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Streaming Device ReviewsTurntable Reviews
Victrola Stream Carbon Turntable Review
Leslie Shapiro  |  Feb 02, 2023
Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $800

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Easy streaming to Sonos
Automatically turns on
Included Ortofon 2M Red cartridge

Minus
App is finicky
Lacks phono output
Dust cover feels cheap
Complex music can overwhelm codec
Expensive

THE VERDICT
The Victrola Stream Carbon Turntable is a fun, convenient, albeit expensive way to stream directly from vinyl into the Sonos ecosystem. With RCA line outputs, it's also a simple, solid turntable for a traditional analog system.

If you've wandered by some iterations of Victrola turntables on the shelves in Walmart, Bed Bath & Beyond, or Crate & Barrel, you wouldn't set high expectations for the sound quality of those suitcase record players. However, in a bold move, Victrola hit the market with the Stream Carbon Turntable VPT-3000 (MSRP $799), designed for the serious vinyl enthusiast who also craves the convenience of streaming into their existing Sonos ecosystem.

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Audio Video NewsNew Products
Sony Previews Lower-Cost Modular MicroLED Displays
Bob Ankosko  |  Feb 02, 2023
Yesterday’s announcement of a new ES line of AV receivers was big news for fans of Sony audio products but the company also recently revealed plans to start shipping two new series of modular MicroLED displays in March under its high-end Crystal LED banner.
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Audio Video NewsNew Products
Klipsch Expands Heritage Wireless Speaker Lineup
Bob Ankosko  |  Feb 02, 2023
Klipsch has added two larger, more powerful speakers to its popular Heritage Wireless speaker series, which includes The Fives we reviewed in 2020.
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SmartStream
Paramount+ to Absorb Showtime Into One App
Barb Gonzalez  |  Feb 01, 2023
Later this year, Showtime will be fully absorbed by Paramount+. Not only will the two services stream from the same app, but the premium cable channel will also include Paramount+ original content. The merge will happen soon, but pricing and dates haven't been announced.
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Audio Video NewsNew Products
Sony Refreshes ES Series AV Receiver Lineup with First 8K Models
Bob Ankosko  |  Feb 01, 2023
Sony announced five new AV receivers, four in its upscale ES series, at a press meeting today in Austin, Texas.
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Audio Video NewsNew Products
McIntosh Announces First AV Receiver in Years
Bob Ankosko  |  Jan 31, 2023
In what may seem like a curve ball, McIntosh today announced plans to ship the MHT300 “home theater receiver” in March. The pioneering audio company is first and foremost known for its iconic tube-based power amplifiers, which date all the way back to its founding in 1949, and an assortment of separates, including stereo preamplifiers, integrated amps, and more. But AVRs?
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Smart Speaker ReviewsStreaming Device ReviewsSurround Sound System Reviews
Apple HomePod (Generation 2) Review
Mark Henninger  |  Jan 31, 2023

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $300

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Clear and detailed sound
Easy to set up and use
Supports Dolby Atmos, eARC
Pair two with an Apple TV 4K for a complete system
Minus
Needs an iOS device for setup
No optional subwoofer
Limited maximum volume

THE VERDICT
Apple's attractive and intelligent HomePod speaker arrives just in time to ride the spatial audio wave. It's a technologically advanced, high-fidelity, hyper-smart speaker that transforms into a full-blown surround-sound system when you add a second one.

The moment I first heard a pair of the new Apple HomePod speakers play spatial audio, I could not get one thought out of my mind: This is going to be more than good enough for 90+ percent of listeners. Of course there will still be a place in this world for large, powerful, multi-speaker systems.

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A/V Veteran
Two for a View
Thomas J. Norton  |  Jan 31, 2023
When I have visitors over to watch a movie, the choice of which film to watch is always a challenge. Typically, none of my regular guests care for either science fiction or animation, and those genres make up perhaps half of my collection. But that evening's selection, Chariots of Fire, was a title I hadn't watched in years.
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Tower Speaker Reviews
JBL 4349 2-Way Loudspeaker Review
Mark Henninger  |  Jan 30, 2023

Performance
Build Quality
Value
PRICE $8250/pair

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Realistic soundstage
Wide sweet spot
Easily play loud, deep
Adjustable tweeters

Minus
Power hungry for a big speaker
Expensive
Require stands

THE VERDICT
These powerful and precise JBLs made everything I listened to through a pair sound fresh and vital. The 1970s studio monitor styling may not suit everyone'staste, but the mesmerizing sound they produce is sure to captivate any music lover's imagination.

When it comes to speakers, I've learned not to judge a design by its looks. But when you first meet a JBL 4349, it's impossible not to start thinking about the company's professional studio monitors. The prominent horn, with its curved and bulging shape, takes center stage...

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Ask S&V
Upgrading a 5.1.2 Setup that Has Bi-amped Front L/R Speakers
John Sciacca  |  Jan 30, 2023
Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q I have a 5.1.2 setup based around an Onkyo TX-RZ840 receiver and a Monitor Audio Bronze speaker package using the Bronze 2 stand mounts. My left and right front speakers are bi-amped and I’m looking to upgrade to 5.1.4. I wish to add external amplifiers plus an AV receiver in preamp mode or a preamp processor. Would I get a worthwhile upgrade in audio quality choosing the preamp processor? —Dan Pinnock, via email

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