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The US economy took a severe downturn last year following the terrorist attacks of September 11, and this year has been hit by the stock market's decline in the wake of the accounting scandal–fueled collapse of Enron and WorldCom, Inc. Electronics retailers have ridden out the slump fairly well, buoyed by a consumer trend toward "cocooning," or putting their disposable income into their homes. For most retailers, the popularity of DVD and home theater has offset diminishing sales of stand-alone audio.

For his review of the <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//amplificationreviews/658/">Nagra VPA monoblock power amplifier</A>, Jonathan Scull lived a life of danger, noting that readers should "Respect the VPA as the hot-running, high-voltage device it is and It Will Provide. Cold-nosed pets and curious little fingers have no business around these Swiss Guards of quality sound engineering."

San Francisco, California will open its Golden Gates to welcome the Home Entertainment 2003 Show, June 5-8, 2003. The event will take place at the Westin-St. Francis Hotel in the heart of downtown San Francisco. HE2003 marks the fourth time this event has been held in San Francisco. Previous events were held in 1989, 1993, and in 1997.

In his review of the <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//amplificationreviews/653/">Conrad-Johnson Premier Twelve monoblock amplifier</A>, Michael Fremer notes, "Conrad-Johnson is one of audio's 'marquee' companies, and charges accordingly." MF uncovers what you really get for your $7000, aside from 140Wpc and a top-shelf name.

Music fans are mourning the passing of swing era giant Lionel Hampton. The vibraphonist, band leader, and multi-instrumentalist died August 31 at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Manhattan of complications from age and a recent heart attack, according to his manager Phil Leshin. Hampton was 94.

<A HREF="http://www.cedia.com">CEDIA</A&gt;, <A HREF="http://www.montecarlogameroom.com">Monte Carlo Game Room</A>, and <I>Audio Video Interiors</I>, <I>Home Theater</I>, <I>Stereophile Guide to Home Theater</I>, and <I>Stereophile</I> magazines challenge you to "Get in the Game" as they host this year&rsquo;s Elf Foundation Charity Raffle and Blackjack Tournament at CEDIA Expo 2002.

It has been another tough week for the <A HREF="http://www.riaa.org">Recording Industry Association of America</A> (RIAA) as it continues to grapple with a waning CD market, and attempts to further rein in the forces of a brave new digital audio world. It didn't help that its website was heckled until it went offline, either.