Q I have a tube power amplifier that uses dual triodes as the output stage. I noticed on one of the tubes, one of the filaments is now off. Does this mean that I have to replace the tube?

A First, turn off the amplifier, wait for the tubes to cool, and then pull the tube in question out and re-seat it in the socket. It may just be that the pins are not making proper contact. If that does not work, switch the tube in question with one of the others of the same variety. Turn the amp back on and see if that filament is still off. If so, the tube needs replacement. If the filament now lights in the other socket, it may be that the original socket needs a thorough cleaning. Hopefully, it is not the filament supply that has gone bad.

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Q There have been reviews of the Denon 2800, but I haven't seen anything regarding the 2800mkII...has this been reviewed yet? They're supposed to have improved/fixed some of the problems with the 2800, and I'd be interested in reading it.

A Denon is fixing the chroma error in some of their DVD player models, one by one, depending on how old the model is. However, Denon is not going to fix the chroma error in the 2800. It is not using the same MPEG decoder as the 3800 or 9000, so it can't be updated with a firmware patch.

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Q Will you have another DVD player shootout and will you ever have a listing of DVD players currently selling with the Chroma bug? I've e-mailed you before about that bug, but I just want the best DVD player for the budgeted amount I have to spend.

A Probably no more shootouts that go through 20 players all in one sitting. It takes six of us working non-stop for five days and nights. What we will do is publish the test results of each player one at a time as we test them. If a new player is based on the Panasonic transport, it is 99% likely not to have the bug. If based on the Pioneer transport, then it is 99% likely to have the bug.

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Q I'd like to recess my front speakers into a new wall unit purely for appearance. I like the flush look, and I wondered if this was not acceptable speaker placement. Do I lose anything acoustically?

A For in-wall mounting, you should select speakers that are designed for this purpose. They take into account the loading that the wall produces. They should work fine for you as long as you do your homework and select carefully. Remember, there are good in-wall speakers and bad ones too, just as there are for any product.

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Q I'm looking to start an HT system and want to buy a 7-channel amp that I'll hopefully be happy with forever. So I'm willing to spend $$$ money if I can avoid upgrading to another amp in the future. I don't want to buy a high-priced amp, however, if I can get basically the same for less. I've heard the mantra that one should listen to a component to find out if they like it, but a good amp shouldn't color the sound that much. I also recently read about a study in which listeners blindly listened to a large number of $200-$10K amps and basically couldn't tell the difference between them. I'm considering the B&K 7270 (or its new replacement ~$3K), the Lexicon LX-7 (~$6K), and the Krell HTS/2250 combo (~$12K). I want an amp that's extremely detailed, crystal clear, and powerful, but I'm not an audiophile who'll listen for minor nuances caused by the amp. In your opinion, is it worth the extra money to go with the Lexicon or especially the Krell, or should the B&K satisfy my requirements? Also, if there are any alternative amps in the $3K-12K price range that you think I should consider, could you please make any recommendations? Thank you. Your website is awesome.

A At low volume, I am not surprised that listeners could not hear any difference. However, it is when you want dynamics and clarity at reasonably loud levels that you would hear big differences. That is what separates the low-priced amplifiers from the big guys. The models you mentioned should all work nicely. I would also suggest considering the Theta Dreadnaught II (review coming soon), configured with three 200 watt channels for the front left, center, right, and four 100 watt channels for the side left, right, and rear left, right. MSRP is about $7,000 for this setup.

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Q I was thinking of buying one of two Panasonic home theater systems. With one of them, the DVD player has progressive scan, while the other doesn't. I have an old analogue TV and was wondering if the progressive scan one makes a difference in the picture or if it even works with my TV?

A Progressive scan won't work with old TVs, but if you get a new digital TV, the component video output of the progressive scan DVD player might very well work with it. Depending on the situation now with PAL in Europe, and DVD players outputting progressive scan, it might be necessary for you to use the component video connections in interlaced mode, but it will still be better than the S-Video connection, and certainly much better than the composite video connection. The non-progressive scan DVD player may or may not have component video outputs.

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Q I would like to know about the new Sage/Faroudja chip that is supposed to be coming out, or perhaps has recently come out. Would it be better to opt for something like the Denon 1600 right now, or is the next generation of chip worth waiting for at a similar price? If so, do you know when they'll be hitting the market?

A Players with the new Faroudja chip are scheduled to hit the US market in the next couple of months. We should see them at CES. The first player is already available, being the new Philips 963 SA. It has the Faroudja 23xx inside. As to waiting, there will always be something on the horizon. Players are so good now, the improvements will be subtle from now on, but they will be definite improvements. What I am waiting for is DVI outputs on the players, and DVI inputs on TVs and projectors. That should be happening in the next 12 months. It will allow the signal to be digital all the way.

Immersive and Meridian will have DVD players with DVI outputs by the end of 2002. The Meridian will use HDCP, so if your display does not support HDCP, it will not be able to display that signal. All future DVD players with DVI will be required to have HDCP. (Some companies who OEM may get away without it.)

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Q What is your opinion of the new low priced (around $500 MSRP) A/V receivers that offer 6.1 amplification and Dolby Digital EX processing?

Is it possible to make an A/V receiver with this much stuff for this price and still have it be a quality component with good sound and power?  Examples include Denon AVR-1803, Onkyo TSR-600, Pioneer VSX-811.

Besides features, what would be the major differences between these and A/V receivers higher up in the respective product lines?

A The receivers in that price range are "Entry Level", meaning that you will want something better within about a year. Differences include DACs with lower processing power, i.e., 24/96 rather than 24/192, and a small power supply that will limit dynamics considerably. If you get the lower priced receiver, find one with pre-outs for all channels so that you can upgrade by just getting a good outboard power amplifier. Make sure that it also has a set of 5.1 pre-ins so that you can connect a DVD-A or SACD player.

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