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Harmony Newsletter vol. 187
 

Film review
A Man For All Seasons

A Man for All Seasons is a 1966 British biographical drama film based on Robert Bolt's play of the same name and adapted for the big screen by Bolt himself. It was directed by Fred Zinnemann, who had previously directed the films High Noon and From Here to Eternity.

The film depicts the final years of Sir Thomas More, the 16th-century Lord Chancellor of England who refused to sign a letter asking Pope Clement VII to annul King Henry VIII of England's marriage to Catherine of Aragon.

Starring the superb Paul Scofield as Sir Thomas More, the film also features performances by Robert Shaw, Orson Welles, Susannah York and, in one of his earliest screen roles, John Hurt.

A Man for All Seasons was a critical and box office success. It won the Academy Award for Best Picture at the 39th Academy Awards, while the cast and crew won another five, including Best Director for Zinnemann and Best Actor for Scofield. Highly recommended!

Clearance item
Sonrise cabinet

It was the 80s, and Culture Club and Duran Duran were in heavy rotation on MTV. Reagan was president, and Harmony had just moved down West Portal Avenue to it’s current location.

Back then, choices for audio video furniture were very limited. At the time, Harmony stocked cabinets from Sonrise (who have been out of business for close to 25 years now).

Believe it or not, we still have some remaining stock. Harmony has been hoarding these gems, but now it’s time to let the public enjoy these fine cabinets in the luxury of their own homes…

Made in the US from solid wood, they are hand-crafted by highly skilled woodworkers, whose traditions go back generations.

The small oak cabinet shown is available for a mere $350. Yes! You read that right - only $350!

Don’t delay, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a piece of history!

Also note that the vintage Yamaha components in view are also available for purchase! Call the store for details.

(photo courtesy of Frank’s Samsung phone)


 


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Featured item
Rotel RC-1572



Amongst audiophiles, it has long been known that the ultimate system is comprised of separate components. Separate components hold the promise of the best possible fidelity, since each device is optimized for its role in the sound reproduction chain. The heart of this type of system is most definitely the pre-amplifier.

The Rotel RC-1572 stereo preamplifier is a great example of quality construction, sensible features, and an attractive price.

As a digital pre-amp, the RC-1572 uses a 32 bit/768kHz AKM stereo digital-to-analog converter to handle critical signal conversion. For analog signals, it utilizes relay switching instead of an IC based switch to maintain the integrity of the signal path for its RCA, phono and XLR inputs.



A large toroidal transformer and regulated power supply ensures stable current and voltage requirements to all stages.

Four digital inputs (2 coax and 2 optical), plus the rear PC-USB handle digital sources up to 32-bit/384kHz resolution. The PC-USB input also supports DSD signals, for all you hi-res fans out there.

XLR and single ended outputs are provided along with a mono subwoofer output, simplifying the integration of a sub.

Offering tremendous ‘bang for the buck’, the Rotel RC-1572 is available in a black or silver finish for just $1099. Stop by and check it out!


Flash sale: Sealed version in black available to newsletter readers only, for just $999 - only one available, though! First come, first served!



Tips & techniques

TV Contrast



There is quite a bit to properly calibrating a video monitor, and very little can be done without at least some training and the right equipment and test discs.

However, we do like to provide the occasional tip that might get you a better picture. The last newsletter featured the sharpness control - this time we talk about the contrast control.

The contrast control is a powerful tool and can make or break a good picture on a TV set. What the control does is manage the range from complete black to complete white. As you turn up the contrast control, the set will expand the range. However, some sets will only move the range up or down – it all depends on the design.

The goal is to be able to see details in dark scenes, as well as bright ones. If the contrast is turned up too high, the whites will get ‘blown out’ and the dark scenes will be ‘crushed’. Both terms mean loss of detail in the extremes.

Usually, sets have the contrast turned up all the way when you first get them home, but this usually leads to an inaccurate picture. Generally, if you set the control so that it’s around 60 to 70% of the range, you will have a much clearer picture with less distortion.

Also, remember that Harmony calibrates every HDTV that we sell – at no extra cost! The easiest way to a great TV picture is to make sure you purchase your next set from Harmony!

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