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 ...

Introduction The KAV-1500 is Krell’s $8,500 powerhouse five-channel amplifier, which delivers 300 watts per channel into eight ohms (600 watts into four ohms). Housed in the standard-size chassis are two massive two kVA toroidal power supplies with 14 proprietary Krell transistors per channel to ensure the highest level of musical accuracy. The KAV-1500 provides both balanced and single-ended inputs for maximum system compatibility. The most unique feature of this amplifier is Multiple Amplifier Throughput (MAT), which sends the same musical signal to all amplifier channels using only one of the balanced or single-ended connections, thereby reducing installation complexity with multiple amplifier systems. Individual channels can be bridged as well. In fact, bridging up to four channels produces a whopping 1,100 watts. To make changes to the amplifier’s configuration, such as bridging channels or setting it for MAT, it is necessary to remove the top of the unit and use the supplied jumper cables to create new ...

Introduction This contemporary mini-system isn't for the faint of heart. The VH-600 is the amp, receiver and CD player section. The DM-VH7 is the MD (mini-disc) section, which is optional and sold separately. The list price of this system is $599.00 for the VH-600 and $399.00 for the DM-VH7. Before we go further down the road with this review, I've got to tell you, I was quite a skeptic about the whole MD format thing. I thought, oh boy – great – another format to deal with. Well, I'm pleased to say this unit has turned my head. Read on. We'll start off with the features. First, the VH-600 / DM-VH7 is a bookshelf system. Kenwood has had the foresight to design the units for vertical placement. You might say; well, that's all fine and good, but how would I read the display? I'm glad you asked: the units have a gravity-triggered ReadRight backlit display, ...

Introduction The Kenwood DV 2070 is a DVD player that gives you a high-end interface and style on a modest budget. At $850, it comes equipped with many of the tricked-out features you need for a your home theater. The DV 2070 passes a DTS and Dolby Digital 5.1 signal with ease and will play DTS as well as traditional 16-bit 44.2 kHz CDs. The Kenwood DV 2070 is not outfitted with DVD-A capabilities, but it can output a sampling rate as high as 96 kHz with 24 Bit DAC resolution. The 2070 is also outfitted with component video outputs. The most striking feature of the Kenwood DV 2070 is its simple to use and elegant interface. The DV 2070 is far from the black box school of audio video component design. The Kenwood DV 2070 features a highly stylized silver front plate that lights up with a icy blue DVD logo. The trick ...

Introduction The KD-1800U is a DVD player that has broken the $200.00 price barrier. The unit lists for an extremely affordable $199.00. That's right: just $199.00. And wait, there's more. The KD-1800U contains many of the features found on higher priced players. All kidding aside, for those of you who are not familiar with Konka, the company is a global consumer electronics company based in China and was established in 1980. The company touts products that have been recognized as the "National Best Selling Products" in China and has been granted "The Most Famous Brand of China" while holding 25% of the Chinese TV market. The United States subsidiary is Konka USA, Ltd. Back to our regularly scheduled programming: I've seen the Konka brand from time to time but have shied away from products on account that I didn't believe that the performance would hold-up. Well, the KD-1800U has turned me around. Some of the features ...