Conference cookie::notes$archive:cd_v1

    
    	The Sony D15 was on sale last week at Leachmere in N.H. and
    	Mass. I also saw some mini speakers connected to it. I suppose
    	you could get everything you ae asking for. You'll have to come
    	up with a case to carry all of the acces. As far as quality
    	goes, this unit is about the best on the market today and it
    	definately portable.
    
    John//

    If the goal is to also play the CD when on trips, etc... (when they
    will have access to an AC plug), I would stongly recommend the Bose
    Roommates (sp?).  You just plug them into the wall outlet and
    the headphone jack of the CD and, Vola!  Excellent sound that is
    as good as many "home" systems.  You can also get a carrying case for
    them, that just might also have room for the player and a few CD's.
    I'm not sure exactly what they cost, but think you can get a pair
    for about $150 + about $30-40 for the case (I got my pair for $95,
    but that was just being at the right place at the right time.)
              
    Todd

    purchase the player and speakers, then go to a camera
    shop and get a camera carry case that will fit your needs.
    These are usually built to protect equipment, and are
    available in various sizes.
    
                     Wayne
    
    I second the powered speaker reccomendation. I've had a pair
    of Sanyo self powered speakers for 6 years, use em (and leave
    em) in the pool shed or the unheated garage in winter. Sounds
    much better than using the "boom box" speakers, that I drive
    them with. The Bose are a step up in sound quality, I would 
    guess. You should be able to get a real nice setup in your
    price range.

    Yes, the Sony D-15 is the best on the market right now.  You can
    read more about it in note 1194.
    
    Powered speakers can be a science in themselves.  The Bose Roommates
    are excellent, but they didn't fit my parameters.  They were too
    big, too expensive for me, and didn't offer the option of battery
    power.  So I bought the AIWA SC-A8 for about $70 for the pair, plus
    $15 for the AC adapter.  They don't sound as good as the Bose, but
    they're lots cheaper and smaller.  They can be battery powered,
    though I recommend rechargeable batteries, since they each take
    4 "C" size batteries - 8 for the pair.
    
    For headphones, the Koss Porta-PRO is about the best you can do today
    for a headphone that's small and portable.  Lechmere gets $50 for them,
    and they're worth every penny (even if I did get mine for $30 a year
    ago - I've never seen them on sale since). 
    
    B
    

    
    
    
    I'd put a vote in for the AR powered partners speakers.  Like the
    Bose roomates, they're portable speakers with a built in amp to
    take low level signals from portable cd players etc. I think the
    advantage of the AR's though is better sound quality.  You can buy
    the optional carrying case, dc outlet and other accessories for
    it too.
    
    

There's a lot of good advice here.  I also own a pair of powered partners by 
AR.  These are not what I'd call travel speakers in the sense of toting them 
on a plane with you (they would take up the entire carryon allotment), but 
they would be easy to put in the trunk to bring on a ski weekend or whatever.

If compact portability is the idea, then pick up a portable cd player like one 
of the SONYs mentioned above.  They have all the features you want.  As for 
headphones, they come in all sizes.  You probably want the smaller foam pad 
style ones as opposed to the big plastic ear cup style.  Many of these fold, 
or at least become relatively compact for storage.  The camera bag idea is 
also great.  You can get a pretty small one that will hold the player AC 
adapter, headphones and several cd's pretty cheap.  Keep an eye on the strap.  
Yank on it in the store.  Too often the less expensive bags have straps that 
pull out after a bit of use.  

						     
							- JP

    This may be the week to act.  Lechmere has ALL audio equipment on
    sale this week...
    
    B
    

    I'll second (third?) the vote for a D-something plus the Bose Roommates
    + carrycase.  I have the D-3, Roommates (in black), case, and the
    optional mounting arms for the speakers. (also Koss Porta-Pro
    headphones !)  Wonderful sound; (and in my opinion, better than the AR,
    but that's arguable. Test listen for yourself.  I test-listened
    about five different systems before settling on the Bose). 
    
    	The cost should come right in at about $500 for the system,
    if you shop around.  Everything (speakers, diskman, headphones,
    spare power adapter, CD's, etc) all fit inside the padded (semi-rigid)
    Bose bag.  Eminently portable; I've got at least 1000 miles on
    mine.
                                                            
    	(interesting side point: the Bose are made in Framingham, USA!
    Likewise the Koss headphones!  Could it be some nationalism peeking
    through? :-) )
    	
         -Bill Yerazunis
    

    Any comments on the powered speakers by AIWA, compared to Bose or
    AR (BTW: what does AR stand for)

    
    re. -1
    
    I believe AR stands for Acoustic Research, a subsidiary of Teledyne,
    Inc.

          
    	After first getting my Sony D-10, I was really just satisfied
    to listen through my AKG K240 headphones.  Soon, however, I decided I would
    need some way to listen to music while running around my dorm room
    this fall.
    	I started looking through back issues of Stereo Review, Consumer
    Reports and as many other places I could find the names of powered
    speakers.  I found that there were three types:
    		1.  El cheepo brands marketed mainly towards kids who
                    wanted to drive their parents crazy by blasting
    		    their previously unheard walkmen tape recorders...
    
    		2.  Reasonably priced models marketed mainly for what
    		    I wanted -- good sound from a diskman or walkman type
    		    unit, but was also as portable as the source.
    			Bose Roommates ($250) and Acoustic Research Powered
    			pARtners ($340) are examples.
    
    		3.  Extremely expensive powered speakers designed for
    		    audiophiles (with money!) looking for an exact match
   		    between speaker and power amplifier, thus reducing
                    the possibility of phase shift and other nasty problems
    			The least expensive of these cost $3,000.  The
                        most expensive was $45,000.  I was looking in
                        the $100 to $300 range.
    
    	I decided to take a listen to both the Bose Roommates and AR
    Powered Partners, then tracked down a store that had both (Leachmere's,
    pun intended, in Manchester, NH).  Critique:
    
    	The Bose speakers were noticeably lacking in base, and like most of the 
Bose speakers I have heard, they tended towards being shrill in the upper 
registers.  For one of my reference recordings, I used Telarc's version of the 
1812 Overture.  The Bose could not handle the cannons worth a halfpence.  You 
could say I wasn't very impressed.  If you are interested in a portable Bose 
product, I would suggest you take a listen to their boom box (real name and 
information could be found in the audio notesfile, I can't for the life of me 
remember what that machine is called).  However, that piece of equipment sells 
for $600, not in the range the base note was talking about.
	Now to the AR Partners.  Well, I was impressed.  The extra $100 for the 
Partners was well worth it.  The bass response was much better, though not up 
to par with a real, full sized speaker.  I still thought the cannons sounded 
like garbage, but they sounded more like cannon garbage than the static 
discharge I got from the Bose.  Violins sounded like violins, and you could 
almost point out where the trumpeter sat in the Archiv Brandenbourg Concertos.  
I found that the Partners tended to emphasize the rhythm track of the 
non-classical music I played, more so than the Bose had, and more so than my 
system at home.  Still, they sounded quite good for their size, and much better 
than the Bose.
	I took me a while but I was also able to get a decent price on the 
Partners -- again at Leachmere, but this time in Salem at their clearance 
center.  I understand that the models they sell there are the floor models from 
other stores, or refurbished pieces from returns.  In any case, they sound 
fine, look fine, and they cost me $130 less than a new pair.  They also come 
with the same warranty as the new speakers.

		Well, that's my $.02, you should really go and listen for 
      	yourself if you intend to buy audio equipment, but I hope this helps...
          
						Jason

re .-1
    
>	2.  Reasonably priced models marketed mainly for what
>	    I wanted -- good sound from a diskman or walkman type
>	    unit, but was also as portable as the source.
>		Bose Roommates ($250) and Acoustic Research Powered
>		pARtners ($340) are examples.

I picked up the AR's at Electronics Warehouse in Pheasant Lane, about a year 
ago, not on sale for $250.  I have seen them for less since, but don't 
remember where.

By the way, AR is Acoustic Research, and they, like BOSE, are also located 
in Mass.

						     
							- JP

    By the way, BOSE has announced and should start shipping in Sept.
    the RoomMate Series II.  This powered speaker, is a little larger
    and tuned about 120 Hz lower (to improve the low-end that was
    complained about in an earlier note).  In addition, the amp has
    at least 3 times the output (don't remember the exact numbers).
    
    BEST OF ALL - They can run on a 12V battery that is included in
    the carrying case.  This set-up gives TRUE portability.  Take your
    Portable CD player, your Walkman, and your BOSE RoomMates and you
    can play music for hours without an outlet?
    
    Dom

    On the portable speaker issue, as a frequent (airline) traveller I
    would recommend AGAINST the Bose or AR powered portables. Not that they
    don't sound great, but they're just too big and too heavy to cart
    around with your clothes and your business papers through crowded
    airports and airplanes, for hour after delayed hour. I'd rather have
    less spectacular sound, have someplace to put my feet for 8 hours, and
    generally feel less like a pack horse. 
    
    I have not heard the AIWA speakers, mentioned earlier, but they sound
    more appropriate. I ended up with a $50 pair of Radio Shack powered
    portables. I wouldn't necessarily recommend them. They're adequate,
    light, and small, and they were all I could find at the time. They
    power themselves down when there's no signal to them, but they tend to
    do this when they're being played softly too.
    
    Battery operation is a real plus, almost a requirement, with portable
    speakers. It provides the flexibility to be away from a power outlet
    (outdoors, on the "wrong" side of the hotel room, etc.). If you travel
    overseas, it may save you the cost of another voltage converter.
    Finally, AC connections to the speakers can sometimes cause an annoying
    hum in the tuner on an attached walkperson. Batteries avoid this.
                    
    For headphones, the Koss Porta-Pro is very comfortable and durable, and
    it travels well. It's a little bass-heavy, which a lot of people like.
    I found it a little too heavy on classical and acoustic jazz, but
    preferable to some of the overly bright alternatives. I also have a
    pair of the Sony "designer" phones ("Luigi" or something - about $60).
    These are the stick-it-in-your-ear type and are not as comfortable as
    the Porta-pros. They're a little better balanced overall, they're
    reasonably rugged, and they look "nice", if that matters. 
    
    Good luck.
    
    -Tom 
                                       

    
    re: .14
    
    I just picked up a pair of AR Power Partners (I. too, went to the
    Lechemere clearance center in Salem , NH, got 'em for $208 -- L'mere's
    normal price is $320).
    
    The sound is an order of magnitude better than the small portables
    (I'd been looking at the Aiwas and the RS). True, they're not what
    you want if you're looking for something to throw in your briefcase,
    but I was looking for a relatively inexpensive way to take music
    on vacation, occasionally move it into my kennel area while I'm
    working there, etc.
    
    Stu
    

    Re: .9
    
    I have to agree with .14.  I own the AIWA SC-A8 (pair) and bought them
    because they travel well in a large briefcase or whatever, they are
    battery powered, and my D-15 can drive them fairly reasonably even
    without the batteries (but watch out - the D-3 won't - its amp isn't
    powerful enough - don't know about the D-4).  I have taken these all
    over the US, UK, Switzerland and Germany and been quite pleased with
    them.  They don't have the bass of, say, the BOSE or AR, but they are
    less than half the price and have many other advantages.  Of course, I
    tend to play chamber music and piano stuff through them.  If you want
    to play the 1812 overture or Beethoven's 5th these are probably not the
    speakers for you.  Same goes for heavy metal, though I don't play that
    myself.  I put on my Koss Porta-PROs when I'm on the road and want to
    hear a symphony - it's also nicer to the guy in the next room at the
    hotel... 
    
    B

    The other day I listened to the KOSS-Porta Pro Headphones and they
    sounded pretty good. (I listened to them on a Technics SL-XP5 disc
    player)
    
    Does anyone have any other ideas for a pair of portable headphones
    

    re: -1
    
    I recently bought the Sony MDR-31 headphones ($20 at Lechemere).
    For the money they sound great. I didn't want to spend what the
    Porta-Pro's cost.
    
    Ken....
    
    P.S. It seems we're located in the same building. I'm at pole E-2
    on floor 3 if you want to give them a listen.
    

    re:  .17
    
    	I do some travelling myself and use the Sony MDR-A40.
    	They fold in 4 parts, have a volume control and a mono-stereo
    	switch on the mini-jack.   They come in a very rugged
    	box that makes them easy to carry.   They have the same
    	"turbo" speakers than most good quality mini-headphones from
    	Sony . The box measure about 5"x2"x1".
    bye, Vince.

    re: .14, .17, .19
    
    The model number of the Sony "designer" headphones I mentioned in
    .14 is MDR-A60. Sounds like it's a close relative of the A40 described
    in .19, except that they have no volume control or mono-stereo switch.
    
    If you still need more suggestions, you might also try asking in
    XENON::AUDIO (KP7 or SELECT to add it). Many of the AUDIO readers
    also read this conference, but AUDIO is more focused on equipment
    in general.
    
    By the way, you're planning a very thoughtful gift for a music lover
    who's "on the road".
    
    -Tom       

    Still haven't purchased anything yet....(see base note).
    
    Has anyone any info on the portable units by Kenwood (DPC-xx ?)
    On paper they look better than Sony .....

    
    If I remember right...the specs on several portables cd players
    appears in this months Digital Audio. Some of the specs for this
    player were not available at the time of printing. I believe that
    this player has only 1 beam pickup instead of 3 like Sony. This
    is what sold me on the D15 instead of the Kenwood. The noise specs
    were not available either. I was deciding between Sony, Techincs
    and Kenwood. Sony won hands down! I am now walking with my D15 and
    enjoy it very much!
    
    John//

    I picked up a Marantz CH-53/CP-53 a couple of years ago. It consists
    of a tuner an amp (actually more of a control box), a tape deck (play
    and record) 2 powered speakers, an AM/FM antenna that all fit together
    in an aluminum case to form kind of a super boom box. A 13.5V power
    supply fits in the back of the unit and there is space for a few
    tapes. I replaced the tape deck with a Technics SL-XP7 cd player
    that just fits the tape compartment if you remove the cd players
    little rubber feet.
    The unit as a whole sounds pretty good for a portable system but
    at home I use Bose Roommates since the Marantz powered speakers
    tend to cut out at low amplitudes and the Bose do sound better.
    Overall I like the system a lot. It looks kind of like a full sized
    unit that someone shot with a shrink-ray gun. The dials and buttons
    are so small that you can just get a hold of them, but they give
    a level of control with the balance and tone controls I missed with
    the normal cd/roomate combo. There are RCA jacks in the back to
    connect a record player although I havent used one yet.
    I picked up the system in Hong Kong and havent seen one like it
    since I got back. I think I paid around $250 for the unit without
    the CD.
    There is an equalizer avaliable also but I forgot to buy it during
    the spending frenzy. 
    If anyone knows of a domestic source for the equalizer, please let
    me know.

    .22
    
    John, the only difference between the DP77 (Kenwood) and the D15
    (Sony) according to the DA review is that the DP77 has 4x oversampling
    vs. 2x for the D15. The D15 has INDEXING and the DP77 doesn't. As
    far as S/N it was not published.

    Also the tracking (pickup) was the same.

    re: .21
    
    Don't rely on specs too much. They rarely indicate real negatives,
    especially things like reliability. As I recall, the portables that
    have attracted attention in this conference and in the AUDIO conference
    are the Sony and Pioneer, but I haven't been paying too much attention
    over the last couple of years. Portables are significantly less
    reliable than home models. This is one component where added cost may
    buy more than just subtleties. In general, Kenwood's reputation
    in recent years has been more based on "cheap" than "good"
    
    -Tom 
                 

    	Ok I did finally did it. Here are the results ....

	Unit: DPC-77 Kenwood
	Headphones: Koss Porta-Pro
	Speakers: None as yet ..... Still looking and testing.


	Thanks to all for the help .... I may even purchase the same for
	my personal use.