Audio Skies Michael Vamos - YG Acoustics, JMF Audio, Ideon at Capital Audiofest 2025
The Listening Room and Fidelity Imports - Diptyque DP-160 Mk.2 at Capital Audiofest 2025
Fidelity Imports Audia Flight and Perlisten System
Fidelity Imports Wilson Benesch and Audia Flight System at Capital Audiofest 2025
J Sikora Aspire, Innuos Stream 3, Aurender N50, Gryphon Antileon Revelation, Command Performance AV
Bella Sound Kalalau Preamplifier: Interview with Mike Vice
BorderPatrol Zola DAC – Gary Dews at Capital Audiofest 2025
Audio Note UK TT3 Reference Turntable Debut at Capital Audiofest 2025
Kevin Hayes of VAC at Capital Audiofest 2025
2WA Group debuts Aequo Ensium at Capital Audiofest 2025
Capital Audiofest 2025 lobby marketplace walk through day one
Lucca Chesky Introduces the LC2 Loudspeaker at Capital Audiofest 2025
Capital Audiofest 2025 Gary Gill interview
Sponsored: Pulsar 121
Acora and VAC together at Capital Audiofest 2025
Scott Walker Audio & Synergistic Research at Capital Audiofest 2025: Atmosphere LogiQ debut
Sponsored: Symphonia
Sponsored: Symphonia Colors

LATEST ADDITIONS

William Bolcom's Delightful Piano Rags

Hankering for recorded music that is witty, engaging, and filled with surprises—music written with a twinkle in the eye? Check out the Spencer Myer's new Steinway & Sons recording of the Piano Rags of William Bolcom (b. 1938). Also available as a hi-rez download, Myer's delightful takes on Bolcom's rags dispel any notion that the rag is a predictable but ultimately limited art form.
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Crate Diggers?

Put the expression "crate-diggers" into any sentence and it will catch my eye. The Warner Music Group has launched Run Out Groove, a new fan-driven, vinyl-only label that is going to let the public, or more accurately the crate-diggers among us, choose which records from the WMG trove of labels this new label will release.
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AVM Ovation MA8.2 monoblock power amplifier

I've known Peder Bäckman, international sales director for the German firm Audio Video Manufaktur GmbH (AVM), for many years, ever since he worked with Electrocompaniet. When I told him that I was looking for products to review in the reference system in my new 20' by 16' by 9' music room, he invited me to browse AVM's large catalog and see what tickled my fancy. In consultation with John Atkinson, it became clear that AVM's largest, most powerful monoblock amplifier, the Ovation MA8.2 ($29,990/pair), seemed a good fit.
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Listening # 172: Music First Audio MC Step Up 632, Vinyl Cleaner Pro

Before I revert to form and leave the subject for another nine or ten months, I'll pick up where I left off in last month's column to focus once again on step-up transformers (SUTs) for moving-coil cartridges. There's yet another choice you should know about—in this case, a thoroughly brilliant, handmade SUT that sells for well under $1000.
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Art's Personal Wrap

The Montreal Audio Fest, formerly Salon Son et Image, isn't so much about hardware. If it were, there'd be no sense attending, because the High End show in Munich does hardware better than this or any other show, and God bless them for it. Montreal Audio Fest also isn't about lavish parties or celebrities or exotic climates: cripes, the weather up there in March is usually so miserable that even the ducks that populate the Hotel Bonaventure's tenth-floor gardens spend most of the day hiding under the bushes. Montreal Audio Fest is mostly about people...
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Sunday in Montreal with Robert Schryer

If there's one thing that brings me more joy than seeing a lot of happy people at the Montreal Audio Festival, it's getting a seat in an exhibitor's room. Unfortunately, I often can't have it both ways. Those same happy people, if there are enough of them, will make it so there's no chair left for me to sit in.

One way to improve one's sitting chances is to go on Sunday, generally the day with the least amount of show goers. I call it the Sunday rule.

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