Stereophile: Current Issue

New Orleans' Musical Legacy
Battered by Katrina and almost down for the count, New Orleans remains in critical condition. Fortunately, its music scene has more than a pulse. Stereophile's John Swenson, a part-time resident, gives his first-hand account of the Crescent City's pain and progress.

Equipment Reports
Vandersteen
Quatro Wood loudspeaker Wes Phillips

Sonus Faber
Cremona Elipsa loudspeaker John Atkinson

Audioengine
2 powered loudspeaker Robert J. Reina

Simon Yorke
Series 9 record player Michael Fremer

Zu Audio
DL-103 MC phono cartridge Art Dudley

Boulder
810 line preamplifier Fred Kaplan

Boulder
860 power amplifier Fred Kaplan

Shure
SE530 in-ear headphones Wes Phillips

Follow-Ups
Wilson Audio Specialties
WATT/Puppy 8 loudspeaker Wes Phillips

Denon
DL-103 MC phono cartridge Art Dudley

Boulder
860 power amplifier Wes Phillips

Columns
As We See It
Last month, we celebrated 45 years of magazine publication. This month, John Atkinson celebrates 16 years of choosing the magazine's "Products of the Year," 10 years of Web publishing, and 5 years of editor at large Art Dudley contributing to Stereophile.

Letters
This month, readers write in with props for Gordon, Jim, and Art; with whines and views, and blame, attitude, and a gauntlet.

Industry Update
High-end audio news, including dealer seminars, the 2008 Stereophile Buyer's Guide, a new German brand, and England's annual Heathrow Hi-Fi show.

Sam's Space
This month, Sam listens to the Parasound Halo JC 1 and JC 2 power amplifier and line preamplifier and the C Crane Model CCRadio SW table radio.

Analog Corner
Michael Fremer brings us news of the Intelligent Record-Cleaning Fluid, Scheu Analog Das Laufwerk No.2 turntable, and Acoustic Sounds' Ultimate Analog Test LP.

Listening
Art Dudley listens to the DeVore Gibbon Nine loudspeaker.

The Fifth Element
John Marks listens to the AKG 701 headphones and the Pioneer Pure Malt speaker.

Record Reviews
For 2007's final "Recording of the Month," we've chosen the epic Miles Davis boxed set, the complete On the Corner Sessions. In classical, we have a survey of Rene Jacobs' superb trio of Mozart operas. In rock/pop, there's reissues of Bob Dylan and Moby Grape as well as the latest by Thurston Moore. And in jazz, a pair of heretofore unheard Charles Mingus live dates get a critical listen.

Manufacturers' Comments
This month, we hear from Analogue Productions, Audio Intelligent, Vandersteen, Sonus Faber, Simon Yorke, and Boulder about our reviews of their products.

Aural Robert
Jazz pianists playing the music of Elvis and Joni Mitchell? Sometimes the weirder.