High-End Audio, High Fidelity Audiophile Industry News

03 / 31 / 15

Enjoy the Music.com Will Be Live Streaming AXPONA 2015
From April 24th – 26th, Enjoy the Music.com and sister site Enjoy the Music.TV will once again be live streaming the AXPONA (Audio Expo North America) Audio Con event at The Westin O'Hare in Chicago. AXPONA 2015 will have more floors full of listening rooms, an Ear Gear Expo (EGX), plus a doubling in size of their Marketplace section as compared to their 2014 event. Attendees can greatly benefit from direct contact with designers and manufacturer-trained personnel of high fidelity audio equipment and music engineers while also listening to the latest equipment available within the industry. Furthermore, a variety of educational seminars will be conducted by leading authorities within the high-end audio field. Active displays provide attendees the ability to hear their own music through the world's very best audio systems! On Friday, April 24th, Patricia Barber will be performing live; with John Primer taking the stage on Saturday, April 25th. Read the complete press release here.

Audio Fidelity Releases America Homecoming On Multi-Channel SACD
Audio Fidelity, a company that remasters music in high resolution audio and offers them on 24K+ compact discs and 180 gram vinyl, is about to release their America Homecoming album on limited edition 5.1 multi-channel hybrid SACD format. America's 1972 Homecoming album includes one of their best known hits, "Ventura Highway" with it's creative acoustic guitar lines, smart vocal harmonies and spaced-out lyrics, it's a fan favorite and one of their best songs. As the band's second album, the trio were determined to avoid the 'sophomore jinx'. When work began on the new album, America pulled out all the stops to reach their goal. Their production maintains the acoustic guitar underpinning heard on the successful debut album but builds on the sound of that first record by featuring more electric guitar and keyboards. Homecoming is a melodic album full of catchy folk ballads and great harmonies and features two other hits, "Don't Cross the River" and "Only in Your Heart." Several other songs received heavy FM radio airplay. The album is a collection of thoughtful, well-written, and skillfully sung songs. It's one of America's better albums, possibly their best for Homecoming helped continue the band's popularity, reached the Top 10 on Billboard's Pop Albums chart and was certified platinum by the RIAA. The multi-channel SACD release is mastered by Steve Hoffman at Stephen Marsh Mastering.

03 / 30 / 15

TIDAL Cuts Price In Half For Basic Tier Plus Is Now Available On Sonos
Literally minutes after Enjoy the Music.com posted our article concerning the RIAA stats for 2014 and and music streaming, it has been reported that TIDAL is relaunching by offering new releases by Daft Punk, Madonna, Kanye West, etc before they become available within other online music services such as Beats and Spotify. Furthermore, TIDAL will offer up CD-quality streaming for all Sonos homes starting today. This is for for all users as 'day one' of TIDAL's global availability. For $9.99.mo at TIDAL, you get standard lossy compressed sound quality and access to high definition music videos and expertly curated editorial. For $19.99/mo you get TIDAL HiFi CD sound quality, high definition music videos and expertly curated editorial.

CEO'S Corner
Cary Sherman On RIAA's New 2014 Music Revenue & Shipment Data
With a few words by Enjoy the Music.com's Editor and Creative Director.
Article By Steven R. Rochlin

Aries Cerat Diana DHT SE Vacuum Tube Stereo Integrated Amplifier
Aries Cerat has finally announced their long-awaited Diana DHT SE vacuum tube stereo integrated amplifier (€20,000). Using borrowed techniques and circuits from the company's top-line monoblock Concero 65 mated with a preamplification stage as found within their Pondera Reference, Aries Cerat have released what they believe a "superlative design within the integrated amplifier world". The Diana is a three stage, all Direct Heated Triode Single-Ended (DHT SE) amplifier. The first two stages are loaded with high-end bifilar-winded interstage transformers and there are no coupling capacitors present within the signal path. Input tubes are a pair of high power DHT 814 tubes, driving another 814 pair, which in turn drive a pair of 813 DHT output tubes. The power supplies are fed by an 800VA and a 1000VA (1800VA total) transformers, which are controlled by a soft start circuit to help protect the vacuum tubed during the critical cold startup phase of operation. The four 814 and two 813 tubes all have their separate choke filtered PSUs and all six filaments are powered by six tripled filtered PSUs to provide solid power reserves and perfect isolation between all stages. Aries Cerat's Diana vacuum tube integrated amplifier has an output stage power supply with three film SuperCapacitors (6.6 lbs each), which are claimed to have 100 times less ESL/ESR than any electrolytic technology. Biasing of the input, driver and output tubes is attained via special circuits, and all stages can be fully adjusted and monitored while listening. For volume adjustment, a very special attenuator with discrete-relay-switched-resistors in employed. The preamplifier stage has five unbalanced RCA inputs, with an optional balanced XLR input on request. Power output is 25Wpm sine (50Wpc square) with a frequency response from 6 Hz to 100 kHz. Signal-to-noise ratio is >110dB, the Aries Cerat Diana weighs 250 lbs and dimensions are 570mm X 630mm X 360mm (WxDxH).

03 / 29 / 15

Stoll Custom Master Grand Large Floorstanding Mastering Loudspeaker
Stoll Custom Master Grand is a wide-frequency design employing 11 drivers. Stoll's Master Grand is their new large studio monitor five-way speaker system designed for highest quality demands for discerning monitoring within a mastering studio. The Master Grand is laid out as a full-range system with a broad horizontal dispersion angle. Designed as a logarithmic vertical array, it produces a controlled, defined vertical radiation to avoid floor and ceiling reflections for a notably enhanced spatial imaging with minimal room excitation. Owing to Stoll's IL technology, which allows an electronic adjustment of the lower cutoff frequency, a very precise bass reproduction is said to be achievable. Minimizing the group delay in the lower frequency range results in a more time- and phase-correct rendition. The system is controlled per channel via DSP using FIR filters. The Master Grand realizes a point sound source with a constant, frequency-independent controlled sound radiation and a great acoustic performance. To minimize annoying resonances the system is composed of five cabinet types with a controlled structure-borne and interior acoustics. The cabinets are acoustically decoupled, the woofer and midrange sections are made of MDF, whereas the high-mid section has an aluminum housing. Overall frequency response is from 24 Hz to 27 kHz. Directivity is 120° horizontal and 60° vertical, with an overall sensitivity is 91dB/W/m. Power handling is 1200 W RMS and more than 3 kW peak to achieve a sound pressure level of 115dB continuous and 121dB peak @ 1 meter. Time coherence is within 100 μs from 80 Hz to 13.8 kHz. Phase linearity is ±50° from 80 Hz to 8.5 kHz. Dimensions are approximately 7'4" x 15.7" (H x W) and each one weighs 265 lbs.

PBS To Broadcast Jascha Heifetz: God's Fiddler In April 2015
PBS will be broadcasting Jascha Heifetz: God's Fiddler, which is a one-hour documentary within their American Masters series. Jascha Heifetz: God's Fiddler premieres nationwide Thursday, April 16 at 8pm and Friday, April 17 at 9pm on PBS (check your local listings to ensure day/time). Emmy- and Peabody-winning filmmaker Peter Rosen uncovers the story of legendary musician Jascha Heifetz (1901-1987), who is widely considered the first truly modern violin virtuoso. PBS says, "Setting the standard in violin playing for nearly a century, Heifetz' name became shorthand for excellence for everyone from Jack Benny to The Muppets to Woody Allen. Through vintage performances and master classes, God's Fiddler portrays an artist for whom only perfection would do. New interviews include other great violinists influenced by Heifetz, including Itzhak Perlman, Ivry Gitlis and Ida Haendel, former student, accompanist and longtime companion Ayke Agus, former student and master assistant in charge of his world-renowned violin class at the University of Southern California Sherry Kloss, and biographers John Anthony Maltese and Arthur Vered. They reveal how Heifetz was a mysterious, idiosyncratic, solitary figure who embodied the paradox of artistic genius: a dedication to his craft at all costs, including two failed marriages, estrangement from his children and very few friends. Characterized as serious and intense while performing and teaching, his students describe him as generous and playful when socializing. Filmed in Heifetz' native Vilnius, Lithuania; Saint Petersburg, Russia, where he studied with the influential Leopold Auer; and in his rebuilt studio in Los Angeles, Calif., American Masters Jascha Heifetz: God's Fiddler also features Heifetz' previously unseen 16mm footage from 1917-1985, which Rosen discovered at the Colburn Music School in Los Angeles. A self-professed "camera fiend," Heifetz' home movies show scenes from his apartment in Saint Petersburg just months before the Russian Revolution, his immigration to America, his early social life in New York City, his family life, his travels through Europe, the Middle East and Japan, and his later years in Los Angeles. Tony-nominated actor Danny Burstein (Boardwalk Empire, Cabaret, Follies) narrates, reading from Heifetz' personal letters." American Masters' Jascha Heifetz: God's Fiddler is a production of Peter Rosen Productions, Inc. Peter Rosen is producer and director. Sara Lukinson is co-producer. Josh Waletzky and Peter Rosen are editors. Peter Rosen is photographer. Barry Markowitz is photographer of The Heifetz Studio at The Colburn School. Michael Kantor is executive producer for American Masters. Major funding for Jascha Heifetz: God's Fiddler is provided by the Colburn School. Additional funding for this program is provided by The National Endowment for the Arts, and Kitty Hawks and Larry Lederman. American Masters is made possible by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Rosalind P. Walter, The Blanche & Irving Laurie Foundation, Rhoda Herrick, Vital Projects Fund, Michael & Helen Schaffer Foundation, Rolf and Elizabeth Rosenthal, Jack Rudin, The André and Elizabeth Kertész Foundation and public television viewers.

Industry News 15 Years Ago
Radio Stations fight back against the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) over additional financial charges related to beaming their content over the Internet. It is no secret that many radio stations also deliver their programming via Internet streaming. The National Association of Broadcasters (N.A.B.) said Tuesday it is suing the RIAA within the U.S. District Court in New York to prevent them from asking for additional royalties due to also streaming their programming on the Internet. Looks to be a long and bumpy ride for the RIAA as MP3.com and many others have been taking legal action again the RIAA's tight reign.

03 / 28 / 15

Questyle Audio QP1 And QP1R Digital Audio Players
Questyle Audio has a new set of premium audio systems, which includes their QP1 and QP1R (formerly QP1 Pro) portable music server / digital audio players ($599 and $899 respectively). Questyle Audio's QP1 and QP1R seek to up the ante for portable music servers or digital audio players (DAPs) with patented Current Mode amplification technology from a built-in high-end headphone amplifier, a world-class DAC and music server with two Micro SD Card storage expansion slots that support up to 256 GB. Internally, there is 16GB for the QP1 and 32GB for the QP1R, yet this can be expanded via memory cards of course. Both players are presented in an elegant champagne gold or space gray aluminum trimmed and glass finish, with a simple and intuitive GUI interface. They handle high resolution audio FLAC and native DSD.

Industry News 15 Years Ago
China's government has decided to not allow the downloading of MP3 files over the Internet within their country. While we are not sure how they are going to enforce this, it seems quite strange that one of the world's largest consumers and producers of pirated software in the year 2000 have taken this stance.

03 / 27 / 15

Axiom M1, M2, And M3 High Powered Computer Speakers
Axiom Audio just announces the release of their second series of High Powered Computer Speakers based on the company's M1, M2 and M3 bookshelf speaker models ($499, $598 and $658 per pair respectively). These new monitors provide 75 watts per channel, with a matching 200-watt subwoofer also being available. In addition to being self-powered, the new Axiom computer monitor series of speakers incorporates a USB 16-bit/48kHz DAC. If you already have an inboard or outboard high quality sound card, there is a 3.5mm stereo analog input jack. In keeping with the rest of the Axiom line, the speakers feature rigid aluminum cone woofers, titanium tweeters, and an Anti-Standing-Wave cabinet that reduces any internal resonances that can color sound. The smallest model, the M1, uses Axiom's newest full 1" tweeter and a 4" midbass driver. The M2 High Powered Computer Speaker increases the woofer to a 5.25" whilst the M3 uses a 6.5" midrange/woofer driver. Axiom's EP100 subwoofer ($399) features a self-contained 200-watt amplifier and 6.5" woofer. The subwoofer features Axiom's exclusive Vortex porting and a pure cast-aluminum basket 6.5" driver. As with all Axiom products, the High Power Computer Speakers are made within their Canada facility. Standard finishes include Ebony and Charcoal Gray, with a nearly limitless number of custom finishes from high-gloss black to rich walnut also being offered.

ENIGMAcoustics Dharma D1000 Headphone & Athena A1 Headphone Amplifier
ENIGMAcoustics now offers their Dharma D1000 hybrid electrostatic headphone and the Athena A1 triode vacuum tube / hybrid headphone amplifier ($1119 and $1490 respectively). As a company known for its patented SBESL (Self-Biased Electrostatic) technology, they have just launched their first two products within the high-end headphone category, the Dharma D1000 and the Athena A1. The Dharma D1000 hybrid electrostatic design headphone takes full advantage of SBESL (Self-Biased Electrostatic) technology, offering "electrostatic transparency, focus, and inner detail without the need for an external energizer to provide a polarizing voltage" says the company. Instead, the bias voltage is derived from the signal itself in a proprietary manner, making Dharma an easy to use, convenient, and with its light weight, very comfortable headphone. Bass and mid-bass are handled by a unique and proprietary Wagami paper-based dynamic membrane, with stiffness, mass, and internal damping optimized for use with an electrostatic HF driver. Transition between the two is accomplished via a phase coherent first order crossover employing precision audio grade, tight tolerance components. ENIGMAcoustics' Athena A1 vacuum tube headphone amplifier represents what company officials term "a no compromise approach to design--an integration of solid engineering and a true appreciation of music". As a single-ended triode / hybrid amplifier, its vacuum tube front-end is biased Class-A ECC82/12AU7, and exhibits extremely low noise, while its low impedance Class-A MOS/BJT hybrid output stage and its high voltage swings ensure compatibility both with low and high impedance headphones., and is equally adept at driving both. Athena's design eliminates any concern about interfacing it with any load, high or low impedance, or any headphone--even the most demanding.

Industry News 10 Years Ago
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), a trade group that represents approximately 90 percent of all legitimate sound recordings produced and sold in the United States, has released 2004 sales figures. Total music sales are up 4.4 percent with a 3.3 percent increase of value as compared to 2003. This positive trend is the first after four consecutive years of decline. Virtually every category shows loss, including CD single, cassette, LP/EP vinyl, DVD-Audio and SACD, though bright spots include a staggering 66 percent increase in DVD music video sales. CD sales were up 2.8 percent, DVD-Audio fell 20.6 percent, SACD sales fell 39.6 percent, and vinyl LPs/EPs declined 11.9 percent. The year 2004 marked the first year of RIAA's accounting for downloading a digital music (single) file. With 139,400,000 digital music singles and 2,400,000 digital albums sold in 2004, online music appears to outsell many other formats combined.

03 / 26 / 15

SiebeNCore DIY Stereo Amplifier
In short, yep, it's a rave.
Review By Jeff Poth

Alta Audio Celesta FRM-2 Speakers
Alta-Audio's FRM-2 speaks with a remarkably defined voice.
Review By Ron Nagle

Denon AH-GC20 Noise Cancelling Headphones
Denon has unveiled their new AH-GC20 Globe Cruiser wireless headphones with active noise cancellation technology ($399) Denon's AH-GC20 is quipped with a 40mm 'professionally tuned' drivers that benefit from the company's many years of studio and professional headphone expertise. They are said to "deliver a natural tonal balance free from exaggerated colorations" according to Denon. The contemporary design of the Denon AH-GC20 Noise Cancelling Headphones combined with cutting edge wireless technology also combine elegant aluminum to support an ergonomic ear cup filled with the latest active noise cancelling circuitry and Bluetooth connectivity. The dual microphone noise cancelling system provides the near elimination of outside sound, and the Bluetooth 4.0 Dual Mode with aptX/aptX Low Latency and AAC combined with the Multi-Point feature can connect to two compatible devices simultaneously. The AH-GC20 is also equipped with cVc (Clear Voice Capture), a sophisticated noise reduction system by Denon that enhances received audio quality and includes noise suppression, adaptive equalization, automatic gain control, echo cancellation, wind noise reduction and noise dependent volume control. With this technology, the AH-GC20's are designed to deliver the clearest voice quality even in harsh noisy environments. Voice prompts with seven language options offers a Status of Operation and remaining battery life. A convenient headphone cable is included for when wireless usage isn't permitted or preferred. The kit also includes a 3.5mm (1/4") standard headphone plug adaptor for connection to home and studio audio gear, as well as an airplane adapter plug. The included USB Micro-B cable lets users charge the AH-GC20 lithium-ion battery from any USB charger or computer USB port. To enjoy a full 20 hours of wireless listening, the AH-GC20 recharges in only three hours. If the battery is depleted and there's no USB port for recharging available, users can still enjoy listening to music via the included audio cable. A specially designed carrying case provides a home for the AH-GC20 along with all its accessories.

Noble One Speaker System
Wizard Audio Industries' Noble has two new products, which consist of their Noble One speaker and Noble Bluetooth System ($16,995 and $99 respectively). The Noble One is the first of a series of special projects from Noble being disclosed to the public and serves as a case study within the field of studio monitors. A challenge was poised by their colleagues using Noble IEMs within the professional recording industry, and thus Dr. John set out to design a monitor that not only sounds exceptional, but is also as versatile in its use as it is in practice. The Noble One measures at 10.75" wide, 22" tall and 17" deep. Seen here in a signature Noble deep metallic blue, the cabinet is long in the face and the front baffle has been anodized a gunmetal grey in order to further accent the front. Screws here are user removable and the baffle can be rotated 90 degrees either direction so that the speaker may be laid down on its side. This allows the speaker to be more readily used within a tight working environment while keeping the tweeter and midrange drivers appropriately aligned. Around back, the crossover network is neatly displayed behind o.5" thick Plexiglas with a large three-inch port and mounting posts located immediately above. Slightly larger than most studio monitors, the additional interior volume in combination with the 8" ScanSpeak Revelator woofer is said to "results in superior low end performance uncharacteristic of speakers in this category" says Noble Audio. A 1" ScanSpeak Illuminator Beryllium tweeter (99% pure) has been redesigned, allowing the tweeter to be recessed and mounted onto the custom machined aluminum baffle. By recessing the tweeter, physical time alignment is achieved and with a redesigned casing plus is significantly closer to the 4.5" Illuminator midrange driver. Each Noble One speaker weighs 67lbs and has a sensitivity of 90dB/W/m @ 4 Ohms. Frequency range is from 35 Hz to 40 kHz.

Noble Bluetooth System (BTS)
Wizard Audio Industries' Noble Bluetooth System (BTS, $99) is their approach to wireless with an emphasis on retaining the benefits of in-ear monitors (IEM) that many enjoy. Instead of creating a single wireless IEM with built-in components, the BTS is a modular solution that instantly enables our entire product line without some of the shortcomings one might expect from a small wireless device developed for this category. Weighing in at only 10 grams, the Noble BTS is designed to be unobtrusive and operate for at least seven hours of continuous music playback or talk time. Noble's BTS features the latest Bluetooth 4.0 and aptX CODEC technologies, as well as an omnidirectional microphone with push-button controls. This ensures a Noble-quality experience on the go. The Noble BTS comes with a 15.5" industry standard two-pin detachable cable, enabling the BTS to be conveniently worn like a pendant down one's front or back and may be used at the gym, travel, and other activities where mobility is paramount. Support features include Bluetooth 4.0 with aptX (CSR 8645), HFP1.6 (HD Voice ready), A2DP1.2 and AVRCP1.4. A micro USB B provides the ability to charge the internal battery in two hours. Headphone output impedance is less than 1 Ohm. A heads up display provides the users to see the remaining battery life indicator on most iOS and Android devices when connected plus "advanced commands" are provided.

03 / 25 / 15

TAVES Consumer Electronics Show 2015
TAVES Consumer Electronics Show 2015 will be held from October 30 to November 1 at the Sheraton Parkway Toronto North Hotel & Suites, Canada. The TAVES Consumer Electronics Show connects trade professionals, media and consumers to experience a broad range of categories including wearables, smart devices, video gaming, audio, home theater, digital imaging products, electronic gadgets, as well as the latest in-car entertainment and technology. The show presents an excellent opportunity for all companies – from major brands to crowd-funded startups – to launch prototypes, new products and beta software to a wide range of mainstream and specialist media outlets. In 2014, TAVES received remarkable television exposure thanks to news coverage from CBC, CP24, CTV, CityTV and Global TV. Last year's show was also covered by the largest number of specialist media to date for this event. Going into its fifth year, the 2015 edition of TAVES takes place at part of the GTA, which is commonly referred to as "Canada's High Tech Capital" since it is home to an extremely high concentration of technology companies – over 4400 Information & Communications Technology companies reside there. For the first time in 2015, TAVES will host a number of conferences dedicated to the growth of small and mid-sized businesses - all business owners are invited to participate. To complement this annual trade show, TAVES has launched a monthly Meetup group called Technology Innovators "Powered by TAVES" designed to connect existing and start-up companies with the organizers of TAVES, consumers curious about technology and media. The Jolt! Art Gallery was a huge success at last year's show and will return for 2015, with some exciting new additions. The gallery will feature art from local artists ranging from paintings to photography and sculptures. In 2015, TAVES will once again increase its footprint by offering more exhibition space than ever before. The "Technology & Innovation" pavilion is set to feature a record-breaking number of start-ups, technology and software development companies. TAVES 2015 will be the place for high-end, cutting-edge home audio and video companies to reach both the media and consumers alike. Many of the industry's leading audiophile companies are expected to have active displays where attendees can see and hear their favorite entertainment in high resolution. To learn more, please visit TAVES' website.

Concord Music Group's Special Record Store Day Releases
Concord Music Group has once again prepared an assortment of exciting exclusives for Record Store Day on April 18, 2015. Miles Davis The Prestige 10-Inch LP Collection, Vol. 2 (Prestige) highlights one of the most musically influential and most popular artists in the history of jazz, and his legendary Prestige recordings are amongst the all-time classics in the genre. Painstakingly reproduced on 10-inch vinyl with the original LP cover artwork and liner notes included, The Prestige 10-Inch LP Collection, Vol. 2 comprises the remaining five of the ten 10" LPs on which Miles Davis appeared as a leader for Prestige Records in 1954. This limited edition box set, housed in a deluxe linen slipcase, joins its companion piece, The Prestige 10-Inch LP Collection, Vol. 1, which was released for Record Store Day's Black Friday event in November 2014, and comprised the first five 10" albums, from 1951-1954. George Thorogood and the Delaware Destroyers George Thorogood and the Delaware Destroyers (Rounder) is their debut album that exploded onto the FM airwaves in 1977. Their music brings a dose of hard-driving roots reality back to rock radio; his versions of Bo Diddley's "Who Do You Love" and John Lee Hooker's "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer," resonated throughout the years. Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band A Little Something from the Road, Vol. 1 (Concord) culls select cuts from an unforgettable show at the State Theater in New Brunswick, NJ. This EP features live smokin' versions of classics from the recent Goin' Home project, as well as a couple of extra blues nuggets. Gregg Allman Gregg Allman 10" (Rounder) stunning picture disc is pressed on 10" heavyweight vinyl and includes two never-before-heard live recordings as well as a B-side with Allman classics "Melissa" (live), where Gregg is joined by Jackson Browne, as well as "Midnight Rider" (live), which features Gregg, Vince Gill, and Zac Brown. Concord Music Group has more releases planned for Record Store Day 2015 you can see at this link.

03 / 24 / 15

Sonic Satori
Burson Audio Conductor Virtuoso DAC, Preamplifier, & Headphone Amplifier
O' so dope!
Review By Michael Mercer

McIntosh Reintroduces Their Legendary C22 Preamplifier And MC75 Mono Amplifier
McIntosh is reintroducing their legendary C22 stereo tube preamplifier and MC75 tube amplifier. Featuring a now retro-1960s style, the McIntosh C22 has been updated to modern standards to deliver a performance on par with any other McIntosh preamplifier​. Electromagnetic input switching provides reliable, noiseless and distortion free operation. Low distortion levels of all types are less than 0.08%, allowing music to be presented with total transparency and accuracy. A total of 10 inputs include 2 XLR balanced and 6 RCA unbalanced along with Moving Coil (MC) and Moving Magnet (MM) phono input sections with selectable resistance and capacitive loading so every phono cartridge and turntable​ can be accommodated. Outputs are comprised of a set of XLR balanced and three sets of RCA unbalanced connections. Bass and Treble tone controls with bypass feature is included. Frequency response is from 10 Hz to 100,000 kHz (+/-1dB). Maximum output is 16V via balanced XLR and 8V unbalanced RCA. Signal to noise ratio is 98dB and the McIntosh C22 has dual mono power supply and is fully balanced throughout the unit.

McIntosh's reintroduction of their MC75 mono vacuum tube power amplifier updates this legendary unit to provide modern performance standards in a classic design. As with all McIntosh mono amplifiers, the MC75 will provide output into a 2, 4 or 8 Ohm speaker​ with less than 0.5% distortion. Power output, as the MC75 name suggests, is 75 Watts. McIntosh's patented Unity Coupled Circuit is the company's design to provide low distortion, extended frequency response and long tube life. The MC75's large, oversize power transformer provides high power and dynamic response from a single pair of KT88 output tubes. Both balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA inputs combined with power control allow matching with all contemporary McIntosh preamplifiers and processors. A specialized Sentry Monitor provides a vacuum tube protection circuit to ensure the MC75 will have a long and trouble free operating life.​ Total harmonic distortion is 0.5% and signal to noise is below rated output of 110dB. Frequency response is from 10 Hz to 100 kHz (+/-3dB). Enjoy the Music.com has recently reviewed the McIntosh MHA100 headphone, DAC with integrated stereo amplifier and reviewed the McIntosh MC452 stereo power amplifier.

New York Audio Show 2015
The Chester Group announced their fourth edition of the New York Audio Show, which is being held at the Hilton Westchester Hotel in Rye Brook, New York. Dates will be Friday through Sunday, November 6th through 8th, 2015. The hotel is situated on 37 acres of beautifully landscaped woodland, and has 445 newly refreshed guest rooms and suites offering panoramic views of lush gardens. This resort-like hotel is located six miles east of White Plains, NY, eight miles from Westchester County Airport and 25 miles from New York City. The show will feature an increased amount of demo rooms featuring a superb selection of the world's best hi-fi &and audio/video systems. A much larger HeadZone headphone and portable audio area will be a major draw of the show says their press release. There will be a full schedule of seminars, panels and demonstrations featuring some of the top personalities and designers from the audio community. Live music and other events are to be announced in the future. "Some may be surprised that after three previous years in New York City we have moved to Westchester," said Roy Bird, Chairman and founder of the UK based Chester Group. "Upon finding that our last venue in Brooklyn would not be available due to renovation, we simply could not find an appropriate in-city alternative. Either the rooms were too small or had acoustic issues; the hotel was not receptive to a show; logistics and costs would be a nightmare; or other issues would not offer our exhibitors and attendees the favorable experience that we deem necessary for a successful show." Enjoy the Music.com's New York Audio Show 2015 live report begins the first day of the event and we may also be live streaming it too!

Bryston BIT AC Power Isolation Devices
Bryston has just expanded their BIT AC power isolation devices lineup. Bryston's BIT now spans from 5 to 60 Ampere ($5900 to $8900). With versions including standard or rack-mount faceplates, BIT power products ain to deliver stable, clean and protected AC power to all entertainment components. The new 45 and 60 Ampere models feature a 220/240-Volt input with a 120-Volt output and are available with or without AVR technology (Automatic Voltage Regulation). In addition to these new models, all BIT products are available with standard rack-mount faceplates, making them ideally suited for larger residential and commercial installations. The Bryston BIT product lineup was developed to address the need for an AC power device that accomplished three key objectives; power line conditioning, isolation and non-MOV-based protection. Existing models include 5, 15 and 20 Ampere versions, which are now available with either 17" standard faceplates or 19" rack-mount faceplates. "Bryston BIT products were developed to improve the performance of an entire entertainment system," stated Bryston VP James Tanner. "BIT products deliver the current stability and low impedance that is ideal for most amplifier designs while providing the total isolation and lower noise floor that is paramount to optimizing audio and video playback."

Music Downloads And Streaming Surpass Physical Format Sales
Downloading and streaming music surpassed physical CD sales for the first time in the history of the music industry according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It comes as no surprise that musical artists are not happy with the payment they are receiving from this situation and, hence, Enjoy the Music.com's report two days ago about Jay-Z's idea to unite artists to leverage better pay from streaming music services. Pop singer Taylor Swift removed her music from Spotify and there may be more artists ready to have their music removed from specific streaming music services. Whilst paid subscribers to streaming services has experienced tremendous growth, many streaming services are having a hard time achieving sustainable profits. Those paying for subscriptions in 2014 grew by 26% year-over-year to 7.7 million according to RIAA and digital downloads plus streaming has reached 64% of total revenue. The decades old CD technology is floundering at a mere 32% of total revenue. The RIAA says that over 2500 digital services are licensed and operational today. Furthermore, artist royalties paid by major labels has increased over 36% as a share of major labels' net sales and gross licensing revenue. Whatever the situation, it is obvious that new agreements will need to be formed as the music industry undergoes a change from old-school physical to a modern streaming and downloading business model. Enjoy the Music.com, the high-end audio's leading online information site with the most in-depth industry news, will continue to report on these events as they develop.

Stage III Concepts A.S.P. Leviathan Power Cord
Stage III Concepts new A.S.P. Leviathan power cord ($14,500 for 1.5 meter length, $4500 per additional 0.5 meter) consists of three wholly independent multi-conductor cables, which are capable of handling an incredible 80 Amperes of current. Stage III Concepts was the first audio cable company to use "floating" ribbon conductors for power applications, giving them nearly 20 years to experiment, test and perfect this exclusive signal/current transmission technology. Stage III Concepts' new Leviathan power cord is a celebrated culmination is literally multiplied in this new unique 3-in-1 design. Extreme mechanical damping in conjunction with impenetrable layers of proprietary shielding and conductor geometry is said to "completely eliminate the possibility of any induced microphonics from vibrations or airborne electromagnetic interferences". The A.S.P. Leviathan showcases the company's ability with this 100% hand made, 100% proprietary elements and using absolutely no commercially produced or "off-the-shelf" components. A.S.P. Leviathan power cables employ 4x3 heavy-gauge Cryo-treated, custom slow-extruded silver/palladium AeroStrandUltra ribbon conductors. Air dielectric with FEP Teflon air-tubes and multi-layer shield with H.D.A. 100% radiation invulnerable foil ensure RFI/EMI protection. Stage III Concepts uses a special geometry consisting of three individually damped and shielded cables in a twisted helix configuration. Each conductor and three heavy gauge plated silver ground wires are individually shielded with silver plated braid. Multi-layer construction with soft-polymer tubing plus silica/ceramic/ferrite mechanical damping/shielding layer. Each individual cable is carefully crafted by hand with proprietary polymer/fiber plug and cable housings.

03 / 23 / 15

World Premiere!
Naim Statement NAC S1 Preamplifier And NAP S1 Mono Power Amplifier
Naim's high-end reference preamp/amp system for £155,000.
Plus an interview with Mr Steve Sells, Naim's Electronics Design Director
Review By Wojtek Pacuła

Bottlehead Quicksand Battery Powered Amplifier Kit
A great starter amp kit with plenty of room to build upon.
Review By Jeff Poth

Skoffin' Up Food For Thought
The New Crusaders
Roger Skoff writes about "the defenders of the faith".
Article By Roger Skoff

03 / 22 / 15

Jay-Z Unites Musical Artists To Ensure Proper Compensation For Their Music
Jay-Z (Shawn Carter), as first reported to audiophiles worldwide by Enjoy the Music.com in January, had his company Project Panther Bidco Ltd. acquire Aspiro (owners of WiMP and TIDAL), is now setting his sights on a new initiative to benefits musical artists. Industry journalist Bobby Owsinski, the author of 24 books on recording and the music business, wrote in Forbes that Jay-Z has a "Radical Idea To Upend The Streaming Music Business". Jay-Z brought together giants within the music industry including Beyonce, Daft Punk, Kanye West, Madonna, Nikki Minaj, Chris Martin of Coldplay, Jack White and about 20 others that included "non-musicians ranging from attorneys to music execs" to discuss how Jay-Z can form a conglomerate along the idea of United Artists film studio. This would provide the artists to have control of the business and reaped more of the rewards than within today's corporatocracy. Project Panther Bidco Ltd has now finalized acquiring Aspiro and will re-launch TIDAL as TIDALHiFi. It is no secret that musical artists feel they are not being paid fairly by corporations who stream their music online or play their music on the radio. Jay-Z is seeking the change that. To quite the Forbes article, "The biggest plus in Jay-Z's purchase of Aspiro is that the company already has licenses in the U.S., Canada, and many European countries, which would be nearly impossible to quickly acquire if he tried to build a streaming network from scratch. TIDAL also offers more than 75,000 high-definition videos, which makes it different from other audio-only networks, at least until YouTube Music Key shows up." Whilst there is no doubt Jay-Z is a savvy businessman, he also needs to have the right structure and people in place with a true vision of possibilities for the future of the music industry. There is no doubt risk is involved. The benefits to musical artists, who feel they are paid very little under today's corporate structure, feel that there needs to be a change in the industry and Jay-Z is in a position to help find a solution. Of course the big boys in the game, including Apple and Google, need to be respected for their ability to use high leverage to their massive user base.

03 / 21 / 15

Salon Son & Image Montreal Show
Salon Son & Image 2015 is being held at the Montreal Hilton Bonaventure in the heart of downtown Montreal, Canada, from March 27th through the 29th. Exhibitors included manufacturers, distributors, retailers and craftsmen from the consumer electronics industry. There were a wide selection of audio and video entertainment for sale from vinyl LPs to CD and Blu-ray discs. Attendees had access to a wide range of high-end products plus expert information directly from designers and equipment engineers. During the three days of the Salon Son & Image 2015 Montreal event there will be a variety of seminars and discussions too.

AXPONA Audio Con Posts Great Video Plus Tickets Are On Sale Now
AXPONA (Audio Expo North America) Audio Con has just released a great video plus tickets are now available for purchase online. The 2015 event takes place April 24th through 26th at the Westin O'Hare in Chicago. This year they will have more floors full of listening rooms and the Ear Gear Expo (EGX) plus the AXPONA Audio Con Marketplace is doubling in size! AXPONA attendees can enjoyed direct contact with designers and manufacturer-trained personnel of high fidelity audio equipment and music engineers while listening to the latest equipment available in the marketplace. A variety of educational seminars will be conducted by leading authorities within the high-end audio field. Active displays means attendees may bring their own music and listen to it through top quality audio systems! Check out their fun new video below.

Munich High End Show 2015
Enjoy the Music.com's 15th year covering High End 2015 Munich audiophile event promoted by the prestigious High End Society in Germany. Taking place from May 14th through 17th, the High End Show is the international key exhibition for the high-quality consumer electronics industry. The High End event has been held an impressive 34 times in succession; and 2015 marks the 12th time at the MOC Munich. This makes the High End the oldest specialist exhibition in its field in Europe, now seen throughout the world as the central and most established hub of the industry. Manufacturers, importers, distributors, suppliers and retailers from all over the world meet in Munich every year. This year, more than 400 exhibitors with about 900 brands from all over the world are presenting their products and services. A wide variety of lectures will be held during this event to educate and answer attendee's questions. They also have apps for both iOS and Android devices too!

03 / 20 / 15

EMMESpeakers Copenicus Floorstanding Speaker
EMMESpeakers has given Enjoy the Music.com a special sneak peek into their upcoming Copenicus floorstanding speaker. Completing the company's trilogy tribute to the human genius, begun with The Da Vinci and Galileo, the Copenicus represents a further interpretation. Their goal is to achieve speed, detail, focusing, huge soundstage, massive presence, plus power handling thanks the common technical solutions adopted with the BSSE system (Box Shaping for Sound Enhancement). The acoustic layout of Copenicus has three drivers in an unconventional two-way configuration. The lowermost frequencies configuration requires two 10" aluminum woofers working in parallel in bipole and asynchronous mode. Thanks to a "time shifting" network that continuously changes the phase of one woofer, it's goal is to perfectly sync with the other driver. The use of two 10" aluminum woofers grant a very deep bass response with extremely low distortion. Mid-high frequencies are managed by a ceramic (or diamond optional) 2" mid-tweeter, housed into a 1" thick BSSE panel, which is micro-machined from a solid aluminum sheet. Machine tolerances are under 0.10mm. EMMSpeakers' BSSE System, common in all their designs, syncs off-axis emission with the on-axis ones. It is based in a baffle profile to variable ratio that works in combination with the crossover layout. EMMESpeakers' crossover approach has a drastic cut-off of 4th order in mid-high frequencies, with relative phase kept at around 45 degrees. This is said to provide a very constant radiation lobe around the crossing frequencies. As usual for EMMESpeakers' products, the on-axis anechoic response tends to copy the human ear sensitivity at 90dB SPL. As for the cabinet, controlling vibrations and standing waves within the Copenicus' cabinet has the company's primary attention. Their solution stays the same as other models and features a combination of form and material discontinuities (starting from the construction by layers), mass variation and high absorbing, plus decoupling by the cabinet suspension. EMMSpeakers' Copenicus is available in eight different wood types and metal leaf including 23.75 kt pure gold.

Pi MusicBox Software Turns Your $25 Raspberry Pi Into A Music Streamer
Pi MusicBox turns your Raspberry Pi into a music streamer. With Pi MusicBox, you can create a very inexpensive standalone streaming music player for Spotify, Google Music, SoundCloud, Webradio, Podcasts, cloud services, your music collection, NAS drive, etc. plus attach an external DAC for high-resolution audio too! Connect a $25 Raspberry Pi to your (DIY) audio system and you can easily configure MusicBox and go. Control the music from your couch using a phone, tablet, laptop or PC with no tinkering required. AirPlay and DLNA streaming is also included! Features include Headless audio player based on Mopidy (no need for a monitor), streaming music from Spotify, SoundCloud, Google Music, Podcasts (with iTunes, gPodder directories), local and networked music files (MP3/OGG/FLAC/AAC), Webradio (with TuneIn, Dirble, AudioAddict, Soma FM directories), and Subsonic. Remote control it using a nice web interface or using an MPD-client (like MPDroid for Android). Also includes AirTunes/AirPlay and DLNA/OpenHome streaming from your phone, tablet (iOS and Android) or PC using software like BubbleUPnP. USB Audio support for external DAC / soundcard, speakers, and headphones. Since the sound from the Pi itself is not that good, there is support for an external DAC. Wi-Fi support (WPA, for Raspbian supported Wi-Fi-adapters) is also provided. No need for tinkering, no need to use the Linux commandline as you can play music files from the SD Card, USB, network, and Last.FM scrobbling. Several Pi soundcards supported (HifiBerry DAC/Digi/+, and IQ Audio). All you need are a working Raspberry Pi (A, A+, B, B+), amplifier, and speakers or headphones.

03 / 19 / 15

Get Your Free Issue Of CANADA HiFi
Enjoy the Music.com just posted CANADA HiFi's February / March 2015 issue. CANADA HiFi, a North American print magazine that also makes available each issue online for free in PDF form, features many equipment review and think pieces. This issue includes a very special visit to the Paradigm loudspeaker and headphone factory, coverage of the hottest new and emerging technologies, a way to help your LCD / LED TV, plus reviews of the Pass Labs XA100.8 100 Watt Class A monoblock amplifier, MOON by Simaudio Neo 350P preamplifier, the Samsung HU9000 LED UHD curved screen TV and LG 55EC9300 55" curved screen OLEO HDTV. Within his editorial, Suave Kajko says, "Recently, I had the pleasure of visiting the Paradigm manufacturing plant in Mississauga, Ontario and witness the production of the brand new Paradigm Prestige Series loudspeakers. My article entitled 'Insight into The Making of the Paradigm Prestige Series Speakers' gives you a behind the scenes look at what's involved in the development and manufacturing of this high performance speaker range. As a Canadian, I'm exceedingly proud that Paradigm produces this new speaker series locally, along with most of its other products." You can download the entire February / March edition of CANADA HiFi at this link.

Chord Electronics Free Chord 2 HD App Adds Functionality To Their Streaming Players
Chord Electronics has launched a new control app for their advanced high-resolution audio DSX1000 and CodeX music streamers. This new app is said to provide improved performance, functionality and control. Chord Electronics high-resolution audio streamers, the reference-grade DSX 1000 and CodeX (£7500 and £4500 respectively) have been given a new free control app, Chord 2 HD. The new app, which is available for both the iPad and iPhone, will initially be available on iOS 8.0 and above, with an Android version to follow. Chord 2HD brings a number of improvements over Chord's debut control app (Chord HD), which will remain available for older devices. The new Chord 2 HD is said to be "a slicker, more ergonomic control app with a wide range of new features, giving improved control and interactivity with streamed audio content. It has been designed with a strong graphical focus with album artwork featuring throughout. A wide range of functionality has been added, including a comprehensive search function plus improved internet radio and media browsing" says the company. Furthermore, other features include volume control, playlist composition and editing, plus a cue-in function. The app also allows users to 'push' local content on devices to Chord's streamers over a network, enabling the playback of visitor's audio content.

Cessaro Horn Acoustics BETA-II F-4 Large Hornspeaker System
Cessaro Horn Acoustics will present their products to audiophile enthusiasts at the upcoming Munich HIGH END 2015 event. They will be world premiering their new BETA-II F-4 large hornspeaker system. This special four-way system is highly efficient and needs only a few watts to product high volume levels. Cessaro Horn Acoustics employed true front-loaded bass-horn design within their Beta II F-4. In the development of the BETA-II F-4, special attention was given to the newly developed bass horns. The dimensions quickly make clear that a total width of 410cm and depth of 140cm plus a height of 82cm was needed. Given an appropriate adaptation within the room, you are able to achieve a cut-off frequency at approximately 30 Hz. The BETA-II F-4 comes with newly developed Cessaro Composite-Horns, which are based on an extremely expensive handmade two shell construction with a special polymer-rubber filling. Drivers are adapted by a CNC-drilled, two-parted and 25mm strong aluminum flange. Weight is ~73kg for the Medium-Horn and the TAD-Alnico driver with Beryllium diaphragm. In additions, weight is ~120kg for the Low-Mid horn. Overall efficiency is 107dB/W/m and recommended room size is 40 to 100 square-meters. Dimensions of the main system are 54 x 115 x 178 and the Bass horn per side is 205 x 138 x 82 (WxDxH in cm). Total weight is around 1800kg for the entire system.

Deezer Elite Is Now Available To All Sonos Users Worldwide
Sonos has added Deezer Elite high definition streaming service, which was first launched in the United Sates of America exclusively on Sonos, to now being available globally yet still exclusively on Sonos. After launching Deezer Elite in September 2014, Sonos now offers Deezer for the rest of their listeners in more than 150 countries around the world. Music lovers can enjoy millions of tracks on demand and in greater depth and clarity. "As the growth in streaming brings new ways to listen and discover music, it is our goal to bring the best ways to experience all of it, all over the home," says Sonos. Deezer Elite joins the growing list of more than 60 services available on Sonos—all providing a personal audio experience for everyone. Deezer Elite offers millions of songs on-demand like its Premium+ plan, plus it provides the music in CD quality 16-bit/44.1kHz FLAC lossless). Music files with higher bit-rates over the decades old lossy MP3 format allow for more depth and clarity. The Deezer Elite services allows you to create custom radio stations based on your favorite artists and explore new music through editorial recommendations, top playlists and friends.

Foo Fighters Are In The Studio Recording At 192kHz/24-bit
Reuben Cohen, who is mastering engineer at Lurssen Mastering (was with The Mastering Lab), is in the recording studio with the Foo Fighters. As many know, Foo Fighters are an American rock band formed in Seattle in 1994 and founded by Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl. The group got its name from the UFOs and various aerial phenomena that were reported by Allied aircraft pilots in World War II, which were known collectively as foo fighters. Within this photo, taken yesterday, we see Dave Grohl, Butch Vig, James Brown and Gavin Lurssen as they are mastering five songs to "promote Sony's new High Resolution Walkman" said engineer Reuben Cohen. Reuben also feels that the music is sounding awesome at 192kHz! We here at Enjoy the Music.com looks forward to the new music release coming soon.

03 / 18 / 15

The Absolute Sound Magazine's April Issue
Enjoy the Music.com just posted The Absolute Sound''s April edition filled with many great equipment and music reviews. This issue includes reviews of the TB&W T7 wireless powered speaker, Sony NW-ZX2 digital media player, Axis Voice Box S loudspeaker, MartinLogan Balanced Force 210 subwoofer, JL Audio e112 subwoofer, Raidho X-1 loudspeaker, REL S/5 subwoofer, NuPrime IDA-16 integrated amplifier/DAC and more. Within the guest editorial The Streaming Juggernaut: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly by Andrew Quint, he says "While I was on the Tidal site, I took a look at the availability of classical music, a genre I take more seriously. My favorite composer is Wagner, and there are plenty of legendary performances of his most influential work, Tristan und Isolde, that I haven't heard. I keyed the title in, and more than forty recordings of the complete opera materialized, including all of the most highly regarded ones—Böhm, Karajan, Furtwängler, Kleiber, and many others dating back to the 1930s. And these were just recordings of the entire four-hour drama. If I wanted to hear just the Prelude to Act 1 or the famous "Liebestod" conclusion, I had dozens of additional choices." See the April issue of The Absolute Sound by clicking here.

03 / 17 / 15

After Hours Audio SuperLeggera Blu Balanced Interconnect
After Hours Audio new SuperLeggera Blu balanced interconnect ($495 for 1-meter length, add $100 for an additional 0.5-meter) follows the designer, Chris Sommovigo, being a proponent of small, lightweight cables. Chris also feels that cables should have enough, yet not too much, conductor mass. This philosophy has permeated into virtually all cables within the After Hours Audio designs. After years of careful research and development with prototype cables that combined a few ideas together in a small, lightweight form, Chris Sommovigo called this project "Superleggera". Not so much after the Lamborghini Gallardo, an Italian automobile for which he lusts for, but for the fact that it was a super-lightweight cable using a minimum-gauge approach to conductor density. By employing his minimum-gauge approach, he feels that the new SuperLeggera Blu balanced interconnect delivers a balance of attributes that are critical for proper music reproduction. Superleggera Blu is an interwoven series of 16 individually-insulated pure copper conductors around an EPDM rubber core, which is the same EPDM core After Hours Audio uses within their Silverheart. There are four poles available in the Superleggera Blu to ensure a properly configured three-pole XLR termination plus shell-ground termination. Since the company is moving from the USA to Japan, so this will be the last USA-based After Hours Audio offer as all future projects will be done from their new Yugawara, Japan location. Of note is that the SuperLeggera Blu balanced interconnect is unshielded and thus if you live in an area with a lot of RFI interference, despite the interwoven nature of the InterPole conductor, you still might pick up some noise. Some people utterly swear by unshielded interconnects, citing greater effortlessness in the musical presentation, and therefore this is may be a perfect product for those who don't like shielded interconnects.

Music and Youth Development Alliance (MYDA)
The Music and Youth Development Alliance (MYDA) launched in 2013 as a nationwide coalition of community-based organizations providing music programs that engage over 18,000 young people living in low-income areas. Whilst they still do not have a website(!), the organizations then work with on education, health and life skills so they can fulfill their potential in a safe and positive environment. MYDA is funded by The ELMA Music Foundation , whose grantees include Music Cares, The Jazz Foundation and The Harlem Children's Zone plus is supported by Paul Katz. Paul is Entertain Impact CEO/Founder, formerly Jive Records executive, and music consultant for the movie and TV industry (12 Years A Slave and Twilight). Thousands of young people from underserved communities turn to the six local youth community organizations within MYDA for a myriad of social, academic and health services. The youth are often drawn to these centers for the opportunity to record vocals, produce songs or learn how to DJ. The music programs offered by these organizations 'hook' young people into a broad suite of development services, which help instill crucial life skills through a language they love and value. It empowers them to reach their full potential in a safe and supportive environment. MYDA was formed to foster a larger community to explore the greater impact that these organizations might achieve together. You can help make a difference and show your support by visiting social media channels: Facebook and Twitter. You can listen to MYDA's first album Youth In Revolt via SoundCloud and hard copies of the album are also available.

Linn DS Player SPACE OPTIMIZATION Feature
Linn has just launched their latest versions of DS players, which include design enhancements that introduce SPACE OPTIMIZATION, a unique new optimization technology from the company. These enhancements are delivered in the new Klimax DS, Akurate DS, Majik DS and Majik DSM players by an innovative new approach to clocking architecture and improved audio circuitry layouts. These new designs lead to a reduction in the number of components, shorter signal paths and reduced jitter. Every Linn DS player will feature SPACE OPTIMIZATION technology – Speaker, Placement and Custom Environment Optimization. Adapted from the optimization technology developed in their Exakt systems, this innovative technology builds an acoustic model of the complete listening environment based on the choice of loudspeaker, the placement of the speakers and the unique characteristics of the listening room, regardless of the speaker manufacturer and type. Using this model, performance is optimized, revealing "the true sound of the music and offering an unparalleled level of personalization" says Linn. Space Optimization models the speakers based on a variety of elements to better mate the loudspeaker to the room's environment. Since the physical placement of loudspeakers has a profound effect on what is heard, Linn establish the ideal position through careful listening – the Tune Dem method. However this ideal position is not always practical for everyone in the family. Space Optimization enables a Linn DS to emulate the sound of the ideal speaker position from the preferred, practical location. Since Linn has always been committed to offering tailored and flexible upgrade paths to the latest levels of performance for all customers, all Linn DS and Linn DSM players now have Exakt Links to support future upgrade to the performance of Exakt. Linn's Exakt technology can be delivered to loudspeakers from any manufacturer and enables a wide range of performance and personalization-enhancing capabilities. Pricing is as follows: Klimax DS $21,250 (front pictured here), Akurate DS is $7600, Majik DS is $3500 and Majik DSM is $4750 (back of unit pictured here).

03 / 16 / 15

Audio Swingin' In Singapore
Step right up folks... and bring a bib!
Singapore's shops will make you drool.
Article By Steven R. Rochlin

Charles Gounod The Symphonies By The Netherlands Chamber Orchestra
TACET, a recording label that seeks to capture audio in its purest form with the goal of accurately bringing you the music in its purest form, has released their Charles Gounod The Symphonies disc. Featuring No. 1 D major and No. 2 E flat major by the Netherlands Chamber Orchestra as conducted by Gordan Nikolić, the disc is filled with over 67 minutes of delightful music. Bang! A balloon bursts. Bang! A second one. And then many colorful melodies tumble from the Amsterdam Concertgebouw stage. The Netherlands Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra plays as boldly as little children in the street. A slow movement glows inwardly as the audience's hearts are filled with joy. One could ask, "Is that really Charles Gounod, the boring one who wrote that Ave Maria?" Everyone listens, spellbound, to a cascade of rich ideas, artful instrumentation and the sheer joy of playing. We are amazed how, in the midst of all this, the violinist Gordan Nikolić manages to conjure up an atmosphere of simply letting it all happen, which doesn't demand anything of the listener and yet is completely compelling.

Help Support Music School Online
Due to many public schools within the United States of America virtually eliminating music education, which has been scientifically proven to be highly beneficial to a child's education and enhances their ability to learn in other areas of life, seven-time Grammy Nominee Ken Lewis founded Music School Online to help bring affordable, accessible music learning to the masses. Please help support their Kickstarter campaign, which offers excellent discounts for those wanting to learn an instrument or for those who desire donating money for lessons provided to underprivileged children in need. If you or your children have always wanted to learn to sing or play an instrument for your own enjoyment, but felt that dream was unattainable, MusicSchoolOnline.com is for you. Ken Lewis is launching Music School Online (MSO) March 1st, 2015 with over 400 tutorials teaching voice, guitar, piano, drums, bass, plus extensive music theory. The fully-animated MSO Kids site is taught by session professional who have played for leading musical artists within the world. Since MSO has no corporate funding or outside investors dictating the direction of this project, recording engineer and musician Ken Lewis has brought together a great staff whilst investing virtually every 'liquid' dollar he has in building the best site possible. "I am tapped out", says Ken. "I need the Kickstarter community to help me spread the word about MSO to the world and help create more music lessons, and your support will be rewarded in multiples! I would not have the amazing career I have now without the music education I received in school growing up. I was shocked to learn that now more than 40 percent of secondary schools do not require any courses in the arts and 2.1 million students in Elementary and Secondary schools receive NO MUSIC EDUCATION! Music budgets are always the first ones to be cut despite all the proven benefits of music education. Schools are grooming an entire generation of robot-student test takers with virtually no exposure to the joy of learning music, and I am doing something significant about it. Please help!" MusicSchoolOnline.com offers music education for every level, from the comfort of your own home at an affordable price. Whether you want to become a serious musician, or just play for fun, they'll teach you your favorite songs while learning skills that will improve your playing. From complete beginners to seasoned players, MSO has something for you. For true professionals who seek to learn about mixing, mastering, and producing records, Ken Lewis has been successfully operating Audio School Online for many years. You can see our live video interview with Ken Lewis during Enjoy the Music.com's CES 2015 coverage below. 

Enjoy the Music.com And Enjoy the Music.TV 2015 Show Report Schedule

Seen below is a listing of Enjoy the Music.com's and Enjoy the Music.TV's planned 2015 show coverage, as our CES 2015 show report is now complete. We may be adding more shows during 2015, yet we feel the below is a good basic starting point. Enjoy the Music.com and Enjoy the Music.TV are official media partners with all shows below except the HIGH END event in Munich. We will be live streaming at all shows except the Munich event, where we might live stream during part of the show depending on our ability to access high bandwidth with low latency. As such, if you are a manufacture/distributor/etc, please verify you are a member of our eNewsletter by clicking here to receive details on how to ensure your room is scheduled during our live video broadcast. If you are a show promoter and desire coverage from Enjoy the Music.com and Enjoy the Music.TV please e-mail us by clicking here.

April 24th to 26th, 2015
AXPONA 2015 Show Report
Westin O'Hare
Rosemont, Illinois 
Live stream / netcast via our TV studio at the event.
Add this event to your calendar.

 

May 14th to 17th, 2015
HIGH END 2015 Show Report
MOC Munich-Germany
Photo coverage and perhaps some live streaming.
Add this event to your calendar.

 

May 29th to 31st, 2015
T.H.E. Show Newport Beach 2015 Report
The Hotel Irvine
Newport Beach, California
Live stream / netcast via our TV studio at the event and photo coverage.
Add this event to your calendar.

 

August 14th to 16th, 2015
California Audio Show 2015 Report
Westin Hotel
Millbrae, California
Live stream / netcast via our TV studio at the event.
Add this event to your calendar.

 

October 2nd to 4th, 2015
Rocky Mountain Audio Fest 2015 (RMAF 2015 Show Report)
Marriott Tech Center Hotel
Denver, Colorado
Live stream / netcast via our TV studio at the event and photo coverage.
Add this event to your calendar.

 

October 30th to November 1st, 2015
TAVES 2015 Show Report
Sheraton Parkway Toronto North Hotel & Suites
Toronto, Canada
Photo coverage and perhaps some live streaming.
Add this event to your calendar.

03 / 14 / 15

Preview!
OPPO PM-3 Planar Magnetic Headphones And HA-2 Headphone Amp/DAC
This could be the 'phones and amp/DAC combo you've been looking for.
Preview By Steven R. Rochlin

Industry News 10 Years Ago
Warner Music Group Corporation (WMG), one of the world's largest music companies, has filed for an Initial Public Offering (IPO) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to offer common stock. According to the press release "Goldman, Sachs & Co. and Morgan Stanley will act as joint global coordinators and, together with Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch & Co. and Deutsche Bank Securities, will act as joint book-running managers for the proposed offering. Bank of America Securities LLC and Citigroup will act as joint lead managers." WMG hopes to raise $750 million through sales of common stock on the New York Stock Exchange. WMG labels also include Atlantic Records and Elektra Records (to name a few) with a total of over 38,000 musical artists and accounted for 83% of the company's revenue for 2004.

03 / 14 / 15

Audio Engineering Society Seeks To Standardize Space-Related Acoustic Data File Format
The Audio Engineering Society (AES), founded in 1948 and is a professional society devoted exclusively to audio technology, has released a paper to standardize the spatial acoustic data file format. Document AES69-2015 seeks to standardizes a file format to exchange space-related acoustic data in various forms. The format is designed to be scalable to match the available rendering process. The format is designed to be sufficiently flexible to include source materials from different databases. Binaural listening is growing fast, because of growing sales in smartphones, tablets and other individual entertainment systems. The lack of a standard for the exchange of head-related transfer functions (HRTF) means each company keeps its binaural capture and rendering algorithms private. 3D audio is arising, and binaural listening could be the very first 3D audio vector with sufficient fidelity of HRTF. The use of convolution-based reverberation processors in 3D virtual audio environments has grown with the increase in available computing power. Convolution-based reverberators guarantee for an authentic and natural listening experience, but also depend on the acoustic quality of the applied directional room impulse response (DRIR). With a standardized file format for HRTF and DRIR data, each company could contribute its best algorithms, providing good personalized capture and/or rendering, allowing the consumer to choose its best combination of technologies for the best quality of experience. A spatial acoustic transfer function describes the spatial filtering of the incoming sound, due to the listener's anatomy for example. Previously, spatial-acoustic data have been stored in various incompatible formats, making an exchange of this data difficult. This document describes a format for storing spatial acoustic data with a focus on interchangeability and extensibility and provides a basis for a wider generalized interchange of space-related audio data. Within this document, the term 'transfer function' (TF) describes any filter, regardless the actual representation or interpretation. TF may, for example, refer to:

• The frequency domain representation of free-field head-related transfer functions (HRTFs);
• The time domain representation of free-field HRTFs, that is head-related impulse responses (HRIRs);
• The time domain representation of HRTFs measured in reverberant spaces, that is binaural room impulse responses (BRIRs);
• The Quadrature Mirror Filter (QMF) domain representation of free-field HRTFs, that is the set of QMF
parameters; or, even more generally,
• The time domain representation of spatiotemporal room impulse responses, that is directional room impulse responses (DRIRs). If not otherwise stated, we do not distinguish between such terminologies and refer to all those filters as transfer functions.
Specifications given in ‘conventions' (that is in-detail descriptions of the data exchange format for a given data set) shall use the correct terminology, for example using HRIR instead of HRTF when the data are represented in time domain.
The following requirements are identified:
• Description of a measurement setup with arbitrary geometry; that is, not limited to special cases like a regular grid, or a constant distance;
• Self-describing data with a consistent definition; that is, all the required information about the measurement setup must be provided as metadata in the file;
• Flexibility to describe data of multiple conditions (listeners, distances, and so on) in a single file;
• Partial file support and network support;
• Available as binary file with data compression for efficient storage and transfer;
• Predefined descriptions for the most common measurement setups, which are referred to as 'conventions'.

Industry News 5 Years Ago
Apple has announced that they have sold over 10 billion songs from the iTunes Store. The 10 billionth song, "Guess Things Happen That Way" by Johnny Cash, was purchased by Louie Sulcer of Woodstock, Georgia. As the winner of the iTunes Countdown to 10 Billion Songs, Louie will receive a $10,000 iTunes Gift Card. iTunes is the number one music retailer in the world and features the world's largest music catalog with over 12 million songs.

In a related note, the music industry is claiming to have has lost 24 million customers within the United States of America during the past 24 months as compared to 2007 according to the NPD Group. They also claim that there has been 33 million fewer CD buyers, with total dollar spending dropping 19% over the same 24 month period. It appears that fewer consumers want to purchase entire physical CDs as music via digital downloads has increased 52% and thus reaching $50 a year per buyer. Online sites such as HDtracks, Linn, B&W and others offer audiophiles music recorded in far higher resolution than CD or even lower quality 320 kbs MP3.

03 / 12 / 15

LaCie USB-C Hard Drive Enables Up To 100 MB/s Digital File Transfer Speed
And with the recent announcement by Apple to use USB-C spec comes the beginning of 'Next-Gen' solutions for fast file transfer speeds and universal consumer electronics connection solutions. LaCie , the premium brand of Seagate Technology, announced the addition of USB-C technology to its Porsche Design Mobile Drive. This product combines the ease of use of USB-C with the proven speed to transfer data up to 100 MB/s. Unlike USB and its micro single-way connection (there is a distinct top and bottom of the connector) both ends of the USB-C cable are identical and the connector is reversible. As a result, there is no need to worry about which end goes to which device or about plugging it in upside down. With up to 100 MB/s data transfer speed, users can quickly back up or exchange photos and videos with friends plus stream music and movies including high-resolution audio and 4K video with ease. With the included adapter cable, USB-C is backwards compatible with standard USB 3.0 (Type-A) or USB 2.0 ports. The LaCie Mobile Drive features a two year limited warranty that includes comprehensive, complimentary web–based resources, expert in-house technical support, and worldwide repair and/or replacement coverage. LaCie's new Mobile Drive will be available next quarter in 500 GB (slim size), 1 TB and 2 TB capacities.

iFi Audio Retro Stereo System Features Integrated Tube Amp With DAC And LS3/5 Speakers
iFi Audio is now shipping their new Retro system that consists of their Retro Stereo 50 Amp and Retro LS3/5 monitors ($1295, $995 respectively and $1995 as a system purchase). iFi Audio's Retro Stereo 50 is an all-in-one valve/tube amplifier that produces 25 watts per channel. Being an integrated unit, is includes a Burr-Brown true native chipset that can handle FLAC, WAV and up to octa-speed DSD and 768kHz for PCM. It also has Bluetooth aptX / intelligent S/PDIF coaxial and TosLink optical input plus high gain MC and standard MM phonostage. For headphone lovers, there is a very powerful 8V/7000mW or you can adjust it for the more efficient 2V/250mW for in-ear monitors. There are two analog inputs, with a 3.5mm being shared with Line 2 input. The company's critically acclaimed 3D Holographic Sound for Headphones and speakers plus XBass is included. Frequency response is from 10Hz to 80kHz and there are tone controls for bass (100Hz +/-8dB) and treble (10kHz +/-8dB). iFi Audio's Retro LS3.5 is their 3.0 'reboot' of the classic BBS LS3/5A which is still now, half a century after its launch, in high demand and revered. iFi has taken the design back to its basic underpinnings and then re-engineered the LS3.5 ground-up for the 21st century. From designing the drivers (not OEM) to the cabinet terminals. The Retro LS3.5 is the company's "synthesis of the best of the BBC LS3/5A and dash of the Le Petite. We eliminated their respective drawbacks using the very latest technological advancements available. So think of the iFi LS3/5 as BBC LS3/5a+Le Petite with an injection of factor X." A proprietary iFi 1.1" silk soft dome tweeter is mated with a specially-designed 4.5" paper cone driver. The drivers are carefully time-aligned and are placed within the Bamboo cabinet's multi-chamber Voigt design. Sensitivity is 90dB/W/m and frequency response is from 60Hz to 20kHz. Of interesting note is that there is no crossover at all for the 4.5" wideband driver. The bamboo cabinet has acoustic active tuning with minimal damping via advanced Amino-plastic open cell foam material. The speaker enclosure measures 146 x 268 x 226 (WxHxD in mm).

03 / 11 / 15

Early Heads Up: Record Store Day is April 18th, 2015
Record Store Day, conceived in 2007 at a gathering of independent record store owners and employees, is a way to celebrate and spread the word about the unique culture surrounding many hundreds of independently owned record stores worldwide. This is the one day of the year that all independently owned record stores come together with artists to celebrate the art of music. Over the years there have been special vinyl releases and various promotional products made exclusively for Record Store Day. Around the globe hundreds of artists also may make special appearances and performances to celebrate this day. While every day should be music day no matter what format you so choose or which store is your favorite to find hidden gems, April 18 is officially Record Store Day during 2015. Special vinyl/CD/DVD releases and various promotional products are made exclusively for this day. Festivities include performances, cook-outs, body painting, meet & greets with artists, and DJs spinning records.

Meridian Audio And TIDAL Test Stream High Resolution Audio MQA Files
Oslo is the place where the world first successfully stream of Meridian Audio's MQA music files happened with the popular high resolution streaming music site TIDAL. The modern day music fan can rejoice as this is a step closer to reality of enjoying a 24-bit/88kHz or higher live streaming music service. This could join NAXOS, who is already offering to classical music lovers high resolution streaming music via their ClassicsOnline HD•LL service as reported within Enjoy the Music.com's industry news page month ago. The TIDAL and Meridian Audio event was led jointly by Bob Stuart, co-founder of Meridian Audio and creator of MQA, and Pål Bråtelund, Strategic Partnership Manager of TIDAL. Employing TIDAL streaming technology together with a pair of Meridian Special Edition DSP7200 Digital Active Loudspeakers and a Meridian 818 Reference Audio Core, the team successfully demonstrated that listeners can experience the full quality and intricacy of recordings, authenticated in the studio – using streaming-friendly files. Those attending the invite-only event included Morten Lindberg, a renowned recording producer specializing in venue recording of classical music, along with other local music industry representatives. "We've been working very closely with TIDAL and we appreciate their support very much," says Bob Stuart. "Today's events clearly demonstrate that we can bring quality and convenience together with this innovative MQA technology. Streaming this sound quality is a big milestone, it's an important moment for future generations of music lovers." 

03 / 10 / 15

Comparo Review!
Sony NW-ZX2 Walkman Versus Astell&Kern AK240
How does the $2500 AK240 stack up against the $1200 Sony NW-ZX2?
SPOILER ALERT! Get ready for a big surprise!
Review By Steven R. Rochlin

Sir George Martin Signature Custom Earphone / IEMs
Great British brands are pooling their resources to create unique earphones to raise money for Action On Hearing Loss, the UK's largest hearing loss charity. Advanced Communication Solutions (ACS) is delighted to announce its partnership with other leading British companies Meridian Audio and Asprey to create 1000 very special sets of limited edition, bespoke molded earphones, endorsed by legendary Beatles producer Sir George Martin. A generous donation from each set going towards funding vital research being carried out by UK charity Action on Hearing Loss. Further enhancing the package is a signed, limited edition portrait of Sir George painted by legendary drummer and painter Gilson Lavis. The concept of the Sir George Martin Signature Custom Earphone (£2250 including a donation of £250 to charity Action on Hearing Loss) was sparked by Sir George's desire to encourage research, education and awareness of the life-changing impact of noise-damaged hearing loss. After a discussion between Sir George and ACS founder Andy Shiach, this unique collaboration was formed to protect people's hearing and raise vital funds for Action on Hearing Loss, the only UK charity dedicated to funding research into treatments, devices and cures for hearing loss and tinnitus. The result is the launch of this unique earphone package, which is based on the ACS Pro-Audio Custom In Ear Monitor Series. Each earphone contains three perfectly balanced miniature speakers – a large dedicated bass speaker for sub frequencies and upper bass, a mid-range speaker for low and high midrange frequencies and a tweeter for the high frequency range. A three-way crossover directs the correct frequency range to the right speaker, with all of the speakers and electronics housed in ACS's soft silicone custom ear mould. Cabling is taken care of by their Linum cable series, which was designed by Danish micro cable specialist Estron. Each cable is made up of six Litz wire conductors of seven individual strands, with each strand constructed from silver plated copper with enamel coating, ensuring no coloration of the sound and an extremely reliable connection. The earphones are delivered with an innovative UK developed and manufactured hearing dose management unit, HDMPro, designed to keep the output from the earphones within the limits set by the EU noise at work legislation. To package this quintessentially British product, Asprey, who since 1781 has developed into the finest British jeweler and luxury goods house, were commissioned to design and manufacture the beautiful, individually hand-crafted presentation case that accompanies. Meridian's Explorer2 compact DAC unit is also included, allowing users of the 1000-run earphones to hear digital music in high quality. To further enhance the uniqueness of this exclusive product, legendary UK drummer and painter Gilson Lavis was commissioned to paint Sir George's portrait and a signed and numbered print is included as part of this very Best of British offering, making this product a truly once-in-a-lifetime exclusive.

03 / 09 / 15

Hi-Fi+ Magazine's March Issue
Enjoy the Music.com just posted Hi-Fi+'s March edition filled with many great equipment and music reviews. This issue includes reviews of the Triangle Esprit Comete EX standmount loudspeaker, Krell Vanguard floorstanders, Zanden Model 120 phonostage, Clearaudio Performance DC turntable, Allnic AUT-200 step-up transformer, HiFiMAN HE-400i planar magnetic headphones, Penaudio Sara S Floorstander, Hegel HD12 DAC and much more! In his editorial, Alan Sircom says "Every February, the statisticians at GfK total up the amount of consumer electronics sold in the previous year. Recently, these annual briefings have been grim reading for those of us in the hi-fi industry, seeing much of what we hold dear disappear into a world of smartphones. But this year, for once, things are very different. While huge growth is not on the map, neither are marked downturns." See the March issue of Hi-Fi+ by clicking here.

MaxxAudio 2.0 By Waves Seeks To Improve Audio On Mobile Devices
Waves, the world's leading developer of audio DSP technologies for the professional, broadcast, and consumer electronics markets, has announced the launch of MaxxAudio Mobile 2.0, which is a suite of psychoacoustic sound enhancement technologies now available to OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers). Waves Audio's increasingly popular technology is now included in over 100 million devices worldwide. MaxxAudio Mobile 2.0 enables the reproduction of deeper bass, clearer highs, louder volume levels and immersive sound performance on mobile phones, tablets, headphones and Bluetooth devices. MaxxAudio Mobile 2.0 aims to improves on the earlier version by automatically adjusting output based on three key listening factors: content, device and environment. For example, when a user is listening to compressed audio (such as streaming music, MP3 files, VoIP applications, digital television or satellite radio), MaxxAudio applies a sophisticated frequency restoration algorithm that regenerates the content, seeks to add clarity and fidelity lost in compression. MaxxAudio can also detect significant background noise on content such as user-generated YouTube videos, and apply noise reduction on the output end to make the sound clearer. MaxxAudio can also be tuned in a bespoke manner to each device, making the sound you get from a small smartphone speaker feel richer and more robust. In addition, MaxxAudio includes a headphone sound expansion algorithm, giving headset listeners a more immersive listening experience. Finally, later versions of MaxxAudio Mobile 2.0 Waves will also have environment-driven features that address sudden increases in room sound and more real-life use cases of sound consumption.

03 / 04 / 15

Quality Record Pressings Purchases 13 Additional LP Pressing Machines To Double Output
Acoustic Sounds' Chad Kassem has discovered 13 vintage record presses used to manufacture vinyl albums for his Quality Record Pressings (QRP) company. With the resurgence in popularity of vinyl LPs, it is getting hard to find enough machines to produce product as manufacturers have months of backlogged orders to fill. Chad has been combing the country for months in search of the equipment to help reduce a troubling backlog of orders for vinyl LPs, whose popularity continues to soar. The problem is, there simply aren't many of the machines around. But recently, Kassem discovered 13 of the presses lying dormant in a Chicago warehouse. They were last used in the mid-1990s for unauthorized (bootleg) 78 RPM albums for export. They were then sold in 2003 to Joell Hays, who had always intended to renovate them to start his own pressing plant though financing blocked his efforts. Chad Kassem found out about the machines from his network of vinyl enthusiasts and quickly completed the recent purchase of ten Hamiltons, two SMTs, and one Lened presses from Hays. With the addition of the 13 presses, QRP will have a capacity of up to 27 presses, making them one of the country's largest manufacturers of vinyl LPs when they are restored. "Finding these presses is like opening Al Capone's vault and actually finding something," said Kassem, who opened QRP in 2011 as a record manufacturing arm of Acoustic Sounds, a leading online retailer of audiophile recordings. "It was getting aggravating because everyone all over the world is looking for presses and I knew that without them, we simply couldn't deal with all the orders for vinyl we had on the books." According to Nielsen Music, sales of vinyl albums increased 51.8% in 2014 compared to 2013 with more than 9,000,000 units sold. The problem for Kassem—along with all the record manufacturers around the world—is that demand far outweighs supply. Kassem estimates he has three or four months' worth of backorders because even after adding a second and third shift of employees, his current presses simply can't handle the load. That's what sparked the search for additional machines. "These machines we just got may look dirty, old and useless, but they're not," said Kassem, who estimates that the recently discovered presses were manufactured between 1968 through 1972. "We're going to get them all up and running and once we do, we'll more than double our manufacturing capacity." Currently, Kassem estimates that QRP presses approximately 1,000,000 vinyl LPs a year for his own Analogue Productions reissue label, all of the major labels and a number of independents. The quality of the records coming out of the Salina plant is directly attributable to the innovations QRP introduced to record pressing upon restoration of the machines they have running now. The same alterations, including the addition of computer programmable logic controls to dictate cycle time, will be made for this next batch of presses. It was QRP's stellar reputation that sealed the deal with Hays, who for the past 10 years had rebuffed all offers on his presses. "Even though it breaks my heart to see them go," Joell Hays said, "It's good to see them going to the right place and to someone who could do what I just could never get done." Below is Enjoy the Music.com / Enjoy the Music.TV's special video tour showing you how a vinyl record is made at Quality Record Pressings.

Parasound Halo Integrated Amplifier Includes 32-bit / DSD DAC and MM / MC Phonostage
Parasound Halo Integrated Amplifier ($2495), originally announced during CES 2015, is now shipping. Parasound's new high-end 2.1-channel Halo Integrated Amplifier includes a 384kHz/32-bit and native DSD256 DAC for digital input plus MM/MC phonostage. The Parasound Halo Integrated Amplifier combines 160 watt per channel (240-watts @ 4 ohms) Class A/AB circuits designed by John Curl with a sophisticated analog preamplifier. These capabilities are further enhanced with a home-theater bypass function, 2.1-channel analog bass management, and a dedicated high-current headphone amplifier. Parasound's Halo Integrated Amplifier uses the latest ESS Sabre32 Reference DAC to decode a wide range of digital music files via TosLink optical, S/PDIF coaxial, and USB inputs. The asynchronous USB 2.0 input supports PCM up to 384kHz/32-bit, native DSD256 and DoP DSD bit streams. The Parasound Halo Integrated Amplifier uses the company's classic Class A/AB, DC-coupled topology with a J-FET input stage, MOSFET driver stage and high-current output stage with 12 Sanken bipolar output transistors. Oversized shielded toroidal power transformer plus 40,000 µF filter capacity ensures clean power to the amplification circuits. An adjustable low pass and high pass crossovers is mated with a front panel subwoofer level control to provide subwoofer integration. Parasond's Halo Integrated has a balanced XLR input and XLR L/R and Sub preamp outputs. There are five line-level inputs, record/fixed level output, and a low noise MM/MC phono input with three loading options. There is a home-theater bypass input circuitry to utilize the Halo Integrated's power amplifier to drive two loudspeakers during surround sound listening while its subwoofer bypass inputs make it possible for subwoofer(s) to operate with surround sound and stereo listening. "Creating the Halo Integrated amp required Parasound to virtually redefine what a modern integrated amp should be," said Richard Schram, Parasound's president and founder, "It was a given that its sound quality had to match our acclaimed Halo separates. Thus, its analog preamp stage was taken verbatim from our popular P 5. Its power amp uses the same John Curl circuit topology and high current design that has made our A 23 and A 21 power amps perennial favorites. We went to great lengths to eliminate the power supply contamination that compromises the audio quality in some of the most expensive integrated amps. Finally, newly released parts from ESS enabled us to leap ahead with an all-new DAC, allowing the Halo Integrated to provide flawless reproduction of the highest resolution digital audio." Dimensions of the POarasound Halo Integrated Amplifier are 17.25 x 16.25 x 5.875 (WxDxH and the unit weighs 33 lbs.

03 / 03 / 15

OPPO PM-3 Closed-Back Planar Magnetic Headphones
OPPO has just released their PM-3 closed-back planar magnetic headphones ($399). The OPPO PM-3 combines audiophile performance, elegant styling, and noise isolation at a reasonable price. These portable lightweight planar magnetic headphones weigh a bit more than 10 oz (320 grams) and is the world's lightest closed-back planar magnetic headphone design. The closed-back nature of the PM-3 provides isolation from the outside world, blocking out the surrounding noise while avoiding sound leakage from the headphones. OPPO's PM-3 have a high sensitivity of 102dB and present a nominal impedance of 26 Ohms. The OPPO PM-3 utilizes a planar magnetic driver that is derived from the EISA award-winning OPPO PM-1 headphones. The PM-3's planar magnetic driver has been optimized for maximum sensitivity and consistency. This, according to OPPO, "allows the diaphragm to generate very stable and linear piston-like vibrations, ensuring phase coherence and high resolution performance with minimal distortion." Their new 55mm diameter round driver is said to "maintain the very natural and smooth sound signature of the PM-1, and is tuned to have deep, tight bass and a touch of excitement". Frequency response is from 10 Hz to 50 kHz. OPPO's PM-3 come with a Selvedge Denim carrying case and two cables, one 3-meter cable for home use and one 1.2 meter cable for use with mobile devices. Available selections include a cable with mic and controls for Apple devices, one with mic and button for Android and Windows phones, and one without mic. Enjoy the Music.com has reviewed the award-winning Oppo PM-1 planar magnetic headphones at this link. Enjoy the Music.com has also reviewed the award-winning OPPO OPPO BDP-105 3D Blu-ray disc player at this link.

03 / 02 / 15

1.1 Billion Teens & Young Adults @ Risk Of Hearing Loss Due To Personal Audio Devices
According to a recent survey by the World Health Organization (WHO), the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system, one billion people are at risk of hearing loss. Some 1.1 billion teenagers and young adults are at risk of hearing loss due to the unsafe use of personal audio devices, including smartphones, and exposure to damaging levels of sound at noisy entertainment venues such as nightclubs, bars and sporting events. Hearing loss has potentially devastating consequences for physical and mental health, education and employment. Data from studies in middle- and high-income countries analyzed by the WHO indicate that among teenagers and young adults aged 12 through 35 years of age, nearly 50% are exposed to unsafe levels of sound from the use of personal audio devices and around 40% are exposed to potentially damaging levels of sound at entertainment venues. Unsafe levels of sounds can be, for example, exposure to in excess of 85 decibels (dB) for eight hours or 100dB for 15 minutes. Safe listening depends on the intensity or loudness of sound, and the duration and frequency of listening. Exposure to loud sounds can result in temporary hearing loss or tinnitus which is a ringing sensation in the ear. When the exposure is particularly loud, regular or prolonged, it can lead to permanent damage of the ear's sensory cells, resulting in irreversible hearing loss. Teenagers and young people can better protect their hearing by keeping the volume down on personal audio devices, wearing earplugs when visiting noisy venues, and using carefully fitted, and, if possible, noise-cancelling earphones/headphones. They can also limit the time spent engaged in noisy activities by taking short listening breaks and restricting the daily use of personal audio devices to less than one hour. With the help of smartphone apps, they can monitor safe listening levels. In addition they should heed the warning signs of hearing loss and get regular hearing check-ups. "As they go about their daily lives doing what they enjoy, more and more young people are placing themselves at risk of hearing loss," notes Dr. Etienne Krug, WHO Director for the Department for Management of Non-communicable Diseases, Disability, Violence and Injury Prevention. "They should be aware that once you lose your hearing, it won't come back. Taking simple preventive actions will allow people to continue to enjoy themselves without putting their hearing at risk."

Industry News 15 Years Ago
The Grateful Dead are debating if they should digitize over three decades of live and studio recordings. This debate is by the band's surviving members, with bassist Phil Lesh in disagreements with former band mates Bob Weir, Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann over an offer from an unnamed venture capital firm. The band has refused similar offers in the past from the likes of Microsoft and others.

03 / 01 / 15

Exclusive Interview!
Sony NW-ZX2 Meeting At Pan Pacific Hotel In Singapore
What you need to know about Hi-Res Audio
Plus six questions with Sony's Mr. Yoshioka about the new NW-ZX2.
Article And Interview By Steven R. Rochlin

March Review Magazine Features Four World Premieres And A Tour Of Asia
Celebrating our worldwide initiative, we travel to Asia for Lunar New Year whilst also bringing you world premieres of the hottest new audio gear showcased during CES. But first, we have Roger Skoff's Cucumbers Stuffed With Pearls where he talks about the other Scheherazade. Editor and Creative Director Steven R. Rochlin travels to Kuala Lumpur to report on seven high-end audio system worth millions of dollars! Back in Singapore, Steven shows you many stereo shops at Sim Lim and The Adelphi, with more reporting of shops plus high resolution photos coming later this month! Visit our Facebook page for many sneak peek photos! Dr. Sardonicus gives us a sobering and straight-shooting personal adventure with a tale of sorrow and redemption (sort of) due to hearing loss.

None other than Michael Mercer gives us his take on CES 2015 that is not to be missed! Gear And Roaming In Las Vegas brings you a first-hand look at all the great equipment Michael experienced during his Las Vegas trip.

We have not forgotten about analog, as our world premiere review of both Soundsmith's Mezzo and Nautilus phono cartridges brings newfound life to vinyl LPs. Soundsmith has been bringing joy to many vinyl LP enthusiasts for years and we have two world premieres of their excellent phono cartridges.

We're not done just yet as Enjoy the Music.com knows you love our world premiere reviews and we keep the ball rolling within our March Review Magazine. Michael Mercer gives you an excellent, and lengthy, assessment of Audeze's reasonably-priced $699 Transcendent EL-8 planar magnetic headphones. Keeping our personal audio reviews going strong, Steven R. Rochlin reports on the hottest Sony unit shown during CES! Sony's seductively-styled NW-ZX2 Walkman, another world premiere review, includes using Noble's world-class Prestige Kaiser 10 (K-10) and JH Audio Roxanne custom IEMs plus Ultimate Ears' UE18 Pro. Just last night Steven interviewed Sony's designer of the NW-ZX2, Mr. Yoshioka, plus has more to write using the JH Audio's Angie and Layla universal-fit IEMs within a follow-up article!

For adventurous music lovers, we have Mike Mettler's exclusive interview with critically-acclaimed and classically trained Chapman Stick innovator / noted progressive bassmaster Tony Levin! Classical music reviews include a refreshing contemporary chamber music from Chicago group Fifth House Ensemble by Joe Milicia. Enjoy the Music.com also has reviews by Max Westler including a well done chamber orchestra approach to Robert Schumann's complete symphonies and Petrenko triumphantly concludes his complete cycle of Shostakovich symphonies.

You can enjoy our March Review Magazine at this link.