Letters (Apr. 1996)

TheaterMaster Made Easier

Dear Editor:

Right after Edward J. Foster's "Equipment Profile" of the EAD TheaterMaster Dolby AC-3 surround processor appeared (March), we introduced the System Controller. This touch-screen remote puts even the most complex operation of the TheaterMaster, and almost all other infrared-operated home theater equipment, a single key stroke away. All operating modes and setups of the TheaterMaster, our new TheaterVision laserdisc player, and our about-to-be-introduced SwitchMaster video switcher are handled by this remote through a series of 18 linked screens. Simplified GUI (graphic user interface) techniques guide the user through even the most complex procedures.

-Alastair Roxburgh VP., Engineering Enlightened Audio Designs Fairfield, Iowa

Kudos to Cordesman, King, and Crew

Dear Editor:

Thanks to Anthony H. Cordesman's in formative "Auricle" review of Vandersteen's 3A speaker (June 1995), I auditioned and later bought a pair. Their soundstage and overall range, especially in the deep bass, is a big improvement over my Dahlquist DQ-10s.

At first I was quite upset when the 3As didn't sound as good at home as they did in my dealer's demo room. I then reread the Vandersteen review, noting Cordesman's mention of careful setup, a break-in period of about 100 hours, and that his pair of 3As was equipped with Sound Anchor braces. I bought the braces and, after installation, heard a remarkable difference. The sound stage opened up, and the imaging improved immensely.

I did find the Vandersteens to be less efficient than the DQ-10s. Considering I was driving them with a GAS Son of Ampzilla, I thought more power was needed. After reading Bascom H. King's "Equipment Pro file" of the Legacy High-Current amp (April 1995), I bought it along with Legacy's preamp. Although my Legacy amp/pre amp combo overshadows the 3As in price, I'm quite happy with the sound.

Thanks again to Cordesman, King and the rest of the staff for helping me assemble my best system to date.

Jeffrey C. Dyer; Columbus, Ohio

Bad Connections

Dear Editor:

I must take issue with Ken Kessler on the subject of connectors ("Mondo Audio," January). The connectors used on audio equipment are at least 50 years behind the state of the art. As Kessler says, the only suitable connector is the so-called XLR Cannon, and that is because it was intended for a battery box used with a movie camera.

Connectors I have used on military and medical equipment were chosen because of their utility, not because of custom or cost.

A suitable connector always has a hood to protect the male pins, has a strain relief to protect the wire-to-contact junction, and is shaped to allow insertion only with the proper mate and orientation. It should also have a locking device to prevent accidental removal. The contacts should be gold on gold, mated at high pressure to force a cold weld, or used above 24 volts.

Look at the connectors used on computers, telephones, cellular phones, automobiles, and professional equipment of any sort. They are as safe and reliable as they can be made. It is ridiculous to hook up high-end equipment with RCA jacks and banana plugs; they are just not reliable or safe. And there still isn't a standard speaker connector!

-Gilbert A. Johnson; Minnetonka, Minn.

Simple Solutions

Dear Editor:

Several months ago, I bought a couple of JBL Control One Plus speakers for the RCA 27-inch TV in my bedroom. Being lazy, I just hooked these speakers to the TV's speaker jacks directly instead of feeding them through an outboard power amp. Lo and behold, the TV cranks rather well, sans external amp! My wife and grandchildren can detect no distortion at really loud levels.

Last Thanksgiving, I put one of the JBLs atop our small 13-inch TV in the kitchen and got a similar result. Lots of folks are listening to their bad little TV speakers when they can upgrade, via the earphone jack, without going to the trouble of hooking up a power amp. Sometimes less is better.

Along these same lines, my son mounted a fine old JBL D123-4 12-inch speaker in an Altec wall cabinet several years ago. He stuffed it with fiberglass and sealed it up.

The result was a speaker that has become a family legend. It's the best-sounding single speaker for vocals that any of my son's cohorts had ever heard. And it's very efficient in the bargain. This speaker system is too big for most uses but remains the family standard for testing out a source of audio.

-Don Helgeson, Evanston, Ill.

We Can See for Myles

Dear Editor:

I was stunned recently by a bargain classical CD made with Sony's Super Bit Map ping recording technique. Where can I find information discussing the various labels' recording techniques, as well as an education on analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversion?

-Cliff Myles; Cleveland, Ohio

Editor's Reply: Compiling individual recording techniques of each label is difficult be cause they often vary, depending on the artist and producer. However, we can recommend our series by D. W. Fostle on the latest CD mastering technologies ("19 Bits in a 16-Bit Sack," March, and "Digital Deliverance," this issue), which discusses Sony Super Bit Mapping and other similar techniques.

A good reference for A/D and D/A con version is Ken C. Pohlmann's book, The Compact Disc Handbook (A-R Editions, 800/736-0070).-S. V.C.

Erratum: An incorrect company phone number was given for JoLida in the "Equipment Profile" of its SJ 302A integrated amplifier (March issue). The correct number for JoLida is 301/953-2014.

(adapted from Audio magazine, Apr. 1996)

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