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If the devil is in the details, then Beelzebub has taken up residence in the collections of cables we use to connect our components. Reviewing the stuff is tough enough, but things are even more difficult for the average audiophile: Inevitably, the wire that sounds fabulous in the store or in your friend's system doesn't work worth a hoot in your own system, and you're left where you began. Equally inevitably, the wire that does work best carries a price more often seen in Tiffany's or Harry Winston. It's enough to drive a hi-fi nut to drink. So relax, pour yourself a nice glass of wine, and sit right back to hear the tale of Robert Lee and his amazing wires...

<B>PATRICIA BARBER: <I>Companion</I></B><BR> Patricia Barber, vocals, piano, Hammond B-3; John McLean, guitar; Michael Arnopol, bass; Eric Montzka, percussion<BR>Premonition/Blue Note 5 22963 2 (CD). 1999. Barber and Michael Friedman, prods.; Jim Anderson, eng. John Larson and Tom Reinholdt, asst. engs. AAD? TT: 58:11<BR> Performance <B>****?</B><BR> Sonics <B>****?</B>

The use of elliptical plastic ports in some loudspeakers has proven expensive for <A HREF="http://www.harman.com">Harman International Industries</A>.

Writing 30 years ago, in the November, 1971 issue, J. Gordon Holt tried to anticipate the cries of <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//asweseeit/483/">Sellout!?</A> as <I>Stereophile</I> began taking its first ads from dealers. Holt wrote, "Before you throw your hands up in horror . . . bear with us for another couple of paragraphs while we explain why this decision on our part need not prompt you to cancel your subscription immediately."

The year 2001 was a bleak one for the music industry. Of the major labels, only <A HREF="http://www.umusic.com">Universal Music Group</A> managed to turn a profit.

We've all seen dozens, if not hundreds, of great musicians play live. But who have you personally met who you would rate as a great musician or composer?

The custom of giving presents at Christmastime recalls the Magi, or wise men, of the Nativity story (Matthew 2:1-16), who were most likely not "kings" but astrologers. Paintings usually depict three wise men presenting gifts to a newborn in a stable. However, a persnickety reading of Matthew's text reveals that the precise number of Magi, although it must have been at least two, is not stated. The text specifically mentions a house rather than a stable, and implies that Jesus was a toddler. So much for the great Renaissance painters doing their research, or even reading carefully. The text, however, does specify three gifts, and it is that inventory&mdash;of gold, frankincense, and myrrh&mdash;which has given rise to the common (but not necessarily commonsense) inference that the number of wise men was three.