<A HREF="http://www.marquisclassics.com">Marquis Classics</A>, a Toronto-based CD label specializing in classical, jazz, world, and crossover recordings, recently issued its second batch of "<A HREF="http://www.marquisclassics.com/orion.html">Orion Master Recordings</A>." Drawn from the large classical catalog of the defunct Orion LP label, the CDs include prized rare recordings by Robert Silverman, Steven Staryk, Joel Krosnick, Leonid Kogan, and other fine artists.
One of the highlights of such annual events as the Consumer Electronics and Primedia Home Entertainment shows has been the demonstrations of loudspeakers from TAD, the professional division of Pioneer Electronics. Designer Andrew Jones is always generous in using recordings brought by visitors, and enthusiastic in explaining the technology behind these beautiful behemoths. Among these speakers' unique features are a beryllium dome tweeter mounted concentrically inside a beryllium midrange cone, and a cabinet built of stacked, carved horizontal sections, for incredible rigidity without using exotic materials or excessive mass. The concentric upper-range driver is a reminder that, some time back, Jones worked for KEF, where the coaxial UniQ driver was developed, but the materials and details of the TAD drivers are all new. While the TAD Model 1s are always good for musical and audiophile thrills, their price is in the upper five figures, which put them out of serious purchase consideration.
My plan was to begin by revealing the highest sum I've paid for a wristwatch. It wasn't very much, and that would have been the point.
KINGS OF LEON: <I>Because of the Times</I><BR>
RCA (CD). 2007. Ethan Johns, prod., eng.; Lowell Reynolds, asst. eng. AAD? TT: 51:41<BR>
Performance ****½<BR>
Sonics ****
Think about it, if you reduce the noise caused by airplanes, what else are you reducing—or enhancing?
Exploring the randomness of the iPod's random function.
Bed head? Huckleberry has bed <I>everything</I>.
Bagheera has decided that the roasting pan makes a dandy command bridge for managing kitchen operations.
