LATEST ADDITIONS

Last week, we passed along some observations from Benchmark Media Systems' John Siau about iTunes forcing an unnecessary <A HREF="http://stereophile.com/news/120307samplerateconversion/">sample-rate conversion</A> in its 7.5 incarnation. We received a lot of mail on the subject during the week, including some helpful suggestions from Wavelength Audio's <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/interviews/196rankin">Gordon Rankin</A>, who has much experience designing <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/digitalprocessors/905listen">USB audio devices</A>.

The <A HREF="http://www.stockhausen.org/">Stockhausen Foundation</A> announced December 7 that Karlheinz Stockhausen died on December 5. No cause of death was given.

To many audiophiles, the name Boston Acoustics is synonymous with mass-market budget loudspeakers. Although many of its products have offered good value for the money, Boston Acoustics has never been known for driving the envelope of high-priced loudspeaker design (footnote 1). The company has been content to churn out well-designed, affordable boxes and let others attempt state-of-the-art loudspeakers. Until now.

The acoustic environment for music reproduction is easily the most overlooked source of sonic degradation. Many fine playback systems are compromised by room-induced anomalies that severely color the reproduced sound. When we live in a world of directional wire, high-end AC power cords, and $4000 CD transports, paying attention to the listening room's contribution to the musical experience takes on greater urgency.

<I>Stereophile</I>'s seventh CD of Minnesotan male choir Cantus, called with delightful originality <I>Cantus</I> (CTS1207) and recorded at 88.2kHz with 24-bit resolution, is now available from our <A HREF="http://ssl.blueearth.net/primedia/home.php">e-commerce page</A>, for $16.95 plus S&H.

<i><b>Trilla</i></b><br>
Deadly Dragon Sound

As in any community bound tightly together by shared enthusiasms, the High End is regularly swept by tides of fashion. Some of the fads prove to be based on something of value, and outlast the initial burst: loudspeaker spikes and Tiptoes, for example, or the resurgence of tube designs, or making use of high-quality passive components. Other fads, particularly if not based on good engineering, fall by the wayside. (Does anyone still use a <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/miscellaneous/784/index4.html">Tice Clock</A> in their system? Or suspend their cables and interconnects on little acrylic bridges?)

Bagheera doesn't think either. She <I>plots</I>.

In Hucklebery's case, it's deceptive. He's not really a thinker, that cat.

Actually, he has been guest blogging over at Powell's website, drumming up publicity for <I>The Stupidest Angel</I>.