Reviews Written By: A23WAJ8S3CEWP6provided by Amazon.com |
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 | Monster Video 3 2m Component Video Cable - MV3CV-2M | |
 | "Whoa!!! Apples and Oranges" | 2005-01-12 |
| Several reviews mention the improvement when these cables to replace a composite (L/R audio + video) cable, or an S-video (multi-pinned plug). ALmost all of that improvement is due to the fact that these cable connection methods are completely different types in signal format and the TV uses different internal circuitry for each one. Virtually any S-video cable connection will give a better image than a composite type cable, and any component (individual R-G-B video) connection will be better than S-video. Cable brand has absolutely nothing to do with it. There may be some difference between one brand of component cable and another, but its almost always unnoticable. | ||
 | Monster Cable MV3CV-1M Monster Video 3 High-Resolution Component-Video Cable - 3.28 ft | |
| "Whoa!!! Apples and Oranges" | 2005-01-12 |
| Several reviews mention the improvement when these cables to replace a composite (L/R audio + video) cable, or an S-video (multi-pinned plug). ALmost all of that improvement is due to the fact that these cable connection methods are completely different types in signal format and the TV uses different internal circuitry for each one. Virtually any S-video cable connection will give a better image than a composite type cable, and any component (individual R-G-B video) connection will be better than S-video. Cable brand has absolutely nothing to do with it. There may be some difference between one brand of component cable and another, but its almost always unnoticable. | ||
 | Monster Cable MV3CV-4M Monster Video 3 High-Resolution Component Video Cable | |
| "Whoa!!! Apples and Oranges" | 2005-01-12 |
| Several reviews mention the improvement when these cables to replace a composite (L/R audio + video) cable, or an S-video (multi-pinned plug). ALmost all of that improvement is due to the fact that these cable connection methods are completely different types in signal format and the TV uses different internal circuitry for each one. Virtually any S-video cable connection will give a better image than a composite type cable, and any component (individual R-G-B video) connection will be better than S-video. Cable brand has absolutely nothing to do with it. There may be some difference between one brand of component cable and another, but its almost always unnoticable. | ||
 | SANGEAN RCR1 Advanced Atomic Clock Radio - Silver | |
 | "Sangean makes a real clock radio" | 2004-11-02 |
| We wanted a new clock radio with an analog clock for ease of reading at night, but with full electronic features. This Sangean filled the bill with high quality and great functionality. The only other analog unit we found was a $200 Tivoli with great sound but few features.
The RCR-1 has all the bells and whistles plus a highy legible analog clock dial. A REAL clock...with hands! The radio synch with the NOAA atomic clock signal is a nice touch too. (This function can be turned off by those clever folks who set their alarm clock 5 minutes fast. Who do they think they're fooling anyway?) I don't know what kind of problem the other reviewer had with the back lighting, but we think its just fine. Perhaps he didn't find the brightness adjustment knob. The display button on the front only switches between low and high...the fine adjustment's hidden on the bottom. We find the clock easily readable at the low setting from across a dark room. The digital display is a bit busy, but you'd usually look at it only when changing a setting. The station presets are great feature if you go to sleep with the radio on...you can wake up to a different station. And the buttons are so much easier than fiddling with a tuning knob. The seven day selection for the alarm means no need to turn the alarm off/on on the weekend. As you'd expect from Sangean (a RADIO maker), the radio is superb in both AM and FM reception and it has a quality speaker and a tone control for nice rich sound. Typical of so many electronic items, the controls necessary for the many functions are a bit complex; but since we only use the basic alarm and radio functions, thats not a big deal. The instructions are adequate though not very detailed. Considering that most clock-radios sold today are so cheesy and cheap, this unit is well worth the price especially considering it'll probably give us many years of service. (This review is repeated for the RCR-1 grey model.) | ||
 | SANGEAN RCR1 Advanced Atomic Clock Radio - Black | |
| "Sangean still makes a quality clock radio" | 2004-11-02 |
| We wanted a new clock radio with an analog clock for ease of reading at night, but with full electronic features. This Sangean filled the bill with high quality and great functionality. The only other analog unit we found was a $200 Tivoli with great sound but few features.
The RCR-1 has all the bells and whistles plus a highy legible analog clock dial. A REAL clock...with hands! The radio synch with the NOAA atomic clock signal is a nice touch too. (This function can be turned off by those clever folks who set their alarm clock 5 minutes fast. Who do they think they're fooling anyway?) I don't know what kind of problem the other reviewer had with the back lighting, but we think its just fine. Perhaps he didn't find the brightness adjustment knob. The display button on the front only switches between low and high...the fine adjustment's hidden on the bottom. We find the clock easily readable at the low setting from across a dark room. The digital display is a bit busy, but you'd usually look at it only when changing a setting. The station presets are great feature if you go to sleep with the radio on...you can wake up to a different station. And the buttons are so much easier than fiddling with a tuning knob. The seven day selection for the alarm means no need to turn the alarm off/on on the weekend. As you'd expect from Sangean (a RADIO maker), the radio is superb in both AM and FM reception and it has a quality speaker and a tone control for nice rich sound. Typical of so many electronic items, the controls necessary for the many functions are a bit complex; but since we only use the basic alarm and radio functions, thats not a big deal. The instructions are adequate though not very detailed. Considering that most clock-radios sold today are so cheesy and cheap, this unit is well worth the price especially considering it'll probably give us many years of service. | ||
 | The Royal Family of the Spanish Guitar | |
 | "Content is a disppointment" | 2004-01-07 |
| While Los Romeros had a valid claim to the record's title, and their playing was generally flawless, I found this disk to be a disappointing collection. I thought I was going to hear the unique sound of a four high caliber guitarists playing as a quartet. Its actually a collection of solos, some duets, with only a couple pieces where its evident 3 or more are playing. And, while the performances were technically excellent, most seemed somewhat flat and lacked the personality expected of the classical guitar. I should have read the track listing more carefully; many of the pieces are 16th and early 17th century pre-Baroque works that, even for a classical guitar student like me, become tedious. The saving grace is the Mercury "Living Presence" mastered recording, reknown for acoustic quality. On a good audio system, the Romeros are right there in the listening room with you. | ||
 | Carmen Without Words | |
| "Not Bernstien and not for serious listeners" | 2003-06-30 |
| I ordered this cd (used) mainly to get the Glinka capriccio (assumedly) by Bernstein, thinking I might enjoy the orchestral versions from Carmen as well. Received the disk and was shocked to see the name Andre Kostelanetz on it...only couple tracks are by Bernstein. The pieces are mostly played at a breakneck tempo that tramples the music. The recording quality is poor. Sounds like a studio remix where the players were recorded at different times. This CD is a poor choice; even in the bargain bin; even for casual listeners. There are much better played and recorded orchestrations of these Spanish-themed works available. | ||
 | Essential Verdi | |
| "Great music...stunning recording quality" | 2002-11-01 |
| This is a marvelous compendium of Verdi's opera works that even the serious opera fan wouldn't turn his nose up at. These are the top contemporary soloists singing with first tier orchestras. When I saw the Decca label, I expected reasonable quality, but this disk is stunningly well engineered. Most of the vocals match the best jazz cds for immediacy and intimacy, and the orchestras are equally well done. | ||
 | STREETFINDER DELUXE FOR - Palm III Series | |
| "For the $$ its a no-brainer if you have a Palm III" | 2002-03-06 |
| This nifty little gadget hit the market...just three years ago... at current prices...through the internet its an amazing bargain, provided you have a Palm III. I've used my Palm Streetfinder on many trips and find it to be easy to use and quite valuable in strange territory. It has good sensitivity and now that govt. accuracy limits have been switched off, it'll readily pinpoint you within a few tens of feet. Memory limitations could be a hindrance, but only to those who don't plan their maps on the PC with some common sense. Detailed city maps can be over 250K. The Rand McNally mapping software is basic, but very very accurate. Be sure to d/l the update from the R/M website to avoid some early bugs in the Palm app. Dedicated handheld GPS units have built-in maps. With the Streetfinder, you must create them on a PC and synch them to your Palm. However, this is counterbalanced by the Streefinder being a NMEA-compatible unit allowing its use with any Palm-capable GPS software. Try that on a dedicated handheld. The viewing area on a Palm is also about 50% larger than that of a dedicated handheld. I also use Delorme's Solus Pro on my Palm software with one of their other GPS mapping packages. Solus provides almost all the functionality of a dedicated handheld GPS; tracking, directions, speed, bearing, long/lat, elevation, track logging etc. The windshield bracket provided is solid, and the GPS unit recharges from your car's 12V outlet. Too bad it can't power the Palm too, must be no way to make power connections via the Palm's synch connector. Palm battery life is shorter because its on continually if you have the GPS app on. Be sure to carry extra AAA's. Since any current GPS investment is almost sure to be substantially overtaken in a few years, this low cost Streetfinder solution is, as I said, a no-brainer for Palm III owners who'd like GPS mapping in their pocket. | ||
 | The Insider's Guide to Classical Recordings, From the Host of The Record Shelf, a Highly Opinionated, Irreverent, and Selective Guide to What's Good and What's Not | |
 | "His recommendations are often poorly recorded" | 2001-12-25 |
| I enjoy listening to Mr. Svejda on KUSC and enjoy his enthusiasm, immense knowledge, and many opinions. Almost without exception, I can refer to this book after hearing even an obscure piece for the first time and find a thoughtful discussion of it and its composer. My complaint with his reviews is his lack of concern for recording quality to which he openly admits. He has a tin ear when it comes to good recording engineering. Even the recordings he describes as well recorded are often duds in terms of sound quality. For me, there is little enjoyment hearing a fine performance that sounds as if it were recorded in a freight elevator through a fluffy blanket. Those like me who, while not minding less than audiophile grade recordings of the musical giants who preceeeded high fidelity, find little excuse for the inexcusably poor recording quality of so much classical work by contemporary artists and ensembles, should take his recommendations with a grain of salt. Several times, I've bought cds recommended in this book only to be dismally disappointed by a poorly executed recording. | ||
 | Brahms: Ein deutsches Requiem Op45 | |
 | "A must-have for choral listeners" | 2001-11-05 |
| A wonderful piece to listen to when a bit of affirmation in humanity is called for. Choral music seems exceptionally difficult to record well, so if one is a nitpicker about audio purity, his choices in the genre will be very limited. Technical limitations of the original recording notwithstanding (otherwise a 5-star), this cd is an exceptional example of recorded choral music and will stand for a long time as the yardstick against which other performances of Brahms' German Requiem are measured. The remastering is rich and skillful, Klemeperer's guidance is superb, and the orchestra and voices marvelously balanced. | ||
 | Horowitz at Home | |
| "Horowitz - 5+ Stars, Recording - 3 stars" | 2001-08-15 |
| Horowitz at his relaxed finest. His lifetime achievement is clear in the mastery of his instrument and art in his music. Every note carries with it the absolute assuredness of the better part of a century of virtuosity. The Soirees de Vienne alone make this disk a must for piano collections. Too bad DG did their usual mediocre recording job...the piano is muffled and the engineer almost loses the soft passages altogether. | ||
 | Grand & Glorious: Great Operatic Choruses | |
| "Highly enjoyable" | 2001-06-29 |
| This is a very enjoyable album performed by one of the best American choral ensembles. All the selections are excellent, and well recorded. My 4-star score is because of Shaw's score of the Pilgrim's chorus from Tannhauser; one of most moving choral works ever written. Shaw has the male chorus sing the straight melody through most of it, with what I'd describe as a glee club sound. While wonderfully sung with remarkable control, it lacks (until near the end) the power I've heard in other performances using greater range of choral harmonies available from such a wonderful ensemble. The "Regina Coeli" is truly a gorgeous performance. | ||
 | Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart ,English Chamber Orchestra ,Murray Perahia - Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 26; Rondos for Piano & Orchestra | |
| "Good but not great..." | 2001-06-22 |
| In my view, five stars should be awarded only for utter musical and recording perfection. I found Mr. Perahia'a performance excellent, but the orchestral accompaniment is bland. The quality of the recording isn't very high. The piano sounds muffled and the orchestra distant, and there are more audible distractions than typical..just loud enough to be irritating. There's a certain charm in Murray's humming along with the orchestra, and I don't mind hearing the sheets being turned, but someone is wearing a noisy bracelet or cufflinks that metallically click and rattle sporadically throughout the Concerto. These noises may not be as audible on your system, but I found them to be quite distracting. | ||
 | Artists of the Century - Leopold Stokowski - The Magician | |
| "The Magician...a well deserved reputation." | 2001-06-04 |
| Up front, I'll admit I don't care for most of the selections in this 2 disk album; the second disk virtually is wasted on me. Thats why its not a 5-star. That being said, the Liszt, Wagner, Smetana, and Rimsky-Korsakov pieces are well worth the price of admission by themselves. Stokowski's hold on the orchestra and his coloration of arrangement and tempo is remarkable. The Hungarian Rhapsody and Die Walkure (actually Brunhilde's death and fire music) are so masterful, its like hearing them for the first time. Stokowski clearly liked his music to sound a certain way; especially the strings; and wasn't overly concerned about rigid purity to the original score...and it worked. I can imagine the composers hearing these selections, and each saying "How did he know thats what I was really after there?". I'm now a Stokowski zealot, and searching for any of his recordings that fit my musical tastes. | ||
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