maxg

There are a few players hitting the market that are multi-format players for both DVD-a and SACD (along with DVD video, HDCD etc.) I dont know what the quality is like but it may be an option you want to consider. If you are stuck on the idea of the Panasonic then it will not be possible to have both DVDa and SACD multichannel without providing a second set of multi-channel ins. In theory you could achieve this by putting "Y" pieces in each of the six channels. There may be a quality issue with this - you would have to try it out. Alternatively a surround sound pre-amp (or decoder) with 6 channel in might be usable if you then connect it optically to your amp. Again this has disadvantages as it will mean you are starting with a digital signal, decoding it, re-coding it and outputting over a connection SACD is not supposed to support right now. Bottom line - the industry is tryiing to force us all to choose. Good luck whichever way you decide to go. ------------------ 2 * Heresy 2 (mains) 2 * Homemade horn speakers (rears) 1 * REL Strata 3 sub Accuphase E211 amp. Tube monoblocks with separate pre-amp (solid state). Marantz CD6000 player Sony NS900 SACD/DVD player Stax Headphones Humax 5400 digital satellite receiver Sharp Video 32" Sony flat screen 16:9 TV Mogami interconnects Silver Synergistic speaker cable

Never seen what you are looking for (but that doesnt mean it doesnt exist). Why dont you just wire the mains through the Sub? Most subs allow you to do this and you can then use the crossover on the sub for bass management. This would make it easier for you to find a decent pre-amp - there are many choices in that price range. ------------------ 2 * Heresy 2 (mains) 2 * Homemade horn speakers (rears) 1 * REL Strata 3 sub Accuphase E211 amp. Tube monoblocks with separate pre-amp (solid state). Marantz CD6000 player Sony NS900 SACD/DVD player Stax Headphones Humax 5400 digital satellite receiver Sharp Video 32" Sony flat screen 16:9 TV Mogami interconnects Silver Synergistic speaker cable

Only a month ago I was there - 2 channel setup for movies and music. Then I got the new Sony NS900 SACD which supports multi-channel. What I wanted was 2 channel quality with multi-channel functionality. As I run both tubes and SS amps (for different types of music) I have adapted the setup to use the player as the decoder for front rear split. I dont run a centre channel at all (staging allows me to get away with it) and I run the sub of the main speakers. My tubes run the fronts (and the sub) and my Accuphase runs the rears. I have written at length about this setup elsewhere on this board and others (mainly because I am so proud of what I managed to setup - a real feeling of trail blazing). The net result of all this is a system that is comparible in movie playback to decent surround sound setups but blows them out of the water when it comes to music. Once you hear surround sound SACD like this it is almost impossible to listen to anything else! ------------------ 2 * Heresy 2 (mains) 2 * Homemade horn speakers (rears) 1 * REL Strata 3 sub Accuphase E211 amp. Tube monoblocks with separate pre-amp (solid state). Marantz CD6000 player Sony NS900 SACD/DVD player Stax Headphones Humax 5400 digital satellite receiver Sharp Video 32" Sony flat screen 16:9 TV Mogami interconnects Silver Synergistic speaker cable

Brilliant idea Dave from Elvis land. I am on my way. I have no doubt sledgehammers are similarly cheap over there anyway. ------------------ 2 * Heresy 2 (mains) 2 * Homemade horn speakers (rears) 1 * REL Strata 3 sub Accuphase E211 amp. Tube monoblocks with separate pre-amp (solid state). Marantz CD6000 player Sony NS900 SACD/DVD player Stax Headphones Humax 5400 digital satellite receiver Sharp Video 32" Sony flat screen 16:9 TV Mogami interconnects Silver Synergistic speaker cable

It amazes me how cheaply these things go in the US. A friend of mine has just sold his KHorns to another Greek audiophile. The deal was: 1 pair of Quad 989 electrostatic speakers PLUS $7,800 at today's exchange rates (3 milion Greek drachma). Here that is considered a "fair" deal on Horns. All that means that if you were to accept an offer from me for £3,000 and I paid the air-frieght to Greece it would still be cheaper than buying them locally. If I had 2 free corners in my entire goddammed house I might have made you that offer....anyone here know how to move a fireplace?? ------------------ 2 * Heresy 2 (mains) 2 * Homemade horn speakers (rears) 1 * REL Strata 3 sub Accuphase E211 amp. Tube monoblocks with separate pre-amp (solid state). Marantz CD6000 player Sony NS900 SACD/DVD player Stax Headphones Humax 5400 digital satellite receiver Sharp Video 32" Sony flat screen 16:9 TV Mogami interconnects Silver Synergistic speaker cable

Finally got my tubes and pre-amp back from the friend I lent them to and set about connecting them up to the Rel Strata 3. Connection is via the spare outs on the pre, direct into the low level RCA inputs on the Rel. With the cross over set to the 63 Hz I now have with the Accuphase E211 the sub is so boomy it is unbearable and so loud. After some play I found that the boom disappears at 42 Hz crossover - that is a 21 Hz difference!! That is weird. Then I have the volume problem. It is drowning out the rest of the sound and screwing up the soundstage even on zero volume!! That is weirder. Finally, leafing through the manual I notice that the red (positive) connection is set to +12 Db relative to the black. I remove it - no change - still too loud. Maybe the manual is wrong I think and remove the black (negative) connector whilst the unit is playing. Just as I am about to re-connect the red I notice something. The unit is still playing!!! What the ???? After a lot of deep thought I realise what is happening (no - it is not a miracle). My Accuphase and my tubes are connected to the same inputs on the speakers. The speaker outs of the Accuphase are also connected via the high level connector to the sub. Signal is going from the pre-amp to the tubes as normal and then on towards the speakers. At the speaker the signal is continuing on down the cables that lead back to the accuphase and from there going down the high level connecter to the sub. This happens even when the accuphase is off. Took sometime to figure that one out I can tell you. Thought I was entering the twilight zone for a while there. Seems to play very well on that bizzare set up though so I have left the pre-amp connections off. But what about that difference in crossover point between tubes and accuphase!!?? And people say there is no difference between amps!! Anyway each setup is now properly integrated so you cant tell where the sub comes in and the amp/speakers end. That is all I ever wanted. ------------------ 2 * Heresy 2 (mains) 2 * Homemade horn speakers (rears) 1 * REL Strata 3 sub Accuphase E211 amp. Tube monoblocks with separate pre-amp (solid state). Marantz CD6000 player Sony NS900 SACD/DVD player Stax Headphones Humax 5400 digital satellite receiver Sharp Video 32" Sony flat screen 16:9 TV Mogami interconnects Silver Synergistic speaker cable

Dubai, Interesting issue - actual roll off. May need to re-visit when I get my tubes back. As it is now I have wired the thing up to take all the bass away from the Accuphase/mains so wherever it sets the crossover that is the bottom line of the mains - an ensured match in other words. I set this totally by ear. As everyone probably knows the Heresy's are not strong on bass. Theoretically they can go down to 50 (personally I doubt it - in my setup anyway) but they start to tail off much higher than that. Even if 72 on the crossover equates to 80 or more in reality I am still getting more bass in this way than from the Heresy's when set to a lower level. Initial play just seemed to create a whole in the music. I worked up from 22 rather than down from 100 and when I got to the point that sounded right I played about that point with the sensitive control. Plenty of time for more experimentation but right now I am just revelling in my new sound. ------------------ 2 * Heresy 2 (mains) 2 * Homemade horn speakers (rears) 1 * REL Strata 3 sub Accuphase E211 amp. Tube monoblocks with separate pre-amp (solid state). Marantz CD6000 player Sony NS900 SACD/DVD player Stax Headphones Humax 5400 digital satellite receiver Sharp Video 32" Sony flat screen 16:9 TV Mogami interconnects Silver Synergistic speaker cable

I think I would like to reverse the original question. Is there a trade of getting a larger rather than a smaller sub. I just bought mine (REL Strata 3) because it is simply the fastest sub I have ever come across (I owned the KSW 10 for a similar reason but there is no comparison between the 2 in terms of quality). Ultimate output levels interest me less than speed. I run this sub at just below 1/3rd volume as it is and find it a perfect accompaniment to most of my recordings (OK - I pump it up a bit for Madonna, MJ and the like but for the rest it is fine). I have found that larger subs, whilst creating amazing impact for movies and the like, tend to lag too far behind smaller speaker woofers to be usable for music. Of course many of the brands mentioned here are not available in Greece and importing is a tax-loaded nightmare. ------------------ 2 * Heresy 2 (mains) 2 * Homemade horn speakers (rears) 1 * REL Strata 3 sub Accuphase E211 amp. Tube monoblocks with separate pre-amp (solid state). Marantz CD6000 player Sony NS900 SACD/DVD player Stax Headphones Humax 5400 digital satellite receiver Sharp Video 32" Sony flat screen 16:9 TV Mogami interconnects Silver Synergistic speaker cable

Always welcome visitors but dont get too many passing by Athens!! Obviously I would be most disappointed if any member of this forum came to Greece and didnt let me know. Oh - and as regards wife acceptance - we have been at the "eyes rolling into the back of the head accompanied by a loud "tsk"" for about 3 years. ------------------ 2 * Heresy 2 (mains) 2 * Homemade horn speakers (rears) 1 * REL Strata 3 sub Accuphase E211 amp. Tube monoblocks with separate pre-amp (solid state). Marantz CD6000 player Sony NS900 SACD/DVD player Stax Headphones Humax 5400 digital satellite receiver Sharp Video 32" Sony flat screen 16:9 TV Mogami interconnects Silver Synergistic speaker cable

Hagood, I will prepare the spare room for you Then we can go off on a tour of Athenian Klipsch implementations including most of the ones described above. Unfortunately the guy that had the Horns has sold them and bought Quad 989 ESLs. Go figure!! But Belles, Fortes, Chorus, Heresys, RF3's, KLF 30's all immediately available for sampling. ------------------ 2 * Heresy 2 (mains) 2 * Homemade horn speakers (rears) 1 * REL Strata 3 sub Accuphase E211 amp. Tube monoblocks with separate pre-amp (solid state). Marantz CD6000 player Sony NS900 SACD/DVD player Stax Headphones Humax 5400 digital satellite receiver Sharp Video 32" Sony flat screen 16:9 TV Mogami interconnects Silver Synergistic speaker cable

These are such difficult questions to answer with people so loyal to the speakers they own and there is always a risk of offending a few when you list out such a thing as a "which is better" list. Bearing the above in mind, and from the limited range of speakers I have had real experience of (not just a demo) I would place my own PERSONAL preferences for music reproduction as follows: 1. The Belle Klipsche (big sound but not huge and not as over-powering as the KHorns). Nice bass that can easily be mated with a decent sub if desired. Positioned correctly they create the best soundstage I have ever heard bar none. 2. The KHorn. (OK - it is the reverse of just about everyone else's order but here's why. The Khorn is huge in every dimension - physically, sensitivity wise, staging, air and so on. The sound is magnificent, but, I tend to find that it is too much larger than life for some recordings/instruments. For example in Dvorak's New World Symphony the Kettle drums are too large and too deep in comparison with live performances I have heard. Where I am expecting a rap I hear a rumble which, to me, is a most un-kettle drum like noise). 3-6. The rest of the Heritage range that I have heard (forte, Heresy (with sub), and La Scalas). I have not broken these down into an order for a reason. Although as standalone speakers you can follow the price for the order I am taking into account the likely setup you might run. For example a sub is probably essential for a Heresy but not for the other 2. With a sub, however, there is little that beats it. The Forte plays rock better than anything I ever heard and have the best mid-range of any Klipsch in my experience. The La Scala's do not (in my opinion - have I said that enough already?) need a sub but lose a little because of it. That being said they are the best of the 3 taken in isolation. 7. The RF7. I have had less experience with these than any of the others - a single, but rather full, weekend. Certainly the closest thing to a Heritage I have heard, but a little harsh and I suspect, concurrenty not as flat as they might be in the 100 to 200 Hz range. They are not as "off" in that range as the Heresy's for sure, but somehow it is a less pleasant deformation. 8. The RF3. This would come out 1st if we were doing this in a bang for buck order. Fabulous speaker for the money. Loads of bass. No need of a sub. Very accurate for single instrument rendition but tend to make a hash of orchestral works. Also the least demanding in terms of quality higher up the chain (any old amp will drive them fine) and very none critical of poorer quality recordings. 9. The KLF 30. I was thinking of denying I knew this speaker as I know there are so many fans of it on this board but here goes. Boomy with low bass, inadequate with mid bass, insubstantial with mids and harsh on the highs. That will put me on many a death list I imagine but let me explain a couple of things for my reasoning. I have a good friend still struggling to get them to play properly after 9 months of playing. Tubes do sweeten the highs and somewhat redress the mid gap but cant drive the woofers (we are going to try 100 wpc tubes tonight - my 45s dont get close). Remember that this is a music discussion. I need to add therefore, that as the main speakers in a surround sound system they are absolutely fantastic. All that harshness I loath in music makes a movie come alive! Mate them to a Klipsch Centre and just about any semi-decent rears and surround amp and they top the league. I think we will ignore the others I have heard (KSB 3.1's, quintets, Pro-medias et al). All reasonable speakers for the money but not in the same class as any of the above. Still, wouldnt mind a set of ProMedia's on my computer here in the office. ------------------ 2 * Heresy 2 (mains) 2 * Homemade horn speakers (rears) Accuphase E211 amp. Tube monoblocks with separate pre-amp (solid state). Marantz CD6000 player Sony NS900 SACD/DVD player Stax Headphones Humax 5400 digital satellite receiver Sharp Video 32" Sony flat screen 16:9 TV Mogami interconnects Silver Synergistic speaker cable

Dubai, Thanks - it arrived last night - up and running form the box in 11 minutes flat (wife timed me) LOL. Its incredible - took a few minutes to set an acceptable for now volume level/crossover combination (approx just under half volume and crossover at 72 Hz) and to place in the alcove next to my fireplace. I had to place the unit there to stop the bass signal appearing to arrive before the speaker - in other words it is physically behind the speakers - about 3 feet further from my listening position. This thing is so fast and clean!!! Cant imagine a better match for the Heresy than this. Sealed unit definitely the way to go - blows my old KSW10 out of the window. Most playing so far at low volumes. One blast test and it certainly packs a punch!! Deliriously happy so far with my choice - will update when I have had chance to listen more. Thanks for all your help and input!! ------------------ 2 * Heresy 2 (mains) 2 * Homemade horn speakers (rears) Accuphase E211 amp. Tube monoblocks with separate pre-amp (solid state). Marantz CD6000 player Sony NS900 SACD/DVD player Stax Headphones Humax 5400 digital satellite receiver Sharp Video 32" Sony flat screen 16:9 TV Mogami interconnects Silver Synergistic speaker cable

Snap!!! Well Almost. Substitute your SVS 20-39 for my REL Strata 3 which is coming tonight and we are in business!!! Just dont ask how I got it - I didnt buy it!! Actually a friend bought it last night to go with his KLF30's. He recons the KLF's have more bass than the sub - so I am taking it from him as my Heresy's definitely do not. What a bizzare day!! ------------------ 2 * Heresy 2 (mains) 2 * Homemade horn speakers (rears) Accuphase E211 amp. Tube monoblocks with separate pre-amp (solid state). Marantz CD6000 player Sony NS900 SACD/DVD player Stax Headphones Humax 5400 digital satellite receiver Sharp Video 32" Sony flat screen 16:9 TV Mogami interconnects Silver Synergistic speaker cable

I have heard a lot of bad things about the promedias on these boards and others, with many complaints. Recently I got to hear them for the first time at the local high end show. I spent almost 12 hours in the Klipsch rooms with a friend who sells for them regularly. The demo was done just for a laugh as follows: One pair of RF7's were connected to an Accuphase E407 using some seriously expensive cable and an Accuphase CD player as the source. Sitting on top of the RF7's were a pair of Promedia's with the sub at the bottom connected directly to the Accuphase. When people came in we told them the RF7's were playing and no-one questioned it. In fact we were, of course, running the Promedias and no-one could tell until we switched sources. In fact many people called us liars to our faces when we did tell them and went off snooping around the units to "see for themselves". If I recall correctly we sold 150 sets of promedia 2's and 4's over the weekend. On the last day we swapped the signs on the KHorn setup with the promedias (neighbouring rooms) and told people the Khorns were the new ultimate Promedia computer speakers. Few bought it, but one woman was shocked the computer speakers were so large! LOL. Anyway in summary I, for one,m was seriously impressed with the sound - especially for the money. No, I wouldnt swap out my Heresy's for them but I would certainly welcome them on my computer. ------------------ 2 * Heresy 2 (mains) 2 * Homemade horn speakers (rears) Accuphase E211 amp. Tube monoblocks with separate pre-amp (solid state). Marantz CD6000 player Sony NS900 SACD/DVD player Stax Headphones Humax 5400 digital satellite receiver Sharp Video 32" Sony flat screen 16:9 TV Mogami interconnects Silver Synergistic speaker cable

People get so emotional when it comes to cables. I didnt believe they made a difference, now I do. If you dont - fine - go spend the money you saved elsewhere. Dont bother with the science of the thing - just let your ears decide - isnt that what our hobby is all about??? I hear a difference. I paid comparitively big bucks on my cables. I think it was worth it. It is my money, my system and my ears and that to me is all that matters. Any relayed scientific proof will always come second to what I hear. ------------------ 2 * Heresy 2 (mains) 2 * Homemade horn speakers (rears) Accuphase E211 amp. Tube monoblocks with separate pre-amp (solid state). Marantz CD6000 player Sony NS900 SACD/DVD player Stax Headphones Humax 5400 digital satellite receiver Sharp Video 32" Sony flat screen 16:9 TV Mogami interconnects Silver Synergistic speaker cable

I had the Rotel 1080 for a while and loved it (moved on to Accuphase and sold it to a friend who also loves it). In the bang for buck department it certainly seems to deliver to me. If your Sony has main left/right outs it may be a good way to go. ------------------ 2 * Heresy 2 (mains) 2 * Homemade horn speakers (rears) Accuphase E211 amp. Tube monoblocks with separate pre-amp (solid state). Marantz CD6000 player Sony NS900 SACD/DVD player Stax Headphones Humax 5400 digital satellite receiver Sharp Video 32" Sony flat screen 16:9 TV Mogami interconnects Silver Synergistic speaker cable

Dubai - we are now replying to each other in 2 forums (people will start to talk!!). BTW - I am unoffendable when it comes to expressing your personal preferences. I like Accuphase (for some forms of music) and my tubes for others. That you dont like accuphase helps to explain why they are not the only amps on the market!! Probably best to ignore my recommendation in the other forum (2 channel) about trying the 407 with your Horns. I only put it in as a friend of mine has that exact setup and it blows me away every time. Still, as a lowly Heresy owner, I am probably more easily moved than you should be. ------------------ 2 * Heresy 2 (mains) 2 * Homemade horn speakers (rears) Accuphase E211 amp. Tube monoblocks with separate pre-amp (solid state). Marantz CD6000 player Sony NS900 SACD/DVD player Stax Headphones Humax 5400 digital satellite receiver Sharp Video 32" Sony flat screen 16:9 TV Mogami interconnects Silver Synergistic speaker cable

I am also looking at the REL Strata 3 for my own setup (below). I keep hearing great things about it. Will let you know if I get it. Good luck with your search.. ------------------ 2 * Heresy 2 (mains) 2 * Homemade horn speakers (rears) Accuphase E211 amp. Tube monoblocks with separate pre-amp (solid state). Marantz CD6000 player Sony NS900 SACD/DVD player Stax Headphones Humax 5400 digital satellite receiver Sharp Video 32" Sony flat screen 16:9 TV Mogami interconnects Silver Synergistic speaker cable

Dubai - I cannot comment on the CD version of the Rack 3 by Volodos as I have not heard it. AS for your less than impressive SACD experience and how it would relate to my own setup I think you might be surprised at how good SACD can sound for comparitively minor costs. Recently I went to the local High End audio show. Sony were there with approximately $90,000 worth of setup including 5 speakers at $10,000 each, 3 power amps at £8,000 each a surround sound pre-amp at $8,000 and their top of the line 777 player. All connected with some seriously expensive cables. It sounded dreadful - and I mean bad. God only knows what they had done with the setup. The basic trouble with these suppliers is that they seem to have no ear for a setup and cannot tell dross from the good stuff. The laughable thing is that my setup (below), using approximately $7,000 worth of the equipment blows the sound they created away - simply because I have taken time and effort in setting it up right. BTW - I see that you are not a fan of Accuphase. Have you ever tried a 407 on your KHorns? See if you can get a loaner for the job - you might be surprised! ------------------ 2 * Heresy 2 (mains) 2 * Homemade horn speakers (rears) Accuphase E211 amp. Tube monoblocks with separate pre-amp (solid state). Marantz CD6000 player Sony NS900 SACD/DVD player Stax Headphones Humax 5400 digital satellite receiver Sharp Video 32" Sony flat screen 16:9 TV Mogami interconnects Silver Synergistic speaker cable

Been recommended the REL Strata 3. Anyone got any comments or experience with this sub? I am a little concerned about the idea of a 10" sub rather than a larger one - especially as my room is about 16' by 20' leading through an arch into the kitchen 12' by 15'. Would this unit get lost in the room? Unfortuately the supplier is not able to give me an audition at home and is the sole supplier here. Not keen on ordering such a large item over the net. ------------------ 2 * Heresy 2 (mains) 2 * Homemade horn speakers (rears) Accuphase E211 amp. Tube monoblocks with separate pre-amp (solid state). Marantz CD6000 player Sony NS900 SACD/DVD player Stax Headphones Humax 5400 digital satellite receiver Sharp Video 32" Sony flat screen 16:9 TV Mogami interconnects Silver Synergistic speaker cable

Say about $1000 or less. Range of 20 Hz and above will be more than fine. Most important issue is speed. I want fast to match the speed of the Heresy 2's (but rather extend the range). I tried out the KSW10 and whilst it did provide the speed it was a little insubstantial in volume. Thinking of a KSW 12 or one of the new ones (dont know the model numbers). Any suggestions for other sub makes (i.e. aside from Klipsch themselves)? I know nothing about them. Should match the system as described in my signature. ------------------ 2 * Heresy 2 (mains) 2 * Homemade horn speakers (rears) Accuphase E211 amp. Tube monoblocks with separate pre-amp (solid state). Marantz CD6000 player Sony NS900 SACD/DVD player Stax Headphones Humax 5400 digital satellite receiver Sharp Video 32" Sony flat screen 16:9 TV Mogami interconnects Silver Synergistic speaker cable

Just testing to see if my signature is working - please ignore. ------------------ 2 * Heresy 2 (mains) 2 * Homemade horn speakers (rears) Accuphase E211 amp. Tube monoblocks with separate pre-amp (solid state). Marantz CD6000 player Sony NS900 SACD/DVD player Stax Headphones Humax 5400 digital satellite receiver Sharp Video 32" Sony flat screen 16:9 TV Mogami interconnects Silver Synergistic speaker cable

Like almost everyone else the first Klipsch I heard was a pair of KHorns. A new friend of mine at the time (old friend now) had them paired to an accuphase DP70 CD player and accuphase E406 amp. Wow!!! I had never heard anything like them, but knew the WAF was less than zero and resigned myself to never owning them. So I started with the Quintets, added some KSB 3.1 monitors and then heard the Heresy's. Sold the quintets and the KSB's and setup my system with the Heresy's. Never been happier - what I call almost hte KHorn sound for a lot less $$$ and in a WAF friendly package.

I posted this on audioreview and thought I would share it here, expecially as it is the Heresy's that make this sing.... OK - you've got this great system, fabulous room accoustics and a fine source - is there anything else to add to that? In a word - yes. There is one more thing that is ultimately probably more important than any of those things when it comes to enjoying music, especially classical music. That one thing is the performance. Listening to a truely great performance surpasses all of those minor system tweaks, bass traps and arguments over the relative merits of SACD vs DVDa or even vinyl. I now own 30 SACD's. One would make it into my "Must have on a desert island" list (you are allowed 9 in total). If you have never listened to, or liked, classical music. If you think that you would never own more than one classical recording in your entire life. Whatever your situation, if you own an SACD player you MUST get hold of this recording: Sergei Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No.3 with Arcardi Volodos as the pianist and James Levine conducting the Berlin Philarmonic Orchestra - from Sony themselves. (www.sonymusic.com/sacd) If you do not own an SACD player - buy one, and then get this recording. I am not joking here. I have heard/owned 7 different recordings of this piece (arguably the most difficult piano concerto ever written) from an original '78 my father owned of Vladimir Horowitz as the pianist (recognised as the best performer to date of this concerto even including Rachmaninoff himself). A re-recording of Rachmaninoff playing it on a '45 and no less than 4 cd recordings ranging from down right dreadful to vaguely acceptable. This is the best I have ever heard. Arcadi Volodos must be the best pianist of our generation, I cannot imagine better, and he is only 30 years old - who knows what lies ahead. Imagine one piece with the impact of Beethoven, the delicacy of Mozart, the gentle rythms of Straus, the lyrisim of Grieg and so much more. This is it. Oh yes - and for the audiophiles this also happens to be the best quality recording on SACD I have heard to date too. If anything it has too much detail - I dont mind hearing the pedals on a piano being pressed and released but I think that hearing the material of the pianist's trousers shift as he does so is probably beyond the pail! Am I making myself perfectly clear here???

"But how can one add an external DAC with no digital output for the SACD option?" You cant. It has been bothering me for a while too. With SACD you have no choice but to use the standard built in DAC. Know why?? Because they are attempting to stop people making perfect digital copies of SACD's - same for DVDa's I hear.