Review: NAD T751

(originally posted to audioreview.com on 2002.02.07)

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
4 of 5

Price Paid:  $600 at Happy Medium

Product Model Year:
2000

Summary:
I’ve been a big fan of Proton/NAD for some time, and so naturally I listened to the 751 when it was time to go to home theater. Good call. Very good DACs with the expected NAD clean amplification. As others have mentioned, NAD concentrated their efforts on getting it to be clean, not on lots of idiotic DSP modes. This is one of the only HT receivers in this price range that also features solid music-only two-channel performance (I thought this was a particularly weak point for the Denon models). Very clean NAD sound in all modes, not just HT.

Other people have complained about the remote, but I have a universal remote for my whole system anyway and I rarely have to use the NAD remote. When I do end up using it, it doesn’t seem all _that_ bad.

The one thing I don’t like about it is the delay when you switch inputs while the unit searches for a digital signal. Kind of annoying.

Composite to S-video conversion seems pretty OK to me–this only comes up with the VCR for me, since all my other sources are S-video anyway, and we don’t watch much on VHS anymore.

I have this set up with PSB speakers all around: the Image 4Ts up front, the 8C center, and 1B surrounds. I highly recommend the NAD/PSB combo. NAD and PSB are owned by the same parent company and share the same “performance first” design philosophy, and work together very well.

Strengths:
Sound quality, including 2-channel mode

Weaknesses:
Lag on input switching

Similar Products Used:
I auditioned Onkyo, Denon, Yamaha as well.

Review: 2002 Mazda Protege5

(originally posted to carreview.com on 2002.02.06)

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Price Paid:  $17000 at Jeff Haas Mazda

Summary:
Somewhere on here, I have a review of my wife’s 1999 Protege LX, which I always really liked for what it was. However, the car has no balls and doesn’t have the hauling capacity of even a simple hatch. I was resigned to having to fork out a ton more cash for a Passat wagon, all the while wishing that Mazda would just make a wagon version of my wife’s car, but faster. Then BAM, they did it. Kudos to Mazda. Exactly the right car at exactly the right price.

Strengths:
* Handling. Man, I do love the handling.
* Versatility. I can carry five, or stuff, or five and some stuff with the roof rack. Excellent.
* Comfort. Great seats, enough room in back for rear-facing baby seat.
* Styling. I’ve never owned a car that got this much attention before.
* I like the leather-wrapped steering wheel and white dials.
* Good ergonomics on the stereo.
* I never thought I’d have any use for a moonroof, but I love it!
* Handling. It’s just so sweet around the corners.
* Excellent brakes, especially with EBD.
* Mileage is decent, particularly for how fun it is to drive.
* Doesn’t suck up the whole garage, amazing considering how much interior space there is.
* Good ergonomics on the cruise control.
* Reliability. Not a single problem so far, good chance that’ll continue.
* Friendly torque curve, especially with the stick.
* Did I mention the handling?

Weaknesses:
* Cupholders suck.
* Center console/armrest is too small for both of those tasks.
* Only one intermittent wiper setting.
* Door lock sticks up into arm when you rest it on the door.
* Speakers and speaker placement leave a lot to be desired.
* Rear defroster should be on a timer.
* Car should be 4″ longer to give a smidge more room in cargo area.
* Gas fill on the wrong side.

Similar Products Used:
I also liked the Subie Impreza TS wagon, but the backseat is too small and I didn’t want to pay the extra bucks for AWD, which I don’t need in SE Texas.

Review: 1999 Mazda Progege LX

(originally posted to carreview.com on 2001.07.13)

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Model/Year:
1999 LX

Summary:
In 1999, it was time to replace my wife’s old beater, a 1985 Chevy Citation with 135k miles and no AC–we were moving to Houston, so AC was a must, and this was her first new car. As we were starting the decision process, the auto show came to town and we got to sit in and bang around everything in this price class. I wouldn’t have even thought of the Protege (great job marketing this, Mazda) if we hadn’t seen it at the show. And wow, am I glad we saw it at the show!

This car is amazing for the price. The interior space, especially the back seat, is amazing for such a small car. The handling is spectacular. We’ve put 34k miles on it in two years and haven’t had a snag–but don’t listen to anecdotes on reliability: every car has some winners and some lemons. Look up the numbers on this car and you’ll see this is a reliability champ. My wife routinely gets 33+ mpg commuting (mostly highway). We’ve added a baby since we bought it and it’s perfect for the little one as well; I can’t even imagine trying to work his car seat with base in the teensy back seat of a Corolla.

The only thing I’d have done differently if this car were primarily for me and not for my wife is that I would have gotten a 5-speed or upgraded to an ES, or both, as the car lacks zip with the automatic. This bothers her a lot less than it does me.

Car & Driver rated the ES version of this car as the best small sedan they’d ever driven in 1999, and in 2000 they rated it above everything in its price class. This is no accident. Unless you really require something substantially bigger, I can’t imagine why people would spend more when the 2001 ES version of this car can be had for around $17k, pretty much loaded. Reasonable car payments are a Good Thing, and I don’t feel like I’m sacrificing. C&D said it well: “This is a car that does everything well. And it has spirit. BMW verve for less than half the price. What’s not to like?”

In fact, I like this car so much that my next car will also be a Protege, but mine will be a Protege5 with a 5-speed for the extra zip and little extra bit of hauling capacity.

No car is perfect, though, and I did list a few fairly minor complaints; those are all things Mazda could fix and it would add almost nothing to the cost of the car. It’d be nice if more other people knew what a great car this is, too.

Strengths:
Handling, reliability, interior space, fit and finish, great standard features, nice exterior styling, good price relative to closest competitor (Civic), great big trunk, comfortable seats.

Weaknesses:
Minor stuff only: crappy Mazda marketing, only one intermittent wiper setting, no trunk release on remote, windows should have darker tint, center armrest is too low and small. Not as zippy as I’d like with the automatic (buy the ES or a 5-speed, or both)

Similar Products Used:
Looked at everyting in its price class for 1999, nothing was as good. Nothing. Civic was the next closest.

Review: PSB Image 1B

(originally posted to audioreview.com on 2001.07.02)

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
4 of 5

Product Model Year:
2000

Summary:
For the price, these are excellent bookshelf speakers. I’m using them as surrounds in my home theater setup so I can’t really comment on them as mains, but I did audition them solo. I settled on them because they’re matched to my Image 4T fronts and 8C center, which I love (see my other reviews).

They do everything you want your surrounds to do. They provide tremendous ambience, image effects superbly, and give terrific “eveloped” sound feel.

I do think these might indeed be a cut below the PSB Alpha A/Vs if you wanted to use these as mains because the A/V’s have larger bass drivers, but otherwise I really cannot agree with the review below–I don’t think they sound boxy at all.

Yes, the bass response isn’t great. It’s a bookshelf speaker, what else would one expect?

Of the other speakers I auditioned in roughly this price range, I think I liked the Mirage’s second best as surrounds and the Paradigms second best as fronts, but nothing was as good all-around as the PSB setup. Give ’em a listen!

Strengths:
Imaging, flat response, appearance

Weaknesses:
none at this price

Similar Products Used:
KEF, Klipsch, Paradigm, Mirage

Review: PSB Image 8C

(originally posted to audioreview.com on 2001.07.02)

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Price Paid:  $230 at Colonel Audio Video

Product Model Year:
2000

Summary:
I bought this to go with the rest of my system which includes Image 4T’s up front and 1B’s in the back. In my review of the 4T’s (which I’ve had a little longer), I noted they were particuarly good at mid-range, especially vocals.

Well, the 8C is even better, which is what you want your center channel to be. This speaker does an outstanding job of reproducing voices in a home theater setup. Different voices are clear and distinct at all volumes, and any effects played through the center sound great as well. For this price, this is a steal. A truly outstanding speaker.

No, they don’t reproduce really low bass very well. And if you’re trying to reproduce really low bass with your center channel, why? This is why you have fronts and a sub…

Strengths:
Outstanding reproduction of voices, appearance.

Weaknesses:
none

Similar Products Used:
Listened to similarly-priced Klipsch, KEF, Paradigm, and Mirage

Programming my ass…

I hate it when people talk about “HTML programming.” Generating HTML is not programming. The “M” in “HTML” stands for markup. HTML is a markup language, not a programming language. What’s the difference? In programming, one has to correctly structure a sequence of commands which get executed. In a markup language, one applies static markups to a document, roughly the equivalent of selecting “bold” in your word processor. OK, I’ll grant that HTML has gotten more complex than that, but it still isn’t programming. People who say so don’t know what they’re talking about, and it’s insulting to those of us who actually can program, and have done so for a living.

(original date: 2001.06.10)

Review: Proton D940

(originally posted to audioreview.com on 2001.03.05)

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Price Paid:  $300

Product Model Year:
Pre 1995

Summary:
I’m surprised this old dinosaur is still up here–I’m glad to see that it is.

I bought this as a dealer was going out of business in the summer of 1989, and actually got it pretty cheap. I’d had my eye on it for a while because the sound is AMAZING. As other reviewers have noted, this is like buying separates in one box. This baby can shake the walls blasting rock yet at the same time show the deftness of handling needed for softer classical music. If this thing had a remote, it would be perfect. You can’t adequately replace this receiver for less than a grand.

Mine is pretty much on its last legs, as the preamp is going. If I ever see another one at a garage sale or something, I’m buying it, bridging the two to mono, and using my current reciver just as a preamp. Separates-quality.

Strengths:
Amazing power, separate “listen” and “record” preamp circuits

Weaknesses:
No remote, static-y controls

Review: PSB Image 4T

(originally posted to audioreview.com on 2001.03.05)

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Product Model Year:
2000

Summary:
These are outstanding speakers. When I was considering what to purchase, I auditioned Paradigm, Mirage, KEF, Klipsch and some others. In this price range, I thought the PSBs were the clear winner. (Incidentally, I was least impressed with the KEFs–much too forward. I’d give second place to the Paradigms.)

The highs on might be a bit bright for some (not as bright at the Mirage at this price point), but suit my taste perfectly. What really made these speakers stand out from the pack, though, were the mids. Incredibly clear and well-imaged. A good test track, I found, is the Art of Noise “Il Pleure” which tests a good dynamic range as well as really stressing the vocals. I tell you, you will swear the singer is standing in the room.

As far as bass (not “base”) response, these speakers deliver clear and tight bass. The frequency response is very flat and if you are used to speakers that thump, then these might sound light on the bass. Be very careful with how you place them, as I’ve found six inches either way closer or futher from the wall makes a big difference. The bass these produce is very tight and moving them a little closer to the wall gives them a bit more umph without making them muddy. I agree that bi-wiring also seems to help. Also, be careful about your upstream components. Don’t use these speakers with consumer-grade low-current amps–the bass *will* sound a bit off. These things want current. Listen to them with something like a NAD or HK (or better) component driving them.

With a good amp, the real problem with these speakers is that they may be a bit too revealing. If you have a CD that is originally from an analog source and a less-than-forgiving DAC, you can hear pops or clicks from the analog source when you really crank these up. If you need a better amp or a better DAC, these speakers will let you know.

Oh, and as others have mentioned, they look great and don’t take up too much floor space, which is always a plus in a real living room.

I like ’em and am planning to do HT with matching Image componts (8C up front, 1B or 2B rears), except maybe the sub. PSB subs seem a bit pricey for what you get. Any recommendations that would match well with these?

Strengths:
Imaging, flat response, appearance, price/performance

Weaknesses:
Nothing major

Similar Products Used:
Paradigm, Mirage, KEF, Klipsch

Review: NAD C740

(originally posted to audioreview.com on 2000.05.27)

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Product Model Year:
1999

Summary:
Do not be misled by the power numbers–this thing blows consumer-grade components (e.g. Sony, JVC) with more than double the power rating completely out of the water. If what you care about is listening to the music the way the music should be heard, this is a steal. Terrific soundstage, great imaging. Maybe a little bright for some.

My old Proton D940 died (a dark day) and I needed a replacement. I auditioned just about everything else in the price range, and nothing really excited me. So I took a chance and bought the NAD without hearing it first. I had some reservations about doing this–until I fired up the C740, and all reservations went out the window.

It may also be hard to find one of these, as there aren’t a lot of NAD dealers in the U.S., so it may be hard to audition it for yourself. But for the money, you can’t go wrong–far, far better than anything you’ll find in a Best Buy or a Circuit City. Well worth the effort.

Strengths:
Sound quality for price

Weaknesses:
No digital input

Similar Products Used:
Proton D940

More Gun Control

Another gun control rant. OK, here’s the thing a lot of people on both sides of the argument seem to get: there are both sufficient and necessary conditions to enable gun violence, and ya gotta deal with all of them. What the NRA-types correctly point out is that the mere presence of firearms is not a suffient condition–and they’re right. Lots of other factors come into play, and addressing the gun issue does not address the whole problem. And shame on certain members of the gun control lobby for missing this point.

What the NRA-types miss, however, is that guns are, in fact, a necessary condition for most of the mass violence we’ve seen of late. Even with all the other problems, the first-grade kid in Michigan is still alive if the other first-grade kid doesn’t have a handgun. Yes, the shooter still has lots of other problems, but those problems don’t result in the deaths of other children without access to guns. Shame on the NRA-types for missing this point.

On the whole, with limited resources, I’d go after the neccessary conditions first.

(original date: 2000.05.10)