Last week, the Analog Option Coalition, a loose-knit umbrella group that sponsored forums on analog recording during the 1997 and 1998 AES conventions, annouced that it has restructured as Analog Options Consulting, a division of Wavelength Communications.
Online readers rejoice: <I>Stereophile</I> is posting the first of what we hope will be many equipment reviews in our Archives database. First up is the <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//digitalsourcereviews/86/">Linn Sondek CD12 CD player</A> (recently reviewed in <I>Stereophile</I>), along with a review of the <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//loudspeakerreviews/85/">Linn AV 51 System</A> (from the February 1999 issue of <I>Stereophile Guide to Home Theater</I>).
Ethics is a subject always more easily discussed than practiced. There's been a lot of discussion recently about the ethics of retailing—or, more accurately, the ethics of <I>buying</I> retail.
<I>Note: This review appeared in the February 1999 issue of </I>Stereophile Guide to Home Theater<I> (issue number 22) and is appearing here until </I>SGHT<I> completes its own Archives database.</I>
A funny thing happened to Linn Product's Brian Morris when he attempted to bring Linn's new Sondek CD12 through Customs as hand-luggage:
Music lovers within driving distance of San Francisco and those planning a visit for later this month should set aside Sunday, February 28, for a feast of black vinyl. That's the day the <A HREF="http://www.sfcm.edu/">San Francisco Conservatory of Music</A> holds its Giant LP Sale.
The West Coast's <A HREF="http://www.goodguys.com/">Good Guys</A> aren't feeling so well. The 79-store chain reported a 31% drop in net earnings for the quarter ending December 31. Gross margins dropped to 23.4% of sales, as compared to 24.7% in the same period the previous year.
One of the benefits of being music editor of <I>Stereophile</I>---after, of course, unimaginable wealth, unquestioned power, and hot and cold running editorial groupies---is that every year in February I get to write about death. That, and the rather odd personality traits of the <I>Stereophile</I> writing staff.
Conrad-Johnson is one of audio's "marquee" companies, and charges accordingly. The Premier Twelve tube monoblock power amplifier, rated at 140W, sells for a rather steep $3495 each, meaning that unless you listen in mono, be prepared to lay out almost $7000 just for the amplification link in your audio chain. Apparently, many audiophiles feel the money is well spent: according to Conrad-Johnson, the Twelve has been a consistently strong seller during its approximately five-year production history.
Some people think that an audio component, like a good wine, reveals its full bouquet only when enjoyed and evaluated at length. Others think they can immediately tell whether or not a component is to their liking. Reader Federico Cribiore wants to know: How long does it takes you?