CD/DVD Reviews – November 2009

Jason Victor Serinus

Chromatic gales, emotion-churning dissonances, and vocal writing so torturous it makes you wonder if the all-star cast is composed of masochists: such is the score for composer Thomas Adès and librettist Meredith Oakes' three-act opera, The Tempest. Based on Shakespeare's eponymous play, it was commissioned by the Royal Opera Covent Garden, where it was premiered in February 2004 under the baton of then 32-year old Adès.

 

 

CD Music Reviews
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NuVo Technologies Promotes Two

Secrets

Chris Westfall named vice president, global sales; Desiree Webster named marketing manager. Hebron, KY – October 21, 2009 – NuVo Technologies, the value leade...

Press

McCormack LD-2 Preamplifier and DNA-250 Stereo Power Amplifier

Jim Milton

In 1997, McCormack Audio was purchased by Conrad-Johnson, known primarily for their fine tube amps and preamps. They have the same high quality and value that Steve McCormack put into his designs in California, but these current products are basically an entirely new line (and are built in Virginia). In this review, we take a look at one of their line-stage preamps, and a stereo (two-channel) power amplifier.

Preamplifiers

Legend Acoustics Tikandi Speaker System with DEQX HDP-3 Processing

Chris Groppi

Room correction technology for audiophiles has existed for over a decade now, but this technology has not yet seen wide adoption. Many audiophiles just can't stomach a processor messing with the signal. Never mind their speakers might have terrible frequency and phase response, at least when compared to their other electronics! On top of that, interaction with the room causes frequency response errors of well over 10 dB in all but the most acoustically perfect rooms. Still think your signal is "pure?"

Floor Standing Speakers

Marantz AV8003 SSP and MM8003 8-Channel Power Amplifier

Chris Heinonen

The first receiver that I remember having in the house was a classic Marantz model. Unfortunately I was too young back then to realize the quality of that component, or even recognize the name, and at some point that receiver was replaced with a much more generic, mass market model with newer features. I am old enough now to know the impact that the name Marantz has on the A/V community, and just about everyone realizes that it commands respect. Here, we review their new AV8003 A/V processor and MM8003 eight-channel power amplifier.

Receivers