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The Case Against Show Reports J. Gordon Holt Responds

J. Gordon Holt Responds:

Sorry Tony, I just can't agree.

Sure, CES is just a showcase from which dealers choose the lines they'll carry, and it's common knowledge that most dealers put sound quality at the bottom of their priority list, well below such mundanities as mark-up, manufacturer promotion, and the glitziness of the product's hype. And if Stereophile was a trade mag, aimed at dealers, that's the way we would approach our show reports.

But Stereophile isn't a trade magazine. It's a consumer publication, for people who care greatly about sound quality, and it is…

The Case Against Show Reports Larry Archibald abuts

Larry Archibald abuts:

I'm of two minds in this debate, because there seem to be significant defects in both arguments presented above. I feel that Consumer Electronics Shows are an excellent place to encounter interesting products, products that are good prospects for reviews. And sound quality is one way to decide which manufacturers to interview, which products to pursue. The CES also provides a unique opportunity to get technical clues from the designers whose products sound good; given the plethora of exhibitors, there's a tendency not to check out the rooms that sound bad. So I…

Seeing Red

Although inclined to mood swings bordering on the manic-depressive, I am generally a very patient, tolerant person, willing to accept and overlook the foibles of those less perfect than myself. But even my incredible equanimity has its limits, beyond which the milk of my human kindness curdles, becoming as lumpy as last month's yogurt.

Perhaps I have just grown tired of certain kinds of mindless idiocy. Perhaps I am, in fact, growing shorter in tolerance as I grow longer-sighted. But if, perchance, you should engage me in casual conversation or intense technical or philosophical…

Denon SC-CX303 loudspeaker

The companion loudspeaker to Denon's RCD-CX1 SACD/CD receiver is the SC-CX303 ($1200/pair). The SC-CX303 is a ported two-way with a 1" soft-dome tweeter and a 5" carbon-fiber–cone woofer. Denon claims a sensitivity of 86dB and an impedance of 6 ohms. Instead of a formal frequency response, Denon instead gives an unreferenced figure for frequency extension that, at 35Hz–60kHz, is neither helpful nor credible.

Each SC-CX303 comes with a port plug of open-cell foam; after a certain amount of experimentation, I used these all the time. The cabinet measures 11.6" high by 6.9" wide by…

Denon SC-CX303 loudspeaker Specifications

Sidebar 1: Specifications

Description: Two-way, reflex-loaded, stand-mounted loudspeaker. Drive-units: 1" (25mm) soft-fome tweeter, 5" (130mm) carbon-fiber–cone woofer. Crossver freuqency: 3kHz. Frequ3ncy range: 35Hz–60kHz. Nominal impedance: 6 ohms. Sensitivity: 86dB/W/m. Maximum power handling: 100W IEC. 200W peak. Dimensions: 11.6" (296mm) H by 6.9" (175mm) W by 10" (254mm) D. Weight: 19 lbs (8.7kg).
Serial number of review samples: 7044601569 & '70.
Price: $1200/pair (not including stands).
Manufacturer: Denon Electronics, Corporate Drive, Mahwah, NJ 07430-2041. Tel: (…

Denon SC-CX303 loudspeaker Measurements

Sidebar 2: Measurements

I measured the Denon SC-CX303 primarily using DRA Labs' MLSSA system and a calibrated DPA 4006 microphone. The SC-CX303's claimed voltage sensitivity is 86.0dB/2.83V/m; my estimate of this was 85.6dB(B)/2.83V/m, which is within experimental error of the specification. The Denon's impedance is specified at 6 ohms. In fact, the speaker's impedance (fig.1) dipped slightly below 6 ohms in the lower-midrange and midbass regions, and remained above 10 ohms in the low treble; it's really an 8 ohm load that will not make serious current demands on the partnering amplifier…

Music Hall dac25.2 D/A processor

Roy Hall has been Creek Audio's US importer for more than 20 years. Did you know that all Creek gear is now made in China? Just like Cambridge Audio, Quad, and many B&W models. Just like some US speaker brands, for which virtually all parts are made in China but are assembled, it's claimed, in the US. Three cheers for brands like LFD, Rega, Sugden, and Harbeth—all still made in the UK. For French marques made in France. For Italian products produced in Italy. Etc.

Cambridge Audio has been manufacturing in China for more than a decade. Its parent company, The Audio Partnership…

Music Hall dac25.2 D/A processor Page 2

With my venerable Advents connected to the dac25.2's headphone output, I thought the sound of Internet radio was splendid. Same with my Audio-Technica ATH-AD700 headphones: splendid but not stupendous. What can you expect from Internet radio? One thing I didn't like: Turning off the dac25.2 produced a squeak, followed by something between a speak and a pop. Unplug your 'phones first. Turn off your powered speakers. I heard no such transients through the dac25.2's fixed-level analog outputs; this problem seems to affect only the headphone stage.

Art Dudley loves Wavelength Audio's…

Music Hall dac25.2 D/A processor Specifications

Sidebar 1: Specifications

Description: Tubed D.A processor and headphone amplifier with optional oversampling. Tube complement: 1 6922. Inputs: AES/EBU, S/PDIF optical and coaxial, USB. Outputs: balanced on XLRs, unbalanced on RCAs, headphone on ¼ stereo jack.
Dimensions: 8.5" (220mm) W by 3.75" (95mm) H by 13.5" (345mm) D. Weight: 7.8 lbs (3.5kg).
Serial number of review sample: 08009756.
Price: $599.
Manufacturer: Music Hall, 108 Station Road, Great Neck, NY 11023. Tel: (516) 487-3663. Web: www.musichallaudio.com.

Music Hall dac25.2 D/A processor Associated Equipment

Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment

I had both the Parsifal Ovations and the Leonores with which to evaluate the new dac25.2 D/A converter/headphone amplifier from Roy "Music" Hall. (The man is now a brand.) I used the McIntosh MCD205 CD changer or the Denon DCD-1650AR CD player as a digital transport, with Analysis Plus Digital Oval S/PDIF interconnect. The integrated amp was the LFD. I also used Powered Advent speakers and Audio-Technica ATH-AD700 headphones.—Sam Tellig