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The Absolute Sound

The Absolute Sound Issue 174 September 2007   Welcome to The Abso!ute Sound online! We explore music and the reproduction of music in the home. We believe that the sound of music, unamplified, occurring in a real space is a philosophic absolute against which we may judge the performance of devices designed to reproduce music. Our goal is to provide the resources consumers need to judge how a component's sound either honors or departs from the music's truth, and to make sound purchasing decisions that maximize their experience of reproduced sound. Below is our Issue 174, September 2007 contents and editorial.

 

Read this edition's editorial by clicking here.

 

Articles & Reviews In This Issue
6 Letters

10 From The Editor

12 Industry News

14 Future TAS

17 Start Me Up
Neil Gader on two affordable loudspeakers: the Silverline Audio Minuet and the Mission Elegante e80

20 Book Reviews

118 Manufacturer's Comment

 

TAS Goes Digital!
45 You've Come A Long Way Baby! The Compact Disc Turns 25
Robert Harley brings you a comprehensive report on how the compact
disc started and how far it's come in the last twenty-five years.

58 The Last CD Player?
Tom Martin thinks about what matters — and how much — in digital play back.

67 The Crème de Ia Crème in Digital Discs
Our staff picks the best-sounding CDs, SACDs, and DVD-As.

71 Oppo DV-981HD
Chris Martens on this extraordinary (and affordable) new universal player.

74 Yamaha DVD-S1700
Neil Gader on a great deal in a uni-player.

76 Cambridge Audio Azur 840C
Robert Harley on what might be the best value in high-end audio.

80 NAD M55
Chris Martens listens to NAD's upscale new universal player.

84 Cover Story
Robert Harley reports on two uni-players that handle any format with aplomb.

88

22 Behind The Wheel
Hi-fi on wheels? Neil Gader reports on three truly high-end systems from the well known audio firms of Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi.

28 Six Great-Sounding And Affordable System
More music for less money! We put together six high-end systems ranging in price from $827 to $4968.

 

Equipment Reports
95 Van Alstine Transcendence 8
Dick Olsher on a new hybrid preamp from old audio hand Frank Van Alstine.

98 DALI Mentor 2 and Mentor 6
Robert Harley reports on two new additions to DALI's outstanding loudspeaker line the stand mounted Mentor 2 and floor standing Mentor 6.

106 The Cutting Edge: Audio Research Reference CD7
JV on the first CD player ARC has designated a "Reference" product.

114 HP's Workshop: Further Thoughts, Sneak Previews, and Capsule Reviews from HP.

 

Music
139 Recording Of The Issue: S.S. Wesley: Organ Works.

122 Rock Etc

139 Classical

148 Jazz

 

Back Page
152 10 Questions for Lars Worre of DALI.

 

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