Although standalone music systems will always be part of the audio hobby, it appears that computers are becoming increasingly important. Improvements in data transmission and storage are reported almost daily, and several services now offer downloads of music. When will a computer become part of <i>your</i> music system?
Several companies spanning the personal computer, communications, and consumer electronics industries announced March 4th the formation of a working group that will develop a specification for wireless communications in the home. This specification will allow PCs, peripherals, cordless telephones, and consumer electronic devices to communicate and interoperate with one another.
In cooperation with the International Intellectual Property Alliance, the <A HREF="http://www.riaa.com">Recording Industry Association of America</A> filed a <A HREF="mailto:lpelliccia@riaa.com">report</A> in February with the United States Trade Representative outlining the problems that US record companies face conducting business in foreign marketplaces. The report highlights inadequacies in copyright protection with respect to standards and enforcement, and identifies major impediments to market access.
Move over, <A HREF="http://www.cdnow.com">CDNow</A>, <A HREF="http://www.n2k.com">N2K</A>, and <A HREF="http://www.musicblvd.com">Music Boulevard</A>---<A HREF="http://www.Amazon.com">Amazon.com</A> and <A HREF="http://www.bestbuy.com">Best Buy</A> want to play.
Members of San Francisco's legendary Grateful Dead have announced plans to reunite for a six-week, 25-city tour beginning in June. The group---whose core consists of original Dead members Phil Lesh (bass), Bob Weir (guitar), and Mickey Hart (drums)---will call itself The Other Ones, after an old Dead tune. The group will headline the third annual "Furthur" tour.
Kinergetics Research was a name to be reckoned with in the early days of CD, when they produced some of the earliest well-received, audiophile-grade CD players. They've branched out since then, producing amplifiers, preamps, subwoofers, and surround-sound processors. In fact, they're so busy with such products that they no longer build CD players! The last <I>Stereophile</I> review of a Kinergetics CD player appeared way back in 1993.
The ProAc Response One S was one of the very first products I reviewed for <I>Stereophile</I> back in 1994 (Vol.17 No.9). That review was such an over-the-top rave that John Atkinson felt obliged to audition the speakers himself before running my report. I assume he liked 'em too—after all, my review did see the light of day.
<B>ARTURO DELMONI & NATHANIEL ROSEN: <I>Music for a Glass Bead Game</I></B><BR> <B>J.S. Bach</B>: Two-Part Inventions 1, 3, 6, 7, 9, 10, 13. <B>Kodály</B>: Duo for Violin & Cello. <B>Giordani</B>: Duetto II. <B>Martinu</B>: Duo for Violin & Cello. <B>Handel</B>: <I>Passacaglia</I><BR> Arturo Delmoni, violin; Nathaniel Rosen, cello<BR> John Marks Records JMR 15 (CD). John Marks, prod.; Jerry Bruck, eng. DDD. TT: 62:34
Other people usually have experiences or insights that we lack, and their opinions can be extremely useful when we make our own decisions. This is especially true when it comes to forking over big bucks for new equipment. Below is a list of expert sources. When you are considering a purchase, which do you find most reliable?
On February 23, Pacific Microsonics announced that <A HREF="http://www.atlantic-records.com/">Atlantic Records</A>' forthcoming golden-anniversary release will feature classic popular recordings remastered using Pacific's high-resolution <A HREF="http://www.hdcd.com">HDCD</A> technology. The patented High Definition Compatible Disc process enhances the detail, richness, and dynamics of compact disc performance.