Stephen Mejias

Sort By: Post Date | Title | Publish Date
The Word I Was Looking For
Stephen Mejias
Stephen Mejias  |  Apr 04, 2006  |  5 comments
in stinct n. 1. An inner pattern of behavior that is not learned and results in complex animal responses such as building of nests and nursing of young. 2. A powerful motivation or impulse. 3. A natural capability or aptitude.
Continue Reading >
The World is Crazy
Stephen Mejias
Stephen Mejias  |  Apr 14, 2010  |  4 comments
Ah: Best Coast’s Bethany Cosentino has fun when she’s with Ronald McDonald. Hmm. Here’s the video for Best Coast’s “When I’m With You,” directed by Pete Ohs:
Continue Reading >
The YG Acoustics Anat III Signature
AXPONA 2011
Stephen Mejias  |  Apr 16, 2011  |  4 comments
The YG Acoustics Anat III Signature ($119,000/pair) employs a new circuit in its main module which enables the speaker to play louder while minimizing midrange distortion. Though the Anat maintains its rated sensitivity of 89dB, its impedance is more even, which should make the speaker easier to drive. Completing the system were a Veloce preamp, Krell 402 amplifier, dCS Scarlatti system, and Kubala Sosna Elation cables.

Alright. As some graceful piano came slowly tinkling into the room, I was immediately struck by the system’s combination of scale and delicacy. And when the first voice came in, it was one of those holy shit moments. And when the second voice came in, it was another one of those holy shit moments. And when the two voices came together, all I could do was sit there and grin like a dummy, in awe of the texture and tone and exquisite delineation of images. And then the percussion—fast and clean and authoritative. It added up to a compelling complete performance, just as sonically impressive as it was emotionally involving.

I heard myself thinking wild thoughts: It’s incredible that reproduced music can sound this good…. Sitting there listening to Herbie Hancock’s The Imagine Project, I was having the same sort of reaction as when walking the halls of a museum or strolling down 34th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, looking up at the Empire State Building: I’m just sort of amazed that humans can create such beauty.

Continue Reading >
The Young Guy
Stephen Mejias
Stephen Mejias  |  Aug 11, 2010  |  14 comments
And look who’s back: It’s Ariel Bitran! Ariel worked as our part-time editorial intern, enabling us to complete the 2008, 2009, and 2010 editions of the Stereophile Buyer’s Guide, before departing for a full-time gig with Mini-Circuits.
Continue Reading >
The Youth Movement
RMAF 2008
Stephen Mejias  |  Oct 12, 2008  |  4 comments
This is very important (and encouraging!): There were more young people at this show than at any other hi-fi show I've attended. Whereas in past years, at other shows, I have felt like the youngest dude in the house, this year, at the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest, I met many people who were actually younger than me.
Continue Reading >
Therapy
Stephen Mejias
Stephen Mejias  |  Jun 13, 2006  |  5 comments
Robert has asked me to review the new Sonic Youth album, Rather Ripped. You'd think I'd be thrilled about this. I would be, normally. But, so far, I find the new Sonic Youth album to be disappointing, an underachievement. Having to review the new Sonic Youth album is beginning to stress me out. Thus: this, therapy.
Continue Reading >
There Are Some Mornings
Stephen Mejias
Stephen Mejias  |  Dec 28, 2007  |  4 comments
Continue Reading >
These Are Not the Words to this Song
Stephen Mejias
Stephen Mejias  |  Jan 23, 2006  |  6 comments
Funny thing about carting a $1600 amplifier down these New York City streets during the evening rush: People just don't give a crap; they'll run you over. No problem. In fact, I was almost shown to that great, big listening room in the sky by an SUV (with Jersey plates, of course) just outside Herald Square. And try getting a $1600 CD player through the PATH station turnstiles; there's no special "Hi-Fi Entrance" down there. You're left to your own devices. I employed the lift and twirl method, but only after realizing that the push and shove method wasn't going to work.
Continue Reading >
These Are Pretty, She Wrote
Stephen Mejias
Stephen Mejias  |  Jun 17, 2010  |  7 comments
“These are pretty,” she wrote. Attached to the e-mail was a picture of the new Davone Ray loudspeaker. Pretty, indeed.
Continue Reading >
They're Not?
Stephen Mejias
Stephen Mejias  |  Dec 28, 2005  |  5 comments
"So, you've got a hankering for a new pair of loudspeakers?"
Continue Reading >

Pages

X