High-End Audio News... National Public Radio (NPR), Triangle Electroacoustique Magellan, Miles Davis Kind Of Blue Vinyl, Audiokits.com, Sherbourn Technologies PT-7000, Elvis DVD-Audio release, Dunlavy closes, MIT Oracle, TDK's new 52x CD-R burner...

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11 / 15 / 02

Those looking to make their own CD-R original or copies of music will be heralding TDK's three new veloCD ReWriters. Being the fastest burner within the industry, the 52x internal ATAPI Model AI-5200 ($129) can record a full-length CD-R in just 2.5 minutes! The AI-5200 is joined by the 48x external USB 2.0 Model UE-481648 burner ($219) and TDK's portable 24x USB 2.0 Model UP-241032 ($229). All three veloCD burners feature a host of improved product features and benefits and are compatible for PC, laptop and Macintosh users. Randall Rosenbaum, TDK Product Manager said "As more and more consumers discover the convenience, utility and sheer fun of burning their own CDs, demand for high-performance burners in all configurations is stronger than ever. With our three new entries, TDK clearly establishes itself as the total solutions provider in this fast-growing optical media marketplace. Our new 52x drive answers the need for the ultimate in speed and reliability for both music and data recording, while our external USB 2.0 model provides a high-speed, high-quality answer for users who want to add external burning capability without modifying their PCs, and our second portable model gives on-the-go users all the advantages of TDK veloCD technology in the industry’s fastest, most user-friendly portable burner."

11 / 14 / 02

Those who are supporting the DVD-Audio format are considering producing a dual-layer disc as found on Sony's SACD format. One layer would be for normal CD players while the other supports the DVD-Audio format. Paul Vidich, executive vice president of Warner Music Group said "We strongly support a change in the DVD-A specifications to enable DVD players to distinguish between a CD and the DVD layer. We believe that this flexibility is very important to the new format because it will permit content companies to put out dual layer discs."

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) High End Audio Board, comprised of executives from specialty audio companies including Thiel Audio, Audiophile Systems, Ltd., Martin-Logan, Ltd., Conrad-Johnson Design, Parasound Products and Krell, has made available their "It's All About The Performance" guide. This publication offers eight "rules of performance based selling" and can be downloaded by clicking here. According to press release "The guide reinforces the eight golden rules of performance-based selling: (1) Get right to the demo; (2) Set the stage, set the mood; (3) Script the demo; (4) Sweat the details; (5) Practice, practice, practice; (6) Simplify the demonstration; (7) If it doesn't perform better, it isn't better and (8) Performance is defined by the customer." Gary Warzin, chairman of the CEA High End Audio Board and president and CEO of Audiophile Systems, Ltd. said "Specialty retailers who can effectively demonstrate performance have a distinct advantage. A convincing demonstration of great performance establishes credibility and authority, weakens the competition and builds the emotional excitement that is essential to closing sales. Our plan is to make this a living document that can be updated with relevant ideas on an ongoing basis."

11 / 13 / 02

Cable manufacturer Music Interface Technologies (MIT) has improved their top-level Oracle Interfaces. Available in three performance levels -- Oracle v1, Oracle v2, and Oracle v3 -- new "point one" updates (v1.1, v2.1, and v3.1) feature redesigned speaker networks that are said to provide increased levels of detail, depth, and articulation over the previous versions. In addition, MIT has designed three new corresponding line-level interconnects that feature adjustable impedance networks that can optimize component interfacing. Due to recent research, MIT loudspeaker cables now have doubled the number of articulation poles in these new products, providing a significant increase in their ability to preserve natural tonal complexity. Oracle Speaker Interfaces are available starting at $4,995 single-ended ($5,495 for bi-wire). Oracle Component interfaces are available in both low-level (RCA) and balanced (XLR) versions and start at $1,995/single-ended and $2,495/balanced.

11 / 12 / 02

Elvis is alive and well... on high-resolution DVD-Audio! The King will have 30 of his #1 hits remastered on a special DVD-Audio disc in reverse chronological order, unlike the CD by the same title that will follow normal chronological order. Due to the advantage of DVD-Audio's multi-track and other capabilities, three songs will have A/B comparison so that "A" will be the original mix while "B" is the remastered version. Three songs on the disc will be outtakes! Yes indeed, the King is alive and well indeed.

According to the Dunlavy Audio Labs website, "As of November 7, 2002, Dunlavy Audio Labs, LLC has ceased operations." All inquiries can be directed to info@dunlavyaudio.com.

11 / 11 / 02

Sherbourn Technologies has announced their new PT-7000 pre-amplifier/processor/tuner ($1,500). This high-value-for-the-dollar product allows for enjoyment of music from stereo sources all the way up to the latest 7.1-channel movies. Internal processing includes Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Surround EX, Dolby Pro-Logic 2, DTS-ES as well as Cirrus Logic's Extra Surround and Stereo Surround Enhancement. The rear panel provides multiple audio inputs/outputs plus video inputs/outputs for Component, S-Video and RCA connections. A second zone output is also provided for so that others can enjoy music in separate rooms within the house. Digital to analog conversion is by 24-bit/192kHz chipset and 24-bit/96kHz analog to digital converters by Crystal Corporation.

11 / 08 /02

Bertelsmann AG is struggling with financial loss as they are said to be preparing to have copy protection embedded into all their digital music disc releases. With a third-quarter net loss of €384 million in the third quarter, Bertelsmann AG is hoping to have a profitable fourth quarter as the holiday season approaches. One of the ways they are hoping to insure profitability is by adding copy protection technology to 100 percent of the digital music discs. As reported by The Register, Bertelsmann Music Group is looking to have the Cactus Data Shield technology by Midbar on their discs in hopes of thwarting piracy. "BMG too sees itself obliged to protect future releases by implementing a copy control system" and "BMG will be using copy control technology for digital media as has been used for a long time with comparable media such as computer software, video games and DVDs."

11 / 07 / 02

Audiokits.com is now online making available many do it yourself (DIY) kits for music lovers who enjoy building their own sound reproduction equipment. Each kit is said to be "audiophile quality" with such projects as FET amplifiers and DAC to tube amplification including a phono stage. Audiokits.com will soon release a high-end CD player kit fior those looking for DIY digital. Completely assembled and tested circuit boards of any project are also available. Audiokits.com distributes select designs of Erno Borbely/Borbely Audio "for reasons of exceptional low-level resolution, excellent dynamics with neutral and transparent sound."

11 / 06 / 02

Feeling kind of blue? Then you may want to quickly grab the new release by Classic Records as they have released only 100 copies of Miles Davis Kind of Blue on 200 gram blue vinyl (CS-8163-BV). According to Classic Records "We were trying out a new Blue Vinyl formula and Kind of Blue was on press so we pressed a few and they look too cool in Blue on our new profile. This 200 gram pressing is of the correct speed side A and B. These are the only Kind of Blue pressings we ever plan on pressing on Blue Vinyl. There are less than 100 copies and we're afraid to speculate on how much these will be worth in a couple of years."

11 / 05 / 02

Triangle Electroacoustique's new statement loudspeaker called the Magellan ($34,000 per pair) features specially designed drive units employing massive baskets for rigidity for both the midrange and woofer units to provide accurate sound reproduction. A new " double S" shape surrounding was drawn for the T16SV140c woofers to allow high control and deeper bass extension. The high sensitivity 25 mm titanium compression tweeter (model TZ 2800) is said to have an outstanding 98dB efficiency. The Magellan loudspeaker is three separate enclosures that are stacked, with damped connections, to create a nearly 7 foot high package. At the center are the midrange and tweeter drivers that appear on both the front and rear of the cabinet for bipolar sound production. The top and bottom enclosures are identical with two 7-inch drivers each. Specifications are as follows:

Tweeters: two TZ 2800 25 mm Titanium dome
Midranges: two T16 PV80o 7-inch cone
Bass units: four T16 SV140c 7-inch cone
Sensitivity: 94dB/W/m
Power Handling: 400 watts
Nominal Impedance: 8 Ohms
Minimal Impedance: 3 Ohms
Frequency Response: 30Hz to 20kHz
Crossover slope: 24dB/Octave (4th order)
Dimensions" 85.75 x 11 x 13.4 (HxWxD in inches)
Weight: 177 lbs.
Finish: Real burl walnut

11 / 04 / 02

Interested in hearing more classical music on your local National Public Radio (NPR) station? Many local NPR stations have cut back on classical music programming because of their perception of a lack of listener interest! How do they determine the degree of interest? Very simple according to a sales-marketing representative who chooses to remain anonymous. Interest is automatically credited to the program being broadcast when the pledge is received. If you were listening to their classical music broadcast while driving to your office and call in a financial pledge a bit later while a talk show is on, your interest and pledge is automatically attributed to that talk show - no matter what. Call in your financial pledge while classical music programming is on air - not while any news or talk show is on (even if you tell them your pledge is for music programs). It is also possible that if you (and get others to follow all this simple advice) tell them you will double your pledge if they add any more classical music programming. Then back up your words with deeds if they do change. I was reminded of all this while currently on vacation in an area where I am able to listen to two NPR stations, one of which has much more classical music programming than the other and use that fact to help promote themselves.

11 / 01 / 02

Enjoy the Music.com has released the November 2002 edition of their Review Magazine. Equipment reviews include:

* Axiom Audio Millennia M80Ti Line Driver Arrays

* Tripping Through T-Rex With The Ayre AX-7 Integrated Amplifier

* The deHavilland Aries 845-G SE Monoblock Power Amplifier

* Extreme Phono None-Felt Turntable Mat

* Musical Fidelity M250 Monoblock Power Amplifier

* Symposium Acoustics Isis Shelf And Rollerblock Jrs. Part Two

* Easy Riders: Townshend 2D and 3D Seismic Sinks

* The WAVAC MD-300B Single-Ended Triode Amplifier

The November 2002 edition also offers many music and performance reviews plus various editorials including a cry for bringing back monophonic recordings! Please see the Review Magazine at by clicking here.