LATEST ADDITIONS

Some time ago in these pages, Anthony H. Cordesman observed rather ungraciously that the whole line of Hafler electronics "could do with reworking." This was interpreted by many readers&#151;including the good people at the David Hafler Company&#151;as meaning that AHC felt the entire Hafler line to be mediocre. In fact, he does not. (He had given a Hafler product a positive review a few issues previously.) Tony's comment, however, did express a sentiment that most of us at <I>Stereophile</I> have shared for some time: a feeling that Hafler products had slipped from the position of sonic preeminence which they enjoyed during the 1960s and '70s to one of mere excellence in a field where only preeminence is acclaimed.

<B>THE PERSUASIONS: <I>Live in the Whispering Gallery</I></B><BR>
Hammer n' Nails HNCD 1988 (CD only). Frank Kulaga, Larry Collen, engs.; David Ackerman, prod. D&#150;D. TT: 34:39

How can you tell when a politician is lying? His lips move. How can you tell when a recording system is perfect? CBS tries to outlaw it.

A couple of friends came over this weekend to listen to records, and I’m happy to report that we experienced no trouble at all. No static, no distortion, no woman, no cry. Record after record, beer after beer, the Rega sounded just fine. I do believe <a href="http://blog.stereophile.com/stephenmejias/all_schmutzed_up_and_i_dont_k… days of vinyl misery</a> are over. But just in case the static monster decides to come round again, I also picked up a can of StaticGuard ($4 at DuaneReade). Before the dudes came over, I sprayed the stuff on the rug in front of my system, as well as on the curtains behind the system. The smell wasn’t so bad and the dry mist evaporated quickly. My apartment has never been so static-free.

The path to audio nirvana sometimes takes us in dark and difficult directions. We must fight terrible evils (such as room nodes) and stand strong against great adversities (such as <a href="http://blog.stereophile.com/stephenmejias/making_music_again/">static electricity</a>) to achieve sonic bliss. We have all encountered our fair share of audio demons. Describe your personal hi-fi hell, or tell us about your most treacherous hi-fi demon.

<A HREF="http://www.axpona.com">Axpona</A&gt;, the Audio Expo of North America, is geared up for its premiere next Friday in Jacksonville, Florida. The new Show runs March 5&#150;7 at the 350-room Wyndham Riverwalk Hotel, which overlooks the St. Johns River and is just 15 minutes from the Atlantic Ocean. Sponsored by <I>Stereophile</I>, which will blog live from the show, Axpona is already looking like a winner. Impressive figures for advance Internet registration (discounted through March 1) indicate that Axpona might meet or even surpass attendance at last year's Rocky Mountain Audio Fest, in Denver.

<i>It’s alive! Nirvana brings nirvana to SM’s listening room.</i>