Krell KSA-100S power amplifier
The Federal Express delivery man was having a hard time carrying the box containing the Krell KSA-100S up the front steps.
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Recordings of October 1992: ...This Is Now/Brahms & Weber Clarinet Quintets
<B>EDDIE DANIELS: <I>...This Is Now</I></B><BR>
Eddie Daniels, clarinet; Billy Childs, piano; Tony Dumas, Jimmy Johnson, bass; Ralph Penland, Vinnie Colaiuta, drums<BR>
GRP GRD-9635 (CD only). Bernie Kirsh, eng.; Eddie Daniels, Billy Childs, prods. DDD. TT: 64:31
Meridian's F80 Comes to NYC
On September 26, Showstoppers had its "digital holidays" event in Manhattan. If you aren't a member of the gadget press, you probably won't know about Showstoppers, but it's a press event that gathers all manner of gadgets, gizmos, and computer peripherals under one roof, adds in an open bar and free food, and invites anybody with a press credential to come mingle and ogle the new products. The events are well-run, well-attended, and almost never have much of interest for <I>Stereophile</I> readers.
Amazon Offers Downloads Without DRM
On September 25, Amazon <A HREF="http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=176060&p=irol-newsArticle&I…; that its <A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/browse/-/163856011">Amazon MP3 download store</A> 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).
Allaerts MC2 Finish Gold phono cartridge
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.
EMI Takes Classical Music Online
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.
Nothing to Look at Here!
Bagheera is a past mistress at the art of <I>cat fu</I>, the ability to comfortably inhabit spaces too small for her to fit into.
Ostentatious Camouflage
Huckleberry, on the other hand, practices his <I>cat fu</I> mind-tricks out in the open—where they aren't at all effective.
Once More With Feeling—Or Else!
Rupert Christiansen sings the praises of hymns.
Nashville Katz
Making <I>Blonde on Blonde</I>.