High-End Audio / Audiophile & Music Industry News

11 / 04 / 24

Legendary Music Producer Quincy Jones Has Passed
We are saddened to report that Quincy Jones, the legendary music producer, composer, and arranger, has passed. His enormous career left an indelible mark on the music industry throughout his illustrious career. Born on March 14, 1933, in Chicago, Jones began his musical journey as a trumpeter before transitioning into a groundbreaking producer and arranger. He worked with an astonishing array of artists, from Frank Sinatra to Michael Jackson, and was instrumental in the creation of some of the most iconic albums in history, including Jackson's "Thriller," which remains one of the best-selling albums of all time. Jones was a true innovator, blending various musical styles, including jazz, pop, and classical, which allowed him to transcend genres and reach a global audience. His work extended beyond music; he was also a film and television producer, earning accolades for his contributions to soundtracks and music for film. Over his career, he received numerous awards, including 28 Grammy Awards, making him one of the most awarded artists in Grammy history.

In recent years, Jones continued to be an influential figure, advocating for social issues and inspiring a new generation of musicians. His insights and wisdom were sought after by many, as he remained a vibrant voice in the industry. Sadly, Quincy Jones passed away recently at the age of 91. His death marks the end of an era, but his legacy endures through the countless artists he influenced and the timeless music he created. As fans and fellow musicians reflect on his life, they celebrate not just his extraordinary achievements but also his profound impact on the cultural landscape. Jones will be remembered not only as a musical genius but also as a passionate advocate for creativity and unity in the arts.

Lobby Level: Toronto Audiofest 2024 Show Report
Let's visit the Ground Floor and hear what's new.
Toronto Audiofest 2024 Show Report By Rick Becker
On the ground floor, three rooms were located up a flight of stairs tucked away at the far side of the atrium. I totally missed them at one show and vowed never to make that mistake again. They typically have premium vendors and this show was no exception. James Tanner of Bryston was in his usual chair in this listening room and gave me the rundown on new products.

11 / 02 / 24

Second Floor: Toronto Audiofest 2024 Show Report
Savoring the fantastic sound systems on the second floor.
Toronto Audiofest 2024 Show Report By Rick Becker
The 2nd Floor opened up with a balcony surrounding the atrium on the ground level. There were booths around the balcony and rooms of various sizes that you could enter from the balcony. There were also a couple of sleeping rooms along a hallway you could access near the elevators. I hope you didn't miss those. That's where I'll start. This room was a real treat, mating Nagra electronics with a Harbeth 40.3 XD speaker for the first time in my experience and with excellent results. The current XD series has a much more contemporary sound with greater resolution and a more transparent sound than Harbeths of yore. It is still warm enough with a full body to sound very inviting to me. The 40.3 is the kind of speaker I could recommend to a friend who wanted to get serious about music without ever having to upgrade their speaker.
---> Second Floor: Toronto Audiofest 2024 Show Report.

11 / 01 / 24

November High-End Audio Review Magazine
Our November issues shines a spotlight on show reports. With our UK Audio Show report done, we're busy updating our extensive Toronto Audiofest 2024 coverage so check back daily for updates. Coming soon will be our extensive Capital Audiofest 2024 show report. Enjoy the Music.com's November Review Magazine features reviews of the marvelous Manley Labs Oasis MM / MC phono stage plus our very exciting World Premiere review of the Siltech Master Crown cables. We also feature various think pieces and much more! As always, in the end what really matters is that you... enjoy the music!
---> November High-End Audio Review Magazine & Show Reports.

Try An Alternative: Hip-Hop To Ranchera!
A new kind of music program to expand your listening pleasures.
Article By Roger Skoff
What kind of music do you listen to? Whatever comes on the radio? A particular favorite? Rock? Classical? Blues? Gospel? House? Country and Western? Alternative? Pop? Tech? Doo-Wop? Jazz? Rhythm & Blues? Folk? Ethnic? (What kind of ethnic?) Dixieland? Big band? Marching Band? Garage band? Another kind, entirely? Or many different kinds? Music is probably – maybe even before smearing marks on cave walls – humanity's oldest art form. As long as we have had voices, we have sung – or at least made rhythmic noises. And if something was handy that we could bang on, we – even from earliest times – did bang on it, or clapped, or snapped our fingers, or did something musical....
---> Try An Alternative: Hip-Hop To Ranchera!

World Premiere Review
Siltech Master Crown Cables Review
A first listen to the paragon in today's world of connectology.
Review By Greg Weaver
During the third week in June, I was invited to attend a limited press event in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The event was sponsored by Monarch Systems, based in Englewood, CO, Siltech's US Importer, to introduce and promote the launch of Siltech's new flagship line of cables, Master Crown. I reported on that event here, at Enjoy the Music.com, on June 29th, with Siltech Launches Master Crown Cables. I also provided coverage on my audio analyst YouTube channel, with E181: Siltech's Master Crown Cable, on June 30, 2024 (video is near the bottom of this review). The company was founded with the inspired efforts of two music students, Hans de Ligt and Michel de Goey. These two were exploring the fabrication of cables, not by chance, luck, or intuition, but by applying science and metallurgical knowledge.
---> Siltech Master Crown Cables Review.

Furutech NCF Power Vault, Project V1 Power Cable And AC Duplex Wall Ensemble Review
Elevating the performance of my stereo sound system.
Review By Rick Becker
I opened a promotional email recently for a $12,000 mountain bike. What planet am I living on? And yes, I've seen the drone footage of cyclists hopping along mountain precipices proving their immortality. Or perhaps the drone footage outlives them? But then I reflected on the $7,875 Furutech NCF Power Vault and the accompanying  Project V1 Power Cable for $9,550 I had opened up for review moments earlier. Expensive? Yes, for most of us. As we get older our interests in life narrow to what becomes most important to us. My last bicycle ride up Mt. Mitchell in North Carolina was in 2018 when I closed down my retail furniture business. My writing for Enjoy the Music.com, already with a 19-year track record at that point, expanded to fill a void in my life, just as I imagine high-end audio becomes more important to many of us after we "retire."
---> Furutech NCF Power Vault, Project V1 Power Cable And AC Duplex Wall Ensemble Review.

Manley Labs Oasis Vacuum Tube MM / MC Phono Stage Review
Manley Labs vacuum tube Oasis phono stage produces excellent sound quality.
Review By Tom Lyle
My first experience with a Manley component was in the late 1990s. I was working at a well-known recording studio mastering an album when the chief engineer insisted we use their vacuum tube-powered Manley Stereo Variable Mu Limiter-Compressor, which I had no idea at the time was one of Manley's first products which was introduced in 1994. We had the music signal pass through the Manley compressor but kept all its settings on default. This happened quite a long time ago, so I can't recall any specifics about how the Manley affected the album's sound quality other than passing the signal through this studio component made the album sound closer to our goal of making it "sound like a record." Shortly after, I learned that Manley designed and manufactured high-end home-system audio products.
---> Manley Labs Oasis Vacuum Tube MM / MC Phono Stage Review.

Many more reviews & articles are within our Review Magazine.

10 / 30 / 24

Third Floor Part 2: The Toronto Audiofest 2024 Show
Enjoying great tunes on the third floor.
Toronto Audiofest 2024 Show Report By Rick Becker
Turning the corner, I continue with my coverage of the second half of the third Floor. The Yamaha system was provided by Star Electronics, a high-end dealer with a long track record in Toronto. The front end looked like an Apple Mac Mini feeding a Weiss DAC 204 on the floor resting on a pair of wood beams. On the table was a Yamaha C-5000 preamp ($14k) and a Yamaha Power Amplifier – M5000 ($14k), driving stand-mounted Yamaha NS-800 monitors ($6k) each weighing over 28 lbs. – quite substantial for a two-way monitor of this size. Note the substantial speaker stands, as well. The Yamaha rigs at the Montreal show, featuring their large flagship monitor, have often been a disappointment, possibly due to the difficult square room. The ethereal music played here in a much smaller room was more impressive, shedding the most favorable light on the brand in years.
---> Third Floor Part 2: The Toronto Audiofest 2024 Show.

10 / 29 / 24

Finest Audio Show Zurich 2024 In November
The High End Society's Finest Audio Show Zurich 2024 will be held at the lovely Mövenpick Hotel Zurich Regensdorf. On November 2nd and 3rd, music lovers can immerse themselves within their favorite tunes and enjoy the world of high-end audio. Audiophile equipment manufacturers, dealers, and distributors within the audio industry from Switzerland and globally will join together to showcase many of the world's leading hi-fi audio brands. Attendees can meet leading industry luminaries who insist on the very best in music playback. With the High End Society reviving this hi-fi show, which took place under a different name at the same venue for many years, they seek to satisfy the huge demand within the Swiss audio industry. The Zurich audiophile / high-end audio exhibition is a Swiss tradition that dates back many years.

According to the show promoter, "A multitude of exhibitors have signed up to attend the event, where they will present an impressive selection of technological masterpieces that visitors can not only admire but also listen to live and in person. The outstanding conditions in place at the Mövenpick Hotel makes it the ideal setting for music demonstrations, with the authentic atmosphere in both the hotel rooms and conference rooms allowing participating companies to skillfully shine the spotlight on the high sound quality of their showcased exhibits. The Finest Audio Show Zurich is more than a classic trade show. It is all about a passion for extraordinary listening enjoyment at the highest level. Held over two days, the event is a vibrant meeting place for the audio community that brings together the fascination for high-quality music reproduction and the typically high Swiss quality standards. The products exhibited at the event represent comprehensive expertise, modern technology, innovative design and top-quality workmanship with premium materials. The broad spectrum of exhibits ranges from room-filling loudspeakers to complete hi-fi systems and headphones for undisturbed musical enjoyment and right through to perfectly designed turntables."

10 / 28 / 24

Third Floor Part 1: The Toronto Audiofest 2024 Show
Thrilling music on the third floor.
Toronto Audiofest 2024 Show Report By Rick Becker
First, my apology for the delay in getting this part (Part 2) published. In addition to an important review that needed to make the November issue, I had my high school's 60th reunion this weekend. If you ever get the chance to go to yours, I highly encourage you to make the effort to attend. We had people fly into Rochester, NY from Vancouver, BC, California, Arizona, and Florida. Real "no excuses" kind of classmates, and all of us grateful to be alive. The Lounge on the 3rd Floor is the only large room on this level. It is about three times the size of the sleeping rooms and nicely proportioned for good sound.
---> Third Floor Part 1: Toronto Audiofest 2024 Show.

10 / 25 / 24

TASCAM FR-AV2 32-bit/192kHz Stereo Field Recorder
For music lovers and audiophiles who desire a compact, Hi-Res Audio field recorder, TASCAM has released their FR-AV2 32-bit / 192kHz stereo field recorder. As a true pro audio unit, features such as Timecode Generator with Mixer is included. The TASCAM FR-AV2 is very compact, measuring 99 x 80.4 x 40.3 mm (WxHxD), and weighs 267 grams (only 195 grams without batteries). TASCAM's FR-AV2 is an extensive audio recording solution for those who desire the purity of field recording, audiophiles, music lovers, and videographers. The company's enhanced 32-bit float point recording with built-in timecode generation improves workflow efficiency for pro audio users. For example, Ultimate Timecode allows the users to employ industry-standard videography gear, as there is no need for other external timecode device(s). Furthermore, the recording engineer can wirelessly monitor the audio signals with TASCAM's optional AK-BT2 Bluetooth adapter.

Features Include:
Dual ADCs with enhanced 32-bit float recording
Two XLR / TRS combo inputs
Ultra HDDA Preamps: EIN -127dBu and 3.5 mm input
Recording Format: 48 / 96 / 192 kHz supported
Timecode IN/OUT and timecode generation/sync function
High accuracy TCXO
Wireless audio monitoring via optional AK-BT2 Bluetooth adapter
Two input / two output USB-C audio interface for Mac/Windows/iOS

10 / 24 / 24

SoundStage
Are we all too busy being serious about our systems to kick back and have fun with the music? A game of 'pass the Bluetooth' at a party has Andrew Everard wondering....
Article By Andrew Everard
Yes, our hi-fi systems are there to be refined, optimized and listened to with rapt attention paid to every nuance – but are we losing some of the fun of just enjoying the music? Andrew Everard's been wondering... As a hi-fi reviewer, I get used to the incredulous reaction when I tell people what I do for a living: 'What?' they almost invariably exclaim, 'You get paid to listen to music?' That one's a bit akin to the way some bristle a bit when I says I'm a journalist, then relax considerably when I explain what I write about: 'Oh, not a real journalist, then,' was the best response to that one. But for all that, doing what I do has treated me pretty well over the years; yes, I get to listen to great music played on usually fairly excellent equipment, and there's always something to pique the interest and lead to further explanations.
---> SoundStage Article By Andrew Everard.

Aavik Acoustics RIAA R-180 Phono Preamplifier Review
Excellent transparency and musicality deliver musical bliss.
Review By Tom Lyle
In July of 2021, I reviewed the Aavik Acoustics I-180 integrated amplifier, D-180 DAC, and S-180 streamer / network player. In the review, I practically raved about the sonic quality of all three components, so it was no surprise that Aavik earned a hard-fought Enjoy the Music.com 2021 Blue Note Award within our September 2021 issue. The three Aavik components bestowed a 2021 Blue Note award are not cheap, but neither are they extravagantly priced at $7200 each. That is certainly reasonable for high-end audio components that I thought were some of the best I've ever heard within and above their price range. Not only that, but these three components took a surprisingly noticeable step up in their sonic performance when used together. I'm willing to admit that their good looks might have initially contributed to me liking them, especially when the three components were stacked on top of each other - an Aavik stack.
---> Aavik Acoustics RIAA R-180 Phono Preamplifier Review.

10 / 23 / 24

Fourth Floor Part 1: Toronto Audiofest 2024 Show Report
Featuring Nordost, Thorens, Chord, Audiovector, Audiolab, IsoAcoustics, Executive Stereo, Geshelli Labs, Tri-Cell Enterprises, EverSolo, and more.
Toronto Audiofest 2024 Show Report By Rick Becker
With the need to finish this Toronto show report before the Capital Audiofest show coming up on November 8 through 10, I'm compelled to focus on fewer rooms this year. I was able to visit all the rooms and revisit them briefly at the end of the day on Sunday, but for some rooms, I will only be showing a photo or two without deeper content. The awards for the Best Rooms at the show will be at the end of the show report. A variety of Nordost cables were stashed along the floor. That's an Audiovector floorstanding speaker. The music here was not particularly notable, but the rig was not likely warmed up.
---> Fourth Floor Part 1: Toronto Audiofest 2024 Show Report.

Audio Video Show 2024 In Warsaw Poland
The Audio Video Show 2024 in Europe is a major trade show for consumer electronics, with 600 brands, 150 exhibitors, and 160 presentation rooms. This event, which takes place October 25th through 27th, will offer seminars, guest appearances, live music, listening sessions, and more. Visitors can explore personal audio (HeadFi such as headphone, IEMs, and DAPs), turntables, amplifiers, home cinema, turntables, vinyl records, various audio/video accessories, etc. Show attendees can experience audio systems from reasonably priced to nearly cost-no-object. Visitors will experience the world's latest technologies for home audio / video entertainment.

In the headphone / HeadFi zone, over 50 manufacturers and distributors of audio devices from around the world will present their devices. You will find headphones from every price range: from budget to the most expensive and most sophisticated. For vinyl LP enthusiasts, this is a great opportunity for you to find both classic and new record releases. You will meet vinyl record collectors and, at times, musical artists signing their records. Audio Video Show 2024 in Warsaw Poland allows you to personally listen to and objectively compare many great devices from almost all price ranges. No sales pressure, no obligations.

10 / 22 / 24

Paris Audio Video Show 2024 is This Weekend
The Paris Audio Video Show team are aspirational to announce that more than 30,000 visitors are expected at their exciting 2024 event! That's an increase of 76% compared to last year. As the largest French gathering for High-Fidelity, Home Cinema, Music, and Live Performances, on the agenda are loudspeakers, audio amplifiers, video, music, lighting, DJ'ing, and more! Free live music concerts, conferences, initiation workshops, world-exclusive presentations, and exclusive activities will punctuate the Paris Audio Video Show. This year, the Paris Audio Video Show is expanding with an additional floor space dedicated to musicians, musical instruments, DJ'ing, and stage / concert lighting! Attendees may meet over 130 brands and discover all the latest musical instruments, studio equipment, DJ gear, sound systems, and more. The Paris Audio Video Show 2024 will take place October 26th and 27th as a new generation show born from the Son & Image that inherits 44 years of expertise. This weekend's event takes place at Palais des Congrès de Paris at 2 Place de la Porte Maillot.

10 / 21 / 24

Capital Audiofest (CAF) 2024 Show Information
With over 120 exhibition rooms, Washington DC's premier high-performance audio event, the Capital Audiofest (CAF) 2024 is set to take place at the Hilton Rockville (Maryland) from November 8th through 10th. Capital Audiofest started out in 2010 as a very casual show and has evolved into a well-organized and well-attended event, while also being recognized as a fun, friendly, and family-oriented high-end audiophile show. Families can casually stroll from room to room listening to music, auditioning gear, and browsing many bins of vinyl LP records, CDs, and hi-fi accessories. During the evenings, CAF 2024 will have live music in the bar area.

Capital Audiofest, held at the Hilton Rockville in Rockville, MD, is a beautiful venue and conveniently located next to a metro station. This provided quick access to Washington DC. With over 35,000 square feet of flexible conference space, the Hilton Rockville offers plenty of room for exhibitors and attendees to explore the latest audio products and technology. See Enjoy the Music.com's Capital Audiofest 2023 show report. For more details on CAF 2024 and to get your tickets for this year's event, please see Capital Audiofest's website. And of course you can see Enjoy the Music.com's Capital Audiofest 2024 show report at this link.

10 / 18 / 24

Revox Announces Their New B77 MK III Reel-To-Reel
While posting new gear updates is rare within Enjoy the Music.com's Industry News page, the new Revox B77 MK III surely qualifies as an exception to the rule. Revox's B77 MK III is a stereo magnetic tape recorder / player developed to extremely high modern standards. According to Revox, "The entire electronics have been optimized with the components and simulation options available today. Proven components are still used, such as improved original Revox pickups with a considerably longer service life and the unique Revox motors. The result is this outstanding new version: the B77 MK III. All the new details, such as the audio technology for even better sound reproduction and recording quality, the precisely manufactured, high-quality Revox pickups, a digital counter, the ability to play all common tape standards, a wide range of connection and optional expansion options have been perfected by our developers, technicians and designers. The B77 MK III is manufactured in the Revox factory in Villingen."

"Like its predecessors, the new B77 MK III is manufactured to the highest quality standards as an audiophile masterpiece and visual work of art and stands for demonstrable sustainability like no other audio product. The high level of production and quality control required for the B77 MK III means that no more than 20 machines can be produced per month... The unique music experience is raised to a whole new level by the perfectly matched B77 MK III and the Revox Analog Master Tapes." Pricing is $15,950 and we expect the first few months of production to be sold out extremely quickly as reel-to-reel playback has gained quite a bit of momentum over recent years.

10 / 17 / 24

Listen To What You Like
Roger makes a shocking suggestion.
Article By Roger Skoff
Do you remember the Knights Templar? Or the story of King Arthur and the search for the Holy Grail? In Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, they actually found it, and to everyone's surprise, it turned out not to be some jewel-encrusted chalice, designed and fit for the use of kings or better, but the simple clay vessel of a carpenter or a man of the people. As portrayed in the movie, the significance of the Grail lay not in what it was made of, but in the way that it was regarded by those who beheld it. Perhaps surprisingly, there's a fairly good parallel to that in High-End audio. Our Holy Grail – the thing so many of us have always sought – has always been (at least after Harry Pearson first described it as such ) "the absolute sound": a perfect reproduction of the experience of hearing live music played in person. That was my hope for years, too, and it's been the goal of most of the audiophiles I've known, ever since I first got into this hobby....
---> Listen To What You Like.

Interview With David Chesky
On Music And his new venture the Audiophile Society.
Article By Steven R. Rochlin
The Audiophile Society is the brainchild of composer, pianist, and audio pioneer David Chesky. The new label will focus on bringing even more realistic three-dimensional recordings to market with their Mega-Dimensional Sound, The Audiophile Society's name for their unique two-channel 3D audio that can play on all existing two-channel stereo, while showcasing emerging artists working in a multitude of genres. The ultimate goal of The Audiophile Society is to change the way you hear music. According to David Chesky, " The interesting thing about audiophiles is that they are cool with collecting LPs, CDs, and open reel tapes, but at the same time very open to new ideas like what we are trying to do. I work a lot in the classical world where it is so hard to get people to like something new, we call it the un-acceptance of the unfamiliar.  But audiophiles are the opposite and are eager to try out the newest technology and embrace it if it is indeed better.
---> Interview With David Chesky Concerning Music.

10 / 16 / 24

Statista's Digital Music Outlook On Digital Audio Streaming
According to a recent report from Statista, a global data and business intelligence platform, it says "Digital audio streaming has taken off in a big way in the past ten years. According to Statista's Digital Music Outlook, the music streaming market size increased to $25.84 billion in 2023, reaching a total of around 900 million users. The pandemic years saw particular growth in the podcast industry, as people forced to stay home searched out entertainment, driving up listenership and advertiser investment. According to Megaphone, a podcast technology company owned by Spotify, where 2021 was a story of 'content explosion', 2022 became one of 'diversification', as the most significant jumps in podcast downloads came from markets newer to the medium, such as Spain (+298 percent), Italy (+244 percent), and France (+375 percent), while the highest growth in unique listeners in terms of age groups was the 13 to 17 year olds (+49 percent) and the 55 to 64 year olds (+45 percent)."

Furthermore, according to the Statista report, "A handful of companies are leading the way in this era of digital audio content. Survey data from Statista's Consumer Insights shows that in the United States, Spotify, originally a startup from Sweden, has gained popularity in recent years and now matches U.S. homegrown Amazon Music as the most widely used streaming service in the country. In both cases, more than four in ten respondents that had purchased music streaming services in the past 12 months said they had used the platform. In this chart, both music and podcasts are grouped together. In the United Kingdom, Spotify reigns king. Apple Music and YouTube Music are also popular options in both countries, while the lower ranking platforms start to diverge more; in the UK, Soundcloud is in fifth position at 12 percent, followed by Deezer in sixth position (10 percent) and eMusic (6 percent) in seventh, while in the U.S., these places are filled by Pandora (23 percent), iHeartRadio (18 percent) and Sirius XM (14 percent)."

10 / 15 / 24

audioXpress' November 2024 Issue
From the Editor's Desk: Other Ways Of Listening
PSI Audio AVAA C214 Digital Active Bass Absorber
Wolf von Langa Field Coil Powered Speaker Driver
Non-Linear Amplitude Modulation Of Loudspeakers
ACX-100: An Analog Four-Way Active Crossover
Audioscenic Amphi Technology High Dimensional Sound
Pushing The Boundaries Of Active Noise Cancellation
The Road To Dolby Atmos
Classic Hollow State Hi-Fi In The 1950s And 1960s
And Much More!

Within his editorial, J. Martins says "The great thing about the audio industry is that every day our perceptions are challenged. There are so many different ways to approach sound, so many different audio disciplines. That's what motivates me daily with audioXpress. I get to engage with a huge diversity of professionals and companies, all of which are extremely passionate and dedicated to what they do, and strongly believe in their missions. For some, it's all about pure enjoyment, for others pure survival. For some, it's about understanding sound, for others, sound reproduction. I can speak to brilliant people who generate, capture, and measure sound and audio signals. They all see things from different perspectives and all are equally engaging and exciting."
---> audioXpress' November 2024 Issue.

10 / 14 / 24

This Weekend: Toronto Audiofest 2024 Show
The Toronto Audiofest 2024 show, held from October 18th through 20th, is one of Canada's best luxurious premium high-technology home audio and video showcases. The Toronto Audiofest is made available to audio companies who believe that supporting the audio industry and its community, including the many enthusiasts who come to attend shows, is important to the industry's development and overall vitality. These shows represent the only way dealers and manufacturers can meet so many audio enthusiasts face-to-face in one place, people who have come to see, hear, and shop hundreds of brands and products in a festive, quality environment that can't be found anywhere else, and to share their findings with others.

The Toronto Audiofest 2024 event brings together hundreds of audio brands featuring top rated high-end audio and video (audiophile and videophile) equipment from around the globe. Attendees can hear, touch, and compare various sound systems within two hotel locations that feature many floors of demo rooms ranging from 240 to 2400 sq. ft. It is the perfect place to experience the ultimate in audiophile sound quality. If you're considering acquiring a complete sound system or only a new piece of equipment, the Toronto Audiofest 2024 was the place for you!
---> Toronto Audiofest 2024 Show Information And Report.

10 / 11 / 24

UK Audio Show 2024 Show Report
Discovering many glorious new companies and equipment too!
UK Audio 2024 Show Report By Clive Meakins
UK Audio Show was very enjoyable, I came across companies and equipment that were new to me. There was innovative thinking in evidence too. I also very much enjoyed the Alphason technical session where the highly experienced Mike Knowles clearly was very on top of his subject. The Bob Harris sessions were a masterstroke, they combined a love of music with highly interesting tales from the music industry. The UK Audio Show at the Staverton Park Hotel, Daventry, UK took place 5th and 6th of October 2023. The show was expertly organized by Chester Group who operate internationally and has been running the UK show since 1997, however, times are a-changin'. Not long before the show it was announced that Stereonet – a sponsor of the show – will be taking over for next year.
---> UK Audio Show 2024 Show Report At The Staverton Park Hotel.

10 / 10 / 24

Do You Really Need To Buy A Bugatti?
How expensive our hobby doesn't need to be.
Article By Roger Skoff
As I understand it, Bugatti's latest-model car costs something like $4,500,000, goes well over 200 miles (320kM) per hour, and costs – at least the earlier Veyron model did – about $23,000 just for one of its regularly scheduled oil changes. I might be wrong, though; I haven't done any serious Bugatti shopping lately, and I don't ever intend to. I did, once have a super exotic car, though – a 1953 Siata factory team race car that had been built for that year's Targa Florio road race. I was just a kid, then, no more than about nineteen years old, and, frankly, although something more practical would certainly have been a far better choice, I didn't know any better. The car was extremely beautiful, very fast, and VERY prestigious: Everywhere I drove it, it was the center of attention, and I could enjoy the hope that, as its driver, I must be something special, too.
---> Do You Really Need To Buy A Bugatti?

World Premiere Review!
Rogue Audio Stereo 100 'Dark' Vacuum Tube Amplifier Review
Musical purity and natural ease bring out the very best in your loudspeakers.
Review By Ric Mancuso
Rogue Audio's designer Mark O'Brien has been on a tear lately with updated and new models that are setting the bar higher for the competition. I recently wrote about the new Rogue Audio Pharaoh II and the Sphinx Model 3 before the Stereo 100 Dark as reviewed here. You might say, they all came first under the checkered flag. Mark is a high-performance car and motorbike enthusiast, along with being driven — no pun intended — by his passion for premium audio high-end sound. I guess you could call him a gearhead. Hey, aren't we all at some level? Funny, how speedy motorbikes are a thing with other audio designers in the industry. To name a few, EveAnna Manley of Manley Audio, Sean Casey of Zu Audio, and Mark O'Brien of Rogue Audio. I have an exercise bike.
---> Rogue Audio Stereo 100 'Dark' Vacuum Tube Amplifier Review.

10/ 09 / 24

The Catalog Of Legendary Band Pink Floyd Is Acquired By Sony
In a landmark move that has sent ripples through the music industry, Sony Music Entertainment has acquired the extensive catalog of the iconic rock band Pink Floyd for $400,000,000. Known for their groundbreaking albums and innovative soundscapes, Pink Floyd's discography, which includes classics like The Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall, represents a significant asset for Sony. This acquisition not only solidifies Sony's position in the lucrative market of classic rock but also reflects a growing trend of major labels investing heavily in legendary music catalogs to capitalize on streaming revenue and nostalgic consumer interest.

The deal, worth hundreds of millions, underscores the enduring legacy of Pink Floyd and their continued influence on contemporary music. With a dedicated fan base and timeless hits, the band's catalog is poised to thrive in the digital age, attracting both longtime aficionados and new listeners alike. This acquisition aligns with Sony's strategy to enhance its portfolio of revered artists while also exploring opportunities for new audio / video content creation, including potential multi-channel immersive remasters, documentaries, and merchandise. As the music landscape continues to evolve, this partnership promises to breathe new life into Pink Floyd's storied catalog, ensuring that their revolutionary immersive music remains relevant for generations to come.

Previous High-End Audio News
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