Do DRM (digital rights management) restrictions on paid downloads bother you? Why or why not?
When you download a music file from pay services, you get DRM or digital rights management that restricts how you use the file. Is this a problem for you?
LATEST ADDITIONS
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The Darwinian Audiophile
Mojo Nixon sings, "Elvis is everywhere." My version is "Darwin is everywhere." Last Thanksgiving, as my extended family was gathered around the dinner table, my 11-year-old nephew abruptly reminded us that Darwin was there, too. Out of the blue, he broadcast the $64,000 question:
Audio Research Reference 1 preamplifier & VT200 power amplifier
They say you never forget your first time. For me, it was an Audio Research SP-6B that had been heavily modified by Analogique in NYC—which meant, among other things, that yellow capacitors shunted other yellow capacitors all the way up to the top plate. That first taste of the High End—prior to that, you might say my face had been pressed against the window—was definitely love at first listen. That SP-6B was warm yet detailed, and I ended up building a system around it that at least one friend described as a huge musical wet kiss.
Audio Research Reference phono preamplifier
Audio Research's long-promised "final statement" phono preamplifier has finally arrived, and its price is $3500 less than the originally rumored $10,000. That's a pleasant deviation from the audiophile norm, but at $6495, the Reference phono still boasts a steep ticket. That's more than twice the price of the $2495 PH3 SE, AR's previous best—a class sonic act itself.
Audio Research VTM200 monoblock power amplifier
The VTM200 is the first Audio Research power amplifier I've reviewed. It took me 13 years, and ultimately I'm glad I'd put that much mileage on my reviewing odometer before tackling what turned out to be a most difficult assignment.
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China, My China
<I>Note: These photos are a companion scrapbook to Wes Phillips' <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/images/newsletter/405stph.html">eNewsletter report</A>.</I>
Yamaha and Hyundai Score XM Firsts
Yamaha Electronics Corporation has introduced four new A/V digital home-theater receivers equipped with XM Satellite Radio capability (XM-Ready). The $649.95 RX-V757, $549.95 RX-V657, $449.95 RX-V557, and $349.95 RX-V457 will allow users to plug an XM Connect-and-Play home antenna into the Yamaha XM-Ready A/V receiver and activate the XM service to receive 150-plus digital radio channels—no other accessories or installation are required. Using XM's industry-leading chipset technology, as well as a new proprietary chip and signaling protocol, the XM Connect-and-Play home antenna is capable of receiving XM's satellite and terrestrial signals, in addition to performing channel tuning, decoding, and audio transmission functions.
CEDIA Wins Another Victory in Bose "Lifestyles" Suit
On March 22, it was announced that the Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association (CEDIA) had received another ruling in its favor from the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board in the action brought against it by Bose Corporation to cancel CEDIA's trademark registrations for the phrase "Electronic Lifestyles." The Board denied Bose's motion for summary judgment and declined to consider fraud claims against CEDIA regarding the registrations.
iTubes For Your iPod
There's a basic rule that explains the audiophile's role in the audio food chain: The mass market accepts and <I>then</I> audiophiles perfect. Try to reverse that rule with something like, say, SACD or DVD-Audio, attempting to have sound quality drive mass-market adoption, and you get . . . the DualDisc.
Given equivalent quality, do you think downloads or discs will become the most popular medium in the next 5-10 years? Why?
In a a <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/news/031405discs">recent article</A>, <I>Stereophile</I>'s Jon Iverson cited the increase in broadband usage as an indication that more folks may get their music via download than disc in the future. What do you think?