08 / 29 / 03
Simaudio
Ltd. has announced their new MOON LF-S ($599) and MOON LF-A ($649) power
filters. Aimed squarely at the high-end audio/video market, Simaudio claims these units provide a clean AC signal to electronic components by employing "accurate filter slopes at specifically targeted frequencies to achieve the desired amount of filtering." Simaudio further says that "these filter frequencies do not limit the musical reproduction capabilities of any MOON products connected to the LF-S or LF-A and... avoid the typical "choking out" of high-current demands required for musical peaks. Each model includes two high-current 15A hospital grade AC outlets, with an IEC 15A input receptacle to
accommodate your favorite high-end AC power cord." Specifications are as follows:
Lowers noise floor by as much as 42dB
Eliminates RF and EMI interference from the AC line
Heavy-gauge and extremely rigid chassis construction
Brushed and anodized faceplate.
"Low Q" filter attenuation at 12kHz for the LF-S
"Low Q" filter attenuation at 18kHz for the LF-A
Reduces high-frequency hash resulting from poor AC lines
60Hz Impedance is 15 milliohms for the LF-S
60Hz Impedance is 6 milliohms for the LF-A
Protects against AC power surges and spikes
08 / 28 / 03
Triad
now offers their InRoom Silver LCR loudspeaker ($750). Employing a braced enclosure, this freestanding loudspeaker has two high performance 6.5-inch midrange/woofer mated to a 1-inch fabric dome tweeter. The InRoom Silver LCR may be placed horizontally for center applications or
vertically for mains. The InRoom Silver LCR sensitivity is rated at 92dB/W/m and is offered in twenty real wood veneers, or custom match paint, and come with a 10-year warranty.
08 / 27 / 03
Core Sound
brings 24-bit/192kHz portable digital recording capability to the masses at the low price of $199 for your portable computer! Core Sound's recording system for PDA, laptop and desktop is centered around their PDAudio-CF (Type I) Compact Flash card with S/PDIF interface with optical and coaxial inputs. PDAudio-CF can be mounted in PDA hosts that run Windows CE/Pocket PC 2002, Linux, or used with laptop and desktop computers running Linux, Windows 2000 or Windows XP. By using Core Sound's PDAudio-CF, your computer will be able to record in both single channel and dual channel modes in 16, 18, 20, or 24 bit mode. Data rates include 32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4 and 192kHz. PDAudio-CF can also accept DTS, AC-3 and MP3 data streams.
The Vacuum State of the Art Conference (VSAC) is scheduled for
October 3rd, 4th and 5th in Silverdale
Washington. Featuring vacuum tube amplification, over two dozen exhibit rooms
will be displaying equipment from approximately 60 different manufacturers. Also on display will be a wide assortment of medium to high efficiency loudspeakers, turntables,
and other audio equipment. Various vendor booths will be selling CDs, vinyl, tubes, parts, magazines and t-shirts. A Vintage Audio room will be displaying equipment from the past and a Craftsman's room will be displaying homebrew equipment brought by DIY'ers from all over the country. Live entertainment is scheduled on both Friday and Saturday nights and a swap meet will be held on Sunday afternoon.
08 / 26 / 03
InterVideo, a
leading provider of computer DVD decoding software, announced the new optional DVD-Audio Pack ($40) for their WinDVD 5 Platinum ($60) and Gold ($50) editions. InterVideo's DVD-Audio Pack will allow computer users with DVD drives to fully
navigate DVD-Audio discs and enables users to access special features that have been added by the artists such as slide shows, browseable pictures, lyrics and bonus groups. Naturally this also extends to the
ability of decoding the high resolution audio tracks. "In Asia and Europe, where many homes are smaller, there is already a strong demand for PC software solutions that deliver superior audio and video entertainment," said Steve Ro, president of InterVideo. "And in the U.S., consumer demand is increasing for software that provides complete PC-based personal entertainment. A single, centralized solution is ideal for use in student dorm rooms, small apartments, individual's bedrooms and family rooms. The missing ingredient has been a solution that supports DVD-Audio navigation and playback." InterVideo also offers other DVD software such as WinDVD Producer, WinDVD Creator, and WinDVD Recorder.
Speaking of DVD-Audio,
Universal Music Group (UMG) has announced their upcoming releases. All of UMG's releases have been remixed and remastered from the original multi-track masters. UMG's DVD-Audio discs will usually also include bonus content consisting of photos, biographies, lyrics, discographies, and videos. UMG's DVD-Audio discs will also play on existing DVD-Video players using Dolby Digital surround sound. Upcoming DVD-Audio titles will include:
Aaron Neville Nature Boy: The Standards Album
Andrea Bocelli Verdi: Arias
Anne-Sophie Mutter Vivaldi: Four Seasons
Beck Sea Change
Cecilia Bartoli The Vivaldi Album
Christian Thielemann Orff: Carmina Burana
Claudio Abbado Beethoven Symphonies 1, 2 (among others)
Dave Grusin Two For The Road
David Sanborn timeagain
Diana Krall Love Scenes, When I Look In Your Eyes, The Look Of Love
Peter Frampton Frampton Comes Alive!
Elton John Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
George Strait Honkytonkville
John Hiatt Bring the Family
Marvin Gaye Collection
Ryan Adams Gold
Shania Twain Up!
Sheryl Crow The Globe Sessions
Steely Dan Gaucho
Sting Brand New Day
The Who Tommy
3 Doors Down Away from the Sun
Vince Gill High Lonesome Sound
Valery Gergiev Tchaikovsky: 6th Symphony
08 / 25 / 03
CD copying is so "yesterday" as DVD recorder sales are up a staggering
550 percent in only the first half of 2003 according to NPD Group. They state that total sales of computers with internal DVD burners reached 209,959, up from 32,271 during the same period in 2002. Not growing as fast, yet still showing strong growth are standalone DVD recorders as they experienced a sales increase of 316 percent (58,000 units) in the first half of 2003.
Blues artist and audiophile favorite Mighty Sam McClain
has been nominated for "Best Blues Act" and "Best Blues Album" at the 16th Annual Boston Music Awards. Mighty Sam McClain is said to be honored to receive two nominations at the 2003 Boston Music Awards to be held at the Wang Center on Thursday, September
4th.
08 / 22 / 03
Acoustic
Reality of Denmark is now offering their eAR Thousand & One power
amplifier. Claimed to be the most powerful single-chassis unit in the world, configurations begin at 1,000 watts and can be upwards of 3,000 watts (or 4,000
watts in multi-channel) with price ranging from $17,000 to $34,000. The shining blank hand-polished enclosure makes the amplifier almost invisible due to its mirror-like effect. Acoustic Reality claims to use only the world's best parts internally including pure silver wiring, Jensen capacitors and foil coils, and several analog power supplies. Each unit is exclusively handmade to order. Up to three power cords are necessary depending on final configuration in this single-chassis, dual or quad mono-block design for stereo or six to eight channel output.
08 / 21 / 03
Dorian Group, Ltd. has acquired the Grammy Award winning recording label
Reference Recordings. For decades Reference Recordings has been producing critically
acclaimed music which audiophiles have cherished for both sound quality and performance. Some of Reference Recordings' musical artists/groups include the Dallas Wind Symphony, Eileen Farrell, Dick Hyman, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, and the Turtle Creek Chorale. According to the press release "Reference Recordings' identity and key staff will remain intact, including the legendary "Prof." Keith Johnson. Reference Recordings' state-of-the-art audiophile production quality and reputation will continue leading the field in innovative thinking and technical achievements, such as HDCD" The press
release continued by saying "Under its new ownership, Reference Recordings will kick-off with three spectacular recordings: The Minnesota Orchestra under Eiji Oue perform works of American composer Dominick Argento featuring soprano Frederica von Stade, the German-born 17 year-old organ sensation Felix Hell debuts with a recording of spectacular virtuosity on the "king of instruments" that is destined to become a touchstone demonstration recording, an important release of works by the celebrated composer John Tavener including a World Premiere work, Ikon of Eros for solo violin, orchestra and choir (Paul Goodwin leads the Minnesota Orchestra and Chorale with orchestra concertmaster Jorja Fleezanis as soloist)."
08 / 20 / 03
Densen
has released their new B-800 benchmark tuner with a staggering 99 station preset
function. The B-800 is a completely in-house design and is claimed to be able to tune into even relatively weak stations. While the minimalist front panel offers very few features, the rear panel has switches for DX/Local and tuning sensitivity. Internally, the front end is encapsulated in a shielded box to avoid interference with the audio-stages. Densen claims that the audio-stages of the B-800 are made without compromise employing advanced "Class-A" non-feedback output-stages with neither local nor global feedback. Silver content soldering is used as the components are robot-mounted with a precision of 0.02mm. The B-800 uses software programmed and developed by Densen, for its advanced fuzzy-logic search technology, and for all other controlling of the B-800. The software is programmed in a separate chip, allowing the software to be upgraded in case there are changes in the software or a new feature has been added. The software also allows multi-room (DenLink) and system controlling in a Densen system. Besides upgrading the software, the B-800 also has a socket for upgrading with an external power supply, which will be made available in late 2003.
The
Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is now accepting entries for their Innovations
2004, the consumer technology design awards program until October 12, 2003. Endorsed by the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA), CEA's Innovations award continues for the eighth straight year and allows both manufacturers and developers an opportunity to have their products judged by a preeminent panel of journalists, designers and
engineers. Winning products showcased at the
2004 International CES' Defining Technology's Future in January. As the most widely renowned consumer technology awards program, Innovations 2004 recognizes the best designed and engineered products in the categories of:
* Accessibility
* Accessories
* Audio
* Computer hardware
* Digital imaging
* Electronic gaming
* Environmental design
* Home appliances
* Home data networking
* Integrated home systems
* Mobile electronics
* Online/Internet
* Personal electronics
* Retailing CE accessories
* Retail resources
* Satellite systems
* Home office
* Software
* Telephones
* Video
* Wireless communications
08 / 18 / 03
The highly attended The Home Entertainment Show (T.H.E. Show) will be at the St. Tropez All Suite Hotel (located
next to the Consumer Electronics Show's Alexis Park venue)
and also the San Remo and Hawthorne Suites. With this event being held from January
8th through the 12th, exhibitors have an
additional day over the CES to conduct business and demonstrate their high-end audio and video products. Mike Maloney, CEO of The Home Entertainment Show,
said "T.H.E. Show is not giving up its long term contract with the Hotel San Remo but is now expanding to have exhibits at both hotels. The majority of the large displays will be located in the San Remo conference center and ballrooms and the standard exhibit suites at the St. Tropez."
General Manager of the St. Tropez John Sevilla and Director of Sales Angela Corvello
concur by saying "We are ecstatic to return T.H.E. Show to its rightful home. We have gone through over a half million dollars in renovation to the property so far this year and plan to have another half million completed by the time T.H.E. Show 2004 takes place. Not only are we having a great relationship with T.H.E. Show officials but are looking forward to serving and growing along with the exhibitors and their needs for years to come." To
see Enjoy the Music.com™'s exclusive 2003
coverage of T.H.E. Show please click here.
08 / 15 / 03
Linn
hosted a major event at Definitive Audio in Seattle, Washington,
for a world launch of their new Akurate loudspeaker line. This new line includes their 242 floorstanding
unit ($9,495 per pair in Black Ash, add $50 for Maple, Cherry, or Rosenut woodgrain), 212 monitor ($5,750 per pair), 225 center channel ($3,750 each), and 221 subwoofer. With the full range loudspeakers featuring Linn's new 3K Driver Array, the Akurate line provides an
extremely wide frequency response and dispersion. Head designer for the new Linn Akurate loudspeaker line, Philip Hobbs, said the vertical and horizontal dispersal needed to be as clean and wide as possible. The new driver
arrangement are mounted up front to offer clean dispersion with high power neodymium magnets
to allow for tight, close mounting and grouping of the upper frequency
drivers. This also allows a minimization of the baffle and cabinet-type
reflections that can cause distortion. The dual 6.5-inch bass units employed within the Akurate line are a three-layer sandwich
to offer and extremely light yet rigid cone.
The Akurate 242 employs a unique crossover where each 6.5-inch bass driver rolls off differently. The upper unit starts at 500Hz while the lower unit begins rolling off at 250Hz. While each driver has its own set of binding posts (up to 5-way), the lowermost woofer has an extra set of binding posts for those who desire a 2dB of bass boost. The Akurate 225 center channel also offers the same 2dB bass
boost option for acoustic matching of the 242 within a home theater or multi-channel music system while the Akurate 212
monitor provides a 4-way wiring option. Basic specifications are as follows:
Akurate 242 Floorstander
Frequency Response: 49Hz to 33kHz
Sensitivity: 87dB/W/m
Dimensions: 39.5 x 8.4 x 15 (HxWxD in inches)
Weight: 70.5 lbs.
Akurate 212 Center Channel
Frequency Response: 70Hz to 33kHz
Sensitivity: 87dB/W/m
Dimensions: 14 x 8.4 x 12 (HxWxD in inches)
Weight: 26.6 lbs.
Akurate 225
Frequency Response: 66Hz to 33kHz
Sensitivity: 87dB/W/m
Dimensions: 9.875 x 23.75 x 12 (HxWxD in inches)
Weight: 46.5 lbs.
Akurate 221 Subwoofer
Frequency Response: 10Hz to 235Hz (adjustable crossover)
Included Amplification: 500 Watt RMS, 1000 Watt peak
Dimensions: 12.72 x 12.75 x 12.75 (HxWxD in inches)
Weight: 37.5 lbs.
08 / 12 / 03
Sound Physics Labs, Inc.
(SPL) is now shipping their new Boundary Dependent External Air Path (B-DEAP) bass horn
enclosure. The B-DEAP subwoofer represents an evolutionary design utilizing the company's patent pending Boundary Dependent technology. The External Airpath technology allows for the very efficient generation of extreme levels of acoustic power with low distortion obviating the issues of size, weight or
processing. Developed by Sound Physics' creative director of R&D, Thomas
Danley, the B-DEAP design takes into consideration the physical space outside the actual box, utilizing boundaries, enclosure walls and geometry to form a bass horn external to the unit. Traditionally, a bass horn capable of extending to 30Hz requires an enclosure with a ten to twelve-foot wide mouth. By employing the principal of the acoustic mirror image and the External Airpath technology, the B-DEAP system avoids the need for large-size enclosures while delivering "natural, clean, low-end sound". In a nutshell, the acoustic mirror image concept dictates that when an acoustic space is halved, the mouth area of a bass horn is also halved; when corner loaded, the mouth area is reduced to one-eighth. With the B-DEAP approach, the last half of the horn (the big end) is created through the existing room and enclosure boundaries. As a result, Sound Physics' B-DEAP32 is an enclosure measuring 42 by 42 by 18 (inches), loaded with two 12-inch high excursion drivers and weighing in at a hefty 175 pounds. Low frequency cut off is boundary dependent (on configuration in room), and typically produces frequencies down to 30Hz or so.
08/ 11 / 03
Enjoy the Music.com has
completed their third consecutive year providing virtually
live coverage of Áudio e Vídeo's Hi-Fi show in São Paulo,
Brazil! Conducted by the Brazilian publication Áudio
& Vídeo that features many wonderful articles concerning
stereo hi-fi and home theater, they also focus on live music and true
cinematic experiences. Held at the Centro de Exposições da Câmara Americana
de Comércio from August, 8th through the 10th in São
Paulo, Brazil, unlike virtually all other shows around the world the 60 show
rooms are purpose-built. Click here to
see our extensive show coverage.
Our next coverage will be the Top Audio & Video Milan
(Italy) show followed by CEDIA in
September. Then we are off to provide maximum exposure to the VSAC
show in October! Enjoy the Music.com™ always
welcomes providing millions of audiophiles virtually live show coverage that
have a truly welcoming atmosphere and conducted by outstanding
promoters/publications. Feel free to see our extensive listing of our past
show reports by clicking here.
08 / 07 / 03
Finite
Elemente is now offering their high-precision molded Ceraball ceramic ball resonance control device. Made in United States, the ceramic ball is
incorporated to insure interfering resonances are deflected and transferred rapidly. An elastomer collar is employed for centering while the ball is enclosed within a top cap piece. A multiple of Ceraballs are to be placed directly under the component's bottom plate, allowing the unit to sit on the cap covered ceramic balls.
08 / 06 / 03
Sweden-based Coph Nia
has released their new Stereo Preamplifier ($3,290) featuring five inputs and two pairs of outputs for ease of bi-amplification.
Separate ultra-low noise matched bipolar transistors for each channel within the power supply insure high channel separation. Premium audio capacitors, shielded internal signal cables, gold-plated RCA jacks, and ALPS volume potentiometer continue the very high quality parts list. The signal path from input to output is very short and
employs relays with gold plated contacts and a carefully planned layout. The
meticulously built enclosure in made from thick aluminum and steel, precision machined to the finest finish. Overall enclosure
dimensions are 16.5 x 4.5 x 13 (WxHxD in inches).
August
12th is the day Thomas Edison invented the phonograph back in 1877. To commemorate this event,
Vinyl Record Day to be celebrated on August 16th at Pasadena City College's Flea Market in Pasadena, California. Vinyl Record Day is the brainchild of Gary J. Freiberg, a music enthusiast and patent holder of "The Record Album Frame," an acrylic frame to display album cover art. The frames have decorated the halls of the Smithsonian, the Hard Rock Hotel Orlando; they are the only product of their kind sold at Graceland and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. "The objective of Vinyl Record Day," says Freiberg, "is to remember that, whatever we go through on a personal or national level, life has its goodness. Music is the primary vehicle to our fondest memories, Vinyl Record Day is to celebrate and remember them." This holiday will also be recognized by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland in a celebration on August
23rd.
08 / 05 / 03
Respected mobile audio products manufacturer JL Audio
has officially announced plans to expand into home audio with a line of high-performance loudspeaker
systems. Expected to roll out in 2004, President of JL Audio Andy Oxenhorn said "Expanding into the home audio market is a natural evolution for JL Audio. Our engineering team, led by JL Audio’s founder Lucio Proni, is very experienced and fully capable of taking this challenge on. We will be creative and capable of delivering solutions that make sense in today's home-entertainment market." This new division of JL Audio will be headed by Carl Kennedy, who was with Miller & Kreisel Sound Corporation.
GutWire Audio Cables
has released their new NotePad support device. Capable of supporting up to 22 pounds, the NotePad is said to assist in vibration control by reducing unwanted vibrations from negatively affecting both audio cables and equipment. Interconnect or loudspeaker cables are simply placed on top of the NopePad while multiple
NotePads can be employed to support equipment. The special formulated cellulose high molecular polymer gel is inside the NotePad to absorb vibration, unwanted resonance, EMI and
RFI.
08 / 04 / 03
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is on the move as they not only announced a new Chairman & CEO, they are also being sued by
Pacific Bell Internet Services challenging the
legality of 154 subpoenas served in hopes of finding out the names of peer to peer (P2P) users.
The chief of staff to U.S. Senate majority leader Bill Frist (R-TN), as its new chairman and CEO. Mitch Bainwol, who was the staff chief to United States Republican (from
Tennessee) Senate majority leader Bill Frist is now the chairman and CEO of the RIAA. Cary Sherman, President and General Counsel of the RIAA said "Mitch's strong background and experience will be a real asset to the RIAA. We welcome him to the RIAA and look forward to working with him on the important issues facing our industry at this crucial
time." Mitch Bainwol said "I'm delighted to take on this role. It is an honor to be associated with such a talented and creative group. I am especially pleased to be working in partnership with Cary Sherman, and look forward to tapping into his expertise about the music business. What could be more rewarding than helping to promote two great American traditions: music and property rights?"
In other RIAA news, Pacific Bell Internet Services (PBIS) has filed a federal lawsuit against the RIAA in a direct challenge to the legality of 154 subpoenas served against them by the RIAA. They are claiming these
subpoenas were filed improperly as the RIAA began seeking out P2P users who are allegedly illegally sharing copyrighted music files on the Internet.
Hoping to win due to a technicality, the PBIS claims these subpoenas were issued from the wrong jurisdictions and due to the wide variety of locations of their customers, the
subpoenas could not simply be filed within a single location nor grouped under a single, yet wide-reaching subpoena.
Newly formed company River Cable, formerly Sound & Video, offers hand-crafted audio and video cables for high-performance systems.
River Cable engineers are the brains behind innovations like the original Digiflex Gold digital audio interconnect. River Cable Executive Vice President of Research and Development Paul Swedenburg said "River Cable is... sensibly priced, premium cable to certify the performance of each cable. Each cable assembly is individually evaluated, and passes up to seven stringent measurement tests. Once tested and certified, each cable's performance is warranted for life with its individually numbered River Cable Birth Certificate. The certificates provide the customers with the actual test measurements and performance graphs for their cables. Although it is labor intensive and time consuming, certification is a key phase of our work. We stand 100% behind our cables." A 30 day in-home trial is standard as is a lifetime warranty. The cables themselves are identified by their jewel tone and is covered with RiverSlinx Gold FX as a protective safeguard. River Cable now offers innovative Analog and Digital Audio Interconnects, Digital Audio Optical, Speaker Cables, Composite Video, S-Video, Component Video, RGB (HV) and VGA/Breakout Cables as well as custom order cables.
08 / 01 / 03
Enjoy the Music.com
has released the August edition of both their Review
Magazine and the highly anticipated inaugural issue of Superior
Audio! This news brings a platform specifically aimed at the best
in sound reproduction to the worldwide Internet.
Superior
Audio features many long standing and well-respected journalists. We at Enjoy the Music.com™
are proud to bring back Myles B Astor into the audiophile community. Articles within the August 2003 edition of
Superior Audio include:
The Dodson DA-218 DAC
Emotive Audio Caeli-LE Single-Ended Amplifier
Focal.JMlab Grande Utopia Be Loudspeaker
Shakti Hallograph Soundfield Optimizer
Revisiting The Loth-X's Silbatone C-102 Pre-Amplifier
We have also released the August edition of the Enjoy the
Music.com™ Review
Magazine that offers various equipment and music reviews plus an
editorial by Steven R. Rochlin. August 2003 also heralds the start of the Review
Magazine's fifth year in publication while the Enjoy the Music.com™
website has been online for well over eight years.
Loudspeaker manufacturers have long known that
properly bracing their cabinets and carefully controlling a driver's backwave is paramount to achieving top quality music reproduction.
Dynamat's new Dynaxorb ($30) is specially designed to
disperse and diffuse rear sound wave energy produced by a driver, thereby reducing it from directly bouncing back and causing unwanted
distortion. Dynaxorb assists in controlling back-wave distortion using Dynamat's "Sonic Stealth Technology". Dynaxorb absorbs, diffuses and attenuates the sonic energy directed towards it. The Dynaxorb Pak contains two 6-inch by 6-inch Dynaxorb squares and a tube of cyanoacrylate adhesive.
High-Performance Audio Reviews
