LATEST ADDITIONS

Until recently, all problems in digital audio systems were blamed on either the analog/digital converters (ADCs) used in mastering or the digital/analog converters (DACs) needed for playback (footnote 1). As the performance of both ADCs and DACs improved, however, a previously unrecognized mechanism for distortion was unmasked: jitter. As we shall see, jitter—or, more correctly, word-clock jitter—can be a significant limitation in the technical and sonic performance of digital audio systems (footnote 2).

Recently, we've seen the digital "horsepower" race accelerate with the arrival of digital sources and devices with 24-bit and 96kHz sampling capability. Much of this has been spurred by the 24/96 labels emblazoned on the newer DVD players&mdash;and, within the purer confines of the audio community, by high-end DACs with this same ability. Indeed, it's possible that the <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/digitalsourcereviews/259">dCS Elgar</A> DAC, near and dear to John Atkinson's heart and a perennial Class A selection in <I>Stereophile</I>'s "Recommended Components," performs so well with standard 16-bit/44.1kHz sources because its wider digital bandwidth permits greater linearity within the more restricted range of regular CDs.

Recently, we've seen the digital "horsepower" race accelerate with the arrival of digital sources and devices with 24-bit and 96kHz sampling capability. Much of this has been spurred by the 24/96 labels emblazoned on the newer DVD players&mdash;and, within the purer confines of the audio community, by high-end DACs with this same ability. Indeed, it's possible that the <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/digitalsourcereviews/259">dCS Elgar</A> DAC, near and dear to John Atkinson's heart and a perennial Class A selection in <I>Stereophile</I>'s "Recommended Components," performs so well with standard 16-bit/44.1kHz sources because its wider digital bandwidth permits greater linearity within the more restricted range of regular CDs.

A move by RealNetworks to cut the umbilical cord between Apple's iPod and the company's iTunes Music Store has raised the ire of some execs in Cupertino. The computer pioneer is threatening legal and technical retaliation against its Seattle rival in the wake of a late July launch of a digital music technology called Harmony that enables the iPod to work with downloads from RealNetworks' music store.

From its origins as an obscure off-Broadway novelty act, <A HREF="http://www.blueman.com">Blue Man Group</A> has grown to monster proportions, with authorized spinoffs performing in major cities throughout the world. The group is a permanent attraction in Las Vegas.

<I><A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/news/072604journey/">Audiophile's Journey</A> continues.</I>

Back in June of 1992, Lewis Lipnick auditioned one of the era's benchmark products, the <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/amplificationreviews/692cello">Cello Palette Preamplifier</A>. LL comments, "The Palette Preamplifier gives the listener a glimpse of what performers experience every day on stage: total immersion <I>in</I> the music."