FORUM.(letters)

This and That

This letter contains a number of different topics.

1. Thank you for Issue #84. I found the Staff Picks in CDs very informative. Being a classical music lover, I appreciated in particular the contributions of Karl Nehring, since he included many excellent Naxos discs, and David Rich for his very useful survey of many contemporary works that were quite unknown to me. Like many people, I shy away from anything post-Stravinsky, but DR shows there is a lot of good music written in the last (20th) century that deserves to be explored. Obviously Naxos and other similar labels are doing a fine job of making such music available and affordable. Thanks also to John Puccio for his regular music reviews. For me this is always a highlight of each issue.

2. When I first found out about T$S and phoned to place my subscription, I suggested a review of table radios. This did come about in Issue #77 (perhaps you ere going to do it anyway), and I recently bought the Kloss Model 88 (for $149, can't beat that!), based on your review. It is an outstanding unit with great sound, but you didn't mention that it is very handsome as well, which my wife instantly recognized. We use it in the kitchen where the subtlety of the Stereo/Wide/Mono switch is largely lost because we are walking around all the time, but I suppose if you are going to sit down to listen the switch would be important. Even though Bose makes some good quality (but overpriced) equipment, the 88 sounds much better to me than the Wave Radio, and is $200 cheaper.

3. By the way, can someone do something about the quality of your equipment frequency response plots? They really need a more professional graphics program, or maybe just printed smaller to cover up the lack of resolution. They remind me of dot matrix printing.

4. I for one am getting lost in the proliferation of disc formats now becoming available. Can I suggest you do a review article pointing out their advantages, both audible and not audible? You might start with what the original CD-ROM specs are (#bits/sampling rate) and explain what this means, then perhaps discuss the enhancements, such as 24/96 etc. I really am skeptical that some of them sound better; for example, upsampling sounds pointless to me if you know anything about the Shannon sampling theorem. Then review the new formats (DVDA, SACD, HDCD, XRCD, etc.) and whether in your opinion they are worth considering. Personally I never buy full-priced classical CDs (too many Naxos, Philips Duos, and other wonderful re-issues out there), but occasionally I will part with up to $15 for a bluegrass CD if it's a band I really want. So I am hardly one to put down serious money for a non-CD format disc (especially if it requires new hardware). Still it would be nice to know if there are real sonic advantages for anyone other than those with the most expensive systems (and golden ears). By contrast, it is obvious that video formats are noticeably improving (DVD vs. VHS). If you know of an existing review, perhaps it will do.

5. Finally, thanks also for reviewing reasonably priced equipment. At least your readers don't go bananas (unlike some of the Stereophile crowd) when you recommend mass-market products. Personally I have a Denon AV receiver and CD player and B&W 602 speakers (small room!) and I think this puts me at a good place on the exponentially diminishing performance/price curve. As long as this kind of equipment makes it into your reviews I am happy to continue subscribing. It is also reassuring to read your honesty about the unbelievable claims given high-end cables and other outrageously priced tweaks (entertaining, but that's all).