Have the format wars begun in earnest? Only a few days after Warner Brothers announced the DVD-Audio release of Paul Simon's <I>You're the One</I>, <A HREF="http://www.umusic.com">Universal Music Group</A> announced its plan to release titles in the Super Audio CD format.
Music lover Dennis Cassidy had an itch years ago to start an audiophile label dedicated to releasing the particular kinds of music he liked with the best vinyl and packaging available. Cassidy was involved with music distributor Sound Advice at the time, which sold the standard audiophile favorites from Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs, and others.
Last week's vote addressed the new formats and buying a CD player, but what is holding you back from buying into the new formats?
First, the bad news: Sales of stand-alone, two-channel audio products declined in the month of June by 1.8% to $164 million, according to recently published statistics from the <A HREF="http://www.ce.org">Consumer Electronics Association</A>.
Two years after they were first announced, DVD-Audio discs may finally be on their way from major labels.
After the 2001 show's wildly successful run earlier this year, <A HREF="http://www.homeentertainment-expo.com">Home Entertainment 2002</A> is heading back again to the heart of New York City. HE2002 will take place May 30–June 2, 2002 at the Hilton New York.
There are only a few short days left, but once again, audiophiles can help themselves and others at the same time by participating in The Cable Company's sixth annual "Summer Against Hunger" campaign. <A HREF="http://www.fatwyre.com">The Cable Company</A> (and <A HREF="http://www.usedcable.com">www.usedcable.com</A>), along with several manufacturers and audiophile publications, have set up a program by which they offer to donate up to 10% of August sales to CARE and the International Rescue Committee, these contributions to be used to assist the worldwide disaster relief efforts of those humanitarian organizations.
From the August 2001 issue, we have Michael Fremer's illuminating review of the <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//loudspeakerreviews/394/">Audio Physic Avanti III loudspeaker</A>. Fremer wonders how Audio Physic can top the outstanding price/performance success of its middle-of-the line <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//loudspeakerreviews/147/">Virgo model</A> with a speaker that costs twice as much. As Fremer asks, "Is the Avanti twice as good as the Virgo? <I>More</I> than twice as good? Or is it just another competent but undistinguished design?"
Maybe it's because those Yanks are so contentious, but it appears that most of the initial CD copy-protection activity is taking place in Europe (see <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/news/11113/">previous</A>). Last week, Phoenix, AZ–based SunnComm announced that it has reached an agreement in principle with <A HREF="http://www.sonopress.de">Sonopress</A> of Germany for implementation of its MediaCloQ technology in manufacturing facilities located all over Europe.
Success can be a two-edged sword. With the Virgo (<A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//loudspeakerreviews/147/">reviewed in September 1995</A>), Audio Physic created a $5000/pair benchmark product at the midpoint of the company's speaker lineup. While an upgraded, $5800 Virgo is due out soon, the original version will remain in production, its price dropping to $4495/pair—less than it cost six years ago.