July 20, 2001

Editor,

I'm hoping you might have some information. I ordered an Onkyo TX-DS989 in April of this year. I've been waiting for over three and a half months so far for delivery, and am told by my retailer (an authorized Onkyo representative) that there are supply problems. They can't seem to give me an ETA -- it's always "Check back in about two weeks." I've even called Onkyo directly and been told that it might be October, or even later, but even they aren't sure. Do you know what's going on? Do you have an honest answer as to when these units might finally come back into stock? Any help or information would be much appreciated.

Thank you,

Scott Gilmore

It is likely that all the old stock did not have the Dolby Pro Logic II upgrade installed. I would imagine every order placed after a certain date would be specified for a new unit with Pro Logic II. It is likely that your dealer is simply waiting on new product and is a bit down the list. This is conjecture, but we have a review sample due for the upgrade, and Onkyo is behind somewhat, so I know the timing is right....Jeff Fritz

July 13, 2001

Editor,

I bought a Denon AVR-3801 receiver from the United States. It works with 110V. The problem is, we are using 220V electricity in Turkey. I would like to have expert advice about how to convert it to use with 220V. Is it better to use a transformer instead of repairing it ? If so, can you give me some detailed information on what kind of transformer I should use? I wrote this problem to Denon site, but they didn't reply. I hope you can help me with this.

Atillla Korkmazoglu

I would give Denon ample time to respond to you, and then I would call them if you have no luck. If this fails, the next step would be a dealer, possibly the one you bought the receiver from. If this is not feasible, I would try a technician. Hopefully you have a certified Denon technician somewhat close to you. Be careful having anyone else work on the receiver due to possibly voiding of your warranty or damaging to your unit. Some companies will not allow warranty service except in the country of origin....Jeff Fritz

July 11, 2001

To Wes Marshall,

I'm going to buy a home-theater system (5.1, video, you name it) from scratch in a few months from now, and I'm trying to figure out whether I should spend $3000 on an integrated receiver, just $1000, or up to $8000-$10,000 for something like McIntosh separate components. I want something that's future-proof and can integrate well with my computer network, so it should have IEEE-1394, USB and Ethernet, ideally. Thoughts?

I had also been looking at Marantz and Sony receivers; Polk, Sunfire and Vienna Acoustics speakers; Fujitsu and Pioneer 42"-50" plasma displays; Runco front projectors -- just to mention the key parts of the system.

I have a 1200-square-foot one-bedroom apartment in a high-rise condo.

Anton Wahlman

"Something that's future-proof " is an impossibility right now. I'm getting ready to buy a new projector and have been stunned by the advances just in the last six months. Moore's Law applies even more to IC-driven pieces, like receivers. I can tell you this, there are really only two strategies to follow: buy cheap and trade often if you want to stay somewhat close to the state of the art, or buy expensive and know that you will have old technology in about three months. I guess the third option, if you are wealthy, is to buy at the top and change out every year.

Will you use this system for music as well? If so, all current electronics are flawed because they will not take a digital signal from DVD-A or SACD. I would probably go for one of the lower-line Integra or Denon receivers, or an upper-line Sony or Marantz, which will give you excellent sound now but not bust your budget. If it is solely for video, then you can move much higher with some confidence. I would go for separates, but not because I believe the new receivers are inferior. I am an ardent believer in active loudspeakers, which would make the amp section in the receiver redundant.

Given your feelings about IEEE-1394, USB and Ethernet, you will probably have to get an HTPC, a still relatively young industry, but the only current way you can get those options. Go to http://www.avsforum.com/ubbcgi/Ultimate.cgi and choose "Home Theater Computers" for an endlessly confusing/educational introduction to the subject. Speakers are subjective. I liked the Klipsch speakers I recently reviewed a lot.

Unless you want a larger picture than 60" diagonal, I'd go with a rear projector (especially Toshiba, Philips, Sony), which will be more dependable, cheaper and brighter than an LCD. If you want larger, go with a front projector. There are hundreds of brands that are all worth seeing. Good luck and let me know how it ends up....Wes Marshall

July 9, 2001

Editor,

I was wondering if you could help clear something up for me. I recently purchased an Integra seven-channel receiver. As I understand it, dipoles are the better way to go for surround speakers due to their more diffuse sound, but I have also read that this is more of a preference thing. I have read that if you are building your system for mainly movies, then go with dipoles. But if you are building your system for mainly music, then monopoles are the better way to go.

My problem is that I want the best of both worlds! I am really into the home-theater thing, but I love my music also and plan to get a DVD-Audio player. What is your opinion on using the dipoles for surround music or, on the other hand, using monopoles for movies? I am currently running Polk RT-1000s for fronts. I would love to get another pair for the rears, or should I get the Polk FX-1000s? I guess the problem with the RT-1000s for rears would be that they would not be high enough, as I understand the tweeters should be firing about three feet above your ear level. (The RT-1000s' tweeters are the perfect height for my seated ear level.) Is it true that they have to be that high? I think I have also read that you can also put the dipoles on stands. I guess for me, it comes down to which would be the lesser evil: dipoles for multichannel music, or monopoles for movies!

Another question I have is: In a seven-channel surround setup, should you use monopoles for the surround backs? I think I remember reading somewhere that THX recommends using four dipoles, but I also recall reading a few times to use monopoles for the surround backs. (I'M SO CONFUSED!) Your help would be very much appreciated!

A lot does come down to preference, and this issue can raise quite a debate. I prefer direct-radiating surrounds myself. Properly set up, which is a key, they are able to provide a convincing phantom image in the rear half of the room. Exact placement of sounds is possible too, whereas the more diffuse sound of dipole/bipolar speakers yields much less specificity when called upon to place effects. The days of Pro Logic dictated one type of sound, as does a movie theater, but the discrete channels we have now have so much more potential in the home, which does include multichannel music (I'm excited about that too!). It pays to listen to both before you decide, but my vote is for a direct radiator....Jeff Fritz

July 7, 2001

To Doug Blackburn,

I was wondering how a video or audio signal that enters my home via cheap coaxial cable is improved by expensive cable. I could see if my interconnect cables in my home were of lesser quality than the Time-Warner coaxial cable that my audio and video quality would be compromised. But how does the signal improve with better cable? The end result is only as good as the weakest link, in this case Time-Warner coaxial cable. True? If this is false, one would think you can use all cheap interconnects until the last cable connecting to the speaker or TV to get the best results.

Stephen Berson

Better cables work because they interface two components in some fashion that is better than cheap cables can. Using cable TV as an example is probably not an ideal situation. Most people would not spend a lot of money on an AM tuner and even more money on expensive cables to connect AM sound to their main audio system because AM radio just is not a high-fidelity medium. Cable TV is not a high-fidelity medium either -- mostly because you are at the end of long cable runs through a system designed for the mass (indiscriminate) market. Better cable is more likely to be worth the money when you are connecting a high-quality source component, like a DVD player, to a good quality display device -- something totally different than the cable-TV service.

That said, I still see a better image if I use two meters of great coax just before the TV (say, on the output of a signal splitter) than if I used generic coax. Every length of cable is important, and often the connections at the ends of the cable are the most significant to the video quality you end up with rather than all the yards or miles of cable in between. Video is not like audio -- it is subject to reflections at the ends when terminations are less than ideal, and those kinds of things do affect what you see....Doug Blackburn

July 5, 2001

To Doug Schneider,

This was my first visit to Home Theater & Sound, and I just read your review of the movie Pearl Harbor. I totally disagree with your assessment of this movie. It is not the best movie I have ever seen, but I consider it very good indeed.

I hope you have not reviewed any of the equipment in these pages. I have a Denon 5800 and Klipsch Reference Series speakers on order.

Thanks,

Jess DiMaio

July 4, 2001

Editor,

I would like your opinion on the Yamaha RX-V1. I have a basement that I am finishing and I plan on wiring it for 12 speakers, five in the front five in the rear and two for the subwoofers. I realize that this might be overkill for now but with the 10.2 in the future I would rather wire now that the walls are open. What do you think?

Paul Philips

We reviewed the Yamaha RX-V1 positively back in December 2000. The only concern I would have about your wiring solution would be speaker placement. I think something like 10.2 as a consumer format with real software is some years off, if then, so knowing where to put those cables becomes an issue, and it doesn't even address the type/brand of speakers you choose and their requirements. You may be thinking too far ahead to be practical....Jeff Fritz

July 3, 2001

Editor,

I would appreciate your opinion regarding what is a very perplexing decision I am trying to make. I own a Harmon/Kardon AVR30 Pro Logic receiver and I am trying to decide on a current Dolby Digital, etc. upgrade. I am considering a Yamaha receiver, an Onkyo Integra 787, and a Harmon/Kardon 510. I have a small movie room (14' x 9') and I would appreciate your opinion. I have been told by some retailers that I should select the Nakamichi AV-10. The Onkyo is THX certified. Many people tell me that THX is not important. The H/K is clearly the least expensive unit ($1350 Canadian). I am most interested in the best possible movie performance sound. Also, I plan to maintain my Paradigm Performance-series speaker system, including a powered subwoofer.

I also understand that H/K will be selling an 8000 THX-certified unit this fall. Is this worth waiting for? Your opinion will be most appreciated!

Thank you!

Barry Spriggs

You want to make sure you have a unit with Dolby Pro Logic II, which means a newer unit. This will likely enhance the usefulness of your system because Pro Logic II will improve older stereo and Pro Logic movies. THX certification does assure you of some performance criteria, including the ability to drive lower-impedance speakers (which means a beefier power supply). However, don't assume a receiver is better just based on THX; another non-certified unit may meet the same performance specifications. We have more Onkyo reviews coming soon, and are working on arranging additional receiver reviews too....Jeff Fritz

July 2, 2001

Editor,

I just read your article, "Choosing a System -- The Logical Approach: Part 1", and I was wondering if you can help me with a dilemma I've been having. I'm planning to get my first system, and I am choosing between two speaker systems: Energy's Take 5.2 and Mirage's AVS-500 (both matched with their respective 8" subs). The Take 5.2 is new and I haven't tested them yet, but I've read great reviews on the original series. In case you've tested them both, which do you think will make a better all around system for around $800?

Thanks so much,

Al Garcia

I have no personal experience with the Mirage system, but based on past performance, I would expect it to be excellent. I did get a short demo of the Energy Take 5.2 system in Germany at High End 2001, and it, along with a cut-away (showing some substantial build quality) of the small monitors, was impressive. It is really amazing the company can pack so much into a small package. Check them both out and let me know what you prefer....Jeff Fritz

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