.0

sm tOR .1390SI Duo MET. 00 .5

0-0090

119

eSeNO0 05 SONY ..ef 1500OSS0001. SONY *90

229 SCOTCN ,C90 2.r1 SA190 1.0 2211

Vol YOU ma03590 v. 2 21 NO10.11.9..$90 2 29

ANY COOMINTO9 rocs Ds tie Kew& outs festers. suSP..04 AMP 1.0.0111.0 09.1CAS 11

25 14919959 ovy orator .1, US v11.4 SAC .4 44 .,1..w COD Sad 1COD DA NO. las ii sh,saaw meons co

226 SI9.0 St Dem 301 5411at PA 14001 412 2034021

AMPEX PROFESSIONAL SERIES AUDIO TAPE SALE.High quaity open reel 1800' or 2400' on 7' reels. used once.Case of 40. $45.00 101/2 x 3600' and cassettes MC/VISAValtech E lectronics, Box 6 -SR. Richbcro, PA 18954 (215)322-4866

OPEN REEL TAPE -Mostly Ampex 641/871. used once,unspliced, unboxed. 7- 1800' or 2400' 50 Reels, $60 00.Sample: $2.00. Ten 3600' 101/2' Reels: $37,50. Sample:$3.50. New, high Bias cassettes. Sample: $1.00. AUDIOTAPES, Box 9584-K, Alexandria. VA 22304, (703)370-5555.VISA/MC.

OPERAS AND CONCERTS LIVE on tape. Cassette/video/reel -reel. Visa/MC/AMX. Free catalog. Tardoin, PO Box210-255. San Pancisco, CA 94121-0255

AUDIO SPECIALTY SHOPS

AUDIOF HILES/VIDEOPHILESI We have the widest se-lection of audio/video equipment available. Kyocera,Allison, Adcom, Harman-Kardon, Infinity, NEC, Thorens,Jensen Audio/Video, SAE, Haller, Klipsch, Luxman. VHSHi -Fit Cell for information. CONTINENTAL SOUND, 98-77Queens Blvd., Rego Park, NY 11374. (212) 459-7507. Im-mediats delivery. MC/VISA/AMEX.

AUDIO ACCESSORIES

WHAT 30 YOU THINK about curious minds playing withyour Stereo System? Resolve this situation with ourspecie chrome applique "Do Not Alter The Controls 01This System.- Send 53.29 to: EFFECTIVE LABEL CO.,1302 S Parker, Suite 329, Denver, CO 80231.

RECORDS

COLLECTORS' Soundtracks. Mint. List $1 (refundable).Jemm s. P.O. Box 157. Glenview, III. 60025

RARE ORIGINAL RECORDS. all kinds, mostly mint 5000list $2.00. refundable. Carl. Box 828. Princeton. NC 27569.

ORGAN AND CHORAL. RECORDS. For free catalog writeGothic Records. PO Box 1576-F. Tustin, CA 92681

OPERA -HISTORICAL PERFORMANCES ON DISC. Mostcomprehensive selection anywhere. Send $1 00 for cata-log -refundable. LYRIC. 162 B Cabot St.. West Babylon,NY 11'04.

FREE STEREO ALBUMS. For entry lorm send $1 00 SASE,Music and Music, Inc., POB 6698. Birmingham. Alabama3521C.

RECORDS BY GASPARO. Chamber music, solo. ba-roque -We have something for you. Write for free cata-log. PO Box 120069. Nashville. TN 37212

JAZZ. BLUES, ROCK. Below list. VISA. MC. Free cata-log.RUTABAGA RECORDS, 437 North 5th St., Strouds-burg, PA 18360.

FREE issue of GOLDMINE. world's largest record collec-tors' publication, Thousands of records for sale. All musictypes. eras. Plus historical articles, columns. Sample free.10 issues. $9.95.GOLDMINE, Dept. ALG. 700 E StateStreet. Iola. Wisconsin 54990

WHILE YOU WERE LOOKING FOR "Out -of -Print" Rec-ords you should've been looking for us' DISContinued (213)846-9192

JAZZ' RECORDS. Big Bands. Mainstream, Dixieland, Dis-cographies. Imports. Craig Recording, PO Box 943, ElDorado. AR 71731-0943

ELECTRACRAFT features Aiwa, Audio Control. B&O.Dahlquist, DCM. Grado. Hailer, Linear. Mitsubishi, NAD,NEC. Signet, Revox. Tandberg, Thiel. ELECTRACRAFT, 212North First Avenue, Sandpoint, ID 83864 (208) 263-9516.

UNPRESSURED, PERSONALIZED CONSULTATION andlowest price on a variety of superb components. COM-MUNITY AUDIO. 318 West Duval. Philadelphia, PA 19144.(215)843-9918.

WE BUY AND SELL like -new Stereo LP's. prerecorded reeltapes and cassettes. Thousands in stock, Catalog $2 50Protect your LP's -poly. paper, cardboard Jackets. Lowpric-ss, FREE catalog RECORDCARE, Hillburn, NY 10931.

FREE RECORD, CASSETTE AND COMPACT DISC CATA-LOG: Features a tremendous selection of remaindered LPand cassette values in all musical categories. Compactdisc, cassette and LP new releases at discount prices.Many imports and smaller labels offered. Prompt deliv-ery. Rose Records, Dept. SR, 214 SO. Wabash Avenue,Chicago, IL 60604.

FREE SOUNDTRACK LP. Send $2.50, refundable with

order, for soundtrack catalog subscription and freeLP. Star, Dept. SR -10, Box 7, Quarryville, PA 17566.

Phone (717) 284-2573.

COMPACT DISC

COMPACT DISCS & ACCESSORIES. Call TOLL FREE

1(800) -ALL -DISC, (in CT. 1 452-0203), for FREE CATA-

LOG M -F 10.8, Saturday 10-7, Sunday 10-4. ALL DISC

MUSIC INC., 133 Wheeler Road, Monroe, CT 06468.

LARGEST SELECTION ON COMPACT -DISC available'Select from all titles and artists released and receive ourgigantic catalog of audiophile laser -disc product. Lowestprices on earth in a flawless mailorder service. EAMS-Ex-port Department, Postfach 1525/Grafinger Str. 226, D-8360Deggendorf /West -Germany

COMPACT DISCS, Most $11.99-$13.99. 2000 plus titles inStock. Free catalog plus monthly updates. 02 RECORDS,5246 Memorial Drive, Stone Mountain, Georgia 30083.(404)292-5452.

COMPACT DISCS! Over 1900 titles priced from $10.49Send $1.00 for catalog. DISC HAVEN. Box 16B, Storrs, CT06268.

COMPACT DIGITAL DISCS exclusively -in -stock -catalog$1, refundable with orders. Ethel Enterprises, Box 3301,Dept. SR, Falls Church, VA 22043.

COMPACT DISCS! Over 2000 titles available -immedi-

ate delivery -FREE catalog. LAURY'S RECORDS, 9800

North Milwaukee Ave., Des Plaines, IL 60016. CALL TOLL

FREE 1 (800) CD -DISKS -outside Illinois. (312) 296-0420 in Illinois.

COMPACT DISC CENTER

P 0 Box 616S Clifton Perk. NY 12065

15181 664 2550

Many Discs S13 99

Quantity 10 and over only S12 99

S2 00 Cont. U S shipping

FREE CATALOGUE

COMPACT DIGITAL DISCS AT DISCOUNT PRICES.Southeast's CD Headquarters. Free Catalog. Cat's Rec-ords and Tapes, PO Box 22773, Nashville, TN 37202.

COMPACT DISCS! Import and Domestic. Whatever isavailable is available to you at discount prices. CD MA-CHINES TOO. Call the CD STORE, to place an order. (617)762-6777.

COMPACT DISCS-Import/domestic labels -thousandsof titles in stock -low, low prices. Comprehensive CDcat-alog available for $2.00. applicable to your first order. Bi-monthly newsletter covering new releases for CD's/LP's/tapes free upon request -Serenade Record Shop, DeptSR85, 1713 St. N.W.. Washington, DC 20006. (202) 638-6648.

BEST COMPACT DISC PRICES WORLDWIDE! Low as$8.99. Send $2.00 for greatest CD catalog, $25.00 of dis-count coupons. CLASSIC DIVERSIONS, P.O. Box 1923.Evanston, IL 60204.

COMPACT DISCS AND LASER VIDEO DISCS. Niceprices -free lists. MC/VISA. SIGHT & SOUND INC., 18Bennett St.. Boston, MA 02135. (617)787-4465.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

ERASE DEBTS with little-known law -CREATE wealth!Details FREE-WealthKit, No. DD1, Billings, N.Y. 12510.

BORROW $300-$30.000 INTEREST FREE! Keep indefi-nitely! Free Details. Write: American, 1601 Main, Plain-field, Indiana 46168.

MAIL ORDER OPPORTUNITY! Start profitable homebusiness without experience or capital. Information free.Mail Order Associates. Dept. 535, Montvale, NJ 07645.

INSTRUCTIONS

YOUR OWN RADIO STATION! AM, FM, cable, licensed,unlicensed, low-cost transmitters! Free information:Broadcasting. Box 130-R1, Paradise, CA 95969.

GOV SURPLUS

IS IT TRUE you can buy jeeps for $44 through the US gov-ernment/ Get the facts today' Call (312) 742-1143 ext. 4670.

BOOKS & MAGAZINES

SATELLITE TV VIEWERS,et The most complete wet -

Send S1 for sample copy.

"P.O. Box 3087, Fortuna, CA 99541)$00-358.9'9'97 (U.S ) 800-5564717 (Calif.)

707-725-2476 (all others)

Interested in home satellite TV?Learn ho, it works, what services are available, how to

buy a system and more through the new bookletTo Satellite TV. Clip out this coupon and send it with yourname and address, and SI IX) for postage and handling ti.

Tuning In To Satellite TVCommTek Publishing Company

P.O. Boa 2228, Dept. lBailey, ID 83333

PUBLISHERS' OVERSTOCKS. BARGAIN BOOKS 2.000titles, all subjects! Free catalog: Hamilton, Box 15-D, FesVillage, CT 06031

MOVIE FILM/VIDEOTAPES

GREAT ARTISTS VIDEO. The exciting alternative for op-eratic video collectors. Box 797. Bronx, New York 10469

COLLECT HOME VIDEO MOVIES! Everything imagin-able! All ratings. VHS. Beta. Catalog $2.00. Tower. Dun-kirk, MD 20754-0213.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

LEARN WHILE ASLEEP. Hypnotize! Astonishing details,strange catalog free! Autosuggestion. Box 24-ZD, Olym-pia. Washington 98507.

FOR INVENTORS

INVENTORS' IDEAS HAVE VALUE'

Ever think of an idea. forget it and see it later on themarket? Many people don t forget. act quickly andare rewarded by American Industry Write downyour idea' We offer free disclosure registration andinitial consultation regarding your idea s potentialvalue Call or write without delay for your free infor-mation package

AMERICAN INVENTORS CORPORATION82 Broad St . Dept SRWestfield. MA 01086

413-568.3753

A Fee Based Marketing CompanyOffices Coast to Coast

PERSONALS

MAKE FRIENDS WORLDWIDE through international cor-respondence. Illustrated brochure free. Hermes-Verlag,Box 10660/Z. D-1000 Berlin 11, W. Germany.

BEAUTIFUL PHILIPPINE LADIES -Desire Friendship,Correspondence, Marriage!! Photos. Descriptions. $1.00.Transcor-D, Box 2321, Manila, Philippines 2801.

ORIENTAL SINGLES seeking cultural exchange. friend-ship, sharing, marriage. WRITE: CHERRY BLOSSOMS,Box 1021 P, Honokaa, Hawaii 96727.

HAVE MANY A-1 TAPES of Met Opera broadcasts etc. tobe given away for a donation to the Gladys Fissel Memo-rial Fund. Contact: Bob Fissel, 3902 Columbia Pike. Ar-lington. VA 22204.

TAHITI'S WOMEN want to meet caring, upscale individu-als. Maeva Club International, Box 1370, New York. NY10268.

MEET ASIAN LADIES! Send $2.00 for photo album. DE-TAILS: Friendship, 4959CE Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood CA90027.

INDIVIDUALS, COUPLES -Friends for sports, hobbies,travel, vacations, correspondence -nationwide, world-wide. ELECTRONIC EXCHANGE, Box 68-S41, ManhattanBeach, CA 90266.

CORRESPONDENCE TO ASIA FOR LASTING RELA-TIONSHIP. Free information. AAWS-SR, Box 2777. Orcutt.CA 93455-0777.

SINGLE?! Want to feel special? Call SINGLES DATE -LINE!It Will Change Your Life! (916)944-4444. XSINGLESTEREO.

STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENTAND CIRCULATION (Required by 39 U.S.C. 3685)

1. Title of Publication: Stereo Review.a. Publication No. 00391220

2. Date of filing: October 1, 1984

3. Frequency of issue: Monthlya. No. of issues published annually: 12b. Annual subscription price: $9.98

4. Location of known office of publication (not printers):3460 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90010.

5. Location of the headquarters or general businessoffices of the publisher (not printers): One Park Av-enue, New York, New York 10016.

6. Names and complete addresses of the publisher,editor, and managing editor Publisher, William T.Lippe, One Park Avenue, New York, New York10016. Editor, William Livingstone, One Park Av-enue, New York, New York 10016. Managing Editor,Louise Gooch Boundas, One Park Avenue, NewYork, New York 10016.

7. Owner: Ziff -Davis Publishing Company, One Park Av-enue, New York, New York 10016: Ziff Corporation,One Park Avenue, New York, New York 10016.

8. Known bondholders, mortgagees. and other securityholders owning or holding 1 percent or more of totalamount of bonds, mortgages or other securities:None.

10. Extent and Nature of Circulation:

Actual No.Average Copies of

No. Copies SingleEach Issue Issue

During PublishedPreceding Nearest to12 Months Filing Date

A. Total no. copies printed(net press run) 679,798 691,731

B. Paid circulation1. Sales through dealers

and carriers, streetvendors and countersales 61,424 61,150

2. Mail subscriptions 516,086 513,692

C. Total paid circulation(sum of 1081 and 1082) 577,510 574,842

D. Free distribution by mail,carrier or other means,samples, complimentary,and other free copies 19,386 18,303

E. Total distribution(sum of C and D) 596,896 593,145

F. Copies not distributed1. Office use, left over,

unaccounted, spoiledafter printing 2,522 2,236

2. Returns from newsagents 80,380 96,350

G. Total (sum of E, Fl and2 -should equal netpress run shown in A) 679,798 691,731

11. I certify that the statements made by me above arecorrect and complete.

WILLIAM L. PHILLIPS,

Assistant TreasurerBE A RECORDING ENGINEER! New classes quarterly. In-stitute of Audio/Video Engineering. 1831 Hyperion, DeptL. Hollywood, CA 90027, (213)666-3003.

LOVELY CULTURED ASIANS desire correspondence/marriage. Educated/Faithful. ISCC. 3857 Birch, Suite 596 -PR, Newport Beach, CA 92660.

EDITORIAL INDEX, 1984

Prepared by David Stein

EQUIPMENT TEST REPORTS(Hirsch -Houck Laboratories)

Amplifiers and PreamplifiersAdcom GFP-I A (preamplifier), Mar. 28Mark Levinson ML -3 (power), Jun. 46Luxman L-430 (integrated), Oct. 37Revox B 251 (integrated), May 36Soundcraftsmen PCR800 (power), Aug. 32Yamaha C-80 (preamplifier) and M-80

(power), Nov. 29Audio/Video EquipmentJensen AVS-6200 (VCR), Jul. 40RCA VKT-550 (VCR). Jul. 40Car Stereo (Greenleaf and Hirsch)19 Amplifiers, May 48Audia DTX-1000. Jul. I8Audiomobile System 1600. Oct. 22Autotek 5550E, Feb. 20Kenwood KRC-9900, Sep. 24Pioneer Centrate FEX-95, Dec. 18Proton 204, May 16Sansui CX-990, Jun. 18Sony XR-100, Mar. 18; CDX-R7 (CD player

and tuner), Oct. 58Yamaha YCT-800, Jan. 23Cassette DecksAkai GX-R99, Oct. 46B&O Beocord 5000, Apr. 26Denon DR -M44, Jul. 28Kenwood KX-7IRB, Feb. 32Nakamichi RX-505, Mar. 25; BX-300,

Dec. 27Pioneer CT -A9, Jun. 26Tandberg TCD 3014, May 26Technics RS -8100. Nov. 32Compact Disc PlayersKenwood DP -1100B. Jul. 24Marantz CD -54, Sep. 50Mitsubishi DP -I03, Jan. 44Pioneer P -D70, Nov. 42Sansui PC -V1000, Aug. 28Sony CDP-610ES, Feb. 36; D-5 Discman,

Dec. 64Yamaha CD -X I. Jun. 36HeadphonesAKG K4, Nov. 47Koss Portapro, Sep. 41Phono CartridgesADC TRX-3, Oct. 29Audio-Technica AT16OML, Aug. 36Shure MLI4OHE, Jan. 32; VI5 Type V -MR.

Dec. 32Receivers and TunersCarver, Apr. 22Hafler DH -330 (tuner), May 32Harman Kardon hk 5901, Jan. 41Kyocera R -85I, Feb. 26McIntosh MR 500 (tuner), Feb. 41NAD 7140, Sep. 35Onkyo TX -35, Aug. 23Proton 930, Jul. 21Speaker SystemsADS L1290, Apr. 21B&W DM2000, May 24Bose 901 Series V, Aug. 38Bozak LS -200A, May 36Celestion SL600, Sep. 44Dahlquist DQM-3. Feb. 35dbx Soundfield One, Jul. 56EPI T/E 320, Oct. 32Fourier 6, Mar. 38Genesis 44, Dec. 40Klipsch kg,, Jan. 37Ohm Walsh 4, Jun. 32Polk SDA Compact, Nov. 38Wharfedale Diamond, Apr. 30TurntablesAcoustic Research, Jan. 31Denon DP -37F, Dec. 42

Dual CS 515. Jun. 23Harman Kardon T60, Jul. 30NAD 5120, Apr. 32Technics SL-QX300, Mar. 36Other EquipmentAcoustic Research stereo remote control.

Mar. 35AudioSource RTA-One spectrum analyzer,

Oct. 40Magnum 105FM antenna booster, Sep. 47

THE HIGH END (Hodges)Origins of the Species, Jun. 106Audio/Videophilia, Jul. 94Digital Recording, Aug. 96Serious Turntables, Sep. 114The Sophisticated Loudspeaker, Oct. 122Speakers: Distinguishing Marks, Nov. 122Cable Comments. Dec. 118

TAPE TALK (Stark)Reader Questions and Answers, Jan. 18.

Feb. 14, Mar. 14, Apr. 16. Jun. 16.Aug. 18

TECHNICAL TALK (Hirsch)How Audible Is Distortion?, Jan. 26Crossover Networks, Feb. 23"0 -dB" Tape Recording Level, Mar. 22How to Choose a Component, Apr. 18How We Test Car Stereo Systems, May 22How to Read a Test Report, Sep. 31How Audible Is Distortion?, Oct. 26How Important Are Measurements?.

Nov. 24Why Test Prototype Audio Products?,

Dec. 23

TECHNICAL FEATURESAmplifiers -see PowerCar Stereo: New Products at Winter CES

(Vizard), Apr. 47; How to Buy (Sell), May44; Get More Bass in Your Car(Sweeney), May 55; Tests of 19 PowerAmplifiers (Hirsch), May 48; First RoadTest of AM Stereo (Greenleaf), Jun. 18;What's New (Sweeney), Oct. 71

Compact Disc Players: Understanding CDErrors (Ranada), Apr. 48; The CDTakeover (Ranada), Jul. 54; CD Players onthe Move (Petras), Oct. 50; The Care andFeeding of a CD Player (Ranada), Dec. 59

Compact Discs: Twenty-five Top CD's(Ranada), Jan. 60

Component Compatibility (Hirsch), Jul. 51CompuSonics: New HiFi Horizons -The

CompuSonics Recording System(Ranada), Dec. 68

Connections, Making (Gordon), Jun. 57Dealers, How to Deal with Audio (Booth),

Jan. 53Digital Audio Developments (Ranada), Jan.

46; The Great Digital Debate (Burton),May 57; Enhancing Digital Sound(Berger), Sep. 79

Equalizers, How to Use (Stark), Jan. 48FM Tuners in Town and Country (Hirsch),

Feb. 44Graphs, How to Read Audio (Ranada),

Aug. 55

Guru, How to Be an Audio (Burton),Feb. 59

The High End Horizon (Gillett), Aug. 58Holiday Gifts for Audiophiles (staff),

Dec. 54How to Buy Hi-Fi (Simels), Aug. 42Installation of the Month (Stark). Feb. 18Japan Audio Fair (Harrell), Feb. 62Movie Sound at Home, How to Get That

(Hodges), Nov. 58New Audio Products: Winter CES (Burton),

Apr. 40; Summer CES (staff), Sep. 59Noise Reduction, The Basics of (Ranada),

Mar. 49Off the Wall! -Speakers and Room

Boundaries (Holl), Sep. 77One -Brand Options (Petras), Aug. 46Phono Cartridges, Esoteric (Sweeney),

Nov. 68Power -How Much Do You Need? (Meyer),

Jun. 42; Power Amplifiers from A to AB(Hodges), Jun. 49

Rack Systems -see One -Brand OptionsReceivers, Buyers' Guide to (Masters),

Dec. 46Speakers, Digital -Ready (Hirsch), Jun. 60;

Speaker City -Buying Guide (Masters),Sep. 68; also see Where's the Bass? andOff the Wall!

Systems (Sell), Jun. 62, Jul. 44, Sep. 66, Oct.56, Dec. 62

Tape: Choosing Tape (Mitchell), Mar. 41;Tape Wins Again (Masters), Nov. 64

Tape Equipment: The State of the Art(Stark), Mar. 44

Turntable Gremlins (Ferstler and Ranada),Oct. 62

Upgrading Your System (Meyer), Aug. 52Video: Stereo TV, Here at Last (Feldman),

Jul. 36; VHS Hi-Fi-First Tests (Hirsch),Jul. 40; Getting Started with Video(Mitchell). Aug. 48; State of the Art Hi-FiVCR's (Petras), Nov. 51

Where's the Bass? -Three-piece SpeakerSystems (Hirsch), Sep. 73

BEST OF THE MONTHClassicalJ. S. Bach: Goldberg Variations, Jan. 65Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos. 12 and 13,

Mar. 61; Piano Variations, Dec. 80Berlioz: Symphonic Fantastique, Oct. 84Bono: Mefistofele, Jul. 66Britten: War Requiem, May 68Chausson: Concert in D for Violin, Piano,

and String Quartet, Op. 21, Feb. 72Debussy: La Mer, Nocturnes, Jan. 63Handel: Concerti Grossi, Op. 6, Jun. 69Mahler: Symphony No. 1, Nov. 81Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto, Sept. 83Mozart: Piano Concertos Nos. 9 and I I,

Aug. 73; Don Giovanni, Oct. 82Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet excerpts,

Classical Symphony, Apr. 77; AlexanderNevsky, Sep. 84

Puccini: La Rondine, May 67Rachmaninoff! Piano Concerto No. 2,

Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini,Jul. 64

Saint -Sans: Violin Concerto No. 3, Jun. 70,Sep. 83

Schubert: Lieder, Nov. 82R. Strauss: Death and Transfiguration, Till

Eulenspiegers Merry Pranks, Don Juan,Feb. 75; Songs, Mar. 59; Songs, Aug. 71

Stravinsky: Petrouchka, Scenes de ballet,Dec. 80

Wienawski: Violin Concerto No. 2, Jun. 70Hendricks, Barbara: French Opera Arias.

Apr. 82

PopularAnderson, Laurie: Mister Heartbreak,

Jon. 70Blanchard, Terence, and Donald Harrison:

New York Second Line, Aug. 72Buckingham, Lindsey: Go Insane, Nov. 84Campbell, Debbie: Two Hearts, Apr. 78Charles, Ray: Friendship, Nov. 82


ADVERTISERS' INDEX MIREADER PAGE

SERVICE NO. ADVERTISER NUMBER

ADS 7912 Aiwa 35

AKG 8AMC Renault 63

26 Audiophile Systems 8020 Audio-Technica U.S., Inc 83

15 BASF 1152 Beyer Dynamic 90

Bose Corporation 17Bryce Audio 92

33 Canton 6449 Carver Corporation 7854 CBS Masterworks 89

CBS Video Movie Club 19Columbia House Classical Music Club 69Crutchfield Corp 14

27 Denon America, Inc. 8871 Discount Music Club 88

Franklin Mint Corporation 32-33

Harman Kardon, Inc. Cover 2-pg 113 Hitachi 37

Illinois Audio 97

39 J & R Music World 9128 JBL Cover 3

2 Klipsch & Associates 863 Kloss 77

30 LaBelle Camera & Stereo of Maine 93

Marlboro 21-23Maxell Corp. of America 9

32 McIntosh Laboratory, Inc. 84Merit 66-67

50 Mission Electronics 72

31 NAD USA 76Nikko Audio 41

8 Parasound 8437 Polk Audio 15

Radio Shack 2R. J. Reynolds/Camel 30R. J. Reynolds/Salem 12R. J. Reynolds/Vantage 43

44 Sansui Electronics Corp Cover 451 H.H. Scott, Inc 41

SFI, Sawafuji America Corp 73Shure Brothers 85

74 Sony 24, 25, 7438 Stereo Corp. of America 9647 Studer Revox 10

6 Tandberg of America 9048 TDK Electronics 28

1 Technics 7

56 Wisconsin Discount Stereo 94

Yamaha International Corp. 39

JANUARY 1985

EDITORIAL INDEX, 1984I

Damaris, May 70Harris, Emmylou: White Shoes, Mar. 61Jackson, Joe: Mike's Murder, Jan. 65; Body

and Soul, Jul. 63David Murray Octet: Murray's Steps,

Feb. 74The Parachute Club, Apr. 80Presley, Elvis: The First Live Recordings,

May 68The Pretenders: Learning to Crawl, Apr. 76Prince and the Revolution: Purple Rain,

Oct. 81Reed, Lou: New Sensations, Jul. 64Sampson, Don: Coyote, Dec. 82Skaggs, Ricky: Don't Cheat in Our

Hometown, Feb. 72Spacek, Sissy: Hangin' Up My Heart,

Jan. 64Split Enz: Conflicting Emotions, Dec. 77Springsteen, Bruce: Born in the U.S.A.,

Sep. 86Twilley, Dwight: Jungle, Aug. 71Vaughan, Stevie Ray, and Double Trouble:

Couldn't Stand the Weather, Sep. 84Warwick, Dionne: flow Many Times Can

We Say Goodbye, Mar. 60Was (Not Was): Born to Laugh at

Tornadoes, Feb. 72Williams, Hank, Jr.: Major Moves, Oct. 82This Is Spinal Tap, Jun. 69

SPEAKING MY PIECE (Livingstone)Happy 1984, Jan. 6Musical Debts, Feb. 4The Met's Centennial, Mar. 4Good News, Apr. 6Change, May 6Style, Jun. 8I Love L.A., Jul. 4Taste, Aug. 6Audio as Art, Sep. 8CD and LP, Oct. 6The Video Message, Nov. 6Black Christmas, Dec. 4

MUSICAL FEATURESAlbeniz: Rapsodia espahola, Piano Concerto

(Freed), Oct. 87Anderson, Ian: Walk into Light (Peel),

Apr. 88Anderson, John: All the People Are Talkin'

(Nash), Feb. 78Ashkenazy, Vladimir: Mussorgsky's Pictures

and Borodin's Polovtsian Dances (Hall),Jun. 85

Barenboim, Daniel: Wagner OrchestralExcerpts (Freed) and Piano Transcriptions(Salzman), Mar. 74

The Basic Repertoire (Freed), Jan. 102, Feb.106, Mar. 102, Apr. 118, Jul. 90

Beethoven: Cello Sonatas Nos. 3 and 5(Freed), Sep. 101; also see Brendel

Bernstein, Leonard: Brahms Symphonies,Haydn Variations, and Overtures (Hall),Mar. 66

Blue Oyster Cult: The Revolution by Night(Peel), Mar. 80

Brahms-see BernsteinBrendel, Alfred: Beethoven Piano Concertos

(Freed), Jul. 75Cash, Johnny: Johnny 99 (Nash), Mar. 82Cassettes for Cars (Nash), Aug. 62Christmas Music (Barter), Dec. 91Compact Discs: Twenty-five Top CD's

(Ranada), Jan. 60; CD's on WEA Labels(Albertson), Feb. 82; The CD Bandwagon(Barter), Apr. 36

Conley, Earl T. (Nash), May 61Dolby, Thomas: The Flat Earth (Peel),

Jun. 73Dylan, Bob: Infidels (Simels), Jan. 80The Everly Brothers: EB 84 (Simels),

Dec. 95Exile (Nash), Oct. 69Fella: Nights in the Gardens of Spain

(Freed), Oct. 87Guitar Classics (Livingstone), Nov. 74Hall, Tom T.: Everything from Jesus to Jack

Daniels (Nash), Jan. 84

Handel: Messiah (Hall), Dec. 85; also seeHorne, Marilyn

Heukerott, Joe: Bittersweet (Nash), Aug. 75Hines, Earl: At Club Hangover, Vol. 5 and

The Legendary Little Theater Concert of1964, Vols. 1 and 2 (Albertson), Jun. 82

Holiday Gifts for Audiophiles (staff),Dec. 54

Holliday, Jennifer: Feel My Soul (Garland),Feb. 80

Horne, Marilyn: Handel Arias (Jellinek),Feb. 96

Hunter, Alberta: Look for the Silver Lining(Reilly), Mar. 94

Hyman, Dick: Kitten on the Keys-TheMusic of Zez Confrey (Vance), Apr. 96

Idol, Billy: Rebel Yell (Peel), May 88Ingram, James: It's Your Night, May 73Jazz in America videos (Albertson).

Apr. 102Jones, Howard: Human's Lib, Sep. 89Kodaly: Orchestral Works (Salzman),

Apr. 104Lennon, John, and Yoko Ono: Milk and

Honey and Heart Play (Peel), Apr. 86Manfred Mann's Earth Band: Somewhere in

Afrika (Peel), Mar. 84Maria, Tania: Love Explosion (Garland),

Jul. 83McCorkle, Susannah (Albertson), Mar. 52Mental As Anything: Creatures of Leisure

(Peel), Feb. 84Mills, Stephanie: Merciless (Garland),

Jan. 88Moore's Irish Melodies (Freed), May 100Movie Videos-see VideoMozart: Two Serenades, K. 320 and 525

(Hall), Feb. 100My One and Only (Reilly), Mar. 98Ousset, Cecile (Barter), Sep. 64Parte, Carlos: Dvotak Symphony No. 7

and Bruckner Symphony No. 8 (Freed),May 93

Pastorius, Jaco: Invitation (Peel), Jan. 96The Pointer Sisters: Break Out (Garland),

Apr. 90Presley, Elvis: A Legendary Performer,

Volume 4 (Vance), Mar. 92Rameau: Les Bortades (Barter), Zats

(Lincoln), Apr. 112Record of the Year Awards for 1983,

Feb. 65Robbins, Marty: A Lifetime of Song (Nash),

Feb. 86Rodrigo: Guitar Concertos (Freed), Aug. 83The Rolling Stones: Under Cover (Simels),

Jan. 94Rubinstein, Arthur: In Memoriam (Freed),

Jan. 68Schubert: Symphonies Nos. 1 and 4 (Freed),

Mar. 70Schumann: Fantasiestucke, Op. 12; Fantasia

in C, Op. 17 (Freed), Feb. 102Simon, Paul: Hearts and Bones (Peel),

Mar. 88Sinatra, Frank: The One and Only

(Giddins), Feb. 52; L.A. Is My Lady(Reilly), Nov. 92

Slatkin, Leonard (Livingstone), Apr. 72The Smiths (Simels), Jul. 81R. Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier (Ackert),

Nov. 99Streisand, Barbra: Vent! (Reilly), Feb. 92Style Council: My Ever Changing Moods

(Simels), Oct. 97Swing Jazz Reissues (Albertson), Oct. 102Verve Jazz Reissues (Albertson), Apr. 98Video Jazz-see Jazz in AmericaVideo: Movie Musicals (Meredith), Apr. 38;

Rock -&-Roll Classics (Meredith), Jul. 46;Movie Classics (Meredith), Jul. 48; Ballet& Opera Classics (Albertson), Jul. 49; TheSound of Movies (Meredith), Nov. 56

Violins, A Celebration of (Freed), Jan. 78Wagner: The Ring on CD's (Livingstone),

Dec. 92; also see BarenboimWilloughby, Larry: Building Bridges (Nash)

Apr. 92Wolf, Peter: Lights Out (Simels), Nov. 87Yuppies, Music for (Livingstone), Jun. 54

JBL IntroducesTitanium Series loudspeakers.

To tell the truth.

A team of specialists at JBL laborednearly five years to develop a uniquemanufacturing process, a patenteddesign, a significant advance in materialsapplication, and four stunning newloudspeaker systems.

The new Titanium Series takesits name from a truly revolutionaryhigh frequency driver. A blast ofnitrogen gas against a sheet of puretitanium creates a dome thinnerthan a human hair yet capableof withstanding thecrushing force of morethan 1000 Gs.

The new titaniumhigh frequency drivereasily copes with the

musical transients and wide dynamic rangeof the most demanding digital record-ings, generates undistorted sound wellbeyond the audible range, and handlesvery high power without stress.

Coupled with a new midrangedriver, a new dividing network, andother major and minor innovations, theresulting new Titanium Series loud-speakers are the most neutral, the

most detailed, the mostpleasing loudspeakersyou're likely to hear. Andthe very best from JBL.

JBLharmai in e-nat onal6500 Batraallivi PO Bo. 22(0Northr,O.r. Cshton.a91329

11 Pictured above JBLs new pure titanium high trequeacy driver witl- patented diamond surround.CIRCLE NO 28 ON READER SERVICE CARD

MAAUA POUT STATION

T

TUNING N. MOTT SCAN MEMORY

TUNING MOO( FM IF SAND MOMe MAO oAR

.....1011101111

FY e STAMO

NEM

METES RANGEMt

/ASS

ANUTSUNIUTIZUTIMElatTTTIVTTTITT54:..UN '" oweArno/.

3 .5 "la MONO TUNER AUX /DA TAPE -1

NE21111 =MIN

AUDIO VIDEO STEREO RECEIVER S -X7130

.Sy1SCINK-1 LOANS,

X BAL ANCID AMP SYSTEM

It'

1=111171

MIDRANGE

MAO /ELKTON

TRINE

SCAA SOMA

0000010 00.60: 0.0110.0LAY

AWL ANA(

VCIA VONT VD/ ."4 VOW PHONO FM AM AUX,CIA IAN I 16/( 2voo

)MA. OW 114AMe40.410

ANT.114., WILIIIMMILIM s RANI KA A

, Pt al VINOCOI 0 n_ 0

MOINES

S -X1130 AudioNideo/Stereo Receiver

Introducingone brilliant ideaon top of another.

Unmatched FM Stereo/AM Stereo reception and video control makes them fantastic. X -Balanced circuitrymakes them phenomenal. Sansui's 130 watt S -X1130 and 100 watt S -X1100 Quartz PLL Audio/Video receiversare so far advanced, they even have a special decoder that lets you receive broadcasts of all AM stereo systems.What's more, their unique X -Balanced circuitry cancels out external distortion and decisively eliminates IHM,for the purest all-around listening pleasure.

But the advantages don't stop there. Both receivers are complete Audio/Video control centers that areradically different-and significantly more versatile-than any others on the market. The S -X1130 delivers allthe highly advanced audio and video performance of the S -X1100, with the added bonus of sharpness and fadercontrols for enhanced video art functions. And both units offer additional audio dexterity with multidimension"for expanded stereo or simulated stereo, plus sound mixing capabilities.

For more brilliant, innovative ideas, check out our full line of superior receivers.You'll know why we're first, the second you hear us.

There's more worth hearing and seeing from Sansui. Write: Consumer ServiceDept., Sansui Electronics Corp., Lyndhurst, NJ 07071; Carson, CA 90746; SansuiElectric Co., Ltd., Ibkyo, Japan.

CIRCLE NO. 44 ON READER SERVICE CARDgAzghtateaadipteutcyad.

turntables: what cartridges and are your …...the latest from claude bolling, hank williams, jr.,...

Documents