” If the reviews in this issue are any indication, the CD/receiver is the hottest new category in electronics, at least for stereo systems (in home theatre it seems to be multidisc DVD players). The NAD L40 comes without speakers, so I thought a good coupling would be with the wonderful Paradigm Reference Studio 40, though Paul Barton, designer for NAD sibling company PSB might not agree…”

“The T770 is a complete A/V receiver with an unusually full complement of features. Though the brochure barely mentions it, and the manual ignores specs altogether, power output is rated at 80 watts each for the front channels, and 70 for surrounds (the brochure also says 70 x 5, but why quibble?)…”

“Over the past few years Linn has become increasingly system-oriented, this trend accelerated by their strong move into high end home theatre. It was inevitable, therefore, that they would introduce an entry-level high end audio system, and here it is. Very cleverly, the product designers at the Glasgow company have combined a CD player based on the Mimik with an integrated amplifier based on the Magik I, and redesigned the Kann speakers to go with this new component…”

“A whole new generation of digital receivers is coming into the market, typified by this Dolby Digital one from Pioneer, able to play DVD discs (and laserdiscs in this case) directly from the digital output of a player or transport. The VSX- D906S will automatically select the correct input/mode, favouring digital when such a signal is present, and defaulting to Pro Logic when one isn’t…”

“A company that has generally occupied the upper end of the middle of the market, Denon is in just that territory with their new AVR-3600, which is a fully featured home theatre heart. It handles Dolby Digital in both its forms (RF-modulated from laserdisc and direct from DVD) with configurable coaxial and optical inputs, and provides Pro Logic, as well as the usual complement of dubious DSP surround modes. Has anyone ever wanted to listen to music in a gymnasium? After surviving high school?”