Introduction Paradigm has long been known for quality speakers at reasonable prices. This tradition is kept alive with this new Paradigm system, attractively priced at $1,496. The individual speakers are available separately, so the consumer can pick the speakers best suited to the individual’s needs. The system is comprised of Phantoms for the main channels, the CC-170 center, ADP-170 surrounds and the PS-1000 subwoofer. The Phantoms ($399) are small tower speakers with two 6.5 inch drivers and a .75 inch dome tweeter. The review samples were finished in dark cherry; light cherry and black graphite finishes are also available. The ADP-170 surrounds are available is white as well. The Phantom’s entire front panel is covered with a nonremovable black grille, with a small Paradigm logo near the bottom. The simple grille, along with the Phantoms' demure 32 inch height and narrow profile, will allow the Phantoms to fit unobtrusively into a variety of rooms. The ...

Introduction A friend once said to me, "I have several known problems with my audio system, and you are suggesting that I fix one that I didn’t even know I have?" He had a good point except for the fact that sometimes you need to get rid of a problem to appreciate that you ever had one. So, who has these power problems and for that matter, what the heck is a power problem? What does your power have to do with the quality of your sound? First of all, just about every audio system suffers from poor power. The power to your home runs through power lines that are shared by many others. Each home is most often connected to a power transformer that is shared with at least several houses. When these houses use appliances, noise is transmitted through your ...

Introduction I received a call from my wife a few months back while I was traveling on business. She said that there was a box on the porch that she couldn’t possibly budge. I soon realized that it was the awaited Pass X350 that I was to receive for review. Knowing that it was heavy, I asked her to get a neighbor to help her drag it into the house. She later called and said that it was a huge job, even with a strong male helping. It wasn’t until I got home that I realized how massive and dense this box really was. From unpacking to positioning it onto my amp stand, this was a project. It weighs about 150 lbs., but that doesn’t tell the whole story. At 19 inches wide, 22 inches deep and 10.5 inches tall, the X350 is not a small amp, but it is not the ...

VCRs suck. They just do. I understand there are situations when you need them. I’ve got one in my rack to watch vintage Philadelphia Flyers hockey games, but that is about it. As the publisher of a 70,000 readers-per-month audio-video publication, I am not so proud to admit that it takes me all sorts of effort to make my Mitsubishi VCR record from DSS through my AV preamp. It’s not impossible to do but, in my world, I don’t have the time and/or the patience to bother with it. Panasonic Showstopper featuring ReplayTV technology ($499) is the digital replacement to the VCR. Simply, the Panasonic Showstopper uses a hard disc system to record compressed television signals for future viewing. It can be configured into your television and/or home theater system in a number of ways. I hooked my Panasonic ShowStopper between my Sony B3 DSS receiver and my Proceed AVP AV preamp. Another ...

Introduction Good things really do come in small packages. The 5"x4" Pronto from Philips is a unique and flexible touchscreen learning remote. It is pre-designed with a number of pages and buttons for a wide array of AV products. For a mere $399, this impressive remote will learn the commands of any infrared controlled device. Moreover, just like the most sophisticated learning remotes, macros can be created which initiate a series of commands at the push of a single button. Evaluation When I broke open the 100-page manual, I shuddered at what initially looked like a complicated programming process. In actuality, it only took a few minutes to learn Pronto's basic programming functions and about two hours to turn this unassuming little remote into a powerful personal command center for my entire home theater. A simple tap on the screen automatically activates it. On the right side of the screen are direct access buttons ...