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This Month's Featured Equipment Reviews |
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Saturday, 01 January 2000
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Written by
Tony Kaklamanos
Introduction
The
Belles Audio Nearfield Desktop System, known as BAND, is a complete
two- channel audio system consisting of two satellites and one
subwoofer, powered by an amplifier encased in the subwoofer. Also
included are a manual preamplifier/switcher and remote control. At
$1,995.00, this system can be configured for a variety of nearfield
applications.
Upon unpacking this system, I was first impressed with the care and
effort that went into the construction of the enclosures. There are
three finishes available: natural cherry, medium oak and natural maple.
The corners are rounded and the wood grain is seamless. Finishing
touches include a black lacquer bottom and floor spikes for the
subwoofer, as well as black lacquer backs and rubber pads for the
bottom of the satellites. As I continued my unpacking, I noticed that
all of the cables necessary to get this system up and running were
included – and not the cheap cables you find with ...
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Friday, 01 October 1999
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Written by
Bryan Southard
Introduction
When
I think of enormous power, I think of a Big-Block Chevy, or perhaps the
military’s M1A1 tank. In audio -- Bryston has given us the 7B-ST
monoblock power amplifiers. At a solid 500 watts per side, they have
the power to move mountains, or at least the most difficult to drive
loudspeakers.
The 7B-ST consists of two monoblock
amplifiers, each providing 500 watts of power into 2 or 8 ohms, and 800
watts into 1 to 4 ohms. Each chassis measures 19 inches wide, 15-1/2
inches deep, and five and one quarter inches tall. The 7B-ST’s weigh 42
lbs per piece, and are priced at $4999 for the pair. The Bryston
factory warrantee is nothing short of spectacular. They provide a
20-year transferable warrantee on all parts and labor. This in itself
indicates the confidence that Bryston has with the reliability of their products.
The
review units were the first of the new look ...
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Saturday, 01 May 1999
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Written by
Jerry Del Colliano
In the history of commerce or communications, nothing can compare with the Internet. In four years, the Internet has reached 50,000,000 users which took radio 40 years and TV 19 years to achieve. E-commerce is a term even your grandmother has heard and possibly experienced. While some of the Baby Boomers that run the high-end industry still don’t have e-mail, many companies do their marketing better now than ever before on the Net. The Internet, with its cost per thousand advertising model and well-financed, upstart e-commerce virtual stereo stores, has provided the industry with the opportunity to weed out under-performing high-end companies, while rewarding more cutting-edge and far-thinking firms.
There are advantages and disadvantages to buying on-line, depending on the products and services you require. Buying music online is genius if you your goals include making a fast buy, getting a ...
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Thursday, 01 April 1999
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Written by
Jerry Del Colliano
Introduction
The BAT VK5i is a $4500 all tube, dual mono, fully balanced preamp from
high end up-and-comer Balanced Audio Technology. Since Sonic Frontiers
ten years ago, there have been very few new tube manufacturers to come
along and capture the precious high end market share until BAT. Founded
in 1995, BAT is both a tube and solid state electronics manufacturer
who has carved a niche between high value and high performance music
playback products. The VK5i is a great example of this balance.
The VK5i makes few excuses in its operation. It features a
full-function remote that is nicely crafted and fully loaded with
functions like mute, fade, and volume. The faceplate features a
utilitarian look with seemingly military spec switches for both power
and mute. The volume knob, which digitaly controls a Vichey pot, is
built solidly, but does not feel as high tech as what you'll find on a
Mark Levinson, ...
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Monday, 01 December 1997
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Written by
John Sunier
Each of the past 12 years as I have hosted my national radio series
Audiophile Audtion I have selected about 60 to 65 concert music CDs
which during the year past struck me as combining great music, great
performances and exemplary sonics. These Cds are selected based first
on superior performances and secondly on excellent sonics. With that
said here are the top ten best classical records of 1997.
BACH: Brandenburg Concertos (complete) - Il Giardino Armonico/Giovanni Antonini(Teldec 4509-98442-2, 2 CDs):
The six Brandenburg Concertos were the first major Bach works that I
became familiar with in my youth. The source, as I recall, was a mono
open reel prerecorded tape. I've heard a lot of Brandenburgs since then
and this one is the most exciting, muscular and awake interpretation
around. My previous favorite, and I'm not ditching it, was the one
conducted by composer Benjamin Britten on the London label.
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