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This Month's Featured Equipment Reviews |
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DVD-Audio/SACD Software Forum Topics: |
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Classic Audio Sources Reviews |
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DVD-Audio/SACD Players
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Monday, 01 October 2001
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Written by
Richard Elen
Introduction
The
Philips SACD1000 is a multi-channel Super Audio CD player that also
plays both PAL and NTSC DVD-Video discs (but note it is not
multi-region), CDs, Video CDs and even CD-Rs, but not, strangely, DTS
CDs. The SACD1000 retails for $2,000.
About Super Audio CD
SACD is a development
by Sony and Philips as a successor to the Compact Disc (and competitor
to DVD-Audio), but the two companies have taken a very different
attitude to delivering high-quality audio. Sony was first out of the
gate, but their players were stereo-only and very expensive, aimed at
an allegedly still-existent stereo audiophile market in Japan that has
all but disappeared elsewhere. Philips, on the other hand, has been
adamant that their players would offer multichannel capability from the
start: this worthy decision unfortunately delaying availability of
machines for a while.
Following on from the Sony preference for stereo, the vast majority of
releases of SACD software have also been ...
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Wednesday, 01 August 2001
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Written by
Brian Kahn
Introduction
The
DV-38A is Pioneer’s eagerly anticipated top of the line progressive
video DVD player. The DV-38A retails for $2,000, is THX Ultra Certified
and supports both DVD-Video and DVD-Audio formats. With all of the hype
of new formats swirling in the audio/video magazines, the DV-38A
arrives just in time for those looking for an upgrade in sound and
picture.
Upon unpacking the DV-38A, I found it to be
finished in the traditional Pioneer Elite manner, with a polished black
face with gold details and attractively finished wood side panels. The
face plate, in addition to the drawer assembly, contains a small number
of indicator lights, including one that has a cool blue light for
illumination, and minimal operating controls. This give the unit an
attractively clean, functional look.
The DV-38A weighs in at a fairly hefty 22 pounds. The construction of
the unit is very solid, utlizing a triple-layered chassis and three
chambers to isolate the ...
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Thursday, 01 March 2001
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Written by
Jerry Del Colliano
Introduction
DVD-Audio is the most hyped new technology in audio since the compact
disc. Now Kenwood is out with one of the first DVD-Audio/DVD-Video
players on the market with the $1,000 DV4070. The DV4070 is a five-disc
changer that will play nearly all of the media on the market right now
including compact discs, CD-Video, DVD-Video and the new DVD-Audio
format. However, it will not play DVD-Audio’s competing format, SACD.
Like most changers, the DV4070 comes equipped with all of the bells and
whistles that you’d expect from a mass market DVD player. These include
instant access to the disc tray while a disc is spinning, a slick
on-screen interface, an ergonomically correct remote and even a
headphone jack for late-night sessions. The DV4070 is the standard 17
inches wide and will fit on a shelf in a rack-mounted system.
About DVD-Audio
The DVD-Audio format is specifically
designed to utilize the large-scale storage capacity of ...
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Sunday, 01 October 2000
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Written by
Jerry Del Colliano
Introduction
Meridian’s
800 is their flagship source component, responsible for reference level
playback of compact discs, DVD-Video discs, DVD-Audio discs and beyond.
The 800, like its AV preamp brother, the Meridian 861, is vastly
configurable and highly programmable, allowing the end user to elicit
incredible playback feats with true ease. Pricing starts at $19,440 for
a basic CD/DVD transport, while a fully loaded unit complete with 5.1
analog outputs, Meridian’s proprietary digital output and an internal
video processor weighs in closer to $25,000.
Music lovers dedicated to stereo-only playback can use the 800 as a CD
player and/or high-performance audio preamp that drives the owner’s
existing high-end stereo amplifier(s) and speakers. Alternatively, the
800 can be directly and digitally connected to Meridian’s cutting edge
digital speakers. If you subscribe to the less is more theory, these
configuration options are as good as it gets, and if you are
simplifying a stereo system, you can sell off ...
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