Where is your primary music system?
We were surprised at the results from last week's vote to see that so many readers have separate two-channel systems. So we're curious: where have you set up <I>your</I> main music system?
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Warner Drops DVD-A Prices
Things are looking up for high-resolution audio, with price drops for DVD-Audio discs announced by one major record label in a move to attract a larger audience.
Added to the Archives This Week
Michael Fremer heard that the <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//digitalsourcereviews/605/">Alesis MasterLink ML-9600 Hard Disk/CD-R Recorder</A> "can sound better than all but the absolute top-drawer analog," and, of course, had to investigate. Mikey 'splains why audiophiles should take note of a machine generally used as a mastering tool by the recording industry.
Royalty Rates Set for Webcasters
Some Webcasters were given a stay of execution in late June, when the Librarian of Congress announced that they would be required to pay royalties at half the rate proposed by an arbitration panel last winter.
Gracenote's Growth
If you've ever hunted for a song title or a performer's name on the Internet, you've probably used <A HREF="http://www.cddb.com">CDDB</A>, the Compact Disc Database.
Universal Audio Love
SACD partisans Sony and Philips continue to release new disc players that also decode DVD-Video, but not DVD-Audio. And arch-DVD-A supporter Meridian, as well as companies such as McIntosh, are releasing DVD-A and DVD-V players that don't do SACD. But there are exceptions, notably <A HREF="http://www.pioneerelectronics.com">Pioneer</A>, who debuted the first widely available "universal" player, the <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//digitalsourcereviews/515/">DV-AX10 SACD/DVD-A/CD player</A>, last year.
Hi-Fi Goes Wi-Fi
It's been a long wait, but we're finally starting to see high-bandwidth IEEE 1394 digital audio connections on the back of DVD-A/SACD players (see <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/news/11369/">related story</A>), as first <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/news/10049/">hinted at by Yamaha</A> five years ago. A key ingredient for getting the beleaguered 1394 (or FireWire or iLink) format moving was the inclusion of copy-protection protocols that restrict unfettered consumer use of the digital audio content.
Alesis MasterLink ML-9600 Hard Disk/CD-R Recorder
When a well-respected <I>analog</I> disc-mastering veteran like Stan Ricker says that the Alesis MasterLink ML-9600, a hard-disk-based digital recorder/CD burner, is "the best tool in my mastering bag...done right it can sound better than all but the absolute top drawer analog," you take the endorsement seriously. Progress is possible. Mastering tool, CD burner, 24-bit/96kHz recorder, audio reviewer's best friend—the versatile MasterLink is one of the coolest products I've ever had my hands on.
Do you have separate two-channel and home-theater systems?
The times they are a changing, and many audiophiles have added video to their audio system. Others have kept their two-channel systems intact by creating separate home-theater systems. How about you?
Universal, Sony Dropping Download Prices
It's still too early in the game to guess what a profitable music download business might look like, but it's clear that it won't involve highly restricted access—or high prices.