Hey Goef, I think it was you that I sat next to on a flight from DFW to Burbank a couple months ago... I enjoyed the conversation. Too bad we didn't realize our shared "geekhood" earlier in the flight. You may remember I've got a couple Logan speakers and sub and a 60" Sony XBR. I'm now starting to look at the field for a good high current amp to drive the Logans. I'm also considering (big maybe) on going back to surroud ($$$$ on more Logans). I'm interested mainly in recommendations on who is good at driving the Logans (6 ohms nominal, 2 ohms at 20 kHz, and the speakers are supposed to be driven at 200 watts). (I got to your website from looking at the Denon AVR-5805, but I'm looking at Krell, Classe, Rotel, Sony ES, etc.) Thanks for any input you can provide. Hope to run into you again some time. Best of the holidays to you. - Charlie

Hi Charlie. Send me an email at htletters@primedia.com, I'd be happy to help.

CABLES - How about some hard-hitting information on a/v interconnects and speaker wire? Blow the lid off the industry by proving that $2000 Kimber Kables sound no better than the in-the-box freebies with the component. Or convince us why spending that $2000 is worth it. As for speaker wire, $0.09/ft lamp cord, $3.00/ft Monster or $90.00/ft Kimber - what's the better value?

If we're talking gamer stuff, how about the wheels and pedals for XBOX and otehrs? Do they make the driving games more or less playable? I'll also add a vote for cables. Please tell me if I need to spend more money. Also, bi-wiring, is it over-rated? Thanks!

So a yes on the gear then. We can do that. I have a Logitech Wheel for the PC, it also works for PS2 (and probably Xbox). It’s awesome. It completely transforms racing games. On a good racing game like Gran Turismo, you can actually control your angle in a turn with the throttle. It makes the whole experience more realistic. If you’re into racing games, a wheel is the best money you’ll spend. Make sure you get one with Force Feedback. I’ll see if I can get one in for review.

The cables question is one I get a lot. Testing cables isn’t a simple proposition, and removing the subjective is really the only way to it. Is a $60 cable twice as good as a $30 cable? No. Are they better than the ones that came in the box? Probably. Your best bet is to buy a decent set of cables, however expensive you’re comfortable with, and you’re good to go. More important is making sure you’re using the best connection possible for a given source. I don’t care if you spent $100 on that composite cable, a $20 set of component cables will blow it away.