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Onkyo TX-NR535 5.2 A/V Receiver Review

Don Disbennett

The Onkyo TX-NR535 5.2 A/V Receiver is part of Onkyo's new line of entry level receivers and features HDMI 2.0 to allow it to pass Ultra HD 4K/60 Hz video. It also features built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for easy streaming of music from your tablet, smartphone and NAS.

Receivers

Surround Sound Systems: 5.1 or 7.1?

Jared Rachwalski

I'm going to be in the market for my first surround sound system. I was wondering if you know if what I'm looking for exists. I'm looking for a surround sound system that can be expanded to more speakers. Like a system that is a 5.1 surround that has ports to add an additional two speakers to make it a 7.1 surround. A kind of modular surround sound system. I'd love to get the 7.1 right away but if I can save some money right away with a 5.1 and maybe in 6 months or so add a couple speakers that would be the best.

- Bill Russell
Bismarck, ND

SECRETS Home Theater Q&A

Integrating High-End Two-Channel Audio into Home Theater without Compromise

John E. Johnson, Jr.

For those of us who enjoy two-channel (stereo) audio using a high-end system, but also like our home theater with surround sound, how to integrate the two setups without compromising the stereo high-end system has been a conundrum. In this article, I will show you how to have both systems interconnected, but not compromise the sound when you want to listen to your stereo CDs, or SACD in stereo.

Editor's DeskEditorial

Sabian 20″ HHX Manhattan Jazz Crash-Ride Cymbal

John E. Johnson, Jr.

Sabian's HHX series is specified as "Modern Dark . . . drier, dirtier, funkier". The word "Dark" translates to lots of low frequency undertones, and I think, after having analyzed quite a few cymbals, "dirtier" means more midrange wash . . . more "SHHHHH" to the sound. We recently reviewed the 18" Manhattan Jazz Crash, and now turn our attention to the 20", which, although classified as a ride cymbal, I consider it to work well as a crash/ride.

Cymbals

Totem

Secrets
Totem Acoustic's mission is to develop loudspeakers capable of reproducing a truly musical and moving performance.
AV Directory

Velodyne

Secrets
Velodyne Acoustics is the industry leader in loudspeaker styling, performance, and value. Since the company's inception in 1983, Velodyne...
AV Directory
VIZIO

Vizio

Secrets
VIZIO's revolutionizing how we watch, listen and live! Based on the belief that everyone is entitled to the latest technology...
AV Directory

Cambridge Audio DacMagic

John E. Johnson, Jr.

Cambridge Audio has come up with a product that has wowed everyone: the DacMagic. For $479, you get a DAC that is fully differential (a stereo DAC on each of the two channels), upsampling to 24/192, very low specified distortion, and selectable output filters. Does it perform as claimed? Read our review to see for yourself.

DACs

Toshiba XD-E500 DVD Player – Benchmark

Brian Alvarez and Adrian Wittenberg

I can remember a time when Toshiba offered entry level DVD players and also high dollar flagship models like the SD-9200. As DVD players became a commodity Toshiba logically focused on mainstream consumer players much like the XD-E500 reviewed here.  The XD-E500 is a main stream DVD player priced at $99.99 and offering the features a player of this price offers. This includes the obvious DVD playback, the almost universal support amongst new DVD players for DivX playback, Mp3 and WMA.

DVD Players

A Collection of New Vinyl Releases – February, 2009

Jason Crawford

Neil Young has been making music for well past 40 years now. His catalog is extensive. His disdain for his labels' expectations is legendary. The man was sued by his own company for making records that didn't sound like Neil Young. His live setlists are frequently populated by songs that the casual fan has never heard. His concept albums have been brilliant (see "Tonight's the Night") & confusing (witness "Greendale"). His next release is rumored to be an album about an electric car. I'm serious.

Vinyl Music ReviewsVinyl Reviews