High-End Audio Industry News

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07 / 31 / 13

  Loudspeaker manufacturer Everything But The Box (EBTB) new Luna (€999 per pair) brings updates to their most successful model to date! Improvements to the EBTB Luna speaker include changing to a new 4" midrange/woofer driver and changes to the crossover network. The new driver is made by Wavecore and is capable of far more output yet with faster response time. For the uppermost frequencies EBTB's Luna uses a 20mm silk soft-dome with neodymium magnets structure. EBTB spent quite a bit of time in the anechoic chamber to tune Luna to achieve "great linear response, very open and clear sound, more power and more bass. The frequency imaging is now much more uniform with extremely clear mids/vocals and extended bass response" says the company. One of the main features of Luna is the aluminum enclosure, which allows them to achieve the complex shape to reduce unwanted internal standing waves that can distort the sound output. The Luna's baffle is made of composite material, which comprises of polyester resins, stone wheat and other additives. Very sharp CNC machined solid aluminum footers ensure the reduction of vibrations to the surface. High quality automotive lacquers are used for the finish of EBTB's Luna speaker. Overall frequency response is from 62 Hz to 25 kHz, impedance is 4 Ohms and sensitivity is 86dB/W/m. Dimensions are 34 x 20 x 27 (HxWxD in cm) and the unit weighs 10.5 lbs.

07 / 30 / 13

  Sony Corporation and Panasonic Corporation just announced a basic agreement with the objective of jointly developing a next-generation standard for professional-use 300 GB optical discs, with the objective of expanding their archive business for long-term digital data storage. Both companies aim to improve their development efficiency based on the technologies held by each respective company, and will target the development of an optical disc with recording capacity of at least 300 GB by the end of 2015. Going forward, Sony and Panasonic will continue to hold discussions regarding the specifications and other items relating to the development of this new standard. Both companies have previously developed products based on the Blu-ray format, leveraging the strengths of optical discs. However, both Sony and Panasonic recognized that optical discs will need to accommodate much larger volumes of storage in years to come given the expected future growth in the archive market, and responded by formulating this agreement.

07 / 29 / 13

  Wolfson Microelectronics and Waves Audio have announced a partnership to join forces and help bring exceptional audio quality and extended playback time to laptops, tablets and mobile devices. The partnership integrates Waves MaxxAudio Mobile sound processing tools, which are based on the same professional tools used in recording studios the world over, onto Wolfson's advanced WM0011 audio digital signal processor (DSP) to achieve high quality music playback. Their goal is to dramatically enhanced audio performance while preserving battery life. Wolfson's WM0011 dramatically improves audio playback time by enabling the device to manage all audio processing algorithms efficiently and autonomously. The WM0011 provides a rich portfolio of audio processing options that can be integrated into a device with no additional software development. "Waves is globally-renowned for its industry-leading technology in the professional audio market, and we are delighted to partner with them to deliver this exciting new audio solution for portable devices" said Eddie Sinnott, VP of Portfolio, Strategy and Marketing at Wolfson Microelectronics. "At Wolfson we are committed to enabling our customers to achieve the highest quality audio in their products, and this partnership helps to bring professional studio-quality audio to portable devices while extending playback time. With audio processing demands continuing to grow, this solution will allow OEMs to further differentiate their products in the market place."

07 / 26 / 13

  Enjoy the Music.com and Europe's premier Croatian consumer electronics magazine HiFi Media have formed a successful partnership. This new alliance will enhance the reach of both publication's worldwide audience and marks the seventh publication to partner with Enjoy the Music.com. Enjoy the Music.com will feature key sections from each issue of HiFi Media to our extensive and tech savvy online readership. With many years of experience in their country, HiFi Media is very influential with their readership plus produces the country's largest annual AV Show. Enjoy the Music.com readers can easily find their content on our site in English plus subscribe to HiFi Media's print and online editions.

"We are very pleased to start cooperation with such respectable Internet audio source as Enjoy The Music.com," says Andrija Curkovic, publisher and Editor-in-Chief of HiFi Media. "We believe that this collaboration will result, to both sides, with many new ideas for the future upgrade and improvement of our media. In the last two decades consumer electronics has undergone major changes and it has become part of our everyday life. Our task, as the media, should also become part of that everyday life. To be more accessible and understandable to the average consumer, to attract new readers and prevent, unfortunately noticeable, sustained marginalization of high-end audio community on the global market. This collaboration should be the first step on the road to reach that goal." See the complete press release by clicking here.

Benchmark Media Systems adds their new DAC2 L ($1795) to their flagship DAC2 line of audio D/A converters. The DAC2 L is the first DAC2 converter to ship without Benchmark's HPA2 headphone amplifier, yet all of the HGC features are included. Features include: Sabre32 reference conversion system with four 32-bit audio converters per channel, 32-bit gain control, 24-bit/192kHz PCM, native DSD conversion, sample-rate and word-length displays, UltralLock2 jitter attenuation, asynchronous USB audio 2.0, polarity switch, home theater bypass, digital inputs, analog inputs, digital pass through, 12 volt trigger, remote control, and low-noise high-efficiency power supplies. To achieve the lowest possible noise, the DAC2 L uses distributed power supply regulation. Each critical subsystem has at least one dedicated low-noise voltage regulator. Digital inputs never pass through an analog potentiometer and are handled via precise 32-bit DSP system. All digital inputs on the DAC2 L support native DSD conversion. There are five digital inputs, five stereo analog inputs via unbalanced RCA and three analog outputs that include two stereo unbalanced RCA and one stereo set of balanced XLR.

TGIFMUSIC
In ancient times... Hundreds of years before the dawn of history
Lived a strange race of people... the Druids.

07 / 25 / 13

  Enjoy the Music.com has just posted Hi-Fi World's September 2013 edition including the complete editorial and table of contents. This issue includes reviews of the Martin Logan Motion15 electrostatic speaker, Rega RS-10 loudspeakers, Teac UD-501 digital convertor, VAC Phi 200 valve amplifier, Audioquest cables and more! The editorial High Quality Comes In All Shapes And Sizes by Noel Keywood says, "I hope the increasing complexity of modern DACs like the amazing Teac UD-501 we review this month (see p10) isn’t a step too far for buyers. If it is then they would be missing a good thing. But to date I’ve had a number of conversations with reviewers faced with this DAC and all have been unsure about how best to use it; Teac need to write clearer instructions. It took our advanced Rohde & Schwarz UPV audio analyser to show us just what the UD-501 could do when set up properly – then it flew." See the complete September table of contents and editorial of Hi-Fi World by clicking here.

07 / 24 / 13

  Sonos continues their award-winning innovation by now proving streaming for music service 8tracks plus streaming of audio media from your Android device. Sonos update (4.1.1) allows users to play music or podcasts stored on their Android phone or tablet directly to any Sonos wireless speaker or component. After a quick Android update, select 'This Mobile Device' on the Music menu of the free Sonos Controller and then add any songs or show to their queue and play them in any room in their house. Friends and family can do the same to make the party bumpin’. As the goal at Sonos is to constantly improve the way people experience music, they have added online music service 8tracks to the many services already supported. 8track allows people to share and discover music with short playlists of at least 8 tracks. Through Sonos, you can now browse and discover new music shared across the 8tracks community. Users can also like playlists in order to listen to them later, and publish your own playlists to share them with the global community. The best part is this service is 100% advertisement-free and 100% free to join too! Enjoy the Music.com has reviewed the Sonos system at this link.

Music Industry News 10 Years Ago
Fans of legendary folklorist Alan Lomax will soon be able to enjoy the new Rounder Records' SACD release Popular Songbook. This collection of recordings will show how his music greatly affected music for years to come. Quite a few of Alan Lomax's music were later hits for such mainstream groups as The Beach Boys, The Byrds, Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin. This disc will also include a never released recording of "House of the Rising Sun". The SACD title was supervised by Steve Rosenthal who also assisted with the recent Sam Cooke and Rolling Stones titles. Mastering duties were taken care of by Adam Ayan and Bob Ludwig at their prestigious Gateway Mastering facility. Feel free to see our music and book review of The Land Where the Blues Began by clicking here.

07 / 23 / 13

  Coming this weekend is the Capital Audio Fest (CAF) high fidelity audio show! Taking place from July 26th through 28th at the Sheraton Silver Spring Hotel in Maryland, the 2013 CAF is located in downtown Silver Spring, MD and just walking distance from Washington DC and the Metro Rail. Rooms within this venue are oriented well for most any audio system and will accommodate intimate up to large scale systems. The CAF always includes quality high fidelity audio ranging from the affordable to the exotic as well as vacuum tube and transistor equipment. Analog and digital playback sources are also well-represented plus food and beverage are available from the hotel and many nearby restaurants and pubs. You can see our CAF 2013 show coverage at this link. CAF's schedule is as follows:

Thursday July 25 - CAF Setup
3:00PM - 7:00PM: CAF Event Setup 
(You may be able to access rooms earlier depending on availability)
7:00PM - Closed

Friday July 26
9:00AM - 10:00AM: CAF Event Setup
10:00AM - 6:00PM: CAF Open to Public
6:00PM - Raffle Drawing at Bandstand in Atrium
7:00PM Live Music

Saturday July 27
9:00AM - 10:00AM: CAF Event Setup
10:00AM - 6:00PM: CAF Open to Public
6:00PM - Raffle Drawing at Bandstand in Atrium
7:00PM Live Music

Sunday July 28
9:00AM - 10:00AM CAF Event Setup
10:00AM - 5:00PM CAF Open to Attendees
5:00PM - Raffle Drawing at Bandstand in Atrium
5:00PM - CAF Closed

 

07 / 22 / 13

  Enjoy the Music.com has just posted Dr. Bill Gaw's Audiolics Anonymous Chapter 165 plus two World Premiere reviews within our Review Magazine! Also remember to enter our July contest where you can win a set of Gallo speakers including stands plus a powered subwoofer! See the July Review Magazine right now by clicking here.

Audiolics Anonymous Chapter 165 
PurePower+ 3000 And PurePower + 1500 Regenerators
Article By Dr. Bill Gaw

07 / 18 / 13

  After two years of research, development, and testing, the new Triode Wire Labs loudspeaker cable has been released ($499 for a 6 ft. pair on up). Triode Wire Labs is pleased to announce their newly designed audiophile speaker cable line-up, which features deep cryogenic treatment, compression die forging attachment of connectors and completely passive 'ground plane' noise reduction technology in all their models. Consisting of 210 individual 30 AWG conductors in its standard format (420 conductors in bi-wired format), the cable utilizes only the finest connectors made by Cardas Audio. The standard solid billet milled pure copper spades combined with Triode Wire Labs proprietary design and fabrication methods include copper spade installation method of hydraulic compression die forging of 16,000 lbs of force. This produces a cold-fused / cold-welded technique that results in excellent bonded connection. Standard connectors include top-of-the-line Cardas pure copper milled spades as well as Cardas CAB banana plugs per the user's choice in end connector configuration. All cables are hand crafted in the USA with a 30 day in-home audition.

07 / 17 / 13

  TACET's new recording of Maurice Ravel La Valse, Ma mère l'Oye, Tzigane, Boléro is now available (0207-4 SACD, €21.47). As performed by the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra and featuring violinist Gordan Nikolic, this SACD hybrid features many great musical pieces. Conducted by Carlo Rizzi, here is the first recording of a large orchestra in TACET Real Surround Sound. The larger the ensemble, the more complex the score is, as well as the harmonies contained within it. A customer of TACET's described his experience with the multi-channel concept Real Surround Sound as follows: "With the Real Surround Sound, you add a dimension that creates a presence - opening up a new way of listening and a new, previously unknown but highly appreciated way of experiencing the music played. It offers the listener not only greater pleasure, but also deeper insight and a significantly closer relationship to the score."

Linn Records Laki Mera release titled Turn All Memory To White Noise is a "spine-tingling and heart-stopping follow up to The Proximity Effect. An album that artfully fuses electronics, strings, found sounds, ear-worm melodies and Laura Donnelly's bewitching voice." Since Laki Mera are not a band to rest on their laurels, they've come too far, done too much, experienced too much, to go with the flow of critical approval. Producer/multi-instrumentalist Andrea Gobbi is, aside from his day-job in Laki Mera, firmly plugged into the Scottish folk scene as an engineer, a decade after relocating from Italy - admits that they had firm ideas from the outset for the band's second album. "The first album was us focusing on trying to record songs that we'd composed and written while performing live as a band," he reflects. "Whereas this record was entirely a studio album. We really sat down and wrote and recorded and focused on composing the tracks." They go on by saying, "The fact that we've written it, composed it, scored the strings and the brass, and recorded it all in such a concentrated period of time, is what's made it such an honest record from the point of view of the stage we're going through as a band. It was us getting into the studio for a year and exploring what we were about." This is Turn All Memory To White Noise: human songs built from the pulse of technology, the resonance of nature and the throb of emotion. It's what sets Laki Mera apart.

Heads Up International's new solo/duo release HandPicked from Earl Klugh features special guests Vince Gill, Bill Frisell and Jake Shimabukuro. In 1976, the Detroit-born guitarist Earl Klugh – a self-taught virtuoso whose broad influences included Bill Evans, Burt Bacharach, Laurindo Almeida and the great country guitarist Chet Atkins – burst on the scene. Four decades and over thirty recordings later, the Grammy Award-winner and 12-time nominee Earl Klugh has recorded with a number of master musicians. HandPicked is a soulful, sixteen-track solo/duet recording featuring special guest guitarists Vince Gill and Bill Frisell and ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro playing with Klugh on specially-selected tunes that include standards, and original Klugh-penned compositions, some of which have been recorded by Klugh on previous albums, are artfully revisited on this dynamic new disc. "In the earlier part of my career, I was busy touring and playing with a six and seven-piece band," Earl Klugh says. "But I think it's important from time to time to step back and reexamine some things. So I thought it was the ideal time because I ran into several of my guitar friends over the last couple of years. And it got me to thinking – maybe I can include some duets in my next project... I love all types of music. Going in, I knew one thing for sure: I was going to be my own musician. There was so much I enjoyed. I tried to find a way to play the songs I love. What I'm really trying to do on the album is create something that people will enjoy as much as I do."

07 / 16 / 13

  Trends Audio CQ-121 high fidelity stereo cable uses Japanese analog interconnect wire and professional grade Trends Audio 24K gold-plated connectors. Internal wires are insulated with foamed polyethylene, which are then wrapped together by a double screen of AL-Mylar foil and tinned OFC braided shielding. This double screening process greatly aids in rejecting unwanted contaminations including RF and EM interference. The internal 4N pure oxygen-free copper has an overall diameter of 6 mm and each completed assembly of the Trends Audio CQ-121 includes a two year warranty. Trends Audio CQ-121 audiophile cable is available now with the suggested retail is $75 for 0.47, $85 for 1, and $95 for 1.5 meter lengths.

Music Industry News 10 Years Ago
Under the "Why Enjoy the Music.com hates petty, unverified gossip in the audiophile sewing circles" comes Harmon Specialty Group, manufacturer of such brands as Mark Levinson, Revel, and Lexicon, was rumored to have gone out of business. This gossip spread across the Internet in record time on audiophile forums... apparently without anyone simply picking up the phone and calling the company. Had someone taken the time to make a call, they would have learned that only the Madrigal Audio Laboratories' Middlesex County manufacturing location was closing since that particular brand name was being eliminated and other operations at that location were being moved to Harmon Specialty Group's Bedford, MA facility where Lexicon's headquarters resides. This gossiping situation is precisely why we here at Enjoy the Music.com actively discourage such activities as the truth can be far from the rumor, and may also negatively affect the person/company being gossiped about. In the future we here at Enjoy the Music.com wish such activities would be solved by contacting the person/company directly before further spreading such information. The difference between what is rumored and what is fact can be very different. Ok online discussion board class, lesson learned?

07 / 15 / 13

  exaSound Audio Design announces the immediate availability of the e20 Mk III ($2899) - their first high-fidelity DAC capable of achieving DSD playback at sampling rate of 12.288 MHz (DSD 256+). The e20 Mk III predecessor, the e20 Mk II was the only consumer-oriented DAC capable of achieving DSD 256 at 11.2896 MHz. Their new e20 Mk III goes to the next level by introducing three new DSD modes that cover the 48 kHz family of sampling rates: 3.072 MHz (DSD 64+), 6.144 MHz (DSD 128+), and 12.288 MHz (DSD 256+). exaSound has remained ahead of the curve as the latest e20 DSD 256+ capability is ahead of current recording technology. This ensures that audiophiles will be enjoying studio master files the way they were recorded – without down-sampling or down-conversion – well into the future, without equipment upgrades. In addition, exaSound's e20 DACs have vanishing low levels of jitter, distortion and noise. For those who enjoy PCM, the e20 Mk III handles 32-bit/384kHz. The units includes Asynchronous USB interface, optical TosLink and S/PDIF via RCA coax. Analog output is via second generation headphone amplifier and both unbalanced via RCA and balanced via XLR.

07 / 012 / 13

  Bowers & Wilkins is proud to announce CM10 ($4000/pr), their new flagship loudspeaker of the CM Series. The CM10 features a number of innovations and introduces several core Bowers & Wilkins technologies to the range. The first of these core technologies is immediately obvious: CM10 is the first model in the CM Series to feature the tweeter-on-top configuration, a hallmark of the acclaimed Bowers & Wilkins 800 Series. Isolating the tweeter in this way aids imaging and dispersion, creating a more natural, spacious sound. The tweeter dome contained within that distinctive housing is a new design based in part on the research conducted on the carbon-braced tweeter employed in PM1. Here, the edge of the aluminum dome is strengthened using a second aluminum layer that replicates the main dome's profile with the center part cut out, giving a new double-dome design that pushes the first break-up frequency to 38 kHz. The CM10's Kevlar midrange FST driver is, for the first time in the CM Series, decoupled from the rest of the cabinet. This FST drive unit is secured in place by a drawbar mechanism, as found in 800 Series Diamond models. Bowers & Wilkins' CM10 comes in two real wood veneers, Rosenut or Wengé, or a painted Black Gloss finish.

With TAVES 2013 just four months away, Audio Video Productions Inc. is inviting all companies interested in exhibiting at the show to book their space now and save 15%! TAVES 2013 will attract over 3000 qualified visitors and industry professionals, and host some 80 exhibitors this year, of which 60 percent have already confirmed their booking. Rooms on the 2nd floor are now completely sold out and the 8th floor (the show's first upper floor) is 90 percent sold out – there are only a handful of rooms left on this floor. So sign up today! The new TAVES 2013 Social Media initiative allows all exhibitors to generate buzz about their company and its products during the months leading up to the show, at no additional cost. The concept is very simple – sign up to exhibit at TAVES and send us a "sneak peak" of what you plan to demonstrate at the show and we'll share them with the TAVES and CANADA HiFi social networks. A social media campaign reaches the all-important younger generation and is perfectly targeted to your potential audience. Enjoy the Music.com will have TAVES 2013 coverage at this link.

TGIFMUSIC
 Summertime and the living is easy...

07 / 11 / 13

  ifi Audio has finally launched their iTube analog preamplifier that includes the high quality NOS GE 5670 tube (~$330). The new iFi Audio iTube has a user-selectable gain of 0dB or 6dB to optimize output level. The input signal may be left pure with Direct signal or through the included adjustable analogue volume control. The analogue volume control is supplemented by a special '3D Holographic Sound System', with details of this system to follow shortly from the manufacturer. Same with the included Digital Antidote Plus system, as we shall learn more in the coming days. Internal parts are of high quality and have been carefully hand chosen after many hours of listening tests. There are gold-plated single ended RCA jacks for both stereo input and output. Enjoy the Music.com has reviewed the ifi Audio Micro iPhono MM/MC phonostage and the combination of the ifi iPhono, iDAC And iUSBPower available by clicking here.

Contest!
Anthony Gallo Acoustics and Enjoy the Music.com are giving away a complete Micro SE 2.1 setup! This includes a pair of their impressive yet small Micro SE speakers in White, Black or Stainless. In addition, you'll get matching white or black floor stands plus a ballsy in black powerful TR-1D subwoofer! The company has taken everything that made the original Micro Ti and A'Diva Ti exceptional compact satellite speakers and made it better. This Special Edition utilizes a proprietary ultra-wide dispersion flat-diaphragm transducer that covers a frequency range from 80 Hz to 22 kHz all powered by a single driver. This technology enables these spherical wonders to perform as true audiophile-quality loudspeakers – without large enclosures or a hefty price tag. Because they use a single driver, the Micro SE have no need for a crossover and can be used for stereo or home theater. The Anthony Gallop Acoustics TR-1D subwoofer pounds out the bass with an included Class D 200 watt amplifier, integral bass equalizer and 10" long-throw ceramic anodized aluminum cone driver. Bass performance is from 180 Hz to a room-shaking 24 Hz! Contest ends July 31, 2013, with winner receiving an Anthony Gallo Acoustics Micro SE 2.1 setup with an MSRP of $1276 in white or black ($1356 in stainless). Click here to enter the contest.

07 / 10 / 13

  Audionet's new CARMA (Computer Aided RooM Analyser) is the company's software for measuring and assessing the acoustical characteristics of listening rooms and the identification and simulation of measures to avoid disruptive effects caused by the room. The new CARMA 4 is their latest version, which has been completely redesigned and is significantly more powerful. The program is intuitive to use and thus allows beginners to obtain excellent results. The Audionet CARMA software makes it possible to locate and correct amplitude variations caused by loudspeakers within a listening room. Amplitude variations in frequency domain can be corrected with up to five equalizers in a graphic environment. The corrected frequency response is immediately processed and shown on the display. The settings of each equalizer, frequency, quality etc., are processed automatically and listed in a separate window. These settings can then be used for a equalizer such as those integrated in the Audionet DNA, DNP or DNC. CARMA 4 now also offers a powerful interface to Audionet's networked DNx systems. It handles mono, stereo, and multi-channel up to 7.1 plus separate stereo subwoofer (2.2) measurement. The software is available for Windows PC and Mac Mac OS X Version 10.6 or higher.

07 / 09 / 13

  Producer and serial entrepreneur James "Jimmy" Iovine, perhaps best known for his co-founding of Beats by Dr. Dre and co-founder of Interscope Records plus chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M and mentor on American Idol, is possibly taking his $60 million seed funding to launch a new streaming music service with AT&T. Since AT&T is currently official dealers for Beats By Dr. Dre and has high-speed 4G networks plus Wi-Fi spots throughout America, this partnership will allow both interests to capture part of the lucrative online music service industry. This new partnership, if finalized, could bring both companies a key part of the growing online digital music marketplace. While there are no official direct comments from either party on this tentative deal, it could eventually lead to offering the world's first mainstream truly high resolution music sales/services to the public. Beats by Dre has 5.8 million 'Likes' on Facebook whereas AT&T has only 4.6 million. Of course both parties are well aware of the pitfalls, too, especially Iovine who has much experience in the music industry. Below is an interview discussing some of the possibilities back in March 2013.

07 / 08 / 13

  Townshend Audio's new generation of Seismic Isolation devices for 2013 include their Seismic Load Cell and Seismic Isolation Pod plus various equipment platforms. Audiophiles know that mechanical vibration degrades the sound of many high fidelity systems, thus Townshend Audio has worked for many years to combat this apparent problem. The key component is the Townshend Seismic Load Cell that consists of a high quality alloy steel compression spring covered by a flexible synthetic rubber jacket with two end plates. Screw threads at each end enable height adjustment and provide attachment points. A movement-sensitive, air-resistance damper rapidly dissipates low frequency oscillation caused by handling the suspended equipment. Seismic Load Cells are very 'soft' and allow free movement in all three dimensions to block all deleterious vibration from 2.5Hz upwards and from every direction. Another new device from Townshend Audio is their Seismic Isolation Pod (£100 each) that forms a connection between the audio system and structural vibrations in the room. At the same time it will absorb vibration generated internally within electronic components. The Seismic Isolation Pod is a Seismic Load Cell with a circular foot attached to the lower end cap for stability. The length may be adjusted by turning the top end cap, which allows easy leveling of audio equipment placed on a set of four Pods. There are soft felt protective pads on the top and bottom faces of the end caps to allow for easy positioning and to prevent scratching. The company is also offering a variety of Seismic Isolation Speaker Platforms starting from £999 and Seismic Isolation Platforms in various sizes for front-end equipment.

07 / 03 / 13

  Enjoy the Music.com just posted the July edition of Hi-Fi+ filled with many great equipment and music reviews plus think pieces. This issue includes equipment reviews of the Constellation Virgo & Centaur, Acoustic Signature Acosna turntable, Rogue Audio Sphinx hybrid integrated amplifier, Edge Reference Line preamplifier, Electrocompaniet EMP3 universal disc players and more! Within Alan Sircom's editorial he says, "It's easy to view this whole industry by its prestige pieces, because they are impressive and striking and sound great… and are just perfect for making the front cover of a hi-fi magazine. But beneath that prestige level, there are whole strata of exceptionally good pieces of audio equipment that more than deliver the goods at prices real people with real salaries can afford." You can see the complete table of contents and editorial of Hi-Fi+ by clicking here.

Rogue Audio is now shipping their Pharaoh hybrid integrated amplifier and Stereo 100 (ST-100) tube power amplifier ($3495 as pictured and $2995 respectively). The Pharaoh hybrid integrated amplifier produces 175 wpc @ 8 Ohms and includes a vacuum tube headphone circuit. Also included is an MM/MC phonostage, balanced inputs, home theater bypass and a processor loop. The phono has user adjustable loading with choice of 40 or 60 dB of gain. This pure tube mu-follower preamplifier has a slow start turn on sequencing to ensure long tube life. Damping factor is > 1000 and overall power is aided by a large high storage linear power supply. Ultra high quality components are used throughout including Mundorf EVO oil coupling caps. Rogue Audio's Stereo 100 (ST-100) tube power amplifier uses circuitry adapted from their acclaimed M-180 monoblocks. The ST-100 is rated at 100 wpc @ 8 Ohms using the Tung Sol KT120 tubes. Both unbalanced RCA and balanced XLR inputs plus 4 and 8 Ohm binding post pairs are included.

07 / 02 / 13

  Rega is highlighting their 40 years in business with celebration by offering a very limited edition RP40 Anniversary turntable. This turntable will only be available during 2013 and built to a limited number of units with its own set of serial numbers. Rega's RP40 is supplied with a special edition white Elys40 cartridge that has undergone testing to ensure the highest achievable specification. A new Silicon drive belt exclusive to RP40 is derived from their development work on the Naiad (expected later this year). These belts are manufactured on a new tool to guarantee a stable diameter over the full circumference of the belt offering improved speed stability whilst reducing flutter. A custom turntable PSU will be included and hand-tuned to each individual motor before fitting to the deck. Other features include stainless steel balance weight, aluminum foot trims and matching top brace.

Italian company Gold Note is offering their new Bellagio Conquest as the company's flagship turntable. The Conquest is the only turntable that features thirteen different curved plinths enabling maximum stiffness, solidity and resonance feedback control. Plinths are interfaced with different thickness titanium spacers joined with specially curved machined solid block aluminum and extra large feet. Gold Note's Conquest features the longest platter bearing/spindle ever made for a turntable, being 270 mm long. The spindle is made of carbon steel hardened with a boiling oil process than rectified and polished to guarantee a perfect working fluidity. The bearing is made of polished bronze with a total tolerance of 1/100 millimeter. According to the company, "Such incredible length guarantees the best smoothest possible platter rotation and force distribution along the spindle axis." The Conquest features a power control generator based on PWM technology - Pulse Width Modulation. The PWM power drive generates the power AC-DC-AC enabling the best coupling of the two AC semi-wave for a perfect coupling and allowing the highest motor torque at the same time. Gold Note's Conquest includes a remote control of all the main functions: ON/OFF, speed change, speed control and power control. Lastly, a unique "power control system" allows users to control the torque of the motor to finely adjust the turntable "musical character". 

07 / 01 / 13

  Enjoy the Music.com challenges our readers to bring about a change within the high-end audio industry! We also have a great new contest plus many equipment reviews are joined by think pieces not to be missed! See the July Review Magazine right now by clicking here.

Regular Reading
Daily News: Audiophile news updated each weekday!

BAS Speaker
Panel Discussion On Dealer - Customer Interface
Working together to create a great experience.

Sound Practices
Guerrilla Tactics For The Audiophile Home
Article By Joyce

VALVE Magazine
It Is Not A Gang, It Is A Club!
Editorial from VALVE's first issue!!

Contest!
Enjoy the Music.com July Contest!
Win a complete Anthony Gallo Acoustics Micro SE 2.1 setup!

Show Reports
T.H.E. Show Newport Beach 2013
Join us as we discover great gear in Cali!

Viewpoint
In This Issue...
The Future's So Bright We Have To Wear Shades!
Article By Steven R. Rochlin

The 21st Century Audiophile
A unique 'high-quality' experience of stillness, bonding, love, and friendship as we share our taste and wisdom about music.
Article By Herb Reichert

From The Editor's Desk
My Memo To The Industry
In this age, optimism like that is a revolutionary act...
I just want to be inspired.
Article By Steven R. Rochlin

Audiolics Anonymous Chapter 164: I'm Baaack!
Environmental Potentials EP2050 Wave Form Corrector And Intel NUC Mini Computer
Article By Dr. Bill Gaw

Skoff'ing Up Food For Thought
Help; I'm an audiophile and I don't know what that means!
Article By Roger Skoff

Sonic Satori
A New Journey into the Heart of the Audiophile Dream
Article By Michael Mercer

Lifestyle & Design
Porsche Design P'3135 Solid Fountain Pen
A high-precision fountain pen from Porsche engineers.
Article By Steven R. Rochlin

MWE Lab Emperor 200 Computer Workstation
The ultimate seat for high-end computer users!
Article By Steven R. Rochlin

Green Machine
Relive One Of your favorite childhood memories!
Article By Steven R.

Audiophile Equipment Reviews
Cary's New Audio Electronics Line
Constellation Vacuum Tube Preamplifier
Internet direct-to-consumer line of tube amplifiers from Cary are kings of value!
Review By A. Colin Flood

Triode Lab EL84TT Integrated Amplifier
A very linear unit with impressive focus plus deep and defined soundscape.
Review By Rick Becker

Eryk S Concept Red King Integrated Stereo Tube Amplifier
A very interesting unit with many strengths.
Review By Wojciech Pacula

Partner Magazine Reviews
The Absolute Sound
Nola Contender Speaker
A Boxer with Legs.
Review By Neil Gader

Ortofon MC Anna Moving-Coil Cartridge
Game Change!
Review By Jonathan Valin

Hi-Fi+
Marten Django L Loudspeaker
Fabulous speakers at a keen price.
Review By Alan Sircom

Electrocompaniet EMP3 Blu-ray/Universal Disc Player
A common goal of sounding like music.
Review By Alan Sircom

Hi-Fi World
Streaming Audio
Stream music from your computer to your hi-fi. Here's how!
Article By network engineer Jim Roberts

Garrard 401 Turntable Revival
Spurred by growing interest in the Garrard 401 turntable, Noel Keywood dusts the cobwebs off his own and brings it up to date
Article By Noel Keywood

HIFICRITIC
Bully Sound BSC-60s Stereo Amp Plus 100m Mono Update
Bully Stereo's bargain at just half the price of the monoblocks, and goes nearly as loud.
Review By Chris Bryant

Subjective Sounds
Article By Paul Messenger of HIFICRITIC

DIY Audio
Vacuum Tubes
Article By Grey Rollins

Music Reviews
Classical Music
The complete string quartet music of John Adams, brilliantly played by the Attacca Quartet.
Review By Max Westler

Fischer's Superb Vision Of Mahler Gustav Mahler Symphony No. 2 in C Minor Resurrection
Review By Phil Gold

Superb Nielsen symphonies from Alan Gilbert and the New York Philharmonic.
Review By Max Westler

The Pacifica Quartet continues its superb survey of string quartets by Shostakovich and his contemporaries.
Review By Joe Milicia

Invidious In Vienna
My musical excursion though Vienna.
Article By Ray Chowkwanyun

Jazz, Bluegrass, Folk, etc.
Diane Hubka
I Like It Here - Live In Tokyo
Review By Ray Chowkwanyun

See the July Review Magazine by clicking here.

Electrocompaniet will soon be shipping their new ECM 2 (€4900) high performance balanced network player. This new streaming media player by Electrocompaniet has an intuitive and straight-forward interface, plus includes operation for those who prefer to use a tablet and/or smartphone. The ECM 2 plays music, movies, pictures and television shows from the 1TB internal hard drive, usb disks, or it can stream from network attached storage. Electrocompaniet's ECM 2 will also let you watch video in full-HD plus decodes DTS-HD and Dolby TrueHD formats. Supported control interfaces include DLNA, UPnP, Android and iOS remote. Their EMC 2 handles up to 24-bit/192kHz files and supports WAV/WAVE, MP3, AAC+, Vorbis, AC3, DTS, ALAC, FLAC, APE, and WMA. Video support includes MPEG-2, MPEG-4, H.263, MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) all up to 1080p. Enjoy the Music.com has reviewed the Electrocompaniet PD 1 with optional EMS 1 music streamer and Electrocompaniet's AW180 monoblock power amplifiers.