Al Griffin

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Can You Recommend a Soundbar with a Hardwired Subwoofer Output?
Al Griffin  |  Oct 11, 2018  |  2 comments
Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q I’ve got a decent Velodyne subwoofer that I’d like to connect to a powered soundbar. Most soundbar manufacturers now use wireless subwoofer connections, however, so I’m struggling to find one that’s capable of connecting with my sub. Could you recommend a mid-level or a high-end soundbar that features a hardwired subwoofer output? —Jim O’Hara, via email

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Headphone Amp/DAC ReviewsIntegrated Amp Reviews
PS Audio Sprout100 Integrated Amplifier/DAC Review
Al Griffin  |  Oct 11, 2018  |  2 comments

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $599

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Impressive power from compact box
Built-in phono stage
Subwoofer output
Minus
Slightly forward sound on some tracks

THE VERDICT
PS Audio’s new Sprout 100 is a worthy option for anyone seeking a compact integrated amplifier/DAC that also handles vinyl playback.

The original PS Audio Sprout integrated amplifier/DAC was noted as being part of a new trend of ultra-compact ampDACs when Sound & Vision reviewed it back in 2015. We’ve since tested similar models from Elac and Teac, though it was the Sprout that most grabbed our attention due to its moving magnet phono stage—a feature those other models happen to lack.

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Ask S&V
Can I Get High-Def Via a Component Connection to My Legacy AVR?
Al Griffin  |  Sep 21, 2018  |  8 comments
Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q I would like to use an Oppo BDP-93 as the Blu-ray player in my system connected to an Arcam AVR350 A/V receiver. Since the Arcam is a legacy AVR with no HDMI switching, I will need to use the Oppo’s component video output. Here’s my question: Will I be able to get high-definition resolution from Blu-ray discs with this setup? I have read that Blu-rays have embedded ICT (Image Constraint Token), which forces the player to downscale the video resolution to DVD quality. Also, are there any workarounds, like using an Oppo player with early (pre-ICT) firmware? —Lisa Kaye, via email

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CEDIA 2018
EPV Screens' DarkStar Absorbs the Light
Al Griffin  |  Sep 09, 2018  |  0 comments
The EPV Screens booth at CEDIA highlighted one of the company’s latest projection screen offerings for ultra-short throw projectors. By filtering out light coming from overhead, the 0.5-gain DarkStar UST eFinity allows for pictures with ample brightness and contrast in high ambient light environments.
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CEDIA 2018
Qobuz Gets Ready for its Close-Up
Al Griffin  |  Sep 07, 2018  |  0 comments
French streaming service Qobuz (pronounced “Ko-buzz”) set up tent at CEDIA to show off its extensive hi-res music catalog, which will be made available to U.S. audiophiles as soon as late October. Qobuz also provided a glimpse of the service’s app (PC, Mac, and Android/iOS are all supported, and there’s a web browser version).
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CEDIA 2018
New at CEDIA 2018: Scooters!
Al Griffin  |  Sep 07, 2018  |  0 comments
Perhaps the biggest new trend at CEDIA 2018 has nothing to do with audio, video, custom installation, or Smart home tech at all.
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CEDIA 2018
KEF’s Revamped R Series Speakers Rock CEDIA
Al Griffin  |  Sep 07, 2018  |  0 comments
British speaker-maker KEF is showing its new R series at CEDIA. A pair of the company’s R11 towers can be seen here in one of the KEF booth’s multiple lifestyle vignettes—this one showing a Manhattan lawyer’s cigar smoke-filled bachelor pad. He may not be a nice guy, but he has impeccable taste in speakers.
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CEDIA 2018
Elac Debuts Navis Wireless Speakers
Al Griffin  |  Sep 06, 2018  |  0 comments
Elac is moving big-time into making high-performance wireless speakers, a realm currently dominated by companies including KEF, Dynaudio, and DALI. The outfit’s new Navis series consists of the AR-B51 standmounter ($2,000/pair, shown) and AR-F51 tower speaker ($4,000/pair).
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CEDIA 2018
JBL’s New Speaker Line Takes Center Stage
Al Griffin  |  Sep 06, 2018  |  0 comments
Harman has its affordable JBL Stage series speakers on display at CEDIA. The new speakers, which supersede the company’s previous entry-level Arena series, has a neat, retro look, with white paper-cone mid-bass drivers reminiscent of those found in the company’s professional studio monitors from a few decades back.
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Wide AngleAudio Video News
IFA 2018: Up Close with LG’s 8K OLED TV
Al Griffin  |  Sep 01, 2018  |  0 comments
Not to be outdone by Samsung, LG had its own 8K TV to show at IFA 2018, this one an 88-inch OLED model.
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