Do Sony
receivers compare?
April 29, 2005
Do you know whether Sony home-theater receivers are
comparable in quality to Denon and Harmon Kardon models? I like the AVR-3805 from Denon
and some of the new HK receivers, but both are more expensive than the Sony I can get.
Peter
Sony receivers do seem to take a back seat to their DVD
and SACD players; for what reason I don't know. The Denons and HKs are higher profile and
lead the pack in features. Whether this is a reflection on Sony quality or whether they
just don't put forth much marketing effort in that area is something I'd like to know,
too. Their STR-DE597, a six-channel 100W receiver available on the Sony website, sells for
$199 factory direct. That appears to be good value for money. I don't believe Denon even
has a receiver that carries a retail price of $200 or below. My advice would be to buy the
Sony you're considering from a vendor with a liberal exchange policy, like Best Buy or
Circuit City. That way if you don't like it you can return it and buy the Denon or HK. Let
us know what you think once you've heard one. We're curious too.
Which sub?
April 27, 2005
First, thank you for many hours of entertainment and
inspiration. I am going to be assembling my new home-theater system soon. My receiver will
be a Denon AVR-3805 and the speakers will be NHT (5.1 system). My question is the
subwoofer -- at my local store that will be selling me the receiver and the speakers they
want to sell me a B&W ASW 600, but I feel like they are just recommending it out of
convenience, and I hate the sound of its companion bookshelves. I have been reading about
the Rocket UFW-10 and the Outlaw Audio LFM-1. Both are only slightly more than the B&W
and very well reviewed, but listening to them will be hard to do. Do you have any thoughts
on what would match, or do I need to order and bring them all home to audition them for
real?
David Laramie
The Rocket UFW-10, reviewed here on
GoodSound!, and the Outlaw LFM-1, reviewed
on our sister site Home Theater & Sound, are subwoofers that our staff
has experience with and that we know provide excellent performance for the money. Frankly,
I'd not hesitate to recommend either one. I have not heard nor seen the B&W that you
mention, so can't really offer any advice on it. But more importantly, if you don't really
like what you've heard from B&W, and also feel the store is trying to sell you a
product out of convenience, then go with your instincts. Part of a great home theater is
being happy with the products you've selected. If the Outlaw and Rocket appeal to you, and
you have solid reviews from reputable sources to back them up, then give their products a
shot. My gut feeling is that you'll be happy with either one.
New Cayin amp?
April 25, 2005
Cayin has released a new integrated amp, the A-50t. It has
replaced the TA-30.
I think it's an interesting integrated amp with a reasonable price. Are you planning to
review it?
Veli Parviainen
We don't have any plans to review it yet, though we do
have a preamp coming from Tube Audio Design, the TAD-150, that you might be interested in
reading about. It retails for $799, and looks to be a heck of a bargain.
British sound?
April 22, 2005
Thank you for the great site. First of all, I have been
using an NAD C350 integrated with a C660 dual-deck CD recorder for some four years now,
and I am quite happy with both. I am planning to upgrade my speakers, for which I can
spend up to $1000. My shortlist includes Epos M5, Paradigm Reference Studio 20, Quad 11L
and Triangle Comete ES. Some dealers I have consulted say I should prefer British speakers
with NAD, and I cannot figure out what sound has to do with nationality. Do you think
there is a point? I would appreciate your suggestions.
Antiphellos
You're right -- the equipment doesn't know where it's
from! There may be a bit of truth to what the dealers are telling you, however. If, for
instance, the smaller rooms and more dense construction methods in Britain led designers
to create speakers suited to that specific acoustic environment, then perhaps there is, to
a small degree, a "national sound." This would be based on the acoustic
properties of dwellings in that part of the world and designing for those specifically,
more so than any favored type of sound in that part of the world, though. I sure wouldn't
let any of this speculation worry me, however. That NAD you have is quite capable of
powering speakers from any part of the world, and the brands you mention are all
contenders in my book. If I were you I'd listen to as many of them as possible before
making a decision, and preferably audition them in your own room. Also take into account
dealer support and warranty issues, as well as aesthetics; $1000 is quite an investment
and you deserve to be happy with your purchase for a long time to come. Good luck.
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