I’ve discussed my (apparently controversial) attraction to cassettes. Besides being affordable, fun, pretty, and filled with interesting sounds and art, cassettes provide a direct and meaningful connection between artist and audience: The person releasing cassettes in 2012 is likely doing so out of passion, with a spirit for adventure, perhaps even a with a distaste for modern technologies and conveniences; the person purchasing cassettes in 2012 probably has similar motivations and interests.
Imagine HiFi's Paul Lim redirected my attention to Almarro's cute A205A amplifier in sassy iPod white finish. The price of this amp with iPod input has yet to be determined, but the standard version goes for $800.
I was in California last week, spending time with Jon Iverson and working on our “Recommended Components” feature for the April 2010 issue. Jon and Corrina made me feel very much at home, made me feel like a king, made me feel very spoiled and very fortunate. California made me feel very connected to the earth, surrounded me with beauty, reminded me that the most wonderful moments in life are made more beautiful when you’ve got someone to share them with.
Jon Iverson remembers when Moscode amps came equipped with a diaper. "The instructions," he reminisces, "suggested the listener put it on before firing up the amp for the first time."
Though I was doing my best to give passengers room to exit the train, I was hopelessly in the way. On some mornings, it's impossible to stand on the train and not be in the way. Everyone scrambles toward the open doors, as if departing this train, right now right now! means the world. The world. I think it's because I hate this, that I try to do the opposite. When it's my turn to depart, I move carefully and slowly, perhaps in some futile attempt to show others how gracefully done it can be. Fellow passengers, there is another way. Watch as I move through these doors with such ease and finesse.
Beautiful plus beautiful equals more beautiful. Phoenix pairs Grizzly Bear’s “Foreground” with Brian Eno’s “Discreet Music” and offers instructions for mixing in some chance operations. Click here and make magic.
I was visited yesterday by Steve Krampf, CEO of Chestnut Hill Sound and designer of the George sound system. As we walked from our 6th floor lobby down the long hall to my office, the conversation somehow turned to various loudspeaker drivers. (That's just something that happens when you're in our office.)
Spring Fever at Stereo Exchange drew an eclectic crowd. Here we watch, anxiously, as a Stereo Exchange representative calls out the names of raffle winners. Prizes included a Pro-Ject turntable, Meridian iPod dock, and a $2500 gift certificate!
Well, I knew, of course. But, in addition to all sorts of great and suite-clearing music, CES (and the renegade T.H.E. Show) will be an absolute explosion of new audio gear and gadgetry. How do I know? I know because I've got the press releases that say so. They keep coming and coming. I've got an Outlook folder dedicated to them. Why don't I share those releases with you?