The Reviewer

The DigiTech Bad Monkey is a tube overdrive pedal that was made to compete with pedal legends such as the Ibanez TS 9/TS 808 Tube Screamers. The difference? A couple-a-$100. The Bad Monkey is listed at only $69.95 which means you can get it in some places for as low as $50. Guitarists have been raving about this pedal for quite some time now, so in this review, we highlighted the best of what they said.

Andy Bostick - Chicago, IL

Don’t let the price fool you—this is an outstanding effect! It really does give a warm overdrive sound that is significantly more transparent than the reigning Tube Screamer. This won’t give you high gain distortion, but it sounds great for blues and rock.

L. Wesolowski – Santa Cruz, CA

Wow. What a pedal! It completely outshines the TS-808 Reissue and costs over $100 less. I did a side by side comparison with these two and the Monkey just screamed. The tonal varieties with the 4 knobs, in combination with your guitar’s volume, gives you anything from crackling tube amp to revved up Big Muff type sound. Makes any solid state amp sing like an old Fender tube that’s cranked to 11!

cellphone 899 – Harmony Central

I use this with with a Laney LC 30. Pure f@%king heaven. That’s all I got to say. Its my number one OD. Better than the TS 10 and more rugged. Great drive and sustain with almost 100 percent transparency. I love this thing. Too f@%king good for 30 bucks.

Alex Wong – Harmony Central

This pedal would have been good at twice its price. At the price it is for sale at, if blues rock is your thing, you really have no excuse to give one a try. I doubt you’ll be disappointed.

Herb Genelly – Petaluma, CA

A lot of semi-pro or pro musicians cringe at the thought of putting a Digitech “anything” in their signal chain. But recently, I went to a local venue, and heard this guy playing super transparent lead guitar lines, while maintaining the sound of his single coil instrument, It sounded like tubes being over driven, all from a 15-watt amp. I sneaked a peak at his modest pedal board…and there was a Bad Monkey!

Digitech Bad Monkey 1

Digitech Bad Monkey 2

Behringer Ultracurve PRO DEQ2496; Ultra High-Precision Mastering Processor

Behringer, as we all know, is a out in the market to battle with mega-buck music products by providing a cheap, feature-rich alternative. While professional equalizers are tricky, Behringer’s quest to “break the scene” started with the Behringer 8024. It was received warmly even by the most discerning audiophiles.

To be able to use its built-in RTA, you need at least a decent omni-directional microphone to perform simple measurement and alignment tasks in your room. The DEQ2496 does not come with a mic, and for your best interest, let’s leave that in the mercy of professional music guys.

The DEQ2496 has a graphic eq, a parametric eq, dynamic eq, a virtual paragraphic eq and an expander. The virtual paragraphic eq allows parametric control of the graphic eq. Then there’s the FFT analyzer…

The FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) analyzer allows for computing of frequencies with an automatic EQ to match your loudspeaker and room, flattening your overall frequency response to as much as 20,000 Hz.

The DEQ2496 has balanced, gold-plated inputs and outputs—XLR, AES/EBU, S/PDIF and optical. This means you have to adapt the XLR connection to RCA if you want to pair it with your home system. You can get RCA-to-XLR adapters for this. You can connect the unit as a tape loop of typical receivers, which treats the DEQ2496 an an outboard processor. Hit its bypass function and it’s out of the loop.

Laymen

The DEQ2496 is a lot to digest because of all its features and functions. Its 50 plus-pages on its manual doesn’t do much either. You need to have a deep understading of your equipment and your room, as well as the ins and outs of audio frequencies to be able to put this beast to good use. Once you do, youll be able to completely analyze the limitations of your system and room.

A good EQ should be able to address real weaknesses of your system, the DEQ2496 filled the lower end of the frequency spectrum best. The mids were leveled with some limitations as were the bumps in the highs.

Optimizing a room should always come first. If there are cases where (for example a movie room) vision is compromised, bring in an EQ as powerful as this and for sure you’ll find a decent workaround.

For all this, we consider the Behringer DEQ2496 as a very powerful tone controller. It can provide you with a lot of tweaking options to shape your system’s overall response, or shape individual recordings flat. Either way, this unit will give a listener the control—all the controls.

Behringer DEQ2496

The Peavey Vypyr® 15 is a 15-watt modeling guitar amplifier. It has an 8-inch speaker with 12 amplifier channel models of popular amplifiers so clean and distorted combined, you get 24 unique voices of different amplifiers. In addition, you also get 12 different effects, with the ability to use four simultaneously. Now that’s a lot for a practice amp.

Because the Vypyr® 15 is the smallest and has the lowest power output of the Vypyr® series, it definitely was intended for one’s room. It is listed at $169.99 but most retailers carry it for less than $100. So, what other amplifier for less than $100 gives you this much features? We reckon, none.

Alright, there is the Line 6 Spider III, and a Fender and a Marshall counterpart without amp modelling, but the Vypyr® is leagues apart. The Fender Frontman 15G sounds good if you’re into no-frills amplification and/or have your own effects collection.

The distorted channels are what we looked at first. You can forget about most solid state amplifiers’ distorted channels, let alone digital distortion but Peavey did one better by adding true analog distortion to the Vypr series. It actually sounded good for most amp models, with more than enough gain at hand to tackle the most outrageous sustains. As this amp is a Peavey, the Peavey models obviously sounded better.

The effects are pretty decent, although as in most multi-effects processors, most of them are not everyday-usable. The TubScrm effect does not sound anything like a Tube Screamer and it is our least favorite of the effects.

You need not play the Vypr very loud because the speakers will definitely rattle—on loud clean strumming, and loud palm-muting—because an 8″ simply can not cope with such. Most reviews we’ve read so far ranted on this fact. It is a practice amplifier, it was intended for your ears only, if you want to go loud, find an amplifier with a bigger speaker and a higher rating.

Peavey might have set a trend here by them dropping the prices for something so filled with features this low. We would love to see other manufacturers follow suit, but for now nothing for less than a $100 can compare. If you want all of these settings to play with at home, buy it. If have no need for this much effects and models, but it anyway, for sure you’ll find time to play around with it.

Peavey Vypr 15

The Makita BTP140 is an 18-volt Lithium-ion cordless multi-function drill kit. It can moonlight as a hammer, impact and driver, and can drill into wood, metal and concrete. Its LXT Lithium-ion batteries with its smart charging system claims up to 280% increase in lifetime, twice more charging cycles and five times lower self-discharge.

Its 4-pole motor can deliver a maximum of 1,240″ lbs. It has a very compact design at only 7 3/8″ in length and weighs in at only 3.9 lbs. A DeWalt equivalent however, like the DeWalt DC827 has a relatively smaller head.

All of these multi-function drill kits do the job but we reckon that the BTP140’s selling point is its charging system. Basically what Makita has done is place a computer chip inside the batter that lets the charger know exactly hot to optimally charge the batteries, and to fully charge each cell within the batter while extending the maximum battery life.

Normally, a battery that is comprised of internal cells will drain at different rates on use, and a normal charger stops charging when one of these cells reach its maximum capacity, leaving the other cells not fully charged. What Makita claims is that their “smart charger” charges each cell independently so you get a full 18 volts everytime you use the drill.

The result? A battery that lats 280% more and can be charged over 1,400 times compared to the conventional ones’ 600-800 times. This is what (in theory) justifies the higher price tag (retail of $599.00). To someone who is always on the go, like a for hire handyman, leaving the charger at home for light duty fixes can be very convenient.

But that’s about as critical as we can get with this tool. Oh by the way, a place to store driver and drill bits on the drill itself would be nice. So all in all, a great all-in-one tool that is worth the higher price tag because of the technology it has in its batteries.

The BTP140 is quite advanced compared to other cordless drivers as it gives more power and speed in a lighter and more compact package. There is also a built-in LED light, which we found adequately bright, that helps illuminate dark areas.

We found some instances where we feel the BTP140 lacks torque. For example, a 2-inch screw that an ancient DeWalt 14-volt cordless drives with ease through soft wood, was a tough obstacle for the BTP140 in its driver setting. But as a drill we’ve tried it through concrete and it bore with ease. It is also not advisable to use its drill setting on screws because it will easily snap screw heads.

Makita BTP 140

Denon AVR-5308CI Audio/Video Receiver

The Denon AVR-5308CI(A) is one of Denon’s top A/V receivers. Listed at $5,500.00, the 5308 does not come cheap. It has received numerous awards including an Audioholics CE Award and the Home Theater RAVE Award.

The receiver is packed with all the features current technology has to offer—THX Ultra2 certification, Denon’s legendary D.D.S.C.-HD surround sound decoding, no less than 3 high speed DSP processors with precision Burr-Brown DACs in differential mode on all output channels, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding via the latest HDMI v1.3a specification, Realta HQV video processor, all the way up to 1080p, digital media connectivity such as network audio and photo streaming, Ethernet, built-in Wi-Fi, built-in HD radio and XM satellite-ready capability.

The latest “A” version now also includes Audyssey Dynamic Volume, and is also Sirius Radio Ready. Name it, this baby’s got it. Did we mention that it weighs a staggering 75 pounds and is built like a tank?

For its complete specifications and details, check out Denon’s AVR-5308CI(A) product page.

To not bore the reader…

We will go out on a limb here say that if you have $4,000 – $5,000 to spend on an A/V receiver, look no further. Currently, Denon has a higher product—the AVP-A1HDCI(A), but it already starts at $7,500.00.

With its built-in Silicon Optix HQV Realta processor, you can look at it as a $3,500 receiver with a $2,000 video processor. It’s nearly identical to the AVP-A1HDCI(A) in terms of features that you wonder if the additional $2,000 for the separates processor is worth it. We say definitely not. Ultimately, you can read AVP-A1HDCI(A) reviews and decide for yourself.

The AVR-5308CI is a powerhouse receiver that delivers the goods whether they come from DVD, Blu-ray, SACD, USB, PC, HD Radio, XM or the Internet. That’s a lot of media formats. THX Ultra2 processing and certification means that this product was also put through the test by THX folks.

We have found this to be the most enjoyable receiver we’ve ever had in our Audio/Video collection and one that our editor will likely purchase for his reference system. The Denon AVR-5308CI(A), if all-in-one is your cup of tea, this is your milk and honey.

Denon AVP-A1HDCI(A) front

Denon AVP-A1HDCI(A) back

Denon AVP-A1HDCI(A) inside

Denon RC-1067 & RC-1070

The Behringer PMP518M is a compact, rack-mountable, 5-channel, 180-watt powered mixer that has a 24-bit FX processor. Its design makes it easy to transport and store because it is nearly half of a conventional mixer.

It’s quite affordable too, as with all Behringer products. It is listed for $289.99 but usually sells for less than $200.00. So depending on what deal you’ll get it for, the next best mixer that has all of the PMP518M’s features would already cost you double. And it’s durable because we’ve read other reviews and most of them have been using it for at least a year without any problems.

The sound of the PMP518M is what we will describe, for the sake of this review, as “decent.” It is hard to compare a product that has no direct competition in terms of price/features. What we were told was, it could benefit a lot (sound wise) from pairing with a high-end mixer to clean up the sound, but, for a small to medium venue, it can cope with any mid-sized pa.

The unit will definitely not hold its own with maxed-out rock bands, but it suits vocals, duets and trios well with acoustic or electric instruments. We even tried to plug a bass directly, and needless to say, it sounded decent. It should work for emergency (bass) situations. Use it when appropriate, but use a larger one when needed.

The mixer is very easy to learn and operate, as all of its controls are up-front. We did however feel that it could have done better if the main controls were split into mid/low or mid/monitor, but we could not really complain for what it is listed at.

It also has its own fan to cool the output fan so it is not a quiet mixer and might only be suitable for live use.

Behringer PMP518M

7.1-Channel/5.1+2-Channel Independent Zone Home Theater Receiver

The Denon AVR888 retails for $749 and can sometimes go as low as $400 so it is considered a mid-range receiver. It has all the standard features you can expect on a receiver and much more. Three HDMI connections for your most advanced technologies, while component, composite and S-video for your old favorites. XM satellite radio readiness and an iPod port increase your listening options. It also has two-source, two-zone capabilities to tie your home theater together.

Now, the audio. The AVR888 has 100 watts on each of its 7 channels so you can enjoy full, powerful surround sound. It also passes its signals via high-bandwidth HDMI v1.3a, which means the audio can reach its full potential either through stereo, 5.1, Dolby Digital, 7.1 or DTS. A 192 kHz/24-bit audio DAC is used for all channels. Denon also included AL24 Processing Plus for high sound quality.

Some satisfied customers’ reviews

Best receiver in terms of price versus quality available today. Outperforms all Onkyo and Yamaha receivers I have owned and fairly easy to set up, make all connections and follow the on screen setup menu, get to the manual for tweaking later. Gobs of power and sound quality is superb in terms of neutrality and separation.

This is one incredible sounding receiver. I have owned Onkyo and Marantz (AVR-6200), both of which I highly valued. The Marantz was used with my Mirage Omni speakers, which is still utilized on the Denon. However, nothing has the dynamics and punch that this receiver is capable of. The overall sound quality, in my opinion, is very flat, very dynamic. It sounds great at all volumes, something that my Onkyo and Marantz receivers could not match. I rate the highs as a tiny bit bright, but very acceptable. The mids are sweet, especially with acoustic instruments and vocals. The bass is very good as well. I love the quality of movies and music equally.

Wow, this product sounds great. I found it easy to set up and the switching on the unit made putting my system together a breeze. I changed out an old av receiver I had from several years ago and I was astounded at what a difference the AVR888 made in how my system sounded. I also noticed a major improvement in my video signal. This was a great buy for me and my family.

Read 44 more reviews of this product @ Amazon.com.

Denon AVR888

Haier ESD302 Dishwasher

One of the key features that might attract buyers about the Haier ESD302 is its good looks and list of features. Among these features, the adjustable top shelf which has plastic adjusters broke within nine months.

Hair sent in an authorized service company and we were advised not to use it until the new parts arrive. It took 3 months for the parts to arrive.

This review concentrates on that little plastic adjuster thingy because other than that, well, the dishwasher did what it had to do and a little more. The interior and spray arm were made of quality stainless steel as well as the dishrack and silverware basket. We’re just not sure what made Haier decide to include mediocre plastic parts in this quality product.

The electronic controls were very easy to learn and laid out in such a way that you need not review the manual if you’ve not used the product for some time.

To summarize, this is a good looking dishwasher with good features. We’re not sure how many people experienced the same broken plastic problem stated above so we can’t say for sure if this is a design flaw.

Additional Specs

Product Type:	24″ built-in dishwasher
Width:	23.9″
Depth:	24.6″
Height:	34.0″
Color:	Stainless steel
Drying Method:	Vented

Haier ESD302

Danelectro DJ-4 Corned Beef Reverb Mini Effects Pedal

The tiny DJ-4 pedal from Danelectro weighs a mere 11.2 ounces and retails for only $49.99. The sound of the Corned Beef is what others might consider reminiscent to a slapback delay pedal. Particularly a slapback delay in front of a short reverb.

We enjoyed toying around with the DJ-4 but we suspect that the Marshall JCM 800 we plugged it into helped us accept the sound a little more. A mediocre amplifier might bring out the worst in this pedal. The sound we got from the JCM head was, for lack of a better word, engaging.

The pedal only has two knobs—mix and hi-cut. If you’ve owned a Danelectro mini pedal before, you’ll realize that their controls do not conform with what other similar effects have. The “mix” knob controls the wet to dry mix and the “hi-cut” behaves like a treble control, only it rolls of the highs when turned clockwise (opposite of standard high controls).

The effect is turned on by the classic Danelectro round switch. From past experiences, you either love it or hate it. It is soft and does not generate a “click” sound but it switches on time and is known to be durable.

The pedal also comes with the usual Danelectro brand 9-volt battery, a really small box, and a protective plastic sleeve for the knobs.

Really, for $49.99 retail, which means you can get this for as low as $30 below, you should not complain. It might not be part of your travel effects case but it would be good to know you have more sound choices to experiment with if you need something new.

Danelectro Corned Beef Reverb

Infinity NV29, NV30 & NV31 Upright Vacuum Cleaner by Euro-Pro

The three models above are basically the same. Although our test unit was the NV29, in principle you could base this review if you are planning to buy the NV30 or the NV 31. For differences between the three, visit Euro-Pro’s website.

The NV29’s suction is incredible and we could not believe the amount of dirt it picks up from carpets. But, although it is an excellent vacuum, there are some abysmal design flaws.

One major flaw is in the cycloes. The dirt that gets trapped in the cyclones is not easy to get out. And, you do not want to pour water over them because it will just make things worse.

We recommend washing the cyclones after every use. Take a garden hose and using mild pressure, run water behind it up and around the hole—this will force dirt to be flushed back opposite the way they came in. A clean cyclone would restore the suction power.

This vacuum is a lot cheaper than other brands such as Dyson, so these minor flaws make the Euro-Pro Infinity NV29 quite a good buy.

People over @ Amazon.com are saying the same things and more so do check them out if you want more reviews.

Infinity NV29