LATEST ADDITIONS

Savvy music fans willing to ignore the built-in copying restrictions on consumer-targeted CD recorders have always had their computer-based CD and DVD recorders and hard drives to play with, especially when it comes to manipulating MP3 files. Maybe not for much longer. A new content-protection approach is attempting to tighten the digital noose around the necks of PC users who have spent the last few years virtually unencumbered when it comes to&mdash;as Apple so succinctly <A HREF="http://www.apple.com/hardware/ads/ripmixburn.html">puts it</A>&mdash;rip, mix, burn.

Now that we've scrutinized the past 20-30 audio years, a reader from Portland wants to know what you'd like to see happen in high-end audio in the <I>next</I> 20-30 years. Let's see some wild ideas.

Is the world ready for another portable music format? <A HREF="http://www.dataplay.com/">DataPlay Incorporated</A> thinks so. On March 12, the Boulder, CO&ndash;based company announced an agreement with <A HREF="http://www.bmg.com/">Bertelsmann Music Group</A> to release new titles later this year on miniature pre-recorded discs, which are about the size of a quarter.

Last week, the US Secret Service reported that, assisted by the Recording Industry Association of America's (RIAA) New York Anti-Piracy Unit, it had executed two search and seizure warrants in Queens and Manhattan, resulting in what the agency called "the break-up of a massive counterfeit music operation." The Secret Service reported that approximately 20,000 recorded CD-Rs and 1200 masters were seized from the Queens and Manhattan locations.

There are a variety of ways to empty a large bucket of water: The entire contents can be quickly dumped in a dramatic rush, or a small hole can be punched in the bottom, allowing a smaller but continual flow over an extended period of time. Digital data can be seen as the water in the DVD "bucket," with 24/192 multi-channel sound being the equivalent of a big audio splash.

Creek Audio founder/designer/co-owner Michael Creek is a quiet, friendly, unassuming man. Unlike some ego-driven electronics designers who tout their products very loudly from their pulpits, Michael Creek has been quietly designing high-quality, musical, and affordable integrated amps in black-metal boxes for nearly 20 years. His target market is the passionate music-lover who wants something a notch above an entry-level NAD or Rotel receiver, but whose bank manager would frown on splurging on electronic separates.