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High-End Audio Industry News
03 / 31 / 11
Audio
Valve's new Challenger 250 high performance monoblock amplifier produce 300 watts and has intelligent Power Management that is said to provide a unique listening
experience. As a continuation of the company's successful Challenger series, the 250 uses a proprietary ABR circuitry that was developed in-house and it controls each KT90 tube independently. All Challenger 250 amplifiers are delivered with KT90 tubes though users may opt for pin-compatible Beam-Power pentodes and ABR will set up the correct bias-current automatically. To ensure high-end sound quality, the unit's circuitry is balanced throughout and inputs include both balanced via XLR and unbalanced via RCA. An Intelligent Air-Conditioning System protects against excessive heat, aids in ensuring the life of the tubes and circuitry yet produces little noise. A newly designed faceplate combines an accurate analog panel meter, an engraved logo and LEDs that illuminate in red or in blue, depending on whether the
amplifier is On, Off or in Stand-By mode. Overall tube compliment is one 12AX7, two 12AU7 and six KT90. Frequency response is from 15 Hz to 85 kHz with a SNR of -69 dB. Each monoblock weighs 66 lbs and dimensions are 42 x 40 x 20 (WxDxH in
cm).
 HM Elektronik
of Denmark has launched their new turntable benchmark, the Hartvig TT Signature ($89,000 DKK). As the company's 'ultimate' in music reproduction, high tech structure and build quality with incredible high gloss polishes lacquer finish showcases this design. The company's nearly endless listening sessions and strenuous tweaking was to ensure truly smooth and grainless analog sound with an opening up of the soundstage wider than their other models . Aiding in this is HM Elektronic's new platter and motor system that is precision controlled via microprocessors that provides stabile and precise rotation. The platter and plinth is developed from the TT model with decoupling and advanced damping. Custom armboards allow for a wide array of setup alignment possibilities and the unit's finish is
available in virtually any wood. Aluminum parts are available in anodized, polished or glass bead blasted surface finish. Their Clever Clamp with tightening mechanism is included.
03 / 30 / 11
T+A, a German high-end audio company founded in 1978 and has won many awards, has a new unit called the E-Series Music
Receiver. This all-purpose machine has inherited the genes of the individual Power Plant and Music Player components. The T+A E-Series Music Player combines classic analog technology with 32-bit/384kHz Sigma Delta DAC digital circuitry and Ethernet/WiFi to form a universal command center of a modern stereo system. Adopting the complete output stages of the T+A Power Plant with more than 160 wpc into 4 Ohm, the Music Player preamplifier and digital converter with CD mechanism rounds out this design. The Music Receiver includes three stereo analog inputs (one of them in the form of Tape In / Out), a preamplifier output, two subwoofer outputs and one line output. A 32-bit double-mono converter can also be used as a DAC in conjunction with other sources as digital inputs
include three coax S/PDIF and two TosLink plus two USB ports. Digital output is via coax S/PDIF. Other features include an FM tuner and VHF radio, Internet radio support, UPnP network music server, USB media storage devices and iPod can be
accommodated.
Music Industry News 10 Years Ago
 At the recent National Systems Contractors Asociation
(NSCA) Convention JBL Professional released two new speaker lines under the MPro
banner. Their new MPro 200 Series and MPro 400 Series both include full-range two-way loudspeakers plus matching
active and passive subwoofers. In the MPro 200 Series are an MP215 15", two-way loudspeaker system and MPro MP255S dual 15" subwoofer in dual-tuned band-pass enclosure. JBL Professional's low-frequency transducers employ edge-wound voice coils to achieve high power handling and output plus a 1" JBL compression drivers with titanium diaphragms and ferrofluid cooling. The 1" compression driver is horn loaded via a 70x70-degree horn said to enhance midrange performance and for controlling dispersion.
The MPro Series 400 models include an MP410 10" two-way compact loudspeaker system. The new MP418S uses a single 18" compact bass-reflex subwoofer while the sister of this unit, the MP418SP, includes a built-in Crown amplifier. Al cabinets in these new series are made of 18mm plywood using tongue-and-groove construction.
"In developing the MPro line, we looked at the changes in the way music
professionals -- DJs as well as musicians--are using live sound speakers," stated Michael MacDonald, president of JBL Professional. "Many MPro attributes, such as extended frequency response, compact size and easy handling are a direct result."
03 / 29 / 11
Enjoy the Music.com, an industry leader in consumer electronics
information plus equipment and music reviews for approximately 15 years,
is giving a FREE sneak peeks to April World Premiere high-end audio
equipment reviews to users of our new Android application for mobile phone
devices. Those who have installed the new Android app can simply check
the Reviews tab and see two new World Premiere reviews days before they are
officially released to the public in April! With nearly 8,500,000 users, Android phones have been sold worldwide since October 2008 and is quickly
becoming a major player in the mobile market. Enjoy the Music.com already has
iPhone and Windows Phone 7 apps developed and are awaiting final
approval from each company. The Windows Mobile 7 app should be live
within the marketplace in the next day or so, with the Apple app release date
TBA due to Apple's far slower approval process. When all three applications are online, Enjoy the
Music.com can appear on the homescreen of every popular mobile
device worldwide. Android users can download the Enjoy
the Music.com
Android application by clicking here.
 HDtracks.com is celebrating their third anniversary and have
steadily been improving the user experience for downloading non-DRM high resolution audio in FLAC, AIFF, and 320kBs MP3
downloads. They also are one of the only online digital music download sites to include full package of artwork and liner notes in PDF. As a special thank you, and to celebrate HDtracks' third anniversary, they are offering a
special code good for 15% off your entire order from HDTracks.com. Simply add the albums to your shopping cart and enter then apply the code
hd3 to get 15% off. This one-time use code expires March 31st, 2011.
03 / 28 / 11
Stax, a company whose electrostatic earspeakers are widely used throughout the world by discerning audiophiles, professional musicians, and recording companies, has just
announced their Stax SR-009 earspeakers (¥388,500). As the new top-of-the-line electrostatic earspeakers, they have a 10-step slider mechanism and dual ARC for fitting comfort.
The newly developed sound element in the Stax SR-009 is a high polymer ultra-thin film material called the super engineering plastics. Further reinforced and much thinner thin film material called the super engineering plastics is employed for the diaphragm and is said to produce superior tone quality and excellent frequency characteristic from low to super-high. New electrodes named MLER (Multi Layer ElectRodes) have also been developed to realize the plane drive of the whole film diaphragm surface.
Included is a silver-coated 6N (99.9999%) OFC parallel 6-strand low-capacity special wire that is 2.5 meters long. The push-pull electrostatic circular sound element and open-air type enclosure allows for a frequency response from 5 Hz to 42 kHz, the unit has an electrostatic capacitance of 110pF and impedance of 145k. Sound pressure sensitivity is 101dB/100Vrms @ 1kHz. Maximum sound pressure level is 118dB @ 400 Hz. To add comfort, the earpad is made of real leather while the parts that do not touch the ear itself are made of artificial leather. Overall weight including cable is 596
grams. Enjoy the Music.com has reviewed the Stax SRS-4040II
Signature system II earspeaker system.
 Accuphase, a highly respected Japanese high-end audio manufacturer whose was adapted by taking the prefix ACCU from the word "accurate", and combining it with PHASE which is a most important factor in audio technology. just gave us a sneak peak at their new
PS-1220. The Accuphase PS-1220 is a power filter unit that supercedes their old PS-1210 and should be shipping shortly. This unit has a rated output capacity of 1200VA of clean power and provides a waveform correction section that employs a MOSFET push-pull differential amplifier. As a high precision reference signal generator, the attempt is to balance the transmission power and reduce distortion of the output waveform. High-quality hospital grade outlets are included and by matching the output impedance of each output is said to lead to increased reliability of
supply. Enjoy the Music.com has reviewed
the Accuphase DP-55V CD player.
03 / 25 / 11
Enjoy the Music.com, an industry leader in consumer electronics
information plus equipment and music reviews for approximately 15 years,
is pleased to announce our new Android application for mobile phone
devices. With nearly 8,500,000 users, Android phones have been sold worldwide since October 2008 and is quickly
becoming a major player in the mobile market. All major mobile phone service
providers offer a variety of Android devices, including compact smartphones and large
tablets. Enjoy the Music.com was the world's first and only audiophile site with a WAP site many years ago during the wireless Internet infancy. Today, the move to go mobile and be available everywhere has once again
brought Enjoy the Music.com to again expand our reach to audiophiles worldwide. The new
Android application provides easy access to our daily industry news, high-end audio consumer
electronics equipment reviews, show report and much more. "It brings me joy to announce Enjoy the
Music.com's new Android application" said editor Steven R.
Rochlin. "The fast growing popularity of the Android operating
system on a wide variety of mobile devices proves that enthusiastic and
tech savvy consumers want devices they can use to get the information
they desire right now. Our new application makes the information
they seek for high-end audio devices only a few taps away. Naturally our
daily industry news and monthly equipment reviews plus show reports will
keep them coming back often. Enjoy the Music.com already has
iPhone and Windows Phone 7 apps developed and are awaiting final
approval from each company. When all three applications are online, Enjoy the
Music.com can appear on the homescreen of every popular mobile
device worldwide." Android users can download the Enjoy
the Music.com
Android application by clicking here.
03 / 24 / 11
Clearaudio, founded in 1978 by Peter Suchy who specializes in moving coil cartridges and over the years has created outstanding turntables and tonearms, has released their Magnify
tonearm. This rigid design is based on the Exact tonearm from Mr. Tietze and has been optimized in many details. This innovative radial tonearm features the unique ball bearing magnet hybrid technology developed by Clearaudio. This enhances a high quality sound reproduction and in addition many options of fine adjustments like vertical tracking force (VTF), vertical tracking adjustment (VTA optional) and the Azimuth. The construction of the unit includes ball bearing magnet hybrid technology and offers a cartridge balance range from 4 to 22 grams. Zero points are 66.04 inner and 120.9 mm outer and has an overhang of 17.3 mm with overall length of 345 mm. Other technicals include an effective tonearm length of 9.4 inches (239.3 mm), distance from pivot to stylus is 222 mm and the unit's maximum of tilt angle according to the radius is 0.123 °/cm. Included with the tonearm is a one meter Clearaudio Sixstream cable or RCA Junction box and warranty is five years parts and
labor. Enjoy the Music.com has reviewed the Clearaudio Ambient Turntable, Satisfy CF Tonearm, and Stradivari
cartridge, the Clearaudio Reference
moving coil cartridge plus we have a Clearaudio
factory tour.
Music Industry News 10 Years Ago
 In sad news, longstanding record label K-TEL International is closing
their USA distribution and has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. In 48 years in business,
K-Tel sold over half a billion albums! While K-TEL is best known for the off beat compilation records such as their very first release in 1971 titled
25 Polka Greats, they also offered records such as 24 Great Tearjerkers and
20 Irish Party Songs before claiming bankruptcy in 1985. Reborn again years later,
K-TEL diversified internationally with sister labels such as AJK, Arrival, Bare Bones, Dominion and
Noveau.
As reported on Enjoy the Music.com
on April 27, 2000, K-TEL also began offering their music via digital
download online. After the rebirth K-TEL still offered new titles on their own label such as
Kooky Kountry, The 80's: Rock On, Ella Fitzgerald -- Ella,
Songs for Your Wedding and many other titles. While the music in and
of itself is considered at time hokey at best, it never the less filled a
unique segment of the music marketplace. The closing of their USA distribution facility is said to be due to retailer Trans World Entertainment's repeated failure to pay for goods. K-TEL International and subsidiaries Dominion Entertainment, K-TEL Entertainment and K-TEL DVD
still continue operating without interruption.
03 / 23 / 11
Hegel
Music Systems, based in Norway with all products designed in-house, is
about to begin shipping their new HD20 ($2000) 24-bit/192kHz USB and
coax/TosLink DAC. The HD20 has both USB inputs as well as regular coaxial and optical S/PDIF inputs. The HD20 also has a Hegel system remote control that can be used to control the HD20 as well as other Hegel components. Hegel's HD20 incorporates technology that stores the data stream internally and then outputs it to reduce the effects of unwanted jitter. Hegel Music Systems' HD20 also has a new impedance matching technology to adjust for the less than perfect impedance in normal RCA digital cables. This further reduces the jitter. If users start a playlist, they can use the HD20's remote control to start/pause and browse around in the playlist. Native 192kHz is via coaxial and optical inputs while USB can play up to 96kHz. Maximum analog output is 2.5V RMS, frequency response is from 0 Hz to 50 kHz and noise floor is less than 140 dB with 0.0007%
distortion. Inputs include USB, two coax, and one optical while output is via
unbalanced RCA and balanced XLR. Enjoy the Music.com has reviewed the Hegel Music System HD10 DAC.
 Astin Trew
a British company established in 2003 to creates very high quality mid-priced home audio products, now offers their AT1000plus preamplifier and AT2000plus integrated stereo amplifier (pictured). The AT1000plus preamplifier builds on the strengths of the AT1000 and includes upgraded (Auricap) capacitors in critical positions, critical component damping and single crystal super pure copper cable upgrades in critical positions. This upgrade is said to offer "a far 'cleaner' presentation of the music, better focus, greater transparency, tighter bass and lower noise floor without losing the AT1000's natural tonality and real musicality." A further improvement can be made by adding the Astin Trew isolation feet. The AT2000plus integrated stereo amplifier builds on the strengths of the AT2000 in the same way as the AT1000plus.
03 / 22 / 11
AXPONA
(Audio Expo North America), as proudly supported by Enjoy the Music.com,
is an audiophile show open to the public and
scheduled to be held at the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel from April 14th through
17th. AXPONA brings together listeners and consumers, dealers and manufacturers, and marketers and distributors dedicated to the faithful reproduction of music.
Goldmine joins Stereophile magazine as an AXPONA sponsor,
whilst Enjoy the Music.com proudly supports this event. This event's mission is to
further the faithful reproduction of music. Its outreach, by education and
demonstration, is dedicated to the proposition that living with music is
different and better than living without music. The organizers hope this exciting exhibition will
demonstrate state-of-the-art audio equipment to many people from around the
world. A series of seminars with subjects that include traditional
reproduction technology and techniques plus emerging digital recording and
playback methods will be held. Enjoy the Music.com's editor will be at
this event reporting live plus holding a seminar to educate attendees on the
many facets of music and high-end audio equipment. Our AXPONA
2011 show coverage will be appearing live during the event.
03 / 21 / 11
Krell Industries
new Phantom solid-state stereo preamplifier ($17,500) aims to reveal subtleties previously heard in the company's Evolution Two
system. The Phantom is also the first Krell preamplifier to offer built-in crossover capabilities for satellite/subwoofer speaker configurations, thus avoiding a subwoofer's possible lower quality crossover circuitry. The unique crossover features definable parameters including independently assignable crossover frequencies and filter types for the high and low pass sections. Choices include 40, 55, 75, and 100 Hz crossover points with 12, 24 and 48 dB Butterworth or 24dB Linkwitz-Riley style filters. Krell Industries Phantom preamplifier is dual monaural circuit design with the left and right channels afforded their own power supply regulation and individual full chassis sized boards. All signal gain is realized in surface mount topology using proprietary multiple-output current mirrors with nearly 500 times the open loop linearity of other designs 1.5 MHz open loop bandwidth in a zero feedback, balanced, Krell Current Mode design terminating in Krell CAST. Negative feedback is not used anywhere in the preamplifier while volume control is realized with a balanced resistor ladder. Oversized for a preamplifier, the power supply features a 250 VA transformer and 39,600µF of capacitance. The Phantom Preamplifier is shipping in the Q2 of 2011, with the crossover option adding $2500 to the base price.
Music Industry News 10 Years Ago
 XM Satellite Radio will employ two Boeing 702 satellites (world's most powerful commercial satellites built by
Boeing) to deliver digital radio to America. The first satellite, named "Rock" was successfully
launched on Sunday, March
18th from the Sea-Launch floating platform located on the equator in the Pacific Ocean. The second
satellite nicknamed ''Roll'' was set for launch in January yet was scrubbed due to what was eventually discovered to be a false alarm. Digital radio has been available in Europe for years while here in America, XM
Satellite Radio is on their way and has already signed on hardware partners such as Alpine, Pioneer Electronics
Corporation, Sony and others. Investors behind there system include Motient (formerly American Mobile), General Motors, DIRECTV, Clear Channel
Communications plus a group of various other financial investors.
03 / 18 / 11
HDtracks now has the famous Proprius audiophile recording label's
Cantate Donio as performed by Marianne Mellnas, Alf Linder and the Oscar's Motet Choir in
24-bit/88kHz! Cantate Domino, recorded by legendary sound engineer Bertil Alving in 1976, is widely regarded as one of the greatest audiophile masterpieces ever recorded. Opening with Enrico Bossi's "Cantate Domino" for choir, organ, trumpets and trombones, the choral album includes a number of Swedish folk songs as well as pieces by Handel, Otto Olsson, and others. The famous reference record is now made even better with this new hi-definition release. If you love the blues, Jimmy Rogers'
Blue Bird on the Analogue Productions label is available in 24-bit/96kHz. As one of the three founders of Muddy Water's first and greatest band, and a Chicago blues giant in his own right, Jimmy Rogers evocative and earthy guitar sound embodies Chicago Blues. He is regarded as one of the greatest Chicago blues singers by fans and musical legends alike, including Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones, who credits Jimmy as being one of his three greatest musical influences along with Muddy Waters and Chuck Berry.
 Enjoy
the Music.com has just posted the April 2011 edition of The
Absolute Sound (Issue 212)! This edition of The Absolute
Sound features their extensive CES and T.H.E. Show coverage plus many
equipment reviews and think pieces. Equipment reviews include Definitive Technology BP 8060 ST loudspeaker, JR Transrotor Dark Star turntable, PrimaLuna ProLogue premium integrated amplifier PSI Audio A 14M active loudspeaker, Zu Audio Essence loudspeaker... and much
more! Within Robert Harley's editorial Full Circle he
writes, "The audio industry is in the early stages of one of those seismic shifts that occurs about once every generation. Previous shifts include the "high-fidelity movement" in the 1950s and early 60s, the rise of Japanese audio in the late 1960s through the mid-70s (fueled in part by military personnel returning from Asia with PX-bought gear), and the advent of the modern high-end industry beginning in the mid-1970s.
Another shift began in the late 1990s when audio became subsumed in the rush toward home theater, custom installation, multichannel audio, and in-wall speakers. When audio became an adjunct, rather than a central, technology, sound quality was an afterthought. This happened just as the housing boom coincided with the availability of new technologies such as DVD, discrete multichannel audio, computer-based home automation, flat-panel televisions, high-definition video, satellite delivery, digital-video recorders, and the Internet." You can see the
complete table of contents and editorial of TAS by clicking
here.
03 / 17 / 11
For those seeking tube amplification at a great
price... Antique Sound Labs MG SI 15 DT integrated stereo tube amplifier ($1200), as offered by
Divergent Technologies, now includes a newly upgraded higher grade transformers and larger extruded
aluminum chassis plus higher quality connectors. With one KT88 per channel, this integrated amplifier produces 5 wpc in triode mode and 15 wpc in pentode mode. There is an external bias adjustment with calibrated bias meter for convenience and it provides a wide range of biasing for other octal-based output tubes. Another new upgrade includes line level output for a subwoofer.
Another improvement is that the remote control is carved from real wood and a tube cage is included. Overall frequency response is from 13 Hz to 77 kHz (+/-1dB), distortion at 1W is <0.6% and SNR at full power is >78dB. Input impedance is 100K and loudspeaker output impedance is standard at 8 Ohm. Dimensions are 13 x 10.5 x 9 (WxDxH in inches) and the unit weights in at 29 lbs.
03 / 16 / 11
Audio-Technica
is now shipping their ATH-W1000x (pictured), ATH-AD900 and ATH-A900 headphones, three audiophile models designed to deliver exceptional fidelity and musical
realism. The over-ear ATH-W1000x "Grandioso" audiophile headphones are the 10th generation of
Audio-Technica's acclaimed W Series headphones, which have long been prized by discriminating listeners and music lovers. The ear cups of the ATH-W1000x have an American black cherry wood housing that gives the headphones an elegant appearance; the wood's anti-resonant quality also contributes to the headphones' superlative clarity and resolution. The ATH-W1000x employs a large-diameter 53 mm driver, high-power rare earth-magnet drive system and OFC-6N oxygen-free copper-wire voice coils, and a double air damping system (for deep bass reproduction), along with additional refinements -- even the cord wire is made from PCOCC oxygen-free copper. The sonic result is a 5 Hz to 42 kHz frequency response, extraordinary dynamic impact, and a smooth tonal balance with deep bass. The open-air ATH-AD900 is ideal for listeners who prefer the spacious quality of open-back headphones. They combine musically involving sound with total comfort, thanks to their lightweight, honeycomb aluminum casing and self-adjusting 3D Wing Support Housing. The ATH-AD900 features 53 mm drivers with neodymium magnets and
Audio-Technica's copper-clad aluminum-wire (CCAW) voice coil technology for superior audio reproduction with a 5 Hz to 35 kHz frequency response. The Audio-Technica ATH-W1000x, ATH-AD900 and ATH-A900 audiophile headphones will be available at suggested retail prices of $699.95, $299.99 and $249.99.
 Icon Audio, a traditional UK company devoted to the development and manufacture of valve amplification and associated hi-fi equipment, new CDX1 CD player (£1350) is now
available. Using a similar circuit to the company's PS1 and PS3 phono stages, a tube output stage provides high-en sound from this digital source. The CDX1 uses the latest 192kHz/24-bit upsampling technology for high resolution yet a triode output stage via two 6SN7 output and buffer stage (zero feedback) EZ80 rectifier. Icon Audio separated the digital and analog sections plus gave the valve section a dedicated power supply. This involves a choke regulated power supply and a valve regulator, both of which are excellent at absorbing RF. The valve analogue section has its own hard wired chassis away from the digital section. Overall, the unit has a SNR of -100dB, frequency response from 20 Hz to 20 kHz and overall weight is more than 35 lbs.
03 / 15 / 11
 Enjoy the Music.com
just published our March midmonth audiophile Review Magazine
update.
Midmonth
Update Includes:
Allen Wright Exposé: We celebrate the life and products of Allen Wright
of Vacuum State
A Tribute To.... Allen Wright of Vacuum State
Article By Steven R. Rochlin
The SuperCables CookBook By Allen Wright
Makin' Your Own Cables
Audiolics Anonymous Chapter 5
Interconnect And Loudspeaker Cable Part I
Article By Bill Gaw
Audiolics Anonymous Chapter 6
Interconnects And Speaker Cable Part II
Article By Bill Gaw
Audiolics Anonymous Chapter 12
Wright Silver Foil Interconnects Plus Airheads and Other Blonde Jokes
Article By Bill Gaw
Audiolics Anonymous Chapter 52
Products of the Year: Vacuum State DPA Amplifier
Article By Bill Gaw
Audio Anonymous Chapter 63
Blue Note Best Of 2004 Award
Article By Bill Gaw
See the March midmonth update of the Review Magazine by clicking
here.
Music Industry News 10 Years Ago
 With recordable DVD units beginning to reach consumers in a more mainstream quantity,
Pioneer's deal with Apple and Compaq to bundle their DVR-AO3 ($995) combination DVD-/CD-RW drives into various upper end
units. As reported by Enjoy the Music.com
on September 1, 2000, Pioneer's groundbreaking DVR-S201
($5,400, pictured right) with its then new 2.0 firmware enabled it to make DVD discs that could be played in home DVD players (or used within the recording/replication field to make "press cut master discs"). This drastic price reduction from the previous model is said to be based on lower costs due to mass production. While the older DVR-S201 read at 2x speed and writes at 1x, the new DVR-AO3 reads DVD discs at a 4x speed with a 2x write speed for DVD-R. As an added bonus, the new Pioneer drive is also a 8x4x24 CD-RW drive. DVD
re-write ability might be added to the DVR-A03 drive pending approval by the DVD WG-4. Soon music lovers/audiophiles
will be making their own super high resolution DVD audio discs within their home studios or to make copies of their vinyl (to name a few uses).
03 / 14 / 11
Legacy
Audio, founded by Bill Dudleston as a high performance audio and home theater equipment manufacturer within Illinois, brand new Classic HD is designed from the ground up to deliver high-end
sound. The Legacy folded ribbon tweeter is suspended between front and rear magnets, delivering four times the volume velocity of a flat diaphragm. This provides high efficiency, wide bandwidth and terrific power handling. The midrange is Legacy Audio's cast frame design, providing a larger radiating surface for reduced distortion and much higher output capability. The diaphragm is their silver/graphite weave, bonded to a stiff
Rohacell backer. Tucked under the precisely shaped phase plug is a secondary neodymium magnet which concentrates the magnetic field in the voice coil gap. The result is an ultra-smooth response with incredible dynamics. To keep up with the speed of the midrange and treble required two custom 8" bass drivers. Each ha a deep and rugged cast frame with an extra large mounting surface to allow long excursion and prevent midbass blurring. The cone mass was optimized to provide extended bass without overhang. This four driver three-way design has a
frequency response from 32 Hz to 30 kHz, is 94dB/W/m sensitive, measures 44 x 10.75 x 13 (HxWxD in inches) and each unit weights 110 lbs. Pricing is $4350 for natural cherry finish, add $300 for Rosewood and $450 for black
pearl.
 Wolfson Microelectronics
has announced the next step in its journey towards delivering a complete high definition (HD) audio solution by unveiling the WM0010,
Wolfson's first ever fully programmable standalone audio digital signal processor (DSP) with a selection of sound enhancement
software. The WM0010 is one of the first products of its type on the market to incorporate a low power, high performance Tensilica HiFi DSP core. Working in tandem with the application processor, it combines Wolfson's low power audio co-processor with embedded system software, algorithms and software support. As well as being fully programmable, the WM0010 also delivers 'off-the-shelf' solutions including Wolfson's unique range of SoundStage products, enabling dramatically enhanced 3D immersive sound for movie and music playback. Additionally, it allows customers to integrate their own software components. The WM0010 benefits from access to Wolfson's SoundStage codecs, existing third-party codecs as well as those from Tensilica. This allows consumer electronics manufacturers to deploy their existing IP along with new IP across a whole range of application use cases and multiple architectures, allowing them to differentiate their product range. The WM0010 is available for sampling now in limited quantities in a 4.01 mm x 3.436 mm W-CSP package, priced at $4.98 in 1000 volume.
03 / 11 / 11
HDtracks, founded by David and Norman Chesky of the audiophile-record label Chesky Records in an effort to provide a high resolution digital music download service, is now offering The Who's
critically acclaimed album Tommy in 24-bit/96kHz digital music download. This
monster 24 track release is one of the great rock operas of not just its generation, but perhaps of all time. The
Who's Tommy set a new standard for the concept album in rock and is about a deaf, dumb and blind pinball master. This double album (which featured the monster hit "Pinball Wizard") shot The Who to superstardom. As well as being hugely successful, the album also established the band as one of the most ambitious and innovative groups of the 1960s and 70s. This high resolution release adds a new dimension to the rock masterpiece, making for an essential re-experience and must have album for everyone who enjoys rock music.
 Krell
Industries, A well known and respected manufacturer of high-end audio products, will soon be shipping their Evolution 555 Blu-ray
player. Engineered to maximize audio quality and the video performance from today's large format flat panel and front projectors, the Evolution 555 featuring 12-bit Sigma Designs VXP technology to provide the highest quality video processing algorithms for noise reduction, de-interlacing, scaling, image enhancement and frame rate conversion. Both 3D and 2D noise reduction
is adaptively applies both temporal and spatial noise reduction produces the clearest picture while maintaining fine image details. Krell's Evolution 555 is Profile 2.0 Ready (BD Live) Blu-ray/DVD ready and includes 1GB of onboard memory. An onboard Ethernet port and slot for a wireless 802.11b/g/n card provides Internet connectivity. This network capability also provides access to online music and video streaming plus high-end audio and other media files resident on a home network. The Evolution 555 is fully HDMI 1.3 compliant and plans are to support HDMI 1.4 with full support for 3D and 4000 x 2000 resolution. Audiophile will enjoy the Krell Evolution 555's the ESS Technology 32-bit Sabre Reference DACs connected to Krell differential Krell Evolution CAST analog circuitry. CAST, which is short for Current Audio Signal Transmission, is a proprietary method of sending audio signals between components in the current domain. Balanced outputs via XLR and single ended RCA outputs are included for use with conventional preamplifiers.
03 / 10 / 11
Monitor Audio, since 1972 has had a near fanatical commitment to quality in every aspect of loudspeaker design, announced their GX loudspeakers that delivers high performance
at a reasonable
price. Blending affordable high performance with exceptional design quality, Monitor Audio's Gold GX range captures the essence of the company's flagship Platinum range. By
utilizing the most precise CAD tools available and many hours of listening, they incorporated the Platinum series drivers, crossover and cabinet technologies to a range of entirely new speaker designs. There are seven GX models in black and white piano lacquer and Bubunga, Walnut and Natural Oak real wood veneers, all featuring a version of the much admired Platinum C-CAM ribbon tweeter together with RST C-CAM bass and midrange drivers. The range comprises a brace of two-way stand-mounting monitors GX50 and GX100; a matching number of three-way floorstanding models GX200 and GX300; a versatile surround speaker GX-FX; plus a 15" 650 watt GXW-15 subwoofer. In order to integrate the midrange with the RST ribbon tweeter, Monitor Audio turned to critical computer-driven FEA tools to
optimize the behavior of the GX midrange driver. Single bolt-through driver fixings have the dual effect of improving cabinet rigidity while further reducing vibration at the driver/cabinet interface. Each GX enclosure is hand-built from multiple laminations of MDF, hot-pressed to form a plywood shell. Its rigid and curved nature, aided by radial internal braces and bolt-through driver fixings, inhibits unwanted vibrations and internal standing waves. The top-of-the-range GX300 is a three-way floorstander that employs twin 6.5" bass drivers, a single 4" midrange driver and a high frequency ribbon transducer. Frequency
response is from 30 Hz to over 60 kHz. All models will be available in April. Prices
are:
GX50 bookshelf speaker £ 950
GX100 bookshelf speaker £1250
GX200 floorstanding speaker £2300
GX30 floorstanding speaker £3000
GXC 150 center Speaker £650
GXC 350 center speaker £1000
GX-FX surround speaker £1400
GXW-15 subwoofer £1750
03 / 09 / 11
Enjoy the Music.com
has just posted the March edition of Hi-Fi+
(Issue 78)! This issue includes reviews of the Avalon transcendent floorstanding loudspeaker, DCS Debussy digital to analogue converter, Siltech C1 tube linestage preamplifier, Naim Audio Unitiserve hard disk player/server, Esoteric E-03 phono stage, Clearaudio Concept turntable, arm, cartridge package, MSB Platinum Data IV/Sig. DAC IV CD transport and digital converter
and much more.
Within Alan Sircom's editorial he writes, "This decade is freshly minted, but already it is proving to be... strange. As our CES round-up shows, there's plenty of new equipment at a wide rage of prices, but especially for those seeking out up-market solutions. But there's a sense of unknowing that permeates the audio industry. Some of this comes from uncertainty over the future - are turntable sales going to remain buoyant?
" You
can see the complete table of contents and editorial of Hi-Fi+ by clicking
here.
 According to the
Recording Industry Association of America
(RIAA), a trade organization that supports and promotes the creative and financial vitality of the major music companies, with 2010 in the books a quick roundup of Nielsen SoundScan data and other music sales trends are in
order. "According to SoundScan, digital albums grew by 13% versus 2009, and although digital track sales only rose by 1%, revenues from those sales likely increased by significantly more as variable pricing took hold in the marketplace. With the Christmas week setting a sales record of 2.8 million digital albums, in addition to 44 million individual tracks, 2010 saw overall digital sales growth of 5.8% (calculated using SoundScan's
"TEA" method). Additionally, by that same methodology, if both individual track downloads and album downloads are combined, legal digital song downloads in the U.S. exceeded 2 billion in a year for the first time. Please note: that represents nearly 6 percent growth in the volume of digital sales. SoundScan reported 240 million CD sales in 2010, representing a nearly 20% decline versus 2009. Overall album sales, including both physical and digital units, were 374 million in 2009 vs. 326 million in 2010, down 13%. Preliminary estimates for 2010 put SoundExchange's royalty payments at about $250 million, which would be more than 60% growth versus 2009."
Music Industry News 10 Years Ago
The National Endowment for the Arts
(NEA) and the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) have announced their 365
"Songs of the Century" project in hopes of adding to music education and "a better understanding of America's musical and cultural heritage in our schools". The songs chosen came from a master list of over 1,100 records and were voted on by a wide range of
individuals including musicians, local, state and federal elected officials, the music industry, teachers, members of the media and students. In the inaugural phase of the
"Songs of the Century" project a special curricular program will be given without costs to 10,000 fifth grade teachers within the U.S.A. in hopes to further music education within schools. The highly
regarded within the education field Scholastic Inc. will be producing the curriculum for teachers, students and families for their
2001-2002 school year.
Issues covered include the cultural, historical, social and technical aspects of music as it has evolved through the past century.
"American music has touched everyone’s lives throughout its short history. It’s the perfect educational
tool," said Hilary Rosen, President and CEO of the RIAA. "Our list represents many different genres throughout all parts of the 20th century. And our hope is that each song will help tell a very different
story," Rosen concluded. "This project demonstrates that the recording industry takes seriously its role as a caretaker of our nation’s cultural
heritage," stated National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Bill Ivey.
"This partnership is an important example of industry’s willingness to make positive contributions to the lives and education of our country’s young
citizens."
03 / 08 / 11
Wilson Benesch
has just launched their Geometry Series loudspeakers. With the launch of the Geometry Series, Wilson Benesch look to build upon the success and reputation acquired over two decades and like all Wilson Benesch products, the Geometry Series marks a step forward in terms of design and manufacturing. The Geometry Series is the result of an holistic approach to loudspeaker design and manufacture: Cutting edge materials, purpose-built
molding technologies and next generation production technology deliver an unparalleled performance. Wilson Benesch's Geometry Series consists of four models that includes their Vertex mini floorstanding design, Vector normal floorstander, Fulcrum flagship for those who enjoy home cinema and Cardinal top-of-the-series flagship
floorstander. The elegant forms of the Odyssey Series have been retained but cabinet architecture is radically different. One of the great advantages of the Geometry Series is the poly alloy Shell Structure. Pushed to the limits with a new hybrid construction the Shell Structure achieves unprecedented signal to noise ratios. Thanks to the absence of internal bracing a huge internal air volume is
realized that also sees the smallest external surface. The devotion to advanced carbon composite based structural architecture, the Sphere wide bandwidth piezo ceramic tweeter and the hybrid Isobaric drive unit are just some of the more notable examples. In the Semisphere tweeter that debuts in the Geometry Series users will see that Wilson Benesch has explored completely new
territories. All models will begin shipping in April 2011.
 REL Acoustics new
R528 subwoofer ($2199)represents the final step-up in the Series R range and, as is REL tradition, embodies the largest model with superlative depth, scale and
slam. The R-528 receives a Heavy 12" active bass-engine coupled to a VariCone 12" carbon Fibre ABR passive radiator producing the equivalent of a 16" driver in an even larger cabinet. The digital power amplifier employed produces 500 watts in Class D to ensure quality low-frequency extension sound production. Rel's R-528 is all about speed and detail as reproduced by the Heavy 12" active driver, which is actually the fastest diver in the series with the best impulse response. A special proprietary REL High-Level Input cable is provided with each REL Sub-Bass System and is the preferred method of connecting the REL to your main speakers. This cable joins the REL to your system by connecting to the left and right channel speaker terminals of your amplifier or surround-sound receiver. This allows the REL to receive the exact same signal as your main speakers, providing for a seamless integration of low frequencies into your system. The High-Level connection is active whether you use your system in two-channel music or surround-sound mode. There are thre separate rotary controls for (1) Hi/Low Level (2) .1/LFE Level and (3) Crossover Frequency. Frequency response in room is from 21 Hz at -6 dB on up depending on crossover setting, dimensions are 15.5 x 17.5 x 17.2 (WxHxD in inches) and weight is 58 lbs.
03 / 07 / 11
NAT, a Serbian company that designs and produces tube audio components of high-end audio, has introduced their more
reasonably priced integrated amplifier called the Single. The NAT Single is tube based integrated pure dual mono amplifier.
The Single operates in single-ended zero feedback in pure Class A output. Power output is 50 wpc
stereo into 4 or 8 Ohms using two each 6N1P-EV driver and 805 output tube. Hand crafted wide bandwidth output transformers are custom designed for NAT, with no less then 40 separate material layers. Bandwidth is from 10 Hz to 80 kHz. There is a soft start circuit for the tubes for high reliability of entire integrated amplifier. The circuit for the 805 output tubes features auto bias for ease of use. Volume control is via an attenuation knob that uses relays relays with gold plated
contacts. Enjoy the Music.com has reviewed the NAT Audio Plasma R dual mono linestage tube
preamplifier.
 Arcam, a company that seeks to please both the highest fidelity music reproduction for audiophiles and movie sound for the videophile, is now shipping their AVR400 ($2599). Using technology developed from the acclaimed AVR600 receiver and AV888 processor, the AVR400 has been developed as a more affordable way to access Arcam's legendary sound quality. It is designed to be the perfect home cinema receiver for a wide range of enthusiastic customers. With 90 wpc and having 7.1 channels of output, it can handle HDMI 1.4a, a wide variety of surround sound decoding and can play back music files stored on USB or network audio devices. Other features include a toroid based power supply, professional grade jitter reduction and automated setup. The included DAB/FM/AM tuner allows access to a host of terrestrial radio stations while its in-built Internet radio receiver extends this reach to thousands of web based radio stations from around the world. While the AVR400 may rest within one's
livingroom, it also offers a host of features making it ideal for home theater rooms via RS232, IR and 12V control interfaces. For
audiophiles, digital inputs include four via S/PDIF via coax, two optical via TosLink plus six stereo line level inputs plus USB and Ethernet. Users can enjoy the Arcam AVR400 as a preamplifier via the included
preamplifier outputs. There is also a headphones output via a 3.5mm jack.
Music Industry News 10 Years Ago
 As
a nod to the Dot Bomb where many felt etown would live forever and take over
the review industry, back in February 2001 it was hard for us to report on the virtual
"death" of a consumer electronics website, etown.com
has run out on money after successfully burning through over 32 million
dollars in slightly over five years' time. While they helped sponsor many
events, as AudioCafé did in their short life cycle, it seems etown.com has also had to shut it's virtual
doors and has not been updated since the twelfth of February, 2001. For now all assets of etown.com have been transferred to consumer
electronics retailer Best Buy who invested $10 million only fourteen months ago. All
employees of etown.com have been laid off with no severance pay nor payment
for their final two week's of work.
03 / 04 / 11
The Koln Concert by pianist Keith Jarrett is the best-selling solo jazz album in history, and now
available in 24-bit/96kHz on
HDtracks! As the most successful solo jazz album of all time, The
Koln Concert is an awe-inspiring work of improvisation and invention. Consisting of four tracks that together comprise over an hour of music, the performance is an apt demonstration of Jarrett’s genius as a piano player and conceptualist. It features one of the greatest series of free improvisations ever caught on tape -- endlessly imaginative and absolutely mesmerizing. Released for the first time in breathtaking 24-bit/96kHz, the performance takes on an entirely new dimension
— one that places you immediately before Jarrett's phenomenal keyboard displays of virtuosity and gives additional resonance to every struck note.
This 1975 album is a must-have for audiophiles and die-hard jazz lovers alike!
 Klipsch, a leading United States speaker manufacturer, announces today the launch of its Klipsch Gallery
series. Embodying the same power and detail as other Klipsch horn-loaded speakers, the Gallery series features exclusive Tractrix Horn technology. Designed with modern décor in mind with a high-gloss black finish, each Klipsch Gallery solution occupies minimal space, all while delivering deep, powerful bass and wide dynamic range. Klipsch Gallery consists of four slim, passive speakers (G-12, G-16, G-28 and G-42) and three wireless sound systems (Gallery Studio, Gallery Forum and Gallery Arena). Each passive speaker's name represents its particular speaker's size in length and can be configured as a left, center, right or surround speaker. Klipsch Gallery's wireless solutions connect wirelessly over an existing Wi-Fi network and can be controlled with an Apple smart device. Because Klipsch is an official AirPlay partner with Apple, each new media system will utilize AirPlay technology to allow for wireless transmission of users' iTunes libraries throughout any living environment. Klipsch Gallery will be available for purchase in spring/summer 2011 at select Klipsch retailers.
Enjoy the Music.com has reviewed the Klipsch Palladium P-39F flagship speakers,
Klipsch Image S2
in-ear monitors and Klipsch Reference RP-5 floorstanders.
Music Industry News 10 Years Ago
In court yesterday in San Francisco Napster informed U.S. District Court judge Marilyn Hall Patel that to help abide by copyright laws that the service will begin "blocking millions" of music files starting this weekend. Napster's lawyer David Boies alluded to the fact that removal of music files would commence with titles whose copyright owners have previously made requests to Napster to stop allowing their downloading of their copyrighted material such as Dr. Dre and Metallica. So far a documented listing of approximately 6,000 song titles and artists have been submitted to Napster by the
Recording Industry Association Of America
(RIAA). Looking to save itself a long and expensive legal batter, Napster had previously offered a $1 billion to the five major labels, BMG, EMI, Sony, Universal, and the Warner Music Group yet the deal was flatly refused. There are doubts as to if Napster will truly become a legal service as the RIAA president and CEO Hilary Rosen said "We have to give Napster the benefit of the doubt that they are trying to abide by the court order. When asked by Billboard Bulletin if she believes the new filtering technology will work, Hilary Rosen replied a resounding "No."
03 / 03 / 11
Bel Canto Design, a manufacturer of analog and digital source components and amplifiers, is now shipping their new e.One C5i integrated amplifier/DAC ($1895). The Bel Canto Design e.One C5i is a 60 wpc stereo unit handles digital, analog, USB and phono MM in one compact component. Digital inputs include two S/PDIF 24-bit/192kHz and two TOSLINK inputs at 24-bit/192kHz, a USB 24-bit/96kHz input, and analog MM Phono and Line Level inputs. Bel Canto's e.One C5i DAC Integrated Amplifier connects to your computer, CD player, turntable, cable box or game console and users can control their entire media center in one component. The Bel Canto C5i features 115dB dynamic range and proprietary low noise D-to-A
converters that are based on the company's Two-Stage Master Reference Ultra-Clock circuitry to ensure extremely low jitter. The 24-bit digital volume control is completely transparent and accurate throughout the volume range. Internal parts include custom 0.1% audio grade resistors, Class A output control circuitry and low-noise power supply components. The heavy-gauge all-steel chassis design prevents mechanical resonance from compromising the audio signal quality. Bel Canto Design's e.One C5i front panel features a single multi-function control knob that selects inputs and volume level for the main outputs plus has a 1/4-inch headphone jack. Frequency response is from 1.5 Hz to 90 kHz, THD+N is a low 0.003% and dynamic range is 115dB. This compact unit measures 8.5 x 3.5 x 12 (WxHxD in inches) and weighs 13
lbs. Enjoy the Music.com has reviewed the Bel Canto e.One Dac3
unit and the Bel Canto S-300 digital
amplifier.
 Ear Machine
just unveiled their iQ, an equalizer plug-in designed to learn the user's preference. iQ recommends equalizer settings by analyzing user ratings of
examples. The result is displayed in a traditional equalizer window where users can fine-tune the recommendation. "The idea for iQ came during a recording session when a client asked me to make the vocal track sound 'buttery'," said Andrew Sabin, Ear Machine owner and psychoacoustics researcher. "The client knew what he wanted, but wasn't able to describe the settings that he was after. We designed iQ to help engineers communicate more easily with their clients, and to help beginning audio engineers figure out the sound they're looking for." With iQ, users indicate how much they like each of a series of example settings by arranging dots from left to right, where each dot represents a different EQ setting. iQ uses a model of auditory perception to gradually hone in on the user's preference. A meter at the bottom of the window indicates when iQ thinks it has learned what the user wants. The user then clicks "Create EQ" and iQ's recommendation is displayed in a traditional equalizer window. Users can also double click any dot to display it in the equalizer window. iQ is the first audio plug-in that is designed to learn a user's preference. iQ is compatible with AU hosts or VST hosts on the Mac or PC, and is compatible with RTAS wrappers.
03 / 02 / 11
HDtracks has just announced they are now offering
the entire remastered catalog of The Rolling Stones in audiophile 176kHz/24-bit resolution! "Many years of research went into locating the original mono and stereo analog tapes that would be used in ABKCO's Rolling Stones Remastered Series" says Teri Landi, Archivist and Engineer, ABKCO Music & Records. "That research revealed a treasure trove of first generation tapes -- true stereo masters from The Stones' 1964 Chess Studios sessions including the unedited version of "2120 South Michigan Avenue," Beggar's Banquet at its correct speed and Let It Bleed with splicing that indicates that the original intention was to leave little spacing between each cut. For the analog to digital transfers, vintage reel-to-reel tape machines were utilized -- a modified Ampex 351 with original tube electronics (full track mono and two track stereo) and an Ampex ATR-102 modified with Aria Discrete Class-A Electronics (full track mono and two track stereo). A Sonoma DSD digital audio workstation was the chosen high resolution format and Meitner Design ADC8 and DAC8 MKlV converters were used for the conversion process."
You can download the entire catalog online by clicking
here.
Enjoy
the Music.com has just posted the March 2011 edition of The
Absolute Sound (Issue 211)! This edition of The Absolute
Sound features the 2011 Editors' Choice Awards where they pick the best gear at every price level in every product category. Equipment reviews include the Silverline Minuet Supreme loudspeaker, Vincent Audio PHO-8 phonostage, High-Resolution Technologies Music Streamer Pro USB DAC, Marantz SA8004 CD/SACD player, Klipsch RF-82 II loudspeaker, TAD-CR1 compact reference monitor plus a system review of the Ayon Audio Vulcan II power amplifier, Polaris III preamplifier and CD5s CD player/DAC.
Within Robert Harley's editorial Grass Roots Audio he
writes, "There are those in the high-end audio industry who frequently complain that our hobby tends to be insular and cultish, that a good deal of the industry is content to remain insular and cultish, and that little effort is expended on reaching out to music lovers who don't already share our passion for high-quality music reproduction. This lament is often accompanied by a wish for an organized and well-funded effort by the entire industry to bring our message to a larger audience. (Think "Pork, The Other White Meat" or "The Incredible Edible Egg.") In both these examples competing companies within an industry pooled their resources to promote their products as a whole rather than trying to gain market share from competitors. Instead of reaching for a bigger slice of the pie, they realized that making the pie bigger was a more productive strategy." You can see the
complete table of contents and editorial of TAS by clicking
here.
03 / 01 / 11
Enjoy the
Music.com's March issue of the Review
Magazine heralds a change! It is now
far easier for you to find all our reviews and articles each month! We have updated the
Review Magazine to include reviews of Superior Audio and the
DIY Audio section. See the March issue by clicking
here.
Regular
Reading
Daily News: Audiophile news updated each weekday!
VALVE Magazine
Dinkin' Around
Tech tips and other unsolicited advice.
From VALVE Volume 2 Number 6 June 1995
Sound Practices Magazine
The Single 300B Amplifier A model 91 for 1992
Article By Joe Roberts
Viewpoint
In This Issue...
New Changes Make Finding Reviews Easier
Article By Steven R. Rochlin
Audiolics
Anonymous Chapter 136
European Culture
Article By Dr. Bill Gaw
Industry Articles
HIGH END 2011
Quality Has Its Price
"Cheap" is not the same as "value for money".
Factory Tour
Orange Country California Speaker Repair
Article By Jeff Poth
Superior Audio Equipment
World Premiere!
Gryphon Audio Atilla Integrated, Scorpio CD Player And Mojo Speakers.
System synergy that sounds spectacular!
Review By Steven R. Rochlin
World Premiere!
Coincident Statement MM/MC Phono Preamplifier
The most transparent phono preamplifier that I have ever auditioned.
Review By Ron Nagle
World Premiere!
Venture Audio's Ultimate Charm Loudspeaker
Sonic charms and cohesive presentation.
Review By Dick Olsher
Canary Audio Mangus MA300 Stereo Amplifier
Outstanding control and grip yet also delicacy.
Review By Wayne Zufall
Ultimate Ears 18 Pro Custom
In-Ear Monitors IEMs for audiophiles and professional musicians alike.
Review By Steven R. Rochlin
Audiophile Equipment Reviews
World Premiere!
The DIY HiFi Supply.com Fusion3
A tremendous integrated with a 192kHz-24-bit onboard DAC.
Review By Scott Faller
World Premiere!
Melody Valve HiFi Pure Black 101 Preamplifier
Setting a new standard few can match at this price.
Review By Ron Nagle
World Premiere!
Opera Consonance D-Linear 7 High Definition Digital Music Interface
And D-Linear 8 192kHz/24-bit Decoder
Very impressive and fun to use too!
Review By Tom Lyle
Aperion Audio Verus Grand Tower Loudspeaker
A practical perspective on a a true overachiever.
Review By Alfred R. Fredel
Music Hall dac25.3
Inspiring a refreshing case of downgraditis.
Review By Clarke Robinson
D.I.Y. Audio
Aikido Amplifier... Or how to twist your electron's wrist.
Article By Jeff Poth
Crossovers: The Short Version
The pros and cons of crossing over.
Article By Jeff Poth
Building A Budget (Super?) Tweeter
Reaching the stratosphere!
Article By Jeff Poth
Music Reviews
Classical Music
Beethoven's Kreutzer Sonata, sensitively played on original instruments.
Review By Phil Gold
Who wrote the Brahms Third Piano Concerto?
Review By Phil Gold
Piano virtuoso Marc-Andre Hamelin shows off his composing skills.
Review By Joe Milicia
Brahms side by side by Schoenberg.
Review By Phil Gold
Robert Schumann's gorgeous "Spanish" song cycles for mixed voices.
Review by Joe Milicia
Mariinsky presents a concert opera and orchestral works from offbeat Russian composer Rodion
Shchedrin.
Review By Joe Milicia
A landmark recording of Haydn's Creation.
Review By Phil Gold
Jazz, Bluegrass, etc.
Raul Malo Sinners and Saints
Review By Steven Stone
Mollie O'Brien And Rich Moore
Saints and Sinners
Review By Steven Stone
Frank Solivan And Dirty Kitchen
Frank Solivan And Dirty Kitchen
Review By Steven Stone
Jody Stecher And Kate Brislin Return
Review By Steven Stone
Various Bluegrass, Blues And Jazz Albums
Reviews By Steven Stone
See the March Review Magazine by clicking
here.
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