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Your say on hi-fi and home theatre

 

Projector comparisons

Good review of the 4805. I was wondering how you rate it against the Panasonic AE500?

Greg Reed

As it's almost a year since the writer has seen an AE500, he couldn't make any useful comparisons - Editor.

Paradigm Studio 100 review

I enjoy your articles immensely. I must say I am shocked by the review of these speakers the Studio 100. I have not heard them but have heard good things about them and dynamics - micro and macro - are where they excel. I will be going to audition these speakers in a months time so it will be interesting indeed. Was your amp up to the job? The test measurements of these speakers reveal a very flat and extended response and their power bandwidth to be exceptional – anyway I always worry about the top end in any Paradigm speaker, being used to ribbons electrostatics etc. Keep reviewing, they are an enjoyable read and I like unbiased reviews.

Roy

 

Just read your article on the Paradigm 100 V.3.

It would be more helpful if you gave specific examples of the music you were listening to, how it was recorded, and at what volume levels. Unfortunately, your article does not really help out anyone as it is more ‘one persons opinion’ without any substantiated facts. Since no facts are given, my guess is the author doesn’t like Paradigm to begin with and started the test bad to begin with.

To me, another way is to A/B them with another speaker of choice. I have read very favourable reviews of this same speaker vs. others where specifics were given, and I have to give more weight to those.

Thanks for trying, maybe next time you’ll do better.

Larry Chapeski

NAD and HDCD

I just bought an NAD C542 yesterday from Sound Expression on Willis Street, Wellington, and it sounds wonderful.

The thing though is that it doesn't seem to have HDCD capability. It discusses HDCD extensively in the manual, and the front panel says "HDCD", but then there's an additional sheet of paper - a disclaimer? - that says that the player is meant to play only in 16-bit.

Does that mean that NAD has removed HDCD capability and therefore lowered the price? If so, I don't really mind. But if my player is in fact defective, then I'll have to return it and get a unit that does in fact do HDCD decoding.

John Go

The NAD C542 does indeed play HDCD CDs with the proper decoding - Editor

Naim CD5i

I recently bought the Naim CD5i player, my first ever, Naim piece of audio gear. It replaced a Pioneer DV 717 transport and Sonic Frontiers SFD 2 DAC.

The sound of the CD5i is, to my ears and those of several friends that love music but are not hi fi buffs, is much more entertaining and closer to analogue.

The lack of digital nasties in the way it makes music, makes me think, that there must be some truth in Naim's idea about two box CD playback ( i.e. separate transport - DAC arrangement increases the chances of more jitter).

I have access and compared the CD5i with a used Audiolab 8000 CD, a Rotel RCD 970 BX, and a combination of Meridian 500 + 606. In all instances, the 'little' Naim shone with its musicality and all round presentation.

Thanks for the great articles and reviews.

Arthur

Quad distribution

Do you have any idea/contact details of who is selling/distributing Quad speakers in NZ.

Phillip Rasmussen

That would be Denco Audio in Christchurch. Ph 0-3-379 0743

Quad speakers are sure to be available through the Soundline Audio stores in Auckland, Hamilton,Wellington and Christchurch - Editor.