Letters to the Editor - March 2003
B&K
Editor,
March 26, 2003
I just read your review on the B&K AVR307. Excellent
review. I'm new to the home-theater world, so it does a fella good to read expert
opinions. Since the 307 has been replaced by the 507, have you had a chance to review it?
I'm in the market for a new unit and would like your thoughts on the 307's replacement.
Clarence B.
I haven't heard the AVR507, but I am aware of its
specifications and some of the changes made over the previous AVR307. Basically, the
amplification stage hasn't been changed (still a healthy 150W per channel), but the
processing capabilities have been improved with more bells and whistles. Some of these,
like Dolby Pro Logic II, will be worthwhile to most users, while others may not. Honestly,
I can't think of a receiver I'd rather own than the B&K, even today. I'm sure the
AVR507 is a fantastic product....Jeff Fritz
Outlaw versus Denon
March 24, 2003
I have narrowed my choices in a home-theater receiver down
to the Outlaw Model 1050 and the Denon AVR-1803. The Outlaw is included because of all the
outstanding reviews. However, its proprietary 6.1 and lack of Dolby Pro Logic II make me a
little wary. The Denon is there because it is the successor to the AVR-1802, which was
reviewed as the best receiver under $500 (presumably beating the 1050). However, the Denon
is still a little bit of a shot in the dark, as there seems to be no reviews of it yet.
What's your opinion?
Thanks,
John Browett
You've really hit upon the major weakness of the Outlaw
Model 1050 -- lack of Dolby Pro Logic II and DTS or Dolby Digital 6.1 processing. The
Denon does have those features, which give it a leg up on paper. But are these important
to you? If so, then you have your answer, but if you don't think you'll use those
features, then the choice may swing back to the Outlaw. The Model 1050 has always been
considered the beefiest of the under-$500 receivers. That weight (26 pounds for the Denon
versus 36 pounds for the Outlaw) means a more substantial chassis with heavy-duty power
supply components. The Outlaw has a much deserved reputation for being far more powerful
than its specs indicate. Lastly, I would not let the lack of reviews bother me enough to
forgo the AVR-1803; Denon makes make excellent products, and I'm sure the AVR-1803 is no
exception. Sorry I can't make the choice for you, but at least you know you're really in a
can't-lose situation....Jeff Fritz
Dynaudio?
March 11, 2003
I saw in your "Coming Soon" section on your home
page that you'll be reviewing some Dynaudio products. I was wondering if you could tell me
what the products are, and when the review will appear? Thanks, and keep up the great
work!
Peter McMahan
You'll see our Dynaudio Audience Series home-theater
speaker-system review either on April 1st or 15th. Stay tuned!....Jeff Fritz
Confusing Sony
March 4, 2003
To Roger Kanno,
I'm hoping you can help me. I recently purchased a Sony
home-theater/DVD/CD system, and I am simply trying to find out what the best setting is
for playing CDs. The guide talks all about the different settings and how they will
improve the quality of the different types of movies -- but, it says nothing about the CDs
and, honestly, I am sick of playing with it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Bill
Good question. It can be really confusing with all the
different sound modes available on most receivers these days, and we often discuss
surround-sound modes for movies, but rarely do we talk about listening to stereo CDs.
I usually like to listen to CDs in stereo. However, if you
have Dolby Pro Logic II (DPL2), that can make some stereo CDs sound very good in surround.
Some receivers also have their own proprietary surround modes, which can sound good too,
but to be honest, I usually don't bother too much with them. While some CDs may benefit
from surround processing such as DPL2, it depends on how they were recorded, and some CDs
may not sound much different or may actually sound worse.
You can experiment with the surround modes on your receiver
for listening to stereo CDs if you want to, but you can't really go wrong by listening to
them in regular stereo....Roger Kanno
Processor choices
March 3, 2003
Editor,
I just read the Outlaw Model
950 review, and the unit seems quite good (even compared to the Anthem AVM 20). By any
chance do you know how it compares to the Rotel RSP-1066? I need to make a choice between
these two (RSP-1066 or Model 950), and I can't seem to get a good feeling which one. Any
help will do. Thanks.
Frank Nipahut
The Outlaw Model 950 performs way above its price,
there's no question about it. I'm not sure if there is another processor on the market
that offers so much for so (relatively) little. However, if there is a company that can
come close, Rotel would be it. I am familiar with the feature set offered by the RSP-1066,
and it is quite impressive. In fact, on paper these two products look very close.
Sonically, though, I can't call a winner. Looks like you've still got a dilemma!...Jeff
Fritz |
