pelitz@rabbit.UUCP (12/22/83)
This is a review of the Gryphon Laser Audio Research, Exc. Record Reference Reproduction System. It is a device that resembles a conventional tonearm, but has no cartridge or stylus in the usual sense, rather it has a set of mirror optics that guide a tightly focused UV laser beam to the record groove. The reflected interference patterns are collected by an optical data processing setup, and converted via a set of opto-digital transducers into a digital bit stream that is processed using an FFT scheme that recovers the exact dimensions of the groove to within .25 wavelength of the laser's light, about 2000 angstroms. It is explained that the use of the solid-state UV laser increases the resolution of this system by a factor of roughly 6, decreasing distortion by the same amount. Since the type of digital signal processing done involves the processing of VIDEO, rather than AUDIO data, the problems usually associated with inferior digital methods are avoided. At the same time, the problems that occur in analog systems due to the gross inaccuracy of the phonographic stylus are also eliminated. Record wear is reported to be about the same as is associated with an extremely high compliance (a Shure M95HE is cited as a reference) cartridge, due to the heating effects of the 2 watt laser. The only disadvantage cited by the manufacturers are the necessity for an airconditioned environment (or one whose temperature reaches 80 degrees F maximum) and the requirement for roughly 220 watts of AC power, most of which is used in the video digital signal processing circuitry. The output of this device is arranged through a front panel level control that can be connected directly to your power amplifier (The manufacturers reccommend connections no longer than 1 meter) to bypass the known distortions of pre-amplification equipment. Following the well known principle that each component of the reproduction chain (with the exception of the speakers, unfortunately) should contribute roughly equal amounts of perceptible distortion, the manufacturers reccommend no less than a Perreaux 2150 power amplifier and Quad speakers. Listening test: The GLARE, Inc, RRRS system seems to indeed surpass the manufacturer's claims. (For once!!!!) We auditioned it with the above system, with a Linn/Ittok/Asak/Naim table/preamp system for comparison. The recordings used were: Telarc's Firebird Telarc's 1812 Nonesuch's pioneering recording of Varese's Ionization and Crystal Clear's French Organ Favorites Both systems were set up and adjusted to the best of our professional abilities. The differences noticed were: a lack of surface noise in the Laser Player, slightly better cymbal reproduction in Firebird, and a slightly stronger "edge" in the air raid siren in Ionization. The Laser player seemed to hold the edge on imaging and depth throughout the test. The levels of all equipment were matched to within .05dB (what a pain!) and both sets of equipment were arranged in a double blind fashion. The effects of the two players were significantly better than random to a 99% confidence bound. Paul Pelitz
spoo@utcsrgv.UUCP (Suk Lee) (12/28/83)
IS THIS SERIOUS????? Can you post
some more details? *PRICE*, availability,
size, etc.
From the pooped paws of:
Suk Lee
..!{decvax,linus,allegra}!utzoo!utcsrgv!spoo
P.S. I just bought a dbx NX-40 to use
with my JVC KD-A8 cassette deck:
terrific! -- best audio deal I
can think of. Everybody get one!norskog@fortune.UUCP (12/29/83)
#R:rabbit:-1700:fortune:1400010:000:243 fortune!norskog Dec 29 11:23:00 1983 There is an essential problem with this system that was not mentioned in the article: much of the sonic information in a record is preserved in vinyl compression formations and is only revealed by mechanical contact. (Sorry, no references.)