LATEST ADDITIONS

Let's say you play a CD on a poor-quality CD transport and store the digital audio data in a massive computer memory. You then repeat the process, but this time play the CD into the memory from the finest CD transport extant (say, the Mark Levinson No.31). A week later you feed the two sets of data from the massive memory into a digital processor and listen to the music. Would the CD transports' sonic signatures be removed from the signal? Could you hear a difference between the transports a week later?

<B>EDUARDO PANIAGUA GROUP: <I>Danzas Medievales Espa&#241;olas</I></B><BR> Eudardo Paniagua, flautas de bisel, nay, fujara, psalterio, tromba marina, darbuga, tar, c&#237;mbalos, caraqueb, cascabeles; Cesar Carazo, canto, viola de brazo; Wafir Sheik, la&#250;d &#225;rabe, darbuga, pandero, sonajero; Jaime Mu&#241;oz, axabeba, kaval, chalumeau, dulcimer, sonajas; Enrique Almendros, flautas de tres agujeros, gaitas, gaita charra y tamboril, tar, c&#237;mbaols, campanas; Luis Delgado, zanfona, la&#250;d, dutar, vihuela de p&#233;&#241;ola, santur, fujara, c&#225;ntara, darbuga, zarb, bendir, pandera, tambor, tar<BR> M&bull;A M034A (CD only). Todd Garfinkle, prod., eng. DDD. TT: 72:05

Is Krell risking its reputation? With the KAV-300i, an integrated amplifier that was originally envisaged as an export model, but for which home demand is clearly increasing, the Connecticut-based amplifier manufacturer is dabbling in low-cost territory. Previous Krell amplifiers have been known for their prodigious drive capability. Time and time again, it is found that the true measure of the bass performance of a big speaker isn't realized until a Krell power amplifier is brought into service. But how could an amplifier with a meaty 150Wpc specification and full remote control be built to sell for just $2350.

While large, floorstanding speakers appear to offer the most material for the buck, I feel that small stand-mounted speakers both offer the best value in sound quality, as well as standing the best chance of sounding good in moderate-sized listening rooms. In recent months <I>Stereophile</I> has reviewed a varied group of such speakers. In order of descending price, these include the Acoustic Energy AE2 Signature ($5495/pair, November '95); Dzurko Acoustics Jaguar ($4500/pair, reviewed elsewhere in this issue); <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//loudspeakerreviews/462/">Totem Mani-2</A> ($3995/pair, February '96); Platinum Audio Solo ($2498/pair, November '95); Coincident Speaker Technology Troubador ($1495/pair, January and February '96); <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//loudspeakerreviews/615/">Joseph Audio RM7si</A> ($1299-$1499/pair, February '96); <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//loudspeakerreviews/445/">Acarian Al&#243;n Petite</A> ($995-$1195/pair, January '96); Phase Technology PC80 II ($699/pair, December '95); and Spectrum 108cd ($399/pair, December '95).

While large, floorstanding speakers appear to offer the most material for the buck, I feel that small stand-mounted speakers both offer the best value in sound quality, as well as standing the best chance of sounding good in moderate-sized listening rooms. In recent months <I>Stereophile</I> has reviewed a varied group of such speakers. In order of descending price, these include the Acoustic Energy AE2 Signature ($5495/pair, November '95); Dzurko Acoustics Jaguar ($4500/pair, reviewed elsewhere in this issue); <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//loudspeakerreviews/462/">Totem Mani-2</A> ($3995/pair, February '96); Platinum Audio Solo ($2498/pair, November '95); Coincident Speaker Technology Troubador ($1495/pair, January and February '96); <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//loudspeakerreviews/615/">Joseph Audio RM7si</A> ($1299-$1499/pair, February '96); <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//loudspeakerreviews/445/">Acarian Al&#243;n Petite</A> ($995-$1195/pair, January '96); Phase Technology PC80 II ($699/pair, December '95); and Spectrum 108cd ($399/pair, December '95).

Like most audiophiles, I salivate over the latest Jurassic, second-mortgage-inducing power amplifier. Whether it's about the music itself, or simply "my amp is bigger than your amp" one-upmanship, we all know that those who risk a hernia in pursuit of the ultimate in sound invariably come out winners.

"Rarely, if ever, can this densely written sonata have been presented so lucidly with each note precisely in place...the dramatic and lyrical aspects were never slighted or taken for granted."<BR>&mdash;Peter G. Davis, writing in the <I>New York Times</I> about Robert Silverman's New York debut in 1978, when he performed the Liszt B-Minor Piano Sonata in Alice Tully Hall.