Receiver comparison
November 26, 2002
Editor,
I noticed that one of last year's Reviewers' Choice awards went to
the Denon AVR-5800, which is out of my price league. So I was wondering if you have ever
reviewed the Denon AVR-4802 and compared it against the likes of the Arcam DiVA AVR200, as
they both seem to be in about the same price range. Thanks.
Jim Kelly
As you probably know, we just reviewed the Arcam AVR200,
but as of yet we have not reviewed the Denon AVR-4802. Both companies make good products,
but a few generalizations can be made on features that distinguish the receivers. The
Denon is more powerful (125Wpc x 7) than the Arcam (70Wpc x 5), which may make a
difference with some speaker systems. The Denon also features the very latest processing
modes and is a seven-channel product. So on paper, the Denon looks to be the clear winner.
However, the Arcam is by all accounts a terrific-sounding receiver, eclipsing the sound
quality found in many comparable products. Quality is its hallmark. This may indeed be its
ace-in-the-hole accomplishment....Jeff Fritz
Flickering picture
November 14, 2002
To Wes Marshall,
I just read your review of the NAD T571. I bought one in
April and use it mostly for music, but I have begun watching more DVD movies and have been
experiencing a nagging problem. In some scenes in all the movies I've watched, there is a
hazy, white flickering. It seems to occur mostly in under-lit scenes. Switching through
the various video modes of the T571 makes no difference. After reading your and another
review of the T571, I'm convinced it is innocent, at least in theory. My receiver is a NAD
T761, the TV is a Sony FD Trinitron WEGA KV-32FS12, video cables are Monster Cable
component cables, progressive scan is switched off. Speakers are Atlantic Technology
System 270 THX. When watching TV via a digital cable box and Monster Cable S-video cables,
the picture is flawless.
I did my homework before purchasing everything, except for
the TV. I bought it a year ago before I began building up the rest of the system. It was
used, from a guy who works for the same company as I. It was two years old at the time. He
was upgrading to a widescreen TV. I was able to watch a DVD briefly on it before I bought
it. I don't remember noticing any flaws with the picture at that time, and I don't know
what type of DVD player/TV/etc. he had.
Since I essentially built the system from scratch,
upgrading all at once from an extremely low-quality VHS setup, I can't pinpoint in my mind
where the flaw is. I admit that I've not yet gone over my connections, nor have I tried
switching cables. I'm just looking for some advice on where to start and what could be the
likely problem. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
James Niedermier
The most obvious place to start is to check the Monster
Cable component cables. Try borrowing another pair and see if the problem goes away. If
not, the problem lies elsewhere. I don't know your TV specifically, but if it is three to
five years old, the likely problem is the interface between the conversion circuitry in
the TV and the DVD player. First thing to try is using a composite connection between the
two pieces. If that cures it, move up to an S-video connection. If the problem remains
cured, set both the TV and DVD player to interlaced component and use your component
cables. My guess is that the problem will show up here, but if it doesn't, that should be
your preferred setup. Under that scenario, the NAD is doing all the heavy lifting in terms
of decoding and conversion. If the problem shows up again in interlaced component, go back
to the S-video connection or the composite connection. Good luck....Wes Marshall
Projector for XBox and DVD
November 12, 2002
To Wes Marshall,
I just read a
great article you wrote about the Boxlight Studio Experience Cinema 12SF DLP
Projector. I am thinking about buying the InFocus ScreenPlay 110 projector, which I
understand is the Boxlight 12SF's cousin. I want to watch DVDs and play my XBox video
games on the Screenplay 110. I have a question about a comment you wrote in your article.
I hope you will answer. You state that DVDs should be played in interlaced mode for
component-input watching. The XBox plays DVDs in interlaced mode (good), but games are
played in progressive mode(?).
Does your statement apply to the InFocus 110, and if so,
does that mean if I wanted to play games on the 110 that it would be best to not use the
component input for game playing but only for DVD watching, and then just use the S-video
input on the projector for game playing? Thank you!
Jon Paulson
The InFocus and Boxlight are identical except for the
warranty. Unless you have a better converter in your DVD player than the Boxlight's
Faroudja, I think you should use the interlaced mode. Using your XBox in interlaced mode
for films and progressive for games will work just fine. I wouldn't use the S-video at
all....Wes Marshall
"Collector's Corner"
November 11, 2002
To Wes Marshall,
I absolutely loved your review of the West Side Story
DVD. It really captures the feeling that WSS is indeed the best musical ever
produced for the big screen (I'd say the stage too) -- and I'm not even a fan of musicals.
A job well done. Thanks.
Randy Jones
Amp upgrade
November 8, 2002
Editor,
You guys have been very generous in your praise for Musical
Fidelity, Monarchy Audio, and Anthem (as well as other) amps. In attempting to justify a
big upgrade to my home-theater system, can you offer (maybe in a shootout style of review)
some insight on how the Monarchy SE-100 Deluxe mono amps compare/differ to the Musical
Fidelity M250 mono amps? And what would an end-user gain by using either of these compared
to say an Anthem PVA 7? Also, would it be prudent to use monos for the front three
speakers and use something else for the rears (maybe a stereo version of the mono)? Thank
you.
Mike Kistler
Mono amplifiers, like the ones that you mention, would
not really be a fair comparison with the Anthem amplifier, or a comparably priced
multichannel unit. One reason multichannel amps are so popular is that they offer space
and cost savings over separate stereo and mono amps. When you relieve your space
requirements and increase your budget, multiple amplifiers -- both stereo and mono --
become logical choices and you will gain some performance benefits and increased power in
some cases. Your idea of three mono amps up front and a stereo amp in the rear is a good
one if you have the space and budget. A shootout with multiple sets of mono amplifiers in
a home-theater configuration would not be feasible for most reviewers in their
homes....Jeff Fritz
Receiver upgrade?
November 2, 2002
Editor,
I'm e-mailing you from Portugal. I have a doubt about the
"new" surround-sound format. I own an Onkyo TX-DS777, and I would like to know
if it's possible to upgrade it to 6.1 or 7.1, and how I can do that. Thanks and keep up
the good work.
Carlos Dinis
That particular model is not upgradeable -- only the
top-of-the-line TX-DS989 carries that distinction. Personally, I would not worry too much
about it though. The 5.1 format is still used on the vast majority of movie soundtracks
and that won't change any time soon. I also have concerns about a trend I'm hearing about
these days receivers that carry seven channels of amplification having a hard time driving
that many speakers in the real world. Unless you just have to have 6.1/7.1, I'd stick with
the '777 and enjoy....Jeff Fritz
