Audio Video News

End of the year sales show that flat screens are the hottest new video display technology this season, but pricing and performance still hold them back. Michael Fremer explains why the <A HREF="http://www.guidetohometheater.com/showarchives.cgi?74">Hitachi 42HDT20 16:9 plasma television</A> is a step in the right direction, and how it changed his opinion about plasma's future.

Fred Manteghian takes his turn with the <A HREF="/surroundsoundpreampprocessors/1103classe">Class&#233; SSP-60 preamplifier-processor</A> noting that, although built by a Canadian manufacturer, it can hold its own feature for feature with the latest Japanese imports.

DLP done right? Joel Brinkley gets some quality time wth the <A HREF="/videoprojectors/1203runco">Runco Reflection CL-710 DLP projector</A> to find out just how close to the CRT ideal the technology has come. Thomas Norton adds his comments.

Omnipolar? Thomas Norton performs a careful analysis of the <A HREF="/speakersystems/1203mirage">Mirage Omni 250 surround speaker system</A> to get to the bottom of the company's revolutionary design that points a tweeter at your ceiling. "Attempts to produce the ideal omnidirectional speaker continue," notes Norton.

In a home theater world filled with knobs, buttons and flashing lights, Michael Fremer finds the <A HREF="/surroundsoundpreampprocessors/1203arcam">Arcam FMJ AV8 7-channel preamp-processor & FMJ P7 7-channel amplifier</A> "sleek, refreshingly simple, and clean looking." As to its performance, MF provides the complete rundown.

Thomas J. Norton listens to the <A HREF="/amplifiers/104theta">Theta Dreadnaught II multichannel amplifier</A>, the latest in a growing family from a company known for its digital converters, transports and surround processors. TJN determines if the amp, which is configurable from two to five channels, lives up to Theta's admirable audiophile reputation.

Robert Deutsch listens to Danish home theater when he sets up the <A HREF="/surroundsoundpreampprocessors/104primare">Primare SP31.7 preamp-processor & A30.5 Mk.II five-channel amplifier</A> combo in his system. Although its dark and alluring looks caught his eye, RD comments, "as we shall see, that beauty is not just skin deep."