LATEST ADDITIONS

Many small classical record labels are facing an uncertain future in the wake of a decision by <A HREF="http://www.towerrecords.com">Tower Records</A> to put three classical distributors on buying hold. News of the decision, and discussions about its ramifications, have circulated on the Internet after an internal memo was leaked on May 1. The memo from company headquarters ordered store buyers at all 113 Tower stores in the US not to purchase from Allegro, Harmonia Mundi, and Qualiton, until receiving further notice. The three distributors represent dozens of small independent jazz and classical recording labels.

It's been a roller coaster ride for satellite radio upstarts <A HREF="http://www.siriusradio.com">Sirius Radio</A> and <A HREF="http://www.xmradio.com">XM Radio</A> this past week as both companies fortunes shifted yet again. In a classic billion-dollar consumer electronics gamble, Sirius and XM are betting that they can reach critical mass by selling enough specially equiped digital radio receivers through car manufacturers while simultaneously signing up enough subscribers to reach profitability.

The Home Entertainment 2001 show, held in New York City May 11&ndash;13, 2001, received high marks and a standing ovation from show attendees, who came to experience some of the most innovative and exciting consumer electronics products in decades.

<I>"I'm a fan of tubes&mdash;I don't like designing with them, but I </I>do<I> like listening to them."</I>&mdash;Paul McGowan, <I>Stereophile</I> <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//interviews/222/">interview</A&gt;, May 2000

<B>RAE & CHRISTIAN: <I>Sleepwalking</I></B><BR> GrandCentral/Studio K7 K7096CD (CD). 2001. Steve Christian, prod., eng.; Mark Rae, prod.; Rick Cowling, Graham Harwood, Howard Payne, Dejuana "DK" Richardson, Philippe Simonin, Eric Steinen, engs.; Mike Ball, Chris Owen, asst. engs. AAD? TT: 47:05<BR> Performance <B>****?</B><BR> Sonics <B>****</B>

Have you ever noticed that your audio system sounds better after it's been on for a while?

Will audio dealers be interested in selling a product that's been available so far only via mail-order? <A HREF="http://www.audioadvisor.com">Audio Advisor</A> thinks so, and has created a new distribution company, WS Distributing, to begin selling the Musical Fidelity product line through "qualified" high-end audio dealers in the USA beginning May 21. Musical Fidelity has been available through retailers in Europe and Asia for years, but in the US, only from AA's catalog and website sales.