HomeHawk is a wireless security system with color images, and it’s affordable
Question. I am interested in security products for the home. I don’t want an expensive service with subscription fees and am looking for simple devices I can easily employ myself. Is there anything noteworthy you can recommend?
Answer. Panasonic recently introduced the HomeHawk Home Monitoring System, and it is extremely impressive. If I was installing such a system in my own home (and I just might be doing so soon) it is the one I would buy. Powered by long-life rechargeable batteries, the HomeHawk is completely wireless, so the cameras can be placed anywhere. Color night vision, motion detection, two-way talk, compatibility with Amazon Alexa and Google Voice Assistant, lots of options for expansion and the power of the Panasonic brand behind it make HomeHawk stand out. Packages
start at just $249. shop.panasonic.com
Sabre is a brand of Security Equipment Corporation, a manufacturer of top quality stun guns and pepper spray products used by civilians as well as many law enforcement agencies nationwide. Sabre makes one of the most ingenious and cost-effective home protection products I have seen. The Sabre Door Stop Alarm is, as its name suggests, a door stop with an integrated security alarm. It is powered by a single 9-volt battery. Just put it in place and if someone tries to open the door, not only will the door stop and its non-slip pad keep the door from opening, it will give off a piercing 120-decibel alarm that can be heard from 1,000 feet away, warning you and your neighbors as well as deterring potential intruders. I have purchased these for myself as well as for friends and family members, and all of us agree that this product can make you feel safer and more secure no matter where you are. It’s also perfect for use in hotels and dormitories. Though the suggested retail price is $14.99, it can be found online for under $10. sabrered.com
Now that the doors are covered, we can turn our attention to the windows. Doberman Security makes window alarms with vibration sensors that can be purchased for under $18 per pair. Just stick them to the windows and like the door stop alarm, they will warn you of potential intrusion. Included anti-false technology prevents false alarms from storms, wind and rain. doberman products.com Question. I need a phono preamp for a Denon high output moving coil cartridge. What would you recommend under $500?
Answer. A high output moving coil cartridge will work with any phono preamp with a moving magnet (MM) input. A moving coil (MC) input is only needed with a low output moving coil cartridge. Many phono preamps have settings for both kinds of cartridges.
If vinyl record playback is a big part of your musical enjoyment, a good phono preamp can make a major difference in the sound quality of your system. This often-overlooked component has a critical job to do. First, it takes the tiny electrical signal from a phono cartridge and increases it many times, so it can be used with a line level input on a receiver or amplifier. Then it must adjust the signal from the cartridge so it does not sound distorted, using a process called RIAA equalization.
You should be logical when allocating your resources when building a vinyl playback system. For example, it would not make sense to pair a $500 phono preamp with a $99 turntable/cartridge combo with a pair of powered speakers. Here are some recommendations for you.
My top recommendation under $500 is the Graham Slee Gram Amp 2 SE, which sells for $419. It is optimized for moving magnet and high output moving coil cartridges and does not have a setting for low output moving coil cartridges. Designed and hand assembled in England by designer Graham Slee himself, the Gram Amp 2 SE has won many awards for its fine sound. Learn more about Graham Slee phono preamplifiers at hifisystemcomponents.com.
Next up is the Bellari VP130, another phono preamp optimized for moving magnet and high output moving coil cartridges. An audiophile favorite for years, it uses vacuum tube circuitry for warm, rich, velvety sound. It also works as a high-quality headphone amplifier. The Bellari VP130 sells for $275 and can be seen at musichallaudio.com.
If you would like to transfer your vinyl records to a computer, check out the Pro-ject Phono Box USB. The Phono Box USB has settings for moving magnet and moving coil cartridges and features a USB connection for use with a computer. The Pro-ject Phono Box USB sells for $255 and can be seen at pro-jectusa.com.
Contact Don at www.soundadvicenews.com.