len wallis audio headlines autumn 2012

1lenwallisaudio.com.aulenwallisaudio.com.au

The Newsletter of Len Wallis Audio Autumn 2012

IN THIS ISSUEJVC’s new ‘4k’ projectors

Geneva’s XS travel speakerNAD’s ‘heavyweight’ T787

Focal in-ceiling loudspeakersMusical Fidelity V-Series MkII

and much more...

LWHAutumn2012_001 Cover.indd 1 5/03/2012 8:14:12 AM

Distributed in Australia by QualiFi P/L – (03) 8542 1111 – [email protected] www.marantz.com.au

CD Player Of The YearMARANTZ SA-KI PEARL LITE

Product Of The YearMARANTZ PM6004 & CD6004

Best Network PlayerMARANTZ NA7004

Experience the best sound ... from Marantz. See these Award-Winners at Len Wallis Audio.

“This is a superb SACD player, one that will bring you many years of listening pleasure.” Australian Hi-Fi, Oct 2011

“It balances refi nement, insight and attack perfectly and has the composure to make instrumental stands easy to follow. It’s a truly terrifi c amp” What Hi-Fi, Awards 2011

“It is delightfully easy to operate and it integrates with both hi-fi systems and computer networks. AirPlay functional-ity makes this a simple streamer for the uninitiated. This is a product that virtu-ally demands our recommendation” Hi-Fi Choice UK Apr 2011

“This is a player that impresses in every single way: it’s build and fi nish could easily be from a player cost-ing twice as much. It’s the complete budget player” What Hi-Fi, Awards 2011

BEST SOUND!YEAR AFTER YEAR

Marantz.indd 1 30/11/2011 12:12:11 PM

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EDITED BY GEOFF FORGIE

4 Shades of FocalWhile sound quality is essential in a loudspeaker, appearance is also important, and Focal’s Chorus Series now has some impressive new fi nishes. Also check out their versatile ‘XS Book’ slimline powered speakers.

6 Magnum DynalabThese superlative Canadian tuners now come with internet radio, media streaming and DAB+ digital radio, as well as FM.

8 JVC’s new benchmark projectorsThe latest DLA-HD series offers even better performance, including ‘4k’ resolution on the top models.

10 Right back to the SourceThe ‘source-fi rst’ philosophy of hi-fi still holds, even though all the sources are changing to accommodate new media.

11 Musical Fidelity M1 ViNL phono stageIf you need more proof that vinyl is still doing very well, thank you, then this new phono preamp is it.

12 Musical Fidelity V-Series MkIIA fully revised V-Series includes a DAC and asynchronous converter, a phono stage and a new headphone amp.

13 Velodyne EQ-MAX subwoofersIt’s sad to see Velodyne’s CHT series go, but the company has crammed a lot of improved technology into the EQ-MAX.

14 Arcam – O Solo Duo... Convenience and performance combine in Arcam’s half-width Solo Mini and the feature-packed Solo Neo.

16 NAD T787 receiverYou can trust the power ratings on NAD’s latest ‘heavyweight’ T787 surround receiver... plus the company’s radical all-digital C390DD amplifi er.

18 Cinema to the MaxA high-quality home cinema with big, dynamic sound and the biggest, best picture we could fi t in the room...

22 Sharp looms larger The Quattron LC70LE735X is a slim fl atscreen TV with an enormous 70-inch screen — almost projection territory!

23 Geneva XS – made for travelGeneva uses its expertise in getting great sound from convenient packages to make a stunning travel speaker.

25 Focal in the ceilingFocal makes in-ceiling and in-wall speakers to the same quality levels as their conventional designs.

26 Join the main StreamThe explosion of streaming devices is changing the way we access music at home and away.

27 Home automation – do it right!Despite some recent reports, home automation is not yet plug-and-play – professional planning is crucial.

28 Oppo Blu-ray players – an updateA change in Australian distribution has brought some changes to the remarkable BDP-93 and BDP-95.

29 Sleepless in Las VegasThe biggest electronics show on earth revealed OLED and ‘Crystal LED’ televisions, new DACs and media devices, plus new designs from Krell and Meridian.

30 Specials!A great deal on Music Hall’s MMF 5.1 turntable and the latest version of the Koss Porta Pro KTC headphone.

31 MusicBig hits, high tides and missed opportunities...

64 Burns Bay Road, Lane Cove NSW 2066 Telephone 02 9427 6755 [email protected] HOURS Monday Tuesday Wednesday Friday: 9 to 5.30 Thursday: 9 to 8; Saturday: 9 to 5; Sunday: 10 to 4 www.lenwallisaudio.com.au

CONTENTS

Screen images from ‘Hybrid’ and ‘Triangle’, courtesy Icon Home Entertainment

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http://www.lenwallisaudio.com.au

4 lenwallisaudio.com.au

FOCAL Newsletter Autumn 2012

Ideally, shopping for speakers should be about sound quality. But in reality the appearance

always comes into it as well. HiFi gear goes through fashion phases like everything else, and the colours on offer do vary over time. In the electronics area, we’ve noticed that manufacturers are going “back to black” at the moment for amplifi ers, players and tuner/media streamers.

Focal’s very popular Chorus 700V series of speakers has been around for several years now, but there have been subtle changes in colours offered. The original Amati (a honey-toned timber look) has been disconti-nued and two new colours added.

Light Walnut (left, top) is a very pale timber look, while Wenge (left, below) is a very dark brown timber tone, almost chocolate. Black Ash, a fl at-fi nish imitation timber, continues, ensuring that your “basic black” remains as a trusted option. Black doesn’t fi ght with other timbers in the room, so is always useful. The exciting news on the black front is that some gloss “piano” black versions are now available in the 700V series, adding a more luxurious look, always sought after.

But enough about appearances – what are the sonic virtues of the Chorus 700V series? I would summarise them as follows. This series of speakers has the virtue of a scintillating treble response, while the midrange and bass are extremely well controlled, giving a truly balanced result across the frequency range. Each increase in size delivers more bass depth, but they are never “boomy”, and they are all quite easy to drive, making them compatible with all the amplifi ers they are likely to be paired up with.

SHADES OF FOCALThe Chorus 800V series look similar, but are extensively upgraded in their construction and in the components used. On the colour front, the older colour Moka (dark brown) has been discontinued, while a new lighter timber-tone called Natural (shown below, right) has been introduced. Ebony, which is a dark charcoal tone (below) continues.

Sonically, the 800V series offers improved focus, allowing you to hear further into the performance. Bass response remains well controlled and quite extended, and in the larger standmount model 807V it sounds not far short of fl oorstanding speaker performance. Effi ciency is slightly less,

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FOCAL

Powered speakers you can sit next to your computer monitor, or play your iPod through, are a dime a dozen. But most of them fail to produce sound you’d want to live with. Focal are well recognised for their extensive range of domestic passive speakers; however they also manufacture some very classy powered speakers for professional studio applications.

Drawing on this multi-faceted expertise they have now come up with a superb compact powered speaker, the Focal XS Book – so named because of its slim design.

Each XS Book speaker is a two-way design, with a ported enclosure. The right speaker is the active one, housing the amplifi er (2 x 20w) and having two inputs: one “high level”, which in this case means line level (via 2 x RCA sockets) from full-sized components (such as CD Player, Tuner, Hard Drive Media Server or Record Out from an amplifi er), while the second one is “low level” via a 3.5mm jack intended for portable sources. The right speaker takes mains power, and

outputs to the passive left speaker via a speaker lead with an RCA plug on either end. The volume control is on the top of the right speaker.

While attaching these speakers to your computer (of any size) is an obvious use, the possibilities are endless. Any full-size or portable audio source can be used to great effect, and you could also use these as a sound enhancement for any recent slimline fl at panel TV. The size of the speakers in TVs these days is so small that getting good sound out of them is pretty unlikely. XS Book to the rescue!

Or, attach these to a Sonos Connect (ZP90) for a very good compact sound system with all the access to music and Internet Radio that Sonos delivers. The XS Book speakers are $499/pr.

SPECIFICATIONSPower: 2 x 20wDrivers: 19mm tweeter, 100mm wooferFrequency Response: 50Hz-20kHz (+-3dB)Dimensions: 281 x 114 x 200mm (hwd)Weight: 5kg

••

•

•

•

FOCAL ‘XS BOOK’ POWERED SPEAKERS

but given that these speakers will usually be used with a more substantial amplifi er, this is not a worry.

Some of you may be familiar with the special edition 826W speaker, which appeared a while back in one colour only – cherry red. These were a 40th Anniversary Focal special, and had more upgrades in the form of W-Sandwich cones (as used in the Utopia and Electra ranges from Focal) and modifi ed crossover networks. The performance of this model is above and beyond the standard 800V series.

Why am I telling you this? Shortly there will be a limited quantity of the 826W arriving in country in Piano Gloss Black! They will disappear fast, so anyone wanting them had better have a deposit down soon. Call us for price and availability. Details of all other models of 700V and 800V series are on our website: www.lenwallisaudio.com.au.

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MAGNUM DYNALAB Newsletter Autumn 2012

Magnum Dynalab from Canada are famous for producing superlative FM tuners, usually

all-analogue, and often with valve audio output stages. Needless to say they have never been cheap! With the changes happening in digital storage and online radio and “library” services, it was on the cards that they would move into the new category of (for want of a better term) Media Tuner or streamer.

We are stocking two similar models, the MD 806 ($2699) and the MD 801 ($1799) — at USA price levels! The cheaper unit has the same functions but misses out on the XLR balanced outputs, and some other internal components will also vary.

“The MD 806 Internet Media Tuner brings years of expertise in analog sound staging, our proven development in D-to-A conversion technology, and innovative new software to unlock a near limitless access to music. With access to thousands of Internet radio stations and the ability to unlock the true sound potential in your digital music collection, the MD 806 can be a true staple among your collection of source audio products.”

The MD 806 Internet Media Tuner gives

you multiple audio sources. There is access to over 20,000 Internet Radio stations and

MAGNUM DYNALABpodcasts via onboard WiFi antenna or LAN. There is access to terrestrial FM, DAB+ and locally connected music collections in a variety of formats (including AACs, Real, MP3s, FLAC and WMA). Then there’s good old FM, in Magnum Dynalab’s proven high-end performance.

Intuitive and simple software: Internet radio stations are neatly organised and searchable by various categories (including country of origin, most popular, favourites). The touch screen displays easy-to-read information on the current track’s metadata, genre, bit rate, codec and sampling rate. Personal audio collections (attached via local network or USB fl ash stick/hard drive) are easy to navigate via artist name, album or genre. When connected, the software automatically looks for the latest fi rmware updates.

Simple Functionality: With a 9.5mm faceplate, a stately 9cm colour touch screen on the faceplate, and a solid steel chassis, the MD 806 is a direct cosmetic match with the slightly beefi er MD 807 – a simple and refi ned piece of audio gear. The functional remote is also upgradeable to a metal-encased touch screen remote (standard on the MD 809), and operation is equally easy whether standing beside the unit or at a distance.

World Leading Components: Wima capacitors, Kimber Hyperpure wiring throughout the unit, upgraded connectors and other components from world-recognised suppliers are all a testament to the overall build quality of the MD 806 – ensuring long life and listening enjoyment for many years.

Power Supply & Ground Plane: Like all Magnum Dynalab products, particular attention has been paid to the grounding plane. The same unique grounding loop found in many of the company’s top-end products is also designed into the MD 806, and the result is a signal free of impurities that originate with the ground plane. A custom toroidal power supply ensures all voltages are kept within exacting specifi cations, leaving an unimpeded original signal to fl ow through the unit’s components.

Flexible Outputs: With RCA and balanced analog outputs, the MD 806 will seamlessly integrate into any home audio system. The unit comes equipped with optical and coaxial (RCA) digital outputs for use with an external DAC, or can be optioned to include a DAC function for $869.

Note: The pricing in Australia (including GST) for

Magnum Dynalab is closely comparable to the US,

where the list price for the MD 806 of $US2600

has to have state taxes added, in many cases making

it more than here! The same applies to the MD 801.

LWHAutumn2012_006 MagnumDynalab.6 6 5/03/2012 8:18:48 AM

• A universal player for audiophile users• Stereophile A+ class recommended• SABRE32 Reference audio DAC• Blu-ray, DVD, SACD and DVD-Audio• FLAC & WAV playback from USB & network• Dual HDMI, RS232, eSATA, Wireless-N

• Toroidal power supply• Dedicated stereo output• XLR balanced output• Audio/video streaming• Latest Qdeo video processing• 2U rack mountable

2011 Audioholics Product ofthe Year Award Winner

“The BDP-95 produced someof the best bench tests we’ve

seen from Blu-ray playerregardless of price.”

• Exceptional Picture quality• 2nd Generation Qdeo Video Processing• Blu-ray 3D, SACD & DVD-Audio/Video• Advanced DVD Up-Conversion to 1080p• Network Streaming, DLNA Certified, Wireless-N

• eSATA & Dual USB 2.0 ports with NTFS Support• Dual HDMI outputs, IR & RS232 Control• YouTube Leanback, BD-Live & BonusView• Multiple Disc & Media Format Playback

BDP-93AUOPPO Blu-ray players feature:

The BDP-95AU also features: BDP-95AU

Universal Network 3D Blu-ray players

When only the best will do.

Stereophile Products of the Year

“An outstanding value in auniversal player.”

Best Blu-ray Player Winner“OPPO Digital’s two Blu-rayplayers have basically taken

over as ‘the disc player ofchoice’ as they do 3D,

Blu-ray, DVD-Audio, SACDand more.”

2011 Product of the Year“The OPPO BDP-93 Blu-rayDisc player is designed with

the best video and audioquality in mind.”

Home Cinema Choice “...phenomenal build quality

and audiophileperformance, the BDP-

95EU can be consideredreference grade kit.”

International Dynamics Australia • 03 9426 3600 www.internationaldynamics.com.au International Dynamics New Zealand • 0800 456 393 www.internationaldynamics.co.nz

oppo_sandi_feb12.pdf Page 1 31/01/12, 3:35 PM


JVC Newsletter Autumn 2012

Just as Velodyne are the benchmark brand for subwoofers, JVC have become the benchmark brand for

high-quality projectors. Ever since the fi rst HD projectors found their way into our store, we have been amazed at the clarity, contrast and fi ne-grained images, managing to overcome the curse of most projectors of yesteryear: fl yscreen mesh effect!

THE NEW BENCHMARKIt was no fl uke that when Meridian

wanted to develop their own super projector they based it closely on the JVC DLA-HD series. Over the past year or so, the mix has been enlivened by 3D capabilities, and contrast ratios have continued to climb, yielding better depth of image and differentiation of the many shades of darkness in all colours, plus of

course “blacker blacks”. The new JVCDLA-X90R boasts an increase in native contrast (compared to the X9) from 100,000:1 up to 120,000:1, while the DLA-X70R is up from 70,000 to 80,000 compared to the previous X7 model.

JVC are not a company to rest on their past reputation, and development has continued. Their new series now features (in the two top models) “4k resolution”, which means 3840 x 2160, doubling in each dimension the normal HD standard of 1920 x 1080.

How do they do this, and what does it achieve when source material is not issued in “4K”?

Essentially analogous to “oversampling” (which has been used to enhance and improve CD sound in CD players), JVC’s “e-shift” technology is a means of processing the image data in a way that

LWHAutumn2012_009-009 JVC.indd 8 5/03/2012 8:19:54 AM

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Industry certifi cation includes THX 3D Display Certifi cation and Imaging Science Foundation (ISF), the latter meaning they can be professionally calibrated to industry standards. But there’s also Auto Calibration, which after, say, 1000 hours of usage will restore the

colour performance to as close to original specs as possible.

Pricing on these magnifi cent projectors is excellent given the improvements now on offer – the DLA-X70R is priced at $8,498, and the DLA-X90R at $11,548. Contact us for more details.

JVC

smooths out sawtooth edges, making them less jagged. And, just as those oversampling CD and DVD players (before Blu-ray came along) ended up performing better with the same CD and DVD sources, so JVC’s new projectors will make Blu-ray or DVD look better than it did!

They might have their eye on future developments too, just in case somewhere down the track some genuine 4k sources become available. Will that be on a new optical disc? Probably not, but like HD Audio it could happen.

JVC have not taken their eye off the 3D ball either, with further enhancements to the speed with which left and right eye frames are sync’d, to ensure no “crosstalk” between them. New lighter glasses are part of this program.

Colour management is another of JVC’s strengths. Through facilities which it would take too long to explain here, they offer a variety of fi xes: conventional and xenon-mode colour temperature settings; adjustments for screen material types; and a 7-axis colour management matrix.

LWHAutumn2012_009-009 JVC.indd 9 5/03/2012 8:20:26 AM


SOURCE FIRST Newsletter Autumn 2012

Back in the LP days, when companies like Linn and Naim were making a name for themselves, it was taken

as gospel that the source was the key to good sound. Sure, there were always going to be arguments, but the “garbage in, garbage out” line of reasoning held sway, as it came to later in the computing fi eld. There were those of us who might have reasoned that better speakers made a heck of a difference, and that those better speakers needed very good amplifi cation to do their best work. All of this has an element of truth, but the way music distribution has evolved leads us back to the examination of The Source!

Rather than get bogged down again in the LP versus CD phase of this epic story, suffi ce to say that CD hit the market less than fully developed, and early damnation of CD as a retrograde step has for the most part been countered by improvements in all aspects, from recording to mastering and better in-player processing. The supposition that “it’s all digital therefore all the same” has taken a hammering, as it should. But if audiophiles thought early CD was the work of the Devil, worse was to come.

The MP3 player took over from the cassette portable, and plumbed new depths of musical strangulation. The iPod was at once liberating and revolutionary, but the compromise was too great for audio enthusiasts. Compressing the fi les might have been necessary to make the whole concept workable, but it meant that the improved CD sound left it for dead.

Gradually, improved “lossless” compression algorithms and more storage available in the portables overcame some of those issues, but many people to this day remain unaware that they could greatly improve their music quality by using better storage methods.

The wave of development continued onwards, and once everyone was used to

RIGHT BACK TO THE SOURCE...

having a large library of music on their home computer or attached hard drive, the boffi ns were hard at work on the next level of excellence — High Resolution Digital. While SACD slugged it out with DVD-A, both were held back, but the use of vastly increasing sampling rates and fi le sizes had proven that digital could go to another, higher level.

We are now at another of those “tipping points” they always talk about. There will not be another physical disc to replace CD or SACD the way Blu-ray replaced DVD. The future now belongs to High Resolution Digital. CD was based on 16-bit processing and 44.1kHz sampling, and a disc of 60-70 minutes requires 600-700 megabytes of storage. The new High Resolution standard will be 24-bit and either 96kHz or 192kHz sampling rate, with an album requiring up to 9GB of storage. Thanks to improved internet speeds and lower charges per GB downloaded, we will be buying our HD tracks that way, rather than on discs.

Oh, and those boffi ns we mentioned: yes, they’ve been working on the hardware too. If you want to extract the best resolution, the most realistic reconstruction of the original performance, the gear you use will have to be carefully selected, just as it

always has been. Two years ago most of us hadn’t heard of asynchronous DACs, but now they are essential to improving the audio sourced from a computer via USB. While we still love to read The Absolute Sound and Stereophile, the other must-read is now the Computer Audiophile website! The modern equivalent of all that old-school talk about platters, bearings, belt drive and tonearms now revolves around the bits you need to make the ideal fi le server. The source remains the fi rst critical link in the chain, and can’t be cheapened without detriment to the whole show.

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11

MUSICAL FIDELITY

11

The ongoing health of the LP turntable is indicated not just by the number of turntables sold,

but by the fact that new Phono pre-amps are still being developed at all price levels. Musical Fidelity’s new M1 ViNL ($1199) is carefully thought out, and constructed with high-grade components. It offers a number of individual settings to help optimise performance with a variety of pickup cartridges. MF’s own description covers it well, so here it is:

“The M1 ViNL is a state of the art MM/MC phono stage with adjustable input capacitance, input resistance and RIAA/IEC equalisation curves with single-ended and balanced outputs.

“It has extraordinary input fl exibility. On MM it has 47k or 68k input impedance. Input capacitance has seven values: 50PF, 100PF, 150PF, 200PF, 250PF, 300PF, 350PF, 400PF. This extraordinary fl exibility means perfect matching for almost any MM cartridge.

“The MC stage has ultra fl exible input resistance switching: 10R, 18R, 25R, 50R, 100R, 200R, 400R, 800R, 1600R and 47K. The ViNL has

M1VINL PHONO STAGEswitchable RIAA and IEC EQs. The ViNL has another important feature: you can switch resistance, capacitance or equalisation curve whilst it is playing. This gives ViNL extraordinary fl exibility and functionality.

“And that’s just the beginning! The ViNL’s technical performance is no compromise, state of the art. The circuitry is based around our revered KW phono stage but, with modern technology, a step up from that incredible standard. We employ ultra low noise instrumentation amplifi ers (the highest quality available). The

RIAA EQ curve extends up to 50kHz within 0.2dB. Distortion is almost non-existent and the noise is on the threshold of what can be achieved. The crosstalk is outstanding. In every technical parameter, the ViNL is state of the art.

“The ViNL’s incredible input fl exibility and state of the art technical performance result in an extraordinary product. As far as we can see the only problem is that it may not be expensive enough to be believable!”

Note: This is a premium product and we recommend it wholeheartedly. If you require a more entry-level option, you can read about the $249 Musical Fidelity V-LPS overleaf.

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lenwallisaudio.com.au

MUSICAL FIDELITY Newsletter Autumn 2012

When the original V-series was conceived, the design brief was to minimise costs

while maximising performance. Costs were kept under control by a number of approaches. The casework was minimalist in both size and fi nish, and there were no “front panels” as such, each case having connections at both ends, usually “in” one end and “out” the other. (As a rule, these are items you don’t have to see once they are installed, so the front panels are not that important.) Internally, all PCBs were reduced in size and therefore production cost, but used technologies developed by Musical Fidelity for their high-end products.

At the low resulting prices the V-series have been very popular, and are now going into their MkII or reissue

MUSICAL FIDELITY V-SERIES MKII

phase. There are improvements in performance wherever possible, and a cosmetic upgrade as well – all the cases will be in silver brushed metal instead of the matte black of the fi rst ones.

The V-DAC MkII ($399) has no price increase despite having the asynchro-nous link included for the USB input.

The V-LINK MkII asynchronous link will continue as a 96kHz model ($199), while a new higher performance version will hit the streets here in March priced at $399 and offering 192kHz performance.

The V-CANS MkII ($249) continue to offer an economical and very good headphone amplifi er, enabling you to get better sound than from headphone outputs on your stereo components themselves. It can cope with a wide range of headphone specs too.

The V-LPS MkII ($249) steps up phono cartridge output for either Moving Coil (MC) or Moving Magnet (MM) cartridges to line level, so that your turntable will not only sound better but it can be connected to any input on the increasing number of amplifi ers which do not include a phono stage.

The V-PSU MkII power supply is an adjunct to any of the above units and provides a superior power supply, hence better performance. It is not just inherently more stable and able to deliver the required current continuously, but fi lters out any high frequency artifacts which might otherwise degrade audio quality. One V-PSU can power three V-series units.

When the original V-series was conceived, the design brief was to minimise costs

phase. There are improvements in performance wherever possible, and a cosmetic upgrade as well – all the cases

lenwallisaudio.com.au 12

LWHAutumn2012_012 MusicalFidelit12 12 5/03/2012 8:23:06 AM

13

VELODYNE

Being strictly a manufacturer of subwoofers, Velodyne have long been the benchmark brand for this

type of product, and the CHT series has been the standard for most people who couldn’t stretch to get the SPL or DD series subs. It might be initially seen as bad news that the CHT series is coming to an end, with the CHTQ line being replaced by the new EQ-MAX series – until you realise just how much improved technology they’ve packed into the EQ-MAX.

VELODYNE EQ-MAXIn broad terms, the sizing remains

much as per the usual, with woofers ranging from 8” (203mm) up to 15” (380mm). The effective piston diameters may be some 15% less when you take off the roll-surround from that sizing, but then you can add back in the high-powered class D amplifi cation.

This type of amplifi er has been used for a while now in the SPL and DD series subwoofers, and using it in the EQ-MAX series gives them a boost in power, ranging from 180 watts RMS at the small end up to a massive 750w RMS at the big 15” end. Apart from inherent effi ciency and higher power delivery, these amplifi ers also run cooler – which helps when you’re putting that much power into a closed box.

The cones used in the bass drivers are reinforced fi breglass – all are custom-designed with vented pole-pieces, 2-layer copper voice-coil windings (4-layer in the 15”) and massive magnets, from two to fi ve kilos approximately.

Velodyne’s distortion-limiting circuitry monitors cone excursions and backs off the power if it senses that distortion has crossed the line.

When you set the subwoofer up in your room, you place it where you want it, and then activate the EQ system. Using the supplied microphone and self-generated test tones, this applies corrections so that the subwoofer itself compensates for your room response (which may have bass peaks or suck-outs).

There are four phasing settings you can use: 0 / 90 / 180 / 270. These are to get the right relationship between bass output from your main speakers and that from the subwoofer, to avoid cancellation effects. Put simply, the right setting is the one that delivers the most solid

bass to your listening position. Phasing and volume can be controlled using the supplied remote.

Downward-fi ring bass refl ex ports assist in maximising the effi ciency, and also avoid distortion caused by “port noise” or turbulence associated with these openings.

Taken as a total package, all of the above features add up to another series from Velodyne offering top performance for the dollars. Pricing will be similar to the series they replace, making them fantastic value for money. Full details and specifi cations will appear on our website as stock of each model becomes available.

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ARCAM Newsletter Autumn 2012

The Arcam Solo Mini (above) has just had DAB+ capability added to its line-up of good things, so we

should take another look at what it, and its big brother the Solo Neo, have to offer.

The Solo Mini has just what a lot of people are looking for, in that it is only half the width of full-sized stereo components (23cm), and you only have one piece! There’s no need for a stack of electronic stuff, since it does just about everything you’re likely to require. It’s an amplifi er with inbuilt radio section and CD player, while the radio does FM and DAB+, offering a huge number of stations.

When used with the optional accessories (rDock or rLead), your iPod or iPhone can be controlled by the remote and the main display will show the track/artist for the song being played.

With 25w x 2 on tap, you can run whatever bookshelf or reasonably effi cient

fl oorstanding speakers you like with the Solo Mini. All this and a reduction of $200 down to $1198 makes the Solo Mini a very attractive compact music system.

The larger but still very space-effi cient Solo Neo ($2498, pictured below) is a full-width amplifi er with inbuilt CD player, FM and DAB+ tuners, Wireless Streaming to bring your stored music in via your home computer wireless network (plus Ethernet connection for wired networking), an optional iPod dock or lead, and front USB and 3.5mm analogue inputs for easy connection of external players. If you need to be quiet, there’s headphone out as well.

There’s so much to this Solo Neo. The CD player uses a 24-bit Wolfson DAC, the power amplifi ers are supported by two toroidal transformers, the pre-amp has 5 line level inputs, pre-outs for an external

power amplifi er if needed, and optical digital out. There’s even Zone 2 line-level out with separate volume control, and an RS232 port for control and software support. With 2 x 75w into 4 ohms, there’s enough power for most of the types of loudspeaker you’re likely to want to use with it, and the sound is high-class British!

While we’re on the subject of Arcam, their T32 DAB+ tuner at $1098 is still one of the best buys in tuners. It has excellent sound, easily beating anything you’d consider as a cheaper option, and it also has both AM and FM bands covered, so can be used anywhere, not just in range of current DAB+ transmitters around capital cities. To improve on its radio performance you’d have to spend a lot more. If you want top quality and are not going to utilise the streaming features of some other contenders, this is the tuner you need.

ARCAM – O SOLO DUO

LWHAutumn2012_014 Arcam.indd 14 5/03/2012 8:28:24 AM


NAD Newsletter Autumn 2012

The latest “heavyweight” surround receiver from NAD, due into stock soon, will deliver masses of power

and is guaranteed to do it without turning a distorted hair, be it into 4 ohms or 8 ohms, and across the full audible frequency range. This is NAD’s Full Disclosure Power (FDP), which tells you that this receiver’s power amps will truly deliver up to 120w x 7 channels, all channels driven. A lot of manufacturers quote this or higher fi gures per channel, but it is known that there’s a fair bit of fudging goes on in the way power fi gures are expressed. Who can

NAD T787 RECEIVERforget the ridiculous PMPO fi gures of a few years ago, where every cheap shelf system had wildly infl ated power fi gures. It’s probably still going on, and indeed many so-called maximum power fi gures when it comes to seven-channel amplifi ers need to be taken with a grain of salt. Figures achieved on the test bench can be considerably down on the stated power when all channels are driven into realistic speaker loads.

One well-known speaker designer I was talking to recently told me that while he’s no fan of surround sound or multi-

channel receivers, his new NAD surround receiver sounds great!

How do they do it? The T787 uses two toroidal transformers, one for the front speakers and one for the rest. Choosing the right grade of output transistors and capacitors has always been important too. NAD have been in the amplifi er-building game for quite a while now, and they have some proprietary designs like Power Drive which help to manage power delivery and to make sure that it is there when required, while still being economical in overall consumption.

The T787 is not short of connections, having six HDMI inputs (3D capable, also with Audio Return Channel) and two outputs, six digital audio inputs (three coaxial, three optical digital), fi ve analogue inputs, plus three each of component and S-VHS video inputs.

It can handle all the latest surround modes including Dolby True HD and DTS-HD Master Audio, and also has NAD’s EARS processing to give a more realistic surround effect from two-channel sources, such as older movies. Audyssey MULTEQ XT will do the surround speaker set-up for

LWHAutumn2012_016-017 NAD.indd 16 5/03/2012 8:28:57 AM

17

NAD

you automatically, analyzing your room’s responses to test tones and adjusting outputs accordingly.

Apart from the IR remote controls supplied (one for Zone 2), the RS232 and Ethernet connections can be used for controlling via PC-based and other smart remote systems.

The T787 is also built using NAD’s Modular Design Construction (MDC), which means you can change modules to update it in the future rather than replace the whole unit.

At $3999 and weighing in at 25kg, this is a premium product, and one for the seeker after seriously good sound rather than a multitude of features.

NAD C390DD Digital Amplifi erWith so much music now being sourced digitally, it was inevitable (we can now say with 20-20 hindsight) that amplifi ers would trend towards having digital inputs rather than analogue ones. NAD have gone a step further and made the entire amplifi er a digital design!

The C390DD ($2999) draws on NAD’s design expertise accumulated while developing the highly regarded M2 Digital integrated amplifi er. The M2 has been well reviewed and even scored an Editor’s Award from The Absolute Sound in 2011 for best integrated amplifi er over $US3000 (note: in Australia the M2 sells for $7k).

Rated at 160w x 2, the C390DD could be thought of as roughly a digital

equivalent of the C375BEE, except it’s more than that – in several ways. Firstly, the digital design produces a totally uncoloured sound, almost unmeasurable distortion, and an attention to detail beyond that of most analogue designs. Secondly, the NAD Digital Power Drive circuitry senses the speaker load and adjusts the amplifi er’s output accordingly. It also adjusts power output on demand, so that crescendos are delivered with no fuss, just an immediate increase in the power for effortless handling of those big moments.

Thirdly, all the inputs are digital: 2 x optical, 3 x Coaxial RCA, an XLR AES/EBU and a USB. The signal path is entirely digital up until output to the speakers. The onboard DAC has asynchronous capability to better cope with and improve the audio from computer-based music. So it’s really a DAC/amplifi er, coping with sampling rates up to 24bit/192kHz.

However, while it can take direct digital feeds, you’d need to add a C446 streamer if you want to do Internet Radio, or online/network sources via streaming,

plus AM/FM/DAB+ radio. With an eye to upgrades there are optional modules (part of NAD’s modular MDC approach) listed for other inputs too, one for HDMI (3 in, 1 out) and another for Phono and XLR analogue in.

As it comes, the back panel also includes Subwoofer Out, Optical Digital Out, 12v Trigger Out, IR in and RS232.

This is an all-out attempt to make a genuine high-defi nition digital amplifi er with enough power to drive most speakers and enough high-end audio quality to satisfy everyone. As it comes it makes no concessions to analogue users, but the optional MDC module for phono input, complete with another balanced (XLR) analogue input, can adapt the amplifi er to suit those who require such things in addition to the comprehensive set of digital inputs.

It is at the start of the higher-end price scale, but still in reach of a good many people, and for the $2999 you are getting the best amplifi er (with DAC) of this new genre available today, short of the M2 itself.

LWHAutumn2012_016-017 NAD.indd 17 5/03/2012 8:29:18 AM


CUSTOM INSTALLATION Newsletter Autumn 2012

The client asked that we create a high-quality Home Cinema in a room that had been reserved for

the purpose. They wanted big, dynamic sound and the biggest and best picture that we could fi t into the room. It was 4.2m wide by 9.2m long, with the capacity for three rows of seats.

Custom Sales Consultant Juan Leon immediately saw the potential of the room, and drew up some suggested layouts in two- and three-dimensional sketches to show the owners how the design would progress. Juan’s experience

in a number of theatre projects has given him a combination of skills to come up with the optimum solution.

In order to give the room as large a screen as possible, a super-wide, curved, perforated (acoustically transparent) screen by Stewart was used, allowing the front B&W Cinema Pro speakers to be set behind the screen. The screen format allows letterbox movies to be displayed full-screen via a Schneider anamorphic lens on the JVC DLA-X9 high-defi nition projector housed in a compartment in the bulkhead at the rear of the room.

A number of listening tests were undertaken with the client at the Len Wallis Audio store in Lane Cove, in order to arrive at a combination of speakers which would satisfy this audio enthusiast. The dimensions of the room, being long, suited a seven-channel approach where both side and rear effects speakers are used, in addition to the three at the front of the room. To maximise the theatrical impact, four subwoofers have been used, and the end result is sound and pictures that a real cinema owner would envy! >>

CINEMA TO THE MAX BY JUAN LEON

LWHAutumn2012_018-021 Install.in18 18 5/03/2012 8:30:16 AM

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CUSTOM INSTALLATION



CUSTOM INSTALLATION Newsletter Autumn 2012

All aspects of the room construction, acoustic panelling and fi nal dressing were handled by Andrew Fenton’s building company Trade A Management, who have a wealth of experience in this type of project; they also assisted in the room’s physical design.

As you can see from the pictures, this theatre has been beautifully integrated. The screen can be widened to full cinematic 2.35:1 widescreen or come back to the conventional digital TV format (16x9 or 1.8:1) by virtue of the side curtains, which can be controlled from the best chair in the house. All controls are done from there via the inset Crestron touch panel.

Acoustic treatments are set into the walls and covered with fabric grilles. Speakers and subwoofers are all placed and set into walls or behind the screen, with rear effects mounted high up towards the ceiling, which has been specially constructed to include a “starlight” section and fully controllable downlights.

Seating is premium standard too, with 10 leather recliners arranged in three rows, each row stepped up to allow best visibility, even from the back row.

The Len Wallis installation team handled all the electronic equipment installation, supervised by Project Manager

Rory MacLeod. The success of such projects depends on expertise and experience, plus seamless backup from technical and drafting personnel – the backroom boys! It all came together to make this a superb theatre, implemented smoothly and to the owners’ great satisfaction.


CUSTOM INSTALLATION

EQUIPMENT LIST PROJECTION

JVC DLAX9 Projector Schneider 0910SKKTORM Anamorphic LensStewart 148” Curved acoustically transparent Screen

AMPLIFIERSArcam AV888 Preamplifi er Theatre Processor Arcam P777 7x 150 watts Power Amplifi er

SPEAKERSB&W CT8.4 Three Way 200mm Closed Box LCR speakers x 7Velodyne CHTQ15 Subwoofers x 4

SOURCE COMPONENTSApple TVMarantz Blu-ray

CONTROL SYSTEMCrestron TPS6L panelCP2E Crestron Processor

ANCILLARIESPS10 Thor Power StationSystem Rack

SEATING10 Topform Australian-made Leather Tennant Plus seats(3 rows: 4-3-3 formation)

LIGHTINGC-Bus 5500C-Bus keypad

CABLESAudioquest Type 4 and type 2

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LC70LE735X FEATURES

"Quattron" - 4 primary colour technology Full HD New "UV2A X-Gen Panel" for bright and wide viewing pictures Full Array LED backlight system provides even brightness across the screen Fine Motion Advanced 100Hz for reducing motion blur USB Multimedia Player for Movie, Music and Photo 1080/24P signal input for reproducing fi lm frames just like the theatres SRS TruSurround HD and Bass Enhancer for better sound quality Home Network for Movie, Photo & Music ( DLNA) USB Timeshift function Web Browsing and YouTube function Wireless ready for home network Inbuilt HD Digital TV Tuner AQUOS Link for one-touch control of Aquos Bluray player 7 day EPG (Electronic Program Guide) enables you to search for a program Advanced OPC (Optical Picture Control) and Eco function for reducing power consumption3 Year Warranty (we can extend that to 5 years total at a small additional cost)

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SHARP Newsletter Autumn 2012

When plasma screens came along late in the 1990s, a 42”/106cm cost around $20,000 and a 50”/127cm

was $35,000. And they both looked huge compared to what we were used to in CRT TVs. When some years later these prices dropped to about $5,000 and $10,000 respectively, we thought they’d bottomed out! Over time we’ve become used to larger sizes, and sales of 60”/152cm and upwards have boomed. Over the same period, LCD screens have gone from computer monitor size and so-so picture quality all the way up the scale to “as good as it gets”. Here we are today, with the new Sharp Quattron LC70LE735X coming in at 70”/177cm image size, a slim 89mm fl at screen panel weighing just 40kg – so there’s even no drama wall-mounting it.

The price is a mere $4799, noting that it is not a 3D-capable screen. This is, however, a seriously good screen, a magnifi cently generous size which you can use in any room where you sit back, say,

three metres plus – pretty easy to meet in most people’s living rooms or a compact theatre room where something bigger just won’t go.

We have been amazed at how good the picture quality is on the latest Sharp screens of every size – the biggest ones show no deterioration, in fact they often look even better than those little 40” and 50” ones.

Overseas Sharp have also shown an even bigger 85”/216cm screen, which starts to beg the question, at what point do you then start to use projection? For most people the answer still remains 100”/254cm upwards, but the encroachment of these super-sized TV sets into the realm of front projection can now be imagined, even if it is still some years off. The magnifi cent theatre featured elsewhere in this issue, with its 148”/375cm super-wide screen capable of showing movies in their original format, could not have been achieved without the magic of projection, anamorphic lenses, and special perforated screen materials.

SHARP LOOMS LARGER

LWHAutumn2012_022 Sharp.indd 22 5/03/2012 8:32:13 AM

23

GENEVA

MADE FOR TRAVEL

Model Price Size (whd) DriversPower

Geneva M* ($1299) 366x187x365 4 x 25w

Geneva L ($1749) 448x291x365 4 x 25w

Geneva XL ($2999) 550x615x370 6 x 100w(*Geneva M without CD player is $899)

The release of the Geneva XS ($299) has sparked a lot of interest, being such a brilliant travel sound

system. The retro idea of a folding powered speaker system – there are two little tweeters and a woofer in there – with its own amplifi er, FM radio, Aux input and Bluetooth connection, has been achieved with way more sound quality than you would expect from such a diminutive item. But after all, that’s what Geneva do – make great sound fi t into ever more convenient packages.

This is something that everyone who does a bit of travelling must have. It will fi t into any luggage with no fuss, and increases the sound quality you’ll enjoy while away from home. And it’s also a clock/alarm. As usual from Geneva, there are three colours to choose from: White, Black and Red.

While we’re looking at Geneva, a summary of their other products is a good idea, as they continue to be of interest to many of our customers.

The next model up is the Geneva S-DAB+ ($699 – shown to the far right in gloss white), which doesn’t have the CD player of the larger models, but does have FM and DAB+ digital radio, an Aux

input and iPod dock. And once again, amazing sound for the size. The Geneva S (without DAB+) is $499. Both models are 235x149x176mm (whd) without stand, 225mm high with stand, which is included with this model only.

Then there are the bigger Geneva models, which have been around for a while now but continue to attract with their unique construction and amazing performance. Each model has a CD player (slot loading), iPod dock, FM radio and Aux input. They all have a stereo speaker system (the number of drivers and size increases in each model) and multiple amplifi er modules within the one box – which is why you’ll fi nd them all

on our website under ‘Packaged Systems – One Box Solutions’.

Colours are Red, White and Black, with Walnut Wood being available in the L. (Pedestal stands are available at extra cost for these models; the prices below left are without pedestal.)

23

multiple amplifi er modules within the one

LWHAutumn2012_022 Geneva.indd 23 5/03/2012 8:34:18 AM

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25

FOCAL

Focal are probably most renowned for their fl oorstanding speakers, which range from the affordable

through to the ultra-exclusive, state-of-the-art Utopia EM models. Some people will know them from their car systems, while those lucky enough to use their powered professional studio monitors will also praise the expertise that goes into them.

Another area where Focal’s extensive know-how has led to peerless products is what we call “custom” or “architectural” audio. Flushmount in-ceiling or in-wall speakers have become hugely popular because they deliver great sound while minimising visual impact. People love the way they almost disappear, leaving their carefully-designed interiors uncluttered by mere “functional objects”.

As with their other ranges of speakers, Focal have “affordable” through to very exclusive models in the fl ushmounts too.

Their IC series cover the mainstream sizes of two-way in-ceiling designs, from

FOCAL IN THE CEILING5”/127mm woofers (IC105 $399/pair) through 6”/152mm (IC106 $599/pair) and fi nishing up at 8”/200mm with the IC108 model ($699/pair). These can be relied upon to deliver smooth sound, easy to drive for most amplifi ers, and they serve up more bass as you go up the range.

The IW106 ($699/pair) are the in-wall equivalent of the IC106, in a rectangular frame instead of round. Outdoor weatherproofs are not forgotten, with the OD108 giving excellent full-bodied sound at $799/pair.

For a more precise and airy treble, step up a notch to the IC706V in-ceiling, the IW706V in-wall, or the OD706V weatherproof outdoors – all at $999/pair.

Next we head into the very exclusive range, for those who want the best in fl ushmount speakers. The 1000 series use “W” sandwich cone drivers, a material only used in Focal’s absolutely top ranges, such as the Electra and Utopia speakers. The cabinets are extremely heavy and

non-resonant, and the clarity of these will rival the best conventional designs. There’s the IC1002S in-ceiling at $1499/pair, the IW1002S in-wall at $2999/pair, and the IW1002 “Beryllium Tweeter” model at $3999/pair. The top model is the three-way IW1003 Be (pictured left) at $7999/pair. There is nothing else on the market like these magnifi cent speakers.

Whether you’re doing stereo for music or a full surround system, the Focal fl ushmount and outdoor speakers should be on your shortlist for an audition. At each price and size level they offer amazing sound quality and value-for-money.

LWHAutumn2012_025 FocalCeiling.i25 25 5/03/2012 8:35:19 AM


MUSIC STREAMING Newsletter Autumn 2012

In case you haven’t noticed, the big news in the audio and video world is the explosion of streaming devices

– things which allow you to bring audio, and in some cases video as well, into your music or entertainment system. 2011 saw the fi rst few major manufacturers release tuners which are also streaming devices, making them able to deliver Internet Radio or stored music from your local network – either off your computer hard drive or an attached drive, perhaps a Network Attached Storage (NAS) drive.

This phenomenon really kicked off seriously some years ago with the advent of Sonos into the specialist market, but now is becoming more widespread each year and growth is going exponential.

Now that Yamaha, Marantz and NAD all have streaming media tuners on the market, you could say it has really arrived. We can add Magnum Dynalab to that list, with their superb Media Tuners (from $1799) covered elsewhere in this issue.

JOIN THE MAIN STREAMThe beauty of these new devices is that they offer options for everyone, giving you more fl exibility and access than previously even imagined.

You don’t even have to use all the features for them to be compelling acquisitions. DAB+ is useful to us city dwellers, and is capturing a lot of people, but for those in the regions the Internet Radio may be the drawcard in the short term, giving access to a lot of stations you might get no other way, including Australian ones.

In Marantz’s NA7004 (now $1120) you have all these things wrapped up in a neat package: DAB+, FM, Internet Radio, Internet Libraries, Network Streaming from your local storage, and to top it off there’s a high quality DAC you can use to upgrade any other digital source you want to connect to it.

NAD’s C 446 ($899) also offers value in having a list of functions way ahead of most competitors (in fact a lot of competitors may only just be getting their products ready for market as we write – if they are on the ball at all, that is). The C 446 does DAB+/FM/AM and Internet

Radio, plus streaming from Last.FM, or from your stored music.

The Yamaha NP-S2000 ($1999) has no tuners in-built so is purely a Network Player, although this does also enable Internet Radio. It is aimed at adding streaming to the higher-end audio system, having a signifi cantly higher build standard than those at around the $1000 mark; it includes Burr-Brown DACs and XLR balanced outputs, plus enhanced power supplies. It will also stream iTunes music, while the NAD (and some others not covered here) do not.

Sonos is a multi-room wireless or Ethernet-connected audio distribution system which has gone well and truly mainstream with the introduction of self-powered speakers – the PLAY:5 at $599 and the smaller PLAY:3 at $419. This is now a mass-market product, but one which (we hasten to point out) can be used at higher audio quality levels by connecting it to better hi-fi systems. Sonos’ ability to stream your locally available stored music including iTunes, plus Internet Radio and Online Library streaming, and be controlled via Apple Wi-Fi devices, makes it a market leader for multi-room audio.

2012 promises to be an exciting year with all these new frontiers opened up. If you haven’t done it yet, jump into the swim and stream!

MUSIC STREAMING

In case you haven’t noticed, the big news in the audio and video world is the explosion of streaming devices

– things which allow you to bring audio, and in some cases video as well, into your music or entertainment system. 2011 saw

JOIN THE MAIN STREAMThe beauty The beauty of these new of these new devices is that devices is that they offer options they offer options for everyone, for everyone, giving you more giving you more fl exibility and fl exibility and access than access than previously even previously even imagined. imagined.

You don’t even have to use all the You don’t even have to use all the features for them to be compelling features for them to be compelling acquisitions. DAB+ is useful to us city acquisitions. DAB+ is useful to us city dwellers, and is capturing a lot of people, dwellers, and is capturing a lot of people, but for those in the regions the Internet but for those in the regions the Internet Radio may be the drawcard in the short Radio may be the drawcard in the short

LWHAutumn2012_026-027 StreamingA26 26 5/03/2012 8:37:24 AM

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HOME AUTOMATION

Your home is the next frontier for gadgeteers across the world.” So went an item on the internet

recently, accompanied by a nice diagram showing the simplifi ed anatomy of a smart home, with little icons for lighting, temperature control, and so on. You can buy a kit that makes all this happen, apparently. But hang on a minute…

This looks at fi rst blush like an indication of the coming “commodi-tisation” of the Home Automation or Smart Home market, and is sure to send a chill down the spine of those businesses involved in it, seeing what has happened to so much of the retail trade in consumer electronics in recent years.

But is it that simple? The product on which the article

focused looks like it’s just the controller, not the whole-of-house systems that go to make up your smart home.

You can now get some very pretty remote control devices from people like RTI and Savant, and they make excellent use of the iPad for the easy-to-use and attractive interface. But every time you

hit a button, something somewhere has to respond and actuate something.

This is where a whole rack full of little, anonymous-looking boxes with green blinking lights on the front start to do things. Want the blinds opened? The command must reach the blinds via the processor and actuator. Lights, air, security, irrigation, music, video – all have to have not just a pretty touch-screen, but a network of interconnected, programmable devices that do the work.

So if you think popping down to Bunnings for a home automation kit is just around the corner, think again. Firstly, wiring is still paramount, even though some things are handled wirelessly. Planning what systems are to go into a job is still vital, and the design will include detailed drawings showing what wires go where, and what devices do what tasks. This is all done at blueprint stage, not the week before you move in.

What a lot of people may not be aware of is that in addition to system design and detailed drawings, you need a programmer who can make

the system address all the tasks and all the sub-systems (from lights to theatre equipment to … well, all of it!) and make them play nice together. Bringing a smart-home project to fruition is something that only a good team of professionals can do, no matter how much money the client might have to throw at the job.

Gone are the days when a theatre consisted of some bits of gear and some 12 volt triggers, all controlled via an infra-red remote. A whole-of-house project must address everything down to basic computer networking issues, with (preferably) a degree of redundancy in that networking, to avoid the embarrassment of having everything just stop!

So, your home may indeed be the new frontier for gadgeteers, but don’t be lulled into the false sense of ease which all too often leads to wasted time, wasted money and an overload of frustration. We aren’t at the DIY smarthome stage yet!

It pays to have an experienced team like Len Wallis Audio involved from the beginning of your new home build or renovation project. Do it once, do it right.

HOME AUTOMATION IS NOT FOR MOUSEKETEERS OR MUPPETS

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LWHAutumn2012_026-027 StreamingA27 27 5/03/2012 8:37:57 AM


OPPO Newsletter Autumn 2012

We have been selling the Oppo BDP-93 and the BDP-95 for some time now, and the

feedback has been tremendous. These are beautifully built players, and once again prove that the quality of the source is so important. They are also universal players, so they handle Blu-ray, CD, DVD and SACD.

There has been a change in the Australian distribution arrangements for Oppo, and there’ll be some good news on two fronts for people contemplating a purchase. (This is late breaking news and just made it into this issue.)

Firstly, and this is always a popular one, their prices have been reduced. The standard model BDP-93 comes down to $849 and the BDP-95 to $1499. Secondly,

OPPO BLU-RAY PLAYERS – UPDATEa new feature, the NuForce Extreme modifi cation, can be purchased for the BDP-93 player, improving its performance markedly over the standard model. This takes its price up to $1990, but our staff assessor was amazed at the difference it made, “like going from a cheap turn-table to a Linn”, he said. It’s arguable that this takes it beyond the performance of the BDP-95, as it should, given that the BDP-95 now sells for less! There is currently no NuForce mod for the BDP-95.

To recap on the BDP-93’s main features:It plays BD-Video, Blu-ray 3D, DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, AVCHD, SACD, CD, HDCD, Kodak Picture CD, CD-R/RW, DVD±R/RW, DVD±R DL, BD-R/RE, BD-R/RE DL.

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It has Qdeo Video Processing by Marvell, 3D capability (2 x 1.4a HDMI outs), USB, Coaxial and Optical audio out, Wireless and Ethernet connections. An eSATA connection allows content to be played back via the Oppo!You also get onboard HD soundtrack decoding, with analogue multi-channel or stereo audio outputs in addition to the digital ones. As you’d expect, other features like 24 Frame Rate, BD-Live, and Bonus View are there too. The universal switchable voltage power supply means that this is indeed a player you can take anywhere. Since it is a Universal Player, it is probably the only player you’ll need!

Although the BDP-95 shares the same playback platform as the BDP-93, it is designed from the ground up with a different chassis and many different components for the analog audio performance. For this reason it is not possible to upgrade a BDP-93 to gain the BDP-95's enhanced audio performance. The differences are in fact too numerous to go through here, so please go to our website for more details: http://lenwallisaudio.com/products/source/blu-ray-player/bdp-95.

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LWHAutumn2012_027-028 OppoLasVeg28 28 5/03/2012 8:39:49 AM

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CES 2012

This year’s CES was the biggest ever in attendance fi gures and in square metres of space taken up. Lots of

specialised areas were catered for, and we could rave on about Ultrabooks, all the new smart phones and in-car screens linked to “the cloud”, but our focus is on domestic Audio and Video equipment, and inevitably the video side gets a lot of that coverage these days.

So what’s hot? Sharp are going in boots and all

with not just larger screens but higher resolution, as they have been showing an 85” 8k screen recently. We understand that their fantastic 70” LED-backlit LCD screen will be joined by an 80” version during 2012.

Panasonic have continued to be the plasma supremo, even though they also make LED/LCD TVs. Their new VT50 series will give improved blacks and graduations of dark details, and the new lighter Bluetooth 3D glasses will surely be popular as well. Panasonic are also working on those 4k x 2k higher resolution screens, which will be the next big thing beyond the 3D horizon.

SLEEPLESS IN LAS VEGASLG are working hard in the OLED

fi eld, that is Organic LED TV. Much has been promised for years now, and not much has been delivered, but seeing a 55” super-thin TV in brilliant colours and brightness (which also has super-low power needs) will always create a buzz – in a good sense!

Sony showed a 55” prototype of a different sort, called the Crystal LED. This uses a massive number of individual LED cells to achieve a result close to OLED quality, but being an early prototype no meaningful conclusions can be reached as to its future.

Samsung also had a 55” OLED screen and foreshadowed more smart TVs, which is the other development we are all waiting for in the TV industry. So far, internet protocol TV or IPTV has been less than fulsomely implemented, with tempting glimpses of what it could become. But at least it’s in the pipeline.

In Audio, the trends we have discerned emerging in 2011 are continuing, with Audio Research showing a huge streaming device called the DAC Digital Media Bridge. At the other end of the

scale, Arcam’s rPac portable DAC got some honourable mentions. There is no doubt that the AM/FM tuner as we knew it is fi nished, and that the future belongs to tuners and streamers which have at least DAB+ onboard, but these in turn can be trumped by media streamers which cover broadcast radio and also stream from your local network or the internet.

Dedication to high-end stereo was evidenced by Krell’s Phantom III pre-amplifi er, a dual mono construction with inbuilt crossover control and optional 24bit/192kHz input board, plus a new heavyweight integrated amplifi er, the S550i, offering a step up from the current S300i to a new height of 275w/channel. Both items are likely to appear here with attractive pricing, although timing is yet to be determined.

Meridian have a new powered speaker, the slender M6, designed to go with the Audio Core pre-amp and to be easily accommodated in any room due to its slim design and small footprint. They also have a full-on 818 Reference Audio Core which is, you guessed it, ripe for use in networking and streaming!

LWHAutumn2012_027-028 OppoLasVeg29 29 5/03/2012 8:40:06 AM


SPECIALS & ACCESSORIES MUSIC

A FANTASTIC TURNTABLE SPECIAL

The Music Hall MMF 5.1 turntable is a two-speed belt-driven audiophile turntable employing the unique dual-plinth construction originated by Music

Hall. We have a limited quantity to clear for $999, down from $1499. There is nothing on the market that can beat this in terms of quality construction for this price.

The distinctive design isolates the critical sound-reproducing components (platter, main bearing, tonearm, and cartridge) on the top platform from the motor, switch, wiring, and feet which are mounted on the bottom platform. Viso elastic cones separate the two platforms and provide vibration damping. It comes complete with a Goldring cartridge mounted.

New Koss Porta Pro KTCThe Porta Pro headphone is one of those enduring standards of excellence in our industry, a lightweight portable headphone that delivers amazing sound, packs up into a small bag, and is easily run from things like iPhones and iPods. Koss have issued an updated version of the Porta Pro, adding a control module which allows you to control the iPod with Play, Pause, Next Track, Last

Track buttons. The Porta Pro KTC ($129) otherwise looks just like the standard model, with its expandable metal-strip headband, side cushions and foam-covered earpieces which can easily be re-covered when the foam wears out. It comes with a soft carry bag.

Koss are also famous for their limited lifetime warranty, which covers all sorts of breakages and malfunctions – one of the best back-up services we have seen. If you haven’t heard these, come in for a demo – they are still, after many years in similar form, an amazing product.

We don’t like their sound, and guitar music is on the way

out.” This is rumoured to be the brief, brutal, but disastrously wrong summary given by Decca in 1962 in rejecting a new young group called The Beatles. Perhaps it was for the best, since the band had a good run at EMI, helped along by their wizard of a producer, George Martin.

Decca did have the good sense to sign The Rolling Stones, despite the fact that they, like most groups, also had a fondness for guitars.

Over in the United States, an enthusiastic roadie and part-time muso breezed into Stax Records and assured them that he would be worth the effort of recording. They agreed to some trial recordings, and so accelerated the brief career, cut short by a plane crash, of Otis Redding. Another too short-lived artist, Buddy Holly, had to resort to subterfuge and a group renaming for contractual reasons. He and his two band members were looking at possible insect names, passed over Beetles and settled on Crickets as a happier sounding choice.

The history of music is littered with coincidences, mistakes, and strange events. Phil Spector is said to have paid Ike Turner not to show up for the recording sessions of “River Deep, Mountain High”, and he was not missed. Tina sang it until exhausted and until Spector was happy with it. The song, now regarded as a pop classic, was not successful in the US on release, although it did well overseas.

Sometimes truth is as strange as fi ction. You may remember in the movie Romy & Michele’s High School Reunion Michele

MMF 5.1 FEATURES: Music Hall’s unique dual-plinth constructionGorgeous high gloss piano black lacquer fi nishTop-tier one-piece alloy tonearmFlexible internal tonearm wire drawn from high purity copperCounterweight’s centre of gravity is level with the stylus tip Resonance damping counterweight is decoupled from the tonearmSeparately isolated asynchronous motorTwo-speed (33/45 rpm) pulleyGoldring GL 2200 moving magnet phono cartridgeUser-replaceable elliptical diamond stylusCartridge is mounted and properly alignedPrecision stainless steel main bearing sheathed in Tefl onMain bearing provides noise-free fl uid operationDynamically-balanced alloy platterSoft felt mat and screw on record clampHigh quality gold RCA connectors and detachable phono cableSpecial vibration damping adjustable feet and round spirit levelLow noise fully manual belt-drive designExcellent instruction manual and easy assemblyDust cover and 45rpm adaptor

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Newsletter Autumn 2012

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31

MUSIC

pretending that she’d invented Post-It Notes. Very funny. But in reality, Monkees member Michael Nesmith’s mum worked as a secretary and actually invented Liquid

Paper. IBM passed on that one too, when they could have got it cheap; she later sold it as a successful business to the Gillette Corporation in 1979 for $47.5m. In 1985

Michael Jackson purchased ATV Music, which included in its catalog some 250 Beatles tunes, for $47.5 million, now valued at hundreds of millions.

Once there were a lot of record companies that had a vast wealth of recordings that they could re-issue every time a new format came out, like LP, Cassette, CD. Then they could do it again, repackaged at Budget Price. It all revolved around stamping out copies and shipping them around the world, or having local production facilities in various countries to do that and ship them at closer range. By the end of the 1990s the new method of distribution via the internet loomed on the horizon, but no record company did it. Many were bought out in the consolidations that had begun in the 1980s then accelerated after 2000, and the “Big 6” dwindled to a few. Then Apple came along and started iTunes, and remade the music distribution landscape, virtually taking over the business. Some say they may be about to start doing the same thing to the book trade after their recent launch of the new version of iBooks – it could lead to a whole new publishing regimen, with authors going straight to the Apple-sponsored store, bypassing the conventional publishing houses.

Many of us may dream of ready access to any version of any work, large or small, any time. This is taking shape now, with online music libraries becoming more numerous and more fully stocked. As usual, Australia has had to wait longer than the rest of the fi rst world, but this year, 2012, will see some big improvements to our available services. Whether a rare live concert album, or a long out-of-print version of a great classical work, it would be nice to be able to fi nd it on the net. The potential is there.

Sonos started carrying the Rdio online library on 20th January, 2012, and there are other highly regarded music services like Spotify about to start this year, so it’s full of promise already.

But as usual there’ll be winners and losers, high tides taken at the fl ood, and opportunities missed.

BIG HITS, HIGH TIDES, MISSED OPPORTUNITIES.BY GEOFF FORGIE

Newsletter Autumn 2012

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All New Experience the 2012 800 Series Diamond range at an authorised Bowers & Wilkins 800 Series Diamond dealer. For more information call Australian Distributor Convoy International on 1800 817 787 or visit www.ehifi.com.au.

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len wallis audio headlines autumn 2012

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