High-End Audio Industry News
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08 / 31 / 11
Autonomic, a supplier of custom electronics with premium cloud-based media server solutions, has announced that their popular Mirage Media Server MMS-2 ($1995) is now available in a sleeker and more compact form
factor. Coming with a faster processor, TosLink and HDMI outputs than the previous unit, the new Mirage Media Server MMS-2 represents a strong value for users seeking to converge content for multi-room distribution while gaining global access to their audio collections by leveraging cloud synchronization services. Mirage Media Server functionality has also been enhanced by the addition of Amazon Cloud integration to go along with MP3 Tunes and iCloud compatibility. Additionally, Autonomic is working with Savant and their media server API (App Programming Interface) to implement richer integration within Savant’s control and automation environment. Mirage Media Servers already offer a vast array of control options with modules available for AMX, Control4, Crestron,
RTI, URC, iPad and iPhone/iPod Touch. The MMS-5 will become available in two
versions — the MMS-5A (audio only) and the MMS-5AV (audio and video capability with a higher
price). The Mirage Media Server MMS-5AV will be capable of iTunes video playback. As promised, all existing MMS5’s will be field
upgradeable to adapt to this new functionality, making the currently available MMS-5 with field
upgradeability a very strong value while they last. The MMS-5A and MMS-5AV are expected to ship in Q4, 2011 including all new firmware updates.
Music Industry News 10 Years Ago
Super Audio CD (SACD) has
found more allies as Universal Music Group (UMG) will soon offer some of the
their music on the SACD format. It is reported that UMG will be offering
their best-selling new releases using the multi-channel surround sound
capabilities of the format. "With the increasing penetration of Super
Audio CD players in the marketplace, UMG recognizes the substantial potential
for this innovative new format," said Jorgen Larsen, Chairman and CEO,
Universal Music International. "By making titles available on Super Audio
CD, UMG intends to help drive the growth of this high-quality, secure music
format, with its many benefits for consumers and recording artists. The
objective is to make Super Audio CD a standard for the industry." The
Universal Music Group consists of record labels Decca Record Company, Deutsche
Grammophon, Interscope Geffen A&M Records, Island Def Jam Music Group, MCA
Nashville, MCA Records, Mercury Records, Motown Records, Philips, Polydor,
Universal Records, and Verve Music Group as other smaller labels.
08 / 30 / 11
Bentley
Motors, manufacturer of high-end luxury automobiles as UK's third largest R&D investor in their automotive sector and employing almost 4,000 people in Crewe, will soon be offering their new
2012 Bentley Continental GTC with Naim Audio system (pricing is Ł149,350 in the UK, $212,800 in the USA and €170,060 in Europe). This luxurious hand-crafted cabin includes a class-leading infotainment system featuring Naim Audio amplification and multi-speaker design. It initially took 18 months of research and
development with engineers from both marques working in partnership from design concept through to in car production to produce sound reproduction that is the equal of the world’s best home audio systems. Ground-breaking technologies include 1100 Watt amplification system, next-generation Digital Signal Processing (DSP) and the most advanced acoustic speaker set-up. The 1100 Watt amplification system
with 15 speakers is the most powerful automotive production amplifier in the world, and the DSP offers users eight modes to enhance their listening experience according to seating position or music type. As with every element of the music system, the speakers are exclusively designed for the cabin of every model in the Bentley range to provide superior acoustic quality. As for car itself, it features a powerful 6.0-litre W12 engine with FlexFuel capability to produce 567bhp and 516lb ft of torque. The 2012 Continental GTC has sharper radii and assertive stance over the previous model and delivers a more contemporary and muscular presence. Advanced manufacturing techniques produce
aluminum front wings without the need for seams or welds creating the look and feel of a coach-built car. Twenty-inch wheels are now standard with three styles of 21-inch wheel, a first for GTC, available as an option, reinforcing the distinctive, sporting stance of the new Bentley. This four-seater luxury convertible features a new, even more spacious and sumptuous hand-crafted cabin, with soft-touch leather hides, an extensive range of wood veneers, cool-touch metals and deep-pile carpets. There are 17 standard soft-touch leather hide
colors with six color split combinations, complemented by a range of seven veneers, all produced by Bentley’s talented craftsmen and women. The GTC’s renowned coupe-like refinement is also enhanced. The tailored, multi-layered fabric hood is complemented by acoustic glass and under-body panels, for optimum noise isolation. A wider track, front and rear, sharper steering and retuned suspension provides a more exhilarating and class-leading drive. Bentley’s advanced all-wheel drive system features a new 40:60 rear torque bias
minimizing understeer during hard cornering and allowing the spirited driver to manage the car’s line and balance via precise throttle
control. Enjoy the Music.com's editor Steven R. Rochlin has personally
reviewed the Bentley/Naim
audio combination at this link.
08 / 29 / 11
High-end audio brands Focal
& Co. and Naim
Audio have announced they are merging to create a new European leader in the audio
industry. Focal & Co will own and manage Naim and Focal as independent brands, retaining their unique philosophies and product ranges. Focal & Co, owned by Jacques Mahul (Founder and Chairman), CM-CIC (long-term Focal shareholder), and the management teams of Focal and Naim, will employ 325 people at its facilities in Saint-Etienne, France and Salisbury, UK, and have a combined turnover in excess of Ł48 million. The Research and Development teams of Naim and Focal are central to the success of both brands. By bringing together these hugely talented individuals, Focal & Co will create an industry-leading R&D capability to propel the two brands to the next level of innovative, high-quality sound classics in the dynamic new world of hi-fi technology. Jacques Mahul, Founder and Chairman of Focal & Co commented,
"For future success the key point is that there is no future for a speaker or electronic company alone. Partnership and collaboration are the way forward both in terms of investment and R&D. Working together means you can go more quickly and successfully while remaining true to the respective
brands." Paul Stephenson, Managing Director of Naim Audio Ltd and now a Board Member of Focal & Co added,
"It is a merger of European minds. In Focal, we have found a partner which shares our passion for music and will help us take Naim to the next level. We can achieve far more together than would have been possible alone, yet at the same time we are able to retain everything that is unique about Naim and everything that our customers love us for. We have some incredible developments in the pipeline and this alliance will help us get those to market as quickly as
possible."
Because more and more audiophiles are seeking
the fastest and best solid-state hard drives (SSD) due to high sound quality
and dead silent operation... Other World Computing
(OWC) today announced the $130 60GB capacity model to its award-winning, built in the USA OWC Mercury Electra 6G Solid State Drive (SSD)
line. OWC Mercury 6G SSDs come in two models (Mercury Electra 6G and Mercury EXTREME Pro 6G) offering seven capacities from 60GB to
480GB. Mercury Electra 6G SSD offers over 500MB/s sustained data rate performance of a 6G SSD for high speed personal computing. In addition to single drive use, it can be incorporated into a RAID 1 or SPAN configuration and is available for immediate ordering in 60GB, 120GB, 240GB, and 480GB
($130, $200, $450 and $895 respectively) capacities. Whether a consumer has a Mac or PC with the SATA Revision 2.0 (3Gb/s) data bus or the latest SATA Revision 3.0 (6Gb/s) interface, the OWC Mercury 6G SSD line is able to deliver near bus saturating speed when installed in either interface. OWC benchmark testing confirms OWC Mercury 6G SSDs delivers sustained data rates over 275MB/s in the
3G's 300MB/s max speed bus. Taking advantage of 6G's interface’s maximum bandwidth of 600MB/s, Mercury 6G SSDs provide up to 559MB/s sustained reads and 527MB/s writes. Thanks to SandForce DuraClass technology, OWC Mercury 6G SSDs are able to provide up to 100X higher data protection than provided by ordinary SSDs as well as leading enterprise class hard disk drives. By combining the highest level of Error Correction Code
(ECC) and SandForce RAISE (Redundant Array of Independent Silicon Elements) technology along with
7% over provisioning reserve/overhead flash allocation, OWC Mercury 6G SSDs provide RAID like data protection and reliability in a single drive application.
08 / 26 / 11
HDtracks, founded by David and Norman Chesky of the audiophile-record label Chesky Records in an effort to provide a high resolution digital music download service,
now offers Marvin Gaye The Marvin Gaye Collection and Talking Heads
True Stories in 24-bit/96kHz. The Marvin Gaye Collection by Marvin Gaye is jam packed with R&B hits including "Heard It Through the Grapevine," "What's Going On,"
"Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing,"
"Ain’t No Mountain High Enough," "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)," "Distant Lover" and more, The Marvin Gaye Collection is an essential grab bag of hits by one of the most important voices in 20th Century music. Talking Heads
True Stories highlights this legendary New Wave band's eclectic soundtrack. Talking Heads' 7th studio album featured one of the band’s biggest hits, "Wild Wild Life" and showcased the group's signature quirkiness. The songs
— originally written for the David Byrne-directed film True Stories — incorporate funk, Cajun music, folk and country for a sound as energetic and unique as the band's best work.
08 / 25 / 11
Naim Audio will be adding a new all-in-one player to its Uniti range called the
SuperUniti plus offer software updates for the HDX and UniServe. Naim's new
SuperUniti shares the same feature set as its smaller sibling UnitiQute, adding to it a more powerful 80 wpc amplifier and high resolution 24-bit/192kHz streaming capability. Naim's SuperUniti will stream audio files from a hard disk player and/or server, such as UnitiServe or HDX, network attached storage (NAS) or computer via the home network. It has a multi-format tuner for FM/DAB/internet radio with Naim's Choice; allowing access to higher quality internet radio streams selected by Naim. A front-panel USB port facilitates replay of MP3 player/iPod and USB-stored audio, while six 24-bit/192kHz-capable S/PDIF digital inputs are provided for use with external digital sources. Added to this is a choice of user interfaces: front panel key pad, remote control handset and iPad / iPhone app. And for those wishing to use a CD player alongside their SuperUniti, system automation is enabled for full CD control via the n-Stream app.
Naim's SuperUniti will be available October 2011. In a related note, Naim's HDX and UnitiServe will be getting a software update. The Version 1.6 update adds internet radio and automated back-up to NAS to Naim's hard disk player / servers. The update also applies to the NaimNet NS01, NS02 and NS03 music servers. Naim's HDX and UnitiServe users will be able to enjoy the same internet radio functionality as offered by Naim's streaming players, including Naim's Choice: a listing of Naim's
favored internet radio stations as well as an exclusive 320kbps stream from Radio Paradise of California. Full station art will available via the HDX's front-panel touch screen and the n-Serve control app. The update is due to go into
production within a few days and is free of charge. The update will be available through the Naim retailer, although a download will be placed on the Naim website for those wishing to carry out the update
themselves. Enjoy the Music.com has reviewed the Naim X series
system, the Naim Audio NDX network player,
and editor Steven R. Rochlin has taken a ride in the Bentley automobile equopped with a Naim audio
system.
Music Industry News 10 Years Ago
Vacuum State of the
Art Conference and Show 2001 (VASC 2001) is a
specialty show for the DIY community. The show will be held from September 7th
through the 9th. Held at the West Coast Silverdale Hotel in
Silverdale, Washington, the show promises to be the main West coast event for
tube enthusiasts. Various seminars and conferences will be held during the
event.
08 / 24 / 11
Enjoy the Music.com has just posted the
September edition of Hi-Fi+
(Issue 82)! This issue includes reviews of the Clearaudio Innovation turntable, conrad-johnsonEt5 vacuum tube preamplifier, Audio Research DAC 8 digital to analog converter, Audiolab 8200 CDQ CD/DAC preamplifier hub, Magneplanar MG1.7 floorstanding panel loudspeaker
and much more.
Within Alan Sircom's editorial he writes, "It is funny how things work out. A decade ago, the idea of putting a turntable on the cover of a hi-fi magazine was a questionable one. Sales of vinyl were in the doldrums, new products were relatively rare and people were discussing their ‘final vinyl’ system. Many took the ultimate step and sacked both turntable and – a fatal error in my opinion – their LPs to move into the bright future of the polycarbonate disc. In 2011, the reverse is true. Sales of LP and record players are growing once more and people of all ages – even those who were born long after LP was scheduled for termination – are getting back into the format." You
can see the complete table of contents and editorial of Hi-Fi+ by clicking
here.
MK
Sound, founded in 1974 as a manufacturer in designing and manufacturing subwoofers and high-end loudspeakers, is now offering their new 950F floorstander and X8, X10 and X12
subwoofers. After nearly 40 years, the 950F is the brand’s very first floorstanding
loudspeaker that stands 48” high. Dual 5.25" polypropylene woofers are integrated with the MK Sound Pro tweeter via the exclusive MK Sound Phase Focused crossover. Unlike other crossover designs that are optimized only for a narrow and shallow “sweet spot”, proprietary MK Sound Phase Focused crossovers are said to "deliver razor-sharp imaging and flat frequency response over a very wide listening area by optimizing system performance in both the vertical and horizontal planes." The heavy, curved metal grilles are acoustically inert and are held in place with magnets concealed in the front baffle. MK Sound's new X8, X10 and X12 (each having a pair of 8, 10 or 12 inch drivers respectively) exploits the very latest technological developments in transducers, crossovers and amplification to re-define the parameters of subwoofer design in the crucial areas of distortion and dynamic control. The tried and true MK Sound dual-driver push-pull configuration is a well proven concept that ensures accurate low frequency performance with excellent step response and impulse control. The pioneering MK Sound
"reversed double driver configuration" – a front-mounted woofer and an identical second bottom-mounted, back-out unit - achieves absolute mechanical linearity with minimal distortion, even when confronted with the most challenging program material. MK Sound's X8, X10 and X12 feature highly optimized drivers for each specific cabinet size to deliver accurate, controlled bass that exceeds the strictest THX specifications and accommodates digital master audio formats. Cast frames, distortion reduction rings in the motor system, pole spacers, low-loss rubber surrounds and non-inductive, 2-inch overhung voice coils contribute to authoritative, full-bodied bass with exceptional speed and agility.
08 / 23 / 11
Enjoy the Music.com
has just posted Hi-Fi World's
Volume 21 Number 8 (October) edition including the complete editorial and table of
contents. This issue includes reviews of the Audel Art ART CG618 charismatic Italian loudspeakers, Esoteric C-03/A-03 high-end pre-power combination, plus a DAC Supertest with the Arcam
rDAC, Musical Fidelity M1, Centrance DAC Mini, Wyred 4 Sound DAC 1...
and more! The
editorial titled Audio Fashion David Price says, "Reflecting the fact that we now live in a world of PlayStations, Sky boxes, DVD and Blu-ray players, DAB radios and satellite receivers – as well as our hi-fi digital music sources – those little black boxes, filled with silicon chips doing arithmetical calculations at dizzying speeds, are well and truly in demand again!
That's why this month we've brought you a digital to analogue converter
supertest, which rounds up no less than eight of the things across a range of price points. The good news is that they're capable of bringing surprisingly fine sound for a modest outlay; all provide a handy boost to your computer sound, whilst most will turbocharge your network music player and/or mid-price CD player into something sounding very fine. Read all about them on p19." See the complete
October table of contents and editorial of
Hi-Fi World by clicking here.
08 / 22 / 11
Enjoy
the Music.com has just posted the
September/October 2011 edition of The
Absolute Sound (Issue 215)! This edition of The Absolute
Sound features their Golden Ear Awards plus many equipment and music
reviews. Equipment reviews include Music Culture Technology MC 501 CD Player with MC 701 integrated amplifier and RL21 loudspeaker, Music Culture Technology system, Analysis Plus Big Silver Oval cables, Legacy Focus SE loudspeaker, the Constellation Audio Altair linestage and Hercules power amplifier... and much
more! Within Robert Harley's editorial The Computer Audio Revolution he writes, "Audiophiles are usually the first to latch onto new audio technologies and trends. It's the enthusiast market that is more adventurous and willing to pay a premium for better performance that paves the way for the wider commercial success of mass-market formats. We even refuse to let go of formats that failed to become mainstream — witness SACD." You can see the
complete table of contents and editorial of TAS by clicking
here.
Music Industry News 10 Years Ago
Peter Gabriel has taken his recording company and
begun his very own online music subscription
service. Peter's Womad Digital Channel allows music fans to enjoy 40 tracks for only
Ł5 ($7.21 USD). Recording lable Telstar has also come aboard as they represent
rhythm and blues artist Craig David, Mis-teeq and Germany's Edel. The Association of Independent Music (Aim), that includes such people as
Bjork, The Chalatans, Tom Jones, and Stereophonics is currently in negotiating to join Peter's new online music service. Employing technology by OD2, music tracks as said to only be playable on the subscriber's personal computer and portable devices yet will not be transferable to other PCs to insure copyright protection. Furthermore, the music will expire and self-delete after one month, though users can buy the music for an added fee.
08 / 20 / 11
As
a friendly reminder, Enjoy the Music.com offers our Android application for mobile phone
devices. With nearly 8,500,000 users, Android phones have been sold worldwide since October 2008 and is quickly
becoming a major player in the mobile market. The new
Android application provides easy access to our daily industry news, high-end audio consumer
electronics equipment reviews, show reports and much more. "It brings me joy to announce Enjoy the
Music.com's new Android and Windows Phone 7 applications" said editor Steven R.
Rochlin. "The fast growing popularity of the Android operating
system on a wide variety of mobile devices proves that enthusiastic and
tech savvy consumers want devices they can use to get the information
they desire right now. The Android application marks our
entry into one of the fastest growing mobile phone devices. Our Android
application
makes the information audiophiles seek only a few taps away. Android users can download the
Enjoy
the Music.com
Android application
by clicking here.
Enjoy the Music.com, an industry leader in consumer electronics
information plus equipment and music reviews for approximately 15 years,
is pleased to offer our
Windows Phone 7 audiophile application for mobile
devices. As the world's fastest growing mobile application device in the world,
the new Microsoft Windows Phone 7 is the next generation unit from the
industry's leading OS software company. Since
many major mobile phone service providers offer a variety of Windows
Phone 7 devices, Enjoy the Music.com is naturally now a part of
this growing platform. Many years ago Enjoy the Music.com was the world's first and only audiophile
magazine with a WAP site during the wireless Internet infancy. Today, the move to go mobile and be available everywhere has once again
brought Enjoy the Music.com to expand our reach to audiophiles worldwide. The new
Windows Phone 7 application is the world's first audiophile application for
this device and provides easy access to our daily industry news, high-end audio consumer
electronics equipment reviews, show reports and much more. The new Enjoy the Music.com Windows Phone 7 app
can be downloaded by
clicking here.
08 / 19 / 11
HDtracks and ABKCO Records announce the latest installment of the super high definition digital downloads of the Rolling Stones original catalog of ground-breaking studio, compilation and live albums in sparkling fidelity FLAC
formats. These Rolling Stones gems are offered in both 24-bit/176.4kHz and 24-bit/88.2kHz.
In total, there are fourteen additional ABKCO Rolling Stones albums on HDtracks
that have been released and are now available exclusively from
HDtracks online
store. This campaign follows in the footsteps of the release earlier this year by ABKCO Records/HDtracks of four classic Sam Cooke albums from ABKCO's catalog. "This ABKCO Rolling Stones collection in high resolution is a combination of the utmost care in re-mastering, the best technology in A/D conversion and the highest resolution files available on the web. Our goal is to bring out every musical nuance that occurred at the original recording session and deliver it to your home for your musical enjoyment," says David Chesky, HDtracks co-founder.
Parasound, an award
earning company whose products are used by audiophiles, recording engineers and production houses worldwide, has debuted their Zphono•USB preamplifier ($350). This compact preamplifier is for moving coil and moving magnet (MC/MM) phonograph cartridges and line-level analog sources. For new media applications, Zphono•USB also adds an analog-to-digital (A-D) converter with a USB port to transfer audio from vinyl LPs onto Mac and PC as digital media. Like its predecessor, the Zphono•USB uses high quality parts and precision RIAA equalization to achieve extremely low levels of noise and distortion plus delivers accurate frequency response. For the digital realm, the Parasound Zphono•USB also includes an adjustable USB gain control and defeatable RIAA equalization to improve the quality of audio transfers from LPs to digital media. The USB gain control and USB clipping indicator are used to optimize the digital record-output levels for the optimum signal-to-noise ratio with all recording software programs. The Parasound Zphono•USB has a stereo input for an MC or MM phonograph cartridge, and two stereo line-level inputs to facilitate digital transfers of analog sources such as a tuner, CD player or tape deck. Rear-panel settings for MM-47 k, MC-47 k or MC-100 cartridges are included. A front panel rumble-filter and mono/stereo switches are also available to refine the quality of phono playback for older LPs and mono LPs. Furthermore, the Zphono•USB has dual power transformers and analog power supplies to minimize noise and an AC polarity reverse switch to combat hum issues related to power line
polarity. Enjoy the Music.com has reviewed the Parasound NewClassic Model 2100 preamplifier & Model 2125 amplifier,
the Parasound JC 3 phono
preamplifier plus the Parasound Halo JC 1 monoblock
amplifiers.
08 / 18 / 11
Paradigm, a company that for over 25 years has set their standard for sonic excellence in performance/value relationship, has just announced their Monitor Series 7 loudspeakers for music and home theater. This marks a complete redesign of the lineup, both technologically and aesthetically. While preserving the natural acoustic signature of Monitor Series speakers. new items include
self-aligning magnetic grille design with honeycomb interior and a complete baffle redesign. The 0.75-inch MDF baffle further increased cabinet solidity and resonance reduction. The b has also been FEA-optimized to remove resonances and vibrations so as to be critically tuned to the rest of the cabinet. Other new design hallmarks are the elegant plinth (base) to provide stability for the narrower floor standing footprints plus a 20% overall reduction in model footprints. Paradigm's new Monitor 7
(pictured right) is a new size and a 3-driver model, versus the previous 4 driver iterations, that covers the spectrum through a tweeter, mid/bass and bass driver. The new Monitor 11 is now the size of the original Monitor 9 v.6 yet is a 5-driver model versus the previous 4 driver iterations. For multi-channel enthusiasts, there are two new center channels known as Center 1 and Center
3. For rear surround sound, the Monitor Surround 1 and Surround 3 are both 4 driver models. All model's in Paradigm's new Monitor series uses a 1" S-PAL satin-anodized pure-aluminum dome tweeter while a Waveguide design offers improved high-frequency dispersion. A special mesh guard offers added protection for the dome tweeter from
clumsy fingers. Larger cones for midrange and bass are S-PAL satin-anodized pure-aluminum cones with lightweight foam-rubber surround geometry. New high temperature voice coils (aluminum or copper) are wound on Kapton formers. Paradigm's Monitor Series 7 is available in Black Ash and a new Heritage Cherry finish. Surrounds are in Black. Pricing for the series is as follows:
Atom Monitor: $199
Mini Monitor: $279
Monitor 7: $449
Monitor 9: $599
Monitor 11: $799
Center 1: $379
Center 3: $599
Surround 1: $279
Surround 3: $399
Nielsen, a company within 100 countries that provides clients the most complete understanding of what consumers watch and buy, has reported that music sales in the United States are up 1.6 percent in
2011. Digital album and track sales saw dramatic growth through Q1 2011. While physical albums saw a decline in year-over-year sales from the same period in 2010, digital album and track purchases went up 16.8 percent and 9.6 percent, respectively. Digital retailers received more than half of all music transactions, propelling a 12.4 percent growth in sales over last year. Of important note is that
vinyl sales increased 37 percent in the beginning of 2011 over the same period last
year (see chart to the right). Vinyl sales also rose 14.2 percent in
2010, although they only accounted for 1.2 percent of physical sales. Rock is the most popular genre of music, with 32 percent album share, while pop music represents 40 percent of all current digital tracks sold. Ninety-three of the 100 best selling vinyl albums in 2011 fall within the Rock or Alternative genres.
08 / 17 / 11
Heathkit, a company long known for their legendary tube audio kits with
audio hobbyists, is back in the kit business! Heathkit will debut their new line of do-it-yourself
(DIY) kits for common around-the-house items. While the kit will be a Garage Parking Assistant (GPA), editor of
Enjoy the Music.com Steven R. Rochlin spoke with the head of marketing
concerning audio kits. As Steven's first job was working for Heathkit
(operating inventory control and their BBS system) when such kits were available, he has
intimate knowledge of the company and the kits themselves and the parts needed
to complete them. After much discussion, the head of Heathkit's marketing, Mr. Wake, told Steven that he is astounded by the demand for the tube kits. We discussed the possibility and why there is such demand for the audio kits. He said to give it a few months to about a year as the company want to get things going first before
delving deeper into Heathkit's deep library of DIY kits. This includes ham radio and other very popular Heathkit devices that are very much in demand to this day. So if you want to see audio kits from
Heathkit, please contact them from their site and ask for them.
08 / 16 / 11
Goldmund, a company that for over 30 years has developed audio and video equipment at the highest level, will offer only 50 of their new Eidos Reference Blue Blu-ray
player. The Goldmund Eidos Reference Blue supports playback of Blu-ray discs in addition to DVD and CD variants. The heavily damped brass and aluminum mechanism enclosure (66 lbs.) is suspended on 4 spring-loaded suspension pods to cancel the negative effects of vibrations. Its external aluminum transport rigidifying structure cancels spurious vibrations. A built-in stabilized power supply uses the Goldmund AC-Curator circuitry and is separated from the mechanism. The Eidos Reference Blue also includes the Goldmund "Magnetic Damping" technology that is claimed to "considerably improves the image stability and sound transparency." Specifications include:
Zone free BD-ROM V2, BD-RE V3, BD-R V2 (single layer, dual layer)
DVD-RAM: DVD video recording format, AVCHD format, JPEG
DVD-R/DVD-RW/DVD-R DL: DVD-video format, DVD-video recording format, AVCHD format
DVD-Video, CD-Audio, SACD, CD-DA, HDCD, Picture Kodak CD CD-R/RW: CD-DA, JPEG, MP3
08 / 15 / 11
Enjoy the Music.com, a leader in consumer electronics
audio equipment and music reviews for approximately 15 years with over
200 magazine issues online, has
released Version 11 (V11) of our free Internet Web
browser. As a longtime and highly
respected site for audiophiles,
Enjoy the
Music.com
began offering the world's first Web browser back in May
of 1999. With over a decade of experience in development
and research, Version 11 (V11) further refines and streamlines our previous efforts
with links to online consumer electronic equipment reviews, audiophile music reviews,
many
respected print magazines and a wide variety of online streaming and
download music resources. We also offer links to hundreds of equipment manufacturers
from all around the world plus over 150 consumer electronics show
reports.
As the
Internet has revolutionized the way consumers receive up-to-date information concerning electronics, and
recently in their ability
to purchase high resolution music, it can be challenging to find
specific information for audiophiles. This audience is growing at a staggering rate; with
over one billions Internet users to date! Without a doubt
the Internet is now the world's largest storage of knowledge and data. Enjoy
the Music.com continues to play a key role in reaching enthusiasts
worldwide that desire learning about the latest in high-end audio
products. Since consumers need a browser to view the Internet, Enjoy
the Music.com continues to be the industry's only site in giving its
readership a customized version to suit their needs.
"Version 11 of the Enjoy the Music.com
Internet Web browser continues to extend our technology leadership
within the high-end audio industry and joins our recently released
Android and Windows Phone 7 mobile apps" said Steven R. Rochlin,
editor of Enjoy the Music.com. "With each new browser
release, Enjoy the Music.com has made Web surfing faster, easier
and more secure. In addition, new links to consumer electronics manufactures,
online music resources and other interests allow users to easily find
what they are seeking. Many new links within V11 allow
audiophiles to find information they may not have been aware of. In
total, the Enjoy the Music.com Internet Web browser is perfectly
suited for audiophiles all around the world and supports many languages."
You can download the Enjoy the Music.com
audiophile Internet Web browser at:
www.EnjoyTheMusic.com/browser/
Music Industry News 10 Years Ago
Retailers are screaming foul to major label's as they begin their own online music initiative via upcoming websites MusicNet and
Pressplay. Meanwhile the United States Justice Department is now investigating the legalities of cutting out the middle man. While some recording labels have not allowed their music to appear on current online music websites such as Best Buy, Musicland and Tower Records. How bad is it? Mike
Farrance, who is Tower Records Senior V.P. of Digital Business, testified in front of a Senate Judiciary Committee and said his company is "starting to worry that maybe all the talk and activity about protecting the music is not just about controlling copyright infringement, but is really about... hiding plans for cutting retailers out of the marketplace." due to this
sad state of affairs, Reps. Chris Cannon and Rick Boucher have introduced a new Music Online Competition Act
(MOCA) bill that will require recording labels to provide the same licensing terms to all online music services in the hopes of insuring fair business practices. Are the major
recording labels feeling their power an stretching their muscle? Possibly.
08 / 12 / 11
The Consumer Electronics
Association, the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the $165 billion consumer electronics industry by uniting over 2000 companies within the consumer technology industry, has just created a membership
for the general public that pays consumers back for their dedication by offering a consumer membership program to
individuals. As a CEA Tech Enthusiast (TE) member you'll have even more influence by joining forces with the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) to help influence the future of the consumer electronics industry. TE members receive exclusive benefits from CEA including free online industry subscriptions and podcasts, access to an exclusive member’s only website, and an opportunity to become a CEA blogger. Benefits provided by TE corporate partners, traditional CEA members, include online discounts, beta testing opportunities, details on the latest technologies and participation in contests. Other benefits include free entry into the yearly CES event in Las Vegas, partner discounts, pre-release product info, Beta testing opportunities and more. You can join the new CEA TE membership offering by
clicking
here.
Audiophiles
who really want to test their system and find out if it is truly worthy
of being high-end can
now download a reference drum
and percussion high resolution album by the editor of Enjoy the
Music.com! Steven R. Rochlin, a classically trained musician since 1974 and editor of
Enjoy the Music.com, has released his first album titled
THTST. After nearly two decades of being away from the recording studio, Steven
unleashed his musical expressiveness and captured his new solo album using only a pair of ultra-precise, hand matched laboratory-grade microphones. On
THTST
there are no overdubs, 'destructive' devices or techniques so as to deliver the true purity and absolute sound of a real drumset within your listening room. As one would expect,
this recording provides a dynamic range from the soft sounds of studio wind chimes to
woofer and amplifier testing deep bass of a large gong bass drum. Audiophiles should get THTST
to hear if their system is capable of reproducing one of the most challenging
instruments to reproduce accurately. The album is available for download in high definition 24-bit/96kHz FLAC,
16-bit/44.1kHz
AIFF and 320kbs MP3 format from HDtracks.
08 / 11 / 11
Benchmark Media, a privately held manufacturer of precision audio electronics for professional and audiophile applications since 1983, has just announced a special 'trade-up' program to allow Benchmark DAC1 product owners to upgrade to the high performance DAC1
HDR. Current Benchmark customers can receive up to a $600 trade-up credit towards the purchase of a new DAC1 HDR. "Benchmark is committed to offering the latest and most cutting-edge technology to our customers," said Rory Rall, Sales Manager. "Customers upgrading to the latest DAC1 HDR will benefit with more digital inputs, an analog input, high current op-amps, and remote control." The trade-up program is only valid for Benchmark customers in the United States and starts on August 10 and ends on September 30, 2011. For full details see
this
link. Enjoy the Music.com has reviewed the
Benchmark DAC1 HDR preamplifier USB/DAC/headphone amplifier combo,
Benchmark Media DAC1
Pre, the Benchmark DAC1 USB
and lastly the Benchmark Media DAC1.
08 / 10 / 11
Award winning company Audioengine is now offering their passive AP4 ($249) for those who already have a power
amplifier. The AP4 is a two-way with 4" Kevlar midrange/woofer 0.75" silk dome with neodymium magnet tweeter. The
enclosure is front ported, which aids in extending the bass response. On the rear of the unit are a pair of five-way gold-plated binding posts Sensitivity is 88dB/W/m and frequency response is from 58 Hz to 22 kHz. The crossover frequency is 2.8 kHz and recommended amplifier power is from 10 to 125 wpc. Each speaker cabinet is magnetically shielded, measures 9 x 5.5 x 6.5 (HxWxD in inches) and weighs 6 lbs. Available cabinet finishes of the Audioengine P4 include Satin Black, Hi-Gloss White and Solid Carbonized Bamboo. The cabinets can be used as normal bookshelf monitors, yet also have the
ability to be wall or ceiling mounted via two standard 0.25" threaded inserts on the rear panel and another insert on the
bottom. Enjoy the Music.com has reviewed the Audioengine 5
powered monitor and the Audioengine A2
powered minimonitor.
Music Industry News 10 Years Ago
Enjoy the Music.com covers the Brazilian Hi-Fi 2001 show!
Sponsored by major magazine Clube do Áudio e Vídeo, their Hi-Fi 2001 show in Săo Paulo, Brazil, features approximately 2,800 sq. meters divided in to 45 rooms where various manufactures
showed their products. Click here to see the show
coverage.
08 / 09 / 11
German
Physiks', founded in 1992 and based in Frankfurt in Germany, has their new Unlimited Mk II loudspeaker
(€9999 per pair) as the company's new lower price point model that comes with their DDD
driver. The DDD driver is proprietary to German Physiks and as a wide-band transducer is employs pistonic, bending wave and modal radiation. In the Unlimited Mk II it covers the range from 200 Hz to 24 kHz, so there is no crossover in the critical midrange. Besides having very low mass, the DDD driver also is phase linear across its operating range. A further advantage of the DDD driver is that it has an omnidirectional radiation characteristic and this enables it to produce well focused stereo images that can be enjoyed from a wide range of positions in the listening room. The woofer in the new German
Physiks' Unlimited MKII is a downward firing 8-inch woofer, which located in the base of the cabinet. To lower costs, the Unlimited Mk II is finished in a high quality acoustic vinyl, which provides significant additional damping to a cabinet that is inherently very well damped due to its rigid construction and the extensive use of Hawaphon damping material. The Unlimited Mk II is available in black, grey, dark brown and white.
08 / 08 / 11
Genesis Advanced Technologies, a leading developer of high-end audiophile loudspeaker systems, has announced three new/improved models in the Genesis 7.2-series of high-end stereo
loudspeakers. The original Genesis 7-series launched in 2005 and have now been
further refined. The Genesis 7.2petite (G7p, $2950), Genesis 7.2convertible (G7c, $3950) and Genesis 7.2floorstander (G7f,
$8950) with a built-in amplified subwoofer are available from all Genesis dealers around the world. All models are finished in a high-gloss black/titanium. All models are designed and manufactured in Seattle, WA. The Genesis ring-ribbon tweeter used in the G7-series is identical to the one used in the Genesis 1 flagship model. This latest generation tweeter brings an extended frequency range plus a more linear response in the lower frequencies. Genesis' solid titanium cone mid-woofer is said to be very dynamic and low in
distortion. It "achieves the delicacy, speed, transparency, and dynamic bass response of the larger Genesis
three-way systems in a little two-way loudspeaker". With a rear tweeter driven out of phase from the front tweeter, the G7's are dipoles in the high frequencies, enhancing "air" , soundstage and imaging when the speakers are positioned away from the wall behind them. When used closer to the walls when space is at a premium, the rear tweeter can be switched off.
08 / 05 / 11
HDtracks, founded by David and Norman Chesky of the audiophile-record label Chesky Records in an effort to provide a high resolution digital music download service, is now
offering Eric Clapton's album 461 Ocean Boulevard and Elton John's album
Madman Across The Water in 24-bit/96kHz! Eric Clapton's 461 Ocean Boulevard is an amazing classic rock album that was released in 1996 and is touted as
one of Rolling Stone magazine's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Clapton’s second solo album featured a number of his most powerful singles, including "Let It Grow," "Willie and the Hand Jive" and "I Shot the Sheriff". Elton John's
Madman Across The Water features such the hits as "Tiny Dancer",
"Levon" and the title track "Madman Across the Water". The album reached #8 on the Billboard 200 chart in 1972. The intricacies of the string arrangements and brilliant recording quality can be heard more clearly than ever before with this high resolution
release.
MSB
Technology, founded in 1986 and is now a leading company in state-of-the-art digital music equipment, now
offers their Pro I2S interface upgrade. This upgrade provides two new input options. It has a ground isolated MSB Network I input and a brand new MSB Network II input, that far exceeds the performance and jitter specs of the Network I with no ground connection. The Ground Isolated MSB Network I input is designed specially as the best possible input for the MSB Universal Media Transport. It has the performance of the stock MSB Network without the coupling of ground noise. With this input both our transports can have optimal inputs. The MSB Network II interface is lower jitter and higher speed than the MSB Network I. It contains 4 sets of 8 channels audio of 384 kHz, 32 bit audio in the
I2S format, as well as a 5th set of 10 channel data! These can be used to send independent super precision clock inputs and output lines, as well as a control bus. There is an MSB Network II output on our Studio 384 kHz, 32 bit ADC and it will become the standard output on all new flagship MSB transports. Switching the input between the MSB Network I and II is as easy as moving a cable from one input to the other. In fact users can choose to use both inputs. This upgrade board offers another bonus, an all purpose
I2S Input, output port. With a simple adapter card, this port can be interfaced to:
•Other I2S formats
with an interface board we should be able to accept inputs from other
I2S sources.
•New 32 bit formats: MSB Technology hopes to produce a 32 bit USB input using this port.
•Other audio Formats: MSB Technology hopes to some day offer an HDMI input.
• Output Possibilities: This port could also support other output formats that may be of interest in the future.
08 / 04 / 11
Silvercore, a Germany based specialist in using silver transformer-based units, sells their top-of-the-range Preamp 324 passive
preamplifier. The Preamp 324 is the large brother to the Preamp One and is fully
symmetrical with two balanced XLR inputs and one via unbalanced RCA. Analog output is balanced via XLR. Those needing RCA output should consider the Passive One unit. The Silvercore Preamp 324 uses an oversized core with silver wire for passive volume control and double the number of wire tappings is used. That the transformer is thus wound in 4N 99.99 silver. The volume is switched separately into 24 stages according to the completely separate right and left channel controls. The 24 steps correspond to a range from 48dB to 0dB in "hearing-moderately correct logarithmic organization". Silvercore's Preamp 324 chassis is made with Delrin or noble wood and solid high-grade steel screens. The construction ensures a non-resonant structure. All interior wiring is with 4N core silver that are covered separately by hand with glass fabric.
08 / 03 / 11
Once again this August, when you purchase our sponsors' products, the
Cable
Company, it's sponsoring vendors, and other CARE donors will send an amount equal to your purchase to
CARE. Purchase all other products from The Cable Company (and
UsedCable.com) and an amount equal to half of your purchase goes to CARE.
Here's the math: The Cable Company donates 5% of each purchase to CARE. This amount is matched by participating vendors for sales of their products. An anonymous donor will match this combined contribution from The Cable Company and it's participating vendors. When this total amount is donated to a CARE project, CARE will try to secure other donations up to the entire amount of Cable Company purchases. But if other donors cannot be found, our anonymous donor has agreed to contribute to CARE the entire remainder amount of Cable Company purchases up to $250,000.
For purchases of brands not on the sponsors list below, and for all purchases of used products from The Cable Company and
UsedCable.com, there is no vendor match, but all of the other matching funds outlined above will
apply.
08 / 02 / 11
The new Olive O6HD music server ($4999) is specifically designed with audiophiles in mind and handles high resolution audio files on the built-in 2TB hard
drive. The thick aluminum enclosure is elegantly designed to eliminate operating noise and vibration while a passive cooling concept eliminates the need for a noisy fan. The Olive O6HD uses a fully balanced differential DAC as a pair of TI 24-bit/192kHz Burr- Brown PCM1792 run in mono mode. Ultra-low jitter master clock (10 picoseconds after re-clocking) and it provides TI SRC4194 asynchronous sample rate converter (upsampling to 24-bit/384kHz). There are ultra-fast
OpAmps (< 20V/us slew-rate) while the analog filtering is a smooth 2nd-order Bessel reconstruction filter to avoid
unwanted ringing. The 2TB hard drive is extremely quiet and holds almost 20,000 HDtracks or 6,000 CDs in original quality. Special anti-vibration feet further the efforts of reaching audiophile
nirvana. On the front of the unit is a headphone jack with adjustable volume while on the rear appears both balanced on XLR and unbalanced via RCA analog output. Digital
inputs include S/PDIF, TosLink, AES/EBU and USB. Video output is also provided for via HDMI.
08 / 01 / 11
Enjoy the
Music.com's August issue is now online and
celebrates our 200th magazine issue! This issue features the California
Audio Show report, three world premiere high-end audiophile equipment
reviews plus jazz and rock (on vinyl) music. To mark this very special
occasion of our 200th issue, we have a musical video celebration featuring
the legendary Miles Davis that is not to be missed!
See the August issue by clicking
here.
Regular
Reading
Daily News: Audiophile news updated each
weekday!
The B A S
The 'Best' Loudspeaker: Revisiting Dispersion Issues
Article By Alvin Foster
Sound Practices
Guerrilla Tactics for the Audiophile Home
Article By Joyce
VALVE Magazine
Acoustical Quad
By Dan Schmalle
Show Reports
California Audio Show 2011 (CAS) By dagogo
Report By Clarke Robinson
Viewpoint
In This Issue...
Celebrating Our 200th Issue!
Article By Steven R. Rochlin
Audiolics Anonymous Chapter 141
More fun with the M2Tech Young USB DAC and the Mapleshade modified M2Tech hi-Face USB to
S/PDIF converter plus Nanotec NanoClean Z cleaning liquid.
Article By Dr. Bill Gaw Video Celebration
Cool
Vintage Video
Now presenting the truly legendary Miles Davis!
Superior Audio Equipment
World Premiere!
EMM Labs Pre2 Preamplifier
A truly high-end solid-state reference preamplifier.
Review By Phil Gold
Luxman CL-88 Vacuum Tube Control Line Amplifier
Prepare to be awakened!
Review By Anthony Nicosia
PrimaLuna DiaLogue Six Monoblock Power Amplifiers
Worth every penny of their asking price.
Review By Tom Lyle
Audiophile Equipment Reviews
World Premiere!
Shengya CV-1 Tube Preamplifier
High quality construction and components.
Review By Ron Nagle
World Premiere!
Grado GR10 In-Ear Headphones
A significant advancement over the already fine Grado GR8.
Review By Tom Lyle
Rotel RC-1550 Preamplifier And RB-1552 Power Amplifier
A winning combination at a reasonable price.
Review By Anthony Nicosia
conrad-johnson TEA2 Phono Preamplifier
A tonal beauty for classical and jazz, yet can rock 'n' roll too!
Review By Tom Lyle
D.I.Y. Audio
Pass The Bofu
Building a transmission line cabinet for the Pioneer 8-inch full range driver.
Article By Jeff Poth
Creative Sound Trio12
Reworking surplus cabinets to create a new subwoofer.
Article By Jeff Poth
Regulated Power Supplies
A very important part of every audio project.
Article By Grey Rollins
Music Reviews
Jazz, Folk, Bluegrass, Blues,
Etc By Steven Stone
Carrie Elkin Call It My Garden
Review By Steven Stone
Nathan Stanley
My Kind Of Country
Review By Steven Stone
Greg Trooper Upside-Down Town
Review By Steven Stone
Various
Bluegrass, Blues And Jazz Albums Reviews By Steven Stone
Rock, Techno, House, etc.
Jaga Jazzist One-Armed Bandit On Vinyl LP
Review By Claude Lemaire
The Cars Shake It Up On Mo-Fi Vinyl
Review By Claude Lemaire
Vex'd Cloud Seed On Vinyl LP
Review By Claude Lemaire
See the August
Review Magazine by clicking
here.
Enjoy the Music.com Celebrates Our 200th Issue!
Enjoy the Music.com, an industry leader in consumer electronics
information plus equipment and music reviews for approximately 15 years,
is celebrating the 200th issue of our high-end audio consumer
electronics magazine! With thousands of reviews online, which are easily accessible
to our avid readership, Enjoy the Music.com has become a
leading resource for reviews and product information. When
combined with our daily industry news, over 120 show reports, Android and Windows
7 mobile applications plus being the Internet's exclusive partners with
four prominent high-end audio print magazines, Enjoy the Music.com
continues to deliver a wealth of the information to audiophiles
worldwide.
As the August edition of the Review Magazine
marks the 200th issue of delivering high-end audio equipment reviews,
this indeed marks an important occasion.
"This significant milestone, which few have achieved within the
consumer electronics industry, proves how vitally important Enjoy the
Music.com has become for audiophiles worldwide," said editor
Steven R. Rochlin. "Our readers have come to expect timely industry
information and reviews, which we have been providing for well over 15
years. The solid staff of writers, many of whom have been with us for
over a decade, have earned a proven track record that our readers can
depend on."
As Internet technologies have become available, Enjoy
the Music.com has embraced them. Early examples were WAP and a
desktop Channel while more modern implementations have flourished and
include the world's only customized Web browser for audiophiles plus
Android and Windows Phone 7 applications for mobile devices. With these
new technologies, Enjoy the Music.com can easily be accessed on hundreds
of millions of mobile devices worldwide.
As the industry knows, four prestigious print magazines
have chosen Enjoy the Music.com as Internet partners. The Absolute Sound, hi-fi+, Hi-Fi World,
and HIFICRITIC all have their presence and are updated online with each
new issue. Two legacy print magazines no longer in production, Sound
Practices and VALVE, have found new life on the Internet
exclusively within Enjoy the Music.com.
Future
expansion is virtually guaranteed as new Internet technologies become
available. With a longstanding history of embracing such technologies
with an eye on usability and fast page loading, versus just adding eye
candy that can delay information delivery, Enjoy the Music.com
always carefully assess ways to grow and flourish for the benefit our
readership.
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High-Performance Audio Reviews
