LATEST ADDITIONS

News
Amazon Offers Downloads Without DRM
Wes Phillips  |  Sep 30, 2007  |  0 comments
On September 25, Amazon announced that its Amazon MP3 download store was open as a "public beta" test. Amazon claims it has "more than two million songs by more than 180,000 artists from over 20,000 major and independent labels," which makes it somewhat less diverse than Apple's iTunes Store, which claims six million songs. However, Amazon MP3 has a few advantages in its corner: its MP3s are higher-resolution, variable bit-rate 256kpbs with no digital rights management—and they are cheaper, 89–99¢ per track, as opposed to iTunes' 99¢ for its 128kbps AAC files (or $1.29 for iTunes+ files, which are DRM-free and 256kbps AAC files).
Continue Reading »
Phono Cartridge Reviews
Allaerts MC2 Finish Gold phono cartridge
Michael Fremer  |  Sep 30, 2007  |  First Published: May 01, 2007  |  0 comments
These are great times for analog, and I'm happy to have played a small part in the revival, but recently the demand for some products has outstripped supply; getting review samples has been next to impossible. I've requested an Audio Research PH7 phono preamplifier for literally years now, but ARC can't build them fast enough, so they don't need a review. The more they sell, the greater the buzz, and the greater the buzz, the more e-mails I get from readers asking for a review. It's not nice to not be needed.
Continue Reading »
News
EMI Takes Classical Music Online
Jason Victor Serinus  |  Sep 30, 2007  |  0 comments
EMI and Virgin Classics, one of the oldest and two of the most respected names in classical music, have undertaken a series of audiophile-friendly initiatives designed to strengthen their online presence. At the start of September, the labels together launched the EMI and Virgin Classics Listening Club. Open to music lovers who purchase new EMI or Virgin Classics discs marked with the Opendisc logo, the club's "exclusive" online environment offers participants the opportunity to build relationships with some of the labels' top artists.
Continue Reading »
Wes Phillips
Nothing to Look at Here!
Wes Phillips  |  Sep 28, 2007  |  0 comments
Bagheera is a past mistress at the art of cat fu, the ability to comfortably inhabit spaces too small for her to fit into.
Continue Reading »
Wes Phillips
Ostentatious Camouflage
Wes Phillips  |  Sep 28, 2007  |  0 comments
Huckleberry, on the other hand, practices his cat fu mind-tricks out in the open—where they aren't at all effective.
Continue Reading »
Wes Phillips
Once More With Feeling—Or Else!
Wes Phillips  |  Sep 28, 2007  |  0 comments
Rupert Christiansen sings the praises of hymns.
Continue Reading »
Wes Phillips
Nashville Katz
Wes Phillips  |  Sep 27, 2007  |  2 comments
Making Blonde on Blonde.
Continue Reading »
Wes Phillips
Is Time a Political Concept?
Wes Phillips  |  Sep 27, 2007  |  0 comments
Sometimes it is. "In theory, the planet has 24 time zones. Actually, there are about 39, and they are still hotly debated. Within the past month, President Hugo Chavez has talked of moving Venezuela’s clocks forward half an hour, and Indian scientists have urged their government to do the same."
Continue Reading »
Wes Phillips
Neil Gaiman is an Otter
Wes Phillips  |  Sep 27, 2007  |  0 comments
The Guardian interviews Gaiman for no reason other than that he's Neil freaking Gaiman. Works for me.
Continue Reading »
Wes Phillips
Weird Scenes Inside the Goldmine
Wes Phillips  |  Sep 27, 2007  |  0 comments
The Guardian has published some of the greatest interviews of the 20th century on its site. Do not miss Frost/Nixon—and see the play, as well, if you get a chance. I saw it on Broadway with Frank Langella and Michael Sheen and it was one of those moments of theatrical greatness you'll remember in your dotage.
Continue Reading »

Pages

X